Where Am I Going?

May 4, 2010 by Hillary 15 Comments

I was all enthusiastic about posting tonight – I felt as though my camera got a lot of use today and that I had plenty to share with ya’ll – but when I realized the majority of my pictures are for a later post and that I really didn’t have anything of great importance to say, I was disappointed…only with myself, of course.

I apologize, too, for the lack of posting yesterday; the Spring Fever knocked me down. After two full days of feeling lethargic, my energy is slowly making a comeback. Just in time! I’m leaving early Thursday morning for a miniature vacation where the sky is BIG and the bison roam free.

For those that do not know, any guesses to where I will be for the weekend?

I got a head start on my packing today. I had to change my weekend wardrobe from shorts and summer dresses to boots and raincoats… I guess it isn’t exactly Spring in ______ quite yet. The goal for tomorrow is to eat up as much of my fresh produce as I possibly can. I have been incorporating my sumo strawberries into almost every meal. They have been great with Greek, even better amongst savory salads, and do no wrong with my morning oats:

1/2 c. oat bran [it’s under there, I swear!], 1/2T flax, 1T walnuts, strawberries & honey

Speaking of salad, my April 14th creation made an appearance here. You can participate in the I Love Salad Challenge too!

My Nutrition & Food Science Association meeting ran late tonight, so I’m a bit behind on what all I still must do before bed…

Good night!

Hillary

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Are you traveling anytime in the near future? Yes… T-36 hours.

Do you prefer traveling by car or plane? I have fond memories of family road trips, yet I love that flying allows us to go almost anywhere on the globe in a matter of hours.

Are you scared of flying? I’m a bit claustrophobic, but it doesn’t stop me : )

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

Let The Countdown Begin

March 5, 2010 by Hillary 15 Comments

I think someone needs to splash some cold water in my face, and say, “Hello, Hillary…you do have a blog, ya know!” Sorry. I certainly have not been maintaining my blogging efforts the past few days. What can I say, the Nutrition Nut has been on the run. I feel as though I spend way too much of my time connected to the World Wide Web, and it is so refreshing to put away my camera, ignore the Internet, and live a life of normalcy – not capturing every move I make – like I did a mere five months ago.

I had a lovely and busy day yesterday away from the web. I slept in [I don’t have class ’til 12:30pm on Thursdays], made a creamy bowl of banana oats, and enjoyed having the house to myself for the morning. Sunshine was seeping through my windows, I had Grooveshark Popular playing, and before I knew it, I was shaking and twisting all around my room. Heck, I probably got a better workout than any 30-minute exercise DVD could give me ; )

After an afternoon of classes, I jetted over to the gym to squeeze in a workout before having to get ready to see Colbie! My roommate snatched the last bike for the 5:00pm spin class, so I was left to pedal alone.

45-minute spin [16.2 mi.] — a little slow?
1.5-mile run — I was cruising!

We rushed home to scarf down a few bites of food and pretty up before heading back to campus for the concert. Although a small and casual concert, Colbie Caillat was 100% uh-mazing!

Isn’t she just gorgeous?

She sang all my favorite songs flawlessly. Her tour stopped in my hometown today, so my mom and her girlfriends are going to the show tonight. Speaking of home, I am really ready to go home for a week. One week from today, and that’s where I’ll be. Let the countdown to Spring Break begin!

Finally…today: I had a repeat of Tuesday’s delicious oat combo for breakfast before sitting through my final two lectures for the week.

Surprise surprise I went the gym this afternoon — it’s becoming my 2nd home, no? Every Friday I tell myself I am going to go to yoga, but then talk myself out of it. Well, today I made it happen! My body is a tad sore from this week’s previous workouts, so I figured I could use an hour of quality stretching and strengthening. I don’t know why I don’t talk myself into going to yoga more often. I left completely at peace; it was a blissful hour of exercise and wonderful way to end the week.

***

I ate a quick lunch before heading out to run errands, and consequently it missed the camera’s eye. My grocery bag was extra light today since I like to leave my fridge clean and empty upon leaving town.

I did buy a bag of my favorite chips and dug into them while my dinner was taking a turn in the oven.

Love these!

Tonight’s meal featured the last quarter of my free butternut squash. I told my professor that the squash was used to its full potential : )

Butternut Squash + Brown Sugar, Cinnamon & Real Butter

Organic Baby Spinach, Red Onion, Pepitas & Sweet ‘n’ Tangy Balsamic

Since dinner was so healthy and all, I thought a little Friday treat was in order. Insert Starbucks ice cream and gooey Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chippers – mmm! I don’t know what’s with me and boxed food lately – bad bad bad – but it was rather nice to be able to enjoy warm cookies right after dinner without making havoc in the kitchen.

You know I couldn’t resist a miniature Starbucks carton of ice cream. There’s just no way : )

Alright, friends…now that you have a rough outline of my life since Wednesday, I’m going to go catch up on what ya’ll have been up to.

Namaste,

~ Hillary

No Pain No Gain

March 2, 2010 by Hillary 17 Comments

Hi Ya’ll!

Woo…it’s already 8:30pm and I’m just now finishing up my dinner and beginning to blog [it’s quite the process]. I must make it quick tonight though, as I have to study for my 1 exam & 2 quizzes that I have tomorrow [surprise surprise].

Breakfast, oh Breakfast…if only you knew how much I dearly love you.

A reader suggested I try mixing my regular rolled oats and oat bran, so that’s exactly what I did. Oh, and props to me for trying new combinations and going outside of my [food] box lately.

In the mix:

– 1 cup water

– 1/3 cup rolled oats

– 1/3 cup oat bran

– 1/2 T ground flax

– cinnamon

Toppings:

– 1/2 d’anjou pear

– 1 T walnuts

– drizzle of agave

– big splash of 1% milk

***

I was dreading today’s 3-hour organic chem lab – as we had our first lab exam + 2 labs to finish – but it wasn’t as horrific as I was anticipating, and I came out alive the full 3-hours later. I ate a late lunch after class, including half of a succulent orange and leftover mac & cheese. FYI, Annie’s + Avocado = A-mazing!

Then there was some time wasted before I headed to the gym to get my March move on! I had a fabulous workout:

– 40-minute spin [15.0 mi.]

– 20-minute treadmill run [10 minutes @ 6.0mph (incline 2.0), 6 minutes @ 6.6mph, 4 minutes @ 6.8mph]

– 2 x 20 lat pulldown @ 40 lbs.

– 20 side dips each side @ 10 lbs.

– 2 x 10 bicep curl lunges each leg @ 20 lbs.

– 2 x 10 squats @ 20 lbs.

– 2 x 10 “weights-to-chin” @ 20 lbs.

– 2 x 10 “toe-touches” @ 20 lbs.

I can’t believe I didn’t look at the treadmill to see how far I’d run – my guess is around 2.5 miles. I definitely pushed myself tonight, especially with the faster treadmill speed. I know I am strong, but rarely push myself to my maximum potential. They only way to get stronger is by exerting more effort. No pain, no gain!

Dinner: steamed TJ’s Vegetable Gyoza + broccolini with soy sauce, toasted sesame oil & seseame seeds.

You think a few potstickers are going to do it for me after burning all those calories? You’ve got to be kidding. Next was some 0% Greek & Humboldt Honey Granola. I think I could eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner : )

I’m outta here…

~ Hillary

Question: If you are a blogger and also a college student, as I am, how do you manage your time between studying and keeping up with the blog world? Where and how do you find the discipline to keep yourself away from the screen?

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.

***

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…

Holiday Prep Day

December 23, 2009 by Hillary Leave a Comment

Hi there. Happy (day before) Christmas Eve!

For some reason I was extremely tired last night. I must have needed sleep since I slept in until 10:00am this morning. I got some laundry going and then made myself a bowl of bran.

1 cup water
1/2 cup organic oat bran
1/2 banana
nutty granola
splash of organic almond milk

I have been dying to try almond milk (perhaps I’ve had it before?), so yesterday I finally bought a carton at the store. It certainly added a nutty flavor. Now I’m anxious to add it to smoothies and such…

I crossed everything of my to-do list yesterday, including creating tomorrow night’s dinner menu. We are having my dad’s side of the family over for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner – there will be 10 of us total.

Christmas Eve 2009 Dinner Menu

Spirits: beer, wine & (non-alcoholic) pomegranate tonics

Appetizer: (unknown) courtesy of my aunt & uncle

Dinner:

mixed greens, satsuma, pomegranate arils, red onion, walnuts, gorgonzola & pomegranate vinaigrette
roasted butternut squash with orange, garlic & parsley
pomegranate molasses tri-tip

Dessert: chocolate peppermint molten cakes & decaf coffee

***

Today’s Agenda:

– conquer laundry

– finish a gift

– organize picture files [they get crazy blogging every day]

– roll coins [$$$]

I really should exercise today – no reason not to – so hopefully that will happen at some point…just not in the mood =/

Wishing you an extra-special holiday,

~ Hillary

It's a new day!

December 4, 2009 by Hillary Leave a Comment

HAPPY Friday!

Hope your weekend is off to a great start. Do you have any festive plans? I am planning on going to an Ugly Christmas Sweater party Saturday, Christmas shopping, and getting my Christmas cards in the mail…perhaps I’ll get some baking done too : )

Anyway, my day began on a healthy note (always good, right?)…

1 1/4 cup water
1/2 cup oat bran
1/4 cup blueberries
walnuts & agave

I am really enjoying all of the holiday blog posts and give-a-ways. Lovin’ the holiday spirit and abundance of recipes!

~ Hillary

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

Going the Distance

November 24, 2009 by Hillary Leave a Comment

Morning!

My day started off with another run with the ladies. We cruised around town for an hour, chit-chatting about Thanksgiving food, naturally. I’ve really missed my usual running mileage, so I was willing to bear the chilly temperature outside for an hour of quality exercise. I love cold morning runs anyway, and the thought of coming home to a hot breakfast afterwards (as was the case this morning). I bought a box of oat bran the other day – inspired by my blog reading – and knew it would be a perfect post-run meal.

1 1/4 cup water
1/2 cup oat bran
1/4 cup BIG blueberries (they’re buried)
1 T walnuts
sprinkle of brown sugar
splash of skim milk

I thoroughly enjoyed my bowl of bran…perhaps it was the cute mug that made it all the more enjoyable : ) I will certainly be adding this to my list of regular breakfast options. It was super quick to make…two minutes tops!

Hot shower is up next, a stroll around The Plaza, haircut…

Two days ’til turkey time!

~ Hillary

Where Am I Going?

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