Ever Try Blue Apron? & New Training Plan!

We are one day closer to FRIYAY! Have you ever tried Blue Apron before? I was pretty skeptical to try it, since I really love making my meals from scratch, picking out recipes, shopping for the ingredients, and making my own creations, but since we're going on vacation next week and I'm still in the post-marathon lazy-phase, I figured it would be a good chance to try it out and leave us with less leftovers/fresh produce in the fridge to throw out! I also got my first 3 meals free from Hungry Runner Girls' post, so that was a pretty good deciding factor ;)

It was pretty exciting to come home and see the box sitting on our doorstep! I really love shopping for food, but also really love the ease of having meals already planned out for us. Plus, who doesn't love coming home to a package?!?

All three meals (we got the 3 meal, 2-person plan, normally $39.95) came together and they came with the recipe sheets like the one above. I really love that all the food is hormone free, farm-fresh seasonal products, and the sheets are really detailed! I chose to cook up the crispy chicken tenders with fresh zucchini, and roasted potatoes! 

The entire meal prep, oven preheat, cooking, and reading the directions took about an hour (the recipe card said that prep should take 15 minutes and cooking should take 20-25 minutes), I took my time to let the oven preheat and also read over the recipe a few times, so I think that's why it took me a bit longer. The recipe was pretty detailed, so it's a good thing I read over it a few times!

The meal even came with an aioli dipping sauce for the tenders and potatoes and a chimichurri seasoning to coat the zucchini with! I liked this part of the meal because it gave me a few more ideas to create new sauces for veggies and switch things up a bit. The meal turned out really delicious and fresh!

We have two more meals to cook and I currently have another week of scheduled meals to try after our vacation (easier than planning it out when we return). I'm not sure if I would do Blue Apron all the time since I really do love recipe planning and shopping for organic local produce, but could see myself doing this once and a while to switch it up! Overall, the price wasn't too much considering that everything is measured out for you and it's three meals for two people (serving sizes are really generous).

If I lived alone this would be really inexpensive as I would utilize the leftovers for both dinners/lunches for the entire week and would just need to worry about breakfast/snacks! Keeping my meals healthy and fresh!

Still no running for me, but I did make it to the gym yesterday! 20 minutes on the elliptical and 10 minutes on the stationary bike. Barely broke a sweat, but felt SO good to move my legs again!

I also ordered the Hanson's Marathon Method book and can't wait to dive into it this weekend and begin planning for Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Marathon in November! 

Just finished my book about the Appalachian Trail, so I needed to order a new one for our vacation next week (since hopefully we'll get to spend a day at the Ocean)! I heard super good things about this one and cannot wait to start it.

Ever tried a service like Blue Apron?

Do you like to meal plan and prep or would rather just utilize a service to have your meals all set for you?

Training cycles- do you always use the same one or try different ones? Do you have a favorite go-to training plan?

Currently reading?

Beginning the taper

Alright. I am determined to not let the taper-crazies get to me this training cycle! I have officially begun tapering and have less than 3 weeks until race day. Today I slept in until 8:30- I can't remember the last time I slept that late, but it was definitely needed! We made breakfast (avocado smash on a sesame bagel & egg on top) then I went to work meal prepping for the week. Chicken & Rice Soup for lunches, roasted a whole chicken for use in both the soup & chicken tacos we'll have this week, baked sweet potatoes for breakfasts, and green egg frittatas for breakfast!

 

The chicken was possibly the best one I've ever done- melted 3-4 tablespoons in the pan & brushed it onto the chicken. Topped the chicken with thyme, garlic, oregano, rosemary, and fennel seeds. Recipe for the green egg fritata will be posted up on the recipe page shortly!

After cooking and had a small window where the rain let-up (it's been overcast and rainy all weekend), we headed down to the lake (about a mile from where we live) and did a 3 mile easy run! It was a great way to shake out my legs from yesterdays long run and recover. 

Stella was pretty angry (hangry maybe?) at us towards the end and we kinda had to drag her back (seen in the photo above). Sorry Stells....

After our run, I headed to the skating club's ice show- it was super cute and concluded the end of our season until summer! Then I saw this fantastic bald eagle on my drive home. It really is the little things in life you guys....

Just left Alex in charge of the feta spinach stuffed chicken and maple roasted brussel sprouts for dinner and it kinda smells like something may be burning...gotta go! Have a great Sunday eve!

Favorite recovery methods the day after a long run? 

Any good meal prep recipes you care to share?

April mileage and family run day!

And just like that our weekend comes to a close and it's Sunday night- I really wish we included Fridays as part of the weekend... it would make a huge difference! Started off the day with Alex making us banana protein pancakes and bacon- YUM. They were so delicious and then we went about some Sunday morning chores (re-potting some plants, hanging photos in our new place, meal-prep, laundry, etc.). It was finally SUNNY out again so we ventured outside with Stella and went for a short run together down by the lake. 

It was around 41 degrees out, but felt amazing since this was the first run this week that I did outside. It's looking like it may snow again the first part of the week, but I am determined to only run on the treadmill ONCE this whole week- beat that mother nature! I prepped dinner for the night (sweet potato salmon cakes from Run Fast Eat Slow cookbook) and finished prepping my breakfast & lunches for the week (egg muffins, sausage, & sweet potatos for breakfast / coconut peanut butter noodle salads for lunch). Our afternoon consisted of a nap, some reading, and then I headed off to my last Sunday afternoon teaching ice skating until the Fall (YAY- I get full Sundays off for a while). 

Frying up some sweet potato salmon cakes in coconut oil!

Frying up some sweet potato salmon cakes in coconut oil!

Now time for some relaxing before a quick 4-day week of work. I am SO excited for the Run for the Zoo 1/2 in Albuquerque next Sunday and thinking that this could be a PR for me, but depends on how I'm feeling and the weather- having fun is the most important! :) 

 

April Mileage- 130.15 miles! 

I am SO PUMPED about this mileage for the month of April. I never felt like I was pushing myself or have felt burned out at any point during this training cycle thus far (which I normally always feel at some point). This also includes the first week of April where I was only doing 3 or 4 milers coming back from being in the hospital the last week of March for my kidney infection and anemia (hoping to do a post on this real soon!). I am feeling strong and ready to see what the month of May has in store for me!

 

Do you keep track of your mileage each month?

Prefer to do your easy runs with others or by yourself?

How's the weather in your corner of the world?!

 

Happy Friday & Meal Planning!

Friday means a rest day from running (or any other activity) and sleeping in! Normally I wake up most days by 5am so I look forward to Fridays when I can feel like a regular human being and "sleep in" until 6:30! It is so fantastic when I have time to pick out my clothes, actually dry my hair, and make a breakfast that is fresh (and not 'nuke it in the microwave). With the cold weather lately, Stella hasn't had many walks so she's feeling a little blue. At least she has a ducky to keep her entertained for maybee 3-5 minutes...

Fridays also mean grocery shopping day for me- yay! I'm sure many of you detest grocery shopping, but I seriously LOVE it. I am definitely a nerd and also get really excited when I can plan out my meals for the next week from all my recipe books....Normally I'll get my staples (apples, bananas, coffee creamer, spinach, carrots, eggs, bacon) and then go off my list that I made! Sundays are normally my meal "prep" day, but it's nice to have all the groceries already at home (especially during marathon training times when Saturdays are busy with long runs and recovery (aka lying on the coach like i'm dead and binge-watching Greys Anatomy)).

This is 100% accurate for me.

This is 100% accurate for me.

No big weekend plans for us since we'll most likely be snowed-in! I am hoping to make it out to a hot yoga class tomorrow morning (but sleeping in may get the best of me instead...) and get in an easy 4 mile run & strength training! I bought some delicious ingredients to make dessert, so thinking that may take up a good portion of our Saturday. It's SO nice to already have my long run done- almost like a free weekend off! How will I fill my time?!?

Hopefully Stella won't be stuck in the car too much and we can get her outdoors for a bit!

Hopefully Stella won't be stuck in the car too much and we can get her outdoors for a bit!

What are your weekend plans?!

Do you do any meal planning or prep?

Long runs on the weekend or week?