Nutrition Nut on the Run

24 Things I Now Know

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1. Keep calm and call your mom.

2. You don’t have to finish everything you start… this doesn’t mean you failed.

3. Thank your Dad for insisting a spare car key be affixed with duct tape underneath your vehicle.

4. Buy a couch made for afternoon naps.

5. Moms love you to the moon and back, despite whatever wild rocket ship you take them on.

6. A movie that doesn’t interest you is not always a waste of time; learn from it.

7. Eat local. It tastes better.

8. The Swede in me doesn’t do sun tans.

9. I prefer vegetables in my cake, skip the frosting.

10. The name Hillary seems it will always be a nickname magnet.

11. Say “I love you” more.

12. Ice cream: the simpler, the better.

13. Make messes — the clean up is that much more satisfying.

14. All traditions have an expiration date.

15. You don’t always have to run that extra mile.

16. Ask questions.

17. Scratches and scars are inevitable; embrace them.

18. Yoga and meditation are no hocus pocus.

19. Buy the overpriced shoes; you’re worth it.

20. Do not fret the future.

21. A chocolate chip binge won’t kill you.

22. Grandmas have you on their mind at all times.

23. Buy yourself fresh flowers.

24. Endings = beginnings.

Today is, in fact, my twenty fourth birthday. A casual day it’s been, filled with simple pleasures: an early {24-minute} sunrise run, iced coffee, fresh flowers, friendly phone calls, veggie sushi, and homemade vanilla bean ice cream.

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Welcome Year 24 — let’s have a ball!!

BIRTHDAYS:

What I’m Loving Lately {Summer Edition}

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Hey hey.

Hope ya’ll enjoyed your weekend. Ready for Monday morning? Hard to believe I graduated college 3 weeks ago already. This {endless} summer is flying by! So before it’s already the 4th of July, I thought I’d share a few things I’m loving lately…

 

My stainless iced coffee tumbler. It was about time Starbucks.

I love a chocolate-y espresso roast. 14 oz. @ $7.99 isn’t too bad. Now if only it was organic and fair trade. You can’t win it all.

I haven’t seen a bowl of hot oats in ages. Toaster waffles are my typical breakfast these days, accompanied by at least 2 servings of iced coffee. & since I crave peanut butter and banana nearly every morning, I almost always fix ‘em up just so.

creamy PB, 1/2 ripe banana, cinnamon, honey and pepitas

I can’t get enough country music these days. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have any country radio stations programmed in my car.

Bridesmaid earrings. 3 pairs for $4. The BFF’s wedding bells ring in T-20 days!

Last, but not least, the blog’s fantastic face lift courtesy of Miss Maren {if you’re looking for reasonably-priced blog assistance, Maren’s Design Services are where it’s at!}. I know it may not look like much, but the blog has been needing these polishing touches for a while.

What are your favorite country songs/artists/albums these days?

What are you loving this summer?

 

See ya soon!

Hillary

Of Possible Interest:

 

a PDR {in the pouring rain}.

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Last night when I checked the weather forecast for today, it looked like this:

I lied in bed wide awake as I anxiously tried to figure out a game plan for my longest long run. Once I finally had one, I got some shut eye and woke up to dark skies and a dead watch.

Almost an hour later, waiting for my watch to charge, I was finally out the door.

I ran 4.6 miles (sans iPod) around my neighborhood under foreshadowing rain clouds, though no precipitation.

Home, I changed into DriFit top #2 and headed to the WREC where I completed “Leg 2”.

Almost 11 miles under my feet, I was undoubtedly pink in the face, but my body was holding up fine.

At this point, it was pouring rain, but that wasn’t about to stop me. I layered up again and pushed out 3.8 final miles through downtown.

I pressed the neon button on my watch for the last time as I stopped at the crosswalk waiting for the light to change. My watch affirmed my effort today with: “way to get out there” and then congratulated me on an unexpected milestone.

I felt the corners of my mouth turn into a happy crescent as I walked the final block back to the WREC – wet droplets dripped from my black cap, my side ponytail a ratty mess, and every inch of fabric on my body ringing wet.

A PDR (personal distance record)… on a Sunday morning… in the pouring rain… by myself.

I had planned to run 13 miles today, but because I’m training for half-marathon no. 6 with no plan other than to #makeitcount, I did what SkinnyRunner would do, and just kept running… because I could.

I stopped at Starbucks on my way home for a venti iced coffee with soy milk. It’s only right to drink a large iced beverage when it’s 40F outside, you’re soaked to the bone and have white fingers. I think Miss Tina would agree at least ;) 

The best part about my necessary stop for coffee… the cute guy who told me I was hardcore as I stood there shivering. #crazyrunnergirl

Alright, time to eat again… someone make me stretch please!

Do you enjoy running in the rain?

What’s your PDR?

Hillary

my sneaky surprise.

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Hi! It’s really late, and while sleep is a priority, so is this post. I told y’all I would have my Slimmer for Summer Week II recap up yesterday as well as my training plan for Half #5, but clearly that didn’t happen. I was too busy between an internship meeting, lunch date, errands, exercise, and packing.

After a quickie cardio + k-bell workout at the WREC this morning, I got in my car and drove HOME to surprise my dad for Father’s Day. He definitely wasn’t expecting my arrival! I had to keep my travel plans on the down low (a.k.a. off the blog) because my dad doesn’t miss a post :)

Before I hit the road, I picked up my free b.day drink at Starbucks. It was an extra special treat today, as I haven’t bought an espresso drink in three whole weeks!

hydration for the HOT drive

 

venti iced (2/3 decaf) soy latte please

* * *

It was a b-e-a-u-tiful drive along the river and over the mountains. If only I had a convertible ;)

I got home around 5:30pm – hungry! – so I picked up sushi for dinner for the ‘rents and I:

I had one of my favorite rolls – tempura prawn, tempura yam, avocado, and green onion – and shared a veggie roll – almond butter, tofu, carrot, spinach – with my mom… plus some edamame – SO good!

We spent the rest of our evening catching up on the couch watching So You Think You Can Dance with a special treat!

 

Local, organic ice cream a la arcata scoop

Coffee & Chocolate Orange Chip

My night was complete with an unexpected phone chat with my brother who lives (a polar opposite life from mine) in Montana. We talked elk hunting.

A day filled with all of my favorite things – I am a happy gal.

* * *

Turns out my time at home may be cut shorter than I had expected; I have a lot of work and play I want to squeeze in, but I’ll be getting to those running posts A.S.A.P.

Bed…

Hillary

A Starbucks Story

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Today I am at a journalism conference, or something of the like, for an assignment in my Writing for the Mass Media class. I’d much rather be running, baking a batch of muffins to share with the roommates, or catching up on missed pillow time more than the former, but since I’ve got to be in academic writing/journalism mode early this morning, I thought I’d share a recent example of my work for said course [a short observation piece].

* * *

Putting procrastination to the test – something us university students seem never to pass – I sauntered into my most frequently-visited downtown establishment, Starbucks, to finish my tasks. There I escaped the frigid February temperature outside as I sat sedentary for the better half of late morning making progress towards crossing off said assignment from my epic to-do list. While sipping a 16-ounce soy latte, I encountered:

A line of caffeine-dependent students adorned with heavy, bulging backpacks awaiting their turn to order four more hours of energy.

A wall of rust-colored bricks that created a cozy compliment to the warmth of my coffee.

The soft salt and pepper hair of a faintly familiar mother of a distant friend.

Sugar packets taken for granted as they are shaken, ripped open, and dumped into the bum’s beverage… one after another.

The comfort of cinnamon-spiked foam as it teased my tongue with the last sip from my white cardboard cup.

A young girl – no more than 3 feet high – skipping jubilee across the hardwood floor enjoying every bite of her pastel pink frosted doughnut.

Several laptops and an iPhone in charging mode.

A school bus yellow cone warning of a possibly slippery “wet floor”.

One pair of patent leather Dorothy red pointed flats.

A friendly wave as one curly blood beckons a second curly blonde.

A newly-engaged couple discussing their dreams to the petite, charismatic blonde wearing Dorothy’s shoes.

A creepy laugh, followed by an unhealthy cough, of a poorly-dressed man organizing his pocket change with dirty fingers.

The clunk from the firm closure of the cash register as recycled money slips in and out.

The constant smile of the slender girl behind the counter, dressed for business in all black.

Mouth-watering words scribbled in white chalk upon an ebony board: “enticingly complex with a lemony flourish and dark cocoa notes.”

Six cylindrical lamps hanging precariously from the ceiling, showering peoples’ papers with a sunflower yellow glow.

A draft of cool air from an anonymous spot in the embossed ivory ceiling.

An obnoxiously sweet scent of caramel counteracted by the bitter aroma of roasted coffee beans.

The pronounced announcement of another pair of stylish winter boots stepping across the dark, dull floor.

Two black baseball hats, one set of twins.

A glare on the local wall art from the rising 11:00 a.m. sunshine seeping in the storefront window.

Thick textbooks apprehensively closed, Facebook open.

The initial handshake of two strangers, now acquaintances.

Two hustling espresso machines, antique in their rosy color, modern in their capabilities.

“Skinny… chai… grande… decaf… macchiato” blurted blatantly as individual creations appear on the barista bar.

Crumbs of coffeecake decorating the space underneath my slightly sticky round table.

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I’ve always loved to write.

 

What is a hobby of yours that you’ve always enjoyed?

I Run To Be

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… and the post-run endorphin high is still running, or maybe it’s the fact that I’m wearing my pretty little finisher’s “medal”, and my sore calves are reminding me of yesterday’s epicness.

It is weird to think that Nike Women’s Half-Marathon 2010 is now a thing of the past. I have been looking forward to this event on my calendar ever since receiving a confirmation e.mail that my best friend Courtney and I were both picked from the lottery to participate in the race, which we entered on April 5th! Unfortunately, living in different towns meant we wouldn’t be able to train together side-by-side like we had for our first two… but, that did not mean we couldn’t and wouldn’t still enjoy our 3rd half together.

Not nearly as excited to start training solo, I officially began marking down my minutes [and miles] in the middle of the summer on July 17, 2010, and have been giving exercise my all for the past three months. Yet, not having my friend physically by my side meant I’d be training a little bit lot differently this time around. Rather than doing most of my training on real road [or trails], I spent countless hours at the WREC being a hamster on the treadmills, running lap after lap around the indoor track, pushing the pedals of the spin bike song after song, BodyPump-ing, strengthening and stretching. There were many a times when I was skeptical that this whole indoor training ‘method’ would even work, but it turned out there was no reason to have my doubts :)

What I did doubt was that I was even going to be able to participate in the much-anticipated race after running my body down from a stressful, sleepless week studying for three difficult exams. I pushed through – as I always do – and after a solid night’s sleep Friday night, I woke up rested. I decided to loosen up my muscles with an easy 28-minute run around my old college neighborhood before sitting in the car once again. Oatmeal –> showers –> Starbucks + gas, and Court and I were headed into The City to join the pink parade!

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Once checked in at our hotel and refueled, we joined the gazillion runners standing in the line that wrapped around Union Square to pick up our race packets at the expotique.

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The expotique wasn’t all that impressive; though, Courtney and I didn’t stick around very long to snatch up all the swag as us small town girls don’t do crowded city-life events so well. We did convince ourselves that we mustn’t miss the scene at Nike Town though, so we wandered around that zoo of a store before heading to the top floor of Macy’s where we happened to randomly run into friends from home at The Cheesecake Factory [another madhouse!].

Instead of making it any more of a hassle trying to get around the city with an extra 20,000 hungry runners at dinner time, we staked out a couple seats at The Factory for a standard pre-race meal of a monstrous serving of pasta, salad and bread. After much race strategizing and lots of laugher, we headed to our hotel room and got to bed at a decent hour for our 5:00am wake-up call…

Race Day.

I woke up hungry – yay! – and chomped on my SF-made 18 Rabbits bar and banana as I got ready to run. Court and I met up with my other bestie running the race, and we daringly headed out our hotel lobby doors together into the dark street lined with porta potties and a sea of people.

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Are we sure we want to do this!?

The NWM is the 10th largest half-marathon in the world and largest women’s marathon & half-marathon!

We plied on through the saturated streets of anxious runners until we found a spot of pavement to our liking. There we waited for the next short while, gearing down for our trek across town.

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Friends helping friends.

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We plugged in our ‘pods and started to get excited! We were doing this!

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Strong. Happy. Healthy. Women.

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Running buddies for life.

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At 7:00am, the running got under way. It took approximately 6-7 minutes until we ran danced across the start line – faster than I expected! Courtney and I jig-sawed through the streets of moving feet together for the first 5.5-6 miles at a decent pace until I decided to give it a rip and give this race all I had!

My Run.

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y-axis = speed. x-axis = distance.

Race Details.

I felt strong and comfortable the entire 13.1 miles. Well, I take that back… comfortable isn’t the right word. I pushed myself to discomfort on several occasions. The hills, for which I didn’t train for, were challenging, but defeatable. The beautiful scenery and wonderful, encouraging signage was a great distraction. The weather was ideal – costal cloudy coolness – so I really didn’t have much in the way to worry about.

I jammed through my iPod playlist and chanted positive mantras inside my head. “You are stronger than you think you are!” The time on the course flew by. It didn’t seem like long at all before I was passing the Mile 10 marker and stretching out my stride for the final 5K. The endorphins increased, my music got louder, and my feet got faster. There it was – the hot pink finish line. I wasn’t holding anything back. “Pain is temporary. Pride is forever.”, I repeated to myself.

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I crossed the finish line of my 3rd half-marathon feeling accomplished, as I squashed my old PR by nearly 16 minutes!

Half Marathon #1: 2:04:16 [9:30 pace]

Half Marathon #2: 1:59:13 [9:06 pace]

Half Marathon #3: 1:43:21 [7:53 pace]

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Smiling runners sporting their cute finishers tees [& a “baby” belly apparently].

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Something else made us smile too…

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If you didn’t know already, every single finisher of the NWM receives a very special blue box from a [handsome!] guy in tux and red bowtie at the finish line… only the best type of metal medal a girl would dream of. Of course I sported my prized, hard earned possession today :)

More NWM reviewing & race talk to come, as this post is already getting quite lengthy.

xo Hillary

* * *

I run to be… strong, not skinny.

It’s your turn!

Pepita Pecan Pumpkin Muffins

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The weather forecast did not fail in truth. It may be the end of September/the first week of fall, but it is indeed in the 90’s outside.

I traded in baking for poolside studying yesterday, but today I was determined to celebrate the start of autumn by making a favorite fall food… whether or not that meant having the AC and oven on simultaneously.

Starbucks’ slices of pumpkin bread tantalize my taste buds every time I order a latte, as it’s available year round. I am not a fan of the company’s treat case for the most part, but I discovered some time ago that their “simple” pumpkin loaf with crunchy pepita topping goes rather nicely with a creamy soy latte.

Starbucks Pumpkin Bread 

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There’s always a negative with a positive: sugar as the #1 ingredient, enriched flour, food starch – why?

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Almost 400 calories including 60g of carbs and 38g of sugar in one innocent slice… and that doesn’t include my 200 calorie beverage. Calorie-dense snacks such as this are playing a huge role in our obesity epidemic, so I learn in school.

I didn’t even glance at the thick slices of mysteriously moist pumpkin bread starring at me through the case as I ordered my iced soy latte at Starbucks this morning. Instead, I carried on home and pried open my first can of organic pumpkin for the year.

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Not My Mother’s [Pumpkin] Muffins

I used the recipe that my mom made habitually for us growing up as a base for these muffins; though I love those muffins more than anything, I decided to make a hybrid between the traditional muffins and my guilty Starbucks pleasure.

  • 1 c. brown sugar
  • 1/2 c. canola oil
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 c. canned pumpkin
  • 1 1/2 c. + 2 T whole wheat flour 
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 tsp. each cinnamon & nutmeg
  • 1/3 c. water
  • 1/3 c. chopped & toasted pecans
  • chopped pepitas + raw sugar for sprinkling

Mix together sugar, oil, eggs, and pumpkin. Sift together all dry ingredients [including the pecans], then add a little at a time to the pumpkin mixture, alternating with the water. Mix batter after each addition. Fill paper-lined muffins tins 2/3 full, then sprinkle the top with pepita seeds and raw sugar. Bake @ 350* for 22-24 minutes.

Makes 12 muffins.

 

Watch out Starbucks, you have some stiff competition.

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The muffins were a success, though there was a notable difference in flavor from the pumpkin muffins that are produced in my mother’s oven. These were a bit less sweet [with 1 cup of sugar!?], and her signature chocolate chips were most definitely missed.

I’m still a little unclear what season it is – summer seems to be sticking around here – but I know one thing for sure: it’s pumpkin season!

Pumpkins 

… so raise your hands in the air!

 

With another healthy recipe from my sunny California kitchen,

Hillary

Ten [8-mazing] Miles

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Hello Hello Hello!

What.a.week! If you couldn’t tell by my minimalist posts this week, I was absorbed by all things school this week. It was a tad crazy, but I managed to make it through to Friday… somehow I always do.  There was little sleep, projects in the library, a 2-hour heart-to-heart phone call with my mom, and many many circles run around the track. I knew if I pushed though my responsibilities though, I would be rewarded with something fun.

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… and FUN it was!

The alarm clock went off early yet again this morning, but lucky for me, it wasn’t to get to class. I was running a race :) I can’t remember the last time I ran a race; it’s been far too long. You wouldn’t know it from my blog, but I’ve probably run 30+ races in my life [not including my adolescent triathlons, swim meets, etc.]. I’ve been competing in running races since 8th grade, or so [over eight years].

When I discovered there was a local 10-mile race exactly 1 month before my big race, I got really excited. Running 10 miles is exactly where I want to be at this point, so I thought participating in a race would be a true test of where I stand with my training.

Before leaving the house this morning all by myself – my first solo race I might add – I fueled with a piece of quinoa wheat bread with a smear of peanut butter and half of a banana… then a few more bites of a second piece.

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How do you feel about peanut butter before a race?

I made it easily to the start of the race in beautiful Bidwell Park with plenty of time to stretch and pump up my ‘pod. The weather was ultimate for running a race: cloudy & slightly cool – thank you, Mother Nature.

My sweet roommate planned to meet me at the finish of the race, but I guess she got there a little earlier than planned to take a few paparazzi shots.

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Where’s Waldo Hillary?

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Almost there – about 0.25 miles to go!

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Sprinting to the finish with a smile.

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Balloons :)

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Walkin’ it out.

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Hydrating & Happy

I didn’t drink a drop during the race. The Chico State x.country runners were keeping the aid stations stocked with water and electrolytes, but the thought of consuming anything during a race makes my stomach churn. [I plan to take a few swigs of water during my half, don’t you worry.] Are you a thirsty runner?

Race Details:

I had a flexible time goal in mind, but with my lack of long runs this training season, I was a bit skeptical of my endurance. I can feel a difference in my strength between the abundance of speed workouts and strength training (BodyPump = love), but I didn’t know what that would do for a 10-mile run.

Lesson learned today: You are stronger than you think you are.

Mile 1: 7:45ish – Ummm, holy crap. Slow down, Hillary!

Mile 2: 15:45ish – No need to be going this fast. You’ve got 8 miles to go.

Mile 3: 24ish – Ok, so 8-minute miles seems to be the theme?

Mile 4: 32ish – Am I really still doing this?

Mile 5: 40ish – Halfway done. Hope I don’t ‘crash ‘n’ burn’.

Mile 6: 48ish – I love running.

Mile 7: 56ish – Jamming to my tunes, feeling strong.

Mile 8: 64ish – I owe you, WREC track.

Mile 9: 72ish – You’re getting under 80, girl.

Mile 10: 78 something – I’m waiting for the official results to go up; will update via Twitter. 

What I would have done for a Garmin Forerunner/exact mile splits!

I honestly did not know I had that in me. And the scary part… it wasn’t that tough. The course was completely flat, but I was comfortable and relaxed until about mile 8.5… then I cranked up my new playlist, started to kick up my heels a bit higher, and me a my pacing partner [some random guy] began pushing one another.

What does this do for my expectations for the half!? I have no clue. Do I account for the SF hills, or push for the same pace?

* * *

Feeling like 100 bucks, my roommate and I strolled back through the dewy park to our cars. I made a pit stop at Starbucks for a tall latte before coming home to make waffles for my cheerleader and I.

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Sinless Saturday Waffles version 9.18.10

with 1/2 peach, pecans & maple.

  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 2 T ground flax
  • 1 T baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2 ripe, mashed bananas
  • 1 1/2 cups 1% milk
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1 egg

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Now that’s one perfect morning.

Lovable Locations

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Hi there! Goodness, I’ve got lots of great things to share – I guess that’s what happens when you abandon your blog. If today’s Friday – it is, right? – then I believe I’ve left ya’ll hanging since No-Waffle Wednesday. Well, I spent the day running errands and packing every item of clothing I own in preparation for my journey West. I stopped at the natural foods store to pick up a couple of items [Artisana minis], and came out with a can of…

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Soda?

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Of course not!

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Coconut this and coconut that. It seems to be everywhere lately. I have been wanting to give this so called “thirst-quencher” a try; since I’ve been sweating so much – especially in spin – I thought this ‘isotonic sports drink’ would be ideal for the gym. I filled my water bottle half with coconut water, half with regular purified water, and lotsa ice. Of course, I took a few sample swigs before class – not bad at all!

Despite arriving at The Resort 30-minutes early, I wasn’t able to get a bike for my antipcated spin class – shucks. I was terribly disappointed I wasn’t going to be able to test out my new liquid during an hour of high-intensity riding. Instead, I ran 1.5 miles around the indoor track, spun solo for 17 miles [45 minutes], and finished with arms + abs strength training [machines + 10lb. free weights].

Unfortunately, the coconut water was not appealing during my ride. I was weary that this might happen as I have never been of fan of sweet sports drinks. I don’t like the neon-color for one, and my taste buds are very sensitive to sweetness when I’m exercising. Odd, I know, because I have a huge sweet tooth, but I’m usually only able to stomach water. I’m going to try it again as a post-workout hydrator since its nutritional profile is quite exquisite. It is naturally low in carbohydrates and sugar, and is 99% fat free.

A few hours before my workout, I enjoyed a new frothy blender creation:

  • 8 oz. chocolate soy milk
  • 1/2 ripe banana
  • 1 tsp. instant espresso powder
  • ice
  • extra dark chocolate chips for garnish

* If you make this at home [please do!], I would suggest using 1 whole frozen banana in place of the ice for added creaminess/thickness.

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Photogenic phood = love.

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* * *

Alright, so yesterday… I was off to an early start with a less than par night of sleep [chocolate overdose = wide awake with a tummy ache]. After stuffing Little Blue to the max with my belongings, and eating a bowl of bran, I knew next I needed to inject my veins with caffeine for my day of driving. Luckily, I had a free birthday drink : )

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I used the gift to its full advantage and ordered a venti iced soy latte – it was a monster!

After a 4.5-hour drive, I finally made it to my destination. Humboldt County, sweet, Humboldt County. I was so anxious to get out of the car and loosen my tense traveling muscles, so I immediately slipped into my running shoes and sprinted my usual, short route – just 29 minutes and I was a red hot, sweaty mess!

I showered up quick and then met my dad for sushi at our favorite sushi restaurant. I’ve been dreaming of this roll for months. Ahhh, at last…

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My Dragonfly Roll: tempura prawn, avocado, cucumber, shredded carrot, cilantro, chopped macadamia nuts + a sweet chili sauce w/ brown rice

 

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Dad’s Roll

 

I saved room for a scoop of local, organic ice cream.

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Honey Vanilla Lavender perfection

 

I attempted to blog last night, but between a finicky computer, SYTYCD, and heavy eye lids – there stood no chance. Instead, I headed straight upstairs to my little yellow and blue room and fell fast asleep.

After a solid, cool night’s sleep – finally! – I walked down to my old dance studio for 1 hour of DanceFit this morning… nostalgia hit hard as the studio was filled with props for tomorrow’s 10th anniversary recital. Thinking about twisting and turning in that studio for 10 years is something so so special to me.

Breakfast after class – I was hangry!

  • 1 c. water
  • 1/2 c. thick cut oats
  • 1/2 T ground flax
  • 1/2 banana – cooked
  • organic blueberries
  • organic raspberries from our garden
  • walnuts + honey

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Grass is good

 

This beautiful bowl didn’t keep my hunger satisfied as expected, so I headed downtown to find a bite to eat and to bring my mama a coffee and cookie at work [Happy Cookie Friday!]. While walking through the isles of our local groceries and standing in line at the corner coffee joint, I found myself thinking about how each and every visit home, I am amazed by the place I’m from, my roots. Here are a few reasons why:

1. No matter what season, you are surrounded by beautiful nature.

2. The people are free spirited & friendly.

3. The baristas take the time to make art atop your latte.

4. Your 5-year-old neighbor comes pounding on your door moments after you pull into the driveway just to show you his new toy cars.

5. You don’t have to run with your cell phone in fear of being a girl running alone; you are able to run with ease & confidence… and there aren’t stoplights.

6. Jeans and a sweatshirt are appropriate 365 days of the year.

Do you like where you’re from?

Do you like where you reside now?

What is something unique about your hometown?

* * *

My mom and I are going to stroll around The Plaza tonight for the monthly showing of local artists’ work – including live music, munchies and wine [reason #7].

I’ll be “seeing” you soon…

Be Well,

Hillary

P.S. Happy Birthday to JENNA, my daily inspiration for doing what I’m doing.

Staying Sane

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GIVEAWAY: Don’t miss your chance to win a custom box of Element Bars. There are four easy ways to enter. Go get creative!

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Hey! Happy Saturday/almost Sunday! Wahoo…I can hardly believe I made it through my last week of classes alive. I’ve got four finals standing between me and the end of my 3rd year of college. I will be officially done Thursday morning – I can taste the finish. This week wasn’t as terrible as I had it panned out to be. My key to staying sane? Exercise! Between being under the weather and travelling, my workouts had been few and far apart. I knew getting my heart pumping would help reduce my stress – at least momentarily – which is why I made it a goal to exercise every day. As Saturday comes to a close, I can say I’ve done just that – I fit physical exercise into my schedule 6 days in a row… and it’s in tomorrow’s plans as well.

Saturday’s Sweat Session:

45-minutes treadmill intervals

  • 10 min. @ 4.4mph – 4.0 incline
  • 10 min. @ 7.0mph
  • 10 min. @ 4.0mph – 4.0 incline
  • 10 min. @ 7.4mph
  • 5 min. @ 4.0mph [cool down]

+ stretching and more stretching

Unfortunately, blogging didn’t make it to the top of my priority list amidst my mad dash to the finish, but I will share with you a few random eats from the latter half of the week…

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1/4 c. rolled oats, 1/4 c. oat bran, 1/2T flax, cinnamon, pear & almond butter

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whole wheat mac & cheese with peas please + a “green” monster [1 c. organic spinach, 1/2 c. very cherry frozen berries, 1/2 c. 2% Greek, 1/2 banana]

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Thursday I came home after a long day at school to a tub of Great Harvest cookie dough sitting on my shelf of the fridge with a “Happy Studying” note. Roomie love! These definitely made an appearance for Cookie Friday ; )

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So much real buttah!

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I think I could live off of Dr. Praeger’s California Veggie Burgers. I easily eat through a box a week.

1 beautiful burger atop organic baby lettuces, 1/4 avocado, raw sunflower seeds + olive oil & seasoned rice vinegar

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These slipped away faster than the shutter of my camera – oopsie!

I’ve tried to keep focused on Organic Chemistry, Food Safety, Statistics, and such… but sometimes I got a little sidetracked:

Do you have any excellent articles to share?

How do you stay sane when life gets stressful?

Whatcha up to this stunning weekend?

Catch ya later!

Hillary

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