Good morning world! I’m in a great mood, as I finished up my workout for the day, all before 6:30am. Oh-so-nice…no?
My mom and I went on our standard walk and then I ran three miles after we parted ways. Today, in the interest of finding the last 40%, I hauled A. I’m thinking these shorter distances ran at a higher speed really work for me. Would you rather run longer distances at a slower speed, or shoot for a shorter distance at a quick pace? I used to dig those long, paced 7 mile runs, but I really might be a convert!
So it was 80 degrees in the house when I got back from my run, so something cool and refreshing was in the cards for breakfast. I made Peaches & Apricots Squared! I layered a peach, apricot & vanilla yogurt, a chopped peach and a couple of chopped, dried apricots all together. I randomly just happened to have all these ingredients in the house at the same time – how cool!
Ok, this is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten…seriously. Creamy, smooth, sweet and chewy.
I could have eaten about 10 of these…it was just perfect for a hot day like today.
So I’m happy to report that yesterday’s Caesar’s Salad was BOMB, so I packed the other half for lunch today!
This time, I replaced the croutons with some sliced zucchini. Do you like raw zucchini? I think it has great texture!
I also packed Masoor Daal from last night. I’m thinking this is one of those dishes that tastes even better the second day – yes!
Oh, you know what else – I was thinking this dish would taste amazing with Chipotle Rice! The kick from the cilantro and lime would be just perfect with the smokey, savory daal. **Making mental note for next time**
So last night I was cruising around the ‘net and I found this great article about lentils – timely, no? Some highlights:
- Dating as far back at 7000 B.C., lentils are one of the oldest cultivated crops.
- Lentils provide both healthy protein and complex carbohydrates, and they’re full of fiber to keep you satisfied longer.
- When you eat a combination of grains and legumes (such as rice and lentils), you create what’s called a “complete protein.” These power combos contain the same protein building blocks as meat, which makes them a great way for vegans and vegetarians to get protein.
- One cup of cooked lentils has 230 calories, and one serving will give you 37% of your daily iron and more than half your daily fiber.
- Cooked lentils make an awesome ground beef substitute.
I’m telling you, lentils are where it’s at! What’s your favorite legume? While I love lentils, I do have a soft spot in my heart for black beans. Like lentils, they’re just so versatile – don’t you think?
Off to work – it’s my last work-day for the week. I’ll let you know WHY, tonight! Have a super day everyone!
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Today’s Three Question Thursday questions came to me during my run this morning. So – here are the random things I think about while running:
1. What was the name of your childhood pet? Dog, cat, fish, lizard…rock…
2. You’re at a superb, Southern restaurant. What two sides from this list do you choose to come with your entree: Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Macaroni & Cheese, Collard Greens, Green Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Black Eyed Peas, Buttermilk Biscuit, Steamed Vegetables or Corn Bread.
3. What’s one bad habit you’d like to break?
Here’s my answers:
1. RIP Friski (yes, with an “i”) She was a cockapoo and the greatest dog that ever lived…and she lived for 17 years!!
2. I’m going old-school. Definitely mashed potatoes & gravy with a fresh buttermilk biscuit! Ben and I were just talking the other day what a true joy fresh biscuits are.
3. Picking my split ends! It’s AWFUL! Oh, and procrastinating…I’m really bad at that…eep!
Breaky looks fabu!!
I love raw zucchini!!! Lentils are a fav here as well! I have a Honey Baked Lentils recipe that I love to make & eat.
1. Oliver was my childhood pet. We got him when I was 5 and he died when I was 19
He was a great dog!
2. Assuming I could eat anything I wanted and didn’t have to be gluten-free, I would have mashed potatoes & gravy & fried okra (I know that wasn’t a choice you listed, but I LOVE it and when I was little & lived in TX, I used to eat this all the time!).
3. I procrastinate too much! I am good about exercise & eating, but organizing & stuff like that….ugh! I am anal about it when I do it, but I procrastinate getting to it.
1. Too many childhood cats to get all their names, but my favorite was a gray kitty, Ellie
2. Southern sides: I’m definetely with you on the mashed potatoes and gravy with a warm biscuit. Cracker Barrel in Twin Cities or Machine Shed are best restaurants for Southern food around here!
3. Caffeine!
Hi Kristin! I love black beans, too, but I think I need to branch out into the world of lentils after your rave reviews!
Anywho . . .
1. I had a goldfish named Betsy when I was 6. I SOBBED when she jumped out of her bowl.
2. Sweet potatoes & corn bread. Although I do love a good biscuit. Can I have both???
3. Eating sweets! I need something sweet every day & I wish I could break the habit to having one dessert a week or something. Dessert, of any kind, is definitely my kryptonite food!
1) My chidhood pet was a mutt named Bitsy. She was my parents’ first “child” and she and I were very close. She was such a strange looking dog though!!
2) Southern sides!! Oh boy…Well, I could probably live off of sweet taters so that’s a given. Also love really good greens.
3) Bad habits! Ha! That’s what I talk about every day on my blog!! In general, I guess Diet Cokes would be my worst bad habit.
i just made my green smoothie! it’s DELISH!!!! and doesn’t even really taste bananay at all! yummmmmm! a good substitute for my traditional birthday breakfast which is usually orange danish, but i’d be the only one eating it. and i’m glad this is healthy and TASTY.
1. brandy — she was a golden retreiver but had black fur since her dad was a black lab. Gorgeous dog. she died of tumors. =( that was the worst day ever. and we have callie — a beautiful calico cat. my sister has her now.
2. probably sweet potatoes (without the marshmallows) and steamed vegetables.
3. bad habits. having to have dessert every night. UGH. i need to buy my fiber one bars or stick to a glass of chocolate milk.
Dog: Duchess
Food: Mashed potatoes no gravy and veggies
Habit: Too many sweets
Some days I’m all about my nice long slower run and other days you’ve got the energy to just lay it out there and the speed is fun!
1. Childhood pet was Misty, my pony. We had to give the horses up because they kept getting lose and needed more room to run.
2. Sweet potatoes and green beans no doubts.
3.Bad habits-I am my own worse enemy about too many things. I am working on it though.
That breakfast looks awesome.
-I had a lot of pets growing up: Heime, Katie, Patches, and Ashley – all dogs. and Mandy- cat.
- Definitely mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit
- I’d like to stop procrastinating so much.
Mixing the runs up is definately good for you. Doing shorter runs with more intensity AND stretching out longer runs without the intensity will definately benefit you. Nice work…I slept in today…but will get mine in after work.
Hi Kristin, I love your blog! I have a question for you… We’re headed to Des Moines this weekend (I have a 2 1/2 yr old boy and a 3 1/2 yr old girl) and we’ll be going to Adventureland on Saturday, so I’m looking for ideas for someplace fun to eat Friday and Saturday night. Also, any suggestions for other activities/places to visit? I would love to go to the living history farm. Any other ideas for family activities? Thanks.
1. Tanner the dog, Dynamite the pony, Freckles the bunny and many others
2. Steamed veggies and sweet potatoes
3. Procrastinating and being indecisive about certain things
I love a long run. I try to do my shorter ones at a quick pace, but I just love a long paced run on a Saturday.
1. What was the name of your childhood pet? Dog, cat, fish, lizard…rock…
We had a German Shepherd named LJ. I loved him dearly.
2. You’re at a superb, Southern restaurant. What two sides from this list do you choose to come with your entree: Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Macaroni & Cheese, Collard Greens, Green Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Black Eyed Peas, Buttermilk Biscuit, Steamed Vegetables or Corn Bread.
Sweet Potato and Steamed Veggies!
3. What’s one bad habit you’d like to break?
Chewing gum. ALL THE TIME.
1. A dog without spots named Spot and a cat named Kitty. I was so creative.
2. Definitely mashed potatoes and gravy and mac and cheese. Unless I was trying to eat healthy, but who eats healthy when it comes to southern food?
3. Totally picking my split ends. It grosses all my friends out!
1. Lucky.. he was a dalmation
When I moved the states one of my favorites movies was 101 dalmations. Moving to the states = more room which = getting a dog!
2. sweet potatoes and corn bread!
3. I also pick at my split ends!!! Bah such a bad habit.
http://www.ohonemorething.wordpress.com
1. Licorice, a black Scottish Terrier. Her nickname was “Licci.” She was euthanized around the time I graduated from college, when my parents were moving across the country and they didn’t think she’d be able to handle the trip.
2. Sweet potatoes and corn bread. Yum!
3. Staying up too late or spending too much – I’m not sure which is worse!
You come up with the BEST questions!
1. Boomer – a small Yorkshire Terrier who was hit by a car the day my little sister came home from the hospital. Note: I didn’t find out about this until I was 17 in mixed company.
2. Sweet Potatoes and either the Mixed Veggies or Biscuit. Depends on the mood.
3. Cracking my knuckles. I have tried many times. It’s awful and I’m sure my cubemates hate me!
I enjoy my longer, slower runs more than the faster paced ones, probably because I’m not very fast! Ha!!
I love black beans too! Oh and kidney beans!!
1. Shasta was my first dog when I was little, yellow lab. Had to give her away because of my allergies:(
2. I would choose bisquits and friend okra- adding the okra to the list because it’s on of my fav southern foods!!
3. Eating dessert every night! I love it because I love sweets but wish I could break the habit!
First, I LOVE your blog! Yours was one of the ones that inspired me to start my own – so THANK YOU!
And I also love your 3 question Thursdays. This the first time I have commented
1. Pepper was my first dog, a black mutt, and Jelly Bean was our rabbit (she didn’t last very long)
2. I would for sure pic sweet potatoes and mac & cheese!
3. I chew the inside of my cheek ALL the time.
1. We had many animals growing up. Our favorite was a dog named Hank.
2. This is so hard since I am from the South and we love our home cooked Southern meals! I would say sweet potatoes and green beans (country style with bacon).
3. I have many… Addiction to sweets, knuckle cracking, twirling my hair, …
1. Snowball. Got her when I was 4 (hence her lame name:) and she just got put down because of major health concerns last year! That made her the grand age of 20! She for sure lived her 7 lives!
2. Mashed potatoes and where is the BAKED beans option, please???
3. I have many…maybe picking at things (bumps, scabs, mascara on my eye lashes…yuck. What a gross habit. I’ll stop now already!)
1. Nap, a white standard poodle. He followed me everywhere – such a lover!
2. Sweet potatoes and either the biscuit or cornbread.
3. I also pick at my split ends which I hate! I’m also trying to kick the caffeine habit, which is pretty hard!
I love when I am done working out and its only 9
So i know the whole accomplishment feeling well! haha
I love me some lentils! I just love how soft and comforting they are! thanks for the article!
Working out early is the bomb – I’m becoming a convert!
1. What was the name of your childhood pet? Sparky!
2. You’re at a superb, Southern restaurant. What two sides from this list do you choose to come with your entree: Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, and Macaroni & Cheese. Haha! Carb it up!
3. What’s one bad habit you’d like to break?
Biting my nails! I stopped two years ago and had lovely nails for a while but I’ve slipped back in…yuck.
You should try yogurt with peaches, blueberries, and agave nectar–so delicious
1. Montana. He’s a westie, still got him
2. Tough question. If it’s REALLY superb I guess I’d need to go with the mac n’ cheese and the biscuit. If it were a normal place though I’d probably choose something healthier like steamed veggies and a sweet potato
3. Getting mad about the little things
Hi Kristin!
Have you ever tried tempo/interval runs? When I’m feeling the need to really kick my own butt, I do one of those…5 min warm-up jog, then 5-6 sets (depending on how motivated I’m feeling) of 1 min fast running + 2 minute slow jog, followed by a 5 min cool-down jog. This’ll really get the ‘ole buns a burnin:-)
1. no real pets, just some huntings dogs.
2. mac & cheese and corn bread for sure! bring on the carbs!
3. procrastinating while i’m getting ready for bed…picking & tweezing.
I, too, love raw zuke. I am always sneaking bites while it chop it up!
Favorite legume is chickpeas, hands down!
1. Charlotte (named for Charlotte’s Web)
2. Tough call, but I think I would go with collards and sweet potatoes!
3. I wish I could control my shoe shopping a bit better…
I haven’t done a tempo run in awhile, but I totally agree with you – very effective!! I definitely need to incorporate more of these into my routines!!
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats http://iowagirleats.wordpress.com http://twitter.com/iowagirleats