Dessert/ Dinner

Please Don’t End, Sunday!

Hi guys!

Thank you all SO much for all your insightful cardio cross-training comments! I definitely took them all to heart and am going to try to incorporate them to break up the elliptical boredom. Good thing I bought that bike last Christmas, right?! I think that biking outside is my number one cross-training exercise of choice just because you get to be out in the bright sunshine and its not boring! I need to find more trails and paths around where I live though because I’ve just been doing the same loop every time. Oh, and quick question about heart rate….I have a Polar f4 and use it when I run, but I’m not sure I have it set right because it always says my heart rate is anywhere from 175-200. Is that normal?! That seems awful high! Any heart rate monitor gurus out there?

So, today I went to church and then Ryan and I hit up our number one date spot—-PITA PIT!!! Oh how I adore thee! I got the usual hummus pita on whole wheat with:

  • mix of hummus and babahanoush
  • banana peppers
  • avocado
  • black olives
  • lettuce
  • red onion
  • pickles
  • hot sauce

It was absolutely divine. This time I asked for “a lot of hummus” (those were my exact words) since sometimes they skimp you on that! Not today…this puppy was absolutely overflowing with hummus and babaganoush goodness. I inhaled it.

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Take two

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Mmmmmmmmmmm

After lunch Ryan and I met a few of our friends at the pool and proceeded to spend the next few hours being lazy and basking in the sun. I never want the weekends to end!!!

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I was so full from my pita and was planning on an early dinner with Caitlin and Meghann so I didn’t snack. However, when I got home I cored and sliced up the big pineapple I got the other day from the produce stand and I ate a few pieces in the process. I also had a glass of coconut water and a frozen dried figgy (I keep these in the freezer because they get totally chewy, cold and delicious in there!)

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And then at 5:00 I met the girls at my favorite Thai place, Royal Thai Palace for a bite to eat. I started with this soup that I had never had before but I had just bought the Amy’s version and wanted to test it!

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It was AMAZING!! We all thought it would be heavy and sweet because of the coconut milk, but it was very light, savory and incredibly flavorful…and packed with veggies! There was broccoli, celery, carrots, mushrooms and onions in it. I am so glad I bought the Amy’s version of Tom Khar and can’t wait to have it for lunch this week!

And for my entree, I ordered ginger tofu. I always order the basil tofu and wanted to branch out! I ordered mine spicy (to clear out my congested head!) with steamed tofu instead of fried and brown rice instead of white.

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Little ball of yummy brown rice on the side:

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It was delicious! SUPER spicy and definitely cleared my nose right up! 🙂 I ate about 80% of the actual entree and a little less than half of the rice. The soup really filled me up and I got full pretty quick.

Our dinner ended on a not-so-good note though when Meghann got a very upsetting phone call from home….her sis was in a bike accident this evening and is in the hospital, so please say a prayer for her and Meghann’s family tonight and maybe leave Meghann a little note on her blog telling her you care. They ended up (obviously) ditching Britney and driving straight back to O-town so Meghann could hurry and get to the hospital. We don’t know too many details yet but it is very obvious that her wearing her helmet totally saved her life. I’ll admit, I need to be better about wearing mine and this was a huge wake-up call for me.

When I got home from dinner I needed something for my sweet tooth even though I was totally full so I grabbed a big chunk of vegan chocolate chip almond blondie a la VeggieGirl!

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Now I’m getting ready for bed and a very early wake-up call tomorrow. I can already sense that this whole time change thing might make going to bed at 7 pm a liiiiiittle more challenging because it is so light outside still! I have black out curtains but they only do so much. Meh. Hopefully I will get some sleep though so I feel somewhat normal tomorrow. Mondays are always hardest.

Goodnight!

oh and ps–

Ryan really wanted me to post a picture of the breakfast that I made him this morning—-

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Strawberry shortcake waffle sandwich! Basically, all I did was toast two Kashi Go Lean Strawberry Flax waffles and layer them with strawberry sauce, all natural whipped topping and more sugary strawberries. Breakfast of champions?! Maybe not, but I think my boyfriend loves me just a little bit more after eating it! 😉

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  • laci
    March 8, 2009 at 5:52 pm

    Wowza! The pita, bething beauties, figs, soup, strifry + rice, blondies and royal dessert-breakfast look incredible! Enjoy your Monday! 🙂
    P.S. I awas wondering if I should get into track, but I’ve got very little time on my hands much work and I am rather short/petite (little legs = harder to run), do you have any motivation suggestions? Thanks! 🙂

  • VeggieGirl
    March 8, 2009 at 6:04 pm

    Lovely weather, company, eats… BLONDIE 😀

    So sorry about Meghann’s sister 🙁 Yikes!!

    Night!!

  • Colleen
    March 8, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    So sorry about Meghann’s sister!

    I have Polar, and really there is no way that the heart rate part can be wrong…with mine you can set it to different cardio activities, but it’s just measuring your heart rate right from the chest strap. Don’t feel bad though, my heart rate is generally in the 165-175 range the whole time I run (and I’m a newer runner)…but my resting heart rate is always in the 50’s.

  • Graze With Me
    March 8, 2009 at 6:12 pm

    I always make those types of foods for my fiance, I almost want to take pictures even though he’s eating it! I’m jealous of your warm weather, it’s still snowing in Colorado!

  • brandi
    March 8, 2009 at 6:20 pm

    I know, I’m hoping today won’t end, either.

    Thanks for the heads up about Meghann’s sister! I’m going to leave a note right now.

  • Sharon
    March 8, 2009 at 6:26 pm

    Oh wow, everything looks great! And that is one awesome breakfast you made Ryan!

  • Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
    March 8, 2009 at 7:09 pm

    So sad about Meghann! Glad you had a wonderful day though!

  • courtney
    March 8, 2009 at 7:11 pm

    such a great day! where did you get that adorable swimsuit?! now that summer is coming i am on the hunt… i am going to have to stop by meghann’s blog and leave a note as well. i am terrible about my helmet too, but we really need to wear them!

    • jenna
      March 9, 2009 at 11:04 am

      Courtney,

      I got that suit from JCrew about 3 years ago! Its my favorite!

  • Erin
    March 8, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    That is my absolute favorite soup!!

  • Shelby
    March 8, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    I feel the same way…no Monday!!!

    Mmm, figgys =)

  • Amelia
    March 8, 2009 at 7:30 pm

    That’s so terrible about Meghann’s sister! Thank goodness she was wearing her helmet. 🙁

    It sounds like you had a lovely day though! I’ve never thought of freezing figs. So smart!

  • Baylee
    March 8, 2009 at 7:31 pm

    mmmm…all of your eats look delicious!!! but i am now craving a strawberry waffle sandwich thanks to that last picture 🙂

  • RunToFinish
    March 8, 2009 at 7:47 pm

    ohh the pool and wow you guys are rocking those swimsuits! I need to start paying very close attention to your eats so I can make my goal of running in a sports bra!

  • Haleigh
    March 8, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    Mmm.. that blondie looks so good.

  • Marissa
    March 8, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    Yummy eats!

  • Meg
    March 8, 2009 at 8:59 pm

    That breakfast loooks delicious. Very sweet I’m sure, but tasty!

    So sorry to hear about Meghann’s sister. Thank goodness for helmets. I actually don’t own one. But I will be getting one in the next week for sure now because spring is around the corner and I too bought a bike in the fall. I only got to ride it a few times before it got too cold, but I never felt safe without the helmet. This is a good wake up call for me!

  • Anna
    March 8, 2009 at 9:47 pm

    I love Pita Pit!

    You are so lucky to be able to enjoy all that sunshine. Absorb some enough vitamin D for all of us still stuck in winter!

  • Michelle
    March 8, 2009 at 10:46 pm

    Jenna,

    Your strawberries look amazing! AMAZING! They’re so expensive in Australia that it’s almost a luxury. The other day 4oz of fresh blueberries were 8.99…oh man.

    Cross training..why don’t you try some classes at the Y. (sorry if this has been suggested already). That’s what keeps me going.

    The pita looks amazing..there’s nothing like that in Australia either.

    Take care and keep me drooling! Michelle

  • Caroline
    March 8, 2009 at 11:28 pm

    Yum! You make me wish we had Pita Pit here!

    I’ve seen those dried figs at WF…I might just have to buy some now to wash down with coconut water. Sounds perf!

  • Moran
    March 8, 2009 at 11:56 pm

    I think 200 BPM is high….but 175 sounds reasonable. I’d say anywhere between 160 BPM to 180 BPM depending on your routine. Of course, I am not a trainer or anything, its just what I do though…

  • Sarah (lovINmytummy)
    March 9, 2009 at 12:02 am

    Oh wow. I’ve got to go leave a comment for Meghann. Sorry that was such a damper on an otherwise good night!

  • Run Saraaah
    March 9, 2009 at 12:50 am

    Oh yum, I love the Pita Pit…I love the way they wrap up the Pitas to go too 😀

  • Samantha
    March 9, 2009 at 4:55 am

    Prayers to Meghann’s sister and all those who care!

    That soup sounds amazing!

    Do you have a suggestion for a healthy, kid friendly snack sans nuts? Each parent in my son’s kindergarten class has to provide snack once a month for 26 kids. I’d love to actually make something this time but the teacher wasn’t thrilled about “home baked goods”, citing them “unhealthy”, although just two weeks ago a kid brought in cheeseburger happy meals with fries for all his friends to celebrate his birthday. I think it would be great to give them something homemade and healthy, and show the teacher that healthy doesn’t have to be storebought!

  • Danielle
    March 9, 2009 at 7:21 am

    I am so jealous of your day in the sun by the pool!

  • Heather
    March 9, 2009 at 7:23 am

    Hi Jenna-
    I’m glad someone else had the same question about the Polar F4 heart rate monitor! When I first started wearing mine on runs the thing scared me to death! My heart rate was definitely high, but my recovery time was quick and resting heart rate was low… so I was told there was nothing to worry about. But I was so nervous that I even called my doctor about the high heart rates while running! I think your monitor is probably right…!
    Thanks, as always for the wonderful blog! I love reading 🙂 Happy running!

  • Sammie
    March 9, 2009 at 7:31 am

    200 sounds a bit high for your HR. When I run outside mine is always higher (160-170 and sometimes when I am at a hill 180). When I am inside it is anywhere from high 150’s to 170. I am not sure why yours would be so high.
    Not sure if anyone suggested upping the resistance on the elliptical machine to get your heart rate up. That is what I do when I cross train and I am able to get my HR up and feel like I got a great workout.

  • Scott
    March 9, 2009 at 8:01 am

    200 bpm is way too high if you’re going to run for more than 5 minutes. To make sure your HRM is measuring properly, make sure the electrode areas on the straps are wet – water works fine – and make sure it is positioned properly. To get a baseline, put it on and check your hear rate before you start running. You seem like you have a pretty good level of fitness so if you are sitting down, and relaxed, your heart rate will probably be somewhere between 55 and 75. If you are up and walking around it will probably be between 95 and 110. If those numbers seem off for you too, have your HRM checked out; bring back to wear you bought it, or send it to Polar for servicing.

  • Nicole
    March 9, 2009 at 8:30 am

    Hi Jenna,
    I love your blog; my friend Megan (a friend of Ryan’s – she got married in Dec. in Tampa) sent me the link. Anyway, I also have a Polar heart rate monitor that I wear during all kinds of exercise (cardio, pilates, weights) and I too have a very high heart rate. Through various tests, my max is around 210 (which is technically very high for someone who is in good shape and 29 yrs old), with a resting heart rate of 65. It gets very high when I run – I can get it up to about 190. I’ve done a lot of research on this and everyone has a different max heart rate. I doubt your monitor is broken…Sometimes I feel like I’m not working all that hard, even when my heart rate is up that high. Very strange, but I just think everyone has a different max, regardless of what the charts say is “normal.” PS: I just tried my first yogurt bowl this morning with Chobani, muesli, berries and almond butter – thanks for the ideas!

  • skinnyrunner
    March 9, 2009 at 9:02 am

    cute and delish looking breakfast for the bf! i know my hubby would love me if i made him breakfast. and if i made it for him in bed, he’d really love me then. too bad im not going to!

  • Jess
    March 9, 2009 at 9:29 am

    We could be Pita Pit twins. That looks like something I would order.
    I don’t feel like I get a very good workout when I bike unless I do intervals, but that’s almost too hard. It’s definitely more fun to bike outside though; something I would do more for just enjoyment than exercise.

  • Coley
    March 9, 2009 at 9:57 am

    Hey Jenna!
    I have the same problem with my heart rate. When I’m running I often get up to 205. The highest I have ever seen is 213! But this is only when I’m running. I have terrible hips, and I’ve always wondered if it adds stress to my body and increases my heart rate, because when I bike or do anything else it stays below 180.
    Let me know if you find anything out, I would be very curious to know if I should be worried!

  • Lisa
    March 9, 2009 at 10:27 am

    Hey Jenna!
    I was wondering the same things a few weeks ago and found out that the rule of thumb for your max heart rate is to take 220- your age. I actually wrote a post about it on my blog if you’re curious! (http://thealmostcitygirl.wordpress.com/2009/02/22/sweaty-workouts/)

  • Samantha
    March 9, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    Nevermind about the recipe request. I know you’re busy and I’m sure I can find a few if I dig. Thanks!

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