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.

I was so hungry allllll day. I mean, I guess it’s to be expected after running 11 miles, but I mean nothing I ate filled me! Maybe you haven’t noticed, but recently I’ve been documenting more of my daily eats than I normally do. I’ve been doing that because I am running more and more for the half marathon and I thought it was important to represent how that affected my appetite. Sometimes it has no affect, but today I was feeling the run! That and I think I am also a little bored with my food. Dare I say I might be sick of nut butter?

Before work I had a piece of bread with a healthy amount of pecan butter.

Then at work I had an Oikios Greek Yogurt. 

I noticed that it doesn’t expire until July 4th – how exciting is it to think the summer is so close!

After work I had a handful of Triscuits.

I ate several more directly from the box. I used to love Triscuits, but now they seem like a salt fest.

Both Sabrina and Mara asked what my go to meal is. I am not sure I have one specific go to meal, but I do have a go to meal genre – bowl meals! Anything that has veggies, a grain and a protein is usually something I love to eat that is quick and simple to make. I made a Bowl Meal tonight.

In my Bowl Meal

• Brown Rice
• Diced Tomatoes without added salt
• Black Beans
• Corn
• Garlic Powder
• Chilli Powder
• Smoked Paprika
• Pinch of Salt
• Cilantro
• Cheddar Cheese

It was perfect and filing, but inevitably I was hungry again soon! On any other day this bowl would have been perfect! But today when nothing satisfied me I needed a banana and some Homemade Strawberry Sorbet.

Then I was done! On a day like today I think it is important to listen to your body and your hunger cues. I really believe that your body will tell you if and what you need to eat. I could have ignored my extra hunger today, but I would be doing myself a disservice. Food is an experience, but it is also fuel and without proper fueling I would break!