Feedback Please!

Well for starters TGIF!
So yesterday I had a great run. The kind where your smiling the whole time and your legs feel good, your lungs feel good, and it just feels easy. I needed that because the last couple of weeks my legs have felt heavy, my breathing labored, it's been hot and sweaty and hard!
I'm feeling good and positive and hope the great runs keep coming.
I went 6.5 miles in 55:00 min.

So now the part where I need feedback:
Please, tell me about foam rolling, what is it for? Does it work?
Are you guys normally sore after a run? I've only been sore after a run twice. Once after my half marathon because I had no training on a decline and the downhills killed my quads. The other time was after a 12 mile run and I was climbing some steep hills. Other than that I haven't been sore. So, do you think it's because I'm not training hard enough or enough period?
Also how in the world do you do an ice bath. I tried. Once. I got one foot in the tub and seriously thought I was going to die of hypothermia.
How do you fuel your runs? Prerun? Post-run?
I usually run in the middle of the day like 3:00 pm so pre-run is whatever I had for lunch. I don't fuel during a run unless it's over 10 miles and even than it's a 1 gu or a couple gummy snacks. And forget about post-run I cannot eat after I run.
So obviously I have lots and lots of questions and any and all advice is welcome. Thanks!

So I am going to leave you with a recipe. It's so easy and it's delicious. It has a ton of flavor and it's so simple you wouldn't expect it to pack such a punch. The cinnamon gives it a really unexpected flavor and everything slow cooks together. It's super healthy but also very hearty and filling. It makes a lot, I cook it and we eat it for 2 or 3 days.
*Measurements are estimates feel free to play around

Zucchini Potato Casserole:

2 lbs potatoes (I like baby yukon gold)
1 lbs zucchini (sometimes I use way more)
1 can tomatoes drained (cut into bite size pieces or use diced)
1 red bell pepper
1 large onion
2-4 cloves garlic
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp - 1 tbsp oregano (to taste basically)
salt
pepper
extra virgin olive oil

Preheat over 350
Slice potatoes, chop zucchini, onion, and pepper into large pieces
mince garlic
add spices and drizzle olive oil add tomatos and toss to coat
cover and bake about 1 1/2 hours. toss every half hour.

<---- in process

<---- The finished product

I hope you guys have a great weekend.
I will be here... eating, eating, and eating...

I Don't Think Were In Kansas Anymore

Last night was scary! We were under tornado warnings all night and watching dangerous storm cells move through our area one after another. We got lucky and a lot of the really bad ones missed us. It was nerve wrecking watching the news with minute by minute reports of when to expect the storms and listening to the tornado sirens. It's funny, I'm from Florida and I thought we had it bad with the hurricanes, these tornado's are much scarier. I hope everyone in the pats of these dangerous storms made it through unharmed and without damage to their homes.
Yesterday's workout: 60 min on the treadmill 6.5 miles @ 2% incline.
I really wanted fro-yo after dinner, but with all the storms didn't think it was a good idea to risk my life for it. So, that is on the agenda for today. My 3 year old has a sports class at the park this morning, I'm waiting to hear if it's going to be cancelled or not.
I bought a pull up bar yesterday, for my husband. I cannot do a single pull up, not even close. I guess that'll be put on the goal list. I have 0 upper body strength. I feel like I've made progress in toning that portion of the body, but it hasn't helped me be any stronger. And you would think carrying around 2 kids would help, nope. Well by this time next month I will be doing pull ups, or a pull up! Mark my words.

I hope everyone has a great, dry Thursday.

Tell me, can you do a pull up?

If so, what can I do so I'll be able to do one?

What I Ate Wednesday

Good morning! Get ready for a lot of badly taken pictures. I took pics of everything I ate yesterday, in order to show a typical day of eating for me. It was hard because I'm very much a grazer. I will try to estimate the portion sizes and calories. For exercise I did 5 miles on the tread, ab video, and Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 Level 4. I tend to eat around the same amount regardless of exercise or not, it all evens out.

As soon as I wake up I have to have my coffee! This is a large mug with approx 1 tbsp half and half and no sugar.
30 Cal




Steel cut oats with dried cranberries, cinnamon, and sprinkled with flax.
About 1/4 c oats (yields 1 cup cooked)
1tbsp cranberries
1 tsp flax
200 cal

Red Pear mmmmmmm
100 cal

Strawberry nonfat Greek yogurt, I'm learning to like it.
130 cal


Strawberry and walnut salad with Light Raspberry Vinaigrette
Leftover pizza Margarita on whole wheat crust
salad: 1 cup greens, 1 lg sliced strawberry, 2 tsp chopped walnuts, 2 tsp light dressing
400 calories
Dried cranberries, raw almonds, peanuts (1 tbsp of each)
200 calories


Dinner salad (this was split with my husband and son)
3 cups mixed greens
2 small roma tomatoes
1/2cup of an English cucumber
1/4cup green pepper
2 tbsp red onion
champagne vinaigrette (YUMMMM)
150 calories


Dinner: Grilled Eggplant Parmigana, whole wheat pasta, home made sauce (crushed tomatoes, tons of fresh basil, onions, garlic, and red pepper) 1 cup steamed broccoli
350 calories
Smoothie ingredients (split between husband, son, even baby had some)
mango (1 cup)
pineapple (1 cup)
strawberry (1 cup)
banana (1 medium)
1 cup crushed ice
Finished product
150 calories

I felt bad eating this since everyone seems to be off sugar, so, I split it with my husband.
75 calories (for half)

The grand total comes in at 1895 calories.
That seems pretty accurate to me, on an average day I would estimate I eat between 1800-2000 calories.
As far as food, this is pretty much typical of what I eat on a daily basis (except that pizza will now be peanut butter on whole wheat pita)
This was fun, I think I will do these posts on occasion. Maybe once a month, I'll try to do it on days that display different foods, otherwise this would get old very fast!

Healthy For Life

Even before I was a "runner" I've always been active. I logged hours on the cardio machines, counted through hundreds of crunches, push-ups, etc etc etc... It was always with the same goal in mind, to look "good," stay thin, make sure my stomach was flat. I wasn't thinking about health, I didn't care about my blood pressure, or cholesterol levels.
As I've gotten *cough* *cough* older my perspective has shifted. I want to remain healthy and set a good example for my kids, and obviously still look good! When my son was born I dramatically changed my and my husbands diet. It's like something clicked and I realized my son would eat exactly what we ate and how we ate and we would be shaping those habits for life, even in these first years. We eat mostly organic whole foods. My son is 3 now and he eats exactly what we eat, he has since day 1.
I love pizza, ice cream, cookies, and candy but I know I can't eat it everyday and I certantly don't want my kids to think that is acceptable. In the same token I also know I cannot keep my kids from eating such things once in a while. I truly believe that nothing is off limits in moderation. When we have ice cream in the house it's eaten out of a teacup, split between my husband, son, and I. On pizza days we order whole wheat crust if available, we never ever get meat toppings (we don't eat pork) and always eat a salad and side of green veggies with it. When people talk to me about diet and exercise I always give them the same advice:
Only do something that you can stick with for a lifetime. If you want to cut out dairy and carbs for a month to drop some pounds, it's not going to last. If your lactose intolerant and you want to drop dairy forever, that's a different story. I think everyone has certain concessions they can make and certain ones they just can't give up. For me, I can give up soda, forever. I love diet coke, but I don't think soda is good for anyone, it's all chemicals. And I don't think it's gonna kill you if you drink some every now and again, but for me it's just easier not to drink it at all. However, I could never ever give up carbs. I love bread, I could live off of bread, I could probably give up sugar before bread. Just the thought of low carb makes me want toast!
Now that I have a daughter all of this is even more important to me. I don't think there is any girl out there that has avoided negative thoughts about themselves stemming from their appearance. It makes me so sad to know that one day those thoughts will most likely flood her head. I will do everything in my power to make her confident and happy and healthy. I know that being active makes us confident and eating right makes us healthy and I really hope that as she gets older I can instill that in her.
Ok, enough rambling... If your reading this, sorry for the length. Just know there are 3 things I can talk about non-stop: Food, exercise, and the Yankees!

Tomorrow I'm going to do an Eat like me post (did anyone ever read that blog on Self? I loved it!)
Yesterday I ran 5 miles including 4x800m @ 7:30 and did level 4 of Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30

What's your diet and exercise philosophy?

Have you found a balance or is it still a work in progress?

Weekend Super-Fail

So, I, like most had big plans for this weekend. Lots of family time, candy, egg hunts, outside activities, exercise, and I did exactly none of that.
Friday around dinner time, my poor husband was triple teamed with 3 sickies. I'm thinking some sort of food poisoning, because we literally got sick at the exact same time. Needless to say it was a rough night, and I was literally sicker than I've been in years. So, Saturday's long run was a definite no go. My son and I took 3 naps on Saturday, did not get dressed, and survived on sips of ginger ale.


Sunday went a little better. We actually ventured out of the house to the farmer's market and $60 worth of fruits and vegetables later I think we will make a full recovery. Yup, we literally spend $50-$80 a week on produce, that's for my husband, my 3 yr old, and myself, even though my 10 month old is starting to eat little bits of table food too. We don't eat canned or frozen veggies we've gotten into the habit of eating what's "in" season (even though nowadays it comes from all over the world so "it's" always in-season). Our weekly rundown of fruits and veggies looks something like this:
3 lbs broccoli
4lbs egg plant
3 lbs zucchini
2 lbs yellow squash
1 lb spinach
3 lbs tomato
1 English cucumber
3 bell peppers
mixed baby field greens
kale
onions
garlic
yukon gold potatoes
romaine
bananas
strawberries
pineapple
apples
pears
mangoes
grapes
We drink smoothies almost everyday, and my son eats fruit at breakfast every morning and for most snacks. We eat salad 365 days a year, so that accounts for a lot of it.
I also snagged some chia seeds! So so 'cited bout that one. I've been reading about make-it-yourself gels using chia seeds, anyone ever tried it?

My goals for this week are:
30+ miles (5 days running, 12 mile long run)
3 days of Jillian
2 ab sessions

Do you eat the same foods throughout the week or is it always different?
Breakfast is almost always oatmeal (steel-cut w/ cinnamon and brown sugar, and ground flax)
Lunch is pretty simple too. I go all out for dinner though. I love to cook.

Have you ever had food poisoning?
This was my very first experience with it. Not fun, I don't think I'll be eating out for a very long time and I will be washing, soaking, and re-washing all produce.

Hope your weekend was better than mine :) Happy Monday!

I'm Baaaaack

<---- Our beautiful Sand Castle!
<----- Baby Leila striking a pose.
<---- The closest we got to the kids actually looking at the camera.
<----we dug a hole for Adam, little tmi, he threw up in that hole about 10 min later....
<------I miss this already!

TGIF, I hope everyone had a good productive week.
I actually got no running in during vacay, but I got in 12.5 mi before I left and in the 2 days I've been back I got a 5 miler and 7 miler in. I stressed about not working out for 5 days, especially while eating every single meal out and indulging more than I would at home, but it was actually nice. 5 days off is not going to cause me to gain 10 pounds or lose all of my endurance. Sometimes, it's really nice to just take a break. Plus, my legs feel great, all of the normal aches and pains I feel daily are gone. WOOOO HOOOO for vacations!

I ate some amazing food but I have no pictures. I'm not accustomed to taking pictures of what I eat and I totally meant to, but by the time I actually got my food I was STARVING!
Yesterday, I found fro-yo in my neck of the woods, Ohhhhhhh Emmmmmmm Geeeeee!!!!!
So so 'cited!
I don't really have any plans this weekend, I'm going to get in some good running and workouts, have a nice walk up Kennesaw Mtn, get to the Farmer's Mkt annnnnnnnd eat lots of Cadbury eggs!
Happy Easter, I hope everyone has a great weekend!

All About ME!!!

In pictures...
All I really need to be happy (I'm simple)...



I LOVE to read. I'm all about mystery/suspense/thrillers...

I could probably live off of coffee. Not the foamed milk, 3 pumps of vanilla, whip cream, blah blah blah... I love real actual coffee, straight up.

What can I say? I love love love running on the treadmill. I take offense when people call it the dreadmill. At any moment I can go for a run, I love that freedom.



I am The Cookie Monster.


I view pizza as a health food, that's why I eat it most days of the week. Crust - we all need carbs and whole wheat crust = whole grains/fiber, Healthy! Tomato sauce - ummm ever heard of a little antioxident, lycopene? Healthy! Cheese - "hey calcium" oh "hey strong bones" healthy!

Saved the best for last! I love the Yankees. I am passionate about the Yankees. April - October is my happy time. There is nothing that is not enhanced when the Yankees are own. Pizza, better when watching the yankees. Eating cookies, better when watching the Yankees. Running, better when watching the Yankees. You get the point.

Tomorrow morning I am leaving for the beach! I'll be back on Tuesday or Wednesday!
Have a great weekend and to anyone running Boston GOOD LUCK!!!

No Good Very Bad Day

-----> Crazy Monster Boy Adam----->


Have you ever had one of those days where everything just seems 10x harder than it should be?
Yesterday was definitely one.
First I tried to get an oil change, 2+ hour wait... on a Tuesday at 10:45 am, makes no sense. Well, with a 3 year old and a 10 month old, that's a no go.
Than, I was supposed to meet my friend at the park so our kids could play and have a picnic, well it was 30 degrees colder that the previous days and windy! Boo.
Finally it was time to run, and my body just would not cooperate. Everytime I bumped up the speed I was huffing and puffing, my legs were heavy, my abs? hurt (really? that's odd).
I ended up with 55 min on the tread 5.5 miles at 2% incline. So, not a total fail, but it was HARD!
Dinner was amazing, it's the same dinner I eat probably 10x out of the month but it's that good!
I make my own hummus, super easy, soooooooo good! (not pictured grilled flat bread)



salad, no surprise



Rice and lentils
Grilled Chicken and Roasted zucchini







... and dessert! cookies and brownies (not pictured: ice cream)
At least the day ended on a good note!

I'm off to the dentist :( Super Boo.
T-minus 2 days and counting until the BEACH!!!! WOOOO HOOOO
I hope everyone has an awesome day!

Weekend Wrapup

This weekend was HOT.
The weather is so weird we literally transition from heat to a/c overnight, I'll never understand it.
Saturday morning I set out for 12 miles. I run to the park and than around the park. There are some massive hills on the route, so I figure it's like 2 workouts in one. I didn't get out as early as I wanted and with the heat and humidity the 12 miles became 10, but it was a good run and I felt really energized afterward and not tired. I hate feeling worn out and tired after a run.

The rest of the day was spent outside, playing with the kids and doing yard work.

Sunday we went fishing. I don't like to fish, I feel bad for the fish, Adam thought it was cool though.
I just kinda hung back with the baby.
The Yankees were on Sunday night baseball and they did not win! Not a good way to start the week. I usually order the extra innings baseball on TV so I can watch all the games but it's $179 and well I'd rather have $179 worth of running stuff!

This week is technically a short one for me. I leave for the BEACH on Friday!!! Can't wait.
I hope to get some running in while I'm out of town, but who knows.
I also need to concentrate on getting my strength training in. I don't belong to a gym so I usually count of videos for that. I like the Jillian DVD's, Jackie Warner, and Gunner Peterson.
When I'm doing them regularly I notice a difference, but, I'd rather be running and I only have so much time. I'm really going to concentrate on 3 sessions a week. I've got to stop being lazy on the weekends!
I'm not training for anything specific. I don't really plan to run another race until Sept/Oct.
Right now I just want to increase my speed and endurance... we'll see...

Do you "train" year round?
Do you follow a training schedule or make it up as you go along?

Happy Monday hope your weekend was filled with fun!

TGIF

I'm glad this week is coming to an end.
Monday started with a call to the paramedics due to my son having an allergic reaction to cashews.
He's fine.
Thankfully, the rest of the week has been uneventful.
Yesterday was 8 miles on the treadmill in 1:15 starting out at 2.5% incline and decreasing .5% every 15 min.

So, my friend is really into the extreme couponing thing and I see it everywhere these days, I wanna save money too!
I get excited when I use a $5 coupon for formula! I think I need to jump on this band wagon and put some effort into saving money. Being a SAHM we have a pretty strict budget. Also, I drive 38 miles one way every weekend just to buy produce! If you live in the Atlanta area you have to check out dekalb farmers market. I literally spend 50-60 a week on just fruits and veggies. We eat lots of produce and I have it down to a science, we waste 0 food. Since there are never coupons for produce it would be nice to save on the other stuff.

Here is a picture of my almost 10 month old daughter at 6 weeks old:


Tiny!
Now look at her:



She's getting so big *tear*

I hope you guys have a great weekend, looks like the weather should be nice and warm here!

Thankful Thursday

Yesterday's workout was 5 miles on the treadmill @ 2.5% incline in 45:30.
Love having it in my kitchen! I exercise when my kids nap, it works.







Breakfast was this:

Provolone cheese, tomato, basil, grilled on focaccia bread.


Lunch was salad and chicken nuggets
Dinner was salad, grilled chicken, rice, black beans, and aspargus (sorry no pics I forgot)
and desert was this:




Cupcakes! Need I say more?
I love food and I LOVE to cook and bake, its a good combination.

On to what I am thankful for. I'm thankful that I even found running. I was never a runner. I was never anything active expect for appearance purposes, it was not fun, it didn't feel good, it was a chore. While I was pregnant with my daughter I got a treadmill, I wanted to be active as I read it was good for her and myself. I walked 2-3 miles on a 10% incline almost everyday. It was boring. As soon as Leila was born I wanted to lose the baby weight as fast as possible. So I started running, well more like a walk/run combo. You see, I had never run without stopping for walk breaks more than a mile. Sad I know! I just kept at it and before I knew it I was running 3 miles, than 5, than 10. I was hooked... I fell in love with running. In 8 months I've gone from not being able to run a full mile, to running 30+ a week, from 12 min miles to 8 min miles. I'm proud of myself and I can't wait to see the progress I make as I learn more and train more.
My viewpoint has changed in so many ways. I don't think of running as "exercise" I think of it as a gift. I don't think about food in terms of calories and fat grams, I enjoy every bite! I don't think about my body negatively and look at what I could change. I look at my body and am in awe of what it can do.
Running is confidence.

How do you view running?
as exercise? to be competitive? as fun?

Some Randomness and of course The RUNdown

I had a good run on the treadmill yesterday.
6.2 miles in 54:24, I felt good and more importantly my feet didn't hurt!
I also did the ab video (Gunner Peterson's Ab Assault)
On Monday I did level 4 of Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30, my arms and back are still sore, so I guess that's a good thing.
I'm thinking I need to eat more, I couldn't sleep last night because I was soooo hungry!
let's see... breakfast was crispix, banana, and milk
Lunch - tomato, basil, and mozzarella on foccaccia <---- SOOOO GOOD
after workout snack - yogurt
Dinner- stuffed peppers (bulgur & ground turkey breast) and salad
After dinner- smoothie, but it was small
That seems like a lot of food but I have a large appetite.
(3 random facts):

• my treadmill is located in my kitchen behind my dinette, hey, if it works it works
• I have given away every pet I've ever owned, except for 2 guinea pigs I got when I was 6. This includes 2 yorkshire terriors, a cockatail, lovebird, 2 cats, and a papillion. And yet I've managed to keep track of my 2 kids... amazing.
• I love pizza, I eat it in some form at least every other day. I usually eat takeout pizza at least once a week. I make "pizza" in the form of half a whole wheat pita, sliced tomato, basil, a little oregano and garlic powder, and a little mozz or parm, toaster over and waaa laaa... it's pizza in my book!

I have 0 followers I think my blog should be changed to dear diary b/c I think it's just gonna be me reading it!
fyi... this was originially 3 things tuesday, but I just realized today is Wednesday!!!!

Finally! Nice Weather

The cutest baby ever!


I did not see the sun for 10 days. This weekend it was finally nice, warm, and sunny!
I ran 11 miles on Saturday, it was the toughest run ever. I ran to the park (4miles) and it was hill after hill after hill, but only up hill no downhills! My feet are killing me, I think I have my shoes laced too tight, plus I need new shoes.
Sunday was a rest day, we walked up Kennesaw Mountain, its more like a hill. Anyways it's a paved trail that goes up 1.2 miles, it's nice because we can take the kids in the strollers.
On another note baseball season is in full effect!!!
Nothing makes me happier than baseball. The Yankees took 2 out of 3 from Detroit. Our offense looks good, I'm optimistic about this season!
Now, I just need to figure out how to position my treadmill in front of the T.V. during a Yankees game and get the audio through my iphone.
ahhhh, one can only dream....
Today I'm going to work on abs and speed work (or my version of).
4x800m @ 7:30 1/2 mile warm up and cool down with recovery between each.