This was a REALLY tough one to guess!
Apple cupcakes.
I saw this idea in one of Martha’s magazines at my sister’s place and I knew I had to make them immediately! All I could think about was how much kids would enjoy these fun apple ‘cupcakes’.
Or 27 year old kids. ;)
Apple Cupcakes
Adapted from Martha.
Ingredients:
- 1 apple, cored and cut in half
- Nut butter (I used TJ’s Sunflower seed butter)
- 2 tbsp Breakfast cobbler
- 1/2 tsp unsweetened coconut, for garnish
- 2-3 tbsp high protein chocolate carob pumpkin pudding
Directions: Core apple and cut in half. Place apple cut side up and add a layer of nut butter, cobbler, and coconut on one half. On the other half add a big scoop of ‘icing’ (aka pudding!) and then cobbler and coconut. If making a bunch for a party, serve in jumbo muffin liners on a serving tray.
I had my apple cupcakes with 2/3 of a not-yet-existing Glo bar.
I looooooved this cupcake idea. So fun. Can’t you just see these at a kids birthday party or at a baby shower?
And of course the topping ideas are endless! Nut butter, pudding, granola, yogurt, VOO, etc!
After digesting, I hit the road for a short and sweet 5k run.
A great run and it was over before I knew it began.
How often do you replace your running shoes?
Over the past few weeks I have been suspecting that I need to order another pair of running shoes. I searched online for information on when to replace them because I wasn’t really sure! In the past, I have simply replaced them when they got really, really worn down or holes in them, but even though my Brooks sneakers are currently still intact I have noticed that they don’t feel the same anymore and don’t have the same support.
How did I know this? Because lately I have been tying my shoelaces tighter and tighter just to obtain the support I need and I never had to do this before. I have also noticed a few aches and pains in my foot that I never had previously.
I found an article on Running.about.com and it says that you should replace your runners every 300-400 miles (other articles say 300-550 or every 3-6 months, so it varies a lot!). I did a quick tally of my mileage since I bought the shoes mid-March and I have run over 310 miles on these sneakers. It has been exactly 6 months too!
I run outdoors which is harder on shoes and I also run on rougher terrain at times (gravel and lots of hills/declines); both of these factors can wear your shoes down faster.
There are also lots of tests you can do on your sneakers to check for wear and tear (found here).
So it looks like all signs point to ordering a new pair ASAP! What better excuse to gather up all our old sneakers and donate them to a good cause too.
I think it is important to keep in mind that the above articles are simply recommendations and rules of thumb. It is always important to listen to how your body feels most importantly and trust your gut.
How often do you replace your sneakers?
I buy two pairs of the same model of running shoes (different colors) and I swamp them for each run. That way they can dry out (sweat in the summer, snow in the winter, rain in the spring) I buy two new pair each spring. It’s been working for me.
I liked to your post from fitsugar and I was like I know ohsheglows haha : ) Those cupcakes are fantastic!! As for the runners, I am on my third pair this year. My first ones were due for a change because of mileage (trained for a 1/2), the second ones caused me some knee pain much to my dismay and not enough support for my high arch and my lastest ones have logged about 350km so they should last a bit longer. I don’t really go by a mileage formula. I use more of a foot pain barometer because I have an old fracture in my foot that tells me when the cushion starts to wear down. Cold winters don’t seem to be as forgiving on runners either… I don’t think they test them in -20 runs : )
love the apple ‘cupcakes’ I thought they might be good using peaches/nectarines …..?
Running shoew I went for a running analysis and they suggested 300-400 miles but to buy next pair about 50 miles before changeover so as to break them in .I love getting the new ones going !
Angela!!! These look delish as ever! how yummy! I bet they would be yummy too with the protein pumpkin pudding in them!!!!!!!!!!!
I replace my sneakers whenever I start to wonder if I should, usually my bones tell me when they aren’t getting the right support anymore! I think I will start rotating between two pairs though, to make each last a little longer.
Also, I just heard this today and I thought you would enjoy: “Why do many runners pick up the pace towards the end of a run? The horse smells the barn.”
I’m sure many of us can identify with that notion!
I usually replace my shoes based on how they “feel”– I usually start to get more muscle aches and foot pain when I need to replace my shoes! It also usually happens to fall around the 6-month mark for me, too! I’m in a new pair of Brooks running shoes right now, and I love them!!
I actually save my “older” pair of running shoes at my mom’s house for when I visit– it’s a pain to lug multiple pairs of shoes when I travel, so having a pair of running shoes already there makes working out easier when I’m there!
aw how cute are they, they look yummy!
Yum! Can’t wait to try the pumpkin pudding. Have you seen/tried the TJ’s pumpkin butter? It would be an awesome topping to get the pumpkin flavor if there’s no time for the pudding! Beware, the stuff is highly addictive :) Thanks for the recipe idea!
Those “cupcakes” are too cute- I love!! I just replaced a pair of shoes I’ve had since January. Even though I’ve taken a hiatus from running these last few months, I still wear them a lot and my funky stride really wears them down!
I got my first pair of running shoes in tenth grade when I started track. I’m 25 and I just replaced them!
Have you ever had trouble with them loosening themselves while you run? I can’t seem to get my right foot tight enough, and to stay tight enough….
Those are the cutest little things!
I used to work at a running store. The general rule is that you should replace them every year if you run about ten miles a week. If you run significantly more, like twenty or so miles a week, you should replace them every six months.
It’s not good to wait until they’re totally sad looking and falling apart to replace them. For a lot of people that leads to shin splints and other common injuries and they don’t even realize it.
Those cupcakes put a huge smile on my face! I can just hear what the friends will say when I make them…
I’m ashamed to admit it – but I’m going almost a year on my current runners! How bad is that!? (oh and I run almost every day!) Lately, I’ve started having weird pains in my back and hips.. do you think that could be from the lack of support?
Love the blog!
Hey there i made your Fudgy Brownies at the wknd, i blogged about them and posted the recipe, i gave you full credit and linked back to your post about them, i hope you dont mind, check it out if you like! thanks sharing such a lovely recipe!! x
Those are so cute, and the best part is it’s so easy to make. Running shoes, I really need to replace mine I wear them far too long.
I am very careful to purchase running shoes on a regular basis. I’ve had some pain in my hip (and now heel) of my left leg, and I find that running shoes that are in good shape are imperative to avoiding this pain.
It’s pretty easy to estimate when you need new sneakers:
1. Estimate your miles for a month
Example: When I’m in good running form, I run about 24 miles/week, so that’s about 100/month.
2. Estimate your sneakers’ “age”: 100 miles = youth; 300 miles = middle age; 600 miles = geriatric
Example: If I want to replace my shoes at 300-400 miles (because I have some hip issues), I need to replace them every 4th month.
3. Adjust your estimate for terrain and other factors (inserts):
Example: In the winter I run indoors on the treadmill, and I use very good inserts (which I sometimes replace prior to the sneaker itself), so that adds about 1-2 months on to sneakers’ longevity. So, I can replace them every 5-6 months.
This has worked for me for some time — it might work as a “cheat” on figuring out when to replace your sneakers.
Love the apple cupcakes! They’re so cute, too. What a great idea for a healthy snack. And I’d say it’s time for new shoes. Usually when I need them, I can just feel it. A little less bounce in my step. We like to rotate our shoes. We get like two pairs and wear them every other run. Works out pretty well . . .
those apple cupcakes look so yummy !!
to answer your question – for me the sign to change my running shoes is a pain in one of my knee – meaning the support inside is worn down (even if the outside looks “perfect”) – I need extra support and when I start to feel the pain I know I need to change them- (once a year when i started running) – the shoes I have now ran with me 2 half and the trainnings + all summer so I think I might change them before winter.
thanks for you great recipes…
Yum those apple cupcakes look great! So creative!
I replace my running shoes about once every year to year and a half…I should replace them sooner though! I figure since I don’t actually run in them that often, they are probably okay. Even though I do still workout in them about 5 days a week, it is never usually high impact.
I’ve heard 500 miles or 6 months also. I know it’s time for me to buy new ones. I ran 7.5 miles on Saturday and I could tell a huge difference in the support. I also have noticed that I have to tie my shoes tighter and tighter to keep them tied.
Funny you should post this now — I JUST bought new runners. I felt the same way; the old ones weren’t completely falling apart, but the support just isn’t there. Got a new pair of Asics from the Running Room — they are fabulous! Took them out for a run last night.
Ohhh how I love your blog!