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Size of My Determination
I know that I haven’t written a post in ages, but I have been making time to regularly work out and most importantly RUN!
Last week I joined Team in Training (TNT)/Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Team in Training participants train together to participate in endurance events. Team in Training raises funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.
I am training for Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco on October 16, 2011. This event has both a full marathon and a half-marathon. I am running the half-marathon. I am completing this event in memory of my mother Joan Grossett. This year will make ten years since my mother passed away from colon cancer. I feel that this is a healthy way to finally heal and honor her memory at the same time. It has been my goal for a long time to complete a half-marathon before I turn 30, and this is my year! I know that completing this would have made her so proud.
While my mother did not pass away from leukemia or lymphoma, I believe that ALL cancer research helps save lives. The money that I raise for cancer research can bring us steps closer to finding a cure for cancer. It makes me feel amazing to know that I can contribute to funding research that will someday ensure that no one else has to go through what my family experienced when my mother lost her battle to cancer.
I have known about TNT for a number of years and always wanted to join. I found a million and one reasons as to why I believed I wouldn’t be able to cross the finish line. It occurred to me a few weeks ago that nothing really mattered except for the size of my determination. I asked myself “How bad do you want this?”. The answer was desperately. Realizing that I now have the cojones to make it to the finish line I am fully committed to training. I am eating well and following the workout calendar that my TNT coach has provided and I have such a strong support system behind me. My family, friends and co-workers have shown me so much love and support it has been overwhelming. I am not usually an emotional person, but how can you not be emotional when you know that so many people believe in you and support your efforts.
My family, friends and co-workers believe in me and most importantly support the cause. I would not be able to complete my journey without you. As of today they have help me get to 59% of the goal that I have agreed to raise to be able to race on October 16th.
I am extremely thankful to you all!!!!
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Cruising to the Bahamas; Part III-Dining with food allergies aboard the Norwegian Jewel
Traveling with a food allergy or special dietary needs can be stressful if you are used to preparing and controlling what goes into the food that you eat. The stress of worrying about whether your food will be prepared with sensitivity to your food allergy or whether you will get sick due to improper preparation is enough to ruin the best vacation.
My husband Shaun is allergic to gluten and nuts. Before we even booked the cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, I researched their procedure for handling guests with food allergies. I began by e-mailing their “Access Desk”. They provided me with a very prompt response and answers to all my questions. I was instructed to fill out the “Access Form” they provided. (Here is a copy of the form I was provided. NCL Guest Letter and SPECIAL REQUESTS INFO PROFILE FORM) NCL requests that all guests with special needs, including food allergies and special dietary needs complete and send back this form before 90 days of your sailing date. Upon the Access Desk’s receipt of the completed form they sent me back an e-mail instructing Shaun to meet with the restaurant manager upon embarkation.
On embarkation day, when we boarded the ship we went to the reception desk on deck 7 and asked that they locate the restaurant manager. We waited no more than 10 minutes for the restaurant manager. While we were waiting, two other couples with food allergies arrived also requesting to meet with the restaurant manager. One of the young ladies also had an allergy to gluten. Shaun was informed by the restaurant manager that for dinner that evening they would prepare something special for him due to his food allergies. The restaurant manager provided him with the menu for the main dining halls for that evening. Shaun was instructed that he could eat in any of the three main dining halls or any of the nine specialty restaurants. He would need to let them know the day before what he would like to eat and they would prepare his requested meal. The restaurant manger also noted our stateroom number so that Shaun could freely call for room service and they would already be aware of his food allergies. When our stateroom was available on embarkation day, there was a letter and voice mail message welcoming us aboard and notifying us that they were aware and had already noted the food allergy.
Most of the time Shaun and I ate in the Garden Café on deck 12. There was enough variety of gluten free items that he didn’t always need to have something specially prepared. For instance every day for dinner in the Garden Café they served grilled salmon. When we asked the chef how the salmon was prepared, we were told with only salt and pepper. The chefs and crew members were more than happy to answer any questions we had regarding food preparation. Dining in the Garden Café was hassle free. Also since I eat a mostly a vegan diet I loved eating in the Garden Café. In the Garden Café there was always a fresh fruit bar and during lunch and dinner there was always a salad bar. I think fresh fruit and veggies all day long is a dream come true for all vegans!
Fruit Bar in the Garden Cafe' on the Norwegian Jewel
Salad Bar in the Garden Cafe' on the Norwegian Jewel
The Norwegian Jewel runs a tight ship. (No pun intended!) They have excellent procedures in place to ensure that all of their guests, special needs or not has an excellent stay on the Jewel. We look forward to cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line in the future.
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Cruising to the Bahamas; Part II-Working Out While Aboard the Norwegian Jewel
It has been my experience while vacationing that it is extremely difficult to have the motivation, drive and time to work out. I think that anyone committed to their active lifestyle would view these as lame excuses to not work out. Over the last couple of months I have come to realize that if being active is important to you, you find a way to make it fit into your schedule. That being said I was determined to not let my vacation derail me off my course of taking my health back. The Norwegian Jewel offers a variety of fitness options to help facilitate an active lifestyle during a stay on the ship.
The Norwegian Jewel has two tracks, a gym and offers fitness classes. There is a track on deck 7 and deck 13. The track on 7 is designated as walking track, open from 9 AM-9 PM. The track on 13 is designated as a running and walking track, open 24 hours a day. I have to admit that I was surprised at the amount of people taking advantage of both tracks. I only made use of the track on deck 13. I waited a few days to use the track as I wanted to get my body acclimated to the motion of the boat. Also I wanted to wait to run until I was sure I wasn’t going to get seasick. The last thing I wanted was to do was make my head spin by running in circles on the track.
Jogging Track
Jogging Track
Running on the Jewel in the early mornings was unbelievable because of the gorgeous views. I can’t think of many things that are better than taking in a sunrise. There is something about a sunrise and even a sunset that is just so calming. Below you will find a picture I had to share of a gorgeous sunset in the Bahamas from last week. Isn’t it beautiful?!!
Bahamas Sunrise While Aboard the Norwegian Jewel
The gym is located on deck 12 right next to the spa. The gym is open from 6AM-11PM. The gym offers fantastic views of the ocean. They have treadmills and elliptical machines lined up right by the floor to ceiling windows so that you can work out and enjoy the view. During my cruise the gym offered a few free and paid classes daily. They offered Pathway to Yoga ($12 per class), Spinning ($12 per class), Pathway to Pilates ($12 per class), Fab Abs (Free), Total Body Conditioning (Free), and Stretch and Relax (Free). The Fab Abs class was pretty intense. That class made me realize that I need to add more core exercises to my routine. Having a strong core is extremely important. I would have been more interested in joining the yoga and spinning classes if there was no extra charge for the classes.
Norwegian Jewel Gym
They also offer a Boot Camp with a personal trainer. It’s $120 for four sessions. There was also a sign up for a private health assessment consultation. The assessment includes your body’s toxic status, your levels of water retention, your lean body mass and your metabolic rate ($35). Shaun had an assessment and was extremely happy with the trainer and his one on one. He received a lot of beneficial feedback that he felt he could use at home to aid his fitness and eating plan. Throughout the cruise there were also a number of free seminars regarding health. During the cruise, the offered seminars were “Detox for Health and Weight Loss”, “Secrets to a Flatter Stomach”, “Eat More to Weigh Less” and “Burn Fat Fast”.
With all the fitness options the Jewel offers, it allows you to maintain your active lifestyle while vacationing. The Jewel offers you freedom and flexibility in your fitness routine without you having to feel like you are missing anything from your vacation.
Stay tuned for the last installment of my trip report on food!
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Cruising to the Bahamas; Part I-The Norwegian Jewel
Norwegian Jewel @ Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
I am back and well rested from the best vacation ever. I arrived back in New York yesterday morning on the Norwegian Jewel. The ship stopped in Port Canaveral, FL and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas and Nassau, Bahamas. I have to admit while planning this vacation I was extremely hesitant. I wasn’t sure if I would get seasick or if I would even like cruising. And as silly as it may seem I was even fearful that the ship would sink. I am glad that I was able to break through all my fears and concerns and experience one of the best times I have had in my life.
Jeanine on the Norwegian Jewel
Norwegian Cruise Line is known for what they call “Freestyle Cruising”. It’s a nice way of saying you can dress however you want, eat whenever you want and wear whatever you want while you do it! I wore shorts and flip flops all week. I had the opportunity to attend comedy shows, whiskey and wine tastings and art auctions. Don’t laugh, but I even played BINGO! But my favorite place on the whole ship was the Spa. On the Jewel they offered a couples “Thermal Spa” package. It gives you use of their thermal spa for your entire stay on the ship for $150. The thermal spa includes the relaxation room, hot tub, therapy pool, sauna, steam shower and heated tile chase lounge chairs. The spa offers beautiful and priceless views of the ocean. In my opinion it offers the best views on the entire ship. I spent a number of my mornings relaxing in a heated tiled chase lounge chair just enjoying the view. That chair alone was worth the price of the package. After 30 minutes in that chair you can feel the stress in your body just fade away.
Thermal Spa
Heated Tile Chase Lounge Chairs in Thermal Spa
I have decided to do my trip report in three posts. Stay tuned for my next post on working out while cruising, followed by a food report!
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Run Jeanine Run is cruising to the Bahamas!!!
This afternoon I am leaving New York on the Norwegian Jewel for a week long cruise to Florida and the Bahamas. Stay tuned because I will have a full food and trip report when I get back!! I made sure to pack my sneakers as I plan to run and workout all week long. Bon Voyage!!
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To Gym or Not to Gym?!
Everyone who lives in a major city knows that gym memberships can get pretty pricey and even ridiculous. Living in NYC a gym with convenient locations, maintained modern gym equipment and clean locker rooms are a dime a dozen. There are really only three major chains in my area with locations convent to work and home. There is NYSC, Equinox, Bally Total Fitness. I have never been a fan of Bally there are too many horror stories regarding monthly fees and the initial sign up process. Just google Bally and you can see for yourself. All the Equinox locations I have ever toured have all been gorgeous, but I can’t stomach a monthly gym membership that’s the same price as my car payment! So I joined NYSC by default.
I had been a member of NYSC for about 3 years. For the 79 bucks I was paying a month I felt like I was getting deal. I had access to all the clubs, so I was able to go to the location near my office and home. The gym membership was a deal until I stopped going. Since I just was too lazy to get my behind to the gym, I canceled my membership about 3 months ago. That was around the time I began running outdoors.
I love running outside! Nothing and I mean nothing compares to running outdoors. I love not having to travel to workout. And most of all I don’t miss changing in the locker room. Nothing beats a shower in the comfort of your own home.
My running plan has been going so well I never even thought that I would re-join a gym until I got an e-mail from NYSC. NYSC sent me an e-mail offering me a gym membership for 50% off. I have until September 30th to take advantage of this offer.I am not sure what to do. Even if I join the gym, I still plan on running outside. I can’t lie I miss being able to spin. I love spin class. Spin class was a great way to get all that anger out. And let’s not forget spin is an awesome workout. I miss yoga class too. When I do yoga in a group I can just feel everyones energy in the room. It is so uplifting.
I think the best thing is to join and give it three months. If I don’t use it as much as I should, I will cancel. We shall see how this works out. I figure I have nothing to loose but pounds!!!!
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Week 4 was twice as special…
I repeated week 4. I felt I needed more time with the week 4 running plan. But honestly looking back I think I was just intimidated by week 5 day 3 which calls for running 20 mins straight! I know I am physically ready to run 20 mins straight with no walking breaks, but I let my head get to me.
I couldn’t hide in week 4 forever so I began week 5 today. Week 5 day 1 was a miserable run. I can’t blame it on lack of rest or poor hydration. I just wasn’t feeling it today. I ran strong but I began to question why I was even running. Every time the voice in the “Couch to 5k” app came on to signal it was time to run, I had to fight the urge to scream. I know that not every run will be a good one. I began this journey for a reason and I am not about to give up now.
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Week 3 Almost Never Happened!
If I was following my schedule I should have completed week 3 the week of August 15th. I didn’t run the entire week of August 15th. I know shame on me! I am not even going to make excuses. I was purely being lazy.
Shaun’s grandfather passed away on the evening of August 21st. The funeral services were in Boca Raton, FL, so we spent all of last week in the South Florida area. I made sure to pack my running shoes and didn’t let myself make excuses as to why I couldn’t find time in the early morning to run. I got up before my family and made it a point to get outside before the sun really came out. Florida sun is no joke! It’s been warm in NYC but not as humid as it is in Florida. I knew if I didn’t get out before the sun came out I would probably pass out mid-run. Okay, I kid about passing out mid-run. However it was really important to make sure that I kept myself properly hydrated.
I have to say that even due to the circumstances running in Florida last week was a real treat. I got a change of scenery. I ran past ponds and beautiful landscapes. It was nice to run past people and have them say hello and good morning. You don’t always get that kind of hospitality in NYC.
Now that I am home and back to my routine, bring on week 4!
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Week 2 Completed
Last week was rough. In the past I usually let whatever is going on around me get me down to the point I usually loose enthusiasm in everything, including exercising. I would use it as a crutch or an excuse as to why I cant get to the gym or get up to excersise. It’s weird it seemed like no matter how bad the week got I just keep pushing through. Take Tuesday (week 2 day 1) for instance. I felt nauseous in the middle of my run but I kept running down Queens Blvd and made it to the end of my workout. I felt fine at the end of the workout got showered and ready for work. I made it to the office sat down at my desk and had my normal breakfast I brought from home. Hard boiled egg whites, sausage and fruit. I didn’t even finish the piece of fruit before I started to feel sick. And not to be gross, it didn’t end well I threw the whole thing up. Normally that would have been enough for me to say this running thing is way to much trouble and quit.
Well I didn’t quit! Believe it or not running has been the only thing holding me together. It helps me clear my head and stay focused. I don’t think I quite come back the same person every time I get out there, because I come back stronger.
I am so ready for whatever week 3 brings my way…
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Who needs pasta?!
I have never been big on salads. I find them to be kind of boring. There is lettuce and then there is more lettuce! I recently had a salmon skin salad from my favorite sushi restaurant, Saki Sushi in Rego Park, NY. They serve a salmon skin salad plated on top of a bed of shoe string cut cucumbers and seaweed. I kept wondering if I would be able to make something similar at home.
It turns out that I had the tools I needed in my own kitchen, a curly fry slicer World Cuisine Spiral Vegetable Slicer for Curly Fries. The one we have isn’t that expensive. I was able to use this slicer to make the shoe string cucumbers. I never used this slicer before so I had to get Shaun’s assistance the first time I used it. It is so simple to use. If I can do it so can you!
JT’s Quick Cucumber Salad
2 tablespoon of your preferred dressing (I prefer an organic ranch dressing)
1 large cucumber
6 oz grape tomatoes
Cut cucumber into two halves. Run one half of the cucumber through the slicer at a time. Place cucumber, tomatoes and dressing in a large salad bowl. Mix well and enjoy. Should be served immediately.
Serves 1
It doesn’t get any easier than that! I plan on sometimes substituting these cucumbers for pasta in some of my dishes. You can never eat too many vegetables. As the months go by and I get further into training I am going to rely on quick and easy recipes like this salad.
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