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.
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 oatmeal looks amazing! My roommate has seen my overnight oats in the fridge before, but I think this would shock her :O
I’m making it :)
haha yea I could see that it might be disturbing to some…I think Eric was too
I love the idea of overnight oats + green smoothie. I can’t wait to start making more overnight oats now that it’s warm out and I crave a cold and refreshing breakfast.
your little wooden spoons always warm my heart, Angela :)
Dang, those oats are green! More photogenic than brown oats :)
Good luck with the upcoming races!! I have yet to try green monster overnight oats..I’m sure they’re delish!
That run along the lakeshore looks pretty inviting that’s for sure. I”m running in suburbia right now (Milton) and as much as I enjoy it, a change of scenery may be in order. I would be up for a weekend run with a group in your area if you start one. :)
Hi Kerry, sounds great! I’m making a list and will contact everyone in the next week or so. :)
What a gorgeous running spot! That right there is worth the move :-)
The green monster oats look lovely – I am reading this while drinking my green monster too – oh it is such an addiction! Thanks for introducing me (at least you inspire healthy addictions :-)
Have you tried the new Vega bars? The Chocolate Coconut Recovery Bar is amazing!!
No I haven’t, but I need to get on that :) I hear they are good!
Wow, that lake is gorgeous! I would feel like I was on vacation, too! ;-)
That’s a gorgeous place to run. I think that alone would motivate me to get outside a little more often :)
btw- completely unrelated but I was in Phoenix for work this week and my coworker and I randomly ended up hiking camelback mountain after the conference yesterday and eating at true food kitchen for dinner. When we were in the restaurant I was like “why does this seem so familiar?” couldn’t put my finger on it and then remembered your posts about it this morning! It’s so funny how the internet makes you feel like you “know” something when you totally don’t ;)
How’d you like the hike? I bet you weren’t as terrified as I was! I can’t wait to do it again some day.
it was totally invigorating! We started late (5:45) after work so we actually only made it about 5-10 minutes from the top when the sun set and we booked it back down afraid of getting stuck up there in the dark but it was still amazing. I would love to do it again or some of the other ones!
looks like you found a fantastic place to run, it’s beautiful :)
Haha, those oats look like guacamole!
why yes they do! Just need some tomato and onion ;)
Wow what a great area to run in(makes it even easier – I think!). Great pics and those stairs…remind me of the 2 sets of 105 steps each that we have here…When I run outside or bike I go by one run up them 5 times then come back that way and do the other set 5 x too. I love your overnight oats and green monsters so it only makes sense :-)…When I run tho I do an avocado pudding for breakfast,,easier on my innards
I have been following your blog for the past 3 months. After having my food allergies tested I found out that I wasn’t able to digest animal protein. I thought gluten and dairy were my problem so I had already stopped that…..but it didn’t make a difference in how I felt. Once I stopped meat, fish, eggs and a few other things…..BINGO. I am now a gluten-free vegan and I feel soooooo much better. My diet is now YOUR recipes. I can’t begin to tell you how much you have helped me. I just love your blog! After spending hours researching my new way of eating, it is your recipes that I only look at now. Makes life so easy! I just wanted to thank you so much for everything you do. You are such an inspiration. I can’t wait for your cookbook! What is really funny is that I live in Oakville! I only run a bit because of knee problems. BUT…..your pictures made me smile because your pictures of the water is exactly where I paddle. I have a stand up paddle board (SUP) and instead of spending time running on pavement…..I spend my time on the water. I love it! Great full body workout….and cardio too…..and doesn’t hurt the knees. Anyway…..thanks again!! Maybe one day I will run into you in Whole Foods or Organic Garage. PS…..if you ever need tasters for your recipes….sign me up :)
Thank you Jan, that is so kind of you to say! I’m so happy to read about all the wonderful benefits you’ve experienced from your diet. Glad to hear that you live in Oakville too. Funny you mentioned about the paddle board because Eric and I were just talking about that the other day. Sounds like a killer workout! Do you just enter the water anywhere?
SUP’n is an amazing workout. I love being out on the water. You can paddle for hours….if you want. When the water is glass it is so peaceful. Then when there are waves….you get to surf. So fun! We put our boards in the water from a dock in 16 mile creek, under the bridge behind the downtown Library. Then we paddle to the lake going past where all the big sailboats are parked. We enter the lake right where Oakville Club is which is in one of your above pictures. I just love it! You and Eric should give it a try. :)
Your morning run is very inspiring.
Are you walking/ running distance to the lake? NICE ;)
have you shopped at Organic Garage yet on Kerr st?
ps. I’m having a Potluck Party – it would be great if you could come by and share one of your fantastic recipes.
http://www.lifeologia.com/potluck-party-nutritious-delicious/
so he banana is key to covering up the taste… made a green monster yesterday with too much spinach and not enough sweetness and could barely choke it down. But I’m not giving up!
Yea, depending on the greens (you need more sweetness to balance out kale for example), just adjust the sweetness to taste until YOU like it. Thats what matters most! Good luck on your next one :)
Beautiful running trails! Stairs and geese to motivate you to do some
sprints! I went Vegan almost a month ago, I’m so glad one of my friends suggested I try
The recipes from your blog, it’s been making this transition so much easier! Thank you!
thank you Jessica, Im glad to hear that!
It took me a while to get the courage to make green monsters, it may take me some time to wrap my head around a green monster overnight oats creation! But you never disappoint, so I’m sure it’s great!
I can relate…it took me 2 years :)
I love the Vibrancy bars. The cheapest place I have been able to find them is in the organic section of Loblaws in Port Credit. They are I think if memory serves 2.89 per bar and most places they are in the 3.30 and up range.
I’m moving to Oakville in May and would love a group to run with ! :)
Sounds great Rachel…May will be a beautiful time to move. I will add you to the list I started :)