Today is my Grandpa Cosmo’s 90th Birthday. Even though I am fairly certain he has never used the internet or seen my blog, I would like to wish him a Happy Birthday and say thank you for picking me up from school and ballet class, teaching me how to make pancakes, taking the escarole and carrots out of your chicken soup for me and giving me Pepto when I was sick once. I love you.

It was interesting to read everyone’s ideas about whether to have a workout schedule. It seems many of us prefer a schedule, but appreciate flexibility. I actually solved my own schedule dilemma. I signed up for my second half marathon!!!!! On September 27, 2009 I will run the 16th Annual Liberty Newport Half Marathon in Jersey City!!!! I also have my eye on a third half in October. I can’t wait to make a new training schedule!!!

The weather is currently doom and gloom. After going to the gym and to work, I knew just what I wanted for dinner: SOUP! I made a very quick Chickpea & Spinach Soup.

Ingredients

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Garlic Clove
• 2 C frozen spinach
• 1 15.5 oz organic vegetable broth
• 1 15.5 oz can organic chick peas
• 1 15.5 oz can unsalted diced tomatoes

Assembly

• Sautee spinach with 1 T or so of EVOO  & clove of garlic
• In a large pot, warm veggie broth, chick peas (drained and rinsed), tomatoes with juice.
• Add spinach to pot
• Add salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste.

On the side I had two pieces of Sprouted California Bread from Alvarado Street Bakery. A perfect dinner for the weather! Sprouted grain bread is more expensive than regular wheat bread, but if you think about it, you still get a whole loaf for less then the cost of 1 sandwich bought at a deli.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for some very exciting Healthy Living Summit news! Get excited.

Hi Everyone!

The interview went well I think. I found out it’s only for the first half of the school year, but even that is better than nothing. Hopefully, I will hear back soon. Of course, as soon as I left I thought of a million things I should have said and some that I shouldn’t have said. I was driving myself crazy, so I realized that I needed to just put it out of my mind. Sometimes when I am practicing yoga and I keep having thoughts making noise in my brain I send them away on a balloon. I acknowledge the thought and then let it go. That’s what I did with my interview. It’s over and there is nothing I can do about it now.

After the interview I had an apple. It was okay and held me over until dinner. I love my owl bag.

I have never needed groceries quite so bad in my life! Even Mark wanted to go to the store! Unfortunately, it will have to wait for tomorrow. Anyway, I had leftover Spinach Pie from last night’s dinner and a “salad” – lettuce, chickpeas and salsa. Lame.

Then I had a little snack of some leftover granola samples I had from months ago.  There were almonds, chocolate chips and some popcorn bits.

I am about to head out for a run and then watch Lost. I am sure a snack will be consumed and I will tell you about it tomorrow!

School Day

I know you guys like to hear school stories, so I thought I would share a food related one from today. I was in a Kindergarten classroom and it was “Bagel Day!” It was super cute. The parents paid a certain amount at the beginning of the school year and periodically the kids get lunch from Whole Foods. The lunch comes in a reusable shopping bag that they get to keep at the end of the school year and contains 1/2 of a bagel with cream cheese, plain or with butter, a fruit, a low fat organic yogurt and an organic juice box. Also, the kids wore pedometers all day long because they are tracking their steps! It was encouraging to see some healthy habits! I just wish the bagel was whole wheat. One thing at a time I guess!