Recipes, and a great run

So I promised some recipes today. These have become a staple for me as I move into my new place. I love making these and it’s super easy. I’ve made a few adjustments for what is called for which I think makes them more healthy and a little bit more tasteful.

Taco Pies

2 (9 inch) deep dish frozen pie crusts, thawed
1 pound ground beef
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
1 cup shredded low fat Cheddar cheese
1 large tomato, diced
sour cream

*You can also add
Onion, lettuce, tortilla chips, black olives, or even substitute the beef with turkey. I like it better with turkey.

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake pie crusts following package directions, but cutting the bake time in half. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until evenly brown; drain excess fat. Place half the refried beans in each pie shell, smearing over the bottom and the sides of the partially baked shells. Spread a layer of ground meat over the beans, and top with the cheese. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, and the cheese is bubbly. Top with whatever else you want to add to your taco.

Seriously, it’s super easy and I really like it. Plus, it reheats well for a great meal the next day at work!

This is another favorite of mine. I love chicken and I love pasta. I usually use the spiral wheat pasta for this.
3 cups pasta of your choice
3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
3 fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

*You can also add tomatoes or onions if you want*

DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until soft; drain and reserve. Also, over medium heat, cook chicken for about 15 minutes and remove from pan; cool and dice.
In a large skillet over medium heat, combine mushrooms, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper; cook until hot. Remove from heat and add chicken and pasta. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top; serve.

This also heats up well for a great lunch the next day! I wish I had pictures to show you guys.

This morning I went for an easy four miler and it felt great to be outside again and getting my muscles working. I have found that with running sometimes you have a great experience, and sometimes you don’t. If you aren’t feeling like getting out there, then take a rest and do something else that gets your heart working. Whether this is a workout video, which I recommend the Biggest Loser videos, taking the dog for a walk, riding a bike, or jumping rope. I know jumping rope sounds stupid but it’s seriously hard, believe me. I still was active these past few days but once I gave myself the chance and the mindset that I was ready to run again, it felt great and I’m glad I took a mini break. Hope you guys give yourself a break every now and then too so you can fall back in love with running.

xoxo

PS. My credit card was charged with $80 last night, so that means it’s totally offically done! I’m signed up and RUNNING my first FULL MARATHON at the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon on May 31st!

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Recipes, and a great run

So I promised some recipes today. These have become a staple for me as I move into my new place. I love making these and it’s super easy. I’ve made a few adjustments for what is called for which I think makes them more healthy and a little bit more tasteful.

Taco Pies

2 (9 inch) deep dish frozen pie crusts, thawed
1 pound ground beef
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
1 cup shredded low fat Cheddar cheese
1 large tomato, diced
sour cream

*You can also add
Onion, lettuce, tortilla chips, black olives, or even substitute the beef with turkey. I like it better with turkey.

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake pie crusts following package directions, but cutting the bake time in half. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until evenly brown; drain excess fat. Place half the refried beans in each pie shell, smearing over the bottom and the sides of the partially baked shells. Spread a layer of ground meat over the beans, and top with the cheese. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, and the cheese is bubbly. Top with whatever else you want to add to your taco.

Seriously, it’s super easy and I really like it. Plus, it reheats well for a great meal the next day at work!

This is another favorite of mine. I love chicken and I love pasta. I usually use the spiral wheat pasta for this.
3 cups pasta of your choice
3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
3 fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

*You can also add tomatoes or onions if you want*

DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until soft; drain and reserve. Also, over medium heat, cook chicken for about 15 minutes and remove from pan; cool and dice.
In a large skillet over medium heat, combine mushrooms, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper; cook until hot. Remove from heat and add chicken and pasta. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top; serve.

This also heats up well for a great lunch the next day! I wish I had pictures to show you guys.

This morning I went for an easy four miler and it felt great to be outside again and getting my muscles working. I have found that with running sometimes you have a great experience, and sometimes you don’t. If you aren’t feeling like getting out there, then take a rest and do something else that gets your heart working. Whether this is a workout video, which I recommend the Biggest Loser videos, taking the dog for a walk, riding a bike, or jumping rope. I know jumping rope sounds stupid but it’s seriously hard, believe me. I still was active these past few days but once I gave myself the chance and the mindset that I was ready to run again, it felt great and I’m glad I took a mini break. Hope you guys give yourself a break every now and then too so you can fall back in love with running.

xoxo

PS. My credit card was charged with $80 last night, so that means it’s totally offically done! I’m signed up and RUNNING my first FULL MARATHON at the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon on May 31st!

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BrewHAHA!

So tonight I will be supporting my boy’s football team for the big game. Any injuries, and he’s on the field! Way to go Athletic Trainers! Tomorrow we might go to a party, but we’ll see. I have been caught down with another little cold, and I’m trying to get better as quickly as possible. You see I’ve never been one to be really great with the whole snot rocket thing while running. Not that I have a problem with the idea, or even doing it, I just can’t do it properly, (believe me I’ve tried quite a few times) and always just end up with snot all over my face, shoulder, shirt, etc. Enough with the goriness… but hey it’s Halloween right?

This morning I was going to get up and go for a jog, but it was raining, and I didn’t want to make myself more sick than I already was. I did look outside, and though I complain a lot about living in the people infested area that I do, this was just gorgeous…

Sometimes seeing one of those just puts you in a great mood in the morning, doesn’t it? Since I seem to be all about posting pictures and it’s Nike Mom’s T.g.i.f photo friday, this is my favorite Halloween card, EVER, hands down! I seem to get it every year, and I just love it

So funny! And maybe this is even funnier… I’ve talked about my dog, Cassie, before, well here is finally a picture!

She’s half Dalmatian, and half black Labrador. What a little loving bee! She’s the queen bee of the house, that’s for sure.

Anyways, hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween. I am going to get out and run again tomorrow morning, and if it’s raining I’ll hit up the gym dreadmill. An easy five, with another 4 on Sunday, that one at about 8 minute mile splits. Trying to get the speed back up for the Long Beach Turkey Trot and Chicken Chucking Contest 5k/10k I am hoping to do on Thanksgiving, and then the Quench The Fire 5k in Long Beach on December 7th.

Here is another little recipe I found that I’m going to make after my run tomorrow morning, the bananas are a good source of potassium after a long run.

Brewhaha Chocolate Banana

Ingredients:

1/2 cups low fat chocolate milk

1 ripe bananas

1/4 tablespoons peanut butter (go for the low fat kind if you are watching your weight)

5 ice cubes

Place the chocolate milk, bananas, peanut butter and ice cubes in a blender and process until smooth.

Very little calories, and banana is super good for you after a run.

Happy Halloween all my lovelies! And check back on Monday for some great election freebies.. (yes free food if you vote!) and some more running gear! Remember tomorrow is the last day to sign up for the giveaway. Don’t miss out, sign up here!!!

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BrewHAHA!

So tonight I will be supporting my boy’s football team for the big game. Any injuries, and he’s on the field! Way to go Athletic Trainers! Tomorrow we might go to a party, but we’ll see. I have been caught down with another little cold, and I’m trying to get better as quickly as possible. You see I’ve never been one to be really great with the whole snot rocket thing while running. Not that I have a problem with the idea, or even doing it, I just can’t do it properly, (believe me I’ve tried quite a few times) and always just end up with snot all over my face, shoulder, shirt, etc. Enough with the goriness… but hey it’s Halloween right?

This morning I was going to get up and go for a jog, but it was raining, and I didn’t want to make myself more sick than I already was. I did look outside, and though I complain a lot about living in the people infested area that I do, this was just gorgeous…

Sometimes seeing one of those just puts you in a great mood in the morning, doesn’t it? Since I seem to be all about posting pictures and it’s Nike Mom’s T.g.i.f photo friday, this is my favorite Halloween card, EVER, hands down! I seem to get it every year, and I just love it

So funny! And maybe this is even funnier… I’ve talked about my dog, Cassie, before, well here is finally a picture!

She’s half Dalmatian, and half black Labrador. What a little loving bee! She’s the queen bee of the house, that’s for sure.

Anyways, hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween. I am going to get out and run again tomorrow morning, and if it’s raining I’ll hit up the gym dreadmill. An easy five, with another 4 on Sunday, that one at about 8 minute mile splits. Trying to get the speed back up for the Long Beach Turkey Trot and Chicken Chucking Contest 5k/10k I am hoping to do on Thanksgiving, and then the Quench The Fire 5k in Long Beach on December 7th.

Here is another little recipe I found that I’m going to make after my run tomorrow morning, the bananas are a good source of potassium after a long run.

Brewhaha Chocolate Banana

Ingredients:

1/2 cups low fat chocolate milk

1 ripe bananas

1/4 tablespoons peanut butter (go for the low fat kind if you are watching your weight)

5 ice cubes

Place the chocolate milk, bananas, peanut butter and ice cubes in a blender and process until smooth.

Very little calories, and banana is super good for you after a run.

Happy Halloween all my lovelies! And check back on Monday for some great election freebies.. (yes free food if you vote!) and some more running gear! Remember tomorrow is the last day to sign up for the giveaway. Don’t miss out, sign up here!!!

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