Capitol Hill Classic 10K

Today, I did the Capitol Hill Classic 10K in DC and while it wasn't a PR, I was still happy with my time, especially considering the conditions:

Ugh! So depressing

It only got worse as the race went on, with the rain coming down for the last mile and running into my eyes. Besides the weather, the race was really good. It was a scenic course that wound through DC and around the stadium, and even had a hill that about killed me right after mile 4. All considering, I still finished in less than 55 minutes and seeing how I added a little bit of distance from weaving in and out of people, I'll take it. 

It was so cold and icky! I stole my hubby's sweats while he ran his 3k

My 10k PR still stands at 54:12 from the Veteran's Day 10k from Pacer's running store this past November. I had just completed the Marine Corps Marathon in the month prior, so I was in pretty good shape at that time.

Just to add a little more mileage, I came home and did 2 more miles on the treadmill bringing me to 8(.6 including the little extras, but who's counting) miles for the day!

I really needed these miles because I also signed up for another race, the Alexandria Running Festival Half Marathon next weekend. I'm not planning to get a PR on it (currently 2:07); I am just using it to see where I am stand time-wise for my goal of a sub-2 hour marathon. I know I'm not there right now, so I just want to see where I'm at and how hard I need to work to get there by the fall.

After the race this morning, I followed up with some nom-noms.

This is a recipe that I haven't done in awhile, but it is REALLY good. It's originally from Hungry Girl and can be altered in any way, based on what ingredients you have at home.

Crunchwrap Supreme
(Mine was 11 Weight Watchers points, it will change based on what you put inside)

1 Tortilla Wrap (I used Mission Sun-dried tomato)
1 Taco Shell
1/2 cup meatless crumbles
1/4 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese (or a Laughing Cow cheese wedge)
1/4 cup shredded lettuce
1/3 tomato, diced
1 tbsp. fat-free sour cream
1/2 tsp. taco seasoning

1. Cook up the meatless crumbles for just a couple minutes in a pan

2. Warm tortilla for a few seconds in the microwave (making it easier to fold without ripping), and then lay it out on a flat surface

3.  Place the crumbles in the center of the tortilla. Flatten the mixture into a circle, keeping it about 2 inches from the edge of the tortilla. Top with the other toppings - lettuce, salsa, cheese, etc.

4. Next, layer the taco shell (broken in half and with the cheese spread on it if you're using Laughing Cow) on top of the soy crumble mixture. 

If you're using Laughing Cow, smear it on the taco shell then place it cheese-side down

Cheese-side down on top of the fillings

5. Hungry Girl has good FOLDING INSTRUCTIONS so why reinvent the wheel: Starting at the bottom of the tortilla, fold edge up to the center of the tortilla. Then going around the edge of the tortilla, repeatedly fold overlapping sections to meet the center, for a total of about 6 folds (until filling is completely enclosed)

6. In a pan sprayed with nonstick spray, over medium heat, carefully place the folded tortilla in the center of the pan (folded side down). Heat for 3 - 4 minutes. Carefully flip the wrap with a spatula and heat for another 30 seconds

7. Top with sour cream, salsa, guacamole or anything else you can come up with!

Lay Off Me, I'm STARVING!

So, yesterday, I made it through my first day back to work in about a month. Barely, but I did. And now I know that whoever 'they' are, they are right to say that you should never let yourself get to the point where you are starving, because then you end up eating more than you should.  That most definitely happened last night, but it was out of my control yesterday.

After working an 11-hour day, my usually, 45-minute commute turned into about an hour and a half. I was STARVING by the time I walked in the door. I tried to tame my hunger with some cauliflower and Bolthouse Blue Cheese dressing, but the damage had been done. 

I'm talking Chris Farley as a fat girl, starving.

I made the Hungry Girl Mac n' Cheese and it was tasty; however, next time (and there will be a next time) I'm not going to bake it. I'm just going to eat it after pouring the ooey, gooey, cheesy mixture all over the noodles and cauliflower.

This was one time where I did follow pretty close to the original recipe, I just halved it so that it didn't make 4 servings:

Cauliflower Mac n Cheese
(6 points for 1 1/3 cup)

These are the measurements to make 4 servings, I halved each ingredient-3 cups frozen cauliflower florets
-4 1/2 oz. (about 1 1/4 cups) uncooked high-fiber elbow macaroni
-5 wedges The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss cheese (I used 2)
-1/4 cup fat-free shredded cheddar cheese (I didn't halve this)
-1/4 cup fat-free milk
-2 tbsp. fat-free sour cream
-2 tsp. Dijon mustard
-1 tbsp. butter
-1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
-1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8" X 8" baking pan with nonstick spray.

2.  Place cauliflower in a large microwave-safe bowl; cover and microwave for 3 minutes. Uncover and stir. Re-cover and microwave for 2 - 3 minutes, until hot. Roughly chop cauliflower, return to the bowl, and cover to keep warm.

I used the colorful cauliflower. It doesn't effect the taste at all, it's just pretty

3.  While the cauliflower is cooking, cook pasta. Drain pasta and stir into cauliflower. Cover to keep warm. 

4. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine cheese wedges, shredded cheese, milk, sour cream, and mustard. Mix well. Microwave for 1 minute, or until cheeses have melted. Stir. 

I used coconut milk instead of dairy milk just because that's what I drink and I used greek yogurt instead of sour cream. It all worked out in the end

5. Add cheese mixture to the pasta and cauliflower. Stir to coat. Transfer contents to the baking pan.

This is where I'm going to stop next time. Look at that ooey, gooey-ness! No need to bake it away and you'll save a point for not using the bread crumbs

6. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, microwave butter for 20 seconds, or until melted. Add panko breadcrumbs and seasonings, and stir to coat. Evenly distribute mixture over the contents of the baking pan.
Bake until lightly browned, 25 - 30 minutes. 

Look, I even portioned out the other half for lunch for today (I had to, otherwise I would have eaten it all!)

I also made the zucchini boat to go along with my cauliflower mac n' cheese (did I mention that I was STARVING!?):

Zucchini Boat
(2 points for 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese)

1. Slice a zucchini in half. Slice off the bottom to keep it stable. 

2. Brush with olive oil and top with garlic or garlic powder. 

3. Top with sliced tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste. Use mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese or mixed blend.. 

4. Bake 375 for 20 to 30 minutes until soft.

No complaints, I just recommend you do cook it all the way. I was too hungry to wait till it was all the way done

I was proud of myself because I also fit in a 3-mile run after the long work day, and I of course made time for a glass of wine before bed.

I look tired...and old

Okay, now back to work!

Grocery shopping

I am finally going grocery shopping for the first time since getting home almost 2 weeks ago! Wish me luck!

First, though, I have to share this hilarious picture that I got from a Buzzfeed article. This answers the question that I am most commonly asked (just replace 'vegan' with vegetarian):

I told you, it's everywhere!

So, I looked up a couple recipes before going to the store so I have an idea of what I need, here's some things I'm hoping to try in the near future. Stay tuned to see how they turn out:

-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Here's the original source

*drooling*

-Baked Mac n' Cheese

Another attempt at a low-cal Hungry Girl mac n' cheese, here's to hoping it's better than the last time (scroll about mid-way down)

-Baked, Cheesy Veggies

Recipe was from Facebook, so I'll post it when I try it

-Zucchini Boat

Another Facebook gem

Okay, I'm starting to drool so it must be time to go get some groceries and get cooking!

Also, I haven't done my 8-miler today, yet, but I did mow the lawn. I'll do the run later tonight. Baby steps.