A post about me part 2

First off, thanks for all the kind words on my last post. I got a couple comments, emails and facebook messages, and I appreciate everyone's words.

Yesterday, I went running. Up into Forest Park. It was so cold my eyes were streaming tears and I was having to wipe them away every few feet. Once into the park, I just stopped running and stood still for what seemed a long time. It is so beautiful and quiet up there and I just started to think.

I might not be doing exactly what I want to do. I might not really like my job, or really like that I don’t have a career path, but I have so many things going for me.

I have the most amazing husband who supports me in everything. He is there whenever I need to vent, yell, cry, laugh, dream, talk, or be silent. He is always surprising me with kind things and he is always trying to help me figure out where I am meant to go.

I live in the most gorgeous city. In fact, I live in the North West. Everything is beautiful here. I love that I have a huge park out my back door, a city to my front. I can rent a car and be at the ocean or skiing on top of a mountain in 1 hour flat.

I have the most adorable studio. I love our space. It is so small and cute and perfect. It forces us to take a look at things and ask, do we really need this? We don’t have more than we need and we don’t have less.

I am strong. I am proud of all that I have accomplished so far. I have been so many places and done so many things. Why am I not more proud of that? I worked hard to support Eric. I work hard to make sure we have delicious food on the table at night. I work hard keeping our space clean and tidy. I work hard.

I guess what I am trying to say, is, I am learning to be content. Take one day at a time. Focus on what I can do this minute. I have goals. I have dreams. I have plans. But as great as those are, I am trying to enjoy where I am right now.

And that place is right here.

Yoga, macaroons and smoothies

 

I almost missed my yoga class today. I kept thinking it was at 10, but as I was walking out the door at 9:35 I realized it was at 9:45. Thankfully I jumped onto the streetcar and was there only 3 minutes late. I really hate walking in late to a class, but seeing as how they had just started, I figured it was ok. I had never been to this particular class today and I was not really impressed. Pretty slow and boring…but seeing as how I was the only person in the room under the age of 60, I kind of figured the class was more toned down for a reason.

As soon as I got home, I started on something delicious. Well, two delicious things but one at a time. First up, Macaroons!!

(not my picture…source)

I have never made macaroons before and I got the craving for them last night. They are pretty healthy and super easy to make.

I did not use my own recipe, so I don’t feel right about putting the exact ingredients on here. I used this recipe, so if you want to click there for the measurements…please do!

First off, sorry for the bad photos. We only have 1 set of AA batteries, and Eric takes them for his bike light. Therefor I am left to use my iPhone.

1. You will need these ingredients.

Now, if you don’t have agave syrup, I’m 100% sure you could add honey. But since I’ve gone vegan for the next while, I had to use agave syrup.

2. Add nuts and pulse.

They need to get pretty fine.

3. Add all the rest of the ingredients except agave/honey & coconut oil. Pulse some more.

It should start to get clumpy.

4. Add agave and oil. Pulse a few more times. And just like that, your done!

5. Scoop out with a 1-2 T onto a baking sheet.

6. Bake at 200 degrees for about 50 minutes.

7. Eat!!

Pretty simple, and so delicious.

Next delicious thing. Smoothie! Oh my goodness this was so good. I didn’t do exact measuring, but it went something like this.

• 1 sm. container soy yogurt
• 1/2 cup (or more) soymilk
• 8-10 whole frozen strawberries
• 1/4 c. peanut flour (protein baby!)
• 1 big handful raw oats (totally made this smoothie!)

Adding the peanut flour gives it a delicious peanuty flavor, and the raw oatmeal really bulked it up and make it so yummy. I wish I had some spinach, that would just make it even better. A little green yummy power.

I am also making energy bars today, but I will post the recipe for those tomorrow! Enjoy your Wednesday!

Baby it’s cold outside!

When I started running last year, it was the end of Feb/beginning of March. It was definitely still cold in MI, but being a new runner…I just threw on some sweatpants and went with it. Now since I have been running for a few months, I’m trying to gather more appropriate cold weather running gear. Problem is, I am very cheap. I do not want to pay $50+bucks for a pair of running tights. Insert heaven goodwill. Thankfully here in the NW, there are a lot of active people…and with active people comes lot’s of donated stuff to goodwill. Everything you see in this picture above is from goodwill. Minus my shoes. I recently scored two new to me pairs of running tights, and I am LOVING them. They make running on a cold day SO bearable. I no longer dread running outside in the cold because they keep my legs so warm. And also, I feel pretty hardcore running in them. I feel kinda like I’m a real runner or something.

BTW, I had the best lunch today.

what would I do without my ipod camera? ha. This is sautéed eggplant, carrots, g.beans, broccoli topped off with a delicious peanut butter sauce. Serious yum going on here.

I’m spending my day in our lil studio, listening to music, wrapping presents and just enjoying my home. 

8 miles and a couple blisters

 

Yes, you read that right. My longest run to date ever. It felt really awesome actually. I think I could have kept running. However, mile 2-8 I started to get these really nasty blisters on my arch's. Ugh. By mile 6, I was running on the outsides of my feet to keep from hurting to  much and by mile 8, I was ready to take my shoes off and walk barefoot. It is only 40 degrees out, so that really wasn’t an option.

Other than the blisters, man I felt powerful and awesome. ha. I know 8 miles is really not a lot in the grand scheme of things but I am pretty proud of myself that I never walked. Not even once. I did stop twice to try and adjust my socks to see if it would help the situation but I jumped right back into running when I was done.

8m @ 9:46 average. I was shooting for 10min/mil average so not bad.

I’m off to go look for better socks!! Oh, we are going to see Horse Feathers in concert tonight and I’m so excited!

Christmas List for hubby

 

1. Vibrams.

I would love a pair of these in this color size 40 please! =o) I have been wanting these forever and now is a good time to get them since I am training for a marathon and would love to cross train in these!

Image from here http://www.rockcreek.com/vibram/sprint-womens/

2. Hoodie!

I only have 2 hoodies and one I just wear around the house, so I would love another warm one to wear out and about. I absolutely love this one. And I even love the purple! Size m. please!

image from here http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_Moosejaw-Women-s-DJ-Lil--Elle-Yoga-Jacket_10105755_10208_10000001_-1_

3. Softshell

I could really use a new softshell. I only have a fall lightweight jacket or my heavy MI coat and here in rainy Portland, you kind of need something in-between because it really doesn’t get that cold. P.S. It doesn’t have to be this exact coat…but a size m is good!

image from here http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_Moosejaw-Women-s-Danielle-Adney-Softshell-Jacket_10109519_10208_10000001_-1_

4. New running shoes.

http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?sitesrc=uslp#l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-339157/pgid-301221

It will be a year in Feb since I got my last pair and I really could use an upgrade. I am interested in trying on more of a neutral shoe and seeing how they feel. The Nike Free shoes have always peaked my interest!

5. Messenger bag.

So the only other messenger bag I want are the ones made from old sails. The company is actually in Grand Rapids MI, and I wish I would have bought one before we moved. I love them so much. I would take a small one in place of my purse/bag thing I have now, or a bigger one for carrying gym stuff.

image found here. http://teamworkbags.com/_product_36165/ES-314-198

6. Gift cards, spa treatments, money always accepted. =o)

7. Cookbooks!!! I would love some new cookbooks. Vegan please!

8. Rice cooker.

Oh, how I would love one of these babies. Our stove is so darn temperamental…I would love to be able to set it and forget it. =o) Serious want right now!

image found here http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MAERM0/ref=s9_simh_gw_p79_d3_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1VPE24X0F02T8SHN5FD3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

AND, I’m done. I think. ha. To be honest…I don’t need, need, need any of these things. But since Christmas tends to be the time you ask for things you want…well…this is my list. I have been blessed with many, many wonderful things so if I get none of these…that’s ok. A girl can dream!

And so it begins…

 

Marathon training that is. This was my first week. Weights, yoga and running. All in the training schedule.  Today I had a 5m tempo @8:40 run. It was hard! I woke up kind of nervous that I wouldn’t be able to do it. Running 5m is no biggie, running them at a pace that is uncomfortable was the scary part.

Can you see that? It says, 5m @ 8:45 avg. NICE! I am so excited about that. I really think I was doubting myself about this training. Thinking there was no way I could do it. But little by little I am realizing, I am strong and in good shape! I can run a marathon…I just need to stick to my training sched.

Speaking of the schedule, I don’t know how to post it on my blog. I will try to get Eric to help with that!

I’m off to run to Target to get some new headphones. Ear buds do not want to stay in my ears while I’m bouncing around. ha.

Have a good Thursday!

T-Day

 

We had a great Thanksgiving. It all started with pumpkin pancakes, eggs and bacon for Eric.

And what's a holiday without booze? We had delicious mimosas!

Then we relaxed, played on the computer, read..until we headed out to the movies. We saw Morning Glory, which was very cute.

Back to our house for dinner!

Now that’s a plate of food!

mmm…gotta love that bad lighting!

We finished up the evening with more lounging, computer time and show watching. It was a good day.

 

STARTING MONDAY-lot’s of changes. Ok, really only two.

I am starting the Vegan two month challenge. Basically just eating completely Vegan and see how I feel. Does it change some health problems? Do I feel more energized? Etc.…

SECONDLY-Over the weekend, Eric helped me come up with my Marathon training plan. Lord willing, I will complete a marathon by April 2011. Yikes. I am very scared and nervous that I won’t be able to do it, BUT I know Eric is there to kick me out the door on those 20 miles training runs.

So that’s it! I will post my training schedule soon. I’m so ready for tomorrow!