A Garden Party
This morning, I decided to put on my big girl panties and go for an outdoor run in the heat. I’ve been avoiding it most of the summer and have made very good friends with my treadmill in the basement! But today, I felt the need to get out there! I thought it wasn’t going to be too bad since there was a slight breeze…
No, I did not just come from the dentist, although I have looked all puffy and drooly like that after many a dental appointment.
Nope, that is just me summing up my stinky run. I had planned on doing 5 miles, but it was so hot and I felt so dehydrated pretty immediately that I couldn’t swing it today. I ended up walking a few extra minutes and finally called it quits at mile 4 …
Oh well…there’s always next week!
When I got home, all I could think of was air-conditioning and LIQUID. Perfect chance to try out my new protein powder …
I will be the first to say that I’m not a huge fan of protein powders. I have always held the belief if you eat well there isn’t a need for that type of supplementation. However, I’ve heard such wonderful things about this Pea Protein (thanks for the recommendations, Miz and Janetha!), I thought it deserved a look-see.
I was so impressed with the nutritional profile …
I like that it’s lower calorie with no fat and a good protein punch. One scoop is 2 PointsPlus…
There are no added refined sugars however, it does contain stevia and xylitol. I’m not quite sure what xylitol is other than a sugar alcohol. Some research says it’s a natural substance (you find it in sugarless chewing gum, too) and others lump it into the artificial sweetener category. I’ve been off artificial sweeteners for almost 2 years, so I’m hoping it’s the former! If I find it bothers me, then I’ll rethink using it, but in the meantime, I whipped up a nice post-hideous-run-in-the-stinkin’-heat breakfast smoothie (3 PP)…
In the blender …
- 1 scoop Olympian Labs Pea Protein
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond breeze
- 1 small banana, frozen
- 6 strawberries
- handful ice cubes
It was great! And no, it did not taste like peas! 
It also held me over very well which was a good thing since I got busy in the kitchen and didn’t end up eating a real lunch. We were invited to my niece and nephew’s house for a get together, so I picked on some of the pasta salad that I made to bring in lieu of a constructed lunch.
The get-together this afternoon was to celebrate my niece and nephew’s expansive garden production! Their zucchini, herbs and greens were blossoming…
And the corn was ready, so they wanted to share the bounty (mostly all picked!)…
The food was plentiful …
Burgers and fixin’s …
Green salad…
My Mediterranean Pasta Salad …
Dogs …
Oops, not that kind 
Paco just wanted to be on the blog and I forgot to get a pic of the food kind!
The stars – grilled corn and boiled corn with butter, lime and pico …
And grilled zucchini with basil buttermilk dressing …
I dug in! My plate – burger w/cheese and pineapple, zucchini, salad, pasta salad and an unpictured bruschetta toast (est. 20 PP)…
So yummy!
The desserts were…well, very tempting.
Chocolate brownie trifle…
Peanut butter cupcakes with chocolate frosting…
Chocolate fudge cookies, blueberry oat bread, pizzelles…
Oh yeah… and fruit…
Guess what I had?
Party pooper.
Have a great day, everyone!
What fruit/vegetable do you look forward to the most in the summer? I love summer tomatoes! There is nothing like a home-grown, in-season, ripe tomato!
Questions? Email me! aloserforlife@gmail.com
19 comments
Can’t pick one – I just look forward to summer and ALL of them. Right now in my fridge from Saturday’s farmer’s market are blackberries, peaches, watermelon, cherries, sugar snap peas and butterhead lettuce. Yum!!
Marisa Reply:
July 18th, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Me, too, Sharon!
Good going on going outside for your run. It seems that the world (America) that side of the world (me and South Africa), seems so cold with snow in winters and so warm with high temperatures in the summers. From one extreme to the next. I feel sorry for all of you that side of the world. Extreme conditions.
The heat and humidity really can be a run killer. I went out at 5 am and ended up cutting my run short due to feeling I could not go one more mile. When I got home Mr. Helen asked me if I’d run through a sprinkler. Yep, I was that wet. Still, there’s something to be said for seeing the moon set and the sun rise at the same time!
Marisa Reply:
July 18th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
Way to go on that 5 am hour, Helen!
Running in the heat is the worst! I always feel so out-of-breath and sluggish when I run in the heat.
Food looks so yummy and healthy! I’ve never heard of pea protein. The heat wave around the nation is crazy! Good for you for getting a run in and listening to your body about when to stop!
Have a fabulous week!
Awwwww, that puppy is tooooooooo cute. I want one just like him!
I actually was thinking “I wonder if it tastes like peas?!” Glad it didn’t. I usually don’t like protein powders because they have a weird aftertaste.
Way to be a party pooper! I love watermelon and peaches – I actually have a peach salsa for my chicken today – its got jalapenos and mint and cilantro – can’t wait!
Happy Monday – sorry about the sucky run too – we have a heat advisory today, so I may just walk instead of run.
What a BEAUTIFUL garden!!! (and what a cute dog looking out over the baby gate!) Ug…hope the heatwave breaks for your soon Marisa!!! Have a good day.
Dear Marisa,
Please send fudge cookies, stat.
Yours eternally,
Me!
Marisa Reply:
July 18th, 2011 at 11:10 pm
LOL! I don’t think there were any left, Shelley
That garden is gorgeous!! I miss having a big garden…hopefully some day!
Great job on avoiding those goodies! That blueberry oat bread looked like it was up my alley!
I’m all about veggies, so I’d have to agree with you about summer tomatoes. Corn on the cob would be a close second. Farmer’s markets here I come!
Yummy picnic! I adore fresh blueberries and I love to go pick them (which I did this weekend, too!).
Celebrate that you made 4 miles Marisa! That is awesome in the heat!
The food looks amazing as always and good for you for going for the fruit!
Summer definitely equals watermelon! There’s nothing like fresh juicy sweet watermelon to cool you off in the summer!
That picnic looked delish by the way. I applaud you for choosing the fruit over those baked goodies!
Marisa Reply:
July 18th, 2011 at 11:11 pm
I’m with you on the watermelon! Sadly, the last one I bought was just nasty! I think it was previously frozen or something! It was stringy and mealy – ick!
WOO HOO on the pea protein!!!!
I am with you on the tomatoes…but I love a good summer watermelon and peaches too! so much to love about summer….