Spicy Summer Tacos

Spending hours over the stove is the last thing I want to do in the summer! Easy, fresh, quick recipes for the win! Summer is the perfect time to explore with fresh fruits and veggies that can help us feel satisfied yet light for all the fun summer activities in store!

Last night I had a veggie ramen planned, but in typical fashion I didn't start cooking until almost 8pm and wasn't interested in eating at 9:30pm so I opened the fridge and scanned the options. Carrots, cabbage, avocado, lime...hmmm sounds like the perfect base for tacos!

Tacos & wraps have been my go to this summer because they're filling, able to load with all the veggies, and refreshing! The entire meal took less than 10 minutes to throw together and was husband approved!

I just went with the veggies on this one, but you could absolutely add grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak to make them a bit fancier and heartier. To make things even easier, I used pre-shredded veggies & pre chopped kale. You could really use any veggies you wanted, zucchini, mushrooms, squash (not broccoli! I hate when I have broccoli in my tacos ha!) and could even cook the veggies beforehand if you wanted. The sauce really is the true star of the show and would taste delicious on just about anything!

We didn't use the entire veggie mix that night and surprisingly it was even better the next day because it had time to absorb all the spices and flavors. Kale, cabbage & carrots are fabulous at holding their integrity as leftovers and don't get soggy and watery like some other veggies, so if you're looking to make extra those are the ingredients I would go with. The filling was perfect in a wrap for lunch the next day but would be equally delicious on it's own as a snack or over rice.

Ingredients

• 2 Cups Shredded Carrots

• 2 Cups Shredded Cabbage

• 2 Cups Shredded Kale

• 1 Red Bell Pepper Diced

• 1 Avocado

• 1/4 Cup Nutritional Yeast

• 1/2 Cup Salsa

• 1/4 Cup Cindy's Kitchen Avocado Vinaigrette

• 1/2 Packet Organic Taco Seasoning

• 1/2 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt

• Juice of 1-2 limes (depending on how much lime you like...I like a lot!)

• 6 corn tortillas or Ezekiel 4:9 mini tortillas

Instructions:

In a small bowl, mix yogurt, salsa, vinaigrette, taco seasoning, & lime. Set aside. In a separate bowl combine shredded carrots, cabbage, bell pepper & kale.

Pour dressing mixture over veggies and toss till fully coated. Sprinkle with nutritional yeast.

Heat tortillas in a pan until softened and warm. Add vegetable mixture to tortillas. Top with sliced avocado, additional salsa, and nutritional yeast (and extra lime if desired!).

I served with Siete grain free chips, watermelon, and club soda (with more lime of course!).

12 Best Podcasts For Running

Sometimes running comes effortlessly and the miles click by, other times, that flow doesn't come so easy. On those days when you need an extra boost of motivation, podcasts can be a great addition. I enjoy listening to both music and podcasts; music ideal for speedier efforts, while podcast a better fit for slower recovery or road long runs when you need to zone out a bit. Little disclaimer here: safety first!! If I do listen to anything I'll only use one headphone, leaving the other ear free to hear sounds of traffic, animals, or other trail users. Also be aware of the volume. Unless I'm on a track, where I use both headphones and turn the music high, I'll always keep the volume soft so I can hear anything that may approach me. I can't tell you how many times I've shouted, "on your left" while approaching someone on the trail but because they have their music so high they don't hear me at all. Of course I do my best not to alarm them, but there are plenty of other people and and animals that might not be as friendly...so just be safe and aware of your surroundings. On a side note, while at the grocery store the other day, I said, "on your left" instead of "excuse me" while passing someone in the aisle and immediately felt like quite the weirdo...apparently I need to get out more:)

I like to listen to a mix of podcasts that range from running to nutrition to lifestyle to pop-culture. I have a list of podcasts that I'll listen to on a weekly basis, whether that's on a run, walk, or simply while cooking dinner or running errands. Podcasts can be an excellent way to learn and stay engaged throughout the day! Here are some of my top picks that I listen to weekly!

Running Focused

The Morning Shakeout

The Morning Shakeout hosts a range of guests from athletes, coaches, to personalities in the sport of running. The host Mario, does an excellent job allowing his guests to breakdown their background and ultimate why to running. This podcast takes a more conversational approach in which his guests explain the ins and outs of their athletic pursuits and the struggles and successes along the way!

Trail Runner Nation

With over 500 episodes, Trail Runner Nation has a plethora of episodes to choose from on all things running! Primarily a trail running podcasts, the hosts Don & Scott, welcome a wide array of guests to discuss topics like best practices in trail running, reflections on elite level performances, and the mental side of competing in ultras.

Some Work All Play

The "SWAP" podcast is a delightful dialogue between running coaches David and Megan Roche. They do a wonderful job balancing the science and real life aspects of running, and provide applicable physiological and mental insights into running and movement in general.

Ginger Runner Live

Ethan Newberry, the creator of The Ginger Runner, is a phenomenal film maker, storyteller, & host. Not only do he and his wife Kim, host weekly, live interviews with elite runners, race directors, coaches, and running personalities, but they produce excellent running documentaries that follow their own adventures, as well as inspirational racing journey's of elite trail runners.

Pyllars

Hosted by professional trail runner Dylan Bowman, Pyllars is a brilliant conversation pertaining to all things trail and ultra running. Dylan and his guests take a holistic view at overall health to help the listeners improve all facets of their fitness and athletic pursuits.

Nutrition/Lifestyle Focused

Dr. Axe Podcast

Dr. Axe, a doctor of chiropractic, certified doctor of natural medicine and clinical nutritionist, hosts a variety of experts in the health and wellness space to discuss topics ranging from fitness, nutrition, and natural health. He and his guests provide simple and actionable steps that can be easily incorporated into everyday life to eliminate common yet preventable health ailments.

The Be Well Podcast

Hosted by holistic nutritionist and author Kelly LeVeque, the Be Well podcast covers topics from mental health, hormonal balancing, nutrition tips, motivation, and really anything health, wellness, and lifestyle focused. The podcast provides positive takeaways and action steps to implement into everyday life!

Rich Roll Podcast

I'm pretty sure this was the first podcast I ever listened to and is still a favorite of mine! The Rich Roll podcast is great for long runs specifically because each episodes is so long-which I love! Rich Roll is a lawyer turned endurance athlete and plant based advocate who hosts some of the leading minds in the health, fitness, nutrition, art, entertainment, entrepreneurship & spirituality space to discuss all things wellness. The conversational format is designed to inspire and educate and certainly make it easy to become lost in the conversation! This one is a must listen!

Feel Better Live More

Feel Better Live More is and brilliant podcast hosted by the UK based Doctor Rangan Chatterjee. The Feel Better Live More podcast hosts a variety of wellness experts who provide insights on areas like sleep, nutrition, motivation, & mood. Rangan takes a very holistic approach to his practice and podcast which allows the information discussed to be easily applied to daily life.

Pop-Culture Focused

Scrubbing In

Hosted between two friends, Becca Tilley and Tanya Rad, scrubbing in is a light-hearted conversation that discusses topics like relationship advice, pop-culture and just their everyday lives. They'll bring on guests, answer viewer questions, and chat about all things life. This is a great one if you're looking for something light, funny, and perfect to zone out to.

Off the Vine

This is for all my fellow Bachelorette fans out there-although I'm taking a hiatus from the show right now. lol Hosted by former bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe, Off the Vine hosts an array of guests from lifestyle personalities, trainers, & bloggers to discuss all things 2021 life. Again, perfect if you want something light where you don't have to take notes:)

The Skinny Confidential

Hosted by blogger and entrepreneur Lauryn Evarts Bosstick, The Skinny Confidential covers topics ranging from beauty, lifestyle, life hacks, and entrepreneurship with a range of athletes, authors, entrepreneur's, actors, and thought leaders in the wellness space. This one is a balance between lighthearted drama and practical lifestyle tips.

Well there's a few of my favorites! Hopefully you find one you like that'll help those recovery miles go by just a touch quicker! Happy listening!

Not Attaching Your Worth To the Finish Line-Silver Rush Race Recap

Well this is one race recap I didn't think I'd get the chance to write. Up until 3 days before the race I was truly on the fence of whether I should toe the start line in Leadville or make the difficult decision to withdraw from the event. With being forced to take almost 3 weeks off form running, I didn't want to find myself right back in the same hole, just when my injury was starting to feel better. With plenty of contemplation and insight from my coach and local PT, I decided to shoot my shot and give the race a go. My build up to this race was less than perfect and I wouldn't recommend taking an extended period of time off running before a high altitude 50 mile run, but with a handful of ultras under my belt I knew (barring something going really wrong) I'd be able to complete the distance.

If I'm being honest, I was really nervous going into this run. Was I making the right decision? On one hand my injury truly was feeling better and at least I was rested, but on the other hand would that many miles aggravate my heel again, and was my body ready for a difficult run after more downtime than I've ever taken in my running career. I tried to stay calm, focus on the controllables, and remember the years of training on the legs.

We made the drive up to 10,000 ft, got some food and called it an early night for our 3:30 am alarms the next morning! Of course I didn't sleep a wink that night and jumped right out of bed once that alarm bell sounded. The race didn't start till 6 but I always like to give myself plenty of time to eat, dress, and drive to the start line.

The race starts straight up Dutch Henry Hill and wastes no time reminding you you're

running the whole course above 10,000 ft! The course is out and back and holds two major climbs both directions. The first climb takes you to around mile 11 where you can then enjoy a nice jeep road downhill for a few miles. During the first few miles I was surprised (and thrilled) with how well the legs felt. Running felt smooth, breathing was steady, and it was shaping up to be a great day. My #1 goal for the day was to stay on top of my nutrition, which meant trickling in a gel or handful of energy chews every 30-40 minutes and drinking my entire handheld of water between each aid station. First gel down-check!Second gel down-hmmm that one didn't settle so good. I was convinced to not let my stomach get in the way of a successful day so I grabbed into my pack for some honey stinger energy chews hoping that might settle a little better.

While rounding out the first climb I noticed that spry feeling quickly fading. Stomach already felt nauseous, right quad was pretty tight and hips (which have never been an issue in an ultra) felt a little weak. It was far too early into this thing to freak out too much, so I again, tried to stay on top of my nutrition in hopes that would settle the stomach and provide the energy my body was clearly asking for.

After the 2nd aid station, there's a fun, smooth decent before hitting the next climb. Just when I was starting to feel in a flow my toe clipped a rock and I went stumbling; however, somehow I managed to land on my feet! I took a moment to refocus and get my head back in the game. I was in the top 10 at that point and really wanted to land a top 5 placement. It was on that next climb, around mile 16 where things went further south and the nausea really started to settle in. I tried to maintain a good climbing pace but quickly realized whenever I tried to push even a little, the nausea would spike. I popped in some salt pills, electrolyte mix, and salty chips at the next aid in case my electrolyte levels were off and causing the issue, but that didn't seem to help much. At the top of that climb, I was met with a nice descent that took me to the 25 mile turnaround, ginger ale, and a surprise visit from Kal!

The next climb back was long, hot, exposed, yet runnable...except I wasn't running much of it and found myself stopping a few times just to regain my composure and not get too sick. I tried more salt pills, tylenol, and food-yet nothing seemed to help. Nothing except slowing down, which was very frustrating. The rest of the day followed a similar trajectory until the last aid station at mile 43 where I found a small glimpse of relief from the nausea and was able to run most of the final 7 mile stretch. I told myself no matter what I would not be passed in this section and would try to catch as many people as possible and even ended up passing 5 people! With almost a 1/4 mile to go the course took a confusing turn and I (and what sounds like plenty of others) ended up taking a wrong turn (first time ever getting off course in a race) and those 5 people I had previously passed, passed me again. I honestly started to laugh and at that point just wanted to get to the finish. I made my way back to the correct turn, across the top of Dutch Henry Hill and down to the finish line. I saw Kal and we shared a, "no words even needed" smile. Far far far from a perfect day. Yet despite it all, there was the finish. Somehow it always comes.

Catching a glimpse of Kal waiting for me!:)

I've been faced with some form of adversity in my last three ultras, ultimately altering my race goals, and I couldn't help but think on Saturday, "maybe ultras just aren't for me". Multiple times I thought about quitting because I knew my finish time would be far slower than I've run this race before. That got me thinking, "hmm I want to drop out due to the inevitable embarrassing finish time, not because I don't think I can make it to the finish line. Even if I walk the rest of the race I'll still make it far before the cut off times, so it isn't a matter of getting it done, it's a matter of ego in how I get it done."If I DNF'd I could tell people the nausea just got too bad or my heel was hurting, but deep down inside I would know the truth...I gave up because it got hard, things went south, and I was embarrassed with the finish time "Let go of your pride, and enjoy the ride" kept repeating in my mind. I tried to let go and remember it all comes back to my why. I had to ask myself, do you run these ultras because you're a sponsored athlete or for the praise of others? Do you run for the finish buckle or the ultra sign up ranking? No. You run because you love to. You love the feeling of the dirt under your feet, the uncertainty if you can go one more step and then going, the challenge of the unknown, the beauty of God's creation. And right here, right now, despite the struggle, you are living your why. So maybe you won't place top 10 or have a higher ultra sign up ranking, but maybe just maybe for these 10 hours you can be present, joyful, and grateful you get to live your why.

Looking down at the finish line

Your why must be stronger than your excuse. You must fail until you don't. You must find something other than the finish line to tie your worth to. If you make a wrong turn on a road trip you don't think, "Ahhh this trip isn't meant for me, I'll turn home." Rather, your GPS reroutes, corrects your turn, and gets you back on track. I'm choosing to view the last three races as simple mis-turns on my road trip. It's time to reroute, refocus, and retrain the mind, body, and that darn gut to run the race I know I'm capable of.

The "please stop cheering face" ha:)

Running an ultra is really like living life in a day. You're faced with great high's, low low's, but plenty of beauty along the way. At times you'll want to give up, find an easier path-a more comfortable route, a route with no hardship. Sure, by taking the easy route you'll get to the finish line without blemish, without suffering, but also without a story. A story that tells of passion, of purpose, of growth. If there's something that excites you, gives you passion, and life, don't be afraid of failure. Shoot your shot, live out your passion with patience, perseverance, and anticipation of the beautiful story ahead. You get one life-live it loud.

That "what just happened?" smile:)