What I ate Wednesday

Today was all about relaxation after my hike yesterday, I did happen to feel a little sore. So I decided not to run—I still woke up early though---which somewhat sucks!!!!  I also had somewhat of a headache towards the end of the day, I felt as if I was dizzy and then my ankle/foot was acting up again. So today I just spent it being lazy around the house.

Besides that breakfast was in my brand new mason jar that I got as an unexpected gift yesterday!

It contained: coconut water, bananas, spinach, cinnamon, mango and some dates. 

I also ate a super yummy peach as well after my cardio session 

and some of these suckers... 

After that, I was cleaning the house and reading a magazine....Runner's World!! 

Then I had lunch...I was too lazy to make anything so I just boiled a sweet potato (purple) 

and had it with a side of papaya, salad and carrots....then some peanuts...random I know 

That was a huge meal! But so good, the salad has: romaine, tomato, cucumbers, beets, jicama, carrots, and balsamic vinaigrette

Dinner was the expected four bean chili....happy tummy. Sprinkled with nutritional yeast topped with cilantro and onions. It was served with homemade soft pretzels! 

Then we went to the library, but I never check any out because I still have to finish reading all of these....

A snack while catching up on some movies....

I also had two of these throughout the day....its Zico chocolate flavored coconut water that I stuck in ice cube trays. Yummy!

Wow, I actually feel somewhat hungry and might reach for some pistachios right now.....rest days make me hungry I guess...

Tuesday is Packing!

Tuesday was full of adventure and awesomeness! I woke up and went for a quick run by myself and then a short mile with my sister, and then it was off to shower, stretch, and prepare lunch for hiking. My friend finished his last final on Monday so Tuesday he wanted a full packed day of adventure.

At least we had a nice view there right?

When we were going hiking there was a ton of traffic on the way there, but it was worth it. We were somewhat confused as to where we were supposed to go as there were signs that said "under construction". However, we kept walking and continued on what we assumed was a trail.....it wasn't. We did find one, it also has poison oak so I made sure not to touch anything. 

It was actually pretty hot for hiking, there was a steep incline

Quick picture AKA an excuse so I can lean on a tree

His head kept getting in the way 

The sky was beautiful!!

Another picture of the trail

In all, we hiked for 5 miles and were starving when it was time to eat. We had an abundance of fruits, veggies, PBJs, pistachios and....

Some candy for the ride home!!!

We stopped by the beach and got our feet wet. Then we went to the gym to swim. It was super nice and I actually didn't complain about the water feeling cold. I guess it was like an "ice bath". 

PS. look at my super cool new mason jar!

Moving Monday

Why are Mondays always filled with chores? Today I went for a run in the morning and actually did pretty good. I averaged 8:58 pace which has been my fastest yet! I even went for a one mile cool down run with my sister. It’s funny, but running less has been helping me run better. While running I also decided that I was going to start a new tab on my blog dedicated to running/working out where I just list my workouts for the week. It’s just so that I can keep track of progress and how I change over the weeks/month/years (aka until I decide not to blog anymore).

Look at me, such a happy camper

DUSTING YOUR ROOM is such a pain. No wonder its one of those overlooked chores. 

I promise you it looks nothing like this!

On the bright side, I went to the beach today. It was actually nice, there was a lot of people we had to fight to find a spot in the sand only to abandon it and go in the water. The sun was super bright but not overpowering. It did, however incorporate a mark on my tan!

Ignore my hair, it make my head look weird

 I also made some of this stuff....frozen tropical heaven!!! 

Snackies.....time to start adding more veggies in my diet, I have been neglecting them

A Few Weekend Pics

I actually didn't take that many pictures this weekend. I guess I was trying to be technology free for once. Or I was in a phone funk, I actually didn't take it many places. 

We went to the mall for breakfast after church and I was craving one of these since Dinseyland (the lines were too long)

It was worth it! Fresh out of the oven!!!

We also went to a Quincenera....

No shame with the selfie

My homemade PURPLE sweet potato burgers! 

We also went to the park and stuff, nothing else. 

Sunday social

1. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pizza or banana ice cream with all the fixings

 

2. What’s your guilty pleasure/comfort food?

Ice Cream

3. What’s the weirdest/craziest thing you’ve ever eaten?

Cow’s tongue (pre vegan). My parent also said I ate tacos made of intestines once.

4. What foods do you avoid at all costs?

Mustard….I find the taste repulsive.

5. What meal reminds you of your childhood?

It’s a tie between PB&J and Pancakes….yum!

6. Share one of your favorite recipes and the story behind it.

I am actually loving my birthday surprise cake right now. Every time I have gone to a birthday party I can’t eat the cake because it has dairy. So when I planned my bff bday I was determined to make something I can eat. I loved it!

Bean Salad

What can I say? I guess I am a certified beaner—since I even am putting beans in my salad. This salad was really good, but I did ad a bit of cumin to it and regret having that taste, it should have been salsa so it’s more Hispanic inspired than Middle Eastern.  

But what you do is make a salad without adding any lettuce:

Cucumber, carrot, corn, onion, celery, tomato and cilantro 

Then you simply add beans (with some of the juice) add a bit of salt

Add a bit of salt and your good to go

This makes a really good side dish or you can stuff everything in a lettuce taco

Barley Stir Fry

I feel that the easiest way…besides a smoothie….to eat vegetables is to make a stir-fry. Barley is a rather unknown grain that packs a lot of punch……

According to nutrition data it contains 193 calories 12% iron, 4g of protein, 1% fat and 6g of fiber compared to brown rice that has  216 calories, 5% iron, 5 g of protein and 3% fat 

So, like I said, super easy to eat veggies this way. I chopped ever veggie I could possible get my hand on and threw it all on a skillet to create this recipe.  

Ingredients:

½ c (dry) pearled barley

¼ head of broccoli

¼ head of cauliflower

5 mushrooms

½ bell pepper, sliced

½ onion, sliced

2 cans (or small 4 ounce boxed of tomato sauce)

Sprinkle of salt, pepper, and basil (makes it feel Italian) 

First cook ½ cup (dry) barley according to directions

Then chop all the vegetables and lightly steam them in a skillet

Add in the barley, tomato sauce, and spices

Cook until there is no more water in the skillet

Serve with a side salad (because you didn't get enough vegetables in as it was) aha

Banana Bites and Date-Coconut Balls

The other day I made coconut-rolled date bites. 

They actually came out really yummy. The fact that they were rolled in coconut gave them a completely different texture.

I started off with less than 1 lbs. of dates (about .95 lbs. with prunes) and blended them in my mini food processor.

I would normally do it in the Vita mix but I like when these date bites have a little texture to them. 

Then I proceeded to add any nuts and fruit I wanted.

Ingredients:

.95 dates (with pits)

28 prunes

¼ cup walnuts

¼ cup cashews

¼ cup flaxseed

Pulverize everything and form into little balls.  When finished roll in coconut flakes and ta-dah….protein packed candy from nature.

I also made banana-bites on this day. I had an almost moldy banana and we all know how Mexicans don’t like to waste anything so I came up with these. They don’t need to be baked so it makes them instant awesomeness.

Ingredients:

1 banana (the riper the better, it makes it sweeter)

1 c oats

1.5 cups of cereal

1 tbsp. agave

¼ cup of peanut butter

½ cup of wheat bran 

First, mash the banana and then gradually add agave and peanut butter until its all smooth. Then add the dry ingredients.

Note: you can pulverize the dry ingredients to give it a smoother texture.

But I’m Mexican and I like textura!

When finished mixing all the ingredient roll into little balls and place in the refrigerator so that they can harden. 

Disneyland!!!!

Yesterday I had 3 miles planned for the AM as we were going to go to Disneyland California Adventures. However, I didn’t run—for a good reason—because my mom knows someone who was able to smuggle us into the park for free but we had to meet him there at 7:30 am. The drive is about 40 minutes from my house and parking can be such a drag so I decided to forego the run and just get ready. It was fun however.

BTW, we weren’t really smuggled in, just used some guest passes. So we ate a quick breakfast while waiting for the park to open.

Ps. I woke up at 5am, so I am not responsible for any of my actions on this day!

We got on the entire kiddy” rides at California Adventure and then we moved on to Disneyland.

I can’t believe I am admitting this, but for me, the scariest ride is the Ferris wheel. It’s not that I’m scarred…more like it makes me nauseous. I had a huge headache right after stepping on it. This ride takes forever so the headache actually lasted me the rest of the night.

The wait line for Cars

 a random firetruck in Car's land 

We also watched the parade. It was a nice excuse for us to sit down and rest a while in the shade. This parade is actually different from the one at Disneyland, it gets you all wet. I was drenched in water that they sprayed....they also blow bubbles. 

I think its because they feel that everyone is musty and sweaty from walking that they want to give you a shower

 My favorite ride from Cars

We got home pretty late because there was a huge accident on the freeway that prevented us from getting home. With no traffic, it should of taken us about 35-40 minutes. It took us over two hours to get home. When your sleepy, tired, and need to pee this causes you a problem. 

Overall, it was pretty nice. I honestly wouldn't go again anytime soon. Its really hard to enjoy when you are there with children who don't agree with each other. Maybe next year.....just maybe. ahaha