Nutrition Nut on the Run

There is light!

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Hello Monday, Hello You!

Today was the start of Week 2, Semester 7… 14 weeks + 3 semesters to go — not like I’m counting or anything ; )

I had a full day of classes today, but in between my physiology lecture and lab, I was able to sneak in an appointment with an advisor to double check on my degree progress. Being an organized, Type A student pays off… basically, the advisor confirmed – in less than three minutes – that I am on track to graduate in Spring  of2012 – I can finally see the finish line at the end of my undergraduate journey!

This is huge for me… I started college in 2007 burnt out from striving to be at the top for all of my college prep years. I knew I wanted a college education, but had little drive/motivation and no idea what I wanted to study/do with the rest of my life [heck, I was 18 years young!]. Long story short, I chose to attend Sonoma State University, not paying much attention to the majors they offered; I remained an ‘undeclared major’ for two years. I checked off GE requirements left and right, amongst a few too many useless P.E. and dance classes. At the end of my fourth semester, I was still undeclared, though not undecided. I had done a little research, and found that another California State University offered my dream major: Food & Nutrition Communication. Though, I had developed lasting friendships and thrived with the support from my nearby family, I ‘checked out’ of SSU and headed east. This decision took some guts, but I knew I wasn’t going to find something like what Chico State offered just anywhere. CSU Chico was actually one of the schools I applied to as a senior in high school, but declined their acceptance for another reason.

So, here I am today… somehow starting my fourth year of college. It hasn’t always been easy – I’ve had my fair share of road blocks – but I’ve learned one thing about myself: perseverance. When the going gets tough, I just keep going. Though I will not earn my degree in four years, I don’t believe the extra year it took me to ‘figure out my life’, and change locations/schools in the process, will have any detrimental effects of my healthy future.

Gosh, I could blab for six more hours [can you say gym adrenaline!?], but you wouldn’t want me to do that. So… just a few things:

Life from now until mid-December looks a little like this:

Human Physiology + lab

The purpose of this class is to provide students with sufficient knowledge of human physiology in the hope that each person will wish to become an informed and aware health care consumer or provider. This does not merely include knowledge of vocabulary, but more importantly, it requires an intellectual facility with physiological principles such as negative feedback, synaptic transmission and active transport.

Human Nutrition

Physiological and chemical roles of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and water in the functioning of the body. Factors affecting the digestion of foods, use of nutrients, and the body’s need for nutrients.

Science of Food + lab

A study of the physical, chemical, and microbiological aspects of foods; the function of and changes in components during preparation and processing of foods.

Intro to Foodservice Administration

Study of management tools and practices ranging from conceptual to applied as they relate to all aspects of the field of nutrition and food sciences.

There will be a lot of school snacks, such as:

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raw veggies.
fuji + cheddar cheese.

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dried apricots + dark chocolate almonds.
PURE bars are yumm-y!

 

And there will be even more trips to the WREC for some mind ease:

  • 2 mi. indoor track run [mile #1 @ 8:20]
  • 60-minute WRECPump!! <3

 

Crazy week ahead of me, but I have an epic weekend to look forward to…

Peace, Love + Healthiness,

Hillary

Wishing for Words

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Hi.

I’ve spent all day trying to write a post for Change The Way You See, Not The Way You Look Week in celebration of the Operation Beautiful book release. All week readers and bloggers have been participating in this exciting time for the positive post-it note movement by posting their personal experiences about body image, self-confidence, and the ultimate healthy balance so many of us strive for.

I wasn’t able to get my story onto paper today. Whether it’s writer’s block or still a lack of self-confidence to share something so so personal to anyone, I don’t know =/

I hope I’m able to dig a little deeper at some point and share a bite of my true relationship with food, but all I have for you now is another Fiesta Bowl.

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All good things: black beans, sautéed onion, yellow bell, and zucc, white cheddar, avo, salsa, and blue corn tortilla chips – a satisfying, 10-minute meal.

Where’s the Zucchini Parmesan recipe? I haven’t forgotten; bare with me as my blogging is all over the place. That delicious thing above was eaten yesterday. I know… what’s up?

So… since I’m doing a horrible job talking about anything food related, shall we try fitness? I went for an afternoon run today. I rarely go for afternoon runs – it’s usually done early morning, or in the evening. Running in the Redwoods at 4:00pm made me feel like I was in high school at cross-country practice again. Ahhh, nostalgia. I ran for 50-minutes, then changed outta my sweaty shorts and tee into some stretching gear before I met my mom for a 75-minute yoga class. I say it ev-er-y single time, and I’ll say it again, make me do more yoga pleaseee! The hilly run + hour of easy elongation paired each other perfectly.

Have a good Wednesday? I sure hope so.

Later, friends.

* * *

FYI: Caitlin will be on The Today Show tomorrow @ 8:30am – don’t miss it!

Una Fiesta de Colores

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Hello & Happy – almost – Friday!

I really have nothing profound to share tonight. It was just another ordinary day for The Nutrition Nut on the run. It went a little something like this:

8:00am: roll outta bed.

8:10am: toast a piece of zucchini bread + boil tea water.

8:20am: eat + read [blogs, of course].

9:00am: shower + dress.

9:55am: in the car.

10:00am – 12:00pm: work.

12:30 – 1:15pm: quick lunch with mom.

1:30 – 1:50pm: dentist appt. to polish my pearly whites.

2:00 – 5:30pm: watch the little rascals.

6:00 – 6:26pm: runnn.

7:00pm: decide what to make for dinner. off to the store…

7:30ish: voila!

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Dinner was a fiesta of color!

  • black beans
  • sautéed [in olive oil and cumin] orange bell pepper, yellow onion + green zucchini
  • shredded white cheddar
  • red hot salsa
  • creamy avocado
  • Food Should Taste Good Blue Corn Chips

8:00 – 9:00pm: decaf coffee w/ half + half.

9:00 – 10:00pm: SYTYCD.

What did you do on this fine day? I am amazed at how fast this week flew by! That’s what keeping busy will do to ya. Night, friends!

Hillary

It’s Perfectly Normal…

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(1) …to eat waffles every Wednesday and never get tired of them.

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Van’s Low-Fat Multigrain Waffles topped with 0% Greek [mixed with Honey-Agave Syrup], Organic Strawberries & Almonds

(2) …to consume an entire 16 oz. container of 0% Greek in 2 days. Say hey to protein!

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(3) …that salty tears turned my smartphone’s screen into a sea of rainbows and now I must wait two days to replace my 1-month-old Blackberry. Lesson learned: don’t cry on the phone.

Rainbow 2

[source]

(4) …for it to be rainy, wildly windy weather on Wednesday and by Friday, 80* clear blue skies.

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(5) …to pack green hummus to take to school:

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  • 100% Whole Wheat Flatbread + Edamame Hummus, Tomatoes, Cucumber & Organic Greens
  • 1 Organic d’Anjou Pear + 1 Slice Sharp White Cheddar
  • 1/2 c. Kashi Honey Almond Flax Cereal + 4 Dried Apricots – yes, I stretched the granola bar idea a little far.

(6) …to eat a victory garden’s yield of vegetables for dinner:

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More Organic Greens, Edamame, Avocado, Tomatoes, Yellow Bell, Light Feta, Raw Sunflower Seeds, Seasoned Rice Vinegar & Olive Oil + Fresh Pepper

Health in every bite!

Haha…who am I kidding, I am not normal! ; )

Edamame –> Idamommy

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Hey Yo! We made it over the hump of the week! I’m super happy that this week is zooming by; it’s just cruising downhill from here.

You can probably guess what was on my plate for breakfast today…yep, waffles it was! I went with an “open-faced sandwich” today – the more PB & banana, the better.

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I normally don’t get to eat lunch home on Wednesdays, so it was a treat to have a break in my day to do so. I was dreaming of this lunch all morning.

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Green Monster a la:

1/2 frozen banana

1/2 cup mixed berries [strawberries, raspberries, blueberries & blackberries]

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1 cup fresh baby spinach 

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Sandwich a la:

whole wheat toast

raspberry jam

extra sharp white cheddar

fresh baby spinach

…and because I always have something sweet to polish off a meal:

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Remember the box of No Pudge Fudge Brownie Mix my mama gave me?

Mix together:

4 T mix

2 T 0% Vanilla Greek Yogurt

a few bittersweet chocolate chips

+ 1 minute in Mr. Micro = a guiltless decadent dessert.

After my last class, I rushed home to make an early dinner in lightening speed. I guess I should be on Iron Chef because this rushed salad was a victory!

It screamed Spring – fresh color, color, color!

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Baby Arugula, Spinach & Lettuce Mix, Carrot, Edamame, Tomatoes, Sunflower Seeds, Feta, Olive Oil & Seasoned Rice Vinegar + Fresh Pepper

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I also tested out a new item I picked up at TJ’s yesterday – edamame hummus – with a couple multigrain crackers. As if hummus couldn’t get any healthier, this was colorful too. Edamame makes green hummus – surprise, surprise.

I didn’t have a lot of time to savor my delicious & nutritious dinner because I had to rush out the door to go baby-sit. Edamame –> Idamommy…wow, I’m ridiculous. I wish I had had time to workout today, but making a little extra cash is always helpful. Plus, yesterday’s time at The Resort left my legs sore today:

1 mile indoor track run @ 8:10

strength [arms + legs]:

  • seated row: 20 @ 40 lbs.
  • bicep curls: 40 @ 10 lbs.
  • “weights-to-chin”: 20 @ 10 lbs.
  • bicep curl lunges: 20 @ 20 lbs.
  • glute press: 40 @ 40 lbs.
  • squats: 40 @ 20 lbs.

1/2 mile indoor track run @ 4:15

30-minute spin [11.2 mi.]

1/2 mile indoor track run @ 5:00

stretch

There are my eats for the day [minus a couple post-sittin’ snacks]. It felt good to take photos of my food again. It’s become part of me; the addiction is in my blood : )

How do you like to consume edamame?

Hillary

Whatcha say? It’s Wednesday!

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Wow, Wednesday’s already come and gone. It’s all downhill to Spring Break from here!

Being the foodie that I am, I decided last night what I wanted to have for breakfast today…which was a waffle sandwich in honor of Waffle Wednesday! My taste buds were woken up on the right side of the bed today – holy yum!

0032 Van’s Multigrain Waffles [Toasted] + PB&Co Bee’s Knees, 1/2 banana & Honey

…plus a jam jar of 1% milk

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I packed a sampling of snacks for my long day at school – it was the perfect variety.

Apricot & Almond Element Bar

Dried Apricots + Dark Chocolate Almonds [6 each]

Carrot & Cucumber

1/2 Apple + Sharp White Cheddar

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It was absolutely gorgeous weather today, so between my two sets of classes I took a stroll in the sunshine to Starbucks to redeem my free beverage coupon.

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I nibbled on my Element Bar while sipping on my decaf – extra foam – latte. I know I tell ya every time, but these bars always dominate my hunger! I got through the rest of the day – no problem.

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I then wandered around my lovely campus, capturing any slight signs of Spring.

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Move It In March

Today’s trip to The Resort included…

3.25-mile treadmill run:

  • 5 minutes @ 6.2mph
  • 5 minutes @ 6.4mph [2.0 incline]
  • 10 minutes @ 6.8mph [1.0 incline]
  • 5 minutes @ 6.4mph [2.0 incline]
  • 5 minutes @ 6.2mph

1.5-mile indoor track run [7:14/6:12 negative split]

5.25-mile ride [15-minute spin]

Almost forgot…I finally did some strength training today too, including: lunges, squats, side dips and bicep curls.

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I want to give a shoutout to all the RDs today in honor of National Registered Dietitian’s Day! Your hard work is appreciated.

Hope you had a wonderful Wednesday. Talk soon!

Hillary

Tasty Saturday Eats

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Saturday, why do you always zoom by? How cool would a 48-hour Saturday be? I don’t know about you all, but my Saturday to-do lists are always a mile long and rarely do I ever get everything done, leaving me one more thing for Sunday: stress.

– EATS –

Every single bite of food I ate today was entirely delicious, starting with my last two Cappuccino Chip Muffins. It’s kind of ironic that I happened to have these particular muffins today because this weekend is the annual Super Sale at my dad’s bike store, and my mom originally made these for the customers way back when in 1992. What a coincidence.

I’ll definitely be baking another batch of these soon!

I went to The Resort in the a.m. for day 5 of my challenge. My [other] roommate joined me for my usual 1-hour Saturday spin class. I did not have a terrific workout; though, perspired enough to call it exercise.

Lunch was KERF-inspired:

1/2 Sandwich on Toasted Whole Wheat with Raspberry Preserves, Sharp White Cheddar & Organic Baby Spinach

Mini Green Monster: 1 Huge Handful of Spinach, 1/2 Frozen Banana & 1/2 cup Almond Milk

The sandwich combo was to die for. Thanks for the jam & cheddar idea, Kath!

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Then it was back to campus. School on a Saturday – ewww.


After two hours of carbon, carbon, and more carbon, I refueled my brain with the snack of all snacks.

I bought 1 6-oz. container of Fage yesterday – such a treat!

Add 3T Humboldt Honey Granola & 1T raisins and you’ve made magic.

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My roommate and I picked up Chipotle for dindin. My second experience was just as tasty as the first! I ordered a Veggie Fajita Burrito Bowl. I had mine piled high with: black beans, cilantro-lime rice, fajita veggies, cheese [jack + white cheddar], lettuce, roasted chile-corn salsa, fresh tomato salsa & guac! I seriously have a Chipotle baby in my belly at the moment – so full!

Well, I’m off to cram cram cram…and find a recipe for a scrumptious Sunday breakfast. Good night!

Sweet Surprises

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Hello. How goes it? It’s been another extremely longgg Wednesday for me. As if Wednesdays weren’t rough enough – I have class from 10:00am – 5:00pm (plus an hour commute) – I woke up with a chest cold. Great! I also had to be out the door half an hour earlier in time to drop of my O. Chem lab from yesterday’s 3-hour class from hell – that’s another story.

I made a waffle sandwich for brex in honor of (the recently engaged!) Janetha’s Waffle Wednesday:

2 Van’s Low-Fat Waffles + PB&Co Bee’s Knees + 1/2 mashed bananer

…and a jam jar of skim milk

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I chugged along – “choo choooo” – from one class to another, and finally arrived home around the 6 o’clock hour to find a package waiting for me! After a long day at school feeling crappy and turning blue at the bus stop in the freezing February weather, it couldn’t have been a better day to recieve a surprise via the USPS.

Somebody loves me:

Can you guess who?

It’s someone that knows me really well…

Pink Socks, Pink ‘n’ Orange Thank You Notes, my favorite Bare Escentuals Rosie Pink Lip Gloss, and Pink Dark Chocolates

Homemade Granola Bars

Pineapple, Coconut, Macadamia Nuts & White Chocolate

Cherries, Almonds & Dark Chocolate

…and a fun ‘n’ fruity kitchen towel.

There’s only one person that it could be…and that person is my mom! Thank you, Mom! You never fail to show me how much I am loved. Infinite X’s & O’s.

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My mind did not even consider exercising today, so after opening my sweet surprise, I slipped on my pink pajamas and fixed dinner.

Comfort Food Made Healthy

Grilled White Cheddar Cheese & Spinach Sandwich on Whole Wheat

with a bowl of Organic Creamy Tomato Soup

It’s just about time for a cup of tea and piece (or two or three) of chocolate…

~ Hillary

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Don’t miss my V.DAY GIVEAWAY!

No More Booboo

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Hello. What are ya’ll up to? I just ate a bowl of beans for dinner, and am relaxing from another long Wednesday while listening to some T.Swift. Did I mention I am going to see her in concert April 11 – so excited for my spring concerts! I am also enjoying the fact that I don’t have any assignments or quizzes to study for tomorrow; that means I have the rest of the night to be a lazy bum blogging or get ahead with my academia. Tough decision ; )

Din Din

Black Beans, Sharp White Cheddar, 1/2 Avocado + my new favorite chips!

I used the flash…so kill me : )

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I want to open up my blog to QUESTIONS, so if you have any for me about food, cooking, my life, running, exercising, or anything else…don’t hesitate to ask : )

G’night!

~ Hillary

P.S. I was able to fix Miss Bloggie today – go me!

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