Nutrition Saturday - Deliciousness

So, I was off work today and didn't really have any pressing plans until later.  As I scrolled through social media, I saw post after post of people who ran events today.  Made me think why I wasn't out there running one?  Hashtag slacker.

Therefore, I went grocery shopping.  I know!  I got a little wild!

I decided to buy ingredients to make some cupcakes that I had saved.  Let's face it, most of us screenshot and save recipes but do we ever truly make them?  I honestly try to.  And if I can find a healthy alternative to something, I will give it a try!

This is a cupcake that is 150 calories a cupcake (they are big!) and only two ingredients.  That's right ladies and gents....you heard me....TWO ingredients.

Let's get started.

First gather all  your ingredients *chuckle chuckle*

 

I wasn't kidding.  That's it.  Make sure you get the "moist" cake mix and the 15 oz can of pumpkin.   Cost of ingredients = $2.93.

Dump the mix into a bowl then add the pumpkin.  Mix it well.  The batter will be super thick - that is what it is suppose to look like.  Mix it until all the cake mix is combined with the pumpkin.

Place 12 cupcake liners in a muffin tin then add the batter, dispersing it between the 12 liners.  You can be generous.  Fill those suckers all the way up!

 

Preheat your oven to 400F.....hmmm, probably should have told you to do that first.  

Place cupcakes in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.  I baked mine for 15 minutes and checked them and gave them just a minute or so more.  When a toothpick comes out clean, they are done.

Here they are in all their delicious glory.  Don't like pumpkin?  Honestly, you cannot even taste it.  Pumpkin isn't my favorite but there is no trace of pumpkin taste in these cupcakes.  They are super moist and so yummy.  The best part?  They are only 150 calories for one!  That is less than a granola or protein bar.  

A typical cupcake is 300+ calories.  This one is half that!  So have 2!  

Happy eating!

Race Review - Extra Mile 5k

My pal and I did a local 5k this past weekend.  It went for a good cause - to supply cancer patients with gas cards to help with travel expenses to doctor visits and so forth.

I love small races.  I am not sure why but they are always my favorite.  They are intimate, quiet and just all around good races.

This one had some "disappointments", however.

It started immediately.  We went to get our packets and my name wasn't on the list.  My husband mailed it a month prior.  I told them this and they asked if the check cleared and if I was sure.  I was sure.  I called my husband just to make sure and he confirmed, yes he did mail it and yes, it had cleared.  I told them this.  They handed me a registration to fill out.  They wanted me to re-register and pay the fee again.  While, yes, it went to a great cause, I was not about to pay a fee again.  Then when asked what size shirt I wore (medium), they said they didn't have any more mediums and I would have to take a large.  This isn't the first time a race didn't have my shirt. I don't understand when I pay for a specific shirt size, shouldn't I get it?  Well, they didn't have my registration is why.  Finally, as I started to fill out the paper - lo and behold they found my registration.  It was overlooked.  But....I still didn't get a packet or correct shirt size.  Whatever.

We waited the 30 minutes before the race started and when they said to line up, my pal and I made our way over to the start.  The start was very unclear on which direction we were suppose to go.  Therefore, everyone just sort of stood around not knowing which way to face.

It was a gun start and the gentleman with the gun made his way over.  We overheard a lady jokingly ask him - "Are there any bullets in that gun?"  His reply?  "I don't know, let's find out."  He then held the starter gun to his temple.  I was moritified.  At the rate of suicide in our nation and the fact that small children were around.....I was so angry. 

At the gun shot, we took off.  We had to run up a grassy hill and run down an area where railroad tracks used to be.  Odd.  We then came out on a road and ran the course which conisisted of around a walking park, through alleys behind people's homes and through the town.  The course wasn't marked that well - cones with construction paper arrows.

I just ran.  They had one water station that I opted to forgo.  I actually felt pretty good.  When I saw mile 1, I was surprised at how good my breathing was and how my legs felt.

The finish line was not clearly marked.  It was timed but by a person writing down our bib numbers and marking our times.  I use an app on my phone while I run.  I hope to get a Garmin soon.  It would make it so much easier.

They had water, bananas and granola bars.  However, it felt like if they didn't know you (small town race), that you were ignored.  Thanks, guys.

After my pal crossed the line, we left.

Overall, I ran the 5K......but not the best experience.  It did however, help me reach my goal of 15 - 5Ks in 2015!!!!

So, the review of the event Extra Mile 5K:
Terrain - grassy, hilly, pavement, race was 3.3, not 3.1
Organization - Not well at all, course not clearly marked, no volunteers on course, other volunteers didn't seem to know what they were doing
Cost - $20 per person - went to a good cause
Time of Race - 8:30am
Overall - not a good experience, probably wouldn't do a race in that town again
Award - none
My Time - unofficial time (haven't gotten time yet) - 32min for 3.3
Race # in our 15 in '15 Challenge - 15/15 --- YAHOOO
 

#BeastModeActivated

Only pic we got, my pal and I before the race

Race Review - Blacklight Run

We did another fun run.  I am not fan of "fun runs".  They are nice to just walk and chitchat but I could not do another one and be okay.

This one was at the same place we did the Glow Run last August.  In fact, it was set up identical.  The only difference was it was glow powder and not glow foam.

Not much to really say other than it was slightly disappointing.  The before party was loud and hard to understand.  If you weren't up close to the stage you didn't get any powder or glowsticks that were tossed out.  At the Glow Run, we were coated by cannons with foam....here you either had to buy a packet of powder and toss it on yourself or hope you get some dusting from someone tossing it around near you.

We headed to the start and it was like driving cattle.  There we so many people there.  Finally it was our turn to head out on the course.  The first mile was just weaving around cones on the track.  It felt like an amusement park line. 

There were several blacklight stations where you could snap a picture if you wanted (no powder).  Then we got to the first powder station and the people tossing it barely tossed any.  I think one of my shoulders got a slight speckling of dust.  Yahoo.

The next station was the same and we just opted to scoop it up off the ground and toss it on each other.  Same with the next one. 

At the end, we were suppose to get a free packet of powder.  They had one tent handing them out and the line was so long we opted to just head out.

We didn't stay for the after party (we were cold and hungry).

Again, these kind of runs aren't my favorite but they are fun to do with a group to just go and have a good time with one another.

So, the review of the event Blacklight Run 5K:
Terrain - through the fairgrounds so mostly  paved, some dirt
Organization - It was organized as well as can be expected
Cost - $20
Time of Race - started at 8:30 but people were dismissed in waves
Overall - Typical fun run, not impressed
Award - packet of powder
My Time - not times
 Race # in our 15 in '15 Challenge - 14/15

#BeastModeActivated

Hubby and I

Party

Hubby and I

Before the race, Hubby, my Pal and I