Wednesday, September 1, 2010

My Big News!!


I have been keeping something from you for a few weeks now, and I am finally able to share my big news with the world. 

In a few weeks, I'll be attending the AAAI/SMA Certification Conference to get my Personal Fitness Trainer Certification!!! 

I could not be more excited about this decision.  After much thought, research, and advice from great friends, I've finally decided to pursue a dream of mine that I've had for some time.  

The conference is an excellent starting point and will allow me to obtain my general personal fitness and instructor certification which I'm hoping will open some doors.  I've been talking with the PT's and Instructors at my gym and they all say that this is a very solid program and the best one to start with.  After this, I may want to become specialized in a certain area or class, but before I know where I am really built to be (and spend the money to be certified in something else) this will give me the knowledge and experience I need to begin. 

I've actually been feeling that I need to spend some time focusing my passions into another form of athletics other than running.  As much as I love to run, my body is starting to tell me it needs a break.  That is why I think teaching and becoming a PT will be an excellent alternative.  

The Conference will be in Baltimore on October 1-3.  Anyone who will be in the area on Saturday night, the 2nd and wants to meet up for dinner, please email me!!! 

Okay, now that I've gotten that off my chest, I'll digress to the events of the day. 

Of course by "events" I mostly mean the eats. 

Let's start with breakfast. 

Pear, Cereal, and Yogurt Bowl with Blackberries

1/4 Cup Bobs Red Mill Apple Cinnamon & Grain Hot Cereal, 1/4 Cup Applesauce, 1/4 Cup Vanilla Chobani, 1 small Pear, Blackberries, Granola

I picked up the Bobs Red Mill Apple Cinnamon & Grain Hot Cereal at the Farmer's Market this weekend. I was immediately intrigued with the ingredient list. Apple, Cinnamon, Grains Cereal is made from a tasty blend of stone ground high protein hard red wheat, rye, triticale, oats, barley, brown rice, oat bran, flaxseed, natural dried apples and cinnamon.

I nuked a 1/4 cup with 1/2 cup of water and that was it.  The perfect texture to this yogurt bowl. 



Everything else

I was not the slightest bit hungry all morning until around 11am when I remembered that I had a lunch date planned with my good friend Jess.  I was taking her out for her birthday, which is on Friday and we had plans to hit up the BEST MEXICAN restaurant ever! El Sol! 

If you remember, Toly and I went to El Sol the other night.  El Sol also has a branch site right by our work that does fast lunch and take out.  For two girls that love Mexican as much as us, we couldn't have been more enthused. 

Happy Birthday Jess!! 


We started with a HUGE plate of Guac.  This came with a side of salsa and chips, but I think if they would have only given us two spoons, we would have been just fine with that. 




El Sol has the very best Guacamole I have ever had.  It's so incredibly fresh and chunky, just the way I like with a hefty amount of lime and salt.  Love! 

Since it would be weird to consume an entire plate of guac as my meal (well to most), I chose the Shrimp Ensalada Fresca as my meal. 

Grilled Shrimp, Romaine, Tomatoes, Avocado, Queso Fresco

It was a beauty but what I really should have showed you was how it looked after I dumped the rest of the salsa and guac on top.  That was even better! 

Jess had the Enchiladas Salsa Verde 





Oh holy goodness, this was all so magnificent.  I'm fully prepared to admit that Mexican may just be my favorite meal.  

After our birthday feast, it was back to work and then, before I knew it, the day had ended. 

After an hour of working out, walking Sammy, and cleaning up around the house, dinner was calling. 

It's hard to believe, but I was actually imagining this creation in my head all afternoon, yes even with small Mexican food baby that comfortably sat in my stomach. 

Smoked Salmon, Peach, Goat Cheese and Spinach Sammie


  • 2 Slices of Ezikle Cinnamon Raisin Bread
  • 1 tsp of Dijon
  • 1 tsp Blueberry Jam
  • Goat Cheese 
  • 1/2 Sliced Peach
  • 2 oz Smoked Salmon
  • Spinach
Build the sandwich with the above ingredients accordingly. 




Heat in a skillet until melted, warm and toasted. 

One of my best!  Again, the sweet and salty combo never ceases to be anything less than amazing. 

With the sammie, I had a side of roasted broccoli and watermelon. 




And that was my day.  Delicious as always! :) 

Reminder: Keep the questions coming.  If there is anything you want to ask for my "ask me anything" page, please don't be shy! 

Question for you: Is there one dream that you have that you've recently began to pursue? I'd like to think that most of my dreams have been or will be pursued, but this PT Certification is my latest, and although I'm a little nervous, I couldn't be happier! 



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16 comments:

  1. MAJOR CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  2. Congrats girl!!! That is so exciting! I think you would be an awesome PT :)

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  3. Congrats Lovely!!! That is SUPER exciting news! I'm so happy you are following your passion and I can't wait to see where it takes you!!! xoxoxo

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  4. Congrats! How wonderful!!!

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  5. Congrats!! That's awesome girl!

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  6. Congratulations! Way to follow your dream : )

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  7. Just discovered your blog! Way to go after your dreams, I am going back to school and doing pre-nursing. It's intimidating since I haven't taken a real science class in at least 6 years but it's such a good feeling working hard toward a goal. :)

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  8. Congratulations! I'm so glad you are following your dreams. If you have a chance, visit Joe Squared in Baltimore...they have amazing pizza. And I totally was drooling over your Mexican food tonight. Yum!

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  9. oh my gosh, i am over the MOON excited for you! that is such a big, fun, awesome announcement! go lauren! i am so proud of you for going after this, i know you will go above and beyond all expectations. you are wonderful at everything you do!

    side note: THAT GUAC! (jaw drop)

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  10. That sandwhich looks flippnig amazing!

    Congrats on the PT adventure! : )

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  11. congrats lady! as you know, i am all about following your dreams - and i have to say, as someone who's been doing it for the last ten years, it is worth it all (even all the crap that comes along with it)

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  12. whoop whoop! I am so excited for you (and thanks for the shout out ;)). You are going to be a fantastic fitness role model for so many people!! Oh my gosh- that guac looks amazing! I could eat it with a spoon too. And your salad looks incredible fresh for a Mexican restaurant. Hope your weekend is incredible!

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  13. CONGRATULATIONS DEAR LAUREN! that is amazing, and i am so happy for you. can't wait to hear all about how it goes. lots of love!!!

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  14. Good for you!!!! Let me know if you need any help, I did mine through the ISSA but just passed in May! :)

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  15. Congratulations! (Sorry I'm so late!) Way to go after your dream!
    That sandwich looks and sounds out of this world!

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