Boat Drinks & Dreams

I think I’m going to try and post a regular “foodie” post on Tuesdays. I need to get back in the groove of cooking cleaner and reviewing recipes. It will serve as a reference of sorts for my crew as to what we did and didn’t love, and maybe spark some ideas for you folks. I just wish I could spread my reader base a little…especially when I have posts on philanthropic topics and such.

Before I get to the food updates, I would like to ask you please check out a new site. My middle niece Elanor (more affectionately, Ellie) has started up a site (with the help of Steff) called ELLIE’S WORLD which is geared towards helping take care of our earth, and helping take care of people. She is a very compassionate young lady with great curiosity, a big heart, and the drive to make change.

First up is one from the latest issue of Clean Eating Mag , Moroccan Grilled Chicken with Cherry and Bulgar Salad. This one was a hit with the hubs, and he’s been hinting alot lately that he’d like to see more red meat around the house. I was skeptical at first. I’m one of those “nibble as I go” gals in the kitchen. It was my first time tasting bulgar wheat and I wasn’t impressed. But once it was tossed with the eggplant, cherries, leeks and dressing it all just “worked.” I’d say give it a go.

Last weekend the hubs and I went out on the Huron and did Argo to Gallup in the kayak. We only had a small window of time with which to get home in time for the Reds game so we swung through Whole Foods for something from the prepped foods end. While in there we sampled an amazing haloumi cheese that is unique in that it doesn’t melt when heated. They’d grilled it and drizzled it with orange blossom honey. Along that vein, my supper tonight was a spinach leaf salad topped with grilled Brun Uusto cheese-grilled , fresh mango and berries, grilled onions, peppers and eggplant and a light homemade dressing with agave, poppyseeds, orange blossom water and lemon juice. YUM!

This has become my kids favorite snack/treat. So simple…juice and yogurt pops! I even had to go buy a 2nd four pop mold they were going through them so fast! I kid you not, I refill the mold AT LEAST every other day. Usually its oj with non fat or low fat vanilla yogurt. But today at the store the big kid got bold and mixed it up…so these are lowfat key lime yogurt with raspberry acai juice.

Bestill my sweet loving heart….I am SO EXCITED that I’ve finally found a local stop that sells Vosges. If you’re not familiar with the haute line of off the wall combos found in their chocolates you should make an effort to change that! Among their many variations are the Creole with chicory and cocoa nibs, the Mo’s Bacon with , yes, bacon and smoked sea salt and the d’Olivia with white chocolate and olives. If I could afford these as a small daily nibble, I might not bake so much. But at $3.50 for a mini, they add up. Here are my two favorites…..for this week anyhow!

Thats it for this week…next Tuesday I’ll bring some new eats to the table for your review! ~Lt. M

Today I’m going throw a twist in on my Success Sunday post. The quote for today is more of an urging, or challenge of sorts…

THINK GLOBAL. RUN LOCAL.

Or the more artistic version…

Coming up in October is the annual Phedippidations World Wide Half Marathon, Zen Run 10k and Kick the Couch 5k. Its a really great event that I’ve mentioned in previous posts that encourages everyone to just get out and run. Its a weekend where you know that even if you’re not running a sanctioned event (although you can), at any given time you’re running with someone, somewhere in the world. Its a virtual event, registration is free, and you can choose to run your Pheddip WWH/10k/5k either at a sanctioned race on an official course, or just out on your own.

Now as passionate as I am about running, I would NEVER FORCE anyone to run. (unless of course you’re the hubs and I needle you out of bed like I did this morning to meet me for the last 4.5 of my 12.5 mile long run. Hey, we have to take advantage of the wee-free weekend! I know, you dudes are thinking of better ways to make use of an empty house….don’t worry, all bases have been covered! I digress…. ) BUT I WILL likely be one of the first in line to encourage you in your efforts, applaud your PR’s, commiserate with your “rough spots”, meet you for an FE, etc. Thus, I’m challenging anyone out there reading to sign up for one or more of the events in the Pheddip WWH weekend.

It’d be awesome if in future years they’d consider adding a progressive kids’ marathon where younger pavement pounders can log miles progressively from when registration opens, up to race weekend…and do their final 1.2 miles as part of the festivites!

C’mon…what do you have to lose? A 5k is perfect and very doable for you folks that aren’t currently running, the 10k is great for those that are running and can do the 5k but would like a bit more of a challenge, or the half mary which is no distance to shy at but totally attainable with the right training and attitude. I won’t be a hypocrite and issue the challenge without of course being on board myself. Right now the weekend is iffy for me as I might be traveling to SC for family business. If I am in SC, I will chart out a half mary to run there and would love to meet up with anyone in the area for part or all of the distance. If not, I will be running the Hartford Half Marathon in Hartford CT on saturday, and then will do the Kick the Couch 5k on Sunday with my kids, and possibly the hubs if his SOAC schedule affords him a few free minutes. I believe on The Extra Mile they call that the Maddy!

There are a wealth of resources out there for you whether a beginning or seasoned runner from training plans to coaches to podcasts to running groups to forums to magazines and more. TAKE ADVANTAGE of them! I myself was lucky enough to stumble upon Planet3rry who is now an amazing friend AND marathon coach via the Phedippidations podcast last year. In addition to Terrys’ podcast-Gravity @ 1053′, I also regularly listen to Steve Runner on Pheddip, and The Extra Mile podcast which is the official cast for the WWH. The updates from the “race team” for the WWH, as well as those sending in audio updates are upbeat, encouraging, and offer great company on my lonely sunday morning long runs. Thanks especially to Marathon Chris who I really seem to relate to. Ah, I’m off on a tangent again…sorry about that folks, I’ve only been home from my run an hour or so and am hungry and tired.

WITH THIS CHALLENGE….I am going to issue a couple DIRECT CHALLENGES to runners I know and love who will probably hog tie me, put me in a body bag and dump me in an alley after they read this entry!

First on the chopping block…my darling sister over at The Hall of Mirrors… You might’ve seen me mention recently that she’s started the Couch to 5k program in an effort to be healthier and stronger mentally and physically and to support a special friend in his quest for a healthier life. Her training got slightly derailed due to some unforeseen circumstances but she’s jumping back on and has even found a new partner in her 8 year old daughter who wants to take up running with Mom. How aweome is that?! So Steff…my challenge to you is to sign up for and ROCK the Kick the Couch 5k. I know you aren’t a fan of the idea of an official race. But you live moments from the ocean…doesn’t a 3.1 mile jaunt on the Grand Strand with your firecracker of a daughter sound like a great start to the weekend?

Next target…Miss Kelly over at Kels Dish… For those of you that haven’t figured it out yet, Kel and I are like soul sistas that just took 20 some years to find each other. She has taught me humor and humility, been the shoulder to cry on and the hand offering a stiff drink when only those two things would do, offered up her oldest son as best bud to my oldest, and among other things, our adult running life sort of started together. She got me out and walking/jogging with the stroller when my wee was, well, SUPER WEE at just a few weeks old. She took a year and a half break to have her 2nd son but is back at it full force now and just burning up the roads and trails. So to you Kel, since you will be in super taper mode for MCM, I challenge you to sign up for the Zen Run 10k or the World Wide Half ….as I’m sure either will fit nicely into your plan leading up to the Marine Corps Marathon. We can compare notes a few weeks later in DC!

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE JOINING UP IN THE WWH series of events!
Train Smart, Run Strong!

I swear the days just keep sliding by quicker and quicker. Our move is in just under 3 weeks and we’re very much not prepared. Although we tend to be “last minute” folks anyhow. Its a mixed bag leaving A2 and heading to CT. I hate the “starting over” place after place after place, and while we know people there, they have their own groups of friends and activities and things so you automatically become the “new outsider” once again. On the other hand, it’ll be back to the “real Navy” which is something we’ve both been missing here.

On that note, we had the hubs’ “formal” farewell and COM pinning at the ROTC unit on Monday and then our farewell bbq (which was also a hail for the new sub guy and his family, and a congrats for the newly commissioned ensigns) at the CO’s house on Tuesday evening. Here are some of the pictures from those events for those that might want to see:

(click the thumb to go to the flickr stream)

I’d be lying if I said the time here was all smiles and roses but it started off (if you’ve read my blog much you know this), VERY rocky and miserable for us all. However, we grew to really enjoy it here and take advantage of all it had to offer from education to friendships to the outdoors to diversity. We will be sad to leave but are looking forward to the next pit-stop.

The hubs’ folks came in on Thursday to watch the big kid play Tball, spend the night, and take the boys back with them for the weekend. As always, the visit was enjoyable. I normally try to cook a nice meal for them when they come in but I had a 4pm dentist appt, then 7pm Tball, and some family issues to help with so there wasn’t time. In return, I made a nice black forest crepe cake for everyone for breakfast. Care for a taste?!

I’m a little shorter on miles this week than I’d hoped runningwise. But yesterday, a planned rest day, got thrown out of whack when, while at my machine working I noticed something John Deere Green out of the corner of my eye. It was none other than big kids’ lunch box. Instead of blowing $10 in gas to dash over to U of M, I tossed it in my bookbag and hopped on the bike for a 15 mile round trip ride over there. If I ever hope to attempt tri’s or the mountain bike gig, I REALLY need to get better on the bike, I’m way too slow! It was a fun ride though…the weather wasn’t too hot or humid, and I went some back roads so I could off-road the bike abit. I took my cam on a run and a bike this week…and no, I really don’t love pics of myself that much…they just serve as motivation, and a happy reminder of some of the places I enjoy most! Note to self: Put padded bicycle shorts on birthday list!

As I mentioned above, the wee dudes are with Mamaw and Papaw for the weekend so the hubs took advantage of that and scored us some super duper awesome seats for the Reds vs Indians game Friday night in Cleveland. Sadly, the Reds took a big whoopin’, but it was fun anyhow. It was my first ever major league baseball game so I just took it all in. Sabathia pitched a great game for the Indians…the Reds batters just couldn’t keep up. But I got to watch Griffey play…I’m a big fan! Here’s some shots from the game.
Volquez (he didn’t pitch friday) and an Indians player.
Finally the tarp comes off after a 1 hour rain delay!
Slider and Gapper.
Progressive Field in Cleveland OH.
Buy me some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks…
Ken Griffey Jr! Woo hoo! (and to my hubs…YES, I know he’s married!
Phillips up to bat against Sabathia.
The hubs.
A nice cold Bud Light. I’m a Guinness girl but this is what they had.

Reds in the field.

We talked about going back tonight but the weather is so iffy and if they got rained out, we couldn’t make the double header tomorrow. I think we might head out to the river or the park here in abit and ‘enjoy’ (?) the 94% humidity day! *chuckle* Hope you’re having/continue to have a great weekend! ~Lt. M

Wow, I went this many days without posting ANYTHING? All 2 of you were relieved I’m sure! *chuckle*

+What a neat little stumble this is: My Inner World .

+Please tell my why if bugs are drawn to things that are sweet, and I’m such a wench, why I’m eaten up with bites right now?

+Are we really moving in 3 weeks? Wow!

+Congrats to the Jackson family…soon to be the Jackson 5 as they are expecting wee #3!!!

+Trader Joe’s vanilla bean cupcakes are awfully good! The “cupcake shops” are all the rage and the food bloggers are going crazy with cupcakes. These things rock…no need for a gourmet shop for me.

+Shoe update: The mizunos are keepers!

+Training update: My training has improved. Runs are getting both easier and faster. Last night for the first time ever outside of a race setting and at a distance over 3 miles I ran an avg sub 9:00 pace. I swore it had to be a fluke and still don’t believe it but the map has to be pretty accurate and I know when I started and stopped the watch. The coach says often a string of bad runs will end in you breaking through a plateau to increased performance. Here’s hoping thats whats going on. My long run pace has improved, I find my RPE going down comparatively, and my recovery time faster.

+More tea eggs on the stove…using green tea this time. Think I’ll have an asian inspired salad for supper before Tball. The inlaws are on their way up to watch, then take the kids for the weekend so we can go to a baseball game. Maybe I’ll do a crepe cake for bfast tomorrow for the crew.

+SO EXCITED for Wednesday to roll around. My oldest and absolutely amazing niece Carson is flying in to chill with me for a few days. The hubs and Al are going to Cinci for the baseball games over the 4th weekend, and the boys are spending the weekend with mamaw and papaw so her and I will get to have some girlie time. Manis and pedis (maybe not…my feet are embarassing) and makeovers and lattes and boy talk oh my!

There are many ways to offer your talents, resources, etc. to help others. I encourage you to find a cause you feel passionate about and give back in whatever way you can! A few of the groups I support in various ways are:

• Team Brendon : supporting the journey for sick children in their families in the Piedmont of NC.
• ASDathletes : helping those under the umbrella of autism enjoy athletics.
• DSF : providing college scholarships for the children of submariners.

Where did it go? Wow. I think I mentally checked out pretty much the whole day. Not that it wasn’t a decent day. I got all the laundry caught up and put away, the kitchen scrubbed, we cleaned both the boys’ bedroom and the playroom out and separated what will go into storage, what will go to the house in CT and what could be either trashed or donated. It was quite the chore! And its SO HOT up on the 3rd floor of the house. We’ve been doing the windows open, no a/c thing this week as its been in the 60’s. We got back up to the 80’s today and while the clouds and storms kept the main floor nice, it was 83F up there this evening. No wonder our last power bill was over $400! I digress…housework and graphics work now has a big dent in it. Maybe I should be mindless more often and just go through the motions to make things happen.

The big kid is a huge fan of hardboiled eggs so tonight we made some tea eggs. How neat are these? The taste is nice too…just a hint of sweet and spice thats subtly noticeable.  And like he said, the whites look sort of like spiderman’s web. Indeed they do son.

Tomorrow is long run day. My friday workout wasn’t up to par, my lifts were pitiful, and my spin, while good, was short. My body is wiped this week for whatever reasons. And with some various mental things running through my noggin I just can’t focus. I think I’m going to cutback a few miles tomorrow and just hope for a decent run. If I go over the 10 I did on last weeks’ long run I’m afraid I’m setting myself up for disappointment on either ease, pace, or both given my level of exhaustion. I did toss in a hill that steadily rises about 125 feet over a 1 mile stretch which is a fun challenge! We’ll see how it pans out. Need to get it done with the early sun so a-its not too hot, b-I can get to the store and c-I can take the big guy to Tball.

Will be back with Success Sunday in the AM. Night! ~Lt. M

I don’t have much time, nor much to say, but felt like checking in anyhow. Hope everyones’ week is going well. Sending out prayers to a very very special person who has been through something extremely horrific this week. They know how they are, and that they’re loved and supported.

• Love sharing kid quips! This morning I’m taking some buttercream icing out of the shortening container I’d been storing it in to make some cookie sandwiches for the boys. The big kid asks me if I use it on my legs. What? Icing (or shortening for that matter) on my legs? Not so much. He says “But you use it on mine?” *even bigger boggle* “Son, do you have any CLUE what you’re talking about?” Him:”Uh huh…remember, when my leg got stuck in the kitchen chair by accident…and then again after that when my leg got stuck in the kitchen chair on purpose when I didn’t listen to you?” Aaahhh, yes, I DO recall…when I used crisco to grease him out.
• Made a variation on THIS RECIPE for supper tonight. Its for a Rachel Ray (I don’t care if you like her or not to be honest!) recipe originally meant to be spinach and mushroom lasagna roll-ups. This poster does low carb and has subbed in chicken for the noodles. In addition, I subbed in cut asparagus for the spinach, and used less of the cheeses and cream to cut out some fat. GREAT STUFF! We had it with roasted tomatoes and the whole crew was happy!
• So I’m trying a new running shoe. I may or may not regret it, we’ll see. I had to go to RF today and pick up mine and Al’s age group awards and while Matt was wrapping them up, I glanced at the sale shoes. They had my adr’s for $80. Not bad. But I spotted a pair of green mizunos that I wanted to stroke and pet. I asked him about the shoe…turns out its an older model of the wave elixir…also a support/stability shoe for moderate overpronation. Thanks to the dudes at RF, they babysat my boys while I jogged a few blocks to feel ‘em out. So far so good so I snagged them for $50. Hopefully they’ll work out so I always have another option.
• If you’re in/near the Guilford/Randolph/Caswell Co areas in NC have a look at Team Brendon’s Website. They are having a charity motorcycle ride and pig pickin’ in a few weeks to benefit the organization.

In mere moments it will be time to head to Tball. The hubs is leaving now to run over there and get a workout in. We’ll meet him in abit. Tball, as I might’ve mentioned, has turned out to be a better choice for the big kid than soccer. He’s loving it and doing really well at it! Here are just a few pics from last weeks’ game…or if you want to see more pics and some video clips, click here . As an aside, the wee might end up our football player. He tackles the cones with a huge roar and a vengeance! (click for enlarged view)

Alright folks…thats about it for today. I’ve got some actual real running related posts coming up soon, and maybe more food pics too! Take care! Lt. M

the 2nd runner up for the quote today is below and I couldn’t help but include it!

Never raise your hand to your kids.  It leaves your groin unprotected.  ~Red Buttons

edited to add official results below

Sounds like fun doesn’t it?! Eh eh eh, not so fast…you have to WORK FOR IT!

Today was #2 of 3 of Running Fits’ Trail Series…Flirt with Dirt. I’d been eyeing it as my “last shot” to do a race here before we move but was wavering wildly between the 5k and 10k. I prodded the hubs to ask Lt. Al if he’d do the race with me, to which he said sure, but it’d have to be the 5k. To which Coach T3rry strongly suggested as well. So the 5k it was. Given my runs of late that was the best choice anyhow.

As is par for the course for me on the eve of a race, I didn’t sleep a single solitary wink. Once I woke up to pee, glanced at the clock and ’saw’ 1:45 am and thought “Self, you’ve got 3 more hours ’till alarm time, RELAX!” Then as I walked back past the clock I saw that the hubs crackberry was blocking the first half of the first number, which was actually a “4″. Ahhh well, I’ll just stay up since the alarm is going off in 15 mins anyhow. Off to the kitchen for espresso and to start getting stuff ready to go and print out directions. Lt. Al rolled in around 5:45 am , snug in the passenger side serving as my navigator and off we went! I think he was cursing me a little for the early hour.

We got to Novi with tons of time to spare, got our bibs, found out that since we registered late we wouldn’t have chips, met up with Kevin from RWBF, chatted abit and got warmed up. I even got in a porta potty without waiting in line. Yay for the little things! As an aside, I’m lucky to not be cursed with some of the tummy issues alot of runners get. I ran all of my marathon last year without a single bathroom stop…we’re talkin’ 6am to 2pm which is amazing since I have the worlds’ smallest bladder. Oh , yea , back to the report. I warmed up abit in the woods on part of the course, coming up the finish hill just to see how bad it was. It wasn’t fun, nor easy, but doable. Randy Step, the running guru here, called us “non chip” runners to the front and the 5k started through a chute (so as not to congest runners on the trail in a big wave start). Although I was off fast I kept telling myself to pace down a little and save some for the trails, so I settled into what I thought was a decent groove aside from some puffy breathing. (its been an asthma week) THEN….I hit mile 1 at 7:01. Uh oh. I’m really in trouble now.(that would be the censored version) I didn’t even know I COULD run a seven minute mile. Crap. So I hang with the people I’m pacing behind until about mile 2 which comes at 16:18 and I start to conserve. I knew that a bog we ran through outbound would be on our inbound path too, along with who knows what else. Lucky me got to pass a few people, then ended up running alone to the clearing for the final 1 / 10 uphill. I knew when I hit the 3 mile marker that I’d be under 26:00 if I booked it up the hill. So I took hubs’ OCS mantra and chanted…”Run the hill, SCREW THE HILL!” until I was up and crossing the footpad.

Official times are up…I came in at 25:43, good enough for 5th out of 35 in my age group (and they award 5 deep, just slid in!), 23/152 in my gender and 53/235 overall. Not too shabby. It’ll hold for now as my 5k PR since my last 5k PR is actually a 3 miler, not a 3.1 miler. And on trails to boot! This stuff was a slip n slide mess of twists and turns with light rolling and a tough but worth it finish. Lt. Al was speedy too, he finished in 22:25 which landed him FIRST in his age group! Congrats Al, way to go!!! Another aside…I know I busted hump because I was heaving at the finish! Kevin didn’t fare as well, only because the markers on the trails weren’t so hot and him and another pack ended up on the 10k path at some point and had to turn around.

We didn’t stick around for the awards as the 10k was just going off after we’d been relaxing for about 30 minutes. I doubt that my time garnered me anything…many women finished ahead of me. But Lt. Al might possibly have. Either way, it was a great effort! Sadly, my shoes are no longer cute, they’ve been well broken in. But pretty is as pretty does right?

Will post the photog pics when they’re up. For now, all you get is the aftermath…

With Lt. Al after the race. A mud bath is good for the skin!
Even if you’re a dude! They WERE periwinkle…now they’re sort of poop colored. But they’re mine all mine and I love ‘em!

And on the racing note…yet another shout out to Kel . She ran a 5 miler today and posted a smokin’ PR. Check out her race report and her pics. Talk about a strong runner! Thanks girl for your 5am text wishing me luck…it helped start my day off right!

What better way to wind down than with a little drink? If you remember the alcohol I mentioned here that I was batching for friends…ITS DONE!!! I brewed all 4 variations up last night…limoncello, limoncello di crema, peachberry cello and peachberrycello di crema. And LUCKY ME, there was enough for me to keep one jar of each after gifting the rest. No, I’m really not that selfish in saying “for me”….the hubs doesn’t care for it…says it smells and tastes like furniture polish. (has he tasted pledge before? hhmmm….)

So if you will…there’s one for you and one for me but my apologies that I don’t have the “proper” shot glasses or cordials. Don’tworry, after the first round you won’t even care!

~Lt. M

A few random thoughts to still my whirling mind before bedding down for the night…

+I’m worried about Kel and crew, I don’t know if she’s emerged from her basement yet, seeking shelter from the tornadoes.

+Girlie banter is fun sometimes…I miss it. Had lunch with the blonde bombshell today to catch up…was a good time. Then spent the better part of the last hour or so gmailing back and forth with Steff. Having such a kick-ass sister is bittersweet. She rocks in so many ways, but being so far apart is the pits.

+I hate the spin bike and the spin bike hates me. Click here to see why.

+Why does the hubs keep calling me Tim? Its not my name. Would he like it if I called him Betty? (and NO, his name is NOT Betty)

+Speaking of Steff, we’ve decided a good mantra to have is “…and eat buttercream! ” (yes, I know that buttercream isn’t in direct correlation with a slim waistline. You must have some concessions!)

+On the note of indulgence, the limoncello and peachberrycello will be ready to batch and jar friday!

+The wee has mucked up his sleep schedule. For days now he gets up around his normal time (7ish) or a hair later, but will NOT nap, then crashes around 6-7pm. We think he’ll be tired and sleep through the night but nooooo , he then wakes up at 8-9pm and is up until midnight. ARGH.

+Now I’m off to bed to read and crash, tomorrow is full of bricks and Tball and cleaning and photoshop and loads of other fun stuff!