Posts Tagged ‘ OIAJ ’

The Jar Collection

October 6, 2010
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I have quite the buildup of empty nut butter jars.

If it’s any consolation, there are more empty jars than full in this house.  I am determined to stop purchasing every fancy nut butter that I see.  I am limiting myself to my top-rated peanut butter, Teddie, and the PB & Co. jars that I find at Ocean State Job Lot for $3.  Every once in awhile, I’ll treat myself to Justin’s, but I’m trying to be reasonable.

Anyway, the collection has grown…and I’m all about the empty jar. This morning, I poured a hearty batch of oats into my favorite one.

Basic oats, basic peanut butter – not-so-basic breakfast! The Teddie jars are the best because they’re glass.  I love that.  I can use them over and over again.  Note: Teachers are hoarders of all things recyclable.  I think it’s in the job description. This breakfast hit the spot after a six mile run.  I ventured out into the dark, cold, rainy morning, so I could run at the gym.  I needed warm oats upon my return.

But I didn’t stop there.  I still had two empty jars.  They were sitting on the counter tonight.  It’s chilly and hot, cinnamon apples seemed like a tasty dessert…in a jar! I chopped the apples, sprinkled them with spices, added a few raisins and popped them in the microwave.

FAIL.  Barney Butter jars are not microwave safe.  Sometimes I learn my lessons the hard way.  I almost poured the apples into a bowl, but the melted plastic scared me off.  That can’t be good.

Luckily, I had a Plan B.

I said I was decreasing the nut butter collection.  That does not include Peanut Butter Pie Frozen Yogurt.  Yum!

Vanilla ice cream, peanut butter cups, graham cracker crust.  Heaven in a bowl!  It’s the simple things…

Like a marathon t-shirt.  Just a peek! When this arrived with today’s mail, I immediately put in on and squealed with delight.  The race is sooo close.  I’ll keep eating my peanut butter and frozen yogurt,  preparing for the big day.

What’s your favorite way to eat nut butter? The whole in a jar concept seems limited to the blog world.  I’m down with it, but a classic PB&J is still my favorite!

The Afternoon Workout

September 9, 2010
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I’m a morning runner.  Well, most days I’m a morning runner.  Today was not most days.  Honestly, I went back and forth about whether to even set my alarm.  In the end, I did.  I got ready and went to the gym at 5 AM.

The gym is pretty packed at that hour.  I don’t know why, but that comes as a surprise.  At least, I’m not the only crazy person out there! There’s never anyone on the treadmills, but the row of ellipticals is always full.  The morning regulars love to ellipticize!  I digress…

I went straight for my favorite treadmill and started digging in my bag for my iPod.  My iPod wasn’t there!  What did I do? I left!  Fully dressed in my runner gear, I turned around and walked out.  I drove home and fell into my bed – 1.5 extra hours of sleep! That massage relaxation really got the best of me!

Some mornings are just better spent with hoodies, puppies, and oats in a jar! Yum!  I took my sweet ol’ time eating some creamy banana oats out of my Teddie jar.  I loved everything about it.

Taking that extra time to chill in the morning was so worth it.  I had a very productive day at work and couldn’t wait to run at 3:30.  A quick change, a little snack,

and I was off!  My applesauce and Kashi combo was perfect for a fast fuel option.  I met my friend and ran a fabulous five miler!

I didn’t want to run hard today because I’m already preparing for Saturday’s 20 miler.  Instead, I kept a comfortably, challenging pace for the entire run.

Total Distance: 5.0 miles

  • Mile 1 – 6.4 mph (9:22/mi)
  • Mile 2 – 6.8 mph (8:49/mi)
  • Mile 3 – 7.0 mph (8:34/mi)
  • Mile 4 – 7.2 mph (8:20/mi)
  • Mile 5 – 6.6 mph (9:05/mi)

Total Time: 43:40 – In case your checking my math, I did a little sprint at the end of that final mile.  It was in me!

I felt so good throughout the run.  I know that my morning run would not have felt nearly as good.  The body truly knows what it wants.  By changing my schedule just a bit, I was able to get the best of both worlds.  Marathon training makes it very clear that health is about so much more than daily workouts.  Massages, sleep, cross-training, stretching, rest, and fun are all pieces of the puzzle.  Strong running would not be possible without a little of everything!

When I came home, I had a little of everything – Everything Salad!

Eaten while g-chatting.  It was a dinner date – haha! Although simple, my salad was chock full of the things I love:

  • mixed greens
  • cucumbers
  • red bell peppers
  • carrots
  • fresh green beans
  • broccoli
  • dried cranberries
  • almonds
  • TJ’s Sweet Poppyseed dressing

It paired perfectly with my whole wheat English muffin.

I made sure that real butter melted into all the nooks ‘n crannies…just like my Grammy makes ‘em.  Satisfying!

Nothing fantastic happened today, but it was a really fantastic day! I love days when a smile comes so naturally and everything seems so right.

What made you smile day?

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