Training Continues
This was Week #3 of the 12 week Half-Marathon training program that is being incorporated into my life at this point. I love it. The coach added another day to the workout just to give us a bit more of a challenge so it was four days instead of three. Actually didn’t know if I would manage it or not but as it turned out the schedule worked just fine with finishing the week with the long walk on Saturday. This was also the longest walk so far, 50 minutes and I was very pleased to see that I walked 3.60 miles in that time so pretty much on pace for four miles per hour which is pretty darn good. So as I delve further into this training program, I am discovering a lot of things that I wasn’t doing quite right. Not stretching enough, doing the same length and speed walk all the time, not warming up enough, not giving myself a break after days of workout. That sort of thing. My times ranged from 16:37 during the Easy Walk, 15:39 on the Interval Walk, 15:36 on a short 20 minute walk that was thrown in there to get us used to doing four walks in a week, and then finally 14:35 on the Long Walk. Again, I am modifying the program as it is designed for runners but I am really happy how it is working out and at how it is possible to make the modifications.
A Family Blessing Arrived
The beginning of the week brought some very happy news into our extended family with the arrival of our niece’s wee baby boy on Monday. Actually he wasn’t that small as he weighed almost 9 pounds. My brother and his wife now have seven grandchildren with an eighth coming next month. They are so blessed.
Visitors For Us
A good friend from 20 years ago showed up on our doorstep for a quick visit. We met years ago at a CASE/NAIS Conference and have been friends ever since. Terri still works and was on a school trip visiting alumni and friends in our area. She took a little time to stop and visit with us for which we are very happy. We had a good time catching up and as always said goodbye promising to not let it be another five years until we saw each other again. John took a picture of us but unfortunately it only came out of Terri and not of me!!!!
In addition, at the end of the week, our daughter and daughter-in-law arrived for a visit. It is spring break for Margot and Hadley can work remotely so they are going to try and get some beach and golf time in while they are here. We certainly have a good time when they come to see us and so do our dogs. They bring their dog Brewer with them and spoil all of the dogs with lots of long walks and runs on the beach. In addition, they like to cook so we always seem to have fun meals to enjoy too.
Recipe For You To Try
Once again, from Blue Zones, comes a breakfast recipe. I prefer a savory breakfast most of the time so I am always looking for things that are different to have at breakfast time. My old standard of blueberries, plain Greek yogurt and John’s Granola sometimes just isn’t the right thing. Hope you try this and that you enjoy it.
INGREDIENTS
1½ cups frozen bell peppers
1 cup no-salt canned black beans
⅓ cup + 2 teaspoons low-sodium salsa
½ avocado
2 tortillas (whole grain)
¼ teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon chili powder
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional)
1 cup spinach
2 teaspoons hot sauce
Cashew Sour Cream
DIRECTIONS
In a skillet, heat a few splashes of water over medium-high. Sauté the frozen veggies until hot. Or, you may just heat all the ingredients in a microwave until hot.
Drain and rinse no-salt canned black beans. Mix in a dash of spices, such as cumin and chili powder.
Reduce heat to low-medium and add beans, salsa, a dash of nutritional yeast (optional). Stir for a couple of minutes until mixture is warm throughout.
Slice the avocado lengthwise, all the way around the pit. Gently twist each side to open the avocado. Scoop out flesh and cut into slices.
Warm tortilla (whole-grain or gluten-free) in microwave for 10-15 seconds or on your stovetop in a pan. Place avocado slices on tortilla followed by spinach, bean mixture and hot sauce. Roll up, top with cashew sour cream and salsa, and enjoy!
