Green Monster!

In an attempt to eat healthier, I have been making "Green Monsters" for breakfast every morning.  I have been doing it for about a month now.  I used to eat oatmeal or cold cereal for breakfast but I got bored and got to reading about the green monster fad.

It's pretty easy and it tastes amazing and it's SUPER good for you so I thought I would share.  I've been meaning to get back into the swing of posting recipes since I have been trying a lot of new ones lately.

Green Monster:

• ~8oz milk.  Sometimes I use skim, sometimes 1%, and I have even tried almond milk, which is very good for you and very pricey tasty.
• ~1/2 c. original greek yogurt.  It's FULL of protein.  Don't taste it alone, though.  It's gross.
• A handful or two of spinach.  Yeah, it sounds weird, but once it's blended up I promise the only remains will be the green color.  The flavor disappears.
• Fruit!  My staple is blueberries and a banana.  Sometimes I add/substitute strawberries.  I have also tried raspberries, avocado, grapes, and even watermelon.  
• Maybe peanut butter?  I really like putting natural peanut butter in it, but I don't always.  Depends on my mood.  Almond butter or sun butter would also be delicious.
• Ice.  I always add ice because I like it super cold.

There you have it.  A nutritious and filling breakfast.  I wish I had discovered them last year during school because my lunch break was always really late and I was starving by the time my break rolled around.  These shakes keep me filled up for quite a while and they are super delicious.

Lately...

...we have been the opposite of busy.  Remember how I said that even though it's summer, we have been just as busy as during the school year?  Yeah, well, that changed lately.  We are so bored.  Next summer we are definitely supplementing our income with summer jobs for sure.  I will admit, though, that I have been consistently busy with grad school work.

I could probably get by with doing less grad school work.  But, as you probably know if you are reading this, I am a perfectionist and cannot do anything "just a little".  If I stick to something, I will do my best.  So that has actually been nice because I am enjoying the work I am doing and I am doing great work for school and my future and I am keeping myself busy!  I am currently working on a very serious and large-scale project with a group of people in my program which I will explain at a later date.  I definitely want to show it off after we get some more work done.

I have also been working out really hard.  Mainly because I'm bored, but also because I am enjoying it and wanting to make some muscles :-)  My last Spring goal was to run a half marathon, which I did.  This Spring I would really like to try a sprint triathlon.  I really think I can do it, physically.  I will need lots of practice swimming, though, because I lack form and speed in that area.  In fact, if I had to do it today, I would certainly not drown, but I would definitely be doggy-paddling.  The only real concern I have is that this year is going to be a trying year in the financial department until we get used to making mortgage payments and budgeting other things.  In order to do a sprint triathlon, I would need a lot of "gear".  The most expensive being a bike!

This weekend my college roommate G is coming to visit and stay the weekend.  We only see each other once or twice per year, so obviously I am really excited to hang out with her :-)

Last thing: I have made a decision to eat at least one serving of fruit or vegetables with every single meal.  And I am going to drink more water and tea and less soda and beer/wine.  So far so good!

My History with The Devil Part Three: That Damned Treadmill

This time, I actually started working out mid-fall.  I still didn't lose any weight, though.  I think it had something to do with apple pie...  whoops.

But I did, of course, begin to run again.

In the past, I always ran outside on sidewalks or roads or trails.  I eventually "liked" it.  I didn't love it, but I loved being healthy, so I ran.

Well, when I moved to Salisbury in a not-so-great neighborhood, I quickly decided that I would have to make friends with the treadmill.

I really liked my gym and I really LOVED watching my own personal TV with headphones while on the treadmill.  I started slow this time.  I would walk in the beginning, then run short distances, and then gradually increase my pace and my distance.  I always got a great workout, but I was having a VERY hard time increasing my distance the last few months.  I knew I wanted to try that half-marathon, so I was really concentrating on increasing my mileage, even if I had to take a few walking breaks.  

It was SO much harder than I ever thought it would be.  I couldn't go faster and I couldn't go farther.  Then I got the shin splints REAL bad, then I almost gave up.

I took two weeks off from running and high-shock exercising to give my shins a rest.  The day I was about to get back into it, it was literally like 65 degrees outside.  I feel much more comfortable in my neighborhood now that I have been here for a while and taken a few walks.  I thought, "Why not?  I will run outside!".  Mapmyrun.com saved my life.  I knew that I wanted to go a specific distance, so I got on that website and mapped that distance around my neighborhood.  So, I tried it.  The weather was great, Lady Gaga was on my ipod, and it was an amazing run.  I was SHOCKED when I got home and realized how long it took me to do that run.  I felt like I went at a relaxed pace, but I estimated that I had cut over a minute and a half off my usual mile time!

Could this be true?  All this time?  The treadmill was holding me back?  

I tried again a few days later and went TWICE the distance.  Same mile time.  And I felt great!  I  didn't feel like I was going to die (like I usually do on the treadmill!).  

I figured it out recently.  I was purposely running very close to the front of the treadmill in fear that I couldn't move back any further or else I may fall off or something!  So, because I restricted my space, I had to take MUCH smaller strides.  I exerted way too much energy and couldn't go fast.  My legs are short enough to begin with!

I tested my theory yesterday.  It's true.  I was holding MYSELF back!  I tried the treadmill yesterday and forced myself to scoot back and take longer strides.  I set my speed based on my outside runs and just went. Who knew?  I had a great, long run!

I still like running outside, though.  It's pretty to look at all of the houses and the river.

My History with The Devil Part Two: Autumn, The Season

As you can see from some of my previous posts, I really enjoy fall.  Actually, I enjoy every season for different reasons.  In Fall, I love the leaves, the colors, the crisp air, the pies, the first time I wear a sweater or a jacket, soup, etc.

That season has got it out for me.

It seems like I get a great head start on "being in shape" each and every Spring and Summer.  I lose weight, I begin running (again), I have motivation for being healthy.  It doesn't hurt that bathing suit season is coming up, either.

Another reason for this phenomenon is the abundance of delicious produce in the summer.  The berries, the corn, the watermelon, the peppers, they are so cheap and so good and so local that it's all I want to eat!  That's not a bad diet!

When autumn rolls around, so do the rolls and biscuits, so do the pasta dishes, so do the baked goods.  Why?  Because these things taste delicious when it is cold out!

And I suppose going back to school each and every fall has something to do with it, as well.  I have never worked a summer in my life.  (Summer jobs don't count).  I have never gone to school in the summer.  I am free and have lots of time to be healthy.  When works starts again, I get overwhelmed with things to do, and exercising just doesn't seem to be on the top of the list.  I say to myself every year, "Maria, you HAVE to keep working out this Fall!  For once in your life, please wear your summer clothes size in the winter!"

It's true, guys, all of my summer clothes are 1 (or 2) sizes smaller than my winter clothes.  And sure enough, I lose weight in the Summer EVERY YEAR, and I gain it back in the Fall EVERY YEAR.  For once I would like to buy new winter clothes... in my Summer size!

Is 2011 going to be the year when I turn this terrible habit around?  Who knows.

Part Three to follow...

It's Been Too Long!

Apparently I have been busy!  I haven't been on Blogger in over a week!  Here are the things that are going on in my life right now:
1.  Rita's is closing for the winter this Friday.  :-(
2. I am applying for grad school soon at the University of Illinois.  And I'm really excited.
3. My classroom is too loud because it is connected to the cafeteria.
4. I have been taking Tai Chi, Yoga, and Pilates classes at the gym.  I have always known that I love pilates.  Still true.  I have never taken yoga, but I am loving it despite falling over occasionally due to lack of balance.  Tai Chi is a whole new story.  I think I like it, but it is kind of weird for me.  We will see...
5. I am a mentor at my school to a 2nd grade boy who really needs a buddy.  He is like no other 7 year old I have ever seen before.  Already getting ISS on a regular basis!
6. I really like my job.  But it is SO exhausting.
7. I think Josh and I are planning on an addition to our family this coming summer... no baby... maybe dog?
8. We would also love to own a home.  Foreclosed homes are looking really nice right now.
9. We are going to a WVU this Saturday.  It is homecoming.  The alumni band is going to be there.  It is my step-dad's birthday.  And my brother-in-law's 21st birthday.  The people that we are going with: mom, step-dad, brother, other brother, sister, grandma, step-grandma, step-grandpa, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and family friends: mom, dad, daughter, daughter's friend.  WOW.  I am so excited.



Yeah for Us!

Today we did something that we should have done a long time ago:  Got gym memberships.

I was doing very well with exercise and eating healthy.  Not to make excuses--but this was literally why I have slacked off A LOT in the last few months:

• Last day of school last year:  my grandfather dies.
• Two weeks later: I get married.
• Two days later: I go to Cozumel with Josh for a week.
• Two weeks later: We move to the eastern shore.
• Two weeks later: We go to the beach with my family.
• Two weeks later: School starts.
• Two days later: I realize what I am in for with this job.
• Since then: So tired when I get home.  Also:  been very busy since then.
• But most of all: We discovered a Rita's down the road. 

Now: No more excuses.  We signed up for a gym membership for a year.  No getting out of this one.  Here are all of the pros:

• We get a VERY discounted rate for being teachers.
• It's right down the road (across from Rita's)
• The hours are really great.
• With our membership--we get free Chipotle on Wednesdays.  Which means: If we go every Wed. we will get almost $60 of free food each month.  The gym membership has basically paid for itself!
• They have lots of exercise classes: Which I LOVE!  Pilates and yoga and zumba and cycling!

Now I just have to cut down on the Rita's...