Productive Spin

Just another manic Monday.

I wish it was Sunday.

Cause that’s my fun day.

Even though it was totally a run day.

That’s where The Bangles and I differ.

After dinner and dancing on Friday, I was pooped and worthless on Saturday. Which was fine. It was rainy and gross. The roommate and I assumed our positions on the sectional and were content with watching chick flicks all night.

The only thing in Red Box that wasn’t a “straight to DVD” or already seen by yours truly? A Dora the Explorer dvd of some variety and The Vow.

At least with Dora, I may have learned a few educational tid bits. With The Vow, I got to drool a little over Channing Tatum. And that was about it. The movie was “cute”, but nothing ground breakingly amazing.

Now I’m just dehydrated and out $1.20.

However, it paved the way for a productive lil’ Sunday. Or it could be considered that way if you spin it correctly.

Sleeping in was productive because I caught up on necessary sleep.

Eating pancakes is considered productive when they’re used to nourish a solid 4-mile run.

Peanut butter is one of my favorite things. Pancakes are another one of my favorite things. Weekends are another one of my favorite things. This was the only natural thing to do…

The run was nothing out of the ordinary. I always enjoy early weekend runs (early being 9ish) because there aren’t that many people up yet and I can zig and zag around the neighborhood in peace.

Sure does beat the gym.

I wasn’t so lucky with the crowds when it was time to hit Michigan Avenue. That’s to be expected, though. Shopping was productive because I pretended walking up and down Michigan was my “cool down” from the earlier run. That and I found a few things that won’t make me a social outcast in the coming summer months that can also double as office wear. Always a good thing. Even if my bank account doesn’t agree.

Eating was productive because I made use of many “almost expired but not quite” things in my refrigerator/pantry. Especially efficient on this particular day because I may have cut into my grocery budget to also help cover my retail adventure.

Pizza sounded delicious, but this was the closest thing I could come up with. We have a surplus of tortillas and I’m still having an affair with my roommate’s quesadilla maker.

Even with the growing obsession over the quesadilla maker, the roommate and I always manage to over buy tortillas. So along with the expired tortilla, I also cleaned out the pepperoni bought on a whim, black olives and mushrooms that have spent too much time in tupperware, and cheese that neither my roommate or I could 100% claim to have bought.

Pizza quesadilla? I may be on to something here…

The salad accompanying my pizza quesadilla looked a little sad. The lettuce was a day or two past its prime. I pretended not to notice.

See? My Sunday was SUPER productive. It all just depends on how you spin it.

Now if only I would have finished that laundry…

Bouncing Back

The first day or two back after a vacation or holiday is always the hardest. Or really, any span of time that includes an abnormal amount of traveling.

Your eating schedule is off. Your meals are different. Your sleep habits are out of whack. Your workouts- did they even happen?

Which is totally fine. And encouraged.

That’s what vacation/holidays are for. Relaxing. Doing something new. Not stressing out.

But after 16(ish) hours of sitting in my car just driving… and consuming half a pecan pie on my own at the ‘rents house (did I not mention that?)… and eating candy at all hours of the day (yes, this includes dessert after breakfast), I’m ready to get back to normalcy.

One of the first things I did once returning back home, was to stock up at the grocery store.

Because, as mentioned yesterday, green is important in my life.

After several visits to the library, I FINALLY was able to pick up the third and final book in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. So far it's slower than the first two in the series, but I still love it.

And speaking of, zucchini has not been a part of it in far too long. We corrected that last night with my entire dinner consisting of mostly vegetables.

Roasted zucchini, mushrooms and asparagus. I didn't eat only this. It went on another salad that was bigger and better than my lunch. Only way it could have been topped is if all of this came off the grill...

Well deserved after a long cardio session. I didn’t mean to spend the entire time on the elliptical (45 minutes), but the downward swing in temps has all of us Chicago kids running back indoors to play. And people must have had the same kind of holiday weekend I did. Because the place was packed. And I wasn’t about to gamble the chance of losing a machine in hopes of finding a different one.

I don’t like to gamble. Ironic, being as how much I love Vegas.

When eating mostly vegetables through the day, it’s important to make a conscious attempt to also have plenty of protein at some point in the day. Especially when working out. Obviously. 

Vegetables have some on their own. But for what they lacked, I made up for it by adding it to breakfast.

There's also some Kashi cereal at the bottom of the bowl because it's hilarious you think that a small bowl of oatmeal would fill me up.

Any excuse for peanut butter.

You need healthy fats, too, ya know…

Sigh. Some things never change.

Because I’m curious (no really, I am and I’m not just saying that), what’s the first thing you do to get back to normal after a holiday weekend?

Better Than Anticipated

A week from now, I assume I’ll be getting over a Sunday of celebration. A celebration spent with a finisher’s medal around my neck and a drink in my hand. Hopefully eating a few seriously amazing meals.

Until then, I’m getting through the last few days of putting in the hard work for this half marathon. Saturday was the last long run of training and I was doing it outside, rain or shine.

Or… fog…It’s like I was running in a horror film. At 10:30 in the morning. Wouldn’t it have been cool if M. Night Shyamalan popped out and yelled “CUT!” at some during the trip along the lakefront and around Lincoln Park? I was totally waiting for it.

It was foggy and dreary and threatening to rain. But I didn’t want to push the run off a day. My Saturday night plans were not going to make a Sunday morning run overly pleasant.

I armed myself with a windbreaker, a hat and my bus pass. Just in case. Because sometimes I’m prissy.

10.6 miles happened pretty easily. Or as well as 10ish miles could possibly go (we’ll never call it “easy”). I didn’t hit a wall at any point- another promising sign that the race this weekend should go somewhat smoothly. And maybe better than anticipated?

Surely another 2.5 miles won’t completely break me. My pace, according to the MapMyFitness app, is rivaling the pace of my first half in 2010. Let’s not get our hopes up, but to beat it would surely be amazing.

Again, let’s not get overly excited. Chillax, Amy. Chillax.

I also armed myself with my debit card to pick up a few things from Trader Joe’s.

A word of advice? Do not go into a Trader Joe’s after running 10.6 miles. You’ll be gross. You know it. The workers know it. And every customer in there knows it.

Sorry guys. Just needed some wine… carry on…

Why? Because I had a hot date.Aren’t they sexy?

After our long walk last week, Mon, Annie and I decided it might be nice to have a little low key social outting. And who doesn’t love trying out a new BYOB restaurant? Out to the burbs I went!This pic was before my eyes started watering from the spiciest pad thai I’ve ever had in my life.All three of us ended up getting the same special- pad thai with glass noodles. Only difference is I had chicken, Mon went with tofu, and Annie chose the pork. Mon and I said we wanted “spicy” without questioning the level of heat.

It may have been smart to inquire about that part.

Seriously. I love spicy food. But this was almost out of control.

Even an hour after eating, we were still filling ourselves with water and wine to put out the fire.

A good meal, however, when it comes to Thai, I think we all realized it’s important to find a favorite spot and stick to it.

Because of the long run on Saturday, I kept it low key on Sunday with some ab work and a stretching of the legs on Michigan Avenue.

Seriously guys- This is my third trip to Michigan Avenue in a month, but I swear I’m not shopping myself into credit card debt. I just happen to be on the search for a nice dress to wear for Easter and it’s nice out. Why not use window shopping as a way to be active and move around?

Also, it was justified that if I walk to and from the custard shop, buying the actual custard is acceptable and even encouraged.

Totally.

Curiously Different

Hey guys!

The weather is beautiful here. Breaking records all week.

Isn’t that amazing?

Wait. I’m inside. All day. Staring out the window. Slightly chilled because building management can never get the thermostat  under control.

If I were to ever have advice for anyone joining the corporate world- dress in layers.

You’re welcome.

But anyway, the change in weather does funny things.

It makes me a happier person. Except for in rush hour when I’m just that much more annoyed and impatient to get home and outside.

Not important. Let’s ignore that part.

It’s made me much more active this week. Not only am I doing my normal gym thing (weights/elliptical/stairs/etc), I’m also taking long walks with my roommate around the neighborhoods. We’ve discovered a nice 3-mile loop.

Three miles. That’s a lot of extra hungry.

So really, it’s not surprising the carb cravings came in stronger than usual:

Scooped out the middle near the end to mix in sharp cheddar before topping it with lite sour cream and black olives. It's a beautiful thing.

How is it possible to forget how wonderful baked potatoes are? I usually never buy regular potatoes but for when I’m making something in the crockpot. Lesson learned.

Uh… but I have a confession. Ahem… it wasn’t baked. It was zapped in the microwave.

My stomach doesn’t handle waiting around hungry for over an hour.

Instant gratification. That’s what it’s about. And it was still delicious.

Another different thing? My obsession with deli sandwiches as of late.I find something good and repeat until bored. Then drop it like a bad habit.

Just like what I do with boys. Interesting.

Also, I was sent this new tea to check out by Sokenbicha- an environmentally friendly company that serves up six different blends of herbal teas. Given that I love everything about iced tea and have a stockpile of green/herbal tea at home, I said why not?They sent jasmine tea, which I’ve never tried, so that was something new. And to be honest, it’s not really my favorite. Also, from trial and error over the years, I’ve learned I’m not the biggest fan of bottled tea and will always go for the taste of brewed over convenience. A personal preference.

But it was refreshing in its own right and seemed to help spark some energy to get through the rest of my day. Maybe not something I could drink as often as green or black tea (it’s like water to me), but smooth, nonetheless. Curiously different.

My friend tried it over the weekend while she was visiting. It was on Sunday morning when feeling less than 100%, and she swore it was what did the trick  in energizing her for the rest of the day’s shopping and her drive back. My boss also grabbed a bottle for himself and asked for more the next day. I’m apparently the tea dealer now.

I wasn’t the biggest fan, but pretty rave reviews from the peanut gallery.

And even though I just professed my great love of tea, which will surely be consumed at some point today, I’m reaching for the coffee this morning. Sleep alluded me once again last night.

But don’t worry. I fully expect the coffee to get me through the afternoon or at least until cake is served for an office birthday.

Remember the scene from Office Space where they lamely sing in a crowded space and pass the pieces of cake around?

Yeah. That really happens.

And I cannot wait.

The Full Target Experience

So Tuesday was a break from my normal routine because I had errands to run in the suburbs I no longer live in.

Funny how half my life still seems to happen out there instead of “in here” (the actual city).

Not the point of my story.

One thing I was able to squeeze in between a haircut and dinner with my friend Mon was a trip to Target.

Along with running, Target is a sick addiction of mine.

Still not the point of my story.

So I was walking through the parking lot. Minding my own business. A car is pulling one of those “instead of going all the way down the lane I’m just going to cut through the parking spaces to get another lane over” moves. The lady was being super careful as to not hit cars while merging into the lane because her neck was all the way craned one way.

However, she was NOT being careful as to not hit the things in front of her. Like me.

Neither she or her 5 kids would have noticed me had I not screamed for dear life while jumping as hard as I can out of the way. Which is quite an accomplishment, being as how my heart stopped when I realized I was possibly getting hit.

She barely flinched or acknowledged my existence. I would have been left for dead. In the Target parking lot. My claim to fame would have been my 30-second spot on the news that night.

“In tonight’s news, a female Chicago resident found dead in Target parking lot. Reports show she seems to have been hit by an idiot driver who fled the scene. Girl was discovered by Target worker after the store closed. She was surrounded by shopping bags and approximately 6 boxes of cereal that were flung up and exploded open. Cheerios are still being found and picked up on the scene. Such a tragic incident- such a waste of food.”

Stupid Tuesdays.

And, for the record, one box of cereal was for the roommate.

We won’t discuss the other five. I hoard cereal. We’ve accepted this as a quirk.

Ok maybe we can mention it just a little. Because I’m obsessed with this stuff:It’s called “krave” for a reason, folks.

And it’s my new snack for after-dinner tv time. Only to be consumed after a well-balanced day, of course. That includes a solid 4.5-mile run at an 8:18 pace (which seems to be a trend these days). And a healthy dinner in attempts to not wreck my workout (with the exception of the cereal made of crack I just displayed above).Lookit! I made salmon all on my own!!! My salmon sensei will be so proud. And I can officially cross that one off the ol’ 2012 bucket list.

Sure… it wasn’t my favorite cut (it was a thin sockeye smoked salmon prepackaged at Trader Joe’s) and I may have overdone it. But let’s not be picky. It was edible, maybe even tasty, and I didn’t give myself food poisoning. We’re counting it as a win!

Speaking of the resolutions list, still working on that whole “marry a prince” thing. It’s proving to be harder than I originally thought. Darn.

Just a hint of hot sauce…

There’s one really really evil thing about the tradition in my house known as “Slowcook Sunday”.

The smell.

Elixir of the gods. And when I say a "hint", I really mean a full cup of it when you double the recipe. Weeeee!

It fills the entire house. So imagine my dismay when I arrived back home after a day of store returns (ahem… and more shopping) and I got smacked in the face with the wonderful smell of buffalo chicken soup. And there was still about 3 hours of waiting around until dinner time.

The longest part of assembling this recipe was cubing and cooking the chicken. There's a LOT of chicken involved. Yay for protein!

3 hours. That’s a LONG time when you’re hungry and the only thing you had for lunch was a gigantic cookie from Nordstrom’s Ebar.

Don’t judge me.

I'll admit- it's not the prettiest soup there is. But don't judge a book by its cover. Personality-wise, this soup is the sexiest thing to ever grace your plate. Muy caliente!

Anyway, this soup was SO good, guys. SO good. Probably one of my favorite things we’ve made lately. And that’s really saying something because the roomie and I are self-proclaimed cononisseurs of the crock pot.

Oh and it is high suggested you top it off with Trader Joe’s cheese and garlic croutons.

Perfection. That is all.

With a beer on the side. If there’s any kind of soup that would be paired well with beer, this is it. (Can someone say “good super bowl recipe”?)

I couldn’t resist. I don’t expect you to, either.

So click HERE for the recipe link (this isn’t so much a suggestion, but a demand).

The only adaptions we had were the elimination of celery and the switching in cheddar cheese for the velveeta. Both (the celery and velveeta) gross me out and give me icky feelings on the inside.

Also, check out the rest of the blog where I found the recipe- this chick made something in her crock pot every day for an entire year.

Needless to say, the roomie and I will never run out of things to attempt for Slowcook Sunday. Ever.

Also, be sure to chug a glass of water before and after dining. Because this stuff as a serious kick. And may or may not have a weeeee bit more sodium in it than your normal eats. You’ve been warned. And advised. Chug-a-lug, kids.

We pigged out ate white watching the SAG Red Carpet Show. You’d think this would have slowed my eating down.

It didn’t.

However, the soup was also taken down for dinner last night.

The cauliflour was roasted. Not moldy. Promise.

It lead to me doing situps, pretending to do pushups, and planking my way through a good part of last night afterwards as I watched The SAG Awards Fashion Police. All after a 4-mile run (8:18 pace!).

Because I really need to focus on being red carpet ready. This should help for when, oh you know, Jason Segel and I start dating…

Outside the Running Box

Oh check it out- it’s Wednesday already!

With the crazy that is work, I barely noticed Tuesday go by.

Good thing- sometimes I’m a bit irrational on Tuesdays. Stupid, stupid day of the week…

Anyway, I wasn’t chattering away as normal yesterday on here, but you can assume it was the same ol’ same ol’ around here. This girl has issues breaking from routine.

But today we’re changing that a little.

Nikki was talking about her interval running yesterday and it happened to catch my eye. The treadmill boredom is a real thing. And it’s awful. Plus, if you want to see change, I can’t just “think” or “talk” about going outside of the box. I’ve got to actually do it.

Seems reasonable enough, right?

Speed work isn’t my favorite, but that doesn’t mean a little interval training is going to kill me. And it’s all for the greater good. So that’s what happened this morning. For 40 minutes, I did a 5-minute circuit:

3 minutes at 8:34, 1 minute at 7:47, 1 minute walking

Because I’m OCD, this happened for 45 minutes (9x) so I could make sure to hit 4 miles of actual running.

Running. It’s a sick addiction.

So yeah. 45 minutes, ya’ll. That will tire the hell out of you.

And apparently also make you say things like “ya’ll”.

Clearly it’s the exhaustion talking.

Another way I was thinking outside of the box?Oh hey there, pretty green thing.

How did you find your way into my shopping cart last week?

Oh yes- the sales at the grocery store.

Blasted! I’m more of an orange/yellow pepper kind of girl. And I ended up having to go and buy something else to go with it in order to use it. So really, was there money saved? No.Ah well. I still like green peppers decently well and they work fabulously in wraps with spicy chicken sausage. So no harm done.Not for the faint-hearted. Spicy spicy spicy! (especially if you throw some salsa in there)

Plus, it assisted in the quest to help my roommate use  up a bag of flour tortillas that is about to kick the bucket (according to the “use by” date).

It’s all about teamwork.

Making it a win-win.Maybe the protein is what kept me from collapse on the ‘mill this morning?

Thanks pretty green thing- you made it all possible.

Just remembered I need to be sure to wash that glass. Tonight will be spent cheering on Mizzou once again. We’re ranked #2 right now and seem to be on a bit of a roll (knock on wood).

It’s my half birthday today, so they better not let me down.

You hear that boys? Do it to it!

Family Dinner: Teaching Edition

First things first. It really needs to be said that I really heart when people google search the phrases “too legit to quit” and “cereal hoarder” to get to my blog. I doubt there are two phrases able to describe me any better.

That has absolutely nothing to do with the rest of this post. I just wanted to say it.

Anyway…

Last night, my roommate and I made a journey over to Megan’s house for one of our regular “Family Dinners“. We started them late last summer and it’s nice to get together every other month or so to catch up somewhere other than a noisy bar on a Saturday night.

In other words, we’re like old women. I’m surprised we haven’t also set up a quilting circle yet.

It’s just a matter of time.

But that’s neither here nor there.

Why I mention our latest get together is this-

Megan was teaching me how to prepare salmon. As you all probably know (or you may not- try not to beat yourself up about it), I’m straight up terrified of the whole cooking fish thing. Even if it’s one of my favorite things to eat. So as a way to complete my new years resolution, Megan agreed to teach me her ways.Dun dun dunnnnn…..

Or at least she thought she was teaching me how. That or I just tricked her into making me dinner…

Check out that shaking action. It’s all in the wrist.

Actually, she did make it seem easier than I had worked it up to be in my head. Keep the seasoning simple. Broil for 6-8 minutes. Check to see if it flakes. Pair with brown rice and broccoli.Done and done and done.

Does this mean I actually have to make it next time? Crap.

We skipped dessert, but had a 20-minute conversation about favorite candy from our childhood and the holidays. Does that count?

*Mine was 100 Grand and robin eggs (Easter), by the way.

Because I know you were wondering.

Anyway, I’ve got work to do and a snowstorm to avoid, so I shall leave you now with a big HAPPY FRIDAY!

Teaser Of What Is Yet To Come

The snow began to fall at approximately 10:00 yesterday morning.

This means I was complaining about it by…. oh…. 10:05.

Now, before you call me a scrooge, hear me out. It’s not so much the snow on the ground I have the issue with. It’s pretty. It’s the falling snow part I have issues with. Because every year it’s like people forget how to drive. And every year I get stuck in the the most ridiculous traffic ever.

And I think we’ve gone over my lack of patience.

So instead of “how pretty!”, I proclaimed, “the drive home tonight is going to blow”.

And I was right. As usual.

My lack of creativity in the kitchen has really been astonishing. But when you don’t get home until much later than usual, you want a quick meal that’s proven effective.Along with scrambled eggs being one of the 4-5 things (salad, soup, oatmeal, eggs) consumed all week, breakfast is also a comfort food of mine. Since I was pouty, it only makes sense.

But check out the semi-successful omelet stuffed with black olives, spinach, mushrooms and feta! Usually it ends up a scrambled mess, but my roommate was cheering me on. And I used an extra egg white. One of those things surely was what did it.

As much as the snow fell, though, I was determined to make it to the gym for my “Free for all” day (as according to my non-plan plan). This required me to lay out everything and dust off the good ol’ snow boots.Not awful by any means, but a feeling in my stomach says it’s only a teaser of what is yet to come.

One benefit of this lil’ snow fall we got?

The gym was VERY quiet. Sure, us die hards were there (yes, I’m a hard core gym rat these days). But there was no issue getting the machines I wanted, and the perfect magazine from the rack to keep me entertained during time spent on the elliptical and stairmill.

Did you know Kim Kardashian is getting divorced?!?!?

Sadly the magazine wasn’t 3 months old, but yet again outlining the details.

Seriously? I’m bored, guys.

The workout went swimmingly- 20 minutes on each machine, which was a good start to my “free for all” day. And because there is this little rule about strength being somehow incorporated, I’ll be chillin’ with Jillian after work tonight.

Unless 10 minutes of shoveling snow off my stairs/sidewalk counts?

Have a great Friday, kids! I was skeptical at the beginning of the week, but it looks like we made it!

Current Events

There really isn’t anything major to report in my corner of the world, so it’s time to catch you up with all the things running through the mind of Amy B.(Source)

Oh you’ve been running through my mind, too, babe. Don’t you worry.

1. I’ve recently realized my true fear of sitting in traffic under an overpass. This happens almost every single day. And every single day I sit and think about how I really really hope the overpass doesn’t collapse because I really don’t want to die.

It happens, people! Do not call me irrational.

That's totally brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes sauteed in General Tso sauce. It worked weirdly well together.

2. I’m reading a new book. My friend Mary gave me The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo for Christmas. She absolutely loved it and said I really need to jump on the bandwagon. Even if I am, like, a decade late or whatever. However, it’s great timing- there is a 60-cent fine on my account at the library and they won’t let me check out any more books until it’s paid off. 60 cents is truly ruining me- the hours for the branch by my house are horrible and you can’t pay it off online. Wtf?

3. I signed up for a half marathon!

In all reality, I was planning on doing the Go! St. Louis Half Marathon again. After a not-so-fantastic time during last year’s race, I really wanted to go back and kick it in the butt on April 15th. However, race fees went up before the decision was finalized, traveling to Missouri 2 weeks in a row seemed daunting, and the travel/lodging costs seemed a little impractical when there was a perfectly good half marathon just a short train ride away from my house.

We’re starting off the year with an attempt to be financially responsible. Yay!

Still steaming! More Bertolli frozen soup from the giveaway I won. My roommate and I are killing this stuff. I'll be sad when it's all gone.

4. This race is two weeks earlier than the other one. This means training starts… um… subtract 4, add 7, then carry the 1… Monday. Oh dear.

I need to take a few deep breaths before panic mode takes over.

Ok… we’re good.

Those silly brussels sneak into anything and everything...

5. Soup and salad for the win! (Duh- if you haven’t already noticed the pictures.) The whole “watch what I shove into my face after the holidays” thing is going decently well. I already feel better than last week. As good as those Christmas treats are, it’s nice to get everything (digestive organs included) back on track.

Now if only I could get my pretzel and peanut butter issues under control…

6. Speaking of Christmas, my tree is still up. For a girl who doesn’t get super into holidays, I’m having a hard time letting go.

That or I’m just super lazy about it. One year in college, our tree didn’t come down until April. April. The ornaments came off the week before Valentine’s Day- so after that we just called it “greenery” being used to spruce up (no pun intended) the place. True story.

Stopped by Whole Foods earlier this week when my friend was still here. Got coffee on a super sale. The food bar? Not so much.

7. Yesterday I had to go to Target. A mental list was in my head all week long and I thought “I won’t forget this”. Yesterday afternoon before leaving work, not one thing on that list that could be recalled. Luckily, with help from my messenger convo with Mon, I at least remembered to pick up toilet paper.

Whew. Disaster averted.

8. I will never attract a lover at the gym. Why? Because I’m either rolling out of bed at 5:30 in the morning (no explanation necessary) or going after work with imprints on my legs where my knee high argyle socks were (hello signature style at it’s finest) and glowing like a ghost. I could use a spray tan. Or a beach vacation. Either/or.

Maybe I’ll just settle for the weekend and some Jergen’s Natural Glo?

It’s a start. Happy Friday, people!