Posts by Category
The Best
The best thing I saw today was my Girls on the Run girls run their 5k. My stress fracture prevented me from participating, but cheering them on was just as fun.
The best thing I did today was lay on the couch and watch Back to the Future I and II with Mark.
The best thing I ate today was this.
Greek yogurt + cut up bananas + oats + peanut butter.
The best thing I bought today was these purple sunglasses for $12. Can’t imagine why they would be on clearance.
The best 25 seconds of today was when I saw mini Larabars at my Target for the first time ever!
What was the best part of your day?
Don’t Shop Tired
Last night at around 10:15 Mark and I went to Stop & Shop because I needed to get juice boxes for Girls on the Run today. When we got there Mark declared a need for cereal. He picked up two boxes of Kashi cereal and put them in the cart. I am personally not a fan of the Kashi crunch cereals. They always taste stale to me.
Meanwhile, it took me a long time to select the juice boxes. What flavor? What brand? How many?
In that time Mark went cereal hunting again, and look who he picked up.
At first I was shocked and ashamed. But in his defense he told me he did not get the one with the peanut butter because it has partially hydrogenated oil. See he has standards. Still, however, I admire Mark for his ability to get what he wants without attaching an emotion to it. I mean I was never a fan of the Cap’n, but I did love Lucky Charms. I wonder what it would take for me to just stroll into the market and pick up a box.
And in case you were wondering, the Crunch Berries has less calories and fat than the Go Lean Crisp and only one more gram of sugar. The Go Lean Crisp, however, has more protein and fiber.
Edited to Add: I should clarify my two points (1) is kashi that much better than cap’n crunch?; (2) I don’t really want Lucky Charms. It’s junk food. But if I did, would I get it?
That Was Unfortunate.
Highlights of Friday night: Yoga + pizza.
Lowlight: BSC Movie.
The Baby Sitters Club movie did in fact show up in the mail last night. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, it was horrible. Terrible. Bad. The redeeming qualities were that (1) they all make up a song to help Claudia pass summer school science; and (2) Rachel Leigh Cooke is Mary Anne. I can’t decide which is more embarrassing – this movie or the Countess singing “Money Can’t Buy You Class.”
This morning I decided to bake another loaf of the bread from the dough I made Monday night. It’s interesting because I can smell it getting more sourdough-like as the days pass.
While waiting for it to rise I enjoyed a nice cool breakfast.
Watermelon (I wonder if I can eat watermelon everyday for the whole summer?) and plain Chobani yogurt with raisins, oats, flax and a little maple syrup.
My tips for the day: maple syrup is a wonderful addition to plain Greek Yogurt!
After my bread bakes I’m going to head to the gym! Have a lovely Saturday!
P.S. I decided which was more embarrassing – definitely “Money Can’t Buy You Class,” which is slightly painful to watch.
Beating Cardio Boredom
Spin class. With my ankle keeping me on the running disabled list, I’ve had to explore other forms of cardio. The ellpitical is really really boring me lately, so I paid the spin room a visit. Beating cardio boredom can be tough, but I figured trying something I never really do would do the trick!
It was my third visit to such a class. It was definitely the most challenging of the three classes, but the music was horrendous. It was like techno oldies. Bad music in a spin class is a small torture. I’ll probably give this instructor a second chance because it was a great sweaty workout!
It’s been awhile since I shared a work week breakfast, but this morning I had a little extra time so I snapped a photo. I love flax + creamy peanut butter. This is actually Lindsay’s Nutty Spread + banana + flax and a side of yogurt.
What did you have for breakfast today?
P.S. Don’t forger to enter our Scavenger Hunt Giveaway!
The Three Minute Bagel Sandwich
I’m excited that you are all so excited about me re-reading The Baby-sitters Club (which I talked about in this post)! I love how many of you read the series! It seems I stopped reading before the grand finale, so I am really looking forward to getting started!
Back to food…
Mark introduced me to the concept of a bagel sandwich – a nice warm bagel with scrambled eggs and cheese. He usually gets his on a Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Taylor Ham, but I am more traditional with just egg and cheese. It’s not something I normally have, but every once in awhile they really hit the spot.
Making them at home saves calories and dollars, and it can save time if you do it right. This morning we were strapped for time and running around, so I condensed the bagel sandwich making process to three minutes!
(1) Cook two egg whites in a bowl in the microwave with a little added garlic powder (or salt or pepper, whatever you like) for one minute.
(2) While that is cooking cut the bagel and add your cheese. This time I also added some hummus.
(3) Put the egg in the bagel and pop it on the Foreman for two minutes. The Foreman gives it a nice crispy outside, but I am sure you could just pop it in the microwave to melt the cheese in a pinch.
(4) Eat.
Running Side Note: Did you have a nice weekend? Mine was filled with yoga, long walks and good food. 
I haven’t run in over two weeks now, but I’ve been taking long hour+ walks with Mark. I really enjoy these walks as exercise and as a chance to catch up with Mark who is always very busy and running doing a million things.
I miss running and I am looking forward to hopefully getting my first short run in this week, but I feel more calm and less anxious about it than I did when I broke my foot in the fall. Maybe it’s the yoga or maybe I just know from experience now that I will be able to run again. I want to run and I am excited to do it again, but I don’t feel like I need it anymore. I’m not sure, but it was just something interesting I noticed yesterday while walking with Mark. It made me realize I’ve come a long way in thinking about what is healthy and what is not. For me, running is healthy when done for the right reasons – for enjoyment and exercise, rather than for fear of what might happen if I stop.
She Says: Fuel Me Up Pancakes.
I know I talk about the happening in my yoga class a lot, but it’s just because sometimes I hear things that I must share with everyone because it was so lovely to me. Yesterday I was in class and my teacher said something like
Picture what your life would look like if everything was enough. What would you look like? What would your house look like? What would your life look like If you didn’t have more than you can handle and if everything in your life – the people, the money, the materials – were just the right amount. If all the obstacles you place in your life were removed? If you could erase everything bad you’ve done? Imagine your life if you were happy with yourself.
It was just so powerful to feel that peaceful that I had to try to convey her thoughts. And she didn’t even say something yogaey like, “Everything is enough, so you can feel like that now.” But isn’t it? For most of us?
Anyway, I have 9 miles planned and I am about to head out for that, but not before I had a nice big Fuel Me Up Pancake (and drinking lots of water).
I used the mix + Coconut Milk + flax + water. Delicious! I topped it with peanut butter and plum preserves.
It’s been about an hour since I ate and I think everything is digested and ready to fuel me through 9 miles.
She Says: A Week of Eats – Here We Go!
Sometimes blogging is dramatic. I am going to cut to the chase. Before Mark and I start our week of eating I think it’s important to clear up a few things.
This is me looking a lot like I did 12 years ago at my senior prom.
- I am showing one full week of eating because last week I showed 1 day and caused a minor blogging controversy that completely surprised me. I think one week will give a better idea of what is typical for me. I could say it’s no one’s business, but that would be naive. I am part of a food and healthy living community. I might not fit the mold exactly, but I’m here and I like it.
- I am 5′2″ and I will be 30 in June.
- I run or use the elliptical 3 or 4 times a week for 45 – 60 mins. I do Hot Power Yoga 2 or 3 times a week. This is a recent change. In February I did 30 straight days of yoga and I realized I wanted to do more of that and less running.
- I do not believe that skinny is a synonym for healthy or happy. I’ve been much, much “skinnier” than I am today, but I assure you that I am 100% healthier and happier now. This is not to say I think “skinny people” are unhealthy. My point is that everyone is different and what is healthy for one person, is too skinny for me. I know this to be a true fact of my life. If you are very new here or have no idea what I am referencing, check out this post.
- I have a food philosophy. I don’t count calories, but I am not eating Twinkies and ice cream all day either. My philosophy and goal is to eat as much nutritious real food as possible because I want to be a healthy person, but I will not let food control me. Life is for living.
- I am a vegetarian because I am grossed out by factory farming. I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. I also eat a lot of whole grains. I sometimes eat things like a bagel made from white flour. My weaknesses are bread and homemade baked goods. Oh and ice cream, which I rarely have in my house.
- I am not trying (very hard) to lose weight. Before Christmas I broke my foot and started taking a new medicine. I gained about 10 pounds and could not wear my clothes. After Christmas I stopped taking the medicine and started running again. I can now wear most of my clothes, but I could still lose about 5 pounds to return to my “normal weight.” I have a goal: to wear this dress at the end of May to a friend’s wedding (which I can currently zipper, but not take a breath in).
- I do not believe that maintaining a healthy weight should be a battle or extremely hard work. I am willing to accept that the way I am right this second is where my body should be. But like I said, I want to lose a few pounds and so I am in this sort of weird in between place right now.
- I welcome all comments, even the “nasty ones.” I’ve never deleted a comment. It takes all kinds my friends.
Alright. Here we go (Ahhh – I’m a little nervous)! Because this weekend was filled with cake, cookies and other treats today might be a little cleaner than the rest of the week to balance all the treats of the weekend.
Every weekday morning I wake up at around 6:30 and have a cup of coffee while checking emails and blogs and watching the news. It’s quiet and peaceful.
Sometimes I put agave in my coffee, sometimes just skim milk. Today was just skim milk with cinnamon in the grinds. I never finish my coffee.
Unless I am really hungry when I wake up I will pack my breakfast and eat it at around 7:45 – 8:15 at school before the kids get in. This morning I was not very hungry at all (I should mention Mark and I had pancakes last night at 10:00 – living with a boy can cause things like that), so I had a simple breakfast:
- Greek Yogurt + flax (first time w/ the Yoplait brand – it’s 10 for $10 at Stop & Shop)
- Banana with Peanut Butter down the center.
At the end of the week, a real live registered dietitian will weigh in on the week. I am really excited about this part! I am not a professional and I am not perfect and am looking forward to hearing her recommendations!
What would you want to ask a registered dietitian about your diet?
