As I mentioned yesterday, I had a drop-in appointment with a sports therapist at University Health Services last night. I was so nervous that I was almost shaking going into the appointment, because I was afraid they would say, right off the bat, “you can’t run your half marathon.”
However, the verdict was much better than I expected.
My IT band is injured, and probably has been since the first run that it gave me problems. I unconsciously adjusted my gait during my next long run to cushion the blow to my knee, which led to my shin being also inflammed. Awesome.
Basically, I was told to take the next week and a half off of running, and do a lot of icing, stretching, and foam rolling. They also gave me a few specific exercises to do to strengthen my hip adductors and hip abductors, to help stabilize my knee. Whether or not I should still do lunges/squats was somewhat unclear, but I’m going to take it easy on those until after the half marathon.
Mid-way through next week, I should try a short, easy run and see how my knee and shin feel. If it feels okay, I have the green light to go ahead and run the half marathon, as long as I take it easy! And if not, I will be a spectator.
The good thing is, I never intended to run the half marathon for time. I wanted to show myself that I could do it. So if I am able to run, and do have to take it easy during the half marathon, I’m not concerned about my final time!
In the meantime, I am seriously babying my knee. I’m allowed to do a few sessions on the elliptical, but I am going to take it super-easy on that too.
I’ve had minor problems with my IT band before, but nothing as bad as this. I don’t think I increased my mileage too quickly, because I was also cross-training, but maybe I did?
Either way, cross your fingers that I will be able to run my half!
In other news, I figured out the best way to make breakfast quinoa in the microwave yesterday!
I prefer making it on the stovetop, but it was perfect yesterday when I was short on time!
I mixed 1/3 c. quinoa with 2/3 c. water or milk, and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir and microwave for 2-3 more minutes, until liquid is absorbed. Add your favorite toppings!
I chose to top mine with some Artisana Cashew Butter and Crofter’s Superfruit Asia Spread. With a side of Linguistics review notes. 
I really liked the Artisana cashew butter. It tasted much more smooth, rich and sweet than most nut butters, just like real cashews do. Cashews aren’t my favorite nut in general, but I did enjoy having some cashew butter to ‘mix it up’ from the usual almond or peanut butter. I’d have it again, for sure!
As I’ve mentioned before, I like the Crofter’s Superfruit Spread Asia flavor. I still haven’t had a chance to try the other flavors, but their ingredient lists are similar, with a different mix of fruits. Can’t wait to try them!
Want to try some yourself? I have coupons for a free jar of Superfruit Spread to giveaway to THREE lucky readers!
There are two ways to enter. Please leave a separate comment for each one!
1. How would you eat your Crofter’s? Any new recipe ideas?
2. Tweet a ‘Hello’ to the good people @croftersorganic and tell them how much you want to win this giveaway.
Good luck! I’ll pick three winners on Saturday the 27th!
One last thing!
In case you didn’t catch it, I recently opened an Open Sky Shop. I carry some delicious ingredients, both of my cameras, and some other fun foodie products.
To get a coupon for any Open Sky Shop, I have a fun puzzle for you to do. Click on this link to get there, and when you finish the puzzle, you’ll get a coupon code for an Open Sky purchase!
The tricky thing? The puzzle will keep changing!
Have fun!!
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
Had no idea that you could microwave quinoa!! I have the Crofter’s so you don’t need to enter me.
Just wanted to comment on the easy way to make quinoa!
I love the quinoa method! So inventive… I will surely be using that next year (dreading microwave dorm life.
)
With Crofter’s I would make PB&J thumbprints. Their unique blends sound like something that would go so well in a recipe like that!
Quinoa in the micro is great, though messy at times, as it tends to fly around! Fruit spreads are awesome, I love any type of fruit spread or preserves on rice cakes! Have heard great things about Crofter’s, can’t wait to try it!
You know, I just bought a box of quinoa from TJ’s because of you! I haven’t made any yet, but will be trying it out soon. The microwave method seems nice and easy!
SO COOL that you have an Open Sky store – congrats! I am going to check out your picks!
Thanks so much for the sweet comment!
Whoops – and here’s my entry – I’d love to try out Crofter’s on my plain ‘ole peanut butter sandwich! I think it’d be a great way to jazz up my old favorite with some exotic, antioxidant flavors.
I also Tweeted! Thanks!
Good to hear that your injury is not going to interfere with the Princess. Getting a professional opinion is always a good idea and usually helpful. Be patient and good luck.
And thanks for the quinoa tip.
I’d use the jam to make thumbprint cookies.
Hope your knee heals fast!
Tweeted @ Crofters!
I really hope you can run your half marathon!! *crosses fingers*
I would LOVE to try the Crofters! I’d pair it with Nutella in my morning oatmeal.
By the way, I am thrilled to hear you aren’t too injured!
Mmmm.. anything with Nutella is good!
i made a yummy salad dressing with jelly this weekend and think the crofters would be great in it.
mixed jelly, olive oil and a pot of mustard. it was great on spinach with feta, broccoli and craisins.
I also tweeted this at Yummy_Sushi_Pjs
I’d eat it on my oatmeal, protein pancakes or right off the spoon!
Glad you got an answer, Julie. I guess its good to know the reason for the injuries and it sounds like you’re on the right track to recovery! good luck!
I would spread the Crofter’s on fresh homemade blueberry muffins. My absolute fave!
I would heat my Crofter’s up a little bit and then serve it on top of Brie cheese with crackers.
Ooh, that does sound good!
I’d eat my Crofter’s on top of some greek or goat’s milk yogurt! Or in a banana hammock
Yummmmm
Tweeted to Crofter’s! https://twitter.com/the_vegster/status/9550695700
Super cool giveaway!!
I’d mix the Crofters into my greek yogurt and cereal, or spread it on some bread or an english muffin…nice and simple yum!
haha that puzzle is crazy!!!
hope your injury is better in no time!
I’d probably use it on top of oatmeal or on an English muffin!
I would put it in thumbprint cookies… the jam is what makes those, seriously!
I would use them in my dressing recipe for warm spinach salad with berries ~ I bet it would be an awesome sub for jam!
Thanks for the great giveaway!
I like to use jam in a simple cheese sandwich. Of course the classic fruit and cheese combo becomes everyday when I have it with dinner and a glass of wine when I’m 21. Jam is also very good with salad dressings. 2 part lemon, 1 part olive oil, some Dijon mustard, salt and pepper with a dollop of jam= fruity dressing.
What an interesting way to eat quinoa. I’m needing a new breakfast recipe, so maybe I should give this a try.
I’d use the Crofters to glaze anytype of meat that I might be roasting! We eat it right out of the jar at our house-it’s that awesomely delicious! South America is our favorite Superfruit spread, but their Pomegranate(sp?) Jelly & Blood Orange preserves are to die for as well! Try ‘em on fresh baked bread-it’s an almost religious experience. And no, I don’t work for Crofters; my family just LOVES their product.
Spread on some whole wheat bread with cream cheese – by far my fave way to enjoy jam/fruit spreads! That just made me so hungry considering I haven’t had solid food in almost a week thanks to a fun tonsillectomy!!
I would seriously eat it with everything! In oats please!?
P.S. I tweeted you!
New to your blog and I’m really enjoying it! Love you different recipes.
I like adding fruit preserves to my oatmeal, it is a fun way to flavor and sweeten it up. Sometimes agave or stevia can get boring!
Microwave quinoa, genius! I’d love some spread on a biscuit! I know, not the healthiest but it’s what I’m craving right now!
I’ve been wanting to try PB&J oats so I would use it in there! I’d also hide it from the husband, mwahahaha.
I would love to try the super fruit spread in a yogurt bowl. That is my favorite place for fruit spreads!!
I left a tweet to the good people at crofters…HOPE I WIN!!!
I would totally want to try it on cinnamon raisin bread – my love!
I’d love to try the Crofter’s on a turkey sandwich. Turkey and jelly on tasty bread is delicious!
Hi Julie! I just saw that you’re starting the New Rules of Lifting and I just wanted to throw in that I’ve been doing the program for the past 4 months or so as my main form of exercise (I’ve made it to Stage 3) because I had to stop running from hip bursitis. It gets really addicting and I have definitely increased my strength…I’m squatting with 110 pounds and deadlifting 95! The key is to keep challenging yourself and increasing weights. Good Luck and I hope your IT band feels better; I’ve definitely been there too
Good luck with your knee and your test run! And quinoa in the microwave? Heck yes!
I would definitely top my oats with some Crofters to make PB&J oats!
tweeted! http://twitter.com/liltiff917/status/9631663053
I hope your rest goes quickly and you’re able to make a good recovery
I would make PB&J bread with that spread! mmm!
I would use Crofter’s in oatmeal. I’ve seen jams, jellies, spreads, etc. used in oatmeal but haven’t tried it – it looks delish! Maybe PB&J oatmeal is in my future?
I’d mean mine in the class way — PB and J sandwich !!
Right now, I’m digging toasted bread with cream cheese, pumpkin, and Crofters! I love that their spreads are tart, not overly sweet like others so it goes well with pumpkin!
I’d love to try out Crofter’s in oatmeal!
I want to try it in my oatmeal!
I tweeted!
I’m diggin’ the quoina idea in the microwave!
I’d use the Crofter’s to spread over some Dr. Kracker’s with Laughing Cow Cheese!
Unfortunately, I don’t have twitter
guess who STILL has the package of quoina in her pantry unopened. thats right. me. i have had it for MONTHS now and still have not dared open the little bag and just TRY the ever popular in the blog world grain of wonders.
if i ever try to call myself a foodie, please bring me back to reality with this little fact.