The Perfect Friday

 

Every now and then you have one of those days that are so wonderful, you just can’t stop pinching yourself. Yesterday was definitely one of them!

Earlier in the week I had decided that after weeks of long hours, I was in need of a Friday half day. This would give me the chance to enjoy a special event with some other bloggers (more to come later), finish my long run for the week, and enjoy some pampering at Bliss.

Theodora nor I knew what to eat for lunch that would be filling, gentle on our stomachs, while fueling us for our run a few hours later. I’m so accustomed to early morning runs that are fueled with peanut butter and banana. It is hard to find this option in Pax , Pret, or Toasties and I only had 5 minutes to grab lunch.

I settled on a ham Pressata from Pax minus the cheese. When I returned to my desk I realized that the sandwich wasn’t ham and tomato alone as I’d requested. Instead, there was a small piece of cheese that added some delicious melted goodness.

IMG_0729 Within an hour I regretted this decision. Even though the caloric information said it was only 515 calories, including the cheese, it was far richer than my stomach is accustomed to digesting. Luckily, by the time I arrived at Theodora’s apartment, 3 hours later, I was feeling better.

We hung out watching The Ellen DeGeneres show while catching up. It would have been easy to forget about our long run and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing. But, luckily, after this tweet we decided to continue catching up on foot during our run.

imageGetting out of the house was the best decision ever! We didn’t put any pressure on ourselves, instead promising that we’d run until we wanted to turn around even if it was only 3 miles.

Our only stop during the run was at our turn around point, approx 4 miles up the Hudson River.

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By the end of our run we had logged 9 miles at a decent pace while also finding redemption in a good run after a few less than stellar runs this week and last.

Our fun wasn’t done though! After the fastest stretching session ever, we hustled back to midtown for an evening of pampering and dinner with Bo. We redeemed our birthday gift cards at Bliss 49 while enjoying a manicure and pedicure. IMG_0750

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The spa lived up to it’s name but by the end Theodora and I were quickly becoming Hangry Pants.

Bo rescued us and quickly persuaded us to enjoy Dos Caminos for dinner. Actually, this didn’t take much persuaded especially since it was only a few blocks away.

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I enjoyed the ceviche trio for dinner which was the perfect size after enjoying a few chips and guacamole.

Can every Friday please be like yesterday?

Question: What is your favorite entree at a Mexican restaurant?

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Reinventing the Basics

Today was all about reinventing the basics! This morning I switched up my normal oatmeal routine for a new breakfast sandwich bursting with protein and fiber. Now it was time to do the same at lunch!

My daily salad lunches are always filling, nutritious, and filled with volume but they can sometimes get boring and repetitive. Today, I decided to switch my Pax salad up a bit with some delicious additions and swaps!

Blog Pictures 2010 437Yes, I unfortunately eat lunch at my desk everyday either pounding through work or pushing through a meeting. Also, notice that awesome black and red North Face bottle in the background. This may be my favorite piece of swag we received during the North Face Endurance Challenge this weekend. It’s UGA colors and reminds me of all the fun we had!

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This delicious mix included the following:

mixed greens, carrots, red onions, chicken, spinach, celery, 1/2 serving of olives, tomatoes, 1/2 serving of feta, and fat free lemon herb dressing

It was filled with bold flavors spread throughout and left my mouth satiated and smiling!

After a long day at work, I enjoyed a massage that went back to the basics. The beautiful Katherine dug deep at my knots and the tightness that many runners deal with day in day out. Before tonight I had only frequented spa settings for massages. But, when Katherine offered a practice session which would benefit both of us I was more than game. Well, an hour later, I felt better than I’ve ever felt after leaving a massage. She used deep pressure when needed on my quads and IT band area but then balanced it with smooth massage techniques in between. Thank you Katherine for my basic but divine massage. I have realized that I don’t need the scented lotions and oils of a spa in order to feel relief!

I didn’t get home until 9:30 and therefore was absolutely Hangry Pants when I walked through the door. Bo was just finishing his run so he felt the same. This meant it was time for a quick and resourceful meal since our fridge is pretty barren. We’ve been trying to eat down our produce and perishable products since we’ll be in Maine this weekend with my parents.

Freezer to the rescue! Bo discovered some delicious chicken cacciatore in the depths of the freezer. While defrosted it I made a makeshift salad from the leftovers in our produce bin. It consisted of celery, tomatoes, carrots, and a balsamic drizzle. This, when combined with the tomato flavors from the chicken, was absolute heaven! It took us less than 10 minutes and used ingredients we already had on hand!

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Simple yet delicious! We need to remember to do this more often. Now I’m off to finish watching the Glee season finale! I wish Glee could be on year round!

Check back tomorrow for an awesome beauty giveaway that will keep your skin fresh all summer long!

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Back to Basics: Lunch and Dinner

Similar to my breakfast this morning, when I’m trying to get back to basic, healthy eating I keep my meals simple and routine. I find that the first few days back on track are easier if my meals are planned in advance and have little variation. In fact, I’ve often read in many health and wellness magazines that the less thought one has to give to their daily meals and snacks the more likely they are to stick to the routine!

Today’s lunch was basic but delicious. I enjoyed a salad from Pax, keeping in mind that salad toppings can easily add up. 

For example, if you love the crunch nuts provide, keep in mind that one tablespoon can equal over 100 calories. Use carrots and celery for added crunch instead. If you MUST have nuts on your salad, be sure to enjoy almonds or cashews with our lower in calories.

Dried fruit can also add up very quickly. I’ve noticed myself enjoying tangy craisins or chewy raisins on my salads more and more these days. However, a small serving can equal at least 100 calories. A healthier alternative would be fresh apples and grapes which add more fiber and bulk since they aren’t concentrated.

While grilled vegetables include vegetables in their name, they are often drenched in oil. Therefore, it’s often safer to stick with raw vegetables versus grilled or roasted vegetables at the salad bar.

Therefore I stuck with egg whites for protein and lots of healthy vegetables.

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Thanks to Meghann’s freezing tips, tonight’s dinner was simple and easy as well. I enjoyed a hearty portion of thawed mushroom chicken chili and a side salad. It was absolutely delicious and the perfect post workout dinner.

Hope you have a great Wednesday! I’m going to enjoy a run with Rachel tomorrow in honor of National Running Day!

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