Nutrition Nut on the Run

Pedal to the Metal

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Don’t be confused. I realize it’s not Wednesday – thank goodness! – but I missed Waffle Wednesday yesterday [oh, the tragedy!], so I wanted to make up for it today. Waffles on a Thursday never hurt anyone, did they? Ya’ll, I’ve been having serious issues waking up on time lately. You see, I consider myself a very punctual person and I love my mornings [as you all know], but I can’t get my alarm to wake me up for the life of me! I’m pretty positive this has to do with the fact that I can never shut my eyes and turn off the 2 million thoughts running through my mind before midnight; thus, the oversleeping is my body trying to compensate for my late bedtimes. I’d appreciate your 2 cents…

I didn’t think it was pear season, but appearently organic d’anjou pears are growing somewhere this Spring. A beautiful breakfast is always a good way to start the day.

Low-Fat Multigrain Waffles [Van’s] + 0% Greek mixed with Agave-Honey Blend, 1/2 organic d’Anjou Pear + Almonds

…accompanied by organic Moroccan Mint Green Tea

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Pears and almonds always remind me of my mom’s autumn pear crisp. I can picture sitting in front of our woodstove in a candle-lit living room with glistening raindrops decorating the windows eating a warm bowl of the soft, sweet ‘n’ spicy pears topped with crunchy oats and almonds . There isn’t anything more comforting than this thought.

* * *

Go Green!

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1/2 c. unsweetened organic almond milk, 1/2 c. very cherry frozen berries, 1/2 banana, 1 c. organic baby spinach, 1/2 T ground flax

* * *

I wish I had the time and mental energy to bake more, read more, and write more, but I’ve honestly got so many other tasks to do that will have more of an immediate effect on my life than my lack of blogging. The semester’s end is just around the corner, and I do not have my summer plans set – ah!

I only have 9 more days of class + finals! Between me and the end: 1 exam, 1 project and 6 – yes 6! – final examinations. Not to mention, I’m boarding a jet 1 week from today and will be gone for the entire weekend… and studying is not on my ‘vacation’ agenda. PEDAL to the MEDAL. I’m flooring it to the finish!

Let The Countdown Begin

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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

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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?

Move It in March

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Happy MARCH!

Wow, Spring is just around the corner…20 days away, in fact! I think Spring is actually my least favorite of the four seasons, but if it means I am getting closer to completing another semester of college and never having to open my Organic Chemistry book again, then it couldn’t come sooner.

I always love it when the first day of month falls on a Monday because I use it as a marker to set new goals for myself. I already have a list of 10 goals I am aiming to accomplish in 2010, but I figured adding an extra challenge couldn’t hurt.

For the month of March, I want to challenge myself to MOVE as much as possible! I know I am already pretty good at fitting in my physical activity, but I think there is room for more. I’m young, healthy, and injury-free…why not? I will be recording my workouts – including the distance & duration – on my Running Page. Feel free to join me by moving your muscles more this month too!

My Monday schedule is tight – leaving very little time to exercise – but I did want to publicize that I had a glorious 50-minute run in the sunshine yesterday afternoon. I must get moving; after all, my race is two weeks away!

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Monday’s Munches

Breakfast was cold cereal.

Raisin Bran, Humboldt Honey Granola, Banana & Organic Almond Milk in every bite!

Today’s school snacks reminded me of a Harry & David Box:

raw veggies + dried apricots & dark chocolate almonds + 1/2 of a d’anjou pear

Annie’s Whole Wheat Shells (a first for me) & White Cheddar…with peas and real buttah.

Organic Romaine, Avocado, Cucumber, Carrot, Red Onion & Low-Fat Parmesan Ranch

It was a perfect medley. I’m a fan of the whole wheat pasta, too : )

[No, I didn’t eat in bed in case you were curious. It was just for photography sake.]

***

Alright, well I bet 96% of you can guess where I’m rushing off to next: The Bachelor Finale – hello! Hope your month began on a bright note!

Hasta la proxima,

~ Hillary

If you missed the memo, my recipe is featured on Green Monster Movement!

Just My Luck

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Hello and Happy Thursday!

The weekend is near…can’t ya feel it? In my case, the weekend begins at 1:45pm today! I get an extra long Valentine’s/President’s Day weekend (4.5 days to be exact). I have been really looking forward to it, too, since my friend is visiting my new place for the first time. I was bummed when I woke up feeling under the weather yesterday, but when I woke up feeling 10x worse today, I was almost in tears – just my luck!

Fortunately, I don’t have class until 12:30pm, so I’m thankful to have the entire morning to hang at home and pity myself : ) I thought a bright red bowl of oats might cheer me up:

1 cup water

2/3 cup rolled oats

1/2 d’anjou pear

1/2 T ground flax

1/2 T agave

1/3 cup almond milk

cinnamon

I’ll be laying low today…something I don’t do particularly well. No exercise. Lots of tea.

Enjoy your day & stay healthy pretty please!

~ Hillary

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Pink & Chocolatey GIVEAWAY: Enter Here!

Miss Procrastination

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Yep, that’s me alright. I know I did wake up early for a 2-hour bio review and got in a workout, but other than that, my day has been a lot of nothing. Does taking a shower and making my bed count as anything? : ) It should be easy to buckle down and write/study when it is dumping buckets outside, but it’s even easier to put on Pandora, make a cup of tea, and purchase Christmas gifts online. My laziness didn’t get any better for dinner, as it was a salad…a mighty good one, nonetheless:

  • spinach
  • 1/2 pear
  • red onion
  • walnuts
  • gorgonzola crumbles
  • olive oil & balsamic + fresh pepper

So many options of what to study. Where to begin…

~ Hillary

In Sickness & In Health

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…I promise to give you something to read every day (no pinky promises).

I really tried to fight off the on-coming cold, but I’m pretty sure it got me. Now I am trying my best to not let it take complete advantage of me. Why, oh why, do colds and finals like each other so much? Their relationship has really got to end.

After my 8:00am lab practical (which went well, I think!), I headed over to the gym. Poor decision, Hillary…poor decision. Didn’t I just mention I have a cold? Yes, stupid me. It took me 30 minutes on the stationary bike + a few weight exercises to realize what I was doing was ridiculously dumb. I headed home, took a steaming hot shower, and told myself too push through my last long day of classes. And so I did.

I had a light lunch, with lots of crunch:

1/2 sandwich on toasted whole wheat w/ hummus, Havarti, cucumber & lettuce (you’ve seen this before)

+ d’anjou #3

Mr. Cold wasn’t in the mood for foodography (food + photography) today. So, since my posts are more than boring…check out my Inspirations – they have great holiday tips, recipes…and much more exciting lives : )

Can you believe Christmas is only 15 days away? Ahhh…I wish the holiday season was twice as long.

Have any magical cold remedies?

Until tomorrow…

~ Hillary

Unmotivated & Under the Weather

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No, no…don’t leave yet. I’m not trying to be pessimistic here. Just feeling the results of little sleep + cold-inducing weather + final exams.

My day didn’t begin as most Wednesdays do (at the gym). I actually baby-sat a good friend of mine’s nephew, Aiden. He is as cute as a button, but watching a fussy 1 1/2-year-old is tough.

Thankfully I didn’t have a super busy day ahead of me, so despite feeling under the weather, I managed to still make my day a productive one:

  • baby-sat (2.5 hours)
  • class
  • bank
  • mailed Christmas cards!
  • laundry (2 loads)
  • 45-minute power nap

I am bummed I didn’t get in any physical activity today, but one thing I feel strongly about is listening to your body. For me, my health is my #1 priority. Even if I have a million other engagements, I don’t have a problem taking a step back to do what is most beneficial for my wellness. Today’s decision: miss a workout or run my body into a week of illness…easy choice.

Le Cuisine de Jour

Breakfast: Raisin Bran + 1/2 banana + skim milk = unsatisfying.

Lunch:

low-carb tortilla, hummus, tofu, red & yellow bell pepper & lettuce

+ 1 succulent d’anjou pear

Dinner: Red & Green Pasta Take Two – comfort food!

penne with tomatoes sauteed in olive oil, butter & garlic + parmesan & last of the goat cheese…served over mixed baby lettuces

Dessert: A couple slices pieces of heaven.

Love chocolate ‘n mint!

Off to prepare for my biology lab practical…

~ Hillary

Pearfect Oatmeal

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Morning! I woke up to 28 degree weather outside after a mere 5 hours of sleep. Wish I had time for a nap today, but it doesn’t look like that’s in the plans. I stirred up a pot of oats this a.m., as I can always count on it to warm me up and supply me with at least a couple solid hours of energy.

I swear there are oats in there!

  • 1 cup water
  • 2/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 d’anjou pear
  • chopped raw almonds
  • cinnamon & honey

There are probably a hundred ways to make oatmeal, but my mom taught me to use a 1 : 2/3 cup ratio. It makes really thick oats, rather than a porridge.

How do you like your oats, thick or soupy?

The day has just begun and I’m already struggling to keep my eyes open. Here we go…

Have a great day!

~ Hillary

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