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April 4, 2013

Quick Meal Ideas & Cherry Blossom 10 Miler Announcement!

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Good morning, friends!

Now that you saw what I bought at the grocery store earlier this week, I’ll share a couple quick and easy meals we made with the goods.

quick healthy dinner

First up was dinner last night. Matt and I came home from a great workout at CrossFit Arlington a little after 7 and neither of us wanted to cook anything elaborate, but we ended up coming up with something delicious!

I was in charge of veggies/sides, so I roasted some asparagus and sweet potatoes. They were simply coated in a little olive oil and salt and pepper, popped in the oven on a baking sheet, and roasted at 350 for about 20 minutes.

Matt was in charge of chicken! He heated up some of the meat from the rotisserie chicken we bought, then made a creative sauce for it. The sauce was mushrooms, onions, some beer, a little butter, a dash of flour to thicken it up, and some salt and pepper, all cooked together in a pot until the veggies were soft. It was really good!

how to roast veggies

The other simple meal was another fun lunch wrap. I used my favorite Ezekiel sprouted grain tortilla, and topped with with some hummus and guacamole:

ezekiel wrap

Then some mushrooms, red peppers, and string beans:

IMG_2800

Plus some chicken, salt, and pepper:

IMG_2801

And then finished it off with some baby kale and a squeeze of lemon juice.

IMG_2802

I wrapped it in foil so it didn’t fall apart and served it with a side of strawberries. Delicious! I might make something similar for lunch again today. 🙂 If you want to recreate it but don’t have chicken on hand or don’t eat meat, a great substitution would be some beans – any kind! Feta or goat cheese would also have been a delicious addition.

simple healthy lunch

What simple, healthy meals have you made lately of note?

—

In other news, I’m excited to announce that I’m running not one but two races this weekend!

First up is a 5k on Friday night! The Crystal City 5k Fridays race series is going on this April and I signed up just for fun with a big group of friends. Should be a good time!

crystal city 5k fridays

I’ll also be running the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler on Sunday! I was given a complimentary (free) press pass to run the race – a BIG thank you to their team for the opportunity. This is a really popular DC race and having done the lottery entry in the past, I know how much getting an entry means. So, I’m very grateful and excited for the chance to get out there and run it this weekend!

Cherry_Blossom_Ten_Mile_Run

The Cherry Blossom 10 Miler is a DC area classic – it’s tagged as “The Runner’s Rite of Spring®” and the course takes you within sight all of the major DC monuments & memorials and right by the Tidal Basin where, if timed correctly, the cherry blossoms will be out and blooming beautifully for everyone to enjoy as they run by.

cherry blossoms

The Cherry Blossom 10 Miler was actually one of the first races I ever recapped here on the blog – I ran it back in April 2010 with my friend Ashley, right before my first half marathon!

cherry blossom 10 miler

Yes, my shirt says “I’m fANNEtastic!” Don’t judge. 😉 It’s from my t-shirt shop!

This race also actually still stands as my much outdated 10 miler PR (personal record) of 1:28:27, which is about an 8:50 minute mile pace. All my recent half marathon 10 mile splits have been way faster than my PR, but anytime I do a 10 mile race, I just can’t get it together! I’ve done a few 10 mile races recently (the Tarheel 10 Miler last year and the Army 10 Miler last fall), but Tarheel 10 Miler was crazy hilly and I ran the Army 10 Miler just for fun with friends. Considering I just ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll USA half marathon a month ago with 8:15 minute/mile splits, I think this weekend it’s time for a showdown with my 10 miler PR. Bring it on, cherry blossoms!

dc cherry blossoms

And speaking of cherry blossoms, the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang is calling for peak bloom to be April 6-10. Let’s hope they’re right, since the race is on this Sunday, April 7. 🙂

Some facts about the race this weekend:

The event serves as a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a consortium of 170 premier children’s hospitals across the United States. Since the Credit Unions became the title sponsor of the race in 2002, over $5.5 million dollars has been donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

About one-third of the funds raised support Washington, DC’s own Children’s National Medical Center (“Children’s Hospital”). The event also funds two $5,000 Road Runners Club of America “Roads Scholar” grants designed to support up-and-coming U.S. distance running talent.

This year the race will serve as the host of the U.S. Women’s Ten Mile Championship. There will be an advance start for the elite women, providing the women an opportunity to compete for times that will be recognized as coming from a women’s-only race.

There is a total of $65,000 in prize money and bonuses up for grabs this year at the race for top finishers! More details can be found on their website regarding who wins what.

I also wanted to share some love for Teens Run DC – more than 70 students and mentors from the program, representing six schools in the District, will be participating in the Ten Mile and 5k events this year!

teens run dc

Teens Run DC is a great organization that uses long distance running as a way to empower at-risk youth, helping them learn to envision and work towards the achievement of personal goals, both in running and in life. During the year, students train alongside teachers and individual mentors who challenge and guide these youth to develop greater responsibility, discipline, perseverance, and goal-setting skills as they train for progressively longer distance races. I can’t wait to hear more about how they do this weekend!

Are any of you guys running the Crystal City 5k or the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler or 5k this weekend, too? See you out there! 🙂

- anne
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59 comments
  • Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More
    April 4, 2013 · 12:08PM:
    DC has always been on my list of places to visit. And now I have just added the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run to my list of races to run! Beautiful!! Can't this year due to my broken ankle, but it will happen.
    Reply
    • Lindsay April 4, 2013 · 12:30PM:
      The Cherry Blossom 10 Miler is by far the most well organized race in town...definitely my favorite! But it's so popular that it's actually really difficult to sign up for the race. They now have a lottery system. I'd be willing to bet that Anne put her name in for the lottery and wasn't chosen, so she's lucky that she has a platform to "reach out to" the organizers to get a sponsored bib.
      Reply
      • Anne
        April 4, 2013 · 2:21PM:
        I actually didn't do the lottery this year because I wasn't sure if I'd be in town when they opened it up! But I did do the lottery in 2010 when I ran the race then, so trust me, the popularity of this race and how lucky I was to get a spot through my blog is not lost on me!
        Reply
        • Lindsay April 4, 2013 · 2:32PM:
          That's great! But feeling lucky to get a bib because of the popularity of the race doesn't come through at all in your post, nor does the fact that the bib is sponsored (you just say that you were given a press pass to run the race, which your readers have to infer was free). I wish you were more transparent about receiving race entries and products for free!
          Reply
          • Anne
            April 4, 2013 · 3:19PM:
            I'm sorry to hear that! I'll edit the post - it wasn't my intention to seem ungrateful (or to not be completely transparent)!
            Reply
          • Anne
            April 4, 2013 · 3:20PM:
            I just went back and looked and I said "I received a complimentary press pass" - I'll add (free) in there, but I thought that was clear! Sorry!
            Reply
      • Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More
        April 4, 2013 · 8:11PM:
        Being part of a lottery and being selected would make it more meaningful!
        Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 2:23PM:
      Hope your ankle heals quickly!
      Reply
      • Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More
        April 4, 2013 · 8:14PM:
        Thanks! So far I am two weeks (tomorrow) since I had surgery and according to my surgeon, healing right on schedule.
        Reply
  • Wendy April 4, 2013 · 12:09PM:
    Good luck with the runs! I am a runner too, though I don't run any races. I am more casual! Also, I have chronic knee pain and while I see a physio and we are working on strengthening my knee, my ability to run outside is still a bit sporadic - I am a bit more of a gym person right now. As for meal ideas - this Mark Bittman frittata is something my husband and I both devour. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/dining/151mrex.html Very few eggs but LOADS of veggies. I love to throw seasonal produce in there and it makes a great lunch the next day. However, my ability to make healthy food is a bit lacking right now - my cats and I are temporarily staying with my parents while we prepare to move to the UK to join my husband (who just started a job there). My mother is an RD, so there is healthy food available, but Mom and Dad want to kind of pamper me, so I don't get to prepare as many meals as I would like (also, my Mom is really picky eater, and I am a vegetarian, so my normal Asian foods or curries would be out of the question). Oh well! I will just enjoy being spoiled for a bit!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 2:23PM:
      Thanks for that link - I'll check it out! Good luck with the move to the UK - how exciting. :)
      Reply
  • Emily @ The Swallow Flies
    April 4, 2013 · 12:20PM:
    Teens Run DC sounds a lot like a program I'm involved with -- See-Us Run Des Moines. We work with and mentor high school students (from the school where I teach) and start training in April to run the Des Moines Marathon in October. It's the most amazing program with which I have ever been affiliated: underserved students who cannot run a block at the beginning of the program see that with hope, hard work, and determination, they can do anything, including running 26.2 miles by the end of the six-month period. More than becoming unlikely marathoners, they became unlikely friends -- students from all walks of life create these crazy bonds and, honestly, form a family. It's amazing to see. I love See-Us Run Des Moines and feel so blessed and honored to be a part of this program.
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 2:22PM:
      What an amazing sounding organization. Thank you for sharing and good for you for being part of something so special!
      Reply
  • Nicole
    April 4, 2013 · 12:29PM:
    That must be so fun to run and see the blossoms. I go to DC often for work but have never been out there to see the blossoms. I'm running the Shamrock Shuffle in Chicago this weekend and looking forward to it. Enjoy!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 2:22PM:
      Nice! Have fun at the race in Chicago!
      Reply
  • Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl
    April 4, 2013 · 12:31PM:
    Love both of the meal ideas!! I'm actually having a wrap right now, made with chopped avocado, hard boiled eggs, and a little Greek yogurt. It's VERY tasty!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 2:24PM:
      Sounds like a yummy mix!
      Reply
  • Holly
    April 4, 2013 · 12:52PM:
    I'm running the 10 miler this weekend! Will be only my second race EVER, so I'm pretty excited/nervous! Man I didn't realize the Crystal City Fridays were in April...for some reason I thought they were a summer thing? I had planned on doing them--oops!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 2:25PM:
      That's awesome! Good luck this weekend and have fun! And the Crystal City 5ks actually do happen over the summer, too - they have a series in... August? Or July? Sometime around then, too! So you didn't miss it!
      Reply
  • Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog
    April 4, 2013 · 12:57PM:
    The Cherry Blossom 10 Miler sounds like an awesome race. I'm going to add that to my races I'd like to do some day. The wrap looks delicious. Perfect lunch for work.
    Reply
  • Karen April 4, 2013 · 1:02PM:
    Perfect weekend for a new 10 mile PR!! You got this!! :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 2:25PM:
      Thanks girl! :) I'll miss my running buddy!
      Reply
  • Lindsay
    April 4, 2013 · 1:12PM:
    I love the step by step photos of your lunch wrap. Fun way to look at it and realize how easy the ingredients are :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 2:25PM:
      Yay :)
      Reply
  • Laura (@mommyrunfaster)
    April 4, 2013 · 1:22PM:
    I would love to do the cherry blossom race some day- have a great time! And best of luck getting that new pr... I hope you surprise yourself!
    Reply
  • Lauren
    April 4, 2013 · 1:37PM:
    SOOOOO jealous you are running the Cherry Blossom this year. Well, actually, I'm SOOO stoke for you but sad that I can't be there to run it with you this year. :( It's definitely one of my favorite races! Enjoy love!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 2:26PM:
      Aww I wish you were going to be here, too! Miss you!
      Reply
  • Serendipity
    April 4, 2013 · 1:41PM:
    Good luck this weekend! After living in DC for a bit, I moved back home to Upstate NY a few years ago. Your photos are beautiful and always make me miss living there!
    Reply
  • Elizabeth
    April 4, 2013 · 1:46PM:
    Thanks for sharing your recipes. I have been a in a huge dinner rut of just not wanting to spend the time to cook. It is always good to get a reminder than you can do quick, easy, and healthy!! The Cherry Blossom looks like it is going to be gorgeous. Can't wait to see pictures.
    Reply
  • kathy April 4, 2013 · 1:54PM:
    I'm running the Cherry Blossom 10 miler this Sunday. It's my first 10 miler. My goal is just to finish and to run without any walking breaks---I don't want the slow bus to pick me up and take me to the finish line.
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 2:26PM:
      You can do it!!! Good luck and have fun! :)
      Reply
  • Meghan @ After the Ivy League
    April 4, 2013 · 2:03PM:
    The lunch wrap looks so good! Love all the different flavors. And good luck with your 10-miler this weekend!
    Reply
  • Jenna April 4, 2013 · 2:08PM:
    I'm running the Cherry Blossom 10-miler too! Silly question, but what are you planning to wear? I'm thinking shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, maybe even a tank (I wore a light rain jacket for the RNR half and was WAY too hot -- I'm worried about repeating past mistakes, haha).
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 2:27PM:
      I was actually just debating this! I also made the mistake of dressing too warmly for RnR last month and totally regretted it, so I'm also thinking shorts or a running skirt and a lightweight t-shirt! Good luck out there :)
      Reply
      • Jenna April 4, 2013 · 2:29PM:
        Thank you, Anne, good luck to you too!!! :)
        Reply
  • Renie April 4, 2013 · 2:41PM:
    If I were a runner, I think I would opt for less clothing even if it was cool outside. My theory is you will warm up when you start running. 42 here in Atlanta at 2:40PM, rain, windy. I hope you have better and warmer weather when you run. Good luck
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 3:23PM:
      Yes, you do warm up quite a bit! It's a good thing to be cold at a race while you're waiting to start - that means you dressed properly. :)
      Reply
  • Sokphal
    April 4, 2013 · 2:50PM:
    Anne, we are race twinsies! I'm running the 5K with a friend (she's doing the couch to 5K plan). Good luck on the Cherry Blossom! :) "See" you this weekend, but see you for reals next week ! :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 3:23PM:
      That's so awesome! Hope to run into you at both of the races - but if not, definitely see you Monday! :)
      Reply
  • Jacquelyn @justjacq
    April 4, 2013 · 3:05PM:
    I'm definitely stealing that wrap. Looks amazing! I love the addition of kale. I love kale but for some reason have never thought to add it to a wrap... duh!
    Reply
  • Katie Heddleston
    April 4, 2013 · 3:22PM:
    Pumped for you! I bet you'll get a new PR too after your awesome half marathon!
    Reply
  • Jan @ Sprouts n Squats
    April 4, 2013 · 3:27PM:
    That cherry blossom run sounds awesome and looks like it would be so beautiful to run :) it reminds me of the cherry blossoms from Japan that my bf and I saw a few years ago when we went
    Reply
  • Shel@PeachyPalate
    April 4, 2013 · 3:29PM:
    Love how you last minute the races are..shows how fit you are! :) Tempeh bolognese is my go to quick and handy meal this week!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 3:36PM:
      It's pretty amazing to be able to do a 10 miler at the last minute - certainly not something I could have done a couple years ago! I'm proud of how far I've come with my running. :) It also helps that I happen to be in the middle of half marathon training! ;)
      Reply
      • Shel@PeachyPalate
        April 4, 2013 · 3:39PM:
        Ye I guess it ties in just nicely! Went to get new runners today...said I'm still most definitely neutral so now I'm torn between Brooks and Mizunos!
        Reply
  • Jane @ Not Plain So Jane
    April 4, 2013 · 5:09PM:
    I encountered a similar group at the LA marathon: Students Run LA. I was blown away by the program and all that it does for these kids! Super motivating to run with them! Have fun at the race, I've always wanted to do the Cherry Blossom run!
    Reply
  • Esther April 4, 2013 · 8:29PM:
    I'm running the Cherry Blossom on Sunday! It's my second year in a row, and my second 10-miler. I had to sit out the Army 10 at the last minute with an injury, so I'm especially excited to cross the finish line!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 4, 2013 · 8:52PM:
      Best of luck! :)
      Reply
  • Lindy April 4, 2013 · 9:28PM:
    Am going to try your mushroom sauce recipe. What a great idea to ladle that over rotisserie chicken.
    Reply
  • Jenny April 4, 2013 · 11:00PM:
    I am also running the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler this weekend - my longest race to date. Never thought I would get in as a first time lottery entrant! Glad to hear I'm not the only one hoping it's warm enough to wear a running skirt :) From a fellow Tarheel - Go get that PR Anne!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 5, 2013 · 10:18AM:
      Go Heels! :) Good luck!
      Reply
  • Brian (runningforit.com)
    April 4, 2013 · 11:03PM:
    I am looking forward to the run as well. I am hoping for a good race...but, will be happy enough if the cherry blossoms are out! Just posted a custom logo to my blog for the Cherry Blossom that might be worth looking at. Sorry, this isn't spam- I just don't think I can post a pic here. http://www.runningforit.com/2013/04/cherry-blossom-10-miler-t-minus-2-days.html#more
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 5, 2013 · 10:18AM:
      Cool logo! :)
      Reply
      • Brian (runningforit.com)
        April 5, 2013 · 8:07PM:
        Thanks Anne! Have a good race!
        Reply
  • Dawn H
    April 5, 2013 · 11:22AM:
    I'll be at the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler! I'm hoping the warmer weather arrives in time for the race...I volunteered last year and it was cold and rainy =( Poor runners!
    Reply
  • Lindsey
    April 5, 2013 · 1:37PM:
    I'll see you there Anne! I was so happy that I got in! :)
    Reply
  • RunEatRepeat
    April 5, 2013 · 2:55PM:
    Good luck!!!
    Reply
  • Georgia
    April 5, 2013 · 11:21PM:
    I am doing the race, too! But the 5k since I am a brand new runner. I came down from NY for the race. So excited!
    Reply
    • Anne
      April 6, 2013 · 7:45PM:
      Fun! Good luck! :)
      Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

When I’m not writing or cooking for fannetastic food, you can find me running, coaching nutrition clients, or on an adventure with my family. Feel free to reach out - I'd love to hear from you!

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