Summer Storms

Sometimes you need a rainy day in the summer...so you can stay inside and get things done. That's what I'm doing today! If it had been 100 degrees and sunny, we probably would have packed up and gone to the pool. But, since it's cloudy and on/off rain (although it is sunny now~Texas weather!) we stayed home and I'm doing some much needed laundry. I also took the time to put dinner in the crockpot (red beans for red beans and rice) and I have a loaf of banana bread in the oven. On another day, I would have just thrown those over ripe bananas in the trash. Since I had some time between loads of laundry we will now get to enjoy some banana bread this evening after dinner.

You know it's summer when:

1. You have 5 kids at your house (when you only birthed 2)

2. There is more time to cook

3. No worries about bedtime and if the kids bathed (heck, we'll probably go to the pool tomorrow so forget the shower!)

4. Family time

5. You get more sleep! That's one of my favorites.

Here's the recipe for the Banana Bread, in case you were interested. It's from Mom Rasmussen. I'll give her exact recipe, although I add chocolate chips instead of nuts and also add a little vanilla.

Banana Bread

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

5 Tbs. sour milk (that's milk with a little vinegar added)

3 mashed bananas

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup nuts

350 for 60 min. (Check it at 50 minutes) Makes 1 large loaf pan or 2 small

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs, milk and bananas and mix well. Add flour, baking soda and salt a little at a time stirring after each addition. When combined, stir in nuts (or chocolate chips). Pour into well greased loaf pan and bake. Cool in pan a little and then remove to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Great for breakfast if it lasts that long!

Couch to 5K

It is a 9 week program to help you start to run, but it does it slowly. A few of the key things to the program are: 1. don't start too fast 2. repeat weeks if needed. You only do it 3 days a week, even if you feel like you could do more. That way, you allow your body to rest and you don't burn out. It gives you the option to run for time, or run for distance. I decided to run for time. When I started, I could probably walk faster than I was running, but at least I was running. Here is the workout plan (found on http://www.coolrunning.com/).

Week 1 Day 1 - 5 min. warm-up walk; alternate 60 s jog/90 s walk for a total of 20 min.

Week 1 Day 2 - 5 min. warm-up walk; alternate 60 s jog/90 s walk for a total of 20 min.

Week 1 Day 3 - 5 min. warm-up walk; alternate 60 s jog/90 s walk for a total of 20 min.

Week 2 Day 1 - 5 min. warm-up walk; 90 s jog/2 m walk for a total of 20 min.

Week 2 Day 2 - 5 min. warm-up walk; 90 s jog/2 m walk for a total of 20 min.

Week 2 Day 3 - 5 min. warm-up walk; 90 s jog/2 m walk for a total of 20 min.

Week 3 Day 1 - 5 min. warm-up walk; 90 s jog; 90 s walk; 3 m jog; 3 m walk; repeat

Week 3 Day 2 - 5 min. warm-up walk; 90 s jog; 90 s walk; 3 m jog; 3 m walk; repeat

Week 3 Day 3 - 5 min. warm-up walk; 90 s jog; 90 s walk; 3 m jog; 3 m walk; repeat

Week 4 Day 1 - 5 m walk; 3 m jog; 90 s walk; 5 m jog; 2 1/2 m walk; 3 m jog; 90 s walk; 5 m jog

Week 4 Day 2 - 5 m walk; 3 m jog; 90 s walk; 5 m jog; 2 1/2 m walk; 3 m jog; 90 s walk; 5 m jog

Week 4 Day 3 - 5 m walk; 3 m jog; 90 s walk; 5 m jog; 2 1/2 m walk; 3 m jog; 90 s walk; 5 m jog

Week 5 Day 1 - 5 m walk; 5 m jog; 3 m walk; 5 m jog; 3 m walk; 5 m jog

Week 5 Day 2 - 5 m walk; 8 m jog; 5 m walk; 8 m jog

Week 5 Day 3 - 5 m walk; 20 m jog (no walking)

Week 6 Day 1 - 5 m walk; 5 m jog; 3 m walk; 8 m jog; 3 m walk; 5 m jog

Week 6 Day 2 - 5 m walk; 10 m jog; 3 m walk; 10 m jog

Week 6 Day 3 - 5 m walk; 25 m jog (no walking)

Week 7 Day 1 - 5 m walk; 25 m jog (no walking)

Week 7 Day 2 - 5 m walk; 25 m jog (no walking)

Week 7 Day 3 - 5 m walk; 25 m jog (no walking)

Week 8 Day 1 - 5 m walk; 28 m jog (no walking)

Week 8 Day 2 - 5 m walk; 28 m jog (no walking)

Week 8 Day 3 - 5 m walk; 28 m jog (no walking)

Week 9 Day 1 - 5 m walk; 30 m jog (no walking)

Week 9 Day 2 - 5 m walk; 30 m jog (no walking)

Week 9 Day 3 - 5 m walk; 30 m jog (no walking)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look at my previous post for ways to make this easier, like Robert Ullery's FREE podcast.

Running Like the Wind

Several people have asked me how I started running, followed with several excuses of how they can't run because of time, knees, pain in the side, etc, etc, etc...

First, let me explain that I have never been a runner. Even in elementary school running the mile was not an easy thing. I've gone in spurts during my life where I would walk to exercise, but never kept it up. I get bored and you have to walk for so long to really make it count.

After going to a wedding in September where we saw a bunch of old friends, I was embarrassed at gaining so much weight since I saw them last. That weekend I did an Internet search 'how to start running.' I found several websites, but the one that stuck out was the Couch to 5K Program. I thought that's really where I am...the couch! So that Monday, September 21, 2009, I started Day 1.

See next post for the Couch to 5K Program.

Now, if it seems too complicated...here are some tricks. There is a FREE podcast from iTunes called Couch 2 5K by Robert Ullrey. It's music (sort of techno) with Robert telling you when to walk and run so you don't have to look at your watch every second. The podcast is a MUST HAVE. Don't pay for the Couch 2 5K app., the podcast is free!

I also use Runkeeper. It is a FREE app for iPhones that keeps track of your distance and uses the GPS to do a map of where you went.

It is very easy to use the podcast and Runkeeper together. If you want to know how, send me a message.

Here is how it worked for me: I did the 9 week program (which took me 11 weeks to complete). I had to repeat week 3 because of knee issues and week 9 because of foot pain. I watched what I ate. I set a goal (www.coolrunning.com lists races all over the country) In 6 months, I've lost 50 lbs, run two 5Ks and one 10K. After finishing the program, I now run 5-6 days a week (usually 3 miles each day with 1 long run a week '4-6 miles'). My next goal is to run a Half Marathon in the fall.

The ONLY things you need are tennis shoes and some music or the podcast!

I guess I can call myself a runner now. I look at the weather to see if I can squeeze in a run before a storm, I run in the rain, I run in below freezing temps, I run in my neighborhood and I LOVE it!

Time Flies

Wow, how time flies!! I can't believe it's been 4 months since I posted something. Well, one of my co-workers started a blog and it inspired me to update mine. Thanks Cathy!! Since it's after midnight of the very last day of Spring Break...I'll keep it brief.

Spring Break Recap:
One of Dane's friends from Mansfield spent 3 nights with us. It's always fun for Toby to come visit - and for Dane to go visit him!! We went to Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glenrose (for the 5th Spring Break in a row). The weather was beautiful. We had a picnic lunch and waded through the Paluxy River - very quickly because it was FREEZING.
Dan took one day off from work and we went to the Kimball Art Museum and the Amon Carter Art Museum (those were Dane's choice). Then we went to the mall (Claire's choice - she's such a girl!).
I ran my first 10K on Saturday! I'll post more about that and my running at a later date.

So...in 6 1/2 hours the alarm will go off and Spring Break will officially be over :(

Tomorrow we hit the ground running. Getting kids up, dressed, fed and to school; delivering Meals on Wheels; back to work for me; pick kids up; Girl Scouts, and it's our turn to take snacks for GS.

Now it's count down till SUMMER!!

Bruschetta Recipe

Ok, so here it is...the Bruschetta recipe from the movie Julie & Julia. It is a GREAT movie, a must see if you like to cook!




Bruschetta
1 loaf Italian bread
1-2 cloves garlic, peeled and cut in half
8 ripe roma tomatoes, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
2 Tbs. fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (this cannot be omitted)
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, slice bread diagonally into scant 1/2-inch-thick slices; reserve ends for making bread crumbs another day. Place bread slices on 2 cookie sheets.
2.Toast bread on 2 oven racks 15 minutes or until crusty and dry, turning slices over once and rotating cookie sheets between upper and lower racks halfway through baking. Transfer bread to wire racks to cool slightly. When bread is cool enough to handle, rub 1 side of each toast slice with cut side of garlic. Discard garlic.
3.Meanwhile, in small bowl, gently toss tomatoes, basil, oil, salt, and pepper until combined.
4.To serve, spoon 1 heaping tablespoon tomato mixture on garlic-rubbed side of each toast slice.

Girl's Night - KENO

Last week was busy with cooking for Dan's Monday night Life Group and hosting my KENO group on Tuesday. We had so much fun at KENO...it's not really about the game, it's about getting away from the husbands and kids and hanging out with the girls. Everyone brings a $5-$10 gift and $2 cash and we take turns hosting. It's like BINGO only with cards. But, in the end everyone goes home with a gift. I have been playing KENO with 'the girls' the 2nd Tuesday of every month for almost 10 years!! It started in Arlington with a group of girls from church. We moved in August 2005 and I drove back to my group for a couple of months, but in October '05 my current group was formed in our new town. There is always an ebb and flow of players. People drop out for different reasons and new people join.

I, of course, chose November to host at my house since fall if my favorite time of year. I got to use my new white and brown dishes and set the table with fall colored candles and glass rocks in a large rectangle white tray.

The Menu
-Bruschetta (from the movie "Julie & Julia")
-Green Salad
-Spinach Ravioli Lasagna
-Eclair Cake (Claire thinks this is named after her!)

I don't even like raw tomatoes, but this Bruschetta is to die for (pronounced bra-sketta, not bra-shetta per Giada from Everyday Italian - one of my favorite shows). I'm posting the recipe for the main dish, let me know if you want the recipe for the bruschetta and dessert...

Spinach-Ravioli Lasagna
1 (6-oz.) package fresh baby spinach, thoroughly washed
1/3 cup pesto
1 (15-oz.) jar Alfredo sauce - I used Bertolli
1/4 cup vegetable broth*
1 (25-oz.) package frozen cheese or beef-filled ravioli (do not thaw)
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Italian six-cheese blend
Garnishes: chopped fresh basil, paprika
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°. Chop spinach, and toss with pesto in a medium bowl.

2. Combine Alfredo sauce and vegetable broth. Spoon one-third of alfredo sauce mixture (about 1/2 cup) into a lightly greased 2.2-qt. or 11- x 7-inch baking dish. Top with half of spinach mixture. Arrange half of ravioli in a single layer over spinach mixture. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining Alfredo sauce.

3. Bake at 375° for 30-40 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake 5 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Garnish, if desired.

*Chicken broth may be substituted.

I also used a little fresh parmesan on the top and turned on the broiler for just a minute to give it a touch of color.

A Lazy Saturday

This weekend was great! I started the weekend with sleeping in (one of my favorite things!). Then I went for a run, still loving the falling leaves. The afternoon consisted of taking a walk with the kids and Daisy and hanging out on the porch. The weather was perfect for an afternoon on the porch swing. I read a magazine, Claire played her DS and played with T-Bone and Koshka (our porch cats). Dane was in and out. His Bionicles are best played with in his room where he has THOUSANDS of pieces.
Saturday evening, the kids and I went to see "The Music Man" at Weatherford College. They did a fabulous job! The kids laughed at all the right places and enjoyed themselves. I refrained from singing along, which I'm sure the people in front of us were thankful for. When I was in high school, I played the violin in the pit orchestra for our presentation of the same musical. But...I did want to blurt out Shipoopi!! They performed to a full house, not an empty chair in the whole place. And, it was even free! We will definitely be checking out the college calendar for other events. It was a great way for the kids to be exposed to a little "culture!" Dane spotted a schedule on the back of the program. They are having an Art Exhibit in a couple of weeks that he wants to go to. Just a little reminder that there are cultural events outside Bass Hall and other prestigious venues...