{Get In Gear Half Marathon}

This past Saturday was a beautiful day for a half marathon!  The sun was shining, there was minimal wind, and even though it was a bit chili at the starting line, the cool temperature was ideal for running!  My sister and I suited up bright and early for our race with the best cheering squad I know!  I am so thankful to have the support on race day from my parents, fiance and sister!

  This was my second half marathon so I kinda knew what to expect come race day, however I didn't set any expectations for this race.   I didn't go into this race wanting a PR, or a specific goal time.  No, this race I was simply there to run because I love running and I love the challenge of a long distance.  This race I was also there to support my sister and be by her side as she tackled her first ever half marathon! 

 I had a blast sharing this race day with her!  It was fun to stand at the starting line together, dancing to "pump up music" while fellow runners glanced at us like we might be crazy!  I loved being able to cheer her on as she crossed the finish line, and was the beaming, proud big sister as I ran to greet her at the finish line!  I would say that this half marathon was a success!

Also, check out this delicious Quick Rotini with Sausage and Tomato Sauce from Cooking Light.  This pasta was the perfect pre-race dinner!  It is delicious!!  Click Here! 

Get in Gear Half Statistics: 

Time - 1:45 - 1:47** Official Times not Posted 

Age Group Place - 17th out of 132

Gender Place - 61 out of 591 

{Looking Back; Long Distance Races}

With my (and my sisters) half marathon being tomorrow, I find myself mentally prepping for the long race ahead! 

I in vision myself briskly running along, pushing through the challenges of the run, and in vision myself strongly crossing the finish line!  I find that visualizing a positive race the day before actually helps get me in the right mind set for actual race day! 

13.1 miles is no joke, it can be mentally and physically exhausting.  But, with that being said, I love the challenge (some more days then others).  I love the build up of anticipation as you wait at the start line, and love the thrill of crossing the finish line even more!  I am going into this race with no goal times, I am simply just running because it is something that I love to do!  So as I mentally prep for this distance race, lets take a look back at some of my best and favorite races! 

Strive 10 Miler - 2012 

Lake Minnitonka Half 

TC 10 Miler - 2013 

Strive 10 Miler - 2013 **PR

{Kale and Brown Rice Salad with Spicy Tahini Dressing}

Hello, Friends!  

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend filled with family and friends, as you celebrated Easter!  

Derek and I were surrounded by family and loved ones all weekend, and it was wonderful!  But all the wonderful food has me wanting to push my bodies reset button! And with only 3 short days until my sister and my half marathon (man I hope I am ready) I have been trying extra hard to fuel my body with the best, most nutrient dense food out there! 

Thats where this delicious kale salad comes into play!  Yes, this is the 3rd kale salad that has been featured on the blog in a short amount of time, but seriously I cannot get enough of this leafy green!  My next big challenge is going to be figuring out how to get Derek to love kale as much as me!  It is a challenging I am willing to take on! This delicious salad combines the goodness of whole grains with the nutty flavor of tahini.  Top this salad off with a little avocado or toss in some grilled chicken, shrimp or even chickpeas and you have yourself a meal!   

Kale and Brown Rice Salad with Spicy Tahini Dressing

Brunch N'Cupcakes 

Serves 2-4 

Ingredients 

1/2 Cup Dry Brown Rice, prepared according to package directions, cooled

2 Large Bunches of Kale chopped with stems removed 

1/2 Large Red Pepper Chopped 

1/4 Cup Chopped Cucumbers 

Dressing - 

2 1/2 Teaspoons Tahini 

1 1/2 Tablespoons Low Sodium Soy Sauce 

1/2 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce 

1 Teaspoon Honey or agave

1 Teaspoon Siracha 

Directions:

 1- In a microwave bowl heat tahini until soft, about 15 seconds.  Combine remaining dressing ingredients and whisk together until combined. 

2- In a large salad bowl combine kale with the dressing.  With your hands massage dressing into kale for about 5 minutes.  Make sure that dressing is evenly distributed. 

3- Add rice, red pepper and cucumber to kale and toss salad to combine. 

4- Serve sprinkled with sesame seeds. 

**Top with avocado, grilled chicken, shrimp or chickpeas for a complete meal! 

Check out these other delicious kale salad recipes from around the web! 

Pomegranate Kale and Wild Rice Salad - Pinch of Yum 

Lemony Kale Salad - Cooking Light 

Cooking Light Kale Salad Slide Show 

Enjoy! 

{Salsa Chicken and Brown Rice}

How is everyones week going?  Mine has been a bit crazy but I can't complain!  Hard to believe that tomorrow is Friday and even harder to believe that I am about a week and a half out from my first half marathon (my sister is running it with me) of the year!  And you know what is even more crazy? The fact that Minnesota got more snow yesterday!  I could hear the rain/sleet mix hitting my window as I wrote today's post!  Will Spring ever come?  I sure do hope this weather turns around quickly, and that it is nice for our half marathon!  

With my mind being scatter brained the trend of easy to prepare, yet delicious meals continues on with this delicious Salsa Chicken which I serve over brown rice!   Don't let the fact that this recipe is made up of mainly pantry staples deture you from trying this recipe.  This salsa chicken makes great leftovers, and packs easily for lunch!  Don't want to serve the chicken over rice?  Use the salsa chicken as a delicious burrito or taco filling!  I will say these aren't my best photos, I snapped them super quick the other night.  But alas I feel like they are going to have to do!  Just trust me, you should make this dish!  I hope you enjoy! 

Salsa Chicken and Brown Rice 

Brunch N'Cupcakes 

Serves 4 

Ingredients: 

2 Chicken Breasts (Boiled and Shredded) 

1 Jar Salsa of choice (I used Pace) 

1 Teaspoon Cumin

1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder 

Juice from 1 Lime 

1/2 Cup Corn 

1/2 Cup Black Beans 

1/4 Cup Pepper Jack Cheese 

**Avocado, GreekYogurt/Sour Cream, and additional salsa for serving! 

Directions: 

1-Prepare rice according to package directions (I used minute brown rice) 

2-Combine cooked chicken salsa, chicken, beans, cumin, garlic and lime juice in a bowl.  Stir until well combined. 

3- To serve, divide rice and chicken among four plates.  Top with cheese and toppings of choice!  I topped my portion with avocado.  Greek yogurt, sour cream and additional salsa would be delicious! 

Enjoy! 

{Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie with Chia Seeds}

Feels like it has been forever since I have blogged!  I have kinda gone full speed ahead on the whole wedding planning thing!  I feel like I will calm down a bit on the wedding front once the date is set, and the venue is official!  Lots of little ideas and plans right now but nothing 100% set in stone!  Wedding planning is exciting, but also makes you think a lot!!  And I am a planner with a brain that I feel never shuts off! 

I mentioned a few posts ago that I had been gravitating towards simple and easy to prepare recipes, and this smoothie definitely falls under the simple category.  But don't let the simple preparation turn you away from making this smoothie, because this smoothie is delicious!  This smoothie has a thick and creamy texture and is packed full of good for you protein.  This smoothie was created in an attempt to fit a little more protein into my life, while also providing me sweet tooth with a delicious and healthy dose of chocolate!  I added in chia seeds for a nutritional punch, but feel free to omit the chia seeds if you like!  Make this smoothie for breakfast, an afternoon snack or whip it up for an after dinner treat!  It really is yummy! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie with Chia Seeds

Brunch N'Cupcakes 

Serves 1 

Ingredients:

1 Small Banana 

3/4 Cup Chocolate Soy or Almond Milk 

1 Teaspoon Peanut Butter (Almond Butter would work too) 

2 Tablespoons Greek Yogurt (I used 2%) 

1/2 Tablespoon Chia Seeds (Optional, or throw in some flax seed) 

Directions:

1- Combine all ingredients in a blender. 

2- Blend until well combined. 

3- Pour into a glass and enjoy! 

{Fruity Chicken Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing}

The weather has been absolutely beautiful here in Minnesota, it feels like Spring has finally, Finally arrived!  I have been loving the sunny days, and mild temperatures!  It has been great to be able to walk to work without freezing, run outside and not have to worry about ice and snow, and to be able to finally pack up my winter sweaters!  Good bye winter!  I love Spring, the first sign of grass (even if it is brown) after the snow melts, the beautiful flower, and how everyone here in Minnesota seems to come alive once the weather turns nicer!  It is true that in Minnesota conversation can revolve around the weather!  Spring also has me craving things like picnic food.  You know, chicken salad, pasta salad, and fruit!  This warm Spring weather was the inspiration for this fruity chicken salad.  I don't know about you but I love fruit in my chicken salad, it adds a fun surprise!  This chicken salad features a creamy poppy seed dressing (I cheated and used one of my faves), tangy greek yogurt, strawberries, apples and almonds!  Its truly delicious, perfect on a bed of spinach or sandwiched between thick whole wheat bread!  Even better after it has sat in the fridge overnight!  

Fruity Chicken Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing

Brunch N'Cupcakes 

Serves 3-4 

Ingredients:

2 Chicken Breasts cooked and shredded (I boiled mine and then shredded the chicken) 

1 Granny Smith Apple Chopped (skin on or removed, your preference) 

1/2 Cup Chopped Strawberries 

1/3 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt 

1/4 Cup Poppy Seed Dressing (I used Briannas Homestyle Dressing, Creamy Poppyseed, my fav!) 

1/4 Cup Chopped Celery 

1/4 Cup Slivered Almonds 

Lemon Pepper to Taste

1/4 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

**Spinach, Avocado Slices, Whole Wheat Wrap or Whole Wheat Bread for serving

Directions:

1- Combine yogurt, poppy seed dressing, pepper and garlic powder in small bowl.  Stir till well combined. 

2- Place cooked chicken, celery, apple and strawberries into a medium bowl, gently toss to combine. 

3- Pour dressing over chicken mixture and gently stir until dressing is evenly incorporated over salad. 

4- Place chicken salad in fridge for 30 min - hour to chill. 

5- Serve over spinach, in a whole wheat wrap or thick slices of whole wheat bread! 

Check out these other delicious chicken salad recipes from around the web! 

Curried Chicken Salad with Apples and Raisins - Cooking Light 
Chicken and Wild Rice Salad - Tablespoon 
Avocado Chicken Salad - Family Fresh Meals 

Enjoy! 

Happy Birthday To...

...My best friend, biggest supporter and one of the most amazing guys I know! 

You fill my life with love, fun, and adventures! Here is to many more birthdays that we will get to celebrate together!  I cannot wait to celebrate you this evening, I love you!  

Happy Birthday, Derek!