Thursday...One Day Closer to FRIDAYY!!!

I am counting down the days till Friday! Today should move quickly.  Going for a quick, light run (my ankle felt fine yesterday), going to the office to work on some stuff, work, out with my friends!  For those of you that don't know, I run an after school program for middle schoolers in my college town.  I am currently waiting to hear back from grad school about my acceptance into a dual degree program, MA and M.ED, for Teaching French as a Foreign Language YAYA!  Hopefully I will hear soon and be on my way to teaching :) and bettering my French!

Needless to say, I only work about 5 hours a day- from 3pm-6pm at the middle school and for about 1hr-2hr in the morning.  This is a pretty low-key week, no field trips or guest speakers planned.  Although, I had to give them a long speech yesterday about behavior during homework time.  Yes, I have turned into THAT person..ahhhhh!

After stopping by the office...I AM SWIMMIN'! YIPEEEE.  I love swimming. Great arm workout, great core workout, great strengthener for your lower back, for your neck, low impact, high cardio (if you want).  If you currently don't swim, try it.   I am always looking for a swimming buddy, check out Sarah, she swims too!

Breakfast was a little disappointing.  I made my bowl of oats, but added my protein powder. I just didn't care for the consistency of it with the added powder, it had powder chunks in it, yuck.  I might have added it incorrectly but nevertheless, I think i'll leave it out next time.  I had:

• 1/2c oats, 1c water, 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder (leave out next time)
• 1/2 sliced banana
• 1/2 tbsp dark chocolate chips (yum)
• sprinkle of unsweetened coconut (couldn't really taste it)
• raisins
• cinnamon
• drizzle of organic honey

I forgot my PB...which is depressing since I love it! I knew something was missing...so I just had a small spoon of pb to make up for it :)

Munchies!

So, my indian dinner was just ok.  I left it in the slow cooker for 4 hours on low, but this was just too long.  It didn't have as much flavor as I had hoped and the chicken was pretty dry.  I am going to try it again, only this time I am going to follow the recipe exactly as it was written!

I ended up adding an apple to my snack, so I had a slice of ezekial toast, natural pb, organic honey and an apple. It hit the spot.

I have been munchy all night long! Today is the first day I have run in a week, maybe that's why?  or boredom. it's probably the latter.  After dinner I was tempted to bake the organic cookies I got but instead grabbed some carrot sticks...and then a few mary's crackers with hummus..and then a few heaping handfuls of fruit and nut trail mix from Nutsonline!.  

Dessert was a double chocolate dream vitatop (so delicious!) and 1/2c of dlites ice cream.  Look at those melty chips!

 

Hopefully I can keep the munching at bay for the rest of the night!

Tomorrow is going to be a productive day, I can feel it already!  Lots of exercise planned and a new recipe to try out 

See you tomorrow

MMMM Whole Foods!

Hi guys and gals!

This morning got off to a great start!  I slept so well last night and woke up at 8am.  I was craving cereal (well really the cold milk that goes with it!) so I had a delicious bowl of mixed cereals:

• 1/4c organic honey o's
• 3/4c flax plus ( I love this cereal by Heritage Path!)
• 1/2c shredded wheatn'bran
• 1/4c bluerberries
• about 3/4c skim milk

I had to run some work errands but after I was planning on heading to Fresh Market to grab ingredients for my Indian Dinner tonight, but instead, I decided to try the market about .2miles from my apartment!  IT WAS A MINI WHOLE FOODS!! WAHOOOOOOOO!!

I got soo many great things that I have seen on other people's blogs like:

• coconut water! thanks Fitnessista
• Boomi Bars, can't wait to try them
• silken tofu for desserts
• organic pasta salads from a place in Tampa
• homemade soup (hello lunch.)
• organic cookie dough- sometimes you just don't have time to make your own!

I also bought some beautiful strawberries for smoothies, cereal, salads, ect.  They were $7.29!!!!!! AHH! But soo worth it, check 'em out...

Snack:                                              

• Chobani Vanilla Yogurt
• 1/4c natural banana granola
• 1/3 of a medium banana
• mix mix mix

Review:

Tasty. The yogurt was really thick and creamy.  I love the peach, but I don't think I would eat the  vanilla alone. I would, however, absolutely use it with mix-ins.  The banana granola was crunchy but not so banana-y when mixed with the yogurt and real bananas. On its own, great. Mixed it, great, just no intense banana flavor.

I just found out I am going to Clearwater on Saturday! YIPPEEE!! I get to see one of my biffles, Steph, who lives in NYC.  SO HAPPY. (That's me with blond hair this summer when we went on a Contiki Tour!)

Off for a run- only 2 miles, slow pace to see how the ankle feels.  It feels normal when I am doing everyday activities, so we shall see...

For Oats Sake!

Happy lunch hour everyone!

I went to the gym to let my ankle rest a few more days heeding Caitlin's advice!.  I really just don't care for the gym, unless I go there for a class or to lift weights.  Nevertheless, I jumped on the sit back bike ( 15min)  and the elliptical (25min), did some light weights and some abs and stretching.

My oats kept me full for so long that I only had half of a Larabar (pecan pie flavor) before my workout. I ate the other half after lunch, before my snack, since I was a bit hungry.  It was pretty good, I still like the chocolate coconut and cashew cookie better.

I just looveee the quinoa salad I made!  It is soo good and versatile.  Today, I had about 3/4c with my left over Bison filet and a baby smoothie.

Smoothie:

• 1/2c skim milk
• handful of blueberries
• 1/2 banana (left over from my oats)
• 2 ice cubes
• 1tsp flax seed
• 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder

Blend Blend Blend.  It was tasty although I find with banana, it really overpowers the other fruit. I like banana, but I want to try and taste the other fruit too.  I think I will try a peach based smoothie next, maybe peaches and cream?

On the Run Tip:

Never know how much is "enough"?  Follow these simple tips:

*again these are just the recommended serving sizes, not necessarily what I eat.

• Protein such as meat, poultry: the size of an old school ipod (watch for thickness!)
• Peanut butter (my fave): the size of a golf ball
• Cheese: the size of a matchbook (I know I know, too small!!!)
• Baked Potato: size of a computer mouse
• Pasta/Rice: the size of a tennis ball

Tip:

I would highly suggest washing your Old Navy water bottle if you buy one in the dishwasher.  Mine tasted like aluminum (even after hand washing it) and the taste went away after I washed it in the dishwasher.  It doesn't recommend washing the bottle (not sure why, maybe to keep the colors on the bottle intact) but I just couldn't drink out of it without washing it in the dishwasher. 

I am mad at my crock pot and my oats.  They failed me this morning.  I tried to make a crock pot porridge.  Pretty much its brown rice, oatmeal, fruit, nuts, spices and milk, put it in the crock pot and you have on the go breakfast in the AM.  I think I left it in too long ( I set it at 10pm and got up at 8am...a LITTLEEEE too long), it burned. NOT APPETIZING.

So, I opted for regular oatmeal instead.  I think oatmeal, oatmeal pancakes and cereal with berries are the best breakfast fillers for me personally.

My oats had

• dates
  
• cinnamon
• vanilla
• raisins
• banana (best part)
• walnuts
• drizzle of honey, scoop of all natural PB

So warm and cozy. Then I watched The Hills from last night.

SPOILER ALERT!

So, honestly, not a huge fan of Jason The Bachelor.  Never was. I found him kind of weak (sorry!). DEF NOT a fan after this little episode.  I hate how Jason tries to act so "nice".  Like, oh, I have to let Melissa be angry for a while.  Oh, ok, thanks Jason you are so mature. Thanks for being such a mature individual.  I got the heads up on the switcharoo thanks to US Weekly.  Apparently, this was a plot cooked up by the producers and that Jason wanted to be with Molly the entire time but chose Melissa so they could do the swap to boost ratings.  Jason: What would Ty say?!?!?!

And Olivia on The City?. No words for her.  Are these people real? I mean probably not since its the City but still!!!!

Off to work for a bit and the gym

Fun Finds!

After work, I made a quick run to Old Navy to get a new water bottle.  I think I forgot my pink one at the pool on sunday :( and a girl needs her water!  GREATTTTT FINDSSSS!!  What a great selection of aluminum water bottles in two sizes.  I love these water bottles because:

1. They are aluminum!  No icky plastic leaking into my water.
2. They are good for the environment.  Less plastic = Less pollution.
3. They are cute.  Different styles for different personalities.  
4. They come in two sizes.  The little one is perfect for spinning/riding your bike, since it has a pop up top.  The bigger one is great for everyday use, since it holds quite a bit of water and you can tie it to your bag!
5. It's secure!  My temporary water bottle was leaking from the bottom today at yoga due to a crack in the plastic. NOT COOL.
6. It's a conversation starter.  "Where did you get that cool bottle???"
7. CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP.  The most expensive bottle was $7.50!!! A case of water alone is about $5.00 these days.

Snack: Left over quinoa salad (even better cold!) with a salmon "cake" mixed in.

Dinner Mate!

Went to Outback for dinner. Haven't been there in sooo long.  I got the Chicken and Shrimp Griller with grilled veggies and grilled pinneapple.  I substituted the rice for a sweet potato.  Here I am getting ready to dig in :)  No dessert for me tonight, already had my sweet treats earlier. 

Bday Lunch

The name of this restaurant was very deceiving.  It's called The Fat Tuscan, however, there were many healthy choices!! YAY! The atmosphere was great, very homy and cozy, take note of the pic above!! 

I chose the Nicoise Salad, complete with Ahi Tuna, Potatoes, Green Beans, Roasted Red Peppers, Olives and Egg (I took out the yolks and ate the whites) accompanied by a slice of homemade bread and homemade dressing (I had it on the side). 

Chad, the birthday boy!, got the Antipasto Sandwich! DELISH!!  The bread was soft and the filling was flavorful.  It had prosciutto, ham, salami, olives, roasted red peppers, artichokes, mozzarella cheese and provolone (we think!).  It came with a side of pasta salad.  I had a bite of his and it was very very good.

 

THEN CAME TROUBLE!!!! COOKIE CAKE AHHH.  Hehe. But soo delicious.  I had two (2!!) pieces and one little homemade chocolate "cup" filled with vanilla creme.  When in ROME! (or Tuscany!)

 

Going out to dinner tonight with my sister to Outback.  I think I am going to get the Shrimp and Chicken Griller, no rice, instead substitute it for a baked sweet potato.  I am craving one!

Happy Monday!

Good morning!

I decided to try a new yoga class this morning.  I usually do yoga practice Monday and Friday at 11am.  I am the youngest person in the class by about...20 years!  So today, I went with my friend Staci to a "younger" class.  Here's my recap:

Pros:

1. This teacher knew her stuff.  She told us the name (and translation) of every pose, which was very cool and interesting.
2. She moved around the class.  She helped us find our poses, corrected posture and just moved in general so we could really see her.
3. This was a workout.  She really had us moving quickly, doing one sequence in "real time"
4. It was early. 8am.  I usually don't wake up until 8:45! It got my day going on the right foot.

Cons:

1. Our instructor wasn't the most soft spoken of people.  I felt like she was a little too stern at some points.
2. It was a little difficult to focus on my breathing and the movements.  She was really going fast so it was pretty much one breath for every move, rather than feeling the move for a few breaths.
3. It was a workout.  Pro and Con because sometime I just want to relax and stretch.
4. It wasn't very spiritual.  I am not the most spiritual person but I like it with yoga.

I will defiantly go back. I think I'll alternate between the two class, one on Monday and one on Friday (I like to sleep in a little on Fridays :) )

Speaking of Yoga, Angela as purchased from Lulu!  Check out her comment on yesterday's post :)  She had some great things to say.  Thanks for adding me Angela and thanks for the comment!

Pre- Yoga Breakfast

• homemade spelt wrap
• homemade black bean puree (black beans, touch of olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, red onion)
• sauteed red peppers, white onion, spinach
• 3 egg whites
• fresh strawberries

 

Post yoga snack

• one fresh apple
• about 1.5tbsp all natural peanut butter on half
• a drizzle of natural honey and cinnamon on the other half

I am going to The Fat Tuscan for a birthday lunch!  The paninis sound wonderful, but I think I am going to get the Nicoise Salad...Ahi Tuna is calling me!!

My knee is still really bothering me so I decided to go for a swim.  Pre-swim snack was a delicious bowl of 1% cottage cheese, the other 1/2 of the banana from breakfast and grapes all mixed together.  I really love this combo. If you are a new cottage cheese eater, I highly suggest adding grapes (red ones).  They are sweet and crunchy and contrast nicely with the texture of the cottage cheese.  Bananas are the same texture (so once you get used to that add them in too)  but they add a nice sweetness as well.

 

Don't cha just wanna eat it??

Since I knew I would be getting hungry after my swim, I made my spelt wraps in advance, this time, freezing some like Angela suggested.  Here's a pic:

Swimming was great!  I could feel my ankle/knee still bothering me so I'm glad I didn't push it and run. This was my workout:

• Warm Up: 300m free, 100m backstroke comfortable pace
• Kicking: 200m alternating breaststroke and free kick
• Pull: 200m, switching each 50 between free, back and breast
• "Main Set": 200m free 30s rest, 6 100m alternating each 100 (1st back, 2nd IM, 3rd Free, repeat) on 2m 15s, 6 50m same as the 100m on 1m 10s
• Cool Down: 100m slow pace

I attempted to make a salmon cake for lunch to put in my wrap.  I was somewhat successful but I needed to add a binding agent, like an egg white, so it would stick.  I mixed:

• canned salmon- 1/2c to make 2servings (saving one for tomorrow)
• onions, red peppers and carrots lightly sauteed
• paprika, deli mustard (squirt), plain fat free yogurt (a dollop)
• pepper, no salt because the canned salmon was salty already

I then put it in a grill pan in an attempt to make it stick (which it didn't) but it was warm and delish!  I then stuffed it in a wrap with some hummus, spinach and tomato with a side of carrots and hummus.  HELLO LUNCH!

Close up of my attempt:

Nuts for Nuts!!

Food Find:

I heart nuts.  I like nut mixes, plain nuts, nut butters, dried nuts, sweet treats.  My dad always sends me nut baskets from NUTSONLINE.  This is a great website and I highly suggest it (they ship to Canada too). Why you may ask?

1. Nutsonline delivers quickly! I am impatient so I want it fast.
2. Everything is fresh.  You can smell the quality as soon as you open your package.
3. You can mix and match.  Chocolate covered pretzels and pistachios? Yes please.
4. Makes a great gift.
5. Their health information is online.  I don't mean just calories and fat.  They tell you the vitamins in their products!  How great is that?!

Leftovers from my delicious basket.  Please note how he chocolate covered pretzels are nowhere to be found.

Sunday Funday

Just had to share this little video for all you runners out there...thanks Moira for sending it to me, you are the queen of cute xoxo

Running Video

I was in a real dilemma for breakfast this morning.  Everything sounded so delicious (oatmeal?smoothie?breakfast cookie?) but I decided on oatmeal pancakes to gear up for my run (or swim) later.  I got the idea to make my own fruit compote thanks to Tosca Reno- the Clean Eating Queen.  Google her asap.

The pancakes are quick, easy and filling.  Plus you can jazz them up with whatever you want..perhaps some banana, almonds, walnuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, coconut..

I went for 3 pancakes, one with bananas (this one was the best!) and PB, one with raisins and one plain with blueberry syrup.  Next time, I would add raspberries or another fruit to the syrup and maybe some all natural honey.  

As you saw above, Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Diet cookbook is one of my favorites, as is Clean Eating Magazine.  They have great recipes using real ingredients, plus a food plan if you need more structure.  I heart these and every recipe has been delicious.

On the run tip:

Don't have time for breakfast? Follow these simple tips-

1. Grab a packet of instant plain oatmeal.  Throw it in the microwave, add some cinnamon and pb and you have breakfast in under two minutes.
2. Make a breakfast cookie! This is a great idea from Gina's Recipes and Fitnessista.  Make it the night before and  you have an on the go meal.
3. Shake it baby!  Throw a few ingredients in the blender- such as fruit, milk, protein powder, peanut butter, sweet potato ect.  Whip it and you got breakfast on the go
4. Eggcellent.  Hardboil eggs to last you through the week.  Pair the egg whites with a slice of toast and some fruit and you have a balanced breakfast in minutes.
5. Want savory and not sweet? Dinner for breakfast!  Heat leftovers, throw them in a wrap or over rice and eat on the go.

Pecan Pie Goodness

After fighting with my card reader to eject my card...I actually had to bust out tweezers to pry my memory card from the card reader...I cooked up a little dinner.  Nothing too exciting, just some brown rice, the other half of my bison sausage and a bowl of homemade split pea soup.  I love this soup because it is all  natural- just split peas, chicken broth, celery, carrots and onions.  I feel healthy just looking at it!  The color says it all!

Earlier, I had gone to a cute bakery downtown and purchased 1 (one.singular.more than one is dangerous) pecan chocolate bar.  I managed to not bust into it before dinner.  I cut it in half and that was my dessert. Decadent and delicious.  I find that when I do not let myself have a small treat, I end up eating everything in sight after dinner.  Moderation is key.

Check out this delicious bar...

This bar was gooey and the crust was very flaky, the perfect "mini" pecan pie.

I was still hungry- I just can't skip snacks or i'll munch later- so I opted for a bowl of flax plus and skim milk.  Now I am perfectly satisfied.  

I just completed my first half marathon last weekend and I have been having trouble with my knee all week.  Tomorrow, however, I am going to attempt a slow, strong run- about 8miles.  If not, I might go swim.

See you tomorrow 

xo