TGIF. It’s about freakin’ time too. What a long week. I thought that the topic of this week’s newsletter was summed up best by Alanis Morissette, in her song “Hand in my Pocket”. …And what it all comes down to, my friends…is that everything is just fine, fine fine…and honestly, it really is. This issuance is actually going to hit your mailboxes on Saturday. I was actually in a blogging funk on Friday, and had to contemplate what I would ramble about for a bit!
It was actually a great (but very busy) week for me. As I mentioned in the last issuance, I did my Saturday walk with Brenda and did some running as well. Sunday, we did our first official 10K (I refuse to count the Chupacabra 10K as a race…as that was more like hiking at night. LOL…). This race was 6.2 miles, and we did it in 1:47:35, which equates to a 17:21 minute mile. I was totally happy with that time, and I was going to be thrilled with anything under 2 hours. What a way to finish! We even sprinted across the finish line. Best part? Race bling…or hardware, as some refer to it. Steve was nice enough to take the photograph. Mine came out with a bunch of glare.
I am so excited about my races this year. I will be doing some great courses, and it would be fabulous if I could eventually RUN 6.2 miles. I think I can handle 3.1, but still have a way to go. I found an interval timer for my iPhone and just need to find an armband so that I can actually have a way to use the app during my walks/runs. I also enjoy using iMapMyWalk so that I know exactly how far I go. This uses the GPS feature of your device to track how far you walk. Pretty cool huh? I am NOT a tech nerd by any stretch, but I do like those nice apps that will help support me along my journey.
Speaking of the journey, I just added another reader this week—the sister-in-law of one of my peeps! Welcome Linda! I would like to take this time to ask if you are all still happy receiving my ramblings on a weekly basis. If you no longer want to receive this, or have another email address that is more suitable, PLEASE let me know. If you want to be removed, I’d like to know that too. No judgment! LOL…Also, lastly, if you know anyone who may be interested in this publication, by all means, pass along their name(s) to me. This ends the public service announcements!
This week at work was absolutely crazy, and culminated in me taking on two more corporate entities for my month end cash flow reporting. Happy Happy Joy Joy! I may even get to spend a day or two in San Angelo, TX. Have no knowledge of this city, other than the fact that it lives smack in the middle of the state.
Strep throat has invaded the Ducar household. Adam wasn’t quite himself this morning…stuffy nose, poor appetite [for him, this is a HUGE thing], and the capper? He said his throat hurt [insert sinister music here]. After a run over to the pediatric urgent car, it was confirmed. STREP. As I type this, Steve is over at the urgent care (he came home to deposit the sick boy and had just enough time to run back out again), and is getting tested as well. Boys are sick, and the girls are fine, at least for the time being. Hoping I don’t succumb to this at all, but if I do have to, I am hoping for AFTER month-end close.
Prior to the whole strep fiasco, I did manage to enjoy a nice stress-free few hours with Adi, walking and shopping at the Shops of Highland Village. This is a great open-air mall, and has a great selection of shops and eateries. We stopped at Patrizio for a bite to eat afterward. After perusing the menu, we found a delicious salad that came in at approximately 7 Points Plus™. The salad was comprised of grilled chicken breast, baby spinach, Portobello mushrooms, a teaspoon or two of pine nuts, and the most delicious caramelized onions. The dressing was a balsamic vinaigrette. I used the old fork trick (dip your fork into the dressing and then get a bite of salad). It’s surprising how little dressing you actually need for your salad. This is one that I intend to recreate at home. So good, and SO filling! This is also a great ‘Power Food’ entrée.
I also have a couple of websites to share with you this week. If you are looking for some good resources for ladies’ sports foundations and/or workout gear, try these sites:
http://www.titlenine.com – this site has a variety of sports bras, yoga clothing, women’s sportswear, and athletic apparel.
http://www.athleta.com – this is now a subsidiary of The Gap, and carries many of the same items that Title Nine carries.
Both of these are great resources. I like Title Nine because they organize their foundations by levels of support (they use dumbbells to indicate the support level of the bras). I also ended up finding a great sports bra in Macy’s. The brand is Wacoal, and it is fantastic. Totally adjustable. It’s underwire, but has the underwire on the outside of the bra so that there is less chafing during your activity. Just my humble two-cents worth. Sonya—thanks for the site information!!!!
This week’s meeting focused on activity. Start moving! Keep Moving! Find an activity that you like. You will be more likely to stick with it.
ACTIVITY:
Benefits:
- Boosts weight loss results
- Improves health, energy, sleep and mental focus
- Critical to weight maintenance
- Allows you to eat more and still lose weight
Challenge:
- Find an activity you like and sticking with it.
Here are some other ideas on moving more. These were provided by Jessica Wozinsky of Weight Watchers Magazine
- Have a winter-style “Easter egg” hunt. Hide colored ice cubes (tint water with food coloring before freezing) around your yard or neighborhood. Focus on getting in some extra walking as you help the kids search for the “eggs.”
- Build a snow fort. Pile snow into about a 5-foot-high mini-mountain and hollow out the middle. Pour water over the roof so it freezes (and won’t cave in). The result? Fun for the kids and a strength-training workout for you, too!
- Play sidewalk games in the snow. Fill a spray bottle with water and add two to three drops of food coloring. Then “spray paint” a classic sidewalk game, like hopscotch, in the snow. Don’t just referee – join in the fun for some impromptu aerobics.
This closing quote was on the meeting room board, and I loved it. Please enjoy the rest of your weekend, and I will be back with you again next week!!!
"There are only two options: make progress or make excuses.”
~author unknown
RECIPES
Dijon Roasted New Potatoes
Coating the potatoes with mustard and a small amount of oil helps make them crispy outside and tender inside. These are perfect with burgers, roasted chicken, or steak.
PointsPlus™ Value: 4
Preparation Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 35 min
Yields: 4 servings of approximately 1 ¼ cups each
Ingredients:
1 spray(s) cooking spray
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp olive oil
3/4 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 pound(s) uncooked new potatoes, red or white, quartered or halved
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425°F. Coat a 9- X 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together mustard, oil, paprika, salt, thyme and pepper; add potatoes and stir to coat. Transfer potatoes to prepared baking dish and roast 15 minutes; stir and roast until tender on inside, about 15 to 20 minutes more. Yields about 1 1/4 cups per serving.
Notes: If your potatoes do not get crispy enough, coat them with cooking spray and then bake them for a few more minutes.
