I knew this day would come

I burned out my blender!!

I was trying to make a few smoothies for the week when I started to smell something funny. I looked over at the blender and there was SMOKE erupting! I immediately stopped the power. I looked it over and am still not quite sure what happened but somehow I burned the plastic part that seals to the bottom of the blender. The unit itself still seems functional but the blade no longer spins.

I've been using it for the past few years at least weekly making smoothies this year. I'm not too upset. I certainly got my use out of it... so now, do I buy myself the coveted Vitamix?? I also wonder if I can just order a replacement gasket?

That's not really the question since I know I want it. It's the best blender out there. Everyone I know LOVES theirs. It's just a matter of cost...

January 10

Finally feeling a bit better today. I was able to get my workouts in including an hour-long run. It was slow and slightly frustrating. Just last week I ran an hour at a "normal" pace and felt like I was getting back into shape and today was a different story. I was SUPER SLOW. Yes, it's most likely because I'm still recovering from my illness but still frustrating.

Went out to lunch with the Boy who wanted to get a burger. Thankfully, this place had awesome veggie burgers. I did have a few french fries and while this meal was not ETL, it wasn't horrible.

Since lunch was so late, we ended up almost skipping dinner. I was hungry and he wasn't so I heated up some frozen veggies. I was still hungry afterward but since I was going to bed soon, I didn't want to sleep on a full stomach.

B - green smoothie: 7-8 oz bok choy, 1 T flax, 1.5 oranges, 1 kiwi
- 1/2 medium soy latte

L - quinoa burger, a few french fries

D - mixed cooked vegetables (from frozen): black beans, corn, peppers, broccoli, spinach - 1 plate

E - run: 1:00, weights: 1:00

Jan 7, 8

I've come down with a nasty cold and had to leave work early yesterday to go home and rest. That was the plan anyway. A good friend ended up calling me with a very serious crisis so instead I ended up spending a few hours with her consoling her. She is going through something incredibly difficult and though I know it is something she must do on her own, I still keep thinking about her situation.

I haven't exercised in two whole days which is bumming me out because I feel so much better when I do. I am definitely going to try tomorrow though. I still feel sick today but don't have as much of a headache as I did yesterday so I think some light exercise will do me good.

B - green smoothie: 7 oz bok choy, 1 orange, 1 kiwi, strawberries, 1 T flax

L - salad: romaine, 3/4 cup black beans, 1 tomato, 1/2 green pepper, 1/2 cucumber, baby carrots, 1/2 oz sunflower seeds, most of a small avocado
- 1 large apple
- 1 peppermint candy

D - 2 sweet potato/black bean burritos (whole wheat tortillas), steamed vegetables, a little vegan chocolate (I'm throwing it away)

January 6

I feel like I am coming down with something... I was supposed to lift weights today but there was a mix up at work and I wasn't able to leave at lunch as I had originally intended. By the time I left work, I was feeling tired and run-down and thought it better to come home and get to bed early... which is what I'm just about to do!

B - green smoothie: 7-8 oz bok choy, cauliflower stems, 1 T flax, 1 kiwi, 1 orange, handful strawberries
- 8 oz coffee

L - salad: romaine, 1 tomato, 1/3 cucumber, 3/4 cup black beans, baby carrots, 1/2 green pepper, 1/2 small avocado, 1/2 oz roasted sunflower seeds, no dressing
- large fuji apple

D - A LOT of peas, edamame, an orange

E - swim: 1:00

Thinking about 2010

I've been thinking a lot about 2010 goals. Yes, I know we're already into the new year, but I've never been one to make resolutions specific to January 1st. I think it's important to set goals all the time. My top priority is to give up this bingeing habit. Yep, I'm calling it a habit because that's all it is... something I've conditioned myself to do when I want to procrastinate or feel bad about something. People don't do things without reason... obviously I binge because there is some positive outcome for me. If I can find a way to get that same positive effect that comes from bingeing WITHOUT doing it, I can conquer this problem.

This week's goals: (1) weigh-in, (2) no eating in front of the computer (still working on this one!), obviously (3) no bingeing!, (4) 100% vegan the entire week.

January 5

I thought we would be doing some drills this morning but it looks like we're back to speed work. Running fast was hard and I am still trying to get back in shape. It was quite mortifying when an older, more overweight friend sailed past me! Ah well... it'll come back hopefully!

B - green smoothie: 7-8 oz bok choy and cauliflower stems, 1 T flax, 1 orange, 1 kiwi, strawberries

L - salad: romaine, baby carrots, 1/2 green pepper, 1/2 small avocado, 3/4 cup black beans, nut-based dressing

D - huge serving of cauliflower-peas-collards curry mixed with lots of raw spinach; blueberries

E - bike: 0:50, run: 0:40

January 4

The admin brought in a huge platter of different types of cookies today that were leftover from her New Year's party: chocolate chip cookies, pecan butter cookies, chocolate-covered cookies, yogurt pretzels... it initially looked tempting but then I reminded myself that some factory mass-produced these non-food items. I watched a coworker lament on why they had to be brought in today of all days, stating that a lot of people are starting their healthy eating plans today, the first Monday of the year. We all have choices to make -- some harder than others. Every time I make a good choice, I strengthen those good habits. This was the constant mental tape playing in my head all afternoon.

B - green smoothie: 7-8 oz collards, 1 T flax, 1 kiwi, 1 orange, handful strawberries
- 8 oz coffee

L - salad: romaine, 1 tomato, 1/2 cucumber, 3/4 cup black beans, baby carrots, 1/2 green pepper, Italian dressing
- large orange (mealy!)

D - spinach salad: 6 oz spinach, 3.25 oz strawberries, balsamic vinegar, 2 T pumpkin seeds
- cauliflower-pea-collards curry (a lot!)

E - swim: 0:45