run for your life!

I miss you. I've been MIA because life is just a huge ball of busy. Yuck. Sorry for my absence, but I'm back. Oh, joy.

Unfortunately for some, this post is about running (gotta work off those bowls (yes, plural) of ice cream somehow)...if you're looking for sugary sweet goodness, feel free to bow out until the next post. I'll forgive you.

On May 1st, I woke up around 3:30am (it's just plain wrong, I know), threw back a pot of coffee, munched on some toast and peanut butter and headed out the door to run the Orange County Half Marathon!

This was my second half marathon and I was AMPED (wish you could hear me say that word in my best burly man voice)! Ever since I ran my first half-marathon, I had been counting down the days until my next one..but I was a bit nervous.

I promise I'm running and not marching as it appears in this picture.

I won 3rd place in that first half-marathon with a time of 1:55, and my goal was to finish this race in 1:45. Now, here's why that's a bit of a rraaaaaaaaraaareach (rev run anyone?):

• I haven't really been training. If you count spotty 3-6 mile runs and two 10-milers as training then we're golden.
• Cutting 10 minutes off a time isn't normal.
• I've been eating sugar like America's sugar production may be in peril.
• Humans weren't made to wake up at 3:30am.

The great theologian, Ricky Bobby, once said, "If you're not first, you're last," and I really didn't want to be last, but I sure as heck knew I wouldn't be first. Oh, the dilemma.

I started off the race pretty fast and felt great for the first five miles. The race support was great, and I successfully drank water/gatorade at the aide stations and managed to not spill it all over myself. If I was to be honest, I find an odd satisfaction in throwing the cup down on the ground as I'm running when I'm done with it. Oh, the joys of littering.

The course was gorgeous (we ran from Fashion Island to the OC Fairgrounds), and the millionaires came out from their incredible houses to cheer us on in their gold-encrusted robes. How sweet. I'm kidding about the robes...but you get the picture. At one point, I asked a random lady what pace we were running at because she had a Garmin (I want one so bad! ps my bday is coming up! hint hint.), and she said 7:15...YOWZA! 7:15 min miles? I said boom-shaka-laka, received a strange look and kept pushing.

When I saw the mile 7 marker I decided running this thing was the worst decision I could have ever made. I wanted to be eating donuts, drinking coffee and relaxing...I was tired. Then I decided that was lame. I forged ahead and pushed as hard as I could. Bonafide badass.

Delusional smile. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toward mile 9 I started to feel discouraged. People were starting to pass me and the competitive Megan freaked out. I had 4.1 miles to go and my legs felt like sand bags. It was at that moment that I reminded myself I was doing this race because I LOVE TO RUN and I am not competing against a single runner out there. I was doing it for myself and whatever time I got would be a success because at least my sugar-fueled body was out there giving it my all. From that point on, I didn't think about my time, my pace or anyone else...just ran a pace that felt right to me.

As I approached the finish line, I saw the big time clock and couldn't believe my eyes...1:41!!!! What?!?! I freaked out as I crossed the line and then heard Brandon calling my name! I was in a state of exhaustion and pure shock. I took 14 minutes off my time people!!

Crossing the finish line.

Here's the lesson I took away from this race: Child, what are you doing worrying about other people? If you could for one moment take your eyes away from others and how you compare to them, you will have better focus and clarity in your own life. The moment you choose to focus on your own situation...your own pace...your own problems...your own short-comings...your own struggles....your own strengths...your own successes....is the moment that you begin to thrive...to truly live. It seems natural to continuously be focused on how fast you are traveling compared to others (how much money you have in comparison to them, how pretty you are compared to them, how strong your relationships are compared to theirs, etc.), but it is the kiss of death. You will surprise yourself at how much you get done, how successful you are, how healthy you become, when you quit staring at other people and begin to take a good, long, hard look in the mirror...only to see the beauty..the strength...the glory living inside of YOU.

Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake

Isn't she a beaut?! Photo Credit: The talented mr. bee man :)

I love beach bonfires. The light, carefree feeling of hanging around the fire, digging my toes into the sand, cozying up in an over-sized sweatshirt, laughing with friends as the wood crackles...

ok, let's get real for a second...i really go for the s'mores. there. i said it.

mmm toasty goodness.

luckily, where i live in southern california, beach bonfires can be pretty much a year-round thing. however, when the craving strikes for a s'more...i have been known to make a stove-top one (or two. ok, fine. three.)...but, what happens when --gasp-- you don't have everything to make a s'more? or looking for something a little different... a little more couture?

enter the toasted marshmallow milkshake. (trigger salivary glands)

let's get to this because I'm sure you can't wait another second to see what this is all about!


















Roast some marshmallows. You want them pretty brown to get the right toasty flavor. Throw 'em in the blender.

Scoop some high quality vanilla ice cream and add it to the mix.

Add some milk to the toasted marshmallows and ice cream and give it a twirl.

Pour into a glass, top with a toasted marshmallow and enjoy....no bonfire required.

do yourself a favor and make this. today.


Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake
serves 4 
Ingredients:
5 toasted marshmallows (more for garnish)
2 cups ice cream (i like a lot of ice cream in my shakes!)
1 1/2 cups 2% or whole milk (add more or less for desired consistency)

Blend the toasted marshmallows, ice cream and milk until smooth and creamy. Drink your bonfire! :)

The Best Caramel Corn Ever ...

Addictive Caramel Corn

 Are you ready for this?

Homemade. caramel. corn.

Um, hello. I started it off by popping my own popcorn in...drumroll please....coconut oil. Mmmhmm I went there! This one step makes all of the difference in the world. I can't believe I even had the idea. Someone brilliant must have invaded my brain for a moment, trudged through the mass of wedding planning thoughts, the never-ending thoughts about food and running and implanted the idea.

It's simple to make (seriously) and you will never believe the taste. It is beyond addicting.



Here, come with me...I'll show you how it's done:

The Culprits

 

Like any good recipe, you start by melting two sticks of butter. 

 

Pour in the corn syrup. Oh, corn syrup, you're so bad for me, yet so good for me.

Throw in the brown sugar, baby. Brown sugar is for sure my favorite sugar. (I could make an awkward joke right now, but loyal readership is the goal here people! Can't let the crazy out of the bag too soon) 

 

Add some salt.  

          Stir it all together. You're going to bring it to a boil and let it bubble away.

Add the vanilla. I always add more vanilla than a normal recipe would, but this is my recipe so it's all good. 

Then the baking soda. (I love how there's a package of Ezekiel brand english muffins in this picture next to me making a heart attack in a pot...those things are cardboard and the healthiest things ever...moderation, right?)

 Take it off the heat and stir it together and watch it foam and go sugar crazy.

Pour the mixture over 24 cups of popped pop corn. Pourrrr some sugahhhh on meeeehh. 

   

 Stir to coat the popped kernels. Try to make sure it's evenly distributed, getting the ooey-gooey goodness all over the corn. 

Then you transfer it into baking dishes and bake for 40 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes. hands down LLLLOOONNGGGGEEESSSSTTT 40 minutes of your life. I may have eaten handfuls some at each 10 minute interval. 

You have to make this. These are direct orders from the one and only (me). Invite some friends over, watch a movie and make this stuff. It truly is simple decadence. One bite and bee said, "I'm home."

Come home. The best caramel corn ever is waiting. Your taste buds will thank you.

Cute bags make it even more irresistible!

Addictive Caramel Corn
*Inspired from the Amatuer Gourmet 
1 cup butter
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
12 tbspn. pop corn kernels (makes 24 cups popped corn--trust me, you are going to want every cup)
1/2 cup coconut oil *this is the secret ingredient! (use canola oil if you don't have coconut oil on hand) 
Heat your oven to 250F.
To make popcorn: In a large pot with a lid, pour 1/4 cup of coconut oil (or oil of choice, but coconut oil gives the popcorn the most incredible flavor) and pour in 6 tablespoons of kernels. Place lid on pot and let pop. Be careful not to burn. Pour popcorn into a bowl and repeat the process once more with the remaining 1/4 cup of oil and 6 tablespoons popcorn kernels so you end up with 24 cups of popcorn. Move to extra large bowl or use a turkey roasting pan like I did :)
Make the caramel: Melt the butter, stir in the corn syrup, sugar and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil stirring constantly. Boil without stirring for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the baking soda and vanilla and watch it foam! Next, pour the caramel over the popped corn and mix well until evenly coated. Spread the coated corn into large cake pans and bake for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Let cool and then devour.

i'm lovin it ...

No, this is not a post about McDonald's.

However, this week I have had a random craving for a number 2. Do they still have that? two cheeseburgers, fries, a diet coke (best diet coke ever is from mcdonald's. ever) and big mac sauce on the side (whatever--is it just thousand island dressing? well, i'll give you a thousand reasons why if i was on a deserted island i'd want it with me.)

Are You Sure This Isn't Ice Cream?

i like to eat. shocker. ok, well it's true. in order to keep my metabolism pumpin' (remember the whole cupcakes, cakes, ice cream, anything sweet every single day thing?), i eat three meals a day, a mid-day snack and dessert after dinner (on most days).

i love snack time because it brings me back to miss red's class when i was in kindergarten and life was a lot simpler. side note: one time for halloween, i dressed up as my teacher, miss red. what was my costume you ask? oh, you know, just head-to-toe red clothing. the creativity thing started long ago, folks. ridiculous.

A Quick 30

I have a bunch of things to get done tonight. Finish online traffic school (i got my first speeding ticket...i know! i'm sorry! but that's pretty good for almost a 8-year clean streak!), edit my resume, blah blah...because i have tons to do, i decided to do a quick workout so i could get home to get my stuff done.

on most days after work, i'll either run, take an hour-long kickboxing or yoga class, but when i'm limited on time or don't feel like being in the gym with all the other gross sweaty people, i will do a quick 30 minute interval run. doing speed training like this is not only very good for your heart, but can drastically improve your endurance and performance on longer runs.

cavemen and bananas

this past week, i did the Paleo diet in preparation for another one of my 10-mile runs. it's supposed to improve athletic performance and enhance overall health. paleo is basically eating only what the cavemen supposedly ate (from the paleolithic era)...think: lean meats, fruit, veggies, nuts, and seeds. that's. it. no processed junk? ideal. no dairy (cheese, milk, sour cream, etc.), no beans, no pasta, potatoes or rice? B-O-R-I-N-G. i did great, had lot's of energy and definitely saw a time and energy improvement on my ten-miler. the week was good, but i do not envy cavemen. i have now resumed my normal healthy eating regime....one that includes whole grains :) carb-lover party of one? here!

so, i survived, but the worst part? it meant that i had to pass up one of my favorite things ever. ever. ever. cake....BANANA cake. not just any old banana cake, but my own recipe for a banana nut cream cake with a salted caramel drizzle covered with vanilla buttercream frosting. i'll wait here a minute while you go grab a towel to wipe up the puddle of drool on your keyboard.