>Hello Fall, Goodbye running

>Hi everyone,

How have you been? Did you check out Stefanie’s letter for the Letters to Me campaign? It’s pretty amazing.

The last few days have been exhausting for me. I’ve worked 7am-7pm for the last 4 days. My legs and feet are sore. I swear I’d feel less tired if I ran 10 miles each day. Running around a hospital is hard stuff! But nonetheless, I am loving it. I am so glad I made the decision to follow my dream.

——————

The upcoming seasons and holidays always remind me what I’m thankful for. Lately I’ve been thinking how amazing my sister is.

Kelsey (2 years), Me (4 years)

Besides being a gifted and beyond compassionate nurse, she is the best sister [and friend] I could ask for. She recently had a big job interview so I’m crossing my fingers for her! Kels, anyone would be lucky to have you work for them.

BFFs and roomies

——————-

OK, it’s confession time – long hours at work has forced me to put my marathon training on hold – well at least until I can catch up on some sleep. I can’t fathom running after a 12 hour shift on my feet. By Thursday, I plan to be back in action.

My meals have also changed a bit. 

I’ve had less glamorous breakfasts…

Blueberry Protein Pancakes

And more…..

Coffee!

Instant oats + SunWarrior protein mixed in = Easy peasy breakfast on the run

More packed lunches…

Spiralized zucchini, tofu, veggies, peanuts, Trader Joe’s Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette

And snacks on the go..

How do you handle periods of work/school exhaustion?

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Despite the work craziness, the weather has been pretty fantastic. I will admit I’ll be missing certain parts of summer like…

The Georgetown Waterfront

Eastern Market

Iced coffee

Reading on the lawn in front of beautiful Georgetown

And running by beautiful flower patches by the National Mall

I am however looking forward to…

Foliage back home to New Hampshire source

Warming up by the fireplace + a cup of tea + a good book

More cooking a la Manfriend. He cooks more in the winter/fall for some reason.

Buuuuut I’m not so sure I’m looking forward to this…

View from our apartment last winter (Washington, DC)

Questions:

What are you looking forward to most this fall/winter?

How do you adjust to a hectic work/school schedule?

>It’s a go!

>Happy Thursday. How is your week going? Mine has been busy, busy, busy!

Yesterday was my first day volunteering with inner city DC middle school kids as a Health and Wellness Coach. The school has partnered with the YMCA to provide students with a half day per week of additional physical activity, health education, and activities teaching topics such as money management, preparing for a successful high school career, respect in the household, etc.

It was fantastically rewarding. I can’t wait until next week.

—-

Recent healthy and easy meals have included:

Raspberry-Chocolate Protein Pancakes. 1 scoop chocolate protein powder, 1/3 cup egg whites, 1/2 mashed banana, 1/4 cup raspberries, stevia, pinch sea salt, pinch baking powder, almond milk (to moisten). These are amazing.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter-Banana Chia Oats: 1/4 cup oats, 1 T chia seeds, 3 T egg whites. Soak overnight in 1 cup H20. Heat in microwave ~3 mins until oats rise, then add: 1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder, 1 T PB Flour (or reg PB), 1/2 diced banana, stevia, pinch sea salt, and raisins (optional).

Tuna, dill, and chickpea salad: Tuna, FF Greek yogurt, 1 T dill, 1/3 cup garbanzo beans, diced pickles, diced yellow onion, splash pickle juice (for flavor). Served over mixed greens and diced tomato.

Sweet potato disks. Recipe here.

Trader Joe’s Southwestern Salmon, cooked over low heat on stove top.

Spriralized zucchini salad: Raw zucchini, diced cherry tomatoes, carrots, sugar snap peas, topped with balsamic vinegar, EVOO, and red pepper flakes.

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The weather in DC has been perfect. I’ve enjoyed breakfast almost every morning on the deck.

Love.

—–

I’ve been debating running a half marathon this weekend for some time now, but after last weekend’s successful 10-miler, I decided it’s a go!

To prepare I’ve been:

– Concentrating on speed-work rather than distance this week

– Plenty of yoga

– Short trail runs on the soft ground

– Lots of stretching

I’ll be running over this:

source

And by this:

source

Can. not. wait.

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Have a great day! Check back tomorrow for an awesome giveaway. Looking to update your home/apartment? This is your chance!

Laur

>Beat the heat

>Helloooo!

I hope you’ve had a wonderful week! Mine has been busy-busy-busy! The poor pup had emergency surgery on Wednesday to repair a protruded hernia (ouch!). He’s doing much better today but not too happy sporting this around his neck:

Cross your fingers he returns to his chipper and smiling self soon!

In addition to the week’s craziness, the weather in DC has been insane! We’re talking 101 degrees today (and humid!) and 103 tomorrow! How’s the weather in your neck of the woods????

During the summer I find myself reaching primarily for COLD foods and drinks. In the mornings, it’s been Green Monsters and smoothies:

^1 scoop vanilla whey, 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, 1/2 banana, 1/4 cup frozen pineapple, handful spinach, 1 tsp. flax seed oil, cold H20, ice, stevia.

*Note: Try throwing a handful of fresh spinach into your smoothies. I swear you can’t taste it!

**Note: Add a small amount of healthy fat (ex: flax seed oil) into your smoothies (or over salad) to promote absorption of fat soluble vitamins. Without some form of fat, these vitamins go right down the toilet!

Smoothies that taste like Fro-Yo:

^Vanilla whey protein, fresh strawberries, ice, cold H20, stevia, pinch xanthan gum (to thicken)

^Pre-made smoothies. Naked’s new smoothies made with coconut water have 1/3 less calories. Coconut water is very good in the summer as it supplies electrolytes and more potassium than a banana!

Salads galore!

^Spiralized raw zucchini topped with diced tofu, cherry tomatoes, carrots, sea-salted peanuts, Trader Joe’s Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette, and red pepper flakes. This is a PERSONAL FAV!

And of course, staying cool by the pool!

Save the heat for nighttime…

^4th of July bonfire in Cape Cod

Have a wonderful weekend!

QUESTIONS:

1. What food(s) do you reach for in the summer?

2. What’s your favorite Green Monster?

XX

>Childhood memories and the celebration continues

>Hey heyyy,

Happy Friiiiiday!! Whooop! I’m extra excited for this weekend because we’re continuing Kelsey’s bday celebration!!!

Aaaaaand its the final season of the Cherry Blossom festival. This year I was fortunate enough to be selected for the Cherry Blossom 10-miler lottery!! So excited!!

Sooo a little rewind…Thursday night I took Kels out for her bday. We chose (and I gladly approved) MEXICAN! You know I lurrrve my margaritas 😉

^Pure. Deliciousness.

Check out the swirls:

^REAL margaritas (aka fresh strawberries and lime juice— no sugary crappp)

Dinner was scarfed in 0.22 seconds, so I apologize for the lack of pictures. But I assure you it was fantastic. If you live near DC seriously check out this place…Or their sister restaurant.

I purchased Kels a gift certificate to Sephora and bought a bunch of random goodies that we used to have from our childhood. Here’s a blast from the past:

^Remember these???

And remember looking like this? haha

^Yummmmm.

Here are some more normal eats from last last couple of days:

^Toasted Ezekiel, slice tofu, tomato, lettuce, and 1/2 with red pepper hummus and other 1/2 with Goddess Dressing

^Toasted Ezekiel bread with egg salad (3 eggs whites, 1 .5 yolks, light mayo, paprika, pepper, dash sea salt

^Best. Larabar. Ever. Tastes like a coconut donut.

^Chia oats: 1/4 cup oats, 1 T chia seeds, 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder, 2 T egg whites, 1 tsp Better N’ Butter, cinnamon, stevia, dash sea salt

^Experimentland salad bar: Romaine, spring mix, egg whites, tuna, tomatoes, chic peas, broccoli, mushrooms, onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, balsamic vinegar

^Lots-o-Caffeination: Coffee, soy, cinnamon…It’s been that kind of week.

And behold the best picture of all….The MANFRIEND is making a SPIRALIZED dinner! Maybe my eats are rubbing off on him a little bit??? 😉

^hehehe

It’s been so nice out lately (mid 80’s!) that I’ve been running outside a lot 🙂 I snapped a pic of one of my favorite areas in MD to run though.

Flower tunnel:

^Pic doesn’t do much justice, but I swear it’s beauuuutiful.

Well I’m gonna head back to Experimentland. Have a great weekend and try not to end up like this! 😉

QUESTION: What foods/candies/drinks remind you of your childhood???

xx,
Lauren