I need HOW MUCH protein?!

Hello from snowy Austin!

I know, I know--I'm from Boston, so I know how this looks.  My office closed today, and my husband had to wait until almost noon to head into work(and he lived in the UP of Michigan)-no joke-this ice was crazy.  I think the stats were something like OVER 250 accidents between 6PM yesterday and noon today. GTFO. If you think you know how to drive in the ice-you don't--please don't kid yourselves.

I know the blog seems to be taking a turn to more pregnancy related posts--but you know what-I'm pregnant, fuck it-this is what's going down.

So prior to pregnancy, if you recall--we ate vegetarian Monday-Fridays.  Just a way for us to cut down on the massive amounts of meat that Americans ingest--and it was working really well.  Then I got pregnant with the beanie-and things (for me anyways) had to change.

When we met with the midwife, she told be proteins are what I should be focusing on-as it is the building blocks for the bambino.
"Okay, cool, right on--how much more do I need to be eating?"
Midwife: "About 75 grams a day."

Are you kidding me? That was more then double then I was getting to start-probably not the best thing, but I had been focusing so much on running fuel/carbs that 75 grams of protein seemed like a ridiculous prospect to me.  I had milk almost everyday, sometimes yogurt and some cheese, but protein intake was minimal at most.

The first trimester? Yeah-fucking-right.  Starting at week 6, I had nausea almost everyday--that last most of the day.  Smells were different, meats and eggs being the worst for me.  I never actually up-chucked, but I don't know what's worse-being on the verge all day or if it were to just happen.  I mean, christ, even pepperoni pizza made me want to die.  One day, I DID feel like ham--so my husband bought a ham and we baked it up one Sunday--and it was really good....Then I smelt it in the kitchen the next morning and was DONE with ham. Yuck.  I tried, but it didn't happen outside of cheeses.  My midwife told me since I was feeling so gross, it was just important to get food in.  So, starches became my friend.  Toast for breakfast, Belvita crisps for snacks, saltines and cheerios for lunch--you get the picture.  Not good.

Finally around week 12, the rounding out of the first trimester did the nausea begin to subside a few days here and there.  I tried big glasses of milk during breakfast, gobs of natural peanut better, cheeses, nuts, and trying to get a meat product in for dinner.  STILL NOT HITTING 75 grams.

AND I WAS FUCKING STUFFED. WHERE ELSE CAN/DO I PUT FOOD?!

Finally, while rifling through my cabinets-I found a saving grace sort-to-speak.  From the days when I was lifting a lot more and not focused so much on mileage on my runs.

Duh-Protein powder!  23-30 grams per scoop! Why didn't I think about that??

For a week this worked out pretty well--I throw milk and the powder in the blender with a couple of cubes and chug.  By Saturday-I was sick of it. So I tried a banana-and some other fruits--which got me through a few more days. I can't stand monotony in my food! Call me crazy.

So I've been fiddling around with what else I can do with protein powders for breakfast:

Livestrong's20 Protein Powder Recipes

SparkPeople's 15 New Ways to Use Protein Powder

 Lots of Awesome Ideas @ Yummly

The MECCA of Protein Powder Recipes-ProteinPow.com

I just learned about the last site, ProteinPow.com earlier today, and I was blown away--there are so friggin' recipes there--I'm sure they'll keep me busy trying to figure out baby building fuel :)  Plus they have an app--kick ass.  The beanie thanks you, ProteinPow.com

I made some chocolate banana protein pancakes this afternoon after my 10K run (longest in a long time, woot woot, bitches!) and that was--in all honesty--delish.  Though I need to finagle it a bit, as they were paper thin--nonetheless, gobbled the whole plate.  44 grams with a few thin pancakes? I'll take that, dude.

Do you guys have some favorite protein packed snacks/meals?  Tell me below--I want them all!  

Alright, folks, go forth---run and eat, and all that good shit in life :)


Go Fork Yourselves,

Krissy

12 weeks Preggo=A happy realization

Hey folks--Happy Sunday!  If your a Patriots fan *cough* me *cough* you've got to be pretty stoked about last nights AFC Divisional Win. :D  WOO!

That was a great duo, baby.

 Okay, how many readers did I lose there? Maybe I'm overcompensating now that's I'm in Texas--but, whatever.

Well, guys, today marks week 12 of being pregnant--THAT, though at the time with the nausea seemed to go slOOOOOOOOOOw, actually makes my head spin that it's already been 3 months. 

How's the running you ask?

Man, reading some of the other pregnant runner gals' blogs--I thought, "Yeah, man, I got this--I'm gonna run through week 40. I'm just gonna do it, yeah!"  They made it seem so easy, and I usually get so (friendly) competitive that I don't want to fail.  I've been running, sometimes walking, sometimes it's slow, sometimes it's even slower. 

At first, I felt low--like I was letting myself down because I couldn't keep up with what I had been doing, not the speed, not the mileage.  I was getting jealous of my fellow people on Twitter with all their runs.  And then, one day, I made a very comforting realization.

So here's the thing I've learned in running these past few months:

I don't give a shit anymore.

I know that sounds pessimistic, but I really don't mean for it to be.  It's a great thing for me to learn.  For over a year, I've been comparing myself to other runners, before pregnancy-worrying what people think of me, my race times, my abilities.  Then with pregnancy-why have I gained a couple pounds when that chick didn't? Why do I already look heavier then she does, blah blah blah, bullshit.  I can't keep doing that-I'm setting myself up to be disappointed-Each of us are completely different people-The End. It sounds silly to JUST come to this realization, but I suppose sometimes I'm a bit hard headed. 

What is amazing to me is that, this baby is about the size of a lime, right? And it's already taught me something pretty amazing.  And it's not just about running-though trust me, that was a big one.  But about my weight and body, too--which you all know--I've always had an issue with.  The fact of the matter is my body is going to change (and is already), for an amazing reason.

I am running super slow, my belly is expanding, and for once in my life--the goal is to gain weight.  I am not looking to break records, run a marathon, or become some sort of pregnant fitness prodigy.  What I am going to do is try to eat as well as I can, get 3-4 miles in a few times a week, and have a healthy baby. That's all, dude.

Some people will inevitably see this as my white flag, and it's so not the case--but if I can help other women get to the realization that comparing yourself is the wrong way to go about feeling good about yourself, I will consider myself successful :) 

Six months to go, with a healthier mindset--yeah, life is good.


Go Fork Yourselves,


Krissy (and my bean!)

1200 Miles, A Shitload of Races, and something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

Happy New Year! 2014--Holy Smokes.

I know, you all are probably like..."Krissy, where the fuck have you been for a month and a half?  How do you expect me to keep reading?"

I totally get it--I'm sorry.   I promise, it's for a really good reason--and because I knew I couldn't NOT say anything if I was posting. So I kept it my mouth shut.  We'll get to that--but first...

I thought it would be fun to recap my resolutions for last year, since I actually wrote them down for once...  LAST YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

1) Working on confidence---it's getting there. 

 #1) I know, I know.

I mean I wore leggings this winter without a long sweater to cover my booty, so I guess that's saying something.

#2) YES.

2)More strength training--A total check!  I simply did some yoga, and then bought 10 pound weights and went to town on my arms.  There is such a difference-I couldn't believe it.  Guns! ME! Although the heavy lifting will have to take a back seat..
3)Getting in more water-It's gotten better, but I can't say it's where I want to be, this one is carrying over in 2014.
4)Better communication with friend and extended family--Good, but still could be better.  Still made an effort to speak to a lot more of the folks, so that makes me happy.
5)Dress better--that remains to be seen.  I still fall back on my comfy tees and jeans, I'll be honest--but I think I conquered lots of dress wearing last summer--which is a total win.
6)Stretching more--Eh, still gotta work on that for sure.  I think I get bored to quickly.
7)Cleaner eating--yes! We so did this!  Cut out most sugar substitutes and low-fat nonsense.  More veggies--I didn't lose much with the all the running-but that wasn't the goal, but my husband lost 20 lbs! WOW!
8)Being content at work VS Money/New Job--New job, yes-great new people--but the job is the same stagnant thing it's been for 6 years now.  I'm ready to move up in the world.  So, no--I guess this carries over.
9)Continue running after the half marathon last January--CHECK!  I ran two more halfs, a 10 milers, a bunch of 5ks, a smidgen of 10k, and a FULL GOD DAMN MARATHON. Check-and-mate.

*CUE MONTAGE*

My gorgeous bling :)

#11 NYE Hair. Score.

10)Horse tiles out of the kitchen--No, Orange room painted--YES! It's now a deep blue-ish/purple-y.  It's the music/work-out room now :D

11)Hair growth? Check--Just past shoulder now-yay!







12)...Pregnancy....?

....Aaaaand, check. ;)  GoForkYourselves Baby--Coming 7/2014!  


That's the reason the needed to shut up for a little while at least, so I hope you all can forgive me.  We're super excited, and I'm hopefully getting over this nausea soon.  Running mileage has had to be slashed due to just pure exhaustion and the overwhelming waves of nausea here and there (though throwing up didn't happen-thank goodness), I wish I could say I was more upset about this--but this is my first baby--and if I have to cut down to 3 milers a few times a week to feel comfortable--I'm okay with that :)

So, my resolution this year?

1) Keep myself and baby healthy--then have said baby without any extra crap--aka natural childbirth. 


Happy New Year, folks.  2014 looks to be something CRAY-ZAY, and at the moment, I'm okay with that.  Other times...this is pretty much where I'm at:

What a ride...


Go Fork Yourselves,

<3Krissy