Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow

Austin is training for his first full marathon this September! He amazes me. As he started to do longer runs more consistently he commented that he could definitely tell that what he was eating was either fueling his runs or slowing him down. I remembered my friend Shaina (hi, Shaina!!) raving about a cookbook for runners a while ago and reached out to her to get the details, and a quick Amazon prime delivery later and we had it in our hands. It's called Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow. It's the second cookbook from this team of authors. Shalane Flanagan is a decorated American long distance runner, and Elyse Kopecky is a chef and nutritionist who also enjoys long distance running. They teamed up to write these cookbooks for runners who were tired of not getting the nutrition they needed. There are tons of recipes of course, but they also write little blurbs before each recipe and sometimes in between. I really appreciate their philosophy on nutrition: eat nourishing, whole foods without worrying about calorie counting or what the latest fad diet is. Feed your body! And if you want ice cream, then have some ice cream once in a while. 

I originally got the book for Austin, but I loved it so much and read the entire thing in practically one sitting. I am so inspired by Shalane's accomplishments and hard work. In 2017 she was the first American woman to win the NY Marathon in 40 years! I've since looked into her bio and racing history etc and she is my new idol. I'm not even a runner, but I appreciate her grit, and also that she likes to have her nails painted before races. And I appreciate that Elyse put other things on hold to become a mom, and that she can still enjoy running and cooking while raising her two children (and writing cookbooks!).

Here are some that we've tried:

Spinach wheat oat blueberry pancakes (there is a better name for these haha) 

super good! and they froze well so we could eat them for multiple breakfasts

my lil mint and basil plants contribute to these recipes

Oooh this was super yummy: whole grain pizza crust with homemade pesto, goat cheese, and lemon

another really good one: meatballs and roasted potatoes and cauliflower (in our spicy homemade pizza sauce) 

vegetable soup with goat cheese, featuring: asparagus, carrots, zucchini, and leeks. really good with wheat rolls

apple cheddar scones - we reheated them for several days and I liked to eat them with scrambled eggs for breakfast. really good!

you can't see them underneath our favorite cilantro jalapeno cole slaw, but they are homemade black bean burgers. SO GOOD!

On Austin's long run days we deliver gatorade or water at the halfway point. Claire needed a nap so we dropped off a little gatorade bottle and took a picture so Austin would know it was meant for him. I am so proud of all of his running! He ran 12 miles yesterday! 

I pulled out three opened sour cream containers and had a fourth unopened one -_- Somehow this always happens with sour cream in my fridge!

We've tried more recipes and really really liked almost all of them! We have many more to try in this book, and then we will get the first book and enjoy all of those! It feels really good to have so many good vegetables in our meals and to feel like we are eating delicious, satisfying, nourishing food. I also just joined a gym here in Cheyenne and I'm hoping to make some real progress in my fitness goals!