Since being sick my appetite has been waaaay off, and I know when I’m not interested in eating there is something way wrong! I always seem to be interested in food! Hence the name, right? Hopefully this virus that has taken over my body will part ways soon and I can get my normal energy back. In the mean time, I’ve been trying to find food that sounds appetizing and I haven’t had much luck. I stand in front of the fridge pondering and waiting, just waiting to see if a good craving will pop up. Nothing but a small, ‘meh’ emerges, along with a painful cough. I just eat because I know that’s what I should do. But, alas! I actually found a great product that soothed my sore throat and chest and was pretty much the only thing that has made my tummy happy. (more…)
January 24, 2011
January 14, 2011
frugal eats + a confession
Alright, alright, I confess! So I had a slip-up with the Eat In Month Challenge last weekend and it wasn’t a mistake 😉 With Chris being away for work, I needed some socializing and I couldn’t help NOT going out with girlfriends!! I hadn’t hung out like that in awhile and it was fun! A nice dinner and then a round of cosmic bowling left us so tired there was no room left for dancing, just yawning. I think I’m getting old when 9:30 rolls around and I’m pooped! But I do sport those bowling shoes well . . . hehe (more…)
January 7, 2011
Beef Stew + wedding news!
Hey there eat in month-ers! How has the challenge been going? And if you’re not participating in the challenge this year, how are your goals and planning for the new year coming along?
I truly believe that large goals may seem unattainable at first, but with small, measurable, and realistic steps, it can be done! Dream big, but start small. In other news and dreaming big . . . I actually reserved our wedding spot!!! eeeek! I can’t believe after 4.5 years, it’s actually for real now. Talk about planning, but I love to plan! (more…)
January 2, 2011
looking ahead in 2011 + a challenge
Hey all! Hope you had a fun and safe New Year’s!!! 2011. Wow. What were you up to this new year’s? Parties? Quiet night at home watching the ball drop? . . . Me? well, we pretty much sat on our butts, watched ’24’ on Netflix, and then fell asleep around 11pm with the faint boom of fireworks in the distance. Boy, we are sure party animals, eh? (more…)
December 10, 2010
stay healthy this holiday season
We all know that the holidays are fast approaching! Every store we go into is blasting festive, cheery music, lights are twinkling, and for some, everything is blanketed in that white stuff that’s wonderful to look at but not so fun to drive in. While we’re scrambling to get every last task accomplished, all the gifts wrapped, the house cleaned, cookies baked for the cookie exchange, and still find the energy to make it to the gym or train, the last thing on our minds is our own sanity and health! (more…)
August 23, 2010
happy campers in mt. charleston
Hello! Chris and I made a bee line for Mt. Charleston last Friday to get in some good ol’ camping and biking. We kind of got everything together last minute, and it was a pretty short trip, but we had fun! It was nice to get out of the Vegas heat and not have cell phone service for a little while. Sometimes it’s just nice to sit out in nature with a book in hand, a cool breeze at your back, and nothing but whispering trees and chippers climbing up your leg wanting more pistachios. (more…)
January 29, 2010
soups on!
When Chris and I both got home tonight we were pooped! Chris was feeling less than stellar from a crazy day at work, and we were really contemplating just grabbing something to eat out, but with a few days still left for the Eat In Month Challenge we just decided it would be better to stay in. Plus, I had ingredients ready to go for some (more…)
November 2, 2009
thesis drama & a nice bike ride
With the time change I can’t believe it’s getting dark so soon. Even though this inevitably happens every year, I never can quite adjust.
It just seems so darn late now and all the wonderful, precious sunlight dwindles faster and it’s harder to get good food pictures!
Anywho, the weekend for me was pretty unproductive. Several projects/presentations are fast approaching the due date and I’m trying to find the time and motivation to get them done.
I also had some disappointing news with my thesis . . . First, the professor who first told me she would be my chair and help form my committee pretty much blew me off and I just found out that she eagerly said she would chair another student’s thesis that isn’t even related to sports nutrition. I’m trying to not take it personally, but I can’t help it. Then, ever since I sent my research outline to my chair (twice) over a month ago, he hasn’t responded to me at all. I spoke to the graduate coordinator about it and he said that he could be my chair, but he doesn’t really do lab work. What? I was really wanting to work in the lab, but now I guess I have to come up with a whole new idea and it has to be more like survey research. Any ideas??? At this point I’m just desperate for anything, very disappointing. *sigh*
Other than that we made some yummy dinners!
Since I had Friday off, I spent most of the day running errands and getting ready for dinner. I made fresh pasta manicotti and fettuccine too. Fresh pasta is so cheap to make and you get a butt load of it! The whole drying rack was full by the time Chris was done rolling/cutting it in the mixer.
I stuffed the manicotti with a mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, fontina, parmesan, spinach, chicken sausage, and Italian spices. I also made a homemade tomato sauce in the crock-pot which is very easy.
Did you have a good Halloween?? We didn’t even get dressed up this year! Terrible. We did hand out some candy and fruit snacks to the few kiddies that came in our neighborhood. We bought waaaayy too much and now we must get rid of it asap!
I spent most of the night trying to find research articles and a new thesis topic (with no luck) and went to bed pretty early even with the time change. I’m so glad we didn’t forget, which is unusual!
Sunday morning Chris and I went with the Green Valley Cyclists on the Lake Mead Loop trail. It was just about 50 miles with 2300 ft of elevation change. This is the longest I’ve done so far and boy my legs were sure letting me know it by the end of the ride! My legs weren’t used to all that climbing.
At this point in the ride I was still feeling pretty strong and there were some awesome views of Lake Mead . . .
I also did a little calorie calculation experimentation with an equation I found from an RD. I’m not sure where this equation was developed or if it’s reliable, but I love playing with numbers 🙂 It did seem pretty accurate with what my HR monitor says.
118 lbs x 0.0561 (15mph) = 6.6198
6.6198 x 60 x 3 hours = 1,191 kcals
2300 ft gained/100ft x 22 = 500 extra kcals = 1,691 total kcals
Min – x 0.3/3 = 170kcals/hour Max – x 0.5/3 = 281kals/hour
I went with about 200kcals/hour to try to match, which seems about right. I think they multiplied the total by .3 or .5 because of actual absorption of what’s expended?
Let’s see if I matched this . . .
- Breakfast: big bowl of cereal, 1/2 banana, 10oz H20 – 500 kcals
- On the Ride:
- luna moons – 100 kcals
- Power Bar Energy Chews – 300 kcals
- Gatorade (42oz I think) – 180 kcals
- 1 L of H20
- Post Ride:
- Smoothie – milk, 1/2 banana, strawberries, blueberries, scoop whey protein, honey, chia seeds, flax, wheat germ, peanut butter – 500 kcals
- leftover 1/4 omelet, hash browns and 1/4 pita – 300 kcals
- 1 L of H20
- Dinner:
- Beef and Barley Soup and cheesy bread – 650 kcals
- glass of milk and 1 TJ’s cookie – 160 kcals
total kcals for the day – 2,690 kcals (net gain of 1,000 kcals)
I’d say I didn’t do too bad, but still 1,000 kcals net gain isn’t really enough, but I’d also say I have a few extra kcals in storage since my mom came 🙂 It is important for athletes and active individuals to maintain proper nutrition throughout training and off days to make up for potential losses. I’m no athlete, but it’s just fun to try things and see. I usually wear an old HR monitor, but I guess my data capacity was full so it didn’t even work 🙁 Calorie expenditure is just fascinating to me.
This smoothie was amazing and I added a huge heaping spoonful of peanut butter so I could really taste it, yum! Funny it’s in a beer glass 🙂
aaaah, cheesy toast is a great dipping vehicle for soups. I think fontina is my favorite cheese, next to goat cheese.
Soup is great for post-workout replenishment. It gives extra fluids, veggies, a bit more iron from the beef, fiber and carbs from the barley and even a bit more salt for electrolyte losses.
Do you track your calorie expenditure and how? Hope you have a great week! I’m counting the days till the holidays and a little winter break, woo-hoo!
October 7, 2009
quickest back-up dinner
Usually in my meal planning I like to include an easy prep meal that I can fall back on if something comes up during the week, or if I get home later and just don’t feel like putting something together.
Well, it was one of those days yesterday and I love having something for plan B that is simple, healthy and filling!
It has finally started to cool down somewhat here, well, it’s still in the 70s during the day which is like summer for many of you. I am enjoying being able to open the windows and having a considerably lower power bill. Another great thing about the cool down that I absolutely adore is starting to make more soups and casseroles again!!!! Yay! I think those are my favorites to make because they are so easy and can be adjusted based on what ingredients are on hand.
On to the easiest recipe in the world. . .
- TJ’s Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup (I get the low-sodium version)
- 1/2 box low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups frozen veggies and big handfuls of torn spinach
- 1 cup grilled balsamic-marinated chicken or you could sub chickpeas/beans
- Various spices, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, cinnamon (gives it some warmth)
- 2 cups cooked pasta, or some rice, quinoa, etc.
In a pot place all the ingredients and warm to your liking.
These are also great if you don’t have fresh basil on hand. It’s not as flavorful as fresh, but it works. I used about 8 cubes for the soup.
That’s it! I like to serve it with a nice grilled cheese or cheesy naan for dipping (fontina with oregano). I am addicted to naan with pretty much anything at the moment.
What’s the easiest back up meal you like to make?