The changing of the seasons typically coincide with changes in my workout schedules.
As the temperature dropped over the past few weeks, I started to shift my outdoor runs to the lunch hour. By the time midday strikes, the temperature has usually warmed up by 7-10 degrees Celsius which is substantial when you are running outdoors!
For example, when I got up this morning it was –3C (26F) and by noon it had warmed up to 9C (48F). As much as I love getting my workout done with in the morning, during the Fall season, I prefer to run outside after it warms up. I do not like the cold, despite being a former Winter Endurance Athlete. ;)
My lunchtime workouts have left me with the big ‘before or after’ question regarding the timing of my lunch: Do I eat lunch before my run or do I eat after my run?
I have been experimenting with eating lunch before or after my run and I have found that when I eat my lunch 30-45 minutes before my run, I have much more energy than if I wait to eat until after. Of course, that makes total sense, but I was almost certain I would get running cramps after eating, but that hasn’t been the case. Sometimes I also ‘split up’ my lunch and have half before my workout and half after. This seems to work well too.
After yesterday’s awesome Avocado-Lime Black Bean Salad, I was inspired yet again to mix it up for lunch. I wanted something fairly light, yet still energizing for my run and this Cinnamon Spice Sweet Potato Chickpea Salad was born…
Cinnamon Spice Sweet Potato Chickpea Salad
A hybrid between raking the leaves in the Fall and sipping a margarita on a tropical beach. Somehow, the flavours of cinnamon and Coconut oil just pair together so wonderfully. Don’t forget the sea salt too; it really makes the flavours pop in this recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1.5 cups cooked chickpeas
- 1 small onion, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp coconut oil, divided
Directions: Preheat oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment or a non-stick liner. Peel and chop sweet potato. In a large bowl, add the cooked chickpeas, uncooked sweet potato, chopped onion, cinnamon, salt, and 1/2 tbsp coconut oil. Mix well. Spread onto prepared baking sheet and place in the oven at 425F for 36-40 minutes. Remove from oven and place into a large bowl. Add the remaining 1/2 tbsp coconut oil and stir well to coat. Add additional sea salt if preferred. Serves 1-2.
I don’t know about you, but 6 ingredient recipes make me happy. Very, very happy.
[Note the onion is missing and I couldn’t fit all the chickpeas and sweet potato on the board so I just grabbed a handful ‘for show’!]
Mix the above ingredients together in a bowl and spread out onto a baking sheet.
It smells like love, puppies, and rainbows mixed with a tropical beach.
Bake for 36-40 minutes at 425F.
Deeply inhale and fill your lungs with the sweet cinnamon and coconut aroma.
Place salad back into a bowl and mix in more coconut oil as it is a bit dry when it comes out of the oven. Sprinkle with more sea salt and serve immediately!
When I made this, I assumed it was a two-serving recipe, but I loved it so much I ate the whole damn thing!
After all, I needed my pre-run fuel. ;)
And boy did I ever have energy on today’s run. Granted, I had to wear my running jacket + gloves to feel *sorta* warm, but it was refreshing once my body warmed up.
After about 30 minutes of digesting, I hit the road.
Side note: I haven’t been blogging about all of my exercise lately, but I have been running on average 19-25 miles per week, with 1-2 complete rest days per week. Right now, I consider myself to be in ‘maintenance mode’; I am not presently training for any races, but I am still running consistently to keep up my ‘base’.
Side Note #2: Remember when I broke my second iPod Shuffle by putting it in the washing machine? Well, I am proud to say that I have been running for about 4-5 weeks now with absolutely NO music and I don’t even miss it much anymore! I never thought I could get used to running without music, but here I am. I find that I get more thinking done too.
The run:
- Distance: 4.16 miles
- Time: 34:10 mins
A delicious snack followed…Healthy Cookie Bites! Aka: Oatmeal in cookie form. ;)
Now that Fall is here and Winter is quickly approaching, do you change up your workouts with the seasons or the time of day that you workout? Do you move inside, put on workout DVD’s, hit the gym, or just bundle up?
[As I typed this post, a notification popped up on my computer telling me that daylight Saving Time ends this weekend….doh!!]
How do you think olive oil would be instead of coconut? I have all the ingredients except the coconut oil, and I don’t really want to buy any ingredients (being frugal is hard! lol). My shuffle is like my security blanket when I run. I have to have it with me and on, but at the end of a run I couldn’t tell you at all what I listened to! It’s my white noise I guess!
Yup im sure it would still work! It won’t have that coconut-cinnamon combo that I loved but maybe you can sprinkle on some coconut on top too?
I eat roasted sweet potatoes covered in cinnamon and other warming fall spices every night, and I usually have some sort of bean or lentil on the side, as well, but I’ve never thought to roast the two together. This sounds easy and delicious, and your photos are beautiful. I love that spoon, too!
OHHHHH love that lunch idea!!! i have some chickpeas and some sweet patatahs right now too! it’s 77 here in california so it was actually really nice to run outside. :) I’m so spoiled bc when i wake up, it’s about 65 and i’m like AHHH it’s cooold. my boyfriend who’s from NY says, this is your fall here?? LOL. i usually go to they gym in the winter, but decided to join a yoga studio this time and run outside. I was worried at first bc it gets to about 45 here and that’s really cold for me to go running. But now after hearing your temp there…guess it’s not that bad. :) May I ask what “winter” gear you wear when you go run outside?
Right now im wearing a workout sports bra, tank, and running jacket from lululemon. Also Nike running gloves (which dont keep my hands that warm!)
Also wear black workout pants, that are fitted and end just before my ankles. Will have to switch to full length pants soon! I also need ear warmers…
That recipe looks good, but I only say ‘good’ because I don’t like coconut or sweet potatoes ( I know, I am bizarre). However, I am going to utilize this recipe to create a meal that is similar with ingredients that I can more easily digest and taste great (to me, and I suppose others with similar tastes!).
Thanks for the idea! :)
im sure it is quite adaptable too!
I have a hard time timing runs and meals lately. Last year I most ran about an hour or two after breakfast, but over this past summer I got into the habit of having a snack and running right before dinner. I can’t seem to decide which works better, as it varies from run to run!
Sadly, we don’t really have “seasons” here in Los Angeles! I know I shouldn’t complain about having sunny weather most of the year– but I wish it weren’t 90-degrees in November!! It totally put a kink in my running plans this afternoon, because it was TOO HOT! I ended up doing my workout inside instead!
For afternoon workouts, I usually eat beforehand as well– leaving at least an hour or two for digestion. I also try to keep my lunch lighter before a workout, such as a big salad and a side of Cherry Choco-cado Pudding (one of my faves!), to prevent any cramping during my runs. Splitting my lunch into two parts works well, too!
Hope you’re staying warm!! (I’m kinda jealous, though– I miss snow!!)
Hi Angela! (have been following your lovely blog for a while but never commented until now!)
I used to be a frequent runner, and couldn’t get through a session without my trusty ipod, but then late last year I injured my back training for a marathon, and had to switch to just using my elliptical, and now when I do go for a run, my headphones always slip out of my ears and I find my ipod a nuisance!
Nowdays the only thing that would impede upon my workout would be if whilst using my elliptical my gilmore girls or sex and the city dvds got scratched lol.
Laura :)
ps that cookie from yesterday looks sooo delicious, and a great size too!
I bundle up and run outside as long as possible. There’s this January Freeze 10K series that we always do, and the average temps at the races is like -5 F. But sometimes colder! Now that I’m injured, I have started going to the gym in the mornings (5:30 AM, which is 12 hours earlier than I NORMALLY work out) to do pool running. Generally, though, I do a lot more cross-training in the winter just because marathon training season is over and I need to rest my joints. It can be frustrating with working full-time, though. Because with the time change, I feel like when I’m not working, I’m living in a deep, dark cave. Boo!
u inspire me to do a winter run!! There is one called the re-frigee-eighter in feb that I bailed on last year haha
Mmm that salad looks delicious! I’m gonna try making that this weekend I think :)
In previous years, I exercised indoors in the gym, but this is gonna be my first winter running outside, so any advice on winter running gear would be greatly appreciated!
I had a bit of a scary running incident recently, made worse by the fact that I had my iPod on, so I might try running without it soon…I do always feel much more unsafe when I have it, but love running to music, so I’m stuck! :S
Good point, I do feel safer and more aware without music!
You have gotten so speedy! I don’t know if I could ever make the transition to running without an ipod, so props to you!
I have to start doing all of my runs indoors once the cold weather hits. I’m way too much of a baby to face running in the cold! :P
If I don’t have coconut oil, do you think I would get the same flavours if I roasted the veggies with olive oil and then just mixed in a bit of coconut butter once they come out of the oven?
Hmm I’m not sure, I wonder if the coconut butter might be too thick/stronger in flavour? I’m sure it would still taste good, although perhaps not quite the same!
Last winter, I started using the gym (first time ever!!!). I think this time I might do the 30 Day Shred Challenge because I want to be toned! Plus, it’s only like 25 minutes.
Oh or swimming. That’s the only outdoor exercise I can handle in cold weather!
Looks yummy, I still need to get some coconut oil, I have had it sitting in my cart at Amazon.com for quite awhile, just can’t commit to buying it. I did the same thing with chia seeds and then when I finally got them I could have kicked myself for not getting them sooner.
I rarely ever run with music, I do usually have friends I run with though, so that makes the time go quickly! We have been bundling up in the mornings, but I am not looking forward to the colder temps headed our way.
This sald looks perfect for the cold months ahead.
Hi Angela!! I’ve recently switched from running in the evening to running in the mornings! Its not quite as cold here in SC (~50-60 degrees F in the mornings) and I find that I feel MUCH better throughout the day if I get moving in the mornigns! It feels SO good to not have to ‘squeeze’ in a workout after work and before making dinner! I am a little worried about waht I’m gonna do when it get super cold outside…
I am always just a little under the weather this time of year. I haven’t been sick, but just run down. As a result I have shifted my workout focus to a home yoga practice for the month of November. Running and weight lifting are still part of my regime but it’s great to have my primary activity be yoga, especially as the holidays approach and things get hectic.
I re-joined the gym now that we are around -2 in Alberta (yesterday when I left work it was 8 degrees… but windy… BRRR!). I find that running outside, I prefer having no music but at the gym I like music to zone out everyone else :)
Angela!
This looks so, so yummy! I might make it today for lunch if I can run out and buy the ingredients in time! I made your “chickpea bites” two nights ago and both my boyfriend and I OBSESSED over them. :)
<3
“It smells like love, puppies, and rainbows mixed with a tropical beach.” You are too funny, Angela!
I just started running in March of this year, so I have yet to experience running in the Winter, but I can tell you that I am not excited about it. I’ve got a Bowflex Treadclimber of which I expect to get a lot of use.
I love running without music!! I used to think running would be so boring without it but I actually really enjoy going outside with no distractions…just some quiet time with my breathing and my thoughts :).
Even if I’m not even really paying attention to my music, I really need it! I want to quit after about one minute without it.
I work out in the gym 98% of the time specifically because of the weather! If it is “too hot” or “too cold” I don’t want to work out at all.
I must try this. It combines so many of my favorite things. If only mine would end up looking so pretty!
I am not a fan of working out with music…that lunch sounds freaking deeelicious!!! :) <3 <3
another wonderful recipe by ohsheglows :) looks yummy!
i can’t stand being in the gym without music. and the cold air is already hurting my lungs! i stepped out of the gym for one lap around the outdoor field, and i felt frostbitten! haha.
xo.
I recently got into cycling (August) and absolutely fell in love. It was fine when the weather was warm but now that it’s about 35 degrees in the mornings it puts a damper on those cycling workouts. I have toyed with the idea of moving my workouts to the afternoon so I can still ride but honestly it would be a HUGE interruption in my day. I may give it a shot this Sunday since the temps in the afternoon are supposed to be near 60. WOO HOO!! Normally I have a schedule and nothing breaks that. I’m trying to get out of that habit and stop being so ridgid.
When I workout at home (DVDs or stationary bike) I don’t use my iPod. But when I’m out on the trail riding my bike I love to have music going (very low). I find that it helps me push through tough spots. the few times I have forgotten it at home I have had too much thinking time and sometimes that’s not good for my husband. ;)
Your recipes are amazing! I am going to try the healthy bites this weekend. Your truffles are Paul (my husband) approved. I made those this weekend and he had to take them to work for the guys to try too. They are now on my Christmas platter list. Thanks for always having easy and super yummy recipes!
Congrats on going music-less. I find I am much much much more in-tune with my body when I’m not in-tune with the tunes!!!
Your salad looks delicious!!! Yum!!!
Lastly, I generally just bundle up and continue on with my training outdoors. However, this season I’m broken, so forsee a lot of pool time and spin classes once my surgeon gives me the all-clear!
Gorgeous photos! The chickpeas look absolutely mouth watering, as do the granola bites! Great job!
Ange, this recipe speaks to all my loves: sweet, salty and simple :) I looove this one, defnitely going to be trying it this week :) As for my fall/winter workouts: I started to get on a routine again in the gym. I get back to my treadmill workouts and use group fitness classes to mix things up and get me excited. Also, HOT YOGA! Who doesn’t like to be toasty warm on those cold winter days?
Beautiful recipe! I like to mix things up and do more home workouts in between studio yoga sessions. I’m actually about to buy a bunch of different DVD’s to try!
I just made the sweet potato chickpea salad. Soooo good! Thanks for all the great recipes!
This recipe was delicious! I made it last night, but added in some fresh green beans, butternut squash, and lentils. I also sauteed it instead of baking it in the oven. Yum!! So simple yet so good.
Quick question – is coconut oil supposed to taste like coconut? The one I have doesn’t – I could have used any other oil and it would have tasted the same. I was kinda looking forward to that tropical taste :-/ But was still very good!
I definitely need to switch up my workouts with the seasons. In spring, winter and fall I tend to stick to running outside for the majority of my exercise. But come summer in Australia and its 40*C days it’s far too hot even at 4am to run outside. So I purchase a gym membership for summer and enjoy spin classes, swimming, and some light running on a treadmill in air conditioning.
When it’s too hot to breath, don’t expect me to run ;-)
I am so jealous of your cold weather! It’s 90 degrees in the shade on Guam and I miss seeing my breath =)
Can’t wait to try the chickpea, sweet potato salad. I am so addicted to other things you post. (VOO, salt and vinegar chickpeas, etc!)
Happy Holidays!
Maria
So delicious! Thanks for the healthy inspiration. I’ve been great about cooking healthy meals this year, but have fallen off of the exercise wagon :( I belong to an awesome gym, and I’ll go to classes once a week or so, but I’m just not as motivated as I used to be. I’d love to get back into running!
Angela,
I just happened to stumble upon your website and I want to say it’s making me see that the way I have been going about looking at food and exercise has been so wrong. I have always had such a love/hate relationship with food, I never listen to what my body needs I just gave it what I think I “should” be eating. I have restricted so much in the past and binged other times, I cannot remember a time where I have just said I like my body. Never have I been comfortable in my body, and I want to be so desperatly. Im just not sure the steps I need to make to get to that place. I know I need to let go of these complusive feelings but it is so hard to change this way of thinking. You have proved that it is possible but what do you think would be the first step I need to take to being at peace within my skin? Thank you so very much.
-samantha
This recipe was delicious! I made it last night for dinner for my family and they loved it. I used a butternut squash instead of sweet potato and it was perfect!
Thank you! You are such an inspiration and I enjoy reading your blog.
Great recipe – can’t wait to try it. I’m not a fan of coconut though. Is there something you suggest substituting for that?
I made this recipe tonight. Excellent. I love recipes with minimal ingredients, but ones that compliment each other so well.
You always display that interesting branch sort of spoon/fork in your final picture. Where did you get it from and what is it made out of?
OMG, OSG!! So good. I’m calling it the best healthy meal I’ve ever made, not to mention this is this first time I’ve ever come home from work excited about leftovers! You rock, Ange!
Hi Angela!
I want to make this recipe for our “Friends Thanksgiving” coming up but I have a question. I don’t normally cook with coconut oil, does this harden after a while. I wanted to serve this as a room temp salad and was just wondering if I made this the night before, if the coconut oil will harden up on me. Maybe I should use olive oil instead? Let me know what your experience is with the oils. Thanks!
P.s – friends thanksgiving isn’t for a week and a half, so no rush on an answer!
Meghan. P.s – your recipes are great!
I just made your AH-mazing cinnamon sweet potato chickpea salad and b/c I didn’t have all the ingredients you mentioned I improvised, to say the least! I didn’t have onions but everything else so I was looking around my kitchen and found a red bell pepper, chopped dates and carrots! Which bumped up the flavor train that much more! Thanks for the inspiration!
I calculated the calories in the recipe at 786 for what you call a 1 service salad…don’t you think that is a lot of calories for one meal???
Well, that’s up for the individual to decide of course. You can make as many servings as you wish!
Oh. My. GOSH. I made this yesterday for lunch and it was so easy and SO DELICIOUS!! I’ll be having it again tomorrow :)!!
Hi, just wanted to say that cooking with coconut oil over 350 F will denature it, therefore you will not obtain all of the nutritional benefits from the oil. It’s best to add to the food afterwards, and let it melt on its own!
This was AMAZING and delicious.
Ingredients are on hand and I needed something simple for a wintery rainy California night!! I have it in the oven as I write this and I must say it looks and smells delicious!!
Okay this is so good!!!!!
I just came across this recipe on Pinterest and made it for dinner. Holy moly, it’s so delicious!! The flavors all work so well together. This will be my new go-to dinner. Love it! Thank you!