PUMPKIN GRANOLA BARS

Brought to you by The Nutty Scoop...and tweaked a bit by me : )

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup peanut butter or almond butter
3/4 cup honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (I use the vegan kind)...or use dried fruit!
1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
2 tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
3 tsp pumpkin spice

1. Preheat your oven to 350 and line a 8x8 pan with parchment paper. set aside.
2. Mix everything in a bowl, transfer to the prepared baking pan and flatten it out with the spatula.
3. Bake for 25 minutes.  After you can put some extra chocolate chips on top to make a chocolate layer :)  Let the bars cool in the pan before cutting them into 16 pieces.  I like them smaller, but you can cut them into 8 pieces if you prefer.  Store in refrigerator or wrap individually and store in the freezer!

ENJOY!!

"I wish" changed to "I CAN"

The day I turned I wish into I can. 

Some things just "click" in life.  Some people say certain things are meant to be. I personally never really believed in that. 

I always had a negative attitude about what I thought I could do and what I actually was capable of. Self doubt, fear, disappointment were all things I had. 

I never ran a marathon and always thought wouldn't it be amazing to experience that, especially in Boston. But I thought I couldn't. That I wasn't able to with 4 knee surgeries. That I wasn't good enough for such a quest. That my mentality wasn't strong enough. 

The day I turned my thinking into a positive motion, is the day I committed to saying "why not me". Why can't I cross the finish line. Why can't I train in the winter and be one of those people I called "crazy maniacs."  Nothing was truly stopping me from doing so. 

When I truly believed "I CAN" is when this so called fate came into action. I applied to the American Red Cross, I had my interview, and the rest is history. It is part of my journey towards the finish line, which is now only 41 days away. I WILL succeed and I WILL run a marathon with a smile on knowing I changed those "I wish" moments into "I WILL" 

You can truly do anything you set your mind to and I 100% believe in that. So...is it your moment to change the I wish into an I CAN??

Marathon is less than 2 months away!!

Took a little trip to San Francisco last week to work remotely and get out of Boston.  It was pretty incredible and very easy to stay on track with eating healthy and training for the marathon.  SO SO many healthy options!  

First was the long run that I had to do while I was there...

"Battery low". Not what you want to hear only a couple miles into your 17 mile run.

Honestly any other day I would care but not today. I got to run over the golden state bridge...SO. AWESOME!! It was super windy but I just looked at it as a little resistance training. You could totally tell it was my 1st time ever running it as my face was smiling ear to ear thinking HOW FUN IS THIS?!! And every other runners face was I HATE THIS WIND!

Haha another long run in the books that was super fun!

And the day after the long run when Amanda's work conference was over and we did some more sight seeing (aka supposed to be my day off of training!), this is what I got from her haha...

"This is for your own good"- Amanda

This is what she told me when I was hesitant on going on over a 2 hour hike after the previous day of running 17 miles and then having to jump on the red eye flight.

Clearly lost this battle of tough love! Apparently my rest day in marathon training turned into a hiking day at Muir Woods. As sore as I was, it was so incredibly worth it. smile emoticon.

Thanks for keeping me on track for conquering heartbreak hill.

Donate today to www.crowdrise.com/lynngugliuzza.  ALL DONATIONS WELCOME for American Red Cross!!

 smile emoticon

BANANA OAT BITES

2 ripe bananas mashed
2 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup almond butter or peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp cinnamon
*raisins or mini chocolate chips optional

Mix it all together, roll into bite size balls, refrigerate, and ENJOY!!

Marathon Training- week 9 complete

This has been such an amazing experience so far, with the best being this morning.  I finally had the chance to make it out to Newton for a Team run out of Heartbreak Hill Running Co.  WOW what an awesome atmosphere to be in.  I will admit, I was beyond nervous for it because while I love team atmospheres (I mean duh, growing up playing soccer), but when it comes to running, I am a solo runner.  Headphones on and tune out the world without a care in the world.



Saturday morning...surrounding yourself with energetic, positive people who share the same passion for living a healthy and happy lifestyle is exactly what I needed!!  I could have done without running heartbreak hill twice...and all of the rolling hills in between, but it was well worth it!

My coach says that we need to find a rhythm.  Week after week. In training. In our nutrition. In our habits.  Well one thing is for sure, I love this pre long run meal!  Oatmeal, chia seeds, hemp seeds, cinnamon, dash of maple syrup, mixed with banana slices and a few strawberries.  WOW it is yummy!  Sometimes I mix in a tsp on chocolate or strawberry shakeology too if I want a bit more flavor.

Layering is another piece of the rhythm and preparation that I need to get better with.  I SWEAT! Seriously wonder how one person can sweat so much (maybe it's because I CONSTANTLY drink water).  So figuring out how many layers in what degree temperature is still a mystery...only a bit more time to figure this one out!

Here is the run from this morning and seriously, I feel like I just inhaled a ton of positive energy in my life and exhaled the negative.  Of course it was even better to come home to my girlfriend ready to make me a post run shake and get ready to head to our massage!  What a Happy Weekend!

Heading into week 2 of Boston Marathon Training!

Week 1 down...Week 2 here I come!!

It was awesome to wake up to Coach Dan's email this morning talking about heading into week 2 of marathon training.  It is crazy that week 1 has flown by already.  Felt awesome getting a few short runs in, some cross training, and then the long run in on Saturday!

I love that with the beginner marathon training schedule, Dan is a huge supporter of listening to your body and adjusting accordingly.  If you need a cross training day, or an extra day off, then take it. Your body will thank you in the long run. 

In the first week, my short runs were done on the treadmill because it was 5am and I do not have any reflective gear...something I perhaps need to invest in!  But the long run yesterday, I could not have asked for a more beautiful day.  Smiling ear to ear, my feet hit the pavement and it all came together as to how amazing it is to run for the American Red Cross.  The team of individuals organizing the team runs, etc and the individuals who are training for the marathon are sure to be friends I will have for a lifetime.  I did not make it out to Newton for our team run together but will be sure to plan for this in the future.  I had already scheduled time to hand out gift bags my girlfriend and I made for the homeless people near us as a happy holiday gesture, so this took priority.  

I am happy to say I have already planned a cross training program to incorporate in with my training so that my body does not break down.  The new Hammer and Chisel beachbody program is absolutely amazing!  Focused on Balance the one day which completely works your core...Endurance another day, which I thought I was in shape until Autumn the trainer kicked my ass on the DVD...another day of strength.  It truly works the entire body and it will ensure my muscles do not break down for the next few months of training.

Nutrition has been on point this week which I am super happy with!  No cheating on my meal plan, shakeology is helping curb my chocolate cravings, and meal prepping prior to the week is just so easy to do!  I will say that after my long run yesterday, being treated to a north end italian dinner was pretty awesome :)

Overall, week 1 was a success and I am ready to tackle week 2.  Thank you to all who have donated so far, I am so grateful!!  If anyone else would like to donate and help me reach my goal of $7,000 please donate here! www.crowdrise.com/lynngugliuzza

ROASTED RED PEPPER & SUN-DRIED TOMATO SOUP

3 Red Bell Peppers, roasted, peeled, seeded
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 cup white wine
1/4 bunch Italian parsley, trimmed
1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste
red pepper flakes to taste

1. Place all ingredients, starting with the peppers, into a blender, followed by the rest of the ingredients.
2. Puree until smooth.
3. Pour mixture into a saucepan and simmer until heated through.  It is just that simple!!

I served it with cauliflower "couscous" but you can also mix in brown rice or quinoa as well!