So I checked the group exercise schedule this morning and there was an intermediate pilates class listed for 11:45. I figured I should go just to make BethT happy 🙂 I traveled by way of bicycle, warmed up with 9 minutes on the Stepmill and went to the class. Hmmm…I don’t think pilates is my thing. I’ve been to classes twice before and done a few DVDs. I am all for core work, but it’s more all the leg circles that isn’t my cup of tea. It reminds me of my mom’s 1984 aerobics DVD! I don’t really care to tone my outer hips in that level of precision. I was SO HAPPY when the class ended after only 45 minutes – I thought it was an hour! Had it been just 20 minutes, I probably would have liked it a lot. They need a PilatesDownload.com! Does anyone know of any? I did get a good core workout, but gosh my neck got the most workout! I think I was holding it correctly (in line with my spine?) but I had to take a lot of neck breaks. I ended with 10 more minutes on the Stepmill after class and biked home.
I planned my lunch on my bike ride home to use up a bunch of things in our fridge and showered quickly so I could eat!
Warm Rice + Mango Salad
I started with chopped romaine dressed with lemon olive oil and fig balsamic vinegar along with a drizzle of honey.
Then I sauteed some carrot, cauliflower, and green pepper for a few minutes in a skillet with cooking spray and topped that with leftover brown rice and mango, some allspice, red pepper flakes and salt.
And topped all that with some walnuts!
On the side I had two small pieces of GH Cranberry-Orange Bread slathered with some Fage and raspberry preserves
‘Twas a flavorful and sweet lunch
1 Human, 1 Day
I read this blurb in O Magazine this morning and it rang a bell to me because it relates to something I always try to remind myself. When you think about yourself as a human being living in one moment of the BILLIONS of moments and other humans that have walked the earth for billions of years, does it really matter if you are 125 or 130 pounds as long as you’re in the healthy range? Does that extra bite of cake really deserve that much guilt? Does it matter if you burned 300 or 500 calories today? Sometimes it’s good to think about things in a much larger perspective.
“Rather than thinking about your experience as the be-all and end-all of reality, take a giant step back and see yourself and the Earth in the grand landscape of space and time….Take an even larger step back and visualize the innumerable parallel universes you may be inhabiting, living out your life in different ways….A change in perspective is often the most powerful way to make change.”
-Brian Greene, PhD
justjen says
That salad/rice/mango thing looks DIVINE. I love mishmoshes that come from leftovers in the fridge.
You are absolutely right about experiencing the moment instead of worrying about every little thing…but I still worry about it anyways. Should I have had that extra scoop of peanut butter on my oatmeal this morning? Who cares??? Good reminder from you, thanks.
daphna says
Wow, you are so creative with food! I often stand at my semi-full fridge and feel like I have nothing to eat. Any tips for putting together meals with what’s available? Is it just a matter of having a well-balanced pantry and experimenting? Thanks!
Justy2003 says
That salad looks great! And (for the third day in a row now!) your lunch is SOOO colorful and bright! That’s it, I’m chalking it up to your new camera.
I used to do pilates quite a bit, but haven’t done it for a while…I like the yoga more now…seems to complement my running.
I like the little segment on perspective. I tend to be a worry-wart, and I need to realize that some of the things I worry about just aren’t worth it!
Jessica says
Hi Kath!
Mmm what a great salad with a special guest– Mango! It’s delicious, packed with vitamins, sweet, and full of fiber. Great pick!
I have the PERFECT solution for your 20 min Pilates fix!!! I use Mari Windsor’s dvds. They are exactly 20 minutes, and specialize in areas such as “Abs”, “Body Slimming/Advanced”, “Upper Body Sculpting”, “Buns and Thighs”, etc. I’ll be happy to send you a burned CD for you to try it out!
Look out for my email. 🙂 Thanks!
p.s. LOVE the plug on perspective. That’s what it’s all about! Looking at the bigger picture and what REALLY matters in life (health, vitality, balance, love, and GOOD FOOD!)
Amanda says
WOW! Your pictures really look so much more vibrant. It could also be the fact that the sun is out today, too.
I am with you on Pilates. I actually have a PowerPilates dvd and there is an option to just do the “daily workout” which is basically 10 mins of intense abs (hundreds, bicycles, scissors, teaser) and that is the only thing I have the patience for!
I really appreciate that quote – I try to remind myself of that quite often. Sometimes it is way too easy to get caught up in our heads and let our little obsessions and self-pressure mean too much.
Happy Weekend 🙂
becky says
typically people’s necks hurt because their core is not quite strong enough and they use other parts of their body to compentsate. this is a common thing. beef up the core! – from a yoga teacher. 🙂
JENNA says
that rice salad looks A.mazing!! 🙂 Thanx for the quote I like when you put stuff like that on your blog it really gets people thinking and putting things in perspective.
Andrea [bella eats] says
I feel the same way about pilates, I’m just not sold on it yet. I do love my yoga though!!! If you’re in the market for a yoga dvd, try out Bryan Kest’s Power Yoga series…great workout!
Beautiful salad!
Allison K says
I’m in the other camp, I’ve always liked Pilates better, but I’ve done it more, and it was my physical therapy after a back injury. Now I’m learning to like Yoga!
Kelly T (everygymsnightmare.com) had a post about a week ago, on a pilates site just like Yogadownloads.com. www.ultimatepilatesworkouts.com.
🙂
Kate says
That salad looks heavenly!
Julie L says
So, about perspective, when I’m in the right mood, I often think “I’m happy and healthy, my family and husband are happy and healthy…so what if I’m a size 14/16?? I exercise often, I eat fruit and veggies every day…so I’m gonna have some ice cream too” It just doesn’t matter that much – we’ll all survive just fine.
And then, there are days when I just can’t get past the fact that I work so hard and eat well so much of the time and still am so heavy…but when it coms right down to it, it’s just not that important! Uggh.
Marissa says
Your lunch looks so yummy! Good quote!
Mel says
I love the salad. Warm veggies and rice with cold salad is so good. It’s really making me want some now!
Thank you for including that snippet. Sometimes it’s good to get a reminder!
Moran says
Such a lovely, colorful lunch!!!
fitforfree says
It took me a sec. to figure out your post title … hehe.
Thanks for the quote—I needed to hear it today!!
Jennifer says
People’s preferences are interesting! I enjoy Pilates much more than yoga- the latter is just boring to me.
Aimee H. says
Re: pilates. I’m a pretty big advocate and have been doing pilates for a long time. I still give my neck a break occasionally, it doesn’t need to be up the whole time. And leg circles are about the core more than the legs. You are trying to keep your core still while moving the legs.
Oh She Glows says
I love that quote!! That pretty much puts everything into perspective, doesn’t it?
I hear ya about the pilates…I have found many pilates workouts to be very 80’s.
Great looking salad! I am going to try this forsure.
Angela
www.ohsheglows.com
Andrea of Care to Eat says
I love the leg circles! My inner thighs are still sore from a move we did in my Monday night Pilates class. It is very Jane Fonda-esque but I love it.
I just wanted to say that your new camera kicks booty and your pictures are looking so vibrant and fantastic. Your research paid off!
Sammie says
That salad looks amazingly delicious.
Amanda says
Don’t give up on Pilates just yet!! I’ve been doing it for almost 6 years, and I have sore neck days, too. I’ve done some awesome ab work, even with the ring. I say try, try again! 🙂 Have a great weekend.
Danielle says
With your quote yesterday and today it’s really helped me think about my goals and how I want to get there. Thanks Kath!
Oh and I still can not believe how amazing that new camera of yours is!
VeggieGirl says
Fabulous workout and lunch!!
Mom says
Hey, no making fun of my VIDEO!
BethT says
Ohh, how sad. At least you tried it! I will agree with you on the leg circles, they are very Buns of Steel-ish. For me, though, I do like the different benefits Pilates offers compared to yoga – I just feel longer and leaner when I do it. With yoga, I like the flexibility and upper body strength. Kudos for trying it though!
Dani says
Not exactly sure how I have never come across your blog before but am none the less glad that i did today! Love the recipes and the point of view… I just added you to my bookmarks:).
Oh… and this salad sound delicious!
Shelby says
Great Quote Kath, you are so inspiring.
Love that salad, I’m bookmarking this page for the idea!
Missy (Missy Maintains) says
Your salad looks amazing! I would never think to put those things together so fast for lunch! The camera helps too!
www.missymaintains.blogspot.com
Victoria says
I’ve only done Pilates a handful of times and I had the same problem with my neck, although I definitely appreciate the intense core workout it has given me.
Maggie says
I love yogurt on bread! I’ve been doing it at lunch every day this week 🙂
Serena says
totally agree with those who have said that pilates is all about core strength. if you’re truly using your core muscles, there shouldn’t be a ton of stress on your neck. i love pilates more than yoga, but I think it’s a little too easy to do the exercises in the wrong position. that’s why it’s good to have a one on one pilates instruction to really make sure you’re in the right position so you’re not putting too much stress on your neck or spine. A lot of studios require it before you can take group classes, and I used to think it was so they could make money, but now i realize it’s so you do the excercises correctly and don’t hurt yourself!
Heather McD (heather eats almond butter) says
Hey Kath,
Thanks for the O Mag blurb – something to think about!
Your mango/rice salad looks delicious, but not as cute as your two little bread buddies. 🙂
At www.ultimatepilatesworkouts.com, you can get the Basic Membership for free. I’m not sure how long the sessions are, but Kelly over at Every Gym’s Worst Nightmare spoke very highly of this site.
Natalie says
Your lunch looks amazing!
Great quote Kath!
bobbi says
wow I NEED to make that salad, love the new camera Kath!
ModelBehavior says
I never think to mix a fresh cold salad with a hot dish on top, I want to try this immedietly! Thanks for the idea!
www.modbehav.com
kennedy says
Hi Kath 🙂
Just a quick question – what brand/model camera are you using to take these amazing photos?
Thanks!
Sharon says
Salad looks amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Carrie H says
I have another HRM question that I can’t seem to figure out … What is the difference between having a Polar HRM display calories burned in kcal or Cal? I googled it and looked around the internet, but I am not really sure still.
Thanks and have a great weekend!
Sarah (lovINmytummy) says
It’s more like BACKlaties for me…I swear I have to modify every pose/position because of lower back issues. It makes me feel like an old lady!
Your lunch looks so veggieful! Don’t you feel fortunate not only to enjoy fresh produce, but to be able to afford them? The combinations are endless and almost always spot on! It makes me sad to think so many people don’t enjoy what I consider an absolute gift!!!
joanne says
Hi Kath: I just have to say Thanks SO much for your promoting the Eye-Fi. My curiosity was aroused and I got one and OMG – you are SO right. It makes snapping photos unbelievably easy. Now – how about some clues as to how to get food to look as scrumptious as you do?
Take care. Joanne
kab says
Hi Kath,
I have a question for you that I’m sure has been asked before. I was just wondering what got you to stay motivated in the beginning of your weight loss journey BEFORE you started seeing results? Were there times when you got frustrated and just wanted to give up? I’m asking because I feel like I continually am getting derailed–I don’t have the patience to continue sometimes because I don’t see results. Was there anything in particular that you did to stay on track?? Did you ever feel like the weight just wouldn’t come off? Any advice on this would be much appreciated! Thanks so much for your blog–it is truly inspiring and you do such a nice job!
seelee live (for the love of peanut butter) says
yayyy kath! this is such a wonderful post. great ideas!
K says
Thanks for the recipe how to – so colorful!!
Fantastic quote too!
Samantha says
Your meal looks amazing! I’d love to have half that creativity in the kitchen with healthy food as opposed to just my baking.
I’m with you…pilates isn’t my thing.
Great quote…thanks for sharing!
Meg says
Delicious salad!
I love pilates, but mostly for the core work! I rarely do pilates focusing on the legs.
HangryPants says
What a great quote!
Your salad looks fantastic. Something I would order off a menu for sure. I just love your kitchen creativity.
Now about pilates, I feel the same way as you BUT remember when you didn’t like yoga? Then you gave it a chance and now you love it. Maybe pilates will be the same kind of thing. It’s not for me, but maybe it will be for you!
Becca A says
The photos on this post look even more awesome than usual…I want your camera!
sandy says
Re the quote from “O”
Thanks for including it.I would be thrilled if you left out the calories burned from each of your workouts.Hope you take the quote to heart Kath-you are so detailed in every little snack and seem to have guilt from the treats or unhealthy food(as we all do I am sure!!)But i would be inspired to read about your lifestyle without the calorie references.But that’s just me!!
Amanda says
Great photos, especially the one from above (I think the fifth one down). The colors and textures look awesome!
Inna says
Thanks for sharing the quote- it’s really simple but so well put and a reminder I think we all need every so often
kennedy says
Just read you FAQs – please disregard my question about your camera!
Thanks!
Danielle says
Hi Kath,
I LOVE Pilates! I usually do a lot of pilates and yoga..would that be considered workouts?
Also, I have a question about peanut butter. Have you heard of skippy natural peanut butter. It looks like: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HNNCHRRDL._SL500_SL160_.jpg. The ingredients include peanuts and PALM oil?? Is that OK? My grocer unfortunately does not sell real natural peanut butter (with the oil separation) so I was wondering what your opinion was on this.
Thanks!
Amy says
Do you have Time Warner Cable? We have ExerciseTV OnDemand (channel 557 in Durham) and they have very small video segments. I did a pilates video called pilates_abs with Nicole Stewart. The runtime was only 11 minutes. There are shorter and longer ones and they’re always putting new ones up.
Courtney says
I’m going to HAVE to recreate that salad! I’m stuffed from dinner, but my oh my it looks so good I almost feel hungry again.
I can’t seem to get into pilates myself. I get bored.
Katie H says
Agreeing with Serena, I think it’s essential to take Pilates at an actual Pilates studio. I used to do Pilates on my own with DVDs and could never get into it. Then last year I joined a Pilates studio and found out that I was doing most of the exercises incorrectly. Practically every Pilates exercise is driven by your core, even the leg circles. If you are feeling mainly leg muscles instead of core when you’re doing the leg circles, then you aren’t doing the exercise correctly. Pilates studios can be expensive, but the classes are very small, so the personalized instruction you receive is well worth it!
Ashley says
Sorry to hear you didn’t like the pilates! I have a few 20 minute winsor pilates dvds that I like – you might want to look into those since they’re only 20 minutes. I like the bit you added at the end about not worrying so much about things. It’s a good reminder!
Elizabeth says
Hi!
I have been reading your blog for almost a year now but this is my first comment. I have loved reading and I am so impressed with your creativity! I have such a hard time thinking of new things to cook.
I also love your new pictures! I just bought the Canon SD1100 and now I am second guessing my choice!
Kath says
kennedy ,
I got a new camera so the FAQ needs to be updated!
See this recent post:
https://www.katheats.com/?p=13712
Carrie H,
Read this for Calories vs. Kcal:
http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories.htm
kab ,
I started losing weight as soon as I put my healthy plan into action. If you think you’re doing everything right and you’re not losing, you’re probably not burning more calories than you’re consuming, or you could be at an ideal weight (which would be something to discuss with a doctor or RD).
HangryPants ,
Good point!
sandy ,
Did you go back in time? I dropped that a long time ago.
Danielle ,
IMO, palm oil is fine because it’s a natural ingredient and is in a very small amount in the PB.
Kath
Suzanne says
I have to agree with you on the Pilates. I loved doing gymnastics as a girl and yoga reminds me of that, in a much gentler way. Pilates however reminds me of the ballet classes I was forced to take. Too much precision and focus instead of just enjoying your body and how fabulous stretching it feels. I’m all about the pleasure.
sandy says
Yes I guess I have gone back in time.
(Happens as one ages…we regress!)
I only read your blog once in a blue moon I’ll confess-you caught me!