Monthly Archives: February 2012

Foodie For a Day // What I Ate Part 3

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I tried to turn today around and while it’s not ending horribly, I think it might just be one of those days.  And therefore, one of those nights I turn off my phone and read until I pass out.

**EDIT**

I almost forgot about my afternoon snack: a blood orange + mini cadburry eggs.  YUM!

**And back to your regularly scheduled program**

Before making dinner, I decided to do some yoga, which I think helped some of the grumpiness but like I said, I think it’s just one of those days.

Thankfully, I kept dinner quick and simple: veggie fried rice and a glass of wine.

Fried rice is perfect for those nights when you want something quick and to use up the last of the veggies and egg whites you have in the apartment.  Or at least, that’s when it’s best for me!

And wine?  Well, that’s perfect anytime!

Now, I’m off to read Eat, Pray, Love until I fall asleep…

Foodie for a Day // What I Ate Part 2

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The morning took a not so fun turn, but I pushed past it.

After pressing “publish” on this morning’s post, I went back downstairs to pour myself another cup of coffee only to find the pot empty, the machine off, and remnants of coffee  in my roommate’s dishes in the sink.  Let’s just say things got real and I don’t recommend ever throwing away your roommates coffee.  And if you ever throw away, break, lose (etc) anything that belongs to someone else, show some remorse or you’re just not putting yourself in a good place.

But then I ran off to the gym.  I now had yesterday’s stress + this morning’s annoyance that had to be reset.  I had a pretty good workout, stopped at the grocery store and by the time I got home I was more than ready to dig into lunch!

I made myself a shamrock shake spinach, banana, protein smoothie with a side of hummus and veggies.  And snacked on some popcorn I had sent my way (more on that another week…)

Now I’m drinking some iced coffee and pulling together the energy to clean my apartment.  (Gross!)

Foodie for a Day // What I Ate

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Happy Leap Day!

I’m spending it relaxing and (hopefully) getting some things done around my apartment.  After yesterday’s A Day In the Life, I thought I’d take it a step further and show you what I eat today.  Everything that I eat today.  (Well, if I remember to take a photo of it.)

I gave you an idea yesterday as to what I eat throughout my work day, but since I’m not working today, it’s always a little different.  My workouts are generally a little more rigorous and my timing is always a little different since I hit the gym after I eat, versus before.

On my days off, I still set an alarm as I don’t like to completely shock my body by waking up 4 or 5 hours later than I usually do.  I don’t really consider that healthy.  So while I won’t set my alarm for 5 or 6, I will generally set it for about 7 or 7:30 and then allow myself the comfort to lay in bed for an hour and wake up casually.

This morning was no different, except that I wanted to take it a step further.  I wanted breakfast in bed. :)

Being a single girl whose roommate is nothing more than the person she lives with, this meant that I had to get out of bed, make breakfast and get right back in bed to eat.  That was just fine with me.

I started my morning with old fashioned oatmeal with peanut and banana with a cup of coffee with almond milk.

The backdrop went from this:

To this:

I love these kinds of mornings!

Be back later with more food!

A Day in the Life

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For whatever reason, people have a hard time wrapping their head around my day.  Particularly my mornings and how I’m able to wake up, get to the gym and get to work by 8am.  Because of this, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share what a day in the life is like for me…

4:15am – first alarm goes off; hit snooze

4:30am – second alarm goes off; stumble out of bed and change into workout gear

4:45am – grab a water bottle + 1/2 banana with peanut butter and head out the door

5:00am – arrive at gym just as they’re opening; lift weights, perform cardio, or whatever is on the agenda for the day

5:45am – alarm goes off warning me to finish up my workout and head home

6:00am – get home from the gym, hit “brew” on the coffee machine and head upstairs to shower

6:15am – after shower, get dressed and do hair (it can’t wait or it will be a bad hair day!)

6:30am – eat breakfast (generally toast or oatmeal + coffee with soy almond milk); check email, publish post and read blogs while eating

6:50am – put on makeup and finish getting ready

Funny faces ARE a part of getting ready

7:15am – alarm goes off warning me to hurry up; wash my breakfast dishes and head to work

8:00am – clock in, check email and prepare for the store to open and begin my day

10am – coffee break! I walk to Starbucks for my Grande Soy Misto while eating a small power or granola bar for a snack; then back to work

12pm or 1pm – lunch break (generally a salad, sandwich, or yogurt with granola and fruit); then back to work

3pm – time for another break! I’m usually getting hungry again so I have the second piece of fruit I packed or a small container of trail mix; back to work

5pm – time to clock out and sit in LA rush-hour traffic

5:45pm – upon getting home, I’m hungry and I snack on some carrots + roasted red pepper hummus (I’m pretty sure I could eat my weight in this stuff!) while starting to prepare dinner and make tomorrow’s lunch

6:30pm – eat dinner, check email, read blogs, write the next days post, and do whatever else happens to be on my to-do list

9/9:30pm – if I haven’t already, put on my pajamas, crawl into bed and read, watch a movie or do something else relaxing (maybe yoga?) until I pass out (generally 10:30 or so).

Yes I get in bed early.  Yes I will get in bed before 9pm sometimes.  Yes sometimes that leads to falling asleep super early.  And no I don’t have a problem with this.

I’m clearly more of a morning person.  I’d rather wake up and get to the gym before it’s crowded with people and I can’t get done what I need to get done.  That doesn’t mean I don’t change it up on occasion.  I do go to the gym after work sometimes (like a day where I have to work at 6 or 7am versus 8, 9 or even 10am) but I’d rather get there in the morning as it also sets the tone for my day and makes me feel like I’m being productive from the moment that I wake up.  Literally.

Are you more of a morning or night person? 

What does your day generally look like?

Music Monday

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I’m sure most people aren’t strangers to Foster the People or at least know their song, “Pumped Up Kicks.”  Well, I’ve been on a kick (pun not intended!) lately listening to them while at the gym during my strength training sessions.  They give me just enough energy to push through some of the harder sets.

Well the last few times “I Would Do Anything For You” came on, I found myself having a hard time not singing along.  You know how you go through spurts of playing a song on repeat and not getting sick of it?

No? That’s just me? 

Well, either way, that’s what this song is for me.  So even if you know the band, know their album, know this song, I thought it’d be fun to refresh your memory on some good music.  Because sometimes, it’s just fun to “find” the music you’ve been listening to but has been hiding in your library again.

 

ALSO….

Someone posted this the other day and I don’t remember who but I saved it to my phone because I thought it was so awesome.  Especially after Saturday’s post, I don’t think this could speak anymore truth:

What music have you rediscovered in your library recently? 

The Day the Doctor Ordered

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Sometimes it takes getting away to feel better, even without getting away.  Yesterday, all it took was a drive up PCH and a gorgeous hike through Malibu.

It doesn’t look like this where I live:

I mean, it does, but it requires the above mentioned drive to get me here.  And it’s worth every minute.  Someone please remind me that I need to do this more often.  For my own health and sanity.

It was my good friend, Justine’s birthday this past week and to celebrate she decided to split her birthday in two: a hike + dinner.  She didn’t actually expect the hike to be so popular, but there ended up being 9 of us + 3 dogs and we had a blast!

It was definitely more challenging than we anticipated at times but thankfully we all left in one piece.  I slipped when we were going back down one of the tougher areas where there’s a rope to help you.  I was almost there and I think I got too confident, stopped paying attention for 1 second and slipped.  I’ve got a nice rope burn (from my bag) and a cut on my elbow.  They’re battle scars and they make me a bad ass! (Just let me believe it…)

The weather was perfect and I got some great shots.

On the way home we stopped for coffee, ate a quick lunch and then I headed for the gym for some strength training.  It was a good day.  And just the day I think the doctor ordered.

Thank you all for your support on yesterday’s post.  I was honestly super nervous to post it, but after a friend told me to just “do it”, I did and was immediately humbled by the outcry of love and support.  You’re all wonderful.

The guy…

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The guy who liked your friends.

The guy who things ended peacefully and mutually and in reality was probably too good for you.

The guy who you liked but he had a girlfriend; forget that. (x2)

The guy who didn’t actually care; you were just convenient for the situation.

The guy who loved you, but couldn’t tell you why it couldn’t work.

The guy who didn’t appreciate you.

The guy who is really just a good friend, not the one to date. (x3)

The guy who used you.

The guy who knows the good, the bad and the ugly, still cares but at the end of the day, it might just come down to bad timing.

Source

All hurt in one way or another.  All help you get to the right one.  I’m still looking for that right one.

Some days it’s lonely.  Some days it’s freeing.  Some days it just is what it is.

This week, it’s stung like a fresh cut.  I’m trying to put the past behind me but all I really want to do is hop a plane and fly away; move away; get away.

 

It doesn’t have to hurt this bad.  I don’t have to let it sting so deep.  But I’m having a hard time putting it all behind me and breathing.  I’m afraid to let my wall down for fear of getting hurt.  But I know I will never find love again until I can do that.  That and let go of the fear and insecurities these past guys have put on me.

Sometimes I think I need to learn to be selfish; to say what I’m thinking, what I’m feeling, and what I want.  Sometimes I think I need to stop making sure you have what you need and ensure that I have what I need.  And sometimes…sometimes I think I need to stop thinking about it; just let it happen; just live.

(Disclaimer: This is me being completely and openly honest.  And in continuing with that, I was afraid to post this.  I’m okay but I’m growing up and finding love is part of that journey.  And this blog is a way for me to share my journey with anyone who wants to listen.  So why hold back?)

Fitness Friday // Live Fit Week 6

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This week has kind of kicked my butt.  Not just physically, but also emotionally so I’m glad it’s coming to an end and I have the next two days off to relax and recharge.  It’s much needed.

And just like that, I’m half-way through Phase 2; half-way through the LiveFit program.  I’m finding it’s definitely getting harder as we’re lifting 6 days out of the week + cardio on 3 means morning workouts aren’t always an option due to the limited time.  Sometimes I wish my gym opened earlier than 5am… (Go ahead, call me crazy!)

I’m continuing to move the days around to accommodate my schedule as needed.  I think allowing myself that flexibility, is making it easier.  I’m definitely feeling these workouts and it feels good!  Before starting this program, I would workout 4, 5, or maybe even 6 days a week with a variety of strength, cardio or yoga exercises.  And while I know it was keeping me in shape, sometimes it was discouraging to not “feel the burn” and therefore feel like my body was in a bit of a rut, but I didn’t know how to get out of it.  This program is allowing me the ability to not think about my workouts, but rather just do them.  And since I’m not planning them, I’m not just repeating myself, they are planning things so that my body stays engaged and avoids those ruts.  (And let me assure you, my legs are in no rut!)

How was your week?

3 Things You Never Want to Hear

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Okay, so it’s really…

3 things a lactose intolerant chocoholic vegetarian never wants to hear someone say:

-Cut out the soy

-Cut out the chocolate

-Cut out the carbs

You’re kidding, right?

 No? What now?

We buckle down people.  It’s getting serious.  Don’t get worried, not super serious, but when the whole staff knows something’s up because you have to walk outside to cool down, it’s time to figure out what’s going on.

I’m taking the supplements the doctor recommended but we can’t do the other meds because of the dizziness and nausea they brought on.  But this week it has been consistently harder to control my temperature.  So much so, my friends have been going to their mom’s to ask what they do to help….

I’m not kidding.

And that’s what we got out of it.  Now, I don’t think I need to completely cut them out but I should cut back.  A lot.

I need your help with this one.  It’s not going to be easy.

Yes, I can use almond milk.  But it doesn’t heat well with hot coffee….

Yes, I can eat more rice or quinoa or gluten-free bread.  But it’s just not the same….

And chocolate…oh dear, chocolate.  We have quite the love/hate relationship and lately it’s been this crazy love affair.  But I do know it’s time we part ways for awhile.  Life will bring us back together someday…

Can I just say this?

Meal planning just got a lot more complicated.

Foodie for a Day

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There’s been an addition to my life….

No, not a baby.  (No babies!)

No, not a boy.  (They break hearts!)

No, not a pet. (They’re too much.)

A new almond butter.

Yes, I did just build it up but it’s delicious and was totally worth the hype.

I’ve heard about Barney Butter for awhile but never actually tried it until it went on sale in Kath’s Open Sky store a couple months ago.  I was still skeptical to get it then because it was $20 but I figured for 4 jars of almond butter, that was okay.  And I’m SO glad I made the “investment” because it is yum-my.

It’s one of those almond butters that is as smooth and creamy as peanut butter, you could almost mistake it for it.  But it’s not.

And to make it that much better, it’s made with some of the simplest ingredients: Almonds, evaporated cane juice, palm fruit oil, sea salt.  Simple, healthy ingredients that make a nut butter you can feel good about eating.

I couldn’t help myself; I had to share; I had to spread the love.  (Pun intended?)