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.
What gorgeous photos! I liked starting my Friday with such beauties :)
The scenery is so gorgeous on your running path! I love moving to a new area and discovering all the new running paths, trails, routes, and finding my “perfect path” for runs…if nothing else, it lends new spring into my step and new excitement about running. Hope you are loving it!
Running club would be such a fun idea, too!
I love stairs too! In fact, a stair race is on my fitness bucket list. Probably Bop To The Top in Indianapolis, Indiana or maybe on in Chicago.
I would love that! I have been meaning to do the CN tower climb for a while
The CN Tower climb is great! I did it a few years ago, and now I can proudly look over to the tower and know that I STAIR CLIMBED that thing. Perhaps you should get a group together to do the climb for United Way in the fall? :)
OH MY GOODNESS…you’re RIGHT by my grandparents house!! I thought it looked familiar and you confirmed it as soon as you showed those stairs haha. That seriously just made me SO excited. Whenever I’m there, I can’t help but go for a walk or run (if I have the appropriate attire). I would hate to see my grandparents ever sell their house; they’re right on the lake and it’s seriously like a vacation just going to their place.
Maybe I’ll run into you one time when I’m there! haha
Wow how lucky are they to live on Lakeshore! The houses are so fun to look at and dream about who lives in them. Well, now I know…haha. jk. It would be fun to meet for sure…let me know when you are in the area!
Hi Angela! I love running at the lakeshore! Would love to be part of a running group too. I’m training for some 10K race at the end of the summer. Are you doing Around the Bay this weekend?
Hey Jenny, Nice to hear from you! I will add you to the list.
btw- I heard the oakville market is moving to Whole Foods parking lot? Will u be there this year?
No, I don’t think we’ll be returning to the Oakville market. We do the Georgetown Market on Saturdays and it seems to be buisier!
Ooh- I’ve got to try that bar!!
What beautiful views along your run- I’m sure that makes you never want to stop!
Love the idea of combining the green monster and overnight oats. I’ll be trying that out (and probably throw in some Vega Vanilla Chai powder, which will just add to the green…)
I’m in Burlington so our long runs take us into Oakville which I love. You will soon see me slogging through a 36km run along Lakeshore. At least the sights keep me distracted.
Wow, good for you…you are a powerhouse! I can’t imagine running that distance. :)
I am totally going to make the green monster overnight oats! It will be perfect before my workout tomorrow! Have a great day!
I have recently discovered “KIND” bars. They are awesome and vegan. Coconut almond is my favorite. They have it a whole foods and the bulk barn.
Lots of great stores downtown Oakville as well.
I don’t know if I’ve tried one yet, but now that I hear they are good I will next time I’m looking for a quick snack.
I’d love it if you wanted to do another 30 day challenge like you did for the Abs Workout to build up on running. My mom, who is 55 years old, signed up for a half marathon and I’m joining her without a lot of running experience under my belt. I’ve been doing what I can but your page has always been my best source of motivation. Thank you Angela!
I drink a green monster every morning and I am addicted (thanks to you :) I still need to try some overnight oat recipes…maybe your post is a sign! I add 3 handfuls of spinach and 2 handfuls of Kale to my monster. After reading I’m beginning to think that’s a little much…hmmmm. It’s like munching on my back yard!
Angela, awesome recipe yet again! Seems like a no brainer to mix the two like that, but somehow I haven’t thought of that one yet! Do you have to make the green smoothies runnier than normal when you plan to mix the oatmeal in? My green smoothies always end up really thick for some reason, so I imagine that adding oatmeal would make a paste impossible to eat. :-)
That run looks GORGEOUS!! Congrats on the move too, looks like a fantastic area to live!
Oh, I can’t wait to have my green monster this morning! Running a bit behind schedule! Looks like a beautiful place to run..that’s awesome! Do you ever notice more digestion issues, i.e.: gas, if you mix green monsters and oats?? Thanks!
I haven’t noticed any problems when mixing the two thankfully. My body seems to handle soaked oats very well.
I’m from Oakville, you will love living there! I know your running route along the lakeshore well.
There is a raw restaurant Nzyme downtown, I haven’t tried it yet myself but have been meaning too. I think it’s the only vegan restaurant in town. We love shopping at Whole Foods. We’ve also loved the gourmet pizza (with Daiya!) at Il Fornello’s.
Thanks for all the great recipes. Best wishes for a smooth move in your new home!
Hey Sarina!
Thank you, nice to meet you. :) About the restaurant, my friend and I went to visit yesterday and found out that they closed down. They left a message on their facebook page end of January, but nothing else is on their website at all. Bummer!
Thanks for the tip about Il Fornello’s!
Oh that’s too bad! I never got to eat there. That’s for replying.
We ate at Live Organic Food Bar (Toronto) last week and it rekindled my love of raw vegan food…. but I wish there were more vegan restaurants closer. I now live in Waterloo and we have Thrive Juice Bar which is amazing and has newly gone 100% vegan, so thank unicorn for that.
I meant *thanks* for replying :)
If you enjoyed Live you will love Rawlicious http://www.rawlicious.ca/Rawlicious/Home.html prob my fav raw restaurant I’ve tried.
Have you been to The Baked Sprout in Burlington? http://www.thenakedsprout.com/ also heard its great..but havent been yet
I haven’t tried either yet but have them on my to try list. Kindfood in Burlington is amazing and also happens to be gluten free. Their ceasar salad is to die for!
This green monster overnight oats looks intriguing! I love getting in a serving of veggies for breakfast. I also love that you don’t have to use yogurt! I hate mixing milk and yogurt..no clue why.
Thank you for this recipe Angela! I am the kind of person who needs a solid breakfast…literally and figuratively, but I have always wanted to add green smoothies to my breakfast regimen. This is awesome because it combines the best of the two! It also works great for me because I like to have my breakfast already made in the morning so that I can grab and go. I like to work out in the am, which means I usually end up eating breakfast at work. Since the prep is done the night before, I can stick it in a tupperware container and enjoy a healthy meal once I get to work! Do you think it would also work to add in other things like nut butter, other fruit, and/or protein powder in the smoothie as well?
Those stairs look intense, buns of steel coming your way hehe.
Thank you for the shout-out Angela! I’ll have to try your version as well! There’s nothing better than getting a serving of veggies in before lunch. :)
Golly…That looks like the best area ever! I think it is so stunning and what a motivator to be in such a beautiful area for outside workouts.
That oatmeal also looks stunning! Must try that soon.
Have not heard of those bars yet…
Also, saw your Vegan Brownies over at Daily BI#@ch. Good for you! Those I also need to try soon. :) ha!
Have a great day!
Green monster overnight oats are such a good idea! It makes perfect sense because green monsters are so creamy and thick that I am sure they plump up the oats perfectly! And I LOVE doing stairs to get in some cardio! So fun!
I will be in your neck of the woods this weekend! Driving up on Sunday from Buffalo for one of my few Whole Foods trips a year! SO excited!