Interval Training

Changing up the workout plan yet again.  I have been doing really well with sticking to my sort of diet...mostly just watching what I eat, monitoring my portions, and making healthier choices.  I have decided though to start adding some interval training to my running routine.  Basically, interval training is where you change speed and incline throughout your workout so your body gets to really work hard for a couple minutes and then cool down for a couple minutes.  I am going to supplement my Couch to 5K routine with this. 

I am really trying hard to make a lifestyle change, but my love of food is really making that difficult.  This past weekend, I spent Saturday evening with one of my best and oldest friends, Katie, and her family.  As it usually works at Katie's house, she cooked and I happily ate.  I officially found one of my new favorite things.  A recipe that combines all things wonderful in this world: crescent rolls, apples, butter, and Mt Dew.  Unfortunately for me, this wonderful new dessert that I love will have to be a special occasion treat or I will have to eat them when I can run 10 miles because let's just say they are not a low-cal treat.  Katie fixed me the Pioneer Woman's Apple Dumplings.  These things are so delicious and I can't wait for y'all to try them and fall in love just like I did.

The recipe goes something like this:
APPLE DUMPLINGS
2 cans Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
2 sticks butter, salted
2 large-ish Granny Smith apples
ground cinnamon
1.5 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
6 oz Mt Dew

Peel and core apples and cut into 8 slices.  Grease a 9x13 baking pan.  Roll each apple slice into an individual crescent roll and place in baking dish.  On stove top, melt 2 stick salted butter.  Add 1.5 cups sugar and stir lightly...you want your mixture still clumpy.  Add vanilla and barely stir again.  Pour over top of crescent rolled apples and sprinkle top with cinnamon.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until gold and bubbly (as Truvy would say). 

The best way to eat these delectable goodies is fresh out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  I am planning on making a couple pans for the boys down at the fire station tomorrow as I am out of school and getting off work early.  I thought maybe they could use a sweet pre-Easter treat!  I will post some pictures of the process tomorrow after they are done!

Until then, sweet eatin'!