Running Hiatus

Heather had an interesting post the other day about maintaining her weight loss/health without a massive amount of cardio.

As you can read in Heather's story, she's a former running addict who has replaced her running shoes with a yoga mat. She also takes several walks a week. Amazingly, Heather said her body has taken on a whole new level since not running (in a good way!).

I've been brainwashed to think that running = burning calories = staying thin. I would run to eat more, and I didn't think I deserved treats unless I was running at least 7 or 8 miles that day. If I was running less than 7 miles, I would also do the elliptical for 30 minutes. Needless to say, this created a very unhealthy mindset when it came to running.

I think before, when I hurt my hip and gained 15 pounds, I got depressed from not running and ate too much cookie dough. Folks, if you eat cookie dough 3-4 times a week, you are going to gain weight regardless of your activity level! ;-)

Since my knee injury, I really haven't done hardly any cardio at all. I'll walk, do the elliptical, or swim occasionally, but mainly I've been consistent with lifting (3 x's a week) and ab work (3 x's a week). And you know what? I have not gained one pound! This is simply amazing to me. I want to go back and tell my 24 year old self that I don't have to run 35 miles a week to stay thin and healthy. (*Runners, plllllease don't think I'm knocking running 35 miles a week! I just think my way of thinking about running was unhealthy).

Of course, I have always and will always love running. But what I love NOW is the feeling that I don't have to do it to look this way. And I really hope to get back to running soon! I just think when I do, hopefully I'll be able to maintain this way of thinking.

Have you ever taken something "healthy" - an activity, food/drink, hobby - and abused it so that it was unhealthy for you?



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And Jamie's Nut Butter Giveaway!

Weekend Recap

Happy (?) Monday!

Whew, what a great weekend! We FINALLY had a perfect fall day yesterday - sunny and about 65. I went to the Colts game with my pops and they had the roof open - wahoo!!

My dad at the "press box" after the game. Needless to say, I drove home.

Of course, the game was complete when we SMASHED the Seahawks!

Backing up to Friday, I had my adorable niece and nephew over for a sleepover. Because no sleepover is complete without baking, I decided to give these brownies a whirl, recommended by Kristin.

I loved this recipe because I had everything on hand to make it! And I never knew you could substitute cocoa powder (+ oil) for dark chocolate squares?!! (*Don't mind the holes. I was showing my niece the toothpick test and, um, we kinda poked away).

These rocked my face off. And Reese's, too.

She was happy. I swear. I know she looks scared.

Little Ryan had his gluten free cupcakes to keep him happy (poor guy is allergic to gluten, dairy, oranges, potatoes, and tree nuts. My heart just aches that he will never know the wonder of almond butter). :-( But he's a happy little guy and was more than excited to get his cuppy cakes.

Do you have anyone close to you with food allergies? Gluten is becoming a common one, so thankfully there are lots of gluten-free products out there now. I actually love this recipe for Monkey Munch, which Ryan can have! Too bad he didn't like it. LOL.

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Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup

Hey, bloggies!

Sorry I've been MIA. It's been a craaaazy week!


My (new) roommate tore her ACL and partially ruptured her patellar tendon playing soccer last Thursday night. :-( Her mom came from St. Louis and has been cooking, cleaning, and spoiling us taking care of usher all week. She is seriously one of the nicest people ever...she mowed my lawn, cleaned my windows, swept the floors....I could get used to this life, people.

I DID finally get a chance to make a new recipe last night. I saw this recipe on Erica's blog for Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup. Um...I love both. So I had to try!


(*Side note - anytime I type "pumpkin" - which is often lately - I type "pumpking"....because obviously my fingers don't like words that just end in "in" and not "ing." Anyone else do this? Moving on.)

Well, in my absent-mindedness, I grabbed this instead of canned pumpkin:

Whoops!

Who knew they sold pumpkin pie mix in a can, anyway?

It was sweeter than it probably should've been, but who am I to waste food? And seriously, this was one of the best soups I've ever had...and I've had a lot! Kind of tasted like dessert for dinner. But with black beans and diced tomatoes. I'm interested to see how it tastes with just the regular ole' pumpkin.

Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup with a side of the Integumentary System

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! I'm having my niece and nephew to spend the night tonight...then going to my first Colts game of the season!! I'm praying for good weather on Sunday so the roof will be open. Ahhh - I love my boys in blue! (or white....well, whatever).

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- Run to the Finish's Nutrition/Energy Bar Giveaway!

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Not Better. Just Different.

I've been DYING to try Better n'Peanut Butter! I didn't realize they sold it at TJ's (SCORE), so I snagged some last week.



I am OBSESSED with nuts butters. No lie. Look at my stash.


I have PB in my morning oats - the Smart Balance. You see, I work at a headquarters for a local grocery store chain and I don't think they'd appreciate me whipping out the TJ's nut butter as I eat my breakfast. They don't realize I never shop at their stores because they're insanely expensive, and if I'm gonna go big, I'd rather spend that money at TJ's and Whole Paycheck.

At home I use the Almond Butter and TJ's PB, and now....Better n'PB! And for the record - it's not better tasting necessarily (IMO), but it does boast awesome stats:


Serving Size 2 tbsp (32.0 g)

Calories: 100
Calories from Fat:18
Total Fat: 2.0g
Sodium: 190mg
Total Carbohydrates: 13.0g
Sugars: 2.0g

I think the taste lends itself to a....coffee flavor? Am I nuts? (hahaha) It's not good or bad, just like me - different. Overall I like the stuff, but I'm not giving up my regular nut butters! Especially in the morning with breakfast....they just keep me fuller for longer.

Do you hoard a particular kind of food? Obviously I hoard nut butters, but I always have a huge stash of yogurt in my fridge at all times: Blueberry/Strawberry/Peach Chobani, TJ's Organic French Vanilla, TJ's Greek Style Honey (sooooo insanely delish!), just to name a few.

Hope ya'll have a great weekend! I'm off to visit my friend in Louisville - I'm going to a winery for only the 2nd time in my life. For a girl who doesn't really like wine, this could be really good - or really, really bad.

Stuffed Peppers

I have wanted to try Stuffed Peppers for a LONG time - so it was perfect timing when I saw a recipe last week in Jenna's article on Health.com!



First of all, these are super easy. Second, they are CHEAP!


Yum yum yum!


I was very impressed, although I actually got the diced tomatoes with chili peppers. And though I'm sure it could be classified as "mild" to most people, it almost had me in a sweat! Whew! But they were seriously good. Although, a little tricky to eat. I have to admit, I dug into them with my hands in the end. ;-) (Do people cut these things up to eat them?) It's a good thing my co-workers know how much of a classy chick I am.

Aggh - my boyfriend (Wentworth Miller) is guest starring on Law & Order SVU tonight! Super exciting. Anyone else a Prison Break fan? I was so disappointed when they cancelled it. I miss his sexy face.

Happy Hump Day!!

Check out Missy's Zevia Giveaway!!

BMI and Body Fat

Sorry I've been slacking on the posts lately....I feel like I don't have much to post about, unless you want weekly recaps of my Anatomy class? Nah, I'll spare ya.

Anywho, today I got my BMI and Body Fat measured at my gym. I've never done it before - only the online calculators like this one, and I've also had it measured on Wii fit ;-). I was just curious to see how it compared (can you really trust a video game system for your BMI?). Plus, it was free!

They ask you your weight and height, and also how much you exercise (this question was kind of embarrassing to answer....I'd MUCH rather have answered it back, oh....5 months ago?!). Then they use this handheld device. I measured 15.9% body fat and 18.6% BMI. I guess I don't really know the difference between the two? I know BMI is Body Mass Index, but...I guess I thought that measured your body fat?

It made me feel a little better because I've been pretty down on myself for not doing any cardio in the past few months. It seems like everything aggravates my knee. I probably should walk more (and swim....ugh, I wish I could get myself to like it because it's so good for you!). I know this might not have been entirely accurate, but at least it's a ball park figure.

Have you ever had your BMI or Body fat measured? I've always heard they are better indicators than weight, because of water retention and that sort of thing.

Well, I have my first test this weekend...wish me luck! Oh, and a little update on Teacher Guy - I just don't think *it's* there. We've been out 4 times...I think I would know by now, right? Of course it stinks (just typed "he stinks," LOL) because he's so sweet, cute, and everything I'd want on paper. But that chemistry thing....it's pretty darn important! Now I just have to find a way to tell him. I won't succumb to the post-it breakup a la Jack Berger, but is it okay to text that to him? ;-)



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Yellow Squash Casserole

My sister gave me some squash that she had grown, and I happily took it off her hands! I really, really hope to grow some veggies and herbs next year....I just never got around to it this year. Until then, I'll just steal others'.

I can't really remember ever eating squash (other than acorn squash, which I had once last fall and LOVED). And I've definitely never cooked with the stuff. So I went to my trusty cooking buddy (http://www.allrecipes.com/) and found this recipe for Yellow Squash Casserole.

The ingreds: (I didn't have milk, so I used non-fat plain greek yogurt, and I always subbed Wheat Thins - generic, 'cause mama is tryin' to save money! - for Ritz crackers...I LOVE Wheat Thins!!)


My question - how the *&%$ do you cut up a squash like this? I sliced off the skins, but stupidly forgot this has seeds. Do any of you have any good tips? I swear, this is why it takes me so long to cook. ;-)

I was a little skeptical about all of this....but it turned out amazing!! (I halved the recipe). I will say, however, that this was too much buttah for me. (Don't tell Paula, please). I hardly ever eat real butter, so I would definitely half the amount (at least) next time. It doesn't need it!

Do you ever eat or make squash? I LOVE acorn squash with brown sugar - I need to pick some up soon. And I STILL have not tried spaghetti squash....(I know!).

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