At long last...

I will FINALLY be done coaching crew on Wednesday, WHICH MEANS- I can finally start working out again. I've had 14-15 hr. days of work for the last 2 1/2 months and had no will or energy to move, let alone run for miles and miles. So, time to kick it into overdrive (after my vacation) and hit the pavement... just in time for the heat and humidity? Ick. :)

PS: What's the deal on our next running rendevouz? Boilermaker?

So I just heard a fantastic song called "Opportunity" by Pete Murray. I guess songs are usually fantastic when you can relate to them - today I felt like this guy was singing to me. Just wanted to share. Happy thursday, friends.

Finals

I think that optimally, my running would increase during finals time as an attempt to relieve stress, have some time for me, & to feel good. Instead, finals this year are coupled with subbing & coaching, making for a really tired version of myself with minimal running. I did get some cross training in last week, but I think only one run? Yuck.
I'm really ready for papers, projects, & exams to be over Thursday night, but in the meantime I'm going to make sure I make some time each day for some running--even just short 3 mile runs if needbe. Speaking of 3 mile runs, I think that as of June 1st, I'll be shuffling 3 mile runs out of my deck & a quick run will be 5 miles. Official marathon training starts June 8th for me, which is an interesting dichotomy of terror & excitement.
We're all on for the Boilermaker in July, right? And what are everyone's thoughts on the Freihofer's 5k June 5th?
Well ladies, happy running! I hope everyone's finding some time to get outside & hit the pavement!

It's Someone's Birthday...

FELIZ CUMPLE, CURRY!!!!

Grilled Stuffed Tomatoes

Yum Yum Yum. These are so yummy & with warmer weather on the way, tomatoes will be getting yummier, too!

6 large tomatoes
2 tbsp chopped green onions
2 tbsp chopped basil
6 oz goat cheese
salt and pepper
2 cups cooked orzo
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Cut tops off tomatoes, scoop out flesh & seeds, turn over onto paper towel to drain
Mix together onions, basil, & goat cheese
Add salt and pepper to taste (I throw in small pinch of salt and a few turns of pepper grinder)
Add cooked orzo and combine
Stuff the tomatoes with this mix
Drizzle olive oil over the tomatoes
Top tomatoes with parmesan cheese
Place on baking sheet and bake 10-12 minutes until heated through
Do not let tomatoes get too soft

*This recipe is easily cut in half to just make 3 tomatoes*

Delicious Dip

So we just had this dip at my nephew's (Brooks) Baptism and it is so yummy! And way easy to make!

2 Cups chopped vidalia onions (if vidalia onions are not available, use sweetest onion available)
2 Cups parmesan cheese (look in cheese section for shredded parmesan rather than grated)
3/4 Cup to 1 Cup Mayo (person preference here, anywhere between 3/4 to 1 C will work)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix 3 ingredients together.
Heat for 30 minutes.
Serve with various types of crackers & ENJOY!

Lottery Winner!

I think that it's fitting we CONGRATULATE LISA on her lottery entrance to the NYC Marathon!!!! Lisa found out yesterday afternoon that she has been granted a spot in this famous 26.2 mile race that will be held on Novemeber 7, 2010. I say we ALL add this to our calendars & plan to cheer Lisa on & spend some time in NYC together :) Good luck & happy training, Lisa!

Spinach-artichoke dip

I actually stole this from Betty Crocker. And it's not good for you. But I like it.

Preheat oven to 350

You need:

A small casserole dish
1 14-oz can of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese
1/2 of a fresh red bell pepper, chopped
1 box chopped frozen spinach, defrosted and drained of excess water (this is important - squeeze it with your hands if you have to).
mayonnaise - 1 cup? The best I can tell you is to put about the same amount of mayonnaise as you would in your tuna when you make it.
Mozarrella - enough to layer on top - to taste

Mix it all together. Stick it in the oven. It should take about 30-40 minutes.

Serve with Triscuits or pita or something else yummy.

Greatest (and quickest assembled) Breakfast Ever

...besides cereal. And yogurt. And cinnamon raisin bagels with strawberry cream cheese.

okay.

ONE OF the Greatest Breakfasts Ever:

1 piece of bread (multi grain will reduce guilt caused by the other ingredients)

Peanut butter

1 banana

honey

Preeeeeetty simple- toast the bread to your liking. Apply peanut butter (which will DELIGHTFULLY start to melt just a a bit). Slice banana and apply banana slices in any design you wish. Drizzle honey as desired

CONSUME AND ENJOY!!! It's just so good. Additional options for toppings: Strawberries, almonds, nutella, coconut, asparagus (not as popular), etc.

Little Yellow Things

These are always a huge hit at holiday parties!

3 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp chopped onion or scallions
1 tsp milk
5 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
8 oz crescent rolls

• Oven at 375 degrees
• Combine first 3 ingredients--heat in microwave until soft & smooth
• Stir in bacon
• Press rolls into 4 rectangles, smooshing (technical cooking term here) triangle edges together to seal rectangular whole
• Spread cream cheese mix equally over each rectangle
• Roll long side up
• Pinch to seal
• Cut each roll into 8 pieces (I find it easiest to half the whole roll, half the halves, half the quarters)
• Place on ungreased pan
• Bake at 375 for 12 minutes until dough is a bright yellow (there might be some light brown that shows, too)
• Enjoy!!

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Thought I'd share my favorite sweet treat. And no, I usually can't wait for them to cool fully before eating them. They are AWESOME.

Double Chocolate chip cookies:

1 3/4 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 tablespoons milk

(1 cup pecans or walnuts- optional, and I never use them)

6 ounces (1 cup) semisweet chocolate chips.

Combine flour and baking soda and set aside. Cream the butter with an electric mixer, in another bowl. Then add vanilla, and subars and beat it up until it's "fluffy". Beat in an egg. Then slowly beat in cocoa and milk (this is a very violent receipe!). Then mix in the dry ingredients with a spoon. Then stir in the chips. Put them on a nonstick baking sheet, and bake at 350 degrees for 12-13 min.

WAIT FOR THEM TO COOL (a little) AND ENJOY! :)

Melanie's Favorite Chicken

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2-1C bread crumbs
1/2-1C parmesan cheese
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp dried basil
1 tsp garlic powder
pepper to tase
1 stick butter or margarine (8 tbsps)

Oven at 350 degrees

• melt butter in small skillet
• combine all dry ingredients in bowl--have ready baking pan/dish
• dip chicken in butter, then dry ingredients
• pat firmly in place in baking dish (pour remaining butter over chicken before baking)
• bake 30-40 minutes, longer if chicken is thick