Cleaning Out My Closet

I've been trying to lose weight for a while <-- understatement of my life.  I have lost close to 50 lbs from my heaviest ( I wrote about that here. ) Not seeing the scale go down very much, then up, then down, etc. can get a bit frustrating.  What's a girl to do?

Maintaining around here.

I've been using my food diary and at the beginning of each month I'm supposed to take measurements of my hips, waist, legs, etc.  The last time I did that was January 13, 2013.  I skipped February, because I wasn't really feeling like I had lost anything.  I kept gaining/losing the same 5 lbs. and I didn't want to have another blow to my psyche.

At the beginning of April, I decided to take my measurements again - sort of a fresh start.  I was so surprised to see that I have actually lost 7.5" total since January!  The scale may not be budging (through my own fault), but at least I'm still making progress through exercise.

I thought that maybe it would be time to try on my old, old jeans that haven't fit in years.  This led to a whole cleaning out my closet event that kept me up until almost 2am Saturday night/Sunday morning.  It was worth it though!  I now have 5 pairs of jeans I can wear, instead of the same one or two.  

I found these jeans that have not fit me in NINE YEARS!!! I bought them right after Kev and I started dating and quickly out-grew them with my rapid weight gain.  Super awesome moment for me!! 

Trying to sort through my stuff.

Eggroll helping me.

I bought two of these about 4 years ago and saved the other one for when we ran out.  I think it's time to open it.

Found this in one of my purses.  I bought it for my first 5k four  yrs ago.  Doesn't it look pretty?  It's in the trash now.

Pretty and organized!

So, don't give up if you aren't seeing results right away.  If you keep with it only good things will come!

Easy Barley and Mushroom Soup

I sort of forgot that I bought a ton of veggies before Easter.  I kept meaning to cut them up and either cook them into something or use them.  Over a week later, there they sat in my fridge giving me the stink eye.

I made a stir fry with a lemon lime soy sauce.  It was kind of bland and that's when I realized I forgot to put a sweetener in it (old age rearing it's ugly head).

I also came up with a super easy, super delicious soup recipe.  I have barley.  I have never used it.  I really wanted to.  So, my Barley and Mushroom Soup was born.

Easy Barley and Mushroom Soup
2 Tbsp. EVOO
1/2 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, diced
1c. barley (I used quick cooking.  I really don't know if it matters)
3c. water
5c. vegetable broth
2 green peppers, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
8 oz. mushrooms, chopped

Heat a soup pot over medium heat.  Add the oil and let heat up, maybe 2-3 minutes.  Add the onion and garlic.  Let these cook out for about 2-3 minutes.  You don't want them brown.  Add the barley and 3c. water.  Raise heat to high.  While that is heating up, prepare the vegetables.  Add the peppers, carrots, and vegetable broth.  Cook on high so it is boiling for 20 minutes.  Add the mushrooms.  Lower soup to a simmer, cover, and cook for another 10 minutes or until your barley is finished.

 

I REALLY like this soup.  I immediately gobbled a bowl down.

I wanted to make a split pea soup, but I didn't realized I had to soak the peas like any other dry bean.  I guess I've never cooked with them before.  I will do that tonight and hopefully tomorrow I will have a delicious split pea recipe to brag about!

How's your Monday going?

Runner-necking and Mexican Quinoa and Lentils Recipe

Today was my long run day.  I only had to do a 10k since it was a step down week.  I was pretty pumped about going, except I procrastinated getting ready all morning.  Thankfully Becky did the same and we finally met at almost noon.

By then I had started to develop a bit of a foul mood.  There's no real reason why.  I just felt like it, I guess.  I hoped that running would cheer me up.

I had dressed way too warm.  I realized it as soon as I walked out the door.  There was no time to change, so for the first time, I hoped there was a cool head wind.

The first couple of miles my calves were sore, and we were getting all of the green lights.  I enjoy the red lights so I can stop a minute and stretch.
We changed our route a bit when we noticed a ton of police cars down the road a bit.  We usually go straight and follow the bike path, but we decided to check out the scene.  It was a car accident and they had almost the whole road shut down.

Becky asked, "What's that word for people who slow down while driving by accidents?  Rubber-necking?"  I said, "Yes, but we are runner-necking!"  We decided that it is definitely going to have to be established as a new word.

At 3 miles, we turned to head back and put in our earphones.  I was feeling looser and more in the groove.  We really sped up the last couple of miles.  I think we both really wanted to be done.

I felt really good at the end.  The day was beautiful!

I had big plans to cook a bunch of veggies I have afterwards.  That didn't happen.  I did make some lentils and quinoa.  It's almost just like the Mexican Lentils and Rice recipe I love.  At the last minute, I decided to try it with quinoa to add a bit more protein.

Mexican Quinoa and Lentils

1 1/2 c. lentils
3/4c. quinoa
2 vegetable bouillon or 2 cups vegetable broth
3c. water (unless you use veggie broth, than just add 1 more cup)
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder

Throw everything in a rice cooker and cook until finished.  I ate mine on a corn tortilla with some hot sauce.

Happy Sunday!

RunChat Scavenger Hunt!

Today was my long run day and I was really looking forward to it.  I had learned that one of the sites that I follow, RunChat, put up a scavenger hunt list to participate in.  Here's the list:

I found 6 items on the list.  I could probably gotten more if I wasn't sick and just wanted to call it a day.

I found

1) A bridge

2) A giant hill I'm going to run up.  It may not look too bad, but I had to go up it a bit to get the whole thing...and please note the billboard at the top.  It's for McDonald's.  Makes me want to puke every time I come huffing and puffing to the top.

3)  Christmas decoration still up.  I was surprised I didn't find more.  After all, we've been snow covered for a while.  Decorations up in March really isn't that strange around here.

4) Water. I live by the Root River and run by it frequently.  I should have waited until we got to the lake.  The water was very pretty out there today.

5)  Trail Marker.  I think we are fortunate to live by these paths.  I love running them!

6) A scene from my favorite place to run.  The beginning of the Root River Path.

The scavenger hunt was a really fun idea!  I would love to do one of these more often, especially in warmer weather!

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!  Did you run today?

Influenster Sugar 'n Spice Voxbox Review Part 3: Dickinson's Witch Hazel Towelettes

I have never heard of this product before.  I have heard of Witch Hazel and face wipes, but never Dickinson's daily facial towelettes.  I was completely unfamiliar with the product.

I was worried about trying it, because I have very sensitive skin and pretty much everything makes me either break out or causes irritation.  The product claims that it is gentle, non-drying, and soothes the skin.

I decided to try it after my workouts.  I am a heavy, salty, sweater and could use a face cleanser.  I threw some in my gym bag to keep on hand.

The wipes themselves are quite large and are kept very moist in their packet.  The package says they ar 5"x7" and you get 20 towelettes in each box.

I have been using them for the past two weeks and have had very positive results.  I've had no irritation, breakouts, or drying whatsoever, and I think it's actually helped my skin.  My face feels clean afterwards and there's no feeling of residue left.  There's only about 4 ingredients and it is NOT tested on animals, which is a HUGE plus for me and any other animal lover!

So, overall I really liked this product and was so glad I had the opportunity to try it out.  It is something I will buy when I'm out of this box.  They are inexpensive.  They retail for about $6 or less, which is only $0.30 per wipe.  

Would you try this product?

Influenster

"I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes, but the opinions are my own."

Run Til You Puke

Not quite, but almost.  I had a speed workout on tap today.  I woke up at 7 am without my alarm on my day off.  I was like, "Great!  I am up and I can go to spin class and then do my speed workout..."  I sat on the couch sipping my cup of coffee and watched T.V.  All. Day.  Finally, I got up, got dressed, told Kevin I was blowing this popsicle stand, and left.

The gym was pretty empty.  When I go after work at the same time on a Monday, I can barely get a treadmill.  Today, I had my pick.  I went on one without a T.V.  There's nothing worse than a T.V. an inch from your face when you are struggling to breath and not throw up.  I would rather watch people walk by and stare up at the giant T.V.s that are upfront.

I have!

My plan says to run at a 5k pace.  I have to say, I never saw that part about the 5k pace before.  I thought I was just supposed to run as fast as possible.  I figured out that my GOAL 5k pace is a 9:40, so I would run at a 6.4 mph.  I set the treadmill to interval.  I use to change it by hand, but it's hard to lower the speed when I am almost falling off the treadmill from going to fast.

So, the plan was to run .25 miles at 6.4, and walk for .1 at 3.5 until I was done.  The first three times weren't bad.  I told myself that maybe I should quit, because what else would I tell myself on a treadmill?  The 4th sprint was ok, but I was starting to feel it.  The 5th time I really wanted to quit, but pushed myself through.  The 6th and 7th time I sped up a bit so it would be over faster.  I think that is why I felt like I was going to throw up at the end of each one.

Now it's over and I did it.  That's the great thing about work outs.  They may suck, but in the end...you're at the end.

Exhausted after my work out.  

Afterwards, I finally got over to see Melissa and her posse.  I've been fighting a cold and was scared about infecting her delicate little newborns.

I couldn't believe this crazy chair she had.  It looked like a hovercraft, I swear.

I didn't leave until after ten.  She has no clocks in that house.  I thought it was only about 9!  I don't remember the last time I was out that late when I didn't have to work.

What workout did you do today?

Influenster Sugar 'n Spice Voxbox Review Part 2: Vaseline Spray and Go Total Moisture

Here's the second part of my review of products I received for free from Influenster.

I received:
Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer Total Moisture
Nectresse 
Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes
Colate Optic White Regimen: Toothpaste, toothbrush, and mouthwash
belVita Breakfast Biscuits

I reviewed Nectresse  here.  I also reviewed the belVita breakfast biscuits.  I even bought a box of these, I liked them so much.  They are seriously delicious!!

I was sent the Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturizer Total Moisture.  It comes in three different types: the Total Moisture, Aloe Fresh, and Cocoa Radiant.  

I was sent the Total Moisture (the yellow one).  This had excellent timing since I started swimming again.  My skin gets horribly dry afterwards from the chlorine.  This line of lotions is supposed to be, "quick, convenient, continuous-spray lotions. They moisturize deeply and absorb in seconds to leave skin instantly soft, not greasy or sticky."

 I've been using the lotion after my normal shower and after the shower when I'm finished swimming. I usually use a lotion from Bath and Body works. It works initially, but my skin is still dry and I have to reapply a couple of times throughout the day.

 This lotion is a spray. It is supposed to be a convenience, but it does spray all over in addition to getting on your skin. Think, spraying a sunscreen. It goes where it's supposed to, but there's additional floating around getting on the furniture or clothes. The lotion didn't magically absorb. I did have to rub it in just like any other lotion.

 It did leave my skin felling soft, not greasy or sticky. I was happy with how my skin felt. My skin stayed moisturized throughout the day and I didn't get the usual itchy legs at night when I usually have to reapply more lotion to soothe the dryness.

Overall, I really like it. They definitely over promise on the convenience, but it kept my skin moist through all of the things I put it through. If I bought it again, I would try the Aloe one out. The Total Moisture scent was just a basic lotion scent and I would like something a bit more refreshing.

Would you buy a spray lotion?

Influenster

"I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes, but the opinions are my own."