Eating Colorful Foods

Sometimes eating pretty food just makes meal time better. And I know it’s good for you to eat a wide range of colorful veggies. But I didn’t set out for that when I decided to make Thai Chicken Pizzas. Instead, I was trying to think of a way to use up some cilantro I had left and a reason to buy a package of soft pitas from my local discount produce store. I must have had inspiration from some prior Pinterest browsing when I decided that’s what I was going to make. I whipped up a quick chicken in peanut sauce, cut and shredded some veggies, and voila!

Isn’t it pretty?

I layered a whole wheat pita with peanut chicken, a bit of shredded mozzarella, some jalapenos, red peppers, zucchini, carrots and stuck it in the toaster oven to bake. Once everything was warmed through and cooked a bit, I topped it with fresh cilantro. I will definitely be making these again!

Here’s the recipe for the peanut chicken. Have fun playing around adding different types of veggie toppings!

Peanut Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 cooked chicken breast, shredded (mine yielded about 7 ounces)
• 3 tsp seasoned rice vinegar
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup warm water
• Red pepper flakes, to taste

Directions

• Stir together peanut butter in water until it dissolves. Stir in rice vinegar and pepper flakes. Mix in chicken until coated.

Quick-glance nutrition information (from myfitnesspal app)

Servings: 4 (about 3 ounces each) | Calories: 201 | Fat: 12.3 grams | Carbs: 5.5 grams | Protein: 18.7 grams

Another Week, Another Sunday

Earlier today I told my friend how once it gets to Sunday evening evening, I start to feel a bit stressed and depressed. She said she calls it Sunday Night Depression. I think the appropriate Rx for this is a vacation. (Six weeks until cruise time!)

Does anyone else get down on Sunday nights? I’m dreading going back to another tedious work week. But I guess it could be worse. I mean, last week did kind of suck work-wise, but I got through it and only had one really terrible 10.5 hour day. And there were good things about the week.

I went on an outside (!!) run on Sunday. I had a nice power yoga class on Monday. I had a decent run on the treadmill on Friday. I enjoyed some delicious healthy (and colorful! see tomorrow’s post) food. I was challenged (per usual) at my trainer Saturday morning. I treated myself to some gorgeous cupcakes at the farmers market as a reward. (Oops.)

And being able to do all those things means that I do have it pretty good. What the heck – bring it on, Monday.

Rest Day, Not So Restful

Earlier today I was composing a post on my feelings on rest days in my head. Does anyone else do that? Starting writing posts in your head in hopes that you’ll be able to get it all out later when you actually sit down at the computer?

Anyway, a 10.5 hour workday happened and I guess I’ll attempt to recreate my thoughts on rest days another time. The stress of the day pushed a lot of my ideas out of my head.

The stress of the day also kind of had me yearning for a workout. a long run, even a leisurely walk. Even though my body has been feeling pretty tired of lack of rest days…

Oh well. Time to get ready for bed because tomorrow could be another rough one. And it’s not a rest day! Good night, everyone.

Oatmeal Banana Pie!

Okay, so it really is baked oatmeal. But since it was Pi Day over the weekend and I wanted to use my pretty pie dish, I’m calling it oatmeal pie. I’ve been seeing baked oatmeal recipes on Pinterest and decided it was time to try one. I’m glad I did. This was an easy, healthy and special breakfast.

A healthy breakfast treat

Ingredients:

• 3 bananas, mashed (I used smaller bananas and ended up with about 285 grams)
• 1 cup fat free milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1.5 cups quick oats
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tbs chopped pecans
• A few dashes cinnamon

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spray an 8 x 8 baking dish or pie pan with cooking spray.
• Mix mashed bananas, milk, egg and vanilla.
• Add oats, baking powder. baking soda, cinnamon and nuts. Mix well and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Pour into baking dish and bake for about 40 minutes, until center is set and edges are browned.

I topped this with a drizzle of maple syrup because it needed a little more sweetness. I think if my bananas were riper or if I had used bigger ones, it might have balanced it out a bit more. But the maple syrup was an extra nice treat!

Quick-glance nutrition information (from myfitnesspal app)

Servings: 4 | Calories: 241 | Fat: 6.1 grams | Carbs: 39.8 grams | Protein: 8.4 grams

Source: http://www.southerninlaw.com/2014/03/healthy-banana-bread-baked-oatmeal-recipe.html

Run Run Run

Sometimes I surprise myself.

For example, I got in two outside runs this weekend! Two! I did 4.25 miles after work on Friday, and it felt pretty good. The bigger hills were rough, but I managed them. Then this morning, I woke up and checked the weather – it sounded cold and gross out – and decided that it should be a gym day. Well, I walked out to my car and thought, hey, it’s not so bad out. The birds were chirping, and it was just a bit brisk. So I turned around, went back inside to throw another layer on and went back out and ran 3.3 miles.

It was a little colder than I thought, once I got away from the protection of the buildings. But being outside felt so much better than pounding away on the treadmill.It’s kind of amazing to me that I actually like running now. My whole life I thought I hated it. Not that I had ever even tried it. I didn’t run the mile once during gym class when I was in school.

I’ve come a long way. And getting those runs in this weekend made me feel good.

Here’s some other things that made me feel good this past week:

• Eating some yummy spring rolls that my friend made
• Eating pho for the first time!
• Finally having a good weigh in at the trainer (despite all the eating this week)
• Getting my bonus!
• Splurging on a couple new outfits
• Having lady time with friends and trying a yummy flatbread pizza restaurant
• Enjoying some downtime this weekend
• Trying some new recipes and having them turn out well

LOL of the Day

I think I recently came out as a cat lady… so yeah…

Source: Pinterest

Happy Friday the 13th!

Thoughts On Dating

Or, why I’m always single.

I’m just going to put it out there. I really don’t like dating. I worry that there’s something wrong with me. That people think I’m weird. That they whisper behind my back because they notice I’ve been chronically single for years now.

In fact, I haven’t dated since I started on my fitness journey. And dating was part of the reason I was feeling so miserable prior to this journey. Around that time, I had gone off the pill (I had been on it for so long, I wanted to see how I would feel off of it). Well, my sex drive came back in rage and I was going after men hardcore. Internet dates, trying to pick up guys in bars. I didn’t like the way the men were treating me, or the way I was treating them. My brain battled against my body for what I really wanted. I ended up going back on the pill after six months.

During that time though, I wasn’t happy going out on internet dates. It was too much work. I felt too busy. It took away from my “me” time. And to top it all off, it’s really hard to get excited over someone you’ve met online.

What happened to meeting someone and having a slow excitement about them grow as you get to know them? You build a foundation as friends and feel that tickle that there could be something more. That warm rush when you run into them unexpectedly. All those wonderful/terrible feelings of wondering if they’re feeling the same way. And then that feeling of happiness when you finally connect on that level.

All of that is lost with internet dating. Internet dating is forced. All those messages back and forth create a false sense of getting to know someone. On a first date, I don’t want a hug hello from a stranger. A nice handshake is fine by me. We’ve just met! But I’ve heard that guys think it’s weird when a girl offers a handshake over a hug. On the same note, the guys always go in for a goodbye kiss. To me, even if I’ve enjoyed your company, you’re still a stranger and I don’t want to kiss you yet. I want to go home and think about the last few hours and see if I think you have potential. Or if I am willing to spend more of my precious free time with you on a second date at least.

Most guys don’t get second dates. I’ve been called the wrong name. I’ve been borderline mauled (even after saying “no”). I’ve had guys look nothing like their pictures. I’ve met very nice guys that I’ve felt no sense of attraction to. I’ve had guys I haven’t even met yet messaging me about their morning wood. I’ve had guys go off on me because I want to meet them in a public place first (when they kept suggesting we cuddle on the couch). I’ve had guys severely hurt my self esteem by stopping messaging me after asking for a more close up picture.

And if that’s what I have to put up with, I’m okay being single.

In fact, most of the time I don’t mind being single. I’m fairly independent. I like having my alone time. I keep busy with friends and hobbies. I like taking care of my home. I have my cats for company.

I wasn’t raised with the mindset that one day I was going to get married. My parents talked about me getting an education and a job. Never a husband. Perhaps because they were divorced they didn’t focus on marriage so much.

I also don’t know if I want kids. I feel like I don’t, but so many people have told me that I’m going to change my mind that I partially believe them. But I also don’t feel my biological clock driving me to find a mate.

Yes, I do think about how nice it would be to have a companion. I read an article this morning on the most romantic places in the South. And I wanted to visit them. I imagined visiting some of those places with a man I love. I even imagined doing it with a man I used to (maybe still do a bit) love. I wish I had someone to run races with me. I miss being held. It would be nice to have someone handy around.

But none of that is enough for me to actively seek out a relationship. I think because the only way I know how is through the internet. How else do people meet in today’s world? At work, I feel like a number. I’m not the type of girl that gets approached by men often either. I’m a bit shy.

Mostly I think that the next one will be the “right” one and we’ll meet when we’re supposed to meet. Isn’t that how it tends to work anyway?

Healthy Bowl Recipes

I came across this Fitness Magazine article while browsing Pinterest and was instantly intrigued. Healthy Bowl Recipes for dinner.  That sounds really easy and actually kind of fun! I think they know just how to hook you because I probably wouldn’t have been as excited if everything was neatly portioned out on a plate. But mixed together in a bowl? Now that caught my interest.

I’ve been craving steak and Mexican, so I thought I’d do some Mexican Steak Fajita Bowls! Other than accidentally overcooking my steak, they came out really good.

Here’s what I put in each bowl:

• Steak (obviously)
• Quinoa
• Black beans doctored up with some spices
• A little bit of corn (it was in the freezer and I love it)
• Sauteed onions and peppers
• A fresh salsa made from chopped tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice and a little salt

It was something easy and different. And you can customize them based on what you’re craving or your eating style. And all the protein in this kept my full for a while!

Have you tried anything like this yourself? What other combinations are good?

Social Butterfly

It was another busy weekend. I had social events all three nights. Which meant the healthy eating plan went out the window. I really need to figure out how to work on moderation in social situations. This is especially important because…

I booked a cruise in May for my (and 4 of my high school friends’) dirty 30! With an unlimited beverage package.

I’m excited. But also a little terrified of a potential week of gluttony. I plan to bring exercise clothes to use the ship’s fitness center. But what if I’m too hungover every morning? Or too tired? And at the same time I also want to enjoy my vacation. Not stress about what I’m eating and drinking.

So how do I train myself that when I don’t have my day’s meals and snacks laid out for me (planned out the night before in MyFitnessPal), I don’t go completely overboard (LOL cruise pun) with what I eat?

I don’t have the answer tonight. I’m going to work on finding it in the next two months though.

Right now, I’m tired and cranky. And full. My glutes hurt a ton from pistol squats and I can’t believe it’s already after 8 pm.

I want my hour back.

Excitement and Changes

Isn’t it funny how the smallest change can make you feel so many things? I got a hair cut last night. I’ve been wearing my hair the same, kind of blah way, for a while and I wanted to do something different so I had layers put back in. I love the sides but I’m not positive on the length in the back yet. The good news there is that I can always have the length chopped off so it’s not so rounded.

Not mullet-y, right?

What do you think? It’s making me feel pretty, nervous (can I style it the same way myself?) and unsure (probably about styling it, maybe about other people’s reactions). And it’s just a haircut!

I’m just going to try to just rock it at work today.

Now on the excitement. My friends and I have been trying to plan a 30th birthday trip this year for months. We’ve finally decided on something. I woke up to rates from my travel agent this morning. I am super excited, but part of me is worried that this could all still fall through. Keep your fingers crossed for us! It’s been a while since I’ve gone on a big vacation like this.