Couch to 5km - Week 2

Instructions: Brisk five-minute warm-up walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Five-minute cool-down walk.

Day 1 (Sat 26/5) - DONE
Day 2 (Tue 29/5) - DONE
Day 3 (Thu 31/5) - DONE

This week's music was not as fun but the podcast still did the trick. I enjoyed running for a little longer each interval as well. I love getting my heart rate up like this. On Saturday though, I stupidly went straight to a 75 minute vinyasa yoga class soon after the walk/run and didn't have the stamina. I won't be doing that again so will need to alternate my running and yoga days.

I also realised that I've been focusing too much on my lower body and failed to do any upper body weight training for quite some time. It's time to start incorporating a weights session on my run days.

Through my yoga, I've discovered just how weak I am in my upper body. Especially when in downward dog for longer holds and after a million (well, that's what it feels like) attempted chaturangas (I still haven't mastered this). I know I'll get stronger if I continue to do yoga, but I think I need the extra support, I know I need the extra support. I'll be checking out stumptuous.com for ideas. I'll only use free weights and do push ups, sit ups etc. I really hate gyms and much happier working out at home for free.

In other news, lots of fun social stuff going on so only have enough time to write about the running at the moment. This keeps me honest with the running and motivated.

Yoga is (for me) . . .

being able to laugh at myself
taking life less seriously
becoming more compassionate
worry only for what's truly important
being more socially aware
being more environmentally aware
letting go
what I love
a way of life
a philosophy
being alive
being open to life's challenges
being present, aware, mindful
being true, honest, positive
everything around me
om shanti, peace and happiness

(and no, I'm not even close to doing this kind of pose . . . yet!)

Couch to 5km - Week 1

Instructions: Brisk five-minute warm-up walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Five-minute cool-down walk.

Day 1 (Sat 19/5) - DONE
Day 2 (Mon 21/5) - DONE
Day 3 (Wed 23/5) - DONE

I started the C25km on Saturday and it was such a buzz. The recovery was intense and headache-y for the first day but eased off with the second and third day. I'm in for the challenge now. I nearly gave up on the first and second run but that's when Robert said it'll be my last 60 secs. I couldn't give up, I was nearly finished! My yogic breathing came in handy too.

There’s definitely a psychological barrier I have to work through rather than a physical one with running. The past couple of years of power walking, cycling, weights and yoga has helped me get to this point. I’m also fitter than I realised because there was no dragon breathing or loss of breathe. Let’s see how Week 2 treats me though when I’m running for a longer interval time.

So far so good:

• feel so re-energised after each run
• detoxifying
• recovery becoming quicker after each run
• left shoulder a little twangy when running
• inner top thighs, a new muscle sensation!
• overall, feel amazing

I never in my wildest dreams thought I could run and I know it’s only been Week 1 but I think this plan is a good one for me. I couldn’t do it without the daggy podcast either. It helps keep it fun, even if it does remind me of dancing in dodgy clubs at 3am.

Learning to Run

I've fallen in love with the idea of running. I finally want to do it and really move my sorry arse. It scares the hell out of me and more so out of embarrassment but since I started yoga last year, I've learned a lot about myself and how far I can push myself. I know I can push myself a lot further.

The clincher was reading the C25km discussion over on Health Nuts. It got me excited so I went to the Cool Running website to check it all out. I've even downloaded the first C25km podcast. Hilarious! I'm listening to it now and I feel like I'm in a nightclub at 3am in Darlinghurst. Too bloody funny but I'm still going to do it. I'm going to start on Monday and really looking forward to it.

Now to tie it in with yoga, I found a link titled Yoga for Runners over on Yoga Journal.

Thanks to all you running bloggers out there (you know who you are!!) and to Scully for posting the links over on Health Nuts. You've all been a great inspiration and a wealth of information. I just hope I can stick with it. I'm going to feel like such a spastic. I'm sure my form is more goofy like than sporty!

Vegetarian in the Making

It’s been 4 weeks now since I stopped eating meat and I haven’t really missed it. Eating out seems to be relatively easy as well but I do need to plan and cook more. It helps that I live around Newtown because it’s an alternative cultural hub in Sydney. There are quite a few vegetarian places around so with a little more education and some planning, I shouldn’t have a problem continuing.

We have some fantastic vegetarian and/or organic stores, supermarkets and restaurants. Here are some places that I have been checking out (and want to check out further). Life Organic and Harris Farm Markets still sell meat but their focus is on healthy organic and fresh food.

Vegetarian/Organic Produce
Alfalfa House – 113 Enmore Road, Enmore
Life Organic – 125 King Street, Newtown
Dr Earth (Go Vita) – 311 King Street, Newtown
Harris Farm Markets – Broadway Shopping Centre, Broadway
Russell's Natural Food Market (GNC Livewell) – 53 Glebe Point Road, Glebe
ueathealthy - 421 Bourke Street, Surry Hills

Vegetarian Cafes/ Restaurants
Badde Manors Café – 37 Glebe Point Road, Glebe
Emma's on Liberty (Lebanese) – 59 Liberty Street, Enmore
Macro Café – 146 King Street, Newtown
Harvest Vegetarian Restaurant – 71 Evans Street, Rozelle

Vegetarian Resources
ACT Vegetarian Society
Australian Vegetarian Society
Go Veg
International Vegetarian Union
New Zealand Vegetarian Society
Perth Veg*n Resources
Vegetarian Network Victoria
Vegetarian Society of South Australia
Vegetarian/Vegan Society of Queensland

The New Becoming Vegetarian is still my main reference also because it's proving to be invaluable.

Wanna, Gonna, Shoulda

"Give yourself about 15 to 30 minutes a day to practice. If you don't have 15 to 30 minutes a day, try 10 to 15 minutes a day. If you can't find 10 minutes a day, you know you have no interest."
Kevin Farrow, The Natural Alchemist

Stop being the wanna, gonna, shoulda person. If you really want to do something, do it and enjoy it. Stop tormenting yourself with something you think you "should" be doing, saying or even how you think you're supposed to behave, especially if it's not really your thing. You're only lying to yourself. Focus on what you really want to do, find out how to do it and then go for gold.

You will only succeed if you really want to and succeeding is not about reaching an end, it's about the growth, the journey and where it takes you.

Moving in May

Need to plan, need to track, helps me stay motivated. I slack off otherwise plus my treats are starting to show with a 2-3kg gain. Easy enough to lose though, if I cut the crap and move my butt.

Tues 1 - sick day
Wed 2 - sick day
Thu 3 - sick day
Fri 4 - 75 min samadhi yoga
Sat 5 - 75 min samadhi yoga
Sun 6 - 75 min samadhi yoga, 60 min rock climbing
Mon 7 - 75 min samadhi yoga
Tue 8 - 75 min samadhi yoga
Wed 9 - 45 min yoga shakti, 60 min walk
Thu 10 - 45 min yoga shakti
Fri 11 - rest day
Sat 12 - 30 min walk, 75 min samadhi yoga
Sun 13 - 30 min walk
Mon 14 - 45 min yoga shakti, 60 min walk
Tue 15 - 45 min yoga shakti
Wed 16 - 30 min walk
Thu 17 - 30 min walk
Fri 18 - rest day
Sat 19 - C25km Week 1, Day 1
Sun 20 - rest day
Mon 21 - C25km Week 1, Day 2
Tue 22 - 45 min yoga shakti
Wed 23 - C25km Week 1, Day 3
Thu 24 - rest day
Fri 25 - rest day
Sat 26 - C25km Week 2 Day 1, 75 min samadhi yoga
Sun 27 - rest day
Mon 28 - rest day
Tue 29 - C25km Week 2, Day 2
Wed 30 - 45 min yoga shakti
Thu 31 -C25km Week 2, Day 3

Magical Number Five

5 year anniversary
5 year age difference
5 days off with my man
5 things I love about him: absurd, creative, zen sensibilities, connected, strong
5 emotions/feelings: love, happy, curious, thoughtful, cheeky
5 days of no expectations
5 days of yoga classes
5 elements: earth, fire, wind, water, spirit
5 senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch
5 tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami
5 a prime number
5 the number of oceans in the world
5 the most number of petals roses have
5 the number of points in a pentagram
5 is alive














The two of us at Sarah's Wedding Reception, 2006.












The brekky at Cafe Martini in Newtown this morning, after an awesome yoga class. Yum and ahhhh!














The chosen rings to signify our bondage (rattle those chains) from Love & Hatred. Dan's ring on top will be white gold, plain and centre blasted (no engraving). My ring on bottom will have the 4 seasons symbols and be a mix of white gold with a rose gold trim. They should be ready by 1st June.

Full Moon

When I was walking home tonight I noticed the bright Full Moon. It was huge, low and so beautiful. It's nice to be home. It's been a good day, even if I have caught a cold *ah-choo*.

So maybe I'm up for some temporary insomnia or insanity tonight? After a Full Moon, I always notice how people talk about nutty events that have happened the next day, without even realising there was a Full Moon.

I'm going to start on a letter to my sister Eva for her birthday. She moved down to Melbourne a while ago but I haven't really kept in contact for various reasons. She and her partner Alex run Reiki Energy Therapy together and I bumped into Alex today, reminding me just how much I do miss her.

Samhain, Summers End

I'm not a religious person but I've always had an affinity with earth-based spirituality. Now is the time for the Samhain festivities and celebrating it in my own special way.

Southern Hemisphere: 30 April-1 May
Northern Hemisphere: 31 October

Samhain is a Celtic/Pagan sabbat. A time to remember those who have passed on, celebrate the Summers end, and prepare for Winter months ahead. The Sun God and earth fall into slumber, as the nights lengthen, and winter begins. As a symbol of the earth, the goddess takes on her crone aspect.

Samhain is a time to look back to the past and forward to the future. It is beneficial to reflect on those you have known and the experiences you have shared, as well as to take the time to view the possibilities ahead of you.

Also known as: Samhuin, All Hallow's Eve, Dia de los, Martinmas, Shadowfest, Halloween

Lentil, Mushroom & Ricotta Lasagne

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 1 hour
Cool Time: 5 mins

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 brown onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled, finely chopped
• 1 stick celery, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 tsp freshly chopped thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 400g (14 oz) can chopped tomatoes
• 400g (14 oz) can brown lentils, rinsed and drained
• 400g (14 oz) button mushrooms, sliced
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• 500g (1 lb 2 oz) low fat ricotta
• 1 egg
• 125ml (4 fl oz, 1/2 cup) skim milk
• pinch nutmeg
• 4 (30 x 16cm/12 x 6 1/2 in) fresh lasagne sheets
• 25g (1oz, 1/4 cup) finely grated parmesan

1. Heat half the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion, carrot and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes, or until the vegetables soften. Add the garlic and thyme and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and lentils and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
2. Heat the remaining oil in a large pan, add the mushrooms and cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes, or until slightly soft. Season and remove from heat.
3. Preheat oven to 180C (350F/Gas 4). Lightly oil a 2 litre (2 quart/8 cup) ovenproof dish. Combine the ricotta, egg, milk and nutmeg in a bowl.
4. To assemble the lasgane, place a sheet of lasagne in the base of the prepared dish. Top witha third of the lentil mixture, scatter over a third of the mushrooms and smooth over a third of the ricotta mixture. Repeat these steps. Then top with a third lasagne sheet, the remaining lentils and mushrooms, then a fourth lasagne sheet, and finally the remaining ricotta. Sprinkle over the parmesan.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, or until top is golden and bubbling. Set aside to rest for 5 minutes before cutting.

1797 kj (429 cal)
14 g fat (satuarated 6g)
7 g fibre
24 g protein
50 g carbohydrate

Source: The Low GI Vegetarian Cookbook

My notes: Leave it sitting for as long as you can before cutting to allow it to set. Much better and tastier the next day! I also think using a light cheese would help it not be a little on the mushy side. It'd add calories though.