Tundra

 

To say winter has been kicking our behinds would be in understatement. The last two weeks have been COLD, and it is only expected to get worse. Some places in SK are expected to reach -65C with the windchill this weekend. ==>Insert tears here<==…If you haven’t watched the documentary ‘Chasing Ice’ on netflix….you should now. You will learn so much about global warming and what is causing this crazy weather.

-65?! Is that even POSSIBLE. My brain can’t fathom it. 

I hit up the track at the university and ran a relatively slow 12k on sunday with the hubbie and Grey Robin. I had ate gluten AND dairy the night before, so I really surprised myself by pushing through feeling terrible at the beginning. Ended up being a good run, minus the hamster-wheel insanity. =) I followed that great run by a week of working, but starting to get my healthy eating back on track.

On tuesday, I learned of a new allergy. =( Kiwi. I had been sick a few days previously after eating it and hadn’t clued in, thinking I caught a virus or something. On tuesday, within 5-10 minutes of eating I had a sore itchy mouth and extreme nausea/vomitting/abd pain. Yay. Not. I actually had a break down and just cried. I am pretty sure my husband thought I was insane. The thing is…each new allergy just seems so overwhelming these days. Not because I can’t deal with it, just because I am selfish; why me. The list is SO long now, I sometimes feel like a freak having to explain my allergies to people. Thankfully I have very loving, caring, understanding people in my life.

Today we stocked up at Costco. We had NO groceries…as in…before I went to work wed. night we had 1 lb ground beef, one yam, an onion, and beef broth in the house…all of which I used to make myself a make shift lunch. $320 later, our cupboards don’t seem very full, and I still need to buy real groceries but we are stocked up on some of the ‘lasting’ things. Freezer goods, berries, cereal and what not. 

This week I am planning to get in two long runs hopefully. 13 and 14km respectively. I also am meeting some friends to learn more about strength training as encouraged by my naturopath and purchasing a introductory offer at a local hot yoga place. $40 for an unlimited month! Yay!!! I’ve never done hot yoga…so pray I don’t go syncopal and embarrass myself, haha.

To a week of healthy eating, tons of exercise…and hibernation. Screw you -65C!!

Gluten/Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Well… after aprox. 8 months living gluten-free, I have finally done what I thought was impossible. I made chocolate chip cookies with utterly PERFECT crispy edges and chewy centers. You’d never know they were gluten free! I think this means I can finally say I have mastered learned to bake on this GF diet! Bad for my waist line….good for my gluten-free soul. =)

I used a combination of a few different recipes I found on pinterest, and compliled this lovely recipe.

These cookies spread out A LOT, I warn you. Don’t bake more than 6 per cookie sheet. Each and every one is about the size of my hand….but that’s the way they should be. Right? =)

 

WIth my cookies by my side…and the brutally cold temps outside, I have had a terrible time running. Only 1 run in two weeks. Eep! Back at her on the treadmill tonight; and we all know I will be slower than turtles tromping through peanut butter with my belly FULL of cookies. No self control. =)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Made 22 hand-sized cookies

Based on this recipe: http://recreatinghappiness.com/dessert-recipes/classic-gluten-free-chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe/

2 cups Bob Red Mill’s Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour

1 tsp xanthan gum

1 tsp corn starch

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup vegan margarine

3/4 cup cane sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract

2 large eggs

1 cup Enjoy Life chocolate chunks (or any chocolate chips you like)

Dump everything in a mixer (except chocolate chips) and blend until fluffy. Add in chocolate chips.

On a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet, drop by tbsp full onto baking sheet.

Bake at 375 for 13 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Cool for 10 minutes on pan before moving to cooling rack.

Devour.

Wheeze

 

This week has been full of highs and lows. Above…I tried to get a picture of the icesicles on our eyelashes at the end of the run today, but it didn’t exactly capture them. It is back to -20ish C….and I could cry. I was on fire with running, and with the weather and going back to my old job this week I didn’t end up getting out for even ONE run until today.

Instead of dwelling on the past…Im just skipping the missed week and carrying on with the half marathon plan. Week 6! 

In other exciting news, I got a spot at the Vancouver Sea Wheeze Half Marathon hosted by lululemon. I am beyond excited as this is supposed to be one of the best races in canada (that says a lot seeing as it is only 3 years old this year!) Unfortunately I don’t have a run buddy going, but my husband will join me as my cheer squad and MAYBE my parents. If they can. The race sold out in 26 minutes this year….all TEN THOUSAND spots. Crazy right? I know I won’t be running alone….I can’t wait! I LOVE Vancouver.

Pray for Grey Robin as she battles though a crappy foot injury this week! She is so far in her full marathon training-this is heart breaking! Reminds me to be extra diligent with foam rolling/stretching….and to get started on some strength training. I know all too well how heart-breaking these injuries can be mid-training. 

Less than 3 months until the Gopher Attack Half Marathon!! (and spring!)