Surviving Busy Season: Go Veggie!

Guys.  I had the BEST lunch today.  And I’ve been thinking about writing this post for a long time, but this lunch finally gave me the proper motivation.

My senior and I are working in the city today instead of out at the client site.  Since I’ve already been going through withdrawl from the food I got used to while being out here on my last client, I decided to make the most of my lunch.  I was CRAVING veggies again, and headed down to the deli in our building.  They have this sandwich – grilled eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, peppers, and provolone cheese.  And in case I didn’t have enough veggies – I got some grilled asparagus on the side!  It was amazing!  I washed it all down with my favorite Honest Tea – Moroccan Mint Green Tea.  I could drink this stuff by the gallon – and I would if it wasn’t so expensive   It was worth the splurge for one day in the office though!

Anyway, I’d been meaning to write this post for a while and my lunch just inspired me.  I’ve noticed that a lot of my meals this busy season have been vegetarian.   I know that part of this is thanks to the blog world for letting me know how creative you can be as a veggie, and part of it is thanks to one of my bestest work friends who is a veggie for religious purposes.  Being around her makes me feel more like being vegetarian is just normal.  Anyway, I’m not gonna lie – I know that the biggest motivation for going partially vegetarian is for the ease of preparation.

As I’ve been packing my lunches and dinners for the week, I’ve tried to make things as easy as possible for myself.  This includes not having to cook chicken or beef or pork any more than I have to.  Instead, I try to incorporate my nutrients elsewhere.  I am a big fan of canned beans – they provide protein without any additional prep work.  I throw as many different veggies in my soups and meals as I can so that the fiber will fill me up.  And if I think it won’t be enough, I just add some grains.

Going veggie for most of my meals has also encouraged me to be more creative.  Instead of just chopping some chicken over rice, I have to think about the individual flavor of the beans, veggies, and any condiments.  Will carrots change the taste of my butternut squash soup?  Hardly.  But will it add additional beta carotene, and vitamin A?!  Certainly.  They were well worth the addition to the soup.  So far my two favorite meals so far have been the above mentioned butternut squash soup – and this little scrumptious number… adapted from trader joe’s “polka dot mac and cheese.”  I prepared one box of Annie’s mac and cheese, and added frozen broccoli, and shelled edamame.  Edamame and cheese?  Don’t knock it til you try it. And the protein content is out of this world!  It kept me full for hours.

I grew up in a veggie-starch-protein family.  Prior to this busy season, I’ve never appreciated a vegetarian diet before – but I’m slowly coming to find that it can be just as delectable as eating meat based dinners.  Vegetarian recipes can be so simple, and if cooked properly are missing the grease and fat which are so frequently a side dish of meat entrees.  While I don’t think I am in a proper mindset to appreciate a full veggie diet, I strongly consider giving it a shot – even if it’s just for a few days.  Your tummy and mind will appreciate your creative veggies dishes!  Godspeed

Back in the Saddle

Happy Monday friends! 

I don’t know about you guys, but this week feels like a fresh start.  I had a fantastic weekend relaxing with all of my girls… both from work, and from SJU.  On Friday, my best girls from work and I went to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen, and then we saw VALENTINE’S DAY!  I checked out the menu before hand, and decided to go with asparagus soup and half of a grilled vegetable salad for dinner.  Not only was it one of the healthier options, but I was craving vegetables!  It was so delicious… just like the cast of Valentine’s Day!  I don’t know what it is lately, but I have been boy crazy!  First my crush on King Henrik (so dreamy), then all of these gorgeous actors!  Robert’s been making fun of me like crazy because I never ever have celebrity crushes!  And the movie was so cute.  Very predictable, but quite charming.  It was just what I needed after a stressful week at work.

Saturday was almost (almost!) my perfect day.  I had to go to work in the morning, but left and went to watch a surprisingly competitive SJU game vs Temple.  Some of you might not know how fierce the inter-city rivalries are in Philadelphia, but SJU v Temple is always a scrappy game.  We held it close – even pushed it into overtime, but it just didn’t cut the mustard.  Anyway, there was no time to be sad over the loss – I had a bridesmaid’s dress fitting to attend!  My friend Georgia picked me up right after the game, and fitting with the theme of the day – I asked her to be my bridesmaid!  My bridal party is starting to come together – one girl left to ask

The dress we tried on for Kirsten was beautiful!  It was a shimmery blueish gray, with a sweetheart neckline and a big bow in the back.  It looked so good on everyone!  After the fitting, we headed up the street to StoneRose, a new restaurant in Conshohocken.  I had almost the same dinner as the night before – this time with potato soup and duck salad.  Paired perfectly with two glasses of wine

The girls and I had so much fun catching up on all things wedding related (3 of us are getting married in the next year or so!) and baby related (Georgia’s going to be an aunt!)  and house related (Mariola just bought a house!).  We had so much fun!

Anyway, back to business!  As you might have noticed, I have not gone for a run for almost two weeks now!  Yesterday, we had beyond gorgeous weather here in Philly.  I got home from running errands, and immediately set out for my first run outside in… months!  It felt so nice to have some fresh air in my lungs… until the cold started burning whenever I took a breath!  I had to take some walk breaks, but I still made pretty good time (for me), so I am happy!

Being able to run outside made me feel a lot better about the Broad Street Run – so much better in fact, that I took the plunge… and plunked down $75 to join a training group.  Mildly freaking out over here!  This is the biggest commitment I’ve taken towards a race, and I really don’t know what to expect.  So far I think that it’s sorta like Team in Training… without the fundraising part (a portion of our registration fee goes to charity, but I don’t have to raise any additional $), and the training plan is specifically tailored for the Broad Street Run.  I think there are a lot of other runners who are just starting out, so I think it will be good for me to meet people and hopefully force me to get out there and actually run!  I’m so excited, and even a little proud of myself for finally making the commitment!   It’s time to get back in the saddle!  I’ve already started off the week with healthy meals, and a little yoga this morning… so I feel like I’ve got this now.  I’m excited to challenge myself and bring my running and health to the next level!

Have any of you ever run with a training group?  What was your experience?

A Blueshirt Valentines Day

Will you check this out – a real post!   I wanted to share with you guys the fun times Robert and I had last weekend.  As I mentioned, Robert is a HUGE New York Rangers fan, so for his birthday I surprised him with tickets to a game at Madison Square Garden!  (wait, is it still a surprise if I get it for him every year…?)  We stayed with his mom in Queens on Saturday night, and headed into the city just in time for the game. on Sunday afternoon

I love going to MSG because the fans and the city are so passionate about their team.  The whole building was full of Rangers jerseys!  Robert didn’t want me to feel left out, so he bought me a Marc Staal t-shirt!  I love the Staal brothers – they are so good and Marc is about my age.  I wish I had a picture of me modeling my sweet t-shirt

Before the game, they had an awesome tribute to the NHL players on the Rangers and the opposing team (Tampa Bay Lightning).  They brought out the cutest little kids holding the flags of the countries represented by the players.

Gotta love King Henrik – they adore him at the Garden!  He’s on the Swedish team, and they won the gold medal at the last Olympics.  And whoa is he hot too!  (It’s ok,  Robert knows my hockey crush!)  Ow ow!

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Phew, ok, back to the game.  It was so intense, with the Lightning going up 2-0 first, and then the Rangers answering with 4 goals in the second period!  We were hoping that one of the players would score a hat trick, but alas the game ended 5-2 with no hat trick

The crowd was going crazy!  Everyone was on their feet.

Considering it was Valentine’s Day, we weren’t surprised when we saw the makings of a jumbotron proposal.  We were all shocked to see that the girlfriend actually turned down the hopeful groom-to-be!  The woman looked so angry, and stormed out of the arena.  My jaw was ON THE FLOOR!  I had always joked with Robert that I’d say no if he proposed at a sporting event, but when this happened I had to reassure him that I wouldn’t have actually said no!  (Of course this is easier to say after he already proposed!)  Check out the video though – once you get over feeling bad for the poor guy, it’s pretty funny.  Besides, I’ve heard from more than one source that the whole thing was a hoax, so don’t feel too bad

Unlike these guys, Robert and I had a great time!  I can’t wait to see the Rangers again  when they come to Philadelphia in April!

We topped off the night with a feast of BBQ at a nearby restaurant.

We shared a platter of all sorts of goodness: ribs (my favorite!), brisket, pulled pork, and bbq chicken.  We were in heaven!  There need to be more bbq places in Philly!  The restaurant was a little dead because it was Valentine’s Day – but that’s how we like it!  I’ve never really been into the whole fancy dinner and flowers thing for V-day.  Robert spoils me enough during the rest of the year!  But it’s always fun to do something we love, and this day was perfect.

What is your idea of a perfect day?