Feeling Balanced Friday

Body
Strength:

• Tricep Extensions
• Tricep Press Downs
• Chest- Flys
• Chest- Incline Press
• Shoulders- Lateral Raise
• Jillian Walking Push Ups ( chest, shoulders, triceps, abs)
• Abs-Plank ( 4 holds for 30 seconds)
• Cardio:
  Elliptical: 20 minutes before and 20 minutes after strength

Mind:
Spent the morning on campus studying the first half of the material for the exam. Attended the “review” session , with my questions in hand! A good tip for all of you students out there, when your professor holds a review session- never just show up thinking that will be a great kickoff to studying. Study ahead of time so that you can figure out what you have questions on – that way you can utilize time during your review session and really get those questions answered!

Part of our exam is on metabolism ( of bacteria but still, same glycolysis, kreb’s cycle , electron transport chain etc. that I have already memorized in depth through metabolism class!) so I offered to draw diagrams for a few of the girls that were confused on ATP production in those cycles. It was helpful to me to be able to “teach” others!

Soul:

Excited to drive out to my parent’s shortly! Beach TOMORROW!!

Musings on the Economy and Financial Advising:
Oprah’s show today pissed me off! Suze Orman was on and there was a segment on a 25 year old living in Boston. She is working at Starbucks, even though she has graduated college and was clearly not spending wisely so she asked for help. Good for her, but she was spending money on crazy expensive handbags, clothes, entertainment, going out etc. and not paying off her student loans. I am frustrated with her  “financial fixes” which included:

• Stop getting manicures and do her nails herself
• Send her car back home with her mom, walks everywhere now ( in Boston!? even I know you don’t need a car there!)
• Stop getting her hair done at a salon
• Make and bring lunch from home

  Okay, my question to Suze Orman would be ” What do you do when you never get your haircut at salon anyway? I never get manicures unless I have a gift card for one, I have always made and brought my own lunch when I was working or now in school. What else do I do ?” I don’t get it. I mean those fixes are all great, sure. But I feel like it was such a superficial segment, I mean what about people with serious financial issues that aren’t from getting their hair done? Apparently to Suze Orman, this girl made all the best choices she could and should stay in Boston living on her own. 

  Readers:
  What do you think about this gal’s financial situation? Are you a spender like her even though you know you are in debt? Do you pay for everything on credit? Are you skimping by and coupon clipping?

Thursday Restaurant Review: Michael Dean’s

Breakfast

:
Oats with Cinnamon, Banana, Blueberries, & Flaxseed Nut Butter ( woohoo I took in about 2,500 ORAC units!)

Lunch:

Watermelon, Salad with Salsa, A Turkey Burger on Whole Wheat and I ended up not being able to finish that vanilla yogurt

Restaurant for Dinner:

Michael Dean’s
Falls of Neuse Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27609

To start:

Rosemary Bread with a tomato vinaigrette for dipping with a glass of Merlot (4,000 more ORAC units !!) . The majority of their wines are from Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley California.

I was surprised at the mellow flavor of this Merlot, it was not sweet nor dry. I think it would make a great table wine but wasn’t what I expected for merlot. The waiter brought out our wines in mini carafes and brought out a second basket of bread. I was definitely in agreement with Momma Mo about reminding your server to not bring bread or at least not a second round if you want to savor your entree and save your waistline!

The bread was delicious though!  It was incredibly moist, dense texture and great flavor with the rosemary. the crust was salty, which I love in contrast to the rosemary! I enjoyed contemplating with everyone whether it was a yeast bread or a beer bread. We couldn’t figure it out even after asking the waiter! We did find out that it was made on site and Micheal Dean’s own recipe!

For my entree I ordered one of their specials for yesterday,
Macadamia Crusted Halibut with Yukka Mashed Potatoes and Broccolini with Mango Salsa

I knew I wanted that as soon as I saw it listed on the huge board next to the host stand! Micheal Dean’s is known for its seafood and I was happily surprised they had halibut! My mom used to make it often and I really enjoy it, however, it is expensive!
This dish was quite perfect! The crispy macadamia crust blended nicely with the mango salsa. The fish was firm, almost steak like which allowed the yukka potatoes and broccoli to really add flavor as well.

My future hubby ordered another special

Local NC Black Drum, served with wilted spinach, jalepeno grits and a banana puree.

I only tasted the puree and the spinach-both were excellent! I never would have thought to add banana to fish so I am excited to maybe recreate that at home!

Michael Dean’s definitely met and exceeded my expectations!

Thu-RUN-sday

Body:
Run!
I held out until the afternoon to get in a run ( at the gym due to rain , much like cough due to cold) instead of my usual mid-morning workout.  This was the first time I have run in 2 weeks which seems like an eternity to most runners I bet!
Verdict: It felt really great and “alright” at the same time. I didn’t have any concerns while running ( I kept thinking weee!) but my leg is “sore” afterwards. I will have to wait to see if it is just the type of sore after a break or the type of sore that is not healed yet!

Distance: 4.64 miles
Time: 39 minutes
Min HR: 170
Max HR: 190
Kcal: 458

I am taking anti-inflammatory otc before bed so that not only will any inflammation be reduced to speed healing, but sleeping is a natural state in which your body repairs itself. Since I don’t have class in the morning, I can catch some extra shut eye as well!

Mind:

Micro Class: DNA and RNA Microbiology Basics. Exam Review Session Tomorrow!

Wrote writing samples ( not on blog) , wrote blog post on Acai and Antioxidants, Worked on Resume, Worked on Letters,  writing sample link

Got the latest Journal of The American Dietetic Association in the mail and there were so many interesting articles I want to share on here!

Working on a new domain name with the help of my wonderfully creative and healthy-minded friend Amanda!

Soul:

Dinner with my future Grandmother-In-Law,Mother-in-law and Brother-in-law and hubby!!

Penguins Won!

Parents/ Beach Tomorrow!!!