Half way there!

Actually, more than!  I had originally thought that this C25k program was nine weeks (I think once upon a time I was using a nine week program), but the program I am using now is only eight weeks.  

This morning I finished week 5 day 2!  I'm definitely getting to a point in the program where it's not "easy".  I'm trying to get into a routine so that I complete each week of training during the calendar week.  Sunday is day 1, Tuesday is day 2, and Friday is day 3.  Week 5 day 3 is a 20 minute run with no breaks.  I'm nervous about it, but as the little engine that could says, "I think I can!".  Pssh, I know I can!  Friday here I come!

It's helping that I have the right attitude.  I really am enjoying my runs.  It's not a chore to go out and get my workout done, and even if I struggle, I feel great afterwards.  So much so that I've upped my goal... 10k here I come!  I downloaded a program that is just the continuation of the C25k program.  So I'll be staying on my current pace for the 5k (which Sakief and I run officially on December 5), and then continue on afterwards.

Sakief has just started training for a marathon.  I think I owe some of my "success" to my competitive side.  Not that I ever want to run a marathon (seriously, never, if I say something crazy about running a marathon, slap me), but if he's running and doing well, then I want to be too!

Only 10 runs left until I finish the program, ahh!!

Eggroll in a Bowl

Sounds a little silly, doesn't it?  But this recipe is easy, tasty, quick, and potentially very versatile.

One of the issues everyone runs into is time and energy.  We're running late, it was a long day, blah blah blah, and now we don't want to cook dinner.  Usually when that happens you order a pizza, or Chinese, or something else that you don't really want to eat when you think about it. But it's easy, it's tasty, and you don't have to do anything but sit on the couch and wait for it to show up.

This is one of those recipes that can fight back.  It literally took me 10 mins to make, and when you might be craving Chinese, it's a pretty good substitute.

Ingredients:

12 oz uncooked ground sausage (I used the light pork sausage from HEB)

1 bag unprepared cole slaw (cabbage and carrots)

1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce

2 Tbsp chopped garlic

1 Tbsp minced ginger

Directions:

Cook sausage in large skillet and drain fat.  Add cole slaw, garlic and ginger and cook until veggies start to become soft.  Add soy sauce and make sure it is fully incorporated.  Serve.

That's it!  

Here's why I think it could be so versatile too... you don't have to use pork sausage, try chicken, or turkey, or veggie sausage if you like.  I also think if you make it without meat, and add more veggies (like bean sprouts and mushrooms) it would make an awesome side, especially if your main dish is something with an Asian flare (or just great to serve something saucy over instead of rice!).

Tonight I'm attempting a shrimp and "grits" recipe (cauliflower can be used for anything!), so if it's not a total flop, expect to see it here soon.

I finished up week 2 of running today.  The original plan was to finish Friday or Saturday, but Friday I ended up busier than I expected, and yesterday I woke up feeling like crap (thank goodness for peppermint tea and Sakief, I rebounded like a pro).  The weather this morning was AMAZING and it felt really good to run outside.  This is the first run I've had where I just felt good all around, and I think I may have actually enjoyed myself *gasp*.  I feel more than ready for week 3 which significantly bumps up running time, and plan to kick myself out of bed early on Tuesday to get it done before my day starts (here's looking at you Sakief).

Week 1

As has been well documented here, I am not a huge fan of running.  I've stopped and started and stopped and started for years.  It's hard for me and I just don't particularly enjoy it.  This time is no different, though I'm really trying to change my attitude and be more positive.

Day 1 (Monday) wasn't so bad, so getting up and run for Day 2 this morning wasn't a problem.  I even found that Day 2 was already a little easier than Day 1.  I found that I didn't need/want to look at my phone to see how much time I had left.  I just went for it.

Just after I started today's program, an older gentleman came out to the pond where I was running to stretch, walk, and enjoy the AMAZING weather we are having (oh please, oh please, oh please weather be like this in 360 days!).  I said "good morning" as I passed him the first time, and then basically ignored him (and vice versa) until I was on my cool down.  He stopped me and said (in fairly broken English, which made it so much nicer that he wanted to talk to me) "50 years I have walked or ran everyday, so good for you" and smiled.  I thanked him and as I walked away he repeated himself and smiled bigger.  Thanks for the boost sweet man.  It wasn't just what he said, it's what I heard, "keep going!", as if this total stranger was proud of me just for trying.

And so with that added motivation, I know I can do it.  Day 3, here I come!

Maybe I'll Try Again

Way too much has happened since I last blogged (FEBRUARY!!) to catch up in one post (or any post), so let's just pretend you know everything that has happened in my life over the last seven months (I'm an open book, you probably do).

After seeing my friend Erica in New Orleans, I was inspired to start blogging again.  Basically if anyone ever tells me that they enjoy my writing, it's probably going to be enough of an ego boost to make me start doing it again.

Tomorrow is day 1 of retraining for a 5k.  Sakief found a race in early December, so I should be able to finish a C25k program before then.  He starts training for a marathon soon, so he promises to help me get out the door to run.  I'd hate to have a repeat of my last 5k (ow).

No recipes to post at the moment, though I apparently have three draft posts from February (sigh) that are all recipes.  I feel like I need to make the food again before I can go back and finish the posts.  At least I know what's for dinner... 

Hopefully this means I'll start cooking more often too.  Sakief loves to cook, but I don't feel like I've been pulling my weight in the kitchen recently.  

Wedding diet is in full effect with 20 lbs down.  I haven't been on the scale since before La's wedding, too much traveling, but I feel good, and know when I get back on the scale it will be a number I approve of.  I only have to skrink myself at least two dress sizes... damnit bridal moment.  I just had to fall in love with a discontinued dress.  That aside, the weight loss is for me, not the wedding, and for continued health.  Sakief is the greatest support system, as per usual, and with him by my side (duh) I can do anything.

P.S. If you don't have a FitBit, you probably should.  Just saying.  I've never walked more in my life.

Chicken, Broccoli and Garlic Kebabs

I borrowed this recipe from kissmysmoke.com, and it's awesome and easy!  I haven't yet gone crazy on here about my newest cooking tool, the Cuisinart Griddler, but if you don't have one you should. It's basically a George Foreman grill for adults.  Sakief and I use it for everything these days it seems.  It has removable top and bottom plates that are dishwasher safe.  They are also reversible flat and ridged so you can use it as a grill, panini press, griddle, etc.  The point is, that I used it to make these kebabs, and, wow, so quick! And so nice for those of us who live in apartments and don't have easy access to a grill (or a clean one at least).

I forget was the sauce was that was recommended as a marinade for the chicken and broccoli, but I just made my own.  Soy sauce, ginger paste, sesame oil and garlic (all to taste, we all have different preferences).

Cut up chicken breasts into chunks and toss in a bowl with the marinade.  Do the same to one large head of fresh broccoli.  

Slide alternating chunks of chicken, broccoli and whole garlic cloves onto kebab sticks and grill until chicken is done.  The broccoli becomes a little crispy on the surface, but still soft to eat, and the garlic is nice and soft and awesome (I LOVE garlic). 

In other news, Sakief and I have really been doing well at eating healthier.  We found that we were eating a diet more suited to maintaining weight than losing weight, so this week we started on a more weight loss conducive diet. 

I set my goals small this week, just not wanting to be above a certain weight, and I made it by a pound.  That's all I can ask for.  We also decided to switch our weigh in day from Friday to Thursday because of kickball on Thursday night. It tends to be our only drinking night of the week, so weighing in on Friday just doesn't make sense.

I am realizing that I don't need to be afraid of the scale, it's not the scale, it's me.  So I'm more comfortable weighing in again.

We also have been doing the 52 week money challenge, and decided that if there is a week where we gain weight from the previous weigh in, we'll add an extra $5 to our jars.  So in the short term it's a consequence, but in the long term we'll have more money saved for a vacation, wee!

Have a wonderful week friends!

Identifying the Problem

Getting back into the swing of things is proving harder than I thought. I know it requires the right mind set, but I really thought I had that. Clearly not.

Sakief and I have spent time discussing exactly why it is that we are having trouble sticking to healthier diets and we've identifies a few issues. 

1) Not enought leftovers. 

Which leads to not enough food for lunch.  We used to have the problem of making too much food and then letting it go bad.  Apparently we really need to find the happy medium.  

2) Eating when you're full.

Which leads to not enough leftovers... viscious cycle.  Basically, if it tastes good, we'll keep eating until well over full, and food that was meant to be for leftovers is consumed for dinner.

At least we've identified the issues so that we can work on them.  Le sigh.

In the mean time, here is another new recipe for your enjoyment.  Jared bought me the Peace, Love and Low Carb cookbook (check it out, she's awesome!) and I'm really enjoying experimenting from it.

Here's the first I tried!

Balsamic Mustard Steaks:

1.5 lbs steak (cut of your choice)

2 Tbs olive oil

1 shallot (I had green onion, I think any member of the onion family will work fine)

2 Tbs butter

1/3 balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup beef broth

1/4 cup spicy brown mustard

salt and pepper (to taste)

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on high.  Season the steak with salt and pepper. Sear the steaks on each side for 3-4 mins (longer if you like it more well done, 3-4 mins was about medium rare for me). Remove steaks and set aside (if you cover with foil it will keep them warm). Add the shallot (green onion, etc) and butter to pan and saute. Add balsamic vinegar. Use a spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan for any steak bits. Bring to a boil on medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 mins. Add beef broth and then whisk in mustard. Let simmer for about 10 mins, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened. Serve sauce over steaks.

I'm really excited about this cookbook and I'm excited to try more recipes!  I've already tried a lasagna recipe, and it was awesome.  I'll share it soon!

New Year, New Me?

I finally got up the courage to step on the scale this morning, and well, I wasn't as disappointed as I could have been.  It was still disappointing to see how much weight I allowed myself to gain back last year, but it's on me, and I'll fix it. 

It's crazy to think that I've been going through this process now for two years.  2012 was a great year, I was happy, lost a ton of weight, life was good.  2013 wasn't as great, in fact, 2013 pretty much sucked and took a crazy emotional toll on me.  Not worth going into details, but I was fighting against a vicious cycle (and losing) basically all year.  I'm not a stress eater per se, but I do experience an inordinate amount of fatigue which leads to: less working out, less cooking, less packed lunches, and more time sitting on a couch (oh, my darling DVR, you didn't help).

2014 will be better (because if it's not, I'm hibernating through 2015).  But really, it will be better.  I try to avoid making new year's resolutions about weight loss, but every year, I resolve to be healthier. To me that includes a lot of things, weight loss of course, but also, better stress management, being more active, flossing more... etc.

I've said it before, but I need to be better about keeping myself accountable.  I am so lucky to have such a great support system, but I have to be in charge of myself.  So be prepared for more blog posts friends, and not just recipes like I had gotten in the habit of.  But I'll definitely still share recipes!  I have a couple stored up, waiting for me to have time to type them out.

Happy 2014!  I wish everyone health and happiness this year, and always!