A Case of the Runs

Back at the beginning of the year, I made a hasty list of goals for the year, and now that we're approximately half-way through (already!)... it's time for my progress update. Retirement - save for : Now that things are more secure in the employment realm, this has officially begun!  (On the bright side, I had an account at a previous job that has been stagnant since I left it, so now I just have one that will get my bi-weekly contributions.) PR : Not yet, but I did run my best marathon since 2009 this year (twice!) and did my first long relay ... However, I'm actually setting PRs in other athletic realms that I will elaborate upon later in the year (not to build suspense but to ensure I don't put it out there and then fail publicly). Publish (or attempt to publish) something (academic) -- In progress, though "attempt" is in the verbiage, so thank goodness.  This recently got revived, and I have to say that the memory of ever writing a dissertation h...

I was finally able to find Vega Sports bars lying around!  I always see the powders everywhere, but even though I saw other bloggers eating these Vega bars, I had yet to see one in any store. Protein-Bar: Vibrancy Bar: Quite frankly, I didn't like the Sport bar at all... I took it to a Dodger game and ended up giving up on it after maybe a quarter of it (the bar, not the game).  This resulted in some unplanned popcorn consumption -- the caramel, sugar-y kind, mind you. ;) The issue I had was the taste of spirulina , which I don't like.  I've always believed I have a sensitive palate, but I can't imagine anyone finding that taste pleasurable at any level.  To me, it tastes worse than whey protein.  The Vibrancy bar was definitely edible, being somewhat tamer on the taste.   Both bars are a little high on the caloric side, so for now, I'd rather eat CLIF Buidler's bars, which taste much better (probably due to higher sugar......

Well, at the point that this post comes up, I can declare that I only have two weeks left of this program.  I still am amazed how I've been able to not quit! Week 7 Reflections : I had to do a little modifying this week, because in spite of my best intentions, I must move my rest day to Monday or Tuesday.  Given that next Monday's workout is supposed to be a nasty Fit Test (25 min) + Max Interval Circuit (59 min) combo, I elected to do a little shuffling to make it work without killing me.  Well, prolonging my precious rest day will probably kill me, but oh well. Monday - Max Cardio Conditioning Tuesday - Max Interval Circuit Wednesday - Max Interval Pylo modifications Thursday - Core Cardio & Balance (originally Saturday) Friday - Max Cardio Conditioning & Cardio Abs, then Max Recovery (originally Thursday)... whew! Saturday - Fit Test #4 (originally Monday) Sunday - Max Interval Circuit (originally Monday) Monday - Max Interval Ply...

I pretty much stick to Sunwarrior Protein Powder for my liquid protein needs, but I like to stay informed about other choices without breaking the bank. Whole Foods is pretty nifty in that they offer sample-sized bags of protein powders for sale -- you know, so you can try it before you get a big can of something that tastes darn awful.  Of course I don't buy every little packet I see.  At $2-$3+ a pop, it can add up easily.  So I tried to pick ones that didn't rely on soy or spirulina as their main ingredient, because I can't stand the taste of those things in excess. So it came down to Jay Robb's egg white protein and Vega One. Nutritional comparison: definitely more protein bang for my buck in the Jay Robb.  Of course, vegans wouldn't be able to select this option. Taste-wise, Jay Robb's was actually really good for a protein drink (I had it at room temp, but I'm sure it'd be great cold).  I may explore using this brand in the f...

Oh, MyFitnessPal ... how I love thee. I started using this site back in November when I set a weight-loss goal .  I can't remember if I started an account on this FREE site before this point, but this was my first real go at it. I lasted a week.  In fact, I might have lasted until Friday afternoon. Things got tricky when I went home, as I didn't always have (or want) access to a computer to keep logging everything in there.  Then, months and some goal regression later, I finally got a connected mobile device.  While this is probably exaggerating, I was probably the last person in my generation to get a cell phone... and almost the same thing has happened for web-enabled phones. Anyway, I started tracking regularly, and then it became second nature. from myfitnesspal.com (works on Android, Blackerry, iPhone/iPad) Nowadays, I think my body just doesn't want to lose weight, yet I've still been tracking because I do want to make sure I don't undereat and ...

Guess who decided to join my insane antics? At the end of the second week of the program, "The Ukrainian" and I were on a weekend trip with his family.  Determined to not skip a workout, I brought the necessary disc and prayed that the laptop we brought would not give out because the charger had been left behind. Two people doing Insanity in a small room (that doesn't sound right, but keep reading) was a strange sight.  Since I knew the moves, I went off to a corner and let "The Ukrainian" take the front-of-the-laptop space.  Thirty-eight minutes later, we were drenched, and I believe a seed was planted (this continues to sound wrong, agh!). Over the next few weeks, "The Ukrainian" voluntarily popped in that same disc (Pure Cardio) a couple of times.  Then, as I was finishing the first month, he said he was going to do the program.  Wow... I was never able to get him to do any of the other videos  I've done, so there must be something sp...

This was my first time making seitan.  Seitan is intimidating.  I always thought it sounded like something my parents call people when they are upset and assumed it was really difficult/lengthy to make, but no, it's actually pretty easy. Seitan isn't for everyone.  Some people can't stand the texture at all, or the fact that -- heck -- it's not meat, duh.  And it's DEFINITELY not for gluten-intolerant/free people, because it is practically a ball of gluten. But if you are inclined to try this, it makes 11 "strips" and contains 5 g protein per strip, so why not? As a note, I don't eat a lot of this fake meat stuff, but once in a while, it's actually pretty good in itself without thinking about what I'm substituting. Homemade Chik'n Seitan inspired by the recipe on the back of the Bob's Red Mill package and conglomerate of online resources makes about 11 "strips"; ~5 min prep, ~60 min cooking Ingredients : - for the...