Car Shopping Cardio, a Green Monster, and Strength Training

on June 20, 2009

Does car shopping count as cardio?

We shopped for FIVE AND A HALF HOURS, visiting about eight dealerships and staggering around the lots in 100 degree heat.

It was BOILING outside! The Husband and I were sweating buckets as we test-drove, crunched numbers, and haggled with salesmen.

The result? Well, we don’t have a new car! :) We are torn between two cars and decided to go home and sleep on it. We’re deciding between a cherry-red Jeep Patriot with 40,000 miles or a blue Hyundai Tuscan 2007 with 30,000 miles. I’m pushing for a mini-SVU because I would LOVE some extra cargo room for my bike! Any thoughts on these cars?

Before we left for our shopping ~~hell~~ adventure, I made a Green Monster to go.

My Green Monster contained:

2 cups kale
1 cup unsweet almond breeze milk
1 banana
1 tablespoon flax

I’m sure glad I had that GM because it held me over SO well! GMs are amazing.

I forced the Husband to stop halfway through our car-shopping and drive through a Wendy’s. I decided that unless I had a Frosty, I was going to melt of heatstroke.

Ever since I saw a Frosty on Meghann’s blog earlier in the week, I have been craving one! I ended up getting a Frosty Float with Diet Coke and drank about half. It was pretty rich and the last thing I needed was a tummy ache at the dealership. 🙂

While on our way home, the Husband and I took a vote and decided that cooking was out of the question tonight. It was already 7:30 and we were FAMISHED!

Royal Thai to the rescue!

This is actually the first time I’ve gone to Royal Thai since going vegetarian on my birthday two and a half months ago. I can’t believe I’ve gone without my favorite restaurant that long!

I ordered Garlic Pepper Tofu and the Husband got Pad Thai. I split my meal into two and had a little of his:

Yum! Royal Thai has the best Thai food…. so light and delicious.

10 Minute Strength Routine

Although I didn’t get to do my cardio today, I think it’s probably a blessing in disguise because my knees are pretty sore from Friday’s Physical Therapy session + 3 mile run.

Ever the diligent PT patient, I just did my exercises and a 10 minute strength routine:

100 bicycle crunches
20 reverse crunches
40 push-ups
10 decline push-ups
PT stretches
PT strength moves (including wall squats)

All while watching So You Think You Can Dance. 🙂

Operation Beautiful

I posted an Operation Beautiful note in a public bathroom today:

It made me feel good inside. 🙂 That’s the funny thing about Operation Beautiful, isn’t it? You’re spreading positivity to others, but it makes you feel so good, too!

Check out all the notes from today at www.OperationBeautiful.com!

Have a wonderful night!

{ 33 comments }

Manderz June 20, 2009, 6:23 pm
Definitely go for the Jeep!! I've heard to many bad things about Hyuandai's plus the Patriot is super cute!

PS – I LOVE LOVE LOVE operation beautiful. My daughter is in the
5th grade and I was at the school yesterday and left a message in the girls bathroom!
Anonymous June 20, 2009, 6:25 pm
Caitlin, i need to pass on a lesson i learned about Thai the hard way — a lot of the seemingly veg dishes contain fish sauce. I had pad thai at a great place in Boston only to find out later that all the dishes except the steamed, sauceless stuff contain fish derivatives. (I'm vegan, so I was horrified.)
It doesn't help that so many people think vegetarians eat fish!
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 20, 2009, 6:27 pm
anon – ahhh really?!! royal thai asked me about eggs when i ordered the tofu pad thai, so maybe they understand real vegetarians/vegans??? i hope so!
Anonymous June 20, 2009, 6:31 pm
get the Jeep! support an American car company woooo
Mrs. LC June 20, 2009, 6:33 pm
Well I know I have a 2004 Hyundai Elantra and my sister has a Jeep Liberty (don't remember the year, but it's newer than mine). I love my Hyundai and have not had a single problem with it. My mom has a Hyundai Santa Fe, and while hers is really old and on its last leg, its lasted a while and they're considering getting another Hyundai when it's time to get a new car. I think the Tucsons are adorable and would totally get one myself. Also – I don't know about the Jeep Patriot, but most Jeeps get pretty awful gas mileage. Whether your concerned about being green or saving money, it's something to think about. I don't think Meg's had many problems with her Jeep, except when she was driving on the interstate the other day and the window randomly fell.

Can't wait to see which car you choose! As long as it has AC, that's the most important thing in this disgusting heat and humidity.
Caitlin PSU June 20, 2009, 6:45 pm
I just bought a new jeep patriot..AMAZING 🙂 so much room, and runs so great!!
runsarah June 20, 2009, 7:01 pm
Thai food is my favourite! A jeep sounds like it would be great and good for toting around sporting gear, bikes,etc.
Erica June 20, 2009, 7:03 pm
Hey girl- I have a tuscon and it is an AWESOME car. I have driven the heck out of it (I've had it for 2 years and have over 50k miles on it) and have not had a single problem. I had a jeep growing up and it had to go in for service all the time and the maintenance was $$$$$. Plus the tuscon comes with a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty. Just my thoughts 😉
april June 20, 2009, 7:18 pm
I used to love frosty's! I've never had their float though..
fifiandtherealworld June 20, 2009, 7:23 pm
Let's just put it this way – in 2005, my brother got a Tucson. Shortly thereafter, I got a Tucson. Shortly after that, my dad got a Santa Fe. Clearly we are hooked on Hyundai!

Also, awesome warranty and none of us have had any problems with them (knock on wood).
jenngirl June 20, 2009, 7:34 pm
Good luck with the car decision!

I have those EXACT TWO PHRASES on my bathroom mirror right now, and I was going to send them to you!! 🙂
Kimberly June 20, 2009, 7:37 pm
Like car shopping isn't bad enough I think you deserve a medal for doing it in 100 degree heat! I would be very cranky :0)
And I love Thai food…yummy!
Emily (On A Fit Trip) June 20, 2009, 7:46 pm
I had a (hand-me-down) red jeep that I loooved, but had to leave behind when the hub and I moved cross country. I miss it 🙁

Fish sauce and dried shrimp lurks in lots of thai food! Just make sure you ask about it. Take it from a vegan who loves thai!

Have a great weekend!
The Decayed Gentlewoman June 20, 2009, 7:47 pm
I'm currently car shopping- I did my first test drive today- and I really like the U.S. News comparison site. Maybe it can help you out. 🙂
I think both the Patriot and the Tucson are in the compact SUV category.
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordable-Compact-SUVs/
Leslie June 20, 2009, 8:11 pm
I looked them both up in that "leading consumer publication" and the Jeep has a slight edge in terms of reliability but both are above average. 100 degrees where you are is worse than it sounds because the humidity is so high. Hang in there, and I hope you get a great car!
Anonymous June 20, 2009, 8:34 pm
drove both suv-s when I rented cars. hunday seems to be almost luxury suv when compared to patriot. that is my opinion. as the matter of fact i liked hunday better than highlander my wife drives.
THE ACTORS DIET June 20, 2009, 8:39 pm
You're moving and sweating…so yes…that counts as cardio.
MareBare June 20, 2009, 10:24 pm
Hey Caitlin, my boyfriend and I just got the 2009 Jeep Patriot and I love it! It's great for parking spaces and handles turns really well. The only downside is the gas tank is small so although gas efficient u have to fill it up often. But other than that its so cute and has awesome AC. Good luck with your decision!
Anonymous June 20, 2009, 10:38 pm
HYUNDAI!

no question!!!
Yes, Jeeps are 'cute' but the new hyundais are chic as well :] And, it won't be as headache inducing as American cars. They break down ALL THE TIME and the GAS !! =_= seriously, no brainer.
Sam June 21, 2009, 1:49 am
New cars are always exciting – will you get to drive it too?

http://smallchangesaddup.wordpress.com
samantha June 21, 2009, 2:48 am
i love my tuscon – i've had it since 2005 with no problems!
Meganerd June 21, 2009, 3:13 am
Hmmm… I'd go for the Jeep! But, I'm biased because I used to own one and miss it 🙁 It would definitely be good for toting your bike around! It doesn't get awesome gas mileage though… so be prepared!
leslie June 21, 2009, 4:02 am
i looooove thai food too. it's great how you usually set half of your dish aside at asian restaurants – so smart!
leslie June 21, 2009, 4:04 am
oh and also, sorry your knees are acting up a little! i think it's totally normal though with all the strengthening you've been doing. slow and steady, right?

good luck with the car!
irunisweat June 21, 2009, 4:13 am
I agree with a few of the comments about the Jeep. Although, I can only speak to the Hyuandai. My sister has the same year & model of Hyuandi and has has a lot of problems with the battery connection and brakes (yikes!). It seems she had problems turning it on (battery) and the brakes would stick on her! Yikes. Best of luck!
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 21, 2009, 4:16 am
sam – definitely! it will be "husbands" car but he'll let me drive it 🙂
Elizabeth June 21, 2009, 4:47 am
I've had a Hyundai for 10 years now and I would never, ever recommend that anyone else buy one (I'm keeping mine because I'm cheap and stubborn and the wheels haven't fallen off yet). The ride feels nice and normal at first, but things start literally falling apart after a short while because of the cheap materials they use. (For example, my dashboard and door handles both cracked in the Texas heat one summer…that's just one item in a list of more than 50 relatively significant repairs.)

Another nice tool to research your car purchase is the Edmunds True Cost to Own calculator – gives you an idea of what you can expect in maintenance and other costs beyond the actual amount you pay to the dealer: http://www.edmunds.com/apps/cto/CTOintroController

And, of course, the Kelly Blue Book will let you know if you're getting a fair price: http://www.kbb.com/kbb/UsedCars/

Happy car hunting!
Katie June 21, 2009, 5:58 am
Can I recommend the Hyundai? My dad owns a car repair shop and Japenese (or any foreign cars for that matter) are built far better than American-made cars. He will not let me buy an American car. Plus, the American auto industry is going in the toilet and I know it's getting a bit harder for him to locate parts for older American cars.
April June 21, 2009, 6:23 am
I just bought a new car too! I don't know much about either brand but I've always been a foreign car girl myself! I'd love to buy American but the two American cars I've had (ford and dodge) were not nearly as good as my vw, mazda and Honda. I just bought a new Honda Friday and love it! My bike fits right in the trunk!
Jen June 21, 2009, 6:30 am
I buy my cars bases on safety and before buying a new car I always check IIHS ratings (besides the safer the car the cheaper to insure!). Looks like the Jeep scored better than the Hyundai on the crash tests.

So if it's between those two cars, I'd go with the Jeep because it got *mostly* good ratings and one marginal. The hyundai had a poor rating on roof strength, which would worry me since mid-size SUVs are prone to rollovers in crashes.
Jenny June 21, 2009, 8:23 am
5 hours?! yikes! Glad you treated yourself to a delish frosty =) I love those babies .. i used to dip my french fries in then.. don't judge me 😉

happy sunday, love!
Laura June 21, 2009, 9:10 am
I don't know anything about Hyundai's, but a couple of my friends have Jeep Cherokees and are always having problems with them. One just turned hers in for a Nissan Rogue and loves it. Have you guys looked at the Honda Pilot?
Kelsey June 21, 2009, 9:54 am
May I suggest a Toyota? I have a '99 Camry and it just hit 100,000 miles. Just this week I had to buy a $200 part for it, but other than that, it has run like a champ!

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