I'm Going Tell You A Story, I'm Going To Tell You About My Town - A Love Letter To Boston

Today should have been a day of triumph and goodness, instead it became a day of mourning.   The Boston Marathon has always symbolized everything that is good in this world. Something evil tried to take that away, they tried to mar its beauty and destroy its goodness.

Today I awoke with joy and hope, tracked friends as they ran for loved ones and charities.  Slowly the unsettling phone calls, texts and Facebook messages came in. Those I know are safe, but so many others are not.

I moved to Boston as a college graduate, eager to start law school and live in an actual living breathing city.  Boston is a remarkable city in that it is more like a town.  You know your neighbors, your shop keepers, the homeless guy that hangs outside of the T at Downtown Crossing.  It also serves as a college campus for students from all over the world.  You meet and mingle with all social classes, races and ethnicities.  It is a little utopian like that.

Boston is tough, but it is also gentle.  People look out for one another, but if you get out of line you will be notified promptly. Boston is home to the best libraries and museums, they help promote its cerebral image.  Boston also has some of the finest drinking establishments to be found on the planet and knows how to not take itself too seriously.  Boston is everything a city should be.

Sometime tried to taint our city today, they tried to break us.

You will not win.  You will not destroy our spirit. You will not destroy our beloved Boston.

Till I Collapse - Mental Toughness

This weekend, I set out on my last 13 mile run before the OC Half on May 5.  I really enjoy my long runs on the weekend. I seldom have 5 minutes to myself so to have at least two hours alone is a vacation, even if it means I need to run that entire time.

In a perfect world, I would have spent the day before my run eating and hydrating properly and getting a solid nights sleep.  In reality, there was a lot of crying and waking up and children playing musical beds.  I woke up at 6:15 for my scheduled 6:30 run. Since I needed to get out the door before anyone started asking for pancakes I downed a PRO BAR and got out quick without ANY coffee.  The past few days have been really gray and overcast which is perfect for a run, what was not so perfect was the amount of wind coming at me from every direction.  I was set up for failure before I even took one step.

The first three miles of my runs are usually warm up, at mile four I feel good and start to speed up.  This did not happen.  Running into the wind is just cruel, you exert maximum effort and it just isn't reflected in your pace.  Around mile 5 I started to contemplate whether I should just call it a day.   For the next 4 miles, I battled to keep going.  My body was going but my mind kept saying this is ridiculous.

I know I have physically trained enough to complete my Half in a couple of weeks, but for my mental state I needed to finish this run.  Quitting was not an option.  I needed to toughen up mentally, otherwise all my physical training would not matter on race day.

I devised a plan to eek out the rest of the run, first I ran far away from my home.  This way I ensured that I would need to finish the run or be forced to walk home either way I would have to complete the mileage.  The next thing I did was to visual my goal. I pictured myself running to the top of the hill near my home and finally getting to enjoy a hot cup of coffee.

In order to achieve this goal, I needed to push through the pain.  I allowed myself a couple of 15 second walk breaks here and there.  I talked myself through it.  I kept telling myself that if I could complete this run I would be more than prepared for my race. Just when I needed a real boost to finish the last 3 miles, Till I Collapse by Eminem came on, next I'm Still Standing by Elton John.  Never underestimate the power of music to motivate you through rough spots.  With those songs in my ears I was able to push hard and finish up some long hills.

When I was a high school swimmer, the school brought in a sports psychologist to talk to the athletes about visualization.  That session has remained with me throughout my life and has guided me athletically as well as professionally and personally.   When things get tough, visualize where you want to be and fight till you get there. Just keep going.

It was not quick and it was not pretty but when I finished I felt like I could take on anything.

How do you deal with tough workouts? Do you talk to yourself or repeat a mantra?

Shopping the Farmers Market

Today is Saturday, so we headed out to our local farmers market to buy produce.  I tend to buy the bulk of our produce here. It is usually just me and the kids on these excursions so I have a method to these trips. Two kids on the loose, with crowds, is not how I like to kick off my weekend.

I start planning for our trip the day before by going to the ATM and getting cash.  Some farmers markets accept credit cards, ours does not. During dinner on Friday night we usually discuss what we are looking to purchase and the kids make a list.  My children are preschool age, so the list is a drawing of the items they want.  

Our market opens at 8 AM and I like to arrive around that that time.  The crowds haven't yet gathered, so you can do a loop and survey the wares before making a single purchase.  There is no fixed pricing, the prices vary from vendor to vendor.  

Since my children are small and can be wanders, I settle them into a wagon. If you have babies that fit in a baby carrier that is an ideal way to shop.  I once made the very rookie mistake of bringing my large jogging stroller around 11 and it was a nightmare trying to navigate the crowds.  If you need to bring the big stroller out, make sure you arrive early.

Most vendors set out samples and the kids snack on those.  Lately, I have been buying them organic berries and ears of roasted corn. Then I make the final round and buy our picks.  I bring our own bags but the farmers usually have plastic bags available if you make an unplanned trip.

Purple Cauliflower

Artichokes

Golden Yellow Beets

Purple Carrots 

You need to be a little flexible when shopping the farmers market, the food is coming straight from the farmer to you.  If it isn't grape season, you cannot expect to find grapes.  I go with an idea of what I want to purchase but if something else catches my eye I might buy that instead.  It may take longer than going to the supermarket but it makes an activity of a chore and is a wonderful learning experience for your children. 

How do you shop, do you wing it or stick to a list?

Our Picks

I Am A Runner

My second Half Marathon is quickly approaching and I have been reflecting a lot on my goals for the race and how I became a runner.  As a child I had asthma,  it was often triggered by running and necessitated two in-patient stays at a local hospital.  They occurred around the age of 9 and 13, I remember the details quite clearly.  I could swim with no problem, so I swam in high school and even lettered a couple of times.  Yes, I am a former mediocre high school athlete.

It always bothered me that I could not run, I would try and quickly become frustrated with my wheezing and tight chest and at some point would abandon the effort.  While I was in law school I lived literally one block away from the finish line of the Boston Marathon.  If you have ever witnessed the Boston Marathon and said that you didn't want to run, you would be lying. There is something really magical about watching those runners from the elite athletes that run 26.2 miles in just over 2 hours to watching those who cross the finish line long after the big crowds go home.  You really have to stand in awe of all those runners who put in the time, energy and mental fortitude to run 26.2 miles regardless of the time they run it in.

After one of those races, I decided to try my hand at running again.  I would wake up early and attempt to run a loop around the Charles River.  I would run and walk but I never got it down.  It was hard, too hard and I would abandon the effort again.  I resumed my workout routine of elliptical and walking  a couple miles to and from work every day.  Boston is an amazing city to live in, you can really just walk everywhere.  

Years pasted, I got married, had a child, moved to Baltimore, had another child, moved to California and then decided I was going to tackle running again and this time I was going to succeed.  The difference this time, I signed up for a 5K and followed a training plan.  I like structure so following a plan, especially a specific one would be the key to my success.  I downloaded the Jeff Galloway app for 5K training and was good to go.  I really liked that he talked to you throughout your run, encouraged you to slow down or walk if you were getting tired.   It truly was like having a coach with you on a run. 

Initially those baby runs, 1.5 - 2 miles, seemed long but each day I was getting stronger and eventually I was able to run 3 miles.  This was huge,  I never even ran the Presidential Fitness mile when I was in school. About a week before my first 5K, I got the flu.  I was extremely disappointed and could not run, I wallowed and was angry. Then I sought the counsel of some friends, who are runners, and they said it happens, now find another race.   That is what I did. I found the Run Like A Mother 5K and ran my first race at age 34 on Mother's Day.  Now as I prepare for my 2nd Half Marathon, 13.1 miles, I can look back at all those attempts and failures and say I am a runner.

Is there anything you attempted and failed at before you finally "got it"?

Just Beet It

I'm having a minor obsession with beets this week, I bought two bunches from the farmers market and I roasted them.  I made an Asparagus-Beet Salad earlier this week and sauteed beet greens to go with some rice.  I just read an article in Competitor where they talk about the benefits of beets and I am eager to see if it translates into practice.  Essentially, beets are rich in dietary nitrates and can lower blood pressure, reduce inflamation and increase stamina.  Since my Half Marathon is looming, it seems like it wouldn't be the worst thing to eat a lot of beets in the next few weeks. 

Berry Beet Smoothie 

This recipe was inspired by something I originally saw on Pinterest

Berry Beet Smoothie Recipe

1 Cup Strawberries, cut

1 Cup Beets, cut

1 Cup Cold Water

1/2 Cup Plain Yogurt

1 T. Honey** (local if you can find it, helps with seasonal allergies)

Ice

Blend All Ingredients Together, Makes 2 Servings

**It isn't super sweet with 1 T. of Honey, so if you like your smoothies sweet add more to your taste.  

Local Honey

Strawberries and Beets

Lunch Time

I have been packing lunches for  my children for about three years and here are some things I have learned.  Include your child in the process, let them tell you what their preferences are.  If the preferences are Cheetos and Oreos, tell them why that is not an appropriate choice for a daily lunch.  In terms of explaining nutrition to my young children, I explain it in very simply.  Specifically, I say we eat fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and beans because they make us strong, smart and healthy.  Can't really say that about Oreos can you?

I buy the Klip It to Go Lunch Cube from either the Container Store or Old Navy and then I can see the entire lunch in one place and decide what needs to be added. I am very visual, so looking at everything in one place has really made it easier to figure out what to put in the lunch.  In addition, it is appealing to the eye.  If it doesn't look good, your child is not going to want to eat it no matter how great it tastes.  Children like bright colors, that is why processed food is loaded with dyes.  Skip the processed food and fill their lunch with brightly colored fruits and vegetables.

The Klip It to Go Lunch Cube, BPA Free

Klip It Cube filled with blueberries, raspberries, grape tomatoes and yellow bell pepper 

Pita Bread Sandwich and Organic Yogurt Squeeze Tube from Trader Joe's

 This is the sandwich in the lunch cube.  It is made from pita bread, cucumbers, carrots and labne (yogurt  or kefir cheese).  This is my daughter's favorite sandwich and she calls it her yogurt sandwich.

This is Labne, also called Kefir Cheese, this particular brand has Live Probiotics and is free of rBST.  You can find it at Whole Foods,  Trader Joe's and Middle Eastern Markets.

I also made myself a Labne Sandwich, but topped mine with cucumbers, tomatoes and Greek olives.
















What did you have for lunch today?

Asparagus-Beet Salad With Tahini Dressing

Asparagus-Beet Salad With Tahini Dressing

Salad
1 bunch of Asparagus, woody ends removed
1 bunch of Beets, tops removed but leave skins on
1 tsp. Olive Oil
1 Cup Cooked Grain, Quinoa or Orzo, I used Wheatberries. **You may omit, if you prefer.

Dressing
2 Tablespoons of Tahini
1 1/2 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice
1 Cup Plain Yogurt

1 clove of garlic, pressed
salt to taste

 1) Preheat Oven to 400 degrees, wrap beets tightly in tinfoil and place on a baking sheet.  Next line a baking sheet with tinfoil and place asparagus on top, drizzle with the olive oil.  Place both trays in the oven.  The asparagus will be done in about 10 minutes, while the beets will take one hour.  Remove from oven and let them cool. You can do this step ahead up to a day in advance and keep cooked vegetables in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

Peeled Beets

2) Once beets have cooled, you can peel the skins off with your hands.  It can get a little messy and will dye your hands, use gloves to avoid it.

3) Cut beets and asparagus into bite size pieces and place in a bowl.  If you are adding a grain, do it now.  I cooked wheatberries (you can find them at Whole Foods or a Middle Eastern Store).

Salad without Dressing

4) Combine all ingredients for dressing in a food processor, then top the salad. Enjoy!

Salad Topped with Tahini Dressing