Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

Green Tea Spinach Smoothie

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Random thought of the day:

I read a study once (no idea who it was by) that claimed the 1st stall in the restroom is the one used least frequently.

Naturally, I began always using the first stall.  Less frequent usage = increased likelihood the stall will be clean-ish.

Yesterday I realized the study can’t possibly apply at my office.  Every time I go in the bathroom that stall is occupied!

I’m proposing a new hypthosis: the middle stall is the one used least often.  Particularly in a 3-holer where the last stall is the #2 handicapped stall.

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Back to your regular scheduled programming.  Please don’t make any connections to my restroom observations and the green smoothie.

Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit posted a Green Energy Smoothie at just the right time for me.  I felt like I didn’t get enough “good for you” greens this weekend.  A green drink is just what I need to replenish.

I made my own version with what I had.  I would have loved to add some ginger too, but I’m all out.

The best part?  No juicer required!  I did it all in my Magic Bullet. 🙂

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Green Tea Spinach Smoothie

  • 1/2 cucumber, peeled and sliced
  • 1 C spinach
  • 1/8 C cilantro
  • 1/4 C unsweetened apple sauce
  • 1 C kombucha green tea, brewed and chilled
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice

Blend and enjoy!

***

It’s going to be a green week after my farmer’s market run.  Next up: kale!

Do you make random observations about things that probably don’t matter?

How would you customize this green drink?  I think red zinger tea would be fantastic in it too!

Tasting, Tasting 1-2

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Saturday and Sunday I visited the tasting tents at the Food and Wine Festival.  I miiiight have snuck in Saturday… shhhh!

The gates of heaven

The food was all good, but I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t more variety.

There’s only so much fried chicken and BBQ I can consume.

Indian-Spiced Fried Chicken and Waffles = worth it

An exception to the “too much fried” rule is the above Indian-Spiced Fried Chicken and Waffles by Asha Gomez of Spice Route Supper Club.  I have GOT to check out one of her events ASAP.  Rumor has it she may be looking for a restaurant space…

Celeb Highlight: I got to meet Chef Norman Van Aken (the father of fusion… I shook his hand!).

Food Highlight: The beer, cheeses, and desserts (duh).

Best beer – New Heaven

The cheese spread (pun intended)

Coming to Whole Foods ATL soon!

I wish I’d done a better job remembering to photograph… there’s was just so much to eat! 🙂

My favorites beer/cheese/dessert:

  • Wild Heaven Craft Beers – I’d had these before, but Invocation and Ode to Mercy are the two brews offered by this new Decatur, GA-based brewery.  If you find them, drink them immediately.  It’s the best new beer I’ve tasted in a long time.
  • Sweet Grass Dairy’s Truffled Chevre – Decadently delicious.  There’s no other way to describe this.  Need proof?  They are complete OUT for the season.  🙁
  • The Hungry Peach’s Peach Cobbler Cupcake – Moist, flavorful, light… dignity is the only thing that kept me from devouring their whole display
  • High Road Craft Ice Cream – Every flavor was good (I shamelessly sampled everything), but if I had to cheese I’d say don’t miss the Caffeine Cacao and the French Toast (JUST like your mamma’s… in ice cream-form).  Good news for Georgian’s – they are coming soon to Whole Foods!  #godblesswholefoods

I had a great time hanging out with 2 new friends on Saturday and the Lippy crew on Sunday.  (Nathan’s wife, Chelsee = coolest chick ever.)

Me and Nathan Lippy. Our hair matches a little.

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If you ever wonder if your “clean” way of eating really makes a difference, eat like I did all weekend.  Monday I woke up feeling like crap.  Too.  Much.  Rich.  Food.

I seriously almost hurled during the flight to my client meeting.

At least it was better than it would have been: I ran 5 miles Saturday morning, took an hour walk that afternoon, played 2 ball games Sunday morning, and then ran 3.5 miles.  I should re-name this blog Run-Eat-Repeat. 🙂

I’m trying to mini-detox this week.  It’s not working so well since I’ve been traveling, but I’m definitely eating much cleaner than I did this weekend!  Monday I drank my breakfast (not in a noon-game tailgating way) before rushing to the airport:

Some days, you just need a green smoothie.  This was one of those days.

I did my P90X Ab Ripper X (best ab workout ever, btw), followed by my 75 push-ups (are you doing yours?!).  Then chugged enjoyed this refreshing smoothie.

Mango-Almond Smoothie

  • 1/2 champagne mango
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1 C fresh spinach
  • 1 C unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1 tsp Maca
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • water (adjust to desired consistency)

Put it in a blender.  Pour into glass.  Top with your favorite crunchy treat (I love this low-sugar citrus-granola).  

Drink up!

***

More like what I gorged on this weekend… but whatever… 🙂

Even though we’re already mid-week, this may be a timely discussion question given the upcoming long weekend…

How do you detox after a weekend of indulgence?

Guacamole Shake

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Wayyyy back in February my jaw was freshly broken and I was sad.

I couldn’t run, lift, skate… CHEW.  Every time I moved my mouth, I could feel bones moving.  It was creepy.

Looking back at my posts, I’m kind of proud of myself.  On February 8th, I posted my goal race schedule.  I wanted to do the Tough Mudder (4 weeks post-break!) and 3 5Ks by April 16th.

I tore up that 14.1 mile Tough Mudder March 12, then placed 2nd in my age group and set a PR 2 weeks later in the Miles for Smiles 5K.

Then I ran the Sweetwater 420 5K on April 16th… after walking 4 miles to the start line.

 

The next week I placed 2nd in my age group again and set another PR in the Beat the Street for Little Feet 5K!  24:13 was the official time. 🙂

I can’t believe that less than 4 months after the break, I have run the hardest race of my life (Tough Mudder) and shaved 3-4 mins off of my 5K time.  How cool is that?!

Say what you will, but simply writing down goals has power.  Even if you forget you did it until 4 months later.

I just realized I don’t have another 5K planned… maybe Memorial Day weekend?  Anyone know of a good one?  My May schedule has filled up FAST.

After making that Mexican Oatmeal yesterday in honor of Cinco de Mayo, I decided every meal should involve spice.

And tequila.

Kidding!!!

Lunch really was that scramble though.

A Me-Egg-ican Scramble:

  • Mexican Smartground (leftover from WIAW)
  • Egg whites
  • Shallots
  • Jalapenos
  • Kale
  • Pineapple
  • Salsa
  • Cumin, salt, and pepper

The pineapple was actually good in it!  Think pineapple salsa.

Post-run snack was a protein shake.

Served in a pint glass and in the lovely shade of green.  Like a margarita.

Topped with a crumbled Citrus-Spiked Granola Bar. (It freezes beautifully, btw.)

Guacamole Shake

  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1/4 frozen avocado
  • 1/2 frozen banana
  • 1/2 frozen kale
  • 1/2 C unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder
  • Squeeze of fresh lime
  • water + ice, to taste

Put  it in a blender, blend until smooth, and enjoy the thick, creamy deliciousness.

Then there was dinner.  Grilled cheese night at Souper Jenny!

Jenny usually only opens for lunch and serves up soups, salads, and a couple of cold sandwiches.  Her menu changes daily, so everything is fresh and creative.

Thursday nights she stays open late and features 2 grilled cheese selections.  Tonight was a Cinco de Mayo special: Ham, Avocado and Mango with Monterey Jack on a Jalapeño Cheddar bun.

Grilled panini-style, this was a crispy, gooey Cinco de Mayo win.

So was the fro-yo I chased it with. 🙂

***

Happy Friday!!!

Do you write down your goals?

If so, do you notice a difference in achievement when you physically write them?

Reunited with Green

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This week has been NUTS!

 

I was really glad I had Zucchini-Banana Muffins in the freezer for breakfast this morning.

This is how I feel right now

 

D.C. was a great trip though.  My meetings went really well and I had a chance to go running through the Mall Wednesday night with bossman.

If you’re ever in D.C., I highly recommend it.  There’s nothing like seeing a city by way of a good run.  It also makes the run go by more quickly… which I needed.

The Tough Mudder threw my body for a loop.  I’m not so much sore as I am worn out.  My legs feel like bricks.  Spaghetti bricks.

At least I have something to show for it:

Muddy cuts

Random bruising

But damn it feels good to be a gangsta’. 😉

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I really missed green smoothies (and St. Patrick’s Day!) while I was traveling.  File under: things I never thought I’d say.

So here’s my oops-I-missed-St. Patrick’s Day Smoothie of the Day.

I was too excited and almost forgot to take a pic before it was too late!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Smoothie

  • 1 C unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 scoop cookies’n’cream protein powder
  • 1 tsp maca powder
  • 1/3 C pineapple
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 6-8ish almonds
  • huge handful spinach
  • ice/water (to taste)

 

Just what the doctor ordered to feel human again just in time to throw a wedding shower this weekend.

Shower recipes coming Monday soon! (I may need a buffer in order to sleep at some point.)

Worth the wait: mini quiches, fruit + cannoli cream, and my favorite savory cookie recipe.

***

I love entertaining, but I hate the fact that you have to clean house.  It seems ridiculous since you have to clean again post-party.  Let’s start a movement to change expectations!

What’s your best time-saving party-prep secret? 

Do you have a favorite/go-to dish to make for entertaining?


Protein Kitten

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Quick update because I’m excited about two things…

1. I rallied and went running!

Distance: 5.5 miles

Time: 46:02

Pace: 8:37

If anyone is struggling with motivation… just do it.  I feel SO much better.

 

2. The kitten really is my child.

Stevie likes green protein shakes

Stevie’s Recovery Shake

  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1/2 large banana
  • 1 C spinach
  • 1 C unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 T chia seeds
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Shake of salt

(No, I didn’t actually let her have a shake!)

***

Do your pets eat strange things?

I once had a cat that liked salt and vinegar chips.


Smooth Operator

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Day 2 of liquid diet.  

Wasting away to nothing.  Famished.

I kid, I kid.

Still broken.  The whiplash part is worse today and my head is killing me.  And I still look like a swollen Frankenstein-chipmunk:

Exhibit A

But I enjoyed some butternut squash soup with fennel, onions, jalapeños, and Sriracha sauce for lunch. Pureed, of course.

In a moment of psychic planning, I scheduled a photo shoot with Ed Selby last Saturday (the day before I wrecked my face). Ed is an awesome photog.  He sent me an email a few weeks ago asking if he could shoot me.  I was so excited and we set up a time before the season began. Smart, eh?

Below are a few of Ed’s shots.  Pretty awesome, right?  Through the magic of Ed and photoshop, you can’t even see the massive zit I had right between my eyebrows.

The Dr. said that when I feel better I can run and lift weights.  Just no contact sports for a while.

Therefore, I’ve been plotting my body building debut.  Kidding.

What I HAVE been plotting is my race schedule.  I’m revising my 2011 goals to include 1 race a month.

I don’t know if I can stand the pounding enough to effectively train for the Publix Georgia Half in March, but I do really want to run a Half-Marathon again this year.  In preparation, I’m committing to run a race each month beginning March 12th with an adventure race I am already registered for: Tough Mudder.

This is a 10 mile race with obstacles that will have me swinging across a mud pit, walking through fire, and running UP a slippery motorcross slope.  Check out the obstacle map.

It is 4 weeks post-jaw break and it isn’t a contact sport… so I’m good to go!

2 weeks later is the Atlanta Women’s 5K.  That’s more than 1 a month, but I need to make up for January and February. 🙂  All the finishers receive a flower at the end – how sweet is that?!

April 16th I will definitely do a race.  Perfect way to celebrate surviving Tax Day. I was planing on Run the River.  But I just realized that is also the day of the Gerogia Tech Pi Mile (Pi = 3.14… get it?) AND the Sweetwater 420 5K.  The Pi Mile starts at 8a.  The Sweetwater 5K starts at 10a… are you thinking what I’m thinking???

Tonight I am really excited to try the Garbanzo Bean Soup Angela@ Oh She Glows created.

One of the saddest parts about breaking my jaw was the thought of not being able to have hummus.  I could eat it by the spoonful… but people would stare. Angela has solved that problem!

More on that when I make it this evening. 🙂

The smooth creation of the day so far was an Orange Cream Smoothie.

This Orange Cream Smoothies is a glass of creamy, vanilla-orange deliciousness.  Reminiscent of those yummy push-up pops from the ice cream truck. 🙂

Orange Cream Smoothie

  • 1 medium orange
  • 1/4 C Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 C unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1T Twister Power (sprouted omega blend)
  • 1/2 packet of Stevia
  • Big handful of spinach
  • Water + Ice to taste

Throw it in a blender, mix until smooth, and enjoy!

***

Two 5Ks in a day would really only be a 10K with a really long break in the middle…

What races are you planning this year?  

Have you ever done 2 5Ks in a day?

Spicing Up My Smoothie

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Guys.  Oprah is vegan-ish.

Did everyone see Oprah’s vegan episode yesterday?  Everybody and their brother has written about it, so I’ll spare you.  In case you missed it, Angela @ Oh She Glows did a great recap.  You can also watch clips online.

I’d make fun of her… but I realized that I, too, am a vegan-ish individual.

No joke.

If you look at what the majority of my diet consists of nowadays…

Mostly veggies, fruits, nuts, beans (I always hated beans?!), tofu/tempeh, almond milk…

You’d peg me for a big, scary vegan.

Vegan-ish plate

Then again, I will have the occasional piece ‘o chicken.

Some eggs on the weekend.

My love affair with Atlanta Farm Fresh Greek-style yogurt is never-ending.  Watch your fingers!

However, I would say that I am about 85% vegan.

One of the complaints by Oprah staffer’s what that it is difficult to find food you can eat.  For me, that is part of the fun.  It’s not difficult so much as an opportunity to be more creative in the kitchen (and you know I like that).

This “difficulty” has made me more aware of how I fuel my body.  I now think – really think – before I eat.  Would a $15 10 oz. burger be good?  Yes.  With fries?  Yes, please.  Does it make sense for me to eat that when I have a fridge full of veggies, the making of chickpea patties, and a hard workout on the horizon?  No.

Once I get chopping on my fresh foods, I’m actually more satisfied with with my own creation.  And I had fun making it.

Yep – that’s my sick idea of fun.

It works for me. 🙂

Three cheers for being vegan-ish!

How about cheering with a spicy vegan… smoothie?

Obviously, as a vegan-ish, it must be green.

Spicy Chocolate Smoothie

  • 1 scoop cookie dough flavored whey protein
  • 1/2 c unsweetened chocolate almond milk
  • 1/3 c water
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ginger
  • 1/8 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp chili powder
  • Shake of salt
  • Handful spinach
  • Ice, to taste

Put it in a blender, give it a whirrrr, and enjoy!

My Top 5

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I have an announcement: My skinny pants are too big.

 

OMGOMGOMGOMG.

When I started this blog, I had a gained a pretty significant amount of weight.  I had been out of grad school for a year, and had gotten accustomed to sitting at a desk all day and still eating anything I wanted.  My body revolted.

Basically, my fat pants became my skinny pants.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC0Nsba1fWQ&feature=related

***Disclaimer: I love my job – I just love this video. And I don’t like sitting all day.***

 

Last week my trainer made me get on a scale for the first time in a couple of months. Post-grad school sitting-on-my-butt weight is officially GONE!!!

Fat pants, be damned!!!

I still sit at a desk all day, but I adjusted my eating habits and made exercise a part of my daily routine.  Just like brushing my teeth.

How did I do it?

There were many, many habits I changed, new behaviors I learned, and – last but not least – an amazing amount of self-control.  I could write pages, but here are my Top 5 Factors (after the jump).

… 

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