Plan May 5-11

This week begins tapering week (cutting back the mileage), and it is finals week (lots of grading). Because it is finals week, I'm only making tried and true recipes, with a new one on Saturday. Minimal prep, minimal shopping, that's what I'm going for. I do want to get back into core work this week, I've been feeling a bit puffy. Cari and I are going to be taking yoga and pilates classes this summer, which will be super fun.

This last week, I started the 28 day live better challenge with Lindsey Nixon the Happy Herbivore.  That is why many of my posts lately have been tagged #28livebetter.  It has been good thus far!  I've focused on facing fears, sleeping better, and smiling. I've also been journaling in the mornings, something I used to do a lot.

Capella won't finalize approval on my IRB until CSM does, so I am in limbo for the next month. I guess I will be working on my literature review in the meantime.

Monday
Cinco de Mayo
Crunches
Run
Breakfast sandwich
Protien shake
Sweet potato quesidilla
Fruit
Vegan nachos

Tuesday
Crunches
Bike
Swim
Breakfast sandwich
Protien shake
Free Chipotle burrito because I am a teacher
Fruit
Sonoma tofu salad

Wednesday
Crunches
Run
Breakfast sandwich
Protien shake
Sonoma tofu salad
Fruit
Monster salad

Thursday
Crunches
Bike
Swim ice cream party
Pilates
Breakfast sandwich
Protien shake
Monster salad
Choir cabaret hors d'oeuvre

Friday
Crunches
Breakfast sandwich
Run
Protien shake
Leftovers
Veganized mac and cheese and bacon and brussels sprouts

Saturday
Crunches
Walk
Farmer's market
ANS Comic con
Coffee and bagels
Juicing
Sesame crusted tahini tacos ( http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2009/04/recipe-sesame-peanut-crusted-tofu.html)

Sunday
Yoga
Green juice
Vegan lazy Sunday breakfast
Picnic

Rob and I ran the Color me Rad 5k on Saturday, and had a blast! Now I walked a good bit since I ran 12 in my long run on Friday, but it was a lot of fun.

Reading, eating, running plan April 28- May 4

My IRB has been submitted, so I'm on pins and needles waiting for their feedback. Meanwhile, I'm going to do my best to finish many books I've started recently, including Mockingbird, Sacre Bleu, Hollow City, Hells Angels, Eat vegan on $4 a day, and The Dubliners.

I'm mostly following a meal plan this week from Lindsey Nixon at Happyherbivore.com.  You can find her healthy plans at getmealplans.com. because of my training, I'll supplement her plan with vegan protien shakes.

I figure tackling one of her plans is appropriate since I've joined her Spring into Health challenge starting Monday! Check it out on her website!

This week is my last big push of training before tapering for the half marathon on May 18. I'll finish out my running week with a fun 5k. I may mostly walk it since I will have run 12 the day before. It looks like Mia's not going to run with us now, so I have an extra entry. If you want it, let me know.

Monday
Crunches
Run3
Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie
Protein shake
Asian Quinoa Salad
Cantaloupe
Portabello torta

Tuesday
Squats
Run 4
Sweet Potato Breakfast Roll-Up
Protein shake
Black Bean Hummus with crackers and veggies
Blueberries
Green bean salad and baked potato

Wednesday
Crunches
Run3
Chocolate- Banana Quinoa
Protein shake
Easy Couscous Salad
Fruit
Chipotle- Sweet Black Bean Chili

Thursday
Squats
Bike
Swim
Strawberry Smash Parfait
Protein shake
Creamy Carrot Soup with crackers and veggies
Fruit
Spicy Orange Broccoli & Noodles

Friday
Crunches
Run12
Breakfast Bruschetta
Protein shake
Cajun dip with crackers and veggies
Fruit
Lemony Macaroni Salad

Saturday
Squats
Run Color me Rad 5k
Orange Oatmeal
Protein shake
Red curry Vegetable Soup with crackers and veggies
Fruit
Sweet Potato Quesadillas

Sunday
Yoga
Cherry oatmeal
Protein shake
Smoky lentil wrap
Pineapple Teriyaki Chickpeas & Kale

Oh, btw, I'm shaving my head for St. Baldricks this afternoon. I promise I will post pictures!

What happened in my kitchen April 21-26

Here is what happened in my kitchen this past week!

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Photographic evidence 4/5-12

These pictures are not in chronological order, but that bothers no one except me!

Spring is finally springing in the SOMD!  Rob and I took the pups to Thomas Stone Historic Site.  Usually in the spring time, the daffodils are abundant.  We were a little early, but even Jack couldn't resist checking them out.

I have become quite the master at these monster salads.  This one had romaine, arugula, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, chickpeas, and guac, among other things!

Little Jack has been very snuggly this week!  I know all the dogs missed me when I was in NE! 

I got to the airport a little early.  Early enough to have a pre-flight beer!  Cheers!

My lunch on Saturday the 12th, in Eighteen76 in gates E of the STL airport.  Hummus and pita.  Okay as far as airport food goes.

Dinner back in Baltimore- Squisitos made me a whole wheat pasta tossed in olive oil with spinach, sun dried tomatoes, and pine nuts.  Also, we missed the horrible traffic on 295.

Before I left Omaha, Tim, the kids and I spent the day together- I loved the Butterfly pavilion.  Such beauties!  

Ryan is a master at spinning in circles.  Ah to be young!

Saturday morning, I took a run through the Lewis and Clark trail area.  A pedestrian bridge connected Nebraska and Iowa.  I ran in both states!

Dinner Friday night was a Benson Brewery, in Omaha.  Lots of vegan selections.

We started with the seitan hot wings.  They were flavorful, but I think they're cooked better at City o' city in Denver.

For my meal, I ordered the tofu sandwich which was delicious!

And I'll totally return for the stout, which was VEGAN.  In fact, all of the beers at Bensons Brewery are vegan!

My niece, Niki!

Friday afternoon, we ended up at Storz brewery after a lovely walk.  Corey, one of the managers, comped us two growlers!  Yaya!

Friday we took a great walk along the river in Omaha.

Friday we attended a luncheon to honor my MOM, who got a lifetime service award from the first lady of Nebraska because she is just that awesome.

They even fed me vegan food for lunch!  Portabello with beans and corn and veggies and potatoes on the side.

I had to pick the cheese off my salad, but my brother and I instituted a nice trade system.  He got all my cheese, I got all of his olives.

I was taking pictures with Mom's phone, so this is the only one I got of her on my phone.  Hopefully she'll post some soon!

My niece, Niki, and I, having fun in the sun.

Friday morning I ran around Carter Lake, and encountered a vegan soap shop!  Unfortunately, it wasn't open yet (I ran awfully early in the morning) but I'll have to go back there.

Thursday night when I arrived, my folks picked me up at the airport, and took me to Old Chicagos where I was able to get a Shiner Bock and a cheeseless veggie pizza.

On the way to the airport, stopped by Taco Bell.  They don't screw around when you ask for extra lettuce! 

I was hankering a vegan milkshake, but the Silver Diner in the airport doesn't have them.  Guess I'll have to wait for the one in Waldorf to open.

Thursday morning, I took the dogs for a nice long run- we earned our second Lost in Running medal.

Station 2- Hydra- 8k.

Wednesday/Winesday at Bart & Annie's house.  Vegan pizza!

PlanApril 21-27

Monday
Abs
Squats
Run
Breakfast sandwich
Protein shake
Salad bowl
Fruit
SV Pizzagania (vegan italian easter pie)

Tuesday
Abs
Squats
Bike
Swim
C&K Tropical green smoothie
Protein shake
Pizziagania
Fruit
DHF Vegan Pizza spirals

Wednesday
Abs
Squats
Run
Breakfast sandwich
Protein shake
Pizza spirals
Fruit
World book night: dinner out

Thursday
Abs
Squats
Bike
Swim
C&K lemon ginger parsley smoothie
Protein shake
Samosas
HE Quick protien rich salad

Friday
Abs
Squats
Run
Breakfast sandwich
Protein shake
Autism Math movie marathon
Hummus and veggies
Fruit
C&K arugula hummus and spicy bok choy

Saturday
Abs
Squats
Women and Math event
Fruit
Protein shake
Veggie wrap
Dinner TBD

Sunday
Abs
Squats
Run
Breakfast sandwich
Protein shake
Veggie wrap
C&K Spinach brownies
MB creamy vegan garlic pasta with roasted tomatoes

SV thesexyvegan.com
DHF divinehealthyfood.com
C&K cupcakesandkale.blogspot.com
MB minimalistbaker.com
HESH- healthyeatingstartshere.com

I'm testing a few recipies for Jessica at Cupcakes & Kale this week for her new cookbook! I'll be anxious to share pics with you!

Gotta ramp up my running miles this week and get back into the training mindset. Wilds half is a month away!

Princess Aurora the Scientist

I had the pleasure this weekend of spending some time with my fantastic niece, Niki.
Niki is 5 years old, and a GIRL. She loves Disney movies and Princesses, so I wasn't too surprised when she told me her baby doll's name was PRINCESS AURORA.
Ever the trouble making left-wing, feminist aunt, I said, "Oh! Princess Aurora looks like she is also a scientist!
Niki wanted to argue with me. "No, she's a PRINCESS," she said.
It took some convincing, but she finally agreed that princesses could also be good at math and science. Her dad, my brother Tim, reminded her of princesses from movies she'd seen ( but I haven't) that were very clever.
I want to start a line of educational toys that don't require the princess mindset to give up the girly girl dreams. I am not going to beat that beast, much as I'd like to eschew the pink aisle at the toy store. Maybe instead of pigeonholing our girls, we can remind them that they can be more than one thing. Like the Goldieblox slogan: "MORE than a princess."
Today, as we got into the car, she asked, " Where's princess scientist Aurora?"

WIN.

Plan April 14-20

Monday
Run
Abs
Planks
Squats
Breakfast Sandwich
Protein Shake
Hummus and veggies plus strawberries
OSG Nourish salad bowl

Tuesday
Bike
Swim
Abs
Planks
Squats
Breakfast Sandwich
Protein Shake
Nourish salad bowl
Fruit
BBQ Tempeh bowl with zucchini, broccoli and lemon dill tahini sauce

Wednesday
Run
Abs
Planks
Squats
Breakfast Sandwich
Protein Shake
BBQ tempeh broccoli bowl
Fruit
MB Creamy pasta with roasted garlic and tomatoes and broccoli

Thursday
Run
Abs
Planks
Squats
Breakfast Sandwich
Protein Shake
Creamy pasta with garlic, tomatoes, and broccoli
Fruit
HHLL Sonoma tofu and grape salad

We're going to be seeing my brother and his wife this weekend for Easter. It has become a tradition of sorts for us to get together this weekend, and I can't wait to see my fab SIL, I've missed her!

Traveling puts a bit of of a hamper to my distance training, but I was able to get a 3 mile run in each day this last weekend, visiting Omaha, NE. I'm hoping to do my 8 mile run this coming week on Thursday. The next half marathon is coming up in mid May!

Currently, I am doing a lot of research reading for my dissertation ( I have a phone call scheduled this week with my mentor so I can ask some IRB questions). I'm also reading Sacre Bleu, by Christopher Moore, which is okay.

Next week, I will be testing some recipes for Jessica at Cupcakes and Kale. Her new cookbook is in the works, and the recipes look delicious!

HHLL Happy Herbivore Light and Lean
OSG Oh She glows
MB Minimalist Baker

Plan April 7 - 13 edit

Some changes to the menu this week, dur to the fact I won't have shopping time on Monday.

Monday
Run
Abs
50 squats
Breakfast sandwich
Tofu salad pita sandwich
Protein shake

fruit

Tempeh peanut bbq sweet potato burger

Tuesday
Bike
Swim
55 squats
1min plank
Breakfast sandwich
Protein shake
Tempeh peanut bbq sweet potato burger

Fruit

Dill chickpea patties MVT

Wednesday
Run
Abs
60 squats
1min plank
Breakfast sandwich
Protein shake

Dill chickpea patties MVT

Fruit 

One pot spaghetti alla puttanesca YIV

Thursday
Bike
Swim
1min plank
Breakfast sandwich
Protein shake
Veggie Chilli
Hummus, Carrots and Pita Bread

Friday
Run
Abs
1min plank
65 squats
Protein shake
Other Meals TBA

Saturday
1min plank
70 squats
Protein shake
Other Meals TBA

Sunday
Run 6 miles
Yoga
1.5min plank
75 squats
Breakfast Sandwich
Protein shake

Quick Protein Rich Salad HESH

MVT-Mayim's Vegan Table

YIV- http://yupitsvegan.com/2014/03/12/one-pot-spaghetti-alla-puttanesca/
T- Thrive cookbook- Brendan Brazier
HESH- http://www.healthyeatingstartshere.com/recipes/quick-protein-rich-salad

Some of the meals this week are from the newest addition to my cookbook library: Mayim Balik's Mayim's Vegan Table. This lovely book was given to me by one of my math students at the college, a total surprise, and a really nice one.  The student even included a special note for me in the front of the book, which I just loved.  It's really amazing to know that you've made an impact on someone- that is the best part about teaching.

Below is a picture of the noonish breakfast I ate on Saturday- a tofu egg-less salad sandwich with avocado and some sweet potato tots.  Also included in the picture are the Lost in Running medal I earned on Friday, and the toy Rob won for me on our date Friday night.

Speaking of races, I was finally able to add my new sticker to the bumper of my car!

This is the Kung Pao Tofu I made on Monday night for dinner- Yummm.