It all began at Expo West…which I always dream about attending but know that it is highly unlikely. The best part about Expo West is that all the companies who are in attendance usually announce and promote their new products that are set to hit stores throughout the coming year. I try to follow my Twitter feed closely while Expo West is happening, just waiting for one of the gluten-free companies or a gluten-free blogger who is there to post what they are releasing or what they have seen at the booths of certain gluten-free companies.
So, when I saw not only freezer meals but also gluten-free burritos pop up from Udi’s Gluten Free…you better believe I perked up and took interest. Of course, it took until now for me to find the burritos in my area…but it happened yesterday. I made a random stop off at my local Meijer and discovered these little delights hidden in the freezer section. I scanned the boxes…seeing so many of them to choose from, but most of them with meat. And then…I spotted the two versions that did not include meat.
YAY!!
One was a breakfast burrito and the other one for lunch/dinner. My roommate spotted the Udi’s Gluten Free Chicken Apple Sausage Breakfast Burrito, so it was decided that today, after we went swimming, we’d come home and have breakfast burritos for breakfast before running some errands and whatever else needed to be done. So, I grabbed the vegetarian version – the Udi’s Gluten Free Spicy Southwest Veggie Breakfast Burrito, and we checked out.
And I was excited. My laps in the pool couldn’t end soon enough. And when they did…I changed…I drove home…and I was totally ready to eat. For real.
Preparing the Udi’s Gluten Free Breakfast Burritos is super easy. Remove from the freezer, and take out of the wrapper. Wrap the small (it is small) burrito in a moist paper towel and microwave for 1 minute and 35 seconds on high. My microwave is old…so I did it for 2 minutes to ensure they were warm all the way through. Allow the burrito to sit for 1 minute before removing it from the paper towel and devouring.
My roommate had hers done first. And as I threw mine, wrapped in a paper towel, into the microwave, I asked her what she thought. She said that the tortilla was nothing special but the filling was phenomenal. So, that was good. YAY! Made me feel good about mine as it cooked through. When mine finished up, I allowed it to sit, and then, for blogging photo purposes, I cut mine in half. It was still a little frosty on the inside, so I tossed it, now unwrapped, back into the microwave for an additional 30 seconds. That worked. Time to eat.
I sliced into my burrito, having not had a burrito in ages. Seriously. Ages. Years. Since I have been a Celiac. So…I was just…dying to try it. I took my first bite and was…slightly underwhelmed. It wasn’t bad at all. It just…didn’t have much flavor to it. It felt like it was lacking seasoning or something. A dash of something just to elevate the flavors. But…it wasn’t bad. I could taste all of the vegetables that were inside, and loved the various textures that they brought to my palate. But, I actually think the tortilla was my favorite part of mine. If I had thought about it while eating, I would have put some hot sauce on the burrito…but it didn’t even occur to me. Weird, because I always put hot sauce on breakfast things that involve veggies and potatoes and eggs. I guess I was focusing on eating it…seeing what I liked and what I didn’t. The tortilla was soft and delicious. The inside was stuffed, for sure, with all the egg whites, vegetables, potatoes, and even some cheese. It was a good breakfast, for sure. Filling and ultimately good…but I just thought a little dash of something…cayenne or salt or something…might just make it great. And…I found this more mild than spicy for sure. No spice at all. Hence…add your own hot sauce. For real.
So…let’s talk ingredients, shall we? The Udi’s Gluten Free Spicy Southwest Veggie Breakfast Burrito is best examined in two parts. The filling of the burrito is made up from cooked egg whites, roasted potatoes, cheese sauce, heavy cream, butter, water, potato flour, onions, rice starch, parmesan cheese, tomatoes in juice, poblanos, corn, cheddar cheese, jalapenos, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic, corn starch, lime juice, salt and spices. The tortilla is made from water, tapioca starch, modified food starch, sweet rice flour, powdered cellulose, tapioca syrup, palm oil, egg whites, pea protein, tapioca maltodextrin, cane sugar syrup, glycerine, gum, cellulose gum, cultured corn syrup solids, citric acid, lactic acid, salt, enzymes, fumaric acid. Whew…it’s a laudnry list of ingredients…and not all of them sound like real food, right? So…yeah…there are some chemical-ish sounding things in there…but a majority of the ingredients are real food.
As for the nutritional information, a serving is 1 burrito. This burrito will provide you with 200 calories and 5 grams of fat. Not bad for a breakfast burrito, right? You will also be consuming 5 mg cholesterol, 400 mg sodium, and 4 grams of sugar. Finally, you will be eating 5 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein. Like I said…filling!
So, the filling wasn’t much to scream about, but the tortilla was delicious and cooked up to perfection, without getting dry and hard in the corners or anything. Love that. Would I purchase this product again…maybe…if I needed something easy and fast. But next time, I’ll have my own hot sauce ready. Don’t believe for a moment that these flavors bring any sort of spicy heat…but that is really my only complaint. A little more flavor will bring this to breakfast perfection!
Okay…here’s the awful truth. The moment I pulled this box down from my pantry this morning and looked at the cover I said a silent prayer. Seriously. I had to. I was really concerned that, sort of like the last flaky cereal I ate (sorry Freedom Foods…I love you but…NO!), these would taste like cardboard. There is nothing worse, especially in this day and age, than getting a gluten-free product and having it taste like…a box. It just shouldn’t happen.
So, with much trepidation, I opened up the box and scooped out a serving of the cereal. I snagged a couple of the flakes…just ready to get angry at myself for risking my morning cereal tradition with a new flavor, despite being made by a company I trust. It didn’t work out for me with Freedom Foods (and I love all the other stuff I tried of theirs…just not that one cereal!)…so I begin to doubt ALL the brand names now.
This…is the life of a Celiac…who is still taking risks and trying new stuff. I mean, hey, I can’t just stick with the classics. Well, I could, but what fun would that be.
Nature’s Path has an entire line of organic cereals and a good number of them are gluten-free. I’ve treated myself to many of their Envirokidz cereals in the past, as well as these “adult” cereals…you know…the ones with actual flakes from ancient grains and no cute animals on the box. I guess sometimes I do need to act my age. HA! Anyway…this was one of the ones that was on sale when I was out shopping for cereal…and it intrigued me at the time. The sale price, I guess…more than anything. I am a girl on a tight budget…sometimes I see gluten-free and a sale sticker and that’s what goes in my shopping basket.
The Mesa Sunrise Flakes cereal is a naturally sweetened ceral of crunchy, golden flakes that are made from a blend of Indian corn, flax, and amaranth. Completely gluten-free. They look like speckled corn flakes, honestly. And, perhaps, that’s exactly what they are. But…upon first appearance I had that initial thought:
“Oh…these are going to taste like cardboard…and for the next week…I’ll have to choke them down.”
So, those couple of flakes I snagged from the serving I dished up in my cereal bowl were the primary test. And…
They were not just good, but really good.
First of all, the texture is great. You get this perfect crunch with each bite…so you feel like you’re eating something substantial that won’t go soggy in 30 seconds once you top off your cereal with almond milk…or whatever you like to put on your cereal. That was a huge plus. But the most surprising thing was the flavor. I thought these would be bland and dry, but they weren’t. In fact, they had this nice touch of sweetness to them, the result of sweet corn and the addition of evaporated cane juice, I’m sure. But it had this great flavor and I could tell that it would stick with me after I ate it…unlike most gluten-free cereals, which tend to be laden with sugar and less protein and fiber. I burn through those. This actually felt substantial. And healthy. And good! And being made from some great whole grains does help make this a well rounded and delicious breakfast.
Let’s talk about these ingredients for a moment, shall we? The Nature’s Path Mesa Sunrise Flakes are made with organic corn meal, organic yellow corn flower, organic evaporated cane juice, organic flax, organic buckwheat flour, organic quinoa, organic amaranth, sea salt, and tocopherols (natural vitamin E). These flakes are gluten-free and cholesterol free.
As far as nutrition goes, the Nature’s Path Organic Mesa Sunrise Flakes are a great way to start your day. Very healthy. A serving size is 3/4 cup. In this serving, you will be taking in 120 calories and only 1 gram of fat. This serving provides you with 125 mg sodium and only 4 grams of sugar. And you will be consuming 3 grams of filling fiber and 3 grams of protein. It’s a substantial and hearty cereal that is low in sugar (LOVE that!) and healthy thanks to being made from whole grains. I am in love with this cereal.
Nature’s Path has become a reliable and easy-to-find brand when I’m searching for some gluten-free options. Every cereal I have tried, both in their grown-up line and their Envirokidz line, have been outstanding. No wonder this company is thriving. If you need a healthy breakfast, I highly recommend trying the Nature’s Path Organic Mesa Sunrise Flakes. Great cereal and a great way to start your day!
Product – Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Twists – $3.19+
So…I’ve been savoring a product that I received in my first ever Cuisine Cube (May 2014)…for good reason. You see…I love sweets. No surprise. I mean, I’m all about eating healthy and all that, but I believe treats are a welcome part of life. And without treating yourself every now and again, you will go insane and be no fun at all. This is why I believe in dessert after dinner. Moderation is key, of course, but…I think your day of eating should end with a treat, be it fruit, a piece of candy, ice cream, a cookie, a brownie, or a slice of cake. You’ve earned it. Even if it’s just a bite.
Well…having just signed up for my monthly cube of gluten-free goodness, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I, of course, had read about Cuisine Cube before actually choosing to sign up for the delivery service…but knew next to nothing about what would all be involved. What is involved is that, every month, a delicious box of gluten-free goodies arrives, spanning the entire spectrum of meals. One breakfast item, a snack item, a lunch item, a dinner item, a dessert item, and then…every now and again…a bonus.
In May 2014’s cube…there was a bonus. This one included…
CANDY!
Yes…I am an athlete…but I’m also a real person…and I like candy as much as my 7 nieces and nephews do. However, when I had to go gluten-free three years ago…certain candies that I loved were now off the table, as it were. One such favorite treat was…Twizzlers. Not only did Twizzlers make mouths happy throughout my childhood and…yes…even my adult life…but I loved them. Simple flavored licorice (only the red…not a fan of black licorice at all!)…fat free…chewy…delicious. Something so simple and yet…so fundamentally iconic. Makes mouths happy, indeed. But…Celiac disease happened…and Twizzlers became only a fond, distant memory.
Until…May 2014. Inside my Cuisine Cube that month was…this little pouch of little organic licorice twists. The brand was Candy Tree. I’d never heard of them before but now I wanted to marry them. Hey…sometimes it’s the little things in life that bring the most joy. I vowed I was going to eat them and relive all my Twizzler moments. I put them in my snack drawer…and thought about opening them on countless occasions and then…I just…didn’t want to. I didn’t want to fall in love with them and not be able to have them again.
But, after not really wanting to make anything for dessert tonight, and not feeling cookies (shock!)…I wanted something light. And, then I remembered the licorice twists in my drawer. The package held two servings…perfect for my roommate and I to split between us.
Candy Tree was actually founded in 1984 by two parents who were concerned with what their seven children were eating. They began to cook up lollipops, toffees, licorice and hard candies, all made with organic ingredients and using an organic corn malt as a base. They then would flavor these treats with real fruit and organic apple juice. These treats are made in Holland, with strict precautions being taken so that there is no gluten contamination. So…you are literally getting something to satisfy your licorice craving without all the bad stuff.
And…tonight…I opened up the little plastic pouch and split the Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Licorice Twists between myself and my roomie. Moment of truth.
I don’t remember much about Twizzlers, as it has been three years since I’ve had them…but I do remember them being really soft and chewy. The Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Licorice Twists…are not as soft and chewy. My roommate, who literally just had Twizzlers on Friday, said the same thing. They are a little tougher than licorice twists she’s used to…but the flavor was amazing. You would be hard pressed to believe that these organic licorice twists have no added sugar at all. None. Everything comes from the real fruits and fruit juices that help to create these. While these were a little tougher than I normally would like licorice…I just want to say…I WAS EATING LICORICE!! So, I didn’t care that they had a little bite to them. They were packed with great flavor and they were sweet without being over-the-top sugary sweet. In fact…I ate through my serving in what is probably record time. You try not having something you love for three years and then having something that is the gluten-free equivalent in your grasp and see how long it lasts. HA!
So, let’s discuss what the Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Twists are actually made from, shall we? These licorice twists are made with organic corn syrup, organic rice flour, organic rice starch, organic apple juice, organic concentrated fruit juice: raspberry (3%), organic flavor: raspberry, citric acid. This product is gluten-free, wheat-free, milk/casein free, soy free, and organic.
As far as nutrition goes, a serving size of the Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Twists is 40 grams (or 1/2 of the package). There are two servings per package. A serving will provide you with 140 calories. These are completely fat free. One serving also will give you 19 grams of your daily sugar intake. A serving has no fiber and only 1 gram of protein. So, it isn’t filling. It’s candy. A treat. Enjoy it.
So…while they weren’t the highly processed (thank goodness!) Twizzlers I grew up eating, they were very delicious. It was a very nice throwback to a candy I used to devour at every waking moment. These were a great, organic, no sugar-added treat that I would be more than happy to eat all over again. Thank you, Cuisine Cube, for introducing this fantastic candy treat to me.
Product: Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix – $4.99+
For the last few issues, I’ve noticed that my Delight Gluten Free magazine has had ads for this vegan meat replacement called Neat. I was beyond intrigued and immediately went on the hunt in my local natural food stores. Sadly, but not surprisingly, no one in my area carried this product. At least not yet. I said I’d get online and see if I could order it, but, naturally, I forgot to do that. Story of my life.
I can’t help it. I have too much to think sometimes and these mental notes and reminders get lost in the shuffle.
But then…it was as if they felt the need to answer my unspoken prayer…my favorite monthly delivery arrived. Cuisine Cube’s October cube arrived in the mail and I immediately tore into it, wondering what sort of surprises awaited inside. And if you haven’t looked into ordering a Cuisine Cube yet…get over to their Web site and try it out. Seriously, this is one of the best investments I have ever made. Receiving gluten-free items from smaller and lesser known companies each month has become a treat I look forward to every month. So…if you have made a mental note to check them out, and it’s gotten lost in the shuffle…click on the link above and check it out. For real.
Now back to your regularly scheduled blog…
So, October’s Cuisine Cube arrived and one of the items inside was…you guessed it…because I’m blogging about it…Neat – A Replacement For Meat! The version included in the box was the Mexican Mix. Neat, for the record, also has an Original Mix (for burgers/chili), an Italian Mix (for “meatballs” and lasagna), and also a Breakfast Mix (for quiches and breakfast sandwiches). Let me tell you…I did this happy little dance of joy and might have squeaked a bit when I pulled that pouch out of the cube. Seriously…after reading about it and looking for it…I finally had it in my clutches!
As a gluten-free vegetarian, vegan/vegetarian meat substitutes are hard to come by. Most vegan/vegetarian meat substiutes have some sort of vital wheat gluten in them. And a lot of companies refuse to go the gluten-free route because it would “jeopardize the integrity of the product.” BOOOO!! So, up until recently, I’d just season up some tofu and work with that. But…it’s not the same.
So, what exactly is Neat? Neat is a meat replacement that is derived from nuts and other non-GMO natural ingredients. It is a product that was created by a mother of two children who decided that they were going to become vegetarians. At first she would puree beans into sauces to help her girls get the protein they wanted, but after awhile, everyone got tired of it. And that was when she got into the kitchen, experimented, and created what is now marketed at Neat.
Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix (in a skillet with chopped onion and chopped green pepper)
Neat comes in this shelf-stable pouch in a powdered form. All you do to prepare it is pour the pouch into a bowl, add two eggs (or a vegan egg replacer), plus two tablespoons of water. Stir all the ingredients together and throw it into a skillet over medium heat, just as you would ground beef, for about seven minutes. To make it into crumbles, as it cooks, stir and chop it up, and what you end up with is this perfect texture of meat crumbles that is not just completely vegan/vegetarian…but also gluten-free!
Now…gluten-free and vegetarian tacos are sort of something I’m famous for. I have gotten really creative with how to prepare tacos (Tour De Taco happens often at my apartment) to make them not just gluten-free, but also meat free. And a meat replacement hasn’t been used in a long time. So, while I had a pouch of the Mexican Mix from Neat, I decided to bring back an old favorite of mine as a kid, back when I ate meat and would basically beg my mom to make this for dinner.
What I did was cook up my mom’s famous Enchilada Hotdish. Normally this is made with ground beef, but this meant I could use the Neat Mexican Mix for a different purpose. Tacos…been there, done that. Enchilada Hotdish…haven’t had that in AGES!! So, that’s what I did. I picked up a gluten-free and vegetarian can of chili and I got a roll of Teese Vegan Nacho Cheese…and the rest was vegetables and seasonings I already had at home. Perfect.
So, tonight…I pulled out the Cuisine Cube treat of Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix and set out to prepare it. I chopped up the vegetables that were needed and then retrieved the can of chili and the vegan nacho cheese (which I substituted for the cheddar cheese soup) and had them ready with my seasoning. First things first…preparing Neat.
Super easy. I poured the powdered contents of the package into a medium mixing bowl. Then, per the instructions, I added two eggs and the water and mixed it up. It created this…sludge of sorts…but I trusted it and went with it. I had a non-stick skillet on the stove and put the Neat into it to start browning. The vegetables were also added so they could start to get soft before I added the rest of the ingredients. With everything in the pan, and heated through, I began to assemble the hotdish itself. This meant putting the “meat” mixture into the casserole dish, then layering it with tortilla chips, then repeating it. Into the oven it went to bake and about 30 minutes later…viola!! I was enjoying a version of my mom’s Enchilada Hotdish.
So…how was it?
It is not an exaggeration when I say I want to marry Neat. For real. WOW! I was SO impressed, not only with the flavor, but how great the texture it. Here is a company that is getting ti right. Going into the pan to cook, it didn’t look appetizing or promising, but it all came together. And it was the perfect meat substitute for the beef that would have been normally used in this recipe. I am thrilled with this product and think I’ll be placing an order to try ALL the Neat products. And, I also might straight-out make tacos next time. But, I figured I should really put this product to the test. Trust the hype…it’s amazing.
Also…tested it out straight from the pan on the tortilla chips and…oh…yum. Makes a great dip too! HA!
Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Enchilada Hotdish (made with Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix)
Let’s first delve into the nitty-gritty ingredients and nutrition of Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix. The Mexican Mix version of Neat is made from pecans, garbanzo beans, organic whole grain gluten free cornmeal, sea salt, and spices. So, where this is meat-free and dairy-free, and also gluten-free…it is NOT nut-free. So, if you have a nut allergy…this product is not for you.
As for nutrition, a serving of Neat Mexican Mix is 40 grams and each pouch contains 4 servings. This serving will give you 21o calories and 15 grams of fat (healthy fat as it is coming from beans and nuts). A serving will provide you with 333 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar. And, trust me, the 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein will leave you feeling full…whether you’re making a hotdish or having taco night.
But…there is more!
I’ve decided, since it worked out so well, that I would share the recipe I used this product in. This is a family recipe of my mom’s and it is SO delicious!! If you are not a vegetarian, you can use 1 pound of lean ground beef…and if you can handle dairy, please use your cheddar cheese soup (as long as it is gluten-free!)…but this is how I prepared the dish tonight…with great success!!
1 package Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix
2 organic cage-free eggs
2 tablespoons water
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 package Teese Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce
1 can vegetarian chili (I used Amy’s Organic Light in Sodium Medium Chili)
1/2 can water
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350° F.
Pour the Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix into a medium bowl. Add two eggs (or egg replacer if vegan) and 2 tablespoons of water. Mix well.
In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, brown the Next Mexican Mix, onion, and green peppers. Cook until vegetables begin to soften and the Neat can be chopped into a meat texture. Add the chili powder, vegan cheese sauce, chili and water to the mix and mix well. Allow it to heat through for a few minutes to marry the flavors together.
In a 9×9 oven-proof dish, place in layers, alternating the meat mixture with 1 package of tortilla or nacho chips.
Bake for 30 minutes.
~*~*~
Thanks to Cuisine Cube and Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat, I was not only able to recreate a version of an old family favorite, but it tasted so much like how I remembered it tasting when I was growing up. I couldn’t have been happier tonight as I sat and devoured my dinner. I can’t wait to get my hands on the other Neat products. Talk about having a desired product land in your lap!!
Seriously…seek out this product!! I highly recommend it! The product is so versatile…beyond just a protein base for tacos. Try out the recipe above or use it in one of your own family favorites. You will not be disappointed. I promise!
A very good friend, Jen Greunke, from one of my running groups randomly posted something today on Facebook. She simply said:
“Here’s the ugly truth: there will be people in your life that will always let you down, people that no matter how much you want something for them, they can’t find the desire and courage within themselves to want it for themselves. You can not help everyone. Sometimes the people you want to help the most are often the most difficult. Sometimes the people you want something for just aren’t ready…they may never be ready. Here’s the part you HAVE to understand: just because you can’t help those people does NOT mean you’re not helping people. There will be people who make promises, people who say they’re going to do something and then break those promises and fail on what they say. Keep trying anyway. Life isn’t about the hurt but about the happiness and joy in the people you CAN help because they WANT to be helped.”
I read her post over a few times and it all just sort of hit home with me. I’m notorious for caring way too much…about people…about what other people think about me…about how I am perceived by others. And all of this came to a stressful and explosive head this past weekend for me. The matter is personal, but the basic gist of the tale is this…
I cared too damn much again. And in the end, all I got was hurt. I trust the wrong people. I believe people won’t be hurtful. And sometimes…I’m wrong. I’m just wrong. When things are said to me…about me…that are so off-base with the person I am…well…it makes me take a good long, hard look at myself and my life. It made me really think…long and hard…about the people in my life…and what they do FOR me. Do they lift me up when I’m down…or simply compare their woes to mine? Do they make me smile or do they pull me further down? Do they support me or do they hold me back? Do they truly know me or did they never bother to look past the surface in the first place? Yes…people let me down and people hurt me…even when I’ve done whatever possible to help them and get them through tough times. But you know what? I also let myself down and I often find myself thinking negatively about who I am…what I do…how I look. It’s a never ending cycle…and it’s also very human.
This has been a pretty damn hard summer for me this year. Starting in July, my foot flared up, for no reason…and has yet to get back to normal. I rested it for two months…I got othodics…I got hurt by the orthodics…I put on weight…I stressed…I went swimming to not put pressure on my foot at all…I gave up my cardio sessions for lifting weights…none of this was as satisfying as the run. It made me cranky…it made me restless…it made me angry…at life…at God…at my body. I felt betrayed by my own body…lost. And it sucked.
And people…very good people…some I know in person and some only via some close groups I met via Facebook…gave me their shoulders, their advice, their love. And while the words they say didn’t always make me smile and didn’t sugar coat the situation, I trusted them. And they helped me believe in myself again.
But demons…they are tricky.
Demons…as in the internal kind. Those little parasites in your mind. Those thoughts and words that make you give up and give in. I SURRENDER!! I can’t do this. I’ll never get back to my racing shape. I hate the person I am right now. I don’t like myself. Say what you like, but self-hatred is a hard beast to slay. And when you grew up with low self-esteem, and as an adult still have issues with how you perceive yourself because a part of you will never see that you’re beautiful, or good at this, or strong at that…well…those little thoughts become a huge problem.
And days like today…that huge problem feels larger than life.
As I was making my initial comeback, I was doing better. Negative thoughts were there, my speed was slower than I liked, but I was out there. And when the custom orthodics created another big problem in my recovery and comeback, the setback was enough to bring me to tears. I was supposed to be getting better…not worse. How can something that was meant to help me end up hurting me?
Yeah…I had some Nancy Kerrigan “Why me?!” syndrome going on. It happens. Thankfully there are people in my life who snapped me out of it. Those are the people I need. The people who know I’m stressed out and take the peanut butter jar and spoon away from me and tell me to do some fucking yoga instead…
The go-getters. The can-doers. The glass is half full so drink it down and start again-ers.
I site my friends Heather Dillon and Cathy Dailey for recent events. I was set to run the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The days leading up to the race left me with no training runs due to the orthodics being wrong and leaving my foot throbbing and aching worse than when it was initially inflamed. All the way to Minnesota and throughout the day before the race, I kept saying I didn’t think I could do it. There was no way I could run it. I wasn’t trained. I hadn’t been able to run or train. I didn’t want to get hurt…
And they nodded and simply said, “You can do it” and “You will do it” and “When you finish…”
Positive reinforcement. Suddenly, not running it didn’t seem like an option. And held together by KT Tape, determination, good friends along the way, and a whole lot of prayer…I toed that start line and even made it to the finish line. It wasn’t the race I wanted it to be. I walked more than I wanted to, but when you can’t train to run that distance, you can’t expect to just go out and run that distance. Lots of walking…but I had no shame in it. I cried a lot on that race course. And when I crossed that finish line, as sore as my body felt, I was really damn proud of myself and so grateful for so many things: the strangers on the sidelines who encouraged me when I had to walk, for my family for being there, for two of my running friends for the hugs on the race course, for Heather and Cathy…because I might not have gotten up that morning without their encouragement and belief in me and my abilities. Or, their belief in me…when I was doubting it all.
The fact of the matter is…we all have dragons to slay and demons to fight. And sometimes…it’s not an easy battle to win. Trust me. I’ve been on a roller coaster of emotions since July. I’m still fighting my way through it. This comeback kid was starting to fall back. The comeback was no longer sweet…but sour. All my fight and perseverance…was turning into just giving up and giving in. It’s hard to fight what seems and feels like a battle that you just can’t win. I make progress…and then fall back. Two steps forward, three steps back. It gets tiresome after awhile. And you finally just have enough.
Thankfully…while I gave up on myself and my abilities…not everyone did. These people HELPED me. And I wouldn’t be typing this today if they hadn’t been there through all the darkness. Some people have turned away, let me fight my own battle, but some people lift their own shields and weapons and stand strong with me…because while I feel like a quitter…I’m not going to quit. And they know that while I might be in a dark place right now…I have a spark inside of me…and when it finally flares…well…the comeback will be complete.
Demons will be banished and dragons slayed…
As for my comeback…the process is slow. I have the New York City Marathon in 19 days…and have yet to feel confident about my run. In fact, wisely enough, I have taken over a week off to allow my body to heal from the strain of the Twin Cities Marathon. My limp is gone. My foot still hurts, but it is manageable. And that’s why I haven’t set out to run…because…I don’t want to make it unmanageable again. I do my ankle exercises and my foot exercises and every day I wake up hoping to feel a little bit better than the day before.
My friend, Julie Larson, a fellow runner who is coming back from surgery, posted a quote this morning on her Facebook page. It struck home. It said:
“At some point you have to stop making a comeback and start running toward who you are meant to be.” – Lauren Fleshman
It really just struck a chord with me. I want to make a comeback, of course, but first…I think I need to rediscover myself. I need to just…do this for me for awhile. Not times, not races, not miles…but just…for me. I let myself down, but it doesn’t mean that I have to stay down. Time to get back up, dust myself off, and try it again. Time to stop letting others and my own self-doubt and self-hate bring me down. Time to learn the art of patience. Because, everything takes time. And the greatest accomplishments aren’t achieved overnight. Patience really is a virtue and it’s something I’m going to work on.
The rest…will all fall into place and come together. Yes…very recently I have felt let down, betrayed, hurt and lost. And some of it has been due to others, but a lot of it has been because of me. Time to refocus. Time to keep believing…in what I do and who I am. And when I falter, because I’m human and it will happen, I at least know I’m in good hands…with friends who know me and take me for who I am…but refuse to let me give up.
There are a few traditions that I keep when I run. The first thing is…after a big race, I hit up a pub or a Mexican restaurant. Don’t ask me why or how this became “a thing” as mentioned in the previous review…it just did. But the other thing I do is treat myself to something creamy, cold, and delicious. Mainly…ice cream.
Here is the sudden caveat, however.
While I have, in the past, been able to tame the lactose intolerance by taking a lactase supplement…it hasn’t been working out so well for me in the recent weeks. Frustrating. Because I am an ice cream nut. Oh…and this is one tradition I refuse to let up on.
Before leaving for Minneapolis, Cathy was already on the hunt for a place to uphold this long-standing tradition. And so…she found Izzy’s. And what made Izzy’s Ice Cream (aside from being a local specialty ice cream shop in the Twin Cities) stand out from the other options was…they had soy ice cream flavors. YAY! No dairy to wreak havoc on my tummy. This…made me happy! So…so…so very happy!
What made the Izzy’s experience even better was, that day, I was spending the afternoon with my grandpa. Yes…the very man who got me interested in running. Cathy and I took him out to lunch at The French Meadow Bakery & Café in Minneapolis. Then, afterwards, I told him that we were going to get celebratory ice cream at Izzy’s Ice Cream. If he was interested, I’d love for him to come along. He was certainly interested! So, we made the short 10 minute drive from our lunch spot over to St. Paul. Izzy’s Ice Cream awaited…and we entered and couldn’t wait to get started.
As I was the goofy one, Cathy made me order first. I asked about the soy ice cream flavors, hoping that there was a chocolate or peanut butter option here. But, alas…my options today were either Soy Strawberry, Soy Mango, Mango Sorbet, or Strawberry Sorbet. I was just a little disappointed. A little. At least they had other options instead of just sorbets though. So, without chocolate to fulfill my craving…I opted for the best option available. Strawberry. Because I am not a fan of mango. Not really.
So…order in. On a gluten-free ice cream cone (because…yeah…they have those and…yeah…I wanted one because I never get ice cream cones!), I ordered a regular scoop of Izzy’s Soy Ice Cream ($3.75) with the Izzy Scoop (a 3/4 ounce scoop) of the Strawberry Sorbet on top. Because that’s what Izzy’s does. You get this cute little scoop atop your scoop. And it’s like…an added bonus of ice cream awesomeness. And…I GOT AN ICE CREAM CONE! I might be 34, but sometimes I want to be 5 and eat my ice cream out of an ice cream cone. Added bonus, because she knew of my gluten-free and lactose intolerance, she wrapped the scoop in paper before she dished up my ice cream. How fantastic is that?! Guaranteed not to give me a tummy ache!
Cathy ended up getting a regular scoop on a regular sugar cone of Izzy’s Lemon Custard with the Izzy Scoop of Ricotta Ice Cream ($3.75). And grandpa…grandpa went classic. Traditional. As grandpa’s tend to do! He was torn between the vanilla and the chocolate, but ended up getting a kiddie scoop of the Chocolate Ice Cream on a cake cone. Oh…and they topped it off with a little chocolate candy on top. Nice touch!
The verdict?
Really good. Really solid (as in it had good taste and texture…not that it was rock hard!) ice cream. Cathy thought the ricotta flavor was interesting, but, naturally, loved the lemon custard. Seriously, if you give this girl a choice between ice cream or custard, she’ll choose custard…which is awesome. And if there is lemon involved…she is all over that. Grandpa really enjoyed his cone of chocolate ice cream.
And my choice…was good. I loved the creamy nature of the soy strawberry ice cream. I loved tasting the real bits of strawberry inside. And the topper of strawberry sorbet made it a berry-licious treat indeed. But, even more than the ice cream, I was happy when I got to crunch and munch on the gluten free sugar cone. I love ice cream cones more than most adults should…but when you really can’t have them, you tend to appreciate them more when you can. It’s the little pleasures in life…like soy ice cream and…gluten free sugar cones at an ice cream shop.
Life was good that day. I had a great afternoon with my grandpa. We had great eats and treats. And he even loved the ice cream.
A great place to go…with spots in Minneapolis and St. Paul. You better believe I’ll be back. And maybe this time they’ll have some Soy Chocolate for me.
Izzy’s Soy Strawberry Ice Cream with an Izzy Scoop of Strawberry Sorbet on a Gluten Free Sugar Cone
Restaurant: The Liffey Irish Pub, St. Paul, Minnesota
I finished. I ran. I walked. I crossed the finish line of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. And after all the hullabaloo at the finish line…the gathering of essentials like finisher’s medal, finisher’s shirt, banana, water, photos, chocolate milk, salty snacks, and so on…I met up with my adoring public…Heather and Cathy. They were at the designated spot at the runner reunion area. And the night before we had made noises of checking out a pub after my run.
It has sort of become a thing…we either do a pub or Mexican food after I run a marathon.
You don’t mess with a thing.
Bad things happen when you mess with…a thing.
So, it just so happened that a great Irish pub in St. Paul, called The Liffey Irish Pub, wasn’t but a couple of blocks away from the finish area. While I was getting some compressions socks on and a different pair of shoes, Heather called ahead to see what the wait would be like. It turned out we were in between the rushes. So, after I stretched for a moment, we decided to pack up and make the hike to the pub. It was a slow hike…my foot, my ankle, my legs were killing me. I had never felt like this after a marathon…but I’d been injured (still was) and couldn’t train. It sucked, but my friends were more than willing to work with me.
Our good friend, Paul, whom we met through the big U2 summer of concert madness a couple years ago, met us there. He had been one of the group at Mile 17 and had said he could join us for lunch. I stepped inside and immediately was given a hug. We were immediately seated by the hostess, but before hitting up the table, Cathy and I ducked into the bathroom so I could get out of my running clothes and into something more comfortable (yoga pants and a t-shirt!). We found the table where Paul and Heather were seated and I started looking at the menu.
Usually it takes me awhile to be hungry, but at this point, I was hungry. Amazingly enough. And, also a plus, we knew from the Internet search, that The Liffey had a gluten-free menu. And when our drink orders were taken (water for starters and then Heather and Paul got drinks with their food), we were given the opportunity to think about what to eat. Easy here. For the non-vegetarian and gluten-free (my dining compatriots), it seemed that Fish and Chips (Heather & Paul got the North Atlantic Cod – $14.00; Cathy got the Canadian Walleye – $15.00) was the pub grub of choice (naturally!). For me…the Quinoa Salad ($9.75) sounded like the meal of choice. Ideal for recovery too!
Orders in…and we started talking about everything we had been up to…and U2 stuff…and all that jazz. In fact, we were so busy talking that it took us a moment to realize that the tray that came in a little later had our food on it! I think we were all ready to eat. Paul actually got his fish and chips with a Guinness and Heather got hers with a delicious Strongbow cider. Mmmm. I was feeling dehydrated so it was water only for me with my meal…this time.
The Liffey Irish Pub’s Quinoa Salad
The Quinoa Salad was a fantastic bed of spinach that contained quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, capers, basil, and avocado. All these amazing vegetables and grains were tossed with a fantastic, and highly delicious lime vinaigrette. The quinoa and spinach were great protein for after the run. And I loved the flavor. I didn’t actually expect the sweet potatoes to be cold, but didn’t mind it in this salad. While I’m not a huge fan of capers, the salty and vinagery flavor complimented the lime vinaigrette and the earthy vegetables in the salad. I enjoyed this salad down to the last bite. Amazing. And it takes a lot to amaze me when it comes to salad. This one hit all the right notes…and was like no other salad I’ve had before.
I like different.
I also like being able to enjoy a dessert when I go out to eat. And there happened to be a few that I could indulge in here at The Liffey Irish Pub. Oh, St. Paul…you’re winning me over with this gem of an Irish pub. A fruit cup was an option. Or the local Izzy’s Ice Cream (flavors unknown). But the one that interested me was the gluten-free version of their S’more Pot du Crème. We asked for four spoons.
The Gluten Free S’more ($5.50) was a rich chocolate custard with Izzy’s Vanilla Bean ice cream. All of this was topped off with a fantastic marshmallow fluff brûlée. It sounded beyond delicious. And when it came out…all four of us dove in. Seriously. Four spoons dipped into the toasted marshmallow top, through that layer of vanilla ice cream and touching that decadent chocolate custard.
BEST. DESSERT. EVER.
We licked that bowl clean. While I was glad there were four of us going after this dessert, I probably could have eaten the entire thing by myself without feeling any regrets. It was so good. The rich custard with the cold ice cream and the warm, fluffy nature of the fluff was the perfect combination. It felt like I was eating a delicious s’more at a campfire. But better. This was just…the best campground treat elevated to restaurant quality. High class. Amazing. I was wishing for one more bite once we polished it off.
It was unanimous, really.
BEST. DESSERT. EVER.
Should I say it again?
BEST. DESSERT. EVER.
I was way beyond satisfied when I shuffled out of their with my friends. We each said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. Paul one way, Heather to take us to our car and then meet up with us at my grandpa’s house so I could shower and then we could keep me moving by walking the Mall of America.
Where I bought a fantastic dress…
But, that’s of no consequence. What is, however, is the fact that, without hesitation, without any doubt, I would eagerly return to eat at The Liffey, in St. Paul, Minnesota, whenever I happened to be in the area. Forget any other pubs that might be more convenient to where I am in Minneapolis. This one blew me away. And, I of course would have to get another taste of the…BEST. DESSERT. EVER.
Yep…I’ll be back. Count on it!
The Liffey’s Gluten-Free S’more (aka: BEST. DESSERT. EVER.)
This past week I was in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I was there for a few reasons. To visit with family. To see some friends. And to run/walk the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. Yes. Run/Walk. Am I ashamed of this? Not at all. This race was a warm-up. A warm up to the race I am running in 3 weeks exactly.
New York City Marathon.
And, as my training schedule was completely killed with my foot injury and then…orthodic problems…I went to Minneapolis not quite certain I’d be able to even run/walk the course. I figured, I could at least spend time with family. On Saturday morning, I was pretty certain the race was off. I went to the expo and hobbled through, getting my race number, buying new shoes, shopping, checking out the vendors and other races that were there…and the more time I was there, the more I wanted to do it. It also helped that my friend Heather was telling me I could do it. Walk the hills. Just walk the hills. And to help, she took me on the tour of the entire race course…and…yeah…I figured I could at least give it a go.
While touring the course, my aunt, Jan, and my cousin, Molly, texted me to find out dinner plans. They know that the night before the race is gluten-free pizza night. And to avoid that horrible mistake that was Pizza Ranch last time I raced in Minneapolis, Cathy did some research before we left. I heard only good things about Pizza Lucé, both on Find Me Gluten Free and in regular reviews. In fact, they are touted as “The Best Pizza In Minneapolis.” So…that had to be good right. We hadn’t thought of reservations, but as there was going to be at least 11 of us there…Molly went ahead and got that arranged.
That evening, at 5 p.m., we showed up at Pizza Lucé on West 66th Street in Richfield, Minnesota. My cousins, their significant others, and the children were all there. My aunt was the last to arrive. But there we were…me, my roomie, my bestie, my family…ready to give this place a try. I don’t think the Pizza Ranch experience will ever be forgotten. We joke about it even now. All of us who endured it.
But, as this place had not only gluten-free, but also vegan options…I was already feeling good about it. We were seated and our drink orders were taken while we looked over the menu. Heather was onboard with splittling with Cathy and I up until I said I needed the vegan cheese. Then, Cathy left it to me to choose what pizza to do (or build our own, which is an option). I was actually torn between a seasonal special or one of the signature pizzas on the menu. I was going back and forth and when I mentioned the Curried Coconut Butternut Squash Pizza (roasted butternut squash whipped with curry and coconut milk and finished with fresh red bell pepper, feta cheese, red onion, pineapple and fresh cilantro) to Cathy, she seemed very unenthusiastic about it. So, I decided to go with my other choice…the Wild Mushroom and Arugula Pizza ($18.89).
While the various orders for each of us (some of us got pizzas, some got pastas)…we all sat around and talked about tons of things. My cousin Molly had a new baby girl that I hadn’t met yet…her two boys were entertaining on the other end of the table. My cousin, Andy, just got married and he and his wife were there…so we talked wedding. We talked running. We talked family. We talked about everything. Literally.
And then…tasty food began arriving.
The Gluten Free Wild Mushroom and Arugula Pizza was set down next to me – a fantastic 10 inch gluten-free crust that was topped off with olive oil, fresh basil, arugula, caramelized onion, garlic, a wild mushroom blend (cirimini, oyster, portabella, and shiitake) and Daiya cheese (vegan!). It looked AMAZING! I mean, my mouth immediately began to water. And it was then that we realized that Heather, Cathy and I totally forgot to grab lunch today. So, yeah…we were ready to dig in.
I served 3 slices, half of the pizza, to Cathy and saved the other half for me.
OH. MY. PIZZA. GOODNESS. This was creamy, crunchy and good! Beyond good. This pizza was so delicious. I love a good white pizza and this went above and beyond what I am used to. It was so creamy because they actually got the Daiya cheese to melt down to a perfect gooey texture. The blend of flavors was classic, with the arugula adding a hit of peppery flavor to the sweetness of the caramelized onion and the earthiness of the mushrooms. I might have devoured every single bit of it. Seriously. Like hoovered it all down. I was so happy with the food here I really considered going back. They, after all, also have a gluten-free stuffed shells on the menu. Pardon me while I drool!
In a heartbeat…I would definitely return to Pizza Lucé in the future. This place beyond impressed me. And I think all of us who survived the disgusting nastiness of Pizza Ranch the year before were grateful to have delicious food and the variety of options that Pizza Lucé offered. If I had been there longer, I would have returned during the rest of my stay in Minneapolis. Seriously…so happy and can’t wait to go back next time I make it to Minneapolis!
Pizza Lucé’s Gluten-Free and Vegan Wild Mushroom and Arugula Pizza
Me heading for the Finish Line of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
Race: Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon
Place: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
Date: October 5, 2014
Time:3:51:52
“One thing about racing is that it hurts. You better accept that from the beginning or you’re not going anywhere.” – Bob Kennedy
Pushing through the pain is not my style. Doing damage to myself is not something I strive to do. I don’t believe in pushing myself to the point of puking when it comes to running. My body is my temple and I am trying, through this blasted foot injury, to keep it moving, going, and getting strong. The last thing on my to-do list is…get hurt…more/again.
So…this was certainly on my mind when I boarded a plane to Minneapolis, Minnesota last Friday. Honestly. My custom orthodics were doing more damage and causing more pain than they should have been. I had been in to see the podiatrist twice since getting them, and had them readjusted. I was still limping throughout the day…something that got worse as I moved about the Louisville airport. I’m sure part of that was the 15 pound backpack I was carrying around, but it seemed the more I stepped, the worse it got. And thanks to that fire at the air traffic control tower in Chicago, the flight leaving Louisville was delayed by 2 hours. And then…once we got to Midway, we had another delay, which wouldn’t put is in Minneapolis until past midnight. I hated to do this to my aunt, Jan, who graciously was coming out to get us…but that’s how air travel through Chicago is currently working. And it sucked.
That being said, the security line in Louisville was non-existent for a Friday. Barely any wait time. And then the delay meant we had plenty of time to kill. So, Cathy and I decided we would find something to eat for dinner. We were originally going to do that at Midway…but…now it made sense to do it here. Cathy ended up getting some soup from Chili’s and I ate an apple and a gluten-free granola bar that I brought with me. I figured it could at least hold me to Midway, right? Right. Then, I got out my Moji 360 Mini Massager and had Cathy help me roll it across the bottom of my foot, which is where most of the pain was happening at that moment. It hurt…like…a lot. It would have to do for the time being. We walked around a bit more (there is only so much to do at the Louisville airport…trust me)…until we finally got to line up to get on the plane. Guess what? I was A1. HAHA! First on the plane after the special boarding for those traveling alone or in need of assistance. Awesome. On Southwest Airlines…the closer to the front of the plane, the better. Even if I knew we were in no hurry to catch a flight at Midway. It was the fact that for the first (and probably only) time…I was A1.
Thumbs down for left foot pain at the airport on the way to Minneapolis. This is one very unhappy runner…
The flight to Midway was dull and uninteresting, which is how I prefer flights. Even the landing was smooth and perfect. We disembarked and went to check the screen. Yes…definitely delayed. So…time to do more hiking around. As we were doing so, I started limping even more. My foot was killing me. Cathy made a suggestion…telling me to take the orthodic out of my left shoe, since it seemed to be doing more harm than good. I had no inserts for my shoe…but, I figured it couldn’t hurt any worse, and if it did, I could put the orthodic back in. It actually offered a small amount of relief. Just a little. But it was definitely more tolerable. I just want to interject that the orthodics were supposed to help me move pain-free. These particular ones fail. On the Wednesday before leaving, I had gone back in for further adjustment on the orthodic for that foot and my podiatrist ended up calling the orthodic place and telling them he had an elite marathoner and they suggested recasting the orthodic, but with some posts that will give more stability and can be adjusted. Problem…they wouldn’t be in before I left for Minneapolis. So, we went over how to tape the shit out of my foot for stability and he wished me luck. He didn’t tell me not to do it…which I appreciated it…but not being able to do it was definitely weighing heavy on my mind as I hobbled through the terminals of Midway in Chicago. To amuse ourselves, Cathy and I did spot a really cute sailor in the navy…and stalked him for a little while. He was gorgeous. But…we lost him after he ducked into a bakery place. Dang. We grabbed a small snack and settled in on the floor of our gate to wait on the plane coming in so we could then board it and fly to Minnesota.
And when it finally happened, I was tired and cranky. I took the front row of the plane, shoving my bag in the overhead compartment for the extra leg room instead. I fell in and out of consciousness…long day…having been up since 3:30 a.m. to finish packing and get to my spin class at the gym by 5:15 a.m. But…as I drifted back into consciousness…the clouds now looked like some crazy test pattern…and Cathy pointed out that it WAS SNOWING! SNOW! I don’t even like the sound of it. You guys all know that me and cold weather are like oil and water. We just don’t work well together. SNOW!! UGH!! Thankfully, it was only snow above the clouds…because as we finally began our descent into Minneapolis, it was rain. Just rain. Thank goodness. But…DAMN…it was cold. When I had packed for the race, my weather channel app still told me race morning would be in the low 40s. But now it was in the 30s. I wasn’t really prepared for weather in the 30s for running, so I said if I had to I would purchase something to wear at the expo on Saturday morning. That was the plan.
Jan found us at the baggage claim, and thankfully the bags didn’t take too long to come through. We were off to the car, then making our way to my grandpa’s house. She had the room set up, and Cathy took the air mattress. I set an alarm for 7:30 a.m. and made plans with my friend, Heather, to get together for the expo. She was going to pick Cathy and I up at my grandpa’s home in the morning and we would go and get my race packet and check out the expo. I figured we’d go from there…probably returning home. But first…sleep.
Saturday morning came and I was up with my alarm. I heard my grandpa moving about and ended up settling in on the couch. He asked if I wanted to go play Bingo with him at the grocery store. I normally would…but I was still in my pajamas and not in any way ready to go out in public. I hadn’t even had breakfast (which Jan was kind enough to hit up the Cub Foods the night before to get me some gluten-free bagels, vegan cream cheese, and some Greek yogurt)…so he went off without me. I ate some yogurt while toasting the bagels in the oven (no cross-contamination!). Cathy and I ate breakfast, got dressed, brushed teeth and made ourselves presentable. I grabbed the race packet that arrived in the mail with my Bib Number and Corral listed. And then we waited for Heather. Heather texted around the time she was going to leave and said she was running late…so we just sort of settled. Grandpa returned from Bingo, having won a $10 gift card to the grocery store. My aunt emerged from her basement living space and she and Grandpa prepared to head out to some Man Cave car show thing. They gave me a house key, in case we made it back before them, and they went off.
Heather arrived soon after and Cathy and I locked up the house and climbed into the car. Heather took us into Saint Paul and we parked in a street lot, which was supposedly $10, but due to it being the weekend, ended up being only $4. WOOHOO! Love it. We made our way from the car to the Saint Paul RiverCentre where the Health and Wellness Expo was being hosted. We ducked inside and made our way toward the back where the race packets were being handed out. I was…actually surprised. The expo was really massive. Much bigger than any of the much smaller expos I have gone through in Minnesota. This wasn’t quite Chicago size…but it was really massive with a lot of vendors. I spotted the Newton booth and knew I needed some new shoes (not to wear on Sunday…but in general)…and made a note to stop by there. The race packet was important and I stepped up near the first line as I was Bib #1306 and in the first corral to be sent off. NICE! Just wish I felt like I belonged there. Damn foot. The volunteer checked my race information packet and my ID before retrieving my bag, which contained a pair of socks…no race shirt. I was…sad. I really was. All of this and no race shirt??!! I handed the bag over to Cathy and pulled out my envelope with the chip I needed to attach to my shoe so I could go and run it over the sensor to make sure it was activated. It worked. Time to shop.
I actually didn’t go too crazy here. The three of us methodically worked our way up and down the aisles, grabbing free samples and playing a few giveaway games. That’s how I won Minute Rice. And a cowbell. LOL! Cathy actually told me to win the cowbell…and when I spun the wheel…I just happened to land on that spot. Go me. The same thing happened at the Minute Rice booth. I guess I was lucky on Saturday. We stocked up on freebies…checked out some races that were represented, and just kept moving. Since I had no race shirt, I had to duck into the merchandise area and purchase one. I wasn’t really happy with the meager selection left in my size…but found a couple that I liked. I bought one…and, being the awesome BFF that she is, Heather got me the other one as a belated birthday gift. We grabbed some free Caribou Coffee and headed out.
Heather taking me on a drive through the race route the afternoon before. SO helpful!
Heather had a really great idea…to drive as much of the course that we possibly could…depending on road closures. With my foot not feeling great, I was still not certain I’d be able to race or run…but thought this was a good way to take a look at what lay ahead of me. We quickly ducked into a record store for Cathy to check out some stuff, and then headed out to get back to Minneapolis and drive from start to finish. This was the first time I had ever done this, but it gave me a chance to get a feel for the areas I would be taking on the following morning. We started off, with the understanding that I would walk the hills and run the rest of it. This was the plan. So…off we went. And, let me tell you, there were plenty of hills that awaited me. But the tour of the course was one of the best things I ever did. And with Heather as a guide, I knew when to just really take in my surroundings, which side I needed to be on, and what points she and Cathy were going to attempt to see me along the way the next morning. This took a bit of time, but we got it done and it was really good to have all of that in mind.
My cousin, Molly, was working with Jan to get a dinner together with some of the family. We were going to check out Pizza Luce, which is one of the area’s highest rated pizza place…and yes…they have a gluten-free pizza. Naturally. After the disaster that was Pizza Ranch the last time I raced in Minneapolis…this was hopefully going to be better. We arrived early, so ducked over to Target because I needed some cheap throwaway gloves for the cold morning on Sunday. After that, we returned to Pizza Luce and joined my cousin Molly, her hubby, her three kids, my cousin Andy and his wife…and my aunt arrived last. We were seated (thanks to Molly making a reservation) very quickly and all just started talking. It had been over a year since I was last up there (I ran the Lake Minnetonka Half Marathon the last time) and we had so much to talk about. Molly had just had a baby a couple months ago and Andy had just gotten married. So…yeah…lots happening. We all ordered some food (Cathy, Heather, and I hadn’t had anything since breakfast so we were hungry and it was after 5 pm now). I ended up getting the Gluten Free Wild Mushroom and Arugula Pizza and split it with Cathy. It was really good. We didn’t linger too long afterwards. It had been a long day, I was tired and sore, Heather needed to get home, and I still had to go see my cousin Natalie, who was coming by my grandpa’s house. So we all went our separate ways, with Molly and Co. heading to grandpa’s as well for a little while…YAY! It was good to get together with my cousins. And Natalie wore her “I Run Marathons” shirt (even though she doesn’t…but said it felt appropriate!). We sat and talked and played with the kids…until it was time to turn in. Cathy remembered to really tape the hell out of my foot, ankle, and calf that night…so I was pretty well set for the early morning that awaited us.
Cathy’s mummification of my foot/ankle/leg for better stability. It worked!
At 4:00 a.m. my first alarm went off. I got up and got some stuff together…did my normal first alarm routine…then went back to sleep for a little longer. In that short span of time, I had a dream about the race and being the last person across the start line. Craziness. At 5:00 a.m…the actual alarm went off. I got up to get the oven preheated and to get changed into my race clothes. As it was really flippin’ cold up outside…after I suited up, I put my yoga pants back on and went ahead and put on my hoodie. I changed that out for my fleece I brought, just in case, before we left. I realized that morning that I didn’t have my cereal with me to eat pre-race, so I decided, if this race happened, I would be run-walking it…then having something different that morning couldn’t hurt too much. So, it was Greek yogurt with a gluten-free bagel and vegan cream cheese. I ate slowly, so as not to upset my tummy and just sort of flexed my foot a little…trying to decide if I was going to do it or not. In the end…I was dressed and fed, so I grabbed a banana, my fuel belt, and we left my grandpa’s house in my aunt’s car and headed into the city.
Finding parking was actually not a problem. I was surprised. Cathy located a great parking garage that was close to the start without being one that would be hell to get out of later. Love that. We parked and headed out into the cold Minnesota air, hearing the announcer talk about the start of the 10 Mile race, or as they like to call it…the “Shortcut to the Capitol” was gearing up to leave. Runners for the 10 Miler were getting in their corrals, so we headed over that way to see them off. Got there just as the National Anthem was finishing up and soon…Corral 1 was off. Just like that. We felt a bit in the way…so after a few clangs of a cowbell and some cheering, we meandered back to where the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon was going to start. There was going to be a Marathon Maniac’s picture at the entrance of Corral 3…but I didn’t make it back that way in time. Instead, I peeled my banana…and began moving up again through the corrals. And, just as we were getting up to where the Start Line was…here comes Heather! YAY! She had texted/called my phone, which I had given to Cathy so I didn’t obsess over it, but somehow Cathy missed it. Regardless…she found us just in time. We moved through the onslaught of runners heading in the opposite direction so that she and Cathy could find a spot to stand to see me off. They found a great spot too, just past the media on the corner. We took a few pictures with the Start Line…and then I finally had to shed my warm jacket and pants…and start getting acclimated. I got hugs from both and got some photos snapped so they could post them on Facebook…and then…I was off to get situated in Corral 1.
I am not going to lie…I was freezing. I moved to the back of the corral to start…but then ended up moving up little-by-little until I found an open spot somewhere in the middle near the left side. I promised that I would stretch when I got in my corral, and I kept that promise. If there is one thing I have learned, it is how powerful and important that stretching is. As I was finishing that up, I heard a “Hi Maniac!” coming from behind me. For the record, I was wearing my Marathon Maniac’s singlet. Anyway…it was a very nice guy, also a member of the Marathon Maniacs, and he said that I looked cold. I told him I was cold and he laughed and said I must not be from Minnesota. Very observant. HA! We chatted for a bit, and then he went in search of more Maniacs. I decided I didn’t like being that far back in the corral and moved up some more…and then some more…and a little bit more. I just got settled in a new spot when the announcer came on and welcomed us to the race. The National Anthem was sung, off key, but it was there…and then…we were sent off at exactly 8:00 a.m.
It didn’t take too long for me to cross that start line and I immediately hung at the left so I could see Cathy and Heather. I did…and they were loud and cheered just as loud for me. This was the first time in over a week that I had ventured out for a run. Seriously. And I wasn’t sure what my foot would do. The anti-inflammatory I took that morning seemed to be doing its job. There was a slight bit of pain…but nothing I hadn’t run through before. I was off…and starting the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon – which is known as The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America.
My strategy was simple…run when I could…walk when I had to…and if I had to crawl…I’d do that…but I committed to running this by crossing that start line, and I would do my best to see the race to the finish. I told Cathy that morning, I wasn’t sure I could finish…and not to get mad if I dropped out. She said she wouldn’t be mad, but she wanted to be sure I wouldn’t be mad at myself. I was certain I would be…but if I hurt, I wasn’t going to do further damage to myself. The goal was to treat this as training…and that was my entire goal. In fact, I started off at a very easy pace, I thought…but I realized my first mile was sub-8…so I backed off on that second mile and relaxed. I didn’t worry about pace or anything else…I just ran how I felt. That was the only thing I could do.
Prior to this race, I had managed to do one training run of 13.1 miles, on the day after my birthday. That was a good 3 weeks prior to this run. I struggled, having not run any double digit runs since July. I told myself I would go mile-by-mile and just assess how I was feeling. If anything, I could at least get halfway through. I had done it before…albeit on a foot that hurt less…but the more I was out there, the more I loosened up and the better I felt. I hit the 5K mark at 25:23…not great, but not bad for someone who has barely run. The next gauge was the 10K mark and that came just after we ran around the second lake on the course. Let me take a moment here to say that this course is stunning. Gorgeous. The leaves are changing in Minnesota…bright oranges and reds…all canopied overhead as you take to the streets of the city. People were everywhere to cheer. There wasn’t really a lull in the crowds at all throughout the entire thing. And the energy was just what I needed that morning. I hit the 10K mark at 50:02. And kept on going. I was really just loving the run. I was feeling okay…minor pain if any…and taking it all in. I just kept moving…and as I was making the turn at Mile 11…Heather and Cathy were there…and they were just screaming! That was just what I needed then, and I smiled, waved, and on I went. They were heading to Mile 17…as we previously discussed. Mile 11 was a nice surprise.
Mile 17 Cheer Squad: Paul, Heather, Grandpa, Jan (not pictured: Cathy…who took the pic)
Perseverance and sheer stubbornness propelled me through to the halfway point. I hit the 13.1 mile mark at 1:46:10…which is rather good, if you’re asking me. I knew that had been the furthest I had managed to train, so my common sense kicked in, and I chose to run the second half with my head…not my heart. This meant, slow the pace, walk the hills, just keep going forward. And, I immediately did just that. I turned what had started as a beautiful and nearly perfect run into a walk-run. I walked the hills. I walked when my feet hurt. I ran in between. I just started to push myself to play this smart. The last thing I needed to do was get injured again or aggravate something even further. Yes…I am aware that running a marathon was probably not the best way to avoid this…but this one was important. And as I ran…then walked…then ran through the next few miles…the reason I was out there finally made an appearance.
It was Mile 17. I knew Heather and Cathy were going to be there. But what I saw as I headed just past the Clif Shot Energy Zone was more than this little bucket of emotions could handle. There, clapping, making some noise…and just being the epitome of awesome…was my peeps. Cathy, Heather, my friend Paul, my aunt Jan…and yes…grandpa! Finally, my grandpa was well enough to make it out to see me run. I was just thankful that at that point I was running. HAHA! I picked up the pace when I saw them. I picked it up more as I heard them. And I touched my heart and held my arms up to them as I ran past. It wasn’t sunny at that point, but I was thankful to have my sunglasses on, because when I saw my grandpa standing there, I cried. Tears. Just…gone. I took a few deep breaths and regained my composure. I had 9 more miles ahead of me until I saw my peeps again…as I knew that at least Cathy and Heather would be at the finish line. Time to dig deep, dig in, and finish what I started.
The next two miles ran parallel to the Mississippi River. At Mile 19, we crossed over the river via a bridge and started down the other side. I knew that at Mile 20.5, my friend Kristen was stationed, having run the 10 miler that morning. She said she’d watch for me, and knowing that she was waiting was what propelled me onward. I also knew that around Mile 20, the beginning of epic 200 foot climb over the next 3 miles was about to begin. I saw the water station ahead and suddenly, Kristen, clad all in green, shouted. I was thrilled and ran over to her. We hugged…and she told me I looked great and to keep going. I did. How could I not after getting a hug when I was feeling so down? It lifted my spirits and my mood. I really needed that.
But the hugging and love didn’t stop there. Nope. Another friend of mine, Julie, was a course marshal between Miles 22-23. And she somehow managed to spot me in the crowd as well. I heard her shout and looked up…and rushed over to her for more hugs. She again sent me on my way, saying that I looked good and was doing great. I love my friends. Honestly. When I was struggling…when I was beating myself up…someone…a friend or a stranger…was there to encourage me. Even those simply spectating…when I’d start to walk a hill, I would hear, “Good job 1306! One foot in front of the other. Keep going. You’re almost there. Proud of you!” I teared up a few times. This race was an emotional roller coaster for me.
But, I was close now. I was within the last 5K. I kept saying I would just run the entire way, but the run-walk intervals had taken their toll and my legs were really starting to feel it. My feet hurt…and I was just determined at this point to finish. I wasn’t doing this one for time…this one was for me. This one was for my grandpa! This one was training. It had to be! The next few miles ticked by…slow and steady…and as I came into the heart of St. Paul, the crowds lifted me up and carried me that last mile. I was getting closer. I could hear the announcer. Down a hill and straight on to the finish line. I saw Heather and Cathy on my right and they were screaming for me. I held my hands up against my chest in the shape of a heart as I started to cry again. Honestly, friends see you through so much in life. I was hoping to see my grandpa there again, but my aunt took him home. The finish was ahead, so after I passed them I focused on making it to that line. I crossed…in a miraculous 3:51:52.
How I pulled that off is beyond me…but as I walked away from the camera…the tears flowed. Yep…I cried…and hobbled through the finisher’s area. I was handed my medal, which was placed around my neck. I was given a Mylar blanket and some water. A banana. Salty snacks…and urged toward the area for the finisher photographs. From there…I got my Finisher’s t-shirt. Yes…this is brilliant. At the Twin Cities Marathon, you don’t get your finisher’s shirt until you…*gasp*…FINISH! Great incentive, yes? I got through with that and managed to find the Caribou Coffee tent. I got a cup of coffee…because it’s Caribou Coffee and I was still cold. You know I am still cold when I cross a marathon finish line still wearing my makeshift arm warmers and my toss away gloves. HA! And then, I slowly started to make my way to the Family Reunion Area. My feet hurt. My entire body hurt. But I was done. I had done it…despite having my own doubts about my abilities.
As I was making my way up the incline toward the Letter X (our standard go-to for meeting), a man handed me a plastic bag to put all the stuff that runners get in the finishing area. I thanked him and was able to make my way up a little easier now. Cathy spotted me, dropped her sign and came running my way to give me a hug. I started crying again. She said she was so proud of me and we walked up to where Heather was holding down the fort. More hugs and high praise! I was on Cloud Nine! We laid out my Mylar blanket and I sat down. Cathy went to work changing my shoes from my Newtons to my Adidas Boosts and getting me straight into compression socks.
Cathy, Me, and Heather after the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
And, for a moment, my elation…my joy…went away. A quick glance at my cell phone…where I was showered with so many words of encouragement and love and people telling me how proud they were of me…and one person made it all seem so…meaningless. I set my phone down…took a deep breath…and listened to Heather and Cathy about letting it go. I did something remarkable…and to focus only on that. Then they started bragging about me to people. Seriously, these two are awesome! Heather helped stretch me out and get my legs up after she called the restaurant we were looking at for a possible place to eat lunch. My stomach wanted nothing to do with food at the moment, but I knew in about 30 minutes I’d need something. Perfect timing…they said they were in between rushes.
We hung on the lawn for a moment more, then headed down the streets of St. Paul to meet up with…Paul…who was back from his Mile 17 appearance and ready to join us for some celebratory pub grub (which is starting to become a tradition…either that or Mexican). I went into the bathroom and changed and joined my friends for some amazing food. Recovery was happening. After we ate and split THE BEST DESSERT EVER…we went our separate ways. I went back to grandpa’s house to shower and then we headed to the Mall of America…because I needed to keep moving and what better place to get your walk on? I ended up treating myself to a new dress from the former Bettie Page store (now called Tatyana). I rock this dress! Thanks for making me try it on, Heather! After shopping, we went our separate ways. It was, honestly, worth every doubt that ever came into my mind.
My official time for the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon was 3:51:52. I was 2351 out of 8852 finishers overall. I was the 712/3996 female to cross the finish line. And I was 145/703 in my age division to finish. Not too shabby at all. Is it the race I wanted? Certainly not. But it was my favorite marathon to date for so many reasons. Mostly…because despite being unable to perform up to my potential…I never gave up…and there were people who saw me through. Not just those I knew…but strangers too. And there is something so uplifting and so…amazing about that in the end. Most of all, I’m glad that the third time was the charm, and my grandpa finally had a chance to see me run. He has run the Twin Cities Marathon quite a few times, so this one was special in that aspect too!
And now…it’s all about recovery…because NYC awaits…
My grandpa, Howard A. Brady, in his 1993 Twin Cities Marathon Finisher’s shirt and medal and me in my 2014 gear! Running…it’s a generational thing!
Twas the day before I left for vacation and I still had a lot…and I mean a lot of fresh produce left from my bin. Sometimes I think I should cancel it the week I go out of town, but never really want to. After all, I love my local and organic fresh produce being delivered to me and I hate these weeks I get back from a trip and have nothing in my fridge resembling a fresh fruit or vegetable. I had to do something with the plethora of produce that remained…and I wasn’t exactly sure what I could manage.
All hail the Happy Herbivore. In the cookbook, Happy Herbivore Light & Lean, which, for those of you keeping track, is the same book I got the Garden Vegetable Chili recipe from, I found an amazing recipe for Irish Stew. Yes…vegetarian Irish Stew. Her recipe was not gluten-free…but I made a couple of adjustments…and added a more nontraditional ingredient (to use it from my crisper drawer before leaving, naturally) to make the recipe work for me. Honestly…it is delicious. And so easy to prepare. Like any stew, chili, or soup…just let it simmer and let all those flavors soak in. That’s what it’s all about.
2 portobello mushrooms (I used 16 ounces of crimini mushrooms)
2 cups No-Beef Broth (I used 2 cups organic vegetable broth)
1 onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 thyme twigs, fresh, de-stemmed, or 1-2 tsp dried thyme
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalk, sliced
2 medium white potatoes, diced
1 cup Guinness stout (I used Redbridge Gluten Free Bear)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2-3 bay leaves
1-2 tablespoons Vegan Worcestershire Sauce (I used gluten free low sodium tamari)
**(In addition, I added 2 leeks to this stew…as I had them in my crisper…and why the hell not?)**
Directions:
Remove stems from portobello mushrooms and discard. Cut the mushroom caps into strips and set aside.
Line a large pot with 1 cup of no-beef broth. Saute onion and garlic over high heat until onions are translucent, about a minute or two.
Add thyme, carrots, celery, potatoes, stout, and tomato paste, and stir.
Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and continue to cook for about 10 minutes.
Add mushrooms on top, along with Dijon, bay leaves, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and remaining broth. Bring to a boil again, cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring every so often.
Continue to cook until mushrooms and potatoes are very soft – past fork-tender.
Taste, adding more Worcestershire sauce if desired.
Add a generous amount of black pepper and salt if desired.
Remove bay leaves and serve.
~*~*~
This is definitely a healthy and hearty stew. It has that great ‘stick-to-your-ribs’ feel to it, yet is completely plant based. Gotta love that. And I thought my addition of the leeks actually worked quite well. As I had to use a beer instead of a stout, the flavor is a bit more mild, but this has Ireland written all over it. A little nontraditional…but very good.
I froze a few servings of it and this thaws out and reheats beautifully. Trust me. You’ll love this! Especially as we enter the perfect time for soups!! And with just over 115 calories per 1-3/4 cup serving…you won’t feel guilting indulging in this stew either. I can’t wait to try out more of the Happy Herbivore dishes!
The Celiathlete 