Ack! There are too many things I want to post about! I did so much during my computerless weekend (until now, obviously), so I’ll tell you about the interesting bits here. Other, non-weekend-related stuff, will have to wait for its own post(s).
– After I got the box of VitaTops to review, I started to really enjoy incorporating them into my meals, so I was sad when they ran out (well, I have two chocolate-y ones left). I was going to order their Super Sampler (and I’ll probably still do that, eventually), but I got a case of the I-can-do-that’s and wanted to try to make my own muffin tops. I used the muffin top pan that had been gathering dust for the past few years (I wiped it off, first) and created Banana Cran-Bran muffin tops. Recipe here. I came up with the recipe by altering one on the package of wheat bran, so the first time I made them, I used all whole wheat flour, as it called for. They were not good (my WW flour might have been a bit stale, too), and I threw them away. But instead of giving up on the recipe altogether, I tried it again with all purpose flour and buckwheat flour (that’s why the color looks a bit unusual). Amazing! I love buckwheat flour, and the banana + molasses = the perfect amount of sweetness without any refined sugar. I might use honey next time and see how I like that.
– I went to Victory 44 last night; it’s right in my neighborhood (and there isn’t much else!), so I can’t believe it took me this long to try it. My dining partner and I went for wine and dessert, which meant that we split their dessert selection platter. It was decadent, and it was good. The music was entirely too loud, but that’s the only nit I can pick. I’m looking forward to visiting for lunch some day to try their ‘real’ food. If you ever find yourself in North Minneapolis, check it out.
– I woke up this morning from an overnight sugar crash. I was starving hungry and had a terrible headache (and no, I wasn’t hungover; I had only one glass of sparkling! German! white wine). And the craziest thing happened. I thought to myself that what would really make me feel better would be to have a light breakfast and then go for a run. I could almost taste the cool morning air from my bed. So that’s what I did: ate a piece of almond butter toast, strapped on the ol’ running shoes, and hit the parkway. And, would you believe it, I ran the fastest two miles I’ve ever run. Felt great afterward.
– While I’m on the subject of running, I should mention that I ran this exact same loop on Wednesday and felt terrible the entire time. I think, from now on, pre-run breakfasts will be light (but calorie-dense) and will NOT include coffee. I had tea with my breakfast this morning, almost an entire cup, and it seemed to sit much better.
– Today marked the first post-dinner evening constitutional of the season! I love going for a leisurely walk after dinner, so I was very happy. Tulips and other early-spring bulbs are starting to come up all over my neighborhood, and the lawns are already looking greener. It’s spring!
