Training for my first 10k!

Well folks, I've got just less than 2 weeks to go until I attempt to run my first 10k. Coming from a dance background, it has been hard to teach myself how to run. I had none of the right muscle groups built up and went through numerous injuries before I finally got into the swing of things. It's really amazing what you can train your body to do.

I can run 3 miles very easily, 4 miles makes my legs shaky, and I have yet to attempt 5. Maybe I should try that out seeing as this 6.2 mile race is approaching at a rather rapid rate. Woah alliteration. Awesome.

I have been doing a ton of strength training these past few weeks, including Body Pump (which I love) and pilates. I've even tried yoga a few times, which I know will not help me with my 10k training at all, but it is honestly the most gratifying exercise experience. Try it.

In these next two weeks, I plan on running my little booty off until I'm sure that I can run 6 miles. I do not want to walk during this race. Walking is admitting defeat! I will not admit defeat!

And just a helpful hint, do NOT eat ice cream within an hour before a run. It yields extremely bad results.

Topic of the Day: Chocolate Milk

I'm back to the food topics of the day, but I'm thinking about incorporating work out facts, too!

I know many of my dedicated followers (there are so many of you it's hard to keep track!) know about the new chocolate milk craze for post workout refueling. But I thought I would really explain WHY. Who knew drinking Nesquick was actually beneficial to your health. I didn't, that's for sure.

Well even the doctors are perplexed as to why our bodies love low fat chocolate milk after a work out. In a University of Texas research article about the subject, they stated, "We don’t yet understand exactly what mechanism is causing low-fat chocolate milk to give athletes these advantages — that will take more research, but there's something in the naturally-occurring protein and carbohydrate mix that offers significant benefits."

So no one knows really what's going on in our bodies, except for the fact that we like it! I mean I don't know who doesn't like a little chocolate milk now and then, or chocolate for that matter. (keep the 3 Muskateers away from me at all times). I randomly bought whoppers today, I don't even like whoppers! Who knows what I was thinking?

Anyways, if you have an especially invigorating workout and are feeling a little weak at the knees after, drink your chocolate milk! I wonder if ovaltine counts!!?

Lasagna al Pesto

I went to Cinque Terre this past weekend, a region known for their pesto. Let me tell you, this was absolutely delicious. The pesto was so fresh and tasted so good with the cheese and pasta in the lasagna. I wish I could have taken a pan of this home with me!!

BANANA BREAD

A little taste of home. xoxox

Brownies from Scratch

My next weekend adventure was making brownies from scratch, which I have surprisingly never done before in the US. I'm a big fan of the ghirardelli brownie mix. If you've never had it, try it. It's unreal. Anyway, I was a little concerned making these brownies since I have never made them before, but they actually turned out pretty good! Definitely better than the chocolate chip cookies.

I'm still having some issues with celsius and burned about half the brownies. I guess I'll just have to keep working on it! xoxox

Baking in Italia

Both of my American roommates are away this weekend, so I decided it would be a good time to bring out my cooking/baking skills to keep me entertained while they're gone. It was such a process to get everything I needed. I went to 4 different grocery stores today and one was more than two miles away from my apartment. Now that's dedication. I still wasn't able to find chocolate chips, so I just bought 4 chocolate bars and broke them up into small pieces. I did a mix of dark and milk chocolate. And the brown sugar I bought was extra dark and really very strange. But, it worked I guess.

After breaking up the chocolate, I began to measure out the ingredients. Keep in mind they don’t have cups or teaspoons here. It’s all in grams! So I had to figure out how to convert the Toll House recipe into European measurements. Kind of annoying if you ask me. Then I had the problem of figuring out Celsius. I didn’t get it right until the third and final batch. The first batch I made took like 2 minutes to cook and burned… I WAS NOT TOO HAPPY WHEN THAT HAPPENED! The second batch is literally raw, but I’m just going to ignore that. And the final batch came out perfect once I turned down the oven and switched it to convection.

I made them for my Italian roommate, Alessia, who has never had chocolate chip cookies before! Hopefully all my mistake batches/my frustration during the whole process doesn’t scare her away from liking them!

 xoxox

My Roman Creation

So I haven't been adventurous enough to try to cook meat. I've been sticking to making pasta at home. BUT, I have been loving how amazing the fruit is here. Last night, I put an orange in my salad and made a little makeshift grilled cheese with swiss cheese and a baguette that I bought warm from the store. YUM. It was so good. I would definitely recommend putting oranges/any citrus in your salad. That topped with a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a little salt are amazing! I dare you guys to try it!

Buon Appetito! xox