Kelly the Culinarian

Bring Home Baby Belle the Bike

2012-01-29T18:49:00.000-06:00

After much searching, anxiety and concern, I finally found THE perfect bike! It's a Giant TCR Aero Composite Bike, complete with bike computer, aero bars and a double water bottle holder. Don't act like you're not jealous, because this bike is hot.

Currently, the bike I've named Belle is in my car, awaiting a trip to the bike store. The lady I bought it from had mountain bike pedals on it, and I've been unable to get them off and swap them out for the original pedals. These suckers are stuck on like glue. I imagine Belle and I will be spending many hours together in the coming months and hopefully, in the coming years.

I'm super excited to finally have my road bike settled so I can get started with training for my first triathlon. I'm already signed up and ready to go, so now it's a matter of training and getting myself psyched.

And despite the awesome deal I scored on this bike, it's still not my favorite Craigslist purchase. That titled is reserved for Napoleon, who is priceless.

11 Things About Me

2012-01-28T17:10:00.000-06:00

These bloggy games are so much fun. I was tagged by Amanda a few days ago for 11 Questions, but I haven't gotten around to it because of work/headaches/general laziness. Mostly, the laziness. I had to jet from work early yesterday because of my first migraine. I had no idea that four cups of large coffee and a soda were bad for me ... I learn something new every day.

I also learned today that my car needs another $1,200 of work. Coincidentally, it also gave me a headache. I've spent way too much on my car in the past six months, including a 100,000-mile tune up, airbag sensor nonsense, a new water pump for the windshield wiper fluid and other stuff I don't even remember. Now, I need new shocks, struts and a stabilizer bar. I think I'll just give up and walk to work.

Back to the business at hand. Here are Amanda's 11 questions about me:

Favorite race/event and why? My favorite race was my last race, which was my first half marathon. The Big Hit Half Marathon was such a cool experience. I ran it faster than I ever thought possible and proved to myself and everyone else that I can stick with it, follow a training plan and finish strong.
Were you a Princess or TomBoy? Eh, neither so much, but if I had to choose, I think I tended towards the tomboy thing. I'm not so maternal, so while I played with dolls and watched Disney, I liked to swim, play video games and read more than anything. I think I was a feminist from an early age, because I can remember watching "Grease" and being disappointed at the end that Sandy changed herself to be with Danny.
Who or What inspires you & why? I find inspiration everywhere. I find my mom's sacrifice for her family inspiring, my dad's self-made success inspiring and my husband's dedication to higher education inspiring. I find Katie's weight-loss story and blog inspiring and I found Kara Goucher's book about running for women inspiring. Sometimes, I'm inspired by nice weather to get out there and run, and sometimes, I'm inspired by the promise of Taco Bell.
Do you have more “online” friends or real life friends? Real-life friends, for sure.
20 Year Class Reunion….Are you going, legitimately busy or you wouldn’t be caught dead stepping in the door? I'll have to wait and see how I feel when I get there. Right now, I think I'll skip it. Why would I want to hang out with people who made me miserable as a teenager when Facebook has allowed me to keep in contact with the people I actually care about?
Do you prefer Flowers or Candy from the significant other or should they save the $? Candy, a million times yes. Lindt chocolate, please.
If you were rich and famous and had the balls guts to name your kid something outlandish, what would that be? First and Middle name, please! First, I'd have to have kids. That would be the first hurdle. I named my dog Napoleon, so I have no issues with awesome names.
You’re in a marathon, in first place, on world record pace…..You have to “go”. Do you stop for a port-o-pot, and possibly lose the race and miss the world record or do you go in the street for the world to see? If it's OK for Paula Radcliffe, it's fine by me.
Why do you run? To kick ass. I started running to end a weight-loss plateau. While I'm still in a war with my weight, I've found a lot of peace and reward in running. And I love the bling.
Favorite type of run: Group, Solo, Tempo, Long Run, Speed Work? Long runs. Me, the road and my music. Life falls into place after miles with your thoughts.
Most adventurous “out of character” thing you’ve ever done? I've been sitting here for a half an hour and can't think of anything that would make someone say "that chick is nutso!" but traveling with my parents in their trailer to watch a quidditch match generally makes people say, "hmm, tell me more."

Cooking with Kelly: Slow Cooker Southwestern Chicken Recipe

2012-01-27T19:07:00.000-06:00

The inception for this deliciously simple meal came from Hyacynth, who shared her recipe this weekend. I made this southwestern crock pot chicken earlier this week and found a million delicious uses for it. I made quesadillas for Mandy with this as the filling, adding cheddar cheese and sandwiching it between two whole-wheat Flatout tortillas and crisped up under the broiler (please don't tell my sister I secretly fed her healthy stuff. She might claw out a kidney for that injustice). Hyacynth serves this to her kids over a bed of rice, but I also tried cooking up some amaranth to serve with the completed chicken, which also got a healthy dose of cheese and sour cream. My favorite combo for this dish was a scoop of chicken topped with a bit of cheese and eaten with whole-wheat tortilla chips. It was filling, healthy, cheesy and crunchy. The perfect lunch combo, in my opinion.

Slow Cooker Southwestern Chicken Recipe
4 Frozen chicken breasts
1 15-ounce can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15-ounce can of corn or equivalent frozen corn kernels
1 large jar salsa of choice

Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker, then top with remaining ingredients. Cook on low for six hours, then use a fork to break chicken breasts into chunks. Bake on low for another hour, if possible. This makes at least six large servings and freezes well.

A Weekend Away and a Trip Down Memory Lane

2012-01-25T08:07:00.002-06:00

Beta Sigma, circa 2006

I haven't been back to my alma mater in years. I went to Bradley University from 2003 to 2006, and it's funny that so much has changed, but so much has stayed the same.

Beta Sigma, January 2012

When I went there, the "gym" consisted of maybe 20 cardio machines for the whole college. Now, they have a sparkling facility that's nicer than most gyms I could buy a membership to, complete with a rock-climbing wall and brand-new machines. Wonder what that's like ... They even have luxury apartments, which I'm sure even have exhaust fans and stoves that don't leak natural gas, unlike the apartment Alissa and I shared in 2005.

However, the one thing that hasn't changed in the student newspaper office that I spent many, many of my undergraduate hours toiling away. It's still the same smurf-colored blue walls, they still have my futon in the corner and the computer are still the mini-Macs we were so excited to purchase in 2005. The clock on the wall was the same, the bulletin boards, cork boards and paper files are still the same. Rachael even recognized the microwave from her college apartment that she donated to the cause in 2005.

My favorite Beta Sigma ladies and I drove down Saturday morning for the alumni reunion, of which, we made up half of the participants. After a little presentation, we checked into the Embassy Suites, which turned out to be a fabulous deal. We got a two-bedroom suite, along with a drink reception and free breakfast for $110.

We also enjoyed dinner at One World, which holds a special place in our hearts. Hyacynth worked there in college, and we all subsisted on the hummus and spinach dip there for at least half of our college years. The hummus there is to die for - incredibly creamy and nutty, served with pita and cucumber.

I had a southwestern wrap that was awesome, along with sangria. The sangria there is incredibly sweet and doesn't like there's any alcohol in it. Dangerous.

In the end, it was a lovely trip down memory lane, and I got my fill of nostalgia. We stopped by the bookstore and joked about the time we spent on the quad, swapping stories of our undergraduate glory. It's crazy to think I've been out of college for five years ... I'm so old.

Cooking with Kelly: High Protein Oatmeal Recipe

2012-01-24T20:09:00.000-06:00

One day, maybe I'll write a cookbook that's just oatmeal recipes. I am a huge fan of oats for breakfast, especially if I can add protein to the mix. This recipe combines chocolate and peanut butter, which ended up tasting like a peanut butter cup with a thick pudding-like texture.

High Protein Oatmeal Recipe
1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 Tablespoon cocoa powder
1 egg white
1 Tablespoon natural peanut butter

Whisk the egg white, then stir into the oats, milk and cocoa powder. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes, then top with peanut butter. Or, if you're lucky enough to have an empty peanut butter jar, allow to cool for a few seconds, then pour into the peanut butter jar to enjoy all the peanut butter goodness.

It Starts Now ...

2012-01-23T15:03:00.000-06:00

Registration opened today for the Fox Valley Marathon. I am signed up and the countdown has started.

Just 237 days from now, I will complete my first marathon.

Cooking with Kelly: Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Waffles Recipe

2012-01-22T18:57:00.000-06:00

Mmmmm weekend breakfasts are the best. I get a little more fancy and decadent since we have the time to linger in the kitchen and enjoy every bite.

Ever since I bought Tim a waffle maker for Christmas, I've been thinking about all the amazing recipes we could try. This weekend, we tried some delicious whole wheat waffles with chocolate chips. I used dark chocolate morsels, but milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate would be delicious as well.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Waffle Recipe
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
7/8 cup skim milk
3 Tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large egg
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Whisk together all the ingredients together except the chocolate chips, then allow to sit for five minutes. In the meantime, preheat the waffle iron to medium-high heat. Mix in chocolate chips, then spray the waffle iron with vegetable oil and add 1/2 cup of batter. Cook for three minutes, or until the waffle reaches the level of crispness you prefer.

This recipe makes three large waffles.

5 Things Friday

2012-01-20T20:21:00.000-06:00

1. Our heat might be broken. We had a furnace guy come a few months ago, so I can't figure out why it's only 60 degrees in here ... and dropping.

2. I am all signed up for the Tower Tri in Niles, my first triathlon. I am more than a little terrified, and it doesn't help that I haven't found my bike yet. Know anyone selling a nice, reasonably priced road bike?

3. It took me almost two hours to get home today. I live 10 miles from where I work. It snowed six inches in four hours.

4. I'm getting depressed about my weight. I seriously can't lose the last three to four pounds and it pisses me off. I lost four pounds in my first week of dieting in the summer of 2010. I'll be more than a little annoyed if I can't lose four pounds in three months to meet one of my 12 Goals for 2012.

5. My motivation to finish Insanity is seriously waning. Tonight, I did tabata intervals on the elliptical while watching Mad Men. It was all I could muster.

Cooking with Kelly: How to Make Scrambled Eggs

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000-06:00

Eggs are a staple in this house. I buy them three dozen at a time and endure funny looks from the cashier. The reason is that I eat two boiled egg whites each day, plus eggs are the basis of my protein muffins.
I'll even mix an egg white into my oatmeal every now and then for a protein boost
(4 grams of protein for just 16 calories). But I still love scrambled eggs for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This does, however, require a bit of skills, or else you'll end up with rubbery, burned nasty eggs. Here's my method, which this morning, included goat cheese on a bed of spinach.

Perfect Scrambled Eggs
1 large egg
2 egg whites
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper
1/2 cup spinach
1 ounce goat cheese

Whisk together the egg whites and egg until fully incorporated. The egg whites shouldn't be easily visible anymore. Preheat the skillet to medium heat, then spray with oil.

Pour the eggs into the skillet, then allow to sit for a few seconds until the edges bubble. Using a spatula, pull the edges towards the middle of the skillet, continuing to fold the eggs. Remove from the heat while the eggs are still slightly runny, but don't remove from the skillet right away so the eggs may continue to cook.

Top with salt and pepper to taste and whatever other fixings you choose. I personally like salsa, cheddar cheese or goat cheese.

I'm Self-Hosted Now!

2012-01-19T20:38:00.000-06:00

Big changes here. I've changed over from www.kellytheculiarian.blogspot.com to www.kellytheculinarian.com. I thought this would be an easy change, but it's been a bit of a challenge. I have a new e-mail address where you can reach me, kelly@kellytheculinarian.com. It should take 24 hours for all the RSS feeds to work, but it could be up to three days to make sure all the links and photos work. While I sort this all out, enjoy a picture of Napoleon, because he's adorable. And he knows it.

I can't believe I've been blogging for almost five years. I've made the decision to get a little more serious this year about blogging, so you'll notice I'm making some changes. Some are pretty subtle, like the address you'll enter in your Web browser, and some will be a little more noticeable, like the top bar under the header with new pages. I'm working on an "About Me" page, along with another couple changes. If you have any suggestions or feedback, don't be a stranger.

Cooking with Kelly: Apple Oats Recipe

2012-01-18T20:02:00.000-06:00

Oatmeal is a staple in my house. You can buy a huge tub for less than $2 that will make tons and tons of breakfasts. However, oatmeal every day can get repetitive, if you don't get creative. This apple pie oatmeal recipe came about from my borderline obsessive desire to not waste food. And when apples come in a 10-pound bag from Costco, I need to get creative. These oats are filling and delicious, so give it a try.

Apple Oats Recipe
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup water
1 apple
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 Tablespoon Splenda
a pinch of salt
1 ounce walnuts, chopped
1/2 Tablespoon brown sugar

The night before, place the oats and water in a bowl to soak overnight. I like the texture this adds, but it's your call. In the morning, chop the apple, top with Splenda, salt and cinnamon, the microwave for one minute. Mix into the oats, then microwave for another 20 seconds. Top with the brown sugar and walnuts

How's This For Product Placement?

2012-01-17T20:13:00.001-06:00

Weight loss shakes on an end cap with Valentine's Day candy. Only in America.

Yes, I took this photo tonight at the grocery store. I ran in for OJ for my green monster smoothies, which was an interesting experience. Because I normally shop at Aldi, where there's only three types of orange juice (from concentrate, 100 percent juice or with pulp), I was overwhelmed by all the choices. Who knew there were 20 types of orange juice out there?

Cooking with Kelly: Peanut Butter PB2 Protein Shake

2012-01-16T19:23:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure how many times I can say I love peanut butter before someone starts to get concerned for me. Peanut butter and chocolate is quite possibly the greatest combination ever, and this particular combination helps me solve the problem of trying to use up a gallon of milk before it goes bad. Because it's just the two of us and we don't eat a ton of dairy, I'll often make up a batch of sugar-free chocolate pudding and freeze it into ice cubes. Then, I can use the ice cubes in protein shakes to add creaminess to my shakes.

Here's a great way to get some protein (35 grams for about 250 calories) without sacrificing flavor. This ends up tasting kind of like a peanut butter cup, but healthy, thanks to a little diet secret weapon I've found. If you're not familiar with PB2, it's a dehydrated peanut product that removes most of the fat and oil, but leaves all the flavor. Add this powder to shakes and baked goods or reconstitute it with water. I found it at a health-food store near me, but you can order it online, too.

Peanut Butter PB2 Protein Shake
2 ice cubes of sugar-free pudding
1/2 cup skim milk
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
2 Tablespoons PB2 (chocolate or regular)

Place all items in a blender and blend until smooth. Consume immediately.

Cooking with Kelly: Devilish Oreo Brownie Recipe

2012-01-15T11:32:00.001-06:00

Nutella is good for you, right?

Things were getting a little too healthy around here, don't you think? Mandy's birthday is coming up and we celebrated yesterday. I wanted to make something special for her special birthday and this certainly qualifies. These look innocent enough until you cut into them and BAM, they're downright sinful.

These delectable bites are dark chocolate brownies stuffed with oreos, sandwiched in between layers of peanut butter, nutella, or both. My favorite were the peanut butter brownie bites. I love peanut butter so much.

Devilish Oreo Brownie Recipe
1 box of brownies, prepared as directed
1 package of oreos
Peanut butter, nutella or other nut butter

And peanut butter is a good fat.

This recipe is more about the assembly than the ingredients. Line two muffin tins with cupcake liners. Next, take out the oreos. Each brownie bite will require two oreos. Using about a teaspoon of your favorite filling, sandwich two oreos together, then top with another teaspoon of the filling. Place in the cupcake liner with the uncovered oreo down. When you bake these, you'll see the oreo on the bottom, which is kind of cute.
Repeat until you're out of oreos. It will make about 22 brownie bites.

Once you've filled all the cups with oreos, cover the top with 2 Tablespoons of the brownie mix. It will cover the peanut butter you have exposed, but you may want to tap the muffin tin once you've filled all the cupcakes to gently force the brownie batter down the sides.

Bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes, or until the brownie batter is set. Allow to cool and frost with ganache or chocolate icing, if desired.

Eat two, gain three pounds in one day, get sad, work out, repeat, resolve to feed these to your coworkers so as to not eat them all.

Why I Chose My 2012 Goals

2012-01-13T20:21:00.000-06:00

A resolution is defined as: the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones. I said in my New Year's Resolution post that I picked my goals very deliberately in order to fit into some long-term goals I have in mind.

Let's review. My goals are:

1. Run my first marathon.
2. Complete my first triathlon.
3. Set a personal record for the 5K.
4. Volunteer at a race.
5. Take a swim class.
6. Try vegetarianism for one month.
8. Achieve my goal weight of 124 pounds by March
9. Try one new recipe per month.
10. Send out holiday cards.
11. Grow the Fort2Base Race Ambassador program.
12. Save money.

They seem kind of discombobulated, huh? Not so interconnected.
However, most of my goals are about striving towards one long-term goal that I haven't really discussed on the blog: Ironman.

Yeah, it's crazy. It's totally crazy. But I've had it on my mind since this summer. I'm not really sure when or why I decided I wanted to be an Ironman, or why I even thought this would be a good idea to finish a marathon after swimming 2.4 miles and biking 112 miles, two sports that I've never competed in.

I think somewhere along the line losing weight stopped being enough. I didn't just want to be skinny. I wanted to be fit. More than that, I wanted to be hardcore. And I wanted to do something epic. After watching some videos on YouTube, I was really motivated to push myself and see how far I could go. After listening to the audiobook version of "You Are an Ironman," I knew I could do this.

It's going to take me years. At least four to get into shape and compete in the intermediary races that will build a solid foundation for the Ironman. My 2012 goals 1-5, and to a certain extent, goal 8, are all about making steps towards that goal. Goal 6 is kind of an experiment to see how vegetarianism affects my athletic performance, and goals 11 and 12 are all about saving the money needed to compete in Ironman. It's not cheap to compete in three sports, especially when the registration fee alone is $600.

While it will be hard, and it will be a long road, I know it will be rewarding. One day, a former fat kid who couldn't run a mile will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles.

I will cross the finish line and hear Mike Reilly say: "Kelly Janowski, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN."

Cooking with Kelly: Homemade Protein Bar Recipe

2012-01-12T20:21:00.000-06:00

Protein bars are expensive and many aren't that tasty. Alternatively, the might be tasty, and have as many calories as two snicker bars. This recipe makes about 14 protein bars, which weigh in at a little less than 150 calories each and little more than 12 grams of protein. Plus, they don't taste like a chocolate-flavored pink eraser, which I've encountered with other brands. Best of all, these homemade protein bars are no bake.

I packaged these up for my lunches and snacks next week, because I'm trying to get into this whole being an organized adult thing. It's hard.

Homemade Protein Bar Recipe
1/2 cup instant oats
5 scoops protein powder (I used chocolate whey protein, but use what you have on hand)
1 cup nonfat powdered milk
2 Tablespoons flaxseed meal
1/4 cup smooth nut butter (I used peanut; almond, soy or sunflower works, too)
1/2 cup water
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

First, lay out a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper. This is where you'll roll out the bars.

Using a food processor or blender, pulverize the oats until smooth. Combine with the protein powder, milk and flaxseed. Chop the chocolate chips, then add to the dry ingredients.

In another bowl, whisk together the water, peanut butter and vanilla. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix to combine. You may need to add an extra Tablespoon or two of water to combine.

The dough will be very sticky. Scoop out onto the parchment paper, then top with plastic cling wrap. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough, then place into a 9" by 13" pan and smooth into the size of the pan. I pre-portioned the bars by pressing a bamboo skewer into the dough before freezing it for four hours. Then, when I removed it from the freezer, I just had to break it along the lines I made.

Keep in the freezer or refrigerator until you're ready to enjoy.

I'm An Award-Winning Blogger!

2012-01-11T20:33:00.000-06:00

I recently found out that I was a finalist for the How to Cook Fantastic Food Web site of the Year. I didn't win, but I'm still excited I was nominated. I got a certificate any everything!

And thank you to everyone who sent me well wishes for Napoleon. He's pretty much back to normal, but has to eat soggy food for a few days. I'm sure he misses his favorite toys and treats, but he'll be back to normal food and toys in five days.

I also got all my initial order of triathlon gear for the swim portion, including a swim cap, goggles and swim suits. One fit, and one didn't, so that sucks. Of course, it's the cheap suit that doesn't fit. I'm also still on the hunt for a bike and I hope to start swimming at a gym next month. Here's to another adventure.

Training Tuesday: Doggy Dental Day

2012-01-10T20:44:00.001-06:00

Before surgery and not happy to be at the vet

Alternatively titled: I'm a crazy dog lady and I'm OK with that. Training later, dog news first, because those are my priorities. Today was Napoleon's first dental cleaning. He's 3 1/2, so it was time, but that doesn't make it any less scary for me. Little dogs need regular teeth cleanings, especially since they have longer life expectancies and need their chompers for things like chewing my shoes and baseboards. But they put him under for it, which terrifies me. I dropped him off before work and pre-authorized the vet to perform what was necessary up to a certain amount so they didn't have to prolong the surgery or put him under twice.

Post procedure and very suspicious

Unfortunately, he needed a tooth pulled. Fortunately, it was a smaller tooth in the back of his mouth. The aftermath is killing me though: he's starving, because we couldn't give him food the night before the surgery and he can't have any until tomorrow. We were told to only offer the amount of food that we're willing to clean up later, because it's obvious he's nauseous. He's also licking the area where the IV was, which is normal. He's squinting, too, because of the nausea. He's lacking his normal pep in his step, and the bitchy bossiness I love, but I would be too if I didn't eat for 24 hours.

Poor puppy.

On to the business. Because it's been so beauty in Chicago, I've put Insanity on hold. It should be a sin to waste this weather by working out inside. I've gone out for runs four times in the past five days, all on the short side, distance wise. The weather may be beautiful, but it's still dark by 5 p.m., so that's a little bit of a challenge.

I had a great run Sunday with negative splits for 4.4 miles, and today, I did a quick 5k in 27 minutes. I warmed up for the first mile, then ran as fast as I could maintain for one mile, which turned out to be 8:07. On Sunday, I attempted the same thing, but could only finish .85 miles at a 7:45 pace. Either way, my 8:07 mile is my fastest ever. I think I ran an 8:15 mile in high school ... 10ish years ago. I rounded out today with a bit of strength and stretching.

It's supposed to get crappy again later this week, so I'll just pick up where I left off on Insanity. This isn't exactly what they have in mind schedule-wise, but I figure it all evens out since I'm burning calories and getting my heart rate up.

The dog just found some food he foraged away in his cage, so I'm off to deal with the inevitable puking episode that will follow.

Food Find: Naf Naf Grill

2012-01-09T19:37:00.003-06:00

My love of Middle Eastern food runs deep. Back in college, my campus was directly adjacent to an eclectic, funky little cafe and coffee shop that served amazing hummus -- creamy, heavenly chickpea hummus topped with paprika and olive oil while still warm, which I enjoyed with a frozen coffee and toasted pita.

Then, I spent a month studying abroad in Egypt, experiencing exotic foods and sights I'd only checked out on the Internet. There was fuul, a breakfast dish similar to refried beans, kifta kababs made of spicy and tough meat and all of my beloved hummus that I could enjoy. We ate like kings for about $4 per day.

Now that I'm back stateside, I still search for the perfect hummus. I have my favorites - Sabra makes a great product, and the private-label brands at Aldi and Costco are both excellent.

Now, however, I have a new hook up. I asked my friend, Heather, to meet me for lunch at Naf Naf Grill. Unfortunately, I didn't realize there are three locations and we both ended up at different places. Eventually, we both ended up at the Naperville location on Freedom Drive.

For a Sunday afternoon, the place was fairly bustling with an interesting mix of people: families, couples and students. The interior includes both chic stainless steel counters along with natural wooden tables and dark-wood molded chairs. The entire place is accented with orange artwork, which makes the whole place seem like a cozy but sophisticated restaurant, even though this is the kind of place where you order at the counter and pick up your food.

I opted for the Veggie Feast, which was $9.99. It included falafal, hummus, tabule, purple cabbage salad and pitas. The pitas are what this place is known for: They're pillowy little bits of heaven that are airy and chewy. I also loved the hummus: it creamy and had a smoky aftertaste, which perfectly paired with pita. The falafel was a bit greasy for my taste, but was interesting nonetheless because they were far more moist than I usually encounter. The exterior had a nice crunch, and the inside was spongy while still having a substantial texture.

My only regret was that I didn't leave room for dessert. They had all kinds of baklava that I wish I could have tried, but couldn't possibly have forced down. As it is, I took home a generous amount. For $10, I got lunch and Tim got dinner. I'll definitely be going back, and you should make your way over there, too.

It's a Beautiful Day!

2012-01-08T20:49:00.000-06:00

Yep, I'll quote U2, I'm cool with that. It was seriously amazing in Chicagoland today, especially considering it's Jan. 8. This time last year, we made bargains with each other about who would take the dog out next, because it was so gross outside. This year, we gleefully hit the trails of Busse Woods for as much running as we can handle. But first, I had a playdate with Kate's daughter. Kate, who took my headshots a couple of months ago, had a baby last month. He is super adorable and a great sleeper.

I got up early today, made myself my favorite breakfast of a toasted whole-wheat English muffin, peanut butter, flax and banana. I picked up Kate's older baby and we hit McDonald's. Kate's kid went up and down the stairs for a solid three hours and was not happy to go back home, but I think her parents are kind of attached to her, so I returned her before a lunch date.

Because it was so nice, I got a car wash so I could finally put the sticker Tim gave me for Christmas on my car. It looks HOT. I look forward to getting a 26.2 sticker for Christmas next year. I wish it stuck to the plastic parts of my car, but it looks good where it is.
We didn't make it out to the park until about 3:30, and because I'm a little out of practice distance-wise, I could only knock out 4.4 miles at an average pace of 8:47. After I cooled down for a bit, I tried to finish a mile as fast as I could. I made it .85 miles at a 7:44 pace (awesome!) but couldn't finish the mile. My heart rate was at 99 percent of my max, so I probably couldn't have finished it. Better luck next time.

We ended up walking to the car in the dark and saw at least a dozen deer hanging out. They're loving this too.

When we got home, I made his and hers green smoothies with spinach, strawberries, banana and a shot of OJ. I'm not sure if Tim liked his, but mine was awesome.

Check back tomorrow for all the details of the awesome lunch date I had. Hint: It includes the best Middle Eastern food I've had domestically.

Every Day I'm Shuffling

2012-01-06T20:18:00.001-06:00

We've had beautiful weather in the Chicagoland area lately. Last night, Tim and I went for a run at a local mall. The economy in our areas is pretty depressed, which means empty, well-lit parking lots. Alas, my Garmin battery died halfway through, so I had no data for this run. Turns out you need to charge the thing more than once every two and a half weeks ...

To my surprise, the thermometer kept climbing today. It was solidly in the 50s, and some murmurs at work said it was closer to 60! In January! It wasn't so long ago that experts were saying we'd have the worst winter on record. There's still time, for sure, but running outside in January is pretty rocking. This time, I went off to a different parking lot, which was equally well-lit and empty. I knocked out just a little more than a 5K distance with an overall pace of 8:49. I feel accomplished.

Today has been a very fitness-focused day for me. I've been thinking about competing in a triathlon for a while and started taking steps towards this goal today. I ordered my first swim cap, goggles and athletic suits today. I'm very nervous about this because I have no clue if any of this stuff will fit. I've never bought a swimsuit that comes in sizes with numbers and I've certainly never worn a swim cap. However, I found a $12 swimsuit and a $25 swimsuit, so I'll make it work for those prices.

I'm also on a quest for a triathlon-worthy bike. I'm not trying to compete with the elites, but I'm guessing my $60 K-Mart Huffy isn't going to cut it. I found a great Trek bike on craigslist that's my size (50 cm) and already has aerobars, climbing gears and triathlon tires. On the plus side, I think this bike would be the only thing I for several seasons of triathlon training and already has all the bells and whistles (mostly) that I'd like. On the downside, it's more than I wanted to pay, coming in at almost $800 for a 2002 bike. Choices, choices ....

Either way, I'm going to need to test it out another day. Why? Because I got myself onto the bike and promptly fell right over. I. Was. Mortified.

Luckily, the guy was very understanding and didn't laugh at me (at least while I was around) nor tell me I ruined his bike, which I didn't, but I was scared. He said he'll change the seat up before we meet again next week and then I can try again. He's a bit taller than me, so the seat was too high up. At least, that's the story I'm sticking with to explain my cycling fail.

Cooking with Kelly: Dark Chocolate Amaranth Cookie Recipe

2012-01-04T17:35:00.001-06:00

Luckily, they taste better than they look

Amaranth isn't in every pantry in America. In fact, the only reason I sought this out was because of a Bon Appetite article stating that amaranth is the hot ingredient for 2012, much like quinoa was in 2011. The last time we were at Whole Food, scoping out the free samples, I took a whirl through the bulk bins to see if they had amaranth. My rule of thumb is that if it's new to me, I'll buy a half cup to use in a recipe and see if I like it, much like I did with quinoa.

I asked a sales associate, who probably had an eye on me because of my love of samples, if they had it in the bins somewhere, explaining that I didn't want to buy a huge bag in case it tastes like feet or something. She couldn't find it, but handed me a bag with a "Try it Free!" sticker on it. Therefore, I had to actually buy something at Whole Foods that day.

I've been scheming how to use this giant bag of amaranth since Saturday. I decided to try a cookie, since amaranth is popular in Mexican baking. If you're looking for a delightfully different take on a chocolate chip cookie, you've come to the right place. This recipe leaves you with about 25 small, nutty-tasting cookies with a great texture complemented by the creaminess of the chocolate. And dark chocolate makes everything better.

Dark Chocolate Amaranth Cookie Recipe
2 egg whites
1/4 cup honey
2 Tablespoons peanut butter (can omit for fewer calories or increase for a deep peanut flavor)
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup amaranth
3 ounces dark chocolate, chopped

Place the oats, amaranth and chocolate into a bowl and mix to combine. Mix the peanut butter and honey separately, then stir to combine with dry mixture. Whisk together the two eggs until a light froth forms. Pour over oats and stir to combine.

Using a small scoop, portion out the cookies onto a cookie sheet. Pat down with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook at 350 degrees for no more than 15 minutes. Do not overcook, or you'll end up with amaranth granola.

Training Tuesday: Insanity Day 37

2012-01-03T20:57:00.000-06:00

New year, new goals, new box of green tea. It's all good.

After my month of illnesses, I've been slightly derailed in my Insanity training plan. It's going to take me more than the prescribed 60 days, but I'm sticking with it. I started month two yesterday, with the intention of finishing the program in early February. I did my Fit Test yesterday and took my measurements again. If I measured correctly (which I might not have), I've lost two inches on my waist. However, I've failed to lose much weight. I'm back at 128 (damn you awesome food at Zombie Prom!) and have high hopes of reaching my goal weight by March 31.

After I wrap up Insanity, I'm going to make my first foray into working out at a gym since college. Back in the day, my college's gym was ridiculously terrible. They had less than 20 cardio machines for 5,000 undergrads. However, I got a free membership at an off-campus gym for some volunteer work I did. It was a beautiful facility with classes, brand-new equipment, an indoor track and pools. I could kick myself for not taking advantage of this opportunity more.

Since then, I tried a women-only gym for a few months, which didn't do wonders for me. After three months, I think I lost one pound. It just wasn't enough for me to see much progress, even when working out as they prescribed.

I've managed to lose about 15 pounds on my own, without a gym. Now, I'd like to join a gym not necessarily to lose weight, but instead, to use all the tools available to get more fit. Specifically, I want to join a gym that has a pool so I can work on my swimming. I have a big dream that I'm chasing of becoming a triathlete, but I'm not going to be able to do it on my own. If you're a triathlete and wouldn't mind me picking your brain, I'll bring the treats!

Photos from the Day: Jan. 2

2012-01-02T19:40:00.000-06:00

Today was a lovely and busy day. I got up early and had a breakfast of Aldi's version of Kashi GoLean Crunch, rice squares and banana. Then I hit the road to visit my friend, Jackie. She has the most adorable apartment I've ever seen. It's vintage with original hardwood floors, this awesome built-in curio cabinet, high ceilings and crown molding. I really wish it wasn't creepy to take photos of other people's houses, because her decor is so cute. I stopped to shop on my way into the city and saw this beauty. At least Paula Deen owns her demons.

Then I headed off to the Whole Foods in Lincoln Park for a meeting with the folks at the Fort2Base Race. We're working on the ambassador program and I'm so excited to get it off the ground and running. I had an awesome lunch from my beloved hot bar, which was impressive. This place makes the Whole Foods I normally visit look like a mini mart. It has a wine bar! And a stage, coffee bar and every type of cuisine you can imagine made to order. I might be in love.

Post meeting, I headed back home to workout, shower again and chill. I did my first day of the second month of Insanity and it was rough. It didn't help that I had to do a half and hour fit test before the hour of interval training. There's absolutely nothing on TV tonight, so I'll be relaxing, reading and getting ready for my first day of the year in the office tomorrow.

New Year's Eve 2011 - Party Like the Undead at Zombie Prom

2012-01-01T22:45:00.000-06:00

My college roommate, friend and partner in crime Alissa has the best parties. We used to have these awesome parties in college the centered around my chocolate fountain. Then there was her wedding reception, which is still being talked about years later. And there was the '90s New Year's Eve party that featured all the scrunchies, side pony tails and Saved By the Bell you could handle. This year, though, was epic. In fact, it was killer.

Welcome to Zombie Prom, a night under the stars featuring glitter, rhinestones, the undead and brains. I love our prom picture and need an 8 by 10 of it to hang next to our wedding photos. I think might have taken this theme a little too far because if we had gotten pulled over last night, we would have gone to jail because there is no way to explain this outfit. Sad fact - all the make up I wore I already owned. The zombie complexion isn't that much of a stretch for me.

Mandy gave me an old dress that she also wore for a costume contest, which I ripped to shreds and stained with red nail polish and cranberry juice. It's a good thing she didn't want it back.

Just for reference, here's Mandy in the dress for her party and then a closer shot of the "after" of the dress. I also messed up my hair in a big way, leaving Alissa to say that I looked like I was channeling my inner Helena Bonham Carter.

This party was hilariously themed and included prom decorations, blood stains and voting for prom king and queen. I ate too much awesome food and played Apples to Apples a little too loudly. Thanks for another epic New Year's, Alissa!

Looking Ahead: 12 Goals for 2012

2011-12-31T09:02:00.000-06:00

The past year has been amazing. I've worked hard to reach my goals, both professionally and otherwise, but I know I can do more. Because of all I've gained, I'm positive there is more out there for me. I've carefully picked my 2012 goals to fit into my long-term set of goals, which I'll be posting about later. Most people have the urge to change like 400 things about themselves in a single act. It's a tendency I have to fight, so I've narrowed my targets to fit into the matrix of my schedule, constraints, etc.

Here are my goals for 2012:

In 2012, you will be mine.

1. Run my first marathon. My friend Rachael and I have been cooking this one up since we went to Kentucky for the Big Hit Half Marathon. After careful consideration, we will both finish our first marathon on Sept. 16, 2012 at the Fox Valley Marathon. We've already set up a training schedule and are going to kick ass.

2. Complete my first triathlon. Because the marathon is the big goal for the year, I chose a sprint triathlon that wouldn't interfere with my training program. I will be participating the Tower Triathlon on May 20, 2012.

3. Set a personal record for the 5K. I haven't run a 5K since 2010, the first race I ever did. After the marathon, I plan to commit to a 5K and work to crush my previous time of 33 minutes.

Will I look like this if I finish a tri?

4. Volunteer at a race. I'd like to see the other side of a race.

5. Take a swim class. I plan to make triathlons a part of my life, so I want to get it right.

6. Try vegetarianism for one month. I don't eat a ton of meat already, and I'd like to try giving up meat for one month and see how I feel. First, I'd have to clean out the freezer of meat, so this goal may have to wait a while.

8. Achieve my goal weight of 124 pounds by March 31. I've been chasing this weight since July of 2010 and am about five pounds away. Seriously, I can lose five pounds. I just need to commit and make it happen.

9. Try one new recipe per month. It's easy to get caught up in routine otherwise.

10. Send out holiday cards. This winter, I received a mailbox full of cute, heartfelt cards. I feel like less of an adult because I can't seem to get this together. I haven't purchase stamps in at least one year, so that should tell you how often I send cards.

11. Grow the Fort2Base Race Ambassador program. For the 2012 race, I'd like to have 10 active, excited ambassadors. Interested? E-mail me at kelly@fort2base.com.

12. Save more money. This is a less concrete goal than the others simply because it's a continual goal. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a frugal house and I love reading frugal living blogs and books.

Edited 1/20/12: Seems like some lofty goals, right? Find out where all these goals are going.

My Favorite Posts of 2011

2011-12-30T17:16:00.001-06:00

Another year's over, and this is my attempt to show you one year in one post. It's been an exciting year for me, with travels to Charlotte, Knoxville, New Orleans, Seattle, Houston and the Dells. I also got committed to my running and completed several new distances, including a half marathon. Before I get fired up about 2012, I thought it would be a good idea to look back on this year. In a nutshell, here are my favorite posts of the year.

Favorite Healthy Recipes

Vegan banana muffins: Healthy, tasty and oh-so-satisfying
Protein ice cream: A great way to enjoy a frozen treat the healthy way
Pumpkin apple struessel muffins: A combination of two of my favorite fall ingredients
Whole-wheat pizza: This recipe is a staple in my house
Granola: So much cheaper and tastier than the store-bought stuff
Chocolate protein muffins: Made with applesauce or pumpkin, whole wheat flour or coconut flour, these rock my socks off

Favorite Not-So-Healthy Eats
Oreos inside chocolate chip cookies: Decadent and amazing

Frozen chocolate delight cake: This was a hit at work
Pralines: I'm ashamed to admit how many I ate
Easy apple pies: Made for Rachael's bachelorette party to rave reviews
Butterscotch fudge bar bites: I'm a sucker for butterscotch
Easy microwave salted caramels: These are super simple and turn out impressive

Running Races Completed
Downers Grove 5 Miler: Tim took first place for his age group!
Fitness for America 10k: My first medal, third in my age group
Fort2Base 11.5-mile Race: Otherwise known as the day I learned the importance of nutrition
Big Hit Half Marathon: The day I decided I am a runner

My Favorite Posts

Scenes from Seattle: I had a great time exploring the city

What We Ate: New Orleans Edition: The food was so amazing and totally different
I Survived the Quidditch/Trailer Trip: A fun family vacation to Indianapolis to see my sister in the Midwest Quidditch Cup
What I Learned About Running From My Dog: My dog is very wise

I Might Be Out of Shape

2011-12-29T19:27:00.001-06:00

I started my last working day of this week with a peanut butter protein shake. It was tasty and creamy, but could have used a touch less milk because I like my shakes and smoothies thick. In the brand-new blender went:

1 Tablespoon peanut butter

1 small banana

1 scoop chocolate protein powder

1 cup skim milk

After work, it was still light out and fairly warm, so I thought I'd take my Garmin on its first outdoor run. I wore my blinking red light, reflector bands and a new headlamp my parents gave me for Christmas.

And it all went to hell. I set out to complete five miles, and that quickly was scaled back to three miles. I completed a 5K in just more than a half an hour, which isn't a terrible time. It's a far cry from just a few months ago when I was able to crank out the same distance in 25 minutes.

What concerns me more is how I felt. My overall pace was 9:35, but the exertion I felt was meant I felt like I was running much harder. Indeed, my heart rate was an average of 170 beats per minute, or 92 percent of my max. Eek!

My last outdoor run was Black Friday, and since mid-November, I've been working out indoors using the Insanity workout program. I thought this was getting me in pretty great shape as I don't sweat nearly as much when running as I do when finishing up a cardio circuit in Insanity.

The heart rate, however, doesn't lie. While Insanity might be a good workout to make me physically fit, it's not doing any favors for my running and maybe even my heart. Lesson learned: weather permitting, I'll be hitting the pavement more often.

Cooking with Kelly: Green Smoothie Recipe

2011-12-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

My family knows I love food and bought me lots of foodie gifts for Christmas. They're very thoughtful and bought me some great items I'll get a ton of use out of. We got a new blender for green smoothies and I was really excited to try it out.

I knew I needed something that could blend liquids more effectively after my homemade frappuccino fail. I like the model my mom purchased because it wasn't too pricey and everything is dishwasher safe. I tested it out last night and made my favorite green smoothie recipe, which I enjoyed in a new mug that my mom also got me for Christmas. Doesn't it photograph well? This smoothie is even holiday colored!

Green Smoothie Recipe
1 cup baby spinach
1 medium banana
2 ounces orange juice
1/2 cup frozen strawberries

Place all ingredients in the blender. My new blender has a frozen drink setting, which worked perfectly. Enjoy immediately.

Training Tuesday: Insanity Day 25

2011-12-27T17:48:00.000-06:00

I've gotten behind on my Insanity workouts this month because of my various medical maladies. I took two days off when I had the flu/stomach bug, which was my most recent issue. So right now, I'm in the recovery week. I plan to stay here until Jan. 2, then move onto the second month of workouts.

I tried out my Garmin Forerunner 405 for the first time in this workout. Because I didn't travel any distance, it didn't calculate calories burned. It was interesting to see my heart rate. I highly doubt my heart rate reached 227, but I'm sure that it will work itself out the next time I use it. Any tips for getting calories burned for indoor workouts?

Napoleon's Christmas toy is in here because he thought I was sitting on the floor to play with him.

This morning, I weighed 126.6, mostly because of the stomach issues. I have high hopes of reaching my 124 goal in the new year, but Training Tuesday is also Taco Bell Tuesday, which I simply cannot/will not say no to. My goal is to get lean this winter prior to beginning summer race training. The more I can lose now, the easier it will be on my joints and the lighter I'll be on my feet. Also, it's hard for me to lose weight while getting ready for a race because long runs revs up my hunger big time. I can't skimp on calories when I'm going to run for two hours because then I just start thinking about all the things I could be eating and where I could stop and eat. All that thinking about food makes it hard for me to find my inner zen and prepare for the race mentally.

Cooking with Kelly: Homemade Waffle Recipe

2011-12-26T18:52:00.000-06:00

Today was a lovely post-Christmas holiday. As I mentioned, I got Tim a waffle maker for Christmas. Now that my stomach doesn't want to clear the decks every time I have the audacity to eat, I decided to try it out and make some waffles for us for breakfast. I never used to like waffles, but I enjoyed the texture of this particular homemade recipe. It leads to a crispy exterior and chewy interior, which is a dichotomy I can't resist.

Homemade Waffle Recipe
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
7/8 cup skim milk
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
1 large egg

Whisk together ingredients, then allow to stand for a few minutes while the waffle iron preheats. I like my waffles crispy, so I cranked the heat, then sprayed it with oil and cooked the waffles until golden brown, about five minutes.

Post breakfast, we had a lovely lunch with Tim's family, followed by coffee at his uncle's house. Then, we rounded off the evening with a trip to Target. I zeroed in on cute wrapping items that I could use for multiple holidays. It was a giant score! I got wrapping paper for both my mom and I, adhesive tags, bows, ribbon and a few items for my niece. Target rocked my socks off. We spent $24 and I had a $20 gift card (thanks, Mandy!) and I hope that I purchased enough to not have to do this again next year.

Santa Loves Runners

2011-12-25T21:43:00.001-06:00

Santa knows life is all about moderation. You can't eat every cookie on the planet more than once a year (I've tried). So he's really happy to support my healthy lifestyle. Since life is all about moderation, I kicked off Christmas with a stocking stuffed with a $10 Taco Bell gift card.

I hope I'll feel well enough to use it soon. I still feel like crap, which hopefully excuses the quality of these photos. I've continued to lose weight today, but have managed to keep down the majority of my meals today. I have never been as sick in my life as I have been in the past month. I had a killer cold, followed closely by laryngitis, and now, some type of flu/stomach bug/who knows what food poisoning.

So Santa must have overlooked all those times I was crabby, because he was very generous to me today. Santa brought Tim and I his and hers Garmins.

My mom also bought be a foam roller (my dad wrapped it).

And because my parents are as proud of Tim as I am, we got matching Northwestern sweatshirts. Now we can be pretentious together!

Merry Christmas, everyone. From our house to yours, I hope you had a fabulous day filled with friends, family, food, fun and less puking than I endured.

Stand Mixer Sunday: No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

2011-12-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas! I try to make my mom a treat for every major holiday, and I'm positive these no-bake chocolate peanut butter pretzel bites will be a big hit.

They're creamy. They're crunchy. They're salty. They're sweet. And best of all, they're really easy. This dessert recipe is the personification of Mr. Right in dessert form.

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites
1 bag mini pretzels (circles, squares, whatever as long as its not pretzel rods)
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons butter
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the peanut butter and butter on medium, then scrap the sides before adding the sugars. Beat until a soft dough forms.

Roll the dough into1/2 Tablespoon(ish) balls, then sandwich in between two pretzels. Place on a baking sheet lined with plastic wrap, then freeze the cookies for a half an hour.

Next, melt the chocolate in a microwave-proof dish for 30 seconds, then stir and repeat, if needed. Dip the cookies into the chocolate, then put back in the freezer for another 30 minutes.

Feeling BRATy

2011-12-24T17:53:00.001-06:00

I don't know what I did to my body for it to revolt in such dramatic fashion, but the past 24 hours have been unpleasant. I've lost four pounds today because I can't keep anything down. My big meal of the day was oatmeal with a chopped banana and brown sugar. I couldn't finish it.

I've had applesauce and toast twice today (half of the much-prescribed BRAT diet) and I have bananas, but the idea of actually eating them grosses me out. I'm probably dehydrated, but drinking a lot of water also makes me stomach go nutso. I'm hoping to rally before tomorrow because Santa is on his way!

In between my naps, Tim and I exchange gifts. I got him a Northwestern hat (I'm so proud of him!) and a waffle maker. He got my a perfume sampler set, a party serving tray thing I wanted and a 13.1 sticker for my car. Say what you want (haters gonna hate), but I'm very proud of finishing my first half marathon and will be putting it on my car when I feel capable of walking out to the garage.

Napoleon loves his Christmas present more than life itself. My mom bought him a toy he really loved when she watched him a few months ago and I noticed that they make the same toy in another shape. The house has been echoing with squeaks all day long and I have an exhausted puppy on my hands.

Working on My Ego Wall

2011-12-23T17:52:00.001-06:00

I had the day off today and a couple of projects to finish up. Everyone has an ego wall/corner/room. It's where you gather your accomplishments and start thinking about what's next. It might be in your office at work, or in your closet or wherever. We've always had a little area in our office upstairs with diplomas, certificates and awards. When I started running, I never thought I'd be a person who had medals. I could barely make it down the street and looked for houses from which I could call Tim to come and pick me up. When we ran our first 5K, it was the first time I'd ever run that long.

Now that I've worked so hard to earn my medals, I don't want to stuff them in a box or leave them in a pile. I also can't justify a fancy medal holder, so I wanted to make a homemade medal display. The last time I was at IKEA, I picked up a magnetic board, frames and hooks. Today, I installed it all, along with a photo from the Fort2Base Race and some motivational items. There's lots of room to grow on this medal rack, so we'll see what the next year holds. Let me know what you think!

Also, enjoy this awesome Christmas lights video. I can't believe it's already Christmas Eve's Eve! I'm really excited for Christmas this year. Last year, the gifts I bought fell a little short (wrong sizes, not what people wanted, etc.). This year, I'm out for redemption and I'm really excited to see everyone open their gifts.

New Year's Resolution Planning

2011-12-22T16:41:00.000-06:00

Have you started thinking about 2012? The world is supposedly going to end next year, so this is the year to give your goals all you've got. I'm diligently working on my New Year resolutions, goals and projects and am looking forward to sharing them later this weekend.

I find it easiest to think about what I've liked and am happy about in the last year and where I feel I have room to grow. I've accomplished a ton in 2011 - including running my first 10K, 5 miler, 11.5-mile race and half marathon. I also took on an awesome project by becoming the Director of Ambassador Outreach for the Fort2Base Race. I'm ready to use these as a great springboard for an even better 2012.

Don't wait until you're two champagnes into New Year's Eve. Get out a piece of paper and get started with planning SMART goals.

Merry Christmas to Me!

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

When we were in the Dells over the weekend, we hit the outlets. There are more than enough outlet malls out here, but they tend to be really crowded and picked over. We remembered getting awesome deals at the Tanger Outlets back in 2007, so we checked it out again on this trip.

It delivered! I'm not a big Adidas fan because the stuff there fits me strangely, but the price was right. I got a pair of running shorts and two long-sleeve base layer tops for $22. I'll get a lot of use out of this stuff. Tim also got two polos and a nice dress shirt for $32 at the Banana Republic Outlet. It was a lovely outing.

When we got back, I found another prize in my mailbox. I won an iPod Nano from Team Ortho through Facebook. It arrived and I'm looking forward to using it for training this spring. Does anyone out there use this for training? I imagine it has the same functionality as RunKeeper, but I would love to hear anyone's experiences with this.

Chula Vista Resort Review

2011-12-21T17:07:00.000-06:00

Tim and I spent Dec. 19 and 20 at Chula Vista Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. We were last in the Dells in 2007, but stayed at another resort. This was our first time at Chula Vista, which is an all-inclusive indoor/outdoor waterpark that's a little out of the way and away from the main strip in the Dells. We got a killer deal called the Great Escape, which included a two-night stay for two with waterpark admission, meals and drinks for $199.

For that price, we had to temper our expectations. What can you really expect for that price? Even with tips, we spent a very little amount of money and have no clue how the resort makes money on this deal. Meals included dinner the night we arrived, breakfast, lunch and dinner the second day and breakfast the day we departed. All of the meals were at a buffet, which had a salad bar and soup as well as kids options at every meal. The drinks were more than I expected and included specialty and mircobrew beers, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails and other tasty treats. We also got unlimited DVD rentals, but so did everyone else, so the machine was pretty picked over for the entirety.

We had an awesome time. The waterpark had lots of options for older kids and adults and we barely waited in line for anything. There were tons of slides and a water roller coaster. The indoor hot tub was kind of cold, but the outdoor hot tub was lovely.

The Good
The water was awesome. It was clean, well-supervised and safer (feeling, at least) than some of other facilities I've been to. While it's in a separate building from the hotel and condos, it's connected through an underground tunnel.

The Bad
If I wanted to be really diligent about my diet or exercise, this would not be the place. The healthy options for food were limited and very repetitive. The "gym" was a hotel room with two ellipticals, a stationary bike and two treadmills. All the equipment was cheap and didn't have programs (first world problems, I know ...).

The Ugly
The room. I had low expectations, but the room could use some work. It was set up like a motel in that the sink was outside of the bathroom and the closet was open. Not a fan. The towels were also threadbare. I use nicer towels for Napoleon's baths. Also, bring your own toiletries. There's no conditioner, which I needed from the chlorine. Our room had a ground-floor view of the parking lot, so I would suggest asking for a river-view room on a higher floor.

If you have the time to take advantage of the deal, do it. You will get more than your money's worth and have a great time, as long as you're not expecting the Ritz on a Motel 6 budget.

Back to the Real World

2011-12-20T20:02:00.000-06:00

I'll have a full review on our vacay tomorrow, but I'm having technical issues. Mostly, I'm missing the cord to my camera. I have about 5,000 loads of laundry to do, along with about five million calories to work off. Vacation was fabulous and I'll be returning to the real world tomorrow!

It's Snowing ...

2011-12-18T08:14:00.001-06:00

And I hate it. Despite living in Illinois for 15 years, I have never adjusted to winter. I don't like winter sports, except for maybe ice skating, but that's mostly because I like the hot cocoa after.

I was supposed to go for a run with a triathlon training group, but it was a canceled because the coordinator had an emergency. I was only sad about this because Maggie sent me a fuelbelt water bottle on Friday. I donated to her American Cancer Foundation page and subsequently won her raffle. I was excited to use this -- it's perfect because it has a little pocket for your gels and another for your keys. I guess it shall have to wait for another day.

So instead of wallowing in the white stuff that's falling from the sky, we're picking up and heading north to the Wisconsin Dells. My mom will be watching Napoleon (she says she doesn't like dogs, but I think she loves my dog) and we will be frolicking in a water park and enjoying drinks and food included at Chula Vista. I'm not sure what to expect, but you can't really screw up open bar, so I'll report back more on the topic tomorrow!

Cooking with Kelly: Saltine Cracker Toffee Recipe

2011-12-16T19:43:00.011-06:00

Today, I had another awesome party for my Burr Ridge - Hinsdale - Oak Brook Lions Club. This was our annual holiday party where we make the bulk of the cash we re-invest in the community. It. was. epic. I might have gained 10 pounds today. Worth it.

So in addition to my microwave salted caramels, I also made saltine cracker toffee. This recipe takes about 30 minutes start to finish and turns out great. There's the salty cracker, the crunchy toffee and the creamy chocolate, so you get the best of all worlds.

Saltine Cracker Toffee Recipe

1 sleeve of saltine crackers (enough to line a jelly roll pan)

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)

2 cups chocolate (I used semi sweet, but that's your call)1 cup packed brown sugar

Sprinkles, nuts or white chocolate for decoration,

optional

Line a jelly roll pan (any large, flat pan with an edge works) with the saltines. Combine the butter and sugar in a sauce pan and heat over medium heat until the butter is melted, the increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Boil for three minutes. Immediately remove from the heat and pour over the crackers, using a spatula to even out the layer.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until the toffee layer bubbles.

If you're using chocolate chips, sprinkle over the top and allow to melt. You can also microwave the chocolate, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth, then pour over toffee.

Add decorative items, if desired. I chopped up some white chocolate and sprinkled over the top. Allow to cool, then break into pieces and store in an air-tight container.

Cooking with Kelly: Easy Microwave Salted Caramel Recipe

2011-12-15T19:04:00.005-06:00

The holidays are so much fun. There skating, cookies, Santa, wrapping, decorating and socializing. There's also baking and partying, as well as cookie exchanges. If you're looking for something different to bring to a holiday party, this is the only salted caramel recipe you need.

I tried these last night so I could bring them in as a holiday gift for my coworkers. Last year, I did truffles two ways, Oreo truffles and cookie dough truffles. Because these are made in the microwave, these caramels are basically fool proof. The only real time you have to put into it is the process of rolling out the caramels.

Direct quote from my coworker: "I'm about to gas the building and knock everyone unconscious so I can steal the few remaining pieces."

There were no leftovers.

Easy Microwave Salted Caramels Recipe

1/2 stick butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup light Karo syrup

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1/2 Tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for sprinkling

Place all the ingredients in a microwave-proof bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes, stir. Repeat twice.

Pour the salted caramel mixture into a 9x13 pan that's lined with parchment. Sprinkle with salt again, if desired. Allow to cool at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes or until it's a temperature you can handle. Don't try to rush this by refrigerating it.

Turn out the cooled salted caramel onto a cutting board or clean counter top. The best approach is to use an assembly line: gather up the wrappers, caramel and if you like salty caramels like I do, a little bowl of extra kosher salt. My wrappers were cut up pieces of parchment paper, but you can use wax paper as well. You can also buy fancy candy wrappers online, too, if you're fancy pants like that, but I like the rustic look.

So pull off a little piece from the caramels and roll it into a little ball. Don't worry about it being perfect, the wrappers cover all your mistakes. Dip in the salt, if that's your thing, then wrap up in the parchment and store in an airtight container.

Big Announcement!

2011-12-14T19:13:00.004-06:00

No. I'm not knocked up. I'm not sure why every time a woman says she has big news or a big announcement, the assumption is she's expecting.

I'm the Director of Ambassador Outreach for the Fort2Base Race! I'm so jazzed about this new position. I'll be formulating the ambassador program, identifying ambassadors, arranging meet ups and building excitement for the race. It's my little baby, which I'll be nurturing until race day on Sept. 23, 2012. If you're interested in becoming an ambassador, e-mail me at kelly@fort2base.com.

Another pretty exciting tidbit is I got an e-mail from Maggie telling me I won a fuel belt in her raffle. She's running the Chicago Marathon for the American Cancer Society on behalf of her uncle. It's a really great story and if you're looking for a charity to support this season, this is a great way to give.

I now have two trays of salted caramels and saltine toffee to finish, so back to the kitchen I go. Check back for the recipes tomorrow!

Training Tuesday: Insanity Update

2011-12-13T19:34:00.004-06:00

I'm still recovering a cold I had last week, which has migrated into a lingering laryngitis. Jealous? I bet. Whenever I call someone at work, they sound intermittently concerned for me, followed by nervous laughter as I try and squeak out a sentence. My hope is that tomorrow, I can conduct regular conversations without my coworkers wincing. Dream big.

This is my long-hand way of saying I haven't stuck to the training plan. I slacked off on some of the days as I recovered. Currently, I'm on Insanity day 23. I skipped the fit test, so who knows how that's going to play out next go around.

My weight this morning was 130.2 (last time, I was at 129.8). I'd love to blame this weight gain/lack of progress on being ill, but that would be a lie. Tim makes really great deep dish pizza. I enjoyed many slices this weekend, which I'm still recovering from. Totally worth the calories and I don't regret it.

I'm going to keep powering through to get caught up. In lieu of a rest day this week, I'll be going to a fun run Saturday morning with more strangers I meet on the Internet. It worked out well the last time, so why not try again.

The Tale of the Cinnamon Ornament Fail

2011-12-12T17:26:00.004-06:00

Did you know that you can make cinnamon-scented ornaments at home? They're actually really easy and fast, but it's not the recipe that was a fail, but rather, the subject of this arts and crafts project that was temperamental.

I really wanted to make an ornament using Napoleon's paws. He, however, was having none of this.

I mixed of a batch of the dough, rolled it out in between sheets of parchment, then cut it using cookie cutters. I placed the shapes on my pizza stone, which I greased lightly first.

Then, I proceeded to get our furry friend to give me his fingerprints. This is where I encountered a problem.

Next, I put the tray on the ground, repeating the procedure. Nope.

I tried placing the tray on the counter, then setting Napoleon's paw onto an ornament. Didn't work.

I put the shapes on a plate, then tried to get him to give me paw onto the plate. No.

In an 11th-hour attempt, I put the tray by the front door and took him outside, hoping he'd walk over at least one on his way into the house. Instead, that little jerk jumped right over the tray. That dog is too smart for his own good.

I left the tray of ornaments in the oven for a week to dry out and kept one of them, which had at least a partial paw print.

Cinnamon Ornaments

1/2 large bottle of cinnamon (the 4.3 ounce bottle)

3/8 cup applesauce

1 Tablespoon flour

Mix together the ingredients to form a dough. Roll out in between two sheets of parchment, then use your best artistic ability to make ornaments. Remember to poke a hole for a ribbon using a bamboo skewer or toothpick. Allow to dry out for one week in a dry location, or bake at 200 degrees for 20 minutes or until dried out.

Cooking with Kelly: Tex Mex Quinoa

2011-12-11T15:59:00.005-06:00

I've been a bad blogger lately. Mostly because I'm sick, again. I lost my voice at some point last night, so my immune system is having a really great time telling me to go to hell. I have spent the past 24 hours taking medicine, cursing, wearing sweats and drinking tea. I also had to make myself something to eat to prevent myself from existing solely on diet hot chocolate (it exists and is tasty).

I've never cooked with quinoa before, but I've been meaning to do so since I bought a little bit from the bulk bins at whole foods. There are a ton of health benefits, so I though I'd give it a try. Here's a quick adaptation of a recipe I found online. It made a ton, so I know what I'm eating for the rest of the week.

Tex Mex Quinoa

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

3/4 cup quinoa

1 1/2 cups turkey stock (use veggie stock for a vegan option)

1 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

2 cans of black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Add oil to a large skillet and cook the onions and garlic on medium until softened. Add quinoa and toast for one minute, then add stock and spices. Stir, bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, covered, for 20 minutes. Stir in beans and heat for two minutes. Fold in cilantro and serve.

Cooking with Kelly: Walnut Pumpkin Loaf

2011-12-09T19:44:00.003-06:00

On my explorations of Whole Foods, you know I hit up those free samples like they're going out of style. I'm almost positive that the security team at my favorite location has a code name for me.

"Dude, dude, wake up. She's here."

"Really? Where? I've never seen her for real, just heard about her."

"Oh yeah, check it out. The Seagull is here. Watch this."

And they proceed to watch me on security cameras meander the store, picking out my groceries and enjoying the two-bite brownies, sushi and tiny little glasses of wine in recyclable paper cups. Why Seagull? Because of this scene in Finding Nemo.

The last time we went shopping there, I had the most amazing pumpkin bread. It was moist, tasty and a bit spicy. Because I think paying $8 for a loaf of bread is a bit ridiculous, I took careful note of the flavor profile and set out to create it at home. While this is only an approximation, it's close enough for me.

Walnut Pumpkin Loaf

1 cup bread flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup flax meal

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

6 Tablespoons sugar

1/3 cup canola oil

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup skim milk

1 1/4 cups pumpkin

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup chopped walnuts

Whisk together the dry ingredients, except for the sugar. Mix together the sugar, oil, pumpkin, honey, milk, egg and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into the dry, then fold until just combined. Mix in walnuts. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Party Like a Wildcat

2011-12-08T19:58:00.006-06:00

Because Tim got into Northwestern University! He's been accepted into Kellogg's part-time MBA program. I also went to NU for my master's degree, so this is going to be a really purple house pretty soon. We even got married at Northwestern.

Tim has been studying for months, preparing for his interview (which was the day we went to Navy Pier) and completing his application. I am so

very proud of his accomplishment.

I special-ordered the cupcakes this afternoon from Wal-Mart. The cupcake picks are the Northwestern logo that I printed out, then taped to coffee stirrers cut in half.

Day 2 of Being Sick McSickerson

2011-12-07T16:25:00.004-06:00

I feel so pathetic. I snored myself awake this morning and contemplated what happened to the breathe right strip I was wearing a couple of hours before - I never found it. I vacillated for 20 minutes whether I'd go to work or not. In two years at my job, this marks my first sick day and Catholic guilt still makes me feel bad about it.

Oh well. I endeavored to take a bath and put on fresh pajamas today, so at least I accomplished that. I took an epic nap in which I dreamed of checking out Barbies from the library (?).

Since I haven't worked out today, yesterday or

the day before, I'm trying to be diligent about what I'm eating so that I have enough fuel to heal, but not enough to make my butt expand. It's a delicate balance, especially since all I want to do is eat leftover lactation cookies and stuff from the chocolate party.

I had oatmeal today, a protein muffin, two cookies and a green smoothie. In the blender was 1 cup of baby spinach, four strawberries, 1/2 banana and a splash of orange juice. Maybe I was really craving veggies, but it tasted awesome. For dinner, I'm making it my goal to not eat 10 pounds of chocolate and instead dive into the tomato soup that Tim went and got me last night. What a guy!

Sick as a ...

2011-12-06T15:40:00.003-06:00

I'm really regretting declaring my immune system as made of iron yesterday. As in less than 24 hours ago. Shame.

A Very Beta Sigma Christmas, 2011

2011-12-05T21:06:00.006-06:00

Last night, I had a house full of lovely ladies from my college days where we indulged in one of our favorite college-day past times: eating a river of chocolate over a variety of items.

Napoleon was not a fan. But he's not a fan of much.

I set up a drink table from which we enjoyed lots of Smirnoff beverages (also from the college era) along with Irish coffees. Thanks, House Party!

When the evening was over, I was sad to see everyone leave. Napoleon was glad, because it left the house quiet so that he could craft his plan for world domination through lull us all into submission with his laser eyes.

My Love For Taco Bell Runs Deep

2011-12-04T11:03:00.002-06:00

If you get the Chicago Tribune, there's a sheet of Taco Bell coupons in today's paper. Get it, use it, love it ... probably get heartburn. Nothing I can do about that.

Stand Mixer Sunday: Lactation Cookies

2011-12-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

I referenced these cookies in my last post, which I'm sure kind of left people wondering what the hell ....

Although I obviously have no personal experience in this department, there are several foods that are said to increase milk production in nursing mothers. These lactogenic foods can be helpful to new moms and includes oats, flax and butter. And everyone loves cookies.

I first made these cookies for Kate when she had her first baby, Harper (baby No. 2 is well on his way as Kate's due like tomorrow ... and we have a dinner date). She loved them, said she thought they worked and made more. I'll take that as an endorsement. Either way, these are delicious chocolate chip oatmeal cookies that everyone can enjoy.

Lactation Cookies

2 sticks butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

4 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons flax seed meal (you can order this off of Amazon or get it at a health food store)

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups oats

1 cup chocolate chips

Mix the water and flax together, then set aside for five minutes.

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on low, cream the butter and sugars together. Add the eggs one at a time with the mixer on medium. Add the vanilla and flax, then add the remaining ingredients gradually. Chill the dough in the fridge for 20 minutes before forming into cookies and baking for 15 to 18 minutes in a 350-degree oven.

Babies, Baking and Bags of Clothes

2011-12-03T19:50:00.006-06:00

I started the day with another round of Insanity, then a breakfast of blueberry Chobani, puffed Kashi cereal, a sliced banana and flax. I had a doctor's appointment, then ran to the grocery store to pick up some adult beverages for tomorrow's shin dig. I chased that with a second breakfast of eggs (one whole, two egg whites) topped with salsa with a side of sliced apple and a cutie.

For lunch we stopped at Sushi Station ... I love that place so much. I had to get my wedding ring inspected, so I stopped into my favorite store in the mall and picked up some awesome clearance petite clothing. This day was full of win.

Mandy assures me that skinny jeans are totally in, and that you do not, in fact, need to be skinny to wear them. Good thing, because they make my legs look like massive ice cream cones filled with a honey ham. I'm still not sold on this whole trend, but I'll give it a go.

We also stopped at Whole Paycheck to pick up a few specialty ingredients. I'm sort of infatuated with their pumpkin bread and was totally inspired to recreate it at home. When we got back, I set to knock out some baking. My neighbor just had a baby, so I was going to fire up the oven to bake cookies anyways. They turned out delicious, so check back tomorrow for my lactation cookie recipe (it's not nearly as gross as it sounds).

Highlight of the day? I won an iPod Nano from Team Ortho for answering one of their polls Facebook. Merry Christmas to me!

Three Things Thursday

2011-12-01T18:53:00.005-06:00

Subtitle: A fast way to blog when you lack creativity.

1. Tim booked a getaway for us in the Wisconsin Dells that I'm obscenely excited about. I really have no idea how Chula Vista Resort makes any money on this deal. I've never to this particular resort, and we haven't been to the Dells since December of 2007. We went to Kalahari right after I wrapped up my graduate degree at Northwestern and got stuck in a terrible snow storm. Blast from the past: My brother in law tied the knot in the Dells, which was my first visit there (like seven years ago, I think?).

I still own this dress, which I also wore at a high school awards banquet. Don't judge.

2. Is anyone else kind of annoyed at the branding for the IronGirl races? Ironman is all about being a badass, pushing yourself to the max, finding your inner strength, etc. IronGirl is about empowerment, community and healthy living. Why isn't it IronWoman? I don't see an IronBoy event. Just look at the differences in the IronGirl and Ironman YouTube channels. I appreciate that they're making the sport more accessible to women; however, you're a badass whether you finish a women's-only or coed event.

3. I really want to go ice skating. There's an outdoor rink nearby that's free, except for skate rental. Good thing I have my own skates ... that haven't been used in years. I hope we can make it out there this weekend before it gets skin-shattering cold in the Midwest.

For the Win!

2011-11-30T20:09:00.005-06:00

Do you know what this is?

A working oven! For the not-so-low price of $250, we now have a new electric igniter (which gives me a flash back to our broken furnace) and an oven that can create all my favorite tasty treats. It's a good thing, too, because I'm having some lovely ladies over for a chocolate party Sunday and would like full use of my oven.

Another fun delivery today is my Smirnoff party pack from House Party. The ladies and I will be enjoying adult beverages from Smirnoff through this program. They also sent me some decorations, party games, cups and a digital camera.

I already did my Insanity workout for the day, so now it's on to cleaning for the get together and using my newly renovated oven!

Training Tuesday: Insanity Day 7

2011-11-29T18:52:00.003-06:00

I'm a week into it and have stuck with the Insanity program almost perfectly. I did skip a workout on Black Friday in lieu of a 9-mile run with Maggie and Amanda. It was a recovery workout anyways, so I figured it was all good.

My weight this morning was 129.8, so I haven't lost an incredible amount of weight. I'm down less than half a pound, but keep in mind that I've eaten my weight in turkey, pie, butterscotch fudge bar bites and blueberry lemon crock pot cake. The fact that I didn't gain like 10 pounds is a small miracle, so these ass-kicking workouts must be working.

In fact, I can already see increased definition in my legs. This my just be a placebo affect, since you can't really change your body in a week, but a girl can dream. I'm interested in seeing how my results on the fit test stack up next week.

By the way, did you catch Shaun T on Conan O'Brien last night? If I could get abs like that, I'll so whatever these videos tell me.

Stand Mixer Sunday: Lemon Blueberry Crock Pot Cake

2011-11-27T18:38:00.006-06:00

I should rename this the Lemon Blueberry Mistake Cake. Subtitle: You're my favorite mistake. I knew I had a box on Duncan Hines Cake and Wilderness blueberry filling from the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program and knew exactly what I wanted to make today. I blended all the ingredients for a lemon crumble bar with blueberry filling, assembled the whole concoction, then got ready to bake it into delicious, fluffy and gooey perfection.

Except the oven didn't want to play. It's red LCD display glared 100 degrees back at me. I tried unplugging the oven, starting again, etc. And nothing. The interior remained as cool as a the tile floor. Seriously, how much crap in my house can break at the same time? To prove I'm not prone to dramatics, see exhibit A (the wash machine), exhibit B (the electrical in the kitchen) and exhibit c (the furnace).

So it was time for plan B. I pulled out my beloved crock pot and hoped for the best, amending the topping slightly to make it all work. When all was said and done, I was very pleased with the deliciously moist cake that resulted from baking in the slow cooker. It's not so attractive, but what this cake lacks in looks it makes up for in flavor.

Lemon Blueberry Crock Pot Cake

1 box Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme Cake Mix

3 eggs

1/3 cup sugar-free applesauce

1/8 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup water

1 can Wilderness blueberry pie filling

1/2 stick butter, cold

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, mix the cake mix, eggs, applesauce, vegetable oil and water until combined, then mix for two minutes.

Spray the crock pot with oil, then spoon half of the cake batter into the crock pot. Spoon the blueberry topping over, then top with the remaining cake batter.

Mix together the remaining ingredients, then top the final cake batter layer with the topping. Bake in the crock pot for 2 and 1/2 hours on low, then allow to sit for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Cooking with Kelly: Butterscotch Fudge Bar Bites

2011-11-26T17:52:00.005-06:00

Today has been super productive. I steamed all the floors, put up some more holiday decor, planned out what I'm going to do with our basement/gym space, cleaned up the office, touched up the paint in the bathroom and our bedroom, put away laundry, brought in the trash cans and took out the dog about a million and a half times. I also ate a ton of leftovers and did another Insanity workout before trying some recipes.

I tried a healthy brownie recipe that was so terrible, it went to the trash after one bite. Tim said "I love you, but I'm not eating any more of that." Fair enough, I don't think even the dog would eat it. Luckily, I had something yummier in store that was not healthy, but indeed, delicious. These bars were an adaptation from a Pillsbury recipe that went over very well. It combines my favorite things: chocolate fudge, butterscotch chips and cookie. So in case you're wondering what kind of Insanity results I'll post this week, here's a hint: these were awesome and I enjoyed each bite, however many bites that was ...

Butterscotch Fudge Bar Bites

1/2 cup melted butter

2 cups crushed graham crackers

3/4 cups butterscotch chips

1 package chocolate chip cookies

1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk

1 Tablespoon butter

Combine the melted butter and 1 and 3/4 cups of the graham cracker crumbs. Mix, then press into the bottom of a 13x9-inch pan. Place in the freezer to firm up while you finish the next steps.

Next, combine the remaining graham cracker crumbs and the chocolate chip cookies, then set aside. Finally, mix together the condensed milk, butter and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave in 30-second intervals, pausing to mix and repeat the process until smooth.

Remove the graham cracker crust from the freezer. Top with the chocolate fudge mixture and gentle smooth to fill the dish. Crumble the cookie mixture and distribute over the fudge, then top with the butterscotch chips.

Baked for 25 minutes in a 350-degree oven. Let cool completely before cutting, at least two hours.

Stranger Danger

2011-11-25T16:39:00.009-06:00

I thought of something else I'm thankful for: my employer closes on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Although I went to CVS yesterday for a few things (yay extra care bucks!), I didn't do any other Black Friday shopping. There's nothing I need enough to wait in line in the dark and elbow people to get. We saw people lined up at Target last night on our way home from my mom's house and it was only 6 p.m.

Instead, I got a Facebook message from Maggie (in the blue top) earlier this week asking if I would like to meet a bunch of strangers from the Internet in the woods. I told her I liked to live on the edge, so why not. I met up with some lovely ladies first thing this

morning at Waterfall Glen for a nine-miler that made me curse myself for eating so much and skip my Insanity workout (it was the "recovery" workout anyhow, so I figure it's all a wash).

After making a wrong turn, I eventually found myself at the

trail head. Holy hills, this was a tough run.

When it was all said and done, we meandered 9.35-miles through the woods in about an hour and a half, including bathroom breaks and a short walk when I thought my heart was going to explode going up a hill. I didn't get murdered or anything and the other runners were so friendly. In addition to meeting Maggie in real life, I met Amanda and a few other runners. They might have blogs too, but I have a hard time with this whole networking thing while I'm trying not to die going up a hill.

I ate the first of many leftovers that day in the car before trekking home: one baked egg and a handful

of pretzels with a gallon of water. Or maybe a little less water. I had coffee, an ice bath and leftover oatmeal before we put up the holiday decorations.

Tim bought me this tree when we first moved in.

We bought the house Oct. 24, 2008, and said we wouldn't buy a tree until after Christmas when they went on sale. But Tim realized it was important to me a surprised me with the tree. It was sweet enough that it made me cry. Most of the ornaments are sentimental items that my mom gave me when I moved out and a lot of the decorations around the house are things she collected over the years. I love bringing this stuff out almost as much as I love Christmas.

She also bought me this super cool lighted garland last year, which goes well with our embroidered stockings (and Napoleon's stocking that says "Santa, I've been doggone good!". We're those people.). And yes, I got photobomed by the dog today. Just like every day. Look for his piercing little eyes between the "I" and "S" of Wish.

Thankful Thursday: What We Ate

2011-11-24T19:55:00.007-06:00

I always have so much to be thankful for. A fridge full of food, a roof over my head, clothes on my back and a healthy body to enjoy it all with. I also have a lovely husband who puts up with me and a furry baby that always listens and is even sometimes excited to see me.

We started the day with a 6 a.m. wake up call and a round of Insanity. I then donned my eating dress and worked on a breakfast for Tim's family, which was a lovely way to start the day. Last night, I made banana bread and eggs cups and prepped a fruit salad that I served in this super fancy crystal goblets my father-in-law's girlfriend gave me. They are perfect and go really well with our nice plates and silverware (the plates aren't china, but they are lovely). I also prepped a healthy French toast casserole that went in the crock pot first thing this morning. It turned out very well and was the star of the show.

Healthy Crock Pot French Toast Casserole

1 pounds low-calorie whole wheat bread (Costco makes a great version that's 80 calories per slice and has a short ingredient list)

6 eggs

2 cups skim milk

1/4 healthy choice margarine

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup Splenda brown sugar

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Use stale bread or let the bread dry out on your counter top for a day or two. Slice the bread into bite-sized

cubes, then set aside. Whisk together the milk, eggs and cinnamon, then add the bread and fold the bread gently to combine without mashing it together. Refrigerate overnight.

Combine the remaining ingredients, which will be the topping.

In the morning, spray your crock pot with oil. I used a 6-quart crock pot, but a 4.5-quart pot would work, too. Spoon the bread evenly into the crock pot, then spoon the topping over the bread. Cook on high for two hours, then allow to set undisturbed for at least 20 minutes.

I also put together at oatmeal bar for this shin dig. I made a huge pot of old-fashioned oatmeal

(my favorite, swoon), then put it out with all my favorite toppings: sliced bananas, chopped apples, raisins, skim milk, Splenda (brown and regular), brown sugar, almonds, pecans, walnuts, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.

One of my keys to easy entertaining is to set up a drink table in the living room. That way, when people arrive, they can help themselves to beverages and take a seat while I finish up everything in the kitchen. It works for me!

Two cycles of the dishwasher and three loads of laundry later, we headed to my mom's for the full Thanksgiving experience. My mom is an amazing cook and got up at 5 a.m. to make a 22-pound turkey with potatoes, sweet potatoes, rolls, stuffing, pies, asparagus, wine and everything fabulous. I don't know how she does it every year, but it's truly impressive.

We all have so much to be grateful for.

Cooking with Kelly: Chocolate-Dipped Bacon

2011-11-23T10:00:00.000-06:00

This weekend, I had the distinct pleasure of celebrating a momentous event: Mandy finishing graduate school. Mandy got an undergrad from Illinois State University, then went on to start her Public Service Administration program at DePaul. At 22, Mandy is all finished up and has a master's degree (and she's looking for a job, if you know somebody who knows somebody). We are all very proud.

My family got together for a little celebration to mark the date. She turned in her thesis last week and on Saturday, we had cake, deliciously awesome baked goods courtesy of my mom and more Mexican food (as previously stated, I might have a Mexican food problem).

My sister loves bacon and has referred to it as the candy of the meat world. We also both love chocolate, so why not have the best of both worlds? Yes, this is a sometimes treat.

Chocolate-Covered Bacon

1 package thick-cut bacon (don't scrimp here)

1/2 cup milk chocolate

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the bacon in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake the bacon until crispy, about 15 minutes. Make sure it's crispy, the texture is important. Remove from the baking sheet to drain on paper towels until cool.

Meanwhile, melt together the remaining items in the microwave, heating for 30 seconds and stirring, then repeating until smooth.

Place the melted chocolate into a shallow dish, then dip one half of the bacon into the chocolate. You could also drizzle the chocolate over the bacon if that's your style. Place onto a cooling rack wrapped in Saran wrap or parchment paper, then refrigerate until the chocolate is set.

Serve to an adoring public.

Training Tuesday: Insanity Day 1

2011-11-22T19:23:00.004-06:00

There was a great article in Competitor last month about the importance of off-season training. As much as I love the magazine, I really dislike the Web site. I can't find the article, but it talks about the importance of cross training in the off season. There were two articles: one about how to design the perfect off-season plan, and the other a column by Scott Jurek talking about how Kenyans might not take a single running stride for weeks. Instead, they spend time with their families and recuperate. Scott Jurek says he doesn't even think about the weight he gains and enjoys "taking it easy," which I'm sure is still more miles than I can knock out in a summer.

In the same vein, I decided to finally finish an entire round of Insanity. We bought the DVDs during the spring off of Craigslist. We finished the first month and made it into the second month, but stopped doing it because it was finally nice enough to go outside to run. There's not much danger of that happening now, so we might as well hunker down for the long haul and get ready to enjoy the great indoors.

I'm not at a point where I'm willing to share photos of myself before unless there's a nice after to show next to it. I will say this, this morning I weighed in at 130.2. My stable-state weight tends to be around 127, but we had a decadent couple of days around here (chocolate fountain, delicious Mexican food lunch, Garrett Popcorn, etc.). My goal is to reach 124, which I've been working on since I started this whole healthy living thing in July of 2010. My starting weight was 144, so I'd like to say I've lost 20 pounds. Who cares if it took me a year and a half.

The Insanity program is a two-part approach: high-intensity interval training and an eating plan. Last time around, I tried to do the eating plan, but it's so specific that it's boring, expensive and time consuming. This go around, I plan to keep doing what I do: eating 300ish calories every three hours I'm awake, adding extra calories and treats in the morning.

After my first fitness test today, I whipped up a protein-heavy dinner, which is what's called for in the plan. I had some Land O Lakes Eggs from the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program, so I made a quick scramble with one whole egg and two egg whites. Sometimes I top it with salsa, but tonight I went with a bit of cheddar and a small side salad. I eat a ton of eggs (seriously, like two dozen a week between scrambles, hard boiled eggs, egg salad sandwiches and protein muffins), and there are some tricks. Here's how to made the perfect

scramble:

Preheat the pan to medium
Beat the eggs well with a whisk or fork
Spray the pan with oil
Use a stiff spatula to fold the eggs over
Remove the eggs from the heat just a little before they're set and leave in the pan for a few seconds to finish the process

Grounded in Gratitude

2011-11-21T18:06:00.008-06:00

Last night, I went to a really cool event at Lululemon. They hosted a candlelit yoga session with the theme of "grounded in gratitude." The class focused on identifying things in your life that annoy or frustrate you and finding the positive aspects about that.

For me, I find the holidays very stressful because we have to schedule and divide our time. It gets frustrating to try and be in two places at once. However, the upswing is that we have so many people in our lives that want to see us.

After an hour of yoga, they also served up snacks, including chocolate fondue and a chocolate chip cookie cake. Don't mind if I do ...

Another thing I'm grateful for is to have today off of work. Tim and I headed downtown to enjoy the day before the heavy holiday crowds set it.

We hit up one of our favorites, Cemitas Puebla, for a lunch courtesy of a Living Social deal.

Then, off to Navy Pier for some fun.

And also some shopping. I learned a fun fact from a book about Yorkies at the store: they are tough little cookies. I guess I should have known that. Napoleon is pretty badass.

We wrapped up the afternoon back at Navy Pier, which had a pretty good $14 parking deal now that it's the off season.

Make it Better Substitutions

2011-11-20T17:09:00.007-06:00

Today was all about substitutions. Instead of working out on the elliptical, I substituted a push-myself 5K outside while trying to not freeze my fingers off. A mere 26 minutes later, I was done.

Then, I made a protein muffin and substituted on Tablespoon of coconut flour for the two Tablespoons of whole wheat flour I usually

use.

I tried it with two Tablespoons of coconut flour and it was just too dense. The verdict? Now, it's perfect. Especially with peanut butter. Everything is better with peanut butter.

Next up, I ran off to Nordstrom Rack to substitute the running top I wanted at Lululemon for a far more

affordable running top for cooler temperatures. It might not have a million pockets, but it still has thumb holes and was only $20. Win.

I stopped at Ikea and substituted the Ikea lunch I was going to have with lunch at Whole Foods instead. For about the same price, I got vegan quinoa and black bean chili with a pretzel roll. It was hot and satisfying, but under seasoned.

Finally, I needed a quick dinner before evening yoga. I made a turkey roll up and substituted

Sabra Greek olive hummus for mayo that I got through the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program. It has 30 calories less per serving and far more nutrients than mayonnaise. Partnered with bell pepper and turkey, it was mighty tasty.

Now I'm off to substitute yoga instead of sitting on the couch.

Thankful Thursday

2011-11-17T20:52:00.005-06:00

I am very thankful for chocolate today. Although my chocolate came in many forms, my favorite was the flowing chocolate fountain kind, which made its appearance tonight after a several year hiatus.

I'm equally thankful that I now have a dishwasher. I remember trying to clean this stupid chocolate fountain when I lived in an apartment without a dishwasher. It was a pain and a major ordeal that involved Q-tips, paper towels and dish rags.

I'm also thankful for working out, which allowed me to indulge in lots of chocolate-covered treats with only minor guilt.

I'm thankful for the tiny squeaky tennis balls from Kong, which keep Napoleon quiet until he breaks the squeaker, which is usually at least a day.

I am thankful for Amazon Prime, which has brought me many of my Christmas shopping items over the past few days without paying for shipping. It's way easier to stay in the holiday spirit when I'm not fighting crowds to buy that one last thing I forgot.

Finally, I am thankful for a comfy bed. After several nights of sleeping in a clean but not so comfortable hotel mattress last week when traveling for work, I'm very happy to be back at home in my own routine. I like sleeping in my own bed with Tim and my favorite sheets.

Rough Night, Short Blog

2011-11-16T18:11:00.003-06:00

I screwed up, big time, which resulted in a very rough evening and resulting morning. Because Napoleon is a yorkie, he needs his eyes cleaned regularly from tear stains. I was cleaning his little puppy eyes and realized that a little patch of his hair/skin near his eye came off. I freaked, called the vet, freaked some more, then slept restlessly thinking of how I injured my dog and and going to a specific corner of hell for people who abuse animals. My stomach also ached, preventing me from sleeping more than a handful of hours.

Except the vet wasn't nearly as concerned about it as I was. In fact, she didn't even think I needed to bring him in for it. But mommy guilt is a powerful thing. I roused early today and took him to the vet at 7 a.m., as soon as they opened. The vet cleaned his eye and added some ointment, then sent me on my way with more ointment. Mommy guilt sort of assuaged.

Napoleon is extra clingy tonight, so I'm off to make nice so he won't plot my death in revenge.

Training Tuesday: Channeling Honey Badger

2011-11-15T18:57:00.008-06:00

So I know this is old news, but I heart honey badger:

The honey badger is really pretty bad ass. I channeled the honey badger tonight on my run. It's already winter-y in the Midwest, so it was dark. But you know, the honey badger don't give a shit, and neither do I. While in the past, I would have spent the evening unwinding with a beer and television, this time, I strapped on my gym shoes, reflectors and lights, then set out for the streets. I was actually pretty fast (for me), finishing five miles in 45 minutes.

This is in addition to three runs while I was in Houston: a 5K and two 4.5-mile runs in

beautiful weather. It was really lovely there. Must be nice to live in Texas.

Once I came home, it was time for more eats! I had a sample of Green Giant Steamers veggies to use from the Foodbuzz Tastemakers program, so I decided to make stir fry. While the veggies steamed in the microwave, I cooked some whole-wheat spaghetti and defrosted a cup of shrimp, which I then tossed with soy sauce and wasabi. Once everything was ready, I added half of a chopped green pepper (for crunch) and enjoyed a pretty speedy veggie-packed dinner with left overs for tomorrow.

It's strange to be running without training for anything right now. The climate this time of year is so unpredictable that I don't really want to sign up for races in advanced. So what's next? After a half marathon comes ... a full marathon. I know I want to run a marathon next year, and Rachael and I have been talking about doing a fall marathon. There is no doubt in my mind I can do it: I'm physically able, injury free and love running. It's simply a matter of mental toughness and training. So I'm taking all suggestions as to what fall marathon we should run. Preferably, it should be in a climate that is relatively cool at the time of the race and we hope pretty flat. Big pluses for small races in easily-accessible towns, too.

Thankful Thursday: All the Small Things

2011-11-10T21:06:00.004-06:00

It will be a light posting kind of weekend. I'm out and about, which leads me into this week's Thankful Thursday.

I'm thankful to not only have a job, but have a great job that allows me to travel. While my friends and family enjoyed (or not) the first snowfall of the season, I was headed to Houston, where it might top 80 this weekend. Yippee.
I'm thankful for compression socks. It's a strange thing to be thankful for, but I'm really happy I ran into a medical supply store right before the Big Hit Half and picked up a pair of $9 compression socks. They make post-race recovery more comfortable and long-distance travel safer as endurance athletes are prone to blood clots.
I'm thankful to prescribe to a sport that's as portable as I am. I'm in a new city and the streets are paved with possibilities.
I'm thankful that we've moved into apple season. I really need more apple and apple recipes in my life.
I'm thankful for for Pinterest, which is super addictive. If you'd like to follow me on Pinterest, you'll soon learn how much I dream about dessert.

Long Overdue Headshots

2011-11-09T20:52:00.007-06:00

A lot can change in a couple of years. My last headshots, while they're beautiful, were taken in 2007 when I live in DC. That was a couple of pounds ago, before I bought a house, got married, got a bossy little dog and had a couple of jobs since then. But my headshots remained.

About

a week ago, that all changed. My friend Kate has and awesome side business as a photographer. Her business, Appelman Images, specializes in photojournalism-style shots. She had me over for a hot date and tried out some new lights on me. I brought over a couple of outfits and she picked out something fabulous for me. She's

seriously the most fashionable person I know. At eight months pregnant, she still looks more chic than me. For real.

I paid her in banana bread and after gossiping and catching up while she shot away, we had a tasty pizza dinner. She already photoshopped my face to perfection and sent over her favorite shots. She rocks:

I guess I didn't really change all that much in the past four years, but I'm happy to have a fresh set of headshots to share.

Training Tuesday: Finding Science in My Art

2011-11-08T17:05:00.006-06:00

So much about running is personal: where to run, what to eat before, how to fuel during, shoes and so on. Running is really just a series of personal choices. But with the aid of a lab of really expensive equipment, I've now learned way more about myself and my fitness level than I ever knew possible.

Elmhurst College has a kinesiology department, which I contacted about a month ago. They put me in contact with an exercise physiologist whose students used me as a guinea pig last night. It was truly fascinating to get my VO2 max measured. First, the students took a bunch of stats from me, like my weight, blood pressure (111/68) hear rate (52) and body fat percentage (21.78 percent). However, the professor told me that body fat percentages aren't as useful as one would think. While most people assume that it's an error margin of plus or minus 3.5 percent, he explained that it's more like two standard deviations of 3.5 percent. Basically, the margin of error is more like plus or minus 7 percent. So really, the number itself isn't all that useful except as a tool for comparison. So retesting it in a few months can tell me if I'm improving, but it can't really tell me if my body is, in fact, about 1/5 fatty mc fat fat.

Then on to the fun part. First, I warmed up on a treadmill for 10 minutes. I have never run on a treadmill, so that was interesting. Next, they hooked me up to an apparatus that measured my oxygen intake and carbon dioxide output and had me start walking on the treadmill. They started me at a 12-minute mile jog, then increased the speed by .3 miles per hour every minute until I couldn't run run any further. It took about 20 minutes.

When all was said and done, I found out that my VO2 max puts me in the 80th percentile

for women my age. Additionally, the pace that I can currently maintain for a prolonged period (maybe indefinitely, depending on what scientist you prescribe to) is 8:50. With training, the students informed me, I could hope to increase my VO2 max by as much as 30 percent. I also spoke with the professor regarding my blood test from a couple of weeks ago that indicated I have high cholesterol. He told me while my total cholesterol is high, it's because what's considered good cholesterol is super high, which is great.

Fascinating stuff indeed.

However, when it was all over with, I was starving. I was looking for the quickest path from

famished to at least not homicide-inducing hangry. I ran home and mixed up what might have been the best dinner ever: two cups of cooked broccoli spears from the night before, 1/2 cup of whole wheat pasta and a 1/4 cup of Classico Light Creamy Alfredo Pasta Sauce that I got from the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program. I topped it all off with Parmesan cheese and had a really tasty dinner in less than 15 minutes for less than 300 calories.

I devoured the whole thing and wondered why I don't buy more broccoli. Must buy more broccoli.

Sunday is My Run Day

2011-11-06T18:35:00.004-06:00

Daylight savings time is pretty cool. It means I got up pretty early today and was fully rested. I had a leisurely breakfast of whole wheat toast with flax, peanut butter and bananas. After that, I hit the road to enjoy what could be one of the last nice days we get in Illinois. I'm not training for anything specific, so I decided to keep a comfortably slow pace for a long run. I ended up doing 11.16 miles in just less than two hours. I won't be breaking any records there, but it was nice to see the fall colors in the area. The weather was also ideal: 55 degrees the whole time, cloudy and just a touch windy.

I took an ice bath when I got home, which took way longer than expected because the first time I got in, I spilled my coffee everywhere. I had to clean up the mess, get a new mug and start the process over again. I really only drink coffee when I do ice baths as a distraction from the fact that I'm subjecting myself to my own personal polar plunge. I also talk to my mom on the phone or read a magazine for further distraction.

After that debacle, I had a lovely lunch with a college friend at Las Vega's Burrito. If you're ever in Glendale Heights, this place totally rocks. It's in not the greatest little strip mall, but those places have the best food. Get the steak tacos; you won't be sorry.

Next up was the hardware store to get a new furnace filter. After a $400 repair, cleaning and inspection yesterday, the very helpful repair guy suggested I start buying the cheapo air filters so that the furnace starter wasn't working so hard. He explained that because the furnace was working harder to push air through the fancy filters, it would reach maximum internal heat, shut off, cool down and start again repeatedly throughout the day. Here I was thinking I was doing the smart thing by using the mid-grade filters. Live and learn.

Finally, I hit up my favorite Goodwill and got some great goodies for the blog. I've been looking for some black plates and clear mugs to take better photos of my food and Goodwill certainly delivered. I also got a few cheap and cute spoons and forks for photos, too.

Sunday/Run Day/Fun Day indeed!

What's Better Than Free Yoga?

2011-11-05T11:40:00.003-06:00

A free yoga mat! I go to lululemon's free yoga on most Saturdays. They've dubbed November a month of gratitude and gave all the participants this morning a free yoga mat. The manager told us that if we had a mat we really loved, still take one and share the gift of yoga. Score!

After yoga, I went to Aldi to deal with the case of the super nasty canned pumpkin. The sales associate told me that they had actually pulled the

brand of pumpkin I had from the shelves because the packaging was faulty, causing the cans to dent easily and probably explaining while it tasted like ass. I got my money back and a free can of the new vendor's pumpkin. I used the pumpkin to make myself a protein muffin when I got home, and it was exactly what I expected. I'll be heading back for a case of the new vendor's pumpkin as it's only $.89 a can. Another score!

What's not full of win is our furnace situation. After paying $100 to get the outlets in the kitchen fixed two weeks ago, I'm now waiting to pay another repair person to come and fix the furnace. Who knows how bad this will be, but it was 58 degrees this morning when I got up. Here's hoping it's a quick fix, not a new furnace.

Since I'm stuck at home waiting, I'm making Tim some breakfast items for the week. This easy breakfast is low-carb and can be made in a batch to last the week.

Breakfast Egg Bites

6 eggs

6 slices good-quality ham

Spray a 12-opening cupcake pan with oil, then

fashion the ham into little meat cupcake liners. Crack one egg into each ham wrapper, then bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until the eggs are set. Store in an airtight container in the fridge, then reheat as needed throughout the week. You may wish to sprinkle cheese on top when reheating.

Cooking with Kelly: Celebrating my 500th Post with Ultimate Brownies

2011-11-04T17:50:00.005-06:00

Seriously, it's here? How do I have enough to say to fill 500 posts? Simple, I never shut up. True story, ask my friends.

So in honor of this post, enjoy the Ultimate Brownies, which are also known as No Calorie Left Behind Brownies.

My coworker had a birthday this week and she mentioned she liked brownies. And I immediately thought, do I have a brownie recipe for you.

Because the recipe for this is so simple and is more of a method than anything, I'm mostly just sharing photos.

Ultimate No Calorie Left Behind Brownies

1 package oreos

1 package cookie dough

1 package of chocolate icing

1 package family-sizes brownies, prepared as directed

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with parchment paper. Press the cookie dough into the pan to form the first layer.

Arrange the oreos on top of the cookie dough. You may need to cut some of the cookies into pieces to make it all fit, but you likely won't use the entire package of cookies.

Carefully pour the brownies on top of the oreos, spreading to cover the oreos evenly. Bake for one hour, or until the brownies are cooked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cook completely.

In the meantime, use a stand mixer with the whisk attachment to whip the prepared icing. It looks nicer and is fluffier that way. Complete the awesomeness that is this brownie creation with the icing and serve to the amazement of all your friends.

Then run like 10 miles, because these are downright sinful.

Thankful Thursday: An Ode to My Parents

2011-11-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving is this month, but I have more to be thankful than can be celebrated in one day.

My parents know about my love of pumpkin. Hell, everyone who knows me even a little bit knows I *heart* pumpkin. I love making and enjoying all things pumpkin this time of year: beer, muffins, bread, yogurt, oatmeal, whatever. I even enjoy pumpkin candles.

A few days after the trailer/quidditch trip, my dad texted me. I can't figure out how to take a screen shot on the droid, but he wanted me to know Aldi had the elusive pumpkin I've been looking for. Both Aldi locations near me have been cleaned out since I heard they had it in stock. I usually get a case this time of year because the brand-name canned pumpkin is a little pricey.

My mother not only bought me the pumpkin, but she went through the whole case to ensure none of the cans were dented. So sweet.

Alas, the Aldi pumpkin this year isn't so great. I made what should have been an amazing pumpkin cake with apple cider glaze earlier this week, but the taste was just off. It tasted ... chemical like. Still, it's the thought that counts and it seriously warmed my heart that my parents remembered and indulged my obsession.

Race Report: Big Hit Half Marathon

2011-11-02T04:00:00.000-06:00

I really only have nice things to say about the Big Hit Half Marathon. It's incredible for me to think that a year ago, I thought I would die when I ran. Two years ago, I would have told people to call the cops if they saw me running. Now, I am a runner. I am a half marathon finisher.

Rachael and I got up very early Saturday and hit the road by 7:30 a.m. It was a pretty easy drive to Louisville, but of course, with all the hydrating we were doing, we had to stop quite often. We snacked on protein muffins with peanut butter and had a picnic lunch at a rest stop. When we got to Louisville, we went right to the expo to get our loot. Rachael signed up for the quarter marathon, but they also offered a half marathon relay.

Parking was plentiful and we got our bibs in no time. The shirts ran small and we both had to size up, but they're nice fitting performance T-shirts that are ladies cut and pretty cute. I'll wear it again.

The expo was small with less than 10 booths. We did hit up the BondiBand booth, where Rachael treated me to a new one with a shark on it that said "Om Nom Nom," which is exactly what I did after the race.

We headed to bed early Saturday, then got up at 6 a.m. to get ready. We drove over to Louisville Slugger Field and paid $5 for close parking. Worth it.

The ample bathrooms were not so ample and we hit those up before waiting inside as it was literally freezing. We

started walking to the start line at 7:35 for a 7:45 start. I never found the two-hour pacer, just a 1:50 and 2:10 pacer. So we lined up and froze our asses off before we got moving at close to 8 a.m.

The first three miles were rough. I couldn't quite feel my legs because I was so cold and my first mile was close to 10 minutes. I made it up by the third mile and took my first gel at the fourth mile. By then, I was feeling good and started to settle in. Timing clocks were at almost mile and I was keeping a good pace. There were plenty of water and Gatorade stations that we were well-staffed and tons of portable toilets. An interesting feature they offered at this race was women only port-a-potties. I didn't need to visit it,

but it was interesting.

This was an out and back course through some scenic neighborhoods and the University of Louisville. There was a bridge that you had to go over twice around the 7/8 mile mark, which sucked. This was also the point at which they distributed peppermint-flavored gels. I took one but stuck to my mocha shot around mile 8. Nothing new is my mantra. Around this time, I chatted up a local runner who was running at an 8:40 pace, and I ran with her until almost the 12-mile mark. I didn't catch her name, but she was a lifesaver. Runners are the best!

When I saw I was at 10 miles with 1:29 on the clock, I knew I was going to finish the damn thing. The last clock at the 12-mile mark read 1:47, so I knew I could finish in under two hours, but I was in major pain. It was a huge push to get it done. I repeated every motivational cliche I'd ever heard in the last few minutes.

Runners finished by crossing home plate. The race director announced your name as you crossed the finish line and flashed your name and image on the big screen. I felt a huge rush crossing the finish line, but I was in enough pain that I cried because it hurt. Volunteers immediately distributed medals and water. There was a short wait to get your instant timing print out and remove your reusable chip.

The instant timing was fascinating: I finished in 1:57:02, which was 22/77 in my age and gender division. My pace was 8:57 (faster than I thought possible) and my pace was pretty even too, with my first half being 58:30 and my second half at 58:33. I've never had such detailed timing, which I get geeked out on.

The only downer about finishing on home plate was you had to climb a set of stairs up to the stadium concourse. It might as well have been Mt. Everest. Once I scaled the stairs, there was a great backdrop to take photos in front of along with an ample food table

stocked with oranges, bagels, bananas, peanut butter crackers, granola bars and some kind of hot soup. There was also an engraving company, but it was not complimentary and I had no cash. There were free sports massages, but only two people doing it, so I wasn't willing to wait that long. We drove back to the hotel, showered and went for our victory breakfast. After our delicious meal, we headed back home for a boring drive.

I'm so very proud of my race performance and will certainly do a half marathon again. I'll most likely stay close to home, though, because I'm a bad driver and this was tough.

Cost: $65 for the half in advance

Time: 1:57:02 for a half marathon (Faster than my two-hour goal!)

Pros: Mostly flat and scenic course, nice race shirt, decent finisher's medal, easy parking situation, entertainment along the way

Cons: Could have used more bathrooms at the start and more sports massage people at the end

Would I race it again: Absolutely

Training Tuesday: I Earned This

2011-11-01T02:00:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was a glorious recovery day after the Big Hit Half Marathon. I actually took the day off of everything, including work, because I knew I'd be all tuckered out from running and driving. I spent the day baking, cleaning, shopping, taking a hot bath, reading magazines and going out to dinner at Texas de Brazil. Protein is good for recovery, right? I also got a divine massage from someone who specializes in sports massages. I felt pretty much recovered by the time it was over.

But the whole day to myself really gave me time to think about what my first half marathon means to me. I wore my medal home Sunday and the cashier at Taco Bell asked me if I won (Taco Bell is my constant. Don't judge.). I may not have won, but it didn't matter. This medal is precious to me, just like all my other medals.

I earned this medal just as much as any winner did.

I earned this with every mile I didn't want to run, but pushed through it anyways.

I earned this with every 5 a.m. wake up call, every run I completed while my town was still asleep and my path was illuminated by oncoming headlights.

I earned this when it was 90 degrees at 6 a.m., and I was still out there, pounding the pavement.

I earned this with every cat call, every car horn honk and every car that veered at me, instead of away from me.

I earned this with every lonely mile I pounded out in silence, wondering what my friends were up to or what I was missing alone on the road.

I earned this with every drink, meal and treat I passed on in the name of improving my performance.

I earned this with my foot strikes, pulled muscles, set backs, sacrifices, challenges and triumphs.

What We Ate: Louisville Edition

2011-10-31T08:54:00.004-06:00

My photos of the food didn't turn out well, so you'll just have to imagine what the tasty creations looked like.

After an uneventful drive to Kentucky, Rachael and I hit the expo at Louisville Slugger Field and checked into the Galt House Hotel. It was a massive hotel and the room was nice for the $75 per night I paid. We took a drive through the city and witnessed a guy breaking into a car, so that was interesting.

We also went to Churchill Downs before heading to a super early dinner at Amici Cafe. We were the only people there at that hour, which was just fine by us.

They had sangria that sounded fabulous, but no booze for us pre-race. Sad face. We split a bread basket, which was grilled to perfection, and both got the grilled chicken capellini. The spaghetti was tossed in a white wine olive oil sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, black olives and capers, then topped with slices of a grilled chicken breast. It was so fabulous, we both cleaned out plates. What, we were carb loading ...

After the race Sunday morning (race report to come), we went back to the hotel to shower and check out. I called ahead to Toast on Market, which people on Yelp seem to love. We only ended up waiting like 15 minutes when we got there, but I was starving from the run, so it might as well have been two hours. The wait was totally worth it.

Rachael had a rocking Mediterranean omelet with the eatery's signature hash brown casserole. I had two poached eggs, fruit, whole wheat toast and a lemon souffle pancake with blueberry compote. The eggs were awesome, but the pancake was what the restaurant is known for and it certainly delivered. A fluffy pancake was topped with a lemon glaze and a reduced blueberry sauce, which still had blueberries in the sauce. It was like dessert for breakfast and hit the spot post half.

We were only in Louisville for about 24 hours, so we didn't see much, but we did eat the best of the city and didn't go home hungry or disappointed.

I Killed It!

2011-10-30T12:56:00.003-06:00

1:57:02

More info to come. I feel sore but super proud. About half way through, the cops blocked off the road with crime scene tape. I laughed out loud when I thought that there was going to be a crime scene soon because I was going to kill this race.

What I've Learned About Running from My Dog

2011-10-29T08:00:00.001-05:00

Hi friends! Rachael and I are road tripping today and are some where between Chicago and Louisville, Ky. We hope to make it to the expo in Louisville by mid afternoon, then check into the Galt House before dinner and head to bed early. It's a glamorous life.

Because I'm all about taking advice on how to tackle this race successfully, I thought I'd share a little advice I have learned from Napoleon, my three-year-old Yorkshire Terrier. He may be bossy, poorly behaved and the neighborhood mean dog, but Napoleon is also the picture of

health.

So here's the top lessons I've learned from my Yorkie about running and racing:

Find a workout buddy.

Don't forget to stretch.

You can't hide from working out.

Cross train at least once per week.

Consider your nutrition and tailor it to what helps you perform at your best.

Work on your game face. Running is as much mental as physical.

There's no need to slack off on vacation. Running travels with you.

No one cares if you look ridiculous.

There is no such thing as bad weather. Just find the right gear.

Don't let what others think you can do define what you can accomplish.

Rest is important. Each week, take a day to recuperate and enjoy it.

Now Accepting All Advice

2011-10-27T13:00:00.001-05:00

As I'm sure I've mentioned a million times, I'm simultaneously excited and terrified about my first half marathon on Sunday. At this point, I'm looking for any tips, ideas or tricks to get through this race without getting hurt, puking or otherwise embarrassing myself in front of strangers. Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated. Otherwise, feel free to send positive thoughts my way or light a candle for me. I need all the help I can get.

In the meantime, I've cut myself off from dairy, pop and junk food. I've made drinking water and green tea a full-time job and have focused on protein since my meeting with the exercise physiologist. I'm starting to pack for our adventure to Kentucky and I'm trying to remember that I've done the work, my body has the ability, my mind just needs to have the endurance to finish this strong.

Cake Does Not A Good Run Make

2011-10-26T19:48:00.005-05:00

Today's my birthday. I'm 27, which is the same age my mom was when she had me. In the past year, I've traveled to Jamaica, Pennsylvania, New York, Tennessee, North Carolina, Seattle and New Orleans. Tim and I also celebrated our second wedding anniversary. I ran my first 5-mile race, 10k race and 11.5-mile race. I'll be completing my first half-marathon on Sunday at age 27, and I'm looking forward to seeing what races and other challenges I can conquer in the next year.

I've already been celebrating my birthday for a few days. Over the weekend, Tim took me shopping in honor of the day. When I woke up this morning, he asked me how 27 feels. I asked him how 27 has treated him and he said it's been wonderful since he's married to me. *Melt*

I'm very lucky.

I had a great day at work filled with sweet cards, well wishes, treats and a fantastic lunch at

Quesa Broso. This place has rocking enchiladas con mole. So tasty!

When I came home tonight, I hit up the cake I brought home from my mom's house. Last night, I went over to her house for celebrating. My parents got me a ceramic pumpkin for my front porch and a new coat. Katie gave me a hot new running outfit and Mandy picked up

reflective bands and a blinking safety light for me. My mom really stepped up her cake-making game and made this amazing four-layer chocolate cake. After enjoying every delicious, calorie-laden bite, I decided to take my new gear for a run. It was not a plan for success.

I didn't get hit by a car, so the gear is, in fact, working, but cake as fuel is not a great idea. So, no more cake until the race is over with Sunday!

Training Tuesday: It's the Final Countdown

2011-10-25T11:00:00.002-05:00

*Cue the music* It's finally here! I'm just days away from my first half marathon. Rachael and I are driving down to Louisville Saturday, hitting the expo and spending the night in a nice hotel before taking our spots at the start line of the Big Hit Half Marathon. My goal will be to finish the race in two hours.

While I had a crappy run this weekend, I also had a glorious 5.38-mile run at race pace on Saturday, followed by free yoga. Alas, I made the mistake of looking at all the overpriced gear at Lululemon and am now lusting over a $100 running top. There's no way I can justify the expense ever, so I'm going to vow to not look at the merchandise again.

I would have loved to have an awesome 10-mile run Sunday, but it just wasn't in the cards. Instead, I'll focus on a little cross training this week, a few shorter runs, rest, lots of sleep, hydration and proper nutrition. I'll also be working on the mental aspect of this race, visualizing a strong and painless finish with less than two hours on the clock and planning our Kentucky jaunt.

Mantra: I have run the miles. I have followed the plan. I have laid the groundwork. I will own this race!

Cooking with Kelly: The No-Bake Bake Sale

2011-10-24T11:59:00.001-05:00

Last week, my Lions club donated baked goods to the SASED Leo Club. We support this group of visually impaired high school students in a variety of ways, including underwriting the cost of equipment for goalball, an adaptive sport that's a bit like a mix of soccer and dodgeball. The ball has bells in it so the three team mates defending the goal can hear the ball coming.

The Leos had a goalball tournament, so we donated the treats for a bake sale so they could raise more money for future projects. I was having a hectic week, so I went with several no-bake options:

No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

Pumped Up Rice Krispie Treats

Puppy Chow (I blogged about this in 2007! Crazy.)

All in all, my club donated enough tasty treats that I had to get a cart to store it all when the Leos came to pick it up. There were all kinds of cookies, cupcakes and bites. I hope they raised a ton of money and can get even more kids involved in this amazing club.

A Lovely Day for a Last Long Run

2011-10-23T17:33:00.007-05:00

It's gorgeous outside today: 65ish degrees, clear skies and a nice breeze. I set out for one last long run. All was well, but I got to just short of five miles and stopped to take off my jacket because it was so nice and toasty outside. I don't know what the hell happened, but I think I tweaked my knee in the process (only I could manage this). When I went to start again, my leg hurt bad enough that I cried. I also lost my beloved Clif mocha shot somewhere in the process. Instead of a long run, I ended up with a miserable three-mile walk back home. Sad.

What isn't sad are the deals I got yesterday. Tim said he wanted to spend around $100 on our birthday shopping trip. I love the thrill finding an awesome deal, so we hit the outlets and for

$100, I got three bras (in the bag), a pair of shoes (that are being shipped to me), sunglasses from Fossil, and two complete work outfits from Banana Republic. Unfortunately, that trip involved waiting in lines longer than it took to actually shop for the two tops, dress pants and skirt I ended up with. I had the last laugh with my awesome deals.

In addition to being a lovely day, today marks the three-year anniversary of closing on this house. In those three years, we got married, got a dog, both changed jobs and Tim started a new degree. Funny what three years brings. I remember the closing day: they couldn't figure out how much we were supposed to bring to closing, so we were waiting at a Dominick's until 15 minutes before the closing so we could get a check from chase for the right amount.

We then came back to the house and started cleaning and painting. We painted the kitchen a yellow called Oak Cask and the master bathroom Blue Pool. My sister steamed the carpets while we chiseled greasy nastiness off the cabinets.

We celebrated the anniversary by trying to fix and electrical issue in the kitchen. We are not electricians, therefore, it is still broken. For some reason, all of the outlets that don't have the built-in tester things aren't working. Tim replaced the outlets and fiddled with the fuse box, so I'll be calling in a professional.

Dial Up Your Pacemaker, G

2011-10-22T12:27:00.007-05:00

Last night was super fab: My Lions club held its annual wine tasting event. Oh, you thought Lions clubs were just for old white dudes? Nope, not so much:

My favorite lyrics? "You got a dry turkey sandwich? I'll mayonaise you!"

Anyhow, the wine tasting went very well. We had three stations with different types of wine and a central area with a generous amount of appetizers. I had mini apple pies, chicken skewers, aprict teriyaki meatballs, grilled vegetables and all sorts of yummies. I also found a new favorite wine: Dr. H reisling. It's a sweet, fruity wine that has a very refreshing end note with a citrus aftertaste. But my palate also super enjoys Taco Bell, so take my critique as you may.

The club brought in a good amount of money (final count to be determined) ticket and wine sales, plus our silent auction and raffles. We'll be reinvesting that money into the community in the form of supporting a food bank, a Leo club (like Lions for kids) made of of visually impaired high school students and sponsoring families for the holidays.

With all that imbibing and appetizer consuming, I had a lot of calories to burn this morning. I left for free yoga early today and went on a run that was just a little more than five miles. I was able to knock it out at my goal race pace of 9 minute miles. Speaking of which, the info e-mail for the JAM Active Big Hit Half Marathon went out this morning. EEEEK.

I hit the free, super tough yoga, then came home for snacks, a shower and cleaning.

I'm super psyched for this afternoon - Tim is taking my shopping in honor of my birthday! I'm excited to spend time together and get a few new things. There's also a dinner in the works, but I'm holding off on that until after the race.

Time to go stimulate the economy!

Three Things Thursday

2011-10-20T20:09:00.006-05:00

This is going to be a bit of drive-by blogging. Busy day at work, busy afternoon at home and busy weekend ahead.

1. This week is Wellness Week at work. I love it. Seriously, I look forward to Wellness Week. So far, I've gotten a free total blood workup, a free flu shot and a morning snack of an apple and granola square every day this week. Tomorrow, we'll get a body fat test (which the exercise physiologist told me not to put stock in, more on that later) and free toothbrushes. Yeah, I'm a nerd. But a nerd that's really geeked out about health and wellness.

2. My new favorite snack is a protein muffin made with pumpkin instead of applesauce and no chocolate chips. This brings the calorie count down to 114 calories with 11 grams of protein. Topped with 2 Tablespoons of peanut butter, it's an awesome 300-ish calorie snack that packs 20 grams of protein. Since I've been told to eat more protein, this snack rocks.

3. I'm more than a little irrationally angry about the results of my blood work. Last year, my cholesterol was just a little on the high side, with a count of 202 (200 and below is normal). The morning they took my blood, I was at my lowest weight ever and had just finished my 9.3-mile run. My cholesterol was 216. I don't eat that much meat, and I can't remember the last time I bought ground beef. I exercise and eat several servings of whole grain each day. I seriously have no clue what else to do.

Video: Easy Italian Crock Pot Chicken

2011-10-19T17:50:00.005-05:00

Well, here's something new. As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program, I received a few products from Newman's Own as well as a video camera. Please note, I cleaned my whole kitchen for this video. Also, I need to figure out how to not chop my head off while video taping. Check it out:

Easy Italian Crock Pot Chicken
4 chicken breasts
1 bottle Newman's Own Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce
2 cups whole wheat pasta, cooked according to package directions

Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your crock pot and top with 1/2 to 3/4 of the bottle of sauce, enough to coat. Cook on low for eight hours. Shred the chicken and top the pasta with a 1/2 cup of the shredded chicken pasta sauce. Yum!

Training Tuesday

2011-10-18T20:42:00.009-05:00

It's been a roller coaster-y week and a half here. I was injured, which made me anxious and apprehensive about my commitment to run a half marathon (that's just 10 days away now). As I shared earlier this week, I went on my long run Sunday. As I was laying in bed at 6:20 a.m Sunday (I used to sleep in like a normal person), I was getting even more anxious about my injury, about my lack of mileage in the previous week and about the rain I could hear beating down on my roof.

I got up, had a great breakfast and then decided I was going to hit the streets and see what my legs could do.

And I surprised even myself. I felt strong. I felt happy. I felt fast.

I maintained some mostly negative splits, up until the seventh mile. A great song came on my new favorite Pandora station (did you know there's an alternative rock station under the workout tab? Perfect.) and really opened up on my speed. It left me a little on the empty side, so the rest of my miles were a slower.

However, psychologically, this 9.3-mile run was really important. I finished it in 1:30. Because of this run, I know I can finish the half marathon. My body has the ability to run a sub-two-hour half, I just need to get my head in the game and stick with these next two weeks. I plan to give myself the food my body needs, hydrate like I mean it and sleep like it's going out of style.

On a related note, I had an awesome meeting tonight with an exercise physiologist. I've always loved data and research, so I've volunteered myself as a human guinea pig. In the coming weeks, I'm going to get my body composition, metabolism and VO2 max measured and analyzed so I have solid data about my level of fitness. Does anyone know if I can cram for a VO2 max test?

Anyhow, he mentioned in passing about nutrition, and I told him that my diet would be awesome, if I didn't love Taco Bell so much. He told me that at my training level, calories shouldn't be my main concern, but instead, eating food that makes me feel good and perform well. Best news of the night: he told me if I want the Taco Bell, go for it, but maybe get a salad with a taco instead of my standard meal. He also told me I should monitor my protein intake for muscle building and performance. A good goal for me would be 1 gram of protein per kilogram of weight each day. So I'm going to take my homework to heart and start tracking my food again. As much of a pain in the ass it is, tracking calories is how I first started losing weight, so now at least I'm doing it with a goal in mind other than "get skinny."

I'm really excited for the half marathon that's just a week from Sunday. Rachael and I are going to rock this race and show Louisville what we can do. After that, I'm looking forward to finding out more data about my fitness level so I can start training for the next challenge. What's that? Stay tuned ...

Mantra: My feet hurt from kicking so much ass.

Cooking with Kelly: Baked Pear Crumble

2011-10-17T17:22:00.006-05:00

What can I say, I'm a sucker for a sale. Pears were on sale $.99 for three pounds, so of course, I bought some to make treats.

This tasty crumble is pretty healthy and was so good after my long run yesterday. I don't keep ice cream in the house because I tend to tear through a gallon in three days, but I imagine this would be delicious a la mode. Otherwise, it's a great breakfast or dessert. While I baked this dish in the oven, I imagine it would be easy enough to make in the crock pot.

Baked Pear Crumble
3 pounds pears, halved with cores removed
Splash of lemon or lime juice
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground ginger powder
1/4 cup Splenda
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/3 cup margarine

Place the pears in a baking dish cut side up. I used a stone casserole dish, but a glass or medal dish would work, too. Sprinkle the citrus juice over the top to prevent browning. Mix the remaining dry ingredients, the cut the margarine into the dry ingredients using your fingers until you get a crumble with the consistency of wet sand. Spoon over the pears and baked for 45 minutes in a 375-degree oven until the topping is golden brown.

Another Long Run Fueling Post

2011-10-16T17:49:00.014-05:00

After a week off from running post injury, I went out for my first run. I was really anxious about it because I'm exactly two weeks away from a half marathon that I have no only paid for, but also bought a hotel room for in full. I cautiously hit the road this morning and I felt awesome.

The weather was cool, I found a great new station on pandora and the miles were easy. I even felt fast!

In honor of this fabulous 9.3-mile run, I have another post about what I eat and drink on long run days to fuel and recover.

First, I started with a hearty breakfast of a 1/2 old fashion oat meal made with Splenda, a few shakes of cinnamon, a chopped gala apple, a 1/2 ounce chopped walnuts and enough water to get a nice texture. I microwaved all that for one minute and chased it with two glasses of water and my daily vitamins.On my run, I ended up having two Clif mocha shots with caffeine. I planned to eat one, but I started dragging with only three miles under my belt, so I ended up having one a mile 3.5 and another around mile seven. So tasty ... love these things. It's amazing how 200 calories of caffeinated frosting makes an hour and a half of running so much easier.When I got back, I stretched and took a bossy little puppy out before consuming another 200ish calories in drinks. I consumed, in order, water, a cup of skim chocolate milk, more water and a glass of sports drink (it was some off brand powder from Aldi. It's banana strawberry something or other).Before I hit my ice bath, I made myself a pumpkin coffee. I don't drink a ton of coffee, but I like to have something warm while I'm soaking in freezing water. I made my homemade version of a pumpkin latte with 1 tablespoon of pumpkin-flavored creamer, 1/4 cup skim milk, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1 tablespoon splenda and 1 1/2 cups of coffee. I warmed it all together in this cup I got through the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program. It's made by Tervis and is insulated, so it kept my coffee warm, even though I was impersonating a popsicle in my ice bath.By the time I got cleaned up, it was lunch time. Lunch was more water, a strawberry Chobani with puffed rice cereal and a baked pear crumble. It was so yummy.For my afternoon snack, I made a chocolate protein muffin with pumpkin instead of applesauce. 'Tis the season for pumpkin awesomeness! And yes, I was photobombed by the dog.Along that theme, I also had a candy apple. They were on sale and I love them so.For dinner, we kept it low key with grilled chicken breasts (I topped mine with a little barbecue sauce) and some broccoli pieces.I'm off to drink some more water and ice a little more to keep the soreness at bay.

Cooking with Kelly: Slow Cooker Carrot Soup

2011-10-13T17:23:00.001-05:00

I love my slow cooker so much. I got it as a wedding present from my parents' neighbor and have certainly gotten a lot of use out of it. It's a larger oval-shaped model that's digital and automatically switches to a warming mode once the cooking time has elapsed.

I also love coming home to a tasty meal that was cooking with love in the laziest possible way. I was in the mood for some soup and had a bag of carrots in the crisper, so I set out to make something that wasn't too heavy but still kept me full.

Slow Cooker Carrot Soup
1 large onion, sliced
2 large garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and chopped into chunks
5 cups stock (I used home made turkey stock, but you can use what you prefer)
1 1/2 teaspoons dried ginger
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup of Splenda
1 cup of brown sugar

Place the onion, garlic, carrots and stock into the crock pot. Cook on low for eight hours. When you get home, add the remaining ingredients, stir and cook on high for one hour. If you have an immersion blender, it would be extremely helpful in pulsing this all together. Instead, I used my food processor in batches.

I rounded this meal out with a simple salad topped with Marzetti Simply Dressed salad dressing in the Caesar flavor. I got this sample through the Foodbuzz Tastemakers program. Now that I'm so close to my half marathon, I'm trying to limit the amount of crap that I'm eating, so I appreciate that I can pronounce all the ingredients on this product.

Cooking with Kelly: Super Fast Dinner Edition

2011-10-12T17:55:00.000-05:00

I had to go to the grocery store the other night, and by the time I got home, my hunger was at code red emergency status, and so was Tim's. Immediately, I started in on the dinner concoction of the evening.

Pork chops were on sale that night, so that was the protein du jour. I seasoned them with spicy curry powder, pepper and salt and threw them on the grill for four minutes per side.

While that was working, I steamed a head of broccoli and dressed it with salt and pepper. Finally, I rounded out the meal with some Simply Potatoes that I got through the Foodbuzz Tastemakers program. There are a bunch of different varieties, but I went with the original flavor. I like that they're real potatoes, but I only have to heat them up in the microwave and serve them. And I'm Irish, so I know potatoes (it's true, if you're on Sparkpeople, you know my user name is ILovePotatoes). They're giving away a year of free potatoes, so if you want to keep carb loading for a full year, enter here.

And in less than 15 minutes, we were eating a healthy, balanced meal that was delicious.

Training Tuesday: Sad Panda Edition

2011-10-11T17:33:00.002-05:00

I made several stupid decisions regarding my training that culminated in a painful injury, leaving me recovering today.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. First stupid decision: On Thursday, I decided to do my medium-length run to the library. I had a few books to return, but nothing too heavy, and it would give me a nearly eight-mile run. I got my rusty backpack from high school out and packed it up, then set out on my little run.

I regretted my decision less than one mile from my house. Even though the pack was less than five pounds, it felt like 50. Plus, the backpack was rubbing against my lower back in a very uncomfortable way. When I got to the library in a very slow, painful pace, I was spent, but still had to run home. Sigh. I ended the day with a terrible rash on my back and a miserable time for the run.

The second mistake I made was training through pain. I've been having some pain in my thigh, which I really only noticed when I crossed my legs, so I ignored it.

So on my second run of my trailer camping weekend in my awesome new running outfit, I resolved to take a long tour of the country. I wanted to knock out at least 10 miles.

The weather was perfect: the sun was low, I had plenty of time and the weather was crisp and cool. As I ran past open pastures where the mist clung low to the ground and horses grazed, I thought this would be perfect.

And then, the pain started. First, it was just a bit of reduced mobility in the same leg with the thigh injury. Then, it felt like someone had stabbed me square in the side of my knee. I headed back, but not before my phone's GPS timed out. I have no clue how far I went, but it hurt.

The best I can figure is that with the pulled thigh, my other muscles were trying to compensate, leading to more tweaks and strains. As a result, despite the fact that I have a measly 19 days until my first half, I'm easing up on my training plan. I should have made a 12 mile run this weekend, followed by several longer runs during the week. Instead, I'm not going to hit the pavement until Sunday. I did the elliptical yesterday, which I'm doing again tonight. Tomorrow, I'm going to bike around town, then do an Insanity workout Thursday before resting Friday and yoga Saturday. Then, we'll see on Sunday what my leg is doing.

I will finish the Big Hit Half Marathon.

Mantra: Strive for progress, not perfection.

Cooking with Kelly: Smores at Home

2011-10-10T20:50:00.006-05:00

Part of the deal for the camping weekend was that there would be smores. My mom promised that we would build a fire and I could have the delicious combo of crunchy graham crackers, creamy milk chocolate and toasted-to-perfection marshmallow.

It was as glorious as I thought it would be. There's just something about standing around a camp fire in a cozy hoodie making smores on a crisp evening that screams fall.

I felt a little bad when I got home, though, that while I was enjoying the great outdoors, Tim was stuck inside studying. I thought I'd try to replicate my favorite aspect of camping for him when I got home last night.

My secret to smores at home is smearing one side of both graham crackers with nutella, then add semi-sweet chocolate chips. This gives the whole sandwich a little sticking power when you add the marshmallow. I toasted a marshmallow on our stove and put the whole thing together. I served it all alongside some Cafe Solano from Peet's Coffee. As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program, the company sent me a bag, along with a bag of the new Cafe Domingo. The Cafe Solano is a medium roast blend of a bunch of tasty coffees that made the whole house smell delicious when we shared a pot. Tim really enjoyed this coffee and insisted that we must buy more. I was a big fan as well and had some with my breakfast again this morning. As for the smores, I made another for Tim tonight, so I think he's a fan.

I Survived the Trailer/Quidditch Trip

2011-10-09T17:46:00.013-05:00

It was actually a lot of fun! As part of the bribery/ early birthday present, my mom gave me a running outfit. I just happened to match the trailer then. Awesome. My parents picked me up and we drove to the campsite outside of Indianapolis.

We stayed at Riverbend Campground in Noblesville, which was old and a little strange, but hey, it was cheap and just eight miles from the quidditch games. We were right on the water and had plenty of room to set up a screen tent (which was challenging, mostly because we tried to assemble it inside out). The bathrooms were similar to every horror movie I've ever seen, so I resolved to only use the trailer shower.

In case you're wondering (I know I was), here's how the bathroom situation works. Imagine an airplane bathroom, except with a shower. And the whole bathroom is a shower. When it's time to take a shower, the entire bathroom is your shower stall. There's plenty of hot water, but not a ton of water pressure or space.

The trailer sleeps three. There's a queen-ish sized bed at the front of the trailer, a slideout kitchen with a fridge and two burners across from the bathroom and a table at the rear of the trailer. The table also folds down to a single bed. I brought my sleeping bag and hunkered down there.

The only thing about a trailer is that everything has to have a place to go, or else it looks messy. Hence this photo of me in my little nook. It wasn't really that unkempt, we were just moving things around before getting ready for bed.

Saturday morning, we had a little breakfast and then headed out to Conner Prairie, where the 2011 International Quidditch Association was holding the Midwest Cup. The competition included 18 colleges and my sister's school, Purdue, was hosting. That meant that my sister was running around and barely sleeping while organizing this whole ordeal. My parents and I found a shady spot and watched quidditch.

There's a lot of strategy in quidditch because there's essentially three games going on simultaneously; one is a basic scoring system where kids throw a white ball through a ring. The second is a dodgeball scenario where the players try to hit other players with a red-colored ball. The player that is hit has to drop everything and go touch the ring. The final game that's going on is catch: every university playing has to provide a snitch, which is a person dressed in yellow that can run around everywhere and do anything. Each team has one seeker and when the seeker removes the snitch's tail, the game ends and the team that caught the snitch gets 30 points. Therefore, if you're really far behind in scoring, you don't want to catch the snitch, but you do want to make sure the other team doesn't catch it, either.

My uncle lives in the area and met us out at the field. Eventually, we headed back to the campground and had some food my mom made in advance for dinner. She even made me my favorite, turkey chop suey! Yum, yum, yum.

My dad started a fire and I had the smores I was promised. We repeated the routine today, but we packed up the trailer and took it with us to the field, then left from there. I'm looking forward to sleeping in my queen-sized bed and showering in my full-sized shower.

It's Fall!

2011-10-06T20:10:00.005-05:00

It might not feel like it today (because it's in the mid-80s), but the leaves are turning beautiful colors and I've already put out my Halloween decorations. This process includes me trying to artfully place the decorations Napoloen would like to chew out of reach. He hates Halloween, because it involves me dressing him up, kids ringing the doorbell and toys that he doesn't know what to make of:

Should I dress Napoleon as:

A bee?

An emperor?

Santa?

A "Fun" Family Trip

2011-10-06T19:57:00.005-05:00

I'm taking off on a magical trip today. With my parents. In my parents' trailer. To see my sister play in a quidditch tournament.

You can pick your punchline for this one.

I've yet to see this trailer, but if you want a visual, it's an MPG 181. Here's the back story: my dad has been talking about buying a trailer for at least a decade. He always talked about buying a trailer and traveling the country. My mom would either roll her eyes, or whisper to us that we needed to buy big houses so that she could come stay with us. She always assumed this was just one of those things that would never happen.

Then, about two years ago, my dad bought a pick up truck capable of hauling a trailer. Then things got real.

My dad retired this summer and bought the trailer about a month later. I'm looking forward to this trip, even though when my mom invited me, I asked her where I would sleep. She told me the kitchen table turns into another bed, which was met with silence.

Needless to say, Tim isn't attending.

My mother called me last night to say "Enjoy sleeping in your bed tonight, because tomorrow, you're sleeping on the kitchen table. Don't plan on sleeping in, either, because we need that table to have breakfast."

I have been promised smores. There better be a lot of smores.

In order to get ready for this trip, I had to pack: running clothes, running shoes, flip flops, a towel, toiletries, make up, clothes, a flash light, sleeping bag, pillow, pajamas, cell phone chargers (in case I need to call the nearest Holiday Inn) a frisbee and beer. Because beer will be needed.

Cooking with Kelly: Pumped Up Rice Krispie Treats

2011-10-05T19:43:00.007-05:00

I like to bake on the weekends, because Tim studies most weekends and I like to treat him to something he enjoys. I also find baking relaxing and rewarding, so I often end up making something and taking it to work or freezing it.

One of Tim's favorite sweets is Rice Krispie Treats. But I'm not content to just make regular Rice Krispies - I could buy those. So I added some of Tim's other favorite flavors: peanut butter and chocolate. Really, who wouldn't adore this combo?

These freeze well and also keep in the fridge for a while.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Krispies

6 cups puffed rice cereal (because I use the off brands)

1 bag mini marshmallows

1/2 stick salted butter

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 1/4 cups smooth peanut butter

In a small saucepan, melt together the butter and marshmallows. Once combined, mix with the cereal, then press into a greased 9 by 13 inch pan. Set aside.

Heat together the chocolate and peanut butter, either in the microwave in one-minute increments or on the stove over low heat. Do not overheat. Once incorporated, pour over the prepared krispies and use a spatula to smooth over the top.

Refrigerate until firm, then use a sharp knife to cut.

Get Thee (and me) to an Aldi!

2011-10-05T19:23:00.006-05:00

I usually throw out the grocery ads without looking at them, but I happened to notice an Aldi at this week. I heart Aldi. I have had two laptops from Aldi and have been eating products from Aldi for at least 15 years, maybe more. I swear this week's ad was made just for me:
I could, and might, buy everything on this front page. There's pumpkin coffee and prepared pumpkin lattes. And pumpkin ice cream! I should have thought of this first. I see apple cider, cheap pumpkins and apples and pears on sale.
What to do with these sale items?

Apple Dumplings

Caramel Apple Cake

Apple Crumble Bar

Apple Bread

Baked Ginger Apple Crumble

Crock Pot Baked Apples

Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

And then I will run a million miles so I can eat this all. Time to make room in the veggie crisper drawer ...