Pregnant Running & What I Ate Thursday

This baby has been so cooperative for the majority of my runs. I really believe that he's going to come out wearing Brooks. So long as I have a decent amount of calories in my system about 30 minutes prior to the run, I am G2G. If not, I'll likely be calling the hubby for backup.

This was one of my faster pregnancy runs. I was so close to breaking 11mins/mile. My damn RunStar app kept closing me out. I actually ran 2.5mi.  My goal speed is 10:15. That's not that fast, but it is fast for me. I think it's important to aim for personal bests and not compare myself to other runners. I'm still relatively new to this distance thing AND I have a bum knee that will give out if I push too hard.

One of my favorite go to breakfasts consists of boiled eggs, fruit (usually grapes or a banana), toast (plain or with peanut butter) and some OJ or apple juice. I almost always have chocolate milk for an immediate post-run snack, today I had Ensure.

Ensure caters to my inner old lady.

I love the Dark Chocolate, but I can NEVER find it. Drives me insane. But the milk chocolate is still pretty awesome.

I'm already fantasizing about replacing this with my avocado toast. Mmm...

Healthy Food Obsession: Avocado Toast

I have been wanting to try avocado toast since I saw Monica from Run Eat Repeat devour eat many moons ago. I just forget to use my avocado for this reason whenever I buy them. I usually use it for eggs or a salad, but I remembered today! (Thanks to the midnight pregnancy cravings for it.)

Really simple stuff. I used wheat toast and drizzled some olive oil on it. Smashed up half of an avocado and added some salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Mmm...

It was everything that I hoped it to be. Everything. I can't wait to wake up in the morning and eat it again before my run.

Try it!

Orange Chicken Kabob Recipe (courtesy of SarahFit)

This is one of my absolute favorite recipes for the weeks. The lovely SarahFit I think it's going on our Fourth of July menu this year. So tasty and volumes of food and amazing flavor.

Orange Chicken Kabob Recipe

APRIL 12, 2011 · 0 COMMENTS

Do you tend to over indulge on the weekend?  If so, you are in good company.  For this reason, I opt to do my “long” workouts on Monday or Tuesday if possible.  If you did not do a long cardio session yesterday, I highly recommend you do it today in order to burn up the extra calories consumed over the weekend before they get stored somewhere more permanently.  

Here is the workout I did yesterday but feel free to modify for your fitness level:  

• 20 minutes: Easy Warm Up Run (HR 75-80%)
• 1 minute: Run Very Fast (HR 90%)
• 1 minute: Walk (Recover)
• Repeat 10x for a total of 20 minutes
• 10 minute: Easy Cool Down Run (I still wasn’t home and walked the last 5-10 minutes)

When I got home, boy was I thirsty and hungry!  I modified a delicious recipe from the May issue of Real Simple.  

I made Orange Kabobs with grilled zucchini and sweet potatoes.  To make the chicken here is the recipe I used:

• 1 lb Chicken Tenderloins
• 1 Navel Orange (Cut into 10-16 pieces)
• 1/2 Onion (Real Simple says red onion but I didn’t have any so I used vidalia)
• 1/2 tsp of Cumin
• 1/4 tsp of Cayenne
• 1/4 tsp of Pepper
• 1/2 tsp of Salt
• 1 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Cut up chicken, orange and onion.  In a large bowl mix the spices and olive oil.  Toss together allingredients.  Thread pieces of chicken, orange and onion onto skeweralternating.  I used metal but if you use wooden sticks make sure you soak them in water for at least 20 minutes.  Spray grill with Olive Oil or other cooking spray to avoid chicken from sticking to the grill rack.  

Cook on medium for about 12-16 minutes.  Make sure the middle pieces of chicken get cooked.  Enjoy with favorite grilled veggie and sweet potato or corn for a perfect warm weather dinner!

13 Daily Diet Habits to Help You Lose Weight

(This is a post from the Healthy Tips to Help You Succeed from the Healthy Living page make sure you don’t miss any of the posts by subscribing to the right!)

Healthy diet habits are created each day, and once you establish them they will become second nature! Here are my top daily habits that can add up to 7 years to your life!

Top Daily Diet Habits

Always Eat Breakfast! (Oats + Flaxseed & Berries)

1. Use the 90/10 Rule (plan for a free day, 1-2 free meals, and/or a day of rest)
2. Drink at least half your body weight (in ounces) of water
3. Eat 5 times a day (3 meals, 2 protein based snacks) 3-4 hours apart.(check out my meal plans)
4. Aim for a larger breakfast, a protein-based dinner, and limit simple carbs (fruit/dairy) in the morning
5. No eating after 9 pm or 3 hours before bed
6. Get your heart rate up for at least 20 minutes (find a workout for you)
7.  Don’t skip meals.
8. Eat lean proteins with every meal.
9. Watch Portions (size of your palm)
10. Sleep between 10pm – 6am or 7-8 hours each night on a schedule
11. Limit whole grains and natural starches; load up on fibrous carbs.
12. Manage Macronutrients: People who are apple shaped and can put on muscle (endomorphs) need 40-50% carbs, 30% protein, 20-30% fat. (1350-1400 calories)
13.  Avoid Stress…take time for you, say no to the good and yes to the great, and rid yourself of negative people!