Rebuild Yourself Fitness

A blog for a healthier mind and body. Wake up early. Start fresh. Enjoy breakfast. Work hard. Read books. Sleep well. "Change is inevitable. Growth is optional." chillin'.

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Enjoying beautiful weather today kayaking with the homie.

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My official half marathon photos! I didn't have any safety pins, so I kept my bib folded in my pocket until the finish line, haha.

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My first half marathon!

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1. It snowed in Houston, and the snow stuck to the ground this past Thursday. It was surreal. I got to make an actual snowman in Texas. ^_^ 2. Just officially signed up for my first half marathon on April 8th!! Couldn't be anymore excited!

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1. Got some fresh running shoes yesterday after putting in a couple years on my last pair. Updated to the latest Mizuno Wave Riders (20) and got them on sale for 84 at the local running store! Much lighter, more supportive, and comfier. Gotta break em in before my half marathon!

2/3. Lace locking your running shoes by using those top “extra lace holes” will be life changing. If y'all haven’t already, try it.

4. Hit 5 miles this morning at a nice pace.

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Kept a nice easy pace and hit 4 miles. Since I got a membership at the new rock climbing gyms that opened up in Houston/Katy a few weeks ago, I’ve been slacking on my half marathon training. It felt good to be back running at the gym tonight.

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Rest day yesterday, 2 miles today. I'm barely feeling any pain in my shins after my run. Staying on track. Let's keep this up. I also found a half marathon next year in April, and I'm set on signing up for it. Lesgetitttttt.

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Another day, another run. Even with walk breaks, I think I may be pushing myself too hard from the start. I'm beginning to feel slight pain in my shins. Tomorrow will be a rest day, and I'm gonna listen to my body and dial it back. Thursday will just be a 2-miler. Thank god for foam rollers, haha.

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1. This was from over a year ago. I’m doing a major recap, haha. 3rd time seeing Young the Giant, and they’re amazing live.

2. Rooftopping with one of the best homies in downtown Houston during the holidays. We had to squeeze through an opening of some sketchy gate and climb up a ridiculous amount of stairs in darkness with just our phone lights, haha.

3. It was incredible to see the entire city come together to support one another and help those in need after such a devastating event. #HoustonStrong.

4. Flew out to Cali for my cousin’s wedding. Got to rockclimb that weekend at Planet Granite with a cousin who climbs too.

5. Goooo Astros!!! We’re World Series Champions!!!!! My brother and I got those jerseys for their birthday. :)

6. My nephews are growing up so quickly!! Look at all that hair! I love them so much. My sister flew to Cali for her birthday recently, and this was them at the zoo.

7. I’ve missed running. This was from earlier tonight. I’ve been going on runs here and there. It felt great to be back at it. This begins my training for a half marathon in the future.

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My nephews finally turned 1 a month ago!! My brother and I got them home and away Astros jerseys. They took their very first steps just the other week, and I couldn’t be any more proud of them. They’re climbing up and down the couches and eating (very messily) on their own from a plate. Their unique personalities are developing and showing so much. These trouble makers are growing up so quickly! They bring such joy and happiness into our lives. Through and through, I love y’all with all my heart.

-Uncle Alan

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1,2,3: Last week, I baked the best chocolate chip cookies everrrr!!! Seriously. If you never thought you could bake amazing chocolate chip cookies after failing miserably every single past attempt like I have, think again. THE perfect recipe here by Morgan (Bless your soul. Thank you!) of Host the Toast: http://hostthetoast.com/best-chewy-cafe-style-chocolate-chip-cookies/

4,5: Round 2 at my sister's house. Wow. WoooOoOOoOOOOwwww. To you reading this: “Bake chocolate chip cookies using this recipe this very instant!” Perfectly chewy. Every single bite. I never thought it would be possible, but yet here I am...biting into the most delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies ever (with a glass of ice cold milk of course).

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Just a quick rope swing before work. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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8 steps (10ish...with the last two sketchy falling steps, haha) tonight!! My friend ordered a slack line, and it shipped in yesterday afternoon. He set it up again tonight. It's addicting. The line is pretty tight, and it got set up higher than yesterday since he didn't have the other cables for the ends. We had to use the rope to swing to the top of the line to start. Ridiculously fun learning. This Sunday, we're also setting up a massive rope swing. I'm excited.

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These adorable trouble makers turned 2 months yesterday. :)

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2 weeks ago, I made chả trứng which is a Vietnamese meat loaf made with pork and it is one of my favorite Vietnamese dishes. Freaking delcioussss. I used the recipe from this video here. Instead of steaming it, this recipe used a different method by using a boiling water bath. I happened to have the exact same tupperware, so that worked out well for me! Recipe from Runawayrice off YouTube: http://youtu.be/Z9vfGueY-uw

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Chicken noodle soup for the soul from last night. I changed up this recipe from the Kitchn: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-the-best-chicken-noodle-soup-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-178790.

My modified recipe:

2 cups of chopped celery

1 diced onion

3 tbsp butter

1 1/2 cup chopped carrots

1 cup of corn

2 minced garlic cloves

1 tbs olive oil

3 chicken breasts (~1 1/2 lbs)

7.5 cups chicken broth (I used 4 14.5 oz-cans)

1 bay leaf

1 tsp of oregano

1 tsp of basil

a quarter of a bunch of fresh cilantro

salt and pepper

2 cups of mini farfelle noodles

I sauteed the chopped celery and diced onion with butter in a large pot for 3 minutes on medium heat. Stir in the chopped carrots and cook for another minute. Make space in the middle to cook up the garlic cloves for a bit, stir into the vegetables, then place 3 chicken breasts flat in the middle of the pot with olive oil. Cook for just 3 minutes, then flip over a cook the other side for another 2 minutes.

Poured in my 3 cans of chicken broth, 1 bay leaf, oregano, basil, cilantro, and corn and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for about 30 minutes. Take out the chicken and place on a cutting board. Shred it up with two forks, place back in the soup, and added my remaining can of chicken broth.

Cook the pasta to al dente and strain. I like to keep my pasta separate to keep the noodles from getting soggy. The corn adds some more sweetness to the soup. Enjoy!

[dpcphotography]

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