Limeade and Sweaty Runs

My students at the Brooklyn Apple Academy organized a Limeade Sale yesterday in Prospect Park to benefit relief efforts in Nepal. 

They also accepted tips for the ice fund (which fund them getting ices from the park vendor). We had an intricate discussion about full disclosure of funds and how important it is that customers can decide where their money goes. 

I did 5.18 miles in 52 minutes yesterday (including cool-down)- this brings me up to about 10.25 miles for the week plus a spinning class.

Sweat makes me proud.

Dinners have been sweet & simple lately- myself and the fella both get home so late that we usually toss a protein into a skillet, some couscous into the microwave on carb-loading days (Far East 5 minute mixes, you complete me) and serve with some raw greens. 

 Above: a pan-seared pork chop with coconut-oil caramelized onions and a mixed green salad- so easy to make and so, so satisfying.

On mornings like this one when I don't have to teach until the afternoon, I've been whipping up some single skillet meals, like this one- Al Fresco Sundried Tomato Chicken Sausage, red peppers, bok choy, an egg (over easy) and some avocado. Veg and protein and happy fat heaven.

While catching up on computer work, I'm sniffing this intoxicating branch my fella brought me last night. We had a lilac tree in the backyard of one of the houses I lived in growing up- it was perpetually trapped in the shade of this giant pine so it grew almost parallel to the ground desperately seeking sun. Every spring and summer our house would be filled with snips and snaps from that magical little tree. It's the simple things...

I'm currently DEEEEEP into post-production for my film directing debut- Father's Day. I'll write about the process some day, but my spare time is currently gobbled up by Adobe Premiere- I've learned by watching my fellow editors and now I'm wading into the water on my own to try to speed up our post-process. I'm hoping to submit to a few festivals this fall. Fingers crossed.  

Today I'll be swinging around some kettlebells before going to teach and then meeting up with some fellow Mitchell Scholars for a drink and a bite this evening.

How have you been sweating this week?
What's your favorite lazy morning breakfast?
Have you ever taught yourself a program/ software?

Hustle & Grind, Weekend Edition

Weekends are working days around here, but a slightly later start time means coffee meditation in the (hanging) garden.

Today, I have a rehearsal and a film shoot with the Void Theater Company, a yoga class (if I hurry) and then a performance of The Harper's Play at Jack NY. Cue- big breakfast!

Power plate, activate- turkey bacon, whole wheat tortilla, egg and greens.

It just began snowing outside my window, which means I'll bundle up like I'm hitting the Iditarod and trundle to the subway, wondering how on earth anyone can manage to look even remotely stylish in this weather? I cease caring at approximately 30 degrees.

I'm excited to feature a workout tomorrow with a very special guest contributor. Keep your eyes peeled. 

Do you have a working weekend? What's your favorite Saturday AM ritual? And do you try to look fly in the cold, or does comfort reign?

Hawaii Day 1: Honolulu, Waikiki

We. are. in. heaven. 

Looking out from the lanai where we slept, these are the views. 

Matt and Inga's cat, Jingles, appreciates the scenery as much as I do, I think...

I was up with the sun, but this fellow was a bit jet-lagged.

Homemade iced coffee! This is one of the reasons we're friends...

Since all four of us had spent the previous day traveling, we were desperate for some sunlight and good food!

So we strolled to Waikiki for a breakfast of beastly proportions. Helloooooooooo Mac 24 7!

The Mac Daddy Pancake Challenge- three 14 inch pancakes and a pound of toppings. We selected the Elvis. 

Excited AND skeptical...

Matt and Inga knew what we were in for...

Neither photos nor words can do the enormousness of this dish justice. It is, quite literally, the largest quantity of food I have ever seen on one plate.. 

We all took turns hacking the giant into four pieces...

Our individual portions were still mammoth. That, my friends, is a dinner plate.

Joe tagged out first. 

Matt COMPLETELY finished his portion... Like a boss.

After breakfast, we happily waddled over to Waikiki Beach to burn some calories. 

I cooled down with some iced coffee from Honolulu Coffee roasters. 

The walk home along the canal was gorgeous. 

Back at home, we were warmly greeted by the most beautiful cat on the planet.

Blogging on location! And what a location it is...

After resting at home for a bit, we strolled over to the Rainbow Drive-In. 

Hawaiian plate lunches are their speciality. Holy yum. I got the mixed plate- ahi katsu, chicken and BBQ steak, with rice and macaroni salad. AWWWWW YEAH. I'll confess that I have away my mac salad because I have a strong aversion to mayonnaise, but everything else was DELISH!

We were notably full at this point, but dessert called, in the form of malasadas. Leonard's is famous for them.

Malasadas are warm, sugar covered puff pastries, served with or without fillings. 

So habit-forming.

Day 1 in Hawaii- success! Stay tuned for more recaps! :)