So I kicked off the New Year with the 27th Annual running of the NYD5K (New Year's Day 5K) in the southern end of Chicago's fabulous lake-hugging Lincoln Park. A few months ago this seemed like a great idea, and a decent goal as I finally felt like running again. Until my treadmill running ground to a screeching halt at the beginning of December as once again, work/life took over and my treadmill routine cried "Uncle!!!"
But hey, it's just 3.1 miles, and my isn't the weather mild? 40's in December? Yeah. Mild until NYD, when the temperature was in the low 30's with sustained winds of 20-30mph. SUSTAINED, not gusts.
But hey, it's just 3.1 miles. And so I run/walked it. Or should I say walked/run. Seemed like more walking. Looked back once and then realized two things: #1 For what? Are you competing? and #2 You've never EVER been last before. You won't be today.
And so that's it. No beating myself up. Eh. But I DID make it to the gym the following day.
Onward.
Oh, and I tried out my new Garmin Forerunner that Santa (read: ME) got me for Christmas. Hmmm, I suppose I should do more to read the directions and learn it before trying that again. I did somehow manage to get it going, and have cool maps and graphs, but I just don't quite know yet how to copy them and show YOU the funky pics. And I figure given this "performance" and that it's only a 5K, it's probably not especially interesting anyway. Next time!
5K
42:44
13:47 pace :-/
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Sunday, December 11, 2011
I haven't run since Wednesday but...
...I have gotten daughter #1 through two 3-hour dress rehearsals and four performances of The Nutcracker, and daughter #2 to one dress rehearsal and two performances.
Jada, Party Scene Child, Act 1, The Nutcracker
Zoe, Carol of the Bells, Pre-Ballet Holiday Show
Back to a slightly normal schedule tomorrow. Well, not just yet. I'm heading to Washington D.C. tomorrow for one day, and have two proposals due this week...but whatever...
Jada, Party Scene Child, Act 1, The Nutcracker
Zoe, Carol of the Bells, Pre-Ballet Holiday Show
Back to a slightly normal schedule tomorrow. Well, not just yet. I'm heading to Washington D.C. tomorrow for one day, and have two proposals due this week...but whatever...
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Book Review -- Marathon Woman by Kathrine Switzer
Those of you who know me know how busy life keeps me, from work, to my two daughters to my little cookie business, etc… People think I’m joking when I say I haven’t read an entire book since I had my oldest daughter (turning 8 in February.) 2 years ago I bought Marathon Woman at the Chicago Marathon expo, first book out of the box that running royalty K.V. Switzer was unpacking as she set up her expo booth. She even wrote something to me:
Yeah. I have NO idea what that word is just before Chicago or what it could actually be. (shrug) You?
Anyway, if you’re a woman. Or a runner. Or you’ve been taking random curve balls in life…you should read this book! What really struck me is all that I’ve taken for granted in women’s running. All of the things that are just “here” because of Kathrine Switzer’s pioneering efforts and those of her colleagues. I was able to play in sports from as early as the 3rd grade. I remember the 1984 Olympics. I’ve participated in race after race, 5K to the marathon, and I’ve never been able to put a finger on why my favorite race has always been the Fleet Feet Women’s 5K/10K Festival in Chicago (ok…or maybe the Shamrock Shuffle, but whatever.) It’s somewhat strange reading this story and realizing that in that even in her lifetime, someone else like me has taken women’s running for granted. And maybe that’s the truest sign of success—of “having come a long way, baby”…like maybe how I hope the notion of an African American or woman president will be so second nature to my children that they will take it for granted, too. In addition to women’s running, it was very, very cool to read about other things that are also a given these days, like cute t-shirts (most of the time anyway), sponsorship, race circuits, etc... Incidentally, we may have rounded the curve on that one. Goodie bags have gotten really WACK over the past few years.
So if you have a water bottle (reusable, preferably) in your hand or some other drink, raise your glass to a toast. “I thank you profusely, K.V. Switzer #261, for your tireless dedication to women and to the sport of running, and for the encouragement to keep on going, whether it’s in life or when training doesn’t seem to make sense any more—especially for a slow runner (jogger!) like myself. (the knee strengthening tip is a gem, too!)”
If you haven’t read this book, GET ONE. I even checked to see if this book was available on audio books and it doesn’t appear to be the case. How awesome would it be to listen to this on a series of long runs, or even driving to and from work each day.
INSPIRED!
Yeah. I have NO idea what that word is just before Chicago or what it could actually be. (shrug) You?
Anyway, if you’re a woman. Or a runner. Or you’ve been taking random curve balls in life…you should read this book! What really struck me is all that I’ve taken for granted in women’s running. All of the things that are just “here” because of Kathrine Switzer’s pioneering efforts and those of her colleagues. I was able to play in sports from as early as the 3rd grade. I remember the 1984 Olympics. I’ve participated in race after race, 5K to the marathon, and I’ve never been able to put a finger on why my favorite race has always been the Fleet Feet Women’s 5K/10K Festival in Chicago (ok…or maybe the Shamrock Shuffle, but whatever.) It’s somewhat strange reading this story and realizing that in that even in her lifetime, someone else like me has taken women’s running for granted. And maybe that’s the truest sign of success—of “having come a long way, baby”…like maybe how I hope the notion of an African American or woman president will be so second nature to my children that they will take it for granted, too. In addition to women’s running, it was very, very cool to read about other things that are also a given these days, like cute t-shirts (most of the time anyway), sponsorship, race circuits, etc... Incidentally, we may have rounded the curve on that one. Goodie bags have gotten really WACK over the past few years.
So if you have a water bottle (reusable, preferably) in your hand or some other drink, raise your glass to a toast. “I thank you profusely, K.V. Switzer #261, for your tireless dedication to women and to the sport of running, and for the encouragement to keep on going, whether it’s in life or when training doesn’t seem to make sense any more—especially for a slow runner (jogger!) like myself. (the knee strengthening tip is a gem, too!)”
If you haven’t read this book, GET ONE. I even checked to see if this book was available on audio books and it doesn’t appear to be the case. How awesome would it be to listen to this on a series of long runs, or even driving to and from work each day.
INSPIRED!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
wash - rinse - repeat
So every 10 months or so I come back to this blog, proclaiming that THIS IS IT. I'm really gonna do it this time. Blah blah blah. Here's what I've been up to:
1) going up and down the scale
2) signing up for and not running races (or walking them)
3) went vegan (like...really. not a 30-day challenge, a year or so challenge. since september 1st.)
4) gave up my 3-4 bottle a day diet pepsi addiction. cold turkey. out of the clear blue sky, my last one was on august 19.
5) um, i got myself back on a running scheme of sorts. Here's my "non" plan:
60 minutes, 2 days on, 1 day off.
-I started with 10 minutes walk/10 run for two weeks
-Last week was 9/11
-Up next, 8/12
I refuse to beat myself up if my 1 day off turns into 2 because of work...I'm just GOING.
anyhoo...that's what's up with me.
1) going up and down the scale
2) signing up for and not running races (or walking them)
3) went vegan (like...really. not a 30-day challenge, a year or so challenge. since september 1st.)
4) gave up my 3-4 bottle a day diet pepsi addiction. cold turkey. out of the clear blue sky, my last one was on august 19.
5) um, i got myself back on a running scheme of sorts. Here's my "non" plan:
60 minutes, 2 days on, 1 day off.
-I started with 10 minutes walk/10 run for two weeks
-Last week was 9/11
-Up next, 8/12
I refuse to beat myself up if my 1 day off turns into 2 because of work...I'm just GOING.
anyhoo...that's what's up with me.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Shamrock Shuffle 8k - A Race Report
Really? So I've been running in 30 and 40 degree weather when running outside...and for ONE day, it decides to get warm and HELLA humid out? This is SO like Chicago. I woke up Sunday morning, and for once, the weathermen/women were right. It was unseasonably warm and humid.
I wasn't worried, I guess I thought "It's just 5 miles, I'll be fine." But apparently even with a shorter run, my body will NOT readjust for humidity. I mean, I suppose if it weren't my first humid run of the season. I'm trying not to beat myself up about it...
1:04:51. I'm pretty sure that's my WORST Shamrock Shuffle to date. I could easily look down the list of past races over on the right side of my blog, but I just don't have the heart to--just yet.
Mile 1 "I'm running too fast, I'm running too fast I'm running too fast! I'm warm. Where or where are my running shorts." Mental note: find shorts TO. DAY. THIS. AFTERNOON. Mile 1 done at 10:25, according to my timer. Not good.
Mile 2 Somewhere between Mile 1 and Mile 2 I had my first walking break. This is when mentally it all went downhill. "I suck. I should just quit." Walked again at the aid station. Lame. But that Gatorade was tasty. Mile 2 done, somehow miraculously at 24:00. (Hindsight: must have been running too fast still, when I was actually running.)
Mile 3 &%*$!!! This friggin sun! "I won't walk again until the next aid station." Lie! Walked some more. Mile 3 done just under 38:00. Then the wheels fell off.
Mile 4 "I'll just run when I can." This is when I became ashamed of myself. And got a text from my friend who said she was done. Damn. Mile 4 done at around 51:00. Walked for a good long while after Mile 4, because "I WILL RUN UP THAT HILL ON ROOSEVELT IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO."
The last .97 miles of the 8K was more of the rest.
I'd hoped to have an awesome race report. I'd hoped to feel proud, excited and ready for the race season. But now I'm just feeling doubtful. Wondering if I'll ever get better. I"m sure this will pass. I'm aiming for a great long run later this week.
So....sorry to be a downer. Thanks for reading/listening.
I wasn't worried, I guess I thought "It's just 5 miles, I'll be fine." But apparently even with a shorter run, my body will NOT readjust for humidity. I mean, I suppose if it weren't my first humid run of the season. I'm trying not to beat myself up about it...
1:04:51. I'm pretty sure that's my WORST Shamrock Shuffle to date. I could easily look down the list of past races over on the right side of my blog, but I just don't have the heart to--just yet.
Mile 1 "I'm running too fast, I'm running too fast I'm running too fast! I'm warm. Where or where are my running shorts." Mental note: find shorts TO. DAY. THIS. AFTERNOON. Mile 1 done at 10:25, according to my timer. Not good.
Mile 2 Somewhere between Mile 1 and Mile 2 I had my first walking break. This is when mentally it all went downhill. "I suck. I should just quit." Walked again at the aid station. Lame. But that Gatorade was tasty. Mile 2 done, somehow miraculously at 24:00. (Hindsight: must have been running too fast still, when I was actually running.)
Mile 3 &%*$!!! This friggin sun! "I won't walk again until the next aid station." Lie! Walked some more. Mile 3 done just under 38:00. Then the wheels fell off.
Mile 4 "I'll just run when I can." This is when I became ashamed of myself. And got a text from my friend who said she was done. Damn. Mile 4 done at around 51:00. Walked for a good long while after Mile 4, because "I WILL RUN UP THAT HILL ON ROOSEVELT IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO."
The last .97 miles of the 8K was more of the rest.
I'd hoped to have an awesome race report. I'd hoped to feel proud, excited and ready for the race season. But now I'm just feeling doubtful. Wondering if I'll ever get better. I"m sure this will pass. I'm aiming for a great long run later this week.
So....sorry to be a downer. Thanks for reading/listening.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
New Weigh In Day - New Meeting
I think I'm officially changing my weigh in day to Fridays and will try to work remotely at Starbucks until the 11am meeting, go to the meeting over an early lunch, and then head to the office for the remainder of my work day.
Ok..so I did the exact thing (above) this Friday, and liked it. Other than the fact that instead of my usual workout clothes (read: light as a feather) I had on jeans for the weigh in. I'm guessing it added another pound of clothes and maybe my loss was a bit more, but really? At this weight, does it really matter? No, however I will aim to wear the same thing each week from here on out.
Below are some differences from this meeting and the one I was attending on Saturday mornings closer to home (not work and the girls school.)
Old meeting: Average age 60s
New meeting: Average age 30s
Old meeting: I'm walking every day.
New meeting: I'm training for a half marathon and it says I earned 23 activity points on my 8 mile run. Is this possible? Should I eat them?
New meeting: I have trouble eating up what my kids don't clean off of their plates. Does anyone have any good strategies?
Old meeting: Why wouldn't your kids clean their plates?
New Meeting: Friday night flex points. For me, there is no better way to cap off a long work week than a nice veggie thin crust pizza.
Old Meeting: Oh DAMN. Salty pizza the night before a weigh in? pizza = high sodium = potential shady weigh in (at least for me.)
So the new meeting really fits better into my current lifestyle. I seem to have more in common with them. Nothing wrong with the other meeting, but I think I can learn more now from people who deal with some of the same things I deal with: younger children; training for endurance events; etc...
Now I know a few months back there was some random chick who got all offended by my mention of the average age at my WW meeting. (?) Anyway, haven't seen her since--actually I think she chose to add a comment anonymously-LAME. If you're reading and are offended again, please feel free to not read my blog.
Anyway, I'll keep you posted on the new meeting. Turns out one woman is running the Rock-n-Roll Half in Vegas that I signed up for. How cool is that?
Ok..so I did the exact thing (above) this Friday, and liked it. Other than the fact that instead of my usual workout clothes (read: light as a feather) I had on jeans for the weigh in. I'm guessing it added another pound of clothes and maybe my loss was a bit more, but really? At this weight, does it really matter? No, however I will aim to wear the same thing each week from here on out.
Below are some differences from this meeting and the one I was attending on Saturday mornings closer to home (not work and the girls school.)
Old meeting: Average age 60s
New meeting: Average age 30s
Old meeting: I'm walking every day.
New meeting: I'm training for a half marathon and it says I earned 23 activity points on my 8 mile run. Is this possible? Should I eat them?
New meeting: I have trouble eating up what my kids don't clean off of their plates. Does anyone have any good strategies?
Old meeting: Why wouldn't your kids clean their plates?
New Meeting: Friday night flex points. For me, there is no better way to cap off a long work week than a nice veggie thin crust pizza.
Old Meeting: Oh DAMN. Salty pizza the night before a weigh in? pizza = high sodium = potential shady weigh in (at least for me.)
So the new meeting really fits better into my current lifestyle. I seem to have more in common with them. Nothing wrong with the other meeting, but I think I can learn more now from people who deal with some of the same things I deal with: younger children; training for endurance events; etc...
Now I know a few months back there was some random chick who got all offended by my mention of the average age at my WW meeting. (?) Anyway, haven't seen her since--actually I think she chose to add a comment anonymously-LAME. If you're reading and are offended again, please feel free to not read my blog.
Anyway, I'll keep you posted on the new meeting. Turns out one woman is running the Rock-n-Roll Half in Vegas that I signed up for. How cool is that?
T -12 hours and counting
In just under 12 hours, my race season will begin with my fifth consecutive running of the Shamrock Shuffle 8K. I'm kinda excited! It's one of my favorite races. I'll be back tomorrow with a race report.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, April 4, 2011
I don't believe in Shitty Mondays
But occassionally, one will come along and bite me in the ass and make me a believer for a day or so. I mean, it's not HORRIBLE. Things could always be a whole lot worse.
1. Woke up around 2am and felt like I couldn't breathe. Opened the window. (it was in the 40's at the time. Took off stuffy sweatshirt. Huffed and puffed and worried for 90 minutes. WTF?!
2. Woke up at 4:30 for the gym with a POUNDING headache. Nixed the gym, went back to sleep for awhile. Grrrrr.
3. I messed up with summer program registrations that began today and only managed to get Zoe in. By a simple typing error. In that 2-minute time span, the program I wanted to get Jada in filled up for online registration. So now I have to go to on-site registration on Saturday. They say that LAST year people started lining up at 2am. Yes. 2am. WTF?! Oh, to be independently wealthy.
4. 90-minutes into developing a powerpoint presentation, I attracted a virus on my computer. Total shut down. Miracle-workers that the IT guys are, I got my laptop back in 2 hours. Presentation, back on slide 1, though. With an hour to get it done. WTF?!
5. Naggin ass husband. WTF?!?!?!
But at least I'm on points! Now off to sleep, they gym is calling. Early.
1. Woke up around 2am and felt like I couldn't breathe. Opened the window. (it was in the 40's at the time. Took off stuffy sweatshirt. Huffed and puffed and worried for 90 minutes. WTF?!
2. Woke up at 4:30 for the gym with a POUNDING headache. Nixed the gym, went back to sleep for awhile. Grrrrr.
3. I messed up with summer program registrations that began today and only managed to get Zoe in. By a simple typing error. In that 2-minute time span, the program I wanted to get Jada in filled up for online registration. So now I have to go to on-site registration on Saturday. They say that LAST year people started lining up at 2am. Yes. 2am. WTF?! Oh, to be independently wealthy.
4. 90-minutes into developing a powerpoint presentation, I attracted a virus on my computer. Total shut down. Miracle-workers that the IT guys are, I got my laptop back in 2 hours. Presentation, back on slide 1, though. With an hour to get it done. WTF?!
5. Naggin ass husband. WTF?!?!?!
But at least I'm on points! Now off to sleep, they gym is calling. Early.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
I could tell you...
...that I haven't been tracking, and I've been eating like crazy.
...that I'm so disappointed in myself, and when will I ever be able to put the two together (good exercise habits AND good eating habits)
But even though I've been on this hiatus--haven't been to a WW meeting in WEEKS--I'm ok. No, I know I'm not losing weight because I can feel that I'm not. Hopefully I'm not gaining either.
The other day I started to beat myself up again and say to myself "Geez, it's a shame to do all this running and not lose a pound because you just keep eating and eating and eating." And on some days that's exactly how I feel. But then I realized, no one can take my runs away from me. I earned those runs, whether I'm hovering around 200 pounds or at goal. You can't take those 5am treadmill runs from me...you can't take the 7 mile run along the lakefront at 25 degrees, on 5 hours sleep, even though I really kinda wanted to sleep in last Saturday.
I don't know why I'm having such trouble with my eating. I should probably try to figure it out.
I'm just rambling.
Signed,
One long, deep sigh.
...that I'm so disappointed in myself, and when will I ever be able to put the two together (good exercise habits AND good eating habits)
But even though I've been on this hiatus--haven't been to a WW meeting in WEEKS--I'm ok. No, I know I'm not losing weight because I can feel that I'm not. Hopefully I'm not gaining either.
The other day I started to beat myself up again and say to myself "Geez, it's a shame to do all this running and not lose a pound because you just keep eating and eating and eating." And on some days that's exactly how I feel. But then I realized, no one can take my runs away from me. I earned those runs, whether I'm hovering around 200 pounds or at goal. You can't take those 5am treadmill runs from me...you can't take the 7 mile run along the lakefront at 25 degrees, on 5 hours sleep, even though I really kinda wanted to sleep in last Saturday.
I don't know why I'm having such trouble with my eating. I should probably try to figure it out.
I'm just rambling.
Signed,
One long, deep sigh.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Me again...f***ing up...
I just snarfed (yes, snarfed) down nearly half a box of Lucky Charms cereal.
On the flip side, I had an awesome run at the gym this morning. Yes, changing the subject again.
Sigh.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
On the flip side, I had an awesome run at the gym this morning. Yes, changing the subject again.
Sigh.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Big Booty Girl, I feel your pain!
Yesterday afternoon, in an attempt to leave the world behind from cookie baking and decorating woes and weight loss and running, I took the girls to the spring performance at their ballet dance school. Performing were mostly older students. My girls are just completing their first year in what is called "pre-ballet."
So I'm sitting there completely enjoying their interpretation of The Nightingale, fabulous costumes, fabulous dancing, girls actually paying attention...and then it happened.
For one scene, a group of four came out onto the stage, three girls and a guy. The moment had arrived...from weeks of practice, it all finally coming down to this. Performance #1 of just two shows.
One of the girls was noticeably bigger, and not what you might call having a "dancer's body." She wasn't as toned as the other two girls, and maybe there was a slight hint of a little extra flesh. Not fat by real-world standards, but definitely a little more than what is "allowed" by traditional ballet standards. You know, the anorexia, bulimia, inducing standards.
So they're dancing wonderfully, each dancer with their own "feature" moment of the dance, after which they run to their respective corner of the stage. This is when it happened. Her back facing the audience in the far right corner of the stage, legs and arms spread wide...her tight dancer style shorts showing underneath her costume, riding up her butt, into her crack. Half of her @$$ was hanging out. Literally. HALF. I zero'ed in on it immediately. Did anyone else see, I wondered? I KNOW she knows, there is NO WAY she doesn't know, because it looks extremely uncomfortable.
Dance dance dance...prance prance prance...NOM NOM NOM, her booty eats her shorts a little more. (OH MY GAWSH, this poor girl, I am soooooooooooo feeling her pain!!!!) And it's a performance. She can't just reach around and pull it out. SOMEBODY HELP THIS CHILD!!! Because if she's like any normal teenage girl, she already knows she slightly bigger than the muscle tone girl, or the other stick thin girl. And her shorts-eating booty is an awful reminder.
There was a moment of relief when her routine called for her to run off stage...she came back on an instant later and they had been pulled down.
Sigh. Oh, the pain and sorrow of being a big booty girl in a small booty girl's world. Awkward, Awkward AWKWARD.
So I'm sitting there completely enjoying their interpretation of The Nightingale, fabulous costumes, fabulous dancing, girls actually paying attention...and then it happened.
For one scene, a group of four came out onto the stage, three girls and a guy. The moment had arrived...from weeks of practice, it all finally coming down to this. Performance #1 of just two shows.
One of the girls was noticeably bigger, and not what you might call having a "dancer's body." She wasn't as toned as the other two girls, and maybe there was a slight hint of a little extra flesh. Not fat by real-world standards, but definitely a little more than what is "allowed" by traditional ballet standards. You know, the anorexia, bulimia, inducing standards.
So they're dancing wonderfully, each dancer with their own "feature" moment of the dance, after which they run to their respective corner of the stage. This is when it happened. Her back facing the audience in the far right corner of the stage, legs and arms spread wide...her tight dancer style shorts showing underneath her costume, riding up her butt, into her crack. Half of her @$$ was hanging out. Literally. HALF. I zero'ed in on it immediately. Did anyone else see, I wondered? I KNOW she knows, there is NO WAY she doesn't know, because it looks extremely uncomfortable.
Dance dance dance...prance prance prance...NOM NOM NOM, her booty eats her shorts a little more. (OH MY GAWSH, this poor girl, I am soooooooooooo feeling her pain!!!!) And it's a performance. She can't just reach around and pull it out. SOMEBODY HELP THIS CHILD!!! Because if she's like any normal teenage girl, she already knows she slightly bigger than the muscle tone girl, or the other stick thin girl. And her shorts-eating booty is an awful reminder.
There was a moment of relief when her routine called for her to run off stage...she came back on an instant later and they had been pulled down.
Sigh. Oh, the pain and sorrow of being a big booty girl in a small booty girl's world. Awkward, Awkward AWKWARD.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Twitter and the Earthquake/Tsunami
So...I have another Twitter account that I use solely for following famous people. One of them is Jimmy Kimmel. So either in a horrible joke or horrible coincidence, he tweeted a bunch a few hours ago, claiming he was on an island in the Pacific...worried. When people said that wasn't funny, he claimed it was not a joke, he was for real. And then he stopped tweeting all together. Hmmm, wonder if I'm being duped.
UPDATE: It WAS him...and he was on an island in the south Pacific, and he's fine after being evacuated.
UPDATE: It WAS him...and he was on an island in the south Pacific, and he's fine after being evacuated.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thursday Thirteen
Total randomness...
13. I'm so tired I can barely hold my head up.
12. Today is my brother's birthday. He's schizophrenic.
What that has to so with it being his birthday, I don't know.
11. I just dozed off and woke up to a string of questions marks after #11.
10. I've watched Law&Order for eons. I nearly feel like I'm cheating on the show. I checked out Criminal Minds..I like it better.
9. I like to think of myself as an armchair forensic scientist. Can't get enough. If I'd thought about it, I'd have studied to become a medical examiner.
8. I have a friend in Detroit who took over the family mortuary business. He let me sit in once as he prepared a body. The man had died of cancer.
7. When I lived in Detroit I SWEAR I saw someone getting rid of a body once. I was young and afraid to call the police because I was a teensy bit tipsy.
6. I had a crazy landlord. Once when he was out of town on the weekend, an even crazier person broke into my building's basement and started a fire.
5. When I lived in NYC I got flashed on the subway, lol.
4. Back home in Chicago, I was actually in the bank when it got robbed. However, I was completely oblivious to it all.
3.. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz What? No, I wasn't sleeping just now!!!
2. Whether you put 10 oyster crackers in front of me or 1000, I will eat them all.
1. Good night! I'm yawning like crazy, and nodding off
(yyyyyyaaaaaawwwwwwwwn)
13. I'm so tired I can barely hold my head up.
12. Today is my brother's birthday. He's schizophrenic.
What that has to so with it being his birthday, I don't know.
11. I just dozed off and woke up to a string of questions marks after #11.
10. I've watched Law&Order for eons. I nearly feel like I'm cheating on the show. I checked out Criminal Minds..I like it better.
9. I like to think of myself as an armchair forensic scientist. Can't get enough. If I'd thought about it, I'd have studied to become a medical examiner.
8. I have a friend in Detroit who took over the family mortuary business. He let me sit in once as he prepared a body. The man had died of cancer.
7. When I lived in Detroit I SWEAR I saw someone getting rid of a body once. I was young and afraid to call the police because I was a teensy bit tipsy.
6. I had a crazy landlord. Once when he was out of town on the weekend, an even crazier person broke into my building's basement and started a fire.
5. When I lived in NYC I got flashed on the subway, lol.
4. Back home in Chicago, I was actually in the bank when it got robbed. However, I was completely oblivious to it all.
3.. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz What? No, I wasn't sleeping just now!!!
2. Whether you put 10 oyster crackers in front of me or 1000, I will eat them all.
1. Good night! I'm yawning like crazy, and nodding off
(yyyyyyaaaaaawwwwwwwwn)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Fail To Plan....
So it's very cliche and all, that "Fail to plan, plan to fail" thing. But I'm taking it to heart this week. With two large cookie orders (300 and 750), a public forum at work, plus my half marathon training to keep up, it's gonna be a hectic week. I was off today and will be off on Friday as well.
What I would normally do is this: assume i could still somehow fit in my 5 days/week, get behind with everything, exercise one day, in my rushing and harried ways, overeat, and be ready to skip weigh in next Saturday etc...
So instead, I've planned the following:
*committed to working out MWF, doing my strength training each time, with 3-4 miles on the treadmill.
*long run is supposed to be Thursday, 6mi. Will do something outside on Sunday, possibly swapping out this week and next weeks long run schedules
*a fridge full of good stuff
I'll let you know how it goes. I can barely keep my eyes open. G'night
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
What I would normally do is this: assume i could still somehow fit in my 5 days/week, get behind with everything, exercise one day, in my rushing and harried ways, overeat, and be ready to skip weigh in next Saturday etc...
So instead, I've planned the following:
*committed to working out MWF, doing my strength training each time, with 3-4 miles on the treadmill.
*long run is supposed to be Thursday, 6mi. Will do something outside on Sunday, possibly swapping out this week and next weeks long run schedules
*a fridge full of good stuff
I'll let you know how it goes. I can barely keep my eyes open. G'night
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Thursday 13 - Random
Oh, the randomness. 13 Random Things, right off the top of my head.
13. I’m nervous about next week. Big stressors tend to send my eating and/or exercise goals out the window. I have over 1000 cookies to bake next week in 2 big orders. YIKES. YIKES!!!!! (Cookies, you ask? www.lindyscookiestudio.com And please don’t remind me, yes, I need to update my website. It’s not valentine season anymore.)
12. Thursdays are fast becoming my favorite day of the week. It’s the one day I don’t have to rush from work to pick up the girls. Yay! This evening I’m going to Costco to pick up some things. I was supposed to go to a movie screening, but I just don’t feel like it.
11. I have a sign on my desk here at work that reads “In a meeting…The practical alternative to work.” It just cracks me up. Tee hee!
10. I also have a picture at my desk from when Jada (my oldest) was just a few weeks old. It’s her hand. I love it.
9. The hospital where the girls were born is being torn down. I pass by it everyday on my way home. Kinda makes me sad, for some reason.
8. Also at my desk, I have a press release from The Cliff Dwellers, some swanky club in downtown Chicago where we held a staff retreat once. The press release is about an inspirational retiring staff person who at 91, was retiring so he could spend more time with his 108-year old mother!!! He had been a WWII soldier, a railroad chef, and a member of A. Phillip Randolph’s Pullman Porters Union. “Benton Calmes’ memories are ripe for the inquisitive person seeking thoughts on America’s past and the role of African Americans in the service of this country, with personal recollections on General Douglas MacArthur, FDR, U.S rail transportation, as well as life for the African American veteran in the post-war era.” Seems like a fabulously interesting man. Wonder what he’s up to these days.
7. Last year, five people I know (knew?) died. Two people at work, a childhood friend, and the mothers of two very good friends. Cancer, stroke (48!), pulmonary embolism (39!), cancer, and natural causes. Rough year.
6. Do you ever not like someone for no good reason at all? I have. Still do.
5. I love talk radio. Back in the day, I used to listen to Howard Stern. (No judging, please.) Now I listen to local sports shows or talk radio shows, one of which isn’t even on the radio…he runs a podcast instead…Steve Dahl. I’ve listened to him for years. This might be surprising to some people. I’m not a big fan of music radio.
4. I worked at McDonald’s in high school. I have an honest appreciation for a really nicely put together Big Mac. My marketing idea that has yet to be picked up is the “Mini Mac. One less meat patty, 1/3 less bread, same great flavors you’ve grown to love. Mmmmm. On the rare occasion that I have a Big Mac, I end up making my own Mini Mac.
3. While working at this same McD’s, I thought I was fat, so I went on a “diet.” My friend and I turned it in to a contest to see who could go the longest WITHOUT EATING. On Day 3 in what was a particularly hot summer, famished and near faint, we agreed to end the contest and went and bought two tacos at a local taco stand. Best tasting taco EVER!
2. At this same McD’s, you’d get a little tired of the same menu options at break time. But bringing lunch was kinda nerdy. (go figure) But anyway….sometimes we’d call up the Pizza Hut and Brown’s Chicken nearby and offer trades for food. Score! I never, EVER at the chicken, Brown’s Chicken is nasty, in my opinion. It’s local, so if you’re not from the Chicago area, I’m guessing you’ve never heard of it. Other times, we’d go all indignant of company policy and make our own McDonald’s creations. My favorite was taking the middle part of two Big Mac buns, two slices of cheese, some onions (that I’d previously gotten one of the grill boys to grill), smack ‘em together and toast them into a wonderful sandwich in the Big Mac bun toaster. Mmmmmmm
1. Can you tell it’s dinner time? It’s 5:48, I’d better get outta here and get some dinner. In fact, I’d better eat something before I go to Costco, or things might get dangerous!!
13. I’m nervous about next week. Big stressors tend to send my eating and/or exercise goals out the window. I have over 1000 cookies to bake next week in 2 big orders. YIKES. YIKES!!!!! (Cookies, you ask? www.lindyscookiestudio.com And please don’t remind me, yes, I need to update my website. It’s not valentine season anymore.)
12. Thursdays are fast becoming my favorite day of the week. It’s the one day I don’t have to rush from work to pick up the girls. Yay! This evening I’m going to Costco to pick up some things. I was supposed to go to a movie screening, but I just don’t feel like it.
11. I have a sign on my desk here at work that reads “In a meeting…The practical alternative to work.” It just cracks me up. Tee hee!
10. I also have a picture at my desk from when Jada (my oldest) was just a few weeks old. It’s her hand. I love it.
9. The hospital where the girls were born is being torn down. I pass by it everyday on my way home. Kinda makes me sad, for some reason.
8. Also at my desk, I have a press release from The Cliff Dwellers, some swanky club in downtown Chicago where we held a staff retreat once. The press release is about an inspirational retiring staff person who at 91, was retiring so he could spend more time with his 108-year old mother!!! He had been a WWII soldier, a railroad chef, and a member of A. Phillip Randolph’s Pullman Porters Union. “Benton Calmes’ memories are ripe for the inquisitive person seeking thoughts on America’s past and the role of African Americans in the service of this country, with personal recollections on General Douglas MacArthur, FDR, U.S rail transportation, as well as life for the African American veteran in the post-war era.” Seems like a fabulously interesting man. Wonder what he’s up to these days.
7. Last year, five people I know (knew?) died. Two people at work, a childhood friend, and the mothers of two very good friends. Cancer, stroke (48!), pulmonary embolism (39!), cancer, and natural causes. Rough year.
6. Do you ever not like someone for no good reason at all? I have. Still do.
5. I love talk radio. Back in the day, I used to listen to Howard Stern. (No judging, please.) Now I listen to local sports shows or talk radio shows, one of which isn’t even on the radio…he runs a podcast instead…Steve Dahl. I’ve listened to him for years. This might be surprising to some people. I’m not a big fan of music radio.
4. I worked at McDonald’s in high school. I have an honest appreciation for a really nicely put together Big Mac. My marketing idea that has yet to be picked up is the “Mini Mac. One less meat patty, 1/3 less bread, same great flavors you’ve grown to love. Mmmmm. On the rare occasion that I have a Big Mac, I end up making my own Mini Mac.
3. While working at this same McD’s, I thought I was fat, so I went on a “diet.” My friend and I turned it in to a contest to see who could go the longest WITHOUT EATING. On Day 3 in what was a particularly hot summer, famished and near faint, we agreed to end the contest and went and bought two tacos at a local taco stand. Best tasting taco EVER!
2. At this same McD’s, you’d get a little tired of the same menu options at break time. But bringing lunch was kinda nerdy. (go figure) But anyway….sometimes we’d call up the Pizza Hut and Brown’s Chicken nearby and offer trades for food. Score! I never, EVER at the chicken, Brown’s Chicken is nasty, in my opinion. It’s local, so if you’re not from the Chicago area, I’m guessing you’ve never heard of it. Other times, we’d go all indignant of company policy and make our own McDonald’s creations. My favorite was taking the middle part of two Big Mac buns, two slices of cheese, some onions (that I’d previously gotten one of the grill boys to grill), smack ‘em together and toast them into a wonderful sandwich in the Big Mac bun toaster. Mmmmmmm
1. Can you tell it’s dinner time? It’s 5:48, I’d better get outta here and get some dinner. In fact, I’d better eat something before I go to Costco, or things might get dangerous!!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Chicago Marathon
So I got this email yesterday that went a little something (exactly) like this:
Registration Expected to Close Before the End of the Week
Less than 5,000 entries remain for the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and registration is expected to close before the end of the week. If you want to be a part of the 34th annual event on Sunday, October 9, register now to secure your spot in the field. Registration will close when the 45,000-participant capacity is reached. For more information on the race and to register, go to chicagomarathon.com.
Really? Registration just opened on February 1! How could it be. This will definitely be the fastest sellout ever. What to do, what to DOOOOO?
So at 7am this morning I went ahead and registered. For ages now I've been entered in the lottery for the NYC Marathon, which is exactly 4 weeks later, although I realize the likelihood of getting in is slim to none...but just throwing that out there, that there could actually be TWO marathons I'm running, when in fact two days ago I hadn't made a decision on running even one. Anyhoo....
I won't be joining any training groups or anything. I can't be confined to those schedules. I will continue to do my runs at 5am, which means for now, the treadmill. All in all, I'm pleased with my progress so far. You may be mystified at my low total to the right (my year goal is 1200 miles, which translates to 100 miles per month), but those miles will ramp up later on in the year. Also, please note that this includes walking--which has been and will continute to be pretty much most of my cross training. (Well, that and my new weight-training regimen, 3 times/week.)
Blah Blah Blah, boring post, I know. But so far, I've been on schedule with my "long" runs. My other huge new thing is that I refuse...hands down, no way no how, I REFUSE to stop and walk, even just a second, during these shorter early runs. That was my downfall before. Now I know there are proponents for Jeff Galloway's run/walk method. I think it's cool, but it's not for me. But make no mistake, I wasn't even doing that kind of walking. I'd kinda just be like "I think I'll walk for a 1/4 mile." I don't just walk, I lollygag. Especially at aid stations (which I started to do all the time) and then I quickly lose steam. And my so-called 12-minutes per mile pace becomes 13:30 or 14:00. And I'd wonder why I coudln't seem to hit 12:00 pace on my long runs anymore. Well, it was because I wasn't hitting 12:00 on any training run, because I'd b.s. and stop for water, or "stretch" (I put that it quotes, because really I was just catching my breath.) All of this was shortly before I took my hiatus. I never really quite got back on track after hurting my knee in 2008. So last year I stopped pretending and just didn't. I ran Shamrock, and walked a 5k. WALKED A 5K. :-/
Again, no personal indictment on walkers or run/walkers. I'm a penguin, after all. It's really a comparison of where I once was, to where I'd ended up.
I'm very happy with where I'm at, so far. :)
Registration Expected to Close Before the End of the Week
Less than 5,000 entries remain for the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and registration is expected to close before the end of the week. If you want to be a part of the 34th annual event on Sunday, October 9, register now to secure your spot in the field. Registration will close when the 45,000-participant capacity is reached. For more information on the race and to register, go to chicagomarathon.com.
Really? Registration just opened on February 1! How could it be. This will definitely be the fastest sellout ever. What to do, what to DOOOOO?
So at 7am this morning I went ahead and registered. For ages now I've been entered in the lottery for the NYC Marathon, which is exactly 4 weeks later, although I realize the likelihood of getting in is slim to none...but just throwing that out there, that there could actually be TWO marathons I'm running, when in fact two days ago I hadn't made a decision on running even one. Anyhoo....
I won't be joining any training groups or anything. I can't be confined to those schedules. I will continue to do my runs at 5am, which means for now, the treadmill. All in all, I'm pleased with my progress so far. You may be mystified at my low total to the right (my year goal is 1200 miles, which translates to 100 miles per month), but those miles will ramp up later on in the year. Also, please note that this includes walking--which has been and will continute to be pretty much most of my cross training. (Well, that and my new weight-training regimen, 3 times/week.)
Blah Blah Blah, boring post, I know. But so far, I've been on schedule with my "long" runs. My other huge new thing is that I refuse...hands down, no way no how, I REFUSE to stop and walk, even just a second, during these shorter early runs. That was my downfall before. Now I know there are proponents for Jeff Galloway's run/walk method. I think it's cool, but it's not for me. But make no mistake, I wasn't even doing that kind of walking. I'd kinda just be like "I think I'll walk for a 1/4 mile." I don't just walk, I lollygag. Especially at aid stations (which I started to do all the time) and then I quickly lose steam. And my so-called 12-minutes per mile pace becomes 13:30 or 14:00. And I'd wonder why I coudln't seem to hit 12:00 pace on my long runs anymore. Well, it was because I wasn't hitting 12:00 on any training run, because I'd b.s. and stop for water, or "stretch" (I put that it quotes, because really I was just catching my breath.) All of this was shortly before I took my hiatus. I never really quite got back on track after hurting my knee in 2008. So last year I stopped pretending and just didn't. I ran Shamrock, and walked a 5k. WALKED A 5K. :-/
Again, no personal indictment on walkers or run/walkers. I'm a penguin, after all. It's really a comparison of where I once was, to where I'd ended up.
I'm very happy with where I'm at, so far. :)
Weigh-in WTHs
So I went to weighh in/pay the piper on Saturday...and I was soooo confused. Ok, so I went to a meeting back on 2/11...it was a Friday at a different location. I remember the meeting. I don't remember weighing in, well ok, I do NOW. But for whatever reason, I never logged it in my blog, and I literally had forgotten all about it. What I remembered was wanting to skip the weigh in and just attend the meeting. And I also had forgotten that the previous weigh in was one at home. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why that 196 wasn't in the WW system. And how I had a loss instead of a gain. Well I had a loss only because I had a huge gain 2 weeks back. WTH? I'm wayyyy to busy if I can't remember stuff that happens 2 weeks ago. At first I thought it was just a mental thing--like, I blocked it out because I didn't want to remember. But I had a similar experience in paying for lunches at the girls' school. I thought I owed money, but I'd paid the Friday before. ?
Anyway...back to weigh-in. I've been playing around with the same 8-10 pounds since November. This is stupid. When the going gets tough, I seem to revert back to old habits. Time to knuckle down and get on with the next 25. There are no tricks. Eat the right amount of points. Write them down. (Or in my case, use my WW iPhone app EVERY DAY FOR EVERY MEAL.) Exercise. Lose. Seems so simple, but it's not.
Take # 4,389.
Anyway...back to weigh-in. I've been playing around with the same 8-10 pounds since November. This is stupid. When the going gets tough, I seem to revert back to old habits. Time to knuckle down and get on with the next 25. There are no tricks. Eat the right amount of points. Write them down. (Or in my case, use my WW iPhone app EVERY DAY FOR EVERY MEAL.) Exercise. Lose. Seems so simple, but it's not.
Take # 4,389.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday 13
Now I really have no right to even post these, since I've had so much trouble staying at my WW points range since like Christmas...but on the flip side, maybe reminiscing about my ol' tried and true tricks of the trade will help catapult my recent successful few days back into weeks, and months...anyway here is my Thursday 13 list of my all-time favorite WW low point meals and snacks. You're not going to find straight up fruits and veggies on here, because that's a given. We should already be making these a priority in our daily lives.
13. Cottage cheese. Bleck! Hate it? I used to also, and then one day for some weird reason I decided that maybe my taste buds at in my mid 30s might be different than when in the 4th grade. 1 cup of 1% is 4 points. The surprising amount of protein will keep you full for hours. HOURS.
12. Hillshire Farm Deli Select Thin Cut Turkey. Sure it's way too salty and probably pumped full of nitrates. But dammit it tastes good. And at 2 ounces and just 1 point per serving, hey.... Works well by itself, or...
11. Thomas' (of english muffin fame) Multi Grain Bagel Thins. Tastes like you're eating a bagel. Well, that's because you are. Kind of. A really thin bagel. 3 points. Combined with some turkey, you've got yourself a filling 4-point sandwich. Go crazy and throw some brown mustard on it and you've got yourself a party. (In England, do they still call them English muffins? If not, then what do they call the muffins that we call muffins?)
10. Lindy's Bagel Thin Breakfast Sandwich: Take two egg whites, dash of milk, salt and pepper, stir in spray-coated plastic container. (I use a round ziploc brand bowl.) Cover with paper towel, microwave for 1 to 1 1/4 minutes. Place "poached" egg on mini bagel. Add an ounce of hillshire farm turkey or ham or whatever meat that's one point. 5 points. Add slice of FF cheese, 6 points. When I'm feeling especially frisky, I make the egg sandwich, no meat, plus an ounce of GOOD cheese, like havarti or gouda for an 8 point sandwich. Mmmm. I realize that's not really "low-point," but it's filling and SUPER good.
9. Chocolate fix: I buy a big grandiose bar of 70% dark chocolate, Giardelli, usually, found in the baking aisle with the unsweetened chocolates. The one I get is 2 points per square, and it's a big honkin square. Thing is, I don't really care for dark chocolate. Well, it's ok, I get that chocolate-y taste without the urge to go completely bonkers at eat the whole thing, and it satisfies my sweet tooth.
8. Chocolate fix #2/Chocolate milk substitute. I've never been a big milk drinker. Strangely, when I was pregnant with my oldest, I was suddenly addicted to chocolate milk. I've since given it up, but do love a good chocolate protein shake to stave off my horrid sweet tooth, The extra protein is great for running/rebuilding muscles, too. Now there are many kinds out there, but I love EAS Myoplex. It's generally sold at $12.99-$13.99 in "cases" of 4, however around here you can find them on sale at Walgreen's every few weeks, buy one-get one half off.
7. Orville Redenbacher's 94% FF popcorn. Carbs, salt, high munchability factor(R). 5 points for the bag. You can't lose.
6. 96% FF extra lean ground beef. If you've always preferred ground beef to the taste of ground turkey, guess what bovine lovers, this beef is lower in fat/points than the typical ground turkey (93 to 7 ratio) 4 ounces is 3 points.
5. The above makes a great taco salad. Add 4 ounces meat (or less, sometimes that’s just too much meat for me), plus 1 ounce 2% shredded mexican cheese blend (2 points), add one chopped tomato, 2 to 3 cups spinach. For dressing, choose one of the following: 2 T salsa (0 points); 2 T FF Western Dressing (I think this may be a regional thing-1 point); or 2 T taco sauce (0 to 1 point, depending on brand.) Total 5-6 points. Use the same mixture of ingredients with 3 small, authentic corn tortillas (range of 3 to 4 points depending on brand) and you’ve got yourself a reasonably decent point-sized taco dinner.
4. Fish. Holy carp (get it, carp, not crap?) Fish is low in points, isn’t it? I don’t know why I don’t eat it more often. Fresh is always best. But I’m going to share a secret with you. If you can locate Gorton’s classic grilled shrimp, the whole bag is just 4 points! And it really tastes pretty good to be coming from a bag. Downside, one bag can put you out anywhere from $6 to $8. That’s kind of a lot considering you still need a little something on the side, like a salad or whatever.
3. Rotisserie chicken. Maybe you see a pattern here. Protein rocks! I’ve used rotisserie chicken from the grocery store deli as a main dish and thrown a salad together, and voila, dinner is served. It’s also good for any recipe that calls for chicken (i.e. chicken salad, chicken soup, etc…)
2. What? Chicken again?! Yes. Ok, another awesome trick I’ve found is to make my own roasted chicken. I take a package of chicken breasts (or whatever , I suppose, I only eat white meat…) and throw it in the crockpot. Then I take a can or two—however much it takes—and add into the crockpot until it covers the chicken. Cook for about 8 hours on low, give or take. I really don’t know, I just play it by how it looks. Once it’s done, take a fork or whatever and poke at the chicken. It will break up so easily, you could honestly shred it like this. I use this in salads, soup, chili, etc… I make filling for buffalo chicken sandwiches by tossing it with my favorite hot sauce. Barbecue? A tablespoon of BBQ sauce instead (add an extra point.) And the broth leftover in the pot? Make some soup with that deliciousness, or boil some cabbage with it. It’s phenomenal.
1. Flatout bread (fake) pizza. Take one of these gems (now 3 points) plus ¼ cup tomato sauce spread thin. Trust me, you don’t want much more than this. Add veggies of your choice. (All 0 points.) Add 1 to 2 ounces 2% mozzarella cheese (2 to 4 points depending on amount and brand). Add a 30-gram serving of turkey pepperoni for an additional 2 points. Bake at 375 degrees until cheese starts to brown. Cut like a pizza to make it last longer, or roll that baby up and eat it like a trendy little pizza wrap.
13. Cottage cheese. Bleck! Hate it? I used to also, and then one day for some weird reason I decided that maybe my taste buds at in my mid 30s might be different than when in the 4th grade. 1 cup of 1% is 4 points. The surprising amount of protein will keep you full for hours. HOURS.
12. Hillshire Farm Deli Select Thin Cut Turkey. Sure it's way too salty and probably pumped full of nitrates. But dammit it tastes good. And at 2 ounces and just 1 point per serving, hey.... Works well by itself, or...
11. Thomas' (of english muffin fame) Multi Grain Bagel Thins. Tastes like you're eating a bagel. Well, that's because you are. Kind of. A really thin bagel. 3 points. Combined with some turkey, you've got yourself a filling 4-point sandwich. Go crazy and throw some brown mustard on it and you've got yourself a party. (In England, do they still call them English muffins? If not, then what do they call the muffins that we call muffins?)
10. Lindy's Bagel Thin Breakfast Sandwich: Take two egg whites, dash of milk, salt and pepper, stir in spray-coated plastic container. (I use a round ziploc brand bowl.) Cover with paper towel, microwave for 1 to 1 1/4 minutes. Place "poached" egg on mini bagel. Add an ounce of hillshire farm turkey or ham or whatever meat that's one point. 5 points. Add slice of FF cheese, 6 points. When I'm feeling especially frisky, I make the egg sandwich, no meat, plus an ounce of GOOD cheese, like havarti or gouda for an 8 point sandwich. Mmmm. I realize that's not really "low-point," but it's filling and SUPER good.
9. Chocolate fix: I buy a big grandiose bar of 70% dark chocolate, Giardelli, usually, found in the baking aisle with the unsweetened chocolates. The one I get is 2 points per square, and it's a big honkin square. Thing is, I don't really care for dark chocolate. Well, it's ok, I get that chocolate-y taste without the urge to go completely bonkers at eat the whole thing, and it satisfies my sweet tooth.
8. Chocolate fix #2/Chocolate milk substitute. I've never been a big milk drinker. Strangely, when I was pregnant with my oldest, I was suddenly addicted to chocolate milk. I've since given it up, but do love a good chocolate protein shake to stave off my horrid sweet tooth, The extra protein is great for running/rebuilding muscles, too. Now there are many kinds out there, but I love EAS Myoplex. It's generally sold at $12.99-$13.99 in "cases" of 4, however around here you can find them on sale at Walgreen's every few weeks, buy one-get one half off.
7. Orville Redenbacher's 94% FF popcorn. Carbs, salt, high munchability factor(R). 5 points for the bag. You can't lose.
6. 96% FF extra lean ground beef. If you've always preferred ground beef to the taste of ground turkey, guess what bovine lovers, this beef is lower in fat/points than the typical ground turkey (93 to 7 ratio) 4 ounces is 3 points.
5. The above makes a great taco salad. Add 4 ounces meat (or less, sometimes that’s just too much meat for me), plus 1 ounce 2% shredded mexican cheese blend (2 points), add one chopped tomato, 2 to 3 cups spinach. For dressing, choose one of the following: 2 T salsa (0 points); 2 T FF Western Dressing (I think this may be a regional thing-1 point); or 2 T taco sauce (0 to 1 point, depending on brand.) Total 5-6 points. Use the same mixture of ingredients with 3 small, authentic corn tortillas (range of 3 to 4 points depending on brand) and you’ve got yourself a reasonably decent point-sized taco dinner.
4. Fish. Holy carp (get it, carp, not crap?) Fish is low in points, isn’t it? I don’t know why I don’t eat it more often. Fresh is always best. But I’m going to share a secret with you. If you can locate Gorton’s classic grilled shrimp, the whole bag is just 4 points! And it really tastes pretty good to be coming from a bag. Downside, one bag can put you out anywhere from $6 to $8. That’s kind of a lot considering you still need a little something on the side, like a salad or whatever.
3. Rotisserie chicken. Maybe you see a pattern here. Protein rocks! I’ve used rotisserie chicken from the grocery store deli as a main dish and thrown a salad together, and voila, dinner is served. It’s also good for any recipe that calls for chicken (i.e. chicken salad, chicken soup, etc…)
2. What? Chicken again?! Yes. Ok, another awesome trick I’ve found is to make my own roasted chicken. I take a package of chicken breasts (or whatever , I suppose, I only eat white meat…) and throw it in the crockpot. Then I take a can or two—however much it takes—and add into the crockpot until it covers the chicken. Cook for about 8 hours on low, give or take. I really don’t know, I just play it by how it looks. Once it’s done, take a fork or whatever and poke at the chicken. It will break up so easily, you could honestly shred it like this. I use this in salads, soup, chili, etc… I make filling for buffalo chicken sandwiches by tossing it with my favorite hot sauce. Barbecue? A tablespoon of BBQ sauce instead (add an extra point.) And the broth leftover in the pot? Make some soup with that deliciousness, or boil some cabbage with it. It’s phenomenal.
1. Flatout bread (fake) pizza. Take one of these gems (now 3 points) plus ¼ cup tomato sauce spread thin. Trust me, you don’t want much more than this. Add veggies of your choice. (All 0 points.) Add 1 to 2 ounces 2% mozzarella cheese (2 to 4 points depending on amount and brand). Add a 30-gram serving of turkey pepperoni for an additional 2 points. Bake at 375 degrees until cheese starts to brown. Cut like a pizza to make it last longer, or roll that baby up and eat it like a trendy little pizza wrap.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Product Review: McDonald's Fruit & Maple Oatmeal
First off, is this stuff available where you are? The reason I'm asking is because being in "America's heartland," the midwest is often a "testing ground" for restaurant items and new products by major manufacturers.
Well if it is available, you should try it. First things first. There are two versions (that I saw.) Fruit and Maple Oatmeal with brown sugar or without. 7 points or 6 points, suit your fancy. I didn't see the points listed in my iPhone WW app, nor was it in my Dottie's iPhone app, and just as I was about to search online, I noticed the handy dandy nutritional information for both ON THE SIDE OF THE CONTAINER. Sweet!
Briefly, here's what I'll tell you. It was filling! Hooray! Fruit in my oatmeal? Do you mean just a smattering along the top? No. There was actually fruit all up in my oatmeal. In the first bite. In my last bite. And in all the bites in between. Apples, cranberries (craisins), and raisins. And the maple? It wasn't an overpowering maple, but subtle. Just enough flavoring to compliment the fruit and not make me berate myself about my inability to eat grown-up food. I'm glad I didn't order it with the brown sugar. For one, that is something that would likely be sprinkled on top--which is never enough--and two, I probably wouldn't ever want it again without the sugar.
Ok, so how much oatmeal do you get? A lot. I'd say about 1 cup, maybe a little more. Could I make this at home? Probably. But convenience is a great factor here, too. I bought it by my girls' school, then traveled 20 minutes to work (with the occasional illegal text and FBing while driving), parked, walked a block to work in 25-degree weather, turned my computer on, chatted for a few minutes, THEN ate. And it was still warm. How awesome is that?
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