December 2010
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2010: The Best Year of My Life?
On January 1, most people say “this is going to be my year.” But then they abandon their goals a few weeks into the year.
I made 2010 my year.
This is a long one, so read more after the jump..
January:
I ran my first half-marathon.
February:
I did my first giveaway on this blog.
I turned 27 and was totally okay with it. (I was definitely in quarter-life crisis mode on my 25th...
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Will Run For...Just About Anything
Even though I’ve run a marathon, three half-marathons and quite a few other races, I sometimes feel weird calling myself a runner. When I think “runner,” I think of fast people like Laurel.
But this morning, as I stood in the lobby of my building, staring out into the snowdrifts, trying to catch a signal on my Garmin through the glass of the door, I realized I was a runner.
As...
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Back in NYC
After passing through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and through the Lincoln Tunnel, I finally made it back to NYC this afternoon. It took at least an hour and a half to drive less than 30 miles. Awesome.
By the time I finally got to eat, it had been at least 8 hours since I’d had breakfast, so I was HANGRY. I ordered a turkey burger
...
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Italian Overload
I’m there. Not with the people, just the food. For my mom’s birthday dinner tonight, we went to my favorite restaurant in NJ, Portobello. I’ve mentioned it quite a few times on here, but I don’t think I ever mentioned *why* it’s my favorite restaurant in NJ.
This is where, almost 12 years ago (ah!!!), I had my Sweet 16 party!
(My dad and I danced to Butterfly...
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Italian Overload
I’m there. Not with the people, just the food. For my mom’s birthday dinner tonight, we went to my favorite restaurant in NJ, Portobello. I’ve mentioned it quite a few times on here, but I don’t think I ever mentioned *why* it’s my favorite restaurant in NJ.
This is where, almost 12 years ago (ah!!!), I had my Sweet 16 party!
(My dad and I danced to Butterfly...
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On the Sixth Day, There Were Vegetables
Today’s my mom’s birthday, so I took her out to lunch after we went to the sixth circle of hell mall to return/exchange some Christmas presents. We looked at the menu and as soon as she saw “abundant veggies,” she knew that’s what I was going to get. I couldn’t disappoint her or my body that desperately needed veggies, so the chicken stir-fry with cashews it...
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The Other White Meat
I FINALLY LEFT THE HOUSE THIS AFTERNOON, AND IT WAS GLORIOUS!
With the Luluberry clothes that Santa left under the tree was a pass to a free class at a hot yoga studio around the corner from my parents’ house. I enjoy yoga, but I reserve hot yoga for when I’m either really stuck in a rut or desperately need some detox.
While I’m starting to work my way back towards my normal...
melafina asked: Love your blog! I am interested in trying sunflower seed butter. Is there a brand that you prefer? Thanks!
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Snowbound in NJ
So, I’m still in Jersey. I had planned to be until Wednesday, because my mom’s birthday is tomorrow and a little down time never hurt anyone. But this whole “snow emergency” thing is cramping my style a little bit. I’m a little antsy.
Yesterday, I went with my mom to the grocery store, because I was curious how ridiculous it would be the day of a big storm. The...
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Snowbound in NJ
So, I’m still in Jersey. I had planned to be until Wednesday, because my mom’s birthday is tomorrow and a little down time never hurt anyone. But this whole “snow emergency” thing is cramping my style a little bit. I’m a little antsy.
Yesterday, I went with my mom to the grocery store, because I was curious how ridiculous it would be the day of a big storm. The...
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Right Where I Need to Be
Yesterday, on Christmas Day, I headed out for an eight-mile run in some of the new running clothes Santa had brought me.
Not because I felt guilty for the unhealthy food I’d been eating.
Not because I was running away from my feelings.
Not because I wanted to make sure I fit into my new Christmas clothes. (Although, that didn’t hurt.)
I ran because 8 miles was on my training...
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Christmas Dinner
My mom has always been really into Christmas, and so has my dad. So, when two Christmas-happy people get married and have a kid who loves Christmas as much as her parents, Christmas is a huge event.
My mom spends December lugging the Christmas decorations from the basement and carefully placing knick-knacks and doodads here and there to make sure a little bit of Christmas touches every nook of...
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Christmas Dinner
My mom has always been really into Christmas, and so has my dad. So, when two Christmas-happy people get married and have a kid who loves Christmas as much as her parents, Christmas is a huge event.
My mom spends December lugging the Christmas decorations from the basement and carefully placing knick-knacks and doodads here and there to make sure a little bit of Christmas touches every nook of...
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Right Where I Need to Be
Yesterday, on Christmas Day, I headed out for an eight-mile run in some of the new running clothes Santa had brought me.
Not because I felt guilty for the unhealthy food I’d been eating.
Not because I was running away from my feelings.
Not because I wanted to make sure I fit into my new Christmas clothes. (Although, that didn’t hurt.)
I ran because 8 miles was on my training...
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Christmas 2010
Cocktail dresses and sparkles (and dads who can’t focus lenses)
Lobster ravioli
Veal scallopine with extra veggies in lieu of mashed potatoes
Tree
Presents. (See that Lululemon bag? My mom thought it was Luluberry.)
Small dog in a large bed. I told my mom it was too big for such a small dog, she said it was like a king-sized bed for him. Fair enough.
French toast. That...
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Merry Christmas Eve!
Last night, my mom made a nice, healthy dinner—scallops with broccoli and brown rice. She made some teryaki steak for my dad, and I had a little bit of that, too.
This morning, my mom made me an omelette with some mozzarella and bruschetta.
And then asked me what the hell I was doing when I put my plate on the rug by the door to take a picture.
He was wondering, too.
For lunch, I...
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I'll Be Home For Christmas...
Oh, wait…I am home for Christmas! And it’s wonderful.
But before I came home, I went to work for a while this morning. And got a bagel because last night’s events necessitated it.
Then, I met up with my mom. When I’m coming home for more than overnight, she usually picks me up because I usually have too much to carry on the train (Bailey in his carrying case is really...
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I'll Be Home For Christmas...
Oh, wait…I am home for Christmas! And it’s wonderful.
But before I came home, I went to work for a while this morning. And got a bagel because last night’s events necessitated it.
Then, I met up with my mom. When I’m coming home for more than overnight, she usually picks me up because I usually have too much to carry on the train (Bailey in his carrying case is really...
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Food for Fuel
I had maybe the most efficient lunch hour yesterday. In 54 minutes, I walked home, walked Bailey, took a few photos of Post-Its to submit to Caitlin for her new book
and picked up lunch at a place called Fuel and walked back to work. It’s sort of like Energy Kitchen—an extensive healthy menu. I got whole wheat pasta with marinara sauce, bison meatballs and some cheese. I thought...
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Gonna Have to Face It...
…I’m addicted to endorphins.
I’ve definitely been slacking on my exercise lately, and my attitude has reflected as much. When I don’t work out these days, I get CRANKY. So much so that the past few days, I was ready for the Christmas season to be over. Wait…wha?! My favorite time of year?
After a good speed workout last night and 25 minutes on a bike this morning,...
Race Bling
Okay, so as soon as I posted about taking a hiatus from food pics, I decided I missed the food pics. Back to the food pics tomorrow.
But for tonight…
I wanted to tell you about the necklace I got tonight. I really try to restrain my shopping urges when possible (key words here: when possible), but sometimes something gets in your mind and you can’t stop thinking about it until you...
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My NYC Half-Marathon Training Plan
Or, How I Plan to Break a Sub-2:00 Half-Marathon.
Since a few people have asked, below is my half-marathon training schedule, designed my wonderful friend Lizzy. Sundays will likely be rest days, Mondays will be either a yoga or strength class/workout, Wednesdays will be some sort of cross training (bike or elliptical), and Fridays will be for yoga.
I was originally contemplating this...
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Shopping Fail
If you ever thought going shopping on a Monday in NYC (or really anywhere, I’m sure) the week before Christmas was a good idea, you were wrong.
I was already feeling frustrated about having put my shopping off for so long and not finding anything didn’t help.
But a little hot bar from Whole Foods put a little dent in my crappy mood.
I’m going to bed RIGHT NOW and hope to...
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The Nutcracker!
I seriously cannot believe Christmas is this weekend. I think I’m getting old because I’m equal parts stressed and excited.
But yesterday, I took a break from the stress to enjoy The Nutcracker with my parents. We can’t remember if we went when I was a child or not, but it’s definitely become a tradition since I moved to NYC in August 2008.
I do remember that I went with...
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9+1 = NYC Marathon 2011 / Ted Corbitt 15K Race...
Which means that NYC Marathon = 10, then…
Late last year, before I’d even run a half marathon, much less a full marathon, I decided that maybe, just maybe, I’d want to run the NYC Marathon. It was probably after watching my amazing friend Laurel qualify for Boston at the 2009 NYC Marathon.
At the time, it seemed like it was a goal that’d be really far out of reach. I was...
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9+1 = NYC Marathon 2011 / Ted Corbitt 15K Race...
Which means that NYC Marathon = 10, then…
Late last year, before I’d even run a half marathon, much less a full marathon, I decided that maybe, just maybe, I’d want to run the NYC Marathon. It was probably after watching my amazing friend Laurel qualify for Boston at the 2009 NYC Marathon.
At the time, it seemed like it was a goal that’d be really far out of reach. I was...
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A Sweet Afternoon
This morning, I dragged my ass out of bed at 8am. I wasn’t running a race, I wasn’t working out with Joel, and I wasn’t heading out to Jersey or getting on a flight. I wasn’t volunteering.
So why the hell was I up that early?
COOKIES.
I hosted my first cookie swap today, and I needed to grab some hors d’oeuvres and wine. And really any store in NYC the weekend...
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A Sweet Afternoon
This morning, I dragged my ass out of bed at 8am. I wasn’t running a race, I wasn’t working out with Joel, and I wasn’t heading out to Jersey or getting on a flight. I wasn’t volunteering.
So why the hell was I up that early?
COOKIES.
I hosted my first cookie swap today, and I needed to grab some hors d’oeuvres and wine. And really any store in NYC the weekend...
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Vegetarian...Sometimes
For the first time in a while, I ran down to the cafeteria with my coworker to grab something.
You’re probably wondering what the hell this is. Chili. Vegetarian chili.
Why would I, a red-meat loving girl, get vegetarian chili? Well, for starters…it has more vegetables, something I know I need around this time of year. Also, there’s plenty of protein in the beans. And...
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Clean Diet, Clean House, Clean Mind
I looked around my kitchen this morning and realized my counters were empty and clean. The clothes in my closet, all put away.
This is the rule these days, not the exception.
I used to envy friends for their cute, clean, organized apartments. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t dirty, but I certainly wasn’t very neat, and I didn’t put much thought into my apartment, the way I...
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My Name is Theodora, and I'm Addicted to Half...
Yesterday, I got into the NYC Half lottery. Before that, I’d been sort of considering running the National Marathon, which is the week afterwards.
I hadn’t thought I’d run another marathon until NYC next year, but a company contacted me about potentially sponsoring me to run the LA Marathon. Unfortunately, that fell through, but it planted the seed of a spring marathon in my...
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Sick Day
I was still feeling crappy when I woke up this morning, so I took a sick day.
and had some oatmeal with almond butter, banana and pumpkin for breakfast.
And lots and lots of soup for lunch and as a pre-dinner appetizer. By appetizer, I mean, I had this while I was waiting for my oven to roast my veggies. I put sweet potatoes and squash on a baking sheet for 30 minutes with some olive oil,...
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Best Running Memory Ever?
I’d already planned on putting up the entries to this giveaway today, but since I found out today that I got into the NYC Half again (read about last year’s experience!), this is really perfect timing.
Before I post the entries for voting, I have two questions for you.
Anybody else get into the half?
I’m looking at a variety of training programs, but my goal is to break 2:00....
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Baby, It's Cold Outside
But I still walked the entire way to work. While I’m struggling with fitting in workouts at this time of year, I’m trying to walk as much as possible. I really liked Caitlin’s post this morning about not being driven by guilt.
For me, feeling “guilty” about eating something unhealthy often just leads to more unhealthy choices. And while I definitely want to maintain...
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shadylanes asked: Hi Theodora! I just wanted to say thanks for my Eat Up treats. I had gone out with a friend Saturday night and we couldn't find anywhere to get dessert, so it was fate that I came home to find your blondies. They hit the spot! For someone who talks a lot about how you can't cook, you can definitely bake. I feel bad that you had to spend so much on shipping across the river though.
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All Smiles
This weekend I had to beg out of a fun Tumblr meet-up, a fun ugly Christmas sweater Tumblr people party and a good friend’s birthday because of the move and getting sick.
But thanks to some amazing parents and a great friend and their help, I’m mostly settled in and enjoying this view.
Regular food pics to resume tomorrow.
So I should go get a big fat cheeseburger or something ;)
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Moved In
With the help of a great mother and a great friend/Junior League co-chair and then ordered a turkey burger with whole wheat bun and sweet potato fries and had a Corona with my water.
But now I’m sick.
I only had half that beer. You know I’m sick when.
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An Ode to Pump
An ode to Pump:
You opened a month after I embarked on my journey
To lose my lumps
I ate your vegetables
After going to the gym to bust my hump
I would stop in
On nights after I did tire
A love for vegetables
You did inspire
And uptown I move
A walk to you
Will keep me in the groove
Thank you, Pump, for helping me continue to eat healthy even when I am tired.
[And no, I am not paid...
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Movin' On Up...
…to the west side.
I’m going from this:
and this:
(If you’re not familiar, Stone Street. Much more fun during the summer when there are tables lining that street, but if you’re stuck downtown, there’s a fun wine bar where you can go with a friend and get hit on by old men have a few glasses of wine and some laughs.)
To
[This photo should have been him...
A Day in the Life Of...
…or, why I don’t always cook.
7:30-7:45ish:
No, not quite. Maybe it’s a little more like this?
No, wait. Not that, either. The only dude in my bed these days is:
8:45ish:
Snuggle up on the subway with hundreds of my closest friends, hope not to pick up bedbugs from any of them.
Run up subway stairs to work.
Drink sustaining lifeblood until human.
Make social...
elizabethanne asked: So once you move into your apartment and are all settled I think I need to come over and teach you how to cook. I'm not amazing by any means but I can bust out some pretty good meals.
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Finishing Up the Fridge
The past few nights, I haven’t wanted to do anything but get takeout. The food that was left in my fridge was so random, I thought. What the hell could I do with it?
I could have just used another Pump coupon for dinner tonight, but I couldn’t move out of this apartment without cooking at least once more.
Veal pattie (someone asked the other night—yes, they are pre-packaged:...
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K-SWISS Giveaway!
UPDATE: THE SIZE 11 SNEAKERS ARE GONE.
First of all, breakfast was just the spinach feta wrap from Starbucks. I’ve honestly given up on cooking for this week, but I’m still trying to keep track of what I’m eating to stay healthy around the holidays.
You may have caught that I wrote a few weeks ago that K-Swiss sent me some sneakers. I’m not ready to write a full review...
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4 Days Till Move Day!
And I’m making my list and checking it twice.
I’m finding a new dog walker (thanks Emily!), confirming the mover and cleaning my current apartment so I don’t have to “broom-clean” it too much after the move.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this staying healthy over the holidays—maybe a little too much—and I’ve decided that if a pound or two...
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On Track
After last night’s emo post, a good night’s sleep, a cute outfit and no hopping on the scale this morning, I am in a much better mood and ready to take on life, moving and the holidays again. (And hi, Mariah Carey Pandora Christmas station!!!)
With it being blustery in NYC, there was nothing more for breakfast I wanted than a bowl of oatmeal with some berries.
I’m planning on...
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Healthy Holidays?
I’m struggling hard with staying healthy around the holidays. I’ve been busy. I’m moving. I’ve been going out a lot. I stepped on the scale this morning, and I weighed 5 pounds more than I did right before my marathon. I try not to focus on that number, but sometimes I can’t help it.
I’ve been eating fairly well. I’ve been getting most of my workouts in....
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Holy Hangover
That’s not a title you see often in health blog world. Getting drunk isn’t healthy, right? Well, sometimes you gotta have fun and throw moderation to the wind and put on your elf hat.
(photo via Ashley)
I drank too much when I lived in D.C. Now that I think about it, if I was laying around my apartment or walking around in a fog all weekend, it’s no wonder I was so...