Sometimes, writing assignments stump me. One says describe eating your favorite fruit in a paragraph, use all 5 senses, a simile and a metaphor. I end up writing about how awesome it is to stand under the grapefruit tree in AZ in the winter in short sleeves and smell the fruit skin and not freeze.
But I don't write about eating it. Maybe because I don't like fruit?
Do as I say, not as I do. Thanks.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
apple-y
OK, now that I have all these apples, I need to do something with them. Anybody want to throw their 2 cents in with a recipe?
Here's a challenge...a NON-DESSERT recipe?
Here's a challenge...a NON-DESSERT recipe?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
moo cluck, johnny appleseed
My race yesterday was nixed (by me) due to rain. When it's pouring, running doesn't tweak that little thing inside that says "OH!! What a great day for (running)!"
After a leisurely breakfast that included buttermilk coffee cake, not made by me, we met up at a friend's and went apple picking. My first time ever. Damn the rain! I can wear boots and muck around a farm! It was fantastic. A caravan of 3 cars headed north to Ipswich where we picked about 6 varieties of apples, saw a 1,400 pound pig, ate cider doughnuts and learned that koala farts smell like cough drops.
We then ventured over to Topsfield Fair, the longest running agricultural fair in the U.S. Since it rained all day, the midway wasn't open but we did get to see some animals. Sara the cow gave birth to Sierra the calf on 9.22.09 and they were both present. The giant pumpkin contest winner weighed in at 1,471 pounds (more than Big Boy the pig!), and I held a baby chick at the hatchery. A baby chick. Buttery yellow and fuzzy, s/he looked at me, I looked at her/him and there was a peep-peep-blink exchange that I will remember forever. I really wanted to take it home. Then I thought of the felines, and how they probably fancy baby chicks, and I gave her/him back to the 4-H chicken girl.
I haven't spent a day being so wholesome, yet so (literally) dirty in a while.
After a leisurely breakfast that included buttermilk coffee cake, not made by me, we met up at a friend's and went apple picking. My first time ever. Damn the rain! I can wear boots and muck around a farm! It was fantastic. A caravan of 3 cars headed north to Ipswich where we picked about 6 varieties of apples, saw a 1,400 pound pig, ate cider doughnuts and learned that koala farts smell like cough drops.
We then ventured over to Topsfield Fair, the longest running agricultural fair in the U.S. Since it rained all day, the midway wasn't open but we did get to see some animals. Sara the cow gave birth to Sierra the calf on 9.22.09 and they were both present. The giant pumpkin contest winner weighed in at 1,471 pounds (more than Big Boy the pig!), and I held a baby chick at the hatchery. A baby chick. Buttery yellow and fuzzy, s/he looked at me, I looked at her/him and there was a peep-peep-blink exchange that I will remember forever. I really wanted to take it home. Then I thought of the felines, and how they probably fancy baby chicks, and I gave her/him back to the 4-H chicken girl.
I haven't spent a day being so wholesome, yet so (literally) dirty in a while.
Friday, October 2, 2009
race food
I am running a 5K in the morning and I haven't raced since...July? Anyway, my training for the half is almost through, and I'm interested in seeing where I land.
Food is, like, important and stuff when it comes to racing. When it comes to doing anything, actually; typing this and breathing and blinking wouldn't happen without food to fuel it all. A lot of people can be maniacal about what they eat and when (athletes and non-athletes alike). For some, it's a fear of gaining weight. For others, it's a control issue. Some do it for optimal energy performance and some because they are superstitious about it. For me, I am a mix if the latter two.
If you know me at all, and as you are reading this I am pretty sure you probably do, you know I am no stranger to foods that are probably not the best to eat all the time (some of which barely make the "food" label: American cheese, anyone?). But most of the time, especially when I am prepping for a run and especially for a race, I make sure to eat a good balance of lean protein and vegetables and toss in some complex carbohydrates.
That sounds pretty generic; I would be surprised if a picture of boiled chicken over brown rice with a side of green beans and a glass of water didn't pop into your head. If I was reading and not writing and living this, that is how I would have read it. It doesn't have to be boring, just balanced. But I digress...
Eating what I need so I don't bonk (a.k.a lose my steam) is part of it. Eating certain foods before race day has also become superstitious for me. Sounds silly, but it's true. Knowing how your body reacts and performs with certain foods is key. I have a friend who can eat a sausage and egg McMuffin 10 minutes before the gun, then run 13+ miles no problem. This is abnormal. He knows this, but it's his superstition that keeps him at it. For me, race morning breakfast is coffee, Cheerios with 1% milk, almonds or walnuts and banana or craisins. Consumed no less than 1.5 hours before the start. Why? It works. I don't want to throw it up. I don't bonk.
See you at the start.
Food is, like, important and stuff when it comes to racing. When it comes to doing anything, actually; typing this and breathing and blinking wouldn't happen without food to fuel it all. A lot of people can be maniacal about what they eat and when (athletes and non-athletes alike). For some, it's a fear of gaining weight. For others, it's a control issue. Some do it for optimal energy performance and some because they are superstitious about it. For me, I am a mix if the latter two.
If you know me at all, and as you are reading this I am pretty sure you probably do, you know I am no stranger to foods that are probably not the best to eat all the time (some of which barely make the "food" label: American cheese, anyone?). But most of the time, especially when I am prepping for a run and especially for a race, I make sure to eat a good balance of lean protein and vegetables and toss in some complex carbohydrates.
That sounds pretty generic; I would be surprised if a picture of boiled chicken over brown rice with a side of green beans and a glass of water didn't pop into your head. If I was reading and not writing and living this, that is how I would have read it. It doesn't have to be boring, just balanced. But I digress...
Eating what I need so I don't bonk (a.k.a lose my steam) is part of it. Eating certain foods before race day has also become superstitious for me. Sounds silly, but it's true. Knowing how your body reacts and performs with certain foods is key. I have a friend who can eat a sausage and egg McMuffin 10 minutes before the gun, then run 13+ miles no problem. This is abnormal. He knows this, but it's his superstition that keeps him at it. For me, race morning breakfast is coffee, Cheerios with 1% milk, almonds or walnuts and banana or craisins. Consumed no less than 1.5 hours before the start. Why? It works. I don't want to throw it up. I don't bonk.
See you at the start.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
flew
So the flu shot. Do you get one? I don't. I'm like...meh, I like to live on the wild side. Take my chances. Trust my immune system.
Then I learn that you will have to get two shots this year, yes two: one for the seasonal flu, one for H1N1 (SWINE!) flu.
Shots don't bother me. Snakes, yes. Shots, no. What bothers me is the semi-flu-like ache you can get from the shot. So I am going to continue on my merry way, throwing caution to the wind and take my chances this winter. And, as a preventative measure, I will stop licking the handles on the backs of the seats on the T. You know, I may mock fate sometimes but I sure as hell won't tempt it. Intentionally.
(If you are old, sick, have diabetes, asthma, heart disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS or a baby in your womb-region, get the shots. Just do it.)
Then I learn that you will have to get two shots this year, yes two: one for the seasonal flu, one for H1N1 (SWINE!) flu.
Shots don't bother me. Snakes, yes. Shots, no. What bothers me is the semi-flu-like ache you can get from the shot. So I am going to continue on my merry way, throwing caution to the wind and take my chances this winter. And, as a preventative measure, I will stop licking the handles on the backs of the seats on the T. You know, I may mock fate sometimes but I sure as hell won't tempt it. Intentionally.
(If you are old, sick, have diabetes, asthma, heart disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS or a baby in your womb-region, get the shots. Just do it.)
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