Loving Lately

Apples chosen from the fruit stand make a satisfying fall treat.  Our favorite?  Fuji.  These are an early-season variety of this very sweet and very crunchy apple.

Being part of a fitness community is a wonderful way to make connections and share experiences.  The girls from Fit Approach/Sweat Pink sent me these pink shoelaces and an unpictured Sweat Pink tank top.  Check them out!

Lately, the few minutes of quiet time at my desk before the entrance of students is extra enjoyable with Dunkin' Donuts pumpkin coffee.  So good.

It's so nice to feel the love of my students when they create masterpieces of art just for me.

Tiny perfume samples that came with my lipgloss order from Nordstrom's are a fun way to try out different scents.  

What are you loving lately?

The Makings of a Hearty Soup

When I make soup, I rarely follow a recipe.  For most of my clear soups, I like to start each pot with a few simple ingredients and they never fail me.  

To begin, I always saute the trilogy {carrots, celery and onion} in a little bit of olive oil.  Once they are soft, I add garlic and cook for another minute or two.  Tip: Add pinches of salt throughout the cooking process because if you add it at the end, your soup will just taste salty rather than flavorful.     



Normally, I use organic stock, whether it be beef, chicken or vegetable.  For the pot I made on Sunday...I added a can of cannellini beans for protein, and veggie pasta for added bulk.  When adding pasta to soup, I cook it on the side until it reaches al dente and add before serving.  A can of tomatoes {I crush them myself} adds nice flavor to any vegetable/minestrone-type soup.   



Sometimes I like to add in spinach, but I had a head of cabbage in the fridge so I used that instead.   
 

It's always nice to have something on the side, so I spread leftover basil/walnut pesto over warmed Naan bread and cut it into pieces.  
 

I've given this tip before, but I love it so much that it's worth repeating.  The rinds of Parmesano Reggiano cheese can be saved {or frozen} and dropped into soups.  The warmth of the soup will melt the cheese and disperse the flavor. 
  

Also like to add dried herbs such as oregano and marjoram, as well as fresh ones such as thyme, basil or rosemary.  Before serving, top soups with something special.  I like to use Parmesan, sour cream, or chopped parsley.

Half the fun of making soup is to be creative by using what you have in the fridge and pantry.  

Do you have any tricks for making homemade soup?  
   

 

Willsey Goes for a Walk

Sunday was so gorgeous that I couldn't stay inside any longer so Payton and I grabbed Willsey and headed for the trail.  He usually sits in the back on drives in the car, but I let him ride up front with me for a special treat. 

Rearing to go...

Payton has a love-hate relationship with the camera.  Sometimes she is cooperative, and sometimes...not so much.  That day she did a good job!

Payton also likes to be behind the camera...

She found a neat leaf with cool coloring.  Willsey wanted to eat it... 

There was a playground along the way so I let Payton play for a few minutes.  Willsey was at full attention watching and waiting patiently...

More camera cooperation!

Almost back to the parking lot, Payton spotted this friendly graffiti on the path.  I tried to explain to her that it was a destruction of park property, but she still insisted on a picture.    

What a good day for Willsey.  Time to go home!

For me, last night's yoga class felt so good.  This morning, I am about to head out for an easy 5 mile run and then later, I have a chiropractor appointment.  

Have a great Wednesday!

Mile Repeats at Lehigh

Last night I ran with Moravian's cross-country team on Lehigh University's course. 

Here's the beginning of the course with lots of people and dogs out for walks...

Ready to rock and roll on the grass!

I love that course because of the rolling hills, somewhat even terrain, and the soft, grass surface.  Jokester Jesse keeps reminding me that for every day I run on grass, I can extend the number of days I can run when I get older since grass is easier on the body and joints.  Haha.

After a 15 minute warm-up and drills, the bulk of the workout was 3 x 1 mile on 3:15 rest.  At the end, we finished with approximately 3 x 400 repeats on a minute rest. 

3 x 1 mile:
1 - 6:11
2 - 6:09
3 - 6:05

3 x ~quarter mile: {some were a little short, others longer}
1 - 1:21
2 - 1:26
3 - 1:13 {obviously the shortest of the three!}

My IT band was a tiny bit sore at the end, but I felt decent.  I was a little tired on the first one, but then I got my second wind and it carried me through the rest of the session.  Afterwards, we did another 15 minute cool down and drills/stretching.    

Overall, I am happy with my progress over the past few weeks.  Mentally, I am ready to race in the next two months...I just hope my body feels the same way.

Later tonight...Carrie's class at the Yoga Loft of Bethlehem!!  Enjoy your day! 

Weekend Warrior

Good morning!  The weekend went crazy fast and here we are, at the dawn of another week.

Saturday morning was supposed to be filled with a visit to see my sister and her family, but Payton woke up with pink eye.  Luckily, I had leftover drops from her last bout and they dramatically helped within the first few hours.  Since we didn't go on the road trip, we went downtown instead and had a bagel at Johnny's, plus a decaf skinny vanilla latte for me.  

In true girl fashion, we later hit some stores for an afternoon shopping excursion because Payton was in desperate need of fall clothing.  She hates shopping, but I caught her in a good mood and we had a great time.  We even snagged a furry leopard coat!  

Sunday morning, I got up and ran a semi-long run of eight miles.  It was cool and crisp, perfect for running.  I only ran eight because I plan on running a hard workout today and my IT band was still a little sore.  On the docket for the workout: mile repeats on the grass with a few fast quarters at the end. 

Speaking of IT band, I made good use of Willsey's leash when doing my stretches.  It is very similar in consistency to that of a yoga strap.  

Stretching outside after my run...

  
Yesterday afternoon was very effective.  I went grocery shopping, decorated my house for fall, made vegetable soup and took Willsey to the path for a walk.  I will post about the latter two this week.  But, I am loving my house.  I took a few items that I had in a closet and brought them out for decorative use.  Plus, I rearranged some other items that were already out on display.  Sometimes a little creativity with things that you already own can make a space look brand new.  

Before:

After:

I moved the birdcage to the floor and brought out my grandfather's antique tin cooler to fill in the space underneath the table.  Once my wine glasses are out of the dishwasher, they will be added back on the tray, and some new foliage was purchased to complete the fall look.  I had that tall, glass vase in my office closet and it was perfect to hold them.  Now all I need is some kind of mirror or print to hang above the table and the dining room will be set.  

How do you decorate?  Do you like to reuse old items and recreate their purpose?  

Have a great Monday!  

Loving Lately

There are many things that I love.  My husband, children and dog, my life, my friends, my ability to wake up everyday and be thankful for what I have, and my healthy body.  But sometimes, I love things around me and want to share them with others. 

Loving Lately will be a reoccurring weekend post that will feature a few things that have piqued my interest over the week that passed.  

I've never considered myself a blue person, but this nail color is surprisingly teal when painted on toes. 

A handful of raw almonds can be eaten about a half hour before a run with no side effects. 
     

Pizza night after a crazy week, especially when it's delivered.     

October's Food Network magazine with all of the recipes included that I can't wait to try.

Whimsical owls spotted for fall decor, including Pottery Barn.  

A win for the home team starts the weekend off right.

What are you loving lately?

Poppin' Out Some Intervals

Last night I did some speedy stuff on the track as a change of pace, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it a true workout.  It was more like a few intervals sandwiched between some distance.

To start, I warmed up for 20 minutes and then met Jesse at the track.  After a set of drills and strides, the workout began…

The Plan:  A light workout to get my legs moving and my heart rate up. 

{200, 400, 400, 200} x 2

200 – 39.13 {1 min rest}

400 – 79.88 {2 min rest}

400 – 78.69 {2 min rest}

200 – 37.17

{4 minutes rest}

200 – 39.3 {1 min rest}

400 – 79.26 {2 min rest}

400 – 78.25 {2 min rest}

200 – 36.45

2 mile cool down

Total distance: ~5.5 miles

I felt pretty good, despite a little soreness.  My left IT band has been tight at the attachment point at the top of the left hip, so I went to see my chiropractor after school on Wednesday.  He warned me that it would probably be a little sore after the session.  He wasn't joking.  It was very sore!   

After the workout, I headed home and relaxed in a calm and quiet house…just Willsey and me.  We enjoyed a light dinner for two one that consisted of stove-popped popcorn with Parmesan and red wine.  I wasn't very hungry for anything too heavy. 

Willsey had a rough day...he was passed out by my feet.   

 

I also had the opportunity to get caught up on a few items on my to-do list. 

Unfortunately, I didn't make the Wednesday night dinner with my girlfriends at Molinari's, but they reported back with amazing reviews and I can't wait to try it out for myself.

Enjoy your Friday!