Who’s excited for Thanksgiving?
Is it about the food or the company?
Do yourself a favor and watch this before you leave to spend a few days with your family:
Oh Adele… you slay me….
Work it Out: My Fitness Journey
Life is a jungle gym.
And I like monkeying around.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned lately is life isn’t linear. This sounds obvious even as I write it, but over and over I’ve been surprised when my carefully laid plains deviate from the path I’ve plotted. Things change – you grow up. You learn new skills. You have setbacks. Life happens.
Plan changes have happened in all aspects of my life – career, relationships, fitness, etc. – and I’m sure you’ve experienced the same. I gt a lot of questions about how I began competing, so today’s Work It Out is my fitness journey. My jungle gym.
Before I get into it, I want to be very clear that this is my path. I’ve done things that were right and that were wrong. Some are tender subjects; they were part of my journey. I know you all have your own stories. I simply submit that I hope no matter where you are in your journey, that you stay true to yourself and have FUN. No regrets.
I love a competition. Sports, spelling bees, pie eating… you name it, I’m up for the challenge. It’s how I’m wired. This has taken me on many a fun ride in my life.
Related to fitness, I have tried just about any sport you can think of. I was lucky to have parents who encouraged me to sign up for all sorts of things – from ice skating to horseback riding to softball. Softball stuck – I still play every season!
Years later I still morn the day that bat broke.
In my college years, I wasn’t very active unless you count partying and working. I was a bartender. I smoked, drank too much, and ate crap. Not surprisingly, I gained the “freshman 15” (and the sophomore 15) and was always tired. When my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer something clicked in my head. His disease wasn’t related to unhealthy living; he had actually lost a ton of weight through diet and exercise a few years prior and never smoked a day in his life.
The message that life is short came loud and clear to me. While my dad was getting treatments he continued light exercise to keep strength that allowed him to turn 6 months into 4.5 years with the disease. Through his example, I was inspired to clean up my act a bit and started workout out casually. It wasn’t a total turnaround… but it was a start.
Which beer shall I drink first…
Fast forward a few years and I discovered a new passion – roller derby. I only wish my dad had been around to see that! I had a blast, met some really cool people, and skated about 12 hours a week. It was thrilling. I’d found a sport I loved again!
It also proved to myself that it is impossible to out exercise a bad diet. I was doing intense workouts nearly daily but gaining weight. I am not saying I was “fat,” but I wasn’t healthy and, more importantly, I didn’t feel good.
Looking at my unhealthy habits, I decided it was time for a cleanse. It was the derby off-season and I took the opportunity to give my body a break from getting beat up (literally and figuratively). 21 days of clean eating was amazing for me. I reset some habits, had boundless energy again, and I learned to love running.
That Thanksgiving I ran a 10K with my baby sister and my mom!
Then came a new season of derby. I was still doing really well with healthy living and had come back for the next season with more energy and passion and ever. Whatever was in stow, I was ready to jump on it. Life had other plans.
I broke my jaw during an expo bout (bout = a roller derby game). It was miserable. I looked like Jay Leno and it cost me a pretty important trip in my new job.
6 weeks later my jaw was as good as new but I decided it was time to find something a little safer. Plus, I’d lost a TON of weight from not being able to eat solids, which was not good for playing a contact sport. I looked unhealthy, and I’d basically forgotten how to eat. All I’d been able to have was soup, pureed oatmeal, and smoothies!
I struggled with the aftermath of that injury for a while. Rather than derby, I ran all the time. I was faster and going longer than ever, but – even though I was eating – my new teeny body couldn’t keep up. When you are at a deficit and continue to workout at the level you were before… well, you are just going to get skinnier (read: my mom was worried sick).
I almost didn’t post this pic. It pains me to look at it… but it’s what happened.
Unrelated to that, my knee decided to give out. I got half a mile into a run and was in so much pain I had to stop. The doctor told me my PCL was hanging on by a thread and if I wanted to run distance again I’d need to have surgery. That may have been the best thing that could have happened to me.
Time for a new hobby! Instead of going under the knife, I decided to go the route of building. Body building. If I could build up my quads, my knee wouldn’t bother me in daily activity and running short distances. I’d always loved lifting weights and had done a round or two of P90X, so it seemed to be the perfect next bar to grab.
Two and a half years ago I met with my trainer the first time and started down the path of something that would forever change my life. Lifting feels like it did when I fell in love with softball – I look forward to going to the gym, I want to talk strategy with anyone who will listen… it’s my passion!
Lisa and me at Palmetto – both Top 5!
Since then, I’ve gained 10 solid pounds of muscle, 2 pounds of boob, and competed in 2 figure competitions. Much to my surprise I placed in both! Rounds 3 and 4 are in 3 and 4 weeks… they are on very competitive stages, but I’m excited just to have the experience. I’ve been watching the success of others around me and am stoked (do people still say that?) for the off season and a sold year of building.
I feel great: inspired, focused, and having fun.
The Bottom Line
Fitness looks like a million different things. What you do isn’t important, as long as it’s something you love and something that contributes to your health. Don’t be afraid to change your course as you evolve. Yoga, walking, lifting, cross-fitting… whatever. Find something you are passionate about and embrace it.
Having been both active and inactive to my detriment, I can promise you that finding balance and the thing that turns you on will make all the difference. That high, that endorphin rush, is sheer joy. It’s worth it to make time for it.
YOU are worth it.
***
Need some inspiration? Check out this post full of inspiring athletes from all walks of life.
Have you always been “healthy,” or was there a turning point for you?
What brings you joy?
Setting the Tone for a New Year + Amazing Kitchen Mistakes
Life is full of failures.
I am going to discuss one on Monday, in fact.
Sometimes they are happy accidents! One of my favorite stir-frys happened because I couldn’t figure out how to use my spiralizer. This Indian Ginger Tempeh Stir-Fry happened when I wanted zucchini pasta but failed to spiralize:
Or how about last week when I accidentally sprouted a spaghetti squash I’d planned for my meal? That forced me to come up with this Sweet Potato Chicken Salad Strange But Good (don’t forget tomorrow’s link up!) creation:
Breaking my jaw playing roller derby was a fail… but without that experience I would have never come up with one of my favorite oatmeal discoveries: Blueberry Pie. Made smooth enough to slurp thanks to an immersion blender.
Jaw-breaking in action.
Or how about when you leave for vacation thinking you’re going to Argentina, but end up in Chile? That was one FUN fail!
All that said, don’t be too discouraged by fails. Trust in what will be and happy accidents you shall see.
And now I’ll shut up and let Kat tell you about hers!
________________________________________________________________________________________
Because I blog bi-weekly, this is my first opportunity to say, “Happy New Year!”
I had an A-typical New Year’s Eve, which I used to help me set the tone for the year. I went to a hot yoga class that lasted from 10:30pm-12:15am. Yep, meditating, thinking about goals, who I am, who I have been, and who I want to be this year. It was amazing! I felt centered, and was happy to bring in the New Year thinking about health, community, and grounded-ness. (Editor’s note: Remind me to do this next year.)
- The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.
I want to share a couple of my goals, so you all can partially hold me accountable. First, I want to say, “No,” more often – in work, in family, and in social aspects of my life. This seems easy for a lot of people, but it give me knots in my stomach just to think about possibly disappointing someone.
This goal is in support of my second goal, to stop stretching myself so thin. I tend to take on way too much, and some things I do become a little bit less “quality.” So, in order to enjoy what I do more, and to have more quality, I have to reduce quantity. These are lofty goals. I also started a journal for the first time since I was 12, to help keep me working towards my goals and thinking about them often.
I later got to celebrate with a holiday party, a West Side Story theme. I got to get all dolled-up, and I was SO excited to get dressed up and dance the night away. My feet and legs were definitely sore afterwards!
I’m also back on track with all of my runs and work outs. I didn’t mention it, but December was rough for me and threw me through a loop.
I’ve also been cooking at home like a madwoman! I had a New Years Day party with mocktails and healthy food to start the New Year catching up with a few friends.
Many didn’t make it due to hangovers and being out way too late, but it was still fun! The mocktails were delicious, but too sweet, and kept me up all night from sugar! I made Indian food, pop-corn (Kat-classic), and a number of other fun dishes with lots of fresh fruit and veggies.
Eating and cooking more at home, for me, means many unplanned meals, sometimes just throwing whatever I have in my fridge together, and last week, amazing kitchen mistakes!
I was making dinner for a friend this week, and I had left over quinoa and brown rice, extra fresh broccolini, kale, and sweet potatoes, and some random tofu. So I just got started, and this is what ended up happening:
Amazing Kitchen Mistake
I sautéed the veggies with fresh ginger and garlic, re-heated the quinoa/brown rice combo (about 75% quinoa, 25% brown rice), and felt like the dish needed something else. Tofu. The tofu preparation was the amazing mistake. I wanted to sort of “fry” it, so I coated it with some brown rice flour mixed with cayenne, salt, and white pepper. I carefully coated each cube and placed it on a plate for frying. But I totally forgot cornstarch! This would have gotten the flour mixture to stick to the tofu and fry properly. Instead, when I put it in the hot coconut oil, the flour started to stick to the bottom, and it wasn’t going very well.
So, to save the tofu, I took part of a box of Trader Joe’s Carrot Ginger Soup and poured some in the pan with the tofu, stirred and scrambled the tofu with the soup and flour mixture, let it simmer, and made THE most delicious scrambled tofu I have ever had. (Editor’s note: will you plase make me a mistake too?)
Amazing Tofu Carrot-Ginger Scramble (Mistake)
- 1 block firm Tofu, 1 in cubes (which are later scrambled)
- ½ C brown rice flour
- Salt, Cayenne and White Pepper to taste
- 2 T Coconut Oil (for frying)
- ~ ½ cup of Carrot-Ginger Soup (Trader Joe’s or Imagine Brand)
Follow the directions above and serve with the brown rice/quinoa mixture and sautéed veggies! This was definitely a healthy meal too!
It feels good to give. I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t also say that I’m donating blood today. It’s SO important. I also tend to be low-iron so I’ve had an iron-packed diet this week.
Note some things you should eat to pump up your iron (Editor’s note: I read this in an Arnola accent):
- Sunflower seeds
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Lentils
- Raisins
- Black beans
- Pumpkin seeds
All of these give you almost as much iron as a big steak, and is less harmful to your body if you ingest too much iron because they contain nonheme iron. They also give you more per serving than the dark, leafy greens that are often recommended. If you eat whatever, nothing can compare to the iron-filled foods like liver, clams and mussels. And don’t forget dark chocolate and cocoa powder! Check out their nutrition facts for confirmation!
Additionally, I have a theory about blood donation for my own health. I think it promotes cell-regeneration throughout my own body! Do something good for others, while doing something good for yourself!
***
I echo Kat’s thoughts on the importance of blood donation. My dad suffered from cancer for 4.5 years and made it as long as he did largely in part to blood, platlet, and bone marrow doners. Click here for more info on becoming a marrow donor. It only takes a cotton swab!
What amazing kitchen mistakes have you had that you want to share?
How do you get re-centered when you have an “off” month?
5 To Go + Healthy BBQ Sauce
This week is a lesson in endurance.
“Prolonged endurance tames the bold.” – Lord Byron
When I was playing roller derby, we used to have Monday night endurance practices. After 2 hours of balls-to-the-wall skating until you wanted to puke, Coach Jim would line up up for 30 more laps. He’d always announced the little “surprise” at the end of practice by saying “30 to go!”
I always started out going as fast as possible to get it over with, but by the last 5 my legs were shaking and the only reason I was still moving was so I could go home.
Today I only have “5 to go.” My first figure competition is Saturday. I’m tired. Each day I’m pushing myself as hard as possible with every workout, running sprints, doing 30 mins of posing practice, and keeping up with my 100 pull ups. That familiar “if I can just push through this last bit, I can rest” feeling has returned.
Not to mention the diet changes… more on that Wednesday!
With those diet changes, I can’t even eat this BBQ sauce. I’m glad I did it when I did!
For those who aren’t 5 days out from a competition, this is a great open for a clean BBQ sauce. It has no sugar or sodium added… and it’s actually good.
There are two schools of thought on BBQ Sauce – one likes a more ketchup-like sauce, and the other is a vinegar-based sauce. I don’t feel the need to choose! My sauce is tomato-based and laced with that satisfying vinegar tang.
Thick and satisfying, this is the perfect topping for just about any protein. You could even toss some red pepper and broccoli slaw in it for a quick BBQ veggie roast. That was a really a really tasty combo.
In this photo shoot, I sliced tempeh into thin strips and coated one side with the sauce. I baked it at 375 for 10 mins, then flipped and coated the other side and baked for another 8 mins. Easy!
Served here with side of roasted winter squash, asparagus, zucchini, carrots, red onion and sage. My leftover sauce is n the freeze for safe-keeping for when I can have this again!
Recipe after workout recap…
Workout Recap
There’s nothing more disappointing than seeing a light at the end of the tunnel and having it suddenly shut off. Friday I got my final workout plan from my trainer. I thought Sunday was going to be a rest day… it wasn’t. Turns out you don’t workout 2 days before a show, so there will be no rest until Thursday. Lovely.
We took measurements at Saturday’s workout. I haven’t gained much in terms of inches – my waist and chest are actually smaller – but my body fat is certainly lower! I’d like to find one of those Bod Pods to get an accurate measurement at the end of the week. I’d also like to have to time to actually go do it.
There will be pic ad nausea post-comp, but for now a little sneak peak…
Workout Recap (10/20 – 10/28):
- Monday – Rest
- Tuesday – Legs, 2 mile walk 100 pull ups
- Wednesday – Back/Tris, Calf raises, 1 mile incline walk, 100 pull ups
- Thursday – Shoulders/Glutes, 1 mile incline walk, 100 pull ups
- Friday – Chest/Bis, 100 pull ups, Calf raises, 2 mile incline walk
- Saturday – Legs (with trainer), 100 pull ups, 2 mile sprints/incline walk
- Sunday – Shoulders, 100 pull ups, Calf raises, 1.5 mile sprints/incline walk
Healthy BBQ Sauce
- 15 oz can tomato sauce (no salt added)
- 1/3 C apple cider vinegar
- 2 T ancho chili powder
- 1 T smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- Liquid smoke, to taste
Place tomato sauce in a small pot over medium heat. Add vinegar and spices, stirring and tasting as you go. Add the liquid smoke to taste. Start with 5-6 drops and add from there – a little goes a long way! Allow to simmer 5-6 mins more to allow flavors to combine. Taste and adjust flavors again before serving.
Note: You might add a bit of Stevia or other sweetener here if you like a sweeter BBQ sauce. I prefer the vinegar-based.
***
It sounds like I’m complaining… but I’m just tired. I’m really excited/nervous/ready to get ‘er done!!!
Do you prefer vinegar or ketchup-like BBQ?
What inspires you to push through? Any good quotes or songs to share?
Foodie Penpals + I’m a Joiner
Remember having pen pals in elementary school?
They were the best! I looked forward to getting a handwritten (*gasp*) note in the mail from my penal in Oklahoma. The adult version of the tradition dreamed up by Lindsay is even better – it involves food!
My Foodie PenPal this month, Jennifer @ Peanut Butter & Peppers, sent me a big box of awesome:
From my pal Jennifer:
- TJs Seaweed Snacks
- Lucy’s Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (so flippin’ good)
- SDT & Basil Quinoa
- Sesame Wasa Crackers (my new fav work snack)
- Roasted Almonds
- Lara Bars
- A cute mat to take pics on (such a cool blogger-gift idea!)
- A hand-written note
To sign up for a Foodie PenPals in April, send an email to the brilliant Lindsay at theleangreenbean@gmail.com with the following info:
-Your full name
-Your email address
-Your blog name/address (if you’ve got one)
-Your twitter handle (if applicable)
-Your email address
-Your blog name/address (if you’ve got one)
-Your twitter handle (if applicable)
-Whether you are a US resident or Canadian
Join in by April 4th as pairings will be emailed on April 5th!
I’m at a work retreat for the latter part of this week, so I’m a bit light on the post today. Translation: perfect time for a survey post!
You may have seen this “ABCs” survey circling the blog world… I’m about 2+ weeks behind the times, but thought I’d finally be a joiner. 🙂
A is for age: 28. When did I get so close to 30?!
B is for breakfast today: Nothing yet, but it will be conference food (which is 100x better than average, I must say).
C is for currently craving: Kombucha! Since I’ve been travelling, it’s been 3 days without!!!
D is for dinner tonight: I’m going to a mother-daughter dinner with my mom, my BFF, and her mom. Atlanta, beware!
E is for favorite type of exercise: Weight lifting! Although not being able to run has really made me appreciate/crave running.
F is for an irrational fear: Roaches. I can’t handle them.
G is for gross food: I know this is weird, but I cannot STAND white potatoes.
H is for hometown: Atlanta. Where that playas play.
I is for something important: Being the best you possible. Why bother doing anything half way?
J is for current favorite jam: Tough choice!!! Anything by Mumford & Sons.
K is for kids: I know what causes that… nothankyou.
L is for current location: In my cute cottage at my work retreat.
M is for the most recent way you spent money: I bit the bullet and bought the VitaMix. Best purchasing decision EVER.
N is for something you need: A good sweat. If I don’t get moving for at least for 15 mins every day, I start pacing like a caged animal.
O is for occupation: Consulting in the area of Sales Effectiveness.
P is for pet peeve: When servers start clearing plates before everyone is done. In the words of Stephanie Tanner, “How rude!”
Q is for a quote: “You can do anything you want to if you want to badly enough.” – My Dad
R is for random fact about you: I would love to do a tri, but I can’t swim. Actually, I downright hate swimming.
S is for favorite healthy snack: I legit LOVE healthy snacks – protein shakes or chia pudding are my go-tos. Loved this Roasted Beet and Orange. 
Unhealthy Snack: Hmmm… my snacks really aren’t bad. Desserts are my weakness. Warm chocolate chip cookies, anyone?
T is for favorite treat: Really, really good wine (Amarone, anyone?) and chocolate cake. Preferably together.
U is for something that makes you unique: I’m special just like everyone else! Maybe having played roller derby? That’s a pretty cool adventure.
This is me breaking my jaw.
V is for favorite vegetable: Spinach! Every smoothie I make is a peculiar shade of green. 🙂
W is for today’s workout: A quick HIIT thing in my room this morning.
X is for X-rays you’ve had: Jaw (see letter U), teeth, knee (fractured)… I think that’s it (surprisingly).
Y is for yesterday’s highlight: Meeting my new colleagues AND doing a “Cooking Experience” activity with the founder of Serenbe.
Z is for your time zone: East Coast, represent!
***
I always say this… but I really mean it this week… TGIF!!!
What are you up to this weekend? Any races?
Time for your quiz! Pick a few letters and tell me a little more about YOU. Please. 🙂
Leggo My Egg… ffin
This past weekend I had a derby promo photo shoot.
I missed the original date due to my Jay Leno-esque swelling.
Fact: I do not like having my picture taken for anything outside of a quick snapshot. It makes me self-conscious.
(c) 2011, Tim Moxley
There were cool. My team’s theme is “We Mean Business.”
(c) 2011, Tim Moxley
Thank you, Tim Moxley, for doing an incredible job and making me laugh a little through the terror. 🙂
(c) 2011, Tim Moxley
Let’s talk about what I didn’t burn…
Eggs. Muffins. The staples of breakfast. It’s only natural that they become one.
Machessmo did a great job re-creating the Egg McMuffin. But I need something even more simple with my tardy record.
This literally took 5 mins to throw together. They can be prepared in advance in the oven as instructed below… or the lazy way. Zap it in the micro for 15 secs and I have a hot, grab-and-go breakfast for the week (well, this and a Greek yogurt).
You can add different spices and veggies to shake it up:
- Feta cheese and onion
- Bacon (fake or real) and cheddar
- Soysauge and brie
- Capers and cream cheese
- Herbs (NOT those herbs)
The sky is the limit! Take that, sugar-filled/fake-looking egg fast food options.
Eggfin
- 3 eggs
- 3 egg whites (1/2 cup if you buy them in a carton)
- 1 C spinach, rough chopped
- 1/4 C cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 C red pepper, diced
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1.5 oz herbed goat cheese
- 1 T unsweetened almond milk
- S+P, to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 4 ramekins with olive oil.
In a medium bowl, lightly beat eggs. Add remaining ingredients, stirring to combine. Distribute evenly among the 4 ramekins (or 4 spaces in a large muffin tin).
Place in oven and cook for 20 mins. Finish on broil for 1-2 mins to solidify tops (if necessary).
Be sure to guard your eggfin
***
Tonight I’m having friends over for a vegetarian dinner. I cannot wait to share these creations tomorrow!
What is your favorite hot, non-oatmeal week-day breakfast?
Sweet Photo Evidence
Big news on Hump Day!
- I am now a Foodbuzz Featured Publisher! (Check out the banners to the left… there will be one more to come.)
- There is a picture of the jaw breaking fall!!!
Here’s the before – this is the “roll out” where we get introduced before the bout begins.
© Basil Gravanis, 2011
It’s more of a pre-break picture, but it’s an awesome action shot:
© Basil Gravanis, 2011
Thank you to the talented Basil Gravanis for making this magical photo happen. 🙂
(Derby 101: The helmet panties with the stars indicate the jammer. Jammers earn a point per opposing blocker passed after the initial pass through the pack.)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Annnnnd that’s why I’m drinking a Sweet Potato Smoothie right now.
Yes, I know… I’ve done this before (soooo last season…). This time I discovered the more sweet potato, the better.
Sweet Potato Smoothie
- 1/2 baked sweet potato
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 giant handful of spinach
- 1/4 c unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- Shake of salt
- Water + ice to taste
Put it in a blender, smooth it out, and slurp it up!
***
What’s the worst damage you’ve ever done to your body?
Any cool scars/pics/proof? I have a pic and lots of soup ideas. 🙂
Local Soup
When people think of roller derby, I doubt the first thing that comes to mind is “family.”
Families beat each other up…
However, one of the biggest components of my league is the family aspect. Becoming one of the Atlanta Rollergirls = 80+ new family members.
Getting injured is a great reminder of that! From the calls/emails/texts to the treats courtesy of a league-mate and baker, I feel like one lucky girl.
Last night I received another special delivery. This was from my teammate, Polly Atomic, and Local 3. Local 3 is one of the newest restaurants in Atlanta and has received some rave reviews. Lucky me – Polly and her husband, Chris Hall, are a couple of the founders of this fine establishment. 🙂
The delivery?
2 massive containers of soup: Creamy Tomato and Creamy Butternut Squash.
Chris even included straws!
I couldn’t decide which soup to try first… and then I thought
“Why limit yourself to eating one at a time?”
Thank you, thank you, thank you to Polly, Chris, and the awesome kitchen at Local 3!
Local 3 is definitely my first stop when chewing resumes!
______________________________________________________________________________________
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I brought Mom some treats from International Bakery.
It is this little hole-in-the-wall Greek Bakery with a curmudgeon of a man behind the register and baklava so fantastic it could make you cry.
This dreamy box of goodness was a big hit. At least I hear it was good…
The trip did include a treat for me. This Greek bakery also carries a few authentic packaged goods, straight from Greece. I came home with a big tub of authentic Greek yogurt! OMG – it is so, so good. American Greek yogurt is good, but this is much ticker and rich – almost like eating a dessert.
***
I can’t wait to chew.
What is your favorite tiny local find?
Any cool ethic bakeries/shops to do some International food shopping?
