I Make Myself

• A colorful thursday •

Yesterday ended up being one of the most productive days I've had in quite some time. The only inconvenience is I was at bed by 10:00 PM.

I had a light dinner. It was poulet au vin blanc et citron. Did I amaze you? It was chicken breast cooked in white wine and a little bit of lime. Cool name right? I just made it up! everything sounds so elaborate in french. Maybe I'll name every recipe with a french title. People will think I'm a chef or something.

This recipe is fairly simple. In a deep oven safe container place 2 chicken breasts and sliced mushrooms. Add 1/4 cup of white wine, chopped chives, salt, pepper and the juice of half a lime.

Let it cook in the oven for about 30 minutes and serve with greens. The best part is you can use the wine sauce as dressing. I added it to some green beans.

On with today.

I am liking thursdays lately. Writing down a list of things that make me happy has helped in keeping me focused on the "good stuff".  I know things are hard when I have nightmares. Yesterday I dreamt there were two horrible animals in my house and one of them even bit my finger! awful. I am a big dream believer. Not as in that they can predict the future but I believe they do mean something. 

But let's not forget this blog is about being happy so on with the amazing things.

1. I am a member of  Healthy Living Blogs!

It makes me so happy to feel I am part of a big community and such a great one! A group of people striving, struggling and searching motivation for a healthier life. Sign me up!

2. Talented hubby

In case you may want to see what I mean by talented make a quick stop by his vimeo.

3. Meditation

I forgot to discuss how amazing the meditation class went last week. Long story short: I went with a headache and left with none!

I absolutely dislike taking medicines even if it's aspirin. If you are not into them either I suggest you try meditation for headaches. It did wonders for me.

4. Living 30 minutes away from the beach.

I went to the beach on sunday and came back with dunes of sand in my bikini. We are trying to hit the beach on the weekends. It would be a shame not to take advantage of this gift of nature (beautiful beach and summer weather).

5. Colorful nail polish

If I'm feeling blah this will always bright up my day. This time I chose bright green.

Have you ever tried adding some color to light up a lousy day or week? What color are you currently rocking on your nails? 

What is your mood-uplifting remedy?

 

• An early start •

Good morning!

It's still pretty early here in El Salvador. I was up by 4:30 AM today and I am proud of myself for that.

We had a minor car accident a couple of weeks ago. Nothing big just some scratches to the car.

Heinz was driving and luckily he was able to avoid a larger collision. The guilty -I'm calling him drunk!- driver drove away. 

After some talks with the insurance company the car is finally getting fixed! That means I will have no transportation for 5 days (give or take).

Now, back to the early start. 

Since we only have one car at the moment I had to drop off Heinz today before 5:00 AM. He had an early call. He works in advertising just in case you were wondering.

I normally have a hard time getting up early which for me is anything before 7:00 AM on weekdays and 9:00 AM on the weekends. I try though- but be warned because I am certainly not a morning person. 

I'm jealous of the early risers! When I do succeed at it I find the day is endless! I used to run in the mornings with my friends (I run in the afternoons now) and I did feel it was the perfect start. I could even skip coffee due to the adrenaline rush I would get out of morning runs.

But bottom line is for me it's not that easy.

Today was a successful early-wake-up day! I mean I kind of had to but regardless of the reason the point is I am up!

Not only did I manage to get out of bed on time BUT I was -strangely- in a great mood!

I think it has to do with the fact that I went to bed before 11:00 PM yesterday...inneresssstinggggg.....

I had planned to go for a run but I woke up with an upset stomach. Spicy food -when am I going to learn?-

I have made a pledge to myself to never EVER run with an upset stomach. 

I don't know about you but I did it once and I almost pooped my shorts!!! 

Not a nice experience.

I had eaten seafood the day before and had schedule a run at 5:15 AM with some friends. Right at the half mark I had to stop and swallow my embarrassment. I had to tell my friends I had to find a toilet really really really bad.

Since we were half way into the route going back was just as useless as finishing! so we looked for a toilet.

The only open toilet was a bus station that had a huge -toilets for costumers only- sign. I didn't even ask. I just said "good morning" and went right in!

God must have been merciful because there was toilet paper in there. I had already made up my mind  that I would be loosing my pair of socks. But no, I didn't.

After that situation. I swore I would never run with a weird stomach. So today, I didn't.

It was okay. After I dropped off Heinz I came back and brew myself some nice coffee, wrapped myself in a blanket and grabbed my book.

Ok, so maybe I didn't run but waking up early was still rewarding. Just look at the sunrise, it's soul warming.

How about you? early risers or sunset lovers? If any one has useful tips for waking up early...I am all ears!!!!!

Have a wonderful mid-week day!

• What I eat in a day •

 

A few people have asked me about what I eat. One of the most frequent question is what is a normal day menu for me.

I decided I would not only share it with the ones who asked but I would also share it here. 

I don't post everything I eat even though I take pictures of almost everything that goes into my mouth. I've put together a series of meals that will show you what usually makes it into my tummy.

 

For breakfast I will usually have:

Egg-white omelet on a whole wheat toast and  an almond milk cappuccino. 

I am definitely not a cereal person. I don't crave sweet stuff in the morning. I like salty breakfasts. I've also found that if I include some kind of protein in my morning meal I get less hungry throughout the day. 

A morning snack is a must. That is my secret for not letting myself get too hungry before lunch time. That is one way to avoid making poor food choices. Thinking with your brain not your stomach.

If I am working out or have already done so in the morning I will let myself have this treat:

Whole wheat toast with Nutella.

If I am having a lazy day and I know I won't be running or hitting the gym I will have a fruit as a snack. No workout means no treat for this lady.

Lunch time is usually a really fun meal and it's when I do most of my cooking. I try to make a nice meal because Heinz is usually here. His job is not far away from our apartment so he gets to come over and be my food guinea pig. Lucky for him there have been many Heinz approved experiments.

Lunch is something like this:

Broiled vegetables + something else.

This was broiled pipianes. You may read about this vegetable in this recipe I shared some days ago. I broil everything! Either in advanced for the week or in this case this zucchini related green takes only 15 minutes to be ready. 

I served them with a breaded eggplant "Sandwich". I sliced the eggplant tossed it into a bread crumble mix and cooked each one for about 5 minutes. While they were still hot I added some fresh mozzarella using the slices as bottom and top sandwich parts. Topped it with more cheese and voilá. 

As an afternoon snack I will definitely have a fruit.

Ricotta cheese & sliced apricot topped with cinnamon.

Dinner is leftover time, salad time...I can't be bothered cooking time. You get the point.

Caprese Salad

If I am too hungry I'll eat the salad in a flour tortilla. That is as creative as I get at night.

There you go. This is a what-I-eat-in-a-day menu. It's just an example because it's certainly not always this colorful.

I have to point out that right now the intensity of my workouts can be considered low to moderate.I don't think I could sustain a high intensity workout life fueling my body with only a few carbs.

Tell me if you'd like some more what-I-eat posts! I will be happy to share!

Have a great tuesday!

• of life & running •

I've always been a big supporter of running and life allegories. I believe you can learn valuable life lessons from  placing one foot in front of the other. The beloved activity we call running. 

The reasons why a person runs are as varied as the shapes of the clouds. 

One of my friends runs to get toned up legs. Another one because he wants to loose weight. 

There are people who run as part of a training program to back up another sport. There are those who run as a social activity.

Out of running you can get stress relief, a free pass to eating more carbs, freedom, personal time and runner's high.

One thing is for sure: you always get something out of running.

-Always-

And I think I may know why.

Even the ones who claim to run for fun set to do it with a purpose. 

Running will always get you somewhere. Physically or emotionally. Even if you don't want to. It will get you from point A to point B. It's running nature. It's human nature.

I mean even a lousy run teaches you something. Maybe it has to do with nutrition, consistency...it can be time organization for what I know! A run gone bad can certainly be humbling. 

I've decided to start something new on this blog. It's called "of life and running"

It will include everything. From silly thoughts to motivational quotes. The only requirement is that it comes from running.

It can be mine and it can be yours too. If you want to share your thoughts, lessons, reasons, anything except from hate mail can be shared here! Email me or  tweet with the #oflifeandrunning hashtag.

I think it would be inspiring to learn from each other how running is getting us somewhere, some place, something.

P.S. There is ONE  thing you absolutely wont get from running: being comfortable.

• Recently added•

There is no better way to end the week -and start the weekend- than to blast your speakers/headphones with pumped up music.

Here are three songs that I  recently added to my playlist. 

 

Nicki Minaj - Starships

 

 

Maroon 5 - Payphone

 

 

Carly Rae Jepsen - Call me maybe

 

 

I hope these three songs can  kick start your weekend!

 

• This thursday's list •

1. Someone from my family is part of El Salvador's olympic team.

Some fantastic news hit the family yesterday. And trust me this IS major!

You know how the Olympic Games are taking place in London. This year. Context you know.

Well, if you are half as excited as I am about it I am certain you are not planning on missing the opening ceremony.

While you are chilling and cheering you will see the athletes walking and waving while wearing top designers outfits. There is Stella McCartney who designed Great Britain's, Ralph Lauren did the United States and oh wait yeah...MY SISTER! who will design my country's outfit. How cool and sweet is that? It is a rhetoric question I do know the answer. It's SUPERB.

Yes I do capitalize to emphasize my excitement.

Be sure to look for my tiny country at the opening ceremony. Somehow a little part of me will be with our national athletes. I could technically say that I am part of the team. Ok, maybe not me but my sister definitely is.

You can read about it here. It is in Spanish but you can check out the picture with my sister's presentation.

 

2. On a second -yet very important- point. This has to be a miracle. For some strange reason Heinz has decided he will join his running wife! I know the reason though. My hubby is into surfing and yesterday morning he went on a one on one surfing session with a surfing pro and he got his butt kicked. Not by the surfer! by the experience. He decided he needs to incorporate some cardio into his life. Lucky for him the wife is a runner.

 

3. I am glad I finally made it back to yoga. I even think the universe rewarded me with this decision because I won a yoga mat in a Shape's magazine contest. I never win anything. Ever. So I do embrace this God-sent gift as a pat on the back.

 

4. Meditation class is for free

Free stuff! Do I need to elaborate?

 

5. Rainy days and almond milk cappuccinos

I love rainy days, I love cappuccinos and I love almond milk. Put them all together and you will have me smiling at strangers.

That is my list for today. How about you? Is anyone from your family part of your country's Olympic team? Are you? Would you like to be? 

Happy thursday everyone!

 

• Circuit Workout •

This is the reason of my full body soreness. A circuit workout that targets upper and lower body. Ouch.

The drawing is my attempt to show every move. I can predict many art schools will invite me to join their artsy programs after the world gets a taste of my talent. 

Circuit workouts are the cure to my gym boredom. I can't stand doing series of the same workout and if you can't either circuit workouts may just be your thing too.

This is an example of a circuit. You can add, subtract, mix and match as you like -or as your trainer tells you- Be wise and always ask an expert before attempting a new workout.

The circuit goes like this:

1. 12 reps with 20lbs dumbbell
2. 10 reps with 2x15lbs dumbbells
3. 15 reps with 2x10lbs dumbbells
4. 12 reps with 2x5lbs dumbbells
5. 15 reps with 2x5lbs dumbbells
6. 15 bench dips

And then I start all over. I go over the circuit a total of 4 times. It takes me about an hour if I don't take much breaks in between.

If you want to incorporate these type of circuits you can check out Julie's blog. She's got many cool circuit workouts  plus she is always coming up with more. 

I am not so creative when it comes to mixing mines up  but I will try to keep adding more if I feel they are worth sharing. This one certainly was!

How about you? Do you get bored with strength training or is it your thing?

• Weekly goals •

Monday was a very busy day. One of those days where time flies by and then at night you just can't be bothered with cooking dinner. Yesterday was one of those days for me.

I was so anxious getting things done that I decided it was time to make it back to yoga class. How is that even related you may ask. This is how: when everything -even the smallest little things- start getting on my nerves I know it's time. Time to invest in soul soothing yoga sessions.

It was the hardest yoga class EVER. I felt stiff, un-relaxed and rusty. Maybe it didn't help that I tried a new workout at the gym that morning. Yes, maybe not a good idea. I am sore all over. It's hard to sit down, stand up and I don't even want to discuss how difficult it was to get out of bed today.

But soreness is good. It means I am pushing my body. While training for the marathon I remember being sore all the time and even though I complained back then I do miss it now.

After yoga class I came home and Heinz and I decided to go out for dinner. I am grateful for nights like this. Unplanned late night dates. It's a tiny thing -we had tacos for crying out loud- but my heart melts when I realize that we enjoy each others company. Many may find this to be something implicit in a marriage but I don't.  I don't -and never will- take it for granted. 

After that little joy-note I want to share this week goals:

1. Cut down carb consumption

I think I am going a little crazy with carbs. I am not one of those carbs -or any type of food group- hater. I believe in a well balanced diet. Even though I am not working out as much as I used to a couple of months ago my diet is pretty much the same! I have to lower my carbs intake to one of a person with a moderate workout routine.

2. Make peace with my body

Since I had the -stated above- carb issue I've hit a plateau with my body. I refuse  to obsess about weights and appearance but when I say 'I refuse' I don't mean I don't. I want to learn how to make peace with my body. I am sure it should read making peace with my mind though. 

3. Meditation class

My yoga studio offers one meditation class per week. Best of all: it is free. I want to take advantage of this opportunity and I don't want to give it away but body, peace, mind and meditation. Is it just me or... are all my goals linked. Give it some thought.

4. Finish "standby" projects

I have so many unfinished projects. I HAVE to make myself  finish them. I've currently put some of them in stand-by mode because I get so excited with new projects that my attention gets easily diverted. I want to get at least two projects done.

5. Attempt one long run

I've been running no farther than 5KM per run. I think it is time to start building up. This weekend seems appropriate.

 

As you see they are not big -over the top- goals. They help me stay focused and on track. I'll give you an update at the end of the week. That should make me feel accountable enough.

 

What about you? Any special goals for this week?

 

• Cooking ahead •

Remember this squash recipe? 

If you decided to give it a try (or if you already have cooked one before) you may know that you get tons and tons of spaghetti from a single squash.

I used some of the leftovers in this recipe. I still got leftovers from the leftovers -not joking when I say you get tons- so here is another way I served them.

The coolest thing about today's meal is that it portrays the advantages of cooking ahead.  When I made this I already had squash leftovers and pre-cooked chicken breast. All I did was mix them together, add some tomato sauce, shredded cheese and heat it up in the microwave. Three minutes. Done.

Doesn't it look pretty? Now will you believe me that beautiful things can come out of the containers from your fridge. Plus, it was really tasty.

Besides the obvious -like always having healthy food within reach- there are many advantages in cooking food ahead for the week:

• Having a stacked up fridge: I really don't like when the fridge looks empty!
• An opportunity to organize: Imagine all those containers yelling "come miss freaky and pile us up". Simply Irresistible.
• One less dish to wash: I know, lazy but I will eat out of a container if I have to. Totally Heinz unapproved.
• Ready to go: The food is already sitting inside a container. This makes it easier to just grab it and take it with you.
• The hubs is a happier hubby: The food is ready to be microwaved! It doesn't get better than that for a non-kitchen-friend.
• Your vegetables won't go bad: I don't think that technically they last longer but maybe it's because they are already cooked that I find them more appealing and eat them faster than when I leave them uncooked.
• More time in my hands: I don't lose an hour a day cooking a single meal.
• Freeze it: If there is something I haven't eaten in a while I can always freeze it for later.

What about you? Do you find it easier to cook ahead? can't be bothered? share your story ;)

•It is thursday and I am happy•

'Happy Thursday' is here so lets get started because there is lots on my list.

1. I am happy I created a whole new interval training. Don't believe me? well check out the validation I got from Bart himself.

I came up with the name! Catchy right? and wait...there is more!

This totally made my day!!!! It's good to see something fun come out of the tiny mistake I made calculating the distance in the track.

Oh well.

2. I am happy I got my 2009 income tax refund! It has taken me three years but I finally got it! On Tuesday I received an email saying I could stop by the bank and collect it. The cashier gave me a total of 2.86$. Since I am a mind reader I will answer the two questions going through your head right now. 

    1. Yes I am using the dollar sign. We use US Dollars as our currency here in El Salvador.

    2. Yes, you read it correctly. It is two dollars with eighty six cents. Oh don't worry I took a picture of the much anticipated moment.

 

I know 2$ (almost three!) is not a big deal but if I didn't collect my 2009 refund then I can't get the 2010s! and that is a juicier sum! So these two dollars did make me happy. My 2010 refund is coming up shortly.

3. My basil is huge!

I had given up on growing my own herbs. It is really hot here in the burning tropic so they require a lot of care. The first basil I had got humongous I replanted its seeds but never saw anything grow out of it.

Rainy season is totally different. Even when unasked mother nature helps me water the plants. When I came back from my trip, a little over a month ago, I discovered a little baby basil was growing! Totally unexpected.

Now the basil is big and I've used some of its leaves! And there are two little ones growing as well. I LOVE their smell.

4. Peeled, cut -ready to eat- fruit

I normally stick to apples & bananas. My fruit choices do not include anything I have to cut or peel with a knife. I can't be bothered. The only way I include any other type of fruit is if it's served. I am not a big on fruits what can I tell ya.

But if I go to the supermarket and find peeled and cut melon. I buy it. Yes, it may be a little more expensive but the difference is not that significant. Heinz was happier than me about this. He loves melon.

5. I got my first gray hair.

No, I'm not happy about THAT but if I wanted to share this information I might as well do it in a happy thursday. Aging gracefully...right?

 

How about you fellows? Are you having a happy thursday yourself? If you are...do share.