cough, cough, brrr

My friend didn't bring me the magical cough syrup because the guy at the macrobiotico 

(natural remedies store) said that since I am still nursing the herbs would upset the baby's stomach. This prompted me to go to the doctor because I was miserable and low and

behold I have bronchitis. They took blood and x-rays and gave me a shot in the arse. I feel much better now, I have been on medication for 4 days or so. 

I went running this morning and had to walk a 1/4 of the way because my lungs just couldn't keep up. Little by little I guess, until I'm fully healed, but I'll tell you it was nice to get out there. Not exercising for a week is hard and I wasn't sure how hard it would be to get going again. 

In about 2 weeks we head to the Great White (or More Likely Just Terribly Cold) North for holiday cheer, drama and food. I am excited to see the family but it's hard to go be inside for a week. I'm hoping it's dry so I can still go out and run, there is a really nice park near the parents house. It will look like one of these pictures while we are there and in the Northeast you never can tell which it will be, their weather is totally schizophrenic.

I haven't run in cold weather before so I have been dorking out on runners websites looking into what I need to know. Basically it's the same as running in the tropics but with more layers. For example, drink lots of water, use sunblock, don't try to add miles or speed when getting acclimated. I just need to wear tights or long-johns under my shorts I think. I think it won't be too bad if it's dry. 

If it's wet, well, we'll see...

martha

cough, cough and protein

I have been totally sick with some kind of respiratory annoyance for the past few days. I think it is getting better, a friend is going to get me some natural herbal cough syrup that she swears by so I am hopeful to be out running in the morning. 

So that's the cough, cough, now onto Protein.

I only eat seafood and fish but lately am concerned that I am not getting enough protein for the amount of exercise I am doing. I have been tracking my nutrition with my GYMINEE account and have definitely been low on the protein numbers, like, less than half of what I should be getting which is really not to great, especially since protein is essential to build and repair muscle tissue. Protein allows muscles to contract, gain in size, and increase in strength and if you aren't getting enough protein your body takes it from your muscles leading to muscle loss. 

Of course now I am monitoring it more closely so I am going to try a few things to boost it before I make any major changes to my diet, like eating meat. 

Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike meat, I am not really morally opposed to eating meat, I do think the food industry tries to poison us, especially with meat.  I really think it is every person's decision to make on their own. I just go through phases where it honestly, kind of grosses me out. I also have a lot of animals including a pig and lots of chickens so I do feel like a traitor eating them.

What are the options? Well, I could just start eating lean, low fat meats like chicken again and the occasional beef. I could eat more vegetable and fish based protein like tofu and tuna or I could supplement with protein powder. 

Pros and cons.

I don't really want to eat meat so that is pretty much last on my list of options. I did have 

a little bit of turkey last week but I don't really want to make it a regular thing. Last time I got back on the meat wagon it made me pretty sick for a few days and I think the larger expenditure of energy needed to digest meat could be spent doing other things, like running really fast. However, eating some meat would be the more natural, whole food way of getting more protein regularly sooner.

Upping my vegetable and fish based high protein foods would be relatively easy, a handful of garbanzos here, an extra fillet there, should be a no brainer, right? Yes, it should but occasionally, like right now I am kind of sick of everything I eat and am not feeling very creative in the kitchen, maybe that's why the meat thoughts are creeping in?

Whey protein powders are probably the most common supplements being used now. I have read a bit about these and others, there are egg protein powders, soy, and some other stuff. Apparently whey isolate is the best. This stuff is also really expensive and apparently tastes like crap. There are also noted side effects like gas, bloating, and diarrhea, three things I usually try to avoid. Okay, now protein supplements are last on the list.

more later

martha