Hello and happy Hump Day! 
I hope the work/school day is flying by for you!
I started my morning with something that I haven’t done in awhile: EXERCISE! I’ve been so frickin’ busy lately, I honestly haven’t had the time to work out. Of course, I tried to fit in exercise where I could (lots of walking, talking the stairs, etc.), but I haven’t had a “real” workout in at least a week, which is probably the longest amount of time I’ve gone without exercising since I was a kid when I started dancing and playing soccer. Crazy, right? Well, I’m back on track now!
Speaking of falling off the wagon, check out my recent Health posts for some tips to get back on track:
Fallen of the Wagon? 4 Ways to Get Back on Track
Jeans Too Snug? Why You Shouldn’t Freak Out
Breakfast
After a quality workout at my new gym, I headed home to make breakfast. (My new gym is 0.04 miles from my apartment and just $35 per month! 
)
For breakfast, I made a peanut butter and banana-stuffed pita with more banana and peanut butter on the side.
I also had a mug of Starbuck’s VIA instant coffee. Check out my review from last March when I got a little sneak preview of the product.
Lunch
Last night, I actually took the time to prepare lunch for today. Sometimes, I have my act together! 
I’ve been on a serious beet kick lately, so when my mom gave me some from her garden, I was psyched! And, to be honest, I never thought I would get so excited about beets!
I also had a sweet potato on hand, so I chopped up the beets and sweet potato, tossed them in olive oil and sugar, and broiled them for about 20 minutes– pretty much the same way I make my Roasted Broccoli.
The sweet potatoes and beets came out wonderfully– firm on the outside, soft on the inside, and slightly sweet. Holy yum!
I cooled the sweet potatoes and beets over night, and then added them to a bed of Romaine lettuce, which I topped with feta cheese. It was an AWESOME lunch! One of the best I’ve eaten in awhile.
Lunch also included some Oatmeal Cherry Raisin Spice cookies from The Lazy Baker.
For some added crunch and protein in my lunch, I also had some cashews, glazed with pomegranate + vanilla, from Sahale Snacks. (I scored them from the BlogHer Food swagbag.)
Doesn’t the flavor sound really interesting?
These were awesome too! Slightly tangy, sweet, and salty all at once.
Snack
My mouth still wanted something sweet to eat after lunch, so I tried to distract it with my last (!!!) tea bag of Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea. This tea is so yummy! Good thing the holidays are almost here! I need to restock.
I wasn’t planning to eat anything else after lunch, but impulsively, I purchased a Caramel Chip cookie from the Cafe Gato Rojo. I guess Cookie Friday will happen twice this week!?
Physical Therapy Update
I haven’t written much on the blog about my physical therapy appointments, but I’ve been going twice a week for the past 3 weeks, and I am happy to report that my hip is better!
We’ve used steroids and ultrasound to lessen the hip’s inflammation, so now I am working on strengthening my hip for the next few weeks.
And the most exciting news from my recent appointment: I CAN RUN THIS WEEKEND!!! 
Of course, I can’t over-do-it, but my physical therapist said a couple of miles would be okay! YAY!
Mal and I are going to Newport for the weekend, which is one of my favorite places to run, so I am totally jazzed to get out there and just do it!
Dealing with Injuries
My new Feel Great Weight post on Health is about how I’ve dealt with my hip injury over the past few months. Of course, it would have been easy to “throw in the towel” and just stopping exercising all together, but I’ve found ways to break a sweat without further injuring my hip.
How to Lose Weight When You Hit an Exercise Hurdle
The Lazy Baker Giveaway Winner
Thank to everyone who entered the giveaway! You guys love your cookies!
Without further ado, here is your random integer: 29
Congrats #29!!! Please email me with your full name and mailing address.
Question of the Day
Has an injury ever prevented you from exercising? How did you deal?
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So glad you found a gym only 0.04 miles away from your new place. That’s great! BTW, I’ve been totally thinking about beets lately, too! I’ve never tried cooking them on my own and I was thinking now might be a good time to start. Great minds must think alike! Your recipe sounded so easy and delish. Awesome lunch, too! Glad your hip is feeling better!
Hey Tina!
That is great to hear about your hip doing so much better. I don’t know if you’d be up for it, but some a couple of the boston bloggers and i (a reader) are getting together to run the tufts 10K! We’d love you to join! Let me know.
it sounds like you are loving your new apt! thats so cool! Your lunch looks so good. My lunches are usually just thrown together hastely and when I actually think them out and put time into making it the night before it is so much more enjoyable.:) i’ve never tried sugar cookie but have been searching everywhere for it for the past few years….this year i’m ordering it if i can’t find it!
that’s awesome that you can run again soon! I took about a month off with my hip injury, and have been running fewer miles per week since I’ve started running again. No pain came back yet, though!
$35 for a gym is really good! How nice to have it so close to you, too!
Having a gym closer to you makes all the difference! Glad you can get back to running! Have a great time in Newport. It’s one of my favorite places. Are you touring any mansions?
I have hip issues too. I can’t run as much as I like, but I can still do other physical activities. I need to try those cashews in my swag bag:) Love your lunch too!
Since I have taken up running, my knees feels a little funny when I done. I am not too worried, but will be asking my doctor about it. People have suggested that I need to lose more weight before running, but I just can’t wait. I am easing into it, and think I will be just fine.
Your lunch looked fantastic!!
Your beet and sweet potato salad looks great!
Glad you get to start running again, such a good feeling!
Currently dealing with Plantar Fasciitis. It sucks. A lot. I have been tanking in the exercise department. BUT I have found that yoga + recumbent bike don’t bother it too much so that’s where my efforts are focused.
thank you so much for this post – it came at the perfect time – my Dr’s just told me I can’t run for a few weeks due to hip and ankle problems, and I was feeling really down, this has really inspired me to try something else!
I had such beet cravings all summer, I’d eat an entire bunch in one sitting! Wierd because I never really ate them much before!
sorry you’ve had to take so much time off from the gym b/c of such a busy schedule…not fun, i know! but that’s WONDERFUL news about your hip! i hurt my hip running before & couldn’t run or do anything high impact for a summer. i was so, so bummed & frustrated. i’m glad you’re hoppin’ on the healing train.
that’s awesome about your hip, Tina!!! I’m so happy for you!
I haven’t had an injury yet (knock on wood)!
After having severe calf pain and barely being able to walk (let alone run)I went to Phsyical Therapy and found out that I have achilles tendonitis. I’m only twenty years old and it’s hard for me to deal with having to cut out almost all forms of cardio because I am a very active person. I have been reading your blog for a while and I was wondering how you were dealing with your injury, so thanks for giving an update and tips about how you still find other ways to exercise!
I became a beet lover lately! it’s so sweet and pretty!
never tried it roasted. need to try it out!
I never got injured fortunately, but I’ve had lack of workout due to a busy schedule. As long as I go back to routine, it’s okay to take a temporarily break.
So happy to hear that your hip is getting better. I have to start PT for my hip on Tuesday with the hopes of getting back to running soon.
I had a major back injury that prevented me from working out the way I wanted. So I had to just walk and ride the bike and stretch. Then it took me a bit after surgery to get back to it. Now I’ve kind of let my hip get me away from exercising. I like to have a workout schedule but I’ve been a slacker lately with my hip pain. I’m hoping that the PT will give me some ideas so I don’t beat myself up about nto being able to run like I want.
I am now a beet lover too, they rock! I made an awesome roasted beet roasted w/ vinagrette & feta just the other night — check it out if you want
http://cookinfanatic.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/care-if-i-eat-the-rest-of-those-beets/
those beets look so good that they just got added to my grocery list!
I think I am going to roast my sweet potato in sugar tonight too! I never thought of roasting it with sugar (splenda)…I usually roast with EVOO, Salt, and Lemon Pepper
I have plantar fasciitis and it makes running difficult but I try to pace myself and also do other forms of exercise AND I also sleep with a night splint every night.
Hey do you have any exercises/tips for hand injuries? I don’t know what I did wrong during Yoga but my right hand/wrist is killing me =(
So glad to hear your hip is feeling better. Being in pain is no fun
Enjoy those miles in Newport!
Tina, Glad your hip is getting better! Enjoy the weekend in Newport. I lived there for 2 years and thoroughly miss it!
BTW-Did you hear about the SIGG water bottle recall? (http://mysigg.com/bulletin/exchange_program.html) Apparently you can send it back in the mail or do an even exchange at a store that sells SIGG. Check out the liner pictures on the site to see if yours is contaminated with BPA.
Oh boy. I know ALL about injuries. My hamstring has been a problem since January! It’s still not perfect, but after 9 monthes I’m finally running again. I’m glad that your PT is helping. Whenever I would get bummed out about my leg I would try to do something proactive – strengthening exercises, PT exercises, stretching, or an activity that didn’t bother it (walking, swimming).
All of your meals look so GOOD today! Can’t wait to get my own sugar cookie sleigh ride tea
Your lunch looks so good! Glad to hear your hip is better. My knees have been sidelining me on and off for years!
That is hands down my favorite tea in the whole wide world–I need to get 50 boxes this winter
My family found my stash and couldn’t stop raving about it!! Isn’t it amazing?? Can’t wait for Cookie Fridays with Cookie Tea this winter. Mmmmm!
Always love your posts! I have a back injury from a car accident two years ago that my running sometimes aggravates. Like right now. Last night it really kicked up, so now it justs makes me really look forward to my Bikram Yoga class tonight. Hurts while going through the postures but the next morning I feel amazing! There are so many great ways to excercise and they all can make you feel wonderful. Congrats on getting back to your runs!
Enjoy your run! I have been suffering from hip bursitis for over four months now and I finally went for a run on Saturday. It was hard, as I have lost a lot of fitness, but it felt so good to be running again!
Tina,
What gym do you belong to that is $35/month in South Boston? I live in Southie and go to BAC which is about $90/month. Please share! Thanks!
@Chris: Just click on the link!
oh you know it… as i have explained in QUITE the detail in this post: http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/2009/09/knee-pain.html
injuries suck! glad you are feeling better!
.04 miles is soo close. That’s awesome! And sounds like you’re doing great on the recovery, so congrats on that
Sugar Cookie sleigh ride….Mmmmmm my fav too. i ran out already though:(
Come on holidays…
B
yay! thanks so much for posting your recipe for beets!
I just got some from my grandpas garden and wasn’t sure how to cook them. LOVE ‘em, though!
thats great that your gym is so so close!!
Uh oh you’ve really got me craving cookies today!
I injured my hip on my second run in a few years, but I’ve found out that it doesn’t hurt when I ride my bike
So I keep bicycling, but I look forward to run again
may i make a restaurant recommendation in newport? go to tucker’s. seriously. some of the best meals i’ve ever had have been at tucker’s. it’s a little off the beaten path (i.e. not downtown) but totally worth it. http://www.tuckersbistro.com/
have fun in newport!
Yayyy!!! Make sure you go to Castle Hill for a lounggeee and a drink outside! They have awesome adirondack chairs! Also, have you ever had a cookie from The Cookie Jar? It is right near the Black Pearl in Bowen’s Wharf. Best cookies ever. And if you want a fancy dinner go to 22 Bowen- their chopped salad freaking ROCKS and I love their shrimp too. It is a bit $$ though. I know you’ve been to Newport before but I grew up going once a week for dinner and a strol with my family and just had to share my thoughts!
I love beets — ask your mom for the greens too, they are DELICIOUS sauteed with garlic and olive oil!!
I had bursitis in my heel a few years ago (from running) and it threw me totally off track b/c I wasn’t flexible enough with my workouts. I’ve definitely learned that variety is the key to avoiding further injuries. (That, and investing in orthotics — they’ve helped SO MUCH!!)
I NEED to try roasting beets!! I roast pretty much every other vegetable imaginable but never considered beets.
The salad you made for lunch looks like something you order straight from an Italian restaurant! amazing
i need to experiment with beets asap!
So jealous that your gym is 0.04 miles away, if thats not motivation then what is? I haven’t had any injuries that have prevented me from exercise, except i do feel like i need to go to a doctor sometime soon, because of knee troubles i’ve been having. I think i’m scared to go, but i know it’ll benefit me in the long run. What made you finally get to a doctor?
@Lizzy: Something as small as laying on my hip in bed hurt… plus, running was painful.
Your breakfast looks good!
Those beets look like something from the ocean deep!!!
I am a little nervous that I reinjured my knees in my triathlon this weekend. There was a steep, rocky downhill area for the run, and running downhill is how I originally injured my knee. Crossing fingers that the achiness will go away so I don’t have to lay off exercise too much…for now I’m icing and probably going low impact for a few days!
Glad you are doing better…yay for running!
Courtney
Adventures in Tri-ing
I’ve never cooked beets before but that looks like such a simple idea! Are they messy to prepare?
That’s so funny that you blogged about Sahale nuts – I just purchased a crap-load of them from an online health store here in Canada! I bought the PB&J almonds from an organic store in my city and absolutely fell in love with them. The problem is that the store is far from home, a messy drive (especially in the winter!), and just not worth it for a bag of nuts (though they do have PB Puffins, which are AMAZING!). So I purchased many, many bags – along with some Green and Black’s dark chocolate.
Long story short – the nuts are amazing. I can’t wait to try out more flavours!
K
That’s so funny that you blogged about Sahale nuts – I just purchased a crap-load of them from an online health store here in Canada! I bought the PB&J almonds from an organic store in my city and absolutely fell in love with them. The problem is that the store is far from home, a messy drive (especially in the winter!), and just not worth it for a bag of nuts (though they do have PB Puffins, which are AMAZING!). So I purchased many, many bags – along with some Green and Black’s dark chocolate.
Long story short – the nuts are amazing. I can’t wait to try out more flavours!
K
Sorry… forgot to say great post – can’t wait to read your next one!
glad to hear your hip is doing better. i want some of the cookie tea! i love sweet sweet tea.
Injuries are the worst! I was out for quite a bit for runner’s knee that I didn’t take care of too well. It still acts up, but therapy helps a lot! Hope you get better!
Lady I feel that beet kick. I’ve been getting them in my salads daily and they are sooooo good!
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