Goodbye to a memory

While cleaning my room this weekend, I found my special pencil cup was broken. I had to take pictures before I could throw it away....

By popular demand

So to answer Just Jenn’s question, “Who are you?” I have been running (yes running) at least two to three times a week for the past month. I also lift weights with a trainer at least one day a week and do Zumba another day. After the Mud Run, I will be able to go back to my Body Pump class too that I really like. So with all of these exercising, I still have free time here. Working only 40 hours a week, plus my 5 minute commute really has changed my lifestyle! Since January, I have really tried to make an effort to eat at home for lunch and dinner as often as possible. For someone who used to only keep frozen dinners at home because everything else would go bad before I got around to eating it, this is a big change. I have really always like to cook, just not to do dishes, or eat the same thing four days in a row. I have found now that eating the same thing isn’t that bad as there are less dishes to do and prep time for lunch is easy. So I cook lunch and dinner on Sundays now. I also am trying to eat less cheese, meat, and bad carbs, but add more veggies. So if anyone has more recipes I would love to try them! (Oh, but without kale, I have tried to like it but just can’t do it). And yes I am even trying to eat new things... such as avocados and even tomatoes (well as long as they are very tiny and not fresh!) Some of my recipes are from magazines and a couple of books, but most are from the internet. I just search for an ingredient (such as edamame) that I am looking to make a meal with and try that. Or I search for vegetarian meals. Here are the recipes for the previous post...

Black Bean Burger: http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/homemade-black-bean-veggie-burgers/Detail.aspx (I really like these for lunch, but I still haven’t found the exact consistency to keep them from crumbling too much) Today I used less egg (well I use egg whites anyways) and a little more whole wheat panko and that worked better.

Homemade Chipotle Mayo: 3 to 1 ratio of fat free sour cream to fat free mayo, add chopped/minced/food processed chipotle peppers in adobe sauce to taste (beware they are hot)

Egyptian Edamame Stew: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/egyptian_edamame_stew.html This recipe was okay, a little too tomatoey for my taste, but good flavor other than that. Also good over plain couscous.

Mayan Couscous: http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/mayan-couscous/Detail.aspx (Really yummy, but I would only use 2/3c couscous)

Modern Succotash: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/edamame_succotash_with_shrimp.html (I ate this for dinner one week without the shrimp, really simple, reheats well. Did eat over salmon one night, also very good)

Peppered Pork Tenderloin: This was really easy, I just bought the pre-seasoned tenderloin and stuck it on the oven! Way too much meat for me though, ended up giving some to people at work.

Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpeas, & Olives: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001963972 (This was very good too, but mainly because I really like all three of those things. It was a little dry though so maybe a tad more oil than called for)

Turkey Chili: this was from a checkout aisle cooking light guide (bad impulse buy). Really basic chili, not enough flavor. I much prefer mom’s version with the mac n cheese!

Happy cooking...

Food in Pictures

My Valentine's Day present to myself...

Black Bean Burger w/Homemade Chipotle Mayo and Avocado

Egyptian Edamame Stew

Mayan Couscous

Modern Succotash

Peppered Pork Tenderloin w/ Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpeas, & Olives

Turkey Chili (Sorry about the view...)

Please...

Every year the Greater Columbia Marine Foundation hosts the largest Mud Run in North America. The race attracts thousands of people from all over the Southeast and beyond. The USMC Ultimate Challenge Mud Run is over 4.5 miles, and has 32 obstacles that have to be crossed by each team requiring team work and a lot of determination. The 4.5-mile course is an all-terrain race conducted on dirt roads, improved and unimproved trails through the training area. These trails include mud holes, walls, trenches and other obstacles that require swimming, crawling, climbing and jumping. Some people come to compete, but many come just to complete!

Sounds a little crazy to me, but yes I have been talked in to joining a team. Please check out my fundraising page and if you can donate, even one dollar helps! And check out the website for pictures of the race. Then you will know how crazy I really am!

And thanks to M&D for helping out already!

My Fundraising Page

Advice Please

Mac or PC? I am looking for a new laptop... no idea where to start! I want something small and light weight, fast, less prone to viruses, good for pictures, music, and internet... I really thought I wanted a Mac this time, but I am not really sure. And as for specs, memory, processor, etc. I have no idea. So please weigh in and then I can blog more when I have a new computer!!!!

More days off please...

Everyone on FB kept commenting on how bored they were after two snow days, but I found plenty to do... a little fitness (or just fun). Tried a new recipe: Chopped Veggie Salad with Lemon-Cumin Vinaigrette

Watched a movie (well this was just one of several we watched).

And what day at home would be complete without a puzzle.

I also made pickles Tuan style, but after eating some, decided to try frying the rest. Very good!

Too bad I had to go back to work today. There was so much more to do!

Snow Day

No work today! Lots of snow... and still coming down right now. Pretty, but very cold for us southerners!Moxie did not want to have any part of the snow. I had to drag her outside to take a picture.

Yes, these are on FB, but posted just for Momsie!