2nd Blood Test From Inside Tracker

I had my blood tested again with Inside Tracker. Ok, we will get this part out of the way. I paid for the test and everything I say are my own thoughts. My last test was done January 2nd, and I opted for the Performance package. This time I got the Ultimate package. I would recommend the Ultimate package if you can afford it. It's well worth the extra money. Plus if you are like me, you order two tests and save $$$. If you want to read my last update, I wrote about it here. The Ultimate package has 10 more biomarkers tested. It includes hormones, which is what I was really curious about. 

The last test I found out my vitamin D levels were in the red. I started taking vitamin D3 in liquid form and laid by the pool at least three times a week. I am happy to report that it went up! It's in the yellow, but at least it's going in the right direction.

I can report back that my total cholesterol has gone down a little. At least I'm in the orange and not the red :) Also my LDL went down and so did my HDL. 

I was shocked that my Iron Group was high. When I was 18 I was borderline anemic. They tested my TS, TIBC, Ferritin, Iron and Hemoglobin and came up with my Iron Group total. I'm not really that familiar with Iron, but will read more about it on their blog. That's one good thing about Inside Tracker, they tell you the science behind it. Not just here's your number do this. I like to know the "why" of everything.

I was very curious about my Cortisol level and I was shocked that it was high. However, when I went to get my blood drawn, the girl who checked me in said "You're going to have a lot of blood drawn." Ok it freaked me out. So I was VERY stressed at the time of the blood draw. Next test I won't be freaked out cause it was a lot of blood, but not that bad. However I will follow all of Inside Tracker suggestions.

DHEAS are something that I knew nothing about until today. WOW this could be why I have so many woman issues. We will leave it at that. You don't need to hear all the details. Yet again I'm learning something new about my body that in all the years I had blood tests done, and no one could tell me what was wrong, I found out from Inside Tracker.

The Testosterone: Cortisol Ratio is exclusive to the the Ultimate Plan.

From the Inside Tracker website

My levels were low.

Those are the tests that were not in the optimal range. I won't share every single test, cause if I did that we'd be here awhile :)

Yes I have more "homework" to do after these tests, but I am so glad I spent the extra money and got the Ultimate Package. I swear they don't pay me to say that! 

Starting June 1 I am going to only eat the way they suggested. No more pizza, Jimmy Johns, ice cream, chips and cookies. I do believe you are what you eat. When you eat crap you feel like crap and I'm tired of feeling like crap. I do like to bake, so if I can figure out a dessert to make using these ingredients, I'll do it!! I'm very very creative. In fact it says stay away from sugar. It's never said anything about maple syrup. I'm thinking brownies. I'll totally share the recipe if I figure it out!!

Follow my blog during June, I'll be updating what I ate, how I exercised and how I felt! I am planning on having my blood tested again in September. I also have a goal of a sub 2 hour half marathon. That 1/2 takes place in November. I've got time to speed up and feel better. I would also like to get a sub 27 minute 5k. Not sure when I'll do that, but it's my goal!

If you are interested in Inside Tracker and have any questions just email me at itainteasybeingmegan@gmail.com. If I can help I will!!

Farro Salad Recipe

Here is our recipe for farro salad. It's a simple and easy recipe! My husband gets all credit for this. He's the one who developed this recipe. I just help prepare it.

Ingredients

Start out by making the dressing. Two tablespoons of olive oil, two tablespoons of red wine vinegar and two teaspoons dijon mustard. I put the ingredients in a glass jar with a lid and shake, then set it aside in the refrigerator.

Dressing

In a medium saucepan, combine two cups of water with 150 grams of Farro. Bring to a boil over medium-low heat until the farro is almost tender, about 20 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon salt and simmer until the farro is tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl and let cool.

Farro

In medium pot, bring water to a boil over high heat. Add 1/2 pound green beans and stir. Cook for two minutes. Transfer the cooked green beans to a bowl of ice water and let cool for two mixtures. Drain the green beans.

Green Bean

Chop 1 bell pepper. Your choice on the color. We used two peppers for the pictures.  Chop 1 bunch green onions.

Peppers and Green Onions

Rinse and drain 15 ounce can of Kidney Beans

Kidney Beans

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Chill for at least an hour.

Farro Salad

I like to eat this salad just like it is. My husband likes to add feta cheese to his.

Optional: Feta Cheese

Farro Salad

Ingredients

150 g        Farro

1 tsp         Salt

1/2lb        Green Beans, cut into 1 to 2-inch pieces

1               Red Bell Pepper, diced

1 bunch     Green Onion

15 oz can   Kidney Beans

2 Tbl          Red Wine Vinegar

2 Tbl          Olive Oil, Extra-Virgin

2 tsp          Dijon Mustard

½ tsp          Black Pepper, freshly ground

Optional

Feta Cheese, crumbled

Parmesan Cheese, grated

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of water with the Farro. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until the farro is almost tender, about 20 minutes. Add 1 tsp salt and simmer until the farro is tender, about 10 minutes longer. Drain well. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool.

Meanwhile, bring a medium pot water to a boil over high heat. Add the Green Beans and stir. Cook for 2 minutes. Transfer the cooked green beans to a bowl of ice water and let cool for 2 minutes. Drain the green beans.

Once the farro has cooled add the Green Beans, Red Pepper and Green Onion. Stir to combine. In a small bowl mix together the Red Wine Vinegar, Olive Oil, Mustard and the Black Pepper.  Whisk thoroughly. Pour over the farro salad and toss to combine.  Chill several hours before serving.

Next Inside Tracker Test

May 26, I'm going to get my blood drawn for the second time and have it annaylized by Inside Tracker. I was suppose to go May 19, except I have this nasty flu/cold. Ten days later and I'm still sick. It's terrible. Anyways, I'm going to get my blood drawn and I couldn't be more excited. I got the Ultimate package this time, which has 30 biomarkers tested. My last test only had 20 markers.

I'm publicly announcing that after I receive my test results, I plan on eating the way they recommend.  I'm going to give up all the crap food that I eat. No more chips, cookies and ice cream, unless they are recommended:) I'm also planning on sharing weekly results. I'll include what I ate, how I felt, all of it!

Whether I have my results or not, I'll be cleaning up my diet as of June 1. I'll take what was recommended to me from my last results and then augment as needed.

Have you had your blood annylized by Insider Tracker? Any questions just ask me!

Tinker bell Half Marathon Recap

Sunday was another early wake up call to get ready to go run the Tinker Bell Half. Thankfully I was able to get some sleep the night before! Always a bonus! The plan for the half was to just have fun.

I was in corral A again for the half! I may have to figure out how to get speedy so I can be up there all the time.

Pre race Photo!

At 5:30 we were off! I did wear my watch, but didn't pay attention to it. I was just running along with everyone else. The half started out just like the 10k. Hills.....two of them. I survived :) We ran into Disneyland California Adventure first. As soon as I saw the first bathroom I made a stop. Hey there's no point in using a porta potty when there's real bathrooms with sinks and soap! After that quick stop I started to stop for photos. I did pass up Buzz Lightyear, the fairies and Tink. I didn't care about my time, but I don't really like waiting in lines.

Here is pictures from the parks. Warning there's a lot....

As you can see I stopped a lot. Even got a bathroom selfie!

Once we were done running through the parks we ran out of Downtown Disney onto the city streets. This is where it got boring. I woke up not really feeling like running and once we were out of the parks with no distractions it was boring. I walked and ran and texted and tweeted the last half of the race. Once I saw the finish line, I really wanted to take a selfie with a character. Minnie and Mickey were at the finish line!! 

Minnie

Mickey. Kinda awkward photo

 I crossed the finish line with a time of 2:45 and change!

All that running for all these medals!!

Tinkerbell 10k Recap

This year I decided to run the runDisney Pixie Dust Challenge and earn my second coast to coast medal!

I woke up bright and early Saturday morning of the 10k, like 3:15 am. I got ready and headed out the hotel door. 

My plan for this race was to PR. Usually I don't try to PR for Disney races, but since I don't run 10k's often, I figured why not try. Some how I was lucky enough to get corral A! The goal was to run under 1:01:51. The big goal was to get sub one hour.

Pre race photo!

 The first mile I figured would be my slowest. I was not going to weave around runners. I didn't want to add any extra mileage by dodging everyone. After they said go I was off. The weather was perfect. It was 55 degrees, which is cold for me, but perfect to run in. I guess I should have studied the course map closer, cause I had to run hills. Oops! Got to mile 3 and was feeling great!! I thought I got this PR in the bag!! Midway during mile 3 I started getting tired.

Somewhere during mile 4 I ran into my friend Katie! We have never met in person, just chatted online. I saw her leaving a photo op spot and I yelled her name! We started chatting and running. She's a super fast runner and I was afraid of slowing her down, but she said she was having fun and not to worry. I'm so glad I found her, because I was very tired and needed someone to get me to the finish line!

I ended up PRing! Finished with a time of 1:00:02. Just missed the sub 1 hour, but that's ok!

Thank you Katie for helping me get my PR! I'm so glad I got to meet you!