I woke up today feeling really dehydrated, but immediately filled a glass with my lemon/cucumber/ginger water and drank down 2 glasses. I made a juice (cucumber, carrots, romaine, 2 oranges) and had some papaya with half of an avocado.
Then, I made my way to a 90-minute yoga class. I tried a new studio and took advantage of their 21 days for $21 deal. The class was AWESOME. I had never been to a yoga class taught by a guy, but I had heard good things, so I gave it a go. I'm SO glad I did! He was so funny and such a great teacher, very hands-on, which I like. I'm going to start my own little yoga challenge and see how many times I can go!
After a sweaty class, I came home and made a quinoa salad and had a couple clementines. I felt really satisfied, but still pretty thirsty (more delish H20). Lastly, before work, I had a banana.
Between clients I had an apple, and now I'm watching some TV munching on cucumbers and hummus and drinking a yummmmy smoothie with almond milk, mango, and spinach :)
This cleanse is re-introducing me to old veggies that I really like! When I was little, I would eat cucumbers and mayonnaise (gross, I know) and now I LOVE cukes with hummus.
Still, I could do better on the veggie part. Tomorrow I'll aim to eat more veggies. I really liked the roasted veggies with hummus salad I had yesterday, so that may have to be duplicated!!
See you tomorrow for day #3!!!
April 12, 2011
Simple Quinoa Salad Recipe
I just made this for a post-yoga/early lunch. It's really satisfying and filling! The great thing about this recipe is it's just a base--you can add any veggie or fruit to it and I'm sure it would taste great!
Simple Quinoa Salad
Make 1 serving of quinoa and allow it to cool
To the cooled quinoa, add:
I think adding some citrus, like grapefruit or an orange, would be really good. Next time :)
Simple Quinoa Salad
Make 1 serving of quinoa and allow it to cool
To the cooled quinoa, add:
- 2 Tbsp of olive oil
- 1 Tbsp of red wine vineagar
- 1/2 c organic raisins
- 1/2c pepitas
- sea salt and cinnamon to taste
I think adding some citrus, like grapefruit or an orange, would be really good. Next time :)
April 11, 2011
Spring Cleanse: Day #1
Oh man! This was a toughie! I hadn't eaten much junk over the weekend so I did kind of ease myself into this one, but still, I WAS HUNGRY!
I started the day off with a beautiful green juice! I put a cucumber, celery stalks, a head of romaine, ginger and a few carrots into my juicer and was off to work...with my coffee of course (the only one of the day!). After an hour of work and almost an hour of cardio I was more than ready to eat! I had a nice bowl of papaya with blanched slivered almonds :) This made me happy, for about 45 minutes...
After I taught spinning I had my apple, 2 clementines, and a 100 calorie pack of almonds/walnuts. I told a woman at work about this cleanse and said how I didn't think I was going to make it...that was at 12 noon. She laughed and agreed!
I had two more clients, then I was off to Whole Foods for some food! I was searching the hot bar for something to eat and as tempting as everything was, I found a basmati brown rice salad. It was so simple and had cherry tomatoes, arugala, currants, red wine vinegar and canola oil in it. SO good, and all allowed on my cleanse :) I also had a Kombucha. Immediately following my lunch (?) I felt A MILLION times better. I had more energy and I was definitely more awake...It only took until 3:00!!!!!!
Now I'm enjoying a big veggie salad with hummus for dressing and a protein smoothie. Technically my protein powder isn't allowed, but I work out for almost 2 hours each weekday, so I know I need the protein!
Tomorrow I plan to add some quinoa to my breakfast to beef up the protein and up my energy!
I started the day off with a beautiful green juice! I put a cucumber, celery stalks, a head of romaine, ginger and a few carrots into my juicer and was off to work...with my coffee of course (the only one of the day!). After an hour of work and almost an hour of cardio I was more than ready to eat! I had a nice bowl of papaya with blanched slivered almonds :) This made me happy, for about 45 minutes...
After I taught spinning I had my apple, 2 clementines, and a 100 calorie pack of almonds/walnuts. I told a woman at work about this cleanse and said how I didn't think I was going to make it...that was at 12 noon. She laughed and agreed!
I had two more clients, then I was off to Whole Foods for some food! I was searching the hot bar for something to eat and as tempting as everything was, I found a basmati brown rice salad. It was so simple and had cherry tomatoes, arugala, currants, red wine vinegar and canola oil in it. SO good, and all allowed on my cleanse :) I also had a Kombucha. Immediately following my lunch (?) I felt A MILLION times better. I had more energy and I was definitely more awake...It only took until 3:00!!!!!!
Now I'm enjoying a big veggie salad with hummus for dressing and a protein smoothie. Technically my protein powder isn't allowed, but I work out for almost 2 hours each weekday, so I know I need the protein!
Tomorrow I plan to add some quinoa to my breakfast to beef up the protein and up my energy!
April 10, 2011
Spring Rejuvenation Cleanse
On Saturday, the yoga studio I go to had a nutrition workshop which was given by someone who graduated from IIN, where I am enrolled now. The workshop was given to prepare us for a 5-day Spring cleanse. Deborah spoke about why we should cleanse, what types of cleanses there are, and how this particular cleanse works.
We learned that Spring is the best time to cleanse. Deborah states "It is the season of new beginnings, renewal, and creation. This is a time of self-awareness and self-expression." This really resonates with me this Spring season!
One purpose of this cleans is to help detoxify the liver. According to Deborah's handout, a liver imbalance can cause emotions such as anger, irritability, explosiveness and mood swings. It can also lead to acne, allergies, and headaches. I don't want any of those things!
So, for the next 5 days I am going to be eating as close to a vegan diet as I can. This 5-day cleanse is chock full of organic fruits and vegetables (any kind and as much as I need!) which is perfect since I'm trying to get more in anyway! Then I can add in whole grains and beans as needed.
The list of things to avoid is prettttty extensive: sugar, artificial sweeteners, naturals sweeteners, animal protein, dairy, caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, and unhealthy fats. YIKES!!
I took a trip to Whole Foods today and stocked up on organic apples, papaya, bananas, romaine lettuce, sweet potatoes and cantaloupe. Since I already have some clementines, lemons and frozen fruit on hand, I didn't go too crazy, but I somehow ended up spending $33. Hmmmm....... :)
Honestly, I'm usually pretty skeptical about cleanses and detoxes. The last "cleanse" I did was the Fat Flush. Sure, I lost weight, but then I gained 15 pounds, but that was after a much longer period of time and it totally destroyed my metabolism. I'm definitely going to ease in and out of this one. If I feel the need for more food, I'll eat it. I just want to give this a good shot!
I'm excited to try it and see how I do. I know that the first few days will be hard, but I think I can do it!!!
We learned that Spring is the best time to cleanse. Deborah states "It is the season of new beginnings, renewal, and creation. This is a time of self-awareness and self-expression." This really resonates with me this Spring season!
One purpose of this cleans is to help detoxify the liver. According to Deborah's handout, a liver imbalance can cause emotions such as anger, irritability, explosiveness and mood swings. It can also lead to acne, allergies, and headaches. I don't want any of those things!
So, for the next 5 days I am going to be eating as close to a vegan diet as I can. This 5-day cleanse is chock full of organic fruits and vegetables (any kind and as much as I need!) which is perfect since I'm trying to get more in anyway! Then I can add in whole grains and beans as needed.
The list of things to avoid is prettttty extensive: sugar, artificial sweeteners, naturals sweeteners, animal protein, dairy, caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, and unhealthy fats. YIKES!!
I took a trip to Whole Foods today and stocked up on organic apples, papaya, bananas, romaine lettuce, sweet potatoes and cantaloupe. Since I already have some clementines, lemons and frozen fruit on hand, I didn't go too crazy, but I somehow ended up spending $33. Hmmmm....... :)
Honestly, I'm usually pretty skeptical about cleanses and detoxes. The last "cleanse" I did was the Fat Flush. Sure, I lost weight, but then I gained 15 pounds, but that was after a much longer period of time and it totally destroyed my metabolism. I'm definitely going to ease in and out of this one. If I feel the need for more food, I'll eat it. I just want to give this a good shot!
I'm excited to try it and see how I do. I know that the first few days will be hard, but I think I can do it!!!
April 09, 2011
Reduced Price Produce
I cleaned up in the reduced produce section this week! For 99 cents each I got 3 green peppers, 2 red peppers, 3 zucchinis, 3 summer squash, and 3 cukes. 5 different veggies for $5 and they'll last another couple of days! These veggies are great for stir-fry's or crockpot recipes. They're also good because this will force me to eat them so they won't go to waste.
So far I've used the veggies for juicing, roasting, and tossed in a salad. Upping the veggies big time!Twice this week I've made this tofu. I'm telling you that it's the best tofu I've ever had and it's SO easy. The first night I paired it with some rice pilaf, but the second night I added some zucchini and squash to it. I used the same marinade for the veggies as I did for the tofu. It was so good! I'm tempted to make it again but I don't want to get sick of it, so I'm giving it a rest.
I also made sweet potato chips for lunch this week! I just sliced a sweet potato nice and thin and sprinkled them with paprika and sea salt, then baked them at 400 for 30 minutes. They were so good!
I've had probably 5 servings of vegetables this week :) That's HUGE step up. I'm making some progress on my veggie list this month!!!
So far I've used the veggies for juicing, roasting, and tossed in a salad. Upping the veggies big time!Twice this week I've made this tofu. I'm telling you that it's the best tofu I've ever had and it's SO easy. The first night I paired it with some rice pilaf, but the second night I added some zucchini and squash to it. I used the same marinade for the veggies as I did for the tofu. It was so good! I'm tempted to make it again but I don't want to get sick of it, so I'm giving it a rest.
I also made sweet potato chips for lunch this week! I just sliced a sweet potato nice and thin and sprinkled them with paprika and sea salt, then baked them at 400 for 30 minutes. They were so good!
I've had probably 5 servings of vegetables this week :) That's HUGE step up. I'm making some progress on my veggie list this month!!!
April 04, 2011
A Half Marathon Isn't Half of Anything....
...especially considering this course!
Rolling hills, surprise hills, hills from start to finish! Sure the race finished downhill, but we had to run up what felt like one hundred hills to get there!
PJ and I got to the race really early. Like 2 hours early-my fault. On the bright side it gave us time eat some bagels, stretch, use the restrooms and get our nerves in order. On the not so bright side, PJ had to get up earlier which he wasn't too happy about ;) We parked the car and hopped on the shuttle which brought us close to the start line. We waited in the gym and stretched and waited for the race to start.
Both of us had been battling little pains throughout the week so we were nervous that they would only get worse as we ran since we had both taken the prior week off from running. Luckily, we both ran without pain!
The course started out in a residential area, running through side streets and neighborhoods. Then after about 2 miles we transitioned onto a trail. This is where me and PJ split up and I lost my sweatshirt (I'm always paranoid I'll be cold, but I ditched my sweatshirt in the woods almost immediately). It was perfect running weather.
The trail was really fun to run on. There were some potholes but it was mostly smooth and not without hills! The trail lasted until about mile 6 (I think?) where I had gel #1, then we were back on the road.
On both the trail and the road there were people playing guitars and singing and even one guy hula hooping, wearing rollerblades, and playing the violin! It's times like these where I wish I ran with my camera!
Around mile 5 my left IT band started giving me a little pain. I thought I was finished. I thought by mile 8 I would be done because usually when I start to feel a little tug, it's all over soon thereafter. To help my leg I fixed my stride by landing mid-foot, quickening my step and straightening up my upper body. When I did this, all I could think about was my job and how I have never been more thankful for a job in my life. This seems kind of random but because pretty much all I talk about in my spinning classes is extension from the mid-section, I knew exactly what I needed to do. Once I extended my upperbody, my lower body followed and I could feel my butt and hamstrings working! Success!!! Once I fixed my stride, the pain was gone and it didn't bother me for the rest of the race! After I hit the mile 8 marker I pulled over and gave my left hip a good crack (my sister and I have determined that I'll need a hip replacement by the age of 40) and I had my second gel. It was smooth sailing until mile 10.
This is where things got kind of difficult. I looked at my watch and saw that I was running a 9:15 pace. This was not ok! Not at this point! So I got out another gel and sucked it down! I retuned to a 8:40 pace. At this point in the run there was a turn around where peolple who were ahead were running back towards me. I really hate that. It's like, you think you're doing great, then you see hundreds of people running back past you and it's really kind of discouraging. It took a mile to get to the turn around where they had some spectators and water. When we made it back onto the main road it the homestretch. I had one more mile to go! I saw PJ just before I turned right to head onto the last leg. It was a great pick-me-up!
Once I turned the corner I thought it was time to pick up the pace. I was much too quick to assume I was almost finished... because then came another damn hill. I actually laughed out loud when I saw it because I really thought I was over the hump! I got over the hill and started to speed up. Then came the downhill. I ran as fast as I could at that point and crossed the finish line at 1:55:59 (my PR)! I immediately saw my Mom and Dad. I was so happy they made it and that they were right at the finish line!
We watch PJ finish, took some pictures and my parents headed home. PJ and I stuck around and ate some pizza and had some cookies (excellent post-race fuel!), then waited for the shuttle to head back to the car.
Today I feel great! A little tired and I have a pair of sore hip flexors, but otherwise I feel really good! Not unlike everyone else who runs races, I can't wait for my next one! I'm not sure when my next half will be, but I'm so happy to know that I can still do it!
Rolling hills, surprise hills, hills from start to finish! Sure the race finished downhill, but we had to run up what felt like one hundred hills to get there!
PJ and I got to the race really early. Like 2 hours early-my fault. On the bright side it gave us time eat some bagels, stretch, use the restrooms and get our nerves in order. On the not so bright side, PJ had to get up earlier which he wasn't too happy about ;) We parked the car and hopped on the shuttle which brought us close to the start line. We waited in the gym and stretched and waited for the race to start.
Both of us had been battling little pains throughout the week so we were nervous that they would only get worse as we ran since we had both taken the prior week off from running. Luckily, we both ran without pain!
The course started out in a residential area, running through side streets and neighborhoods. Then after about 2 miles we transitioned onto a trail. This is where me and PJ split up and I lost my sweatshirt (I'm always paranoid I'll be cold, but I ditched my sweatshirt in the woods almost immediately). It was perfect running weather.
The trail was really fun to run on. There were some potholes but it was mostly smooth and not without hills! The trail lasted until about mile 6 (I think?) where I had gel #1, then we were back on the road.
On both the trail and the road there were people playing guitars and singing and even one guy hula hooping, wearing rollerblades, and playing the violin! It's times like these where I wish I ran with my camera!
Around mile 5 my left IT band started giving me a little pain. I thought I was finished. I thought by mile 8 I would be done because usually when I start to feel a little tug, it's all over soon thereafter. To help my leg I fixed my stride by landing mid-foot, quickening my step and straightening up my upper body. When I did this, all I could think about was my job and how I have never been more thankful for a job in my life. This seems kind of random but because pretty much all I talk about in my spinning classes is extension from the mid-section, I knew exactly what I needed to do. Once I extended my upperbody, my lower body followed and I could feel my butt and hamstrings working! Success!!! Once I fixed my stride, the pain was gone and it didn't bother me for the rest of the race! After I hit the mile 8 marker I pulled over and gave my left hip a good crack (my sister and I have determined that I'll need a hip replacement by the age of 40) and I had my second gel. It was smooth sailing until mile 10.
This is where things got kind of difficult. I looked at my watch and saw that I was running a 9:15 pace. This was not ok! Not at this point! So I got out another gel and sucked it down! I retuned to a 8:40 pace. At this point in the run there was a turn around where peolple who were ahead were running back towards me. I really hate that. It's like, you think you're doing great, then you see hundreds of people running back past you and it's really kind of discouraging. It took a mile to get to the turn around where they had some spectators and water. When we made it back onto the main road it the homestretch. I had one more mile to go! I saw PJ just before I turned right to head onto the last leg. It was a great pick-me-up!
Once I turned the corner I thought it was time to pick up the pace. I was much too quick to assume I was almost finished... because then came another damn hill. I actually laughed out loud when I saw it because I really thought I was over the hump! I got over the hill and started to speed up. Then came the downhill. I ran as fast as I could at that point and crossed the finish line at 1:55:59 (my PR)! I immediately saw my Mom and Dad. I was so happy they made it and that they were right at the finish line!
We watch PJ finish, took some pictures and my parents headed home. PJ and I stuck around and ate some pizza and had some cookies (excellent post-race fuel!), then waited for the shuttle to head back to the car.
Today I feel great! A little tired and I have a pair of sore hip flexors, but otherwise I feel really good! Not unlike everyone else who runs races, I can't wait for my next one! I'm not sure when my next half will be, but I'm so happy to know that I can still do it!
April 02, 2011
The Day Before!
It's the day before the half marathon! I've been drinking lots of fluids, eating lots of carbs (no problem with that!) and I'm stretching my legs a lot!
Yesterday I went to get a massage since my leg was still bothering me. The masseuse I had specialized in deep tissue and sports massage. I was lucky! She did a great job on my back working out the knots, but wasn't the best on my legs, which I asked her to focus on. I should have asked for more pressure, but either way, it's good to get the circulation going.
Today PJ and I went to get our race numbers and t-shirts and saw where we would be running tomorrow. I got number 130...my number has always been 3 and I was #13 when I was growing up playing sports, so this might be lucky! The women's t-shirt fits terribly, but it's always nice to have :o) Then we went to lunch and then to Sports Authority to see if we could find something special to wear for the race, which we both did!
After I was done getting my stuff for the race, my Dad and I went to a local Japanese/Thai fusion restaurant called Oye's. I ordered the Thai Fruit and Vegetable Salad and a avocado & cucumber roll. The salad was SO delicious! It included avocado, pineapple, grapefruit, green beans and tomatoes over iceberg lettuce and was drizzled with a coconut dressing. The dressing was unbelievable--as in, I could drink it--and the salad was so fresh. I'll be going back for more soon...and I'll be asking for extra dressing!
Now I'm just stretching and foam rolling and sticking my leg...I just made my playlist and I'm starting to get really excited!
Off to relax for the night and drinking lots of water!!!
Yesterday I went to get a massage since my leg was still bothering me. The masseuse I had specialized in deep tissue and sports massage. I was lucky! She did a great job on my back working out the knots, but wasn't the best on my legs, which I asked her to focus on. I should have asked for more pressure, but either way, it's good to get the circulation going.
Today PJ and I went to get our race numbers and t-shirts and saw where we would be running tomorrow. I got number 130...my number has always been 3 and I was #13 when I was growing up playing sports, so this might be lucky! The women's t-shirt fits terribly, but it's always nice to have :o) Then we went to lunch and then to Sports Authority to see if we could find something special to wear for the race, which we both did!
After I was done getting my stuff for the race, my Dad and I went to a local Japanese/Thai fusion restaurant called Oye's. I ordered the Thai Fruit and Vegetable Salad and a avocado & cucumber roll. The salad was SO delicious! It included avocado, pineapple, grapefruit, green beans and tomatoes over iceberg lettuce and was drizzled with a coconut dressing. The dressing was unbelievable--as in, I could drink it--and the salad was so fresh. I'll be going back for more soon...and I'll be asking for extra dressing!
Now I'm just stretching and foam rolling and sticking my leg...I just made my playlist and I'm starting to get really excited!
Off to relax for the night and drinking lots of water!!!
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