Tis The Season for... Pumpkin

One of the things I don't like about running is the inconsistency that is really unavoidable. Yesterday I wrote about my fantastic run; I felt great, the weather was great, everything was clicking. If I didn't have to get home and get ready for work, I would have kept going. Today though, was a different story. Even though I had more time to wake up, I had a cup of tea, I stretched, the run was not so good. My foot was pretty stiff for the first 10 minutes or so, my quads were a bit tight and I was fighting a strong headwind on the way back. I tried a new route, so I really had to pay attention to the things around me, the potholes and rough roads, and the 'back' half of the out-and-back route definitely felt shorter than the 'out' half, but it was a bit of a struggle. And I only went 3.5miles! I ran the last two days and I have a race tomorrow, plus I've worked out every day this week. I probably should have just taken the day off, but I love getting to run on the weekend when the sun is actually out! Oh well. Can't change what happened. I'll stretch several times today, use the foot massage ball and ice my foot to keep it loose, eat well and hope tomorrow is more like yesterday than today!

Now, on to PUMPKIN! I always get a craving for pumpkin flavored foods in the fall. It hasn't always been like this and I don't know when it started, but it's a fact. The trouble is finding tasty pumpkin foods that aren't high in calories and fat (like the pumpkin muffins that seem to be everywhere now).

Let me introduce you to my new favorite breakfast. I had it yesterday and loved it.

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
ingredients:
1/2cup oat mixture (whole rolled & Irish)
1/2cup water
1tsp chia seeds
1tsp ground flax seeds
cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice to taste1tbs raisins


1tsp peanut butter
1tbs canned pumpkin
1 small banana, sliced

1. Mix the first 9 ingredients in a bowl, cover and place in fridge overnight
2. At least 15-20 minutes before you plan to eat (like before you go for your morning run or take your shower) add banana slices, mix and place back in the fridge.
3. Enjoy!

It was absolutely satisfying and kept me going for hours!

Then, this morning I decided to try something a little different. I got this recipe from Eating Bird Food. My version is simpler than the original, but you can boost the power using her's.

Pumpkin Smoothie

ingredients

1/2 frozen banana (or 1 small one)

3/4c almond milk (I used unsweetened vanilla)

1/2c canned pumpkin

1/4tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/4tsp cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth

Now, this was delicious! Next time I'll include the chia seeds, but I think that's all I will do differently. It's incredibly easy and healthy. Since my slimmed down version of the original recipe has fewer calories, it's even a great snack!

I highly recommend you give both of these recipes a try and let me know what you think!

What is your favorite pumpkin flavored food?

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today's workout -

3.5mile run

stretching