Another Success

You could say I'm on an Everyday Paleo kick. I tried another recipe from that site, this one is pecan crusted chicken. Mmmm! Soooo goood! Here is the link to the recipe if you're interested.

The crust wan't crunchy, like I was expecting, but it was still good.

Trey didn't make it in time to eat dinner with us, so I sent him this picture of Cheyenne. See, she likes her veggies, that's when mac isn't on the menu --- (trey).    :)

Here is my training from last week. I've got a 24 mile long run coming up, but I think I'll have some friends running with me. If you are a runner (not an internet creeper -- Ha, but seriously) and ever want to meet up for a long run, let me know and we'll make it happen. 10:00 - 10:30 pace is what I've been running lately during my long runs. It's helped keep me injury free.

Now We're Talking

It's been weeks since we bought our TV. Well, I finally got the wireless network to communicate with the TV. It took several customer service calls to Phillips and a few online forums, but now I'm ONLINE. Have you ever wondered why things that involve wireless routers are so complicated? So many meaningless numbers, it's all greek to me.

Whatever, I'm up and running, so who cares?
I can view my Twitter feed, while I'm watching TV and I can Stream Netflix, without having the PS3. What's up?! I may never leave my bed now. It also has some other cool features, but Twitter+TV has made my life.

Walking it Out & Paleo Enchiladas

Yesterday, I ran 21 miles and today my legs are feeling it. My ultra training schedule calls for back to back long runs. Saturday run long. Sunday run long. 

I've reached a point in training, where I'm confident that one long run a week, will prepare me for the race. It worked for COWTOWN 50K, so I know it can work this time around.

I'm about 4 weeks away from the Palo Duro 50K and I want to avoid injury and fatigue. Dropping the second LR, seems like the best thing to do. So, this morning instead of lacing up and running 15 miles, like the schedule called for, Cheyenne and I went for a nice walk around the neighborhood. Lately, she's been so well behaved when I take her for a run/walk. Luckily, I have NETFLIX on my side.

Do you like shrimp? 
I do, but I'm not all crazy about it like beef, but you know it's alright. I saw this super-easy seafood enchilada recipe from Everyday Paleo and I had to try it. I halved the recipe because I didn't want to waste a bunch of food, in case I didn't like it. Now, I'm mad at myself because it was soooo good and I only have one serving left.

Chey tried two shrimp pieces. She didn't care too much for it, but she liked the brocolli. It's so easy to get her to eat healthy food when Trey isn't eating his food in front of her.

Okay, time to get back to the Cowboys Game. I hope they win this one.

Last Minute Hugs & Kisses

Yes, I still have pictures from our Port Lavaca trip. I have this batch and then one more and I think, that's it.

While we were visiting with my Grandma Mary, she showed us this image. She's the baby, my great grandmother, is holding her. They were at a funeral, but she was not sure who the funeral was for.

We couldn't leave town, without saying goodbye. Last minute hugs and kisses.

She gave Chey this color book. Yay, something to do on the road. 
We hope to visit again, soon!

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What's going on this weekend?
I have 21 miles to run. I'm going to do my best to run at least 10 miles at a 10:30 pace and then speed up a little after that. We'll see. The main thing is just running the miles, so maybe I'll start there. Yeah, that seems like the best place to start. Other than running, it should be a nice weekend. I'm thinking about making those crack paleo cookies again, since I have half a bag of chocolate chips left.

Oh, while I'm kind of on the topic of paleo, I wanted to mention that anytime I go back to the dark-side/non-paleo, my stomach gets severely pissed. It's not cool, at all. Last night, I had my delicious bean, beef, cheese nachos with tortilla chips... you know, the whole 9 yards. Now, my stomach hates me. :( It's weird how before my stomach could handle the junk, but since I've been eating clean, when I go off track my stomach doesn't like it. Hopefully, my stomach will get with the program and realize I'm eating 80/20 paleo and stop acting funky.

Tiny Texas Houses

On our drive to Port Lavaca, Trey and I spotted Tiny Texas Houses, located in Luling.

From the interstate, we could see small portable-like houses. The materials used on the homes have a rustic, green, old-timie look to them. Trey and I decided we'd stop on our way back to Cowtown and we did.

 The materials used are salvaged pieces taken from older homes. I love this exterior design. This is something I would like to have in our backyard. It may look tall, but it's really compact.

We asked if they sell plans because Trey could build one. The owner said that's the direction, he's taking the business -- so be on the look-out for plans, in the near future. Trey could replicate the design, but I don't think we'd have access to all the salvage material.

Seriously, if I was a single-hippie, I would totally buy myself a tiny house and live in it.

This is NOT something we'd want to build right away, but looking down the road -- it would be cool. Not a priority, but something we'd like to have.

Even if you aren't interested in buying, if you are ever in the Luling area, you should stop by and check out the houses.

Chapel inspired

It's kind of a photographers dream.



This is a picture taken in another tiny house.
View Point: Upstairs looking down

Storage or bedroom nook
Bathroom

Gabe & Serena's Photo Shoot

I guess, I'm getting my feet soaked in portrait photography. Here is my first maternity/couples session with Gabe and Serena.

Serena is 31 weeks pregnant.

Serena is a friend of mine and also a photographer. I feel like a cook making pasta for the chef. I hope she likes what I'm serving. 

How to Get a Toddler Excited About Food

How do you get a child excited about eating healthy food? Have them help you, in the kitchen. It worked for Cheyenne. We made an egg, topped it with a little cheese and Chey ate it up.

First Game of the Season & Coconut Shrimp

First the important stuff:

Today, we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. That day,  I was a senior in high school. I was in my co-op class, when I heard the news. Our class watched the news and I couldn't believe it, when the towers collapsed. It was surreal. 

Now, we are watching the Cowboys game and I'm loving all these patriotic 9/11 commercials.

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For dinner, I made coconut shrimp salad, inspired by Everyday Paleo. If you are interested in Paleo, I'd encourage you to go to that link and read that post. I've been listening to the Everday Paleo podcast and it's got me all fired up about this lifestyle. 

As usual, I modified this recipe. I think there are only a handful of recipes, I follow line by line.

Trey had hot dogs for dinner and I guess he was still hungry because he started to eat Cheyenne's baby. She was screaming, "NOOOOOO, DADY!" My poor child is traumatized now.

Remember those paleo cookies I made? Guess who loves them? I would also like to note, they are addicting! I've been calling them crack-cookies. They are almost too good to be true. I still can't believe how amazing they taste.

The shrimp was delicious too.

I'll leave you with this bathroom photo, inspired by my little sister Tasha. I like to pick on her because she's always taking photos like this. Love you, Tasha and GO COWBOYS!

4 Things

1. This morning, I ran 20 miles. It was great, but I am beyond exhausted. I was reading Cheyenne bedtime stories and I almost fell asleep.

2. Shortly after my run, I met up with Serena and Gabe to take their portraits. They are the cutest couple. I'm editing the images, but here is a silly picture of just Serena. Yeah, scooter riding and pregnancy are not recommended, but I couldn't resist taking a fun picture to end the shoot.


3. I bought coconut milk, it's paleo approved. I got the brand So Delicious, (unsweetened). I used it in my recovery drink and I couldn't tell a difference. It taste just like the milk I use.

4. The last two meals I had I totally abandoned Paleo and now I have a headache. DOH! This was my first big binger, since starting the challenge. It was worth it and not worth it all at the same time.

PaleoISH Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've been craving cookies, for the longest time. So, it's a Friday night and I'm doing the coolest thing ever: baking and blogging. Don't you wish you were my BFF?

Let's cut the small talk and let's talk cookies.

Ingredients: 
2 1/2 cups Blanched Almond Flour (I used almond meal) 
1/2 cup Coconut Oil
1/3 cup Pure Maple Syrup (that stuff is expensive!)
2 Eggs
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
3/4 cup Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (this is what makes this paleoISH). I found this brand at Sprout's, but according to Enjoy Life's website, Central Market should carry them too. The cool thing about the chips -- they contain no dairy, soy, and they are gluten free. Chocolate Chip ingredients: Evaporated Cane Juice, Chocolate Liquor, Non-Dairy Cocoa Butter - that's it and OMGoodness I could read all the ingredients! 


Recipe Inspired By: The Food Lovers Primal Palate _ I changed some of the measurements. I used less syrup and Chocolate Chips than the original recipe called for.

This makes about 25 cookies. I'll freeze some or I'll devour all of them after I run 20 miles.

Oh, it was so gooey! And wonderful and magical because it contained ZERO grains. This is NOT something I will make every week/eat everyday, but it's a nice paleo treat.