Overnight oats

Night before

 I have been following other healthy eating blogs over the last six months or so to get new food ideas and exercise motivation/tips. One thing I have seen in a couple of places (Fannetastic Food and Hungry Runner) is overnight oats. I was intrigued and finally decided to try it last week.

Overnight oats is basically oatmeal from scratch where you just mix it up the night before and put it in the fridge so the oats soak up the liquid. Some people just eat it cold the next morning, but that kind of weirds me out. So, I just heat it up in the microwave the next morning.

The key I have found is finding the right amount of liquid so it is the right consistency to your liking. I first did it with 1 cup of milk, but that was too much liquid and a little too milky. So I went with 1/2 cup soy milk and 1/4 cup water... pretty good. I have done this a couple times. I did make the mistake of doing it too early one night and the liquid had too much time to soak in (7-8 hours in the fridge is good).

The next morning!

I think it has turned out pretty well and without all the sugar that comes in instant oatmeal! I am looking forward to trying new combinations... the possibilities are endless!!

Here is what I have been doing:

1/2 cup of Silk's light vanilla soy milk
1/2 cup of rolled/quick oats
1/4 cup of water
1 ripe banana sliced
Healthy sprinkling of cinnamon
Little bit of nutmeg
1/8 cup of raisins
1 tsp. of vanilla extract

Microwave for about 2 minutes in the morning and done!

Does anyone else have any tips or other good overnight oat combos?

Beth :o)

Back in the game

I am happy to be done running!!

Stitches are out and I am off the injured/reserve list!! I ran 3 miles Tuesday and 4 miles Wednesday. I definitely wasn't speedy, but I did it!

I struggled a little bit...more than I thought after being sidelined for a week and a half. My cardio capacity was fine, but my legs were tired and knees ached. I think my legs just aren't used to running and I have lost my comfortable running pace. I had gotten used to doing a sort of running shuffle that took some of the pressure off my knees and didn't use my calves as much.

Rest tomorrow and running 6 miles on Saturday. I have to keep preparing for my 10K on Oct. 27!!! My husband is running 17.5 (holy crap!) on Saturday in preparation for a November marathon... I think we will both have earned a relaxing Saturday!! :o)

Beth :o)

Walking around

Almost a week being a little gimpy since I got 12 stitches (on my birthday of all days). I am feeling better with less pain and moving easier. I am covered in residual bandaid sticky, but at least I finally was able to shave my legs!! The world should collectively grateful for that! ;o)

Anyway,  I am trying my best to keep active and healthy. I have been watching my carbs and calories to try to avoid a weight gain while I can't run. Here is a little play by play on how I am handling my 10 days on the sidelines so far.

Day 1: Does getting around the house and in/out of cars count as exercise? I decided to let things heal some before I try to start walking. Splurged on a iced latte with a birthday gift card (thanks Janet!)... at least it was sugar free! ;o)

Day 2: Slightly less than a mile walk (1 small loop) around the neighborhood. Not bad... better than I thought actually. My husband and dog, Lucy, walked with me. And my mother-in-law made me crab cakes for my birthday... sweet!

Day 3: 4.5 miles!! (3 bigger loops around the neighborhood) It went pretty well. My knee started hurting a little, but I think the joint just might have been stiff from lack of movement. I had hubby and puppy for company again. I think I made pretty good food choices.

Day 4: 4.5 miles on the treadmill. I started out slow and increased the speed somewhat slowly. I topped out at 3.4 speed. I tried 3.5 for a bit, but then my leg started to hurt. Packed snacks and dinner for work, but fell victim to a mini cupcake. At least I didn't also try the chocolate frosting covered brownies in the break room!

Day 5: 4.5 miles around the neighborhood... part of the time with the hubby and puppy. Legs felt pretty good. It was nice to enjoy the cooler weather... it almost felt like fall!! A Clif bar snack and pasta with dinner may not have been the best decision for keeping my carbs on the low side... oh well. The rest of the day was pretty good nutritionally.

Day 6: 30 minutes (1.5ish miles) on the treadmill a little faster than I did earlier this week. And I added 30 minutes on the elliptical... it was a nice change of pace and I actually got a little sweaty!! My leg feels fine. Making my own caprese salad for lunch...yum!

Day 7: 31 minutes (1.8ish miles) on the treadmill and 31 minutes on the elliptical. I went a little faster this time. Fixed a salad for dinner. Very excited to get the stitches out on Monday!!

Beth :o)

Sidelined

So, it has been a long time since I have updated the blog. Life gets in the way, but I am determined to make this a weekly place to commiserate with your running struggles by sharing mine and see how I am trying to live a healthier life! That is my goal from here on out.

My healthy living goals got a little sidelined this past Friday. Just after I got out of the shower, I felt overheated. I was already feeling a little dehydrated (gotta drink more water!). I went to leave the bathroom with a glass of water in my hand and I blacked out for a few seconds. (Note to self: No more glassware in the bathroom!!)

I woke up to my husband at the bathroom door asking if I was OK. I apparently fell, hit my head and the glass broke cutting me in a bunch of places. A bump on my head, a bruised ego and 12 stitches later I am healing. Friday was actually my birthday... not the best way to start off my 31st year!!

And apparently, running is frowned upon when you have stitches on your leg. Weights apparently also not a good idea when your other stitches are on your shoulder. Hmm... sidelined for 10 days. I never thought I would be upset by not being able to work out!!

So here's my plan: Walking as much as I can and make sure my eating is on point this week. I don't want to lose muscle or gain any weight if I can help it!

Beth :o)