Looking AND Feeling Like My Badass Self

For the last several months, I have mainly been running. I fell out of my groove with doing cross training and strength work on the days I wasn't running. As a matter of fact, with summer being so busy with fun things, my running even took a small hit. All those margaritas and wine by the pool were finally starting to show.

Since school has been in session at the end of August, my running buddy and I have been back at it pretty consistently but even though we tried different things like adding sprints to our runs and improving our pace, I just didn't see the changes in my body I wanted to see. I have to accept the fact I'm getting older and my metabolism is slowing, and I won't give up my love of food. But still, I get up at 5 a.m. to run and while that in itself makes me feel kind of badass, I want to actually look badass too.

So even though over the last couple years I have consistently lamented my lack of time, and the challenges I face having two small children and a husband who's not home most nights, I stopped the whining. I am now making use of the YMCA membership that I previously used only sparingly, mainly to take advantage of discounts on my son's activities. I am adding one more day a week of strength or cross training depending on what my running buddy and I feel we are lacking at the end of the week. Sometimes we do a boot camp class, other times it's yoga. I love both. I wish I could work out seven days a week. But for now, it's 4-5. I think I am okay with that for right now. Boot camp is surely more strength-training oriented, since there are some weights involved, and I also like how running/sprinting is incorporated into it too. Yoga can be very helpful to me for stretching, strengthening and toning but I find it is awesome for clearing my mind as well.

I have also tried something that is really hard, but I really enjoy it. Have you heard of The Dailey Method? There is no cardio, it is a barre/pilates/core class and I love it. I leave sore, and spent, and see results in areas that I want to see results. My arms are toned, my abs are showing more definition and I feel as though my muscles are getting stronger and lengthened.  There are several targeted, intense movements that are so small that it's insane that you feel it the way you do. I previously was only able to manage one class a week but they have just added more classes so I think I'll be able to fit in one more! I will keep you posted on further results! It's only been a few weeks so far.

So, the holidays are coming, but I'm armed and dangerous.

--Stay fit and fabulous, my friends!

Super Easy Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo from About.com

Have you been invited to someone's home for Thanksgiving this year and you don't know what to bring? Are you looking for something to jazz up your own Thanksgiving dinner? I made this very simple dish based on this sweet potato casserole recipe  in under an hour and was pleased with the results.

It is very tasty, if you love sweet potatoes. Even if you like pecans, especially candied pecans. This casserole is pretty sweet, and can honestly pass as a dessert. I have included a less-sweet variation below. Secondly, it's pretty easy to make and difficult to screw up. I put this together for a luncheon at work, baking the potatoes the night before.

Before you start, preheat your oven to 400. Poke holes in your potatoes and wrap them in foil. When the oven is heated, bake the potatoes for an hour or until tender. In a pinch, you can boil or microwave them, but the baking really brings out the flavor of the sweet potatoes.

For the filling, you will need:

Those pecans totally photobombed. They are for the topping.

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes. I used one large yam and one large sweet potato.
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup milk

For the topping, you will need:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour - I used whole wheat
1/3 cup butter (yes, more butter)
1 cup chopped pecans

Lower your oven to 325*.
Combine the ingredients for the filling together. I had to get over the amount of butter, and pretend I didn't see it. Put contents of the filling in a buttered 2 qt. casserole dish. I used Smart Balance applied lightly with a paper towel to a dark glass dish and it worked out well - no sticking.

Combine the ingredients for the topping, and sprinkle evenly over the top so that all the sweet potatoes are covered. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until heated through and the pecans are browned.

Healthier variation:
I remade this the next day, with a couple minor tweaks.
Instead of using a whole stick of regular butter in the filling, I instead used a 1/2 cup melted Smart Balance. For a casserole that is less sweet, you can easily get away with using a lot less brown sugar. I cut it down to a half cup and I still found it to be delicious, since you could really taste the sweet potatoes more. I'm sure you could substitute and reduce the butter in the topping as well. That will be something I will try next time! I will definitely make this again!

~Happy Holiday Eating, Friends!~

Amy's Awareness Run - #runnersafety

On October 26, my virtual running buddy Sandra and her good friend Amy Wayne went on their usual 4 mile morning run before sunrise. Both women were equipped with lights and were obeying all traffic/pedestrian laws. Suddenly, Amy, who was running a short distance behind Sandra, was struck by a car and killed nearly on impact.

My running mom friends and I are putting together a virtual run in honor of Amy, and also to raise awareness of runner safety. Until this accident happened, I ran early in the morning on a regular basis without a light or reflective gear. This was truly a wake up call for me. Not only is it important to be more aware as runners, but as drivers, at any and all times of the day.

Please help us support Amy's family, her husband Travis and toddler daughter Adalee. It's easy to enter - Here are some details:

• The run will need to be ran between November 26th - December 2, 2012.
• You have the choice of running/walking 1 miles, 4 miles, or 5+ miles and the fees (donations) are different for each option.
• If you don't want to run, you have an option of making a donation.
• Memorial race bibs will be provided to all participants.

Click here to sign up: Amy's Awareness Run, put in your info, and choose your distance. Then go to Paypal and complete your donation by sending it to amysawarenessrun@gmail.com

If you have any questions, please comment below or contact me at hungrigyrl@yahoo.com

Please share this run with everyone you know and let's show Travis and Adalee that runners take care of their own!

My Husband Is On A Diet - Sort Of

I know that I have read that men lose weight more easily than women. It has something to do with their bodies being comprised of more muscle and less fat and also a higher metabolism. Recently my husband was complaining about weight gain. He had a physical for work, the report had all of his numbers for cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, etc. from last year down one column and all the new stats lined up right next to them. So, my husband has put on a lot of weight in the last year due to a job change. It crept on slowly and I don't think I really noticed it that much. Looking at the report, however, numbers can't lie. I want to make it clear that I am not one of those superficial women that insists her husband looks a certain way or ever criticizes people - even those unrelated to me - for being fat. I understand some people have a harder time than others. But he had gained over 20 lbs, and I am being conservative. I am guiding him to manage what he eats and its totally working! As a matter of fact, I'm a tad jealous.

But, my husband works out all the time. It's part of his job actually. We know to some extent his weird schedule and crazy hours can contribute to the way he metabolizes his food. But mainly to blame is the food he is actually eating. Fact. Chip's problem is that he goes for long periods of time without eating because he is so busy and then by the time he is able to eat, he will eat wherever "the guys" are eating and order something bad (read: Southern Smokehouse Burger from Chili's and fries) and eat it all. Sorry if it sounds mean, but he has admitted to this. For years I have been telling him how bad soda is (he drinks regular Coke) and have been baffled by his sweet tooth. He is a big guy in general (over 6 feet and 200+ lbs) and it does take a lot to fuel him. But he just got off track and fueled himself with the wrong things.

A small start, but a start nonetheless, is instead of having full gallons of ice cream in the house that is supposedly "for the kids" I broke down and bought many single serving containers of ice cream that you can buy for $1.00. They are so much easier to fit in the freezer. And Chip is less likely to open the carton when he gets home at 1:00 am when he's jonesing if the carton isn't already open. But at least if he does, it's a small serving. I felt it necessary to have something sweet, because deprivation makes us all crazy. We do know that.

Previously he was good about taking his lunch, and he would always be following some type of diet plan (think Paleo, not Scarsdale) and make his own food. That was when his hours were predictable and steady. I didn't realize he had stopped doing this as much til a few months ago. Once we got the physical results back, I decided to pitch in and help. I told him I would buy all the food for his lunches and make them for him.

He does really well with diets that involve many small meals throughout the day. So I have basically provided him with lunches and snacks that are low in calories and easy to eat. He usually works 10 hours or more so has a lot to choose from in his cooler, and whatever he doesn't want he can just bring home. He has cut out the soda and lost 10 lbs in one week just from taking his lunch to work!

This is more or less what he takes to work with him:

We get peach, vanilla and strawberry/blueberry

Yoplait 100 Calorie Greek Yogurt
Small container of raw almonds or trail mix
Fruit, such as a peach, apple, or some berries
Pre-made salad, that vary in ingredients.

These salads are a lifesaver!

Turkey or chicken or ham sandwich with 1 slice of cheese, lettuce and mustard on 100 cal sandwich thin

Oops upside down, but you get it

 I am in love with this new brand of deli meat I have discovered at my store called Applegate. These are healthy meat products without all the scary ingredients. I read about them on their website, and feel that I can totally related to how they feel about meat, and their mission. So yep, that is what goes in hubby's sandwich:

Tastes so good! And I don't feel guilty giving it to my kids!

Since he starts work in the afternoon and gets off around midnight, he does eat a small breakfast at home first, but essentially this is what he eats all day. There is some variety in the yogurt flavors as well as the salads to keep things from being too monotonous. I am proud of him and wish him continued success!  I would love to lose 10lbs!

Avokaspi Green Smoothie Recipe

Yup, I drank this. So did my family!

Avokaspi has a nice little ring to it. But basically, it's avocado, kale and spinach condensed into one cute little word. I made this smoothie and thought it was pretty tasty. My husband couldn't quite pin the flavor on anything, until I told him what was in it. It's a fun little game we like to play in the morning. This smoothie had a nice thickness to it, which somedays I prefer especially if I had a good run beforehand and need a little substance. You know I love green smoothies, and as I have said many times it's pretty hard to mess them up! In any case, here's the recipe. Hope you enjoy!

1 c. chopped kale (ribs removed)
1 c. spinach
1/4 avocado
1/4 c. greek yogurt, plain-nonfat
1/4 c. blueberries
1/2 banana
1 tbsp. local honey
2 dashes cinnamon
1 stevia packet
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. water
1 c. crushed ice (optional)

Kale blends better if its chopped up beforehand. Don't forget to remove the tough ribs. Water is essential in getting your blender/magic bullet moving. Many times, I add coconut milk to my smoothies but did not this time since I added Greek yogurt. You can choose to sweeten to taste with maple syrup, ripe banana or other sweetener if you don't have any honey or stevia on hand.

Have a great day!