#18!

I've decided...

18. learn to drive a manual car

pro-protein

The veggie days continue...

Thanks to The Omnivores Dilemma, and others I've been learning a lot of about the American culture of eating, how we get food, buy it, cook it, and eat it. Became a little neurotic after reading a runner's world article about how active adults need more protein than they think. The USDA recommends .36 grams/pound of body weight per day (ie a 120lb adult needs 43 grams per day). Although, an athlete, such as a runner needs about .45-.72 per pound per day, (ie the same adult would need 54-86 grams per day). As a vegetarian it seems to get a little tricky to get this proper amount for muscle recovery after workouts, energy, etc. All in all I've had to be pretty conscious about exactly what I am eating, more specifically protein and iron content.

Also signing up this week for the mud run on June 19th in NY. Hoping to have a team of 4+, if anyone is still interested let me know! You don't have to be a runner, its 3 miles some fun obstacles, we'll run it at whatever pace, dress up in costume!

http://www.runamuckfestival.com/NY.html

Picture this: Quinoa+ roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella, olives, tomatoes, onions, fresh basil, greek-style dill dressing

Feelin' Fresh

A little veggie update...

Absolutely loving it so far. I am more interested in cooking, and enjoy the process of taking more time and trying to cook new things. I have definitely been eating healthier than I ever have before. Noticed by an ' innocent bystander ' :) is that I am more relaxed, I think this is more about my own psychosis of feeling better when I run/and eat better than anything- but all in all two thumbs up for the veggies!!

Pass [on] the Meat Please

Today I start #6: be a vegetarian for 36 days. The fridge is stocked of tofu and veggies and I am ready. The plan is no meat or seafood (really anything the has to come from a dead animal), for 36 days. My goal for this is to just really think more about where my food comes from. I am hoping that giving up meat will force me to examine and be more conscious of what I am eating, ie the chemicals and processed crap. I am (planning) on eating more fruits and veggies, more whole grains and simple foods.

It is probably just because I have been keeping my eyes open to this lately, but it seems recently this idea of eating 'slow food,' has been popping up more and more. First I saw a few episodes of 'Jamie Oliver's food revolution,' and while I stay away from fast, fried food in general, and am not morbidly obese, this show really got me thinking about the foods that I eat, the artificial sweeteners, preservatives in a lot of packaged food I eat, and in general the 'substitutes' I opt for in order to consume fewer calories. And thus, I am hoping to fill the next 36 days with more natural foods, buying the INGREDIENTS instead of the meal. Opting to make my food whenever possible, skip out on the once a day sweet-n-low in my coffee, etc.

Also, I was reading about a woman named Alice Waters after seeing her on the Bill Maher show. She is part of the 'slow food movement,' which is an effort to preserve local foods and encourage people to eat locally grown fresh foods. She talked a lot on the program about how it really can be beneficial health wise, eco-friendly, and economical to eat this way!

In looking at these fresher foods, I have noticed in addition the enormous difference in the amount of packaging to contain them. Fresh ingredients are many times package-less while buying a frozen/canned meals in heavily packaged. By passing on the meat, I hope to not only increase my health but reduce my environment impact.

Tonight is my first legitimate meal I'll be cooking (and vegetarian of course): #2, skipping out on the whole cooking for others with this one, gotta test this thing out first!

PS. #18- beat B at chess?

Picture this: Greek Spaghetti Squash + Arugula Salad

Let the Training Begin

Ready. Set. Go.

More Plans

Suggestion for 18: conquer your biggest fear. Do I have a biggest fear? There are many I can think of but I dont know if any are so called 'conquerable.' But this has me thinking about what that kind of task would entail, it may even be learning more and conquering a fear by educating myself about it, cause aren't all fears manifestations of the unknown in a way...

Number 6, vegetarianism is set to begin once my chicago visitors have come and gone, ie set to start April 12 (and continue until May 18). Most notably this means giving up lox and bagels on mothers day, oy! Time to thaw the hamburger meat in my fridge before then! Very interested in how training for the 13.1 and not eating meat will work out, in terms of energy. Much research to come on maintaining iron and protein without meat.

Also, was checking out the 'muddy buddy'- july 25, in New York... Who wants to be my muddy buddy? :)

here's the video- how fun does that look??

Finally a week throwback...

Picture this: Shamar Allen at Tulane, with free BBQ