Spring & Smiles in Sonoma

Hi! Happy Weekend, ya’ll! I am have a wonderful time in Sonoma County; I’ve sure missed my “second home”. Before leaving my apartment yesterday, I packed a few snacks to bring along:

• Carrots & Cucumber
• ~1/3 Chocolove Bar
• Almond Butter
• 2 AllieBars
• Green Tea
• Oats + Oat Bran + Cinnamon

Travel Tip: Pack your own hot cereal for a cheap, easy & healthy breakfast.

My 3-hour drive was easy and beautiful. When I got into town, I decided to stretch my legs by taking a stroll around my old college campus while getting a little Vitamin D on my cheeks. It’s Spring Break for the university, so it was awkwardly quiet – there wasn’t a sole in sight.

My old stomping pad: Beaujolais Village [we are in wine country, after all].

The newest student housing – Tuscany Village – is  very plush.

Spring is blooming!

For diner, two of my original roommates [from freshman year] and I went out to eat at Monti’s Rotisserie & Bar. I had the Baby Beet Salad with Spice Hazelnuts & Humboldt Fog [yay, home!] Goat Cheese. I’m a fan of beets!

Goal #1: Smile more : )   

Afterwards, Tasha [left] took us to an adorable fro yo shop – Ghirardelli chocolate with almonds for me please.

There was a lot of much-needed laughing last night. I’ve missed my gals!

***

After sleeping in this morning, I went for a short 36 minute run and then made breakfast with my oats [above]. I picked up a banana at the store when I got into town, and T had ground flax & soy milk – perfect!

Oats + Oat Bran + 1/2 Banana [cooked] + Cinnamon & Flax + Almond Butter & Soy Milk

We picked up hot soy lattes at Starbucks [1 star to go before I’m a Gold Member!] before hitting up a few stores: Target, REI & Cost Plus.

Although I should really be studying for my Monday exam, my mind is in “vacation mode”. I am headed to my aunt and uncle’s in a bit for Sunday Saturday family dinner. I’m looking forward to meeting their Swedish exchange student and having a home cooked meal…I wonder what the theme is is tonight : ) While going to school in Sonoma, I would go to Family Dinner every Sunday. It was a blessing to have the comfort of family just a few minutes away. I definitely miss that.

Enjoy your evening!

Hillary

Plain Jane

I felt like Plain Jane in the rain today. Darn rain…I’m ready for Spring already. At least I have my bright bowls to help cheer things up a bit.

Yellow Bowl Take 1

1 cup water, 2/3 cup rolled oats, 1/2 banana (cooked Kath style), 1 T ground flax, 1 T walnuts, 1/3 cup almond milk & cinnamon

Clean

Can you see my reflection?

Yellow Bowl Take 2

Low-Fat Cottage Cheese, 1/4 Avocado, Cucumber, Tomato & Fresh Pepper…for the 100th time.

Simple School Snack

Apple & Almond Butter…as if you couldn’t tell.

Dinner

Toasted English Muffin, Veggie Burger, 1/4 Mashed Avocado & Greens served on a plain white paper towel.

***

Between Simple School Snack and Dinner, I played around at The Resort:

• RUN – 1.5 miles
• WALK – 0.5 miles
• ZUMBA – 1 hour
• 3 x 20 stability ball crunches

***

Your Questions Answered

Shelley asked:

1) What is your favorite part of college? What do you want to do after college?

I love college for a lot of reasons. I have attended two different universities and they have each given me two totally different, yet wonderful experiences. I loved living on campus my first two years of college and the lasting friendships that I made with my roommates. I also enjoy the independence that I’ve gained while living away from home. I do not know exactly what I want to do after college (in terms of a specific job), but I am 98% positive I want it to incorporate food & writing. I’d also love to travel around Europe after graduation.

2) How do you feel about going out on weekends & drinking?

I enjoy going out on occasion, but I’m not a social butterfly. I do drink occasionally, but excessive drinking/partying and a healthy lifestyle do not exactly go hand-in-hand…so it is not something I do frequently. I have had my share of crazy, college nights though : )

3) When did you become interested in health?

Long story short, about 7th or 8th grade. My interest continues to grow each and every day.

Thank you all for your questions. I will be answering more of your questions soon, but I need to take care of this tired body and achy head…

Night,

~ Hillary

I Heart Blogging

Morning. How’s your Wednesday looking so far? As I promised myself last night, I rolled out of bed and headed to my old dance studio for an hour of DanceFit this morning. Ugh, let’s just say that pound of pasta sunk to the pit of stomach and hasn’t ‘escaped’ yet. Pretty sure I looked like an exhausted 2,000 lb. elephant trying to chasse around the room. Ha, oh well…I made an effort anyway : )

Brex

0% Plain Oikos + 1/3 cup Humboldt Honey Granola + 1/2 banana

Are you getting tired of this yet? Too bad…I’m not!

I heart my “H” spoon.

daily cup of decaf green tea + a piece of Rudi’s organic wheat & oat toast with AB & apricot jam

I love this new found hobby/passion/obsession of blogging. I could sit here all day and read/write about healthy living and drool over recipes, but I must get on with my life.

Later,

~ Hillary

November’s End

Hi. How was your last day of November? Are you as excited for December as I am?

I had a casual, uneventful day. I got to school a little before noon, anticipating another dreadful microbiology lecture, to find a note on the door: “class cancelled”. It’s ridiculous the little amount of actual class time I’ve had this semester. So, a Plan B was in order…I enjoyed my AB&J sandwich a little earlier than planned and headed to the g.y.m. I may have popped a few dark chocolate covered espresso beans in the locker room for a burst of energy : )

(whole wheat bread, Justin’s Maple Almond Butter, apricot jam)

Monday’s movement:

• 30 minutes strength conditioning & stretching
• 30 minutes treadmill (15 walk/15 run)
• 30 minutes stationary bike + 30 Minute Meals

I had even more time to waste before my next class at 4:00pm, so I moseyed on over to Starbucks and had a double take of yesterday (iced decaf 2% latte).

After class, I had no choice but to go grocery shopping (unless I wanted a granola bar for dinner). I’m not sure why, but TJ’s shelves were empty. They were out of several things that were on my list. I think I’ll survive without Raisin Bran.

I felt my day was a bit carb-heavy, so I made a salad for dinner to try to balance out my eats:

(baby lettuces, avocado, red onion, pumpkin seeds & chevre + olive oil & balsamic

…and a beautiful pumpkin persimmon)

I found this treat at TJ’s. It had my name on it: “The Dark Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate Bar“.

Ok…I love dark chocolate, but 85%…that’s a little too much cocoa. I think 75% is my max. I have no doubt that this bar will be gone in a couple days though : )

Happy December Eve!

~ Hillary

Soup for the Mind, Body & Soul

I survived my long day…well, just barely. I just kept putting one foot in front of the other – from one class, to the library, to another class, to review sessions – and somehow I managed to come home alive (though cold and wet from the torrential downpour). My brain is fried, and my body is quickly breaking down on me.

The constant supply of little snacks assisted in getting me through the day. Around 4:00pm, I had a mini Fuji apple with a packet of Justin’s almond butter. I thought the honey flavor would pair well with the apple, and it did. I definitely recommend the product. The one thing I am curious about is why there is oil in the ingredient list? I can’t come up with an explanation.

When I finally arrived home for the durration of the night, I warmed up my bones with a bowl of TJ’s organic butternut squash soup and an autumn salad (organic heirloom lettuce, 1/2 mini apple, orange-flavored dried cranberries, walnuts and chevre of course + olive oil & balsamic).

I don’t know if I can believe it, but…I will not be tuning into SYTYCD tonight. I do not have a minute to spare.

Wishing you health and good eats,

~ Hillary