Mixing it up

I didn't forget about all y'all. I didn't abandon you. I promise. Well, technically I did, but for a good cause. I have been studying like mad for the GRE, so I can apply to grad school in the fall. So, like I said, all for a good cause. AND...all I really wanted to do when I sat down to my computer to study was blog about all these fun ideas I have in my head. So, I'm glad to be back.

That being said; I've been getting tired of my same old food choices as of late. I have been wanting to mix things up as far as my meals go. My darling friend Roxanne told me to try these delightful Morningstar veggie burgers. I was skeptical to say the least. I was afraid of the texture, the taste, etc. etc. etc. I decided to give them a shot, and I LOVED them. I went with the Spicy Black Bean. I used a La Tortilla Factory, Low Carb Tortilla. Added some red leaf lettuce, avocado, tomato, a TBS of fat free ranch dressing and a TBS of salsa. I cut up the veggie burger, and went to town. It was REALLY good. The whole burrito adds up to be about 250 calories and over 20 grams of protein. Amazing I know.

(Excuse the poor photo quality...phone pic.)

See Megan Run...I'm Back.

26.2. Last year I accomplished a lifelong goal of running a marathon. I wrote about it here. The ups the downs, and everything in between. I wrote about it so I could remember what got me through some tough goals. I wrote about it so that I might be able to inspire others who were thinking it might be impossible. I wrote about it so I would be held accountable for what I'd set out to do. I wrote about it so that I would be able to think...wow, I did that! Well, here goes round two. I've decided to run the SLC marathon again this year! I'm super excited about it. I've recruited some fellow runners this year, and I can't wait to have some people to cross the finish line with me. (It's not too late if you want to join me! AND...if you feel like the full marathon is too much for you the training for the 1/2 marathon doesn't start until next week. DO IT!!) Let me know if you want some help getting on a training program!

Today was the first of many long runs. 10 miles. It felt good to be back at it. I made it through pretty flawlessly, and was pleasantly reminded how boring it can be to run in the cardio cinema for a few hours at a time. It was nice to have Roxies next to me though! I'm hoping for some warmer weather this time through, so I can do some of the long runs outside. Can't wait to see how this round goes. BRING IT ON!!!

Delicious Cold Weather Remedies

It's cold & I need warm. SO....I came up with a few of my favorites.

REMEDY # 1Swiss Miss Sugar Free Hot Chocolate

My mom discovered this a few years ago and it is SO delicious. If you make it with water your'e looking at a 60 calorie delight with two grams of protein in it. Want to beef up the protein count with some added creaminess? Make it with 8 oz of skim milk. Now your'e looking at about 150 calories at 10 grams of protein. Pretty dang good if you ask me. Top with a dollop of some fat free sugar free whipped cream. YUM.

REMEDY #2

OATMEAL

Oatmeal...yum. Such a delicious way to start the day. My recommendation with the oatmeal would be to stay away from the pre-packaged oatmeal if possible. (Although if that is all you've got they are still great, and GREAT on the go or at work!) BUT, if possible, by the slow cooked steel cut oats. They are super inexpensive, and so good for you. They are low calorie, low fat, and high in fiber. One serving is about 150 calories. So great, and because of the fiber it will keep you full. I like mine with some skim milk and a little bit of splenda. You can top yours with fruit, cinnamon, and even some honey or agave nectar.

*One thing that i think turns people off when they eat oatmeal is they don't cook it long enough. I'd cook it for atleast 3-4 mins in the microwave, watching it to make sure it doesn't overflow. Make sure it's creamy, and not watery.

REMEDY #3

SOUP

I LOVE butternut squash soup. LOVE it. My mom makes a MEAN batch of butternut squash soup. Unfortunately she's not at home, so I couldn't get her recipe. BUT i thought his one looked equally delicious.

Baja Butternut Squash Soup

(recipe from eatingwell.com)

1 1/2 pounds (1 butternut or other winter squash

1 teaspoon canola oil

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 small onion, diced

1 carrot, chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4-1 teaspoon ground chipotle chile, (see Note)

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

6 cups vegetable broth

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt

2 tablespoon snipped fresh chives, or chopped parsley

Directions Preheat oven to 350°F.

Cut squash in half and seed. Place the halves on a baking sheet, cut-side down. Bake until tender when pierced with a knife, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Scoop out flesh when cool enough to handle.

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add celery, onion and carrot and stir to coat. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the squash flesh, cumin, chipotle to taste and cloves. Add broth and simmer, covered, until the vegetables are very tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

Puree the soup with an immersion blender or a regular blender (in batches) until smooth. (Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with a drizzle of yogurt and sprinkle of chives (or parsley). This soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. This makes 10 servings, each having 60 calories, 1 gram of fat, 3 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of protein. Say it with me...those stats are AAAhhhmaaaazing!

REMEDY #4

AIR POPPED POPCORN

You've heard me rave about my love for Air Popped Popcorn. A warm little snack before you go to bed. It's extremely low calorie, high in fiber, and high in protein. BUT...whatever you do...stay away from the melted butter. Spray it with some spray butter and a little salt. DELISH.

Start 2010 off with a BANG

Happy New Year! I hope that everyone's new year is off to a great start!

Of course, there is much talk of resolutions, goals, and getting off on the right foot.

I won't hound you on that...but i will say this.

Set A fitness goal. Don't kill yourself. Don't plan on getting up at 6 AM 6 days a week to go to the gym, eating perfectly 7 days a week, spending 1 hour a day stretching, 1 hour a day running, and 1 hour a day lifting weights, cooking all meals at home, eating only organic, going vegan, making all your whole grains from scratch, and growing all your produce in your own garden. It won't happen. If it does, please teach me how.

The usual "new years," routine goes a little something like this...

-set 50 new goals, because we want to be perfect, right?

-failure to keep all of them, leading to feeling like a failure

-giving up on all of them because we get the sense that if we can't do them all we aren't going to do any

DON'T LET THIS BE YOU.

Instead...

Pick one goal; something you want to focus really hard on. Something you are willing to put all of your time and effort into. Something that is doable.

Make a plan.

For example: If your goal is to go to the gym 5 days of cardio per week. Sit down on Sunday and make a calendar. Find the times when you'll actually be able to go, and write it out.

Then, stick to it. You'll be surprised at your ability to stick to your goals once you have a plan, and you start to get into the swing of your routine.

One thing that I have learned whist working in the fitness industry is the power of the mind. People are constantly underestimating themselves. We, as humans, are far more capable than we realize. One of my favorite things about training is watching the elation on a clients face when they do something they didn't think they could do. Half of the battle is mental. It is being willing to try at something that may seem, "hard." When in reality, you were capable all along. You just didn't know it.

Pick a goal. Push yourself. Try something new. You can do it. I know you can!

Let's make 2010 a Happy and Healthy Year!