I looked at the calendar today. The combination of our calendar tucked away on the side of the refrigerator and my relative obliviousness to the passing blur of days always leaves me surprised when I do stop to take a peek. Hold up. What day is it again? And then the following three thoughts cross my mind:

• Must. Remember. To. Send. August. Preschool. Payment. MUST. Remember! (think someone is looking forward to the start of preschool?…then again my baby can’t be big enough yet! – tears commence)
• Healthy Living Summit is in three weeks. Squeal with delight. But…oh yea. I need to find the time somewhere to finalize all the panel details. Yikes. Three weeks?!
• Happy Birthday to me in four weeks from today!

Since my upcoming birthday has no extra freak out emotions, we’ll lay our focus there. I remember as a kid always having to craft up wish lists for my parents well in advance. You all know how I enjoy making lists. Making a list detailing fun things I would love to have awaiting me four weeks from now sounds like a pretty good way to occupy my time. And we’ll just gloss over the fact it only takes 30 seconds since I’ve had one running in my mind for at least the past two months.

A Subscription to Runner’s World

I am fully aware that running has overtaken me. I am also fully content with that and want it to overtake me even more. This way I can get my running fix even on those elliptical cross-training sessions. Winning, no?

The Women’s Health Big Book of Exercises

I used to own this book and loved it to help me always have something new to do for my workouts. It got lost in a move sometime ago and I want it back. Perhaps its lost with my previous love of reading novels because now apparently all I want to read are exercise books (NASM study materials, hello!!!), running magazines, and blogs.

iTunes Gift Card

A gift that would keep on giving. And earn you a spot in my rambling thoughts during my half marathon as I would use this gift to help create a rocking playlist for the race.

Massage

Because I’m obviously going to need one considering my first three gift choices.

Tickets to See Wicked

Wicked is coming to The Fox! Wicked is coming to The Fox! Wicked is coming to The Fox!!! Only my favorite theater in Atlanta. Only the one Broadway musical I have been hoping would make its way to Atlanta one day. Only the best idea for a date night for me! Think I threw enough hints in there? 😉

A New FFF Shirt

Just because I create them doesn’t mean I get them for free. I want one of these two that I came up with after my original designs.

Any of the Following Will Do…

  

Would you expect any less of me?

A Day Where It’s All About Me

Okay, that sounds extraordinarily selfish but I only ask for 2 of 365 days (birthday and Mother’s Day) to have the focus on me, myself, and I. To get cared for by others instead of taking care of others. And I must admit that I desperately need that feeling for this birthday. I could care less about any of the other things as long as I get that one day to feel special, appreciated, and care-free. Although Wicked tickets sure would make a nice fit. Too bad a certain two-year-old’s tuition takes precedence. Then again, that could very well be a gift that keeps on giving as well. Not bad at all, I’ll say.

• Do you ever make gift wish lists? What would be on yours?
• In what month is your birthday?

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!