Farmer's market, y'all

I decided to take a huge step in switching up breakfast this morning. After my run, I was starving and had some time before meeting with my sponsor, which is next on the agenda!

I paid a little visit to the Grant Park Farmer's Market for the first time this season. It's a great market with a lot of fun and fancy foods. I'll admit, it's not the best place to get basic produce and simple food for cheap, but if you're looking for some brunch grub or kitschy veggies and local foods (think arugala, radishes, yogurt, pecans), then it's the place for you.

As my first trip to the market without the usual Sunday morning hangover, I was excited. I swiped my debit card in exchange for two $5 chips and wandered. They also accept SNAP and WIC benefits (and double them!!!), which the dietitian in me absolutely loves.

Anyway, I bought a small bag of pecans for one $5 chip to be put in my oatmeal, and a peach iced tea and orange pistachio donut! Yummy!

Lula approves of my new shoes

My new running shoes came in the mail yesterday! I always order Brooks or Sauconys from the best website ever, Sierra Trading Post. The new ones are quite flashy which makes me want to win some races. And they don't even smell yet!

Lula approves...

Saturday =Awesome

It's been an awesome day. I feel great and I'm legitimately proud of myself for how far I've come from 2 days ago.

I started my day with my 6 miles, made a delicious oatmeal surprise breakfast and sat outside with P. I wrote several letters and he played guitar and sang the hell out of some Coldplay. We took Lula for a walk and then I realized how hungry I was just a few hours after breakfast. Feeling hungry makes me feel accomplished and really positive, so I thought about what I wanted to eat and decided on an eggplant bahn mi, an excellent choice for sure.

After lunch, I did some shopping at Target and bought new short in one size up than my skinny size. I'm also proud this made me proud instead of anxious. This evening, I wore my new short shorts to a picnic and movie with my friends. In addition to the picnic goods, I ate two of the homemade cookies I brought - chocolate chip with praline pecans and M&Ms! Everyone was drinking but that didn't bother me at all, and I even went to a bar with my two girlfriends after and had a delicious non-alcoholic ginger lemondade... with no guilt. What a great evening! This is how life should be.

And dsome pictures in reverse chronological order:

Warm weather treats

As I conclude my lunch break walk (don't worry, I picked up lunch to eat at my desk right after), I am obsessing over an iced latte from my favorite coffee shop across the street.

So, in the spirit of recovery, I'm getting one! Coffee drinks, smoothies, and other iced summer-y beverages can be a great source of extra calories. For me, I can down liquids all day without the anxiety that comes with food fullness. I can easily tricn myself into a little bit extra!

What's your favorite icee coffee drink? Behold......

Appreciate your pet

Yesterday, as described in my previous post, was very stressful. Luckily, I have this beautiful girl to help me through tough times as an excellent running or walking partner.

Shout out to Lula!

Workday walk

Work has already been crazy this morning as I submitted 3 abstracts to a scientific conference, edited a manuscript to submit with several colleagues to a peer-reviewed journal, and had 2 meetings. Right now, I'm practicing self-care (not overexercising, I promise) by taking a lunch break walk to do some processing.

P returns from traveling today, so last night was my final evening alone at the apartment. My day was full of stress stemming from every aspect of my life - P and I fought about how infrequently we communicate when we're apart, I was assigned several new projects by my adviser even though she's already got me so busy I haven't touched my dissertation writing in weeks, a colleague who writes poorly in English presented me with her letter of intent, a key component of submitting a research grant, at 4:30, when I was about to leave, and it was due at 5. And of course, I was pulled over on my drive home becasue my brake light is out. Woof.

After 2 really terrible days, I was almost certain I'd get home and binge and purge the evening away, but I didn't. For several important reasons.

1. I didn't restrict yesterday, eating lunch and snacks earier than usual.

2. I complained profusely to P, stemming a fight, but also allowing me to express myself.

3. On the reminder of my drive home, I thought about binging and purging, but realized it would only make me feel worse.

4. I had a wonderful run right when I got home and equally wonderful walk with Lula.

5. I spent the evening with 3 girlfriends and had a really wonderful time.

So take that, eating disorder! I made it through a stressful day successfully and though I'm not implementing my new daily structure til next week,I feel proud (though tired) today. I want to keep this momentum up through the weekend, too. Hope all of you readers are doing well this lovely first Friday of May!

Publix lunch success

And I didn't even get mad at the Publix lady today!