sidebar | life and training 3.13 – 3.19
I’VE COME BACK TO LIFE.
A week ago I got down with the sickness. I haven’t gotten the flu in probably a decade, don’t really know where it came from except for maybe some unnamed imbecile at work, so I forgot how much that shit lays you out. Not a fun experience, peeps. But I started feeling better on Friday and, aside from congestion, am mostly to my usual functional energy level.
The only detriment at the moment is that my sense of taste has completely vanished. This usually happens to me at the tail end of a sickness when my nose gets really stuffy, but it’s making recipe development a bit challenging. I seem to be able to detect bitter tastes, like chocolate and coffee, and can glean what I’m eating based on some weird textural cues, but as for my usual fine-tuned sense of flavor, it’s gone. As I consider what to work on today, I have to keep that in mind. Which is annoying.
From being sick, I really appreciate the luxury of everyday sleep. I napped constantly due to necessity over the last week, and I don’t like feeling forced to find shuteye. The satisfying, end-of-day snooze is more than enough. My body literally demanded the rest. It’s nice to be able to take it before it becomes imperative.
I also found a little bit of joy in disorganized eating. Sounds weird – but I’ve been keeping track of my meals a bit more lately since I have the tendency to over snack. I abandoned my tracking while I was ill and for the couple days following my more enhanced recovery, and it was really nice to just go for what sounded good rather than trying to hit a goal. Right now, I have no real need to throw down certain amounts of carbs or proteins or whatever. And I always preach that food should be fun, and it should! So I’ll be working towards a more intuitive approach to my food, especially as I regain my hunger cues after being sick.
Speaking of food – J was the perfect food stylist for my snacks. He took great care of me and fed me lots of toast and sliced oranges. I mean, look at this cute lil smoothie!
Hope ya’ll had a kind weekend. I’ll be trying to get back into routine this week (which is pretty easy for me, honestly, since I’m a bit neurotic with my existence). I have the urge to make all the doughnuts after my Lucky’s Charmed Vanilla Doughnuts from last week. So damn cute. I’m still squee-ing.
The Fuck We Eating This Week?
An indulgent fruity brunch…
A wholesome, flavorful Greek salmon and orzo plate…
The cutest Easter treat…
Spicy stir fried meatballs…
A Few Things I’m Digging
Tuscan bread…Ate a loaf of this like no one’s business while I was sick, and used slabs for my Roasted Garlic Whipped Ricotta Toasts. I won’t call it earthshattering by any means, but it’s a nice white loaf at any rate and also made some good French toast.
Joggers…Lived in these fleece lounge pants while sick. So comfy, and kind of flattering so if I waltzed outside at any point I didn’t feel like a total poof.
Handbag…Loving this square woven satchel – I bought the Coral Orange hue. It’s so pretty and roomier than you might think at first glance!
Sick Day Soups
For sneezes, sniffles, or days full of snoozes, these are my favorite cozy soups for sickly periods.
Easy Spicy Chickpea Noodle Soup
Honey Ginger Tempeh and Broccoli Noodles
(ok, not soup, but still nourishing and comforting)
Healthy Italian Pesto Gnocchi Soup
Spicy Vegan Kimchi and Mushroom Ramen
Shops and Wish List
Fashion
Target…Like these linen high-rise shorts, probably the “green” hue. Been looking for some wide leg pants and I quite like these, good for casual wear or out and about in the evening with a pair of big dangly gold earrings. The cut of this ribbed tank looks so flattering and would be a nice addition to my workout rotation.
Skincare/Wellness
Naturium…Didn’t realize they also made some makeup, and am curious about their Phyto-Glow Lip Balms. I’d like to try the Marshmallow Root Barrier Balm – in part because marshmallow root fascinates me – as a deep moisturizer when my skin’s feeling blah, especially during allergy season here.
Home
Overose…What I wouldn’t give for these bakery-inspired candles! Everything on the site sounds divine but the Pain au Chocolat and the Cinnamon Roll speak most to me. It’s quite down the road but these would make wonderful Mother’s Day gifts, or, a bit sooner, a thank-you for an Easter hostess.
Week in Training
Monday, 3.13: 6.2 miles, 10:59 pace + 23 minute full body
VERY hot out this morning, like 76 with a 72 dew so practically summertime conditions. The wind was brisk though and I felt pretty good all things considered. Didn’t intend to do 10K but had to go say hello to my cruise ship friend as he pulled into his parking spot in the port.
Strength:
- 4 x 12 side raise 15#
- 3 x 15 triceps ext 15#
- 4 x 12 chest fly 25#
- 4 x 15 row 25#
- Core
Tuesday, 3.14: 3.21 mile walk (1:01:00)
Aw man, should’ve capped it at 3.14 for Pi Day. Oh well. Woke up definitely sick after a sudden collapse in energy Monday afternoon, so tried a slow stroll to at least get things moving before becoming useless the rest of the morning. Glad I got some fresh air.
Wednesday, 3.15: REST
Still feverish, not in the mood to do anything anyway, so set an Anti Step Goal of under 1000 steps and called it a day.
Thursday, 3.16: REST
Big ole slug on the couch today again, though I did shuffle out for a slow 1 mile walk in the midmorning.
Friday, 3.17: Various 1 mile walks
Saturday, 3.18: 4.05 mile walk (1:09:00) + 20 minute full body
Hooray, energy! Walked my normal Sunday route, albeit slower than normal, and felt really good! Followed up with a very light strength workout just to get the muscles moving again.
Strength:
- 3 x 8 ea. balanced upright row 25#
- 3 x 10 ea. balanced OH press 15#
- 3 x 10 ea. chest press 25#
- 3 x 10 sumo squat 50#
- Core work
Sunday, 3.19: 4.08 mile walk (1:12:00)
Total running mileage: 6.2
