Exciting times #4
| March 29, 2011 | Posted by Sweet Tooth Runner under Special Breakfast Mondays |
HEY friends!!
So glad you guys enjoyed “meeting” Tara yesterday!! Isn’t she amazing?! Can’t wait for the other Featured Athlete posts in the coming Monday’s too! 
There have been many, many ‘exciting’ posts as long-term readers will know! See here or here for proof that I get excited A LOT. So here are some exciting things from today and yesterday…
1. Exciting Special Breakfast Monday.
I love Special Breakfast Monday!! Especially when it involves my fave ‘normal’ nut butter…
…and Katie’s chocolatified banana bread in a bowl that I made a few Special Mondays ago…
…BUT this time, in my empty jar!!
SO darn good!!
2. Being awarded this by two of my fave gals, Carrie and Little Bookworm!
You guys are the BEST!! I’ll be posting my 7 Facts About Me tomorrow!
3. Oat obsession.
I had oats today for breakfast (raspberry carob oatmeal)…
…for my pre-workout afternoon snack (banana-cinnamon-PB oatmeal)…
…and in peanut-butter-topped microwave banana oat cake form as a post-workout munchie…
I tell myself that it is perfectly normal to have a bowl of oatmeal as a snack. It was weird making it in the microwave though for once- I can’t believe I used to do that every day!! Stovetop is SO much better!!
4. Date obsession.
It isn’t enough for me to just go through a whole pack in a few days. My addiction is too great.
So when I found it in liquid form, I almost died. I now have date SYRUP.
Somebody save me!!!! Does date rehab exist…?
5. Choccie-Chip Date Raw Cookie Dough Balls
Choccie-Chip Date Raw Cookie Dough Balls (adapted from Averie’s recipe)
Makes about 8 large balls, depending on how much dough you eat during the process…!
2/3 c whole raw cashews
1/3 c dry oats
2.5 tbsp date syrup (or other sweetener if you don’t have any, like agave)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c chopped dates
1/8 c non-dairy chocolate chips (I used dark chocolate chips)
- Put cashews and oats into a food processor and grind until a fine powder is formed.
- Add the date syrup and vanilla extract and blend again. Add more syrup if dough is too dry.
- Chop dates and add to the processor with the chocolate chips. QUICKLY blend, or stir in by hand.
- Remove the dough and form into balls. Put into fridge to firm up if necessary, and ENJOY!!
These are ADDICTIVE, I’m warning you!! Although that’s probably more me and my non-existent self-control! 
6. Shin news!!
After talking to an expert dude about my shin, he suggested I:
a) Get my gait analysed again. I’ll be doing that this weekend!
b) Not run until I have no shin pain in ‘normal’ life. Then ease back into it, so no more ‘training’ for the time being.
c) Cross-train my butt off in the mean time! I’ve been warned off the elliptical though, so I glued myself to the bike today with my reading material for a 45 min session…
And he said I SHOULD be okay to run my big race which is in 2 weeks time! BUT he said I probably won’t be able to do as well as I had hoped what with the training cut-back and the affected performance…but I can heal-up properly, do my best, and anyway there’s always next year
7. Exciting workout!
Today’s workout: 45 mins bike, 75 min yoga class.
I haven’t done a yoga class in MONTHS!! It felt SO good!!
My back and glutes are definitely feeling it now! AND bonus- the yoga lady gave me a superfoods bar!!
Not sure why people always give me free food, but I’m not complaining! 
8. Early morning spin tomorrow!!
Bring on the early morning sweat-sesh!! I am EXCITED!!
And to help myself get up at the ridiculous 5-something-am, I will be sleeping in those clothes. And not brushing my hair or washing beforehand. Sorry fellow spinees.
What exciting things have happened to you so far this week? I also washed my hair on Monday. BREAKTHROUGH or what?!
What foods do you never go a day without? Oats is one example. Even if I don’t have it for breakfast, I ALWAYS have it in one form or another every day. And obviously, chocolate and dates.
What tips do you have for an early start? I’m relatively new to this whole early-morning thing, so I need the advice por favor!!
Enjoy the rest of your week lovelies!!
P.S. Don’t forget to enter my Sun Warrior giveaway if you haven’t yet!! Ends on Thursday!!
P.P.S.The wonderful Katie is doing a blog bakesale to raise money for Japan!! PLEASE support her!! You can read all about it here!!
I feel your pain! I got an x-ray and forund out i have a stress fracture in my foot!! only cure is to rest!! This is hard because running is the best stress reliever for me – i love running! Been doing lots of swimming and biking until its better….
I dont go a day without brocoli and hummus, and apple with cinnamon – so yummy!
To help waking up early i make sure i set 2 alarms, lay out my gym clothes, and go to bed with a glass of water by my bed so in the morning i can hydrate!!!
Hope your shin heals soon!
Can't go wrong with crunchy peanut butter! Love it! I can't go a day without…Greek yogurt! It's my miracle food!
It doesn't matter that the sun doesn't shine in London, because YOU are there Emma!! Love seeing your smiling face!!!!
Like you I cannot go without my PB fix!! Oh, and green veggies!
I never go a day without oatmeal, chocolate, and peanut butter. If the day gets too far along without one of them, I get kind of cranky
And by looking at your breakfasts, I think anyone would be excited to eat them!! 
I hope this one will go through!
My inspiration for getting up early in the morning is thinking of my breakfast!
I tried to leave a comment on your last couple of posts, but they didn't go through… sorry
And I'm so glad that you're spreading the word about Katie's bake sale!! You're SO sweet!
Have a great rest of the week darling!!
<3
Aww thanks girl!! I think you went to my spam (EVIL spam- how dare they?!) and it's lovely to hear from you:)
I will never go a day without pancakes. Nope-they are awesome and so refreshing. I had a breakthrough run today. It was seriously awesomesauce and I feel the need to tell everyone I know.
Those cookie balls look amazing. I have really been getting into raw desserts lately. You can always send me some free food if youd like. BAHA-I am forever eating.
YOU are so freaking cute! i loveeeee OIAJ! so good!
Exciting thing that's happened this week? Hmmmm WELL I'm being flown to Rhode Island for a final interview in April, YAY!!
Oooh GOOD LUCK!!
No fair I can't find date syrup anywhere!!
I never go a day without nuts and/or nut butters. Except once when I was sick, but I like to not think about that
My tips for getting up early are to just DO IT. I usually think I'm still tired when I wake up but i'm usually not and I'll wake right up once I get out of bed.
Hope your shin gets better! <3
omg! I just had my first "real" yoga "class" yesterday!!! What a coincidence!! One food I go without in a day is Baker's Chocolate. It's a must-have.
All your oat bowls/snacks get me so excited/hungry! I ran out of dates last week, I need to go buy more, but they never last long with me. My tricks for getting up early are turn on the light or move your alarm across the room so you HAVE to get up to turn it off. Once you’re out of bed, you’ll probably stay up.
Your oat bowls/snacks always make me so hungry! Those cookie dough balls look great, but I am out of dates, so I need to go stock up on them!
My tips for waking up early are to move your alarm across the room, so you HAVE to get up to turn it off. Or turn on a light if you can.
Yay! Love early morning sweat seshes! Enjoy
Everything looks incredible, as always!! Especially that raspberry carob oatmeal… so decadant!
And I am the worst at getting up early to workout… an 'early' morning workout for me means an 8am start… whereas a normal morning workout is 11am start. In my defence… I am late going to sleep and late working up due to my work schedule!
And good news that you should be ok for your race
You are so cute!
I always sleep in my workout clothes if I have to get up super early… Throw in a mint. Braid the hair the night before and you are GOLDEN!
It's about time that there is someone out there who is just as oatmeal crazy as I am. I cannot go one day without, it just feels wrong, like I cheated on my oats :O That raspberry carob oatmeal looks freaking amazing! You're making me hungry ;(
I made Avery's cookie dough bites too. They're heaven in a ball. I love having a batch in the freezer…all cold and chewy whenever I want one!
I'm a super early riser. My tricks for an early start are having as much prepared the night before as possible. I lay out my clothes, and have my ipod and my bag ready to go. Obviously you have the clothing part covered by way of sleeping in them. Haha! I also try to get to bed as early as I can so that I feel rejuvenated when my alarm goes off at 5:00. I love morning workouts!
So jealous over all those oats!
Your gym pics always crack me up!
Thanks again for letting me be featured athlete! Your blog is seriously one of my favorites because I feel like I can totally relate to everything you say and you're a super awesome runner
Cross training will definitely help! I can't believe how much fitness I maintained over the winter even with my shin splints. I came back into this track season more fit than I was during the peak of my cross country season even though I hardly ran! You're still gonna do AMAZING.
btdubs I love your breakfast and I might just have to copy you sometime soon.
Aww THANKS your comment means SO much to me!! I'll keep up the cross-training, and you definitely SHOULD copy my breakfast- it was yummy:)
ah i agree oats made on the stovetop is soooo much better! but being in college i must suffice with my microwave!! and oh goodness i wish i had the will to get up and work out at 5am! but running in the dark scares me hah!
Ahh I LOVE date syrup!! And Averie's bites; can only imagine they're amazing ith date syrup, too. Dates + cashews = love.
I'm more apt to have them as a snack than as a meal, actually 
Oats as a snack= totally acceptable in my book, too
Foods I can't go without would definitely be: yogurt (GREEK!), sweet taters, and brocolli!
I want to get some date syrup toooo! It would make such a great natural sweetener in baked goods…..now I just have to figure out where to find some!
Dang girl, you definitely logged in an awesome workout! I love long yoga classes.
Getting up early can seem pretty hard at first. It definitely was for me. When I first started working out early in the morn', the sound of the alarm clock was like death. Make things easier by having your shoes/socks/etc. the night before. Water bottle filled and all that jazz..
Food I can't go a day without: peanut butter. : ) Also, your obsession with oats.
Oats all day everyday!
I have an obsession with oats, dates, and chocolate too- especially altogether
Those cookie dough balls look so yummy/
I'm always up early in the morning. Its hard sometimes, but the best advice I can give you is JUST DO IT! Have a good spinning class!
I have met my match when it comes to eating oats! I eat it every day without fail, often more than once a day! Egg whites are another thing which I eat ever so frequently, preferably in oats bahah!
I'm glad you got some advice about your shins — best to deal with it now before it turns into a proper injury.
And date syrup — I love it! I had it on my apple and raisin podge this morning
Gosh, you are just awesomer and awesomer every time I read your blog. And yes, pell checker, I know awesomer is not a word. You don;t have to highlight it in red for me!
But what??? You eat chocolate every day? What's wrong with you??
P.S. Carrie just told me she might be coming to Tx this summer… any chance you could sneak into her suitcase?
But what??? 'Awesomer' isn't a word?! Well it SHOULD be!!
And I am SO JEALOUS!! I'd LOVE to sneak into her suitcase!! I might have to shrink a bit though…but I'd love to meet you and I WILL. Prepare the fudge babies for my arrival
Best tip I'd say is to have all of your workout stuff set in front of you including underwear! Have your bag packed the night before, baby wipe your face quick brush of the teeth then hot foot it out the door!
I really need to try Averies Microwave banana oatcake, yours looks so lush topped with nut butter yum!
I've had some very exciting news this week – all will be revealed! Glad you enjoyed your yoga class and yey for your shins being on the mend!
I know this is MEGA stalkerish… but Laura I want to hear your news!!
I can't go a day without tomatoes
I bought a big ol bag o' dates the other day and thought of you! When I was training for London Marathon, it involved loads of "get up earlies" and most of the training was in the darkness of winter. I invested in a LUMIE BODYCLOCK alarm to get me up – they're amazing! They light the room up gradually to mimic sunrise and your body wakes up effortlessly and naturally (well….most of the time!)
Wow that alarm sounds AMAZING!! SO cool!!
Haha!! You know you want to share them, right?
This cracked me up: “Makes about 8 large balls, depending on how much dough you eat during the process” I guess I should add that caveat when sharing a recipe with anyone. Haha! Glad to hear you’re taking good care of your leg!
great workout friend! I think those shins will be healed pretty soon with that kind of rest/cross training. New shoes might help. My husband does that. Thanks for all the oatie inspiration, I need to cometo your house for breakfast.!
Early start tips – I find it's helpful to have breakfast already made. Love your breakfast, and I can't go a day without oats and generally chocolate in some form. You're welcome for the award.
you are SO awesome! i love all these exciting things!!!! oh no i eat oats like 100 times a day.. okay more lke 2 but still thats more than the average bloke (theres some brit language for you- even tho bloke =man)
I had overnight oats in THE SAME kind of PB jar this morning! I LOVE it! I Never ever go a day without nut butter… ever have a great day beautiful girl!!
That chocolate-y banana oatmeal looks amazing! Must try!
I'm excited because I set a new record for my 6 mile run this morning. Always a great way to start the day!
Glad to here that you can still race! Sounds like you have plenty of cross training to keep you busy! Get those shins better ASAP!
hah.. exciting things happening to me this week? let's tryyyy.. earth shattering. guh!!
BUT I'm switching gyms and totally planning on trying spin class. at 5:15 a.m. no less. you're my inspirationnnnnn
p.s. also just tried banana, dates, pb, and chocolate syrup in the microwave all mixed together. looks gross, but tastes SO. GOOD.
Emma, could you be any more adorable? Just love you, girl!
I cannot find Crunchy PB&C peanutbutter anywhere!! Been wanting some so badly. Haha
I'm not an early morning unfortunately.
Normally I would say I can't go a day without oats but I haven't been able to have it in my dorm recently (no stove.). I have to have my cereal in the morning if not oatmeal.
Ahoy date sizzup! I could eat that stuff by the large spoonful
OOhh gate analysis is so weird – in slow mo, you can see all the muscles working and long hair flowing..it's v odd!
Ha ha, are you really sleeping in your gym stuff? I'm liking the look of those date balls, yum yum!
I'm up at 6am every morning for work so no choice really but I find it easy as I have a skylight above my bed now and don't close the blind so I wake up as it gets light.
xx
[...] recipe I made today was from my lovely friend Emma. I made her Choccie-Chip Date Raw Cookie Dough Balls! I reduced the sweetener slightly by half a tablespoon and used some 90% Lindt instead of chocolate [...]
[...] syrup inspired by seeing it over on Emma’s blog. Chickpea Flour, which I am having a bit of a failure [...]