I love you, man!

I had another moment of clarity while I was a work, staring at my cubicle walls. In trying to asses and create development plans for each member of my team, the usually sleeping voice in my head shouted "THEY WON'T CARE AND YOU ARE STRESSING OVER THIS FOR NOTHING!" OK, so that's way over dramatic, but you get the point. I minimized all my windows and realized that I was spending too much time seeing the trees and not the forest. I'm in a great place now to spend more time and heart on my love of pastries.

This is my desktop wallpaper:

While I love all things pastry, and dream of having a bakery, I find myself getting in my own way. I make excuses to *not* bake. Ah, fear. So now I've challenged myself to learn and create addicts of my treas, starting with the French Macaron:




This was my first attempt. They were delicious and odd shaped, but the aesthetics will improve with time. I also made some green tea with black sesame, but I didn't like the color.

I will reign supreme in this kitchen and will work on a new treat twice a month until the wedding in November, then it's on like Donkey Kong.

Gonna Fly Now

Today's daily "Kick in the butt" from Runnersworld.com was this:

Part of the challenge of the marathon is pushing past what you think is physically possible. You can do more than you think you can.

This week ends Week 8 of my marathon training. After Saturday's 12-mile run, I will have logged 20 miles this week. TWENTY! The closest week to this so far was last October at 16 miles. My long run that week was a training run to-and-from Eisenhauer Park, and I averaged 12m/mi. Which is what I'm at now. SO… when do I begin pushing for a better time?

Goal #1: Make the most of the next 6-week's speed and tempo workouts. This may mean sticking to the treadmill for those days, and trying to meet the SA Fit group on Tuesdays for speedwork training. End Date: 09/04/10

Food wise, something weird is happeneing in my brain. Either I'm burned out on meat or my brain is protesting time spent in the kitchen cooking. I'm finding my self eating smaller portions over all and shying away from animals. Monday: cous cous. Tuesday: Black bean tacos. Wednesday: Pasta with shrimp. Thursday: Watermelon salad*. We're going out to have Indian tonight, and I'm torn between Paneer Masala and Lamb Vindaloo. I may have to forgo the lamb as I feel it may cause a ruckus overnight and make for an interesting 4am wakeup. *sigh*

(*The recipe is on Runnersworld.com. I posted a picture on Facebook. It was REALLY really good.)

I've tried mapping out meal plans, but it's made complicated by having to feed The Boy and Major. Making 3 meals a night does not sound fun, and adding chicken or sausage to what I make and then feed it to Major seems like a cop out (only to me). Why are there no "family training meal plans" for those of us who have to fuel ourselves and feed others?

Goal #2: Identify 6 family friendly training meals to place in rotation. End date 07/31/10

 

Meal #1 – Pantry Couscous and Chicken

· A box of Near East plain couscous, cook as instructed · 4 green onions or chives, chopped or 1/4 c fresh parsley · ¼ c cooked lentils · ¼ c cheese of choice (goat, feta) that crumbles · ¼ c dried fruit of choice (fig, apricot, pomegranate, gold raisins) · 2 sliced, grilled chicken breasts · Single-serving of Green Giant frozen veggies

1. Mix cooked couscous and lentils. Serve ½ c. with chicken to picky child with a side of single-serve Green Giant frozen veggies. 2. Mix remaining ingredients and serve. **I passed on the chicken, which left enough for a lunch portion for the next day.

Time to start the mental preparation for tomorrow's 12-mile run. Is that Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now" that I hear in my head? Sure is.

Dear Amanda - The Running Edition

As my marathon quest continues, I've received a lot of questions about running and how to start:

Q: Are you out of your mind?
A: Yes, but that has nothing to do with running.

Q: How did you start?
A: It was a New Year's resolution for 2008. It took me A YEAR to actually get off the couch to run because I decided I needed to be a fit to begin. Cut to January 2009 when I dragged Luz to shuffle around the NISD Athletic Center in preparation for the SA Komen 5k. I thought I'd die in the process of being able to run 3.1 miles, but I didn't. I also used the Couch to 5k podcasts on iTunes to help. I successfully completed the 5k with an 11:30 pace. I've since learned that pace, not speed, helps me as I work to increase my endurance.

Q: What keeps you motivated?
A: Jeans and food. (And better health). I live to eat, and that's not conducive to skinny jeans. It's part vanity, part not wanting to buy new pants because I love cheese and desserts. And wine. And cheeseburgers. Also, I want to have good habits firmly entrenched by the time Major and I start raising kids (the Boy is already suffering through Ramen withdrawal thanks to my new role as Kitchen Dictator).

Of course, that doesn't mean I don't sometimes hit the snooze button when I should be out running. I'll make up for it during the day. I just have to ask myself: are you going to be a wimp, or are you going to be strong today?

Q: Where did you get your information?
A: All kinds of places:
RunnersWorld.com
Active.com
Hal Higdon's Website
iTunes
Rock N Roll Marathon site
San Antonio Road Runners
There are a ton of resources out there. And while they may not be the most user-friendly, they are pretty valuable. I've tried to share these on my Facebook wall for those of you linked in.

Two other tools I use: Run Keeper's iPhone app and my Garmin FR60. These have helped me track my progress and learn about pace. Remember, if you're training for a long run, PACE not RACE is key.


Q: Are you participating in a formal training program?
A: This is one aspect I didn't want to do on my own. I signed up for SA FIT (sanantoniofitness.com) last year for the half and this year for the full (fool?). There are locations nationwide, but you can find other group training options if do some research. Many charities offer training in return for some fundraising (American Cancer Society, Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, Race for the Cure, Livestrong).

Generally, you'll meet as a group for the long weekend runs. It is *important* that you complete the weekday runs, otherwise you'll be suffering Saturday morning when you have to complete your first 8-miler.

Also, listen to your body. I've been super vigilant about how my knee and feet feel after running. Shoes are undeniably important – you don't want to be 4 miles into that 8 mile run and realize the sneakers you bought at Target have now chafed your ankles, squeezed off a toenail, and given you shin splints the likes you never knew possible. Go to a running store (not a sports store) and talk to the folks there about shoes. And any other aches and pains. I've started using KT Tape (kttape.com) and it's helped my knee not complain about the abuse I'm inflicting on it.

Up next, the 3^rd Annual San Antonio Los Chupabacras de la Noche 10k. Actually, up next is this weekend's 9 mile run. I'm proud to say that my 8-mile run last week was actually enjoyable at a 12/m pace. That same route last year while training for the half was not enjoyable and at a 14:30/m pace. Progress!

Since this week's run moves to 6am(!!!), I'll have to wake up at 445 to being my ritual of wakeup-whatshappening-potty-eat-water-potty-whyamiawake-gottagonow.

Season 2 - Highway to Hell Marathon Training

I knew this day was coming when we signed up all last year's marathon expo for this year's Rock and Roll Marathon - full marathon training. Which is two weeks before the wedding.

Can't be all that bad, right? I continued running over the winter, but I wouldn't say I'm now an athlete. I completed the timed run for this year's group and ended up in the Red group (just barely) by averaging 2 miles with a 10:42 pace. So...I'm stretching myself. I'm prepared to be the last of the Red Group/first of the Orange Group (greater than 11:00). Yeah...I'm dreaming big here. The upside is that I've stuck to torturing myself at least twice a week so increasing my training isn't so bad. Or pain free. Urg.

Motivation drives me forward and I'm having a tough time gathering it. One of my running partners may need to take the season slow thanks to a chronic issue. The other is training for the half with a different pace group and is not likely to meet me at 5:45 regularly to get a run in before work. Major is held hostage by the sheets every morning and is also significantly faster than me. I may have a Monday partner, but that leaves me two solo runs. There's more accountability when others are around, and I feel like I can challenge myself more when in a group. (Read: I'm less likely to run a two-mile out and back rather than a four-mile)

What I've learned my first full year of running is:
- there's always an excuse not to run. My ass, however, feeds off excuses and will grow.
- that burning knee pain should not be ignored. Apply ice and take glucosamine.
- I'm proud of my accomplishments.
- lined shorts may sound weird, but they really are awesome.
- having little boobs comes in handy - no boob/running pain!
- fries are treats. Treats should be enjoyed now and then.
- a one-story house is in our future - after a long run, i'm not coming back down from showering.

I'm sure there's more. Until then:

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." John (the Penguin) Bingham .

Vote at Communitiestakeroot.com

Find San Antonio's Food Bank on the list tab and vote daily to help win an orchard!

Help a community win a fresh fruit orchard. Here's how

=================================================== This message was sent by manda2k@yahoo.com via http://addthis.com. Please note that AddThis does not verify email addresses.

Names, Planes, and Automobiles.

So... in purchasing our tickets to Italy, I had a minor brain melt - what name would I be using after the wedding. Not sure how this simple step careened into a roller-coaster of stress for about half an hour but I wouldn't be true to myself if I didn't find a molehill to make a mountain out of. Sheesh.

In talking with Major about it, he assured me that he wouldn't be hurt if I didn't change my name. Of course, I had to ask him five different ways. The only question that came up was what name would any children have. His.  The more I think about it, the more I understand this: I am an only child. Yes, there are a good amount of people with my last name, most of which I'm not related to. It's been my name for almost 34 years and to me, changing a name is too much like changing identities. I know my Mom is going to make a face when I tell her, but that's just the way it's going to be. Here's hoping for smooth sailing all the way around.

After all of that, we did book our flight to Italy for our honeymoon/roz & raf's wedding/trip to visit Boyd. Now, how to cram Italy into 11 days.

As for automobiles, I jumped on my service soapbox upon receiving a 'service satisfaction survey' from VW after taking the car in for a free tire. I thought I had save my well-thought out email response, but it looks like that didn't' happen.  In summary, I stated that service has been in decline for a while and my biggest complaint was that service delays weren't being addressed. (Why is my car in the shop for 10 hrs when all I needed was an oil change? Do you or don't you have my tire and why is it taking so long to find out when I called ahead?)

Check out the subject line...


Subject: poor survice at A VW

Ms. R,
 I am sorry we miserably failed to provide you top quality service on you most recent visit. Your input is very valuable for A### VW to make necessary corrections to future serve customers. I think your assessment of your visit is one of the most accurate customer perception dialogs I have read. It most definitely boils down to poor communications between our advisors and you, our valued customer.
 I want you to know that is our goal to provide a "quality service, at a reasonable price" to all customers. I know we failed in this particular case and we are always looking for areas to improve. We have improved in overall customer service over the past few years but still need refinements.
 I most of all want to thank you for your business and loyalty to the brand and hope all your next visits to our dealer will exceed your expectations.
 I would like you to contact O for any future service needs. O has consistently been recognized as one of the top advisors in the U.S. and he has played a very important role in keeping  Volkswagen as one of the rated Customer Satisfaction Dealers in the Southern Region. His direct phone line is ####. I also would encourage want you to feel comfortable in calling me direct with any potential future issues.
 
Thank you for sharing your true thoughts and perception.

I love my car. Sadly, there isn't anywhere else for dealer service that's any better.  Now that I've had my say, we can resume your daily interwebs surfing. Thank you, come again.

Morning so far...and more

Got in a good 40-minutes at the gym: half running, half weights. That's two days in a row this week with an estimated 39 points I should earn for my March Madness team by the end of the day. Five of us have signed up for a workout challenge at work for the next month. D has been down and out for the past few days, so we're going to have to hustle to make it up. Ahhh... but the payoff is weight loss and a lower BMI. WOOT!

Got to my desk this morning, Little Bird bought herself and myself a Jamba smoothie. Yum! Which I then dribbled on my blouse. Doh! Fortunately, Nic next to me had her trusty Tide pen. It may be a great day after all. Too bad I forgot my lunch at home. Do'h.

Quiz tonight, Quiz Thursday with a trainee in tow. Tired as I'll be this month, the income will help pay for next month's baking/etc class and my CIA class in May. MmmMmmm.

E-pics came in the mail from JSperos yesterday. Will upload to shutterfly this week and order the Save the Date Postcards. And my cute shoes for the wedding came in last night, too!

Still to do this month, gather addresses. Take art to tattoo guy. Get my bake on at least twice.

Experimented with a recipe from work's health site: Low-fat Lentil Meatballs. Not too bad. I'll have to experiment with the seasonings to get it to my liking. And I think I'd like to try this with lamb and feta. Drool.

Traditional meatballs can be awfully high in fat. By choosing a lean meat to start, extending it with lentils and then baking (not frying) the meatballs, you will cut the fat by 50 percent if not more.

Takes Over 60 minutes
Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 cup (240 ml) low-sodium chicken broth or water 1/3 cup (2 oz/60 g) green, brown or red lentils 12 oz (360 g) lean ground beef, pork or turkey 1 medium onion, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 large egg whites, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons ketchup 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning herbs pinch crushed fennel seed (optional) 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 cup (1 1/2 oz/50 g) fresh breadcrumbs, preferably whole-wheat 3 1/2 cups (28 oz/840 g) favorite spaghetti sauce 1 pound (500 g) spaghetti, preferably multi-grain 2-3 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves or chopped fresh parsley 1/2 cup (1 oz/30 g) freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

PREPARATION

1.	In a small saucepan, bring broth or water to a boil. Add lentils and bring back to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover and set aside for 20 minutes.
2.	Preheat the oven to 375°F (185°C). Line a baking sheet with sides with aluminum foil and set a wire rack on top.
3.	In a large mixing bowl, combine meat, onion, garlic, egg whites, ketchup, Italian herbs, crushed fennel seed (if using), salt and pepper. Drain any liquid from the lentils and add them to the meat mixture. Mix well with a wooden spoon. Add breadcrumbs and mix gently just to blend. Form the mixture into 24 meatballs, each one about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Set on the wire rack and bake for 20 minutes.
4.	In a deep, heavy skillet or Dutch oven, heat spaghetti sauce. Add the baked meatballs and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in fresh basil or parsley.
5.	Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and place in a large shallow serving dish. Top with the meatballs and sauce. Sprinkle with cheese and serve.

Source: Healthy Living Kitchens