Recipes - Maria Runs

Pancakes making an appearance!

For ages now our weekend breakfasts have been lovely acai bowls- frozen fruit (usually banana, cherries/ blueberries) mixed with some soya/ almond milk and acai powder.

Then top it with a little muesli (or some granola) and some fruit- last Sunday I had mine with a sliced peach and a few blueberries. That was perfect fuel for a walk together around the lakes in the summery weather.

Anyway, I have been missing my weekend pancakes, so on Monday morning I decided to have them for breakfast. I was going on a run first, so I made the batter the night before- peanut flour, wholegrain spelt flour, chia seeds, almond milk, almond extract, baking powder- and then after a shower all I had to do was wait for them to cook. Easier said than done!

I did a 5 mile run, some of it on the fields. I wanted to push the pace a bit, as often when I am on my own I plod along (don’t get me wrong, sometimes all you fancy is a run in the fresh air and the speed does not matter), and so I decided to do a little bit of intervals- really I chose a point ahead and ran faster towards that, and then slowed down again for a bit. Very unstructured, but it was enjoyable (and tough at times). I was expecting rain, but surprisingly it stayed dry even when I got home. All in all it was 5 miles in 50 minutes, with 10.15 being the average pace, but my best pace being 7.24 (not for long though I am sure!).On the way back I had finished all my podcasts so I skipped through to an audiofuel podcast (which is basically a podcast where you run in time with the music, and it is a bit like an interval session as it makes you run faster for a bit, then slower to recover)- I only did one of the intervals as then I got home, but I decided that the next run will be an entire audiofuel podcast. I used to do them quite a lot a couple of years ago, and I quite enjoyed them, so think I might get back into them again. Although I did find that the slowest beats per minute were a bit too slow- I think my stride is too short or something!

Delicious pancakes! I added blueberries while they were cooking, and had them with a big dollop of coconut peanut butter, a peach and some watermelon, plus a Tea India vanilla chai.

I felt a bit nauseous when I first got back from my run- not sure if the fast bursts were tiring me, or I was just thirsty (I did drink water before I went out but it was very muggy)- I waited a while before breakfast and just had a nuun tab in some water- that seemed to help.

Have you ever used podcasts to help with running?

Helping and baking

Saturday started out by me picking up my Dad and brother and heading to Parkrun. I had been on a lot of runs in the week, and they needed volunteers so I had signed up in the week. This time I was barcode scanning- pretty simple you would think …

For those of you that don’t go to Parkrun, it is such a clever system- on the finishers line is someone with a timer device- they press a button each time someone finishes so it records the time, then at the same time when you finish you are handed a numbered chip, 1 for the 1st finisher and so on, and then you queue up and have your personal barcode- from the Parkrun website– scanned along with the chip so they link your barcode with the time that you finished- later on they must upload the scanners and calibrate them with the timer– it is so clever!

Anyway, they started off by announcing that last week there was a new record for fastest female at any UK Parkrun! Hannah Walker came first in the St Albans one last week, finishing in an amazing 15.55! We gave her a clap even though I don’t think she was there, although with around 200 runners it would be hard to spot everyone.

Then they headed off- the course heads off and then is 3 laps of the lake, so you can’t see most of the runners from the start/finish area, but it was not long before the first person (I keep wanting to say winner, but it is not a race!) was heading back. I liked scanning as it was good to congratulate all the runners- a few first timers asked about how it worked, and one lady pointed out that her friend had “never done anything like this in her life before” which is one of the reasons why it is so great- there are loads of children but also older people giving exercise a go.

My scanner was not very sensitive (it had trouble with laminated barcodes or sweaty ones!)- one lady handed me her barcode and it was wet (I hope from water, but possibly from sweat!)- I tried about 4 times to scan it, but it wouldn’t beep, so I tried stretching it as it was a bit wrinkly, and it ripped totally in half! I was mortified! They can take down the barcode number and link them up later, but luckily the other scanner worked! Phew!

My Dad managed a new pb (23.14- I can only dream of that time!) and my brother did well too.

After that it was a bit of pottering around town, and then some baking.

While wandering around the internet the other day I came across a recipe for Nutella cookies which looked like the easiest thing ever! All you needed was nutella, flour, an egg and some fudge pieces (which I still had from Dr Oetker).

I thought they would spread more when I baked them, but they didn’t.

They are tasty (we shared one just to check quality control purposes of course) but I am not sure they were as gooey as I expected- perhaps I should have made them bigger as then the centres would have been softer.

I also made some more scones- I used the gluten free recipe from the other day, but added in a tsp almond extract (again from my Dr Oetker parcel) and some dried cherries.

They smell wonderful!

As they were cooling all I kept getting was wafts of almond- if only Andy would let me have scones instead of a proper dinner!

Did you have a good weekend?

Waffles and walks

Gosh, Friday already! Time flies when you are having fun!

Earlier in the week I made some ice lollies and they are delicious! I could not find my ice lolly mould so I bought a new one from Lakeland (in the sale, plus the mould can be used to bake with too).

I had to measure the capacity of the moulds first- I think these came to about 250ml. I used a couple of tablespoons of coconut cream, a little agave, and then raspberries (from our allotment- the novelty is not wearing off!)- puréed it in the food processor and then into the freezer they went.

They came out of the mould really easily (they are silicone) – I was very impressed. I am already thinking about my next batch- something with peaches I think.

On Thursday I started on a watermelon- this was so refreshing. I had a busy morning (doctors visit, seeing my Mum, then going in to work) so in the afternoon I just tried to stay cool at home.

Then I went to pump- my that was a sweat fest (and battling to put on my sports bra was not fun- such hard work in the heat)! They have air-conditioning in the studio so at first it felt so cool, but that didn’t last for long. I did manage a slightly heavier weight in the biceps track (I tacked them on the outside- last time I did this I gave up a few seconds before the end as I didn’t realise we were that close to the finish), and my arms have been paying the price today!

Earlier in the week I was sent some Cocofina coconut water, so I had some to cool down with as soon as I got home- delicious. I like most coconut water that I have tried, and I loved that this was 100% coconut water, nothing else, and the 200ml carton was a great size too.

While the sun has been shining I have been going out on walks during the day too. I could not believe how brown the grass had got on the fields, but after a couple of showers it has gone back green again.

This morning I went on a run- I went on the 6.8 mile loop and listened to Marathon Talk- they had a team do the Thunder run (which is a 24 hour race where you see how many loops of a 10K route you can do- they had a team of 8 but some people did it solo- so impressive)-I found the run tough yet again, but I am not worrying about it. My next half marathon is October, so I have time in September to start increasing the length of runs, hopefully when it is cooler again.

I had some fruit and yoghurt when I got home, and then as Andy was working from home we went to The Waffle House for lunch.

I went for a fresh mint tea with a hummus and avocado waffle- Andy had one of the specials which was pulled pork with coleslaw, plus a coffee milkshake (he wanted to try one as one of our friends always raves about the milkshakes)- the dessert waffles (as always) were so tempting but we were both very full after that.

I spent the afternoon relaxing and listening to the film show on radio 4- it was good listening to them talk about films I have actually seen (we went to see The Heat on Wednesday and I giggled quite a lot during it)- then we went out on a walk (and later we have to walk up to the allotment)- so lots of walking recently but that’s all good!

Tomorrow morning I am barcode scanning at Parkrun, and then after that I don’t know…

Plans for the weekend?

Afternoon teas (running and scones)

Hey peeps- hope you are all doing well.

This week I have mainly been running and eating scones- not a bad combination if you ask me (as long as it is in that order).

On Monday morning I went out for a quick 3 miles before getting ready and heading into London. I was meeting a couple of friends for afternoon tea (at lunch time, as you do)- before we met I had time for a trip to Wholefoods.

I actually only wanted to get some pesto (we ran out of our Brighton stash and have been having some pesto we picked up at Bill’s, but it is not as good)-anyway I think I didn’t end up with too many impulse purchases- some peanut popcorn, chocolate pumpkin seeds, chocolate pb, lovely coconut bounce balls, a raw brownie and a couple of Seed & Bean mini chocolate bars.

Luckily I was getting a tube when there was a torrential downpour, and when I came out it was sunny, so I walked through to Covent Garden instead of going back to the underground.

We had a lovely time catching up (and the afternoon tea was pretty good too- they gave me a plate of veggie sandwiches, we had lovely scones and some pretty cakes- we couldn’t even finish them all- plus we could have one lot of loose leaf tea but unlimited teabag tea, so I think I had 3 pots- Earl Grey to begin with, then two of strawberry and mango)- the time flew by and it was so relaxed- compared to when you go out for lunch and the waiter hovers by hoping you will clear off.

I walked back from the station but then the rain poured and the thunder rumbled, so Andy came to pick me up half way home. To counteract all the sugar from lunch time I had a lovely salad with spinach, beetroot, tomatoes and basil tofu.

Tuesday started in a similar way- this time I went on a longer run around the lake, and even saw some little ginger rabbits!

So cute! As my run went on the rain got harder and harder- I did 5 miles and about 2 minutes after I got home it was bucketing down.

Then, after breakfast and a shower I made some scones.

As I was off to another afternoon tea later that day- this time it was at a friend’s house and we were all bringing different items. I was in charge of gluten free scones (as one of my friends has coeliacs) – I was going to order some but the date was not good, went to Tesco’s to get some but couldn’t find them (or even a label), so decided to brave it myself! I used this recipe, and I think they turned out really well. I did have some Dove’s Farm baking powder (which is g-f) but I was worried that some flour might have got in, so I bought a couple of those Dr Oetker packs to use instead.

Previously (I think on Sunday) I made some caramel shortbread, also with a gluten free base.

I used a gluten free recipe (which was basically g-f flour, butter, sugar in the base, a tin of caramel, and then g-f chocolate for the topping)- now I usually make my own caramel and I wished I had, because this stuff was far too gloopy (which is why I put it in the cake cases)! Finding g-f chocolate was hard work too- in the end I used Dr Oetker chocolate chips but so many of them were made in a factory also processing gluten.

I had bought some strawberry jam, and made some blackcurrant jam (with our very own home-grown blackcurrants!) so I had rather a lot to take around.

Again it was a lovely relaxing afternoon- tea and scones, what’s not to like?

After popping to see my Mum on the way home, we went out on a walk in the evening as the weather had really brightened up.

Today we might be going to the cinema later, and my brother is away (so he won’t be running with Sweatshop), and the weather was forecast to be wet for a lot of the day, so I decided to run first thing. I went on the fields, as I have not done that route for a while. It was drizzling a bit after the first mile, and then it got heavier and windier (I had my tennis visor on but the wind was blowing the rain onto my glasses still)- I decided to finish on the tough bit of the field instead of going back to the road, and I am not sure if it was a good idea. The knee length grass was wet, so within a few steps my socks and shoes were soaked and squelching around. I did 5 miles and I feel like running on the fields is a different kind of run to pavements (tougher)- that was enough for me!

I had some strawberries that were going a bit squishy, so I cooked them in a pan with a tsp of Sainsbury’s vanilla sugar, and then when they had thickened a bit I added a tsp of chia seeds- I had this on top of a warmed cherry scone and a black cherry tea.

Running and scones- pretty much a perfect combination!

What is your perfect combination?

Blackcurrant cheesecake (recipe)

Hey peeps,

So last weekend I picked a load of blackcurrants from the allotment, and as the weather was so warm I decided a cheesecake would be perfect.

I had a look at some old recipes, and searched on the internet, but so many either required baking (too hot for that) or needed gelatine to make it set. So I mixed up a few recipes and it turned out really well.

The base was about 200g ginger biscuits and 75g melted spread. I did think afterwards that I could have used coconut oil- might try that next time.

I ordered this quark from Ocado and used it for the “cheese” layer. The lemon was very very tart indeed, I wasn’t a fan, but the vanilla was lovely on its own. Anyway, I mixed both tubs and added a little condensed milk to sweeten, then poured this over the base.

Then I left that to chill while I made the topping.

I took out all the strawberries and a few redcurrants, and put the blackcurrants in a pan. Not sure how many but more than a small punnets worth. I added a splash of water and a little coconut sugar, and gently simmered it until the berries burst and the sauce thickened a little.

I left it to cool and added a few blackcurrants and the redcurrants as a decoration. We took it to Andy’s parents’ (that was a fun car ride!) and enjoyed it for Sunday tea. (I lined the tin with cling film as it is a loose bottomed pan and sometimes filling has leaked out before!)

Now I have more blackcurrants this week- what shall I do with them this time?