Hello blog buds!
I hope you didn’t think I stopped taking photos of all my food since my recent posts have focused a bit more on recipes or tips for staying fit during the holidays. I haven’t stopped exercising either! 
I’ve just been aiming to give you more quality content. Allow me to do a little rewinding to the weekend and fill you in!
Saturday was time for some SOCIALCIZING! I met up with one of my girlfriends for a wonderful hour-long power walk on a chilly morning. It was crisp and refreshing. Then we hit up Starbucks where not only did I have Zen green tea, but I also saw that they have finally released a DECAF version of their VIA instant coffee. (It does NOT taste like instant at all!) So of course I had to buy a few to bring home and sample. I’m sold!
Sunday left me really wanting to get out and do a long slow run. I haven’t been running much over 4 or 4.5 miles at a time this summer and fall. And when Matt from No Meat Athleter reminded me of the genius that is Stu Mittleman’s Slow Burn, I figured it was high time to get out and just do a “comfy run”. It was great. I did 6.66 miles (yes, can you believe that’s the number my loop ended on… ??) My pre-run fuel was a very Thrive-ish Coconut Cream Pie Larabar. Stu may think that’s too much sugar – we’ll see when I re-read his book. It’s been so long since I read it that I went ahead and ordered a copy to have for myself this time. But no matter what he says, I will tell you that the Larabar was PERFECT for my energy levels for the run. I’ve really found that particular flavor does the trick – thanks to the dates and the coconut oil ingredients.
I knew that I needed to get in a good meal to replenish the bod after the run so I made a Breakfast Quesadilla. Here it is before I put the “lid” on it:
Zucchini ribbons, a tiny bit of grated raw goat cheddar, spinach, tomato and a scrambled egg. Served after baking for 10 minutes at 375 with a side of 1/4 sliced avocado:
For lunch, MSP treated me to Zpizza where I ordered the “Berkeley Vegan” on a wheat crust with mushrooms, organic marinara, zucchini, veggie burger crumbles, red/green pepper and tomato slices. It used to be that they used soy cheese and have now switched to vegan cheese (since most soy cheese still contains casein, a milk derivative.) I’m not sure what to think about this new cheese – I’m thinking next time I’ll just go without any cheese at all, vegan or otherwise. Here is their small pizza, from which I ate 2 pieces and brought the rest home.
Here is their “box statement” 
That night I was all over the Whole Foods SPICY PUMPKIN SOUP. And they aren’t lyin’… it’s got kick. With a whole lotta onion! Mmmm, so good on a chilly night. Doesn’t quite beat my Heavenly Ginger Squash Soup, but it’s much more convenient!
And the only turkey I’ll be eating this holiday week is the one made of frosting on my 99 cent mini-cupcake… I love the Whole Foods bakery! SOOO CUTE!
You know I love my little treats on the weekend.
Monday was a complete and total blur! Busy busy from the time I got up till the time my head hit the pillow last night. I still feel now like I could use a nap! I think instead I need a BIG HUGE GREEN SMOOTHIE as they have been missing from my life since last week. Poor blender isn’t feeling the love.
Today I have a training client, a haircut, lunch with friends, shop for Thanksgiving food prep items, and if there is any time left I’ll try to get started on my xmas shopping. Possibly a stop at a local tailor. If anyone is in the South Denver area and can recommend a good tailor, please drop me a comment!
Today’s question: are you feeling stress-free and ready for Thanksgiving (and the subsequent holiday hub-bub) or do you feel like you have a million things left to do and not enough hours in the day to do them? I am in the latter category, and I’m not even hosting Thanksgiving!!
Have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!
– Shari B. =)
#1 by Alison on November 25, 2009 - 10:12 am
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OK, breakfast quesadilla? ROCKIN!
Vegan Pizza? DROOLIN!
Pumpkin soup? That turkey cupcake? Stop stop please stop I’m ruining my keyboard here!
I made EZEKIEL french toast this morning thanks to your post last week. I never would have been brave enough to Ezekiel in FT if it weren’t for your post. And no surprise – it turned out FAB! Thanks chicka!
.-= Alison´s last blog ..French Toast Torture =-.
#2 by Joan on November 24, 2009 - 10:27 pm
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well I felt stress free up until about a minute ago when the computer failed to save a document that took me an hour to do…Yes I hit ” save” a bazillion times! grrrr
And have you ever had SBUX green tea soy latte? one word….YUM with a capital YUM!
I totally understand Cindy’s sudden insecurity about cooking abilities. I still get that way with vegetarian dishes I’ve made hundreds of times…somehow it just gets more complicated when its for those outside of your immediate family.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
.-= Joan´s last blog ..A Day For Cannas =-.
#3 by Cindy on November 24, 2009 - 8:42 am
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first I think your coconut larabar made a perfect pre run fuel (I guess it’s the protein that makes non thrive ish) but if it works GREAT for you.
I have been LOVING my 2 dates w coconut butter (or oil) before my night jog. Those lil suckers could get addicting.
and I may have to give that breakfast quesedilla a shot. it looks great!
and your lil frosted Turkey is soooooo cute!
awwww
and yah…I left last weekend feeling exhausted and completely frustrated with my food choices. I was striving to bring healthy and delish dishes to our familie’s dinner but they aren’t coming out like I had hoped (and I am really unfamiliar with some of them) and started feeling super insecure about it. I got emails and phone calls letting me know its OKAY and just COME if I have to. It just reminds me sometimes to get back to what I know, the basics and go from there. so stuffing is going to be NORMAL and with a handful of cranberries for color, my cranberry relish (to try) and a pre-pared one…bleh. I am going to make a pumpkin pie and MAYBE if I have time some of my cranberry orange “bites” to “try” There will be plenty of future holidays to try new things too. OH and an apple crisp which are no brainers for me (and my baked yams)
so more whole simple foods …
and we have unexpected guests coming (my sister decided she is bringing a freind and she hasn’t even talked to me so I have a new person to “host” for 2 nights and I was just thinking it was going to be quiet time with me and my sister, whom I never see.
it really hurt. I don’t do “sudden and unexpected” well, nor do I do “new people” well either.
so let’s just add more anxiety to my plate.
I KNOW in my heart it will all work out but I need time to plan and prepare and now I feel it’s all out of control. And that seriously frustrates me.
I listened to BING and sipped my Candy Cane lane Tea all the way to work this am.
(that and Hubs just is working out all the particulars for me…like where are we putting the “girls” now and the like..and what are going to feed everybody)
it is turning into a big thing where before it was just “kids on the couch”
sigh
I am sure I will laugh about it later! I have to remember that.
HEY…did you get your package yet?
I sent it Friday.
xo
.-= Cindy´s last blog ..Let’s Count =-.
#4 by Shari B. on November 24, 2009 - 2:09 pm
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Hey Cindy! No, the coconut larabar is TOTALLY Thrive Diet… just maybe not Stu Mittleman’s plan
Brandon is the one who taught me about the dates and coconut oil. Pretty similar to what you do, only mine is the lazy version and already packaged! 
I am SO sorry to hear about your extra holiday stress. Try to look at the bright side – maybe you and your sister’s friend will hit it off instantly and be fast buds!
I can totally understand that feeling of looking forward to just ‘hanging out’ time to now feeling like there is a lot more WORK involved. Don’t overdo it just to please other people.
Be yourself and BE HAPPY!
xoxo back!
Shari