We survived the first day of spring break without incident.  No need for whistle blowing or donning a black and white striped referee shirt.  I have high hopes for this break

The best part of it all is that I get to sleep in until 7:15 a.m.!!!  The extra hour makes a huge difference for me  (said I’m not so grouchy).

Since we were in vacation mode, I got a late start on breakfast.  After whipping up pancakes for the daughters and cleaning up, I made my usual bowl of yum…

• 3/4 cup nonfat plain Chobani
• 3 drops liquid vanilla NuStevia
• 1 cup strawberries
• 1/4 cup Special K Granola 

I was really impressed with the daughters today.  After breakfast, they did some spring cleaning of their rooms.  Quietly.  And without much prodding from me.  Hmmmmm……they must want something….

I debated off and on, for about an hour, as to whether I should exercise or not.  My body said not.  But, my brain was telling me that I should.  I should run today.  I should do something.

The debate went on too long.  Time for lunch!

I was craving chickpeas again, so I put together one of my favorites – Chickpea Salad.  I served it over a bed of baby spinach…

I topped it with a dollop of this…

I’m not sure I like this flavor.  Hard for me to say, since I never met a hummus I didn’t like!  The flavor was pretty strong and a bit harsh.  I’ll have to give it another try on its own and see if it grows on me.

Lunch didn’t hold me over very long.  After running a few errands, the daughters invited some friends over and we all got to snacking. I decided on a Banana Nut Vitatop…

It was good, but very lonely without its BFF – PB2, which has been on backorder for an Ice Age.  I be sad without it.  Hope it comes back soon

Finally, the arguing stopped and the action took place.  I got on my sneakers and headed to the treadmill.  I told myself that I had to do it.  That’s it.  No more debating.  Just do it!

I cranked out 35 minutes and was so glad I did it!  Late afternoon or evening isn’t my optimum time for working out.  I like to get it done first thing in the morning because I tend to get too lazy in the afternoon.  When my energy wanes, I find it easier to make excuses for not doing it.

Dinner was Barilla Plus Farfalle pasta with grape tomatoes, simply dressed with extra virgin olive oil, garlic and a sprinkle of parmesan…

So happy

Have a great day, everyone!  Happy Friday!

What is your optimum time to workout?  Morning, afternoon or evening?

We were bracing for another snowstorm here.  It was supposed to be a big, messy one, but so far it’s looking kinda wimpy.  Fine by me!

I was able to hit the gym for a workout before the daughters got dismissed from school early.  I set up to run on the treadmill.  I can’t believe it’s been almost 3 weeks since I’ve ran!  I ran on Tuesday at the gym and I was surprised that my endurance hadn’t really waned from ditching the running for 3 weeks. 

Today, I decided to do a little something different.  I’ve been reading up on the Galloway Method for running and I’m intrigued by it.  I like the injury-free part!  It’s a little hard to wrap my brain around because it involves alternating running with walking.  When I started running, I didn’t follow any particular program.  I know a lot of people used the C25K program, but it was too ADD for me.  Run, walk, run, walk.  Watching the time for small second intervals would make me crazy!  So, I just ran.  And I would try to go a little further every time until I got to 3.1 miles.

What interested me about the Galloway Method is that it is supposed to help with endurance levels and distance.  I feel like I have struggled with my endurance while I run.  I have tried eating different things, not eating, drinking and not drinking.  Nothing seemed to make much of a difference.  So, I figured what the hay?  I might as well give this whirl.  I had to change my mindset about it because at first, I felt like I was going backward in training by walking through a run.

I decided to do a 1:1 ratio for the run.  It’s easier for me to keep track of and I knew that I could manage running for longer periods of time than 30 0r 60 seconds.  I started off with a 5 minute warm-up walk, then proceeded to alternate running and walking for 3 minutes at a time.  Wow, I was impressed!  By the end of the run, I was upping my speed and going faster than I had ever run before on the treadmill without feeling winded.  And I was sweatier than when I normally run steadily.  It was a great workout!  I cut it off at 35 minutes and switched over to the Arc Trainer for 25 minutes of hill interval.  A glutton for punishment today!

I came home for a well- deserved breakfast of Chocolate Cranberry Chia Muffin Top …

and a cup of  Henry’s Blend…

Lunch was the last of the Vegetable Barley Stew… in a non-fancy container…

and a whole wheat Bagel Thin smeared with homemade hummus…

As a snack, I had some plain Oikos yogurt with crumbled Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies!

For dinner, I decided to torture everyone by making BBQ Adzuki Bean Burgers and carrot “fries”.  You should have seen the look on their faces.  It was as if I said we are having dog poop on a roll with a side of worms.  Ingrates

Here’s my recipe…if you like dog poop…

BBQ Adzuki Bean Burgers

• 1 3/4 cup cooked adzuki beans
• 1 carrot, coarsely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 1 handful fresh baby spinach
• 1/8 tsp. paprika
• 1/8 tsp. chili powder
• 1/8 tsp. cumin
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. barbeque sauce
• 1 egg white, beaten
• 3 tbsp. whole wheat flour

The Method:

Place 1 1/4 cup beans, carrot, garlic, green onion , spinach and spices in a food processor…

Pulse until ingredients are finely chopped…

Transfer to a bowl and add remaining beans, egg white and barbeque sauce…

Stir in flour and combine well…

Using a 1/3 cup measuring cup, place 6 mounds of bean mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper…

Flatten each mound …

Bake for 10-12 minutes in a 400 degree oven.  Let cool for 2 minutes to allow the burgers to release from the paper.

Enjoy on an Arnold Sandwich Thin with 2% cheese…

Roll your eyes while your whole family complains and make faces :/

Serve with a side of equally disgusting carrot “fries” (carrots sliced, coated with olive oil and baked @ 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes)…

Nutritional facts per burger (calculated using www.calorieking.com):  116 calories, .2 grams fat, o mg cholesterol, 273 mg. sodium, 22 grams carbohydrates, 5.8 grams fiber and 5 grams protein. 
POINTS value: 2

I ended up eating half of little daughter’s, too.  I LOVE  dog poop on a roll ;P

Total – 22 POINTS

Have a great day, everyone!

A special shout-out to Tamara and Kelly for sending me the Sunshine Award!  Thank you so much!!!

What foods do you like that other people think are gross?