Ah Saturday. I get to sleep in just a bit since my gym doesn’t open until 8 am. I had a pre-run snack of dates and almond butter.
If you haven’t tried this combo, you must. It’s delicious, particularly if you have the soft medjool dates.
Passing some time before leaving the house always means self-portraits!
Thank goodness for hats, or Medusa would be heading out to the gym 
Hopped on the hamster wheel and busted out 5 miles. It felt really good. Do you ever have those days where you just feel in great shape? I was feeling it today, and I loved it. I am also feeling those harder chin ups from yesterday, too. Soreness down my sides (in a good way).
I was craving some protein waffles for brekkie! I don’t know why this same recipe tastes different as pancakes versus waffles. Or maybe it is just in my mind.
I had a lovely package arrive from a secret bloggy valentine. I don’t know who it is, though! I have a last name, but that’s it. It had some wonderful pampering stuff in there.
Thank you!! Scented with coconut lime. You put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up – sing it with me! I used this in the shower today.
I came up with a cool recipe for lunch today. I had some rice pudding during the cruise. Rice pudding has always been a favorite of mine, but I hardly ever make it (not exactly sure why that is). Anyway, we had some cooked brown rice in the fridge and I had an idea for a quick rice pudding:
- 1 individual container of vanilla greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 20 grams of chopped raisins (I had a mixed grape color type)
This was really good! It had some of the yogurt tang, but the overall texture was good and packed with protein. I think some ground pistachios would have completed it. Next time I will mix it earlier to let it sit and meld for a while.
I had to work some today to make up for missed hours this week. I will be going 8 straight days of work until next Friday, wahhh! But it was worth it.
John and I took a break for some coffee at Cool Beans, and I was tempted by a treat:
Goodbye 5-mile run calorie burn 
Came home to find Pixie being lazy on the dishwasher. She gets on top of it whenever we run it because it is warm. I love her giant feet.
Dinner was another experiment. I pan sauteed some broccoli in sesame oil, then added chopped cooked chicken breast and salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, I mixed 2 Tbsp of balsamic vinegar with 1 tsp of honey and 1 tsp cornstarch and added it to the pan.
This was pretty good, but it needs some other flavoring. Not sure what it would be, though. Maybe mustard? Anyone have any balsamic vinegar tips?
The rest of the night will be made of some reading and resting.
On a sad note, I wanted to take a moment and ask you all to please send your thoughts to Steve, as he has lost his father suddenly.
Try stuffing a couple of almonds into the dates. It’s like a candy. Delicious!
Love those protein pancakes. I’ll have to try them as waffles. Gotta dig out the ole waffle iron.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Weigh In Results (!) and Weds stuff =-.
PIXIE PICS! Lori, you’ve been holding out on the kitty pics!
I love this photo of Pixie – I think she and I would get along!
I am so glad you had such a great time on the Dr. Oz Show. I have tried to figure out online when it might be on locally for me, but I can’t seem to get anywhere with that. I will be checking my television listings on Tuesday though – if you know of anyway to watch it online, let us know!
.-= 266´s last blog ..Weigh-In For Week 27 =-.
OMG…rice pudding?! I’m so totally trying that out tomorrow!
.-= PTG´s last blog ..10-10-10 =-.
ok, that is a ridiculously perfect looking pancake! I always end up having to scrape my off and they get all torn up
.-= Alyson´s last blog ..Food Fun: Protein Macaroon Chippers =-.
I will have to try that rice pudding combo – maybe with one of those microwaveable brown rice cups! Honey dijon mustard goes pretty well with balsamic. I use that combo as a marinade for chicken sometimes.
.-= Heidi´s last blog ..puppies and popcorn =-.
You had me at soft Medjool dates. *grabby hands*
.-= Andra´s last blog ..Friday Weigh-In =-.
Mejdool dates are my favorite – I like to stick a walnut half inside one. On the broccoli, I probably would have gone with soy sauce, honey, garlic and maybe some ginger. I’m not crazy about balsamic vinegar.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..I’m on board! =-.
Now I will have to go buy a waffle maker
.-= Ron´s last blog ..Thought about buying dumbbells on Kauai =-.
That gift would be a really nice surprise- how nice of whoever sent that to you!
I love those days when you just feel fit. Where it’s not a struggle to exercise and it just feels good!
.-= Alissa´s last blog ..12 Days Completed =-.
Sophie has big feet too–she and Pixie should get together for a photo op! I like my dates with the walnut inside too. And the rice pudding–I like it too–last time I made it was with lite cool whip I think….I will have to try with the yogurt. I like the idea of making it ahead of time to let the flavors meld. And for the stir fry–one of my favorite dressings is equal amounts of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, mustard, and honey–might work good for the stir fry too…
I HAVE to get my waffle iron out!
.-= debby´s last blog ..In Defense of Plain =-.
Love the food except for the rice pudding and the dates, never been a fan of both of them.
Great workout yesterday. I’m being lazy today, it’s been snowing again all day, gym is closed on Sunday, road is too icy to run on and don’t feel like a workout DVD so it’s laziness day for me and loving it.
.-= Fran´s last blog ..A day in my life: Friday February 12th 2010 =-.
Lori, YES! Some days, it seems like I am a racer on that treadmill. I always push myself but when I am feeling really good, wow! I wish I came home to those waffles!
YUM!
Thx for the Pixie pic! She is sooooooooooooooo cute!
I read about Steve’s Dad yesterday! So sad. I lost my dad suddenly many years ago.. it is so tough!
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Happy V-Day; Healthcare Reform =-.
So funny, I know pancakes and waffles are made of basically the same ingredients, but I love waffles more and swear they taste better. That said, I’m going to make your protein pancakes sometime this week (no waffles because I don’t own a waffle maker). Just trying to figure out what to put on them as a topping, as my old standbys of butter and Aunt Jemima’s are no longer in the picture! Maybe a sprinkle of cinnamon?
Ahhh, Pixie. You can never post too many pictures of that cutie!
.-= Shelley B´s last blog ..Friday Randomness =-.
I always love your food pics. They make me remember that eating healthy can be delicious! I get in a rut sometimes.
Wow, I am just catching up and didn’t know you’d be going to Dr. Oz! That is sooo cool. I bet you felt like part of something “bigger” (smaller??) with all those successes around you! Congrats!
Hi Lori! Loved meeting you in New York!
Ann
Hi Lori, I can’t believe how good the pictures of your food look. They must taste sensational!
.-= Steve´s last blog ..Food: Keep it simple =-.