Colorado Skiing, 1/2 Marathon Training…and 1 More Way to Cook Lemony Brussels Sprouts :)

Hello, friends!  :)  It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but it’s not because I don’t love you.  Things are just really busy right now, and I guess I needed a break!  But, I have some simple updates and some simple advice for cooking some REALLY YUMMY brussels sprouts – we may be killing you with the brussels sprouts recipes, but I swear I’ve perfected the best way to make these healthy little cabbage heads!

In February in my neck of the woods, our kids have what’s called a “Winter Break”.  Around here, it’s also known as Ski Week.  It gives families a great chance to go skiing outside of normal busy times, like Spring Break, or the week between Christmas/New Years.  It’s AWESOME, and we had our 2nd Annual Family “Ski Week” this year in Snowmass, Colorado (Aspen).  To summarize, I want to live there – OK, or at least go back every year.  It’s just such a wonderful vacation place for families!!   We truly loved it!!!

In other news for February, Jennifer and I have been training hard for our first 1/2 Marathon!  I’ll be driving 3 hours North to join Jennifer at the Dallas Rock-and-Roll 1/2.  I’m so excited!!  I’ve always been a runner (starting back in my Jr. High days), but I’ve never pushed myself this hard.  I’m actually surprised I haven’t done it before.  I’d love to give updates throughout March, since our race is on March 25th, but if I start boring you, just let me know.

We are following the Hal Higdon Novice 1/2 Marathon plan and so far it seems to be working!  Every Sunday is a long run, followed by a day of rest, followed by 3 more days of medium-sized runs, another day of rest, some cross-training, and then back to the long Sunday run, which adds a mile each week.  We are up to 8 miles, something I wasn’t sure I could ever do when I first started the training plan.  It’s funny how much your body can do, if you believe that the biggest driving force of it is right there between your ears!   The biggest shock to me is that it seems like I have a hard first 2-3 miles, but the miles that follow have become really enjoyable.  However, since I am having some knee pain, I decided to get some new shoes today.  I’ll let you know how that works out.  :)  I also ordered some compression socks to see if it will help me through those first hard miles.  We shall see.  Any advice is appreciated!

I have some conflicting feelings about food lately (more on that later), but I’m trying to eat clean (although sneaking in fish and chicken *gasp* here and there)  and I am starting every morning with a green smoothie, made in my awesome Vitamix.  I seriously don’t know what I would do without it!  If you are curious, my green smoothie consists of 1 scoop of chocolate Vega, a scoop of Maca, a huge handful of spinach, 1 cup of “milk” (coconut, almond or hemp), some frozen blueberries or strawberries or mango (whatever I have on hand), and a banana.  DELICIOUSO!  Try starting your day this way, instead of coffee and see how you feel.

And in eating healthy/clean, I’ve become somewhat obsessed with trying to find the perfect brussels sprout recipe – and I think I finally found the one that works best for me.  Maybe it’s because they are known to fight disease, contain vitamin C and fiber, and help prevent cancer!!  And also because so many people think they are yucky.  I really wanted to make them non-yucky!  Try it – I think you’ll like it.  It is really similar to Gwyneth’s recipe but I liked the texture better with them being shredded (and so did my family).   This will only take you a few minutes.  And, it’s so good, it’s making my mouth water just thinking about it!!

 

xoxo for now- Kim