Nutrition Nut on the Run

Anxiously Bored

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Why, hello there! Hope y’all  are enjoying your Saturday. Things are pretty much back to normal for me. I’m finally feeling about 82% better – the antibiotics are doing their job – and I’m through with my recap of my priceless trip to Chicago. I hope you didn’t miss the three epic posts.

Part I: Yum Yum

Part II: A Taste of Chi Town

Part III: In Good Spirits

Part IV: Beautiful People. Beautiful Food.

Part V: Pinch Me

Part VI: A Hidden Gem

Part VII: Pizza My Heart

Part VIII: Walk. Eat. Repeat.

Part IX: Trains to Planes

With school just a day away, I set my alarm fairly early so I could get a jump start on my day. I love the peacefulness in the morning while my roommates are still sound asleep. I enjoy having the house to ‘myself’ while I prepare breakfast… maybe I’m just greedy. My mom has always treasured quiet mornings. They say you become more and more like your parents every day ; )

Though my cupboards are stocked with my favorite steel cut oats, its too hot to be turning on the stove these days. Simple does it with Trader Joe’s Quinoa Wheat Toast, Trader’s Joes super cheap crunchy p.nut buttah, and a sliced banana… also from TJ’s.

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Enjoyed on one of my uber-cute birthday plates.

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Iced Giada Espresso Roast drip coffee + 1% milk. It was a Carrots ‘N’ Cake kind of morning. After a bit of  blog reading, I headed to the famers’ market downtown.

Lots of peaches and tomatoes [that’s the heat!], blackberries and strawberries, eggs, almonds, and honey amongst the colorful stalls. I found some salad greens, though it wasn’t easy. The selection here is vastly different than our market at home.

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Fire Zinnias.

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Peppers.

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Tickle your fancy with tomatoes.

After a double loop around the venders, I headed to The Resort. I’m anxious to get back to training!

  • 1 mi. run around indoor track  [8:55]
  • 30-minute spin [10.5 mi.]
  • 20-minute treadmill

2 min. @ 6.6mph, 2 min. @ 6.8mph, 1 min. @ 8.0mph – 1.0 incline [repeat 2x]

10 minute @ 4.0mph – 2.0 incline

I finished my workout with a variety of strength exercises from squats and lunges to biceps and triceps. I love having all the equipment to play on again : )

Then showers were taken, wardrobes were washed, eats were eaten, and errands were executed.

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Q: Would you rather a) spend $2 on 4 non-organic store-bought peaches or b) spend $3 on 2 organic local market peaches?

If you’re still thinking about the oxymoron of the title, I’ll explain… I’ve been a bit bored since I’ve returned from Chicago, as I’ve been keeping my activity level to a minimum to allow my body to heal. Though I’ve been physically ‘bored’, my mind is anxious about the start of the new semester which is less than 48 hours away. Thank you Type A personality for constantly makes lists inside my head: wrap-up internship, print syllabi, buy school supplies, yada yada yada. Perhaps things will be better in a week or so when my Type A life is scheduled day to day in my new lime green planner.

Keep cool, friends!

xo Hillary

Top of the Morning

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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

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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

Tuesday Two Hundred

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Yesterday I got a little carried away writing with a plethora of P’s. I’ll try not to go there today with the letter T, although it’s tempting ; ) Any guesses about the title? Two hundred… treats, tweets, tests? [You’ll have to read to the end for me to reveal…]

Today’s Tuesday task list was tight, yet I managed to tackle it all:

  • 3-hr. Chem Lab check
  • Trader Joe’s Trip check
  • Intern Interview – cross your fingers check
  • Visit Verizon – a new Blackberry, alive & well…and not tear-soaked! check
  • Running Tuesday check
  • Homework [in progress]
  • Blog check

First things first. BREAKFAST, obviously!

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I created quite the tasty bowl of oat bran out of my nearly bare kitchen.

  • 1 1/4 c. H2O
  • 1/2 c. oat bran
  • 1/2 T ground flax
  • 1 T walnuts
  • 4 dried apricots
  • agave drizzle

No need to go fancy to get full, folks!

After chem and eating “lunch” [1 piece whole wheat toast + PB, 1/2 banana & 12 oz. soy latte — I had the biggest craving for p.nut buttah!], I made my rounds at TJ’s and rushed home for my interview for a summer internship. I’m not going to say much more at this point; I don’t want to jinx the possibilities : )

After last week’s incident with my brand new Blackberry, my replacement arrived in the mail today. I hurried down the street to Verizon where they got Blackberry #2 up and running. Running. Yes, something I needed to do…especially since it’s Running Tuesday! Thanks to Sarah, this was about the only thing that got me motivated today. I made an attempt with the treadmill today:

3 x 10-minute sets

  1. 6 min. @ 6.4, 4 min. @ 6.8 [2.0 incline]
  2. alternate 6.6 & 8.0 @ 2 min. intervals
  3. 4 min. @ 6.8, 6 min. @ 6.4 [2.0 incline]

+ arms & abs

I didn’t always enjoy running on the treadmill, but somehow it made it’s way into my regular exercise regimen. My Tip: keep it interesting with intervals!

Running with Rachel Ray for 30-minutes, and I was ready to make a 30-minute 10-minute [“healthy meal from start to finish”] of my own!

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012Spinach Ricotta Rav + Organic Marinara + Organic Italian Parsley

Organic Heirloom Lettuce + Organic Cherry Tomatoes + Chevre & Seasoned Rice Vinegar

It sure hit the spot for being a relatively low-fat supper, but I didn’t stop there of course…

Milk & Cookies

020 Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites

I spied these little guys at TJ’s today and didn’t feel guilty about spending the dough [haha] on store-bought treats after the cashier raved about them: 100% whole wheat flour, oats & walnuts = 3 g fiber/serving. Perhaps I should apply for a Trader Joe’s PR position : )

Anyway, I must close. My to-do list is outta control! That is not what the Tuesday Two Hundred was referring to, but it might as well. The answer to my tumbler: this is the 200th post @ Nutrition Nut on the Run! That’s a lot of words, a lot of pictures…and a lot of smiles.

I hope your final week of April is A-OK!

Hillary

Scratch That

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Greek GIVEAWAY: Enter HERE!

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Here I am at 10:00pm finally ready to write a post about today’s eats. I insert the sacred memory card [I only have one!] into my computer only to find dissatisfying images – scratch that! I’m just not one that can post any old photo. If only I could go back in time because I’m pretty sure all my munchies are digested and working their way out by now ; )

Anyway…I decided to jumpstart my Saturday by a going to the gym for a morning workout. It had been a little while since I’d gone to a spin class, so that’s where I was headed. I rocked the spandex shorts today, bee-tee-dub. It was an awesome, hilly [1 hour] ride. I finished my ‘routine’ with 15 minutes toning of the abdominals & arms…feeling strong and pain-free!

Before I left for The Resort, I ate some CHOs [a.k.a. carbohydrates] and protein. My childhood swim coach told me that PB + milk is a complete protein. Unfortunately, I’m still not sure what that means and if in fact it’s a true statement [I better learn this as I’m majoring in Nutrition], but I did find this — take it or leave it:

“Peanut butter is not protein-dense… To boost the protein value of peanut butter, simply accompany it with a tall glass of milk… Milk simultaneously enhances the value of the protein in the peanut butter sandwich. That is, peanuts are low in some of the essential amino acids muscles need for growth and repair. The amino acids in milk (as well as those in the sandwich bread) nicely complement the limiting amino acids in peanuts.” [source].

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Here you are… p.nut buttah & banana photo #266.

Ok, so the rest of my day consisted of a trip to Target and whipping out an entire paper that isn’t due for another month. I’m definitely turning this puppy in Monday though and freeing one item from my hands. Writing papers >>> studying for science exams. If you couldn’t guess already, I love writing. I dream of seeing my name on the front cover of a book one day – reach for the stars!

In the midst of my paper writing, I gave my grandma a jingle to ask her a couple more questions [the paper’s about family migration]. We got to talking about stress, and how that seems to be the theme of my life currently. I had to Twitter her hilarious advice:

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No more rambling – promise. Look what I’ve got to smile about tomorrow:

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It’s going to be a sunny spectacular SUNday!

Peace + Love,

Hillary

Silver Medal for Me

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Hey there!

Wow, I can’t believe there are just a few more minutes until we can turn the calendar to April 2010. This year isn’t taking it’s time…that’s for sure. Have any tricks up your sleeve for tomorrow? =]

Today California honored Cesar Chavez with a holiday. No school para me. I slept in way past my scheduled alarm, and then made a bowl of latte oatmeal:

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1 1/4 c. water

2/3 c. rolled oats

1/2 T instant espresso powder

1/2 T ground flax

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla

bittersweet chocolate chips, almonds & a splash of 1% milk

It gave me that little buzz I needed to get pumped up about my final workout of my Move It in March Challenge. My roommates and I decided on a spin class to take together. Usually we have to leave extra early in order to get a bike…but that wasn’t the case this afternoon. It seems as though everyone else was taking a vacation from exercise.

We warmed up by running 1/2 mile together around the track before the 30-minute class. Then I ran on the treadmill for another 20 afterwards [2.2 mi.] + 1/2 mile cool down around the track.

Move It In March Results

Days of Exercise: 24/31

Run: 14.0 hrs. [~91 miles]

Spin: 5.0 hrs.

Other: 4.25 hrs.

Looking at the results, I am pretty pleased with how much I moved. I am a little disappointed about the 7 rest days [1 entire week], but think that I worked pretty hard during the three weeks I did exercise. My goal was to move more during the month of March. I didn’t have anything to measure my results against, so that would be something I would change if I do such a challenge again. I am proud of myself for pushing myself to run faster, as that is something I haven’t concentrated on in the past; I have certainly witnessed my strength – especially in regards to speed – increase this past month.

Are you working on any fitness goals currently?

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An hour later, after picking up paperwork for a prospective new condo, I came home starving. Enter lunch:

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Wrap a la Homemade Hummus, Cucumber, Tomato & Baby Spinach

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0% Greek a la Homemade Granola & Strawberries

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…and cookies [x2].

Have you had Lu European Biscuits? They are a favorite of my family. We prefer the darkest of the dark, of course =]

After my late lunch, I got ready and joined the masses in the streets downtown “celebrating Cesar”. It felt odd lettin’ loose on a Wednesday afternoon, but what the heck. The rest was history…

Tuesday…Saturday Style!

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Good morning…and good afternoon to my East Coasters!

I had a feeling I wasn’t going to get around to posting yesterday. It was a super-sized Monday, I tell ya. I just kept thinking about the fact that once I got through it, I would have 3 days to relax. I know what you’re thinking, it’s only Tuesday. Well, due to California’s non-existent budget, they can hardly afford to keep their CA State students in school, so I have two furloughed days [Tuesday and Thursday], set around Cesar Chavez Day – a California holiday. It is really nice to have a “weekend” during the middle of a week, but the reality of furloughs is an awful awful thing. My college tuition has skyrocketed and I am getting less instruction [~10%]. No bueno!

Anyway, after 4 classes, studying for my exam, and 1 required lecture, I forced myself to go the the gym. It was the last thing I wanted to do after a long day, but since I didn’t exercise Sunday [like I said I would], I was at least going to make an attempt at something.

I knew from the start it wasn’t going to be an Olympic workout. I felt as though I had a brick inside my small intestine [quite the picture, huh?]. I could only find enough energy for 20 minutes on the Elliptical and 20 minutes [2 x 1 mi.] running around the indoor track. My body is not programmed to exercise at 9:00pm.

I treated today as if it were the weekend: I slept in [until 8:30am], fixed myself leftover waffles and an iced coffee for breakfast before cleaning the kitchen and doing work blogging in my pajamas.

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Toasted Banana Waffle with a dollop of 0% Greek, Fresh Strawberries, Almonds & Agave-Honey Syrup

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Iced [decaf] cafe au lait to cut the sweetness – so refreshing!

Going to go make the most out of my weekend…

Hillary

* * *

Blogger Bulletin

Check out Anne’s fANNEtastic new tees!

Congrats to both Jenna & Tina for submitting the first drafts of their books!

Heather’s giving away free Oikos to 1 lucky winner!

Today, Tomorrow & Yesterday

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Good morning guys & gals! It’s Thursday, so you know what that means…I don’t have to rush out the door to go to campus today. Clearly, I didn’t earn another A for effort yesterday. I was absorbed by academia all.day.long. Class. Study ServSafe. Class. Study Servsafe… I think it’s safe to say that the exam went well. I buzzed through all 90 questions in about 40 minutes. It ended up being a day of small snacks – including my last Element Bar – but I didn’t forget to celebrate Waffle Wednesday : )

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2 Van’s Multigrain Waffles + Crunchy PB & 1/2 Banana …with 1% milk – mmm!

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I had a great workout last night. I must’ve done something right because I was exhausted afterwards – I barely had enough energy to shower and put myself to bed – and am really sore today.

Work It out Wednesday

strength [I used a set of 10lb. weights.]

  • 4 x 10 bicep curls
  • 4 x 10 ‘weights to chin’
  • 4 x 10 tip-toe squats
  • 2 x 10 bicep curl lunges
  • 2 x 10 triceps dips
  • 1 x 10 arm raises

20-minute treadmill run [2.3 mi.]

  • 4 minutes @ 6.6mph
  • 6 minutes @ 6.8mph – incline 2.0
  • 10 minutes @ 7.2mph

30-minute spin [11 mi.]

indoor track run [1 mile @ 8:55]

stretching – ahhh! [note to self: do more often.]

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I was able to keep my eyes open a tad longer to skim through my new April issue of Fitness that arrived in the mail.

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Look who I found! It’s the adorable Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats.

I also stumbled across this Running Clip Tip:

“Shortening your stride by 10 percent may reduce the impact on your legs and decrease your risk of shin stress fractures by 3 to 6 percent, according to a study from Iowa State University in Ames” – Fitness Magazine.

This may explain why I have minimal to no pain in my legs and haven’t suffered any major injuries from running; I’ve got the stride of a midget.

Anyway, now that my morning is already half over, I need prepare for class. School 12:30 – 5:00. Gym. Clean up house for guests! Yep…that’s the plan.

Have a great day!

Hillary

Third Time’s The Charm

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After a 4.5-hour drive of fog, rain, ice, and SNOW…home has never felt so good! I mentioned yesterday that I was a bit anxious about the weather forecast for today and driving “over the hill(s) and through the woods”. I had the right to be anxious alright. Let’s just say it was one white-knuckled drive. I thought it was Spring Break, no? Well, I guess since it’s technically still Winter, it means that Mother Nature is allowed to SNOW! It honestly took me a minute or two to realize the sticky raindrops on my windshield were in fact snowflakes, as I can’t remember ever seeing snow fall [true story]. I know this can’t be entirely true because I have been in snowy weather various times – I’ve even been snowboarding – but I am a California girl…what can I say?

Of course now I wish I had stopped to take a few photos of my drive through Winter Wonderland, but at the time, all I could do was concentrate on keeping Little Blue on all fours.

I relaxed with an extra long, hot shower as soon as I got home before getting ready to go out to sushi with the ‘rents. Sushi, oh how I’ve missed you.

Press Rewind.

I woke up at the [butt] crack of dawn today – 6:00am – in order to get everything packed, top of my tank, grab a ‘Bucks, and get to O. Chem on time. Since Operation Empty Fridge was in effect, I decided to utilize every last bit of my $6 jar of PB by making OIAJ [Oats in a Jar]. I’ve claimed that I do not like nut butters in my oatmeal, but I just may have to take that back. I believe today was Trial #3 for OIAJ, and I think I hit the jackpot!

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Humboldt Honey OIAJ

1 cup water

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 T ground flax

1/2 banana – cooked

PB&Co Bee’s Knees

splash of 1% milk

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I’d love to stay and chat, but I have a long appointment with the pavement in the morning. Come back tomorrow for a RACE UPDATE…

Hillary

Work It Out

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Hi Lovely Readers! I was happy to read that so many of you were excited about the little tale this morning. I got the melted jam idea from another blog, but now can’t remember which.

After finishing my morning post, I made myself a latte – or technically a cafe au lait (with 1% milk) – and a sprinkling of raw sugar…mmm. I’m going strong with my Coffee Challenge and have decided to extend my goal until this Friday (rather than Monday). I have a tough school week ahead of me, and thought if I can avoid buying coffee until Friday, then I can reward myself with a treat!

Foam a la Aerolatte

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Lounging around in my pajamas all morning meant a late lunch…but when I got around to it, this is what it consisted of:

Frijoles Negros, Salsa y Avocado + Agua

Dos Kiwis

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After studying up for my Elementary Foods exam, I got antsy to exercise. My muscles are still extremely sore from the past 4 days of exercise, but I wanted to work out some of the lactic acid build-up. Nothing hardcore:

Cardio

  • 1 mile track [alternate jog/walk every 2 laps]
  • 20 minutes: ARC Trainer
  • 1 mile track [alternate jog/walk every 2 laps]

Abs

  • 2 x 20 stability ball crunches
  • 2 x 20 reverse crunches
  • 2 x 10 side crunches
  • 2 x 10 stability ball “knee-to-chest rollers”

Stretch!

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Dinner was rustic and E-Z!

– organic polenta (sauteed in olive oil), marinara, chevre & tear of fresh basil –

Alright…time to study my fruits and veggies for Wednesday’s Elementary Foods EXAM.

Enjoy your night,

~ Hillary

French Toast Tales

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8:00am: Hillary wakes up to the clinkering of her bedroom blinds on the window pane as the cool breeze invites itself in. She clutches onto her clean, comfy sheets and lies content for a few minutes, enjoying the silence throughout the house. The pleasant thought that she doesn’t have to rush out the door anywhere comes to mind – resting her head on her cloud of a feather pillow for a couple more hours is possible – but because she is a 20-year-old going on 40, she decides that a productive Sunday morning would leave her feeling more satisfied.

8:15am: Hillary remembers her plans for breakfast and springs out of bed! She collects the ingredients from each corner of the kitchen as quietly as she can, cringing at a clunk of a cabinet door or crack of an egg that may wake up her nearby sleeping roommates.

8:20am: The French toast assembly line begins. First, crack the free-range organic eggs. Next, add a splash of milk. Sprinkle in the cinnamon. Whisk away.

8:22am: Hillary’s health-conscious brain reminds her to increase her breakfast’s nutritional value. She opens the fridge, pulls out the trusty Bob’s Red Mill ground flax and adds a teaspoon to the egg bath – easy as can be.

8: 24am: Place two slices of whole wheat bread into the “batter”. Fire up the pan with a dab of real buttah. Melt homemade apricot jam for topping.

8:26am: Plop piece of bread #1 into the sizzling butter. Guestimate when the eggy bready is saying: “It’s time to turn me over!”. Flip. Stare at the transformed crispy side of toast. Repeat with slice #2.

8:30am: Top toast with 1/2 sliced banana, fresh blueberries & melted homemade apricot jam.

8:34am: Gather camera, twist open the blinds to let the light shine in, and snap a few shots as timely as possible as she dreads the thought of her French toast becoming cold.

8:40am: Time to eat! Hillary’s taste buds do some critiquing and make a few mental notes about what to change for future French Toast Sunday mornings.

8:40 – 9:00am: Hillary polishes off her breakfast while checking in with her favorite bloggers to see what they ate for their morning meal.

9:45am: Hillary is shocked by how fast the numbers on the clock transform from one to another. She presses the last few words into her keyboard and clicks publish.

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