tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112485195467059172024-03-12T23:43:48.679-04:00Run, Lift, Chant, BreatheLKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-87231013601656610342011-02-13T20:50:00.000-05:002011-02-13T20:50:10.063-05:00Getting ReadyOkay, so here we are - first full week of my new job complete and week before the Foxborough 10 Miler starting.<br />
<br />
The first week at work went well - it is liberating to go to work stress free and to leave work the same. I knew I was under some serious emotional and mental strain at my previous job but I couldn't quite appreciate it until it was gone. My mind is calmer than it has been in years. YEARS. Leaving my profession was a seriously difficult decision - it scared the crap out of me. But you know as well as I do that you do not grow unless you challenge yourself ... and that includes challenging your fears. No growth comes from staying stagnant.<br />
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Okay, enough of that. My new office is only 7 minutes from my gym near work. Which means that I made it there everyday this week except Monday. I felt that bringing my gym bag to work on day one was a little obnoxious, even for me. But by day two, I was heading out to the gym - sticking to habits is half the battle. I did, however, keep my workouts brief for the first week. Plus I am in 'taper' for the BIG RACE this coming Sunday.<br />
<br />
Saturday - Weights at the gym<br />
Sunday - 10 mile run all by myself...good race prep!<br />
Monday - lifted weights at the gym AFTER work. Yup. Because as I mentioned above, sticking to a habit is important. Breaking good habits is very easy - breaking bad habits is not.<br />
Tuesday - 3 Mile run at lunch, Gentle Yoga at night.<br />
Wednesday - Pilates in the morning, Weights at lunch (upper body).<br />
Thursday - 15 minute speed workout, Weights (lower body).<br />
Friday - 3 Mile run at lunch.<br />
Saturday - 6 Mile Run with Meri<br />
Sunday - Serious Weight Workout.<br />
<br />
End of update!LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-11558340191316477802011-02-03T13:25:00.000-05:002011-02-03T13:25:20.265-05:00New StartAgain with the lack of posting!! And again with the apologies!! I will not give you guys a million excuses because you know how I feel about those. I have simply been overwhelmed.<br />
<br />
Here is the thing - I am about to make a major career change and I am scared out of my mind. It is this kind of fear of the unknown that is a little paralysing. Not in a physical way - I am still running 15-20 miles a week and I am in decent 10 Miler shape, I have been religious about weightlifting 3 times a week, I have been getting to yoga about twice a week and I am contemplating adding pilates into the mix. And my diet has been great - the weight loss has subdued slightly as is the nature of things, but I am overall down 15 pounds from Thanksgiving, so a little stall is in order. I have to just keep plugging away at that.<br />
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So, the fear then. It is a mental panic. I have no idea what I am about to embark on and that scares the life out of me. I like to have each minute of my day planned down to the millisecond - and right now I do not even know what my new work hours are! So here is how I am trying to get excited instead of panicked:<br />
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1) New Job - WooHoo! This means new faces, new friends, new clothes (a necessity not really a luxury) and a new professional beginning. All very exciting.<br />
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2) Accepting the past and leaving it behind - Okay, so its no secret around here that I am a lawyer. What probably is the least best-kept secret in the world is that I consider going to law school to be my biggest mistake ever. But I can't really change that. The only thing I could change was my career, so I had to suck it up, take that huge, honking expensive degree and essentially chuck it out the window to start over. Becoming a lawyer may have been my biggest mistake but finding the courage to give it up and try something new is an exceptionally big feat.<br />
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3) New Schedule - Right. So I do not know what this new schedule is. I am led to believe that the hours are 7:30am to 7:00pm. If anyone is counting, that is actually a 1.5 hour longer workday than I currently have...and will require me to leave my hour by 6:45am every morning and get home by 7:45pm. Anyone other than me want to cry? So, the bright side here...I will finally have to learn to drag my but out of bed before 6:30am and from what I understand, that is a very adult thing. I am also pretty sure that the 'stay till 7:00pm' is a suggestion not a requirment (i.e. totally a requirement most days of the week) so I can probably sneek to yoga at least 1 night a week. The other perk - DAYS OFF!! I have lost at least a week of vacation each year (for which I do not get compensated and which does not roll over) from the inability to get it approved or make room in my work schedule. At my new position people actually get to take time off when they want it, without asking. A big WooHoo for that one.<br />
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So thats it, thats all I know about my new job and my new schedule. When will I go to the gym? Most likely at lunch or at night, just like now...only I can't be totally sure. Will I be able to still make my own lunches and follow a healthy lifestyle? Absolutley. LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-69885627338708203592011-01-13T13:00:00.000-05:002011-01-13T13:00:35.304-05:00Big ThingsI know you all are probably wondering why this blog was so inactive at the end of 2010 and I am now able to share it with you:<br />
<br />
In approximately three weeks, I will be starting a new career! This was a tough decision to make and, like with all change, it was a scary, exciting decision. The thing about this new position - which will eventually be that of a financial advisor once I am licensed - is that it comes with a fair amount of risk. <br />
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I am not a person who likes risk. But at this point in my life, I have decided to take it on, to see what I am made of, so to speak.<br />
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I have no idea what kind of hours I am looking at and I think it will be interesting for you all to see me find a new fitness routine to work its way around my new job...or maybe more amusing than interesting.<br />
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Until all that amusement begins, here what you have missed (and its not much!):<br />
<br />
Monday: 30 minutes on the elliptical<br />
Tuesday: 40 minutes weight training<br />
Wednesday: 3 miles (including 15 minutes of speed work) on the treadmill<br />
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Today's plan is 10 minutes warm up on the treadmill, followed by 45 minutes of weight lifting.<br />
Friday: Victoria's power yoga class<br />
Saturday: 8 mile run (some of them with Meri and maybe Chrissy)<br />
Sunday: Weight liftingLKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-15363578317188223542011-01-10T10:23:00.000-05:002011-01-10T10:23:25.883-05:00Bring It OnI would like to thank "Bring It On: In It To Win It" for getting me through an 8 Mile treadmill run that went well enough to finally get me to register for the Old Fashioned 10 Miler. Without you, mildly entertaining afternoon movie, I may not have sucked it up through almost ONE HOUR AND 28 MINUTES of treadmill time on a Sunday afternoon.<br />
<br />
Here is how it went down.<br />
<br />
It snowed this weekend and it took Meri and I at least a half hour Saturday morning to decide if we were actually going to wriggle into winter running clothes and hit the snowy, icy deathtrap that was our running route. Here is the deal - If you are talking about going for a run for over 10 minutes, you are already awake...you might as well go. So we did. And it was tough.<br />
<br />
I had forgotten how hard it is to run in the snow. We stuck to the sidewalks and did two back and forths totalling 5 miles. This meant slogging through fresh snow then slipping and turning ankles on packed down icy snow. The plan was, at the end of the 5 Miles, I was supposed to do another 3 to complete an 8 Mile long run. <br />
<br />
No way Jose. My hips were screaming and I had turned my ankle more than once. I was done.<br />
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And so the Sunday conundrum set in. I had to get in a long run this weekend...but I also had to lift weights. And it was supposed to snow again. By Saturday night I had resigned myself to 6 miles on the treadmill and 45 minutes of weight lifting for the next morning.<br />
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Sunday morning I slept in, had a great oatmeal breakfast, hung out with Bill, then headed to the gym. I got on the treadmill dreading my 6 miles and starting jogging. Then I looked up - Cheerleaders! Some cute guy with no shirt on! Wait...they are dancing! TBS, here I come!!! <br />
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Miles 1-5 flew. At the start of mile 6, I started making big running plans. I would finish up mile 6, then put in a serious speed effort and make it through the last 2 miles. Yup, I was going to conquer 8 miles of treadmill hell! I pumped up the speed by .3 for mile 7 then attacked mile 8 with 5 minutes of sprinting followed by an easy run effort to finish it off.<br />
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Barely believing I had pulled off the run, I refilled my water bottle and hit the weights. Upper body only - I was not looking for punishment.<br />
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And I sincerely have to thank Bring It On and TBS for that run. Treadmill running is mentally tough. Breaking through that run reminded me that yes, I am a runner.<br />
<br />
Bring It On Ten Miler!LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-50325716717109449202011-01-06T09:54:00.000-05:002011-01-06T09:54:09.742-05:00Update and a New WebsiteFirst things first - here is a new website that I am addicted to: <a href="http://www.fooducate.com/blog/">http://www.fooducate.com/blog/</a><br />
<br />
Basically Fooducate is a blog dedicated to finding out what is actually in the food products you eat. I have to say that I recently ate a few bags of 'baked chips' and drank my first diet soda (or any soda for that matter) in at least a year and I felt really weird about it. Not bad necessarily, just odd. And I can say that after reading this blog, I can assure you that I will not be getting near those products again.<br />
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As for an update on this week, its going okay but not stellar. Until I see how finances play out on payday, I have been unable to make it over to Revelation...and I really miss it. I am psyched to make it to Victoria's class Friday afternoon!<br />
<br />
Here's how it went down:<br />
Monday: Nightmare day/night. No gym time.<br />
Tuesday: Elliptical for 15 minutes, 45 minutes weights<br />
Wednesday: Ran 4 miles<br />
Thursday: The plan today in 2 mile speed workout, 45 minutes weights<br />
Friday: Victoria's Power Yoga class<br />
Saturday: Long Run (weather permitting), Weights<br />
Sunday: Power Yoga or Rest Day<br />
<br />
Lunches:<br />
<br />
So its winter. And I am freezing. Here have been my two go to lunches since winter hit:<br />
<br />
<strong>Hummus Day:</strong><br />
<br />
Wrap with Hummus, Hot Sauce, Chia Seeds, Broccoli Slaw, heated.<br />
With<br />
Spinach and Mushrooms, heated till wilted then tossed with red wine vinegar and pepper<br />
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<strong>Soup Day:</strong><br />
<br />
1 Can Health Valley Organic Low Calorie Soup...here's the deal - this soup is expensive ($3.69 a can or so). But after spending an insane amount of time in the soup aisle this was the only one I could fathom ingesting. Yes, I can make my own soup for less money and I plan on doing so this weekend.<br />
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1 Salad with mixed baby green, snap peas, carrots, vinegar and pepper...there should be an oil or fat source here to help absorb nutrients but I need to hit up the grocery store.<br />
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<strong>Snack:</strong><br />
<br />
These lunches are really light on calories...I know. Non-veggie calories are only stacking in at 200-250 calories. I have been supplementing with 1-2 hard boiled eggs either as a snack or on my salad, a pear and a banana.LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-67263793785143853662011-01-03T13:10:00.000-05:002011-01-03T13:10:56.152-05:00Fresh StartI think that it is safe to say that the end of 2010 went by in a blur. Even though I was not posting regularly, you all should know that to prepare for the holiday eating festivities, I went back on Weight Watchers, joined a third gym and amped up my weight lifting routine to 3 days a week...which resulted in an 11 pound weight loss between Thanksgiving and Christmas.<br />
<br />
Yes, really.<br />
<br />
Which leaves me in a unique position - I am actually at my 'healthy' point at the start of the new year - YeeHaw!!<br />
<br />
So what are my resolutions? In no particular order, they are as follows:<br />
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1) Run a good Foxborough Old Fashioned 10 Miler. You all know that I detest this race. You should also know that I am 2 weeks behind on my training schedule. Which means there are lots of miles to pile on.<br />
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2) Post to this blog at least 2-3 times a week. This blog keeps me honest. Which reminds me, does anyone have an interest in my 'tweeting' my workouts or possibly my food intake? Please let me know.<br />
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3) Figure out how to practice yoga regularly. My yoga practice basically went to hell the few weeks before Christmas. I have not even been to a class in weeks. And yes, I totally feel it. I was fortunate enough to reconnect with my home practice last week. I am hoping to find a balance with my home practice and my studio practice. In fact, finding this balance may be my Number 1 priority.<br />
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4) Weight lift 3 times a week. No further commentary necessary.<br />
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With an eye toward these resolutions, here is how I think the following week should shake out:<br />
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Monday (today) - Weight Lift after work<br />
Tuesday - 4 Mile Run, 90 minutes gentle yoga<br />
Wednesday - 15 minutes speed work, Weight Lifting...20 minutes lunar flow yoga home practice<br />
Thursday - 5 Mile tempo run...20-60 minute home yoga practice<br />
Friday - Noontime Power Yoga <br />
Saturday - 7 Mile run, Weight Lifting<br />
Sunday - Power Yoga (optional)LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-61581914270424138972010-12-13T13:11:00.000-05:002010-12-13T13:11:14.259-05:00Whats New?So after a full week of no blogging, I owe you girls and guys an update! Like everyone else, I have been consumed in Holiday stuff and endless work deadlines and obligations that tend to come at the end of the year. So in a brief recap, here is what you have missed!<br />
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<strong>A week ago Saturday:</strong> Power yoga<br />
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<strong>A week ago Sunday:</strong> Jingle Jaunt 5K. Froze my butt off. Got a sucky time despite running super hard due to a bottleneck effect at the start.<br />
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<strong>Last Monday:</strong> Ran a warm-up mile and lifted weights. I have also developed a new weight lifting plan - details to follow! No yoga - heat broken in studio - BUMMER!<br />
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<strong>Last Tuesday:</strong> 4 Mile speed run on the treadmill. Torture in the best sense. Still no yoga!!<br />
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<strong>Last Wednesday:</strong> No cardio but an hour long weight workout. Yoga studio up and running and I was the only student Wednesday night!! I requested a mix of power and restorative yoga and got exactly what I was looking for...ahhhh.<br />
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<strong>Last Thursday:</strong> Rest Day (planned - client lunch)<br />
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<strong>Last Friday:</strong> Rest Day (unintentional - got stuck at the office)<br />
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<strong>This past Saturday: </strong>'Long run' with Meri. I use the phrase long veeerrrrrrrry loosely. 45 minutes of weight lifting in the afternoon.<br />
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<strong>This past Sunday: </strong> 3 mile run<br />
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Today I have planned a 1 mile warm-up followed by weight lifting and yoga tonight. I am a bit stressed about yoga. Cash is tight right now but the studio is calling...we shall see blogfans, we shall see.LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-14977099105912594722010-12-06T20:10:00.002-05:002010-12-06T20:10:18.919-05:00Bonus PostInteresting little article on <a href="http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/06/mindfulness-as-good-as-antidepressant-drugs-study-says/?hpt=Sbin">Meditation v. Medication</a>.LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-75794414137934934832010-12-03T09:33:00.000-05:002010-12-03T09:33:19.854-05:00Calories BurnedAfter a conversation I had this morning, I decided to 'give' you all some tools for determining the calories burned in your activities. One is <a href="http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/activity/calculators/power_yoga">this calculator</a> from Glamour.com, which I fully admit is not an exercise expert. But I like this calculator. Here <a href="http://www.self.com/calculatorsprograms/calculators/caloriesburned/yoga/result?weightPounds=150&duration=90&activity=&met=6.7&submit=">is one from</a> Self Magazine. Here is <a href="http://www.my-calorie-counter.com/Activity_Calorie_Calculator.asp">another on</a> from my.calorie.counter.com...I don't find this one as easy to use, but its helpful to note that the results are similar. There are a million calorie calculators out there and the results vary ... which I think is natural since everyones efforts vary - Think of it this way - the harder you work, the bigger the payoff.<br />
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Now, when looking at the calories burned, I want you all to keep in mind that muscle building exercises such as weight lifting (and to an extent yoga) may have a lower 'burn'; however, muscle building stokes your metabolism, leading to more of a 'burn' over the course of a day.<br />
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Here are some examples for a 150 pound person:<br />
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<strong>"Yoga"</strong> (90 minutes) which I assume to mean Hatha or Gentle Yoga: About <strong>268 calories</strong><br />
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<strong>Weight Lifting</strong> (45 minutes) Vigorous Effort: About <strong>321 calories</strong><br />
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<strong>Stationary Bike</strong> (60 minutes) Moderate Effort: About <strong>500 calories</strong><br />
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<strong>Swimming</strong> (60 minutes) Moderate Effort: About <strong>500 calories</strong><br />
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<strong>Rowing</strong> (60 minutes) Moderate Effort: About <strong>500 calories</strong><br />
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<strong>Running</strong> (60 minutes) at 10 minute miles: About <strong>714 calories</strong><br />
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<strong>Jumping Rope</strong> (60 minutes...god help you) Moderate Effort: About <strong>714 calories</strong><br />
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<strong>Power Yoga</strong> (90 minutes): About <strong>718 calories</strong><br />
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<strong>Swimming</strong> (60 minutes) Vigorous Effort: About <strong>785 calories</strong>LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-70767233761293451002010-12-01T09:24:00.000-05:002010-12-01T09:24:12.750-05:00Surviving WinterIf you are anything like me, winter can get you down. Way Down. Like bottom of the barell, there is no meaning to life, everything sucks down. I hear this has something to do with the lack of sunlight - and I believe that to be totally true. For me, it also has to do with being cold. I hate being cold...and I am cold pretty much constantly in the winter. <br />
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So if there a point to that suck-fest rant? Of course! Here is a list of ways to beat the winter blues...or grays, as it often feels:<br />
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1) Eat or drink something citrus. Yup, I am talking clementines but also maybe lemon or lime in your water...or how about some lemon tea? The burst of citrus will wake up your senses and also remind you of happy, sunny times.<br />
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2) Get moving. You knew that was coming, right? Winter often makes us want to hole up where its warm and not move, but getting in some kind of exercise will make you feel better and, in the end, warm you up a bit.<br />
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3) Think warm veggies. Its winter and a cold salad is hardly appealing but that is no reason to skip your veggies. At lunch you can have a (low sodium?) veggie soup, you can microwave some frozen veggies, you can zap up some spinach and make a warm spinach and (insert protein here) wrap. Whatever - just eat them. The vitamins will make you happy.<br />
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4) Go to a heated yoga class. It is warm there and your soul will be happy.<br />
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5) If its sunny, get outside. Now, if you are locked in an office with no windows, you may not get to see if there is sun. Check weather.com - they'll tell you when to expect some sun. Once you find some sun, bundle up and get in it. Take a wake. Drink a coffee or tea outside. Go for a run if your schedule permits. Just DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT let that sun go to waste. Yay vitamin D!<br />
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I lived in Cleveland, Ohio for a few years and let me tell you, the thing I missed most about New England (other than shellfish) was the lack of sun in the winter. Lake effect winters suck - gray, gray, gray with more gray. Here is New England we are fortunate enough to often have sparkly sun afternoons - try and take advantage!<br />
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If you all have any beat-the-winter-blahs tips, I'd love to hear them!LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-9751794460550856622010-11-29T09:54:00.000-05:002010-11-29T09:54:10.096-05:00ThankfulHi All! I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving - for me, Thanksgiving this year was perfect...but it certainly wasn't shaping up that way!<br />
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Flashback to last Tuesday around 3:00pm. Me sitting at my desk making big mental plans involving just how many brussel sprouts I could eat come Thursday. Suddenly my throat tightens and gets a little scratchy. Huh - weird. I decide to solve that particular discomfort by getting my gazzilionth cup of coffee that day - because nothing soothes a throat like acidity! <br />
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4:00pm. No good. Entering "Where the hell did this sore throat come from" territory.<br />
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4:30pm. Panic. A little fuzzy in the head.<br />
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5:00pm. Actually fall asleep at desk from fuzzy-headed-ness.<br />
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6:10pm. At home explaining to Bill that I simply cannot go to yoga - I feel like crap and just need to lay down.<br />
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6:12pm. Bill telling my that yoga will make me feel better - it always does.<br />
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7:58pm. Me laying in savasana at the end of yoga class wanting to cry my throat hurts so bad everytime I breathe in.<br />
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Wednesday 3:30am. Wide awake with burning throat. Haven't slept a wink. Get up to find medicine.<br />
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5:00am. Get up - not sleeping anyway.<br />
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7:00am. Invade CVS for Dayquil and Vitamin C.<br />
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7:45am-4:30pm. Sit at desk, pray for work to be over. <br />
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6:00pm. Thank the Dayquil gods that I am still standing, make broccoli casserole, stuffed dates and cranberry pie.<br />
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Thursday 6:45am. Up before the alarm because I can't breathe. Take a miracle cocktail of coffee, Dayquil, Vitamin-C and a banana. Pull on race clothes and pack yoga clothes. Fumble to the car in 29 degree weather.<br />
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8:00am - Race time! By now I am so hopped up on meds and Thanksgiving-ness that I am ready to run! Do not be confused, I did not feel great but a race is a race is a race. And the Tiger Turkey Chase is my favorite race!<br />
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8:01am-8:50am - Ran a great race! Meri and Chrissy, for reasons I do not know, decided to hang with me for the first 4 miles of the race. We pulled off solid 9:40s-9:50s for those miles. They took off in the last mile but I kept up reasonably well, finishing only 20 seconds behind for a 49 minute and change finish - almost tying my best time on this course and hitting my goal time for 9:40ish pace. WooHoo. <br />
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9:00am. Eat a banana. Suck on inhaler. Go to yoga.<br />
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9:30am. Down dog.<br />
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10:30am. Way pleased with myself for pulling out a great yoga practice. Seriously, I actually participated in most of the power class - no problem. <br />
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12:00pm-5:00pm. Fantastic Thanksgiving with friends and family!!! Happy to be warm and fed, thankful for a body that can run and stretch. <br />
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Friday 3:00am. Wake-up, Coffee, Dayquil, Vitamin-C. Shop, Shop, Shop!!!LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-84231145354142293002010-11-23T12:30:00.000-05:002010-11-23T12:30:40.193-05:00Thanksgiving FestivitiesHi! Remeber me? I'm the girl who used to write this blog...way back last week or so! I am finally <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(computer)</span> virus free and ready to rock and roll.<br />
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So here is what you have missed - a spattering of yoga and a great 7 mile run. I have been doing what I can to fit in miles in preparation for the Tiger Turley Chase 5 Miler - my all-time favorite race!<br />
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I also have really exciting yoga news - <a href="http://www.revelationyoga.net/">Revelation Yoga</a> has a limited Thanksgiving schedule, one of which is a Power Yoga class at 9am on Thanksgiving. <br />
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Now, I know what you are thinking: 1) there is no way I can run the Tiger Turkey Chase and make it to yoga on time; and 2) I am going to die if I try to get through a power class immediatly after a race.<br />
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And Blogfans, how right you are. There is no way I will be on time and there is no way I will make it through a power class. Which leads me to why I love Revelation and Kim so much. Here's how it went down after Gentle Yoga last night:<br />
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<strong>Kim:</strong> Are you coming to Thanksgiving Yoga?<br />
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<strong>Me:</strong> No, I'm running a race that morning and power yoga will kill me.<br />
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<strong>Other Yoga Student A:</strong> Oh, are you running Easton? Me too!<br />
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<strong>Kim:</strong> Wait, wait...[Yoga Student B's Name Here] is running that race! I want to run it too!<br />
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<strong>Other Yoga Student C:</strong> Kim, you'll never make it here in time to teach class.<br />
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<strong>Kim:</strong> I'm always late anyway...I really want to run! Okay, everyone should run the race then come here after...people that run the race can just do a gentle class while I teach power...you all pay for the classes anyway.<br />
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And so the Post-Race-Mixed-Style-Yoga-Class was born. And I could not be more excited!! Seriously, I cannot think of a better day than a good race, a great yoga class and my favorite holiday all combined!LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-61514024806052597072010-11-18T10:35:00.002-05:002010-11-18T10:35:48.240-05:00VirusGuess whose computer has a virus and can't be on the internet for more than 30 seconds at a time? <br />
<br />
Times Up!!LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-64710869829283427722010-11-15T12:25:00.000-05:002010-11-15T12:25:42.721-05:00I'm Still Alive Bonus PostBoy, if the rest of the holiday season is like the past few weeks, I apologize in advance! Things have, as usual, been a little crazy and this blog has suffered. You should be happy to know though that my fitness has only suffered slightly. I have been living it up in the yoga studio (5 classes in 6 days - woot!) and I managed to actually lift some weights, so overall I'm feeling pretty good. And I managed to make all my scheduled runs with the exception of 2 miles though they have been lacking in quality (worst 7 mile run in history). <br />
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Which leads me to one of my favorite sayings - Perfect is the Enemy of Good. Sometimes, if we want to be good at many things (and enjoy them!), we must stop trying to be perfect. <br />
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I like to run. I like to run less when I feel guilty for missing a few miles.<br />
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I love yoga. I like yoga less when I injure my wrist trying to support a perfect posture.<br />
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I like writing this blog. I like it less when I feel guilty for missing a few posts. <br />
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For more on Perfect versus Good, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/11/01/give.up.perfection/index.html?hpt=Sbin">check out this article</a>.LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-74146261279717920582010-11-09T10:39:00.000-05:002010-11-09T10:39:47.018-05:00Yoga Splits (for runners)I think that everyone has been feeling a little bit of the winter blues lately – I know I have! The last two weeks were a bit of a wash – I was living at the dentists and I had a ton of post-work events to attend. I squeezed in a few workouts where I could and did my best to make it to the yoga studio. But alas, last Wednesday I realized that <span style="font-size: x-small;">(with the exception of one class)</span> it had been over a week since I last saw a glimpse of my yoga mat. When I don’t get to the studio, I really feel it…I am talking achy, cranky nastiness. It is an awful thing, this yoga dependency. <br />
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<br />
I had to make some big decisions and, though it did pain me, I skipped a big wine tasting event (for which I had actual tickets) to go to power yoga last Wednesday night…No time like the present right? And it was a FANTASTIC class – I immediately felt better. Thursday was another schedule disaster but I made it to Friday's vinyasa class, I got in <a href="http://runliftchantbreathe.blogspot.com/2010/11/real-run.html">another 6 miles</a> with Meri on Saturday, made it to Sunday's power class AND went to gentle yoga last night. That’s 4 out of the last 6 days and man do I feel a million times better. And tonight, I’m going again…and hopefully Wednesday night. Thursday I am taking the day off because I am so not into yoga/<a href="http://runliftchantbreathe.blogspot.com/2010/07/lifting-aerobics-yoga-sick-stupid.html">step</a>/<a href="http://runliftchantbreathe.blogspot.com/2010/10/tribal-drum-dance-yoga.html">dance</a> class right now, but I have a vacation day Friday and plan on hitting up <a href="http://www.revelationyoga.net/schedule/">Revelation's</a> 2.5 hour yoga block on Friday morning and dragging my butt to power yoga on Saturday. Big yoga plans going on here.<br />
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I know what you are thinking “Wait, isn’t she supposed to be running?” Ah, so very true. And I am, for the most part, entirely on schedule with my training plan. Actually, I was finding that the lack of yoga was hurting my running – these muscles need to be stretched! I could feel my hamstrings, glutes and hips tightening to the point where it was painful. Kim must have had some kind of bizarre sixth sense because on Wednesday she suddenly introduced ‘yoga splits’ to our class. What is a yoga split? It’s a regular old split…except if you can’t do it you prop yourself up on blocks, balls and whatever else you can grab from your mat. These splits – though they kind of suck and hurt – are really working on my hamstrings and hips! In fact, I think all runners should be doing yoga splits…though really, I just think all runners should be doing yoga in general!LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-48136084669924289302010-11-03T13:35:00.001-04:002010-11-03T13:35:58.258-04:00Baby CarrotsYou have heard me ramble on before about how I do not really like baby carrots. And I don't - they taste funny and they are wet. And they appear to last way too long in the refrigerator. Basically, they creep me out.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_VLHK6-5xV-vaQmIkLU6kt7hGFq_vgYQ7xelBbkeSSqmLF7uVHLdyw7ktZW9HOpUx7kPwo_5boHcjUg0HQppZyBECZ176EGzwDBp5fScrxTTU5e4-kQERlj02hsM6UO3rzIjG0fhHZ0/s1600/baby_carrots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_VLHK6-5xV-vaQmIkLU6kt7hGFq_vgYQ7xelBbkeSSqmLF7uVHLdyw7ktZW9HOpUx7kPwo_5boHcjUg0HQppZyBECZ176EGzwDBp5fScrxTTU5e4-kQERlj02hsM6UO3rzIjG0fhHZ0/s320/baby_carrots.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
But alas, they are a cheap, convenient snack and I often resort to them with the basic idea of 'If I'm not hungry enough to eat baby carrots, I am not that hungry.'<br />
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So this week, I am eating baby carrots and I am miserable. I want celery, peppers, apples, pears, grapes, clementines. But baby carrots it is - my budget allows me pretty much one 'snack' fruit or veggie a week.<br />
<br />
I decided, out of sheer boredom, to figure out exactly what a baby carrot is, why it is slimy and why they seem to last forever. Now, I am not going to give you a bunch of links (okay, well, here is <a href="http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/260034">one</a>) - I literally typed the questions into my google search bar and read the first few relevant web pages that came up...this is not a scientific research page people...just a blog by a chick that doesn't like baby carrots but eats them anyway. <br />
<br />
Here's what I found out:<br />
<br />
<strong>What are baby carrots?</strong> Baby carrots are made from big carrots that look too funny to sell in the grocery store, so they make them into baby carrots...or, as I found out, 'baby-cut carrots.' No shocker there - onto the more intriguing stuff.<br />
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<strong>Why the heck are my carrots always wet and slimy?</strong> Okay, this surprised me a little. This is because the manufacturers add water to the bags of baby-cut carrots because...wait for it...people actually prefer their carrots wet. Okay - eeww. And if I am offending the wet carrot lovers of the world, sorry. But really, eewww.<br />
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<strong>And finally, why do they never go bad? </strong> Now, I clearly prefer big, normal carrots but I find that they go rubbery pretty quick. So what is the deal with baby-cut carrots? Why do they last so long? Okay, this took me a little longer to find the answer to and it has me a little skeeved. The carrots are rinsed in a bleach solution to preserve them. Bleach. Okay...so apparently this is perfectly fine and harmless and whatnot. But...<br />
<br />
I think I am officially over bad tasting, slimy, wet bleach carrots forever <span style="font-size: x-small;">(as soon as I finish my current bag)</span>.LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-16401771132430768972010-11-01T12:42:00.000-04:002010-11-01T12:42:51.791-04:00A Real RunIt was a Halloween Weekend Running Miracle. Meri and I had an actual, successful long<span style="font-size: x-small;">(ish)</span> run! <br />
<br />
So lets get some perspective here, okay? If you are new to running, or training for a 5K or some other shorter distance, any miles that you log are fantastic...I do not in any way want to downplay those miles with this post. I can still remember, clear as day, the first time I ran 4 miles. It sucked...until it was done and all I could think was "Holy crap, I'm a runner - I ran 4 miles!!" Those 4 miles were nothing to sneeze, wheeze or cough at.<br />
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Flash forward a ways to when I was training for my first, second and third half marathons. Long runs were 10-13 miles...those are the long runs where, now, I can really pat myself on the back. I have not had a long run of that distance since last January or so. <br />
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For me, there is a certain threshold to cross before real distance training begins...it is the magic 6 mile mark. The first 3 miles of any run suck - it takes at least 3 miles for my legs and head to start working together. Once my body figures out that its running, it begins to cooperate for miles 4 and 5. Those are pretty good miles. But oh to get to mile 6...by mile 6 you are in rhythm...and once you are in that rhythm, miles 7 and 8 feel pretty good. So the threshold is to complete the 6 mile run...then tacking on miles gets a little easier.<br />
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This Saturday morning, Meri and I completed our first 6 mile run in a long, long time. And it was great! We felt like runners again! I still have a hard time calling 6 miles a 'long' run. But I have no trouble calling 7 miles a long run. So here we go miles - I have crossed the threshold - bring it on!LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-84259593241044163412010-10-28T09:26:00.003-04:002010-10-28T13:04:04.099-04:00Chips Can Be Good For You!Okay, so lets be clear...Chips are not usually considered health food. But neither is chocolate and we all pretty much still eat it - in moderation right? That is how I feel about chips. In fact, a lot of Fridays all I have for dinner is Sweet Potato chips and guacamole. Thats all I want and thats what I eat. It is a (high calorie) indulgence. I make myself feel a little better though by choosing all natural chips with few and recognizable ingredients. One of my absolute favorites in the brand <a href="http://www.foodshouldtastegood.com/">Food Should Taste Good</a>. In fact, here are a few pictures from this fall trip to the Long Island Vineyards featuring the Sweet Potato and Olive flavors:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbr_VUvaQZGuSlCZjEsRfW8857R6nxiSwmWYowChg0dD_clBg5Ur9IWSrlZysULadWoxRD1CXIirFSKlXLQkUiDERbO3qD1fvEWEn4FWkBJCVGakTKMbpe5nLi7MCXQkHQPJv0fzJcS0Q/s1600/Lunch+Day+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbr_VUvaQZGuSlCZjEsRfW8857R6nxiSwmWYowChg0dD_clBg5Ur9IWSrlZysULadWoxRD1CXIirFSKlXLQkUiDERbO3qD1fvEWEn4FWkBJCVGakTKMbpe5nLi7MCXQkHQPJv0fzJcS0Q/s400/Lunch+Day+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr83O6wE1fY-WZU2op88lxILr3jSt7eprkZiex1e8bddeY-0Z9tQf7XRb1BQh3GV-41epidJwSgswxtWul9IFwHCV3qpiM7BGlM4UDcLWSWE86ISiWPd762VNHUoZngkZn3E2EMJwIV64/s1600/SP+Chips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr83O6wE1fY-WZU2op88lxILr3jSt7eprkZiex1e8bddeY-0Z9tQf7XRb1BQh3GV-41epidJwSgswxtWul9IFwHCV3qpiM7BGlM4UDcLWSWE86ISiWPd762VNHUoZngkZn3E2EMJwIV64/s400/SP+Chips.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hungry yet? Lucky you! Because right here is a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FoodShouldTasteGood?v=app_163836236969327">link</a> to get a coupon for a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FoodShouldTasteGood?v=app_163836236969327">FREE bag of Food Should Taste Good Chips</a>. WooHoo!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">** FYI, the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FoodShouldTasteGood?v=app_163836236969327">link</a> brings you to Facebook, where you have to "like" the company....I love Food Should Taste Good Chips, so I have no problem with "liking" them on Facebook **</div>LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-65921784674584336892010-10-27T12:26:00.000-04:002010-10-27T12:26:24.071-04:00Still HereHi All - Just a quick post to let you all know that I am still alive. This week has been exceptionally busy, which has resulted in not only missed blog posts but also missed workouts. In fact, with the exception of gentle yoga Monday night, I have had unintentional rest days since Sunday. Eek! The result is that i am cranky, tired and achy. More achy than anything. I am hoping to get a lunch break at some point today and hit the treadmill...I'll let you know how it goes!LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-69963427542504690452010-10-25T09:36:00.002-04:002010-10-25T09:42:20.567-04:00Evolution of Butternut WontonsOkay Blogfans...this weekend I braved (among about a million other events) my very first food blogger event. Now, as I mentioned before, I do not necessarily consider myself a food blogger...I mean, I do not even own a stand mixer, recipe cards or a camera...but my friend <a href="http://poorgirlgourmet.blogspot.com/">Amy</a>, along with <a href="http://www.savoringthethyme.com/">Jennifer</a>, was hosting, so food blogger I was.<br />
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I decided that I was going to have to make something a bit more fancy than a smoothy for this event, so I put on my fall food thinking cap and decided I wanted to make something similar to my summer go-to appetizer of Caprese Salad Skewers. What are Caprese Salad Skewers? Only the easiest appetizer ever that actually looks impressive. Heres what you do:<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Caprese Salad Skewers</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Get:</strong><br />
Mini Mozzarella balls<br />
Mini tomatoes<br />
Fresh Basil Leaves<br />
Long Party Toothpicks<br />
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<strong>Put:</strong> One of each Ingredient on a Long Party Toothpick<br />
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<strong>Mix:</strong><br />
Balsamic Vinegar<br />
Olive Oil<br />
Salt and Pepper to taste<br />
<br />
Present Skewers with Balsamic dipping sauce.<br />
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Easy right? I also do a chicken version of this where I soak the Toothpicks for awhile, skewer the tomatoes and roast the tomato/toothpicks together until the skin on the tomatoes just start to pucker. Then I pan fry or grill some chicken, cut it into bite sized pieces and VERY CAREFULLY (because the tomatoes are delicate) but a piece of chicken on each skewer. Maybe add a piece of basil or something if you want.<br />
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So, I really like those skewers, but they scream summer, not fall, and this was a fall food fest. So, as I was saying a long time ago, I decided to try and make a fall skewer. I decided that each Skewer had to have a cube of roasted butternut, a piece of fried sage and a golden raisin.<br />
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Can you see the problem here? Not only would it be impossible to skewer fried sage without it crumbling everywhere, chances are the butternut would slide right off the skewer. Disaster.<br />
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So I decided that I needed to come up with a different vessel to combine my desired appetizer ingredients. My idea - wonton cups. Now, I had seen this done before and it seemed pretty easy - you just buy wonton wrappers, push the wrappers into a mini muffin tin and bake. So I did that. It was very easy. Next I did the following:<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Butternut Cups</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Bake:</strong> Butternut squash cubes at 450 degrees until browned<br />
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<strong>Fry:</strong> Sage in a little canola oil<br />
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<strong>Combine:</strong> ricotta (or mascarpone...I tried both) with maple flavored agave syrup (I was out of maple syrup)<br />
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<strong>Put:</strong> Some of each plus a few golden raisins in a wonton cup.<br />
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I was pretty pleased with this effort. I made six as practice the weekend before the food fest and called it a day. <br />
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The next night I had a ton leftover wonton wrappers and roasted butternut...so I decided to try my hand out at butternut ravioli. Ready?<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Butternut Ravioli</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Combine:</strong> Roasted Butternut, Ricotta, Chopped Fresh Sage, Tarragon, Pepper, Salt, Cinnamon, Nutmeg to taste (lets call this "Butternut Mixture")<br />
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<strong>Wet:</strong> Each side of a wonton wrapper with water<br />
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<strong>Put:</strong> About a tablespoon of Butternut Mixture in the middle of the Wonton<br />
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<strong>Seal Up:</strong> the Wonton (I did this a variety of ways...just get it done)<br />
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<strong>Put:</strong> Wontons in boiling water until they float to the top (this was about 2 minutes...its fast)<br />
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<strong>Toss:</strong> Wontons in olive oil, garlic and Parmesan cheese (I also tossed in some roasted broccoli)<br />
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These. Were. Awesome. WAY better than the Butternut Cups (which were still good but not awesome).<br />
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I wanted an awesome food blogger recipe. I also wanted a portable, appetizer like food. Thus, the Butternut Wonton was born.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Butternut Wontons</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Roast:</strong> Butternut (I forgot to take a picture of this)<br />
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<strong>Lower:</strong> Oven temp to 350 Degrees<br />
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<strong>Combine:</strong> Ingredients to make Butternut Mixture<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyJ6JvTW2X5NXynK_ciX1DwKNvug4uicku9H1RQi9zqKtV6npjtp1WuP7p5DEgaVW25wbRRVwp548uspivEnxJJp8dwMXlfC_6txPxRLw_kkk6C1QQl_SMRiOuhd5NTZ71hLQ5V3aJ44/s1600/Ingredients.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyJ6JvTW2X5NXynK_ciX1DwKNvug4uicku9H1RQi9zqKtV6npjtp1WuP7p5DEgaVW25wbRRVwp548uspivEnxJJp8dwMXlfC_6txPxRLw_kkk6C1QQl_SMRiOuhd5NTZ71hLQ5V3aJ44/s400/Ingredients.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Wet </strong>the sides of each wonton wrapper and put a little Butternut Mixture in the middle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Seal Up </strong>the Wonton</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5zEwlg5Dly92NfJtYOyAKnwvUUXuwCjAtXNHXb9y0HP7nKWaE5mdQ_THsGExyeYQzjgyM8XLVcKXA15_7hEbRkH6NK0D4V0vgppWhgCO3HAM-HNpmluSRvFJVE4hWsVkO4zAzure9ZE/s1600/Wonton+Folded.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5zEwlg5Dly92NfJtYOyAKnwvUUXuwCjAtXNHXb9y0HP7nKWaE5mdQ_THsGExyeYQzjgyM8XLVcKXA15_7hEbRkH6NK0D4V0vgppWhgCO3HAM-HNpmluSRvFJVE4hWsVkO4zAzure9ZE/s400/Wonton+Folded.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><strong>Oil</strong> or spray cookie sheet <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I actually forgot this step and it was a bit of a mess getting the wontons off the sheet whole...Bill actually saved the day here helping me get the wontons unstuck) </span><br />
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<strong>Dab:</strong> Some egg white onto each Wonton for shine<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (you can totally skip this step)</span><br />
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<strong>Bake</strong> Wontons until crisp - about 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them.<br />
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<strong>Mix:</strong> Mascarpone Cheese with some Maple Agave Nectar or Maple Syrup to taste.<br />
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Serve<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-hmmBkS89MyLozdye5U81PjhQi0XZ-mbrKivEFvBWMcQtt_1CFvvgKhlIK5GtvwRW6I9JsGrgOYcB_oOpyqTDmR3EuWUhVmnH_Vke_ZLR3YzGx-vPVTcCalqZQEGJkwrriPJSjvsAmE/s1600/Platter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-hmmBkS89MyLozdye5U81PjhQi0XZ-mbrKivEFvBWMcQtt_1CFvvgKhlIK5GtvwRW6I9JsGrgOYcB_oOpyqTDmR3EuWUhVmnH_Vke_ZLR3YzGx-vPVTcCalqZQEGJkwrriPJSjvsAmE/s400/Platter.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think it is safe to say that these were a hit at the event. I heard unsolicited comments such as "These are incredible, who made them" and "Seriously, these are addictive...I am going to be thinking about them when I'm on the couch watching tv later."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So feel free to try them out - they are not hard to make just a little time consuming. At the very least, I hope this post has inspired some of you to get in the kitchen and create.</div>LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-91187271330699285442010-10-22T08:46:00.000-04:002010-10-22T08:46:52.381-04:00Bonus Post!<a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=43331">This</a> is a great list of foods to have on hand published by Weight Watchers. I would say that my house has all of these at any given time except the lean ground beef and chicken...though there is usually chicken in the house once or twice a week.<br />
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Also, I have been living on frozen vegetables and chicken sausage this week. Throw a good heap of mixed frozen veggies (I like the Bird's Eye Broccoli Stir-Fry blend) in a pan with a little oil, slice an Al Fresco Chicken Sausage Link up, toss in pan. Season. Cook until done. Easy.<br />
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Here is the link if you didn't catch it above: <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=43331">http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=43331</a>LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-55017998006755319712010-10-21T13:27:00.000-04:002010-10-21T13:27:18.344-04:00Bad YogaAs you are all aware, I am picking up my running mileage in the hopes of racing a solid 10 Miler in February. If you read about running at all - or train - you know a little bit about 'speed work' and 'tempo' runs. Now, as you may have guessed from the title, this is a yoga post NOT a running post, so I am not going to go into the mechanics of speed work or tempo runs, but here is the basic idea...you run faster than normal for set periods of time or distance. Yesterday I did my first tempo run in ... oh ... a year maybe (4.5 miles total, 3 miles at 10K pace). I've also added about 5 miles onto my weekly total the last few weeks.<br />
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Now, these additional miles and single fast run may not seem like a lot, but to tired, hardly running at all legs, it is a lot of extra work. Enter the bad yoga.<br />
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I am amazed that I can practice yoga as much as I do and still wake up with hamstrings so tight I can't reach my toes. Actually, these added miles and workouts are destroying my hamstrings (I also really, really need new sneakers). Two Fridays ago I went to <a href="http://yoginivictoria.wordpress.com/posts/">Victoria's</a> Vinyasa class, then that Sunday I ran 5 miles with Meri and then went immediately to power yoga. The next day I went to a (medium) power class at Revelation....and it was a disaster. My hamstrings and hips were a nightmare and I actually had to pull out of a pigeon pose that I was barely in. The only thing I could come up with was the triple header of power yoga with the 5 Miler in the middle was too much. This past weekend I tried to learn from my mistakes - I went to Victoria's class on Friday, Ran 5.7 with Meri on Saturday then went to power yoga at <a href="http://www.revelationyoga.net/">Revelation</a> on Sunday. The elimination of the Saturday morning long run/yoga double header seemed to work and I had a good run on Monday. All was good. Until yesterday.<br />
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Yesterday I did the previously mentioned tempo run at lunch then went to power yoga at night. Wednesday night power yoga is usually medium hard but for some insane reason Kim was killing us last night. And my legs and mind just could not keep up. I must have fallen out of <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/785">Eagle</a> at least 4 times AND I almost threw up in R<a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/692">evolved Triangle</a> from the combined heat and painful hamstrings.<br />
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Now, I am seeing a pattern here - are you? Longer/harder runs and power yoga apparently do not mix. Which is unfortunate because I do not see that combo going away anytime soon. Eventually the Saturday double headers will have to stop because the long runs will get longer...but the Wednesday quality runs combined with Kim's power class...I may be able to tweak the schedule so they are not combined...or I can hope that I get stronger. We shall see.LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-92083028467855290242010-10-19T13:11:00.000-04:002010-10-19T13:11:15.156-04:00Training ScheduleI have to tell you, it feels great to be back on a training schedule. For me, running with a focus or a goal is so much more productive. I like to have a plan and, essentially, a training schedule is nothing more than a running plan.<br />
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So whats so great about a training schedule? <br />
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Well, for one, it tells you that you have to run. Unless I actually have to make a certain amount of miles, I'll just squeeze in a run here and there. A training schedule says "You have to run 3 miles on Monday, 5 Miles on Wednesday, 3 Miles on Thursday and 6 Miles on Saturday." I love that - Here is your plan, go do it!<br />
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The more often you run, the better your runs feel. Granted, there will still be bad run days. But in general, your legs, lungs and mind will get used to the miles as you gradually pile them on. Having good runs is way worth the extra miles. <br />
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The other thing about being on a training schedule - it forces you to re-prioritize. Now, maybe you think that that is a bad thing...but really, its not. I think a shake up to the schedule is good - it keeps things exciting and forces you to change your routine. The downside here is that, when you re-prioritize, something usually looses its rank on the top of the pile.<br />
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So here it is, I have had to re-prioritize my workout schedule to fit in all of the runs. I was contemplating taking spin classes, but that idea is shot. The other thing that is losing its rank is weight lifting. Now, do not freak out. Really, relax. I am still lifting weights. For the time being, I am still following New Rules two days a week. BUT come Christmas time, I am only going to have an hour and a half per week to devote to lifting - an hour Tuesday and a half hour on Thursday. This is necessary in order to fit in a few miles and weight lifting at lunch on Thursdays. Some sacrifices have to be made. I am not overly concerned with this change in schedule as I generally go to Power Yoga 3 times a week, which is 60-90 minutes of supporting your own body weight, which is a weight lifting routine all of its own.<br />
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So there you have it. The new schedule will be running 4-5 days a week, lifting 1-2 days a week and yoga 5-7 times a week (schedule permitting). LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-66232738137350106622010-10-18T13:16:00.000-04:002010-10-18T13:16:24.393-04:00Yoga ChampionshipsThis Saturday was the New England Yoga Championships. I went into the Championships a little hesitant...I wasn't sure what to expect exactly. I was afraid it would cheapen the art of practice, that it would destroy the art of staying on your mat, of calming your mind. I am happy to report that the Championships in no way hurt yoga and in fact, I am glad I went.<br />
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The Championships did not feel competitive at all. Here is the deal - though there are certainly talented yogi/nis in the Championship, there are also competitors who are doing it for themselves. There was one woman who previously had back surgery for three herniated discs and, through yoga, had managed her back pain and had gotten completely off pain killers. She was competing because she could, because she was thankful for yoga. There were numerous competitors that were clearly there for themselves - not to prove that they are better than anyone else, but to challenge themselves. In fact, it is encouraged for yogi/nis of all levels to compete, to get on stage and challenge themselves. There were some super yoginis up there, yes. But there was also an array of body types and personalities. As far as 'sports' and 'chamionships' go, it made me proud to be a yogini.<br />
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With that said, some pictures complements of Steven Schwartz Photography: <a href="http://stevenschwartz.smugmug.com/event/YOGA-NERYAC">http://stevenschwartz.smugmug.com/event/YOGA-NERYAC</a>LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111248519546705917.post-52037916087887373512010-10-15T10:59:00.002-04:002010-10-15T10:59:43.363-04:00Be Careful Bonus PostThis is a <a href="http://www.thefrontburnerblog.com/2010/10/black-and-blue.html">link</a> to a blog I read daily, written by a very experienced runner...who was hit by a car yesterday crossing her street. Just a reminder to be careful out there - running, walking AND driving. LKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345419202683382948noreply@blogger.com0