It's about time

It [finally] happend. I got a Garmin. Well my parents bought me one for Christmas. Probably because they know the "runner" I am times herself by her ipod clock and mapmyrun.com.

Today in the District it was a sunny 55F (sorry to you New Englanders) so I got my butt out of the gym and hit the pavement. I ran a [hilly!] 4 mile stretch within the popular Exercise Paracourse of Rock Creek Park.

I learned a few things about my running style as I glanced at my pace along the way. 

Flat ground pace: 7:54min/mile

Small/med hill pace: 8:10

Very steep hills: 8:31

Downhill: 8:22

I was very surprised by the downhill. In the past I've suffered from iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) and a major way to reduce chance of a flair-up is slowing your pace going downhill. It's also very good for preventing future knee issues. So ya, go me. haha.

* * *

Today I had the day off and typically would spend the day cooking up a storm. Buuuut, I wasn't really in the mood. My meals were still pretty darn delicious, but I wanted to spend my time reading, running, or yoga-ing. Twas delightful.

Breakfast was a supa big bowl of spiced oats

(Cooked microwave style, still as delicious)

In the mix:

1/3 cup oats, 1 t chia seeds (soaked in 3/4 cup almond milk overnight)

1/4 cup egg whites

1/2 mashed banana

1/4 t vanilla extract (all natural version)

pinch cinnamon, nutmeg

stevia (1 serving)

teeny sprinkle sea salt (brings out sweetness)

1/2 scoop vanilla SunWarrior protein powder (added after cooking)

drizzle organic maple syrup

I snacked on a Raspberry Chocolate protein cupcake (also a la microwave)

Cake mix:

1 scoop chocolate SunWarrior protein powder

1/4 cup raspberries

1 T egg whites

pinch baking powder

stevia (1 serving)

tiny pinch sea salt

water to moisten (more h20 = more moisttt)

Topping:

1/4 cup fat-free Greek yogurt

stevia (1 serving)

few mashed raspberries

raw cacao nibs (to garnish, optional)

Directions:

Spray coffee mug with non-stick spray

microwave for 1 min, 30 secs

Frost

* * *

Lunch was the most simple yet delicious thing I've thrown together in a loooong time. Yesterday I cooked a spaghetti squash (boiled for 20 mins then scraped with fork), not really knowing what I'd do with it. And then it hit me...

Combine these simple ingredients...

Ingredients:

1.5 cups cooked spaghetti squash

pasta sauce

3T nutritional yeast (adds cheesy flavor and sooo good for you)

1 wedge light Laughing Cow Cheese

And you get the most ooey-gooey [healthified] Cheesy Pasta. Make.this.immediately.

* * *

Dinner was a childhood classic...

Egg salad topped over a whole grain bagel thin

4 boiled eggs (only used 2 yolks)

organic low-fat mayo

sea salt

paprika

* * *

While I digested dinner I parked my bottom on the couch, read for an hour, sipped a current favorite...

Water + splash pomegranate juice

....then headed to a glorious class of Bikram yoga. 20 mins into the class the power went out so we practiced by candlelight for 30 mins and it was amazing.

* * * 

Few questions..

Ever throw simple foods together and they came out shockingly fantastic?

Have you tried Bikram yoga (super hot yoga)? What'd ya think? I'm kinda obsessed.

What was your childhood favorite meal or snack?