food

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Tuesdays on the Run: How You Stayed Healthy Over Thanksgiving

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: How You Stayed Healthy Over Thanksgiving

I don’t normally run this often but the holidays are coming up and there will be busy weeks ahead when I may have little time to get out there.

EXERCISE:

Monday: 3 mile run

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after work with my training group

Tuesday:  3 mile run  & 1 1/2 hours tennis 

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but indoors after work

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on the track during lunch

Wednesday: home bound -SNOWSTORM!!

Thursday: 6.2 mile race

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Friday: 2.7 mile easy run

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Saturday: 3.1 mile race

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EATING:

Thanksgiving: It was just me & my hubby so we went out to dinner. Usually we go to a buffet but my hubby didn’t want to and I’m glad we didn’t — you just eat what you get and no seconds – so no overeating.

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my cat sleeps or lays around about 23 hours a day

Otherwise, I tried to be active, do errands, go to the movies because when you stay home, you snack.

And I do not have any junk food at home so when I am hungry, it’s fruit, cheese or yogurt.

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Happy Running!  How did you stay healthy over Thanksgiving?

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Friday Five: Favorite Fall Food

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Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup.  Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!)  They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

This week’s theme is Favorite Fall Food

1.  Apple Pie – especially when it is homemade with local apples (warm with vanilla ice cream is the best)

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Recipe

2. Sweet Potatoes

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Recipe

3. Pumpkin anything

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this is pumpkin chili

Recipe

4. Butternut Squash Soup

Recipe

5. Cider Donuts – right from the oven

Happy Running! What are your favorite fall foods?

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Friday Five: Staying healthy & on track during the holidays

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Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup.  Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!)  They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

This week, the theme is Staying healthy & on track during the holidays

1.  Bring healthy snacks to work. If you are hungry, you will be tempted to eat something unhealthy. This is what I always have in my lunch bag everyday.

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2. Walk whenever you can. That means taking the stairs rather than the elevator. Eat a quick lunch and go for a walk.  Take a walk after dinner.

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3. Sign up for a race.  If you do, you will be motivated to get out and run. Running burns calories, right?

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4. Do some kind of cross-training activity that you enjoy– work out, do yoga, pilates, zumba, play tennis or whatever you can to stay active.

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5.Get on the scale. I rarely get on the scale but I try to weigh myself more frequently during the holidays. Nothing like several lbs gained to make me lose my appetite.

Will I cheat?  Of course but I try to make them worthwhile cheats on special occasions. (I have a weakness for desserts…)

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christmas cookie exchange at work

Happy Running! How do you stay healthy & on track during the holidays?

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WIA Pumpkin

It’s no secret that I love everything pumpkin! Here are some of my recent purchases:

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And I’ve lost count of how many of these, I’ve drank:

So when my work announced its annual chili cook-off…

chili cook off

I decided to make Pumpkin Chili, of course:

Pumpkin Chili Recipe

Unfortunately, I had to run with my running group that day so I couldn’t eat as much of the different chilis as I would have liked.

I didn’t win the cook-off but I have lots of chili left to bring home and eat tomorrow.

Happy Running!  What is your favorite fall food?

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Manitoba Hemp Hearts Review

As a Sweat Pink Ambassador, I was given the opportunity to try this product*:

I had never heard of eating “hemp” (I thought it was another name for “maijuana”) so I looked it up their website – http://manitobaharvest.com

Food, clothing, rope, paper, building materials, animal bedding/herd, plastic, paint, fuel – the list of hemp applications goes go on and on. We like to call hemp the “green buffalo” as every part of the plant can be used. Hemp that is grown in Western Canada is primarily used for hemp foods. At the top part of the hemp plant you will find the hard hemp seed. This small seed “seeds” nutritiously delicious products like Hemp Hearts, hemp protein powder, and hemp oil.

What should you eat Hemp Hearts?

  • Great tasting – Hemp Hearts have a slightly nutty taste, similar to a sunflower seed or pine nut.

  • Easy to use – Simply sprinkle Hemp Hearts on salad, cereal & yogurt, add to smoothies and recipes, or eat them straight from the package!

  • Nutritious – per 30 gram serving, Hemp Hearts contain 10 grams of plant-based protein and 10 grams of Omegas.

  • Hemp Hearts have more protein and omegas and less carbs than the same serving of chia or flax.

I would be the first to admit that I am not the most healthy eater.   I don’t go out of my way to make recovery shakes or add chia, flax or kale into my meals.

I buy an occasional protein bar and hot cereal with flax.

I do realize that eating foods that contain protein and omegas are beneficial for athletes so I decided to give Hemp Hearts a try.

I added them to my hot cereal for breakfast.

I have also added them to my yogurt for lunch.

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I even snacked on them out of the bag.

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I really enjoyed the nutty taste, and I feel that hemp hearts make a good alternative to nuts. I liked the unique velvet texture of the hemp hearts.

So if you’re looking for a healthy snack and add more good stuff to your diet, I highly recommend these Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts.

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Until November 30, 2014, you can get 20% off your order from ManitobaHarvest.com with the code HHSweatPink14.

Happy Running!  Have your tried Hemp Hearts?

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*I was sent this product free of charge. I have not been compensated for my review, my opinions are my own.

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Friday Five: Favorite fuel/foods

DC_linkup

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup.  Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!)  They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

This week, the theme is Five Favorite Fuel/Foods for Fitness/Running/Training

1. Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat

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This is what I eat for breakfast before every race. Sometimes I make instant and sometimes I make the real stuff.  My favorite flavor is maple or brown sugar cinnamon.

2. Protein Bars

If I run after work, I usually eat one of these before I run. My favorites are Balance bar (yogurt honey peanut) and Kind (vanilla blueberry).

3. Energy Gels

I love salted caramel and peanut butter. Now there are 2 new ones – chocolate peanut butter & root beer!!

I usually take one GU before a race and every 4 miles during a long run or race. I have never had any stomach issues with GU,

4. H20

Just plain water…nothing added.  And usually from the tap.

5. Chocolate milk

Not fuel but refuel.

For some reason, after a race, this is the only thing I can eat/drink right away.  It doesn’t upset my stomach.

Happy Running! What are you favorite fuel/foods for fitness/running/training?

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My birthday week

There will be a whole lot of eating going down:

  • Tuesday: dinner out with BFF
one of my local favs

one of my local favs

  • Friday: dinner out with co-workers (MY BIRTHDAY)

eat free on your b-day – can’t beat that

  • Saturday: lunch out with mentee and sons

  • Sunday: dinner out with hubby

on Lake George – always wanted to go here

  • Wednesday or Thursday: dinner out with tennis friends in Florida

Turtle Club for sunset

I guess I better squeeze in some running between my meals.

  • Wednesday: run before yoga
  • Thursday: run sometime during the workday??
  • Friday: run sometime during the workday

  • Sunday – 5K race or maybe the 10K

 

May 11. 2014

  • Tuesday: run sometime during the workday

One problem…the weather 😦

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this does not make me happy especially Sunday!!

Happy Birthday! How do you usually celebrate your birthday?

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Run-gry Has Turned to Hungry

That was fine when I was running long on the weekends.  I started in August to train for a October Half Marathon, then there was a 15K in November and one in January, as well as a 10 miler in January.

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There were many posts that included pics like this

I was still Run-gry after that because I continued to train for a March 30 Half Marathon.

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still more of this

Eating everything in sight has become a habit.

I still run at least 3 times a week.  Usually after work.  I am hungry all the time and eat frequently.

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This is what I eat on an average weekday:

  • oatmeal – 7 am
  • bagel & biscoff –  9 am
  • yogurt – 11 am
  • apple or pear –  12 pm
  • string cheese – 2 pm
  • protein bar – 4 pm
  • dinner (meat, rice, vegetable) – 6:30 pm
  • ice cream – 8 pm

I run on the weekends but my races have been 5ks and 4 milers.  The problem is that I am carbloading like it was a long run and I am still ordering desserts like I was running 25 miles each week.

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work temptations

I don’t know for sure that I have gained weight but my clothes are tighter so I probably have (or the weight has just moved to my hips.)

With bathing suit season just around the corner, (I am going to Florida on May 14.) I’ve got to change something!!

A. Eat less and shrink my stomach so I’m not so hungry?

OR

B. Run more and continue eating what I want?

I’m thinking B!

Happy Running! Anyone else have a similar eating disorder?

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PocketFuel Review and a Giveaway

I read about PocketFuel on a blog.  They are GLUTEN-FREE, DAIRY-FREE, VEGAN, SOY-FREE, CORN-FREE and made from 100% natural, WHOLE FOOD ingredients.

I checked and they don’t sell them in my area. I hate to order things online if I am not sure if I will like them.  So I emailed PocketFuel and asked them when PocketFuel would be in my area.

Guess what?  They sent me a whole bunch to try.

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What is PocketFuel?

PocketFuel Nut Butter blends are made from 100% natural, whole food ingredients found in nuts, seeds and fruits. Each blend is a slow burning, easy to digest fuel providing a natural & sustained energy boost to help your body to thrive and reach its maximum potential…

These blends are packed with many important B-complex group of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates. These vitamins functions as co-factors for enzymes during cellular substrate metabolism.

They are also a rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium and sodium. These electrolytes are absorbed efficiently into the bloodstream, speeding fluid to your cells to refuel, rehydrate and replenish your body. Quick absorption is essential for warding off fatigue, cooling the body and achieving peak performance

The nut butter blends come in these flavors:

Crunchy Banana Blueberry
Chunky Coconut Cherry
Chocolate Espresso
Chia Goji & Honey
Pineapple Coconut
Chocolate Smackaroon
Chocolate Haze
Vanilla Haze

PocketFuel has also released another product – the Cold Brew Coffee Energy Shots. They are available in three flavors – Vanilla, Mocha and Java.

So during my 8 mile run on Sunday, I decided to try one of the Pocket Fuel nut butter blends.  I chose Vanilla Haze.

Before using the fuel, you’re told to “Squish and Squeeze”, which really is a great advice – it loosens up the consistency a bit and makes it really easy to “eat” even on the go with no water around.

It tasted great. And it went down really easy.  I had no problems digesting it. (This is very important with fueling during a long run or race.)

PocketFuel comes in 4 different sizes – 1.15 oz, 1.8oz, 3oz and 20oz. I brought the 1.15oz packet along for a my run – fit perfectly in the pocket of my jacket. (It would also fit in my race belt or skirt and shorts pocket.)

The 1.8, 3 and 20 oz pouches are flexible, durable and comes with a screw lid which makes it possible to reseal the pouches and save some for later. The pouches are also reusable – just wash the pouch and fill it up with more Pocket Fuel from a 20oz pouch of your favorite flavor. Pocket Fuel is obviously thinking about reducing waste with their slogan being:  “Reduce – Reuse – Refuel.”

I have only used PocketFuel while out running, but I could see it used before playing tennis, going for a hike or walk and any activity where you need energy. They taste so good!! I would eat them as a snack and/or fuel for all my runs except that I don’t actually need fuel for short runs. You could combine with a banana or a bagel or add them to a protein shake.

I can’t wait to try the other flavors.

If you are interested in knowing more about PocketFuel Naturals, check them out on their website, on Facebook, Instagram or connect with them on Twitter.

If you would like to try PocketFuel, I am willing to share these two:

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Enter below using Rafflecopter. Good luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Running! Have you tried PocketFuel? What is your favorite fuel for running?

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Disclaimer: I was sent samples of PocketFuel for free, I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions in this post are mine and mine alone and they have not been controlled or influenced by PocketFuel or anyone else. 

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The No Caffeine Challenge

Last July, I was having some minor medical problems.  Nothing serious but just annoying.

After much Googling, I decided to treat myself with changes to my diet rather than drugs (with too many possible side effects.)

These are some of the foods that I eliminated:

  • all caffeine (no coffee or chocolate)
  • all alcohol (no wine or mixed drinks)
  • most fruits especially citrus
  • tomatoes and spicy foods
  • artificial sweeteners
  • carbonated beverages

The hardest: coffee.

I LOVE my coffee especially lattes.

miss this!

Instead I am drinking peppermint herbal tea with sugar in the morning. (After a several days, you really don’t need the caffeine to wake up. Really.)

I like chocolate but I can do without.  There are many desserts out there that I enjoy.

bread pudding , apple pie, pastries, etc.

I am not a big drinker and not ordering drinks when out sure is a money saver.  But I do enjoy a glass of wine in the evening before bed.

Instead, I have been ordering water at meals and drinking camomile tea with sugar in the evening.

As far as fruits, I have been eating a lot of pears and apples.  I can eat blueberries and watermelon too. I am ok with that.

homemade apple pie!

I do love pasta and pizza but I have been eating white versions of both.

How does this relate to running?

It is really difficult to find protein bars without chocolate. All my favorites do.

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here is one of the few

And try to find an energy gel without caffeine?? Almost impossible. My favorite vanilla & chocolate outrage GUs are out. I did find a few vanilla flavored in other brands (but do not like them as much.)

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the only flavor GU without caffeine

I was worried about running without my cup of coffee before a race and fueling during without caffeine.

But I did run a half in October, a 15K in November and a 10 miler in January.  So I guess I can survive. (Not sure if it had an negative effect.)

Giving up certain foods is tough.  But if your health is involved, you just do it.

I didn’t feel better right away but eventually, I did. In the beginning when I cheated on my diet, the symptoms returned.

Now I feel perfectly fine. I have even been adding my forbidden foods back in…little by little.

a DECAF one when I was proctoring the bar exam

creme brulee martini yum

a creme brulee martini during my recent vacation

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a salted caramel Gu during Sunday’s run

Since I am not sure which foods actually will cause me symptoms, I am leery about jumping back to eating all my favorites foods.

But don’t be surprised if I start drinking coffee again (with Splenda) instead of tea.

Happy Running! Have you ever given up caffeine or any of your favorite foods?

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