May (Low-Carb, Gluten and Nut-Free) Menu

How is it even May?  This year is just flying by, but I am glad that summer is almost here.  My

Not a short list of allergens.  

family and I have several fun weekend trips and special events planned.  Now that I am aware of what all of my allergies are, I'm going to have to really plan on what I eat (or when I don't eat) on the road.  Staying low carb, gluten free and high fat while I traveled has always been tricky, but doable, but with so many allergies to fruits and vegetables, my options are even more limited.  Luckily, I always have intermittent fasting to fall back so if I need to fast longer than normal (16 hours a day), I can.  You can bet I'll be putting together a list (in blog form too) of what to pack so I don't cheat (too much).

May is shaping up to be an extremely busy, but fun, month for us.  I have 3 races (Cinco de Miles, Gate City Half Marathon and Boston's Run to Remember).   There is also Mother's Day and my daughter's first ever dance recital.  Not that this is any different from usual, but I am going to try to keep my recipes as easy and quick to cook as possible.

Since I do have so many races this month and the weather should be better, we'll most likely pick up some pre-marinated meats from our local butcher shop, Mr. Steer, to grill so I didn't include recipes for those nights.





Are you ready for this month's list?

• Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl
• Taco Bake
• Sloppy Joe's
• Buffalo Chicken Jalapeno Popper Casserole
• Mongolian Beef
• General Tso's Meatballs
• Beefed up Meatloaf
• Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken with Vegetables
• Grilled Ginger Soy Pork Chops 

And, just to make my nutritionist happy, I'll be adding lots of vegetables to my diet as well.  Veggies, veggies and more veggies!

Here is a new one I'd like to try:  Roasted Spiced Radishes.  

Race Night Rituals

 ***UPDATE******

I've since run this race finishing it in 1:47.  I couldn't have enjoyed it more!  You can read my write up of it HERE.  

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In less than 13 hours I'll be standing at the starting line of my longest race to date  - the North Shore 10 Miler in Ipswich, MA.  My training plan calls for 11-12 so I'll be hitting the treadmill nice and early so I can get a solid mile in at minimum before I leave for the coast.

Although my goal race isn't for another 3 weeks, a lot of preparation has gone into this race as well.  I started my Half Marathon training back on February 1 keeping in mind that I would be training for this race in the process.  This 10 miler is a "training race" for me.  It will allow me to test my pre-fuel, fueling and recovery process.  Also, I will be running in new shoes so it will allow me to test those as well.  Not to mention the new calf sleeves (for compression), socks that prevent blisters and my new sparkle skirt although I don't think it will be warm enough to test out that one.  Boo.

In the week leading up to this race I've been working hard to make sure my nutrition is on point, lots of water, a New Nuun Active: Hydrating Electrolyte Tablets, Citrus Berry Mix, Box of 4 Tubes  every day and tons of protein and veggies.  The 2 days prior I bumped up my carb intake too even though my body isn't a fan and doesn't always like to absorb it.  I eat the healthier carbs like quinoa.

Cardio the day before the race. For me not my dog.

Since this race is on the coast and cell reception is likely to be spotty I got some assistance from my wonderful husband to download songs for a new playlist.  I'm hoping 2 hours is long enough.  Let's face it if it's not than I'll just listen to myself cry my way to the finish line.  I'd really like to finish around 1:45.

In case you are curious, my run will start with the song "Misirlou" from the Pulp Fiction Soundtrack and will continue to be fun but low key for the first 45 minutes.  Then halfway through around mile 5 Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now."  Yes, I think of Shaun of the Dead every time I hear it which makes me laugh.  Finally, a little GNR to get me through the last push with "Welcome to the Jungle."  I'll know I am taking too long if I hear Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire."  Here's hoping this extra mental motivation will work!

My pre-race fuel and my recovery drink are both from Vega Sport Pre-Workout Energizer, Acai Berry, Tub, 19oz   I'll be fueling up around mile 5 with my gummy Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews, Fruit Smoothie, 1.8 Ounce (Pack of 12)  and Nuun will be in my hydration pack.

As you can see, I like to be prepared.  Here's hoping all of these pre-race rituals will pay off!

Good night!

Raised to Suffer

I was raised to suffer.

I didn't come to this realization until recently. I'm 38 years old.

Case in point, I've suffered with environmental allergies since elementary school. I was the child that annoyed the class with sneezing fits, blew through a box of tissues in a few days and had a chronically red nose. I was constantly drowsy and could have fallen asleep at my desk in an instant. I'm just now getting those allergies under control after suffering through numerous antihistamine drugs that have come and gone off the market over the last 30 years, some losing  FDA approval, some moving to over the counter strength.



My former doctor back in Seattle once told me to come back in if my allergies didn't clear up, that I didn't need to suffer. His prescriptions kinda sorta worked, but did I go back in?  Nope. I grinned and bared it.

Growing up I felt awful. Being chronically congested lead to headaches and my belly hurt most of the time too (hello, long list of food sensitivities).  It didn't help that I was overweight from a young age and I knew it. I remember being miserable often. My health affected my mood greatly. Oh, sure, I have a ton of happy memories. I'm not saying I had a miserable childhood. It's just that, well, I felt miserable. A lot.

Now that I have finally been diagnosed with a slew of environmental allergies and food sensitivities I can truly take control of the part of my health where diet and exercise have failed.

I can finally feel good.

But all of this suffering wasn't in vain. There is something to be said for having to go about your day when your not at your best. While I feel like in a lot of ways feeling miserable and being in pain held me back in my career, I learned the very valuable lesson of perseverance and how to be uncomfortable. I've been able to apply that to a lot of aspects of my life, like my high tolerance for pain. Most recently, I've been able to apply this to my long runs.

When you are on a 10 mile run and you're just not feeling it, your legs are like lead and all you can think about is how cold it is, you grin and bare it because you know you have to get it done.  You repeat your mantras and dream of your hot bath and beer at the end.  And when you finish, your legs will still hurt but you take pride in your accomplishment because you didn't give up. You dug deep and found the strength to keep moving.

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Easy, Healthy Slow-Cooker and Casserole Recipes

Recently, I was tested for food and environmental allergies. I created this dinner menu before I got those results so there will be some tweaking for sure in the months to come.  My 2 biggest allergens besides almonds and hazelnuts are broccoli and BHA (a food additive).  I'm actually allergic to broccoli.  Who knew such a thing existed?  I'm like the idol of millions of small children. Needless to say, I have a lot of reading and learning to do.  I feel like as an adult I've had to re-learn how to eat too many times to count!

Slow Cooker Braised Beef 

Oh well, whatever makes me feel better, right?

Bon Appetit!

Slow Cooker Recipes

• Slow Cooker Mexican Lasagna
• Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs 
• Crockpot Crustless Pizza
• Slow Cooker Braised Beef with Carrot Mash
• Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken Thighs
• Slow Cooker Kielbasa, Cabbage and Onions
• Slow Cooker BBQ Meatloaf
• Honey-Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
• Slow Cooker Kalua Pork

Casseroles

• Low Carb Chili Cheese Coney Casserole
• Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
• Sausage Spinach Bake

Chicken Dinners

• Crispy Chicken Drumsticks
• Baked Garlic Chicken Parm (replace breadcrumbs with pork rinds)