Ahhhhh, Happy Friday the 13th!
I haven't tried anything too creative this week. I spent the week working on coming up with creative "make ahead" healthy meal solutions. Since my semester break is winding down, next week I'll be back to being busy and studying non-stop, while still trying to get my runs and workouts in and try to keep healthy meals on hand. Here are a few of the make ahead things I came up with:
Breakfasts:
Baked egg cups ~ 18 pack of eggs, 2 cups of shredded cheese, and canadian bacon. Scramble eggs and pour into greased muffin tins (I stress the greasing. I forgot to grease 1 muffin cup and I still can't get all the egg out!) Push a piece of canadian bacon into each cup, then top with a small sprinkle of cheese, add a small amount of pepper if you wish. Bake at 350 until the eggs are firm.
Why I love this: I don't eat a lot of eggs, but my husband LOVES this in the mornings. He doesn't have a lot of time, so having them pre-made is fantastic. He just pops them into the microwave and they re-heat really well. This week, I'll be taking some of the egg yolk out and doing more egg whites to make it a bit healthier for him and maybe adding some veggies!
Lunches:
I'm still stumped on lunches. I will probably make sure that I pre-cook chicken breast for salads and have tuna at the ready for flat bread sandwiches. If I come up with anything super great, easy and healthy...I'll be sure to post it!
Dinners:
Spinach stuffed chicken ~ this was good, I pounded out chicken breast and added some shredded cheese and spinach (along with a bit of seasoning) into the middle of the chicken and rolled it up. Baked it at 375 until chicken was no longer pink. It was good!
Snacks:
Snacks are where I have been having trouble. I need to come up with some better snack options. I need some easy take along ideas, that I can stick into my bag and keep there! My go to snack has been apples and peanut butter...but honestly, I've been over-doing the peanut butter and I know it. Really not that healthy of an option when you eat a million tablespoons at one sitting!
But I love sweet snacks, so I am looking for something that will give me a bit of sweet, without over doing it! So here is what I have come up with:
Fruit (plain, no PB :( )
Mixed nuts with a small ration of M&Ms
Homemade granola with raisins (1/3 cup PB, 1/3 cup honey, 3 cups oats - melt PB and honey together, add oats, bake at 350 for 10 minutes)
I will be adding to this list as time goes by...I need to come up with a great snack list, so I don't stray and go to the "bad" options!
I hope everyone has a great Friday the 13th!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Motivational Monday 1/9/12
I did some heavy lifting at the gym with "the big boys" (ie. my hubby and his workout pals) yesterday, so needless to say, just lifting my arms to type this post is a bit, well...difficult. I have been so busy trying to find my own motivation just to get housework and general daily tasks done today, that I almost forgot the Motivational Monday post! But I remembered in the knick of time, so here are all my motivations from the previous week!
Tuesday 1/3/2012
So of course, I had to grab this one on a day that started out at a balmy 13 degrees! At least there is no snow yet. But I think I'll do my running at the gym today!
1 mile warm up run (8:58)
30 minutes stationary bike
60 minutes weight training
Wednesday 1/4/2012
While the optimist in me thinks that I can do anything...there is always that nagging voice inside me that says "what if you can't?" So this is a very good reminder of how it will feel when I cross that finish line in October. Everyone has naysayers...fortunately for me, I am surrounding by people who are incredibly supportive of my crazy endeavors, so my only naysayer is usually myself. So I just have to remember to stomp that voice down and go out and do it!
Beautiful 5 mile run outdoors!
Thursday 1/5/12
Definately true of all of us. We all have something amazing in us...others can see it. But sometimes we have to look really hard to see in ourselves what everyone else so easily sees!
Took the day off!
Friday 1/6/12
Part of the reason I love running is because it is just me against myself. There is no competition, it is just me out there seeing if I can accomplish what I think I can. These are words that always come to me at the end of a tough run. If I don't do it for myself, it won't get done. Sometimes these words or variations of them are what get me out the door in the first place!
Another beautiful 5 mile run outside today!
Had a busy weekend, so I kinda forgot to pull motivations for the weekend....
but I did get some great workouts in! Weights and biking over the weekend.
but I did get some great workouts in! Weights and biking over the weekend.
And the Motivational Monday quote is:
Another great reminder that even though sometimes it doesn't feel like I am making progress, I actually am. Even if it isn't yesterday vs. today, week to week and month to month I am getting stronger and faster!
3 mile run today, and I swear all 3 miles were against the wind!
3 mile run today, and I swear all 3 miles were against the wind!
Hope everyone has a wonderful week and stay motivated!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Foodie Friday
So this week has been a crazy one for us. The kids and the hubby are back to school and work, respectively. And my semester break is winding down, so I am trying to get a bunch of projects done before I go back to school. So, food has been kinda grab and go this week. I have a handful of great recipes to try and unfortunately, the ingredients are still in the fridge! But I did come across 2 new recipes that I absolutely had to share. One because it was sooooooo easy and the other because of it's healthful deliciousness!
Breakfast:
Green Smoothie
You can find the recipe here!
Why I love this: I am sticking with green smoothies for breakfast simply because they are so easy in the mornings, when I am trying to get the kids out the door, and they are great for fueling morning runs!
Lunch:
Flat bread sandwiches made with Flatout Foldit 5 grain flax flat breads. I've been filling it with turkey or tuna and lots of veggies.
Why I love this: I love these Foldit's breads because they are only 90 calories, have tons of fiber and are very filling! And honestly, when I can't have bread, I miss it terribly. So this is a good solution. They would also be great for mini pizzas!
Dinner:
Ham Sliders
1 package of Hawaiin rolls (sweet or non, your choice)
Deli ham
Provolone cheese
1 onion, chopped
mustard
Cook onion, until soft. Then add mustard. Cut rolls into sandwich form, then place ham and cheese on rolls. Add onion & mustard mixture. Wrap in foil and back for 10 minutes at 375.
Why I love these: Ok, these are not great for you... but they are so easy and everyone loved them. Plus, you can make these ahead of time and pop them into the freezer. Take them out of the freezer and just increase cooking time to around 20-30 minutes or until they are heated through! These were a huge hit, and I think I'll keep these in the freezer at ALL TIMES! I paired them with some quick brocolli and cheese and we had a great, complete meal!
Snack:
Banana Bites:
4 bananas
1 package of sugar free pudding (chocolate is best)
2 cups of milk
Make pudding and let it soft set. Cut bananas into bite size pieces, then dip them into the soft set pudding and place on a cookie sheet on wax paper. Pop into the freeze and freeze. Pull of wax paper and put into a gallon size freezer bag and keep in the freezer.
Why I love these: I have a crazy sweet tooth and these seem to do the trick. Yes, the pudding still isn't the best for me, but it is far better than sitting down and eating a box of oreos! And the beauty of them, they are so cold, you can only eat one or two at a time. So, it is almost impossible to over do it! And the kids LOVED them! I will be making these often too! They do taste like chocolate and banana....so if you don't love banana, you won't enjoy these! But I suggest trying them, they are fantastic!
I have a ton of new recipes to try for next week, so hopefully I will have a few new recipes for next week!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Breakfast:
Green Smoothie
You can find the recipe here!
Why I love this: I am sticking with green smoothies for breakfast simply because they are so easy in the mornings, when I am trying to get the kids out the door, and they are great for fueling morning runs!
Lunch:
Flat bread sandwiches made with Flatout Foldit 5 grain flax flat breads. I've been filling it with turkey or tuna and lots of veggies.
Why I love this: I love these Foldit's breads because they are only 90 calories, have tons of fiber and are very filling! And honestly, when I can't have bread, I miss it terribly. So this is a good solution. They would also be great for mini pizzas!
Dinner:
Ham Sliders
1 package of Hawaiin rolls (sweet or non, your choice)
Deli ham
Provolone cheese
1 onion, chopped
mustard
Cook onion, until soft. Then add mustard. Cut rolls into sandwich form, then place ham and cheese on rolls. Add onion & mustard mixture. Wrap in foil and back for 10 minutes at 375.
Why I love these: Ok, these are not great for you... but they are so easy and everyone loved them. Plus, you can make these ahead of time and pop them into the freezer. Take them out of the freezer and just increase cooking time to around 20-30 minutes or until they are heated through! These were a huge hit, and I think I'll keep these in the freezer at ALL TIMES! I paired them with some quick brocolli and cheese and we had a great, complete meal!
Snack:
Banana Bites:
4 bananas
1 package of sugar free pudding (chocolate is best)
2 cups of milk
Make pudding and let it soft set. Cut bananas into bite size pieces, then dip them into the soft set pudding and place on a cookie sheet on wax paper. Pop into the freeze and freeze. Pull of wax paper and put into a gallon size freezer bag and keep in the freezer.
Why I love these: I have a crazy sweet tooth and these seem to do the trick. Yes, the pudding still isn't the best for me, but it is far better than sitting down and eating a box of oreos! And the beauty of them, they are so cold, you can only eat one or two at a time. So, it is almost impossible to over do it! And the kids LOVED them! I will be making these often too! They do taste like chocolate and banana....so if you don't love banana, you won't enjoy these! But I suggest trying them, they are fantastic!
I have a ton of new recipes to try for next week, so hopefully I will have a few new recipes for next week!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The camaraderie of runners
(And yes...camaraderie is spelled right...I had to look it up)
January in Illinois is normally not a runner's dream. By this time of year, we usually have at least 6 inches of snow on the ground and freezing cold temps that will make a runner's snot freeze in the first quarter mile. When those days hit, I hit the treadmill. But this year has been different. We have had incredibly mild temperatures, with only a few weeks of really cold days. The last week or so, we've seen the mercury dip into the teens and twenties. But then we turn around today and the thermometer is dangerously close to forty!
My steadfast rule is that when the temperature dips below forty, I run inside. I just don't enjoy running in the cold. But today, I stepped out to run some errands and realized what a gorgeous day it was. The thermometer in my car said 38 degrees, which by my book is too cold to run outside. But the sun was shining so brightly, it was beckoning me to come out and play in it. So on what is supposed to be a winter day, I put on my running tights, laced up my Saucony's, pulled my Bondiband over my ears, strapped on my Garmin and out the door I went. I broke my cardinal rule of cold weather running, which is...don't do it.
But I am so glad I did. Even a few days of cold weather that set in over the last week had started to bring in the inclination of cabin fever. While it wasn't full blown, like it normally is by the beginning of January, it was starting to creep in. One five mile run in the sunshine was all it took to sweep it away.
And I wasn't the only one. I probably came across a dozen other runners hitting the pavement today. And I could see the look of contentment in each and every one of their eyes as we passed. They looked as happy as I did, getting out to run in the middle of winter without having to wear a hundred layers and a snowsuit on top of it. Not only that, but there is a camaraderie among runners that you don't get from other places. When you pass another sweaty, redfaced runner on the street you exchange glances, as much of a smile as you can muster and almost always give and receive some sort of acknowledgement. Every runner knows that the smallest bit of encouragement can go along way when you are ready to give up. So I love it when I pass a runner and get a thumbs up, an a-ok sign or even just a small wave. It makes me feel like a real runner. It makes me feel accepted into a secret society of fit people. And above all else, it give me some sort of super power to will my legs to keep going after one too many miles. So I always try to extend the courtesy to other runners, my weapon of choice is the thumbs up. It doesn't take too much energy and it always gets a smile and a nod. Sometimes you can even see them hold their head up a little higher, which makes me smile too. For on days like today, when I can get out and run amongst my peers, I am a runner, plain and simple.
January in Illinois is normally not a runner's dream. By this time of year, we usually have at least 6 inches of snow on the ground and freezing cold temps that will make a runner's snot freeze in the first quarter mile. When those days hit, I hit the treadmill. But this year has been different. We have had incredibly mild temperatures, with only a few weeks of really cold days. The last week or so, we've seen the mercury dip into the teens and twenties. But then we turn around today and the thermometer is dangerously close to forty!
My steadfast rule is that when the temperature dips below forty, I run inside. I just don't enjoy running in the cold. But today, I stepped out to run some errands and realized what a gorgeous day it was. The thermometer in my car said 38 degrees, which by my book is too cold to run outside. But the sun was shining so brightly, it was beckoning me to come out and play in it. So on what is supposed to be a winter day, I put on my running tights, laced up my Saucony's, pulled my Bondiband over my ears, strapped on my Garmin and out the door I went. I broke my cardinal rule of cold weather running, which is...don't do it.
But I am so glad I did. Even a few days of cold weather that set in over the last week had started to bring in the inclination of cabin fever. While it wasn't full blown, like it normally is by the beginning of January, it was starting to creep in. One five mile run in the sunshine was all it took to sweep it away.
And I wasn't the only one. I probably came across a dozen other runners hitting the pavement today. And I could see the look of contentment in each and every one of their eyes as we passed. They looked as happy as I did, getting out to run in the middle of winter without having to wear a hundred layers and a snowsuit on top of it. Not only that, but there is a camaraderie among runners that you don't get from other places. When you pass another sweaty, redfaced runner on the street you exchange glances, as much of a smile as you can muster and almost always give and receive some sort of acknowledgement. Every runner knows that the smallest bit of encouragement can go along way when you are ready to give up. So I love it when I pass a runner and get a thumbs up, an a-ok sign or even just a small wave. It makes me feel like a real runner. It makes me feel accepted into a secret society of fit people. And above all else, it give me some sort of super power to will my legs to keep going after one too many miles. So I always try to extend the courtesy to other runners, my weapon of choice is the thumbs up. It doesn't take too much energy and it always gets a smile and a nod. Sometimes you can even see them hold their head up a little higher, which makes me smile too. For on days like today, when I can get out and run amongst my peers, I am a runner, plain and simple.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Motivational Monday - 1/2
 |
| Front of my decopage motivation jar! |
I spent some time with my motivation jar this week and it seems to actually work! When I really don't feel like getting up and out the door to the gym, I grab a motivation and it's a kick in the butt. They're simple sayings, just reminders of all I want to achieve this year.
It's like having a little fortune cookie every day, without having to eat the cookie! Some are very serious and some are hilarious. Some are my own thoughts and others are borrowed with credit given to the original author and some are stolen since the original author was unknown.
I have a feeling I am going to enjoy pulling motivations from my jar for the next almost 300 days as I gear up for the marathon.
I didn't have a full week of motivations this week, since I didn't finish the jar until mid-week. But here are the ones that I pulled this past week:
I didn't have a full week of motivations this week, since I didn't finish the jar until mid-week. But here are the ones that I pulled this past week:
- You don't have to eat less, you just have to eat right.
- The minute you think of giving up, think of the reason you held on so long.
- 3 Steps to getting fit; step 1 - kick ass, step 2 - take names, step 3 - repeat steps 1 & 2.
- It does not matter how slow your progress is, as long as you are moving towards your goal.
And today's motivation is:
- The first step to meeting any goal is deciding you don't want to be where you are now.
 |
| Backside of my jar. |
So, the plan for Motivational Monday is to get organized for the 2012. I have been researching some different training programs and am having a hard time narrowing it down. But I need to get on an actual schedule instead of just running all willy-nilly. So that is the plan for today, get organized and hit the gym...even though I know the gym will be busy with all the "resolutioners". But they will only last a few weeks, then the gym will be quiet again!
Have a great day! I'm off for my first run of 2012!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2012 Goals
Ah, the time is here. Time for resolutions. Which I make religiously every year. And many of them stick. Usually. But not always. Some years are much better than others.
The time for self doubt went out in the trash with the crumpled wrapping paper, torn gift boxes and leftover platters of cookies. That's right, there were cookies left over this year, they may have been the icky ones that no one liked, but it's still a start. My motto used to be "leave no cookie left uneaten." But not anymore! Anyhoo, back to resolutions.
I am relatively good at resolutions. Each year I set normal expectations and goals for myself during the year. I don't come up with wild fantastical dreams that are unachievable. And not to pat myself on the back, but I am still keeping resolutions from the early 2000's. Some have been life changing. The decision to start running was a resolution of 2008, I believe. Then there was the resolution to not set foot into a Wal-mart store. That was in 2005, I think. And I have not been in a Wal-mart since....not once. So obviously, I can adjust to new resolutions and a new way of thinking, I just have to be committed. Of course, there have been failed resolutions. Many years I make insane claims like, I need to give up caffeine or coffee. Did I seriously believe, for even a second, that I would give up coffee? I once put on my resolution goal list, that I would cook every meal at home for a whole year. Seriously? Who has time for that?
This year is probably the busiest I have ever been in my life. Our boys are in grade school and have their own agendas with football, baseball, school and their own lives. My husband is busy with his own fitness revolution, his work and his band. Even the dog demands my attention daily. He will sit and bark in my face until I give him a good head scratch. And if you have ever had a Mastiff sit and bark in your face (I literally mean in your face, when I sit on the couch and he sits on the floor we are eye to eye)...it's kinda hard to ignore! Now, add all the Wife and Mom duties on top of being a full time student, and working two clinical days at the hospital each week, this year is gonna be a tough one to add extra stuff into. But I'm sure I'll be able to handle it (famous last words right there...ear mark 'em for my tombstone later when I've exhausted myself).
I hate to use the term "bucket" list, but that is almost what my resolution lists are turning into. I realize each year, that I am getting older and that someday I won't have the physical strength or energy to do all these things I want to do. So I'd better get my fat butt moving and start crossing finish lines and crossing these things off. There isn't a huge hurry, but I have lots of things I want to do...so I might as well start doing them. What am I waiting around for?
So here is the OFFICIAL goal list for 2012 in all it's crazy glory!
1. Run the 2012 Chicago Marathon. http://www.chicagomarathon.com/cms400min/chicago_marathon/
2. Take the Chicago Polar Plunge (If I can find a crazy buddy to do it with). http://www.sochicago.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31&Itemid=25
3. Do a mud run with my husband - or without him, but I think I have him excited about it. http://www.downanddirtymudrun.com/
4. To be able to do 25 push ups.
5. Run 1000 miles in 2012
6. Do the Color Run in June. http://thecolorrun.com/
7. Get down to the my goal weight of 140 pounds (long way to go).
8. Try at least one new healthy recipe every week.
9. Find the good in everything.
10. Be optimistic in every situation.
And I think that is it. Some are very specific and some are pretty general. The last two are just reminders to myself to be positive and happy. It's pretty much on my list every year, but it works. Periodically throughout the year, I will come back to my list and just take a peek at it...so it is nice to have those reminders.
Good luck to all the other resolutioners out there. I wish you all the best in getting past January with your resolutions! You can all do it (see, how I'm being optimistic there!).
Happy New Year everyone!
The time for self doubt went out in the trash with the crumpled wrapping paper, torn gift boxes and leftover platters of cookies. That's right, there were cookies left over this year, they may have been the icky ones that no one liked, but it's still a start. My motto used to be "leave no cookie left uneaten." But not anymore! Anyhoo, back to resolutions.
I am relatively good at resolutions. Each year I set normal expectations and goals for myself during the year. I don't come up with wild fantastical dreams that are unachievable. And not to pat myself on the back, but I am still keeping resolutions from the early 2000's. Some have been life changing. The decision to start running was a resolution of 2008, I believe. Then there was the resolution to not set foot into a Wal-mart store. That was in 2005, I think. And I have not been in a Wal-mart since....not once. So obviously, I can adjust to new resolutions and a new way of thinking, I just have to be committed. Of course, there have been failed resolutions. Many years I make insane claims like, I need to give up caffeine or coffee. Did I seriously believe, for even a second, that I would give up coffee? I once put on my resolution goal list, that I would cook every meal at home for a whole year. Seriously? Who has time for that?
This year is probably the busiest I have ever been in my life. Our boys are in grade school and have their own agendas with football, baseball, school and their own lives. My husband is busy with his own fitness revolution, his work and his band. Even the dog demands my attention daily. He will sit and bark in my face until I give him a good head scratch. And if you have ever had a Mastiff sit and bark in your face (I literally mean in your face, when I sit on the couch and he sits on the floor we are eye to eye)...it's kinda hard to ignore! Now, add all the Wife and Mom duties on top of being a full time student, and working two clinical days at the hospital each week, this year is gonna be a tough one to add extra stuff into. But I'm sure I'll be able to handle it (famous last words right there...ear mark 'em for my tombstone later when I've exhausted myself).
I hate to use the term "bucket" list, but that is almost what my resolution lists are turning into. I realize each year, that I am getting older and that someday I won't have the physical strength or energy to do all these things I want to do. So I'd better get my fat butt moving and start crossing finish lines and crossing these things off. There isn't a huge hurry, but I have lots of things I want to do...so I might as well start doing them. What am I waiting around for?
So here is the OFFICIAL goal list for 2012 in all it's crazy glory!
1. Run the 2012 Chicago Marathon. http://www.chicagomarathon.com/cms400min/chicago_marathon/
2. Take the Chicago Polar Plunge (If I can find a crazy buddy to do it with). http://www.sochicago.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31&Itemid=25
3. Do a mud run with my husband - or without him, but I think I have him excited about it. http://www.downanddirtymudrun.com/
4. To be able to do 25 push ups.
5. Run 1000 miles in 2012
6. Do the Color Run in June. http://thecolorrun.com/
7. Get down to the my goal weight of 140 pounds (long way to go).
8. Try at least one new healthy recipe every week.
9. Find the good in everything.
10. Be optimistic in every situation.
And I think that is it. Some are very specific and some are pretty general. The last two are just reminders to myself to be positive and happy. It's pretty much on my list every year, but it works. Periodically throughout the year, I will come back to my list and just take a peek at it...so it is nice to have those reminders.
Good luck to all the other resolutioners out there. I wish you all the best in getting past January with your resolutions! You can all do it (see, how I'm being optimistic there!).
Happy New Year everyone!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)