Last Post from The Coast

August 9, 2010 by Hillary 6 Comments

I don’t know why I’m writing a post right now. I have yet to put one item into a suitcase… procrastination at its finest. I’m just practicing for when school begins ; )

Today was rather productive, I just have a gazillion and one things that I ~~need~~ want to do before leaving for Chicago. I even did some last minute baking, so I could cross the final item off my to-make list: 12 c. of granola!

I’m not here to talk about the extent of my to-lists though. I’m here to show you my breakfast that was sent to me from the heavens. Yes, it was that incredible. I actually thought of it while eating dessert last night. Of course I would!

Cold, creamy, thick 0% plain Greek + warm Peach Blueberry Crisp

Is your mouth watering?

After a sweet breakfast, my taste buds asked for a savory lunch:

Low fat cottage cheese + avocado, lemon cucumber, heirloom tomato & raw sunflower seeds

The final grass photo of the summer – I promise.

I must get packing, so I should wrap this up. I just needed a few moments to debrief, release the tension in my shoulders, relax… and I knew writing would do just that. So, there you have it… the last post from the coast. I am grateful for the 2 months [June 10 – August 10] I was able to spend at home. It was relaxing, cold, comfortable, athletic, revitalizing, and delicious. See you later, home sweet Humboldt.

Your traveling foodie,

Hillary

HLS Announcement: Will anyone be flying into Midway Airport Thursday between 3:00-4:00pm that would be interested in making our way to the hotel together?

Life’s Unfair Itinerary

March 11, 2010 by Hillary 16 Comments

Hey. I really should not be spending the time to blog write now, but I’m hoping that a little writing will help with my angry, sad, anxious and stressed emotions. Today started out well; I love having Thursday mornings to hang around the house. I began my day by scraping the container of my 0% Greek + 1/4 cup Raisin Bran, 1/4 cup Humboldt Honey Granola & 1/2 banana.

Love the stats! Ya’ll know that Greek has 2x the protein, fewer carbs & less sugar than regular yogurt, right?

Lunch was another oldie, but goodie: Low-Fat Cottage Cheese & Raw Veggies. Operation Empty Fridge is almost complete!

It was nice to have the sun peaking out again today, but I don’t understand why it can’t stick around for just 1 day longer! It is supposed to dump buckets tomorrow – the day I’ve been planning to drive home for ~~Winter~~ Spring Break. My 4-hour drive is not exactly an easy one either; therefore, creating the anxiousness.

***

Just before leaving for The Resort for my final gym workout before Break, I got a call from my mama. I love talking to my mom, but tonight she didn’t have good news…awful news actually. She called to tell me that our really close family friend passed away this morning from cancer. Although I was not surprised by the news, I was enraged. I just do not get why life has to take away the most innocent, kind, good-hearted people. I just don’t get it! My heart is aching for her 12, 16, and 22-year-old kids, and loving husband : (

The memorial is scheduled for Sunday at this point…the day of my race. Life’s itinerary is just not in sync right now. I’ve been really looking forward to my 10-mile run on Sunday, but now I may only be running the 4-mile course in order to make it to the service.

Just in case I end up running the 10-miler (cross my fingers), I got in some quality running. The atmosphere of the gym was totally dead tonight (everyone’s checked outta here!), but I didn’t need any more distractions during my “therapy” run.

1.5-mile indoor track run
3.25-mile treadmill run – 5 minutes ea. @ 6.0, 6.2, 6.4, 6.6, 6.8, 7.0mph
1.5-mile indoor track run

“Running is sanity in an insane world.”

I apologize for such a downer post. I’ve got a lot tumbling around in my mind and so much to do before I leave town – which I’m hoping is tomorrow.

Have a good weekend. I’ll be in touch!

Hillary

Forever Full

March 9, 2010 by Hillary 7 Comments

Hey Guys! I’m really excited to be able to have time this afternoon to write a post…but even more excited about Spring Break when I will have all the time in the world to blog, blog, blog! Hope you’re ready for some ch-ch-changes around here, because Nutrition Nut on the Run will be getting a face lift!

Until then…let’s talk food.

I made the BIGGEST bowl of oats today! Seriously, folks…it was enormous. The pictures don’t do it justice. It wasn’t on purpose that I made oats for army – I didn’t even wake up hungry, stoked about breakfast, like I usually do – it just happened.

Oatmeal Overload

In the mix:

1 1/4 cup water

1/3 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup oat bran

1/4 cup pumpkin

1/2 T ground flax

cinnamon

Top with:

1/2 banana

1 T walnuts

brown sugar & cinnamon

Although my normal ratio of oats to water is 2/3 cup: 1 cup, oat bran expands a lot more than whole oats and pumps up the volume! In the future, I plan to reduce the portions to 1/4 cup.

With a barrel of oatmeal in my stomach I was ready to head to campus and not have to worry about any hunger attacks. When I got home around 1:30pm, the oats still hadn’t thoroughly digested. I know I didn’t need any more food energy [calories], but I ate a light lunch anyway.

Mini GM: 1/2 Frozen Banana + 1/2 cup Almond Milk + 1 Huge Handful of Fresh Spinach

Low-Fat Cottage Cheese + Avocado, Cucumber & Tomato

TJ’s Chocolate Chunk Cookie [times two]

One of my least favorite feelings is that of continuously feeling full. I’m certain my calorie intake was way more than necessary this weekend and am feeling the lasting effects. The late night snacks aren’t helping either. I like going to bed and waking up “comfortably hungry”. I’d ask if you have any advice, but I’m pretty sure the answer is simple: don’t eat as much! Easier said than done, right?

Well, if you’re a reader of Skinny Runner, you know today’s Running Tuesday! I’m hoping a heart-pumping run/spin sesh will sweat out some of my excessive sugary treats [a.k.a. box of TJ’s cookies]. Then I am hopping on over to my bi-monthly Nutrition & Food Association meeting.

Are you participating in Running Tuesday today? If so, share!

Later,

~ Hillary

Blue Skies & Running Highs

February 7, 2010 by Hillary Leave a Comment

Howdy! Hope you had a relaxing Sunday – it is supposed to be a day of rest, ya know. All I can say is that I am much chipper today than yesterday and I know exactly why that is…RUNNING.

Although I accidently slept in again today, a repeat of yesterday’s breakfast and a little Food Network cheered me right up. By the time the gym opened (at the inconvenient hour of noon), sunshine was seeping through my windows and I knew today was not a day to be inside a gym. Nonetheless, I drove to campus, threw my belongings into a locker, and walked right back out the gym doors into sunshine and blue skies. I was a happy girl : )

I didn’t remember to bring my running watch, but that wasn’t stopping me. I turned on my tunes and just ran…for about 30-35 minutes. It was entirely random, and extremely refreshing. You just can’t get the same running high from running around the inside of a gym. I polished off my workout with the following:

5 minutes erg (rowing machine)
2 x 15 lat pulldown @ 40lbs.
2 x 15 seated row @ 40lbs.
15 tricep dips
15 side dips each side @ 10lbs.
15 lunges each leg @ 10lbs.
3 x 15 squats @ 10lbs.

Lunch

Low-Fat Cottage Cheese, Avocado, Cucumber, Tomato, 1/2 T Ground Flax, and remaining Multigrain Chips

It was definitely a day for an iced (low-fat) latte. I stopped at the Starbucks down the street before hitting up Target for TP — always a necessity. By the way, Target during the Super Bowl = bliss!

Look at that sky : )

I then finished putting together my giveaway for Friday. Aren’t you excited?

Dinner

TJ’s Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli with TJ’s Traditional Marinara

Spinach Salad with Avocado, Chevre, Tomato, Fresh Pepper & Balsamic Vinegar

Dessert

TJ’s 71% Cocoa Swiss Dark Chocolate

***

What I’m looking forward to this week:

Watching The Bachelor with my roomies
Seeing Valentine’s Day (the movie)
Having a 4-day weekend
…including Tasha’s visit!

***

Happy 21st Birthday, Court!

Plain Jane

February 4, 2010 by Hillary Leave a Comment

I felt like Plain Jane in the rain today. Darn rain…I’m ready for Spring already. At least I have my bright bowls to help cheer things up a bit.

Yellow Bowl Take 1

1 cup water, 2/3 cup rolled oats, 1/2 banana (cooked Kath style), 1 T ground flax, 1 T walnuts, 1/3 cup almond milk & cinnamon

Clean

Can you see my reflection?

Yellow Bowl Take 2

Low-Fat Cottage Cheese, 1/4 Avocado, Cucumber, Tomato & Fresh Pepper…for the 100th time.

Simple School Snack

Apple & Almond Butter…as if you couldn’t tell.

Dinner

Toasted English Muffin, Veggie Burger, 1/4 Mashed Avocado & Greens served on a plain white paper towel.

***

Between Simple School Snack and Dinner, I played around at The Resort:

RUN – 1.5 miles
WALK – 0.5 miles
ZUMBA – 1 hour
3 x 20 stability ball crunches

***

Your Questions Answered

Shelley asked:

1) What is your favorite part of college? What do you want to do after college?

I love college for a lot of reasons. I have attended two different universities and they have each given me two totally different, yet wonderful experiences. I loved living on campus my first two years of college and the lasting friendships that I made with my roommates. I also enjoy the independence that I’ve gained while living away from home. I do not know exactly what I want to do after college (in terms of a specific job), but I am 98% positive I want it to incorporate food & writing. I’d also love to travel around Europe after graduation.

2) How do you feel about going out on weekends & drinking?

I enjoy going out on occasion, but I’m not a social butterfly. I do drink occasionally, but excessive drinking/partying and a healthy lifestyle do not exactly go hand-in-hand…so it is not something I do frequently. I have had my share of crazy, college nights though : )

3) When did you become interested in health?

Long story short, about 7th or 8th grade. My interest continues to grow each and every day.

Thank you all for your questions. I will be answering more of your questions soon, but I need to take care of this tired body and achy head…

Night,