Eating Away The Day

August 28, 2010 by Hillary 4 Comments

I just looked at the clock and realized that Saturday is already half over! Time slips away when you’re a busy gal like me.

I ‘slept in’ until 8:40am this morning – not too early, not too late. I considered gearing up for a run right away, but when I realized I didn’t have to worry about scorching temps the rest of the day, I decided to have a relaxing morning doing things around my apartment.

Breakfast was first.

I made myself grainy [my word a for hearty/nutty batter] pancakes. I used the nutritious mix I found earlier this month at the local co-op for jiffy meal prep.

Local Peaches, Raspberries, Pecans, unsweetened Coconut, Real Maple.

You could say I enjoyed my breakfast : )

I also sipped on Giada Espresso Roast iced coffee with 1% milk.

Caffeinated, I vacuumed and finished 4 loads of laundry. Ahhh, clean sheets are my favorite.

I checked the forecast once more, and it read: 65*F | 45% humidity. I jumped for joy, and then immediately slipped into shorts and a tee. I was going running outside!

I’m really not a fan of running around the area where I live, but I tried to ignore the stoplights and commercial development and appreciate the cool, cloudy air. I haven’t run outside in nearly 2 weeks, since my memorable morning at the Healthy Living Summit. I ran swiftly for 32 short minutes. Gosh, I gotta get on my long runs!

Keeping up with my indulgent Saturday eats, I made healthified nachos for lunch.

Food Should Taste Good Multigrain Chips, Sharp White Cheddar, Black Beans, Avocado, Fresh Salsa.

I rarely ever photograph my sweet treats, so today I made a point to capture my after-lunch dessert.

Ok, so these almonds aren’t the cheapest Trader Joe’s item at $6.99, but they last me a while; life’s too short not to enjoy your simple pleasures.

I’ve been neglecting my green tea stash for quite some time, but this afternoon I was in the mood for a refreshing glass of green.

I have a lot of reading and writing starring me in the face. My student duties are calling… I hope ya’ll are enjoying your weekend.

Hill

I’m a minimalist.

June 23, 2010 by Hillary 25 Comments

Another Waffle Wednesday gone ~~write~~ right.

Van’s rule my freezer: banana, coconut, pecans & real maple.

My newest obsession.

Sparkling tea, you’ve got me.

Mom pulls through again: edamame spread.

Feed me fresh fruit and I’m a happy kid.

Greek yogurt has stolen my heart.

I’m spoiled with sushi.

The newest addition to my dishware collection. It did its job perfectly.

I’m out. Run & belated b.day brex with my girls in the a.m.

Night!

Hillary

* * *

What’s your style? I am a complete minimalist. I am constantly cleaning out my closet. Everything has a place. I despise clutter. It isn’t necessarily a good thing, but I can’t exactly help it… it runs in my family.

Dinner for Three

June 14, 2010 by Hillary 17 Comments

I wanted to write this post last night, but my body clock is completely different since being home; in other words, I am exhausted by 10:00pm. I slept for 12 hours last night– yikes! I guess it was resting-up for my birthday week!

Anyway, there were a lot of great eats yesterday. I enjoyed going shopping at our local co-op – it’s seriously a health nut’s heaven; I came home with two full bags of organic goodies. After unloading, I dove straight into a 2% Fage with organic blueberries, our neighbor’s raspberries ,and a drizzle of organic agave – it won a blue ribbon for “Snack of the Day”.

Next, I dove into another new find. I think this is my new favorite Chocolove flavor – love love love!

What’s your favorite?

I couldn’t resist this at the market. Ya’ll know how I love my green tea. This is was super strong, but at only 6 ounces, I guzzled it all. I could almost taste the antioxidants ; )

Catechins are powerful antioxidants in green tea that help maintain a healthy heart and neutralize cell-damaging free radicals.

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I was in charge of making Sunday Family Dinner…

Appetizer

Local Herbed Boule, Local Chevre & Organic Green Grapes

Award-winning Purple Haze: the perfect mixture of lavender and fennel pollen gives this cheese a sweet flavor that plays off the acidity in the cheese for a delightful complement.

Dinner

Arugula, Gorgonzola & Walnut Whole Wheat Pasta

[original recipe @ How Sweet It Is]

In a medium pot, bring water to a boil. Cook 1 lb. of whole wheat pasta of your choice until al dente. Meanwhile, in a large skillet sauté 2-3 cloves of garlic in 2-3T of olive oil. Add 3-4 c. of fresh arugula and stir until wilted. Drain pasta, add arugula mixture, a couple additional tablespoons of olive oil, 1/2 c. of crumbled gorgonzola, and a couple handfuls of toasted chopped walnuts. Combine thoroughly, then finish with a sprinkling of freshly-grated hard cheese [parmesan, asiago, etc.] – enjoy! Serves 4.

We also enjoyed a colorful salad full of homegrown lettuces, organic avocado, tomato, red onion, chive flowers, orange-infused olive oil & balsamic.

My Plate

Dessert

Chocolate Strawberry Scone Cake

Just wait!

Top of the Morning

May 2, 2010 by Hillary 9 Comments

I know… by the time I finish writing this, it’ll probably be about time for lunch, but I haven’t written a post before 8:00pm in a while, so I thought the title was semi-appropriate. I made an ambitious to-do list today, starting with a special breakfast, so I was very peeved when I woke up with a sore throat. Really? I can not believe my timing. Anyway, a little scratch in my throat isn’t going to stop me from making the breakfast I’d been dreaming of for the past 7 hours. I got my creation inspiration from Miss Tina.

Grilled Banana Sandwich

Who said grilled sandwiches had to be savory?

Instructions: In a small bowl, mash 3/4 of a ripe banana [eat the other 1/4 while cooking] with 1 T toasted chopped pecans and 1 tsp. unsweetened coconut. Spread between two pieces of whole wheat bread. Grill in a skillet with a touch of real buttah, using a couple bowls to press the pieces of bread together. Cook ‘til golden, about 2-3 minutes each side. Enjoy with a jam jar of 1% milk.

I also sipped on some sencha with breakfast in hopes that it would help my soothe my throat. Unfortunately, it didn’t do any magic, but at least I got in my 1 cup of green a day!

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What started your Sunday morning?

Well, I’m not so sure I’ll be getting around to that run I planned on after all – bah humbug – but I’ve got plenty to keep me occupied.

Take it easy!

Hillary

Change of Scenery

March 13, 2010 by Hillary 6 Comments

GOOD morning! I am having an absolute glorious start to my Saturday…and hope you are too : ) I mentioned late last night that I had a long appointment with the pavement in the morning [a.k.a. a long run]. You also may know that I’ve been planning to run a 10-mile race tomorrow. It wouldn’t make much sense to go for a long run before a race, would it? So here’s the update: Due to the unfortunate circumstance of losing our family friend this past Thursday, I decided to forgo this one race in order to attend her service. With the race at 2:00pm and the service at 3:00pm – 45 minutes away from each other – there was no logistical way I could do both. There will always be more races.

That being said, I talked my regular Humboldt running gals into running 10-miles with me today! Spontaneity is not my specialty, but I thought if I was supposed to be able to run 10 tomorrow, why not today! We met up at the early hour of 7:30am, but I had no problem hopping out of bed, as the brightness of the blue skies was streaming into my bedroom.

Because I do not have a fancy shmancy Garmin Forerunner to track my mileage, I would be lying if I said I ran exactly 10.0 miles; yet, I ran for 92 minutes which – give or take – is 10 miles at my average pace.

It is really refreshing to have a change of scenery for exercising and eating. I plan to soak up as much of Humboldt’s finest as I can this week…including big bowls of thick oats. I had a simple, yet satisfying breakfast of banana walnut cinnamon oatmeal after my run + a steaming cup of Japanese Green Tea [inspired by Angela’s awesome post].

Going to pick up my race packet [gotta get my t-shirt, after all] and probably spend some time with the ‘rents today since they aren’t working.

Enjoy your day!

Hillary

It's the little things…

February 23, 2010 by Hillary Leave a Comment

Afternoon, friends! Tuesdays are officially the worst day of the week [in my book], but so far, so good…

I finally got out of bed around 8:15 – an hour later than I had wanted – but I must have needed the extra hour because I was still tired and moody (?) upon waking. I was in the kitchen making my breakfast when my roommate strolls in wearing her pajamas, pours a bowl of cereal, and asks, “Don’t you not have class until 11:00?”. She was right. As I’ve said before, I l.o.v.e. my mornings! I had already showered, gotten dressed and had a pot of oat bran simmering away before she had woken up…and she had class at 9:30! I hate having to rush my morning routine : )

Anywho…my bowl of oat bran today was double delicious! I like oatmeal 12x better than oat bran, but it’s nice to switch it up occasionally. I learned that the key to making a successful bowl of bran is cooking it on LOW heat, and making sure to not overcook it.

1 1/4 cup water

1/2 cup oat bran

1/2 T ground flax

~ 1/4 cup blueberries

~ 1 T chopped walnuts

[TJ’s “baking” walnuts are so convenient!]

~ 1 tsp. agave

splash of 1% milk

A cup of [caffeinated] green tea is becoming a part of my morning routine.

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Thankfully, we finished our chemistry lab early today, so I was able to come home to enjoy a hot lunch on this rainy, cold day [bipolar weather, I think so].

brown rice & stir-fried Soyaki tofu + slightly steamed broccolini, carrot & sesame seeds

The brown rice & tofu were left over from last night’s dinner, so I was able to just reheat them and enjoy within minutes. I honestly liked today’s lunch better than yesterday’s dinner – mmm…healthy & delicious!

***

It’s the little things in life that seem to be bringing me the most happiness right now: a creamy bowl of oats, a hot cup of tea, natural lighting and bright photographs, my reader’s sweet comments, a sweaty workout, a new magazine…

When life get’s tough, what makes you happy?

My muscles are soreness-free, so I’ll be hitting up the gym before my Nutrition & Food Science Association meeting tonight. Elementary Foods exam tomorrow. Statistics exam Thursday. Here we go…

I Heart Blogging

January 13, 2010 by Hillary Leave a Comment

Morning. How’s your Wednesday looking so far? As I promised myself last night, I rolled out of bed and headed to my old dance studio for an hour of DanceFit this morning. Ugh, let’s just say that pound of pasta sunk to the pit of stomach and hasn’t ‘escaped’ yet. Pretty sure I looked like an exhausted 2,000 lb. elephant trying to chasse around the room. Ha, oh well…I made an effort anyway : )

Brex

0% Plain Oikos + 1/3 cup Humboldt Honey Granola + 1/2 banana

Are you getting tired of this yet? Too bad…I’m not!

I heart my “H” spoon.

daily cup of decaf green tea + a piece of Rudi’s organic wheat & oat toast with AB & apricot jam

I love this new found hobby/passion/obsession of blogging. I could sit here all day and read/write about healthy living and drool over recipes, but I must get on with my life.

Later,

~ Hillary

GIVEAWAY for a Healthy New Year

December 30, 2009 by Hillary Leave a Comment

Yes, you read that right.

I am doing my 1st blog GIVEAWAY!

I want to help get your year off to healthy start with a small gift:

January 2010 issue of SELF Magazine, a great read for the gym
3 pairs of athletic socks, perfect for your new exercise goals
Equal Exchange Organic Green Tea, to get your metabolism in gear

HOW TO ENTER:

Simply leave a comment below with one of your health-related resolutions for the new year.

You have until January 1st @ 11:00am to enter.

Extra love from me if you TWEET about the giveaway : )

Embracing Break

December 17, 2009 by Hillary Leave a Comment

Howdy Folks!

Hope your Thursday has been a good one. My (5-week) vacation began with breakfast in bed reading my new January issue of Fitness – love my health magazines.

English Muffin with Flax PB & Honey

Next up: exercise! I was determined to get in one last sweaty workout at “The Resort”. It was a success:

20 minutes Elliptical (resistance: 5.0)
20 minutes stationary bike (resistance: 5.0)
20 minutes treadmill (incline: 10.0)
60 squats @ 20lbs.
20 lat pulldowns @ 40lbs.
bicep curls @ 10lbs.
10 ‘assisted’ pull-ups
10 ‘assisted’ dips
V-ups (abs)

Afterwards, I headed to TJ’s to pick up a couple snacks for the road tomorrow, as well as a few things to hold me over for the rest of the day…

Lunch: Tofu Spring Rolls & a new Numi Iced Tea. I tried Morcoccan Mint today to pair with the mint inside the spring rolls ; ), but I wasn’t a huge fan — “barely sweetened” is still a tad too sweet for me.

For an afternoon snack, I treated myself (at $1.89) to Fage with raw almonds, apricots & honey. Fage does not compare to any other Greek yogurt – so divine!

I have been a cleaning machine today! I can’t leave my place less than sparkling before I leave town. I cleaned the (moldy) shower, did the dishes, and 3 loads of laundry (including bedding). I took an hour break in there somewhere for some sale shopping at the mall. I scored 2 great deals at AE & VS today — love coupons.

Anyway, off to finish packing up my life…seriously, 5 weeks is a long time!

Have a great night,

~ Hillary

P.S. My microbiology professor is on top of it – grades are posted. B for me…guess that’ll do.

Joy to the World

December 1, 2009 by Hillary 7 Comments

HAPPY DECEMBER!

I hope your day month is starting off on a high note. I love this month for so many reasons – gift giving, twinkling lights, snowmen, baking, peppermint, family traditions, stockings, cozy fires, the list is endless…

…and gingerbread houses : ) I made this entire house from scratch my senior year of high school in my Restaurant Occupations class – the best assignment ever! Can you spot Rudolph?

Of course I had to fix myself a cup of Candy Cane Lane Green Tea first thing this morning, and to go along…a bowl of PB&J bran.

1 1/4 cup water
1/2 cup oat bran
1 heaping T each PB & apricot jam
splash of skim milk

Look at that steam!

What do enjoy most about this time of year?

~ Hillary

Eating Away The Day

Local Peaches, Raspberries, Pecans, unsweetened Coconut, Real Maple.

Food Should Taste Good Multigrain Chips, Sharp White Cheddar, Black Beans, Avocado, Fresh Salsa.

I’m a minimalist.

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Dinner for Three

Top of the Morning

Change of Scenery