A Little Bit of Summer

While summer is technically here, I have only really seen a few days of it in California. It was rainy and barely broke 60 degrees yesterday. I am seriously considering asking for my sunshine tax money back.


Despite the crap-poo weather, it still hasn't stopped me from enjoying these popsicles from the Mecca- Trader Joe's. The raspberry, lemon and strawberry flavors are so real and fruity it's almost like eating the fruit, or maybe having a tropical drink. They have even distracted me from my love of fro yo and that is a big deal.

While I wait for summer I'm just going to pretend with these evening treats.

Popsicles, ice cream or frozen yogurt?

Not Much of An Excuse

I am not a fan of checking blog pages and not seeing an update, yet here I am being a complete flake on my own blog.  I don't have much of an excuse, but we (husband mostly) have been doing lots of research on new kitchen stuff, working like crazy, and just got back from a vacation.  I'm back for good and I'm going to generate content- hopefully something that keeps inspiring me to keep a good balance and enough to keep you coming back.

So about that vacation- it was awesome!  I feel a little hungover (not in the literal sense anymore) but it's so hard to get back after being in paradise.  We went to Mexico City and the Mayan Riviera for a little over a week and here is my iPhone photo dump mostly from our time at the resort.  More family, sights, and food picture to come!

Beach

Volleyball games

Sun

Drinks and Meals

Time with the hubs

Hope you are all having a good Tuesday! See you back soon with more regular posting :)

Like It

I just spent the last few minutes 'liking' pages on facebook.  Likes of note include:
~Dirty Dancing
~UFC
~Target
~Modern Family
~'Working Out'
~Dancing With the Stars

I have eclectic tastes people.  Seriously- is there etiquette to how many items you 'like'?  What if you only kinda like them?  I like sleep, but that's obvious, and not really something I need to tell my network about.  Do people judge facebook likes?  Ah the things I ponder.

There are a few things that I like this week and I'm not ashamed to admit them.

Cherries!  It's cherry season somewhere in California and they are gooood!

Heaping plates of fruits and veggies swimming in hummus.

Eating the same breakfast for probably a whole month in a row.  My waffle is the bomb.

iPhone apps- I'm all over them now.  My new favorite is mynetdiary.com.  I'm using it to track nutrients, water intake and other moderately OCD numbers.  Today I found out that my ratios are
34%fat /49%carbs /17%protein.  Definitely something to work on and so easy to track since my phone goes everywhere with me.  People get all hot and bothered over counting calories but I think it's always good to do a pulse check so I'm going to try it for a while.

The upcoming long weekend.  Oh long weekend- I'm swooning just thinking about it.  I hope my wolf pack will take me to see Hangover 2.

Happy Thursday kids!

Our First Race

Thanks for all of your feedback on orthotics (um over a week ago, BAD blogger).  I'm happy to hear that none of you really have much personal experience with them.  Believe me- that's a good thing. It also means you aren't 80 years old or anything so give yourself a high five!

I ended up going to my favorite running store and got fitted with new shoes and insoles.  I figured $40 for insoles was a good test run before I go with the $750 version and I am feeling tons better.  So good that I participated in my first organized walk last weekend and wanted to tell you guys about it.

First we fueled up with waffles.  The best waffle topping is vanilla Greek yogurt, almond butter, and banana slices. Seriously.

After carb loading, we were off to our local downtown shopping area for an event called "Animals on Broadway".  The event was sponsored by ARF. I should probably start by saying that you can skip this post if you have no interest in dogs and such, but who doesn't like puppies?  Also, the only food in this post are my waffles but now that you read this far, here are the cute pictures:

Getting ready for the big walk

Race gear on and ready to go:

Checking out the adorable competition:

Walk time- keeping a good pace:

We did it! A mile only takes so long to walk!

I have had more laughs, snorts, and smiles in the last few months we adopted little guy and I am now totally a dog person and go to dog events.  I admit it and it's fabulous.
. 
I've got lots planned this weekend since it will be in the 70s and perfect.  I hope you guys enjoy yours!

I leave you with the cutest picture.  Puppies and babies =)

My Version of Manolos

I loved hearing all about your numbers after my random post.  I'm still catching up on commenting on your blogs so please hang in there.  I really hate it when people don't respond so I'm doing my best to visit all of you.

After work on Monday I paid another visit to my geriatric doctor and my foot is not as great as I thought it was.  It also ended in being pitched $750 custom orthotics.  Um...don't Manolos and Jimmy Choos cost around that much??  I'm doing some research to see if I really need these things or if I can hobble around for a bit longer.  I work in the pharma industry and I know a sales pitch when I see one but I'm still confused.  I think I may have been suckered into the idea though.  Being an adult is fun, right?  Anyhoo, puppy and I took a walk in the open space once I finished working from home a bit more.

Moving on...I've been eating stuff like salads and veggies.  I know it's not a big deal since the other 3,000 blogs you read have pages and pages of veggies but I have found myself in a slump and I'm finally coming out of it.  Along with not posting regularly I allowed myself to get a bit lazy and only ate carrots and snap peas for my veggie intake for what felt like weeks. Boooooring!

Monday's salad:

Wednesday's packed lunch:

The thing on the right is a puff pastry filled with cheese.  My mom made it and we got to take home leftovers.  It's beyond amazing and I get to eat it after I scarf down all my veggies. I love balance.

Also helping me balance things out this week is getting to sleep on time so I can get to work earlier and get shiz done.  I've received a bit of a promotion and my workload is out of control lately so getting in before the email gets scary has helped me get some focused time in.  I pack my lunch, make breakfast, and pick my clothes the night before when I leave early so that I don't wake the whole house and actually make my train. 

Tonight's breakfast prep included waffles. I love my waffle maker so very much.  I'm still working on getting the shape right ;)

Well kids, I'm off to shower after the gym and get to bed.

Do you have any experience with orthotics (fancy, I know).  Would you get them if they would help you walk/run pain-free?

Walk is the New Run

I feel like an old person, but the months, weeks, and days have been flying by!  How is it May already?  I can't figure it out but I am loving the 80 and 90 degree days that have been adding sunshine to my days and evenings.

Since I'm a little light on pictures- I've got some random things for you.  Some are from this weekend and others are from the last two weeks.  Gotta get out of my blogging slump somehow!

Number of miles covered this weekend: 12
Have you tried MapMyRun?  I have the iPhone app and I am obsessed with taking it on my daily walks and hikes with the doggie.  I get to see how much distance I cover, the different elevations and wind resistance makes it a workout, and most importantly I'm not on a treadmill surrounded by stinky people or meatheads.  Walking is for everyone- not just old ladies like me.  I know Melissa is into walking too and I just love it now that my foot seems to be feeling better.

Number of yoga classes attended this weekend: 2
I'm still all over it.  I love the candle flow and vinyasa style classes and I also love the slower classes that force me to hold my pose and get it right.  Sometimes I feel like one of those people who thinks she is a good dancer until someone tells her the truth.  That's how yoga is- I think I'm doing a pose correctly until I get completely re-aligned and then it all makes sense.

Number of meals cooked this weekend: 0
With the exception of breakfast we didn't eat at home at all this weekend.  I also find frozen yogurt a perfectly acceptable lunch.  Ice cream is appropriate for dinner because it's a heavier meal.


Number of calories in this Starbucks treat (salted caramel): 180
Totally worth it.  But it's so sweet I almost couldn't eat it. Almost.

Number of glasses of wine I enjoyed of this delicious shiraz for a friend's birthday last weekend: 1 full glass (a lot = tipsy me):

Number of stinky pups we have to bathe before I can pass out and go to sleep: 1

Any number facts for me?

Snapshots

I keep going back and forth in my mind on whether this is a food blog, a lifecasting blog, or somewhere in the middle.  When I walk around I think of posts in my head and snap random pictures but haven't been doing a whole lot of posting lately.  I cook exciting stuff sometimes and I exercise most days of the week because that's just what I do.

I work in the city and we live in the 'burbs but the stress of daily work life often gets to me despite all the yoga and facade of zen that I put on.  Getting away really helps me press "reset" and really appreciate how much I love life.  This weekend we drove up the coast of California to Mendocino, a small rural town that has yet to see the glimmer and lights of San Francisco, mostly by choice. 

Earlier in the week I was freaking out about yet another injury- this time it was my left foot.  Walking was very painful but after visiting my podiatrist (oh em gee- yes I'm 27 and have a regular podiatrist), getting a foot adjustment and learning how to tape my foot, my fam and I were off. 

There was surfing for some of us and walking around the beach for others.

 Tulips and beautiful flowers everywhere.

 7.14 mile hikes along the river.  Map my run and my OCD side love each other.

  Walking on rocks for those of us with better balance (i.e. not me).

 Light houses.  Light houses are my favorite- they must have such stories.

Breathing in the fresh air and scenery.

Long car rides filled with sleeping, talking, and iPod singing.  Also, somebody was a little tired from getting into his first brawl this weekend and visiting the vet for antibiotics.

I slept better this weekend than I have in the last few months. I'm sporting a bit of a sunburn which will turn into more freckles.  Today's 7 mile walk was probably not smart for my foot but I feel completely at peace.  Completely worth it.