Lunes y Martes

Monday I didn’t feel well at all, it felt like the worst day of my sickness. I didn’t have school or work today, but had lots of homework to do. Deciding early on that it was going to be a rest day I went for 3 mile reading walk and came home to breakfast.

Tjs Honey Greek Yogurt, blackberries, cinnamon and 1/4c kashi heart to heart cereal.

Had a cup of coffee and some green tea, did some things around the house and then headed over to the coffee shop to do some more work. Had a green tea and then an iced tea later while studying.

Just trying to soothe my throat

While I sipped on various teas I had a snack while reading some Stereochemistry. Fun stuff! (not!)

Some trail mix nuts to sustain me til lunch when I had some Marys Gone Crackers and homemade hummus.

Since we didn’t have any chicken soup at home and was seriously in need of it I stopped at Walmart to pick this up.

Never tried this style before, but it tasted pretty good. Nutritionally not too shabby either. No noodles, but I didn’t seem to mind since it was fun to eat all the little rice. Had about two bowls.

Dinner was followed by, what else, more studying. Luckily moms provided a study snack since she was making carmel corn for her boss. Nothing tastes better than freshly popped popcorn in the pan.

Took some medicine to help me sleep and woke up feeling a tad better. So much so that I woke up early and hit the gym for 3 easy miles followed by a quick circuit. After coming home to shower I treated myself to breakfast.

Green tea to start followed by..

The first half of my TJs whole grain english muffing topped with TJs pumpkin butter. I kept on the study train completing my homework and ate the 2nd half of my breakfast.

The other half of my muffin topped with barney butter and crofters asia preserves.

After lecture I sat to do more work and noshed on 1/4C Kashi cereal as a snack with some blackberries.

So plump and juicy!

Then had a laboratory workshop where I stayed until I had to head to work. On the drive there I had an orange and some beanitos chips!

Work was work, but went by fast and pretty seamlessly. During my break I had dinner in which I had a leftover turkey taco with a sprinkle of cheese, loads of lettuce and some salsa.

 

That taco was SO good. After paroozing facebook on my break I headed over to Target in search of something I saw on my friends page. Lo and behold the holy grail of cheerios!!!

Apparently God heard my prayers when I asked him to put peanut butter in everything. I couldn’t wait to taste them and ripped the box open as soon as the checker swiped them over the scanner. Freakin’ fantastic.

It’s the Freakin’ Weekend w(R)ap-up

We woke up early on Saturday to go on a decent hike. But before leaving we of course had to fuel up. I had half an english muffin with Barney Butter and crofters, while he had some peanut butter toast. I say we went about 4 miles or so with a steady steep incline. Since the weather has been lovely the place was really busy! There was a lot of foot traffic but we made it up and back in good time.

After our hike I snuck him in to my gym to take the yoga class I attend every Saturday. It was much needed after our hike and left me on a high for the rest of the afternoon. I had been craving lox from the citys ferry building for a few days and lo and behold when I arrived home there was smoked salmon in my fridge! I quickly toasted it, cut up an onion and spread that puppy with organic low fat whipped cream cheese for a nice little pre-work lunch.

Then I had a busy night at work where I ate some trail mix, cinnamon apple slices, salad and barley with chicken.

Since I was so tired from work I got to bed at a somewhat reasonable hour in prep to be up early the next day to work out and prep for a picnic!

Sunday morning I arose and immediately hit the gym for a 6.5 mile run, some light weights and 10 minutes on the elliptical. Went to the farmers market after in search of some goodies but there was slim pickin’s and nothing seem to entice me. Although, my favorite on site dumpling food  pop up was there! Surprise Surprise! Happy Dumpling seriously has the best dumplings ever. They make them on site and cook them right there. The man who works the front of the booth is very friendly and treated me to a free dumpling because I was unsure if they were the same people I have visited at other markets in the past. One taste and I knew they were the real deal! I can’t wait to go back next week and get more.

Arriving home I prepped for the picnic and got ready. We ended up at the Japanese tea gardens downtown where we found a nice rock to sit upon, since apparently grass sitting is forbidden.

blackberries, blueberries, hummus, toasted foccacia, herbed goat cheese, tomato basil salad, apple slices, white wine and an orange that didn’t get eaten

Yummy Goat Cheese!

Excuse the terrible nails…thanks gel manicure.  This was the ultimate bite! Toast+goat cheese+tomato,basil & balsamic.

After our picnic I drove home while mystery manfriend went to work. I spent the rest of the evening procrastinating chores and homework distracting myself with the Oscars and hanging out with my best friend for a few hours.

Center Stage

Friday came and went as quickly as it’s warm weather. Waking up early to get in some last minute studying before my exam (which didn’t seem to help in retrospect) I devoured some oatmeal on the drive to school, since there’s no food or drinks allowed in lab.

1/4c overnight oats,yog,almond milk + 2 strawberries & blackberries with metled Barney Butter and crofters jam.

After plowing through those oats, a cup of coffee and my 2 quizzes it was time to enjoy a gorgeously clear day.

From my school you can see the entire bay end to end! Please excuse the smudge mark on my lens, clearly I take care of my camera. Before an impromptu meeting with mystery manfriend, I hit the gym for 5-6 miles with some light weights to follow. Then met him for coffee at a nice local beanery. It was just an exceptional day to be outside and enjoy the sun. After ordering ice coffees, sharing an orange and chit-chatting on the patio we ventured on foot around the area only to discover and empty outdoor theatre on a community college campus; enjoying the breathtaking fews and unexpected warm weather.

On the way back from our walk we stopped at a local sandwich deli to grab a bite. I sneaked a few bites of his salami and turkey sandwich with sprouts,lettuce, tomato, cheese and onion while munching a few sour cream and onion baked lays. Parting ways I headed home to take care of somethings and take a walk with the dog anticipating his return later that evening.

Sandwiches are one of my top 5 favorite foods, so it’s no surprise that I had one for dinner as well!

tiny but of leftover chicken with hot n sweet mustard, sweet peppers & lettuce on WW sandwich thin. With 1/2 pickle and some beanitos chips on the side. H2O to drink of course!

Watched some DVRd TV and got to sleep at a reasonable hour (since I have been sick) in preparation for Saturdays morning adventures!

In Continuation

After being completely lost in my O.Chem class on the subject of Stereochemistry, I  ate a cutie on the way over to the yoga studio.

Because I was so tight and tires from the previous days long run, I decided not to really work out and take it as an off day. Once I got to the studio I did my cleaning duties and had some time to kill before class. With the studio all to myself, I blared a wide variety of Pandora radio stations on my iPod and did a bunch of circuit moves and even suicide  runs across the studio. It actually felt pretty good to move and got my muscles going in prep for class as well as loosening them up from the day before. Then I sat down to have a snack before class and get some reading done, but not before I lifted a little bit of weight!

Then it was snack time.

cleamentine, laughing cow,beanitos,marys gone crackers

Yes, I am aware I was listening to Will Smith. After a nice, full, sweaty class I headed home to walk the dog for 30 minutes. Then it was dinner time and Jeopardy time! Every time I’m home around dinner time, my family and I always watch it.

spinach&romaine salad with red pepper. Barley with a jalepeno&cilantro sauce with a piece of chicken and taste of mexican rice.

After dinner I set out to study my butt off for my quiz the next morning.

Oh the life of a Chem student.

Ideal Oatmeal

After staying the night and getting up really early this morning, my calves are so SO SO sore from yesterdays run. I originally wanted to hit the gym on the way home and beat the crowd, but decided it would be best to take this as a rest day.

Stopped at Safeway on the way home for some greek yogurt but they did not have my brand so I made my way to the magazine isle to parooze. In doing so apparently I set my keys down and lost them! After having a 5 min. freakout at 730am in an empty Safeway, I went to the register and they had them! Very thankful for the lady in the magazine isle who bought the Martha magazine for turning them in.

Got home and went for a 3 mile reading walk on a gorgeous and warm (so weird) February morning.

Back at home I did some online business and finished up my homework. Did a bit of O.Chem reading and then decided to make breakfast.

After having some green tea I made oatmeal so I could finish my fruit before it spoiled. I finally made them really well! I hardly EVER make warm oatmeal because I prefer overnight oats and usually let the oatmeal get to dry. Not today! I stopped cooking at just the right consistency and added some Barney Butter and Crofters Jam and strawbs. Perfecto!

1/4c oats,almond milk, h2o, 1tbsp almond butter & crofters jam, 2 strawberries.

Complete with some H2O and then I made a cup of french pressed coffee with 2tsp sugar.

I’m hoping my energy picks up today as I’m still feeling that my face got ran over by a truck. Off to school soon, hopefully a walk and yoga to follow!

Rufflin’ Some Feathers.

I ended up hitting the gym feeling pretty motivated. Writing that last post let me get a lot off my chest that I was holding on to. Wearing my only pair of Nike Tempo shorts and my long sleeve tech T I hoped on the dreadmill. Whether it was the yoga in the morning or the cathartic entry earlier, I started running and felt incredible. I felt like I could run forever, and I kinda did. I ran 10 miles! Followed with a .50 mile walking cool down and some MUCH needed stretching.

A hot and sweaty mess. I felt real good right afterwards and downed a decent amount of water. Came home and grabbed a shower and forced myself to eat a banana with some Barney Butter and 2 Beanitos chips (not pictured) for some K+/Na- replenishment.

Then did this for about 20 minutes.

Had to get rid of some of that lactic acid! My calves were/are SO sore and right above my acheiles too. In fear of dehydration I consumed some more water and a cup of tea while doing homework before a night out.

lipton tea with 2tsp sugar

Then after getting some homework done it was time for dinner. I was pressed for time and quickly threw together a taco that my mom made for dinner. Quick and easy and real food!

TJs taco shell, ground turkey, <1.0 oz. shredded cheddar, lettuce, tiny bit of avocado and some salsa.

After dinner I headed out to see my new manfriends brother and friends do some standup comedy at an ametatuer night. The place was nice and filled with family and friends in tow to cheer on the performers. It was an interesting night of comedy to say the least, but I am proud of them for having the balls to do something like that. I doubt that I could get up on stage and talk under spotlights, so kudos to them.

Since there was a 2 item minimum I had one glass of white wine and a glass of water while munching about a cups worth of popcorn that the table shared.

All in all it was a nice day, still feeling sick and congested which throws my brain and balance off. What can I say, I’m affected in weird ways. Stayed the night and got up around 6am because someone has class at 730am. Initially waking up that early totally blows, but I really do enjoy being up that early in the long run.

Starting Over, Yet Again

There are times in ones life where you feel you need to start over. You tell yourself, “oh, I’ll start tomorrow”. The cycle continues for days and days, and days. These days turn into weeks, weeks to months, and before you know it you’ve lost all control in what you originated from.

Over the past months not only have I added almost 10lbs to my frame, but have been careless with my health and the choices I have made. They way I have felt and the way I look now are all reprucussions of these poor choices. Sometimes we can go on and on thinking we can change ourselves, but we just keep putting it off. I have been putting this off for a year to long. It’s time to regain control of my life, health, and mind. My obsession and disease has just ruled over me for the past year and it has just destroyed my mind, the way I live, and my relationships.

I want to be a normal girl, who fits in her clothes, hangs out with her friends, and does not put food or habits in front of that. Food should not be the focus of life, like it has been in mine for far too long. It’s when I’m left alone, to my own devices where I always falter. I’m hoping that I can find a recluse here and share, vent, and struggle through this only to come out to a bright light at the end of the tunnel.

The name of this blog reminds of what this is all about- chasing a healthy life. Sure there will be ups and downs and triumphs and struggles, but bear with me as I try to find the balance.  With those ups and downs to come, I have to remind myself that good decisions don’t start the next day, they start right after. That picking myself back up and getting back on track is what I need to do.

To kick off this lets get right to it shall we?

Waking up feeling like I got hit by a semi truck in the face, I managed to make it to a 9am hot yoga class. Because my eyes and sinuses feel so terrible I pretty much did the whole class with my eyes closed. Definitely made me work on my balancing poses a lot more.

Had some green tea on the drive home and came home to an empty house. With no yogurt in the fridge or breakfast bread defrosted I decided on eggs and toast for some healthy protein+carb pairing.

2 egg white omelette, red pepper, 3/4c spinach, sprinkle of colby-jack cheese, salsa and a small slice of flax bread with a touch of honey-apple butter from TJs on the corner. 

Complete with a mug full of ice water and 1 cup of coffee from the french press with 2 tsp of sugar.

Now to continue on with this healthy morning, going to hit the gym.

Doggy-Style

All work and no play, make Casey a dull girl. So what did I do Wednesday? I worked reeeeaaalllyyy hard so I could play hard later. Early morning I munched about half of my overnight oats to give me some energy to hit the gym.

Then hit the gym for a solid 6.5 miles followed by a few weight machines. Then headed over to a local regional park to run with TR and this monster…

Don’t let that doggy-smile fool you, she’s a demon I tell ya.

Together we covered about 3 more miles to bring that day’s total to 9, leaving me tired and ready to finish off breakfast.

Recently I got my hair cut and colored after not having anything done to it, for a LONG time. I asked for bangs, which look super cute…except after taking off a running hat. Came home for some coffee and then off to the driving range! I haven’t been to the driving range in at least 10 years, so it was exciting to try something new.

After a round of 100 or so balls we paroozed the local mall to fuel inspiration for our Vegas trip attire. After killing some time we made our way to the destination I have been waiting to go to for months- Doggy Style. A somewhat local hotdog shop with a twist. They have about 7 or so different types of dogs with interesting toppings and meats, not to mention a clever name.

He ordered a doggyzilla. It literally tasted like a sushi roll, but hotdog if that made sense. I only tasted the toppings because the meat was beef, but from what I got, it was delicious.

Toppings included asian slaw, seaweed, wasabi mayo and teriyaki sauce atop a bratwurst.

I ordered the Kimchi Pyro which I got with a chicken apple sausage ( only non-beef option). Since it was our first time, they let me substitute the meat option free of charge since it usually costs a dollar! I have been craving kimchi SO HARD that I had to have it. It came with cucumbers, kimchi and a spicy sauce on top. The spice brought some heat, but nothing the average bear couldn’t handle with some sips of H20.  The bun was large and wheaty, and had  just the right amount of toasted crunch.

Both dogs we had were scrumptious and immediately devoured. Only downfall = no leftovers!

There are a few more style of hotdogs that I really want to try and can’t wait to go back. More Hotdogs!!!!

 

 

Balls 2 the Walls

Woke up yesterday morning bright eyed and bushy tailed, but still not at the time I wanted to. Sore from the day before I ate about half my yogurt mess breakfast and headed to the gym. Did an easy 4 miles on the dreadmill followed by a mini crossfit workout from Runners World magazine with TRT.

After that came home and finished my breakfast!

5oz. Trader Joes honey greek yogurt+ cinnamon+12 blackberries+ 1/4 cup Kashi Heart to Heart Cinnamon

with a tall glass of H2O

And of course had 2 cups of coffee!

Did a few things around the house and had some low fat blue corn chips and homemade hummus before taking off to hot yoga. It was a great class!

Stopped at the grocery store on the way home to pick up ingredients to make some cake pops for my mom to take to my brothers boyscout meeting tomorrow and made my way home to have a few generous bites of this delicious pizza! Manfriends, who I will just call BC,  brother works at a new pizzaria nearby that makes great deep dish pizza so I got a sample!

It was a deep dish gluten free pizza with spinach, onions and mushrooms. I despise mushrooms, but if you can sneak ‘em in and I can’t tell, I’m not gunna complain. Beggars can’t be choosers! Although, it looks like a had more bites than just a few…

So I made a side salad to accompany it and ate that with some water and tea while watching jeopardy with my family.

 

romaine lettue, 1 cherry tomato, basalmic vinagarette, red pep & green onion.

Before the evening ended I met up with TR for some froyo and to chat. No pictures because I forgot my camera but I had about 3/4 cup mix of cappucino and tart froyo with blackberries on top and peanuts&almonds. I haven’t had froyo in months so stopping by my favorite place was nice. Then I went to the supermarket to pick up some chocolate to melt for my cakeballs which I almost finished last night.

 

Can’t stop Movin’

I really need to stop staying up so late! I went to sleep at 3am, which is somewhat typical now. And really not good for me. I know what I need to do, but its just hard to get there sometimes. I stay up binge eating all night on cookies and leftovers, which I really need to stop doing. I’ve gained 5lbs in 4 months and had developed what looks like a mini beer gut, but I barely drink beer! But I digress, with the new year starting, a new haircut, and possibly new manfriend(?); I’m ready to take on the challenge of myself, and stop putting up a front of who I am to the world. I’m tired of being a fraud and not being an actual representation of myself. These habits do not bind me and they do not make, therefore they can be broken and a balanced lifestyle CAN and WILL be achieved.

Enough of that for now, today was a really nice Sunday! Woke up at a somewhat respectable hour (8am) and hit a hot yoga class at 9am. It was packed! The teacher is new to me, but I thoroughly enjoyed her class and especially her musical choices.

Then I headed immediately home while sippin’ some H2O to devour my overnight oats.

1/4 C oats, NF Vanilla Yogurt & Almond Milk. Drop of Vanilla extract and splash of H2O. Added 12 Blackberries, 2tsp raspberry jam & crunchy barney butter.

Pared it with a cup and a half of my favorite coffee while reading some online news and picking up my room before my big run at 1. I met with my ex-manfriend, whom we remain friends as he is very important with my life and do not feel the need to divulge details of the matter- just know things are ok and good, and we took off along the bay for about a 6 or some mile run. A run with some serious hills! It was nice to catch up, the view was incredible and we had a good time chatting, he might even become a fitness model!

After our run we visited and he took of to do his model thing and I took off home for lunch. I was starving. I had some leftover scrambled eggs with spinach and green onion, a cutie, and 4 marys crackers with whatever I could scrape out of the hummus jar.

I bought this tub this week, I think I’m going to turn into a garbanzo bean.

Then I met one of my closest friends for a walk around 4. We usually do a 3 mile loop but the sun was out and it was a gorgeous day so she suggested we keep going. So we did… 6.6 miles later we finally make it back! We were starving. So I rushed home got a shower and made a sandwich thin pizza.

sandwich thin with prego sauce spinach and probably too much shredded cheese.

Also I had a cup of tea and some more water. And when I arrived back home was ravenous so I had 2 pieces of naan with some of the moms homemade hummus to survive til dinner. Never being one to pass up booze or sweets I am having a little bit of red wine and some chocolate morsals with 2 cinnamon M&Ms, yes, I said CINNAMON M&Ms! (fucking incredible).

Not sure what the rest of the night has in store, but all I know is I’m TIRED and can’t wait til tomorrow! I’m sure some more chocolate chips will make its way into this mouth before the night ends.