Spring Vacation

**Tomorrow is the last day of the sweet potato challenge!   Remember, nothing is too small or too great to be entered.   Just let me know when you post the picture on your blog, and I’ll post them all up on Saturday for all to admire.  

Twas a busy morning, but I was totally a-ok with that, because it’s also the first day of spring vacation after my 4pm class.  :mrgreen:

I started the day with two large slices of French toast.

• 1 whole egg + 2 egg white
• splash of milk
• cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves
• 1 T. flax
• 1 T. raisins
• 2 large slices of whole wheat sourdough bread (dunked in the above mixture)
• toppings: 1 T. peanut butter + 1 banana

With a belly full of breakfast and a cup of coffee, I was ready for the gym!

Elliptical: 2.5 miles, resistance 11
Treadmill: 1.0 mile, 5.0% incline, 4.4 mph
Elliptical: 1.5 mile, resistance 11-12 intervals
Stairmaster: 10 minutes, 8% incline

I’m trying to extend the time that I spend on the elliptical in one go.  I have a tough time mentally staying on the machine for much longer then 15-20 minutes, but I think if I can get through this, it will help me hold on to more of my running endurance. 

Once home, I quickly set out to do my knee and foot stretches.  I’m curious to see what the physical therapist will give me for “homework” tomorrow morning!

I made good use of my knee icing time by studying for today’s quiz and munching on a snack: 6-oz. plain yogurt with 1 T. crushed flax, 1/2 a chunky bran muffin and a tsp of peanut butter. 

Thursdays usually throw me into an ”end of week” economic mindset, as I clean out the fridge and combine whatever leftovers I can find to call it lunch.   Today’s hodge-podge included:

• leftover brown rice with peas (about a cup)
• 1/2 c. garbanzo beans
• leftover broccoli and carrots, steamed (about a cup)
• “dressing”: 1 tsp olive oil and balsamic vinegar (because what doesn’t balsamic taste good on? )

Sometimes I forget to add a bit of oil to my lunches, but I try to remember.  Not only does it add such a great mouth feel to the entire dish, it also aids in the absorption of the important fat-soluble vitamins.  If the meal itself doesn’t have fat in it, it’s a good idea to add a bit through healthy olive oil, avocados, nuts, etc.  

Along with my concoction, I packed an orange as well as a pear with some almonds for an afternoon snack.  I ended up stopping by Starbucks for a tall soy misto too since I had some extra time between classes.  It was so nice sipping a hot misto while reading some fresh new magazines.   

Once my last class was complete, I happily drove home with the country music blaring on the radio.  Vacation leaves me just a little on the happy side.

Soon enough there was pizza on the table, along with a huge side salad.  I was absolutely starving tonight for some reason…I’m pretty sure I could have eaten an entire pizza if it was put in front of me.   I ate the first slice, then moved on to the voluminous salad which slowed me down.

Still feeling a little grumbly, I went for a second slice.  So delicious…it was piled high with green peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, onions and black olives.  My absolute favorite toppings.

Tomorrow morning I have an early physical therapy appointment.  I can’t wait to hear what they have to say and I plan on asking them about the causes of my knee pain so I can prevent it in the future.  I have a feeling it’s related to week quad muscles, and possibly overpronation of my foot.  I haven’t ruled out weak hips either, hence my adding hip strengtheners to my daily stretches too.

Ready to do some R-E-L-A-X-I-N with tea, LIFE cereal and Everybody Loves Raymond reruns.

Question: Favorite Pizza Topping?  I love any and all veggies on my pizza…especially ‘shrooms and broccoli!   Pineapple is a nice addition too.

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