...never survive the first encounter!
My menu (dinner meals): original - what happened
Monday: pasta and maranara - check!
Tuesday: tacos - did't happen, ended up going caving and eating two wonderful meals at a friend's parent's house (not out to eat, good!)
Wednesday: short ribs and egg noodles plus veg - we'll see, but as I have a 5:30 appointment 30 minutes from my house and these take 3 hours in the slow cooker....I'm thinking we'll adjust to leftovers or frozen pizza
Thursday: leftovers plus apps at New Year's parties - if we eat the leftovers tonight, we'll do the tacos tomorrow so we're full enough we don't gorge on apps
Friday: Chicken pizza - NEW RECIPE! - I have off, this should happen
Saturday: Pot roast & fixins' w/ homemade bread and homemade ice cream for dessert
Sunday: Spiced pork loin w/ peach sauce - NEW RECIPE! (also a starch and veg)
Friday - Sunday breakfast/lunch meals w/ be eggs and toast or french toast or pancakes. Generally make one meal at brunch and then have dinner.
I think I need to work on eating more fish and turkey and lean meat.... I have a fish cookbook...some of those 52 new recipes are going to be fishy!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Almost the end of the decade...
We are less than a week to the end of 2009, and the first decade of the 2000 era. Hrm. Makes a person think, doesn't it? In my own personal little history, it makes me reflect on the first almost three decades of my life. All doldrums aside....it's been a pretty good first 1/3 of my life.
But, as it's also almost new year's eve, I got to thinking about resolutions, and hopes for 2010. I do have a few resolutions:
Landscaping the front yard. I really, really hate that very small rock. It will take some time, some preplanning before spring, and some muscle to get rid of it, but I want to at least make a DENT this spring/summer/fall. Along with that I'd like to reclaim my grass from the weeds that are my lawn, and make sure my garden(s) flourish again this year!
Eating better...sigh. Part of getting fit, but hard to do with limited time. So, this year I will find the time to make dinner. I started this week. Today I made a menu for the week. Tomorrow I will go shopping for things I need for the rest of the week. This week's new recipe: Spiced pork loin w/ peaches. The rest of the week has recipes to use up what is in the cabinets and offset w/ some other things.
Last year I resolved to eat more ice cream. I failed miserably! I didn't eat more, I barely ate any! But, there is hope! For my birthday this year I have been given an ice cream maker as a present, and so far I have made two batches ice cream. This bodes well for next year's resolution... Make and Eat more ice cream!
ANd now, I have been up way to long, have to go to work tomorrow after a week off, it's time to go to bed.
But, as it's also almost new year's eve, I got to thinking about resolutions, and hopes for 2010. I do have a few resolutions:
- Get Fit.
- Landscape my front yard a bit more to my liking.
- Eat healthier by cooking more at home, specifically try one brand new recipe a week for 52 weeks.
- MAKE, and eat more ice cream.
Landscaping the front yard. I really, really hate that very small rock. It will take some time, some preplanning before spring, and some muscle to get rid of it, but I want to at least make a DENT this spring/summer/fall. Along with that I'd like to reclaim my grass from the weeds that are my lawn, and make sure my garden(s) flourish again this year!
Eating better...sigh. Part of getting fit, but hard to do with limited time. So, this year I will find the time to make dinner. I started this week. Today I made a menu for the week. Tomorrow I will go shopping for things I need for the rest of the week. This week's new recipe: Spiced pork loin w/ peaches. The rest of the week has recipes to use up what is in the cabinets and offset w/ some other things.
Last year I resolved to eat more ice cream. I failed miserably! I didn't eat more, I barely ate any! But, there is hope! For my birthday this year I have been given an ice cream maker as a present, and so far I have made two batches ice cream. This bodes well for next year's resolution... Make and Eat more ice cream!
ANd now, I have been up way to long, have to go to work tomorrow after a week off, it's time to go to bed.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Tis the Season!
Tis the season of Christmas, and I find myself with an over-abundance of holiday cheer. I very much desire a Christmas tree, decorations about the house, warm cookies and hot cocoa. Yes, today I officially began 'hot cocoa' season with a lovely cup whilst at work. Today is <20 F our, and tomorrow and Wednesday we are expecting snow. A true early winter blizzard and walloping, if one believed CNN, which I don't. After all, CNN has become a sensationalist news entertainment channel/website/organization anyway. I don't doubt some areas will have a nice blizzard though, and I certainly wouldn't mind the beginning of snow season.
Tomorrow, hopefully before the snow flies, the Window Guys will be coming to finish the install of our front window (read fixing a factory oops), and installing two others. I certainly hope they finish the front window tomorrow, because then I can pick out a christmas tree and make w/ the decorating!
I am trying to decide what has caused this plethora of good cheer and good will towards my fellow man (most of them, anway). I think part of it has to do with finishing my CIH exam, but also, I think I'm just due for a non-bah, humbug type of year.
Tomorrow, hopefully before the snow flies, the Window Guys will be coming to finish the install of our front window (read fixing a factory oops), and installing two others. I certainly hope they finish the front window tomorrow, because then I can pick out a christmas tree and make w/ the decorating!
I am trying to decide what has caused this plethora of good cheer and good will towards my fellow man (most of them, anway). I think part of it has to do with finishing my CIH exam, but also, I think I'm just due for a non-bah, humbug type of year.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Studying Marathon Complete
I have completed my studying marathon. My test has been taking, preliminary results show I have passed. Sunday I didn't know what to do! It was time to study, but there was no need! I could have read a book, but that was like studying - even a fun book...it was just to soon. (don't worry, I'm over that now).
I didn't clean, I didn't do work; I played a video game and watched football. Yup. I was a lazy bum. I did go to the climbing gym and climb the walls for a few hours. My hands and arms are now very sore. But work? Nope. I don't get another day like that until....Christmas break? Don't know. Felt weird, but good all the same.
This week is grind week at work, and I have to start pulling my house back into some semblance of order. We're hosting Thanksgiving, so must to have the house and foods ready to go! Gives me something to work towards...though at least I don't need to be staying at work an extra hour every day and studying all weekend anymore.
I didn't clean, I didn't do work; I played a video game and watched football. Yup. I was a lazy bum. I did go to the climbing gym and climb the walls for a few hours. My hands and arms are now very sore. But work? Nope. I don't get another day like that until....Christmas break? Don't know. Felt weird, but good all the same.
This week is grind week at work, and I have to start pulling my house back into some semblance of order. We're hosting Thanksgiving, so must to have the house and foods ready to go! Gives me something to work towards...though at least I don't need to be staying at work an extra hour every day and studying all weekend anymore.
Monday, November 09, 2009
A marathon of a different sort
I haven't posted in a while. This is not because I didn't want to, but rather because most non-work moments for the last month have been occupied with studying.
Later this month - no, I will not tell you when, though you might already know, I will be undertaking a marathon of a different sort...the CIH exam. The CIH exam (Certified Industrial Hygienist) is like the PE exam for engineers....8 hour test, lots of material covered, you are never really ready for it...etc.
So, this last month I have studied and studied. I didn't study well the first part. In fact, my studying was poor. But I have buckled down. Tonight I took a practice exam and (though these mean nothing) squeeked by (aka passed). Does this mean I'll pass the 'real' exam? Heavens no! I have to get much better on some of my subjects. It did give me an idea on what i need to focus on for the remainder of my study period, however.
So, back I go to studying. 30 more minutes or so. Then to bed, then another day at work, then to studying again! I am at that point where I do not wish to study any more, but yet I have to. I'm to that point of my marathon where only my willpower is keeping me going. Soon, soon it will be over, but not yet. Right now, I have to stay the course.
I will be So Very Glad when this is over.
Later this month - no, I will not tell you when, though you might already know, I will be undertaking a marathon of a different sort...the CIH exam. The CIH exam (Certified Industrial Hygienist) is like the PE exam for engineers....8 hour test, lots of material covered, you are never really ready for it...etc.
So, this last month I have studied and studied. I didn't study well the first part. In fact, my studying was poor. But I have buckled down. Tonight I took a practice exam and (though these mean nothing) squeeked by (aka passed). Does this mean I'll pass the 'real' exam? Heavens no! I have to get much better on some of my subjects. It did give me an idea on what i need to focus on for the remainder of my study period, however.
So, back I go to studying. 30 more minutes or so. Then to bed, then another day at work, then to studying again! I am at that point where I do not wish to study any more, but yet I have to. I'm to that point of my marathon where only my willpower is keeping me going. Soon, soon it will be over, but not yet. Right now, I have to stay the course.
I will be So Very Glad when this is over.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
What comes next?
Softball season is over, so is (for the most part) golf season. I'm sure we'll hit the links yet this fall once or twice, but it won't be every week. The Rollerblade Marathon is over, and the leaves are starting to fall, making outdoor rollerblading dangerous. Soon we'll be able to blade in the metrodome, but not yet.
So - what now? I haven't been going to the Y with the frequency I desire. Tonight I can't as I have plans, but tomorrow is a new day (and a new month - eep!) and I will get back into that.
What are my goals?
1. I still need to work on the mass issues. I have plateaued, and not at the mass I desired to maintain constant at. The good news is I haven't regained that awful, horrid, high mass I started with. The bad news, I'm only halfway to where I want to be. To address this I have taken a look at my eating habits, and discovered alarming trends. I am working on fixing those. The problem is I don't want to. I like the convenience of eating out. I like the food I eat when I eat out. I like it so much I do it too often. This adds useless calories. Solution: Eat at home more! Succinct goal: Lose 10 lbs by end of calendar year.
2. I need to maintain my exercise routine now that I do not have my sports to fall back on as exercise points. I am not in any organized sports from now until...?? who knows. Solution: I have a Y pass, and there are plenty of things to do at the Y. Succinct goal: Go to the Y 3 times per week from now until the end of the calendar year.
3. I am feeling more stressed out than I have in a while. I try not to talk about it, but there it is. I have increased job responsibilities (this is a good thing, but causes more work). I have a professional certification I'm studying for in mid Nov., and my house is not in the order that I would like it to be. I also have a lot of 'outdoors' things I would love to get done, but thinking about them adds to the stress level because I don't know when I'll have time for them. Solution: Trickier, this solution, because there are things I'm not willing to do. In summer, for example, I wasn't willing to give up softball or golf. Also there are things I can't do. My job responsibilities are my job responsibilities. They are not 'too much', but I do need to learn to time manage better. There are also things I have to do. I have to study for this exam (and part of the stress is that I need to study more than I am). So, solutions include better time management, making lists and sticking to them, prioritizing, and making sure I do take "me" time, even if it feels like I don't have time for it. Succinct Goal: (again, tricky) Create a sustainable scheme for time management that I will stick to that will help lower stress levels and that includes 'me' time and maintain it through end of year. Secondary: Learn to say no and not feel guilty (or as guilty).
I think three goals is enough. More than enough or I'm going to make #3 worse, not better. So Erin - I will be joining you at that Y more often. Katie, Jenni, Jenny, Chris and anyone else who has to study or desires to do a group study session, or work on quite work or read a book - let's set some up! Meet at a coffee house, we all study and help each other stay on track. Don't feel bad if I say no to socializing, at least through my test date. If I feel working on studying or one of my other goals will help lower stress, I will say no to a big social event, but I will explain why. I also hope that after my exam (hopefully a successful exam) I will have less stress and will be better at prioritizing the things I have to do so I have more 'me and friend' time too.
So - what now? I haven't been going to the Y with the frequency I desire. Tonight I can't as I have plans, but tomorrow is a new day (and a new month - eep!) and I will get back into that.
What are my goals?
1. I still need to work on the mass issues. I have plateaued, and not at the mass I desired to maintain constant at. The good news is I haven't regained that awful, horrid, high mass I started with. The bad news, I'm only halfway to where I want to be. To address this I have taken a look at my eating habits, and discovered alarming trends. I am working on fixing those. The problem is I don't want to. I like the convenience of eating out. I like the food I eat when I eat out. I like it so much I do it too often. This adds useless calories. Solution: Eat at home more! Succinct goal: Lose 10 lbs by end of calendar year.
2. I need to maintain my exercise routine now that I do not have my sports to fall back on as exercise points. I am not in any organized sports from now until...?? who knows. Solution: I have a Y pass, and there are plenty of things to do at the Y. Succinct goal: Go to the Y 3 times per week from now until the end of the calendar year.
3. I am feeling more stressed out than I have in a while. I try not to talk about it, but there it is. I have increased job responsibilities (this is a good thing, but causes more work). I have a professional certification I'm studying for in mid Nov., and my house is not in the order that I would like it to be. I also have a lot of 'outdoors' things I would love to get done, but thinking about them adds to the stress level because I don't know when I'll have time for them. Solution: Trickier, this solution, because there are things I'm not willing to do. In summer, for example, I wasn't willing to give up softball or golf. Also there are things I can't do. My job responsibilities are my job responsibilities. They are not 'too much', but I do need to learn to time manage better. There are also things I have to do. I have to study for this exam (and part of the stress is that I need to study more than I am). So, solutions include better time management, making lists and sticking to them, prioritizing, and making sure I do take "me" time, even if it feels like I don't have time for it. Succinct Goal: (again, tricky) Create a sustainable scheme for time management that I will stick to that will help lower stress levels and that includes 'me' time and maintain it through end of year. Secondary: Learn to say no and not feel guilty (or as guilty).
I think three goals is enough. More than enough or I'm going to make #3 worse, not better. So Erin - I will be joining you at that Y more often. Katie, Jenni, Jenny, Chris and anyone else who has to study or desires to do a group study session, or work on quite work or read a book - let's set some up! Meet at a coffee house, we all study and help each other stay on track. Don't feel bad if I say no to socializing, at least through my test date. If I feel working on studying or one of my other goals will help lower stress, I will say no to a big social event, but I will explain why. I also hope that after my exam (hopefully a successful exam) I will have less stress and will be better at prioritizing the things I have to do so I have more 'me and friend' time too.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Race Complete
I have finished my rollerblade marathon in one piece. This is a good thing, as the last time I did it I cracked a tailbone and injured both my elbows bloody! I finished in 2 minutes slower than the last time (4 years ago, and I was 4 years younger and skating 3 times a week!) 1:49:21. This is not too bad, but I can do better!
There is a rollerblade marathon in Baxter, MN June 12, 2010 that I am considering! Also the Dome marathon, but I think I'd do the half for that, b/c it's hard going in circles that long! Next year the NSIM is on the day after our golf banquet. Selfishly I'd like to move it back a week (the banquet) so I can skate the race. We'll have to see.
Today I'm not too sore, but I am sick. I don't know why, but i seem to have a very sore throat, and also some tummy ailments. I'll finish my work and then take some sick time....if I have time!
There is a rollerblade marathon in Baxter, MN June 12, 2010 that I am considering! Also the Dome marathon, but I think I'd do the half for that, b/c it's hard going in circles that long! Next year the NSIM is on the day after our golf banquet. Selfishly I'd like to move it back a week (the banquet) so I can skate the race. We'll have to see.
Today I'm not too sore, but I am sick. I don't know why, but i seem to have a very sore throat, and also some tummy ailments. I'll finish my work and then take some sick time....if I have time!
