A Trip to the Mediterranean and Bucket Lists

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I’ve got big plans scheduled for next weekend (more on that later), so this weekend was full of rest and relaxation. Whenever we can, if we know we have big plans coming up, we purposely try to keep it low-key for the week leading up to the big plans.

Our weekend included an early morning hike up a nearby mountain.

The bugs and humidity were so worth it once we saw this view!

The bugs and humidity were so worth it once we saw this view!

And a “trip to the Mediterranean” through a meal cooked up on Saturday night. The meal included homemade hummus, tzatziki sauce, baked pita chips, a Greek salad and smothered chicken. I promised the BF we’d be transferred to the Mediterranean, and I feel like I delivered!

greek collage

Here are the abridged recipes I used to make this meal. I highly recommend that you give them a try, because everything was delicious!

Feast fit for the Greek Gods

Feast fit for the Greek Gods

  • Pita Chips: Cut pitas into 8ths, sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper, bake at 400 for 15 to 20 minutes
  • Hummus: Blend together 1 can chickpeas, 1/4 cup liquid from can, 1 tbsp tahini, 2 garlic cloves, 5 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil and salt to taste
  • Tzatziki: Mix together 1 cup greek yogurt, 2 tbsp fresh chopped dill, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 finely chopped cucumber, 1/2 lemon, 1 tsp lemon zest and top with olive oil and mint for flavor
  • Greek Salad: Chopped romaine, feta cheese, kalamata olives, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers; dressing = 10 tbsp olive oil, juice from a lemon, 1 tsp red wine, 2 cloves minced garlic and oregano
  • Mediterranean Smothered Chicken: From my girl, Kristen at Iowa Girl Eats (sans pasta)

However, instead of talking about food and fitness, today I’d like to talk about goals and bucket lists. Why am I getting so deep, you may ask? Well, because, my friends, next weekend we’re headed to my hometown, Omaha, to celebrate my 30th birthday!

And, like any milestone birthday, turning 30 makes you think a little deeper (which I don’t often do!) about what you’ve achieved in life so far and what you’d like to do next… (settle in with your lunch folks, this one’s a lengthy post!)

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Posted in: favorites, Healthy Living, Life Changes \ Tagged: , , ,

8 Minutes Arms and Back in the City!

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I’ve got a little secret to tell you. I can’t do ONE push up…at least not without doing the girlie kind, and even then, I can only do about 15. As someone who loves to run and work out, this shortcoming has always bothered me, especially when I read about all those crazy Crossfit people.

However, even without push-ups, whenever I wear a sleeveless shirt, I usually receive a compliment on my toned arms. (This is much appreciated, as my hair is usually a mess or there is some sort of food stain on my clothing.)

Hot Sweaty Mess. But, my arms don't mess around.

Hot Sweaty Mess. But, my arms don’t mess around.

As you know, I’m not one to brag. I am certainly no Cameron Diaz. However, over the years, I’ve managed to maintain the tonality in my arms with daily cardio and a very short weight-lifting routine about three to four times a week. Continue Reading →

Posted in: Exercise Motivation, favorites, workouts

There is No Place like Nebraska Syndrome and Tailgating with Donuts

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Help me readers – I’m sick.

I miss "wide open spaces" and big, spacious grocery aisles!

I’ve got this very rare “illness.” Usually get it about 3 – 4 times per year. It’s characterized with extensive periods of feeling sorry for myself, longing for country music and “wide open spaces,” dreaming of large grocery stores with diverse baking aisles and produce sections, wanting to turn the corner and run into someone that tells you to “have a good day” because they actually care and needing the comforting sight of chain restaurants and never-ending cornfields.

I call this illness “There is no place like Nebraska” syndrome. Time and draft beer are the only cure…but it never completely goes away.

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Posted in: Eating, Exercise Motivation, favorites, Healthy Living, Nebraska

Sometimes Healthy, Usually Cupcakes

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I’m not really sure how this Sometimes Healthy Living blog, as of recently, has evolved into a blog mostly about cupcakes and donuts.

Cupcakes for a cause!

On the plus side, the treats are “healthified,” so I do feel that the content is in line with the whole Sometimes Healthy concept.

But, on the other hand, I suppose there’s more to being Sometimes Healthy than eating/baking cupcakes.

Because I’ve been working so much lately, it’s easier for me to write posts that encompass my daily life at work. Thus, Cupcake Monday. I promise you I’m not just baking cupcakes, eating them and sitting on the Couch Monster all day every day. I actually AM doing healthy things 90% of the time…Remember? I also like to run, spin, cook weird things AND go to “unique” fitness classes. I just haven’t been inspired to write about them lately. Stay tuned because I have some good ideas on the horizon…

But until then…

Cupcakes are a Sometimes Healthy Girl’s inspiration.

Especially today.

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Posted in: favorites, Recipes

Forgive Me Readers, For I Have Sinned

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Forgive me readers/friends, for I have sinned.

I've been up to no good!

It’s been 10 days since my last blog post.

And I feel pretty bad about it. I felt so guilty that I had to distract myself with a giant lollipop…

But, please loyal (hopefully) readers, you’ll have to forgive me, as I’ve been a bit busy with work. Oh, and that job of mine forced me to travel across the country and stay at a stunning hotel on the ocean. And then spend a few days in Las Vegas (but we’ll get to that adventure in another post). Continue Reading →

Posted in: favorites, Runs

Beef With Sandra Lee

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Those of you that are familiar with my recipes might have noticed a common theme: I always take the semi-homemade approach.

I applaud those that make baked goods from scratch and grow fresh herbs in their apartment, but I long ago accepted that truly homemade would never be my thing. I’m way too messy in the kitchen, and if a recipe has more than 5 steps, I will no doubt make a gigantic mistake.

Remember the Friends episode where Rachel Green tries to make a “Traditional English Trifle” for Thanksgiving desert ends up with a wacky food combination that’s a cross of Shepard’s Pie and some fruity dessert?

What's not to like? "Custard..good! Jam...good...Meat....goooood!"

Yeah, that’s me (without the perfect, trend-setting haircut).

So, that’s why I cook out of a box, can or pouch 90% of the time. And I’m not ashamed! The “Semi-Homemade” approach is easy, fun and still gives me that same “look, I baked” feeling of satisfaction. Win, Win.

But, you know what’s drives me crazy… Continue Reading →

Posted in: favorites, Foodies \ Tagged: , , ,

Healthified Cupcakes for my Intern

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Yesterday was my intern, Malia’s, last day at the office, so, as I often do on special occasions, I went overboard. Way overboard.

Here’s what my kitchen looked on Tuesday night.

One intern departure = 24 ginormous cupcakes and pretty cinnamon rolls

I went into the store with intentions of making the ever-popular chocolate + applesauce cupcake couple that was such a big hit with the coworkers last time around. But then, the strawberry cake mix caught my eye, and I just couldn’t resist the idea of some pretty pink cupcakes.

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Posted in: favorites, Theme Songs \ Tagged: , , ,

Getting High on Stress

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Oh Twitter, how you love to distract me from my work.

Of course, I think this Monday most of us New Yorkers were either in a bit of a “Hurricane Irene” fog or unable to make it into the office and therefore trapped in our respective homes.

(Sidenote: I am in a chocolate/wine fog from sitting on the couch all weekend with Michelle, making our way through our Hurricane Survival Pack and watching every chick flick known to man. This morning in spin class, my legs felt like tin…then the instructor played a Selena Gomez song at the top of a hill…It was a rough class, to say the least, but I persevered.)

Therefore, I willfully allowed a few tweets to distract me during work today, figuring that I was in a similar boat with those that were still transfixed by all of this non-stop Irene coverage (On a serious note, while I’m very happy NYC made it through unscathed, I’m definitely thinking about those that were affected and hoping for the best for all).

When Women’s Health tweeted the following, I just HAD to click on it.

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Posted in: favorites, Healthy Living

Cheesesteaks Don’t Need Steak: Lessons Learned at HLS

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Steak Cheesesteak, Veggie Cheesesteak? Read on to find out 😉

Over the weekend, at the Healthy Living Summit, I met more amazing and accomplished people than I ever thought was possible to fit in a room, tweeted more than I’ve ever tweeted in my entire life and discovered a new kind of bread to obsess about…

Oh and I learned that the Philly Cheesesteak tastes just as good without the steak…

I’d love to recap the entire conference for you, but per usual, I’m a bit late to the game, and I imagine you’ve probably read it all a few times by now. So instead, let’s talk about some of the lessons I learned at Healthy Living Summit 2011: Continue Reading →

Posted in: Eating, favorites, Foodies, Healthy Living Summit

Spaghetti Squash with a Side of Snoop

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Look who's cookin' good lookin 😉

The week I was in Nebraska, I missed both the Bachelorette and MTV’s latest addictive train-wreck, The Challenge. In fact, I turned on the television once in 8 days as entertainment while I was doing situps. What does that mean? It means I was extremely busy back in the Big-O.

I know what you’re thinking: It’s Nebraska, how much could you possible have to do?

Well first off, shame on you for being so judgmental dear old Nebraska. Omaha is a very happening place. You should go there for vacation. Let me know when you plan the trip, and I’ll make some recommendations…

And secondly, between family, friends and reunion preparations, I had plenty to keep me busy…including a Sometimes Healthy Spaghetti Squash Faux Lasagna Family Dinner.

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Posted in: favorites, Nebraska