Fist full of soy protein

I've noticed I been kind of over doing it with the yummy soy treats, so my golden rule I'm going to start following is allow a fist amount, but go crazy with the veggies and fruit... like I did last night, but the thing is I need to put a little spice or kick to the peas and carrots. Don't get me wrong, I love veggies, but sometimes they lack something... peas and carrots are so boring. But a good combo.

Did 50 miles in one week!

I'm back doing my cardio outside, I have to say, I haven't felt better... despite the weather being shitty, I think of the weather like I think of the incline button, it's unpredictable and sets me up for a challenge. I'm jogging/walking 10 miles a day, early in the morning... its a good way to get my lungs and heart pumped into high gear. At my healthy 160 pounds, I used to do this route religiously.

From my house to ocean beach (roughly around 50 city blocks) = power walking
Ocean Beach to Lincoln (Power Walking in the sand)
Lincoln to Sloat (running/jogging every other bike path = 8 bike paths = 4 running/jogging = 3/4 city blocks)
Sloat to Lincoln (power walking)
Lincoln to 25th ave (jogging every other city block)
25th Ave Lincoln through Golden Gate Park to 18th and YMCA (power walking)

comes out to roughly 10.4 to 10.7 miles in 2 in half to 3 hours.  My goal is, as long as I put in 10 miles a day, I'm good to go.  At the gym,  I'm doing some weights, the row machine and core exercises. Usually done by 9:30am.

Starting my jogging 5x a week

Rain or shine, going to make it out there, I want to get back to those days when I used to run 5x a week. Then after the run, hit the gym, do a little more cardio and core training. I'm still debating the boxing boot camp but I think I can do it, it all depends on the cost. Since I've been employed for over a month, the cash flow has dramatically increased my budget, but still budgeting myself. Just like the food I eat. Speaking of sweets,  I haven't had one girl scout cookie, I'm thinking even though I'm catholic, but not a dramatically practicing one, I will give it up to lent. Those tagalogs....the peanut butter and chocolate makes my mouth drool.

I been thinking by October, I might be fit enough to start playing rugby again. I would love to be a part of a community that's gay friendly and likes to get rough/competitive. Plus I have an opportunity to volunteer and meet some cool people.

Currently 5.0

I felt like I was getting too comfortable on the tredmill, so I increased the speed, normally I keep it at 4.6 and switch the speed back and forth every minute (minus the 5 minute warm up) today I was at 5.0 and loved the challenge, about 5 weeks ago, it was hard for me to keep up at 4.4, but now running at 5.0... I can tell my endurance is building up.

I shouldn't jinx it tho, with my little ankle issue I had on saturday (all better btw) I tweeted Jas Rao (@JasRao) (<--- if you would like to follow him on twitter)... earlier to check and see how he's doing, my journalist workout buddy from across the pond. He went to Holland for holiday, but went to the movies and just bought water. I'm doing the same thing, I feel so much better that I'm not drinking coffee (plus saving some money haha)

Not much more to update, just getting off of work soon...

I was feeling like...

Shit this morning... Seriously feeling like crap... like 90% of Americans feel, especially those who feel like they are in a dead end job and not being valued for their self worth. It can really hurt someones self esteem. On my real late night shifts at the radio station, I was so thankful there was a dominos right up the street, where i could order a large deep dish extra cheese pizza... all to myself. Ohhh and cheesy bread!!! nom nom nom. These days, I've traded in my pizza cravings for whole grains, fresh fruit and veggies... so far so good.

Today I got two reject letters from two networks I REALLY want to work for, I know the market is competitive, but I know I'm qualified and can do so much more for the companies.. not all hope is lost, I keep applying every time I see a new job that fits my qualifications.

I want to feel good, I hate feeling depress when things could be better but its not like I'm at rock bottom like I was a couple of months ago. 7am passes... 8am passes....9am passes...10 passes... finally at 11:30am I made myself go to the gym, that to me was the only way to make myself feel good. Stuffing my face with food is NOT an option anymore...

Usually I'm burning 420 calories on the eliptical (sp?) this time I came up to 415, but on the tredmill usually i burn 250 with that previous method i wrote about... but this time it came out to be 280, I increased the cooling down level by 2 points and the last two minutes ran straight through... I'm pretty confident by next week I can get up to 4.8, but we will see.

There's only one rowing machine at my gym, normally its taken but this time it wasn't, I got on there for 10 minutes, burnt about 75 calories, I totally made up for those 5 calories i didn't burn on the first machine.

I had a crappy ass weekend too, where I didn't go to the gym for two days, i made it outside to run by the beach. I got hella sunburn, on my way home I tripped and twisted my ankle. In bed, I was crabby and mad I couldn't make it out to my friend's birthday...in bed tho i was using my free weights to work out my arms. I barely broke out into a sweat but felt a good burn. Still that wasn't enough for me. This morning, no swelling... right now, it doesn't hurt. I'm clumsy, but even when I hurt myself, I heal quick.

how do I feel now? 110% better, thanks to the gym, drinking plenty of water now off to shower, make my lunch & dinner and head to the radio studio

Cool Tredmill Regime

 Believe me, it makes your workout go by faster and you will be pleased with the 250+ calories you burn in a half in hour... this is a part of my hour cardio. It's a good workout, especially when you are just getting back into an old workout routine. It's helped me build up endurance, I walk it until I get to 4.6

Set 1
5 minutes - 3.4 speed (warm up)

Set 2
5 minutes
1st min - 4.0
2nd min - 3.4
3rd min - 4.0
4th min - 3.4
5th min - 4.0

Set 3
5 minutes

1st min - 4.2
2nd min - 3.4
3rd min - 4.2
4th min - 3.4
5th min - 4.2

Set 4
5 minutes
1st min - 4.4
2nd min - 3.4
3rd min - 4.4
4th min - 3.4
5th min 4.4

Set 5
5 minutes
1st min - 4.6
2nd min - 3.4
3rd min - 4.6
4th min - 3.4
5th min - 4.6

To make my 30 min mark, I just repeat set 5, once I feel more comfortable I will up the second set of 5 to 4.8

Don't Believe Burma Superstar! You CAN make your own TEA LEAF salad!

I love my neighborhood in San Francisco, I live in the Richmond district. Our district is very unique, when it comes to food. Right at my doorstep, I'm surrounded by cuisines from all over the world. When I was growing up, the Mandarin/Cantonese restaurants dominated, my aunt Dolores would take my cousin Sarah and I out to Dim Sum every weekend! Dim Sum is a small dishes that cost anywhere from 1-6 dollars. After the Soviet Union collapsed, there was a wave of Russian Delis and Bakeries.

You would all assume my favorite cuisine is Indian and it's ONE of my favorites, I love Burmese food as well. My favorite is the Tea Leaf Salad, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. For a long time, I've gone to Burma Superstar, Pagan, Mandalay and Little Star. I always wanted to make this at home, but they told me this "tea leaf" is "imported" from Burma and you can't get it in America. I let it go, but since I've started cooking at home more often --- because I KNOW what goes in the food,  I really want to make this salad. Sure enough, Burma Superstar told me a little "white" lie, you can make your own tea leaf salad and add your own twist. Check out this recipe!

5 teaspoons laphet (fermented tea leaves)

 

2 teaspoons crispy fried garlic

 

2 teaspoons crispy fried yellow beans

 

2 teaspoons roasted peanuts

 

1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

 

Extra Ingredients (add to your liking)

 

- Chopped Tomato

 

- Chopped Cabbage

 - Peeled Garlic

 

- Green chili

 

Dressing:

 

1/2 teaspoon limejuice

 

3 teaspoons peanut oil

 

First, put laphet (fermented tea leaves) into a bowl. If you want your laphet to be spicy, pound la-phet and green chili together in a mortar. It'll became a paste. Pour 3 teaspoons of peanut oil. Leave it for awhile so that laphet can soak up the oil.

Put in crispy fried garlic, crispy fried yellow beans, roasted peanuts and sesame seeds in the bowl. Mix them together. You can also add chopped tomato, chopped cabbage, dried prawns, peeled garlic and green chili as you like.

Put 1/2 teaspoon of limejuice