Good morning!
Well, I did not accomplish my goal of staying off the computer last night…I was working until 11:45pm last night. Oops. Tonight will be lots of fun though. I have a fun outing planned and I can’t wait to tell you about it!
Don’t think you are a runner? Believing you can do it is half the battle…
Here is an uplifting story that a reader named Irene told me about and we thought you might be inspired too!
“Hi Angela! I left a message on your blog on June 5 saying that I felt inspired by your Acura 10-miler race recap and wanted to run the same race this year, but I doubted if I could handle it.
You emailed me back and said I could try – and I did.
I ran a PR of 2:10:26 at the 2010 Acura 10 Miler yesterday.
I’m super proud of myself. ;-) Before May this year, I had never even run 3km in my whole life and I’m in my 40’s. I feel much better about myself after I started running ;-)
Thank you!
Congrats Irene! You are amazing and will be an inspiration for so many people out there who also think they cannot run a certain distance. Thanks for allowing me to share your success story!
Onto breakfast…
Wake me up before you go go (I woke up with that song stuck in my head!)
For breakfast I had vegan overnight oats that I prepared last night before bed. I decided to make a bowl of it this morning and throw in some fun toppings!
Almond Butter and Blueberry Jam Vegan Overnight Oats
- using classic vegan overnight oats recipe
VOO Add in’s:
- 1/2 frozen banana, chopped
- 1 tsp Cacao nibs
- 1 tbsp Organic blueberry jam
- 1/2 tbsp Homemade raw almond butter
The plant tried to stick his finger in for a try!!!
For some reason I am not crazy about nut butter in my vegan overnight oats! Unless it is incorporated into the banana soft serve that is.
Back off plant!!
I really enjoyed the blueberry jam in this.
They were eying my breakfast too…
Health News Round Up
Here are some of my favourite health and fitness links over the past week. Enjoy!
- 5 Healthy Morning Must-dos – Fitsugar
- 6 tips to ward off post-vacation blues – Daily Spark
- How often should I switch up my fitness routine? – Thatsfit
- How to buy the right running shoes – Globe and Mail
- Beet recipes even a beet hater can love – NY Times
- How to pack healthy snacks for the beach – Huffington Post
- 5 awesome uses for aloe – Health.com
- Do you really need 100 SPF Sunscreen? – Fitsugar
- What exercise science doesn’t know about women – NY Times
- Top 100 girls names of 2010 – Huffington Post
- Your brain on exercise– NY Times
- My interview with Bizymoms – Bizymoms
- Check out this charity to raise money for cancer – Wannabe Athlete
Yummy food spottings:
- Cherry, Banana, & Coconut Butter Bread
- Strawberry VOO
- Healthy Spelt Pancakes For One and again with banana topping!
- Skinni-mini glo buns
- Vegan Garlic Scape pesto + 2 other pesto recipes
- Couscous and cheeze and here
- Energize Me Creamy Fruit Dip
- VOO!
- Vegan overnight oats in a gorgeous bowl presentation
- Nut Butter Crusted Parsnip Fries
- In A Jiffy Spelt Veggie Burgers
Git er done!
[But also remember- “You can do anything, but not everything.”~David Allen] :biggrin:
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{ 70 comments… read them below or add one }
Way to go Irene! Sometimes all it takes is someone else believing you can do it so that you can actually start believing in yourself.
Congrats again :)
How inspiring! That is awesome :-)
That is very inspiring!! I love stories like that :-)
I also love your mug– too cute!
Coming from someone who hates to run but wishes she could – very inspiring!
Congrats, Irene! It’s a great reminder that we usually can do more than we give ourselves credit for.
I think I’ll remember Irene’s story when I head out for a run today (something I am currently dreading because its hot out). If she can overcome her nerves for running I’m sure I can overcome some heat :)
Congrats to Irene! I agree with Tracey that we can often do more than we think we can, and as I age I really that more and more.
I love that you include flower photos in each post. It makes me feel like I’m sitting in a garden or something. lol.
I’m a little obsessed with running at moment. I just ordered a headband that says “will run for wine.” I’m a little obsessed with wine, too.
Your vegan oats make me want to be a vegan. period.
Have a great day!
Nice inspiring story to start the day. Wow you were up late.
Im typically up til 11:30-midnight every night!
Congratulations, Irene! Very inspiring!
And Angela, thanks for the shout-out: my husband and I just love the In a Jiffy Spelt Burgers! :)
Your flowers are stunning…nice shots.
The blueberries in your oatmeal make it looks quite pretty…I as well am not a fan of nut butters in my oatmeal..maybe I have to give it another try.
Congrats to Irene! I ran taht race too on Sunday and it was a tough one (distance and heat!!) She should be so proud that she went out and did it. What a great accomplishment!
Congrats to Irene – very inspiring!
Congrats Irene!
I love your overnight oats photos – I may just have to set one as my desktop background! :)
Great job Irene! :)
I woke up singing the song “Home” by Edward Sharpe to my fiancé…. Such a catchy song!!
Congratulations Irene! Thanks for sharing your story! I have yet to complete a race and reading stories like yours keeps my motivation up.
In my very first batch of VOO, I used almond butter as a topping and was turned off too. I really need to give it another shot.
Love your tea kettle! Makes me want some hot tea right now. Especially the tea I had at the B&B in Colorado Springs where hubby and I stayed for our honeymoon. :)
I feel the same way about believing you can do it! I never used to be a runner, and I wouldn’t really consider myself one right now, but just believing that I COULD be one has really helped my endurance!
Wow, what perfect timing for Irene’s story! I am trying to talk myself into signing up for a 5K right now. I think anyone can do a 5K, I just don’t know that *I* can do it. It’s always a great reminder to hear others tell us that we can do more than we think!
I LOVE nut butter in my oatmeal, but only if it’s hot oatmeal which I know you’re not a fan of. I get a lot of strange looks at work over it, but it’s soooooo delicious! It gets all melty and gooey and wonderful. Hmmm, I know what I’m having for breakfast!
I have to thank you for introducing me to banana soft serve (I’ve been making the cherry banana)! I am addicted to it and love it over chilled oats. And the best part is that my notoriously picky 2 year old gobbles it up! He loves that I let him have “ice cream” for breakfast!
Thats great!
Hi! I discovered your blog last night and tried my first bowl of VOO this morning- what a PERFECT way to start the day! I am sure I will be experimenting and adapting a whole lot more now. Thank you for the inspiration on this site! X
Congrats Irene!!
I ran the 10 miler on Sunday too! It was tough this year because of the humidity but I still feel great that I did it even though I ran much slower than last year!! Take every run as a fun and useful learning experience! I learned that 2 huge cups of coffee on race morning = bad times…couldn’t keep a steady pace, think I was too jittery!
Now everyone sign up for the Scotiabank and/or Goodlife marathons please!! :-)
I think I will do the half or 5k. Last year I ran both the scotia half and goodlife half back to back..it was insane
Yes I don’t think I could do 2 marathons back to back like that…would be too crazy!! I want to try the 1/2 for the Scotiabank, then the full for the Goodlife..even if I have to crawl to the finish!
Side note – do you ever have any foot/toe/toenail issues from running?? I think it would make an interesting blog post subject as you have a ton of readers that are runners. I lost a toenail last year from training (ew I know)…but it grew back :-) Have any foot care tips??
I dont have any toe issues except during half sometimes my nail will cut my toe if it rubs up against it. I try and cut my toenails VERY short during running season and it helps. If all else fails wrap the problem toe in moleskin :)
Thanks I’m going to get some moleskin!
Hmm I think for overnight oats I wouldn’t like nut butta either. :) But for hot oats it’s perfect.
Major congrats to Irene. Way to go girl! :D
I love all of your links! I can’t wait to go through them :)
Go Irene!
i know that this is really not accepted well in the food blogger world, but i really don’t like almond all that much…except on carrots! carrots + almond butter = LOVE FOREVER :)
I loved Irene’s story! It’s so timely too! I’m running my first 5k this Thursday and I’m so nervous! I’ve never thought I was a very good runner but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. If Irene can do it, so can I :)
Irene’s story inspired me to finally post to your blog, which I’ve been following for a couple of weeks now (and I just had my first green monster this morning — my partner actually made them for us — he does the cooking and has modified several of your recipes lately!). I have never super loved running, but after reading your blog I thought I’d give it another try. And I was promptly reminded of why I quit exercising in the first place. When I exercise, I get these awful, embarrassing, itchy, insanity-inducing hives all over me, but especially on my legs. It makes it a little difficult to focus on the mental aspect of running when I can’t manage the physical aspect. I’ve tried antihistamines, which improve the condition, but don’t completely cure it. Doctors (multiple doctors!) tell me to just deal with it because there’s no cure. It is really frustrating, and I end up returning from a run quicker than I’d like and extremely upset and frustrated because of my condition. Any one else out there experienced this and/or have any tips for how to overcome this? I feel really stuck because I’m eating healthier but it doesn’t seem to do much good if I can’t be physically active. I don’t mean to be a complainer, but I’d love some tips from people on how to deal with this! Thanks!
Hi Jen!
Im so sorry you have to go through that. From what I have heard it is quite common. While Eric doesnt get hives he does get a rash from hard workouts and that is frustrating enough for him, so I can imagine how you feel.
I had a near-identical bowl of oats this morning, banana, almond butter, blueberries :) When I make overnight oats I like to mash up a banana and add it in to the mix to set overnight (different from how you do it) and I always mash it up with my nut butter, so it’s kind of like banana-nutbutter oats. So good.
Really inspiring story, thanks for sharing!! You *ARE* an inspiration!!
love the running inspiration story!
Awesome story! She SHOULD be proud of herself – and you should be proud too, Ange! You’re an inspiration to us all and don’t you forget it! :)
Wei-Wei
That’s pretty stinkin’ awesome Irene! Very inspiring!
Last summer I went to Chicago and we saw a classic movie in Griffith Park and it was so much fun. It’s a summer park film festival that runs all summer and hundreds of people come sit in the park and watch. Definitely check it out!
Just wondering…do you measure the nut butter and jam or do you just guess how much you use?
I dont measure my own portions for the most part
What a wonderful story!
Look forward to hearing about your outing!
Well done Irene!!! I like nut butter in everything!!
Very inspiring, Irene! I too, am a beginner runner and am just trying to find my groove as well. Ran a 4km in 25 minutes yesterday, a PR for me!
Angela, I’ve been curious to know what kind of sunscreen you use for outdoor running? I’ve tried quite a few myself but have never been completely happy with any one product. Either they’re gloopy, smelly or burn my sensitive skin. I would be grateful to hear others recommendations too!
I use Neutrogena…its ok…not wonderful or anything.
Congrats, Irene! That is so inspiring. It’s very true that you can really do anything if you just put your mind to it and are willing to put in the time.
Congrats to Irene! Her story really hits close to home. I’ve been running for almost 2 years but I still don’t think I’m capable of doing a race. Sometimes all it takes is believing in yourself and then taking the plunge and signing up to do it. Maybe I won’t be so hesitant next time I have an opportunity to do a race!!
I made blackberry banana softserve VOO yesterday, and they turned out PERFECTLY. Check out my blog for pretty pics!!!!
ha! love the plant trying to get your oats! :) I have the same problem, only the plant is a DOG. :)
that blueberry jam sounds awesome.
GREAT inspirational running story – for me especially, as I’ve been struggling with getting back to the endurance levels I used to have. getting there…
Hi Angela! Tried VOO for the first time today! Made strawberry banana soft serve with it. It was amazing! It kept me full for hours. Why did I wait this long to make it!?!
Thanks for all your inspiration! Keep on writing!
So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
I mistakenly bought the sweetened almond butter instead of the raw I usually get – I’ve actaully kind of liked it to add to my green monsters and VOO because it is just enough sweet! I probably won’t buy it again, but I’m enjoying it right now.
Okay – those oats look amazing, and the blueberry jam sounds fantastic. Also – congrats to Irene. What a great story.
Congrats to Irene! Running is not easy in the beginning, but it’s so worth it in the end!
VOO looks amazing…as always! I haven’t made it in awhile…I may have to be bringing it back soon. I did, however, try savory oats for the first time this morning. They weren’t my favorite thing ever, but they were pretty good. May have to experiment some more.
Thanks for the link! :)
<hehehe I just realized that what you call "overnight oats" or simply oats for breakfast nothing more then our swiss "bircher müesli" is! :D
Lalla
Hey, congrats to Irene! I love a good inspiring health story on a dreary Tuesday afternoon!
On other notes, your overnight oats look great. I’ve tried jam in mine plenty of times and it is delicious!
I like your lists…I clicked over to the Girl Names-Top 100..my name Avery (but I spell it Averie) is #31. I legally changed my name from something extremely lame that I hated for nearly 3 decades to Averie about 18 mos ago. And my middle name and my last name too :) Clean slate! But it’s interesting that all these little baby girls and me will have the same name. I’m Averie Harmony and my daughter is Skylar Lotus. Om shanti baby, can you tell we’re a yoga-teaching, vegan, hippy dippy lovey dovey kinda house…haha!
:)
such beautiful flowers…
angela, i tried your nut butter fries yesterday – they were HOLY CRAP fantastic! they are now my favourite fries too. i have to make some more almond butter (thats what i coated them in) so i can make some more!!
What a great story Irene!!
And what another great breakfast Angela!!!
I’m a new runner too, so I really appreciate you posting something about someone else just like me! It’s nice to see where I could (and plan to) be in a few months.
Also, I saw that you don’t love nut butter on your overnight oats, but have you ever tried nuts? I make this awesome nut granola (that just reminded me that I still need to post it on my blog!) that I put on top of my overnight oats, and they are DIVINE!
Ok, so I have to tell you, I ordered some Glo Bars when you had your Canada Day sale. I literally could not wait for them to arrive. I was SO SO SO excited, I even tracked them via Canada post (oh man did I really just admit that?).
Anyway, they showed up yesterday morning. They were waiting for me when I opened up the door as I was leaving to go get some coffee. I think I literally did a little happy dance.
I exercised some self-control, as I had just eaten breakfast, and waited until just before my afternoon yoga class to dig in. I chose to have an Empower flavored one, as I figured it would fuel me through my class.
Oh. My. God. You are an absolute bar-goddess. It was perfect. I don’t even usually like coffee-chocolate flavors that much (I hate mochas), but this was amazing and the texture was spot on.
This morning, I had a six mile run to do. Now I can’t run on an empty stomach, but I can’t run with too much in there either. So I usually have a small snack before heading out and then have breakfast when I get home. I figured a glo-bar would be perfect. I went with Endure this time, to help me ‘endure’ my run. Again, you are brilliant. I loved the dried fruit quantities, and the texture and the taste.
I can’t wait to try the rest of the flavors you sent (I got a variety pack). You’ve turned me into an addict. Now if only you sold in a Vancouver store so I didn’t have to wait for them to make their way across the country whenever I want my fix.
On second thought, I beg, beg, beg you to find a Vancouver store to sell at. I’m pretty sure it would make my life complete.
Anyway, I’ll stop rambling. I’m sorry for the lengthy comment, I just wanted to tell you how much I love your bars. You are incredibly good at what you do, and I hope you know that. I can tell you take pride in your work and you absolutely deserve to because you’re awesome!
Thank you SO much for such a ‘gloing’ review! You are such a sweetheart. This really made my day. xo
i could stare at your food photographs EVERY DAY!
Congrats to Irene! How wonderful!
Thanks for sharing!!!!
Those oats look fab. I’m starving- I think I’m going to go make me some!
Almond butter and jam is my FAVORITE! Definitely making this soon :)
Thanks for all those awesome links!
That bowl of VOO looks AMAZING! I miss almond butter. :( I ran out, and was determined to make my own – but I haven’t gotten around to it yet so I have been without it for months now. I may have to cave and pick up a jar until I have some time to process my own. :P
I really liked Irene’s story – what an inspiration!! I love powerful the human mind, spirit and body can really be once they’re all working toward the same goal.
-Alison
Nice work Irene! Next time I’m dragging my heels I’ll think of you and how great you did :)
YUM! I am looking up raw brownie recipes ASAP! I love your mug, so cute!