Finally Published

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Stefanie

Long time, no blog….

I have been working feverishly to finish up my cookbook, and am proud to say it is now up for sale on Amazon. It was surreal to see the recipes I have made over the years finally come together! I hope you enjoy it.

Thin Vegetarian: The Ultimate Cookbook

225+ delicious, nutritious, waistline-friendly, vegetarian recipes with INCLUDED calorie counts. Easy to follow recipes for beginners and advanced alike. Recipes from all over the world; enjoy a different cuisine every day and escape the boredom! Interactive table of contents.

Quick Recap

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Stefanie

It has been so strange to be back home, and the internet has been horrendous, making blogging nearly impossible…

So after coming back from college, a couple of days later it was Christmas, and I was super excited to get my copy of Christina Aguilera’s new album Lotus. My favorite album is still Stripped by a landslide, but I like all her albums (and songs).

I also got some workout clothing (can’t get enough)!

I went to the doctor for my foot, but I am seeking a second opinion from a specialist on Tuesday. I was told to take it easy for a week, and given some anti-inflammatories (which made me feel so sick), but I still have the same pain…and I miss running terribly!

I have been working on my cookbook (seems like it has dragged on forever) and other than that, nothing too event has happened.

On a side note, for the last week or so, I have been trying the 8 Hour Diet (I saw a blurb in a magazine and went from there). I can’t believe how easy this whole intermittent fasting is for me, even getting up early and not eating after 2 (because I eat when I get up)! I have actually dropped a couple pounds already, and am looking more toned (although I have been doing more weights since I can’t run pain-free).

Work Before Play

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Stefanie

Last day of finals! Naturally, that means there will be some chaos here getting things done in time…

So I woke up with my foot hurting again, and after reading some scary stuff about stress fractures yesterday, I decided to take it easy at the gym today. I did 30 minutes of light cardio on the elliptical and then and upper body workout in the weight room.

After returning to the dorm and showering, I started up a bunch of laundry and had breakfast. I chopped up a cooked sweet potato and an apple, heated it up a bit in the microwave, and topped with cinnamon and hemp seeds. I made coffee only to find the milk was bad, so I had to have it black (not terrible, but definitely better with milk).

I have to pack soon, since I have 6 hours straight of exams right up until I leave (and can hopefully get dinner).

How do you take your coffee?

Both my parents insist on using light cream in their coffee (and my dad uses sugar), but I really like it with skim milk, unless it is espresso, which I like black.

You May Also Like: Beginning of the End

Gutter Ball

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Stefanie

Yesterday, my brother came to visit me at Columbia. We had a late lunch of gluten-free pasta, which I am very surprised tastes just like regular (although he was always the big pasta guy). Then we took the subway and walked over to Chelsea Piers for bowling. Over Thanksgiving break, we were discussing how awful we both are at bowling and decided it would be fun to see who was worse.

We only played one game, because after a while gutter balls just aren’t entertaining (I managed 2 on the first frame–all-star)! I bowled more horrendous than usual with a 58, and he pulled it together for a 82; I was very impressed with his performance. He got a strike, and I got a spare thought would have been a strike if it weren’t for the gutter ball preceding it–girl can’t get a break! My foot was killing me the whole time, so I was gingerly walking to the line and using my upper body to roll the bowl (which gave me a wonderful kink in my back now), but I had fun at least. The thing I got the biggest kick out of was how they spelled my name…

It was the strangest spelling I had seen of my name to date! Granted the place was very loud, but we both got a kick out of it! On the way out, they were having a party, and my brother managed to sneak us some pieces of honeydew melon, which was really tasty. Then we parted ways on the subway, but I will be seeing him on Thursday when we both finish the semester.

I had a lot of trouble sleeping last night, so I let myself sleep in a little later. I had an apple before going to the gym to do my treadmill hill repeats workout followed by some back and biceps exercises in the weight room.

I started self-diagnosing myself for some foot pain, and now I think I have a stress fracture! Well, I need to study for tomorrow’s finals, and I have one today, so hopefully I can last until the semester ends–I have had this pain for almost a month, so what is a couple more days, right?

Do you ever go bowling/are you good at it/any stories?

You May Also Like: More Intervals

Short and Sweet

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Stefanie

Today I have the day off from finals, so some ~~studying~~ break time will definitely be happening. I was pretty hungry when I woke up, so I had a bowl of plain Greek yogurt with some pumpkin and a chopped apple, filled me up! I after digesting for an hour, I did my deck of cards workout and half of the Bodyweight 1200 workout.

My brother and I both have today off from finals, so we decided to meet up in the city and hang out. Off to enjoy my day, before more finals!

Crunch Time

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Stefanie

I woke up earlier than usual this morning, but still feeling rested. I made some hard-boiled eggs for the rest of the week, and then had some plain Greek yogurt with ground flax, blueberries, banana, and cinnamon for breakfast.

As per usual on Monday, I opted to complete an interval workout on the spin bike. I did 3 minutes on and 2 minutes off for 5 rounds before a quick cooldown. Then I went down to the weight room and completed a 25 minute legs routine before stretching.

I have to keep this post brief (didn’t get to finish studying for today’s exams)…wish me luck!

You May Also Like: More Intervals

Beginning of the End

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Stefanie

This morning I woke up feeling a bit stiff in my foot from yesterday’s run, so I decided that a yoga session was in order. Since I had an exam this morning, I went right to my workout. Afterwards, I had a bowl of plain Greek yogurt with some blueberries, banana slices, cinnamon, and ground flax seeds with some coffee.

Then I was off to my first final; it went better than I was expecting, especially since this class seems to go right over my head! I was extremely hungry when I finished and was very thankful that I had prepared a tofu bowl for lunch. No picture, since I basically inhaled it (I did manage to heat it up at least!); it had some frozen mixed veggies, some diced red onion, diced bell pepper, extra-firm tofu chunks (which had been sauteed on Saturday), and some capers which really made everything pop!

I keep thinking today is Monday…having an exam on Sunday is so disorienting! Now, I am going to get to studying for tomorrow’s exams before heading off to a review session.

What is your go to meal when you need something quick?

You May Also Like: Study Break at The Cloisters

All Mixed Up

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Stefanie

First of all let me say that my heart goes out to all those affected by yesterday’s tragedy.

***

Today I was on a Sunday schedule (now I am actually thinking it is Sunday) because I actually have a 9 AM final tomorrow. I had planned to wait until the sun was up to go for a run, but I wasn’t too hungry when I woke up and then got very hungry right before I was going to leave. This was certainly not desirable, so I had pancakes (I planned to have them after my run) and then spent some time video chatting.

My run was…interesting. I was feeling really stiff in my foot (that I think may be injured) and fatigued for the first two miles; then in an attempt to dodge some pedestrians (made me wish I had gone out earlier) I landed on the side of my foot that has been bothering me for quite some time and pain shot up my leg. I immediately looked around for the subway, but it just so happened that I was in between two, so I tried to walk it off.

After a while, I was able to run again and suddenly got a second wind. I planned on doing 7 miles, but ended up doing 10 miles! I was nearing my turnaround point and realized that I was at the bottom of Central Park, and it wouldn’t be too far to go see the tree in Rockefeller Center (plus a little detour to Times Square). I certainly passed my share of Santas! During this part, I was often forced to stop or walk, but somehow, my overall pace for the run was faster than last week (which was also an improvement)!

Once I got back and showered, I resumed with my usual Saturday schedule and did some laundry. Now to finish off the last bit of studying for tomorrow’s exam!

Where is your favorite place/path to run?

I like to run along the Hudson, but sometimes, whether for a change of scenery or to avoid the wind, I run along the streets towards downtown on no set path just letting the lights determine where I turn.

You May Also Like: Tabata Workout

Holiday Gift Guide

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Stefanie

Here a few things for the fitness fanatics and chefs in your life, and everything is under $50!

Fuelbelt R2O Revenge Hydration Belt

This is great for carrying water, gels, ID, phone, etc. on longer runs (or any run). I am super excited to be getting mine soon!

Cuisinart CSB-76BC SmartStick 200-Watt Immersion Hand Blender, Brushed Chrome

Make clean up easier, and use the immersion blender to quickly puree while cooking without breaking out the blender (great for smaller things that you don’t want to clean the whole blender for)!

Nesco American Harvest FD-37 400 Watt Food Dehydrator

Don’t spend extra money on dried fruit, when you can easily make your own (and avoid added sugars and preservatives)!

Thorlo Unisex Experia CoolMax Mini Crew Sock, White/Black, Medium

Great for running, or exercising in general, these socks keep your feet dry helping to avoid those not so pleasant blisters!

HEAD Digital Sport Running Gloves with Sensatec “Touch Screen compatible” Black

I absolutely love these! My mom gave me a pair in October, and they are great for keeping my hands warm on long runs outside in cold NYC weather (and wind), plus I can easily use my smartphone’s touchscreen with them on (checking how far I have run, the time, etc.)!

Chicago Metallic 6 Piece Creme Brulee Set

I bought this for myself over the summer. I was actually looking for ramekins, but I loved how the set came with everything to make custards. It definitely gets the job done!

Study Break at The Cloisters

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Stefanie

I am happy to report that I got a lot of studying done yesterday! It left me pretty tired, so I went to bed earlier than usual (and still had trouble getting up)! To change things up a bit, I opted to go to the gym today, instead of a dorm room workout. I ate a banana with some peanut butter before heading over to the gym.

I did 10 rounds (1 minute work, 1 minute rest) on the spin bike, in a version of my Super Sweaty 21 Minute Interval Workout. After cooling down on the bike, I did some core work (lots of planks) and started on my way back to the dorm.

Yesterday, I received an email saying that all students who have electronic card locks on their doors would have to self-encode them by the 19th or be locked out (for security they said). Since, there wasn’t a place to do that in my dorm, I decided to go on my way back from the gym. The email also warned if it wasn’t done correctly that you would be immediately locked out of your room. I had an awful feeling that I would have that happen to me, but, against my better judgment, I went.

I did as I was instructed and the encoding machine didn’t do anything that would have indicated an error, so I walked the rest of the way back to the dorm and sure enough, I was locked out! Then I had to go to another building where they told me it was because my ID was old (of course, the email never said anything about that); they gave me a temporary key and a slip to get a new ID (which I had to wait for because the place didn’t open until 9! It doesn’t make sense how we have classes before 9 but some services aren’t open…). So I went back to the dorm and was able to get in and shower.

By this point, I was ravenous and practically inhaled a bowl of overnight oats. I did a little bit of studying for the day and then went to get the new ID. Then after, getting the new ID, I had to return the temporary key and get the new ID encoded. When I got to back to the dorm, I was extremely relieved that it worked and this had been resolved.

I was already pretty frazzled, and it was only 10! I did a little more studying, and then decided to go on a little field trip. I took the bus to The Cloisters Museum (which was an adventure in it of itself). Not my favorite museum, but it was nice to take a break from everything.

Thankfully the bus ride back was both much quicker and less eventful! Time to hit the books again…

What do you like to do when you need a break?

You May Also Like: Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip