The Celiathlete

September 22, 2012

Air Force Marathon 10K – Dayton, OH (September 15, 2012)

Me crossing the finish line of the Air Force Marathon 10K - Dayton, Ohio — Me crossing the finish line of the Air Force Marathon 10K – Dayton, Ohio

Race: Air Force Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

Place: Dayton, Ohio

Date: September 15, 2012

Time: 51:58

I just want to start this entry off by saying that I was completely surprised by how efficiently and wonderfully this expo and race was put together and run. Honestly. It only makes me want to return next year (and run the half marathon instead of the 10K). Honestly, one of the best organized races I have participated in. So much fun. I enjoyed every moment of this…including the expo.

Which is where the story begins…

Cathy, Jenn and I left Columbus, Ohio shortly after noon on Friday to drive to Dayton for the expo. This was very important as it was the only time I would have to pick up my race packet. So…we made a concerted effort to get there in enough time to peruse the expo, get the packet, and see what else was happening. I knew one important fact about this expo and that was that Dean Karnazes (THE Ultramarathon Man) was in attendance and if at all possible, I wanted to meet him. The Web site for the race didn’t have an appearance schedule up, so there was no guarantee that this would happen…but in the back of my mind…I was hopeful.

The expo itself was amazing. The entire top floor of The Nutter Center was filled with booths that held vendors, other races, and a bunch of freebies. I love big expos because I absolutely love taking in every bit of it, seeing what other races are out there, talking to vendors, and finding the Bondi Band booth to add to my growing collection of bands to wear on race days. The last couple of races have had some pretty disappointing expos. That changed here.

The three of us made our way around the circuit of booths, taking a peek at different tables, seeing what merchandise was out there, and just following the signs to packet pick-up. This just happened to be on the other side of The Nutter Center and down the stairs to floor level. Packet pick-up, however, was simple. Just show your idea…tell them your bib number (12051) and you’re golden. You get handed a packet with your race bib in it and are sent across the way to retrieve your t-shirt. I somehow ended up with a Medium…so it’s really big on me…but…it still rocks.

As I was in line, Cathy and Jenn went to find seats in this section off to the side, because for once in our lives…we had good timing. Dean Karnazes was set to talk at 3:30. And it was around 3:00 p.m. YAY! I was stoked. So, after I gathered all my stuff for the race, I went to find them in the seats and join them. Poor Jenn got stuck sitting next to another creepy “friend” who pestered her the entire time. Sorry Jenn. I don’t know why that always happens to you!

Soon, the man of the moment was there. The announcer was trying to kill time and didn’t realize Dean had already shown up…so when he was finally clued in…he made the big introduction. And I was hooting and hollering because…Dean Karnazes is just awesome. And I count him as one of my running heroes. And here he was…about 30 feet or so from where I was sitting. My first thought was that he looks smaller in person than he does in “UltraMarathon Man” (the documentary he did about running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days). That was my last rational thought because then he started talking. And I was hooked from the first word, which I believe was “Hello!” LOL! But…his talk was extremely informative and entertaining. And we got to see him attempt to mess with the AV equipment as the sound was malfunctioning. Then the microphone wanted to give lots of feedback. It was sorted…and he got the hang of it. Let me say this…the man is an absolute doll. Very humble. And yes…he is every bit as super human as he sounds. But nothing short of awesome. He said he had to run to the airport to catch a flight to Wisconsin, but after he finished talking, lots of people went down to the table to see if he would sign something. I happened to have his book “50/50 Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days — and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance!” with me and went to go stand in the line. He began signing and doing a few pictures, then said that people with books were to step forward because he promised he would sign all the books. I was never happier to have a book of his with me. So, I got into the much shorter line and even scored a photo with him. He signed it: “Karen – Good luck on your first marathon! –Dean” I was telling him about how I was training to run my first marathon next year…hence the message. For the rest of the night, I was on cloud nine. Seriously.

Me with Dean Karnazes at the Air Force Marathon Race Expo

After the expo, we went to get checked into the hotel, then head out to shop at Half Price Books before hitting up a place for dinner. I had scouted out Find Me Gluten-Free and found a place called Sinfully Gluten-Free to try out for dinner. They had a small, but versatile menu. So, we arrived there and all placed orders. I got the pizza sandwich (no pepperoni, of course, for this vegetarian) with fries. Cathy got the chicken tenders with fries. Jenn got an 8-inch cheese pizza. They make everything to order, so it does take a moment for food to arrive. And that’s fine by me. When it did, I dug right in and was so happy with my sandwich. I even stole a piece of Jenn’s pizza and…absolutely loved it. Perfectly safe meal before a race. That’s what I am talking about. I love piece of mind when it comes to meals before a race. Afterwards, we raided the place for baked goods (I got LOTS of gluten-free cookies and a brownie, and while we were there, the three of us split one of their lemon bars – which was like eating a lemon cheesecake…SO GOOD!) and finally called it a night and headed back to the hotel to unwind and get ready for bed.

Now, the hotel had made an error with our booking. We had put in to have a room with two double beds, but we ended up in a room with a king size bed. The couch did pull out, so we arranged for Cathy & I to crash in the bed and Jenn took the hide-a-bed. Cathy offered to trade with Jenn, but she maintained she would stick it out on the hide-away for the night. We called down for sheets and get the bed set-up after playing around online for a little bit. We knew we were going to have an early morning, so we called it a night around 9:30 p.m. I set my cell phone alarm for 4:45 a.m. and then crashed out. I never slept so well before a race before…but I was out like a light.

The alarm sounded that following morning and after scaring Jenn half to death, I shut it off and shambled into the bathroom to change into my race clothes (which I had laid out the night before) and then eat my cereal to at least get something in my stomach pre-race. We all took turns in the bathroom, packed up our stuff, then went to check out of the hotel. The hotel happened to have take-and-go goodies out for runners and families of runners, so we all snagged something. I grabbed a banana and an orange. Cathy snagged a banana. And Jenn grabbed a bagel (which was itty-bitty…but a bagel nonetheless). From there, we made the short trip toward the Air Force Museum to attempt to find parking and make our way to the starting line.

Getting in wasn’t too difficult. Traffic was still light at this point, so we followed a stream of cars through a gate and just went where we were directed. We parked and then began the very, very, very long hike from the area we were parked in to the starting line. It had to at least have been a mile, if not more. Because every runner wants to hike that far before running in either a marathon, half marathon, or 10K race, yes? Anyway…we managed. I got to bypass security since I was a runner, but Cathy and Jenn had to have bags searched and get wanded down before entering the race area. But once we were through, we made our way past the finish line and to the start area of the race. It was still dark. And…yeah…it was about 43 degrees out. I had packed my running skirt and a tank top, so thankfully I had arm warmers with me. Or I might have been a little colder than I was. As it was, I kept my hoodie on for as long as I could before the start of the race. But as the sun began to come up and the 7:30 a.m. race start crept closer, Cathy took the hoodie from me. She and Jenn went to go find a spot along the start area to watch for me and I started to line up with the marathoners and other 10K runners.

At the Air Force races, the marathon and 10K head off together. They split at mile 3 and go separate directions. The half marathon starts an hour later at 8:30 a.m. The opening ceremonies were done. The national anthem was beautifully sung. And then the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber flew over the start line. It was SO cool. I was grinning like a fool. Then…the wheelchair participants were sent off 5 minutes ahead of time…as well as the blind runner who was doing the marathon. And soon…the marathon and 10K racers were off with the shot of a gun.

I was actually through the starting gate faster than anticipated. Jenn luckily spotted me and got a picture of my back as I ran past. Cathy totally missed me until Jenn pointed me out. That’s what happens with bigger races and all four of the race events for the Air Force Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K were SOLD OUT! So, it was pretty big.

And so…I was off. Sans music, by the way. I mention this because I normally run races with my iPod Nano. But Cathy didn’t pack it. She thought she had…but it was left at home in the gym bag. So, I ran this one completely without my tunes. I have run without music at races that don’t allow headphones, but this one had no restrictions…so I was a bit bummed about that. But…you know…you just get over it and get going.

The chilly weather was a nice change of pace, since the last big race I ran was the Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon in the 90% humidity that nearly killed me. Once I got moving, the chill didn’t feel so cold. I was still glad I had those arm warmers on, but very glad I didn’t pack the long pants. The skirt was perfect.

The first mile of this race felt good. I took it easy. I decided I was just going to run this one easy. Not push too hard. And I just sort of paced myself for the first mile, leading up to this long, steep incline that lasted from just before mile 1 to around 2.5 miles. Seriously. This is not an exaggeration. For a moment I never thought it would level off or start any sort of descent. But, with the hill behind me, I was now making my way to the split where the Marathon runners go one way and the 10K runners go the other. I was on the wrong side at first…so, I quickly changed lanes and got into the proper side to make my turn into Mile 3. I was almost halfway there. I made a point not to look at my pace or my time. I just wanted to run what was comfortable. So…that’s how I kept it.

Mile 4 brought us back to the Air Force Museum. We were about to lap the museum. And as I hit Mile 4.5, I could hear them announce the winner of the 10K, followed soon after by the first female and 2nd place overall. Awesome. I was now feeling the excitement. Mile 5 ticked by and I knew that I was down to the last 1.2 miles. I pushed only a little…because I was determined to pass a woman who passed me up long before. She pushed too hard too soon, and I sort of saved some for the finish…so I passed her and just kept on going. I could hear the announcer, saying names of the finishers, talking about groups finishing together. Now it was getting real. I ran closely behind two guys as we rounded into Mile 6, and the Finish line came into view. That is an amazing sight no matter how long or short the race is. I pushed a bit more, feeling my tired legs. One of the airmen on the side cheering the runners on said “WOOO KAREN! YOU GO WITH YOUR PIGTAILS!” It made me smile. And so I pressed on and blew across the finish line, waiting before I stopped my Garmin. I have learned. LOL!

I walked through runner services, receiving my finisher’s medal from a very handsome airman, who also shook my hand and congratulated me. For the first time ever, I was handed a “space blanket” to wrap around myself to keep warm. This made me stupidly happy for some reason. Go figure. I stopped to get an official finisher photo in front of the backdrop, then went through the area where bananas and chocolate milk and bagels and pizza were being offered. I snagged a banana and a bottle of chocolate milk before meeting Jenn and Cathy outside of the runner services area.

We hugged and I snacked on my KindBar I brought with me. Then hurried over to get my results from the tent. I was hoping it would give official stats, but it only spit out my time. As I wandered back over to where Cathy and Jenn were waiting, I glanced at my time…and thought I might have set a new 10K PR. I had Cathy look up my time for the Rhodes City Run (my fastest 10K to date) while I finished snacking. When she said my time, I jumped in the air, pumping a fist with an exclamation of “FUCK YEAH!” I was a little excited…because I beat my time by almost 3 full minutes. Beyond happy. For real.

We stood around a little bit longer, then began to make our way back toward the Air Force Museum. Cathy went to see if she could find out what my placement was (that was a negative). So while she was gone, Jenn and I cheered on more 10K runners coming around the curve to head for the finish line. It was then we saw the first wheelchair racer in the marathon come in. It was SO cool. When Cathy joined us, we went to the museum, checked out the gift shop, and then headed out to grab Starbucks and return to Columbus for the remainder of the weekend.

The official results of the Air Force Marathon 10K have me finishing in 51:58. I was 120/1233 overall. I was 25/711 women runners to cross the finish line for the 10K. And I placed 25/96 in my age division. I couldn’t have been happier with these results, honestly. I was just elated with them. And I set a new 10K PR! Thrilled!!

The way this race was run, the people, the setting, the amazing atmosphere, the organization…all of it was awesome. And I do hope to make it back next year…perhaps to try for the half marathon instead. I had a great time and loved every single moment of my race experience. If you are looking for a well-run race…consider one of the Air Force races in Dayton. It’s totally worth the trip.

September 22, 2012

Simply Organic makes gluten-free carrot cake a simple pleasure

Product: Simply Organic Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Mix – $5.49+

My CSA bin sometimes surprises me. Not that I don’t know what I am getting each week. But the fact of the matter is that sometimes what I get is so much more than I expected. For example…this past bin I received was to have organic carrots in it. And they did. Huge. Beautiful carrots.

And I thought to myself…what can I make with carrots?

My first thought…carrot cake. I’ve been craving carrot cake since I went gluten-free. I haven’t had the time nor the ingredients to make one myself. But here I had big, beautiful organic carrots in my hand. I found a recipe for one and had pretty much everything for it. I set out grocery shopping and was beginning to find myself outside of my budget. The thought of creating salads from these amazing carrots just didn’t seem right. But, as I was thinking it…I glanced up at my new favorite grocery store and there on the baking rack was a cake mix. A gluten-free cake mix.

Simply Organic Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Mix (baked)

Simply Organic’s Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Mix.

Well…right here was the answer to my problem. The mix pretty much did the work. I just had to add water, 2 eggs, and 1 cup of shredded carrots. And I already had all of that back at my apartment. Awesome. I figured I might as well give it a try. Gluten-free baking on a budget is sometimes a necessary evil. I pretty much would prefer to make everything from scratch…but money has been tight recently thanks to the injury to my foot. You work with what you can and do what you can in the budget you have sometimes.

I must say…I had my doubts as to how good a boxed carrot cake could be.

But, determined to make it before my carrots went bad, I stayed up late the other night and gave the Simply Organic Gluten-Free Carrot Cake a shot. Really easy to put together. Just put eggs, lightly beaten, water, and cake mix into a bowl. Mix together, then fold in the carrots. Pour into prepared cake pan and bake according to the directions on the box. I was milling about in the kitchen as this was baking and it smelled heavenly. So, that was a good start, I thought. When it cooked for 40 minutes, I removed it from the oven, made sure it was cooked through, and let it cool. It felt soft and bounced back like a sponge when I tested it for doneness. Maybe it was possible to get a moist carrot cake from a box.

Simply Organic Gluten-Free Carrot Cake (topped with Homemade Vegan Light Cream Cheese Frosting)

Once it cooled, I tipped it out of the cake pan and prayed that it wouldn’t crumble and fall apart on me. Much to my delight, it emerged in perfect round cake form. I did a happy dance of joy and then got to work on my Vegan Light Cream Cheese Icing (the cake isn’t vegan, but my icing is). With the cooled cake waiting for me, I spread the icing over the top and then immediately cut into it to try. I didn’t care that it was 10:30 p.m. I really wanted to try it before I put it in the refrigerator.

Let me tell you, I was elated with this mix. I shouldn’t discount all cake mixes…but a fresh carrot cake always is the best option. A dry carrot cake (like what you buy in stores) is not what I like. Well, this was amazing. Very light. Very soft. Moist. Amazing. My roommate doesn’t like carrot cake, but she told me she liked this one. And she ate a very large piece of it for dessert the other night. I had one too. And was quite content to polish off my plate. The cream cheese icing is the perfect compliment to this moist carrot cake.

Simply Organic uses organic ingredients in their cake mixes. To make this one gluten-free, Simply Organic amps up the flavor by using robust maple granules and brown rice flour. It has just a hint of spice, and the delicious flavor of carrot cake. You can’t even tell it wasn’t done from scratch.

I hope to try more of Simply Organic’s gluten-free baking mixes in the future. But this one will definitely find it’s way back into my pantry for sure. I already am craving another slice. Good thing there is one in the refrigerator waiting on me…

A slice of Simply Organic Gluten-Free Carrot Cake with a Homemade Vegan Cream Cheese Icing

September 22, 2012

I’m glad I know where Highland Coffee Company is!

Restaurant: Highland Coffee Company, Louisville, Kentucky

Awhile back, I lost my favorite local coffee shop in Louisville, Kentucky. I went there every weekend and enjoyed a delicious latte or mocha made with almond milk. They diligently knew what to leave out because they knew I was lactose intolerant. And then…without warning…they were closed. Gone. And I have had a coffee void in Louisville ever since.

That changed. In a big way. Today.

I knew of Highland Coffee Company. I drove by it every time I headed down to Bardstown Road. They used to have this amazing sign…until Urban Outfitters moved in. But, that hasn’t kept people from this little gem. Sign or no sign, this place was packed when we showed up. I can see what all the buzz (get it…coffee…buzz…heh heh…) is about.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when we strolled in. I just knew what the locals were saying. And it was all good. Since the sign came down, there had been an outpouring of support from local businesses on both sides of the river because, let’s face it, Highland Coffee Company is sort of off the beaten track. And to anyone unfamiliar with the area…you could drive right by it and never even know it was there.

Sad. Honestly. Because it’s nothing short of awesome.

After a moment of looking over the menu board, both my roomie and I were already set with what we were going to get. She ordered first…a small mocha with skim milk and some of their homemade chocolate whipped cream ($3.45). As for me…I first asked if they had almond milk…and they did. And I jumped up and down with joy for a moment. And with that happy bit of knowledge, I ordered a small pumpkin spice latte with almond milk ($4.00). And as we were being rang up at the register, Cathy spotted the gluten-free goodies on the counter. Gluten-Free Brownies and Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread. The gluten-free pumpkin bread ($3.50) was screaming my name…so Cathy and I decided that we would split a slice of it.

Highland Coffee Company's Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread — Highland Coffee Company’s Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread

Let me start by saying this…I loved that they had the gluten-free items away from the regular stuff in the case. These were out and tightly wrapped on the counter. Much appreciation for that. That means they are taking extra care to make sure no cross-contamination happened. And for this gluten-free girl…I love that.

The pumpkin bread was unwrapped and placed on a plate for us…with two forks. It looked moist and awesome. I was just too happy about it. I thanked them and took the plate to a table while Cathy went and waited for our drinks. While I was waiting, I went ahead and sliced the pumpkin bread in half. And then…it looked so amazing, I just couldn’t wait any longer. I took a bite of my half.

For anyone who thinks that gluten-free baked goods taste funny, are heavy, or have a strange texture…then they are eating in all the wrong places. For real. This Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread was moist, light, and simply delicious. I love pumpkin and this had the right amount of flavor and spic without being overdone. It was a great treat to enjoy as a late-morning snack.

Then…our coffees came up to order. Cathy got hers first and came to set it on the table. Mine was being remade because the barista realized after she steamed the milk that I ordered almond milk and she did whole milk. That would have set my stomach into a tizzy, yes? Anyway…they got it straightened out and my almond milk pumpkin spice latte was up in no time.

Cathy brought the drinks over to the table…and it was go-time. I took my first sip and have to say…anything Starbucks does, Highland Coffee Company does better. WAY better. I fell in love with their pumpkin spice latte. Simple flavor. The pumpkin wasn’t overdone or overpowering. It was just pure flavor with a great shot of espresso. The pour was perfect. No bitterness. And definitely not too weak. It was love at first sip.

I think I found my new favorite coffee spot in Louisville, Kentucky. For real. Because they cater to people like me. They have dairy-free options. Gluten-free options. Amazing employees. A great atmosphere. And really good food and coffee. I’m once again in love with a local coffee shop in Louisville.

If you haven’t found Highland Coffee Company yet…get down to Bardstown Road in Louisville, Kentucky. Look for Urban Outfitters. Turn into the lot and walk into the place under the giant coffee cup. You’ll feel right at home. And, much like me, you’ll anticipate your next visit and already be thinking of what to try next.

Happiness does come served in a cup. At Highland Coffee Company anyway.

Highland Coffee Company's Pumpkin Spic Latte with Almond Milk — Highland Coffee Company’s Pumpkin Spice Latte with Almond Milk

September 18, 2012

Warm up an easy Indian meal with Tasty Bite’s Peas Paneer

Product: Tasty Bite Peas Paneer – $3.29+

It’s been awhile since I’ve reached into my pantry and pulled out one of my numerous Tasty Bite Indian meals. But…with my fridge running low on fresh produce (I was out of town last weekend and didn’t get a produce bin), I had to come up with something easy for dinner tonight. I had just finished an intense circuit workout and was definitely ready for some food.

Thankfully, it doesn’t get easier than Tasty Bite’s Indian entrees. Honestly.

The next one up in my pantry was the Peas Paneer. I know…at first it doesn’t sound like the most delicious option in there. I mean, it’s peas, paneer cheese, and a sauce. It’s simple though, and sometimes the simplest ingredients can yield the best flavor.

Once again, making this couldn’t have been easier. I immediately got some jasmine rice on the stove to cook. As it was cooking up, all I had to do was tear a 2-inch slit in the bag, place it in the microwave, and heat for 90 seconds. Once the rice was done, this just got poured over it and dinner…was served.

Yep. That easy.

As is normally the case with Indian food…it doesn’t always look the most appealing when it comes to presentation. Let’s face it, the Tasty Bite Peas Paneer is simply green peas and paneer cheese simmered with onions, tomatoes, spices and herbs. When I poured it over the rice, it was this brown liquid with peas and cubes of paneer cheese in it. But…as is the case with many ethnic cuisines…looks can be deceiving.

While I wasn’t expecting spice (and this one is M-I-L-D), I was hoping it would have a little more heat with it. But, the mildness was actually quite good. And the flavor of the entire dish was excellent. The peas were soft, not mushy. The paneer cheese was incredibly soft and absorbed much of the flavors in the sauce. Putting it over the jasmine rice made it a more complete meal.

And…as far as packaged foods go…this one doesn’t hit too hard on the nutrition. A serving is half the container, so splitting it with my roommate made this easy. That serving only sets you back 200 calories and hits you up with 10 grams of protein. Because of the cheese, however, there are 13 grams of fat in this particular one. The sodium level, however, is at a nice 400 mg per serving. So, there are pluses and minuses to choosing this one.

My roommate, a self-professed spice wimp, loved this. She liked how the spices and seasonings didn’t overpower anything else and that every component really got a chance to shine with each bite. She’s absolutely right. And, she also liked how this one wasn’t as spicy as she anticipated. I keep reminding her that just because it is Indian food, doesn’t mean it’s going to hit you up with heat.

Would I buy this one again? Sure…but I have other ones I have tried that I’ve liked a little more. As it stands though…an easy, quick meal after a busy, stressful week. It was the perfect way to wind into the weekend. Keeping it simple…and delicious!

Tasty Bite Peas Paneer over jasmine rice

September 17, 2012

Nothing persnickety about Snikiddy Cheddar Cheese Fries

Product: Snikiddy Cheddar Cheese Baked Fries – $3.49+

I buy a lot of snacks when they are on sale…or part of a manager’s special. I rarely ever buy any of my gluten-free goodies at full price. I honestly just can’t afford to.

For awhile, I had been eying the Snikiddy line up of snacks (which include Baked Fries, Cheese Puffs, and the Eat Your Vegetables chips) with big kid eyes…hoping that my store would have a sale on them soon. Well, my prayers were answered one week when I walked into my grocery store and they were, in fact, on sale. I grabbed two of the Baked Fries to try (different flavors) for starters. I still had to remain in my food budget that week…so I started one place and would move to the rest another time.

First…a little bit on the company itself. It was founded in 2006 by a mother and daughter team that wanted to put out products for families that were seeking healthier foods to satisfy their snack cravings. And that’s what they did – creating a line of better for you snacks.

As for the brand name…well, it’s the shortened form of the word persnickety, referring to picky eaters. Who doesn’t know one or perhaps is one? Honestly.

So…good for you snack foods? Well, just glancing at the nutritional information…it does seem possible. A serving (1 ounce) is 130 calories. It will set you back 4.5 grams of fat for the day. These are low in sodium, cholesterol free, vegetarian, gluten-free, all natural, kosher snacks that contain no trans fats or hydrogenated oils. They have 50% less fat than regular potato chips and 35% less fat than Veggie Straws.

Intrigued? Impressed?

I was. But…the big test comes with the taste.

Today was the day that I dished out a serving of these to have at work for my afternoon snack. The first thing I noticed was how light they were. Secondly, even though they are cheddar cheese…they do not leave a residue of cheese dust on your fingers. This means my paperwork remains clean. YAY! So…after careful inspection…it was time for the first bite.

The texture reminds me a lot of Funyuns. And they taste cheesy (as anything that is Cheddar Cheese flavored should) without being overly done. They weren’t greasy like potato chips either. And…for what it was worth, I’d take these over french fries any day. And I love french fries!! But these were just as satisfying, without all the fat. They are light so while they will take away the afternoon hunger pangs, they won’t fill you up before dinner either.

Perfect snack. Perfectly delicious.

I can’t wait to try the other flavor.

When snack foods are done right…they are worth buying again. These will certainly be bought again. I was impressed.

September 12, 2012

Forget a boring bowl! Edward & Sons Let’s Do…Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cones bring a little joy back to ice cream

Product: Edward & Sons Let’s Do…Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cones – $3.99+

I never, ever thought I would miss ice cream cones. I mean…they often get soggy, and sometimes can be a bit messy. So, it’s always a bowl for me. And when I’m out at an ice cream shoppe or a fro yo place, that’s the way it has to be. Gluten-free isn’t offered just anywhere. And around here…it’s practically non-existent. At those kinds of places…it’s all about the bowl, cup, or whatever it is served in.

No cone.

And I never thought anything about it.

But then my local grocery store was running a closeout on their gluten-free aisle. Which, immediately sent me into a panic. What if they were getting rid of all of this? What if I’d have to really just start shopping at the expensive natural food stores (I would do it…but my food budget is already crazy!)? What if all of this was going away never to be seen again? I literally grabbed a cart and my roommate and I began piling things inside. Whatever we felt we would most definitely like to try, already knew we liked, and just were curious about.

One of the boxes that made the gluten-free closeout cut…was Edward & Sons Let’s Do…Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cones.

Now, growing up my mom used to buy ice cream cones and would scoop up some amazing ice cream into it. And we, as a family, would enjoy this for dessert. During the summer months in my small town, a little restored barn up the way sold ice cream (soft serve) and we would always go down there for dessert. They knew our order and had it ready when our car turned in. It was a treat. And we are an ice cream loving family. Despite lactose intolerance…I still am very much this way.

So, yeah…while I never thought I would miss that crunch of an ice cream cone…I discovered…I did.

With some So Delicious Dairy-Free Ice Creams in the freezer, last night I was looking for something easy for dessert. It could have been ice cream…or cookies. But, I have been craving ice cream. And I had a bad day, and my roommate mentioned ice cream. And I knew there was no getting to The Comfy Cow on a weeknight, so…ice cream at home it was. But…then it dawned on me that we had those gluten-free ice cream cones as well. So as I finished up my dishes, I asked her to go grab them. It was going to be an ice cream cone night!

Out of the freezer came So Delicious Dairy Free Chocolate Velvet Soy Milk Ice Cream (OMG YUM!!!). And I carefully opened up the box of Edward & Sons Let’s Do…Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cones.

They looked like every ice cream cone my mom ever bought for us growing up. They looked like the standard kids cones you would get at an ice cream parlor these days. The only thing was…these were gluten-free. So…I could eat them!! I dished up a serving of the rich, decadent chocolate ice cream into each done (one for me; one for my roomie) and we settled in for a true treat indeed.

As with any cone, it takes a moment to get down to it. First you have to devour the ice cream piled on top. I did that, lick-by-lick, savoring, and anticipating that cone. And when I got there…I discovered it was worth the wait. First of all, these cones did not get soggy. At all. They held their shape and their crunch as I worked my way through it. Second of all…the flavor was just as good, if not better, as the ice cream cones I grew up eating, at home or at the ice cream parlors. Honestly. And the best part is…these cones only set you back 12 calories. Yes. 12. Twelve. 1-2. They are fat free, sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan! In other words…my dream ice cream cone.

They taste sweet without being too sweet. In fact, it is more of a compliment to the ice cream that is stuffed inside. The crunch is fantastic…not too soft and not too hard. But it adds that bit of texture to the ice cream experience. Man…I was one happy girl sitting on my couch enjoying a good old-fashioned vegan ice cream cone with vegan ice cream.

If the little things in life are what make people happy, then a simple gluten-free ice cream cone brought me one of the happiest moments of my life. And I had another one tonight. I’m not ashamed. In fact, I’m hooked. I don’t think I’ll ever not have ice cream cones in this house.

Thank you, Edward & Sons…for such a simple treat that even the gluten-intolerant can once again enjoy.

Edward & Sons Let's Do...Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cone topped with So Delicious Dairy Free Chocolate Velvet Soy Milk Ice Cream — Edward & Sons Let’s Do…Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cone topped with So Delicious Dairy Free Chocolate Velvet Soy Milk Ice Cream

September 10, 2012

Chocolate Velvet from So Delicious Dairy Free means rich chocolate soy milk ice cream treat

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Chocolate Velvet Soy Milk Ice Cream – $6.99+

There is nothing more satisfying after a bad day then to treat yourself to something that might make it better. Some people turn to drinking. Not me. Nope.

When I have a bad day…I turn to chocolate. More often than not…chocolate ice cream.

But wait…I’m lactose intolerant.

It’s okay…because there is amazing, rich, decadent, smooth non-dairy ice creams out there. Sure, they cost a lot more than regular ice cream, but…they can be just as amazing. And it is really fun to play around with the base and check out the differences. I mean, there is ice cream made from almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, soy milk, etc.

Well…it had been a bad day. I went for a run to work off some steam, clear my head, and came home for dinner. But I still felt wound up. What I needed was chocolate.

And thanks to a sale at my local grocery store a couple of weeks back, I just happened to have some So Delicious Dairy Free Chocolate Velvet Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert in my fridge. In other words…soy milk ice cream.

Now, I really enjoyed the So Delicious Dairy Free Neapolitan Ice Cream I tried awhile back, so I had an idea that this would live up to the “so delicious” part of the brand. Little did I know how much it would live up to it.

Some women would blame the quickness of which I ate this on stress. Not me. I’ll be honest…while I was still stressed, despite a run and relaxing at dinner, one bite of the Chocolate Velvet and I was unstoppable. That was all it took. Hoovering now in process. My only saving grace was that I put it on a gluten-free ice cream cone (because bad days mean you get ice cream in a cone!), which meant I had to at least eat a little slower and savor it a little.

So, I did manage to do that. Here’s the thing…So Delicious can put that brand on their products because they always live up to it. In fact, I would wager to say that the Chocolate Velvet goes beyond being So Delicious into So Epically Mind Blowing Delicious. It’s rich. It’s smooth. And it has the same texture of ice cream. So, it’s like indulging in the stuff I crave…only better for me. Perhaps not calorie-wise (1/2 cup is 130 calories, and 3.5 grams of fat), but it’s far better than some decadent chocolate ice creams out there, which can top over 200 calories per 1/2 cup serving.

This soy-based non-dairy dessert tastes like a rich, sinful ice cream you would get at a parlor. It’s like frozen fudge…with all it’s creamy, chocolate taste. Yeah…I think I have a new favorite. Now, the difficult part will be not raiding my freezer when a chocolate craving hits. After all…it’s a dessert…a treat. I shall treat it as that.

As with many of So Delicious Dairy Free frozen treats, this non-dairy dessert is gluten-free, vegan and kosher. It is non-GMO certified and completely organic. It doesn’t taste or feel heavy. In fact, for an ice cream…it’s on the light side and after a meal, you want a light dessert just to cleanse the palate. This…is an ideal one.

If you are a chocoholic and want to try a new frozen dessert…try something out of the norm (or, like me, in the norm). Go dairy free and try on So Delicious for size. Honestly…once you taste the Chocolate Velvet…you’ll want to grab the quart and a spoon and go to town.

So Delicious Dairy Free Chocolate Velvet Soy Milk Ice Cream on an Edward & Sons Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cone

September 9, 2012

The road to recovery and reaching 700 miles

This has not been an easy road for me. I started off my year strong with a goal of running 500 miles by December. Well, that happened back in June. With that being said, I decided just to keep going…see what all I could manage beyond that. Tentative goal…perhaps 1000 miles this year.

And then…the great plantar fascia tear happened and I had the three week set-back that included no form of running at all. When I should have been increasing my distance and miles for an upcoming half marathon (at that point…only 4 weeks away), I was sitting on the couch, doing foot exercises given to me by my podiatrist and physician, praying with all my might that the pain would go away and that I would make the Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon.

I got fitted for orthodics…which I hate. I hate them like death. I have only run in them once, but I am going to put some more mileage in on them this coming week. Why? Because that is what my podiatrist wants. My feet are adjusting to them when I walk around in them, so it is time to see what I can do in them on my runs. But not the longer ones yet. I’m not prepared for that. I can tell you…my feet aren’t either.

Slowly…I got back out to the roads. Barely at first. A couple miles here. A couple miles there. I was afraid to run. Here I am doing one thing that has always brought me joy…and I have this almost paralyzing fear to do it. And when I would go out, I would run painfully slow…afraid that if I pushed more or harder, I’d hurt myself again.

This went on for weeks…and then, just before the Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon…I decided to just face my fear…and go out for a run. Just find a good pace. Stick with it. The problem was…the summer has been brutal so pushing would expend way too much of my energy and by the end of my run, I would be ready to collapse. But, I pressed on, even if it wasn’t the level I had hoped for. And my speed, very slowly, began to return.

And then, with the permission of my podiatrist, an amazing tape job on my feet, and a promise to take it easy…I made it to the start of the Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon. The weather was, as it had been, brutal. More so with Hurricane Isaac on the brink of making it to Indianapolis. The humidity was at 90% and the race started out under a red flag. This half marathon almost did me in. It took me days to recover from it. I was dehydrated, despite having water with me and keeping a slower half marathon pace. I wilted more and more as the race went on and just prayed to reach the finish line. Which I did…sooner than I even anticipated. No new PR…but I wasn’t there to set one. I was there to return to running and face my fears.

And with all that done, my next half marathon was only a month and a half away. So, I jumped immediately back into training (again). I know that recovery time is important, and due to the strain of that half marathon on my body, I really did listen and slow down until I felt back up to par. In addition, I started doing circuit training workouts to help build up some core strength, and perhaps strengthen some muscles. I’ve almost done it for a full week now and I’m already feeling stronger. My runs…are feeling better.

Or maybe that’s the break in the hot weather.

This morning, I’m heading out for my long run. I don’t know how far I’ll go, but I’m going to run over at Seneca Park in Louisville, Kentucky for the first time. Why? It’s a chilly 57 degrees out this morning…and I just need a change of scenery. I’ve run everywhere in New Albany. I know where the hills are, where the flat areas are, where it’s difficult to run due to traffic lights, etc. I need to just go out there…to run. No worries. Just focus on starting slow, and then building into it. That’s the only way to properly prepare for a half marathon…and I want to work on that.

With the Hershey Half Marathon only weeks away, I’m already looking forward to it. September has arrived and the weather is starting to cool down. Humidity…going down. And I find myself more eager than ever to go out for my runs.

Here’s to staying strong, to staying injury-free, and to the next 100 miles…

September 7, 2012

Recipe: Spicy Spaghetti Squash with Black Beans

A food that I have ended up loving more and more as I’ve gotten older is squash. All squash. As is pretty evident from my blogs. I use it in a lot of things, dress it up different ways, and turn it into casseroles, soups, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Even more so with the advent of Pinterest. For real. I can spend hours on Pinterest. It’s crazy-ridiculous what I find on there and I file away to revisit and even attempt to make. This rarely happens…but I have it saved…just in case.

However, when my CSA bin arrived with a spaghetti squash last week, I knew just the recipe I needed to make. I pinned this one awhile back, compliments of Whole Foods. I had most of the ingredients as it was either in my fridge, on my counter, or in my pantry. All I needed were some Serrano chilies and a red pepper to make it. Epic win. And this…was just as good as I hoped it would be. Not spicy at all…at least not for me.

Recipe: Spicy Spaghetti Squash with Black Beans

Servings: 2-4
Time: Prep 20 minutes; Bake 40 minutes

Ingredients:

1 medium spaghetti squash
2 teaspoons olive or corn oil
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1 jalapeño chili, seeded, minced (I used 2.5 Serrano chilies instead)
1/2 cup red pepper, chopped
1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained well
1/2 cup sweet corn, frozen or fresh (I used fresh)
1 teaspoon chili powder
All of the reserved cooked squash, about 4 cups
1/3 cup cilantro, minced (optional)
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

Roast squash in a 375°F oven for 50 minutes until tender or cut squash in half and place in a microwave dish with 1/2 inch of water, lightly covered with plastic wrap for 20 minutes on high until tender. Cool. When cool, scoop flesh from squash halves leaving the shell intact for stuffing.

For the filling, heat oil in a large pan and sauté red onion, chili pepper(s) and red pepper for 2 minutes. Add beans, corn and chili powder; sauté 1 minute longer. Add cooked squash, cilantro, lime juice and salt, cook 1 minute until heated through.

Fill squash halves with filling, mounding mixture in the center.

Serve.

~*~*~

This was really good and really filling. It could easily feed 4 people, although my roommate and I just ended up eating half each. Loaded with protein (13 grams) and low in calories (292 calories for half the recipe), this makes for a delicious, easy meal for any night of the week. Can’t eat both halves? No problem. Wrap up the other half in plastic wrap, place in refrigerator, and simply reheat in the microwave. It’s that easy.

And yes…this was an epic yum. I’ll probably make it a bit spicier next time. My roommate doesn’t like too much spice…so we keep it milder whenever I cook up “spicy” recipes. Play around with it to your liking.

I can’t wait to make this again.

September 7, 2012

Say “Hello” to Yasso Raspberry Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars

Product: Yasso Raspberry Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars – $3.99+

It was a manager’s special at my local grocery store that compelled me to pick up these frozen treats as a dessert option. One thing that caught my attention immediately was the 6 grams of protein boasted about on the box. As a gluten-free vegetarian…protein is important to me. And Greek yogurt is often packed with it. Turn that Greek yogurt into a frozen yogurt bar and…the potential for deliciousness is elevated.

With these yogurt bars, you get one nutrition packed dessert. That’s another great thing about these bars. For one thing, these rather large frozen bars pack only 70 calories and, as mentioned before, 6 grams of protein. They are all gluten-free, fat-free, and all natural. The dairy portion is made with rBST-free milk. This makes these bars an amazing source of calcium. In addition, these are kosher certified and contain no corn syrup. How is that for some accolades?

As for the name? Yasso is derived from the Greek word Yassou, which means “hello.”

Yasso Raspberry Frozen Greek Yogurt Bar (wrapped)

The only flavor available on manager’s special at the grocery store was the Raspberry flavor. While raspberry isn’t my roommate’s favorite, we both decided that these would certainly be worth a try. So…we put them in our cart, checked out, and placed them in our freezer.

After working through some of the desserts ahead of these, we finally cracked these open yesterday to try.

These bars are actually a really good size for an ice cream treat. Honestly. Most of the time a 70 calorie treat is itty-bitty. Not these. These were the size of a regular ice cream bar, but these are enjoyed without any guilt. I mean…did you take in all those nutrition stats I listed above? The flavor is all there. And the thickness of the Greek yogurt is prevalent without. But all this meant to me was that I got to savor the frozen treat a little longer. And that’s what I did.

Nothing wrong with savoring that sweet treat at the end of the meal for a little longer, right? These are available in three flavors: Raspberry, Strawberry, and Blueberry.

I enjoyed the taste of these bars. The thick Greek yogurt makes an amazing frozen treat and the raspberry flavor is the star. It really tastes like raspberry. I was blown away. And no funky Greek yogurt aftertaste either.

If I’m craving something sweet without the guilt…I would totally pick these up again. Highly recommended if you are looking for a nice treat to beat the heat…without losing that bathing suit body!

Yasso Raspberry Frozen Greek Yogurt Bar (unwrapped)