A Nearly Perfect Day

I know I’m late with this one, but man Saturday was a great day.  We’ve been hitting the 60s on a weekly basis here in Denver which is just in time for my longer outside training runs.  Allow me to explain my perfect day…

Solid breakfast.  Looks pretty in the picture, was stirred into a huge mess shortly after.  FYI, greek yogurt works well as a pre-run meal!

Long run in the gorgeous Colorado sunshine.

Stretch. Ice Bath. Curse and grit teeth while taking ice bath. Coconut Water.

Iced Coffee.  Nothing says springtime like my beloved iced beverage of choice!

After getting cleaned up, I went for happy hour early dinner with some friends to an amazing new-to-me restaurant called Highland Tap & Burger which I would highly recommend!!  I got the Shrooms Luva and this beauty of a beer flight:

Why pick one beer when you can taste four?

This week in training:

• M: 3 miles easy
• T: 6 miles done outside–not normal for a weekday, but it’s finally starting to stay lighter LONGER!
• W: Strength + Stretching
• Th: 3 miles (400 repeats)
• F: Off
• S: 12 miles long
• Su: Yoga + Strength

I’m looking forward to a fun day at work tomorrow followed by the Colorado Dietetics Association conference Friday and Saturday.  Next week I will be finishing up my Food Service Management rotation and then heading south to visit the boyfriend for a long weekend!!

Cheers to Thursday?

Girl’s Weekend 2012

Another one in the books! The 15th Annual Girl’s Weekend in Minneapolis was a success like always.  It is honestly one of my favorite weekends of the entire year.  I didn’t get photos of all of my amazing food and drink, but here is a sampling…

Sushi from Crave (located in the Mall of America).  This is becoming a favorite stop for us!  I highly recommend the Mexican Roll, the Crunchy Roll, and the Sumo Roll.  Cocktails are also a must with lunch–just because we can.

Beef short ribs with a Yukon mash and some sauteed veggies.  This was my dinner theater selection and it did not disappoint!  Better than the food was the wine.  There was no shortage of red wine… If I could remember the name I would share, but unfortunately I was too wrapped up in the play to write it down… I’m sure Sue will remember, so I’ll have to ask!

Cereal!!! Ahh I never have cereal anymore.  It is such a nice treat to be a visitor.  I think there is Corn Pops, Kix and Granola in there somewhere.  My aunt has a flux of grandkids going in and out of her house, so she has all of the good stuff.   Along with some tasty fresh berries! She knows how to make me a happy shopper.

Last but not least… A made-to-order stir fry from a new place cleverly named “Stir Crazy“.  We really enjoyed this place.  Almost like a mongolian grill, but with a line of woks instead of one big flat top.  This is a mixture vegetables and coconut curry sauce (my fave!) and brown rice.  Enough for leftovers, but not conducive for a plane.

I was super sad to say goodbye to my family after such a short and wonderful visit.  I guess I just need to get planning on my next stop home.

In other updates, I got a fantastic 7-miler in early Saturday before shopping went full-force.  I cut my scheduled 10-miles down so I didn’t miss out on any socializing once everyone started waking up.  Worked out perfect because I’m just flip-flopping this weekend!

This week in training:

• Monday: 3 miles easy
• Tuesday: 5 miles tempo (800 repeats)
• Wednesday: easy short run + strength (60 degrees outside, had to!!)
• Thursday: 3 miles speed (400 repeats)
• Friday: OFF
• Saturday: 10 mile long run
• Sunday: Yoga (I missed it last week!) + strength

 

 

 

Random Things I Love.

Soy lattes.

Getting paid through food.

Saturday morning long runs.

Watching The Bachelor on demand at the end of a long work week (although I can’t handle Courtney for much longer…)

Great Harvest bread–I don’t know if I can ever go back to the other stuff.

Getting magazines in the mail.

Fresh fruit bowls (reminds me of summer!!)

Going to the movies and hot yoga on Sunday afternoon.

President’s Day weekend!! (i.e. Vacation)

 

9 miles tomorrow–>wish me luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet potato fries.

I LOVE them! Can’t even remember the last time I actually cut them into fry shapes but it makes a huge difference because they get crispier.  And yes, potatoes will take forever to cook UNLESS you microwave them for 5ish minutes and then finish them off under the broiler.  I coated these with olive oil, salt, and cayenne pepper and them turned out great!  With a sunshine burger and some kiwis on the side.

This morning’s breakfast was light and substantial because I know I’ll be feasting on chips and dip throughout the day…

And I just now finished off a smoothie as well.  The sun is shining again and the snow is starting to melt, wah hoo!

I made artichoke dip and I cannot wait to taste it!!

Life is good

Can we just talk about how wonderful weekends are?  Oatmeal made on the stove top is so much better than microwave (although I still like those too!).

This bowl was so good.  I used 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 1/3 cup each of milk and water, 1/2 banana, cinnamon and salt for the base.  Then I just added some of my favorite granola and Crunch Time on top–voila! Enjoyed while watching E! News Weekend and drinking green tea.

Sometimes I think my life is so hard… But on days like this when I wake up in a warm house, eat a delicious breakfast and relax on the couch with no worries, I feel lucky for what I have

Speaking of getting lucky, I had an un-pictured steak taco with chips and salsa for dinner last night  along with this lovely piece of tiramisu when I got home…

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love my roommates.

The snow is finally starting to calm down a little bit and I think I even see some sun outside!  I have a 5-mile run on the schedule (looks like the treadmill, unfortunately) along with a stop at the library and grocery store.

My cousin Sue sent me an artichoke dip recipe awhile back that I have been wanting to make forever!  I figured the big game tomorrow was the perfect occasion so I’ll need to stock up on supplies for that.  I love the Superbowl!!!

 

An unexpected 3-day weekend

SNOW DAY!!!! They do indeed exist after college… My favorite part is that it created an unexpected 3-day weekend.  Anyway, I have grand plans for the day off which include:

• Big breakfast
• Catch up on The Bachelor
• Laundry
• Clean Room
• Manicure/Pedicure (much needed)
• Small grocery shop
• Kitchen project–TBD!
• Drink the best margarita in the world at happy hour (hoping the weather doesn’t ruin this plan!)

My big and delicious weekend-style breakfast was french toast.  Cinnamon raisin to be more specific and gosh it was delicious. I put flax seed meal on one side to crisp it up and add some more texture.

That pile of bananas was great too!  I threw some chia seeds and sliced almonds on top for crunch and of course had peanut butter on the side for dipping.  A very filling and nutritious meal to start out the day!

I also wanted to show you one of the peanut butters I’m currently working through.  (Note: I usually have numerous jars on hand. ha!)

I have always been a fan of PB and Co. nut butters (especially the White Chocolate Wonderful and Dark Chocolate Dreams varieties–of course) but I don’t usually buy them since they are pricier and have  added sugar.

Since this one was on sale last week and I needed extra for my granola, I went ahead and picked it up.  I’m happy to report it is really tasty and not too sweet!  A nice change from my typical store-brand natural varieties.

I’m hoping to get out of the house eventually today but the snow is still coming down pretty hard out there!  I may have to get creative with my aforementioned kitchen project…

Be back later!

Do what feels right

Just when I thought winter in Colorado was a dud this year… I found out that this is what the next two days looks like:

(from weather.com)

Keeping my fingers crossed for a two-hour delay at work tomorrow!

My food has been fairly standard the last few days–mostly leftovers and snacks. More lasagna, more enchiladas, more yogurt and granola… you get the idea!

Since I start food service next week, I will getting free meals through the hospital I intern for (woo hoo!).  I’m excited to not pack a lunch for five whole weeks.  Hopefully they have some healthy choices that I’ll be able to show off on the blog.  From what I have seen, hospitals are drastically improving their cafeteria food to cater to patient and employee needs.  I should get some lovely meals!  Oh, and rumor has it that free coffee is also part of the deal… love.  I can’t wait to find out what my theme meal project is.  Because I’m a total geek like that.

My Internship Director made my afternoon with Dove dark chocolate today and I have to say, the message was very uplifting!

A tropical vacation feels very right… along with the following:

• Fitness clothing shopping spree
• Spa-day
• Fancy Valentine’s Day dinner with the boyfriend
• A day of skiing in the mountains
• A really good haircut.

Alas, these things will have to wait until next year.  I’m almost there!!!!