Wrandom Wednesday

I like alliteration and making up random themes for days. Hence the birth of "Wrandom Wednesday".

I had to think of something to call this post and I wanted to blog but had nothing in particular to say except a few wrandom things:

                                                                  

I am really excited about cracking this baby at the airport in a couple days. The sequel to a crowd favorite "The Coldest Winter Ever". Are you familiar? I guess this is also a good time to give you an update on #12 of my "30 before 30" list: I read way too slow and lately I have chosen really long books and I keep starting books and calling myself reading them all at once! lol go figure! And here I go, prepared to start another book in 2 days and I still havent finished:

•  "Monday Morning Choices" -it would help if I bought it on my iPad, I can't carry books anymore ::does fancy pancy dance::
• "Battlefield of the Mind" -this is more of a devotional but that means I haven't been great at #10 on my "30 before 30" list
• "The Happiness Project" -I read this one the most, I love all of the books I am "reading" but I super love this one

Yep... Yep... Yep... sprained ankle.... no boot camp... no "Speedy Gonzalez" through the streets (I tend to walk really fast for no reason at all)... &&&&&&&&&&&&&&most importantly NO RUNNING!!!! 

::fights tears and tantrum:: 

I have no clue how I did this. However, I am happy it is now and not in June when my official race training begins. Sunny side up. Keep my healing and training in your prayers and thoughts! Thank You!

Speaking of running:

A friend of mine tagged me in this on IG! I freaking love it! You know why? Because I have the biggest dream/fantasy of not only being able to go out on a run with my significant other/husband (not all the time though, running is "elle time") but even more specifically, I would love to tackle a race or two with him. If this ever actually happens for me, then yes, we will probably chose the same post run activity. ;)

My hair is growing, growing, growing... yay! I am really committed to my commitment not to cut it before my 30th birthday (if I even cut it) (see #14, "30 before 30"). However, It is getting to a point where I need to think of other things to do with it and I am seriously considering getting braids. To be honest, though, I have worn weaves/tracks/braids before, I really do not feel comfortable with them in my hair. I do not feel myself in them. I would rather have braids than tracks for now though. I think I want senegalese vs. the "poetic justice" or "solange" braids. Stay tuned...

Oh, no huge report here! I just love style. I may or may  not stalk her blog: Style Pantry ! dope. dope.dope.


I guess, this makes this official, I will only be wrandom on Wednesdays from this day forward. :)

Happy Birthday Beautiful!!

Dear Sibberling,

I've said this before and I pray to be able to tell you a million more times: you are incredible. Since we were wee little people in the single digits I've noticed how strong and courageous you are with everything. Even during your moments of indecision or tough times I've seen this in you. Life hasn't always been a crystal stair but when I'm able to see how every little thing: good bad and ugly, has flowered into the beautiful successful woman you are today on your TWENTY-FIFTH birthday, I find it hard to let any of the not so fancy and not so shiny parts of life be a smudge on your screen of life. While we are able to control certain aspects of our lives, there are a ton of variables. I must say that it has been totally inspiring and awesome to see you grab a hold of your life and pray for what you can't control and do what you can to achieve your dreams. I look forward to celebrating all your success in the very near future. I thank God for cradling you for the past 9,125 days and I ask Him to continue to take the best care of you for 47474773773727263 more days!

I am so happy to celebrate your quarter of a century today!!!

Happy Birthday. I love you.

I can't see through my tears right now so I gotta go!!!

Powerful Perspective

I don't know about you but my bank account has not yet caught up with my life or taste. At times this reality can be quite daunting! Just the other day I was telling one of my friends how I wish there was just this reserve of cash somewhere so whenever I needed wanted anything I could just pull from the reserve. Essentially, creating a life in which I want for nothing! 

However, since that is not realistic, I have to make it do what it do which includes my least favorite thing to do: saying "no" to myself and to my friends. I want to do it all and see it all and be it all. So, that is like the worst solution ever to me! As of late, I am actually learning how to better prioritize things I want to do and this has been really helpful in me not feeling so down about not being able to do everything. 

A couple of months ago, I was cruising the internet looking for a race or two to sign up for and before I knew it I had like 5 races I wanted to do! Slow down! Races are not cheap and especially when you start talking about running races in San Juan or Chicago or anywhere other than at home! I also plan on spending my 30th birthday in Kenya. I have some bridal showers, baby showers, my daily life, register for full marathon (Check), other random fun things (like signing up for this Divas Half Marathon), my wardrobe, new running shoes, and several other things that require my financial attention. So, I prioritized what I want and need to do instead of overwhelming myself sans calculating the fact that I am not a patrillionaire. What it came down to is that Kenya is top priority! I will starve before I miss out on purchasing that plane ticket for myself! I mapped out a savings plan and I refuse to falter (aka steal money from savings for frivolous things). 

At any rate, I was chit-chatting with one of my dolls about life and signing up for the Divas race and how we both had a lot of things on our social calendars, on top of regular life expenses. We were saying how we want to do it all and we just had to make it all work and possibly say no, etc. She began to list out all the things she had coming up and how she felt things were going to play out. Then she said something that blessed my entire soul:

"but it's all a blessing because these things means I've been blessed to have friends and to have events to opt to go to or not. I shall not complain!"

 That touched me so much! I always hear and read about keeping the right perspective in all things. In fact, two of the books I am reading ("Battlefield of the Mind" and "Monday Morning Choices") are all about perspective and how to change one's thoughts in order to be more successful . However, hearing her say that really hit home for me. It was a real life example of the power of perspective. She made a great point because I truly enjoy the gift of friends which allows me life experiences that I will never forget. So, I will not complain. I will just continue to make it do what it do (pray, exercise self-control, and enjoy)! 

Special shout to my "Bih" (why I call her that is for another day and time) for being an inspiration over my life! God is definitely using you to be an inspiration! 

I'm Going Blind

No, not physiologically. Thank God.

I mentioned to some friends a few months ago that I would try my darnedest to get into basketball or at least get to a point where watching more than the last 5 minutes (the only part of the game that really matters IM(nonexpert)O) is interesting. That didn't happen. Did I give it a fair try? I mean, a few games have been on in my presence but I just can't for the life of me focus. I always say it's because of all the constant moving. Watching a basketball game on TV is like an eye reaction exercise, the ball is everywhere in like 30 seconds. During that time, I mentally check out (due to exhaustion) and by the time I check back in 2 quarters have passed.

For the record: I am not one of those girls that knows nothing about sports and doesn't want to watch and only looks at who is hot or not. However, I am also not the girl that knows stats and history and all of those sorts of things. I am the girl that just enjoys watching sports. I get it. I love the competitive and social nature of the whole experience.

I super enjoy a good football game and I do not mind watching a patrillion games on Sunday. Basketball? Not so much. However, over the years I discovered a remedy: I need to be courtside. No, not because I am fancy pancy but because that angle makes it easier for me to focus. My eyes don't have to travel all the way down to the player's waist and then hands and then locate the ball (at which point the player has long passed the ball to his teammate and I am again back at square one, exhausted and lost). I have enjoyed a few basketball games from this courtside position so I know it is possible for me to love the game. Since, I do understand that it is a slight stretch for me to expect to sit courtside regularly, I wanted to find a way to force myself to engage in the sport a little more wholeheartedly.

I decided I am going to follow the NCAA Tournament and what better way to really stay engaged and invested in the Tournament than to fill out a bracket or two or three. So far, I have filled out 2 and I am strongly considering a third because of a very little known fact about me: I am competitive. The thought of one of my brackets taking me out early sounds terrible. I am not a sore loser but I do not like to lose so if I can heighten my chances of staying in the runnings (btw I am not challenging anyone with my brackets except myself, my own little bracket challenge) then I am here for that.

Essentially, this is like "going blind" in a game of spades. I am not really sure about anything coming of this but I am willing to give it a good try and I am super excited about bragging on how well I am doing with absolutely no expertise keeping up with the games.

P.S. I am not bandwagoning by going for Louisville. My dear Alicia is in grad school there and I often live vicariously through my friends and so... I am really invested in their success. GO CARDS!

Kickin' It II

To be totally honest, I started writing "Kickin It I" pretty blindly. I had a few things I wanted to talk about but no particular focus or order. I was getting a little frustrated and was ready to close out and come back with a fresh mind but I pressed on (yay, perseverance!). My method: just start rambling writing and see where it takes you. It worked!

Interestingly enough, my sister from another mister (BFF), and I had a conversation about using that exact concept as a way of life. We were discussing how much we hem and haw about things without taking any action. Instead of trying to make sure we have thought out every detail and experiencing roadblocks (in our heads because again no action is being taken), we should just do it (NIKE was on to something with that one). Take the first step. Sometimes, what we think won't fall into place, will if we would actually spring into action. The first step can really land you in places and with opportunities that you couldn't have thought of if you kept thinking for months. Join me in remembering to "Just do it" as often as we can muster up the courage. For inspiration read my favorite book: Oh the Place You'll Go by Dr. Seuss!

At any rate, "Kickin' It" became a two-part series because I realized that I wanted to talk about shoes and about the most "kickin it-est" (again, my blog, my words, bite me, hehe) day of the week: Sunday. The post would have been way too long if I threw it all together so for mental ease, here we are "Kickin It" again!

Sunday was definitely a fun day with three things to highlight:

I double floraled (do I need to say it again, I write what I want, lol)!!!! So exciting!! I was inspired by a few looks I saw on the red carpet! I remember Adele did this for the Grammy's I think and a few other people mixed very different but magically complimenting floral prints in one look! I accepted the challenge and I love  the outcome.

French green lentils with bacon and creamed shallots, roasted Portobello mushrooms and onions, red wine sauce

It was the perfect ensemble for a yummy brunch at RIS! I ordered bottomless mimosas, the apple-ginger flavor (must try!).... and oh! right, I ate also... hehe.... pictured above before I killed it : Mustard Crusted Atlantic Salmon. 

Win. Win.Win. 

And do not worry, I have been very mindful lately,of resting my fork in between bites, less shoveling, more resting. Actually, speaking of which, my favorite benefit of eating slower is that I actually have time to savor the goodness of my food. It's nice to be able to just relax and take in all the flavors and achieve real satisfaction from my meal. 

Nom. Nom. Nom.

Anyway, after brunch (or mimosas: I'm pretty sure I got close to the bottom of the mimosas), it was only fitting on such a pretty day and being so close, to head to Georgetown for a little window shopping. After walking around Georgetown for a few hours, it was time to eat again! Next stop: Burger Tap & Shake, which is part of the Passion Food Restaurant Group (District Commons, DC Coast, Acadiana, Fuego, Ceiba, PassionFish).

Crispy Falafel Patty, Pickled Vegetables, Feta, Cilantro Raita

I had the "Haight-Ashbury" and a "Talladega Nights" shaketail (Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, House Made Limoncello, Vanilla Ice Cream, Lemon Juice). Although, in the picture might be the "Apocalypto" (Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Homemade Marshmallows, Chocolate Ice Cream) because they gave me the wrong shaketail. They told me to keep that one and they would give me my correct order. 

There I go winning again!

 ::aggressive fist pump::

I hope you make the most of the kickin-it-est day of the week! There is something about a Fun Sunday that is so invigorating! This Sunday, has promises of greatness also; can you say "day party"? Stay tuned...

Kickin' It I

Kickin' it at my desk this Friday...

Obviously the perfect time to bang out a post :) If anyone ask, I'm taking lunch right now and it's totally fine!

This week we got a little piece of Spring time! Such a tease BUT it did allow me to do a little more running. I actually took out 5 miles on Tuesday around the National Mall. It is so enchanting to run there at night and there are so many other runners so it feels safe! That was my longest run since my LA race and it was painless! I think my "boot camping" (It's my blog, I can make words and phrases up) and my Vibrams might really be solving my issues (pain in my knees).

On Saturday, I actually ended up spotting the new location of the Potomac River Running store in Clarendon and of course, I had to check it out. It turned out to be pretty helpful, though, I was annoyed that I had my headphones in, having a conversation with my sister, but all the sales people insisted on trying to offer help. Finally, I told her I would call back and I let this guy talk to me about shoes. I remembered that I was interested in finding a minimalist shoe that would carry me through all the miles I will be running as I begin my full marathon training. I love my Vibrams, but I do not feel comfortable taking on high mileage with them. The guy was able to suggest a few different shoes to me! I am super geeked about going back, closer to June, to snag a pair! An even bigger boost is that my sister is super proud of my new challenge to myself (completing full marathon) and has decided to sponsor the next pair of running shoes! Ironically, she was super proud of me for my running period last year and is the reason I have my Vibrams! (Yes, I am spoiled... sometimes... rotten :P)

 ***Commercial Break: My current traditional running shoe is the Mizuno Wave Inspire 8, which I loved until I ran in my Vibrams. They are great shoes but now I'm all into this minimal shoe thing!***

 The Potomac River Running Company guy showed me a few pairs of shoes. I really liked these two:

New Balance Minimus Zero

Saucony Virrata

I have a strong pull towards the Saucony shoe and after reading the reviews of each shoe they are neck-and-neck with runner satisfaction. However, I believe that seeing a review from a runner that has the same "issues" (stride, overpronation, etc) has made me pretty much know that I will probably be in the Saucony shoe. But stay tuned for when I actually go try these shoes on! :) Maaaaaaybe I can have both? Or at least buy both and see how I feel about them (the good thing about running stores is that you can take 2 weeks to trial run your shoes and bring them back for a full refund or exchange if you do not like them).

ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh in true elle form, because I am so hype just due to writing this post, I want these shoes NOW! Again, patience... patience... patience... 

Twenty-Six Point Two Miles

"I may or may not be crazy" 

That phrase perfectly sums up my feelings regarding preparing (desiring, registering, training) for a FULL marathon (26.2 miles). I have four HALF marathons (13.2 miles) under my belt. So why wouldn't my natural progression (due to being insane) be to double that up?

::Thee Doll Shrug:: 

At this point, it doesn't even matter why I want to or if I will because guess what? When one goes public with endeavors via social media it has to go down. With that being said, I have OFFICIALLY signed up for the Anthem Richmond Marathon!!!!

To be honest, as freaked out as I am about being at this point in my running, I am pretty amped and determined to GIT ER DOOOONE! One of my "running mothers", Alicia, is training for a full marathon as we speak and I am so inspired by her! It would have been nice to be doing our training and running a full together but we are both going at this solo! My other running mother, Brandi, has a few fulls under her belt and is cheering me on also!

***Commercial break to explain calling them my "running mothers": they raised my running self, taught me all I know about running and continuously encourage and support me, outside of being two of my favorite dolls, lol***

Their support is awesome and so is yours because I am definitely going to need it! 

                               

Currently, I am focusing on strength training because I spent all last fall in physical therapy to correct my stride and strengthen my hips (side note: as a woman, being told your hips are weak, is pretty awkwaaaaaaaaarrrrd)! 

I participate in a boot camp twice per week. This week, I added running to the boot camp (about 2 miles from my house) in my Vibrams! I have to say that I absolutely loved it! I have had these minimalist shoes for about a year but was weary about actually running in them! 

It is strongly suggested that one eases into the transition from a traditional running shoe into a barefoot running shoe. Injury is imminent, if the transition is not slow and steady. I was especially concerned about this due to my knees, hips, and heel striking situation. However, upon some additional research a few days ago, I learned that running in these shoes can actually alleviate pain in those areas because the shoe forces you to run in a natural stride (barefoot, more on your mid- or fore-foot NOT on your heels). Most of us are conditioned to run/walk in traditional shoes which alters our natural stride. (I really hope I am explaining this right, but hopefully if you're like me, then you'll research further when intrigued by anything. I strongly encourage this!)

                                

                                            

 So, I am geeked about my transition into the minimalist shoes because it felt so free and awesome to run with light feet and nothing on my but my Garmin 410 GPS watch (ah, discontinued, IDK why, I love mine, got it on Amazon for the low). I am not looking forward to wearing my traditional running shoes ever actually! Based on my research, most people took about 9 months to transition fully into the Vibrams. Funny story: I have exactly nine months until the Anthem Marathon! Will I run my first 26.2 in my Vibrams!?!! I will listen to my body and I will not press it but if all goes well, then I am definitely here for that!!! 

I am keeping my miles really low for right now (less than 6 miles; I usually have short runs at 4-6 miles and long runs at 8-10 miles). Again, I am focusing on strength training for a couple of months and also, in order to transition smartly into my Vibrams. I am NOT here for injuries! This will be another project towards this patience I am trying to grow because I just want to run like a wild horse, no limitations! But, I always remember "slow and steady wins the race" and "grind now, shine later" and also, "no pressure, no diamonds"! 

Saturday, June 29, 2013

That is twenty weeks out from the marathon! Which means that is Day 1 of my official marathon training (20 week training is the "rule of thumb" schedule)! I will begin my voyage to conquer this:

                         

 In order, to get every runners favorite thing at the end of the race: 

Sparkly (sometimes), cool, fun medals!!!!!!!!! 

I may or may not choose races based on the "swag" (t-shirts, medals, etc) provided. Trust me, after you get a few races under your belt, you'll be a little snobby about what you are getting for your money (this is a pretty pricey hobby) and your dedication! I mean, running such great distances and getting sub-par rewards is not fun! 

Either way, I am definitely here for the challenge!

Stay tuned for updates! 

Shovelling

The further I get into this journey to patience, I see the extent of my impatience.

As someone that enjoys the experience of food (i.e. the ambiance, plating, flavors, pairings), one would assume that I would savor every bite. Well, good thing no one is getting paid to make that assumption. That's definitely a dead end job.

Since 1984, I have been shoveling food in my mouth.  My uncle, who half raised me, used to always try to get me slow down when eating to no avail.

(this was just weeks ago lol) 

I frequently attend different events: award dinners, galas, dates, dinner parties, dinner with friends. Lately, for some reason, I've been getting way too much press (from my friends aka the closest thing I've come to paparazzi, lol) about my eating pace. This has made me increasingly more conscious and curious about how to remedy my habit. Once again, I embark on another mini research project: how to eat slower.

The two tips that stuck out to me are:

• Put your fork down between bites
• Have conversation

In analyzing my eating, I definitely keep filling my fork up as soon as I empty the contents into my mouth aka shovelling. Also, I do not do a lot of talking when I'm eating either. I listen and eat. 

listen.shovel.listen.shovel.shovel.shovel.listen.talk.shovel.shovel.shovel.listen.listen.shovel. 

I think that perfectly sums up the sequence. I, actually, ran my own experiment on myself the other night at the annual American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD) Awards Dinner. I was mindful of resting my fork in between bites and I made sure to engage in conversation with my boss and my guest while I was eating.

GUESS WHAT!?!?!

For the first time in Thee Doll history, seriously, I was the last person to finish eating. It was to the point that my boss made a joke about me needing a doggy bag!! THAT.HAS.NEVER. HAPPENED. A blue ribbon is definitely in order!

                                     
Do you eat really fast? Do you  have a habit you are working on changing? Have you researched tips to make the change?

Bad Decision Tuesdays

This post was originally to tell you about the wonderful healthy post workout dinner I had last night. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut in the spirit of celebrating human nature or the old "my mind's tellin me noooo but my body is tellin me yessssssss" struggle, I have to tell you something first:

I ate a glazed donut this morning for breakfast! Judge me! I am human! I want yummy unhealthy goodness sometimes! I do not believe in deprivation but I do believe in discipline and moderation. 

Here is how this all began: I went to the grocery store a few times this weekend to stalk up on all my produce for the week. However, right there in the door, directly in front of the produce department is a table stacked high with boxes of dozen glazed donuts. GLAZED DONUTS are one of my guilty pleasures!!! I do not have a sweet tooth at all so a dozen is overkill. But just one moist, glazed, yummy donut? Perfect! 

However, I did not get a donut until this morning when I stopped in the cafe below my office for a banana. The glazed donuts were right next to it... and I figured if I eat it now, at the top of my day, I can burn it off... like it never happened (except this blog as evidence)! I got the banana and the donut! Shoot me! lol

I just feel like I should be totally honest, when I can muster up the courage, so this is why I shared my story of mild hedonism. However, please note, my next (I ate the donut AND banana already) small meal/snack is my grapefruit. See? back on track! 

Now, we can talk about my dinner last night: baked sweet potato and scrambled egg whites. I buttered my potato with coconut oil (not butter) and sprinkled a little cinnamon. I have eaten egg whites a couple of times in my life but I have never made them myself. I decided to give it a whirl (I try to make the best decisions whenever I can)! I actually really like it... perhaps I will make this a habit: egg whites or bust! 

 

Oh, that's not mine. I was too busy stuffing my face to think about blogging and pictures! But just a little visual for all my visual people out there! Is that nutella on that sweet potato? No clue and frankly I have no desire to taste Nutella. Though, I will steal the idea of throwing a bed of baby spinach under my egg whites. I am convinced that baby spinach goes with everything! 

And I am definitely stealing this rendition! AVOCADOS are everything to me. I eat them like apples! 

Ok, so... coconut oil. I have heard of it and I know it is really good for us but last night was my first time cooking with it. Not only did I butter my sweet potato with it but I cooked my brown rice with it also! My mom has totally abandoned butter recently and kept telling me to try cooking with it! I got a little sample from her so I could take it on a trial run and the verdict: I love it! 

                         

I actually had my first experience with the taste of cooking with coconut oil a couple of months ago when I was in Los Angeles. A friend of mine made this amazing salad (which I intend to replicate one day):

He cooked the vegan sausage in coconut oil! NOM NOM NOM! Ultimate NOM! The other ingredients are: egg, orange peppers, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, kimchi, over a bed of baby spinach and drizzled with balsamic.

I am really excited about transitioning to eating and cooking with coconut oil. Oh, I just remembered, I also baked salmon with coconut oil over the weekend for a birthday dinner! (I feel like I am using a lot of exclamation points ::Thee Doll Shrug::) 

Anyway, I looked up a few fun healthy facts about the benefits and uses of coconut oil to share:

Concise version:

Do you have any great recipes, meals to share? I am kind of obsessed with recipes so please share them with me! 

Are you cooking with coconut oil?