The Opposite of Loneliness
Marina Keegan was a 22-year-old activist/writer who was killed in a car accident after her graduation from Yale. I am horrified to have to type the words “22-year-old” and “killed” in the same sentence and my heart goes out to her family.
She was on my mind a lot today because I had a happy day and it was inspired by her piece, “The Opposite of Loneliness.”
We don’t have a word for the opposite of loneliness, but if we did, I could say that’s what I want in life.
More than finding the right job or city or spouse – I’m scared of losing this web we’re in. This elusive, indefinable, opposite of loneliness. This feeling I feel right now.
I’ve never read a better descriptor of happiness: the opposite of loneliness.
I felt so grateful for the long list of people and experiences that make up my “opposite of loneliness” today.
{Source}
My legs felt so dead yesterday and today with falling temperatures, they felt much better.
I ran 3.1 miles in 29:14 today and although there is a part of me that wishes I were throwing out 5 and 10 milers like Speedy Gonzalez but heck, when I can’t run right, I’ll run left. :D
I decided to taste-test a new shot - the GU Jet Blackberry - because it seems that GU gels are at more races than Cliff shots.
It tastes like cough syrup and has a very thin consistency so it went down a bit easier than Cliff. No one needs a gel for a three mile run but I find that testing new gels during longer runs is just asking for trouble. :D
My day started with a yummy strawberry-basil smoothie and toast points with almond butter.
I made another round of homemade iced coffee - anytime I make my own iced coffee I want to weild it like a trophy.
Look at me: I’m being frugal and I’m saving the environment by not using a disposable cup - like a motherf*cking adult!
After my workout, my wisdom tooth extraction site started bleeding.
I called my oral surgeon and they said to place a moistened tea bag at the site because the tannins in tea can stop bleeding (the more you know!)
Luckily, it’s not a dry socket because that pain is hellacious. Lunch ended up being soft and quick - a Fage yogurt with a sprinkle of brown sugar blend.
Dinner was a tapas style take-out meal from Sultan’s Market - my favorite little Mediterranean joint: Lebanese spinach pie - different from Greek Spanikopita because it is always made vegan!
A cup of yellow lentil soup with one of my favorite hot sauce bottles from our New Orleans trip stirred in - Bayou Passion, Louisiana Pepper Sauce.
Alligators and crocodiles are awesome. :D
And since I was missing my greens, I also enjoyed a small tabouli salad - finely diced parsley with tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and cracked wheat dressed in lemon juice and olive oil.
Off to do some hatha yoga then turn in early! Hope you had a great day.
Summer Strawberry and Basil Smoothie
Farmer’s markets are rolling in ripe, juicy strawberries and my basil plants suddenly blossomed overnight and I decided to make this classic combination into a delicious smoothie.
A cup of almond milk (Unsweetened is my preference)
A cup of water
Several handfuls of fresh basil
2 tsp. of honey or sweetener of choice
*Blend the above ingredients first.
Add two cups (or more!) of fresh, ripe strawberries and ice cubes blend to desired consistency.
Refreshing and Summer Sweet!
Did you have a summery breakfast this morning?
I enjoyed my smoothie with a slice of Ezekiel sesame toast points and my favorite new almond butter.
My mom gave us a new china set and the best part about these bowls and plates are the different butterflies in the center of each.
I love butterflies because of their association with change and transitions: can you imagine changing so much that at the end you are someone completely different or even unrecognizable from what you started as?
So beautiful and cool!
Everyday I’m Tapering
We are still a month away from the Farmer’s Markets opening and I’m getting impatient. We go through a few of these boxes everyday so I’m counting down the days.
My lunch this afternoon was something new - Nancy’s Cottage Cheese with fresh blueberries!
One of the best foods we ate on our trip to Russia last year, was tvarog - it has the texture of Greek yogurt (even thicker than Fage) with the bite of fresh cottage cheese.
I still can’t find cottage cheese as good in the States - everything is so salty and the consistency is off!
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{It might look like I’m resting, but this is what I call active sleeping.}
Today’s Workouts
Tapering before a marathon is always stressful for me - I need to run enough to maintain fitness but not do too much so that my legs are actually fresh come the Fargo Marathon. :D
On Monday, I went to a 60 minute C2 hot yoga class.
On Tuesday, I went to a 60 minute C2 hot yoga class and ran 3.5 miles in 35 minutes.
On Wednesday, I completed a 60 minute Hot Power Fusion Yoga class.
And today, I ran 5 miles in 49:19 and completed Rodney Yee’s Yoga for Strength routine - about 40 minutes in total!
I’m using my compression gear a lot more and trying to make sure I use the foam roller like it’s a job. Only one more week till the marathon!
I’m also cutting back on the C2 yoga classes moving forward and am running the miles a bit slower - I have to keep reminding myself I’ve done as much as I can and my body needs to rest to absorb the training.
Off to go take a hot bubble bath! Hope everyone is having a relaxing night! )
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Not quite…bring on the blistering heat of summer please!
Breakfast started with half an Ezekiel English muffin with raspberry preserves. English muffins seem overrated but the ones by Ezekiel have a very nice and nutty texture.
I paired my muffin with a Chobani blueberry Greek yogurt and a cup of coffee.
My morning snack tableau looks to be Nigel’s very first Twilight cover.
Somehow the choice isn’t as dramatic when it’s between a vampire and an English Bulldog since that’s not really a choice - BULLDOGS 4EVA! :)
I also ate a tablespoon of raw honey for a sore throat - can’t get sick now!
Lunch was a veggie sub from Potbelly’s, a cute little sandwich chain that started in Chicago.
Stuffed with mushrooms, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers, oregano, and mustard - they dig out the bread for you and you can always ask for a freshly made one! :)
Nothing ever tastes as good as homemade to me so I hate when I’m out of groceries.
Dinner was endless bowls of veggie soup and hot chocolate - seriously, I can put away a lot of soup! :)
Today’s Workout is going to happen in twenty minutes - a C2 hot yoga class.
Hope everyone had a brilliant start to their week. :)
I Make My Own Sunshine
My breakfast smoothie was perfect for a hot day! Make your own frozen blueberries and strawberries, Fage Greek yogurt, and almond milk.
Along with my smoothie, I give you this adorable song which will be stuck in your head for the rest of the day.
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Bear Wants More
I decided to switch things up this morning with some cold oats - unsweetened almond milk with oatmeal soaked for about fifteen minutes.
A teaspoon of brown sugar blend and I was in cold and creamy heaven.
Just like darling Bear, I wanted more! So I also had a sidecar of blackberries. :)
I met John downtown for lunch and to get our passport photos taken for our Africa trip!
I enjoyed the fire-roasted veggie sammie on their whole grain bread (giving a few bites to John)…but this bear wanted More! :D
…and this “Bombay Salad” with my little baggie of baby carrots strewn on top. The salad has mixed greens, red peppers, tomatoes, cukes, and red onions and a non-fat balsamic dressing on the side.
I can’t not have a salad for lunch - it just feels wrong.
Dinner was late but fun - I roasted some tofu and got a little too generous with the turmeric! :)
Roasted snap peas with Himalayan sea salt…
And fresh soy-sauce glazed green beans!
John came home late and we sat at the dining table and caught up with our day - we definitely don’t use our table as much as we should and it was nice setting up our serving plates.
John found these hidden in the back of the fridge -a forgotten flat of blueberries from this weekend’s grocery trip!
And you know what happens when John and I see berries!
{Source}
Cuties!
Started the day with two of these cuties - so sweet and small.
And the usual dippy egg with tons of black pepper!
I decided to work out through lunch (my run) and powered with dates and coffee - don’t they look like giant raisins?
I ended up meeting this cutie for dinner because John’s been working late and will be doing so for the next few weeks.
My favorite Mediterranean salad with roasted veggies and a scoopful of cous-cous and hummus! The server was nice enough to give me extra veggies. :D
Since I’m still a bit peckish, I’m going to go attack some strawberries - my post-yoga blackberries were beautiful and they are making me crave more berries!
Hope everyone had a lovely Tuesday!
Your Breath is Your Guide and Compass
Workout of the Day: C2 Hot Yoga, where I got a little deeper into compass pose. My extended eg is a bit straighter and my head is closer to my shin!
I haven’t been posting my food as much because I’ve been eating the same things - dippy eggs, salads, tofu and roasted veggies for dinner (and many cups of coffee!). :)
I made these perfect green beans for last night’s dinner by adding a tablespoon of water and low-sodium soy sauce to a skillet, letting them “steam,” and then tossed them with roasted red onion and garlic slivers.
They were hot, had a great raw crunch, and we have flavorful leftovers for dinner tonight!
I get into food routines easily so I wanted to try for some variety today.
I walked on the wild side with a peanut butter and raspberry preserves sammie on toast for a mid-day snack since I only had a yogurt for lunch. :)
Dinner was toast and two dippy eggs with a ton of cayenne pepper and some extra wilted spinach on the side!
Chilly Day, Warm Tummy
{Plate One, Roasted baby portabellas with red onion, sea salt, and cayenne pepper; Plate Two, Baby spinach leaves, Campari tomatoes, miniature bell-peppers, two tablespoons of olive muffaletta from That Pickle Guy, no dressing.}
Workout of the Day: Hot Power Fusion Yoga class, 60 minutes.
