Healthy Life Happy Wife

About a week and a half ago, I ran the NYC Half Marathon for the second year in a row.  Check out my recap from last year’s NYC Half Marathon.

I decided to wait to do the recap since I figured all of you would be bombarded by races recaps the week following the race (just kidding…I’m just a procrastinator).  Either way, my race recap is here!

Let’s start from the day before, shall we?

Saturday, March 17, 2013 – The Day Before the Race (AKA St. Patty’s Day)

11AM – BLC and I made our way into the city from Brooklyn to pick up my bib at the Expo.  It was in a different place than last year which, to be honest, wasn’t a great choice IMHO.

This year, it was across the street from Penn Station.  On St. Patty’s Day.  So BLC and I basically weaved in and out of drunk people dressed in green before we could even get into the building.  It also got me hyped for an Irish Car Bomb…but I digress.

I should also mention that I work in NYC.  I could have easily picked my bib up on Thursday or Friday after work.  But I didn’t.  Because I am a procrastinator (see above).  So I really shouldn’t complain

The expo was nothing to write home about but I did pick up a green Sparkly Soul band to get into the St. Patty’s Day spirit.

The swag bag included hair conditioner (?) and some iced tea mix.  I’m pretty sure the only addition last year were a few PowerBar Gels which I would have appreciated but at the end of the race they gave everyone NYC Half drawstring bags.  So if they replaced the gels with the bag – I approve!

BLC and I left the expo, headed home, changed into green clothes and went out to celebrate the wonderful holiday that makes people think it is okay to get wasted during the day.

Yes.  I did go out the day before my half marathon.  The half marathon that I did not really train for very well.  & yes, I did drink quite a bit too much.  But it may be my new strategy.  Intrigued?  Let’s continue.

We got to our friend, Michelle’s apartment around 2PM, and had a beer and a shot while waiting for another friend.  After everyone had arrived, we went across the street to get pizza (to soak up all the booze, clearly).  I got a plain slice, ate half of BLC’s second slice and washed it down with a Guiness.  Because it was St. Patty’s Day.

After that we went to an Irish pub called Molly’s.  Word to the wise, don’t go to an Irish pub on St.Patty’s Day unless you don’t want to move and you want to pay $10 for a draught of Guiness.  We got a drink there because we were waiting for another friend but we immediately left after our first drink.  For those of you keeping tabs, I had an Irish Car Bomb.  Because it was St. Patty’s Day.

We literally walked to the bar next door and continued our celebration.  Shots were bought, beers were drank, conversation (albeit over very loud Irish music) was had and overall I had a pretty excellent time.  I cut myself off around 8:45PM (self-control, duh) and took a cab home.  Now that is where my night gets a little hazy.  What I can tell you for sure is:

1.  I woke up around 3AM, chugged a giant glass of water, checked my alarm and went back to bed.

2.  My alarm went off at 5:45AM, I got up, made coffee, changed into the clothes I laid threw out in the living room the night before, drank some water with Nuun, and double checked I wasn’t missing anything.

3.  I made it out the door around 6:30AM only to watch the train I was supposed to take leave the station a mere 1 minute before I got there (of note:  It was scheduled for 6:33AM and decided to come early for the first time in the history of the subway)

So at this point I basically think I am not going to make it and I am not going to be able to run the race that I love and paid a ton of money for.  I am not a happy camper.

Long story short, I get to the 72^nd Street Central Park stop at 7:45AM.  I was not aware of the closed corral rule at 7:00AM. So when I saw the line of runners slowly moving toward the start line, I ran over to the VERY END of the line (but not until after I used the line free porta-potty) and started walking with the rest of the group toward the start.

My being late may have been a blessing in disguise considering it was very cold out so I didn’t have to stand in the cold at all.  I heard that it took people a few miles to warm their bodies back up.  While I was definitely cold, I was warmed up after a half mile or so.  I am just glad the NYRR police allowed me to run.  Because it was probably my favorite race out of all the races that I have run EVER.

& now that this post is getting to be a little ridiculous, I will have to continue the rest tomorrow.  Sorry, buddies.

P.S. How do you like the race recap with literally zero running talk?  Perhaps I am making history?

Talk soon!

For the past few weeks I have been prepping food for the week on Sunday.  While I have always wanted to do this, I just never got around to it (Procrastination Queen right here).

But recently I’ve definitely been inspired by Lindsay’s Sunday Food Prep posts – and I love having food ready for the week!  I would much rather get it all done on Sunday and have more time to relax after getting out of work Mon-Fri.  Prepping food on Sunday has also helped me eat breakfast in the morning.  I used to be a religious oatmeal breakfast eater but since starting my full-time job, I have been slacking.  I feel like I am always rushing to get out the door that I either forget to eat breakfast or just don’t have the time.  Since I have started making either breakfast bars, hardboiled eggs and quinoa bakes on Sundays – all I need to do is pull it out of the fridge and I am good to go!

Here are some of the things I prepped for this week:

(clockwise from top left:  Spinach burger mix, spinach burgers on the grill, baked sweet potatoes, hardboiled eggs, list of recipes, sweet and spicy cucumbers, Thai Curry soup, grocery list – not all ingredients for every recipe are included in grocery list)  Not pictured:  Healthy Quinoa Egg Bake, Quinoa Energy bars, cut up celery and made large batch of quinoa.

We had the Thai Curry soup tonight for dinner.  It is one of my favorite recipes.  So easy and super flavorful.  I actually substituted hashbrowns for the potatoes this time around and I found it really bulked up the soup.  Try it out if you have a Trader Joe’s in your area and you like curry!

Quick Weekend Update:

This weekend went way too fast…but don’t they all.

Friday I went to happy hour with a few girl friends after work.  Wonderful conversation as always.  Brittany is engaged (I am a bridesmaid!) so we chatted wedding stuff which is always fun!

I met up with BLC and Brittany’s fiance at a bar down the street when every one dispersed.  Overall, a very nice night.

On Saturday BLC and I laid around for a while.  We watched about 40 episodes of Dexter and took a nap.  & it was glorious.

When we finally got up and started moving, we decided to go into the city for dinner and dessert.  We got pizza in SoHo which was good, but nothing to write home about.  The dessert was definitely the highlight.

Chobani Soho!  I have been wanting to try this place out for-ev-er!  & it did not disappoint!  BLC got the Peanut Butter and Jelly which was sweet and salty – plus I am a sucker for Chobani and PB.  I got the Fig and Walnut which was delicious.  I love figs!!  I definitely want to go back and try some of the savory flavors.  & the best part?  We got to take home the adorable little glass bowls.  Love them!

After our great experience at Chobani SoHo – we headed up to Trader Joe’s Wine Shop for a few bottles of wine and the Trader Joe’s next door for dog food and a few other items.  Even though the line was long (as usual) it went pretty fast and we were headed home in about 45 minutes.

We got home around 8PM, drank some wine, watched some more Dexter (addicted – we are almost done the 7th season and I am soooo sad) and passed out.  Nice little relaxing Saturday.

So that’s my weekend!  Hope you all had great weekends…too bad it is Monday tomorrow.  Wah.

Hellooooo!  Happy Friday!  I can’t explain how happy I am that it is Friday.  Definitely my favorite day of the week…at 5:30PM.

Anyway, it seems likes the perfect day to let you know 5 of my favorite things of the week!

1.  Pretty Pastel nail polish!  This is Mint Sorbet by Sally Hansen.  Very Easter-chic.

2.  Chobani Flip.  The idea behind these is so smart!  Everything all in one place.  & the flavor for this one is spot on.  Unfortunately, I have not been able to find them since – so if anyone in NYC knows where I can pick a couple of these bad boys up – let me know!

3.  My new Ninja Blender!  So excited to play with this!  I actually just made a dessert for BLC the other day that he has been dying for since last summer.  So easy to use and so easy to clean.  Perfection.

4.  If you have ever been to NYC, you know that it can be a little pricey.  BLC and I are okay with the occasional $15 cocktail but it just isn’t sustainable.  So we were super stoked when we found a bar around the corner from us that offers an $8 Jamison/beer combo all day, every day.  Amazing.  Jamison is my jam.

5.  If you know me at all (or just ask BLC about it), you know that I love Nuun.  I drink it at work, at home, during the day, at night, during runs, after runs…you get the idea.  I like a subtle taste to my water and it encourages me to drink more of it.  & this is my new favorite flavor.  It is clean and refreshing and overall amazing.  Try it.

& there you have it folks.  My favorites of the week.  Hope you enjoyed.  Happy Friday!!

I know I’ve been missing in action after the past two weeks & I totally owe you all an explanation. That will come in another post.

When we walked up to the front of the shelter (which was actually this woman’s home where she took in dogs that shelters in the area did not have room for – she was an amazing woman), there was a coy pond that was covered in a thick foam.  The pond almost looked solid.  I followed BLC past the pond to fill out the paperwork for Freckles and all of a sudden I heard a splash!  When I looked back, I saw little Freckles doggy paddling frantically in the coy pond.  BLC ran over, pulled her out of the pond and tried to calm her down.  (He always said he wanted a water dog )  We got some towels and wrapped the shivering little puppy up.  I held her in my arms the whole ride back to our apartment in San Diego – about a 40 minute drive – and she just slept in my lap.

It was love.  & it has been ever since.  While Freckles definitely has her quirks, I love every single one of them.  & on that note, here are a few things you should know about my best little furry friend.

3.  Sticks are her favorite.

4.  She has very bad posture.

5.  She likes to stretch her super long legs while she is sleeping (sorry for the picture, BLC – I love you!). 

6.  She loves her daddy. 

7.  If there is laundry, she will lay on it.  Clean or dirty. 

8.  She gets very excited when she sees dogs on the TV.  (& wolves.  She went nuts when Twilight was on.)

Bonus – She loves riding in the car.  She drove with BLC and I across the country last year & she could not have been happier. 

Freckles is the sweetest little animal and I am obsessed with her.  As if you couldn’t tell…

Happy Second Birthday, Freck!  We love you!  Here’s to many more years of dog parks, cuddling and road trips

Do you have a dog?  If so, what are some of their quirks?!

My apologies for posting so late! Today was my first day back at work & I’m still getting over my flu-like cold. Can’t wait to be completely better!! Silly cold keeps lingering…but let’s move on

My WIAW is gonna be a recap of my New Years Eve eats! Since I was still pretty sick, my day of food was kinda random – but still full of some good stuff!!

BLC made me some Trader Joe’s pumpkin muffins – delish!

I enjoyed 2 muffins with some ((real)) butter!

The muffins & a lemon Chobani made up my breakfast. I gotta say…lemon is not my favorite flavor of Chobani. It’s just okay IMHO.

Around lunch time my sick self convinced BLC to take me to McDonalds for a sundae.

With extra hot fudge. The cure for any illness

A little bit later I was craving chips and salsa – so that’s what I had! (I may or may not have had triple this amount but ate most of it before I remembered to take a picture…oops)

At this point of the day, I was still in my pajamas so BLC & I decided to keep it low-key for NYE. We rented Ted & Savages (both were pretty good) on demand and reheated leftovers my mom had made for me while we were in Philadelphia.

I had two giant bowls of matzo ball soup – AKA Jewish Penicillin. My mom literally makes this every time I get sick. Soooo good. If you don’t know, it is basically chicken noodle soup minus the chicken and plus matzo balls (a type of fluffy dumpling). My mom makes the best matzo ball soup. Trust.

While BLC & I laid around and watched movies,

We drank wine &

Ate cheese with crackers. I always buy this cheese for parties. It is a little different but super tasty! Plus, goat cheese is my jam.

& then I passed out before the clock struck midnight. I am a party animal!

What did you eat on NYE?!

I planned on posting my 2012 running survey (started by Miss Zippy!) sometime this past weekend but I have been laid out, sick in bed instead. I’m finally starting to feel a little bit better so I figured what better day to recap my 2012 in running then the LAST day of 2012!?

My 2012 in Running

Best race experience?

Wow. This is a tough one. I had so many great race experiences this year it is hard to pull one out as the best. Instead, I will give you my top 3!

3. Running the NYC half marathon (my first half marathon ever!) with my little brother.

2. Running (& swimming & biking) our first triathlon in Aruba with 5 days notice.

1. Reach the Beach relay! This is number 1 because I got to experience it with BLC, meet a ton of awesome new runner friends & fell in love with relays!!

Best run?

That’s easy. I have yet to encounter another run as majestic as the run that renewed my love affair with running. Read about if you haven’t already hoping for a couple of those in 2013!

Best new piece of gear?

My new Nike long sleeved zip up! Love the thumb holes, color & fit!

Best piece of running advice you received?

“Take 180 steps per minute while you run.” – No Meat Athlete

Most inspirational runner?

So many of the women whose blogs I read inspire me to be better, be faster, be more disciplined but the two that are the most inspiring to me personally are probably Sarah from Once Upon A Lime for how much she has improved & gotten faster over the past year through her dedication & love of running (plus, I’m pretty sure we would be great drinking buddies) AND Skinnyrunner for the insane amount of miles she runs and the insane amount of marathons she has finished (usually in costume).

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?

Not perfect, but great nonetheless

Happy New Years Eve! Hope you had a wonderful 2012 & here’s to wishing you an even better 2013!!

Hello everyone! I hope your Holiday was splendid! Can’t believe it is already over and I have to go back to work tomorrow – luckily it will only be a 2 day week

I have been in Philadelphia since Saturday spending time with my family – as well as eating lots of delicious food & drinking festive drinks!

I hope you enjoy my What I Ate Wednesday – Christmas Edition!

Breakfast
Clockwise from left: cheesy eggs with bacon (I did not partake in the bacon), bagels with lox & cream cheese & overnight French toast.

Snacks
Clockwise from top left: pomegranate seeds, chocolate fit chews, holiday cookies, Lindor chocolates & chocolate chip cookies.

Beverages
Clockwise from the top left: cookies and cream hot chocolate, champagne, beer, homemade eggnog, Cherry-osa, the spiciest Bloody Mary ever & lots of coffee.

Dinners
Clockwise from left: Feast of the Seven Fishes (scallops, calamari, flounder, pasta with clam sauce, crab cakes, cocktail shrimp, Caesar salad with anchovies), large salads & deconstructed lasagna (recipe to come).

Just for fun
Clockwise from top: my Yankee Swap gift – $20 worth of ramen noodles!, my adorable Santa niece, Kira & my adorable Santa pup, Freckles.

What was the best thing you ate during the holidays?!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

Hope your day is full of presents, eggnog, pumpkin pie and Home Alone!!

Love,

HLHW, BLC & Freckly

Happy Holidays, all!  Hope you are enjoying time with your families – I know I am!  I absolutely love the holiday season so when I saw this survey over at Peanut Butter Fingers and Carrots ‘N’ Cake, I knew I had to participate

Hope you enjoy some of my holiday favorites!

Favorite Holiday Cookies

I love all cookies (chocolate chip being my favorite) but during the holidays I really enjoy decorated cookies.  I love how creative people get when making decorated holiday cookies!  My brother’s girlfriend made these the other day -

Aren’t they adorable?!  I especially love the snowman on the right’s face.  I almost don’t even want to eat them…almost.

Favorite Holiday Song

This one is a no brainer.  I cannot help but sing and dance when I hear Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You”.  I just love it.  I may or may not be bordering on obsessed.

Favorite Holiday Movie

I love all holiday movies (Elf, Love Actually, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, How the Grinch Stole Christmas) but I’ve realized that my absolute favorite Christmas movie is Home Alone and Home Alone 2.  I have watched both of them 3 times already & I wouldn’t be surprised if I watch it again soon.  Such a classic.

Yep.  If you wanna follow me on Twitter, I’m sure you will hear about another viewing of Home Alone before the day is over

Favorite Holiday Tradition

I have a lot of favorite holiday traditions!  I love Christmas Eve with my whole family.  I love Christmas day with my immediate family.

I love the holiday house that my dad makes every year for my cat.

I love Freckles’ obligatory Christmas Tree shot.  Is she not the cutest little Santa in the whole world?

& I love drinking spiked hot chocolate and watching Christmas movies with BLC.  Love, love, love.

Favorite Holiday Breakfast

Normally, I am all about eggs and hash browns but for some reason I love a sweet breakfast on Christmas morning!  My favorite is probably overnight french toast.

Favorite Holiday Meal

My aunt hosts Christmas Eve dinner every year and we have the Feast of the Seven Fishes.  Since I only eat fish – this buffet style meal is amazing for me!  I can eat just about everything!  Plus, my family makes amazing desserts and appetizers that we can snack on before and after.  I am super excited about it!  I’m already hungry

Favorite Person to Shop For

Definitely BLC & Freckles.

Freckles because she loves anything you give to her…

& BLC because I like to think I know him pretty well and he likes whatever I give him, too

Favorite Way to Open Presents

One at a time, one person at a time, in a nice little rotation.  Me, BLC, my brother, my other brother, my mom, my dad, Freckles, me, BLC…you get the idea.   Also, coffee with Bailey’s Irish Cream is necessary.

Favorite Tree Topper

The only one we’ve ever had at my parent’s house is the angel you can see above.  So that would have to be my favorite!  One day BLC & I will have a tree topper.  Today is not that day

Merry Christmas Eve, all!
What are you doing for Christmas Eve?!

Healthy Living on the Cheap meal plan for the week!

Healthy Living on the Cheap Meal Plan – December 17

Monday – SEARED AHI TUNA AND AVOCADO MASH

Tuesday - SPICY VEGETABLE AND QUINOA SOUP

Wednesday – VEGGIE AND TOFU STIR-FRY

Thursday – EGGS, SOY CHORIZO & HASHBROWNS

Friday – INSIDE OUT LASAGNA

Saturday – Dinner with my parents

Sunday – Dinner with my parents

Shopping List (only what we need – does not include all ingredients for all recipes)

Green beans
Avocados
Grated carrots
Baby carrots
Cucumbers
Spaghetti squash
Spinach
Green salsa
Hashbrowns
Tomato soup
Ricotta cheese

What are you making this week?!