Wedding Planning Wednesday: Save the Dates

I ordered Save the Dates!!!

I used Shutterfly and I waited until they were offering a 50% off coupon.  So, I ended up with a great deal.  We are expecting to invite about 300 guests (I know...its huge), and so I was told that I should order 200.  However, it was $2 more to buy 225 and I figured I would do that just to be safe.  I know that you only need to send 1 to couples and such, but I wanted to have enough and I figured they would be a nice keepsake as well.

Here are some of the designs that I was considering:

Plus, we used 3 of our engagement photos on the cards and they look so pretty :)  You all will just have to wait to see the finished product!  OOOH! And, it's a magnet! I can't wait to get them and then start sending them out!

Also, my friend, Caryn, has been calling them "StDs," which I think it pretty hilarious and every time I think about my Save the Dates I giggle a little...but anyways...

Spring Veggie Pasta

I only have 6 miles left to do on my marathon training plan.  The race is super close and I figured I would share a yummy pasta dish in honor of all the carb loading I've been doing.  I ate this for dinner the night before my big 20 mile run and I felt great.  It was a pasta dish filled with great flavors and I loved the way the roasted broccolini and tomatoes came out.  I used whole wheat pasta and the whole thing ended up being a really healthy way to get some good carbs in your diet.  

Tomorrow I have a 4 mile run and then Thursday is a 2 mile run and then that is it! I am ready to run Chicago's fantastic 26.2 mile route!

School this week is also somehow flying by.  I'm not sure if it is excitement or nerves, but the time is just slipping right by me.  Plus, Wednesday is a testing day where I am proctoring the ACT and Friday is an Institute Day with no students.  Then, we also have Monday off for Columbus Day.  All this is making this, plus the marathon is making this week feel extra special and super strange.  Today my students are starting some graphing work for precalculus and my AP guys are getting ready for a test on Thursday.  I am trying real hard to stay focused, but I honestly feel a bit all over the place! Then, I also have cheer practice, but that is mostly just a lot of fun and the team is getting really good!

So to wrap up, this week is crazy, this pasta is crazy good, and I am a bit of a scattered-brained, mess.  So head over to Food & Wine for this pasta recipe, it is really yummy.  I followed everything pretty exactly except for the fact that I used whole wheat linguini and instead of shaved ricotta salata cheese (my grocery store did not have any), I used a hard goat cheddar cheese (which was super delish).  Have fun and enjoy!

Marathon Training Monday: The Final Countdown

9 miles left.

That's it! This past Saturday was the last training run with my CARA buddies.  We ran 8 miles and it didn't even feel like anything.  I feel great.  I am so excited. And now it is time to run these last 9 miles (3, 4, 2) and prepare for the big day: Sunday.  

This week is all about rest and food.  Nutrition is so important at this point and I am getting ready by eating my carbs, but not overdoing it.  I am wearing flats to school so that I don't put extra stress on my feet and ankles.  I am also planning out this upcoming weekend.  

The day before, my parents are coming down to Chicago for brunch and then we are all going to head to the expo together to pick up my race swag and check out all the vendors.  The expo is pretty great and I am excited to shop for a new marathon clothing item.  Then, we are going to head back to our apartment to chill before a delish pasta dinner st Caro Mio.  I can't wait and it should be the perfect day before the big one. 

So, the next time I talk about marathons, I'll have finished my second one! Wish me luck :) 

Crock Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls

School has been going really well.  Cheer practice has started, we are already starting Unit 3 for math, and it has been so much fun getting to know my students.  I even got the chance to chaperone a field trip to a college fair with the juniors.  They were super into it and it was really great to see.  I love that I get to help them out and be part of the whole picking out colleges experience.  

I have also been busy with wedding planning, as the days count down, we are starting to get more and more into the smaller details.  This means lots of decision making, which is not always my strong suit.  However, it also means lots of fun and excitement which is what I am focusing on. 

And on top of all that, the marathon is right around the corner! I have 4 training runs left and 11 days until the big race!  I am super pumped, but also starting to get nervous! 

Now, for this recipe.  It was one of the easiest meals I had ever made and it made for some really great school lunches.  All you have to do is dump all the stuff into your crock pot, wait, and then enjoy! Can it get any easier?  Plus, it was really tasty.  I would put some of the chicken mixture into my school pyrex container, sprinkle a little cheese on top, and then add some avocado slices if I was feeling really fancy.  Yum! 

Crock Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls

(adapted from The Kitchn)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds chicken breast

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

1 cup chicken stock (I used vegetable stock because it was what I already had in the fridge)

2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp salt

2 tsp cumin

1 cup brown rice

1 15 oz can low-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup frozen corn

Optional: Salsa, Guacamole, Avocado, Sour Cream, Shredded Cheese, Greek Yogurt, Green Onion...etc.

Directions:

1. Wash chicken and pat dry.  Place in the crock pot.  Put tomatoes, 1/2 cup stock, chili powder, salt, and cumin in as well.  Cook on low for 4 hours.

2. After about 4 hours, add in the black beans, brown rice, and corn.  Cook on low for another 3-4 hours.

3. Serve with a little melted cheese, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream or greek yogurt! It's really up to you!

Enjoy :)