She Says: Red, White and Green
You all mentioned other new things I’ve tried this year – chia, carob, medjool dates, agave, sprouted grain breads, wheat germ, oat bran, homemade juice … so many things! One thing I’ve learned to love this year is peanut and other nut butters.
The other day Mark was lovingly teasing me that we had no food in the house, claiming starvation and scurvy. I told him that was a lie because we had a lot of peanut butter and bread. Hey, a three day weekend is coming and we’re leaving town. I can’t be buying food right now.
Anyway, he told me I was the liar because, although we own a lot of things resembling peanut butter, we own nothing that is actually made from peanuts.
Well everyone, I win. The proof is in the picture!
We currently have:
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2 almond butters
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2 sunflower butters (1 is a sample pack on the end)
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3 peanut butters
And to think, just 5 short years ago I’d never even eaten plain old peanut butter! In keeping with the spirit of my morning post, almond butter is something else I tried this year.
Surprisingly, however, I did not have any nut butter for lunch today. Instead a made a spinach salad with tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinaigrette. Fresh basil and balsamic vinegar adds so much to a salad. I don’t know why I don’t toss basil in my salads more often! On the side I had two pieces of oh so delicious Dave’s Killer Bread. One was eaten pre-picture!
This lunch was inspired by Mara’s recent tomato & mozzarella dinner. Unfortunately, all I had on hand was cottage cheese. Nothing beats fresh mozzarella, but a whole 8oz. container of Friendship Cottage Cheese was passable in a pinch.
And a Reader Question
A reader names Lauren asked the following:
“I experienced a bit of deja vous reading your post about weight training issues. I, too, can run far distances with enjoyment, but those seemingly harmless 20 minutes with Jillian’s 30 Day Shred are so arduous, they’re almost impossible for me to complete. Sometimes I worry that my body is so used to running that it’s no longer as intense a workout. How you do plow through the mental block to choose the less-desirable workout? Does anyone have any suggestions or know of any good strength-training workouts?”
I think getting motivated to do strength is harder than getting motivated for cardio because I can visualize myself being done with a great run and feeling all sweaty and fantastic. Strength does not have the same mental affect for me, so there is no immediate benefit. It’s definitely something I do because I know it’s good for me and not because I love it. Here are some tips from me to you.
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If you go to a gym, ask for a trainer to help you with the different machines.
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I like quick things, so I often try the routines I find in fitness magazines that only require weights or other things I have around the house. I do these when I watch T.V.
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The Shred is the only thing I’ve done consistently. I think it’s because (1) I like Jillian; (2) it’s short, but comprehensive; (3) I read about it almost daily on other blogs; (4) I feel like the payoff is pretty quick – a few days of shred and I already feel stronger.
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I consider yoga as a strength-like activity. I understand their are physiological reasons why yoga is not real strength training, but it makes me feel strong.
Anyone have other tips for Lauren? Please share!
P.S. If you’re interested in trying Peeled Snacks, a wonderful no-sugar added dry fruit, take a minute to fill out their survey and get a $10 Gift Card! I’ve tried them and they are all delicious. It’s worth the minute the survey takes.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:15 pm
One thing I always do when I’m feeling like I don’t want to be in the gym is tell myself, this is my part of the day for myself and I’m the one who is responsible for utilizing it to it’s full potential. If I have a good work out it sets a great tone for the day. Even if I’m not feeling in the mood at the time, it’s only one hour and that one hour can make all the difference!
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I think I am the last of the bloggers to jump on the Shred bandwagon – it’s that good huh? Maybe I can rent it from the lib before I buy to see if I like it
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:22 pm
MarathonVal: I don’t know if it’s THAT good, but I won it on a blog contest and it’s kept my attention.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
i wish I was that stocked on nut butters! mine are dwindling down and I’ve got to refill!
I’m not doing as much strength training now that our gym membership ran out and we had to quit BodyPump. But I remember how STRONG I felt just being able to get through the class. I don’t want to lose the muscles I gained in that class, so I’m doing more yoga and just started Angelas summer glow boot camp because that will make me work and be fun
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I’ve been slacking a lot on ST also lately, but I don’t really know why. I like it because I can see muscle tone almost immediately, especially in my legs and I always get complimented when I’m lifting weights regularly. I’ve been working on running more though lately and it’s kind of shifted my focus. I think I’ll have to work on that!
One thing that I find easy is doing the circuit machines at the gym. It takes the guesswork out of it because the exercises are already set for you, so you just do them and you’re done. Probably not the most effective, but it’s something!
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Hi, I’m a newish reader and wanted to weigh in on the strength training motivation issue. I used to HATE strength training. The machines were boring, the free weights were intimidating, and you don’t get any instant gratification. Then I discovered my gym’s strength conditioning class. I was skeptical; in addition to disliking strength training, I also used to dislike classes. Much to my surprise, this class completely changed my attitude toward lifting weights! Lifting in a group environment really helps motivate me. And the high-rep, low-weight exercises have noticeably toned me up. I highly recommend this kind of class for anyone who doesn’t like strength training!
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
That’s an impressive nut butter collection! I realised after your last post I forgot my two most recent new trys: almond butter and tempeh!
I am considering Shredding- do you need a lot of room to do it? I am moving soon (YAY) and my apartment is tiny…and don’t think my neighbours will approve of me doing it in the communal garden
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
My daughter and I both found out we love Almond Butter which most certainly wouldn’t have appeared in our fridge without this food blog world!
Hope you and Mark have a great weekend Heather!
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
That’s too funny. I’m jealous of all your nut butters.
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
oH! you have so many good nut butters! I still haven’t hopped on the almond butter bandwagon BUT I have taken a ride on the cottage cheese one and I loveee
Hope you guys have a great holiday weekend!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:14 pm
you know I used to hate weight training.. once I started doing 3 machines and then 3 leg exercises or abs it helped…made the time faster. I also watch TV if I do weights at home.
the nut butters is killing me! I thought I was the only crazy fool with too many
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I go to a barbell class at my gym (Group Power). It’s MUCH better than doing weights out on the floor in the gym. You have direction from the instructor and it’s set to music and it’s a COMPLETE body workout in an hour.
-A
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
love the salad and all things basil related.
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:26 pm
thanks fore the info about the gift card! awesome!
I almost picked up a jar of PB Loco at TJ Maxx today (I know, really random right?) but then decided against it. I think it was 4 bucks. Your thoughts? Are they worth it? I’ve actually never tried flavored PB. I stick to the stuff from TJ’s
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:55 pm
wow, i am so jealous of your nut butter stash! i used to never eat nut butters, and now they are a way of life!
getting injured made me realize how important strength training is. i’ve found that doing yoga and pilates is a lot better for me – there’s someone to follow and ensure i do the exercises correctly, but i can also visualize going to a class much better than going though a series of machines at the gym.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Cardio and anaerobic training involve different metabolic pathways, so if you’re used to just exercising one, it can be difficult to switch to the other. I would say, ease into it!
Tomatoes + basil is one of the best flavor combos ever! So summer.
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:21 pm
I need to try Jillian’s 30 day shred! I keep hearing all these things about it! I love all of your nut butters!
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:10 pm
lol, that is so funny that you have so many nut butters, but no plain ol’ PB! I much prefer AB myself.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Hahaha I love all the nut butters, and I believe I have just as many random ones!! Last year I’m pretty sure it was just plain peanut butter. Thank you blog world! I am SO the opposite with exercise…a long run just sounds SO much harder to me since it’s so much longer. Actually my fiance is running a 5 mile road race on the 4th and I usually go and watch and I kind of want to try running it, but I am thinking it might be a bad idea for my first ever road race to be 5 miles which is more than I’ve EVER ran before. Thoughts? Good idea/bad idea? I haven’t even had a chance to run in 2 weeks because I was sick last week and still this week I have remnants of a cough that wont go away! Ok long enough comment haha!
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Oh man, I am embarrassed to admit how many jars of nut butter I have right now…I think it’s in the double digits.
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:33 am
I spy my favorite almond butter (I like it raw, Joe.)
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:05 am
GREAT answer to the question and yet another reminder for me how different we all are!
I SOOO need to peptalk myself every morning for cardio.
weights? LOVE. no need for a COME ON CARLA YOU CAN DO THIS!!! for those.
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:52 am
LOVE the lunch, and thanks for the shout-out!!!
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:39 am
Ah, life is so much better with nut butter!!!
Great strength tips – I def. agree. I can cardio it out forever as long as I have good tunes, but when it comes to Jillian it’s all about the mindset – I just KNOW I’m better off after doing her vids.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:41 am
Ahaha there are so many different kinds of nut butters, it’s great!
I think there might be something to what she said about her body getting used to running- it’s good to switch up the exercise to make it a little more challenging for ourselves.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Ha, nut butter galore! Lucky you!
Lauren : I remind myself of how good I feel afterwards, I have this whole “go me” attitude… usually it works
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:51 pm
if i could justify it, i would own waaaaay more nut butter than the 6 jars i already own!
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:25 pm
That’s the jungle banana flavor I see, right? How do you like that flavor? I’m thinking of ordering some of their peanut butters, but I didn’t know which ones were worth it. I can’t decided between the plain banana or cocoa banana!
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I’ve spent the ast 6 to 7 weeks creating a habit of running (training for a half) and strength training. I know most runners seek to improve distance or know that can run 6 miles if 5 was there average before…I apply the same thinking to strength training.
If I’m builing my upper body..I focus on strengthening moves and then test myself on push ups and pull ups..etc. ie…I can do 10 or 2 but I want to do 20 and 10. Setting a goals for lunges and imagining run a few miles and then doing 20 or 30 lunges. Knowing that one day I’ll be able to say I can do that helps me not to avoid strength workouts.
I am constantly mixing up as well b/c machines and the same moves bore me.
July 4th, 2009 at 12:46 am
I’m so glad that you came around to peanut butter. It’s a worthy friend
I would kill for Dave’s Killer Bread. In addition, I would also kill to find those “to-go” packages of Friendship cottage cheese. And when I say “kill,” I mean that in the friendliest, non-killing way possible.
Thanks for the link to Peeled Snacks! Have fun this weekend!
July 4th, 2009 at 6:14 am
It’s funny how we’re all so different because I’d do strength any day where I really have to be motivated for cardio!
LOVE all the nut butters!! I am like that with oatmeal-like things (oatbran, etc.)!
July 4th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Haha! TOO funny, my pantry looks about the same at any given moment. For me I definitely need somebody on the other end to motivate me for a gym type workout- A trainer is totally worthit at least in the beginning! I always like to switch it up on the outside though. NYC is the best place to get in some exercise!
July 4th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
i am so jealous of your nut butter stash
I am dying to try the naturally nutty! What flavors have you tried?!
July 4th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Happy 4th of July!