Guilt-free Friday!

Hi cats. It's Friday! Truth be told, it's been a long week & I'm greeting this weekend with open arms. Nothing too exciting on the books, but it's sure to be an adventure. I must admit I'm getting SO excited for Valentine's Day. Let's be real- it's the only holiday that directly caters to my needs: chocolate, wine, flowers, and so much LOVE. So around these parts it's all things pink and RED (as in a wine tasting at one of our favorite spots) and some last minute shopping for the near & dears. Hope your weekend is sweet too. 

Hey! It's ok…

If you're slightly germaphobic when it comes to sharing gym equipment or shaking hands with strangers, but you subscribe to the 5 second rule as soon as that dark chocolate almond hits your kitchen floor [fair.game]

If you refuse to acknowledge the humble opinion of a lowly groundhog unless he comes heralding good news. [6 more weeks of this crap? Ain't nobody got time for that.]

If buying new running shoes feels like choosing a life mate. [holy.decisions. finally decided on these guys when I learned the color was called "Diva Pink"]

Parched.

When it comes to minor ailments, I have my slew. My head aches sometimes. My stomach hurts when I get anxious or if I eat something weird or if it's 9:30 pm on a Tuesday. My face breaks out when I'm stressed or hormonal or if I tilt my head in the wrong direction. My knees and ankles pop when I walk down the stairs. I'm really fortunate though. All my "problems" are minor, and I never take my health for granted. I read this article though and realized something had to change..

Disclaimer: This right here folks is a game changer. Seriously. Game. Changer.

I realized I've been living in a constant state of dehydration. Incidentally, proper hydration can help reduce headaches, aid digestion, and can even improve skin's appearance. Here's the part where I'm totally superficial, I saw this before and after picture and I haven't looked back.

You can read the original article here, but basically this lady was having headaches and digestion problems and she read the staying hydrated could help. So she decided to give it a shot. She committed to one month, 4 weeks, of drinking more water. The added bonus? The dramatic affect it had on her appearance. Doesn't she look 10 years younger? And healthy and vibrant and full of life?

My friend Sarah and I are calling it "The Water Challenge." It's fairly straightforward… just drink the recommended amount of water daily for a month. A good rule of thumb to determine how much to drink? Half your body weight but in ounces. So if you weigh 140 pounds, drink 70 ounces of water a day. We started Sunday and I can already tell a difference in how I feel.

Psst… if you're like me & you have trouble keeping your water goals try this: 20 oz before coffee in the morning. It has made a world of difference for me. Also, having a friend do it to helps! And I may or may not have this before and after picture saved to my phone for inspiration...

Pumpkin French Toast

This may come as a surprise to you, but I don't have it all figured out. I know, I know... it gets me every time. Some days are better than others... occasionally my bra matches my underwear, sometimes I remember to take my vitamins, and I always manage to pay my bills before they're actually due. But then I find myself in my bed at 11:30pm eating Hello Pandas for "dinner" and denying myself the most basic of human needs (wine) in lieu of the 5 extra pounds that have taken residence on my arse. This is 24, I guess.

I take comfort in breakfast. I don't have it all figured out, but when it comes to breakfast, I'm getting there. I can always count on my coffee to be hot and delicious and I find solace in the fact that I can make Pumpkin French Toast for under 300 calories. That's what matters, right?

[I made 3 pieces. I was feeling indulgent and excessive and overly excited by the fact that this bread only has 80 calories per slice.]

[Ingredients. Totally simple. I make French Toast the way my mom does... Lots of cinnamon and nutmeg and some vanilla. No measurements, just eyeball it. I subbed egg whites to make it a little skinnier. (That's how you rationalize eating 3 pieces.) If you really wanna go pumpkin crazy, use pumpkin pie spice... it's pretty much the same thing.]

[Dip, griddle, candles, coffee.]

[My eyes were bigger than my stomach. But I went for a beach run & ate this last piece when I got home.] 

What are you eating for breakfast this fall?

i can teach you, but i have to charge

Ok, imma leave the milkshakes to Kelis. Today I'm talking protein shakes. 

I've never been much of a shake girl, in any sense of the word, but after amping up my workouts still not quite seeing the results I want to see (muscles where are youuu?) I'm calling for reinforcements. After my trainer's harsh scolding for not eating enough after working out, I'm trying my hand at recovery beverages. The one I made today truly, honestly rivals the best frap Starbucks can serve up, and it's chocked full of protein. Here's my recipe, and of course I have no exact measurements. 

I start with whey protein. I like it better than soy and there are mixed reviews on how soy can affect women, so whey's the way to go.

Add the typical stuff, ice, skim milk, water... whatever it takes to get it to the consistency you like. Shake it, blend, it's whatever...

Aaaand secret ingredient...

**imagine this in my best Iron Chef Chairman voice**

Chobani Bites coffee with dark chocolate chips. A little extra protein, great flavor, and perfect consistency.

and a shot of espresso. Caffeine is good for muscle recovery and it gives me an energy boost. And let's be real, I'm addicted. I couldn't live without my Nespresso Pixie.

How do you recharge after a workout? 

she get it from her mama...

I ran a race Saturday. I was planning on volunteering, but at the last minute my mom and her friend (who put the event together) talked me into running instead. It was just a 5k, and I've been running a lot lately, but all summer I've savored the solace of the air conditioning, logging miles on the treadmill as opposed to pounding the pavement. 

Truth be told, I just wanted to finish. But as soon as the race started I realized my fitnemesis* was hot on my tracks. With her marine husband. I don't know what it was, but something in me decided that girl was not going to pass me. 

I ran my butt off. I picked a boy and followed him. Not creepy, stalker followed, but I kept up with him. My official time was 21:47 and I was the 1st female to cross the finish line. 

Maybe I'm bragging. Ok, I'm bragging just a little. But there are 2 things I really want to say.

1. As I rounded the last turn I could see my mom at the finish line. Jumping up and down, screaming my name. Motivation. 

2. Of course she was proud of me, but as I stood there after finishing, I watched her continue to jump and cheer for every woman who takes her boot camp class at the gym. Inspiration. 

These women all have different, remarkable stories (the young woman with Rheumatoid Arthritis, the single mother of two who lost her husband in a car accident, the 70 year old whose grandchildren can't keep up with her.) They are an inspiration. But they are inspired, too, by my mom's encouragement, her determination, her competitive drive... she has opened herself up to them and they are motivated to run faster, to be stronger, and to go harder because of her. 

I guess what I'm really trying to say is be inspired, but be an inspiration. Your story, your life, your relationships... the way you react when someone cuts you off in traffic, the way you aren't afraid to be the butt of your own jokes. The way you live you life, how you train, how you work, how you talk to your children when you're angry...

We have opportunities to inspire the people around us, whether we realize it or not. It's really pretty crazy if you think about it. 

Be an inspiration.

*Fitness Nemesis. The person you try to squat lower than in boot camp, kick higher than in kickboxing, outlast on the treadmill... "Oh your dumbbells weigh 10 pounds? Pass me the 12s." 

you're toxic, i'm slippin under...

I never really bought into the whole "detox" thing. Truth is, most of the people I know who would regularly detox were just practicing a glorified version of an eating disorder. Eliminating entire food groups from their diets, living off of juice... that can't be healthy. But after our trip to Kentucky, I felt sick and sluggish. The combination of no exercise and too much junk food had left me feeling lethargic and weighed down. 

After one day of overly-ambitious self deprivation (no carbs, no sugar, no dairy) I reevaluated my goals and made some adjustments. Also, the caffeine withdrawals were enough to make me want to bash my head into a wall. I wouldn't call it a detox, but I really focused on being more mindful of my food choices.

Eating intentionally isn't easy. It takes time and effort. But it leaves you feeling satisfied. A handful of crackers might be a "quick fix" when I'm feeling ravenously hungry, but a banana with peanut butter will give me more enduring energy. 

And if you just have to detox, there are three forms I can get behind.

1. Yogi DeTox Tea. I'm not gonna lie, it's not my favorite flavor. I'd much rather sip on Tazo's Joy tea (or a glass of wine, if we're being really honest.) But knowing that it promotes liver and kidney function makes it a little more palatable. 

2. Detox Bath. I'm not exactly sure how soaking in Epsom salt, baking soda, and ground ginger will help remove toxins from your body, but evidently it does. It soothed my aching muscles after a particularly hard workout, and a bath always helps me clear my mind of mental clutter. 

3. Face masks. I'm still a 7 year old at a sleepover when it comes to face masks. Wei's Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask came in my last Birchbox and I loved it, but I find that most drugstore options work just as well. 

I do believe the practice of each of these is really more effective in detoxifying than the product itself. Sitting down and enjoying a cup of tea, blocking out 15 minutes to slather mud all over your face and not interact with the outside world, and turning the lights down, the music up and soaking can do wonders for your psyche. 

bar none

I'm a busy girl (when I'm not lounging around poolside sipping Mai Tais. Kidding. Kind of.) I also have a pretty quick metabolism. Not in a "look-at-me-I'm-so-skinny-and-I-can-eat-whatever-I-want" kind of way, but more of a "If-I-don't-eat-something-every-2-hours-things-are-gonna-get-ugly" kind of thing.  But between blogging & working at the restaurant, mealtimes aren't necessarily as defined as they used to be. 

When I'm on the go, I try to compensate with bars, but there's one tiny problem. I hate raisins. Not just whole, chewy raisins, but even if they're pureed and mixed into the bar, I can taste them. And no me gusta (I'm lookin at you, Clif Bar.) Also, I'm not into bars that taste like the cardboard box they came in (cough*kashi*cough) What can I say, I'm hard to please. So here's a roundup of some bars that I love and you will too, even if you're as picky as me.  

Kind: Almond & Coconut and Cranberry Almond. Natural, simple, straightforward. 

Special K Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Meal Bars. Packed with protein (just opt for the meal bars, not the snack ones.)

Luna White Chocolate Macadamia (I thought I was eating a cookie. Which is always the goal.)

Larabar Bananas Foster (I'm picky about bananas, but this came in my Birchbox and I gave it a try... and promptly went out and bought 5 more.)

What can I say? Snickers Satisfies. 

juuuust kiddingggg... kind of. 

Quinoa "Huevos Rancheros"

I believe in breakfast.
I believe in quiet mornings.
I believe in coffee.


I always give myself at least an hour to linger in the morning. The sun hangs at just the right place in the sky. The air is quiet and still. It's like all of nature takes a long, slow sip of coffee and lets out a deep sigh. I don't like feeling hurried, frantic, or frenzied. When I think back to my high school days, I cannot believe I ever managed to hop out of bed rush out the door in mere minutes. Although it takes me less time to get ready now than it used to, I like having time to get my mind in the right place. Maybe if I had given myself this time to mentally prepare for the day when I was in my teens, I wouldn't have been so, how shall we say this, teenager-ish?


If everyone ate breakfast, drank coffee, and took a little time to linger in the mornings, we probably wouldn't have road rage. And if everyone ate this Quinoa Huevos Rancheros on the back porch with a steaming hot latte? We would probably have a cure for cancer. And world peace.

Confession: I didn't exactly make the Mexican Fiesta Quinoa myself. It was leftover from last night. My mom made it following this recipe. Of course, she improvised (recipes are mere suggestions after all) and opted to saute the onions, peppers, etc. in a little bit of olive oil before mixing everything together. The colors turned out less vibrant than the original recipe, but I'll take a sweet, caramelized onion over a raw one any day. I topped it with an egg (over easy) and it was legitimately the best "huevos rancheros" I've ever had. Granted, it was a departure from the traditional dish (there were no tortillas in sight.) But I think it was a welcome change. When that silky yolk invaded the bold, crunchy quinoa... magic. Bonus: Quinoa is packed with protein, so it kept me full past lunchtime! Tasty and healthy? I'll take it.

Quinoa Salad

I would consider myself a fairly healthy eater. I never skip breakfast (or lunch, dinner, snack, etc.) I love most veggies (except mushrooms) and I limit my intake of special treats, like wine and dessert (bold-faced lie.) Lunch is usually a turkey sandwich or a salad with chicken. And most days it is delicious. But yesterday, after a nice long run  outside (in January!) with the pups , I was craving something different. After eating chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast (don't judge, they were whole-wheat) I wanted to eat something healthy and light, but filling enough to fuel me for the rest of the afternoon. 

I found some leftover quinoa in the fridge and concocted this little quinoa salad using ingredients we had on hand. The result? Absolutely delicious. I mixed in steamed broccoli (leftover), shredded carrots, frozen peas*, toasted pine-nuts, and some crumbled feta. I finished it with salt, pepper, a dash of olive oil, and a drizzle of some of the most delicious balsamic vinegar you will ever taste. It was the perfect balance of textures and flavors. If you're in a lunch rut, try mixing it up with quinoa. My only disappointment was reaching the bottom of the bowl all too soon. 

*As a kid, I loved munching on frozen peas straight from the freezer! I ate them like candy, and to this day I still think they are delicious in their frozen state.

late nights

I'm sure this comes as no surprise, but I never was much of a party girl in college. Don't get me wrong, I had loads of fun with the best friends a girl could ask for, but I never would consider myself a rager. And I hate putting things off til the last minute, so all-nighters in the library were not an option. 


And yet, there were still nights that turned into mornings, glasses that turned into bottles, and projects that turned into the spawn of Satan took longer than expected. Whether you're forced to stay up late to finish a project, you have to wake up before the sun to catch a flight, or if you're just pulling a total Lindsay Lohan*, these are my 2 tricks for looking refreshed, even when you're running on empty.

1. Water. Whenever I know I'm not going to get my optimal 8 hours of beauty sleep, I drink a minimum of 16.9 oz** of water before hitting the hay. It flushes of the toxins and keeps skin looking healthy, from the inside out. 

2. Moisturizer. I always wash my face before bed, and on particularly late nights I slather on as much lotion as my skin can absorb, and then a little more. It counteracts the gray, dull look skin gets when sleep deprived. I prefer this option from Walmart, because it's not greasy and it's super affordable, so I don't feel indulgent/wasteful when I use a dollop the size of a silver dollar. 


*Totally kiddinggg. You know I would never advocate reckless over-consumption, rightt?


**16.9 because that's how many ounces are in an Aquafina, which I always kept on hand for emergencies, during my my crazy college days [sike.]

Apple Pie Oatmeal

I woke up this morning and the air was crisp and fresh, the sky clear and beautiful. The perfect fall day, a day perfect for something hearty and sweet. My parents used to say that oatmeal "sticks to your ribs," thus keeping you from getting hungry before lunch. To this day, I still greatly enjoy the thought of that. 

Don't get me wrong, those little packets of instant oatmeal can be convenient, but after making this apple pie oatmeal from scratch yesterday, I don't think there's any going back. (And, added bonus, the homemade version doesn't contain nearly as much sugar! Unless, of course, you dump brown sugar on top... guilty.)

 [I peeled my apple, but that's optional]

[I loaded mine up with toasted pecans, brown sugar, and milk]

To make, just prepare stove-top oatmeal, as per packaging instructions but when you add the oats to the boiling water, also add the chopped apple*, cinnamon, nutmeg, and any other spices your heart so desires. Ready in less than 5 minutes.  

*I used 1 medium-sized granny smith apple for one serving of oatmeal, but I snacked on a few slices while I was waiting for the water to boil. 

pumped-up kicks

I've been running in Asics since I was in high school. I got my first pair at the finish line of the Boston Marathon (I didn't actually run the grueling 26.2 miles, but there is a running retailer located where the race ends) and I've been a loyal fan ever since. Last week I traded in my pair of Gel Nimbus 11s for a pumped-up pair of the Limited Edition Gel Nimbus 13s. So far, I love them. I literally feel like I am running on clouds. And although I try to reserve them for aerobic activity, I just might be caught wearing them while vacuuming, doing laundry, watching tv...

[When the associate showed me these fresh kicks I was a little skeptical. I told him you have to run fast if you wear shoes like that. But with the help of this song pumping through my headphones, lately I've been doing just that.]

p.s. here's a (brief) recap of the last time I bought running shoes!

madame blueberry

It wasn't supposed to be like this. I blogged about breakfast yesterday, so today's post was supposed to be about something fun, like fashion. Or something pertinent, like the Casey Anthony trial. Or something funny (meaning borderline creepy) like all the things I've learned about Ina in the past 48 hours by reading her cookbooks from cover to cover (did you know she lived in NC?! Or that she and Jeffrey spent 4 months traveling France and living in a tent?!) 


Instead, I woke up and the most succulent, beautiful blueberries were calling my name. So, I did what any sensible girl would do. I made muffins with my favorite 12 year old sous chef. 

Blueberry Muffins:

(adapted from Poet in the Panty)

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) Smart Balance 50/50 Butter Blend (softened)

1/2 cup Splenda Sugar Blend

2 eggs (or 1/2 cup egg beaters)

1/2 cup skim milk

2 cups fresh blueberries (mine came from Burgaw, NC...  local and delicious)

Preheat oven to 375. Mix dry ingredients. Set aside. Using a mixer, cream "butter" and "sugar." Add eggs one at a time and then vanilla. With mixer on low, gradually incorporate flour mixture. Add milk until just incorporated. Remove from mixer and fold in blueberries. 

Bake in greased muffin pan for 30 minutes. I prefer smaller muffins (more crunch per bite), so I was able to yield 16. Using Splenda, Smart Balance, and skim milk makes me not feel quite so bad for eating 4 in one sitting. A happy tummy and a clean conscience? Sign this girl up. 

Skinny Cow

The combination of the recent sunshiney, warm weather and my terribly achey throat left me craving these little puppies...

Well, let's be real, I have been craving anything that will soothe this sore pharynx (or is it larynx?) Anyway, these Skinny Cow Truffle Bars are perfection. And ringing in right at 100 calories a piece, I don't feel too bad for eating three of them in one sitting (because we all know I have no restraint when it comes to ice cream.) Now don't get me wrong, I wouldn't compare these things to a salad (I might be sick, but I'm not delusional) but they do make a lovely-little-moderately-healthy snack or dessert. 

And yes, mom, I am going to the doctor tomorrow morning.

Turkey Trot

Well kittens, how will you spend your Thanksgiving morning? Sleeping in? Watching the parade? Perhaps getting an early start on cooking? 

Not me. 

At 8:30 tomorrow morning I'll be participating in the Ridgewood Turkey Trot. 8 excruciating kilometers of pure terror. 

That's what happens when your parents are freaking fitness Barbie and Ken. So while the rest of America enjoys a leisurely morning being thankful, the entire Johns family will be running our turkeys off. 

It is not going to be pretty folks. Basically I'm going to die (not in the Rachel Zoe sense of the word). Typically this is the sort of thing you train for, and to say I'm unprepared would be an understatement. First of all, the only time I ran while I was in Tanzania was to the choo after eating those blasted raw cucumbers ( I knew that was a bad idea...) Since getting back, I have hit the gym twice, and both times the gym hit me. Like a freight train. Second of all, I would like to state that I am not completely opposed to the idea of physical activity on Thanksgiving. A friendly game of flag football would be feasible (as long as I'm not expected to actually catch the ball...) But running an 8k?! Seriously?

At least one thing is for darn sure, I'll be thankful to see that finish line. That is if I survive. 

** Update to follow. If you don't see anything on here after a few days check the obituaries. 

Listening to...

"So when you run, make sure when you run, to something and not away from..." -The Avett Brothers

I got new running shoes. It was about time. My knees started bothering me a few weeks ago, and that is usually a good sign that it is time to replace. So, I'm very excited for my run this morning.

In honor of my new shoes, I figured I would share this fabulous song by the Avett Brothers (because I mean hey, it talks about running, right?) Or maybe I just have been loving this song lately.



Sidenote: Getting excited to see them live in concert next week with John Mayer! 

workin on my fitness...

Exercise is 99% mental. Eh... make that 99.9% mental. It is amazing what your body can do if you don't let it quit. 


Does that mean the only thing separating ME from THEM is a little willpower? 

No way, Jose.

But goodness, isn't it funny to compare the first picture with the other three? Times have chaged, sweethearts.  

Off to spinning class! (my new obsession)