Potato Balls

Posted on by Run DMT
9

PhotobucketYou know how I’m always stealing permanently borrowing cookbooks from my MIL?  Well, I’ve taken it another step further.  Now, I’m stealing her balls.

Last Sunday for Easter, my MIL threw together a gorgeous spread, which included three meats (lamb, ham and chicken), a number of veggies and two kinds of potatoes.  Yes, you heard me right. Two kinds of potatoes!  One was a delicious cheesy layered scalloped potato casserole.  The other spud she called “French-Style Potatoes” to sound all posh, but to the rest of the family, these potatoes will be forever known as “Potato Balls”.

Obviously, French-Style Potatoes has a nice ring to it, but there’s no disputing the salty, heavenly taste of these balls in your mouth.  (Sounds like the infamous Schweddyy Balls from Saturday Night Live, doesn’t?)

A few days later, I decided to try my hand at these balls.  Although my MIL preferred to handle hers with butter, I chose to lather mine in olive oil.

Ok enough with the innuendoes!  To start, I par-boiled the potatoes until a bit firmer than fork tender.  For portion control, I only boiled 6 medium sized potatoes for my family of five.

Then, using the larger end of a melon baller, I scooped and rolled out some potato.

Then, I tossed those bad boys into some pre-heated olive oil in an electric griddle and cooked them until crispy.

These potato balls present well and are a tasty companion to any meat dish.   For this meal, I served it as a side dish to my Mojo Chicken.  And don’t worry.  I didn’t serve two potatoes.  That’s mashed cauliflower as the other side dish, but more about that lovely carb substitute another day.

 

Elizabeth’s Posh Potato Balls

(serves 4)

Ingredients

1-2 lb medium size baking potatoes

¼ – ½ cup olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Directions

Par-boil potatoes until slightly firmer than fork tender.  Drain and allow potatoes to cool.  Using a melon baller, scoop out small amounts of potato.

Heat about ¼ – ½ cup olive oil at 350° in a electric griddle.  Toss in the potato balls and occasionally flip potatoes as they sauté in the oil. Cook until crispy and golden brown (about 20 minutes).

Thanks for joining our weekly Friday Food Fight! Can’t wait to see what everyone is flinging this week!



*Also submitted at*

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Hare Racing Experience

Posted on by Run DMT
8

Among my running friends, I had heard such great things about the Hare Racing Expereince at the University of South Florida (my alma mater) and I was excited to finally be able to participate in the race this year.  Especially, since the race benefits children living with epilepsy by offering “scholarships for kids with epilepsy to attend a medical-friendly camp, scholarships for families of kids with epilepsy to attend a family weekend retreat, medical and college/technical school scholarships for persons affected by epilepsy, seminars that promote new initiatives and partnerships in the field of epilepsy and funding for medical support services” (Epilepsy Services Foundation, Inc).

Since my niece, Meghan, lives with epilepsy, the Hare Racing Experience became a family affair.  We all wore purple to represent ourselves as “Team Meggers” to honor Meghan.

Kirsten brought her “Talk About It” sign to remind everyone to talk about the reason behind the race.  We were here to raise money and awareness for epilepsy.

But I really need to talk about this race!  From the start, I should have known I was in trouble when I realized there was no start line.  Instead of an official start, a small crowd huddled around a man with a bullhorn.  I could barely make out what he said, “Stay to the left of the orange flags!”  Orange flags. Got it.

A faint gun pop gave the crowd the signal to start running.  As I followed the crowd through the grass, I realized we were headed for a trail run.

Then, panic set in.  I haven’t trained for a trail run!  I’ve been resting for a week!  I hope my heels are ready for this!  But the wet grass and sand is going to ruin my new shoes!

Once I allowed myself a brief moment to panic, I took a deep breath and decided to embrace the trail run.  After all, the soft sandy terrain would be good for my recovering plantar fasciitis heels.  Plus, it wasn’t a chipped race so I wouldn’t have to worry about my time.  Besides, I was here for Meghan and a good cause, not a great finish.

With that, I focused on where I planted my feet while trying to snap as many photos as I could.

Honestly, running a trail was tough but fun.  I loved running through the woods even if we had to do it twice.  Still, I wished I had trained for a trail run.

We winded through the woods to a path that led us to the soccer field.  We ran through the plush green grass into the sunshine.

Then, it was back the through trail again to the 1.5 mile water stop and another loop through the trail again.

Second time along the trail, a few of us lost our bearings and began following some USF track students.   By following these runners, we were off-track and off the race route.  Once we realized what had happened, we had to double back to the race.  The whole misguided mistake added 15 seconds to my time.

One more time around the soccer field and as we exited the field, we passed a volunteer holding a Mile 1 sign.  “This is mile 2, right?”  I asked panicking all over again as I ran past her.  Although she assured me we were nearing the finish, I felt confused and frustrated and ready to be done.

As we exited the trail a second time, the volunteers pointed us in the direction of the USF Track and Field.  The last leg was half a lap around the track.  As I neared the finish, I still had some sprints left in me and I pushed it to the finish.

Focused on fast footwork, I forgot to look at the clock and stop my Garmin when I crossed the finish line.  Since the race wasn’t chipped, we were asked to record our own time.  Frustrated once again with this race and my performance, I tried to see the clock in my mind’s eye.  I think it said 31:07.

When I remembered to turn off my Garmin, it read 31:39.

According to the results listed on coolrunning.com, my official time is 30:51.  Not quite under 30 minutes like I had hoped to finish, but better than I thought for my first trail run race.  And I came in 5th place for my division (F/age 40-44)!  I’ll take it!

Jarrett did great for his first trail run and finished at 30:22.  My sister, Simone, my BIL Erich, Rachel and Grandpa Bill all finished between 42:00-44:00, which is fantastic for their first 5K!

*Photo by Aaron Stopford*

After a quick 5K cool down, Simone and I joined Meghan and the rest of the gang (Kirsten, Allan, Allana and Emmalynn) for the one mile fun run, which were four laps around the track.  I knew my girls would do great as their used to running in circles for running club.

*Photo by Aaron Stopford*

Allan, Allana and Meghan finished at 13:01.  Kirsten and Emmalynn finished just a few second behind them at 13:05.

Even though after the race my shins would tell you otherwise, running for a reason always feels good.  Despite being a bit unorganized and a few hiccups with the logistics of the race, I would run this race again for my niece, Meghan.

Sometimes it’s not about the time or the course, but the cause and encouraging people to talk about it…

*Photo by Kirsten*

…and giving a shout out to your alma mater, too.

*Photo by Kirsten*

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogue Look whooooo’s snapping Unknown Mami

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Random Thoughts about Skipping a Beat, 10 Burpees, Some Shoes and a Few 5Ks

Posted on by Run DMT
2

I’ve spent the past two days recovering from Spring Break which has been mostly spent sweeping and tidying away the fallout from Easter and Spring Break.  It’s amazing how dirty and unkempt my house looks even though we spent so little time in it over the past week.

I’ve been so busy trying to play catch-up to my housework that I didn’t even blog yesterday for Music Monday.  Gasp!  I had a post in my head complete with photographs showing all our fun in the sun which I was going to link up at Kristi’s Leap into Spring! Photo Challenge at Live and Love Out Loud.  However, time just escaped me while one Little Lion Man wouldn’t leave me side, so I couldn’t swing it.  Maybe I’ll work on it for Wordless Wednesday, minus sunny day song.

We’re on day 10 for the 30 Day Burpee Challenge, which means we’ve moved hit double digits.  Truth be told, ten burpees about did me in today.  I am so out of shape, which why I need to do burpees.  It’s a vicious cycle.

Have I ever mentioned that I assist with my kids’ running club after school?  Every Tuesday, I run about 3 miles with my stroller and close to 50 kids.  Besides spending quality running time with my girls, it’s all part of my evening training plan to help me train for upcoming evening races in warmer weather.  And you thought I was trying to be a good mom!  Nope.  I’m just trying to be a better mother summer runner.

I officially registered for my first summer race: Oldsmar 5K (formerly the Oldsmar Taphouse Run) in June.  Even though it’s hotter than hell, this is one of my favorite races.  I love the flat course and its beautiful view of the bay.  It’s not chipped, but the first 50 finishers get “Das Boot” and since that will never be me holding Das Boot, I’m just going to have fun with it and get my drink on after the race.  I get to do my thing, taking photos running happy and snappy as usual and I’ll have a beer or two or three when it’s all finished.  Did I mention that there is free beer for all runners at the finish?

My new Brooks Trance 10 running shoes arrived last Thursday afternoon and I unfortunately didn’t have the chance to break them in before the race.  In other words, I wore brand-spanking new shoes for a race, which incidentally was 5K trail run.  I had no idea it was a trail run!  So not only was a panicking about not running for over a week due to plantar fasciitis, I began panicking because I hadn’t trained for a trail.  And on top of it all, I worried that I would dirty my pretty new white shoes.  Such a girl!  I’ll tell you more about the race in another post.

Speaking of shoes, our new pup chewed through my pink Spenco flip-flops.  Son of…!  They were about a year old anyway and I was long overdue for a new pair as they had lost some of the support in them, but still.  UGH!  Thank goodness it wasn’t my new Abeo shoes but I’ve been hiding those out of the dog’s reach.  Oh well.  Now, I have an excuse to buy a new pair.  Maybe I’ll go for the pink (honeysuckle) cork shoes?

Before I forget, WordPress is hosting a Automattic Worldwide WP 5k.  The WWWP5k is set for Sunday, April 29, but you can do your run/walk anytime from April 23rd-29th, which means you’ve got a week to fit it in.  If you’ve never done a 5K, the WWWP5K is the perfect no-pressure 5K, because like the Automattic gang put it so eloquently, “you can run, walk, or skip the 3.1 miles. It’s up to you. There’s no time limit and there’s just one requirement: that you participate! You can do it inside or outside, on a treadmill or on a track, or even do a swim or a bike ride instead of running/walking – just get moving!”

So, will you join the WWWP5K on April 29?  Of course, I’m down with WWWP5K. Yeah you know me. It should be a lot easier than 10 burpees.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Heart-Healthy Spinach Avocado Egg Salad

Posted on by Run DMT
13

PhotobucketAfter Easter Sunday, you’ll have a dozen or so colored hard boiled eggs hanging around and if you’re like me, you’ll want to make egg salad with them.  It sounds a bit like a children’s book, doesn’t it?  If you give a mom a dozen Easter eggs, she’ll probably make egg salad with them. 

Although traditional egg salad is delicious, it’s not the healthiest with all the mayo added to make it tasty.  Enter an avocado spinach egg salad made with half an avocado, spinach, plain non-fat yogurt and 1 hardboiled egg.

Every week, there is some study stating if eggs are good for you or not.  Eggs may be associated with high cholesterol but eggs are high in Vitamin D and Omega-3 and that’s pretty good if you don’t get enough fish in your diet, like me.  Toss in an avocado and spinach also rich in vitamins and lowering-cholesterol minerals and you’ve got a reason to celebrate all those left over Easter eggs.

I found this recipe on Pinterest pinned via We Are Not Martha.  The original recipe uses seven eggs, but I modified it for one serving.  If you want to make a big batch of it at once, follow We Are Not Martha’s recipe.  Since I’m the only one in this house that will eat this, I prefer to make it fresh each time and I always eat it right out of the bowl…even for breakfast.

Heart-Healthy Spinach Avocado Egg Salad

Ingredients

1 hardboiled egg, coarsely chopped

¼ cup baby spinach, coarsely chopped

1 celery stalk, finely chopped

1 Tbsp red onion, finely chopped

½ Haas avocado, mashed

1 Tbsp plain non-fat yogurt

Dash crushed red pepper flakes

Salt, to taste

Ground black pepper, to taste

 

Directions

Mash half a Hass avocado in a medium sized bowl.  Add all chopped ingredients, red pepper flakes and yogurt. Mix until well combined.  Add salt and pepper.

Serve as a dip, in a wrap or on toasted whole grain bread.

Thanks for joining our weekly Friday Food Fight! Can’t wait to see what everyone is flinging this week!


*Also submitted at*


Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Pushing Our Luck Challenge: Final Exhaustion Test

Posted on by Run DMT
2

On Wednesday, I finished the March Pushing Our Luck Challenge (also known as the Hundred Push-up Program) by performing my final exhaustion test.  I completed 70 push-ups.  Not, quite one hundred but pretty good, I suppose.

I vlogged my final exhaustion test for your amusement and yes, I did 70 alternate girlie push-ups.  Don’t judge.

 

Although I only completed 70, there has been some definite improvement.  At the initial test, I could only do 30 alternate push-ups, so I’ve more than doubled my maximum set, which means I’ve increased my endurance and strength. In the end, that’s what it is all about, isn’t it?

How did you finish the March Pushing Our Luck Challenge?  Did you show some improvement too?

For our next challenge, we’re springing into April with Run DMT’s 30 Day Burpee Challenge.  We’re only on Day 5, so there’s still plenty time to join the fun.  Found out more about the burpee challenge and join the linky party here.  Also, follow #30burpees on Twitter track everyone’s progress.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Enjoying a Red Sunrise from The Walking Company

Posted on by Run DMT
7

Upon a recent visit to The Walking Company I fell in love with the numerous styles and colors of comfortable shoes.  Sure, there were the traditional walking brands, like Clarks, Birkenstock and New Balance, but I was blown away by the variety of stylish sandals.  For once a girl can be cute and comfortable at the same time!

With the help of the sales assistance, I had my feet scanned for a proper fit and within seconds, a high tech analysis had measured me as a size 39, also known as an 8 US.

I tried on a few pairs and it was love at first step.  I even tweeted about them.

The prices of shoes at The Walking Company compare to your average running shoes, therefore, I experienced no sticker shock.  However, I needed new running shoes before fancy, fun sandals and I had to overrule any purchases based upon need vs. want.  Like a good consumer, I left the store empty handed, but with very sad feet.

A few hours later, I received an email from The Walking Company stating they would like to send me a pair of ABEO Biomechanical Footwear shoes.  I only needed to visit the site and make a selection.

You’re joking?  No need to tell me twice.  I was on it like a fashionista famished for new shoes.

When I visited the site, I discovered the most amazing thing. The Walking Company sells shoes specific to plantar faciistis.  I had died and gone to shoe heaven, because my feet would be walking on clouds this summer.

Much like my experience in the store, there were so many fun styles online.  After clicking through the site, I decided upon a fun color for summer: the ABEO Sunrise Red Reptile.

shoe

Now, I could share with you all the high-tech terminology and features of the shoes, but that’s all listed on the website.  You only need to know one thing: I love them.

My Red Reptile ABEO Sunrise shoes are so comfortable.  I don’t have any heel pain when I wear them.  I can walk in them for hours and never feel a twinge of pain from plantar fasciitis.  It’s like wearing running shoes, only much more stylish.  I can dress them up or down by coordinating the shoes with a sundress or shorts.  I can wear them to church, the mall, the park, the beach, an amusement park or restaurant.

Anything goes with a Sunrise (even a glass of red wine and purple toenail polish), but it’s the trendy comfort that makes this so fitting for my active mother runner lifestyle.

*I received these shoes as a gift from The Walking Company and I received no compensation for my review.  This review was offered in return for The Walking Company’s generosity.*  

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Random Thoughts about a Break or Two, Burpees and My New Shoes

Posted on by Run DMT
4

My plantar faciitis began bothering me again which I believe to be a result of old shoes.  I’ve put a lot a miles on my shoes since November when I bought them.  Since my left heal has been giving me trouble, I haven’t ran since last Wednesday and I ordered myself some new lavender Trace 10 running shoes from Brooks.com.  They should arrive tomorrow, so hopefully I can get at least one 3 mile run in and break them in before my 5K on Saturday.

The Hare Racing Experience this Saturday is the only race I have one this month.   Although I never ran it before, I’ve heard great things about it so I’m excited about it.  This race will be even more fun since I’ll be joined by family members running/walking their first race.  We’re all participating in this race to benefit epilepsy in honor of my niece, Meghan.

I’ve had some amazing opportunities fall into my lap lately and I’m feeling so blessed for each of them.  I’m a grateful for every opportunity and the doors they have opened for me.  Thank you.

And speaking of opportunities, did you hear that I was featured on Another Runner Mother?  Go read my interview and leave some comment love.

On the subject of things I love…last week I received some new sandals from The Walking Company which my PF feet totally love. My ABEO sandals are so supportive that I don’t feel any heel pain at all.  I’m going to do a full review of the shoes, but here’s a sneak peek.  I really love them. 

shoe

 My girls are on spring break this week and we have lots of fun planned, however, my husband thought I was planning too much fun and the girls would need a break from their break.  So, today we’re having a quiet lie in and we’ll go to our community pool around lunch time.  I’m really looking forward to swimming since I haven’t run in almost a week and I have all this energy pent-up inside.  I’m going to have to tread water to expend some of it.
Speaking of expending energy, I’m almost finished with my push-up challenge.  I finished Week 6/Day 3/Level 1 yesterday, but I still have to complete another exhaustion test tomorrow.  I’m really nervous about it, which is so silly because it’s not like I could “fail” the test, but I’m afraid I won’t be anywhere near 100 push-ups.  At my last exhaustion test, I did only 50.  I’d like to be somewhere between 60-70 push-ups and beyond the half-way point, but we’ll see.

I’m excited about my next challenge for April! This month, we’re ”Springing into April with a 30 Day Burpee challenge“!  Yay.  *sound of crickets chirping*

 Although I received a lot of resistance to this challenge at first, the response has been quite the opposite which is really motivating.  Follow #30burpees on Twitter if you need some motivation.  People hate burpees but their strong detest for burpees pushed them to be part of the challenge.  It’s pretty funny.

Basically, we started with one burpee on Day 1 and we’ll add one burpee each day after that, ending with 30 burpees on Day 30.  Simple, right?  hee hee  Find out more information here and join the linky party while you’re there.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Dara Maclean Sings His Praise

Posted on by Run DMT
8

With Easter less than a week away, it’s a perfect time to share one of my favorite Christian artists, Dara Maclean.  These songs are from her debut album, You Got My Attention.

When Dara sings His praise, it moves me.  Her soulful sound reverberates within me and opens my heart.  Dara’s voice has a mature Motown quality, an almost Adele-like tone and it’s obvious earned her musical chops in church.

 

Tune in Tuesday morning (April 3) at 8:30 ET to hear more from Dara live on The Morning Cruise on  Joy FM.

Does Christian music move you?

“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19)



Visit Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Spring into April with a 30 Day Burpee Challenge

Posted on by Run DMT
10

When I proposed burpees for our April challenge, my Twitter challenge crew was not happy.  There was a lot of resistance to a burpee challenge.  Yes, burpees suck and they hurt and they’re exhausting, but they make you strong, lean and tone and they are totally worth the effort, especially with swimsuit season sneaking right around the corner.  So, let’s do some burpees for those bikinis! (Or burpees for beer, if you prefer.)

*Photo borrowed from alive.com*

We’re springing into April with burpees for our next fitness challenge.  For the next 30 days, start at your burpee ability level (beginner, intermediate or advanced) and slowly build up by adding one burpee on each day after that.

For a beginner (or someone like myself who doesn’t do burpees daily), start with one and add one burpee each day after that.  So, on Day 1, perform one burpee.  On Day 2, perform two burpees and three on Day 3 and so on.  By April 30, you should be able to do 30 burpees.

Now, if you can pull off 3-5 burpees successfully, you are at an intermediate level and you should start with 5 burpees on Day 1 and add one on each day after that, like the beginner level.  For Day 1, you perform 5 burpees.  On Day 2, you perform 6 burpees and so on.  By Day 30, you should be at 35 burpees.

For an advanced challenge, start at 15 burpees on Day 1 and add one on each day just like the beginner and intermediate levels.  On Day 30, you should finish with 45 burpees.

Depending on your fitness level and ability, you can choose to perform the burpees consecutively or you can perform a set and then take a break and perform another set.  For example on day 20, if you can only do 10 burpees without falling over, then take a walking break for a minute or two and perform another set after a rest period.  Or do 10 burpees in the morning and ten burpees at night.

Yes, this is a challenge, but by just taking that first initial leap into burpees, you’re already ahead of the game.  Therefore make no excuses, but make the challenge fit into your lifestyle.  If you allow it to frustrate you, you won’t finish the challenge.

As with any exercise, proper form is important to avoid injury.  If you’re not familiar with this exercise, here’s a video to demonstrate how to do proper a burpee.

 

So, are you ready to spring into April with burpees?

If you want to join the Run DMT 30 Day Burpee Challenge, add your blog url or Twitter ID to the linky, which will stay open until April 30.

Blog and tweet about it to get others to join the Run DMT 30 Day Burpee Challenge.

Visit other participants blog’s to show support and offer encouragement.

Follow #30burpees on Twitter give and receive additional support from the challenge crew.

Today is April 1, which means we start TODAY! Now, spring onto your feet and give me one burpee (or five or fifteen)!



Denise Mestanza-Taylor+