MS Bike Ride Update

Just found out that the 2009 MS Bike Ride has been moved from July to August and it's not going to work out for me to ride this year because of another commitment. I'm viewing this news as a challenge to myself to "stay in the saddle" as they say and continue riding as much as I can this summer.

The Dolce deserves time out on the road and I'm going to give it to her! I'm planning on switching to clip less pedals, so that will provide for some interesting rides out on the roads. I'll definitely start off on the Loveland bike trail with the clip less pedals, then at least when I fall, I don't risk falling into oncoming vehicle traffic!

My employer, Local 12, is having a team again this year for the ride and it is a great event to participate in if anyone is interested. Please send me an email and I can hook you up with the team captain for more details.

They say Spring is just around the corner, and I have to admit, I can't wait for the warmer temperatures & the chance to get back to some outdoor activities. Here's to hoping those temps get here sooner, rather than later!

Brunch Recipe

A few weeks ago, I purchased 2 rolls of Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations (With one roll, I made the Bacon & Cheese Tartlets for a party, which turned out great!), so since other roll had been sitting in the fridge, I decided to search for a new recipe using the pastry dough....

I came across a blog called Our Best Bites, which has some great recipe suggestions. I've added a link to the blog on the right side of the page. Here's the link for their recipe called Easy Breakfast Crescent Braid. I made this over the weekend and thought it turned out great! I changed a few ingredients to adapt to what I had on hand...and came out with a tasty Veggie brunch dish.

Here's my take on the recipe...

1 Roll Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations

Scrambled Eggs (whisk together 3 eggs & a few splashes of milk, I undercooked the eggs since they'll bake more in the oven)

1 Red pepper, 1 Green pepper, 1/2 carton of fresh mushrooms (slice & dice veggies and saute in pan)

1/2 Cup chedder cheese (shredded)

* Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface, and fill the center of the dough with the egg/veggie mixture...

* Fold each side of dough to close in ends of pastry roll...

* Use a pizza cutter and cut strips into remaining sides of dough...

* Fold over dough strips, alternating each side, to hold in egg/veggie mixture...

* After dough is folded up into a tight braid, bake in the oven at 375 degrees for around 15-20 minutes.

* Let cool for a few minutes ... I served mine with some skillet fried Red Skin Potatoes for breakfast.

Fun in the Snow

Over the past few weeks, the 'Nati has been hit with some snow and ice.  Also know as "Winter"! Thankfully, as I type this post, I see the sun shining and all the white stuff melting away (yah!).  

I did snap a few shots of Ella enjoying the snowy conditions!  Enjoy....

I'm registered...

The date is set for my 5k run...
Sunday, March 29th, the 2009 Heart Mini-Marathon & Heart Walk.
The run starts at 9am, with the starting line at 5th & Main St in downtown Cincinnati.

Anyone wanna join me? My work, Local 12 news, is having a team and all are welcome to join! Let me know and I can get you in touch with our team captain. Registration for the 5k is $40 per person and proceeds go towards the American Heart Association.

Today, I'm starting Week 3 of the C to 5k program. This week starts with the 5 minute warm-up walk, then 2 repetitions of the following: jog 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds, jog 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes, then a cool down walk for 5 minutes.

Eat this, not that!

I recently browsed through what I think is a great new book regarding good food choices when you eat at Fast Food joints and stroll through the isles at the grocery store.

Eat this, not that! by David Zinczenko, editor in chief of Men's Health magazine, is a practical book that helps readers make better selections when it comes to food choices. The book is based on a popular column that appears in the magazine and is filled with nutritional information and suggestions. I think this USA Today article is a great review of the book.

I was very surprised to read some of the better choices we all should make when it comes to fast food restaurants. For example, if you car drives you through the big Yellow arches, aka McDonald's, it's better to eat a Quarter Pounder sandwich (no cheese) has 410 calories, vs. the Premium Grilled Chicken Club, which has 570 calories. Another smart choice I found surprising was it's better to eat a Ham, Egg and Cheese English Muffin sandwich from Dunkin' Donuts (310 calories) vs. a Multigrain Bagel with Light Cream Cheese (500 calories).

If this topic interests you, I'd definitely recommend checking out Eat this, not that!. I'd say it's worth purchasing b/c it would be a great reference book to through in our purse for grocery shopping trips or dinners out at the featured restaurants.

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On a side note: some have commented about the my most recent post (the Banana's Foster French Toast) being posted right after my new running/jogging training program. Believe me, I got a good laugh too, but hey, isn't most of why we exercise, to be able to indulge in sweets every now and then!?!?! Also, I am in Week 2 of the training for the Couch to 5k program, and it has gotten harder to stay motivated. Week 2 only adds on 30 seconds more of jogging, but I've found during Runs 1 and 2, I'm much more winded and feeling more tired versus when comparing it to those runs during Week 1. I'm pushing through though and am still excited about completing Week 2 this week!

Bananas Foster French Toast

If the title alone doesn't make you want to try this dish, then that can only mean a few things....

One, you don't like Bananas...

Two, you don't enjoy fabulously tasty breakfasts...

or Three, you know it's a Paula Deen recipe that is FULL of butter and sweet stuff!

This past weekend I visited my friends in West Virginia and we enjoyed this awesomely delicious recipe for dinner. Now I know it's a breakfast dish, but some days there's nothing better than breakfast at dinner time!

The "french toast" part is actually buttery croissants sliced in half, dipped in an egg, heavy cream & cinnamon mixture, then fried in a skillet. The topping is 100% maple syrup, dark corn syrup, brown sugar, pecans, and of course, butter! Bring that mixture to a boil, then add sliced bananas and simmer for a few minutes. Pour over french toast!

(Official Recipe from Food Network)

The Before Pic...

(The banana's did look a little funny, haha, they did get kinda mushy, so I think we cooked the sweet topping mixture just a little too long!)

The After Pic...

(Clearly the mushy banana's didn't effect the taste - YUM, YUM, YUM!)

Week 1 - C to 5k!

I've finished Week 1 of the Couch to 5K running program and I have to say:  So Far, So Good!  I'm really loving the pod casts I've downloaded that talk you through the running/walking intervals and it's nice to already have the music picked out and set to the jogging pace that follows the program.  

Week 1 consisted of 3 runs; each run has a 5 minute warm up & cool down, with intervals of 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking, keeping the heart rate up, but still exercising at a comfortable level.    

After run #1, I was certainly sweating like a mad woman and my face really turned bright red, in fact I think some people at the gym were giving me funny looks, of course I didn't realize how red I was until I went to the locker room and saw my "red as a tomato face"!  But I pushed on through the week and finished Week 1.  I feel great about the program and start Week 2 tomorrow.