Tortilla Pizza

This is an obvious one, but still worth mentioning. 

Pizza is the best, but we can't afford to eat it every day (this statement has been approved by both my body and my wallet.)

Soooo, make it yourself.

You will need:
Tortilla wraps (any flavor/blend... and I use mini wraps)
Pizza or tomato sauce (you have control! make it organic)
Cheese
Toppings (sauteed veggies, fresh spinach or tomato, pepperoni, etc.)

Assembly is obvious: sauce goes on tortilla, followed by cheese, then toppings, and perhaps a sprinkling more of cheese.  Pop that baby in the [toaster] oven at 450 F (if you use the mini tortillas like me it fits in the toaster oven!) and watch until the cheese is bubbly.

I like this pizza because it is very low carb, and you can control the size and what goes on it.  

Google images

>>>Want to make it gourmet?! Try this on for size:
Spread soft brie on a wrap, thinly sliced granny smith apples, and a drizzle of honey.  (Protein bonus: top with apple chicken sausage medallions from Fresco.)

>>>Want to make it extra cheese-y?!  Sit your assembled (but not cooked) pizza on a second tortilla that's covered only in extreme [cheddar] cheese!

Challenge Completed

Yesterday I completed my 26.2 mile challenge with a nice short 2 mile run.  It was lucky that I only had 2 miles left because it was the hottest day of the year so far, and I was sweating bullets by the time I returned to my car.

During my challenge, I had a day when I was supposed to run 4 miles.  I was becoming frustrated that neither my endurance nor my speed was improving, so I decided to try something new.  I ran as fast as I could sustain for one mile, then walked .5 mile, ran as fast as I could sustain for another mile, walked another .5 mile, then ran one more mile.  When I calculated my speed, I averaged an 8:30 pace during the times I was running.  Considering that I started my training at upwards of a 10:40 pace for only 1.5-2 miles, I was pleased.

My next step was to close the gaps where I had walked.  I ran 3 miles one day, then 4 miles another day, a big 5 miler, and finally my 2 miles yesterday.  I now average:

• 9:30s in the 3-4 mile range (and I don't have to stop to walk!)
• 10:50 ish for my 5 miler (I'd like to blame the high pollen counts for that one) 
• and 8:30 for my 2 mile run yesterday (in the hot, hot sun)  

My weight has not changed, my legs and bum are perhaps only slightly trimmer, but I feel better.  And, get this, I actually caught myself saying phrases like, "I'm a runner," "I just want to go for a run," and, "I love running."

yahoo images

Boston Strong

It is unbelievable to think that over a week has passed since the tragedy in Boston.  Four lives were lost, over 170 people were injured, and about 50 victims still remain hospitalized; a major city was shut down, an entire country held it's breath, and millions of lives around the world were touched, changed.  

In the wake of this terror, fear has been replaced with unity, strength, and perseverance.  From the London Marathon to the UMass Dartmouth campus, people have joined together in moments of silence to honor and remember the victims from April 15th.  And once the silence is broken, we carry on.  We go back to class or work.  We don our RedSox caps and go back to Boston.  We run.

I ran in a 5K on Saturday.  Then I ran 5 miles on Sunday.  And today, I am going to run again.  

I challenge you to run until you have covered 26.2 miles, even if it takes you 52 days.  Get out there and run.  Run for those who couldn't finish the race.  Run for those who will never run again.  Run to prove that you, too, are Boston Strong.  

cognoscenti.wbur.org

Run Numero Dos

Today was my second run in my training for the 10K.  I've been using the "Map my Fitness" app on my iphone to track my runs through GPS.  Today I ran 2.17 miles at an average 9:46 pace... only sightly faster than on Tuesday.  I guess I can't blame my dog anymore for my pace... today was all me.  It's tough because I'm used to running either on a treadmill (which I now hate) or on the track (which I secretly love).  There is no change in terrain or elevation on either.  But now I am forcing myself to run on a new section of the bike path near my apartment and it has killer hills!  I think I am in for a major shock when I fly from New England to Colorado for this race... the change in elevation is going to kill me  :/

I haven't tried running on the trail with my ipod yet.  I did it once when I was running on the track and HATED it... for some reason I was better off focusing on the run than zoning out with my music.  Any opinions on running with headphones?  

Photo: bodyquestadventure.blogspot.com 

BolderBoulder

Helloooo!  It's been a while since I have posted, but what with the random weather patterns and even stranger cold viruses I have been battling, there hasn't been much to report.  However, my boyfriend has finally convinced me to sign up for a race!  Today was my first training day for a 10K race in Boulder, CO which will take place in May.  I found a "running for beginners" schedule on Pinterest which I have decided to follow.  It's supposed to be a half-marathon training regimen, but I liked that it only has one rest day and cross-training on the other non-running days.  Also, it is kinda likely that if I feel even slightly miserable during the race I will pitch a whiny little fit and just drop out halfway through.  So, if I can push myself to run 10 miles during a training day, 6.2 will be cake-walk.  Hopefully.  

Today I ran a slow 2 miles at a 9:50 pace.  It was tough because I had my dog with me, and she isn't the best runner yet.  Every 5 steps she would be pulling so much that I couldn't swing my arms naturally, so I had to give a little tug on the leash to bring her back to my side.  I'm also still getting over a cold, so I had to swallow a nasty amount of post-nasal drip just to have an open airway.  BUT I am proud to say that I never stopped to walk once.  

Tomorrow will be a cross-training day.  The schedule says to workout for 30 minutes.  I will mix an ab and leg workout with the "Morning Workout" that Aimee posted last week.  I won't be doing it until the afternoon though, but hopefully it will have the same results....
Ciao for now!

Spinach Chips

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Coat your spinach in a little bit of oil (I used coconut oil.)  

Lay the spinach in a single layer on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.

Sprinkle with salt, pepper, onion powder, etc.  (pick your poison)

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the leaves are dry and crispy.  

Chips. 

Workout Wednesday

Do this before you let yourself have a snack.  Want to have 2 snacks today?  Maybe 3?  BAM...  45 minute workout.  

Pinterest

Training Together

Last night my boyfriend asked me to do the 200 sit -up challenge with him.  It's a program that starts you off at your current level, then builds you up so that you can do 200 consecutive sit-ups.  I usually do at least that many in one workout session, but I suppose they aren't all consecutive. 

 If you download the app on your phone, it tells you how many to do, then you start a 1 minute timer to rest, then it tells you the next number of sit-ups, then another minute rest, and so on.  Last night, our last set called for 25+, so I continued up to 70 sit-ups.  I might have to find a way to make this more challenging and beneficial for my body type.  

You can also do a push-up challenge by this same program, or check out any of the workouts listed on the site.  

http://www.twohundredsitups.com/

Thirsty Thursday: My Favorite Smoothie

Picture: Google images

frozen raspberries 4-5
frozen blueberries 10+
frozen strawberries 5 (small)
vanilla Activia (or any other plain or vanilla yogurt)
pineapple coconut water
cranberry juice

This was my favorite smoothie last summer.  The coconut water is super-hydrating, which is great in the hot months, but also after a workout.  I use frozen fruit because then I don't have to add any ice, but if you prefer to use fresh fruit and ice instead, all the power to ya.  I don't add much cranberry juice since it tends to have a lot of sugar, but it can aid in digestion and also adds some sweetness to the smoothie.  I also really love the color of this one.  Cheers!

And the Oscar goes to....

It's Oscar night!  Sadly, the only nominated film I actually saw this year was Les Mis, but it was amazing and I am excited. (Truthfully, I also saw Denzel Washington in Flight, but it was the worst movie I have seen since The Room, so it doesn't count.)  This is the only awards show that I watch completely, including the long, drawn-out red carpet.  Why, you ask?  Because the glamour and perfection is so overwhelming, it motivates me to get in shape.  I also have learned some really great "runway ready" workout routines by watching the red carpet.  My favorite move from a red carpet that now has a permanent place in my weight routine is what I call, "hug a tall guy."  One arm at a time, you start with your elbow tucked and your arm out at a 90 degree angle, the dumbbell vertical.  Then you swing your arm up and around the shoulders of your imaginary tall person.  (12-15 reps each arm, 3 sets)

Google Images

I went to the gym today so that I don't feel quite so bad about myself when the celebs step out of their limos.  I ran 1 mile on the treadmill, biked 2 miles, did 60 sit ups on a balance ball, and did 2 sets of 10 reps on a lat pull-down (higher weight).  I wasn't there very long, but I managed to keep my heart rate up (and sweat like a pig).  

I have also been good today with my diet... 2 scrambled eggs with mozz cheese for breakfast (no toast), a banana for a snack, and I'm about to go make a giant salad with spinach, carrots, almonds and craisins (and maybe some tuna if I'm feeling adventurous).  

**Don't just obsess over your health...think about others too!  Last Friday I donated blood to Rhode Island Blood Center.  Hundreds of blood drives had to be cancelled due to the blizzard, so patients aren't receiving as many infusions as they need.  The need is great...and they need all blood types to donate.  It takes a little as 30 minutes of your day!  Save a life!  Donate!**

Workout Wednesday: Rewards

This is a picture of the little chalkboard I made last summer, which has hooks for keys and dog leashes underneath (it's also magnetic...that little sunflower is a magnet).  I decided to write down my workout plan (I swear my handwriting is usually much neater than that) and check off each workout as I completed it.  It felt kind of rewarding to check off each workout... like proof that I had actually accomplished something.  It was also a moment to breathe in between exercises as I went to the board to write my check.  

I worked my way down the list, then went back to the top and repeated as many time as I could (or, to be more accurate, until my puppy decided she wanted to play and wouldn't stop biting the hem of my yoga pants until I gave in). 

Here's the workout:
50 jumping jacks
50 crunches (holding for 3 seconds when up)
10 each leg lifts to the back (don't hold on to anything!)
10 each leg lifts to the side (again, practice your balance, squeeze the glutes)
10 squats (I did plie squats, holding an imaginary medicine ball which I bring over my head when I come up and stand on my toes)
5 "sumos"  (this requires some explanation: I squat like a sumo wrestler and step forward 3 times like that, pivoting as much as I can with my hips while maintaining that sumo squat, then step back 3 times, then repeat leading with the other foot.  That's one rep. I both look and feel like a moron, but these yield results.)
10 push-ups
5 fan-squat-side kick-squat (see my living room workout for details)

Repeat the whole routine as many times as you can.

I did this yesterday and HOLY COW are my legs sore today.  It's wonderful.  I did one cycle today with a few extra stretches and and a glute routine to loosen up my muscles, but I didn't push it too much.  Tomorrow I will try to get in a run (ugh stupid snow! I hate the treadmill.) 

Spinach and Tortellini Soup

Picture: prevention.com

This is the easiest soup I have ever made.  Not that I usually make soup, but it's almost as easy as the "just add one can of water and microwave" soup.  And it's goooood.  The original recipe, posted on Prevention.com, uses only 4 ingredients.  I added a few more spices because, hey why not?  

Ingredients:

- 4 cups boxed chicken stock
- 9 ounces cheese tortellini (Buitoni) 
- baby spinach
- parmesan cheese
optional: red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, basil

Directions:

Bring the chicken stock plus 1 cup water to a boil in a saucepan.  Add the tortellini and reduce heat to simmer; cook until the pasta is tender.  Stir in as much spinach as desired until just wilted.  (I then added my spices... the red pepper flakes were a must for me!  It just needed some more flavor.)  Sprinkle a little parmesan in each bowl when you serve it.  Done!

This recipe barely takes 10 minutes, and each bowl is only about 250 calories!  

We Found Nemo

Picture: Google images

  

Just as I was hitting my stride... pilates and my living room workout every other day, running and rollerblading (yes! I bought roller blades!) on the days in between.... NEMO.

I counted hours of shoveling snow as a workout one day.  

Of course, rollerblading is now out of the question, as my favorite trail is now buried under two feet of snow.  So, I actually went to the gym the morning after the storm and spent an hour on the elliptical.  I used to be all about the gym, but ever since I started running outside I dread being stuck in one place as the miles tick by.  I keep crossing my fingers for a heat wave to melt this mess, but unfortunately it's projected to snow again tonight. ughhhhhh

A Setback, A Problem, and A New Discovery

A Setback:

I recently (and thankfully!) started working more days.  BUT, while my bank account is starting to look healthier, I am not.  It's not as if I am really, truly, honestly tired when I get home from work, but rather I have let myself cave to the excuse, "I've been working all day...I deserve a break...and a snack...." 

Last night before bed I did some pilates, jumping squats, and the fan-squat-side kick- squat sequence.  This morning I went to the track and ran 2.5 miles, averaging a 9:30 pace.  This is a decent start to a better workout routine, but I'm not there yet.  I plan to alternate running days and strength/muscle-toning days.  

I also need to get back to writing down everything I eat during the day.  My problem isn't eating healthy, but rather OVER-eating healthy.  Which, ironically, is unhealthy.  If I make myself write down everything I eat, I will realize just how many calories I consume during one day.  Also, I find I get tired of writing it down, so sometimes I will choose not to have a snack simply because I don't want to log it.  Finally, laziness working to my benefit! 

A Problem:

My BF just came home with 4 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies.  

A New Discovery:

I love trying out homemade health tricks.  From egg-white face masks to apple cider vinegar compresses.... you name it, I've tried it.  My newest discovery is coconut oil.  I've been reading about it and finally decided to buy some when I read that I can make my own deodorant from it.  I am allergic to antiperspirant (it usually has heavy metals in it which are unhealthy for everyone!) so I have to find ones that only say deodorant.  Degree used to make this amazing smelling deodorant with honeysuckle and tea tree oil, but it has disappeared from every single store! Anywho, I mixed some coconut oil with some eucalyptus vanilla oil (you can use any essential oils you like) and poured it into an empty deodorant container.  I have to keep it in the refrigerator since it will melt at 76 degrees, but it sure does smell nice, and it was way less expensive in the long run.

I also put some coconut oil in my hair for an hour.  After shampooing, conditioning, and blow-drying my hair, it looks super shiny, feels silky soft, and even somehow seems thicker.  

I also put this on my face.  And in a smoothie.  Okay, I went a little nuts.  But coconut oil is amazing!  It has so many beneficial health properties, functioning as an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, metabolism-boosting, hair-strengthening, skin-moisturizing phenomenon.  Get some!

Picture: Google images

White Bean Dip

White Bean Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 can white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 tsp hot sauce (or to taste)

Directions:

In a food processor, combine ingredients and pulse until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Serve with carrot sticks or pita triangles.  

                                                                                                                       

Picture and Recipe: http://www.pauladeen.com/

                                                            

Unfortunately, I don't have a food processor, so I had to use my blender.  Not ideal, but I made it work.  I had to add a little more lemon juice (yes, I used lemon juice instead of a lemon, it tasted fine) to get the consistency that I wanted.  Then I had to add more hot sauce to get the flavor that I wanted.  Feel free to add more to this recipe... the original called for cumin, but I don't like that flavor so I omitted it.  I munched on this stuff with baby carrots... yummy and super filling!!

Fun Run

My BF has registered to run a half-marathon in March. (I have not.  The phrase, "I'd rather die," comes to mind just thinking about running for 13.1 miles.)  However, I have been joining him during his training.  We found this beautiful trail that stretches for miles alongside a river. After running 7 miles yesterday, the BF needed a "fun run" to loosen his muscles.  We did some speed training, some slow jogging, and some walking.  We were only out for about half an hour.  

Afterwards, I randomly chose three moves from my living room workout to add to my exercise for the day.  

I also made a delish white bean dip to snack on with baby carrots... it only uses a few ingredients that you throw into a blender or food processor.  I will be posting this recipe later on tonight or tomorrow!  

Baby, it's COLD outside

Picture: Pinterest

At about 1 o'clock this afternoon, the temperature had reached a whopping 12 degrees Fahrenheit.  I put on neon pink leggings, flannel pajama pants over that, and black North Face running pants over those.  I layered three running shirts and two fleece jackets, and headed to the track.  It was still dusted in snow.  I had used a hair clip to hold a knit infinity scarf on my face, but it kept slipping off my nose as I ran.  After about three quarters of a mile, I stopped to loop the infinity scarf over my ears, pull my hat down over that, then secure the whole thing with my sunglasses.  I'm pretty sure I looked like a basket case.  

I decided to run three miles today.  When I run at the track, I like to count the laps backwards down to zero... I'm not sure why, but it motivates me.  So today I started at twelve.  Even though I had run only three laps, I still felt a kick when I got down to single digits.  I only walked for half of a straight-away right before my last mile, and then finished strong.

It was frigid outside.  Despite the fact that I was sweating under my layers, I didn't feel warm until the last mile.  I probably averaged ten minute miles.  Not the greatest run I've ever done, but at least I got out there and did it.  

Living Room Workout

This is the workout that I did today in my small apartment living room:

• Plie Squats - 20 reps (X3)
• Girly Push-ups - 15 reps (X3)
• Crunches - 25 reps (X3) -- hold each time you come up
• Squatting Jacks - 20 reps (X3) -- jumping jacks, squat each time your feet come together
• Lunge back, kick forward - 15 reps each leg
• Step up with one leg, extend other leg behind you, step down - 15 reps each leg (I use a kitchen step-stool)
• Dumbbell twist - count to 50 -- hold 1 dumbbell in both hands, sit, lock ankles and lift feet off the ground, lean back and twist at the waist from left to right
• Skaters - 1 minute -- step right foot to the side, slide left foot to right, quickly change direction and repeat on opposite side.  reach across your body with your arms as you move.  it should feel like jazzercise.
• Fan, squat, kick to the side, squat, repeat other leg (that's one!) - 10 reps 
• Bridge, hold for 3 sec, back down - 15 reps -- really squeeze glutes
• Frog - 15 reps -- lie on back, knees to chest, ankles together while knees turn out, extend legs at 45 degree angle, bring legs together trying to touch the insides/backs of your knees together, knees back down (that's one!)
• STRETCH

Picture: Pinterest

This workout definitely elevated my heart rate.  Most of these moves are a compilation of different workout routines that I read on Pinterest, one of these moves I saw on Regis and Kelly, and one, as far as I know, I created myself.  I like to mix and match exercises; for me, it's all about targeting those trouble areas.  

Introduction

Current weight: 117 lbs

I know, I know.  I can hear the collective groans reverberate across the cyber universe.  

BUT...

What if I told you that I was only 5'2"?  That I have slight shoulders and chicken-bone arms?  That I'm the President of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee?  Now where does that leave those 117 pounds? 

Yeah, you guessed it. 

I'm not okay with thunder thighs.  I'm not okay with a butt that shakes like the belly of a beloved Christmas icon.  I want to wear shorts without my legs touching.  I want to feel confident in a skin-tight dress at least once in my lifetime.  When I (sadly) pick out the small size bikini top, I want the small bottoms too!  

But how?  I already exercise.  I already eat right.  I may only weigh 117 lbs., but changing my body is going to be a challenge.  I'll be posting work-outs, recipes, motivation, and, (fingers crossed!), triumphant results.

Picture: Pinterest

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