Jicama Salad

I made this last night...

I used to make this back in my restaurant kitchen days. Jicama is a root vegetable that is a little bit sweet with a texture kind of like an apple. I saw some in the store the other day and it reminded me of the salad we used to make in the restaurant.  Here is my version...

Salad
1 jicama, sliced
2 oranges, sliced or segmented
1 cup watermelon, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Dressing
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 lime, juiced and zested
1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Mix the ingredients for the dressing in the bottom of a large bowl.  Add the jicama, the fruit and cilantro to the bowl.  Toss it all together, and there you go.

It is so fresh and tasty. I served it along side cilantro lime ground turkey, black beans, brown rice, homemade salsa and avocado slices.

My day in a few pictures...

{are you on Instagram? if so, follow me! i'm @jkyamzon :)}

So, this is what was supposed to happen today... run at least a 5K on the track while the two older boys did their tennis lesson.  What really happened today... cuddled with sick baby on the couch for two hours while the boys did their tennis lesson.  Once the poor little guy went down for his nap I ran downstairs on the DREADmill while the big boys make blanket tents upstairs.  At about mile two, I started to get blisters. However, I was determined to get the 5K done so I took of my shoes and ran barefoot the rest of the way. I know not everyday will go as planned. Today was one of them.

Side note: Blisters, huh?! That's nice, since the triathlon is in less than two weeks. I don't foresee myself taking off my shoes during the race, so now I'm considering socks.

Aaaanyway, that was my day.  How was yours? :)

Step away from the can!

I love a good infographic.  Especially this one that explains why we all need to stop drinking soda, or pop, or coke, however you want to say it.  I mean, this isn't really breaking news, we all know that soda isn't the healthiest beverage option. But I like how it's all visually laid out to make it easier to understand the harmful effects. 

My husband stopped drinking it at the first of a year as a new year's resolution and hasn't looked back.  I stopped a few of months ago, but would allow myself a "treat" every once in a while.  But it's actually been a couple months since I've had any at all and honestly I don't miss it.  It's been years since I stopped drinking regular, or non-diet, soda.  But, diet soda is just as bad, if not worse, it turns out.  All that artificial stuff, our bodies just don't need it.  Step away from the can!  Nice knowing ya, Diet Cherry Coke :)

{infographic by Term Life Insurance}
click above link for a larger image

What will you do?

{art print by RockTheCustardPrints on Etsy}

Plank a Day

First of all, I hope that all the mommies out there had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday.  I sure did.  My boys made me cry with all the little handmade gifts.  I'm so blessed with all my little dudes :)

{me + my boys, mother's day 2012}

So, I can't remember when I first seeing this whole Plank A Day revolution thing, but I knew I wanted to get on board.  I read about it here, and thought it would be a challenge to get rid of the ole baby holder/kangaroo pouch.  I won't be needing it anymore, so why am I still holding on to it??  I seriously need to strengthen my core and planks are a good way to do it.  I've gotten much stronger core-wise since I started doing yoga once or twice a week, but I still have a way to go for a strong back and flat abs.  

So the ultimate goal is to hold a plank for for at least a minute, or more if you can.  I first thought, pshh, how hard can that be?? Then I tried it and I was losing it at 45 seconds.  But I kept at it and was able to hold at least a minute in no time.  That doesn't mean it's easy though :)

Try it.  Aim for a one minute plank at least once a day.  If you're on Twitter, like me, you can also follow other plankers using the hashtag #plankaday.  If you'd like, post some pics on my Facebook page.  Let's keep each other accountable!

{me, just plankin' around the house}

Keep Cool...

It's getting hot and my kids are always asking for cool treats after school.  Here are a few I think I'll try...

1.  Cream Goodness | How Does She?
2.  Watermelon Sorbetto | Indo Chine Kitchen
3.  Honey Yogurt Berry Pops | Joylicious
4.  Old Fashion Pink Lemonade | The Family Kitchen on Babble

Dig deep.

{endure necklace by endure jewelry co.}

Today day I did a brick workout as part of my triathlon training.  Per my training schedule, I rode for about 30 minutes then ran for about ten.  If you remember me talking about my last triathlon, you may have heard me say how hard the bike leg was.  It is definitely my weakness.  I could swim forever, I can run just fine.  But being on the bike sometimes makes me want to cry.  Some things that went through my mind during this mornings ride...  Dig deep. This is your weakness. Find your strong. This is a race. This is not a leisure ride. Ooo, downhill. Crap, another hill. Almost there. Use your legs. Hustle.

Those last two thoughts are words I say to my kids when they're on their bikes.  I took my own advice.  I finally turned the corner to my street.  I dropped off my bike at home, ditched the helmet, put on a hat and took off for a quick run.  I know the person who came up with the name "brick" workout must have also considered how your legs feel when you try to run after being on the bike.  I'm pretty sure I said this when I trained for my last tri, but it feels like my feet are cemented in buckets and I have weight belts attached to my quads.

Sometimes I wonder why I sign up for these things.  But to answer my question with a question, "Why not?"  If I can endure this, I'll certainly come out stronger on the other end.