Vegas Baby!

Jul 8, 2011

In keeping with this summers traveling theme, my family and I went to Las Vegas to celebrate my sisters 21st birthday!

Las Vegas is an adult playground where prostitution and gambling are legal, clubs and bars are open all night and where water is more expensive than liquor. We were there for 3 days and 2 nights. The perfect amount of time to spend in a city that never sleeps. Ok, I know that New York is technically the “city that never sleeps,” but I would beg to differ after going to Vegas. There is, however, something for everyone to do in Vegas, whether it’s gambling, eating, shopping, dancing or seeing a show. We did it all.

“If you want to win a small fortune in Vegas, start with a large one.” -Unknown

I’m not much of a gambler, but I really enjoyed playing Roulette. I lost $40, or 100% of the money I started with.

We also saw Cirque du Soleil – The Beatles Love show. It was, in one word, INCREDIBLE. It was a songbook of the Beatles mixed with the story of their lives portrayed using amazing acrobats. There was amazing roller skating to flipping 50 feet above our heads on a trapeze. My mouth was open in awe the entire time. Words can not explain how good the show was.

We are not as talented as the Cirque du Soleil team:

We stayed at the Venetian and found Zine, a gem of a restaurant, only by chance. We were starving, had a coupon and found it conveniently located on the Casino level of our hotel. I did not realize this before I went to Vegas, but there are famous chefs with their own namesake restaurants lurking around every corner. Emeril, Wolfgang Puck, Spago…take your pick.

Zine Noodles Dim Sum, I found out after we ate there, is host to chef Simon To and voted a “Top 10″ chinese restaurant in the U.S. I ordered the Clay Pot Brazed Eggplant with Tofu (instead of Duck) and it was, by far, the best tofu/eggplant dish I have ever had! The eggplant was perfectly caramelized and the sweet glaze balanced well with the peppers. The tofu was also delightful; not too oily or tough. DELICIOUS! I would recommend this to everyone.

We ate and drank our way through Vegas, so on the last morning I went for a 3-mile run down the strip. As I ran, I saw men walking home with their shirt-tails untucked and women with their heels off and hair array. Like I said…the city that never sleeps.

Speaking of running and Vegas, I’m excited to announce that I signed up for the VEGAS ROCK N’ ROLL MARATHON!!! I’ve run two half marathons and am stepping up to the plate to run my first marathon!!

(source)

They are closing down the strip at night on December 4th for the marathon. Check out the race website for more information. I am so excited and nervous all at the same time.

I will start training when I return from Europe at the end of August. I leave to Paris next Monday and am currently unpacking, repacking, doing laundry and need to make sure my passport is up-to-date.

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Would you like to do a guest post on the blog while I’m in Europe? Do you want to share your story, favorite recipe or your most recent adventure? Send me an email (anotherhealthyhabit@gmail.com) ASAP!

 

 

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Vegan Chocolate Pudding

Apr 5, 2011

It is time for a Tuesday treat!

I don’t know about you, but I always have mushy brown bananas and ripe avocados from previous over-zealous shopping trips that I need to put to good use.

It’s time to grab that browning banana and mushy avocado for this chocolate pudding. I was first introduced to a similar recipe at the Whole Foods Cooking Class I attended awhile back. The banana and dates supply the perfect sweetness, while the avocado provides a luxurious creamy texture. You do not taste the avocado at all. I used 1/4 cup of soy milk, but you can add more or less to alter the thickness. Use a frozen banana to make vegan chocolate ice cream. Make sure to peel the banana before you freeze it.


Chocolate Pudding

1 ripe avocados
1/4 cup raw cacao
2 dates, pitted
1 very ripe banana
1/4 cup soy milk
1 T. almond butter
1 t. vanilla

  1. Roughly chop dates, place in a small bowl and cover with hot water. Let stand for 30 minuets. Strain water off.
  2. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and mix until smooth.
  3. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

For those of you thinking, “2 whole avocado’s?!? That’s a ton of fat, right?!” Well, avocados are actually a nutritional powerhouse:

  • Avocados are an excellent source of glutathione, an important antioxidant shown preventing aging, prostate and breast cancer, and heart disease.
  • Avocados are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure.
  • Avocados are a good source of folate, a nutrient that is important for stroke prevention and heart health.
  • Avocados are a good source beta-sitosterol, a compound that has been shown to lower cholesterol levels.

Source

Enjoy!!

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As for what’s been going on in my life:

  • Last weekend I went home with one of my best girlfriends for her dads retirement party. I had a blast with her family and had a real Texas experience. She is from a small agriculture-oriented town and showed me rice fields, farming irrigation systems and monster tractor equipment. I’m still not convinced I need to buy a pair of boots.
  • I finally booked a flight to Paris for my end-of-college-last-time-before-I-work backpacking trip through europe! A friend an I found an excellent deal on one-way tickets. We still have a lot of planning to do and have yet to purchase return tickets (yes Mom, I’ll get right on that).
  • I quit CrossFit.
  • I received two free weeks at a local gym from a friends sister-in-law. I took another Zumba class and a killer step class.
  • I’ve been recruited to be the driver for our formula hybrid race car!! A team of mechanical engineering students build a car each year for a national competition. I’m the lightest mechanical engineer who knows how to drive a standard. This past weekend I met them at the track to learn to drive. I even got to wear the helmet, gloves and race suit. It was so exciting! If I make the cut, I will be doing the acceleration trials a their competition! I’ll take pictures next time.

I hope you are having a terrific Tuesday! Make sure to include a tasty treat!

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Half Marathon #2

Mar 6, 2011

This morning went a little something like this:


5:00am – wake up to the shrilling alarm clock, feeling surprisingly rejuvenated

5:15am - make coffee

5:20am – eat standard pre-race meal (bread, banana and almond butter)

5:30am – stick hand outside to feel the frigid, 30º air

5:31am and on – digest food

5:40am – put on clothes that were laid out the night before

Side note: that Lara bar has only two ingredients!!! Cashews + dates = superb running fuel

6:00am – make post-race drink (coconut water, agave and hemp protein powder)

6:01am – try to keep drink from Bello, whose eyes were green with envy

Oh wait, that was just the camera.

6:15am – go to bathroom twice due to nerves

6:20am – drive to race site

6:40am – wait in the cold at the start with Lindsey

7:00am – RACE STARTS

8:44:45am – FINISH RACE

I do not want to dwell on every mile like most bloggers. I will say that 13.1 miles of brutal rolling hills tried to pull me down, but I finished in 1:44:45 and am feeling great! My 5-week training program, which had heavy emphasis on high intensity interval training and cross training, proved to be very beneficial. I’ve gained tons of strength, speed and stamina. It definitely showed!

I’m off to enjoy time with family.

I hope your having a wonderful Sunday!

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