Will Run For Turtles

chocolate dipped bananas with turtle granola

Happy Noon Year!  Pace Bunny (PB) & I had a brilliant idea this year.  Rather than celebrating New Years Eve we thought that we would celebrate what PB has coined "Noon Year".  

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Noon Year it is celebrated at noon on December 31st by those who like to lounge around in various forms of spandex, while sipping coffee and eating waffles.

This year runners (all four) lined up in their  best hoodies, pink sweatbands (“ I thought you said rum”), black glitter ties and tights that hadn’t seen the light of day in years for what was supposed to be a 3K route (it’s a little too soon for some to talk about exactly how long, or slushy, uphill or close to the highway the run actually was).  

What does all of this have to do with turtles you might be wondering.  Instead of resolutions I've been thinking about races.  I'm looking forward to sloshing through mud, leaping over fire, and rappelling down a ravine in a tutu for the spartan race  and hopefully running two 1/2 marathons (also know as the marathon but PB isn't ready to hear that yet) for the Sudbury Rocks Marathon . The best part of racing (other than crossing the finish line) is all of the awesome snacks that you get to eat while you're training.  

On that note here are two recipes for granola packed with dates, pecans, and cocoa nibs and chocolate dipped bananas rolled in all kinds of turtle deliciousness.

Turtle Granola

(12 1/2 C servings)

ingredients

5 C rolled oats (I used rye, spelt, and oats)

1 C chopped pecans

1 C chopped dates

1/2 C cocoa nibs

4Tbsp buckwheat honey

2 Tbsp coconut oil (1 T olive oil + 1 T Earth Balance will also work)

Preheat oven to 350.  On a baking stone bake cocoa nibs & pecans for 15 minutes.  

Bake oats for 15 minutes (leave oven on).

While oats are baking in a small saucepan combine honey and coconut oil.  Heat over low heat until coconut oil has melted.

Combine oats, cocoa nibs, pecans and honey/coconut oil mixture until well combined.   Spread onto two baking stones and bake for an additional 15 minutes stirring midway through. 

Allow to cool completely before storing in your favourite glass mason jar.  Hide mason jar until breakfast.

Chocolate Dipped Bananas With Turtle Granola

(serves 4)

ingredients

2 firm bananas 

4 T turtle granola

2 ounces Camino bittersweet chocolate (or your favourite brand)

2 tsp coconut oil (olive will also work)

Line a plate or baking sheet with waxed paper.

Peel bananas and slice in half horizontally.

Insert a skewer into each piece of banana.  Place bananas on plate/baking sheet and allow to freeze for 30-60 minutes.

Over low heat (or using a double boiler) melt chocolate & coconut oil.

Dip each banana into chocolate and working quickly roll in turtle granola.

Serve immediately or cover and return to freezer.

Will Run For Chocolate Banana Coffee Smoothies

The best part of early long Sunday runs (if you haven't convinced your running partner that you should eat cake or drink lattes instead) is eating breakfast for the second time.  Ideally your second breakfast is something delicious that someone else has prepared like the waffles and strawberry coulis that were being made at pace bunny's house (thanks for the tepid tap water by the way).

The next best thing is a chocolate banana coffee smoothie!   According to the my plate feature at www.livestrong.com this smoothie contains 235 calories, 5g of fibre, 5g of protein and 2g of fat (incase you were interested). 

Chocolate Banana Coffee Smoothie

(serves 1)

ingredients

1 frozen banana 

*1/2 C light soy milk 

1 tsp instant coffee

1 Tbsp cocoa powder

1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until desired consistency is reached.   If you don't have a frozen banana you can reduce the amount of soy milk and add ice.