I am going to the….

CARNIVALLL!

  It was Quadmania this weekend at UMBC!

I am NOT a roller coaster or any kind of a ride person. Prior to last years event the only ride I had ever been on was the merry-go-around…..

With the convincing powers of a certain friend that is a boy I managed to ride the Ferris wheel and the Zipper. I am pretty sure I lost two years of my life.

I also rode something else for the very first time!

Another thing that I am also not is an animal person. Not sure why, but I am pretty terrified of them.

Sooooo I decided to ride one!

Note the VERY terrified face!

Many shenanigans later it was time to make Banana Bread!

Jpizzle and his epic bread pan making skills!

I was seriously impressed, I even managed to break his master piece. I decided I was better off with just standing around and looking pretty.

I however did get to enjoy some super yummie whole grain banana bread!

We rounded off our weekend with a walk to the campus tennis courts

And a mile run around campus with some butt kicking stairs!

Meet Baby G! My 21st b-day gift to myself. Now I know I am not a long distance runner but this baby may be the COOLEST thing ever! I have no concept of how far or fast I am going outdoors, so I use it to steadily increase my time and mileage! 

Question: Do you ever buy birthday presents for yourself? If so, what are they?

145.5 Post-spring break life

Thankfully the weather is all sunny because I am losing my mind….

My baby 🙂

as per usual school is back in full swing. I have 24 credits left to graduate and it’s officially crunch time!

Earlier this week I banged out two miles 😉

Does anyone have attractive kneecaps? Because I sure don’t!

Running is HARD. I want to stop many many many many times. I want to be fast. I want to finish at a set time. I ran two miles in 22 minutes.

This might seem slow, but when I first started running 3 months ago, I could not run for longer than 30 seconds.

I love pushing myself.

When stressed I either cry or run. Sometimes crying wins more than running. It happens.

I love being a runner. It is heart-pumping and majorly kick-ass!

It is the beginning of April and lets see where I am with my weight-loss

Yes, this is my healthy living blog, and a big part of being healthy is being at a healthy weight, so I will be talking in numbers.

( Click to enlarge)

I am freaking proud of myself

156.5

145.5

Staying healthy in college:

-Share dessert! I always have a friend next to me when I want dessert.

-Make working out a priority. Exams and homework will always be there find time to get your workout in.

-Eat! I eat every 2-4 hours. If you let yourself get too hungry you will settle for an unhealthy choice just to let yourself be full.

I hope everyone is out enjoying this LOVELY weather!!!

Fitbloggin’10 Bloggers take Baltimore!

I have been having an AMAZING spring break, but all good things must come to an end 😦

Lets recap!

Beginning of spring break!

What other way to start off break with a Fro-yo baby from Tutti Frutti.  Don’t worry I split this with my sister!

To kick start my career ( read: attempt) as a runner I strolled over to Road Runner conveniently located next to Trader Joe’s. Totally breaking the bank.

Road Runner was having a free shoe dogging event and I gladly took off my rain boots for some custom made insoles. $62 dollars later, I walked out with “bumps” under my feet that I had never felt before.

Shoe Dogging

HIGH aches!

I decided to take these bad boys out to test I headed over to Great Falls, VA

Potomac River Great Falls, VA

Great Falls, VA

MASSIVE Rocks. I was not badass 😦

I will be going back to Great Falls many many times! It was an AMAZING trail!

Working out has become a GREAT addiction my life. I am so happy and positive after every work out- being able to push myself to run a mile in 9:40 is something that I could never do before.

This leads me to Fitbloggin’10 , a special thanks goes out to Roni and her staff! This was my first blogger’s conference and I was so amazed and inspired by everyone that I was able to meet!

Friday afternoon started off with the POM Wonderful Cocktail party!

On my way to the POM Wonderful Cocktail Party!

Fitbloggin' nametag!

POMtini

I got to meet-up with some sweet bloggers!

Ashley, Cara, Me, and Stacey

Ashley,  Cara, Me, and Stacey

Dinner that night was a Veggie Fiesta bowl!

I can safely say that the star of the show would have to be all the SWAG!

Major thanks to: New Balance , Thrive , POM Wonderful ,Gruve for some AWESOME products!

I was able to attend some great session!

Eat some great food!

Enjoy the Inner Harbor!

Inner Harbor, Baltimore MD

Downtown Baltimore, MD

Inner Harbor sunset!

What I am most excited about?

Spring!!!!!!

I plan on spending everyday with some sunshine 🙂 Have a great one!

The return of the blogger…

I have no shame.

I am a super slacker blogger.

 I can’t promise that I will ever be a consistent blogger. Oh well.

Life recap?

NYC bus tripppp!

My friends and I decided to take the bus up to NYC . I LOVE the city, the life, the energy it’s all amazing!

Walking around in Times Square

I saw my FIRST broadway! It was soooooo AMAZING

MAJOR LOVEEE!!!! I can’t wait to go see another one!

I had great company while watching the broadway

My friend Bobby loves all things music and we had a great time- he made sure I did not get mugged or lost in NY. ( Ladies he is single 😉 Heheh!)

I had the pleasure of meeting several lovely ladies at last weekends MD/ DC blogger meet up!

I had the pleasure of meeting:

Anne
Ashley
Kat
Matt
Jacquie
Aurora

And a special thanks to Lauren for setting this all up!

We all met up at the Great Sage 

For dinner I ordered the ‘lasgana’

This would have tasted great with some pasta!  Eggplant ❤

For dessert I ordered this baby. Major love allllllll the way 🙂

I could go back for round 2 , 3 or 4…..

Between school, research, interning, working out and volunteering, I am not too sure how I find time to sleep.

I have been taking some late night trips to the gym for some sweat sessions.

The company makes it all worthwhile

😉 I have been consistently running a mile in 10:50 ( non-stop). Running is HARD I have to mentally talk myself through it all.

It also has me ending my days with the following. Yes, I ice my knees next to a space heater. I have a giveaway coming up this week related to the pic. Any guesses? No you can’t have the space heater.

This week a few students and I had the chance to help out at a visual acuity screening at an inner Baltimore City school. We were working with some of the most adorable 3-4 year olds. I want to take all of them home…

And just incase I was already not busy enough my mom and sister decided to throw me a pre-birthday party. My actual birthday is not till the 31st…

Pretty in Pink!

Me and my friend from high school

We rounded off the weekend with my other friends (actual) 22nd birthday at P.F Changs down by the inner harbor.

*whew* I have been a busy girl!

I won’t be offeneded if you did not make it to the end. Come back next time for a fun giveaway!

Go out and enjoy this AMAZING this weather!

Spring semester 2010

I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off!

My semester just started on Wednesday and I am already booked solid. This does not even include school and study time.

I had some paper work to do for my internship, I love being an intern and I will do pretty much whatever needs to be done. Which is why I ended up with the task to enter clothing inventory for 70 people into a spreadsheet.

It’s seriously been taking me forever. But I have to just suck it up and do it.

I have been having some AMAZING eats.

The wonderful lovely people at Pom Wonderful sent me a few samples of  100% Pomegranate Juice.

Despite all the amazing antioxidants the juice contains I had a hard time adjusting to the tart taste of the juice.

So I decided to mix it up a little.

Clear Splash+ Pom Wonderful = AMAZINGGGGG. It was sooo much better than soda. My taste buds had a field day.

I hope I don’t start looking like

[Source]

Because I have been killing some serious spinach.

Burrito style

Corn+ Tabouli+ Plain non-fat yogurt+Potatoes+ Spanish ( cooked)+ Peppers + Corn

Wrap style

Tj’s horseradish hummus+ Spinach and potatoes combo

And my fav combo

FETAAAAAAAA

I am obsessed. And when I get obsessed with something I eat it for three days straight…

Speaking of an obsession. Have you all tried Popchips?

[Source]

I snagged a bag at Costo last week- and I am SERIOUSLY obsessed! They taste AMAZING and the best part is that they are HEALTHY.

“We don’t fry it (unhealthy). We don’t bake it (undelicious). We take wholesome potatoes, add a little heat and pressure, and pop! It’s a chip. The only thing added is a flavorful blend of seasonings for a snack so delicious and crispy, you won’t even notice it’s (we hesitate to say) healthier.” –Popchips

Obviously being at school does change my lifestyle I have all 8 am classes and I have not been going to bed till 2am most nights. This gives me about 4 hours of sleep, I don’t like to make a habit of this but my body will have to adjust. I have been sticking with my plan of watching what I eat and it’s been amazing so far. This month I have lost 5 pounds.

This is bringing me closer to my goal of having a healthy weight.

I may be eating less, but I don’t feel less full. My body lets me know when I am not eating enough- through the form of headaches. Not sure if this happens to anyone else, but it is annoying. Even if I am late eating a meal.

I have been hitting the gym everyday with low impact exercise, my injury is still feeling great. I am aiming to start running mid-feb.

Until then it is cycling and power walking at 4.5 with an incline of 5.

When I workout I feel attractive.

Happy Friday!!!!

Are you doing anything exciting this weekend?

Who am I?

In life I play it safe. I avoid confrontations, I like nothing more than to stay at home with a good book and a warm cup of tea.

You won’t find me out on a wild adventure or out doing something illegal crazy.

Last semester I heard about a research program to study healthy living in Switzerland. I knew this was the program for me. I had never traveled out of the country( do Canada and Mexico count?) before so I was nervous.

In 1997 I went to Las Vegas and threw up the entire 6 hour flight. Let’s just say people requested a seat change.

So I figured I would just apply for the program, and if I did not get in, well then I would not have to go.

But I GOT INNNN!!!!!

I will be in Switzerland from June 28th-July 4th

[Source]

I have not decided where I am going to go after, I am meeting with my classmates next week and we will take it form there!

What will I be doing there?

“This program will be useful to undergraduate and graduate students considering careers in health and aging or who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle in a fast-paced culture.

Exercise, stress reduction, and diet have been identified as key components in maintaining health for people of all ages. These factors are central to the prevention and management of chronic disease. The risk for chronic diseases increases with age, however, the sedentary, high stress, fast-food life style typical of student life and common for all ages in the US has contributed to an epidemic of related health problems. Switzerland is distinguished by low rates of chronic disease, compared to the US, and a geography and culture that fosters out-door activity for all ages. This experiential learning program applies an ecological framework to examine case studies, international best practices and participant experience to better understand how public policy and clinical practice can help individuals initiate and maintain healthy life styles.

Switzerland, a country of stunning mountain vistas, truly lies at the crossroads of Europe. For our academic program, we stay in Kandersteg, nestled in the Swiss Alps. Participants venture in to nearby cities to conduct their field research, returning to home base for an evening meal and to discuss the day’s experiences. Highlights include options for day trips to Geneva, Zurich, Berne, to see a glacier and Alpine hiking.”

*Does anyone else have air sickness? If so what do you do to deal with it?*

I have no shame…

I drove to Costco for the sole purpose of having free samples for lunch.

Ravioli ( drenched in olive oil) X2

Raspberry pastry

Veggie Chili

Almond Butter

Sun chips!

I also bought some Chobani 12 pack for 11.49!

I also bought some Tabouli which I had for lunch part 2 with some rice and roasted potatoes

I have a happy belly 🙂

Yesterday while I was sitting in the chair of boredom aka the Dentist

I was really craving a Panera sammie

Enter the love of my life.

All 610 delish calories.  They mainly come from the bread- which I will have switched the next time I get this

Have a look-see:

I really want to make my own healthy version but can anyone help me find zesty peppadew piquant peppers?

On to some school  stuff I am totally in a bummed out mood. I spend so much time and energy studying and I always end up with terrible grades. I try not to let my grades define me but it does make me sad. There are only 44 credits standing in the way of me and a B.S in Biochemistry.

I had a really hard semester- lots of tears. I dropped a classes.  But some good points I got a few really high grades-but in the end they did not help.

I know I can make it these next 3 semester- I will continue to work hard regardless of how crappy my grades are.

I do have some exciting things coming up:

• I am blogging for UMBCeats as a healthy living blogger.

• 
  

  I am in touch with the FDA with a possible job/ internship

• 
  

  I am going to continue to teach ab crunch at UMBC

• 
  

  I will continue my internship with the UMBC Shriver Center at a local homeless shelter.  We are planning to grow a garden- so that they can add FRESH veggies and herbs to their meals. We are going to use these seeds to keep up around biodiversity. I also plan on getting free composted soil from the county.

• 
  

  I am also talking to a few professors on campus to do some Public Health Research in the Spring.

• 
  

  Co-writing Public Health Roll we are planning on re-launching in Feb

I listed out all these things mainly for myself, even when things are looking bad. I do have a lot going for myself. I pride myself in taking the initiative in whatever project/ job I am doing. I hope this carries me through to my future.

Most importantly I will try my best to maintain a healthy lifestyle- with that I am going to head to the gym.

Hopefully I will feel better about myself. If not, there is always tomorrow.

And the winner is….

You are just going to have to scroll to the bottom to find out!

I had a headache last night so I took my time getting up and missed the D.C blogger meet up. I was super bummed.

I cheered myself up with Strawberry Chobani!

w/ granola. I could eat this every single day! Maybe.

Today I was not in the mood to workout. I just wanted to curl up and get back into bed. But I decided to just go for 30 mins. And if I hated it I would come back.

I kept with Elliptical Challenge 2010 and cranked out a fast 15 mins!

Today Ms. Matchy-matchy was no where to be found. Maybe she was off shopping for another outfit?

So I was left with Mr. Under Armour.

And we had at it.

Pedaling away on the seated bike. I won. Of course!

I finished my 30 mins and booked it home for some un pictured pita chips and hummus. Basically the best thing on Earth.

My mom and I hit up the mall. She had some gifts to buy so I tagged along. I am not big on shopping these days. I don’t want to try fitting into some new clothes- I have plenty at home to do so.

I did have some important business to take care of. I am a member of the Godiva Rewards Club and I wanted to go in and get my FREE chocolate of the month. Boy was I excited!

I of course wanted everything!

But I settled for the Milk Chocolate Truffle

I split it in half with my mom.  And it was worth every bite. We already know what we want next month 🙂

Shopping has to be a workout! Between dodging all the pushy kiosk sellers and sprinting past all the slow people that stop to look at e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. I was pooped when I made it home.

I came home and made a TJ special

Spinach and Chive pasta with a slightly healthier version of Tj’s Alfredo sauce.

I am a happy girl 🙂

For the rest of the night I will have some tea and grapes w/ Chobani if I feel snacky.

And now to the moment you have all been waiting for!

The winner is: lowandbhold

“Oh I loooove Chobani! Yay for your first giveaway!

Safety and good to me is family.”

-Please e-mail me at supersana786 [at] gmail [dot] com with your full name and mailing address!

Thank you all for entering my giveaway it was nice to read all of your symbols of good and safety

Where have I been?

I will let the pictures speak for themselves:

Yeah, that is what I would like to call finals week.

And then along came snOMG 2009

We got a total of 20 inches- this is the most snow many of us have ever seen. You should have heard all of my friends yapping away that this blizzard did not compare to the one in 1996.

Sigh I suddenly feel old.

Finals week is not a week of model eating.  There may have been take out orders for pizza, wings, subs and yeah…….

Thankfully my mom packed a delish and veggie filled lunch

Otherwise my mouth may not have seen some for a while.

I am officially done for the semester as of the 22nd and I don’t start up again till the 27th of January.

1 WHOLE month of freedom!

What will I ever do with all this time?

In exactly 1 year I will be applying to graduate school for a masters in Public Health- so I am going to start studying for the GRE which I will most likely take in the summer

I am not amazing at standardized testing so the more studying I get in the better!

I will still be teaching ab crunch at the UMBC gym twice a week- I still need to order new music. Any fitness instructors out there with good music sites? I use John Sines – they are great except I like to custom make my CD’s with the songs I like. But I am not too sure where I would get that done.

Help?!

So in good news I feel 89% better from my lower spine injury. I can defiantly feel my injury spot- I don’t think it will ever be 100% better but this is sooo much better.

So what is my game plan?

Well this is what Mr. Elliptical Machine had to say:

And so I did!

I stuck with the Gluteal Program:

Minutes 1-7 I was at crossramp 4 and resistance 1

7-12 I moved the resistance to level 2

12-15 I cranked it up to level 3

I stopped to stretch out my hamstrings and quads.

I hopped back on for another 15 minutes repeating the format.

I also wanted to work on some abs and I grabbed my favorite buddy and crunched away for a set of 10!

I wrapped up my light workout with a 30 sec plank and some weights (5lbs) I really did not want to over do it after being out of the gym for so long.

So far everything feels good I am going to pretty much add gradually as I go along.

It sounds like a great plan to me.

I am just happy to be out sweating.  Speaking of which I am taking my first Bikram yoga class on the 7th I plan on hydrating well and figuring out what to wear in the time being. The studio near my house has a 10 consecutive day trial pass for $25 I plan on trying it out with some of my friends.

I have never done any sort of yoga before and I plan on letting the instructor know about my injury- so I won’t do anything to hurt it.

I am also working on applying to several internships and on that I am really excited for takes place in Switzerland!

[Source]

The application along with a 500 word essay about why I plan on having a future in the health and aging field is due on the 15th. I am super nervous about applying but it will be an exciting opportunity. Even if I don’t get in I am still happy to apply- I am not the type of person that does new things like traveling ect. I am happy staying at home. But I don’t want to miss out on an amazing opportunity.
*WHEW* Stay tuned for part 2 of what I have been up too!

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday 🙂

Check out my guest post !!

Finals?

My life for the next few weeks screen shot style?

Yes, it’s THAT time of the year.

No not spring break.

FINALS WEEEK!!!

Sana’s guide to finals week:

1. Buy a pack of brightly colored Post-its the size of your face.

2. Find the smelliest pen you own. Trust me this works.

3. Get rid of distraction. AKA turn off Facebook and Twitter

4. Gettt crackinggg!

I am super paranoid about getting sick so last night I thought my throat was feeling off so I chugged some green tea.

I also had every intention of going to the gym but I decided to eat a veggie filled dinner instead. Same thing, right?

• Basmati rice
• Lentils
• Spinach with cheese sooo yum!
• Green beans with tomatoes

SOOO FULL!

I keep reminding myself I don’t need a lot of food to be full and its wokringggg!!!!

This morning I woke up to………………………

THE FIRST SNOW FALL OF THE YEARRRR!

To celebrate I stayed home and enjoyed my TJ goodies :)!

I lovee to make Indian pizza with this spread, but you can also add it to rice 🙂

SOOO FILLING!!!!

With a non drenched salad I was a happy girl!

❤ Feataaa!

I hope you all are having a lovely weekend! I am going to spend the rest of mine cracking the books!

Question: Do you ever wake up excited to eat something? If so, what is it?