Some Weird Cravings

Yesterday when I got home from class I was having a really weird craving... for pancakes. It wouldn't go away. So instead of fighting it, I made some homemade whole wheat vegan blueberry pancakes!! Yummy :)

They were so fluffy and delicious! I got the recipe here from Chocolate Covered Katie. Although my quick snap shots aren't near as pretty as hers, I'll show a couple pictures just so you know how they turned out.

They tasted so delicious!! The only tip I have is to make sure you are cooking them on a low enough heat so they cook all the way through and don't just burn on the outside. These pancakes are much thicker than usual so it makes it just a bit trickier.

Today after I came home from school I had another weird craving. A much healthier one. I honestly can say this is the first time I have craved quinoa and spinach! haha

I was hurrying to make lunch before I went to get a pedicure with Stephanie (some much deserved pampering!), so I used this quinoa and brown rice mixture that cooks in the microwave in 90 seconds. It is surprisingly good and I love the seasoning on it.

I got this from Whole Foods, but I actually saw it the other day when I was in Harris Teeter, so I guess it doesn't have to be purchased at a specialty grocery store.

And then I cooked some frozen spinach on the stove and viola! Craving satisfied.

A visual in case you don't know what frozen, chopped spinach looks like after it has been cooked (sarcastic tone):

I was able to get to the gym this morning for a little cardio:

2 minute walk on incline 12 at 3.5 mph

2 minute run on incline 1 at 8 mph

1 minute recovery walk on incline 1 at 3 mph

I repeated this series 5 more times, for a total of 6 times in 30 minutes.

I was unrecognizably sweaty. Although it felt really good :)

Cruisin' 2012

Just because I took a break from blogging to go on a cruise does not mean that I took a (total) break from exercising.

My cardio for the trip consisted of a spinning class, a 10 mile run, a 3 mile run, and a 5 mile run. The ten miles were pretty awful. I was full from delicious cruise food and I was alternating between using the treadmill and the mini track on the ship. (they were equally awful).

I would post my lifts, but I can't even remember them... I only lifted three times total.

And now for pictures.

Check out the size of this chocolate cherry cake. The frosting was so good. I wish I had a picture of it before everyone got to it.

Our adorable waitresses for the week. So sweet.

The Coast of Cozumel, Mexico

Our cruise ship.

View from our floor down into the lobby of the ship.

Out to dinner in Sarasota, Florida after our cruise.

Okay that is the end of the pictures. But anyways, the weather on the cruise wasn't that nice, but we had fun spending some quality family time. Much needed. We spent the last couple of days in Sarasota at some of our friends' house and had such a nice time. The weather was perfect and I loved nerding out on healthy foods with Diana. So fun. I learned that hemp is another great alternative for milk. I also learned that golden berries taste like organic, all-natural Sour Patch Kids. Could it get any better? I think not. Thank you Diana! 

Okay now I must go lift after a long day of classes. Workout to come later tonight.

Academy Award Sunday

George Clooney and Stacy Keibler at the 2012 Academy Awards

I spent this entire evening doing nothing but eating and watching the Academy Awards. Stacy Keibler won "Best Dressed" in my opinion. As for exercising today, I ran 128 miles on I-85. Oh wait, no I didn't. I sat in my car for three hours driving home from Williamsburg after spending the weekend with my cousin Jennifer and her beautiful family. I was scheduled to run 15 miles today, but some how that never happened... Ever since my 14 mile run two weeks ago I haven't wanted to run an inch. I think that officially burned me out. I'm pretty sure March 18th will mark the end of my running "career." The one that never really existed to begin with... But seriously, after that half marathon I am going to welcome new forms of cardio into my life. Running hurts way too much.

Time to finish my homework and get some sleep. Monday's are always long and I have to be energized for my lift tomorrow :)