My First 5K, Running Tips, and Pumpkin Granola Bars

I ran my first 5K this Saturday!  It was a whopping 25 degrees and I was the only girl, but me and my family did it. The boys were *thrilled* but Nathan ran with me and for not training, did really well (ie finished less than a minute behind me.) It was really fun and I enjoyed it a lot. Since it wasn't very windy, it really wasn't that bad, and as long as you've got gloves and a hat, it's hard to stay cold while running.  The winner of the boys and the winner of the girls each got a turkey as a prize.

Now that I've proved to myself I really can run, I'd like to try a 10K next. My goal is six miles this week and is like to keep running throughout the winter. Icy driveways might be a problem, but we'll see! 

I'm not a runner, but I have been trying to run consistently the past couple months.  Here are some tips I've learned and picked up along the way.

1) Listen to your body!  Don't push that last half mile if something is hurting you.  It's your body's way of letting you know something is up, so don't ignore it.  That extra three minutes of running won't help you in the next couple weeks if you injure something.  On the flip side, if you're feeling good and pumped, push that extra mile.  Don't limit how far you can run by how far you think you can run.  Sometimes your body will surprise you.  Sometimes it won't.  Listen to it.

2) Set reasonable goals.  I needed to do some research on running before I set my goals.  Don't set them so high that they're almost impossible because that just leads to discouragement.  It didn't take me very long to get started running longer distance, but it has taken me a while to add several miles to the original distance.  I had some unreasonable goals in the beginning, but I've been working on them.  I tried running certain distances and certain minutes and I found minutes worked better in the beginning and distances works better now. 

3) Invest in a good pair of shoes.  Shoes don't make you a runner, but they sure make it more comfortable - thus, they help you become a better runner. And since you're running to keep your body healthy, investing in good shoes helps prevent injury (which would negate keeping your body healthy;)

4) Listen to something while running.  I time my miles by how many songs it takes me to run them.  They're fun to listen to and motivating.  I also love getting my worship time in while running.  Sometimes I prefer radio theater and those are great, too.  The only exception to this is in earlier in the morning.  Before I ran, I walked, usually every morning.  In the late winter, early spring, the sun doesn't rise that early and walking down our pretty long driveway in the dark, listening to intense audiobooks - bad, bad, bad combo.  However (I digress), music is great help while running!

5) Pretend you are racing someone and that they are always just beating you.  If you're competitive, this is a good one. It keeps me on pace and guarantees I don't slack off. (Refer to point number one though - be wise!)

6) Stay relaxed.  Don't tense up.  You'll just get hurt and I'm speaking from experience:)

7) Get accountability.  I run for volleyball, so practices and games are my accountability and they are very motivating.  If you don't have that sort of goal, get a person to keep you on track.

8) Find a time that gets the most of your.  I stink at running in the morning.  It's just ugly and leaves me feeling defeated (ie, I can't believe those two miles kicked my tail like that!)  I run best between 3-5 in the afternoon and so, obviously, that is my favorite time to run because I can run the best then.

9) Have fun!  Sounds easy ... it isn't always. Run for the right reasons with the right attitude.

10) Let me hear your thoughts!  Do you run?  If so, what are your tips for running?

Also, make sure you've got energy for your run.  Here is one of my favorite granola bar recipes.  I've been trying to get the texture right for a really long time. More often than not, mine are too wet and aren't firm enough to hold unless refrigerated and even then, they've been ultra soft. These on the other hand, although refrigerated, are firm like real bars!  The flavors are nicely balanced and there isn't a dominant one. It isn't too nutty or pumpkin-y, just very fall-ish (spell check hates me right now)

Pumpkin Cranberry Walnut Granola Bars
Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Yield: 4-6 bars

2/3 cup walnuts
2/3 cup oats
1/2 cup cranberries
1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Grind oats and walnuts in a food processor until fine. Add cranberries and pulse 4-5 times. Add pumpkin, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice and pulse until mixture pulls into a ball. Press into a small pan and refrigerate for several hours. Cut and enjoy!

Related recipes:

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars

Almond Joy Energy Bites

Caramel Apple Granola

Caramel Apple Granola

Everything about this granola is right.

Clumpy, sweet, crunchy, chock full of autumn flavor and healthy to boot. 

 

Let's break down why this granola is different than all the other apple granola recipes out there. 

I used egg white because I read it helps granola clump more. Since the clumps are my favorite part, I decided to try it, just to see what would happen. It did turn out clumpier, but it might be from not stirring it as much in between bake times. Who knows ... it does give extra protein, I guess! ;)

 

I shredded the apples vs. chopping them just to see what it would turn out like and I really liked the result. The granola is a little chewier in some places because of the apple shreds, but it gives it a stronger apple flavor and more consistent texture. 

I used Rice Krispies. They truly make it crispier!  I've started mixing them into all my granola because of that. 

Finally, I don't know if you can truly call this a caramel sauce, but it's close enough for me.  I cooked coconut oil, brown sugar, honey, and spices together and by iitself, the sauce is strongly spiced and very sweet, but distributed over 6 cups of oats and Rice Krispy cereal, it mellows out into toasty warm granola.  I do believe the way I made it this time have it a deeper flavor boost than others times I've tried this.
 

 

There you have it!  What are you waiting for?  This stuff is so good and healthy for you. I've snacked on if for days (in fact in eating it right now ...) and I love that it fills me up.  If you're gonna eat an apple for breakfast, this is the way to do it!
 

Caramel Apple Granola

Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life 

Yield: 6-7 cups

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup brown sugar 

1/2 cup honey

1 teaspoon cinnamon 

1 teaspoon nutmeg 

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1 egg white 

4-1/2 cups oats (add more if it seems too soggy) 

1/12 cups Rice Krispy cereal 

2 medium apples, shredded 

Add ins: raisins and walnuts 

Preheat oven to 325. 

For caramel: Combine first five ingredients in a medium sized pot. Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat until slightly thickened, about two minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for a couple minutes. 

In a large bowl, whisk applesauce, vanilla, and egg white until combined and frothy. Pour in caramel mixture and stir until combined. Add oats, Rice Krispy cereal, and shredded apples and stir until all the oat mixture is coated. 

Spread on two lightly greased baking sheets and bake for 30 minutes. Stir granola and then bake for 10-15 more minutes or until browned. Let cool for at least a couple hours before storing. 

Want more apples?

Apple Crisp:
 

 

Appleless Applesauce Granola Scones:

 

And then Ms. Jocelyn and Ms. Aimee from Inside BruCrew Life and Shugary Sweets (respectively) had an apple week this past week!  Go check their recipes out. In dying to try all of them (especially the caramel apple bars and the pound cake!)

Life has really picked up speed the last couple weeks and I haven't had as much time for the blog world.  The posts may be shorter and not as often, but that doesn't mean I love it any less!  If I seem MIA, I'm probably taking a physics test or at a volleyball game:)  The most exciting that happened this week was family pictures last night and an all day volleyball tournament today.  Have you had a busy week? 
Hugs,
Mary Frances

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars

I know what you are thinking.

Pumpkin is fall.  Fall is pumpkin.  Summer is smoothies.  Smoothies are summer.

Am I right?

I have a seasonal baking disorder.  I don't cook based on the traditional seasons.  Pumpkin is stocked all year round and I couldn't be happier. 

Oh, you are also thinking peanut butter and pumpkin do not go together. 

I'll let you in on a little secret; pumpkin is pretty blah by itself.  There really is nothing to it.  That's why you can mix it with things and be a-okay.

But this is special because not only does it have peanut butter and pumpkin, it has all those traditional spices associated with pumpkin and fall and Thanksgiving.

I told you, I have a seasonal baking disorder.

Anyway, this combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, peanut butter, pumpkin, honey, and oats is simply incredible.  I've made it no less than five times in the last month.  This was the first time I had made it into granola bars vs. regular granola (which is to die for, by the way, I eat it every morning for breakfast.  Every single morning.  It's that good.)  The first time I tried to make these as granola bars, they were too soft and crumbly.  They didn't stay together at all.  In order to remedy that problem, I used an oat flour, old fashioned oats combo instead of straight up oats.  It worked like a charm.

However, I am still so grateful for the season changes, despite pumpkin being predominately fall.  Some locations don't get the variety Kansas does.  My friends claim I like it because I get to change wardrobes (okay, that has some truth . . . but it is valid, right?) but taking out and folding/sorting all my winter clothes and then hanging up all my summer clothes is time consuming, albeit exciting (finding new outfits - fuu!) 

While I was cleaning out the closet, I found several notes from friends.  As I was re-reading them, I first noticed what encouraging friends I have, but secondly, that both were about auditions.  One was for a play, another was for piano, but both were about auditioning.  It made me think how my confidence in the auditioning was based on my level of preparation and confidence in myself.  And then I thought, how grateful I am I don't have to audition for God's grace.  If receiving God's grace was based on my skill at being good, I would be rejected.  No matter how much I prepared, words will fly out of my mouth that hurt other people.  No matter how much skill I have in pleasing people, there will be times someone is disappointed in me.  Thank goodness God was willing to accept me based on Jesus' sacrifice and not anything I can do! 

 Thank goodness good granola never goes out of season,too, or there would another side affect to my seasonal baking disorder. 

Just look at that - the perfect snack!  Making granola bars at home is so easy and much less expensive.  Not only that, with this recipe, there is no butter and no added sugar.  Yes, the perfect snack, even in 90 degree weather.

 

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars

Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life.  Adapted from Averie Cooks

2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, allspice, each (feel free to add any other spice you want.  I don't measure any more, just shake and taste until it is strong enough)
1/2 cup oat flour (I ground old fashioned oats in our food processor)
1 cup old fashioned oats

Preheat oven to 300.  Lightly grease 9x9 pan.

Stir together coconut oil, pumpkin puree, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla in large bowl.  Add spices and stir.  Add oat flour and oats and stir to coat.

Press into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.  (Check periodically for browned edges.)

Let cool completely before cutting.  Store in airtight container.




Like oats and granola?  First check out the original recipe above, because it is a winner. 

Don't want pumpkin?  Try Peanut Butter Granola.  Only six ingredients and 30 minutes before you have granola ready to eat!

Larabars are fruitier versions of granola bars and these two are my go to for energy packed, no bake snacks.

Blueberry Larabars



Apple Raisin Larabars

Peanut Butter Granola

Need a pick me up this morning?  Look no further - this recipe is power packed full of energy to help you tackle our world's problems! (Or the algebra sitting on the table, but you know, its same difference.)

Peanut butter and honey are becoming staples in my our pantry.  This recipe is awfully similar to the Crispy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars, so if you could make those, you can make this granola!  It smells so good while it is crisping in the oven and unlike most granola recipes, this could actually be made the morning you want to eat it! 

Think about it.  No more hanging around the kitchen for hours, turning your granola every 15 minutes.  Its baking time is only 8 minutes! 

Peanut Butter Granola
Recipe Source: Adapted from Peanut Butter Fingers
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla
dash of nutmeg
2 cups oats
1/2 cup chopped almonds

Melt peanut butter and honey on stove, stir in cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg.  Add oats and almonds, spread on greased baking sheet.

Bake at 325 for 8 minutes.  You will be tempted to eat some as it comes out of the oven, but resist.  It will feel a little soft, but give it a couple minutes and it will crisp up beautifully.

This makes a perfect breakfast.  I was getting a little tired of my cooked oatmeal and this is a delicious switch up.  Protein from the peanut butter, fiber from the oats, fill-me-up from the almonds  . . . perfect.  Its spices taste so warm and comforting, especially with all the snow about.  Its versatile, an easy snack, and did I mention less than 10 minutes in the oven?  I'm good at repeating things I like if you hadn't noticed.

One of the reasons I love this recipe is because it is short.  It doesn't take a lot of time, ingredients, or effort.  Its easy.  I have been doing a Bible Study on Daniel (not Beth Moore's; I'm still waiting to do that one) and I am continually amazed at how not-easy his life was.  First he is whisked away from his home and family.  Then, they take away his identity and give him a Babylonian name.  He doesn't know the land, the people, the culture, and he is expected to embrace it all.  Oh yeah, to make you feel better, we've decided you're really smart and you get to be an aide to the king.  I would want to curl up in a bed, pull the pillow over my head and tell everyone I'm not there and I don't want to do it. 

Thankfully, Daniel wasn't like me.  Not at all cowed, Daniel rejects the food (really buddy, don't insult the host's cooking) because it defiles his God.  Guess he knew he needed his own version of peanut butter granola to give him the energy to deal with royal nightmares.  He was constantly in demand after he interprets confusing dreams for Kind Nebuchadnezzar.  And King N. is only the beginning.  Daniel interprets several dreams of doom and is honored every time.  That cracks me up.  "The writing on the wall means you are going to die tonight!"  "Okay, thanks for interpreting, here you can be third on command."  God was definitely helping Daniel, because Daniel's life was not easy.  It didn't have short cuts or a short list of things to do.  He had to be thrown in the lion's den, interpret dreams and then be shown the end of the world and expected to keep quiet about it.  It is impossible to read it and not be challenged.  Challenged to stand up.  Just stand. 

Don't eat the defiled food.  Don't glory in what our culture does. 

Tell the king the truth: he is going to act like a cow pretty soon.  Be honest with people about Whom your identity is in.

Just listen.  Yeah, there is this creature with four horns and a creature that is too freaky to describe.  Just listen when God speaks.

Daniel is way bigger than the lion's den and I am having to be patient as I take it page by page, challenge by challenge.  I love one of the lines that says, "Let the lions roar."  Let them roar, because thats all they can do.  My fears can sound powerful, hungry, and ready to devour me, but in reality, God has shut their mouths and all they can do is roar.  God is the source of power.  Ultimate power, not the peanut-butter-protein-packed kind of power.  No, the kind that shuts lions mouths and silences kings kind of power.  And it takes less than 8 minutes.  It takes just as long as it takes for us to humble ourselves.