Cuban Black Beans & Tempeh Tacos

Another yummy combination!!

Cuban Black Beans

Ingredients
*2 cans black beans (but this one I used the dry beans, just let them soak and cooked them the night before)

*1 chopped onion

*1 jalapeno sliced (with seeds and meat scooped out)

*a few other peppers (I used serranos for a kick)

*cumin

*garlic

*veggie stock

1. Saute onions and peppers until onions are translucent.

2. Add veggie stock, cumin, garlic, any other spices and black beans.

3. Simmer for about 20-30 minutes.

4. With hand mixer, chop black beans to the consistency of your liking.

Note: Make this recipe yours...try different spices, different beans, peppers, veggies, stock, etc. Pretty simple!

Tempeh Tacos

Ingredients
*One block of tempeh (chopped)

*1 chopped onion

*Diced red, green, yellow bell peppers

* corn
*black beans

*cumin

*chili powder

*cayenne peper (if you like a kick)

1. Brown tempeh (spray skillet with cooking spray).

2. Add onion, peppers, onions, black beans, corn, cumin, chili powder and any other spices.

3. Add a little water to the skillet.

4. Simmer until all the spices are evenly mixed, about 20-30 minutes, stirring ocassionally.

5. Add anything else you prefer, like cilantro, etc.

6. Chop fresh veggies for the toppings.

And you're finished! Enjoy!

Vegan Roasted Kale Chips

Vegan Roasted Kale Chips

**I found this one on the Whole Foods website; I adapted it some**

Ingredients

*1 bunch kale

*1 TBsp extra virgin olive oil

*chili powder

*nutritional yeast (I used the garlic flavored)

*garlic powder (I <3 garlic!)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Rinse the kale. Separate the leaves from the stem (I discarded the stem). Tear leaves into smaller pieces.

3. Drizzle oil over the kale leaves. Toss.

4. Add your spices! Toss.

5. Spread single layer on pan.

6. Bake for about 5-7 minutes or until kale is brown.

Yummy!

Pumpkin Enchiladas

I will start with a recipe I've made several times and it has turned out excellent each time.

Pumpkin Enchiladas (via Hungry Girl)

Ingredients
*1/3 c. chopped onion
*2/3 c. canned pure pumpkin
*1 1/2 TBsp salsa
*1 tsp taco seasoning
*2 large corn tortillas
* 3/4 c. red enchilada sauce
*1 slice fat-free cheddar cheese (optional)
*1/4 c. shredded fat-free cheddar cheese

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Saute onions in a medium heat skillet.
3. In a bowl, add pumpkin, salsa, and taco seasoning. Add onions.
4. Warm tortillas for about 15 seconds in the microwave.
5. Lay tortillas flat, side by side. Spread 2 TBsp enchilada sauce onto each one. Place a half-slice of cheese in center of each tortilla. Evely distribute pumpkin mixture between centers of the tortillas.
6. Wrap up tortillas tightly and place them in baking pan seam down. Cover with remaining enchilada sauce.
7. Bake in oven until enchiladas are hot, about 8 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and sprinkle shredded cheese on top.

Special Notes: Instead of canned enchilada sauce, I just water down my taco seasoning sometimes. You can always make this without cheese. I also like to add green onions on top and sometimes I'll add pepper to the pumpkin mixture.

**This mixture makes two servings. Usually, I at least double or triple the recipe to get a whole pan for yummy leftovers.**

Confidence...confidence...confidence....

One week away from the Gate River Run and I feel like I'm not even remotely ready for it.....Lately, I've been feeling not-good-enough. I guess we all have those moments....I'm experiencing all these new adventures; it's exciting in one way and a little nerve-wrecking in another. So, from the song "Closing Time": "Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end." Keeping positive....

Besides running, I'm going meat-free (and hopefully vegan) for the month of March via No Meat March. I'm hoping it will be a more permanent move. So far, two days in, I'm not missing meat. I'll be posting some tasty recipes as I experiment in the kitchen. Look for the first one soon! :-)

2011...what a year!

2011 was quite an interesting year for me. I did a lot for me and accomplished quite a bit: lost about 120 pounds, completed about seven 5Ks, one 5-miler, one 10-miler and my first half marathon. I experienced heartache, but then found a wonderful, loving, supportive partner in life. :-) In between all this stuff, I did something I've never done before: I dated. I got some experience in meeting new people and met a few interesting characters along the way. I also started this blog in 2011, to keep me motivated in running 150 miles in 150 days. It was definitely a motivator! I also met some amazing people who've had similar experiences or were just starting on their journey, including Ben Davis and his brother and father. Participating in the Do Life 5K tour gave me the extra push to help train for the half marathon. Thank you!

I rang in the New Year with Matt, a glass of Moscato and the sight and sound of neighbors' fireworks and company of the Squidbillies.

The first day of 2012 has been awesome. It was a lazy Sunday, at least for me. I spent some quality time with Matt, did yard work in the backyard, clipped coupons, watched the remainder of the second volume of Squidbillies, cooked dinner (with the help of my honey) and did dishes (also with the help of my honey!). I also read about a 100 pages of Kara Goucher's "Running for Women" while taking notes.

I don't have any resolutions for 2012, more like goals.
1) Complete the Gate River Run and laugh in the face of the Green Monster.
2) Complete a 5K, 10K and half marathon in a 24-hour period, aka the Tour de Pain Extreme.
3) Plan and create an herb garden and butterfly garden in the backyard.
4) Become a certified group fitness instructor.
5) Complete the 12-week Do Life Challenge.
6) Start writing my book.
7) Do life with Matt, including date nights, roadtrips, time in the kitchen, etc. :-)

Whew....I'm already working on some of these goals....can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for me!

Post Race Report

It took awhile to process things...it was such an amazing moment, well, series of moments.

I just couldn't get enough sleep the night before. First, the AC in the hotel room wasn't blowing cold air, so it was a little sticky in the room. And of course, I couldn't sleep because I was so excited. Although I fell asleep around 11 pm, I eagerly awoke when my 3 am alarm chimed. I took a shower with little water pressure, did my usual morning routines and made my oatmeal and apple breakfast. I watched the Showtime channel while eating...some weird movie beause every other channel had infomercials playing. I got my special outfit on, checked off my list: watch (check), shuffle (check), race bib (check) and pace bib (check). Matt woke up about an hour after me and got ready pretty quickly. We walked outside the hotel and got on the shuttle bus. It seemed like it took forever to get to the race site. I saw everyone around me excited. Some were drinking their special pre-race shakes. Some were conversing about their expected paces. Some were quiet (like me).

We got to the race site at about 4:50 am. Matt helped secure my bibs and my D-tag. We took pictures with the space props. We sat down to soak it all in....A little later I did my last minute pit stop and searched high and low for a water fountain (because they didn't have water out). We walked to the start area. I found my pace team with leader Marcella. I tried to focus on the tips she was giving, but my mind kept wondering about what was to come. Matt and I embraced for 5 minutes....then I was on my own....

The blast off started....countdown 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1! Then, nothing. No movement....I started to feel really antsy....I didn't pass the finish line until about 5-6 minutes after the start. What a crazy few minutes! It felt as if we were on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, except without the beads!

LMAO's "Sexy and I Know It" started my 13 mile journey. Also, what started instantly: my back began to hurt. I tried not to panic... I wasn't going to stop! Every mile marker, our pace team cheered for another mile down. I was keeping up with Marcela pretty well. Every water station we walked up to the station, then drank and walked several yards before starting again.

Around mile 2-3, the slight rain started. It felt so refreshing and kept my mind off my back. I saw the sun peek through the clouds and glisten across the Indian River during its rise. I smelt the river and its breeze. I felt the waves and currents...It was so peaceful.

About the turnaround point, my knees started hurting and my feet were aching. I still had half the race left! The cheering crowds helped me get through the last half of the race....also the many people who saw my shirt and while passing me, and congratulated me on my accomplishments kept the fire still burning.

I also kept distracted by thinking about you guys...about all who have touched my life in some way. I also thought about myself and what I have accomplished. That no one can EVER take this away from me. That I am stronger than I give myself credit for. That I am doing this!

Around mile 10, the full marathon winner, a gentleman from Nicaragua passed me....he had a police escort...how amazing! How can someone be that fast for that long!?

Around mile 11, I started crying. "It Will Rain" by Bruno Mars started playing...I guess it all became real that I was about to finish my first half marathon! Lil' Wayne's "How To Love" played after that, and I started to think about how I didn't love myself...but now I do...more crying and 1 mile left...

The intracoastal bridge was my benchmark on how far I had left. It was such a sweet sight to see the crowds and bridge get bigger. One person stood out in the crowds....I'm not sure if she was just a mirage or real. She was about my age and had dark hair pulled back. She was wearing a dark colored shirt and I think jeans. Every so many miles, she was shouting, cheering and clapping for us. As we passed, she looked us in the eyes...her encouragement helped so much! Every time I needed her, she was there!

As we turned to the park and onto the sidewalk, I couldn't hold my emotions back...I started crying until I could hardly breathe, then I had to stop....my feet, my back were hurting...my knees swollen, but I somehow found the strength to run a little faster to the finish. At the finish line, I screamed bloody murder. I think I may have annoyed those who finished near me. Marcella was there to greet me at the finish and one of the volunteers wanted to give me my medal because I was the one who made all that noise. I took a few pictures then I met up with Uncle Doug, Victor and Matt.

It felt weird to stop. The pain in my feet was throbbing and I limped around slowly. I had my breakfast and just took a deep breath....wow!

I took off my shoes and socks gingerly....I found a few monster blister souvenirs...no wonder my feet were hurting!! My legs and knees were super sore, but overall I felt great!

I can now say that I ran 13.1 miles straight without stopping. I ran it in 2:39. I got some heavy bling, a beach towel, a patch and a lifetime full of memories....I cannot wait until the next race!!

Completed at last!

Well, I finished...it was really tough, but I did it...I'm trying to soak in everything at the moment and will have a detailed report about my trip down the Indian River tomorrow. Right now, I'm thankful I can still walk (with a little limp though). :-) More information to come soon!