Zucchini Muffins

Last night instead of going to the movies, I suggested to Phil that we make zucchini muffins because I had an extra zucchini and if I am going to eat any dessert, I wanted to make sure I knew what was in the food. OF COURSE he said okay, since he would be bringing home most of them. I made a healthy version of this recipe I found on allrecipes.com (my go-to). The recipe is for bread but I didn't have a bread pan so I decided to make muffins. They came out super moist and yummy. I also added choc chips to half the batch. Here's the recipe with my alterations:

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup applesauce 
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups grated zucchini (about two zucchinis)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup choc chips (optional- but WHY wouldn't you?!)

Directions

1. Grease two muffin tins. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs, oil, applesauce, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared tins.
4. If you are baking one batch at a time, bake for about 25 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. If baking both batches, bake for about 55-60 minutes. Cool on rack for 20 minutes. Remove muffins from tins, and completely cool.

CALORIES: 195 per muffin. If you add choc chips, it comes out to about 205 per muffin. 

The entire recipe made about 21 muffins but you can make more if you put less batter in each tin- I like bigger muffins so mine kind of overflowed :/

I also forgot to take pictures!!!! 

PPTC Fail, Easter, and Food Choices

I didn't go to my track workout on Thurs night. This is my problem- if I don't go running either right before or right after work, I will get lazy and comfortable. I got home at about 5:30 and track was at 7. So of course I lazed around and ate junk food, changed into my pjs and told myself I'd go tomorrow. I woke up and ran 7 miles but its just not the same. The workout was 12x200ms, which I did this morning in the middle of my run (right off the bus from D.C.).

Speaking of D.C...this weekend I was in DC helping Phil break his fast. I also forced him to run 10 miles with me on Saturday. Here's a photo recap of our run:

Our pre-run meal of oatmeal, bananas, and blackberries.

Ladybug running with Phil

We reached the midpoint and found a kite festival! Please ignore the face that he is making. 

Heading back into VA, past the Lincoln Memorial

Sunday morning I woke up to an Easter basket!! We had a long day of eating ahead of us but I still managed to break open some eggs to find some Reese's peanut butter treats. 

Phil broke fast with these pretzels. They were SO good and we're going to make them and share the recipe.

After we had our pretzels, it was time to go have Easter brunch with Phil's fam at a churrascaria- my first time ever!! I was scared and excited. It was amazing and I love hanging out with his family bc they are super cute and I get to hear embarrassing stories about Phil!

I'm not even kidding when I tell you that I gained about 5 lbs from just a few weeks ago. I will attribute most of it to yesterday's feast (worth it) but Phil's fast has also put my eating habits into perspective. We had a discussion about how you don't realize how many chemicals and unnatural products are in the foods that you eat every day. My goal this year is to become a better, more efficient runner, and I truly believe that my diet is getting in the way of this. So this week, I am going to try and limit my consumption of foods that contain chemicals, additives, and all that unnatural stuff, which ALSO means I will be cutting out CHIPS and DESSERTS (or maybe just limit them to only one day/week...). Let's see how I do. I will be logging my foods for all to see.

PHIL will also be writing a guest entry about his experience fasting for lent!!!! Stay tuned!!!!!

New Kicks and Weekend Excitment

I knew it was time for new sneakers when I started getting shin splints and blisters during every run. I deviated from my normal running shop and decided to stop in the Super Runner's Shop in BK. I'm so glad I did because they have this device that scans your foot and creates a mold of it. The mold is uploaded into a program, which shows you where you apply pressure the most, how low/high your arches are, and just by analyzing my stance the guy could tell I pronated more on one side (true). So he recommended that I try the Mizuno Wave Inspire 9, as opposed to the Wave Riders. The Inspires also have moderate support and just slightly more of an arch because I have a pretty low arch in my right foot. I tested these babies out on my treadmill run this morning and felt pretty good. I just need to test them outside now. I love new running shoes!!! 

To go along with my new shoes, I just ordered me some hot PRO Compression Marathon Socks. I tell you, once I shop, I can't stop. Stay tuned for the review. For 40% off, use code MARCH!

On another note, two major events happened this weekend

1. Baby Lucas is here!!!! I am going to be the best aunt ever and spoil that kid rotten. I am also going to take him running with me. Mommy is doing well and lookin' good and the baby is the cutest. 

2. Nancy finished her first 5k!!!! This was the 5k that my group of girlfriends were SUPPOSED to do together but two flaked and one got pregs (but still came out to support so equally as good!) (don't get me started on people flaking on races. That is an entirely different post...) BUT Nancy did such a great job. I ran from my apartment up to the race (11 miles) but I couldn't find the start so I just met her in the middle and ran about 2 miles with her. 

Random Notes:

I got 50% off my Starbucks latte this morning, which I'm pretty excited about. 

I made baked tofu last night and I'm kind of proud of myself. The brown stuff on the pan is the marinade I used - I poured the remaining over the tofu and baked it. 

Fasting with P

This weekend P made some delicious Daniel fast-friendly meals. Potato and leek soup and sweet potato burritos.

For the potato soup, P sauteed one leek, one onion, and one chopped up jalapeno. He then boiled 5 peeled/diced small potatoes and the leek mixture in one 32 oz box of veg broth. Once that started boiling and the potatoes became soft, he used an immersion blender to mix everything together until a creamy goodness was created.

p.s. someone please tell P to SHAVE his beard and get rid of those glasses!

The burritos didn't come out exactly how he wanted so we modified them into tortilla cakes. They were still really good and really easy to make- you literally combine masa flour with water. DAS it!

For the sweet potato filling, I boiled 3 sweet potatoes, mashed them, then we mixed the mash with brown rice, peppers, one onion, and one can of black beans. We then baked the mixture for about 10-15 min and threw it on the tortilla.

On Sunday my laziness from the weekend lingered and I could only muster up enough energy to run 10 miles. I did a loop around cp then ventured over to the west side. It was a pretty slow and low energy run.

Yesterday I tried my new Pearl Izumi spinning shorts!!! They were amazing. My butt doesn't hurt at all. They took a little getting used to but it's worth it. I ran for a little bit before spin in my shorts and that was not a great feeling...but doable! I just wouldn't go on any long runs with them...

p.s. I've gained 5 lbs in the past month. I don't know what to do but keep on eating!!!

Weekend cured by running, Shake Shack, and TLC

I found a way to cure my weekend: I ran, ate, and listened to old school tunes.  I hadn't run in two days because I was stuck at work dealing with this fiasco. But yesterday I did the PPTC track workout that I missed at the gym: 10x400s with 10:00 "rests" and 7:20 sprints. I also took a Barre Burn class that kicked my ass and hips. Then today I ran a very nice 12 miler. I literally ended my run at Shake Shack and I am so excited to share my first bite (of the day) with you guys:

It's some good stuff. I got the single burger with lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles. I also got a diet coke because that is surprisingly my go-to drink after every longish run. I otherwise never drink soda (unless there is alcohol involved). I also downloaded the Pandora app on my iPhone and listened to TLC radio during my entire run. Now, let's talk about TLC. 

Last summer my girlfriends and I were at brunch at this spot in the West Village. It was a boozy one and we were singing, dancing, and eating all at the same time. Literally every single song that came on was an old school goodie and we asked the waitress for their playlist. She told us it was just Pandora, TLC Radio plus Beyonce. This was the best discovery of my life. Here are some of the artists I listened to during my run:

Mariah Carey (before she became wack)

Montell Jordan

3LW (remember them?!)

TLC (my fave)

SWV

Usher

Destiny's Child

Rihanna

Ashanti
Aaliyah (RIP girl)

And the awesome list goes on. I am truly a child of the 90s....

Now, I'm at work. I didn't even bother to shower. I bought some cleansing wipes and wiped my face then changed into an old workout top I found on my chair. I'm gross, I know. This is me being gross and procrastinating by taking pictures of myself at work. 

Goodbye, weekend. 

Valentine's and Jambalaya

P came down and cooked me vegan jambalaya and bought me some purty roses. We were on the hunt for tofurkey sausage and P was stressed out bc we couldn't find any. We substituted with tofu and he was not happy...but the jambalaya he made was really good and I am a huge tofu fan so was super excited. I'm really digging his fast.

I skipped the track workout and did my own during lunch. I did my favorite speed work, the 1-2-3s, going between 10:00 rests and 7:30 sprints with a ten minute warm up and cool down. I also took the Ripped Arms and Abs class. I gave myself a rest day yesterday bc I felt like crap so today I'm making up for it with 11-12 miles in the snow shower we're having.

Here is the delicious meal that P made! We also had ants on a log for dessert.

Today's also G's last day in NYC :( We're going to Chinatown for dim sum and this is G practicing being a Chinese fob:

Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all four of my lovely friends/boyfriend who read this blog!!! P came down to NYC to share the day with me and he also came bearing gifts: Pearl Izumi spin shorts and spin shoes!!!!! I think I am the only girl in the world who prefers workout gear to jewelry. I will take photos of my presents later. For his vday gift, I will skip my second PPTC workout so I can watch him cook me dinner later. I emailed my coach this morning and asked for today's workout so I could do it on my own during lunch (bc today I can actually take lunch!!!!)

Yesterday was also the first day of lent. P decided to do the Daniel Fast for lent and is already dying. In preparation, I stocked up on fruits and veggies and made a brown rice stir fry with sweet potato fries for dinner. I thought it was pretty good but I think P was missing his usual meal of pasta and Italian sausage. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients for the Daniel-friendly stir fry:

• Trader Joe's fully cooked brown rice
• 1 cup black beans
• 1 1/2 cups mixed frozen vegetables
• 1 block extra firm tofu
• 1 package of baby button mushrooms
• 1 medium red pepper
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions: Sautee everything in a pan!

On Easter we are, of course, going to a churrascaria.

Cookies and Snow

This weekend Juls had her baby shower and in my hunt for something blue to serve for dessert, I found these almond joy pieces at the supermarket:

So of course I made ALMOND JOY COOKIES. I used this recipe I found online with just a few alterations:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking soda 
• 1/4 tsp sale
• 1 1/4 sticks butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1 cup oats
• 1 1/2 choc chips
• 1 cup almond joy pieces
• 3/4 cup coconut flakes
• 2 tbsp milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 deg.
2. Beat butter and sugars until creamy
3. Mix in egg, milk, vanilla and almond extract
4. Mix in salt, baking soda, and flour
5. Stir in coconut, oats, choc chips, and almond joy pieces
6. Roll dough into one tbsp balls and place on baking sheet, 2 inches apart
7. Bake for 12-14 minutes then remove to cool.

The second type of cookie I made was an OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIE, a recipe I also tweaked:

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 3/4 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup raisins

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Cream together butter and sugars until smooth
3. Beat in eggs and almond extract
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt
5. Stir in oats and raisins
6. Roll tsp balls and drop onto baking sheet
7. Bake about 10 minutes and cool.

Writing this recipe just made me really hungry.

In running news, the aftermath of the blizzard left the sidewalks covered in snow and ice. However, by Sunday, a lot of it was already shoveled to the side, which left me room to run 10 miles. I was a little slow because I had to jump over puddles and try to not fall on my ass but it was actually a really nice run. I didn't hit my 12 mile goal because I left G (who is visiting this whole week!) at Equinox with a guest pass. I could really use a cookie right now.

Weekend Update

The weekend is already a blur. Here are some highlights:

We finally saw Cindy's new pad out in Jersey (you know, that piece of land on the other side of the river). There were five of us girls from high school, reunited in Edgewater. Cindy made all this yummy Korean food, including do-it-yourself kimbap. I ate so much and it was all so good. If I could eat Korean food everyday, I would. I would also be  a piece of lard if I did that.

Cindy and Helen with the first batch:

The end result:

During breakfast on Saturday, the girls decided to run a 5k together.  This is GREAT because they are not big runners but have ALL committed to this. I've never run with any of them before so I am very excited because it should be a lot of fun!! The race will be sometime in March. I haven't run a 5k in about ten years but I think these shorter distances will be good for speed training. 

On Sunday I had high hopes of going to a 12 mile group run at 8 a.m. However, I didn't wake up in time because I went to a birthday party Saturday night (I didn't even drink). So instead, I did two easy runs- 6 miles Saturday and about 7 miles on Sunday. My hips are a bit tight today so I'm going to take the day off and go to KBs. I had another cookie for breakfast. This insanity needs to stop...

It's snowing AGAIN...everyone stay warm and run!!

More Cookies...for dinner

I tried to make healthier chocolate chip cookies tonight. I used a recipe from Cooking Light except I only used half the butter and subbed the other half with unsweetened apple sauce. They actually taste pretty good (I had FOUR) but they came out looking like cookie balls. I wonder why they didn't flatten out?! I suppose next time I'll just have to flatten them myself. I made 25 of these balls (recipe called for four dozen).

My workout tonight definitely didn't counter these cookies, which really aren't THAT healthy. I did five miles of intervals. I did this workout, which I will call 1-2-3. It's one min fast, one min recovery, 2 min fast, 2 min recovery and so on. I did 1-2-3-2-1-2-3-2-1 with a warm up and cool down. I had to do this on the treadmill since there is an escaped murderer on the loose in my neighborhood and it was dark out when I got home. I'm going to my friend's house tomorrow night for a girl's slumber party, which means there is going to be a LOT of eating and drinking, which also means I am going to have to literally work my butt off beforehand.

I will continue my search for a healthier cookie recipe that doesn't look like balls!!

Running and Cookies

I was finally able to wake P up after about ten "five more minutes" and "it's below freezing!!" yesterday morning. I took him on an 8 mile run to and across the Manhattan Bridge then back, showing him all the beautiful graffiti that the City can't reach.

We stopped by my favorite bagel store, Bagel Pub, and grabbed bananas and hot chocolate afterward. P looking outside at the suckers who aren't inside, very glad his forced below freezing run is over.

Then we came home and I made a test batch of oatmeal raisin cookies. These were not healthy. I used two sticks of butter and two cups of sugar, making about 40 cookies. I also added pumpkin spice for a kick. I'm going to try a healthier recipe this week, using apple sauce instead of butter and see how they turn out. Stay tuned. P was a good helper and made his own cookie...guess which one is his?

Dinner with P

P is in town! That means he's making dinner for me. Since he knows I won't eat that fatty crap, he made us extra lean turkey meatloaf in a muffin tin! Only 180 calories per meatloaf muffin, he says (probably less). A little about P- he's an avid cyclist, ex-professional triathlete, who knows everything about bicycles, and who also eats pasta every, single day. And I really mean EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Except when he's with me. Tomorrow we're going on a 10 mile group run, whether he likes it or not. This is P and the delicious end result:

Chicago Marathon

This weekend P and I went to Chicago to run the Chicago Marathon (with an awesome cheer team that we sadly missed!). It was 34 degrees and I didn't pack a single piece of warm weather gear. Thank goodness for expos. My goal was to finish under 4 hours. I finished in 4:16, no thanks to a pre-race meal of ramen at the Slurping Turtle. I should have known better. In fact, I did know better but the huge bowls of delicious miso ramen and red bean macaroons were so freakin tempting. P (who decided last minute to run), paced me for about 17 miles and then we split. So aside from not meeting my goal time (there's always the next race), it was a great course and amazing crowd. I'll definitely be running Chicago again.

What else did we do beside run? We ate a shit ton of food. We had Italian at Volare (HUGE portions of pasta and so reasonably priced. I got the spinach fettuccine with bolognese), hot dogs at Portillo (get the Italian beef dog or Italian beef sandwich), pizza at the original Uno's, red velvet pancakes at The Bongo Room, and of course the miso ramen at the Slurping Turtle that gave me problems on marathon day. 

                

Aside from eating we wandered around Wicker Park and made it to the Signature Room at the Hancock Building. The views are amazing if you are willing to wait in line to go up. It goes pretty fast though so if you're not in a rush, I would recommend it. Drinks, of course, are expensive, including seltzer. 

We also did the architecture tour on the Chicago River, which, despite the touristy-ness of it, was pretty f-ing cool. I heard about it from my friends who are from Chicago and recommended it. It's a cool way to see the city and learn about the history of the buildings. I always have a blast when I'm in Chicago. It's just too bad it's so damn cold there. 

National Palace Museum and Shilin Market

The National Palace Museum is a must-see. The museum houses the emperors' treasures that were saved from the war. The entrance fee is about $160 NTD and $80 NTD for students. The museum is pretty big but there is a free English tour every hour, which I would highly recommend. We actually only stayed for the tour but it's very informative and you learn a lot about Chinese and Taiwanese history and culture. The tour guide takes you to all the "must-see" exhibits and tells you things you wouldn't normally learn from the placards. You walk around with these headphones so that you can hear the guide speak over all the screaming children. It's definitely worth it.

After a day of learning, we headed over to the Shilin market. This market is one of the busiest but I think it is also one of the better markets in Taipei, after going to a few already. The food court, which is underground, will overwhelm you but there is something of everything to try there. We had stinky tofu, minced pork with rice, shaved ice, fried buns, and a scallion pancake roll (pork floss wrapped in scallion pancake). If I had more time in Taipei, I would go back again. I also bought about 5 boxes of this amazing pineapple cake. It's one of the shops near the entrance - I can't remember the name but the brand of the pineapple cake is Hsu's Bakery. Yum. 

Chiang Kai-Shek and Soup Dumplings

We got back to Taipei early this morning. It was raining the entire day but we were troopers and trekked to Din Tai Fung, a popular soup dumpling place in Taiwan. They now have branches all over Asia and in the US but we went to the original one. We got there and there wasn't much of a wait. Hearing great things about these dumplings, we ordered three different kinds- traditional pork, truffle oil with pork, and shrimp and squash. I liked the traditional pork dumplings but I really couldn't tell the difference between these and other soup dumplings I'd had. They were good but nothing special. I would go back but never wait in a long line for them.

It was still raining when we finished but we decided to head to the Chiang Kai-Shek memorial anyway. I never knew why my family hated him but now I understand, although the memorial doesn't really portray him in the light my parents see him. After all, this entire museum was built to honor him. It was definitely worth a visit though. Entrance is free so why not peek in and get a cool stamp.