A Look into my Cupboards

I did a little reflection today as I was whipping up a turkey sandwich for lunch. While I was putting together my delicious sando, I noticed something about my cupboards... They are a pretty decent refection of my diet. I know what your thinking. Something like, Duh Nikki! That is where you get your food to eat, but what I mean is... as I looked around I saw a lot of whole grain, enough protein, good fats (like nuts, etc), plenty of dairy, lots of fruit, but something was lacking. Can you figure out what it is?



I'm lacking vegetables! I do have some, I have salad, edamame in the freezer, and stir-fry veggies for tonight, but I just feel like it's not enough. A recently read an article in Runner's World about plant-heavy dieting and how beneficial it is for you (not diet as in dropping a quick 10 lbs, diet like what we eat everyday). It must of been what led to my reflection in the kitchen. Here's the thing, I love veggies. I could eat them all the time. AND I never met a veggie I didn't like. BUT veggies go bad so quickly, I hesitate to buy them. Am I the only one that feels this way?

So here's a question; what do you do to keep your veggies fresh? I'd love to hear some answers. Or, if you feel the same as me, I'd love to hear that too. Leave your comments!

Quinoa Chili

I got this recipe from my sister-in-law and it is delish! If you haven't heard of it before, quinoa is a superfood that is really good for you. Quinoa is somewhat new to the health world, but quickly gaining popularity. So far, this is the only quinoa recipe I have, but if I find more I will let you know. You can find quinoa at your local health food store OR you can get a bag of it at Costco for $8 (the bag will take me months to get through).



Quinoa Chili

2 cans kidney beans, rinsed & drained (really you can use any beans and different beans offers different health benefits, find one right for you)
2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 med. onion, chopped
2 tsp. salt
1 green pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 cup quinoa, rinsed in warm water
1 cup frozen corn
1 can tomato sauce, low salt (about 2 cups)
1 cup water

Heat oil in pot over medium heat. Add onions and saute until tender. Add salt, garlic, pepper and spices. Saute for 5-10 minutes. Add rinsed quinoa and stir in. Add corn, tomato sauce, and water to onion/quinoa mixture. Simmer together 20 minutes. Add beans to the pot and simmer another 15 minutes. Serve with grated cheese, sliced avocado or anything else you like on your chili. Makes 6-8 servings

I've Been Bad

So, the last time I posted was the last time I ran. Yikes. During the run, I felt pretty good and was happy I did it, BUT my coughing got worse again and my doctor recommended no running until I was REALLY over my sickness. Bummer.

Here I am, 11 days later, feeling like a cow, with only 1 workout under my belt (yesterday, I played soccer- cough seemed fine). This isn't the first time I've had a setback in my working out. This time it was because I was sick, but come on, we all go on vacations, or have lapses of no motivation where the last thing we want to be do is work out.

Here's what I'm going to do..

• I am not going to fret. Setbacks happen. Sitting around pouting is not going to work off the possible extra lbs. I packed on in the last week and a half.
• I am not going to weigh myself. Everyone is different with scales. Personally, if I actually see that I have gained weight, I can get really down on myself. After a solid week or so of working out, I will hop on the scale. This usually helps because maybe you've already cut a couple pounds off and then will feel less depressed about what you have to accomplish.
• I am going to get moving. I plan on running a few times this week and also will plan ahead at least one work out class at the gym (love, love, love kickboxing).

That's my plan. To be honest, I was a little embarrassed to talk about my weight gain on the blog, but I'm over it. That's not the point of this blog. Bottom line is, what I've done, needs to be undone. So here goes nothin'.

No Motivation

It's happened again.. It creeps up on me without warning, leaving me to feel victim to its attack.

I am lacking motivation to work out.

I've been sick, I had a super rough 8 mile run Saturday, I have work in an hour and half, I'm feeling tired.. Can't I just put off my run one more day?

I hate the feeling of having no motivation. I feel guilty for feeling it, and also, can't shake myself out of it. What to do? What to do? Honestly, as I write, I'm still not sure. I could go quickly before work and get it done, or wait until after work. The problem with waiting is that I know this feeling of having no motivation could increase after a 5 hour shift of waiting tables. Maybe I should just go.

This time I'm not going fall victim. I'm gonna get my stuff on right now and not think about it for one more second. I'm gonna start running before I can tell myself "no." I know once I start, the battle is over. Okay, I'm off.