I know, I have been horrible about these weekly posts about good, shiny things with rainbows and sprinkles and all that lot.
But the truth is…
…I’ve been busy.
Like…very busy. On the road, racing, cooking, baking, seeing friends, living life…
That sort of busy. The kind of busy when I get home on Sunday from finishing up any and/or all grocery shopping and errands that were ignored Friday night and Saturday due to time constraints or whatnot…and I really don’t want to do anything except sit and veg, foam roll, and watch Game of Thrones.
And there’s nothing wrong with that.
But…I do like my little roundups of what has been going on…so here’s one for this week. I’ll try to be a bit more consistent…
So, what have I been doing? Well…where to start?
1. Back-To-Back Weekend Half Marathons
Me running toward the finish line of the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon (in the rain, but still smiling) – Louisville, KY
Okay…I know, when coming back from a year off of injury, the last thing I should be doing is racing back-to-back long distances, right?! Well…technically…not in my case. My PT and I have discussed the importance of mileage as I attempt to build myself back up to a marathon distances. I already transferred my bib for the spring one that I signed up for, and have made someone a very happy racer to have that bib and chance to be part of a marathon I have been dying to turn. That being said, my training continues and last weekend, I was scheduled for a 16 miler…and this past weekend 13 miles. It just so happened that last weekend was the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon & Mini Marathon race. I signed up because my friend, Deana, encouraged me to do so. With 16 miles on the docket, I got up and ran 3 ahead of the race and then completed the last 13.1 miles in the rain…with lots of people and a medal at the end. A couple of months ago, I signed up for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon up in Indianapolis. I ran this one back in 2012, and this year, Meb Keflezighi was not only sending off every wave of the race, but he was running from the back of the pack to the front. HOW COOL!! So, I signed up and went up to Indy this past Friday night to race on Saturday morning in the humidity. That being said, I had my first completely pain-free race and came within 1:06 of matching my PR time for a half. I never did get to meet Meb though. He started just after I finished…and I beat his time. Something tells me that he wasn’t here to all-out run this one, though, LOL! So, I’d say my return to running has been smart, slow, and steady. It’s been fun having races on the schedule again. I am not running any races this year for time or for PRs…just for fun. And that’s making a big difference in how I approach going into them. But it is nice to see that my fitness and strength haven’t gone to hell in the forced year off.
2. Captain America: Civil War I am totally #TeamIronMan. My roommate is totally #TeamCap. So, we have our own little Civil War as it is. That being said, today we went to the movie theater and saw Captain America: Civil War and it was everything I expected and more. I hate seeing a divided Avengers…but I love where they took this movie. I loved how everything played out and how they are setting up for future films on the way. If you haven’t seen it yet…GO. Do not hesitate. Do not pass GO or collect $200. (Monopoly reference there, LOL!) Buy a movie ticket (I know they are expensive…but OMG…WORTH IT) and sit your butt down in a movie theater seat with popcorn and a drink and just…ENJOY IT!
#TeamStark forever!
3. The AlterG Treadmill Welcome to the spaceship!! That’s what AlterG tweeted back to me after I blogged about my experience running on an AlterG Treadmill. First of all, this is forever happening. Seriously, I am going to pay for package minutes to run on this thing because it is going to mean I can train like I need to and take all the pounding off my body and come out of it faster, stronger, and injury free. It’s totally worth it. After getting to take a spin, as it were, and test it out…I can see why so many elite runners make use of the AlterG when recovering from hard races and/or from injury. This machine has forever changed my way of training and recovering. I am very fortunate that my physical therapist office has one to use. Seriously…life changing. Regular treadmills tear me up. This one…I could fly…so fast…and when I was finished…nothing even twinged at me. LIFE CHANGING!
4. NuttZo I posted week or so ago about the Spring Sale going on with NuttZo. I’m a #NuttZoAmbassador and decided I would take advantage of said sale. If you missed out, I even offered my ambassador code for a 20% discount. Stay tuned, as I am certain more sales will be headed this way. That being said…I purchased the big jar of the Chocolate Power Fuel and then one of each of their available varieties: Original Peanut (Smooth), Original Peanut (Crunchy), Chocolate Original Peanut (Smooth), Chocolate Original Peanut (Crunchy), Power Fuel (Smooth), and (my personal favorite) Power Fuel (Crunchy). If you are unfamiliar with NuttZo…you’re missing out. Nuttzo is a medley of seven organic nuts and seeds…all combined to make a healthy, omega-rich, organic nut butter. I love being a product ambassador for this amazing nut butter. It’s pricey…but it’s worth it. Take a chance and try it out! You can find it in local stores or find buy it in their online store. #NuttZoFanatic #NuttZoLove #EatNuttZo
5. Re-reading the Harry Potter Books I blame the upcoming release of a movie, the new book coming out, and the fact that the best time I had in Universal Studios a few weeks back was at both Harry Potter Worlds. All of that has spawned me to revisit the entire book series. In fact, I just wrapped up the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and will be starting Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets this week. SO looking forward to it. This re-read was a long time coming. Been meaning to do this for awhile.
6. The new Goo Goo Dolls album, “Boxes” I have been a fan of the Goo Goo Dolls since…well…forever. No joke. I was with them in their punk music days, and then stuck with them when they went mainstream rock. I love their music. And, somehow, they sneaked an album out on me. Seriously. But after my race on Saturday, I went and picked it up. This album is AMAZING. I have listened to it all the way through at least 4 times this weekend. If you haven’t heard it yet…listen to it…purchase it…enjoy it. Nice to have some new material from them.
7. Repaying an Act of Kindness
So, just before the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon…like…Thursday morning (the race was Saturday), my Garmin 620…died. It refused to charge, hold a charge, or turn on. I was not a happy runner. I posted about it on Facebook and had a lot of beautiful souls offer to let me borrow their watches for the race. But, one of the race ambassadors, and a lady I came to know and count as a friend during the whole Norton Training Program for the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon & Mini Marathon, Melissa, offered just to give me one. It was a no-frills watch. In fact, it was the original Garmin I had before I got the 620, so I even knew how to work it. She didn’t ask for me to pay for it, she just said she’d give it to me. So, in order to repay her, I do what I do best…I made her Lemon Blossoms, picked up a soft pretzel from Annie May’s Sweet Cafe, and delivered them to her that Wednesday around lunch. It was nice to talk for a moment about our upcoming plans, and she and I are going to take a run together soon. I love having someone join me on my morning runs. We’ll have a good time. This woman has a big heart and a beautiful soul. I am so happy I got to know her.
8. The Return of Sweet ‘N Savory Food Truck
So…a month or so ago, I went online to find out when Sweet ‘N Savory would be returning to Louisville to serve up their amazing gluten-free crepes. I know they had mentioned they had their first event planned for April, so I wanted to be in on it. But, what I found instead was a message that the owners were pursuing their first love…training horses, and would not be returning. I was happy for them, that they were making a good living and doing what they love…but selfishly, I was sad because their crepes and their gelato were like none other. Well, this weekend while I was on the road, I saw messages about them being in Louisville and serving. Turns out, they are under new ownership. The new owner is Brandon Lutsch, who is very familiar with the importance of gluten-free foods as his wife is a Celiac. I am going to go and introduce myself once they have their May calendar up. I hope to become as good friends with them as I was with the original owners, Richard and Ashley! I can’t wait to get my hands on a crepe!! I’ve been crazing!!
And that’s a wrap for these past few weeks. Logging off for some decaf coffee and some Game of Thrones.
Have you eaten anything fun, new, and exciting? Do you have a favorite food truck? Have you ever done or been a recipient of a random act of kindness?
Me heading into the finish line of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon
Race: OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon
Place: Indianapolis, Indiana
Date: May 7, 2016
Time: 1:39:28
Four years ago…four years ago I ran the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon as my second half marathon EVER! I was fortunate enough to have a friend in my corral, a local runner I met with the (now gone) Blue Mile Monday running group. It was a fantastic race that day. Hot. Steamy. Sweaty. But fantastic. It was such a spirited, fun, and well-run race and expo…that I vowed to go back.
And then…it didn’t happen.
Until, I decided to run it again. It was a really random, really quick decision to run it. And I didn’t really shout about it because, as I’ve said before, every day is different for me. I never know when there is a good day ahead or a bad day…so, I haven’t really been talking about races I’m doing just in case it’s not a good day and I don’t actually run it. It’s hard coming back from injury, but I’m being cautious and smart about it and I’m not pushing it. So…I left work early on Friday and trekked up to Indianapolis, Indiana to get checked into the hotel. I always stay at the JW Marriott when in Indy for a run, when it’s convenient. It was for this race. The start line was right out the door! HA! Besides, I’m a princess…I like to stay in nice places. (Joking…sort of…). After checking in and dropping off bags in the room, Cathy and I headed down to the race expo to pick up my race bib. This was a little bit of a hike through the convention center, but it’s a hell of an expo and worth the hike.
We noted the Starbucks in the hotel and said we’d stop and get a banana for me for in the morning on our way back. Once we got into the expo, we were handed drawstring backpacks and we immediately headed to the Packet Pickup area. Since I registered later, my number was pretty high up there, which meant hiking further back in the line of windows with bib numbers. I found my spot and went up to the window. They said to have your photo ID ready, but the guy didn’t even ask for it. He did find my bib and got my shirt…tucked it into a Blue Mile bag and handed it over to me. YAY! Officially ready to run. But first…shopping…
…and the official merchandise store always has some goodies to offer. Cathy went and bought an official Finisher shirt for me (I can’t buy that…bad mojo). And I ogled a few other things, but opted to leave it with just the shirt. So…we began a quick weave through the expo. This is where I fell in love with the Ocean Spray PACt Cranberry Extract Water. I am forever having this stuff in my fridge. HOLY COW!! SO GOOD!! We scooted past the Clif Bar place, which had a line due to all the samples they were handing out. And then…
…I signed up for another race. It was one I was considering anyway…and with the expo discount and the promise of a free hat…I ended up going ahead and signing up. Somebody stop me!! LOL!! This one isn’t too far away, so I feel confident I’ll be in good form to run it.
We then found the BondiBand booth…and…oh yeah…there were purchases made. I ended up getting 3 more…because…I can’t have too many of these. I wear them on runs, at the gym, and in spin classes…so, yeah…they get used. I still own the very first BondiBand I ever had…my 13.1 one that my friend, Heather Dillon, purchased for me at my first half marathon in Chicago back in 2011. You might say that I am a fan…but I’m also a brand ambassador for them now too. More on that once it’s officially official. Anyway…more money spent and it was time to leave the expo to get to our dinner reservation. We stopped for a moment to sign the banner wall at the exit. Then, food.
My Gluten Free Penne with Tomato Marinara and Vegetables from Osteria Pronto at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, IN
Now, my pre-race eats is always…ALWAYS…a gluten free pizza. BUT…we couldn’t find a close spot that offered that near where we were in Indianapolis. And we really didn’t want to leave the area…so Cathy found out that the hotel restaurant, Osteria Pronto, offered gluten-free pasta on their menu. I normally don’t do pasta as I am a pasta freak and will EAT ALL THE PASTA…and sometimes it’s too much and I still have it with me in the morning. But, you gotta do what you gotta do. Turns out, this place had their act together. The chef and servers were very knowledgeable about gluten-free dining and when they brought out Cathy’s bread…they brought me out some toasted Udi’s Gluten Free Sandwich Bread to have with either butter (no dairy for me) or olive oil. It was a nice gesture. The chef threw together a pasta dish for me using the Gluten Free Penne and their amazing red marinara and some fresh vegetables (onion, red pepper, broccolini). Cathy got their signature pasta dish – Straw & Hay (chive noodle & egg noodle, lardo, English peas, garlic cream, pine nuts, and topped with a soft boiled egg). I didn’t think I was that hungry…but as I said, I love pasta…and I devoured mine. LOL!!
Just hanging out with my NUUN guys! I loved them. I really loved them.
After dinner, we returned to the expo to finish up. Starbucks was closed…so Cathy said she’d get a banana in the morning for me. We revisited the entire expo, walking through the slightly less chaotic area this time. Cathy bought another BondiBand for spin class, and the lady working there gave us the discount so she only paid $5 for it, since we previously bought some that day. YAY!! I found the NUUN table and got to talking with the cute guys behind there. I told them I was a #nuunambassador and we got a picture together. LOVE!! It was fun. My new favorite flavor…the Mango Orange. WOW! And…then I signed up for ANOTHER race. Seriously…stop me. This one is in the fall…and they gave me a free wine glass and an expo discount for signing up. Cathy was given a race shirt because they were so impressed with what a great running fan she is and everything she does for not just me…but other runners. SUPER awesome. We wrapped up the expo and hiked outside to Circle Center to hit up Rocket Fizz. We ended up purchasing a Diet Root Beer for Cathy and a Nut Goodie Bar to split for dessert. I am a firm believer in dessert. And then…it was back to the hotel. I talked to my sister on the phone on the way back…and I even stood at the window in my room and watched an ongoing baseball game…which was totally awesome. Cathy went to go shower and I needed to do my nightly foam rolling.
I had made a promise to my good friend, Deana, after the Derby Mini, that I would dedicate the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon to her. I kept my word, and in Sharpie, on my race bib, I wrote: FOR DEANA! I texted her a picture and we chatted for a little while…as I watched some Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives (seriously…this is a tradition!) and did more foam rolling and used THE STICK on my hip and hip adductor. After that…it was time to set the alarms for the morning and get some sleep.
The final race day outfit…I was told to NOT wear the tank…I am glad I didn’t.
My first alarm went off and I got up, turned it off, took my medicine, used the bathroom, and then…went back to sleep. My second alarm got me up at 5:30 am. I grabbed my pile of race gear and headed into the bathroom to change and put on ALL THE SUNSCREEN. Hey, I’m a pale, blonde, Irish girl…I burn easily. And I had to slather it ALL OVER myself. I wasn’t sure at this point if I was running in just a sports bra or if I was throwing on a tank, but I acted as though I’d do the bra only. Once I had my Injinji socks on and my Newtons laced up, I put my hair up in my signature pigtails, dressing them up with red and black hair extensions. And the BondiBand was a pink and black checkered one I found at the expo. It was the closest thing to a checkered flag I could find. I went back into the hotel room and made sure Cathy got up out of her bed. Her mission was to go get me a banana from Starbucks. They were giving them away for free, but it was a madhouse, and she was gone long enough that I managed to eat my cereal, do all my PT stretches and turn on the news/weather. When she got back, she changed, ate a protein bar, and drank her Starbucks Cool Lime Refresher. At about 6:45 a.m., I had my fuel belt on and was heading out the door. Cathy realized she forgot the sign, so back to the hotel room to snag it. And then, we were on our way, heading down the elevator and out the door.
My friend, Julia, was running in the 5K, which was going off at 7 a.m. I was hoping to find her, but, there were SO many people that I never did see her. I looked and waited. And never saw her go by. DANG IT! Cathy thought she heard the announcer say something about corrals closing and said that it involved mine, so now we were walking the line down to the split in the corrals. She found an information guy and asked and he aid that my corral was going to open as soon as the 5K runners were though…since I was in C. So…Cathy made me panic for no reason. She does this a lot at races. Seriously. *deep breath* We walked back up and I downed my banana and I went to get into Corral C. I had a moment to do my dynamic warmup moves before Cathy said she needed to stake out her spot at the other side of the start…so she made me take off my NYC Marathon zip I had put on to keep warm. I parted with it, and was surprised that it wasn’t too chilly at the start. A little, but not enough that I was shivering. The National Anthem was sung BEAUTIFULLY and the wheelchair racers were sent off by Meb. Meb was there running from the back of the mini to the front…I never got to see him. Dang it. In fact, I finished the race before he even started. I did beat his time though, LOL!
Meb waiving the green flag up in the bucket. I didn’t even see him. I suck.
The corrals moved up and the first wave was prepared to be sent off…by Meb…at 7:33 am. The horn sounded, Meb waived the green flag, and we were off. I crossed the start line, started my Garmin, and just went with the crowd. I saw Cathy and gave a wave and headed toward the Indianapolis Zoo. I didn’t see any animals out this year…but it is a nice way to start the race regardless. That zoo is gorgeous! This was a quick pace for me, though it didn’t feel it at the time. My first mile was 6:57, apparently, but I dropped back after that. Let me say, I am very glad that Cathy told me to go with the bra top only and not the tank. The humidity was very real at Mile 2…and it was still early. So, yeah…that worked out wonderfully. I would have died with fabric on me. As it was, my legs felt heavy and I was wondering how well this race was actually going to play out for me. But, I pressed on, hoping I’d find my stride and fall into a comfortable pace and hold it. Mile 2 and 3 are run on W. Michigan Street. In fact, much of the first 5 miles of the race is through residential and such areas…but always with spectators and people there to cheer, some more populated than others. Mile 5 is Main Street…and a banner is spread over the top welcoming runners to Main Street. There are restaurants and the like out here and the crowd was loud and proud. It was a nice way to make the turn toward the Speedway itself. You enter the speedway via a steep downhill slope, and then back up. Inside, you hit Mile 6 and the run around the actual Indianapolis Motor Speedway is on. This is the part I always look forward to. This was also the slowest miles of the race for me. I think it’s because the sun had come out, the humidity was high, and there was no shade out on that track. But I was running ON THE TRACK of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. How cool is that. They have 2 pit stops (water stations) inside the track, but I carry my own water and fuel with me, so I never make use of these. I thought about it though, with the humid air. I was sweating! The best part…the highlight, is hitting that brickyard. I flashed devil horns to the photographers and carried on. You exit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway just before Mile 9. From here…it’s 4 miles to the finish.
Me leaving the start gate of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon
4 miles is a morning run for me. So, despite feeling like I was really slowing down, I was super happy with how I was plugging along. I kept saying, “This is for Deana…and Deana doesn’t quit!” Or “Be relentless…like Deana.” Mantras really help. LOL! I wasn’t about to quit…when it’s humid and hot, you just slow it down and run comfortable. Miles 9-11 wind you back toward downtown, and when you get to Mile 12, you see the checkered flags, and hear the crowds, and you just run. You just run because you’re almost done. You just run because you are heading to that finish line. You just…do what you’ve been doing all along, but with feeling and spirit and maybe jazz hands. Or maybe not. Jazz hands might be a little much…
I love this part of the race. The energy is amazing. I could hear the finish line announcer and I knew I was getting close. My watch beeped long before the 13 mile marker (I was about .20 miles ahead of the mile markers), and I picked it up some more. I gritted my teeth, dug deep, and pushed it. I saw Cathy to my right with my sign and just screaming at me. And I noticed, as I neared the finish, that the clock time said 1:39:45…I crossed. I just turned out another half marathon (13.29 miles on my Garmin)…and was only 1:07 minutes off of breaking my PR set at the Geist Half Marathon in 2014. I felt amazing. And accomplished. And…yeah!! I was ushered toward the medals and was handed one, which I eased over my head, somehow not spilling any water in the open water bottle I was holding. I’m just that talented, folks.
I was given a plastic bag to put water, banana, fruits, energy bars, and whatever else into as I walked through the runner recovery area. As I got a Dole cup, one of the Dole employees said he loved my outfit and smile and asked if he could get my picture with the Dole cup. So, I agreed. If I turn up on any Dole advertisements, let me know. I am almost famous, LOL! Afterwards, I headed into the After Party area where I was to find Cathy in the family reunion zone around the end of the alphabet. I spotted her and rushed over…and she gave me my official time!! I was SO happy with it. Impressed because I felt like I was running through tar at some points…no joke. But this was 2 minutes better than Derby…which was 2 minutes better than NYC. Nice pattern there, yes? LOL!
Getting my post-race massage. I obviously approve, LOL!!
I changed out of my shoes and put on some recovery shoes. I snagged some chocolate milk for Cathy and then headed into the massage tent. I NEVER miss a post-race massage whenever possible. Seriously, this just helps me with my recovery. The lines weren’t long yet either. The nice lady who gave me my massage was awesome. It was, seriously, one of the best post-race massages I have ever had. She asked me a lot about running and how I got into it…and she really stretched me out and worked my muscles. She told me she loves working on people where she can feel their muscles and see how they move when she works on them. GO ME! Afterwards, I was ready to head back to the hotel to shower, so Cathy and I headed that way.
The hotel was handing out cold towels to runners so we could wipe our faces and get refreshed, which was SO awesome. Once we got up to the room, I went to go shower and Cathy packed up everything. Once I was clean and dressed, she called down to have the car brought out by valet and I downed some water and played on my phone for a moment. We finally went down just as our car came around. Packed up…we hit the road to go to Target and then meet up with our friend, Greg, at Cheeseburger in Paradise. A celebrator Gluten Free Veggie Baja Burger (no cheese or sour cream) was in order. I got mine with the gluten free sweet potato fries. I devoured it. No joke. We did a bit of shopping after lunch, hitting up Half Price Books…Strange Brew for coffee…and the outlets in Edinburgh, before heading home.
Half Marathon #18…done. And it’s my third fastest one to date!!
Half Marathon #3 this year…done…Half Marathon #18 in my running career…done…3rd fastest half marathon time…achieved. Call it a comeback!
So, the official results of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon is that I finished in 1:39:28. I was 889/24,768 finishers overall. I was 123/13,487 female finishers. And I was 21/1,939 finishers in my division! I am so happy with this result and I texted Deana and she was so honored and happy. It was a wonderful race, and now I remember why I loved it so much. I hope not to wait another 4 years to return to this one. That being said, I’m already in talks with Deana about some upcoming stuff for next year, which I’m super excited about. I’m sure I’ll discuss that when it all falls into place. I am certain my endurance will continue to get better. Half marathon distances used to feel so easy for me, but I’ve been struggling in the last few miles as of late. But this one surprised me, because I thought I had really slowed down, but I never once hit a sub 7:45 minute pace. At all. WOW!! And to think I slowed down to a pace that felt “easy.” At least my fitness has been kept up over the span of time I was out with injury last year. I credit that to my spin classes, regular gym visits, and sheer determination on my part.
Deana…I ran hard and strong for you…I’m glad this race turned out the way it did. Thank you for being an inspiration, a badass, and truly, an amazing friend.
Ah, it’s Sunday. A day to rest and relax right? RIGHT?!
HA…never!! Today, I’ve done countless loads of laundry, prepped and cooked all the meals for the coming week, took recycle to the store, took care of a cat, did some necessary shopping, mailed off a package, finished up (much-needed) grocery shopping, organized the pantry, and polished off a book. I’ve blogged on my race on Friday night, made up lunches/snacks for tomorrow, and have even changed sheets on the bed. And showered. Important.
This has been a chaotic and crazy week. I got back into town from a relaxing (ie: NON-RACE) weekend in Orlando, Florida. Sure, the Star Wars Half Marathon was running at Disney World that very weekend…but I was not quick enough on making a decision to run, and by the time I was certain I was going to be able to do it, registration had closed. Instead, the day before I headed out to get to Florida, I did my long run. On a Tuesday night. On tired legs. But it was done and I didn’t have to do it alone…or in Orlando, where I had no idea where I could safely and effectively go running. As it was, I found a park where I managed 5 miles, and I did 5 miles back and forth on this 0.20 mile boardwalk on Cocoa Beach while I was away. But that was it for the running. The rest of the time I was exploring…but we’ll get to that momentarily.
With a couple of days away from the office, I was overloaded with work, so I ended up doing something I hate doing. I brought work home and put in some time away from the office. It had to be done…or I’d still be buried. This made my week even more stressful because I was trying to fit in all my normal stuff while having to do some work at home. It meant…the normalcy took a lot longer to get around to. And grocery shopping never happened. So, my roommate and I were living out of the pantry/freezer/fridge for this week.
So…with all that being said…some good stuff has been going down these past two weeks…so let’s take a look at some of the highlights!
1. Universal Studios Florida
It’s Marvel Superheroes, it’s Harry Potter, it’s rides, rides, rides. And I had an absolute blast. I met Captain America (he told me I had beautiful green eyes!), which had to happen as he is the favorite superhero of my nephew, Chace. I flirted with the driver of the Knight Bus at Diagon Alley in Universal as well. SO MUCH FUN. That being said, I vastly prefer Disney to Universal, but it was actually nice to step away from the Disney monster and do something I’ve been wanting to do, but couldn’t pull myself away from Disney. HA! And thank goodness for my friend, Jenn, who was willing to go on the thrill rides with me. Cathy refuses. She’s a big baby. OH…and I bought a wand. I have my own Harry Potter type of wand. It’s Ivy…with a Unicorn Hair core. And I loved it because I was able to cast magical spells at both of the Harry Potter lands at each Universal Studios theme park in Florida. It takes so little to make me happy.
2. Toasted Eating out with me can be…difficult at times. Thank you Celiac disease and lactose intolerance. That being said, while I was in Orlando, thanks to my Find Me Gluten Free app, I found the most perfect place to dine. In fact, we (Jenn, Cathy & myself) ended up having dinner there three times. The place is called Toasted, and it specializes in Crafted Grilled Cheese & Burgers. And…they have gluten-free buns, bread, and veggie burgers. They also have vegan cheese. This…was my happy place. To top all of that off…they had gluten-free fries. And, let me tell you, the Truffle Oil & Rosemary fries were to die for. We learned, after our first visit, that one order of fries would do for the three of us. Amazing sandwiches. I had a different one each night…never got sick. Let’s hear it for gluten-free dining done right. If you find yourself in the Winter Park area of Orlando…go and check them out.
3. Gluten Free Snack Cakes Okay…I admit it. I love my desserts. I have tried, for ages, to give them up. But the sweet tooth reigns supreme. For sure. And, after getting my roommate a little tipsy on her birthday, I took her grocery shopping. And bought a bunch of stuff I didn’t need but wanted to try. And, despite trying to be a little better about my choices…I discovered a new product from Schär‘s Sch’nacks! These delightful little treats are simply a gluten-free, unrolled version of a Swiss Roll. They are little single serve cakes that are filled with cream and dipped in German chocolate. And they are light, and amazing. I have to resist buying them too often…but a treat every now and again is always fine. There are 10 cakes per package…and I only have one after dinner each night. Seriously…a worthy investment for an every-now-and-again treat. Back to some fruits and vegan yogurts after this. And I’m back to cooking real food…and not just living out of the fridge/freezer/pantry…which is also a plus.
4. Road Bike Shoes Today, I meandered over to Schwinn in Clarksville, Indiana, and purchased a pair of road bike shoes. Now that I have a road bike, I figured I needed to get the clip-in shoes so I could ride it. They are very nice at Schwinn and even discounted the price of the shoes and put the cleats in for me. YAY!! I hope to get fitted to my bike next weekend, time permitting! Crossing my fingers. Then, I get to practice clipping in and out…and probably taking a few spills during said process. It’s actually…kind of exciting. Not the falling part, but getting the necessary gear and stuff done to get out onto my bike.
5. Running my fastest mile at my favorite 5K
Tim, Ruth, Amber, Becca, Me, and Linda after the Pro.Active For Life 5K…all sporting our bling!
My Garmin says this is the fastest mile I have ever run!!
Friday was not only Earth Day, it was the running of the Pro.Active For Life 5K in Frankfort, Kentucky. I go to Frankfort quite often for the races, and while 5K races are one of my least favorite distances, this just happens to be my favorite 5K race. It’s not just the race itself, but the people. Frankfort, honestly, some of the best people in that running community. I can’t say it enough. Not only did I win my age division this year, but I pulled off a 6:53 mile. Shocking myself. Even more shocking…the entire run was pain-free. And…I was only 6 seconds off my PR (also set at this race). Stronger every day. Trying to be really smart when it comes to my training.
6. A long, solo, pain-free Saturday morning run
So, Friday night I churn out a speedy 5K (even if my finishing picture looks like I’m just cruising, LOL!), knowing that Saturday, I was on my own for my longest run since…forever. I am signed up for (although still not 100% sure I’ll be running) a marathon in June. Bib transfer can only happen through May 1, leaving this Saturday the only chance I had for attempting a long marathon-training type run. And, I had to do it solo, as everyone I know is either recovering from Boston, running Big Sur, running London, running Derby or running Flying Pig. So, they are either recovering, out of town, or tapering. So, Saturday morning, I laced up, still feeling good, and went out for 20 miles in my area. No crossing the river (it was Thunder Over Louisville day anyway…so this was probably better in the long run…ha…I made a punny). So, I just sort of went. I never pushed my pace…I ran comfortably and just sort of made the route up. The last 5 miles, however, I decided to make the toughest. I don’t know why. I’m sadistic like that. So I hit up the Fast Freddie route…which is HILLS FOR DAYS!…and came out of it better than I even expected. Once again…no pain. And 20 miles done. Alone. And way better than I dreamed. WITHOUT ANY PAIN! I spent the rest of the day out and about, doing some grocery shopping and regular shopping and eating good food for recovery and fuel. This…was the type of run I mentally needed. And while it does make me feel better, I still don’t know if I’ll run in June. I’m pondering for one more day before making that call.
7. Game Of Thrones The new season of GoT starts tonight, and unlike last year, I’m set. HBO Now was downloaded this morning and I’m set to watch this season as it airs, instead of getting spoiled. I know I read the books, but the show has gone away from how the books actually worked out, so it’s nice that I won’t have to attempt (and fail) to avoid spoilers this time around. It’s the little things in life. SO…YAY!! It’s the little things in life…like Season 6 of Game of Thrones.
8. Caramelized Honey Latte at Starbucks
They keep selling out of it, but when I went to Florida this past week, I was introduced to Starbucks latest (and greatest) drink. It’s the Caramelized Honey Latte and it is AMAZING. It reminds me a lot of The Bee Sting, one of Ha Coffee’s signature drinks in Kauai (I miss Hawaii!). I get mine with coconut milk and it is…OMG…to die for. I had it hot and iced while in Florida. The Starbucks at Universal Studios City Walk sold out of them…and the one here in our local Target sold out too. I think this drink is quite popular. And it should be. It is made of super YUM!! If you haven’t tried it…RUN, do NOT WALK, to Starbucks and give it a try. You’ll thank me for it.
So, there are some of the highlights these past couple of weeks. Here’s to hoping for a bit more relaxed and easier week ahead. And I hope everyone had a great week and enjoyed a beautiful weekend. And for anyone racing this coming weekend…good luck!!
Twas the first time since coming to Orlando that my breakfast (the final bagel, it was cinnamon raisin from Erin McKenna’s in Disney Springs) wore off long before I thought it would. That usually is okay, except my dinner reservation yesterday was actually a late lunch reservation. So, when my stomach apparently wanted elevensies…I was nowhere ready to pop a protein bar for fear of not being hungry for the best and big meal of the day.
Cathy, Jenn and I all shared a cup of watermelon and hoped for the best…but the 12:45 reservation couldn’t come soon enough. At 12:30, we went in, hoping that perhaps they could seat us early.
No such luck. We were told our names would be called around our reservation time. I wasn’t too surprised though. Mythos Restaurant, after all, is one of the hottest and most sought over reservations in all of Universal Studios Islands of Adventures theme park. No joke. Mythos Restaurant was voted the Best Theme Park Restaurant from 2003-2009, came in third in 2010…and who knows what happened after that. The thing was…the place was hopping. There was a 35 minute wait for people/groups that didn’t make reservations…and that wait time quickly escalated.
What makes Mythos Restaurant such hot spot? Well, it’s located in a prime spot, carved into the side of towering rock formations, cascading waterfalls and ancient figures. So, you sort of know you’re in for quite a treat as you approach the restaurant itself. It is known for its exceptional cuisine. And the setting and friendly staff do make for an exceptional, contemporary dining setting.
About 12:55, we were finally called for our seating and led through the restaurant to a nice corner booth near the open kitchen. I sat on the side facing the kitchen with hopes of being able to watch the chefs, but the booth was too tall for me to really see. Ah well.
Our server, Lindsey, was an absolute doll. And totally hilarious. I loved that she immediately made us feel welcome by calling us “her friends.” That continued throughout the entire meal, mind you. I love making new friends. Anyway, it took her a moment to come back around to us, but she eventually got there and made us feel immediately welcome all over again. She asked about where we were from, what all we had been doing, and through in some fun Harry Potter references, because she’s awesome like that. She took our drink order…a Diet Coke ($3.19) for Cathy, a Unsweetend Iced Tea ($3.19) for me, and Water (FREE!) for Jenn. We were given some time to look over the menu, which had clear markings for things that could be made vegan and gluten free…not always the same, but some dishes could be both. This left me with two very good sounding options…the Pad Thai and/or the Seasonal Risotto. AH…decisions!!
After a spill that Lindsey had to clean up, she came over to the table again to get our orders. She apologized for the delay and since I was the difficult one, she started with me. I asked her which she would get if she was a vegetarian and gluten free…and she said that most vegan and gluten-free guests LOVE the risotto, but she is a huge fan of the Pad Thai for that sweet and sour sauce they put on it…that being said, she pairs it with meat and wasn’t sure how it would mix with just vegetables. So, she highly recommended the Seasonal Risotto. I went with that per her suggestion. Cathy went with the Mythos Signature Burger with Lamb and the Parmesan Fries. Jenn went with the Crab Cake Sliders, subbing the potato salad for the Parmesan Fries. Orders in.
It took awhile for our meals to come out, which was fine. I was starving, but I love knowing that food is being prepared to order. In fact, Lindsey explained that everything, save for two (2) of the dishes on the menu are made to order. The two that are prepped ahead are the Mediterranean Chicken Salad Wrap and the Pressed Porchetta Panini, due to the volume of orders they get for those. Interesting trivia. She delivered some bread and butter to the table…and then said that they had some gluten-free bread if I was interested. I always am. She returned a few minutes later with some warm bread…which looked like their gluten free hamburger buns chopped up. Hey…it worked. I loved having the option.
But food came out, hot, fresh, gorgeous, and…amazing.
Mythos Restaurant’s Signature Burger with Lamb and Parmesan Fries
Cathy’s Mythos Signature Burger with Lamb ($14.99) with the Parmesan Fries (+ $0.50) looked fantastic and perfectly cooked. The bun was huge, encompassing the burger and all the toppings that came on it. This included grilled onion, shredded lettuce and fresh tomato topped with feta-olive aioli. She was nervous about the feta-olive aioli, but loved it. She found the burger to be a little dry (NOT LAMB!), but it was well cooked and full of flavor. While the patty was thick, it was way smaller than the bun. To this day, though, she raves about the “killer” feta-olive aioli. She almost missed out on it as she doesn’t love olives at all…but it worked. And now, I think she’s smitten. She ate every bit of that burger. And the Parmesan fries were “good.” she said. The cheese, both of my dining compatriots said, needed to be melted so that they stuck to the fries rather than just sprinkled on top. Otherwise, the cheese fell off the fries.
Jenn’s Crab Cake Sliders ($12.99) dish was her favorite meal of this entire trip. Nothing overpowered the taste of the crab. It wasn’t overseasoned. The remoulade sauce wasn’t drowning the sliders…they had the perfect amount. While the buns were thick, they were soft and squished down. She absolutely LOVED this meal. Like I said, of the 4 days we have been in Florida, this topped her list. The Crab Cake Sliders were served on mini rolls with lettuce and remoulade sauce. She subbed the Potato Salad for the Parmesan Fries (+ $0.50) and liked them, but also felt that the cheese needed to be melted on there so it didn’t just tumble off, leaving regular fries. She didn’t touch the watermelon-tomato medley that was served on the side…it was probably delicious though!
Mythos Restaurant’s Gluten Free and Vegan Seasonal Risotto (beet risotto with sauteed mushrooms and spinach)
This comes to me. I ended up ordering the Seasonal Risotto ($15.99), done gluten-free and vegan. The risotto of the day was a Beet Risotto, which normally would be served with beef on top, but thanks to being practically vegan, that was left off. This dish was served with sauteed mushrooms and baby spinach on top. And it was seasoned to perfection. It was creamy and earthy and just…amazing. I loved the richness of the beets infused into the creamy rice. The sauteed vegetables on top added some great texture and bright flavors. It was really good. I had to work hard not to inhale it. But, in the end…gone. And I was one happy girl.
While Lindsey exercised her Slytherin tendencies and gave us dessert menus, we opted out this time. We paid the bill and headed out to get over to Hogsmede to wrap up our time at Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios. Happy bellies and all.
There is a reason that Mythos is a hot ticket at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. The atmosphere is really great…the service is phenomenal…and the food was delicious. Also, serving sizes weren’t ridiculous either. We were full, but not stuffed. And after a bit of shopping for sweets at the candy store in Hogsmede, we rode rides and all.
Yeah…Mythos was a nice way to treat ourselves that day after a long morning of wandering the parks and riding rides. It was great food…and a great experience.
I am a foodie. Hard to believe with all my food allergies and intolerance…and the fact that I am a vegetarian…that this is a true statement. But I LOVE food. I love to eat food. I love to enjoy food. And I love to cook food. I love to share food. Food is love. And, as an athlete, food is also fuel.
I am on a nice vacation at the moment, enjoying myself and my time away from the stresses of life. And, as is the way me and my traveling compatriots do vacations…we work in one nice meal out. And, as we were enjoying some time at Universal Studios today, we opted to eat on the Universal Studios Citywalk…at Emeril’s Restaurant Orlando.
Now, I have loved Emeril Lagasse for a long time. He is, not only, one of the most recognizable and quotable chef’s (“BAM!”)…he is just awesome. His food is simple, pure, cajun goodness!! He is pure Louisiana. And that’s what we went there for.
We were in for a treat. White tablecloths. Chairs were pulled out for us. Napkins were dropped into our laps. I sort of felt under dressed with my roller-coaster windblown hair and my Wonder Woman t-shirt. But, none of the staff minded. We were greeted soon after by our waiter for the night…which was actually going to be three people seeing to us. Our waiters were amazing and funny and extremely helpful. We were given the menu to look over and I mentioned that I was a gluten free vegetarian…and after some witty bantering…he pointed out the Chef’s Creative Vegetable Plate of the Day (which changes from day to day) and explained to me that it was a noodless lasagna…where the chef layers squash, zucchini, eggplant and roasted red peppers, all seasoned with amazing herbs, and makes them into the noodles. They could even make it vegan for me. They let us peruse the menu and I noticed the special as well being a Roasted Cauliflower in a tomato broth with crispy kale that sounded SO good. I needed to ask about it being gluten free. Cathy had settled on the Grilled Double Cut Pork Chop and Jenn said she was getting the Shrimp and Grits (I had a feeling all the veggies would be tossed aside…LOL!). But then, after checking with the chef about the gluten-free status of the cauliflower special (it was), and answering Jenn’s question as to what an étouffée was (all the veggies)…he went on to say that the Shrimp and Grits was the best dish on the menu. So…Jenn was sold. He also went on to say that the other dishes he considers the best served there were the Scallops and the Short Rib.
So now Cathy was undecided. And I still was torn between the special and the menu special. Both were special. LOL! But…both were different enough that I knew that I couldn’t get them anywhere else. So, once Cathy decided on the Scallops instead, I was still torn. And my dinner buddies weren’t making the decision any easier. Back to our waiter for his opinion…and with his help, I opted for the Vegan version of the Chef’s Creative Vegetable Plate of the Day. This meant none of the cheese or alfredo would be added to the dish. Gluten free and vegan vegetable goodness.
Emeril’s Cast Iron Corn Bread with Honey Butter and Bacon Jam
As we were going to have a little wait while our food was prepared, Jenn and Cathy decided they were going to split an appetizer. They ordered the Cast Iron Skillet Corn Bread with Honey Butter and Bacon Jam ($8.00). The cornbread looked fantastic. They said it was light and fluffy and just soft and amazing. Cathy was a big, big, big fan of the Bacon Jam (pork belly cooked in butter with brown sugar and reduced). Jenn said she could take it or leave it…but the honey butter at the bottom was just soaking into the bread. I thought it was just…awesome looking. But, alas, so not something I could eat.
Before too long, our entrees were being served. They had Cathy and Jenn’s backwards, but that was easily fixed. The plates were changed out and we were ready to dive in.
Emeril’s Shrimp + Grits
Jenn ordered the Shrimp + Grits, which was Louisiana shrimp, étouffée, Anson Mills rice grits, and local cherry tomatoes ($30.00). She said the shrimp was nailed to the perfect cook. The grits were smooth and creamy. I looked at them. I thought it was rice at first…with all the cheese. Much of the étouffée was cast aside, as she is not a cooked vegetable person, but the rest of it was devoured. I really do think it was a 1/1 ratio of cheese to grits…but it looked awesome. Her only qualm…the tails were left on the shrimp. It’s kind of hard to be classy in a nice restaurant when you have to use your fingers to remove the tails.
Emeril’s Blackened Diver Scallops
Cathy went with the Blackened Diver Scallops, which was served with a Creamy Corn Moque Choux, Wilted Greens, and Local Tomato Jam ($32.00). It looked GORGEOUS!! The corn sauce fascinated her. She said it was almost like a corn chowder. The greens were cooked perfectly. They weren’t mushy or overly done. She said the tomato jam was sweet and paired beautifully with everything. But the star…the scallops. They were tender and buttery and had a perfect sear. She said they were the best scallops she ever had.
Emeril’s Chef’s Creative Vegetable Plate of the Day – Noodleless Lasagna (tightly stacked slices of eggplant, zucchini, squash and roasted red pepper) with a marinara sauce and greens
So…my perfectly gluten-free and vegan dish is now up. As I stated, I ordered the Chef’s Creative Vegetable Plate of the Day ($23.00). This was a noodleless lasagna, where the noodles were stacked slices of eggplant, zucchini, squash, and roasted red pepper. The seasonings were crazy good. And all of this was topped off with an amazingly rich marinara and greens. I could hardly make out the noodles, and I didn’t want to destroy the dish to get a picture. So, trust me…there are tightly stacked veggies under there. OMG. The tomato sauce, for starters, was killer. Just mouth watering, savory, amazing flavor. The vegetables were cooked perfectly…not limp and wet, but perfect, with still a little crisp to them, but tender to bite into. Almost like real noodles. I didn’t miss the cheese or the heavy Alfredo. This was pure perfection. Why go back to noodles when you can do this to have lasagna?! Seriously…so glad the waiter talked me into this one. I was one happy girl.
And while we were all rather full from dinner…we decided we had to do dinner. The waiter had tempted me with a Flourless (and Gluten Free) Chocolate Torte earlier that evening. And I had been on the fence. He did deliver dessert menus to us, to let the Cathy and Jenn choose what they might want to have…and then said the sorbets (strawberry lemonade, coconut, and passionfruit tonight) were another option for me.
Emeril’s Flourless Decadent Chocolate Torte with Butter Pecan Sauce
In the end, we decided to split the Flourless Decadent Chocolate Torte with a Butter Pecan Sauce ($10.00) between the three of us. I am so glad we did. While the slice of torte isn’t as huge as say, a slice of Emeril’s famous Banana Cream Pie…it was rich. Smooth, perfect, rich, creamy, amazing, sinful, decadent, chocolatey goodness. Pure sinful goodness in each bite. And that butter pecan sauce…oh yeah…that just tied it all together. Cathy and Jenn split the whipped cream. I ate the strawberry. This…was a perfect end to a perfect meal.
I was beyond impressed with the service, setting, and food that we received at Emeril’s Restaurant Orlando. They were so good at working with me and my dietary needs. Didn’t even bat an eye. Immediately knew what to ask about and explained to me what I could eat and what was delicious. Our waiter was awesome. He made me laugh, he made me feel so good about the food that was going to be made for me, and he even helped me make a decision on my dinner that night.
If only more restaurants turned out a meal and an experience like this one did. Emeril is an amazing chef…and his restaurant didn’t let me down. This was a meal I will be talking about for a very long time.
Sometimes I find food places to try in the most peculiar and unexpected places. As I was prepping to head out to Orlando, I was sitting on my couch at home, scrolling through my Instagram feed…when I spotted an amazing looking photo on #NationalGrilledCheeseDay from someone that I follow on there.
And it just happened to be in Orlando.
And it also just happened to feature grilled cheese and…FRIES.
Fries. I rarely get to eat fries when I go out to eat. And it’s potato. And potato is one of my favorite things in life. So, naturally, I had to check them out.
The place was called Toasted. And I suddenly needed to know more…like…was there more than just gluten free fries that I could eat there? Like…did they have…vegan cheese??!! Was it possible??!!
I went to Toasted’s Web site..and lo and behold…they had a regular menu, a vegan menu, and a gluten free menu…and they were all interchangeable. They even have a gluten-free vegan burger if I wanted to do burger rather than sandwich. And as tempting as a burger was…GRILLED CHEESE! Hello!!
I was handed the gluten free menu first and was looking it over…and when I asked about vegan options, I was handed that menu as well. And the first thing that caught my eye was a sandwich that involved all the spicy goodness that I love. Sriracha, jalapeno, and then…random tomatoes. Mmmm. That was easy.
So, my traveling brigade and I decided to get our orders in because we had been on the go pretty much all day (since downing bagels from Erin McKenna’s at Disney Springs around 10 am.
Jenn ordered the Truffle Melt ($6.25), which is a sammie made from Havarti, truffle oil, arugula, and fresh ground pepper. Mmmm…cheese-y goodness. She got the Truffle Fries ($2.50) as her side.
The As Gouda As It Gets with Rosemary Truffle Fries from Toasted, Orlando, Florida
Cathy ordered the As Gouda As It Gets ($6.75), which is a sammie made with Smoked Gouda, pulled chicken, roasted red peppers, and garlic spinach. She also got the Truffle Fries ($2.50) as her side.
As for me…as I said…I saw some spicy goodness listed on the vegan menu. So, I ordered the Vegan Fireball ($5.75) done Gluten Free (+1.25). This was gluten free bread with Housemade Vegan Cheese with jalapeno, sriracha, and tomato. And I went for broke and ordered the Vegan Truffle Cheese Fries ($3.50)…which was a happy accident, as I really just wanted the Truffle Fries. Oh well.
We were given one of the signs, which contained a code from their Periodic Table of Cheese. We had Gr (Gruyere). It was a short weight…long enough to listen to a woman having a loud conversation on her cell phone and discuss how excited we were about dinner. Maybe about 10 minutes later, our food arrived. This was when I realized I had somehow got the Vegan Truffle Cheese Fries. Like I said…happy accident. I was ready to dive in. I needed to slice my sandwich in half and it made for a gooey (yes…GOOEY VEGAN CHEESE!) sandwich mess. And I loved it. Usually vegan cheese doesn’t melt to the point of epic gooeyness. This one…this one did! God bless amazing housemade vegan cheese.
The Gluten Free Vegan Fireball Sandwich with Vegan Truffle Cheese Fries from Toasted, Orlando, Florida
One bite…and I no longer want Tom + Chee or….well…that’s really the only place I’ve been able to have a gluten free and vegan grilled cheese. And they don’t get gooey runny vegan cheese in theirs. THIS WAS LIFE CHANGING!! I loved that it was spicy, without being too spicy. It had a nice balance with the warm, melty, messy cheese (YAY!), the jalapeno slices, the cooling tomato, and just the right hit of sriracha. SO good. I was seriously dredging the crusts of the bread through the cheese puddle on my plate. And the fries…oh…those were good. I was sort of disappointed at first because I’m such a huge fan of ketchup, but the vegan cheese was delicious with the truffle and rosemary flavors. The only downside…was when the cheese got a bit cool. Nevertheless, despite saying I wouldn’t be able to eat them all…I did. Happily.
Look at the GOOEY vegan cheese in the Gluten Free Vegan Fireball from Toasted, Orlando, Florida
Cathy loved the fries…and thought they were amazing. She liked her sandwich, but despite being a fan of Gouda, she felt the sandwich needed a stronger cheese to pair with the boldness of the garlic spinach. But she LOVED it. She also stole some of my Vegan Truffle Cheese Fries and thought the vegan cheese was awesome. Nice smokey flavor.
Jenn gives two thumbs up to her sandwich and fries. Wouldn’t change a thing. We all just hoovered and loved every moment of our culinary sandwich and fries.
Yeah…Toasted is just that good. It’s simple, easy, but crafted and amazing grilled cheese sandwiches. If you aren’t into sandwiches (and if not…what is wrong with you) they have burger options (also available gluten-free and vegan), salads, amazing side dishes, and even a kids menu.
If you are going through Orlando, Florida…not doing the whole Disney thing where you pretty much just stay on Disney property and don’t leave until you are forced to go to the airport…check out Toasted! They have two locations in Orlando – Winter Park and Lake Nona.
Seriously, I’d go back to eat here in a heartbeat. When you give me one of my favorite comfort foods and do it up beyond my expectations…you have my full and undivided attention. Toasted…thank you! I am one happy gluten-free, dairy-free girl!
After a year off from running due to a bad hip injury (which won’t ever heal…I’ve just been trained to work with it), there was one thing I made very clear as day after day ticked by and I started to get a little stronger, and live with a little less pain.
I wanted to run again for charity.
You might recall, back when I was training for my first marathon, Chicago 2013, I ran for the charity Action For Healthy Kids, a charity that Dean Karnazes works with, that aims to fight childhood obesity, undernourishment, and physical inactivity by helping schools become healthier places so kids can have healthier lives.
To keep true to my promise to myself to once again raise money for a cause, I found a great opportunity to do so…this November.
I have signed up to run the Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge at Disney World this November. You see, the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon is one of my favorite Disney races, and despite some rather major changes to the race this year, I was still eager to return to this one (I ran it 2 years ago on a broken toe, LOL!). One of the changes made this year was that they added a 10K race the day before the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon. So, on Saturday, November 5, at 5:30 a.m., I will be striking out (in costume!) to run the Disney Wine & Dine 10K course. Then, on Sunday, November 6, at 5:30 a.m. (yep…they moved it to a morning race…which is kind of MEH…but what do you do?), I will be running (in a different costume) the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon.
But the catch is…I’m raising money for a great cause this time!
I chose to run the Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge for Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a charity that also acts as a catalyst for children’s health. As an auntie to 7 (yes…7) nieces and nephews, I know, firsthand, how important it is for children to have a healthy lifestyle, which includes proper nutrition and physical activity. Alliance for a Healthier Generation works with schools, companies, community organizations, healthcare professionals, and families to transform the conditions and systems that lead to healthier kids. After all, childhood obesity is a national epidemic. Nearly 1 in 3 children (ages 2-19) in the United States is overweight or obese, which puts them at risk for serious health problems. If obesity among children continues at the current rate, this generation could become the first in American history to live shorter lives than their parents.
Scary, right?
Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s goal is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and empower children to develop lifelong, healthy habits.
As someone who has extensively studied nutrition, has my own food allergies to contend with, and is a dedicated home chef, and longtime food & fitness blogger, this charity seemed like a perfect fit for me.
My personal fundraising goal is $1000 (and hopefully beyond!). You can help by making a tax deductible donation to the Alliance. Your financial support will turn my efforts into research and programs to develop healthier opportunities during childhood.
If you can, please follow the link below and help support me in my fundraising efforts. No amount is too small or too big. And I appreciate any help I can get to achieving my fundraising goal.
Product: Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burger – $6.99+
There is just something so amazing and comforting about a good veggie burger. The problem that I find, thank you Celiac Disease, is that most veggie burgers on the market use some sort of vital wheat gluten or gluten-containing binder to give them their “meaty” texture. It sort of takes all the veggie burger eating fun out of it for the gluten-free.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there are many gluten-free veggie burger options in the freezer sections these days. I’ve pretty much tried them all. And they’re a wide range of amazing perfection to…eh…it’s alright.
And just when I think I have pretty much sampled them all, my roommate finds a new one to try. The Brand…Luna Burger.
Not familiar with Luna Burger? Neither was I at the time. But there it was (only one gluten-free variety among the various Luna Burger line), in the freezer section of Columbus, Ohio’s very own natural food store, Raisin Rack. I. LOVE. RAISIN. RACK. It’s required shopping whenever I go to Columbus. No joke. It really is. Grocery budgets are planned around the Raisin Rack visit.
Anyway, I digress. So, here was this small, unassuming box containing two (2) veggie burger patties…by Luna Burger. Luna Burger is actually based out of Columbus, Ohio. This company makes artisan veggie burgers with Ohio-grown ingredients. How amazing is that? The only gluten-free option they have is the BBQ Burger, but their vegan line-up includes Classic, Garden Thyme, Farmhouse Chili, Peanut-Cilantro, and Kickstart Sausage Patties. I wish I could try all of them, but, alas…the BBQ Luna Burger is it for me. Luna Burgers are available at many of Central Ohio farmers’ markets, as well as stores and restaurants throughout Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania. They can also be ordered for delivery through Green B.E.A.N. Delivery (which I have and use) in certain markets. And, yes…these can also be ordered online.
This past week, since returning from New York City, it’s been a live out of the pantry/fridge/freezer week. Use up some things and not spend money on more groceries. HA! I am on a very tight budget these days thanks to a raise in rent..and those constant medical bills. BLARF! So, yesterday, I was digging around for something to have for dinner and I remembered that I had a box of the Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers in my freezer. I had just picked up some Allergen Free Sandwich Buns from my local allergen-free bakery (Annie May’s Sweet Cafe), and had some greens, tomatoes and onions that needed some using up. I also had some Alexia Fries in my freezer too…so it turned into a burger and fries night.
I love burger and fries night. Not going to lie. The problem is finding a decent gluten-free veggie burger that doesn’t squish out of the bun or crumble with the first bite. It is nearly impossible. Not only that, I don’t want something that is flavorless or tastes like cardboard…or worse. Been there, experienced that. I want something that makes me feel like I’m eating a real burger. I was hoping that the Luna Burgers would live up to my own high gluten-free veggie burger expectations!
My amazing veggie burger & fries night made possible by Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers
So, I popped the fries into the oven for the 16 minutes it would take to cook them. Then, I got out my skillet and turned on medium heat. Opening up the box, I found two thick (yes…THICK) four ounce (4 oz) patties ready to hit the heat. I placed each one on the skillet and began to slowly cook it per the instructions on the box. When I flipped the fries and set the sandwich buns on the baking sheet to toast lightly, I flipped the burgers too. A few pieces flaked off, but for the most part, the Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers held their own in the cooking process. I was actually impressed. No trying to piece burgers back together. That was a nice change of pace for sure. When the fries were done, I began to layer up the sandwich buns to build a huge…hefty…but amazing veggie burger. Bun…mustard…greens…Luna Burger patty…tomato, onion, avocado…more mustard…and the other half of the sandwich bun. Oh…I was already trying to figure out how I was going to get my mouth around the entire thing. It was a beautiful thing for sure.
But the big test always comes with that first bite. And this burger delivered. I was really impressed with how the Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers cooked. But I was even more impressed with how they held up when being handled and eaten. Honestly, most gluten-free veggie burgers crumble and fall apart with each bite. They squish out of the bun and lack that “meaty” texture that you want…even with a veggie burger. The opposite was the case with the Luna Burger BBQ Veggie Burger. I loved the texture. It was soft, but got that nice crust on each side, giving it this great burger texture. It didn’t fall out of my bun or crumble when I picked it up and took large bites. I was beyond impressed with the myriad of flavors that came in this burger as well. I don’t know if I got that smokey BBQ flavor that, but I did get a little bit of heat and sweetness. And it definitely made for an amazing and interesting (in a good way) flavor profile. Totally hoping somewhere around here carries these, because I would LOVE to have them in my freezer again. Delicious!!
Let’s discuss the ingredients that go into the Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers. These burgers are made from brown rice, black beans, onion, brown rice flour, carrots, tomatoes, peaches, sunflower seeds, kale, molasses, garlic, jalapeno peppers, apple cider vinegar, salt, ground mustard, and black pepper. This burger is gluten-free, wheat-free, corn-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, soy-free, and contains no extra oils.
As far as nutrition goes, Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers live up to their healthy packaging. A serving size is 1 burger (114 grams) and there are two (2) burgers per box. A serving will provide you with 170 calories, 2.5 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 310 mg sodium, 31 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams fiber, 3 grams sugars, and 7 grams of protein. This is a filling, healthy, completely vegan product that makes you feel good about eating it. I mean, Luna Burger uses locally sourced fruits, grains, vegetables, and herbs. LOVE it.
The Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers definitely rank up there in gluten-free veggie burger options. Not my #1 choice, but definitely close. Perfect texture, flavor, and so satisfying. You can’t go wrong. Need to treat yourself to some comfort food…turn to Luna Burger for your veggie burger needs.
But remember…only the BBQ variety is gluten-free and vegan!
Me after finishing the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon – New York, New York
Race: United Airlines NYC Half Marathon
Place: New York, New York
Date: March 20, 2016
Time: 1:43:53
When I go into a race without any expectations or goals…I seem to do better than anticipated. While I had a semi-goal of being able to do my first half marathon distance after injury (for a year) in sub-2 hours, I wasn’t going to be too hard on myself if it didn’t happen.
Especially since the weather changed drastically the week of the race.
The weekend before the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon…the weather was gorgeous. Not just in Louisville (where I ran my first official race back…the Rodes City Run 10K), but up in New York too. I was hoping it would hold. I do better in nicer temperatures. But as the week went on…the gorgeous weather started to go away.
NOOOOOO!!
For much of the week, the forecast was calling for rain…cold…wind. Then snow…cold…wind. And then, on Friday night, it changed to just really flippin cold and really flippin’ windy.
UGH!! Now I was in a crisis. I had my outfit planned out for weeks…but the 30 degree temps and the strong winds (and the wind chill it would bring), meant I needed to reevaluate my wardrobe. With much reluctance, the running skirt went back into the closet and a pair of my (albeit bright) compression tights came out. Any of you who regularly read my running blog know…I…HATE…PANTS. So this frustrated me. I also packed a big turtleneck lined top and a windbreaker…and at the last minute, just before walking out the door early Saturday…I tossed in a long sleeve shirt…just in case, because I never ran in a windbreaker and I was nervous it would annoy me or just not work out…in which case, I’d rather brace against the cold in layers than anything.
So, Saturday morning was an early morning for me. I was up at 2 am to do all my physical therapy exercises. The stretches, the dynamic stuff outside, the plyometrics. I knew once I touched down in NYC…I was on the move…and these stretches were more important than anything else.
I admit, a little voice in my head said, “Go on…go do an easy mile or two for a shakeout before getting on the plane.” But, as tempting as it was, I quieted that voice. I knew I’d be on the go both at the airports and once I touched down in the city, the shakeout wasn’t important, and I didn’t need to do it. I’d be doing ample time on my feet just moving about NYC.
See what I have learned??!!
So, we (my roommate and I) walked out the door right at 5 am (giving us time to get a light breakfast in our stomachs and (SO VERY MUCH NEEDED) coffee into our system. We got to the Louisville airport in record time…parked…had to take a roundabout way to the Southwest Airlines counter due to renovations that are going on, and which I hope they finish up before Derby, or that airport is going to be a mess. Security was quick, although I ended up being randomly chosen for the hand swab, and my laptop (as always) had to be examined more closely…but it was quick, painless, and we were off and heading to our gate (which was behind a bunch of renovation boards). Like I said, the airport was sort of a mess.
Deciding that we weren’t ready to settle in yet, we took a little walk, as usual, through the airport crowds, and Cathy and I grabbed a Cool Lime Refresher at Starbucks (and she got a breakfast sammie as well) and we went back to the gate. I downed one of the new LUNA Bars (the Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond, which has only 5 grams of sugar and tasted like an amazing caffe mocha) and then…it was time to board. We were at the end of the A group…so it worked out perfectly.
Our flight had a small layover at Chicago Midway before we went on to NYC. So, we took the time to stretch our legs and walk the terminal. I was really craving something sweet, so we went on the “Great Fruit Cup Hunt of Midway,” finding that everywhere that normally had fruit cups were sold out. With 5 minutes to boarding, we finally found something at one of the food court restaurants. It was a large fruit cup with honeydew melon, pineapple, grapes and strawberries in it. I carried it onto our flight into Laguardia Airport and ate it while still sitting on the runway.
The flight into Laguardia was uneventful, save for the funny flight crew. The lead flight
Me with the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon logo – New York, New York
attendant was in her 50s and just…SO funny. Love that. It also helps calm my nerves when the flight crew is loosey-goosey like that. I was drinking my water to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and we landed in Laguardia early. Taxied to the jetway…disembarked…and went to baggage claim. My bag was the 2nd one off the belt. Cathy’s wasn’t too far behind. With bags in hand, we called the hired car company and they had a car out to fetch us in about 5 or so minutes. Luggage went into the trunk and we were now on our way into Manhattan…staying at a different hotel this time (which was totally our fault because we originally had the race pegged for the weekend before this one and it wasn’t until about a month before that I realized the date of the race was for the week after…in my defense, it ran a week earlier last year!)…but the traffic situation wasn’t bad and our driver was really aggressive once he got into the city blocks, LOL! We were dropped off at the door of The Distrikt Hotel on W 40th Street and went to check in.
We were much earlier than anticipated, so our room wasn’t ready yet. We did go ahead and leave our bags and went to go buy a Metrocard and take the subway to get to the United Airlines NYC Half Experience (the expo), which was taking place at the Metropolitan Pavilion. We headed into the Expo, which was a madhouse! Seriously…at some points, I felt like salmon swimming upstream. I had the registration sheet with me so I went over to where my numbers were to pick up my bib. From there, it was through the store and over to get my official bag with my t-shirt and stuff in it. I haven’t really looked through what else was in there. I made one circuit of the expo before returning to the official store. There was a great t-shirt in there, pink and purple, that I had my eye on. But, to no surprise, my size was gone. Disappointing for sure. Ah well. Except, Cathy and I realized almost all official merchandise for women had nothing left in small. Now I remember why I order things online ahead of this. She did manage to find me an official finisher’s t-shirt and I grabbed a Sparkly Soul headband that had the event name on it. Purchases made. Back into the expo.
I actually thought there would be more vendors there and more to see and lots more places to shop. But, for the best, there wasn’t. I walked through the line of charities…I got in line to have my picture taken in front of the logo…Cathy made a couple signs (which never got used due to the 21 mph gusts of wind on race morning)…and we settled in for a moment at a table where I could charge my phone and we could catch our breath.
Me and my awesome friend Ellen at the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon Experience
My friend, Ellen, who got in on lottery this year (I deferred last year so had automatic entry…except I had to repay the $127 registration fee), turned up to meet up with me, and brought me a nice salad to boot. YAY for friends. YAY for food! We discussed what we were planning on wearing, food, and…all the crazy shit (hehehe…get it Ellen?) that runners rely on and need to have happen prior to a run. It was fun. I even did a Snapchat video for her giving a running tip. She calls me her inspiration…but I think she’s mine. She needed to get back to the charity event she was attending, and I needed to get back to the hotel to get into the room. The travel capris I was wearing weren’t very warm against the already chilly wind of NYC. So, we returned to the hotel, got our room, gathered our bags, and went upstairs. We flopped for a moment before changing into jeans and heading back out…this time just to explore. We didn’t want to stop in for dinner until at least 5 p.m. So, we had a couple of hours to just explore. That’s what we did, too.
With no plan, we just wandered through some of the area, stopping into shops that drew our attention. We went and got our chocolate from Teuscher (I got a mini champagne, dark mocha, and dark salted caramel…and Cathy got a limoncello, almond, and chocolate orange truffle), which is a requirement, and ducked into the Hard Rock Café for a shotglass and a pin. Back out and seeing the city until we decided to hike over to our pre-race dinner spot of choice, Don Antonio by Starita on W 50th Street. They have a fantastic gluten-free pizza menu, and while they have a couple of GF and Vegan options, I stuck with the one I knew I loved and wouldn’t give me too much. The Marinara Pizza Senza Glutine. OMG…this is my 2nd favorite gluten-free pizza crust in the world (the first being Annie May’s Sweet Café). I love when there is a real and actual crust on a gluten-free pizza, and not just a cracker crust. We devoured dinner and then hiked back to the hotel to cycle through showers, giving me time to foam roll, and to eat some chocolate. HA! It was an early to bed night…and by 9 pm…we were turning out the lights.
I set the alarm on my phone for the first one to wake me up at 4 a.m. It went off and I got up to use the bathroom, take my medicine, and then crawled back into bed for another 50 minutes. The second alarm was the 5 a.m. one, and I got up and started to get changed into my running gear for the race. Cathy was up at 5:15 to get dressed and ready. And while I felt good all day prior to this morning, I felt tired, but in good shape for the actual race. I was not happy that I had to wear pants to run a half marathon, but the windchill was a factor and I under-dressed once before for a full and have been nervous about doing that again ever since (hypothermia is NOT fun, my friends). I decided to wear a long sleeve tech shirt under my warmer top with the big turtleneck top, figuring it would be good against the wind, without me trying to get used to running in a windbreaker on the fly. I got my number pinned on, threw on the hoodie I was going to leave behind, filled up my water bottles and we were off.
We took the subway to Columbus Circle and disembarked, climbing the stairs and being
Me at then entrance of Central Park, Times Square behind me, on the morning of the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon – New York, New York
greeted with some of the coldest wind. I don’t know how the dude in front of us was handling being in short running shorts, because I would have been dying. I think he was. But…to each their own, right?! We walked over to the checkpoint at Central Park where Cathy had to go her own way and I had to show my bib number and enter. We took a picture of me with Times Square behind me and then I went in. I walked with a bunch of runners who were just talking about some of the most random stuff. One was talking about Scott Jurek on Instagram and it was kind of amusing to me. We went through the medal detectors and then continued on the path to the corrals. There was a line of port-o-potties without lines and many of the people I was walking with went to take advantage of them…and I kept on trekking. I made my way to the line of corrals, working my way up to the one for 10000-10999. I did a few of my dynamic warm-up moves from physical therapy, but the air temperature was enough to make me not want to do it anymore. I did one set of each, then hunkered down and shivered for a good half hour more. It was really, really cold. When the corrals opened for the start of the wheelchair race, I stepped inside and did a few static stretches just to loosen up. From the onslaught of the cold wind, my hip was already not loving me. It began to ache during the easy walk from security to the corals. Seriously, my body and cold weather never got along, but it really doesn’t get along with it these days.
The wheelchair racers, hand crank racers, and elite women were all sent off by 7:15 a.m. It was awesome standing in the corral and being able to see each group take off. When the elite women took up, I cheered loudly for Molly Huddle, who is from Elmira, NY…my hometown area. She’s amazing. She’s fast. She set a new course record that morning and it came down to an eighth of a second…it was THAT close. The elite men went off with Wave 1 at 7:30 a.m.. Then my wave…Wave 2…were shuffled forward for our 7:45 a.m. start. It was really exciting. When the airhorn blew to send us off, I began the walk toward the official start, and started my Garmin as I crossed. The first step already had my hip screaming at me. I struggled through the final mile of a 10K the weekend prior…and I just started a half marathon. I really just made a point go focus on my form and my breathing, and just finding a comfortable pace to run at. As I said, I had no goals or expectations…just to have fun and to finish what I start. Well…I started. I now had to finish.
Me running through the 10K mark of the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon – New York, New York
The 6 miles through Central Park are beautiful and quiet. There were pockets of spectators out there, but mostly it was runners, our feet, and our breathing. Being the start of the race, I would catch snatches of conversations people were having as they ran the race with friends or running partners. It keeps me amused. Some people were tucked into their earbuds, their music propelling them forward. There was a couple running together, and on the back of his shirt was a sign that said “Baby on Board” and an arrow pointing to his wife who was running right next to him. The people inside the park were loud and awesome and the little loop we do outside the park to turn around and head back in…was packed, crowded and loud. I love a good crowd. The hills of Central Park are respectable, but my hill repeats have been more intense than those, so while they slowed me down slightly, they didn’t have me huffing and puffing. I’m learning to love to hate to love those hill repeat sessions more and more. I didn’t check my pace on my watch at any point, but I hit the 5K mark and felt like I was coming along well for someone who was fighting hip pain twinges since the start. With the hills now behind us, the runners exit Central Park onto 7th Avenue. Cathy said she’d be outside the park to see me there, so I got to the left per her instructions and headed up 7th Avenue. She was tucked into the pocket of the turn, but I heard her shouting and screaming and I gave a wave at her as I ran past. It lifted my spirits, for sure. And it was on to run down 7th Avenue and into Times Square.
I think Times Square was my favorite part of this race. The crowd was intense. There was so much noise. All the screens were lit up. The Kids Mile was running through there. There was so much energy there…that it just pulsed through you. I loved every stretch of this portion of the race. And it is the part I remember the most. I love a good crowd.
And with the extreme winds we were getting, it was a great way to start off the last stretch of the race. This portion is pretty flat, save for just after the 20K mark. So, it was nice to easily pick up the pace a little here. Miles 8-12 really just have you fighting the windtunnels that are 42nd Street. Here you make a U-Turn and head down the West Side Highway. Wind. Lots of wind. Thankfully there was music blasting at various stages throughout this stretch of the run. The crowds were sparse, but there were some spectators out there to cheer. But without the bands, this might have been a tough slog through these 4 miles. However, as the miles tick down, One World Trade Center/Freedom Tower keep getting closer and closer. It’s gorgeous. I can’t tell you how long I just kept my eyes on that building, minding each time I drew up my right leg, making sure I wasn’t overcompensating due to the hip pain. This was…uplifting.
Mile 12 takes runners through the Battery Park Underpass. This…was fun. Seriously. You are underground for a long while. Runners scream and shout and let out whoops as they run through the dark, spooky tunnel. I loved it. I even left my sunglasses on. Just powered on through. Running through tunnels is fun. For some reason, I always smile more in them. The 20K mark was just as we were let out to run up a hill.
Me coming out of the Battery Park Underpass at the 20K mark of the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon – New York, New York
This is where Cathy was situated to see me before I hit the finish line. LOVED this little uplift right at the end. I waived and smiled as she shouted, “YOU REALLY ARE ALMOST THERE!” And so, I burst up the hill and got hit by one hell of a headwind. NYC has this way of always being super windy when I run there. So…I battled the headwind and just ran…ran…ran…rounding a corner…passing up a pace group….rounding another turn and seeing that finish line. As I ran this race rather conservatively, I still had some go in the tank and so…I powered up, powered through, and crossed that finish line.
I stopped my Garmin…and the tears just started going. I didn’t know my official time. I didn’t check the Garmin. I competed and finished my first half marathon since my hip labrum tear over a year ago. And I could still move. No limping. Just a small ache. I had done what I thought I wouldn’t be able to do…and it turns out I did it well.
We were filtered through the finisher’s area where we had medals hung around our necks and mylar sheets wrapped around us to keep us warm. We were given these nice bags filled with snacks, Gatorade and water, and then shuttled out toward Battery Park. At the exit, Cathy was waiting. I hurried over and got a hug and she said, “YOU KILLED IT!! Do you want to know your time?” Of course I did. She told me…and I started crying. Not only was it better than I anticipated, it was better than I could have dreamed of doing, given the circumstances.
Our bodies find ways of surprising us. And I think not having a specific goal or pace I wanted to hit helped.
So, the official results of the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon are that I finished in 1:43:53. I was 3318/20,149 finishers overall. I was 786/10,556 female finishers. And I was 132/1706 finishers in my division. I, honestly, couldn’t have run this any better. Since the cold weather made me sore from just shivering at the start, I just took this race one step at a time…one mile at a time. And I LOVED it. I loved this race. It was…probably….one of my favorite half marathons I have ever run. Even in the cold…and the wind…and the suck…it was just…fun. And I had fun running it. It was a struggle at times…but I finished it and I felt good at the end.
Afterwards, we hopped the subway back to the hotel where I showered and changed.
Cathy, Me and Marisa after a great evening of celebration at Red Rooster Harlem.
Cathy and I went to Empire Coffee & Tea House where I got a Pumpkin Spice Latte (dairy free…made with almond milk…and YUMMY!). Then we ended up hiking around NYC the rest of the day with Cathy and my friend Marisa, who I have known since high school. We stopped in at bakeries (I bought 3 cookies from By The Way (BTW) Bakery) and a tea shop (where I had the Energitea…an amazing green blend). We settled in for a bit at the hotel before getting ready to head to dinner at Red Rooster Harlem. You might recall, Red Rooster is where I celebrated my NYC Marathon finish…so I wanted to go back for this. And it was amazing. Once again, the chef created a dish to fit my dietary needs…and I was SO impressed. I even had dessert. And fun. We sat and talked over mint tea and listened to the live jazz music in the bar before calling it a night and making the trek back from Harlem to Midtown. We said goodbye to Marisa and settled in for the night.
Overall…I’m already ready to come back to NYC…even if I don’t have a race. There is always so much to see and do. But…this time…for me…the highlight was getting through the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon…after having to defer it last year. It was just the boost I needed.
Let’s face it…when it comes to gluten-free breakfast (or dinner or whenever) treats…one of the most difficult to find is the croissant. And I used to be a sucker for the warm, buttery, flaky little roll of baked dough. Croissants simply…rock.
Going gluten-free, I’ve pretty much been able to find a recipe or something to satisfy any void in any treat that I want. Puff pastry is the tricky one. At least puff pastry that acts like puff pastry. The recipe is WAY too complicated and the one I purchased in stores doesn’t exactly…puff.
Croissants have also been rather elusive. Granted, my gluten-free bakery, Annie May’s Sweet Café, does offer croissant rolls…and I purchase them around Thanksgiving every year as they are my Black Friday breakfast (filling and full of carbs for shopping energy!). It is the one time every year that I get to enjoy that special treat. (As a side note, I could order these from my allergen-free bakery at any point…but there are so many goodies there…I have to pace myself, LOL!).
But then Schär filled this void recently with the introduction of their frozen croissants. I was excited when they made the announcement, also noting that they had two (2) different versions – Plain and Hazelnut. And for the longest time, I searched my usual gluten-free go-to stores for these. But, no joy. No one carried them. I figured they would be the unicorn of my gluten-free life…sort of like Rudi’s Gluten Free Texas Toast (still haven’t found that anywhere).
It took one of my trips to Columbus, Ohio, to finally find these. In the freezer section. Happy dance ensued. Thank you, Raisin Rack, for your extreme awesomeness and LARGE gluten-free selection. This made my day. And I purchased them, the Hazelnut ones, put them in a cooler with dry ice, and got them home and to my freezer. Where I promptly forgot about them…as I just piled other things on top.
But, when my freezer begged for some organizing this past weekend, I discovered the bag all the way in the back and I moved it forward…because these were going to happen this week. For sure. And what better day to test them out than a Wednesday after a 4 mile run and 20 mile spin class? Yep…no better time.
I left the bag of croissants out on the counter to thaw while I was at the gym, and when I got back, I preheated the oven to 350°F and removed the Schär Gluten Free Hazelnut Croissants from the package and moved them to a baking sheet. They went into the oven for about 7-8 minute (around 10-12 in my old-ass oven that doesn’t heat right)…giving me time to shower while they cooked. When I removed them from the oven, they were golden brown and looking like…amazing, beautiful, perfect, croissants. I moved them to plates and served them up for breakfast.
My roommate got to hers first (I was pouring myself coffee…because…priorities). I asked her what she thought and she said, “They’re pretty good.” Now, with her, that means they are either good…or they aren’t so good, but they are edible. And I never know which way it goes until I try it myself. At least she didn’t say, “They’re okey-dokey,” because that, friends, means she hates them…and is just being polite. I settled in with the morning news, my laptop, my Wonder Woman coffee mug (now filled with piping hot, fresh coffee) and my plate with my own Schär Gluten Free Hazelnut Croissant on it. I sliced into it with the side of my fork tines, and then, stabbing the flaky (and yes…it actually was flaky) pastry with it…took my first taste.
When I think about croissants, I think of this flaky, rich, buttery breakfast goodie. And Schär definitely provided the rolled up pastry form. As for taste, it was airy, and not as dense as I had thought they would be. That was a nice surprise. I was a little disappointed with the lack of the hazelnut filling in each bite, but, I sort of figured that would be the case. I was just hoping I’d be wrong. The croissant itself…buttery flavor in every bite. Which, if you managed to get a bite with at least a little of the filling…it was indeed heavenly. The hazelnut (like Nutella) filling was chocolate-nutty goodness and I was digging for more. But filling or not, these weren’t dense…but they were definitely filling. Small…much smaller than I anticipated…but filling. It made for a good treat for breakfast for sure. Not nearly as amazing as the ones Annie May’s Sweet Café provides for me each holiday season…but lighter and flakier than those…and ranking right up there. For a frozen product, this was love at second bite (the second bite had some of the hazelnut filling, for the record).
Let’s talk about ingredients for a moment. Because, at first glance, what goes into Schär Gluten Free Hazelnut Croissants might…scare you. My mind was put to ease awhile back with an article discussing Schär’s use of gluten free wheat starch. Yep, you read that right. GLUTEN. FREE. WHEAT. STARCH. If you have a wheat allergy…DO NOT EAT THESE!! I was mostly concerned as I am very sensitive…but no affects on me whatsoever in regards to a gluten reaction. So, that’s a win. The Schär Gluten Free Hazelnut Croissants are made from gluten free wheat starch, water, vegetable margarine [vegetable fats and oils (palm, palm kernel, coconut, canola), water, salt, mono- and diglycerides, butter flavor], hazelnut
cream (sugar, canola oil, hazelnuts, skimmed cocoa powder, skimmed milk powder, whey (milk) powder, lactose, sunflower, lecithin), eggs, yeast, chicory fiber, dextrose, fructose, glucono delta-lactone, baking soda, egg albumin, skimmed milk powder, sugar, salt, mono- and diglycerides, xanthan gum, and butter flavor. Believe me…these croissants ARE gluten-free.
As far as nutrition goes…let’s face it…it’s a croissant. These aren’t going to be packed with a wide array of nutrients. But it is nice to have a treat every now and again. The serving size of the Schär Gluten Free Hazelnut Croissants is one (1) croissant and there are four (4) in each package. This serving will dish up 240 calories, 10 grams fat, 4.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 160 mg sodium, 34 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 7 grams sugars, and 2 grams of protein. Yep…I admit…there are far better choices for a breakfast out there, but dammit, sometimes you just need to treat yourself.
I was surprised by the flavor, the texture, and with the overall deliciousness of the Schär Gluten Free Hazelnut Croissants. I wish they had more filling than they did, but aside from that, each bite was heavenly and totally worth the indulgence. Love sometimes comes in packages that are in your natural food store freezer. Impressed.
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After a year off from running due to a bad hip injury (which won’t ever heal…I’ve just been trained to work with it), there was one thing I made very clear as day after day ticked by and I started to get a little stronger, and live with a little less pain.
The Celiathlete 