Marathon Training

I haven't been blogging much recently, as this summer has been kicking my ass.  There is simply too much to do and there are too many things to think about.  My to-do lists are procreating in my drawers, it seems, spawning more and more and more things that I need to attend to, and leaving me wondering how another month has snuck by so quickly.  I am just trying to keep my head down, keep going, and keep crossing things off my list(s).

One of the things that has been happening is marathon training.  I have been doing it, sometimes diligently, sometimes not.  This week has been not so great.  Last weekend was my first long run with the Team Oregon Marathon Training clinic, and it was a good choice.  It is really nice to run with a group.  It feels safer, it requires less thinking and planning, and I came away from the run without that horrible hit-by-a-bus feeling that I often get after a long run.  I put in some good miles on Monday and Tuesday, but then Wednesday I twinged a muscle at the gym and took a few days off running.  I also went to a conference in Bend, so I'm sleep-deprived and have that overall sense of unease that I get when I haven't slept in my own bed or run my own schedule for a few days.  I will be running thirteen miles this afternoon, and I don't anticipate it will go well.  But, I'm doing it.

Unfortunately, running has lost a little of its sparkle for me in recent weeks, and I feel a bit like I'm just going through the motions.  I need a run where I feel powerful, where I hit that perfect blend of strength and exhaustion and my brain pumps out endorphins mile after mile until I fall in a sweaty heap to stretch, grinning like an idiot.  I hope I get a run like that soon.

The marathon is in three and half months, give or take, and I'm essentially running half-marathons as my long runs these days.  Soon I'll be in uncharted territory, each week running a distance that is longer than I've ever done before.  Next week is fourteen miles.  Then fifteen, then sixteen, then this crazy period where I alternate between sixteen and twenty mile runs every Saturday until the race, or until I come to my senses.

I have to charge my ipod, lace up my shoes and get out in the world.  Wish me luck.

Cookies!

I just made two batches of oatmeal raisin cookies, one with this recipe, and one using shortening instead.  I will conduct a thorough taste test and let you know which is better.

In other news,we've had wicked car trouble and I'm going out of town for the second half of this week for a work thing, so there's no formal meal plan to post and things are a bit nuts around here.  I have resolved to blog more when I return.

Cheers!

Meal Plan

We have lots of things on the meal plan this week that are left over from previous meal plans that we didn't end up making because we had so many leftovers!

BBQ Sliders
Falafel Wraps
Pizza
Strawberry Spinach Salad

Meal Plan

Hello, all! This weekend, my good friend Betsy is in town for her birthday and so we spent a lovely sunny afternoon at the farmer's market yesterday and then converted our market finds into homemade pasta with pesto, cucumber goat cheese salad, and a strawberry Rhubarb pie.  Yummmm!

Today we are having a BBQ, and hopefully the weather will cooperate.  I'm making Curried Quinoa Salad, simple burgers, brats and dogs (no chicken brie burgers today) and Sangria.  It should be easy, delicious, and, if the weather cooperates, summery.  Yay!

Later this week, we are having

Spinach Strawberry Salad
Falafel Wraps
BBQ sliders
Chicken with Peanut Sauce


Friday is the Husband's birthday, and he specifically requested Swimming Angel, the chicken and peanut sauce dish that I"m making.  Other than that, we'll have leftovers from our BBQ and our pasta and pesto, to round out the week.  I'll be doing a baking day tomorrow, attempting to make pita pockets and strawberry tarts, so wish me luck with that.

Spiced Bread Pudding

Spiced Bread Pudding

Nouns-

1 10-inch Boule of stale good-quality French or Italian bread, ripped into small chunks

2 cups milk (If making the creme Anglaise, use three cups)

4 eggs

1/3 cup white sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 tbsp butter

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground cloves (or use whole and strain out)

1/2 tsp ground cardamom

1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

zest of one orange, divided

1/2 cup raisins (optional) (Also optional, soak the raisins in hot rum to plump them before using)

Verbs-

Butter a 9x9 baking dish or small casserole dish.  Evenly distribute the bread in the dish and sprinkle the raisins over the top, if you are using the raisins.  In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the milk, butter and spices to a simmer.  While the milk is heating, whisk the sugars and eggs together until buttery-yellow and creamy.  Add the vanilla and half the orange zest to the egg/sugar mixture.  When the milk is at a simmer (careful not to boil it!), remove from the heat and slowly add it to the egg mixture, whisking contiuously to prevent curdling.  (If you are making the Creme Anglaise, reserve 1 cup of the hot spiced milk for later use.)  Pour the mixture over the bread and let that soak in the fridge for an hour or so.  Preheat the oven to 375.  Place the pudding dish into a larger baking dish and fill the larger dish with hot water, creating a water bath.  Be careful not to let water get into the pudding.  Bake the pudding covered for 30 minutes, and then uncovered for thirty minutes.  Garnish with the remaining orange zest if desired.

 Bread Pudding Sauces

Spiced Creme Anglaise

Nouns-

1 cup milk, can use one cup of the spiced milk from above

3 egg yolks

3 oz sugar

1 vanilla bean or 1 strip orange zest spiked with whole cloves (optional)

Verbs-

Bring the milk to a simmer (if using vanilla or orange zest, add them to the pot) and remove from heat.  Whisk together the eggs and sugar.  Strain the milk and slowly combine half the hot milk with the eggs, whisking to avoid curdling.  Then add the eggs to the remaining milk in the pot and return to medium heat, whisking for several minutes until mixture thickens.  Do not boil.  Strain and chill for serving.

Orange Rum Sauce

Nouns:

1/2 cup orange juice

3 tbsp orange marmalade

1/4 cup spiced rum

1/4 cup brown sugar

Verbs-

Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer over medium low heat until sugar is dissolved and liquid is reduced by half.  Add some butter if you feel like it.  Yummm.

Vegan Citrus-scented Split Pea Soup

Split Pea Soup


Nouns-
3 cups dried green split peas
8 cups water
zest of 1 orange
zest of 1 lemon
1 large onion, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
3 carrots, peeled and diced
2 jalapenos, minced
1 veggie boullion cube
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil

Verbs-
In a large pot or dutch oven, saute the onion, carrots and celery in the olive oil over medium high heat for several minutes, until the onion is translucent.  Add the jalapenos and cook for another minute or two.  Add half the peas, the boullion cube and all the water.  Simmer or 30 minutes and add the remaining peas.  Simmer until peas are tender, another 30-45 minutes.  Add the zest, stir to combine, and serve.

Meal Plan

For next week:

Split Pea Soup with Salad
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Veggie Shepherd's Pie
Peanut Curry with Brown Rice
Lentil Salad with feta