Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Banana Cream Granola Parfaits + MCM Registration


It's Marine Corps Marathon registration day. Where thousands of runners vie for their chance to run the People's Marathon. I don't know which is scarier - trying to get in or the morning before the race starts, standing in the freezing cold scared of what's before you.

Sometimes you forget why you signed yourself up for this torture - all the grueling hot and humid early morning training runs.

But on race day it all becomes clear. Whether you're having a good running day or not, beauty surrounds you. There's running through Rock Creek Park at the beginning, running over Key Bridge with the Potomac rippling under you, going down M Street with its cheering crowds, the long trek down to Hains Point, finally making it to the Mall, running in front of the Capital, beating the bridge, meandering through Crystal City and finally making it back to Arlington. That hill at the end is nothing. It's all worth it, and it doesn't hurt you get your medal from a Marine.

So how do you secure your spot?

1) Take @orginalstalet's advice: typing drills.

2) If you don't get in on registration day, look on MCM's Facebook page. I decided to run after the registration date in 2010. I looked on the page and people were posting their bibs they could no longer use because of injury, etc. You can legally transfer up to a certain date.

3) Stay calm while waiting on registration time by making a banana cream granola parfait. You don't want to be weak when the frantic website reloading and info entering occurs.


Fingers crossed, this will be my fourth MCM. It's the only marathon I've ever done, but I'm pretty sure it's one of the best. Good luck to everyone trying to register. It's a great race.


These parfaits do require work the day before, but it makes breakfast easy the next day. Just layer everything together and you have a sweet and filling breakfast.


Banana Cream Granola Parfaits Adapted from Forks over Knives

Makes about 12    4 oz   parfaits

Ingredients

Banana Cream:

  • 1   16 oz   package silken tofu
  • 3 ripe bananas
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup brown rice syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp salt


  • Strawberries and blueberries - or your favorite fruit

Instructions

Blend top ingredients in a blender (silken tofu, bananas, lemon juice, brown rice syrup, vanilla extract and salt) until smooth and creamy, about five minutes.

Chill overnight.

Layer parfaits: pour 2 medium spoonfuls of banana cream into glass, top with 3 small spoonfuls of granola, 3 sliced strawberries, 6 blueberries. Repeat until glass filled. Top with granola and a drop of cream.


8 comments:

  1. A little prep work would make this an easy, healthy breakfast! And much prettier than what I normally eat! Congrats on doing a 4th marathon!!!! Very cool!

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    Replies
    1. It is super easy. You just have to set aside the time to make the granola and cream, but it's so worth it. I did get in the MCM and training will start in June. Thanks for your kind words!

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  2. nice recipes,
    btw, u use a sweet silken tofu(packed with sugar liquid) or regular silken tofu ???
    i really want this for my dessert

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    Replies
    1. I use regular silken tofu. The cream has brown rice syrup, so I don't think any added sweeteners would be necessary, but try it and see if you like the sweetness. I've only had this for breakfast, but it would be a healthy and sweet dessert, too.

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  3. Replies
    1. This was my first time making a parfait and I loved it. Can't wait to make more in the future!

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  4. Wow! A marathon, I could never do it. You go girl! I love this parfait. Sounds so yum!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Dorothy! I'm still not sure how I'm able to run a marathon. The parfait will definitely be great this spring and summer.

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