I’m in Towson this morning visiting my grandmother, so I’m in to say hello, share a few recent dinners and talk about my 10 miler training.
HELLO!
In my efforts to get back to daily blogging, sharing dinners at they happen is a bit hard. Mazen goes to bed quite late these days, and I don’t have much time in the evenings to decompress, so I hope you are still liking the breakfast + lunches live and will be cool with me sharing dinners in a “Lately” style.
Here’s a simple dinner we had – roasted sweet potatoes (Mazen’s favorite!) with roasted eggplant and a side of BBQ chicken that’s hidden in the back there! A little red wine to make the food taste better ; )
Next up: a mix of beans tossed in BBQ sauce, sauteed peppers, black wild rice, cheese, mashed avocado, plain yogurt and hot sauce! Mexi-nights are the best.
When Matt was out of town a little bit ago, Mazen and I had Sarah and Sylvia over for dinner. I had made the Cook Smarts slow cooker chicken noodle soup in the crockpot, and Sarah brought over ingredients for salads – topped with avocados, hearts of palm, olive oil and black pepper. Toasted rolls on the side and a little leftover wine for me. Epic salad!
I think I mentioned that I’m selecting one or two vegetarian meals from Cook Smarts during the week to save a few $ on meat. This one was really different and very healthy! It was a Black Bean and Corn Salad with red cabbage and a cumin vinaigrette. I used pinto beans instead of black, and loved the avocados!
And finally – a big salad topped with leftover chicken, corn, parsley and lots of blue cheese. I used a Cook Smarts recipe for the dressing which was made with yogurt and lime – loved that!
I can’t wait for summer dinner photos!! The dark winter ones are so depressing, and I can never get the color quite right! Long gone are the days where I set up my umbrella lights on a weeknight : )
So about my 10 miler training! It’s ….going!
On the plus side, I’ve covered up to 7 miles and have 8.5 scheduled for next weekend. The long runs are going well, and podcasts are keeping me going. I think all my cross-training and soccer has kept me pretty well in shape so that the long runs aren’t killing me as much as they might if I was going from couch to 10 miles. I had about 60 minutes of hard workout base to build upon, so I think the 8.5 run is going to be my hardest to date by far. I’m crossing over my threshold.
But on the minus side, I have done ZERO speedwork. I also am only running 1-2 times a week, so I’m just not getting in enough runs to really take this race by the horns. I’m still glad I’m doing it because it’s been a fun challenge to increase my distance a bit from my comfortable 4 miles, but between this snow and cold and loving my group ex classes, I just haven’t gotten in a lot of runs in general. I’m much more of an outdoor runner when it’s 100* outside!
Outdoor soccer season starts up in 2 weeks, so I hope it’s not going to overload my legs. I have done a few runs during preschool instead of on the weekends so my legs have had more chance to rest, and that has gone well.
So that’s my update – things are going smoothly but I’m not exceeding expectations : )
Elise says
Hi Kath–I don’t mean to be picky, but you might want to reread the paragraph after “HELLO!” for typos. I found quite a few mistakes. I’m sure it’s just a case of writing too quickly!
KathEats says
Always too quickly! Thanks. ..fixed! And thanks for being nice : )
Kim Keil says
I’m sorry…li don’t understand why people feel the need to correct typos! Who cares? Post something constructive…just a waste of time in my opinion.
Elizabeth says
Would love to know what podcasts you are listening to. Ever since Serial, I’ve had a hard time finding something!
KathEats says
Just This American Life. I need some recommendations!
Nikki says
Throwing Shade is an amazing one! They discuss feminist and homosexual issues with a little sassy twist. The language can be a little R rated at times but I have had some serious laughs from that show!
KathEats says
Cool! Thanks for the rec!
Amanda says
I also love Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me … fun way to get in the weekly news!
Natalie says
America’s Test Kitchen!
Jennifer says
Invisilbilia is a great one by the makers of This American Life. Super intriguing!
KathEats says
Cool what’s it about?
Jennifer says
Well, according to the website, it “explores the intangible forces that shape human behavior – things like ideas, beliefs, assumptions and emotions”. I just really love it for the story telling! One of the first episodes I listened to talked about how people’s expectations can shape another life. So it’s about a man who’s blind and has been that way since birth (if I remember correctly!) and his mother decided to raise him no differently than able sighted kids. So he climbed trees, did chores, rode bicycles(!) and developed his own way to SEE the world around him and was successful at it! I wouldn’t be to do the story justice by paraphrasing it but trust me it’s great!
KathEats says
Cool! Thank you!
Kate says
Another This America Life producer started a podcast called “Start Up.” You don’t have to be a fan of business-type podcasts (I know I’m not). But I love it. It’s done in the same storytelling fashion as TAL and Serial and it totally captivating. It follows his as he begins a brand new start up company and is extremely entertaining!
KathEats says
Thanks!
Bobbie says
I really enjoy The Moth podcast. Different person telling the story each podcast. Based on real life experiences. They can be kind of short but about once a week or maybe every other, they do round-up so it’s like 55 minutes long.
Amber says
Kath, that salad looks amazing. Which cooksmarts recipe is the “Black Bean and Corn Salad with red cabbage”? I looked through some of the archives but couldn’t find it. Thanks.
KathEats says
It was the first veg meal in the 2/02 week!
Amber says
Oh, I see it now! Yum, I’m going to try that soon!
Alex @ True Femme says
Good luck training! I just started getting back into running myself about a month ago (after taking almost a year off because of problems with my lungs). So far I’ve only done treadmill runs (the cold air here in CO exacerbates my lung problems) but it’s so nice to enjoy it without the pain! Good luck conquering 8.5! Have a great weekend!
[email protected] says
Those meals look awesome! Cook Smart has some really fantastic recipes. I am also loving all the avocado eating! They are so amazing right now.
Sarah says
When is your 10 miler?? I have my first half marathon coming up in Nashville at the end of April and the weather has definitely been affecting my training! Hard to run far distances on a treadmill 🙂
KathEats says
End of March
Cassie says
Your meals never fail to look amazing!
Linda @ TheFitty says
Ha, ive never seen a little boy so happy to eat his veggies, but that’s no surprise with a chef as good as you, Kath.
Magda says
What is the receipe for the yogurt and lime dressing please?
Mazen is co cute 🙂
Magda says
I meant SO cute 😀
Christy @themuddyapron says
Good for you for sticking with it, especially when it’s so cold!
C.
Hannah @ eat, drink and save money says
As much as I love the live updates, I completely understand life with a toddler! Do what works for you. What about live Instagram shots of dinner? I love Instagram and would find that just as exciting as reading your posts.
Good luck on the 10 miler!
KathEats says
Insta dinners would be great!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Such yummy food!
Anna says
Love this <3
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
Cara's Healthy Cravings says
I love the look of that bean and corn salad, my kinda meal for sure!
Jennifer says
I’m doing the same with Cook Smarts and subbing in a few vegetarian meals. Our family is loving the variety!
On another note, it’s probably good that you aren’t doing speedwork. Only running a few times a weeks isn’t a very good base to add speedwork to… it’s recipe for injury and it would be awfult to train for a race and end up injured. BTDT
India says
I love these – such great vegetarian dinner ideas too. I love seeing your food because it encourages me to make things and lets me know it’s okay to be a little simple (and throw wine in) sometimes too.
Emily @ Life on Food says
I am definitely itching to run again. All of this walking during pregnancy has been great but I am ready for a bit speed. Not too much longer…I just keep thinking it doesn’t matter anyway with all of the snow we have in New England. Once I can run again the weather will be ready too.
sam @ grapefruit & granola says
Crock pot chicken noodle soup sounds heavenly during all of this cold weather!
[email protected] says
Your food always looks beautiful!!! But bright nights are the best!
Emily Butler says
yum! I’ve been trying to cook more vegetarian throughout the week as well, with 4 kids (3 being boys!) I’m a little nervous about grocery bills in the future! Better get some practice with beans and rice now!
Connie says
Kath, I’m curious what time Mazen is going to bed these days, as you mentioned it was later than usual. My little guy is about his age and his sleep patterns have been changing. Hope you’re staying warm!
KathEats says
9 to 10 some nights! But he’s sleeping in and napping ok so were rolling with it
Marcie says
Wow that is late! Definitely a sign that he is getting ready to drop his nap altogether.
Faith says
Speed work is def important but dont sweat your lack there of. Something about race day seems to bring out the untapped speed in you. You will be fine.
Nicole A says
That black bean and corn salad looks delicious! I need to make that soon!
Anne says
Love the new format,
Anna says
At least soccer is great speed work! I usually just run distancey-type runs, and my muscles get used to it and are hardly ever sore, but soccer really challenges my sprinting muscles and I get sore quads and glutes, which makes it feel very productive 🙂
KathEats says
Good point! Indoor isn’t quite as good but better than nothing!
KL says
Glad to read this. So much better for your health, the environment and the animals 😉
>>>>I think I mentioned that I’m selecting one or two vegetarian meals from Cook Smarts during the week to save a few $ on meat
Sagan Morrow says
Better that it’s all going smoothly than that it’s not going at all, right?
The winter dinner photos are still pretty 🙂 And it all looks very tasty!
Julia says
Cook Smarts always looks so delicious, I need to try it!
http://www.rosesfromjulia.com
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out says
Looks amazing!
I totally agree on the photos– bring on the summer light, I hate taking my pictures with overhead lighting!
Em says
Have you given the Another Mother Runner podcast a go? What about the Satellite Sisters podcast? On the Tuesday show they a do a recap commentary on Downtown Abbey, which they call Downtown Gabbey, as you are such a fan I’m sure you would like that segment. I have started to pick and choose some of the Here’s the Thing episodes by Alec Baldwin. You would love the Meal Make Over Moms podcast. I’m from Australia and have got into Mamamia Outloud – worth a try. Of course there are the Manic Mommies who sadly just wrapped up but there old episodes are worth a listen to whilst running. And of course, KCRW food podcast is awesome! I hope these suggestions help – they certainly keep me entertained whilst exercising 🙂
KathEats says
Thank you! !!
Lauren Brennan says
I’ve been doing Cook Smarts based on your recommendation, and I love it! So fun to have variety in our meals each week. But I have found that our grocery bill is much, much higher! I thought it would be lower because I am buying specific quantities and having leftovers for lunch. Have you noticed that too? I like your idea of doing some vegetarian meals to keep costs down, but just wondering if I’m alone here.
KathEats says
You are not alone. We never used to have leftovers and now we always do. That’s good for lunches and a fifth meal or two but we are spending more too. I think a few vegetarian meals are key. And making just 2 servings if you have more expensive ingredients.
Mary says
Hello! I’m amazed by the variety of meals that you make! How do you do it? I feel like I am too uninspired (or lazy) to cook anything but four or 5 different things 🙂
KathEats says
Cook Smarts! Otherwise I’d make the same things over and over : )