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?
• Have you liked Love Grown Foods on their Facebook page and followed them on Twitter yet? Remember for each new like/follow they are donating a full bag of granola to hungry children. Spread the love!

Morning, friends! My favorite day of the week has arrived. I just love Saturdays and they always start out on the good side with a long run. Even when not my strongest run, I always feel so accomplished after finishing up my long run of the week. It’s a fabulous feeling and today was no different.

I had 8 miles on the half marathon training plan and I decided to take on the slower pace approach to see how it would work for me, especially considering I have only run one other eight miler before. I ended the eight miles with an average 9:46 pace and felt like I could have gone more. My legs weren’t screaming at me at all.

This morning also happened to be my first run in the rain. You can’t really tell in the photo but running six of my eight miles in steady rain left me soaked through! And refreshed! I actually really liked running in the rain.

After getting home, I immediately changed and got to work on breakfast.

Handfuls of Love Grown Granola while waiting for a smoothie to blend anyone??

I ended up with another peanut butter, banana (the victorious fruit!), and Power GY vanilla protein powder smoothie thickened up with the xan (my new nickname for xanthan gum). All topped off with the Simply Oats granola from Love Grown. 

Favorite fruit? Check! Favorite thing to add to every breakfast (aka peanut butter)? Check! Favorite protein powder? Check! Favorite granola? Check! And now Love Grown and I get to share an even more special, loving bond.

I have been bursting at the seams to announce that I will work to represent Love Grown as they sponsor me for the Healthy Living Summit this year!!!

I have shared on more than one occasion how much I love Love Grown – for the quality of their products, for what the company stands for, and for the inspiration they provide as driven and caring ambassadors to healthy living and eating. I have supported Love Grown ever since originally tasting their products and we decided my spreading the love at the conference would make a natural fit.

While all of this certainly excites me, it should hopefully excite you too. This bond means I get to share all sorts of special updates, promotions, giveaways, etc with YOU! After all, I hope to share the love daily and Love Grown lives and breathes spreading love. I wouldn’t want to connect with a company that did any less.

In fact, I already have some cool news to give you:

• Florida Residents: You should now be able to find Love Grown Granola in your local Fresh Market stores!!
• Check out the Love Grown You Tube Channel:  Find fun videos like a ping pong battle over their Cocoa Goodness granola or watch the story of Love Grown Foods. It’s pretty amazing.

Well, now that my belly is full of love (cheesy pun, I know), I must get a start on my day. First up = picking up those healthy grocery staples, of course. Catch ya later!

• How do you like to start your Saturday mornings?
• What’s a company you simply adore?