How Far Would You Walk for a Burrito?

Last week's workouts really revolved around the elliptical machine.  On weekdays it's hard to exercise outside because I don't have enough time after work before it gets dark.  But trying out a lot of elliptical routines in a row and noting my calorie burn each time really helped me figure out how to get the most of a 30-minute workout.  Though I realize the calorie numbers on the machine aren't necessarily the most accurate, I can at least assume all the figures are equally inaccurate, so I can still use them to determine relative intensity. 

 

Recap from last week:

 

Monday - off

 

Tuesday - 30 minutes on elliptical set to manual at level 6

 

Wednesday  - 30 minutes on elliptical set to manual at level 5

 

Thursday  - off

 

Friday - 30 minutes on elliptical set to random hill starting at level 5 but increasing to level 7.  This was far worse than manual for calorie burn (I wouldn't have thought so!)

 

Saturday - 6.8 mile walk (round trip) to California Tortilla.  I often like setting a destination for a walk (like heading to the library), especially one that's far away.  It forces you to keep going when you want to stop, plus it makes you feel like you accomplished something other than just your exercise for the day.  And California Tortilla makes a pretty good burrito - though I'm not sure I'd walk much further for one.  My feet were pretty sore by the time I got home!

 

Sunday - 30 minutes on elliptical - back to manual setting at level 5

One-on-One Training With Jackie DVD

Last week's workouts were mostly centered around the Workout One-on-One Training with Jackie DVD I borrowed from Netflix.  I watched a few episodes of "Workout" back when it was on Bravo years ago, and had put this DVD on the queue probably several years ago but never got around to bumping it to the top of the list.  I don't normally get workout DVDs, but I decided it might be a nice way to shake up my workout routine a bit, and I just might learn some new fitness tricks too.  And then I realized getting the DVD by mail was really the only way to get them - Netflix won't stream workout videos (probably because that would be excellent for the consumer but then no one would ever buy the DVDs). 

 

The One-on-One DVD has three twenty-minute workouts: one focused on the upper body, one on the lower body, and one on abs.  I really liked that this DVD let you customize your workout by choosing which routine(s) you wanted to do before hitting play, so you could just sail through the routines you'd chosen without fiddling around with the menu in between.  (The top Amazon review, linked above, has a run down of all the exercises featured in each segment.)

 

I received the DVD on Monday and got right to work by trying out the lower body routine that day.  Unfortunately, the routine wasn't all that unique or difficult - mostly lots and lots of squats and lunges.  I did like that the weight-baring exercises were broken up with short bouts of cardio to keep your heart rate up and at least make you sweat just a little.  But I definitely wasn't the least bit sore the next day, and the meager workout didn't make me eager to try the other two routines.  In fact, it was Friday before I went back again. 

Tuesday - Bike 30 minutes
 

Wednesday  - Elliptical 30 minutes

Thursday - Off

Friday - I finally got back in front of the One-on-One DVD by doing both the upper body and abs routines.  Since I was in my living room without access to all the different weights of a gym I just used a set of 5-lb weights for the upper body exercises.  Maybe if I'd gone up in weight it would have felt tougher and my arms would have been sore the next day. 

 

The real winner of the DVD was the abs routine.  I actually had to stop a couple of times because I just couldn't keep doing reps and my abs were definitely feeling it the next day ... and the day after that.  It really showed me that I'm not working my abs like I should be and that I should be focusing on that area more in the future. 

 

Saturday - Short walk to library and grocery store (about two miles) plus 1 hour hike at Wheaton Regional Park.  Like so many of my other "hikes" recently, this was also more of a nature walk, with paved trails almost the whole way. 

Sunday - Hike at Rock Creek Park (about 4 miles).  This park is only about a mile from my house, but I've been avoiding going there because I thought I'd need to go further afield to find a real "nature" experience.  Fortunately for me I was wrong.  While I didn't exactly spot any deer, I also couldn't see any cars or too many houses.  And the trail was an actual trail!  I didn't have a trail map, and the trails didn't appear to be blazed anyway, but I managed to figure out a loop that was easy enough to follow (and you're never far from civilization anyway if you do manage to get lost) and did two laps of it in about an hour and a half.  This may just be my new go-to hiking destination. 

Stopping to Smell the Flowers

Last week wasn't exactly the most workout-filled week I've ever had.  But hey, something is always better than nothing, right?  Let's get right to it ...

Monday - Off

Tuesday - Long walk to library - about 4.5 miles.  The great thing about taking a walk on a beautiful day (even just around your neighborhood) is that it's a great stress reliever.  I like to take the opportunity to literally stop and smell the flowers :) 

 

Wednesday - 30 minutes on the elliptical

 

Thursday - 2 mile run.  Again - got to get outside, even if it's just a short trip.  I did this quick run while my lentil soup was simmering on the stove.

 

Friday - Off

 

Saturday - 1 hour hike at Black Hill Regional Park.  To find this place, I just pulled up a map of the area and looked for green space.  Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly my favorite hiking experience ... in fact, it was really just a nature walk because the "trail" I followed was paved the whole way.  And some of the time you were even fenced off from the actual nature ...

 

And most of the time the trail went right along behind a bunch of houses so it was like you were walking through peoples' back yards.  Not exactly like immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the world. 

 

But the trail wound its way around a good-sized lake and it was a beautiful, sunny day, so there were a ton of turtles to spot sunning themselves on rocks and logs.  I probably saw about thirty turtles in my hour-long walk - which I'd estimate came in at right around three miles.  Not the most physical exertion ever, but I got a late start to the day.  I intend to do much better with my hike this weekend! 

 

Sunday - Off (unless you count the incredibly short walk with Josh's parents' dogs - probably less than a mile going at an old dog's pace - which is sloooooooow)

Weekly Exercise Recap

So, I've been eating a ton of junk lately.  First there was delicious peanut butter pie ...  And then there was that amazing vegan cheesecake ...  And then I had the brilliant idea that I would make chocolate covered potato chips.  Yeah, it's a bit out of control.  And it's showing both on the scale and with how I feel. 

 

So I decided it's high time to ramp up the healthy eating and the workouts to get myself back on track.  And part of that endeavor is going to be keeping better track of my workouts so I know exactly what I'm doing (and what I'm not), and hopefully guilting myself into making exercise a much more regular part of my routine. 

 

So here's a quick recap of my workouts from last week:

 

Monday - 1 mile walk to work trudging through the snow (not much of a workout, but better than nothing!)

 

Tuesday - treadmill + 15 minutes of weights

 

Wednesday - treadmill

 

Thursday - off

 

Friday - off, but about 50 pullups with the green band

 

Saturday - 4 mile nature walk, plus walking to get groceries and go to the library

 

Sunday - off

This list doesn't show all the other random things I try to do, like calf raises while I brush my teeth or a one minute plank before bed, but those aren't the things that will make a big impact on my fitness anyway. 

 

And while I realize this isn't exactly a stellar week of workouts, but hopefully it will set me off on the right foot for this coming week.  Wish me luck!  (Actually, I don't need luck ... wish me will power!)

Happy Spring!

It's the first day of Spring!  Not like it's all that easy to tell lately ...

Seriously, what is with the weather lately?!  We've really been seeing global warming at it's finest.

 

Saturday was beautiful and I went on a big hike along Sligo Creek to enjoy the sunshine.  I suppose it wasn't really a hike since the path was paved the whole way.  I guess it was more of a nature walk. But I walked 4 miles trying to keep up the good pace and my legs were definitely sore the next day.

 

Nature walk or hike, it was a beautiful way to spend a couple hours on Saturday afternoon.  Unfortunately, these lovely little flowers probably died the next day, because ...

 

Sunday night and Monday it's snowed a ton!  In fact, it snowed so much I booked a hotel in Annapolis for Sunday evening so that I would be able to get into work Monday morning. (Dedication, huh?  They don't pay me enough for that ...) 

 

The temperatures stayed freezing Monday and Tuesday, but then Wednesday it poured all day long.  So now the snow's gone but it's still not exactly warm (but it's not too cold either).  There was major fog this morning, but once the sun came out it all burned off and it may actually turn into a pretty nice day.  Now I just have to find an excuse to get outside ....

Vegan Hiking Snacks

We haven't quite left for New York yet ...  So much for leaving first thing in the morning!  But the delay gives me time to write this quick post on hiking snacks.  We plan to do a big hike in New Paltz, so we definitely need to bring fuel sources that are easy to munch on while we're walking.  I put together a mix of homemade and store-bought snacks for the journey. 

 

First up, Old Bay chick peas.  These are so simple and delicious, but full of protein to make them a great hike food.  Just spread rinsed chick peas on a baking sheet, sprinkle generously with Old Bay, then roast until they reach your preferred level of crispness (I prefer a softer center rather than a totally crunchy chick pea). 

 

I also picked up some Asian snack mix at the store the other day.  This particular mix is Giant brand, but you can find it at pretty much any store.  There's sweet in the toffee peanuts, salty in the various crackers, and even spicy in the wasabi peas.  It's a great mix or all sorts of flavors and the combo tastes delicious. 

 

Muffins may not seem like typical hiking food ... and indeed these may not last until the actual hike.  But without access to our typical protein shakes in the morning, I wanted to make sure we would have some good breakfast fuel before we set out on the hike itself.  These are easily transportable and won't make us too full, but will set us off on the right foot (haha, see what I did there?). 

 

And finally ... cherries.  Mostly because we have just a few left and like I said yesterday, I hate to waste food.  But they're also sweet and delicious. 

 

My actual favorite hiking food is your average trail mix, which didn't make the cut this time.  I was worried that with the heat, my favorite part - the chocolate chips - wouldn't survive the journey.  Next time I go on a hike in cooler weather, it will definitely be back in the running!

What are your favorite hiking snacks? 

Memorial Day BBQ Without the Picnic

Memorial day I slept in yet again and then was up for a while reading before I was finally ready for breakfast.  I enjoyed mango banana smoothie pretty close to lunchtime.

Mid-afternoon I was getting a bit hungry, but I wanted to hold out for my boyfriend to come home before actually eating lunch, so I whipped up some Parmesan and garlic roasted edamame, inspired by this recipe from Carrots 'n Cake blogger, Tina Hauper.  But of course I veganized the recipe by using Parmela vegan parmesan.  These were so tasty.  They were the perfect little snack.  Unfortunately I used up the last of my frozen edamame making this tiny little bowl, so I'll have to get more at the grocery store soon!

 

A little while later my boyfriend finally came home and we both dug into the last of the quinoa salad for lunch.  We both love how this stuff makes you feel really full, but also seems healthy and doesn't weigh you down. 

 

It was also the perfect lunch because we planned to head out for a hike to enjoy the beautiful Memorial Day weather! 

We didn't want to take too long, so we drove over to the Hilton area of Patapsco Valley State Park.  We decided to do a quick loop of the Buzzard's Rock Trail (about two miles), but you could keep hiking quite a distance from this trail head if you wanted to.  The trail is mostly a flat, super easy hike, but a couple of significant grade changes make it challenging too.  Just enough to remind you it's a hike and not just a walk through the woods! 

By the time we got home we were both pretty hungry, so I was glad I'd thought to bake a couple of sweet potatoes earlier in the day.  Dinner came together in no time at all.  Though we weren't attending any Memorial Day picnics, I decided to make us a BBQ-ish dinner in an ode to the traditional Memorial Day meal.  I made BBQ riblet sandwiches with mashed sweet potatoes on the side.  The sweet potatoes were so delicious, I didn't even miss skipping dessert.  (I'm trying to be healthy, remember?!) 



Dressed Up Pancakes and Another Whole Foods Dinner

Sunday morning I decided to make myself a nice big brunch.  Without eggs or dairy in the mix, the best option I could think of was pancakes.  Fortunately, I love a nice sweet breakfast, so I got to work turning regular, boring pancakes into dressed up pancakes fit for a king ... or queen! 

 

This mix from Arrowhead Mills clearly anticipates a vegan might be using it, since the directions call for one egg "or egg substitute" and milk or "Westsoy soymilk or Westsoy rice milk".  I went out on a limb and assumed any old brand of soymilk would do, even if the Arrowhead Mills people weren't getting a kickback for it. 

 

I thought it was a bit odd, given the egg and milk substitutions suggested, that they didn't suggest an alternative for honey in the directions.  Either way, I just used agave nectar and everything seemed just fine.  Actually, I didn't even have canola oil on hand, so I melted down some Earth Balance vegan butter and used that instead.  I guess the only thing I actually used per their directions was the mix itself! 

 

To dress up the pancakes I added in some peanut butter (of course ... I'm obsessed!), chopped hazlenuts, and sweetened shredded coconut. 

 

The pancakes were amazingly delicious!  Actually, I guess I should say "pancake" because I poured way too much mix in and ended up making one giant pancake on my first go around, so that one pancake ended up being my brunch.  I made two more normal-sized pancakes to save for Monday.  Of course, I topped my pancake with a generous pour of maple syrup, just for extra sweetness. 

 

A little later in the afternoon my stomach started grumbling a bit, so I snacked on some instant grits with salt, pepper, and a bit of Earth Balance.  They don't look like much, but they tasted great and were perfect to satisfy just a little hunger. 

 

When it came time to start thinking about dinner my boyfriend and I decided to head out to grab a quick dinner and then go see Star Trek Into Darkness.  The same theater I went to for The Great Gatsby earlier in the week is just over two miles from our apartment, so we decided to walk down to the theater to enjoy the weather and get a bit of exercise before sitting for two hours in the movie. 

On our walk we passed by the Baltimore Holocaust Memorial, which is a relatively new memorial located just a few blocks from the Inner Harbor.  Though it's not well known and is a bit out of the way, the memorial is really beautiful in its simplicity. 

In the center of the plaza there is a statue depicting emaciated bodies engulfed by flames. 

Around the base of the statue it reads: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it".  It's a beautiful, if emotionally jarring, piece.

As we walked further along we saw tons of beautiful flowers.  It's still spring for now ... but it's getting a lot warmer and these beauties will dry up before too long. 

Before the movie we darted into Whole Foods to grab dinner from their prepared foods bar.  Deja vu, huh?  This time I grabbed some roasted tomatoes, garlic pasta, curried eggplant, and one piece of General Tso's tofu.  Random, I realize.  The General Tso's tofu was actually really horrible, and the eggplant wasn't much better.  But the tomatoes and garlic pasta were quite good.  You really have to just learn what's good through trial and error here.  Which is why I like to try so many different things!  We didn't grab any movie snacks, so this dinner was going to need to hold me over until we got home. 

If anyone is curious, I had pretty mixed feelings on the movie.  I'm a pretty big Star Trek fan, so I understood and appreciated a lot of the "in" jokes, but my loyalty to the original franchise made me irritated by a lot of things too.  Not to mention I hate that Karl Urban is just doing a really bad Bones impression the whole time.  I won't give away the movie by discussing it too much.  I'll just say the acting and special effects are good, but the plot is severely lacking and really just relies on content from the original TV show and one of the movies to fill in story line they didn't feel like writing. 

 

Once we got home from the movie I was pretty pooped, not to mention sweaty.  (The two miles to the theater is basically all down hill, which means it's all up hill on the way back!)  So I dug into a mango popsicle to cool me down and to serve as dessert / a late night snack.  It was the perfect end to the day. 

Morning Hike in Patapsco Valley State Park

Friday I took today off of work and started my day bright and early.  I started by enjoying a strawberry banana protein shake on the balcony with a back issue of Elle.  These magazines always seem to pile up before I can read them!  (I'm not too far behind - this one's only from March.)

 

Mid-morning I headed out to go on a hike in Patapsco Valley State Park.  The weather was perfect for hiking with a cool breeze and bright sunshine.  Of course once I got about 15 minutes and my hike the cool breeze meant nothing because I was already all sweaty.  I hiked a trail I'd done a number of times called the Switchback Trail which runs in a little over 4 mile loop around this area of the park.

The trail starts not so much as a hike but just as a walk through the woods following a flat, sandy path.  After a while the trail splits and I took the high ground option which was a series of switchback trails up a tall hill.  After not too long the trail fork met back up with the main trail down by the Patapsco River. 

 

Other times doing this hike I've seen tons of deer, toads, and other wildlife, but there wasn't much to see on this particular trip.  Though I did see this giant spider - trust me, the picture doesn't do it justice! 

 

 

 

 

 

After a while I started seeing tons of huge turtles along the river sunning themselves on logs and rocks. I first noticed them when I heard an animal in the bushes run away from me as I passed on the trail.  At first I thought it was a squirrel until I heard it plunge into the water and realized it must've been the fastest turtle ever.  

 

Then I started seeing them everywhere including this little one hiding in the bushes.

 

 

Before long the trail started quickly up the hill with a staircase and then a series of switchbacks that soon put you high above the river.  (Seeing "foot traffic only" signs is never a good sign - if a bike can't do it, I probably don't want to either!) 

 

After a few more grade changes going up and down the hill the final ascent put you in the picnic and parking area of this part of the park.  I stopped at a picnic bench to grab some water and snack on left over movie treats.  

 

 

And of course to enjoy the biggest perk of visiting any State Park: the bathroom, actually stocked with toilet paper and soap!

 

The hike ended up taking me just under two hours, leaving me with the rest of the afternoon for other errands.  And apart from seeing someone giving another person oral sex just as I emerged into the parking lot (yeah, that was surprising ... I don't think they even noticed me as I quickly walked by diverting my eyes), it was the perfect way to start the day!  (And I bet you're glad I didn't take a picture of that!)