Sunday Grocery Run: Notice the spaghetti squash trying to hide from me!
This past Sunday, I was a very ambitious little Sometimes Healthy girl. I planned out ALL of my meals for the week and set a budget for grocery shopping that would hopefully ensure I stayed on track for the Budget Diet all week. If you think that I stuck to the plan, then you clearly don’t me that well yet. Don’t worry – you’ll figure it our soon enough. Anyway, I’ll recap my meal prep and shopping spree in a later post about lessons learned on the budget diet thus far. But for now, let’s talk spaghetti squash! I bought it along with my other groceries on Sunday and couldn’t wait to get a little creative with my fave yellow vegetable that looks like a volleyball. As you recall, I had always been very intimidated by the spag squash, but a few weeks ago (girl vs. spaghetti squash round 1) I finally gave it a shot. And it was mmm mmm good.
This time around, the squash was HUGE. I had to attack it with the knife, to ensure it had lots of room to breathe while cooking in the microwave. Continue Reading →
A feeling of extreme euphoria and strength that one derives from achieving a running goal. This feeling transcends age, distance and gender. It often results in an increase in drive, dedication, self-esteem and confidence.
This week’s word is Runpowerment: Everyone has a running story. Running changes lives. It helps people see that they’re capable of conquering something they never saw possible, whether it’s a 5K or a marathon. And whether you’re 27 or 12, there is something incredibly empowering and inspiring about being able to push your body to the limit (I’m sure many readers of this blog know exactly what I’m talking about. )Even better, all you need to run are some running shoes, mixed with a bit of determination and confidence. And that’s why Girls on the Run (GOTR) is such an incredibly important organization. For those who aren’t aware, here’s the official description of GOTR:
Ever since I started reading healthy living blogs, I’ve noticed a recurring theme: Oatmeal. Lots and lots and LOTS of Oatmeal. Healthy people love oatmeal – This is not a subjective statement: it is a fact that has been proven by countless healthy living blogs and magazines. Luckily, I too am a fan of this magical grain. And always have been (although it was generally in instant packet form). I am always so impressed with the oatmeal creations that you people come up with. Continue Reading →
If you can make it here, you really can make it anywhere. But why would you bother to go anywhere else? –Village Voice on NYC
Friday was a big day for me. HUGE. EPIC. RIDICULOUSLY IMPORTANT (I’m not melodramatic AT ALL) Two years ago on May 7, I finally took the plunge and moved from Chicago to NYC. After interning in NYC at a magazine at the age of 19, I had always wanted to come back. Six years, 3 jobs and a breakup later, I finally made it happen! It was a long time coming, and I couldn’t have been more excited. To say I entered the city all “bright eyed and bushy tailed” is certainly an understatement. Here’s a little exchange that occurred the day after I moved to the city. I think it demonstrates the whole enthusiastic thing: Continue Reading →
I’m running very far behind today. I wanted to ring in Cinco de Mayo in style last night…so I drank this WHOLE thing all by myself….Needless to say, I had a rough time getting out off my cozy bed this AM…
An influx of unusual activity or creativity in one’s kitchen brought on by a change in circumstances, a new project or simply a culinary awakening. This activity defies normal roadblocks, such as a tiny kitchen space, a sink full of dishes or even sleep deprivation. May result in recipes and wacky food combos running through one’s mind at all hours of the night. One may need to distract herself with movies she has seen hundreds of times in order to turn off said creativity and fall asleep.
As I mentioned last week, I’ve decided that every Wednesday will now be “Word Up Wednesday” where I’ll devote a post to a “new” word of the day. Last week, I introduced you to the couch monster. And this week, let’s talk about Kitch-inspiration: Continue Reading →
This is exactly the phrase I repeated to myself over and over throughout the day as I psyched myself up for a killer run. As you know, I’ve been suffering from a mild case of Runner’s Block lately. It’s not surprising. I think marathon runners often struggle a little bit to regain the motivation after the big race (unless you’re a smart little runner who anticipates Runner’s Block in advance!).
I’ve been running at least four days a week, but the pace is pretty slow, and the mileage is pretty weak. Bad little runner girl! I find myself getting frustrated during my runs as I attempt to increase the speed or push a little further. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t get in the zone. Even my good friends Kanye and Eimnem aren’t doing the trick. In other words: I’m just not enjoying it.
So tonight, I told myself to stop THINKING about it and Just Run. I suppose this little mantra wasn’t that unique…merely an altered version of a little known phrase: Just Do It.
Ever heard of it?
Anyway with my iPod fully charged and my brain turned off, I set out to run until my body wanted to stop. Pace, distance and time were irrelevant -it was all about getting in the zone, switching to cruise control and enjoying the ride.
And what do ya know? It worked. It wasn’t perfect, but it felt damn good. In the end, I ran for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. I stopped to take some pics and do some tricep dips along the way so not completely sure of the time. Distance? I have no idea. Somewhere in the double digits range. Pace? Not too fast, not too slow, but just right.
I ran 20 minutes to my favorite spot in the city, the Lower East Side track. It’s what I like to call my special spot. I think I may have been a hamster in another life because I could literally run in circles (with good music) for hours without a problem. But, scenery like this is a bonus. I probably completed over 6 miles on this little track tonight…Not sure though, I wasn’t keeping track 😉
track + city skyline + male soccer players = runner's heaven
So What is a Perfect Run?
Sometimes I think it’s hard to put a perfect run into words – you don’t think it, you just feel it. For me Pearl Jam’s, “Given to Fly” feels like a perfect run. It’s not necessarily the lyrics of the song, but the way the music takes me to another place when I’m in the middle of one of those “magical” runs.
Want to know what it feels like? Click on the YouTube video below. I compiled some of my NYC running pictures together and set them to “Given to Fly.” I thought it would be a cool way to show what a perfect run feels like for me: Forget pace, forget distance, forget time – JUST RUN. Check it out (this is far from a professional video – in fact, it is the opposite):
Usually on Monday, I catch up on all my blog reading and, gathering inspiration from all of you amazing writers/kitchen connoisseurs, I head to the grocery store after my little weight lifting session at the gym. This is generally the second time I’ve gone to the grocery store in 24 hours, and I will probably spend twice as much, if not three times what I intend to spend. It’s not that I have no concept of money, it’s just that I’m “easily inspired.” I’ll see a deal on a product I wouldn’t normally buy, and I’ll buy it anyway, just for the deal and the promise of a brilliant recipe. Thus, I’ve had 3 cans of Tomato Juice sitting in my fridge since the day I moved into this grand apartment.
2 is good, 4 is better butta
Or I’ll spot a deal on something I already have at home, but for some reason I’ll feel I can never have enough. Thus, I usually have 2 bottles of butter spray in my fridge at a all times (hey, 2 for $4 that’s a bargain!).
Alas, all that has changed with my Budget Diet challenge a mere 6 hours ago. I could not in good conscience stop at the grocery store knowing my pantry and fridge were full of items that would soon cross the expiration date of no return.
Because I was extremely hungry and hadn’t prepared a lunch or snacks (I didn’t decide upon my Budget Diet challenge until after I left my apt this morning), I decided to complete my weights workout at home, so that I could eat something without dropping some extra benjamins. On the plus side, this meant I made it home before sunset. This never happens to me!
Home before sunset - this is my street in NYC
Or wait a second…are the days just getting longer?? Whatever, it looked beautiful outside
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