5-miler and hello toes!

Some slick sidewalks, so I am pretty much sticking to treadmill running for now.  Last winter I just exercised at home as I did not belong to a gym.  We don’t own a treadmill, so my outdoor running was really weather and neighbor side-walk shoveling dependent.  Now with the gym, I can still keep up my running (even though the dreadmill is boring).  I did 5 miles today.  This is becoming my go-to mileage on an average day, which I am so pleased about!  I did 3 miles at a 5.5 mph pace, then 1 mile at 6 mph, 1/2 mile at 6.5 and then 1/2 mile at 6.  Sweaty, sweaty!

Came home and had my steel cut oats for breakfast that I talked about earlier today.

Then it was work, work, work.  I put my feet up for a while and noticed this:

socks1208

So many of my socks look like this, although I don’t normally end up with both at the same time with holes 🙂 . I don’t know what it is about my feet, but I go through shoes and socks like nobody’s business!

Lunch was inspired by Caitlin today:

lunch1208

Toasted quinoa on greek yogurt!  My yogurt has vanilla protein powder stirred in with strawberries.    My take on the quinoa was done a bit differently than hers:

  • 1/4 cup dry quinoa
  • 2 tsp agave nectar
  • cinnamon

In a small frying pan, toast the quinoa over medium high heat until light tan.  The quinoa will start to pop as it toasts.  Stir often so it doesn’t burn!  Then add in the cinnamon and agave nectar and keep stirring until the agave is absorbed.  (It will sizzle).  Just a couple minutes. It will kind of lump up in the pan a bit.  Remove from heat and let cool.  Then use as a topping.  Full of protein and crunch!  It kind of reminds me a bit of those chewy sesame candies – anyone know what I am talking about?

Ornament of the day:

ctacorn1207

This is a Charming Tail.  I started collecting these 5 or 6 years ago.  I don’t do too much collecting because we try to lead a somewhat clutter-free life (said as I look away from my desk….), but they are just so cute.  I haven’t bought any in a few years, though.  I have a little Squashville parade that I should take a picture of, too.

Break for a snack with my latte:

attune1208

Yum!

So, having more tenant issues.  One of them is gone now and the other one needs to find another roommate or he needs to move out as he cannot afford the place on his own.  I am letting him stay for a while to find a roommate because I don’t want to kick him out at Christmas and I can’t afford to not have someone in there.  Finding tenants at this time of year is tough. I really want to get rid of this house!   I hope to put it back on the market this spring, so if he can just hang on for a few months, that would be helpful.   Sigh….

More protein for dinner!  These clam strips are loaded with protein.

dinner1208

John has been prettying up my blog a little for the holidays!  I don’t have as much time as I would like to play around with it (just posting takes a lot of time!), so I let him fiddle.

Question:  Do you collect anything?

31 thoughts on “5-miler and hello toes!

  1. runnin4fun

    We rent a house as well so I feel for you. I know your frustrations,been there! Sounds like you have a good plan though. I like the Christmas look-tell John he did a good job!!

  2. PTG1002

    That quinoa sounds good. I’ve never had it, thinking I might need to try it!! (Of course, that would require me to get some agave nectar too…) LOL

    Collectibles…well, I love the Willow Tree figurines but I have only two. Other than that, not a whole lot. 🙂
    .-= PTG1002´s last blog ..Monday, Monday… =-.

  3. Carrie

    I might have to try that quinoa technique, looks really good and would make a perfect breakfast.
    I don’t really collect anything except those Japanese cats that have one paw up. I have about 10 of them on a little shelf and they are cute since I love cats so much. 🙂
    .-= Carrie´s last blog ..Green Thumb or Not? =-.

  4. Shelley B

    Ok, that quinoa topping has convinced me to buy some agave nectar so I can make it…one question – did you use the entire 1/4 cup on your yogurt?

    Sorry about your tenant issues – that is the main thing that scares me away from ever having rental property (which my husband would LOVE to do).

    I collect penguins – have since I was in high school. Fun fact: when I met my husband I discovered that he collected them, too! It was destiny!
    .-= Shelley B´s last blog ..Cookies and Clothes =-.

    1. Lori Post author

      I did use the whole 1/4 cup! It was probably a bit much. It seemed like the quinoa puffed up a little during toasting.

  5. Jinx!

    I collect waaay too much! LOL! I collect snowman figurines, wire/beaded snowflakes, swarski (sp?)crystal animals, eggs made out of different colors and materials like alabaster, amber etc…, hardcover books for my ‘library’, rubber stamps, purple pens, and probably more if i think about it. 🙂

  6. Fran

    Lori, you go buy some new socks girl 😆

    I’m impressed that you run 5 miles on the boredmill. I still can’t get used to it even though it’s getting better. I prefer outside and luckily that’s still possible.

    Could you look if you have a possibility of putting an “RSS comments” on your blog? I can’t follow your comments after I’ve responded to one of your posts and I do that with all the other blogs I read. I forget to check the comments on your blog after I’ve responded.

    I can click below my comment that I want to be notified by email but that doesn’t work, I received nothing.

    I would be very happy if I could also follow the comments on your blog.

    xxx
    .-= Fran´s last blog ..A day in my life: Monday December 7th 2009 =-.

  7. Alissa

    You amaze me with your running. Someday I want to be just like you! 🙂 Those clam strips look really good. Do you use a certain brand?
    .-= Alissa´s last blog ..Tuesday =-.

  8. MB

    Being a landlord is great in theory but in reality it is a nightmare. It was such a relief when we sold our rental property. Dealing with crazy tenants and chasing people for the rent was so stressful. I hope your tenant finds a roommate soon and you can sell in the spring.

    I’m trying to get rid of clutter so I gave up collecting anything except cameras and photo equipment. I usually tell people I collect diamonds if they are looking to buy me a gift. 😉

  9. Jody - Fit at 52

    I am so like you with my socks too! I go thru them like crazy, holes & all. Well, my feet are wide, flat & bunions so I guess that explains a lot of it!!! I am pretty hard on them too.. work them into the ground!

    OH, that ornament is so cute!!!!!! Love it!

    Congrats on your treadmill run. I do 4 out of 5 days in the gym so I am used to the machines! I check the TV schedule so I can put something on & listen to music too!

  10. Ang

    I collect lighthouse stuff. I don’t really have anywhere to display it though so I’ve kind of stopped buying stuff. I get stuff for b-days and Christmas though. I also collect Sesame Street stuff.
    .-= Ang´s last blog ..Busy, busy, busy… =-.

  11. Good Taste. Healthy Me

    Lunch looks scrumptious!

    I don’t actually collect anything. My boyfriend used to collect shot glasses but now that we’re out of college he doesn’t seem to care too much about them anymore. He can display those in his “man cave.” haha!

  12. Heidi

    Charming Tails!! I used to work at a Hallmark store that sold those. Too cute! Currently (and almost ashamedly), I collect Barbies. I don’t buy every Barbie they make, but I look for Black or Platinum labels, limited editions and any that are related to me and my hobbies. DH & I also collect shot glasses from different locations we travel to. My guess is that lots of people have the same kind of collection 🙂
    .-= Heidi´s last blog ..Rain, go away! =-.

  13. Roxie

    Ah, runner’s toe. I spent a lot of time with black toenails due to running. Now that’s attractive.

    I’m impressed with your treadmill running. I’m getting ready to fire up some treadmill myself, but it is so boring.
    .-= Roxie´s last blog ..Cleaning My Side of The Street =-.

  14. Running for a Cause

    Lori, the protein bar, with Dark Chocolate looks Awesome, where did you get it?
    How do you cut up the oranges like that, what a great mix for dinner, clam strips, broccoli, and oranges. I am getting into eating more oranges, but they are messy.
    Keep up the good work and thanks for all the wonderful comments on my blog!

  15. Susan

    Love the Christmas layout!!! 5 miles is becoming my go-to treadmill mileage too. Although, I’m going to have to start thinking about half marathon training soon. Hope winter ends early this year! 😛

    I reallyreally want to try eating quinoa like that. And I know exactly what sesame treats you’re talking about. Yum 🙂
    .-= Susan´s last blog ..CPR, PBJ, SBUX =-.

  16. Diane Fit to the Finish

    Your background is so pretty! And the ornament is really, really cute. I love your idea of putting up new ornaments with every post.

    A lot of my socks look like yours. That’s why I always ask for new ones for both my birthday and Christmas!
    .-= Diane Fit to the Finish´s last blog ..Bad Habit #528,345,251 =-.

  17. Pubsgal

    It’s driving me nuts! I can’t seem to comment from my phone’s browser, so I’ve only been able to read lately!

    I’ve been loving your tour of ornaments! My husband played trumpet and euphonium through college, so he’d have been right at home hanging out with you guys. And my niece just started French horn this year…they sound so lovely. (They did a cool thing at her school, where the kids got to listen and try out different instruments, so that they were more likely to pick one that they would stick with.) I collect snowmen and snowflakes…like you, I don’t like clutter and we don’t have much storage space, so I need to be selective about what I choose. (In fact, I might need to pare down our collection of ornaments, because our new tree has less ornament space on it.) I guess the only other thing is socks with designs on them. Fun and functional. But obviously I haven’t been running enough, because none of my socks (patterned or no) have holes in the toes!
    .-= Pubsgal´s last blog ..Scenes of Our Season (+weekly update 12/9/09) =-.

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