It’s been hot this weekend, today’s high is 107 degrees! Our high temps will be in the triple digits all week so I’m making sure all of my lighter work pants are clean and ready doing tons of laundry. Living in this kind of heat is not all bad as long as there’s working AC. It’s a dry heat, so the air is not as heavy or oppressive as it could be. And the worst of it is only in the afternoon while we get lows in the 70s, so there’s time to get stuff done outside without being miserable. Also, if you can tolerate the heat in the afternoon, hubby and I learned yesterday it’s a great time to go to Costco. We packed ice water and enjoyed peaceful shopping without long lines. And functioning in high heat does help build endurance, just stay hydrated and pretend it’s a sauna.
I’ve been getting out early for long walks with the pups before the heat kicks in so they can chill in the air conditioning the rest of the day with quick trips to the backyard.
I have to be especially careful with Leela, she has low tolerance for hot weather with her age and thick fur, so I get her extra sniff and pee time before she crashes for the day.
I also got in a slow 4-mile run in my new Brooks Glycerin 15s. Slow because it was hot already this morning – temps were in the 80s and it felt worse, so I was being cautious and breaking in new shoes.
So far they’re working out great, not narrow in the toe box area which can be a problem for my duck feet. But they do seem to run smaller than the previous generation and I’d recommend getting a half size larger. It was nice getting in a little outdoor time taking in nature before locking ourselves in air conditioning.
I’ve been trying to eat well this week staying away from snacking and processed foods and batch cooked a large package of lentils I’ve been using in simple sautes, salads, and dog meals. This lentil and potato veggie stew was ready in 20 minutes and delicious.
Also lots of cool salads like this edamame and pumpkin seed monster.
Simple tofu and broccoli saute with tamari sauce.
More salad.
And this interesting lentil and carrot marinara stew that was delicious.
Hubby experimented last night making spicy tofu baked “wings” that were tasty.
He pressed the extra moisture from the tofu before baking with a spicy mixture of hot sauce and corn starch.
And we stepped out for spicy Thai tofu Friday and this green bean dish was excellent.
Whew, this heat does suck energy. Even hiding in air conditioning today, I’m feeling wiped after this morning’s run while poor, bored Miko doesn’t understand why we’re not going for more walks. Lots of cool smoothies, watermelon, and salads this week! And runs will be mostly on treadmills at the gym. Running in general takes a hit in this heat which is normal, I expect my outdoor runs to be slower and prepared to take more intervals if needed. But it also helps to build endurance for a stronger fall race season.
Okay, to the list!
I caught this interesting story on NPR Science Friday and it made me think of a co-worker who probably eats 1 serving of fruits and veggies a week preferring Mountain Dew and Lunchables for breakfast … yes, he’s an adult. For some people, if food is presented as “healthy”, “fat free”, etc., they instantly aren’t interested. Maybe describing and marketing healthier options as a decadent and indulgent treat can reach more people. Cool!
Kate Mara is taking great actions for animal welfare.
One third of the world is overweight and the US is leading the way and a high percentage die from higher body mass index.
How running marathons helped this author.
15 vegan salad recipes for rising summer temps.
ZenHabits offers direct advice for dealing with unhappy situations.
5 ways to boost your motivation.
Elmhurst Dairy goes plant based.
Funny tweets about working out.
8 mistakes when buying running shoes.
This heat is no joke! Makes me wonder what it will be like when we hit the usual “hot” season around September. Still better than being cold, but I really need to stock up on ice cream all of a sudden. ;) You cool salads have never looked more appealing.
Agreed, I’m scared to think about it! Thanks, been having lots of smoothies, salad, and chilled watermelon here.
Oh wow, that is hot! We had 90s this past weekend but it was full of humility. My Firenze will not walk more than a few feet in that kind of heat so we try to get him out early and then late too.
Your food as always looks so tasty and healthy!
Yes, even worse today and tomorrow. Running at the gym will even be painful! Same for Leela, she can’t stand the heat at her age and I may need to start walking the dogs separately.
Thanks on the food!
That carrot stew looks scrumptious. Would love that right now! And 107 degrees? Holy moly, I have never experienced temps that hot before. It was 90 a few days ago and we don’t have AC so thought we’d died! Laughed out loud about your co-worker. I just don’t “get” people who don’t eat healthy, honestly, I feel so much better eating healthy than junk food that just makes me feel sick and not be able to sleep at night.
Thanks and it was. Agreed on the heat, 111 degrees later this week. The southwest heat wave is breaking scary records this year. Haha, so true on the co-worker and a little sad because he has young kids.