Fun, Relaxation, Cooking, etc...

Since I started my new job, and my training for the half-marathon is over, I have an abundance of free time. But trust me, I'm not just sitting around.

I've been having so much fun doing all the little things I wished I could do before! I started reading a book for the first time in a longggggggggggg time, I've been cooking more dinners, running errands, making "me" time, and having fun. It's been so nice and I'm absolutely loving it! I feel like I finally have a well balanced life.

I started reading "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall last week and I've had my nose in the book ever since. It's such a good book about McDougall's interest in a Mexican tribe who holds the secret to long distance running. He compares this tribe's amazing runners to super-athletes and uses some very interesting running research to show that a lot of what we thought about running is wrong.


It's really such a good book! I feel like I'm reading it so fast and not soaking in all the great research he's providing, but it's definitely inspired me to change my thoughts on what the right diet is for a runner (ie. some of the best long distance runners don't eat meat) and to put more thought into running form. I even want to run barefoot now! In case you didn't know, this book sparked the most recent interest in barefoot running, and it's making quite the case for it, even though I doubt I'll actually do it. Maybe I'll just walk barefoot to build my foot strength :)

So since a chapter of the book discussed the benefits of eating less, but also eating better (ie. no red meat or processed carbs), I decided to make this week be a no-meat week. I've never thought of actually cutting meat out of my diet. I think it's great protein and adds so much substance to my meals. I basically plan my meals around the meat and then everything else falls around it. But so far this week, I've made black bean burgers and asparagus frittatas. Yum!

Below is the recipe to the asparagus frittatas. This is quite the filling meal and has less than 300 calories per serving! (Note: I found this recipe on The Frugal Family's Kitchen blog. Funny name, but it was cheap!)

Directions:
Heat a very small amount of olive oil in a large frypan and saute a mixture of asparagus that's been cut into small pieces, some chopped onion, a bit of fresh garlic, mushrooms if you want or any other chopped or shredded veggie you want to try. Saute a few minutes or until veggies are softened.

Spread in a 9x9" baking pan and then pour over that a mixture of 6 beaten eggs mixed with a tad of melted butter (or use olive oil), about a 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 c grated cheese of whatever type you have on hand or better still a mix, some basil, thyme, and a sprinkle of parsley.

Bake at 350 are 20 minutes or until eggs are set.

I mainly wanted to make this dish because my employer has a farm and brings in eggs from her chicken coop and everyone was saying they are so delicious! I love how they still have the dirt on them...


I also loved the pretty colors of the asparagus and onions sauteing. This blend with the garlic smelled so good!


And wah-lah! Asparagus Frittata...


In addition to cooking, reading, and fun, I've still managed to maintain a few runs a week. Here's how April finished for me:

Total Distance: 71.27 miles
Time: 14:23:04 h:m:s
Avg. Speed: 6.3 mph
Calories: 5,559 C

I'm definitely happy with this! I feel like this month will definitely see a drop in the number of miles because I want to focus more on strength training, but I plan to run at least 3 times a week :)

Question: Has anyone else read Born to Run? What's your take on a meatless diet?

Now I'm off to some more reading!