Hello! & happy Monday 😊 I’m up early (5 am-early) because I’m playing with a new tennis group this morning. I’m kind of nervous, but also excited! Someone once told me that the body doesn’t know the difference between being nervous or excited, so I’ll just say I’m excited. I wanted to have some time to drink coffee and get my recap done before heading out to walk the dogs and to go play tennis. It’s going to be a busy week, but the fun kind of busy. I’m leaving for a trip on Wednesday, and I can’t wait to take a bunch of pics and share everything with you.
Before I start the recap, I wanted to say thank you for all the sweet words in that last recap blog regarding my thoughts on Instagram. It was unexpected to see so many of you relate to how I was feeling. You put a lot of things in perspective for me, and being able to talk about things like that with my readers is why I love this platform!
Last week was very successful in the running department, and my running post will be live on Wednesday! I’ve had many requests for a post on my journey from the couch to a 5k. I’m looking forward to sharing the plan. I think you’re going to love the printout.
I had a stressful Monday morning. Things weren’t running smoothly on the blog’s backend, so I had a call with a web developer to get it all worked out and do a couple of audits. I’m excited to work with him to make things run smoother! We have a call later this afternoon to go over more of the issues that need fixing.
I decided to take a break from computer work, and head out on my run! Back in the day, running was my outlet for when I had anxiety, or when I felt overwhelmed. It feels so good to be able to use that outlet again. When people ask me why I run, it’s for my mental health. Running for training purposes ruined that mind space for me. The training felt more like a punishment rather than a release. I have been looking forward to running so much lately, and I have to talk myself out of doing it consecutive days, or running further than planned.
Now that I’ve spent a month and a half working towards three miles again, I’ll be spending the next month and a half working towards four to five miles. I’ll be doing the same concept by adding .1 to each one of my runs. My goal is to ultimately hit one hour of running which will be about six miles for me and never go beyond that.
After my run on Monday morning, I had a chicken salad gluten free wrap for lunch. We have made this chicken salad five times in the past week! We cannot get enough. The wraps are the gluten-free mission wraps, and I’m blown away with how good they are. They are by far the best gluten-free wraps I’ve had. I’m going to use them in a chicken tortilla soup soon.
After lunch, I finished up the recap post and finally got that up!
On Tuesday afternoon, I worked on changing out the winter and summer clothes. It felt good to put all the sweaters away and hang up the sundresses and shorts.
When I was finished, I had a protein shake for lunch. It had kale, Amazing Grass Green Superfood powder, almond milk, protein powder, ice, banana, and kiwi.I went on a few walks with the dogs and then spent my evening editing the running video.
For lunch, I had the most random plate, but you guys know that’s how I roll! I had grapes with honey, a slice of gluten-free bread with my chicken salad recipe, and three microwaved Applegate chicken nuggets.
The weather was perfect on Wednesday morning. After walking the dogs and having my breakfast, I decided to fit in my scheduled three-mile run. I keep telling myself that I’m going to go for a run in a new location without hills, but it’s just so much more convenient to step outside and go for a run without adding all the extra driving.
The run went great. It’s crazy that three miles are tough for me now. As soon as I hit 2.4, I’m always ready to slow it down and quit. I’m excited to see how many more runs it takes before I’m feeling comfortable at the 3-mile mark again.
For lunch, I had gluten-free toast with Kite-Hill chive cream cheese, kiwi, grapes, pineapple, honey, and macadamia nuts. I’ve been drinking TrueNopal after running lately to help with hydration! I get so hot out in the sun since I run in the middle of the day. Cactus water is a great way to rehydrate and contains wayyyyy less sugar than coconut water.
I used to have stomach aches nearly every single night, discomfort from bloating, and always felt too sluggish to do anything. I was talking to a dietician that recommended that I cut my raw vegetable intake in half and try taking probiotics each day. It’s been two and a half weeks since taking probiotics every single day and cutting back on all of the vegetables I was eating, and I am in complete shock. I haven’t complained about a stomach ache, bloating, or anything in weeks. Now, I’m not giving up vegetables at all, just limiting the amount I’m eating. If you’re looking for a good probiotic to have every day, I highly recommend the GoodBelly (no sugar added) straight shots! I have been telling everyone about these because they have helped me feel so much better. I take one every day at noon. If you have digestive issues, it’s worth giving it a shot! (no pun intended)
I decided to stop out at my parent’s house on Wednesday night, so the dogs could play in the backyard. My mom had been requesting my blueberry muffins, so I made her a batch using this recipe, but added blueberries instead of blackberries, and chia seeds. I used the same recipe without the lemon and blackberry but added chocolate chips for my dad. He’s not a fruit person. I know her doormat says “I hope you brought wine,” but I was hoping the muffins would do 😉
We got stuck in traffic on the back country road (because of construction) so thank goodness I had a muffin in the car! I was so hungry on the way back, and it held me over until I got home.
I made a quick pizza for Kyle and me to split. I used the kale & broccoli crust from Trader Joes (cook it at 420 for ten minutes on each side before adding the toppings), topped it with tomato sauce, Applegate turkey pepperoni, and Daiya mozzarella shreds. We make this a lot!
I was excited about the Thursday night sand volleyball league. It’s so much fun and the weather couldn’t have been any more perfect.
After our matches, we headed to Burton’s for dinner. Caitlin and I both ordered the gluten-free/veganGeneral Tso cauliflower wings. These are honestly one of the best things in Charlotte. I was excited for Caitlin to try them, and she was pretty impressed too!
My body felt wrecked the next morning after playing sand volleyball. I was throwing myself all over the place to dive for balls, and I felt it when I woke up. I figured a run would help loosen up my body, but I felt worse. My neck and were so tight. After showering off, I knew the rest of Friday was going to be very inactive.
Most people wouldn’t take pictures of their leftovers, but keepin’ it real. Here’s Friday’s lunch!
I decided to watch a movie with a cappuccino on Friday afternoon. It was raining, and since my brain wasn’t cooperating, I thought it was the best decision. I watched Green Book, and goodness was it a wonderful movie! It makes you feel sad, but happy at the end.
Kyle and I decided to go out for dinner on Friday night. We went to one of our favorite sushi spots, Akahana. I ordered my favorite thing on the menu, a ginger salad and the gluten-free chicken lettuce wraps. I could eat this every single day!
I worked on more of the running printables Saturday morning while drinking a smoothie. I decided not to go to tennis because my body still felt super sore, and it was overcast outside so I figured we’d get rained out anyway.
My smoothie had kale, Amazing Grass Green Superfood powder, almond milk, protein powder, ice, banana, raspberries, and blueberries.
I headed to the outlets to get some new running shoes on Saturday afternoon. As I was checking out, Becca called to see if I wanted to meet her at Lights Juicery & Cafe for lunch. Absolutely!
Becca and I split a french press coffee and their veggie dream sandwich with a kale salad.
The coffee is so good there, but the food is just as great! We love this spot, especially since it’s halfway between our houses.
I watched an Easter service on t.v. while having my coffee on Sunday morning.
A few hours later, I had a slice of toast with peanut butter and banana slices to fuel my run. I usually let my food digest 45-minutes before taking off.
It was my first run with the new running shoes, and it’ made a world of difference. I have a wider foot, and I kept getting pain when I landed on the sides of my feet in the Brooks I was previously wearing. I felt like the past running shoes have been way too bulky and heavy for me. These Gel-Quantum 90 SG running shoes were light, super foamy, and wide enough for my feet to land comfortably. The best part was that the outlets had a BOGO on these! They are on sale right now, but definitely go up 1/2 a size. I have them in grey and harmony white. I felt like I was running on clouds in these!
For lunch, I made another batch of chicken salad to go with the gluten-free wraps!
Kyle and I took a trip to Home Depot to grab some cleaning supplies and I could not resist buying a few of these gorgeous flowers to put out in the pots out front.
We ended Sunday night with making homemade gluten-free chicken nuggets and watching American Idol! ♥️
I hope you all had a great weekend and an even better week!
Questions for you!
- What did you do for Easter?
- What recipe have you been making on repeat lately?
- What is one thing you look forward to during the week?
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Seems like you had a great Easter, Taralynn! 🙂 We had a long weekend here in Hong Kong so I spent the four days hanging out with my friends and family (and trying a new Italian restaurant)! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Charmaine!
Sounds like you had a great weekend yourself! Yes please to Italian!
Madison says
So excited for the running post and I love that you are running FOR your mental health. I do the same!
Lately I have been all about chickpea salad. It tastes exactly like egg salad but is just chickpeas. I LOVE it in wraps, on toast, or by itself. Awesome spring snack.
I’m so excited for a busy but not too busy week. I love having plans but hate when I’m so busy I dont get a break.
Taralynn McNitt says
It’s so good to be able to run for yourself!
Ohhhh that sounds so good! Bet it would be great on a salad.
You deserve the time, girl! xo
Anne says
Have you always put honey on fruit? Grapes are already so sweet to me, just wondering if there’s a benefit.
Taralynn McNitt says
I just like the taste of honey. No other reason lol
Anonymous says
Is Kyle religious too?
Taralynn McNitt says
We are both Christians.
Kristen says
How come you didn’t go to church for Easter? I remember you used to go. I love Easter service. Always my favorite time of year to go to mass.
Taralynn McNitt says
I haven’t gone to mass in a while.
Emily says
What brand of running shoes did you wear when you ran your half?
Taralynn McNitt says
Asics 😃
Emily says
I recently noticed my stomach would hurt soooo bad first thing in the morning after eating a heavy veggie dinner the night before! Since cutting back at dinner time I feel so much better!
Taralynn McNitt says
It’s always great when we figure out what helps! ♥️ Glad you’re feeling better!
Hannah R says
What kind of Brooks did you have? I have a pair and LOVE them, but I think they are a bit wider in the ball of the foot area than some other “models” of the Brooks I have seen. They are SUPER light and cushy on the bottom! Just the other day, we played tennis and I wore my sturdier pair of Altras, then we came home and went for a mile walk to cool down. Before we left for the walk, I changed into my Brooks and it was a WORLD of difference between the two! I forget how cushy they really are sometimes!
I was also curious how many miles you had on the Brooks? I’m not sure when to expect mine to start feeling less-than-wonderful on my feet anymore.
We split the weekend – Saturday at my side, then Sunday at my parents’ church (the church I grew up in ♥) for Sunrise service and carry-in breakfast! That is one of my FAVORITE holiday traditions, right along with Christmas Eve Candlelight services. On Sunday after breakfast, we left and headed the two and a half hours to his folks’ to spend time with his side of the family as well! It was exhausting, honestly, but so so good!
I had been making one of my favorite turkey squash chili recipes almost weekly for a while! But pregnancy has me on a white-potato kick and I don’t know how to shake it! haha. Oven-Baked fries have been a regular thing the last few months, at least once every other week! Also steamed broccoli, because it’s simple, and yet so so delish! I can’t wait to try this muffin recipe! Muffins are just amazing to go with breakfast/coffee ♥
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Hannah!
They are the Brooks Ricochet Running shoes! I had about 300 miles on the brooks! Lots of walking in them as well as running. They are great running shoes, but my foot way too wide when it came to the landing.
It sounds like you had such a fun and eventful easter! I bet it’s so gorgeous in Iowa right now! ♥️ 🐣
Sounds like baby is craving a nice serving of potassium!! You can never go wrong with potatoes 😋 xo xo
Kristin says
That is so interesting about raw vegetables causing bloating, I will definitely be paying attention to this in my diet!
Easter dinner was at our house with some family, we kept the menu pretty simple so it was pretty relaxing (unlike thanksgiving ha!) and after everyone left my husband and I still had time to go for a walk in the town square, it was so quiet and peaceful!
One recipe that I’m sure will be on repeat soon is grilled chicken! We finally grilled last night now that Ohio weather is finally getting better! I need to make a batch to try in your chicken salad recipe!
One simple thing I look forward to during the week is listening to my favorite podcast, the Bobby Bones Show. It’s so fun and uplifting, I love listening to it everyday!
Do you have any favorites on American Idol?
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Kristin!
It’s always nice to figure out what’s causing stomach issues and try to avoid it!
Sounds like the perfect Easter!
Grilled chicken is always so good to have in the house! You can add it to just about any meal.
I always see Bobby Bones on American idol lol I really like Lace, Alejandro, Demetrius/Eddy Island (they got voted off 😭) What about you?
Kristin says
My top 3 faves are probably Lace, Alejandro and Laine! Eddy Island always made me smile!
Taralynn McNitt says
It’s a tough one this season because they are ALLLLLLL so good!
Katie Meshko says
Sounds like such a great week! Those chicken nuggets look so good!! We went to church & then to my parents house for Easter it was nice, but it was over too quick! Latley, I have been sauteeing a lot of kale and using it for different lunches / dinners through out the week. Not exactly a recipe, but it’s good! This week I am looking forward to Wednesday because Jane the Virgin comes on 😉 Also theres a fun local festival happening this Friday and throughout the weekend so I’m excited for that too! Enjoy the rest of your week girly!!
XO, Katie | http://www.meshkomoments.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Katie!
The nuggets are definitely one of our favorites! Glad you had a great Easter!! Sauteed kale is so good! I always hear that JTV is such a good show. My boyfriend’s mom loves it! Ahhh how fun! Have a great weekend, Katie!
Kate says
Hi Taralynn! Do you run nonstop? Or do you walk for a few minutes to catch your breath between sprints?
Taralynn McNitt says
I run nonstop. I find that if I stop a run, I can’t get back into the rhythm. There’s nothing wrong with stopping though!
Patricia says
Hi! I’m going to be staying in Fort Mill for a week starting tomorrow! My SO is on a work trip so I’ll have lots of alone time. What are some things I should check out? What should I avoid? Where should I eat or have a coffee? Tomorrow we’ll be in Charlotte because he’s off work. So any recommendations for Charlotte too would be awesome. My plane lands around 12 and we’re going to the movies at 10pm so lots of free time in between. Thanks!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi Patricia!
If you’re going to look for a spot in Fort Mill: Southern Sugar Cafe! Get an oat milk cappuccino ♥️
Food in Charlotte? Living Kitchen, Kid Cashew, Haymaker, Cabo Fish Taco, Macs Speed Shop, or RuRu’s Tacos.
Coffee in Uptown? Queen City Grounds & Coco & The Director!
Walk the Sugar Creek Greenway, Visit Breweries in Southpark of Noda, and check out 7th Public Street Market!
Oh, and if there is a baseball game, head there!
Have so much fun! ♥️
Brooklyn says
Man those cauliflower wings look divine. Yum.
I’m going to run on the treadmill tonight for the first time in like 4 years. I’m so nervous but keep telling myself that when I first started running years ago, it was new then also. It takes time to work yourself back up to what you used to do.
You seem to be doing so good!
http://Www.justbeingbrooklyn.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Sooooo good. Love them so much.
I love that. I can’t wait to hear how it goes, Brooklyn! You got this!
xo It’s still a struggle, but I’m enjoying it!
Candace Buchanan says
Hey Taralynn!
I’m sure you have it posted somewhere, but what kind of camera do you use and what editing software? I always love coming to your blog to see your latest photos. So pretty!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Candace!
I use a few different cameras depending on what I’m shooting!
I like to use my cannon for recipes, i phone x for just daily stuff, and my cannon g7x mark ii for vlogging! i use lightroom and vsco for editing 😀
Hannah says
I’ve found that since I’ve reduced my veggie intake my bloating has gone down loads, but still wont go completely! Is there anything you stopped eating that you found really helped? (bored of looking pregnant after eating any type of meal!!)
Taralynn McNitt says
Adding the probiotics was completely the game changer!