The first thing I heard when I turned on the news this morning was,
“Today’s going to be a gloooomy day…”
Ummm, happy Tuesday?? 
While the Eastern skies are hued a pretty orange-pink,
the Western skies have started to form some menacing, dark blue clouds.
Hopefully it clears up by tonight – I’m totally focused on getting back on a regular running schedule this week!
For breakfast today, in an effort to use up the gigantic container of Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze in my fridge, I had a big bowl of Kashi GoLean Crunch! with a sliced banana.
I don’t know what my issue is. See, the big, refrigerated container of USVAB is the same price as the smaller, shelf stable container, and I just can’t bring myself to buy the smaller one for the same price.
The only problem with buying the big container is that you have to use the milk within 7 days of opening it, and every time I buy it I’m all – “Oh totally. I can down that in 7 days – no problem!”
7 days later I always have half the container left. Sheesh! Anyone have any recipes that use almond milk? I need to plan to make more smoothies when I have it in the house too. It makes for some fantasticly smooth smoothies!
At any rate, my cereal, banana and almond milk did wonders for my grumbling stomach this morning. Guess the milk and cookies I had for a snack last night wasn’t the most filling choice…
In other news, just call it the dish that keeps on giving, ’cause I packed some MORE roasted veggies for lunch today!
My eyes were bigger than my stomach when I roasted an entire pan of a big sweet potato, regular potato, acorn squash and brussels sprouts just for me.
Who roasts half a sweet potato, regular potato, acorn squash and minimal amounts of brussels sprouts though?
Ben doesn’t really dig just roasted veggies, therefore I’m the only one charged with polishing them off. I’m doing my best!
I also packed a gigantic Honeycrisp Apple with some Justin’s Honey Almond Butter for afternoon snacking. Bomb, bomb –> win, win.
Filling and tasty!
Exercise Goals
As I mentioned above – I’m really trying to focus on returning to a “normal” running schedule this week (aka running more than once or twice a week!) As I was chugging through my 3 mile run last night, which was WAY harder then it should have been, I asked myself – “When’s the last time you had any fitness-related goals?” The answer was…
LENT.
Lent! That was last winter! I don’t do well in general/life without any goals to work towards. Without any races, challenges or goals in my exercise life, I’ve literally been running willy-nilly since the end of Lent last year.
Well, everyone has to start somewhere, so the goal I set for myself this week is to run 5 miles in a single run at some point this week. That’s it. Totally achievable. Totally measurable. I’m going to do it. Next week, I’ll set another fitness-related goal, and so on and so forth. Wish me luck!
On that note, I’m off to enjoy this gloomy day.
See ya!
~~~~~
What’s your current exercise goal? What are you working towards? Do you need goals and challenges to get motivated?
I just ate brussels sprouts last night too! And I actuall ATE them and didn’t push them around on the plate.
Yes, there was bacon involved.
You could freeze the extra almond milk in ice cube trays and use them in smoothies later!
Good idea about the running goal! It’s so helpful to set objectives, especially when it’s easy to fall into a rut.
P.S. I liked the lighting for your breakfast shots!
If I have leftover almond milk I freeze it in ice cube trays to use for later – works best for dishes that are cooked or oats since the texture changes just a bit though. I sub in almond milk anytime regular milk is called for in a recipe – works like a charm… yep, we’ve definitely had vanilla almond milk in our mac n’ cheese
My boyfriend can’t even tell the difference!
i buy the almond milk in shelf stable apcks of 6 from sam’s club
and im DYING for your roasted veggies. i only made enough for dinner last night (seasoned with evoo, garam masala, and ginger!) but i would love them today! currently my workout goals are to sweat once a day. i just joined a co-ed kickball league, so i wanted to try to work out every single day. last night was a long bike ride and yoga, tonight is our first game, and we’ll see what the rest of the week has planned!!
I’m training for the NYC marathon right now, so that’s my goal that keeps me on the roads everyday.
Ummmm does Almond Breeze really go bad seven days after opening? I definitely do not abide by that rule…should I be scared?
Love that Iowa sunrise.
I am currently training for the Des Moines 1/2 marathon. Sticking to my training schedule has been my fitness goal for the past 3 months and it is scary and exciting to think I am almost to the end of it.
You’re supposed to consume almond milk within 7 days? Oops…
I love Justin’s! Great snack.
I can’t seem to find the larger USVAB at my grocery store.
My goals are to get back on track with healthy eating now that summer is over!
My current goal is to be able to run 5k’s with my fiancé next year! He started running hardcore about 2 years ago and is now entering races all the time! I love watching him race, but I think if we ran together it would be a great way to bond. I have gone from not being able to run at all, because my lungs BURN like no other (to the point where I was being checked for exercise induced asthma…) to being able to run half a mile no problem (which I did last night!)
i definitely love having goals. currently i am training for a marathon. it’s not until may, but i’m building up a base. i was supposed to run a 1/2 marathon this fall but the race is a scam
so that will not be happening. good luck on the 5 mile run! and i second everyone else saying to freeze the almond milk in ice cube trays.
I wouldn’t worry too much about using the almond milk within 7 days. I used to work at a health food store, and learned a lot about “use by” dates. They are totally estimated and not created with a ton of research behind them. I’ve definitely kept using almond milk after those 7 days with no problems!
I’ve been pretty unfocused myself, so trying to set some goals. I’m following the Couch to 5K program, but jumped a few weeks to match my current fitness level. I think I just need to sign up for a 5K and then I’ll have to stay on track.
I am currently training for my first half in KC in October. My farthest i have ran is 8 miles, this weekend will be 9. Whoa..me running ? never thought i could do it! love every minute of it! After reading your blog for months i decided to get off the couch and run. I am doing it and loving it. NOW, if i could only do the eating part with it!
I have the same exact problems with the almond milk! Everytime I buy it I psych myself up for drinking lots of it, and somehow I only ever get through half of it too! But, I can’t bring myself to buy the one on the shelf… just kinda weirds me out!
i roast all sorts of vegetables fo rme! and if it takes me a couple of days then so be it! but i usually gorge on tons of it at once anyway!
My current goal is to run a marathon in January with Team in Training (for the Leukemia & Lymphma society.) Since I have to raise money too, there’s an extra challenge to it.
Wow- didn’t pay attention to the 7 day rule….never have and I haven’t had any problems! I am not too concerned.
I’ve actually been using almond milk in my coffee and in a LOT of baking lately! I made Jessica’s peanut butter pancakes on Saturday morning and used unsweetened vanilla almond milk in them- it worked out great!
I’m the same way…I just flounder around with goals. Thanks for the motivation to start making goals TODAY!
yeah…I don’t follow the “finish in 7 days” either. In fact, I think Almond Milk has a MUCH longer shelf life than regular milk! I know I’ve had it for longer than 2 weeks and I’ve never noticed any differences….
I have started the P90X dvd’s so for the next 90 days I will be sweating like crazy. I too freeze milk in ice cube trays ( i use soy milk). I also freeze pasta saauce and veggie stock in baggies (1 cup measures) to use later so I don’t waste it. I usually am only cooking for one.
Setting goals is such a great way to push yourself in your workouts especially with running. I am trying to set lots of goals at the moment since I am training for a half marathon! The other great thing is you feel so good when you accomplish your goals! Keep it up girl!
Hey Kristin,
You can use almond milk or soy milk just like you would with regular milk. Both of them taste great in whatever you choose to use it in. I love our soy, but lately I have heard that Soy is not so good for you. So I think I will be going the rice milk way:)
Hope all is well and I love your blog!
-Maria
My goal: Running the Des Moines Half this October! A great goal and a great way to stay in shape!
I never knew the 7 day rule either. I’ve always just used the date on the carton. I know I’ve had almond milk in the fridge for weeks at a time and it was just fine (and so was I, relatively speaking).
That Lent was just too funny. You crack me up sometimes (loved the talking to yourself the other day).
I don’t have any exercise goals right now because I need a knee replacement and can’t afford one. Prior to that I had back surgery and it took a while to recover. Before those issues, I belonged to an internet exercise group where I posted my exercise every day; I did this for a few years. Worked great. I had a rule where I never tried to miss more than 2 days between workouts and I also exercised a certain amount every month. For me, when my exercise is up, my weight is down and vice versa. A lot of my orthopedic issues stemmed from overexercising in my teens and twenties. In college, I worked at health clubs and after that I used to exercise 4-5 hours a day because I loved it, not because I had to! All of it was high impact and it took it’s toll. As soon as I get this knee issue resolved, I should be good to go again for a while. Until then, I am focusing more on dietary goals.
funny, i was just thinking yesterday that I need a goal to work toward! I’m contemplating signing up for a half marathon….eeek! But the one I’d do is still 7 months away, so I probably need to start with something a little more short term…
Those pictures of the sky looked wicked! Hope nothing nasty comes of them…
My current workout goal is to just stay on track: workout at least 5 days a week, with at least 3 days of weight lifting. I try to push myself hard every workout with the mindset of “If I’m here and I’m working out, I’m really going to workout.” Your motto “pain is temporary, accomplishment is forever” actually helps motivate me when I get in a slump. So thanks for that!
Sometimes the shorterm goals make all the difference. Five miles will feel sooo good! You can totally do this
Well, in order to push myself, I signed up for the Principal 5k in October. I am not a runner and actually kinda hate it, but I need to get into shape before winter comes!! I figure that the idea of humiliating myself in front of the entire city is good motivation!
My current fitness goal: finish the Portland Marathon with a PR! And maybe qualify for Boston! We’ll see…it’s just a few weeks away.
I’d use that extra almond milk and make up a huge batch of pancakes, then freeze them, about 3 to a sandwich bag. Then you can pull them out whenever needed!
I adore brussel sprouts!
And I love having fitness related goals. I actually look forward to having them again after this baby is born. Right now my goal is simply to stay active. LOL
Good for you! 5 miles is a terrific goal and just like you said totally measurable. Remember your favorite phrase about pain being temporary when you attempt the run though
My goal at the moment is yoga. Getting back into it REGULARLY. Purchasing a 2 week consecutive pass is helping. Other than that I might borrow your 5 miles THIS week goal! It’s a winner.
Ooh, I absolutely love roasted veggies! Your lunch looks really good.
I agree with others about not abiding by that 7 day rule. I never do and I’m fine, plus I have actually had almond milk go bad before (I think after about 3 weeks) and trust me, you CAN definitely tell.
Last time I had usvab to use up I also had an abundance of strawberries from the strawberry patch outing. To solve this problem I made a simple homemade vanilla cake with the almond milk, topped with.strawbeeries and baked. This cake turmed out so good, moist (i hate that word) and full of flavor. I suggest bake and bake away with any remaining milk!
we always run out of milk in this house! its a drag to go reach for some & find someone polished it off!
I totally feel you on that milk situation! I love Silk’s Very Vanilla Soymilk, and all my local stores only sell it in the large size. I always tell myself the same thing (you can do it!) and end up in the same place (how did I only drink half?)! I’ll be curious to see your solution, because I sure haven’t found one!
In answer to your questions, I definitely find setting goals to be helpful. I feel very aimless if I don’t know what I’m working toward. (I’m kinda that way about everything though.) Plus, I feel like progress is easier to measure against a goal, and seeing that you’ve improved (even if you haven’t met it) is also a really good motivator to stick with your plan. My current exercise goal is very tame – it’s just to walk almost every day for 45 min and do yoga once a week. I’m trying to work up to running. I wish I knew how to ease into running from being a walker. Or do you just go Nike, and just do it?
Sounds like a great fitness goal to me!!!
I thought Almond Milk had a much longer shelf life than cows milk? I definitely have been drinking my opened containers of USVAB for more than a week and I promise I haven’t gotten ill. Trust me, my stomach doesn’t do unstable shelf life’s either.
What a wonderful goal idea. I love that you are breaking them down by weeks. I think if more people saw their goals on a smaller picture, they would be much more attainable.
[...] Comments « Go For the Goal! [...]
where is the link to what you did for lent? i should make some fitness goals…….. ugggghhhhh hmmmmmm what to do………
Goals are vital, else I feel I faulter. I’m doing the Cool Runnings Couch to 5K. I’ve never run before….ever. I’m mid-week 2. So far, so good.
By the by…..your photos of Italy brought me to tears. Literally. It sparked a conversation Friday night about when we would actually get to go “where the history is”, meaning Europe and especially Italy. My husband’s mother is full-blooded Italian. Her whole family is still there. One day…..