Monday, September 13, 2010

Out of Control


I would consider myself a dominant person.  I like to be in control, in the drivers seat, the leader of the pack.  I also like to lead by example; therefore, I strive to maintain a positive attitude when things reach the point of no control.  There are many things in my life at the moment that I have no control over and I'm choosing to remain positive about them all.  

Let's take this morning for example.  I woke up like I do every morning ready to run.  Yes, I am currently training for a 1/2 marathon, but most of the reason why I choose to run every morning is purely selfish.  I love it.  Plain and simple. 

Anyways, I made my way to the gym only to see that the one and only treadmill where I have run all of my miles was broken.  A sign read, "Repair man called, please do not use."  

Fail! Rather than throw in the towel and pout, I chose to came home and enjoy 45 min on my ET.  Then I realized, in a few weeks, I won't have the option of waking up first thing and running.  I think this is a good test of my strength and it's God's way of preparing for change. 

Thankfully, breakfast was no fail. 


Peach Blackberry Yogurt Cereal 

1/4 Cup TJ's Honey Almond Flax Crunch (or their version of Kashi Go Lean Crunch), 1/4 Cup Kashi Go Lean, 1/2 peach, blackberries, Peach Chobani, 1 tsp Almond Butter, Granola Sprinkles 

Eaten with my new baby spoon!  I finally made it into a Crate and Barrel for one of these! 



Still in the mood for Iced Coffee.

At work today, I realized that as much as I try to keep things in control, there are some instances that go beyond my control.  Like dates that change or events that are rescheduled.  Organization is a skill I pride myself on, but there are just some days when being organized will not help you. 

I was extra hungry for lunch today.  I don't think I got enough fiber at breakfast. 

I came home to make one of my favorite sammies ever. 

Smoked Salmon and Peach on Cinnamon Raisin


1 slice Cinnamon Raisin Ezikel Bread, Smoked Salmon, 1/2 Peach, Spinach, Dijon, Goat Cheese


Side Fruit and Nut Salad

Romaine, Broccoli, Cucumber, Avocado, Blueberries, Dried Cranberries, Walnuts, Pom seeds, Huckleberry Vinaigrette


After work, I contemplated going to the gym for a very controlled run on the treadmill.  I knew by going to the gym, I would be able to control the speed, the temperature and the distance of my run.  I was on my way when it hit me.  Why would I go to the gym to run on such a beautiful day?  Why wouldn't I just run outside?  Even though I've been training for my 1/2 marathon for months and I've been running more than 30 miles a week, I haven't done hardly any running outside and I know I need to get in more outdoor runs before the race. 

I laced up my sneakers and hit the pavement.  I ended up doing 4 miles and I will not lie, it was hard.  It was hot, I was tired, and I am not an evening runner.  I truly only feel best when running first thing in the morning. 

The run was actually a good challenge for me and I felt really good after I finished.  My speed is still staying pretty solid, averaging around 8:30 mile even though I felt much slower. 

When I got back and cooled down, I started dinner. 

I almost forgot about the massive sweet potato my dad bought me at the farmers market last week. 



I used half of this baby to make one of my favorite Stir Fry recipes. 

Sweet and Sour Tempeh with Sweet Potatoes 
from Eat Drink and Be Vegan


I really need to make more recipes from this cookbook, but I just love this one so much it's hard to deter from a classic. 


I made Toly' General Taso's chicken from a pre-made frozen bag I picked up at Trader Joes. 



He loved it!  Dare I even tell you he admitted liking it more than the real General Taso's. 

Even though I may not be in control as much as I'd like, there are definitely times when I feel like learning how to let go is just as important. 

What is one thing that you wish you had more control over?  I wish I was able to control emotions better.  I believe I am a highly emotional person and many time, my emotions get the best of me. 



Photobucket

11 comments:

  1. I'm completely with you, Lauren, my emotions get the best of me more than I'd like to admit. It's like, I can reason things out in my head but my emotions scream ten times louder. It slowly gets better and better but sometimes I feel not fast enough, ha.

    Your dinner looks absolutely fabulous!! :)

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  2. Saaaame here - I wish I had more control over my emotions so that I wouldn't stress myself out so much.

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  3. Deliciousness of a day. The fruit and nut salad and dinner stir fry both look out of this world. Fruit does amazing things for salads. Glad you got an outdoor run in (so much better than a treadmill in my opinion). It is tough that we can't control everything...but thats what makes life exciting, right? I am a little bit of a control freak myself. I'm with veggie girl- I wish I stressed a little less!

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  4. I wish I had more control over the environment around me. I hate being uncomfortable, but I guess that makes me stronger. I hate being soggy and wet, when I'm surrounded by negative people and can't leave, or when I'm in a super uncomfortable or dangerous situation.

    I believe that makes me a control freak ;)

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  5. That sweet potato looks like a baby seal/dolphin/whale. Do you see it!?!?

    Control is my middle name...I really wish it weren't that way.

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  6. I'm with you on the emotion front. I can be so volatile at times! Thank you for sharing another day of gorgeous eats. Your sandwich with salmon and peach sounded so amazing! I've never thought of slicing that fruit up on my sandwiches. Brilliant, as always!

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  7. I'm totally with you! I wish I had more control over both my emotions and the hormones that control my emotions. It would be nice to be able to control that better. Everything else I seem to have down.

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  8. Good luck with your half marathon! I have been finding lately that running home from work has been much harder and I have been dreading the late day run. I added some late day health snacking and it has seemed to help me get over the hump.

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  9. this is going to sound so vain...but i wish i had more control over other drivers! haha. it's my COMPLETE downfall. i'm so logical about everything and it drives me nuts when other people aren't! i really need to work on patience! haha. love the salmon sammie idea!

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  10. i totally give people who are in control credit - i am very rarely in control it seems! usually i don't mind, but there are sometimes where i just wish things would go exactly how i wanted. c'est la vie - that is life!

    your morning breakfasts are so gorgeous - i love them! and way to work out those DOUBLE workouts lady. off to catch up on the rest of your posts - love ya!

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  11. Oooo - LOVE the looks of that sammy - smoked salmon is one of my very favorite things!!

    I wish I had more control over my emotions at times too. I am very quick tempered - both happy and angry. There's usually no middle ground with me!!

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