Name: Pre-Run Energy “Cookie”
Yield: 16 cookies
Ingredients: 1 cup steel cut oats; 3 cups of water; 2 TBS coconut oil, unrefined and extra virgin; 2 tsps Ceylon cinnamon; 1/4 cup flaxseed meal; 1/4 cup chia seeds; 1/4 cup hemp seeds; 1 tsp salt; 4 eggs, whisked; 6-8oz dried tart cherries; 1/4-1/2 cup chocolate chips

My Pre-Run Energy “Cookie” and Running in the Rain

by Vitality in Focus | Oct 17, 2016 | BLOG, RECIPE BOX

I want to share my recipe for a pre-run “cookie” that I like to make. When I go on a run in the morning I need to eat something that will give me energy but not bog me down with a full stomach. I’ve always had a sensitive tummy in the mornings, but I can’t run on an empty stomach. I’ve come up with a recipe for a pre-run cookie that solves my problem. One or two of these with water gives me sustained energy and doesn’t upset my stomach. They are filled with good for you ingredients and are easy to make. They are also gluten, soy and dairy-free. It’s like eating a store bought protein bar without the added ingredients you don’t want. I firmly believe that the foods we eat should be as close to their natural state as possible and not be filled with preservatives or artificial ingredients.

JUST ANOTHER RUN IN THE RAIN

It was stormy weekend in Portland with lots of rain and wind in the forecast. Saturday was one of those weekend mornings when my husband and I look at each other and say, “Are we running today?” Of course we are! We can’t let the weather get in our way. If we did, this time of year, our runs would be few and far between. However, when you are warm and dry inside, and it’s looking rather nasty outside it takes extra will power to commit.

The next question is, “Where do you want to run?” As you may know, I love to run on trails, and we have some amazing forest trails in and around Portland. However, with a high wind warning it probably isn’t smart to run on a muddy trail in a forest. We decided to go into town and run a loop on the bike path along the Willamette River.

In my last post I said that I’ve never finished a run and wished I hadn’t gone. This one was no different. It really wasn’t that bad, and we weren’t the only ones out in the rain. Rob tells me that Sunday is a six mile run day. Sigh. Just another morning to get motivated and go outside, and I bet I will be so happy that I did. Thankfully I have my Pre-run energy cookies already made.

PRE-RUN ENERGY COOKIE

I start with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Steel Cut Oats. Bring 1 cup of oats to boil with 3 cups of water. These are just three of the health benefits of oats.

Provide Filling Fiber
Help Improve Digestion
Increase Immunity

Boil for 20-30 minutes until most of the water is absorbed. Stir every five minutes to keep it from sticking the the bottom of the pot. This looks good.

Remove from heat and transfer to another bowl. Add in 1/4 cup each of ground flax seed meal, chia seeds and hemp seeds, two teaspoons of salt, two tablespoons unrefined extra virgin coconut oil, plus one tablespoons Ceylon cinnamon. The lists of health benefits for Hemp Seed, Flaxseed Meal, and Chia Seeds include some of the following.

helps fight cancer
weight loss
digestive health
healthy skin and hair.

You can use any of the links above to find out more from Dr. Axe on the health benefits of the ingredients in my recipe.

Stir it all up real good and then let it sit and cool for a while. While waiting whisk four eggs in a separate bowl. When the oatmeal mixture has cooled enough, about 20 minutes, so that it won’t cook the eggs or melt the chocolate stir the eggs into it. Then add a 1/4 – 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and 8oz of dried cherries. I like the tart cherries from Trader Joes. When I’m buying dried fruit I always make sure it is free of sulfur dioxide and added sulfites. They upset my stomach, so I avoid them. I use these chocolate chips from Enjoy Life because they are soy free. I’m also soy intolerant, so I read a lot of labels. These can easily be made without the chocolate chips if you prefer.

When everything is mixed up real good use the quarter cup as a scoop and drop scoops of the oatmeal mixture onto a lined baking sheet.

Now pop the tray into a 350 degree oven for fifteen minutes. The recipe will make about 16 of these yummy, energy packed, pre-run cookies. I usually warm up two of these and eat them with a glass of water before a morning run.

Disclosure

This is my first attempt at food photography and posting a recipe. Please bear with me as I practice and learn all the ins and outs. This post contains affiliate links to products that I like and use. If you choose to click on product link it will not change the price, but I will receive a small commission from what you purchase.

Rob says I need a catchy name for these energy cookies. What would you name them? Do you have a go to pre-workout snack that gives you energy and doesn’t bog you down? Please leave a comment below, and remember to share this on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Thank you!

Thérèse Buckingham for Vitality in Focus

Yields 16 cookies

Pre-Run Energy “Cookie”

Save Recipe

Print Recipe

My Recipes My Lists My Calendar

Ingredients

1 cup steel cut oats
3 cups of water
2 TBS coconut oil, unrefined and extra virgin
2 tsps Ceylon cinnamon
1/4 cup flaxseed meal
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1 tsp salt
4 eggs, whisked
6-8oz dried tart cherries
1/4-1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Bring oats and water to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. let it cook, stirring every 5 minutes or so, for 20 minutes until most of the water is absorbed.
Transfer to a bowl to start cooling and add the coconut oil, cinnamon, flaxseed meal, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and salt. Stir them all together and let sit for 20 minutes to cool.
Lightly beat the eggs and stir them into the cooled oatmeal mixture
Stir in the cherries and chocolate chips
Scoop in 1/4 cup portions onto a lined baking sheet. Flatten them out just a little to an even thickness.
Bake for 15 minutes
Cool on a wire rack.
Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator or freezer. I like to warm mine up just a little before eating.

Notes

I am not a nutritionist. The recipes and experiences I share on my blog are based on what works for me, my own experiences with food, and what I have learned from reading about health and nutrition. If you are in need of specific nutritional advice please consult with a health professional.

https://www.vitalityinfocus.com/my-pre-run-energy-cookie-and-running-in-the-rain/

Vitality in Focus

Nutrition

Calories

210 cal

Fat

13 g

Carbs

18 g

Protein

8 g

Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

[the_ad id=”278″]

I’m Running Again

by Vitality in Focus | Oct 13, 2016 | BLOG, My Diary

Last week I started running again after a six week break. That’s the longest I’ve gone without running since January 1, 2015. I’ve been an on and off jogger since college, but it has never been something I enjoyed enough to make it part of my daily routine. I dreaded going out for a run around the neighborhood. Sidewalks and streets didn’t inspire me. My knees hurt and I had shin splints, so I had excuses. I really surprised myself when I joined a Hood to Coast Relay team with eleven of my running friends including my husband. This was 10-14 years ago, and I did it three years in a row. I struggled to adequately train each year. I had fun, but didn’t continue running once the race was over. I tried to be a consistent runner but without a clear vision or goal, I failed.

Manzanita Beach

New Year’s Resolve

In December 2014 we rang in the new year on the Oregon Coast with our good friends from California. They are both runners and I admire them for their dedication to start each day with a run. We enjoyed an ocean view while cooking meals together, playing games and watching football. This is where my new running story begins.

Thanks to the inspiration of our friends, who returned each morning from a run before I had my first cup of coffee, and my husband’s motivation to get us out the door, I ran. We ran three days in a row. They weren’t long or fast runs, but they left me feeling invigorated, happy, and clear headed. I liked the post run feeling so much that I decided my 2015 resolution would be to make running a habit. After all, If I could run in the wind and freezing cold (there was ice on the sand one of the mornings in the unusually cold weather) then I should be able to run in the rain back home in Portland.

Building A Habit

They say it takes three weeks to build a habit. I thought, “I just need to get out and run at least 15 minutes every day to build a running habit.” However, I was concerned for my knees. They hurt in the past, and I didn’t want that to stop me this time.

On January 4th I bought my first pair of Hoka running shoes. One of our California friends ran in them, and convinced me to try a pair. He said it felt like he was running on clouds. They have extra cushioning to help absorb more impact.

I ran 27 days that January! I think I ran 14 days in a row before taking a day off. I was afraid that if I skipped a day I would lose my motivation and quit. I was determined to create this new habit. That 15 minutes became 25 right away and then 30. I didn’t start tracking miles until February 10th when I started using the Nike+ Running App. I had been using the Nike fuel band to keep me motivated, but it didn’t record mileage. I also took a picture during every run. I loved collecting the photos with data from each run. It worked for me and that is all I needed to help me stick to a new habit. I was thrilled, and it was those crazy looking shoes that helped me keep going without the knee and shin pain.

Over the course of the year I ran when the weather was perfect and when it was miserable. No matter how long, hard, wet, or muddy I never finished wishing I hadn’t done it. At the end of the year I was proud of my results. From February 10th to December 31st I ran 136 times for a total of 524.6 miles. I even ran my first half marathon. I felt stronger and healthier. I started to think of myself as a runner.

Why am I telling you this?

First, It takes time and determination to develop an exercise routine that works for you. It isn’t always easy to find something you enjoy and can do on a regular basis. If you get sidelined for awhile don’t abandon it altogether. Get back to your routine when you can. It’s worth it and you’ll be glad you did.
Second, exercise is a key component in living well longer. You don’t have to run, but it is important to develop an exercise habit. Make it part of your plan for living with vitality.
Do you have an exercise routine that keeps you moving? Is there a physical activity that you really enjoy? Are there Apps or devices that have kept you motivated? Please leave a comment below.

Disclaimer: I am not fitness professional. My stories are based on my own experience and results. Please consult your own health professional for personal advice.

Disclosure: The links in this blog are affiliate links. If you choose to click on them and make a purchase I will get a small commission. This does not increase the cost of the product. Thank you for your support.