What a season it’s shaping up to be. I’ve been so insanely busy that I hardly have time to breathe. Fun plans, work plans, family plans, running plans … so many plans. Minute-to-minute when-can-I-fit-it-in plans.
Already this morning, I ran 6 miles, baked a pecan pie cake for my sister-in-law’s birthday party tonight, dropped the kid at the sitter, stopped at the grocery store to buy breakfasts and lunches for work and settled in at the office. It’s 9:00 am.
That kind of busy.
This weekend was fun busy. Friday night, we headed to my mom and dad’s right after work for a little happy hour and dinner with their friends here from Wisconsin. Saturday morning, I ran my 12 miles with Ginger then headed home so Adam could run his own 10. While he was gone, I showered and then Piper and I headed to the grocery store for our weekly shopping trip. When I got home, Adam was home and we decided to pack up the car for an afternoon at the park.
It was breezy and cool, but we headed to Northshore Park along Tampa Bay to let Piper run and play. We grabbed a couple sandwiches and a six-pack at the amazing Rally micro-brew cooler, and made a little picnic. Some friends joined us with their kids and we had a great afternoon.
That evening, we had dinner with friends then headed to the Local 662 for a “Tribute to Yacht Rock” show that my brother’s band was playing. Needless to say, they rocked. The show was a lot of fun – think punk rock covers of Lionel Ritchie and Gordon Lightfoot … a little Chicago. Costumes. Too much smoke and so many friends. Great times.
Sunday morning arrived way too early, even though we slept until 8. I had prepared for a lazy morning but soon realized we had way too much to do – so jumped right into making pancakes with my favorite sous chef.
I’m not generally a fan of pancake from mixes when I can make my own just as quickly – and more deliciously – but I found this mix I really wanted to try. It was awesome – slightly grainy but fluffy and light. I’ll make more this weekend to freeze for the week.
My favorite pancake mix!
Also, did I forget to mention what time of the year it is? Wait – how did those get here?
After pancakes, Piper played while I went for a short run and showered. We did a few chores around the house and it’s all of a sudden lunch time – and time to kick up the busy a few notches. We packed up the kid and headed out the door to grab a bite at Toucan’s - a new taphouse and grill that we are quite enamored with right now.
I indulged a little too much – resting on my 30-mile week and allowing myself to order a patty melt cheeseburger and fries. It was delicious, but I felt terrible the rest of the day. I just can’t eat like that anymore or I regret it.
After lunch, we headed to Target to pick up a few birthday gifts, drove out to the beach to pick up the boy and then headed to a family birthday party in Tampa.
We got home that night just in time for bedtime, exhausted and ready to relax – but that hasn’t happened yet. Monday was a full day of work, followed by dinner, a run and another trip to the grocery story. And you’ve already heard about my morning today.
We have plans every weekend through mid-May – fun plans, but plans that mean we struggle to finish laundry and cooking takes a backseat to quick and easy meals.
Which leads me to … what are your “OMG I’M SO BUSY!” go-to family meals? I need some quick and easy options that are also healthy.
One of our fave go to’s are chopping up a bunch of veggies – onion, broccoli, mushroom, eggplant, roast it for like 45 min with some garlic & Olive Oil (while u do something else – laundry? conference calls?) make some pasta, we like gemelli shaped -or rigatoni – but any shape you have on hand will do. Save some pasta water, when veggies are done, toss with the hot pasta, toss in a bit of that pasta water for sauseyness and some more olive oil if you like & sprinkle in your fave shredded cheese – fontina and manchego are fabulous. And if we ‘re feeling extra fancy toss in some sun dried tomatoes. I love this cuz i usually make a ton and the next nite, I make it pomodoro and add chopped tomatoes or tomato sauce or even more veggies like a garlicy sautéed spinach. Delish!
Oooo Michelle – that sounds super easy and delicious! I could make a huge batch on Sunday night and reheat on our busy dance-class mayhem evenings too
Now I know what to get at the market Saturday morning!
That sounds like a plan…and speaking of plans, ya got any recommendations of what to eat b4 a race? I’m doing my 3rd 5k, but i’m from NYC where its less hot and races seem to start earlier… I’m running on Saturday at 9 bleeping 30…thats practically lunchtime! any suggestions on what to eat. Do you train right up until the race? Should I run on Friday? or would you recommend an alternative activity like biking or roller blading. I live right near bayshore so thats my proving ground.
I love reading your running notes, & reading about St Pete, they are very inspiring. esp your 10 reasons why I run. Keep on blogging on.. ( I actually did get up to run one morning in feb at 5:30 it was really great but i was a wreck by 2:30! lol)
back to crazy town,
M
Are you doing Gasparilla? We’re doing the 15k at 7 am. 9:30 IS late! Even before my long runs, I generally eat a banana and a “squeezy yogurt” as my 3yo calls them (a tube of yogurt). They’re full of sugar and protein. Dairy might not work for some people, but I generally don’t have any problems.
How much are you running now? That’ll influence whether you should run in the next couple days or not. For me, a 5k is something I can do after a few beer and buffet. But that certainly wasn’t always the case!
Thanks for the kind words – it’s nice to hear that I’m not always just shouting into the wind
holy smokes, how is it friday already!
Yes i’m doing the gasparilla, did you go to the expo today, so much cool stuff – I’m def more into running for the cool kickers than the actual running : )
I’m doing the 5K, i did one last may – i was more of a spinner & Zumba queen.,but now i’m on a budget (both time and $) so i’m trying to become a running ninja. I’ve been going 3 miles about 3-4 x per week, but I’m slow, real slow.. but I am making progress.
I think i’m going to have a multi grain waffle with PB and a coffee. (my fave Vit C) now I have to figure out what dang time to get to my corral, MOOOO!
My hubby is doing the 5+3, and my pal Julia is doing the half, so maybe I’ll see you on sunday – I’ll cheer real loud!!! Good luck, bloglady,
M