(no subject)

I had a very hard week last week and am trying to catch up with all of my work now. I had to go back home for a family emergency so there was little time in between then to work out and cook. I pretty much lived off of broccoli and cheese for the past few days, which is not a very nourishing diet. My work outs have helped a lot with the stress that I had to endure this past week and running in particular acted as an escape from the stresses of my life. As someone who was very out of shape all through out high school and the earlier part of my adult life, I would have never thought I would be able to run let alone find any kind of enjoyment out of it. this is just proof in how my idea of leisure and leisure goals has changed through out my life. Something that I use to dread 10 years ago has now become something I love. Music is one motivator for me when I run. It helps me zone out physical pain and push through when my body starts to get tired. I also notice a difference in my body physically. I am seeing more muscle development in my legs and glutes, which is welcome change. The physical changes also act as a motivaton to keep pushing me forward with my routine. The only problem I am having now is trying to switch up my routines so that my body doesn't adapt to the work outs. i get stuck doing the same routine because I like it, but I know that my body will benefit more from constantly doing different routines.

(no subject)

After a stressful week with a lot of traveling, my body is craving healthy food. I never realized how unhealthy airport food was until I tried to find healthy options at the 3 different airports I was in. St. Louis, Phoenix and Las Vegas all lacked quality healthy food. I ended up paying $5.00 for some trail mix which ended up being very disappointing. Stress really added to the lack of appetite that I had and also the fact that my roomates ate everything in our house while I was gone. I have been craving Arby's roast beef so I am attempting to make it tonight. I try not to eat a lot of red meat but I think my body is telling me "give me protein" because I have not had enough protein this week. I am planning on slow cooking it in the oven and serving it with steamed veggies and baked potatoes (for my roomates). the key to cooking a roast beef is in the temperature and duration of cooking. In order to assure the meat is cooked through but still juicy you must cook it for hours on a very low setting, much like smoking meat or cooking in a croc pot. I also try and but the leanest red meat I can find so with the lack of extra fat, it is important not to dry the meat out. I have never attempted this recipe before, but I will blog all about the success or failure in my next entry.