Recent Recipes

As usual I've been terrible with updates! Here are a few recipes I've been trying and loving lately!

Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

I followed HGTV's recipe here for this delicious dinner! These would be amazing for fall or as an appetizer for Thanksgiving. Thankfully (or not) Boston's chilly temperatures made these feel like an appropriate comfort food for mid-March.

Quinoa Enchalada Casserole

JE (my marathon munchkin) recommended this recipe from Damn Delicious, and we loved it! So easy and satisfying. Reminded me a lot of vegetarian chile with tons of protein. 

Roasted Salmon with Spicy Mango and Asparagus 

This is a super easy CK original recipe. Drizzle a salmon filet with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Top with chopped pineapple and jalapeño (seeds removed). Roast the salmon on 375 for about 20 minutes. (Salmon will be solid pink throughout). Top with salsa. I love the combination of sweet and spicy!

We have been a huge fan of this asparagus recipe for a while. Love how quick and easy it is!

I'm Back!

I don't know if that title should have so much enthusiasm. I'm back in freezing, rainy, SNOWY Boston. Okay, so we've become Title Town once again and broken the all-time snow accumulation record, but really who wants that title?!

Vacation recap: Florida was wonderful and so relaxing. It was full of lots of laying by the pool, walks on the beach, and cocktail hours. I still made time to work out while I was on vacation. In fact, I worked out every day (aside from the two days I traveled). I actually enjoy working out when I'm on vacation, because I don't feel like I have to wake up super early or squeeze it in before or after a long work day. Also, I love working out outside, and 86 and sunny makes for some great outdoor workouts.

So what did I do? I ran, kayaked, walked, and did a little lifting at the gym. Most days I ran anywhere from 2-4 miles, both outdoors and on the treadmill. The gym at South Seas Resort has a beautiful view overlooking the harbor. I also couldn't miss the chance for some rooftop yoga at the house.

Healthy Hiatus

I take off for warm, sunny, Florida Saturday at 5am.

Get. me. there. now.

This has been the longest week of all time, because I cannot wait for this vacation. I really love what I do, but sometimes you just need a break. I can't wait for lots of sun, sand, and drinks with little umbrellas. Not sure how much posting I'll be able to post between now and the time I leave, never mind while I'm there. I promise lots of photos of warm weather runs and hot yoga when I return!

No days off.

Marathon Mondays

Ok, so the workout portion of this post will really focus on a long run done on Sunday, but I just can't resist a little title aliteration. I ran 8 miles this past Sunday with my good friend JE who is training for this year's Boston Marathon. I am so proud and inspired by this girl. She ran her first half marathon this past fall, and on Sunday she logged 15 miles! Her longest run ever! (And I got to be a part of it). Not only are her fitness goals a huge inspiration, but she is also one of the most caring and generous people I know. When I say generous, I mean being-the-only-match-to-a-family-member-in-need-of-a-kidney-so-going-under-the-knife-and-donating-that-kidney kind of generous. That's right, JE donated her kidney to her uncle and saved his life. As a result she has a list of "one kidney goals," and she recently added running the Boston Marathon to that list. (NBD.) (Did I mention she has one kidney?!) However, not only is she running the Boston Marathon, she's running it for one of her favorite charities Cradles to Crayons, and she's ALREADY reached her $10,000 goal!! I mean, is this girl a saint?! Seriously, though, I'm extremely proud and inspired by her all the time, and I hope this inspires others to follow in her health/life footsteps.

So on Sunday I ran 8 beautiful but chilly miles with her from Newton-Wellelsey Hospital to Brighton. We ran on the marathon route, and even climbed the dreaded beloved Heartbreak Hill. Every time I run any part of the course I get nostalgic. I have run three Boston Marathons, including the year of the marathon bombing. The Boston Marathon is unlike any other, and without a doubt the best race in the world (although I am biased). JE, thanks for letting me take a trip down marathon-memory lane, and I can't wait to cheer for you as you take a right on Hereford left on Boylston.

Stretching it out after killing 15

I have no great recipes to post as of late. I've actually had a less than healthy weekend/beginning of the week, but I also have a  pretty good excuse: Tomorrow is my birthday. It really snuck up on me this year. I'm going to be 27. It's not that 27 seems like it's that old, it's just that I can't believe how long ago certain things happened. For example, I can't believe I'll be attending my five year college reunion this spring. Five years?! I've been out of college longer than I was in?! That really doesn't seem possible. I can't believe that I studied abroad in Ireland seven years ago. Seven years ago (almost a decade!!) I was running around Europe and drinking all the pints I could get my hands on with the Galway Girls... Seven years, they go bye in a blink. I can't believe that my mother had me when she was 27. That she'd already been married for three years... I can't say that I feel any real pressure (aside from the fact that Aline said she'd watch my future kids any time I needed help this past weekend - thanks, Mom...), but I am amazed at how it feels like time is speeding up. I think as a goal for my 27th year I am really going to try to appreciate time - weeks as they approach, days that seem insignificant, moments as they pass - really stop and take a second to think about what's happening around me and how lucky I am to have lived such full and wonderful 27 years, rich with friends, family, and adventures. I can only hope for 27 (and more) future years.

26 has taught me some very important lessons. The most important lesson is that we all have a clock, and we never know when our time is going to run out. We should squeeze every last second out of every day, and we should never be afraid to share a kind word, to speak the truth, and most importantly to tell people that you love them. You never know when you're not going to get another chance. CM sent me the following today, and I think it's the perfect thing to leave you with. Spend wisely.

Will You Barry Me?

Every few months I get on a new fitness kick/obsession. My latest? Barry's Bootcamp. I am only able to take the classes on the weekends, because of their less than convenient location in Downtown Crossing, but this is seriously the best workout ever. My girlfriend over at vfeathersandfur.blogspot.com just posted on her love affair with Barry's, too. Tell me she isn't in kick ass shape!?

My birthday is coming up this week, so my parents came to Boston to take me out for lunch today. You know what made my breakfast pizza and banana bread beer even better? A butt kicking at Barry's this morning. I took the 9:45 total body workout, and loved every minute! Each class is an hour long, and it combines 25-30mins of cardio, and 25-30mins of weights. During the week each class focuses on a body part, and on the weekends it's total body. Check out the schedule and where to find a location near you here. My favorite thing about the class are the woodway treadmills. They allow you take take a longer stride and the belts are much easier on your knees/joints. You can put these bad boys in something called "dynamic mode" which allows you to push the belt with your legs. It's essentially like running through sand - and it definitely pushes you to the point of possibly puking (aka the best kind of workout!)

I wish I had more photos of the facility and workout room, but trust me when I say it's definitely a place worth checking out.

Barry's Breakdown

Barry's Total Body

Challenge: 10

Sweat Factor: 10

Music:10

Pros: Amazing workout, great instructors, awesome facility.

Cons: Tough location, expensive clases ($28, although I got a Gilt city deal of $70 for 5 classes)

*Categories are ranked 0-10 (0 = worst, 10 = best)

Boyfriends & Boxing

Bare with me while I brag for a minute: I have the world's best boyfriend! Tonight, after a long day and a great workout, I came home to dinner already prepped and cooking. The best part? It was healthy!

CM whipped up a delicious sweet potato quinoa gratin. Recipe found here. It was delicious! (And tasted even better because I didn't have to make it). I love quinoa because it tastes like it should be as bad for you as empty carbs (aka rice and pasta) but is actually lower in carbs, has no sugar, and has as much as 8 grams of protein per cup. Sweet potatoes are also a super food I love! For some information on the benefits of sweet potatoes check this out.

The finished product. Rileygirl approved.

While the gratin was cooking CM and I were really hungry, so I made us a quick appetizer - healthy ranch dip. I simply mixed 16oz greek yogurt (instead of cream cheese) with Hidden Valley Ranch Dip mix. We dipped carrots and Buffalo Wing Pretzels in it. (These things are like crack! So addicting!)

Today's Workout

Today my alarm went off at 5:30am, and I promptly turned it off. I was a little bummed with myself until I got to work and a girlfriend invited me to work out at her gym tonight. She works at The Club by George Foreman III in Fort Point. This place is awesome! It's a new, beautiful facility with about 150 classes a week! I recently bought a 10 pack and have tried many of the classes. Some of which I love (like BoxFit 360 with Dave), and some of which I could take or leave. Tonight we tried Bags and Body. The class was only 30 minutes, so I ran a couple miles afterwards. It wasn't my favorite class, but it was a good quick sweat and is definitely a great arm toning workout. See my breakdown below.

The view from the treadmills.

Bags and Body*

Challenge: 5

Sweat Factor: 7

Music: 3

Pros: Great focus on arm toning and conditioning in between combinations. Also taught a lot about boxing techniques.

Cons: Not a hard enough workout for only 30 minutes. Definitely broke a sweat, but was rarely out of breath. I thought the music was dated.

*Categories are ranked 0-10 (0 = worst, 10 = best)

A Twist on Taco Tuesday

I remember Taco Tuesday being a college dinner favorite. I like to think of this as the healthy version. Tonight I whipped up a Taco Tuesday inspired dish using zoodles! (Zoodles = zucchini noodles). I love zoodles, because there's so much you can do with them. We got a spiralizer (like this one) a few months ago and it has absolutely changed dinners.

This dish is super easy, cheesy, and has a little kick. I'm not one to do exact measurements when whipping up a quick dinner so I'll estimate as best I can.

Mexican Zoodles

Ingredients:

2 zucchinis
Cayenne pepper

2 cloves garlic

Onion powder

Salt & pepper

1/4 white onion

2 tblsps olive oil

1/2 can corn

15-20 thawed shrimp

1/2 can black beans

Lime

Avocado

Mozzerella cheese

Salsa

Directions:

Spiralize 2 zucchinis and salt and sprinkle with cayenne pepper and onion powder, set aside.

Chop the onion, and mince 2 cloves of garlic. Saute both with olive oil until the onions are translucent.

 Add zucchini noodles and shrimp. Saute for 1-2 minutes.

Add beans and corn. Saute until warm

Squeeze in 1/2 a lime.

Ladle into a bowl. Sprinkle with mozz cheese. Top with salsa, avocado, and more lime juice to taste. 

You can even get fancy and use a dollop of greek yogurt (It's just like sour cream!)

Today's workout was a quick kick-ass HIIT workout on the treadmill, and some arms. It only took about 45mins, which was perfect, since my legs are still sore from Monday's squat session. 

HIIT Treadmill workout

0:00-1:00 - walk 4mph incline 1

1:00-2:00 6.5mph incline 2.5

2:00-3:00 6.5mph incline 3.5

3:00-4:00 6.5mph incline 4.5

4:00-5:00 6.5mph incline 5.5

5:00-6:00 7mph incline 1.5

6:00-7:00 7.5mph incline 1.5

7:00-8:00 8mph incline 1.5

8:00-9:00 8.5mph incline 1.5

9:00-10:00 9mph incline 1.5

10:00-20:00 every minute alternate between 6.5mph and 9mph, staying at an incline of 1.5

20:00-30:00 repeat minutes 0:00-10:00

Walk 5 minutes at 4mph for a cool down