Menu Planning and Healthy Almond Crescents (GF/low sugar)

Almost 2014, can you believe it?! After a week (okay more) of eating cookies, drinking wine and snacking on junk all day I need to get back to my eating plan. I am happy to be joining Laura’s January reset just in time to start training for Boston Marathon. I decided this time around I will improve on my diet even more, eliminate the foods I know negatively impact my training: dairy, sugars, processed junk and increase those that help me: veggies, fruit, protein, whole foods. Who else is ready to get back to healthy eating after the holidays?

So what’s for dinners this week…
Sunday: Veggie pizza with GF crust
Monday: Pre run protein shake
Tuesday: New Year’s take out: Thai probably
Wednesday: Chipotle butternut squash  
Thursday: Crock pot chickpea wild rice soup
Friday: Spaghetti squash with marinara and veg “meat”balls
Saturday: Chili

What is on your menu this week?

Now with this being week 1 of Boston training and final week of Dopey training my plan looks a little crazy!!
Sunday: 10-12 mile run (on treadmill since it is -20 outside)
Monday: Strength and 4 mile tempo run
Tuesday: Yoga/Core
Wednesday:  14 mile race and strength
Thursday: 1 hour bike and core
Friday: 5 x ½ mile repeats
Saturday: 6-8 miles easy run and strength

And now for my final cookie recipe, but I am happy to say I made them healthier than we used to. This is a childhood recipe and I was able to make GF and lower fat and sugar without effecting the taste!! I'm even happier that I stopped eating cookies and froze some for later! 
Photo: We did it! Healthy gluten free almond crescents

Almond Crescents
1/4 cup applesauce
¼ cup butter (or vegan spread, coconut oil might work too)                                                            
1/4 cup organic sugar                                                                                                                
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract
1 1/4 cups flour (can use WW or GF- I used 1 cup oat and ¼ cup almond)
1/2 cup ground almonds

Cream butter, applesauce and sugar, add extracts. Mix in flour and almonds. Take 1 Tbl. dough and shape into log and bend into crescent shape. Put on greased cookie sheet. Bake 12-15 min at 350

Comments

  1. Run DMTDecember 29, 2013 at 9:23 AM

    It's nice to indulge a little here and there and then get back on track to healthy eating. Your cookies look great!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Angela @ Happy Fit MamaDecember 29, 2013 at 9:31 AM

    I'm so over indulging! But those cookies look awesome. Pinning for future cookie cravings!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mommy Run FastDecember 29, 2013 at 10:08 AM

    Aww, love your little helper rolling out the dough! Chickpea wild rice soup sounds delicious! Yes, I'm very ready for the detox too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Betsy HartDecember 29, 2013 at 2:23 PM

    Those look really good!

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownDecember 29, 2013 at 3:02 PM

    I'm TOTALLY ready to get back to healthy eating!! And I don't know how you're going to do 10-12 miles on the treadmill! I'm trying to force myself on mine for just one mile! Good luck :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownDecember 29, 2013 at 5:34 PM

    Your menu sounds so yummy for this week!

    ReplyDelete
  7. SarahDecember 30, 2013 at 6:37 PM

    We are doing take-out for New Years Eve as well - I think I've talked hubby into sushi! Probably some chicken teriyaki for the kiddo, although if I know him, he'll be stealing all our sushi in just a few years.

    ReplyDelete

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