I went for a run this morning. A teenny, weeny, should be easy 6.6km run. Pfft, that’s peanuts, right? NO WAY! It was extremely hard and extremely disappointing.
You know that feeling when you want to give it your all, your brain is all up for it, but your body just won’t follow? You’re like GOOOO BODY GOOOOO and it’s like, NOPE, don’t wanna and you can’t make me. I hate that. It has to be one of the most frustrating feelings in the world. Well, this morning was 42 minutes and 10 seconds of EXACTLY that. I could never manage to run for more than 3 consecutive minutes, then I’d have to walk for one. My heart rate would get way high in no time at all! I’d walk and get it down to 145-150, then as soon as I’d start running again, it would get back to 175-180. One cannot sustain that kind of intensity for too long, now, can they? And it’s not like I was running fast either. I was trying to keep it slow and steady. To no avail. AAAAARGH! Frustrated. That’s where I’m at now.
But, while I am extremely disappointed with my body’s performance, I have to see this as one hell of a HIIT. That was 42 minutes of it right there! BUT, that won’t get me running a marathon efficiently! Hopefully next time will be better.
On a completely different subject, remember the creamy cheesy pine cone I made for Easter? I did say that it was so good, it was worthy of getting its own post. Well, I am finally giving it to the little fellow, sort of… He only has to share with my morning run frustration. I’d say he’s getting a not so bad deal. Much better than having to share with all the decadent food from the original post, don’t you think? Plus, to me, it really qualifies as feelgood food, so it does belong here. Big time! I wish I still had some. That would make me feel better!
Now for the recipe:
- 8 oz low fat cream cheese
- ½ cup low fat sour cream
- The zest of one orange
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- 75-100 perfect pecan halves (to make the pine cone effect)
Directions
- Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (an electric mixer would also work), whip cream cheese and sour cream on medium speed until well incorporated, smooth and creamy in texture, about 2-3 minutes. It might help to have the cream cheese at room temperature before you start.
- Incorporate the rest of the ingredients and continue mixing on low speed until well combined, about 30-45 seconds.
- Turn onto final serving plate and shape into a teardrop. Cover with a plastic film and, ideally, refrigerate until the next day. This will allow flavours to fully develop.
- You might want to wait until the last minute to cover with pecans to avoid them going soft on you. Also, you might want to take your teardrop shaped creamcheese mixture out of the fridge about an hour or two before you are ready to start laying the pecans so it softens up a bit. Pecans will stick better to cheese that is closer to room temperature.
- Start layering the pecan halves at the tip and keep shingling until you get to the top. The first rows will lay flat against the cheese but they will be more and more upright as you move towards the end. This will happen naturally, don’t worry. Just keep them nice and tight and use the best pecans you can find.
- Decorate with a few pine branches.
Side note… I think this could easily be made into a pineapple… using the pineapple top instead of pine branches and some of the flesh in the cheese mixture instead of cranberries. I will have to come up with something, but I really like the idea and flavor combination. Stay tuned!
What an original presentation! LOVE it! it must taste great too
. You’re a genious and I am very honored to be passing you on some food blog awards that I’ve received last week http://cookingrookie.blogspot.com/2011/04/passing-on-food-blog-awards.html
Thanks for the beautiful blog!
Awwww. Thank you so much! I am truly flattered and honoured!
Now, that being said, excuse my ignorance (gosh I feel stupid now…) but is there anything that I am supposed to do now? Like the naming 7 things about yourself that you did and passing on the award? Don’t laugh, allright.. I am very new at all this… 
Hi Sonia
I just came across this on the Foodgawker blog and wanted to mention, what a fantastic idea! I think I might use that for an upcoming Mother’s Day morning tea. It looks fantastic!
Anne
Thank you Anne, glad you like it!. It’s one of those dishes that are so easy to make, yet leave such a lasting impression on your guests. If you end up making it, make sure to drop me a line to tell me how it turned out!
Wow to the recipe!! It looks so pretty, original and creative! I would feel almost bad to eat it and destroy its prettines:)
I have to admit that I did feel a little hesitant to put the knife to it at first, but after seeing how pretty it looked still, even after it was half “destroyed” and especially after tasting it, the guilt feeling quickly went away!
Thanks for your great feedback!
such a beautiful presentation. At first I saw a hedgehog!
Make a nice central piece for a summer lunch party!
A hedgehog! That too could work! Put little eyes on it and a little nose. I’m keeping that one in mind!
Beautiful! Congrats on Top 9!
It’s so pretty, I would hate to eat it, but I’m sure it’s yummy too!
Thank you!
It is very yummy indeed, and the inside is also very pretty, so you don’t feel quite as bad when you destroy it, especially after tasting it!!! 
Wow! This is getting bookmarked for the next ‘bring a plate’ party I go to!
wow, what a fabulous presentation. I love dips and spreads and that is the main focus of my blog. I hope you dont mind too much, I have posted a link to your recipe. Its such a great idea, especially for the holidays…thanks for sharing this one! Have a terrific day…mary
Thank you Mary! I don’t mind at all! Thanks for sharing the love!
This is so beautiful and creative! I bet it is delicious too.
Beautiful!
WOW this looks incredible!! Gorgeous pictures as well
Always a pleasure following your blog!
This is awesome–one of the greatest presentations/ideas I’ve seen in a long time!
LOVE IT!
Check out the rest of the blog–love it. Just added you to my Blog Roll.
check out http://www.600sqftandthecity.blogspot.com when you get a chance!
Best,
B
Absolutely lovely!
And, I would try it with candied / seasoned pecans for a bit of added bit of kick!
Congrats on Top 9 !
Thanks Omeghan! I don’t think I would go for candied pecans, unless I was turning this into a decadent dessert. It was already pretty sweet as it was! Plus, candied isn’t really healthy now, is it?
Wow! This is beautiful beyond descriptions … Such a magnificent presentation and orange zest and parsley flavors inside … Yummy! I would love to try it for a small party. Thanks for sharing your wonderful idea.
And thank YOU for your awesome feedback!
I’m crazy about your presentation !! GORGEOUS !!
Thank you so very much!