Running Without A Groove

by Marisa

I was so glad to see sun and warmer weather today!  I couldn’t wait to get outside for a run!

  After dropping little daughter at school, I geared up for my run in the neighborhood.  In preparation for my new run/walk  training per the Galloway Method, I downloaded a free program by MotionTraxx that was part of Fitness Magazine’s Drop a Dress Size workout.  It’s only a 30 minute program so I wanted to run my hilly neighborhood for an extra challenge.  What I didn’t realize is that this workout did a 3 minute warm-up and then alternated running with walking at 1 minute intervals.  It suuuuuuucked.  I could not find my groove with this workout.  This was not the workout to do outside either;  much better suited to the treadmill.  Actually, the “DJ” tells you the speed that you should be running  so you can set the treadmill to the appropriate beats per minute.  I think it’s a good interval workout for the treadmill, though, so I will give it try at the gym.  But, for outdoor runs, I need longer running/walking ratios.

I put together breakfast the minute I walked in the door.   I was definitely in the mood for a yogurt bowl.  Look who’s getting in on the greek yogurt action…

I topped it with fresh strawberries and 1/4 cup Special K granola …

Very good!  It tasted much like my beloved Chobani.  I would buy it again

I got into some heavy duty cleaning, then took a coffee break…

Lunch was leftover BBQ Adzuki Bean Burgers topped with guacamole and a side salad…

I really like these.  They will be making another appearance…soon…because I love to torture my family

Before heading out for afterschool activities, I made my snack – microwave popcorn.  Did you know you can make your own “mini bags” of microwave popcorn?  Here’s how:

You’ll need a paper lunch bag and popcorn kernels…

Place 2 1/2 tbsp. popcorn kernels in paper bag  (hellooo down there )…

Fold the paper bag over 3 times…

Place in the microwave lying flat…

Here’s the tricky part.  Microwave on high for about 2 minutes.  All microwaves have a different wattage, so there may be some trial and error.  Listen for about a 2 second lull in popping and it should be done.  Any longer may burn the popcorn, which is very sad and annoying since you can’t get rid of that smell in your house or office for days.

Unburned popcorn …

There you have it;  no need to buy those ready-to-pop mini bags anymore!  Cheap and easy:)

After popping, I like to cut some of the bag so I don’t have to dig deep…

I sprayed on some I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter ( really, I can) and noshed away!

*****

Dinner was breakfast for the family.  It had to be quick since I had a meeting to attend.  When I got back, I heated up some leftover Spinach, Roasted Pepper and Goat Cheese Quiche along with the Roasted Potato and Green Bean Salad…

Love when dinner is “waiting” for me!

Total – 23 POINTS

FYI – Trader Joe’s had a recall of its  Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars in February!  You can check out my Examiner article for more info.  Don’t eat them!

Have a great day, everyone!

What is your favorite popcorn flavor/topping?

27 comments

1 Joanna Sutter { 03.03.10 at 7:36 am }

I know workouts like that. In fact, the last two Fridays I’ve had similar experiences…I think I’m overtraining and undersleeping! HA!

P.S. I gotta try that Yoplait Greek Yogurt!

2 Diane { 03.03.10 at 8:58 am }

I honestly like popcorn with absolutely nothing on it. Nekkid as a jaybird popcorn!

3 Andrea@WellnessNotes { 03.03.10 at 9:04 am }

I haven’t had popcorn in a long time. We used to put fresh rosemary from the yard on it; so good… Have to do that again.

Happy Wednesday!

4 Kathleen { 03.03.10 at 9:09 am }

Parmesan! No butter!

5 gina { 03.03.10 at 9:34 am }

Love your new look!!

6 Lindsay (Waking Up Hungry) { 03.03.10 at 9:39 am }

I like the Yoplait Greek too, it’s on my menu for today. Awesome tip on the popcorn, thanks!

7 tj { 03.03.10 at 10:55 am }

I use a plastic microwave popper that I got at Target. No oil is needed- I love it! BUT what I like to do is in my MISTO sprayer spray a light mist of olive oil on the popcorn and top with a sprinkle of salt- YUM!

8 jenn { 03.03.10 at 10:58 am }

I like stove popped corn in coconut oil with sea salt. It’s one of my favorite snacks in the whole wide world!

9 Bella @ Stilettos on the Streetcar { 03.03.10 at 11:43 am }

Epicure Selections sells amazing popcorn seasoning. My favourite is maple. Just a little dash on popcorn and you have a sweet treat. Deeslish!

10 JourneyBeyondSurvival { 03.03.10 at 11:44 am }

What a great idea! That makes me happy.

11 Michelle { 03.03.10 at 12:30 pm }

My favorite is definitinly kettle corn, but not he greasy kind dripping with oil!!! hahah

I wish I were in your family so I can enjoy some of your adzuki burger…it really looks good I’m not sure why anyone would think it’s torture to have around!!!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the interval running plan…I always wondered how well that works. Now i know i probably won’t try it since i like being “in the groove” so to speak. hehehe

12 Merry Mary { 03.03.10 at 12:40 pm }

Thats the method I’m currently using for running… and you are right. It’s much better on the treadmill than outside.

13 Graze With Me { 03.03.10 at 12:45 pm }

I love adding sriracha, tamari and nutritional yeast to my popcorn – you need a bit of butter to make it stick but I bet a spray olive oil would work too – I should try that soon.

I hate intervals – I would much rather zone out than have to worry about changing my pace every few minutes.

14 Amanda { 03.03.10 at 1:27 pm }

Where did you get your adzuki beans? I just bought black beans to make this recipe (although I haven’t yet).

Great idea about the popcorn!

Marisa Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:33 pm

I “inherited” the bag of them from my Mom when they were cleaning out the pantry for the move. I believe they were from the health food store. I think black beans would work great in the recipe. They are a creamier consistency than the adzukis, so your burgers may be softer. Hope you like them!

15 Jen { 03.03.10 at 2:24 pm }

Thanks for the tip on do-it-yourself microwave popcorn! That will save A LOT of money

16 Tamara { 03.03.10 at 2:51 pm }

I am just tagging your post left right and centre. I’m going to check out the Jeff Galloway training program and I am soooo going to start making my own microwave popcorn bags! Glad you’re moving on from your “cheezie” weekend. I’m slowly getting back into the groove myself.

17 David { 03.03.10 at 2:52 pm }

Good looking food on your blog! Regarding your popcorn question – I like Trader Joes Lite Kettle Corn, no addtl flavor needed.

18 Lori (Finding Radiance) { 03.03.10 at 2:54 pm }

That is my favorite combo of granola, yogurt and berries!

My favorite popcorn flavor is cheese and caramel mixed together. So good.

19 katecooks { 03.03.10 at 2:54 pm }

i love that brown bag method for popcorn…i’m impressed!!

20 Deb { 03.03.10 at 6:37 pm }

I like parmasean cheese or chili powder on popcorn when I make it at home but my all time favorite is caramel corn.

Thanks for the tip on the Yoplait Greek. I saw that this weekend but hesitated since I didn’t like Fage. But I will definitely pick some up next time and try it because I do like Chobani. It is about 50 cents cheaper than Chobani as well at my local grocery.

21 Rebecca { 03.03.10 at 8:20 pm }

I LOVE the popcorn idea. Do you count it as 1 Point per bag?

Marisa Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:06 pm

According to the nutritional info on the bag of popcorn kernels I had, 2 1/2 tbsp. would be 100 calories and equal 1 POINT

22 Chari { 03.03.10 at 9:50 pm }

I keep thinking I need to try the greek stuff

wow, thanks for the popcorn tip! I had no clue. You are right, so much cheaper plus nothing artificial on the popcorn either. I’ll be picking some up tomorrow!

23 lynn @ the actors diet { 03.04.10 at 1:49 am }

i wish i had seen this post before i bought a popcorn popper last year. that said, once i bought it – i never use it!!!

24 Miz { 03.04.10 at 5:30 am }

Molly McButter CHEEEESE or spritz with water and toss it in some chocolate protein powder

25 All Women Stalker { 03.07.10 at 9:36 pm }

I love the tip about the pop corn! It’s so expensive here. Now I can make cheap popcorn without having to use a stove. =D