Image Map

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Butternut squash "sauce"

Okay, so I stole this from my trainer friend, Daniela but it came out really good and I wanted to share.  I added sauteed spinach to it and poured it over pepper seasoned grilled chicken.  It boomed with flavor!

One butternut squash, peeled and cut into cubes (or buy the pre cut package)
Two broccoli crowns
1-2 garlic cloves
1 cup chicken stock
olive oil
salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 350.

Cut broccoli into florets and lay them along with the butternut squash on a sheet pan.  Drizzle olive oil over them and season with the salt and pepper.  Mix thoroughly until well coated.

Bake for 30 minutes.  Let cool for 5 minutes.  Place vegetables, garlic and chicken stock into a food processor and blend until smooth.

Very yummy and healthy!!

Here is a picture:



Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Happy 1st Birthday to Murphy

The shelter said his birthday was November 28th, 2011 but that's just a guess because they don't really know exactly how old they are when they get them.  Our dog Murphy is a German Shepherd/collie mix.  His body and features resemble that of a German Shepherd mostly but his coloring is more collie, we suppose.  He is a great dog and super fun.  Our guess is that he's about 75 lbs now.  He loves going to dog camp, bully sticks, Happy Hips treats and chewing on towels.  Just yesterday, he chewed up his crate mat that was on TOP of his crate.  He somehow grabbed it and when I got home from work, the stuffing from it was everywhere.  To date, that's the worst thing he's done!  He's tan and white.  Here's a collage :)

Monday, November 26, 2012

B210K, Week 2, Days 1 & 2

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!

Here are the last two runs.  One was on Black Friday and the other was Sunday afternoon.  I had the option to go to a friends for Football Sunday but Sunday's are the only time I really get to be at home or to do things I enjoy, or have to do (clean, laundry, etc).  I like starting a new work week with a clean house and not much to worry about.  Also, I know if I go, I will drink beer and eat bad foods which I'm trying to avoid.  I guess it's a lame excuse for not spending time with friends.  I suppose I need more self control.

My results from 11/23/12:
Distance: 5.25 mi
Average pace: 10:57/mi
Duration: 57:29

My results from 11/25/12:
Distance:  5.86 mi
Average pace: 9:43/mi (big difference from two days prior!)
Duration: 57:00
It was very cold.. about 37 degrees and the sun was setting.  After mile #1, I warmed up and it became easier to keep going.

I'm going to invest in some good winter work out clothes.  The running store, where I got my sneakers recommend non cotton clothes and socks because when you sweat, it just sticks to you.

I am very happy with these results.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Back on Track...

...eating wise.  After throwing all of our food out due to losing power after Hurricane Sandy, we were eating out a lot.  I was waiting to food shop because we then had a snow storm!  I was afraid we'd lose power again.  Then we had company from CA and France for Saro's sisters wedding so that was more eating out, drinking wine, etc.  I signed up for another body challenge with my friend Daniela who owns and runs Bridal Boot Camp.  I have to say I've been pretty good since probably March (when we started running).  We cut back extremely on pasta, bread, ice cream, etc.  It's really about making lifestyle changes and not just doing a diet for a month and then stopping.  What's the point then?  I notice the more carbs and sugar I eat, the more hungry I am.  Example - we went out for Greek last night.  We had a few appetizers and then I had grilled chicken with pita.  I woke up STARVING this morning.  I just had two eggs and a slice of Ezikiel bread for breakfast.  Around 11 I'll have some fruit.  I know Thanksgiving is Thursday and my HS reunion is Wednesday but I will try to be as good as possible.

On another note, we went to see Loni Love at Levity Live in Nyack on Saturday with some friends.  Sydney Castillo was also there and both were super funny.  At one point, tears were coming down my face because that's how hard I was laughing.  Here is a picture:

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Bridge to 10K - Week 1, Day 3

What a hectic few weeks it has been!  Between the storms, family visiting for Saro's sisters wedding (which was amazing), work, etc.  Last night we went down to the track for Week 1, Day 3 of Bridge to 10K.  Again it was a warm up walk for 5 minutes (this is about 1.25 laps), Run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 10, walk 1, run 10, walk 1, run 10, walk 5.  Here are the results:

Distance: 5.01 miles
Time: 53:03
Run Pace: 9:52/mi
Walk pace: 13:29/mi
Average pace: 10:35/mi

I'm happy with these results!  I found it a bit hard to run in the cold weather as it was about 40 degrees last night.  I wore pants, a long sleeved shirt and a sweatshirt.

I am hoping to stick with it throughout the Winter, depending on the weather conditions outdoors.  If it's super cold (below 30), I will probably stick with the treadmill although I am not a fan.  I like the track or running on flat streets - at least there is scenery!'

I also signed up for an at home body challenge which begins next Monday, the 19th.  A girl I went to high school with started her own side business, Bridal Boot Camp.  In the spring/summer, she offers boot camp once a week in a local park, so I did that from June-Oct.  Plus, she has some You Tube videos which I've done a bunch of times at home.  I did another body challenge of hers about a month ago and lost a few lbs and inches.  It's a tiered eating plan and each week will be different.  I'm already looking forward to it since I had some "practice" during the last one.  It's not a diet but rather learning what to eat and what to avoid.  She says to have one cheat meal per week, avoid alcohol during the week, LOTS of veggies and some carbs (yams, brown rice, Ezikiel bread, etc).

Happy Thursday!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Bridge to 10K - Week 1, Day 2

Good evening!  I completed Bridge to 10K's week 1, day 2 on Tuesday, November 6th.  We have a treadmill in our basement so I figured I'd use that since it's getting cold outside.  After two weeks off, it was pretty tough.  Between the storm and other stuff going on, I haven't been as active as I'd like to be.  I did 3.5 miles in 45 minutes.  Day 1 was 5 miles in 50 minutes so quite a big difference!  It's okay though.  I am hoping to get a run in this weekend since it's supposed to be in the 60s!  However, it is my sister in law's wedding which I'm really excited for!!  Maybe I can squeeze it in Saturday morning.

Thankfully I have had no knee pain since my tendonitis issue a few months ago.  I have bunions on both feet though, and they are sometimes painful, especially after a run.  I wear protective gel pads which helps somewhat.

I haven't signed up for a 10K yet but hopefully in the Spring.   I'm sure there aren't many in the winter.  10K=6.2 miles so I can see it taking a few months for me to get there.

On another note, I haven't food shopped since we threw out ALL of our food during Hurricane Sandy.  The only things in the fridge are - milk, eggs, half and half, egg whites, yogurt, an onion, two potatoes and some condiments that were saved.  Only ice in the freezer.  I was waiting until the NOR'EASTER passed before doing a big shop.  However, now it will wait until after the wedding weekend :)  Tonight's dinner was lentil soup (Alessi brand which is really good) and some leftover Italian bread with butter.  Sometimes you just work with what you have!

Friday, November 2, 2012

Hurricane Sandy came and went...

...but she's still lingering.  The effects of Sandy are unspeakable and needless to say, running has been on hold since October 24th.  I've tried to remain somewhat active by walking and doing some clean up in our yard.  I hope to jog at some point this weekend.  It's going to get harder as it gets colder out.  I might need one of those face mask warmers.  Here are some photos of our yard post Sandy:




Most of this has been cleaned up since Wednesday.  We are glad that no one was hurt and there was no damage to the house.  I'm thinking about all of those tragically or severly hurt from this storm.  Mother nature....