withdrawal

I think I'm going through training withdrawal. Now that the race is over, I really don't have to make myself get in the pool, get on the bike, go for a run. You know.

But I actually want to do all those things - and I can't! My leg injury is apparently a strain of some sort to my "I.T. Band". A friend of mine who is knowledgeable in all things muscular showed me a picture of it in her muscle/anatomy book last night. It's a long muscle-y, bone-y sort of thing that runs along the outside of your leg from your hip to your knee. And it's giving me a fit.

I went on a nice little 12 mile ride yesterday, and Bam! I get off the bike and hobble to my kitchen for an ice pack. Damn.

I know I need to take it easy and let it heal. I just don't want to lose my momentum. I'm sure swimming would be okay...but swimming in the ocean while on vacation next week is not an option. Blame it on Jaws.

So, a week's vacation it is. Hopefully that will be long enough so I can get back at it when I get home!

you won't know until you tri

Well, I did it. I finished the race!

It was so much fun - much more fun than I anticipated. A beautiful day, warm water (about 72 degrees), cow bells, a cheering crowd, and words of encouragement throughout each stage.

Stage 1: a half-mile swim. Surprisingly to me, this was my best event. I remember thinking

upon entering the water, "how can I be swimming so fast?" It must have been adrenaline. I set a personal best for time. I'm not saying it was easy, but I did it, and did it pretty well!

Stage 2: a 17.2 mile bike. I don't really have a good biking picture. Finished five minutes faster than I anticipated. Excellent!

Stage 3: A 4.9 mile run. Here I am getting ready to head out on the course. I was confident this

was going to be my best stage, but actually, I ended up with a weird, sharp pain in my knee about a mile in. So, it took me a little longer than I would have liked, but you can bet I ran across that finish line!

(I'm not the one on the leash. As you can see, they're going the wrong way.)

While I am relieved it is over, I am proud of myself for this accomplishment. I proved to myself that when I put my mind to something, I can really do what I set out to do. A good lesson for many areas of life, I think.

Finally, here I am with my friend Dustin - who talked me into doing this crazy race. It was the first triathlon for us both - and something neither of us thought we'd ever do. Lucky for us we have great spouses and friends who encouraged and helped us along the way. And who took us out for a well-deserved cheeseburger and beer after the race!

the countdown begins

8 days until the rubber meets the road. And the body meets the water. And the pain begins.

I am excited! I am nervous! I am tired of training!

Focus for the next, let's say, 6 days. Swimming. I do not want to drown. Nor do I want to breast-stroke the whole time. Why must a 1/2 mile feel like an eternity when you're in the water?!

The very best part...the following weekend I leave for a week at the beach. I'd say a very nice reward for all of my hard work, no?

mini milestone

I kind of surprised myself today.

I ran 4.5 miles!

I don't know how, it just happened. I'm ecstatic.

Can I tell you something...? I wasn't even tired. I mean, my legs hurt. But I wasn't gasping for air. Who knew?

Yay me!

it's official

I am now a registered participant in the Reeds Lake Triathlon! No backing out now!

I can't wait to put all of my training to the test.

So, let me share one very disturbing facet of the whole training process. I have not lost one pound! Not a one! What the?

And I'm working my butt off. Oh, how I miss my 20 year old metabolism, or whatever. Seriously, if that damn scale doesn't move, I'm gonna lose it.

can i get an advil?

Today was indeed a tuffy. Swam 18 laps in the pool - which is a wee bit over my half-mile race distance (wee). Followed by a three mile run. My calves hurt.

Now my "coach" - a true Ironman himself - has suggested I gear up further. Apparently I now need Aero Bars for my bike. I have no idea what they run, but I'm guessing they're not cheap. My little personal challenge is becoming slightly pricey! I better be sure to finish the race!

in training

Sorry I have been absent as of late. I've been just slightly consumed with a new goal I set for myself once my birthday hit. Milestones tend to do that to you, don't they? Anyway, I have decided to partake in a triathlon in September - and have been training for the last month+!!!

I am nervous and excited all at the same time. The course is considered a "sprint" of sorts - half-mile swim, 17.2 mile bike, and 4.9 mile run. Although certain elements of the race are a bit daunting, I know now that physically, I can do it. The race is September 12, so the next few weeks are critical!

I rode my bike for 20 or so miles today, but I'm not sure if I can count it. It was on a flat trail, and really, not that hard. Oh, and I stopped for lunch halfway through. So no, I guess that doesn't count - which means tomorrow is going to be a killer!

wanted

A good Pad Thai recipe. Anyone?

goal setting

What are your goals? Do you write them down? Are you like me - write them down, and then neglect to check in on them?

Today I am recommitting to getting my act together! I will identify five goals that are important to me, get specific, make them personal, and most importantly, write them down. The big 4-0 is fast approaching, and I want to be sure that this next decade is spectacular!

Here are the categories I will choose from:

• social
• financial
• family
• physical
• mental
• spiritual
• career

It has been said that a goal is a dream with a deadline. So, time to get to work.

wash your face!

Consider this a PSA.

Removing your makeup at night is a must! This regime is important because when we sleep with our makeup on, the damage that is inflicted to our skin is equivalent to aging 7 DAYS.

When we sleep, our skin naturally heals itself from the stresses of the day. Clean skin that is prepped for healing excretes oil, and new cells develop. This process forces old skin cells to die and sit on the surface of the skin. If our skin is not prepped properly for sleep, all of yesterday's makeup and pollutants are added to the dead skin cells. As the pores open up, all of the debris on top of the skin is now deposited deep into our pores. We wake up to start a fresh, new day - but yesterday's skin cells are trapped in our pores. Just waiting to create lovely little blackheads and whiteheads.

Now, are you really too tired to wash your face at night?!

Thanks to professional makeup artist Krista Embry for sharing this little gem of wisdom!

do you twitter?

I just started "twittering". Or is it, "tweeting"? Oy. Despite my utter confusing with this platform, I am trying to embrace it. I thought it would be an interesting forum to establish some sort of toe-hold as an expert of sorts, as my main focus is for my business. I don't want to use it for blatant product promotion. I want to be able to put out little blips of info on skin care, wellness, makeup tips, etc. that I think would be of interest to most women readers.

Here's what I don't understand about Twitter though. How on earth do people find you? Every day I receive notifications that someone is following me. Which is great! It was especially exciting when I was notified that the author John Maxwell was following me, (I'm SURE he took one look and thought "Wow! I need to know what SHE has to say!" when I showed up on his list of followers). But I have no idea how the others found me. And mind you, I don't know who most of them are. Some appear to be following in the hopes you will then "follow" them, and they can bombard you with weird, spammy messages. Who knows.

Well, any thoughts, tips, or ideas you have would be most helpful as I build my little twitter community. And if I knew how to include a link to send you there now, I would. But I don't. Help.

RIP Billy Mays

if the sun ever starts shining...

A reminder that your best anti-aging skin care product is sunscreen! Since 90 percent of the visible signs of aging (that's actinic aging) is due to sun exposure, protection is critical. Even when it's a cloudy day, remember to slather it on and protect that beautiful skin of yours :)

wanted: cute pig

One of our friends recently adopted a little potbellied pig. Her name is Cecilia. She is THE cutest pig I've ever seen and I am completely smitten...

...is it any wonder? Don't you just love her little straw hat? She clicks around on her little cloven feet, grunts approvingly when you speak to her, and goes crazy for raisins. I don't know how I'm going to pull it off, what with three cats and a dog...

missing in action

My motivation. Oh, and my vertigo for the most part, thank God. 

But really, the motivation has just flown right out the window. Maybe it's because of all this rain we've been having. Either way, it's gone and I'm ready to get it back.

Suggestions would be much appreciated.

a cat in your lap is worth....what's that saying?

My vertigo is almost gone. I have been out and about for the past two days and am happy to be able to enjoy spring weather! Not that doing nothing wasn't kind of nice...here's how I spent the better part of 3 days:

wha'dya think?

Cute huh?

I have some time on my hands at the moment because I'm actually home sick, and have been since my trip to the E.R. on Saturday morning. I have vertigo. Unbelievable. And let me tell you, it's no walk in the park.

But I am trying to find a silver lining between bouts of falling down, seeing double, and feeling like I'm going to barf.

Silver Lining #1 - I have guilt-free time to browse the web, find new blogs (of which I've added to my favs), update my own blog, and watch Food Network nonstop*
Silver Lining #2 - I am hoping that this vertigo will forever rid me of my motion sickness I experience whilst flying, boating, or carnival-ride riding

However, all this scrolling is making me dizzy. Time to lay down and watch food porn.

*One problem, I have printed out so many yummy recipes I may never leave the kitchen once I am better!

summer salad

Okay, I know it's only April. But a 70 degree day is close enough for me to bust out my favorite summertime salad. So simple, fresh, delicious, and the perfect accoutrement to our delicious beef brisket burgers. Yes, beef brisket. But that will be another post on another day.

Back to salad. A go-with-anything salad. Great with fish, grilled shrimp, chicken. The possibilities are endless. Oh, it's also really very good with a grilled steak and a nice crusty bread to mop up all the goodness. And of course, a nice bottle of wine.

favorite summer salad

1 avocado, medium dice

1 small cucumber, cut in half moons, or quarter slices

1 stalk of celery, cut in half moons

Grape tomatoes (as many as you wish), cut in half

Generous handful of freshly chopped parsley

Hearts of palm (as many as you wish), cut in half lengthwise, then cut into half moons

Half a lemon

White wine vinegar

Good olive oil

Salt

Place first six ingredients into a medium bowl. Salt to taste. Squeeze half of lemon over everything. Add about 1 tsp vinegar and about 1/2 to 1 Tbsp olive oil. Gently mix. Adjust lemon, vinegar and olive oil to taste. You don't want it to be saturated in dressing, but you will know what tastes right to you.

and now for something completely different...

I read this on another blog this morning and thought it was great. I hope that if you are in need of inspiration, this resonates with you.

You are stronger than you think, remember to stand tall.

Every challenge in your life helps you to grow.

Every problem you encounter strengthens your mind and your soul.

Every trouble you overcome increases your understanding of life.

When all your troubles weigh heavily on your shoulders, remember that

beneath the burden you can stand tall, because you are never given more than you can handle...and you are stronger than you think.

-Lisa Wroble

post vacation blues

At this time last week I was talking a nice stroll in 80 degree weather to the corner grocer with my best girlfriend for a delicious cafe con leche. Ahhh...

Presently, I'm sitting on my sofa looking at leafless trees, 35 degree weather, drinking my bastardized version of what should be a very fine cup of coffee. Wah!

I miss Key West.

Choppers and I always have such a wonderful time there. And it was extra special this year for a few reasons: 1) our friends from Omaha came with us and we got to introduce them to our little slice of heaven, 2) we got our open water scuba certification, and 3) for once, I didn't gain 5 pounds!

Now, if I could just figure out a way to live there and make money without having to wait tables! Any ideas?

guac

Once again, a month has flown by! My apologies for being a bad blogger this month.

I did however, manage to find inspiration in a few beautiful avocados. We enjoyed a delicious mexican fiesta with friends last night which included, you guessed it, guacamole. I learned this insanely simple version from a lovely hispanic gentleman years ago. It never fails. 

guacamole

serves up to 5 guacamole-loving people

4 avocados

1-2 serrano peppers (depending on size), finely diced, ribs and seeds intact - remove if you don't like it hot

handful of chopped cilantro

1 lime

salt

Cut avocados in half, carefully removing pit. Using a large spoon, scoop out fruit into a bowl and mash gently with a potato masher, leaving some small chunks. Squeeze half of the lime over mashed avocados and add salt, diced serranos, and cilantro. Mix together with spoon. Add more lime juice and salt according to taste. Enjoy!

grits

Ah, the simple, unassuming dish known as grits. I think they are misunderstood - especially here in the midwest. Perhaps if we spoke of them as polenta - yes, that sounds so much more refined. Well, call them what you wish, they have a lot to offer and I just love them. Especially when they're cheesy.

Lately, I have been favoring grits in lieu of mashed potatoes. Top them with gravy, and oh my my, what a treat.  

I have no recipe to share, as grits are pretty straightforward. I might suggest that you add a little dollop of margarine (yes, margarine, not butter) into the boiling water before you add your grits. But other than that, I'd love to hear your favorite way to make and serve my new favorite side dish.

salad nicoise

Okay, yum! This is one of my favorite dinners. Choppers' too. It is so good. And beautiful. And I'm sure, healthy. So I best write quickly, as I haven't eaten it yet, and it is waiting for me in all it's glory downstairs...

I adapted this recipe from the Noteworthy cookbook. Fabulous in its own right. This is the only salad nicoise I'm interested in eating. Oh, I've tried others. But in my humble opinion, unless that t.v. chef, or fancy-restaurant-chef is using this recipe. I'll pass.

If I had a decent camera, I'd take a photo to share. But just imagine the most beautiful shades of green, red, cream, yellow, and black all artfully arranged on a perfect white plate.

Salad Nicoise

loosely adapted from Noteworthy

to serve 2, all ingredients can be increased or decreased to your preference

12 green beans, end trimmed (or you can use asparagus)

1 stalk celery, thinly sliced

cherry or grape tomatoes

2-3 red potatoes, scrubbed clean, and cut into bite-sized bits

Handful of Nicoise or Kalamata olives, pits removed

2 hard-boiled eggs, quartered

6-8 Hearts of palm, halved and halved again lengthwise

1 avocado, halved, then each half sliced

chopped fresh parsley

chopped fresh basil

1 can tuna, drained OR two lovely little tuna steaks, grilled

Mixed greens, romaine, or any other lettuce torn into bite-size pieces

Steam beans or asparagus until crisp-tender. Refresh under cold water. Set aside.

Steam potatoes until tender. Remove from steamer and set aside.

Hard boil eggs.

Pile lettuce on plates. Arrange beans or gus, tomato, potatoes, eggs, hearts of palm and avocado around plate in little piles. For instance, depending on the amount of each used, I pile 3-4 green beans on one side of the plate, and 3-4 on the opposite side. Sprinkle sliced celery and olives all around. Flake tuna atop lettuce (a little mound in the center of the plate is nice). Shower basil and parsley all over. Drizzle dressing (recipe below) over it all. And remember, a little dressing goes a long way. 

Dressing

2 tsp Dijon mustard

2 tbsp white wine or champagne vinegar

3/4-1 tsp kosher salt

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 tbsp olive oil

4 tbsp vegetable oil (sometimes I use all Olive)

-you can cut this with 1 to 1-1/2 tbsp water if you like

1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme

freshly ground black pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake until well blended. Easy peasy!

Did I mention this tastes lovely with a Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc or, naturally, a Chardonnay!?!

i want new pants

I'm just so tired of having to rifle through the same, old pants every day! I know what I have, it hasn't changed recently. It's kind of like going to McDonald's. You know the menu, but you stand there and read it anyway. Right? That's what I do in my closet. I know the choices:  black work, brown work, casual brown, khaki, grey pinstripe, jeans, blah, blah, blah. But I stand there and move hangers as if something new is going to suddenly appear. And it hasn't.

Problem is, I just don't know what I should get. Another pair of black pants seems....well, obvious. And boring. Help! Any suggestions? Who has nice pants worthy of my hard earned dollars?!

Onto lipstick

Things have been pretty busy around the home office the past week. The company I rep for has launched a brand new product line, upped our compensation, and hit the road to promote it all across the U.S. Excellent! There's lots to do, and I love it.

it's february!?

Wow, where does the time go? And I left on mashed potatoes? Well, they are delicious, but so many other gastronomical gems have come and gone since then. Curries, stews, casseroles, and cookies! Yes, cookies is a great place to start.

I must tell you, the cookies I'm about to share are sinfully delicious. Decadent. And with Valentine's Day fast approaching, the perfect chocolate treat.

Now, look over there, to the right. See the list of blogs? The Wednesday Chef was kind enough to share this tantalizing treat, which you will find by clicking here. I highly recommend you follow her instructions carefully. These cookies are not to be messed with!

So go forth and bake. You will not be sorry.

really good mashed potatoes

To me, mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. And as I've watched the snow pile up tonight, making them with dinner was a no-brainer.

But wait, there are so many variations to be made! Cheese, garlic, root vegetable, herb. Hmmm....And so many different devices to use to get the perfect consistency - ricer, mill, hand-held mixer. But no, not tonight. Tonight, I'm keeping it simple. Butter, cream, salt, pepper, a hand held masher...and of course, a good potato.

The measurements are approximate, you can use more or less depending on your preference. This should make enough for 3 servings, or 2 very hungry mashed-potato-lovin' people!

5 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
2/3 - 3/4 cup half and half, heated through
3-4 tbsp. butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Drop peeled and quartered potatoes into boiling, salted water and cook until fork-tender. About 12-15 minutes. Drain, return to pot and set over medium-high heat to evaporate any remaining water, just for a minute or so. Meantime, gently heat half and half, but don't boil. Using a hand masher, mash potatoes, being careful not to overwork them. Add butter, salt, pepper, half and half. Combine with spoon or spatula then serve. They'll make you happy!

a sunday dinner recap

Yikes! Where is this month going? Cleveland?

We've had some delectable Sunday dinners as of late, here's a summary:

• Mexican Pulled Pork
  
• French Pot Roast

And then there's the cookies...Tyler's "big, fat, chocolate chip cookies". Divine.

Recipes to come, if you like. All are definitely worth a try!

dream home

Have you seen this years' HGTV Dream Home yet? Oh my. What a dream it is - being in Sonoma and all. This one has my name written all over it! Sonoma!

So please, don't enter. I really want to win this year.