More bread, more running and more rambling

Hey!

So I enjoyed the cinnamon raisin bread I had for lunch the other week so before my run I started getting it ready. Even though I use quick yeast I prefer to start it off without all the flour- it seems to work better.

So in a cup I put a tbs wholemeal bread flour, 1tsp yeast, 1tsp sugar and about 15g raisins. I poured on warm water (probably around 90-100ml) and left for a bit. In a bowl I put 150g bread flour (half white, half wholemeal), and a ton of spices (cloves, cinnamon, ginger, mixed spice, cardamom). I also added 10g pumpkin seeds to see how they would go.

Then after a bit (when the yeast goes all bubbly) I pour this onto the flour mixture and mix it around a bit.

Then I put it on a board and knead it together- lots of stretching and folding etc. It does come together if you keep on kneading.

Once it looks all smooth (like the pic below) put it in an oiled loaf tin (I have a mini one)- or you could leave it on a baking tray and have a free-form bread).

It looks so small in the tin! Cover with cling-film and then go out on a run (or do something else for a few hours).

It will look a little like that! Put on the oven to 200C while you drink some coconut milk/ do some stretching/ make some peanut butter with cinnamon and raisins (or all 3) and then bake for 35 minutes (remove the cling film!). Have a shower.

Remove from oven and leave to cool while you dry your hair and eat a pear. Then slice and enjoy.

Yum! The verdict on the pumpkin seeds is more more more! Oh and you might guess that some of the steps mentioned above are not essential for actually making the bread! Guess which ones!

And the cinnamon raisin pb is also amazing! I didn’t take any pictures but I basically put some crunchy pb, raisins, cinnamon and some brown rice syrup in the mini chopper and whizzed it up. The raisins turn to sweet pulp, although I think they maybe soaked up some of the oil as the pb went super thick (and I did add some of the oil from the top of the tub). Anyway, this is the perfect topping for that bread.

So my 12 mile run yesterday went fine. Despite last week I still overdressed as when I got up it was quite cool, so as well as my vest I put on a jacket (it’s a long sleeve zip up top), and wore tights instead of capris (in the week I wore my joggers and forgot how annoying flappy trousers are when running). I need some kind of alarm that goes off if I wear too many clothes, as after a mile I had taken off my jacket and was wishing I didn’t have the tights on. Oh well. I found it really hard to get into a rhythm for some reason. My first 2 miles were under 10 minutes, so I knew I had to slow down, but then I slowed down too much (12.05), then got too fast again (2 miles at 9.54), so then I slowed again, too much (11.54), and then sped up too much (10.28- alright, then 2 more miles at 9.54).  I sometimes have it at the beginning where my breathing goes all funny, and I have to really concentrate to breathe properly and not hyperventilate, but for some reason this continued yesterday. Maybe I was over thinking it.

The run itself was still enjoyable- there were daffodils everywhere, rabbits, and loads of daisies all over the grass at the park by the lake. And no scary geese this week (phew). The sun came out for a bit, and I even had a runnner say “hello” to me half way round, and I passed her in the same place on my way back (so she said “hello again”). I love friendly runners.

Anyway, it took me 2 hours 13 minutes in the end, so not a bad average time for me! Just a bit erratic with the pacing. I had my compression socks on (actually, I still do now- I went on a hen night last night and kept then on all through that- under my boots so no-one can see!) but I feel the need to foam roll- they feel a little stiff.

Onto the rambling (“what?” I hear you cry, ” has the rambling part not already been?”) (no friends, that was the bread and running part)- I made rice pudding with coconut milk and it worked perfectly! 25g flaked rice, 150ml Kara coconut milk soaked for several hours in the fridge (probably 6 hours)- I was cautious with my cooking- 1 min in the microwave, then 10 seconds, then 10 more seconds, and it was delicious. Plus no explosions which is always a bonus. I added a few chocolate drops to it, and left them to melt and it was scrummy.

I am also excited as I saw 2 friends last night at the hen do, and they were asking about running because they want to give it a go! So I am going to send them my plan! I am so excited! 🙂

Final ramble- how things in different sized containers look different. E.g. I cook the rice pudding in a cup, and it looks small, and then I put it in a bowl, and it looks like loads. I cook my porridge in a bowl and it looks like loads, then I spoon it into a pb jar and it looks tiny! Here is my teapot which looks the same size as one of these massive cups.

But you can actually get 3 cups (these massive cups not normal cups) from the teapot as I have one and Andy has 2.

It does not look possible to my eyes, but it works every Saturday.

Might be back for the weekly review later! 🙂

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14 thoughts on “More bread, more running and more rambling”

  1. Yum, your bread looks amazing! Cinnamon, raisin and pb is my favourite combination of flavours!

    Ooh, I actually think I saw you on your run again yesterday! I was cycling home from the gym and really wanted to shout out a big hello but thought it might be weird or put you off your run :-/ You looked like a running pro anyway 🙂

    1. You probably did! I would say hello back (I always say hello to runners etc to say hi to me) 🙂
      Haha I do not look like a pro- I just have the gear! Haha! But thanks!

  2. Things do indeed appear skewed depending on the size of container they’re in: it’s the old ‘dieter’s trick’ of eating off smaller plates or bowls. I used to do that until I just ended up going and getting a second bowl 😛 TARDIS crockery with the teapot though!

    Congrats on the strong 12 miles and your rice pudding sounds scrummy 🙂

    xxx

  3. I just read that you cook your porridge in a teapot – I thought I’d found someone odder than me!! But then I realised I was failing to read the words in the right order…. Doh. I just had to share that because it made me smile. Sorry that was a very random first comment on your blog – “hi” and nice 12 miler btw!
    x x x

  4. Your bread sounds amazing! I’ve book marked that recipe! I think the same thing for smoothies – they never satisfy me in a glass but in a bowl they seem so much bigger and more filling!

  5. oh wow that looks just gorgeous! I daren’t give it a go just yet as I’m actively trying to lose weight again and I don’t think I could trust myself with just one slice! 😉

  6. I love reading your posts, they are always so great, and honest too 🙂
    Your bread looks absolutely stunning, I can just imagine a slice with a cuppa tea mmmmmmmm.

  7. mmmm …..that bread looks just gorgeous! Very interested in your microwave rice pudding though…what is ‘flaked rice’? I’ve never heard of it!

    Rosexx

    1. Well I bought it in tescos- it’s for making pudding- it looks like rice that has been squashed- think it cooks quicker or something?

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