HealthyRunner

New Site

2009-10-09T06:48:00.000-07:00

Please update your readers and blogrolls lovelies, I've moved to my own site:

http://www.healthyfitrunner.com

Fed Ex Man loves my house!

2009-10-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

So lets back up to last night when I cam home from work after 6 days in a row and feeling exhausted. I had some Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream, so amazing, it tasted like a pina colada!
So refreshing after longs days of work and being short of workers because the flu hit NW Iowa really hard!

This morning I wanted another refreshing breakfast and still have some more apples to eat up.

Enter fruit cereal: apple, pineapple, kashi cereal and flaxs seeds. I took a picture before I put cereal, otherwise it would have got soggy to fast and I hate soggy cereal messes. This was a perfect way to start the day!

Around lunch time the Fed Ex Man came with 2 packages for me. He loves coming to my inlaws house and putting packages inside their garage because my step father-in-law restores Ford Mustangs and the Fed Ex man thinks thats really cool and loves looking at them and asking questions!

But I'm more interested in my goodies: Enter Oikos Greek Yogurt in some great flavors and wiide variety of sizes.

A big thanks to Kristina from the company who sent me some instead of coupons because I can't buy them anywhere in Iowa, I appreciate this so much and can't wait to dig in!

Also in the mail was something I've wanted for a really long time, but being expensive I waited and saved up all my coke rewards and when I reached a certain number of points I got a $50 gift certificate to Nike and bought this running skirt for $10 of my own money, what a steal!

I'm so excited to wear it, its very comfy and has a cool pocket in the back.

No work tonight but my father in law is coming up to this part of Iowa from where he lives in Northwest Arkansas for a business trip and wants to meet all three of his boys + me for dinner. Hope to get some pictures of us and of the food, can't wait to relax and enjoy!

Do you have a special workout piece you love to wear or really want to buy?

Rain, Rain Go Away

2009-10-06T10:54:00.000-07:00

It's raining afain here in NW Iowa and they are already predicting snow this Sunday:(
So definetely needed some more PUMPKIN OATS this morning.

1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup skim milk
pumpkin
brown sugar
pumkin pie spice
banana on top and on side

Close up on this amazing goodness, I hope I don't ever get sick of this because it's so tasty and stays in my tummy FOREVER:)
I went for a 4 mile run at the gym and stetched my hamstrings, so sore.

Lunch was a Sweet Tango apple and a Whole Berry Blast Probar. I was still really full from the oatmeal, a good thing but hopefully not to hungry at work because never enought time to eat alot.

2 more nights of work, so tired! We were short last night because the flu hit NW Iowa like crazy. So last night I had to work extra to make up for that, which equals more knee pain since I'm on my feet all night. Hopefully I can rest them for a while and might need to ice them and start wearing my ACE bandage again. We'll see!

What breakfast foods fill you up for hours?

Moving

2009-10-05T12:12:00.001-07:00

Yay for Fall and cool pumkins and gourds everywhere. My MIL came home with these for her kitchen from the grocery store the other day.

I think something is in the Iowa dirt!

I started this day comforting my hubby @ 6:30 who woke up REALLY sick, which isn't like him and he still went to work:(

I somewhere in between there had my first ever PUMPKIN oats but didn't take a picture because it was so good I ate it within seconds, and will definetely be making it tomorrow am and will take a picture;)

Next was running and since its a wonderful 40 degrees and raining the treadmill was calling my name. I did 75 minutes and I think that was about 9 miles, felt good.

When I came home I wanted a little snack to tide me over for a while and remembered my Heart Thrive cakes in the freezer. I tried the Lemon Poppyseed flavor first and it didn't dissapoint, very good and so great post-run with the nutrition.

I also had some Tazo Awake Tea. This was my first time trying this brand and it was really good, and perfect for this kind of day.

Perfect warmth:)

My posts have been sort of random lately and missing some meals and this is due to some ED issues, but also because Blogger sucks and I'm in the process of swithing to Wordpress with my new website. This should be up later this week depending on the hubby's health, so stay tuned and I'll let you know when to update your readers!

Planning for a Marathon

2009-10-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

My alarm went off for the first time in a month this morning, I've really gotten used to sleeping in until 8am every morning and waking up on my own. I quickly got up and got all my cold Under Armour gear on and ate a quick simple breakfast with cereal, bananas, granola bar and peanut butter. I also fueled up with some sugar free red bull. I always frink one before a road race and in my mind it helps:

Since the race was in town we didn't leave the house until 10 minutes before it started. I ran a little to warm up because it was 42 degrees here this morning. I then got my number and t-shirt and lined up. It was a small race, lots of college kids because it was for their homecoming.

When we started I hit go on my iPod and it was the first time I ever brought my iPod to a race to help me keep my pace up to hopefull PR. The route was great and there were a lot of college wrestlers running this that were keeping a 6:30/7:00 mile pace and I tried to keep up with them as much as possible. When I realized how close we were to the end I looked down at my iPod and it said 20:30 minutes I booked it and ended up PRing the he!! out of this race. I got 21:17 and my normal is 23:30 about. I can't believe how great I did for not really training and slacking on the nutrition lately, something in the Iowa air?
Anyways I got 1st place and and won 5lbs. of gummy worms, my favorite! Also had a post-race banana and granola bar.

An older lady (maybe 30) came up to me right after the race and said good job and asked my time and I told her I shaved 2 minutes from all previous 5k's. She asked if I did marathons too and I told her I want to but haven't made it that far yet. She said I would do great at marathons given my current running PR and training I've been doing lately.
After that conversation it got me thinking about why I haven't gone after marathons yet, I mean I've been running 7 years, my moms ran at least 8 marathons, I've done about 20-30 5k's and10k's and I'm good. A lot of others around me including some other wonderful blog ladies are doing marathons and completing their goals like that. So I'm thinking about signing up for a marathon this coming June because I need to stop fearing marathons and know that I'm fully capable of this great feat. The one I'll be doing is Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN,it's a beautiful course. Sign up isn't until January and it's a first come, first serve basis and I know getting a hotel can be hard, so I'm crossing my fingers and praying to get in. Even though it's almost 9 months to go I still want to start training and preparing now because I want to make sure I'm healthy enough to do it.

If you have any tips or advice on planning I would love to hear it!

Onto after race fuel I had some Amazing Grass from the package I won from Lynn and Christy over at the Actor's Diet. It was great for some post-race energy and thanks for the win girls!

After stretching out the hammies and quads I had some Aged White Cheddar Chips, amazing flavor!

I'm off to work again for day 2 of day 6 straight!

House Hunters

2009-10-01T11:46:00.000-07:00

Breakfast today started out as a new creation to spice things up a bit. I was sort of in a rut with cereal, banana and PB everyday. So I decided an apple would be better since its finally OCTOBER! I also put some pineapple, kashi go lean and a couple Peanut Butter chips, so good. More late on what kind of apple it was!!

The new Cinnamon Raisin Swirl has not dissapointed. I love
chunks of raisins and the cinnaminny (sp?) taste all wit the pb!

And here is the 1st gem of the day. I got this package from my parents yesterday. It has some Luna products, oatmeal packets, salsa and the newest creation of apple from the University of Minnesota, SWEET TANGO. It's so amazing, born just like the honeycrisp we all love. The U of M has created another masterpiece. Probably only sold in Minneapolis, but keep an eye out near you for this gem!

My second package of the day was from Heart Thrive and I was really excited to finally try these.

From the company they say "Heart Thrives are a delicious, vegan and non-gmo energy bar. Made with oats, soy and dried fruits, each Heart Thrive supplies 30% daily protein, fiber and calcium. Heart Thrives aremade from ingrediants with a low glycemic indexthat metabloze slowlyproviding sustained energy for hours."

Thank you again to Mark at the Heart Thrive Company for letting me sample these amazing cakes. The flavors are awesome.

As for the title of this post my hubby and I have been looking at houses. We only looked at 4 but its very overwelming and I don't really know what I want for sure and what we can afford, even though every house in Iowa is so cheap!

Hopefully in the next 2 weeks we will have picked one out and put in an offer. We want to be in a house of our own for the Holidays.

Jon reviews Pirates Booty Snacks

2009-09-30T07:11:00.001-07:00

Hello again, this is Jon (Leianna's husband). This time I am reviewing Pirate's Booty Puffed Rice and Corn snacks. I like potato chips so this seemed to me to be a good thing. Leianna gave me choices of all different kinds of flavors like veggie, onion, and BBQ. I definitely wanted the BBQ flavor so I offered to do a review on that.

The snacks had the texture of a cheeto, which was good, I am guessing that they did that to make the snacks less heavy and more healthy. The taste was very good too. Sometimes when you get a healthy snack the flavor is awful, but they seemed to get the flavor right. It tasted like a regular Lays BBQ chip.

My overall grade for this one is an A-. The minus is in there only because there package did not have enough snacks. What is your favorite chip flavor or combination?

Packages Galore

2009-09-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon ladies! I've had a lot of great things happen since the last post including some positive energy and a new focus.
My job went from part-time to full-time which means buying a house sooner. I also got a really big check from all my unused vacation at my old job in Minneapolis:)
And I got 2 awesome food packages in the mail!

I'm starting here with last night dinner I made @ 9pm, oats in a jar. Thanks to a wonderful empty jar and some pineapple I hada great after work dinner!

Then my hubby showed me this cool package I got from Pirate's Booty.

Look at all those bags of chips, so excited to try some. Come back tomorrow am for a hubby's review of the BBQ kind!

Breakfast this morning was a Flat-out wrap:

And a 1/2 of a banana:
And some Cashew Butter, a great recommendation from VeggieGirl. I loved it so much. Different from regular PB or AB, but more real!

And lunch was some lettuce with a little cheddar and some taco dressing, which I only used a little because it was strong, but still very good!
And after lunch I got a great package from Rachel who agreed to do a switchy of Peanut Butter. I'm so grateful to her and her blessing of a note, truly made my day! Thanks Rachel so much! Hope you like yours too.

Off to work and then 2 days off again!

Have you ever done a blogging switch of products?

My Dad's Birthday

2009-09-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been another weekend and Saturday went by way to fast. We changed oil and washed cars. My husband golfed and I ran. We had Pizza: me Sweet Swine and him Bronco. I got an awesome package from a great company whose products I can't wait to try. I truly think I need to reevaluate my eating lately, it's been all over the place, not as structured as I like and my ED is truly taking over again.
But first I want to tribute the first half of this post to my Dad who turns 59 today and is celebrating with all my family in Pine City, MN because it's also my uncles/dad's brothers birthday today too. Wish I could be there:(
This first picture is of my dad and I at our rehearsal walking me down the aisle where I lost it and cried the whole time.
And this was after dinner at the actual Wedding for our dance. More happiness:)

Onto the wonderful package I recieved from Katie @ Vitalicious. I've wanted to try all these different varieties for a long time and was so excited when she said she would send me some to sample. I can't wait to dig in. I also hid them in the freezer so no one else would touch them. With lots of boys around this household they would be gone in an hour if I shared! My hubby will also review one later in the week.

Look at all those delicious varieties: Banana Nut and Chocolate Peanut Butter. And way more that I'm excited for, good thing these will last me a while, just don't tell anyone..ssshhhhhh:)

Both breakfasts this weekend were yogurt messes with Chobani Pineapple, last of the Cinnamon Puffins, canned Pineapple, and of course PB! As you may have noticed lately breakfast is my favorite meal and after that I sort of neglect lunch and dinner/get lazy. I have good intentions butsometimes the ED comes though and talks myself into eating nothing, eating couples bites or eating meals and feeling guilty. I need to get past this so I think coming up with an eating plan might help me. I need to get some more greens/nutritional food in there without losing weight as well, which is hard for me sometimes.

I always been a 3 meal a day girl, but thinking lately 5 mini meals would be better. I also need to up the water intake, which is truly lacking and making me feel sluggish during runs.

Sorry for the quick rant/down, but I feel stuck and living in Iowa doesn't help, not a lot of healthy options around here or much support from the meat and potatoes crew.

I'm watching the Vikings right now and going to church @ 6pm. Other that that just trying to relax my heel from pounding runs:(

What's your preference: 3 meals a day or 5-6 mini meals a day?

Salsa Time

2009-09-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

Starting off todays post with some pictures my mom sent me this morning. The first one is of my husband and I at our recent going awa to Iowa party.

The next couple of are salsa that my parents make every year from veggies from my dad's garden and lasts us a year or two.

They make so many different kinds and batches and its fun to go in the basement and pick out the next one.

Heres my mom trying some, this is the best time to try it. All warm and fresh:)

Look at all those wonderful jars!

Getting sealed!

Now onto my breakfast. It included my free sample of Bear Naked Cereal. It was really good on top of my yogurt mess.
Peanut Butter, yogurt and pineapple!

I then went for a cool 7 miles. I hate that it's getting colder around here. I then did some Yoga for Runners and tried to stretch out my hamstrings.

Lunch was 1/2 of this Southwestern Salad.

And some guacamole for dressing.
Work tonight from 2-9:30pm then off for the weekend. WOOHOO!! Much needed.

My husband also says that he wants to do reviews/guest posts once a week. He loves this blogging thing, so you will be seeing more of this!

What are your weekend plans?

5K Race Sign up

2009-09-23T14:51:00.000-07:00

Today was my day off finally, I defintely needed the extra rest. I didn't sleep at all last night and woke up around 8am when my hubby got up for work. I wanted something really, really good for breakfast so I concocted something with all the stuff I had around.

cottage cheese
banana
pineapple
chocolate Pure Bar
Peanut Butter

It was really good and I can't wait to make it again soon.

I then went for a leisurly hour run around the golf course. It's been getting cold here in Iowa so I've been thinking about getting a gym membership soon because running outside in Iowa winters sucks! A 3 month membership would be $81 minus a 15% discount for me working at the hospital, and trust me I will get my moneys worth:)

I then felt compelled to sign up for a 5K on October 3rd at Northwestern College, which is in town here and it's their homecoming that weekend. It was only $10 and it should be a fun, fall run. There is also another college in the next town over that has their homecoming 5K on October 17th, but it's @ 11am and I might work that day but still might do it, we'll see!

The rest of the afternoon I spent on Hulu watching Biggest Loser and Gossip Girl, so excited I finally got to see both and they both blew me away. Great way to start each season!

Dinner was a concoction my MIL and I mushed together. I thought stir-fry and we looked through cupboards for extra add-ins. I ccame up with rice, frozen veggies, stir-fry seasonings, bean sprouts, and pineapple. My MIL had shredded turkey, olives, and peanuts.

It turned out really good, amazing flavor and lots of extras for leftovers.

I'm off to watch America's Next Top Model and relax.

What did you all think of my hubby's post?

Thinking about having others do reviews and maybe have my mom or brother do a post too.

P.S. Allison from Green Dog Wine is having her 1 year bloggie birthday giveaway!

Husband's Review on Yogurt

2009-09-22T19:39:00.000-07:00

First off, I am not Leianna, I am her husband. She asked if I would write a blog post in regards to this new yogurt that she has been eating. Since I am a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy she tried to convince me to eat and do a review on Chobani Yogurt.

Leianna is more of a health nut, I am more of a hefty kind of eater. I reluctantly accepted her invitation and decided to give the yogurt a try. I have had yogurt before when Leianna made me try to eat more healthy. While regular yogurt is OK, I didn't find it irresistible like I found Pizza, or Steak. Because of that I didn't eat a lot of yogurt.

My first bite of the Chobani Yogurt was like an adventure into the unknown. I didn't know if it would taste like seaweed or something, so I closed my eyes and ate it. It was pretty good for being so healthy. What I really liked was the fact that it had real seeds from pomegranate (which was also the flavor). That gave it more than just the old yogurt flavor. It also beats flax seed (which Leianna has also put in my yogurt in the past).

Overall I would rate it a B+. Has anyone else forced there husbands (or wives) to eat something experimental?

I'm back and No Sweets Week

2009-09-21T10:56:00.001-07:00

Good Afternoon Bloggies! It's been a weekend of crazy work, sore legs and not so great or energizing food. So needless to say I took the weekend off from blogging but it was filled with other to-do list madness!
Breakfast this morning was my favorite thing ever: Pineapple Chobani with a little trail mix!

I then ran 6 miles outside, but let me tell you how crazy it was because it rained all night last night so it was wet and it's only 62 degrees outside! Also it was so windy I thought I was running in place!
I then came home to a package sent to me from my mom from Minneapolis, I really needed this because I've been really missing home! In it was my CamelBak , important mail and bills(yuk), Free Kashi Sample , TJ's almond Butter, lumpy bumpy bar and a new bar from Cinch!
This is my beloved AB!
And I had to try the Lumpy Bumpy Bar right away! So good, like a healthy candy bar and my last sweet for the week because I'm teaming up with Whitney for a NO SWEETS WEEK!

I need it because I've been eating a little too much lately and have noticed the drop in energy level!
I'm off to work again frm 2-9:30 and be back tomorrow am with better pictures and different food!

What's your favorite Fall thing to do or eat?

Mine is going to the Apple Orchard then making homemade Apple pies!

Groceries and Packages

2009-09-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone for entering my first giveaway, I'm glad it was well recieved and I gained more readers and I found more wonderful blogs to follow!
Before I did anything today I went to Wal-Mart for a couple of grocery items, it's the only place around gere for some good groceries!

Canned Pineapple
Canned mandarin oranges
PB and Co. White Chocolate Wonderful
Naturally More Peanut Butter
Raspberry Vineagrette
English Muffins
Fruit
Black Olives

These are some Bosc Pears and Nectarines! Finally some produce in my life, although I wanted apples, but they didn't have any good kinds. I love Honey Crisps and wanted to try the new one called, Sweet Tango. Did you know that both of these varieties were born at the University of Minnesota. I miss going to apple orchards in Minneapolis, so much fun!

OMG I love Sparkling Water and this one has a Lime flavor, so excited to try this!

Breakfast was a yogurt mess with a banana, pineapple, MixMyGranola, and PB!

Amazing close up.

I then went for an easy 6 mile run around the golf course and then came back to find this package of Chobani Greek Yogurts in Pomegranate and Pineapple flavors. Major thanks to Morgan over at Chobani for sending these to me. I'm so excited to try both flavors and these 12 will last me a while:)

I'm off to plan a stir-fry dinner, hubby works till 6pm and then maybe something fun tonight. The city I live in now is also having city wide garage sales all weekend, so MIL and I will be hitting some up!

What's a product you've seen all over the blog world and would love to try?

Chobani new flavors and Vita muffin tops for me!

Giveawy Winner!

2009-09-18T06:22:00.000-07:00

And the winner is..............

Missy from Missy Maintains!

So email me your contact info and send you your goodies!
leiannahellinga@gmail.com

I'll be back later with some groceries and produce, finally:)

No produce in the house!

2009-09-17T11:08:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning totaly wiped out and exhausted from work this week, so much on the go and running around. I love work, I just can't do it every night!
Breakfast was a ProBar and it was a great flavor, Nutty Banana Boom. I bought alot of the at Whole Foods before I left MN and I'm glad because I love them. I know they are higher in calories but I haven't been eating enough lately while living with my in laws and not having the foods I really love around, so I need some extra calories lately!

Since there is no produce in this house right now I resorted to some TJ's flattened bananas, pretty good, but probably better with some almond butter!

Lunch was unusual because I was craving pizza and this is what I found, although I would rather have homemade and lots of veggies, this hit the spot today!

Work again tonight 2-9:30pm and then sleeping until noon tomorrow:) Just kidding, I have to announce a giveawy winner tomorrow am! Actually I asked my hubby to pick someone otherwise I would pick everyone, love all your comments!

You have until tomorrow am @ 8am (Central time) to enter My First Giveaway!

What's your favorite way to destress and relax?

Ladies Lunch

2009-09-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

Look what arrived for me yesterday after work:

It's a great trail mix with cashew, goji berries and cocoa nibs, so excited to digin soon and I got 2 packages!
Breakfast was a mix match of whatever was left in my cupboard/kitchen

Cinnamon Puffins
Crushed Pineapple
HealthyFitRunner MixMyGranola
Nutella
Blue Diamond Almond Butter

So good and I love the huge dried apple and dried kiwis in this mixture!

I then went for a 6 mile run, cool and refreshing, I love working nights so I can get in a great workout in the am!

Lunch was out with my mother in laws sister in laws (did you get that?) and it was at Casey's Bakery in Sioux Center, Iowa. It's a Dutch Bakery/Deli with some awesome lucnh stuff like soups, salads and sandwiches. My mother in law and I both got a green salad with some chicken salad in the middle, they had great plate presentation. Sorry no pictures, when I'm with people who don't know I do this I don't want to sit there and explain it for a 1/2 hour!

I also learned they have frozen yogurt, I thought I woud never see this again after leaving Minneapolis. So I definetely be coming back here dragging my hubby along!

It was a rush lunch because my mother in law had a class @ 2pm (She's a professor).

Work again from 3-11pm tonight and don't forget about my first giveaway and you have until Friday am!

What's your favorite out to lunch thing to eat?

Mine is definetely a cool new salad!

Grasshopper Spit

2009-09-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

So my hubby woke up early this morning for his first day of working his new job! It was like going to his first day of school, so cute in his new polos and khakis, and he shaved!
Anyway breakfast was 2 flat-out wraps with Blue Diamond Almond Butter and Nutella!I had 2 because I had to use up the wraps before they went bad, but I only ate 1 and 1/2, so filling!

Yummy AB and Nutella!

I then applied online for an LPN program for next Fall at a Community College, pray that I get in! I also enjoyed a stroll around the Golf Course, so refreshing.

Lunch was some cut-up veggies and guacamole aka Grasshopper Spit, thats what my dad always called it, so that's what I call it, even though people look at me funny when I say that:)

Some cucumber and radishes, all washed and cut up.

I love this brand of guacamole and I found these 100 calorie packs at Wal-Mart the other day, so perfect for quick lunches!

Working again tonight, 3-11pm. I never talk about my dinners and I can't take pictures there at the Hospital for patient confidentiality so I will tell you that I get leftovers from residents/patients. It's usually healthy and just a lot of munching! All the drinks and cookie bars you want too, which is always dangerous!

What's your favorite condiment?

This is a hard one for me, I love alot of them but my absolute favorite is probably guacamole!

P.S. Don't forget you have 2 and 1/2 more days to enter My First Giveaway and it's a great one!

Bowl of Deliciousness

2009-09-14T08:56:00.000-07:00

So I slept in this morning until 8am, I just love working nights and getting to sleep in!
I started this morning with a very ripe banana and some Hawaiian buns. I love Hawaiian buns, great carbs, although white bread.

So soft and chewy, fueled my 7 mile run this morning around the golf course! So refreshing to havea great morning run.

I then hung around with the hubby, it's his last day of freedom until work starts tomorrow, he's excited to finally have a releaxing job!

I then had a canteloupe bowl with cottage cheese and granola. I got 2 of these bowl for $1.29 each, it was the only good produce at my small Iowa grocery store! It was so good, and no picture all put together because I was so hungry from my run!

I love how they cut these canteloupes with the ridges!

Rest of the day includes work from 2-9:30pm and I'm in need of some serious stretching, maybe trying yoga for the first time?

What's your favorite stretching techniques, regular stretching or something like Yoga?

Being a runner, I know the importance of stretching, I just never do it! Bad runner:)

P.S. Don't forget about my First Giveaway, you have until Friday, September 18th @ 8am (Central time)!

My First Giveaway!

2009-09-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

Sorry for MIA on Saturday, my day was consumed by football, golf, 10 mile run, packages of awesome goodies and preparing my first giveaway! It was a day of snacks, pizza and maybe a green or two, but no pictures!
The only package I pictured, which in my opinion is the best is Futters Nut Butters Sample Pack
I bought online with tthe advice of VeggieGirl.

I couldn't decide on sampling just one kind, so I got the Sample Pack which includes, Almond, Cashew, BrazilNut and Hazelnut butters. I haven't tried them yet because I still have an open PB jar, so I'm hoping this week!
Breakfast this morning was a flat-out wrap with the filling being a banana split, sort of! I had peanut butter, nutella, banana and pineapple. The only thing I was missing was the ice cream, but not totally necessary because this tasted AWESOME!

All the ingrediants, I can't wait to make this again!

Now we come to my title and MY 1st GIVEAWAY! In spirit of my 100th post coming up sometime late this week I thought I would put this out there today because I work everyday this week! I'm including everything I love in this giveaway as a sampler of me, HealthyFitRunner!

Peanut Butter Puffins
Blue Diamond Almond Butter
Green Superfood: Berry Flavored
Clif Shot Bloks in Black Cherry
Larabars in 4 flavors: PB &J, Coconut Cream Pie, Tropical Tart and Key Lime Pie
Jay Robb Rice Protein in Vanilla and Chocolate

There are 3 ways to win and you have until Friday, September 18th @ 8am (Central time) and it's open to U.S. residents only!

Comment on what your favorite item will be in this giveaway.
Link back to your blog and leave a seperate comment.
Add me to your blogroll and leave another seperate comment.

I'll be back tommorrow morning for more regular blogging and food pictures!

Leianna H, Soon to be R.N.

2009-09-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

I first want to start out with a recap of last night and my first night working at my new job. I loved it so much and the people were awesome, something I've never had! We were non-stop all night so barely got a 15 minute break, not even time to wolf down a dinner so it was a snacky, whatever was leftever from patients/residents. I didn't know what my schedule would look like from last night forward because it wasn't posted. I called my supervisor this morning and she wanted me back tonight!
So it's another afternoon posting. We woke up @ 8am, because we were that tired from the craziness of moving and all the to-dos. I had a quick key lime larabar.

I then went to the bank, dropped off paperwork @ H.R., post office and my husband's new work place to see when he starts!
Lunch was a Strawberry Cheesecake yogurt and some MixMyGranola. I found out about this yogurt from Kristin who also lives in Iowa and raves about this brand. I do have to day I'm picky about my yogurts but LOVED this one. Yay for some good food products in Iowa.

I also had a savory flat-out wrap with muenster cheese and spinach.

After I melted it in the microwave, it was cheesy and great!

I'm now relaxing before my 2nd night of work, here's me in my new scrubs from my brother in law and his girlfriend. And yes those are XS and still to big, why do they think XS is XL. I can't wait till they make form fitting scrubs:)

The hubby and I have all weekend off together, which will probably be the last weekend for both of us with no work so we are thinking about looking at houses, FINALLY!

Do you live in an apartment, condo or house?

My Stash!

2009-09-10T09:34:00.000-07:00

I took these pictures of my stash last night to show you what should last me until Christmas when I go back to Minneapolis!

Thats a lot probars, larabars, almonds butter and shots bloks in every flavor!

This morning I woke up @ 8am and had a flat out wrap with peanut butter and a banana, never had this before, but definetely a new favorite! I couldn't help digging in before the picture:)

Ooey, gooey peanut butter:

I then did some laundry, read some bloggies, and went for a run of 7 miles around the golf course. It's the only path in town unless I venture out to dirt roads and corn fields!

Lunch was some gorgonzola crackers

And a fresh salad

Spianch
tomatoes
cucumber
garbanzo beans
feta cheese

Close up of my awesome greek like salad!

I'm off to do some more random stuff and enjoy my last couple of hours free until I work the 3-11pm shift at the Hospital. The best part is I get to walk to work, which I've never been able to do in Minneapolis!

How far do you travel to work?

I used to travel 30 minutes to and 30 minutes home from work, such a wast of gas. I was getting gs every week! Now I get to walk 2-3 blocks and get gas once a month if not once every 2 months, how awesome!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

I'm going to let most of pictures do the talking today since I'm beat from 2 days of Orientantion, barely any sleep and knowing my food/diet needs to change because of this move to Iowa, not as much good stuff to chose from!

I also ran about 6 miles today, but it was really hard, which never happens to me so I;m resting the rest of the night before I start my actual job tomorrow morning @ 6am!

I'm also going to the next town over to check out more grocery shopping because I was dissapointed by the grocery stores in town here!

Where do you shop and can you get all your favorite things?

I went from having 100 grocery stores within 30 miles of me at all times in Minneapolis with every kind of food available to 2 stores in town here in Iowa, both really small and only carry the basics!

I'm an Iowan

2009-09-08T13:55:00.001-07:00

Arrived in IOWA last night around 7pm central time, unloaded and then watched a little tv with the in laws and went to bed because I had 8am orientation this morning!
My computer is working right now with their wireless so I can't upload on their desktop because it won't recognize my camera, so frustrating:( I hope to get it fixed by tonight when the hubby arrives with the rest of our belongings!
Recap of yesterdays snackies in the car:

I orderered a special HealthyFitRunner MixMyGranola that included vanila granola, dried kiwis, dates and apples, roasted almonds and cocnut shreds. I love this company and can't wait to order more, and I have a really col picture of it:)
Jocolat chocolate orange bar, it was amazing too
Trader Joes peanut butter with flaxseed for dipping veggies

So much good food and picture and I'm mad I can't show them!

I just got back from my orientation today, so much crap to talk about, also got a tour of Hospital!
I'm going to go run now, because sitting all day yesterday and today is getting to me, then going to check out the grocery store situation!

Have you tried MixMyGranola yet? What's your favorite combo?

It's Moving Day!

2009-09-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

Sorry for being MIA yesterday, it was a crazy day as is today so quick updates and future is TODAY!
Breakfast yesterday was cinneamon puffins, banana and white chocolate peanut butter!
It a wonderful styrofoam container because all my dishes are packed:)

We then went to church and they bought a huge cake for afterwards. We said our goodbyes, and my hubby was more sad than I've ever seen him. Since he is super involved in this church he feels like he abandoning them, so I had to comfort my hubby:)

After that my dad's side of the family had a picnic in Bayport, MN on the St. Croix River. Beautiful scenary and BBQ/picnic type food. Totally forgot my camera, but most people know what picnic foods usually include!

Somewhere in ther my mom and I went on a hour and half walk for some daily exercise!

The rest of the night was relaxing and going to bed super early because my hubby felt sick and in fact didn't sleep all night!

This morning I woke up @ 6:30am (so much for sleeping in) and had the rest of the peanut butter with a banana and a new product I found @ Cub a while back called Omega flaxeed banana flavored walnuts, so good!

All in my peanut butter jar.

I then went for a run to blow off stress and get ready for an all day packing/moving session!

I'm trying to enjoy my last couple of hours in my great state of MINNESOTA!

Stats on the run were:

1:30 minutes
8:27 minute pace
10.76 miles

It felt great to run and now I'm preparing for a lot of people at my apartment to help pack and clean, so might post tonight in Iowa, but all food rest of day will be snacky and random!

What's your favorite brand or flavor of Nut Butter?

Mine is definetely the White Chocolate Wonderful from PB and Co.

Big Bowl and Moving

2009-09-05T12:33:00.000-07:00

I first of all have to say I just watched the MN Gophers win an amazing football game, I love watching college football!

Anyways onto fun stuff for everyone else: Last night we went to Big Bowl and here is my hubby with his "girly" drink. He was mad they put his lemonade in a glass lke that, so I had to take a picture!

This is the menu and I usually order off the appetizer side because I can never eat the normal portions at a restaurant!

We started out with steamed pork sandwiches with homemade pickles! My dad makes a version of something like this and we call them steam bun, with homemade dough, BBQ pork and you steam them over a wok in bamboo! The taste is the same we had here! And the pickes were great!

I had beef curry satays and it was SPICY! It was just okay though, not really impressed! My husband had the orange chicken and I had a little, so good!

The morning was moving day for my brother into the University of Minnesota, so while we were waiting for them to get there I ran these stairs 5 times because I was bored and thought I could get in some quick movement this morning! My legs were like jello and my brother says the athletes here at the U run up and down these alot as well!

This is my dad and hubby unloading all my brothers stuff on the side of the dorm. It was so busy and crazy with all the cars and freshman meeting for orientation stuff everywhere!

This is inside his room, he has a roommate this year. Last year he had a single room, so this was a little bigger and they also have to fit a futon in here somewhere!

This is his view: talk about amazing. Minneapolis skyline, Mississippi river and the Washington Ave Bridge, decked out in MN everything!

We then came back to my apartment where my parents took apart our bed to be stored at their house so it doesn't get hurt! And we packed some more. My hubby and Dadwent to Smashburger for lunch and my momto Culvers!

I opted for some plain Chobani with almond butter!

When I went to Whole Foods yesterday they were selling these new granola bars made locally in MN. I picked up the lemon chamomile one and put it on top of my Chobani mixture!

All together and amazing!

I don't know what the rest of the evening will bring, lots of rest and packing probably!

Whats your favorite topping to Chobani or regular yogurt?

Jet Skiing

2009-09-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

This is what I woke up to: Kitty in a box sleeping! Doesn't look that comfy to me!

Breakfast this morning was Arnolds thins with peanut butter and sugar free raspberry preserves! It was so goo and this was my first time trying Arnold thins and would definetely buy them over and over again!

Up close of peanut buttery and jelly goodness!

I then packed a little bit, put some stuff in my car and took a load of unwanted stuff for Iowa to my parents house. We wont need everything in Iowa for a while since we are living in my in laws house.

At 11am I went to a doctors appt. to have my thyroid checked and blood drawn for the 2nd time this week. My arm is a little bruised but I don't mind, I actually like getting shots:)

My parents and brother then decided we should take advantage of the weather and the fact that this is our last day together for a long time since my brother is moving into his dorm tomorrow and we move to Iowa Monday and Tuesday. We went jet skiiing on a local lake!

My brother has owned 3 jet skis in his life already and hes 19! This particular one came from my Father in Law in Arkansas and wasn't working for a while, but now it's fast (64 mph we were going)

We then stopped for a quick picnic lunch of fresh picked raspberries (red and yellow) from a neighbors house that don't live there anymore!

With homemade salsa, chips and some unpictured canteloupe! This is how my brother and I ate growing up. My family was really healthy. Always lots of fruits for lunch!

Thats my mom taking pictures of my brother with his toy!

Everyone thinks he looks like Prince Harry!

When I decided to come home it was 2:30pm and ! It took me 2 hours to get to my apartment because of Labor Day weekend traffic and a MN Vikings Game downtown, it sucked!

I then had an Oikos Honey for a quick snack and some tuna for extra protein and I'm trying to get rid of everything in my fridge and cupboard! Weird combo, I know!

I then went for a quick 6 mile run to stretch the legs and waiting for the hubby to get home from his last day at his job here.

We are now going out to dinner at Big Bowl, a great restaurant with an Asian flair! Hope to have pictures of this for you tomorrow!

Have a great Friday night!

What's your favorite go-to restaurant?

Last Day of Work in MN

2009-09-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

Today I'm very excited because it's my last day of working at my yucky part-time grocery store job that got me know where! The people are the ony thing I will miss!
Breakfast was some cinnamon puffins with milk and a little dallop of white chocolate wonderful peanut butter! Like my bowl? I hope this doesn't last to long because I don't want to bore you.

Close up on the wonderful cinnamon puffins!

I decided to go for a run while it was still cool this morning and because I'm working 2-10pm tonight. I went for a cool 6 miles and towards the end it was getting HOT, it's supposed to be 78 degrees here in MN all weekend. How is it that it was 60's and 70's all of August and now 80's in Spetember, I'll take it I guess!

After my run I tried a new product that I finally found: Coconut M & M's, they were okay but definetely not something I need to buy again!

Lunch in between packingmy crystal glasses and blender (Iwill miss my green monsters for a couple weeks), I had a salad with fridge leftovers:

Spinach
Mandarin Oranges
Feta Cheese
Poppyseed Dressing
After I took the picture I added Ranch flavored Almonds

Close up of all my salad goodies, so refreshing after a run!

I'm off to do some more quick packing, then work and an extremely busy day tomorrow:)

I also came across a site that has links to FREE SAMPLE OF GREAT THINGS, so check it out I have a free sample of Burt's Bees coming for me!

Whats the best free sample you ever recieved?

Boxes, Boxes, Boxes

2009-09-02T14:56:00.000-07:00

That's what consumes my life right now, boxes of all sizes packed with all the crap in my life!

Breakfast this morning was another first, Oikos Blueberry with trail mix, apricots and coconut!
Again Chobiani and Oikos keep me so full all morning and this excites me because usually I eat breakfast and am hungry one hour later!

So yummy, I hope they will ship me some to Iowa otherwise my mom said she would ship me anything I wanted!
I worked from 7-2pm today, I'm so over this job in Minneapolis that I just wanted to leave all day, especially knowing tomorrow is my last day there! Lunch was a spinach salad with a veggies burger, not pictured in the breakroom, inhaled in 15 minutes!

I went for a long run today to stretch out my legs from my long car ride yesterday. Running stats are:

10.72 miles
8:41 pace
1 hour and 32 minutes

And I was famished after that one. Shower and lots of water followed that beauty of a run!

I'm packing all my dishes tonight so rest of the week will be boring paper plates and cups!

Dinner I made really quick sandwiches for the hubby and I:

sun-dried tomato turkey
spinach
mustard
munster cheese

Using up my fresh spinach!

And dessert was a tiny Ben and Jerry's Cookie Dough, so small and cute, perfect size!

The hubby and I are off to church to finalize some stuff before we leave and then to the car dealership that might buy my car back because it's that popular! That would be really cool to pocket a lump sum and get back $200 a month car payment before moving to Iowa, because I really won't need a car in Iowa because I will be living less than half a mile from work!

What's your favorite dessert after a great dinner?

What a day!

2009-09-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

So my day started out normal and breakfast was a first:

Strawberry flavored Chobiani
Trail Mix with nuts and chocolate:)
Ripe Pear

All mixed up, and it tastes way better than it looks! So creamy and I loved the taste better than Fage brand anyday! Now if I could just get my hands on the pom and pineapple flavors!

I then took a trip to IOWA! I had to get a Health Assesment done before starting my new job next week, so they made me come down this week. So it had to be done in one day! So 9 hours in a car, 2 shots and 1 car load of crap to fill my in-laws house and then I was back in Minneapolis.

I tried capturing the Welcome to Iowa sign:

When I got to my in-laws I had my first LaCroix water, so good!
I then unpacked some boxes and this picture is of my mother-in-laws new stovetop backsplash! It's Dutch tiles and they keepsakes and very expensive:

And this is her living/dining room. One thing you should know about this town I'm moving to, everyone is Dutch, knows someone who is Dutch or is married to someone who is Dutch! And all the houses are decorated with tulips, windmills and wooden shoes:

So before I knew it I was back in the car and on my way back to civilization. I will say that the Welcome to Minnesota sign is so much better! And yes those are millions of bugs on my poor windshield:) Lets just say I may have killed all the bugs in Iowa/Minnesota!

These are my snacks that got me through the 9 hours of butt-numbing/staring at Iowa corn:

Diet Mt. Dew for energy
Grape tomatoes
Crushed pineapple
Bread and sundried tomato turkey for a sandwich

Yummy sweet grape tomatoes!

I can't believe I went from Minneapolis to Iowa and back to Minneapolis, I needed to run as soon as I got out of that car! I went for 5 miles in the park and now I'm going to bed before my last 2 days at this job!

What are your favorite road trip snacks?

Mine is defintely licorice, but didn't have any today.

I'm down:(

2009-08-31T18:58:00.000-07:00

With all this packing and moving across states, without family, I've been really down and stressed so tonight my husband tried to cheer me up with a trip to Whole Foods for some staple to hopefully last me until Thanksgiving. It defintely cheered me up and while I'm only trying to post once a day, I just had to share my LOVE of all my goodies!

LaCroix grapefruit
Clif waters in Orange and Lim-ade
Honest Teas in Lemon and Tropical Mate
2 Blue Diamond Almond Butters
Zevia Diet Soda in Natural Twist
Pro Bars in Cran-Lemon Twister and Nutty Banana Boom
Justins Nut Butter Sample Packets
2 Peanut Butter and Jelly Larabars
2 Coconut Cream Pie Larabars
3 Tropical Fruit Tart Larabars
1 Choclate Orange Jocalat Larabar
2 Clif Shot Bloks in Black Cherry

And of course one Chobiani Strawberry and Oikos Blueberry!

Can't wait to try these all soon and get out of this nasty funk!

Records, Packing and Moving oh my!

2009-08-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

Starting off my Monday morning with a CHALLENGE #2 WEEKEND update. The challenge this weekend was to relax and enjoy this last weekend in Minneapolis with my family! I sure did that with dinner Friday night, Shopping all day Saturday and going to the Fair all day yesterday!

Today is a packing day for me, so I started packing and stopped to read some blogs this morning and the new Health magazine, which I love behind Shape and Fitness! I also had a key lime larabar!

This is my apartment in the middle of the mess, such a disaster!

Taking down all my pictures and packing books!

My snack today was trail mix in a peanut butter jar!

walnuts
apricots
mini peanut butter cups
golden raisins
pumpkin seeds

I'm now trying to obtain my shot records and they might have lost them, pack more and keep the stress sown, which has become harder and harder!

How do you manage your stress?

Great Minnesota Get Together Recap

2009-08-30T18:32:00.000-07:00

So today might be a LONG post because I got a NEW CAMERA finally! My parents surprised me with a Kodak Easy Share M1073 IS and I took lots of picture for my 24th Birthday and State Fair Day!
First things first my 5K this morning was awesome, cold though: 45 degrees:(
I managed to get under 24 minutes though which is a new PR for me. I chalk this up to my banana and almond butter for breakfast combo!
After the race I chaged for the day into my new jeans and my race t-shirt with my hubby of course!
Next we walked over to the DNR building to see the fishies!

The I saw this and HAD to take a picture: BIG FAT BACON! I can't believe people actually buy this!

And deep fried candy bars, oreos and twinkies!

This is me with my first food item of the day: Free mini donuts, because my mom knew someone who worked there, No Surprise, she knows everyone!

This pumkin is only 2nd place! And it was over 1000 pounds!

We were trying to go for the Christmas Card picture here:

And here:

Spam Burgers!

My husband and his fascination with lawn mowers, but one look at the price tag and we were off!

This is the funniest car ever, but my dad had one of these when he lived in Japan and they are almost street legal here!

My second food of the day: Cheese Curds with mustard, although I prefer mine with pizza sauce!

We recycle our corn cobs, how awesome is that and I bet that thing gets full in an hour or two!

And the famous Corn Roast! My mom grew up with the owner so every year is more free corn and you can smell the roasting for miles, so fun to watch them cook it even!

Space Needle, I'm not brave enough to go on, very afraid of heights!

Everyday there is a parade and since it's U of Minnesota day: Enter cheerleaders, since I used to be one in high school I love watching them and have always wanted to continue on with cheering! Did you also know that the University of Minnesota had the first cheerleaders EVER!

The Giant Slide, mu mom also knows someone who works here so when my brother and I were little we would go all the time, but I'm too old for it know. But people get married on this thing every year, crazy I know!

The butter queens being carved out! That's alot of butter!

The cute little sheep, one was born 55 minutes before we came! Same b-day as me!

We took a sky glider trip, I was nervous the whole time looking down, watched little teens spitting down, and we could also here Kelly Clarkson rehearsing in the Grandstand, then she cancelled her condert tonight due to illness! Sucks if you had tickets.

Well that was my fair adventure, I did eat more just didn't take pictures of little morsels here and there! It was a great 24th Birthday as well!

I love my new camera. This is my last week here in Minneapolis, I'm sad to leave but know I will be back in the near future, can't last in Iowa forever!

Have you ever moved across states? Where and how do you deal?

A Coach Surprise?

2009-08-29T16:58:00.000-07:00

This morning started out with a craving for something I haven't had in a long time: a lemon poppyseed muffin.

These things are so huge and my eyes were bigger than my stomach so I only ate like half, the insides of course!

Then my mom came and picked me up for our annual shopping trip in Albertville, MN. We met my mother in law, grandmother and 2 aunts! There are a lot of shops and we started @ 10:30 and went to 4pm. I got some shorts from Under Armour and a shirt from Puma for my 5K tomorrow morning. (Don't mind the wet hair and yucky Blackberry picture) It will look better tomorrow in the sun!

I also got an Aeropostale shirt for me nad my husband, a polo from Gap for my husband and my mother in law bought me 2 pairs of Silver Jeans for my birthday, total sscore for me!

We then went to dinner but since my mom needed to leave quickly I just had cheesecake there FREE for my birthday, YUM!

My husband and my Dad were fishing all day at the Lake so when I came home he wasn't there so I decided to do a quick short and had a quick unpictured pear and some grape tomatoes! I did a couple miles on the treadmill because there was a good movie on Lifetime and it's cold here already. When I came back in my apartment my husband was home and when I went to go show him what I got him there was a surprise in my package bags: A COACH BAG WITH A CUTE WALLET INSIDE!

Do I have the best husband ever or what. I already have a coach purse and this is the perfect addition!

Tomorrow starts bright and early with my 5K and State Fair all day!

Do you have a Coach wallet or Purse?

The only way I could afford to buy my Coach purse was when Macy's went out of business by me and they were 50% off! Can't pass that up.

Once a day Love!

2009-08-28T14:29:00.000-07:00

After everyone's awesome comments I've decided to post once a day to say everything and if I do feel the need to post twice then whatever, but I don't want to feel the pressure anymore!
Also Erica told me I could add more than 5 photos just not at the same time, so that makes me excited! Thanks, Erica!
Breakfast was a bowl of cinnamon puffins cereal and milk that I ate while driving and shifting in traffic:) Opps, usually I make fun of those people that do a million things in a car while they should be driving, but I had no time this morning so I challenged myself and only ate half of the bowl because driving was a little more important!
I decided to have a 2 installment lunch because I sampled foodsall day at work, working in a deli is dangerous! Taco Dip, Special K bars, every kind of cheese and meat, fruit and veggie trays. I had only a couple of each. I also had a bowl of nut mix on break:

golden raisens
slivered almonds
TJ's mini peanut butter cups
walnuts
pumpkin seeds

Did anyone else hear about the Sigg controversy. You should read the article and if you bought one before August 2008, get a new one! I still have to check mine, but I can't believe I threw away a couple Nalgenes only to find out Sigg is the same and they tried to hide it.

Just a little FYI for the day!

When I got home it was kind of warm so I tried a new combo. Carrot Juice + Mango
It was different but good, I only tried a teeny bit at first to see if I would like it, and then I made more!
So I'm off to relax and wait for the hubby to get home, then we are off to Olive Garden for a dinner out with friends from Wisconsin!

What are your last Friday in August plans?

Quality vs. Quantity

2009-08-27T17:16:00.000-07:00

So the title of my post this morning is something I've been wanting to address for a while now! Do you think it's better to post a really good once a day post with everything or is it better to post 2-3 times throughout the day with certain meals?
I don't mind either way I just want to make sure everyone is able to read every post and comment when they want and also blogger only lets me put 5 pictures per post!
HELP!

Onto today, I went home did laundry, walked a lot outside and inside, made homemade salsa (our family is salsa kings, everyone asks for it every year), and took some picture of where I grew up!
This is my house where I grew up. We built it in 1996, and there's a huge park/pond in back and I just love the look!
This was my room in J.H. and H.S., yes it's lime green! It's changed a little because I don't live here anymore, but my curio cabinet in the corner is always a mainstay. It was the first piece of furniture my dad made me and it houses all my rocky horses and my waterford crystal piece from the actual factory in Ireland. This is my favorite thing, the treadmill, which has gotten more use in the past 5 years than most roads get:) Since we live in MN, running in negative, windy, snowy weather sometimes calls for this with a movie!

My mom and I also went to Tj's this afternoon for a couple things including these crackers, gorgonzola flavored!

I ate them with our homemade SUPER SPICY salsa, made with all veggies from my dad's garden! I got to bring some home for the hubby, so it will be gone before I know it now!

Todat was great going home and I stayed true to my CHALLENGE by not running and enjoying the company!

Have you made your own salsa or do you like store brands?

P.S. Rhodeygirltests is having a giveaway featuring something from her amazing honeymoon!

No picture morning

2009-08-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

So camera is down and blackberry sucks at taking pictures, so I though I would just to a quick update and be back with pictures from the day later!
I'm at home doing laundry and thinking about all that I have to get done in the next week!
But first the weekend, which brings on WEEKEND CHALLENGE #2, which is going to be to relax and to enjoy this last weekend in Minneapolis. I have a really had time sometimes not thinking about running 24/7 and feeling guilty when I'm not perfect. So I'm going to try and let go!
My weekend includes:

Indian dinner with friends from Wisconsin
Annual girls shopping day @ Albertville Premium Outlets with my mom, my mother in law, my husbands grandma, 2 aunts and maybe a cousin! I look forward to this every year, especially the Coach outlet store, even though I already own 3 Coach purses, but I never pay full price!
Minnesota State Fair 5K. This is the first 5K I ever did 5 years ago and it is by far my favorite one ever!
Walk around and enjoy the Minnesota State Fair with my family! If you didn't already know this is the 2nd largest state fair in the country and I go every year if not twice a year! My mom also know lots of venders so we get a lot of free food, like Corn Roast corn, cheese curds, root beer, onion rings, and we used to get to go down the GIANT SLIDE for free too!

Two questions for you:
Do you collect things? I collect purses and rocky horses!
What's your favorite thing about a State or County Fair? Yummy food and people watching!

Be back tonight with tour of my growing up and foods!

Questions Answered?

2009-08-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

So I don't know how to respond to the comments made on my posts so I need to answer some of them now before I forget!
Question #1: How is my brother doing?
My brother says he feels okay now, but still weak. He is still working full and is going back to college soon full time and has a loaded schedule. I try to reiterate to my family and him that this is serious and rest is necessary. Hopefully energy comes back soon for him though!
Question # 2: Cashew larabar like?
Nope, just not my kind:( I like my key lime larabars!
Questions # 3: Kiwi with skin?
Absolutely not! I like my kiwis naked!
Anymore ?'s I didn't answer or more you want answered you can always e-mail me @ leianna.hellinga@gmail.com

After the last post I went for an 8 mile run, no Nike + iPod so just guessing!
I then knew the hubby wanter pizza again so I try and make him top it with healthier options like grape tomotoes, yellow peppers, squash and chicken. So instead of me having pizza, I just put all the toppings in a bowl, topped it with cheese and melted it in the microwave!

With some ranch dressing on top!

And this is my fuel for tackling the laundry/packing!

Stay tuned for tomorrows 2nd WEEDEND CHALLENGE and a day in my hometown of Cottage Grove, MN. My last day at home with my parents. This is something I will truly miss, so savoring the day tomorrow.

Leftover Wednesday

2009-08-26T12:52:00.000-07:00

I hit the snooze bar this morning for the first time EVER! I never hit the snooze button, I always get up the first time, so I think this was a hint from the body to get to bed earlier! We'll see how that works because of my never ending to-do list and packing my hurricane of an apartment!
Breakfast was quick with 2 kiwis and some blueberries:
I then worked from 7-2pm. For lunch I had some leftovers and my favorite m &m's, great stress reliever!

Yummy squash!

When I got home I found this in my mailbox:

It's a sample of Greens + and some chia seeds. Thanks to Diane from the company I get to finally sample these things. It even came with a cookbook for Fruity Chia Smoothie, Guaca-Chia-mole, Apple Chia crisps, Chia Quesadillas, Chia pancakes, Chia Stir-fry and Banana Chia Coconut!

Which one of those recipes would you like me to try?

They all look good, but would like other's opinions!

See ya later for another leftover dinner!

So much to do, so little time!

2009-08-25T16:48:00.000-07:00

So after work this afternoon and telling everyone I was leaving the company, I needed a run!
I went for a 7 mile run in the heat! Before that I had this:

Kiwi still without the skin, I just can't do the skin! And a Casew cookie larabar!

Along with my nut/everything in a bag trail mix! I then showered, watch 17 Again, and then made a to-do list:

Post Office to foward mail (I don't even know where one is around here:)
Cancel Comcast
Cancel Quest
New quote on Car Insurance for small town, very different from living in the city!
Xcel
Cancel T-Mobile
Change Banks
New license and license plates
Get some bubble wrap and packing peanuts for my china, crystal and other breakables
Start packing
Get a blog giveaway together, it won't be until I move to Iowa but it will have my favorites and some new Dutchy Iowa stuff!

Dinner was a yellow mixture! I steamed some Yellow Pepper:

And Squash:

And mixed it in some Mango Couscous! It was fantastic, except the first thing the husband said was: "Where's the meat?"

I'm going to try and relax as much as I can before the hurricane comes and takes over my apartment (i.e. packing!)

How do you stay organized?

I make A LOT of lists, and have calenders, my blackberry and more lists!

Last weeks of work!

2009-08-25T04:00:00.001-07:00

Woke up to a wonderful, LOUD thunderstorm! I quick moved my car closer in between drops and then came back in the apartment for a quick breadkfast of cinnamon puffins and a banana with skim milk. I'm out if almond milk and with moving in less than 2 weeks, no sense buying new now!

Like the title says this is my last week or 2 at my Minneapolis job, whick is just part-time. I have to give my 2 week notice today and I'm nervous!
Better leave now so I can prepare myself for a rainy commute!

Lemony Goodness

2009-08-24T12:56:00.000-07:00

I introduce to you Lemon Lavender Cupcakes from Shape Magazine, which I get every month compliments of my husbands aunt! I love anything lemon so this was a no-brainer and I knew I would love it!

Start with 1 cup white, whole-wheat or all-purpose flour in a bowl.
Add 1 1/2 teaspoons dried lavender buds, roughly chopped.
Add 1 teaspoon baking powder.
Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and set this "dry" bowl to the side.
In a stand mixer add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 3/4 cup sugar.
Add 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1 tablespoon lemon zest.
Add 1/2 cup lowfat buttermilk. Beat all this together and then slowly add dry mixture.
Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 24-26 minutes @ 350 degrees.

For the icing:

Mix together 1 cup loosely packed confectioner's sugar, 5 teasppons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest and fresh lavender for a garnish!

This is the finished product!

With the icing on my plate. I loved it, so amazing and I would definetely make it again!

Forgotten Details

2009-08-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

So after I wrote that monsterous post last night I forget some minor details like:

I got my haircut at a cute salon in town called "Indulgance." I have to say for a small town this was a highlight for me, because when you live in a major city you have everything at your fingertips and can be picky, but I loved the salon and the owner is actually my brother -in-laws roommate/best friend's sister. So we have a lot in common and she's young!
Also I had a CHALLENGE this weekend about not bringing my scale to Iowa! Didn't catch that read it here! The results were amazing, I didn't feel anxious and only gained a pound, which means nothing really! It makes me feel great knowing eventually I could survive without it:)

Onto today I started the morning with oats in a jar again with cashew butter, oats, flaxseed, and appricots!

Sorry for the crappy Blackberry pictures, birthday is t-minus 6 days! Still hoping for an amzing present in the form of a camera!!
I plan on going to the store today to make some Lemon Lavender Cupcakes, can't wait!

What's your favorite flavor in a bread or cupcake or muffin?

Mine is definetely LEMON!

Iowa Recap

2009-08-23T18:21:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a weekend in Iowa, I have a lot to catch up on and I hope you all love the new layout/cool graphics. I'm just playing around and trying to catch more eyes!
I really want to thank all those that have prayed for my brother and if you could continue for my family that would be great. He starts school in 3 weeks and the University of Minnesota, so rest is key!
Most of this post I will go over some Iowa recaps and talk about the future! And pictures will suck because of blackberry taking, no camera. But my birthday is this next Sunday, so I'm hoping for a new camera!
* I will warn you of my super unhealthy eats this weekend b/c of being at someone elses house and it was all FREE!
My mornings started with this wonderful cereal. And of course I added some walnuts, pumkin seeds, a pluot (love these) and some Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter!

This windmill is actually the Chamber of Commerce in the City of Orange City. This is the biggest in town, but not the only one. One day I should count how many windmills are in this town. Even the town square has a little mote with every different kind of windmill from the Netherlands!

This is just a random picture I caught quick after my interview to kind of show you the Dutch front on EVERY building in town. It's very cute and shows the character of a small town!

On Friday night we celebrated at my in-laws house with my husbands grandparetns as well, because we are 95% sure we are moving to this town in 2 weeks! I know craziness is coming:)

That night they made 5lb t-bone steaks, that how they roll in Iowa! Needless to say I din NOT eat the whole thing and didn't even touch a potato or anything else. I felt sick after and tried to run, but couldn't. Saturday we golfed and I went with my Mother in Law, my brother in laws girlfriend and her mother. We had so much fun just goofing around and just having fun! what a great afternoon it was! That night we had some Pizza Ranch Pizza, which is only in IA, MN or SD, but beat Pizza Hut or Domino's anyday! I only had 2 small slices and lots of liquid after walking all day:)

This morning started out with church, at my husbands old home town church. It's so great to see my hubby interact with all his old friends and people in this town. He's a popular one!

We now just got home and the hubby went into work to quick finish up some stuff for this coming week. He is going to give his 2 wee notice in one week from now!

I also channeled some of Kristin's sweet savings plan and only spent $30 for a week of groceries. I will be honest and ssay sometimes I spend $75 a week for 2 people and now I know I was buying all worng with a bad strategy! This is what I got and all in season:

bananas
avocados
mangos
carrot juice (for a cool recipe coming on a HOT day)
pear
kiwis
blueberries
grape tomoatos
yellow squash
yellow pepper
sweet corn
Honest tea (seriosly the best)
Mango Couscous
Fage Peach
Fresca (for a hot day mixture as well)

For the future, many of you get the hint of our soon approaching moving to Iowa! I told the company I interviewed for that I could start September 8th! I know that 2 weeks from Tuesday, so moving states, starting new jobs, possibly living with in-laws or my hubby's friend, leaving our apartment and my family!! OMG stress fast approaching!

I will always try to continue normal blogging, so you can see where I am and going soon!

Sorry for long post, so much to say and come!

Praying

2009-08-22T15:59:00.001-07:00

I took off last night and most of today in Iowa because I just found out my brother has mono and it could be kind of serious.
I hope to be back Sunday night to regualar blogging. I'm just to anxious and busy here in Iowa:(
I hope everyone understands and your prayers are welcome for my brother!

Troble Uploading!

2009-08-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

This isn't my picture and I'm really trying to upload some amazing pictures of Dutch things like wooden shoe and windmills, but my internet doesn't work because of in-laws network code and now I'm on their desktop and my blackberry won't unload!
I had a breakfast of champions: Marshmallow mateys! Not a lot of healthy options around here, and I want to go to the Store but it's also college move-in day around here, so life's hectic!

I did go to my interview and will know by this next week sometime if I got the job!

I then went for a 7 mile run @ a 8:30 pace around the golf course while my hubby and his grandpa were golfing! The only bad thing about running in Iowa is the WIND. Nothing around but corn to block anything!

We'll see what the afternoon and evening brings. I really, really hope to back with more pictures instead of boring old words!

What do you do when your camera isn't working? Recommendations for a new one?

Hitting the Road to Northwest Iowa

2009-08-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

When I came home today in the rain again, I needed to pack for Iowa quick and then I snacked on some Fage Peach, a real peach and some peanut butter mixed in! I have to say the Fage was even more amazing than the original and glad I found it at Cub last night and got 2!

I've seen other flavors on other blogs, but this is my favorite so far.
I then ran 4 miles on the treadmill to loosen my legs before they are stuffed in a car for 4 hours!
A little more packing and waiting for a husband and then we are off to sit in traffic before getting out of the city and on the open road to Iowa.
I plan to drink this tea that I also found at Cub last night. I've seen it on Meghann's blog and I was excited that I finally found it!

I hope to be regularly blogging in Iowa, but taking pictures with the wonderful Blackberry because my camera is officially gone:(

I plan on giving a tour of Orange City, Iowa and what it offers and is about. A quick preview includes:

windmills
a historic downtown
tulips
hometown college

Have you ever been to a cute, unique small town?

I'm REAL!

2009-08-20T03:54:00.000-07:00

I first off want to say this morning that I'm 100% REAL. I felt weird telling people on here that I am attached to a scale, but then realized if I don't do it on here it will be my secret forever and never get better. This is all new for me, talking about issues and letting other people know. So just to be clear I'm just being my REAL self! I love all the support too, it really helps me!

On to breakfast, just a bowl of whatever was left in my kitched before I leave tonight:

banana
cinnamon puffins
nuts/seeds
AND Dark Chocolate Dreams!

As always, yummy, yummy!

I'm also in need of some marketing tips for this blog?

I just realized I should have asked people if I could add them to my blogroll, sorry. And want to reach out and meet others!

ANYONE FOR SOME MARKETING: 101 TIPS?

CHALLENGE WEEKEND # 1 (In Iowa)

2009-08-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

My AMAZING dinner was a recovery smoothie from my long treadmill run! In it was:

Almond milk
Spinach
Blueberries
Banana
Amazing Grass Berry flavored
Flaxseed

It was really good and gone within seconds:)

Here is the final product in my UWRF Recreation cup, very GREEN!

After I am attacking my laundry pile to bring with me to Iowa and use my mother-in-laws awesome washer and dryer! I'm thankful for that and not having to pay $1.75 per load:(

My first CHALLENGE this weekend will be to not bring my scale, which I bring everywhere I go on vacations usually. This will be really hard for me and I hope to not feel to anxious! I really want to get over this attachment to this scale, so this is the beginning!

I will be checking in in Iowa to tell you how I feel without knowing every second how much I weigh and I hope it's LIBERATING!

Any one else have a habit they would like to break?

Minnesota's under water!

2009-08-19T14:51:00.001-07:00

Well for about 3-4 hours today in the Minneapolis area there was soon severe flooding and tornado warnings. I drove home in 1 foot of water, which is something I've never experienced before!
This morning on the way to work I had a medium banana and a handful of yummy blueberries:)
This was actually my snack when I got home and ran on the treadmill for 8.72 miles in 87 minutes (treadmill recorded time). It was the cinnamon roll kind and it was okay, but I still love me some key lime pie:)

Going back in the day to my lunch at work and since it always has to be quick, I packed some Black Beluga lentils and frozen veggies with a tupperware for some quick microwaving and shoveling in! I hate that I have only 15 minutes to make and eat at work, but you have to make do!

OMG, thanks to Kristin for showing me these from her Trader Joe's shopping trip and I loved them!

So I've been think about this blogging thing and what I've been doing with it this past month and for the future. So enters WEEKEND CHALLENGES!

Every weekend I'm going to challenge myself to do something new or even something I've done but never finished. Examples:

Another bottle of water a day
Rest day
No scale weekend (I know I'm controlled by this piece of metal:(
Cross-training

I can't think of anymore of the top of my head, but I also want more suggestions from others and I welcome anything. I also want to join anyone that wants to do this CHALLENGE with me and we will check in every Monday!

Be back later tonight for an AMAZING dinner, packing for my mini-Iowa vacation, and this weekend's challenge!

ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Knee Trouble

2009-08-18T14:33:00.001-07:00

Yes I'm a runner and yes I have knee issues. It started 3 months after I started running when I was 17, but that was because I was too thin and was running on cheerleading shoes (no support).
But today I still have issues on and off because of a go, go, go job that requires me to be on my feel 8 hours a day + running everyday. But today I sporting the ACE bandage because I wacked my knee really hard on the swing automatic door at work:( OUCH!
I ran about 5 miles and I was trying to keep track of it on my iPod, but it died have way through my run. So here is my mess of wires and my computer.

Here enters dinner, because we have a church congregational meeting tonight I had to plan something quick so I could eat and feed it to my husband in the car on the way!

It is a whole wheat Boboli crust with some wonderfiul sauce! I wish I had a food processor though so I could make my own crust, our family recipe is killer and I miss making my own crust! Other toppings include:

mozzarella cheese
leftover edamame from the shell
pepperoni
banana peppers

Yummy, that is a great picture. I'm really trying to get more quality pictures, but my camera still is cutting it!

What is your favorite pizza topping? And do you make your own crust?

My favorite topping is the banana peppers for sure! And I NEED a food precessor to make my special crusts:)

Finally!

2009-08-18T03:46:00.000-07:00

I FINALLY gotto the end a peanut butter container to have some white choclate oats in a jar!
In was the tropical kind with

oatmeal
almond milk
pineapple juice
banana
pineapple
mandarin oranges
coconut
nuts
and of course peanut butter!

I'm realizing now I didn't get a picture of the actual stuff inside, oopps! I was too excited to eat it all up fast to blof it because I have to leave for work in 2 minutes!

Be back later for a run recap (which I have been forgetting to write on here) and a dinner on the fly!

Have you tried oats in a jar yet?

It's AMAZING!

Needs of greens and healthy fats

2009-08-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

So after eating unnormal yesterday and having ice cream I needed some green in my life, so enter the ingrediants for guacamole!

The perfect avocado halfs!

And a little smushing with a fork and it was perfect for munching with a couple unposted chips:) I then put some mixed greens in a big bowl with guacomole dressing!

And some leftover edamame on top!

So for lunch I had a bed of greens, with green toppings and green dressing! That is a healthy lunch if I do say so myself!

I'm off to work for the night and the hubby has meeting every night this week:(

What is your favorite green item to eat?

Mine is definetely GUACOMOLE!

Reward Systems

2009-08-17T06:21:00.000-07:00

I came home from work kind of late because I did a little shopping for some essestials.

blueberries
bananas
canned pineapple
peanut butter puffins
dark chocolate peanut butter (not really essential, but LOVE it)
pizza stuff for hubby (crust, sauce and mozzarella)
ice cream
frozen veggies for stir-frys
avocado and tomoato for guacamole

When I got home I wanted something small and sweet so I had a teeny bowl of ice cream with nuts/seeds and a ring of pineapple! It was great and then I went to bed for a long nights sleep!

When I woke up this morning I wanted something quick and remembered I had this:

I love almost every kind of clif bar and this one didn't dissapoint! And the picture below is why I'm not allowed to buy any more bars for a while:

That will last me a good month. I also had a handful of blueberries, so refreshing.

I'm goingto catch up on some blog reading and prepare for Iowa posts, which I'm thinking about interviewing someone. I also have to enter my coke rewards for the week.

Does anyone else out there do coke rewards or any other reward system for free stuff?

Through coke rewards I've already gotten free running shoes and nike shorts and I'm almost up to another goal of points and I'm going to get a Nike skirt this time for FREE! I love things like this.

Where is the real me?

2009-08-16T10:07:00.001-07:00

I got so much sleep last night and I'm still tired! When I woke up I made a repeat bowl of cottage cheese, cinnamon puffins, banana, pineapple and nuts/seeds. I just can't get enough of this combo lately and I'm trying to use up all the random stuff in our kitchen before we got to Iowa on Friday. So this week may be a littlw random as far as eats are concerned.
We then went to church and it was raining all night and it was really windy. I'm glad I'm working tonight so then I don't feel guilty about not running even though I'm tired!

After church I was starving and craving something very unnormal for me: MEAT and bread. I don't know where this craving came from but I went to the nearest gas station and gobbled up every bit. Very unlike me and I just gave it up to the weird weather and intense running this past week.

Not very nutritious either, but I never do this so back to normal tomorrow and I'm not worried because it hit the spot and was great!

Do you ever crave anything out of the normal and how do you deal with it?

I let myself dig in and know that I'm a runner and I'll eventually work it off, no big deal. Little cravings like this don't happen every day:)

Just call me Tiger Woods!

2009-08-15T16:08:00.000-07:00

Here it is, hubby and I golfing. I'm just learning so it takes me a while and my arms get sore after a while. This is at the first hole.

And this is me hole #9. All done and I was happy because it was raining off and on, we walked all nine and I wan't doing to good. I definetely need more practice!

We went to this particular course because the hubby had a $100 gift certificate. After golfing he wanted to use up the money because the golf season is almost over in MN and don't know if we'll be here next year. So we bought 2 golf shirts and then I saw these probars at the register. When I saw these on Cait's blog I knew I had to find them somewhere. So I'm excited to try the Koka Moka and Berry ones this week!

Then we decided to go to Dick's because the hubby needed golf balls because I lost like 5, oopps:)

I also knew that Dick's sold Clif shot and Gu that on seen on MarathonVal's blog, so I had to get some and try them out for my long runs! And I tried one orange flavored shot blok on the way home and LOVED it!

On our plate tonight for dinner will be some edamame and we are grilling some ribeyes! Just watching National Treasure 2 and watching it RAIN for the rest of the evening!

Do you have a hobby other than running or exercising?

I'm trying to become more patient and learn golf, but it's hard!

Breakfast and More

2009-08-15T11:16:00.000-07:00

Got up alarmingly (is that a word?) @ 6am and leaped out of bed and got ready for work then grabbed 2 of these bananas, one for breakfast and one for a snack before my run with a co-worker! I also was glad there was no traffic on the roads this morning, it was refreshing!

This was also a part of breakfast, although I wish I could find the lemon ones again or the new ones, Peanut Butter and Jelly or Tropical Fruit!

After work I booked it to my coworkers house in Minneapolis and we went for a run around Lake Nokomis. It was 82 degrees and overcast around 11am, so perfect for running! For it being a Saturday it was busy on the paths surrounding the Lake, no wonder Minneapolis was rated the second fittest city in the country, all we do is .runaround our wonderful city lakes! My stats from my Nike + iPod were:

32:22 minutes
4.03 miles
8:01 pace

I have to say I didn't feel like we were moving that fast, because it wasn't hard at all! I'm helping my coworker train for our 5K in September, his first, my 20th?. So I definetely think we are on track!

When I came home I was startving so I went straight for a bowl of goodies containing: cottage cheese, half a banana, nuts/seeds, peanut butter m & m's, pineapple ring and almond butter!

With some yummy Amazing Grass! What a great re-fueling process of eats!

My hubby and I are thinking of going golfing this afternoon, in spirit of the PGA championships in Chaska, MN! I'll be back with pictures of me trying to golf! Praying for no rain as well:)

TGIF

2009-08-14T17:24:00.000-07:00

What a day it's been and it FRIDAY! Even though I don't get a weekend free I'm still excited it is the weekend! I knew it was going to be HOT when I left work so I stopped at Redbox for a movie. I wanted to get 17 Again, but they didn't have it so I got New in Town. It's about a Minnesota town, but I have to say they overdid the MN accent just a little and it made me sad how we are represented, but it was still a cute movie!
Idrank a lot of this:

In my beautiful Sigg! I also had some unmentionable Twizzlers, so addicting:)
When my hubby came home we went for a 5 mile walk and talked around the lake. He never exercises so I didn't think he would go that long and it was still really hot, but he endured!

This is my hubby's favorite cereal and it's on sale for $1.50 a box at Cub so I've already bought 8 boxes and might go back for 4 more tonight. He goes through this stuff like water!

Off to see a dinner, but light because the heat makes me not very hungry:(

What's your favorite heat related activity?

Mine is when we got to a waterpark, especially Wisconsin Dells! Best place ever:)

Puffins Addict here

2009-08-14T04:10:00.000-07:00

I had my Cinnamon Puffins for breakfast again, and just because it's quick and on the way out the door I can pound them down! With Pacific Almond Milk and 3 Dried Apricots:)

It was really good of course and I've got exactly 10 minutes to get ready and head out the door before I get stuck in dead STOP traffic!

I'll be back after work for a light lunch and possibly a run again, although today it may havw to be inside because they are predicting 90's again and my head is still pounding for a coupe days ago!

WATER, WATER, WATER is what is on the agenda!

Cheesy Dinner

2009-08-13T16:42:00.000-07:00

Dinner tonight was something I cooked up in my head as I looked around the kitchen for dinner ideas. It turned out pretty good too!
It started with some Thai-Lime Pilaf with coconut and lemongrass, plus some frozen veggies.

All microwaved up quick in a casserole dish and I later added some cheddar cheese to the top!

I then George Foremaned some chicken with sweet and sour glaze. It was kind of dry, but I was trying!

This is what my plate looked like. And the hubby had the rest, he liked it except for the hidden mushrooms:)

Yummy sweet and sour made it all come together, and leftovers for tomorrow night!

What are your plans for the weekend?

I'm just working and possibly going to the Lake one last time this summer!

Fast Thursday

2009-08-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

This morning blew past me again. Kitty woke me up @ 5am meowing and really hungry! So I got up and fed her and then couldn't fall back asleep. I watched the news and made some breakfast. This is a reused picture, but what I had was very similar:

Cinnamon Puffins (what did I do without this cereal for 24 years:)
Banana
Pumpkin seeds
Raw almonds
Flaxseed
White Chocolate Peanut Butter (my new favorite!)

I then worked from 7:30-2:30 and it blew past, 2 of 9 days DONE! After work I went and got some fro-yo from Red Cherry because I forgot lunch and it was really hot, humidity wise today so I wanted something light and refreshing! I had a cup of lemon with kiwis, blueberries and strawberries!

Sorry for the bad picture, I swear it looked better and tasted better! I also added some nuts for protein, but didn't take a picture of it because it was melting and I was hungry!

I went for a run againg this afternoon. I found out that the park next to the lake I live at just opened new paths, which to a runner is HEAVEN!
I ran all over the park for an hour and 10 minutes, so probably 7-8 miles. I didn't wear my iPod + Nike today because my new iPod doesn't have my trasfered songs yet so it's weird running around with an iPod not even listening to the music:)

I have to go start making dinner quick, hubs comes home in 20 minutes. I'll be back with creative dinner pictures!

What was your favorite cereal growing up or now?

I actually never liked or ate cereal growing up, it wasn't until my senior year in high school I was addicted to Special K red berries, but then in college I hated cereal again! But now I can't live w/o my PUFFINS:)

Seafood Dinner for 2

2009-08-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

After the last post I went for a short walk/run. I made sure to put on plenty of suncreen first though. I came back to my apartment through the pool since we live right next to it and I wanted to jump in! But I'm not fond of chlorine with my hair, because it damages it so much. I was a springboard diver in High School and spent 4 years in the pool, with a lot of damage and almost GREEN hair!

When I cam home I started making dinner, which was something I don't normally eat:

PASTA and not just any pasta, it had LOBSTER

And some green and yellow waxed bean that I steamed in the microwave with butter, salt and pepper, YUMMY!

This is what my plate looked like, although I didn't eat all the pasta, because it's so filling and the hubby wanted more, so I gave him half of mine:)

If you haven't already checked out Marathon Val's giveaway, she's giving away a Spibelt, which is a great tool for runner's!

Did you play or participate in any high school sports, unique or normal?

Like I said earlier I was a springboard diver for 4 years, and I was really good until I hit my head on the board during a meet!

I love anything Peanut Butter!

2009-08-12T13:20:00.000-07:00

I woke up a little late for work and since traffic kind of sucks around here lately, I knew I needed to move fast and get ready. I grabbed this on the way out the door. I used to eat these snickers marathon bars in college all the time so when I saw it at the store I got it to try it again. It's okay and not my favorite but gives you energy for my work day!
I walk probably 3-4 miles a day at work, always go, go, go. So I need stuff that stays with me!
Some day I want to put on a pedometer and see how many steps I take at work:)

OMG I saw this on some blogs lately and everytime I checked my store we never had it, until yesterday so I had to get it. It was kind of expensive but so worth it. I also got some Arnold sandwich thins and made me a quick sammie for lunch!

I want to run but it may turn into a walk because it's SO hot right now! We'll see and I'll be back later for a seafood type of dinner!

The Heat Is On!

2009-08-11T17:40:00.000-07:00

This is my second attempt at making this post, how frustrating with Blogger!

Anyways on to eats and all. My lunch of a green monster. I'm still experimenting with my ingredient list and all so this yet another try at it. In this one is:

Spinach
Almond Milk
Frozen Banana
Flaxseed
Ripe Nectarine
Frozen Mango

The frozen mango on top added at the end because I like more of a sweetness taste.

End Result = It was okay, not like just a normal fruit smoothie, but I could get used to it and I have to keep telling myself of the added nutrition of SPINACH!

I only drank half because of how filling these can be and I don't like to be stuffed at all. So half I put in my husbands Chicago Bears cup, in the freezer for later in the week!

The view from the top, kind of blurry (studpid camera again) but so creamy and good!

Dinner was leftover chicken burger on a bed of salad greens, sliced tomato, and unpictured ranch almond slices nad poppyseed dressing. It was a perfect ending to this hot day!

Anyone else get heat headaches? I guess thats my body saying more rest and water chugging!

What's your favorite NFL team if you follow them?

My answer: As you see above the Bears are my husbands favorite team! But me growing up in MN, Vikings all the way. And I also have a sweet spot for the Kansas City Chiefs because I worked for them for 2 summers!

Just Hanging Out

2009-08-11T06:09:00.000-07:00

That pretty much sums up my day today: Just Hanging Out! Since I have to work the next 9 days straight, I'm takingtoday really slow and lazy.
Breakfast this morning was some plain yogurt, nut mixture with walnuts, plain m&m's, and almonds. All with a ripe nectarine!

I love my colorful bowls, but noticed how everyone on other blogs have a collection of really cool bowls. This is a set from my wedding gifts that are from Kohl's and I love them but they chip easily and now I feel like I'm getting boring using the same patterned bowls all the time!

The last of my ripe nectarines. I'm going to try to use one in a green monster today!

This is how Lizzy spends her days, laying around and licking herself! And ripping apart my couch with her claws. I just can't come to get them ripped out, but my furniture is suffereing, but it's a good thing it was cheap!

I'm going to nap later and take a quick trip to Walmart to get a good book and some milk for my hubby. He was drinking Almond Milk in his cereal the past couple of days and he wasn't happy!

Any one else out there have a job with irregular hours like me?

5k Anticipation and Daily Devotion

2009-08-10T18:48:00.001-07:00

This package came in the mail a week or two ago and I thought I would share it because I'm so excited for this 5K. I've ran this one 5 times in a row and this year it happens to be on my birthday! I couldn't think of a better way to start my 24th year! It's called the milk run and they have the funniest t-shirts ever! It takes you through the University of Minnesota - St. Paul Campus which houses a lot of Agriculture related things. At the end you get to run by some dairy buildings and inhale some wonderful manueur smells!

I ran a little tonight for de-stressing purposes and it cooled down to 75 degrees. And after I made a virgin cocktail of cherry limeade and diet sierra mist! It was refreshing after a fun run!

This morning I starting reading through Ephesians because I seen Polly was. So I decided to join with her because I neede some motivation like that in my faith journey and my devotional is older and becoming repetitive.

So my favorite way to de-stress is either running or reading the Bible!

What is your favorite way to de-stress?

Turkey vs. Chicken Burgers

2009-08-10T16:21:00.000-07:00

Nope those aren't turkey burgers and I'm trying to keep my hubby away from alot of beef and red meat, so enters Chili Lime Chicken burgers from Trader Joe's. I tried turkey burgers on my husband a while back and he didn't like them so I thought he might like these because of the cool spices. He didn't, in fact he only ate one which is totally not like him to not eat that much!

Here's the spread with tomato slices and some tender ruby greens:

I thought they were amazing and will have some more tomorrow on my salad for dinner while the hubby has leftover pizza. He's so boring with food and very picky!

Anyone have any tips or advice for a picky meat and potatoes Iowa guy?

I have tomorrow off so I'm excited to get alot done and have some good eats and I will post some recipes from my families cookbooks people have been asking for!

After Running High

2009-08-10T05:39:00.001-07:00

I woke up @ 6:30am this morning all ready to tackle a quick but fun run! I ate a quick 1/2 bun cashew butter and 8 oz of grapefruit juice! I don't love grapefruit juice, but before a morning run, it definetely gets me going.

I was totally expecting cold MN weather this morning but it was pretty warm! And my iPod made a triumphant return. The stats are :

7K
40:31 minutes
10:31 pace
It was slower pace thatn usual, but I was enjoying for sure. I have 2 5K's coming up so I need to start getting more serious if I want to improve my 24 minute time!

This is my self-portrait after my run. I love my under armour, I think I have one in every color:)

Lunch today was packed quick and is simple for matters of only getting a 15 minute break to scarf it down. I'll only eat a cup or so of that cottage cheese, a ripe nectarine and a jamfraka bar!

I may or may not stop at Caribou Coffee for an iced mocha this morning!

Leianna

Caught ya:)

2009-08-09T19:59:00.000-07:00

This is what I came home to tonight after work:

My hubby doing the dishes! He said he was going to do them before I got home, but there was a good movie on TV. I'm just happy he even thought about it and still did it when I got home:)

I have the BEST husband in the world!

Be back early tomorrow am for a different breakfast and run before work!

Leianna

Stupid Camera

2009-08-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

I made breakfast and tried to upload it, only to find out that my camera ate it!
I need a new camera so bad and for the next 2 weeks, I work so much that I might not have time to research and buy one!
So hopefully my blackberry phone takes some wonderful pictures!

I did have puffin cereal with banana and almond milk.
Then off to church we went for a guest pastor because our pastor is in Canada helping out another church!
It was a wonderful change and made for a lovely morning!
I'm off to work, hope to be back tonight with pictures!

Leianna

Apple to the Rescue!

2009-08-08T18:22:00.000-07:00

On the way to work while it was downpourning like you wouldn't believe, I had a nectarine!
JUICY

I brought these cookies to a co-worker! He was begging for some and I thought since they were in the freezer I forgot I had them anyways, so out of sight out of mind! And he tried them on break and loved them! A couple people asked for the recipe:)

After work I came out to 86 and HUMID! Holy cow it was hot and sticky. I was going to run 7 miles, but only made it 5 because I was drenching in sweat the minutes I stepped out of the door!

After my shower I heated up my sweet potato for my recipe from this morning. I modified it a little but. Microwaved it, instead of over for convienence and not parsley because I didn't have any. But cashew butter made it as well!

It was amazing, definetely more of this in my future!

My husband and I then went to the Apple store so they could fix my iPod, but it was so bad the guy was stumped. So he pulled out a BRAND NEW ONE! Wow, customer service at it's finest. I didn't know they did this. I almost threw it away and bought a new one!

My new iPod that will make it's debut with my Nike shoes tomorrow, so I can get back to calculating miles and minutes per miles!

It's about to storm big here so I'm excited to watch the lightning show and for God to go bowling:)

Leianna

A grand new day!

2009-08-08T05:21:00.000-07:00

Woke up pretty early to my kitty scratching at the door because she was hungry! Oh well sleeping was never my thing anyway!
Breakfast was a favorite for me: key lime larabar and an over ripe banana!
It looks like rain again here, but on the tv they are saying 90 degrees! I work from 10-5pm, but I want to get in at least 6 miles today, hopefully outside!

I got Taste of Home magazine in the mail the other day and they have some really great recipes. So tonight for dinner I have a sweet potato to use up so I'm thinking something along these lines:

Sorry about the bad picture. Hoping to get a new camera soon. Walmart is 2 steps out of my apartment so I might be looking there later!

Leianna

Bad day turned AWESOME!

2009-08-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

Sorry for such a late update. It's been an AMAZING day!
The Lord has answered prayers like you wouldn't believe! Also my camera is dying and not taking pictures so no cool pictures today! But I would like some advice on new cameras? Any ideas?
It was raining all day, but we needed it so bad here in MSP, so it was a good thing!
Breakfast was cinnamon puffin cereal that my mom bought for me from Trader Joe's yesterday!
I then worked from 7:30-3pm. At work when I picked up my check today I got a coupon for a free cake because it's my birthday month! What a great surprise and that made my day!
When I got home I snacked on a peach and went for a 7 mile run on the treadmill. Sweaty inside a workout room, but my legs needed it so it felt great.
I then went and picked up the hubby from work. Came home to our apartment and my dad and him are working to replace the battery in our car and that will finally be fixed!
While they were doing that I called the Apple store to talk to them about my broken iPod. They are going to fix it for free or give me a brand new one for free! I can't believe that, another great thing to add to my day!
Then we went to a web page for my coffee maker because it was acting up lately. I have one of thoseSenseo that makes one cup at a time. I foundout there that there was a recall and they are sending me a free one!
O.M.G. I can't believe all this wonderful stuff happening in one day!
Dinner will be a mismatch of stuff when they finish with the car here soon!

Hopefully be back with Blackberry pictures later and researching new cameras!

Leianna

It's not raining, it's POURING in this household!

2009-08-06T17:10:00.001-07:00

Enter dinner: grocery store pizza and I'll explain later why dinner was quick and not so normal!

WOW, what a day it's been!

When I went home I took a couple of pictures but was busy so I only got one of my parents backyard. They live on a park with a little pond! And in the corner of the picture you can see the hot tub: I miss living here for that reason. MN winters = hot tub fun with snow!

And this is one of my parents cats: Gobbie. My husband calls him big head:)

Well like I posted a week ago we bought a new vehicle: a 2002 Buick Rendevous.

Back story about our vehicles: We've been married for 2 years and have had 5 vehicles!!!

The first one had the brakes go out on the way to our rehearsal for the wedding. My husbands first vehicle, a 2000 Ford Ranger was going on its last leg this past December so we sold it! Then enters my husbands play car: a 1990 ish Geo Tracker! Wow that car was a piece of work and more money than a new one! The only stable car is my 2007 Dodge Caliber (knock on wood).

So back to the Rendevous that my hussband took up north MN for a golf tournament. They came home tonight and the hood was up and my husband was on the phone:( The battery was burning/fizzling and it smelt really, really bad!

He's working on it right now with my brother before it gets dark!

To top it all off if things don't go well for us with interviews in Iowa we will have to place to live except my parents basement:(

I know everything happens for a reason and lately I've been struggling with letting go of control and letting God take the burden, but it hard for me not to worry 24/7!

Anyways it's still a beautiful day and I spent it with my mom walking and running in the sun!

Those are the memories I hope will last forever, not the negative:)

Leianna

Going home!

2009-08-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

This morning started the same: oatmeal, puffins, banana, pumpkin seeds and cashew butter!

I think tommorow I need to mix things up a bit. I'm getting boring!

As the title suggests I'm going home for the day to do laundry for free! And to run, walk, bike and exercise my little heart out! My hubby is gone until tonight and my day went to the cabin so my mom and I are both alone today! She sent me a facebook message this morning to call her if I wasn't working and when I did she asked me to come home and run errands/run all day!

Packed a light light as I needed to use this up before it goes bad. Sometimes I buy stuff like this and stuff it in the fridge and then forget its there! Any one else have that problem? I think next time I go grocery shopping I'm going to write down all my perishables on a list and post it on my fridge and cross off things when I eat them:)

It came with seasame sticks, cranberries and seasame orange ginger! I love any thing asian flavored. Stir-frys, fried rice, gyozas, eggrolls, korean bbq or stemed buns.

My dad lived in Japan when he was in the Navy and learned how to cook from an expert there so we have some amazing reipes in which I hope to start showing you guys soon!

I'll be back later with pictures from all the fun had today!

Leianna

Girls Night Alone

2009-08-05T18:23:00.001-07:00

Since the hubby is away for the night, I'm declaring this girls night and since I don't work tomorrow I can stay up late!
The night started with traffic! But I managed to keep my cool and made it to Red Loster to meet my best friend Ashley for dinner. We catched up and did some reminisingof college and weddings.
And speaking of wedding, when Ashley threw my bachelorette party we went to a show/play of Mamma Mia because I'm not a drinker/partier. It was a great night with the girls and I then I remembered I hadn't seen the new Mamma Mia movie.
So I went right to Walmart and bought it!

I'm watching it as I type! And having 4-10 bites of these:

The other day Holly from www.thehealthyeverythingtarian.wordpress.com shared with us that coconut m & m's hit the shelves. I wanted some so bad, but ended up finding these!

Off to watch movie, talk to the hubby, play with kitty and maybe another movie!

Leianna

P.S. Dinner was coconut shrimp again, I just forgot to picture it with all the girl talk going on!

Foodbuzz!!

2009-08-05T05:56:00.001-07:00

I'm now a foodbuzz featured publisher! After seeing this on most other blogs I was curious to see what it was and was surprised to find out what a great oppertunuty it was for me as a food blogger!
I still need to fine tune it all up on my blog but my husband is gone for 2 days on a golf trip so it will have to wait!

Breakfast this morning was a Pure bar: chcolate brownie. Kristin from www.iowagirleats.wordpresss.com is having a giveaway for these and when I saw one at Trader Joe's I just had to try it and it didn't disapoint!
I have to work from 11-6. Sucky shift:( But I'm loooking to Red Lobster with my best friend, roommate for 4 years and MOH! Since I've been married and none of my friends are married. I don't see them a lot, so when I get the chance to see them I soak it up! We have lots of catching up to do as well.

Hope to be back with pictures from Red Lobster tonight!

Leianna

Runners High

2009-08-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

Lets start with dinner last night, which was grilled zuchini. I soaked it in olive oil, garlic, and soy sauce. I love the grill marks and the taste is so good!
And this morning. My camera battery died as I was trying to take a picture of it. It was oatmeal, banana and cashew butter! I just can't get enough of this breakfast. I now love oatmeal:)

When I got home from work today I had some lemon sorbet. It's dairy free and sort of like ice cream, so it fueled my 6-7 mile run. Don't know the stats for sure because I dropped my iPod and can't use my Nike trainer thing anymore.

I think I might need to ask for a new iPod for my birthday coming up! (August 30th:)

During my run I got whisteled at and heckled a bit. Does this happen to anyone else? I get it almost everytime I run. I just kind of laugh to myself and go on. It happened more when I was in college with immature college students all around! HAHAHA!

Dinner was a favorite in this household: STIR-FRY

Frozen Veggies
Leftover chicken
Leftover grilled zuchinni
Soba noodles
Stir-fry packet of seasonings

It was so delicious and leftovers are a plenty!

I'm off to read and comment on some blogs and then get ready for our Iowa guests!

Leianna

TJ Love

2009-08-03T12:59:00.001-07:00

This is my green monster from this morning in my amazing grass shaker, whick I LOVE!

After finding Trader Joes in Maple Grove I got my list out and went to town:

I got :

orange juice ( for the husband, I'll be lucky if that last until tomorrow:)
spinach for green monsters
frozen blackberries, strawberries and papaya
bananas
tomotoes
lobster ravioli
spaghetti sauce
green and yellow wax beans
sprouted grain bread
chili lime chicken burgers (husband might protest these, but I'm excited)
Pacific almond milk
TJ's peanut butter infused with flaxseed
pure bar
3 jamfrakas bars
garbanzo beans
whole carrots (I've always bought the baby carrots, but see others on blogs buying the whole ones, so I'm giving it a try)
black beluga lentils (Iowagirleats inspired)
thai lime rice
frozen vegetables
bag of frozen chicken
trail mix

I've already been planning out meals for about the next week and a half. Husband will be gone this Wednesday night for a golf tournament, and I'm going out with a girlfriend to Red Lobster again! (I REALLY LOVE that place:)

Looking forward to some amazing meals,

Leianna

Cleaning Machine

2009-08-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

This morning started out great, didn't even hear my husband leave for work @ 6am, and I slept in until 7:30am!!! When I got up I had a quick keyl ime larabar, then ran 7 miles on the apartment treadmill.

After my shower I decided to start cleaning my apartment for our guests this week. My 2 brother-in-laws are coming up from Iowa for a golf outing my husband and my brother!

My clean bathroom, that I got on my hands and knees to clean:)

My bedroom all cleaned up with bed made!

And nothing on my dresser for once! (I always forget to rotate my picture, Sorry:(

And to round up the morning before some more deep cleaning, I madea green monster with:

frozen pineapple
frozen banana
frozen mango
Amazing grass berry superfood
almond milk
spinach
flaxseed

Yeaah for refueling!

Leianna

No Caffeine Day

2009-08-02T05:51:00.000-07:00

So lets start with last night first. I went for an 8/9 mile run around 4pm. When I came home I asked my husband if he wanted to go out to eat. We havent't been out to eat in months. He was so excited he leaped out of the chair ready to go! We went to Red Lobster and I didn't take pictures because I don't feel comfortable doing it in public yet, but hope to get over that soon:)
I had coconut shrimp, which is what I get every time and it comes with fresh pineapple. My husband got lobster pizza, even though watching the cute live lobster when you walk in look so harmless. Even though my husband LOVES meat, he hates to see animals suffer. I didn't know that about him until last night:)

Breakfast this morning was oats, peanut butter puffins, banana, flaxseed, pumkin seeds and cashew butter! Totally yummy:)

We are off to church and then of course I work again 1:30-9pm. So late night tonight, but I don't work at all tomorrow and I think we need groceries. I love grocery shopping especially @ Trader Joes!

Leianna

35W Bridge: 2 years!

2009-08-01T13:53:00.001-07:00

Just thought I would do a little update and interesting blog today about the 35W bridge, because it was 2 years ago today in Minneapolis that it collapsed. I took some pictures below from my Blackberry while I was driving to work today. I drive on the bridge every morning and evening to work.

The new bridge is really cool, and innovative and at night or really early in the morning there is blue lighting coming from those 3 waves!

This new bridge has been up and working for a year now, but we still year about it and and the drama that followed it on the news from time to time. Lawsuits are still going, but us Minnesotan will never forget it!

Later for dinner, Leianna

New foods to try

2009-08-01T05:14:00.000-07:00

First off breakfast was a little oatmeal, peanut butter puffiins, a crumbled raspberry chocolate cookie, banana, flax seed and CASHEW BUTTER!

My new products are Eastwind Cashew Butter and Medjool dates! I've never had these 2 before and I almost got there almond butter too, but it was too expensive. I loved the cashew butter though on my breakfast!

I got this book from a co-worker who is a dietician. There are juices and great smoothies in there and there are nutritional values too. So I will definetely be trying some out soon.

I'm off to work now 9:30-5pm. Then a fun dinner!

Leianna

It's a Snacky kind of day!

2009-07-31T15:19:00.000-07:00

Well I worked this morning from 7-2:30pm, so breakfast was on the run peanut butter puffins, YUM!
I then went had a banana when I got home and hammered out an 8 mile run in the perfect weather:)

When I got back look what arrived FINALLY:
Yeah my AmazingGrass and shaker. I was planning on treating my self to an iced coffee from Caribou coffee before working tomorrow but I think this will be better! (I also forgot to turn my pictures but I now know how, but I'm in a hurry, so next time:)

When I got back from my run I had some frozen grapes. If you've never tried this it's AMAZING!

And the rest of my fage yogurt,

With some awesome Maranatha Almond Butter.

I'm now relaxing and wathcing Miss Congeniality 2 and reading blogs/commenting!

My husband is helping someone move and when he gets home maybe dinner!

Also I have to decide by tonight whether we are staying in MN/ this apartment or not! YIKES, such a big decision, last minute.

Leianna

Dinner Possible

2009-07-30T17:04:00.001-07:00

Have you ever seen that show on the Food Network: Dinner Impossible, I Love it!

Anyways on to dinner, which I totally impressed myself again! After reading blogs for the past month you guys totally inspire me to try and cook new things:) For the past 2 years I would make my husband frozen dinners and most of the time I wouldn't eat dinner, but in the past month things have drastically changed!
So here it is my chicken marinating in Hawaiian Luau

Couscous, which I've never made or eaten!

My chicken after I killed it on my George foreman:) We like our meat dead, not red!

And the finished product. I microwaved the couscous, cut up the chicken and steamed the brussel sprouts, which I've also never had!

Dinner tonight was amazing and makes me more and more happy to try everyone's recipes. Keep'em coming please:)

Off to take a ride in my Buick Rendevous, actually my husband thinks it's just his.

Leianna

Times are a Changing!!

2009-07-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

Breakfast was peanut butter puffins, flaxseed, banana and almond butter. My favorite combo. Underneath is a recipe for zucchini bread I'm making this afternoon:)
After breakfast I went to the apartment treadmill and cranked out 7 miles in 60 minutes, yay for workout being done early and no work today!

Well as you can see from the title new things are coming for the Hellinga household. My husband and I aren't happy at our jobs or in Minneapolis. Even though I've lived here my WHOLE life I just can't get ahead, so we feel stuck and moving at such a fast pace. So we both have some interviews and job oppertunities coming up in NW Iowa, where my husband is from. Mine is at the hospital where my mother-in-law works and my husbands is at a cell phone place. He knows EVERYBODY in this small town Iowa town. We'll see what happens but this fall could a new phase in our lives.

I took this picture below because I still can't beleive its July 30th and only 65 degrees. It's usually 100 degress around this time. I miss that hot weather, but West Coast is hogging it all!
I mean 100 + in Seattle, Portland and Arizona/Vegas!

After workout I showered and drank some peach iced tea, YUM!

In the background are my zuchinni's and bananas!

I also just got back from Wal-Mart picking up milk for my husband ($1.78, so cheap!) and kitty food. I also so a juicer for $60 and I might need to convince my husband to buy me that and a new blender because mine is a cheap sucky one:(

OKay that all for the morning and anyone one reading, I love comments and want to hear what anyone else would like to see me write about or how I can get more feedback, maybe it's becasue I've only been doing this for a couple of weeks, but I just don't know how many people actually read this and would love to know more people!!!!

Leianna

My Wedding Recap!

2009-07-29T17:17:00.000-07:00

This one was taken 10 minutes before walking down the aisle. She captured me perfectly!
This is my mother and I!

She had to get on a ladder and get me from this angle! This is my absolute FAVORITE picture!

My husband and I:)

An even better one!

We got married in South St. Paul on June 16th, 2007. I was never a bridezilla and didn't do much planning. My mother and mother-in-law did the most since they were paying! You can also tell I'm a runner in all my pictures because I have a shirt tan:) I was running alot the week before my wedding and never thought about the tan lines, it's I good thing I didn't care!

My dress was very unique. It's the same designer as Jackie Kennedy Onassis, 2 piece and corset top. I would wear it every day if I could!

It was the perfect day starting with pictures, my husbands grandfather marrying us in the same church my parents got married in 30 years earlier, a reception at a hall on the Mississippi River and then a Honeymoon Cruise!

Hope you enjoyed,

Leianna

My story

2009-07-28T19:35:00.000-07:00

My story starts when I was a junion in high school. That summer before my senior year I started eating really healthy. I grew up in a really healthy family and I was 115lbs. I was a normal girl and then one day I thought I was fat and this came from taking my thyroid pills. I was born with hypothyroidism(low metabolism). So I started running 8 miles a day out of nowhere and eating basically fruit and vegetables only. My mom didn't think I was that seroious about running so she didn't teach me anything or get me running shoes, I ran on cheerleading shoes:(
I never once looked at a scale I just ate and ran all summer. I didn't hang out with friends and I alienated myself.
This picture above is my first day of senior year. That night my family finally confronted me. I also want to say that I never intended to be anorexic or lose 30 pounds. I never knew it got that seroius, until my mom made me get on a scale and it said 85lbs. My mom started crying and I still say myself as normal and normal sized, although I was always weak and fatigued.
From that night onward I was told to EAT, EAT and EAT. My school counselors, coaches and friends called me bones and said to eat whatever and whenever I wanted to gain my weight back.
Fast forward I wish I had more support and knowledge at that point to gain my weight back healthfully because all that EATING turned into exercise bulemia. And from 2002 until now I eat a lot, whatever, whenever never just 3 meals and snacks, just whenever and never really recovered.
So for this blog I really just want to get back into sync and go through that process with help from others blogs and comments from other amazing women with my same problems or without.
It's hard to tell this becuase the only one who knows of my struggles still is my husband. My family thinks that I went back to being "normal" a long time ago.
I hope to open up to family one day, but feel I need to heal myself first. I've come a long way and survived college and marraige.
I also do want to show my weights and where I've been
2002 High School 85lbs --> 110 by high school graduation
2003 started college @ 105
2004 sophmore year I jumped to 130 at my highest
2005 junior year I realized that I wasn't healthy and lost 20 lbs to bring me back down to 110lbs
2006-2008 maintained 110
2009 down to 105-110 (fluctuates)

So I hope this helps other understand me and my blog. I welcome any comments and love to hear from others!

Leianna

P.S. Recipe for Chocolate Raspberry Cookies
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup semisweet chcolate chips, melted and cooled
1/2 cup raspberries, pureed
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 cup white chocolate chips
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in melted chcolate and raspberries. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt, gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in white chocolate. Drop by teaspoons 2 inches apart onto anungreased baking sheet. Bake @ 475 for 10-12 minutes.
ENJOY!

Busy day and I have 2 seconds to post this....

2009-07-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

So I woke up this morning at 5am to be a lime service to my hubby one last time. He works in the north suburbs and I work in the south suburbs so we needed enough time so I wouldn't hit major traffic. I had a really quick breakfast muffin this morning. I forgot about these in my freezer from Trader Joe's. Carrot Ginger Oat bran!!! YUM!!
I then worked from 7-2:30, it was really slow. After that I went to a coworkers house in Minneapolis and we decided to try and run again. (We were supposed to go last Friday but it was raining) He lives right by Lake Nokomis and we ran a smooth 3 miles probably. It was my only time to fit in a workout today so I'm glad I went and it wasn't too hot.
I then rushed home took a shower and am posting now quick and then I have to run out the door, pick up the hubby, drive to the east suburbs to pick up my mom at Fleet Farm and then finally go get our car!
My hubby will then go to a church meeting with our new car and I will drive my mom home and eat a soba noodle stir fry dinner (picture below) YUMMY!
I might stay at my parents for a while and my mom might convince me to teach her water aerobics class. Pictures will come if I do because it's a fun group of ladies that talk and exercise in the water. My mom and I have been teaching it for 7-10 years??

Oh yeah and these are the zuchinni's from my church lady. Anyone have any good recipes? I was just going to grill them, but want to try something NEW!

Later tonight will come my ED story and a raspberry choclate chip cookie recipe:)

I'm off to sit in traffic, Yeah!

Leianna

Lunch? What Lunch?

2009-07-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

So after doing about 10 loads of laundry, my hubby called and said to pick him up because it was time to go get our new car. I thought he was going to call at 5pm so I had to drop everything and go get him, then go to the bank and go get our car.
When we got there we were told it would be one more day so the State of Minnesota can inspect it!
By the time we were done there we went to my parents house for half hour and then to dinner at a church couple house. When we got there for dinner I was wondering why I was SOOOO hungary. And then I was trying to remember what I had for lunch: NOTHING! I was in such a hurry I totally forgot:(
I didn't take pictures of dinner b/c I didn't want our church couple friends to think I was weird because I haven't told anyone yet about this blog!

Tomorrow I think I'm going to do a special on my stuggles with my eating disorder which started in 2002 and continues today. Also I want to put up some wedding pictures because I love sharing them:)

Have a great night!

Leianna

Leianna's Limo Service

2009-07-27T07:36:00.001-07:00

I feel like a limo service this morning becuase I had to take my husband to work since we are running on one car for a day or two. Traffic sucked as usual, but I came back to refreshing breakfast. I wanted to use up my last apple so I dipped it in almond butter and complimented it with my FAVORITE lemon larabar!

I then we and conquered a quick 6 miles before it got to hot! There was a lot of construction and a new water tower going up so my run was filled with my face in my shirt because of smoke and nasty smells:( I won't go that route the rest of the summer!

I'm now going to strtch out with some pilates. My new favorite DVD. I especially love the abs portion.

I will be sipping on this great Dasani water all day! The lime one is good as well and they are on sale at Cub this week so I may stock up today!

When I came back from the laundry room someone wanted to help me with laundry. This is my one year old kitty, Lizzy. She is so full of energy and still has all her claws, so I don't mess with her when she wants her way!

I'll be back for some updates on our new car and dinner out!

Leianna

Work, Work, Work, work....

2009-07-26T19:38:00.001-07:00

Thats all I see to do lately is work but I get a day off tomorrow to do Laudry! Finally:)

Breakfast was a quick last peanut butter puffins, pumpkin seeds, golden raisens, almond butter and an apple!

I love this simple combo, but I do miss the banana!

We then quick drove to church and it lasted a little londer than usual so didn't have anytime for anything in between work.

But I did grab this from Cub Foods produce section. It had romaine lettuce, meat, eggs and salad dressing!
Quick and healthy!

Dinner was at work and I also got a Dasani Black Cherry water. I love those waters!

Even though tomorrow is my day off, I have to do laundry, take my husban to and from work, buy a car and have dinner at a church couples home!

Be back early tomorrow morning for another yummy breakfast:)

Leianna

Long time, No Blog!

2009-07-25T13:08:00.000-07:00

During the last 24 hours I worked 15! So I'm exhausted.
We are considering going out to dinner tonight to celebrate buying a new vehicle. And no pictures from earlier meals because of working but willbe back FULL blast tomorro morning:)

Leianna

Fridge shots and B-fast

2009-07-24T07:08:00.000-07:00

So I was supposed to run this morning with my coworker but threatening weather put a damper on that. It was bassically black sky, lightning and thunder! Scared my kitty:(

The apartment treadmill was then calling my name for a little form of something. I pulled out 2 miles before I couldn't stand the stuffiness in there. No windows or air movement sucks!

I think I'll do some Jillian Michaels shred too!

My fridge shots are okay, mainly a lot of husband stuff like skim milk, leftover taco meat, rotisserie chicken.

My stuff (husband won't touch my stuff "too healthy") is TJ's peanut butter with flaxseed, strawberries, canned pineapple, apple, cottage cheese, grapefruit juice, flaxseed and my AMAZING breakfast courtesy of Meghann from www.graduatemeghann.com

I loved it! Topped with fage, more pb, and a white peach! I definetely make this again soon.

I work 2:30-10pm tonight so probably wont post the rest of the day until then!

Leianna

2009-07-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

It started out to be a great day today because I didn't have to work and got to sleep in until 7:30am!

Breakfast this morning was another Fage (LOVE IT) and a banana.

Then I did some more exericse tv videos. One was really intense with squats so my quads are hurting, but I love that feeling!

Hydrated all day with my Sigg and coconut water. The coconut water is okay and I just use it mainly as a hydration tool after a run. I went for an hour run around 1pm and it was about 85 degrees out, so kind of sucked but I do love the heat, just not the sun burn!

The hubby is at a church meeting tonight so I can have veggie burgers. He is a meat ONLY kind of guy. He would throw these away of I didn't hide them in our freezer:)

On a cool note I was walking around the town center today and they are putting in a new restaurant soon called Taj Indian Food. I've seen alot of Indian food eaters on blogs and never eaten Indian food so I'm excited and want to go on opening night!

Tomorrow I don't work until 2:30pm so I planned a running meet up with a coworker. He lives by Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis so I'm excited about that.

Also tonight before bed I'm attempting to make a oatmeat overnight breakfast cookie thing that I've been seeing on other blogs. I'm hoping this will change my mind on oats! Toppings will be more greek yogurt, strawberries and almond butter!!

Have a grest night,

Leianna

Amazing Grass

2009-07-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

So tonight I was poking around and wound up on Angela's blog http://ohsheglows.com and found Amazing Grass stuff everywhere on her blog and at one point it had a good offer where if I bought $21.99 worth of goodies I got a shaker free!
So I'm trying the berry flavored and I'm sooooooo excited I wanted to overnight it but shipping would have been through the roof. So I will try and wait patiently.
In the meantime I need some good recipes to use my new products.
Comment if you have any!

Leianna

Happy Hump Day?

2009-07-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

I've never used the term "hump day" before but will start now!

This morning I got up @ 5:30am and has greek yogurt (Fage 2%) for the first time ever. I accompanied it with almond butter (all gone now) and sugar free preserves. This combo was so good and I wanted more! So I will definetely buy more when I go shopping.

I worked 7-2:30pm today and had a key lime larabar for snack. My favorite, favorite flavor is lemon but key lime is very close second. I hope they come out with an orange or grapefruit flavor. I'm definetely a citrus person!

Lunch was a green monster, this is only my second week making these and I LOVE them. I put

spinach, frozen pineapple, almond milk, blueberries, and a banana in mine. I also want to try this green superfood wheatgrass stuff in there sometime for more nutrition but don't know where I can get just a couple of samples?

My hubby and I are buying a car this weekend so we are off to test driving it tonight and dinner will be leftovers because of time constraints!

Leianna

P.S. I still haven't figured out picture placement and wording, but I'm working on it. Maybe I need to load the pictures first and write around them?

Tommorrow.......

Taco Tuesday

2009-07-21T15:19:00.001-07:00

On the menu tonight is tacos and I still can't seem to upload a picture so I borrowed one from the web.

Taco leftovers with be eaten the rest of the week, but thats okay with me.

It was hailing this afternoon here and my hubby called to make sure I put my car in the garage:)

I was outside running for 30 minutes this afternoon but the sky was getting dark so I did some Exercise TV with Bob Harper instead!

I work really early tomorrow morning so I will be back later tomorrow afternoon, hopefully with lots of pictures!

Blogger vs. Wordpress vs. my Hubby

2009-07-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

I've only been doing this blogging thing for a week and I have already managed to have problems/issues with Blogger.
My husband wants to design and create a personal website for me, but being a perfectionist it will take hime a while. He does this as a side job and has his own website @ www.hellingas.net.

I like everyone's Wordpress designs a lot better, so I may be exploring other options here soon.

But getting on it was raining in MN this morning so I didn't run this morning and decided to have a hearty breakfast of eggs with peach salsa! Couldn't upload the picture though so sorry no visual!

Rain cleared up now and it's supposed to be 80 here so will probably put on my iPod + Nike tracker and take a long walk around one of our beautiful 10,000 lakes.

I'll try and come back for dinner!

Leianna

Dinner forgotten?

2009-07-20T18:09:00.000-07:00

I'm so new to this food blog thing I made the mistake of not taking a picture of my stella Iowagirleats dinner. I seen this recipe on her blog and just had to make it because my husband and I don't like the normal heavy pastas.
Kristin's drunken pasta recipe was AMAZING and there are leftovers!!
Also after going no dairy for a couple of weeks I've decided to add some back into my diet except ice cream and get rid of caffeine becuase lots of running with pop isn't working very well!

I also just got in a 6 mile run tonight before the "storms." Weathermen are never right around here but we'll see!

NO WORK TOMORROW! So I'll be resting, eating and maybe running.

Leianna