5am, my alarm for the day starts buzzing. I feel like David After Dentist: IS THIS REAL LIFE?? I remember the last time I woke up before 6am, and it was the only option I had if I wanted to be on time for my marathon in Savannah. 3 months later, I'm saying hello to the dreaded wake up time again. Only now this will last for a full month... sigh...
Surprisingly though, I was excited. I was ready to take on my new off-site project, and looked forward to the change of scene. I'll be working at a client's office for the next month and leaving the Propel office for a bit so I can be totally focused on this all-mighty task. It's exciting that at 23, I was given this BIG responsibility by my company. I honestly can't believe it.
But still, 5 am is early. Peachtree Street has only one or two other cars on it at this hour, traffic on 400 is cruising, and there is not a trace of the sun coming up. It's kind of exhilarating, plus I get off work at 4 which leaves me time to take my running outside in the cool afternoon rather than running in pitch black. I still have the same count for almost getting hit though. Once in the day, once at night. I wonder if I could have cleared that Mercedes... I might have had to.
So new project, continuing my running (and upping the speed if you've seen my tracker) and my final week of the sugar free diet! I honestly haven't kept to it though. I baked a ton on Sunday, trying some recipes to figure out which ones to use for my new little side project, and I kind of became the guinea pig for my testing. So this next week will be the final push and mental challenge to stay on track. It seems that I can keep with it during the week, but the weekend it just falls apart. One more week, let's go!
I did make one of my better crock pot recipes this week. It seems like nothing bad can come out of this thing. This is olive and artichoke chicken, making 6 servings
Slow Cooker Artichoke and Olive Chicken
• 6 chicken breasts
• a cup of white or rose wine (I used Zinfandel)
• a can of chicken broth
• 14 oz can artichoke hearts
• (2) 14oz cans of olives (I used black and kalamata)
• medium onion, chopped
• throw in a bunch of spices - black pepper, salt, Italian seasoning and some garlic powder
Let that cook on low for 6 to 7 hours and you will fall in love with this recipe! I froze the other 5 servings (as usual) and it is just as good re-heated. I'll be trying out more recipes soon and sharing since I really don't have much time to cook at the moment. Happy hump day tomorrow!
1.24.2012
1.23.2012
1.18.2012
Sugar Free 3 and My New Favorite Product
Well, the month challenge of Sugar Free is almost over, but I didn't do my best the past few days. I can only expect that though when I want to be social, do dinner and have a few drinks with friends. But, it was a big weekend - the little's birthday!
First was the donut, the cookies and the cupcakes all waiting for when we arrived in Athens. Fail
Then it was the cookies I made for my house warming party on Saturday. Fail
Sunday I was craving Diet Coke, which I have not had once this year. Fail
Finally, it was dinner at my place where friends brought Snicker-doodles. Final Fail
So, the past few days didn't go so well. And it isn't just the sugar-free aspect of the challenge, but rather that my jeans are fitting a little more snug today. But back to it as usual. Tonight is Triple Fit at Urban Active, a new class that has started fitting into my schedule between work, play and training for the half-marathon. I have to incorporate more than just running to keep me entertained. It is a weights/cardio class for an hour. Mainly women go, but there are a few men that don't mind jumping around on raised benches to hip-hop.
My roommate actually had a great idea for her New Year's resolution that stuck: "Put that cookie down!". Think about what I listed above and how I could have avoided a ton of sugar if that little voice started going through my head.
I also had one other thing that I had to rave about for all of those whose hair is crying from this winter weather! When I got back from Europe, I used the straightener I purchased there for a while. It worked well, but eventually stopped (it was cheap). I had broken my $100+ straightener in Paris when I plugged it in WITH a power converter. Once it smelled like burnt plastic, I knew it was all over.
So, I've been using a semi-cheap one for a bit and have noticed my poor hair is frying! I feel so bad for it. This weekend I finally walked into Sephora and went ahead with buying the GHD and Ojon Damage Repair treatment. Wow, is this stuff amazing! You use it weekly, and being that I only have used it once, I already notice a difference. Shinier, less tangled, and less visible split ends. If you are looking for a hair fix, try this. It is completely worth it! Click HERE to view the product's webpage.
So, final week and a half of the sugar free challenge to go. If nothing else, it has taught me to look a little harder when you are purchasing foods at the store. You never know what is in it until you check the labels!
First was the donut, the cookies and the cupcakes all waiting for when we arrived in Athens. Fail
Then it was the cookies I made for my house warming party on Saturday. Fail
Sunday I was craving Diet Coke, which I have not had once this year. Fail
Finally, it was dinner at my place where friends brought Snicker-doodles. Final Fail
So, the past few days didn't go so well. And it isn't just the sugar-free aspect of the challenge, but rather that my jeans are fitting a little more snug today. But back to it as usual. Tonight is Triple Fit at Urban Active, a new class that has started fitting into my schedule between work, play and training for the half-marathon. I have to incorporate more than just running to keep me entertained. It is a weights/cardio class for an hour. Mainly women go, but there are a few men that don't mind jumping around on raised benches to hip-hop.
My roommate actually had a great idea for her New Year's resolution that stuck: "Put that cookie down!". Think about what I listed above and how I could have avoided a ton of sugar if that little voice started going through my head.
I also had one other thing that I had to rave about for all of those whose hair is crying from this winter weather! When I got back from Europe, I used the straightener I purchased there for a while. It worked well, but eventually stopped (it was cheap). I had broken my $100+ straightener in Paris when I plugged it in WITH a power converter. Once it smelled like burnt plastic, I knew it was all over.
So, I've been using a semi-cheap one for a bit and have noticed my poor hair is frying! I feel so bad for it. This weekend I finally walked into Sephora and went ahead with buying the GHD and Ojon Damage Repair treatment. Wow, is this stuff amazing! You use it weekly, and being that I only have used it once, I already notice a difference. Shinier, less tangled, and less visible split ends. If you are looking for a hair fix, try this. It is completely worth it! Click HERE to view the product's webpage.
So, final week and a half of the sugar free challenge to go. If nothing else, it has taught me to look a little harder when you are purchasing foods at the store. You never know what is in it until you check the labels!
1.12.2012
Back to the Brushes: Craft Day!
A release is sometimes just the thing to make your day brighter. It can be time with friends, going for a drive, a hard run, time spent reading or one of my favorites - taking paint to canvas. I was serious about art in high school. It tended to fill my classes, whether drawing, photography or sculpture. But the one thing I loved the most was painting. Mixing, using various brushes, creates high lights and shadowing... it was something I could do for hours upon hours. I lost most of the time I spent with painting until I discovered the fratty trend of cooler painting. I have to say, I was impressed with what I took the time to create. But, much of my painting has stopped for the time being thanks to lack of fitting it into my schedule, not really any work space and also some emptiness of creativity.
But this week, I felt a spurt. I wanted an additional piece for my bare yellow walls (which after painting in September I think I may want to change, but I think that will just have to wait until the next place). So, I ran to Dick Blick in Roswell after Sunday lunch with my Dad, bought some paints at Michaels, and started brushing. It's a very simple painting, but just the small amount of stress relief I needed.
But this week, I felt a spurt. I wanted an additional piece for my bare yellow walls (which after painting in September I think I may want to change, but I think that will just have to wait until the next place). So, I ran to Dick Blick in Roswell after Sunday lunch with my Dad, bought some paints at Michaels, and started brushing. It's a very simple painting, but just the small amount of stress relief I needed.
1.10.2012
Sugar Free: Week 2
It amazes me where you find added sugar! Dried fruit, cereals, granola bars, peanut butter, any sort of bread and much much more. It is really making me look at what is in things before I throw them in my grocery basket and eventually my trash chute of a stomach. I've actually done really well these first two weeks, and noticing that my diet has become much healthier. I have been keeping a food log just to keep myself in check of what is being eaten. But, I may have cheated this weekend. I had a glass of wine (basically pure sugar) and some chocolate chip cookies. How could I resist those fresh, warm oooey goodness sitting in my kitchen? Exactly, no way!
For dinner tonight, I finally took time again to cook, making sauteed vegetables (no oil used) with grilled chicken breast marinated in spices.
After dinner, I was still hungry for something sweet, so I turned to oatmeal. It's one of those foods that fills you up and is a power food at the same time. To create a sweet taste, I added 1/2 a cup of unsweetened apple sauce, a handful of blueberries and a dash of cinnamon. Yummm!
This weekend I am planning on heading to Athens for Friday. I know for a fact that there will be sugar involved if we decide to eat out at any point, so this week needs to go really well. Thankfully I have the time to do it right.
If you are a frequent visitor of the site, you may have noticed the new addition. I am tracking my miles with dailymile while training for my half marathon. I thought it would be neat (and hopefully inspiring) for those that may still be interested in attempting this running feat with me. I still can't believe that it has already been a full year since my first half - and yes, I'm addicted!
1.08.2012
Time
We never seem to have the perfect portion of time.
Too much time at work. Too little time with friends. Not taking enough time to make the right decisions.
Life passes you by so quickly, and I feel like I don't have the right amount of time to really enjoy it. I especially notice it on the weekends, when I am finally free to visit with friends and spend time to see family. I never feel that there is enough. I try to cram too much into one day, and it becomes overwhelming, exhausting me more than making me feel accomplished.
As someone who gets paid and works a job that heavily involves time management, you would think that I would understand it much better. I can schedule, plan, etc... but the unexpected always happens. Sometimes I make bad decisions with time. One of my downfalls is that I am one who wants to instantaneously figure out a situation or resolve a problem. We are human, and sometimes people need to step back and think things through before acting. This is where I fail. I jump too quickly and expect that other people are the same way. I sometimes don't think through my plans thoroughly enough before acting upon them. I realized all of this the past week, when I too hastily jumped with an assumption and it really messed up a good thing. The tough part to swallow - I know it was all my fault because I didn't take the time to think through.
In the next week, I also have to start planning for my next half marathon. I started running outside a little more this week, and I forgot how much it helps. It relieves stress, makes you feel strong, and gives you the time to really clear your head. Even though your body may hurt or be yelling at you to stop during the whole thing, you keep pushing. It is a mental game with yourself, and one that I really enjoy. But training for a half marathon takes excellent time planning, especially when you are possibly running for 2 hours a day at some points. Luckily no four hour training sessions are in my future like when I was training for my full marathon in November. I need to make sure I plan well for the time I need to beat my goal of a 2 hour half marathon. It's doable, but will take greater efforts on my part.
So, to help me with time management a little more, I bought a paper planner. Putting what I need to do each day down in ink will really help me see what I need to do. I have calendars on my computer, my phone, etc... but the written form will always be my go to no matter how much we continue to rely on technology. As a goal for me, and a growth opportunity, I am also going to learn to take the time to think through situations and consequences of actions before I act upon them. It is something I have needed to do for a while, and I think now is the time.
So, grab your pen and planner, review the important things you need to do each week or month, and start working on finding more time and using it better during the day.
Too much time at work. Too little time with friends. Not taking enough time to make the right decisions.
Life passes you by so quickly, and I feel like I don't have the right amount of time to really enjoy it. I especially notice it on the weekends, when I am finally free to visit with friends and spend time to see family. I never feel that there is enough. I try to cram too much into one day, and it becomes overwhelming, exhausting me more than making me feel accomplished.
As someone who gets paid and works a job that heavily involves time management, you would think that I would understand it much better. I can schedule, plan, etc... but the unexpected always happens. Sometimes I make bad decisions with time. One of my downfalls is that I am one who wants to instantaneously figure out a situation or resolve a problem. We are human, and sometimes people need to step back and think things through before acting. This is where I fail. I jump too quickly and expect that other people are the same way. I sometimes don't think through my plans thoroughly enough before acting upon them. I realized all of this the past week, when I too hastily jumped with an assumption and it really messed up a good thing. The tough part to swallow - I know it was all my fault because I didn't take the time to think through.
In the next week, I also have to start planning for my next half marathon. I started running outside a little more this week, and I forgot how much it helps. It relieves stress, makes you feel strong, and gives you the time to really clear your head. Even though your body may hurt or be yelling at you to stop during the whole thing, you keep pushing. It is a mental game with yourself, and one that I really enjoy. But training for a half marathon takes excellent time planning, especially when you are possibly running for 2 hours a day at some points. Luckily no four hour training sessions are in my future like when I was training for my full marathon in November. I need to make sure I plan well for the time I need to beat my goal of a 2 hour half marathon. It's doable, but will take greater efforts on my part.
So, to help me with time management a little more, I bought a paper planner. Putting what I need to do each day down in ink will really help me see what I need to do. I have calendars on my computer, my phone, etc... but the written form will always be my go to no matter how much we continue to rely on technology. As a goal for me, and a growth opportunity, I am also going to learn to take the time to think through situations and consequences of actions before I act upon them. It is something I have needed to do for a while, and I think now is the time.
So, grab your pen and planner, review the important things you need to do each week or month, and start working on finding more time and using it better during the day.
1.05.2012
Caffeine Cut
Well, almost a week in. More like 4 days. I've cut out coffee, soft drinks, etc... Tea is still a go to. But no Diet Dr.Pepper (DDP) or Diet Coke for this girl. I'm eliminating most sugar and substitutes for the month. I talked about this in a previous post.
These first few days have been rough. I just want to buy a candy bar and go into my office fridge where cases of DDP are waiting for me to crack open. But, I'm avoiding. It's actually put me in a kind of pissy mood, and I think it got to some people. I was super tired at work the first few days, but I am starting to get past that and actually feel a lot better. I can tell I am sleeping much better at night, not waking up every hour as I have been the past couple months, so that's good news!
With the George Foreman I got for Christmas, I've also been cooking a little more. I made grilled chicken, brown rice, and sauteed mushroom and onions for dinner. So yummy and not from my typical frozen ziplocs when I make multiple meals for the week on Sunday. Upgrade!
Another trial was homemade hummus. This was roasted pepper. It's going to take some tweaking for the recipe, but started off well.
Let's see how these next few weeks go...
These first few days have been rough. I just want to buy a candy bar and go into my office fridge where cases of DDP are waiting for me to crack open. But, I'm avoiding. It's actually put me in a kind of pissy mood, and I think it got to some people. I was super tired at work the first few days, but I am starting to get past that and actually feel a lot better. I can tell I am sleeping much better at night, not waking up every hour as I have been the past couple months, so that's good news!
With the George Foreman I got for Christmas, I've also been cooking a little more. I made grilled chicken, brown rice, and sauteed mushroom and onions for dinner. So yummy and not from my typical frozen ziplocs when I make multiple meals for the week on Sunday. Upgrade!
Another trial was homemade hummus. This was roasted pepper. It's going to take some tweaking for the recipe, but started off well.
Let's see how these next few weeks go...
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