Wednesday, August 10, 2011

I read something today that really resonated with me.  I was browsing the local bookstore during my lunch hour, and picked up yet another Tosca Reno book.  I have three of her books already, and have a hard time resisting buying all of them.  She said (and I’m paraphrasing here…) that exercising is not something she “has to do,” it’s a privilege.  It just struck me, because it IS a privilege.  One that you take for granted until you are unable to use your body.  
 
I have had times in my life when I’ve been so ill I couldn’t even lift my head off the pillow.  I had lung problems from the chemo regimen that I was given that left me winded even getting in a hot shower.  Walking from the parking lot into my office left me feeling like I’d been hit by a truck.  Most recently, this (minor-but-annoying-and-painful) foot injury sidelined me for a bit.  You really don’t appreciate the MARVEL that is the human body until it’s not cooperating with you.  
 
I am thankful every day that I get to work out.  Every time I get to run, do lunges, or pushups.  Every time.  I will NEVER take that for granted.  I will always value this body that I’ve been given.  To that end, I have made a promise to myself that I will take the best possible care of my body.  It is the only one I’ve got. 

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

my, how time flies!

I have been a very bad blogger.  :)  Life has kept me occupied. 

My foot is on the mend.  It was finally diagnosed as tendonitis and bursitis.  I am back to training, harder than ever...aaaaand, I registered for the Dirty Girl Mud Run with my cousin and a team of ladies that are going to kick some SERIOUS arse.  I'm so excited. 

I had my 6 week measurements/results with my trainer, and I'm down 3% body fat.  :)  woop, woop!  I feel good, I'm eating clean. 

I've set some goals for myself this year, and I'm happy to report that I'm about 75% done with my list.  I have never been happier, more content, more secure, or more confident about my future.  Life is good good good. 

Sunday, June 26, 2011

June

June is going by so quickly! 

Brief update: have lost several pounds and am in dire need of new pants that don't fall off of me :)  This is a good thing.  Bad thing: sprained my foot on Wednesday.  It's on the mend, but I'm a little nervous to go back to training...hoping I don't re-injure it. 

I'll do a real update soon.  :)  Love to you all. 

Saturday, June 4, 2011

update!

Life has felt like a bit of a blur lately- but a good one.  There have been some enormous changes in my life- and all good.  Months ago I caught a documentary called "Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead" on tv...and the changes began.  The movie is about a man with an auto-immune disease that is crippling his ability to enjoy life, he is 90 pounds overweight, and decides to do something about it.  Doctors haven't been able to help him, he's taking multiple doses of steroids every day to keep his disease under control, and he suddenly questions: If my body could heal itself on the outside, why couldn't it heal itself on the INSIDE as well?  He goes on a 60 day juice fast.  Nothing but juice of fresh vegetables and fruits.  He explains the difference between micro and macro nutrients.  Micronutrients are the good stuff: fruits, veggies, nuts, beans... Macronutrients are everything else. 

Long story short, he loses the 90 pounds, cures his autoimmune disorder, and sparks a movement that is spreading like wildfire.  EAT MORE PRODUCE. 

I found the movie incredibly inspirational, especially as someone that has had my share of health struggles.  It got me to thinking about curing the damage that's been done to the inside of my body from prescription drugs, chemo, radiation, and the toxins that come with every day life.  So I gave myself a goal of changing my diet...making HALF of each meal be micronutrients...raw when possible, and organic when possible. 

Fast forward a few months and I have switched to a plant-based, mostly organic, lean diet, and I'm already seeing benefits in my health and skin that surprise me.  Eating better made me want to do everything better.  I hired a personal trainer and have been working with her- and working HARD- four times a week.

(as a side note: another INCREDIBLE documentary is "Food Matters." Speaks volumes about how most health issues are preventable with nutrition...but that there's no money in nutrition...there's money in the pharmaceutical industry.  Really thought provoking.)

Working that hard on myself made me see how easy "work" has become.  I recently found out that my job is being eliminated, but I have an opportunity to move into something new, that will be a good change of pace. 

I have felt so much more clear-headed about everything in life.  What is possible, the goals that seemed too difficult to reach now seem just around the corner.  I've been happy this past year and a half, but now I'm more than that...I'm super EXCITED about life in general.  My life is falling into place in so many ways.  Things are good. 

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

scalloped potatoes

 

I made this as a side to our Easter dinner with ham, green bean casserole, biscuits, and deviled eggs. 

Ingredients:


Directions:

Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 1 1/4 hr
  1. 1 In a small sauce pan, melt butter and blend in flour.
  2. 2 Let sit for a minute.
  3. 3 Add all of cold milk, stirring with a whisk.
  4. 4 Season with salt and cayenne.
  5. 5 Cook sauce on low until smooth and boiling, stirring occasionally with a whisk.
  6. 6 Reduce heat and stir in cheese.
  7. 7 Place a half of the sliced potatoes in a lightly greased one quart casserole dish.
  8. 8 Pour half of cheese sauce over potatoes.
  9. 9 Repeat with second layer of potatoes and cheese sauce.
  10. 10 Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
  11. 11 Top with some paprika for color.
  12. 12 Bake uncovered for about 1 hour at 350F


Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/scalloped-potatoes-85629#ixzz1KgdugIBV

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Fried Eggs over Bruschetta

I found these perfect little gold cherry tomatoes at the market, and had some arugula and mozzarella from earlier in the week, so I made bruschetta and then thought the creamy fantasticness of egg yolks would be good over the top.  I was so right :) 

I mixed the tomatoes with fresh basil, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper, spread on french bread slices and topped with slices of bocconcini-  broiled that til golden, put on top of arugula tossed with balsamic vinaigrette, and top with two perfect fried eggs.  Fork and knife ready :) 

Friday, February 11, 2011

panini!!

I bought a panini press/waffle maker/grill/griddle by sharper image this week...  and made turkey and green chili paninis.  Here's what ya need:

Asiago cheese bread, sliced
cajun spiced turkey
green chilis
avocado
mayo
pepperjack cheese
butter or olive oil. 

Assemble the ingredients as you like, brush the bread with butter or olive oil and grill on the panini press.  It is a MOST delicious panini.  :) 

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Roasted Red Pepper Paninis with Garlic Chevre

Making the old classic Sunday Pot Roast, Carrots & Potatoes in the slow cooker today.  I remember coming home from church on Sundays as a little girl and the whole house smelling amazing...  makes me very nostalgic.  :)

I cleaned all day, did eight billion loads of laundry, and found time to make paninis for lunch.  Getting myself in order for the new year.  Feels good. 

Red Pepper Paninis couldn't be simpler.  Here's what you'll need: 

1 loaf ciabatta bread
1 jar roasted red peppers
1 container garlic goat cheese ( I use the garlic and herb chevre made by Jumpin Good Goat Dairy...they're local, their cheese is delicious, and their baby goats are sooo cute!!)
olive oil

I just slice the ciabatta sandwich size, and then in half.  I scoop out a bit of the bread insides...makes for a crispier sandwich.  Spread both sides with goat cheese and put one layer of roasted red peppers on one half.  Put the halves together.  Heat a couple T of olive oil over medium high heat in a nonstick skillet.  Cook sandwich on first side until golden brown.  I usually put a heavy cast iron skillet on top of the sandwich to weight it down while cooking.  Flip the sandwich and cook the other side until golden brown.  Remove from heat, slice in 1/2 and serve! 

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Baked Ziti

Yum, yummy yum.  :) 

Baked Ziti.  I made this recipe up years ago and I always play it by ear.  Or tongue.  Or what the heck ever.  :)  It depends on how many people you're feeding, what else you're serving with it, etc. 

If I'm serving 4 people, with garlic bread and salad, I use an 8x8 baking dish.  I pour the dry ziti into it to eyeball how much ziti I will need.  I never measure anything with this dish. 

Here's what you'll need:
1 lb italian sausage
1 jar marinara sauce (whatever your favorite is... I like Bertolli Olive Oil & Garlic)
1 bag shredded mozzarella cheese
1 small carton heavy cream
1 box ziti or penne or rigatoni

Preheat your oven to 350.
Cook the pasta according to directions, undercooking by about 2 minutes.  Drain and reserve.
Brown sausage.  Once nearly cooked through, add the whole jar of marinara.
Add heavy cream just until the sauce turns an orange-y color.  You don't want to over-do...just make the sauce creamy. 
Add the pasta to the meat/sauce.
Place a layer of pasta mixture into your baking dish. 
Top with a layer of cheese.
Repeat, until all the pasta mixture and cheese have been used up. 

Bake, covered, for 20 minutes.  Uncover, bake 10 more minutes.  Broil until golden brown and bubbly on top.  Serve with ceasar salad and garlic bread. 

I know this recipe is kind of unexact and crazy, but that's why I love it.  You really can't mess it up.  :)