Quinoa Burgers

Ever since we got back from Colorado, I've been wanting to make quinoa burgers! I had one at Steamworks Brewing Co. in Durango and it was the BEST vege-type burger I've ever had! Probably the best burger I've had! Joel really liked it too! He ended up eating nearly half. The thing was huge.  Anyways, last night I finally got around to making some! I found a recipe on Pinterest (per the ush) and got down to it.

I forgot to take a pic but this is pretty much what it looked like

pic from the eatingwelllivingthin blog

and this is the recipe I used: http://eatingwelllivingthin.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/love-my-quinoa-burger/ (I went for the adaptation with zucchini).

I topped it with spinach, sauteed onions, and feta and threw it all on a toasted wheat bun. It was SO GOOD!! Not quite the Steamworks burger, but pretty darn close! Loved it!! Just a tip (just the tip??) watch the quantity. The original recipe makes 10...need to wait for company to come over for that one. I cut the recipe in 1/2 and it still made 6. 6 delish healthy/low cal/tasty tasty burgers!

Something else...I'm obsessed with the dog shaming blog. Ari willll end up on this. He has already committed enough crimes. Now I just have to pick one. Perhaps something like "I eat rib bones out of the neighbors trash and make mom worry for days" or "I lick armpits".

what Ari does instead of getting out of the kitchen as told..guilty!

And more pictures of Ari. Because it's Friday. And I love my dog.

Ari likes to help me stretch #sweatpink

sensing a theme?

Recap: week 4 of marathon training

Before I get to the recap, I want to share a little inspiration "And though she be but little, she is fierce"- Shakespeare. Man knew what he was talking about!

Monday: Rest day! Woo!
Tuesday: 3 mile greenway run...wasn't feeling too hot and almost puked
Wednesday: 4 mile trail run...another rough one
Thursday: Feeling a little better for the 3 mile greenway run
Friday: Drove to Winthrop University (my alma mater) for a nerdy reunion
Saturday: Ran 9 miles around campus with my buddy Lisa! Finally felt great again!
Sunday: Drove home and played with doggy.

ball ball ball  BALL

my fav picture of Ari to date!

Had an awesome trip but missed my boys! We were all a little exhausted by last night.

arm pillow 

On a side note...I made a pit stop on the drive home through Asheville, NC, to meet up with my old roomie and her hubs for brunch and a walk around downtown. We knew what was coming but weren't sure it was for real. It was! There was a topless protest happening! Ha! Sorry..no pics. We honestly didn't even see that many ta-tas. We weren't exactly in the middle of the action. But plenty of men had their shirts of to show "support" if you will.

Recap: week 3 of marathon training

Monday: did the Bearden Beer Market 3 miler + beer with all the other alchies...will probably be do this one more often.
Tuesday: planned a 4 mile trail run but got rained out. Did 4 miles with Joel and JB and Ari on the greenway.
Wednesday: took Megabus to DC...that counts as training right?

Joel's Megabus get-up

Thursday: played with babies

JoelAlexander...aka chupa

Friday: ran 5 with Joel in Lewes, DE, on a fine gravel path. We waited too long and it was HOT! but the terrain was flat, so it was ok.
Saturday: Paddleboarded and sea-kayaked...way fun cross training
Sunday: ran 3 on the same path with Joel early this time. Weather was perfect and we kept a swift pace. Made a last minute decision over lunch to fly back instead of taking the Megabus back. Joel Someone was not a Megabus fan.

me, Joel, and his momma at the airport

Adventure Colorado

We vacationed in Colorado recently and it proved to be quite the adventure. The story in pictures:

Lightner Creek Campground, Durango, CO. Scary and awesome.

got a little lost hiking a ridgeline day 2

we found the trail again!

day 3 hiked Mt. Sneffles, 14er in Ouray, CO

rock scramble of death...at least we are cute

view from the top...totally worth the agony

agony

Mt. Sneffles trailhead...we started a solid 3 miles lower..oops

we may have done some damage to the rental car...oops again

1/2 way up hike to Columbine Lake, day 4

beautiful lake at the top of a mountain

On a side note, the clouds looked sketchy all day. Lightning struck really close by before we got down to the tree line. We put our trail running skills to the test and BOOKED it down!

last night of camping, Silverton, CO

1 full day of rain = really wet stuff. drying out before we pack up to head back east 

On another side note, this was in the parking lot at Alberston's, a grocery store. We went inside to use the bathrooms and the front of the store was apparently the place to be. So we followed suit and took a seat on a porch swing in the shade to relax for a few. Next thing we knew, people were showing up to start a drive to raise money for the fire victims in Colorado. I looked to the left and saw a familiar face...in Durango, Colorado! I told Joel, "I think I know her. She looks like one of my college friends." I waited to hear her introduce herself to someone else, and it WAS her!! Meleana! I jumped up and ran over and we were reunited!! She is living in Durango...who knew?? Such a crazy awesome grocery store!

waiting on the cab at Enterprise

wasting time at the airport..Joel took about a million pictures
trying to learn how to work his camera manually

our flight landed late, leaving us 15 minutes to run 30 gates and be on the next plane

chicken coup! in downtown atl at my cousin's house

delish!! breakfast before hitting the road to TN

Recap: week 2 of marathon training

My weekly training recap...

Tuesday: ran 3 miles with Joel...super humid and it hurt
Wednesday: ran 3.5 trail run with Joel and JB...hurt so good
Thursday: ran 2.5 by myself (1/2 distance w the pup) in compressions socks..best thing ever

pup ran a lot this week..needed some cuddles

Saturday: ran 7 miles solo...unless you count pandora as a companion, then I ran it +1. Weather was beautiful and I was feeling good! 

After my Saturday run, I hit the park with the pup so he could get some playtime too!

grody water ball chasin'

I've been trying to eat better this week and I think it's really paying off. I can tell a difference in how bad my runs hurt...ha..gross. And I'll leave you to marinate with that.

Compression Socks

Let's just say, I love em! I have a couple of pairs and hiked a 14er in Colorado in my "ski" pair. They saved my poor little calves hiking up the torturous rock scramble that is Mt. Sneffles.

infamous rock scramble

I also have a pair of smartwool compression socks Joel got me for fun...they look like old man work socks so I wear them at work sometimes.

old man compression socks

Then I have a pair of Swiftwick socks that are much thinner - more of a summertime sock. Well it's been so flippin hot, I haven't even tried running in them. Until yesterday! It rained a glorious rain and finally cooled down the temp. I ran outside in my compression socks for the first time and I felt like I was Kara Goucher super springy and could run faster and farther. I'm not sure if it was the placebo effect or if I really was moving faster because of the socks. Either way, I'll take it!

Lookie what I got

Lookie what I got in the mail yesterday! My Sweat Pink race tank!

#sweat pink

Did a quick 3 miler with the boytoy and the pup! It was muggy as shit (yes, that is a technical measurement) but it was nice to have the company! Thanks for sticking it out with me boys!

I also got a hair chop...means no ponys for a while but lots and lots of bobbypins! Joel says I look like pebbles with my wee little half pony. Halloween inspiration? I think so!

Recap: 1st week of marathon training

Yesterday ended my first official week of marathon training. Here is my recap:
Monday: Rest day....I can handle this.
Tuesday: Ran 3 miles with the Joelster and Ari on the greenway. Took it nice and slow.
Wednesday: Ran 2 miles before the storm hit.
Thursday: Woke up early to run managed to go back to sleep when the alarm went off and had plans that evening..so no run.
Friday: Made up the Thursday run...4 miles on a 0.5 mile course....8 laps is far too many in one place.
Saturday: Shopped...that counts right?
Sunday: 6 miles with the little Indian on the greenway. Super humid!

This weekend was also spent sprucing up my living room.

got some taping in monkey-style

my mother took pics instead of spotting my risky taping maneuvers...

getting somewhere

Not quite finished but only have one coat left! That's on the calendar for tonight.

I'll leave you with this adorable picture...

the boys waited so patiently on me