Today, in honor of National Cheesecake Day, the Cheesecake Factory is offering Half Off any slice of Cheesecake if you dine in. No coupon needed! Just show up and enjoy!

(source)

You can find more information here.

And if that wasn’t good enough news, they are releasing their new Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake today!

Um, this might change my life. I don’t normally like cheesecake (I’m a chocolate cake girl), but a Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake may change the way I look at dessert. And life in general for that matter…

I get off work about an hour and a half before Ben. This means I have too much time on my hands to wait around and get hungry. I normally take a walk right after work because I hate being cooped up all day Ben says I should be a Park Ranger because I just want to walk around outside all day. I am considering it.

In addition to a walk I need a snack. Yesterday I had a scone to tide me over.

Today I stopped at Trader Joes with a serious raw carrot craving. Weird, I know. For some reason carrots and Coke Zero make the best snack ever.

I also partook in some Snap Peas I bought for Ben.  These things are greasy goodness.

This afternoon I had the most intense chocolate snack ever. Ever. Take note.

Vitatop + Chocolate Greek yogurt = One of the best moments of my life.

Intuitive Eating – I have failed with filling out the I.E. forms these last two days. I forgot the paper yesterday and today I was too busy to even look at it. Boo.

But, I have decided that it is amazingly helpful in making me aware of my body’s signals. I am way off with what I think is hunger and fullness. I am also way off with when and how much my body wants.

I have only filled out the papers for 5 days, and plan on keeping it up until I feel like I am listening to my body every day. This might take awhile…

Dinner was planned while driving from the OC (where I work) to the PR (where I live right now). Even though I had over an hour of thinking time all I wanted was scrambled eggs. I considered making a fancy omlett, but really all I wanted was plain scrambled eggs.

I had it with the best TJ’s bread ever – Whole Wheat Tuscan Pane. I miss good bread.

And TJ’s Sour Cream Spinach Dip. This stuff is delicious and has less calories that hummus (50 per 2Tb). You’d never know it from tasting it.Someone is obsessed with TJ’s today. 

I feel behind on life and blogs and friends. But, it’s late and I’m pooped! I will see you guys tomorrow.

Today was a Rest Day from running so I decided some light strength training was in order. The problem is, my mom only has 5 pound weights and it feels like a joke. Oh well, I did a few moves and called it a day.

Then, I threw together a cereal bowl of randomness – Flakes, almond milk, pineapple cottage cheese, chia seeds, apple banana and almond butter. I know some people eat “weird” because of blogs, but I have always combined random foods I like into one bowl.

I ate chopped up veggie burgers in a mixed bowl of beans, couscous and broccoli before it was cool, believe me. Not that it’s actually “cool”, as my cousin called it “disgusting” when she saw what I was eating this weekend, but whatev. 

Anyways, back to Apple-Bananas. These came from my neighbor’s tree, which means they’re local and organic too

Apple Bananas are described as:

Pale yellow and quite stocky, the average length is about four inches. The creamy semi-dry flesh resists turning brown when peeled making it a perfect choice for fresh fruit desserts. Prized for its unique flavor, this remarkable banana’s deliciousness combines tasty hints of apple and strawberry.

Nutrition Info:

An excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin B-6 and potassium, the banana is low in fat, cholesterol-free, low in sodium and provides fiber. Some medications for controlling blood pressure deplete the body’s storage of potassium. One banana each day restores the potassium balance. An average sized banana has about 95 calories. Five daily servings of fruits and vegetables are recommended to lower chances of cancer. A recent study found eating nine or ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables, combined with three servings of low-fat dairy products, effectively lowers blood pressure.

I swear they taste like apples! The texture is like an unripe banana, but they are sweet and delicious.

Last night I had dinner at my favorite restaurant! Two weeks in a row?! Score.

My favorite restaurant is the Whole Foods Salad and Hot Bar, “Where you can get a $20.00 dollar salad to eat out of a cardboard box! Oh yeah, and serve it your damn self!”

I don’t care, I love it.

I also got a few samplings of dessert to share with Ben – Carrot Cake, Choc Chip Banana bread and Lemon Raspberry Cake. None of it changed my life.

As I write this post I’m chomping on lunch. If I don’t blog during lunch I have no other time, hence the missing dinner post last night. But, hang tight because in a week and a half I’ll be able to work on the blog, comments and emails in a timely manner.

I’m sure I’m more excited than you guys, but I miss blogging when I have to do it on the fly.

I took pictures on our office patio because it’s so nice out there

LC pizza and a salad.

I love pizza and if the only way I can get my hands on some during lunch is from a frozen Lean Cuisine than so be it. 

I picked up KooLoos last night at Whole Foods and really like them! Expect to see them on many salads to come.

They were only $2.00 for a bag, which is good considering I got them at Whole Foods.

Stats -  1 serving: 130 calories, 4g Fat, 3g Fiber, 7g protien

If you were a combination of two fruits what would you be?

Me: I would be Cherry Watermelons. Or Watermelon Cherries…

Today’s marathon training called for a tempo run. Basically, a tempo run is a run where you do a few miles at a faster pace than usual.

I am loving my new little Days of the Week whiteboard! I won it at the Baby Shower this weekend.

This run was supposed to be: 2 mile warm up; 3 miles at 8:30 pace; 1 mile cool down. I don’t have my Garmin with me, but from memory…

I ended up doing something like:

Mile 1: Warm up

Mile 2: 8:35

Mile 3: 8:29

Mile 4: 8:31

Mile 5: 8:14

.40 mile: Cool Down (I ran out of time!)

Yes! I felt like Speedy Gonzales!!! Arriba! Arriba!!!

I might start wearing sombreros for my tempo runs. If anyone can, a Mexi-can. (I still have to make a shirt with that on it!)

I also had to make breakfast speedy since I have such a long commute! I have oatmeal in a jar. But, I have to admit to a major blog land no-no, I used instant oatmeal packets – one maple brown sugar and one regular. Mixing them makes the best flavor or it’s too sweet.

Poured into an almond butter jar and topped with pineapple cottage cheese and blueberries.

I am obsessed with pineapple cottage cheese right now. Ob.Sessed.

Lunch was eaten while working since today was a busy and short day. I made a veggie burger wrap with POP chips on the side. Nothing amazing, but I love this meal. Easy, filling and delicious, just like I like it.

And now I am enjoying free Wi-Fi, an iced coffee and a blueberry scone at The Coffee Bean while writing up my Breathe post and blogging.

I’ll save half for Ben because I am a good wife. That or, I am planning on a delicious dinner

Breathe – Two Runners are Better than One

I created the word “Funger” to describe eating for Fun instead of Hunger = “Fun-ger”

Today was a major Funger day. For some reason I am a chocolate fiend. This afternoon I scrounged around my bag and found an old granola bar with chocolate in it.

But, that didn’t cut it so after dinner I picked this up – Pretzel M&Ms. I wasn’t all about them the first time I tried them, but wanted to give them another shot. They’re no Peanut M&Ms, but better than nothing.

Dinner was bean and cheese burritos made with the beans my mom cooked yesterday. They are so much better than canned! These are actually Ben’s burritos, hence the fabulous dishware.

Plus some of these new chips I picked up from TJ’s. I love them, but you definitely get a “seedy” taste from them.

I packed AB&J for an afternoon snack. Since I didn’t have AB (almond butter) with breakfast or lunch I didn’t want to wait another minute for some nut butter!

I took the picture outside my office:)

Now I am trying to muster up all my self control in order to stop myself from pouring  these cookie crumbs into a bowl, adding milk and eating like it’s a fabulous butter filled cereal.

God help me.

This morning I did what I love and started the day with a run. I’ve decided I like to run 5 days a week and since I can’t do KB right now anyways, will start adding more easy runs to the mix.

This mornings 4 miles were even more fun because Susan joined me! I love running with her. Do what you love, right

Since I’m back on the Intuitive Eating wagon I’ve decided to Eat What I Love without guilt or apologies (not that I’ve ever apologized before, but you get what I mean).

I love granola. More specifically, I love good granola. Not that dry “light” granola that just tastes like crunchy oatmeal. I love granola with nuts and dried fruit and honey. I hate that I love it, but I do.

This morning I made a yogurt parfait in a half way full yogurt container.

Piled in: Yogurt, Blueberries, Granola Good Bear Naked Granola, PB Puffins. This was so good and satisfying. If I die of anything, it’s not going to be granola It might be happiness though…

Wear what you love! I found this dress at Marshall’s this weekend and snapped it up. I am making a bigger effort to not look like a tragedy all the time. Note: that I still didn’t “do” my hair though   We don’t water the grass because So Cal is a desert anyways…

 Lunch – I packed up an amazing salad today. My mom made a fresh pot of beans (a staple around here) and I knew they’d make a great salad topping!

See, there’s some veggies under all those pinto beans and hummustard dressing!

I took my car into be serviced on Sunday and it turns out it needed new brakes too. Ouch. So, $800.00 and two days later I’ll be picking it up tonight. Ben and I are still looking for a new car, but aren’t sure how quickly we can get one since we’re moving in 2 weeks and don’t even have a bed or fridge.

Note to anyone moving across the country: You will basically hemorrhage money.

But, it you really want to move. You’ve got to do what you love…

Question: What do you love right now?

It can be anything at all

Me: Today I love…

Friendly strangers

granola

Concealer (darn pimples)

Hello and welcome to another round on Mexican Meatless Monday! This weekend I made Peach Salsa & Black Bean Couscous. It is super easy too! Just throw everything together and enjoy.  

Ingredients:

ww couscous

TJ’s Peach Salsa

Can of Black Beans

Can of Kidney Beans

Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Cook couscous according to package directions. I cooked the whole package and it was too much. I would suggest making 2 cups of couscous if you try this (half a package).

Rinse off beans.

Mix couscous, beans, salsa and salt & pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to eat!

This is a great summer BBQ recipe since you don’t have to worry about it going bad in the sun quickly.  

This morning I was excited to run. Sometimes I need an extra rest day, but today I was ready to go!

I did 1 mile warm-up; 1 mile tempo; a few hill repeats; 1 mile cool down. I just made it up as I went along.

I was late this morning so I threw together lunch and breakfast at the same time. I left the kitchen in a mess

Breakfast – Bagel with AB & PB (Pepita Sun Butter) on a paper plate because I am irresponsible with doing my part to save the environment.

And a smoothie! My fave.

Ben and I are still carpooling and since he dropped me off first we had to switch the car at lunch. He came and picked me up and said he “forgot” his lunch at work and wanted to pick something up.

I’m always down for a diet Coke and some french fries, so we stopped at Del Taco.

The rest of my lunch was a wrap filled with TJ’s Ranchero Egg White Salad. I love this stuff.

The afternoon was busy, but I made time for a good snack – Chocolate Greek Yogurt and cereals. I don’t know why I have been eating anything besides yogurt and cereal for a snack. It was my fave all through college and I stopped eating for some reason. Well, it’s back. Big time.

I’ve been eating the couscous for lunch and dinner for days. Well, at least it feels like that.

Plus ice cream from the soft serve ice cream man What? You don’t have a soft serve ice cream man? Too bad.

I made Not-Your-Momma’s-Banana-Pudding for my cousin’s Baby Shower today. I read about on HeatherBakes and even though I don’t like pudding, it intrigued me!

I used the original Paula Deen recipe for inspiration, but changed it.

Ingredients:

Package SF Cheesecake Pudding mix

2 cups milk

TJ’s Cinnamon Grahams

Sweetened Condensed Milk (1 small can)

3 HUGE bananas (or 4 regular sized ones)

Cool Whip

1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt

Directions:

1. Line the pan with a layer of graham crackers.

2. Top with slices of bananas

3. Mix milk and pudding mix

4. In another bowl, mix sweetened condensed milk and greek yogurt. Then, fold in a container of Cool Whip.

5. Mix pudding and cool whip mixture together.

6. Pour into pan and top with 4 crushed graham crackers.

7. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

It was very good, but I still don’t want to think I like pudding. Is there another word for “pudding”?

This stuff was a hit! Luckily, I set some aside for Ben to have some, but other than that it disappeared. Make it.

I won a raffle at the Baby Shower and scored! I got a white board with the days of the week. I am going to plan my weekly running plan on it and stick it on the fridge.

It is not a party without vodka CAKE!

My Piece

Why are you still reading? Go make the pudding dessert!

Only in the last two or so years have I come to embrace my voluptuous posterior. It was a very long road to get here. A road paved with self conscious looks in mirrors and any window reflection I walked by. I’d glance at my butt with embarrassment or distain depending on my mood. Each time the view was the same, but I always hoped it got smaller.

Finally, I have learned to appreciate that no matter what the scale says, or how much I run, my butt will always demand I buy a size 10 pants. And I am okay with that.

Today Ben sent me this ad that embraces the big butt. In the past I would have been offended, but who am I trying to kid? Own it.

(Click here to see it full size.)

I love that booties are celebrated in some parts of society and the media now. I can now be a proud owner instead of an embarrassed victim of my body.

I also have to thank, at least in part,  ladies who rock the booty like Kim Kardashian (source)

and J-Lo of course…

Despite what I want the scale to say or my Marathon time to be, I have decided to at least own how I am built. It’s a relief to stop fighting my genes and just enjoy my jeans (even if they are a size 10)…

I hope this is my last long run in Pico. I really  need to drive to a better running spot for anything over 8 miles because it gets super tedious around here. And I kinda feel like a weirdo.

This morning I did 13 miles all around town. I have a route that is 9 miles, but had to run through some areas twice. At least I know where the 7-11 is located and I stopped for water!

Pre-run I took a pic with my dogs

and fueled up with a bagel with almond butter and coffee.

Then, I filled my handheld water bottle with Gatorade and was ready to go! I used to be super anti-drinking calories – even when I was running! But, I tried drinking Gatorade on my last long run and think it helped me keep going. I don’t like eating while running, but I do need some sugar and salt for longer runs like this.

I may experiment with a few other things as I continue to train though.

Right when I came home Matt was scrounging around the kitchen for breakfast. I made him eggs and toast and stole a piece of toast with jelly.

Then, I made a massive Smoothie in a Bowl. I love these after long runs!! Then, I topped it with granola and PB Puffins. There were a lot of PB Puffins consumed that missed the camera

My SIAB runneth over…

I also just cut up a watermelon and ate a ton of it while slicing. It’s one of the perks of being the resident watermelon cutter