tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42451754608527769752024-03-14T07:08:50.102-04:00Does This Blog Make My Butt Look Fast?Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-47816296683624819172009-09-21T15:17:00.002-04:002009-09-21T15:54:40.785-04:00Sunday was my first planned race since May. NYRR does a series of Half-Marathons called the Grand Prix Series. There are a total of 5 half marathons, with one race in each boroughs. In May I completed the <strong>Brooklyn Half Marathon-with a PR of 2:11</strong> and last Sunday was the Queens Half Marathon. My plan of attack was to keep a steady pace of 9:00 minute miles (totally doable) and finish in 1:59. Here is my story:<br /><br />I woke up that morning at 4:30, just enough time to change into my running gear, grab my breakfast, coffee, and bag and head to the subway. Ahhhh, the MTA on a Sunday at 5am. Nothing like it. Why? Because it sucks. Trains barely run at that time-I paced around the station for a good 10 minutes. When there was still no sign of a train, I hopped out and hailed a cab to Grand Central to take the 7 to the very end- Flushing, Queens. NYRR would provide free shuttle buses to the start. So I thought no biggie. I waited at GC for 20 minutes with fellow runners. I figured if they were there at that time, then I wasn't running too, too late. I pop out of the subway at 6:30 am (total travel time so far: 1.5 hours) to a line that spanned around the entire block. <strong>The line barely moved for 20 minutes and at this time I realized there were about 3 buses that took the runners to the start. THREE. THREE!!!! 3!!!!!!</strong> What were they thinking? Even if I had arrived at the suggested 6:15 time (15 minutes prior) I would have still been in line and still missed the start of the race. FINALLY, at 7:10am, I got on a bus-what seemed like the longest bus ride in the world. At about 7:20, we reached the race course and the police would let the buses carrying the runners through. Notice I said buses. As in more than one. We were told we would need to walk to the start!! Wait, what? You want us to trek the 2 miles to the start when we are about to run 13.1 miles?????? Clearly, these people ARE NOT runners. <br />I angrily walked against all the runners, to the start to check my bag, grab my number and race chip, then to cross the start line to activate my chip. I think many people from my bus just jumped in the race where the bus let us off-at about mile 2.5. I could never do that, I would just feel terrible to the other runners and I would feel so guilty for cheating. Even though, the shuttle bus problem wasn't our fault, I could still never skip miles in a race. Anyway, back to me. I can say that I had the best first 7 miles of the race. My pace was steady at about a 8:50 minute mile, I sipped Gatorade at each station, I felt good. Then the effects of hill running kicked in. First with upper back muscle pain. Then my hips. Then my feet. I slowed to about a 10:00 mile for a mile, then I kept my pace right at 9:50. <br />I gooed at miles 5-7 (by taking a little goo at a time) then again from miles 10-11. Gooing slower allowed me to goo while in motion and to only add a tiny bit of fuel each time. When I take an entire goo, I feel like I tend to add bouts of sprints to the run because I suddenly feel so good, then I crash. This time I stayed level. Between miles 8-12, the race was particularly hard. I felt heavy <em>and</em> I had to go to the bathroom.<br /><strong>As soon as I spotted the park where the finish line was, I booked it. Sprinting all the way to the finish. I crossed the finish line at 2:09 (official) and I couldn't be happier!!! </strong><br />After all the angry running and the 2 mile trek to the start, then the subway, bus debacle, I am completely satisfied. In 3 weeks, I have another Half, the Staten Island Half Marathon and this is the one I plan on conquering and beating that 2:00 hour mark. <br /><br /><em>My tail bone hurts today-ouchie.</em><br /><br /><strong>Why do I crave ice?</strong> <br />I looked up the symptoms and it says something about being Iron deficient. I know that's not the case, because I'm not a vegetarian-I think I get plenty of iron in my diet. Plus, other symptoms are cold all the time and that is definitely not me.<br />Anyone??Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-33584743432342699252009-09-17T15:04:00.003-04:002009-09-17T15:35:15.627-04:00Lab Rat part 1<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br />So I am officially a lab rat. My department at school is doing a study on the Daniel Fast, and yours truly is a subject for it. The Daniel fast is a very popular religious fast, and is based on Daniel from the Bible. When Daniel and his crew were in prison, they refused to eat the "kings food" that the other prisoners were given. Daniel and co. ate only whole grains, fruits and veggies. Many churches and groups use this fast. You can eat unlimited calories, but NO added sweeteners ( natural or otherwise...even honey) NO alcohol, NO animal products ( completely vegan), No chemicals ( organic, and preservative free products only) and NO....wait for it....caffeine ( Yikes!)<div> The research question is how participating in this fast ( which is 21 days long by the way) will affect certain biomarkers, and other health considerations. </div><div> First of all, when my professor asked if I would participate in the study, I eagerly agreed. I thought, it would be easy for actually, because I eat really clean anyway, no problem eliminating a little sugar and animal product. Boy was I wrong. I always knew, in my head that tons of stuff had sugar in it, however until you grocery shop for 3 weeks worth of sugar-less food, you have NO IDEA!!! I feel like sugar is this little ninja that changes its name and appearance and sneaks into everything I eat!!!!</div><div> I started the fast last Friday, and that morning, I had to report to the lab in a completely 12 hour fasted state for my intake tests. I took a pregnancy test ( nerve wracking!), to make sure I could participate, and when 1 little line popped up, I was clear to fast! In the lab I had to answer a few general questions about my health, sleep habits, exercise habits, and energy levels. Then the lab techs ( aka, my fellow students) took my resting heart rate, blood pressure, height, weight, body fat percentage using skinfold calipers ( ouch!) and circumference measurements. All of that was done twice to ensure it was correct. Nothing like having your fat pinched by a guy who sits next to you in stats!</div><div> Next I got a DEXA scan. For those of you who don't know, a dexa scan can tell body composition, but is mostly used for bone density measurements. You lie on a table and get basically a full body xray! Very cool. Then you have all this awesome info that prints out, like the exact density of each major bone, where you fall in your age, race, and gender categories, and yet another measure of body fat. Here I am:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM54M3YUJYzNbjH0M7v0baSzzAl9MlLQtjuQ-hBV7Mc3M6rim0NYocNuZYslOpqaBC9cLOsNTGCzRIZ_cA9X1qY5vwGNJYH6sAUjB5NIkWHnQuMmdrhhbnH-6YpDWUNtsmsxc1xq8wviE/s1600-h/Annadexa.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM54M3YUJYzNbjH0M7v0baSzzAl9MlLQtjuQ-hBV7Mc3M6rim0NYocNuZYslOpqaBC9cLOsNTGCzRIZ_cA9X1qY5vwGNJYH6sAUjB5NIkWHnQuMmdrhhbnH-6YpDWUNtsmsxc1xq8wviE/s320/Annadexa.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382521986003029954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div> Don't I look pretty? :)</div><div> After the Dexa, I rested for 10 minutes on a table, while my professor drew blood from me to check my lipid panel, complete blood count, antioxidant levels, oxidative stress levels, and insulin sensitivity. </div><div> SO basically I was prodded inside and out, and every last inch of me was examined! I am very interested to see how all of that changes in 2 more weeks when I go back for my exit tests.</div><div> The thing that was the hardest so far, was caffeine withdrawal. I expected to have a headache, which I did and luckily that was gone by Saturday afternoon. The thing I did not expect was the <i>severe </i>joint and muscle pain!!! My legs and back hurt SO bad that I actually cried. Agh! Luckily that pretty much ended Monday, and now I feel pretty good! My energy levels are up and if I am being perfectly honest, its not THAT hard to follow the fast. I DO miss my Kashi cereal and sweet vanilla soymilk, and I think that will be the first thing I eat when this is all over!!!!</div><div> Have you ever been a lab rat? Or sacrificed in the name of science before? Ever done a fast?</div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-26878254149690930492009-09-16T10:30:00.005-04:002009-09-16T10:54:33.210-04:00I RAN WITH KARA GOUCHER!!! Part 2I totally had a blonde moment and forgot to blog about my actual RUN with Kara!<br /><div></div><br /><div>The length of the run was 3 miles but included a warm up and stretching!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The run was divided into 7:00 pace and faster (not me), 8:00-9:00 pace (where I jumped in), and 9:00 beyond. The run was against the normal running traffic and was mostly UPHILL for the first 2.5 miles. I was sucking wind, but I did not stop until I had to tie my shoe. </div><br /><div>Mr. Nike Triax timed me at 32:00 total and I was pissed when I looked at it. PISSED. That's like a 10:15 minute mile??? I haven't run like that in a looong time. I continued to be disappointed in myself until I LOOKED at my results and pace on Ms. Apple (my computer). Hello dummy, I we ran 3.6 miles (I'm guessing that's with the warm-up) and my pace was an average of 9:00 miles. WHEW! I was RELIEVED!!! Recap:</div><br /><div align="center"><strong>Distance: 3.6 miles</strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong>Time: 32:00</strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong>Pace: 9:00</strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Why are night runs so hard for me??? Why am I <strong>TERRIBLE</strong> at waking up early??? My goal by the end of this year (gasp!) is to become an <strong>EARILER</strong> riser.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center">And just so you remember my new BFF:</div><br /><div></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5y9Day7iwCPagRakMpeo68WBQE-VzHeOF6r3hyphenhyphenR_RidsLOK17FHBziqcVczBtD3m0MHtyuwuiuSMYb1sSwKtdP0ZpM0nbdrKchx5JOkOImB2MUz07KekGLVq_53CBpWNKn20nJlnBzEk/s1600-h/Kara+and+me.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382078606281940466" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5y9Day7iwCPagRakMpeo68WBQE-VzHeOF6r3hyphenhyphenR_RidsLOK17FHBziqcVczBtD3m0MHtyuwuiuSMYb1sSwKtdP0ZpM0nbdrKchx5JOkOImB2MUz07KekGLVq_53CBpWNKn20nJlnBzEk/s320/Kara+and+me.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-44927131534086188122009-09-14T15:31:00.005-04:002009-09-14T16:08:37.590-04:00I RAN WITH KARA GOUCHER!!!I can say that <strong><em>Fashion's Night Out was a SUCCESS!</em></strong> It's not everyday you get to meet your running idol! Let's recap, shall we!<br /><div><div><br />I arrived at Niketown just slightly before 6pm. Checked my bags, looked over the running merchandise. Didn't buy anything (which I will cover later).</div><br /><div>Waited around, met some runners, chatted about Kara, NYRR, the Nike Runs, NYC Marathon. </div><br /><div></div><div>At the check-in table, if you wished, you could submit a question for Kara to answer. Of course, I had millions of questions, but what did I write down? </div><div><br /> </div><div align="center"><strong>"Will you be my running bff?"</strong></div><br /><div><br />Kara arrives, the Nike head coach person, went over her recent results, talked about her training and she answered a few training questions.</div><br /><div>Highlights:<br /></div><ul><li>When she's training for a marathon she runs 120 miles per week</li><br /><li>Tempo runs are 16-18 miles varying between 5:10 and 5:30 minute miles</li><br /><li>New York Marathon is hard! (even for Kara)</li><br /><li>Writes a letter to her family before each race (cute)</li><br /><li>Is very emotional after a race, and although we may not see it on TV, she says she cries at EVERYTHING (even while talking about crying at everything after a marathon)</li><br /><li>She is taking the next few months off (I think she and her husband, Adam, are trying to have a baby-that's only my guess!)<br /></li></ul><br /><div align="center">This is how close I had to sit to Kara: (Not that I minded, but it was a weird angle)<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBi0GNh6mpxs0wcRlh2ec1RYtQqxBii1YM0OIetfqUsN_5MZ45XykDWx_u7rjsKCcQECGnVagv2I7j9vdd8FrefmBJ__502m1Y2p0_cMDF7-Gd7CLCiPHzhLvqLVSziygO1yxS_vDgsY/s1600-h/karaG.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381415226076455010" style="WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 367px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBi0GNh6mpxs0wcRlh2ec1RYtQqxBii1YM0OIetfqUsN_5MZ45XykDWx_u7rjsKCcQECGnVagv2I7j9vdd8FrefmBJ__502m1Y2p0_cMDF7-Gd7CLCiPHzhLvqLVSziygO1yxS_vDgsY/s320/karaG.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div>She is TALL! And she is little, but she is also lean and strong. She is gorgeous and has a fantastic smile!</div><br /><div><br />Then came time for the submitted questions! <strong>My question was the first one asked, and besides saying "Yes!", she laughed. It lightened the mood and I think I asked the question that everyone was thinking.</strong></div><br /><div><br /> </div><div align="center"><strong>Me and my new BFF Kara!</strong><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIAc258I4z-MRoZT9ajtEGWXkPoqDsXanfMvWq7zDK8Z5JajdJzUuY3GzhGqLTuBf8Hr3hyqK6OybvsoxLaw8Y6uOf6useCuNpcZumqKbPmI2EPKAgk8ibpxDMTSLzyCfD2SbHZtJBck/s1600-h/Kara+and+me.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381415220733180690" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIAc258I4z-MRoZT9ajtEGWXkPoqDsXanfMvWq7zDK8Z5JajdJzUuY3GzhGqLTuBf8Hr3hyqK6OybvsoxLaw8Y6uOf6useCuNpcZumqKbPmI2EPKAgk8ibpxDMTSLzyCfD2SbHZtJBck/s320/Kara+and+me.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div align="center"><strong>YIPPEE FOR NIKE!!</strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Now, Fashion's Night Out was all around Manhattan (Tiffany rolled out a BLUE Carpet) and this was the exit from Bergdorfs:<br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gWTibBIuKILofgbqX42YS8zExfxTBI73zV3jXssFTYpbS9i2zZ98W76TzHODyw4p-9DDiYgi0595HsaZ4SzJqpfaicPK3xkD-mAorN1yBHsZmODl0vO9jrxhHt67NMokVbEhDypilVM/s1600-h/bergdorfcrazy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381416037038482402" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gWTibBIuKILofgbqX42YS8zExfxTBI73zV3jXssFTYpbS9i2zZ98W76TzHODyw4p-9DDiYgi0595HsaZ4SzJqpfaicPK3xkD-mAorN1yBHsZmODl0vO9jrxhHt67NMokVbEhDypilVM/s320/bergdorfcrazy.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Madness I tell you, madness! But the overall mood was excellent and the weather was PERFECT! I couldn't ask for a better night! (Only I wish Anna was there!)</p></div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-71272534987112083262009-09-09T15:50:00.004-04:002009-09-09T16:08:21.361-04:00Fashion's Night OutIn honor of Fashion Week in NYC, Random Celebrities will be at random venues doing secret random things.<em> Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen will be at Bloomingdale's Restaurant Bartending</em>; <em>Justin Timberlake and Robin (aka Trace Ayala) will be at Saks announcing something (that he's marrying me)</em>, and more.<br /><br /><br />Today at 1:00pm EST, in my Facebook inbox, I received the best news of all the celebrities:<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>KARA GOUCHER WILL BE RUNNING TOMORROW AT NIKETOWN!!!</strong></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeGH0Py_eCoJOM8-Nme4erMo_PAN3nBD5SGjcG_NOOefRq-8bVsuf7xd1Pa-UhNxMqRCVGPPH6hxOuooYHTiQYJwP9tE0w7VSgo3FoE8wFHD1znbz49itCsiSn6uoRMOvDcWvhvU0QYM/s1600-h/Kara-Goucher1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379560930163154258" style="WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeGH0Py_eCoJOM8-Nme4erMo_PAN3nBD5SGjcG_NOOefRq-8bVsuf7xd1Pa-UhNxMqRCVGPPH6hxOuooYHTiQYJwP9tE0w7VSgo3FoE8wFHD1znbz49itCsiSn6uoRMOvDcWvhvU0QYM/s320/Kara-Goucher1.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br />WTF, how excited am I? So!!!!! So excited!!!! I <em>cannot</em> wait. My mind is racing: I need a new running outfit; should I wear my running skirt (TBD)? What color looks best on me (blues, pinks, black, white); Should I spray tan myself (TBD)? How should I wear my hair (up); What time should I get there (6am); Should I do a run prior (yes); what should I eat for lunch (omg, who knows, maybe a Larabar?); and I need a real camera. Plus, I need to practice my picture taking skills- not my skills, my learning to be more photogenic and less idiotic.<br /><br /><br />Girl's got a lot on her mind. It's not everyday you get to meet your running superhero.<br /><br /><br />I will probably not sleep tonight.<br /><br /><br />I need a list of questions to ask her... More than likely I will end up looking like a deer in headlights, but with a huge grin slapped on my face!<br /><br />OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGHealthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-63690011465434922542009-09-07T20:30:00.002-04:002009-09-07T20:33:55.919-04:00Happy Labor Day!Hey there! Miss me?<div> School started back this week, so my life is upside down and inside out! I am hoping to find more time to blog as my schedule settles a bit. This is a super-duper quickie, and I promise there is more coming, but I wanted to forward this AWESOME tool on the all of you! Any runners out there, please clicky:</div><div><br /></div><div> <a href="http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/"> Most excellent running website</a></div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-19892578971145496472009-09-03T13:18:00.008-04:002009-09-03T14:10:19.821-04:00Whew! It's Been a While!I will do a quick synopsis of the past weekish:<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Sushi Night at Sekisui in Memphis with my mom, Anna, Sister and Brother in Law:<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxScb2Njfx4zXvZaNa2SKIvNs1SXftZkwulyu-T86HwzRvtQ1AkjGkjdEw_m93oVVwkdKkMP5oy79-cHsoIwU1wkKtQkr5i9aOqPH07QwcmejDs1PjrRp0O5EDn1DffoULnrhVp0ZuHEU/s1600-h/masushi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377296934904716546" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxScb2Njfx4zXvZaNa2SKIvNs1SXftZkwulyu-T86HwzRvtQ1AkjGkjdEw_m93oVVwkdKkMP5oy79-cHsoIwU1wkKtQkr5i9aOqPH07QwcmejDs1PjrRp0O5EDn1DffoULnrhVp0ZuHEU/s320/masushi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /><div align="left"><br />Anna and I went for a 7 mile run that included 3 uphill sprints. We post run refueled with GM's of course, and with curly straws!</div><div align="center"><br />Post run photo op:<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibN3Ki_IVOg6WIra6Qk-eSbnkJvALa2hFUAxU-YLs8wqxp6ycs6Q8aGxBKi1N_Zgf_rURK2sDhCU8TDnkcmTMfUheeaRTFsURsYPdHXzpfBtwH6AhZTp8OiscQif0HUy7RVHEMxXs1VPE/s1600-h/run.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377296273719629970" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibN3Ki_IVOg6WIra6Qk-eSbnkJvALa2hFUAxU-YLs8wqxp6ycs6Q8aGxBKi1N_Zgf_rURK2sDhCU8TDnkcmTMfUheeaRTFsURsYPdHXzpfBtwH6AhZTp8OiscQif0HUy7RVHEMxXs1VPE/s320/run.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div>Saturday, I went to Little Rock, Arkansas (my old stomping grounds) for<strong> Carol's Bachelorette Party </strong>and boy was it a wild time! Here are a few pictures!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center">Bride and Maid of Honor (me)<br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-RCJCTug4m41rqSDj1P57ZmAxWJ-gNoWqHCz4WCT0aVvW7l8KgtsLw7S-AnxrLkA7mAlNJmSocgkcbQec4UUwfFqQfL9fRlO4VOhIu_sfXcxKTT2ziyAUxaYqvikf-qWTnPnpqW9Wb0/s1600-h/CM.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377301616358655954" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-RCJCTug4m41rqSDj1P57ZmAxWJ-gNoWqHCz4WCT0aVvW7l8KgtsLw7S-AnxrLkA7mAlNJmSocgkcbQec4UUwfFqQfL9fRlO4VOhIu_sfXcxKTT2ziyAUxaYqvikf-qWTnPnpqW9Wb0/s320/CM.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div align="center"><br />Carol, Ashley, Myself, Rebecca (my sister)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-fJliEVtl-ffaVdGZx4T-QI3wU1whejsTbqksRviTZFPE8SJeD5gLR6o2FQtcswsJoKjgsKcYaAao4P_t4ifIdeyO6i6MuWTGL1rTot03H0jJQp75OdJfmhWIFQzQaL3ISt7kCPbb24/s1600-h/bach.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377301602223730354" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-fJliEVtl-ffaVdGZx4T-QI3wU1whejsTbqksRviTZFPE8SJeD5gLR6o2FQtcswsJoKjgsKcYaAao4P_t4ifIdeyO6i6MuWTGL1rTot03H0jJQp75OdJfmhWIFQzQaL3ISt7kCPbb24/s320/bach.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><br />Seductive poses in front of the fan<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJgvRclupm10jG9HW20N-dfCnpw-jri5YopIzEiVkpMxuhwSziWTgGt45D5vETPyTu-cHzkQSckaxZXVSAAnKy9hz78-rwb-DwlysGeFNShoRPCJAfPIQNo2YtwvwtVtuGIXMOAARx7Y/s1600-h/windtunnel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377301923390076274" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJgvRclupm10jG9HW20N-dfCnpw-jri5YopIzEiVkpMxuhwSziWTgGt45D5vETPyTu-cHzkQSckaxZXVSAAnKy9hz78-rwb-DwlysGeFNShoRPCJAfPIQNo2YtwvwtVtuGIXMOAARx7Y/s320/windtunnel.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="center">Before heading into Disco aka Dirty<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TMCm_nSEzd3uJLcINb1pCEB0NHk3FPIPYTzDXCOE-OqQHTB2uLuT6eUrkOb2lisZITN7kmL-QJgR26Xrkgg3_Zp6-W4Q6FuWnbmpkuzv8hfT1DNtoXO7Fcep0uBxS-PcdJz_skJDIYs/s1600-h/thugs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377303000030518626" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TMCm_nSEzd3uJLcINb1pCEB0NHk3FPIPYTzDXCOE-OqQHTB2uLuT6eUrkOb2lisZITN7kmL-QJgR26Xrkgg3_Zp6-W4Q6FuWnbmpkuzv8hfT1DNtoXO7Fcep0uBxS-PcdJz_skJDIYs/s320/thugs.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><strong><em>FINALLY</em></strong>, Live In and I got our table and chairs and we have enjoyed dinner there almost every night (with the expection of going out to dinner). <strong><em>YIPEE!!</em></strong><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQvU5lIc8B3kXerF1J0BbBgOalo4t6d7YGK3HOHsotX3yzUW4Mp1P78hKKqGyne4We4rsgCGShqzgFy6y83cY23mNlbhb5ow4mlh9CJAKBTkyFB60wmoFbdh6bZ8lykkshfKbEa0fV1s/s1600-h/newtable.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377297701500525042" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQvU5lIc8B3kXerF1J0BbBgOalo4t6d7YGK3HOHsotX3yzUW4Mp1P78hKKqGyne4We4rsgCGShqzgFy6y83cY23mNlbhb5ow4mlh9CJAKBTkyFB60wmoFbdh6bZ8lykkshfKbEa0fV1s/s320/newtable.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><br /><br />I whipped up baked tofu, baked squash, and couscous, topped with what else, ARUGULA!!<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7W6PcJL_ISATiAMhD8gX0f1Pu3MAcxiP1nYOkSm8o8bthlSEgRPvdB6-uui7AlHd8rMP12UtChYqo9ZZKKUOiVaFd_JttQI6bmN7OBe0QT2tRXwsFact0R3ayLJG7Jwyn32p3mFc1LY/s1600-h/bakedtofu.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377296267129228882" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7W6PcJL_ISATiAMhD8gX0f1Pu3MAcxiP1nYOkSm8o8bthlSEgRPvdB6-uui7AlHd8rMP12UtChYqo9ZZKKUOiVaFd_JttQI6bmN7OBe0QT2tRXwsFact0R3ayLJG7Jwyn32p3mFc1LY/s320/bakedtofu.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div><br /><br />I read from cover to cover on the plane back to NYC: <strong>Jillian Michael's Master Your Metabolism</strong>-which is mostly a Whole Foods type of diet, which I already follow. However, the education on the <strong>endocrine system</strong> is what I needed. Because with all this working out and not losing weight is just plain ridiculous. Not that I am <strong><em>TRYING</em></strong> to lose a ton of weight, but I want to cut out some fat and it's just not budging. UGH! This book totally makes sense-I'm taking <strong>Spirnolactone</strong> for my Acne Cysts (which I get maybe once or twice a year) and the doc put me on the highest dose possible. This medication decreases my testosterone levels, almost to zero, <strong>and DUH! I need the testosterone to lose weight!</strong> So I have cut my dose by 75% and I am only taking it every 2-3 days. Next week I will get a metabolic panel, just in case!</div><br /><div><br /><br />My $13 salad bar lunch- I ate EVERY BITE! Fruit, Baked Chickem, Spoonful Mac and Cheese, Tomato & Mozzarella Salad. Avocado Salad (Just Avocado, really)<br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377296243507054546" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35Z5zndvvyRzyJFby19a-nooCHC5uNVxc2G7wJJC-W6roKrZsB43KPF2zCRW-61vJab9Tzx0c2MAqNY2m5nAEL-OaB4m18sKoBkJ68JWZ6ba-1jDhGKhs5BozIzLiwz5IKMjmmlS_oDs/s320/fruit.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-Ygtp3ur85hyphenhyphenH6Ln9dhmjp3PePGbwEVljqRrLBBaLn9m1i-aDCXHl63PwEsu2p0VZfBOUZ_G9EPj6iwgCpYxcRMA7AJnNIPXzFlFTe2j81DxuEqb3yqwXHlQhRIE6MDLt14A_i605HQ/s1600-h/tomsalad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377296257050410050" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-Ygtp3ur85hyphenhyphenH6Ln9dhmjp3PePGbwEVljqRrLBBaLn9m1i-aDCXHl63PwEsu2p0VZfBOUZ_G9EPj6iwgCpYxcRMA7AJnNIPXzFlFTe2j81DxuEqb3yqwXHlQhRIE6MDLt14A_i605HQ/s320/tomsalad.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-Ygtp3ur85hyphenhyphenH6Ln9dhmjp3PePGbwEVljqRrLBBaLn9m1i-aDCXHl63PwEsu2p0VZfBOUZ_G9EPj6iwgCpYxcRMA7AJnNIPXzFlFTe2j81DxuEqb3yqwXHlQhRIE6MDLt14A_i605HQ/s1600-h/tomsalad.jpg"></a> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvb1XbYgT1cmQczHoZK4Nv2evxjDRECTg4JSKyp1c9vVhrc5AGxPZXcfdSuRcnaTmGSGwrg5nLx9K_l31h8MtaqIAIgmAqqLJVs_o4zVuV9SKJJ0Ccabkm0ZVu56naO8Q7rNgEQy2cl_I/s1600-h/lunch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377297707982698034" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvb1XbYgT1cmQczHoZK4Nv2evxjDRECTg4JSKyp1c9vVhrc5AGxPZXcfdSuRcnaTmGSGwrg5nLx9K_l31h8MtaqIAIgmAqqLJVs_o4zVuV9SKJJ0Ccabkm0ZVu56naO8Q7rNgEQy2cl_I/s320/lunch.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPajklZ_aqnNrGzhYQg66OgMwECnEUrFjXKu9vQisY_d5GqK_R8BoFl1OX-Nr-1yrdwKTYekCAOd-ZzQr47Hi7batnVPDpBRDoWYoh0WsR-qD9Ytvd0QaqaF4b6AzrZQnT-Q2RE1xKqQg/s1600-h/avo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377297693264214258" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPajklZ_aqnNrGzhYQg66OgMwECnEUrFjXKu9vQisY_d5GqK_R8BoFl1OX-Nr-1yrdwKTYekCAOd-ZzQr47Hi7batnVPDpBRDoWYoh0WsR-qD9Ytvd0QaqaF4b6AzrZQnT-Q2RE1xKqQg/s320/avo.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div><br /></div><p align="center"><br /><strong>I hope everyone has had a nice last week of summer! :(<br /></strong></p><br /><p align="center"><strong>My buddies Tish and Stacey are here this weekend, so Wednesday (when I am back at work again), I will recap our adventures</strong>!<br /></p><br /><p align="center">Happy Labor Day Everyone!</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-49171019219472227722009-08-28T09:57:00.003-04:002009-08-28T10:19:51.901-04:00Fantastico!<strong>I've somehow managed to wake up early and run twice this week! That's exactly 2 more times than normal! Suh. Weet!</strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I've been scrambling around getting ready to head to <strong>Memphis this afternoon, then to Little Rock Saturday for Carol's bachelorette party. I'M SOOOO FRIGGIN' EXCITED!</strong> We've had some damn good memories come from Little Rock and I am certain that Carol's Bachelorette party will top the list! Being Maid of Honor, I've whipped up a nice goody bag for everyone this week. <strong>In midst of all that, I miraculously made a homemade, healthy dinner in less than an hour. WHAT? Let me share.</strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Since I went to Whole Foods on Sunday and purchased an on sale! <strong>eggplant ($1.00)</strong>, I've been dreaming of <strong>Eggplant Parmigiana</strong>. This is my mother's favorite dish-we even lugged ourselves to EVERY restaurant in Little Italy to find some authentic Eggplant Parmigiana, and had no luck. I digress, so I googled the basics to "baked eggplant Parmesan" and then I followed my own ideas. And, I used homemade breadcrumbs. Ok, I already had those on hand, but still. Homemade breadcrumbs.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Baked Eggplant Parmesan</strong><br /><ul><li>1 eggplant cut into thick slices</li><li>1 egg</li><li>whole wheat bread crumbs and a few tablespoons of panko mixed in (3/4 cup? I suck at measurements.) </li><li>salt</li><li>pepper</li><li>red pepper flakes</li><li>dried basil</li><li>Italian seasoning</li></ul><br /><em>Preheat oven to 350. In one bowl, crack open egg into and beat. In another bowl, combine breadcrumbs, panko, spices (to taste). Mix around with fingers. Dip eggplant into egg, then into bread crumb mixture. Place onto foil lined baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes one side, 5 the other, then crank the oven to 400 and add slices of fresh mozzarella cheese. When the cheese begin to bubble, they are done. Remove and top with Vodka sauce (follows) and what else ARUGULA and fresh Parmesan!!!!</em><br /><br /><strong>Almost Homemade Vodka Sauce</strong><br /><ul><li>1 jar of your favorite marinara/tomato sauce (I use Classico's Spicy Tomato and Basil and I also eat it by the spoonful)</li><li>3/4 cup vodka</li><li>about 3/4 cup light cream</li></ul><br /><em>In a saucepan, simmer jar of sauce and vodka together for about 20 minutes. Slowly add cream to sauce. (I always add to taste.) I think I used about 3/4 cup. Maybe. Always taste. Remove from heat and dump over eggplant. Scarf down.</em><br /><em>I also made a quick salad of spinach, fresh mozzarella, onion, tomato and spicy olives with a little drizzle of olive oil and freshly ground pepper. And we also enjoyed some crispy green beans.</em><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-WNTcPkTIKnCRP2omkFOlx7cHAPgfpHZkzKB8vtP2qIqj2SMRda_wTAP_d2TEkIyD3nwJRXMmvBzUKuAOltWBSqNvh_MnHJ1KFSK86v2alqtvSin-0sgV7cek_xjXx_IWHMSuFdxJKY/s1600-h/eggplant.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375015950745038482" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-WNTcPkTIKnCRP2omkFOlx7cHAPgfpHZkzKB8vtP2qIqj2SMRda_wTAP_d2TEkIyD3nwJRXMmvBzUKuAOltWBSqNvh_MnHJ1KFSK86v2alqtvSin-0sgV7cek_xjXx_IWHMSuFdxJKY/s320/eggplant.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"> </p><p align="left"><strong>Cheap and Fancy aren't oxymorons in our house!!!</strong></p><p align="left"><strong>Happy Friday All!</strong></p>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-17121550548020520872009-08-27T08:41:00.002-04:002009-08-27T08:42:43.658-04:00Really.Welp, I guess we better all stop running immediately. Can't have people <i>feeling good</i>, that wouldn't be right.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32573781/ns/health-fitness/">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32573781/ns/health-fitness/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-42241678344836722242009-08-26T10:13:00.005-04:002009-08-26T10:34:22.953-04:00Weekend of Glutton Part TresIn continuation of the weekend foodie theme and also in light of my new arugula theme, <strong>Sunday night Live In and I made the most delicious meal, probably ever. No joke.</strong><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Angle 1:</strong></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zsLZEHhkQYLYXyzRFECu8OAoHp3Mx8PNPUGRLEt7nIYp2kZstAteskDwsopLJsW0O0rGJ0pRW_pOG538_xLTxuKQV1rlx-FkKaMzAdy2TJzkbgR3m_i9-lclCgPLFMUufzxcOZJ0_rI/s1600-h/blackchicken1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374279416620780162" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zsLZEHhkQYLYXyzRFECu8OAoHp3Mx8PNPUGRLEt7nIYp2kZstAteskDwsopLJsW0O0rGJ0pRW_pOG538_xLTxuKQV1rlx-FkKaMzAdy2TJzkbgR3m_i9-lclCgPLFMUufzxcOZJ0_rI/s320/blackchicken1.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><strong>Everybody say YUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!</strong><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Blackened Chicken on top of Spaghetti with sauteed spinach, onions and asparagus, topped with fresh arugula and shaved parmesan.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>View 2:</strong><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAFmt7JaRNK9BQo4FHR_Rq_XFixRA4dBXyU2IFZjgdn-3uaZb0tidI5M8jNTiPx0n4cBk8EJ09JFG3P9xKNGiFuAMCHvdUEhhcQSKc6-KNC6-asd8gveftoT3tKRj-3TCa6ECdAJwVDI/s1600-h/blackchicken2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374278973704764578" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAFmt7JaRNK9BQo4FHR_Rq_XFixRA4dBXyU2IFZjgdn-3uaZb0tidI5M8jNTiPx0n4cBk8EJ09JFG3P9xKNGiFuAMCHvdUEhhcQSKc6-KNC6-asd8gveftoT3tKRj-3TCa6ECdAJwVDI/s320/blackchicken2.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br />It was just so darn good and also very easy to make!<br /><br /><br /><strong>Sauteed Veggies</strong><br /><br /><br /><ul><li>Sauteed 1/2 onion</li><li>2 garlic cloves </li><li>spinach (1 package of frozen spinach) </li><li>1.5 tbsp of olive oil. </li></ul><em>Add chopped asparagus in the last 2 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. You can also leave the onion out or not.</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Blackened Chicken</strong><br />Coat lightly oiled chicken breasts with a mixture of the following (about 1/4 to 1/2 tsp each)<br /><ul><li>White pepper</li><li>Cajun seasoning</li><li>Cumin</li><li>Salt</li><li>Cayenne Pepper<br />Smoked Paprika</li><li>Onion Powder</li></ul><p><em>Preheat oven to 350. </em><em>Grease a cast iron skillet with 2 tbsp of butter. When hot, add chicken and cook for about 2 minutes each side.</em></p><em>Throw in the oven until chicken is done (internal temp of 160)</em><br /><em>We also throw a pat of butter on each breast in the last five minutes of cooking.</em><br /><br /><br /><strong>Spaghetti (Whole Wheat)</strong><br />Follow the directions on the box<br /><br /><br />Mix sauteed vegetables in with spaghetti and add more olive oil, if your little heart desires.<br /><br /><br /><br />After plated, top with handful of arugula and shaved parmesan. Your taste buds will thank me. I don't lie.<br /><br /><br /><br />Whew! All that cooking makes one sleepy little puppy!<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Night Night</strong><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTAGWn871Rcv6SjsHdlp_CH5g4rW1HmUbtIO0B0_kM30YW9V5tABdAAD749Rjtuhx1xbKSjGy6XHKgUfITqCL-VVg5mVljbryzmglvh4RD9bqE3l82TtS50G5UbH7FTwzvo1K1tkVj5M/s1600-h/joeycovers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374278975835405698" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTAGWn871Rcv6SjsHdlp_CH5g4rW1HmUbtIO0B0_kM30YW9V5tABdAAD749Rjtuhx1xbKSjGy6XHKgUfITqCL-VVg5mVljbryzmglvh4RD9bqE3l82TtS50G5UbH7FTwzvo1K1tkVj5M/s320/joeycovers.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-17681477551530326952009-08-25T22:51:00.002-04:002009-08-25T23:06:17.469-04:00Happy Tummy<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight I feel like this:</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbkW2y8mSFBSN0l2kURr4MdEPADqLkDZehb53fEs0Bm62n4ATB4Z0r-9nyeQQzbFD9ykQZsT7B3NVR01544OpIEC8ZXwAVRad4s3v_iTEeXmEEFdLF2ZgKuJh7zSichVRtsGJ9D_XbOI/s1600-h/DSCF0464.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbkW2y8mSFBSN0l2kURr4MdEPADqLkDZehb53fEs0Bm62n4ATB4Z0r-9nyeQQzbFD9ykQZsT7B3NVR01544OpIEC8ZXwAVRad4s3v_iTEeXmEEFdLF2ZgKuJh7zSichVRtsGJ9D_XbOI/s320/DSCF0464.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374100432313880626" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbkW2y8mSFBSN0l2kURr4MdEPADqLkDZehb53fEs0Bm62n4ATB4Z0r-9nyeQQzbFD9ykQZsT7B3NVR01544OpIEC8ZXwAVRad4s3v_iTEeXmEEFdLF2ZgKuJh7zSichVRtsGJ9D_XbOI/s1600-h/DSCF0464.JPG"></a>Because I FINALLY got on a real shoe and was able to spin! I almost barfed. I love it. My heart was happy too. When I got home I was in the mood for some serious comfort food.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbkW2y8mSFBSN0l2kURr4MdEPADqLkDZehb53fEs0Bm62n4ATB4Z0r-9nyeQQzbFD9ykQZsT7B3NVR01544OpIEC8ZXwAVRad4s3v_iTEeXmEEFdLF2ZgKuJh7zSichVRtsGJ9D_XbOI/s1600-h/DSCF0464.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6z_Duiz7hJDf-q4LqedE6E7WpoHg8nVi8uFTKx1ZZ0dsrdDHjMpTy9IuP2UEizK_zM92xc32lX7jlS2epgiEhAIazt8sT6X16Nl8xxM-aOfcxO9LP4RHJLODptANRZBizFMOrnYZ10T4/s1600-h/DSCF0463.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6z_Duiz7hJDf-q4LqedE6E7WpoHg8nVi8uFTKx1ZZ0dsrdDHjMpTy9IuP2UEizK_zM92xc32lX7jlS2epgiEhAIazt8sT6X16Nl8xxM-aOfcxO9LP4RHJLODptANRZBizFMOrnYZ10T4/s320/DSCF0463.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374100423631129506" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6z_Duiz7hJDf-q4LqedE6E7WpoHg8nVi8uFTKx1ZZ0dsrdDHjMpTy9IuP2UEizK_zM92xc32lX7jlS2epgiEhAIazt8sT6X16Nl8xxM-aOfcxO9LP4RHJLODptANRZBizFMOrnYZ10T4/s1600-h/DSCF0463.JPG"></a>Bob's Scottish oats with vanilla <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">soymilk</span>, white chocolate peanut butter, and about 1/3 of a mushed up <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nanner</span>. Happy happy tummy.</div><div><br /></div><div>I did a little back to school shopping today:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57GerpXbVVrI97qVLPLNkoXkmrohyIB7xHCMlp_VX-8nX4XKAnGjAZOObt0qQcqGr5DbRal1E9kn6bAxykvNmC04ewxFNTjPGEiKyb0P0Da0TU07Yn09Y7jBSAAJctOVnWMOaeOIOqmg/s1600-h/DSCF0465.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57GerpXbVVrI97qVLPLNkoXkmrohyIB7xHCMlp_VX-8nX4XKAnGjAZOObt0qQcqGr5DbRal1E9kn6bAxykvNmC04ewxFNTjPGEiKyb0P0Da0TU07Yn09Y7jBSAAJctOVnWMOaeOIOqmg/s320/DSCF0465.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374100413620315170" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57GerpXbVVrI97qVLPLNkoXkmrohyIB7xHCMlp_VX-8nX4XKAnGjAZOObt0qQcqGr5DbRal1E9kn6bAxykvNmC04ewxFNTjPGEiKyb0P0Da0TU07Yn09Y7jBSAAJctOVnWMOaeOIOqmg/s1600-h/DSCF0465.JPG"></a>I am teaching <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Pilates</span> this semester, so I HAD to be prepared, duh. What kind of teacher would I be if I didn't have a good (pink) mat and (baby blue) no-slip <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">towel</span>?</div><div>All my happiness was short-lived however, when I took a look at my planner for the week.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78M2QLiBoe5uR3et-6m6bzUT2Uxf6ZIhWbdyZ6uAj6yhlwFdwV7ySDWwM8yuqwZhKdYx-i9tYROOul7eHR7yDnNV_VX83uMrS1jgRdBG8RFK_E9Ft-2D2BTX0vssBiARgBMVt-x0kUKI/s1600-h/DSCF0466.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78M2QLiBoe5uR3et-6m6bzUT2Uxf6ZIhWbdyZ6uAj6yhlwFdwV7ySDWwM8yuqwZhKdYx-i9tYROOul7eHR7yDnNV_VX83uMrS1jgRdBG8RFK_E9Ft-2D2BTX0vssBiARgBMVt-x0kUKI/s320/DSCF0466.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374100411693445794" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78M2QLiBoe5uR3et-6m6bzUT2Uxf6ZIhWbdyZ6uAj6yhlwFdwV7ySDWwM8yuqwZhKdYx-i9tYROOul7eHR7yDnNV_VX83uMrS1jgRdBG8RFK_E9Ft-2D2BTX0vssBiARgBMVt-x0kUKI/s1600-h/DSCF0466.JPG"></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Yowza</span>! makes me feel like this:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0D5m2N8z5oUhze6TSjlv5MvWFyOe3jjVKJXVzjzlvwW6_5vu3uIlFLAxMUMFQgB-im5wq2e6iwiwhB8GJ0A6hwfvMOj0-pSq3-Chlj8kpv_9oug7t6DJmThyB-VwX1WelWGzP9qv6JuA/s1600-h/DSCF0469.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0D5m2N8z5oUhze6TSjlv5MvWFyOe3jjVKJXVzjzlvwW6_5vu3uIlFLAxMUMFQgB-im5wq2e6iwiwhB8GJ0A6hwfvMOj0-pSq3-Chlj8kpv_9oug7t6DJmThyB-VwX1WelWGzP9qv6JuA/s320/DSCF0469.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374100400289940146" /></a></div><div>*note: please do not judge sweaty post spin class pics.</div><div>Now I am headed to the shower, and the bed for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">LOOOOONNNGG</span> day tomorrow. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Nitey</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">nite</span>!</div></div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-75986415288604304462009-08-24T23:19:00.003-04:002009-08-24T23:31:35.433-04:00Say it aint soIn light of Morgan's awesome rocking female athlete bod post ( which I love) I decided to eat 2 cookies and appriciate my own athletic bod for the evening! <div><br /></div><div>But I have some bad news....</div><div>1. You may have noticed no pics recently. That's becasue my camera is on the fritz! Ew. Electronics. I swear I would be happy with everything in my world being Flinstone-style. I am a technology grandma.</div><div>2. School starts...well, now ish. I did go buy a ( unpictured) load of school supplies, and a shiny new pink binder which will most assuredly make me smarter. I also bought a pack of the new multi colored sharpie pens, Yay for school supplies. This week is crazy with faculty meetings, GA meetings, and a department cookout. I am interested to see how healthy the "Health and Sports Sciences" department cookout is. Look out for a blog on that. My classes start next week. I will be taking an Exercise Physiology/ muscle morphology class, a research design and writing class, and a statistics class, so I can understand all of this research I will be desiging and writing about. I am teaching pilates. I am actually very excited in a nerdy way to impart wisdom on young minds! Hopefully my students will be engaged and actually care about this class. I would, pilates rocks. Can I wear a running skirt to teach in? Hmm.....</div><div>3. My training has been crappy these last couple of weeks! Although, ( silver lining up ahead) my lovely staph infection is MUCH better, and I actually put on a real shoe today, with laces and everything! Now if this huge scab would just magically dissappear overnight, I would be one happy camper. </div><div>4. I am already stressed about school starting back, but what I am most worried about is ( duh) nutrition when classes start back. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I will be teaching 3 hours of pilates, followed by an hour of spin that evening. What's a girl to eat? </div><div> </div><div>What are some of your fave on the go foods? Help me out here people, I need a game plan!</div><div> </div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-77921230749254976292009-08-23T19:51:00.005-04:002009-08-23T20:08:26.890-04:00Weekend of Glutton-Part Deux<div>Saturday, I wanted to have another adventure in the city, umfortunely, Hurricane Bill didn't want us to ride bikes. I decided I wanted to try out Brooklyn: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Park Slope and Clinton Hill/Ft. Greene</span> and then have some pizza and wine at the wonderful<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> Graziella's</span>. Brooklyn did not disappoint-Park Slope, Clinton Hill and Ft. Greene are the cutest little pockets in Brooklyn.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now on to Graziella's. Dear. Lord. It's the best pizza ever. No lie. Hands down, the arugula parmesan pizza is the best I've ever had. I'll be back in 2 weeks, Graziella's! (This photo does not do this pizza justice!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1dFyhQgLRqQaM6zIZptC6qdZZ9QJl13SBBSa9Io32NQYbSn5JS2uadSWFy0sOBZ83cb_lIKwasNMBZ_Rky1O6JTbAc2aplLBEWxID3JLdjzTdjNvVypGMciXYCUXWDDx3cD0cBpnX0o/s320/IMG_2445.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373313396864825970" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The rooftop dining area only adds the awesome factor to this secret pizza joint!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR863yQAAv6Dn37yDtQU-8hB8c32PALyiaT1Zd8ciNa_Qr1kLiCS0WTjp1udrhwh27uv1E6VD0rH2i_COja7vlhXWrG1kAx7whgObGJOczCWohkTRvmHg5bJIzrlSUxloRL2zM_SJMGw/s1600-h/photo+4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR863yQAAv6Dn37yDtQU-8hB8c32PALyiaT1Zd8ciNa_Qr1kLiCS0WTjp1udrhwh27uv1E6VD0rH2i_COja7vlhXWrG1kAx7whgObGJOczCWohkTRvmHg5bJIzrlSUxloRL2zM_SJMGw/s320/photo+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373311441703124194" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR863yQAAv6Dn37yDtQU-8hB8c32PALyiaT1Zd8ciNa_Qr1kLiCS0WTjp1udrhwh27uv1E6VD0rH2i_COja7vlhXWrG1kAx7whgObGJOczCWohkTRvmHg5bJIzrlSUxloRL2zM_SJMGw/s1600-h/photo+4.jpg"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweating it out on the subway in my 2008 Final 4 T-Shirt</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGIa-jIMVeuUZ2pkpO3_zF2eL9OzXfTHU3scA0IkVjyOxw2eBy379chbxx8LH10QgktX9h4YtdbAnHsAb_AFWMUn-yQMeFfZbRZw0bllQqJaJ-31UXnzFl1XORGAOVX3zuxvVcrJ7hyM/s1600-h/photo+3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGIa-jIMVeuUZ2pkpO3_zF2eL9OzXfTHU3scA0IkVjyOxw2eBy379chbxx8LH10QgktX9h4YtdbAnHsAb_AFWMUn-yQMeFfZbRZw0bllQqJaJ-31UXnzFl1XORGAOVX3zuxvVcrJ7hyM/s320/photo+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373311437471423074" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGIa-jIMVeuUZ2pkpO3_zF2eL9OzXfTHU3scA0IkVjyOxw2eBy379chbxx8LH10QgktX9h4YtdbAnHsAb_AFWMUn-yQMeFfZbRZw0bllQqJaJ-31UXnzFl1XORGAOVX3zuxvVcrJ7hyM/s1600-h/photo+3.jpg"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">New Running Skirt, by Nike</span>. (do not look above my waist. Don't. I know you just did. Avert your eyes!!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBM1QrzR9eZMd9BeZAZAryfCk7k2hipVaF17GhBRwTJJI4GeRINnd5ubrOmWPeOgU7SFjVLkjs4CNK6TFMqPeCCXn44FkDhXRHqyGPjgGG2ETYU9NuS9mhGab4fz9q9UCQZlOnoaauLs/s1600-h/photo+5.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBM1QrzR9eZMd9BeZAZAryfCk7k2hipVaF17GhBRwTJJI4GeRINnd5ubrOmWPeOgU7SFjVLkjs4CNK6TFMqPeCCXn44FkDhXRHqyGPjgGG2ETYU9NuS9mhGab4fz9q9UCQZlOnoaauLs/s1600-h/photo+5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBM1QrzR9eZMd9BeZAZAryfCk7k2hipVaF17GhBRwTJJI4GeRINnd5ubrOmWPeOgU7SFjVLkjs4CNK6TFMqPeCCXn44FkDhXRHqyGPjgGG2ETYU9NuS9mhGab4fz9q9UCQZlOnoaauLs/s320/photo+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373311434851267250" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm still not sure how I feel about a running skirt. I feel a tad bit like a fraud. But yet, oh so girly! I also bought some B<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">lue Nike Shorts and a Fall Sweatshirt (for Running!!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok, Fall, bring it on. I'm ready!</div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-25772921285319577742009-08-23T19:35:00.004-04:002009-08-23T19:51:26.785-04:00Weekend of Glutton-Part One<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I love a weekend of good food!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The weekend started out with a trip to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">The Mermaid Inn </span>for a fantastic seafood dinner. We started out with Shrimp Cocktail and ordered a bottle of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Verdejo </span>(a Spanish white wine) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Paso y Paso</span>- a first for me to have more than a sip of white wine.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0Neb5uq3bxcpEVTGzv5tWWVBUfFhmW0XDUrIRRHJNdLQaTIzhjVDNiLeOjloveeK8DZzg5hrlplnxAH1-_Ej4JDCTrUSp_HI7IezlTpC_Ma1bWiN-QoyfePkW0qX0jy8p2hI5CMhnQk/s320/photo+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373309344639983554" /><br /></div><div><br /><div>For dinner, I ordered <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Spaghetti and a Salad</span>-different, but fantastic. The dish was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">spaghetti, olive oil, steamed clams and littleneckes (a first) w<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">it<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">h arugula and shaved parmesan on top!</span> The taste and texture was out of this world-I think I have a new favorite dish idea!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOORoGKcHkZQ22lvniwBIzjYO4DMUAR9tBKQ381Nz8GYbGSkfgfu21B8qDYavC9oSSnhvR-ann0bc9MWm7TQNAIhSNza2gdmh46xezPq-VGMYSTb8M_rUhq9IWo8HqqlFKgzsSO3LjDM/s320/photo+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373309356775334162" /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">There really wasn't enough protein for me, but I went with it. A first for me to let loose with my food!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Side of sauteed spinach-</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQn5oD8oE39uewJMV1Px1UU_n7JVzbZZPtHpbylOKIbHjCDWvnl0_39G3iEcJbe63msyzigRuChUDcza-Vk7fL6eY5j-ygeNWv2s3qL5aA6rpkZTS5IMzlYSs7guJmmfi4R_nfAduC50I/s320/photo+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373309362164664354" /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Live in ordered the Lobster Roll-</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc28ZNmDAtH8NRy0XnR-2qo9FLauqG95_0adWHeY8WV42PDgRVdGJgQFyQv86MVysWAz1yicce1eqNUdrLH5kgHLERgNZHgj6SEekT5URNVvQh4DTCi9go9edZIbVCHk3sCcPjYoEn4o/s320/photo+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373309354806218034" /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Nom Nom Nom</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Desert was a chocolate pudding and a Fortune Fish!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfqeJKmWbJWAu2zHiMBd9R1QjK0L_c7Bf9Y72stHk3XFt9Qh1u3JEHWpwJf1-q7-w2KaJ9Oa3gdBo29D9etwtj4PlMuV8E2Chmma-WnudTLQipfRwjP9a6_64l7M_p9vlQONYDXy-BYI/s320/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373309342657261538" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The air was too stagnant outside for our fortune fish, so I saved him for another day!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Too be continued!</div></div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-8258034782022647262009-08-21T17:47:00.004-04:002009-08-21T18:20:36.567-04:00Fat Day<span style="font-style: italic;">Everybody has those so called "fat days". </span><br /><br />After looking at my <span style="font-weight: bold;">tree stumps</span> (aka, legs) in the gym mirror and deciding I should probably cut out all pasta type foods, wheat, anything over 100 calories, etc, I get an nice compliment from a fellow gym-goer. Muscle lifter said (in his opinion) I have "the perfect athletic body". I really did thank him because I was having a low self esteem body day. (Of course I realize men are always trying to get in girls' pants, so I said "thanks" and moved on).<br /><br />But why am I posting this: because it goes to show that a. women CAN have athletic bodies and look fantastic and 2. because so many women are down on themselves and their appearance-it's ok to receive a compliment and TAKE IT!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Glamour Magazine</span> (September 2009) did a month long story on a woman and how she felt daily about her body-and took pictures each day in the same bathing suit, in the same pose. The pictures were to prove that she looked the same each day to other people, even if she felt like like a giant walrus.<br />I also think body image has a lot to do with the food we eat. I know when I eat like crap, I feel like crap, thus making me have a low body image. I don't like to feel bad or look bad so this is why I eat healthy and work out. Plus I am uber competitive and I like to compete with mostly, myself.<br /><br />I am posting my favorite strong, female athletes. And they also just so happen to be hot! <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who is your favorite female athlete?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >(PS: I don't consider Nascar [driving] a sport therefore Danica Patrick will not be on my list])</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Jennie Finch and Kara Goucher<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOW6TWt9ww7xf53ykwf2UJBO9HKtynQf2u1uADW4tGTy_3TYkS6g7ozwrwL41-4HTVvYYG1Zexh6azZ7owtdETOhCCdOC_AMt_mvU9911P8r7pfyjrxq4cyLSeY3_4OYDs9eYHZ7vsvTA/s1600-h/jennie-finchdaigle.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOW6TWt9ww7xf53ykwf2UJBO9HKtynQf2u1uADW4tGTy_3TYkS6g7ozwrwL41-4HTVvYYG1Zexh6azZ7owtdETOhCCdOC_AMt_mvU9911P8r7pfyjrxq4cyLSeY3_4OYDs9eYHZ7vsvTA/s320/jennie-finchdaigle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372543999143979602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfeANlqSMOzmz7qU2UzbTV34Us57-TnrFl3_5TuhwepB-Nbj3BfeFDXDOwd_lyznR46PinAt5IyWZ7hlv2W2zSmllRnmPUJrGTWmTsaxTrTUYhArx1105zW8fcoxLS3VdYKgUpF1XMBc/s1600-h/kara_goucher_iaafsource.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfeANlqSMOzmz7qU2UzbTV34Us57-TnrFl3_5TuhwepB-Nbj3BfeFDXDOwd_lyznR46PinAt5IyWZ7hlv2W2zSmllRnmPUJrGTWmTsaxTrTUYhArx1105zW8fcoxLS3VdYKgUpF1XMBc/s320/kara_goucher_iaafsource.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372544003056549778" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brandy Chastain</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv5Qgem0JiTI-O487_5yYirHMOvZhuJuGuyLJ9w5s238eL6udnu2eNejAc4PkogHMzXuYdsEKaiIB1m8_NO1NLpv5wVYC7zX_2qscQia2r5dqv7BtlfrsrmcIKuM1sKx1Zmqd6X5zD_8/s1600-h/brandi_chastain_5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv5Qgem0JiTI-O487_5yYirHMOvZhuJuGuyLJ9w5s238eL6udnu2eNejAc4PkogHMzXuYdsEKaiIB1m8_NO1NLpv5wVYC7zX_2qscQia2r5dqv7BtlfrsrmcIKuM1sKx1Zmqd6X5zD_8/s320/brandi_chastain_5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372544750909588018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-70207447190410561562009-08-20T12:11:00.002-04:002009-08-20T12:25:27.911-04:00Various Awesome BlogsYesterday, I stumbled upon awesome blog after awesome blog and I thought I would share. Because that's what I do.<br /><br /><strong>Eat, Live, Run</strong>: written by Jenna-I've been reading hers for a while (my first blog to read!!). She has easy lunch and dinner ideas. Also, she's a pastry chef. Saywhat? We'll be right over, Jenna!<br /><a href="http://eatliverun.com/">http://eatliverun.com/</a><br /><br /><strong>Healthy Tipping Point</strong>: written by Caitlin-I read about 75 pages yesterday. Me likey. Very positive and motivational!<br /><a href="http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/">http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/</a><br /><br /><strong>No Meat Athlete:</strong> written by Matt, a marathoner, vegetarian! Yipee for no meat marathons! Also nice to have a male's point of view.<br /><a href="http://www.nomeatathlete.com/">http://www.nomeatathlete.com/</a><br /><br /><strong>The Runner's Kitchen: </strong>written by Megan-a runner since high school (and she's fast, people!). Also fellow New Yorker. I like to see where her NYC adventures take her!<br /><a href="http://runnerskitchen.wordpress.com/">http://runnerskitchen.wordpress.com/</a><br /><br /><strong>Fitnessista:</strong> One of Anna's fave's. I like her recipes! Healthy and they look delicious!<br /><a href="http://www.fitnessista.com/">http://www.fitnessista.com/</a><br /><br /><br /><strong>Things to do While Unemployed:</strong> And of course, one of my besties, Stacey Logan. Hers is foul and funny, kinda like a married version of Tucker Max. SO really, nothing like Tucker Max, 'cept writing styles.<br /><a href="http://thingstodowhileunemployed.blogspot.com/">http://thingstodowhileunemployed.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />I hope these keep you busy, yanno for a rainy day!<br /><br />Deuces!Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-45357469162167562192009-08-18T21:33:00.004-04:002009-08-18T22:03:45.705-04:00Things I have learned this summerSigh. I am in my last week of summer vacation. I realize most 29 year olds don't get summer vacation, but since I am a grad student, I do. And I needed it. During the semester I am a full on crazy person, stressed out to the max, and exhausted and cranky. This summer break has been great.....but i didn't totally turn my brain off! I learned some things. Some I learned through research, or my awesome job, some I learned the hard way ( which is evidently my fave way to learn.) So without further adue ( how do you spell that word?)<div><br /></div><div>Top 10 Things I learned This Summer</div><div>10. Shaq is really good at alot of sports.</div><div>9. I am a pretty smart cookie. I believe my education is sticking. Good. </div><div>8. I am even more obsessed with peanut butter than I originally thought.</div><div>7. Gall Bladder surgery is serious business.</div><div>6. My husband is an excellent ceiling fan installer.</div><div>5. Time magazine is ridiculously ignorant.</div><div>4. If you treat your body nice, it will return the favor. It is your Temple. Respect it.</div><div>3. Fire ants are black....who knew?</div><div>2. Pei Wei's veggie and tofu substitution for meat in their dishes is unbelievable. So Super Duper Yummy</div><div>And the #1 thing I learned this summer:</div><div><br /></div><div> ANT BITES SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Caution:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyhp5eI7ch3C8t1qjqsQLjJhNQ32x3sE9CXw0_lH9GzYXTR9KVp90_0611Zb-9kPPxFqNgkL1_i85w9W_rIZ4Zk4_dEIdAECYmEiT0x95TUIdAO2DsrXUW2YH1gycxRvb0lQqDWUIOHc/s1600-h/fireants.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyhp5eI7ch3C8t1qjqsQLjJhNQ32x3sE9CXw0_lH9GzYXTR9KVp90_0611Zb-9kPPxFqNgkL1_i85w9W_rIZ4Zk4_dEIdAECYmEiT0x95TUIdAO2DsrXUW2YH1gycxRvb0lQqDWUIOHc/s320/fireants.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371486699475193650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-10629155736864806292009-08-18T20:05:00.004-04:002009-08-18T21:49:54.705-04:00I Hate You, Spin ClassMemba that time when I was so mad during spin class, I cried? Yeah, I do. I hadn't taken a spin class in ohh, about 8 months because it makes my vaginal area hurt. Bad. More on that later.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">*WARNING EXPLICIT BLOG AHEAD</span>*<br /><br />Let's start from 10am.....(play the dream sequence sounds in your head)<br /><br />My boss calls me to say she was "slammed" from a superior because I asked a question to someone in the legal department. Just a simple question to keep the ball rolling on an agreement while my boss was on vacation. But apparently our department isn't supposed to "talk to her". WTF? Seriously?! Is this lady the Queen of England? Ugh. I felt so bad for my boss, even though she is more on the side of "fuck it", but still. I guess that's what happens when I try and keep things moving along.<br />Anyway, after those shenanigans, I had a pretty normal day. Busy, which I like. And yesterday, my package from Target came. Of course, UPS did not leave it, so I called the number. The lady on the phone says it's at the UPS pick up center (which is located damn near in New Jersey) and I can pick it up. Sweet! Forty-five minutes later (2 bus rides and 10 minutes of waiting for a subway that never came) I get there. Man scans the bar code. Ma'am, your package is on the truck for delivery-they attempted to deliver it at 1:32pm. AAAAHHHHHHHHH! If at this point I could have blown fire out of my mouth like a kick ass dragon, then I would have. For sure. UPS man gives me the "manager's" phone number. I call and I don't lose my cool, but I am straight forward with this manager about my inconvenience. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> I say "LEAVE THE PACKAGE TOMORROW". Click.</span><br /><br />At this point, I wanted to go to a bar and drink. But I didn't, because I was really looking forward to spin class. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Plus, I had a reservation with Mr. Schwinn, bike 12.</span><br />I rush to class and barely make it by 6:30. People are already warming up as I walk in. I look at Mr. 12, <span style="font-weight: bold;">BROKEN</span>. Shoe holder thingy is on the floor, not attached to the pedal. Knob is missing from the seat adjustment part. My water bottle is too big to fit into the holder. And my ass/giny area already hurts. I adjust my seat, reattach my pedal shoe thingy as the instructor watches (not helping), sit in the seat, ow, readjust the seat, sit, ow. Deal with it. Ok, this will be fine.<br />When we start doing hills, I imagine I'm in France with Lance Armstrong and we are riding the Tour de France course together, cheering each other on over the hills. I also imagine the guy in front of me is Lance, although twas not. <span style="font-weight: bold;">People in class are "hooting and hollerin' and woo-hooing". </span> Yeah, this is gonna be good! Ass hurts, but ok.<br />I need to tighten my shoe thingy. RIP. I break the metal piece. Way to go dummy, but I think it's no big deal, I'm a pedalin'. Instructor says "Pick up the pace, let's go! Double time!! Double time!!" Cycle, Cycle, Cycle, <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Slip</span>. F&$K! My left foot slips out of the pedal, no big deal, it wasn't bad. I slip my foot back in the broken pedal and realize I can't go too fast without my foot falling out. Fine.<br />I crank up the resistance and pedal. Woo, I'm pedaling like I'm in the friggin Olympics. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Faster and faster then BAM.</span> My left foot comes out and now is dangling while my right foot is still attached and the bike is still spinning. Up and down, up and down I go. My giny bangs the seat a few times. F@*K, <span style="font-weight: bold;">OUCH</span>. The instructor comes over and says "Are you ok?". I reply with a "Yes and the pedal thing is broken." He doesn't care. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"PEDAL FASTER, LET'S GO!!!!!!!</span>"<br /><br />Now I am so angry by the hazing I have received from this fucking bike that I contemplate getting off, shoving it, flipping off the class and then walking the f out.<br />I'm putting my left foot back in the broken pedal, again and I'm angry. And what happens to Morgan Beene when she gets angry, she cries. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Ye</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">s, I cried in spin class</span>. Not real tears cry, but a pissed off cry. No tears.<br />I tell myself to suck it up-this totally merits a new bottle of wine for dinner. Meanwhile, I am trying my best and Mr. Awesome Teacher is pointing out the star spinners of the class giving a thumbs up. Fuck off.<br />Finally 45 minutes later, class is over and I <span style="font-weight: bold;">Usain Bolt</span> the fark outta there.<br /><br />I want to love spin class, I really do. It's a great cardio workout and plus it's friggin' awesome cross training for running. But it's almost as if spin class doesn't want to like me. Terd. Next week I will try it again (somewhere embedded in my bones is perseverance-also embedded: competitiveness). I will need to a. not reserve a jacked up bike, and 2. wear 35 depends on my ass for cushion.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mr. Schwinn, I will conquer you. Mark. My. Words.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm coming after you.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65zoeDEzSNxOyGju5gT-kHz82E7Ygax0fGCehQl5IQk6QLMLi0Qr7T1FxpG5l1p9bX6LlL0o4lJZIJ18gCSGG4WAh2z8ECUwaBBd39vO6uI9iT5a7WjAiNKtZVoEk3EuAm8cLdabs4GA/s1600-h/Schwinn%C2%AE+IC+Elite%E2%84%A2+Indoor+Cycling+Bike.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65zoeDEzSNxOyGju5gT-kHz82E7Ygax0fGCehQl5IQk6QLMLi0Qr7T1FxpG5l1p9bX6LlL0o4lJZIJ18gCSGG4WAh2z8ECUwaBBd39vO6uI9iT5a7WjAiNKtZVoEk3EuAm8cLdabs4GA/s320/Schwinn%C2%AE+IC+Elite%E2%84%A2+Indoor+Cycling+Bike.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371484895298456018" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-69778134423077046832009-08-12T12:15:00.003-04:002009-08-12T12:34:44.816-04:00These Are a Few of My Favorite Things!Anna and I were gchatting about our <strong>top 5 foods</strong> and if we were stranded on a deserted island, what would the 5 foods be?<br /><br />Morgan:<br />1. Avocadoes-duh<br />2. Coconut Milk (for drinking and also for making ice cream)<br />3. MiMi Roll from Sekisui-except I would change the imitation crab to Prime Tuna-yanno, for the health factor<br />4. Sweet potatoes-to make sweet potato fries, baked, mashed, smashed, tempura-ed, and sweet potato hash<br />5. Cheese-again, duh. <br /><br />Oh! But I need to get wine on that list too! Hmmmmm. Well, I cannot get rid of ANY of those items! Maybe I can get rid of the cheese. Nooooo, I will need that for protein. Ok, I've decided to get rid of GULP, sweet potatoes. Sad, yes! Goodbye! <strong>But hello Red Grapes and Wine!</strong><br /><br />Then I decided I would need<strong> 2 condiments</strong>, which are very necessary:<br />1. Agave Nectar<br />2. Olive Oil infused with Salt, pepper, and crushed red peppers<br /><br />This list could change tomorrow-who knows. I might want to add spinach, but no, not really. I'm on a deserted island, so obviously, my deserted island is a tropical one and if Anna and I are stranded together, then, well, she can pick 5 other items and we can share!<br /><br /><strong>What are your top 5 foods?</strong>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-45914751193547811512009-08-11T13:49:00.003-04:002009-08-11T14:05:43.391-04:00ANT BITES GO AWAY!!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5-SPPAArKsLGpMLDvXHE6QoJrBSCmv6sg4auqkhDJV8rENor29KNRj01mLlx6ramO44PejOP1EDF9jwYLjQygeMt1CnOz1xR9SX6lSDzg8b6XspDJIt2ykRtr3uMM3LzAJNh9_8u8dE/s1600-h/DSCF0441.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5-SPPAArKsLGpMLDvXHE6QoJrBSCmv6sg4auqkhDJV8rENor29KNRj01mLlx6ramO44PejOP1EDF9jwYLjQygeMt1CnOz1xR9SX6lSDzg8b6XspDJIt2ykRtr3uMM3LzAJNh9_8u8dE/s320/DSCF0441.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368765661833331346" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5-SPPAArKsLGpMLDvXHE6QoJrBSCmv6sg4auqkhDJV8rENor29KNRj01mLlx6ramO44PejOP1EDF9jwYLjQygeMt1CnOz1xR9SX6lSDzg8b6XspDJIt2ykRtr3uMM3LzAJNh9_8u8dE/s1600-h/DSCF0441.JPG"></a>See this? This is what happens when you step in an ant hill. I know I destroyed their home, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">geeze</span></span>! It was an accident! Those little jerks climbed inside my shoe and bit me repeatedly. this was over a week ago, and they are STILL itching so bad it keeps me up at night. Ugh!</div><div> I tried to do a 5 mile run yesterday for the first time since I had the cold, then got the bites. It has been painful/ itchy to put a shoe on that foot, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">because</span></span>, like I said, the tiny jerks climbed in my shoe and bit me repeatedly. It was a very HOT HUMID and ITCHY run. Kind of like torture. It was 94˚ and about 96% humidity. And noon. I confess that was bad planning on my part, but I wanted to run SO bad! I ended up having to take several walk breaks, which I don't usually do anymore, but I had to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">reattach</span></span> the duct tape and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Band-Aids</span></span> I had covering the bites ( I was trying to prevent rubbing because rubbing = itching like crazy) and hydrate. I ended up with a slow 3 miles, but hey.....better than no run, right? </div><div> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">BTDub</span></span>....why did I just now try the little individual powder packs of G2?! Economical, portable, and refreshing!</div><div><br /></div><div> I had an awesome salad for lunch today:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRBzI2zscCeJBtKMiCsAyWxUkh-DIR-aX-J69s0X7PMi0N9hTZcIkwgVMdG8qfxRBNwKBwTaxQ-PNvxL7SLGk4YHtt1ISV_MRmMYAuYCjX4i4V9x2_Pt53tlNg3d-ezwYcVDmUOyy824/s1600-h/DSCF0439.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRBzI2zscCeJBtKMiCsAyWxUkh-DIR-aX-J69s0X7PMi0N9hTZcIkwgVMdG8qfxRBNwKBwTaxQ-PNvxL7SLGk4YHtt1ISV_MRmMYAuYCjX4i4V9x2_Pt53tlNg3d-ezwYcVDmUOyy824/s320/DSCF0439.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368765655465795490" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRBzI2zscCeJBtKMiCsAyWxUkh-DIR-aX-J69s0X7PMi0N9hTZcIkwgVMdG8qfxRBNwKBwTaxQ-PNvxL7SLGk4YHtt1ISV_MRmMYAuYCjX4i4V9x2_Pt53tlNg3d-ezwYcVDmUOyy824/s1600-h/DSCF0439.JPG"></a> It was comprised of leftovers from my grilling and veggie roasting extravaganza this weekend!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4j36Orbqd7_Qs5jUwxNlEuTikLyI-M0y-aUjF_vELu_YCHK2V4MXLcMjpo2m40zagGwvA_03sWeNwdRyf9HAZmU8wfe4l5KQYbUceCiy0fJwowMzwV8kwGY0FPZcx5ko-4rIoRzwX6ms/s1600-h/DSCF0438.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4j36Orbqd7_Qs5jUwxNlEuTikLyI-M0y-aUjF_vELu_YCHK2V4MXLcMjpo2m40zagGwvA_03sWeNwdRyf9HAZmU8wfe4l5KQYbUceCiy0fJwowMzwV8kwGY0FPZcx5ko-4rIoRzwX6ms/s320/DSCF0438.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368765650382395250" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4j36Orbqd7_Qs5jUwxNlEuTikLyI-M0y-aUjF_vELu_YCHK2V4MXLcMjpo2m40zagGwvA_03sWeNwdRyf9HAZmU8wfe4l5KQYbUceCiy0fJwowMzwV8kwGY0FPZcx5ko-4rIoRzwX6ms/s1600-h/DSCF0438.JPG"></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">mmm</span></span>....sweet taters.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uKH2Q6iquEDBafRxBmyXtpBXM-Dc_IMz6Vihe2cJDejDOl9kYnkBvWUg0JXCaEEz29jrDbHDrrfT9tuk0dUPNAdCyGB0KwndkSmFFJqcDRCuB6zw1-dIt-fQo9cMe3_hDTOa9PDmk4k/s1600-h/DSCF0437.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uKH2Q6iquEDBafRxBmyXtpBXM-Dc_IMz6Vihe2cJDejDOl9kYnkBvWUg0JXCaEEz29jrDbHDrrfT9tuk0dUPNAdCyGB0KwndkSmFFJqcDRCuB6zw1-dIt-fQo9cMe3_hDTOa9PDmk4k/s320/DSCF0437.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368765645452461362" /></a><br /></div><div> The combo of the warm sweet potatoes and roasted squash and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">zucchini</span></span> over the cool spinach was divine. I also had a little feta under there that softened under the heat. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">YYYUUUUMMMEERRRSSS</span></span>!</div><div><br /></div><div> I love the hot/ cold combo. Like ice cream on a hot brownie or warm <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">apple</span></span> pie. Cold <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">daiquiri</span></span> on the hot sand.......<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">HAHA</span></span>!! What are some of your favorite hot/ cold combos?</div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-11573989358184974282009-08-10T11:16:00.005-04:002009-08-10T12:16:40.333-04:00Comfort FoodTonight I made my first whole roasted chicken and I used <strong>Ina Garten's recipe called The Perfect Roasted Chicken.</strong> I've been hearing how easy this recipe is and how it's foolproof and it's also A-MAZE-ING! I've been craving roasted chicken and potatoes and vegetables lately and this HIT the spot! The recipe is simple and you need only a few ingredients!<br /><div><div><div><br /> </div><div>courtesy of the Food Network and Barefoot Contessa<br /><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>Ingredients</strong></div><div><strong></strong><br /> </div><div>1 (5 to 6 pound) roasting chicken (Organic Free Range)<br />Kosher salt<br />Freshly ground black pepper<br />1 large bunch fresh thyme, plus 20 sprigs<br />1 lemon, halved<br />1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise<br />2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, melted<br />1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced<br />4 carrots cut into 2-inch chunks<br />1 bulb of fennel, tops removed, and cut into wedges<br />Olive oil<br /></div><br /><br /><div><em><strong>Directions<br /></strong>Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.<br />Remove the chicken giblets. Rinse the chicken inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pin feathers and pat the outside dry. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, both halves of lemon, and all the garlic. Brush the outside of the chicken with the butter and sprinkle again with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken. Place the onions, carrots, and fennel in a roasting pan. Toss with salt, pepper, 20 sprigs of thyme, and olive oil. Spread around the bottom of the roasting pan and place the chicken on top.<br />Roast the chicken for 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Remove the chicken and vegetables to a platter and cover with aluminum foil for about 20 minutes. Slice the chicken onto a platter and serve it with the vegetables. </em></div><br /><div align="center">Chopped Vegetables and Potatoes in my beautiful cast iron pot (that I lugged around for 3 blocks)<br /></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanME3ZP4AnPCQ4dY0PEgwDqpHaF6jtCpf6BOj3vxZDE6wb1Im8Rz5ouMWcoNQpHZt1HsZ34mHDveZ951hLIwiMSBvZ_pL1KWJ8bE_S8spxpBNIQOsj1_5X7eIuLshSYPvYvoHM-73I2U/s1600-h/PFC1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368361067104705858" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanME3ZP4AnPCQ4dY0PEgwDqpHaF6jtCpf6BOj3vxZDE6wb1Im8Rz5ouMWcoNQpHZt1HsZ34mHDveZ951hLIwiMSBvZ_pL1KWJ8bE_S8spxpBNIQOsj1_5X7eIuLshSYPvYvoHM-73I2U/s320/PFC1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><ul><br /><li>I followed the recipe to a T. Well, almost. Here are some changes I would make:</li><br /><li>Add more vegetables, I like a ton of veggies with it and I would add an entire bag of carrots and also another onion.<br /></li><li>Less salt. I was mega liberal with the salt and it was just a tad too salty</li><br /><li>More Thyme inside</li><br /><li>Whole Garlic Cloves with the veggies</li><br /><li>I added <strong>Red Roasting Potatoes</strong> to the veggies too-turned out awesome</li></ul><div><br /><br /> </div><div align="center">Here, after carving and with the jus from the bottom of the pot:<br /></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AY9oY4gHDtZWASzs_BryXlWQGRJqo8a_AzaXmcIbyNvN4-03Prx9nC6gSNTetPpqZ64hEfjMpppe-hNl4Sfs24MkNUK-6VA8doEfSdvuIigq358v_P2MR4kOtir_y69OET0FPoeHRfc/s1600-h/comfort.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368361063586586370" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AY9oY4gHDtZWASzs_BryXlWQGRJqo8a_AzaXmcIbyNvN4-03Prx9nC6gSNTetPpqZ64hEfjMpppe-hNl4Sfs24MkNUK-6VA8doEfSdvuIigq358v_P2MR4kOtir_y69OET0FPoeHRfc/s320/comfort.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div>It was just a tad salty (which was my fault) but OMG the juiciness of the chicken and the taste, oh the taste! Is it lunchtime yet-I'm excited to eat these leftovers!</div><br /><div>The health factor of this dish-well its already healthy. There isn't anything to substitute. Probably the butter, but it's only a tablespoon-ish on the skin to make it crispy, and you can remove that.<br /><br />As a side I made <strong>Smoked Pimiento and Cheese Grits</strong>. Hello new favorite dish! When it's tweaked a little better, I will post the recipe! (and sorry for the blurry picture, Joey was bumping my arm-she went CRAZY for the chicken!)</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvuc9u0zHuxhdhlClWKUKQ4Yr5wQS-k9csEDS7kCCr53ivK9u7A9Gwpjc1Xq4SCYrqL5L9A6Tveht3N85sLyInEZiPP9X7zLq57S2gEPf87b58xBnIPD2Krqsgn-gKppLgJl9PB3aNnM/s1600-h/smokedgrits.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368361927732498818" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvuc9u0zHuxhdhlClWKUKQ4Yr5wQS-k9csEDS7kCCr53ivK9u7A9Gwpjc1Xq4SCYrqL5L9A6Tveht3N85sLyInEZiPP9X7zLq57S2gEPf87b58xBnIPD2Krqsgn-gKppLgJl9PB3aNnM/s320/smokedgrits.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p>And I couldn't complete a meal without dessert!!</p><br /><br /><p align="center">Array of mini desserts from <strong>Whole Foods: Petite Vanilla Cheesecake, Petite Fruit Tart, Carrot Cake, Cannoli, Mini Vanilla Cupcake (perfect size!)</strong></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSh4yKiqZgJpJVCyg2uNYsPXtLR860Ji1Q91YeyyfGx2wdRjG55eXpOSwyf7h5n0RLVhJuKq_tGtIVeyneix4-owvDIGDVugcq9KK3rtVbXz0Fx0qdsuXN08DxF1GHaKAndGuD0Bd4PgE/s1600-h/dessert.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368361058759950930" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSh4yKiqZgJpJVCyg2uNYsPXtLR860Ji1Q91YeyyfGx2wdRjG55eXpOSwyf7h5n0RLVhJuKq_tGtIVeyneix4-owvDIGDVugcq9KK3rtVbXz0Fx0qdsuXN08DxF1GHaKAndGuD0Bd4PgE/s320/dessert.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><strong>Now, get to cooking people!!</strong></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><strong></strong></p><br /><br /><p align="left">Live-in and I spent Saturday biking around NYC and Staten Island (don't go) and it was just amazing-like I was a kid again! NYC Summer Streets is here every Saturday where Park Avenue was closed from 72nd to the Brooklyn Bridge from 7am-1pm. It's refreshing to see all the bikers, runners, walkers, skaters instead of cars!<br /></p><p align="center">See: (yes, I took this picture while riding and it was hard!)</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_NGcoM3giTl3h5TY1m6nZbv1D1BkL9B85OejuzEotxFwwExbVN3kF40ukQhyphenhyphenBcB8IzdfOKrno5StEQhutu76AXM6Ns10FsY0eR8n29HEFj17kBu8aKRaEPSOxdJZWEpdHdWGEqckT2U/s1600-h/summerstreets.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368368223772090514" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_NGcoM3giTl3h5TY1m6nZbv1D1BkL9B85OejuzEotxFwwExbVN3kF40ukQhyphenhyphenBcB8IzdfOKrno5StEQhutu76AXM6Ns10FsY0eR8n29HEFj17kBu8aKRaEPSOxdJZWEpdHdWGEqckT2U/s320/summerstreets.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center">This is the bike I want! <strong>Jamis Commuter 2 in Pacific Blue</strong>, just in case!!</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyMthdjg5uLppEWotiDNcCq5aqdVOZeayzdMQcQT-K42jUHbYK25a7P340X3bzdQBmbabj2APa-tHsHU7t1Kskgw2laxlQkGKPYz_rJiQFCsnlZ8HBR6DKleW8T-D0Owdxg1-0HucM70/s1600-h/09_commuter2_bll.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368368217932092626" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyMthdjg5uLppEWotiDNcCq5aqdVOZeayzdMQcQT-K42jUHbYK25a7P340X3bzdQBmbabj2APa-tHsHU7t1Kskgw2laxlQkGKPYz_rJiQFCsnlZ8HBR6DKleW8T-D0Owdxg1-0HucM70/s320/09_commuter2_bll.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center">Get out there and get busy!</p></div></div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-7318164651514660692009-08-09T19:11:00.003-04:002009-08-09T19:17:52.903-04:00Excitement!In the spirit of <span style="font-style: italic;">Julie and Julia</span>, the movie, and awesome cookbooks, food bloggers and chefs worldwide, Anna and I have decided to choose a favorite Chef/cookbook Author and recreate their dishes BUT with healthy substitutions. For example, if a dish calls for 4 eggs, the substitution could be 3 egg white and 2 eggs. We are really excited about this (and so our our boyfriends/husbands)!!!! Cooking is a passion of both of ours, and making "healthier" versions, well, I just can't say how awesome it will be!!!!<br /><br />Anna will be taking Giada de Laurentiis and I've picked Ina Garten.<br /><br />I am making the first recipe tonight, so stay tuned!!!!!!!!Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-81845389143992168652009-08-07T22:24:00.003-04:002009-08-07T23:16:30.191-04:00Cooking is hip again!I don't know about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ya'll</span>, but I am so glad that cooking at home is hip again. Remember in the late 90's/ early 2000's when Sex and the City meant girls night drinking cosmos out on the town? It wasn't even cool to <i>eat</i> at home, much less spend time <i>cooking </i>the meal you were eating. Eating at home meant you didn't have big fancy plans to go out with your friends in your super duper low rise jeans and highest pointiest-toed heels. I sure am glad that era has passed. I don't know if it's that I'm almost 30, or if I am lazy, and while I ADORE dressing up, I would almost always rather be home, with a pup and a book, watching the Food Network.<div> Well, thanks to so many awesome books, Food Network personalities like Paula <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Deen</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Giada</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">DeLaurentis</span>, and yes, even Rachael Ray, cooking is hip!!!! I for one could not be happier. Some of my earliest childhood memories involve helping my mom peel vegetables for dinner, baking cookies with my maternal grandmother, and helping my dad's mom decorate wedding cakes which people ordered from her by the dozens in a tee-tiny Arkansas town. For as long as I can remember, these women just <i>knew</i> how to cook, and their cooking was the way they loved their families. Some of the funniest memories I have of my grandfather are of him and I watching Justin Wilson drink the majority of his bottle of wine with just a splash left for whatever dish he intended it to go into.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-D1ymUIJ72STtgADdfcRKzSWb2njJMFLgiDPPrBkYwWYfggWatQqaK9ng368EaFi9tsJkKzR9b3MzHd8afr34hTCAF2xCxy5UIm_n4Hg-hisaTKziDB7CaYbGUFmyMX7XFmfRmgsIM58/s1600-h/Justin+Wilson.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-D1ymUIJ72STtgADdfcRKzSWb2njJMFLgiDPPrBkYwWYfggWatQqaK9ng368EaFi9tsJkKzR9b3MzHd8afr34hTCAF2xCxy5UIm_n4Hg-hisaTKziDB7CaYbGUFmyMX7XFmfRmgsIM58/s320/Justin+Wilson.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367426236559823602" style="cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div> In the south, our livelihood is often food. We celebrated with food, we loved with food, and when someone needed it, we healed with food. New neighbors? Basket of baked goods. Friend had surgery or a death in the family? Casseroles. Good report card? Well....you get the idea.</div><div> It wasn't until recently that I realized all of the southern cooking I grew up loving, and the dishes I aspired to replicate actually had very healthy aspects. Sure we fried our fish, but it was caught fresh and cleaned by my grandfather. My other grandfather made his entire living with his crops. Rarely in the summer did I ever eat a fruit or vegetable that wasn't "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MawMaw's</span> purple hull peas" or "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">PawPaw's</span> watermelon". In fact every Thanksgiving and Christmas there is at least one pecan pie with "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">MawMaws</span> pecans" and one apple pie with "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">MawMaws</span> apples". Let's not forget"Nannies' greens". </div><div> I love baking, chopping, stirring, mixing and pouring. I don't know if it is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">because</span> of the recession, or what, but I am so excited that so many of my friends seem to be cooking at home more often these days. When you cook at home, you can control <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">the</span> quality and quantity of the ingredients you use. And benefit from having a <i>very</i> impressed man around the house. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Afterall</span>, the way to a man's heart really is through his stomach. Did Carrie Bradshaw ever think of that?</div><div> With this weekends release of Julie and Julia, I hope that people will fall in love with cooking the way I did when I was young. And I am so glad to tell my grandmas how long they have been "hip"!</div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-40308274682794172242009-08-06T16:43:00.002-04:002009-08-06T16:58:39.296-04:00COOKIES...ME NEED COOOOKIES<div> </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJj8vrJ26EKbN9foXvKszZ5W4iXWJRQuSL2oH2_rA8kGo82e_MZyxL3tuL1WEQ5ec243cCPVh2qONBzUI_y5OtmlV9lBMJ1OtjlTKtfvUAM9P79c9TasJvBE3oUZpCCg3arqethhuBWOY/s1600-h/cookiesfrench.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366955218900979842" style="WIDTH: 366px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJj8vrJ26EKbN9foXvKszZ5W4iXWJRQuSL2oH2_rA8kGo82e_MZyxL3tuL1WEQ5ec243cCPVh2qONBzUI_y5OtmlV9lBMJ1OtjlTKtfvUAM9P79c9TasJvBE3oUZpCCg3arqethhuBWOY/s320/cookiesfrench.bmp" border="0" /></a></p><div><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><strong>Me Cookie Monster, me need cookies.</strong></div><div>During college, one of my classes had a symposium of sorts (Psychology) and of course there was catering. I head straight for the cookies only to find one of my favorite teachers hanging around the cookie jar too. We discussed our love for cookies and agreed that cookies were in fact, the best food on Earth. When your professor says it, it's true.</div><div> </div><div>It's definitely a week for cookies. I bought both boxes of cookies and the<strong> Le Petit Ecolier</strong> are gone. I shared veerry few with my coworkers. Very few. I pretty much ate them all.</div><div> </div><div>The <strong>Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies</strong> are still available, as I type this. But I am pretty sure when I get home I plan on devouring them. Oops. Plus, so good dipped in <strong>Vanilla Coconut Milk</strong>.</div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKP1OyF5Cc_TcXmHi5sanqlFzwQyc4VwDdLFpOrCjBR9DPsvIWtc3blW9p5YaRGuX4s5__P8DhvrKjrafwi-H6Y17DFnmKbIUiQvzgwnb9m9TqC5bFrVjRYmf3ZwSzUgNuNyO8Lb0OuW4/s1600-h/pepperidge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366955225547696562" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKP1OyF5Cc_TcXmHi5sanqlFzwQyc4VwDdLFpOrCjBR9DPsvIWtc3blW9p5YaRGuX4s5__P8DhvrKjrafwi-H6Y17DFnmKbIUiQvzgwnb9m9TqC5bFrVjRYmf3ZwSzUgNuNyO8Lb0OuW4/s320/pepperidge.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div>This week has been a regular ol' week. <strong>Eatin' the leftovers of the gumbo and lasagna (go me!) is a rare feat and I also made tortilla pizzas last night and was STUFFED after one. </strong> Might be the fact that I shoved fresh Mozzarella in my face as I was slicing (one for you, 2 for me)! </div><div> </div><div>Me and my boy, we got our new sofa this week and as soon as the apartment is clean, I will post some pics of me modeling how awesome it is. And when the table and chairs arrive, I will post <strong>ACTUAL MEALS at the table</strong>! I'm BEYOND stoked for a table. It's time to start setting the table again for dinner (yay) and talking instead of watching the tele hunched over our food.</div><div> </div><div>T-minus 4 minutes until the end of my work day! Happy Thursday!</div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4245175460852776975.post-33747910658245248252009-08-05T12:52:00.003-04:002009-08-05T13:13:10.010-04:00Ouch My Legs!Sniff, sneeze, cough, cough, sniff. Those are the sounds i have been making for almost a week now. Dumb. This cold/flu thing I came down with last Thursday is hanging around! Luckily I do have a bit more energy today, adn I had a bit more last night. Good thing, becasue I had a super full spin class counting on me! We did a KILLER workout in class, and my legs are a bit sore today. <div> Speaking of muscle soreness, here is an educational tidbit for you. There is so much false info out there in what "delayed onset muscle soreness" really is, i htought I should fill you in.</div><div> The soreness that appears out of nowhere 1 to 2 days after a workout is actually tiny little microscopic tears in your muscles. The pain comes from that inflammation, and your body trying to heal it. That is why if you will move those muscles the day after a workout, your muscle soreness won't be as bad, and will go away sooner. Increasing the circulation to that area can actually speed healing by delivering more oxegyn and nutrients, and removing waste.</div><div> Did you know that the eccentric portion ( or the "lowering phase") of an exercise is what causes the damage to tissue, creating those microscopic tears? So if you want to really feel your workout the next day, try concentrating on "Negatives", or slowing down that eccentric phase. Try taking twice as long to lower the weight as you did to lift it. For a quad shredding workout, try this!</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li> Leg extension on machine, 3 sets x 12 reps @ 60 lbs ( concentrating on lowering portion)</li><li><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRWkxkUfkMZPnU3I50q7R81frFvyIOKmL0awm7xAAoPcsFdsagiZWX-nzTAGk0pNUzkfktUFH0OUe4MUNY1jbEJljVRMRykxrgNIgC3mfa8N32MnyQc0Hn1rovCV0kQykNtRS4JxzAO0/s1600-h/images-2.jpeg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRWkxkUfkMZPnU3I50q7R81frFvyIOKmL0awm7xAAoPcsFdsagiZWX-nzTAGk0pNUzkfktUFH0OUe4MUNY1jbEJljVRMRykxrgNIgC3mfa8N32MnyQc0Hn1rovCV0kQykNtRS4JxzAO0/s320/images-2.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366528487061258770" style="cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 111px; " /></a></li><li> Walking lunges with 20 lb dumbells in each hand, 3 sets x 20 reps</li><li><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Nk1AamecdrRAigWl1xpDBKGydtPLs3TdLTF0f4Y5tBJydXs-FEzg4-sb9ca7-UEUASKsE03U5caqHGehDINWxgwsF4wwo4ZSRNaWbP3emCZ_5HHFB532wa73MqGKNYDL1PkD_vXWJSI/s1600-h/images-1.jpeg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Nk1AamecdrRAigWl1xpDBKGydtPLs3TdLTF0f4Y5tBJydXs-FEzg4-sb9ca7-UEUASKsE03U5caqHGehDINWxgwsF4wwo4ZSRNaWbP3emCZ_5HHFB532wa73MqGKNYDL1PkD_vXWJSI/s320/images-1.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366528481648514226" style="cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 62px; " /></a></li><li><br /></li><li> High bar back squats with a 45 lb power bar, 3 sets x 12 reps</li><li><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbosd8n3VyxzKAW5YzUvD8j4h8R1QiknptCr2gmOgj_b7lYjh3JEfREioyIvO-3qzU7Y_u9FQiUFEQPSkAtPKUuDqtXtMFLe21JzSn3rmiDAmNrjI3iIVNX__Vp_0s_iHU1PO4-dBG_Qg/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbosd8n3VyxzKAW5YzUvD8j4h8R1QiknptCr2gmOgj_b7lYjh3JEfREioyIvO-3qzU7Y_u9FQiUFEQPSkAtPKUuDqtXtMFLe21JzSn3rmiDAmNrjI3iIVNX__Vp_0s_iHU1PO4-dBG_Qg/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366528496340143842" style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 85px; " /></a></li><li> Bench step ups with 10 lb dumbells in each hand, or load on shoulders to stress spine, 3 sets x 10 reps on each leg</li><li><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKmPBu2wWfg1GVZDXQCxehhfdTjOyO2WkwgXF6JQuLxv5SrFSicGQg3RkCA6FN1EvQ6v2E8l2ZdVXTy9xaRCMXgMQkJLfT6IJNIjnBZmldbxU8ecFJwqaJkisVu8HCp1Pt-XSofROwSA/s1600-h/images-3.jpeg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKmPBu2wWfg1GVZDXQCxehhfdTjOyO2WkwgXF6JQuLxv5SrFSicGQg3RkCA6FN1EvQ6v2E8l2ZdVXTy9xaRCMXgMQkJLfT6IJNIjnBZmldbxU8ecFJwqaJkisVu8HCp1Pt-XSofROwSA/s320/images-3.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366528489652997298" style="cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 98px; " /></a></li></ul></div><div><br /><div> </div></div>Healthy Butthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06128677822442548679noreply@blogger.com0