Jersey Girl

A look inside my fridge...

I returned from an early morning trip to Shop Rite and unloaded, as the rain poured down, making that odd sound on my hallway skylight! I decided that this would be a great opportunity to show my weight loss readers about how I shop, and how I feed all the different nutritional needs of my family, which is no easy task. I have four different people with four different needs and goals in my family, as I am sure you have in yours.

1) The athlete in training.  He consumes vast quantities of calories, and also tends to be a picky eater. This combination is difficult, as he really has to "want" the food, since he could pretty much take or leave food, and will leave it if it is not appetizing. I realize he won't starve. I know that, and I never stressed about the fact that he never ate anything except Gerber's Meat Sticks and formula for the first 2 years of his life. Eventually, he ate...albeit mainly from two food groups, meat and sugar....but he eats. The boy child trains 7 days per week, six of those days are running days. He is trained by the coaches and trainers at the high school, with supportive care from my physical therapist, Kasey. So my role is to provide support and nutrition as he makes his way through the seasons. Any meat I prepare, he will eat (as long as there is no visible fat). I spent my youth dissecting meat and removing all fat and traces therof, so this is no great surprise. DNA results in some unwelcome traits, this being one of them. I stock Nutella (which we put inside a pancake sandwich, or soft whole wheat bread), donuts, brownies, roast beef, turkey sausage, bacon, eggs, protein powder, chocolate whole milk, cheese, pizza rolls, V8....just to begin. I always have junk food in the house for him, as he continuously eats from the moment he arrives home from practice until he goes to sleep at midnight (or later if there is more work than usual).

2) The normal Child....who eats a normal healthy diet, but has a sweet tooth (big surprise living here!). Things will probably change as she makes her way through middle school, as her sports season is starting up again and she has re-started her training again. Again this Spring she will run for the track team, and do the mile. She wants to work hard at this event, as her big brother took the gold medal for the county in the Mile Run last June. She wants it for her age group and I think she can get it of she chooses to focus on this. It's all her choice, until high school, she can do as little or as much as she wants.

3) The Hubby: Junk food lover, health diet eater....he has a great blend of both kids' eating habits. Twice a week he takes the "trough" to work (the huge lunch bag that we affectionate refer to as the trough... with it's click on strap that makes it like a feed bag, lol). We are working on eating leftovers, which he isn't good at. I think his childhood in a house that was very thrifty led him to rebel and refuse leftovers. I'm okay with this because I either eat them myself, or I make just enough not to have leftovers.

4) Me. We've discussed my odd eating habits before, here. Guilty as charged...I have odd eating habits. I eat an extremely limited diet, but I work diligently to make sure I always have the chosen foods in-house.

 

As I unloaded my groceries, I took a few photos to show what I purchase, and how I aim to create a nutritional environment that works for our family. Here is lunch - sardines in water and tomatoes. These were the first decent tomatoes I purchased in months! :) This leads me to show my restocked area of my refrigerator... just for me. The girl child knows to keep her hands off my yogurts & cottage cheese. She is welcome to her own yogurts (on shelf below, not pictured) but mine, not so much!

This pic also shows my absolute favorite drink, Barq's Diet Root Beer. Sigh. Love it so!

The first department I always hit is the fruits and veggies. It also happens to be the department I hit most frequently because I have to replace the fresh stuff a few times per week. It's clear that Campbell's soup doesn't spoil, but I cannot say the same thing for my broccoli crowns. On the counter...

And in the crisper drawer...

 Then comes the top fridge shelf, with milk and other dairy products...

It even includes the leftover light coconut milk from last night's chicken curry. I purchased Martha Stewart's "Everyday Food" cookbook last week, and made her version of the expedited, simple Chicken Curry. Reviews were good. Anyone want the recipe????

Finally, my favorite popcorn (15 calories per cup) was half price at Shop Rite. Can't beat that....

You see the butter dish on the counter in that pic (above)? Before marrying hubby, I had never in my life heard of anyone leaving butter on the counter top, nowhere near the fridge! I learned that midwesterners, frequently those in the northernmost parts of the midwest, do not refrigerate their butter. Seeing that he is almost from Canada, this makes more sense than it does here in the Garden State. But we have been doing this now for almost 20 years, and to my knowledge, no one has been sickened by our softened butter. So score one for the midwesterners! :)

Anyway, tips for this week...for those striving to achieve a fitter lifestyle...and to my Mom's weight loss group (shout-out!)....1) keep up the diligent food records 2) up your exercise, and really sweat. Make the MOST of your exercise time by elevating your level of strenuousness (if it is ok w/ your doctor, that is). You should need a shower every single time you exercise...it's your time, make the most of it. 3) MEAL PLANNING! If you have the foods you need, you won't stray from your plan, or at least you are less likely to stray. If you can have appetizing and satisfying foods ready for the picking, you will go to them first. Set up your lifestyle to make things EASY on you. It's hard enough having to limit what you eat. If it's too hard, you will find yourself more easily going in a nutritional ditch. Plan, plan, shop and then relax and eat!

Happy Monday to all! xoxo

 

It was eighteen degrees, and I was all alone,

in one of my favorite places on earth, my best friend's Vermont house. My family and all of our friends were on the slopes already, and my two non-skiing friends were out for a ladies lunch, sans me. I tied my running shoes, velcroed my ipod armband to my Nike Coldgear jacket and hit the garage door code to shut the door behind me. The air in Manchester, Vermont isn't like Jersey. It's icy, and crisp, and clean without a hint of humidity.

The wind was docile, when I left so the eighteen degrees felt significantly warmer. Rhianna's Shut Up and Drive geared up on my iPod and I began the first leg of my run, the .83 mile run to the end of the private drive...to the road with the big red barn with the wooden peace sign adorning its side. I ran by the creek, beside it and over it. I made a left turn on the rural route 30, which overlooks the creek on the left, and beautiful mountains above that. My nose was running, and I was glad to be wearing the three layers of Nike Coldgear running clothes. I was suddenly warmed from the inside out, listening to Paul Westerberg on my ipod. I was alone, and doing what I loved, in a place I love, which just one year prior, never thought even remotely possible. I made a left turn on Mt. Aeolus Lane, a dirt road with a decomposing abandoned barn on my left. I remembered taking photographs of the kids there, six years before. Then, the roof was piqued, but still intact, and certainly not lying in a heap on top of the barn's front door.

For anyone who would have seen me, I was a normal avid runner (perhaps too avid), in the chilly temperatures, putting in a few miles. To me, I was gripped by the enormity of being able to enjoy something I haven't been able to enjoy for over three years since my hip injury and subsequent botched surgery. I felt as though I was barely touching the icy gravel on Mt. Aeolus Lane, smile on my frozen face. I passed a few horses before turning on the almost mile-long private road leading to the house. I focused on every step, another Westerberg song on, taking in the feeling of being a whole person again, alive. I never thought I would run again. I thought psoas tendonitis would render me completely disabled from an exercise point of view, but thanks to Kasey, the miracle physical therapist, I am once again a whole person.

As I reached the bottom of the driveway, passing their house sign, I climbed the last snow covered yards. I wiped my eyes with my jacket sleeve, and looked down to see water beaded up on the waterproof sleeve. It wasn't every day I had to use my jacket to wipe away tears...I wondered if they were tears of joy, or simply tears from the frosty wind in my eyes. It didn't really matter, I guess.

Busy bee...

A weekend of productive creativity!!! Recently I've really developed an interest in art and design using the union jack, and I took this into the 3D realm (I was using it in graphic arts before, in the 2D world) this past weekend and created this fun pillow...

It looks lop-sided in this pic, but it isn't really so...just a bad cell phone pic.

The back is made of fun rosettes, and is a strange surprise seeing that the front is so serious. So far, people resonding with "is that for the upcoming wedding??" For which I responded "What wedding?" Then after about half a second, I realized they were referring to the Royal Wedding! Well, perhaps subconsciously it was, but I am crediting a few decorating magazines I've spotted this past year with union jack prints or pillows. As I can make both prints AND pillows, I decided to have a crack at it. Fun, fun.

We got more snow last night, and I'm reamarkably resentful about it. Snow ruins my chance of running, as well as my chances of walking to my car without falling. Ugh. Hopefully I can harness the power of teenagers, and get my driveway cleared, as the crown prince scooted outa bed finally at the crack of noon. Ridiculous.

The creative campaign continues, and I am determined to post my recipe for chicken and dumplings, which I made last night for my family and my folks, who came for dinner. We had a lovely dinner, and I even had enough left over for my physical therapist Kasey to have lunch! Last night I also served freshly baked popovers, and included one in Kasey's brown bag as well, which met with rave reviews! As I am gluten free, I cannot eat them, but I do enjoy giving them to others to enjoy.

I used a few receipes as inspiration for my own interpretation of the southern dish, but I'm not sure what it's worth from a northerner without much experience in such dishes, muchless one that is gluten free. LOL, too funny. I think that blows my credentials, but still I think it looks like it would stand up to any southern cook's chicken and dumplings! Just sayin'.

62 degrees, but who's counting...

I have truly gotten an enormous amount of wear from this hat this winter (and last winter also). I wear it even to indoor track meets. I have a non-pompom version for running (will post pix another time) and even another one in cotton for Spring and Fall outdoor running. I get more comments on this hat than any of my others...I realize some people may make comments to get on my good side b/c they think I'm probably crazy for wearing it...so compliments should probably be interpreted with a grain of salt!

Having the camera out on the deck necessitates photos of Cletus. He is, hands down, the most photogenic dog in the entire world. And of course I am so completely unbiased!

I just can't stop...

Truly two of my favorite men! Sigh.

I had all sorts of topics for today. I may get to them after dinner, seeing that I wanted to discuss the importance of whining...but that will have to wait. I'm gearing up for a productive weekend. We re-assembled my studio (photographic) with my myriad of new backdrops. I also am almost caught up with my Lobster Pot orders, and am now presently working on my own food journals for patients that I will make available here. So many have inquired about it, and I have a long history of creating medical forms and templates for doctors and nurses (now used in large hospitals!!) and I figure why can't I help my patients, so they know exactly what information to record and when. I hear downstairs, classic vinyl blasting out of our new sound system. It was a belated birthday gift to hubby, the centralized sound system we had installed a few weeks ago. It is for the first floor & basement (finished)...where we have our home gym and kids hang-out space (sort of all merges into one rectangle)....which includes not only CD changer, iPod/Pad hookups and radio...but also a turntable for dh's collection of vintage vinyl.

I even donated my 80's collection to the mix, so if you ever come over and hear Duran Duran blasting over the speakers in like 8 rooms, you will first say "TURN THAT CRAP OFF," and then think....ahhhh Barbie's records still work!

Structure....bringing it all together

Today I thought to myself. Wednesday. That means taking the big LL Bean monogram canvas tote full of hubby's shirts, and bringing it to the dry cleaner after school drop-off. As I took the same exact route from school to dry cleaner I thought  "gosh, how predictible am I?" I thought about perhaps my life, at times, is like the movie Groundhog Day. I thought about how each time I drop the shirts at the dry cleaner, I then make that quick turn into Shop Right. Then, after a quick shop, it's time to unpack, organize dinner and then have physical therapy. So why am I sharing my boring routine? Because I approach my diet and exercise the way I approach my Wednesday trips to the dry cleaner and Shop Right.

I always know exactly what I am going to eat. From morning (coffee, no breakfast) to lunch (early, half a can of skinless boneless sardines in water, 1/4 cup nonfat cottage cheese, salted tomato slices if we have a fresh one) to afternoon snacks (air popped popcorn) and later, half a Light & Fit yogurt and subsequently dinner...I have a routine. I know where I will be running every single day. If I leave any "ifs" with my exercise, the act of doing it will be called into question. Remember when I spoke of "absolutes" and stone cold rules I do not violate? Well, that is what has led me to have conotrol of my life, weight, fitness, etc. I don't have to make a lot of daily decisions that would call these things into question, because I live my life in structure. Not every moment is structured, and not every day follows the same order of events. In fact, I consider myself in many ways a "fly by the seat of my pants" sorta gal. I don't like to make concrete plans when I don't have to, because I love to wing it...except with my fitness and diet. In those ways, it is groundhog day here 365 days per year.

Why does this help, and how can this help you? If you are trying to lose weight, and think "I can't do it" or "it's too hard" then this is something you have to begin TODAY. Make a list of the rules you  have for yourself...or you want for yourself. Be realistic, but firm.

1) No desserts, no added sugar, no high fructose corn syrup

2) No added carbs, particularly during the day (I get most people want a carb with dinner)

3) Exercise must be daily, in some form, and you have to sweat and really push it. This is non-negotiable. I'm not talking walking either (unless you are incapable of doing something more vigorous...and I mean incapable not thinking you aren't capable...of course make sure you have physician clearance to push it as I am not going to tell someone who could have a heart issue, or some other issue, to do something that isn't healthy).  I run. I love to run. But you know what I love even more? Feeling healthy. Find something vigorous. Push it. Hate it if you wish, but do it. At LEAST 30 minutes. It's a rule here. I can't just say "i don't feel like it" because it's a rule. It's #3!!! :)

4) Food and exercise records (or training journal if you prefer).

This is it for now. If you can just start small, and begin with modest steps, or continue with modest steps, you can see which rules are most important for you, and which are most difficult to maintain, b/c that is probably what is most important.

Other added benefits of structure is that you will begin to find that stuff you used to consider a chore, and hard to integrate into your life, done without even thinking about it. I used to hate going to the dry cleaner and supermarket. Now it just happens, and I always have the foods I want, and hubby has his shirts done. It just works. What do you want to have as your Wednesday? Laundry (if you're like me, every day is laundry day)? Meal planning? Cleaning? I changed a loathesome event into something that helps me set up for the rest of the week. Would it probably be best on Monday? Maybe. But it wasn't working for me, and now it is. On Wednesday.

Anyway, for me today, now that I baked Red Velvet Cupcakes, a batch of brownies (for hubby's office), put up the chicken soup in the impossibly big Le Creuset and had PT...I can now focus on my Lobster Pot orders, working out and further decluttering. I'm started my Spring Cleaning about a week ago, and I can't wait to further my cause. Have a wonderful (and maybe a bit structured) day! And do NOT forget your workout! xoxo

My Valentine's Day, in photos...

I know I've shared this, but I adore Valentine's Day. I think, if I didn't use the USPS so much, it should be a postal holiday...not one for which people go "postal," rather one where it's so grand, even post offices are closed. Okay, maybe not. But still, it was as fabulous a day as I had hoped.

I spent the morning baking cupcakes...

In case you missed one of my January posts, the cupcake papers & further down, the toppers, were from Bake It Pretty, my fave baking supplies site. Then later in the day, drove around like a mad woman trying to get kids to kid places, and adult to adult places. Stops included, but were not limited to Costco, sports, schools, drug stores, supermarkets (ran out of icing...and cold cuts, but not sardines thank goodness!), gas stations, the post office (thankfully it was open, with no thanks to my previous hopes of a Postal Holiday), Neiman Marcus Cafe (would I be a lady who lunches without lunch w/ the ladies?), a return at Nordstrom (see Tory Burch below).... etc. I felt I almost never left the car except for brief interludes at above places....until we arrived at my very favorite restaurant, Nobu, for our Valentine's Day celebration planned exclusively by hubby. Traffic was a beast, but did yield to a remarkable 7 course tasting menu full of sushi, but also some beautiful gifts....

For those of you who don't know, I'm a humongous fan of Kacey K. jewelry. Her monograms are just amazing, and really second to NONE. These babies were on my wishlist, and I am so grateful to be wearing them. I realize that they were not intended to be worn together, but I love em both and cannot choose one of them, so I'm lookin' a bit of a fool wearing not one, but TWO monograms. I think Lily Pullitzer has some sort of rule about this. Luckily, I don't care, and I won't ask. This next photo includes the top to new PJ's, also received for Valentine's Day (Cosabella). LOVE them.

I am so grateful, and thankful to have hubby after all these years...and grateful he still makes a big deal out of one of my favorite holidays. It doesn't seem like almost two decades, but alas, I've been married for almost as long as I was alive before. Wow. I. Was. Young.

And there were more cupcakes..... some for friends, some for family. All for fun! And I realize not much about weight today, except for the fact that I did have the Nobu dessert. First dessert in like literally six months. Wait, more. I think my last dessert was July. It was WORTH IT...and even though it wasn't really sweet, it did not disappoint. Something about riccotta, shaved ice and fruit. Delicious. Now back to straight and narrow. Time to work out, LOL! Just as a side note, I had a most excellent run yesterday, in that beautiful hot weather...downright balmy. It was a total joy, and I ran in just one nike layer instead of like five. Joy. 3 miles, wish I could have gone 10, but the best physical therapist in the entire world said 3. I listened. This time.

I will leave you with my new friend, my Tory Burch sunglasses. Happy Valentine's Day to ME. I had a gift card, now I don't. That's the story and I'm stickin' to it.

I realize my shoes were in focus, and not my glasses, and I think that is the reason I decided to use the photo. It's funny. Damn blackberry camera. By the way, those nike sneakers kick ass.

Have a glorious day everyone. Please tell me about YOUR Valentine's Day. I know at least one of you got a bit of Kacey Love. xoxo

 

What is with me and hats?

So Tracy & I went to Jersey Gardens on the spur of the moment yesterday. Saks was having a BOGO event, which I blogged about probably 2 years ago already, maybe three. Buy one Get One Half Off is a very frustrating predicament. I mean, it's always a huge challenge to find items so close in price, that it makes the discount proportionally best....and all must be purchased in groups of two. What a fiasco. I cannot blog about what I purchased for my hubby for Valentine's Day, as I cannot be assured he won't read this. But suffice it to say that I purchased my son a pair of Joe's Jeans (pearls before swine you may ask??? And I would respond, "probably") which on sale for a tag price of 99 dollars but rung up as 57 dollars. Ugh. This was perhaps the only time that I actually wished they were NOT on sale, LOL.

I purchased this hat for the girl child, but am having a bit of a problem letting this go. I love it. I don't just love it, I adore it. I can't give it up, even though I really don't see wearing it outside of snow days and inside the house. What to do? Me thinks I shal go back to that Jersey Garden's kiosk and purchase another in black - because after all, another color bear hat never hurt anyone!

So yesterday night Tracy & I went to see the documentary, Race to Nowhere at Ridge High School. The upcoming showing at Millburn was sold out, and we had the opportunity to attend so we grabbed it. After an hour of hearing what we already knew (that our kids were overprogrammed, overscheduled & overhomeworked) I left depressed, wondering if there is anything we can do about it? I think the entire school administration here (and everywhere) should view this film, as it acurately represents the feelings of the nation's future movers & shakers. Burnout at fifteen??? I've seen it, and I fear it. I can't even imagine how I would feel by 18, if I did 3 varsity sports per year (as a FRESHMAN) and had at least 6 (at LEAST, not even on a test day) hours of homework per night in an all accelerated schedule. Shudder. I can't imagine, yet my son is living it. No answer I suppose, but wouldn't it be nice if the amount of homework was in line with what would create the best educated student? This movie presented research that showed that what we all felt is true, after 2 hours there is diminishing returns. Deminishing.

Enough soap-boxing. On to lighter topics. Here's my top ten for Thursday...

1) Exercise is key, even when the temperature is 19 degrees. I don't know where or how, but I WILL exercise today.

2) I love diet soda. I know, the new study out that correlates is excessive consumption with heart attack and stroke, but alas I cannot stop this train. It is fueled by Diet Barq's Root Beer & Fresca black cherry. Ugh. Now I will consume it AND feel guilty, b/c it certainly won't stop me from consuming it.

3) The Preppy Handbook is now going to produce a NEW EDITION! Gosh, Muffy, a new book for us!

In 6th grade we went through a phase of using our "Prep" names.... I'm not ashamed to admit mine, Bunny, followed me until mid middle school. I am not entirely sure I shouldn't still use it.

4) Staples rebates - must file those. They're worth a lot, and I am basically letting that ship sail if I don't actually sit down and do this. I know, you don't care.

5) I love skinless/boneless sardines in water. I have blogged about this before, but I will keep saying it until the world eats them for lunch every day like I do. I had one person tell me this past summer, "If that's what it takes to be thin I'm destined to a lifetime of obesity." One of the funnier comments, but I beg to differ. I love 'em.

6) My office remodel/reorganization is going well. All that is left is the organization part, LOL. Oh, that and putting up the wall cabinets/shelves. Finally I can see that I may be able to live in here.

7) I love Vietnamese food. Considering Pho for dinner. I know I'm jumping the gun on dining out, since it is NOT a weekend yet. But the summer rolls beckon. (Picture Homer Simpson saying....uhhhhhh summmmeerrrr rooolllllsssss).

8) Yesterday I shortened some adorable distressed denim from my BOGO event purchases. Gosh I love jeans. I am nothing shot of obsessed with them. I have a very expensive jean habit and I'm not affraid to talk about it. True Religion classic jeans, how I love thee.

9) I love my new design client. She is dynamic, fun & loves design as much as I do. I will be doing a lot of work for her for her upcoming party (from invites, to RSVP cards to faux magazine covers for tables to their sign in board) and I'm so excited about it.

10) Somehow I think I may be turning into my Mother. No joke. I used to look at her chaotic walls with art from floor to ceiling in different mis-matched frames (or lack therof). Now I look up, and see walls full of art and various things....and I LOVE IT. I love the color, the eye candy nature of its placement and most of all, what each individual piece speaks to me. Now, to avoid her signature statments like "see you around like a donut" or "don't take any wooden nickles." I think her statements are safe from my adopting them. I hope.

I am now off to try to get my ass to exercise in sub 20 degree temps. What is the liklihood that it will happen? I would say the attempt is 100%, but seeing it to fruition (3 miles)? Not quite as high.

Tuesday....where did Monday go?

Well the beginning of the week has been a whirlwind, but since when has my life been anything but. I had a dental cleaning this morning, but realized yesterday that the girl child's band concert (read: event created to abuse parents) was at 10 am. I should have just told her I couldn't go, but I had hubby on deck to take over, but really felt bad that he would have to leave work, where he was busy, to attend a useless concernt. I know I sound harsh talking about how kids' band concerts are useless, but in this case it is. She just started Clarinet this past September, and I do not think she will continue this, and really very few of these kids are really musicians, so i just think it's an exercise in futility. It's good if she walks away knowing how to read music, and having some appreciation for it, but I just think the genetic mix of hubby and I did not yield any muscial prodigies. It hurts to admit, seeing I was a talented muscian and spent time at Tanglewood (where I met one of my closest friends to date!!) and Mannes College of Music (pre-college division). However, I know when time spent is wasted time, and realize that the second chromosome had some sort of musical blight on it. I have come to terms.

Yesterday was a big day for the boy child AND the girl child. If this gives you any indiciation...

...it was a good day for him. His combined birthday & report card gift was Verizon's new 3 am offering, the iPhone 4. And to those who ask, "will you go to the dark side?" (i.e. get my own iPhone)....the answer is no. Touch screens = bad. Blackberry Messenger = good. Period.

This past Sunday we attended our usual Super Bowl Party and I brought my amazing yet diet-friendly chili. Not one person knew it was turkey (until I told them). I don't know what the interest is for a receipe, but this was a real winner. For the first year (I've brought this the last 5 years to the same crowd) it was almost gone! I had a HUGE crockpot full, and it was eaten to the bare ceramic bottom! :) I don't cook with recipes most of the time, and just figure it as I go, but I can, if wanted, post another receipe card for this winner!

As for the girl child....

She has, in the past, struggled a bit in math, and she is presently KICKING ASS! For those of you who don't know, our local school system grades on a different scale until middle school. F (fail), P (pass), G (good, probably like a B- or so), VG (B+ or A-), E (A). When a kid who has to work very hard to get this grade finally gets it, it is even SWEETER. The amazing part - she does it all on her own. I don't make practice tests, or hold her hand thu every problem, and I am just as proud that she is a self-starter, as I am that she is an excellent student. Score one for the 2nd child.

I hope those of you who are here for the nutrition/weight loss info, I want to see where you all are. Exercise? Super bowl is NO excuse not to work out. A workhout can be had anywhere, at any time, and should be done even on event-days. I got my run in, in the AM, after starting the chili. Today I saw the temp dropping, like 2 degrees in 20 minutes (no joke) so I raced out and did my 3 miles while I wouldn't lose my fingers to frostbite. I hear the temp is dropping, and will be in the teens after today. Get out while you can.

Food records - DO THEM. This means you. HEAR ME???? One of these days I want to reach out and ask you to post your day's food records. I can then pull some lessons from that and blog about it. I know not many feel comfortable posting comments, since my blog hits are very high, but comment to hit ratio very low....so if you don't feel comfortable, change your name and post. I can only help if I know what your nutritional & metabolic shortfalls are. Any takers?

I'm going to close with a quick story...

Clearly this is a stuffed dog toy chipmunk, but it reminds me of what I'm about to share.... A while before Thanksgiving, I was driving down a local road and saw a chipmunk running in front of my car. I slowed down to let it pass, but it froze in the middle of my lane. I veered off a bit, so I wouldn't catch it with my tire (I couldn't stop b/c there was a car right on my rear bumper). I passed and looked in rear view - no chipmunk so I was very relieved.

Fast forward two days, when I went out for a run, and was at the end of our driveway turning into the street. I see a flattened and rather revolting sight - a squashed chipmunk. Like REALLY squashed. I felt sad, but realized it must have come off my tire at that point, from when I ran it over two days prior. I hate killing ANYTHING, even bugs, so I was pretty bummed. I did my run, went inside, and texted hubby to get rid of the chipmunk when he gets home. He didn't, that day, and it sat there for another 5 days until he got rid of it. I breathed a sign of relief and went on with my life. About a week later, the landscapers came and what blew back on to my driveway's end??? A flat- and now almost dried out chipmunk. Frustrated, I asked hubby again to get rid of it (clearly pusing it into the front plantings didn't work). So two days later he got rid of it..... until it resurfaced on the corner sidewalk, about 30 feet from our driveway. Street cleaners came, thought it was gone. It re-appeared in the middle of our street, 5 yards from our driveway. Big snowstorm. Plows. Shoveling. Finally no chipmunk. Plowing. Another three snow storms. Ice storm. No chipmunk.

Well, I went out for my run yesterday, and what was about 5 yards from my driveway? THE DAMN FREEZE-DRIED FLAT AS A PANCAKE CHIPMUNK. At this point, I don't know what to do, but laugh. It is no longer gross because it's literally like a piece of paper, but it's STILL THERE. Never did I think that day looking back in my rear-view mirror, affraid i may have it hit, that it would STILL Be a part of my daily life months later. It is, and it continues to be. Ugh.

What a long week it's been...

Finally Friday is upon us, and I am pretty pleased at the notion that I may be able to find some "me time" this weekend. That of course, is subject to cancellation at any moment. Highlights of this week:

1) Getting up at 3 am to get the boy child's iphone from Verizon. Because this was a limited sale for prior customers (I signed up to receive the information when Verizon announced it), I wanted to make sure there were some left by the time I logged in. My son's phone has been on deaths door for more than a month, so this comes in handy seeing that this is his Birthday and report card gift all at once. Doing well in High School while training non-stop for cross country & track is no small feat...so I am more than happy to give him the phone he wants. Whew! Glad the 3 am alarm is done for (for now).

2) An "ice day" on Wednesday. It sorta threw off the whole week, but we had yet another day off school because of the ice storm. Granted, it was pretty trecherous out, and I didn't want to leave the house anyway!

3) Completing the prints (artwork finally done) for my new store launch (online, not brick & mortar store). I wanted to launch today, but sadly I had to put it off until I could get the photos of the framed art taken & processed for the store. My new goal, Tuesday morning.

4) Exercising again, even though (I just returned from my truncated run) I don't anticipate I will be back on the roads for a few days to let the hip flexors relax.

5) Getting to IKEA to find that the frames I need for the photography session for my new store are HALF PRICE!

6) Making heart shaped pancakes with my Williams Sonoma pancake molds. And making a sandwdich with two heart pancakes with nutella in between (lots of it) for the boy child runner.

By the way, THIS is a must have....

 7) Purchased ingredients for Super Bowl Chili, including fat free greek yogurt for those diners that will be nutrition-conscious (READ: ME!). I do substitute it for sour cream in receipes and in dips.

8) Got my grandmother's granny square afghan out of hiding and in use. It is so colorful, it makes me happy just looking at it!

Anyway, time to work on my store, hoping to launch Monday. The icy rain will most likely make running today impossible, but time will tell. Remember...for those who follow my weight loss challenge - keep food records, and don't let a day go by without exercise. xoxo

Black Bean Chowder, the recipe

As promised, here's the recipe. I want to credit the backbone of the recipe to this one I found on one of my favorite fabric arts blog, Posie Gets Cozy. I changed it substantially, because I decided to make it sans meat, and I wanted to add some other spices, types of veggies (vidalia onions instead of yellow and change to zucchini & add peas, minus the corn) and different beans. Anyway, here it is!

Download Blackbeanrecipe

Hope you like this as much as we did! xoxo