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5 Must Have Items For Every Race

by Nellie

Every night before a race, I gather my favorite New York City Marathon branded fanny pack and make sure they have some key items to make sure that I had the best race possible. I remember running my first 5k with a bottle of water, but as I graduated to 10ks, halfs and even fulls I realized that I needed certain things to make my race experience more enjoyable. Now I never leave home without it!

A Mini Battery Charger: Since I run with music always, there is always the chance that my cell phone battery might die mid run. Since that would be an absolute disaster for me personally I carry around a super small charger (that usually fits in my hand) so it can fit in my pockets in my tights or my very cute fanny pack. I wrap the cord really tight and stuff it in there too. Sometimes I need it, sometimes I don’t–but it’s super helpful when I finish a race and I need to contact a friend or family that i’m looking for.

Chapstick: This one is obvious but even in the warmer temps my lips tend to get dry while I’m running. I now have a running dedicated chapstick that lives in my fanny pack because my lips need to be comfortable!

Tylenol: In distances over a 10k there are generally tons of medical tents along the route, but not everywhere. I tend to get headaches during and after long distances, so having the medication on hand is super helpful. I put two tylenol in a super small ziploc bag or paper towel and fold it a dozen times.

Money: This one is a no brainer. In NYC, there are plenty of places to buy things, during the 20 mile tune up race a few years ago, I stopped at a Central Park hot dog vendor and bought a ice old water. I keep money in the fanny pack that never gets touched unless I’m racing.

Wipes: This one is KEY. One word, Port-a-potties. However, wipes are really helpful during the warmer months when everything gets really sticky and gross. Wipes can be a total lifesaver!! I usually throw them in a ziploc and fold as much as possible.

**Bonus: A small anti bacterical spray/lotion/gel…again…the port-o-potties!

There are certain VERY important items that I cannot race without! I'm sharing them today with my friends @vitatrain4life, @carlypizzani, @HappyFitMama, @ThisRunRecipes! #runchat #running #racegear Click to Tweet

I am teaming up with my favorite running bloggers to share our FAVORITE must have race items, check them out, you may learn something new, (I did!):

Angela @ Happy Fit Mama

Laura @ This Runner’s Recipes

Allie @ Vita Train 4 Life

 

 

Carly @ Fine Fit Day

What is the #1 thing you need for every race?

 

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20 Minute Easy and Delicious Weeknight Penne Rosa Recipe
dinnerRecipes

20 Minute Easy and Delicious Weeknight Penne Rosa Recipe

by Nellie

Here is a delicious meatless penne rosa recipe that is cheesy and full of flavor. The best part about this recipe is that it’s done and ready in 20 minutes for an easy dinner!

Looking for an easy and meatless italian dish for dinner? Check out this Penne Rosa Recipe that is sure to please everyone!

When I started dating my husband over 20 years ago, we were teenagers, and as teenagers we were BROKE. However, there was a local Italian restaurant that we frequented often because they had the BEST bread and food, and the bill was never over $20.

I had never know much about pasta before meeting him but it quickly became one of my favorite places, and before you knew it, I was trying out recipes on my own! Now I know so much about pasta because let’s face it, it is a super easy to boil pasta, grab some crusty bread and boom! dinner.

Looking for an easy and meatless italian dish for dinner? Check out this Penne Rosa Recipe that is sure to please everyone!Luckily I have evolved a lot since that time because now I make pasta for my kids too! One thing I know for sure is that SAUCE MATTERS. The best pasta sauce will make the dish every single time!

Today I am going to share with you my version of Penne Rosa featuring the new RAGĂš Simply Chunky Marinara Sauce as the star of the dish! Plus it helps that this yummy meatless pasta dish only took 20 minutes to make!

Looking for an easy and meatless italian dish for dinner? Check out this Penne Rosa Recipe that is sure to please everyone!

The inspiration for this dish came from the 15 Minute Penne Rosa Recipe at TheStayAtHomeChef.com but since hubby is not a fan of mushrooms, I changed up a few ingredients and added some of my own.

Why is it called Penne Rosa Sauce?

Glad you asked because I was curious about this too! Penne Rosa gets it’s name because when heavy cream mixes with tomato sauce it becomes pink like a rose. Rosa meaning pink. So interesting right?

Is Penne Rosa Vegan?

It is not vegan. Pasta is vegan by itself but the heavy cream and sugar in the marinara sauce makes it not vegan.

This Penne Rosa Recipe is super easy to make on busy weeknights after school activities and it’s fast, quick and tasty! I initially made this for hubby because the boys already had dinner, but they ended up eating this instead!

The RAGÚ® Simply Chunky Marinara Pasta Sauce has a super fresh taste because they are made with 100% olive oil and contain no added sugar. Healthy weeknight meals are my jam but when I can make them quickly, it helps so much! This recipe is more than just penne pasta with marinara sauce, but if that is what you are looking for look not further!

Plus I love a good meatless monday meal! This penne rosa recipe is one you keep around for those moments when you forgot to meal plan. If you are anything like me, this happens many times during the week!

What are some helpful tips for making penne rosa?

1. Start with a good quality pasta – Penne rosa is best made using high-quality durum wheat pasta for an optimal texture.

2. Use the right sauce – The classic Italian recipe calls for a tomato-based cream sauce, but you can also make penne rosa with pesto or alfredo sauce for a more modern version.

3. Don’t overcook the pasta – Penne rosa should be cooked al dente, which means it should still be slightly firm when bitten into. Be sure to keep an eye on the timer and avoid boiling the pasta too long!

4. Add some extra flavors – Fresh herbs, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or a splash of white wine can all add extra flavor to your penne rosa.

5. Let it sit for a few minutes – After you’ve plated the pasta, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors mingle and ensures that each bite is as flavorful as possible.

6. Serve it hot – Penne rosa is best served immediately after cooking, while the sauce and flavors are still warm and vibrant. Enjoy!

With these tips in mind, you’re sure to make a delicious plate of penne rosa that everyone will love! Buon appetito!

What ingredients are in this delicious Penne Rosa Pasta Dish?

1 pound penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 cups RAGĂš Simply Chunky Marinara Sauce (or your favorite sauce)
4 roma tomatoes, diced
3 cups fresh spinach leaves
8oz Mozzarella cheese roughly chopped
½ cup heavy cream
salt and pepper, to taste
½ cup shredded parmesan cheese

How to make Penne Rosa

Looking for an easy and meatless italian dish for dinner? Check out this Penne Rosa Recipe that is sure to please everyone!

First cook the penne pasta according to directions on the box. In a separate pan cook down the garlic and add the rest of the ingredients except the heavy cream. Add the cooked pasta then finish with the heavy cream, this is when the cream mixes with the marinara sauce to create the awesome pink color. Add the seasonings for the perfect dish! 

Can I make chicken penne rosa pasta?

I don’t see why not. Make sure the chicken in fully cooked — the fully cooked strips would work well with this dish.

Looking for an easy and meatless italian dish for dinner? Check out this Penne Rosa Recipe that is sure to please everyone!

20 Minute Easy and Delicious Weeknight Penne Rosa Recipe
Yield: 6 Servings

20 Minute Easy and Delicious Weeknight Penne Rosa Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

This meatless penne rosa recipe is perfect for a quick meal on busy weeknights. Packed with flavor and delicious spices, done in 20 minutes!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 cups RAGÚ Simply Chunky Marinara Sauce
  • 4 roma tomatoes, diced
  • 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
  • 8oz Mozzarella cheese roughly chopped
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook penne pasta according to package directions.
    Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add in crushed garlic and let heat 1 minute.
  3. Stir in cooked pasta and RAGÚ Simply Chunky Marinara Sauce20 Minute Easy and Delicious Weeknight Penne Rosa Recipe
  4. Add in Mozzarella
  5. Pour in tomatoes and spinach. Stir to combine. 20 Minute Easy and Delicious Weeknight Penne Rosa Recipe
  6. Stir in heavy cream.20 Minute Easy and Delicious Weeknight Penne Rosa Recipe
  7. Serve hot sprinkled with parmesan cheese.20 Minute Easy and Delicious Weeknight Penne Rosa Recipe

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 433Total Fat 22gSaturated Fat 11gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 59mgSodium 952mgCarbohydrates 39gFiber 6gSugar 8gProtein 21g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

© Nellie
Cuisine: Italian

Need more inspiration? Check out these easy meal inspiration ideas!

Fresh Homemade Cheesy Beef A Roni Recipe

Easy Creamy Spinach Artichoke Penne Recipe

Yummy Veggie Tacos Recipe + How To Get Your Kids To Eat More Vegetables

How To Cook Easy Spaghetti Squash Marinara

What is your favorite go to weeknight meal recipe?

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pregnancyracesrunning

How Not To Run A Half Marathon Pregnant (AKA My NYC Half Recap)

by Nellie

My thought process was simple. I had been training for 12 weeks for this race. I missed it last year because personal life issues were too much to overcome. It was my first half marathon of the year, with many upcoming because I had already purchased my entry for my third NYC marathon. The NYC Half was a BIG deal, there was a brand new route, and it started in Brooklyn! Pregnant or not I was running this race. Spoiler alert: It turned out to be a disaster, but hey! I tried. 🙂

To Run Or Not To Run

I had found out I was pregnant 10 days earlier, and as soon as it happened all of the pregnancy symptoms arrived quickly. It was a hard 10 days, non stop nausea, headaches and exhaustion. The week before I found out I was preggers, I ran my final 10 miles–it wasn’t easy but I got it done. I had completed my training. Even though I was not doing well, I kept going back and forth on whether I wanted to run. I’d be slower than normal but I didn’t want to be swept (especially on this new course).

I joined a facebook group dedicated to the NYC Half runners, and somehow I jumped on a thread and everyone convinced me to run. Did I share I was preggers, sick and tired? NOPE. Somehow though, they made me feel confident. So I went to the expo, picked up my bib and prayed for the best.

Race morning

It was in the low 30s. Worse than the last time I ran this race. I wore way too many layers so I didn’t freeze to death in the morning but that wind was nothing to play with AT ALL. I ate a little bit of fruit that made me feel nauseous almost immediately and I prayed for the rest of the day. I told myself, just get through 5 miles, then the next 5 miles and you can absolutely complete a 5k (even if you are crawling).

When the race started, I adjusted my hand warmers in my gloves and did a run/walk sequence early on so that I didn’t lose my cookies going full throttle. The beginning of the race was gorgeous, the sun was rising, running downtown, over the bridge and finally into Manhattan.

Once we got onto the FDR Drive however was when things started to fall apart for me. I simply didn’t want to do it anymore. I wasn’t concerned about the safety of the brand new baby growing inside of me, but I was concerned about possibly puking and losing a ton of fluid which would be a disaster with more than half the race to go.

To make matters worse, I took a look back and saw the dreaded school bus with flashing lights not too far in the distance. I knew this sweep bus would mean the end of my race and I had gone too far to not finish. I kicked it into high gear and started moving as fast as I could to at least keep the bus at a manageable distance. The cold of the day wiped out my battery (again!) but this time I was prepared to recharge with a portable battery pack at mile 9 when I entered Central Park.

The final four miles were brutal. I had nothing left. The tank was completely empty. My hips hurt. I tried to inhale a gel but my stomach was NOT having it. I dry heaved a couple of times. I cursed myself over and over for even attempting to do this. I knew however, if I kept pushing, I’d make it and go home and crawl in my bed for the rest of the day.

I finished. The bus wasn’t too far behind me. I got my medal and I took myself home. I don’t regret the race, but if I ever was put in this position again, I’d choose NOT to run. When I see these amazing pregnant mamas running throughout their whole pregnancy, I am SO impressed because that is NOT me. My body is not built like this. I knew then that I would not be able to participate in the 6 plus races that I had already purchased (ughhhh!) including the NYC Marathon which I brilliantly purchased insurance for (Thank you Lord!). Plus, I can defer until next year and not have to worry about running 9+1 this year for automatic entry. So it all works out. <3

View this post on Instagram

There was nothing “sweet” about my 16th half marathon. #unitednychalf It. Was. Brutal. You see that sweep bus? It was on my tail at mile six. MILE SIX. Now I am a proud ? but I’ve never had to run away from the sweep bus!! ? on top of that I don’t run well in cold, everything hurt and the grand Central train station was almost too tempting to resist. I told myself if I just make it to Central Park at mile 9, then I have already won. I did. I ran/walked for 4 more after than and made it to the finish where @peter_ciaccia gave me the best hug. ❤️ whew. Thank you everyone for your encouraging words. This one was hard but I’m glad I did it. ?? special shoutout to @danawanawutang for helping me through the last mile with laughs and hugs. ?????

A post shared by Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama (@glamnellie) on

Have you ever run a race even though you physically did not want to? How do pregnant runners do it?

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about mebabyfamily funpregnancysickness

When 4 Becomes 5 (An Announcement)

by Nellie

Hey friends,

I hope you had an amazing Mother’s Day! It has been a very interesting couple of months around here. You may have noticed that I have been a bit MIA around here and on socials. If you would have asked me to look into a crystal ball a year ago I would have told you with absolute certainty that I would be settling into my taper week for my 4th straight Brooklyn Half—it is of course, my favorite race of the year! As they say, the best laid plans…
Early March I realized that my period was late. I didn’t panic at all, my period is moody—comes when she wants to, if I’m stressed she won’t even show. There had been a LOT going on the previous month—a birthday trip to Vegas, a quick trip with hubby to Atlantic City for a Mary J. Blige concert, and a 6 day trip to Disney World right after that! I was BUSY, February was INSANE. Even two weeks later when she didn’t show up I didn’t sweat it.
As you guys know I make warm lunch for my eldest child weekly. One random morning I open his stew chicken that had been made the day before to heat it up. Except when I opened it I immediately got the urge to puke. That is when the wheels started turning. I said to my husband, wow that chicken smells gross. He smelled it and he laughed, no it doesn’t “YOU’RE PREGNANT”. We both had a good laugh but the gears were still going in my head.
As soon as they left for the day, I ran upstairs and grabbed a pregnancy test that expired in 2012 that was catching dust in the back of my underwear drawer. It was positive, faintly positive, but positive. I literally laughed out loud (mostly in terror and shock) then ran to my nearest drug store to get one of those WORD pregnancy tests. I wasn’t taking any chances here people.

That one didn’t take any time. I am definitely pregnant.

It was the weekend in Atlantic City. It was a *cough* fun *cough* weekend. We also NEVER get away without the kids. Thanks Mary (and mom for watching the kids?!)!!
Immediately my brain was in shock. What is this three baby life? We got rid of all the baby stuff years ago! Sad that my grandma wouldn’t meet him/her. How would my husband actually react? When was I due? A BABY. I’m 35 and GERIATRIC. I’d be 40 when the baby entered kindergarten!
On the other side of the worry was elation. This only child has always wanted 3 kids or more. The past few years have been a whirlwind for this family with deaths, diagnoses and dramatic job changes. I thought the window was closing but it wasn’t quite there. I am SO excited to actually enjoy this pregnancy without having to work full time, commute 12 hours a week and have to answer to a boss that I don’t want to answer to. I am also very much looking forward to not dropping my child off at a daycare on their 3 month birthday…
My husband was even more excited than me, as a matter of fact he still is. He cried tears of joy (which I wasn’t ready for) and he has been giving me the best white glove treatment ever since. He has been so good about my cravings and my health. I’m super thankful for that because this first trimester…….
…….has kicked my entire tail. I’ve been clutching the couch for dear life for a smooth 7 weeks. Brain fog, anti-socialness, aches, consistent insomnia, and enough nausea for 6 pregnant women. It’s started to decrease by like 1% each day but man. It’s rough. (This is also an open apology to anyone that I have neglected in the past 6-8 weeks!!)
Despite all of that, I’m excited! Because this is my third go around my uterus decided to blow up immediately and told me that it doesn’t CARE when I want to tell people, and started showing like 4-5 months by 10 weeks. Clothes have become a lost cause. I’ve bought maternity clothes out the wazoo. Wrap dresses are my best friend.
Gender reveal coming soon! If you are local to NYC be sure to tune in to GoodDay New York (FOX5) during the 9 o’clock hour on Thursday May 17th, hubby and I will be revealing the gender on LIVE TV! omg!

Baby Acevedo coming (very) Early November 2018. (Did I mention OMG!)

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