Saturday, June 30, 2012

My Patellar, Your Patellar? We'll find out in 13 weeks.

Ugh, so Garmin is down and I can't upload my race results.  Awesome, Garmin.  

My knee was super while the race took place, we cooled down and while walking to the car, it starting acting out.  Stupid knee.  Well, stupid me.  I found a great article full of useful information at fix-knee-pain.com, and I realize now (again, for the third or fourth time this week) that I overtrained, that I didn't "watch it" or let it rest... yes, yes, I know.  It's my fault.  Question is, how do I fix it?

Well, the article is thorough.  It is exactly what I've been researching for the past 6-7 days.  I've found great inspirational blogs about injuries but nothing about what to do about them.  Sure, there are great "you should've been doing this stretch" topics, but I already fucked it up, ok?  Give me something to do.

This article does.  It goes into detail about a 13-week long (if you do the max recommended weeks per phase) "Anti-knee Tendonitis Program."  I can follow programs (except the one that I didn't while I got injured)!  So, today was day one.  I'm ready to stop running (yes) and start to prepare my knee for real training.  I mean, go big or go home.  Right?  Damn, right.

Phase I is a set of basic steps every new runner (athlete) should follow before doing anything else.  The one thing all articles have agreed on, is that runners get injured because we just don't know.  There are a million things that go on while running, any one of them done over a period of time will take you out.  We are naive and wishful about the wind on our faces, the crunch of gravel under our feet, the better legs... We are all guilty.

The only thing I need to get is a stretchy band that I was hoping to buy anyway, I can find it at a discount store with a little looking around.  I'm really excited about this injury now.  There are a bunch of butt exercises (!) and inner thighs touch ups.  It'll be a good 13 weeks, I say.

Food was all over the place today because we are out of food.  My husband did a quick run to the store to get what the kids needed to survive for another day (diapers, wipes, juice, milk) but my job was to cook a meal for two with frozen meat and a box of salad.  Done and doner.

 I'm not posting pictures today, the Gummy Bear is crying like there's no tomorrow.


Guns.

I've been doing these two videos on my week off running to strengthen my chicken arms.  Wings.  Whatever.  I've always had thin wrists but my biceps/triceps are regular sized, it makes me look funny.  They're only 10 minutes each and the instructors give really good secrets about each workout.  I like that you can use lighter weights and switch.


And this one:

I followed it by Sparkpeople's 15-min ab workout that I did the other day.  My arms feel wobbly, I'm glad I'm about to go to sleep.

Food today:

Skull coffee cup!
The day started with almond butter/honey toast, an open-faced chicken sandwich with lettuce, avocado and fat free Greek yogurt.  Oh, and coffee.  You can't forget the coffee.


Recipe from YOU: On a Diet

I hadn't had any lentil soup in a while.  I used to cook a soup a week and have it between breakfast and lunch.  It helped me lose weight and saved me on having to look around the kitchen for something to eat.  With two kids, I need all the free time I can get.  Each cup is supposed to be under 100 calories, it was tasty.


We used up the last carrots and GBP in the soup.  Time to
go grocery shopping!
Subway with avocado (from home) and fat free Greek yogurt.  I do like Greek yogurt, why do you ask?


Oatmeal cookies and almond/honey toast.
Oh, and more coffee.


Big salad while visiting with my sister.


Tried new bread recipe, topped with honey.


After workout, MILK.

I need to buy more peanuts, I don't really like almond butter when there's peanut butter around.  It'll do.  We are slowly running out of things in the pantry and fridge.  It's time to go grocery shopping but there are SO MANY people at the store during the weekend.  I'll have to wake up crazy early.

I'm picking up my running buddy tomorrow to do the Do Life Tour 2012!  It's a free 5K and I get to RUN.  I mean, I'll jog.  But inside, I'll be running my butt off.  I don't know if my knee will act up, it could've all been in my imagination.  I hope so!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Just a walk.

What a long day, wasn't it? I woke up later than usual (catching up on sleep) and got cleaning. Well, I fed the bears and then cleaned and cleaned. Sad thing is, the apartment now looks as messy as when I started! Those kids, always finding something to flip over.

Anyway, food and exercise. I took a walk with my mom at 8:00 p.m. because it was finally cool enough to walk outside.  It was short but made a huge difference in my mood.  I'm planning to take another walk with the kids as soon as we get up.  It'll be not so hot, I hope.


First walk since Sunday?  Glad to get out!

There was a freak storm (rained twice, wind was crazy) early in the day and then it went back to oven-hot. I took a picture because I'm trying to add some adventure into my life:

From inside my apartment.  I'm adventurous, not crazy.

Food was alright, getting tired of the same thing but I'm not going grocery shopping tomorrow. I have a date with my weight lifting instructor for BodyPump at 11 a.m. I haven't been there since... last Wednesday? I'm not sure, being inside so much is driving me insane.


Breakfast: coffee, egg sandwich w/avocado and a small apple.


While looking at houses to lease, half an almond butter sandwich.


Chicken strip salad with peanuts, avocado, grapes and queso fresco.
Some baby carrots for crunch.  I'm loving avocado right now.
That's the Gummy Bear jumping in the picture.


Coffee and oatmeal cookies before the hubby goes off to make money.


Leftovers, pasta with veggies and toast.
Greek yogurt, just because.


Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, almonds and Cheerios.


I need a bigger second meal.  I was still hungry.
Almond butter, best-jelly-in-the-world on toast.


After the walk.  Chicken sandwich, Greek yogurt,
pecans, lettuce, avocado, salsa... and cold water.

I'm sleepy and I should take it as a hint that I need to go rest.  It stinks to have to go to sleep right after the silence takes over the apartment.  Both kids had a hard time going to sleep tonight, one's teething and the other one's too happy to go nite-nite.  That's my conclusion, anyway.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Day Three: The End is Near

So, today marks day three of bed rest. I wish. There's a race on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. that I've been waiting for since I missed it last year (pregnant and hot days don't mix) so I'm bummed that I won't be able to run. The good thing is that the whole point of the running tour is to celebrate life and living it in any healthy way possible. At least that's what I got from it so I'm going to walk and jog a little if my knee doesn't mind. We shall see!

Today's meals, I tried to add more veggies (notice the spinach underneath egg). I also made sure to have two servings of fruit, can't miss the fruit!

Morning started with eggs, salsa, and ff Greek yogurt.
Coffee, so the world could still spin.


Protein shake that only kept me full for an hour.


Subway and baby carrots, with bread NOT extra crispy.  *sigh*
The husband didn't hear my pleas.


Added a small Gala apple because I was craving something sweet.



Something sweet and coffee.
Homemade almond butter on homemade bread.
**


Some veggies and pasta, paired with bread and butter.
My hubby and daughter stole ate one of my slices.


Went to the $1-store and craved some PB and chocolate cups.
Came home and had chocolate milk with almond butter toast
topped with mini semi-sweet chocolate chips.  Way better.


Picture at grocery store.  PB and Oreo's... Chocolate-filled Oreo's!


My awesome salad in my awesome new bowl.
Peanuts, Greek yogurt, baby carrots, chicken breast,
mixed greens, grapes, black pepper and anything else that fit.


One oatmeal cookie because I'd been craving the ones my hubby ate from Subway.

Besides visiting stores and leaving the kids with the husband, I got my hair cut and (FINALLY) my eyebrows waxed. I was sporting a uni-brow, not very lady-like. My new running buddy that I have yet to run with, texted me about the half-marathon coming up next year in January. The organizers sent out an e-mail with a special price available only tomorrow. $55 for a medal and a sweatshirt (I think)? YESSS.


I told her we should form a team, running is better the more people involved. I'm really excited, I was training for a half marathon just because I had always wanted to while pregnant, but I got sidetracked with classes at the gym so maybe it's a good idea to do it now. The way the schedule meant me to do it and not the way I did it. I got injured that way, that way is no good.


Anyway, I finished the day with this video because I am not taking off the week to just eat while my knee buckles down:


It was only 15 minutes long and I did 98% of all the sets! I'm excited, that's huge. I guess all the running, yoga, Zumba and e/thing else really paid off. Tomorrow's arms/chest, then abs on Friday and hopefully, a 5K on Saturday. I'll be praying to the running gods and Saint Sebastian (Patron of Athletes). I'd post a picture of Saint Sebastian but they're pretty gory...


**this post was recovered, ignore the tacky way blogspot edits pasted things!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Run for Wellness 5K Series (June) Race Recap!

Race: Run for Wellness 5K Series (June)
Date: Saturday, June 24 @ 7:00 a.m.
Distance: 5K
Time: 29:27
Average Pace: 9:32 min/mi
Course:

Nice trail, but it's small when the cyclists show up.

I did this one with no music, I just hadn't prepared a good playlist and didn't feel like clicking through the 90 songs I like and somewhat like.  I'm not a music person.  There were a lot more people, close to 125?  It's getting to be a bigger and bigger race every month!  There are more sponsors helping out, I really like this race series.


I was 9 seconds slower (D'oh!) than last month, which is fine because my knee was hurting and it has been a crazy weird week in the work out department.  But damn, 9 seconds!  It's ok, it's ok.  It is ok.  I took more pictures this time around and warmed up for 0.7 mi which I think made a huge difference at the start.  I wasn't trying to get my heart rate up at all, it was a good run.  I have to remember to warm up with a slow run from now on.

...the pictures weren't as great as I thought, LOL.  Here are the few that made the cut.

59 was the best number there.

I didn't participate in the warm-up... too much jumping.  Too early.

It's hard to find the right spot at the startling line!

I always end up too far back, it seems.  I have to pass a lot of people and it's stressful because you're so close to each other.  Ew, sweat!  I'm pleased with today's results, my knee is still bothering me.  I may have to take off a few days and let it do whatever it needs to do.

I met a nice woman who invited me to participate in her group's early morning runs. They start at around 5 a.m. and do 4-5 miles. She said she wanted to do longer runs but her group was stuck at 4 mi. I know the feeling, past 5 mi and there are no running buddies. I liked her! Determined to not let her running affect her mommy duties. Her kids wake up at 6:30 a.m., those are some early risers. Mine wake up at 8:05 on the dot, every morning. Sigh. But on to the recipe.

I made these last night because it'll be a long day and I won't be back in time to feed the Big Bear. I prepared the plate by adding cooked brown rice and fresh broccoli. He'll just have to add some of the strips and heat it all up. There, wife duties done.

My mom makes Milanesa all the time and brings it over. She makes the breading with crushed saltines, fries the coated chicken in oil, and tempts me to run 10 miles the next day. God bless that woman, she can make a meal out of twigs and salt. (No, I didn't get those genes either.)

Heart Healthy Chicken Strips
Serves 4-5

Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts, skinless/boneless, sliced into strips

1 medium egg
1 tablespoon fat free milk

1 cup Cheerios (powdered in food processor or crushed with whatever heavy thing you can get--a can works)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon + 1/8 teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin

Check it


Red and black, always a good combination.

In one small flat bowl, mix the egg and milk together. Whisk until frothy. Place another small flat bowl next to eggy one and add the crushed/powdered Cheerios, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper and cumin. Shake until well combined.

Slice your chicken breasts however you like them, I didn't want to spend too much time trying to flip little nugget bites so I made them into strips.


Chicken--dipping.

After washing your hands, use one to dump a few pieces of chicken into the egg mixture. Using the same hand, pick up ONE piece and let some of the extra egg slime off. Just hold it over the bowl, the less liquid, the better the coverage.

Dumped chicken.

With the same hand, drop the chicken into the Cheerio bowl and shake back and forth. Don't touch the chicken yet, just keep shaking the bowl.


Coated chicken.

After the chicken has been completely coated with the dry ingredients, use your other (egg-less) hand to take the chicken out and place it on an extra plate until all pieces are coated and are ready to be cooked.

Oil or no oil?

I used Pam to spray the pan, but you can use whatever oil you like (changes nutritional value). My mom uses canola oil but I don't like having hot oil anywhere near me.

Done!

Brown both sides and cook until... cooked. I usually cover my pan with a lid because I'm afraid of under-cooking the chicken. I'm a newbie. Let the chicken pieces rest on a cooling rack until ready to eat or ready to pack up and throw in the fridge.

I have a thing about breading falling off the chicken so I waited until completely cooled before I put them in an airtight container and then in the fridge. If I'd had more time (and less children) I would've made a nice dipping sauce out of peanut butter, soy sauce, chicken stock and some pepper flakes. But I didn't have time, so the Big Bear will just have to just eat them with ketchup (the American way).

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Don't trip!

I went to Zumba today, my mother was there dancing like she does e/thing, with all her heart. She has rhythm that I, sadly, did not inherit. I do my best, I have a lot of fun and I burn off some calories. Today's instructor is a great Samba dancer, she's amazing. I wish my body could move like hers!

I thought I was working out harder at the end...

I burned around 289 calories and got the kinks out of my shoulders and arms. My right knee is a little creaky, I'm not sure how or when I hurt it yesterday. Maybe it's been the extra yoga I've been trying, maybe I stretched it out too much. I did the Oceanside Restorative Yoga with Melissa McLeod | DoYogaWithMe.com and it was what I needed. I had to turn off the dryer b/c it felt super loud once I got relaxed.

It was lovely, I will do it at least a few times a week. It is way better than a Margarita :] (ok, a little better).

Free, early and full of fun, what could be better??

I have to wake up early tomorrow, it'll be a fun day. My husband's off, I have a (FREE) 5K race in the morning, and I'm visiting my friend with my sister. I hope my knee gets better.

These 5K races are great, there's food at the end, a bunch of people (a crowd) and they announced that there'd be a couple of surprises this time around. I'm a sucker for surprises. Yes, I'll be there, extra early!

Knee, get your act together. We have to power run tomorrow.


My mother is coming over later on and we might go for another walk. We walk by the lake in the complex, there are a bunch of ducks and their duckies waddling around. They wag their tails when you pass by, they're spoiled ducks. You could feed a dozen with one! LOL.

Yogurt topper - Apples, Peanuts, Cinnamon, and Honey

In Mexico, we'd go to the yogurt shop and buy a big ol' tub full of yogurt and topped with granola, fruit, honey, and everything delicious. I was craving something sweet and decided to get some dairy, protein and fiber.

Apple, Cinnamon, Peanuts and Honey over YogurtServes 1


Ingredients
1/2 fat free Greek yogurt (I use Oiko's)
1/4 dry roasted (salted) peanuts, chopped into small pieces
1 small Gala apple, chopped
Honey (I used 2 drizzles of it)

Check it

Since this isn't really a recipe, there are no steps. You dump it all in a small cup/mug/margarita glass and mix it up. I layered it b/c it reminded me of the way we'd eat it back in Me-xi-co:

Missing my spoon.

It hit the spot. Crunchy, sweet, salty, tart... it's all one gal can ask for.

My Fitness Pal

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Run to the Cemetery

I love ghost stories, I like to learn what people think will happen "after" we go. But I don't like messing with said ghosts. Today, my kids and I went on an easy 4 mi run on a shady and calm trail by my house. It's creepy, I won't lie. But there are a lot of families taking walks and cyclists rushing down the path. You never feel alone. I didn't even know it was there, until one day, I ventured and crossed the street at the end of my usual running path. It's pretty and wouldn't you know it, it also passes by a small cemetery.

My husband says MACE does not work on zombies.

It was an easy run because my body is still sore from my BodyPump class. That was two nights ago, come on, body! I did Candlelight Yoga yesterday night and I almost fell asleep at the very end. It is very relaxing.

Today's run, glad it's over!

I'm going to Zumba tomorrow and will hopefully run another 2 mi before it starts. I just need 5 more to keep my mileage at 15, no biggie.

New gear: Metro Gym Bag (GAIAM)

For all the crap necessities I take to the gym.
Available in purple, black and green at my Target.

Today, I got GAIAM's Metro Gym Bag, I had been looking for a bag/carrier/strap for my yoga mat. The ones at the gym are rarely clean and you don't get a chance to pick the one you want b/c everyone rushes to get the undamaged ones. Yes, my gym is ghetto. But it's also $20/month (including child care) so I guess I have to suck it up, pack my MACE and my knife. It's all good, I'm from Houston.

Anyway, it was $25 at Target and from the packaging:

  • Cinch cord on bottom for your yoga or fitness mat (mat not included)
  • Large pockets with magnetic snaps for easy access (they're file style, you can fit a folder)
  • Outside pockets perfect for water bottle and other essentials (um, I can fit a tiny sanitizer, my water bottle is HUGE, but it's only 24 oz)
  • Inside zippered pocket and key ring holder (there's actually two pockets and one's stretchy, perfect for diapers)
I like the size and the handles are long enough to be comfortable to carry and not slip off while you're wrestling a two year old who doesn't want to leave the day care/play house. The pockets on the outside (front and back) are ok, they can hold my kid's juice cup and if I buy a slim water bottle, it will hold it well enough. They do have velcro so they'll stay shut, perfect for keeping my keys.

The other (large) pockets on the outside are thin and I don't know what I can put in them. They might fit a diaper or two, anything else will make the bag look really bulky and uncomfortable to carry.

What I liked the most was the cinch cord at the bottom. It's stretchy, though it looks like I may have to replace it with something more sturdy later. It does have a ... thingy that you can push down to tighten or loosen the cord. I like that even with the mat in place, the bag doesn't tip over or get all lumpy inside. It's roomy enough to hold your shoes, towel, a gigantic water bottle and other essentials like diapers, butt cream, and a change of baby clothes.

I'm going to enjoy using this. It could double as a regular purse! I mean, you can always use some relaxing time on your yoga mat, now I can take mine anywhere.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Bread Pudding Muffins (with coconut!)

Hm. This is my fifth try of peas and thank you's Chocolate Chip Zee Bars.  I have changed the ingredients but the proportions of dry to wet have remained the same.  I also wanted to add more fiber this time around so I added ground flax seed and wheat germ.  I also added two eggs because my bars kept coming out a little crumbly and I like the extra protein since my hubby will be helping himself to these, too.  I've also been adding almond butter (peanut butter didn't work out, too sour) but I ran out of it!  Dang.

Replacing half of the almond butter with coconut butter made the end result taste like delicious bread pudding.  Once again, I was not ending up with Chocolate Chip Zee Bars, which is a shame b/c they look really pretty!  But that's what you get when you change so many ingredients :|

Seriously, this is a ninja muffin. It looks like a typical healthy oat-ful muffin but then it goes, "Wham! BAM!" and it isn't. I have to say, these are dangerous in my kitchen. I love coconut (from shampoo to lip balm to coconut butter and milk) and I've had 1.75 of these already (as they were cooling).  My daughter ate the other 1/4 and she's deemed them "delicioso."


Coconut Bread Pudding
Makes 12 muffins but could be made into 16 flat bars


Yes, they stick to the muffin paper.
Yes, I ended up eating some of it trying to get the last of the muffin off.




Ingredients
Make sure to add chocolate chips at the end or they get mushy

Dry ingredients
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons shredded (unsweetened) coconut
1/8 cup wheat germ
1/8 cup ground flax seed
1 scoop chocolate protein powder (I used EAS)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

28 grams mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 tablespoons)

Wet ingredients
2 tablespoons creamy almond butter
2 tablespoons coconut butter
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/4 cup agave 
1/4 cup plus 1/8 cup coconut milk (I used Silk)
2 extra large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon chocolate extract

Check it

Pre-heat oven to 350*.  Mix all dry ingredients (except chocolate chips or they will melt) in a large bowl and in a separate cup/bowl, mix all liquid ingredients until there are no lumps.  The coconut butter will blend in once stirred for a while.  Add liquid to dry and mix until well combined.  

Add chocolate chips, stir some more and transfer to pre-lined muffin pan.  Pre-lined?  I used muffin cups because I can never get all the little muffin spots oiled right.  One muffin or another doesn't make it.

Mmmmmuffins!

I baked mine for 20 minutes at 350* and the toothpick came out clean.  When I ate one (not 10 minutes later) it was gooey inside.  It made me think of bread pudding instantly, I had been craving bread pudding but it's somewhat hard to find a healthy one at the local panaderia.

Each muffin comes out to 140 calories, but you can cut back on the agave or chocolate chips (or replacing them with raisins!).  I'm making these for my family (so I can run out of muffins and try another recipe!) so sweet stuff they are.

Eat me!  

MyFitnessPal



Friday, June 15, 2012

New gear! Garmin Foot Pod

Well, after $45 and a week of waiting, I received my new Garmin Foot Pod. It's tiny, the size of the nike+ receiver and the best part, you don't have to shell out another $25 when its battery runs out. You can replace it yourself! I don't know what type of battery it uses yet, the one that came in the package works fine so far, but this is the first time I use it. It also comes with a little carrier that you attach to your shoe laces, but I've read that you can put it inside the hollowed out sole of the nike+ shoes. Those shoes are pricey, I like my Asics, thankyouverymuch.

Here are some shots, sloppily edited for your viewing pleasure:

Nike+ sensor & Garmin's, really tiny!


Foot pod holder, foot pot and nike+ sensor showing their back sides


I worry the pod will come off?


Side by side, my Nathan nike+ holder and Garmin's

Some forums have mentioned that the battery dies a lot faster than the promised 400 (running) hours on the package b/c the sensor turns on once you start moving automatically.  I guess it's better than having to manually turn it on and off, but I'm not sure if I'll keep it on my shoe at all times.  I like the velcro holder better, it seems like it'd protect it from rain though that may just be my crazy self talking.  It's really light and I'm not picky about how many things are attached to myself--although the number is growing and it's bothering me a little.

So, the first use?  Pairing it was no problem, I didn't follow the directions (you have to walk away and let them meet slowly or somethinglikethat) and just walked outside, turned on the watch, waited for the satellite signal and then went to settings>general>accessories>foot pod.  You have the option to choose the distance to run so it can calibrate to your pace... I chose 0.25 mi b/c I ran too much yesterday.  I'm not sure how often I'll have to calibrate it.  I ran pretty fast b/c I was trying to catch up to my mother and kids.

I have a run planned on the treadmill (yaaaay) before Zumba, I will post results!

I feel better keeping the sensor in the Nathan pouch, the velcro holds well and since I only have one pair of shoes, I'll have to remember to take it off during Zumba or another class.  It'll be fun learning to up my cadence to go faster.  I haven't read enough about it, but it seems that's one of the two ways to properly gain speed (the other is to lengthen stride), though there are a lot of arguments on the topic.  It's tiring reading through them!  Makes me want to go for a run.