Fabulous Fall Day

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Michelle

It turned out to be a fabulous fall day today: sunny, still some leaves on the trees, and a fall chill in the air (50*).

The sun was even streaming into our apartment which only happens for about one week in the spring and one week in the fall because the roof hangs over the side of the building so far that it blocks out any sunlight that should be streaming into our place. I will NEVER rent/own a place that prevents the sunlight from coming in. I love my windows and natural sunlight too much!

Sadly there are more leaves on the ground than on the trees now.

Saturday AM = long run

I have only been running 6-8 miles these past few weeks, so I didn’t want to push myself too far yet. (I have not run over 10 miles since the Skinny Raven Half-marathon in August!)

Distance: 10 miles

Time: 1:25

Overall, it was a good run, but my legs were feeling pretty tired half-way through. Nothing I couldn’t push through though.

Running for almost 90 minutes gives me lots of time to think. Here are some of my thoughts during my run:

“Should I really be passing someone who is riding a bike?”

“I love the fog this morning.”

“Whoah, that’s a big bull moose!”

“There’s the spot the high schoolers hang out and smoke weed.”

“Maybe I should stop at Target to go to the bathroom.” (This wasn’t enough half-way through.) “Nah, I’ve held it longer before.”

“Hmm. . . I wonder what flavor of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream I should have today.”

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After returning from my run, I wasn’t ready to eat a full meal, but I knew I needed something since it had been 5 hours since I last ate, so I had a mini Blueberry Muffin Larabar.

I like Larabars, I don’t know if I love them, but I love how simple the ingredient’s list is.

I was a little bummed this didn’t have more of a blueberry flavor. It definitely didn’t have a bad taste, but it just didn’t taste like blueberry. (I would think it would be hard to get a true blueberry flavor in something like this??)

This was another “granola” bar my sister sent me.

Check out how awesome she is! She sent me an entire flat rate box full of stuff from her Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) conference in San Diego a few weeks ago!

I have the best sister ever!!

After stretching and snacking on a few other things: crackers and cheese plus a pear, it was time to do some errands.

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Three hours later (why do errands always take longer than I think they should?) I finally returned home.

Surprisingly I didn’t feel all that hungry. (This always happens on a long-run day.), but I knew I needed something in my system.

I ended up making Jenna’s Roasted Portabella and Goat Cheese Sammies. I loved the portobello mushroom and goat cheese sandwich I had at Bear Tooth Grill a few weeks ago, so I thought I give this recipe a try.

Sadly, it wasn’t nearly as good at the one at Bear’s Tooth. (There were a lot more add-ons on the one at Bear’s Tooth, which probably helped.)

I’m not even sure how much I like the texture of the mushroom prepared this way. It was pretty spongy and wet (mostly just in the middle though).

My late lunch also included some carrots and Sun Chips.

I have carrots almost every day for lunch. They are about the only vegetable I like to eat plain—broccoli (too dry), cauliflower (no thank you), radishes (too spicy), celery (yuck).

But carrots, I love eating carrots plain, and I especially love these carrots which are grown locally! There isn’t much farming in Alaska, so I get excited when I can eat locally.

I also had these jalapeno jack Sun Chips. They were good and definitely had more of a kick than I thought they would.

To quench my thirst, I tried this packet of Crystal Light Pure. I’ve had the lemonade (my favorite) and grape before, but this was the first time I have tried the strawberry-kiwi.

I used to love strawberry-kiwi flavored things as a kid, but I seem to have outgrown the taste as an adult. However, I was plesantly surprised that I actually liked this flavor. (The lemonade is still my favorite though.)

The rest of my day was spent unpacking my groceries, talking to my family on the phone, baking muffins, and doing other random things around the apartment. No relaxing for me today–although I enjoy doing these things!

Good night!

Fall Colors

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Michelle

This morning I ran 9 miles with a new running friend! I discovered another teacher from school is addicted to running as much as I am!

I have no idea how long it took us because my watch broke, and I am waiting on the new one I ordered from E-bay. But I used Google Maps Pedometer before heading out to make sure we actually ran 9 miles. (I find Google Maps Pedometer quite easy to use.)

After running, I enjoyed a hot bowl of oatmeal for our chilly (50*) weather!

I usually don’t buy instant oatmeal, but I picked some up for camping. We didn’t end up using it, so I had a packet today.

What I like about the BetterOats brand is that they use old-fashioned oats instead of instant oats.

I added half of a banana, peanut butter, and coconut to my bowl of oatmeal.

It is crazy to think that it was pretty much the same temperature this morning here (in Alaska) as it was in North Carolina where my sister lives!

After showering and getting ready, Craig and I were off to watch the kids from school run a race.

Craig got this great shot on our drive to the race.

All of the kids getting ready to run.

Fall is in full swing here!

Craig was having fun with the camera and taking pictures of me when I wasn’t paying attention. He said this is going to be the cover for my next album.

Afterward, we were starving, so it was time to find food.

We really wanted to try a new restaurant, but all of the other places we thought of (chain restaurants, Mexican, Thai food, etc.) did not appeal to us, so we stuck with a tried and true: Bear Tooth Grill.

We shared a El Oso Salad: lettuce + goat cheese + cranberries + caramelized pecans + cumin vinaigrette.

Delicious and just the right amount of dressing.

The husband!

For my entree, I ordered a Portobello and Goat Cheese Sandwich.

I have been craving a burger for quite some time now, and even though this wasn’t a real burger, I think it satisfied my craving. It was so incredibly good—I did not miss the meat!

Garlic cilantro fries on the side.

Craig ordered the Potato Burrito. Always a good choice!

This afternoon I have been busy doing laundry, cleaning, and doing very important things like pinning away on Pinterest and watching Bachelor Pad <— priorities people!

Fall is in the Air

Posted on September 14, 2010 by Michelle

Don’t get me wrong, I lovelovelove fall!

I love the cool, crisp mornings and the warm afternoon sunshine.

I love running in the fall.

I love eating pumpkin-flavored foods and fresh, crisp, in-season apples.

I love the changing of the colors on the trees.

(I wish I could take credit for this picture, but I cannot.)

I love the smell of fall in the air.

I love breaking out sweatshirts/sweaters and jeans. (Well, actually in Alaska, I have to wear pants and (multiple) long sleeves year-round, but you get the idea.)

But there is a slight problem. (In my opinion.)

1. Fall starting at the end of August/beginning of September is much, Much, MUCH too early for fall. Fall should come around the middle of October!

2. And secondly, fall is far too short here for how great of a season it is! I really lasts only 3-4 weeks.

And as I’ve said before, the only reason I don’t like fall is what comes next. . . WINTER!! But at last, I rest my case.

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Now on to my eats for the day–all prepared last night, ready to-go for a full 13 hours at school! Yeah, we have an “open house” this evening for families, so I have to stay for that.

Breakfast was identical to yesterday’s breakfast (I even borrowed the picture.), but since it worked out beautifully for an on-the-go breakfast yesterday, I decided to make it again.

On my way into school this morning, I stopped by Kaladi Brothers Coffee (best coffee in Anchorage, hands down, btw!) for a decaf iced Americano. I really do enjoy hot coffee every once in a while, but I think I enjoy iced coffee even more!