Recipe challenge, Ethiopian curry ...

I have an amazing friend who allowed me to have her CSA (community supported agriculture) box while she was on vacation.  The CSA is a great way to change up eating since all you receive is what the farm is growing, in season.

Last week I got a head of cabbage, and I had no idea what to do with it.  The only thing I could initially think of was cole slaw, but I'm deathly adverse to mayo :(  After asking around I got the amazing suggestion from a co-worker to try ethiopian curry.  According to her it was really easy.  At first I was skeptical, thinking curries are for seasoned chefs that actually know what they are doing.  But, after looking at the recipe it looked easy enough, so I gave it a shot.

Here's the recipe that I got from a blog:

1/4 c olive oil
1 onion, sliced thin
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp chopped garlic
1 shredded head of cabbage, small
5 cubed potatoes

Method:
Heat olive oil on medium head, then add onions and cook for about 5 minutes.  Then add all the spices and the cabbage, cook for 5 minutes.  Add potatoes and cook covered for approximately 30 minutes on medium-low heat, or until the potatoes are soft.

Ethiopian curry

The original recipe called for carrots and you add the carrots when you add the onions in the oil.  I didn't have carrots so I left them out, and the recipe turned out amazing.  I got some naan from the market to compliment this dish.  The great thing is that this dish is hearty, delicious, and vegetarian.  An added bonus is the vibrant color of the turmeric in our white dish ware.  

Marathon training week 1 in review...

photo by lululemon athletica

Last week was the official first week of the 16 week training plan for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon.  In total I logged 28 miles and the long run for the week was a 12 miler on Saturday.  Thankfully, the weather was perfect on Saturday morning.  I got a break from the heat and humidity and could remember why I love running so much.

Heading out at about 7 am with the temperature around 68F with low humidity was refreshing. I ran through all my favorite areas of town at a nice slow pace.  Since the runs earlier in the week are for time, I've decided that my long runs will be for mileage accumulation instead of trying to hit a goal time.

I've chosen the cool running training plan for beginning marathon, which goes beyond the typical 20 mile long run.  Surprisingly, their plans for beginner are typical of what is seen for the intermediate training plans.

All in all, the first week of "official" training was a success.  Let's hope every week is an encouraging as the mileage increases.

Part-time Vegetarian. Vegging-out!

For about 7 1/2 years I was a vegetarian, and it was primarily because I was deathly afraid of food-born illnesses and bacteria.  I started eating meat again near the end of college, and I've recently been reconsidering this choice.  The last month or so I've taken the meatless Monday challenge a bit further and gone without meat during the week but eating meat on the weekends.  This time my reasons were more environmental and overall health focused.  I still get plenty of protein through hard-boiled eggs and beans, and I've been trying to buy organic veggies for my recipes to reduce the exposure to harmful pesticides used to grow conventional veggies.     

Whether it's meatless Monday, totally Vegged-out Tuesday, without meat Wednesday, or sans-meat Saturday  the single day vegetarian movement is growing faster then ever.  Why would you want to skip one day eating meat?  Well, 1 calorie of meat uses significantly more natural resources then 1 calorie of veggies/fruits.  

There are other important reasons as well, such as overall health.  There is a correlation with decreased overall health and high consumption of meat.  The decrease in overall health is caused by things such as obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer.  It's still not clear whether the meat is to blame or it's the lack of veggies since so much more of the American plate is taken up by protein.  Additionally, there is a correlation of those who eat a plant based diet and overall better health.  Vegetables and fruits are packed with nutrients and minerals.  

So, how do you get started?  Well, if you are currently a heavy meat eater, then try just one meal without meat.  You will get to try out tons of new recipes!  Once you can handle one meal, then try a whole day.  The meatless monday link above has some great recipes.  It's summer time and the best time to try new vegetables from the local farmer's market!

This is an investment in overall health and wellbeing that will payoff for not only you but also your family.  I'm looking forward to sharing healthy eating habits with my children just as my mother passed on to me.   

'Stache Dash Scavenger Hunt 5K race in Cincinnati, OH in review...

Tuesday was hot and humid here in Cincinnati.  I mean HOT, the heat index was 100F.  The weather didn't stop a few of the girls I work with and I from participating in one of the most anticipated events of this month (besides the olympics), the 'stache dash scavenger hunt!  This event was sponsored by the hyde park body boutique and Lululemon in Hyde Park.

Here's what made this such a fun event:
1. each team had to wear mustaches (Our team name was the "well equipped upper lips")

Our Team! Well equipped upper lips

2. We had a sheet with clues to different stores/parks/areas of Hyde Park and once there we had to perform some kind of task and take a picture.  (We had to leap frog in madison park)
3. It was a small race filled with very enthusiastic participants and a very organized director!

This was a great boost to my running motivation and a great way to change things up during the week.

p.s. our team theme was cops and bandits.

Avoiding running burn out...

It goes without saying that life is stressful.  We all have different things putting pressure on us and creating stress.  Right now my stress is my research and trying to graduate, and I'm trying to manage this stress with running.  

This method of stress management works fine for awhile, then I get to a point where I just don't want to do anything at all and lose the motivation I have.  Basically, the stress wins and running suffers.  I've signed up for my 4th Marathon, the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, on November 3, 2012.  This means.....I need to stay motivated and train well.  

To try and avoid this burn out and lack of motivation, I've been changing this up a bit.  I've been actually doing speed work and hills.  This week I went to Ault Park to run the trails and hills.  Image below is the aftermath of this fun adventure.....I fell once, but it was great because I felt tough when I got back to my car.  

Cross-training and building strength has become a priority before the mileage gets too high.  I want to run injury free and feel strong so I've been doing power yoga at a couple local studios.  It's been about 6 weeks of power yoga and I'm already feeling stronger.  Below is an example of Phil-dog doing yoga at home......he's more into the yin yoga style and meditation (aka puppy naps)

I'm still on the search for the perfect training plan.  I have a feeling I may create one that's a hybrid of several plans.  I only want to run 4 days a week, have 1 day off, and 2 cross-training days.  For now, adding in the speed and hill work as well as the power yoga for fun cross-training has helped me stay motivated and avoid the burn out that's easy to experience during the HOT and HUMID summer in the Ohio valley.  

Some images from my trip to San Francisco...

Last week I took a quick trip to San Francisco for a job interview.  This is the 4th time I've been able to visit this beautiful city.  It seems as though I lucked out with the weather, and it was sunny until the day I left.

Since this trip was for a job interview I wasn't in town long, and I was traveling alone.  Every time I travel alone I feel both empowered and a little frightened.

Here are a few pics I took while there.  I mostly stayed along the Embarcadero, which runs along the bay.

The Bay Bridge and a rocket 

View from the hotel.  

Cha Cha Cha Chia Pudding

Yes Chia, as in Chia pet.  You know, those terra cotta animal shaped things that you soaked in water and spread seeds over, and if you were lucky they grew a full coat of fur/sprouts.  However, if you were like me it was patchy and it looked like your chia pet had some kind of hair loss disease.

Well it turns out that those seed we were spreading over our chia pets are pretty nutritious.  They've also become the darling of the super food obsession.  Chia seeds are rich in Omega-3, that's the good fat that stops inflammation and you can also get it from fish like salmon and mackerel.

I choose to eat these little seeds as "pudding".  Once soaked in a liquid the chia seeds pretty much take on the consistency of tapioca.

I add a 4:1 ratio of almond milk to chia seeds and soak overnight, covered.

I soak my chia in a ball jar so that it can stay covered and the liquid doesn't evaporate

Add some canned pumpkin, cinnamon, and honey (or stevia)

All the ingredients ready to go

Mix this all up, and it's like pumpkin pie but WAY healthier.

It's delish and makes a great snack.  You're co-workers might look at you a little quizzically if you eat it at work (which I've experienced) but the taste and health benefits are worth it.

Leaving a Legacy...

Toas, New Mexico

My life is on a ledge, and I'm not sure where the fall will take me.  I'm trying to complete my PhD in Molecular and Developmental Biology while looking for a post-doctoral position in a city that will also have job opportunities for my husband.

In the midst of all this positioning for change I've been introspective about what kind of legacy I want to leave with my life.  Kimberly Wilson provides a great starting point for brainstorming and organizing your life vision of and the legacy you hope to leave in her book hip tranquil chick.

I've used the tools in this book to aid my thoughts.  First, I wrote a list of the things I want out of life including aspects related to personal, health, and career.  Here are a few:

• Maintain a strong relationship with open communication with Jonah that adapts to what life throws at us.  
• Share activities with friends.
• A research position where I can work productively with passion and balance a family.
• Healthy, organic eating to maintain health into advanced age.
• Active lifestyle filled with many outdoor activities. 

Next, I made a list of causes that inspire me such as the SPCA, fitness for children, gay marriage, and nutritional education.  Then, a list of my strengths and values that I feel embody me.  After all this brainstorming I've created two vision statements that are representations of the life I want to live in order to accomplish the legacy I see myself leaving behind.

I wanted to share here the overarching vision statement I created, the other one is much more in depth in regards to each aspect of my life.  Here is my vision statement:

I will pursue a life of adventure with those I love.  I will seek to be a woman of integrity both professionally and personally, and have strength both physically and mentally.  I will do all this while exuding gratitude for all the people in my life.  

Do I live all these values every day/every minute?  Honestly, no.  These are the goals and things I'm striving towards, but having a written reminder is always a motivator when things get tough.  

Top 10 funny lies told to me by family members...

After talking to a friend about my family, I came to the realization that I was told a lot of nonstandard childhood lies.  Although these lies bring amusement to my friends and I now, they were really used to get me to behave as a child.  As a naturally curious person I wanted to know the "why"  and "what will happen" of everything.  I'm sure I was an annoying child, so the following lies were born out of necessity...

• ·      Eating while standing up your feet will get bigger. (I still feel wrong standing and eating.)
• ·      Eating a watermelon seed or apple seed will result in that plant growing in your stomach.  (Freaked out as a 9 year old and thought I was going to have a watermelon patch in my stomach.)
• ·      Swallowed gum will stay in your stomach for 7 years. 
• ·      If you don’t wear a bra your boobs will be down to your knees. (Resulted in 24-hour bra wearing for several years.)
• ·      “Holding it” for too long will make your bladder burst.  (This one was ineffective on me since I’ve always thought that going to the bathroom is a waste of valuable time. Pun intended)
• ·      Reading in dim light you will damage your eyes. (Still do it all the time, if I can see the words I can read. I do have glasses, but not from this)
• ·      Eating cheese will make you constipated. (Being lactose-intolerant, I’ve never had this experience but feared it)
• ·      Swiss cheese is made from using acid to burn off the mold, that’s where the holes come from.   (This is just ridiculous, and I believed it until college.)
• ·      Sitting too close to the TV will give you radiation poisoning and damage our eyes.  (It doesn’t unless you have one specific model of TVs from GE from the 60s.)
• ·      Eating bananas before bed will give you nightmares.  (To this day if I call my mom and tell her I had a nightmare she always asks if I’ve been eating bananas after dinner.)

I'd like to say that I won't tell lies to my future children to get them to behave, but I have a feeling these types of things are used for a reason.  What I've learned from my brief stint working in a daycare and all the years of babysitting is that toddlers are not easily convinced of anything.  

Chicago trip in photos...

We had a little time to see the city while we were in Chicago for a conference. We traveled by Megabus, which is always an experience...fun in this case traveling with friends/labmates. While in Chicago, I ran most mornings either along the lake or the canal and it was beautiful.  The feeling of getting your body moving and watching the sun reflect off the water and awaken the city or watching the fog burn off is rejuvenating.  One of the other highlights was visiting Fox and Obel to get some delish dark chocolate, candy, and some pastries!

Here are a few pics I took while visiting Chicago...

View from our room

Bill Goat Tavern....it was an experience, and we sat in VIP. 

Marilyn statue, of course.

Cloud gate....the bean