From breakfast at the diner…
Egg white omelet with spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms and feta with a side of whole wheat toast
To a pre-work smorgasboard of food…
Seaweed + goji berries, sweet potato, Gardenburger, salsa
… and a post-work dinner of champions after midnight (imagine wine + broccoli in the photo as well)…
Ezekiel English muffin sandwiches with almond butter + boysenberry jam and Artisana Cashini Butter and lemon curd
… two plays (John Guare’s “A Free Man of Color” and Neil LaBute’s “The Break of Noon,” the latter I enjoyed but the former did not)… a fabulous homemade meal by Lesley…
… and several more meals out (gotta watch those $$$s), including a beet, goat cheese, pecan, shrimp and arugula salad at Cafe Bar…
… and mocha at Joe followed by a little shopping with Gaby and Maggie.
Yesterday morning, thanks to a little extra sleep and Daylight Savings Time, Ari and I popped up nice and early to visit a friend in Long Beach, New York.
We piled into the car with breakfast in our laps, and running clothes in the backseat.
After dropping off an elephant-shaped rocking horse for our friend’s twins, we headed to the beach. I’ll be the first to admit it: I was not in the mood to run. I can give you a million reasons why: I didn’t want to change my clothes, I didn’t want to get sandy, I didn’t want to be cold, running on the beach is hard… but what happened to “saying yes,” trying new things and pushing myself out of my comfort zone?
So I toned down the grumbling, changed into spandex at Starbucks, and we headed out.
It was cold, but if it was warm enough for fishermen, it was warm enough for us!
And look- surfers!
The day was absolutely gorgeous, and a few minutes until the run we settled into a comfortable pace and enjoyed ourselves.
About four miles later, we chugged back up to the car, windblown and happy.
After a weekend spent working and eating in restaurants, we just wanted to have a cozy night in. I went to Whole Foods to pick up some ingredients for a nice dinner, and set to work on making Heidi Swanson’s Brown Butter Tortelli.
If warm, squash-filled ravioli doesn’t spell “C-O-M-F-O-R-T” on a blustery Fall night, I don’t know what does. I used half the recipe’s called for butter, added a splash of olive oil (a trick learned from my mom), and used kale instead of arugula. I also added a whole box of mushrooms, because Ari loves them and I thought they would enhance the dish. They did!
For the ravioli, I used Rising Moon Organics’ butternut squash ravioli, which I first discovered my sophmore year of college and prepared manymanymany times in my dorm room using my water boiler. It’s sort of amazing how much cooking a person can do with a water boiler!
Instead of plain old parmesan, I used this “Robusto” cheese I found in a “trial size” portion at Whole Foods. The flavor was strong and delicious! We have a little left, and I’m thinking of making a tiny toasted-cheese-and-jam sandwich with it.
All in all, a fabulous and simple dinner.
I also picked up a small pumpkin pie at Whole Foods, but discovered after the first bite that it was actually sweet potato!
It was still delicious, and brought me back to eating pre-Thanksgiving lunch in my elementary school’s cafeteria. Most of the food there was awful, but the sweet potato pie was divine! A sweet end to a jam-packed weekend.
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TRAINING UPDATE
Still going strong! Here’s what this past week’s workouts looked like:
Monday: 4 miles running, upper/lower body combination strength training
Tuesday: 75 minute Vinyasa yoga class
Wednesday: 3.5 miles running
Thursday: 3 miles running, abs
Friday: REST!
Saturday: 30 minutes bike, upper body strength training
Sunday: 4 miles running
14.5 miles running total
I feel pretty good about this past week! I just need to make sure I’m doing enough lower body and abdominal workouts, which will help me stay injury-free throughout my training.
And speaking of training, I put myself into the NYC Half Marathon lottery! The race is on March 20, 2011; I ran the same one last year, so I’ll be familiar with the course. You can read the re-cap here! Who knows if I’ll get in, but I’m excited about it either way. I’m still just so happy to be wanting to run! And besides, fall and winter is actually my favorite time to train. I like getting cold outside, then coming in to a hot bath and a mug of hot cocoa!
On a similar note, congratulations to Megan, Kelly, Ashley, Ada, and all of the New York City Marathoners who ran yesterday! You inspire me.
What is your favorite day of the week? Why do you like it, and what’s your favorite way to spend it?
Ew! 199 food was AWFUL. I’m glad you found one thing good although I personally don’t recall anything delicious at all.
you definitely had a GOOD busy type of weekend – fabulous!! Love the photos of you and Ari, especially
My favorite day of the week is either Friday or Saturday, spent DANCING (with the obvious person).
i tried that ravioli for the first time a few weeks ago and I loved it! Glad you had a great weekend!
what a delicious and fun weekend! i’m impressed that you guys ran on the beach in november. i woulda complained too
i’ve seen those raviolis everywhere but haven’t tried ‘em – i am now tempted.
i love fridays, around 6PM. the opportunity of the weekend awaits and i get really, really happy. on that note… happy monday?
You had a great weekend! Saturday is my favorite day because I get so much done and I still have another day off to look forward to. Also, I’ve decided I need to see more plays and I intend to use your blog as inspiration.
I love your pics! My favorite day of the week is Saturday- I don’t have any pressure to do work and can relax a bit
What a weekend
So many good eats…I just don’t know where to start. The omelet looks so good. I can’t resist eggs out- Ive been getting eggs out at the cafe almost every weekend now. And the raviolis look totally delicious too. Nothing like working out right next to the ocean 
Great training plan for the week.
Long Beach is such a nice place, I’m glad you got to enjoy it with Ari!
Beach runs may be tough, but it’s such a beautiful view. And I love running barefoot (which I usually do when I run on sand).
Now I have a craving for sweet potato pie! I can’t wait for Thanksgiving.
I love visiting the beach in the cooler months! Such a different experience than when it’s warm.
Exciting about the half-marathon lotto! I hope you get a spot!
successful weekend !
looks like a blast. good eats, good scenery, good company, and good weather! xo.
In my dream last night, I got to hang out with you and your mom. We had a wonderful time, and I was so happy to be with you!
sigh…if only that could be soon
All of your eats looks so yummy! As usual. If I’m not working, my favorite day of the week is Saturday. My ideal way to spend it is sleeping in, yoga, a run, late brunch, reality TV, dinner+movie with the bf at night
I love sweet potato pie and butternut squash ravioli. You’re right – they’re both perfect foods for this time of year. There’s a pasta place I like going to in Northampton, MA mostly because they have squash ravioli all year round. Yum!
Have a great week, Katie!
Sweet potato pie – yum!
If I had to choose maybe Saturday! I love being able to just relax and enjoy the day doing what I love to do!
Favorite day of week umm that is tough each one as a pro and con
looks like you had a fabulous and packed weekend – my favorite kind too! i’m jealous that you were on the beach. seriously, what i wouldn’t give for the opportunity to walk or run or just smell the ocean air on the beach. doesn’t matter how freezing it is outside. lucky girl you are!
Thank you so much, Katie!
Nice training week and fabulous weekend! Totally agree that the chillier weather is a great time to train. Congrats on entering the half lottery – I hope you get in (and me too!) – it’s such a great race.