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.
Wooow, your new neighbourhood looks so beautiful!! What a great area to run in.
I looove those Vega bars, especially the vibrance ones! And thank you for this green monster oats idea! I’ve been back into my oatmeal lately, as it’s hard to drink smoothies when I’m so cold all the time :P So I’m going to give this a try!
P.S. I think we have the same Le Crueset Christmas edition mini cocottes. I loooove mine, and bake oatmeal in them most mornings :)
I made my 2nd Green Monster yesterday and still had some in my cup when I got to work. I created quite a stir in the staff room! Maybe even inspired a few others to give it a try. Thank for you continued creativity. I can’t wait to try overnight oats :)
hah I can imagine the “stir” it caused…I used to get that at work too. Enjoy!
I live in Oakville, run downtown and midtown and am interested in details of your running group plans.
Cheers,
LCI
It looks so beautiful! So charming and picturesque! And that breakfast looks tasty and healthy!
I wish that I lived near you so that I could join your running group and enjoy daily workouts in that beautiful area! And I think I might try green monster voo for lunch… that sounds just so delicious! Hope you’re settling in alright to your new home :)
I’m glad to know you liked the Vibrancy bar, because I didn’t like the other one either and have steered clear of Vega bars ever since. What a nice place to run! I live in the country and I have to go quite aways before I get to any new & exciting scenery which can become a little boring!
I need to try this!! :D
Good luck with the running. I’m currently healing, but I hope to get back at it again soon!
I LOVE green monsters! Although, I have had combinations that were absolutely not good. I didn’t think it was possible, but apparently so! Thank goodness they are very rare.
I would be interested in your running group for sure! Such a great idea!
Hey Angela,
Add my name to your running list. When do you think you will start with running/training? I am doing Around the bay this weekend so I won’t be able to join you in the next few days. But after that, count me in.
Gorgeous views! Such a good idea for overnight oats. I’ve been all over the green monsters lately…so refreshing :) Good luck with all your upcoming races!
Those pictures just made me miss home (I grew up in Oakville)! I’d been wondering where about’s in town you were, but I can guess the general area now – I used to love walking around those parts of town!
I often run along Lakeshore in Oakville and would love to participate in a running group! Can you please add me to the list?
Thanks so much.
Cailin
great, I added ya :)
i’m still on the mend from a c-section and haven’t been cleared for exercise yet…but i LOVE going up and down our stairs as a sneaky way to get in some movement!
I walk/jog lakeshore in T.O :)
in one word: brilliant
Angela!!!
Your beautiful pics of the Lakeshore reminded me of all the fantastic runs Ive had down there! Just wait until summer, it gets even better. It’s one of the things I miss most about living in Oakville… and of course the Whole Foods. lol. One day it will come to Calgary… one day.
Also amazing, a green monster poured over a bowl of cereal. SOGOOD.
What a beautiful place to run/walk. Must be nice in springtime weather!
Love the first picture, so gorgeous, i want to frame it and hang it in my room :)
Just finishes a green monster while reading this, ill try it in oats next time.
You really do Glow!!! Just happened upon your site, love it!! <3