Impulse Buys!

Okay, so I now know why they say you should never go grocery shopping when you're hungry, but against my better judgement, I ventured out today with my grocery list in hand, and a rumbling belly.

(if you can't read my writing)

Quaker Steel Cut Oats

Bananas

Cocoa Powder

Almond Milk (2)

Peanut Butter (2)

Green Grapes

Egg Whites

Pretty basic list. And I DID get everything I set out to buy...But my eyes started to wander somewhere near the oatmeal section. And I saw it: Kellogs Cinnabon Cereal. Calling to me.

This is actually the first time I've ever seen this. I used to LOVE Cinnabon. I remember being twelve and going to the mall with my sister and friends on a Friday night and hitting up the Cinnabon, usually getting the original cinnabon and asking for two containers of extra icing. My sister used to want to work there. Anyway, I was so excited to see this old favorite that I grabbed it, opened the box and started munching by the handful while I was still shopping, and a threw a few of these goodies that seemed like they might be good into the 'ol cart...

LOVE Justin's Peanut Butter. But do I need 10 individual packets of it? Probably not

Anyone tried PowerBar protein bites? They were on sale.

Honey Cubes. Probably my most interesting pick. I like honey and these seemed pretty cool.

Hey! Who needs plain old peanut butter when you can have a no-bake peanut butter dessert by Jell-O?

...Okay, so I didn't buy a whole cart full of stuff. And the Cinnabon Cereal definitely did NOT disappoint! But I did buy things I normally wouldn't have if I wasn't famished! Anyone else fall prey to the urge to overload on groceries on an empty stomach?

MMMMM...Muesli!

I just made a nice big batch of muesli for a super-nutritious start to my day! Since I'm sidelined from the gym, I figured I should take my time and prepare a big, healthy breakfast...And also, because if I don't make a big healthy breakfast, I'll end up eating the 3-layer chocolate cake that my sister brought home from The Capitol Grille and left in the fridge last night...

Okay, I had a few bites. But, I did want a good breakfast and I freaking love muesli! To be more specific, I love muesli from Au Bon Pain.

Luckily, my cousin Zach happens to be the "Director of Strategic Initiatives at Au Bon Pain" (I had to make sure I got that right)
He does a lot of analytical stuff, but I think he also gets to do a lot of taste-testing too, which is pretty cool...

                                                        (mine doesn't look like that)


Anyway, he hooked us up with the recipe for my very favorite muesli, which I am making on this rainy Boston morning, so thanks again, Z!


European Breakfast Muesli via Au Bon Pain


4 oz rolled oats (I used Quaker 1 minute oats)
8 ox 2% milk (I used organic skim)


*Combine oats and milk and soak overnight in a tupperware container (which I did)


Add in:


1 oz sugar
1 oz honey

1/2 cup apples, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup of banana or 1 whole banana, cut up (I usually add the banana later)

1-2 oz dried cranberries
1-2 oz raisins
(use dried fruit that you like. I just do craisins, but use whatever you like)

1/2 oz sliced toasted almonds, hazlenuts or walnuts (I like walnuts)
1/2 cup fresh blueberries, raspberries or strawberries (skipped this step due to lack of fresh berries)

Add all ingredients and mix until well-blended


Muesli can be stored for about 3 days in the fridge, covered...And in my house, it's usually eaten every day, topped with half a sliced banana and a drizzle of honey. Yummy!!!


If you're interested in the nutritional info, here it is, from Au Bon Pain's website 
(Which is great. You can actually build yourself a menu!)

MUESLI Nutrition Facts
Serving size	8 oz (227 g)
Serving	One
Calories	390	from Fat	70
% Daily Value, Calories :		2,000	2,500
Total Fat	8g	12%	10%
Saturated Fat	2g	10%	8%
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	5mg	2%	2%
Sodium	50mg	2%	2%
Total Carbohydrates	76g	25%	20%
Dietary Fiber	7g	28%	22%
Sugar	39g
Protein	11g
Vitamin A 4%	•	Vitamin C 6%
Calcium 15%	•	Iron 15%
Calories per gram: Fat 9 • Carbohydrate 4 • Protein 4 ENJOY!!!!! I know I will :)

Couch to 5k-Week 3

...Or, "The Work Out I had Planned On Doing Today"

Couch to 5k-Week 3, Day 1

Starts with a 5 minutes warm-up, as per usual

Followed by:

90 seconds running
90 seconds walking
2x

Then:

3 minutes running
3 minutes walking

For a total of 28 minutes, and ending with a 5 minute cool-down

I really wish I was doing this work out today instead of nursing a broken toe!

Yes, it's broken. But rather than risk more pain, and breaking anything else, I'll keep it light today and try to keep this quote by late runner, author and philosopher, George Sheehan, in mind:

"You must listen to your body. Run through annoyance but not through pain."  - George Sheehan 

Now, it's off to make breakfast. Muesli anyone?

Oops!

I was so pumped to start "Week 3, Day 1" of my C25K work out this morning. But, nothing de-rails a running work out like an injured foot--er--toe.

...Yeah. I fell in a parking lot last night while wearing some very high heels.

Not once, but four times. The last one was the coup de gras for two of my ten little piggies. 

Oh, well. I can't really blame the heels. My nickname in high school was "Stumble-ina" and this would be why. I tripped on the bleachers at the last Celtics game I went to and chipped one of my front bottom teeth. It happens. But don't worry, it mostly just happens to me.

Now, having spent most of this lovely Sunday in bed nursing my hangover  foot, doing 10 loads of laundry, organizing my DVDs and playing "toss the tennis ball" with Fitz, I need to get out of the house!



I'm off to the gym with an iced coffee and bandaged toes for an upper body work out, that will, hopefully, look something like this:

• 21s
• tricep dips
• shoulder presses
• lat raises
• rows
• pull-ups (assisted)

I already worked my abs and lower back with the bender ball. 

Yes, I bought the info-mercial bender ball for $10 at Target...And I like it!

Hooray for Boston Bods!

BOSTON

The June issue of Shape magazine just hit the newsstands, and featured, as well as super-fit reality babe Kourtney Kardashian, their annual "10 Fittest Cities" article.

I'm happy, but not at all surprised, to report the my own Boston ranked as #3 

Why?

Boston is a small city compared to some, but it's also one of the most "walkable" thanks in large part to the zillions of tiny, narrow one-ways and cobblestone streets that make it nearly impossible to drive.

We're also pretty big on running (You know, The Boston Marathon)

Commuters in Beantown, because of all the crazy traffic, are twice as likely to use public transportation than other cities' denizens, so they spend more time walking and less time trapped in traffic. Boston's relatively young and well-educated population also boasts below-average obesity rates, with more than 60 percent describing themselves as in excellent or very good health.

My personal favorite spot when the weather is right?

The Charles River, of course!

The Charles River bike path boasts 23 very scenic miles (or 37km) starting at The Museum of Science, passing the campuses of Harvard, MIT and Boston University. 

I'm not a biker, but I love to walk and run, and just take in all the beauty and scenery and history!

The River also offers rowing, boating, dragon boating and sailing--But no swimming, please--I guess you can tell that I'm kind of in love with my city.

And yeah, I love that Dirty Water. Boston, you're my home!

(Tom and Katie like it too!)

I can personally vouch for each of these :

Hot trend in town 
Busy Bostonians like the fast results they get through kettlebell training, reports Kristy DiScipio, area group fitness manager for the Boston Equinox Fitness clubs (equinox.com). "We're seeing more and more trainers incorporating kettlebells into their clients' workouts, and the classes are among the most popular because they're so effective," she says.

Healthiest hotel 
What was once the notorious Charles Street Jail is now a luxury hot spot ironically named the Liberty Hotel. Located at the foot of Beacon Hill and steps away from the running paths along the Charles, it also offers free yoga classes on the weekend, complementary bicycle and helmet rentals, and a 24-hour fitness center. From $295; libertyhotel.com

Eat here 
For fast—but incredibly fresh—food cooked to order, check out B. Good, which offers a variety of burgers (from veggie to the real thing) plus salads and organic seasonal veggies, along with oven-baked fries. Five locations throughout the city (www.bgood.com).

(imo, best sweet potato fries I've ever tasted!)

Check Out Where your city ranks here: http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/travel/the-top-10-fittest-cities

More Peanut Butter Goodness

Mk's Spin on "Original Sin" Bars

• 1 cup applesauce, unsweetened (in place of butter)
• 2 cups natural peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (22 graham crackers pureed in food processor)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 7 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped or chips
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• large pinch of salt  (don't omit)

Line a 9 X 13-inch pan with aluminum foil.  Make sure the foil extends about 2 inches up past the two long sides of the pan.  You will use this extra foil later to lift the finished bars out of the pan before cutting.

Melt peanut butter in the microwave, stirring until smooth.  Add the graham cracker crumbs, vanilla and powdered sugar.  Mix until thoroughly combined.

Pat the peanut butter mixture into the lined ungreased 9 X 13-inch pan.

Melt the chocolate chips, butter and the pinch of salt in the microwave and stir until smooth.

Spread the melted chocolate mixture over the peanut butter layer.

Chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 30 minutes.  Cut with a hot dry knife.

My "peanut butter thing"

I've always loved peanut butter...Who doesn't? But this past week, I've gone through 3 jars of this stuff:

               I don't know why (or even if) it's different but I'm freaking obsessed with it!

Last summer, I started using peanut butter to make healthy (healthy-ish?) desserts for myself. And I just revived an old favorite. Since it didn't come from any recipe and it's just me mixing a few ingredients together, I've aptly titled it my "peanut butter thing"

To make:

1 container plain 0% Fage Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons of Honey

1/4 cup Skippy Natural PB (or whatever kind of peanut butter is your preference)

1/4 cup Cool Whip Lite (optional)

mix to together, stick it in the freezer, drizzle some honey over the top, and OmGoodness, that is some yummy peanut butter ice cream!

Another good "peanut butter ice cream" can be made by eliminating the yogurt and blending 1-2 frozen bananas with a few tablespoons of peanut butter and honey. Delicious!

My other favorite treat in the summer time: Frozen bananas and grapes, dipped in, what else? 

peanut butter!