Falling for New York Again

Sometimes I find myself in a love/hate relationship with New York. There are countless things that can be aggravating and frustrating about this concrete jungle but then I have week like this past one and it makes me appreciate all the things that can only happen here.

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Cheering on friends and the 47,000+ runners at the ING marathon.

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Knicks night game

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WWHL with Melissa & Morgan

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Saturday morning at the dog park on the Hudson with our Hudson

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A ‘How About We’ date of beer flights and wine and cheese plate at our favorite local bar, Beer Culture

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Hudson got neutered today, which can happen everywhere. But our walk from the clinic to MSG, for our second Knicks game this week, was in the perfect fall weather. The air was crisp and the leaves were out in all their fall glory and the best part was that it was early enough to beat the tourist crowds.

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Our little guy is now home recovering and not happy about his blue inflatable ring around his neck, but much happier than with the cone of shame.

New York, this week you brought friends’ engagement celebrations, excitement at work, double dates, and obviously some great shopping finds. (this, this, want this in every color and it’s on sale!) I promise to
remember this week next time I miss a subway, someone steals my cab or I am carrying all my groceries home.

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Peanut Butter Energy Bites

Life as a stay-at-home mom to a three year old and four month old is…busy!! Add to that training for a marathon and some may call me crazy. There truly are not enough hours in the day for a mom to fit in everything that needs to be done. Trying to squeeze workouts in means sometimes training in the wee hours of the morning or late at night after the kids are in bed. I’m typing this post now at 10:30 p.m. after just finishing a ten mile tempo run…ouch. Like many moms to little ones, my meals sometimes consist of whatever my son doesn’t finish. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich crusts, half a banana or partially eaten yogurt. Not exactly the stuff to provide the energy I need to keep up with nursing a baby or chasing after a toddler. These energy bites are the perfect pick-me-up! I love them as a snack throughout the day or even pre or post workout.

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Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup Peanut Butter
1/3 cup Agave nectar
1 tbs. Chia seeds
2 tbs. ground Flax seed
1 scoop Protein powder
1/2 cup (or more!) chocolate chips

These ingredients are extremely flexible. If you don’t have agave nectar, use honey. If you are sharing with the little ones you probably want to skip the protein powder. I will find any way to sneak flax seed into my family’s diet and usually try to include it in most of our baked goods. It adds a powerful punch of Omega-3s and dietary fiber. You could even add coconut flakes, raisins or nuts.

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Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir. The batter will be very thick. Roll into tablespoon size balls and place in the fridge to chill. Store balls in an air tight container in the fridge. I promise they won’t last long!