I love the smell of rain when it first starts to fall. It smells all earthy and clean. It is one of my favorite smells in the world.
I had the most AWESOME run today! When I was putting my running clothes on I wasn't that excited about the run. I was feeling tired from an all day workshop and somewhat weary about the dark rain cloud I saw forming in the distance. I hoped that I could out run the rain so I hopped in the car and headed to the shop to start my run. Of course it started to drizzle before I could even get out of the car. At this point I had already decided that I would run regardless of the rain.
I have finally figured out how to have my Garmin give me 1 mile lap times so imagine my surprise when the first mile time was 9:26. I was thinking....hey I must just be starting out fast because of the rain. Then the second mile was 9:26 - okay so maybe I'm feeling great today. Then the third mile was 9:09 - WHAT! I was booking it and I didn't even feel that stressed. I will admit that the majority of the 3rd mile was downhill. I made up for it on mile 4 which was mostly uphill and at a 10:08 pace. I was still happy with that because it is way faster than I have been running lately. The last two miles were 9:49 and 9:29.
My overall pace was around 9:33. For SIX miles. I am so hype, LOL. This just made my day.
To make the day even better, I went to the triathlon training information session that Marisa held. I will give you more details about this tomorrow but if you're in the area and you are interested in doing some triathlon training then hit me up in the comment section.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Recipe of the Week: Curry Grilled Mahimahi
I went for a short run today, ~4 miles. Nothing spectacular to discuss concerning that; it was a nice slow run and I enjoyed being out in the sun with my friends.
Here is a recipe I made last night that I thought I would share. I don't know exactly how long it took to make but it was no longer than 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
1 lb mahimahi, skin removed
salt and pepper to taste (for the fish)
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 Tbsp curry powder
2 tsp dried oregano (I didn't actually measure these out when I made mine so I prob used more)
1 c. white rice (I used instant brown rice because that's what I had in the pantry)
2 chipotle chili peppers packed in adobo with sauce, finely chopped (if you are spicy adverse you may want to skip these or use a milder pepper)
1/2 c cilantro leaves, finely chopped (I actually didn't use this because cilantro tastes like soap to me)
Instructions:
1. Season mahimahi lightly with salt and pepper, then rub with oil.
2. In small bowl mix curry powder and oregano. Rub mixture over fish to coat evenly. Let stand, covered, at room temperature for 30 minutes or up to 6 hours in refrigerator. (I only let mine marinate for 15 minutes because I failed to really read the recipe before starting)
3. Cook rice per package directions. Mix with chipotles and cilantro.
4. Heat skillet over high heat. Cook mahimahi until crispy and medium-rare or medium, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Serve over rice.
If you want vegetables I suggest green beans; I like to use the Steamfresh kind since it is so quick and easy.
Hope you like it!
Here is a recipe I made last night that I thought I would share. I don't know exactly how long it took to make but it was no longer than 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
1 lb mahimahi, skin removed
salt and pepper to taste (for the fish)
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 Tbsp curry powder
2 tsp dried oregano (I didn't actually measure these out when I made mine so I prob used more)
1 c. white rice (I used instant brown rice because that's what I had in the pantry)
2 chipotle chili peppers packed in adobo with sauce, finely chopped (if you are spicy adverse you may want to skip these or use a milder pepper)
1/2 c cilantro leaves, finely chopped (I actually didn't use this because cilantro tastes like soap to me)
Instructions:
1. Season mahimahi lightly with salt and pepper, then rub with oil.
2. In small bowl mix curry powder and oregano. Rub mixture over fish to coat evenly. Let stand, covered, at room temperature for 30 minutes or up to 6 hours in refrigerator. (I only let mine marinate for 15 minutes because I failed to really read the recipe before starting)
3. Cook rice per package directions. Mix with chipotles and cilantro.
4. Heat skillet over high heat. Cook mahimahi until crispy and medium-rare or medium, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Serve over rice.
If you want vegetables I suggest green beans; I like to use the Steamfresh kind since it is so quick and easy.
Hope you like it!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Weekly Wrap-Up and Goal Setting #5
Last week was a pretty good week, I didn't meet all of my goals for the week but I still had a good week.
Wrap Up:
I think I was a bit too ambitious with my workout planning. That schedule I made last week is my ideal workout schedule but clearly not my realistic one. I felt great during the beginning of the week but towards the end I started feeling bad. One of the reasons is that my monthlydemon friend came for a visit and this was a particularly bad visit. Anywhoo...I'm feeling better now so here is how I did last week.
Swimming: Once (1000 meters)
Biking: none - it was raining this past weekend and I'm not up for riding in the rain
Running - 9 miles, I was going to run Sat but it was cold and rainy
Dang...when I type it out, it seems worse that I thought. I didn't do much at all this past week :(
On a good note, I lost 2 lbs! Things are going well for me using this calorieking thing. I have been extra hungry though so I'm still not so sure about this.
Goal Setting:
While I would like to say that I will do what I planned for last week I will be more realistic with myself. I think I am pretty much ready for the triathlon and Marisa's triathlon training starts soon so that will help me out too.
Swimming: 2 times (Monday and Friday)
Biking: 2 times (Wednesday and Sunday)
Running: 3 times (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday)
Doing one event a day is a lot more realistic than saying that I'm going to do two workouts a day.
What do you have planned for the week??
Wrap Up:
I think I was a bit too ambitious with my workout planning. That schedule I made last week is my ideal workout schedule but clearly not my realistic one. I felt great during the beginning of the week but towards the end I started feeling bad. One of the reasons is that my monthly
Swimming: Once (1000 meters)
Biking: none - it was raining this past weekend and I'm not up for riding in the rain
Running - 9 miles, I was going to run Sat but it was cold and rainy
Dang...when I type it out, it seems worse that I thought. I didn't do much at all this past week :(
On a good note, I lost 2 lbs! Things are going well for me using this calorieking thing. I have been extra hungry though so I'm still not so sure about this.
Goal Setting:
While I would like to say that I will do what I planned for last week I will be more realistic with myself. I think I am pretty much ready for the triathlon and Marisa's triathlon training starts soon so that will help me out too.
Swimming: 2 times (Monday and Friday)
Biking: 2 times (Wednesday and Sunday)
Running: 3 times (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday)
Doing one event a day is a lot more realistic than saying that I'm going to do two workouts a day.
What do you have planned for the week??
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Hopeful
I'm hoping that this week will be a good week. The weather is supposed to be better this week so I'll be able to get my workouts in. I'm feeling better too so that is good.
Marisa is holding the information session for her triathlon training; I'm looking forward to that. I think I am doing pretty well on my own with the training but it would be nice to have a little bit more guidance.
I am trying some new recipes this week so be on the look out for those too. I'll try to think of some interesting things to blog about this week....I've had bloggers block lately.
Marisa is holding the information session for her triathlon training; I'm looking forward to that. I think I am doing pretty well on my own with the training but it would be nice to have a little bit more guidance.
I am trying some new recipes this week so be on the look out for those too. I'll try to think of some interesting things to blog about this week....I've had bloggers block lately.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Bad Weather
The weather has been so crazy lately. How is it going to go from snowing to 80 degrees back to below freezing in the course of 2 weeks?? I just need the weather to make up its mind and pick a season, all this change is really throwing me off.
I was supposed to do a 5-mile run tomorrow but I just really don't feel good. It is going to be cold and rainy tomorrow so I'm going to sit it out. It isn't that I have a problem running in the cold and rain but since I already don't feel good there is no point in me doing the run.
I've been doing pretty good on the nutrition front. I do need to be more diligent in my vitamin taking, I think that is why I've been so tired lately. I have some new recipes I want to try so I'm hoping those will turn out alright.
Now I'm going to hang out on the couch wrapped up in my wonderful Snuggie!
I was supposed to do a 5-mile run tomorrow but I just really don't feel good. It is going to be cold and rainy tomorrow so I'm going to sit it out. It isn't that I have a problem running in the cold and rain but since I already don't feel good there is no point in me doing the run.
I've been doing pretty good on the nutrition front. I do need to be more diligent in my vitamin taking, I think that is why I've been so tired lately. I have some new recipes I want to try so I'm hoping those will turn out alright.
Now I'm going to hang out on the couch wrapped up in my wonderful Snuggie!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Recipe of the Week: Chipotle Steak & Corn Salsa
I have been slacking on my recipe posting....Here is a recipe I got from Good Housekeeping (Sept 2008 issue). Somebody bought a whole buttload of beef so I'll be posting several recipes that have beef in them.
Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
4 corn tortillas
Olive oil nonstick cooking spray (I use the Pam version)
2 green onions
2 c. fresh corn kernels (I actually used frozen and it worked just fine)
1 c. salsa
1/2 to 1 tsp ground chipotle chile pepper (If you can't find this in the store just use chili pepper)
1 tsp ground cumin
4 beef eye round steaks, 3/4in. thick (5 oz each)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F. On cookie sheet, spray tortillas with nonstick spray to lightly coat both sides. Toast tortillas on cookie sheet in oven 9 minutes or until golden brown. Cool.
2. While tortillas bake, prepare salsa: Thinly slice dark-green and light parts of green onions crosswise, reserving green tops for garnish. Spray 10-inch nonstick skillet with nonstick spray. Add light parts of green onions and corn, and cook on medium 5 minutes (longer if you use frozen corn) stirring occasionally. Stir in salsa; cook 3 to 5 minutes to heat through.
3. Meanwhile, heat ridged grill pan on medium (if you don't have a grill pan you can use a skillet, you just may need to cook it a few more minutes) In cup, combine chipotle, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; use to season steaks. Place steaks in grill pan; cook 9 minutes for medium-rare or until desired doneness, turning once.
4. To serve, break tortillas into large pieces and place on 4 dinner plates with steaks and corn salsa; sprinkle with reserved green onions.
*I also made a sauce for the steak by adding some balsamic vinegar and some of the left over onions to the steak droppings left in the skillet. I don't have exact measurements because I kinda just threw that part together but it was good if you like sauce.
Nutritional Information:
About 385 calories, 39 g protein, 38 g carbohydrates, 9 g total fat, 6 g fiber, 62 mg cholesterol, 820 mg sodium
Tamara's Take: 8
It was pretty good, I just don't really like the trouble of preparing steak during the week. It isn't that time consuming but for some reason it feels like a hassle. I also don't really like corn salsa even though this was one of the better ones I've had. I will make this again but probably not on a regular basis.
Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
4 corn tortillas
Olive oil nonstick cooking spray (I use the Pam version)
2 green onions
2 c. fresh corn kernels (I actually used frozen and it worked just fine)
1 c. salsa
1/2 to 1 tsp ground chipotle chile pepper (If you can't find this in the store just use chili pepper)
1 tsp ground cumin
4 beef eye round steaks, 3/4in. thick (5 oz each)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F. On cookie sheet, spray tortillas with nonstick spray to lightly coat both sides. Toast tortillas on cookie sheet in oven 9 minutes or until golden brown. Cool.
2. While tortillas bake, prepare salsa: Thinly slice dark-green and light parts of green onions crosswise, reserving green tops for garnish. Spray 10-inch nonstick skillet with nonstick spray. Add light parts of green onions and corn, and cook on medium 5 minutes (longer if you use frozen corn) stirring occasionally. Stir in salsa; cook 3 to 5 minutes to heat through.
3. Meanwhile, heat ridged grill pan on medium (if you don't have a grill pan you can use a skillet, you just may need to cook it a few more minutes) In cup, combine chipotle, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; use to season steaks. Place steaks in grill pan; cook 9 minutes for medium-rare or until desired doneness, turning once.
4. To serve, break tortillas into large pieces and place on 4 dinner plates with steaks and corn salsa; sprinkle with reserved green onions.
*I also made a sauce for the steak by adding some balsamic vinegar and some of the left over onions to the steak droppings left in the skillet. I don't have exact measurements because I kinda just threw that part together but it was good if you like sauce.
Nutritional Information:
About 385 calories, 39 g protein, 38 g carbohydrates, 9 g total fat, 6 g fiber, 62 mg cholesterol, 820 mg sodium
Tamara's Take: 8
It was pretty good, I just don't really like the trouble of preparing steak during the week. It isn't that time consuming but for some reason it feels like a hassle. I also don't really like corn salsa even though this was one of the better ones I've had. I will make this again but probably not on a regular basis.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Ramblings of a Runner
I really don't have anything specific to talk about today so I thought I'd just say a few things that I thought about today. I ran a little over 5 miles today....it was kinda difficult but satisfying.
1. I am struggling with the balance of eating enough versus too much. Maybe I need to see a nutritionist. I don't like being hungry all the time.
2. I'm tired...I think I need to work on my sleep. This is nothing new, same as always, I just don't sleep through the night and it sucks.
3. Why do they insist on serving unhealthy food for meetings at work? We've had two meals at work this week. One was breakfast where they served the chicken mini's from Chick-fil-a. Each of these tiny things is over 100 calories of carbs and fat. The second was lunch were we had pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad and cole slaw...pretty much nothing healthy about meal at all. It doesn't help that food is a weakness of mine so it isn't like I could just not eat it, LOL. I'm more concerned with the people that eat a bunch of this stuff but don't go run 5 miles after work.
4. Am I the only one that finds it annoying when people say, "You work out so you can eat whatever you want."? First of all, you clearly have no concept of all that I wish to eat or else you wouldn't have said that. Secondly, no I can't....I work out so that I can eat more of the things I want but I definitely can't eat WHATEVER I want.
Ummm, that's enough for one night. I did not intend for this to be a negative post but rereading it, it seems that it is slightly negative. Maybe a good night sleep will improve my mood. *crosses fingers and says goodnight*
1. I am struggling with the balance of eating enough versus too much. Maybe I need to see a nutritionist. I don't like being hungry all the time.
2. I'm tired...I think I need to work on my sleep. This is nothing new, same as always, I just don't sleep through the night and it sucks.
3. Why do they insist on serving unhealthy food for meetings at work? We've had two meals at work this week. One was breakfast where they served the chicken mini's from Chick-fil-a. Each of these tiny things is over 100 calories of carbs and fat. The second was lunch were we had pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad and cole slaw...pretty much nothing healthy about meal at all. It doesn't help that food is a weakness of mine so it isn't like I could just not eat it, LOL. I'm more concerned with the people that eat a bunch of this stuff but don't go run 5 miles after work.
4. Am I the only one that finds it annoying when people say, "You work out so you can eat whatever you want."? First of all, you clearly have no concept of all that I wish to eat or else you wouldn't have said that. Secondly, no I can't....I work out so that I can eat more of the things I want but I definitely can't eat WHATEVER I want.
Ummm, that's enough for one night. I did not intend for this to be a negative post but rereading it, it seems that it is slightly negative. Maybe a good night sleep will improve my mood. *crosses fingers and says goodnight*
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