Newburyport Half Marathon Recap

Yesterday my sister and I ran the Newburyport Half Marathon and we couldn't have asked for better weather. The air was nice and crisp with little wind and it was slightly overcast and since the race didn't start until 10:00am it had warmed up just enough for perfect fall running weather. The course was very scenic and went throughout the City of Newburyport in neighborhoods, around the center and near the water. The course was gorgeous and it was marketed as a flat course but there was a few steady inclines and hills that you felt but overall it was relatively flat.


My sister and I right around the finish line, this was her first half marathon!

Since this was my sister's first half marathon and I helped train her I decided to run the whole race with her. She did an awesome job and in the picture above it looks like she is doing better than me. We crossed the finish line in 2:02 which was awesome since Kristina's goal was to finish under 2:05. She kicked it at the very end of the race and beat me but I figured I would let her :) since it was her first and my seventh half marathon.

After race party

Once we finished the race we headed to the car to change then met up with my parents, Joe and Abigail to enjoy some after race beers. They had Peak Organic Brewing Company there as the beer sponsor and it was delicious. I had never tried their beer before but I will be in search for it next time I am at the store because it was delicious.


 

Kristina, Abigail and I post race

Proudly wearing our yo yo medals and enjoying our well deserved beers

The closest my dad will get to finishing a race

After we enjoyed the post race party we headed over to the center and found a cute diner to have lunch.  The service was a little slow but it was worth the wait because my wrap was delicious.

Abigail wearing nonno's hat (that is what she will call my dad)

Turkey bacon ranch wrap on a spinach tortilla

Question: What is the best part of a race for you?

Breast Cancer Cook Off

Last night I attended a cook off which was benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure which is a foundation for seeking to cure Breast cancer. The cook off theme was fall or comfort foods so you needed to base your dish off of those themes. I went with making Rachael Ray's Enchil-lasagna. I made the turkey meatloaf Friday night so that yesterday all i would have to do is assemble the Echil-lasagna at my sisters house before heading to the fundraiser.

Celery, onion, bay leaf, stuffing cubes and chicken stock

Stuffing cubes - a key ingredient in this dish

Mixing all ingredients to form the turkey meatloaf

Finished product of the turkey meatloaf, this is a delicious recipe by itself

Since I had cooked the turkey meatloaf which is a key ingredient for the Enchil-lasagna it was easy and quick to put it together. Sorry I didn't take pictures while I was assembling it, I forgot but here is the finished product.

Once everything was cooked we headed over to the fundraiser which was at my sister's cousins house. My sister made Rachael Ray's Apple and Onion Stuffin' Muffins, which were delicious and would be a great side for Thanksgiving. If you haven't noticed by now my family loves Rachael Ray and her recipes.

Once we got to the party we brought in our cook off items.  They had the garage decorated so cute and everything was pink for breast cancer.

Dessert table, everything had pink involved somehow



My brother-in-law and Abigail

There was a lot of different types of food yesterday which was very good and a few things I didn't care for too much but overall the food was delicious. No one in my family won but we still had a great time and the event raised over $1,300 which was a huge success.

My sister and I left the party on the earlier side so we could go home and get a good night sleep before our half marathon today, the recap will be coming shortly. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend.

Question: What is the best type of fundraising event you have attended?

Apple Picking

Yesterday morning my sister and I headed out for a 10 mile run before we made our trip to Stow for our annual apple picking trip with my family. The run was a rough one for me because I was dehydrated and there were several hills along our route that I wasn't expecting. I somehow managed to finish with a decent pace of about 9:35. Then it was back to my sister's to shower and have a quick egg white breakfast sandwich before we met everyone else to head apple picking.

We headed out to get our apples but needed some pictures before we got started since it was Abigail's first apple picking.
 

She wasn't too sure about this apple picking thing!



My dad and Abigail in the pumpkin patch

Once we starter heading into the orchards the rule is no one can start picking until my uncle takes a bite of an apple on the tree I know it's weird but we all have our crazy family traditions.

Let apple picking begin!

We filled our bags quickly since it was about 80 degrees and plus we all just wanted to eat. I swear we don't go for the apples but the picnic we have after, which always includes my mothers homemade chicken cutlets and roasted red pepper sandwiches, wine, and donuts and cheese from the apple shop. Sorry there is not pictures of the food I guess I was too hungry to think about pictures.

Question: What is a family tradition you have with your family? 

LARABAR Giveaway

Well we have a winner for the Larabar Giveaway. Congrats to Lauren at The Running Cook for winning the giveaway. Please email me your address so I can get the package out to you.

Okay I am off to a class at the gym which is a 30 minute strength training circuit type class taught by my trainer Keri.

It is a great workout and I even got my sister to take it so that makes it more fun!

Then my sister, mom, Abigail, a friend and I are heading to the Yankee Candle Flagship store. Later we have a birthday party to attend. Then tomorrow we get to go apple picking with the family, I can't wait!

Have a great weekend!

Question: What are your fun plans for the weekend?

WIAW

Welcome to another WIAW inspired by Jenn at Peas and Crayons.

Yesterday morning I made Gina's Pumpkin Banana Smoothie from Running to the Kitchen. It was so delicious and just screamed fall which was perfect for a cool crisp morning.

 

Lunch yesterday was leftover chili that I made on Sunday, I think it taste even better a few days later because all the ingredients get to sit and blend together. I ate my chili with some whole grain scoops, yummy!

After work I headed to the gym for a great strength training session with Keri, so needless to say I was starving when I got home. I decided to make some burritos for Joe and I which was a new recipe for me. I cut the chicken into bite size pieces and cooked that along with peppers and onions in a pot with a little chicken stock. I spiced the dish up with the spices from McCormick Recipe Inspirations, Spanish Chicken Skillet. Once the chicken was cooked I took some of that and Uncle Ben's 90 second brown rice and added that to a tortilla with guacamole, shredded Mexican cheese and salsa. This was better than expected!

 

Question: What is a recipe that surprises you on its tastiness?

**Don't forget to enter my LÄRABAR giveaway**

Turkey Chili

Well I knew it was a Sunday in the fall when football was on tv and chili was cooking. It has gotten chilly here in Boston over the past week so I was in need of some warm comfort food.

Ingredients:
1 package 99% ground turkey meat

4 cans stewed tomatoes 15 oz. crushed with hands

2 kidney beans 15 oz. drained

2 tsp. tomato paste

¾ cup chicken stock

2 cups chopped onion

4 garlic cloves, chopped

1 cup chopped green pepper

Olive oil to taste

2-4 tbl Chili powder

2 tbl ground cumin

2 tbl red pepper flakes

1 tsp dried oregano

First you must brown the turkey in a pan and since I try to not use too much oil I coat the pan with chicken stock instead. Cook the turkey until it is fully cooked and slightly browned.

As that is cooking, in a stock pot place the peppers and onions and cook until tender.

Then add the garlic, chili powder, cumin and red pepper flakes stir to combine.

Add tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken stock, beans, oregano and cooked turkey meat. Bring to a boil and let simmer uncovered for about a half hour to an hour.

Question: What is your favorite soup/chili recipe?

**Don't forget to enter my giveaway**

Fall is in the Air

I have the day off from work today so I can watch my beautiful niece. Since she is still sleeping I was able to make myself a nice breakfast and even blog before she wakes up, this is perfect!

I started my breakfast with a pumpkin spiced iced coffee, which is delicious. It has a nice cinnamon pumpkin flavor that just screams fall and since it is only about 50 degrees this morning it was lovely to have a taste of fall in my coffee. If you like pumpkin and have a keurig I would highly recommend this flavor!

After I made my coffee I started to make an egg white breakfast sandwich with cheese and spinach on a whole wheat Foldit. If you haven't tried this bread yet you should it is only 90 calories and it is delicious!

Once my egg was cooked I toasted my bread a little then topped it with the egg and cheese, spinach and a good amount of hot sauce. This was so good and I wish I could find time in the morning to make a breakfast like this every moring. 

 

Question: What is your favorite fall coffee flavor?

Fall has Arrived

So fall has arrived in full force in Boston. The past three days have been nonstop rain and cold. Why does the summer always fly by, I feel like it was just fourth of July.

Rain, rain go away!

With the fall comes warm cooked meals, apple picking, pumpkin beer or pumpkin anything for that matter. Maybe fall isn't such a bad thing. The other night I had my inlaws and parents over for dinner to discuss some wedding plans. I made my delicious turkey meatloaf inspired by Rachael Ray. I change the recipe slightly by omitting the butter and use very little oil just to make it a little healthier.

Ingredients

1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 large onion, chopped
3-4 ribs celery from the heart, with leafy tops, chopped
1 bay leaf
Ground pepper to taste
1/2 bag stuffing cubes, such as Pepperidge Farm brand
2 tablespoons poultry seasoning
2 cups chicken stock
1 package 99% lean ground turkey (I usually use ShadyBrook)
1 egg

Preparation

Pre-heat the oven to 400°F.
Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat and add EVOO. Then add the onion, celery and bay leaf to the skillet, season with pepper and cook until tender which is about 10 minutes. Add the stuffing cubes to the skillet, season with poultry seasoning and then moisten with 2 cups chicken stock. Remove the bay leaf.

Place the stuffing in a bowl and cool.

Once cool enough to handle, add the turkey and egg and together. Form the meat mix into a long loaf on a nonstick baking sheet or pyrex pan. Cook in the oven for about an hour, or until brown and cooked through (165°F internal temperature on a meat thermometer).

Turkey meatloaf going in the oven......yummy!

Sorry I didn't take a picture of the final product I was preoccupied with my guests.

Question: What is your favorite fall meal?

**Also please check out the awesome giveaway at The Vegetable Life**