An Endless Saturday Morning

I’m convinced it’s Saturday. Everything tells me so…

1) My mom made a huge breakfast this morning before my brother had to catch his flight home to Montana. See ya in May, bro! My mom’s best meal is breakfast by far.

(Veggie Frittata – Potato, Zucchini, Tomato, Scallions & Cheese)

Morning Glory Muffins – Apple, Carrot, Pecans & Coconut

Tropical Papaya & Kiwi with Lime

Thanks, Mom!

2) I’m still in my PJs @ 2:30pm.

3) I haven’t showered or exercised!

4) I’ve done nothing notably productive.

5) Colbie Caillat & Amos Lee are keeping me company on this dreary, wet day.

Hoping to squeeze in another 40 on the treadmill and then get ready for my “date night” with Court!

***

Don’t miss out:

My 1st GIVEAWAY!

My 10 GOALS for 2010

See you next year decade!

~ Hillary

10 in 2010

It is the last day of first decade of the 21st century. Where did the decade go? I can remember ringing in 2000 just like it was a day or two ago – scary. I’ve enjoyed reading many blogger’s aspirations for the upcoming year. I have created resolutions for new years in the past; this year I thought it would only be appropriate to make 10 goals. They might not all get a check mark, but why not reach for the stars. Here’s what I hope to accomplish this year…

Hillary’s 10 GOALS for 2010

1. Smile more.

It makes the world a better place.

2. Get a J.O.B.

…to support my Starbucks and Trader Joe’s addictions.

3. Run my 3^rd half-marathon & set a personal record (sub 1 hour 59 minutes).

I am aiming to run at least 1 half-marathon each year I am in college.

4. Get more involved with the Nutrition & Food Science Association on campus.

I am currently a member, now I need to actually participate…

5. Practice yoga.

I am guilty of not always stretching after a run or workout, and miss my flexibility from years of dance. I have a feeling yoga could do wonders.

6. Learn how to parallel park.

I have a small car and have been driving for 4+ years. There’s no excuse.

7. Visit Starbucks less frequently.

It owns my bank account =/

8. Get certified as a Nutrition & Wellness Consultant.

This is expensive and requires additional studying, but I would love to add this to my resume!

9. Take a (digital) photography class.

It would be best if I had a Nikon Rebel first ; )

10. Bake more often and for others.

Too many recipes, so little time.

I think 2010 is going to be a fabulous year. I plan to fill it with many adventures and lots of laughter, and hope you are able to do the same.

Live Well. Love Much. Laugh Often.

Dinner & A Movie

Hi Friends,

Happy Hump Day! Well, wait…isn’t it ‘Friday’ for some? Anyway, before I left to go help with prep for a catering event, I had a filling bowl of bran. It kept my belly happy all morning, but after a few hours of slicin’ and dicin’ in the kitchen, I was ready for some lunch. I picked up a bite to eat at my local gourmet grocery store.

Wrap w/ Pesto, Provolone, Roasted Veggies & Lettuce

Kettle Krinkle Cut Salt & Pepper Potato Chips

I was freezing all morning, and couldn’t seem to make myself warm. I thought a hot drink might do the trick. After walking around Target for at least an hour with a tall decaf latte from Starbucks, my body’s blood was warm again. One of my favorite things is shopping by myself at Target. I don’t know what it is about that huge department store, but it is just calming.

Despite feeling sluggish the rest of the afternoon, I crawled onto the dreadmill before dinner for a walkin’ workout.

40 minutes @ 8.0 incline [10 minutes each @ 3.6, 3.8, 4.0, 4.2mph]

I finished up with a few weight exercises using the 8lb. set – it felt great to squeeze in some strength training. I’ve been slacking.

My family surprisingly ordered a pizza for dinner. I cannot remember the last time we did such a thing. My dad made a salad to go with. Pizza is not a favorite of mine, but I could deal for one meal ; )

It was nothing special: ricotta base, pesto, tomatoes, sundried tomatoes and chicken (which I ended up picking off). Currently watching Benjamin Button – pizza & a movie night, I guess. Don’t miss my 1st GIVEAWAY!

I’ll be back tomorrow, the last day of decade, with my goals for the new year…

Take care!

~ Hillary

GIVEAWAY for a Healthy New Year

Yes, you read that right.

I am doing my 1st blog GIVEAWAY!

I want to help get your year off to healthy start with a small gift:

• January 2010 issue of SELF Magazine, a great read for the gym
• 3 pairs of athletic socks, perfect for your new exercise goals
• Equal Exchange Organic Green Tea, to get your metabolism in gear

HOW TO ENTER:

Simply leave a comment below with one of your health-related resolutions for the new year.

You have until January 1st @ 11:00am to enter.

Extra love from me if you TWEET about the giveaway : )

…and the livin’s easy.

Evenin’!

I am currently hanging out with my mama, enjoying tea and the calming tunes of Pandora while my dad and bro are seeing Avatar. I enjoyed a peaceful, carefree day. I had nowhere to be, no extravagant meals to eat, no appointments…just me time. I picked up the house, did laundry, and ran a few errands around town in the rain. Before heading out, I sliced this mouth-watering permission; it was sweet & crunchy, perfectly ripe for eatin’.

There wasn’t much in the house to make a lunch-like meal, so I had small snacks throughout the day. My dad made a great salad before leaving for the movie with his new salad tools [red bamboo bowl, pepper grinder, dressing] he received for Christmas.

• Romaine Hearts
• Grilled Chicken
• Avocado
• Red Onion
• Croutons, handmade by my mama
  
• Snow (a.k.a. Parmesan)
• Fresh Pepper
• Delicious Roasted Hazelnut Vinaigrette, “rich & earthy”

Well, no other news to report. I have a catering job in the a.m., but just might be able to squeeze a post in. Hope you’re enjoying another short week.

~ Hillary

Back to Basics

Mornin’!

After an event-FULL holiday week, I was ready for a simple bowl of oats for breakfast. No more huge brunches please : )

• 1 cup H20
• 2/3 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 apple
• walnuts
• cinnamon & honey
• splash of low-fat milk

Today is nothing but cleaning, errands & blogging. Speaking of…

FOLLOW ME on TWITTER @ HILLontherun

To a tasty Tuesday,

~ Hillary

Oh-M-G!

This afternoon I dug into my box of Element Bars that Santa brought me. I might have designed them myself in his ‘workshop’, but it was still a splendid surprise to unwrap them from under the tree. This company is genius! Although there are some pretty tasty granola/energy bars in the markets today, who wouldn’t want to create their own personalized bar?

My Creation:

• Core: Chewy – nut (almond) butter meets hearty oats & flax
• Fruit: Dried Apricots
• Nut: Almonds
• Sweet: Brown Rice Syrup – it is absorbed more slowly providing sustained energy
• Boost: Immunity – don’t want to get sick!

I told myself I would only eat half, but there was no way I was going to leave the other half alone in a drawer – it was that good! I’m really pleased with the entire bar – the texture, flavors and appearance.

There are just a couple cons I can think of: 1) the bars are expensive, 2) each of my bars has 13 grams of fat…at least it’s healthy : )

***

Yesterday I mentioned there was one final holiday tradition left that involved food. Today was Doughnut Day! I know what you’re thinking…how exactly does fried white flour and sugar fall under the category of nutrition? Well, it doesn’t. A few years ago, my uncle started a new tradition in our family of making homemade doughnuts one morning for all the cousins that were in town for the holidays. So, once a year I indulge in the best-darn doughnuts there are: old fashioned, coffee glazed, cinnamon sugar…just to name a few.

Even though I only eat doughnuts (or sticky buns, as was the case today) once a year, they are still doughnuts…so I’ve incorporated another tradition of going for a pre-sugar feast run. Today’s happened to be a sluggish 45-minutes.

Sorry I don’t have proof of what I tell ya. Got to work on my evidence, don’t I?

Well, the house is in post-holiday stress disorder, which means I can’t think straight until everything is in it’s place.

You’ll be hearing from me soon,

~ Hillary

A Christmas Story

I don’t even know where to begin. I have been caught in the holiday bustle, going, going, going. There is so much I could blab about, as I consumed a bounty of delicious eats this past week, but food was only half the fun of all the festivities. I believe I left off at Christmas Eve…

T’was the Night Before Christmas

…and all through outside the house, I had a great morning run (~55 minutes) with Courtney followed by a our annual gift exchange at Cafe Brio with hot holiday lattes and buttered toast.

The rest of the day was spent in my holly-day apron, preparing the feast for a family dinner.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree.

Table for 10, please.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Garlic, Orange & Parsley

Please excuse the lack of foodography. We gobbled up the pomegranate tri-tip (well, chicken for me) and trough of salad lickity split. Really though, there wasn’t a leftover in site!

After dinner, we cleared the table for a game of Banana Gram (new to me) and a gift exchange of locally made items played by White Elephant Exchange rules.

***

Christmas Day 2009

The (handmade) stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

…and Mama made these to munch on, which were just fair ; )

Santa & Mrs. Clause brought lots of goodies (I must have been extra good this year).

Photogenic bowls.

I am rather serious about my chocolate.

Guess what’s inside…

Element Bars! I may have helped Santa with these ; )

The Recipe Book of All Recipe Books

***

After opening Santa’s treasures, we piled in our sleigh and “flew” south to celebrate the holiday with the grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins. The feasting did not stop, nor did the fun. Saturday night we enjoyed a gourmet Chinese meal before heading to The City to see Cirque du Soleil: Ovo. What a fantastic show! Words cannot describe the magnificence of this production and the talent and bravery of the troop. Incredible costumes, beautiful live music, tumbling & acrobatics – it’s a must see!

***

On our travel home today, we made a pit stop in the quaint town of Healdsburg to get coffee at the Flying Goat. My mom and I were curious about the coffee Miss Jenna always raves about.  It was fun to see other familiar names she often mentions, such as Cafe Gratitude, Murphy-Goode, and Zin.

We made it home just in time to attend another holiday party that my aunt and uncle host every year while all five of the cousins are home. It always consists of a variety of appetizers, a cold, buffet-style dinner…and chocolate chip bundt cake, of course. Tomorrow morning, another tradition (involving food) is in order. I will leave you in suspense until then.

Phew! I am so happy to have finished this “story”. I cannot tell you how anxious I have been to publish a post, and catch up on reading about your holidays. After tomorrow, life should slow down some.

Hope you are all enjoying the final days of 2009.

Your (always on the run) nutrition nut,

~ Hillary

Warm Holiday Wishes

Wishing you a joyous holiday from me to you!

Good morning and MERRY Christmas! I hope ya’ll are enjoying the company of family and friends today. I am off to the beautiful Sonoma County to spend the holiday weekend with my mom’s side of the family. We’ll be making the 4-hour road trip south after a traditional morning of opening Santa’s surprises at home – just waitin’ on the brother to wake up : )

Tomorrow night my family and I are going to see Cirque du Soleil in The City! I can hardly wait! I am a total “show girl”. I have been fortunate to see the following productions, and am excited to add this to my list:

• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
• The Lion King Musical
• Wicked Musical
• San Francisco Nutcracker Ballet
• Snoopy on Ice – too numerous to count
• So You Think You Can Dance Tour x2
• Stomp

I’ll be sure to give you a full report on my holiday festivities…

Joy to you,

~ Hillary

Life’s Simple Pleasures

Hi All,

Who’s excited about Santa’s arrival just a day away? Me, Me, Me! Of course it isn’t as exciting as when I was a little kid, but I am certainly looking forward to it. I think one of my favorite traditions that I miss is putting out cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer. I placed whatever homemade cookies that hadn’t been eaten yet on the designated “Cookies for Santa” plate along with a cold glass of milk and placed them on top of the woodstove, along with my Christmas wish list of course. Ok, get this…I did this halfway through high school. No, I didn’t still believe in Old Saint Nick, but that’s how much of a stickler I am about tradition : )

Today was rather uneventful, but I did enjoy some of my favorite eats:

Around 3:30pm, I made myself a homemade egg nog latte (with Silk and hand drip decaf coffee). I even topped it off with a dusting of nutmeg. It was a beauty, if I do say so myself.

Check out that thick cloud of foam – mmm!

I may have consumed a couple of cookies with this. Ugh, does anyone else feel like Cookie Monster lately?

Then after shopping for groceries with my dad for tomorrow’s feast, we picked up sushi (yes, again) at Sushi Spot. This place is hard to resist, folks : )

Family Style

***

Tomorrow’s a busy day for me:

– run with Court & gift exchange @ Cafe Brio

– “run” to the bank

– pack for Sonoma County weekend

– cook & clean for company

– dinner @ 6:00pm!

Off to catch some zzz’s,

~ Hillary