Deal or No Deal

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I am going to run tomorrow. Are you going to run tomorrow? Let's both run tomorrow :)

CHALLENGE: If I do not do a solid run (5+ miles), then I will not allow myself to have dessert for 2 days. This may seem small to you, but I am used to having something sweet just about everyday- and today I bought some delicious ice cream...so here we go!

A Few First's

These past couple of weeks have brought some "firsts" for myself and my family.

* I ran my first double digit run! I did this on Monday (just an even 10 miles) and it felt GREAT! I was even able to semi-sprint at the end and felt very strong. It was a cleansing and peaceful run that I enjoyed very much. It felt pretty neat to not only beat a goal that at one time seemed impossible, but to actually find joy in doing it was awesome. I praised God for this exciting accomplishment and spent a lot of time with him while on this run.

*Our first Christmas together as a married couple :) A quick little recap of our love story: We met through Jake's cousin (my friend), but I did not want much to do with him- terrible I know! Trust me, I thought he was cute and sweet, but I had just been involved here and there with some fellas that were not so sweet and plus Jake lived in Texas...long distance was not my idea of fun. But, lo and behold, we kept communicating and he snagged me ;) We would talk and talk about everything, send pictures of the sunsets (I used to drive out to the country roads around here just to get a better shot- googly I know), and we then discovered skype= such a blessing! My friend, her fiance (now husband), and myself all flew down and we had this whirlwind first meeting at the airport. He kissed me so fast before he hugged me I wasn't sure what had happened. To say the least, I still get butterflies when I think about it. After too much money spent on plane tickets, 2 moves (I to Texas and then him to Ohio), and a too long engagement- we got married on May 20th, 2012. It was beautiful and a very special and fun day. We honeymooned in Key West, thanks to a wonderful uncle who owns a condo there, and we had an absolute blast! I love him in so many different ways and cherish him so much. I could go on, but I will try to refrain for now, haha.

*My first big pot of chili! I substituted the beef with chicken and spiced it up some...thank goodness it turned out alright and I believe we both ate 2 (maybe 3) bowls!...with cheese of course. 

 

*Going out in public wearing running tights. I have wanted to own a pair for a long time but was struggling with the cost of many of the brands. I found a decent pair to test out before shelling out a huge wad of dough. They are revealing, but at the same time ultra-comfortable to run in. I am a new dedicated fan.

*Admittance. Being honest about issues or needing help with emotional/mental/physical problems is not easy in any circumstance. I am learning that no matter how I feel in the moment, telling those around me what is really going on (instead of saying "okay" or "I'm fine") is better than internalizing.

Caramel, Cheesy, White Cheddar, and Butter Gourmet 
Popcorn have found me...

*Not running for more than 4 days! I have taken about a week off from my normal running schedule. Now, I am not saying that this is necessarily healthy, but I have "allowed" myself to not worry so much about needing to workout or scrutinize everything I eat. I was getting too crazy and almost obsessed with making sure I exercised/ran and stuck to a food plan. These are not unhealthy or bad things, but I was not doing them for the right reasons. It is kind of nice to not be such a worry wart about these things, and I know those around me appreciate not hearing about these "issues" of mine as much. I plan on getting back into the swing of things asap, but spending time with family is my priority right now. This includes indulging on cheesy popcorn with my cheesy husband...hahaha good joke right?

*Signing up for my first half marathon! What?! Never thought I would do something like this, and I am very excited :) I plan on doing one this coming spring and hopefully with one or two friends.--Will keep you updated!

*Reached my 25miles/week running goal (last week).

*Did not count calories for a week! AHH! haha ;) (see previous note)

*Made contacts and networked for positions in a museum close by and also to dabble in personal styling/closet makeovers! Very cool.

Vintage Suede Long Blazer with Retro Wool Pinstripe Button-Up Dress and XXI Necklace
and simple beaded strand Leather 80s Booties and Floral Leather Hobo Bag.

*First real snow :)

What are some fun things/firsts that you have experienced lately? I'd love to listen :)

xoxo

Birthday Stud

Today is my husband's 25th birthday! I am hoping to help his day be beyond wonderful and amazing :) A fun dinner of his choice of course, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, games, a movie, football? It's all up to him!
I love him very much and feel so blessed to cherish him, not only as my husband, but as a best friend and the most caring person I know. 
Happy Birthday!

xoxoxoxoxo

Abundance of BeefCakes

I did not run yesterday. I had to be honest with you. I always do something on Wednesdays so that I can take Fridays off, but I felt lazy and for the first time in a while, I totally gave in. My only excuse for slacking is that it is finals week and my brain is a bit scrambled; but that's all I got. So, today I had 5 miles scheduled, but I told myself I had to do 6. I don't know if it was punishment really, or just to be sure I could still run.

I went to the rec center and started off on the treadmill with a steady 5 miles. I am not sure why, but my body was feeling it today. I was sore and very tired for the last 1.5 miles. Then, the plan was to do my last mile at an easy pace on the indoor track. But, before we get there I must tell you of my view today from the dreadmill. Usually there are a mix of people at the rec, but today it was all beefcakes. Now, I am not using the in a derogatory way. I actually think it's a fun and silly word and it is hard to say without smiling. These guys do make me giggle a little though. They are usually wearing tight UA shirts and constantly glare at their shiny muscles while lifting. I know you need to see your frame to make sure you are lifting correctly, but this is all out self-indulgence, body version. Anyways, I mostly stared out the bottom windows (the cardio equipment and track are upstairs with an open view down below). I watched crazy squirrels chase each other and the occasional runner that obviously just ran by to make me feel bad about working out indoors.

By the time I finished my 5 mile set I was pooped, but still shakily determined. The track was pretty empty, which is my favorite, so I did not mind taking a comfortable pace. I finished up that last mile, lifted upper body, did some core work, and finished with a good stretch. Of course when I got home I ate my oatmeal with PB and banana slices...3 weeks strong guys, almost every single day- I have a problem. I also cleaned up our place a bit- we have all of our Christmas decorations up so it always looks more festive when things are cleaner and there is less puffs of puppy hair floating around.

I hope your week is going great, I will be studying the rest of tonight...I'm sure. But, after finals I have some great recipe and fashion posts coming your way! And, of course, keep me accountable for that running thing I try and do ;)

xoxo 

Running Encouragment

I was needing some encouragment to continue with my running goals and determination after another week of stopping short of a solid 8-mile run. These were some quote of uplifting words and advice that runners of any level can appreciate. Enjoy, and here's to an awesome week of some great runs :)

"You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement."
- Steve Prefontaine

"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs."
-Jesse Owens

"The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare."
-Juma Ikangaa, 1989 NYC Marathon winner

"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."
-Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

"Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about."
-PattiSue Plumer, U.S. Olympian

"Believe that you can run farther or faster. Believe that you're young enough, old enough, strong enough, and so on to accomplish everything you want to do. Don't let worn-out beliefs stop you from moving beyond yourself."
-John Bingham, running speaker and writer

"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'"
- Peter Maher, Canadian marathon runner

"Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'."
-Paul Tergat, Kenyan professional marathoner

"We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable."
-Sir Roger Bannister, first runner to run a sub-4 minute mile

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."
-John Bingham

xoxo

Typical

One of my favorite blogs, runsforcookies, recently did a post on her typical meals for "healthier eating." I loved the post and found that I ate many of the same snacks and meals. I thought I would do a simple post (in between my normal ideas rambles) about some of my favorite things to eat!

Breakfast:

• I eat cereal everyday, sometimes twice. I know it may not be the best choice, but I try and eat cereals that at least have some benefit to them. My favorites include: Kashi cereals (Honey Sunshine, Original Go Lean...), Cheerios (all kinds), Fiber One for mixing, Total Raisin Bran, Cascadian Farms (I like their cinnamon one!), and some others. Some of these brands can be expensive so I track their sales and also shop at stores like Big Lots sometimes- they offer many of these "organic" or "natural" brands for much less.
• Whole Grain Waffles with mashed berries and smart balance light
• oatmeal...I will get to this later ;)
• 1 cup whole grain cereal with 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt (Fage 2%)

Lunch:

• Yogurt parfait (as a side)...1/2-1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt, handful of frozen berries (unless they are in season) and 1/4 of granola (Bob's Red Mill is my favorite right now) or cereal
• Tuna salad with triscuits (1 package light tuna, 2 tbsp unsweetened vanilla Greek yogurt, cucumber chopped, dill, and black pepper)
• Open faced sandwiches (usually turkey and provolone or Muenster with lettuce as the "top" piece of bread, and I load mine with onion and tomato), serve with popped chips
• LOVE oatmeal with PB and banana (1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 1/2 tbsp PB and sliced banana), usually have with an egg beaters omelet (50 cal worth of egg beaters, 1 slice cheese, chopped onion, spinach if on hand)
• Lots of grapes and apples with lunches
• Carrots and cucumbers are delicious together- with or without dip
• Angie's Naked Pita Chips with Sabre Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Snacks:

• Fruit: bananas, apples, grapes, berries, oranges, and whatever else might be in season
• cucumbers, carrots, green peppers with or without light dip/ranch
• Kashi bars (really like the dark chocolate coconut and dark chocolate cherry)
• Luna Protein bars
• Mozzarella cheese stick
• Kind Bars (delicious!)
• Fruit or Protein smoothies/shakes (just getting into the protein shake thing- runsforcookies blog has tons of yummy recipes)
• Serving of pretzels with 1/2 cup LF cottage cheese
• Apple slices with 1-2 tbsp PB or PB2
• Handful of peanuts or cashews
• Walnuts mixed with raisins
• Cereal :)

Dinner:

This is harder because we eat all sorts of things for dinner, but these are just ideas to get started maybe...(I have also done and will do some posts on recipes I have used and liked!)

• Quinoa and brown rice...I do a lot of Mexican flare with these using veggies like corn and green and red pepper with black beans, pico de gallo and chicken
• Tuna melts...whole wheat pitas and the above recipe for tuna salad and add cheese!
• Smart Taste Pasta with veggies and chicken or steak (did a post on this one earlier)
• Homemade Pita chips or gyros (did a post on this one earlier)
• Homemade chicken or veggie fried rice with spring rolls
• Soup and bread or grilled cheese :) simple, but comforting
• Enchilada casserole (did a post on this one earlier)
• Pita Pizzas
• Cowboy Beans (will do a post on this)
• Veggie burger or Turkey burgers (for me)
• Breakfast! We love breakfast, so often times we will have omelets and Bob's Red Mill pancakes or waffles, yum.
• Chipotle, Subway, or Mexican food

Dessert:

Elephant Ear Cookies with Cream Cheese or
Cinnamon Sugar Topping- post to come!

• ICE CREAM (I really like the serve yourself fro-yo places and also during the week I try and stick to 1/2 the fat, no sugar added Breyers' or Edy's flavors like vanilla or Neapolitan)
• Protein Brownies (recipe to come!)
• Chunky Cookies (still a dessert, but have walnuts, raisins, and whole wheat flour for an extra boost)
• Frozen Light Cool Whip
• Fruit...when I am being good
• Applesauce with cinnamon
• FiberOne Cookies 90 calories or Flax Seed Choco Chip Raisin Cookies (wal*mart)
• Trail Mixes (like- pretzels, peanuts, choco chips, and raisins)
• CEREAL...yes, again
• Okay, fine...I like sugar. But, I try and keep it special- I usually have a treat everyday and try to mix it up here and there to keep my body guessing. I am not great at not having dessert, so I at least attempt to tone it down here and there. Sometimes you gotta go full fat and do DQ though ;)

These are just some ideas of what gets my tummy rumbling. I hope it might spark some of your own creations. We are not perfect, we like to go out when we can and I do buy "fun" things too for our kitchen. But, I try to keep it balanced and we reserve weekends for a little extra fun. Most importantly, we do not fully restrict ourselves. We like to be active, but we also like to be lazy. I love fruit and cucumbers, but I also like ice cream...so, moderation and keeping these special foods special is an easier way to feel good. I like to experiment and look up new recipes...look for many more to come!

xoxo

Too Much

 

I apologize to you just too much. But, I am sorry for taking a very long and extended pause from blogging. I have so much fun info backlogged it's silly! It's the last couple of weeks before finals, and being almost graduated...it has been just a smidge busy ;) Thank you for your patience and I have a neat post coming your way! I am also scheduled to run...I don't want to today for some reason, but let's hope I tell you later that it was a super inspiring run...mmhmm...
Anyways, have a wonderful rest of your morning and I WILL see you later, xoxo.