Runner Mom

My running adventures are this girl's peace.  I do have a love/hate relationship with running, but mostly it's love.  I love being outside...it's very refreshing and renewing for me...especially with having 4 kids.  

Today I did my normal route.  I've been avoiding part of the trail I go on since my 1/2 marathon 2 weeks ago because my left foot had been bugging me, but since I felt great, I did the extra trail today.  I push my son Owen (who is 2) in a jogging stroller pretty much every day I go out.  It's a great extra calorie burner, plus when I do go run alone, I feel extra strong because I'm not pushing around a bunch of extra weight.

Today was a nice sunny day after a few days of blah and rain.  It was great to feel the warmth of the sun on me.  Here are some pics from the run.

I ran 7.25 miles today and was my run #39 for the year.  Wore some new capris today...I normally go black (because they are slimming right??!!), but today I went for a dark gray...was a little nervous because I do sweat when I run and I was worried about looking like I peed myself from the sweat marks.  But none to be seen!  Yay!  

After my run I was FAMISHED...so I made a egg scramble inspired by my hubby.  Eggs with fresh spinach, onions, peppers, mushrooms and sausage.  Topped with salsa.  Super yummy!!

My next run will be Friday...weather permitting.  Plus I do have a crossfit class tomorrow morning for some strength training.  Yay!  This girl will be in the best shape ever!

My Baseball Boy.

Ethan is having such a great time playing baseball.  This year he is playing Farm.  He likes it better than t-ball....a little more action.  They get pitched to with a pitching machine that the coaches control.  Gets they used to batting at a ball coming at them, plus it give the coaches control on the height that the ball is coming at them.  It's fun to watch.  The one thing we are getting used to is having to be at the game for over 2 hours....with 4 kids....  Luckily we can use Abby to help keep an eye on Owen so we can actually watch most of the game.  She earns extra time up for Saturday night by helping out.  I'm all for bribery.  Ethan has done really well since the season started.  Last game he earned the game ball from going 3-3 with 3 RBI's.  I love watching him.  He looks like a natural when he plays.  Here is a video from his last game.

What's going on???

Was reading through my blog yesterday...almost forgot I had it!  It was a nice stroll down memory lane!  So here is an update to bring everyone present.

Abby is nearing the end of her first year of middle school (6th grade) and has adapted very well.  She just recently brought home her 2nd trimester report card and another full round of straight A's.  She has made some good friends this year and her social calendar is growing!  She is in her 8th year of Girl Scouts and is in a new troop that she loves!  She is now a Cadette and will bridge to a Senior when she starts high school.  If she can keep going throughout HS, she can get some great scholarships for college.  Fingers crossed!

Ethan is doing really well with 1st grade.  He was struggling with reading and picking up on his site words in the beginning of the year, but with an added reading class for a few weeks before school, he is back up to grade level and continuing to exceed.  He has been getting really great grades as well, but needs to work on following his teacher's instructions during class...gets distracted easily (but what 6 year old boy doesn't??).  He played basketball in January and February and start baseball in March.  He is on a Farm team this year (Yankees) and is loving it.  They use a pitching machine that the coaches control vs. a tee to hit the ball from.  He will excel at baseball and I think he knows it.  He got to join Cub Scouts this year and has been having a lot of fun with that.  Between sports and Cub Scouts, he is keeping Bob busy...but I think they like that personal bonding time together.

Aaron is finishing up preschool and will start kindergarten in August.  He was SUPER shy when he started, but is loving it ever day he gets to go.  He goes MWF and always asks me if today he gets to go to school.  Can't believe he starts kinder this year!  So amazing how time flies!  Owen won't know what to do with himself without his buddy here with him to play.  Going to get Aaron signed up for soccer this year...his first year playing a sport.  Nervous with him playing sports, but I know he will love it.  

Owen is growing like a weed.  He is definitely independent.  But that's ok.  He's playing well on his own that I can get things accomplished during the day.  His speech is still behind.  He has words...but doesn't create any sentences yet.  I've been really working with him to see if we can't get him to start talking more.   I guess he is just not ready to have a conversation yet.  

Bob has been busy with work...got switched to a new team and has been trying to get his feel there.  He's been Ethan's shuttle dad for basketball & cub scouts, so that has been a nice break for me.  Bob got to go to Arizona this year for the Giant's Spring Training for a week with his stepdad and brother.  They had a blast and made an agreement to do this trip every other year together.  Now I just need to plan a girl's trip right?!  

I've been doing great.  Started running at the end of Dec. 2012 and been running ever since.  I started off with the C25K program and worked my way to a 5K (did 3 of those in March/April 2013) and then to a 10K in Sept. 2013 and then to a 10 mile (October 2013) and finally to my first 1/2 marathon in October 2013.  I finished my first 1/2 with a time of 2:28.  I just completed my 2nd 1/2 marathon in March 2014 with a time of 2:20 and was able to run the whole thing without stopping once.  I have few more runs set for this year (10 miler, 10k and another 1/2 marathon).  My goal is to eventually do a full marathon (CIM), but not sure if I will be ready for it this year or push it off until 2015.  We will have to see.  I LOVE running.  I run 3 days a week and do crossfit training 2 times a week.  With 4 kids, I needed to do something for myself...otherwise my kids would leave me behind.  This way I can definitely keep up with them.

We have some great vacations planned for this year.  Trip to Park City, UT, camping trip to Santa Cruz and a trip to Disneyland.  Can't wait!!!  Definitely in the need of some family FUN!!

We hope everyone is well!

30 Day Challenge - Day 13 - Pancake Puffins

In our house we try an do breakfast for dinner maybe once a week.  Easy, yummy & everyone loves it!  For tonight's challenge, I made Pancake Puffins...cross between a pancake & a muffin.  Super simple to make!  The kids ate them up!  Plus they don't all have to be the same, you can add different yummy extras to each one (or let your little one add their favorite items).  So here is how they looked and the recipe will be below.

Here is the recipe for you...

(now I double the batter recipe so we could have extras)

1 cup of pancake mix (Bisquick or Krusteaz)
2/3 cup of water
1/2 cup of syrup

Topping choices:
blueberries
strawberries
banana
sausage
bacon
chocolate chips
pecans
walnuts
etc.

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.  Serve and enjoy - no syrup required!

30 Day Challenge - Day 12 - Rainbow Pudding Pops

I figured since I missed a day this week, I would do 2 items today for my 30 Day Challenge of trying a new recipe every day for 30 days.  Today I thought I would do a cool treat for the kids.  Again from Pinterest I found this rainbowy cool recipe for Rainbow Pudding Pops.  And they are SUPER easy to make.  So here goes...

First I made the instant Vanilla Pudding and then separated it into 5 separate bowls to add the different colors.  I didn't have standard colors on hand...so we went for the neon colors.  Once we had our colors, we added them to each of the cups evenly.  I didn't have popsicle sticks on hand, so I used baby spoons (thank Owen!) which works just as good.  Once they were ready, we stuck them in the freezer to let them freeze.  Once they are frozen...the kids will be doing some serious enjoying on them.  Will try these again this summer...I think I may have to make myself some chocolate pudding pops for myself.  YUM!

 

30 Day Challenge - Day 11 - Baked Chicken Taquitos

Yesterday while looking for a recipe to make, I realized I missed a day in the process.  My MIL was in town and we met her for dinner...threw off my recipe finding/making.  So I will have to make up that day, maybe today.  =)

When looking for recipes, I try and make something with the ingredients I readily have on hand.  I have found a ton of new recipes on Pinterest, so again this one is from my findings there.  They looked super yummy and I had the ingredients (minus the cilantro - but I don't care for it, so I didn't miss it).

They turned out very yummy and can be made ahead of time and frozen for later consumption...double bonus!  My husband said I can definitely make these again and I think I will!

Here is the recipe.

 BAKED CREAMY CHICKEN TAQUITOS
recipe from: Our Best Bites and Pennies on a Platter

Yield: 12 taquitos

• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup green salsa
• 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice (juice from half a lime)
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 Tbsp chopped cilantro
• 2 Tbsp sliced green onions
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 cup shredded Mexican flavored cheese
• small flour or corn tortillas
• kosher salt
• cooking spray

Preheat your oven to 425˚F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, salsa, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, onion powder and garlic. Once combined, stir in the cilantro and green onions. Add the chicken and cheese; mix thoroughly.

(If you decided to prep this in advance, refrigerate the mixture at this point until ready to continue.)

Working with a few tortillas at a time, heat them in the microwave between two paper towels until they are soft enough to roll (about 20 – 30 seconds).

Spoon 2-3 Tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto the lower third of a tortilla. Roll the tortilla as tightly as you can.

Place the rolled tortilla seam side down on the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas until the mixture is gone.  Make sure the taquitos are not touching each other. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until crisp and golden.

Serve with salsa, sour cream or guacamole.

**To freeze:  Before baking, flash freeze the taquitos in a single layer on a baking sheet then place in a labeled freezer bag and store up to 3 months.  To bake a frozen taquito (no need to thaw first): Preheat oven to 425˚F and bake for 20 minutes.  (Flash Freeze means freezing the taquitos in a single layer for 15-20 minutes (until hardened) so that when you add them to the freezer bag, they will not all stick together).

Enjoy!

30 Day Challenge - Day 10 - Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE crock pot cooking!  Especially when the kids vie for my time...crock pots are the bomb!  So when I found this recipe on Pinterest a while ago, I knew I had to try it!  Had all the ingredients minus the sesame seeds, but really...we didn't miss them.  This will definitely be an addition to my recipe book for future crock potery.  

Here's the recipe!

• 2.5 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thighs would be fine too) - I did 4 breasts
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 4 tablespoons diced onion (I did 1/2 a medium onion chopped into small pieces)
• 4 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) - adds a nice zip, but nothing the kids noticed
• 4 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 6 Tablespoons water
• Sesame seeds

Season both sides of chicken with lightly with salt and pepper, put into crock pot. In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours, or just until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce. Dissolve 4 teaspoons of cornstarch in 6 tablespoons of water and pour into crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened. Cut chicken into bite size pieces, then return to pot and toss with sauce before serving. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice or noodles.

Enjoy!