Baking Up Some Dinner!

I woke up extremely early this morning! My two sisters were up and out of the house by 6:30 AM. They headed to PA to compete in an Olympic-distance triathlon (which will be on Sunday). Their chaotic scramble to leave the house woke me up, so I decided to post a few more blogs!

All this blogging made me hungry! I ate breakfast around 9. I toasted a Kashi GoLean blueberry waffle, spread a coating of Skippy all-natural PB all over it and topped it with banana slices. I was now ready to get back to blogging. (I know, a productive morning!)

For lunch around 1:00, I ate a massive slice of taco pizza that was sitting in the fridge. Not exactly a healthy choice but I can't remember the last time I ate taco pizza--or cold pizza for that matter. Besides, who could resist a huge, gooey meal just sitting in the fridge? I know I can't!

The weather turned around today and it got really hot. I munched away on refreshing grapes throughout the day while I whipped up two side dishes! The first: MORE baked pita chips with some garlic and cheesy breads. They're so easy to make. I also added some salsa and hummus dips to the center.
I baked a quiche for dinner. It was a really simple recipe; it took about 15 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to bake!
Here are the ingredients you'll need: (1) 7 eggs (2) 2 cups of shredded cheese (3) 1/4 cup of low-fat milk (4) about 1/4-1/2 cup of broccoli or spinach (5) a few pinches of salt and pepper (according to preference) (6) About 1/4 of a polenta log

And the steps! (1) Beat 5 large eggs in a bowl (2) Add in 1/4 cup of low-fat milk, 2 cups of shredded cheese (I used Sargento mixed cheese), a handful of chopped broccoli or spinach, and a few pinches (as needed) of salt and pepper for taste. Mix it up well. (3) Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F. (4) Take the mixture and pour half into a 8-inch pan. Thinly layer the mixture with polenta and then pour the rest of the mixture on top. Set with another thin layer of polenta. (5) Take two more eggs and beat well in a bowl. Pour the egg mixture over the polenta (covering it). (6) Bake in oven for 45 minutes or until top is firm. (Test with a toothpick.) Be creative and personalize your quiche with your own flavorful topping (salsa, tomato sauce, cheese, etc).

Enjoy!

Stretching and Some Flexibility

I never, ever leave for practice or a race without my stretching rope. I attended a running camp, The Running School (www.therunningschool.com), for three summers. (Wow, were we worked hard there!) Jim and Phil Wharton, competitive runners and world-renowned trainers, taught us the importance of active isolated stretching (AIS) in training. What all that jargon really means is that we can make a huge difference in our performances by simply incorporating a rope into our daily stretching routine.

Let's face it: nobody ever likes getting injured! I definitely think stretching ropes are worth the investment. I even have 3 (1 blue, 1 red, and 1 purple and white)! Although a little excessive, mine are all DIY stretching ropes. You can pick up some boating rope up at your nearest marina. (I prefer this method because you can cut it to your own desired length.) Cut the rope and then simply burn the edges (to keep it from becoming frayed). But, if you think that fire seems like a recipe for disaster and prefer to find a more standard rope, there are hundreds of websites that sell them online! (They run about 10 bucks each.) Here are some tips and tricks to my favorite leg stretches that I picked up over years of training:

The two speedy ladies, Megan and Liz, (pictured above) also attended The Running School with me! Thanks to their modeling, I was able to make this cool stretching sheet to share with you guys. :)

Want to know other ways I combat soreness, injury and muscle pain? No secrets here! I have two necessities which I could not train without: The Stick and a cylindrical foam roller. The Stick is such a fun and efficient massage tool. It is simply a plastic rod with spindles that roll independently of each other; they really work through every and any inch of muscle discomfort. The Stick helps me stay loose before races. I have a longer one, which is a bit more pricey, but they can range anywhere from $27 (travel size) to $57 (large--even this is pretty portable), depending on the size. I usually roll it over my calves to help shake out any tightness!

A foam roller, on the other hand, is much wider and better for rolling out large, sore muscles. (You can buy it for as cheap as 12 bucks. Half-size is only 5.) It literally breaks up trigger points and adhesions, which restrict muscle movement. It is great to have lying around the house. When I'm watching a good show, I'll usually take out my foam roller and stretch out my muscles after a day of hard training. (Double the relaxation!) This is a good guide to get you started and show you the different ways to maneuver the roller: http://www.performbetter.com/catalog/assets/Exercisesheets/PDF/FoamRoller.pdf

I hate spending money frivolously, but I always feel so sore when I don't get in a good stretch. Looking back, I have no regrets! They were all such good investments.

Stay safe and happy stretching. xx

A Few Fun Facts About Myself

So, since I never really gave a formal introduction, here's a little more information about myself!
That's me in the center!
A few fun facts:

• I am 19 years-old! I live on Long Island and attend school at New York University.
• I love, love, love to run! (If you couldn't tell by now, you would have soon found out.)
• I have a huge family--two older brothers and two older sisters, who I absolutely love. :)
• I am passionate about law (and hope to be a USDA one day).
  
• I love cooking, baking and trying new recipes!
• I am obsessed with vanilla-ey flavors (even though the occasional chocolate craving kicks in)!
• Peanut butter is my favorite topping! It's so energizing and tastes great when combined with apples, bananas, the traditional jelly, toast, waffles, oatmeal, chocolate and pretty much anything.
  
• My goal for this year is to complete my first half-marathon. (I've run over 13 miles before--just never in an actual race. I think it would be amazing experience though.)
  
• I plan on competing in a triathlon next year. (I figured I would set a longer date to achieve this, considering I am an absolutely horrible swimmer!)

My dad is still waiting on me for the last one! He owns two sports stores: a bike store, Sunrise Cyclery, and a triathlon store, Sunrise Tri (Check out his website: www.sunrisetri.com). He's extremely busy there so I work for him whenever I can!

If there's one thing that my dad loves, it is to help people improve in all aspects of life. He is one of my greatest inspirations. He really loves and takes pride in his job--and, well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't love his job too! How many other people can say that they can try a variety of tasty energy snacks...for free! I make sure to remind him that I'm a lucky girl each time he brings home a new box! ;)

After having the opportunity to test out a long list of energy products--from brands such as Clif Bar to PowerBar to Hammer to Gu to Jelly Belly to LaraBar to Kashi--and dozens of varieties, I've decided to rate them and share with you a few of my favorites! Here are the winners:

#1) Luna Bars
These bars (made by Clif Bar) are my personal favorite! They're the perfect snack for on-the-go or as makeshift granola (crumbled up in your yogurt). They're delicious (I even forget I'm eating an energy bar sometimes) and keep me full for hours! (Each one has between 160-180 calories, 9-10 grams of protein and is 70% organic.) They are one of the more nutritious energy bars I've tried. My top flavors are:

Iced Oatmeal Raisin

Dulce de Leche

These bars definitely don't sacrifice flavor for nutrition! They are granolaey and drizzled with a sweet toppings to satisfy your sweet tooth. (With 16 flavors, it's easy to find ones that match whatever craving you may have: http://www.lunabar.com/products/bars/)

#2) Pria Bar
These crispy bars (made by Power Bar) come in a close second! There's a bit more sugar in these, but with only 110 calories per bar, are perfect for a light snack or a morning wake-me-up. I love French Vanilla Crisp but Chocolate Peanut Crunch is tasty too! (The other flavor that they offer is Double Chocolate Cookie, but it's way too chocolatey for my taste: http://www.powerbar.com/products/68/POWERBARsup/sup_PRIAsup/sup.aspx) Pria has a much crispier texture than Luna and contains a full layer of flavored coating. Like the Luna Bar, it's loaded with vitamins and minerals:

French Vanilla Crisp

#3) Jelly Belly Sports Beans
If you like typical jelly beans, these are the energy snack for you. These little gels will replenish you with electrolytes to give your body--whether mid-workout or mid-day--an extra burst of energy! But, they're pretty high in sugar so make sure you have a drink nearby to guzzle down after. I can never get enough of these little packages! I keep them in a bag with me at all times. (You never know when you need a quick punch in your day.) They come in Cherry, Watermelon, Orange, Berry Blue, Lemon Lime, Fruit Punch and are about 100 calories a pack! (Check the ratings and see how these yummy flavors rank up: http://www.jellybelly.com/Shop/ShopMain.aspx?CategoryID=Sport_Beans)

#4) Kashi TLC Chewy Granola Bars
OK! So these are not your typical "energy" bars, but I felt like these could not be excluded from the list. They definitely have more of a granola-ey texture (and do not contain the vitamins and minerals in many other energy bars), but they're low in sugar and a good source of fiber! The PB-flavored bar (140 calories) will leave you feeling full for hours. I also recommend them because, like all Kashi products, they're all natural. (Yay, so we can guarantee they won't contain any hydrogenated oils, HFSC or any other artificial ingredients!) Kashi, you've done well. (See more of Kashi's nutritious TLC flavors here: http://www.kashi.com/products/chewy_granola_bars_cherry_dark_chocolate)

Chobani Heaven

This week I discovered a new love for Chobani Greek Yogurt! I was scanning the isles of Gristedes when the bright, distinct advertising label caught my eye. (I'm a sucker for aesthetically-pleasing food products!) I have always been a fan of Yogurt, but had never tasted Greek Yogurt before; I was reluctant at first but decided to try it out! At $1.65 per 6-ounce container, it was a a bit of a splurge for me. As soon as I got back to the apartment, I pealed open a blueberry flavor and dug in. I was not disappointed! It was so rich and creamy. I left nothing to the container. I was even more shocked to see all of their zero-fat Greek yogurts range between 100-150 calories each, contain zero grams of fat, and have between 17-20 grams of protein (as a result of the straining process). They also don't contain any HFCS. (Chobani just kicked Dannon and YoPlait's butts for nutrition and taste!) These nutritious yogurts come in six flavors: Plain, Strawberry, Blueberry, Peach, Honey and Vanilla.


I tried the Plain one too! It gave me the chance to be creative and add my own toppings. I decorated my yogurt with blueberries, raspberries and Kashi GoLean Crunch (works just like granola). Chobani's high-protein content left me feeling full all morning! It's the perfect energy snack for any time of the day. If you're not used to eating Greek Yogurt then I would suggest trying a flavored one first! (I have only tried blueberry, so it's the only one I can truly recommend at this point.) I picked up a vanilla and can't wait to taste it.

Go ahead, splurge a little and give Chobani a try. (Check out Chobani's website and look for your favorite flavor: www.chobani.com) Ciao!

Summer Classes Come to an End

Today was so relaxing! I sat in a beautiful park downtown and read Angels and Demons all day. I was so relieved to be done with summer classes (especially after studying my brains out for a semester-worth of material in a few short weeks) that I vowed to not even touch my textbooks for the next week. It's my way of saying goodbye to Economics and Statistics--that is, at least for the summer.

It is so sad! I have lost all hope in waking up to a bright, sun-drenched summer morning. But, the weather proved me wrong today! Despite what seems to be a constant, month-long rain shower in NY, the sun actually peaked out for a little today. I was so excited to stay out and break out the new sunglasses. But, I decided to pick up and go by mid-afternoon when I saw some terrifying, rain clouds rolling in.

It turned into an easy excuse for me to venture into Whole Foods. (I refused to let the weather get me feeling down.) Call me crazy but I actually get excited to go aimlessly grocery shopping! Most often, these are the times when I get the best finds (as well as the most--my wallet can vouch for me on this one).

Anyway, my intuition served me correctly! I discovered a delicious organic macaroni and cheese--two 10 and a half ounce boxes for only five bucks (I couldn't resist). It was called Annie's Homegrown Organic Mac and Cheese Shells. I tried the white cheddar flavor but they certainly had a wide variety available. I was surprised! It was so yummy--super creamy and it only contained five ingredients! (Click the nutrition label on the right to see for yourself, or check it out on their website: http://www.annies.com/organicmacandcheese#jump39). I went back for seconds!

I was then in the mood for a small, light side dish. So I prepared baked pita chips to dip in the cheesy sauce. They are so simple and quick to make. They are also a great side to any meal. You only need are a few 6-inch pita breads and some olive oil, or you can substitute a sprinkle of garlic instead. (Black pepper and salt are optional for added taste.)

Here are the quick steps to making them: 1) Take your 6-inch pita bread (I used Toufayan WW pita) and slice it in half with a sharp knife. Further cut each half into thirds. 2) Carefully pull apart each slice apart (so you have double the chips!) 3) Spread or spray a light coating of olive oil on each slice. (Kudos if you use extra virgin olive oil because it's unrefined and, therefore, pure. Olive oil is a great topping because it's light, when used sparingly. It' also rich in monosaturated--good--fats.) 4) Then, make sure you pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees F. 5) Place all of your triangles on tin foil or a tray and heat for 7 minutes (or until browning and toasty). 6) Flip the chips over to bake the other side for an extra 5 minutes--making it just as toasty! 7) Serve plain or get creative. Add a glob of hummus, salsa, or guacamole on the side to contrast the crunchiness of the chip with a soft, flavorful topping. Bon appetit!

My sister came back from a long day at work and we sank into the comfort of our couches, and enjoyed our equally comforting foods. (I made one full box of the mac and cheese but way overestimated our eating capacities. I sealed the rest in a container and happily tossed it in the fridge for another quick meal this week!) My sister and I officially decided that Friday nights should traditionally be dubbed "Nights of Nothing"--in celebration of an exhausting work-week. So we decided to be cheesier than our dinner (a cheesy joke in itself) and rent a chick flick (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2). Looking back on it, it was a pretty impulsive decision--which both of us had simultaneously agreed on.

But, the best part of the night was yet to come. We were in the mood for something sweet and BerryWild hit the spot. We even got a buy-one-get-one-free-deal. (Yay--snipping coupons finally paid off!) If you have never been to BerryWild, I strongly recommend it! At first glance, it seems like your typical FroYo (Frozen Yogurt) place, but don't let it get lost in the mass of other names such as Pinkberry and Red Mango. Wildberry offers both icy and smooth FroYos--all for the same price! (Icy's are about a third of the calories of the smooth.) My sister and I both ordered the small banana smooth flavor and topped it with our own personalized fruit combinations. (Visit their website to see all of the tasty flavors/toppings: berrywildyogurt.com) My favorites are strawberries and blueberries. It was aesthetically appealing--and satisfying too! I definitely have to make another trip back soon.

We arrived back to the apartment around 10 PM. I was excited that I could actually pack up my belongings (for good) and prepare to head back home to LI! After sticking around in the city for so long, I decided my lifestyle needed a change of pace. Back to the suburban neighborhood I go!

Happy, Healthy and Fit

Wow! It has been such a long time since I last blogged! (I'm actually a bit disappointed in myself for not getting to this sooner.) First off, I'm pretty new to the world of blogging, but I really want to dedicate this blog to three things: being happy, healthy and fit. I believe all people should strive for this balance. Your life deserves it! My blog will follow these three aspects throughout my busy life.

(Above: Me and one of my best friends, Megan)

First, and foremost: being happy. This means doing everything in your life that makes you feel good! It's about knowing that it's okay to indulge in the things you love. Live guiltless. Embrace the company of friends and family, enjoy savory foods and color your life. This part of my blog is all about going out and doing things that I love. It is about the little things that make me feel good. Hopefully, you'll feel the same as me and take a some of these ideas with you.

Second: being healthy. From recipes to yoga--I want to share all of the tips I have learned to live a more health-conscious lifestyle. I am in no way a foodie, but I love food. If there's one thing I've learned, it is that food is our fuel for life. I am excited to share how I stay energized throughout my day. I believe making even small changes in our daily lifestyles can make a huge difference. Cheers to living life!

Third, (but equally as important): staying fit. Staying fit is not only good for your body, but for your mind as well! I love being active because it's such a great stress-reliever. However, I run for NYU and know how difficult it can be to get in a good workout or healthy meal with such a busy schedule. So, I am hoping to take what I learn from my own day to day schedule to motivate you to want to live a more active and healthier style.

(*Just to clear this up: NYU is a Division III school. So I am not on a scholarship--even though it would help the sky-high tuition rates a bit. ;) I run because I want to and love the liberating feeling of being active. Don't you want to feel liberated too?)

So, let's make little differences in our lives, and motivate ourselves to live a little better than the day before.