Body for God: Couch-to-5k in 9 Weeks

I've decided to do a 9 week program to get back into running.  I mentioned in my previous post, I have had a lot of injuries this year, due to thinking I am invincible starting out too hard and fast, and not giving my body enough time to adjust to new routines.
I was browsing training programs and stumbled upon this guide here.  I have a hard time accepting that this is where I am at, because I honestly do not enjoy running under 3 miles.  I am more of a distance runner, in fact, I love running 6 or more miles at a time.  I now understand that in order to get back there, I have to take baby steps or I'll be benching it yet again, waiting for my injury to heal.
The thing I love about this particular 5k training program is that it only requires 3x a week.  That is less than half of the days, which seems like less pressure to get out and run.  Time won't be so much of an issue either, 20-30 minutes per workout is all that it takes.  
I have to get my jiggly-self outside (rain or shine) and do it this week, or I'll likely be faced with the "it's too cold outside" dilemma.  If I can get back to an addictive 3+miles a run before the brutal chill of winter, there is a very good chance I will be in crazy-running-addict-mode enough to run in the 20 degree tundra that I expect will be hitting by December.
If I get my way, next fall I will run my first marathon, in Chicago!  I've been dreaming of running that 26.2 mile race for the last couple of years.  (Not to mention visiting Chicago, which I hear has some serious foodie-friendly restaurants!)  
What are your fitness goals for the fall and the winter?  Do you want to try the 9 week program? 
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Top 5: DIY Fancy Coffee Drinks (No espresso machine required!)

I LOVE COFFEE.  I'm obsessed with it.  Blame it on my Seattle roots, or the fact that I have a very energetic toddler who wakes up at 6am every morning, either way, it is one of two things that I will never part ways with.  (Ummm...the other is ice cream!)

Growing up in Seattle, the very LAST place you'd go to get coffee was a Starbucks.  There are just so many other quality breweries to choose from.  My favorite in the PNW (Pacific NorthWest) is Victor's Celtic Coffee.  Ahhh-mazing-ly delicious coffee---certified fair trade peeps.  I DARE you to try it.

One thing that Starbucks has going for them is that most coffee in NYC is, well...disgusting, I don't know how to put it nicer than that.  I call it "coffee water."  In order to avoid Starbucks, as much as possible, I prefer to make delicious fancy coffees at home.  I don't have the counter space for an espresso machine, so I've become quite creative at mimicking drinks I've had and liked or creating my own indulgences.

1.  Peppermint Mocha

8-12 oz fresh, hot, quality, brewed coffee

5 Andes Mints or if in season…2 Godiva Peppermint Truffles 

1 packet instant cocoa mix (Swiss Miss or Nestle are fine)

A tablespoon of creamer (optional)

Whipped cream (Reddiwhip or similar) if you like

Red sugar sprinkles 

Directions: In a big fancy mug…put contents of packet of cocoa mix, andes mints.  Pour in half of coffee, stir until mints are melted and cocoa is dissolved.  Add creamer.  Pour the rest of the coffee in.  Top with whipped cream & red sugar sprinkles if desired.  Enjoy.  

Is your mouth watering for more?

What's for dinner? Menu Plan 10/1-10/7

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Sat. 10/1	LO Date Night Food	Turkey Sandwiches	Ginger Beef Stir-fry (BHG p. 68) w/Broccoli & Brown Rice
Sun. 10/2	Pancakes, Bacon	LO Stir-fry	Seasoned Tuna Sands/Warm Spinach Salad (BHG p.134/MISC)
Mon. 10/3	Granola w/Yogurt	Frozen Entrees	Spinach Pesto Tortellini w/Rosemary Bread (BHG p. 10)
Tues. 10/4	Egg Scramble	LO Pasta	Hawaiian Turkey Burgers (BHG p. 122)
Weds. 10/5	French Toast	LO Turkey Burger	Southern Camp Stew (FFF p. 29)
Thurs. 10/6	Granola w/Yogurt	LO Stew	Turkey Meatloaf, Caramelized Brussel Sprouts, Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes (GHK p. 131) (BHG p. 176) (MISC)
Fri. 10/7	Cheese Omelets	LO Turkey	Nachos & Chicken Tortilla Soup, Homemade Guacomole (My Recipes)

Key:  LO = Leftovers, FFF = Fresh Food, Fast Cookbook, GHK = Good Housekeeping Cookbook, SBD = South Beach Diet Cookbook, BHG = Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook, MISC - Some random recipe I've collected, MOM = My Mom's Recipe, GMA = Grandma's Recipe

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From Mama B's Kitchen: Five Spice Salmon w/Orange Spinach

This is one of the easiest, and tastiest salmon recipes I have ever created.  Once you learn how to pan-sear salmon, it is the next best thing to grilling!  (Forgive me, these pictures DO NOT do this dish justice, better camera coming soon!)

Crispy on the outside and super moist on the inside with an amazing aromatic flavor from the spices - this dish is sure to be a hit (even with those who aren't die-hard salmon fans - like my husband!)

Pan-Seared Five Spice Salmon Recipe

Ingredients:
4 - 4oz Salmon Fillets, skins removed
2 Tbsp. Five Spice Rub
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil


Directions:

1.  With tweezers, remove any bones from salmon fillets.  On wax paper, rub salmon fillets until coated with rub mix.

2.  In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over MEDIUM heat until hot.  Add salmon; cook until just opaque throughout, about 4-5 minutes per side.  Makes 4 Servings.

If you ask my husband what my favorite foods are, there is a 1 in 4 chance he will say, "Spinach."  I don't know what it is about this leafy green vegetable that I love so much.  Perhaps too many Pop-eye cartoons when I was younger!  Whatever the reason, I love love love it.  In everything.  No lie.

I actually found this recipe attached to a fresh bunch of organic spinach from Lakeside Organic Gardens.  I was skeptical but willing to try it.  It can be tricky to incorporate it into a dish that the hubs will appreciate, but this one was a serious winner.  Even Zion enjoyed it!







Orange Spinach Recipe:

Ingredients:
2 bunches Spinach, washed thoroughly and stems removed
1 Tbsp. Orange zest
2 Oranges, peeled and cut into bite size pieces
1/3 cup Chicken broth
1 Tbsp. Low Sodium Soy Sauce
1/2 tsp. Sugar

Directions:
1.  Place the spinach in a large saucepan.  Cook, covered, over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until leaves are just wilted; drain well.  Set aside in bowl.
2.  Use the same saucepan and bring chicken broth, orange zest, soy sauce, sugar to a boil.
3.  Stir in Spinach and Orange pieces, heat until warm.  Makes 4 Servings.

Our Little Chatterbox

Zion, our sweet little girl.  You have discovered your voice.  And we could not be happier.  We are so thoroughly impressed by your level of understanding and your ambition in developing your vocabulary.  Each day we are surprised by your many new concepts and words grasped.  We know you are a gifted young lady, already surpassing our highest expectations of your brilliance.  Keep doing your thing little girl, Mama and Dada are so very proud!

As of today (only 16 months old!) you can say the following words (*and signs):

Amen

Apple

Banana

Baby*

Backpack

Ball*

Bath
Belly Button
Boat

Book

Bike

Bye-Bye*

Boo-Boo

Bible

Car
Choo-Choo

Coffee (Okay, so you still say Ca-Ca but I think it counts)
Cookie

Dada

Dog

Duck

Down*

God

Happy
Hi*

Help*

Icky (Which sounds like "y tu?")

Key

Love (which is more like Vah)

Mama

Map
Me

Meow
Mine

Moo

More*

Milk*

Nana

No (Which I have to stop encouraging, but you say it SOOOO cute while scrunching your little nose, lol.)

Oh
One

Owie
Pig

Poo-poo

Please

Pray*

Pretty

Shoes

Socks

Thank you
Three
Truck
Train

Turtle
Two

Up*

Violet

Water

Word

World

Woah!

Wow

You also count to 3!!

We are incredibly impressed and feel so blessed to be your Mommy & Daddy.  God has richly blessed you, daughter, both inside and out!  We love you!

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