Menu Monday

After a wild and crazy weekend of rain and racing, we are gearing up for another week/weekend packed full of fun times. 




Our family is still here visiting with us until Wednesday and then we are headed out of town for the weekend. 

Along with our weekday runs, we have a 14 mile run scheduled for Saturday morning which will officially be the longest mileage I have ever completed (eek)! After that, we are headed to a very fun wedding later that day in St. Augustine.  I can't wait to celebrate and amazing moment with all of our friends!

So, with all of that said, here is what we are eating this week - what's on tap for you?

M:  Creamy Veggie Pasta
T:  Green Pepper, Onion and Steak Kebabs w/ Yellow Rice and Black Beans
W: BBQ Chicken Sandwiches w/ SP Fries and Apples
Th: Wings w/ Pesto Feta Orzo and Carrots
F: Spinach Lasagna* @ Mom's
Sa: Ryan and Jill's Wedding
Su: Apricot Pork Chops w/ Stuffing and Broccoli
*meatless

P.S. - Happy Birthday Fergie!

The Pits

Gentlemen, start your engines!  We spent Saturday and Sunday in Daytona for the various speed week events going on and tried not to let it rain on our parade (even though eventually it did). 




Saturday: 

After getting up super early to run our 12 miles, Mike and I along with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law were ready for some speed and headed to Daytona to meet up with Jenny and Jeremy. 

Even with windy, chilly and dry weather coming through the night before (I think our visitors brought it down from Wisconsin), we were excited for a great day of racing.  We were bundled up (except for Mike) and made the most of our day; taking in ALL the sights.




My sister-in-law, Sara, scored awesome complimentary Pit and Garage passes plus tickets for Saturday’s Nationwide Series race.  We were all access and felt very VIP.  We were behind the scenes and in the middle of all the action!







Gas, tires, semis…oh my!








Danica Patrick’s car for this race was the Go Daddy #7. My brother-in-law, Mark, loves to make it known that he beat her in go-cart racing back in the day in Wisconsin (true story)!





Pit Lane.





We not only were in the garage and pits, but hanging out on the infield and even on the track!  I had no idea you could do that – so cool!






They don’t call this the “Great American Race” for nothing!





The track is soooo steep.  I have such a respect for the racers' skill and ability.  Truly amazing.



Shout out for Grocery Lane!








When the race finished we headed back down to the garage area and watched the post race inspection on the winning car.  It was very official and there was lots of hustle and bustle. 

There was also lots of scavenging for parts on torn apart cars.  Again, no clue all of that happened, I learned so much!


Sunday:

After heading home Saturday night and fixing yummy make-your-own pizzas, we were up and early again on Sunday to head back to the track for the “big” event – the Daytona 500. 

Luckily our friends gave us a free parking pass and we left early enough for no traffic.  Score on both.




We arrived at the RV site and promptly started making breakfast for everyone.  The smell of bacon was rampant and got everybody up and at ‘em.
On the menu? 

• Pancakes
• cheesy eggs
• bacon
• strawberries
• grapes
• powdered doughnuts
• bloody marys
• pinot grigio mimosas

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS!







My favorite way to eat my breakfast items is in a pancake taco.  Drizzled with a little bit of syrup, this combo of pancake, eggs and bacon is sweet, savory and absolutely fabulous.
 
More restaurants should have this on the menu. It’s quick, easy and no utensils necessary!





After breakfast, we were on weather watch.  With rain in the forecast, we knew there was a chance that the race would be delayed, but we were trying to be optimistic…even going through with our Nascar driver pool.





After hours of rain and a few naps later, there was a little bit of hope that they would at least get a few laps of the race in since there was a break in the downpour.

Staying dry, watching radar and waiting on the call.

We could hear the drying efforts going on at the track, but to no avail, the rain kept coming.  After 4 hours of debating the offcials finally postponed the race until today.  This is the first time in the history of the Daytona 500 that has happened.





Even though the weekend was amazing, the outcome was the pits!

Saturday Shortcut

 

If you are in need of a quick dessert or breakfast side…listen up!  This easy combination of on hand ingredients is a mix between baked apples and apple crisp. 

By using granola instead of a buttery crumb topping, this dish is definitely more figure friendly and packed full of apple-y goodness. Perfect for the late night munchies or brunch the next day.

 

 

Granola Baked Apples

• 4 apples
• 1 1/2 T flour
• 1/2 of a lemon, juiced
• 1 T sugar
• 2 t cinnamon
• 1 1/2 C granola (homemade or store bought) –or enough to top apples

-Peel, core and chop apples.  Add flour, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice.  Mix together.  Put in the bottom of a ramekin or baking dish and bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until apples are tender.  Top with granola and put back in the oven for 5 additional minutes.  Serve warm.

 

 

 

Serve with reduced fat ice cream for an added dimension of flavor.  Enjoy!

FF–Day to Night

 

With life on the move more than ever, planning ahead is a must.  Because we live a bit out of the way from all of the “action”, there are many casual days that turn into party nights without ever making it home. 

Being prepared for any occasion, in any sort of weather, with just a few outfit additions or changes will have you ready to rock ‘n roll when any type of excitement calls.

Remember – think ahead and party on!

 

1.  Add a cardigan.

 

2. Go from a skirt to jeans.

 

3.  Add a scarf and fitted jacket.

 

4.  Start with shorts and sandals, add a blazer and finish with jeans and boots.

 

T G I F !