Rocky Mountain High

Recent reports about the wildfires near Denver got me reminiscing about our recent visit to Rocky Mountain National Park. A beautiful place and one of my favorites. A few pictures from our weekend...

"First 48" pose or "Scott needs to work on his jazz hands" pose

Sending prayers for family, friends, and strangers dealing with the fires.

-M

My Running Journey...

The first race I ever ran was a marathon. How does one get the 'bright' idea to run a marathon without ever running a race before? Well, I guess there could be plenty of reasons. For me, it was my divorce.  That was over four years ago and, what seems like, a lifetime away. At the time, I felt like my whole world had fallen apart. All those plans just crumbling, leaving me holding the pieces trying to figure out what to do next. In those moments, it felt like I could either completely self-destruct or try to turn a bad situation into something positive. About that same time, a good friend talked to me about running with Team in Training (TNT).  The more I thought and researched TNT, it felt like the right decision. Raise money for a great organization, meet new people and, oh yeah, run. I'm not going to say that during that time there weren't moments of self-destruction, but one can't get too wild and crazy with a 16 mile training run looming over them.

Those of you who know me know that I am not athletic by any stretch of the imagination. The closest I got to sports in high school was one uncoordinated year of tennis.  Thank God running doesn't involve any fancy equipment or I'd be screwed. Team in Training was a great experience overall. In just 4 short months, I went from a couple miles here and there to 26.2 freakin' miles. It took me almost 6 hours, but I did it! In hindsight, I should have stuck with the half marathon as I started to unravel around miles 16-18. I chalk it up to inexperience. Will I ever run the 26.2 distance again? Yes, but I have some work to do before then. :)


That was early 2009 and since then I have run:
Half:
Olathe 1/2 Marathon
Flying Pig 1/2 Marathon - PR 2.07. 34
Indianapolis 1/2 Marathon
Rock the Parkway 1/2 Marathon

15 K:
Cerner

10K:
Hospital Hill
Catalina

4mi and 5K:
Trolley Run
Girls on the Run 5K x3
Some others I can't remember...

Admittedly, my training for these events was mediocre at best. I've operated under the complete not compete assumption. I complete the training runs but don't usually time myself. I'm a true runner's nightmare. Last fall after completing a race with minimal training, I began having trouble with my left hip. A couple doctors and one very talented chiropractor later, I'm back walk-running smaller distances.


As we say in our house, "You better check yourself before you wreck yourself....girl."

The injury forced me to stop and evaluate my running over the last couple of years. I missed being able to lace up and hit the pavement once I no longer had that option. Now that I'm starting to get back to it, I feel like I need to take a step back, return to completing smaller distances, and work on my conditioning. Tempo runs, easy runs, and interval training, ready or not, here I come (first step is figuring out what all of that means)! It's probably going to be a bumpy ride (knowing me this is almost a definite), but I think it's important if I want to be a runner that lasts. More importantly, I need to not lose sight of the reasons I love to run. 

In a recent issue of Runner's World, there is an article about running with the Amish. In his article Bart Yasso quotes one of the runners:
"I love the serenity of running alone as well as the fellowship of running with a group," one of the runners wrote to me in an e-mail. "I realize that every step, every breath, and every PR is a gift from God." 

This is how I felt when I ran for TNT and it's how I feel now that I'm coming back from injury, but somewhere in between I lost sight of it. I hope future writings about my running will help keep me honest. Lucky you. 

I know I have good running friends out there...any training tips? Such as how do I get my butt out of bed to run at 5:30am with the time change - Ugh.

Now that I have managed to reference Ice Cube AND the Amish in the same post - my work here is done. 

-M

Let's Twist Again...

Whenever I see a recipe that calls for yeast I usually run like hell.  The stress of pouring that little packet in warm water and waiting makes me crazy. I'm terrible at waiting. Is the water too cold? Is the water too hot?? Is it foaming up yet?? Did I just kill all those little boogers??!! Gah! Basically, it takes pretty tasty looking pictures to convince me to risk it. Enter Alton Brown's recipe for Soft Pretzels and a little of this....

Ms. Liquid Encouragement says, "You got this girrlll!" <finger snap>

I find that everything gets better with a good glass of wine (or mediocre $10 wine from TJ's). So, with that, the Ms. and I got our BAKE ON.

Sometimes you just gotta punch dough in the face...

I followed Alton's recipe but substituted with gluten free flour (Bob's Red Mill), Earth Balance (instead of butter), and Olive Oil (instead of egg). I imagine they would be great made with whole wheat flour as well. If you've never seen Alton Brown on TV before, he's a little mad scientist meets chef.  Just the kind of kookiness I find endearing.

I thoroughly enjoyed dropping these babies in boiling, baking soda water before popping them in the oven. Fifteen minutes later I had these...

The Ms. and I do good work.

Whether paired with a yummy dip or just eaten plain, these were delicious!

On a more serious note, it's been a crazy couple of weeks. Scott's mom has been through a couple surgeries and my uncle passed away Tuesday night. If you pray, meditate or send out the good juju daily, would you add our families to your list? It would be much appreciated. I hope you all get in some good family and friend time this weekend...maybe even some extra X's and O's. 
-M

Easy Peasy...Sometimes Cheesy

Ohm...nom...nom...nom...nom.

True Story - my mom made me breakfast and packed my lunch until I graduated high school. I offered to pack my own, but each time she would shake her head and tell me it was easier to just pack them all at once. I don't know that I truly appreciated it back then. There were days when I subbed that hand packed lunch for the baked potato topped with cheese from the cafeteria. That's cheese from a can in case you're wondering (gag). All these years later, I now realize how lucky I am to have a mom that was able to stay home and make sure I got to school with a good lunch. Although, with all that special treatment, it is a wonder I ever made it in the real world ;).

Nowadays, I pack my lunch for work. My office doesn't have a cafeteria and I try to only eat out on occasion. I am always looking for new, easy, nutritious ideas to cook for the work week. Lately, I have been making 'mixes' on Sunday nights that I can use for lunch during the week. This has worked really well since I don't want to spend a bunch of time in the mornings preparing my lunch.

I have been using quinoa as a base lately. Fun fact: Quinoa is not a true grain (even though it looks like one), and is most closely related to leafy greens like spinach. It is a good source of amino acids (protein), magnesium, and folate. In addition to the quinoa, I mix up some type of protein and vegetables. This week I used steamed lentils, tomatoes, spinach, peppers, and onion. The 'mix' possibilities are really endless.

I made eight servings for just under 10 dollars. That averages out to around $1.25 per serving. How does the nutrition stack up? Well, I am glad you asked :)

Serving = 1c. cooked Quinoa + 1/2 c. Mix (lentils, tomatoes, peppers, onion, spinach)
Calories:  280
Fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 9g
Sodium: 195mg
Protein: 13g

I also like to top mine with plain greek yogurt or a little cheese (extra fat and protein). Add a small salad and/or a piece of fruit on the side and you have an easy, cheap, nutritious, delicious lunch! One that would even make your mom proud.

-M

***Note that serving size will depend on an individual's nutritional needs. The serving I chose was to be used as a frame of reference. Thanks!***

Wedspiration

A few wedding inspiration pictures for your oogling pleasure. I can neither confirm nor deny whether I am incorporating these into my own wedding. For that, you'll just have to wait until after the main event. ;-)

 

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Hope your week has started with a BANG!
-M

Be Mine

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." -Charles M. Schultz

I've been crafty this weekend - I know - scary. It doesn't happen that often and I have learned to embrace it when it does. Most times it just turns into a hot mess, but sometimes it works out.

I was searching for a treat to take to my coworkers for Valentine's Day next week, and I ran across this Salted Caramel recipe. Ooey, gooey, sweet and salty - Yes Please! I had most of the ingredients already but I did have to make a stop at Sur La Table for a candy thermometer. I made toffee over Christmas using a meat thermometer. Yes, I know they aren't the same, but I thought I could wing it by judging how far the dial passed 0 (like I told you before - hot mess). This time I thought I would at least start out with the right tools, and I can always use an excuse to shop at Sur La Table.

Good idea to gather up all the ingredients before you get started.

Somebody give me a spoon ;)

All ready for wrapping!

I also practiced my garland making skills. I want to make garland for our wedding this summer, and thought Valentine's Day might be a good excuse to practice and hang it on the wall. Who doesn't LOVE paper hearts?!

OK, enough about crafts and Valentine's Day. Anyone see Safe House this weekend? Scott and I saw it and it is SO GOOD! How can you go wrong with Denzel - ever?

-M

It's Gettin' Hot in Here...

It seems yoga has been getting a bad rap lately (see here), and I feel the need to put in my two-cents. I have been practicing yoga on and off for several years now. In the last year, I have come to practice regularly several forms including Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Bikram. I love each and every one of them for different reasons. 

(source)

As the temperatures continue to get cooler in the Midwest, I have gravitated more towards Bikram or Hot Yoga. The cold temps have made it much easier to talk myself into spending 90 minutes in 105 degrees. The first Bikram class I took, I remember thinking “So, this must be what hell feels like” after about the first 5 minutes. Somehow, I made it through the entire class and, after several more, began to fall in love.

For those of you not familiar with Bikram, it is a sequence of 26 postures that work systematically through the body. The series consists of doing each pose twice. The first set, you work to reach your edge (the point at which you think you can go no further). The second set, you begin at the edge and hold for a shorter period of time. One of the things I love most about Bikram or Hot Yoga, is how the sequence of poses counteract one another. For instance, you spend time in Camel pose (Ustrasana), a kneeling backbend of sorts, and then follow it with Rabbit pose (Sasangasana), a kneeling forward fold of sorts.  

For me personally, yoga provides both mental and physical benefits, and I have never used it as my only source of exercise. However, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others as a compliment to their weekly routine. Just like any exercise, there is always risk for injury, but there are ways to mitigate those risks as well. Below are my top 5 items to consider if you are thinking of incorporating yoga into your life.

1. Go to a studio
If you are just getting started and doing a more meditative practice, then a studio may not be necessary, but a good class experience is important to ensure you have proper alignment in poses.

2. Try different studios to find the one that best fits your style and needs

Do not feel bad about shopping around to find a studio and a teacher that is right for you.  I attended a class once where the teacher played Tibetan Vibration Bowls on our stomachs. I attended another class that included lots of chanting. For some of you, this may be right up your alley and that is awesome. For me, I prefer quieter periods of meditation. Rest assured, there is an option out there for everyone. Oh, and be open - the Tibetan Bowls were pretty cool. ;)

 
3. Be wary of the teacher that is using the class as his or her own time to workout or the teacher that pushes you further into a pose without your permission.
This may be more of a pet peeve of mine, but I feel like good teachers make sure you are getting the most out of the class.  The best teachers I have had are able to balance showing you the pose in the series to keep the class flowing and making sure everyone has proper positioning. In addition, a gentle push to deepen a pose is often welcomed. However, I know of people who have been injured when they weren't prepared for the teacher assist. 

4 . Realize that yoga is an evolving journey 
I will have an awesome class one day and struggle the next. It is in the difficult classes that I learn the most about my body and myself. Learn to accept the good with the bad...such is life.
 
5. Yoga is more than just the physical workout
Let's be honest, when else do I get 90 minutes to myself! Yoga is wonderful in that it quiets your mind and allows you to focus on one intention.  Best activity for mental health in my opinion. :)
   
Overall, have fun, listen to your body, and respect your limits! Yoga is never about competition with others. It wasn't created to be a sport. No one is staring at your bum or laughing at the fact that you spent the last five minutes in child's pose. To me, it has always been about each individual's personal journey.  My personal journey. 


Disclaimer: I am NOT a certified trainer or yoga instructor. The above are just my personal observations and opinions from my experience. 


Hope you all are having a great week!
-M



Have you tried yoga? Are there any other items you would add to my list?