Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Rainy Wednesday morning...

I was very unmotivated this morning.  Even as I was finishing this very slow, laborious run I was still amazed that I even made it out the door!  Thankfully I did, and I did it early, because it is now raining, and there is no way I could have been motivated to trudge through 6 miles in the rain this morning.

Despite my legs of lead and a mental block, I managed to keep the pace right at a 10 minute mile.  That included 2 walking breaks up very tough hills!  Some days when I have really icky runs, the rest of the day I feel icky about it.  This morning I decided that just couldn't happen.  It is 9:30am, I have already ran 6 miles today, and now it is raining which is a great excuse to curl up at the computer in my sweats and enjoy a workday indoors! 
I also realize these numbers are nothing to shake a stick at.  Earlier "icky" runs would be in the 11-minute range.  I am surprised I managed such a good pace considering my lack of motivation!

However, compare today's run to yesterday's 4 mile sprint!
Now that's what I call a killer work out! Thank you Kristin for the motivation and push to get me through sub-9 minute miles!

Ok, so enough bragging!  Let me just catch you up on the week...
Sunday involved my couch, football, and snacks!  Despite the Bears game not being on tv, we just couldn't drag ourselves out of the house.  Mr. Kummerow kept the play by play up on the computer screen, and we zoned out to various other football games.  Black bean salsa has been a football tradition of ours since we first started dating. We used to purchase it in the deli at Pick-N-Save in Milwaukee and go through several pounds on Sunday!  I'm pretty sure we matched that this week!  Pumpkin beer and guacamole was also consumed.

Dinner on Sunday was left over Black Bean burgers, recipe from Emily over at the Front Burner.  We also tried roasting cauliflower and it turned out fantastic.  We battered and breaded it and it sorta turned out like popcorn chicken!  It was easy to make and was fun and easy to eat on the couch watching more football of course!

Cauliflower Poppers
adapted from VegWeb
1 large head of cauliflower, chopped into florets
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp dried dill
1 tbsp ume vinegar
1 cup bread crumbs

In small bowl whisk together all ingredients except cauliflower and bread crumbs.  Mix cauliflower florets in mixture.  Add bread crumbs and roll cauliflower until covered well.  (Our bread crumbs didn't stick to cauliflower well, but I still like the texture it added to the dish.)

Spread on baking sheet and bake in preheated oven at 400* for 30-40 minutes, until florets are tender.  Serve alone or with ketchup (my favorite!)

Meals the rest of the week have centered on convenience.  We haven't been shopping in several weeks and I have the kids at their dad's this week which means I am cooking their dinners and don't have much energy for cooking and cleaning when I get home at 7pm!  With daylight ending so early, I don't have much patience for eating after 7pm either!

With that said, lunch on Monday was leftover Stuffed Squash (pictured above).  Dinner was one of our treats we picked up at Trader Joe's.
This was a pre-made Indian dish that just needed to be heated.  We added brown rice and carrot "fries" to the meal.  The carrot fries were super easy!


Carrot Fries
Inspired by Caitlin's Parsnip Fries

2 carrots sliced into matchstick pieces
1 tsp olive oil
black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400*.  Swirl carrot matchsticks in olive oil and black pepper.  Lay flat on a baking sheet and bake in oven for 35-40 minutes until browned and soft.

Today we will receive our Absolute Organics box.  And then tonight we are finally going grocery shopping.  On the upside of cleaning out the cabinets of all of our food...I found Steel Cut Oats and cooked them for breakfast this morning.  They take a long time to cook which is why I have quit making them, but they are so tasty! Much better than quick oats!  They have a rich, nutty quality!  I always cook large batches, so I will have enough to enjoy the rest of the week!

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