This morning I got up at 5:30 to go to the gym and finish some work for the day. I had a two mile “easy run” scheduled, which I carried out as follows:
Mile .00-.25: 5.8, incline 1%
Mile .25-.75: 6.5, incline 1%
Mile .75-1.00: 7.5, incline 1%
Mile 1.00-1.75: 6.5, incline 1%
Mile 1.75-2.0: 6.0-3.5, incline 1%
Total distance: 2.0 miles
Total time: 18:46 minutes
Maximum heart rate: 195 (98%)
Average heart rate: 184 (93%)
Calories burned: 238
When I got back home I did some quick ab work before making a breakfast inspired by Julie.
I could have sworn I saw her make a breakfast sandwich with whole wheat bread, laughing cow light cheese, nut butter and a banana. When I went to check the exact recipe, I couldn’t find it anywhere! You did make this, right Julie? Am I going crazy?! In any event, it was delicious toasted. Definitely going to be repeated! I added some cinnamon for good measure.
My bank account was happy when I remembered my lunch today. I brought a salad (mixed greens, 1/2 avocado, tofu, tomato, dulse, Annie’s lite Raspberry Vinaigrette), orange, apple, Strawnana Chobani Greek yogurt, and the last (:-() of my One Lucky Duck Rosemary Quackers.
I was hungry (and mindlessly eating) all day; I ate all of the fruit before lunch and snacked on a Chocolate Peanut Butter Forze bar in the afternoon.
Tonight was Act III of our Family Dinner series (read parts I & II), and I’m pleased to report it was another success! We’ve had our dinners on weekends before, so we were all quite impressed we pulled this off on a weeknight. Christine made salad (arugula, cucumbers, tomatoes and carrots) and asparagus and I made Spicy Thai Tofu with Red Bell Peppers and Peanuts with brown rice. (The tofu was good, but could have used a little more flavor. I found myself adding salt shake after salt shake.)
For dessert, Ilana made banana splits! Mine had fresh strawberries, bananas, chocolate chip cookie dough & vanilla bean ice cream, hot fudge, salted peanuts and sprinkles, served in a waffle bowl.
It was so good, but OOF! I have quite the ice cream baby tonight 
I’ve gotten several questions about the book I’m reading, Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project.
While I’m usually a die-hard fiction kind of gal and would never think of reading anything even remotely resembling a self-help book, this caught my eye. Gretchen Rubin, a full-time writer, mom and New Yorker, had an Aha! moment when she realized that while she wasn’t unhappy- and was certainly not depressed- she thought she could be happier. So she mapped out a year-long plan, with overarching goals (or “Resolutions”) for each month, such as Boost Energy, Lighten Up, Make Time for Friends, Remember Love, etc., and sub-categories to help her reach them.
With my busy reading schedule I’m only able to read for pleasure during my commute to and from work, so I’m only about a third of the way through the book. Thus far, I’ve gotten some interesting ideas. While much of Rubin’s findings are pretty general (there are many sentences beginning with “Studies find…”), she holds herself accountable for her goals by tracking them with a daily log and monitoring her progress month-to-month.
Two suggestions most appealing to me are:
- Get more sleep
- De-clutter the living space
On her blog, she has a list of Twenty Very Easy Tips For Lowering Your Daily Stress Level. I’ve tailored this a little for my own needs, and come up with:
- Go to bed 30 minutes earlier. I’ve been going to bed between 11 and 12, but I’m going to try to be in bed at 10 with the lights and computer off at 10:30.
- Before sleep, prepare for the morning. Pack lunch, lay out work clothes and gym clothes.
- Make a list. Making it now!
- Exercise. I’ve been better about this lately; I’ve been more consistent these past few weeks when I get up early to go in the morning.
- Put a Bandaid in your wallet. I have a pack in my purse and a box in my desk, and lordy knows I need them when I wear heels!
- Make your bed. This is key. Coming home to a made bed (or making it even if I’ll be home during the day) makes things so much neater and just gives the day a more positive, organized feel. I’m grateful to Ari who makes it every morning after he wakes up (he sleeps several hours later than I do) so I’m greeted with a tidy living area when I get home.
I’ve been procrastinating about cleaning the closet; even though it’s not a big deal, it seems like an insurmountable task! But I made a promise to Ari that it’ll be taken care of when he comes home on Saturday, and I intend to keep it.
What are your tips for making day-to-day life less stressful?
Well, I’m off to go make my first point a reality! Night 
Nice job on the workout! That totally looks like a Julie inspired breakfast- that girl cracks me up
Your salad looks better than anything you could go out and buy-yum. Fun family din din too. To make my day less stressful- I always keep lists! Crossing items off my to do list always decreases my stress level 
I also try to take 5 minutes of quiet time in the morning…helps me concentrate on the day ahead!
Loved the Hapiness Project!
I think it’s such a good idea for you to change some of your habbits while trying to find more hapiness. Sounds like one of those things that are really worth it
Have a great night!
Brazilian XOXO’s,
Gabriela
I saw this book at the bookstore yesterday and almost bought it. But then it seemed a little too much like Eat Pray Love, which may just be a weird comparison. Let us know if you think it is worth purchasing.
My tip is to ALWAYS have a list and prep for the day ahead. I find myself in a scramble a lot less.
What a beautiful salad. And I am totally lustin after that banana split
Good luck on keepin up with your goals!
I’ve never heard of this book but it sounds really appealing. Seriously, I’m going to check it out
A to-do list helps me stress less, because it helps me remember what’s on tap for the next day. However, I’ve tried to make sure to only put absolute essentials on the list so that it doesn’t look too daunting. Too long a list = you don’t check off everything by the end of the day = more stress.
That banana sandwich and banana split both have me drooling!
I think I’m going to check out that book! I’m not sure what I do to make life less stressful, I think I need to do more because I really am stressed a lot of the time and that is not good! Running really helps to de-stress though!
The list is a must, and I agree that it can’t be too long. I have a large paper clip on my key ring, and I keep a small piece of paper on my desk at work, and as things occur to me, I write them down and clip them. Since I always have my keys, I don’t lose the list. I cross things off one by one, and leave the list on my day planner, so whatever doesn’t get done today gets done tomorrow. It’s a little complicated, since there are some things I can do during lunch at work, and some (groceries, etc.) that get done at home, so sometimes 2 lists are necessary.
Good luck
I need to start doing your number one goal! I ALWAYS go to bed way to late which results in me being so tired the whole next day. I, too, am going to try to get in bed by 10. Lights out by 10:30.
Oh my that Waffle Bowl Sundae doesnt got nothing on Coldstone!! Looks amazing!!!
The happiness Project book looks really cool, might have to get that, Im always up for new reads!!
I need to start going to bed earlier that is one goal I want to accomplish, now with the olympics on Im glued to the tv watching them at night late!! Maybe when they are over!!!
Have a great week girl! xoxo
i’ve been wanting to read that book! i think balancing life with a full-time job is one of the hardest things to figure out – but we both seem to be navigating it pretty well. i kind of like the idea of always being a work in progress. sleep, fresh air, exercise, seeing friends, and the existence of leftovers definitely help ease stress for me. the problem is that it’s hard to fit them all in, and i have trouble picking and choosing which to prioritize each day. like i said, work in progress!
That book sounds so interesting! I’ll hae to check it out!
That banana split– YURMM!!!
I keep seeing this book pop up places and it looks interesting. I may have to check it out.
I like the idea of the Happiness Project- I think I could use some of those tips these days. This semester hasn’t been too much of a joy (mostly cause I’ve realized I don’t like DC.. bleh).
I try to keep the stress at a minimum by just reminding myself that stress does not actually anything get accomplished. It’s just a huge waste of energy, energy that could be committed to productivity. “Keep calm and carry on” is my motto.
I like the premise of that book — they’re actually practical things you can do, as opposed to vague / lofty goals.
Don’t minimize cleaning out a closet… I am terrified of mine. Seriously.
<3 <3
I love The Happiness Project blog! So many neat ideas
My #1 tip for making life less stressful is to plan ahead. Also stuff like setting up bills to be paid by direct debit, getting up 20 mins earlier to prepare for the day, etc.
I love your salad lunch box/bowl- where did you get it?
House dinner looks great
i am going to put that book on my reading list. my #1 tip is to plan ahead – i pack my gym bag and my bfast/lunch/snacks the night before. i also make my bed!
thats so weird i was just checking out that book in borders the other day! glad to see you found good ideas from it. oh i also tried le pain (after seeing it so many times on your blog) and my friend and i LOVED it so thanks
i think yoga works wonders for me, personally
that book sounds so interesting.
i miss A street bread. i havent had it in so long.
you know…in college, and nursing school, i used to make my bed EVERY day. now, i have no clue what happened, but i dont anymore. hmm? maybe because i leave for work when kyle is still in bed. still on days off, i dont really have an excuse. im totally going to start again.
btw, we didnt end up seeing that movie but its coming up soon on our to-see list.
I go to bed between 11 and 12 too. I just can’t seem to be able to fall asleep any earlier, but I am going to try going to bed 30 minutes earlier
Since I share the apartment I live in with two other girls it is difficult maintaining the common areas clean (college), which is something that stresses me out to no end! That is why I end up spending a lot of time in my room. My room has to be clean and tidy, when my room is to disorganized it stresses me out!
oh my goodness that ice cream looks amazing!
I used to work at an ice cream shop- so i have a soft spot for frozen desserts
I recommend taking several minutes to just watch the sky, even if it’s just from the office or your apartment or outside walking to the train. It’s beautiful and calming.
what does laughing cow taste lie? swiss cheese or cream?
There is, sadly, snow here! Ahh!! It has been SO LONG since I’ve had a real banana split (sprinkles and all) that I’m now craving one. That looks divine!
I would be running around like mad if I didn’t have my To Do List. It’s a clutch, I need it!
Lists are definitely saving my life right now. I also make sure to tidy my room when I start to feel frazzled. When my space is neat, my brain has an easier time feeling organized. It may be a tiny bit of procrastination, but cleaning saves me a lot of time in the long run!
5:30! and I was so proud I went to the gym @ 6:30. No clutter–cardinal rule, but don’t ask me about my closet. My tip is do it now.
I saw in your about me that you went to a midwest LA school. I live in the midwest and find it tough to keep up my veg diet in the winter. Great blog, I think we all should go to bed a little earlier, our bodies will thank us.
i can’t wait to hear more from the rest of the book – i think a lot of times we aren’t necessarily unhappy, but just need a boost of happy! i think a lot of the time, i am just lazy about little things. but really, the little things add up to big things!
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