Early morning

Started my day at 4AM with a “Green Monster”. I made the basic, no frills, version:

1 c vanilla almond milk
1 frozen banana
2 large handfuls of baby spinach

Whirl in blender until smooth and enjoy.

For those of you who have never had one, you can’t taste the spinach. They’re really good and good for you, too.

I followed the smoothie with 30 minutes on the stationary bike and an hour of yoga. It felt so good. My muscles were all warm and singing.

Happy Thanksgiving

How was your Thanksgiving? Mine was much better than expected. I went to my cousin’s in Leavenworth, KS. I was worried that there wouldn’t be anything to eat except what I brought but my cousin (who fortunately loves to cook) decided to experiment with gluten-free flours and cake mixes. I got to have lots of stuff. It was a pleasant day made more so by starting with some wine and cheese. I mellowed out and just plain enjoyed the company. Thanks for inviting me Cathy.

Today, I am thankful for family.

More later...

Thoughts of exercise

I’m going through a period where all I can think about is exercise and food. When I’m not actively in the process of exercise I’m reading about it. I read food labels on every little thing I buy. I bought honey yesterday that didn’t have a label and I wondered what was in it. I assume it was 100% honey but with no label who knows. I’m eating cleanly and it shows in my energy level and my desire to stay up off the couch. My new favorite magazine is Oxygen. It’s published by the same folks who publish Clean Eating. It doesn’t have all the fluff that some other fitness magazines have. I’ve even subscribed to it. Can’t wait until the next issue.

I’m starting to add elevation when I walk on the treadmill. I’m still not very fast after my ankle injury but I’m building endurance. Yesterday at 1.0 elevation and 2.2 mph it felt really good. I felt like I was working and not just rehabbing an injury. I think I might be in the market for a Garmin thingy. I like having all the data. Any suggestions from those who use one?

More later…

My first original recipe

Go to breakfast:

1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1 cup chilled crushed pineapple in its own juice
Splash of good quality vanilla extract
Cinnamon to taste
Sweetner of choice to taste (I use 3 packets of Equal)

Stir until well combined and enjoy.

Serves: 1

Not listening to your body?

This morning I woke up and wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep. It was late, considering the fact I’ve been getting up around 4:30AM, and all I did not want to get up. It took a few minutes but I got up anyway. I took my Calcium tablets which are supposed to be taken before a meal and got on the recumbent exercise bicycle. About 5 minutes into the ride I saw a lump laying in the living room floor. I had to get off to see what it was. I stopped the timer and walked over to the lump. It was a present from my cat – a freshly killed mouse. I disposed of the mouse and got back on the bike. I rode for a full 20 minutes. I felt better but still sluggish. It’s 10AM now and I feel like exercising. I’ve done two full Anderson stretching sessions (they last about 10 minutes each). One was meant to be done before you take a walk and one is titled Computer & Desk Stretches. Both felt really good. I have some energy now.

On the other hand – what about listening to your body. Wasn’t my body telling me that I needed sleep? Should I have listened to it and gotten a couple of extra hours? What about taking a day off every now and then? Isn’t that ok? I’m so new to all this that I don’t have answers, just questions. Any help would be appreciated.

More later….

Truman Capote

Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.- Truman Capote

Healthy Ashley and the Urbanathlon

Check out Ashley's posts on her experiences with the Nike Urbanathlon in Chicago. Great posts and great pics. Thanks Ashely for the inspiration one more time.

http://healthyashley.blogspot.com/2010/10/men-health-urbanathlon-race-recap.html