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.

What’s up bloggies?

4th Grade is fantastico, especially when the school is close enough that I can come home and drop in for a quick helllllo!

When I was growing up I had a sandwich and an apple almost every day for my entire school career. Seriously! There were only a few exceptions. For example, my high school had excellent macaroni and cheese on Friday for like $1 that I would get. Also, in elementary school my dad used to get me and my siblings pizza strips. Other than that, my mom packed me a delicious and nutritious lunch every day, which always included a sandwich, apple, snack and a juice box. Yay mom.

Today I packed my own healthy school lunch! I made a sandwich of spinach & pinto dip from last night’s dinner on Sprouted Grain bread. I also packed an apple and some carrot sticks.

I guess this could be considered a light lunch, so I am sure I will pick up a snack in the afternoon if needed. My hunger is always thrown off a little on days I sub.

I am planning to go for a run after work, but I will definitely need a boost of energy in order for that to occur! Back to work for me!!!!

I am curious, I’ve noticed now that kids take all sorts of things for lunch. What did you take for lunch when you were a kid?