Roasted Red Pepper and Potato Soup

I've told you about this amazing produce service I use called Backyard Produce, that delivers locally grown produce directly to my door every Tuesday. Well, this week they sent me some amazing looking red peppers, so I hopped on over to Pinterest to get some ideas. I also had some potatoes sitting on the counter that needed to be used soon, enter roasted red pepper and potato soup.

I've been really into soups lately because they're so easy to make, and you can freeze them so that they're a quick meal when you need them. Like I mentioned, I've been away for the past two weeks for Army training, but when I came home I had some carrot soup waiting for me in the freezer to tied me over till I could make it to the grocery store.

Now back to the red pepper and potato soup -

Needed:
-1 onion, cut up
-minced garlic
-curry powder
-chipotle powder
-pepper
-2 red peppers, cut up
-3 potatoes, peeled and cut up
-3 cups vegetable broth

1. Saute the garlic and onions till they start to brown.

2. Add the bell peppers, dash of pepper, curry powder and chipotle powder. Cook for a couple minutes.

3. Add the potatoes and vegetable broth and bring to a boil.

4. Simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes. Let cool slightly.

5. Blend it in the food processor till it's the consistency you like, then portion it off and freeze the containers that you'll save for later.

I had to blend it in two portions and just gave it one good pulse each, so that I'd still have some chunks

I portioned it into 3 servings and the only thing in it that has a Weight Watchers value is the potatoes and since it's 3 potatoes, I'm calling each serving 3 WW points. That's my logic and I'm sticking to it!

You can still see the chunks of red pepper and potatoes

I wish you could smell how amazing it smells as it's simmering (I guess you're going to need to make it to find out), but you can definitely smell the curry powder, which I love.

I didn't eat it yet, because I made it to bring to work, but I had to taste it and it is so good. There is so many flavors that all play very well together. You can taste the roasted peppers and the curry the most, but then it has a little kick from the chipotle powder and the potatoes give it the thicker consistency.

This is definitely something I will be making again - hint, hint Backyard produce if you have more bell peppers or potatoes coming my way ;)

Celebrating one year meat free!

I just spent the last two weeks at an Army training at the same place I was a year ago...doing Army training. It made me realize that it has been an entire year eating a pescatarian diet. It really hasn't been hard at all, and I really feel as though it makes me more creative in the kitchen finding filling meals, that don't require high-fat red meat, chicken or pork.

I really want to stress to anyone who is thinking about trying this lifestyle, but is scared that it will be too hard, I never have a hard time finding something at a restaurant, I feel better about myself, and I don't feel deprived at all. I highly recommend it, actually.

Even spending the last two weeks with the Army, I didn't have any issues with food. I would have a PB2 and banana sandwich for breakfast, a protein bar for a snack, a tuna sandwich or soup for lunch, and the opposite item for dinner, and a peanut butter apple for an afternoon snack.

I actually found a new brand of vegan soups that I was really impressed with - Dr. McDougall's. I had the Vegan Tortilla Soup with Baked Chips and the Vegan Black Bean and Lime Soup and both were really tasty. I would dip some triscuits in them for some substance and voila, you have a quick, and easy meal while on the go.

Now that I'm back home, I cooked up a homemade pizza crust then topped it with pizza sauce, tomatoes, onions, shrimp mozzarella cheese and garlic.

The crust recipe was too easy and it's definitely something to try again. See, the creativity is alive :)

1. Take .25 oz dry yeast and 1 tsp sugar and dissolve it in 1 cup warm water for 10 minutes.

2. Mix in 2.5 cups flour and 2 tbsp olive oil and mix till smooth. Let sit for 5 minutes.

3. Flatten out and add whatever toppings you'd like.

4. Bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes.

On the running front, I've been pretty consistent lately. I did a 10-miler yesterday and a 4-miler with my half marathon running group today (oh, how I've missed them!)

Oh yeah! And I got my confirmation packet in the mail today for GREECE! I will be running the Athens marathon this November with a friend and I CANNOT WAIT! I will definitely be talking about that more later, but for now, I have a pizza calling my name.

Will Run For Beer

So, South Carolina has finally been hit with the cold freeze that has been crippling the nation, so I stuck to the treadmill today, but I still felt like I got a good workout.

I know that I JUST mentioned the St. Louis marathon, but I just found out this past weekend that an Army obligation is going to keep me from going, so instead I have refocused my sights on the Estes Park Marathon in Colorado, June 22. I created my own training plan that I started yesterday with an easy 4-mile run, then some interval training today - half mile warmup at 5.0 (treadmill, remember?), then 30 minutes of sprinting a quarter mile at 7.5, then slowing down for a quarter mile at 6.0, repeating for the 30 minutes, then a half mile cooldown at 5.0. Like I said, it felt like a good workout. I'm also up to 230 squats as part of the 30-day challenge and we will be moving onto abs next month. The rest of my week looks like this: Wednesday - crosstrain, Thursday - 3 miles, Friday - 6 miles, Saturday - rest, Sunday - 2 miles. I have drill with the Army this weekend, so I am taking it fairly light.

An awesome event I want to tell you about was last week, my running store, Fleet Feet Mount Pleasant, had a fun run at Bay Street Biergarten, where you ran 3 miles then drank beer. There is nothing bad about that deal. Each month they partner with a different brewery to sponsor a run, then they offer discounted beers. It gives you a chance to try new places and get out an socialize with the local runners. It's a great time!

Even in the cold, quite a few people still showed up. Amazing what difference beer can make

A great recipe you have to try if you're craving a Philly cheesesteak is using the Gardein beefless tips, sauteing up some peppers and onions and putting it all on a (asiago cheese) hoagie bun with some mozzarella cheese. This is what I chased my run with today and it was perfect. Super tasty and extremely filling!

Charleston Marathon recap

I know it's been awhile since I last posted, but the holidays were crazy. My sister and sister-in-law came to visit, then shortly after my mom came for the Charleston Marathon. I didn't spend much time with social media (not wanting to be rude, after all) so, I'll try to get you caught up now.

I didn't run much over the holidays, mostly 1-2 miles a day and my sister started the 30-day squat challenge that I've been doing with her. I guess it's paid off because I didn't gain too much weight, even though we ate like hungry, hungry hippos! My mom just left yesterday, so I'm going to get my eating habits back under control, but I will say that if you find yourself in the Charleston area, make sure you check out: Black Bean Co., Hominy Grill, The Glass Onion, La Fontana (for brunch), Kaminsky's (for coffee and dessert), or any and all food trucks. Just to name a few.

Here's the squat challenge if you want to check it out

I did fit in a couple slightly longer runs through my running store:

Glow run

Glow Run, on the bridge

Half marathon training group run

Monday Runday group run. That pink jacket is obviously my favorite thing to run in

So, overall, I stayed fairly active over the holidays. How did you do?

Now, let's talk about the Charleston Marathon!

"That's the thing about running: your greatest runs are rarely measured by racing success. They are moments in time when running allows you to see how wonderful your life is," Kara Goucher.

This quote describes the Charleston Marathon perfectly, because since I stayed with my momma the whole time, I didn't PR, but it was my favorite race I've ever done. It was absolutely beautiful and there was so much to look at - the sailboats on the water, colorful houses, shop-lined streets, mostly flat, scenic parks. It was such a great time and the people were so friendly. We chatted a couple people up at the porta-potty stops (there were a lot of them) and me and the momma got to spend some quality time together. HOWEVER, it was freezing!!! I typically run long races in short sleeves or a tank top, but we wore long sleeved shirts over the top so we could toss them when we got warm. We never got warm. It was so cold and there was a severe headwind (what seemed like) the entire time! The scenic views and wonderful people kept us going, but all I really wanted was a nice warm bed. We came in too late to get any of the boiled peanuts or shrimp and grits at the finish line, but they had great shuttle support to get you back to your car.

Just like the past three years, we started the year off with a marathon that we don't train for. This was that marathon, but my momma still PR'd by 7 minutes! It was a great race (even with the weather) and I would highly recommend anyone to do it next year. 

Next up, the St. Louis Go! Marathon and I can't wait! I'm going to start training tomorrow. Training...what a novel idea...

Me and the momma at mile 5, lookin' fresh

Just a quick recap on my marathon times:

Rockin' K Trail - 9:47:08
Marine Corps - 4:51:06
Rockin' K Trail - 9:50:59
Marine Corps - 4:49:27
Rockin' K Trail - 9:56:11
Air Force - 4:45:07
Charleston - 6:22:27
St. Louis - ?????

Staying flexible

How strict do you keep to your training schedule? Does every run have to take place on the exact date and exact pace, or do you change things around based on life events and how you feel?

I bring this up just because I knocked my 10-mile run out a day early this week to be able to go to a crossfit class with a friend Saturday morning. I'm missing out on the actual group run, but I still got the miles in and I'm also getting a cross training opportunity out of the deal. I'm completely okay with this, but I know some people try to stick to their set training schedules and deviating is totally out of the question.

I know I'll need to get a bit stricter when I start my training for the Saint Louis Go! Marathon in January, but until then, miles are miles!

So, I tried a new recipe that I'm only so-so on. It wasn't bad, but I don't see myself trying it again. I'll share, just in case it turns out better for you.

Sweet Potato Fettuccini with Cauliflower Sauce

Needed for sauce:
-head of cauliflower, chopped in florets
-32 ounce vegetable broth
-minced garlic
-butter

1. Sauté the garlic in butter and set aside.

2. Bring broth to boil, add cauliflower. Simmer till soft, 8-10 minutes.

You can see my sweet potatoes hanging out over there, too. I was multitasking

3. Use a slotted spoon to add cauliflower to food processor (may have to do it in batches). Add the garlic and about a cup of the broth and blend. Add more broth as desired until you reach the consistency you like. Set aside sauce.

Needed for Fettuccini:
-sweet potato
-butter

1. Peel potato and bake in microwave for about 1-2 minutes, depending on size, so it's just soft enough to cut into strips.

2. Cut into about quarter inch strips.

3. Sauté in pan in butter until tender.

4. Pour about a cup of the cauliflower sauce over the top, cook for another minute then serve.

I didn't take a final picture of this because it wasn't very pretty. It made me think of Martha Stewart's ugly food tweets and I just didn't want to do it.

It was good because I like sweet potatoes and I like cauliflower, but I don't think I like them together. You win some, you lose some.

But one last gem I need to share with you. I was at City Lights Coffee shop yesterday in Downtown Charleston and got a coconut water with pulp in it. This was my first experience with one with coconut pulp and it was delicious! Little pieces of coconuty goodness along with a great hydrating drink. Perfection.

It's getting cold out here, so put on all your clothes

How do you cope with cold weather running? In the past, I would just run on the treadmill. I hate the cold! But now that I've moved to South Carolina, the weather gently eases you into the winter months with one day in the 30's, but then the next 3 days in the 60's, so I've been sticking with running outside 2-3 times a week...and the rest on the treadmill. Baby steps!

My local running store, Fleet Feet Mount Pleasant, put on this awesome holiday run - Chase Santa, Beat the Grinch - where more than 100 people showed up, ran 4 miles, won lots of prizes (a running shirt for me) and if you beat santa you got a glass and if you beat the grinch you got 20% off anything in the store. There were also smores and other goodies afterward. How cool is that?! There's not many free events like that these days and it was a blast!

Santa and the Grinch

Group shot, can you find me? J/k.

After the run, I'm in the short sleeve pink

While that was a ton of fun, I did a 9-miler with the half marathon training group this past Saturday and it just was not my running day. I felt sluggish and heavy and just couldn't make myself go any faster. The problem is that most people in that group are really fast so they took off at an 8:30 pace, which I tried to keep up with for the first mile, then paid dearly for it later. 8:30 is a very fast pace for me. The fastest mile I've ever run was a 7:45 and my best 10k was done at an 8:45 pace, so there was no sustaining an 8:30 for 9 miles. I slowly dropped down to 9 minute pace, then 9:20, then fell into a groove at a 10 minute pace - my true, comfortable, long distance pace. However, one of the trainers noticed and slowed down with me, which is great, except I had to slow down to 10:30 at some points and he was more of a sub-9 kind of person. I really use the group on Saturdays to stay accountable and motivate me to get up and get my run in. It's okay if I run it alone, I've ran plenty of miles alone, because it just makes me feel bad when I'm keeping someone back from pushing themselves. Maybe the 10-miler this upcoming Saturday will play out better.

Yesterday's run was amazing though! I felt strong and motivated, which I haven't felt in a long time, so I took advantage of it and pushed myself hard. We did half mile hill repeats, where we would run hard up a hill for half a mile, then easy back down. On the third one, the store manager ran with me up the last stretch of the hill and really had me give it my all on that last push. We were prescribed 3 sets for the workout, but since I finished a little bit ahead of the last group, I went ahead and started back up the hill till I met up with them just to give myself that little extra bit. We also had a 1 mile warmup and cooldown and then I stayed for the 30 minute core workout that kicks my butt! Overall it was just a really great workout. I've been feeling a little low lately, but that workout was cathartic and just made me feel really good.

Maybe I'll go run the bridge on Thursday to try to push some of this negativity out of my life...as long as it's warm enough outside :)

Happy holidays!

I know it's been awhile since I last posted, but I've been having some technical difficulties with my blogger app, so I had to wait till I could sit down at my laptop and update that way. It's amazing what we do on smartphones these days! I could go a month without ever using my laptop. Anyway...

How was everyone's Thanksgiving? Mine was pretty great (for the most part)! Me and the hubs hopped in the car and drove for 11 hours to visit with his family. Now, I've gotten pretty spoiled by the warm weather of the South, but Pittsburgh knocked me right into reality with 18° and snow. That definitely made for an interesting run!

After we got back home, hubs left for a military training so I've been trying to focus on my health - lots of fruit and veg and upping the workouts. I've been doing my half marathon training program still, as well as including a core class after my Tuesday night training run. It's not much and he's only gone for 3 weeks, but it just feels good to focus on myself for a bit.

Most of my recipe ideas have been inspired by the amazing Backyard Produce that I get each week, including kale-pesto salmon, carrot and potato soup, and kale and cabbage coleslaw.

Kale-pesto Salmon

Needed:
-2 salmon filets
-1/2 cup pine nuts
-2 cups kale, packed
-1 tbsp olive oil

1. Blend the pine nuts, kale and olive oil till it makes a paste.

2. Smear it on the top of the filets and let it marinate for 15 minutes.

3. Bake the marinated filets at 425° for 12 minutes.

4. Remove from the oven, seal in foil and let it sit in its foil packet for 10 minutes, then serve.

We had ours with twice-baked sweet potatoes and a veggie mix. I am obsessed with the sweet potatoes cooked this way, it's like dessert with your dinner!

Carrot Potato Soup

Needed:
-a pound of carrots, chopped
-2 potatoes, skinned and chopped
-1/2 cup rice
-onion, chopped
-32 ounces vegetable broth
-sour cream, optional

1. Simmer the carrots and potatoes in the broth for 20 minutes.

2. Add the rice and cook for an additional 18-20 minutes. The carrots/potatoes should be nice and soft.

3. Add everything to a food processor and process till the consistency you want. Serve and top with a dollop of sour cream.

This makes a pretty big portion and since it was just me, I ate on it for four days. You could probably freeze a couple portions if you get tired of eating carrots. Luckily, I thought it was pretty tasty and definitely hearty.

Kale-cabbage Coleslaw

Needed:
-2 cups kale, chopped to bite size
-1/2 head cabbage, chopped
-2 tbsp mayo
-2 tbsp Dijon mustard
-1 tbsp olive oil

1. Mix the greens together in a bowl.

2. Whisk the oil, mayo and mustard together.

3. Pour the oil mixture over the greens and mix until covered. Enjoy!

With the New Year coming up, have you started thinking about resolutions? I typically don't buy into it, because why should you only start being a better person in January? You can start any day. But me and the hubs have talked about really focusing on our relationship in the New Year - communicating more and fighting less and just trying to be more understanding of each other. After being married for 6 years, we're about due for a reminder on why we fell in love in the first place and 2014 is the year!