February Challenge

I'm going to type this super fast because February is all about decent bedtimes and early rising!!!!!

I think it is pretty self explanitary! In bed by 22h30 and lights out by 23h00... up by 06h30 :)

I hope to get my days started earlier so i can change my work hours! Wish me luck!

Check out these cute sleep masks from shanalogic.com

First Healthy Month of 2012 DONE

Wow, my Bumper January has absolutely flown and I feel good about it.

·         I managed 31 days without alcohol – might I add, some stressful days with the new work year!

·         I managed 28 days without pasta… 4 weeks is the same as a month right?

·         I ran/walked 3-4 times a week, even the week where I was dying of shin splints… averaging about 3-4km per session! I’m pretty proud of myself!

Going forward:

·         Drinking will be allowed from Friday night till Sunday afternoon, and no more than 2 units per day

·         Wheat will be very minimal and wheat-free options will be favoured where possible

·         Running will continue to happen…

My body has taken some strain this month, but my tummy, face and arms are notably slimmer and I’ve managed to banish 2kg for good. My doctor is monitoring my weight and I will have a check-up in 2 weeks’ time. Things can only go forward from here!

Happy & Content

I’ve had a busy week, but thank goodness the weather has cooled down! As I write, the air is still warm but there’s a gentle drizzle spitting at my window J

I had an incredible run today, followed by crunches…  I’m starting to think that pure happiness hides in the creases of our muscles and by running, dancing, just moving, it seeps out J I feel  so blissfully happy, might have something to do with seeing 3 of my best friends today – shopping, running and a sushi date – what more could a girl ask for?

I also had 2 juices today and the ever powerfully delicious “Super Green” from Kauai.  I even managed to have my favourite Kauai sandwich on rye. And sushi of course… I feel like a Health Superstar *air punch*

22 days in and I’m feeling strong – thanks so much for all the support J

Confession Time...

For the sake of accountability... On Monday night, I knowingly consumed wheat, in the form of two soya sausages... I broke my challenge in favour of a healthy protein source *hangs head*... I repent...

"I run, they run, everybody run run"

"I run, they run, everybody run run
And we're all just having fun"

Due to extreme heat in CT, my run yesterday (Monday) did not happen... I rather wallowed in a cold bath. Obviously I felt guilty and coupled with a doctor's visit earlier in the day where I swore to the doctor that I was getting in shape... I had no choice but to command myself to run this morning...

Quite coincidentally, I had changed my morning alarm to play "Don't Stop" by Foster the People... I had no choice but to get up and run, what with "I run, they run, everybody run run... And we're all just having fun" echoing in my ears :)

I have every intention of running again tomorrow... good night all.

Here's "Don't Stop" if you're unfamiliar

The Weezle & The Prince

Today I had a longer walk/run scheduled... I knew it would be gruelling and this week has drained me to no end, so I asked my brother to run with me.... man oh man... he was a good coach - probably the only person on Earth who can insult me to my face without being murdered...

Seriously, I was weezing along, looking like an asthmatic beetroot, and he was jogging backwards and grinning, blond hair bouncing like a Pantene advert... I think the pure fury is the only thing that kept my little gnome legs moving!

Here's to another 11 weeks....

Beet.... beet...

I mentioned juicing a few days ago - well time to come clean - I bought a juicer off a friend at the end of last year, and have been going nuts over carrot-apple-beetroot juice :) you just throw the whole veggies into it and juice comes out :) I find the manufacturing of the juice is addictive!

I can honestly say its giving me vitality :) probably the beetroot - they are apparently very good for muscles and stamina (remember this post?) which can only be a good thing with my running challenge :)

Friend lent me the 7 Day Juice Diet book and it has some great recipes - not sure if I can share any here without copyright infridgement - but there are plenty of recipes online. And no, I'm not going to live on juice :)

Sporty Vibes

Miracles of miracles... I was chomping at the bit all afternoon for my scheduled 30 minute brisk walk :) and I feel amaaaaaazing :) even did some crunches... let's see how I feel in the morning ;) Friday's run/walk is going to be pretty intense - so please, no social engagements ;)

If you don't already know about the running challenge, please check out my post.

I think Marc Johns says it best :)

What you missed....

In the past week:

I have started exercising... culminating in a proper running challenge
Successfully avoided wheat and alcohol
Started juicing (hahha...not like THAT) - to be blogged on later
Cut my fingers twice with new super killer knives... never to be blogged on...

Wish me luck kids!

Wheat Woes... Alcohol Angst

So.... 9 days down... no alcohol, no wheat... noooooooooooooot easy!


I've been so hungry and moody. I've been rubber necking every time I see wine... or baked goods. But my stomach is noticeably flatter, so I am some what motivated to continue. It is just a challenge to get "full", especially seeing as I almost never make rice... and something in the back of my mind says "don't eat your weight in potatoes" - I suppose my suddenly more active life style has something to do with it too...

This is a big challenge... but I'm going to persevere...

Running Challenge

A super friend, who obviously thinks that being sober and starving isn't enough, has challenged me to do the Shape Magazine 10km Challenge.

http://www.shapemag.co.za/challenges/10k/

You sign up and every Friday they send you your program for the week. You only need to run 3 times a week and it seems rather do-able. I started today with 5 minutes of walking, then 3 minutes of jogging, and repeat. 3 minutes of jogging sounds pretty easy... but I was weazing my way around the reservoir in gale force wind... I'd say not so easy... I did it though!

There's Wheat in Soy Sauce?

Yes, apparently there is! Which makes my sushi dinner last night a bit of a fail? I think for my sanity and that of anyone that I am around this month - lets say I'm avoiding "obvious wheat" ie. huge hunks of bread?

I went out for lunch yesterday and found it very difficult to choose something other than a salad - the restaurant offered rye bread, but short of having breakfast for lunch, had no sandwiches that could be put on rye - or maybe our waitress was a bit clueless? Nevertheless, I feel for people who are actually allergic to wheat - wheat seems to be lurking around every corner. I spent some time online this morning trying to get some advice about eating out on a wheat-free diet. It seems meat and veg are the way to go? I really don't want to start ordering hot chips every time I go out!
Is there wheat in risotto? oh wait... there's wine in there right? *sigh*

For anyone who stubbles across this post and is looking for real gluten / wheat free advice, try these sites:
http://wheatfreediet.wordpress.com/2007/10/08/eating-out-on-a-wheat-free-diet/
http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/socializingwithoutgluten/a/DiningOutTips.htm
http://www.wheat-free.org/blog/archives/44-Eating-out-is-oh-such-fun.html

"Whadda You Mean You Don't Eat No Wheat?"

The idea of avoiding wheat is not a new concept for me - I've never done well with wheat and a few years ago I pretty much cut wheat out of my diet - it was good but for reasons I don't remember I went back to eating wheat... probably around the time I became a vegetarian (that's a whooooole other story and stage of life).

Found this great resouce: http://www.wheat-free.org/recipes.html
I'm keen to try this...

Cheese & Leek Tart
Serves 6

Pastry

180g all purpose wheat free flour
90g low-fat spread, margarine or butter
water to mix

Filling
4 leeks, trimmed and sliced
1 tbsp olive oil

1½ wheat free vegetable stock cubes
100 ml boiling water
200g Greek yogurt (or natural yogurt or fromage frais)
3 large eggs, beaten
100g cheese, grated
black pepper, freshly ground

Preheat oven: 200°C

1. Place the leeks and olive oil in a saucepan and sweat until the leeks are softened.
 

2. Make the strong vegetable stock using the stock cubes and boiling water, pour it over the leeks, simmer the leeks uncovered, stirring regularly until all the stock has been absorbed.

3. Mix the flour and fat until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add water until it binds into pastry.

4. Oil and flour a 20 - 22 cm diameter flan dish.

5. Place the pastry mix into the dish, pressing it around the sides with your hands to make a pastry case. (It will be too fragile to use a rolling pin to roll out)

6. Prick the pastry base with a fork and chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

7. Remove the pastry case from the fridge and place half the cheese in the bottom. Spoon the leeks into the case.

8. Mix the greek yogurt with the eggs and season. Pour over the leeks.

9. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 35 minutes until golden brown on top and firm. 

New Year, New Challenge

Happy New Year!

I do admit that I was terrible at blogging and my challege in December! This is all ridiculously lame!

In light of it being a whole new year, and that I did New Years in proper style (I was even wearing a Captain's hat - HAWT) - New BUMPER challenge for January :)

No wheat, no alcohol, loads of veggies - Sober October was very good for me and I feel like I need that amazing clear insight again. I'm turning 30 this year and think I really need to take stock. I know half of you are shaking your heads and thinking it's just the hangover talking - But I need a good jump start to this year. For those who are thinking, "Damnit, Sharon is going to be difficult to cook for again" - when I woke up this morning I was determined to go vegetarian again, even if it was just for a month - so be thankful! :)

So raise your bottle of water in a toast to an amazing (and healthier) 2012 :)

xxx