Canine Treats to Energy Bites...It's All Good!

Yesterday's elliptical workout got tossed to the wayside for a run/walk outdoors in the afternoon. I knocked out a few more housekeeping duties before the girls walked in from their first day back to school after Spring Break. Dannah was willing to go for a run with me so we headed outside and started out strong. Once again, no walking before the run. This time...it about killed me! My lungs were burning like a had been sick for months with the flu. The only real difference from our run on the Greenway last week was that the cool wind was blowing in my face. Total game changer! I managed to knock out 3 miles but felt like I had done closer to 6 considering how my chest felt. It is a real shame when your legs are stronger than your lungs..ugh.

Not my best time for 3 miles but it is done!

I mentioned that I had knocked out a few housekeeping items before heading out for the run/walk. A month or two ago, I made a little treat for the family. They are better known as No Bake Sweet Energy Bites. I rolled out another batch of these again just in time for the girls to arrive home. Dannah loves these as a quick yummy but wishes that I wouldn't make them since it is hard to have just one.

No Bake Sweet Energy Bites:
+ 1 cup dry Old Fashion Oats
+ 2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes
+ 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
+ 1/3 cup raw honey+ 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
+ 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (or nut butter of your choice)

Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes. Pull out and roll into 1" balls. Store in air tight container in the fridge for up to a week. Makes about 36 pieces @ 55 calories each.
Serves as a healthier option over chocolate or something worse .

The other kitchen duty was to make my sweet canine some dog treats. Gretchen has a history of kidney stones so I have to be careful was she eats. In fact, she is limited to the U-D formula of dog food since she must stay on a low phosphorus diet to hopefully prevent more kidney stones from forming. So, I whipped up a batch of homemade dog treats for her a couple of months ago, and she loved them. This is Round 2 and she was equally as excited to have them again. In fact, my teenage girls even taste tested them. After all, they are made from all good ingredients...just a little bland for the human taste buds.

Low Fat and Low Phosphorus Veggie Treats

2 1/2 cups rice flour or white all-purpose flour 

1 cup cooked vegetables (winter squashes, zucchini, and sweet potatoes) 

1 tsp dried parsley 

6 tbsp low sodium, low fat chicken broth 

1/2 cup cold water

Bake in preheated oven at 350 F for 25 minutes. Feed to your dog up to a week and freeze leftovers. I usually put them all in the freezer and pull one out for her as needed. She likes them cold/frozen just the same.

Well, instead of cooking fajitas at home as planned last night, we all decided to go out to eat Mexican for dinner. We had some pretty special news to celebrate. Dannah (my Junior) took the ACT a couple of weeks ago and received her scores in the mail today. She is way too humble to let me share them in my blog but just know that her way is paved very well for whatever career path she chooses. In addition, she found out that she won a full expense paid trip to Washington D.C. for winning a writing contest for CEMC (our local electric company). I won't share any specific details since I truly don't know any good ones, but between these two exciting bits of news delivered this week...we wanted to celebrate :)

Yes, I passed on the margarita but I did indulge in a few chips and salsa verde. I had not eaten very much throughout the day so I had the calories to spend. Steak and Chicken Fajitas (no tortillas), a serving of refrieds, and some guacamole. Wow, I enjoyed every last bite! Then, back home for that scrumptious bowl of homemade banana "ice cream". If you haven't tried it, you must! 

Today is a big day for me and David. We are scheduled for our annual physical. I have been fasting since about 9pm last eve so I am soooo ready to eat something...anything. Funny how you are always more hungry when you know you CANNOT eat. :) Well, this post has been long enough so I will wrap it up. Hope you are all having a great start to your week. Tomorrow...WEIGH DAY WEDNESDAY...I am pumped!

Today's little taste of goodness: