Hi there! Goodness, I’ve got lots of great things to share – I guess that’s what happens when you abandon your blog. If today’s Friday – it is, right? – then I believe I’ve left ya’ll hanging since No-Waffle Wednesday. Well, I spent the day running errands and packing every item of clothing I own in preparation for my journey West. I stopped at the natural foods store to pick up a couple of items [Artisana minis], and came out with a can of…
Soda?
Of course not!
Coconut this and coconut that. It seems to be everywhere lately. I have been wanting to give this so called “thirst-quencher” a try; since I’ve been sweating so much – especially in spin – I thought this ‘isotonic sports drink’ would be ideal for the gym. I filled my water bottle half with coconut water, half with regular purified water, and lotsa ice. Of course, I took a few sample swigs before class – not bad at all!
Despite arriving at The Resort 30-minutes early, I wasn’t able to get a bike for my antipcated spin class – shucks. I was terribly disappointed I wasn’t going to be able to test out my new liquid during an hour of high-intensity riding. Instead, I ran 1.5 miles around the indoor track, spun solo for 17 miles [45 minutes], and finished with arms + abs strength training [machines + 10lb. free weights].
Unfortunately, the coconut water was not appealing during my ride. I was weary that this might happen as I have never been of fan of sweet sports drinks. I don’t like the neon-color for one, and my taste buds are very sensitive to sweetness when I’m exercising. Odd, I know, because I have a huge sweet tooth, but I’m usually only able to stomach water. I’m going to try it again as a post-workout hydrator since its nutritional profile is quite exquisite. It is naturally low in carbohydrates and sugar, and is 99% fat free.
A few hours before my workout, I enjoyed a new frothy blender creation:
- 8 oz. chocolate soy milk
- 1/2 ripe banana
- 1 tsp. instant espresso powder
- ice
- extra dark chocolate chips for garnish
* If you make this at home [please do!], I would suggest using 1 whole frozen banana in place of the ice for added creaminess/thickness.
Photogenic phood = love.
* * *
Alright, so yesterday… I was off to an early start with a less than par night of sleep [chocolate overdose = wide awake with a tummy ache]. After stuffing Little Blue to the max with my belongings, and eating a bowl of bran, I knew next I needed to inject my veins with caffeine for my day of driving. Luckily, I had a free birthday drink : )
I used the gift to its full advantage and ordered a venti iced soy latte – it was a monster!
After a 4.5-hour drive, I finally made it to my destination. Humboldt County, sweet, Humboldt County. I was so anxious to get out of the car and loosen my tense traveling muscles, so I immediately slipped into my running shoes and sprinted my usual, short route – just 29 minutes and I was a red hot, sweaty mess!
I showered up quick and then met my dad for sushi at our favorite sushi restaurant. I’ve been dreaming of this roll for months. Ahhh, at last…
My Dragonfly Roll: tempura prawn, avocado, cucumber, shredded carrot, cilantro, chopped macadamia nuts + a sweet chili sauce w/ brown rice
Dad’s Roll
I saved room for a scoop of local, organic ice cream.
Honey Vanilla Lavender perfection
I attempted to blog last night, but between a finicky computer, SYTYCD, and heavy eye lids – there stood no chance. Instead, I headed straight upstairs to my little yellow and blue room and fell fast asleep.
After a solid, cool night’s sleep – finally! – I walked down to my old dance studio for 1 hour of DanceFit this morning… nostalgia hit hard as the studio was filled with props for tomorrow’s 10th anniversary recital. Thinking about twisting and turning in that studio for 10 years is something so so special to me.
Breakfast after class – I was hangry!
- 1 c. water
- 1/2 c. thick cut oats
- 1/2 T ground flax
- 1/2 banana – cooked
- organic blueberries
- organic raspberries from our garden
- walnuts + honey
Grass is good
This beautiful bowl didn’t keep my hunger satisfied as expected, so I headed downtown to find a bite to eat and to bring my mama a coffee and cookie at work [Happy Cookie Friday!]. While walking through the isles of our local groceries and standing in line at the corner coffee joint, I found myself thinking about how each and every visit home, I am amazed by the place I’m from, my roots. Here are a few reasons why:
1. No matter what season, you are surrounded by beautiful nature.
2. The people are free spirited & friendly.
3. The baristas take the time to make art atop your latte.
4. Your 5-year-old neighbor comes pounding on your door moments after you pull into the driveway just to show you his new toy cars.
5. You don’t have to run with your cell phone in fear of being a girl running alone; you are able to run with ease & confidence… and there aren’t stoplights.
6. Jeans and a sweatshirt are appropriate 365 days of the year.
Do you like where you’re from?
Do you like where you reside now?
What is something unique about your hometown?
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My mom and I are going to stroll around The Plaza tonight for the monthly showing of local artists’ work – including live music, munchies and wine [reason #7].
I’ll be “seeing” you soon…
Be Well,
Hillary
P.S. Happy Birthday to JENNA, my daily inspiration for doing what I’m doing.
24 Things I Now Know
Sushi, Sprouts & Summertime
What I’m Loving Lately {Summer Edition}
a PDR {in the pouring rain}.
#makeitcount training plan.
hey! =D great post.
i’m not sure if i liked where i’m from – i moved when i was really young from metairie, louisiana to seattle and then here los angeles. i do love los angeles tho!
uhhhh. metairie – beignets!!!
That sushi literally made my mouth water! Guess I know what I’m doing for dinner tomorrow lol.
Although I moved around a lot when I was younger, I really do like where I’m from. That’d be good old Altoona, PA! I never realized how awesome it was though until I left it. I do like where I live now (Youngstown area, Ohio), but I miss Toona Town way more than I ever thought I would. Something unique about my hometown: The originator of the slinky (!) and sheetz! Ahhh, I miss the mega sheetz!
The pacific northwest is such a beautiful region. The mountains are large and it is just so green. However, you do still need to be wary of people. I mean, Ted Bundy abducted and killed women just 20 minutes from my house :/
Seriously food-jealous of everything in this post! I love coconut water, I think I need to drink more this summer when it gets REALLY hot and humid during runs. That sushi seriously sounds so epic – I’ve never heard of nuts (let alone glorious macadamias!) in sushi before – sounds AMAZING!
I love the pacific northwest…but have never lived there. My boyf is from there though!
I am from NYC so yes, I love love love it! There is so much culture…art…good food…and more!
I like where I am living but definitely don’t love it. I am outside of Detroit and it is a nice suburban area…my boyf lives in downtown Detroit though and I can not run outside or be alone at all. It is not doing so well. I am so far from all my friends though and am not very inspired here.
Something unique about NY…each borough is so different from the next! There is no city in the U.S. as fashionable.
I love where I’m from. It’s only the best state in the US…Colorado! A beautiful mix of mountain scenery, culture, 300 days of sunshine a year, low humidity, and the best skiing/hiking the US has to offer.
I hate where I’m living now…in Hartford, CT. I’m doing AmeriCorps service here in Hartford, and I live in what most people would call the Hood. I’m looking forward to returning to beloved homestate in the near future! I miss being able to run outside in my neighborhood without fear of abduction…sigh….but I only have a few more weeks before I head back. :)
I love hearing about people’s homestate pride. There’s so much diversity among the states!
I cannot handle how good your eats look!!! I LOVE the sushi in here! Macadamia nuts in sushi? That is AWESOME!
those chocolate chips are floating! woah! i’m torn about “where i’m from”. i lived in massachusetts from birth to 13, and SC from 13-25 (current). so i was a yankee for half my life, but since i’ve been here the other half…what the hell am i? i do love the south though!
I’m definitely going to try that smoothie. Mmm, it looks so yummy!
I love your perspective of HumCo! I’ll confess, I don’t quite see it from the same eyes that you do. Maybe it’s because I live on the other side of the safety corridor, but we don’t have the laid-back hippie aura here. Maybe you can do another post about the hidden gems here? I’d love a fresh insight to the area! It’d be wonderful to see the area from your eyes.
On the bright side, I live literally just up the road from the ocean (maybe a half mile or so). It’s so beautiful to drive past it every day just to do mundane things, like go to school or take a trip to the mall. I think I’m starting to take it for granted, so tomorrow, I’m going to take a moment and actually enjoy it when I go past. =)
Hillary, try and have a mix of coconut, water and lemon! I’ve just recently gotten into coconut water and also thought I couldn’t deal with the sweetness! Now I do a mix of 1/3 coconut water, 2/3 water and spritz the juice of about 1/2 lemon in my bottle, too! Works like a charm and makes for a veeery refreshing beverage! :-) I always survive my 1 1/2 hour Tae Bo sessions with that!
A chocolaty hello from Germany!
I’m glad you are having a great time at home. No wonder you went for a quick run after your drive there, 4.5 hrs is such a long time.
I love going home so much – there is much more of a sense of community in my village, you can walk around without fear or being attacked or needing your phone, there is a massive woodlands at the end of my road, the bedding smells of home (!) and I can chat / gossip with my mum for ages!
I do like where I live now as we live right between a safe, green area and the town. We live in a flat so don’t have a garden, this is the only thing I want the next time we move!
All of your food looks soooo amazingly delicious. I am so jealous! And free Starbucks, yes please!
I’m from Maryland. Being away at school definitely makes me appreciate it more!
P.S. Chocolate chips look like the perfect topper to that drink :)
That coconut sports drink looks really interesting. I’m the same way about drinking during workouts — I can only stomach water. Nothing else quenches my thirst.
And that smoothie looks amazing! Actually, all of your food in this post does. :)
Glad you’re having a great time at home. My parents moved away when I was in college, so now when I visit them, it’s not quite the same. I love going home to see my family and I love where they live (in the summer time, at least!), but it’s not exactly “home”.
Aw the link doesn’t work, just so you know!
I am from Austin Texas and I could honestly gush about it for hours. It is this amazing blue oasis in the middle of a big red state. It’s got two rivers, rolling green mountains, and lots of hiking and creeks. The food is to d i e for, and caters to all preferences. And the shopping rocks too! Especially the vintage.
I am currently in Santa Barbara, CA and it’s gorgeous here as well. Although, it’s a bit too small for my liking. I miss sky scrapers. I like living near the ocean (a 30 second walk), but I wish the water was warmer so I could get in there and enjoy it!
Next year Ill be in Davis, CA. I think that may be near Humboldt county? Maybe? Mmm cows.
Santa Barbara is beautiful! I love Davis too – will you be going to school there? It’s still pretty far from Humboldt (~6 hrs).
Hey girl! Love your beautiful blog! Wish I ate as healthy as you haha, but I was wondering your opinion on Humboldt State? I might apply there in the fall!
Humboldt State is a beautiful campus. What do you plan to study? If you like the small-town feel, greenery, rain, good good food, and can handle little sunshine, HSU might be the place for you : )
Thanks for commenting back on this comment… even though it’s not nutrition related :) I’m actually looking into the zoology/wildlife field & Humboldt is the only college that offers Wildlife. It sounds like a gorgeous place but I understand it is on the cool side though! That’s ok with me – I used to live in Alaska so I could handle it ;) Keep up the great bloggin’!!!