Ambition = Crazy Busy

Sorry it's been a while. Life has gotten really busy as of late. Not only is work at Goodwill incredibly busy with upcoming events, finalizing the 4th Quarter, looking into 2015, and being a member of the companies Green Team, but I've also recently accepted a position with the Academy of Art as an instructor for a Short Form Writing Class. This is on top of the Ragnar event I'm running this week. CRAZINESS.

I have been keeping up with my runs (sans the hills), and am feeling good. I found a few pictures too:

This came in the mail the other day! My reflective running vest and arm/wrist bands for running at night. #SafetyFirst

Feeling inspired and a friendly reminder that you do have to be a little bit of crazy to think you change the world. Keep with it, believe in what you're doing, and you'll get there. It might be slower than you planned but you'll get there.

One of the worst run days of my training. Not only did I feel like crap, but my "running partner" was worse than ever. She was at least this far behind me the entire time, and halfway through she just plopped down on the ground and rolled over.

Crazy Simple Banana Spinach Smoothie Recipe

This is probably the easiest recipe out there for a shake. The only way it could get easier is to remove ingredients.

Ingredients

1 cup Almond Milk

1 cup Greek Yogurt

1 cup fresh spinach, stems chopped off

1 banana

Instructions

1. Put all ingredients in blending machine

2. Blend until all is mixed

3. ENJOY!

Exhausted and it's only 8:30pm on Monday

The title says everything. I'm already exhausted and it's only Monday. And 8:25pm. A ton going on with work, which is awesome, and I just accepted a teaching position with the Academy of Art for one class this semester. Crazy!

The picture to the left is how I feel my life is going right now. It's stressful and tiring but I love being this busy, and I only think positive things will come out of it.



I still managed to get myself to run almost immediately after work. Felt pretty good too. Still not looking forward to the elevation challenge at the race, but I'm feeling pretty good with my consistency.

I'm taking enough rest days and I'm able to run further and at a decent pace. I can't believe the race is next weekend! Eeeek!

I'm still working on the diet and figuring out the balance between the running, wanting to lean out, but still having the energy to finish my runs and get through my days.

A little short on food after the run (not to mention I discovered the green beans had gone bad) so I added a shake into the mix:

1 Cup Vanilla Almond Milk
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 frozen banana
2 tbsp creamy organic peanut butter

Sooooo good. I'm loving these shakes. They make me feel like I'm drinking a milk shake.

Tried this on Saturday. I call it the California Eggs Benedict with homemade Hollandaise Sauce from Julia Childs cookbook. The sauce was a little runny, but it tasted great overall. I'm thinking it's because I poured the butter in too quickly. I'd also use a little less lemon. I'm not going to do the entire cookbook within a year (like in the movie Julie & Julia), but it'd be cool to actually try everything in there. I figure 1-2 a week would be reasonable without spending entire paychecks on food and cooking supplies.

Tomorrow will be a 4-6 mile run. Bagel & egg sandwich for breakfast, tilapia with garlic kale for lunch.

Veggie Soup in a Clay Pot Recipe

It doesn't get much simpler than this. We used a clay pot but you can use a regular soup pot if that's what you have. You should have a gas stove if you decide to use a clay pot and be sure to start heating it up on low heat and gradually get it to high heat. If you automatically start on high heat you're more likely to crack the pot itself.

We didn't use any seasonings. It is purely the flavors of the veggies. It's a great side dish for dinner, lunch or a snack. If you want to make it into a full meal (and you're a meat eater) you could easily throw in beef or pork. There is a lot of flexibility here. 

Ingredients

3 full carrots, cut in chunks

3-4 celery sticks, cut in chunks

3 large tomatoes, halved & then in thirds

3-4 corn on the cobb, cut in thirds

Directions

1. Peel and chop carrots. Cut tomatoes, corn & celery

2. Put all ingredients in pot. Just cover in water.

3. Gradually bring water to a boil. Once boiling turn down to simmer. Let simmer for 1-1.5 hours, or until celery is no longer stringy.

An Un-tainted Urban Run

Emeryville run last week. Took a shorter, more urban route. Had a solid 5 mile run the day before and only did 3.5 that day. Sometimes a quiet, early morning urban run can be more peaceful than running in the middle of nowhere. Maybe it's all mental, but it makes you feel like everything is clean, fresh, and un-tainted.

Made a delicious shake the other day. A greek yogurt, almond milk, 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter, and a frozen banana.