Sunday, January 31, 2010

The Last Weekend of January


Is anyone else astounded that January is over?  Don't get me wrong, another winter month down is one month closer to warm weather in my mind; however, looking back, I can't really comprehend where this month went?!?!  

At any rate, it must have been a good one if it flew by without me even noticing. 

This weekend, my dad, my sister, and I started a new tradition.  Father/Daughter breakfast.  My dad emailed us a few days ago and asked if we would want to make a monthly Saturday morning breakfast between the 3 of us a regular thing. 

How could we possibly say no to this man?



My dad loves to make the blog. He is my number one fan! :) 

It was so wonderful to spend time with my sister and my dad.  He picked us up at 8am so that we could attempt to beat the rush at only the BEST BREAKFAST PLACE on earth…..
The Hershey Pantry!!!!  


If you've been following my blog, you know that there is nothing else on this God given earth that I love to eat more than The Hershey Pantry's baked oatmeal.  It's pure perfection baked in a bowl and if someone were to ask me this instant what would be the food I would choose as my last meal, it would be this….


Usually, I get their special baked oatmeal of the day, but this time, I was feeling the simple bowl with a side of blueberries and bananas.  I also had the waitress bring me a side of peanut butter, well for obvious reasons of course. 

It was everything I imagined it would be! 

After I stuffed myself with this bowl of amazingness, I came home and got changed for the gym.  I scored a bunch of free passes to a new gym that opened up by me, so I thought I would check it out.  

The gym was nice.  Small and intimate but a really cool vibe.  I tested out the mills with a 3 mile run and then played on some of the weight machines.  I finished on a super cool machine, the Strider, which I had never tried.  It's a cross between an ET and a stepper!  Loved it! 

After the gym, I ran some errands and did some grocery shopping for the week. 

When I got home, put everything away, showered and cleaned up, I was hungry for lunch and something particularly nutritious and refreshing. 


Massaged Kale with Balsamic and Agave, Grapefruit, diced pear, flax walnuts, hummus and Mary's Crack Crackers

This was awesome!  I loved the taste of the kale and the softness that it takes with it is massaged.  Never really understand this method until I actually attempted it, but I am so glad I finally did. 

I spent the rest of the day cleaning and doing laundry and by the time dinner rolled around, I was in no mood to cook.  

I was, however, in the mood for cocktails. 


Toly and I enjoyed a little happy hour while we decided what to do for dinner.  Pizza sounded like a fantastic idea after a few sips of wine.  Love how alcohol gets the creative juices flowing.

We placed our order at a local gourmet pizza restaurant that is down the road from us.  

While Toly picked up the pies, I made a quick but delicious salad to go with our pizza.

Romaine, Cabbage, Radish, Cucumber, Pineapples, Blueberries, feta and TJ's Sesame Ginger Dressing

For dinner, I ordered the roasted veggie pizza on whole wheat and subbed the mozzarella cheese for goat. 

Toly ordered the Mexican, which I believe had spicy beef, cheese, lettuce and tomato

A great Saturday night dinner! 

This morning, I slept in and woke up thinking what to make for Sunday Breakfast.  To be honest, I wasn't really feeling a big breakfast and was just going to have some cereal, but when I started formulating my ideas for Toly's pancakes, they sounded way too good not to enjoy as well. 

I made Raspberry Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes



I added a dab of nutella and berry jam with toasted hazelnuts and coconut. 

Funny how my hunger suddenly appeared after making these. :) 


Some of the best pancakes we have had in a long time.  These go right up there in the Top 3! 

We went to church and then shopping for new pillows and a new toaster.  The pillows were desperately needed.  When you don't know how old the pillow is that you are sleeping on, it's usually a good sign that it's time to replace it.  And since our toaster went kaputz a few days ago, Toly has been deprived of his morning bagels.  He couldn't go another morning. 

For dinner, I wanted something hearty and comforting.  Italian always comes to mind when I desire these two things, so I made Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan. 

I used 1/2 of an eggplant and scooped out the innards.  The stuffing was whipped cottage cheese, capers, garlic, goat cheese and basil. I topped this with a thin slice of eggplant and coated in Basil Marina Sauce.  Baked at 375* for 25 min and presto gourmet Italian dinner was served. 

For Toly, I made his with Chicken and baked some Garlic Scallop Potatoes. 

And finished my plate with roasted basamlic broccoli and wilted spinach.  I also toasted a piece of whole wheat bread with white bean hummus. 

Delightful Sunday Night dinner! 

Okay, everything is all set for the week.  Planning done.  Cleaning done.  Shopping done.  Now, I can relax. 

I think I am going to start my training for my upcoming 10 mile Cherry Blossom Run in April.  I looked at a few plans, but the one I like best is from Runners World.  I always seem to adapt them though, so we'll see.  I can't believe racing season is only 10 weeks away!!!  Can't wait! :) Here is my plan so far…

  • PSU 5k Run- March 28th
  • National Cherry Blossom 10 mile in DC- April 11
  • DUI Memorial Run 10 k- June 6
  • Harrisburg 1/2 Marathon- September 12
  • ING 1/2 Marathon in Hartford Connecticut- October 9

I may add a few 5K's here and there, but these should cover the big ones.  I am so pumped!  Racing is what makes running so much fun. 

Alright guys, time to gear up for D-Wives. 

Hope you enjoyed your weekend! 




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15 comments:

  1. That Baked oatmeal looks amazing! Do you have any idea how to make it or the recipe?

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  2. Hey Nelly,

    I have no idea how they make it, but whatever they do, it's unlike any baked oatmeal I have ever had, which makes me think I probably don't want to know how it's made. :)

    I have a few recipes for baked oatmeal, but they just don't compare.

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  3. oh my - so much deliciousness on this post! that's so sweet that you and your pops are having the regular bfast thing. i wouldn't say no either!

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  4. Lauren, I'm right with you ... I have NO idea where January went!!

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  5. You're staying up til 10 to watch D-Wives AND waking up at 4:30 am!?!??!?

    I wish I were closer to home to have bfast with the rents 'n' bro!! Does that baked oatmeal have a cushy bready top?? That looks amazing.

    So many races!!!

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  6. Everything looks so yummy! How exactly do you "massage" kale? Everyone talks about how good it is!

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  7. Oh-M-Gee! Raspberry Banana Pancakes sound heaven-lee! Love choco chippers in my 'cakes. Have a great week =)

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  8. ambitious plan :) i know you can do it!! and it sounds like you had sucha fun weekend... the baked oatmeal sound so good and those pancakes look amazing!
    xoxo
    shelley

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  9. Looks like a totally fabulous weekend. Love the breakfast with daddy tradition! That baked oatmeal looks amazing! So fun that you got to try out the new gym too. I've never had pizza with goat cheese on top- I bet its phenom! So many fun races planned. I was thinking of holding off on any more races (its getting tough to run and teach)...but I'm getting that itch again ;)

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  10. The idea having breakfast with your dad and sis monthly is quite a good one - especially if you get to have that baked oatmeal every time! :)

    Best of luck with your training plan. I've heard the Cherry Blossom Race is beautiful.

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  11. those pancakes look heavenly! so sweet that you get together with your dad for breakfast. i love baked oatmeal, but regular oatmeal is pretty awesome too!

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  12. holy moly! i will take one of everything here. the baked oatmeal, the pancakes, the stuffed eggplant, the gorgeous salads - you are so fabulous in your eats!

    yay for lots of runs! (not THAT kind :)

    love you girl - hope you are having a lovely day!

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  13. I am running the Cherry Blossom ten miler! I am TERRIFIED, mainly because the longest I've run is 5 miles. But it's a good challenge. I'm using Hal Higdon's half marathon training plan that I've tweaked to fit the ten mile.

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  14. Oooh I am the biggest fan ever of all your breakfast choices. The baked oatmeal looks wonderful, but it’s got me all curious about how they made it!! Is it kind of like an oatmeal soufflé?? Because that sounds…incredible. Your pancakes are also gorgeous!! Fluffy and beautiful...with the red and brown inside…yum!! I wish you would open up a breakfast joint Lauren…everything is so up my alley!!!!

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