About Me

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I am a former career girl and am now a stay-at-home-mom to 2 amazing little girls. Exercise and "dieting" have never been easy for me. But now more than ever, I am determined to adhere to a more active, healthy lifestyle. I am not dieting - just making smarter, more natural food choices. I want to set a great example for my girls. I starting running last year with the Couch-to-5K running program. I've lost over 35 pounds since last year and I want to lose 60 more. I completed my first race (a 5K) in October and I running a 10K by this summer. My long-term goal is ultimately to run a half-marathon in 2012. I've created this blog to put it all out there and most of all - to keep me honest. I include a tested recipe & inspiring workout song on each post. I am also hoping to inspire and be inspired by you! I would love for you to join me for this journey and become an official follower of this blog!

Monday, October 17, 2011

I did it, I did it, I did it...hooray

For you parents out there with young kids... I couldn't get the Dora song "I did it, I did it, I did it, ...hooray" out of my head as I started writing this post. 

I finally did something that has been over a year in the making: ran my first race! It was a 5K. I picked one that had special significance to me as not only was it on my college alma mater's grounds (finishing on the football field's 50 yard line), but I was also able to benefit an old friend's charity that honors her sister. 

Looking back it was a little crazy as there were over 15,000 participants. Not probably the best race to get your feet wet with, but I did it! I finished without walking. I finished within the race time I wanted to, and the best part is I finally accomplished a goal that I had had for so long

Now I can't wait to continue to build my running muscles and endurance to complete a 10K in about 5 weeks! Very exciting to me! I am proving to myself how doable this is. I am proving to myself how strong I really am (even if I still am slow). 

I am trying to take one race at a time but I really do think that a half marathon is within my sights for next year!!! wow.


SONG THAT KEPT ME RUNNING THIS WEEK:  "Church" T-Pain featuring Teddy Verseti. If this song won't help you pick up the pace during a workout, nothing will! :)
RANDOM TIP OF THE WEEK: Sometimes carbs are seriously craved, I know. But even carbs that are better for you like whole wheat pasta, brown rice, millet etc. still have the same calories as their white counterparts. Make a good thing go further by mixing veggies in using a 50/50 ratio. You will still get the carb feeling but less will go further.
THIS WEEK'S RECIPE: Spaghetti Squash Lasagna! Yet another recipe inspired by Gina and her amazing blog Skinnytaste. I just doctored the original version up by adding flavors to the ricotta and changing some of the quantities a bit. 


Ingredients:
2 cups marinara sauce (you can use fresh or jarred)
3 cups cooked roasted spaghetti squash 
(I like to roast it whole - I find it easier than trying to cut it pre-cooked - see directions here)
1.5 cups part skim ricotta
3 tbs parmesan cheese
7 oz low-fat shredded mozzarella (I find the reduced fat at Trader Joe's)      
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbs fresh thyme 
1/2 tsp dry basil
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

Directions:

I like to roast the spaghetti squash whole as I find it easier than trying to cut it pre-cooked - see directions here.
Preheat oven to 375°.

In a small bowl mix the ricotta, thyme, basil, red pepper flakes and pepper. In a 8x8 pan ladle 1 cup marinara sauce on the bottom of the pan. Lay out the cooked spaghetti squash in an even layer.  Top with the ricotta. Sprinkle half of the parmesan cheese and 2/3 of the mozzarella. Add the remaining sauce, parmesan and mozzarella cheese.  Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges begin to bubble. If you want to uncover then and cook 5 minutes more, it will have more of a browned top (I just like mine cooked covered). Note: After you cut the first piece there might be some water from the cooked squash - I just spooned it out :).


Nutrition: 326 calories, 13g fat, 27g carb, 3g fiber, 20g protein, 8 pp+

2 comments:

  1. GREAT JOB! I would not at all belittle what you've accomplished because you are what you think is "slow" when running. My first 5k last summer I ran in 45:12. My 7th race this past weekend I ran in 32:16. Speed comes with time! Good for you for having accomplished this goal!!!

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  2. Congratulations on reaching your goal and completing your race! That's awesome! I signed up for my first 5k on November 12th. I am so slow that most people can probably walk it faster than I can run it, and I'm nowhere near running the whole way, but I am determined to finish even if I have to crawl across the finish line! :)

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