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By kilax, December 13, 2011 5:16 am

It’s been awhile since I posted a custom recipe from Steven! It’s not that he hasn’t been creating in the kitchen. It’s that I’ve been lazy. Oops! Well, this latest recipe is too good not to share!

I’ve been doing the vegan thing for about 2.5 years, and if I had to make a list of foods I miss eating now that I am vegan it would be very short… but Fettuccine Alfredo would be on the top of the list! Yum, how I loved to get a dish of creamy Fettuccine Alfredo, devour it all and feel sick to my stomach later.

Do you like Fettuccine Alfredo? What is your favorite Italian dish?

A few weeks ago, Steven whipped up a quick vegan Alfredo sauce. We were both amazed at how simple, yet tasty it was. He tweaked it just a little bit, and now we have Fettuccine Fauxfredo!

Fettuccine Fauxfredo (makes 8 servings)

Ingredients:

• 2 c broth
• 1 c soy milk
• 4 tsp nutritional yeast
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 2 tbsp margarine
• 1/8-1/4 tsp salt (to taste)
• 2 – 2 1/2 tbsp cornstarch (until desired thickness is achieved)
• 1/4 c cold water
• 1 box Fettuccine noodles

And Data even came by to say hi. 

In fact… Data sat on the table for much of the last hour of the call being a grumpypuss. He did not like that we were on the computer for so long! He kept getting on the counters and fridge. He had a time out and attacked Steven when he left time out. Later that night (after the call) he chewed a hole through a comforter, then spent the night chewing on his stocking while we were sleeping. I don’t think Santa is going to be leaving anything for Data (which is a shame because I think Santa had two gifts for Data)!

Sigh. I hope Data is not turning in to one of those old grumpy cats. He’s only 9ish!

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By kilax, December 12, 2011 5:49 am

As a thank you to my readers, I am doing one giveaway a week until Christmas. This is giveaway #4! The giveaways will all reflect different interests of mine, and this one is… media!

Everyone has different forms of media that they are interested in. For me, it’s all about movies, magazines and music. We watch a few movies a week (instead of TV) and I love going to the cinema! I get a ton of magazines in the mail… my favorites being Runner’s World and Running Times. I am not good at finding the time to read them all (and I wish I made time to read books!). And music… I don’t have very unique taste – I tend to download Top 40 songs. But that is what gets me through runs, and that is when I usually listen to music. Side note: I really dig Christmas music! And classic rock. 

So, this giveaway includes  some of my favorite things: 

1. A DVD of my favorite holiday movie – White Christmas
2. A one-year magazine subscription of your choice (limit of $20 for one subscription total)
3. A $10 iTunes Giftcard

Media Giveaway Rules

1. One reader will receive the DVD, one magazine subscription and the iTunes giftcard. 
2. Required to enter the giveaway: leave me a comment letting me what your favorite form of media is!
3. Optional extra entry: share this link on your blog and leave an additional comment letting me know you did.
   
4. This giveaway is open until 5:00 PM CST on Friday December 16. I will use random.org to select the winner. I will announce the winner on Saturday December 17. 
5. This giveaway is open to all readers.

Comments (9)

By kilax, December 11, 2011 8:57 am

This is my first week working with Britt to train for the Frosty Footrace 5K (on 2/26). For each run below, I’ve added the type of run it was supposed to be in the title (behind the date and garmin link). I’ve also added a bit more detail than normal about how my body was feeling. Yes. This training log just became even more boring.

Day 778 |  December 5, 2011: rest

Day 779 | December 6, 2011: 4 m run (easy)

Tuesday’s schedule called for a nice, easy 4 mile run. And it did feel really good and easy, except my legs started to feel a bit heavy, about 2.5 miles in. So I wonder if I was running too fast. 

Distance: 4.0 | Start Temp: 28° | End Temp: 27° | Time: 35:30 | Avg Pace: 8:52

Day 780 | December 7, 2011: 3 m run (easy) + strength class

Funny how 3 miles “easy” is so much slower than 4 miles easy the night before… when the 3 miles happens at 4:10 am in the morning. It seems that it takes my body forever to wake up when I roll out of bed and out the door for a run. This time, I was really noticing my left foot in the beginning. I think it took about 3/4 of a mile until I could run on it normal. It’s really stiff when I wake up (snort, giggle) and takes awhile to loosen up.

Distance: 3.0 | Start Temp: 28° | End Temp: 28° | Time: 29:42 | Avg Pace: 9:54

I really liked our Wednesday night strength class. We did a lot of moves with dumbbells, but also boxing and some core work (some with weights). I love how Brian puts together these awesome workouts using such basic equipment!

Day 781 | December 8, 2011: 5 m run (easy w/5×10-15 sec strides)

I had plans to do this 5 mile workout in the am before work, but after Wednesday’s slow performance, I decided to move it to the afternoon. Ha ha – who am I kidding? I just wanted to sleep in a bit longer.

Anyway, this workout was fun – 5 miles easy with some strides thrown in. And not all out sprinting, but just at a good pace that “allows your feet to have a quick turnover yet still allow you to maintain your natural running form.” I did the strides starting at mile 3.0 with one minute between each. Here’s where I went wrong – I was having so much fun that I forgot to focus on my form. But I did focus on it for the rest of the run (I remembered after I finished, of course). I noticed the strides kind of took it out of me for the last 1.5 miles – I felt tired! I felt good for the rest of the run though, except for a sore butt from the Wednesday night strength class. 

Distance: 5.0 | Start Temp: 33° | End Temp: 32° | Time: 48:06 | Avg Pace: 9:37

Day 782 | December 9, 2011: strength + 4 m run (easy)

After my Wednesday night strength class, I told Brian I felt like I needed to work on my balance. So we did Friday morning – a little bit of Bosu, and a lot with a three step contraption he built (jumping up and down it, going side to side, plank walks up and down the side of it with rolls and pushups at the end… who comes up with this stuff).

A couple of hours after my strength session I went out for my “easy” 4 miler. It was not easy. I felt out of steam the entire time. I think there are at least four reasons for that: 1. I did a tough strength session prior to running, 2. I hardly ate anything in the morning, 3. I ran the hilly route behind my house, and 4. I over-dressed. I thought since it was in the low 20s I should wear a shirt over my Under Armour but I just felt too hot. 

Good thing I was by myself on the trail – I would have been getting passed.

Ugh. Hard to believe I ran so fast on Monday when I have a poopy run like this!

Distance: 4.0 | Start Temp: 23° | End Temp: 25° | Time: 41:41 | Avg Pace: 10:25

Day 783 | December 10, 2011: 8 m run (last 5:00 min @ MP)

Thankfully, Saturday’s run was much better than Friday’s! My legs felt great and I was energetic. The only issue was an upset stomach and a bit of congestion. Meh, it’s almost winter. 

The goal was 8 easy miles with the last 5:00 minutes at marathon pace (between 9:00-9:10) and I managed the last 5:19 minutes at 8:55. It felt good, too!

The weather was weird though. A bit chilly and windy, but sunny. I took my gloves on and off a few times, and felt too hot overall (had on under armour top, a wind breaker, capries and knee highs).

Distance: 8.0 | Start Temp: 19° | End Temp: 23° | Time: 1:18:01 | Avg Pace: 9:45

Day 784 | December 11, 2011: rest

Week Summary: 24.0 miles

My first week working with Britt went great! I am excited to see what she has in store for me for next week! We did discuss doing three weeks of base mileage then starting speedwork, so it looks like I have until Christmas sans speedwork! Hee hee! Early Christmas gift?

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By kilax, December 10, 2011 6:15 am

I was looking through the dresser in our guest bedroom yesterday for some shipping boxes, and look what I found:

She strikes again! My mother hid these stockings for us when she was visiting last weekend. I called her to tell her I found them and she called me a snoop. Ha! In my own house?! I was actually looking for boxes!

Anyway, she said we had to wait until Christmas Day to open the stockings, so they are keeping the other empty stockings company. 

This is really funny, because my mom hid stuff for us two years ago when she visited (see link above). I also found that stuff accidentally, in a dresser. Maybe she needs to come up with some better hiding spots?! Just kidding! I am really excited I will have a surprise stocking for Christmas Day now! I love stockings!

Do you get a stocking on Christmas Day?

The winner of the Season of Giving Giveaway #3: Fashion is #1, Kim @girlevolving. Kim, please send me your mailing address at kilax@ilaxstudio.com and I will send the goodies your way!

Stay tuned for Season of Giving Giveaway #4 on Monday the 12th!

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By kilax, December 9, 2011 1:30 pm

Helper Cat, you are not so helpful sometimes. 

I guess Helper Cat feels a bit upset that I’ve already wrapped quite a few gifts this year and he hasn’t been invited to help. I put out a big stack to mail this morning, and he retaliated by killing one of the bows I had set out to attach to the gift. 

At least he’s stayed away from the gifts under the tree!

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By kilax, December 9, 2011 7:09 am

Are you good at remembering people’s names? 

Usually, I am pretty good at it, and make an effort to remember people’s names when I first meet them (I usually come up with a trick to remember their name).

However, I was at Whole Foods a few weeks ago with Erin, and very* randomly ran in to two coworkers and could only remember one of their names! AHHH!!! I was a bit embarrassed! Granted, I do have hundreds of coworkers, but I should have known that one. 

Then, last week at the Rotary Santa 5K, I saw a coworker and could not remember his name until after I introduced myself, chatted, then said goodbye. And at Thanksgiving I could not remember our friend’s parent’s names (who I had met a few times before). 

I hope my memory is not starting to fail me already!

*I live far away from that Whole Foods and they do too. What are the odds?!

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By kilax, December 7, 2011 5:20 am

The other day my Ironman coworker came to my desk to tell me all about his first full marathon (he’s done a few Ironmans but never a standalone marathon). After we talked about his race, he asked me if I am training for anything. I told him a 5K.

He gave me a blank look.

Then said, “What? Come on!”

We’re good friends, so his comment didn’t bother me, but I knew what he was thinking – I am a distance runner, why I am training for a race as short as a 5K?

5K Face

Because I want to get faster. 5Ks are HARD. Training for a 5K is HARD. Training to race a 5K intimidates me more than training for a marathon. My version of marathon training is all about middle distance runs and sloooow long runs. I can put in miles and miles because I am running so slow.

5K training is mostly about SPEED! There is no way I will break my PR (23:53) without doing speedwork. And speedwork is intimidating! I almost always feel great when I am doing it and after it’s done, but there is definitely some anticipation about it.

And even just thinking about the race… racing a 5K is painful!  You’re close to your maximum speed for most of the race. I figure if I don’t feel like throwing up for at least the last mile, I am doing it wrong (<– does anyone else feel that way or is it just me?).

Anyway, the 5K distance is worth respecting. It’s tough.

And the fact that that is my next goal race, rather than a marathon, does not make me any less of a runner! Despite what some people think* running is NOT only about running marathons. I was really serious when I said I am NOT registering for another marathon until I lose some weight and keep it off. I need to quit clowning around with my health.

And I love long runs – so I am still going to fit them into my 5K training. So there.

Oops. This ended up being kind of ranty, but I didn’t mean it to! I just thought my coworker’s reaction was interesting. And it got me thinking about a lot of other things. I am trying to be more loose with my running this year – instead of having a bunch of goal races, listen more closely to my body and see where it gets me. Let’s see how long I can stick with that. Ha ha.

*irl peeps, not you all

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By kilax, December 6, 2011 5:02 am

Don’t forget to enter the Season of Giving Giveaway #3: Fashion!

Also! My best buddy Gina started blogging again! Check out her new blog: mileWON!

Someone, please tell me the secret to making Chex Mix. Whenever I follow the recipe on the box, it never tastes strong enough! Do you just follow the Chex Mix recipe?

Fun fact – Chex Mix calls for Worcestershire sauce, which is not vegan or vegetarian. It has anchovies in it! We bought some vegan Worcestershire sauce to use this weekend. And despite what my mother says, I do not think that is why the Chex Mix was a bit bland. Nor was it the margarine. 

Hmm, seems I am getting a bit ahead of myself! Why was I even making Chex Mix? Well, back in November of 2008, my mom (+dad), mom’s mom, and sister came out to Chicago to do what we called the “Holiday Baking Extravaganza,” to make sweets to hand out.  We did it in November because that worked best for us. And we really outdid ourselves that year – baking a ton of different stuff (see here, and here for what my brother did with the cookies I sent back for him), and that was after spending a day in Chicago, sightseeing and shopping. 

In November 2009, just my mom (+dad) and mom’s mom came. We still shopped in Chicago and then baked the next day, but not as much (see here).

And in November 2010, my mom (+dad) and sister came, and we just shopped. For two days straight (see here). No baking. 

This year, we got back to our roots – one day of shopping, one day of baking. And we made it simple, only three things to hand out: Chex Mix, Caramel Corn, and Almond Bark Covered Ritz PB Sandwiches. Much easier (and it makes much more sense to do it in December). 

My mom and grandma also made an apple pie. We didn’t send that out to anyone. 

We ate it with dinner. It was as good as it looks. 

Do you like to make holiday treats to share with friends and family? What do you make?

Side note: Data and my dad get along really well. Not. 

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By kilax, December 5, 2011 5:01 am

As a thank you to my readers, I am doing one giveaway a week until Christmas. This is giveaway #3! The giveaways will all reflect different interests of mine, and this one is… fashion!

Note that I said I have an interest in fashion, not that I am fashionable. Because I surely am not! I’ve abused my best friend relationship with Erin and should probably be ashamed of the amount of clothes I had her pick out for me this year, because I trust her fashion judgment better than my own. And despite receiving InStyle in the mail, it doesn’t seem to be rubbing off on me! Hmm. But you guys know I have a few favorite fashion items, starting with… scarves! Bet you didn’t see that one coming! The first item included in this giveaway is a scarf:

The scarf included in the giveaway is new and in a plastic sleeve – I tried on the sample to show it to you guys

I love the simple pattern of this scarf! I actually bought one for myself with a gray, orange, beige and dark blue stripe. Can’t resist the orange!

The second item is earrings! I love earrings. I thought these would be fun to wear to work or out and about. And of course, I bought a pair for me too. One for me… one for you…

And lastly, the third item is not really a fashion item, but something I consider a must for the cold months… or for anyone who has cold feet* – two pairs of fuzzy warm socks (size 5-11)!

I have lots of pairs of these types of socks, and I wear them all winter long when I am bumming around the house, since we keep it at 65° or something silly like that (I actually like the cold!). 

Hmm, kind of a random assortment of things included in this giveaway, but hey – I mentioned that I am pretty random with my gifts! I do feel bad that this a gender-focused giveaway, as the first one was. Men, please feel free to enter and give these to your partner, sister, mom, that nice lady in the office… And actually, you could wear the socks, if you have smaller feet! And now that I think about it, that scarf would look really handsome on a guy! I should have got one for Steven!

Fashion Giveaway Rules

1. One reader will receive the scarf, earrings and two pairs of socks. 
2. Required to enter the giveaway:  leave me a comment letting me know what your fashion style is, or if you are as clueless as me!
3. Optional extra entry: share this link on your blog and leave an additional comment letting me know you did.
   
4. This giveaway is open until 5:00 PM CST on Friday December 9. I will use random.org to select the winner. I will announce the winner on Saturday December 10. 
5. This giveaway is open to all readers.

*The real kind, not the figurative kind.

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By kilax, December 4, 2011 5:21 pm

Day 771 | November 28, 2011: 4 m run

People always seem to think I am crazy when I say I prefer to run in the 30s, but when I look at my pace, I know that’s the temp when I am in my element. This run felt easy, but my average pace was below 9:00 minute miles, and I have not been running that “fast” for awhile. It’s all about the weather! 

And I’ve yet to bust out the tights! For this run I had on capris and an Under Armour ColdGear top. 

Distance: 4.0 | Start Temp: 35° | End Temp: 33° | Time: 35:52 | Avg Pace: 8:57

Day 772 | November 29, 2011: rest

Day 773 | November 30, 2011: strength class

I wanted so badly to run on Wednesday, but I got stuck going to some lunch thing. Lunch out three days in a row = no me gusta. 

Anyway, I was realy happy there was boxing component to strength class (I did NOT have a good day). And we did the same 8 stations as the week before but I did so much better, since I wasn’t feeling shredded from a kickboxing class. I left feeling strong and happy (which is NOT how I was feeling when I got there). 

Day 774 | December 1, 2011: 8 m run

This run went surprisingly well, considering I rolled out of bed at 4:00 am and right out the door. My only hiccup was a bathroom break in the middle of the run (expected), dead legs for the last three miles (somewhat expected) and a different kind of stomach pain between mile 6-7 (not expected, but not surprised – I’ve been eating a lot less).

I felt nice and warm with capris, an Under Armour ColdGear top, and knee high socks on (I bet I looked fabulous). My stomach always gets really red when I run in the cold though. Does this happen to anyone else?

Distance: 8.0 | Start Temp: 29° | End Temp: 28° | Time: 1:20:21 | Avg Pace: 10:02

Day 775 | December 2, 2o11: strength

I met Brian at his studio for my session (so I wouldn’t disturb my visiting family at home with my grunting) and he had a lot of crazy things ready for me to try. I am not even sure I can describe them – he hung a resistance band with two handles on the door and I put my feet in the handles and they hung there while I did pushups, brought my knees to my chest, and planks. Fun. I must have done lots of ab work because it hurt to laugh on Saturday (and there was lots of laughing with my family in town!). 

Day 776 | December 3, 2011: Rotary Santa 5K

I ran the Rotary Santa 5K Run with Kayla!

Day 777 | December 4, 2011: 10 m run

I did a slow and easy 10 miler in the afternoon. I hope it helped burn off some of the extra food I ate this weekend!

Distance: 10.0 | Start Temp: 38° | End Temp: 37° | Time: 1:42:37 | Avg Pace: 10:16 | Wore shorts, shirt with arm warmers, gloves and visor

Week Summary: 25.1 miles

I’ve felt kind of weird these past few weeks, running with no goal in mind, besides health (I am really trying to lose some weight). Well, that is all about to change tomorrow! I hired Britt to be my running coach! She is going to coach me for the next 12 weeks, with the goal of me setting a 5K PR at the Round Lake Frosty Footrace on February 26th. We’ll see what happens! I am really excited about working with her. We met for the first time on Monday and I had a ton of fun chatting with her.