Paleo for the first time

Today was a day of firsts.

Dr. Ryan (who owns Crossfit Cornerstone) is also a kick ass chiropractor. I've talked with him a couple of times before and this week we got to talking about my knee which lead to my hips and my posture and so on. I decided to go ahead and schedule an appt and get checked out today. As we thought, it appears that my hips are misaligned and could potentially be causing some of my knee and back pain. We took some xrays of my hips, neck, and spine and I go back tomorrow to see how the xrays looked. Before I left though, I got hooked up to a machine that pulsed electricity through my knee and stimulated my sciatic nerve. Also an ultrasound on the inside of my knee to hopefully help out with the inflamation and swellling. I'm excited to learn more about what is going on with my body and how everything is connected.

I also made a trip to Jungle Jims and completed the healthiest shopping trip I've ever gone on. I bought a metric ton of produce and picked up some paleo supplies so that I could cook tonight. On the menu was Paleo Orange Chicken and Fried Rice from Health-bent.com

I was worried that I wouldn't like it and would need to finish off the bag of Doritos afterwards but surprisingly enough, it was pretty good! I made a huge mess in the kitchen but it cleaned up easily and I have leftovers for probably 2-3 more meals. I think I may have liked it better had I used chicken breast instead of thighs. The chili-garlic sauce was spicy but super delicious! My oranges unfortunately weren't that sweet so I added a little bit of honey to the sauce. It was still good but I feel like it could have been more "orange-y." Overall it was a success.



The box is hosting a challenge that starts on Monday. It's 30 days of eating using the whole30 plan. I don't think I'm quite down for that to go cold turkey, but I'm definitely up for cleaning up my eating. All the hard work just to fuel myself with crap is starting to get to me and I know that is the missing piece. I'm not sure that Paleo is for me and likely not whole30 because that is even more strict. I'll find the right balance for me.

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Awesome

I had maybe the best run of the last few weeks today. I actually felt a smidge like a runner.

Background:
We have started running every Wednesday and Saturday. ("We" would be myself and the Mrs. K-Nun)
She helped me so much and supported me in the half marathon training and she totally rocked her goal to finish in under 2 hours! She has no desire to run another race, but she is more than willing to continue our weekly runs at the happy place. HOWEVER! We changed it up and have found a mini-happy place a little closer to home that now hosts Wednesday runs. It's a 1.4 mile loop around a pretty lake. 2 hills unfortunately but I guess it's a good thing to challenge us.

So this loop... I have yet to run a full loop. Until today that is.

I ran the first mile (including the 2 hills) followed by walking the last .4

I was ready for the 2nd loop and told myself I would run until K-Nun caught up to me. Ran the 2 hills... no K-Nun. I didn't see her till around the .8 mark. She got a little closer at the mile... and caught up with me shortly after. But I looked at her and said I was going to the end! I was so close! I even managed to pick it up for the last .1 and finished strong.

Total distance: 2.8 miles. Total ran: 2.4 miles

I was definitely out of breath in the end but the awesome feeling finally found me today.

And oh what a feeling.

Post run was "fend for yourself" for dinner.

Rather than running to grab fast food, which is what I really wanted to do... and rather than eating an entire package of noodles by myself, I had a serving of noodles, cooked some chicken on the stove, and made a dinner salad! (Romaine, Tomatoes, Feta, Cucumbers, Pickles- a la Skinny Runner, and Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing) I couldn't even finish the salad. It was a little too big.

All in all it was a good day tater.

Day 1

 Trust the program. It works. After that disaster of a Monday attempt, I made my vow to start over. Back to square 1.

I did. It didn't look like it would go well- I worked all day long from 8-7:30 including travel time, came home, got changed, checked out podcasts, and then hauled my cookies to the Y. Unfortunately I left my ipod shuffle at home and thought if I returned for it I would not go back out. So I completed today sans music and distractions. It wasn't as terrible as I thought. I was able to focus and really pay attention to what I was doing.

Week 1 Day 1 consists of a 5 minute warmup walk followed by intervals for 20 minutes: 60 seconds of running then 90 seconds of walking. Sounds easy right? Not for someone straight off the couch! I am committed to running this time at a 6.0, or 10 minute miles. Quite speedy compared to the 5.0 pace I kept last time. I ran at a 6.0 and walked at a 4.0-4.3 the entire time, except for the end. The last 60 second run I bumped to a 6.5 (9:13 mile) and then for good measure I ran an extra 30 seconds at a 7.0 at the end. (I was thisclose to 2 miles and felt like I needed the sprint to boost my confidence.



Week 1, Day 1 - Success



It wasn't easy but it wasn't a run from hell. Obviously easier in the beginning and then harder as my endurance was being challenged. But I did it and felt great- plus it was only 25 minutes plus a little bit of stretching. When I was driving home from work dreading the whole thing I got to thinking- I'm likely going to sit on the couch for at least 25 minutes tonight and watch sitcoms and reality TV (HELLO ANTM PREMIERE!!), I might as well be spending some of that time at the gym and watch later on DVR without commercials.

Post-workout I even cooked dinner! Mr. Buckeye is gone for the night so I ate something he wouldn't touch with a 10 ft. pole. A FABULOUS dinner salad!

Butter Bliss Lettuce Mix, grilled chicken, tomatoes, mushrooms, feta cheese, carrots, Raspberry Vinaigrette

It's Skyline Time

So Lizzie asked a question I deem worthy enough for a post.

"What is Skyline?"

Allow me to enlighten you.

Skyline is the best Cincinnati Chili ever. Better than Goldstar, better than Empress, just the best. And no one can tell me any different. Chili is an art and Skyline is like Michelangelo... okay that is taking it to an extreme. But seriously? Ask me my favorite food and I will tell you Skyline.

I worked at Skyline while in high school and ate it multiple times a week. It's pretty much a part of my DNA by now I'm sure. Whenever Mr Buckeye is gone for a trip or anything it is one of my go-to meals because he just can't stand it and wouldn't touch it with a 10 ft. pole. So I take advantage!

Now let me educate you on the chili because it's probably not what you think. In my opinion there are 2 kinds of chili.

Texas Chili- lots of meat, lots of spices, beans, jalepapenos, thick and chunky and best served with cheddar and crackers.

Cincinnati Chili- My kind of chili, meat, spices (secret recipe including Cocoa!) and not thick. Best served over a plate of spaghetti with a heaping mound of cheddar cheese. (aka the 3-way)

Now Skyline has options- you've got the 3way, 4way (beans or onions), 5way(both onions and beans), chili spaghetti, cheese coney, coney, chilli cheese sandwich, and it goes on and on. Of course nothing is quite the same as getting it from the restaurant, but it is sold in cans at the grocery so that was my method last night.

I indulged in a cheese coney (hot dog, mustard, chili, onion, cheese) and a 4way onion (spaghetti, chili, onion, cheese) I must tell you it was delightful and I have enough for leftovers which I'll probably have again tomorrow.

both images via skylinechili.com

Seriously- I'm already hungry again just looking at it.

If you ever visit Cincinnati you must give it a try!

Any other Questions?

Food Revolution

So this week I have embarked on a Food Revolution if you will :)

In a last ditch effort to redistribute the spare tire around my waist I've taken to eating many fruits and veggies to rid my body of toxins. Plus, I'm not going to waste those fruits and veggies I picked up on Sunday!

Monday's breakfast consisted of egg omelet and clementines- with a glass of milk. Yes, the omelet had a little bit of cheese but c'mon. It was just a little bit. Moderation. See? I'm already getting better!

Monday's lunch consisted of a turkey, swiss, grey poupon, lettuce sammich on multigrain sandwich thin (Sidenote- these things rock! I've never had them before but I don't miss the bread!) Along with grapes, carrots, light ranch, and some tomatoes.

The lunches I've had the rest of this week have mimicked this- only with some pretzel sticks thrown in.

And that brings me to last night's dinner. Remember me saying I bought leeks? Well, I used them last night. In the BLT pasta. They were super easy to cook and I'll definitely use them again. Mild onion flavor is spot on. The pasta itself was okay but I halved the recipe and sort of eye-balled it but I think I used the same amount of mustard in the cheese sauce so it was a little dijon-y for me but I ate it. And the grape tomatoes, leeks, bacon was so tasty! I should have left that normal and just halved the sauce and pasta! I also used Cheddar cheese instead of Gruyere. I'd probably make it again with a few adjustments.

And I've almost got Secret Project finished but since I've not shared a bit of knitting in a while here is a new pair of socks I started last week. (They are much further now but no pic yet)

Happy Hump Day everyone!

ETA: To answer Mandy's question- I always have place settings and centerpiece on the table. I put the paper plates on top just for the pics :) (Our everyday dishes are the white china at the bottom. I don't use the green ones- there are only 2 and they grace my table from April-August!)

Back to work

OY, This morning did not work out as I had planned. I had high expectations, setting my alarm for 5:30 and final alarm for 6 so that I could get up and shred and then shower and be on my merry way to work. Well, the 5:30 went off- I shut that down. 6 went off, snoooooze, 6:15 came and went... snooooze. until finally I said whatever and slept till my normal 7:00 time.

Where is my motivation? Apparently it loves snuggling under goosedown comforters at 6:30am with me.

I did go back out yesterday and ran around the block. If I'm being honest it was run walk walk walk run walk run. But I did it. and I'm happy with that.

I'll shred when I get home- and maybe a stroll around the block. I figure it doesn't matter so much how hard I'm throwing my body to the pavement this first week, what matters if that I haul my arse off the couch away from reality tv and get some fresh air and move my body.

I did manage to pack my lunch last night- hooray!

I'm currently eating my apple and peanut butter (with a side of Bear Naked granola for good measure) and I'll be enjoying a turkey sandwich, grapes, pretzels for lunch followed with a snack of 2 Cuties around 4ish.

I may attempt the BLT pasta tonight. We will see how adventurous I feel later.

Ah well. Back to work I go.

Vacation countdown- 22 days. I can lose 22 lbs right? (nah, I keeed. I'd be happy with 20!)

Okay really. Let's try for 10.

Monday Monday

Well, it's my last furlough day till May so I'm just lazing about this morning watching the Today Show. That's one of the things that I hate most about going to work- that I can't watch every day.

I went to the grocery store yesterday and planned some meals for the week. I'll be on vacation in 3 weeks and I always wait till the last minute before I freak out and have to clean myself up in very little time. For the first time in, maybe forever, I bought 90% of my items on the outside perimeter of the store.

Some produce included in my purchases:
Apples
Mandarin Orange Cuties
Mushrooms
Leeks
Vine Tomatoes
Grape Tomatoes
Onion
Shallots
Lettuce
Spinach
Grapes
Carrots

I refuse to let any go to waste so yes, I'll be cooking with Leeks this week. I've never had a leek. I don't even know what it tastes like. But I have a BLT (Bacon Leek Tomato) Pasta recipe I wanted to try so I've got to figure out what to do with the other 2 leeks. I'll also be trying out some turkey burgers with some fresh ground turkey I bought. Lunch packing for tomorrow-Friday will consist of sandwichs, carrots, fruit, pretzels.

Well, it's almost 9 so I'm off to eat a quick breakfast and then take a walk/run around the block. (it's about 3/4 a mile I think but it has the most awful 2 hills you've seen in your life. They suck so bad that I'm sucking wind within the first 20 feet of running up them.)

Lets just hope I don't pass out and then get sunburned this early in the morning.

That would be bad.

UPDATE: Slight change in plans. I decided to let Jillian Michaels kick my @ss for 30 minutes instead of running. 30 day shred day 1 complete. I must go buy some smaller weights. How embarrassing that I can't use my lightest 8 lb weights for more than 4 reps without crying and setting them back on the ground so I can just lift air instead.

Breakfast: 1 egg omelet with a leetle bit of cheddar cheese (I'll try tomato and leek tomorrow Liz!) and 2 mandarin orange cuties- I love those things! oh and a cup of milk.

Too bad all I want is a bag of chips and a chocolate bar. But I refuse. It's only 3 weeks.

Family Time

We had the family over for dinner last night.

I slaved away over a hot stove all day let some pork marinate overnight and threw it in the crockpot so that I wouldn't have to really "cook" anything.

The dinner was delightful and couldn't have been easier.

I'll post about it on PaniniMonday but seriously- you need to check out Rachel right now.

For real. Go over there but make sure to come back... eventually

Easter Brunch- Cinci Style

'Nuff Said :)

Happy Valentine's Day (and stuffs)

Well, tomorrow.

But anyways, my apoligies yet again for the lack of posts. I've been here, but I've been busy.

More posts will follow in the upcoming weeks and months as things are starting to pick up around here in Cinci. Obviously this weekend is Valentine's and we are celebrating with a trip to PF Changs for dinner and a movie. Next week we will have visitors! I am very much looking forward to them coming down for another visit- it's been too long! We will wrap up February with our first attendance to the annual BEERFEST at P & K's house. I have a feeling we have no clue what we are getting into but we are on the lookout for delicious American Microbrews in the next 2 weeks. Any recommendations?

March is full of basketball and green beer. I am taking off work that week and making a trip out to Illinois to visit my bestest Steph! I can't wait to see her and the fiance :) When I get back we will travel to Canton to visit and then wrap up that week with March Madness! It should be busy yet completely enjoyable.

April will most likely be a trip to Hocking Hills as well as Easter. And then it gets crazy.

May is filled with a bachelor party weekend, a golf tournament weekend, a wedding! weekend, and Memorial Day weekend. Unfortunately I think this year's annual Vegas trip is being put on hold till June but we may still go anyway. It is tradition after all.

Then we are full on into the summer which includes the summer party, my birthday, the Florida trip, and another wedding!

I'm exhausted just thinking about it all.

Yet I assure you posts will follow to document each listed activity as well as a few more that I have no idea about yet.

Oh and I baked cupcakes last night-

Saturday Bakefest!

Saturday was spent in the kitchen... rolling dough, cutting out cookies, and dipping pretzels!

I had my supplies and was ready to go!

Aren't they lovely?!

Let them eat cake...

So traditionally the bride and groom save the top tier of their wedding cake for their first year of marriage and share a slice on the one year anniversary. Being the traditionalist that I am (hah!) I was not to be without sharing in this experience. Mom was gracious enough to wrap it in layers upon layers of plastic wrap (thanks mom!) and seal it in the box while we were honeymooning in Jamaica and tucked itaway in the freezer till 10-6-08 rolled around. I pulled the cake out on Sunday and let it thaw in the fridge. After our delicious dinner at El Rancho Grande (it was awesome- don't knock it!) we headed home to have our cake. (letting it sit out on the counter for about an hour) It was surprisingly good! We had some mint chocolate chip ice cream to go along with it. I was pretty stuffed but Patrick ate an entire piece of the year old wedding cake so it must not have been too bad!

Now we still have the hunks of main cake still in the freezer... anyone want some?