Nutrition Nut on the Run

Chobani GIVEAWAY

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Hey there!

Today I’ve got a giveaway for you – get excited! Chobani recently sent me a few of their new 32oz. containers of Greek yogurt. We all know I’m nuts about this stuff, whether paired with pumpkin, on top of pancakes, or as a substitute for sour cream.

I told them I had a few friends that are fans of the creamy goodness, so they have generously offered to send 1 reader a package of THREE 32oz. containers of Greek – 0% Plain, 2% Plain, and 0% Vanilla.

Ways to Enter:

1. “Like” my Facebook photo to vote for me (by Monday, December 12) in The Next Love Grown Foods Blogger Contest.

2. Tweet about this giveaway.

3. Follow me on Pinterest.

4. Subscribe to NN on the Run in a reader.

5. Find my first Chobani giveaway on the blog and write the date of the post in a comment.

  • Please leave a separate comment for each way of entry.
  • Giveaway ends Friday, December 16 @ 6:00pm.
Extra! Extra!

Join the Chobani Holiday Party on Twitter (#ChobaniKitchen) Thursday, December 15 @ 8:00pm EST. Your participation will automatically enter you to win a membership to the Chobani of the Month Club, in which you will receive a new flavor every month for the entirety of 2012.

Happy Saturday!

Hill

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Featured Blogger Flashback circa October 2010

Time to Train

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Two months from today I will be running my 4th half-marathon, the 35th Annual Bidwell Classic in Chico, California. That only means one thing… it’s time to train! For my previous three halfs, I’ve followed a 12-week training plan; however, with three 13.1 mile races under my feet, I feel like I have a strong enough base to train for a half in just over 8 weeks. I know I’m capable of running 13.1 miles tomorrow if I really want to, but if I want to run a fast race, I have some work to do.

I ran my last half in October 2010 in 1:43:21. I wasn’t expecting to beat my previous PR by 16 minutes, but it happened, and my surprising accomplishment got me hungry to run a 1:40 half [7:37 pace]. That’s really fast – at least I think so – but I think having a goal will keep me focused on my training, even if I may be shooting for the moon.

You’ve probably heard me complain about my recent knee pain. The last thing I want is for an injury to prevent me from quality training, and possibly break-up my blissful relationship with running.

the plan for half-marathon #4.

  • Run 30-45 min. 3x/week – including interval training
  • Cross train at least 2x/week – including yoga, cycling, and strength training
  • Long run 1x/week
  • Rest 1x/week
Tentative Long Run Schedule:
  • Wk 1: 65 min.
  • Wk 2: 70 min.
  • Wk 3: 75 min.
  • Wk 4: 80 min.
  • Wk 5: 90 min.
  • Wk 6: 80 min.
  • Wk 7: 70 min.
  • Wk 8: 60 min.
  • Week 9: Race Week!

The Main Goal: to steer clear from injury while enjoying another round of training :) I created a new page for my training log – and will also enter my workouts into DailyMile – so you can follow me along my journey if you so wish.

* * *

Speaking of all this training, I completed my long run for Week 1 this morning – 1 down, 7 to go! As you can see, 65 minutes was the tentative plan, but it turned into a 75-minute run… not because I ran farther, but because I ran with a couple of friends and it was a slow, hilly, chatty run ;)

I came home excited to try a new combination with my homemade granola.

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Breakfast, oh boy!
  • 1/2 c. cinnamon vanilla granola
  • 1/2 c. 0% plain Oikos
  • 1/2 grated Granny Smith apple
  • 1 T sweetened dried cherries
  • 1 tsp. lemon zest

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Love at first bite. Now I must make more granola.

Time to hit the yoga mat + ice my knee.

Carpe Diem!

Hill

Of Possible Interest:

christmas crunch granola.

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My consumption of Christmas treats this year has been everything naughty, and nowhere near nice to my waistline. Instead of shoveling another pile of cookies into the homes of my friends and family, I thought I’d do a kind gesture of giving a homemade treat with a healthy flair this season.

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– christmas crunch granola –

6 c. rolled oats

1 c. raw sunflower seeds

1 c. raw pumpkin seeds

1 c. raw almonds, coarsely chopped

1 c. unsweetened coconut

1/4 c. ground flax

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. canola oil

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. pure maple syrup

1/2 c. unsalted pistachios, shelled + chopped

1 c. dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350*.

Mix oats, seeds, almonds, coconut, flax, cinnamon & salt together in a large bowl.

In a saucepan over medium heat, heat oil with brown sugar and maple syrup. Stir to combine, pour over oat mixture, and mix thoroughly. Toast for 20-30 minutes, tossing gently every 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Add cranberries and pistachios. Store in an airtight container.

I made the recipe 3x. I saved a little for myself, of course, to enjoy for our simple Christmas morning meal. It is wonderful accompanied with plain Greek yogurt and a juicy Harry & David pear.

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May you find comfort and joy in the little things today.

Love,

The Nutrition Nut

Looking Ahead

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If you haven’t already entered my giveaway for a free case of Chobani Greek yogurt, get to it! & check out the CHOBlog Featured Blogger of the week :)

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Hey there. Happy Thursday! I’m pretty excited about how fast this week is zooming by. I wouldn’t have been able to handle a repeat of last week. I am looking forward to a relaxing fall weekend of cool runs and warm baking. Oh, and I also need to figure out a couple of Halloween costumes. How is it that it’s nearly the end of October!?

Speaking of time flying, I registered for my Spring classes today. It seems a bit early to be signing up for classes that don’t start until the end of January, but I guess it doesn’t hurt to plan ahead sometimes.

Spring Schedule 2011

Biomedical Ethics [Philosophy]

An examination of moral issues arising in medical practice and biomedical research. Among the topics discussed are the responsibilities of health care professionals, the allocation of scarce medical resources, genetic engineering, and the harvesting of fetal tissue.

Health Education Techniques [Health & Community Service]

This course introduces health education theory, curricula, resources, and marketing techniques for use in school and community settings. Students plan, develop, implement, and evaluate effective health education and promotion programs. Students practice professional health education techniques while working with a local organization to implement a community health education.

Nutrition & Disease [Nutrition & Food Science]

This course is designed to develop skills in the use of clinical nutrition in the prevention and treatment of diet-related health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease.

Writing for Mass Media [Journalism]

Techniques of information gathering and writing for various audiences in the mass media.

This comes out to a solid 12 units. I think I am going to love my weekly schedule. FINALLY, I do not have any classes on Fridays [the only other time I didn’t was in Fall of ‘07]. Three day weekends – yes please. I also just have one class on Monday/Wednesday that isn’t until 3:00pm – sweet! I shouldn’t get too excited though because I will be trying to fill up some of my free space with an internship and/or a J.O.B.

Have you taken any similar classes? I am not looking forward to Biomedical Ethics. It doesn’t sound like my cup of tea, but it’s a requirement for my Upper Division GE Theme: Contemporary Health Issues.

Accident Update

I reported my accident to the managerial staff at the WREC today. They were very nice about the entire thing; I filed an accident/injury report, and we looked at the surveillance video from Tuesday to see if we could find my tragic fall along with any other evidence. We did! If I had a copy of the video, I would show y’all. It was exactly as I had it played out in my head to be. We even figured out who the idiotic culprit was that left the treadmill on. From the camera, we were able to tell the girl dismounted the machine almost 10 minutes beforehand – 10 minutes! If I could track her down to pay my medical bill, I would. All I can do now is allow my body to heal.

Food Footage

I don’t remember the last time I posted a picture of my eats. I’ve still been eating my usual diet: vegetables + dark chocolate.

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  • organic greens
  • tomato
  • cucumber
  • feta
  • sunflower seeds
  • 1 Dr. P burger
  • seasoned rice vinegar + olive oil

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Tonight’s salad was REAL… real food, real cooking, real darn delicious! I used Ashley’s salad challenge recipe for my inspiration.

Seasonal Salad for One

  • 1/2 butternut squash, peeled + cubed [medium size]
  • olive oil, ~2 T
  • real maple syrup, ~2 tsp.
  • fresh thyme, ~1 tsp.
  • sprinkle of cinnamon
  • salt + fresh black pepper
  • 1/2 medium red onion, thickly sliced
  • 1/4 Granny Smith apple, cubed
  • lettuce, ~2 big handfuls
  • honey chevre
  • pepitas
  • balsamic vinegar

Toss the cubed butternut squash with olive oil, maple syrup, thyme, cinnamon, salt + pepper. Roast on a baking sheet @ 400* for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, add the red onion to the squash and toss together gently. Continue to cook until squash is tender and onions are caramelized, about 20 minutes more. Meanwhile, wash and dry your greens – please! – and arrange on a plate. Then decorate it with the squash, onion, tart apple, crumbled goat cheese, and crunchy pumpkin seeds. Give it a slight drizzle of sweet balsamic and BAM!, you’ve got yourself a real, fall dinner for one.

 

Well, hope y’all are having a cozy Thursday evening. Have a wonderful weekend!

Nothing But Good [GIVEAWAY!]

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In my opinion, Greek yogurt is nothing but good.

Being the Featured Blogger on the CHOBlog is also nothing but good. Check it out, there I am!

–> A Runner, Nuts for Nutrition

I had fun answering Chobani’s questionnaire, so if you’d like to learn a few quirky facts about yours truly AND a chance to win 1 free case of Chobani Greek yogurt [flavor of your choice!], then hop on over to the CHOBlog to read the latest.

Then…

Leave a comment telling me about one of your worst cooking “whoops” + the flavor of Chobani you’d like to appear at your doorstep.

Extra Entry: TWEET TWEET. Please link to the giveaway using @HILLontherun & @Chobani.

1 lucky winner will be randomly selected by Sunday @ 8:00pm

 

PUMPkin Season No More

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Hi.

I probably should be doing something other than writing up this post at the moment, say working on school work or rinsing off my sweaty skin from my time at the gym, but no… I feel the need to write.

I was having a pretty decent Monday: it started with a couple pepita pecan pumpkin muffins and iced drip coffee, a cute outfit, and clear blue skies. All four classes went swimmingly, and my backpack was stuffed with healthful autumn-inspired snackage:

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  • 2 crunchy carrots + flax almond butter
  • plain 0% Greek + 2-3 T pumpkin & drizzle of agave
  • … topped with 1/3 c. Nature’s Path Flax Plus Pumpkin Granola
  • 1 banana

I like my carotenoids [a.k.a. orange pigment]!

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Seeing as I am at school beginning before 9:00am, I am always more than ready to get home when 4:00pm rolls around. Unfortunately, I must wait for the 4:20pm bus, and when the bus doesn’t end up departing until 4:50pm, I become very peeved. It doesn’t help, either, standing outside all that time in the hot hot sunshine, hungry and parched.

Eventually, I made it home just in time to slip on some workout gear and head back to campus to The Resort. After my unplanned rest day yesterday, I was eager for to fit in a run before my bi-weekly BodyPump class.

  • 1 mi. indoor track run @ 8:10
  • 20-minute treadmill run – 1.0 incline

5 min. each @ 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5mph

Glistening from my 8-minute miles, I headed over to the studio where BodyPump is every Monday and Wednesday night to find an empty room with no instructor in sight. I looked at the schedule posted on the door… nope, NO WRECPump. I had heard a rumor the class may get cancelled, but I had my fingers crossed it wasn’t true. My roommate and I just stood there in the middle of the gym for a few minutes like sad sad puppy dogs. I double-checked with the group fitness coordinator passing by that what I had read was in fact true. It was… so not the news I wanted to begin my week with =[

Well, I wasn’t just gonna stand there enjoying the eye candy, while turning into plump pumpkin myself. I picked up a 15lb. barbell and started to do a bit of pumpin’ on my own. Then I ran 1.5 more mad miles.

  • 0.5 mile @ 3:55
  • 0.25 mile walk
  • 0.5 mile @ 3:40
  • 0.25 mile walk
  • 0.5 mile @ 4:10

It wasn’t my anticipated happy Monday evening exercise regimen, but it was movement. I can be thankful for that.

Here’s to a rejuvenating Running Tuesday!

Hillary

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1. Are you a BodyPump lover?

2. What’s your favorite orange fruit or vegetable?

When Life Gives You Lemons

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Summer does not want to leave.

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… but that’s alright with me if it means I can still find juicy, local, organic peaches at the farmers’ market.

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& then eat them with 0% Greek, pecans and unsweetened coconut. What more do you need in life?

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This morning I tried my hand mouth at hot lemon water [boiling water + fresh lemons]. It’s suppose to have an array of health benefits, including acting as a body alkalizer. Believe what you please.

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It was certainly tangy, thanks to the citric acid. My mouth puckered with every sip. However, I think I could become accustomed to its astringent taste if I give it a second or third chance. After all, I love a good cup of bitter green tea.

* * *

I’m looking forward to a relaxing, warm weekend. Though, I don’t think I’ll be making a trip to the farmers’ market in the morning, seeing as how I went last night:

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Remind me when I’m being ungrateful of how lucky I am to buy fresh produce at the farmers’ market. Just thinking about it makes me ever so thankful.

I have some sweet recipes up my sleeve for the weekend. However, it doesn’t seem to be baking weather, now does it? =/

I’m cleaning the disaster of my room tonight…

Have a lovely “fall” weekend!

Hillary

 

Today’s Training

Half

Despite feeling like I was on crack after eating half of an Espresso Love Gu Energy Gel, I wasn’t really feeling a lengthy workout tonight. I wanted to get in and out. Hello, it’s Friday!

  • indoor track run [2.5 mi.]

8 laps @ 7:40 – purely caffeine.

6 laps @ 6:50 – takin’ it easy.

4 laps @ 3:55

2 laps @ 1:42

8 laps = 1 mile

  • 16-minute StairMaster
  • 2 x 8 tricep dips
  • 2 x 8 push-ups
  • planks

Monday Life of Your Aspiring Nutritonista

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Know what? I didn’t exercise today. Fancy that! You know what I did do…

    • Physio lecture.
    • Library study sesh.
    • Phsysio lab.
    • Starbucks study sesh.
    • Human Nutrition exam.
    • Science of Food lecture.
    • Sit in the warm sunshine while waiting for the bus.
    • Collapse on my bed –> 45 min. nap.
    • Nutrition & Food Science Assoc. meeting
    • Eat a bowl of beans.

Productive Monday – check. I may not have exercised my muscles heavily today, but I exercised my brain to exhaustion. I’ve got another packed day tomorrow, but overall this week isn’t as insane as was the previous. I’m clear of exams until…

Speaking of exams, I thought since I am a Nutrition major, and this blog supposedly focuses on nutritious eating, I thought I would share a few things that I learn in class from time to time. Sound good?

So, here’s a quiz for you:
1. What are the recommendations for percent of total calories from carbohydrate, protein, fat?
2. How many calories of energy/gram do each of the following provide: carbohydrate, protein, fat?
3. What is the leading cause of death in the U.S. today?

I’ll provide the answers in my next post : )

Today’s tasty start to the day:

~1/2 c. 0% Greek, 1/4 c. cereal, 1/4 c. homemade granola, 1/2 peach, 1/2 tsp. coconut

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Artificial v. Natural [light].

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Later, loves!

Hillary, your nutty nutritionista

Race Update:

I told ya’ll I’d update you with my official time from my weekend race. Well, the times were finally posted, but excuse me… I am not “Age: 33”. I called the event coordinator to make this known, and am now anxiously waiting for the corrected results [there were some other mishaps, too].

At this point…

Time: 1:18:49 – slightly slower than my watch

Place: 51/143 – small race!

Achy Breaky Heart

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I guess I used up all of my weekend productivity motivation yesterday because today I had close to none. I rolled outta bed at 8:30am – that’s sleeping in! – and ‘made’ cereal for breakfast… a pathetic Sunday morning meal.

Oh, but it was still pretty… and pretty tasty.

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  • Barbara’s Shredded Spoonfuls
  • homemade granola – still tasting fresh
  • 1/2 banana + 1/2 organic farmers’ market peach
  • organic 1% milk

I wanted to workout this morning, but didn’t know what form of exercise I wanted to do after my long run yesterday. While I thought about it, I gave Little Blue a thorough bubble bath + vacuum [hey, that’s exercise – right!?], as well as caught up on my 3 loads of laundry from last weekend.

Still undecided about exercise, I ate.

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Plain 0% Greek + 2 fresh figs + walnuts & honey – mmmm!

After lunch and a couple hours at the computer doing homework, I was hit with the Sunday Slump. There wasn’t an ounce of energy to be found in my body. My throat hurt. I needed sleep. I knew then that fitting in an evening workout was out of the picture [hence the achy breaky heart]. My body was not game for raising its heart rate, so I laid on my feather bed until my eyelids began to drift closed. Can you see where this is going? Don’t underestimate the power of  Sunday afternoon siesta. It wasn’t long, but it was just what my body requested. Half an hour later, I was mildly refreshed and ready to… eat.

Still not feeling 100%, I took the easy way out with dinner.

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A handful of gold.

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… and one of my favorite, college-style comfort foods ever: Annie’s Mac & Cheese with a dab of real buttah, peas and creamy avocado.

New roommate: “What are you going to do with that avocado"?

Me: “Oh, ya know… just put it in my macaroni and cheese with peas.”

Very odd combo, but tasty to me! : )

Going to work on my never-ending pile of assignments, and then hopefully turn in to bed early. I have not been getting enough zzz’s and it’s starting to take a toll on me. I can’t let a lack of sleep prevent me from possibly having one of my greatest training seasons yet. I want to be exercising at least 5x/week, and that has not always been happening =/

Run. Eat. Study. Sleep. Repeat.

Good night!

Clean Eating v. College Craziness

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I know fall/winter is upon us when I eat my breakfast before there is enough natural light for a decent photograph of my cereal. This saddens me. See the tears? I’m going to have to learn a few tricks to  successful indoor photography sans sunlight since no one – me especially! – likes a blurry, “flashed-out”, pixelated picture.

I attempted to take a few photos of my dark breakfast and dinner, but they didn’t make the cut. Really, though… cold cereal and green burgers are not the most interesting items I consume. You didn’t miss a lot.

By the time I was ready to put together my packed lunch, the sun was high enough in the sky for this picky food blogger. I took advantage of it, obviously.

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  • Sprouted Wheat Tortilla + Humboldt Hummus, 1 Heirloom, Cuc & Organic Greens
  • 1 crunchy orange stick

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  • Plain Greek, 1/2 peach, 1/4 c. coconut cashews
  • icy h2o in my new Lulelemon bottle — I <3 Running

After a really awful day of eating – to me, that means random eats that aren’t worth the calories [i.e. horrible, fluffy Baskin Robbins ice cream] – plus a weekend full of indulgences, I was ready to resume with my clean eating today.

What does clean eating mean to me?

My body feels ‘clean’  when I eat a controlled diet rich in fiber-dense whole grains, raw vegetables and fruits, nuts [in moderation], low-fat dairy [again, not too much], a reasonable amount of sugar, and lots of water/tea.

My skin tells me when I’ve OD’ed on sugar, or am not hydrating with water [as is the case currently]. However, I don’t believe clean eating should restrict sweets/indulgences. I ate dessert today [chocolate, of course], and did not feel all that guilty about it. If I want to indulge in treat, I aim for quality, short ingredient list items.

I realize there are many many definitions of ‘clean eating’ out there, especially floating around the healthy living community. This is just my personal view. I’m not a RD, just a nutrition nut : )

It wasn’t terribly difficult to keep my clean eating regimen under control today since I had one heck of a busy Hump Day!

  • 9:00-9:50am Physiology
  • 11:00am-1:15pm Help with Farmers’ Market

The Nutrition & Food Science Association has a booth at the student market every other week. Today we sold veggie wraps and cucumber water, as well as our cute club tees. I’m really going to make an effort to work on Goal #4 this semester!

  • 2:00-2:50pm Human Nutrition
  • 3:00-3:50pm Science of Food
  • 5:00-6:00pm Group Meeting
  • 6:15-8:00pm Gym

12-minute indoor track run [1 mi. @ 8 min. + 0.5 mi @ 4 min.]

12-minute treadmill run [3 min. @ 6.8 / 1 min. @ 8.0 – repeat 3x | 1.0 incline]

60-minute WRECPump

  • eat. shower. blog… homework.

That is my Wednesday in a nutshell. So glad tomorrow is already Thursday – yay for 4-day weeks. Time to get my clean on [room cleaning, that is].

Take care, lovelies!

Hillary

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What does clean eating mean to you?
Did you eat clean in college?
Anyone else get rained on today!?

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