Dream a little dream (or a big one)

When you have big dreams, what is required to reach them?

I know this is a very personal question in that each person's answer would be slightly different...depending on the person...depending on the dream.

I have many dreams...

Trust me...some of them are scary.

I feel the need to put them out there...to share...so that you, my friends and family, can hold me accountable.  Now these are currently only my athletically minded type dreams...there are many others, but that's fodder for another day and another post.  So here we go...

- To place top ten in my age group at Barb's Race this July (half ironman race)
- If I'm dreaming a bit bigger I'll say top 5
- If I'm going all out and dreaming I'll say I want to stand on that podium...
- To run a PR half marathon on the end of that race (my half marathon current PR is 1:49)
- To run a sub 6 min/mile by the end of the year (PR is currently 6:19)
- To get a score of Outstanding on my October PRT for the Navy (currently at Excellent)
- To be able to do 10 unassisted pull ups in a row (not actually sure how many I can do now)
- To finish a 50K ultramarathon in October


I think that about covers most of it.

So what will it take for ME to get there?

Hard work, perseverance, patience, dedication, determination...and whole lot of time spent suffering.  Thankfully I don't mind the suffering if it's for a good cause.  In fact, it's what I've been doing lately...

That's about it for today...time to head out to track and chip away at those goals...

What are your goals?  How do you plan to reach them?  Do they scare you?....

Jackie

XOXO

Any Given Sunday

It's a phrase my buddy Bex and I started saying often a few years back...

Every race can be great...

Or horrible...

Really, really fast...

Or you can't seem to find your speed at all....

On any given Sunday (since most races are on Sundays).

You never know who will show up to race against you, or what kind of day they will have...geez...you may have stellar training leading up to a race and you might have a painful day out there. 

You can do everything right...and the day unravels in front of you.

Or sometimes....

Just sometimes....

You reach really deep into your gut and pull out a great performance.

And on that given Sunday you did your best...and so did everyone else.

That's how today went.

Today was my 5th time starting the Mission Bay triathlon.  It was my very first race in 2007.  I skipped last year due to some serious overtraining and lack of motivation issues.  But this year, on less training...more fun...and some serious ultrarunning base...I came back to where it all began.  I even had my whole family there for support...and their support really means the world...it was the recipe for a great race... 

I knew immediately that the 25-29 age group women had brought their A game.  The pace on the swim was FAST...girls were pulling away from me (and I've really stepped up my swimming)...but luckily I started to reel them in as I went.  I ended up with a 1 minute PR on the swim and since I didn't wear a wetsuit I had a great T1!

I flew out on the bike and just tried to hold on to a few girls I saw in front of me.  One girl in particular was going just slightly slower...I didn't want her to think I was hanging on her wheel so I passed her and told her I was sure we would leap frog for a bit (she didn't pass me on the bike...but on the run...so we DID leapfrog-ish).  I was passed at mile 2 or 3 by the blazing fast Team CEC's Ashleigh Bordwell (who won our age group by a landslide).  I wasn't passed again until the very end but ended up catching her later.

I came into T2 knowing I had some work to do.  I had a solid bike but it wasn't a PR (at least I don't think it was since official results aren't posted yet).  I changed as fast as I possible could and headed out.

The run was hard...really hard...

And I was only putting down 7:20's (not my fastest but certainly not cruising either).  But they hurt!  Luckily I had my amazing mom there as I headed out yelling to me that I was in 6th place and to pick them off one by one (love her and her belief in my abilities).  I passed the first girl within the first mile...so now I was in 5th.  Then I was passed by the girl I had passed on the bike...she was also in a Catalyst Endurance kit (as were many of the top finishers...seeing as I used to train with them I should probably look into that again...they got some serious results!).  I couldn't hold her...so I just stayed at my pace and looked to the next girl since I was in 6th again.

I passed another girl as we went up the hill after mile 2...and I held that position till the end.  But I never had a moment where I could let up...they were always back there...fast, determined, amazing women.  I had to WORK out there.....

When I race (run specifically) I tell myself over and over that unless I'm fainting or dying I'm not allowed to slow down.  I used to put puke in there but after Oriflamme I had to take that bit out...

So that's was I was doing out there...not giving an inch...thankfully since the next girl was less then 30 seconds back from me!

After I crossed the finish line I dry heaved a bit (enough that they grabbed a garbage can for me...luckily I didn't need it!)...and then walked myself straight to the med tent to fix up a gnarly blister that had bled all over my shoes.  Shockingly I didn't REALLY feel it till I was done.

Mom was there and told me I probably got 4th or 5th (she was almost right on!).

And I was tired...

I found another friend Kaili, who had finished only a few minutes after me...I asked her immediately if she thought the field was super tough today...she agreed...the fast girls were out and we were forced to step up to the challenge.  My A game was good enough for 5th place today...and I couldn't be prouder.

Some people may only feel successful if they win...or place...but not today.

Today I raced my best (and got a 30 second PR in the process)...nothing to be ashamed of there.

Another day...another race in the books...another PR...and I'm happy.

Any given Sunday...you never know what can happen...as long as you try your best it's bound to be great...

XOXO

Jackie

Working for the Weekend

It's been a long while since my family has had a weekend together.

It's been a busy few months and this was the first time we were able to all be together all weekend. We milked it for all it was worth!

I know I've been neglecting the blog this week but with work, kids, hubby, and a head cold to boot it's been rough. I'm feeling back on track though and should be ready to roll for this next week. Tonight starts 3 more nights of work however...so the blog will be silent until Wednesday with a WIAW I hope!

Anyway...the weekend technically started on Thursday morning when I got off work. It was a quick beach run exploring the roads less taken...

 

 

And then breakfast on the boardwalk with my work buddy Alli. I had just gotten some fantastic news so we celebrated with mimosas!!

Please don't mind the decidedly un-vegan scrambled eggs...it's why I say I'm "mostly" vegan...hey, I'm not perfect!!

Oh, and what is this fantastic news you ask???

Well about six months ago I started the long process of being commissioned into the U.S. Navy Reserves Nurse Corps...and Thursday morning I found out I was selected!!!  I'll be commissioned into the Navy Reserves next week!!! 

More on that later...for now back to the weekend...

Thursday night we BBQ'd with friends and tried to get to bed early! 

Friday wasn't entirely exciting...some studying...grocery shopping...spent some quality time with my buddy Bex.  Again...to bed early for an early morning the next day.

Saturday started with the head cold in full force...but that couldn't stop me from dragging my butt out of a warm bed and into the cold waters of Mission Bay.  I'm lucky enough to be a mentor for the SheRox Triathlon Series here in San Diego.  I personally have 7 mentees and help put on clinics for the numerous other mentees in our area.  Saturday was our transition clinic and I was the demo girl for the "correct" way to transition...it was a great morning with amazing motivating women. 

After that we jetted home so I could eat and shower before taking the family to Balboa park.  Addy has ballet there weekly with the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet.  If you have a little ballerina and live in the San Diego area I highly recommend them! 

While Addy danced her little heart out we had a playdate with one of Shanne's friends from school.  We picked Addy up after class and let them all play in the fountain to cool off for a while before heading off to our next task...

We then went home to rest for a bit and prep for our long awaited date night!!

Mike has been so busy lately it's been hard to carve out some time for ourselves...but we had booked this night months in advance.  It was a murder mystery dinner in downtown SD with our good friends Daz and Sarah.  We dressed to the nines..

And started our evening at the Top of the Hyatt (more pics to follow later but they are all on Sarah's camera!!). 

We then cabbed it to the Marriot to start our dinner adventure....

Complete with murder...

 

And Mike acting ridiculous (doing Lion's Breath "face yoga")...don't ask...it's a long story...

Afterwards we headed to Searsucker bar in the Gaslamp. 

It was a great night followed by a rare morning sleeping in!!

This morning I had promised the hubs a big breakfast.  To him means biscuits and sausage gravy...clearly a vegan/gluten free nightmare!!

I make a non vegan/gluten filled version for hubby...but biscuits for the kids and I must be GF.  I found this mix...

And the cooking directions are already vegan when made with vegetable shortening...

Then I whipped up the rest of the gravy using my go-to soyrizo and my new fav vegan/gluten free goodie soy tempeh (I generally use soy products sparingly but at 22 grams of protein for 4 oz this stuff is vegan goodness!)...

Gluten Free Vegan "Sausage" Gravy

by Jaclyn Trosper

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 5 min

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 1 yellow onion diced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 oz soyrizo (soy chorizo)
• 2 oz soy tempeh crumbled
• 2 tbsp brown rice flour
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 2 cups plain vegan milk (I used plain almond)
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• Fresh cilantro to taste

Instructions

In a greased saucepan cook onions until clear and slightly browning. Add garlic and continue to cook for another minute. Add soyrizo and finely crumbled tempeh. Cook until warm. Add brown rice flour and cornstarch and continue to stir. After another two minutes add milk and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and stir continuously. The mixture will begin to thicken. Bring to a simmer, add cilantro and serve warm over warm gluten free biscuits.

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After that monstrous feast (there were hashbrowns, veggies, and eggs for the family)...it was time to harvest some tomatoes from the garden (tomato ideas anyone??)...

Now it's naptime!  Hope your weekend has shaped up as well as mine did!  Until later...enjoy!

XOXO

 

Jackie

All in a day's work...WIAW #2

Today is an abnormal What I Ate Wednesday (WIAW) since it's between 2 work nights for me (worked Tuesday night and work tonight).  I also had a breakfast gathering with coworkers right after work...so here is my day...work and all (starting at 2 am!). 

(FYI...It's now 9 a.m. and I'm heading for bed but I know what I'm eating all day and what I've already had...since I'm a super planner...so here is my day so far and what it will soon be!)

My first "meal" of the 24 hour period was a snack at 2 am.  A Van's waffle topped again with Powercakes chia jam (I made a bunch the other day and am semi obsessed with it!).

Breakfast was had at my favorite AM eatery...Snooze.

It's a common hangout for the nightshift crew...and if I don't get some of their fab gluten free pancakes I for sure get their tofu scramble with soyrizo and veggies (I pass the bread off to friends). I also split the "Donuts and Coffee" gluten free pancake...clearly not vegan but with a coffee flavored maple syrup I couldn't pass up some of the deliciousness!  It's what I was craving this morning...so it's what I had!

Now that I'm it's officially time for a shower and bed!  Night world!!

I'll be up at 5 pm to get ready for another night with the best coworkers ever!!

The rest of my meals are premade so I can eat something yummy before I head out the door tonight (yes, I eat very often).  Stuffed portabella mushrooms are a fav of mine and one of the first recipes I created when I went vegan...I now have them perfected!

Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms

by Jaclyn Trosper

Prep Time: 30 min

Cook Time: 20 min

Ingredients (6 mushroom caps)

• 6 portabella mushrooms caps (cleaned)
• Olive oil for brushing
• 1 cup quinoa (I used red and white)
• 2 cups water
• 2 cubes vegan boullion
• 12 oz fresh basil
• 1/2 C olive oil
• 10 cloves garlic, peeled (you can use more or less depending on your love of garlic!)
• 1/2 C raw almonds
• 1/2 C nutritional yeast
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp fresh groud pepper
• 1 C raw green (kale, chard, spinach, etc)
• 6 slices daiya mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Clean mushrooms by breaking off stem and scooping out inside. Brush inside of mushroom with olive oil and place on baking sheet. Bake mushrooms for 10 min. Cook quinoa according to package directions or in a rice cooker (2:1 ratio of water to quinoa). Add vegan boullion to water to flavor.

Meanwhile blend remaining ingredients in a high power blender or in food processor. Scoop blended pesto into cooked mushroom caps and place slice of daiya cheese on top.

Bake for another 20 min until bubbly.

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I'll grab some coffee at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on my way to work (I'm feeling the Amaretto Soy Latte)...

Then the rest of my meals are packed in my large cooler...I have some coconut yogurt for a snack usually around 8 pm (with granola and figs of course)...

My fabulous 2nd dinner (which I always eat at 11pm) was premade the other day (also when I took the picture)...and boy will it be even better after a day in the fridge!  The entire recipe was from Scott Jurek's book Eat and Run...it is an amazing, inspiring book that I will definitely be talking about in the next few months once my own ultra training ramps up again (plus it also has great recipes).  So here it is!  Tempeh with a side of cabbage salad and a miso/thai dressing.

And that's all there will be for my day!  Phew...it's gonna fuel me through the next few busy days (and a bike workout tomorrow morning!)...but so full of yumminess!  Hope you enjoyed it cause I know I will!

XOXO

 

Jackie

Weekend Warrior

The title of this post has many meanings...I can't really consider myself a "weekend" warrior since I tend to work many weekends (working tonight actually).  My weekends usually occur during the week. 

Also, if you know me IRL (in real life) you know that I'm in the process of joining the Navy Reserves...and they are frequently called weekend warriors...but that's another post for another day.

This weekend however I felt like a weekend warrior...super busy, over planned, lots of tasks...

But I got it all done!!

My weekend started on Friday morning after I got off work.  My friend Alli and I headed over to Bonita Cove down in Mission Bay...what a beautiful morning it was!

We were really excited to get in the water!

After a swim/run combo we headed out to breakfast...only problem?  I forgot alternate footwear and ended up sporting my work shoes (love my Danskos!) to the cafe.

Oh well, no harm, no foul...though I may have gotten a small parking ticket...parking signs are much harder to read when you are sleep deprived!

Saturday was spent cleaning, chauffering, circuit training...

See...working out is fun!  Wheelbarreling reminds me of being a kid, but it's harder then I remembered!

Picnicing...(with my monstrous vegan, gluten free portabella mushroom sandwich and cilantro pesto tofu from Whole Paycheck Foods)...

And bbq'ing/playing around with our circus friends (Shanne's got this 2 high down!).

This morning though was when the real warrior'ing began (Angel was really, really trying to help).

Daddy took on a project (he likes to take things apart, what can I say?)...

Addy wanted to "reorganize" her room...

And of course, I cooked!

First on the menu was a chia jam recipe by Powercakes...

Then I thought to continue her recipe an easier way for a busy mom and stuffed the jam in Bob's Red Mill gluten free cornbread mix muffins.  I veganized the muffins by using vegan "butter", almond milk, and applesauce instead of eggs...they turned out WAY better then I planned!  Though I do plan on making her full recipe as I'm pretty sure they will be AMAZING pre-race (ANY race)!

Next up was my favorite chocolate pudding.  I adapted it from this recipe...and it worked so well! 

You could sweeten it up with more stevia if you want, or maybe some agave, but I prefer it not too sweet with more richness...hint, it's better once it sits in the fridge for a bit to really blend the flavors...just saying.

Now it's nap time for me and a few nights of work...seriously busy week ahead...I'll post on that later...lots of good things coming!  Night y'all!

Vegan Chocolate Pudding

by Jaclyn Trosper adapted from the Rawtarian

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: N/A

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 ripe avocados peeled and cored
• 6 figs (ends cut off)
• 4 T organic cocoa powder (unsweetened and plain)
• 16 drops liquid stevia (you could use agave or honey if you want, or even a flavored stevia would be amazing!)
• 2 tbsp almond milk to help blend

Instructions

Place all ingredients in blender or food processor. Mix well. I have a Vitamix so the consistency is super creamy...results may differ in other machines, but the idea is all the same. You can sweeten it up more if you want! Place in the fridge to set and let the flavors meld...what a treat!

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My First WIAW!!

What is a WIAW you ask??

Well...WIAW means "What I Ate Wednesday"

I know, I know...now you are asking..."Why the heck do I care what she ate on Wednesday?  I don't even pay attention to what I eat on Wednesday!"

That's the point!!

Jenn over at Peas and Crayons created this amazing idea as a way to hold herself accountable for what she ate...and it just snowballed!


    She even themes each month!  This month is about falling into good habits (get it...it's fall???  Smart girl, eh?)

But really, go to any great food blog (hello...I have a ton of links for you here!) and you will see a WIAW post somewhere. 

I want in!

I want to share my food with the world (duh...I'm sure you know that by now).

But I want to do it in this real, honest way...not the sugar coated recipe that's been tried a million times way...

Nope, the way I eat...sometimes really well and all veggie/crunchy/vegan.

Sometimes not so well...kinda veggie...not so crunchy...so not vegan.

I'm human, I'm not perfect...I'm a mom, wife, nurse...geez, I'm just plain busy and I struggle with my diet too.  I want to share that with you all.  I want other busy moms, wives, nurses, etc to be inspired to keep trying despite that darn doughnut setting you back for breakfast.  There is always another meal...another chance to eat well...to fuel your body correctly.

So here it goes...

First, I should express the habit I wish to fall back into is regular training...I have goals and I have to work hard (and regularly) to reach them...so this fall I recommit to this goal...alright...ONTO THE FOOD!

My Wednesday in pictures (and of course some words cause if you know me you know I don't stay quiet long!)

Started the day with my favorite cup (full of awesome coffee) and my favorite creamer...what better way is there to start??

Almost had a rice cooker explosion!  But all was well...it worked out fine in the end...

 

Yummy Aloha Oats with almond milk and blueberries...and some veggies...

 

 

Lunch was on the go after the gym.  Bento box with almonds, cherries, grapes, blueberries, huumus, carrots, figs, and tomatoes.  And a smoothie with kale, spinach, banana, mango, peach, almond milk, and Life's Basics green vegan protein powder.  Great post workout meal (see, got the training in today)!

  

 

I may or may not have snacked on these little goodies during my day...hey...the chips are Chilean, it's like a salute to my heritage!  I had to!

 

 

Dinner was amazing (see for yourself with the following recipe)...vegan mexican bowls with cashew sour cream (though I added more cashews then this recipe says), daiya cheese, and guacamole.

 

I cheated and made it the easy way with premade lentils and rice from Trader Joes.  I really see this recipe as an easy weeknight meal that is hearty and filling but quick to fix in a time crunch...but if you aren't crunched for time you could easily make that all from scratch as well (though not gonna lie, premade frozen brown rice is my friend!).

To top it all off I made a batch of these (using vegan butter and applesauce instead of eggs)....

And then topped them with So Delicious coconut vanilla bean ice cream...hello vegan ice cream sandwiches!


And there you have it!  My first WIAW!!  Hope you enjoyed it...or at least got some ideas...until next time :)

Oh yeah...here's that recipe!



 

 

Vegan Mexican Bowls

by Jaclyn Trosper

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 20 min

Ingredients (Serves 5)

• For the lentil "meat":
• 1 package lentils (or approx 3 cups cooked lentils according to directions on dry lentil bag)
• 2 red peppers diced (any color is fine)
• 1/2 large yellow onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic diced finely
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp salt (I used sea salt)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• For the rice:
• 3 packages frozen brown rice (or approx 2 cups dry brown rice cooked according to directions)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp cumin
• Vegan sour cream (I made one with cashews but you can buy this in stores as well)
• Guacamole (I made my own but again you can buy this in the store)
• Salsa (I bought this from the store)
• Cilantro to taste (I sprinkled it in the bowl)
• Daiya cheese

Instructions

For the meat:

Heat oil in a large skillet. Place peppers and onions in pan and saute until onions are clear. Add lentils and mash gently with a fork or potato masher. Add cumin and salt. Mix together and warm through, set aside.

For the rice:

In a saucepan mix cooked rice with oil, salt, and cumin. Cook until warmed through.

To assemble bowls place rice on the bottom, put "meat" mixture on the top of rice. The rest of the toppings are to taste (I used all of them for my bowl!).

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