Training Log

I finally ran my 5k! A nearby town has $1 races every 2nd and 4th Saturday. I wasn't expecting much...as in very many people, but there was a nice turnout of 100. It ran pretty smoothly and low key...just my style! I liked it a lot because there wasn't a huge crowd to maneuver around.

I ended up getting 3rd overall behind two men that I'm totally going to take next time. I ran my normal low 19 mins (19:10). I'm just dying to break into 18! I've done it quite a few times in practice, but never in an actual race. I think being more familiar with the course will help. I really didn't know where I was or where the finish was. I probably would have turned it on earlier had I known. One of the guys was just a few steps in front of me, but by the time I realized the race was almost over, I didn't have enough time to get him.

I also did THE UNTHINKABLE in this race...yes, I wore earphones. I've never done it before and felt so morally torn at the thought of racing to music. I figured why not give it a try on a $1 race? ...and my opinion? I'm not a fan. I didn't necessarily concentrate on the music, but it was enough of a distraction that not many of my own thoughts were coming through. Maybe I would have noticed that the end of the race was near had I not been groovin' with Linkin Park? It kind of gave me a headache. Will I try it again...probably. It was kind of nice not to hear my tired, hurting thoughts either. Although I have to say, I don't think I had many of those. I felt really good in the race and just fine when I finished. What does that mean? I CAN GO FASTER!!!!

It was really fun to get out and run a quick race!

How are you persevering with no preservatives?

Tonight, tomorrow, same thing...

Here's my bread recipes...

Honey Wheat Bread
(makes a TON...like two big loaf pans and some breadsticks)
5 c hot water
3 T yeast
1/2 c canola oil
2 Tbs lemon juice
4 Tbs milled flaxseed (in the baking aisle)
4 Tbs wheat germ (in the cereal aisle)
2/3 c honey
2 T salt
10 1/2 c wheat flour
1/2 c gluten flour (in a box in next to the flour)

put 1 c flour and the yeast into a BIG bowl. Add water, then oil, lemon juice, flaxseed, wheat germ, honey, salt & gluten flour. Mix well. Add the rest of the flour. Let set 5 mins. Divide in half and place in greased loaf pans (it's pretty "runny"-I try not to touch it, just dump it in the pan and smooth it out with a spoon). Rise till doubled. Bake at 350 for 30 mins.

YUM! When I first started making this I'd eat it for dessert with honey on top....it's that good!

and for those of you not down with wheat bread...this White bread recipe is amazing...

White Bread
Makes two big loaf pans

1/3 c sugar
2/3 c powdered milk
2 Tbs yeast
1/4 c butter
2 tsp salt
2 1/2 c hot water
6 c flour

Put 2 c flour in mixing bowl. Add the sugar, milk, yeast and butter. Add the hot water. Mix. Add the salt and mix. Add remaining 4 cups of flour. Still in the mixer, rise for 1/2 hour and then mix a few times. Cover and rise 1/2 hour again still in the mixer. Punch down and shape into loafs (it's pretty sticky, and I don't really touch it for the most part, just dump it in). Place in two greased loaf pans. Rise 1/2 hour. Bake at 350 for 20 mins.

This recipe takes much longer than the wheat bread, but is wicked good.


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Challenge Clarifications

What does No Preservatives mean to you? There are many ways to preserve food, and most of them are actually fine and dandy. Salt, dehydration, canning, pickling, smoking... and since almost everything we eat, unless grown in our own backyard, includes preservatives, what in the ding dong are we going to eat? and why attempt a No Preservative Week? Mostly to steer clear of refined carbohydrates found in most packaged goods. Secondly, to try and get a little closer to how nature intended life to be. So, here's the goal in my head. No packaged snackies. No gummies, no crackers, no chips. I'm going to (as always) make my own bread, make some healthy snacks, and try to get as close as possible to the real thing. I've done this in the past was able to notice that even giving up Teddy Grahams has a big effect on my bod. Now that it's clear as mud, this week, like I said, is mostly up to you. Just try to find ways to go homemade and more natural.

whew.

i'll post my most excellent bread recipe tonight!

Lucky 13 Bars

Since next week is No Preservative Week (which I'm apparently doing BY MYSELF), here's a little recipe to help me along.

Lucky 13 Bars:
Mix 3 ½ c quick oats, 1 c whole wheat rice crisp cereal (Kashi), 1 c wheat flour, 2 Tbs. Wheat Germ, 2 Tbs. milled flaxseed, 1 tsp. baking soda. In a separate bowl mix: 2 tsp. vanilla, ¼ c soft butter, ¼ c canola oil, ¾ c honey, ¼ c almond butter. Add wet mixture to dry and blend. Add 2/3 c chopped dates, raisins, dried cherries or cranberries. Add 1 c semi sweet mini chocolate chips.

Press into a 9x11” greased pan. Cook at 350 for 15-18 mins. Remove from oven and press again. When cool cut into 16 even bars. Store in refrigerator.

YUMMY!...and look, no preservatives!...kind of

New Challenge

Starting Next Week (let's see if I can get my dates right) March 22-28 is NO PRESERVATIVES WEEK! Yippy!

No more Teddy Grahams, no more nutrigrain bars, no more Gold Fish Crackers.

On this week I try to limit packaged anything. So making your own bread and snacks helps out. I'll be posting a few good recipes that I like. There are a few packaged items that I actually like and CAN eat during this No Preservatives Week, so I'll let you know about those too.

Any ideas or comments you have...welcome.

Are you in??

Recap your week

How did the challenge go for everyone? Like I said before, I really enjoyed it. I only missed one night when I came home early from a night out to a screaming child. I'll make up for it! I'm going to continue on!


I'll let you all have a week "off," but I'm getting a Challenge ready for next week...so check back!

thinking like a loser

more inspiration from the house of losers.

Watching The Biggest Loser last night I was impressed with what O'Neal had to say. While working at the food bank he commented that he felt good giving back...that it was ironic how he'd eaten so much (more than his fair share) food, while others struggle just to get something on their plate. He also remarked that "what goes around, comes around." Why yes!

There are several ways this can relate, but let's stick to food. If we are always taking more than our fair share of food, it really does come back to bite the oversized butt....in the form of type II diabetes, heart attack, tiredness, low self-esteem...etc. I like this thought because it adds a different form of motivation for me. Not just the I want to look good or live long kind, but perhaps the even higher form of keeping things, the circle of life (if you will), in harmony.

LOVING the CHALLENGE! Helps keep me healthy at night. This may be a lifelong (or at least the next few weeks) thing.

Oh, also amazing how O'Neal used to be such a machine. He was a serious athlete and served in the military, green beret and all (I think). He really looked amazing...super in shape. AMAZING how it all went out the door and he weighs several 100 lbs! Just goes to slip on the slope.

START TONIGHT!

EVERYONE...get your pushups, lunges, and crunches in starting tonight! I've been working on it this past week and I have to say, it does feel good to end the day on a healthy note!