Asian Broccoli Slaw

This is a great (EASY) side dish that is low in calories, high in flavor, full of good-for-you foods and the perfect compliment to a meal on a hot summer day.

Ingredients:

1 pkg Broccoli Slaw (available in the produce section of both Walmart and Publix)
1/2 C- 1 C (as desired) Ken's Steakhouse Lite Asian Sesame Salad dressing
1 C diced fresh or canned pineapple (drained)
1 red pepper, thinly sliced
Ginger (either a dash of the powder or up to a Tbsp of the fresh stuff)
1/2 C Peanuts (optional)

Combine the slaw, pineapple, red pepper, and ginger in a bowl. Pour half the salad dressing over top and stir. If more dressing is desired, add it. Allow to sit for 20 minutes or up to 1 day before serving. The flavors intensify with time. Garnish with the peanuts, either whole or chopped.

Delish!

Marathon Cookies

Yes, that's right... cookies and marathon in the same line. You know it has to be good! These cookies were developed for Brian because he struggled so much with getting in food/calories before long runs. They are quite simple to make and really yummy. The peanut butter offers some good fats and a bit of protein and the oats provide slow digesting carbs to help prevent a sugar crash. These are great before during or after a run as they are easily digestible and really, who can't gulp down a cookie no matter what time of day it is!

Ingredients:

1 stick butter , softened
1/2 C peanut butter (I like Skippy Natural)
3/4 C brown sugar
1/2 C sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 C quick oats
1 C + 2 Tbsp flour
chocolate chips, M&M's, Reese's Pieces or any combination of these (I use a king size bag if I use the candies....)

Preheat oven to 350* Combine the first 6 ingredients in a bowl and mix until creamy with a mixer. Add salt, baking soda and oats and mix again. Add flour. Mix again and slowly add in the chocolate pieces. Scoop dough out onto a greased cookie sheet and bake 12-15 min. Allow to cool on sheet and then remove. These freeze well or keep in a tupperware container for up to about 10 days.

The Infamous Oatmeal Pancake!

This is the breakfast that Becca starts most days with, and most certainly every race day! It's filling, a great balance of carbs and protein, and tastes great with peanut butter or light syrup.

1/2 c instant oats

4 egg whites

a dash of salt

2 packets of sweetener or 1.5 tbsp of baking splenda

A shake of cinnamon

1/4c water

Preheat an omelet pan on medium high. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and mix vigorously to a consistant texture. Let it sit while the pan heats up. Spray the pan with Pam (or other spray oil). When the pan is heated, pour mixture in and shake pan to level out. Let it cook until the top of the pancake looks less moist, and when the bottom is browned. Flip and turn off the pan. Let the pancake coast in to finish. Give it about 3 minutes and take out of the pan.

Pancake toppers:

Peanut Butter

Syrup

Jams and Jellies

Stuff you can add to spice it up:

Chocolate Chips (Brian's choice)

Walnuts

Craisins

Pecans

1/4 c canned pumpkin (not pie filling! This is Becca's current flavor of choice)

Country Ribs and Roasted Vegetables.....

and plenty of time to get in a workout! This recipe uses boneless pork--- country ribs, pork shoulder, tenderloin, it really doesn't matter. You could also use chicken if you don't like the thought of eating pig. A whole chicken or even bone-in breasts would work great! The veggies are just yummy and timeless with any meal. Roasted vegetables are so good because the roasting brings out maximum sweetness and flavor.

Ingredients:

Pork or Chicken-- I like the leanest boneless country ribs I can find
3 T Orange Marmalade- regular, low sugar, all natural, sugar free, doesn't matter
1/2 C Ketchup
2-3 cloves Garlic

1 Eggplant
2 C baby Carrots
1 Pkg fresh asparagus
1 Red Pepper, cut into thick strips (optional)
salt
pepper
Olive Oil

Place the meat in a crockpot in the morning with 1/2 C water. Salt and Pepper as desired (or I like to use Everglade's Seasoning which you can get at Publix). Combine the ketchup, orange marmalade and the garlic and dump it in on top of the meat. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low if it will be closer to 8-9 hours.

Feel free to hit the gym or get in a run after work because dinner will be ready within 20 min of getting home!

To cook the veggies, preheat the oven to 350* (I like to set my time bake for the oven to come on right before I get home so it is hot and ready when I get there). Cut the eggplant into thick strips about 1/2 in x 1/2 in and however long you want. Rinse the asparagus and carrots. Toss all the veggies in a bowl, drizzle with Olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss them onto a cookie sheet trying not to get them in a bunch of layers. Spread them out. Set the timer for 20 min and go play ball with the dog or kids.

Dinner is ready. Just like that!