Praying For Boston

Yesterday, I was plugging away at my computer and progressing through my typical work day when my co-worker G-chatted me “Bomb at the Boston Marathon.” I so was thrown off by this abrupt message, and it took me a minute to process what he’d just written. Without any hesitation, I immediately pulled up my Twitter account, only to see my newsfeed multiplying at a RAPID pace with Boston-related tweets. In the past, I don’t think events like these have truly sunk in until later because I feel so far removed; however, living in closer proximity to the crime scene makes it MUCH more real—immediately.

My first thought was “Oh my gosh, Runner’s World.” For those of you who don’t know, I work at Men’s Health, which is owned by Rodale, Inc. Runner’s World  (and  Running Times) are also Rodale magazines, and a good majority of their staff (if not all) were at the race. I knew a few people running it, and the rest were in the media room. I frantically pulled up a news website and watched in horror at the race’s live footage.

The RW and RT employees are all okay and lucky enough to be among the uninjured. However, others were not as fortunate. This morning as I watched the news, I saw three confirmed fatalities and more than 150 severe injures (the number keeps increasing, so I’ve sadly lost track). I can’t even wrap my head around why somebody would want to ruin and destroy an event as memorable as the Boston Marathon. It’s a noteworthy event and accomplishment that is supposed to be joyous. It’s supposed to be a remarkable milestone that people plan to cherish, but now they’ll remember it for awful reasons. I can’t find the words to express exactly what I’m feeling, but I thought the least I could do is dedicate a post to the city of Boston, everybody who is suffering from the aftermath of this tragedy, and the running community.

Although it comes as a cost to others, times like these are my HUGE reality check and wake-up call. Horrific events like the Boston Marathon Bombing make me feel like a fool for taking small things—and LIFE—for granted. I know I’m guilty of stressing and fretting over trivial matters. I’ve caught myself getting bent out of shape if the person in front of me is a bad driver or groan when the grocery store is out of my choice of almond milk. And WHY? There are too many mornings when I act like a huge grump or complain about having to wake up early for work or other obligations. I might gripe about getting up early, but at least I AM waking up to live another day. I never want to take life for granted or assume that I’m invincible, because anything can happen and instantly change your life. I don’t think I take enough time to count my blessings each morning, and this heartbreaking event has reminded me that I need to CHERISH the fact that I’m able to wake up and conduct my daily routine.

My heart goes out to all of those affected (directly AND indirectly) by the Boston Marathon Bombing. Needless to say, I’ll always remember where I was on April 15, 2013. Go here if you’re interested in helping or showing support for the city.

Praying for Boston,

Kat

The Most Organized Grocery List You’ll Ever Make

By now, I’m sure it comes to no surprise that I absolutely LOVE going to the grocery store. It’s my happy place and the culprit that robs me of my paycheck.

I’ve always enjoyed grocery shopping. When I was younger, I think I only accompanied my parents because I knew that when we got to the checkout line, I could likely coerce my father into a buying me a Twix bar. I was a daddy’s girl who inherited his raging sweet tooth, so of course he wouldn’t say no! Now, I like going to the store because I know exactly where my food is coming from and can take time mulling over my purchases. On the weekends, I typically make one huge trip to buy most of my food for the upcoming week. (Although I frequently find myself stopping by the store on the way home from work to pick up fill-in items.)

I could spend hours roaming among the produce and organic departments, mainly because I’m so intrigued by the crazy (yet healthy) products the food industry has produced within the past decade. When I was a kid, I’m pretty sure almond milk didn’t exist—or maybe the society-proclaimed “hippies” were the only people who knew about it. Furthermore, because I’m a vegetarian AND have the most sensitive stomach in the entire world (dairy-free and gluten-free <– I’ll get into THAT beast in a future post), I’m a overly careful about the products I buy. I try to buy as raw and natural as possible, so that limits what I can buy, but not the amount. I once had an employee comment on my colorful fruit and veggie-filled shopping cart: “Wow, you just brought more produce than I eat in an entire month.” Sad, but very true. My rule of thumb is to not buy any food that has MORE than 8-10 listed ingredients. I typically stay under 5-7, but 10 is the absolute maximum. I KNOW how my body reacts to overly processed food—I’ve learned the hard way. It might sound a little insane, but it’s actually really easy: think fruits, veggies, quinoa, almond milk, eggs, etc.  Sure, I’m human and my eyes will deviate to the “better” junk foods (we’re talking coconut-milk peanut-butter cup ice cream); however, I’ve realized that excruciating stomach pain isn’t worth it—unless it’s a super special occasion with foods I know I can never eat again…then I’ll sometimes take the chance, suck it up, and deal with the consequences.

Since a ton of my friends and followers always ask me about the food I buy, I thought it’d be easiest to post some visuals from my most recent weekend grocery trip. I’ll also explain my strategy for devising a shopping list. It might seem a little OCD (what’s new?) but I promise you’ll likely leave with fewer impulse buys. (Notice I didn’t say NO unplanned purchases—just less!)

This week’s fruit finds: Strawberries, blueberries, bananas, honeycrisp apples, lemons/limes, avocados, frozen fruit (for smoothies). When it comes to fruit/veggies, I’ll always buy organic on items where I eat the skin—unless the price difference is $2-3. (Then I’ll just suck it up and wash it a million times in hopes that I scrub away any lingering pesticides.) If it’s summer and the farmers’ market is in full swing, I”ll try to shop there for produce.

This week’s veggies finds: Baby spinach, baby carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, green beans, mushrooms, yellow onion, bell peppers, zucchini/squash.

This week’s proteins/sauces buys: Kidney beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), black beans, low-sodium vegetable broth, lentils, pistachios, mixed nuts (raw cashews, almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeks), dry-roasted edamame, Annie’s organic sesame ginger dressing, organic tomato and basil marinara sauce (for when I’m strapped for time and can’t make my own). In this department, I always buy organic, mainly because canned/jarred items freak me out enough.

This week’s “cold” finds: Organic brown eggs, red-pepper hummus, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, and almond-milk yogurt (coconut flavor!)

This week’s grains finds (all GF): Mary’s Gone Crackers (these are AWESOME to eat with avocado egg salad (they’re made from flax and in a factory that ensures no cross-contamination), rolled oats, textured vegetable protein, coconut flour, quinoa and yellow popcorn for air-popping. My impulse buy = I Heart Keenwah. These are basically little clusters of quinoa, and I picked the sea-salt chocolate flavor. It was a GREAT decision and I get my “sweet treat” fix in one little bite!

The most organized grocery list you’ll ever make: When I go to the store, I’m armed with a list—otherwise, I’d spend HOURS moseying through the aisles. Below, you’ll see how I categorize my foods (produce, cold items, dry goods) and what I typically include. I obviously don’t buy EVERY item on the list each time I go to the store (and I’m sure I’ve forgotten some stuff), but these are my most popular, common purchases. I’ll alternate among the produce and switch off my fruits and veggies because I hate letting things go bad. I buy salad fixings every week (spinach, butter lettuce, cucumbers, bell peppers) but limit myself to two veggies that I can roast in the oven. Otherwise, I can’t eat them fast enough. I’ve never met a fruit/veggie I DON’T like. (Note: If you can eat dairy, I’d recommend including plain Greek yogurt—sweeten it yourself with steiva/cinnamon/berries. If you eat meat, I’d also recommend adding grass-fed chicken and turkey, salmon, tilipia or shrimp to the list. However, I’m no meat expert, so I can’t speak much on that!)

PRODUCE (Fruit)
Apples
Avocados
Bananas
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Clementines, tangelos, OR grapefruit
Grapes
Lemons/Limes
Peaches OR nectarines
Pears
Pineapple (pre-sliced, on occasion)
Strawberries OR raspberries
Watermelon

PRODUCE (Veggies)
Asparagus
Bell Peppers
Bibb lettuce (for lettuce wraps)
Broccoli OR cauliflower
Brussels Sprouts
Butter Lettuce/Shredded Lettuce
Butternut Squash
Cabbage (I dip it raw in hummus—I’m weird)
Carrots
Celery
Cucumber
Garlic
Green Beans
Eggplant
Mushrooms
Onion
Rutabaga
Spaghetti Squash
Spinach
Sugar-snap peas
Sweet potatoes
Tomatoes
Yellow squash OR zucchini

COLD ITEMS
Almond milk (unsweetened vanilla)
Brown eggs
Frozen fruit blends (for smoothies)
Frozen veggie blends (for when I’m in a pinch)
Hummus (my favorite flavor is red pepper)
Salsa (fresh, no sugar added)
Tofu (extra-firm)
Yogurt (on occasion—almond or coconut milk)

DRY GOODS
Almond butter (Natural, only ingredient should be almonds)
Banana peppers
Beans (Black, kidney, garbanzo, pinto)
Chia seeds
Chocolate chips/dark chocolate chunks for trail mix (Enjoy Life makes non-dairy, GF!)
Coconut or almond flour (for baking)
Coffee/Tea
Crackers (I like Mary’s Gone—awesome GF option)
Dry-roasted edamame
Flaxseed (ground)
Ginger chews
Kalamata olives
Lentils
Pickles
Popcorn kernels
Protein powder (Plant Fusion is an AWESOME plant-based choice—DF and GF)
Nuts (I buy a different kinds in bulk and make my own trail mixes)
Raisins (no sugar added)
Rice cakes (unsalted)
Old-fashioned oats (GF)
PB2 or peanut flour (for smoothies)
Textured vegetable protein
Quinoa

SAUCES/SEASONINGS
Applesauce (Unsweetened, natural—for baking)
Canned pumpkin
Cinnamon
Honey
Marinara sauce
Mustard (spicy and regular)
Olive Oil Spray
Salad dressing
Stevia/Truvia
Spices (Garlic powder, oregano, salt/pepper—you name it)
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Vanilla extract
Vegetable broth (low-sodium)
Vinegar (Red wine and balsamic)
Zico coconut water

Now whenever you go grocery shopping, you can take me (well, my suggestions) with you!

Livin’ and LOVING the [healthy] life,

Kat

Master’s Degree? Check that one off the bucket list.

Well, it’s about time for a short and sweet update. (Side note: I WILL return to my regular writings within the next few weeks.) As I wrote in my last post, you might have noticed I was a bit MIA—mainly because my life was consumed with finishing up my Master’s Degree. And friends, I’m ECSTATIC to say that after a year of coursework, an internship and conducting hours upon HOURS of individual research, my 357-page research project was APPROVED and passed by my faculty committee! I can’t describe how it feels, probably because no words are an accurate representation of the relief and pride that surges through me today.

Last week, I took a trip back to my alma mater, the University of Missouri, to present and defend my project in front of my faculty committee. It went amazingly, and here are a few pictures to recap the weekend adventure:

The BEAUTIFUL Francis Quadrangle at the University of Missouri. The weather doesn’t really compliment the scenery, but this was one of my favorite places to hang out on campus, especially during the fall and spring months.

One of my best friends, sorority sisters, and old roommates, Grace. I love going back to Columbia because although she’s in medical school, Grace ALWAYS finds time to squeeze me into her crazy school and study schedule!

I miss her so much! But at least I know who my future doctor will be…

While I was flying down from Pennsylvania, my mom drove up from Texas to meet me in Missouri for the big event. It was great to have her there; she truly is my best friend, #1 cheerleader and BIGGEST supporter! My dad stayed at home with our dog, but he made sure to frequently call and check in with us. I’m so blessed to have the best parents ever.

Me, my pledge daughter, Kaleigh, and her little sister Hannah. I consider these girls (and their other sister/parents) my second family! When I wasn’t able to travel back to Texas for shorter holidays (Easter, Labor Day, etc.), they’d always invite me along to join in their festivities! We have SO many great memories, and I am lucky to have them in my life!

The morning of my Master’s defense! My project was called Picture Perfect: How Editors of Women’s Magazines Depict Fitness. I conducted a qualitative content analysis of women’s fitness magazines (Fitness, Shape and Women’s Health) and analyzed the messages editors imply through their cover language and images.

It was such an amazing weekend and the perfect time to take a trip to see all of my friends and my mom! Now, I can OFFICIALLY say I have my Master’s Degree!

Livin’ and LOVING the [healthy] life,

Kat

MIA—for a GOOD reason

When I took a peek at my last blog post, I noticed the time stamp and couldn’t help but practically snort with laughter. February 11—REALLY? Bad blogger alert right here! In my defense, I work in front of a computer all day, so the LAST thing I want to do after getting home and eating dinner is stare at a computer screen for an extended amount of time. Right now, my weekends aren’t too free. I usually reserve Saturdays/Sundays for errands and relaxation, but those certainly are NOT things I’ve been doing. Instead, my weekends have consistently looked a little something like this (in this particular order):

1. NEW RUNNING SHOES!
No, I don’t buy new shoes every weekend, but I had to show off these babies before I launch into my real weekend schedule. Aren’t these pretty? I finally took the plunge and retired my trusty Asics for something a little less padded. I absolutely LOVE my new kicks (Mizuno Wave Enigma 2). I’m glad I’ve “graduated” to a lighter shoe—it feels like I’m running on a cloud, which leads me to…

2. LONG RUNS!
My roommate and I are training to run a half marathon next month, so we start every Saturday morning with a long run. Although I’ve run a half before, it definitely helps to have a companion to train/run with. We have an identical pace and aren’t concerned with trying to be Olympic runners or set crazy time records, so it’s been enjoyable. For me, running is a way to relieve stress, clear my mind, and make sure I take advantage of the better spring temperatures. Last Saturday, we ran a little more than 8 miles, and the weather was GORGEOUS. Please excuse my face in the above photo—I’m grimacing at the FREEZING ice packs that have now become my BFFs. I’ve been having a little bit of hip/groin pain (and my IT-band flared up during last year’s training), so I’m trying to do better with spending time to stretch and ice. I used to skip that process entirely, which was a HUGE a mistake. Live and learn. (Side note: frozen fruits and vegetables are AWESOME substitutes for when you forget to refreeze your ice packs…) Anyway, after our long runs, the day progresses to this:

3. FOOOOOD.
One of the most motivating strategies that gets me through a long run without wimping out is thinking about delicious recovery fuel. My roommate and I now have a tradition of FEASTING and nourishing our bodies by preparing a tasty lunch after our runs. The pictured (and typical) meal is a MASSIVE salad packed with veggies, 2 egg whites + 1 whole egg, and homemade sweet potato fries. (To make the fries: cut into strips, lightly spritz w/ olive oil spray, sprinkle with cinnamon, and roast in the oven! SO. DANG. GOOD). Sometimes we’ll mix it up by swapping out the sweet potatoes for bananas or apples, but I currently always have an uncontrollable obsession with sweet potatoes, so why change what works? At home, I usually make my salads in empty spinach containers—it saves me the work of constantly washing  a huge salad bowl and allows me to shake it up and get everything evenly mixed/coated with dressing. After my runs, the rest of my weekends (for the past few months now) have looked like this:

4. RESEARCHING, ANALYZING AND WRITING.
Sweet life, right? However, THIS week, I will travel back to my alma mater, the University of Missouri to defend my Master’s Project in front of my graduate school faculty committee.<——What a MOUTHFUL. You see, my Master’s program was a 4+1 accelerated curriculum that required me to have a summer internship immediately after two semesters of coursework. After my internship, I landed a full-time job at Men’s Health, so I’ve simultaneously been working AND trying to finish writing my Professional Project. Needless to say, my weekends have become severely antisocial, BUT—357 pages— later, the grunt work is FINISHED. Now, I have to return to Mizzou to present and defend my work in front of my faculty committee. My research was on women’s fitness magazines (more info to come later), and I’m STOKED to finally show my professors how hard I’ve worked. It has NOT been easy juggling a full-time job at a national magazine while trying to finish up a graduate degree.

So in 3 simple pictures, you now know the reason for my hiatus. My energy (or lack thereof) is displeted on weekdays after work, and weekends revolve around tasks that might be writing but DON’T include blogging for enjoyment. However, I’m excited to FINALLY become a real person again and show off my hard work to the graduate school! I’ll keep you posted on that trip—expect LOTS of pictures! I always go camera-happy when I return to my beloved college town.

Livin’ and LOVING the [healthy] life,

Kat

oGorgeous Gym Boutique: My Bag Review

I’m the type of person who likes to “settle in” at my workplace and make my office feel like a second home. If you walk into my work quarters and take a quick glance around, aside from excessive picture frames and photographs, you’ll spot a coffee maker, Scentsy warmer (both of those are probably not allowed—shhhh), wall calendar, huge white board, and the warmest blanket in the entire world. Open my desk drawers and you’ll find plastic containers of my “emergency” food stash (is it still considered an emergency if I eat something from it EVERY day?), travel-sized bottles of shampoo/conditioner/lotion/toothpaste/toothbrush, gym clothes and shoes, extra socks, and usually a pair of undies. Yep, I keep lady briefs in my bottom drawer for the sweatiest of sweaty gym sessions. No shame.

Now that I recap the assortment of personal belongings in my office, I’m a little embarrassed. However, when I think about how much time I actually spend at work, it makes sense. Except for dinner, I eat all my meals at work. I go to the gym during my lunch break. I keep groceries in the fridge. I freeze my rear off—hence, the blanket. It makes sense that I turn my office into a second apartment, right? Eh, that’s debatable.

You would think that since my office somewhat resembles a miniature Target, I wouldn’t need to bring anything else into the building. Key phrase: You would think. Nonetheless, since beginning my job in August, I’ve found myself carrying up to THREE additional bags on a daily basis. Not to be blunt, but WTF? I’m sure my coworkers and other Rodale employees probably thought I was moving into the building—every day—but I can explain. You see, I had to bring:

1. Laptop bag (This is absolutely necessary since I’m on my second work laptop, thanks to a mysterious water spill in my back seat…oops, my bad.)

2. Personal bag (Because I clearly don’t keep enough food in my grocery-store-of-a-desk, my lunchbox was shoved in here, along with my planners, large notebook that holds my entire life, and makeup bag for extra-nasty gym sessions that leave me looking like a hot mess.) Sometimes my lunchbox wouldn’t fit alongside this stash, so I had to carry it solo.

3. Purse (Still not sure why I bring this—I have never once reached into my purse at work.)

Side note: I’m surprised Rodale never pulled an airlines move and made me pay for the amount of baggage I toted into the building. I used to bring more bags to work than you’re allowed to carry on an airplane and store in the overhead bins. Oh geeze.

When one of my coworkers showed me a bag she’d purchased to carry ALL of those previously mentioned items, I momentarily felt like a huge idiot for not thinking about buying a larger bag. I mean, the concept of consolidating is no new thing. Big bags = 1. Kat’s intelligence = 0. After scouring the web, the main problem I encountered was most of the bags I wanted were accompanied by a hefty price tag, and my cheap self would rather carry three bags and endure nagging shoulder pains than bite the bullet and purchase a new bag. But FINALLY, I stumbled upon oGorgeous Gym Boutique, a designer line that makes adorable and reasonably-priced gym bags (along with other products) that double as work/laptop bags, too. Problem SOLVED! Just LOOK at this beauty:

Beverly Bow-Tie Carry all Gym Bag in French Rose

It holds everything I need!

The above photo shows off the insane amount of storage this bag offers. Look closely, and you can spot my lunchbox, notebooks, laptop, and body wash. On the side left side of the photo, that mysterious turquoise blob is the additional drawstring bag that came with my purchase. I use it to store my shoes or gross workout clothes so my sweaty scent doesn’t permeate my bag. (And you wonder why I’m still single…)

I can’t say enough wonderful things about this bag, nor can I find anything negative about it. It’s SO spacious and even has an outer pocket that unzips to become a space to hold a yoga mat. How cool is that? I don’t own a yoga mat, so I just use it as an extra storage compartment, which I obviously need. The inside features multiple pockets, a key clip where you can snap your keys (genius, right?), a padded laptop slip, mesh water-bottle pockets, phone AND jewelry slips, and a huge body compartment.

Basically, I’m in love with this bag. The adjustable strap is sturdy, and I’ve been able to minimize what I bring to and from work. (Well, at least it APPEARS that way.) I highly recommend an oGorgeous bag to ANYBODY who is looking to lessen their load!

Livin’ and LOVING the [healthy] life,

Kat

Note: I did NOT receive monetary compensation for this bag review, and this was NOT a sponsored blog post. I purchased this gym bag on my own and loved it so much that I decided to share my thoughts with the blog world!

Fun Facts About Me, Part 3: Fun

The last category of my “fun facts” series is FUN. (Fair warning: fun = really weird quirks.)

1. The other day, I realized that it’s impossible for me to end things with weird numbers. I can’t leave the gas station if the pump doesn’t stop on a so-called “normal” price. I’ll leave if the pump shuts off at $37, $37.50, $37.25, $37.10—but throw in a random number like $37.32, and I’ll try to squeeze the last three cents out, just to make sure I leave on a good note. I’ve also noticed then when I leave work, my house, the computer, etc., it has to be on a minute that ends in 5 or 0. For instance: I can’t leave at 8:02 a.m., but I CAN leave at 8:05 a.m.. Or, I’ll close my computer at 10:30 p.m., instead of 10:28 p.m. I am trying to embrace the fact that I clearly have some undiagnosed OCD issues—HA.
2. I take serious joy in crossing things off my to-do list. I think it’s evolved into a game for me to make a list of everything I need to do (the tasks can be as simple as “E-mail Jen,” or “Research airline prices for June wedding”) and see how fast I can scribble them out. Somehow, I feel like it encourages me to be more productive. Freak alert.
3. I have a huge talent for parallel parking—on the left side. I’ve never been forced to left parallel park until I moved to Pennsylvania; each time I’ve had to do it, I’ve surprisingly done a pretty stellar job. Since I’ve said that, I’ll probably hit the curb the next time I try.
4. I have a very particular shower AND makeup routine that I never deviate away from. If I don’t follow my morning rituals in a specific order, I’ll probably leave the house without putting on mascara or shampooing my hair. It’s quite the predicament, really.
5. I am SUCH a sucker for sales, regardless of what they are or if I really NEED the item. Exhibit A: A few weekends ago, I was at Target and saw a Pyrex glass dish set for $18. It came with 6 pieces—including a baking dish—and I’ve been wanting a few smaller bowls to take to work. I am trying to avoid microwaving my lunch in Tupperware and expose myself to cancer via plastic. Now, instead of buying one or two small glass bowl containers, I fell for the sales trap and bought the six-piece set. So far, I’ve only used one small bowl. Awesome. On said shopping trip, I also purchased a mug with my initial, a millionth bag of coffee, and CEREAL that devoured in like, two days—like I said, I’m a sucker for the sales. I tend to get overly excited when I see a good deal and feel like I HAVE to buy something, as if the item will certainly never be on sale again. Anybody with me?
6. I have this horrible habit of responding to text messages, then leaving my phone in a different room for like, three hours. No joke.  I’d venture to say that I’m probably the worst texter EVER and can often be extremely hard to get in touch with—bad journalist right here! I’m sure a bunch of my friends probably think I’m purposely ignoring them. I’m definitely NOT (and never will be) somebody who has their phone glued to their hand. I actually really hate having a cell phone (maybe it’s just because I’m currently on my THIRD iPhone). Anyway, my phone is ALWAYS on silent mode, which poses to be a huge problem when I misplace it—even if people offer to call it, I won’t be able to find it. I can’t stand the vibrating “whirrrrrr” sound, so I opt to have it on “silent all.”
7. I can’t stand the word “chunk” or “chunky.” It doesn’t matter if you’re referring to chunky salsa, chunky necklaces, or chunky peanut butter (people, it’s CRUNCHY)—I can’t handle it. It gives me the shudders.
8. At work, I’d rather stand up than sit down. I have a movable desk that rises up and down, which is awesome, and I try to use it all the time. I’ve noticed that the only time where I CAN’T stand up is if I’m writing something. For some reason, my creativity is full steam ahead when I am plopped down on my rear end.
9. If there even IS such a thing, I have an excessive amount of school pride. Once you graduate, I think your school loyalty and nostalgia drastically increases. If you walked into my office, you would think that the University of Missouri bookstore threw up all over it—black and gold everywhere.
10. Up until last weekend, I had no clue what kind of sports team the Philadelphia Flyers are. On the East Coast, this is practically a SIN. But hey, I was born and raised in Texas and went to undergrad/grad school in Missouri—hockey obviously isn’t a priority in the south or midwest.

Livin’ and LOVING the [healthy] life,

Kat

Fun Facts About Me, Part 2: Fitness

It’s time for part two of my “fun facts” series—woohoooo! Today’s topic is fitness. Enjoy!

FITNESS

1. Growing up, I used to be the QUEEN of saying “I can’t.” I think it was a defense mechanism because I was scared to try and NOT be good at something. Anytime my dance teachers or gymnastic/cheer coaches wanted me to try a new skill, I would immediately say I couldn’t do it, which resulted in them ordering me to 20+ pushups every time I even BREATHED that phrase. Every. Dang. Time. You think I would have been a little smarter a little sooner, right? Now, I’ve done a complete 360—I NEVER tell anybody that I can’t do something (not just at the gym, but in life). I make it happen, whether I initially think I can or not.
2. I buy more workout clothes than any other attire. My collection of Nike shorts (both wind shorts and spandex) is out of control, and I see no problem with owning an insane amount of sports bras.
3. I hate squats more than any other exercise. I’d rather do millions of REAL pushups (elbows in, not out), hold a plank for an hour, or literally drop a barbell on my chest in attempt to bench press some insane amount of weight before I’d voluntarily choose a squat hold. I’ve been told I’ve have good form and a solid squat (bragging moment right there), but there’s no other exercise I dread more than a squat, or worse—squat jumps.
4. One of my favorite ways to exercise is to attend a Body Jam or Zumba class. I have no shame in shaking my rump, dancing full-out club style, or putting on a dance performance in Zumba classes that consist mainly of  middle-aged women. I love to dance, and I’ll take any opportunity to do so.
5. Last June, I decided to take the plunge and dip my toes in the strength-training waters. I was impressed because I could actually lift semi-heavy dumbbells and not THROW them down as I completed an exercise.
6. I ran my first half marathon 7-8 months after I first took up running, and it was AWESOME. I plan to run another one in the near future and hopefully I won’t have as many training injuries. Now, I know so much more about the importance of STRETCHING and foam rolling afterwards. Recovery is equally as important as the actual workout!
7. When I see people power walking on a treadmill that’s set with a steep incline and they’re HOLDING the front bar, I have to look away in order to restrain my urge to trip them. I’m all about power walking—especially when using it as active recovery—but if you MUST hold the bar at a drastic incline, just lower your treadmill and LET GO. Clearly, this topic gets me a little heated.
8. My most shining moment at the gym was when I got to be a fitness demonstrator in the Men’s Health Spartacus workout DVDs. Check them out (and buy them!). You won’t regret it and will sweat your butt off.
9. Because I have the luxury of leaving my desk to use the company gym, I usually hit exercise six times a week, which allows me one rest day. When I do have a rest day, I try to make it active and take long walks, go shopping (bummer, right?) or engage in other activities that keep me on my feet and moving.
10. Despite the fact that I was a gymnast AND cheerleader, I have a pretty pathetic pullup. It’s quite the challenge.

I tried to be creative—stay on the lookout for the last segment, a.k.a the “fun” portion within the next few days. It’s my personal favorite.

Livin’ and LOVING the [healthy] life,

Kat

Fun Facts About Me, Part 1: Food

When recently brainstorming blog ideas, I realized that the majority of my posts revolve about food—no surprise. While I have various recipes in the works (and I’m anxious to share!), I figured I’d give you a chance to know a little more about me, particularly in the fields of food, fitness and fun. Besides, what better way to be more “personal” on a blog than revealing embarrassing details people might not know? However, in attempts to preserve SOME of my dignity, I’ve limited these fun facts to ten items per category, and each category will have its very own post. How thrilling.

Today’s topic = food (clearly my favorite). Enjoy!

1. I’ve been a vegetarian since September, and I don’t miss meat at all. I did have one moment of weakness (over the holidays while I was at home in Texas), because my dad grilled barbecue chicken, and my dad is a BOSS on the grill. For a split second, I let the delicious barbecue scent permeate my nostrils and eyed the chicken. Then, I remembered that my pops likely bought store-brand meat with fillers and additives (not grass fed), and that brief craving diminished—fast.
2. I have to eat an apple every day. Every. Flipping. Day. I don’t know why and can’t explain it, but my day doesn’t seem complete without crunching into a juicy Honeycrisp, Fuji or Pink Lady apple.
3. I have the largest sweet tooth in the entire world (really, though), but I HATE whipped cream, and icing is a no-go as well. This is no new thing—I have never been a fan. I tried to figure out the reasoning behind these feelings, and this is what I came up with: I really hate how whipped cream pretends to be ice cream—just when you think you’re biting into creamy, cold goodness, your taste buds are shocked by a lukewarm foamy texture. Icing sucks, too. To me, icing’s only purpose is to hide the delicious cake (likely red velvet) that I’m trying to eat. Get outta my way.
4. I will try—and inevitably enjoy—any vegetable thrown my way. My current obsession is roasted rutabaga <– member of the turnip family.
5. When I find/create some kind of dish that I really enjoy, I tend to get in a rut and eat that food for a good week or so. The current items: egg white sandwiches on a whole-wheat pita, my fantastic protein smoothies that I made during my vegetarian challenge, and roasted broccoli.
6. I positively HATE when my food runs together on a plate. I make it a point to separate my food because I can’t stand mixing flavors that really shouldn’t be combined. You can only imagine my stress at a buffet when you aren’t allowed to serve yourself, and somebody plops sweet potatoes right on top of my green beans. It’s so not okay.
7. Growing up, I was never a huge fan of peanut butter. A few years ago, I rediscovered my love for the delicious spread and can’t get enough. I have to hide the jar in my fridge, but there are only so many places you can move it to be out of sight. I have this tendency to eat it (uncontrollably) out of the jar with a spoon—yep, just like ice cream.
8. I’ve always boycotted ketchup and mayonnaise. (I think I mainly hate mayo because of the previously listed whipped-cream issues.) As a kid, I dipped my fries in either mustard or ranch. While my brother could practically drink ketchup, I was a mustard fiend through and through. I’ll still defend the yellow goop until the bitter end.
9. I have quite the abusive relationship with cereal. Every time I get suckered into buying it, I reassure myself that I’ll only eat a little bit and portion it out, but that rarely never happens. My favorites: Kashi Island Vanilla or Cinnamon wheat squares AND GoLean Cinnamon Crunch, Puffins Peanut Butter and Chocolate, Cascadian Farms Ancient Grains Granola, FiberOne Honey Squares, and … Raisin Bran. Raisin Bran is like crack, and now I’m salivating. Note to self: never buy cereal again. Good thing I polished off my last box last night.
10. I tend to get incredibly nervous when I cook dishes for large family events, company parties, etc. People know I like to eat pretty healthy and clean (let’s just ignore the above cereal comment), so I think they’re a little skeptical about trying something I put on the table. Nonetheless, I often prove them wrong! This past Thanksgiving, nothing was more satisfying than hearing my brother (who essentially lives off Coke and powdered donuts, yet he’s still nowhere NEAR being overweight thanks to his insane, raging metabolism) RAVE about the sweet potato casserole I made. At Christmas Eve brunch, the star of the show was a massive veggie breakfast frittata—there were no leftovers in sight. Healthy food for the WIN.

Stay tuned for my upcoming posts about fitness and fun facts. Clearly, I like embarrassing myself by sharing strange quirks!

Livin’ and LOVING the [healthy] life,

Kat

Easy, Homemade Marinara Sauce

It’s my first post of 2013 and, if I do say so myself, it’s a pretty good addition to the blog. Warning: Delicious recipe to follow!

I’m fairly confident in declaring myself the only person in America who doesn’t enjoy eating pasta. Just to be clear, my feelings aren’t lukewarm. I’m not somebody who simply doesn’t “prefer” or “care for” pasta. I truly do NOT like it.

I’ve always wanted to like pasta and wish I could be one of those people who craves the warm, comfort-food feeling associated with the dish but sadly, that never happened. When I think back to my PICKY childhood eating habits, I remember tossing out and wasting entire plates of spaghetti, which might have been why my mom quit serving me pasta for dinner. I turned up my nose at the sight of meat or tomato sauce—instead, I would overload my spaghetti with gobs of butter and a thick layer of parmesan cheese in attempts to mask the pasta’s flavor and texture. Healthy, right? After those traumatic childhood meals where I likely went to bed with an empty stomach because I refused to eat my spaghetti, I’ve never voluntarily cooked, ordered, or asked for any kind of pasta dish—EVER. I avoid eating at Italian restaurants for two reasons: 1) I know I probably won’t really enjoy the meal and 2) I hate wasting food. When I traveled to Italy, I did not eat a single plate of pasta…I stuck to pizza or gelato –> twice a day.

Regardless of the noodle choice or sauce type, pasta just ain’t my thing. Come to think of it, I don’t even like ravioli or lasagna. My hatred towards this carby goodness might have something to do with the tasteless, slimy noodles (texture girl right here) that seem to thicken as you continue chewing, but that’s just a guess. If you like pasta, I envy you—I really do!

It was a memorable day when I decided to take the plunge and prepare spaghetti squash for the first time. Since I am mildly completely obsessed with any (and every) vegetable, I thought this would be a nice alternative to traditional pasta. I know a lot of people use spaghetti squash for low-carb diets, but that replacement never crossed my mind. I merely saw the yellow stringy veggie (great description, huh?) on Pinterest, and was fairly intrigued by using a vegetable in place of noodles. I decided I had to join the spaghetti-squash club.

The verdict? I LOVED it. To me, the “noodle” strings are more crunchy instead of gooey and have a slight sweet kick. Spaghetti squash is now a staple in my kitchen, and I buy at least one per week. A small-medium squash makes more than enough “noodles” for me, so I typically have enough lunch or dinner materials for TWO days. Yippppeee!! In the past, I’ve taken a pre-made, canned tomato sauce and used that as my base, then tossed in a crazy amount of veggies (obviously). However, I recently found myself becoming tired of the pre-made sauces, and they taste a little more sweet and sugary than I’d like. I did my research and realized that making marinara topping is easy peasy, so I decided to embark on a little sauce-experimenting adventure. Check out the end result:

Oooooohh yeaaaaa.

Aren’t all the colors pretty? I find it ironic that fruits and veggies are the most visually appealing food AND they just so happen to be one of the best fuel sources for your body. *Exit soapbox* Per usual, please excuse my poor photography skills. My iPhone 4 isn’t quite up to par for taking noteworthy blog photos. (Side rant: I HATE my iPhone and can’t wait until my contract is up and I can finally ditch that piece of junk.)

My marinara sauce was SUPER simple and required little effort. I cut the spaghetti squash in half, scooped out the seeds, made small punctures in the rind with a fork, and put the halves face down in a baking dish filled with a very small amount of water (maybe 1/4 of an inch). While the squash was baking at 400 degrees for approxmiately 30-40 minutes, I combined the following in a large saucepan:

• One large can of Muir Glenn Organic Crushed Tomatoes (the fire-roasted flavor!)
• A handful of sliced mushrooms
• 3 large handfuls of spinach
• 1/2 small zucchini—diced
• 1/4 green bell pepper—diced
• 1-2 spoonfuls chopped yellow onion
• A few broccoli florets (I normally don’t use broccoli, but I was determined to deplete my supply before it spoiled!)
• 1-2 teaspoons of oregano and basil
• 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
• Small shakes of garlic powder, sea salt and pepper

I covered the pot and set the burner to medium heat (it simmered for approximately 10-12 minutes), then took off the lid and let the sauce bubble for 10 more minutes. My wonderful creation was OUT OF THIS WORLD. Trust me, I’m not the type of person who would rave about a sauce, but I’ve finally found one that I love—AND it didn’t come from a jar! I made of big pot of the sauce to keep in the fridge for a few days to use on the remaining spaghetti squash or other mixed veggies, and I plan on freezing the rest! Creating/cooking/finally liking a marinara sauce = not a bad start to the new year!

Livin’ and LOVING the [healthy] life,

Kat

A Brief Reflection of 2012

So much can happen in a year.

I know that’s a cliché statement, but it couldn’t be more true. It never fails that as each year comes to a close, I’m always stunned at how fast it’s flown by and that we’re already at another new, fresh beginning.

2012 has certainly been a year that has exceeded my expectations and, in my 20-something years of life, I’m going to venture out on a limb and say it’s also been my most memorable year yet. There are copious reasons that reinforce this statement, and I’ll give a short recap in just a sec. However, the one life event that definitely outshines any other experience that has come my way is my job. I can’t believe I’m working for Men’s Health magazine, one of the most prestigious (not to mention #1 men’s magazine) in the journalism industry. I practically pinch myself ever day. No joke.

Few people can say they actually LIKE going to work. Few people can also say they ENJOY spending time with their coworkers—in AND out of the office. I feel so lucky that I’ve been able to find a job that combines two of my favorite passions, paired with an enjoyable atmosphere and friendly people. If I look back to a year ago, I would have NEVER expected to be where I am today—and definitely not in Pennsylvania, that’s for sure. After all, dreams aren’t supposed to always come true. Right? Wrong!

One short year ago, I was trudging through the ins and outs of graduate school, pulling out my hair as I was scrambling to finish writing daunting, 20-page literature reviews about the effects of women’s fitness magazines (now, this seems like a piece of cake), working as a TA and managing editor for a weekly magazine, and only DREAMING about someday being employed at a health and fitness publication. Now, I live that dream—everyday—and I couldn’t be more blessed and thankful to do so. Earlier today, I was trying to think about this past year and the obstacles I’ve overcome/accomplishments I’ve achieved, so I wanted to list a few of the things that have undoubtedly impacted my life:

2012 IN A NUTSHELL

• I learned the meaning of a TRUE friend. It wasn’t easy (or fun), but it was definitely a necessary life experience.
• I embraced the fact that I’m likely OCD (undiagnosed, of course), which has undoubtedly helped me succeed with all my school and personal endeavors.
• Life goes on, and you can’t dwell on the past or what could have been. This is something I’ve always been told, but I was finally able to experience it firsthand.
• To fulfill one of my master’s degree components, I landed an internship with Rodale.com, uprooted my life to Pennsylvania, and gained a crazy amount of editorial experience.
• I learned to not take people for granted and, in turn, not let them take ME for granted.
• I learned how important it is to have self-respect and not be afraid to show it. There’s a difference between being straight-up COCKY and proud of what you’ve accomplished. You shouldn’t stifle or talk down your achievements—just acknowledge them more graciously and with class.
• I’ve DEFINITELY learned that life isn’t easy and things don’t always pan out according to your personal life plan. (Shocker right?) But I also ate a slice of humble pie and realized that things DO fall into place and eventually start to make sense.
• I ran countless races, but the most memorable run was my half marathon in April. I now recognize the fact that I’m much stronger (mentally and physically) than I ever thought I was. Don’t worry, I’ve got the medal to prove it.
• I tried to be the best friend, daughter, niece, sister, etc. that I could. I also learned that family doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be related by blood.
• I put my perfectionist insecurities aside and decided to give strength training a try. I’m definitely not even close to being awesome at it, but I’m much better than I thought I’d be.
• I watched one of my childhood friends marry her love and accepted the offer to be a bridesmaid in one of my best friend’s wedding.
• I took a painful trip back home to spend my Uncle George’s last days of life by his side. I’ve never had a harder time letting go of somebody or trusting that it was his time to join the Lord.
• I reconnected with old friends and became close with people who re-entered my life.
• I learned that no matter how hard I try, I can’t single-handedly control my life or tailor everything to what I WANT to happen. It’s just not possible.
• I got in my first automobile accident when a crazy PA driver decided she’d smash into the back of my car.
• I got a new car. And I love it.
• I landed a job at Men’s Health magazine, filmed an infomercial, AND was a fitness model in a MH workout video. What? Is this real life? I’m still still not convinced that was real.
• I made the hard decision of putting myself first and following my dreams by moving away from everything I’ve ever known. However, in doing so, I realized that family will always be there for you, and you can always come home.
• I’ve learned that nothing in life is guaranteed. Expect the unexpected, and prepare yourself to be greeted with disappointment.
• The final thing that I try to remind myself on a daily basis is: I’ve been blessed with a healthy and safe life and, regardless of whatever comes my way, I should ALWAYS find the positive because a negative attitude is a recipe for failure.

I have a lot of goals for 2013, but I’ll save those for another post. I want to run another half marathon, take care of my body, and be the best, healthy version of myself—but doesn’t everybody? Oh, and I plan to blog more consistently

Livin’ and LOVING the [healthy] life,

Kat