Happy weekend! Yet again, I got my weekend started on the right foot (ha! I just typed ‘food’ at first…we see what my mind is on). After switching my rest day to Fridays to accommodate half marathon training better, I felt rejuvenated and refreshed for this morning’s long run. Er, wait. Scratch that.

I did feel rejuvenated and refreshed…but I had no long run awaiting me. This week is a recovery week for me on the ole plan, so no long run on the schedule. Every run this week has called for a three or four mile easy run, including today. Knowing that my fresh feeling legs would want to run fast, I resigned myself to the treadmill – to make sure I stayed at a “recovery run pace”. Running on the treadmill is so much harder for me to do at quicker paces, so it worked well. Plus, the lower impact and flat running can’t hurt in a recovery week either.

The torture device didn’t drive me too bonkers today. I got my music going, set myself at 6.2 mph, tossed a towel over the screen, and just went.

And…done! Before, I always focused on taking one rest day a week, but never regular entire weeks to lighten the load. For half marathon training, though, I certainly see the benefits of recovery weeks. Already so glad I opted for the longer training plan that includes them!

Despite having a shorter run, I still came home ravenous. Running does that to me. I don’t mind. I like food. Currently, I really like peanut butter and jelly food. Always, I really like breakfast food. Saturdays, I really like fancy breakfast food – pancakes, waffles, french toast. You know what’s going to happen next don’t you?

Peanut Butter & Jelly French Toast

I fired up our Cuisinart panini press / griddler (love this thing!) and got cracking. I beat together one egg, a splash of vanilla almond milk, and cinnamon for my dipping. Using two slices of whole wheat bread, I made your standard french toast. Dip, cook, flip, cook, plate. Nothing fancy…but, oh sweet yum. Especially when giving me a PBJ fix.

I heated up about two tablespoons of peanut butter until it was slightly melty to spread over my french toast like a thick syrup. Then, I made my jelly syrup. We had an almost empty jar of Just Fruit strawberry jelly. I added a few diced fresh strawberries to the jar and popped that sucker in the microwave for 20 seconds. Out came a fruity, hearty syrup to douse my already peanut butter slathered french toast.

Breakfast is served!

• Do you regular take lighter training weeks to help your body recover/rest?
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After pushing through my workout last night (and envisioning flash mobs of “Can’t Touch This”), I happily welcomed a rest day this morning. I had time to leisurely start my day, including a shower in peace. I forgot what that feels like since I normally must shower in 2 minutes flat to avoid the breaking point where Makenzie decides seeing how high Braedon’s bouncer will bounce is more fun than reading a book. Ah, motherhood.

I reveled in my hot shower. Although I hate then having to wait a bazillion years to cool off so I can put on my lotion without it just sliding right back off me. 

I want that extra sun protection to stick, after all. A few years ago I had a handful of moles removed and biopsied that looked questionable and ever since then I have taken a lot more precaution with my skin. I stopped using tanning beds ever. I stopped baking in the sun at the pool and when we went to the beach. I loaded up on SPF when I would be outdoors all day for hikes. I did kind of lack on the daily SPF though. Oops!

A few weeks ago I received the Eucerin Everday Protection face and body lotion for review and have used it every single day since. I like the lotions because they aren’t thick piles of goop like standard sunscreen, yet still contain SPF 15 (body) and SPF 30 (face).

They blend in lightly and smoothly without leaving a greasy feeling at all. The face lotion hasn’t caused breakouts – a side effect I feared with using a face lotion with SPF every day. My only complaint is the lotion has a slight sunscreeny smell. Regardless, sun protection, a non-greasy lotion, and a fresh face? I’m game!

Me, my fresh face, and I took advantage of the rest day to also get some errands done. I have a baby shower I’m helping with this weekend, so I had to pick up some things for the shower – including a gift. I’m really bad about putting off gift purchases! Luckily, the registry (and having my own kids to know what is actually worth having) makes it easy. I quickly bought my necessary items and moved on to more important things. Like lunch with a friend!

My friend and I made plans for lunch, but didn’t know where to visit. I Urbanspoon’d it and discovered a cute little sandwich shop called Wildflour.

We got there shortly after it opened at 11 and at first were unsure if it would live up to the reviews since it was so empty. But not 15 minutes later the place became PACKED! I’m glad we got there when we did!

So, did it live up to its wildly popular status on UrbanSpoon?

Do you see that beauty? Portabella mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, fresh basil, provolone cheese, and a sage sauce on their daily fresh baked bread.

My stomach will tell you that, yes, yes it did live up to its reviews. Wildflour now takes the cake, er, sandwich as my favorite deli/cafe/lunch spot in my local area. And that’s a big claim from someone who proclaims sandwiches as one of her favorite foods. Ooey gooey cheese. Perfectly cooked mushrooms. Flavorful sauce. Crispy yet soft, pillowy bread. I could eat you all day. But – I won’t. Only because I have some peanut butter graham truffles to whip up and inevitably taste test 20. You’ll just have to hold your horses to hear more about those though. 🙂

• Do you wear daily SPF lotions?
• What is your favorite way to find new restaurants to try?

**I received the Eucerin products free for review. All opinions expressed are my own.