>Rejection hurts

>Hey guys,

How are you? Honestly, I’ve been better. What do you do when you’re world is turned upside down?

I run. And I run. And I run. Despite the fact it’s freezing outside.

Cardio + hot shower + comforting foods = a [somewhat] better outlook

Blueberry Protein Pancakes

1 1/2 scoops vanilla protein powder

1/3 cup egg whites

1/2 mashed banana

1/4 cup blueberries

1 t chia seeds

stevia

pinch sea salt

pinch baking powder

cinnamon

nutmeg

H20 to moisten

Pumpkin Oats

1/4 cup oats

1 t chia seeds

1 t flax seeds

1 cup H20

1/3 cup pumpkin

stevia

cinnamon

nutmeg

1/2 – 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (added after cooking)

——————

So what’s the deal? If you follow me on Twitter, you may be aware something has me down. On Wednesday, I was rejected from my top choice institution for PA (physician assistant) school. You can read about my major career change here and here.

I do have other options, but sadly my #1 is a no-go. The #1 prerequisite (aside from GPA) is direct patient care experience. To obtain this, I am working as a clinical technician (nursing assistant) on a transplant unit. I do have some experience, but evidently it’s not enough.

So where do I go from here? I need to decide to A) move with the Manfriend to another state soooon to attend another program or B) Wait another year, get the required experience, and reapply.

There are other programs in my area, but I really want to attend a top institution. Maybe it doesn’t matter in the end, but I worked so hard to get accepted into a top PhD program (I was studying at the National Institutes of Health), so something inside me doesn’t want to settle for an institution that’s not 100% right for me.

So what’s next? I’m not sure. But the world does go on, I suppose.

>Waaah.

>Hey y’all,

This is a quick post because I have quite the killer headache. No bueno 😦

I woke this morning feeling pretty good actually. Waking refreshed before the alarm always makes me feel like the day is going to be a good one. Boy was I wrong….

For breakfast I refused to accept that it’s 32F outside. It’s still fall in my eyes belly…

1/2 cup oats

1/2 cup organic pumpkin

1/4 cup egg whites

1 cup h20

stevia (2 servings)

cinnamon

nutmeg

dash sea salt

1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder (added after cooking)

Dollop Greek yogurt (sweetened with dash stevia)

[Insert 2.5 hour nap + Ibuprofen]

I woke hungry, head still aching, and threw together a quick, yet satisfying smoothie:

Berry Berry

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1/4 cup Greek Yogurt

1/2 frozen banana

heaping handfull spinach

3/4 cup frozen berry blend

1 T almond butter

H20

pinch xanthan gum (to thicken)

stevia

dash sea salt (to bring out sweetness)

——————-

I’m off to get in a workout. Cardio seems to help in the headache department. I attribute it to increased oxygen to my brain…hahaha.

Have a good night ❤

Who’s watching GLEE tonight??

Check out the bottom of my Workout page. I’ve added links to my favorite races. <–Still a work in progress

>Life.is.good

>Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mine was spectacular. Sorry for the break in blogging, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t nice to leave the laptop at home and spend some quality time with the family.

Therefore, a bit of a rewind is in order…

Tuesday before work, my hip was feeling good so I headed out for a brisk 6-mile run around the National Mall.

Still looks like fall in the District

—————

Wednesday morning we left before the sun came up and set out for an 8-hour roadtrip to The Granite State (New Hampsha). It wasn’t a bad drive at all – considering I slept over 6 hours 🙂

I was extremely happy to see the new Starbucks decorations when I eventually woke

Roadtrip breakfast of champions:

Oatmeal + diced banana + mixed in protein (I brought some SunWarrior along for the ride)

And a gigantic coffee (Venti coffee + 1 inch steamed soy) <—Picky?? haha

—————–

Thanksgiving morning I ran a 5K in the FREEZING (25F) weather with my entire family. I love our new tradition. I was happy with my time – I ran a 7:45 pace and it was hilly!

I didn’t take any pictures of our Thanksgiving meal because I really wanted to focus on spending quality time with my family that I rarely get to see (because I live in DC). I hope you understand 🙂

I did however, get a picture with the Manfriend’s new nephew.

I’m in love.

—————-

Friday morning I convinced my Dad to take a Bikram Yoga class with me (90 mins in 106F heat) and guess what? He LOVED it.

But first I fueled with a favorite fall classic:

Pumpkin Oats

In the mix:

1/4 cup oats (soaked in 1 cup almond milk overnight)

1/4 cup pumpkin (Note: use 100% pumpkin not pumpkin pie filling)

1/4 cup egg whites (optional, for extra protein)

stevia, 2 servings

1/4 t cinnamon

1/8 t nutmeg

teeeny pinch sea salt

Directions:

Microwave ~3 mins or until oats rise

Stir in 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder

Top with 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (sweetened with stevia)

—————–

Both my parents run half marathons (Note: They started running in their 50’s) so I really think incorporating yoga into his training will help tremendously. It’s helped me for sure!

After an intense sweat sesh, I introduced him to a love in my life:

The Protein Cupcake!

These were fantastic. I think the peanut butter addition made all the difference.

In a bowl, combine and mix:

1 scoop chocolate protein powder (I prefer chocolate SunWarrior)

1 T Greek yogurt

1T chunky peanut butter (can use smooth but the nuts were a nice addition)

1 T egg whites

1/8 t baking powder

stevia (1 serving)

teeeeny pinch sea salt

H20 to moisten

Directions:

Spray mug with cooking spray

Spoon in mixture

Microwave for ~1 min, 30 seconds

Topping:

Greek yogurt + stevia, cocoa nibs to garnish

After workout #1 was over, I headed out for an even longer workout #2…..

All I have to say was EVERYTHING at Banana Republic was 50% off….

——————-

All in all, it was a lovely weekend spent with family I love and miss. Sunday morning we had brunch with my parents then hit the road for a long trip back to the Nation’s Capital.

Check out those colors along the way. Not bad for a Blackberry camera!

—————–

Today after work I headed straight to Trader Joe’s as we’re completely out of food. I won’t comment on the ridiculously massive size of the bill, but I will say dinner was pretty great…

Taco Salad!

Ground lean turkey (cooked on the stove top over medium heat)

Turkey seasoning:

1/2 cup salsa

1 T chili powder

1 t cumin

1/2 tsp sea salt

pinch cayenne pepper (to spice it up)

juice from 2 lime wedges

Toppings:

And the BEST dressing….

1:1 Greek yogurt/Chipotle salsa + chili powder, cumin

Served with Trader Joe’s Spicy Veggie & Flax Chips

—————–

To top off a great night, we have Holiday music blasting and….

The Manfriend is painting the kitchen

My sister is painting a BEAUTIFUL new painting for our wall

And I’m sitting here relaxing…

With some red wine + dark chocolate.

Life.is.good.

See you tomorrow,

Lauren