Edamame –> Idamommy

Hey Yo! We made it over the hump of the week! I’m super happy that this week is zooming by; it’s just cruising downhill from here.

You can probably guess what was on my plate for breakfast today…yep, waffles it was! I went with an “open-faced sandwich” today – the more PB & banana, the better.

I normally don’t get to eat lunch home on Wednesdays, so it was a treat to have a break in my day to do so. I was dreaming of this lunch all morning.

Green Monster a la:

1/2 frozen banana

1/2 cup mixed berries [strawberries, raspberries, blueberries & blackberries]

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1 cup fresh baby spinach 

Sandwich a la:

whole wheat toast

raspberry jam

extra sharp white cheddar

fresh baby spinach

…and because I always have something sweet to polish off a meal:

Remember the box of No Pudge Fudge Brownie Mix my mama gave me?

Mix together:

4 T mix

2 T 0% Vanilla Greek Yogurt

a few bittersweet chocolate chips

+ 1 minute in Mr. Micro = a guiltless decadent dessert.

After my last class, I rushed home to make an early dinner in lightening speed. I guess I should be on Iron Chef because this rushed salad was a victory!

It screamed Spring – fresh color, color, color!

Baby Arugula, Spinach & Lettuce Mix, Carrot, Edamame, Tomatoes, Sunflower Seeds, Feta, Olive Oil & Seasoned Rice Vinegar + Fresh Pepper

I also tested out a new item I picked up at TJ’s yesterday – edamame hummus – with a couple multigrain crackers. As if hummus couldn’t get any healthier, this was colorful too. Edamame makes green hummus – surprise, surprise.

I didn’t have a lot of time to savor my delicious & nutritious dinner because I had to rush out the door to go baby-sit. Edamame –> Idamommy…wow, I’m ridiculous. I wish I had had time to workout today, but making a little extra cash is always helpful. Plus, yesterday’s time at The Resort left my legs sore today:

1 mile indoor track run @ 8:10

strength [arms + legs]:

• seated row: 20 @ 40 lbs.
• bicep curls: 40 @ 10 lbs.
• “weights-to-chin”: 20 @ 10 lbs.
• bicep curl lunges: 20 @ 20 lbs.
• glute press: 40 @ 40 lbs.
• squats: 40 @ 20 lbs.

1/2 mile indoor track run @ 4:15

30-minute spin [11.2 mi.]

1/2 mile indoor track run @ 5:00

stretch

There are my eats for the day [minus a couple post-sittin’ snacks]. It felt good to take photos of my food again. It’s become part of me; the addiction is in my blood : )

How do you like to consume edamame?

Hillary

No Pain No Gain

Hi Ya’ll!

Woo…it’s already 8:30pm and I’m just now finishing up my dinner and beginning to blog [it’s quite the process]. I must make it quick tonight though, as I have to study for my 1 exam & 2 quizzes that I have tomorrow [surprise surprise].

Breakfast, oh Breakfast…if only you knew how much I dearly love you.

A reader suggested I try mixing my regular rolled oats and oat bran, so that’s exactly what I did. Oh, and props to me for trying new combinations and going outside of my [food] box lately.

In the mix:

– 1 cup water

– 1/3 cup rolled oats

– 1/3 cup oat bran

– 1/2 T ground flax

– cinnamon

Toppings:

– 1/2 d’anjou pear

– 1 T walnuts

– drizzle of agave

– big splash of 1% milk

***

I was dreading today’s 3-hour organic chem lab – as we had our first lab exam + 2 labs to finish – but it wasn’t as horrific as I was anticipating, and I came out alive the full 3-hours later. I ate a late lunch after class, including half of a succulent orange and leftover mac & cheese. FYI, Annie’s + Avocado = A-mazing!

Then there was some time wasted before I headed to the gym to get my March move on! I had a fabulous workout:

– 40-minute spin [15.0 mi.]

– 20-minute treadmill run [10 minutes @ 6.0mph (incline 2.0), 6 minutes @ 6.6mph, 4 minutes @ 6.8mph]

– 2 x 20 lat pulldown @ 40 lbs.

– 20 side dips each side @ 10 lbs.

– 2 x 10 bicep curl lunges each leg @ 20 lbs.

– 2 x 10 squats @ 20 lbs.

– 2 x 10 “weights-to-chin” @ 20 lbs.

– 2 x 10 “toe-touches” @ 20 lbs.

I can’t believe I didn’t look at the treadmill to see how far I’d run – my guess is around 2.5 miles. I definitely pushed myself tonight, especially with the faster treadmill speed. I know I am strong, but rarely push myself to my maximum potential. They only way to get stronger is by exerting more effort. No pain, no gain!

Dinner: steamed TJ’s Vegetable Gyoza + broccolini with soy sauce, toasted sesame oil & seseame seeds.

You think a few potstickers are going to do it for me after burning all those calories? You’ve got to be kidding. Next was some 0% Greek & Humboldt Honey Granola. I think I could eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner : )

I’m outta here…

~ Hillary

Question: If you are a blogger and also a college student, as I am, how do you manage your time between studying and keeping up with the blog world? Where and how do you find the discipline to keep yourself away from the screen?

5 & [Barely] Alive

Ahhhhhh [sigh]. Week 5 is officially over and I made it out alive…just barely! I had one long week with a huge Hump Day. For some reason, I feel smothered with exams this semester. I have 6 exams in a 4-week span, not including an equal amount of quizzes – gahhh. Can Spring Break come any sooner?

I woke up feeling exhausted this morning and dreaded the thought of O. Chem + Geography with my 80-year-old monotone professor. I somehow managed to get through my classes, although I am pretty sure I looked like sleep-walking zombie. The last thing I wanted to do was exercise, but I usually meet my roommate at the gym Friday afternoons – and since she was my ride home – I mustered up my hidden energy for a “workout”. I think it’s really interesting how one day your body can haul a** and the next it can’t move faster than a banana slug. Weird, isn’t it?

Friday:

• 20 minutes: Treadmill [5 minutes each @ 3.6, 3.8, 4.0, 4.2mph]
• 15  minutes: Run [indoor track]
• 10 minutes: Stair Master

After eating my 2nd piece of PB & honey toast, I couldn’t stand it any longer and set out in the stormy weather on a quest for groceries. Three stuffed reusable bags later…mission accomplished! With a restocked kitchen and [homemade] iced coffee + dark chocolate in my system, I felt so much better.

I made up for my lack of produce during the day with a colorful salad for dinner:

Crispy, Crunchy Organic Romaine, Avocado, Carrot, Cucumber, Red Onion, Yellow Bell Pepper & TJ’s Parmesan Ranch

…it reminded me of home : )

Think there might be some fro-yo/ice cream in the near future with the roomies.

Happy Weekend!

~ Hillary

Work It Out

Hi Lovely Readers! I was happy to read that so many of you were excited about the little tale this morning. I got the melted jam idea from another blog, but now can’t remember which.

After finishing my morning post, I made myself a latte – or technically a cafe au lait (with 1% milk) – and a sprinkling of raw sugar…mmm. I’m going strong with my Coffee Challenge and have decided to extend my goal until this Friday (rather than Monday). I have a tough school week ahead of me, and thought if I can avoid buying coffee until Friday, then I can reward myself with a treat!

Foam a la Aerolatte

***

Lounging around in my pajamas all morning meant a late lunch…but when I got around to it, this is what it consisted of:

Frijoles Negros, Salsa y Avocado + Agua

Dos Kiwis

***

After studying up for my Elementary Foods exam, I got antsy to exercise. My muscles are still extremely sore from the past 4 days of exercise, but I wanted to work out some of the lactic acid build-up. Nothing hardcore:

Cardio

• 1 mile track [alternate jog/walk every 2 laps]
• 20 minutes: ARC Trainer
• 1 mile track [alternate jog/walk every 2 laps]

Abs

• 2 x 20 stability ball crunches
• 2 x 20 reverse crunches
• 2 x 10 side crunches
• 2 x 10 stability ball “knee-to-chest rollers”

Stretch!

***

Dinner was rustic and E-Z!

– organic polenta (sauteed in olive oil), marinara, chevre & tear of fresh basil –

Alright…time to study my fruits and veggies for Wednesday’s Elementary Foods EXAM.

Enjoy your night,

~ Hillary

I Taste Sunshine

Good Morning!

I wanted to challenge myself to write a post this morning before heading to school, so here I am. I may have gotten a head start last night (procrastinating O. Chem), but whatever works…right? =]

Breakfast

1 cup water

2/3 cup rolled oats

1/3 almond milk

1/2 banana

1 T unsweetened coconut

1 T agave

1 tsp. vanilla

***

Coffee Challenge

I seem to have totally forgotten about Goal #7 for 2010: “Visit Starbucks less frequently”. I have been so determined to reach the Gold Level by accumulating 30 stars, that my Starbucks habit has turned into a more frequent occasion than not. I want to challenge myself to not go to Starbucks this entire week. The only coffee I will allow myself to have will be made at home. Hopefully this snippet will keep me accountable…

***

Your Questions Answered

1) I want to know how you budget to shop at Trader Joe’s so often! I am jealous!

Growing up, my family did not put a strict budget on the grocery bill. Feeding my brother and I whole, natural, and usually organic foods was more important to my parents than saving a little bit of money from purchasing processed foods. Fortunately, I was raised in an area rich in fresh produce, seafood, organic dairy, and local cooperative markets to do such; however, that didn’t always mean cheap prices. I clearly obtained the same belief that quality (food) is better than quantity. There isn’t a Trader Joe’s near my hometown, so when I went away to college I thought that their prices were incredibly reasonable — $0.19 for a banana! I understand that what may be cheap to one may be pricey to another, but shopping at TJ’s works for my healthy lifestyle on a college budget.

[source]

2) I have a question regarding college… I have a test coming up next week for my nutrition class and I have no idea how to study. How do you memorize everything?

Despite the gazillion quizzes & exams I’ve taken in my lifetime, I still have not mastered a studying technique. I always do the practice exams/study guides if they are assigned, and attend any extra review sessions that are offered. Memorizing is something that does come fairly naturally, but when I have a ton of definitions to cram into my brain, I whip out the 3×5 cards. Sorry for such a generic answer. Good luck!

Snack Attack

Hello hello. Happy Friday!

With no school today [due to California’s non-existent budget], it feels like Saturday…but lucky for me, the weekend has just begun! I slept in this morning and, for once, it felt great! My body certainly need those extra zzz’s. However, I still have a deep cough and don’t know what to do about it besides rest.

I made a very simple bowl of oats, along with my 36th cup of Echinacea Complete Care tea, for brex and then got to cleaning house. Yes, even as a 20-year-old college student, I am still anal about tidying my house before having guests : ) Then my roommate and I hit up Trader’s, I ate snack #14, and here I am…

Speaking of snacks, I feel like Miss Allie lately. Normally, I am a routine eater and minimize my amount of random, mindless snacking; however, the past few days I’ve been attacking the snacks:

New Favorite: Dried Apricots + Dark Chocolate Almonds

I am addicted!

Cherry Almond Dark Chocolate Granola Bar (handmade by my mama!)

Ben & Jerry’s Dark Chocolate Peaces – not impressed.

Cucumber, Carrots, Pita Bite Crackers & Hummus – all courtesy of TJ’s.

***

Anxiously awaiting for Tasha to arrive. We were suitemates my first two years of college, and I’ve really missed living with her this year. I am looking forward our girly weekend. Anyone else seeing Valentine’s Day?

Blogging may be minimal the next couple of days, but I will for sure be announcing the giveaway winner Sunday.

Have a LOVELY weekend,

~ Hillary

Blue Skies & Running Highs

Howdy! Hope you had a relaxing Sunday – it is supposed to be a day of rest, ya know. All I can say is that I am much chipper today than yesterday and I know exactly why that is…RUNNING.

Although I accidently slept in again today, a repeat of yesterday’s breakfast and a little Food Network cheered me right up. By the time the gym opened (at the inconvenient hour of noon), sunshine was seeping through my windows and I knew today was not a day to be inside a gym. Nonetheless, I drove to campus, threw my belongings into a locker, and walked right back out the gym doors into sunshine and blue skies. I was a happy girl : )

I didn’t remember to bring my running watch, but that wasn’t stopping me. I turned on my tunes and just ran…for about 30-35 minutes. It was entirely random, and extremely refreshing. You just can’t get the same running high from running around the inside of a gym. I polished off my workout with the following:

• 5 minutes erg (rowing machine)
• 2 x 15 lat pulldown @ 40lbs.
• 2 x 15 seated row @ 40lbs.
• 15 tricep dips
• 15 side dips each side @ 10lbs.
• 15 lunges each leg @ 10lbs.
• 3 x 15 squats @ 10lbs.

Lunch

Low-Fat Cottage Cheese, Avocado, Cucumber, Tomato, 1/2 T Ground Flax, and remaining Multigrain Chips

It was definitely a day for an iced (low-fat) latte. I stopped at the Starbucks down the street before hitting up Target for TP — always a necessity. By the way, Target during the Super Bowl = bliss!

Look at that sky : )

I then finished putting together my giveaway for Friday. Aren’t you excited?

Dinner

TJ’s Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli with TJ’s Traditional Marinara

Spinach Salad with Avocado, Chevre, Tomato, Fresh Pepper & Balsamic Vinegar

Dessert

TJ’s 71% Cocoa Swiss Dark Chocolate

***

What I’m looking forward to this week:

1. Watching The Bachelor with my roomies
2. Seeing Valentine’s Day (the movie)
3. Having a 4-day weekend
4. …including Tasha’s visit!

***

Happy 21st Birthday, Court!

Dear Friday

Thank [Goodness] It’s Friday! Hope your week wasn’t half bad, and if it was, well…it’s the weekend! I slept in an hour longer than I had intended today, but still managed to make it out the door on time.

Brex

3/4 cup Raisin Bran, 1/4 cup Humboldt Honey Granola, 1/2 banana, 3/4 cup almond milk

After class, my roommate and I met at the gym:

• 15 minutes: RUN [indoor track]
• 30 minutes: BUTTS ‘n’ GUTTS class
• 15 minutes: RUN [indoor track]

Lunch

Annie’s + Carotene & Chlorophyll

I almost made it an entire week with my grocery supply, but my shelves were looking particularly bare today. Alas, I made the trip to TJ’s to restock. I also stopped at another store to purchase a couple final items for my V.DAY GIVEAWAY! It’s a good one.

Mid-Day Munchies

2% Plain Greek Yogurt, 2 T Humboldt Honey Granola, Fresh Blueberries

Trader Joe’s was out of 0% yogurt, hence the 2%. Wow…what a difference 2% of fat makes – yum! I’m not sure what dinner will be at this point. Currently doing my Friday laundry and such. Dear John is in the plans tonight. Hello, Channing! Anyone else with me? ; )

Toodles,

~ Hillary

***

Your Questions Answered

Angela asked: What is a product you love and can’t live without? Do you have a skin regimen?

I am assuming you meant food product…I currently cannot live without Greek yogurt in my kitchen. I’m all about the new craze! I’m also going to assume you meant skin regimen for my face… unfortunately, one thing I was not granted was pretty skin. I try to make the most out of what I’ve got, but I will never be the girl with the gorgeous skin. I wash my face 1-2x a day with a facial scrub, and follow with a light moisturizer (Clinique). I have been using Bare Escentuals makeup for a little over 2 years now and have received compliments since about my glowing, natural look. I am a huge fan : )

S is for Saturday

Whew…what a Saturday! I’ve been going going all day. I almost bailed on my roommate this morning, who I had made plans to go to spin class with, but eventually the exercise addiction in me beat the temptation to sleep another hour under my cozy covers. I downed a bowl of Greek ‘n’ Granola and then we were out the door to The Resort. I was a bit scared about taking a spin class today, as I woke up extremely sore from yesterday’s yoga, but I managed to power thought the entire hour.

Spin. Shower. Shop. Study. That was the plan for today. However, the studying might have to wait until Sunday…priorities, right?

I gulped down another Carrots ‘N’ Cake iced latte after exercising, rummaged up a little lunch from my empty fridge, and then it was time to shop. I went to FOUR grocery stores today. I told you I was going going going all day. I didn’t even find the one thing I was searching for. I then folded my massive mound of clean laundry before putting my groceries to use in the kitchen.

I made boxed brownies. I know, I’m ashamed, but if you knew how sinfully scrumptious these were, you would make them too!

While the brownies baked in the oven, I made dinner:

Brown Rice, Stir-fried Broccoli, Carrots, Red Onion and Teryaki Tofu

Cook 1/2 cup brown rice in 1 cup water for ~35 minutes. Stir-fry firm tofu in a bit of vegetable oil and TJ’s Soyaki Sauce. Remove from wok and add broccoli, carrots and onions. Stir-fry until soft. Layer rice, veggies & tofu in a big bowl and gobble up.

After 25 minutes, the decadent brownies were ready to be removed from the furnace.

I prefer to use a muffin pan because I am able to use my magic muffin papers — easy, crumb-free eating & clean-up!

Of course I sampled one fresh from the oven. Truffles they are indeed! Well, my of-age roommates are doing of-age activities tonight, so Mama Hill is at home doing mother-like activites.

See ya’ll Sunday (sometime)…

Mwah,

~ Hillary

Embracing Break

Howdy Folks!

Hope your Thursday has been a good one. My (5-week) vacation began with breakfast in bed reading my new January issue of Fitness – love my health magazines.

English Muffin with Flax PB & Honey

Next up: exercise! I was determined to get in one last sweaty workout at “The Resort”. It was a success:

• 20 minutes Elliptical (resistance: 5.0)
• 20 minutes stationary bike (resistance: 5.0)
• 20 minutes treadmill (incline: 10.0)
• 60 squats @ 20lbs.
• 20 lat pulldowns @ 40lbs.
• bicep curls @ 10lbs.
• 10 ‘assisted’ pull-ups
• 10 ‘assisted’ dips
• V-ups (abs)

Afterwards, I headed to TJ’s to pick up a couple snacks for the road tomorrow, as well as a few things to hold me over for the rest of the day…

Lunch: Tofu Spring Rolls & a new Numi Iced Tea. I tried Morcoccan Mint today to pair with the mint inside the spring rolls ; ), but I wasn’t a huge fan — “barely sweetened” is still a tad too sweet for me.

For an afternoon snack, I treated myself (at $1.89) to Fage with raw almonds, apricots & honey. Fage does not compare to any other Greek yogurt – so divine!

I have been a cleaning machine today! I can’t leave my place less than sparkling before I leave town. I cleaned the (moldy) shower, did the dishes, and 3 loads of laundry (including bedding). I took an hour break in there somewhere for some sale shopping at the mall. I scored 2 great deals at AE & VS today — love coupons.

Anyway, off to finish packing up my life…seriously, 5 weeks is a long time!

Have a great night,

~ Hillary

P.S. My microbiology professor is on top of it – grades are posted. B for me…guess that’ll do.