OC Half Marathon Playlist

You can take the girl out of the club, but not the club out of the girl.  I made my playlist last week and then listened to it on my run this weekend.  Some edits were made and this is the final cut. I am optimistic it will carry me through to the end with some pep in my step.

Dirty Water - The Standells

Get Low - Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz

#1 - Nelly

The Boys of Summer - Don Henley

Love Sex Magic - Ciara 

In The Air - Morgan Page, Sultan & Ned Shepard & BP

Bounce - Calvin Harris

Shake It Out - Florence + The Machine

Dog Days Are Over - Florence + The Machine

Champion - Kanye West

Sunshine - Matisyahu

Waka Waka - Shakira

Fall Into The Skay - Zedd & Lucky Date

Spectrum (Say My Name) - Florence +The Machine

You've Got the Love - Florence + The Machine

Can't Hold Us - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Clarity (feat. Foxes) - Zedd

The Night Out (A-Trak Remix) - Martin Solveig

Follow You Down - Zedd

Stronger - Kanye West

Just One Last Time - David Guetta

As Your Friend - Afrojack

Pompeii (Monsieur Adi Remix) - Bastille

4 Minutes - Madonna 

I Need Your Love - Calvin Harris

Sweet Nothing - Calvin Harris

Thinking About You - Calvin Harris

Miami 2 Ibiza - Swedish House Mafia

Get Buck In Here - DJ Felli Fel

'Till I Collapse - Eminem & Nate Dogg

Calabria 2008 - Enur

Where Them Girls At - David Guetta, Flo Rida

Turn Me On - David Guetta, Nicki Minaj

U Make Me Wanna - Edde Amador &

Boomerang - DJ Felli Fel 

I'm a Machine - David Guetta, Crystal

Lose My Breath - Destiny's Child

I'm Still Standing - Elton John

Dirty Water - The Standells

Walk This Way - Aerosmith

Easy Kale Salad

 Easy Kale Salad

1 Bunch Kale, stemmed and washed
1 T. Olive Oil
2 T. Balsamic Vinegar
1 Cup Pitted and Sliced Cherries (you can substitute dried cherries or cranberries)
1 T. Sunflower Seeds
Maldon Sea Salt, to taste

Ingredients 

1) Remove center rib from kale, cut kale into bite size pieces and wash. I use a salad spinner and the kids help with that spinning the leaves dry.

2) Mix dried kale leaves with 1 T. olive oil.  Use your hands and massage the kale for at least three (3) minutes.  It will soften the kale and release the bitterness.

3) Drizzle with 2 T. balsamic vinegar

4) Top with cherries and sunflower seeds

5) Sprinkle with salt**Maldon Sea Salt is flaky and strong, a pinch will go a long way.

Finished Salad with Fresh Cherries

Finished Salad with Dried Cherries

Hey Mr. DJ

I love music. Happy songs, sad songs, fast, slow, it doesn't really matter. Music has always been able to transport me to a time and place, often I find myself with silly grin plastered on my face when I hear a song that reminds of a good time.

I grew up in the era of mixed tapes. It took hours, days even, to craft the perfect mixed tape and they often symbolized friendship or love. It seems so archaic that we requested songs on the radio and waited for them to be played so we could record them.

Times have changed and I now make my playlists on ITunes and play my music on my IPhone, but I still spend a lot of time figuring out what songs makes the cut. I usually do my long runs on the weekend so on Fridays I download 2-3 new songs to mix up my current playlist.

In preparation for my half marathon next week, I looked through my current long run playlist and started making edits. I know you can synch your running to the beats and plan out your miles to specific tunes but I just don't have that attention to detail. Instead I focus on creating a playlist that evokes a party atmosphere.

The playlist usually starts off with some classic tunes, songs from high school and college, that remind me of my friends and times gone by. Then I add some newer, faster songs usually club music or hip hop. The songs at the end are mishmash of songs that fire me up and songs that make me happy. I always include Dirty Water by the Standells which is played at Fenway Park.

What's on your playlist? Do you like to spend time perfecting the order or are you more of a shuffle person?

Snack Attack

In a perfect world, I would always feed my family healthy unpackaged meals that I lovingly prepare at home.  The reality is that I am busy, often in a rush and when a preschooler is hungry you have seconds to procure a snack or you will have an epic meltdown on your hands.

In order to stave off the nasties, I stock my house, car and purse with a plethora of good for you snacks that are made with ingredients you can pronounce.  To find healthy and chemical free snacks you need to be a food detective.

When a person sees that a food is low in calories or fat they are tricked into thinking a food is good for them. The truth is, in order to make those sugar free and low calorie snacks, the manufacturers replace food with chemicals. To make the best, most healthy choice, start by reading the ingredients first and then look at the nutritional information.

Here are a few of my favorite snacks that are kid and mom approved:

1) Kind Bars and Mojo Bars, they use real whole foods like nuts, spices and chocolate to make satisfying and filling snacks.  I keep these in my purse for myself but don't hesitate if my children want to eat one as a snack since I know they don't contain artificial ingredients.

Kind Bar and Mojo Bars

2) I love these GoGo Squeez Applesauce pouches.  Trader Joe's also carries applesauce pouches that are similar.  The ingredients are listed as Apple, Banana, Apple Juice Concentrate, Lemon Juice Concentrate.  They have a variety of flavors. 

GoGoSqeez Applesauce, can be found at Whole Foods, Costco and Target.

3)Freeze dried fruit is great to have on hand, this is from Trader Joe's and is unsweetened and unsulfured. No added sugar, just dehydrated strawberries.  My kids like to munch on them straight out of the bag, but you can throw them on top of cereal or yogurt too.

4) These packets of Justin's Nut Butters are great to throw in your bag.  They aren't filled with sugar and can be eaten right out of the package or on whole grain crackers.

Justin's Honey Peanut Butter, can be found at Whole Foods and Target. 

5) I also like to have small bottles of water or these Horizon Organic shelf stable milks on hand.  The chocolate flavor is really good and I sometimes steal those from the kids as recovery drink post gym. 

Horizon Organic Milk

What is your favorite snack?

Roasted Cauliflower

Cauliflower has never been my favorite vegetable. I've tried several recipes using various cooking techniques and this is a winner. It was originally mentioned on the Dr. Oz show a while back.   It is a favorite of my entire family and it has turned me into a lover of cauliflower.

Roasted Cauliflower 

1 tsp. Black Pepper

1 tsp. Tumeric

1 tsp. Garlic Salt 

1 T. Olive Oil 

1 Head Cauliflower, cut into small florets

1) Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees, and line large baking tray with tinfoil.

2) Combine first three spices together and set aside.

3) Toss cut cauliflower with olive oil and place on baking tray.

4) Sprinkle cauliflower with spice mixture.

5) Place baking tray in oven and roast for one hour.

6) Cauliflower will be soft, have a yellowish hue and will taste slightly sweet.

Cauliflower Uncooked

Cooked Cauliflower 

Serving Suggestions:

May be served as a side dish, especially good with rice and chicken.

I sometimes make this into a light lunch by cooking a package of couscous, topping it with roasted cauliflower, kalamata olives, parsley and toasted pine nuts.  

Stuffed Vegetables

Here is an easy one pot recipe that I cook regularly for my family.  This is a traditional Armenian dish which I have eaten since childhood.  Each family has their own spin on this recipe and often calls it Dolma. 

Stuffed Vegetables

1 Pound Ground Beef

1/2 Cup Uncle Ben's Rice 

4 Green Bell Peppers

4 Tomatoes 

4 Green Zucchini

Salt and Pepper

1) Wash and core vegetables.  Set aside. 

2) Rinse rice and mix with ground beef, season with salt and pepper. 

3) Stuff vegetables with meat and rice mixture and place snugly in a pot.  Vegetables can be stacked on top of each other and extra meat can be made into meatballs and cooked along side vegetables. 

4) Add 2 cups of water to the pot. 

5) Bring to a boil over high heat, then turn to low and cover pot.  

6) Vegetables are done when rice is cooked, about 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours.  

They may be served plain or topped with plain yogurt that has been mixed with garlic.

Uncooked Stuffed Vegetables 

Why I Am Raising Runners

The bombing of the Boston Marathon has left me shattered.  As a runner, as a mother and as a former citizen of the City of Boston, it has devastated me.  Today I woke up and thought it was time to stop dwelling and crying, it was time to refocus my energy on being a better person and making the world a better place.

This morning, I looked at my children, who were still sleeping, and assembled their Red Sox caps and running shoes.  Today we would run together.  We will run for those who lost their lives, those who lost their limbs and those who lost friends and family.  That is what runners do, we run for ourselves and we run for those who cannot.

Children love to run, it is innate.  Running is a celebration of life and a joyous expression for children.  It is something that should be encouraged and nurtured.  My two children having been runners since they learned how to walk, I needed to become a runner just to keep up with them.

Within the past year they have run three fun runs.  They received medals, t-shirts and tons of swag.  What they really received was confidence, community and self-reliance.  I don't know if they will ever win a race or compete on an elite level, but I do know that running makes them happy and hopefully will remain a life-long habit.  That is why I am raising them to be runners.

The next time your kid is running around the house and driving you crazy.  Put the sneakers on and head outside, let them run and run and run.  I guarantee they will come back to you calm and happy because that is what running does.

Who is going to lace up today?  You can run, walk or skip...just get out there.

I'm Going Tell You A Story, I'm Going To Tell You About My Town - A Love Letter To Boston

Today should have been a day of triumph and goodness, instead it became a day of mourning.   The Boston Marathon has always symbolized everything that is good in this world. Something evil tried to take that away, they tried to mar its beauty and destroy its goodness.

Today I awoke with joy and hope, tracked friends as they ran for loved ones and charities.  Slowly the unsettling phone calls, texts and Facebook messages came in. Those I know are safe, but so many others are not.

I moved to Boston as a college graduate, eager to start law school and live in an actual living breathing city.  Boston is a remarkable city in that it is more like a town.  You know your neighbors, your shop keepers, the homeless guy that hangs outside of the T at Downtown Crossing.  It also serves as a college campus for students from all over the world.  You meet and mingle with all social classes, races and ethnicities.  It is a little utopian like that.

Boston is tough, but it is also gentle.  People look out for one another, but if you get out of line you will be notified promptly. Boston is home to the best libraries and museums, they help promote its cerebral image.  Boston also has some of the finest drinking establishments to be found on the planet and knows how to not take itself too seriously.  Boston is everything a city should be.

Sometime tried to taint our city today, they tried to break us.

You will not win.  You will not destroy our spirit. You will not destroy our beloved Boston.

Till I Collapse - Mental Toughness

This weekend, I set out on my last 13 mile run before the OC Half on May 5.  I really enjoy my long runs on the weekend. I seldom have 5 minutes to myself so to have at least two hours alone is a vacation, even if it means I need to run that entire time.

In a perfect world, I would have spent the day before my run eating and hydrating properly and getting a solid nights sleep.  In reality, there was a lot of crying and waking up and children playing musical beds.  I woke up at 6:15 for my scheduled 6:30 run. Since I needed to get out the door before anyone started asking for pancakes I downed a PRO BAR and got out quick without ANY coffee.  The past few days have been really gray and overcast which is perfect for a run, what was not so perfect was the amount of wind coming at me from every direction.  I was set up for failure before I even took one step.

The first three miles of my runs are usually warm up, at mile four I feel good and start to speed up.  This did not happen.  Running into the wind is just cruel, you exert maximum effort and it just isn't reflected in your pace.  Around mile 5 I started to contemplate whether I should just call it a day.   For the next 4 miles, I battled to keep going.  My body was going but my mind kept saying this is ridiculous.

I know I have physically trained enough to complete my Half in a couple of weeks, but for my mental state I needed to finish this run.  Quitting was not an option.  I needed to toughen up mentally, otherwise all my physical training would not matter on race day.

I devised a plan to eek out the rest of the run, first I ran far away from my home.  This way I ensured that I would need to finish the run or be forced to walk home either way I would have to complete the mileage.  The next thing I did was to visual my goal. I pictured myself running to the top of the hill near my home and finally getting to enjoy a hot cup of coffee.

In order to achieve this goal, I needed to push through the pain.  I allowed myself a couple of 15 second walk breaks here and there.  I talked myself through it.  I kept telling myself that if I could complete this run I would be more than prepared for my race. Just when I needed a real boost to finish the last 3 miles, Till I Collapse by Eminem came on, next I'm Still Standing by Elton John.  Never underestimate the power of music to motivate you through rough spots.  With those songs in my ears I was able to push hard and finish up some long hills.

When I was a high school swimmer, the school brought in a sports psychologist to talk to the athletes about visualization.  That session has remained with me throughout my life and has guided me athletically as well as professionally and personally.   When things get tough, visualize where you want to be and fight till you get there. Just keep going.

It was not quick and it was not pretty but when I finished I felt like I could take on anything.

How do you deal with tough workouts? Do you talk to yourself or repeat a mantra?

Shopping the Farmers Market

Today is Saturday, so we headed out to our local farmers market to buy produce.  I tend to buy the bulk of our produce here. It is usually just me and the kids on these excursions so I have a method to these trips. Two kids on the loose, with crowds, is not how I like to kick off my weekend.

I start planning for our trip the day before by going to the ATM and getting cash.  Some farmers markets accept credit cards, ours does not. During dinner on Friday night we usually discuss what we are looking to purchase and the kids make a list.  My children are preschool age, so the list is a drawing of the items they want.  

Our market opens at 8 AM and I like to arrive around that that time.  The crowds haven't yet gathered, so you can do a loop and survey the wares before making a single purchase.  There is no fixed pricing, the prices vary from vendor to vendor.  

Since my children are small and can be wanders, I settle them into a wagon. If you have babies that fit in a baby carrier that is an ideal way to shop.  I once made the very rookie mistake of bringing my large jogging stroller around 11 and it was a nightmare trying to navigate the crowds.  If you need to bring the big stroller out, make sure you arrive early.

Most vendors set out samples and the kids snack on those.  Lately, I have been buying them organic berries and ears of roasted corn. Then I make the final round and buy our picks.  I bring our own bags but the farmers usually have plastic bags available if you make an unplanned trip.

Purple Cauliflower

Artichokes

Golden Yellow Beets

Purple Carrots 

You need to be a little flexible when shopping the farmers market, the food is coming straight from the farmer to you.  If it isn't grape season, you cannot expect to find grapes.  I go with an idea of what I want to purchase but if something else catches my eye I might buy that instead.  It may take longer than going to the supermarket but it makes an activity of a chore and is a wonderful learning experience for your children. 

How do you shop, do you wing it or stick to a list?

Our Picks

I Am A Runner

My second Half Marathon is quickly approaching and I have been reflecting a lot on my goals for the race and how I became a runner.  As a child I had asthma,  it was often triggered by running and necessitated two in-patient stays at a local hospital.  They occurred around the age of 9 and 13, I remember the details quite clearly.  I could swim with no problem, so I swam in high school and even lettered a couple of times.  Yes, I am a former mediocre high school athlete.

It always bothered me that I could not run, I would try and quickly become frustrated with my wheezing and tight chest and at some point would abandon the effort.  While I was in law school I lived literally one block away from the finish line of the Boston Marathon.  If you have ever witnessed the Boston Marathon and said that you didn't want to run, you would be lying. There is something really magical about watching those runners from the elite athletes that run 26.2 miles in just over 2 hours to watching those who cross the finish line long after the big crowds go home.  You really have to stand in awe of all those runners who put in the time, energy and mental fortitude to run 26.2 miles regardless of the time they run it in.

After one of those races, I decided to try my hand at running again.  I would wake up early and attempt to run a loop around the Charles River.  I would run and walk but I never got it down.  It was hard, too hard and I would abandon the effort again.  I resumed my workout routine of elliptical and walking  a couple miles to and from work every day.  Boston is an amazing city to live in, you can really just walk everywhere.  

Years pasted, I got married, had a child, moved to Baltimore, had another child, moved to California and then decided I was going to tackle running again and this time I was going to succeed.  The difference this time, I signed up for a 5K and followed a training plan.  I like structure so following a plan, especially a specific one would be the key to my success.  I downloaded the Jeff Galloway app for 5K training and was good to go.  I really liked that he talked to you throughout your run, encouraged you to slow down or walk if you were getting tired.   It truly was like having a coach with you on a run. 

Initially those baby runs, 1.5 - 2 miles, seemed long but each day I was getting stronger and eventually I was able to run 3 miles.  This was huge,  I never even ran the Presidential Fitness mile when I was in school. About a week before my first 5K, I got the flu.  I was extremely disappointed and could not run, I wallowed and was angry. Then I sought the counsel of some friends, who are runners, and they said it happens, now find another race.   That is what I did. I found the Run Like A Mother 5K and ran my first race at age 34 on Mother's Day.  Now as I prepare for my 2nd Half Marathon, 13.1 miles, I can look back at all those attempts and failures and say I am a runner.

Is there anything you attempted and failed at before you finally "got it"?

Just Beet It

I'm having a minor obsession with beets this week, I bought two bunches from the farmers market and I roasted them.  I made an Asparagus-Beet Salad earlier this week and sauteed beet greens to go with some rice.  I just read an article in Competitor where they talk about the benefits of beets and I am eager to see if it translates into practice.  Essentially, beets are rich in dietary nitrates and can lower blood pressure, reduce inflamation and increase stamina.  Since my Half Marathon is looming, it seems like it wouldn't be the worst thing to eat a lot of beets in the next few weeks. 

Berry Beet Smoothie 

This recipe was inspired by something I originally saw on Pinterest

Berry Beet Smoothie Recipe

1 Cup Strawberries, cut

1 Cup Beets, cut

1 Cup Cold Water

1/2 Cup Plain Yogurt

1 T. Honey** (local if you can find it, helps with seasonal allergies)

Ice

Blend All Ingredients Together, Makes 2 Servings

**It isn't super sweet with 1 T. of Honey, so if you like your smoothies sweet add more to your taste.  

Local Honey

Strawberries and Beets

Lunch Time

I have been packing lunches for  my children for about three years and here are some things I have learned.  Include your child in the process, let them tell you what their preferences are.  If the preferences are Cheetos and Oreos, tell them why that is not an appropriate choice for a daily lunch.  In terms of explaining nutrition to my young children, I explain it in very simply.  Specifically, I say we eat fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and beans because they make us strong, smart and healthy.  Can't really say that about Oreos can you?

I buy the Klip It to Go Lunch Cube from either the Container Store or Old Navy and then I can see the entire lunch in one place and decide what needs to be added. I am very visual, so looking at everything in one place has really made it easier to figure out what to put in the lunch.  In addition, it is appealing to the eye.  If it doesn't look good, your child is not going to want to eat it no matter how great it tastes.  Children like bright colors, that is why processed food is loaded with dyes.  Skip the processed food and fill their lunch with brightly colored fruits and vegetables.

The Klip It to Go Lunch Cube, BPA Free

Klip It Cube filled with blueberries, raspberries, grape tomatoes and yellow bell pepper 

Pita Bread Sandwich and Organic Yogurt Squeeze Tube from Trader Joe's

 This is the sandwich in the lunch cube.  It is made from pita bread, cucumbers, carrots and labne (yogurt  or kefir cheese).  This is my daughter's favorite sandwich and she calls it her yogurt sandwich.

This is Labne, also called Kefir Cheese, this particular brand has Live Probiotics and is free of rBST.  You can find it at Whole Foods,  Trader Joe's and Middle Eastern Markets.

I also made myself a Labne Sandwich, but topped mine with cucumbers, tomatoes and Greek olives.
















What did you have for lunch today?

Asparagus-Beet Salad With Tahini Dressing

Asparagus-Beet Salad With Tahini Dressing

Salad
1 bunch of Asparagus, woody ends removed
1 bunch of Beets, tops removed but leave skins on
1 tsp. Olive Oil
1 Cup Cooked Grain, Quinoa or Orzo, I used Wheatberries. **You may omit, if you prefer.

Dressing
2 Tablespoons of Tahini
1 1/2 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice
1 Cup Plain Yogurt

1 clove of garlic, pressed
salt to taste

 1) Preheat Oven to 400 degrees, wrap beets tightly in tinfoil and place on a baking sheet.  Next line a baking sheet with tinfoil and place asparagus on top, drizzle with the olive oil.  Place both trays in the oven.  The asparagus will be done in about 10 minutes, while the beets will take one hour.  Remove from oven and let them cool. You can do this step ahead up to a day in advance and keep cooked vegetables in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

Peeled Beets

2) Once beets have cooled, you can peel the skins off with your hands.  It can get a little messy and will dye your hands, use gloves to avoid it.

3) Cut beets and asparagus into bite size pieces and place in a bowl.  If you are adding a grain, do it now.  I cooked wheatberries (you can find them at Whole Foods or a Middle Eastern Store).

Salad without Dressing

4) Combine all ingredients for dressing in a food processor, then top the salad. Enjoy!

Salad Topped with Tahini Dressing

The Farmers Market

I grew up in New England where summer is fast and fleeting and so is local seasonable produce.  During the summer months, my father planted an extensive vegetable garden which included blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchinis, melons, eggplants and lettuce. Each day we would venture out into the garden and see what was ready to pick and then we would eat a meal designed around that fruit or vegetable.  It was fun and educational experience that instilled a love of vegetables and healthy eating.

One of the easiest ways to encourage children to eat is to include them in shopping trips. Let them chose an item that they want and they most certainly will eat it. The children often accompany on my shopping trips but I have come to loathe the grocery store.  I resent that the unhealthiest of foods are marketed to children, I am then either forced to endure screaming or give in so I can purchase the eggs and milk.  A tip often given for shopping, is to shop the perimeter of the store so you stick with vegetables, dairy and meats. Well the marketing geniuses have caught on to this tip, and I can now find Cheetos in the dairy section and Fruit Loops near my tomatoes.  Children love bright colors and sweet food, it is visually appealing and tastes good. I don't blame them for wanting a box with brightly colored pictures and marshmallows, but at the same time I really don't want my kids ingesting a boatload of sugar and chemicals.

In a conscious effort to avoid the junk, we have started shopping at our local farmers market.  Since we live in California we are lucky to get a variety of local produce year round. These are pictures from our trip yesterday.  Instead of processed foods, my children got to enjoy samples of fresh blood oranges, pink lady apples and grapefruit. They were allowed to pick out their special items, my daughter picked out very fat green asparagus and my son chose blood oranges. When the only options are healthy it puts you back in control while still allowing the children freedom to choose. 

In the next few days, I'll post some tips for shopping at the farmers market and recipes.  Do you shop at the farmers market? If not, what is stopping you?

Healthy Bite for Friday Night

This is a little bite I created after seeing some adorable medium-sized portobellos at Trader Joe's.

Spinach-Quinoa Stuffed Mushrooms

6-Medium-Size Portobello Mushrooms

2-Cups Washed Baby Spinach

1/2 C. Cooked Quinoa

1 clove Garlic, chopped

2 tsp. Olive Oil

1/2 tsp. salt

1. Pre-Heat oven to 450 degrees.

2. Remove stems from mushrooms, set aside.

3. Place mushrooms, cap side down on baking tray and place in oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside when done. Discard any liquid that accumulates. 

4. Chop mushroom stems. 

5. Put 2 tsp. olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add garlic and mushroom stems. Cook until soft, 1-2 minutes.

6. Add 2 Cups spinach to skillet. Cook until, stirring until the spinach has completed wilted.

7.Then, add quinoa and salt to skillet, cook until mixture is thoroughly incorporated and let cool.

8. Stuff mushrooms with spinach-quinoa mixture and place back in oven for 5 or until heated through and mushroom caps are soft to touch. 

Chopped Mushroom Stems

Olive Oil, Garlic and Mushroom Mixture

Mixture with Quinoa

Stuffed Mushroom Caps

Thinking Outside the Pancake Box

I do a lot of cooking, three meals a day plus snacks, for my ever hungry family.  I enjoy cooking but preparing that many meals can get a little boring.  So I usually try to do a little Chopped challenge a couple times a week and see what I can come up with.  Sometimes it is amazing and other times it is a total disaster.

Lately, I have been experimenting with pancakes.  My taste in pancakes has evolved significantly, I started out a Bisquick gal and then started making fancier versions with beaten egg whites and ricotta.  My new focus has been trying to make power pancakes, packed with protein and some type of fruit.

Here are two of my favorites to leave the kitchen:

Banana Shakeology Pancakes

1 Very Ripe Banana
1 Scoop Chocolate Shakeology
1 Egg Beaten
2 tsp. Water

Mix the first three ingredients in a bowl, add a little bit of water to the mixture so that it makes a batter.  Spray non-stick pan with Pam and cook over medium heat.  You cook them the same way as regular pancakes, wait till one side sets and then you flip them.  I eat mine with a dollop of greek yogurt, 1 tsp. maple syrup and some chopped walnuts.  These are filled with protein and powered me through to lunch without any snacking.

Blueberry Quinoa Pancakes

1/2 C. Cooked Quinoa
1/2 C. Blueberries
2 T. Almond Flour
1 T. Ground Flax Seed
1 Egg Beaten
1 t. Vanilla Extract
1 t. Water

Combine above ingredients in bowl, mix until thoroughly incorporated.  Spray non-stick skillet with Pam and cook pancakes on medium heat.  Again, cook them the same way you cook pancakes.  Top with Maple syrup.


Both of these recipes are Gluten Free.

If you have a nut allergy, you can omit the almond flour and use regular flour instead.

Finding My Fitness Mojo

First, I am neither a trained or licensed personal trainer, coach or physician.  Any statements made in this blog are my opinion based on my understanding of fitness and nutrition.  I make every attempt to inform my opinions on proven fact, but even sometimes I am wrong.  I can only tell you what I know from personal experience, some of it may be helpful to you and some will not.  I leave it to you, esteemed reader, to determine the usefulness of the information provided.

I am the mother of two children, that are 22 months apart.  For a span of almost four years I was in a cycle of being pregnant or nursing.  During that time I enjoyed my pregnancies and gave my self permission to lose the baby weight at my leisure.  After my first pregnancy the weight fell off, I followed Weight Watchers, nursed and walked  3 or 4 miles a day.

After my second pregnancy the weight didn't come off so easy,  I resorted to inhaling sugar to manage the demands of mothering a 2 year old and a newborn baby.  In addition I also moved across the country and was tasked with creating a new life for myself and my children.  We moved to sunny California which isn't too bad, but no friends and no extended family and two children under 3 is  daunting. I started to walk with my kids to the park but it wasn't enough of a cardio kick to lose the last 15 or so pounds from my last pregnancy.

I turned to Amazon and found Pure Barre DVDs and started doing them a couple times a week.  I immediately felt a little tighter and started to regain a little confidence. I still had enough jiggle that 40 minutes of toning was not going to cut it.  So I turned to the Jeff Galloway 5K app that I had downloaded maybe a year before and decided that I was going to start running.  I needed something quick and fast and with limited time available to work out, I figured running was the key.

When I started I had no intention of enjoying running.  I slowly built up my running intervals and in a few months could run 3 miles.  As a reward, I signed up for a 5K for Mother's Day.  My husband and children woke up early and drove me to the race, they cheered for me on the course and I was able to cross the finish line running with my then 3 year old daughter.  It is one of the best experiences as a mother I have felt.

After the race, I intended to move onto another form of exercise but I was hooked.  I enjoyed my runs and the calm that fell over me after I ran and this is how I found my fitness mojo. Have you found your fitness mojo yet?