6 Miles Strong

I don’t know about your part of the country but here in central Virginia we are being spoiled with some amazing weather this week. Today, I left work and walked out into a gorgeous sunny evening complete with blue skies and a gentle breeze.

I thought it would be the perfect excuse to ditch the gym, visit the trail, and work on my speed and intervals for the upcoming Beauty and The Beast 5K I have coming up at Disney. I texted a pal earlier to chat about my feelings surrounding this year’s Princess weekend at Disney. I truly thought I would feel more disappointed about not running the ½ marathon this year but after today’s run I know I did the right thing by focusing on health and weight loss this year versus training for events. During my run tonight I had some time to reflect.

I know that I am a pretty slow runner and that tonight’s accomplishment might not seem like much to some. However, for me it was huge. I ran a solid 6 miles (and change) while keeping a 12-13 minute mile pace the entire run. I would love to one day run/walk at a 9-10 minute pace but for me today was a victory. I am not even sure how it happened exactly. I hopped off road and ran my usual loop. Instead of taking the short paved path (1/2 mile or so) back to the car I just turned around and re-ran my loop in the other direction.

I will admit that the second loop was mostly downhill as the first loop was mostly uphill. I was able to gain a lot of speed during the second loop (and confidence) and found that I continued to run at a greater speed not only downhill but also on the flat surfaces as well as the inclines. I listened to some cheesy old school jams (Ice Ice Baby, Pump Up the Jam, Can’t Touch This and other fabulous lame early 90s tunes) and sort of zoned out. If the sun hadn’t threatened to set on me I might have even attempted to do both loops a second time. It’s one of my goals for the future for sure. When I finally made it back to the car I felt incredibly tired, content, and accomplished. I can honestly say, I think, it may have been the best run I have ever been on.

I know that my co-workers, especially my very patient boss and my across the hall pal, are probably sick of hearing me sing the praises of Bikram yoga every single day but I am fully crediting those classes for my new found running ability. I used to write a lot about how my legs were willing to carry me but my breathing was “spazzy” and all over the place. I feel like I have more control over my lungs, breathing, and just my body overall. This revelation makes me so incredibly excited to continue running and practicing yoga.

After this epic (well epic for me) run I was pretty much starving. I came home and made one of the hub’s faves, cashew chicken and brown rice. I am finally settling in to finish up some school work and bond with my TIVO.

What does your weekly workout routine look like?

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Free Chocolate!! (Adora Review and Giveaway)

I would like to think that I am not alone in not being crazy about taking dietary supplements in the mornings. I feel like I am doing really well to get my multivitamin down. With that said, and I hate to admit this, I was getting somewhat lax in taking my much needed daily calcium supplement. For starters, I felt like they were the size of my head, difficult to get down after taking my vitamin, and, to a degree, I felt a little like my Nana. Luckily, over the summer while in Chicago I discovered Adora Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements.

As you are probably already aware, calcium is incredibly important (especially for women). Aside from the obvious, (strong teeth and bones) it is also an essential component of muscle contraction, and without it muscles cramp more easily. (I am thinking hard workouts and PMS misery here girls). In addition, calcium plays a huge role during pregnancy as it helps that little bun in the oven to develop strong bones. Basically, we ladies need it and simply (normally) do not get enough of it. When we don’t get enough of it our bodies “steal” it from our bones leaving them weaker and us more susceptible to issues in the future.

Adora is a fun product because it combines the calcium and vitamin D we need with the chocolate we love. Adora has these yummy little chocolate discs that, when taken correctly, provide up to 50% of the daily value of calcium plus vitamin D and magnesium for optimal absorption. Plus for those of us on eating plans/diets they are only 30 calories per disc so you can easily fit them into your day.

I am sure you are wondering (as I was): How do they taste? I can honestly say, they are yummy. I have no problems taking them daily. In fact, I like the sweet little kick after lunch. Adora comes in two flavors dark chocolate (really good) and milk chocolate (my fave). Their formula was developed by chocolatier Thompson Brands so there is no “medicinal” type after taste like a lot of vitamin products have. They are gluten free, lactose free (in the dark variety), and made from all natural premium chocolate. They aren’t at all chalky or gritty, and I personally prefer them infinitely to choking down a huge calcium pill in the mornings. Plus they are cute and easy to tuck in your purse or lunch bag.

Since this is a product I personally use and enjoy, I was excited when the great people at Adora offered to send some for review and a giveaway for one lucky Running In Pink Project reader. If you would like to try Adora Chocolate calcium and Vitamin D Supplements (with a bag of each milk and dark chocolate to be sent directly to the winner by Adora) simply enter following the instructions below. The winner will be announced Wednesday February 16^th. Good Luck!

There are several ways to enter. Please leave a comment for each since it increases your chances to win! (Winner will be chosen via random number generator).

1. “Like” Running In Pink Project on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know you’ve done so.
2. Add Running In Pink Project to your Blog Roll and leave a comment letting me know you’ve done so.
3. Check out the Adora Website and leave a comment letting me know why you’d like to try this product
4. Re-post, retweet, etc this giveaway and leave a comment letting me know you’ve done so

Good Luck!!!

*Disclaimer: I was given this product to try for free for the purpose of a review/giveaway but the opinions expressed here are my own.

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Fancy Sammie

I am pretty sure things with fun or fancy names taste better. For example, I could have called tonight’s dinner open faced egg sandwiches with amaretto berries. Instead, I decided to use the term Croque Madames with boozy berry parfaits. A fun name for a fun (and easy) dinner!

The first thing I did is wash up some strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Aren’t they gorgeous?!?!

For the two servings of berries (one for me and one for the hubs) I added ¼ cup of amaretto and let the berries “marinate” while I prepared the rest of dinner.

The final step was adding the freshly soaked “boozy” berries to a fun glass and topping with fat free whipped cream. YUM! I love any excuse to eat pretty much anything out of a fun glass. 😉

While the boozy berries are an excellent guest star, the main event tonight were the amazing (if I do say so myself) Croque Madames I prepared. I skipped a few of the traditional steps (as I was in a hurry and starving) but these little sammies made a big splash in my house tonight!

To start, toast up some whole grain bread in the oven with olive oil at 350 degrees for 17 minutes. Once it’s ready thinly spread on some organic blackberry preserves.

Next add on 2-3 slices of thinly sliced deli ham (I used natural honey ham tonight).

On top of the ham add a white cheese or white cheese “sauce”. I chose one of my favorites, muenster.

The final ingredient is a runny (or not so much if that grosses you out) egg.

Bust out the knife and fork for this protein packed gem!

This meal was a huge success with everyone in the Running In Pink Project household and has definitely won a spot on my faves list! Give it a try for a super simple, incredibly filling, pseudo fancy dinner in a rush!

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Sandwich Meets Fork

I thought I would torture entertain all of you living with the feet upon feet of snow with a little photo look see at my trail run/walk today. It was a clear beautiful 45 degrees and the trail was packed. I love how beautiful and blue the sky looked. Other than some super tight calves in the beginning and some toe pain near the end I could have stayed out there for hours. (Well except for that pesky sun setting thing). These little bursts of nice weather remind me there is an end to the winter in sight.

When I got home I was starving so I decided to make a dish I have been interested in trying for quite some time. My gal Rachael Ray made this on 30 Minute Meals ages ago and I thought it looked really yummy. She calls it a “Cuban Hash” since it incorporates the elements of a Cuban sandwich. You can find her recipe HERE. Due to my eating plan I made several adjustments to this super easy to make knife and fork kind of sammie.

-I started by toasting up some whole grain bread in the oven with olive oil, chopping 1 medium onion, and chopping 3 links of lean andouille sausage (none of it is super lean so just do your best).

-Next I substituted ground turkey for ground pork and heated it in a skillet with cumin, all spice, salt and pepper. After it was slightly browned I tossed in the chopped onions.

-After this cooked up I added in the sausage

-After 2-3 minutes I added 2 ½ tablespoons of tomato paste and allowed it to cook through for 1-2 minutes

-Next, I poured in ½ bottle of beer (even the cheap stuff will do) and let it cook out for 3-4 minutes before reducing the heat

-As the beer cooked out I made my “relish” which was some chopped dill pickles and yellow mustard (simple yet oh so effective)

And just like that it was time to build the knife and fork sandwich

-Use toast at the base

-Pile on a couple scoops of the meat and onions

-Add a slice of 2% Swiss cheese

-Pile on the chunky homemade relish

-Top with a fried egg (Yum!)

Bust out the knife and fork because this little guy is packed with way too much awesome goodness to pick up! It was a great filling meal, was healthy with our modifications, and is totally guy friendly! Enjoy!!

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Recovery Food

Several of you have asked via email whether or not I am still taking the Bikram Yoga classes, as I have not posted about them in a while. The answer is yes! I am still completely in love with the hot yoga (and still totally bad at it). 😉 The funny thing is, while I am very hard on myself in other aspects of my life I feel totally comfortable learning and practicing yoga at my own pace. I am not trying to “please” anyone but myself in those 90 minutes and maybe that is where the appeal comes from. I just love the feeling that comes from pushing myself so hard that I can only concentrate on the moment. Plus, our instructors are very positive and make me feel as though I am truly doing something good for myself with each visit.

While I trained for the Wine and Dine ½ marathon last year I learned a little about recovery foods. With a long difficult run I find that chocolate milk is exactly what I am craving to feel better. With yoga it is a little different.  When I get home from my 90-minute Bikram yoga sessions my body is completely worn out yet energized all at once. I am also struggling to overcome nausea, which I think is a result of the heat as well as the crazy amount of calories burned during a session. I have a very specific formula to get me back on track!

First, I start sipping on calorie free vitamin water (or coconut water) as I leave class. It’s a good way to re-hydrate naturally without having to use a sports drink (which I do sometimes use with running).

Next, the hubs prepares my “perfect” post yoga meal: A grilled cheese made with whole grain bread, olive oil, and 2% cheese. He bakes this in the oven for me until it is golden brown and yummy.

I also feel like I need a touch of sugar so we added 1 tsp of natural blackberry preserves for dipping and a side of fruit.

Finally, my body is craving salt so I toss a couple of small pickles on the side.

This might sound like a weird combination but it has definitely become my post yoga ritual.

Do you have any weird post workout food preferences? What do you eat to recover from a strenuous workout?

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Sushi + Cupcake =Perfection

Hello readers! Thank you for the emails and messages over the weekend. I decided to take a 2 day blog break to have a little date time with my husband. After getting in the habit of writing daily, a blog free weekend was a little weird but a nice change of pace. However, I am glad to be back and ready to dish all about our fabulous Saturday date day.

The hubs and I were up extra early Saturday to make the hour’s drive up to Roanoke, Va for the day. I was pretty much thrilled that the weather had warmed up enough that I didn’t have to lug a winter coat around all day. We also popped the sunroof for a bit which was an extra bonus.

You might be wondering why we traveled an hour when there are plenty of good places to grab lunch and shop where we live. Well I will tell you in a word…Wasabi’s. Wasabi’s is a small restaurant in downtown Roanoke. A friend of mine took me a few months ago and I have been hooked ever since. It’s a cute little place with very cozy decor. I think its the perfect place for a fun lunch.

They serve what my friends and I affectionately refer to as “the good sushi” and this trip did not disappoint. In order to stay on my weight loss plan I allow myself one planned indulgence every Saturday. I had been craving sushi for weeks and I knew exactly where I wanted to get it. I was all smiles as I waited patiently for my plate of sushi goodness to arrive.

This little joint filled up quickly but I barely noticed anything after my little plate of heaven made it’s way to the table. 😉

I highly recommend making a stop by Wasabi’s should you ever find yourself in the Roanoke area. It was delish! After lunch, the hubs and I did some shopping. I found some really cute things I plan on taking to FL at the end of the month as well as a complete steal on a “Lucky Brand” necklace. I love a good bargain. Once we were all shopped out we moseyed over to the moves to watch “Black Swan” (totally weird btw but I enjoyed it) and decided to round out our day of fun with a cupcake. We headed over to Bubblecake (my most favorite cupcakes on the planet) and nabbed some cupcakes to go.

Did you eat anything fantastic over the weekend? Tell me about it!

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Dinner for 2….or 12

There is nothing I like more than a good breakfast, even if it’s for dinner. In fact, I have been toying with the idea of throwing a “Brinner Party” for some pals this coming Spring. I am already thinking of some super cute ideas for décor and side dishes. Tonight, though, the hubs and I set up what will likely be the “star” of my brinner party….Omelet stations.

There is probably nothing quite as cost effective as serving up an egg based meal. Customized omelets are great because whether you are cooking for 2 or 12 everyone can get exactly what they want. For example, the hubs likes a good meat and cheese omelet while I think the more veggies, the better!

The other great thing is how simple it is to execute. You can simply set up bowls/small plates with various “fillings”. Some favorites in our house are mushrooms, green bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes, onions, turkey sausage, and of course cheese.

Next, heat up your fillings to the desired tenderness. I chose onions, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes and a touch of turkey sausage.

Then you will prepare your egg…

Add your fillings (and cheese if desired), flip, and plate (the word is you shouldn’t overstuff the egg. I ignored that obviously and shoved in as many veggies as humanly possible!)

Once your omelet is plated you can have a little bar of toppings such as sour cream, salsa, or green onions to choose from.

Everyone can top their omelet with something fabulous

Then scoop up some fantastic sides and enjoy! (PS: How cute are these “pink” oranges I found today? Check out the sticker (it says pink is the new orange). There is NO WAY I could pass them up!

Bon Appetite!

What sort of yummy breakfast sides would YOU serve at a Brinner Party?

 

*Thanks again to the hubs for being the official photo taker tonight. ❤

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To Kill a Craving Part II

So today I was having a very specific craving. This craving was so vivid and so specific I could almost literally taste it. Way back in August at HLS one of the trainings mentioned when you have a craving you should try to indulge it as best you can. They did not mean, of course, that this gives you a license to eat junk. Instead it means to indulge the craving as healthfully as possible so you do not eat a million calories in other stuff that never quite hits the spot. I think this makes all of the sense in the world.

However, what do you do when your craving is of the super unhealthy variety? Today, I was faced with such a dilemma. I could not shake the craving for a Melt and Shoe String fries from Steak and Shake with a side of ranch and a soda. Ahem. Very specific (and a little gross).

Ahhh Steak and Shake. This is a joint that has steak burgers, double steak burgers, crispy fries, and heavenly milk shakes. It is also a place that a dieter dare not enter, at least not this one. Fries are kind of my weakness. I was not going to indulge my Steak and Shake craving for a couple of reasons 1. We don’t have Steak and Shakes where I live. And 2. More importantly, I was not willing to give up the 1390 calories and 93 grams of fat this meal entails. In fact, just the thought makes me nervous.

So, I set out to curb my craving with my own recipe of BBQ turkey burger “melts”. Here is the method:

-Pre heat your oven to heat up some sweet potato fries or organic shoe string potatoes. (I’m in desperate need of new bake ware. Ick!)

-Heat up 1 slice of turkey bacon per person. While the bacon cooks up combine the following: 1 lb of lean ground turkey, 3 tablespoons of BBQ sauce, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 2 grated gloves of garlic, 1 ½ teaspoons of chili powder, 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard, 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs, ¼ cup diced onion.

-Heat up 2 slices of bread lightly brushed with butter or olive oil. I like olive oil but if you don’t like the taste use butter. Heat at 350 degrees for 17 minutes.

-Grill up your turkey burger patties in a touch of olive oil.

-Next assemble your melt. Place 1 slice of bacon on the patty and 1 slice of cheese on top of that. Place some pickles on the bottom piece of toast, add meat/cheese combo, add veggies, and add the top piece of toast spread with condiments.

This was a super filling meal that fell well within my allotted points plus/ calories. Also, it totally killed my Steak and Shake craving. Do you have a craving you want me to help you kill? Email me at runninginpinkproject@gmail.com and I will hook you up on a future blog!

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Moves and Food on a Sunday

Since last night’s movie party was pretty indulgent in terms of food I wanted to make sure my Sunday was 100% back on track.

Today’s Food:

A fruit and yogurt smoothie

A bacon and egg sandwich with an oatmeal/chocolate cherry low sugar dessert

Spinach Artichoke Chicken Penne

And Today’s Moves…..

5 miles at a slow pace on the paved trail

Now, Im enjoying the rest of my evening with the hubs, my pups, and a full TIVO! How did you spend your Sunday?

PS: I finally busted out the new Rachael Ray cookware my parents gifted me for my Birthday. LOVE IT!!

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Weekly Weigh In #3

I had really put 100% into my workouts this week and was eager to see if that had reflected on the scale. I got up pretty much on time to be at the Weight Watchers center right when it opened. The hubs, who is not really a late sleeper, was still tucked away all cozy in the covers.  This has been a tough week for me in terms of diet. I did my very best to control my cravings and push through them even though I was feeling over tired and stressed. I had my moments of wondering why I was even bothering. I have to admit I was thankful for this week’s weigh in. It was what I needed to re-motivate me and keep me on the right track.

Week      +/-        Total lost

3               -3.0          17

Which makes my overall stats:

Week            +/-          Total Lost

1                   -10.8         10.8

2                   -3.2            14

3                   -3.0             17

 

I am looking forward to measuring and photo taking at the end of the month to see if I can really “see” any of these changes happening. And onto more frivolous things, This week’s CD pick per my agreement with the hubs is…..That’s What I Call Music 36 (36, really? WOW!)

I am off to fix a healthy breakfast, get a workout done with the hubs (running or P90x yoga..I am undecided), and start getting the house ready for guests. Tonight we are hosting our monthly themed movie night. *Yes it is just as fabulously nerdy as it sounds!* Have a great Saturday!!

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