Maria Runs

Yes, I am a total hoarder.

This morning I decided to re-arrange my tea cupboard. Yes, first of all, you read that right. I have a whole cupboard for tea.

Yes, that really is all just tea. Or as Peter from Family Guy would say, “All the tea”.  Is that too much tea for two people?

Many various Teapigs teas, a lot of Equal Exchange Chai (it was cheaper to buy 6 boxes and we will drink it in the end), all the Whitards bargains. And hidden under all the boxes, a container for boring teabags!

One container for chai teabags (yes, we used to have only 2 containers for teabags, now we have a cupboard full). Three tins of loose leaf Whitards Christmas tea (one now contains Teapigs Assam loose leaf tea)- one was super cheap as it had a dent in the tin. Plus loads of other teas- Cosy teas from when I reviewed them, Twinnings, Rooibos chai, mint… Perhaps I should leave teaching and open a tearoom in my living room instead?

I was going to calculate how many cups it would all make, but then I didn’t.

Then I found some more. But I could not be bothered to get it all lined up again.

Random samples and yogi chai (which I find very strong smelling, kind of like aniseed, so I keep it in another cupboard so it doesn’t make the other tea smell like it).

I knew I liked tea, but I did not quite realise how much!

Then I realised I hoard other things too.

Cereal bars (what can I say, I like variety). If we had other Clif bar flavours over here you know I would have boxes and boxes of them!!

Nut and seed spreads. I also have some pumpkin seed butter which I found in my cupboard after too.

And lots of dried fruit varieties. Strawberries, cherries, mango, peach, apple, dates, cranberries, figs. I do not even eat dried fruit that much, but I love it in baking and every now and then. And porridge.

I like variety, and I never know what I will want, so I like to have a lot of different things to choose from. Only thing is, the best before date comes and goes….

Anyway, I have been using some of them up.

Today I had porridge and peaches in a peanut butter jar.

Yum. This was to warm me up before heading out to the St Albans half marathon (to cheer the children on and give out the medals). Bronagh I hope you got on OK and didn’t get too wet!.

I also made some little Katie inspired mint chocolate fudge babies- using up some of those dates and getting to use my new food processor still( the most important bit!).

This was 150g dates, 45g cashews, 2tbs cocoa and a drop of peppermint essence. Yum they are delicious. 🙂 (and 65 cals a piece according to WLR )although I think I would use a different nut next time as I was not so keen on the cashews- maybe almonds or brazils. The original recipe uses walnuts, but I don’t like them and I don’t have any, hence the cashews. I could go crazy with my dried fruit collection- I reckon brazil and cranberry with cocoa for rocky road ones would be good.

I also had a massive cup of Christmas tea when I got back from the run as I was so cold and wet (using up the tea you see).

Anything that you love to hoard? And why do you think you do it? I think it is because I am so indecisive, although in fact that makes it worse because I have to choose. Hmm.

Other news.

Yesterday I did a run- 8.5 mile in 1 hr30 (so I have got back to my normal ish speed, compared to last week where I think I did under 7 in 1hr 20)- I managed 4 miles at 10.23 pace near the end. I seem to take a good few miles to speed up, and then it seems I can maintain that speed for the rest of the run. Anyway, we went bowling after that (I for 45 for the first game- can anyone get lower than that??) which was fun, and then for a BBQ. Good times.

Finally, I know I do not go on about my weight on here, but I stepped on the scales yesterday. Since starting marathon training, I have put on 3lbs. Now, that does not seem like much, but as I am short I think it shows quite a lot. One pound on each arm and one on my stomach I think (I know that is not how it actually goes but that is where it shows on me). So, I am not going to post my weight on here, but I am going to be making a big effort over the next few weeks to keep up the exercise, and make healthy choices. I decided that putting it on here may give me a little more incentive.

Bye 🙂

Hello!

I had another run today, yay!

Yesterday I had a late staff meeting, and loads of work, so I did not get home in time for aerobics, although I did manage a short walk after dinner.

Today I was planning a run- I was not sure how my hamstring would be on a slightly longer run, so I did a 2 mile loop to see how I felt- I felt fine so then I carried on with a 2.6 mile route. It was all fine. I actually managed to pick up the pace a little, and did 3 of the miles at 10.23 pace. I was out for 50 mins (some crossing roads coz of rush hour meant it took longer than it should.

But I am pleased that I feel fine after. Last weekend it was sore after a few miles (maybe 3/ 3.5) so I know it is better now.

After that I had some work to do and had to wait for my chilli to cook, so I decided to make a chai latte. Or something like that. Not sure what they are called.

I made some chai tea (breaking into the massive Whitards stash) and left it to cool while I had a shower. Then I mixed that with some almond and hazelnut rice milk, some ice and a bit of agave.

Yum! I am pretty sure the rice milk made it delicious, and I think I should have left the agave out as it was quite sweet (the rice milk is sweetened). I did feel weird drinking cold tea (although it was a nice spicy flavour that it added)- I think my brain needs to get around that! I am sure the caffeine helped me work super fast too!

Is that a chai latte? Having never had one from Starbucks or anything I have no idea- do they normally have coffee in them too?

Night 🙂

So yesterday I mentioned my obsession with tahini (and Alison, I love the idea of having it with dark chocolate, and Shaman love the honey idea too mmmm). In my Vegan cookies invade your cookie jar book, there was a recipe for Tahini lime cookies. Well, it seemed rude not to!

Well, I didn’t have cornstarch, so subbed in some ground flax instead. They are yummy! The lime flavour really comes through (from the lime zest) and the sesame flavour is also lovely (it used 1/2 cup tahini). They have a lovely texture too, kind of chewy and crisp, like a good pb cookie. Another recipe that should be made again!

I also made some fresh mint tea 🙂 Ffion you were right- super easy!

A load of fresh mint (I have a few types in my garden, one might be spearmint possibly) and boiling water. I let it brew for a while, and voila!

It was tasty and I got 2 cups of it! It was not as sweet as the teabags, but maybe I should have used smaller leaves.

And finally the run;

I went out this morning, for a gentle run. My 6.7 mile route was calling to me! I ran past the Race for Life in Welwyn, which meant I spent a lot of the run reminiscing- that was my first race a few years ago, and the reason I started running. On the day I was so nervous as the most I had run for was 15 mins (then a min walk, then another 15 mins) but I really wanted to run the whole way. I was so worried and apprehensive, and I was also so proud when I crossed that line (and I did run it, in 35 mins). I love the whole ethos of the race, that everyone is welcome, and the messages people have on their backs of who they are running for, and of course the amount they raise for charity.

Anyway, I digress.

During the run my left hamstring started feeling tight again. It was sore after the marathon, but the sports massage really helped, and on Saturday I was fine walking. But I suppose I am still not fully recovered (I did not expect to be). Anyway, I just took it super slow (it took me 80 mins), and felt fine when I finished. I have decided I am not going to do the 5k next weekend. I think I would have to run it slowly, and I think I would be a bot disheartened if it took me a long time. So I will see if they need any helpers instead.

Anything else I can do with tahini?

🙂