I’m past the halfway point on my 90 day challenge and the burpees are starting to get easier, but they’re still pretty terrible. My running is getting better and yesterday I was really reminded how much I prefer running outside to running on a treadmill.
I hadn’t been running outside due to my extreme distaste of the cold. Ok, maybe not “extreme”, I mean I do live in Vermont, but running in minimalist shoes outside hasn’t been a fun experience for me in the past. However, after a very trying week I woke up yesterday craving something new. It was beautiful out! Fresh powder on the ground and the sun was pouring down. I decided to buck up and head out trail running. I popped on my Injinji socks and my Vibrams and downloaded ZombiesRun! to my iphone. I was waiting for Spring to try that game out but this seemed like the perfect time, plus they were having a 50% off sale on it this weekend!
I won’t lie, my feet got cold, but not too cold to stop me. Plus once I got about half a mile in they seemed ok, though when I got home and popped my shoes off my toes were pretty icy. The Zombies game kept me motivated and I ended up running farther than my goal and, what’s more exciting, I ran continuously instead of taking speed-walking breaks like I do on the treadmill. While the game may have helped motivate me, the soft snow and fresh air is really what kept me running and engaged. It was just beautiful out and I was finally able to bring my pup running with me again; we both had a great time! I’m excited for real Spring to hit VT so I can get out there more often.
Lastly, let’s talk meatloaf!
I’ve had many people ask me what I can eat on my elimination diet. Really, I’ve been eating very similar to how I was eating before: smoothies and then a protein and veggies for dinner. The thing I have to be strict about is not adding gluten or dairy to my meal, along with the slew of other allergens that I mentioned in my previous post. I’m also still watching my full nutrition intake and keeping things low-carb since I was doing that before I found out I had a bunch of food allergies.
Meatloaf is definitely a comfort food, but with the millions of meatloaf recipes out there it’s important to remember you CAN make a healthy version of it. I spliced together a few recipes and made this omgyouwillwanttoeatthewholepan meatloaf that’s less than 300 calories per slice and packed with veggies and protein!
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2lb Lean Ground Beef (I used local grass-fed beef and highly recommend you try to do the same)
- 2 large carrots shredded
- 1 zucchini shredded
- 1/2 sweet onion, diced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano, minced
- 1 large egg
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 jar pasta sauce (try to choose a low-carb version with no or low sugar, or make your own!)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Sautée carrots, zucchini, onions, and garlic in olive oil until soft (~10 mins). Set aside to cool, or put in the fridge for a few minutes.
- Beat eggs/egg whites in large bowl. Add veggie mix, all herbs/spices, ground beef and 3/4 of pasta sauce jar. Mix well.
- Form mixture into a loaf (it will be wet and won’t hold shape very well, that’s ok!) and put in large loaf pan. Top with remaining pasta sauce.
- Cook for ~1.5 hours or until thermometer reads at least 165ºF. Let sit for 10 minutes. Enjoy!
Now I’ve made a lot of meatloaf in my day and I have to say in full honesty that this was the most delicious meatloaf I’ve ever made!! It trumped my cheese-filled bacon-wrapped meatloaf…seriously. Granted, my boyfriend (who is not on my diet) fried the leftovers in bacon fat, so obviously the recipe could be improved on if you’re not counting your calories.
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