Marathon #2: Ciudad Real -- Final Thoughts

Tomorrow is marathon day. 

It's funny because I don't really feel like I'm running a marathon tomorrow. As I type this post I'm in my pijamas and about to eat lunch. There are no nerves and I'm not over-thinking everything. I'm pretty much going with the flow. 

It's not as if there are guidelines as to how one is supposed to feel the day before running a marathon. However, my mindset and my emotions are completely different from my first marathon in Seville. It kind of worries me, though, that I'm not all nervous.

It will take us about 3 hours to drive to Ciudad Real from Córdoba. So we are leaving at 430am and should get there at 730am. At 8am I will get my race bib. This is the first time I've run a race without getting my bib beforehand.

Here's what I plan to wear for the event.

All tried and true race gear. I'm also bringing clothes to wear after the race as well.  As for food I plan to bring:

• Almond butter sandwiches
• Dates
• Clementines
• Tons of water and sports drinks
• Bananas

There is usually food provided after the race but I find it's hard to find something I can eat being vegan. It's just easier to bring my own food.

The weather will be sunny and around 37 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celcius) while I'm waiting for the race to start. It will warm up to around 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celcius) once the race begins at 930am.

This is it. By this time tommorrow I will have just finished my race...if all goes well! (I'm counting on it!) Wish me luck!

I will definitely post my marathon recap as soon as possible so check back on Sunday or Monday for details!

Vegan Recipes Starring: Soba Noodles and Leeks

These vegan recipes are the first time I've eaten soba noodles and leeks and now I'm hooked! I have about 5 packages of soba noodles in the kitchen cupboard and I buy leeks weekly...or whenever I run out! 

Actually my husband and I had some sauteed for dinner last night along with a delicious tomato salad!

I found these recipes in my Runner's World magazine strangely enough. In the nutrition section of the magazine they always feature a seasonal vegetable or ingredient. 

These recipes were super easy because I didn't have to buy any extra ingredients. They were also super easy to make vegan. For the soba noodles dish I substituted the peanut butter for almond butter because that's what I had in the kitchen.

The soba noodles dish

6 Tbsp. soy sauce (the recipe recommends tamari but I used what I had in the kitchen)

2  Tbsp. toasted sesame oil

1 Tbsp. unsalted peanut butter (or almond butter like I used)

1 Tbsp. rice vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar)

1 Tbsp. freshly grated ginger (I used 1 tsp. dried ginger)

2 cloves of garlic minced

Soba noodles

5 small spring onions chopped

1 Tbsp (or to taste) sesame seeds

some peanuts cut up for garnish (I used cashews)

some cilantro for garnish (optional --my husband hates the taste of it so I left it out)

In a large bowl mix the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, peanut (or almond) butter, vinegar, ginger, garlic and 2 Tbsp. water. Meanwhile cook the soba noodles according to the instructions on the package. When they are done rinse them with cool water and add them to the bowl with the remaining ingredients. Mix well and garnish with the sesame seeds, spring onion, nuts and cilantro.

The leek dish

1 Tbsp. Jerez vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 Tbsp. capers

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

8 leeks 

spring onion

Rinse and cut up the leeks and then put them in a large pot to boil for 10 minutes. Once cooked, drain them and put them in a large bowl and then add the vinaigrette. Garnish with spring onion (optional).

Weekly Recipe: Vegan Oatmeal Cookies

This is another "borrowed" recipe. I just made a few swaps for taste and to make it completely vegan.

My next goal is to make a vegan pumpkin pie. I think I will use silken tofu to substitute the dairy. The challenge will be the crust. Any suggestions?

Vegan Oatmeal Cookies

2 small or 1 large very ripe banana

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

3/4 cup raisins

2 cups unsweetened applesauce

2 tsp. baking powder

2 Tbsp. water

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups oatmeal

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine baking powder and water (to substitute eggs) and mix until dissolved. Add bananas, applesauce, sugar, and vanilla. In large bowl, mix together oatmeal, flours, baking soda, spices and raisins. Add combined fruit mixture to dry ingredients until just blended. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 25 minutes or until light golden brown.

The recipe is pretty accurate with the cookie count (it makes 40). My bananas weren't "very ripe" so I added some sugar. The original recipe doesn't have any. Even with the sugar these are not sweet cookies. 

I like them though. They are perfect for breakfast with a little almond or cashew butter. They are very dense so they are great as a snack because you will definitely stay full. Enjoy!

Things I'm Loving (September Edition)

So I've decided to introduce a new idea to the blog: monthly loves. 

I plan to add all types of new things I've tried and like for the given month.

No, I didn't invent the idea. I know. But I figured it would be a nice change from marathon training updates, hair updates, and fitness stuff. 

Plus, it helps me stick to my budget. There's always tons of non-necessity things that I want to buy every time I go to the supermarket. Limiting myself to a few new things a month will keep me in check....hopefully.

September's edition starts with FOOD!

When I was in Spain I had been CRAVING this like crazy! I wanted some cashew butter as well but haven't found it yet. I need to locate a Whole Foods near where I live because Trader Joe's (at least the one near me) only has almond butter and peanut butter (yucky!). 

 

These have to be the sweetest and softest raisins I have ever eaten in my life. I think it's because it doesn't have vegetable oil added to it. If you notice, most raisins have it because it makes them shiny and so they don't stick together in the package. These don't!

I love shredded wheat! This stuff is great and I've tried the other two flavors in my grocery store (cinnamon and vanilla). As you all know Kashi is great when it comes to all-natural ingredients. This cereal has only whole wheat and cane sugar in it. This is my power breakfast when I add some fruit and nuts.

These are SO delicious! They are easy, portable, sweet potato patties! It hits the spot when I want something sweet and still want to be healthy. There's only 8g of sugar per patty. I usually eat about two.

This is some dense bread. I only need to eat one piece to get full. Each slice is only 100 calories (not that I count calories) and is nice and thick. When I have lunch I like to have salty and sweet. So I cut a slice in half. The first half I spread with almond butter, sprinkle with some raisins and a drizzle of honey. The second half I eat with some cheese, and non fat turkey slices. Or, like today, with one of my veggie hotdogs (see below).

Here's a close up of this delish bread. I'm a bit nervous about the salt content so I'll probably try something else when it runs out.

This was my try veggie meat experiement. I've tried sausages before (don't remember the brand) and they were delicious. These smell horrible. Like chemicals. However, I got past the scent and tried them and they aren't bad. I'd buy them again. They are really chewy but taste faintly like smoked meat. These are small so if you want to make it a meal you'd have to eat two and a side dish!

I had to get my tea fix! I LOVE tea! I don't discriminate: I love white, black and green tea. I prefer loose tea but these tea bags aren't bad. It tastes fresh and like authentic green tea. I've been drinking it three times a day since I got it!

That's it. I've also been enjoying some old favorites like cottage cheese (non fat of course!), apple cider (I love the fall!) and greek yogurt (also non fat). I also found a wonderful farmer's market not too far from where I live. It sells wonderful, fresh fruit and veggies as well as nuts and plants. The next time I go I give a tour for the blog. But I'm loving it! I wonder what's in store for next month...

Oops! Almost forgot! Pecans we got from the friendly, local, farmer's market! They are nice and freshly picked tasting. Gotta love the farmer's market.