Guest Post: Lauretta's Foodie PenPal Reveal

My friend {Lauretta} participated in The Lean Green Bean's Foodie Penpal Program this past month, the same one that I was a part of in October.  Because she enjoyed it so much, she asked if she could write a guest post about the fun goodies that she received from her penpal.  So without further ado....here's Lauretta!

I’m so excited to be Tracy’s guest blogger! I’ve been following The Runner’s Palate since the first post and check it literally EVERYDAY.  Not only can I relate to a lot of the stuff Tracy posts about, but she is one of my very near and dear friends.  We haven’t known each other very long, but we have a ton in common from our hometowns, high schools, running, teaching, loving wine, etc., The list goes on and on…

Tracy did a fun thing last month through The Lean Green Bean blog called Foodie PenPal.  After reading her post, I immediately wanted to try it out! So much of life is through social media and online, that getting something in the mail with a {handwritten} note nonetheless is an anomaly!

I didn’t give too much information about myself to my penpal before she sent me a package.  Melissa seemed to know exactly what my body was craving- snacks!!!  I just started teaching full-time in the fall and it is absolutely amazing how I never sit down.  Teaching middle school P.E.  requires being on your feet almost all day.  Even during my 25 minute lunch time, I don’t sit down.  There is always equipment to put away before the next class, a jammed locker, or locker room supervision.  I hate to admit it, but there are days where I don’t even get to my lunch.  Anyway, Melissa included a hefty portion of wholesome snacks that are easy to take with me to school and they were pretty tasty!

The kit included:

• Cheesy Kale Chips- Spicy and NO cheese
• Honey Puffed Corn- Reminded me of Puffs cereal, they were okay but I don’t know if I’d buy them on my own.
• LaraBars- Blueberry Pie and Cherry Chocolate were awesome and full of dates and cashews!
• Local {from Ohio} Granola- just a bit of honey for sweetness with walnuts and dried fruit
• Chocolate Nibs from Trader Joes- everyone needs a little chocolate right?

On the whole, it was a great kit!  It made me realize that it is easy to eat healthy snacks while being on the go.  When life gets busy, it is easy to grab something not-so-healthy because it is available.  I also found myself more alert and not as tired when I included a few of these throughout the day!  I’m so happy that Tracy let me be her guest blogger for the day.   

Thanks, Lauretta!  If you get a chance, check out Lauretta's personal blog at  www.misslauretta.wordpress.com.  I miss her, but I know I will see her soon. 

If you missed my link on the Foodie Penpal Program, you can catch it here.

Enjoy your day!

 

Quick Meals to Make in a Jiffy

This week my husband was away, so my daughter and I were on our own when it came to dinner.  I came up with a few ideas that were satisfying and quick, plus I included some below that were previously posted here on the blog.    
 

Pizza and Salad: If you don’t feel like cooking, pick up a few slices of pizza with veggies on top and make a salad at home.  That is exactly what we had on Tuesday night after Payton’s dance class.   

Veggie Saute: Cut up some of the veggies in the fridge and sauté them in a bit of sesame oil and soy sauce.  Top with sesame seeds and serve with 5-minute brown rice. 

Breakfast for Dinner: Why not?  Whether you prefer scrambled eggs or pancakes, what could be easier than whipping up your favorite morning meal?  Add turkey bacon for extra protein...

Grilled Cheese: Who doesn’t love a grilled cheese sandwich?  Try grilling crusty bread with Brie cheese, arugula and a smidge of raspberry jam for a different twist on the old favorite. 

Easy Red Sauce with Pasta: In a saucepan, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until translucent.  Open a large can of San Marzano tomatoes and crush them into the onion/garlic.  Bring to a boil, and then lower heat to a simmer for at least 30 minutes.  Add a few tablespoons of butter, plus salt, pepper, and sugar if necessary.  Serve over pasta.   

For other ideas, check out these recipes that I previously posted...

Vegetables with Quinoa 

Grilled Chicken with Salsa 

Chicken Noodle Soup with Lemon and Herbs 

Spaghetti, Feta and Veggies 

Taco Salad 

Mango and Peach Salsa over Chicken 

I would love to hear about any quick and easy meals that you have when time is limited.   Have a great day!

A Day in NYC

A day off from school led us to a day spent in New York City.  My mom and I have been waiting for the right time to take my daughter to the city to see a show.  Since she recently turned eight, we thought that there was no time like the present. 

Prior to heading to Radio City for their Christmas Spectacular, we stopped for lunch at a popular restaurant called Ellen's Stardust Diner.  This place is so fun!  Their servers are talented actresses and singers that sing as people dine.  Located in the theater district, it was a great place to take a child.   

Their milkshakes aren't too shabby either!

Another not-so-healthy meal...appetizers to split!

Magnolia Bakery, known for their cupcakes, had these neat sketches of past Rockette costumes on their wall.  I thought the nostalgia was welcoming, especially since Radio City Music Hall was just around the corner. 

Although the lighting ceremony takes place tonight, the tree at Rockefeller Center was still magical.  Payton thought it was the biggest Christmas tree in the whole world!

Inside Radio City Music Hall, this amazing chandelier donned a banner citing the 85th year of the Rockettes. 

The show, including Santa, featured 2D and 3D computer animated graphics that looked especially real. 

I still don't know how they do this...

This background was all digitally projected on a screen!

After the show, we walked a little more around the city and made a stop for hot chocolate and a cupcake.  

Before heading to the bus, we stopped for a few more photo ops, like at this larger-than-life nutcracker. 

A beautiful night shot...

The view from the bus as we were exciting the city...

To me, New York City never gets old.  After this trip, I think my daughter will share that love, especially as she grows up.  Hopefully, there will be many more trips in our future because there are many memories to be made.

Thanksgiving...Better Late Than Never

Although my Thanksgiving recap is a few days past due, I thought that it was better late than never to post about our time with the in-laws in central PA.  After running five miles, we jumped in the car on Thursday morning and drove to Juniata County to visit Fred's family for a homemade, Pennsylvania Dutch-inspired meal that was second to none.  

To start, I brought over one of my favorite recipes ever...Ina's Rosemary Cashews.  I know I've mentioned them before, but they are super easy and a crowd pleaser every time.

My mother-in-law picked up this pumpkin-shaped bread at a local bakery near her.  Under all of the orange color, it was basically a country white bread in disguise. 

Beth {my sister-in-law} told me to bring something "green" for the table, so I tossed up an arugula salad with feta, pear, candied walnuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries with a homemade dressing. 

Ready, set go...time to eat!

The abundance of desserts was overwhelming, including this gorgeous coconut cream pie courtesy of my mother-in-law. 

We stayed overnight and this was the morning view from their front porch.  It was breathtaking.

On the way home, we made a quick stop for gas, coffee, and breakfast.  I settled for a ham and cheese sandwich on a pretzel roll.  Not very healthy, I know.   

On Sunday, my sister hosted a "Thanksgiving" dinner for my side of the family since we weren't together on the actual holiday.  Before we ate, my mom and dad presented us with framed t-shirts of our most notable races in college.  Since we are both now members of the Moravian College Hall of Fame, they wanted to do a little something to show how proud they are of us. 

My sister will be the first one to tell you that she isn't the best cook in the kitchen, but the meal was tremendous, regardless of what she may think.

Yesterday I went to New York City with my mom and daughter to see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.  Stay tuned tomorrow for more on that fabulous trip!   

Elf4Health Challenge {Day One}

Hello and Happy Monday!  I've decided to postpone my turkey photos for one more day so I could tell you about something fun that I will be participating in over the next six weeks.  I signed up for the Elf 4 Health Challenge, where I am partnered with other fitness-minded gals from all over the country.  The goal is to motivate, inspire, and keep your elf partner eating healthy and moving through the holiday season.  Now that's a challenge in itself!  

There are three rounds that last two weeks each and after each round, new elf partners are assigned to keep things fresh and inspiring ideas flowing.  My elf for this first round is Mackenzie Hunter.  This morning I am going to send her my first email...an introduction and the Meatless Monday recipe that I recently created for Runner's World.  

I'll be sure to let you know how it's going throughout the challenge.  For more information, click the above link.  It's not too late to sign up for rounds two and three!

You can also follow us at #elf4health on Twitter!

As for running, I was able to get in a few good ones over the past few days...including yesterday's 10.3 miles with Jesse in ~1:22.  It was a tad on the chilly side and my legs and hamstrings had a hard time adjusting.

Enjoy your day!

Loving Lately

Education is top priority in our house, especially since my husband and I both have jobs in school districts.  This week my daughter had her first diorama assignment and we used this project to bond and have a little fun while being creative.  We molded, painted, and glued all inside a little shoebox. 

A creamy bowl of potato soup can't compare on a cold day.  What makes it better?  Bacon, of course. 

  
My Wegman's grocery store sells Italian cookies by the pound, self-serve no less.  I've been wanting to try them for a while, so I picked up a sampler of a variety of types.  I cut them in little pieces and we all were able to decide which we liked best. 

Christmas season can begin, now that my Food Network magazine has arrived.  I can't wait to dig in to all of the festive recipes for the upcoming holiday season. 

I always talk about my friends from work and this week was no different.  We held a tailgate party on Wednesday for the kids to celebrate the Easton - Phillipsburg football game on Thanksgiving day.  It's the oldest high school rivalry in the country and the whole town gets involved, all the way down to the elementary schools.  Newman, the Red Rover mascot, made a visit to say hello to all of the kids.  He especially loved the football!

What are you loving lately?

Thankful.

I am thankful for all of my wonderful readers who keep me writing and posting each and {almost} everyday.  My wish is for you to have a healthy and happy Thanksgiving with your friends, family and loved ones.  Enjoy!!

Pre-Turkey Interval Workout

This afternoon I had a decision to make...drinks with friends or a pre-Thanksgiving interval workout.  I chose the latter for a few reasons:

1) I know I will be eating a ton tomorrow so I wanted to burn a few calories.
2) It was so beautiful outside that I couldn't resist running in the warm sun/crisp temperature.
3) It's been over two weeks since my last real workout.  

Jesse met me at the canal tow path and the plan was 2 x 1 mile at ~6:30 pace and then to finish with a 2 mile interval at the same pace.  Since it's been a little while since my legs were moving fast, it took me the first mile to get warmed up and the rest all fell into place.  Here's how it went...

One mile warmup and some drills/strides

Mile #1 -- 6:29 
{2:00 rest}
Mile #2 -- 6:17 
{2:30 rest}
2 Miles -- 12:48 {6:22 and 6:26}

One mile cool down for a total of ~6 miles

I have to say, that last 2-mile interval was tough.  I struggled a bit in the beginning, but I held my pace throughout even though I was tired.  This workout was certainly not my 4 x 2-mile one back before Hurricane Sandy, but it was solid and I'm glad I got it in.  Tomorrow morning I plan on a few miles before heading to the in-laws! 

Have a great night and be safe if traveling for the holiday!

School Day Run and Date Night

Today is the last day of school before the holiday and as I said in last week's post, there are many reasons why I am looking forward to Thanksgiving.  

School has been more laid back than normal due to half days during conference week, so yesterday I planned to "finally" attend gym class with my students for a little run outside.  They've been asking for a while so I surprised them.  Even though we only ran a mile, everyone had a great time and the kids were totally amazed that I could actually run that far!  



 
Last evening my husband and I went to one of our favorite restaurants for a date night.  These nights are far and few between so we took advantage of the empty house and headed downtown for a relaxing meal.  Because it was a special night out, I wore my new winter white sequined mini and the heels that I recently picked up on a killer sale.  

    
At the end of the night, our bellies were full of delicious food and we had a nice time.  

As for running, I am planning on attempting an 8 mile aggressive cutdown after school today.  My goal is for the second four miles to be faster than the first.  On Thursday morning I probably will run around 5 miles before sitting down to an old fashioned, Pennsylvania Dutch Thanksgiving feast cooked by my sister-in-law.  I can't wait!!  Enjoy your day!

Product Review: The Stick

Back in October I had the opportunity to attend several blogger events hosted by Runner's World in conjunction with their half marathon and festival races.  While there, I connected with some amazing sponsors such as Altra Zero Drop footwear, Running Skirts, FreeMotion Apparel, among others.  I got quite excited for one sponsor in particular because I've been wanting to try out their product for a while.  If you aren't new to running, then you've probably heard of The Stick.  

What is The Stick?  

The Stick is a long cylinder with circular rollers that turn when rolled over a muscle.  It is a tool that athletes {and runners} use to sooth sore muscles, prevent injuries, shorten recovery, and increase strength and flexibility.  

Who uses The Stick? 

The Stick is used by hundreds of hospitals {such as the Mayo Clinic} in their physical therapy departments, as well as by most professional sports organizations.  Many staffers from Runner’s World, including Bart Yasso, have been "Stickusers" for years.  In addition, my chiropractor is a fan of The Stick and uses it on his patients when needed.

Which Stick was best for me?
Because I'm a runner, I chose the Sprinter Stick since it is the most versatile of their shorter Sticks.  It provides a light to deep massage depending on the amount of pressure applied by the user. 

After all of the RW events, a representative from their company {Patrick} followed up with me to see if I had any questions.  Because this product was new to me, I told him that I would use it for at least two to three weeks and then report on my findings and observations.  

During those several weeks, I made sure to make The Stick a part of my daily routine, which included using it before and after most runs.  This time also happened to fall in between chiropractor visits and I have to say, The Stick really did a nice job keeping my stiffness at bay.  If you read my blog, you may know that I suffer from IT band soreness in the hip area and The Stick made a difference in my level of pain and degree of soreness.  Normally I am a huge fan of the foam roller, but The Stick was a nice alternative.

Why use it before a run?   When used before a workout, muscles will be warmed up and feel lighter.  Makes sense, right?  I related it to warming up with a light jog and completing my drills before a hard session because those things are necessary for healthy running.

Why use it after a run?  Just like a foam roller, if The Stick is used after a run, muscles will recover faster and will not be as sore the next day.  

Patrick also said that if there are doubts of the benefits of The Stick, just roll out one leg after a run and not the other and you will be able to notice an immediate difference.  Overall, my experience as a Stickuser was a positive one and I plan on incorporating it into my daily recovery routine.

For more information, check out their website: www.thestick.com.  There you will find a variety of types and sizes that are suitable just for you. 
     
Please note that I received this complimentary product from the makers of The Stick, but all of the above opinions are my own.  If you missed my recaps of the RW Blogger Events and my 10k race, feel free to take a look using the links below... 

Loving Lately: Runner's World Version 

Runner's World Blogger Event Recap {Part One} 

Runner's World Blogger Event {Part Two} 

Race Recap: Runner's World 10k