Try It Out Tuesday – Microwave Popcorn

I love popcorn. It’s a great snack… so buttery, salty, and delicious! But, since I’ve been married, I can not eat microwave popcorn because my husband makes the BEST popcorn on earth. His popcorn makes the packaged stuff taste fake and unappetizing. Plus, I’ve been reading about all the chemicals that goes into microwave popcorn. Yuck.

Sometimes it just is a little too much work to heat some oil and wait for those golden kernels to pop into the perfect snack. I know, these problems are huge!

I have tried the brown paper lunch sack in the microwave and this also works, but the oil gets a little messy and there are quite a few kernels left.

Then a friend (she is also a dietician) who writes The Daily Bite on Facebook wrote about this trick:

Two microwaveable bowls.

This is great because there is less of an oily mess and more kernels pop. The downside to this method is that it took a lot longer and the bowls get very, very hot.

To make this much popcorn

about 3 cereal bowls full. So technical, I know.
I used;
1/4 cup kernels
1 tsp oil
1/4 tsp salt
Mix them all together in a microwaveable bowl. Put another bowl on top and stick it in the microwave. Mine took almost 6 minutes, compared to the 2 minutes for the bag. Maybe my bowls were too big?
Be sure to be careful getting them out because they will be very, very hot!
I added butter and salt to taste. Actually, the bowl was so hot all I had to was put the butter in and it melted. That’s how hot the bowls were so, again, be careful.

I only do this when the hubs is not around because if there is a choice I will take his popcorn over any other!

So, either way, bag or bowl, try it out and toss all those microwave bags. PS- you’ll be saving money too!
Good luck!

Question Of The Day:
Anyone else trying something new today?

It Must Be The End Of A Training Cycle

I am so relaxed about my running. I went out for a run today and took all three boys. Usually, I wouldn’t even think about it, but it was a beautiful spring day, no mileage goals, and my sister was in town. Perfect combo.

My oldest is really getting good! My sister and I took turns running ahead and he would go with each of us. He probably ended up running close to 2 miles. He loved it and was so proud of himself.

Proud mama moment!

I married into a Nebraska family.

The baby is really to young to keep up so he was in a stroller, but he could not wait to get out and try.
Now my middle child…he wanted to keep up with his big brother, but he just couldn’t. Poor baby. He got so frustrated. He insists he hates running, but I think he just needs more practice. Not pushing it, though. We all know what happens when you push kids when they aren’t ready. And he definitely does not do ANYTHING until he has decided he is good and ready.

So much fun to get out for a fun run with the kiddos. That must be what made it a true Fun Run.

What healthy activities to you share as a family?

Do you try to involve your family in your pursuits?

A Day Out

This week is a recovery week so I only ran 4 miles at the gym today, but it felt soooo good. my legs must be ready to start training again! Ha! Just kidding, my brain hasn’t gotten back from vacation yet.
So, I just went with it. I had a play date with my younger boys and went to lunch at Sharkey’s and froyo after. I tried kettle corn frozen yogurt. Can’t say I’m a fan. I would say if you like popcorn Jelly Bellys, you would like it.

My boys could watch the fish all day!

We shopped a little. Very little.

I’ve been very tired this week, I wonder if it’s from my race? Or life? Either way, good thing it’s a rest week. It’s good to stop, regroup, and spend some quality time with the fam.

For example; playing with stickers,

or dressing up like a pirate and dancing around the room. You know, the usual.

Go out there and do something fun! Good Luck!

Any fun weekend plans?

Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon!

I am hooked! This was a super fun destination race, even if the weather was a bit hot. At least the race started at 7 so we weren’t sweltering.

The start was well organized. There were a lot of people, but you really didn’t feel it until you actually started running and finding your pace. Then, around mile 3 you pretty much stayed with that group for the rest of the race. That’s kind of the comforting part for me, seeing the same people over and over.

around mile 2, still crowded.

Mile 7 was an unbelievable hill! I HAD to walk it. No choice. My sister ran it, I am so impressed with her!

At the top of the hill I just had to take this picture. Those little dots are the runners. It was a really cool moment.

some cool scenery along the way to go with the rolling hills.

Looking pretty good at mile 11 (right before the cruel hill at mile 12)

Finish strong!

GEAR
My Road Runner shirt and underwear was super comfy and totally kept me dry for the 13 miles. Unfortunately, the Moving Comfort bra I had chafed me where the padding was stitched on the inside (I didn’t notice that until my shower. Ouch!). BUT, the Boston Strong BIC band kept my hair out of my face and in control. And my Pro Compression low trainers kept my feet blister free with the compression working it’s magic!

FUEL
Breakfast was half an English muffin with cream cheese and some oatmeal. Along the route I had Extreme Jelly Beans at mile 3, 7, and 10. I took water at every aid station, but next time I think I need to also bring my own water because I was pretty dehydrated at the end. They did not have bottles of water or Accelerade (they were handing this out at the stations) at the finish so I was on my own to find some hydration after the race. I REALLY needed it too! I would also bring one more package of Beans for that last umph.

I felt I was totally prepared and all of my training led to a success! I stayed on my pace and made my goal time (2:34). I was even able to sprint down the chute to the finish! All in all, it was an awesome race. And the fact that it was my first half marathon made it even sweeter.

Any other awesome accomplishments out there?

Try It Out Tuesday

I thought I would try something new and, hopefully, interesting. I guess that is perfect for a post called “try it out”. I love trying new things, especially when it comes to recipes, so I am going to share my adventures and let you know whether or not they were a success or failure.

First, I tried a recipe I found on Pinterest for banana oatmeal cookies. The ingredients are bananas and oatmeal. Seriously, that’s it. Then you can mix in anything else you want. Sounded like a perfect alternative for that baked goods craving I always get.
Don’t get your hopes up. I threw out the whole batch.

I tried some with chocolate chips, coconut, cinnamon, and chia seeds. Just ok and a but rubbery.

Next up, chocolate with chocolate chips. No, thank you!

Lastly, just chocolate chips. Missed the mark.

Sorry that my first Try It Out Tuesday was not filled with a great opener. Wah, wah, wah.

On the bright side I made these bits of heaven for the teachers at school tomorrow.
Cinnamon Roll Scones

I made two batches just so I could taste one. These are going in my brunch rotation for sure! They are way easier than regular cinnamon rolls, scones are so easy to make. Added bonus; I get the best of both worlds. The crumble of scones with the heavenly rolls of cinnamon and sugar that I loooove about cinnamon rolls.
It’s all about leaving on a high note. (Anyone? Anyone? Any Seinfeld fans out there? Mike, where are you when I need you?)
You can find the recipe here at Annie’s Eats.

By the way, it’s Teacher Appreciation Day, don’t forget to hug/ high five the nearest teacher. Or all of them, I’m not picky.
Good luck to all those teachers out there going above and beyond. You know who you are!

If you are a teacher, did you feel the appreciation today? All week?

Have you had any recent flops wen you tried a new recipe?

Gone Shopping!

I have a confession: I like to buy race outfits before each race.
Ok, it’s not that scandalous. I feel like it’s my reward for all the hard training I put in. Tell that to the hubs.
I wanted to check out Roadrunner Sports because I am always hearing great stuff about it from this runner. They do not disappoint. I found a ton of stuff to try on and my personal shopper (aka my mom) was all over finding me the perfect race outfit. Thanks, mom!
I also had a REAL personal shopper! She was fantastic! I got fitted for a sports bra – who knew? And she really listened to what I wanted and brought me some absolute winners. I ended up buying her recommendation.

The Moving Comfort bra, which really is super comfortable. Not only is it padded (no more indecent exposure), but the straps are adjustable and can be switched to a racer back style. Love it!
I also bought the brightest yellow tank they had, maybe I’m afraid I will get list in the vineyards. It is soooo soft! I love the zippered pocket in the back with a hole for your ear bud wire. Is this new? I am usually tardy to the party so I wouldn’t be surprised.
I finally bought some proper running underpants, too, but I thought I would spare you the visuals.

Now I am all packed and on my way to the Expo with the entourage in tow.

My first 13.1! Good luck!

Anyone else racing?
Where?
Anyone else’s first anything?

Recipe Redux

Apparently, I need to figure out wordpress a little more, because the links to the recipes I told you about did not work. Sorry. No, really, I am.

I thought I would stop being lazy and actually write out the amazing recipe from Roxana’s Home Baking.

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups (410 grams) pitted dates
1/4 cup (35 grams) whole almonds
1/4 cup (25 grams) walnut pieces
1/4 cup (20 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup shredded coconut
Instructions

In a food processor add the dates and pulse until finely chopped and they start to form a ball.
Add the almond and nuts and pulse few more times until the nuts are chopped.
Add the cocoa powder and coconut and pulse until the mixture comes together in a ball.
Take the date-nut mixture out and spread it evenly in a 7X7 baking pan lined with plastic foil.
Cover with foil and refrigerate for few hours before cutting into bars.

I’m sure with this recipe you can also just use what you have on hand. I just happened to have everything and it was perfect.

Enjoy!