Friendsgiving....

It has been a while since I have blogged but there comes a time when you just need to get what is in your head out.

Let's start with Friendsgiving, this past week was Thanksgiving a time when I normally travel home to spend time with the family. The first time I didn't make the trip was my first year of undergrad. I was freshman who was OBSESSED with being at ASU and proud to call myself a Sundevil. I can remember like it was yesterday when I was boasting about being able to be away from home, friends, and family until Christmas. Going home for Thanksgiving was not a priority for me what so ever. So again this year I made the decision to not travel home and instead stay in the beautiful weather Arizona has to offer me. What happened was a ton of friends chipped in with sides and we made a turkey. The roommates and I had a blast cleaning, organizing, and decorating the house for the festivities. Green bean casserole, a cranberry pastry, and pumpkin pie where my contributions.

PUMPKIN PIE (Moms Crust)

Above is all you need along with 15 minutes of prep time

2 cups of flour

1 crisco  baking stick

1 tsp of salt

Cup of ice

 All you need to do is add all dry ingredient and scissor them into a pea size. This can be done with two knifes pretending they are sword (this makes two crust).

Now for the filling, just follow the directions on the back package and you will end up with a beautiful pumpkin pie:)

 

From here on out though whether I go home or stay home for the holidays I have found a new tradition to take the place of seeing family and my brothers green bean casserole. Every year I have decided to partake in a Turkey Trot. Not any 5k though one that has the balls to call itself a Turkey Trot :)

Now for the running update....

My last race was the Rock N Roll half in Las Vegas before that I traveled with a friend to Canada for the half there :) This was my second time running this but last year I was supposed to run with my sister in law. When family problems happen she was unavailable to make it and so to make up for the missed race we planned this race again. This was her first race and she did amazing!! For me though I have had better. Lately I have lost focus and motivation with my training which needs to find its way back on course before I complete my second full marathon in January.

                   

Keep the look out for the new posts coming.... more recipes and exciting news about my running travels.

Getting back into the swing of things.

Skinny Enchiladas 

                                             For the sauce:

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 can diced green chilis

1-1/2 cups tomato sauce

1 tsp. southwest chipotle seasoning (Mrs. Dash)

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

3/4 cup fat-free chicken broth

Salt and fresh pepper to taste

For the chicken:

Nonstick cooking spray

1 tsp. vegetable oil

2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

1 cup diced onion

                               2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Salt

1 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. southwest chipotle seasoning (Mrs. Dash)

1/3 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup tomato sauce

8 (6-inch) reduced carb whole wheat flour tortillas

1 cup shredded low-fat Mexican cheese

In a medium saucepan, spray oil and saute garlic.  Add green chilis, chipotle seasoning, cumin, chicken broth, tomato sauce, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes.  Set aside until ready to use.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

Heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.  Saute onions and garlic on low until soft, about 2 minutes.  Add chicken, salt, cilantro, cumin, oregano, chipotle seasoning, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and cook 4 to 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.

Spray a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick spray.  Put 1/3 cup chicken mixture into each tortilla and roll it.  Place in baking dish seam side down.  Top with sauce and cheese.  Cover with foil and bake in the oven on the middle rack for 20-25 minutes.  

Servings: 8
Serving Size: 1 enchilada
Calories: 159.5
Fat: 5.9 g
Carbs: 17.8 g
Protein: 16.2 g
Fiber: 8.3 g 
Old Points: 3 pts
Points+: 4 pts

  

Easiest recipe every and it was a HIT with the roommates :) I forgot how much I enjoy cooking and two weekends ago when I had my last three day weekend I found the time to do the things I enjoy. Beginning with these enchiladas and ending with home made pizza (recipe to come).

Life:

I am slowly starting to find the balance of teaching and having a life. This year has been the hardest due to the fact that I am doing so much more than I am used to. I am becoming a better teacher but like I said balance is the key. 

I love my students the hard part is to have them get the point of their education and owning that. They are only in 4th and 5th grade how do you make that concept concrete for them. 

On to the dating... non existing for the most part. I have recently had the routine of work, yoga, run, more work. That moves me onto the topic.

Fitness:

I have recently completed a 30 day hot yoga challenge. It was AMAZING and it did not feel like a chore at all, instead I loved going straight after work. I can not believe that it has been a complete year since I have ran my first half. I have come so far with running my first full last month. New challenge is a half marathon a month, I am set through April and looking for one in May. I would definitely not say I was a competitive type at all :)

All but 3 from the past year

Lucky the race dog.