I have to say, for my first month, I think I did pretty okay!

• I lost a total of 12 pounds.
• Started training for my first 5k.
• Completed a “Week of Transformation.”
• Went away to Florida for an awesome and indulgent summer getaway.
• Changed my diet to involve 3-4 days of pescetarianism.
• Mused about Nike’s “Find Your Greatness” ad campaign
• Tackled healthy recipes such as overnight quinoa in a jar & peachy, mango salsa.

This is my twentieth post and I feel like I’ve learned a lot about what type of content I hope to contribute to the blogosphere. I’ve spent a lot of time reading blogs, researching tips and trying to figure out the message I actually want to get across. I’ve spent a remarkable amount of hours just wondering what types of people would want to read my blog and where exactly I want to go with it.

With the school year quickly approaching, I’ve recognized having a blog is a time commitment I’m willing to make. I’ve also recognized that in order to become a better blogger and serve you, my readers, better, I need to post more regularly. I also realized that the original idea for my Hardboiled Haikus is kind of narrow in scope, and really limited me in the topics I wanted to write about. I tried so hard to fit the templated of other successful “healthy living” and “foodie” bloggers just to realize I’m terrible at recording everything I eat, tracking every single workout and sticking to the topics of simply healthy food and nutrition (which I am passionate about, but are only one aspect of my life).

In effort to streamline my blogging process, I am re-naming the blog and switching formats.

Hardboiled Haikus will now be known as “Curves, Carbs & Choreo.”

Here is why:

1. Let’s face it, “Hardboiled Haikus” tried a little too hard. Okay, a lot of too hard. It said nothing about me or what the blog was actually about and, quite frankly, I’m tired of writing haikus for every post. They still will be featured from time to time. The blog itself is my creative outlet, the haikus were merely an extra layer I didn’t need.
2. Curves. I love the healthy living blogging community. I think it’s an awesome source of inspiration and the ladies whose blogs I read are amazing, beautiful and downright commendable for their transformations and achievements. One tiny thing disappoints me: the emphasis on skinny. Many of us will never be skinny, no matter the amount of weight we lose. I am naturally always going to be thick and curvy, and I have never been ashamed of that. After writing my post about the Nike ad and growing up “obese,” I realized I always have and always will appreciate my curves and full-figured beauties. We can embrace healthy living and fitness just as much as anybody else without damning our curves and the bodies we were born with.
3. Carbs. I love food. Cooking, eating, pinning, instagramming; I am guilty of it all. I love going out to eat and sharing what I eat. I love talking about what I eat. Sometimes I don’t eat healthy. I love carbs and cheese and sweet things. I’ve worked at a food magazine, and would love to do so again. I’ll be writing about food adventures, restaurant trips and other related foodie things. I’m no expert, but I hope you enjoy!
4. Choreo. Before yoga, running, boxing, zumba and every other workout I’ve tried, there was dance. Dance is my first love and one of the biggest priorities of my life. It seemed terribly unnatural to not include it in my blog. I am a choreographer, artistic director and perpetual dance student always hungry to learn more. I’ll share sneak peek’s into my team’s rehearsals, write about the awesome Boston/East Coast dance community and maybe even post some choreography if I work up the nerve. I’ll review shows, conventions and competitions I see/attend. I’ll probably ramble about my love for the craft and link videos of dancers I admire. I think regardless of whether or not you’re a dancer, you can relate to loving something so profoundly that you can’t help but share it!

These changes won’t happen overnight. I’m going to try to get all of the basic stuff done by the end of this weekend. I’ll still be writing a ton about my weight loss journey, exercising, running and all of that other good stuff. Just expect a little more foodie and a whole lot of dance. I’m also investing in a camera and figuring out this layout design business, so hopefully you won’t have to deal with my iPhone photos and funky formatting much longer.

Thank you so much for reading my blog this past month, I hope I can keep ya interested.

Let me hit you with some quick numbers:

Weight loss: -1.5 pounds

Muscle/Body Fat: Lost 1% of body fat. Feeling super tight & toned all over!

I had aimed to take a class every day, but this didn’t work out with my schedule. I did, however, take four classes and ease my muscles with an hour-long Exhale massage. Bliss.

The challenge motivated me to stay really on track with my eating habits. I only fell off twice.

Fail #1: Babysitting kids and forgetting that I do not have their metabolism. A few too many spoonfuls of peanut butter accompanied by a handful or two of dark chocolate chips. Whoops.

Fail #2: My friend’s mom was in town so we met up for frozen yogurt. Now, I never deny a frozen yogurt craving, I just usually get a small or mini size from places like BerryLine, Pinkberry or Red Mango where I am limited in my toppings and tracking the calories is a simple feat. This fro-yo trip was to one of those self-serve joints with 10 amazing flavors you MUST try and about a zillion toppings. I went a little crazy on cookie-dough and cheesecake bites, mochi & peanut butter cups. Mess-ups like these are dangerous because they can open the flood-gates to unhealthy eating. On our walk back I purchased two ginormous peanut butter cups from 711. Luckily, I like my peanut butter cups frozen, and that extra time made me realize “Lissette, you really don’t want to eat those peanut butter cups.” I resisted temptation, woohoo. Only after already over-indulging, small victory, I suppose?

But hey let’s get back to that positive part where I completed my challenge and celebrated a nice, healthy weight loss!

Overall, this experience was really awesome for me. I was introduced to new things about yoga and myself. I learned that group exercise classes aren’t fulfilling for me unless I leave drenched in sweat (not the case at Exhale). I realized that I actually missed lifting weights and doing circuit training. I remembered what it felt like to really stretch and take the time to nourish/repair the muscles and parts of your body you just worked. I saw how hard-work and dedication could lead to clearly defined results. I am motivated to keep doing these small challenges in order to reinforce my focus and keep my exercise/fitness regimens new, challenging and exciting. I am also determined to take yoga practice a little more seriously. I’ve gotten bitten by the yoga bug, I don’t think I’ll be turning back. My soul just smiled, my wallet just cried.

As for Exhale Spa, I will definitely be back. I cannot say for sure when and how often, but they have won my allegiance. Anytime someone asks for a spa/yoga/fitness recommendation, I will send them to the cute, light-blue awning located right off the Arlington T stop. Their staff, their facilities and their classes rock. The Week of Transformation is a great deal that surpasses the value of $30, give it a try, you won’t regret it.

I have some news. I might be unveiling it later today or tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Reblogged from 5thingstodotoday:

It is a well-known fact that childhood obesity is the most prevalent nutritional disorder among adolescents in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, 1 in 6 children age 2-19 are obese. Obesity is a complex issue with substantial impact on any individual that has been “diagnosed,” whether by a medical professional or society. There are the obvious health issues such as increased risk of heart disease and diabetes, but children suffering with obesity also develop years worth of psychological and emotional scar tissue that is extremely difficult to remove. I won’t delve deeply into any of them, but there are many reasons why childhood obesity continues to skyrocket: the affordability of healthy options for members of lower economic status, the convenience of fast food, neglectful parenting or general lack of basic health knowledge can all contribute to a child becoming overweight. However, rather than focusing on all of the negative ‘reasons’ America has developed a disturbingly high rate of obesity, I believe it is essential that reinforce the concept of creating positive change for oneself. In my opinion, this Nike ad just does that.

This morning while scrolling through my timeline, I came across this blog posted on Time Magazine’s online publication: “Does Nike’s ‘Greatness’ Ad Featuring an Obese Boy Exploit Fat People?” The article discusses how opinions are split regarding this ad and crowd-sources opinions from the YouTube page and professionals such as Dr. David Katz, the editor-in-chief of the journals Childhood Obesity. Here’s what Dr. Katz had to say about the advertisement.

“He looks miserably uncomfortable, and as if he’s about to topple over. There is no hint of greatness in it — other than, perhaps, his commitment to do it.  But maybe he is a great mathematician — or orator — or pianist…So, I would have preferred they showed his pursuit of greatness in a way that was not so obviously far from great, so obviously impeded by his weight and so blatantly uncomfortable!”

While I can understand his sentiment, I have to totally disagree. Growing up, I was one of the many children diagnosed as obese before I even know what the word meant. I remember being eleven years old and my pediatrician telling my mother: “If she stays this weight until she is 16, she’ll be in great shape.” Obviously, as a child that still had a lot of growing to do, this was not realistic advice for moving towards a healthier life. A few years later I remember crying on the table of the same doctor during my annual, and dreaded, physical as she lectured me about how overweight I was. Certain phrases I heard from her and other people throughout my pre-teen years that stick out include:

“Hey, you have a lot going for you…you’re really smart and do well in school”

“…but at least you have a  pretty face”

“You can dance! Not everyone your size can dance!”

While these messages tended my bruised, immature ego for about a minute, they never motivated me to change. Instead, the message was more like:

“ It’s not that bad to eat all the junk that you consume on a daily basis. You have other options that don’t necessarily involve a healthier lifestyle.”

Well guess what, this message did nothing for me. I grew up thinking that those thin girls that brought healthy lunches to school were a completely different breed than I, and that’s totally okay. Outdoor activities such as running and biking were fun for some people, but nah, not for me. Those dancers and athletes I watch on TV and ogle over, that could NEVER be me, so why bother pushing myself or trying? For the first time I’ve ever seen, this Nike ad reaches out to the chubby kid who doesn’t think they can and motivates them to at least try. Yes, Nathan, the boy in the commercial, looks uncomfortable but that’s a reality someone overweight and obese most likely deals with every day. I was afraid to raise my hand in class and draw attention to myself. I was convinced every time I walked in a room someone was staring and making mental comments about my size. Even to this day, compliments make me uncomfortable and I attach “for your size/weight” to the end of every positive affirmation I receive from a friend or stranger. Living in discomfort is a norm for an obese individual, and this advertisement challenges you to break through that norm and find the healthiest, greatest version of yourself.

Furthermore, I appreciate and respect this ad because it does not insinuate the all-too common message that in order to be healthy, you must be thin. When I go to the doctor, I am still told that I am overweight and fall into the “obese” BMI. My doctor also tells me that I have great blood pressure, amazing cholesterol levels and a lot of strong, sturdy muscle. I can dance a six-minute set, full-out without stopping several times in a row. I can workout for 30 minutes at a high-intensity level and not feel like I’m going to collapse. I am healthy, but my version. The reason I am healthy is because I made the conscious decision to make life changes that will positively impact my life. Like the commercial, this is a long road for me, and sometimes it definitely feels like a slow painful jog.

Thank you, Nike, for reminding the world that greatness is not out of reach regardless of your shape or size. Thank you for reminding the world that just because somebody is overweight, it doesn’t mean they aren’t active or taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle. Thank you for producing media content that positively encourages people to combat childhood obesity, no matter how difficult or daunting this task currently seems. Simply, thank you.

Striking a balance

between pushing your limits

and finding comfort.

Yesterday, I was able to take the “Exhale Slow Flow” class at Exhale Spa as a part of my “Week of Transformation” experiment. The class is more geared towards a beginner practitioner or somebody who wanted to feel the benefits of taking time to really improve their form and positioning while getting the opportunity to work deeper into poses. This felt like the perfect class for me. Because I grew up dancing my whole life, I basically leaped into yoga practice without much thought as to what level I was. I picked up postures and corrections as I went along, but I enjoyed the challenge (and excitement) of being thrown into a class not sure what to expect. Even though it is named “slow flow,” the class was still a very dynamic series that allowed me to focus on breath control and my alignment. During the class, the instructor Ross continues to chant slightly different versions of maintaining a working effort that is “somewhere between ‘too much’ and ‘not enough.” I thought it was such a simple, yet beautiful way to approach my practice, and I found myself challenging my strength and flexibility in ways I didn’t think possible. I was holding poses with stillness and stability. I was stretching my legs longer and higher than before. My heart was racing, but I never lost my sense of calm and serenity throughout the class. I really feel like my yoga practice is being enhanced by the atmosphere at Exhale Spa, I may have to start budgeting a class or two a week into my paycheck.

I was originally going to take Core Fusion Cardio after yoga, but I was feeling so good and the weather was so beautiful, I decided to skip out and meet up with my friends on Newbury Street. I also think I may have done a little too much on Saturday, so I figured an hour and 15 minute yoga practice was enough for the day. One of the members of my dance team is studying abroad, so we watched him shop for “essentials” (a Burberry wallet?)  and then headed to Snappy Sushi for lunch! This time, I remembered to take photographs. Five of us split a bowl of edamame and I ordered the “Triple Lunch” special. The special was only $9.95 and included a seaweed salad, mixed greens, and a rice paper roll filled with tuna, salmon, avocado and brown rice. Everything was fresh and delicious, but I wasn’t a big fan of the ginger dressing so I ignored the mixed greens but quickly finished the seaweed salad. I also had 2 pieces of salmon nigiri, I can’t get enough! After sushi we continued to gallivant and window shop around Newbury Street. We even stopped by Georgetown Cupcakes where I picked up a peanut butter fudge cupcake that ended up being my breakfast this morning. I’m not usually a fan of chocolate cake, but this was seriously delicious! I also purchased a Banana Split cupcake, a treat I’m attempting to save for my sister but may eat if she doesn’t come back from NY fast enough!

After Newbury, Tiffany and I headed to Fitrec to choreograph a piece that we are planning to present for Fusion Fall Workshops. The song is kind of a secret right now, but it is definitely fun and sassy! After two hours of derping around and being semi-productive, we finished the whole verse we were planning! Tiffany and I taught workshops together when we were freshmen, so we thought it would be cool to kick off our senior year teaching workshops. Fingers crossed we get the chance to teach our piece! Here’s a video of our first collabo, the song is “Swoon” by Imogen Heap and it was our noobie version of “Contemporary Hip Hop.” Not our best, but fun to think about and watch.

While at Fitrec we ran into our friend Jiaj and made plans to meet him for dinner afterward. He suggested UBurger, an awesome Boston-based burger chain, and I immediately knew that it was exactly what my taste buds were craving. At first glance, UBurger is a Red Zone for anyone trying to lose weight. Crazy but amazing combinations such as fried jalapenos, chipotle sauce and every other burger garnish you can imagine make up the bulk of their menu, as well as hot dogs, salads, milkshakes and sides such as french fries or onion rings. I wanted to be good, but I desperately wanted something delicious and on a bun. I finally settled on the “Sweet Chick” with a wheat bun. It was a grilled marinated chicken patty, honey mustard, lettuce and tomato. I also added some grilled mushrooms and peppers and took off half of the bun. Their homemade and handcut french fries are made in zero percent trans fat oil, but I still couldn’t justify them. I do have a crazy craving for sweet potato french fries that I need to settle ASAP!

After dinner we had so much energy and couldn’t get over the perfect summer breeze. We headed to Nickerson Field to literally play for about two hours. We did gymnastics, had relay races, had a mini ballet/technique class and just stargazed. We attempted to climb the soccer nets and teach me how to do a cartwheel, but both were unsuccessful. It was a summer night that reminded me of when I was kid wasting hours by doing nothing and loving every minute of it.

Beaut!

My go-to quick dish is an egg scramble. I wanted a lot of protein and some healthy veggies to hold me over after the run and during rehearsal. I used two eggs, one egg white, 1T of creamy brie and scrambled them together over mushrooms and spinach that I sauteed in a tiny bit of garlic-infused olive oil. A sprinkle of “21 Seasoning Salute” and a drizzle of siracha sauce added bold flavor to this simple late-breakfast. I gobbled it down faster than I am happy to admit, strapped on my running shoes and hit the road.

My route  may look pretty straight forward, but yesterday was extremely hot and I completely forgot that the Brookline area involves a bunch of hills. Despite the fact that the incline was taking its toll on my calf muscles, I was able to power through and keep up a steady pace.My favorite part of the Couck-to-5k app is that I am able to clearly track my speed and whether I am showing improvement. I just compared my times from my three runs this week and each session I went a little farther and shaved a few seconds off my time. Go me, I guess!

Week 2 Day 1: 2.29 Miles Pace 13:29 per mile

Week 2 Day 2: 2.32 Miles Pace: 13:22 per mile

Week 2 Day 3: 2.36 Miles 13:06 per mile

I arrived at rehearsal slightly late, but just in time for some ab work and stretching: a very necessary cool down. We then spent the next three hours learning choreography, laughing and dancing the only way we know how : extremely and ridiculously full out. The weather was beautiful so after we wrapped up rehearsal I went to Angora Cafe, a small eatery almost always filled with BU kids. Angora is known for the delicious paninis, mix-in frozen yogurt and my personal favorite, low-calorie flatbread pizzas. They also have smoothies and carb-control wraps in addition to a pastry selection. I ordered the Steak & Arugula flatbread, which for $8 is a delicious, filling individual flatbread that only costs you 263 calories. I thenk opted out of my usual fro-yo order and instead got the “Skinnie Minnie” smoothie with a fat-burner acai berry boost. The combination of skim milk, lemon sorbet, melon and honey was the exact creamy treat I craved on the a hot day. I mixed in some flaxseed and then spent the some of the evening grooving to the band playing next door.

A few hours later I met with my friend Tiffany for dinner at Scoozi. We both ordered “Simple Salads” except I got mine with grilled shrimp and she accompanied her greens with steak. I love going to Scoozi for their salads and this definitely satisfied my veggie craving. Romaine, arugula, mixed greens, tomatoes, roasted peppers, balsamic and shaved parmesan were all so fresh and summer-y. After dinner, we headed to the movies to check out the new Meryl Streep movie. Tears and laughter are probably the best way to describe how we felt about this flick, I definitely recommend seeing it!

I’m off to Slow Flow Exhale Yoga and Core Fusion Cardio class this morning, wish me luck!

Do not be afraid.

Exhale and open yourself

to radical change.

Happy Saturday!

Summer is quickly wrapping up and I find myself wanting to seek out different types of fitness challenges while I still have the time and conveniently-located apartment. While researching different types of fitness centers and gyms that allow drop-in classes or have awesome intro week deals, I came across Exhale Boston. This spa and fitness center focuses on the entire wellness triangle and believes in actively exercising the mind, body and soul. Last year their Core Fusion series was awarded “Best Exercise Class” by The Improper Bostonian and “Best Boot Camp” by Lucky Magazine. This year they were recognized for “Best Massage,” a service that I fully plan on taking advantage of if I successfully complete this challenge! Check here for the full list of awards they have won in recent years, it is quite impressive!

On to the goods.

“Week of Transformation”

Exhale Spa has a great, easy-to-navigate website which clearly explains the services they offer and provides in-depth descriptions of their classes. They encourage you to schedule your classes online beforehand but they do not charge your credit card until you arrive for your class (unless you indicate otherwise). However, beware of their “four hour” rule. If you need to cancel a scheduled class, be sure to cancel it at least 4 hours before the scheduled time or else your credit card will be charged as if you attended the class. They are very clear and adamant about this, so make sure you have the time before clicking ‘register.’

Individual classes at Exhale run for about $25, but if it is your first time you can spend $30 for a week of unlimited classes! You will be told this on the website, but make sure to bring it up with the girl at the front desk when you arrive for class! She knew it was my first time, but did not offer the intro week until I asked about. I am not sure if this is done purposefully or if she simply forgot. Regardless, the women at reception were extremely warm and welcoming. They made sure to explain the benefits of the intro week ($20 off a spa package, discounts in the store etc) and showed me around the space to make sure I understood the layout and where the classrooms were located. My first impression is that this spot is pretty swanky, but every spa-goer I encountered and chatted with was friendly and I did not have to deal with any territorial glances that shouted “NEWCOMER!” I was running short on time before class, so I didn’t get to scope out the locker rooms, but I was already loving it!

Cardio Fusion Barre

My first class was the Thursday, 7:50 PM class with Caitlin Milbury. Core Fusion Barre is their signature class that utilizes the ballet barre for what is mostly an hour of core and toning exercises. I think I went in expecting something else. While I was obviously aware the class would involve barre work, the implication of ballet had me convinced that I’d be doing some serious sweating that would incorporate some form of dance-aerobics. This was simply not the case. A majority of the class was spent combining elements of Pilates, yoga and dance in an effort to provide a low-impact workout with high-impact results! Despite my initial disappointment and misconception about the class, I was able to acknowledge that this was, indeed, a great workout. Small weights and resistance bands allowed us to dynamically strengthen and lengthen our muscles with little room for injury. Caitlin was a great instructor, issuing clear prompts and walking around the class to ensure that everybody had proper form and completing the exercises at a level best suited for them individually. The class really did remind me of the 30-45 minute stretches we used to warm up with at my old dance studio during our jazz, contemporary and technique classes. Caitlin incorporated splits, lunges, a few plies and other flexibility stretches that took me straight back to the marley floor I once danced on 5-6 days a week. Core Fusion classes require everybody to wear socks and would rather you buy their special brand of socks with grip on the bottom to keep you from slipping on the carpet or mats. Although all the ladies in my class looked calm and cool in their Core Fusion socks, my plain ol’ purple socks with polka dots did the trick! After the class I decided to stroll the 45 minutes back to my apartment and my thighs, glutes and abs were definitely feeling of the work we had done in class. Instant gratification!

Core Fusion Yoga

Yesterday morning before work I decided to attend Core Fusion Yoga with Denise Griffin Crowe, and wow did I love it! The yoga room was a gorgeous and open space and for this specific practice we utilized blocks and bands in addition to our mats. The practice was a great blend of athleticism and extra core work that really got your heart rate up while maintaining a certain level of yogi relaxation. While the instructor took us through our asanas she would pause certain parts and incorporate pulses, holds and leg work that would engage our muscle groups in a completely different way. I can’t begin to explain how much I recommend this class. As somebody who does not practice often but is quick to pick up and follow directions, I found I was challenged but not in a way that discouraged me from even entering certain poses. The teacher provided modifications for all levels in the classroom seamlessly and I really enjoyed the soundtrack playing throughout the class. I also embraced certain moves that I usually dread; push-ups, planks and extended downward dogs are my newest friends! I wouldn’t go as far as to say I had a “break through” practice, but it was definitely a great environment to push yourself past your limits. I’m definitely going to sample as many yoga classes as possible during my introductory week.

Another thing I love about Exhale is they provide everything you might need for class free of charge! You don’t need to pay to rent a mat, towel, blanket or other props. This is awesome because you only have to bring yourself and your willingness to practice, nothing else! Lockers are available with built-in locks so you do not have to worry about bringing your own. Also, outside of the yoga room they provide a nice blend of organic teas. It’s the little touches that make me smile and excited to return for my next visit.

That’s all folks! The weather forecast is looking pretty dreary, but today is a dance day! Three hours of rehearsal with PRONailz followed by choreographing. I also might try to fit in a run. Looks like a nice, fitness-filled weekend for me.

I was the friend that saw slight changes in my comrade’s attitude and immediately knew something was wrong.

I was the girl in the middle school playground that noticed someone being whispered about and decided to tell said-whisper-offenders where to take their attitude and shove it. (Scathing commentary about their  ‘dinosaur nose’ or other physical attribute may or may not have been included).

I was the student that realized subtle nuance in sentence structure that totally transformed the meaning.

I like to understand things. I am simple by nature, so I don’t necessarily get a kick out of over-analyzing, but I like to soak in the details, colors, interactions and white noise of every day life and place them in perspective that is meaningful to me. I am insatiably curious and constantly asking questions and sometimes, it’s not really my place to ask.

There once was a time where after I synthesized whatever I’ve witnessed or been told, I would be automatically propelled into action. A huge literary and history geek growing up, nothing inspired me like the generation of muckrakers that, for the first time, held corporations and the government accountable for their actions and how these actions were impacting their people. I wanted to BE that person exposing truths and divulging information that the subject wouldn’t be too proud of. I wanted to stand up for what I believed in and what was right, fair and just.

“We muckraked not because we hated our world but because we loved it. We were not hopeless, we were not cynical, we were not bitter.”-Ray Stannard Baker

This surge of advocacy carried me through my first two years of college. If someone did me or a friend wrong, I made it very clear that it wasn’t acceptable. If I didn’t think somebody was stepping up to the responsibility they were given, I’d express this concern very adamantly. To say I was outspoken may be the understatement of the century. My intentions were always good and my opinions/observations were always valid. However, my delivery sucked and I often chastised or preached before understanding where the person was truly coming from or what motivated the actions that irked me so terribly I had to call them out immediately.

After two recent interactions within the past 24 hours, I realized that I’ve changed significantly. Here’s the scene:

Comm Ave & St. Mary’s Street

Elderly man steps off of sidewalk into street

Jerk “riding dirty” in Nissan Altima almost runs him over

Said jerk is chatting away on his cell phone & pulls up to the light

Elderly man power walks to the window and gives jerk piece of his mind

Me: “YOU GO GLEN COCO“

Jerk threatens to beat the !@#$ out of elderly man

Elderly man stands his ground and keeps talking

Me: Pulsing with fury, dirty look to jerk, not of approval to elderly man, keep walking

Old Lissette would have stuck around, defended the elderly man and scolded the driver for being a lowlife. All of which probably would have ZERO impact on this certified jerk. Heck, it probably would have been a story exchanged over beers (or jagerbombs) with his equally jerky friends who maintain standards of equally douche bag behavior. Yes, it is important to stand up and speak out, but we have to pick our battles, and I’m pretty sure the elderly man was quite capable of handling  his own.

Last night, I witnessed another form of standing up and speaking out. This one was on Twitter, and it involved a peer of mine shouting out a relatively influential leader in the social media marketing industry for being, quite literally, a professional hypocrite. I Tweeted him asking why he cared so much and he responded with an in-depth response that made me understand him. I appreciate those types of chats, and while I don’t have much to comment on the situation, I felt like what he did was important and necessary. My muckraking roots were slightly rejuvenated.

In life, it’s not important to call out every person that ‘does ya dirty’ or makes you upset. It is important to hold people accountable, particularly specialists and gatekeepers of information that make a living off being an “expert.” An expert is someone whose opinion, advice and principles are deemed trustworthy. The act of speaking out against an “expert” is not only risky, but also a brave and necessary feat that more people should feel inclined and empowered to do.

I may not wholeheartedly agree with the aforementioned interactions, but there was definitely a lot to be taken away from them about myself. I think I’m one step closer to striking a balance between standing up for what I believe in and holding people accountable while maintaining a certain level of passivity. Getting riled up and passionate is neither an effective nor healthy way to express yourself, but neither is being a bystander that doesn’t contribute or initiate change. Honing these types of skills will not only enhance my ability to communicate in and out of my future workplace, but have also helped me transform into a better and understanding member of society.

Now that’s something I can live with.

A little planning

and preparation will go

the farthest distance.

Rest days are beautiful because they restore your strength and give you the energy to do things you never thought you could convince yourself to do. This morning I set my alarm for 6AM and did the unthinkable: went for a jog on the Charles River bright and early. I hopped out of bed (okay, I snoozed once or twice) put on my running shorts, grabbed a green apple and was out of the door by 6:45.

Here’s my route from this morning! I just started week 2 and I’m honestly feeling pretty great, but I would be lying if I pretended to not be tired from the early wake-up call. I also didn’t love the fact that I had to rush to get ready for work in about 15 minutes. That meant shower, dress, groom and power walk to the T. Oh, the life of a commuter.

Breakfast: Quinoa in a Jar

I knew that the morning would be pretty hectic, so I wanted to have a grab and go breakfast prepped and ready for me to reach for on my way out of the door. One of my favorite healthy living blogs that actually inspired me to start my own is Peanut Butter Runner. The writer, Jen, always blogs about making “Overnight Oats” in her near empty nut butter jars. Last night while trying to satisfy a random sweet craving, I realized my peanut butter was almost done-zo. I could barely contain my glee, but my excitement was short-lived once I realized I didn’t have any oats. I looked in the refrigerator for options when I found about a 1/2 cup of tri-colored quinoa leftover from yesterday’s lunch. Boo-ya! I’m not the biggest fan of oatmeal in the summer, so this creamy and cold treat complimented my hot, sweaty, crazy morning. You can literally layer anything you want to top off your breakfast quinoa: fresh fruit, almond milk, chia/flax seeds, greek yogurt, cinnamon & even more nut butter if your heart desires! Here is what’s in my mix.

1/2 cup cooked quinoa

1/4 cup coconut-almond milk

1/4 vanilla greek yogurt

1T flaxseed meal

1.5T Trader Joe’s Super Food Spread

5 chopped strawberries

This combo was really delicious but if you’re planning on consuming in a public space, beware of awkward stares. I couldn’t wait to get to the office to eat my breakfast, so I started muching right on the T. I think some of the passengers thought I was casually polishing off a jar of peanut butter. Delicious? Yes. Nutritious? Not exactly.

Lunch: Olympic Pot Luck

It seems like at least once a week there is some type of event at my internship worth celebrating. Heritage Day, the leaving of a co-worker with edible arrangements, a bagel party and quite a few pot lucks! This week’s lunchtime extravaganza was an Olympic themed salad pot luck. I’m not sure if I hit the mark with “Olympics,” but I definitely got the healthy and summer memo!

I made a big bowl of peach & mango salsa.

Serves 15-18:

2  cups peaches, chopped without skin

1 cups mangos, chopped without skin

4T cilantro, chopped

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper

1/2 lime, juice

1/4tsp sea salt

1/4tsp chili powder

ground black pepper, to taste

I probably should have used a chopped jalapeno pepper or two, but the grocer near my apartment only had dried ones, so I decided to wing it and add the chili powder. My knife selection is pretty lame, so the end result was more of a cilantro-lime infused fruit salad. Still delicious!

The second item I brought to the pot luck were leftovers from last night’s dinner: a veggie, potato and goat cheese bake that I made with the help of my sister. The summer squash, zucchini and red potatoes were totally transformed my red peppers, mushrooms,onions fresh garlic & herbed goat cheese. We more or less followed the exact recipe posted in the awesome blog The Healthy Bites. This blog is filled with great, nutritious recipe ideas when you are trying to throw something together. Best part: vegetarian!

The spread ended up being incredible and colorful! I used romaine lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, heirloom tomatoes, two pieces of fresh mozzarella, mushrooms, a couple blue corn tortilla chips and a generous amount of salsa! The mango-peach concoction was a huge hit and was devoured by my coworkers within a few minutes. A few of the ladies have already asked me for the recipe! I went back for a second plate of fruit that involved a few blueberries, strawberries watermelon, melon and pineapple.

Check out the rest of the awesome items the Nellie Mae team brought in!

There it is: cold hard proof that I, Lissette Martinez, have actually begun my transformation from “petrified pedestrian” to “cool as a cucumber Comm Ave runner.” You know exactly the type of runners I’m talking about. Perfect form, taut muscles, soaring confidence, glistening in sweat demi-gods that trot through Boston University campus and its surrounding neighborhoods like they own the place. I see them ALL of the time and you can catch me smiling with a “You go girl” expression, shaking my head in disbelief that people can run with such ease or staring wistfully, wishing I had their agility and speed. Nutrition 101 says that running is great for weight loss, strength and general health both physically and mentally. Finally, I got sick of imagining what the oh-so-elusive (at least for me) runner’s high felt like and decided that I was going to do something about it. Like any true Gen-Y, I downloaded the couch-to-5k app on my iPhone. It sat un-used for a week in a half as I thought of every excuse in the book:

“I don’t have proper running shoes.” (I do have a pair of Nike Trainers)

“I’m going to look so wack running.” (Fact, but the only way to change that is practice)

“I exercise enough already.” (Jokes!)

Finally, on Saturday I said enough was enough. The first week is pretty mellow: 5 minute brisk walk warm-up and then you alternate 1 minute jogging, 1min 30sec power walk for a total of 20 minutes. Day 1 felt like a breeze. After I completed it I felt unstoppable and went on to killing some weight workouts and a high-intensity 15 minute cardio on a cross-training elliptical. Day 2 felt just as great as I powered through the workout on the in-door track (there was rain, and I was still way too nervous to run in front of people). I topped it off with deep chill vinyasa that stretched my muscles and worked my core.

A combination of gorgeous weather, time crunch and an unreasonable surge of confidence (side effect of trying something new and loving it) led me to take a leap of faith. The walk to the gym is about 15 minutes, so I decided I would do an extra loop and run outdoors! The timing was perfect because my cool down walk came to an end just as I swiped into FitRec. I did some work with weights and toning exercises such as squats, sit ups, kettle ball lifts and planks, but was too tired to do intense cardio like I had done on Saturday. Cue the unreasonable confidence: “How about I just jog the 15 minutes home without stopping.” Now, a jog without stopping doesn’t come into the “Couch-to-5k” plan until week 5, and this is for good reason! Even with the dubstep version of “Shake it Out” by Florence and the Machine in my ears, I was definitely struggling. When I noticed that my back was starting to hunch and my breathing a little too irregular, I took a quick 1 minute break while waiting for the light to change. I could hear the fitness instructor Shaun T yelling “NEVER COMPROMISE FORM,” so I didn’t. I arrived at my apartment red-faced and my legs were beginning to feel like jello. I stretched out my muscles and realized that for week 2 I should probably space the runs to every other day to give my legs a chance to relax. Today is a rest day, but I can’t wait to jump back in tomorrow.

After I basked in my happiness and took a relaxing shower, it was dinner time! I ate dinner pretty late and wanted to finish off the ingredients from the weekend so I made a Lime-Kale “Taco” Salad. Before I jumped in the shower, I preheated the oven to 200, took a bunch of kale, placed it in a ziploc baggie and seasoned it with 1.5T of garlic-infused olive oil, sea salt and the juice of half a lime. I shook the bag to make sure all of the leaves were covered and placed them on a pan that was lined with wax paper. I roasted them for about 30 minutes. I sauteed a handful of kale in a pan with low-sodium vegetable broth and then added my left-over chili-honey chicken, avocado and two types of salsa (one was medium tomato based salsa, the other was black bean & roasted corn). Once the lime-kale chips were ready, I tossed a a few into my salad. The result was the same crunch a tortilla chip would give, but much healthier and delicious in its own right! I would definitely try this recipe again & it was a perfect, low-carb way to get some greens+protein.

Breakfast

I woke up early this morning and decided I needed a break from Greek yogurt. I threw together this yummy egg scramble. I used one large, organic, free-range egg and mixed it with 2 free-range eggwhites. I added 2T of fat free feta, sundried tomatoes and mushrooms and paired it with the last bit of chipotle bread from When Pig’s Fly. I’ve been consuming a lot of fruit lately, but I’m trying to add in more veggies.

Lunch was 2oz of smoked salmon and 1/4 cup of tri-colored quinoa that I sauteed with garlic and a bunch of spices. I used the same mixture for some asparagus and then added a  tablespoon of chia seeds. Mid morning I snacked on some low-fat vanilla yogurt with blueberries and granola. I also have my leftover kale chips ready in case I get a snack attack.

Ta-ta!

Hitting the pavement

Running as fast as possible

Catch me if you can