One of the things I like best about blogging, and chatting and social media websites is the ability to meet up with people with similar goals or challenges. People like Emily or so very many of the women on the Tosca Reno boards. People on the Blog To Lose site or my major support site of the last 5 years, Sparkpeople. My weight fluctuates up and down, I struggle with food, life, motivation, and in person support, but my virtual friends remain satisfyingly constant. I don't think I would have made it this far, signed up for a half marathon or gone vegetarian with out all the support I find online.
So thank you to all my friends I have never met in person. I value you all so much!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Dude, I so rock :)
Okay so I steamed rice in my crockpot and then made coconut rice with broccoli and left over baked falafels. I am so totally impressed with myself and this dish!
Okay, recipe for any interested (this is sort of a guesstimate as I just threw stuff in the pot)
1.5 cup steamed rice
2 cups frozen broccoli
1/2 C coconut milk
1/2 small onion
3 cloves garlic
dash of terryaki sauce
dash honey (maybe a tsp)
asian chili sauce, or 1tsp cayenne pepper
falafels, cooked chicken, steak or whatever protein strikes your fancy
Cooking spray, coconut oil, or sesame oil
In a medium sauce pan or large skillet
Using a small amount of oil or cooking spray cook onions and garlic until soft.
Add broccoli, cook until mostly thawed
add everything else
cook until heated through
Makes 2 servings, if you don't eat it all in one sitting
So I am now training for a trail half marathon in PA on October 15th. The girls on the Tosca Reno boards convinced me to do it. My plan is to run/walk MWSa, Zumba SuTR, and rest on Friday. I am really excited about this!
Okay, recipe for any interested (this is sort of a guesstimate as I just threw stuff in the pot)
1.5 cup steamed rice
2 cups frozen broccoli
1/2 C coconut milk
1/2 small onion
3 cloves garlic
dash of terryaki sauce
dash honey (maybe a tsp)
asian chili sauce, or 1tsp cayenne pepper
falafels, cooked chicken, steak or whatever protein strikes your fancy
Cooking spray, coconut oil, or sesame oil
In a medium sauce pan or large skillet
Using a small amount of oil or cooking spray cook onions and garlic until soft.
Add broccoli, cook until mostly thawed
add everything else
cook until heated through
Makes 2 servings, if you don't eat it all in one sitting
So I am now training for a trail half marathon in PA on October 15th. The girls on the Tosca Reno boards convinced me to do it. My plan is to run/walk MWSa, Zumba SuTR, and rest on Friday. I am really excited about this!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Half Marathon
Happy Father's Day!
So I got a tweet from PETA the other night about joining the PETA Pack and signing up to train for a half marathon in October. I signed up. I need to fund raise for the event (if you support the end of animal abuse or just have an animal you love, please donate even the smallest donation goes a long way!) I've never competed in any kind of race and I can't even run a mile without stopping, but I think this is a good cause and I felt like this would be a great way to focus on myself by helping others. And by training for this I can sign up for longer races in the future. I can work on my health, learn to trail run, shape my booty and save animals all at the same time!
My first 5K will be in Geneva in August!
So I got a tweet from PETA the other night about joining the PETA Pack and signing up to train for a half marathon in October. I signed up. I need to fund raise for the event (if you support the end of animal abuse or just have an animal you love, please donate even the smallest donation goes a long way!) I've never competed in any kind of race and I can't even run a mile without stopping, but I think this is a good cause and I felt like this would be a great way to focus on myself by helping others. And by training for this I can sign up for longer races in the future. I can work on my health, learn to trail run, shape my booty and save animals all at the same time!
My first 5K will be in Geneva in August!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Seitan - why can't I find it!
So I wanted to post today about making seitan (vegetarian "wheat meat") but every recipe that sounds like I could do it one handed requires vital wheat gluten. Boo hiss. So instead I am going to talk about hummus.
Mmm, hummus...
So of course years of dieting and reading nearly everything ever written about how to diet and what to eat and yada, yada, yada, and nearly every "diet" has recommended using hummus instead of mayonaise as a sandwhich spread. I am a big lover of ethnic foods, but I have not really embraced Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cuisine. That is obviously a huge mistake on my part. If you have not tried hummus yet, go buy or make some right now - I'll wait. Okay do you have some? No? That's okay, I will tell you how I make mine and you can make some later, trust me, you will want too.
This is adapted from Alton Brown's Turbo Hummus - reason enough to try it, because I have not made a dish of his yet that was not pure heaven.
You will need:
2C or 1 15oz can of Chickpeas, drained
2 cloves garlic or (this is what I do) 1/2-1T Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herbs
1-2T Peanut Butter - I generally use 1
lemon juice - I have a big bottle that I just sort of splash in, probably a T or 2, but you can adjust this to taste
1/2t salt - kosher or sea salt tastes best
combine all ingredients in food processor or blender and pulse until it reaches desired consistency
I love this. Every time I make it it lasts a day and I am literally licking it out of the bowl. Especially good with cucumbers, grape or cherry tomatoes, and sugar snap peas. It is wonderful spread on sandwiches or scooped up with pita chips. My favorite about this, I feel totally comfortable going over the traditional 2T serving size because it is so low in fat and high in good for you fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
I am going to make some right now while I wait for the boys to wake up for dinner.
Mmm, hummus...
So of course years of dieting and reading nearly everything ever written about how to diet and what to eat and yada, yada, yada, and nearly every "diet" has recommended using hummus instead of mayonaise as a sandwhich spread. I am a big lover of ethnic foods, but I have not really embraced Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cuisine. That is obviously a huge mistake on my part. If you have not tried hummus yet, go buy or make some right now - I'll wait. Okay do you have some? No? That's okay, I will tell you how I make mine and you can make some later, trust me, you will want too.
This is adapted from Alton Brown's Turbo Hummus - reason enough to try it, because I have not made a dish of his yet that was not pure heaven.
You will need:
2C or 1 15oz can of Chickpeas, drained
2 cloves garlic or (this is what I do) 1/2-1T Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herbs
1-2T Peanut Butter - I generally use 1
lemon juice - I have a big bottle that I just sort of splash in, probably a T or 2, but you can adjust this to taste
1/2t salt - kosher or sea salt tastes best
combine all ingredients in food processor or blender and pulse until it reaches desired consistency
I love this. Every time I make it it lasts a day and I am literally licking it out of the bowl. Especially good with cucumbers, grape or cherry tomatoes, and sugar snap peas. It is wonderful spread on sandwiches or scooped up with pita chips. My favorite about this, I feel totally comfortable going over the traditional 2T serving size because it is so low in fat and high in good for you fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
I am going to make some right now while I wait for the boys to wake up for dinner.
Nutritional Info
- Servings Per Recipe: 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 194.5
- Total Fat: 5.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
- Sodium: 650.6 mg
- Total Carbs: 29.9 g
- Dietary Fiber: 5.8 g
- Protein: 7.8 g
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Veggie-girl
Vegetarian-vegan. The idea has seriously scared me in the past. My best friend in high school went veg almost 20 years ago - I flirted briefly for about a week to be cool but never made the switch.
Until now! 3 weeks so far meat free. I am having trouble giving up cheese though. The creamy melty-ness of cheese is hard to resist - and hard to replace. And almost nothing compares to the comfort-food factor of cheese. But there is almost nothing that triggers a desire to overeat in me more than cheese does. So I am making a switch and cutting it completely out of my life.
In my new quest to live an animal-product free life ( at least for me I am not forcing anyone to make the switch with me) I am researching and discovering a variety of ethnic dishes and figuring out how to make them at home. Yesterday was hummus (OMG! on the yummy scale) today is falafel (baked), fresh pitas, and my own creation of a veggie filled Thai inspired satay stew. Tomatoes, zucchini, onions, mango chunks, peanut butter, garlic, a dash of brown sugar, and a tasty hit of Sirrachi. Mmm, yummy!
So I am going to spend the summer making tasty vegan and vegetarian treats from around the world and inside my head and post the results here. I will also get back to updating my fitness progress and programs. Happy eating and exercising to us all!
Until now! 3 weeks so far meat free. I am having trouble giving up cheese though. The creamy melty-ness of cheese is hard to resist - and hard to replace. And almost nothing compares to the comfort-food factor of cheese. But there is almost nothing that triggers a desire to overeat in me more than cheese does. So I am making a switch and cutting it completely out of my life.
In my new quest to live an animal-product free life ( at least for me I am not forcing anyone to make the switch with me) I am researching and discovering a variety of ethnic dishes and figuring out how to make them at home. Yesterday was hummus (OMG! on the yummy scale) today is falafel (baked), fresh pitas, and my own creation of a veggie filled Thai inspired satay stew. Tomatoes, zucchini, onions, mango chunks, peanut butter, garlic, a dash of brown sugar, and a tasty hit of Sirrachi. Mmm, yummy!
So I am going to spend the summer making tasty vegan and vegetarian treats from around the world and inside my head and post the results here. I will also get back to updating my fitness progress and programs. Happy eating and exercising to us all!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Teddy Bear Love
My 3 yr old has a teddy bear - "Bear" - that he has had his whole life. It was a gift from a coworker to me shortly before he was born. Bear came to the hospital and rode home with the Monkey in the car seat. It is a tan colored bear that once upon a time played music, nature sounds, and a heart beat. As my mother and I drove across country with my 2 week old Monkey in the back seat (My husband and I were moving) Bear was propped on the Monkey's feet, with in easy reach to turn on the heart and soothe a crying infant.
Bear slept in the bassinet and in the crib. Early on the Monkey learned that if he hugged Bear, Bear made music. The Monkey loves music. At odd times throughout the night Bear's music could be heard through the baby monitor - most often when the Monkey woke up and needed help to get back to sleep.
The Monkey's love for Bear has not diminished as he has gotten older. No other flashy stuffed animals have manged to take Bear's place. Bear is not shared - and he is the only toy the Monkey will not let his little brother hold. Bear's music died last summer thanks to a trip into the pool. The Monkey thought Bear would like to go swimming with him. Bear's once robust and cuddly figure is noticeably flat and limp due to a tear in his back that leaked fuzz into the washing machine... Bear has seen better days, but the Monkey does not care. His love is constant.
Seeing the perfect love my child has for his frayed and beaten teddy made me think - why can't we have that kind of love for ourselves? Why is it so hard for me to love myself, to love my body despite all of its flaws. Why can't I love my body for the things it has done well, done without complaint, and often done in spite of the abuse I have given it.
My body faithfully carried, protected and housed the monkey for 41 weeks (he has always been stubborn). It fed him for 7 months after he was born. My body healed itself from the loss of the baby it could not keep. It quickly nurtured and grew my little Moose baby shortly there after. My body can rejoice in a kiss or hug from my children or a caress from my husband. My body carried me on shaky legs done the aisle and stood proudly as I married my husband.
My body has taken me skiing, horseback riding, running, and walking. My body used to be able to do cartwheels (and will again someday). It can play volleyball, and softball. It can take a spinning class, or Zumba, or Kickboxing. It can lift weights - heavy weights. My body has healed quickly from injuries and illness. It has provided the strength my heart required to do ever more - more than I thought it possibly could.
I love my body! I love the strength in my muscles. I love the delicacy of my hands. I love my height. I love my eyes. I love my hair - even the grey. I love my breasts, and the gently curved hourglass of my shape.
And I love my stretch marks. I love my c-section scar. I love the scars on my arms and my legs that are the badges of honor, the chronicle of my life. I love my thick waist and my big thighs and my flabby bottom. I even love my flappy "grandma" arms. I love my imperfections They are proof that my body is strong, that my body has been there for me, supported me, and loved me without questions since the moment we were born. My body has loved me even when I have treated it badly. When I have fueled it with junk. When I have not given it the movement it craves, or the sleep it needs.
My body has loved me the way my 3 yr old loves his bear. And I promise that from now on I will love it the same way.
Bear slept in the bassinet and in the crib. Early on the Monkey learned that if he hugged Bear, Bear made music. The Monkey loves music. At odd times throughout the night Bear's music could be heard through the baby monitor - most often when the Monkey woke up and needed help to get back to sleep.
The Monkey's love for Bear has not diminished as he has gotten older. No other flashy stuffed animals have manged to take Bear's place. Bear is not shared - and he is the only toy the Monkey will not let his little brother hold. Bear's music died last summer thanks to a trip into the pool. The Monkey thought Bear would like to go swimming with him. Bear's once robust and cuddly figure is noticeably flat and limp due to a tear in his back that leaked fuzz into the washing machine... Bear has seen better days, but the Monkey does not care. His love is constant.
Seeing the perfect love my child has for his frayed and beaten teddy made me think - why can't we have that kind of love for ourselves? Why is it so hard for me to love myself, to love my body despite all of its flaws. Why can't I love my body for the things it has done well, done without complaint, and often done in spite of the abuse I have given it.
My body faithfully carried, protected and housed the monkey for 41 weeks (he has always been stubborn). It fed him for 7 months after he was born. My body healed itself from the loss of the baby it could not keep. It quickly nurtured and grew my little Moose baby shortly there after. My body can rejoice in a kiss or hug from my children or a caress from my husband. My body carried me on shaky legs done the aisle and stood proudly as I married my husband.
My body has taken me skiing, horseback riding, running, and walking. My body used to be able to do cartwheels (and will again someday). It can play volleyball, and softball. It can take a spinning class, or Zumba, or Kickboxing. It can lift weights - heavy weights. My body has healed quickly from injuries and illness. It has provided the strength my heart required to do ever more - more than I thought it possibly could.
I love my body! I love the strength in my muscles. I love the delicacy of my hands. I love my height. I love my eyes. I love my hair - even the grey. I love my breasts, and the gently curved hourglass of my shape.
And I love my stretch marks. I love my c-section scar. I love the scars on my arms and my legs that are the badges of honor, the chronicle of my life. I love my thick waist and my big thighs and my flabby bottom. I even love my flappy "grandma" arms. I love my imperfections They are proof that my body is strong, that my body has been there for me, supported me, and loved me without questions since the moment we were born. My body has loved me even when I have treated it badly. When I have fueled it with junk. When I have not given it the movement it craves, or the sleep it needs.
My body has loved me the way my 3 yr old loves his bear. And I promise that from now on I will love it the same way.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
BodyrockTv - Tabata Training
No I am not quitting TurboFire or ChaLEAN Extreme, but I am adding in something new to keep things interesting. Someimes I just cannot do a hour long workout. I cannot even break it up into two sessions. I would rather train super super hard for 20-30 minutes than train hard for 60 minutes. And I would always rather lift weights than do cardio. THat said I know I need all of these things in my life, so...
Check out this link BodyRockTV and the super hot Zuzana (I am so energy depleted from my workout I can't even type right now!) All her workouts are done at home, many without equipment, most bodyweight exercises and this is ALL SHE DOES! Did you see those abs! I want her body - and if this is what she does to get it, I can do it too! So I am adding some of these workouts - maybe not the full ones just yet - to my morning routine. Nothing better to get the heart pumping first thing in the morning.
Check out this link BodyRockTV and the super hot Zuzana (I am so energy depleted from my workout I can't even type right now!) All her workouts are done at home, many without equipment, most bodyweight exercises and this is ALL SHE DOES! Did you see those abs! I want her body - and if this is what she does to get it, I can do it too! So I am adding some of these workouts - maybe not the full ones just yet - to my morning routine. Nothing better to get the heart pumping first thing in the morning.
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