After a 1 week break from workouts, I finally felt like I had enough energy to get back into exercise yesterday. My body was literally craving a run! It was also a good excuse to take a much needed break from unpacking.
For some pre-run fuel, I tried out a Vega snack bar that I had in my purse since…well, that would be anyone’s guess.
I really enjoyed the Vega Vibrancy Chocolate Bar (top), but I didn’t care much for the chocolate Whole Food Energy bar. Somehow I managed to polish it off over the past week though.
This is the Vega Chocolate Vibrancy Bar below. It was quite good with a nice chocolate flavour and sprouted buckwheat groats for crunch. It tasted like dessert which is always a plus in my books.
I headed over to the beautiful Lakeshore for my run. This was my first official training run in Oakville. The only other time I think I’ve run in Oakville was the Oakville Labour Day 10km race that I ran in 2010.
It’s such a gorgeous trail, I felt like I was on vacation.
Do I have any readers who run around Lakeshore? I was thinking about starting up a running group at some point. Let me know if that would interest any of you!
I was quite delighted to see a bunch of long staircases throughout my run. That sounds so sick and twisted, I know.
Back in 2007-2008 when we lived in a condo in Toronto, I used to walk 28 flights of stairs every day (it took me about 4 minutes if I remember correctly) as a way to sneak in exercise since my job was so sedentary. I’m a big fan of stairs and will walk them whenever I get a chance.
This one just screams run up me!
I’m seeing some interval stair workouts in my future… :)
This little guy may seem innocent, but he tried to chase me when I got too close.
Some speed training ensued…bahah.
With all the craziness that’s been going on with the move, I completely forgot about all the races I have coming up back to back- and two of which are 10k’s:
- April 15th: Mercedes-Benz Oakville 10K
- April 22nd: Toronto Yonge Street 10k
- April 28th: 5k Ford Race to end Diabetes in Oakville
I guess I’m going to have to start getting back into a consistent training mode. I haven’t run over 6km in a dog’s age.
For my post-run breakfast, I had a rather GREEN bowl of vegan overnight oats. Much like Green Monsters, you don’t taste the greens in vegan overnight oats (when made with a banana or other sweetener).
A couple years ago, a few blog readers told me to try combining a Green Monster and vegan overnight oats. I thought they were crazy (in a good way, obviously) and finally got the nerve to try it…oh, two years later!
All you do is blend a Green Monster before bed and pour it into a bowl of rolled oats and stir it all up. In the morning you will have a Green Monster/vegan overnight oat hybrid waiting for you in the fridge. I’ve made it with spinach and also with kale and both were delicious. I’m telling you, I was kicking myself for waiting so long to try it out!
Just trust me on this one. Did the Green Monster ever steer you wrong?
I rest my case.
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Green Monster Vegan Overnight Oats
Yield
1 serving
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Ingredients
- 1 large handful fresh spinach or small handful of kale
- 1 large ripe banana
- 1.5 tbsp chia seeds (necessary for thickening)
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/3 cup regular, rolled oats
Directions
- In a blender, blend together the spinach, banana, chia seeds, and almond milk until smooth.
- In a cereal bowl, add the oats and then pour the smoothie on top. Stir well until combined.
- Place in fridge (uncovered is fine) overnight. Give it a good stir in the morning and then enjoy it cold, straight from the fridge. Add desired toppings as you wish such as nut butter, granola, coconut, fruit, etc.
That first picture is STUNNING! I mean they all are but wow! Gorgeous girlie!
I might get the nerve to try those oats…someday! ;-)
Thanks! it was taken before my 10k race in the September 2010. can’t wait until everything is in bloom.
I used to run on that trail all the time! I also did intervals on those stairs! Congrats on the move to Oakville, there are so many pretty places to run!
Wow, your new surroundings look lovely – and very work-out-inspiring at that!
With a bit of luck, you’ll be back on track with your running schedule in no-time. Seriously, running in an environment like that sounds like quite the treat! (Even with the evil stairs ;))
As for the green monster oats, I might actually try them coming week. I have been trying some of your other vegan overnight oats past week and they were simply delicious. I guess I could make green oats coming week’s challenge.
Goodluck, I hope you like them. Let me know what you think!
I LOVE overnight oats, but sometimes miss the greens! I am going to have to try this :)
OMG Ange if I was there, I’d be ALL over these runs with you!! I love the Lakeshore area, especially the view from the bridge over the river. Maybe we should get out for a run next time I come to visit… as well as the usual other Oakville activities of course! ;) Looks like you’re definitely enjoying your new surroundings!
I wish you were here too! I’d definitely be up for a run when you come to visit…let’s plan a date asap.
Those pictures.. wow! I’m craving a run now! And I can’t wait to try those overnight oats! Can’t believe I haven’t thought of that before!
I dont like the vega whole food bar either. Try the new sport or protein ones they are delicious and have 15g of protein. Lakeshore downtown is my favourite route…especially when green bean is included after :-)
I tried your overnight oats for the first time and I just wanted to thank you!! I made the basic oats and now I’m looking forward to trying different flavors- I see green monster overnight oats in my future:) Thank you for all that you do, Angela! You are inspiring!
I’m so happy to hear that Leah! Thanks for reading :)
Gotta watch out for those geese! Cute from afar, vicious from up close, haha! :) Have a great day, Angela!
Dear Angela,
i have been following your blog for a very long time now..lets say under a year and you have helped me change my eating especially vegan meals tremendously…i am not vegan but i widely enjoy your recipes, i have even some of your recipes with a twist and creativity..
on that note…i have been hooked on kale and spinach..my iron levels have gone up my hair and skin have changed and yes i do have a glow thanks to you..
you are an amazing and inspiring person..i work with sobeys and i have shared your blog with many of my customers who come to our deli…,my friends love the green monsters when i make but they will not make it…
i am gonna try the green monster oatmeal…have you tried the green monster pancake..with almond flour…i made it last weekend..it was so yummy…hope that inpires you to make one..
I love your cat…
Thank you for your inspiration, dedication to your blog and sharing with fellow readers,
Cassie
Hey Cassie, That means so much to me to…truly. Thank you not only for reading, but for sharing my blog with others. Take care!
PS- Sketchie says he will accept cat treats or cuddles anytime. heh ;)
It would be an absolute honour to feed sketchie treats and give him cuddles,,i am a very affectionate and loving person..we would bound very well..love your blog…xo
I love the idea of green overnight oats, I can’t wait to try it!!! I think it should be covered in the fridge because that will slow down the oxidation process and you will get more from the greens that way.
That’s a great point, I hadn’t thought of that!
I can’t wait to try the oats. Oh my goodness. They look lovely.
What a beautiful place to run! I’m jealous, for sure. My knee has been giving me problems, so this morning I’m hitting the bike instead… alas.
Wish I had some overnight oats waiting for me upon my return! A green monster might just be doable, though… one banana left! :)
If you start a running group I’m in! I usually run on the trails in my ‘hood here in Oakville.
Awesome, I will start a list. :)
Oooooo! That bowl of oats looks super fun! I certainly love me some overnight oats….however I am attempting my first ever Green Monster this weekend which I am very excited about… I will have to let you know how my first monster experience goes :)
I love how you share photos from your run. I almost feel like I’m the one who just went for a run–and looking at all those stairs…whew! That will make for some awesome intervals. Nothing like working out in the great out of doors. So much better than a treadmill any day.
Wow, that first picture is beautiful, and the trail looks amazing! I’m so impressed that you used to walk up 28 flights of stairs every day; I’m pretty sure I would have shown up at work a sweaty mess, haha. Great idea about combining a Green Monster with oats! I think the hardest part will be refraining from drinking the Green Monster right away :)
haha the stairs were actually in my condo building, so I only had to show up to my husband a sweaty mess. ;)
New places always get me excited to run – so much new scenery to admire/distract me from the fact that I’m running. :)
As I read this I am drinking a green smoothie… I may go dump a handful of oats in it!
That is such a smart idea! I like getting greens in, in the morning. Perfect way to do it! Looks like a beautiful run along the lake.
2 questions about the green monster oats:
1–could I use flax instead of the chia?
2–will quick cooking oats work too?
Thank you! Love your website and recipes. I am gluten-free so I really love those recipes!
Very good questions indeed!
I get asked this a lot, so I think I’m just going to have to try it out myself to see. :)
I *think* I’ve heard some readers make VOO with GROUND flax (not the whole seeds), but you might need to use more since chia seeds soak up a lot more liquid than flax (or just reduce the almond milk).
I’m not sure about instant oats. If I try it, I will def. blog about it. My guess is that they wouldn’t soak up as much milk, but Im not sure.
maybe other readers can add their advice if they have tried out flax/instant oats!
Kind of along these lines…do steel cut oats work in place of regular oats?
im not sure how it would turn out. Might be worth a shot if you are feeling experimental
I tried this with steel cut oats. They stay very chewy the next day. Not bad, just takes a little getting used to. I’ll probably switch to rolled oats though once this container of oats is finished.
I used to live in Hamilton and loved running the stairs there – such great exercise! I’m in Oakville now and would be interested in joining a running group :)
that’s great, I’m adding you to my list :)