Plan March 10-17

Monday

Cardio workout

Run

-tofu scramble HHLL

-protein shake with berries 

- Tofu noodle leftovers

-carrots and hummus

-Korean BBQ bowl

Tuesday

Upper body workout

Bike

Swim

-breakfast taco HHLL

-protein shake with berries 

-out for lunch

-veggies

-taco salad

Wednesday

Lower body workout

Run

-tempeh bacon, toast, banana

-protein shake with berries 

-Korean BBQ bowl

-fruit and veggies

-deconstructed falafel bowl

Thursday

Pilates

Bike 

Pick up race packet

-breakfast sandwich THH

-protein shake with berries 

-Veggie sandwich

-peanut butter protein shake

-veggie burgers

Friday

Yoga

Short run

-breakfast sandwich THH

-protein shake with berries 

-veggie burger

-juice

-vegan pizza

Saturday

Rock and Roll Half Marathon

-protein shake with berries 

-beer and vegan cupcakes

Sunday

Yoga

-breakfast tacos

-protein shake with berries 

-lunch leftovers
-juice

-sweet potato Thai peanut burger

Well, kids. This is the week! Running that half on Saturday! I'm not fast, it's not pretty, but damned if I'm not going to do it! I'm really excited! Also, a little terrified! But it should be fun.

It's rest/tapering week up until Saturday. Besides, I'm finishing my biking portion of the triathlon challenge later today (I finished the running portion weeks ago, and the swimming portion last Thursday), so I think I've earned it! Have I told you how much I've enjoyed the variety of triathlon training? I'm going to keep it up, especially since I've decided to do the Gunpowder State tri in October!

Mom is currently visiting, and we are having a blast! Friday I took her to the gym with me, to my women's group meeting at work, and she, Mia, and I joined friends at the Wine and Design in Leonardtown for a painting class which was tons of fun.

(notice I took a 1.5 glass reprieve from being on the wagon for the class. I figured it was a required component!)

Mine actually came out really beautiful. I will absolutely be going back!

Saturday morning, Rob, Mom, the pups and I went for a run/walk along the IHRT. I'm bound and determined to get some miles on Mom's challenge while she is here. It was a gorgeous day for it!

Then we headed downtown to the National Theatre where we saw Mamma Mia! It was great, I had no clue I would enjoy it that much!

Mia and I especially loved the mom/daughter story line.

I love going to the theatre when my mom visits! Next week, we are going to see the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and possibly VonTrapped. Then Mom will cheer for me during my race!

Afterwards, we strolled around DC (getting some more miles on Mom's pedometer!), and had dinner at Busboys and Poets, a vegan friendly restaurant in DC we love. I got the vegan Cobb salad, and the Oreo vegan cheesecake to share for dessert. It was an indulgence, and not in my eating plan, but so delicious!

Today, Mia and Rob are going to look at cars (hers was totaled when someone hit her on her way home last weekend), and Mom and I will go to the gym and then to the dog festival. It should be a hoot!

I'm currently reading A short history of nearly everything by Bill Bryson, and am almost done with The Goldfinch. I've not read as much lately as I would like, and am really looking forward to spring break when I'll have time to read!

I received this week two new vegan cookbooks, Oh She Glows and Thrive, which I'm looking forward to perusing and cooking from. I think I'll focus on OSG next week, and Thrive the week after.

My eating five times a day plan has struggled a little with Mom in town and restaurant visits, but I'm going to really get back to that today. I've really been seeing and feeling results with that. 

Plan Feb 24-March 2

Monday

Cardio workout

Run/ Bike

-tofu scramble HHLL

-protein shake with berries 

-vegetable hummus wrap HHLL

-baked sweet potato

-cumin tempeh, steamed kale, and brown rice

Tuesday

Upper body workout

Bike

Swim

-breakfast taco HHLL

-protein shake with berries 

-carrot apple soup HHLL

-cumin tempeh, kale and rice leftovers

-Sonoma vegan chicken salad with pita bread HHLL

Wednesday

Lower body workout

Run

-tempeh bacon, toast, banana

-protein shake with berries 

-Sonoma vegan chicken salad leftovers

-protein peanut butter shake

-Thai tacos HHLL

Thursday

Pilates

Bike 

Swim

-breakfast sandwich THH

-protein shake with berries 

-Thai tacos leftovers

-carrots and apples/ juice

-burrito salad bowl HHLL

Friday

Cardio workout

Shamrocks and Saints half marathon run

-breakfast sandwich THH

-protein shake with berries 

-lunch leftovers

-fruit and veggies snack/ juice

-vegetable pot pie HHLL

Saturday

Dirty 30 workout

Bike

-tofu scramble

-protein shake with berries 

-lunch leftovers

-fruit and veggies snack/ juice

-5 spice harmony bowl HHLL

Sunday

Yoga

-breakfast tacos

-protein shake with berries 

-lunch leftovers
-juice

-dinner out with friends

So this week's plan looks a bit different.  For the next three weeks (building to my half marathon!) I will be adding in an extra 30 minutes of cardio each day, and eating 5 small meals a day.  I'm aiming for about 2000 calories a day.  Most of my meals are going to be recipes from Lindsay Nixon's Happy Herbivore Light and Lean. I've also given up booze and refined sugars during this time.

I did cook some great stuff this past week, though.

Monday, I veganized a recipe Mia found for Bacon Brussels Sprouts Mac & Cheese. I posted the recipe here: http://questingadventures.blogspot.com/2014/02/plan-feb-17-23.html

I didn't use the crockpot, but made a tasty white bean chili!

Mia invented a Spinach/Broccoli Perogie pie, which was delicious!

My triathlon training is going tremendously!  This last week, I put in 57 miles! Since I started I've swum over 12 miles, biked over 142 miles, and run over 62 miles.  I've gone over 275 miles in 2014 alone, which puts me well on my way to hitting 1000 by the end of the year.  I'm excited, because my daughter, Mia, has been a great motivator and coach, and is training with me.  She's also adding in the extra cardio, and will be on my same eating plan.

Saturday, I got a long run in outside!  Hooray!  It was such a gorgeous day!  Thanks to the trail maintenance folks for doing such a great job clearing away felled trees and branches.

I just read Stephen King's Under the Dome- and it was really great- a monster of a book, though!  I am currently reading The Goldfinch, and listening to A Prayer for Owen Meany- one of my favorites. 

Rob and I are now in Season 2 of Lost!  This show keeps getting better and better!

I put the Orchids Rob got me in my office, and they make me smile whenever I see them.

And my puppies can't wait for spring, when we go on walkies/runs outside every day!

An ode to my Dad on his 65th birthday

Once my Dad's squadron was having a picnic. It was supposed to rain, but the commander said that the picnic would go on, and anyone holding an umbrella should also be wearing a skirt. My Dad borrowed one from my Mom, and wore it.

My Dad ran the Marine Cops Marathon. He ate a lot of bananas that year, as I recall.

My Dad used to make up ridiculous challenges, and bet me I couldn't do them, like shooting the springy part from the tp holder clear across the room, or whistling Yankee doodle after eating crackers.

My Dad didn't kill me on numerous occasions when I likely deserved it, including walking on the freshly stained bunk bed that he was building, and running my car into things.

My Dad didn't curse a lot, while we were growing up, unless he was installing a kitchen appliance. We called cursing "microwave words."

My Dad and I race every year, when we go skiing. Sometimes, I let him win. Sometimes he lets me win.

My Dad rode with a carpool when he was working at the Pentagon, and used to tell us a different joke he heard there every night at dinner.

My Dad rotates his sprinkler with scientific regularity. His yard is the greenest patch of the county.

My Dad cried when our dog, Sarah, got hit by a car.

My Dad was a pilot of MC-130s, and still can tell the difference between a B-1 and a F-15 from miles away.

My Dad takes care of his Mom. He has coffee with her every day.

My Dad knows all of the verses to songs you've never even heard of.

My Dad has a magic word that he can shout out the window of his truck, and his horses will run in from the farthest fields. He learned it from his dad.

My Dad has a secret story about beating the Nimitz, but still likes my husband, who was in the Navy.

My Dad is an awesome grandpa. He has patience with toddlers that is unreal!

My Dad terrified all of my high school boyfriends.

My Dad built a Koi pond in his yard, plants sweet potatoes because my mom thinks they're pretty, and is growing grapes for me to make wine with.

My Dad bought me my first car, and taught me how to fix it.

My Dad brought me pizza to the hospital and almost walked in to the delivery room while I was giving birth to my daughter.

My Dad is the king of bad jokes and terrible puns. One day I hope to be half as great at it.

My Dad let my daughter drive everywhere the summer she got her learners permit.

My Dad has a great garden, and used to feed carrots to his dogs.

My Dad drives the school bus, and the children give him presents.

My Dad loves my Mom, and they still hold hands.

My Dad is 65 years old today! Happy birthday, Dad! I love you!

Plan Feb 17-23

Monday

Run

Veganized Mac & Cheese & Bacon & Brussels Sprouts

Tuesday

Bike

Swim

Crockpot white bean chili 

Wednesday

Run
Tacos.  It's been a while since I've made you, friends.

Thursday

Bike

Swim

Veganized Quiona fried rice

Friday

Long Run
Mia's Perogie Pies

Saturday

Bike

Swim
Spaghetti and vegan meatballs

Sunday
Breakfast for dinner

With some nasty weather in our neck of the woods this week, I wasn't able to get in any training on Thursday or Friday.  Luckily, I knew it was coming, and put in extra time M-W at the gym.  I can't let my brother get ahead of me in our training!

Thursday night was a rather scary storm, in fact.  Snow coming down so thick and heavy, it was hard to see to the end of the driveway.  We lost power and didn't get it back until the next morning.  I had to cancel my Friday Samosa date with my friend, Cari, but we rescheduled for next week.

Rob brought me a beautiful Orchid plant, and a balloon that Copper barked at all afternoon.

While I was planning on getting a bunch of reading done on Thursday and Friday during my snow days, I didn't.  Rob ended up having to stay home from work, too, so we binge watched Lost all weekend.  I finally see where the numbers come from for the Lost Virtual series I'm running, but I am still very confused.  It's a good series- it reminds me a bit of Twin Peaks, which I watched in the 90's.  We're still early on in the series, though, so don't tell me anything.

We watched the USA Russia hockey game Saturday morning. What a game! It's been a while since I've seen a shoot out! So exciting. Then Rob and I headed to the gym to catch up on training miles, and spent the evening with his mom, Paula, watching more hockey. We also got margaritas to celebrate Valentines- and shoveled some snow.

I'm sad, because my normal running trail which was quite icy last week, is damn near impossible at the moment.  So icy, and at least 8 inches of snow.  I guess it's more treadmill for me this week.  Luckily, it's supposed to warm up by Wednesday, so I should be able to get my long run in Friday or Saturday.

This week, my daughter, Mia, and my almost daughter, Tina, both sent me recipes they found online that were decidedly un-vegan. I'm posting my veganized version recipes below.

Veganized Mac & Cheese & Bacon & Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:
1 box cooked pasta
6-8 slices tempeh bacon
1/2 yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
a giant bag full of brussels sprouts (Hey, don't judge.  I like brussels sprouts)
oil, sparingly, as needed (I'll likely use coconut oil)
2 tbs. flour
2 c. unsweetened almond milk
1/4 c nutritional yeast
1 package of Daiya Havarti vegan cheese
1/4 c. Panko bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 375.

In a skillet, cook tempeh bacon, onion, cloves in an inch of water. Add the brussels sprouts, stir, and cover.  Cook for about 5 minutes. Toss in the cooked pasta.

While that's cooking, make the roux with a little bit of oil (maybe a tablespoon) and the flour.  Add the milk, and stir until slightly thickened.  Add the cheese and nutritional yeast.

In a large baking dish, stir together the sauce and the pasta.  Sprinkle the Panko over top, and bake 30 minutes or so.

If I have any coconut bacon bits on hand, I'll also top the dish with those.

Veganized Quiona Fried Rice

Ingredients:
1/2 tofu package.  Extra firm, cubed
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
8 oz. mushrooms, chopped
1 head broccoli, chopped
1 c. frozen corn
1 c. frozen peas
2 carrots, peeled and grated
3 c. cooked quiona
ginger, grated, to taste
3 Tbs. soy sauce
Hot sauce (optional)

In about an inch of water, saute onion and garlic.  Add mushrooms, broccoli, tofu, corn and peas.  Add quiona and carrots.  Toss in ginger and soy sauce. Serve with Sriracha.

Plan March 3-9

Monday

Cardio workout

-tofu scramble HHLL

-protein shake with berries 

-vegetable hummus wrap HHLL

-baked sweet potato

-chickpea tender tacos with kale

Tuesday

Upper body workout

Bike

-breakfast taco HHLL

-protein shake with berries 

-leftovers pot pie

-peanut butter smoothie

-chickpea tender taco with kale

Wednesday

Lower body workout

Bike

-tempeh bacon, toast, banana, avacado 

-protein shake with berries 
-chickpea tender taco with kale

-veggies

-La Pain Quotodein with Mom

Thursday

Pilates

Run 

Swim

-breakfast sandwich THH

-protein shake with berries 

-blue corn chip salad

-veggies

-Sonoma vegan chickn salad with pita bread

Friday

Cardio workout

Bike

-breakfast sandwich THH

-protein shake with berries 

-Sonoma vegan chickn salad with pita

-veggies

-Dinner in Ltown?

Saturday

dirty 30 workout

Run

-breakfast taco

-protein shake with berries 

-lunch leftovers

-veggies

-Dinner in DC?

Sunday

Yoga

Walk

-tofu scramble
-protein shake with berries 

-lunch leftovers

-veggies

-sweet potato veggie burgers http://ohsheglows.com/2013/10/28/thai-sweet-potato-veggie-burgers-with-spicy-peanut-sauce/

Training, et. al. has been going beautifully! I was able to get 13 miles on the trail in today before the storm, and don't have too much farther on my triathlon challenge. Two weeks until the half marathon! Today (Monday) is a snow day, so no gym today. Hoping I can take a run tomorrow.

I've really noticed a difference this week with the extra cardio and changed up eating plan! I love it!

Here's some pics of what I ate last week.

Cumin tempeh, kale and rice.

Sonoma salad with romaine lettuce in a pita. I can't get enough of this recipe.

Breakfast taco with baked sweet potato, black beans, and spinach.

I finished reading Under the Dome, which I mostly liked, and am about halfway through The Goldfinch. I haven't been reading as much, and absolutely haven't been documenting my reads! Sigh.

I saved the best news for last, my Mom is coming to visit me this week! I love my mom, she's the coolest! I can't wait, we always have a great time.

Today is a snow day, so I'm going to sleep in, clean my house, juice some beets, grade some tests, and watch Lost with my love! I am ready for spring.

Photographic Evidence 2/13/14

We've had some weather lately!  These first few pictures were taken in January.  We've had a number of snow days this year at the college, which is unusual.

Since Rob works an hour south of our house, sometimes, when the weather is going to be bad, he stays with a friend close to work.  That means I got to shovel the driveway.  I did a good job, though, eh?

Our friend, Annie, did the Polar Bear Plunge at National Harbor.  It was so cold!

They actually had to get in and chop away the ice in a section so that the jumpers could get in the water.

Annie did the plunge with her sister, Riki.

Her husband, Bart, was very proud of her.  After a debacle involving lost glasses, the plungers went home to get warm and dry.

Rob and I headed up to the National Gallery of Art in DC.

The evening before, we had played a trivia game, and one of the answers was Claude Monet.  I told Rob about the many Monet paintings that were on display at the Smithsonian, so we decided to go up and check them out.

I also got to share with him my knowledge of other impressionists, including my favorite, Mary Cassat.

After the museum, we went to meet Lindsay Shay Nixon, the Happy Herbivore!  She was doing a meet-up and signing books.  I was a total nerd and wore my Happy Herbivore sweatshirt.  When I went to take my picture with her, she pulled an identical sweatshirt out of her bag!

(I have to give Rob camera lessons!)

Valentines Day weekend, we had another doozy of a storm.  A herd of deer came to visit us in our yard.

I counted 8 of them.  The dogs were very excited.

Plan Feb 9-15

Monday

Run

Deconstructed falafel bowl

http://www.findingvegan.com/deconstructed-falafel-bowl-2/

Tuesday

Bike

Swim

vegan crab cake salad

http://happyherbivore.com/recipe/vegan-crab-cakes/

Wednesday

Run

Black bean and avocado enchiladas

Thursday

Bike

Swim

choir practice, dinner = leftovers

Friday

Run

Lunch Samosas with Cari

Takeout (Steamed veggies and tofu)

Saturday

Bike 

Swim

vegan chili and jalapeño cornbread

Sunday

Bike 

Southwest Pasta

http://thewholesomedish.com/one-pot-wonder-southwest-pasta/

We're not making a big deal out of valentines day. This year, I'm in charge of planning what we do, so I'm thinking on Friday night, we will get some Chinese food takeout, and binge watch either The Walking Dead (we're midway through season 3), or Lost (we're about six episodes into the first season.)

I just signed up for a series of 6 races that are all Lost themed, so I suppose I should figure out what is happening.

Depending on the weather, we may get our bikes out and ride on the IHRT. I need to pump up the tires on the bike today to see if they will hold air. I am ready for spring.

Training is going very well, although this past week I have felt tired. I guess that means its working! My brother, Tim, is progressing well, too, which is pushing me to go even further. #imgoingtowin

Copper and I ran 13.25 miles on Friday. When I signed up for my half marathon last summer, I wasn't really sure if I'd be able to ever run that far. Now I know I can.

I'm just finished reading A walk in the woods by Bill Bryson, and really liked it. I want to hike the Appalacian trail one day. In fact, that's my retirement plan. A visit to my favorite used book store Booknuts, and picked up an armful of books I'm very excited about, including another by Bryson, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, a collection of stories by Kate Chopin, and Hells Angels by Hunter S. Thompson.

I'm also listening to one of my favorites: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood during my runs. It is narrated well, by Claire Danes. 

This year, I will once again be a World Book Night giver. I've been chosen to give away Miss Perigrine's home for peculiar children. More information will be posted about that as the event approaches (April).

In PhD news, my Research plan has received committee approval, and is currently in SMR, Scientific Merit Review. I anticipate this to be a painless process, and have started working on the documents I need for IRB.

Plan Feb 2 - 8

Monday

Run 3+

IDI Phyllo Pot Pie

Tuesday

Bike 10

Swim 1

HHLL Sonoma "chicken" salad (pre-cook tofu on Monday)

Wednesday

Run 3+

Crock pot vegan chili and cornbread

Thursday

Swim 1

Bike 10

Baked Sweet Potato (pre-baked on Monday)

Friday

Run 10

THH Hippie Loaf, mashed potatoes, and veggies

Saturday

Bike 

Swim

THH Corn Pudding, Spicy Collard Greens, and Vegan Spicy Sausage

Sunday

Rest day

IDI Seitan and wild mushroom stew

IDI - Isa Does It

HHLL - Happy Herbivore Light and Lean

THH - The Happy Herbivore

This week, Rob starts the 28 day E2 challenge, meaning he is going vegan for 28 days. He eats, for the most part, 90% vegan. Since I do most of the cooking and shopping, I guess I don't leave a lot of room for variation. In step with his challenge, I am cutting out cooking with oils. This won't be too difficult, I imagine.

I don't worry too much about extra fats in cooking because I eat pretty healthy foods, and exercise a lot. In fact, I just read Vegan for Her by Virginia Messina, and according to the calculations given in the chapter about vegan athletes, I should be eating more than 3000 calories each day! Wow! That is a lot!

My triathlon training is going beautifully, and I put in more than 50 miles running/biking/swimming last week! My distance run wasn't everything I wanted it to be, I wanted to do more than 10 miles, but ended up just shy of 9. I am really hoping for dry weather this next Friday, so I can try to improve that.

I haven't been reading as much as I would like to. I started Hollow City by Ransome Riggs, the sequel to Miss Perigrine, but haven't fallen in love with it yet. Maybe today I will pick something else up, and try Hollow City again later.

Or maybe, since it is my rest day, I will just clean my kitchen, make some food, and watch some football....