People would be happier if they enjoyed more picnics.
Happy Monday, peeps! That statement above is a scientific fact. Okay, not really, though most in the brainy community tout the benefits of sunshine, touching grass, and relishing in the company of plants. And brown birds scurrying around your picnic site looking for handouts.
Which I don’t provide, by the way. Ya’ll doing critters a disservice by intentionally feeding them.
Anywho, Saturday J and I enjoyed some outside time in St. Petersburg, which was well-needed on my end and a really low-key and creative way to explore. We visited the St. Pete Saturday Market with the goal of picking up lunch items from the various stalls. We put together a lovely spread! It was National French Bread Day, so naturally we grabbed a fresh baguette, along with a sharp cheddar and a sheep’s milk gouda cheese, a jar of Bloody Mary pickles, a dish of tabbouleh, and a blue crab empanada for him.
Seriously, it was such a quaint layout and utterly delicious. We both garbed up in picnic attire, including cute hats, and laid our blanket at Demen’s Landing on the waterfront. The weather was perfection, bluebird skies and around 80 degrees with a breeze and low humidity.
That shit’s what fools people into moving to Florida, citing our beautiful clime. Hahahahahaahaha SIKE wait until July.
Backtrack earlier in the week. I FINALLY buzzed and trimmed my hair, which was well overdue, and am so glad I managed to find the time to squeeze in a trip to the salon that day. Otherwise I’d look like a fucken shaggy-brown bear right now. I love my undercut but it stresses me the hell out when it grows into spikes.
I walked over to Shortwave after my spa time for an obligatory day off coffee. I tried their banana bread latte, and while it didn’t taste like banana bread, it was tasty, with warm cinnamon notes.
This week was the first in which my schedule reflected my new afternoon-focused shifts. So far I’m adjusting really well to the time slot. I am quite high energy in the morning and I find I can utilize that to my advantage outside of a work context: I clean, meal prep, and even experimented with my lighting and found the narrow time slots that work best for process photos. Some angles are trickier than others, but workable.
Sometimes a change of pace is a good thing. I’ve been in the same routine for years now and think I fell into a rut as a result. At least after last week I feel less fried and more inspired, and less grumpy about having to head into work each day. It helps when I come home to a very fragrant Crock Pot that’s been stewing while I’m away!
Speaking of Crock Pot, a few meals I enjoyed this week. I’m not going to make a huge deal out of this, but yes, I’ve reintroduced small amounts of meat into my diet (this site will remain pescatarian and vegetarian, never fear!), so I cooked up a pot roast in the Pot on Wednesday. So good. Also enjoyed bangers and mash on St. Patrick’s Day using a variation of my Stovetop Mashed Potatoes recipe.
Maybe I’ll talk about my dietary switch more later, maybe I won’t. Haven’t decided yet.
As for my running, I’ve pulled back on my run/walk intervals and am trying a different approach to my mileage build. Saturday and today I performed 9 and 7.5 miles respectively of 2 or 4:30 minute run/:30 walk, and my knee has responded well. My goal this week is to hit around 30 miles at that split, then maintain 30-35 miles for a few weeks while increasing my run intervals and decreasing the walks. I’m hopeful that this strategy will stabilize my running and let me back into a training schedule sooner than later!
Alright, I’m done running my gob. Be well and we’ll chat next week!
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…More colorful spring cupcakes (teehee).
…An easy and pretty springtime dip!
…An Easter riff on a brunch cocktail.
A Few Things I’m Digging
Bento boxes…I started working afternoons and always find it hard to eat a proper lunch during these types of shifts. The solution? Adult lunch boxes! The one I’m making on repeat thus far is cheese, crackers, olives, apple slices, and turkey. I’ll be experimenting with more down the line!
Protein shake…I bought some Premier Protein shakes (Cafe Latte flavor) to tide myself over while we waited for a new shipment of our primary protein. These are delicious! I drink them on their own or blend them up with banana for a heartier, creamier frozen treat.
Dress…I shelled out for this ruffled floral maxi dress this week – I think I mentioned it in a previous Sidebar – and I just adore it! It’s the dress I’m wearing in the picnic photos from above. Super comfy, great fit for a tallish person with a long torso and short legs, AND THERE’S A FUCKEN POCKET!
Notable Food Holidays
Monday, March 23: National Chip and Dip Day (Hot Tuscan Spinach Dip or Layered Street Corn Taco Dip for me!)
Wednesday, March 25: National Pecan Day (whip up a batch of Brown Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies!) and International Waffle Day!
This Week’s Menu
Meatless Monday…Spicy Sesame Orange Tempeh Bowls
Taco Tuesday…Barbacoa Jackfruit Tacos with Garlic Lime Crema
Wednesday…Artichoke Gouda Pizza
Thursday…Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus with Honey Butter Polenta
Friday Cozy Hour…Lavender Hot Chocolate
Saturday Baking…Big Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Sunday Picnic…Pool Party Pasta Salad
Five Spring Brunch Ideas
2. Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits with Honey Bourbon Strawberry Jam
3. Baked Carrot Cake Doughnuts
4. Blueberry Lemon Curd Pancakes
Shops & Wish List
Amazon cart…I’m moving onto revamping my bathroom since my espresso bar is *pretty much* styled the way I want it. Eyeing this pink mini trash can to replace the janky one I have…Love this floral shower curtain and these bath mats. On a different note, I think I’m going to snag me a patellar brace to see if it helps my knee.
Target…Really like this button up A-line dress (purple) and this pullover maxi dress (yellow floral). This resort linen cami + matching wide leg linen pants are super cute for a spring or summer vacation, been eyeing them my past trips…LOVE this mini ruffle dress for a date night (fern green or light pink)…Eyeing these little bow barrettes.
H&M…ADORE this floral tie-detail dress, so perfect for a spring picnic or Easter…These linen blend shorts (dark khaki) look super comfy with a crop top (this striped boxy tee?) and strappy sandals…
Week in Training
Monday, 3.16: 7.51 miles, 11:19 pace + 22 minute upper body & PT
Dropped my run intervals down to 6 minutes after my knee seemed frazzled by the 10 minute increments. Can’t say it helped much. Plus I just continue to feel like shit due to allergies so yeah, not a recipe for the best feeling session. The only consolation is that I felt really strong and productive in the gym!
Strength:
- 3 x 6 shoulder press 20#
- 3 x 10 row 30#
- 3 x 10 triceps extension 25#
- 2 x 15 ea. banded single leg squat
- 2 x 20 ea. banded standing hydrants
- 2 x 20 ea. banded knee thrusts
- 3 x 10 ea. BW Bulgarian split squat
Tuesday, 3.17: 45 minute elliptical intervals + 25 minute upper body & PT
My knee is not having fun so I’ll be hanging on the elliptical for awhile again. Threw in some harder efforts for this session and wow did they feel difficult! But, productive. Did 10 x 1 minute at level 7/1 minute easy, with a 15 minute warmup and 10 minute cooldown. Satisfying and sweaty.
Strength:
- 2 x 6/1 x 4/1 x 10 biceps curl 20/20/15#
- 3 x 15 chest press 20#
- 3 x 12 narrow press 15#
- 3 x 10 ea. leg extension 30#
- 2 x 15 ea. banded lunge hydrants
- 2 x 20 ea. banded elevated clamshell
Wednesday, 3.18: 70 minute elliptical easy + 16 minute mobility
Decent but boring little spin, simulating my outdoor route with a few little climbs. I averaged 6.1 METs, which is apparently considered “vigorous” and on par with running? Hey, I’ll take it!
Strength:
- 3 x 10 deadbug 25#
- 2 x :30 incline wall sit
- 3 x 15 ea. banded standing hydrants
- 3 x 20 hamstring frogs
- 3 x 10 ea. hip flexor hikes 5#
- 50 crunches
Thursday, 3.19: 60 minute elliptical intervals + 25 minute legs
Threw in a few harder efforts during this session and enjoyed it! 25 minute warmup, 4 x 2 minutes moderate (level 5)/1 minute recovery, 4 x 1 minute hard (level 7)/1 minute recovery. RPM was around 75-76 for the first set and 70-71 for the second. Definitely not the same as running but it still feels like an accomplishment to get this done.
Strength:
- 4 x 8 ea. leg press 80#
- 3 x 10 plie squat 50#
- 4 x 8 deadlift 80#
- 4 x 8 ea. banded single leg squat 10#
- 2 x 15 ea. standing hydrants
- :30 ea. pistol wall sit
Friday, 3.20: 50 minute elliptical + 20 minute full body
Easy spin. My knee has been feeling better these past few days, so that is good progress. Can’t get cocky though.
Strength:
- 3 x 12 thruster 15#
- 2 x 15/1 x 12 front raise 20#
- 2 x 10 ea. lunge with curl 10#
- 3 x 10 curtsy lunge press 10#
- 4 x 20 calf raise 60#
- :35 ea. Copenhagen plank
Saturday, 3.21: 9.05 miles, 11:29 pace
Yay, a run! Struck down my intervals to 2 minute run/:30 walk, with some 4:30 run/:30 walk in there to jazz it up. My knee did very well though my legs were tired and sore from yesterday’s workout. My mucus, however, was not cooperating. My snot rockets misfired and…yeah, it was gross. Nonetheless, happy to have gotten some mileage in and ready to formulate a plan for next week!
Sunday, 3.22: 25 minute elliptical
Total running mileage: 16.6
