National Bike Month

Jen!

  I can't believe neither of us has mentioned this yet, May is National Bike Month!  What a great way to officially welcome Spring and to be active! I am  absolutely loving my bike.  You know I've broken several bones and had some pretty wacky sports related accidents (keep in mind I broke my elbow by flipping over my handle bars), so I am typically pretty hesitant about activities that have the possibility of injury... There is something different about "roberrrrto" though.  I just feel so secure and I have felt myself become a much more confident rider in the last few weeks.  When Everett and I ride together he always has to wait at the bottom of hills for me... he likes to FLY down them and I like to hold my brake.  Well the other day I started embracing the hills and coasting!  It felt pretty cool.  Last week we went for a date night to Woodstock.  We rode along a stream and on some pretty wild hills... they were like nothing I have ever experienced before.  It was only a short ride (I had already run 9 miles that day) and I was starving- but my GAWD, it was beautiful!  We are both loving that with Spring and our bikes our dates are now much more action packed!  

  What type of riding do you like best?  On Sunday when I ran the rail trail in Millerton, E biked (he was able to cover 22 miles).  He said it wasn't as enjoyable to be on a flat course as it is to be on the roads with mixed terrain.  How do you feel?  Will you celebrate National Bike Month in a special way??

Alright biker babe.  Back to the sewing machine I go.  

Can't wait to hear what you've been up to! 

Fit dreams,

xo

Jeni 

"Punkie" Cakes

Practical Paleo: Diane Sanfilippo

Hey Jen!  

  Wait until I tell you all about this morning's breakfast!  I know I said I was going to share with you the paleo muffin recipe today, but after whipping up these Pumpkin Pancakes, I couldn't hold back, I had to talk about them!!!  I don't know why, but I just think pancakes are one of the best foods on the planet.  Not that they have any nutritional value at all.  Because I love pancakes so much I have searched high and low for a healthy option... over the last few months I have different  paleo recipes I have found on the net, but none of them were worth trying again.  A few months ago Everett bought me a book called Practical Paleo.  It's sort of a mix between a Nutrition textbook and a cookbook.  It's really cool to have those two aspects combined.  I don't know why it took me so long to finally try these recipes, but the last week I have absolutely fallen in love with Diane Sanfilippo!  Everything is so stinkin' delish and I don't feel like I'm eating a deprevation diet.  I can't wait to continue to bake "with" her and to share with you!  

  These cakes reminded me and E of crepes in a way.  They don't have any flower in them so you can taste a hint of egg, but we both really liked that!  The whole prep time took less than 5 minutes and the cakes were ready in another 5.  Such an easy meal that we LOVED!  We added some strawberries for color and elegance!  (I renamed them Punkie cakes (you know, after my own nick name...  I may see a bit of an addiction starting) )

ENJOY!!  

"Punkie" cakes:

4 eggs

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 tbs pure maple syrup

___________________________________

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp baking soda

2 tbs butter (plus extra for skillet) 

Mix the first 4 ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Sift the spice, cinnamon and baking soda into the wet mix.  Melt the butter and add to the mix.  Stir all together.  

**I know butter doesn't seem paleo, but it's about what you use.  It should be organic grassfed butter to insure you are getting the right fats and nutrients**  (it will be more expensive, but it's worth it!!)  

A Challenging Run

A difficult run!  But proud I pushed through!

Hey healthy girl!

  I love the idea of your salad!  I'm not a huge fan of store bought tomatoes but when E's are ready on the farm they are outstanding!  (He actually made me a tomato salad on our 5th date that made me like tomatoes, I knew he was the one after that!!) I can't wait to try this once they are ready!  

  There's a line from the song "Sorry Ms. Jackson"- "you can plan a pretty picnic, but you can't predict the weather."  That was my day today.  E and I made plans to go to Millerton to run the rail trail and eat at the Oakhurst diner.  Just one week until my race and today should have been 11 miles.  I wanted to test myself to see if I could do 11 miles at the sub 9:00/mile pace... I did all the things I should have done to make this possible.  I hydrated sufficiently, bought body glide gel so I wouldn't suffer from chafing, and applied sun screen as not to burn.  However, this morning I was having some stomach troubles... I thought it would be ok after my 5th trip to the bathroom... however, at mile 3 I had to dodge in to the woods to avoid a complete p**p disaster.  Let me tell you, it is not fun to be unprepared for this...  all of the grass and greenery seemed to vanish when I needed it... 1" blades of grass are NOT comparable to toilet paper...   So, I know this is a bit of an over share, but if you can't tell a girl friend that is also an endurance athlete, who can you tell?!?!?  Have you ever had this experience??  I felt so sick, I was instantly dehydrated and weak.  I considered turning around and walking back to the car but I realized I'm way too determined to let a little p**p get in the way of my run!  I ended up running much slower than I wanted to but when I called the Nike+ customer service to add my run (my phone died part way through the run) I told him the story and we laughed about it together and he told me I was badass!  AAAAW YEAH!  

So what did you do this weekend?!?  Did you do outdoor workouts or stay indoors?  It was so beautiful the last 2 days!!  Sadly the next 5 are supposed to be thunderstorms.  Oh well, I guess I can have a bit more time to work on healthy meals and yoga.  I have a great paleo muffin recipe to share with you tomorrow! 

Looking forward to your update!

xo

Jeni