You all know I love me some Kashi products. I've always been a fan of the GOLean crunch breakfast cereal, but recently I was introduced to the honey almond flax version.
Be still my heart. We all know that anything with the word "honey" in it (when talking about breakfast cereal) means SWEET.
And sure enough the very first bite I thought, "Oh hooray for shu-u-u-u-ugar! brown rice cane crystals!
And then on the next bite it occured to me, the Kashi tasted remarkably similar to this:
Honey Smacks.
And so yes, that box of Honey Smacks is mine. I was so curious and it tasted SO similar that I went out and bought some (much to the joy of my six year old, "NO WAY! MOM!! YOU GOT REAL CEREAL???"
"Yes honey, as opposed to all of the imaginary cheerios you shovel into your mouth every morning."
"AWESOME!!!"). I have to admit, I felt a little nostalgic as I opened up the box. I haven't had paper-foil-packaged cereal in a very long time.
And guess what- they DID taste a LOT alike. The Kashi was way crunchier and more substantial. But the flavor was quite a bit similar. Am I supposed to be bothered or excited? I'm not sure. A little of both. So if you are a fan of Honey Smacks but wouldn't mind getting 9 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber, and 500 mg of Omega-3's every morning, you may want to give it a try!
Good thing I got to the bottom of this. Research is fun. (Does Kashi make anything that resembles a ding-dong?)
(p.s. Here's a snack that uses all those leftover Kashi cereal crumbs. My toddler and I devoured it.) 
April 16, 2008
In the Name of Research
April 13, 2008
Deprivation Gets a Bad Rap
de·prive
–verb, -prived, -priv·ing.
"to remove or withhold something from the enjoyment or possession of (a person or persons)."
It's a bad word isn't it? Deprive. Deprivation. It feels synonymous with the word, "diet." Ooooh. Bad Me. Because diet and deprivation both kind of feel like they belong in the same category right? If you would like to lose weight, the best, healthiest, longest-lasting method is to make it a lifestyle change; a conscious decision made with the rest of your life in mind. And since diets have a "start" and an "end" the "d" word is a no-no. Similarily, I hear the word deprivation and think, "Who, realistically, could ever (or would ever want to) 'deprive' themselves from food the rest of their life? Deprivation is what Dawn did, is what anorexics do, is what crazy crash-dieters do: 'Witholding (food) from the enjoyment or possession of a person.'"
But.
THis weekend I passed up a donut (saturday), some homemade strawberry shortcake (Sunday), and opted for the healthy entree at a restaurant (Saturday again). I sometimes wonder, "Am I depriving myself?" No. I'm just giving it up for something I want more. To fit into a pair of sixes, to feel gross when I eat really unhealthy food, to get a good night's sleep. (crazy that it's starting to affect my sleep. who knew eating better could help you sleep better. ha. probably lots of you...)
That's not to say I pass on everything. Friday was my free day and I enjoyed several handfuls of mini-marshmallows (the fruity kind) and a couple of handfuls of chocolate chips. That was right before the delicious steak, mashed potatoes, salad drenched in dressing and big fatty white roll.
Anyway, my point is that sometimes deprivation seems like an uncomfortable investment with very little return. The fact is though, I've started losing weight again over the past month because I've been saying "no thanks" a lot more. No to the leftovers on the baby's highchair tray, no to dessert at neighbor's houses, no to Krispy Kreme. For lots of reasons (one of them being the level of content I've reached with my body) I had been saying "ok, sure, what's one more cookie going to hurt" a little more than I'd like to admit.
And so maybe a little deprivation isn't so horrible. Donuts, ice cream, pizza, chocolate cake... Could I give it all up cold turkey? NEVER! I wouldn't want to. But could I live without it for six days a week? Absolutely. Not getting that extra hour of sleep this morning could be seen as SERIOUS hardship, but I'm getting to the point where not going for a run in the morning feels more like deprivation.
As for the word "diet," I know so many people who have started one like weight watchers, or body for life, or eating clean, who have realized they like the way they feel when they're following it's guidelines. Long after the "diet" has ended, is it possible that they might just take away some healthier habits? Just a thought...
Is there a point where what felt like deprivation in the beginning doesn't anymore? What do you think about the "d" words?
April 9, 2008
The Early Bird Catches The Kid...Unfortunately
I'm frustrated this morning.
This week I've really been trying to wake up early and get my running, reading, and eating in before the kids wake up. I *love* having that time to myself in the morning. I feel so much more ready to face the tornado that is my children when I start out the day by myself. The strange and annoying this is though, whenever I recommit to waking up before them it only takes a few days for one of them to SOMEHOW, despite all efforts on my part to make NO noise (not even flushing the toilet or turning any lights on), realize I am awake . And heaven forbid mom should be alone in the morning! Monday all the kids "slept in" until 8 am. Today, the six year old woke up at 6:50 am. And when ONE is awake the chances of the others waking up drastically increase. Until eventually...maybe not today...all the kids are waking up earlier and earlier. It's a scary trend, folks. I usually throw my hands up in the air and decide I may as well get some extra sleep.
So I'm off for a short run this morning. Intervals. I'll be back with an update...maybe.
***Update***
Well, one dropped iPod and sore hamstring later- the run wasn't exactly what I was hoping for...but that's what I get after yesterdays post right? ;) Off to go breathe and stretch...and breathe some more...
April 8, 2008
Click Away Day: Zen Version
***After my last yoga post, The ever-glowing Heather sent me a really cool Bryan Kest yoga CD...like a month ago. Well last night I finally got around to doing it and was not disappointed. (and p.s. If you click over to Heather, help her out with the restaurant situation!)
From the Kest website:
"In my experience, health is a state of balance brought about by moderation among other things. Moderation is the opposite of being extreme. And happiness is a state of mental balance. Not craving and clinging, but accepting who we are and where we are at, instead of rejecting where we are at in a constant pursuit to get somewhere. Most people bring their craving and clinging mentality into the yoga class, and then the practice is polluted. In yoga class and maybe in life, let the practice be, 'I am not trying to get anywhere, I am trying to make it OK to be where I am at' because I love myself and value my process!!"
***Jessica's letter to her body. Her blog is private, but here is an excerpt:
"I'm proud of you, Body -- and even though I'm overly critical, even though I make stupid decisions sometimes, I'm glad that you're mine. I'm proud of what you've done, and even more proud of what you continue to do -- you run, jump, climb stairs, hike mountains, lift weights, dance like nobody's lookin', and at the end of the day, you are something I'm proud to attach my name to. I've started judging you more by what you are capable of than what you look like, and the instant I started doing that, the rest of it seemed to fall into place. "
***Sarah's Empowering Revelation
Have a good day!
April 7, 2008
I Am a MACHINE
Not really. But I had a great weekend. I had a burger and fries (complete with fry sauce...there was some chocolate somewhere in there too...it's only a memory now...) on Friday for my free day. (For those of you who don't know, I follow the Body for Life plan when I'm in weight loss mode.)
Then I felt sick the rest of the day AND into the night. I hadn't eat a single begetable all the live long day. It didn't take long for my body to retaliate. Persistent cramps and bloating made me feel large and sick for a good 14 hours. Nice. This is why I love free days; that's all it took for me to whip out the calendar, plan some meals, blanch me some broccoli, and charge the iPod. Saturday I woke up still feeling gross and told Aaron I was going to run until I felt better. 8 miles later I came back sweaty, sore, and happy. 8 miles. Did you just skim over that part? 8 miles, people. For many of you that's no biggie; for me, it's nothing short of miracle.
Tonight I passed up on a piece of cake. I think I might have higher-than-average run-ins with sweets - especially baked goods. But in a strange way, I'm realizing I won't have to wait long for something even better to show up. (last weekend it was homemade scones). And I can always plan my free days around the highest quality contender.
So I just got back from a 4.5 mile run; I added in some sprint intervals and loved it. Considering it's a cloudy and gray Monday morning, I'm feeling very ready for the week.
April 4, 2008
Friday Weigh-In
The scale didn't show it but I worked my butt off this week. Literally.
(These are my favoritest pair of jeans, size EIGHT)
Remember the last time this happened?
I'll see you in a few weeks size six.
April 2, 2008
Parking Pickings
This morning (and every morning) when I arrive at the gym I come in from the very back of the parking lot and start to look for a spot. I'm usually getting there early and there are always other cars circling the spaces. Most people drive straight to the first avaliable spot (always way far back), park, and run inside. Not me. I always drive all the way up to the front to check for any open spaces, cause hey. Me and my '02 Sienna deserve a good parking spot. Bingo! Very often I will find a front spot is open. And as I pull into my awesome parking spot I can't help but wonder EVERY SINGLE TIME: "Do these people know they could've had an awesome spot? Did they just not want to take the time? Did they look up the row and think, 'Meh, they're probably all full...' or think, "Oh I need to get here early to get one of THOSE spots."
It's like since they weren't able see it, they assumed it wasn't there. And then I shed a little tear for all of the poor suckahs with their far far away cars all the way over on the other side of the parking lot by the bank. Poor Poor gym people. Shoulda driven up the aisle.
But they never do! They'd probably be likely to brush it off with "Who cares where I park? I just want to get in there and workout." To which I would smile and say, "Yeah, it's just a place to put your car" but I'd really be thinking, "We both know you're jealous of my spot. It's ok."
Every time I pull into a front spot it makes me happy (more happy than other people I suspect). The extra calories burned from walking further to my car pale in comparison to the victory in finding the coveted parking prize. I suddenly feel able to conquer all that lies in my path (which usually means dumbbells or a sidewalk). This morning's awesome workout actually had more to do with a space between two little white lines than my muscles or determination or motivation.
***UPDATE***
Some of you (Sarah and anon) park in the back for the extra calories burned and to avoid getting dinged. So now I'm curious, if you're a "back of the lot parker" would you still park far away if you saw a very front spot open?...not 10 feet away from the entrance? (And please tell me I'm not the only one who gets excited about a good parking space...)
March 27, 2008
I Love You Mr. Miyagi
I'm 27, he's 16.
He's Italian, I'm not.
He's not trying to lose weight; he's just trying to beat Johnny in the big fight.
He's got a girlfriend from the other side of the tracks. I have a husband...and three kids.
But I swear- every time I watch this I AM DANIEL LARUSSO.
(fyi: it's about 5 minutes long)
(For those of you not here yesterday and wondering about the random Karate Kid clip It's video week on Sister Skinny)
March 25, 2008
Starting... Now!
Despite the week being half-over, I am officially declaring this video week on Sister Skinny.
(I'm being held against my will by a fleet of sick people who claim to be my family...send help...)
Apologies if you hate videos, or can't watch them because you're at work or whatever, or don't have time.
You are totally missing out.
My better is definitely better than someone's better...
...somewhere. Maybe in a nursing home...or maternity ward.
Incidentally, the song is going into my workout playlist and can be found here:
When I don't feel like running (ahem. this morning.), I go dig around in Vanilla's archives for this video.
ps. here's the song:
March 24, 2008
Easy Peasy
Easter has made my meal planning for this week really easy. Eggs are a super easy quick source of protein. And we've got 18 of them sitting in our fridge. Here are some of the rest of my non-dinner meals for this week.
*frozen banana (a la Scrumpy's Baker) dipped in yogurt
*brown rice and mango salsa with cottage cheese
*apple and peanut butter
*tuna and brown rice (another "poor" week concoction)
*chicken and broccoli over brown rice (with minimal creamy cheese sauce)
*hummus on pita chips
*cottage cheese with any of the following:
-cucumbers
-strawberries
-kiwi
-yogurt
*whole wheat bread with peanut butter and banana
And of course blanched veggies will be out.
This week is going to be superb.
March 20, 2008
Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Eater
(Which really should be "Cheater Cheater Brownie Eater" because pumpkin just isn't that tempting...)
So here's the question of the day:
Do you do the "cheat meal" or "free day"? (Using one planned meal or day where you just get to eat whatever you want) Have you mastered the balance of the occasional treat?
--FYI: I'm not exactly looking for the scientific or psychological evidence that it is or isn't beneficial in losing weight. I'm just curious if and when you use them.--
I'm interested in the whole concept of a guilt free eat-whatever-you-want allowance (...and by the way I just don't like the word cheat. It implies you're doing something really naughty by eating a cupcake. While it can, in fact, keep you from losing weight, that doesn't mean there isn't a place for it. I'm just curious where your place falls. Planned, unplanned, a nibble, 3 smooshed together with nuts and whipped cream? )
March 19, 2008
Out to Eat
Aaron: "I don't know how you can eat all that stuff" ((shudders))
Me, laughing: "Stuff? You mean...vegetables"?
Aaron: "Yeah."
Me: "I'll choke it down somehow"
March 17, 2008
That Time of the Month
No, not that time of the month.
The time where I run out of all of my go-to foods. Kashi bars are long gone. Apples? Hummus? Cottage cheese? chicken? Gone, gone, gone, gone.
Now if you know me, you know that I care about saving money just as much WAY more than losing weight. For us, this means minimal grocery trips. (The more often I go, the more I spend. It's a proven trend people...in my life anyway...) Usually around the "tight" weeks of the month, I have a hard time coming up with fresh, quick, healthy snacks. (Because lets face it- if it's not quick, I am most likely not going to consider it. And without the fresh stuff, It can be difficult to not just pull down the peanut butter and bread every other snack.)
When I started to plan out my snacks and meals on Saturday night, I knew I had a good three days before I'd see the inside of a grocery store. So I made my brown rice, went back and re-read the comments on this post, and then scoured the kitchen for what I had to work with.
(I'm thinking when this happens again of just posting a picture of all of my food and saying, "help! What can I do with this?")
Anyway, thanks to an avocado hiding in the back of my fridge I put together this little snack for lunch. (My morning snack was a Kashi bar I had discovered in the diaper bag the day before...score!)
Rice (yes, white. leftover from dinner, normally it would've been brown) with salsa and avocado. It was really really good. I might just make it again...even when I don't have to.
March 15, 2008
Race Day
1:00 a.m. : I realize that I am having a really hard time sleeping due to pre-race anticipation. It was a travesty really, all three kids actually slept soundly through the night and I was awake. The whole night.
3:37 a.m. : I contemplate taking a Unisom to help me sleep but figure it's too late now and it would probably make me sluggish for the race.
3:40 a.m. I fret about the Unisom. I really can't sleep but decide not to take it.
4:00 a.m. Still fretting. Now I'm remembering that I have to drive Aaron's car to the race so he can bring the boys in the minivan. It's an '82 Fiat. Stick-shift obviously.
Do I remember how to drive a stick?
4:13 a.m. What if I've forgotten how to drive a stick? What if I stall out at every light from here to there and am late and don't pick up my bib and I miss the start of the race...and I'm really tired because I've been pushing a stalled car...
5:11 a.m. Get up to check the dryer. I have to make sure my freshly laundered jogging attire has been adequately dried. I go check the iPod to make sure it's charged.
5:14 a.m. Try to relax and go back to sleep. Unsuccessful on both attempts.
6:35 a.m. I wake up (yes, *wake* up. Looks like I actually fell asleep for an hour!) to the baby crying. I'm up for good.
7:15 a.m. Eat breakfast
8:20 a.m. Leave for the race. Nervously go out to the Fiat...can't remember which key it is.... Having difficulty moving the seat forward...notice little guide on the top of the shifter has been worn away...
8:35 a.m. Arrive in one piece at race locale, grateful that my stick-shift anxiety was completely unfounded.
8:52 a.m. Eight minutes before the race. Do I need to go to the bathroom? I think I might need to go to the bathroom. It wouldn't hurt. I look and see the line for the ladies room is 26 ladies long.
8:53 a.m. I get in line. Do I really have to go? I'm not sure. Am I going to miss the 9 o'clock start because I am in line for the bathroom? All these ladies look like they're running the 5K (which starts later), should I just ask to cut in front of all of them to go before the 10K starts? Mild panic sets in.
8:56 a.m. The line is moving quickly. I'm almost to the front. I haven't heard the gunshot, that's a good sign. Mentally prepare to sprint out of line over to the 10K starting crowd.
8:58 a.m. Ah. I have successfully passed through the eternal woman's restroom line and was indeed able to use the facilities. That's much better. I take my place in the back of the pack. I realize the iPod didn't sync when I plugged it in last night and so I don't have any access to the new music I bought yesterday just for the race. I want to cry.
9:00 a.m. Ready, Set, Go!
I proceed to jog my guts out.
10:05 (and change) a.m. : I cross the finish line. In front of everyone...
...who started way in the back of the pack with me.
I ran my fastest 10K time. (yes people. I am that slow. 1 hour and 5 minutes was a good 10 minutes faster than my last non-race attempt) I always tout how I don't care about my running times but plop me down in the middle of a bunch of people who are mildly faster than me and apparently I do care. I'm thinking the no sleep thing actually helped. The crazy level was raised just a smidge.
My cheering section might have helped a little bit too!
Overall, I had a great time. There will definitely be more 10K's to run in the near future, but then I'm on to the half-marathon in August. (Aaah- August. That sounds so far away...)
March 14, 2008
Friday Weigh In
Still on that roll. Lost 2 more pounds this week (which actually is impressive considering my iPod went dead during two of my workouts this week).
And for your information: I haven't been using the food journal for the past couple of weeks. After baby #1, I lost the baby weight following the Body-for-Life Plan. Even after the weight was off, the plan had permanently changed a lot of my eating habits. So a couple of weeks ago, I decided to re-read the book and follow it a little closer. Here are the guidelines in a nutshell (but if you're interested, get the book - you have to read the whole plan if you're going to try it): Eat six small meals a day consisting of a complex carb and protein. Unlimited veggies. The thing that didn't work for me with the food journal is I'd find myself making choices based on calories, not on nutrition. If It was the choice between a 90 calorie piece of bread and a 1/2 cup of brown rice, I'd choose the bread. The exercise side of Body-for-Life is all about weight-lifting and interval cardio. So I've ramped up my weights but I'm not doing the interval thing, only because I'm now addicted to running (this week I've cut back slightly on my mileage because of the 10K tomorrow).
So I'm sticking with what works - I'm just feeling leaner and healthier all around.
That's it! See you Monday with the race report. Happy Weekending!
March 11, 2008
"Held Hostage" Ab Workout
This is how it started. The baby was sitting on me and I was singing the "Eentsy Weentsy Spider" (I know, some people say "itsy bitsy" we're "eentsy weensty" people), to him while he was bobbing up and down on my stomach. Well, after a couple of "bobs," I realized my stomach was getting quite a little workout because I had to contract my muscles before he came crash landing down on all of my organs. Good times...
Until they ganged up on me. I don't know why I'm laughing. Because for some reason it was utterly hysterical? Mutiny maybe? They really could overtake me if they wanted to...
My abs are already sore. But I'm not sure if it's bruised-sore or muscle-sore.
March 10, 2008
Click Away, Click Away
*Crabby had a really interesting post yesterday about resistant starches. What I found equally interesting was the fact that a few of her readers (the Bag Lady) enjoy raw potatoes as snack. Whaaa? Have I been missing out on a healthy delicious food that needs no cooking, only de-skinning? I was so intrigued. So I tried it last night; I peeled and sliced a potato, added a little salt and took a bite.
Uh, Yuck.
(Any raw tater eaters out there?)
*Unemployed? Half-fast is looking for an Evil Arch Nemesis. Although I'm kind of thinking no one over here would qualify as the "Candidates with a proven track record of evil will be given priority." I did read that post and wished I had faster running times...and a handlebar mustache...and some henchmen...(wait, I've got some of those...)
*Mizfit's arms: watch the video, people.
That's all I'm gonna say.
March 9, 2008
Bippity Boppity Boo
The brown rice is prepared, the broccoli is ready for the monday morning blanch, runs are planned, weights are planned, meals are planned. Not to mention the scale is down from Friday, awesome workout on Saturday, and this Saturday is my 10K. I've been cutting my portions and for the most part eating tons of vegetables (even on the weekend too! sadly that's usually out of character for me). Did I mention I'm water guzzling fool?
I'm on a roll.
In fact, I'm on so much of a roll that I'm a little confused.
"Is this me? Who is this super motivated person who has taken over my brain and body?" Not only do I believe I can reach my goal; I see myself there, so close I can taste it. It's like someone has turned a switch in my brain that's like, "C'mon. let's do this already! Quit screwing around and lets get into those 6's!"
I feel like the fairy godmother of motivation has bestowed the perfect amount of magical fire-in-my-belly. It feels like forever since I've seen her, I wish I knew how to keep her coming back. (Although she looks more like Gabrielle Reece than the one from Cinderella...) I'll just enjoy it while it lasts!
March 6, 2008
The Family That Runs Together...
gets in everybody's way.
We took the kids to the indoor track for a fun-filled family night of running chasing. We were there for 45 minutes and I think I maybe ran a whopping 2 miles. Several of those laps I was pushing a stroller, giving piggyback rides, and trying to keep the toddler from entering the sprint lane 2 seconds before someone would come whizzing by.
We had fun though.
And what are you supposed to do after a night of exercise with your family?
Get donuts of course!
And no, I didn't have one.
