Ahhh, Summer!

Today's run:
6.06km
46:18
7:38 km/h
489 cal

When I left, it was already 15C and now it's 17C. Summer is finally here! This means that I have to come home from work and go to bed so that I can get up and run when it's cooler. It was warm out there this morning, but not too bad.

I'm sipping a refreshing soda and lime and then I'll be hitting the patio with my book (World Without End)! When that one's done, I've scored a paperback copy of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

Summer's here and the livin' is easy!

Hello, Weekend!!

I started mine off yesterday! I set out for my Friday morning yoga class in the sunshine and savoured every. single. minute. of. it! (the sunshine and the yoga).
In typical Friday fashion, we went to Starbucks afterwards for caffeine, community and conversation. LOVED it. When we left (2 hours later), the clouds had rolled in and there was a strong possibility of rain. There went my plans for sitting on the deck sipping mojitos all afternoon. =(

I called a local bookstore looking for a meditation cd. Apparently it's on back order, so I'm still waiting, but I did save myself a jaunt to Montgomery!

I spent the afternoon in search of accommodations for my friend and I went we go to Santa Monica (I have Sheryl Crow singing "All I Wanna Do" whenever I think of Santa Monica!)for our yoga immersions with Noah.

Met up with my peeps S & L in the early evening to get ready for the garage sale they're having this morning. Made signs, blew up balloons, priced stuff and then we went for dinner.

Today I'm off to work momentarily for a half day, then yoga, and then my patio! And laundry. The pickings were slim this morning. =)

Tomorrow: long, slow run (distance not yet known, I need to look in my book), Farmer's Market (I think with my cousin and his gf, not sure) and then the patio. I sense a strong patio theme here....

Happy Weekend!

Tues/Thurs runs

Tuesday morning I got up and ran to meet M for brunch.
35:01
8:11 km/h
4.28 km
325 cal

It was hot, I wasn't hydrated and there were hills. Mostly all the way there was uphill. Arrgh. But I did have the most glorious banana chocolate chip pancakes when I was done!

Today, I thought I was hydrated better. It was still hot. Not quite so hilly, but you'd never know it!
48:03
7:59 km/h
6.02 km
474 cal

No pancakes for me today, but I am going out to enjoy the glorious morning on my deck!

Father's Day

"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it."
~ Clarence Budington Kelland







I love you, Dad.

Baked Apple Smoothie

1/2 frozen 'nana
fat free Greek yogurt
1 leftover baked apple
Unsweetened vanilla almond breeze

Blitz in the Magic Bullet. Eat with spoon.
OMG.

I want to marry Jamie Oliver!

Running the Trans Canada

It's been awhile since I've figured out how far I've ran along this route. I'm happy to say that I'm almost out of BC! And kind of fitting today, since Terry Fox's mom, Betty died this morning.

I don't know how Terry did the Marathon of Hope. Really, it's taken me a year and a half and I'm barely out of the first province. He made it from Newfoundland to Thunder Bay, ON! That indomitable strength and courage inspires me.

And I obviously need to (a) run more and (b) run faster!

So, where the heck am I, you ask? Well, I'm between Revelstoke (where my bro and nephew are sledding (yes, sledding in June!) this weekend) and Lake Louise. I'm not quite out of Yoho National Park, but I anticipate I'll be in Lake Louise by July 1st.

Running Fool

Laura was right: You never regret the runs you do, just the ones you don’t.

I spent all day in a meeting with only a bio-break here and there. No food and only coffee (blech!). Needless to say, by the time I arrived home at 1430h, I was ravenous!! Breakfast (yummy pumpkin smoothie) was a loooooong time ago.

I made some bulgur and while that was soaking, rummaged through the fridge freezer. I found a cod fillet and a little a-ha! light bulb blinked over my head. I bought Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution cookbook last weekend and I seemed to recall a few tasty looking fish dishes. How does bacon wrapped cod with fresh rosemary grab ya? Yeah. TASTY. I had a serving of homemade Greek salad over the bulgur while the fish was sizzling away in the toaster oven.

There *may* have been a nap after lunch.

When I awoke, there seemed to be a big ball of fire in the sky! Good God, could that be the sun?! I hadn't seen it for so long I wasn't sure...

I laced up the runners and headed out while the window of opportunity presented itself. Have I mentioned how I dislike running at any time other than first thing in the morning? No? Well, I dislike running at any time other than first thing in the morning. Must have something to do with my circadian rhythms or something. Whatever. I added in this old friend, Three Post Hill, just for fun:



32:47
7:46 km/h
4.22 km
335 cal

It wasn't fun. It wasn't easy. But the weather was perfect and I feel great now that I'm done!

I'm munching on more Greek salad while the oven is preheating for my next Jamie creation: baked apples! Mmmmm....I was intrigued by the spice mixture (bay leaves?) and the addition of booze (how can this be bad?). I'm sure I won't be disappointed!

Happy Friday!

Runnin' in the Rain

Well, only for the last block or so. And really, it was more like dodging raindrops. Whatever, it made for a catchy title, no?

It felt good to get out there, but there was no speed in my legs today. Apparently they're feeling yesterday's yoga class brought to you by lunge! Or it could be the 5k round-trip to yoga...

38:58
7:47 km/h
5.00 km
400 cal

I just need to make some rice to go with some leftover channa masala and dinner is ready for tonight. Add some fruit salad and voila! Off to the pharmacist, the walk-in clinic (for the shot the pharmacist will provide) then to work.

Still Blind

In fact, worse. Not much, but enough that I need to get new lenses in my glasses. Well, at least one new lens. My right eye seems to be holding it's own. Pretty sad, though, that my $200 every two years of optical coverage will cover my exam and contact lens fitting ($155) but not much else. One lens is going to be $184. Contacts are $150 (for 3 months). Seriously? Who comes up with insurance coverage like this? I cannot see without prescription lenses! It's been this way since Grade 4, people. Why can't I transfer the orthodontic coverage for my children (that I'm never going to have) that I can't use for myself (even though it's *ME* that pays the premiums) for eyecare? That's reasonable. That makes sense. Oh right, logic no longer applies.

Rant over.

If only I wasn't so afraid of lasers zapping my corneas...

Sunday Run

After a relaxing cup of chai and pumpkin smoothie on the patio, I headed out for a quick, LSD. I've got a big day today: more trips to greenhouses (for me and mom), planting whatever we find, a stop at the big mall and then on to Red Deer and mom's house. I have an eye appointment tomorrow morning bright and early in Red Deer and then I'll hop on the bus back home in time to teach yoga.

But I digress. The sun is shining and it's a great day for a run!
31:31
4.10 km
329 cal
7:41 km/h

To run or not to run...

That was the question this morning. But then I looked outside and was pretty sure I saw blue sky. The forecast was gloomy for the rest of the day, so I took advantage of the nice weather. It was a little humid, but the perfect temperature.

6.00 km
473 cal
45:27
7:34 km/h

Off to work this afternoon. It's gonna be rough, I'd rather be on my yoga mat!

Tales of Hanuman

Hanuman--The Monkey God: playfully serious, shape shifter, resourceful, your authentic self.

I don't even know how to describe how incredible the past three days have been! All I know is that I am blessed.

To have a family that loves and supports me unconditionally.

To have friends (old and new) that do the same.
(Both new friends!)

To have found the courage to open to grace, both on and off the mat.

To dance with the Divine, every time I step onto my mat. And whenever I step off.

To have teachers to guide me, support me and who share freely what their teachers have shared with them.

To have a beautiful body that is strong and true. And always allows me to be seriously playful.

What I thought was our peak pose from yesterday's backbending class (as demonstrated by Noah). It wasn't. There was MORE (More deeper. More dangerous). But good!


I think this is ardha bhekasana ardha dhanurasana (half frog half bow)!

My body is sore (but in a good way, knowing that I worked hard) and my mind and heart are full. I'm going to (with these lovely ladies, I hope) continue studying with Noah next spring in L.A.! I'm so excited!


Now, off to my mat for a restorative practice...we didn't do much of that this weekend!

Namaste. _/|\_

p.s. Kimberly--I've been practicing for almost 15 years (the last six more consistently) and teaching since last June!

This Ain't Your Mama's Potato Salad!

Oh, how I wish that my camera worked!

Loosely based on a recipe by Michael Smith (The Chef at Home).

Chop a bunch of green onions. Add a little red onion too, for colour.

Finely chop some celery for crunch.

Mash up 5 hard boiled eggs (I hate the yolks unless it's undetectable).

Then I added a bunch of Epicure Caesar dressing mix to the homemade mayo I had leftover from last week. (I did this last night so the flavor would be spectacular. It was!)

Fry up some bacon. Mmmmm...bacon. Bacon makes everything better. I dig the pig. Remove bacon, but keep the drippings.

Quarter a bag of new, baby red potatoes. Par-cook them (I nuked 'em for about 6 minutes first).

On a baking sheet lined with parchment, arrange the drained, partially cooked spuds. Drizzle with the bacon drippings. If it's not enough, add a little oil. Toss with your hands until they're all happy. Roast in a hot oven (I used convection to speed it up).

When the spuds are golden and lovely and cooked, take them out and let them cool a little. I blotted mine with some paper towel since they were so glisten-y. Throw everything together and add a 1/4 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese.

Oh. Yeah.

Jai Hanuman!

This weekend is all about the monkey god, Hanuman. He's seriously playful. So was our hip opening, forward bending practice tonight! Serious--we got our hips really open so that we could forward bend more deeply. Playful--there was laughter, jokes, and joyful delight as we opened to grace in our practice.

We used our mats to open our calves which was fun. Virasana...not so much, but better than it's been before! And Janu sirsasana, well, it was better than it's ever been.

Now must go soak in the tub so that I'm ready for tomorrow's backbends and hand balances!

Namaste. _/|\_

Ahhhhh, Spring!

How I love thee!

I just got back from a run and it was awesome! The smell of freshly mowed grass, apple and cherry blossoms and a gentle breeze kept me company. Not too hot, not too cold. All in all, a pretty perfect morning for a run!

31:20
7:45 km/h
4.05 km
315 cal

Slow and steady will get me across the Peace Bridge and across the finish line at the big falls!

Potluck Recipes

So, what did I take to the potluck on Saturday (you may or may not be asking yourself)? I admit, it was a little intimidating taking something to a local foodie's house, but I thought to myself, "Self, you are a GOOD cooker! Do not be afraid!"

Both recipes are from my friends at Quantum Leaps Lodge (where the yoga retreats were). You can also buy the cookbook from their website. I've made (and sampled) lots of the recipes and have yet to find one that I don't like!

Tahini Garlic Dressing
1/2 c nutritional yeast
1/3 c water
1/3 c soya sauce or Braggs
1/3 c apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic
2 TB tahini
1 1/2 c vegetable oil

Combine all ingredients except oil in blender. Blend until well combined. With the blender running on low, slowly add the oil through the hole in the lid. Blend well.

* I don't have a blender, just a Magic Bullet, so just whiz it all together in there. Lettuce is merely a vehicle to get this dressing to your mouth!!

The salad was lots of romaine, black beans (what was left over from the recipe below), tomatoes, cucumber, red and orange pepper, red onion, avocado, grated raw beet.

And then there was the *new* recipe. The one I hadn't yet sampled at the Lodge or tried on my own before. But since everything else in their repertoire is excellent and I'd dog-eared this page as one to try...

Asian Rice Noodle Salad with Black Bean Vinaigrette
1 package rice noodles
1 medium eggplant, cut in 1 inch cubes
1 medium zucchini, cut in 1 inch cubes
1 large red pepper, cut in 1 inch pieces
3 TB EVOO
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 c almonds
1/2 c black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 c green onions, minced

Preheat oven to 350F.
In a large bowl, toss the eggplant, zuke and pepper with the EVOO and S & P.
Spread veggies on a baking sheet and roast for 30 min or until soft and golden brown. Set aside to cool.
While veggies roast, make dressing (below).
Cook rice noodles as directed on the package. Run under cold water to cool.
Toast almonds in a pan until golden and fragrant, cool, then chop.
In a large bowl, combine the rice noodles, roasted veg, beans, green onions and dressing. Mix well.
Garnish with toasted almonds (don't leave these out--they take this salad to a whole new level!)

Black Bean Vinaigrette
2 cloves garlic
1 TB fresh ginger
1/2 cup pickled sushi ginger
3 TB sushi ginger juice
2 TB apple cider vinegar
3/4 tsp sea salt
3 TB honey
1/2 c black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 c fresh cilantro
3/4 c vegetable oil

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend well.

Yeah....new favourite salad! I've decreased the amount of oil in the garlic tahini dressing and will do the same with the black bean vinaigrette recipe the next time I make it.