Jan 14, 2012 Posted by Jennifer on Jan 14, 2012 in a day in the life of me!, Team in Training | 2 comments

Survived 1st day of training for the half marathon

For those of you who don’t know, my husband and I are training with Team in Training for the Christy Clinic Half marathon and marathon which is on April 28, 2012!

I’m training for the half – my husband is training for the full marathon, which of all things takes place at U of I in Champaign where he went to undergrad and law school AND it’s on his 50th birthday – so not a bad way to spend your birthday!

I am not going to lie though – I was super nervous about this morning. Since we’ve had such a mild winter this year, several times in December and January – we ran in shorts sleeves and shorts – that every time I saw the weather this week – and it kept getting colder and colder I was worried I was going to freeze my ass off!

The temp was 15 when we got downtown to the Chicago Lakefront path. We had to be there at 8:00 a.m. I wore my tank top on the first layer, a long sleeve with turtleneck Nike shirt, my short sleeve Team in Training shirt over that, and TWO windbreakers + I put on 2 pairs of running pants – just to make sure

We arrived in the parking lot at the Wilson exit which had not been plowed yet – so we didn’t have to pay for parking because you couldn’t even see where the parking spots were – so that was excellent.

There was about 20 people who braved the cold. The full marathoners had to run 6 miles, the half marathoners (which is me) had to run 4 miles. The great thing about the Lakefront path is it’s so pretty – and it was snowing huge snowflakes so it kind of felt like you were running in a snow globe!

The path is so pretty!

So even though when we were standing around ready to get started I was cold – once I got going at about the halfway point I was actually getting warm! I even took off my gloves at one point. And since the path was cleared, my shoes didn’t get wet – so that was a bonus too because I thought I would be running on snow the whole time.

So I’ve got to really keep to my weekday schedule and get my runs in – because next Saturday we are already doing 6 miles!

Here is my schedule for this race:

January 14 – 4 miles
January 21 – 6 miles
January 28 – 6 miles
February 50 minutes – we have a long distance clinic talking about getting into longer distances and things you need to know
February 11 – 8 miles
February 18 – 6 miles
February 25 – 8 miles
March 3 – 90 minutes
March 10 – 10 miles – yikes!
March 17 – 8 miles
March 24 – 12 miles
March 31 – 60 minutes
April 7 – 12 miles
April 14 – 100 minutes
April 21 – 60 minutes
April 28 – EVENT DAY!

So not a long season. When my husband and I did the Chicago Marathon in 2005 and 2006 we started training with the Team in February and the marathon wasn’t until October – so it will be weird for this training to go by so fast.

If you’ve ever wanted to train for an event check out Team in Training – they have training all over the country (www.teamintraining.org)

AND – since we are raising money to fight blood cancers – HERE IS OUR FUNDRAISING PAGE - no donation is too small!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Jan 10, 2012 Posted by Jennifer on Jan 10, 2012 in a day in the life of me!, chicken, Dinner Idea, eggs, general ideas, kid friendly, pasta, potluck, sauces | 0 comments

Rick Bayless Taco/Enchilada Sauces = Easy & Tasty dinner!

In our Christmas box from my brother’s family – I received some deluxe food items – almost all of which we’ve already eaten. I got this:

This pesto is made with almonds and peppers and is delish. A little goes a long way, so you don’t have to use that much to add flavor to what you are making. Last week I made lunch with it a few times.

I used a cooked potato, mixed veggies, green onions, peppers, a scrambled egg and added some of the pesto and a leftover Target Chicken sausage – cut up. It was super filling and yummy!

But onto the RIck Bayless sauces! You can now buy in the grocery store some of his signature sauces. To be honest I wasn’t quite sure how it would taste – but was pleasantly surprised that these tasted so good! Definitely worth it to check out. I got the taco sauce and the enchilada sauce.

With the enchilada sauce I cut up some chicken, added a bag of frozen peppers from Trader Joe’s and cooked that until it was done. In a separate pot, I cooked up some orzo and drained that. I added the orzo to the chicken and peppers and used 1 packet of the enchilada sauce. Dinner was done in less than 30 minutes and there was no leftovers – so I consider that a hit!

So thanks to my brother Charlie and his family for giving us such great gifts in our Christmas basket this year – we really loved everything!

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And on the Team in Training front, my husband and I went to the kick-off at Eduardo’s pizza in Skokie, IL on Saturday. Basically it’s a getting to know you, meet the coaches, go for a short 30 minute run, come back, eat pizza (nice!) and then we had a clinic about what to wear when it’s cold outside and layering from 2 men from Fleet Feet running store in Chicago. Although who needs that advice now since today is going to be in the 50′s again! Winter hasn’t really come yet this year – which is fine with me!

We got some stuff too – 2 new Team in Training shirts, the white one is for being alumni since this is my 4th event with the Team. We got water bottles and reps from FRS which is a company that has sports drinks for athletes, so we got to take some samples of that too.

It was a great time – we saw some team members from when we did our last event back in 2007 – and met Doug a patient honoree who is battling lymphoma – but also raising money and running events with Team in Training – I always get choked up meeting people like that.

So, our fundraising page is open for donations – no donation is too small – it all adds up!

Have a great day everyone!

Jan 6, 2012 Posted by Jennifer on Jan 6, 2012 in a day in the life of me!, Half marathon training, recipe make over | 1 comment

Five Buck Friday/Getting ready for Kick-off for Half Marathon with Team in Training!

Hi everyone! I hope your first week of January is going well! Everyone is getting out of vacation mode and getting back to work – our kids are still off school – they start back Monday, so next week I’m sure will be more of a challenge now that there will be homework, making lunches, getting up earlier, etc.

My husband and I are super excited because tomorrow is the Kick-Off party for Team in Training for our event taking place on April 28th. I am running the half marathon and my husband is going to do the full marathon.

We are raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – SO we have started a 5 buck Friday – if you have an extra $5.00 to spare – please consider donating to this great cause!

Our FUNDRAISING PAGE IS HERE WHERE YOU CAN MAKE A DONATION ONLINE.

The kick off is always great. You meet the coaches, we get a mentor who we will also meet for support throughout the season, as well as getting to know the other runners. I will be updating everyone throughout the training about how we are doing, so come back to check up on me!

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Since I love to cook, I record a TON of cooking shows. I am lucky to not only have Food TV, but also the Cooking Channel too. As I was scrolling to see what shows were on, I was intrigued by one show so I decided to record it.

Bobby Deen, Paula Deen’s son, has his own cooking show that feautures recipes that his Mom has made, but Bobby has revamped them into healthier fare! I’m including the link to Cooking Channel and the recipes he’s redone.

Check the recipes out here

The interesting part was he would compare the calories and fat of his Mom’s food (which has horrible stats of course) and then compare to his version. Did you know she makes a bread pudding casserole that has Krispy Kreme donuts as the base of the recipe??? He redid that one using skim milk, non fat whipped cream and whole wheat donuts as the base (and a lot less donuts too!)

So, if you don’t have Cooking Channel, they have tons of recipes on line.

So, what’s up for your weekend plans??? Have a great one!

Jan 2, 2012 Posted by Jennifer on Jan 2, 2012 in a day in the life of me!, holiday foods, kid friendly | 6 comments

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! It’s been a great Holiday – I’ve had 10 days off in a row, so I cannot complain about that

I also slept in every day, I did run a few times (running into my friend Jacky while we were both running in our neighborhood. I had Christmas with my husbands side of the family on Christmas Day and yesterday was spent having a 2nd Christmas at my Mom’s since she was out of town visiting my brother.

I got a little more organized, I spent time reading a new book “The Kitchen Counter Cooking School” which is a great read, we got a new to me (used) car – which I am VERY Happy about. Here is my new car:

We took the kids to the eye Dr. and Mark and Paul’s prescription changed (Mark’s doubled!) and Claire was complaining she couldn’t see close – so she got new glasses too! We went to America’s Best – and if you don’t get all the “extras” it is 2 pairs for $69.95 WITH the eye exam – so it’s a great deal. We are waiting to pick those up – but they are super excited about getting new glasses

So here are some pictures from my Holiday:

So – all in all a great Holiday. And I am one of those people who makes New Year’s Resolutions – so here are mine:

Enter a cooking contest sometime this year
Learn to can – I really want to make homemade sweet and spicy pickles this year
I have an idea for a cookbook – so I’m going to start working on that
Run a half marathon – since I’m signed up I have to do it! April 28th 2012. Don’t forget to donate HERE
And I’m not putting down lose weight, my plan is to continue eating great and exercising and because of that the weight will come off, but I’m not going to count points, or calories, just focus on healthy foods and correct portions!

SO what’s your New Years Resolutions???

Dec 21, 2011 Posted by Jennifer on Dec 21, 2011 in a day in the life of me!, breakfast, cookies, dessert, party food! | 2 comments

Cinnamon-Sugar Cookie squares

I found this recipe from Gilt Taste. The other day they were featuring recipes from Momofuku Milk Bar in New York. If you aren’t familiar with Momofuku milk bar, they are famous for cookies, pies and shakes.

I wouldn’t really call this recipe cookie squares because to me they taste more like a coffee cake, but either way – these are great. I make all the gifts for teachers and crossing guards, so I’ve been trying some new things. Not only would these be great as teachers gifts, but also for guests staying at your house for the holidays, because it makes a lot!

Here is the recipe:

Cinnamon-Sugar Cookie Squares
Makes approx 150 bite-size cookies

½ cup butter, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
½ cup canola oil
2 eggs
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Cinnamon sugar, to garnish*

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 11-by-15-inch pan.**
Mix all the ingredients together with an electric mixer, beginning with the butter, sugar, oil, eggs, milk and finally the dry ingredients.
Pour into the pan and spread evenly with a metal spatula or knife. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar all over and bake for 20 minutes or until the edges are light brown.
Allow to rest for 10 minutes, then invert onto a cutting board and cut into bite-size squares.
*To make cinnamon sugar, mix ½ tablespoon of cinnamon for every ¼ cup of sugar.

**Who has an 11×15 baking pan?? I don’t! I used an 11×17 jelly roll pan, or I’m sure you could use 9×13 pan – they would probably just need to cook a little longer.

It’s been such a busy time – I haven’t been able to read everyone’s blogs – but starting Friday the 23rd I am off until January 3rd! It will be the longest I’ve been off in a row in 7 years!!! I am so excited!!!

And, it’s the 21st of December and I have successfully stayed away from all treats at work – can you believe that?? Gourmet popcorn, cookies, fudge, donuts, muffins, coffee cake, etc… I’ve had NONE!!

And I’ve been working out every day too. I’ve started training for the half marathon. The official training starts in January, but I want to be able to not be totally out of breath when I get there! So I’ve been running, doing Taebo, my son Mark hooked up the VHS and now I have about 20 Firm tapes to work out to – I think I’ve had those for 20 years!!

How are your Christmas plans coming along???