Strength-Trainings Isn't Just for the Boys

I am not a newbie when it comes to working out.
I was a runner even when I was a wee kid, running after and with my daddy in the evenings.
In college, first career, in graduate school, I engaged in some sort of heavy cardio, some spinning, some yoga, weight-lifting and pilates.   I can truly say I never disliked fitness. Sometimes, I like it more than other times.
Then, I ran again. For years. I was devoted to running.
I love the high it brings post 5 miles.
I love how I never want it to end post 8 miles.
Screw cross-training. I don't need it. I have run. (I'll admit, that's so WRONG).

After the birth of my son, I struggled to get back to my running. I didn't have the time to devote to running. Between not sleeping at nights and a full-time job during the day, and being a mom and wife in my other awaken hours, it was difficult to squeeze in time to get a run in. And even when I did, the body just did not do what it was supposed to do. It hurt in the most random of places after an easy short run.
I was discouraged.
I was disappointed.

Honestly. I was dragging my feet through life. I was not happy with myself.  I love motherhood. But I need a shot of energy after work so I can truly be in the present, so I can truly engage, so I can dance with my baby, toddler and not get out of breath.
How did I get to this state of frump and lump? I don't know. Lack of sleep will do that to you. Then, it spiraled into ridiculous eating habits. You know, where you consume grilled organic chicken breast over a bed of quinoa and a side of spinach, and then you hovered over and inhaled a pan of chocolate cake, and then you pushed some salty baked potato chips into your mouth.

At some point, I got sick and tired of feeling shitty and blah.
I decided to take control and worked on working on my core. In my mind, it makes sense. If you have no core strength, you are going to fail. You need to be strong. A flower isn't going to stand tall if the core stem is limpy.

I did a few programs since - mostly HIIT and weight training.
When I ran my come-back 5K in October, I could definitely feel the difference. Working on strengthening my body has made me a better runner. It has also helped me achieve weight-loss goals and helped keep it off.

Here is an article about the benefits of strength-training.
Give it a read. I hope it will convince you to add some strength-training into your fitness routine.

Fear.

FEAR.
This seemingly innocuous four-letter word.

Our actions are really driven by fear or the lack of fear.

I was fearful I was giving up my dream when my first big love asked me to not pursue it so we could be together.
But I want a college education in the field I wanted to be in since I was in elementary school.
I went to the other side.

I was fearful of not living my life when my crazy love asked me to marry him and stay in Singapore.
But I wanted to live adventurously. I want to experience life. Savor it. Live it.
So I went to the other side.

I was fearful of being away from home, from what was familiar when I decided to board that plane to come to the United States. But I wanted the education. I wanted to forge a life on my own. I wanted to see what I am made up without falling back on what was familiar to me all these time.
So I went to the other side.

I was fearful of defying social and cultural conventions when I decided that I was ready to have a child before marriage. Family honor is important to me. Respecting my parents and honoring them are important to me.  I was fearful when I made those morning calls to my parents to plead my case about having a child. I was scared of my dad. I was scared of my mom.
But I really wanted to be a mom. I was ready to be a mom. I had planned for the past few years to be a mom. So I went to the other side.

Fear is not going away. As long as we live, there will be fear.
I feel like as I grow up, I have more responsibilities, and I start to fear more. And now that I have my sweet little boy, I do all the fearing for all of us. I navigate and tread carefully.
I often ask myself,

• What do you want  
• What are you afraid of 
• What can I do to allay these fears  

So, what are you afraid of?

InstantPot: Big Flavor Mexican Pulled Pork

No time for a siesta.
It is time for a fiesta!!

I love Mexican food -- Mexican food that's big on flavor and easy to fix.
Regular beef tacos is a staple around here. My son knew to say "Taco Tuesday" when he was 2.
This pork dish takes Mexican dish to another whole new level.

When you make this, be prepared to have an army of family and friends because it makes A LOT.
Heck, get your whole neighborhood to your house for a party. Or plan to make tacos, quesadilla, salad, burrito.

Oh, and making it in an InstantPot --- seriously blows my mind.

Can you tell I am kinda in love with this kitchen gadget?

First, you make this flavorful rub. My advice is, get a gallon-sized Zip-Loc bag and throw these spices into the bag.

• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp cumin 
• 1 tsp dried cilantro 
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp cloves 
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder 
• 1 tsp salt (I use sea salt) 

Mix everything together. Shake it.
Then, throw the following into the bag of spices.

• 3 lbs (give or take) of pork (pork loin or Boston butt). Boneless will make it easier to shred. 

Now, move that hunk of a chunk of meat around in that bag, making sure it is nicely coated with all that flavorful spices. You can set it in the fridge to marinate further (I have done this on meal prep days and let it sit in the fridge for a day or two before it is "cook day.")

To cook: 

• Throw meat into your InstantPot. 
• Throw 1 bay leaf (if you have in your pantry)
• Throw about 1.5 to 2 cups of water into it. 
• Set it on Manual, High Pressure, for 60 minutes. 
• Once done, shred it. Put shredded meat back into the pot to absorb more of the juice. 

Ok. So now, what do I do with this meat? 

Quesadillas

Put 1 tsp of coconut oil onto skillet. Place flour tortilla on a skillet (medium to medium high heat). Put shredded pork. Top with shredded cheese. Fold it into half. Cut into halves and halves again. 

Burrito 

Put 1 tsp of coconut oil onto skillet. Place flour tortilla on skillet (medium to medium high heat). Put shredded pork, cheese, Mexican rice, roll it up.

Tacos
Soft or hard tacos, meat, lettuce, tomatoes. 

Enchiladas
Roll this goodness in corn tortillas and follow your favorite enchilada recipe. 

Salad
Top this goodness over a medley of vegetables. The sauce + a little guacamole or sour cream actually make quite a good dressing. Don't forget cheese. 

See, the possibilities are endless.
This will be great for a party because it is easy to make, everyone can customized it to their liking, and you get to stay on track in the clean-eating realm.
Try it and let me know.