coming clean :: day twenty-four

Happy New Year! I'll return this post back to its chronological home when I travel back to my geographical home next week.

Workout: evening @ outdoor road races (1 miler + 4 miler = 5 miles)

This was just an evening of C-R-A-Z-Y! Who does something exercise-related on NYE... IN SUB-ZERO TEMPS?!!

In case Fahrenheit isn't your thang, here's the Celsius conversion:

28 degrees Fahrenheit = -2.22222222 degrees Celsius

It wasn't just running 5 miles, either. You have to include the 'standing around and waiting for the race(s) to start' time + 'standing around and waiting for your finisher's sweatshirt' time + 'standing around and eating your complimentary scoop of gelato' time!

I still suck at running, but was quite pleased with my results. "No pain, no gain" pretty much sums things up. Remember how I whined about the five mile jog I did on C'mas Day? Well, they re-routed the 4 miler course into four laps of less-frightning ups-and-downs. It was a new sensation to feel strong throughout and pick up speed as the race went along. Negative-splitting probably isn't the best way to go, and it really wasn't my intention, but it was kinda cool feeling my legs crankin' it out without having to tell them "You can do it! One more lap!".

A special thank you to all of the volunteers, especially the ones who braved the cold to keep things under control and cheer us on!

BTW, elite runners, what are you trying to prove by racing in summer attire in the dead of winter? I was bundled up and still thought I could've used another layer!


Coming Clean:

face: Vegan 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

hair: Vegan Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Mayan Gold with Polka Dots by BeautifulSoaps

My order from BeautifulSoaps had just arrived, and I was able to tear through the box before heading out for my evening of 'fun'. I chose this particular soap because no matter the outcome, I deserved a gold medal for my valiant efforts.

Mayan Gold isn't just a pretty bar of soap. The polka dots are scented with jasmine essential oil, patchouli essential oil and vanilla musk fragrance oil. All of those scents + Mayan Gold essential oil blend into a sensual motley of "ooooohs".


Naughty Points: 1 scoop of Piccomolo gelato

One of the race packets included complimentary treats from various local merchants. I skipped the more logical choices of hot chocolate / antipasti / glühwein / wings, and went straight for the gelato. Scroll back up to see the empty container from my last 'naughty point' of 2008!

coming clean :: day twenty-three

Workout: evening @ advanced "mouth, stomach (not to be confused with abs) and dexterity exercises

I've been going non-stop on the exercise front, and my body needed a break. What, you don't believe me? Well, you shouldn't. I could never turn down an invite to dinner in Koreatown! Banchan, kalbi and seafood pajan with the most delicious rice e-v-e-r!

And, if you've ever had Korean BBQ, you know you're gonna need a post-meal shower!

Sourcefaasaaasdfsdfa

Naughty Points: highly questionable zero

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I'm pretty sure that everything I ate was on the no-no list. Red meat - NO! Seafood - NO! (Fish is okay, shellfish isn't.) Rice - NO! Do the veggies in the banchan count? Yeah, I didn't think so :P

We usually hit a Korean bakery (which my friend calls "Korean Panera" because of its similar signage) afterwards, but I went straight home. So that should negate all of the no-no's that were consumed over dinner!sdfsadfasf

flavor of the day :: The Postal Service

The Postal Service - Sleeping In

Mull over a cuppa!

coming clean :: day twenty-two

Workout: evening @ pool (3,300 SCY)

I miscalculated and should've swum another 200 SCY. Oh well...


Coming Clean:

face: Vegan 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

hair: Protein Concentrate Shampoo by Kiehl's & Vegan Citrus Blast Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Buttermilk Baby by Oliba

Because I've gotten accustomed to my new 'quick rinse at the pool + proper shower at home' routine, I completely forgot to bring my shower kit with me! Ended up going straight from the pool to dinner, and by the time I got home, was a winter itchies mess! I figured that 'Buttermilk Baby' would be a gentle yet nourishing solution, and I was right!

Oliba offers Buttermilk Baby as a bar soap and gentle milk bath.

Now that I'm all nice and itchy-less, will someone please sing me a lullaby?


Naughty Points: ZERO!!

Do you know how hard it is to go out for pho and refrain from getting a cà phê sữa đá?!! At some point, I should probably downgrade from a large bowl to a regular-sized one, no?

coming clean :: week three

My target weight loss is 20 ~ 25 lbs. (approx. 9 ~ 11 kgs.) by May 2009. But à la 'The Biggest Loser', instead of going by overall weight lost, I'll be posting it as percentage of body weight lost. The results are... :: drum roll please ::

target % weight loss : 13.16% ~ 16.45%
week one % weight loss: 2.30%
week two % weight loss: 0%
week three % weight loss: 0.67%
total % weight loss: 2.97%

Now, if this was really TBL, I probably would've been kicked off by now. Thankfully, it isn't! So I'm going to continue to putter along. Probably step it up in the healthier eating portion of the competition. The holidays will be over soon, so that should be reflected in next week's numbers. :: fingers crossed ::

coming clean :: day twenty-one :: two

Workout: evening @ pool (3,500 SCM)

Last group workout of the year. When the coach is away, the mice will play!

worksofwhimsy

Coming Clean:

face: Vegan 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Goat's Milk Gardener's Soap with Cranberry and Strawberry Seeds by KBShimmer


Naughty Points: ZERO!!

coming clean :: day twenty-one :: one

Workout: mid-morning @ outdoor jog (3.4 miles)

I wasn't planning on doing anything before swim practice, but how could I resist such a beautiful, warm day... in December?!!

I'm now using RunKeeper to track my mileage, but being the brainiac that I am, I put it in a (clean) sock while jogging. I figured that if it works in my car, why won't it work in a cozier shelter? I realized my mistake half-way into the jog and ended up calculating my route on Google Maps again.


Coming Clean:

face: 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

hair: Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Vegan Raspberry Exfoliating Soap with Raspberry Seeds by The Soap Buffet

This lovely, lightly-scented soap is also available without the raspberry seeds!


Naughty Points: ZERO!!

coming clean :: day twenty

Workout: morning @ plyo

Last plyo class of the year! :: yippee ::


Coming Clean:

face: 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

body: Earthquake by bodygoodies

'Earthquake' uses wheatgrass and coffee, and is named so "...because it looks like some sort of earth scene... split in half with moons in it...".

It reminds me of a Japanese traditional sweet called yokan. I may not be a big fan of yokan (even if it looks fabulous), but I am of this soap!

bodygoodies is a very friendly Etsy seller who really knows her stuff. I'll need to exercise more so I can use her other soaps!


Naughty Points: ZERO!

coming clean :: day nineteen

Workout: evening @ pool
(3,200 SCY)

Squeezed in an easy workout before a killer hour of plyo tomorrow. The pool was deserted!


Coming Clean:
face: 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary
hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo
body: Java Jolt by InseineCreations


Naughty Points: ZERO!!

flavor of the day :: The Pipettes

The Pipettes - A Winter's Sky

Mull over a cuppa!

if i win the lottery :: coal

naturallyamy

Were you naughty this year?
Well, getting coal for C'mas isn't nearly as bad as you may think!

As with the earlier "If I Win the Lottery" installments
on fruitcake and snowflakes,
none of these are the real thing!

MuddyRiverGirl

eRosasjewelry

lupin

Broadarrows

womanwoodworker

dolldisasterdesign

coming clean :: day eighteen

Workout: mid-morning @ outdoor jog (5 miles)

A 5 mile slow jog may not seem like a real challenge to some, but it took a few days' notice for my brain to register. The course (general area planned, everything else winged) was a nightmare; If I wasn't trudging up a hill, I was going down one. Despite the ups-and-downs, my knees were holding up pretty well.

The biggest 'reward' was that I didn't hurt one bit afterwards! This was the festive FINISH LINE (created mostly by cut-up floatie 'noodles'):

I've officially given up on MapMyFitness.com. It doesn't pick up a signal until I hit a main road, so I ended up calculating my route on Google Maps. As eerie as it can be, I love their satellite view! My only wish is that they had a 'save this route' function.


Coming Clean:

face: 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

body: Vegan Mineral Salt Spa Soap by FlameWorks

This soap had a very light, fresh scent. Such a shame I didn't have the time to sit in a tub full of warm and soothing suds!


Naughty Points: 4 C'mas cookies + 8 cookie dough squares = one dozen!

Looks like Santa raided the fridge because someone didn't leave him enough cookies! :: hee ::

coming clean :: day seventeen

Workout: evening @ gym

I took it easy, as am planning a looooong run tomorrow.


Coming Clean:

face: 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

hair: Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: "Oh Christmas Lights!" by KBShimmer

I don't usually purchase piney, spicey scents, but couldn't wait to try out this beautiful bar of handmade soap. Look at all of those twinky C'mas lights! The stars on top are a nice touch. Perfect for the holidays!

Naughty Points: 10 C'mas cookies

All homemade, all worth it. I'll jog them off tomorrow!

coming clean :: day sixteen

Workout: evening @ pool (3,600 SCY)

I'm amazed at how good I'm feeling right now. If it weren't so cold outside, I might've even gone for a quick jog afterwards!

Coming Clean:

face: 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

hair: Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

I can't tell you how pleased I am with this stuff! This citrus scent was a lot lighter than the Wild Strawberry Fields I tried yesterday.

body: Gateau de Citron by Savor

Very nice lather!

Naughty Points: 4 truffles

May I remind you that there are a gazillion other temptations all around me at work?!! And I only had four truffles! :: heh ::

flavor of the day :: Dido

Dido - Christmas Day

Mull over a cuppa!

if i win the lottery :: snowflakes

formfireglassworks

Not a single snowflake sighting in the DC metro area,
but one can always hope!

It's a good thing none of these are real,
because then I'd just be left with a puddle of water!

sugarcookiecouture



beads2nuts

Yobittles

lilysattic



bubbletub



ButtonBliss

coming clean :: day fifteen :: two

Workout: evening @ outdoor jog (approx. 2 miles)

How is it possible to be over-dressed in sub-zero temps?


Coming Clean:

face: 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

hair: Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

I was going to hold off using any homemade shampoo & conditioner until the new year, but apparently, I was having a strawberry-kind-of-day! It was my first time using a salt-based shampoo. It comes out of the tub gritty (like a body scrub), but as soon as you add water, it lathers beautifully!

The conditioner worked surprisingly well. Surprising in the sense that I am always skeptical about conditioners. But this left my hair silky-smooth. And it smells fantastic!

body: Guilt Free Strawberry Cheesecake Soap by mybirch

How can one resist guilt-free strawberry cheesecake soap?!!


Naughty Points: ZERO!!

There was no need to partake in any Naughty Points tonight; I just fell asleep to Willie Wonka and dreamt of prancing in strawberry fields :: hee-hee ::

coming clean :: day fifteen :: one

Workout: lunch @ gym (1.5 mile jog, 3.6 mile bike)

To avoid running outside in sub-zero temps, I was hoping to get a good treadmill session in. I felt like crap, though, so I did a bit of stationary bike instead.


Coming Clean:
face: pink clay complexion soap by Country Heart Gifts


Naughty Points: ZERO!

But it hasn't been easy... People keep delivering holiday yummies to my desk!

coming clean :: week two

My target weight loss is 20 ~ 25 lbs. (approx. 9 ~ 11 kgs.) by May 2009. But à la "The Biggest Loser", instead of going by overall weight lost, I'll be posting it as percentage of body weight lost. The results are... :: drum roll please ::

target % weight loss : 13.16% ~ 16.45%
week one % weight loss: 2.30%
week two % weight loss: 0%
total % weight loss: 2.30%

I'm not gonna get hung up on this. I've been exercising regularly. But I can definitely cut down on Naughty Points!

flavor of the day :: Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson

Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson - Winter Song

Mull over a cuppa!

coming clean :: day fourteen

Workout: evening @ pool (approx. 3,200 SCM)

My once-a-week group workout. Supposedly, this was a "Happy Holidays!" workout. Our main set was 6 x 300. Need I say more?!! Okay, to be fair, this was about 500 SCM less than what we normally do.


Coming Clean:

face: 'Complexion Zen' Vegan Clarifying Charcoal Soap with Tea Tree Oil by Bunny Butt Apothecary

body: Christmas 2008 Limited Edition Gingerbread soap by Spotted Cow Soaps

I'm so excited to try a new facial soap! As if their cute store name wasn't enough, Bunny Butt Apothecary sold me with "As a finishing touch, we spruced it up with a decorative white stripe down the middle - think of it as soap in a tux."

You can use this soap with their other 'Complexion Zen' line products -- facial cream & body butter!


Naughty Points: 4 homemade sugar cookies

They were a gift! And so buttery good! There are still four left... probably not for long...

coming clean :: day thirteen :: two

Workout: evening @ pool (2,900 SCM)

I wasn't planning on exercising again, but felt guilty after downing a cupcake @ Baked & Wired. (see explanation in Naughty Points below)


Coming Clean:

face: tea tree soap by Two Strands Soap Works

body: Vegan Fruitcake Soap by Savannah Soap Kitchen

I included this soap in "If I Won the Lottery :: Fruitcake" and had to give it a whirl. I bet fruitcake would be a lot more popular if it smelled this good!


Naughty Points: 1 + 1 = 2

I was so proud of myself for only getting an unsalted pretzel at the Hoyas vs. Mt. St. Mary's b-ball game, but alas... Making a trip to Baked & Wired would prove that I wasn't so strong after all. Please note that I was there to buy gifts for others! I had a second cupcake while delivering the cupcakes after my swim -- oops.

coming clean :: day thirteen :: one

Workouts: morning @ outdoor jog & plyo

Surprise, surprise -- I didn't make it to the running group! But I jogged a little on my own before plyo. Mapmyworkout.com was just as sleepy as I was. It was much too cold to be standing there and waiting for it to find my location, so I gave up and jogged without it.


Coming Clean:

face: tea tree soap by Two Strands Soap Works

body: Goat's Milk Gardener's Soap with Cranberry and Strawberry Seeds by KBShimmer

Isn't this a fun, colorful gardener's soap?

KBShimmer's Etsy store is full of beautiful & unique soaps. I have a few of them waiting in the wings, and can't wait to share them with y'all!

Naughty Points: ZERO!

Unfortunately, this would change as the day went on...

if i win the lottery :: bacon & eggs

AlienBacon

This IIWtL has been inspired by the results of my most recent bloodwork. As with my previous installation on fruitcake, none of these bacon & eggs are the real thing. In other words, they're all cholesterol-free!

sunbasilgarden



magicbeanbuyer



inhope



mermaidglass



Concertina3



tiffanybeanefineart



FiercePixy

coming clean :: day twelve

Workout: evening @ outdoor jog (approx. 3 miles)

Mapmyworkout.com worked a lot better this time. Not sure why, as was running the exact same route as before. It threw me off-course once, but that was about it. And the nice lady even told me my time and pace every half a mile. Now, if only I could get her to hand me some water...!

In retrospect, I really should've gone swimming tonight. I forgot that my plyo instructor invited us to join his running group an hour before our class tomorrow. Eek! It's going to add up to be a lot of mileage for a non-runner like me :P


Coming Clean:

face: tea tree soap by Two Strands Soap Works

body: Snow Cat by Savor

I chose this soap because I'm jealous that we seem to be the only place in the world that didn't get snow this week!


Naughty Points: ZERO!

coming clean :: and the winner is...

Oh, we have a tie! What do we have for the winners, (borderline) Anemia and (you better watch it!) Cholesterol? How does an eight-week 1,200 calories/day diet sound at the most wonderful time of the year?!!

Thanks a lot, bloodwork results! Better get crackin'. It's going to be a rough eight weeks... :: weeps ::

flavor of the day :: Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Mull over a cuppa!

coming clean :: day eleven

Workout:
intended: evening @ gym
actual: evening of vegging

I had had an early morning AND had to get up early again!

Coming Clean:
face: tea tree soap by Two Strands Soap Works
body: Christmas 2008 Limited Edition Gingerbread soap by Spotted Cow Soaps

This seasonal scent was included with my order, and I couldn't resist after yesterday's feasting! It is available in bar soap & whipped sugar scrub (pictured). Scrumptious!

Naughty Points: 8 sugar cookie dough squares

coming clean :: day ten

Workout: evening @ pool (3,600 SCY)

The pool was deserted. Was everyone at home watching "A Muppets Christmas"? It obviously slipped my mind... :: boo ::


Coming Clean:
face: tea tree soap by Two Strands Soap Works
body: Java Jolt by InseineCreations

After yesterday's post-workout success, I wanted to see how well this soap would hold up after I had been pickling in chlorine for an hour. Survey says, "Yah!"


Naughty Points:

1 gingerbread cupcake from Georgetown Cupcake

1 lemon blossom cupcake from Georgetown Cupcake

Oh puleez, like I'm the only one who couldn't resist that cute little gingerfella?

coming clean :: day nine

Workout: lunch @ gym

I really didn't even want to be there, but I was gearing up for a night of... well, read on.

Coming Clean:

face: clean cotton-scented charcoal soap by aBreathofFrenchAir

body: Java Jolt by InseineCreations

Espresso soap, you say? Yes! With the natural scents of coffee and cocoa butter, InseineCreations didn't have to add any fragrance to this soap.

It's been recommended to be used around the kitchen / after gardening / tinkering with autos, but I'm adding post-workout to the list. The lather is ah-may-zing!

Naughty Points: 1 red velvet cupcake from Georgetown Cupcake

We're going to disregard the 17 wings I had for dinner, okay?

coming clean :: cherry blossom 10 miler

I got in! Last year, online registration filled up in four hours or something ridiculous like that. So grab a cuppa (you're gonna need it; it took almost half an hour to register successfully) and log on to the official Cherry Blossom 10 Miler website. It's a scenic course at one of the most beautiful times of the year.

I've already gotten a head-start, but my training program officially begins on 26 Jan 2009. I'm gonna stick to the plan this year. :: pinky promise ::

coming clean :: day eight

Workout: evening @ outdoor jog (approx. 2.75 miles)

I tried to use mapmyworkout.com, but it was giving me all sorts of crazy stats. First it was telling me I was running 2 miles an hour. Um, okay... So I started over, and then the GPS tracked 3.5 miles at a 6:00/mile pace. Don't I wish! I'll have to give it another go, though, because the application does look promising.

Coming Clean:

face: tea tree soap by Two Strands Soap Works

body: raspberry exfoliating soap by The Soap Buffet


This just arrived today, and I dug right in. I really liked the subtle raspberry yogurty scent, and the raspberry seeds were a nice touch. "Fruit at bottom!"

The Soap Buffet offers the raspberry exfoliating soap in bars and cute mini muffin-shaped sample sizes!


Naughty Points: ZERO!!

If only I had enough energy left to raid the fridge...!

coming clean :: week one

My target weight loss is 20 ~ 25 lbs. by May 2009. But à la "The Biggest Loser", instead of going by overall weight lost, I'll be posting it as percentage of body weight lost. The results are... :: drum roll please ::

target % weight loss : 13.16% ~ 16.45%

week one % weight loss: 2.30%

total % weight loss: 2.30%

Somehow that doesn't seem right. But let's go with it for now.

UPDATE @ 13:29: I found these very helpful spreadsheets in a thread in the TBL forums. It's EXACTLY what I was looking for. Thanks, LIBMRPIGS!

I linked the above spreadsheets with my 'coming clean' spreadsheet, and my calculations were correct! :: happy dance ::

coming clean :: day seven

Workout: evening @ pool (at least 3,800 SCM)

It was my first organized swim practice since before Halloween. Soooo not cool to start off the workout with 4 x 400!


Coming Clean:
face: tea tree soap by Two Strands Soap Works
body: clean cotton-scented charcoal soap by aBreathofFrenchAir

This soap smells AMAZING! I wonder if fresh-out-the-dryer towels feel as happy as I did...?

For a limited time only, aBreathofFrenchAir is offering these darling Naughty or Nice Charcoal Soap Cubes.

Naughty Points: 1 Cà phê sữa đá
I didn't take Vietnamese classes for 'nuthin!

it's really not *that* hard to say goodbye

I recently had to bid adieu to my beloved Clementine. As I was looking for her replacement, I also considered my 4+ year phone... and how convenient it would be to carry around one less thing... and you know exactly where this is going!

Welcome, Olivier! Finding a permanent home for him was more difficult than I thought it'd be. I got this über cute polar bear pouch by dickespaulinchen. Olivier fit snugly, but there was no room for his accessories (earbuds, metro card, timetables, etc.).

So the search continued. On Cyber Monday, I found out that two pouches (both by stelabird) in my Etsy favorites were on sale. :: happy dance :: I wanted to keep the same mushroom theme, but couldn't resist the cute woodgrain fabric. So I got both!

Can I just say that stelabird is a total sweetie! I inquired about her owl snugglies, and she made me an owl magnet with the mushroom fabric to hold me over until I custom-ordered one. Thanks, stelabird!

coming clean :: day six

Workout: morning @ gym

Getting through an entire hour of plyo after a double was ROUGH! No more crazy, last-minute Friday PM workouts!


Coming Clean:
face: tea tree soap by Two Strands Soap Works
body: pink clay complexion soap by Country Heart Gifts

I had no energy to pick out one of my newly-acquired soaps :P


Naughty Points: 1 frosted sugar cookie + 8 sugar cookie dough squares

I should probably give myself 16 naughty points for eating that much raw cookie dough!

coming clean :: day five (cont'd)

I'm not sure what got into me...

Workout: evening @ pool
(2,700 SCY - the pool was closing!)

Coming Clean:
face: Tea Tree by Two Strands Soap Works

body: Tropicalia by Long Winter Farm

Naughty Points: ZERO!!

if i win the lottery :: fruitcake

It's that time of year! And, believe it or not, none of these are the real thing!

Cara Mia Cakes

Isabell's Umbrella

Savannah Soap Kitchen

FLYoung Studio