Single Serving Whole Wheat Pancakes

I had vegan whole wheat pancakes topped with blueberry compote and Greek yogurt for breakfast this morning. I love making pancakes for breakfast, but I don't want to make a whole batch every time if I'm just making them for myself. The problem with pancake recipes is that they usually call for a whole egg, and the recipe serves at least 2, so it's awkward to halve the recipe. Vegan pancakes are simple to scale up or down, since I don't have to worry about using half an egg.

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Weldon Springs Hike

Run- 6.75 mi
Time- 56 mins
Pace- 8:17 min/mi

I went hiking at Weldon Spring Clark Trail today. It was a beautiful hike, and it was nice to get out to the forest, especially now that green things are growing back. The hike was a loop about 5 miles long, and was pretty easy and relaxing.

It rained quite a bit the past week, so the trails were really muddy. Thank goodness for my waterproof Keens. There were a few bluffs that overlooked the Missouri River. We took a few detours to enjoy the view. Too bad it was overcast.

Every good hike needs a stream crossing. There wasn't really a shallow area to cross, and a lot of people got their shoes soaked. I hate wet feet, and I somehow managed to stay dry by sheer willpower.

Oh hey, spring happened. 

 I saw a field full of yellow flowers off to the side of the trail. I really wanted to frolick in flowers. So I did.

The field was so vibrant and yellow! It made me so happy :)

I didn't know what these plants were at the time, but I knew it was some kind of cover crop for the field. I looked it up, and it's yellow sweet clover.

The hike only took us until about 1pm, so we had lunch at the parking lot, and then headed back home. I really wanted to go for a run this weekend, so I ended up going out for a 6.75 mile run. The weather felt really good today, cloudy and cool. It's going to get a lot warmer this week.

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Weekend Shenanigans

Friday
Crosstraining- Insanity Pure Cardio

Friday was the last day of (undergrad) classes forever. I am elated, a little sad, but mostly happy. I made it through four years of college. Now it's done. Which means, party-time ;)

The last day of classes always ends with a concert at my school. This year, the Yeasayers, Mat Kearney, and Atmosphere played. I wasn't familiar with any of these artists, but that wasn't a big deal. I go mainly for the fun of being with my friends and dancing. Let's just say a lot of day drinking was involved.

And this happened. Yes, that's a Mickey Mouse beach cake that says "Happy WILD" (Walk in Lay Down)

And some blurry pics when I remembered to take pictures only after it got too dark. I don't even know who was on stage at this point.

It was a fun night, and the next day, I just bummed in bed, got some froyo with friends, and went to a game night party. Today, I'm going on a day hike. It should be beautiful.

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Crown Candy Kitchen

Last night my friends and I went to Crown Candy Kitchen in Old North St. Louis. Crown Candy Kitchen is St. Louis establishment since 1913. It's a charming, old-fashioned soda fountain that's famous for their sundaes and malts. They also have homemade candy and diner food.

Decisions, decisions... Do I want a malt? or a sundae? Make that a deluxe sundae!

This corner is where the candy's at. There were chocolates, jaw breakers, licorice, chocolate covered-goodies, etc.

Going to Crown Candy Kitchen was on my "Senior year bucket list". My friends and I went just for the ice cream. I don't think I could have handled diner food + ice cream for dessert. I almost never get dessert at a restaurant, since I'm usually too full. Sad face :(

I decided on splitting a sundae with a friend, and got the Crown Sundae: Vanilla ice cream with hot fudge and caramel sauce topped with lots of buttered roasted pecans.

This was a very good decision.

Under that cloud of whipped cream was sweet, thick fudge and caramel sauce. I'm a huge fan of pecans in my ice cream. Butter roasted pecans. omg.

Two of my other friends both got chocolate malts. I might have stolen a few bites... They were huge! I don't think I've ever had a malt, before. I personally prefer eating solid ice cream with a spoon versus drinking it through a straw, so if there's ice cream on the menu, I always choose that over a milk shake.

They have this ridiculous challenge of drinking five of these malts in 30 minutes, and you get them for free. FIVE. That's 120 ounces of rich, creamy milk shake. Adam Richman from Man v Food attempted this challenge and lost. My friends couldn't even finish one. I think my belly would freeze if I drank five. Or explode. That's more likely to happen. 

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Thursday Eats

Run- 6.8 mi
Time- 59 mins
Pace- 8:40 min/mi

Cross train- Insanity Power and Resistance

I haven't worked out since Sunday, and just sat on my bum Monday through Wednesday. Just kidding, I just didn't have time since I was busy studying for my last orgo midterm of the semester. I took the exam last night, and now I can breath a sigh of relief (until finals in two weeks!). One more day of class left, whoo!

I don't have class today, so I had a leisurely morning. Made some whole wheat pancakes with cold-brewed iced coffee, did an Insanity workout, and went out for a 7-ish mile run around Forest Park. At first, my calves felt tight and my legs felt a bit fatigued (no sh*t, I just did Insanity), but a few miles into the run, I was feeling pretty good. I also took a Clif Shot before my run, and that really helped keep my energy levels up.

I tried the mocha flavor, with caffeine, for the first time. It was meh tasting. The taste doesn't bother me, though, and I just suck it down for the energy.

Vegan whole wheat pancakes, which I ate with a blueberry "compote". I took this picture last weekend, when I topped it with sliced banana and agave nectar. The "compote" was super easy; I just microwaved frozen blueberries with a bit of agave nectar until it's all bubbly. And boom, you've got a delicious blueberry syrup to pour atop your delicious, fluffy pancakes. 

I am eating this as I type this:

I make a huge kale salad with a bunch of different veggies every week, throw it in a Tupperware, and it keeps really well in the fridge. This one has: green kale, carrots, radishes, celery, green onion, avocado, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, roasted beets, broccoli, tossed in a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. I also made a green smoothie with cantaloupe, and orange, and kale. So much greeness, I love it. 

  

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Running Together

Saturday
Run- 3.7 mi tempo + 4.3 mi= 8 mi total

Sunday
Run- 4 mi easy

On Saturday morning, I attended the Unity run for Boston held at Forest Park. There were actually two runs, each organized by different organizations, so it was nice to have two starting times. The earlier one was at 8am and I went to the 10 am one. I planned on running a bit before the start, so I ran about 3.7 miles about an 8 mi/min pace. Then I headed to the visitors center where people were gathering. I tried to get some friends to join me, but no such luck (10am is early for most college students, apparently), so I went alone and see anyone I recognized there. The St. Louis Track Club was even selling shirts to raise money. I didn't have money on me though, and there were only large and XL left.

There was a long line to buy the shirts. The St. Louis Track Club ended up raising $3,777.40 to contribute to the One Fund!

There was a great turn out and it was amazing to see so many people coming out to show their support. There were a few speeches, a prayer, and then we were off for a 3-ish mile loop.

The weather was perfect for the run, blue skies, a slight breeze, cool temperatures. I went at an easy pace and picked it up near the end. There were some walkers, people with strollers ( who took a group picture together, so cute!), families running with their kids. It was just fun seeing everyone run together, people who I normally see passing by on my runs.

Afterwards, I ran home, so my total miles was around 8. Then I spent the rest of my day sneezing my head off due to spring allergies.

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TGIF

Yesterday:
Cross training- Insanity Core Cardio and Balance

Yesterday was a very wet day. Thunderstorms woke me up early in the morning, and continued throughout the day. I had to go grocery shopping, though. I think I hauled back my body weight in groceries! I seriously buy way too much food for one person. My pantry and fridge are very well-stocked at the moment, and simple things like that make me happy :)

I also had to go to campus for a few meetings, so I donned my rain jacket and wellies, and swam walked to campus.

Trying to stay dry...

It's Friday, and I only have a week left of school! Four years of being an undergrad went by craaazayyy fast. Although it's kind of scary, getting near the end, I actually can't wait to graduate. I just need to tackle one more midterm, write a paper, and take three final exams. Then boom, I'm done. 20 more days.

This weekend, I am planning on participating in a local Unity Run to pay tribute to those who were affected by the tragedy at Boston. In St. Louis, there is a run held by the St. Louis Track Club at Forest Park Visitor's Center at 10am on Saturday. There is a ceremony and then a three-mile run.

Here is a link to the Facebook event page.

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