Busy week, NuNaturals giveaway & 7 day vegetarian challenge!

Wow, I have’t posted in a couple of days & I feel like there’s going to be a big dump going on right now!
Let me begin by telling you that I finally got an amazing run outside!
I fueled up with this at home: IMG_3652
(Only the energy one, not all of them!)
I had planned on running somewhere between 6-10, wasn’t exactly sure because I hadn’t run long since the 1/2 marathon. It felt so good that I ran 11! BAM! It was a slow & steady 11, but I was outside, enjoying the fresh smell of flowers, the sunshine, other runners, babies in strollers, dogs, my awesome book on my IPod, etc. It was a true runners high I got from that awesome run! That’s why I run! It never feels great until after the 3rd mile, when I get my groove on, that’s why longer runs are the best!
I was a little over dressed & had to push up my sleeves mid run. But, was SO comfortable.
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That was me prior to asking Stone to help me out!
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Then, I asked & Nemo needed to be part of the fun.
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A bit sweaty & happy after my great long beautiful run!
I’ve been participating in a 7 day vegetarian challenge with Jill Fickling-Conyers. Ok, it’s not so hard for me, but does keep me on my toes & I’m loving it!
Here’s a recap of the week I had for the challenge:
The first thing is to be meatless for 7 days! Done!
Day 1: Try a new fruit or vegie. Well, I had frozen pomegranite seeds I found at Costco. I simply ate them frozen & didn’t even defrost them. Have you ever done that? I thought it may be weird, but it was good. Like eating frozen blueberries, why not?!
You should try them. They sell a big bag already ready! So easy & Yum!
Day 2: Have a green smootie! Done!
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I added kale to my protein smoothie. I had to floss afterward because I had both chia seeds & kale in my teeth. I’m usually only dealing with chia, but it was great & worth needing the floss!
Day 3: Try a quinoa recipe.
Here’s what we had for lunch yesterday: quinoa salad with tomatoes, cucumbers & basil with lemon. Simple & delicious!
Days 4-7 were simply vegetarian: I got that in no problem.
Truth is I made detox salad for the entire week & had it daily for lunch. I love it! I posted it on Monday ( I think).
Here are some pics of my food from the week:
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So, I’ve met the challenge & am up for another week! Woo hoo! The one thing that i”m really struggling with & would like to change in my diet is to get rid of my creamer in my coffee. I LOVE the stuff, but am trying to rid dairy. However, if this is the only thing I have, that’s fine. All in moderation, right!!??
I’m off for a tabata bootcamp video & then to a Lungevity walk with my family. This is in memory of my mom who passed away from lung cancer. The event is so wonderful & I’m thrilled that we’re doing it again this year. It’s the 2nd yr of the event & I’m hoping to make this an annual event with my family. Gotta go!
Have a wonderful day!
I hope there’s a lot of sunshine by you.
What will you do today?
Don’t forget about the NuNaturals giveaway! There’s only 1 day left & the stuff is AMAMZING! Seriously. You don’t want to miss out! The rafflecopter is on the right hand side of the page. Enter NOW! :).

Schedule/Routine

I’ve been off schedule in so many ways for over a week now.  Passover threw my entire routine for a loop & I like routine for both me & my family.  We’ve been eating differently, staying up late, schedule has been quite erratic, etc.  I can deal with all of that; but, have been incredibly frustrated because my body is not cooperating with my goals.  I had a pinched nerve in December, went to P.T. for a while & got back to my regular routine after a bit.

Well, now something is happening again with my neck & I’m trying very hard to be careful so it doesn’t get bad again.  I’m “nursing” it with heat & p.t. exercises, etc.  It’s not terrible & I’m hoping that it stays this way.  I’m a little nervous to be honest, as it caused me much stress before.  So, I’m trying to focus on my upcoming 1/2 marathon in Springfield & laying off my tabata bootcamp training which I’ve been loving.

So, I’ve been wearing my new BREATHE bracelet I won from Lauren @ Breathe Deeply and Smile.  I love it & keeps reminding me to take one step at a time & Breathe!!!!  I’m really loving it!

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So, it’s back to work today.  It’s my rest day, as well as Friday!  I’m just going to try to enjoy my rest & get strong for the race.  I know it will definitely not be a PR, but I’ll be happy to get through & feel good.

I did find a kombucha squash!  It was thrilled, as I thought it was past the season.  I roasted it with coconut oil, cinnamon and vanilla.  OMG- it was delicious!

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I think I’m going to have it for breakfast with yogurt & some pb2 & chia seeds.  What a great way to start the day!!!!!!!

What will you have to power you up this a.m. for breakfast?

Don’t forget to enter the GIRLS4SPORT giveaway for a great halter for the summer!  Enter here!

Stuft Mama posted this yesterday & I loved it.  It’s from Runners World & really says it all!

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Breakfast

I started my morning still giggling from the movie last night.  I don’t often recall movie lines, but B & I keep repeating some of the lines, as there were so many simlilar lines in our lives.  It’s the truth, now you probably know too much about me & my family!

I ran a brief 3 miles this a.m. on my treadmill & did 30 ball reaches (more later) before quickly showering & running to Target for a gift for the little guys birthday party.

I don’t ever leave the house without breakfast, don’t worry!

My breakfast was delicious & simple thanks to Jillian Michaels.  I got this recipe from her book, Master your Metabolism.  I haven’t read the book since it first cam out, however this breakfast stuck!  I certainly do go through phases with my breakfast, must be easy.  For a year, I was making Isagenix protein shakes, then (still do) pumpkin mug muffins.  However, now that I’ve made some delicous quinoa crunch, this will be it for a bit!

Here’s the recipe:

Nutritional Info
  • Servings Per Recipe: 8
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 134.9
  • Total Fat: 4.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
  • Sodium: 2.5 mg
  • Total Carbs: 20.0 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3.3 g
  • Protein: 4.0 g
View full nutritional breakdown of Jillian Michael’s Quinoa Crunch Yogurt Topping 

Jillian Michael’s Quinoa Crunch Yogurt Topping (135 cals per 2 Tbsp)

Introduction

Taken directly from Women’s Health, May 2010 issue, page 44. This recipe comes straight from Jillian’s MASTER YOUR METABOLISM COOKBOOK.

Jillian suggests a 2 Tbsp serving atop 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greekyogurt with berries and finished with a honey drizzle.

Minutes to Prepare: 3
Minutes to Cook: 30
Number of Servings: 8

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa (uncooked, rinsed well and drained)
1/4 cup whole flaxseed
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp olive oil

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 375 deg. F oven until lightly browned. (You might stir every 10 minutes for about 25 – 30 minutes.)
3. Let cool, crumble.MAKES EIGHT 2 Tbsp SERVINGS.

Suggested serving: add 2 Tbsp of topping to 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt, along with fresh berries. Drizzle honey on top.

Have a great day & please let me know what you think about breakfast.  IF you try different ingredients, would love to hear.