Here's to a healthy lifestyle!

I ran!!!  ....and it sucked in such a good way!  I missed that pain for the last few months.  The big workout consisted of only a two mile run, but boy was I a happy camper!  Running has recently become a passion of mine.  It is absolutely a lifestyle.

A few months ago, I was finishing up a training program for the Chicago Marathon when I received unfortunate news of a stress fracture.  It crushed me that I could not run in my first marathon.  I grew from the experience and I am stronger from it.  I understand the importance of taking care of myself and listening to my body.  We only get one our whole lives... Why not take care of it?  Thus leads me to the purpose of my blog!  I am going to dedicate my entries to helping others live a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise.  I know I am a little late in determining a mission.... C’est la vie.  Now I feel official and not so egomaniacal.

I am constantly looking for ways to enhance my healthy ways of living and I will be the first to admit that I fall off the wagon (sometimes you need to have a night when you eat a whole large pizza.... by yourself).  I live in Chicago and I LOVE LOVE LOVE food.  Vienna Beef is on my list of pure evilness.  Here is a list of lists I saw on a cooking show last night.  They consist of our food groups broken down into what we should be eating every day, three times a week, once a week, and never.  I think it is clever.  How does your diet compare to these lists?

Daily
Fruits
Leafy Greens
Nuts
Carrots
Green Tea

At least 3X Weekly
Oily Fish
Yogurt
Broccoli
Sweet Potato
Avocado

ONLY 1X Weekly
Red Meat
Pasta
Dessert
Alcohol

0X Wee kly
Fast Food
Soda
Processed Meals
Canned Soups
“Diet” Anything

In case you are wondering where my recipes come from.... (because we all know I am not a cook!) check out my friend Stephanie's blog for more yummy recipes and healthy living tips.  I think I stole her mission.  Sorry Steph!  She just posted a bean soup recipe that I am making for dinner tonight.