Life gets crazy, what can I say?
Here's what I can say:
- I resigned from my job last week! I also didn't get a chance to cook one dinner at home.
- I accepted a new job and will start in a couple weeks. I did cook a homemade pizza and a Le Creuset full of chili this weekend, though. Neither recipe was blogworthy, but I will say thin-sliced Brussels sprouts and sweet potato on pizza are worth the peculiar looks you may get from your significant other.
- Two weekends ago I ran the Stu's 30K. I had moments of manic happiness and others of total misery, but for the most part, it was an amazingly hilly race that mentally prepared me for Boston, and I finished in 3:21. This past Sunday, I was supposed to run 20. Ran 6 and did yoga instead.
- I've planned a bit of travel into my schedule. Travel posts to come! Hint:
- Fitbloggin' is this weekend in Baltimore. Can't wait to travel with one of my favorite bloggers and meet some new blog friends!
- I did a great workshop at work about sugary beverages. Did you know there are 19 tsp of sugar in a 20-ounce Mountain Dew? There are 8 in a Vitamin Water, and 13 in a chocolate milk.
- I finally read this month's Eating Well magazine, and am dying for someone to make me avocado ice cream.
- I have a March Madness bracket challenge and Trivia night planned for fundraising measures in my attempt to finish up my fundraising. I suggest you check out March Madness. I ask that if you enter a bracket, please make a $5 donation to my fundraising page per entry. To enter a bracket, check out Jess's Marathon Bracket Challenge, make an account, pick your teams, and if you get the highest percentage of games picked correctly, you could win 50% of the pot, and a chance to win $10,000 through ESPN!
- Thanks again to everyone who has contributed. It's meant the world to me that I can rest one dollar easier each time you make donation here. Thanks for helping me sleep at night. :-)
- So, my dear blog readers, you will see that my culinary adventures have been quite sad recently. But, there's much excitement on the horizon.
Happy Monday!
March 10th is the official National Registered Dietitian Day! Registered Dietitians are your trusted resource for reliable and accurate nutrition information and insight, so ask an RD your diet questions today!
Here are some fabulous RD blogs that keep me updated and informed on the latest and greatest in the nutrition world:
- Elisa at The Zied Guide (@elisazied)
- Gina at The Candid RD (@candidRD)
- Jae at Jae Berman Nutrition (@JBNutrition)
- Janel at Eat Well with Janel (@dietitianjanel)
- Janet at Nutrition Unplugged (@janethelm)
- Joan at Nutrition and You! (@joansalgeblake)
- Janice and Liz at The Meal Makeover Moms (@Janicebissex)
- Liz at Liz on Food (@lizmarrmsrd)
- Laura at Dining with Laura (@lauraforesta)
- Nancy at The Nancy Clark blog on Active (@nclarkrd)
Check out my article on POM Wonderful featuring "10 Ways to Celebrate National Nutrition Month!"
Question of the Day: Are you an RD blogger? Share your blog and twitter handle with me in the comments section!
This weekend called for a mini-road trip to the ocean. We packed our jackets, hats and boots and stopped at Starbucks for a breakfast treat. We ordered lattes and oatmeal. I'm a bit skeptical of oatmeal made anywhere but my own house, but this was decent!
I dug out my old Canon SLR camera, alongside my digital point-and-shoot. In the SLR, I found a roll of true black and white from a photography class that I hadn't used up yet! Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on who you talk to) my SLR is not digital, but bringing it along today made me rethink how I compose shots. I hope you enjoy!
Even Tim played around with the SLR. I can't wait to get this film printed!
This next one is a self-portrait, if you can believe it. I propped my point-and-shoot on a rock. In hindsight, probably not the best idea, but it did make for a great shot!
After I soothed my soul with some waves, we headed to the Stonewall Kitchen Cafe in Kittery. We were going to take a cooking class, as they have a well-known cooking school there, but we didn't make it in time. Instead, we feasted on gourmet grilled cheese, salad, and sweet potato fries. Yum.
Tomorrow I'm running the Stu's 30K as a training run for the Boston Marathon. This 19.2 mile course is said to be very hilly (hence the uphill in the logo), so anything could happen. Wish me luck!
And be sure to check out my Boston Marathon charity fundraising page here. If you're a reader of this blog, consider how much comical value I add to your life on a weekly basis, and whatever that's worth, consider making a donation. (Interject self-deprecating humor here.) After all, I'll be running 19.2 miles tomorrow and will appreciate all the help I can get, fundraising or otherwise!
Commercial's over. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Question of the Day: What's your favorite foodie gem you've found in your travels?
Happy National Nutrition Month!
2 Comments... Click here to show some love! Posted by Jess at 5:56 AMFor those of you who don't live, breathe, work and (literally) eat nutrition, dietetics, and the American Dietetic Association daily, March is your chance for an extra dose!
The ADA's key message this year is about building a sound nutrition foundation from the ground up. This doesn't mean stepping onto the South Beach diet for a week or two, counting points until your health insurance reimbursement coupons run out, or buy extra 100-calorie packs just because they are on sale.
The message is about reevaluating your base, your foundation, your beliefs, and your uncertainties. And, registered dietitians are the best ones to embark with on this construction or remodeling project!
If you tweet or follow twitter, check in with the hash tag #NNM for National Nutrition Month updates from some really savvy, smart, and super-awesome RDs.
Question of the Day: What does a sound nutrition foundation look like to you?
Yesterday I attended a great set of presentations on social media strategies for the RD. I got thinking about this blog, and realized its focus has changed from September to present.
Then I realized why.
I started this blog to share my experiences with local foods. As 20" of snow blanket the ground outside and farmers markets are a memory of the past and a fantasy of the future, I haven't had as much to talk about on this front. It reminds me of the tone of Barbara Kingsolver's book Animal Vegetable Miracle during the cold winter months when the food situation sometimes seemed dire without a splash of fresh, homegrown tomato or the crunch of a freshly-picked cucumber. It also prompted me to take a deeper look at what I can do to support local foods in Massachusetts during the snowy, cold winter when not much is growing.
So how has my diet changed since I've not been getting a weekly box of fresh fruits and vegetables?
- I focus on eating the bags and bags of vegetables I froze from my CSA. Just this weekend, I made a killer mushroom and kale quiche with leftover kale. I've been boiling frozen, cut beets on a regular basis. And staining the stove red every single time.
- I focus on hearty, somewhat "seasonal" foods, even if they are not grown locally. I've been eating tons of citrus, pomegranates, and sweet potatoes. I still use local honey in my tea, locally-made tea, and local grains from the Pioneer Valley Heritage Grains grain CSA!
- I experiment a lot with legumes. From simple rice & beans to lentil soup to lentil curry, I have the opportunity to explore these staples I don't get to as much during CSA season.
- I spend more money at Trader Joe's.
- I started to grow my own!
And I dream of spring.
March is National Nutrition Month! I have some fun posts in store...
Congrats to all of the winners and participants in the Super Breakfast Bowl Challenge. The 5 of us had a great time sharing this experience with you.
I've been a bit MIA from the blog world, as I'm going in a million directions. There are a few things I can't share with you just yet, but here are a few I can:
Marathon Update: If you follow my Twitter feed, you'll know I DNF'd on Sunday when I was supposed to run 19 miles, my longest run ever. For those of you who don't know, DNF stands for DID NOT FINISH. I have been "babying" (and by babying I mean running 30-mile weeks indoors) myself by running flats on the indoor treadmill in the warm workout room. No hills. No cold. No wind. Sure, I run Tuesdays with a friend outside, but I'm not pushing myself in the outdoor department on a daily basis. And April 19th weather could bring anything. Like the Girl Scouts say, Be Prepared. So, I had the bright idea Sunday to do a 10-mile portion outside, come indoors, and finish 9 on the treadmill. Nice compromise, eh? Here's how the inner mind conversation went for the first 58 minutes:
Minute #6: "It is REALLY windy and cold out today. Huh. Didn't expect it to be this bad. Well, I'm up by the golf course, and it's wide open, so I'm sure it won't be as windy on the flat low part in another mile."
Minute # 17: "Huh. Guess I was wrong. Well, when I get to the turn up here, the wind will be at my back and I'll warm up."
Minute #34: "Huh. Can't feel my cheeks. Wind is whipping my braids against my face and it kind of hurts."
Minute #48: "Okay, this is just ridiculous. The wind is getting worse!"
Minute #58: "No. More."
So, I took a detour, ended up at Tim's parents house begging to use the phone so I could be picked up. I headed home, banged out 4 on the treadmill and called it quits. Nineteen was not in the cards. Next week. (And yes, solo running leads to much self-conversation, a.k.a. "talking to oneself." Could be worse.)
I've also been busy planning a big fundraising event. As you may know, I'm training for the Boston Marathon and running for the Melanoma Foundation of New England's team, for which I am raising $$. Check out my fundraising page here. I've planned a Trivia Night in March. If you live in the Worcester area, or heck, the Boston area (and I'll even feed you) shoot me an email and I give you details.
Book Update
I finished McDougall's Born to Run this weekend. A MUST-READ for any runner or anyone who is thinking about becoming a runner. Total inspiration.
New York Fashion Week
I know a few of you have been waiting for a recap of my trip to NYC and my experience at 2010 Fashion Week. It was a blast! We attended the invitation-only J.Mendel Fall Collection showing on Thursday. Tim's bro is a designer and got us tickets for this exclusive showing. Here are the highlights:
- We had a town car pick us up and deliver us to Bryant Park. When I got out of the car, I literally had papparazzi snapping up photos!
- I got to wear a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. I am also the proud new owner of a pair, too! I'm waiting until after the marathon, so if I fall off the 5 inch spikes, I won't ruin my chances of running.
- The designs were absolutely beautiful. Alex, you did a great job!
- Stood next to Brooke Shields. She is beautiful. Nice lashes. Very tall.
Check out this runway model! She looks more like a food blogger to me.
While in NYC, we sampled the local grub. Here are those highlights:
Turkish coffee from Istanbul Cafe.
Coffee from the Hot n' Crusty Bagel. (Not as bad as it sounds.)
Beautiful, yet undoubtedly not local pepper display.
A very authentic and indulgent post-fashion show Italian meal at Morandi.
And a very vegan burger at Five Napkin Burger.
On Friday night, Tim and I walked across Central Park to a place recommended by a dear friend for some vegan grub. The Candle Cafe was just what we needed: lots of vegetables and happy hippies surrounding us. Dinner went unpictured. You'll just have to visit it yourself next time you're in NYC!
So I know I have been inspired by the Olympics. Have you? Well, if you need a bit of inspiration and you want to laugh, you'll be amazed by the capacity of this 5-year old... check out this Herb Brooks Pre-Game Speech! GO USA!
Question of the Day: What's your favorite place in NYC to eat?
The Super Breakfast Bowl Challenge #5: Walnut WINNER!
2 Comments... Click here to show some love! Posted by Jess at 6:29 PMT
hanks to all who participated in the Super Breakfast Bowl Challenge! I definitely have a whole slew of new recipes I’m going to be trying out!
Banana Flax Muffins
No time for breakfast? Make these delicious and healthy muffins ahead of time and grab on your way out. Made with whole wheat, flax seeds, walnuts, canola oil, and bananas, these muffins are an excellent source of many good-for-you foods. Even kids would love it!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 c whole wheat flour
3/4 c ground flax seeds
1/4 c sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 c canola oil
1/4 c reduced fat milk
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 c walnuts
Directions:
In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients (flour, flax, sugar, and baking soda). In a separate bowl, mix the liquid ingredients (egg, vanilla, oil, milk, and bananas).
Stir the liquids in the dry ingredients. Fold in the walnuts. If the batter is too dry, add more milk. Pour into 12 paper-lined muffin cups.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Congrats to Nour, and thanks to all who took part in this blog challenge!
Jess
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
