Soba Noodle Salad

Cold noodle salads are one of my favorite summertime meals. I can make one on Sunday and pretty much eat it all week long for a simple, satisfying lunch. However, I do try to limit the amount of refined grains I eat. So oftentimes I use soba noodles.

Soba noodles are an Asian noodle made from buckwheat. Although they're about the width of regular spaghetti, their texture is a bit softer and lighter (I think). Some soba noodles do include some refined grains, although higher quality versions have mostly buckwheat. A typical Japanese meal would be cooked soba noodles and a dipping sauce, but I like them in this salad:

Soba Noodle Salad

Salad Ingredients
- Soba noodles
- Lightly steamed veggies
- Sliced spring/green onions

Dressing Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Tamari (or soy sauce)
- 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
- 1 teaspoon hot chili oil
- Dash white sugar

Cook soba noodles. Rinse with cold water and drain. Toss in lightly steamed veggies. Coat with dressing. Top with onions.

This is a very simple recipe that can be modified to fit whatever veggies you have in the fridge and to suit your tastes. (I like extra veggies with fewer noodles.) I often make it with matchstick carrots, red pepper strips and strips of snow peas. However, I have heard of people using broccoli and squash, too. It's the perfect cool lunch for a hot day, and you could add some cold, peeled shrimp if you wanted some extra protein.

Outdoor Exercise Protection

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Although I live in a relatively safe neighborhood--the biggest crime around here tends to be stolen bicycles--there's always the chance that some crazed, serial-killer-attacker-type will start stalking my streets.

And there are lots of loose dogs around here, too.

So I think it's smart--and practically a necessity--to carry protection during my outdoor runs and walks around town.

Fortunately, websites like LA Police Gear provide lots of equipment and accessories that can be used by the average citizen who wants to protect herself around the neighborhood, such as tactical knives. (Always check the laws in your area about carrying a blade! Many states limit the size of the knife you can legally carry concealed on your person.) For those already equipped with some basic self-defense gear, the website also sells holders for things like expandable batons.

If you're just looking for clothing, the site sells plenty of tactical apparel like 511 Shorts and Under Armour Covert Ops shirts.

Body For Life Comparisons

I finished reading the two different Body for Life books: Body for Life and Body for Life for Women.

Here's my verdict:

BFL Women is definitely more touchy-feely. There's a lot more talk about motivation and "mind." Women who have typical female problems with weight--yo-yo dieting, emotional eating, etc.--may find the text useful. Overall, however, I found it lacked a lot of practicality.

Moreover, neither the eating nor exercise plan is as strict as that found in the regular BFL program. The concept of the "free" day--and the rationale behind it--seems to be missing almost entirely. And the suggested cardio is less intense (and probably less effective) than recommended in the traditional BFL plan.

Women may find BFL Women easier to follow since it's more flexible and less stringent. However, I'd guess that the 12-week results would not be very dramatic. Weight loss could almost definitely be achieved, but it won't be the kind of body transformation that can be seen in the regular BFL plan.

Personally, I'll stick to the original. I want to see serious results, and I'm not afraid of some high intensity cardio or some heavy weight lifting.

Short Walk

Took a short walk today. After 20 minutes, I started having this terrible pain in my lower abdomen. I knew it wasn't contractions since it was a steady pain. But I was practically doubled over! I immediately walked home--slowly--and laid down until the pain passed.

It was a pretty scary experience. From now on, I guess my walks need to be slower (and closer to home). I had been rushing a bit because I knew a storm was coming.

Wish my walk could have been longer and better... but at least I did something. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to get out and try again. I guess the smartest thing to do now is listen to my body.

Don't Feel Like Exercise

I don't know if it's the weather--hot and muggy--or if it's my expanding tummy (which grows bigger and more uncomfortable each day). But whatever the cause, I just don't feel like exercising. Every morning I set my alarm so I can get up and take a walk. And every morning I turn it off and go back to sleep.

Now that I'm nearing the finish line of pregnancy... about 5 weeks to go... I've been growing more and more uncomfortable. An average day includes:

• Kicks, punches and jabs into my ribs
• Swollen feet and fingers (my joints constantly ache)
• Heartburn and/or nausea
• Tremendous amounts of fatigue
• Shortness of breath

Overall, my physical body does not feel at its peak. I know that exercise might actually help make me feel better, but I'm finding it harder and harder to motivate myself to get out and walk.

Is "Gender Specific" Weight Loss Information Useful?

When I first tried Body for Life: 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strength (BFL), the only available "program" was definitely designed with the male body in mind (although many women used it successfully). Later, however, they created a Body for Life for Women: A Woman's Plan for Physical and Mental Transformation program. But do women really need the gender specific advice?

Although I believe that there are natural differences between female and male bodies--especially when it comes to things like muscle mass and body fat percentage--I also tend to think that basic weight loss advice can be applied to both genders.

The basic premise of the "male" BFL program is this:

• Eat frequent, small meals of "clean" foods
• Exercise regularly, including both strength training and cardio components
• Limit "cheat" meals to once a week

In my humble opinion, this should work for both men and women.

I recently purchased a copy of both BFL (for the third time... I always give away my copy) and BFL for Women (thinking about losing that baby weight!). Once I read both, I'll report back here as to the differences between the two programs.

Thinking About The Baby Weight

As birth day approaches--less than 2 months now!--I can't stop thinking about losing the baby weight. As thrilled as I am to become a mother, and as much as I want this child, I can't help feeling as if pregnancy has completely changed my body. Weight has always been an emotional issue for me, and I think it's important for me mentally to do something about my extra padding as soon as possible.

I ordered another copy of Body for Life (both the original and the one for women) since I seemed to have misplaced my copy. I've also been researching healthy recipes that I can make ahead of time and freeze, like protein pancakes and baked oats. And I've been trying to improve my diet right now so I can get used to eating lots of veggies and fruits again.

I've even tried digging up my old bikini so I can take "before" pictures, but I can't seem to find it. I probably won't fit into it after Baby arrives, so I guess I'll order a larger one for the "before" pic. I can't wait to start exercising again!

Happy Memorial Day

Land of the free... because of the brave.

Slowing Down

Finally took a walk today!

Between the lousy weather (wind, rain, chilly) and oversleeping, I haven't walked in about 10 days! But today was beautiful, so I forced myself out of bed. It was worth it!

I have noticed, however, that I am definitely slowing down. It used to take me about 40 minutes to walk my usual route. Today it took closer to 50 minutes. I'm sure the extra 30 lbs I'm carrying has something to do with it.

And my lungs feel like they've been smushed to the size of pancakes, too.

The Weather Cooperates

Because of crappy weather and scheduling issues, I haven't been getting much exercise. But today it's gorgeous outside--sunny and warm! So it's the perfect day for a walk.

Unfortunately, with Baby's due date just a little over two months away, I am pretty much overwhelmed with my "to do" list. But rather than spend the whole day doing chores and other household tasks, I'm going to promise myself a walk outside--even if it's a very short one.

My diet has improved a bit. I am making a more conscious effort to eat veggies and fruits, and I've slowed down my consumption of refined sugars. Sure... I still have a bowl of ice cream occasionally. But at least I'm not eating three or four different treats throughout the day.

Another Walk

It's starting to get hot outside, so today I was sweating during my [amble] walk. Hubby accompanied, which was nice. We spent a bit of time chatting about Baby's upcoming arrival. (Only 9 1/2 weeks to go!)

I am still obsessing about losing the baby weight after Baby arrives... and I've been polling every mom I know about it. "How long did you have your jiggly stomach?" "How long until you lost the baby weight?" Most of them tell me that it's at least 8 weeks--usually more--before they get rid of their extra tummy... and then another couple of months to actually get back to their previous size.

They do say "Nine months on... nine months off" when it comes to dropping baby weight. But I am determined to be the exception to the rule. Mostly I want to lose the weight because at this point I hope to get pregnant again in the not-so-distant future, and I really want all the weight off before we start trying to have another baby.

Healthy, Fast Meals

With Baby on the way--and thoughts of losing baby weight on my mind--I've been thinking about ways to prep healthy meals quickly after we have a newborn in the house. If all the baby books and my friends-with-kids are correct, I'll have almost no time (or energy) to cook during the first few months.

I may be able to put some of the cooking responsibility in Hubby's hands. In truth, he's actually a better cook than me. But he's more of a homestyle cooking guy... his idea of a meal is fried catfish, mashed potatoes and some lima beans. Not the worst food in the world, but definitely not conducive to weight loss.

I've been checking out the whole Once A Month Cooking (OAMC) philosophy. It basically means spending a 24-48 hour period shopping, prepping and cooking enough meals to last for an entire month. These meals are then frozen and pulled out as needed. There are variations on this theme, including cutting it back to a 2-week cooking session or gradually stocking a freezer by doubling or tripling recipes whenever you cook a meal.

I've been hounding Hubby to buy a deep freeze. As soon as I get it in my house, I'm going to try the "gradual stock" method. Whenever I cook something relatively healthy that freezes well--like marinara sauce, salmon cakes, veggie soup or black beans & rice--I'm going to prep a double-batch and then freeze the extra. With any luck, by the time Baby arrives I'll have 20 or so frozen meals that will be quick and healthy during hectic days.