Instant gratification
Don’t you hate it when you eat well, exercise regularly, and the scale doesn’t move???? Yeah, me too!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
What’s going on
The scale is bouncing up and down. I am still struggling with stress eating. I’ve just been feeling overwhelmed lately, but if you asked me why I couldn’t give you any rational answer! I’m working on that bit….
In the meantime, exercise is going great! I am walking 2 miles in the morning, and doing my kettlebells. Right now I am doing 3 work sets with the 18 pound bell – my goal is 5 work sets with the 26 pound bell. So I’m making progress! More importantly, I’m remembering how fun, quick, and easy kettlebell workouts are!
The guest room is back to being a guest room. The boy’s friend is back at home on a permanent basis, and seems to have severed his friendship with our son. We have no idea what happened. This gives me a quiet place to work out in the mornings, which is nice.
We are headed up to Virginia to move my MIL this weekend. As expected, things blew up where she was living (she really couldn’t afford the place to begin with and the landlord had gotten overextended and was trying to squeeze her for money, not to mention both the landlord and the tenant were making outrageous demands in terms of doing errands etc.).
She will be staying with my mom until an apartment becomes available. Last we heard she was number 7 on the wait list. Because the rent is based on income, it will be affordable and it isn’t conditional on a job, so hopefully this will work out.
The boy does seem to be doing better in school. We signed him up to repeat Spanish – he’s passing but I think 2nd year would be too much as he really hasn’t mastered the basics.
We are down to 4 dogs, the hub remains (knock on wood) employed, I have a job, we have a house, we are healthy.
Part of my stress was coughing up $1400 to make plumbing repairs and that meant no hardwood floors. Since I have pet allergies, that was a real blow for me. And I guess I haven’t really found my focus work-wise for the year.
My big thing I guess is that the past few times I’ve checked it, my blood pressure has been elevated. I have an appointment with my doctor in April – I hope a good diet and regular exercise will remedy the situation, but I admit it has me worried.
The scale is bouncing up and down. I am still struggling with stress eating. I’ve just been feeling overwhelmed lately, but if you asked me why I couldn’t give you any rational answer! I’m working on that bit….
In the meantime, exercise is going great! I am walking 2 miles in the morning, and doing my kettlebells. Right now I am doing 3 work sets with the 18 pound bell – my goal is 5 work sets with the 26 pound bell. So I’m making progress! More importantly, I’m remembering how fun, quick, and easy kettlebell workouts are!
The guest room is back to being a guest room. The boy’s friend is back at home on a permanent basis, and seems to have severed his friendship with our son. We have no idea what happened. This gives me a quiet place to work out in the mornings, which is nice.
We are headed up to Virginia to move my MIL this weekend. As expected, things blew up where she was living (she really couldn’t afford the place to begin with and the landlord had gotten overextended and was trying to squeeze her for money, not to mention both the landlord and the tenant were making outrageous demands in terms of doing errands etc.).
She will be staying with my mom until an apartment becomes available. Last we heard she was number 7 on the wait list. Because the rent is based on income, it will be affordable and it isn’t conditional on a job, so hopefully this will work out.
The boy does seem to be doing better in school. We signed him up to repeat Spanish – he’s passing but I think 2nd year would be too much as he really hasn’t mastered the basics.
We are down to 4 dogs, the hub remains (knock on wood) employed, I have a job, we have a house, we are healthy.
Part of my stress was coughing up $1400 to make plumbing repairs and that meant no hardwood floors. Since I have pet allergies, that was a real blow for me. And I guess I haven’t really found my focus work-wise for the year.
My big thing I guess is that the past few times I’ve checked it, my blood pressure has been elevated. I have an appointment with my doctor in April – I hope a good diet and regular exercise will remedy the situation, but I admit it has me worried.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Cheesy and new-agey?
First off, the weather here continues to be cold! I feel like it's never gonna warm up! I've been faithful about doing my kettlebells at home, and I still want to try the class at the gym - just the darn weather has kept me from getting there! SOS (sick of snow).
I have decided to print out pictures that fit with my vision of how I'd like my life to be. My health coach (the first one, not the one I'm going to now who is actaully here in the office rather than over the phone) asked me to make a vision statement, but this is one of those instances where pictures are far more powerful IMO.
I'm looking for pics, and then I'll print them out, make a collage, and hang them in my room. The pic at the top of the post is a favorite because it's about peace, nature, fitness.... so many things!
Anyhow, things are going okay!
Another big new thing is that the boy has to do 15 hours of community service for one of his classes. We are going to volunteer together at the Human Society. I've been wanting to do something like this for a while and I am very excited - this is just the push I needed to act on my intention.
Moving us to local sources of food (esp. animal products) is going well and gives me a good feeling.
Anyway, things are going along!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
We'll just look at the sun & pretend it's spring!
Yesterday as I left work, I heard the sound of rushing water. You know - like a river of large waterfall. It was, in fact, the wind in the trees. It was so windy all the flags were taken down at office buildings.
But it was sunny! And this morning was lovely, even if it was butt ass cold. So I am going to pretend it's spring.
This morning I got up and swung my kettlebell & did some push-ups. Not a lot, just enough to get my body used to it again. I remember now how hot I get doing the k-bell - I went & stood outside to cook down!
I've lost one of those 5 pounds I gained in January, so I am headed in the right direction.
Progress.
Yesterday as I left work, I heard the sound of rushing water. You know - like a river of large waterfall. It was, in fact, the wind in the trees. It was so windy all the flags were taken down at office buildings.
But it was sunny! And this morning was lovely, even if it was butt ass cold. So I am going to pretend it's spring.
This morning I got up and swung my kettlebell & did some push-ups. Not a lot, just enough to get my body used to it again. I remember now how hot I get doing the k-bell - I went & stood outside to cook down!
I've lost one of those 5 pounds I gained in January, so I am headed in the right direction.
Progress.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The sun will come out, today!
The sun is out! It's horribly cold and we're supposed to be getting tropical storm force winds today, but at least it LOOKS nice.
I got up this morning, swung my kettlebell (just the light one is in use these days), and then did some warm-up stretching and a few weights with Gilad. I don't want to overdo it with the k-bell - a little goes a long way!
Weight is drifting back downward, I am doing a bit of the hold white knuckling after dinner (and drinking no-alcohol beer), but I am beginning to feel better.
There was a step class at the gym last night, but the very thought... ugh. The going back out, the going to a class, just ugh. I do want to start back going after work and using the elliptical with my Cardio Coach. That is fun.
The sun is out! It's horribly cold and we're supposed to be getting tropical storm force winds today, but at least it LOOKS nice.
I got up this morning, swung my kettlebell (just the light one is in use these days), and then did some warm-up stretching and a few weights with Gilad. I don't want to overdo it with the k-bell - a little goes a long way!
Weight is drifting back downward, I am doing a bit of the hold white knuckling after dinner (and drinking no-alcohol beer), but I am beginning to feel better.
There was a step class at the gym last night, but the very thought... ugh. The going back out, the going to a class, just ugh. I do want to start back going after work and using the elliptical with my Cardio Coach. That is fun.
Monday, February 08, 2010
State of the eating
I have been making condiments. Many commercial ones are just plain full of junk. So far I’ve had very good success with ranch and French salad dressings, as well as bbq sauce.
My next attempts will be mayo, ketchup, and sour cream.
My mom went for her check-up and the doctor upped her cholesterol medicine. She’s ready to get serious about cleaning up her diet, which helps since hub and I want to do so as well. She is going to cook more with me and when I make stuff like condiments, she can take some home.
We are working to eliminate/severely limit animal products in our diet, stuff like high fructose corn syrup, etc. We’ve agreed that animal products will be purchased from local farmers only. We are lucky that we can do that. Yes, it’s more expensive, but we can be sure we are getting quality stuff (and our dollars are staying closer to home). I know quality products are produced elsewhere, but it’s easier to be assured of what you’re buying when you can stand there and speak with the person that has raised what you are about to eat.
So, more cooking, but I think the payoff is worth the effort.
It’s been a very stressful week and we had more snow, so exercise has been tough. I’m so ready for spring!
I have been making condiments. Many commercial ones are just plain full of junk. So far I’ve had very good success with ranch and French salad dressings, as well as bbq sauce.
My next attempts will be mayo, ketchup, and sour cream.
My mom went for her check-up and the doctor upped her cholesterol medicine. She’s ready to get serious about cleaning up her diet, which helps since hub and I want to do so as well. She is going to cook more with me and when I make stuff like condiments, she can take some home.
We are working to eliminate/severely limit animal products in our diet, stuff like high fructose corn syrup, etc. We’ve agreed that animal products will be purchased from local farmers only. We are lucky that we can do that. Yes, it’s more expensive, but we can be sure we are getting quality stuff (and our dollars are staying closer to home). I know quality products are produced elsewhere, but it’s easier to be assured of what you’re buying when you can stand there and speak with the person that has raised what you are about to eat.
So, more cooking, but I think the payoff is worth the effort.
It’s been a very stressful week and we had more snow, so exercise has been tough. I’m so ready for spring!
Spring cleaning in the dead of winter
Upcoming weekend guests were just the impetus we needed to get our butts in gear and spend the weekend doing a good old fashioned “spring cleaning”!
For one, the boy’s friend Tim spent all of Christmas break at our house but hasn’t been there but one or 2 nights since. (My theory: either other family members or folks from their church wondered why they didn’t have their child with them for Christmas so they decided to start acting like parents again. After the holidays they had a group of elders come over from their church to stage an “intervention” for Tim’s behavior. Without going into all the Jerry Springer-esque details, let me just say that people like that give Christianity a bad rep.)
ANYWAY. Our guest room looked like a teenage wasteland and my craft closet had become a scary, scary place. I emptied the closet, sorted all my fabric and craft stuff, and put it away in appropriately sized clear rubbermaid tubs that have content labels.
The entire house is deep dusted, vacuumed, air filters changed, 2 loads of stuff sent to Goodwill, and the boy even got in the act and worked on his room! He really likes the shelving system hub built in the guest closet, so I think they’re going to put something similar in his.
Even though I’m neither dirty nor a slob, the place just feels fresher.
I sincerely hope that we don’t get ice tomorrow. Really. Also, my backyard looks like some sort of motocross mud track of doom.
Upcoming weekend guests were just the impetus we needed to get our butts in gear and spend the weekend doing a good old fashioned “spring cleaning”!
For one, the boy’s friend Tim spent all of Christmas break at our house but hasn’t been there but one or 2 nights since. (My theory: either other family members or folks from their church wondered why they didn’t have their child with them for Christmas so they decided to start acting like parents again. After the holidays they had a group of elders come over from their church to stage an “intervention” for Tim’s behavior. Without going into all the Jerry Springer-esque details, let me just say that people like that give Christianity a bad rep.)
ANYWAY. Our guest room looked like a teenage wasteland and my craft closet had become a scary, scary place. I emptied the closet, sorted all my fabric and craft stuff, and put it away in appropriately sized clear rubbermaid tubs that have content labels.
The entire house is deep dusted, vacuumed, air filters changed, 2 loads of stuff sent to Goodwill, and the boy even got in the act and worked on his room! He really likes the shelving system hub built in the guest closet, so I think they’re going to put something similar in his.
Even though I’m neither dirty nor a slob, the place just feels fresher.
I sincerely hope that we don’t get ice tomorrow. Really. Also, my backyard looks like some sort of motocross mud track of doom.
Friday, February 05, 2010
For now, just a recipe
Jigae my way
Jigae was probably invented by poor folk as a way to use up leftover bits of whatever and finish off the kim chi that had gotten too “stinky” (fermented) to be considered tasty. So you can be creative! Warning: we like stuff pretty hot. This is milder than it would be if served in a Korean’s home, but still pretty hot!
Ingredients:
A glug of sesame oil
1 lb meat (optional) Many recipes call for pork – use a blade roast or something with a bit of fat. But you can use seafood or whatever, or leave it out!
8 oz tofu, diced
Small onion, halved and sliced thin
4 green onions
4 c kim chi (you can use fresh, but in this recipe, older is better!)
5-6 cloves garlic
1 tsp powdered ginger
2 T rice wine (buy at the Korean store where it’s not crazy expensive!), or just use regular white wine
2 T gochujang (Korean chili paste)
1 T miso or stock base – I use a little of each
2 T gochugaru (Korean dried chili flakes)
Dash of soy sauce
2-3 cups water & kim chi juice (try to get about ½ c juice, but it’s not necessary)
Rice cake noodles – I use about 1/3 of a 1.7 lb bag.
Directions:
Heat a cast iron pot until hot, then add the oil, meat, and sliced onion. Allow some of the fat to render, then add the kim chi and garlic.
Saute until the mixture is very fragrant, then add the kimchi juice, water, ginger, cooking wine, gochujang, miso (or stock base) and soy sauce, stirring everything together to combine.
Bring to a boil and add the gochugaru. Then add the tofu, turn down the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the meat and kimchi are tender.
Stir in the rice cake noodles – these cook very fast – just a couple of minutes.
Lastly, stir in the green onions. Put a trivet on the table and serve it straight out of the pot along with a bowl of rice.
That’s my answer to an ice storm!
Jigae my way
Jigae was probably invented by poor folk as a way to use up leftover bits of whatever and finish off the kim chi that had gotten too “stinky” (fermented) to be considered tasty. So you can be creative! Warning: we like stuff pretty hot. This is milder than it would be if served in a Korean’s home, but still pretty hot!
Ingredients:
A glug of sesame oil
1 lb meat (optional) Many recipes call for pork – use a blade roast or something with a bit of fat. But you can use seafood or whatever, or leave it out!
8 oz tofu, diced
Small onion, halved and sliced thin
4 green onions
4 c kim chi (you can use fresh, but in this recipe, older is better!)
5-6 cloves garlic
1 tsp powdered ginger
2 T rice wine (buy at the Korean store where it’s not crazy expensive!), or just use regular white wine
2 T gochujang (Korean chili paste)
1 T miso or stock base – I use a little of each
2 T gochugaru (Korean dried chili flakes)
Dash of soy sauce
2-3 cups water & kim chi juice (try to get about ½ c juice, but it’s not necessary)
Rice cake noodles – I use about 1/3 of a 1.7 lb bag.
Directions:
Heat a cast iron pot until hot, then add the oil, meat, and sliced onion. Allow some of the fat to render, then add the kim chi and garlic.
Saute until the mixture is very fragrant, then add the kimchi juice, water, ginger, cooking wine, gochujang, miso (or stock base) and soy sauce, stirring everything together to combine.
Bring to a boil and add the gochugaru. Then add the tofu, turn down the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the meat and kimchi are tender.
Stir in the rice cake noodles – these cook very fast – just a couple of minutes.
Lastly, stir in the green onions. Put a trivet on the table and serve it straight out of the pot along with a bowl of rice.
That’s my answer to an ice storm!
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
There's got to be more than this
Maybe it's the weather. We got 9 inches of snow, and we're supposed to get more bad weather this weekend.
Maybe it's the fact that my hall bathroom has been torn up for 3 months and finishing doesn't seem to be a priority, even though I've been doing extra in other areas so hub has time to work on it.
Maybe it's because I feel like my life is a never ending series of chores.
Maybe it's because I'm worried about money and I'm the only one that's concerned.
But there has to be more to life than simply trudging along with your head down.
Maybe it's the weather. We got 9 inches of snow, and we're supposed to get more bad weather this weekend.
Maybe it's the fact that my hall bathroom has been torn up for 3 months and finishing doesn't seem to be a priority, even though I've been doing extra in other areas so hub has time to work on it.
Maybe it's because I feel like my life is a never ending series of chores.
Maybe it's because I'm worried about money and I'm the only one that's concerned.
But there has to be more to life than simply trudging along with your head down.
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