Check out my progress on Back to the Races
Although it’s difficult for me to believe, it has already been six months since I ran in my last race. My racing season came to a close last May due to the exceptionally hot and humid weather that is typical of Alabama, and when the temperatures dipped again this fall, I had to attend to that pesky thing called schoolwork. Recently, however, my urge race has returned. My brother-in-law Ryan recently completed his second marathon, and I have read so much about my fellow food bloggers’ running feats that I decided it’s time to get back to the races–yesterday I spontaneously signed up for a 10K! I will actually be part of a relay team for the Mercedes Marathon in February, and I will be running the 10K portion. My sister Lea happens to be running the same portion with another team, so I will even have a running buddy:) Ryan will be participating in the half-marathon event that day, so it will be yet another family affair. Such a sudden decision is not typical for me, but I am excited about it and confident that I can complete a longer distance. What was the last spontaneous decision you made?
With that race coming up, I better get a head start on fueling up…three months in advance. Check it out:
Monday
Due to my recent efforts to increase my protein intake (as part of a school assignment), I’ve been ignoring my HempShake mix in the cupboard, which has a meager protein content in comparison to other protein powders. With that assignment out of the way, I naturally went straight back to my old habits.
Tuesday
Announcing the return of Starbucks-inspired oats! This bowl featured banana, cappuccino Spirutein, and cocoa-roasted almonds.
It was a cold and dreary day today in Durham, so soup seemed like an obvious choice for lunch. I opened up a box of Trader Joe’s Carrot Ginger Soup and added chickpeas and spinach for a little nutrition boost. The soup ended up being fantastically delicious—slightly sweet and very velvety.
For dinner, I maintained the comfort food theme with some Simple Lentil Loaf. It was delicious, as always, but I wish I had remembered to put the customary ketchup squiggle on top.
Alright, I am off to squeeze in some chat time with Mom. Good night!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
Yay for signing up for a race! I really wanted to do one this year but after recovering from an injury, I haven’t been able to get back into running like I used to. I think I’d be a lot more motivated though if I had a family like yours! It sounds like so much fun to race with everyone.
Congratulations for signing up for that race! And so nice that you can do it with your sis.
I sort of decided today on a new career… maybe. Ha.
Congrats on committing to that race! That’s so cool you are doing it with your sister. It makes it that much more fun! And thanks for that tip on adding chickpeas and spinach to your TJ’s soup. I have that soup and the spinach and chickpeas – and now I have a complete meal. Have a great rest of your week.
-Nicole
Awesome! so great that you signed up for a race
congrats! <3
your lentil roast.. yum
CARROT GINGER SOUP???
OMG! I’m addicted to a salad dressing from the US with: carrot and ginger. I think this soup is made for me!;) Why don’t they have a TJ here?
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
wooo……. love your spontaneous decision on the race… that requires courage too!
Congrats on signing up for that race! It sounds like it will be fun since you have family in it as well!
You know I’m all over that bowl of oats
Congrats on signing up for a 10K! I am doing an 8K on Thanksgiving — I signed up on a whim a few weeks ago.
I love TJ soups! I’ll have to try that one. Right now I’m obsessed with the roasted red pepper and tomato bisque. Mmm
Congratulations on signing up for the race!
Reading about it so often even has me wanting to run, even though I know I hate it (and my knees hate me when I do it)!! 
I am not a very spontaneous person… let’s leave it at that.
That lentil loaf recipe looks great; bookmarked!
<3 <3
Funny, I was just contemplating signing up for the Mercedes Half marathon. It would be my first half and then I got to thinking I might like a flatter course for my first one….say the coast!!! No hills like b’ham.
Congrats on signing up for the race!
I’ve never tried the Spiruitein cappucino flavor! do you recommend it?
That lentil loaf recipe looks awesome! I love new ways to eat old things.
And that soup sounds good, I need to try that TJ product
Huzzah for signing up for a race! Spontaneity is good for the soul. So is that lentil loaf. It looks amazing, I want it!
how much do you spend on groceries a week? i don’t know if you had mentioned this before, but i was curious!
i love buying soups then souping them up (no pun intended) with lots of fun ingredients. the carrot ginger sounds delish, and i love your spontaneous decision!!!!
Good for you for signing up! 10 k is a great distance in my opinion. Great idea to bulk up the soup too, I almost bought some of that yesterday but passed it up, now I am wishing I had some since I have the chickpeas and spinach on hand!
That 10K sounds so fun. I love teamwork/relay stuff. It makes it that much more exciting/motivating. Woot woot.
I want some of that lentil loaf in my tum tum!
Mmm I love that lentil loaf of yours
Ketchup squiggles definitely make it better!
Starbucks oats sound amazing! You get your caffeine and oats all in one tasty bowl!
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