As I sit here writing this, it is 118 degrees (at about 5:30). Tomorrow the forecast is for 123. I don’t think “hot” is a strong enough word for this weather. One of the worst parts about the heat in the desert is that it won’t start to cool down (and that is relative, believe me) until 7:00 or so. It should drop below 100 about 11:00 tonight.
Alan and I went for a run this morning at about 6:30. Way too late of a start, but we dared to sleep in a little this morning and to take the time to walk to dogs before our run. We ended up running three miles (we thought about cutting it to two, but managed to keep going). It was HOT!
That, by the way, was at 7:45 this morning.
Running and Eating Vegan in Big Bear
Anyway, Alan and I spent part of the weekend in Big Bear. For non-Californians, that is a ski resort in the San Bernardino mountains. The elevation is about 6,800 feet, so it is much, much cooler. Again, that is relative, because they’re looking at 90 degrees tomorrow, which is very hot in a mountain resort that has very little air conditioning.
Alan was announcing the Big Bear Triathlon, which is a fun sprint and Olympic distance event with several hundred participants. While he works I go for a run, usually along the race course. Of course, the elevation is a challenge for this desert rat. At home, we’re very close to sea level. So, I ran slowly.
I also stopped and chatted with volunteers along the course, took pictures of the lake, and generally took it easy. I did manage 5.5 miles, mostly because I detoured off the course for a bit, and ended up running a little farther than I’d planned. It’s all good, though.
Since the race was on Saturday, we drove up on Friday morning, beating the traffic for the most part (it is horrendous around the lake). There are no vegan or vegetarian restaurants in Big Bear, and the options are limited, so we went again to a restaurant called the Himalayan that serves food from India and Nepal.
They have an extensive vegetarian menu and quite a few plant-based items. The server was helpful and told us which dishes were vegan. We ended up ordering the Chickpea Curry and the Lentil Dal, along with some white rice.
It was fabulous! I can honestly say it was probably the best Indian food I’ve eaten and now I need to figure out how to make both dishes at home. It’s either that or head up to Big Bear once a month! Funny, but I don’t recall the food being as good last year when we ate there. It was good then, but it was excellent this time.
As a blogger, I take pictures of my food. I try to be a little discreet, but still. Alan has gotten used to it. I do get a kick when I see other people do it though. I noticed the family across from us taking pictures after their food was served. Of course, I had to try to take pictures of them taking pictures of their food. Discreetly, of course.
Speaking of photographing food, have you seen the IKEA commercial where the whole family is cooking and taking pictures of their food? With quotes like “your rump roast broke the internet,” and “don’t forget to tag your mom, she needs more followers,” it cracks me up everytime. I couldn’t find the video, but this one is a compilation of IKEA ads that includes parts of it. (If you find it yourself, link up in the comments!)
The Beginning of the Week
Since I’m apparently going about this recap in reverse, the first part of the week was pretty good too (and it wasn’t nearly as hot). I only ran once though because, klutz that I am, I took a fall on Tuesday, shortly after this photo.
Yeah. I know. It’s okay though. A skinned knee but that seems to be it. No swelling and I was able to run again this weekend. Always looking at the half full glass!
So I’m working on a couple recipes…
I’ve been playing around with some high protein, vegan sauces using cashew cheese and Bob’s Red Mill protein powder. I’m pretty happy with the results so far, but I want to perfect it before I share it. Here’s one of the dishes, which is also gluten-free.
It’s macaroni and cheese and it tasted great, but it’s a little dryer than I’d like. So, work in progress, look for the recipes next Monday!
Don’t Forget the Lucky Vitamin Twitter Party!
I’m co-hosting my first Twitter party tonight (Monday, June 20) along with Lucky Vitamin and some of my fellow Lucky Ambassadors. I hope you’ll join me at 8:00 ET/5:00 PT when you’ll have a chance to win a $50 gift card and other fun stuff. The hashtag is #LuckyEats. I hope to see you there!
What’s the weather like in your neck of the woods? Have you seen that IKEA commercial? Will I see you at the Twitter party?
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Sunday Blog Hop with Jenn
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Meatless Monday with Annmarie
Inspire Me Monday with Janice
Weekend Snapshots with Erin
Anything Goes with Marilyn
Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie, Michelle, Sarah, and Angelena Marie
The Plant Based Potluck Party with Deborah
The Running Coaches’ Corner with Rachel, Suz, Lora Marie, and Me!
Giveaway Roundup and Try Out Thursdays with Smitha
The Blogger’s Pit Stop with Kathleen
Friday Fitness with Jill
My jaw dropped when I saw the temperature 118 degrees…I can’t even imagine!! I’m complaining about 90 degree weather over here in Phily, haha! Big Bear looks absolutely beautiful, I would have loved some time on that course! The Indian food looks amazing!
It actually ended up being about 125 though one of my weather apps said 131. Not a good day.
Seriously, that is FAR too hot for me…I cannot even imagine. It’s supposed to be in the high 90’s here today and I am refusing to go outside, haha!
Yeah, it was crazy hot. The A/C can’t even keep up.
Running in the heat is SO HARD! Haha it gets hot here in Virginia but not quite that hot! It IS super humid sometimes though and that makes running really hard!
At least ours was a dry heat. 😉
I can’t believe it ‘ s that hot! How can you run in that? Will you move to indoor workouts? I love the looks of the chick pea dishes. Can’t wait to see your new recipes!
It actually ended up about 126, though one of my weather apps said 131. 😳
Usually by the time it gets anywhere near that hot, and mind you I run in the very early morning, not the heat of the day, we’ve had some time to adapt. Not this year. Which is a wordy way of saying I did not run yesterday or today (which turned out to be humid!). I hate to run indoors, so I’ll usually just tough it out.
You had my heart at mac and cheese haha
Ha! It was good too! Just need to make it a little thinner without losing the flavor.
Holy moly that is HOTTTT!!! Ouch. But that Indian food looks fab. Stay safe and hydrated, my friend!
The Indian food was awesome. My mouth waters just thinking about it.
That is HOT!!!! I would not be able to run in that kind of heat, I thought it was hot in Iowa 🙂 The humidity is usually what does me in.
Ours is usually a dry heat. Like an oven. 😉
I love running but can’t do the heat. I’m always so worried I’ll collapse! Lol but OMG that Mac and cheese… So good
You can actually collapse in the heat especially if you’re not used to it. Which is why I took today off. 😉
Oh my goodness, I’ve never been in that kind of heat before (and I lived in South Florida for a few years!). My hat is off to you, for sure! It looks beautiful there in California, though. I would love to visit sometime!
It is very beautiful. We have some of the best trails within a half mile from out house.
I like the heat, but I’m quite certain I’d start melting in the 100s. I’m in Canada, so what we consider “hot” isn’t hot for most 😉
I live at 3300 feet, and I definitely notice a difference when I train and race at sea level – it’s amazing how big of a difference it can be.
Yes, there’s a big difference between heat and HEAT!
I’m in Iowa, and we (often) have temps in the 90’s (plus humidity, so it feels closer to 100+) this time of year. On occasion, if I’m done with work or don’t need to go back for a few hours, I’ll go out for a short 2-3 miles. I’m used to that kind of weather, so it’s not a big deal…and for just a couple of miles it’s over and done pretty quickly. I’m not running it fast, either LOL I’ll gladly take the summer heat over the winter tundra 😉
I also will take the heat over the extreme cold. Which is why I live in California. 😃
My girlfriend lives in Phoenix, I am not sure how you function in that heat! I thought Florida was bad! You have my interest peaked with that mac n’ cheese- I will be waiting!
It’s a dry heat. 😉 Seriously, I always laugh about that, but if you mix in humidity I will melt!
OMG! that is just way too hot for me. anything over 85 and i want to hibernate indoors!
Heck, it was 85 IN the house yesterday. The A/C just couldn’t compete with 126 (as it turned out).
118 degrees is just ridiculous. It’s been close to 100 here, but never that high. Ugh. This is going to be a rough summer.
Those dishes look yummy! I love trying new cuisines and it’s even better when they turn out to be delicious!
I’m a little nervous about the rest of the summer. The next week is all around 114! Not to mention the electricity bill will be ridiculous!
Indian cuisine has the best vegetarian dishes! I guess when the temperature is in the 100s you stop saying it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity?
Definitely. It’s a dry heat. Like an oven.
That’s crazy hot! I’ve been totally wimping out lately on the running in the heat. I need to get my act together. And I need to experiment with cashew cheese – I miss cheese so much!
Cashew cheese is awesome. And really so easy!
Wow, that’s hot! It was 95 here today and I was roasting! of course, we had brutal humidity too…it just made it feel worse. But I can’t fathom 123!
With humidity it never feels cool to me, even early in the morning. When it’s dry it doesn’t feel too bad in the morning. But you gotta get out early!
You are incredible!! I thought 80 degrees at 6pm was too hot for a run today 🙂
It’s all relative. I definitely wouldn’t run in this once it got over 85 or 90. And of course that’s at like 4 in the morning.
Here I am complaining about heat and humdity in South Florida – we’re “only” in the 90s! :):) Do you run only outside or do you switch it up for indoor runs?
The Indian food really does look super delicious – I love chickpeas like this.
Yes, 90s but probably 90% humidity! That’s what kills me. And I don’t usually run when it’s 100, that was a surprise. I really hate to run indoors, so I usually tough it out. Or take the day off like I did this morning. 😉
Omg that heat! I can’t believe you’re getting outside and getting workouts done in that oppressive heat. Way to go!
Um, actually, I took today off. 😊
It’s unbelievably hot in Atlanta too. I’ve been on the treadmill because I’m a wimp. Way to go though- you got a lot in!
But you have humidity too. And saying its a dry heat may be a joke, but it’s true too. It does make a difference.
I have such a hard time running in the heat! I really prefer running in the snow over the hot weather any day!! Looks like you had some fabulous meals there. Enjoy your week 🙂
Thank you. I’m not crazy about the heat either, but I’d hate living in the snow, so here I am!
holy crap, 123 degrees??! damn I struggled running in 90 degrees yesterday. I do want to try eating more meatless. That chickpea dish looks delicious!
The chickpeas were amazing. I really need to figure out how to make that dish!
We went to Big Bear often when we lived in CA. Missing it.
That temperature is unreal!! How you even step outside, let alone run, is beyond me. Hope it cools down for you soon.