YAY to surviving my first actual week of classes! This week has been a constant rush of ups and downs. Here's my "what to do" advice when things don't go the way you expect... (I'm no expert, but I have some experience!)
When you "miss" a class, (not to mention, on your first day)...
What happened: I woke up early for my first day of classes on Tuesday. I had a self-made class schedule prepared for weeks leading up to today, set up my clothes the night before and spent the morning getting ready and dressing up. (There was NO way I could miss wearing my new high heals on the first day!) That is--until I received the MOST horrifying text message from a friend in my class: "WHERE ARE YOU? Class JUST started!" I rechecked my "official" schedule on NYU's homepage. I thought a class that was scheduled for Tues/Thurs was Mon/Wed. As you can imagine, I nearly panicked, grabbed my things and was out the door in a heart beat. Ironically, I spent all morning making myself look presentable and I was about to, in fact, make a horrible impression! I sprinted 12 blocks...in 6 minutes...in high heals. Aside from looking absolutely insane, I was out of breath and messy when I arrived to class. What was I thinking?!
What to do: Don't sweat it. We all have our slip-ups. Enter class quietly and apologetically explain your situation to the professor at the end of class. If the professors a sweetheart like mine, she'll totally understand and forget about it! (Hey, it worked for me. Right??) As long as it doesn't become a habit, I see no harm done.
When you want to learn a new language, but it's just not sinking in...
What happened: I currently enrolled in an Intensive Elementary Italian course this semester--essentially two semesters condensed into one. (I know; daunting, right?) Anyway, I took the course because I think it would be really fun to be able to understand and communicate with my grandma, who only speaks Italian, on a higher level. We can only understand each other through broken languages (and mostly body language). But, it's only been two days in this class and I ALREADY feel overwhelmed learning it.
What to do: This is simple. Really commit yourself to the language and immerse yourself in foreign culture. Anything from frequently visiting Italian neighborhoods to taking a trip to the country itself. I went out a bought 3 Italian magazines and am working my way through the first. It definitely will take time and patience. Call me cheesy, but I am TOO eager and determined to want to learn it. Next fall I plan to study abroad in Italia! Mi piacere l'italiano. ;)
When you should be training for a race (that you predict will kick your butt), but you just can't find the time...
What happened: Classes started this week. I am still getting used to the hustle-and-bustle of life back in NYC and devoted little time to sticking to my training schedule. I have been so "off" schedule that I can barely remember the last time I was "on." (It was definitely over a week ago without training.) I stuck to strength-training moves for 20 minutes every day to make myself feel a little less "out-of-shape." But, the Ocean to Sound Relay (a race I had planned to run in for weeks) was Saturday. The race approached faster than I realized. What could I do? I was EXHAUSTED from a week of classes and reqadjusting; i just could not move from my bed.
What to do: Sure it's good to stick to a training plan, but it's not the end of the world to skip a day...or even a week or two. Rest may be good for you mentally and physically. (Think about how productive you have been in other areas of your life.) It certainly doesn't help stressing out about it. Believe me: you're probably more in shape than you think. I ended up completing the 5.8-mile race in 42 minutes (averaged 7:14 minute mile pace)--and our relay team came in first. I just had to give myself a little confidence before the race and say, "hey, you can do this...with or without training!" Consider this: you have 3 choices: 1) just go out and do it, 2) give yourself a little break and don't worry about the past, or 3) do some small strength-training moves/yoga while your working. (Sometimes taking small 5-10 minute breaks from your day can even make you feel more energized and prepared to work.)
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Move-In Day #2 Has Finally Arrived!
It seems like there's too much to do and too little time! After hours of heavy-lifting, unpacking, and organizing, I successfully conquered the room. Here's the layout:
I am rooming with my suitemate from last year and we have a quad with two upperclassmen. We all share these...
A CLEAN bathroom:
Yesterday was a good day.
Roomie and I were craving Mickey Mouse banana pancakes when we woke up. (Yes, we were craving the "Mickey Mouse" design too...it's an essential to the pancake-making process! I usually buy Hodgson Mill's Instabake (because it's sooo versatile and the pancakes come out nice and fluffy). Buuuut, since we're college students, who are always in need of a quick meal, we invested in Fiber One's Complete Pancake Mix instead. Can't argue with this box. The pancakes are easy and simple to make--just add water to the mix and voila. Despite the lack of prep time needed, they still tasted yummy. Suitemate J (for short) even woke up to something "good-smelling." She wanted to join in on our pancake-making festivities. More please!
Unfortunately, we forgot the maple syrup. Roomie drizzled honey over her pancakes and I spread 3 oz. of Blueberry Chobani Yogurt over mine. So satisfying! I would have taken pictures if we didn't wolf them down in 2 seconds. ;)
We decided to make it a "Pancake/Trashy-TV" morning. And the line-up: Maury and Jerry Springer! LOL. We...err alright, alright I (I'll leave roomie and suitemate out of this) even called in to win free tickets to Jerry Springer!!
Most of my day was spent running errands. Around 6 PM, roomie and I motivated each other to drag ourselves out of the room and go to the gym! Pre-workout fuel included: 1/2 Crunchy Peanut Butter Clif Bar and a square of Dove Dark Chocolate. (OK OK, I was tired and needed a little bit of sugar-rush.) I ran the day before and felt like a stationary bicycle workout would be the best choice for me to get the cardio up.
Here are the results: (The bike's brand is "LifeFitness")
I really feel like I get the best core workouts when I remember to tense up my body. Once you're in the core position, contract your tummy and butt muscles. You'll feel like you get so much more out of it.
Also for some more advanced (regular) core work, extend one arm out and balance with the three supports (your other arm and legs). Now try extending out a leg. Once you mastered rotating through and lifting all of your supports, try one arm and one leg at one. Buuuut, use opposite arms and legs (or else you'll find yourself either 1. toppling over OR 2. in a side crunch...?)
I tried to incorporate 15-second lifting intervals of advanced core into my regular core workout! Roomie and I were soo hungry. Luckily, wraps that we ordered from Cafe Mocha earlier that day were just sitting in our fridge, just waiting to be eaten by two hungry gym-goers. Wait, did somebody say us???
We cut to the chase and ate them right away. Reaching for the plates did not even seem like a rational option. Too time-consuming! I ordered smoked salmon, capers and avocado in a whole wheat wrap. I was hesitant to order fish (since i didn't know whether it would be fresh) but, after my cravings wrestling with rationality, I decided to take my chances and order it.
It. was. HUGE...and delicious. I ended up eating about 3/4 of it. There was so much juicy salmon stuffed in it. I was impressed. I would definitely order and recommend meals from Cafe Mocha. Roomie had the Veggie wrap and agreed.
Best part about these meals: they cost us $0. Yes, no lie. We hit the jackpot (not really, just $20) through the game Food Friendzy, a Facebook application for college students. The game has tiles that can either add/detract points from your total point accumulation. The more points earned, the higher $$ coupon you can receive. This coupon that roomie and I won was redeemable for orders over $20 to any of the participating food locations. (The list can be found on campusfood.com). The only part we had to pay for was a $4 tip. YAY for free food. I am seriously addicted to this game. Good thing it limits me to 3 plays a day; I'd be such a couch potato if it didn't!
Okay, okay. As for today...this morning I woke up at 7:30 AM and was REALLY sore. (On a side note, does anyone else find it weird that I have been waking up a half-hour before my alarm clock since I have been at school? Has this ever happened to you?) Anyway: I had a big day planned. I had scheduled an interview to be Chief Copy Editor of Washington Square News (WSN), NYU's Student Newspaper. I did a quick review of AP format while eating a PB and banana sammie for breakfast. (I used about 2 slices of toast, a glob of PB and a small banana.) I wasn't in the mood for "putting together" an oatmeal or yogurt and cereal bowl. I just felt munchy this morning and opted for this.
Anyway, I think the fact-checking test that they put me up to and the interview went well! They'll be letting me know this weekend. I hope there weren't tons of applicants for the position.
Two hours later, I was out and about. I had some free time to spend in the city so I walked through the Union Square Farmer's Market for a bit and made my way across to Whole Foods. I wanted to make my shopping trips more efficient by getting used to what they have and seeing where everything is. (I'm a bit of a neat-freak when it comes to being organized.) I managed to make it out of the store with less than $10 worth of goods. It was a steal...Shhh. not really. Here are the goods:
Almond butter. ($6.99) I honestly never tried it before and am curious to pop this baby open! (Tomorrow...perhaps?)
"Whole Wheat" Bread Crumbs. ($2.49) I feel duped. I didn't bother to check the ingredient until I got home...more like NOT-Whole-Wheat-Bread-Crumbs. They're made from enriched wheat flour. Oh well...there's always next time.
The highlight of my trip: two boxes of FREE Indian food. A man who works for the company TastyBite was handing out vendor coupons as part of the company's marketing plan. Free food...I'm sold!
Altogether now ($9.48)... How's that for sticking to a budget.
Would there ever be a time when you would pass up on a free item?
The bed view
The desk view:
The desk, itself (all organized and set!):
The desk, itself (all organized and set!):
A cute, little kitchen (with an ancient stove that never lights. Typical.):
A CLEAN bathroom:
Yesterday was a good day.
Roomie and I were craving Mickey Mouse banana pancakes when we woke up. (Yes, we were craving the "Mickey Mouse" design too...it's an essential to the pancake-making process! I usually buy Hodgson Mill's Instabake (because it's sooo versatile and the pancakes come out nice and fluffy). Buuuut, since we're college students, who are always in need of a quick meal, we invested in Fiber One's Complete Pancake Mix instead. Can't argue with this box. The pancakes are easy and simple to make--just add water to the mix and voila. Despite the lack of prep time needed, they still tasted yummy. Suitemate J (for short) even woke up to something "good-smelling." She wanted to join in on our pancake-making festivities. More please!
Unfortunately, we forgot the maple syrup. Roomie drizzled honey over her pancakes and I spread 3 oz. of Blueberry Chobani Yogurt over mine. So satisfying! I would have taken pictures if we didn't wolf them down in 2 seconds. ;)
We decided to make it a "Pancake/Trashy-TV" morning. And the line-up: Maury and Jerry Springer! LOL. We...err alright, alright I (I'll leave roomie and suitemate out of this) even called in to win free tickets to Jerry Springer!!
Most of my day was spent running errands. Around 6 PM, roomie and I motivated each other to drag ourselves out of the room and go to the gym! Pre-workout fuel included: 1/2 Crunchy Peanut Butter Clif Bar and a square of Dove Dark Chocolate. (OK OK, I was tired and needed a little bit of sugar-rush.) I ran the day before and felt like a stationary bicycle workout would be the best choice for me to get the cardio up.
Here are the results: (The bike's brand is "LifeFitness")
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Distance: 10.5 miles
- Resistance: 9
- Heart rate: 145 bpm
- 50 bicycle crunches
- 50 crunches with knees locked, legs touch mat
- 50 crunches with knees bent 90 degrees
- 50 crunches with knees locked, legs form 90 degree angle with body
- Side core (one arm, face sideways): 75 seconds on each side
- Regular core (two arms, face forwards) (x2): 90 seconds
I really feel like I get the best core workouts when I remember to tense up my body. Once you're in the core position, contract your tummy and butt muscles. You'll feel like you get so much more out of it.
Also for some more advanced (regular) core work, extend one arm out and balance with the three supports (your other arm and legs). Now try extending out a leg. Once you mastered rotating through and lifting all of your supports, try one arm and one leg at one. Buuuut, use opposite arms and legs (or else you'll find yourself either 1. toppling over OR 2. in a side crunch...?)
I tried to incorporate 15-second lifting intervals of advanced core into my regular core workout! Roomie and I were soo hungry. Luckily, wraps that we ordered from Cafe Mocha earlier that day were just sitting in our fridge, just waiting to be eaten by two hungry gym-goers. Wait, did somebody say us???
We cut to the chase and ate them right away. Reaching for the plates did not even seem like a rational option. Too time-consuming! I ordered smoked salmon, capers and avocado in a whole wheat wrap. I was hesitant to order fish (since i didn't know whether it would be fresh) but, after my cravings wrestling with rationality, I decided to take my chances and order it.
It. was. HUGE...and delicious. I ended up eating about 3/4 of it. There was so much juicy salmon stuffed in it. I was impressed. I would definitely order and recommend meals from Cafe Mocha. Roomie had the Veggie wrap and agreed.
Best part about these meals: they cost us $0. Yes, no lie. We hit the jackpot (not really, just $20) through the game Food Friendzy, a Facebook application for college students. The game has tiles that can either add/detract points from your total point accumulation. The more points earned, the higher $$ coupon you can receive. This coupon that roomie and I won was redeemable for orders over $20 to any of the participating food locations. (The list can be found on campusfood.com). The only part we had to pay for was a $4 tip. YAY for free food. I am seriously addicted to this game. Good thing it limits me to 3 plays a day; I'd be such a couch potato if it didn't!
Okay, okay. As for today...this morning I woke up at 7:30 AM and was REALLY sore. (On a side note, does anyone else find it weird that I have been waking up a half-hour before my alarm clock since I have been at school? Has this ever happened to you?) Anyway: I had a big day planned. I had scheduled an interview to be Chief Copy Editor of Washington Square News (WSN), NYU's Student Newspaper. I did a quick review of AP format while eating a PB and banana sammie for breakfast. (I used about 2 slices of toast, a glob of PB and a small banana.) I wasn't in the mood for "putting together" an oatmeal or yogurt and cereal bowl. I just felt munchy this morning and opted for this.
Anyway, I think the fact-checking test that they put me up to and the interview went well! They'll be letting me know this weekend. I hope there weren't tons of applicants for the position.
Two hours later, I was out and about. I had some free time to spend in the city so I walked through the Union Square Farmer's Market for a bit and made my way across to Whole Foods. I wanted to make my shopping trips more efficient by getting used to what they have and seeing where everything is. (I'm a bit of a neat-freak when it comes to being organized.) I managed to make it out of the store with less than $10 worth of goods. It was a steal...Shhh. not really. Here are the goods:
Almond butter. ($6.99) I honestly never tried it before and am curious to pop this baby open! (Tomorrow...perhaps?)
"Whole Wheat" Bread Crumbs. ($2.49) I feel duped. I didn't bother to check the ingredient until I got home...more like NOT-Whole-Wheat-Bread-Crumbs. They're made from enriched wheat flour. Oh well...there's always next time.
The highlight of my trip: two boxes of FREE Indian food. A man who works for the company TastyBite was handing out vendor coupons as part of the company's marketing plan. Free food...I'm sold!
Altogether now ($9.48)... How's that for sticking to a budget.
Would there ever be a time when you would pass up on a free item?
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Morning all!
I had the craziest dream last night about a home invasion. I woke up still scared to roam around my house! Haha
When I finally put aside my fears and yanked myself out of bed, it was 8 AM. I was surprisingly the first one up in my house. (Usually my dad or mom is scrambling to get the morning coffee or running off to an early-morning bike fitting, but evidently not today.) My dad set me up with work--3 months worth of accounting business to be more precise--to do from home so I wanted to get right to it!
Two hours later I was finished. :) Such a relief! I made 3 yummy whole wheat banana pancakes for breakfast and was off to get the eyebrows waxed with the sisters. Megan referred us to Sandalwood Day Spa in Massapequa and the woman did an amazing job! Let's just say I had a few bad waxing experiences in the past.
When we got back home, my sisters and I split. They went open-water swimming and I wanted to get a head-start studying for next-month's Spanish exam and create my Starbucks Tumbler. (More-so the latter!) Here's the finished product:
My review: If you lack creative-skills (like myself) or patience, this project probably isn't for you. It is VERY time-consuming and extremely difficult to slide into the pane once the pictures are pasted on. I was determined to have a little something special to make my mornings brighter! In the end, it was worth it.
I'm tired! Have a great rest-of-the-night. :)
I had the craziest dream last night about a home invasion. I woke up still scared to roam around my house! Haha
When I finally put aside my fears and yanked myself out of bed, it was 8 AM. I was surprisingly the first one up in my house. (Usually my dad or mom is scrambling to get the morning coffee or running off to an early-morning bike fitting, but evidently not today.) My dad set me up with work--3 months worth of accounting business to be more precise--to do from home so I wanted to get right to it!
Two hours later I was finished. :) Such a relief! I made 3 yummy whole wheat banana pancakes for breakfast and was off to get the eyebrows waxed with the sisters. Megan referred us to Sandalwood Day Spa in Massapequa and the woman did an amazing job! Let's just say I had a few bad waxing experiences in the past.
When we got back home, my sisters and I split. They went open-water swimming and I wanted to get a head-start studying for next-month's Spanish exam and create my Starbucks Tumbler. (More-so the latter!) Here's the finished product:
My review: If you lack creative-skills (like myself) or patience, this project probably isn't for you. It is VERY time-consuming and extremely difficult to slide into the pane once the pictures are pasted on. I was determined to have a little something special to make my mornings brighter! In the end, it was worth it.
I'm tired! Have a great rest-of-the-night. :)
Friday, July 10, 2009
Your Clifnotes Guide: Over a Week's Worth of Catch-up
I had such a productive and eventful week! I'm disappointed that I left so LITTLE time to blogging.
Where do I even begin?!
Thursday, 7/02: My bestie Megan and I decided to workout together today! She rode her bike while I ran. Eleven and a half miles (and less than an hour and a half later!), we were back at my house, soaking up the sun and relaxing by the pool. We made sandwiches and I was SO excited to have my first-time store-bought tofu handling experience. I opted for the soft tofu (against another friend's recommendation for the extra firm) and should have probably chosen a firmer one (considering I wasn't cooking with it). But I managed: I created a yummy tofu sloppy "joe". I took a large tortilla, stuffed it with tofu, lots of tomato sauce and cheese. I wasn't sure what I was making a first so I added a layer of Cedar's Garden Vegetable Hommus (my favorite), which I think I could have done without to create a better meal. Megan created a wrap with hummus, turkey and prociutto. We also took out the sushi and had a few of those!
Friday, 7/03: My parents and I picked up the sisters and their bikes from the city and cargoed them home for the weekend. The injured sis looked much better since the last time I saw her. Her cuts aren't completely healed--but they're getting there!
We had absolutely no time to prepare a dessert dish for the 4th of July, so we decided to makea pit stop at Veneiro's at my recommendation. My family had never been here before; it's a cute, traditional Italian pastry and bakery, which as been open since the 1800s, on 11th Street (in between 1st and 2nd Ave). We picked up an assortment of sugary pastries and decided to try out their carrot cake.
Saturday, 7/04: (Red, off-white, and blue colors for some holiday festivity!)
My sisters and I (being the hyper-active family we are) woke up at 7 AM, had a small grab n' go breakie (we grabbed 6-ounce containers of Chobani Greek Yogurt and mixed in some Kashi Vanilla Island cereal with fresh berries), and were off to practice some open-water swimming in a bay. It was my first experience open-water swimming and, boy, was the current rough! I definitely need more practice--if not in the open-water swim itself, then definitely getting in and out of a wetsuit (another first experience). But, I was happy with myself for not giving up and calling it quits; I stuck it out and swam the same number of "laps" as them. All-in-all, it was well-worth the trip.
We then went to a diner for breakfast part II. I ordered an egg-white ommelet with sliced tomato and fresh mozzerella with a side of whole wheat toast. They also served mini muffins for the table! I was hungry from the swim and gobbled down most of it with a mini muffin.
We carried out the usual fourth of July festivities: took grandpa's new boat out; watched the fireworks; ATE, ATE, and ATE; and devoted the day to family bonding. The carrot cake was such a hit! Everyone (including grandpa, who doesn't even like carrot cake) had a piece. The bread was moist and filled with nuts and the cream cheese was rich and thick. Go ahead; feel free to drool. I also tried edamame for the first time and fell in love! It was definitely be an apartment-must food for next year.
Later that night, I met up with some friends, chatted, ate some more delicious fourth of July desserts and watched fireworks by a canal. It was so good to see everyone and just relax. Cheers to the holidays!
Sunday, 7/05: It is pretty much an (unspoken) known fact that I would race in a local 5k today; this annual race is practically a tradition for my family and me. I fueled up with Chobani yogurt with Vanilla Islands cereal and a banana for breakfast. I loaded PB on a WW bagel for lunch and was ready to race. (Pre-race: I stretched out with my racing rope and saw tons of friends I raced with in HS!)
Photos, courtesy of dad! :)
I ran for my dad's team Sunrise Tri and placed first in my age group! Yay; I was satisfied, especially since it was SO hot outside! I finished with a time of 21:17--a 6:50 min mile pace. I was hungry--I came back home and ate a cheeseburger with a little mustard, pasta and WW toast.
Monday, 7/06: I was a little sore and neglected to run today. I took the day off. It was completely unplanned but some days you just have to listen to your body. My body was DEFINITELY telling me to rest.
I spent most of the day whipping up some new recipes. I made WW buttermilk biscuits with Hodgson's Insta-bake mix. I followed the instuctions on the back of the box: just add mix, milk, butter and voila! They REALLY are quick and easy to make. (Prep and bake time all under 20 minutes!) They looked a little weird but tasted soft and delicious.
My brother ate about four in one sitting (although I wouldn't recommend it)! I then created a fully-loaded veggie pizza which made for the most amaaaazing, quick dinner. Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake roll-up/pita for about 7 minutes (until slightly toasted).
2. Spread tomato sauce across pita.
3. Add vegetables and layer with cheese.
4. Bake in oven for 10 - 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
5. Slice, serve and enjoy!
Before the cheesy goodness.
After!
I also made a full shopping list of items that would be kitchen necessities for my apartment next semester (since I'm finally FREE and off of a yucky meal plan). My list turned out longer than I expected
Tuesday, 7/07- Wednesday, 7/08: So busy! These days passed by VERY quickly. I worked full days (8 AM-6 PM) for my dad and was exhausted after. Mom and I went to the fruit and vegetable market after work to stock up on the goods! I bought these delicious thick WW crackers to snack on and serve with dinner.
Bermudez Crix WW Crackers
Between my brother, my dad (who doesn't care for WW) and I, the bag was gone in a day. They're not the healthiest things ever (contains enriched flour), but they taste great and are a satisfying little snack. They also go great if served with cheese, hummus or just by themselves!
I know, I know. Summer laziness is starting to kick in! I ran neither of these days but swam after work. I felt like it was sufficient training, considering my busy work schedule. I also started to read My Sister's Keeper and simply cannot put it down. I heard GREAT things about both the book and the newly-released movie. So far, the book has lived up to my expectations. :)
Thursday, 7/09: I received some sort of wake-up call telling me to quit being lazy and JUST RUN. I had to be in the city by 11 to meet with an advisor at NYU, then meet for lunch with the injured one ;) so I knew I would be on a tight schedule. I woke up at 6:30 AM! I ran for a quick 3.7 miles in 26 minutes. I then jumped into my pool and did some laps. By the time I finished exercising, it was 7:30. I hopped in the shower, got ready, made myself a quick breakfast of Kashi Go Lean Waffles (topped with Strawberry Chobani Yogurt and fresh strawberries) and did some yoga.
It was a pretty crumby day out. Needless to say, I was wide-awake! My pace certainly did not slow down from here: I ran into a few high school friends (who were also boarding the same train as me) and then two college friends later throughout the day. After my appointment, I had a couple hours to waste before I met with the sister, so I set off for Strand Bookstore (which has an amazing collection of 18 miles of books). I browsed the $1 book selection outside and found a few classics, which I figured my sis might like!
Buying recipe books has also been lingering on my To-Do List. I just kept putting it off! I invested in an large, hard-cover Italian cookbook (only worth 9 bucks) and Rachel Ray's 365 Dishes: No Repeats (for under 6 bucks)! Great buys for cheap. I can't wait to start cooking up some of these delicious trays.
TODAY: I woke up around 9:30 and cleared my mind with an hour "toning yoga" session. I then did a 5-minute core workout after. I felt awake, stretched out and ready to kick start the day.
I checked my e-mail and HOORAY! I received an A in my Economics summer course. :) I was having such a great day! I had never made oatmeal before and felt like it would be a PERFECT time to take out the rolled oats. Experimentation time: I used 1/2 cup of rolled oats, 2 TBSP of half and half, 3/4 cup of water (add more for smoother mixture, less for thicker), 1 sliced banana, 1 TBSP of brown sugar, a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. (Pretty boring mixture, but it was good for a first time!) It was thick, yummy and filling. I would also definitely use a bit less half and half next time. (It felt waaay too concentrated.)
I spent the afternoon reading, swimming and selecting photos my favorite photos for the collage on my Starbux coffee thermal. It was so fun to sit down and sort through old pictures (even though, I am going to have a difficult time selecting them).
Lunch rolled around. I raided my fridge for every type of veggies I could find. Turns out we had lots! I made my own light protein-rich salad for lunch with blackberries and a banana protein shake (1/3 cup of Egg-Beaters All Egg-Whites, 1/8 cup of water, 1/2 banana, a few globs of Chobani Plain Yogurt).
In my salad:
Now off to study some Spanish!
Where do I even begin?!
Thursday, 7/02: My bestie Megan and I decided to workout together today! She rode her bike while I ran. Eleven and a half miles (and less than an hour and a half later!), we were back at my house, soaking up the sun and relaxing by the pool. We made sandwiches and I was SO excited to have my first-time store-bought tofu handling experience. I opted for the soft tofu (against another friend's recommendation for the extra firm) and should have probably chosen a firmer one (considering I wasn't cooking with it). But I managed: I created a yummy tofu sloppy "joe". I took a large tortilla, stuffed it with tofu, lots of tomato sauce and cheese. I wasn't sure what I was making a first so I added a layer of Cedar's Garden Vegetable Hommus (my favorite), which I think I could have done without to create a better meal. Megan created a wrap with hummus, turkey and prociutto. We also took out the sushi and had a few of those!
Friday, 7/03: My parents and I picked up the sisters and their bikes from the city and cargoed them home for the weekend. The injured sis looked much better since the last time I saw her. Her cuts aren't completely healed--but they're getting there!
We had absolutely no time to prepare a dessert dish for the 4th of July, so we decided to makea pit stop at Veneiro's at my recommendation. My family had never been here before; it's a cute, traditional Italian pastry and bakery, which as been open since the 1800s, on 11th Street (in between 1st and 2nd Ave). We picked up an assortment of sugary pastries and decided to try out their carrot cake.
Saturday, 7/04: (Red, off-white, and blue colors for some holiday festivity!)
My sisters and I (being the hyper-active family we are) woke up at 7 AM, had a small grab n' go breakie (we grabbed 6-ounce containers of Chobani Greek Yogurt and mixed in some Kashi Vanilla Island cereal with fresh berries), and were off to practice some open-water swimming in a bay. It was my first experience open-water swimming and, boy, was the current rough! I definitely need more practice--if not in the open-water swim itself, then definitely getting in and out of a wetsuit (another first experience). But, I was happy with myself for not giving up and calling it quits; I stuck it out and swam the same number of "laps" as them. All-in-all, it was well-worth the trip.
We then went to a diner for breakfast part II. I ordered an egg-white ommelet with sliced tomato and fresh mozzerella with a side of whole wheat toast. They also served mini muffins for the table! I was hungry from the swim and gobbled down most of it with a mini muffin.
We carried out the usual fourth of July festivities: took grandpa's new boat out; watched the fireworks; ATE, ATE, and ATE; and devoted the day to family bonding. The carrot cake was such a hit! Everyone (including grandpa, who doesn't even like carrot cake) had a piece. The bread was moist and filled with nuts and the cream cheese was rich and thick. Go ahead; feel free to drool. I also tried edamame for the first time and fell in love! It was definitely be an apartment-must food for next year.
Later that night, I met up with some friends, chatted, ate some more delicious fourth of July desserts and watched fireworks by a canal. It was so good to see everyone and just relax. Cheers to the holidays!
Sunday, 7/05: It is pretty much an (unspoken) known fact that I would race in a local 5k today; this annual race is practically a tradition for my family and me. I fueled up with Chobani yogurt with Vanilla Islands cereal and a banana for breakfast. I loaded PB on a WW bagel for lunch and was ready to race. (Pre-race: I stretched out with my racing rope and saw tons of friends I raced with in HS!)
Haha! Look at me go. SO focused!
Photos, courtesy of dad! :)Monday, 7/06: I was a little sore and neglected to run today. I took the day off. It was completely unplanned but some days you just have to listen to your body. My body was DEFINITELY telling me to rest.
I spent most of the day whipping up some new recipes. I made WW buttermilk biscuits with Hodgson's Insta-bake mix. I followed the instuctions on the back of the box: just add mix, milk, butter and voila! They REALLY are quick and easy to make. (Prep and bake time all under 20 minutes!) They looked a little weird but tasted soft and delicious.
My brother ate about four in one sitting (although I wouldn't recommend it)! I then created a fully-loaded veggie pizza which made for the most amaaaazing, quick dinner. Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
- WW roll-up/pita
- Tomato sauce
- Veggies: chopped broccoli, carrots, black olives, mushrooms, red peppers
- Shredded cheese
Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake roll-up/pita for about 7 minutes (until slightly toasted).
2. Spread tomato sauce across pita.
3. Add vegetables and layer with cheese.
4. Bake in oven for 10 - 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
5. Slice, serve and enjoy!
Before the cheesy goodness.
After!I also made a full shopping list of items that would be kitchen necessities for my apartment next semester (since I'm finally FREE and off of a yucky meal plan). My list turned out longer than I expected
Tuesday, 7/07- Wednesday, 7/08: So busy! These days passed by VERY quickly. I worked full days (8 AM-6 PM) for my dad and was exhausted after. Mom and I went to the fruit and vegetable market after work to stock up on the goods! I bought these delicious thick WW crackers to snack on and serve with dinner.
Bermudez Crix WW Crackers
Between my brother, my dad (who doesn't care for WW) and I, the bag was gone in a day. They're not the healthiest things ever (contains enriched flour), but they taste great and are a satisfying little snack. They also go great if served with cheese, hummus or just by themselves!
I know, I know. Summer laziness is starting to kick in! I ran neither of these days but swam after work. I felt like it was sufficient training, considering my busy work schedule. I also started to read My Sister's Keeper and simply cannot put it down. I heard GREAT things about both the book and the newly-released movie. So far, the book has lived up to my expectations. :)
Thursday, 7/09: I received some sort of wake-up call telling me to quit being lazy and JUST RUN. I had to be in the city by 11 to meet with an advisor at NYU, then meet for lunch with the injured one ;) so I knew I would be on a tight schedule. I woke up at 6:30 AM! I ran for a quick 3.7 miles in 26 minutes. I then jumped into my pool and did some laps. By the time I finished exercising, it was 7:30. I hopped in the shower, got ready, made myself a quick breakfast of Kashi Go Lean Waffles (topped with Strawberry Chobani Yogurt and fresh strawberries) and did some yoga.
It was a pretty crumby day out. Needless to say, I was wide-awake! My pace certainly did not slow down from here: I ran into a few high school friends (who were also boarding the same train as me) and then two college friends later throughout the day. After my appointment, I had a couple hours to waste before I met with the sister, so I set off for Strand Bookstore (which has an amazing collection of 18 miles of books). I browsed the $1 book selection outside and found a few classics, which I figured my sis might like!
Buying recipe books has also been lingering on my To-Do List. I just kept putting it off! I invested in an large, hard-cover Italian cookbook (only worth 9 bucks) and Rachel Ray's 365 Dishes: No Repeats (for under 6 bucks)! Great buys for cheap. I can't wait to start cooking up some of these delicious trays.
TODAY: I woke up around 9:30 and cleared my mind with an hour "toning yoga" session. I then did a 5-minute core workout after. I felt awake, stretched out and ready to kick start the day.
I checked my e-mail and HOORAY! I received an A in my Economics summer course. :) I was having such a great day! I had never made oatmeal before and felt like it would be a PERFECT time to take out the rolled oats. Experimentation time: I used 1/2 cup of rolled oats, 2 TBSP of half and half, 3/4 cup of water (add more for smoother mixture, less for thicker), 1 sliced banana, 1 TBSP of brown sugar, a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. (Pretty boring mixture, but it was good for a first time!) It was thick, yummy and filling. I would also definitely use a bit less half and half next time. (It felt waaay too concentrated.)
I spent the afternoon reading, swimming and selecting photos my favorite photos for the collage on my Starbux coffee thermal. It was so fun to sit down and sort through old pictures (even though, I am going to have a difficult time selecting them).
Lunch rolled around. I raided my fridge for every type of veggies I could find. Turns out we had lots! I made my own light protein-rich salad for lunch with blackberries and a banana protein shake (1/3 cup of Egg-Beaters All Egg-Whites, 1/8 cup of water, 1/2 banana, a few globs of Chobani Plain Yogurt).
In my salad:
- Fresh leafy greens
- 1/5 box of soft tofu
- 1/3 can of Albacore tuna
- 1/3 cup of scrambled Egg-Beaters
- 3 halved cherry tomatoes
- Chopped roasted pepper
- Lots of green peas
Now off to study some Spanish!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Off to the Beach
My good friend, Megan, and I had planned for an "early" 9 AM run today. (We should have gone a bit earlier--it was WAY too hot.) We ran an easy 4 miles and jumped in the pool after.
We went all out on breakfast! We made blueberry pancakes, topped them with Chobani blueberry yogurt and tossed on fresh blueberries on top. (I wish I took a picture. It looked so pretty!) We also set out a variety of cereal, fruit (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, apples, bananas), Kashi GoLean waffles, toast, 3 different PB flavors (regular, White Chocolate, and Cinnamon Raisin). We were hungry!
We planned on meeting a few friends at the beach and spent waaay too much time enjoying breakfast. Our lunches were quick! We packed turkey, tomato, lettuce and cheese on Damascus Bakery WW roll-ups, a bag of blueberries and a few Pria/Kashi energy bars (in case we got hungry). We were off!
We spent the afternoon soaking in the sun. The current was strong and we got knocked down a few times. Haha nothing bad--just a few scratches! We relaxed, read and chatted for most of the afternoon. On the way home, Megan and I called up our other best friend, Alyssa, and grabbed ice cream ices together! I mixed passion fruit ice with soft-serve vanilla ice cream. It was delicious. :)
When I got home, I took my cat (below) outside (Mr. Boop loves the outdoors) and decided to re-check Albert. Classes ended nearly a week ago and I was anxious for grades!
My stats grade was up! An A--yay, this calls for celebration; I created a huge deviled egg salad as a side dish for dinner. It was a quick eat to make and decorated the dinner table nicely.
Ingredients: Makes 6 to 8 servings.
The Steps
Be confident and get creative and add your own favorite toppings and make a few substitutes for this vibrant salad!
We went all out on breakfast! We made blueberry pancakes, topped them with Chobani blueberry yogurt and tossed on fresh blueberries on top. (I wish I took a picture. It looked so pretty!) We also set out a variety of cereal, fruit (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, apples, bananas), Kashi GoLean waffles, toast, 3 different PB flavors (regular, White Chocolate, and Cinnamon Raisin). We were hungry!
We planned on meeting a few friends at the beach and spent waaay too much time enjoying breakfast. Our lunches were quick! We packed turkey, tomato, lettuce and cheese on Damascus Bakery WW roll-ups, a bag of blueberries and a few Pria/Kashi energy bars (in case we got hungry). We were off!
We spent the afternoon soaking in the sun. The current was strong and we got knocked down a few times. Haha nothing bad--just a few scratches! We relaxed, read and chatted for most of the afternoon. On the way home, Megan and I called up our other best friend, Alyssa, and grabbed ice cream ices together! I mixed passion fruit ice with soft-serve vanilla ice cream. It was delicious. :)
When I got home, I took my cat (below) outside (Mr. Boop loves the outdoors) and decided to re-check Albert. Classes ended nearly a week ago and I was anxious for grades!
My stats grade was up! An A--yay, this calls for celebration; I created a huge deviled egg salad as a side dish for dinner. It was a quick eat to make and decorated the dinner table nicely.
Ingredients: Makes 6 to 8 servings.- 7 hard-cooked eggs
- 3 Tbsp. salad dressing, mayo, or plain Greek yogurt! (Surprised you didn't see Chobani??)
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill weed
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 6 cups torn lettuce
- 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium red sweet pepper, chopped
- 1 recipe DillVinaigrette
The Steps
(1) Halve hard-cooked eggs lengthwise and place yolks in a small bowl. Set whites aside. Mash yolks with fork and stir in salad dressing, dill weed, garlic, and salt. Stuff egg white halves with yolk mixture. Set aside. (2) On a platter, arrange lettuce, tomatoes, and sweet pepper. Arrange eggs on greens. Drizzle with Dill Vinaigrette. (3) In a screw-top jar combine 1/3 cup olive oil or salad oil; 2 tablespoons tarragon vinegar; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill weed; 2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard; 1 clove garlic, minced; and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and shake well.
**To hard-cook eggs: In a large saucepan place eggs in a single layer. Add enough cold water to cover eggs by 1 inch. Bring to rapid boiling over high heat. Remove from heat, cover. Let stand 15 minutes; drain. Cool. Peel.
Be confident and get creative and add your own favorite toppings and make a few substitutes for this vibrant salad!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Long but Productive Day!
After I read through Runner's World last night, I started reading a great book, The End of Poverty, by Jeffrey Sachs:
I picked it up awhile ago at Strand Bookstore and never got a chance to read it. But, I couldn't put it down so I woke up early this morning to crunch in a few extra pages before an early run!
I then showered and packed a quick lunch: I spread Cedar Garden’s vegetable hummus all over my WW Toufayan pita wrap, added lots of tofu, lettuce and a few slices of Cabot’s sharp cheddar cheese. I love mixing tofu with lettuce because I’m able to taste both the softness of the tofu and the crunchiness of the lettuce! For snacks throughout the day, I munched on a bag of Rold Gold Pretzel Thins and a blue berry jelly belly energy beans.
My mom (who also works at my dad’s store) took a quick break and short trip to Dunkin Donuts… and came back with more SURPRISES! She bought the workers (that includes me!) some cold drinks—did I mention she’s the best? I sipped on a refreshing Coffee Coolatta which filled me up until closing at 8 PM.
Time for dinner! We had leftovers: yummy stuffed tilapia and stuffed mushrooms!
I later snacked on toast and melted White Chocolate PB from Peanut Butter & Co. I first toasted two slices of WW bread. Smothered PB over the bread, which really melted it great on its own, but I wanted to add a little something extra so I stuck it in the microwave for a quick 20 seconds. (I had to be careful not to let the toast turn too rubbery). The White Chocolate Peanut Butter is sweet so it’s perfect for a light snack (and helps me stay awake through my nightly reading time).
I’m drained and ready for bed. Goodnight all!
I picked it up awhile ago at Strand Bookstore and never got a chance to read it. But, I couldn't put it down so I woke up early this morning to crunch in a few extra pages before an early run!
I then showered and packed a quick lunch: I spread Cedar Garden’s vegetable hummus all over my WW Toufayan pita wrap, added lots of tofu, lettuce and a few slices of Cabot’s sharp cheddar cheese. I love mixing tofu with lettuce because I’m able to taste both the softness of the tofu and the crunchiness of the lettuce! For snacks throughout the day, I munched on a bag of Rold Gold Pretzel Thins and a blue berry jelly belly energy beans.
My mom (who also works at my dad’s store) took a quick break and short trip to Dunkin Donuts… and came back with more SURPRISES! She bought the workers (that includes me!) some cold drinks—did I mention she’s the best? I sipped on a refreshing Coffee Coolatta which filled me up until closing at 8 PM.
Time for dinner! We had leftovers: yummy stuffed tilapia and stuffed mushrooms!
I later snacked on toast and melted White Chocolate PB from Peanut Butter & Co. I first toasted two slices of WW bread. Smothered PB over the bread, which really melted it great on its own, but I wanted to add a little something extra so I stuck it in the microwave for a quick 20 seconds. (I had to be careful not to let the toast turn too rubbery). The White Chocolate Peanut Butter is sweet so it’s perfect for a light snack (and helps me stay awake through my nightly reading time).
I’m drained and ready for bed. Goodnight all!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Workout Day One!
I was so excited to officially start running again today that I decided to go out and buy the Runner's World magazine to get myself motivated. Summer classes have made it really difficult for me to stick to a set training routine. :(
I hoped to run between 3-4 miles today but, surprisingly, I felt really good and just kept on going! I ended up running around 5.7 miles today. However, I try to run for time instead of distance. That way, if I'm having a bad day and don't reach a certain mileage, I won't beat myself up over it. Or, oppositely, if I'm feeling really good, I'll get the added bonus of getting in those extra miles!
If I'm curious to see how my times match up, I'll visit MapMyRun.com, trace my training course and let the site calculate the distance for me. It's completely free and simple to use. The site also offers a lot of other cool training features to members. Here's the user-friendly layout:
When I got home, I figured it would be a good idea to keep a training log on an Excel spreadsheet, so I can keep track of the date, my time, distance, pace (calculates itself), course, and a few notes (how I felt, the difficulty of the course, etc). It's always important to listen to your body and be honest with how you feel. It definitely will help you to understand your training needs and what works for you. Here's the final product:
I love these! I can see how I feel at the end of each week and adjust my training routine accordingly. It's also good to have goals in mind when you train. My goal for the summer is just to keep building up the mileage each week so that I'll have a strong foundation for the upcoming cross country season. For the first month or so, I want to get in 2-3 days of hills per week to build muscle. On "rest" or easier days, I plan to cross train (either swim or bike) so I don't feel like such a couch potato this summer!
I can be a bit of an organizational-freak sometimes. But, I figured I would need somewhere to start! One thing that isn't such a good idea is running blind; it's good to have a plan in mind before just going out each day and running. It helps keep track of how many days per week your doing distance, workouts (if any) and rest. (Rest is especially important.) Plus, it's so motivational to see the progression over the course of a few weeks, months or even years! I created another excel spreadsheet for a tentative summer workout plan (which I will probably end up tweeking a bit):
*LSD stands for "long, slow distance." As you can see, I end up tapering off by the end of the schedule to make sure I am not completely exhausted before the cross-country season starts! Hope this inspired you to take control of your running and map out your own plan. :)
Today's fuel went like this:
(Above: Me and grandma) I love her!
I hoped to run between 3-4 miles today but, surprisingly, I felt really good and just kept on going! I ended up running around 5.7 miles today. However, I try to run for time instead of distance. That way, if I'm having a bad day and don't reach a certain mileage, I won't beat myself up over it. Or, oppositely, if I'm feeling really good, I'll get the added bonus of getting in those extra miles!
If I'm curious to see how my times match up, I'll visit MapMyRun.com, trace my training course and let the site calculate the distance for me. It's completely free and simple to use. The site also offers a lot of other cool training features to members. Here's the user-friendly layout:
When I got home, I figured it would be a good idea to keep a training log on an Excel spreadsheet, so I can keep track of the date, my time, distance, pace (calculates itself), course, and a few notes (how I felt, the difficulty of the course, etc). It's always important to listen to your body and be honest with how you feel. It definitely will help you to understand your training needs and what works for you. Here's the final product:
I love these! I can see how I feel at the end of each week and adjust my training routine accordingly. It's also good to have goals in mind when you train. My goal for the summer is just to keep building up the mileage each week so that I'll have a strong foundation for the upcoming cross country season. For the first month or so, I want to get in 2-3 days of hills per week to build muscle. On "rest" or easier days, I plan to cross train (either swim or bike) so I don't feel like such a couch potato this summer!
I can be a bit of an organizational-freak sometimes. But, I figured I would need somewhere to start! One thing that isn't such a good idea is running blind; it's good to have a plan in mind before just going out each day and running. It helps keep track of how many days per week your doing distance, workouts (if any) and rest. (Rest is especially important.) Plus, it's so motivational to see the progression over the course of a few weeks, months or even years! I created another excel spreadsheet for a tentative summer workout plan (which I will probably end up tweeking a bit):
*LSD stands for "long, slow distance." As you can see, I end up tapering off by the end of the schedule to make sure I am not completely exhausted before the cross-country season starts! Hope this inspired you to take control of your running and map out your own plan. :)
Today's fuel went like this:
- 10:30 AM: Breakfast was quick! I mixed together a 6 oz container of Plain Chobani Yogurt, about a cup of Kashi GoLean cereal and a handful of raspberries.
- 2:00 PM: After spending most of the morning and afternoon running around to B&N, Costco, etc. I came back and couldn't wait to finally make lunch. I used Toufayan WW pita bread and packed it with sliced deli turkey, lettuce, tomato and shredded mozzarella cheese. I was out of the house soon after!
- I spent the evening at my Italian grandma's house and helped cook a pizza for her. ;) She insisted that I "mangia" and share a piece with her. I was more than willing! (How could I turn down an offer from grandma, especially when it sounds so sweet in Italian?)
(Above: Me and grandma) I love her!- When I returned home at 4:45, I grabbed my iPod and set out for my run. I felt great; I even ran for longer than I expected to. I forgot how good it feels to run without limits--that is, until the last two miles! My stomach started to cramp up and I struggled a bit to finish. I always like doing the second half of my run a little faster than the first, but it didn't quite happen today.)
- 6:30 PM: After I showered, I couldn't wait to eat. My mom had prepared stuffed tilapia and a side dish of linguini with tomato sauce. I also dipped some pita bread into my tomato sauce. I was craving something chocolaty too, and what could be a better choice for a post-workout drink than chocolate milk? A great mix of carbs, to replenish lost glucose, and protein, with calcium!
- 9:15 PM: Mom came home with MORE Chobani yogurts. She's the best! She even bought my favorite: blueberry flavor. I think I'll have one now...and a couple of these delicious store-bought Costco cookies! Ciao belles.
Uh oh!
I woke up to a huge scare this morning.
Sister crashed her bike on a downhill in her triathlon! Luckily, my other sister was behind, stopped and stayed with her. She ended up getting rushed to the nearest PA hospital.
It turns out she had a slight concussion and only needed a few stitches above her lip. She didn't even remember the crash at all! But her gears were completely out of whack, her helmet was cracked in half and she was pretty bloody, according to my other sister.
It's so important to have a buddy to race with or even just someone there, in case an emergency does arise. Also, when biking, you should always, always, always wear a helmet. My sister got lucky. Just think how much worse it could have been if she wasn't wearing a helmet!
(One of the lesser important worries: Neither of my sisters had any form of ID or cash on them when they went to the hospital. It's always a good idea to have a pair of shorts with a zipper pocket. You never know what could happen!)
Sister crashed her bike on a downhill in her triathlon! Luckily, my other sister was behind, stopped and stayed with her. She ended up getting rushed to the nearest PA hospital.
It turns out she had a slight concussion and only needed a few stitches above her lip. She didn't even remember the crash at all! But her gears were completely out of whack, her helmet was cracked in half and she was pretty bloody, according to my other sister.
It's so important to have a buddy to race with or even just someone there, in case an emergency does arise. Also, when biking, you should always, always, always wear a helmet. My sister got lucky. Just think how much worse it could have been if she wasn't wearing a helmet!
(One of the lesser important worries: Neither of my sisters had any form of ID or cash on them when they went to the hospital. It's always a good idea to have a pair of shorts with a zipper pocket. You never know what could happen!)
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