I’ve decided that if my worst vices are diet soda and frozen yogurt I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. I always feel this extreme guilt while drinking Diet Coke (maybe Catholic guilt?). Boo to guilt. *Let’s note that I do eat frozen yogurt guilt free Ha.

Anyways, one soda a day isn’t going to kill me and even if it does then at least I died happy.

Question: What’s your “poison”??? Do you enjoy it guilt free? (Because you should. Unless it’s meth or something…)

Can’t post food pics because of computer troubles – they seem to be going around!

Is anyone else super excited it’s Friday? Any big plans for the weekend?

My plans:Long run in the humidity – I expect sweat in my eyes and chafing. This prediction is based on last weekend’s run.

Oh!!! My new phone arrived! It’s that new Google phone from T-Mob – I think it’s officially called the My Touch. It’s charging right now. I am so going to Tweet it up on this!

Yes folks, I am going to Disney World!

Actually, I am running the Disney World Marathon!

I really really have always wanted to run Disney World for a lot of reasons and I keep hearing about it buzzing around the blogs. I knew I couldn’t let this year pass me by! So, on a whim I went for it and signed up. (I had mentioned it to Ben, but we never actually discussed it, which is why I didn’t announce it until I let him know.)

I think we are going to just make a mini-weekend of it so we’re not going to be able to hit all the parks, but I am so excited!

The only bummer is Matt (my little bro) is obsessed with all things Disney and is going to be devastated that he can’t go I am guilt ridden. Boo.

*Note:  This may be my last full marathon as I think the distance is kinda brutal, training takes over your life and subjects your body to a lot of stress. I love running, but I remember not looking forward to running in the height of my first marathon training. I think the half-mary distance is my fave

Okay, let’s back up and talk about food…

I packed a bunch of different things for lunch – big salad with hummus, cherries, Food Should Taste Good chippers and yogurt.

You’ll never guess what I had for a snack…okay, you’re right – trail mix.

After work I stopped at TJ’s and Costco for a few staples – I am almost out of Almond Butter = Emergency!!!

I also picked up some kiwis. Trader Joes says 1 serving is 2 kiwi and if Trader Joes says it I am going to go with it.

Dinner was leftover Peanut Noodles.

Dessert was some random things like apricots and handfuls of cereal.

Now I have some work to wrap up before I fall asleep…

Wait, I can’t because my phone is breaking…it’s been doing this on and off all day. I ordered a new (fancy!) phone and it should be arriving any day now!!!

I have an exciting announcement!!!!

I am dying to tell ya, but I kinda should tell Ben first – No, it’s not what you think – it’s better

Hint: I kinda acted on a whim, but life is short.

Oh, and if you are looking for a race…

Summer Pricing for the Surf City Marathon/Half-Marathon ends tomorrow at midnight

It’s February 7, 2010 in Huntington Beach, CA

I’m not running it, but thought I’d let ya know…It was my first mary, so I’m partial

Good Morning friends Ben (who is on CA time) called me last night and I didn’t end up going to sleep until after 11pm! I know that’s not late for some of you, but I am an “eight hour a night” girl all the way! So I am once again dragging this morning.

Today is a Rest Day – this means I should do some cross training or something active instead of running. I always say this, but I will write it again – I swear by rest days. I have learned the hard way that my body (and probably your body too) needs rest! Rest days help prevent injuries and improve morale

I used the apartment’s gym and did 30 minutes on the elliptical. Big whoop. I also did about ten minutes of hand weights

Breakfast was a Greenish Monster (spinach, naner, strawberries, almond milk) and PB toast

West meets East – As you know I am a California girl all the way. I was born, raised and have always lived in Southern Cali. Well, this whole Maryland thing is a completely new world for me. I thought I would share my thoughts as I make observances about my new little world…

Observance: While driving Ben to the Baltimore airport this weekend the freeway was pretty clear, but no one was going that fast?! I don’t get it, the road is open – DRIVE!

In California if there is no one on the freeway the speed-limit is as fast as your little car can take ya… Oh, and you don’t get in the fast lane unless you’re actually fast – other drivers get pissed if you are in the “fast lane” and only drive the speed-limit.

I went home on my lunch to check on dinner. I was making Spanish Rice in the crockpot for the first time and wanted to make sure that I put enough water in it so it didn’t burn. When I checked on it 3 hours later – it was already done! I could have had dinner at noon

I put brown rice, diced tomatoes, water, garlic and spices and some frozen veggies in the crockpot this morning and “Wa-La!” Spanish Rice!

I ate it for dinner with black beans and topped with Tapatio.

Then, I realized this dinner was too healthy/needed something so I added some shredded cheese – now it’s perfect! Since I was home for lunch I figured I would eat there This reminded me of my old job where I worked from how a few days a week and would eat lunch on normal plates like a lady (kinda).

I had a veggie burger, apple and pickle…

And a BIG salad for volume. Hummus is seriously the new black.

The thing is, after eating all of this I was overly full, but I don’t think it was because I ate too much. Calorie-wise this lunch was good. But, I think I overdid it with the volume.

I had the best trail-mix for an afternoon snack. I mixed up a bunch of goodies from my cupboards – all my new faves.

After dinner I started snacking on cereal and decided to make it my dessert This is my new, tragic sugar cereal…As a food blogger, I should be embarrassed, but f-that I’m keeping it real. The good thing is that a serving is 1 1/2 cups

I also finished off some bars that were open “cereal style”I also took a quick walk after work. I get antsy and need to walk after sitting for so long! Ben says I should get a job as a Park Ranger because I would be in Heaven if I could just walk around all day I say I should get a job as a mail-woman!

I’m putting together an Excel spreadsheet with the cost of our usual shopping list items to see where is the best place to buy them, how often I get them, etc…I’m hoping this will help budget for food Budget questions: Do you have a food budget? How do you keep track of food spending? How often do you go to the store?

Instead of sleep walking I was “Sleep Running” this morning. So. Tired.

I have been wanting oatmeal, but kinda picked the wrong day to make it since I am super hot now. It’s finally getting hot here and it was super humid this morning. It might be overnight oats (which I just kinda like) or cold cereal for the rest of the summer!!!

Yes, I topped my oatmeal with HoneyComb – it was a total impulse buy last night because it said “New” and I’m a sucker. It’s this new Graham flavor and I normally love shit like that…but I regret buying it now.

I’m sweaty and on my way to work..

I used this recipe as inspiration, but really ended up throwing things into the pan to taste…

Peanut Sauce

1/4c peanut butter

1/4c water (can use broth if you like)

1 T. Chili Garlic sauce

1 T. soy sauce

1 T. lemon juice

1 T. Sugar (or honey, agave – I only had sugar)

Dash lemon juice

Dash red chili flakes

Directions: Combine all ingredients in sauce pan on low heat. Heat thoroughly until it thickens slightly. (You can add more water to dilute if it’s too thick.)

Use it on noodles, beans, as a dip…anything!!! I also topped it with a bunch of Sriracha

I made a great peanut sauce today and basically licked the pan clean.

Note to self: Make sure the pan is no longer hot before you lick it!

Dinner was ww Noodles and broccoli in this delicious sauce. I ended up topping it  with a bunch of Sriracha. My mouth was burning, but it was AMAZING!!! *I actually used the leftover broccoli to clean the pan The quick and easy peanut sauce recipe is coming soon!

Lunch: I made a super quick grilled cheese to take for lunch today. It was good, but putting it in the tupperware when it was still hot made it soggy I used this good jalapeno muenster from Costco

Snackie: Chobani with cereal. I have not been feeling yogurt, but am making myself eat it because I’m afraid I’m not getting enough protien. Boo.

Dessert I had a handful of each of these after dinner. Okay, let me be honest and admit that I also had a handful on the car ride home. They are on sale at Target this week!!!

I am completely backwards on this post, but I want to note that I also had a coffee from Dunkin today. That is one this week and one last week. I don’t want to make this a habit ( I know how hard it is to break) but I am SO TIRED!!! I guess, I should go to sleep then...

In other news – I have really dropped the Intuitive Eating ball and need to start fresh tomorrow. Since I have my honeymoon coming up my first thought is to cut out sweets or only snack on fruit – while these methods aren’t tragic, they aren’t going to help me long term. I need to learn how to eat my faves while feeling healthy

I don’t know if it’s the humidity or what but my hair has been getting ridiculously knotted on my runs

This Saturday it was REALLY BAD and I ripped a bunch of my hair while trying to get the knots out. I  was so frustrated!

I braid my hair in a pony tail to prevent knots, but that isn’t even helping. Any suggestions?

Mary Training: I had another great run today! 6 miles, felt great.

My Costco naners aren’t ripe yet so I needed to use a frozen banana for breakfast. I went with a big Green Monster and Almond Butter toast.

I got this letter from my little brother in the mail this morning…it made me sad because he said he misses me I love you Matt!I gotta go…see you later! Have a beautiful day

Here is my stock tip for you today: Buy stock in garbanzos beans. I just realized that they amazing straight up for a snack. I was eating them out of a tupperware yesterday and thought I would bring them to work today as a snackie. Best decision I made today. Do it. I sprinkled some season salt stuff on them and that’s it. Perfect.

Okay, wait let’s backup. My glamourous packed lunch was a AB&J on real bread (not those tiny english muffins), carrots and cherries.

I bought a 10lb. bag of carrots from Costco this weekend. I thought I would have a lot of carrots, but apparently they just give you two 5lb. carrots – because look at this massive beast! What kind of rabbit snacks on a carrot this big? (Keep in mind that I have massive hands too.)

A little while later I had my famous trail mix. I am addicted.

I took a short walk to T-Mobile to check out their phone selection before my phone dies and found out the new G phone is coming out in a month. Hmmmm… Should I or shouldn’t I?

Dinner was supposed to be noodles in a peanut sauce I had planned out and made a special trip to the store for, but because of time and effort I went with a MASSIVE salad with veggies, a veggie burger, peanuts and tossed with TJ’s peanut dressing and ketchup on the burger parts.

I also had crackers and hummus.

I had a bowl of PB Puffins for dessert. Probably ate too many since I feel like crap now. Boo. I need to remember to cut back on dinna if I am going to insist on dessert!I should be cleaning since I’m still living in squalor, but when I found out my surprise visitor had to postpone I decided to also postpone cleaning. I am embarrassed…

I left this Operation Beautiful note on a box of Slimfast bars in the store today. I was in the store yesterday watching a lady look at them and I wanted to tell her something, but I didn’t think it was appropriate. It just kills me because I used to starve myself on those stupid bars. Years later I’m still trying to learn how to lose weight in a healthy way…Treat yourself well with healthy, yummy food and love your body just as you are!