Kean Nutrition

Needs some gift ideas for me (or you other favorite weirdo runners)? Look no further! I have compiled a shortlist of  quick gift ideas. (Tip: take a note from Oiselle, always gift weird).

1. Local Foods. Okay, so I’m a dietitian that’s also part foodie and coffee connoisseur. Food makes a great gift; it can be eaten up without cluttery up my apartment. Plus, who doesn’t love tasty food?
   • Coffee beans from a local roastery.
   • Local honey to soothe a sore throat or paired with afternoon tea.
2. Underwear & socks- Back to the gifting weird. Somehow, a lady can just never have enough socks or underwear.
   • Socks- Fancy Stance and Balega socks are my favorites.
   • Underwear- O has new Rundies.
3. Some inspiration B.S. (because we all go through tough times and can use some motivation). A nice  motivational reminder from a loved one is always appreciated.
   • Handwritten card or if you’re uncreative like me, Hallmark always has options.
   • Jewelry (see picture). Momentum, often found a local running store, is a great option.
4. Essentials Oils- More on these later, but for now- Google Doterra and Ask me!
5. Giftcard for you copouts and can’t pick out a gift.
   • Local Running Store
   • Favorite Brand
   • Grocery store

P.s. Run Fast and Break Things!!! 🙂

This unique risotto is rather simple and vegan. Originally called Thanksgiving risotto, it’s a great dish served anytime during the fall. In fact, I just had some leftovers for lunch. The fresh tart cranberries give it a nice punch and the creamy pumpkin really brings the dish together. Carrots and kale also star in the veggie packed risotto.

Time: ~ 1 1/2 hours (okay that’s a lot of time, but most of it is taken up by cooking the brown rice and later stirring. You can text and stir at the same time, carefully)

Serves: A lot. Still eating leftovers over here.

Ingredients

• 1 bag of fresh cranberries
• 1/2 onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 carrots (or 6 baby carrots), chopped
• 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (my favorite broth- Better Than Bouillon)
• 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée
• 1 1/4 cup dry brown rice (cooked 2 1/2 cups)
• 2 cups thinly sliced kale
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 tablespoon minced fresh sage
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Directions:

1. Cook the rice to package directions (typically 45 mins).  Set aside.
2. While the rice is cooking, chop your veggies and herbs- carrots, onions, kale, sage and thyme.
3. Rinse the cranberries in cold water. Line a pan with aluminum foil. Roast the cranberries in the oven at 425°F for about 15 mins. They will pop. Set aside.
4. In a very large pan, take 1 cup of broth and onions and carrots, cook until veggies are very soft.
5. Put the pumpkin puree, step 4 veggie mixture , and 1/2 cup broth into blender. Blend until smooth.
6. Bring rice and puree mixture together in pan. Add remaining broth-1 1/2 cup.
7. Stir in greens, cranberries, and cloves. Cook about 10 mins on medium and stir.
8. Remove from heat, stir in herbs- sage and thyme.
9. Plate and garnish with pecans.
10. Enjoy
11. I’ll probably be making this again for Christmas, because Mom likes it now. 🙂

 

Adapted from: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/thanksgiving-risotto

 

 

 

 

All the Miles (from what I remember)…

Mile 0: Cool, calm, and collected. Shockingly, I have never felt this relaxed before a race. Just chilling in corral F.

Mile 0.1: Pacer dude ran into me (he did apologize), coming back from port-o-potty. Someone was having issues…(laughing on the inside).

Mile 0.5: Huh, why do my shorts keep falling down? Oh, I forgot to tie them. I better tie them. Seems like too much effort to tuck the drawstring in, I’ll leave it, that’s cool right?

Mile 1-6: Okay nice and easy. Hmm…I am around this pace group.

Mile 3/4: Family!!

Mile: 6-10: Hmmmm….still with the pacing group. Can’t decide if it’s helpful to stay with them to get by other people or just annoying.

Mile 10: Family!!

Mile 10-16: Settling in. Okay, I’ll pick it up a bit…I got this.

Mile 12: Ashley said, she’d be around here… runs to right side…Hmm, I don’t see her. Mile 13: Bummer, I must have missed her (and apparently the best signs ever- see below).

Mile 13.1: Halfway done!! Wait, I just ran a half!

Mile 13.5: SWATI!! I see SWATI! It’s so cool, she’s rogue with all the bananas. Do I want a banana? Nah, its not part of my fueling plan, but it sounds cool. I’ll just say HI!!! (Swati is a BFF and the coolest most supportive lady! She’s also a vegan. 🙂

Mile 15: Hey it’s dude from work! I can’t believe I see him. HEY YOU! (Race mind aka what is his name?) Johnny, it’s Johnny. I call him by his name everyday. lol.

Mile 16: I am getting away from this pace group. I can’t deal with them.

Mile 17: HELLO OISELLE! Only clearly recognized 2 ppl. Kinda wanted to stop and hug everyone, but also wanted to keep running. Was afraid of what might happen if I stopped.

Mile 17.1: Family!!

Mile 18: Best Foot Forward and Oak Park Runners Group!! EMILY FROM TRACK! YAY!! This is where I volunteered last year. Maybe, I should volunteer again. Why am I running?

Miles 20-26: is when things got weird. Right before mile 20, I was getting ready to tear it up. I was in the mindset and felt strong. Mile 20- got more crowded. I didn’t know how to not run into people, I kept running into people, because I refused to slow down.

Mile 20.1: searing neck pain (perhaps more on this later, currently in PT and going to the doctor), and I just wanted to quit. All this training, legs injury free, and I have neck pain, I’m done, I’m out. HELLO MED TENT? Ok, I skipped the med tent. I knew I was okay, but I just wanted the neck pain to go away; I couldn’t fight through it. I decided to walk, stretch my neck, and try to finish.

Miles 20.2-24: Blur miles, I’m doing this, but pain… What mile is it?

Mile 22: November Project!! Oh, it’s so good they are cheering for people and hugging. I don’t wanna be cheered for…I’m sucking at this…bye, I’m hiding. Embarrassed, just feeling embarrassed.

Mile 22.1: I see another Emily from NP. I say Hi. I can deal with 1 person! I also saw her encouraging another NP’er (from LA, I think). Way to go everyone, we’re doing this.

Mile 24: Hey only 2 more miles! Still lots of ppl, let’s finish this. I wonder if I can catch up to the pace group that passed me….lol. Nope, they too far out. All the med tents, should I stop? Nah, I’ll stop at the end.

Mile 26.2: Hey look I finished STRONG and still under 4 hours…Okay, that’s acceptable.

When your best isn’t really your best. I did my best? But really I did. I keep trying to convince myself. Okay, so it was my best effort despite some issues- namely a cold. A giant head cold. When you have to add RICOLA (yes, I always sing it), you know it’s not gonna be the best run.

Also, I’m not a runner…I didn’t run on a HS or college team, so some things are still strange for me:

1. running with others or in this case I kept literally running into others…
2. pacing is still difficult for me…(cough, cough I may have accidentally done some speedy miles during taper time).

Focusing on the good!

1. I RAN A MARATHON- A WHOLE MARATHON! 26.2 Miles in case, you didn’t know. It feels like the first time, because 2 years I did the marathon injured with a run/ walk strategy. I made it through this time around, injury-free!
2. FUELING- I have really dialed in my nutrition and fueling. I have found what works for me and am so thankful!
3. COACH SUPPORT- Coach is the best. Everyone get a coach, very beneficial.
4. CROWD SUPPORT- Oiselle Cowbell Corner was the best. November Project  Also huge shoutout to anyone that was along the course.
5. FAMILY SUPPORT- My family made it to 3 locations along the course! Very impressive.

What’s next….Another marathon, maybe?  Maybe a smaller race for a BQing purposes? But definitely more running!!

Psss…If you want the full gory story,  look up my finish line photos and laugh with me. Real running….SMH.

My favorite recipe from high school. High energy treats perfect for a quick pick me up after an intense workout or run!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup local wildflower honey (for the best flavor)
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• unsweetened coconut flakes

Mix the first 5 ingredients together! Roll in the coconut flakes. Then boom, you have your balls. So simple, right? But so delicious. Go make your PB balls, now.