What I've learnt today...

Erm...

1. that twisting your ankle hurts.
2. Continuing to run after twisting your ankle is a bad idea.
3. Lying on the sofa with ice on your ankle makes you feel like a fool for continuing to run after you twisted your god dam ankle.

Its time like these that I feel like karma, (I don't believe in karma but for the sake of this) catches up with you for getting ahead of yourself and saying your going to run a marathon...

So there I was on the way back from a 6mile-ish run, coming back through St James Park in the beautiful morning sunshine when I got distracted, looked over my shoulder and lost my footing. i.e. I placed my foot onto a small log, it obviously rolled over and ouch: twisted ankle pain. One hell of a lot of fff's later the immediate pain of it went and I tentatively started to put a bit of weight on the ankle and slowly picked up speed. For the mile and a half or so home I was vaguely conscious of my ankle but it felt ok.

But as soon as I got in the door and took off my trainers it was likes limpsvilletennessee. I hopped into an ice bath (for my sore shins, which I had pre twist, and for ankle.) I know I am very causally declaring that I 'hopped into an ice bath' - it was not a causal occurrence and was pretty mind blowing and my first ever ice bath but seemed a bit necessary. So hopefully that helped but excruciating pain followed this as I continued to ice swollen ankle, so much pain that I was un able to make it to fridge for snack!

It has eased now, I am just desperately hoping it was a mild sprain and won't stop me running for more than a few days. But I do feel like an idiot and wish I could turn back time and not have inflicted this onto myself. Not being able to run again for any length of time would destroy my soul somewhat.

Spring running

So it seems that without really meaning to this blog has become all about running...but running has been taking up alot of my life lately and it is also not something that your friends, work colleagues, boyfriend, family want to hear about ALL the time - they generally don't really care about your latest minute per mile rate.

But a bit of an update: i've become suddenly really quite serious about this running business. Im planning my training sessions in advance, i'm doing a fair bit of speed work and steadily increasing my mileage and i'm actually planning to run a marathon next year. This is madness. How can I actually be considering this? But I know, that if I train my heart out I can do it. I'm also suddenly obsessed with running forums and what other runners are doing...I've been buying running magazine for a while now but something has happened and everything is a bit more serious now. I have even joined a women's running club, which by the way, i'd highly recommend - its seriously motivating to run a bit faster when you are actually chasing people who are disappearing into the distance... Reading this back I sound a bit like a smug a-hole and my sisters would certainly agree with that but I don't even care because I love it.

Have had a few hard runs this week, a fast paced, (well for me, I may be serious about running but that does not been I have any natural ability to stride out effortlessly, but at least i'm keen). So anyway a fast 10k run (8.10 min miles) on thursday in the un-seasonally warm march midday sun was tough. As I was nearing the end, pounding along the South Bank I thought it would be socially acceptable to approach some innocent school kids and ask for water - not cool it turns out. They just think your mental, dripping with sweat, panting, bright red asking for some of their water. Needless to say they weren't so keen on sharing. Anyway this was followed by an interval session on Friday and it really took it out of me, so today I decided not to worry about pace at all and just have a gentle recovery run. Heading over the bridge to St James Park at 8am on a Sunday morning is delightful - so peaceful an lovely in the spring morning sunshine. I did an easy 6 miles and feel like it really renewed by love for running - sometimes you have to just enjoy yourself and not worry about times and paces. A sneaky look at my run tracker once I was home also showed that I still had a reasonable 8.48 min mile pace - secretly more smug eating my muesli now.

So thats why i'm in love with running and planning to run an actual marathon. What has happened to me?

Running progress

I'm well and truly getting my running mojo (sorry that I just willingly said mojo) back and its so liberating. I think thats what I love about running, that it makes you feel so free, and also kind of like a hero. I say that with the least smugness intended but its true. 

One of my regular running loops goes from my house to Lambeth Bridge and along the river to Waterloo Bridge, where I cross back over to the south side. There is something about Waterloo Bridge which gives me such a buzz. I think its because you have to run up some steps first then straight onto a bit of an incline over the hump of the bridge so your pretty out of breath. But you feel like your in the middle of the city and as I usually run about 8am, i'm hitting rush hour and running against the people and let me tell you there is something epic about this. Its tough but you feel like your winning, (it doesn't really matter who your beating - you just are.)

The more I run the more I want to improve, and get faster, better, run for longer. But I don't want to push it as another injury would be a nightmare. I've also set my sights on my next half marathon at some point this year and the full 26.2 miles next year. 

Another good thing about running is that it makes me care less about my weight. While I wasn't running (due to injury) I went down by about 5 pounds, in hindsight this was clearly because I was losing muscle but at the time I was secretly pleased. But equally I wasn't happy and felt totally down about not being able to run. But as i've been increasing my runs in length and frequency those 5 pounds have come back but I look in better shape and my 9 stone stable weight is back.

 This is the weight my body clearly wants to be (it really wont shut up about it) and I am not going to jeopardise anything about my running progress and ability to be the 8 1/2 stone I think is my 'ideal weight' because its not. I've decided to stop hopping on the scales now, apart from every once in a while - to check - but the every morning habit I was in last year is long gone. I still speak to women who weigh themselves every day and some twice a day and its so unhealthy and so pointless! It makes me sad though because I know how that number on the scales can totally dictate your mood and self esteem for that day. 

I've also got a rant to have about some of the diet fads going round at the moments, the Dukan being one of them, but i'll save that for another day. For now its time for an interval run and park workout eeek. Then for lunch: homemade falafel, pitta and haloumi and salad - horay. 

Some resourceful eats/more running

Its a bright day in London today and it smells a bit like spring - I know its still feb but a bit of optimism int a bad thing. Have been running this great loop from my house to and along the river and back via Waterloo bridge. Which, by the way is a great bridge to run over. It makes me feel quite epic and smug and thats quite enjoyable. Think its something about the view/people/up and down nature of bridges in general... Anyway its about 4.5 miles and is a lovely run to start the day, have definitely got running bug back with a vengeance and looking for  a club/ a buddy and a race to join / find / sign up to.

Anyway i've also found some nice recipes as i've been on my own in the flat this week, which makes me more resourceful and go to tescos less - so have discovered some yumsa eats.

Tasty sweet potato and bean bake.

• Small sweet potato
• 1/2 tin of baked beans
• bit of: onion, chilli, garlic, any other veggies you have.
• feta cheese
• seasoning, cumin.

Slice the sweet potatoes and bake in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil and sliced onions. Meanwhile fry up chilli, garlic and your other veg - I used a bit of courgette, peppers, aubergine. Then add a bit of cumin and fry for a few more mins. Then add your 1/2 tin of beans and cook all together till warm through. When the sweet pots are soft and cooked through pour your bean mixture on top and sprinkle with a cheese of your choice, I used feta. Pop back into oven for a few min. Delicious and nutritious and cheap and yum. 

Fishy salad. This was all I had left in fridge....

• piece of white fish
• courgette, peppers, onion, garlic, chilli.
• lime juice
• red pesto
• black pepper
• Leaves
• balsamic vinegar, wholegrain mustard and olive oil.

Fry up veggies then add seasoned fish to pan, add a few splashes of water and pop lid on until fish cooks through. Arrange some dressed leaves on a plate - dress with some olive oil, balsamic vinegar and whole grain mustard. When the fish is flaky and cooked though gently flake it up with a bit of red pesto. Pour the mixture onto leave and EAT. 

Using up stuff in the fridge is really satisfying and (often) well tasty so don't shy away from it be creative.... 

On another note - i tided my wardrobe LOOK: 

                                                     (Argh before)                      

                                                    (After... a bit nicer)

Phew Sunday has been quite productive. Time to roast and eat, eat and roast a chicken. woohoo.

Running again and delicious Moroccan stew

So its good news all round today...After months of frustration I am finally back in the game of running (if it was a game). I've had about 2 happy weeks now of no pain running and it feels brilliant. It started after a conversation about how many squats i'd been doing and seeing no improvement with a relative stranger, who, I think, I have to thank for being back on track. He, although possibly slightly alarmed about being engaged in a rambled discussed about my knee..( I don't know his name, but I knew he was a marathon runner so figured we were practically best pals) anyway he told me to stretch my hamstring 3 times a day - thats it, that simple... Im not sure if it was this or in fact the months of squats, bikram yoga, foam rolling i'd been doing but the next day - having stretched fanatically -  I apprehensively set off. Nervous, from repeated disappointment in my unworn snazzy running gear and I ran around the park - 2 laps, 20 minutes no pain. HORAY.

Although injury has been a massive pain and frustration and at times, my somewhat melodramatic self has despaired, i'm still glad it all happened as I now appreciate it more than ever. There is nothing like not being able to do something to make you really want it! So i'm being super careful and taking it slow but today I had a glorious 4-mile run along the South Bank and felt free and happy again.

Ok enough of that, I don't want you to vomit but there is another purpose of this post: to give you the recipe of the lovely veggie morrocaney stew I made on return. I didn't know what to make for lunch so I knocked this up based on what I had in the fridge/cupboard and it works so well...if i may say so myself.

Ingredients: (serves about 2)

• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 carrots
• 1 medium sweet potato
• any other veg you fancy (I used a few mushrooms and cherry tomatoes)
• 1/3 cup puy lentils
• 1/2- teaspoon of: coriander, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon and a splash of all spice. 
• Fresh corriander

Fry up onion and garlic in a bit of olive oil then add the spices and fry for a few more mins, (add spices to your own preferences). Add chopped up sweet potato, carrots and any other veggies your using - stir well then add your lentils. Cover will boiled water and leave to simmer with the lid on until lentils and vegetables are soft, add some fresh coriander Serve with cous cous. 

To make cous cous: 

Cook your plain cous cous, meanwhile chop up a small bunch of mint and coriander. Mix the herbs into the cous cous along with seasoning and tomato puree. Add some chopped up sun dried tomatoes or olives if you have any (or any other additions you fancy).

 *This is so tasty/warming and nutritious and goes down a treat. 

Healthy and delicious homemade pizza!

I ate lunch today with a feeling of pride, like I had actually won. Now i'm not really sure what i'd won, but either way I felt like a winner. I had created in a matter of minutes - probably about 15 to be exact - a healthy but delicious homemade pizza.

                                                     (yum)

So here is how I did it, and I urge you to do it too and feel like a winner.

The trick and the thing that made it healthy was the base; a wholemeal flatbread (you can find these in most supermarkets, you could also probably used a wholemeal pitta if you like.)

Ingredients:

• Wholemeal flatbread
• half an onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 1-2 tomatoes 
• tiny bit of tomato puree
• Dried of fresh herbs and black pepper
• veggies of your choice - I used, peppers, mushrooms, courgettes and some jalapenos. 
• Cheese (you can again use any, I just used cheddar)  - if you want to restrict calories then use low fat but i'm not a great believer in low fat cheese...yes low fat yoghurt isn't a huge problem for me and I buy it, but low fat cheese?! please. 

It was so easy:

I blitzed up the onion and garlic and lightly cooked in a spot of olive oil then added the cut up tomatoes and tomato puree and cooked a little more before adding herbs and seasoning. Any italian herbs work nicely in this. I then spread this sauce all over my flat bread and piled chopped up topping of: mushrooms, peppers, courgettes and jalapenos all over the base. Finally I chucked on a load of grated cheese and put the whole thing in the oven for about 7-10 mins. 

I then took it out and ate it greedily and smugly with a side salad. And can I just say it was so nice! I didn't feel like I was compromising on anything and I didn't feel guilty for having pizza for lunch. Watch this space for more healthy alternatives as although I love salads, there is more to life and food than salad. 

The great thing about this nutrition-wise was the high fibre content with the wholemeal flatbread and all the vegetables. Although too much cheese is frowned upon, the amount used for this is hardly going to do anything and it adds some protein to the meal. You could also add some lean meat like chicken if you want a more protein rich meal. Ok get cooking and enjoy your meals as thats what counts!

Appreciating what we've got

Feeling a bit glum about city living and the constant peoplebeingrightthereinyourface - ness of it I was stomping on my way to work when I looked and saw I was standing by a beautiful lake on a frosty morning and the sun was coming up.

I stopped from my life and bad mood for about 30 seconds and it was really nice. I'm not saying I suddenly felt like a new woman and skipped through the rest of my day, but it did make me think that there are little things you can appreciate everywhere and its important to take a moment out of your head and look around.

London may be stressful sometimes and the daily commute is not ideal but sometimes one needs to get over oneself a bit....although geese are not necessarily friendly so its best not to stand by lakes in awe for too long.

Branching out with salad

Sometimes when people say they eat alot of salad, fairly dire ideas of lettuce and not much else come to mind. But I have learnt that salad is and can be some much more than that. To me salad is anything that involves a collection of fresh ingredients put together that can be eaten with a fork, OFFICIAL DEFINITION. 

So in the spirit of this realisation i'd say that I tend to have 'a salad' in some shape or form for lunch most days and its always different and nearly always delicious ...apart from that time I accidentally used mouldy pesto in the dressing, that wasn't really delicious. Here is some saladspiration: 

Things to put in yummy salads:

• Sweet potato
• Roast carrots, onions, butternut squash etc...
• Chickpeas
• Any other kind of bean!
• Lentils
• Cheeses
• Eggs
• Left over roast chicken
• Green beans, brocoli, cauliflower
• Cous cous, bulgar wheat, quinoa, rice, pasta.
• The usual culprits - leaves, tomatoes, celery, cucumber, avocado etc...
• Tinned fishes

...the list goes on. 

Getting creative with dressings helps as well, i love: balsamic vinegar, garlic, mustard, pesto, cumin and honey, curry powder, fresh herbs, lemon juice etc they all add tons on flavour to the dressing mixes. 

So get chopping thats what I say as its always exciting making a crunchy and fresh tasty lunch. Also brought salads are nearly always disappointing, even m&s lets you down there...

Yoga time

Much to my frustration my goddamknee (as it shall be known) injury is still not allowing me to run. I feel like i've been squatting more or less continuously for 3 months and doing all else I can think of to strengthen it up but this mornings attempt at a one-minute walking one-minute running session has resulted in a bit of a limp. I'm not sure if its a case of slightly pushing through the discomfort or more work and rest to sort it out. Anyway I'm not giving up and my little trip and spending spree in a run shop today has proved my optimism....

But I've had a bit of a revelation... hot yoga. 

I've done a little bit of bikram yoga before, yoga in a heated room, sweaty yoga, hot yoga - whatever its great. I'm kinda hoping this may be the miracle cure I need to stretch out and strengthen my injury. I'm pretty sure I know what the problem is and i'm pretty sure I am becoming a wise master of patience...not an easy thing my friends, not at all easy, particularly for someone like me.

I'll keep a bit of a yoga progress diary on here. I've signed up for a month deal so will try to cram as many sessions in as possible. I've always wanted to be a yogi - such nice outfits and all that inner calm business is most appealing. Anyway fingers crossed in a months time I can be a yogi and a runner.....

Don't go mental

Being in the early days of 2012 there is alot of concern about new years resolutions and starting out as a healthier, better fitter, thinner you... Everywhere you look is a new diet or a new exercise plan - gym memberships suddenly boom in early January. Its all a bit old though and taking on too much or starting some insane diet is never really the answer. How many people have forgotten about their gym membership or given up their diet by early February? Quite a few I rekon...  Thats why anything extreme and unattainable is just stupid!! I sometimes start to feel a bit crazy and google bikini body plans or something like that only to be advised to spend 3 weeks merely eating chicken breast and steamed vegetables to lean out. But what would be the point in losing 10lbs in a few weeks by eating in an insane/unhappy/abnormal way. Who would care and what would happen when I returned to eating pasta again, which I would, obviously, because the rest of my existence would be so miserable on such a controlled and boring regime. 

So my point really is that new years shouldn't symbolise the beginning of an extreme detox or diet but just a healthier lifestyle. Small changes and long term goals are what its all about. 

The best thing I did for myself - body and soul in 2011 was my half marathon. It sounded like a ridiculously massive task after my first 10minute run, which was pretty hideous to be honest but it just took small steps and some will power, also something I didn't really think I had... 

...But it was so worth it! I've never felt more smug (sorry to sound smug). So my ideas and intentions for 2012, although pretty optimistic, aren't about punishing myself and becoming a certain way. I want to get back to running and sort out my knee because I love running and not doing it makes me feel like i'm failing and those same 4 walls of the gym make me a little insane. I want to breathe fresh air and be on my own when I exercise. I'm going to try and make healthy choices and all that business because I feel better when I am. 

What I'm saying really is there is no need to go mental just because its January. So what if you ate too many mince pies and didn't do much other than lift mince pies to your mouth over Christmas. There is no need to take it out on yourself. Just relax a bit and find something that you love thats good for you, or not, just something that makes you feel good, then do it. 

Mmmm beans and lentils

Following the Christmas meat fest i've had a bit of a vegetarian revelation. I've always bean one of those lentil lover types and have never been a massive meat eater; a hunk of steak or a pork chop has just never really done it for me so I am comfortable in the bean and lentil field. However I know this is not a comfort shared by all and I am forever trying to persuade people to experiment with pulses. They are so cheap and versatile. My last 2 meals have proved this..

Dinner last night was homemade veggie burgers and lunch today was spicy beany soup. Both were lovely and I am going to pass on the pulse baton with some recipes:

Veggie burgers (for a shed load)...about 12

• 200g green lentils
• 3 carrots
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 3 slices of bread
• 2 eggs
• bit of flour
• any spice you like - I used: cumin, coriander and a bit of garam masala, plus fresh parsley and coriander.

Cook the lentils for about 15 mins (until soft), blitz the carrots, onion, garlic, bread and herbs and spices. When the lentils are cooked combine the 2 mixtures and add the eggs. Make mix into patties and dip both side in flour, you may find the cheeky rascals fall apart a bit but just pack them tightly together and they'll be fine. I found this bit mildly stressful... Pop under the grill for about 5 mins on each side.

Serve in buns with homemade sauces and salad (I made salsa and guacamole and it went down a dream!)

Spicy beany soup

• 1 onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 celery sticks
• 2 carrots
• tin of chopped tomatoes 
• vegetable stock
• 1 cup of mixed pulses or soup mix (found in whole foody type shops.)
• Cayenne pepper and cumin, plus fresh parsley and coriander 

Fry up finely chopped onions, garlic, celery and carrots in some olive oil until nice and soft, add your spices and fry for another minute. Add your pulse mix and chopped tomatoes - fry a little longer. Cover mixture with vegetable stock and pop a lid on. Stirring every so often and adding any extra stock (depending how thick you like your soup), cook until pulses are soft. Serve with herb garnish and nice bread.

So there you go 2 yummy and easy and healthy lentil/bean recipes, are you converted? Or do you just fancy a beef burger...

In other news what ya'll doing for new years eve?! Such pressure to have the BEST NIGHT OF YOUR LIFE but such likely-hood that you probably wont. I still don't really have a plan as such, by this I mean I don't have a plan in any way shape or form... but what can you do. I would rather go to bed at 10 o'clock with the Sex and the City box-set than spend the night in some jammed club or pub spending obscene amounts of money. But kinda hoping I get invited to a cool party (theres still time...)

New Year's resolutions and stuff like that.

Its the 29th of December and its drizzling and windy outside. I always feel a bit blue at this time of year. After the fun of Christmas - when you feel like all you've got is at least 3 months of bleak winter to come with no light in sight. (I'm being dramatic but you get the idea.) But I'm trying not to wallow in self-pity and starting to think about the new year in that sort of everythingispossible way.

I am actually an optimistic person. My number one new years resolution is to become an internet sensation... I hear you laugh but it's always best to aim high and hang onto the dream.

My second one is to heal my god dam knee injury and run another half marathon. The last few months have been so frustrating and I've felt like my body is a bit against me.

I think thats enough to be getting on with but I am excited to be starting a new year and like most people i'm setting out with all those good intentions to just be generally better in 2012 in every way.

Back to the blog

I have been guilty of completely neglecting my blog, but as of now i'm back on it and back to the blog.......................

running diaries and healthy yummy breakfast pancakes...

So yesterday I tackled an eight miler and completed at an average of 9-min miles. Considering it was my longest run to date it was alot less painful than it could of potentially been. However there were a few 'icantdothis' moments... firstly after what I'd estimated to be about 4 miles I checked my phone tracker and  i'd only reached just over 2 miles. This realisation slightly crushed my spirit and was quickly followed my my ipod dying but I carried on with just the music and counting in my head (I count when i run, to 10 and back and so on, its very odd and a bit annoying but I cant really stop it...) So there we go I am on track and improving! Spent the rest of the day at work with sore leg muscles.

As I was running early I didnt want anything too heavy so made a smoothie which consisted of; 1 banana, 2 tbs greek yoghurt, handful of blueberrys, 1 tbs of oats, 1 tsp of peanut butter and a bit of milk. It was really good an I am now a smoothie convert. (I used to think they were pointless...)

I woke up this morning absolutely starving, I was so hungry I couldn't sleep beyond 7.30 on my day off! So I created these...

 Yummy healthy pancakes with homemade strawberry jam (I didnt make that this morning, my friend made it and its the best jam ever with big chunky bits of strawberry!)
So to make these pancakes you need;
Serving 2 for 3 pancakes each-

• 1/4 cup oats
• 1/4 cup wholemeal flour
• 2 tbs flaxseed meal (not essential!)
• 2 tbs greek yoghurt
• 2 egg whites
• splash of milk till right consistency, still like a thick batter
• blueberrys and raspberrys or any fruit you fancy 

Just whisk up all ingredients with a fork then melt a little marg on a frying pan and put a dollop of batter down and fry for a few mins on each side until cooked through and golden brown. Serve with jam or honey or more fruit and yoghurt.

I never really stray from my muesli and banana but have had a radical new breakfast awakening with all this smoothie and pancake business and I like it!

What-a-to-do

At a bit of a loose end with my day, which is also feeling like a loose end with my life. A temporary feeling I know but feel like I should be embarking on productive activities. Spent the last 1-2 hours contemplating a run and went from yes I will attempt my 8-miler, to maybe a short interval style one to no run atall...you see its getting hotter outside and a 8 miler in the mid-day sun would be fool hearty, i should've got up earlier... but I still want to go outside as its so glorious but working at 3pm so cannot go too far afield..as you may gather I am being pathetic and whiney and not actually achieving anything. 

I love seeing the sun shine but I do so wish I had a garden here and wasnt confined to a first floor flat. Am heading back to my home town at the weekend as its my birthday and there I have the freedom of near-by countryside and a lovely garden of flowers, tress and berries. Cant wait, feel a sense of city overload and need some fresh air.

So i tired my first Bikram yoga class last week...Bikram yoga is yoga in a room heated to 40degrees. It is intense and extremely sweaty. I could literally wring out my close after the 90min session. But it did feel great and came out feeling relaxed and well stretched... I havent been back yet but keep meaning to and will do in the very near future!

Finally on another subject, i went to Wholefoods for the first time ever and loved ever inch of it, was like my food heaven.

Breakfast eating

                                                    I have essentially the same thing everyday.
....................................................but i love it. Morning's are only complete with muesli, banana and blueberries.

                                           Straight from the garden!

SUNSHINE and pavlova

London finally felt a big wave of summer yesterday and is still feeling it today. At last we had one of those glorious english summer days of bright blue skies and sweltering heat. I spent the day at a work summer party picnic in Richmond park and it was a perfect day. We lounged in the sun; eating, drinking and playing silly games. My food highlight was the trio of deserts of which i sampled all and slightly regretfully had seconds...but i couldn't not go back when it was that good! Chocolate moose is a perfect accompaniment to pavlova don't you know....

Anyway last week was over indulgent in so many ways, (i also had a 16 course meal on Wednesday night at an Italian restaurant in Richmond, let me just repeat that, 16 COURSES!!) Twas amazing but I can genuinely say i have never consumed that much food and wine in one sitting. However all good things must come to an end and this week I am turning over a new health leaf. I am planning to be dedicated to the health and get a lot of running in. I am preparing myself to brave the heat for  run in a minute, just a short one mind as it is reaching 30+degrees out there...this will be a test of my stamina, i think my stamina may fail...wish me luck.

'Strong is the new skinny'

I read the above quote in some sort of celeb interview a few days ago, I cant remember whose words it was but I keep thinking of it and feeling good. After an unhealthily obsessive phase of enviously looking at pictures of Alexa Chung's bones or Keira Knightly's jutting shoulder blades I have finally realised that this is not a good look and not something I should be aspiring to. I always knew that of course this wasn't healthy and not how my body naturally wanted to be; I could never be one of those willowey girls without an ounce of fat...well not unless I promptly stopped eating and carried out a miserable existence that this would bring... But I am sidetracking from my point here and there is one. Since I've started on this half marathon running challenge business i've completely changed my mind about all that super skinny malarky and I feel so much better.

 I've never felt or looked as strong, fit and healthy as I do now and am oddly enjoying the challenge i've set myself. (well that isn't while i'm actually running up a hill dripping with sweat, at that point i'm feeling quite cross about the whole thing, its more once i'm home feeling smug and eating lunch that I feel good...) And I've been thinking that if I am expecting my body to do this and avoid injury or illness then I need to give it what it needs and nourish it and help it to recover and be stronger. One cant cut carbs and then bash out 7 miles and expect not to die, thats all i'm saying. On that note I completed a personal best today of 7.5 miles and somewhat hilly miles at that. It was hard but i'm pleased I did it.

On foodie matters I am making spicy beany burgers for dinner tonight, will keep you updated on how they turn out, have been planning them and thinking about them for a large portion of the day...

Trashy tv addiction

In recent months I've found myself watching THE MOST trashy reality tv going and really enjoying it, to the fairly shameful point that I set myself the task of watching 'The Hills' all seasons beginning to end online. It all started with a playful obsession with 'the only way is essex', moving onto 'made in chelsea' and then when I noticed the original american reality shows being replayed I thought why not? Not forgetting all the Kardashian related shows I often find myself watching... EEK Im not sure this is that healthy for my brain cells, but I love it soo much!

Is it OK to secretly love all this and still be considered an intelligent human being? Im not sure, but i'm not quite ready to give it all up yet...and think it is fine as long as I do other things to...i'm just trying to reassure  my melting mind...

In running news I completed a 7.3 mile run this morning, which was hard but worth all the sweat and pain. Found a new route, got slightly lost but was refreshing to have a bit of a change of scenery. Made a delish Greek-style omelette for lunch, which I happily wolfed down, feeling a bit smug and a bit sore. Have been taking pictures of the pretty food i've been eating so need to work out how to blog that too...

ps. I am so happy about how cheap summer fruit is right now.