R & R

Ricotta -
for some strange reason, I've been craving Ricotta.  I buy the low fat version and give into the craving.
I make a couple of things with it:
Baked Ricotta and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes.
Baked Ricotta is the world's easiest way to enjoy the cheese:
you simply drain the Ricotta in a strainer suspended over a bowl.
Add whatever you wish to add to it - my latest had a couple of tablespoons of Black cherry jam that I needed to finish.  Mix well. Spread on a greased Pie Dish. Add any fruit topping you wish (mine had cherry halves.) Bake at 375 F for about 35 min.  Let it cool before you cut it.

Running-
I am back at it:)
well, as long as the weather cooperates. Currently, it's just too hot to run.

Blissology, Running and French

It seems like I do this frequently:
I challenge myself on a number of levels:).

Today:

Running (jogging and walking) worked out as the temperature fell to normal level. We were out on the trail for almost 2 hours. :)

Yoga  did not happen... In theory, I could still do it but I won't.
Meditation: Instead of sitting down to meditate, I looked up Wikipaedia's entry on Meditation. Just as I suspected: there are so many types....

Nature Appreciation: Always...  I admired the green foliage over the trail, my Black-eyed Susans... the bees moving about from flower to flower.

Food Awareness:
Today was mostly leftovers but good leftovers: Rapini with Soba, Blueberries, Mango Lassi - delicious.

French is challenging my memory...  and I mean really challenging it.

Day 2

... and another hot one.

My running is suffering:
I got out there today but had to alternate with walking as the heat proved to be too much even at 6:30 p.m.

Yoga: Blissology Tuesday Quickie
Meditation ; Yet to come
Nature Appreciation: a beautiful butterfly visiting my Echinacea and a young bunny hopping across the street:)
Gratitude: plenty:)
Food Awareness:
Socca with (fresh) Rosemary and Onion slices - Very delicious
Fresh salad with all the goodness from the Farmer's market - with Lemon Tahini dressing
Corn on the cob

and for dinner
more Salad
Mushroom Paprikash with steamed Green peas
and fruit, of course:)

And, since I ALWAYS appreciate a promising recipe:
Edamame Burger


Since neither bunny nor the butterfly waited for me to grab my camera, here is a photo of the beautiful (black) walnuts that will help sustain the local squirrel population:

A Long Week

... and an emotional one: my two dogs are now gone forever.

It's strange how under stress we revert to old (not-so-good) habits. Thankfully, I only latched onto coffee once more... and  have managed to keep that to a one-a-day routine.  I don't start the day with it. I think that helps a lot.

No opportunity for bike practice but lots of walking with my spotted friend:

... and managed to go on a lovely hike in the woods:

This week, I hope to get back to my Running training... 

A new snack I invented :

Yogurt, with Carob powder and frozen banana slices... delicious!

Weekend

Well, I keep going like the Energizer bunny - this IS the perfect season for veggies...

Working hard to include more leafy greens: Spinach, Swiss Chard and Rapini  are going to be on our plates this week.
I have discovered that Quinoa/Rice Pasta is very enjoyable.

I spent the two days fairly active:
did a photography field trip on Saturday all day,  It's a great deal more strenuous than I had thought: plenty of walking on uneven terrain while carrying a lot of gear, lots of bending etc.

then today we went for a run. We did run  periodically, scaled a steep hill,  took some pictures, tried to teach our mischievous doggy to run with us instead of ahead of us.  It was a workout:)
The pictures aren't the same quality - I carry a point-and-shoot camera for runs.

That hill was a lot tougher than I expected ...

....but the view was all worth it.

By the end we had a tired but obedient dog:)

Long Run

... and I declare, the Running Season has officially begun.
I went for my long run today.  Back to my favourite trail: the Beltline. For those who are not familiar with it:
the Beltline is a wonderful trail in the City of Toronto. It covers former railway tracks. In some spots where the soil has eroded, parts of the tracks become visible. Sunday mornings, the trail is ALIVE with walkers, joggers, cyclists, people with dogs, people with kids, old couples, you name it.
I am excited to have my little pocket camera with me this year.
Right now, the colours are a bit drab but there is fresh air and it feels SO GOOD to be back after that long winter. I have no idea what distance I covered, my Nike Ipod had to be reset during the run but I was out there for 1,5 hours.
It's great to be back:) Maybe I'm repeating myself but I LOVE this trail so much that during the winter, whenever I drove by it, a smile came on my face. Wait till the colours return - it's going to be so beautiful.

This little guy kept staring at me
while I was taking pictures

Training

I suppose, I was elated post-run last weekend, so much so, that I never got another run in all week...

I worked out: 2 spinning classes, yoga, stationary bike, Sculpting class but no running.

The weather went from spring-like to snow and down to -10 C at night. I need to change my plans and get to a gym for a run.

Tune Up Run

The second tune up run took place this morning. We missed  the first one - it was way too cold.

This morning it was much better:)
I picked up some coffee - a must before a run.

..got sidetracked by the glow :

It's amazing how deserted Yonge Street is on a Sunday morning...

Somehow, as I was putting my camera away, I snapped a picture ... of me:)

It was still early when we arrived with my daughter and son-in-law:

but soon enough, people gathered:

and we were off.

The first mile or so took me by surprise. The cold air made it difficult to establish a rhythm. I was also surprised to see several uphill sections.... This early in the season those are tough...  The three of us separated early on: my son-in-law was way ahead. Age and long legs were helping him along:)

I assumed that my daughter was with him but she decided to follow people who seemed to know which way to go... only to find out that they were headed to a restaurant. As she saw nobody else from our group, she ran an extra 2 K:) She did good time, too - arrived at destination about 5 minutes after me...

What took me so long?

Well, I had to take some pictures ...

The trail that will look "oh, so pretty",
in a month or two.

Uphill

Residential area

Birdfeeders near a school

Almost there.

Unfortunately, my Nike Ipod thingy did not cooperate: about half-way through I pressed the wrong button, never found out what my time was. But, my Daughter won a Yoga For Runners DVD in the draw:)

It was good to find out that we are "on track" - we have another six weeks till the RUN.

My Run

Beautiful, sunny day - with minimal wind. Temperature? Around 1 or 2 degrees Celsius (34-36 F)
2.5 mile run mostly on side streets.
It feels so good :)

Music - appropriately:

It's My Life :) - now, if I could only run like the young man in the video...