My Sweet Tooth

Have I ever mentioned that I am a sweetsaholic?  Is that a word?  If not, it should be.  Hello, my name is Sheri, and I am a sweetsaholic.  I wish I knew a way to break free...but I do take solace in the fact that my current obsessions look like this Chocolate Cake Batter smoothie I found over at Oh She Glows.  This is definitely the way to start a morning!

And I tend toward making healthier versions of desserts - particularly nice if they are one serving desserts.  Like this Strawberry Cobbler I made for the hubby last night...guess I'm not the only one with a sweet tooth around here!



I did use a recipe from Domestic Fits, but I added in some organic quick oats and a little extra milk.  It tasted pretty amazing!  And was one of the easiest things I'd made in awhile.  I love the one serving recipes especially because we can make different things to match our mood.  So, he had cobbler and I had one of my favorite things...granola mixed with vanilla yogurt.  Heaven!  I eat that a lot for breakfast during the week when it's just me.  We go through ALOT of granola in this house!!

I'm glad to be able to find healthy ways to soothe my sweets obsessions.  I can't keep candy and that sort of thing in the house because I just won't leave it be, and it's never me that buys it anyway.  I am so self controlled in some things but sweets aren't one of them.

So, I'm wondering how often I can manage to work that Chocolate Cake Batter smoothie into our daily routine before the hubby calls me out on it?  Good thing I like to run, huh?

Sheri

 

Pretzel Stromboli...and a Great Day!

Yesterday started off pretty average for a vacation day around here.  I couldn't sleep so I was up around 4 am, and decided to do my review of my 2012 goals.  Who knew that admitting that I didn't hit my goal of 1000 likes on HSH's Facebook page would spur my bloggy friends into action.  But it did.  Cooking from a SAHM who has guest posted here a few times, sprang into action and before I knew it, I had all kinds of new friends to talk to!  By the time the hubby and I headed out for our trail run, I was at almost 1000 likes.  Seven miles and about an hour later, I had 1032!  Thanks to Lysska for her support.  I am blessed with so many wonderful people in my life.

Speaking of our trail run...it wasn't our easiest run because I think we're fighting some type of head stuffiness, but it felt awesome to be out on the trails in the sunshine, snow crunching under our feet as we ran and just breathing that crisp air.  I didn't appreciate stepping in a wet puddle of snow only a 1/2 mile in but it wasn't terrible so, I kept on running and before I knew it, that foot was warm and toasty again.

We did stop to appreciate the day at our turn around spot..and captured some nice shots.



Doesn't that look like a fun morning out?  And, then, we came home and did some shopping for some much needed grocery supplies (like goat cheese!) and while the hubby was taking a nap, I made this...



A pretzel stromboli!  I was soooo excited.  It was pretty tasty too.  One of the best tasting doughs I've ever made.  I used a King Arthur pretzel dough recipe and then rolled it out, filled it and brushed the baking soda/water combo that gives the brown crust to a pretzel.  Usually you'd dip a pretzel, but I had to improvise for a stromboli.  It's filled with kale, mushrooms, onions, peppers and provolone and fontina cheeses.  Delicious!!

I hope you all had a fantastic day too!!

Sheri

2012 In Review

It's almost the new year and that means it's time for me to look back on 2012, learn as much as I can from it, and then look forward to all that is coming in 2013.  I've never been good at resolutions, instead I tend to set goals for myself.  Sometimes they're crazy goals, but usually they're attainable goals that I just need to have a list of in order to push me toward completing them.

So, here is my 2012 list that I set and a description of what I accomplished or didn't accomplish as well as some of what I learned.

1. Run a marathon - I did this, but as usual, in my own way.  I was supposed to have this done at the Trail Dawgs Triple Crown Marathon but it wasn't meant to be.  I had to work hard to let myself move on from the disappointment, and I dutifully signed up for another marathon, Harrisburg.  But, you know how when your heart just ISN'T in something, it's nearly impossible to fake it?  That's how I felt.  Sure, I kept to my training plan, logged my miles but I just didn't want to run it.  And, so, when the chance came to run the Appalachian Trail with my friends Suk and Stacey, I jumped on it!  And Stacey did the 26.2 with me.  Of course, for her it was a training run but for me it was a huge deal.  I did my marathon.  And I was darn proud of it!

2. Bike a century - Yep!  Did it. Would I do another?  I'm not sure.  I was not prepared for how tough it would be to be on a bike for this long.  Wow.  I was feeling rough once it was all said and done.  I was glad to have accomplished it though!

3. Do a triathlon, even if it's a small one - Nope.  I didn't get to this goal this year.  I looked at registration after registration and none of them seemed right.  Finding a place to train to swim is difficult and I just couldn't seem to pull the trigger.  I did, however, help friends train for the bike and run part, so I did a little of this goal.  :)

4. Run at least 1000 miles - HALLELUJAH!  Yes,  I did it.  I logged every mile, every time and there was a point in August when I wasn't so sure this was possible but I put my game face on and made it happen!

5. Get 1000 followers on Homemade Served Here's facebook page.  Hmm,  well there a few days left in 2012 but as of today I have 938 followers. And I'm glad that every one of you is here.  I've learned that my worth as a blogger, foodie, runner, etc (since I talk about everything!) isn't measured by the number of likes, it's about the quality of the likes I've got and the community that exists.  And I'm happy, really happy with my little page.  :)

6. Learn how to really use our new camera :)  Done!  I love my camera.  I was going to try and start a small photography business on the side, but really, the spare time just wasn't there and I realized that is a market that has many people it in with far more free time and willing to spend the extra $ to buy the equipment I didn't have.  And I want to continue to just enjoy my hobby so that's what it will stay.

7. Expand my garden and get more berry bushes - I love my garden.  It does amazing things for the size it is.  I wasn't able to expand, but I did add the berry bushes and they were amazing.  Next year should be even better!

8. Freeze/Can enough vegetables and fruits to get us through the entire winter, not just fall - Well, we are only at the beginning of winter but I still have frozen and canned foods put up and some to spare, so I'm hoping this is a yes.  I'll let you know in March.  :)

9. Take a real vacation. No, this did not happen.  My summer vacation was spent redoing my kitchen.  But, I'm okay with that.  It makes every day nicer here, and isn't that what a vacation does?  Reset things.  Mission accomplished.  And I still love the kitchen!

10. Do agility training with Troop - Hmm.  Hard to work with a dog you can't drive anywhere.  I did not do this.  But he has started running with me and was even part of a newspaper article about me doing my crazy holiday running streak.

11. Become completely debt free - Life has a way of laughing at some of our goals.  This has not happened, but it's still something we're working on.  I wish I had some magical potion to keep life from getting in the way, but I don't.  My hubby's eye diagnosis has made this an even bigger priority though, and I"m SURE it will make a 2012 appearance!

12. Have an article published in a "real" magazine - This was one of those lofty ones.  And, no, it didn't happen.  I wish, but I get to write whatever I want, whenever I want and that's pretty awesome!

13. Spend an entire day running ala this blog post from Kristin Armstrong   - Done!!  I ran with the hubby on the trails at White Clay Creek State park in January and it was a blast.  We didn't get to stop into restaurants or anything like that but we had pb&j and stinger gels and life was good.

15. Make up for missing camping last year with Brieanna, Adrian and Noah by having a great camping trip in 2012! - I am sad to say this didn't happen either.  I love my sister's kids so much and it's hard as they get older but I need to make more of an effort.  Shame on me!

16. Winefest 2012, baby!  Here's to Year #3 with the girls in OC!  - Winefest #3 was a great time.  I'm so glad I got the chance, but I am sad that it's likely my last time going.  I decided I'm not taking the lead in planning because I have so much else on my plate. So, we'll see...

All in all, 2012 was a good year.  I accomplished a lot of what I set out to do and handled some life adversity that was thrown my way as best I could.  Things are good.  Now...on to 2013....

Sheri

Merry Christmas!

I am not anticipating blogging much the rest of today or tomorrow, so I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas this morning.  I can hardly believe that Christmas eve is already here but I am ready to spend some time with my kids and enjoy a nice dinner together.  Oh, and I LOVE watching them open their gifts.  Even at 17 and 21, it's still a thrill for me to see.  And, now, I have one more kid to add to the mix with my daughter's fiancee.  So, I want to enjoy every second.  My sister's family will come over for dessert and to open their gifts and since my kids are older, it's even more fun watching her kids open their gifts.  Holidays have a dysfunctional feel about them when it comes to family for us it seems, so I appreciate and treasure those moments of normalcy that come.

I am missing my Grandma even more this year, but at the same time, I feel her so close to me so often that I am comforted more than sad.  Last year the pain was so fresh, so raw that I spent a lot of time crying.  But this year, I find I am smiling at her memory and not shedding nearly as many tears.  I know she wouldn't want me sad.

So, my vegetable lasagna is already made for tonight's dinner, and all I have to add is a salad, and I need to come up with a dessert for tonight.  I was thinking bread pudding but we've been making salad with homemade croutons so often that I have very little days old bread in the house.  I could use the loaf I just made yesterday, I suppose, but then again, I am headed into town to pick up a cable box, and I might stop quickly into market and see if there are any tasty treats I could buy to use and free up some time.  After all, we do need to hit the trails this afternoon, since I napped and rested up a bit yesterday and we didn't make it out there.  Never fear though, my running streak is still alive thanks to the trusty treadmill and a quick mile while dinner cooked.  If you're counting, this is day 33 and I have 6 more official days to run to complete Runner's World Holiday Streak challenge.  Except our New Year's day run, puts me at 40 days total.  Whew.  I think after that, I will take off maybe 3 days?  I'm not sure yet, I guess I'll see how I feel.

In the meantime, Merry Christmas everyone!!

1000 Miles? Check!

So, to recap, I have been buzzing right along with my 2012 goals.  It has been a pretty amazing year.  One of my goals that wasn't as simple to complete?  Running 1000 miles.  It's not a planned weekend thing like a race but a daily, weekly and monthly choice to keep pushing.  I know that there are runners out there, even some I run with, who could run 1000 in only a few months, but for me, this is HUGE.  I hit my 1000 on our Christmas Lights run last night and I was in the company of two of my favorite running friends, Stacey and Kathleen.  Stacey also was my running partner when I completed another goal this year - to run a marathon.  Yes, it was unofficial, but that also means no support, no aid stations, etc, and running it with a friend. So, maybe Stacey's like my good luck charm!  :)  So, anyway, I hit my 1000 2.14 miles into our run and I think the people around us thought we were crazy hooping and hollering like we did.  It was like we won the lottery!

Add that to the running streak coming to an end in a little over a week and I am feeling on top of the world!

This morning was not spent recovering from last week's chilly runs but was spent instead in what might be the coldest and toughest run this year.  Well, other than January when the temps were so cold my water bottle froze shut but at least it wasn't windy and there was sun.  But with a real feel of 21 degrees we headed out to do 7 miles along the river.  Brr!  But a great way to maintain my streak...running with my fellow running streakers...all 5 of us!  We're at day 31, and only have to make it 8 more days.  Except, I'm running with friends for New Year's Day, so I guess I have 9 more days until I FINALLY get a rest day!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sheri

Enchilada Sauce...Homemade!

I am not a big homemade sauce person.  Something about it just scares me.  But, lately, I have been venturing more and more into trying it and so far the results have been well received.  I have to send huge thanks to my Vitamix though.  It makes sauce making pretty simple.

So, I made a tortilla chip, cheese and enchilada type thing a few months ago and have been buying canned sauce to do it.  I decided tonight to try it myself.  And I'm happy.  :)

I found a recipe on Allrecipes and edited the heck out of it.  Took out the oil, added in canned tomatoes from garden in place of tomato sauce and even tweaked the spices.  And guess what?  It worked.

So here's the ingredient list I came up with:

• 1/2 t garlic salt


• 1/2 t onion powder


• 2 T flour


• 1 pint jar of canned tomatoes, or you could use sauce too


• 2 heaping T of chili powder


• 1 t salt


• 1/2 t cumin

I blended all of that together and it looked like this...



and poured it over the organic corn chips.  Just like this...



Then I shredded a little organic cheddar cheese over top of it.



I put it in a 375 degree oven for about 20 minutes and out came this.



And that is a quick, easy and tasty dinner!

 

One more week to go!

And if you're anything like I am right now, things are hectic!!  Even though I'm done all my shopping, it seems like there is always one more thing to add to the to-do list and to the list of stuff I still need to buy.  It's like a never ending list.

So, I am trying extra hard to keep it homemade around here but we have been eating out more than usual just because time is at such a premium.  I know it's not an excuse but some days...well, I'll just leave it at that!

I did however manage to find a day to make a special meal for the hubby last week.  Homemade mushroom soup that he loved along side wild rice patties.  To start off the meal, I made a mixed greens salad topped with a little bit of goat cheese and roasted golden beets.  Delicious!!  I even made a special dessert..."oreo" truffles.  Of course, I didn't use oreos and substituted organic chocolate sandwich cookies.  A great end to a great meal.

[caption id="attachment_1376" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Started by rehydrating some dried mushrooms[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1377" align="aligncenter" width="800"] And this was after simmering all of it together...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1378" align="aligncenter" width="800"] And I had to taste test it. Twice.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1379" align="aligncenter" width="513"] What's inside the truffle?[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1380" align="aligncenter" width="800"] What a tasty sight![/caption]

This was all done without recipes, just sort of whipping things together as I went along but I did try and keep track for all of you as best I could.

The mushroom soup came together by adding the broth from the mushrooms to a roux made of of butter and flour and then I added in some vegetable broth too so the mushroom wasn't completely overpowering.  I let it simmer about 5 minutes and whisked it smooth and added salt a bit of thyme.  Then I added the mushrooms and let it simmer about 5 minutes more.

I crushed the sandwich cookies and mixed them with a bit of softened cream cheese and rolled it into balls and froze them.  I then dipped them into melted dark chocolate and put them back in the freezer to harden.  Easy dessert, but looks much harder.

So, this is my proof that I'm still out there...cooking as well as running.  I still haven't hit the 1000 mark but I'm getting there....

Have a great week everyone!

 

Counting Down to Christmas...and Having Fun along the Way!

Doesn't Thanksgiving seem like a lifetime ago?  It does for me.  Minutes have a way of becoming hours, which of course become days and before you know it weeks have passed and you were just flowing along with things.  Sometimes bad stuff comes up, and equally often, good stuff but usually it's just the usual day to day that moves the time along.  I think that's why I love Christmas.  There's a purpose to things that doesn't always exist the rest of the year, and things just naturally have a sparkle to them that makes everything a little more beautiful.

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." ~Norman Vincent Peale

I'm watching my children get older and am almost the mom of two young adults.  It seems like yesterday that we were a young family, struggling to buy anything at Christmas and just being thankful for what gifts we were able to provide.  Fast forward all these years and you wonder what to buy them because they seem a bit more removed from your life and your confidence every day.  No longer all the cuddling timesto tell you what they hope Santa will bring or the handwritten letters to drop into the mail.  Now we have the creepy "Elf on a Shelf" to keep watch and emailed letters and videos and I guess I do get a bit nostalgic for our pre-internet childhood existence, at least as it applies to Christmas.  ;-)  Not that there isn't a wealth of knowledge out there and places like pinterest to make us all go into sensory overload and my favorite time waster of all, facebook, but it's just those memories that aren't the same for all those generations to come, in the same way our generation was a mystery to our parents and grandparents I guess.  I asked my son the other day about getting his younger cousins itunes gift cards as I had in the past and he looked at me like I was crazy.  "No one buys those anymore," he told me, as if it was the most outdated trend he'd ever heard of.  Well, I guess I am out of that loop too and on continues the cycle.  I do miss having him and his sister sit on my lap, all cuddled up with my babies, but I am proud to have such a wonderful son.  He has a heart that makes me proud.  And my daughter is my heart.  I just love her and hope for the world to open before her.  I know, I'm a mom, we want these things, but I'm just reliving all those Christmas memories that have become a part of my family's stories as I hang the decorations, especially the ornaments.  Each ornament has a story, a reason behind it's choice.  Each year, my children have always chosen one ornament without any input from me to add to our tree.  There is so much power in those memories.  As I hang the ornament, I can remember the moment they picked it out and it's one of my favorite traditions.  I'm sad that my daughter isn't at home anymore to keep it up, but I hope that it's a tradition she'll continue when she has children some day.  And I hope that before Christmas is over, the boy and I can find his addition to the tree this year.

"Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance - each beautiful, unique and too soon gone." ~Deborah Whipp

So, this Christmas just seems different, but the same all at the same time.  We have been just enjoying each other's company as we hurdle toward this empty nest syndrome everyone's telling us about.  Personally, I think we'll be just fine!  We have some of the most awesome friends anyone could ask for and that is like a Christmas gift every day!  We spent this weekend running - pretty much all but 3 miles in the rain, running errands together which makes those chores go by quickly - and I love spending time in the market with him, and even went out for the first time in forever to a bar.  To drink.  It was a night of hanging out with a great couple and even running into quite a few other friends along the way.  Not that the food was spectacular..  The fries were salty, salty and more salty!  Add that to an already (still) upset tummy and it wasn't a good combo.  This week I'm going to work on a few other changes and see what I can do about getting this nausea gone.  I'd like to be able to eat for real again.  I'm still doing the Runner's World Holiday Running Streak which means I have to run every day between Thanksgiving and New Years.  So far, I haven't missed a day and was even in the paper.  Here's today's proof...thanks to my friend, Evans for the pic. We ran about 7 miles in the steady rain on the trails and had a great time!!  Another plus to the running streak is I am rolling on my way to hitting those 1000 miles this year....but I'm keeping my number secret until I actually hit the 1000.  And then I'll probably throw a party.

So, keep that Christmas spirit going strong at your home.  It shouldn't be limited to just one month, but while it's here, take advantage of it.  It is a beautiful time of year.

"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.  It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace." ~Agnes M. Pahro

December. To-do lists everywhere.

Do you make to-do lists?  On any given day, I have several going.  One for homeschool, one for the household, one on my desk, one for daycare...you get the idea.  It's craziness.  Well, really I think this is an example of how crazy I am.  Another example?  If I planned to put something on the list, but didn't and then I do it, I write it on the list JUST. TO. CROSS. IT. OFF.  I can't believe I just told you that.  I'm certifiable sometimes I think.

But I'm an organized crazy person.  And isn't that important?

So, this time of year has so much going on at once that I alternate between feeling scattered and lost and accomplished and on top of things.  Something like this.  Sunday night comes and I'm done all the wrapping of presents, my house is clean, my menu is made for the week and then....Monday morning comes!  I realize I forgot to schedule the milk delivery so breakfast  menu has to change.  More presents I ordered online arrive and have to be wrapped and to add to my misery, a gift arrives broken that needs to be returned.  Kinda defeats the whole order online for convenience thing, huh?

And I'm working on a Christmas program with the daycare kids for the parents, we went to a local park to see lights and we've got a busy few weeks in December to get through and enjoy!  Two of my kids are leaving me in the fall for kindergarten and I want to enjoy every second with them that I can.  Even if it means we're a bit busier than normal!

On top of everything, we're dealing with all the future planning because of hubby's eyes.  We traded in both cars on one car a few weeks ago and that was a good move, but seemed so final. So real. I know it's real.  But making plans and taking steps makes it more real.  As if that makes sense.

So, I know my posts are scattered here and there and I'm not even talking about food as much lately but a homemade life isn't all food...it's home.  :)

Now, can someone teach me how to make kombucha.  Like I need another thing on my to do list but I am ADDICTED and going broke buying it!

 

Sheri

Thanksgiving Album

I feel a bit like I'm cheating, but really, aren't pictures the closest thing to being there?

So, here's my Thanksgiving break told through my camera lens...

Brownies, anyone?  And these are veganized.  I am becoming a pro at that flax egg thing.  Want further proof?

These are whole grain, totally egg and dairy free waffles.  Which my hubby then had a huge dollop of freshly whipped cream on top of.  Hmm...

Ahhh...Thanksgiving.  Maple roasted rainbow carrots, stuffing, mashed potatoes and shredded brussel sprouts with walnuts and cranberries.  I miss it all already!

And the afternoon Thanksgiving nap.  All three of my boys.

Making some non-steak Cheese Steak Hoagies....turned out pretty good too! See....

After all that food...time for a run!  We explored some of the Mason Dixon Trail.  Fun!!

And then time for lunch with a my friend, Jen...this is her salad.

And this is my veggie wrap with sweet potato fries.

I hope you enjoyed sharing my holiday.  I had so much fun just relaxing, cooking, eating...just enjoying my life and all of the wonderful people in it.  :)  I hope you had a wonderful holiday too!

Sheri

 

Almost Thanksgiving...Are You Ready?

I am, but that's because I have nothing to get ready for.  I feel so....guilty?  Or at least something close to that feeling.  I mean, I have made Thankgiving dinner for uber years and this is my first non-cooking dinner in a long time, but it's not just that...we're not even going to a Thanksgiving dinner.  Is that wrong?  Am I wrong to deprive my almost adult son of his last Thanksgiving dinner as a "child" of this house?  I think we'll be okay.  I was planning a fancy Italian meal...breaking the chains of conformity big time, but that boy balked.  He wants at least his cranberry relish and turkey on Thursday.  So, I relented.  I'll make him a turkey breast (Which he now wants deep fried???  Uh-uh.  No way.  Gotta draw the line somewhere!) and his relish along with the usual Thanksgiving trimmings.  But since it's just the three of us, it will be casual.  And I'm good with casual.  I've spent too many years obsessing over dishes, cleaning, etc and I'm thankful for a peaceful break.  We're hitting the trails that morning with friends and then headed home to make food and watch football.  The boy and I might head to the outlets for the fun of midnight shopping.  I don't really buy anything but it's just so different to be out and about at those hours with so many other people and that makes it fun.  I thought the boy was looking forward to his first midnight black friday outing before yesterday asking if I could just give him money to go stand in line at midnight at Finish Line with friends.  Priorities of a 17 year old.  So we'll see how that all ends up.

Last year at this time I was so sad.  My grandmother was in her final days and I didn't know how to handle it.  Now, it's a year later and I know you all know how much I still think of her and miss her.  But I know she wouldn't want me sad.  She'd want me to be thankful for each day I'm given and to be thankful for how many of those days were spent with her. I always will wish it was more but I think that's how it always feels.  No matter what, we still want more.  Right now, I feel that way about the hubby.  I am thankful his eye condition has given him almost 40 years of good sight but why couldn't it have been more?  Why did it have to appear at all?  I guess those aren't questions to know the answer too.  It's more of the "be thankful for all that you have been given" variety.  And I am.

This past week has been busy though!  I am in week 3 of P90X and Tony Horton is kicking my butt!!  I am struggling to work in my runs and keep that balance.  I am fighting a chest cold at the moment and my last p90X workout and my run yesterday both were super-hard for me to finish.  I kept pushing and managed it but paid for it last night when I just wanted to crash.  This morning is a struggle because all I want to do is sleep!

Some of what I've been making....and I apologize in advance because I have not been keeping recipes like I should.  More of a wing it type of week.

 

[caption id="attachment_1345" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Kale makes a pretty awesome salad![/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_1346" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Mug cakes are an obsession!! How else can I make this coconut cake and make the hubby a peanut butter cake all in the same night?[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_1347" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Chocolate Peanut Butter muffins for the daycare kiddos were a HUGE hit![/caption]

 

I also made my first Vegan Pumpkin Pie!! I was completely excited.  Nobody wanted to share :(  But that's okay, I loved it!!  I just used silken tofu, spices, pumpkin and a little sugar and put it in a pie crust.  It didn't make it to it's photo shoot but that's okay because it was tasty!! I will make that again.

I have a few new obsessions (besides mug cakes) to tell you about:

Cherry Chia Kombucha by Synergy - okay, so this is not really a new obsession but lately I can't get enough of this stuff!  And now I find out they make a grape chia flavor.  What?  I must find this!

Kale in all forms.  Not just cooked or sauteed.  I want to eat it all of the time!

Zevia soda.  Yes! A coke alternative when I've got a migraine.  I love this find!

So, what's your holiday plans?  Your new obsessions?

 

Just Keep Moving

Let me preface this post with a statement that all runners will be able to identify with.  I had a sucky long run today.  There, you've been warned.  And I am the type of runner who will analyze the crap out of my run when it sucks.  Did I hydrate enough?  Eat enough?  Dress right?  Etc, etc, etc.  And it will be like that until my next run.  I am an obsessive person.  This really should not be news.

So, anyway, I was supposed to run the Harrisburg Marathon today.  However, for months there was just this little nagging feeling that it just wasn't my race.  But I trained, kept working and then after I ran my unofficial marathon on the AT in October, I seriously lost all motivation to run Harrisburg.  I tried.  I kept training.  But it just wasn't to be.  And I am completely okay with it.  When I made the final choice to skip it and transfer my bib to a friend, I felt a huge weight off my shoulders.  My runs this week have been fabulous, so I expected no less from today's long run.  Well, I was sorely disappointed.  Emphasis on sorely.  Wow.  Starting out my right ankle that has been tender since the AT run really starting flaring up and making itself known.  So, I adjusted my gait and was rewarded with less ankle pain but left knee and hip pain.  And so began my yo-yo of pain progression.  I had positioned my car at the center of neighborhoods I like running in and stocked it with my "aid station" goodies.  After the first six miles, I was in so much pain I had to really push myself back out there and away from the car.  But I did it.  And the next six miles was worse.

When you're out there with someone, pain is a little less severe because you can talk to someone and focus away from the pain.  But alone?  That's all you focus on.  It's work focusing on anything else.  I was studying houses, singing, working out my weekly menu in my head.  ANYTHING to keep away from the pain.  As I hobbled in for my second stop, I knew I wouldn't be able to head back out.  The ankle was just too bad.  So I will be resting, elevating and hoping that it calms down for Tuesday morning's group run.  Luckily, Wednesday is massage night and I'm hoping she can get these muscles calmed down.  But in the meantime, I will celebrate finishing that run and trying not to analyze it too much.

Something else to celebrate?  I'm at 875 miles for the year for running...that means only 125 more to go to meet my goal!  Starting p90X has made keeping on track for running more difficult but I still have been able to work in at least 3 runs a week, and I'm averaging 20-25 miles a week, so at that rate, I should easily meet my goal.  Anything extra is just icing on the cake.

I know that posts like this aren't really  what I had planned on doing when I started the blog, hence the name.  It was supposed to be about making all meals from scratch, using whole ingredients, but there is so much more to that, and sometimes, I feel that I don't post as much as I want to because I don't want all of you to be sick of reading about my fitness adventures.  I've thought about changing the blog's name to something fitnessy and catchy but what a pain.  And I am still HSH, but like me, the blog is a work in progress, an evolution of ideas and thoughts.  So, I will try and not shy away from sharing the fitness part of my life, because it is a HUGE part of who I am, who my family is and what drives my cooking and planning for meals.  I hope that some of out there will appreciate it and jump into sharing too!

So, I mentioned the hubby and I are doing P90X...anyone else out there doing it?  Done it?  Want to share?

I'm So Thankful...Part 2

Today is just one of those days that I love.  I went grocery shopping early, did some daycare paperwork, and then went for a 6 mile run with my neighbor, leaving me all kinds of afternoon nap time with the hubby.   Lazy Saturday afternoons are just the best.  Sunday gets all the credit for lazy afternoons but I'm usually a whirlwind on Sundays, getting ready for the next week.  Not much resting going on.  And me napping?  Doesn't happen often, but it is a glorious feeling when it does. Top the day off with a dinner of veggie quesadillas and these awesome Chocolate Mousse cupcakes from Post Punk Kitchen and that is a pretty freakin' amazing day.



 

I'm feeling so relaxed and thankful that these last 15 thankful things on my list should be a breeze to write!

So, here we go...

16. My grandmother's love.  Even though she is gone now, her never ending support and the way she made me feel like I was capable of anything still remain.  There are moments when I still forget and want to just see her, hear her and be with her, but then I remember she's not here any longer.  I'm sad for a moment but then I remember, she's always with me deep inside.  I close my eyes, listen to her voice and am thankful that I have a lifetime of memories of her.

17. For my puppies.  I get frustrated that traveling is almost impossible, at the messes in my house, at the dog stuff everywhere but, in reality, I love my dogs.  My girls that are no longer with us - Cleo and Sierra - were the epitome of love and devotion and Troop, Junie and Cally make our lives as interesting as they make it crazy.  I don't know what I'd do with a quiet house.

18.  My OCD tendencies.  Yes, I realize that this is not something to be thankful for because it also makes me crazy and stressed but at the same time, it drives me.  I de-stress by cleaning and organizing and seeing the result of my actions is fulfilling to me.  I am thankful to also have friends (you know who you are!) who know that a sink MUST be clean at all times. :)

19. That God has never deserted me in my life.  He has been there for it all.  Whether I deserve it or not, he's unfailing.  I'm not perfect and I'm so thankful I don't have to be.  He takes care of me and whether things are going right or wrong, He's there, waiting patiently.  I know that without God, I would be lost, and I'm beyond thankful for the blessings he has poured onto my life and for guiding me out of the storms I've gone through.

20. Coffee.  It really is my favorite thing to drink besides water.  And since hubby works at Sbux, I'm thankful that lots of other people like it as much as I do!!  I am working on cutting back though and picked up a box of Mate Chocolatte tea bags today.  Tasty but I don't know that it will be able to topple coffee from my daily routine.

21. My home.  I am not always as thankful as I should be for the roof over my head since we'd like to be able to move someday and we bought at exactly the wrong time and WAY overpaid but still.  I know it's a blessing in my life to have a home that accomodates our life.  Plenty of room for the child care, and a great basement space for our work out space.  And I do love my master bedroom.  So, all in all, I'm thankful for the space in this world that I get to call home.

22. Running partners who rock!  This is my first year of running with anyone except the hubby on a regular basis and I love it!!  Our Wednesday night trail group is amazing, even if we're about 3 weeks MIA.  I used to stress about being too slow, too fast, wrong pace, too many miles, too few miles but not too much anymore.  I'll run with just about anyone.  And it's awesome.  I've become a much better runner because of all of them.  So a huge thank you to them.

23.  Massages and my foam roller.  Okay, so these might deserve their own thank you individually but since they work together I'll thank them as one.  I would not be able to run as much as I do without injury if I didn't get my monthly massages or use my foam roller religiously after running and before bed.  It has been another one of those keystones to becoming a better runner.  The massages aren't always pain free but I'm always looser and less stressed afterward.

24. My camera.  I love photography.  It's a hobby that really lets me get creative and into the moment.  I was thinking of launching a business with it this year but decided to hold off a bit until things are a little more settled at home.  And I enjoy it as a hobby so why try and turn it into something else too soon?  For now, I'll keep taking pictures of my food and sharing them with all of you.

25. I was running out of things to be thankful for so I asked the hubby to help get me started again and what he said kinda brought me back to reality.  His response?  "Did you say you were thankful for your eyesight?" Wow.  Reality check.  So, I will remember to be thankful for all of the things I take for granted each day because someone out there is wishing they had it.  And, thankful as I am that I do have my eyesight, I'd give it to him in a heartbeat without one second thought.

26.  Another one from the hubby...I think we're meshing lists at this point.  Thankful for NCAA sanctions that are keeping Ohio State out of a bowl game so that this awesome season of theirs doesn't end in an embarrassing bowl game like usual.  O-H?

27. P90X.  Am I really thankful for that?  Well, my body's not always thanking me, but I am thanking myself for making the commitment to a lifetime of health and that this is a part of it.  As a runner and cyclist, there are a lot of things neglected and my commitment is to 90 days of P90X and seeing that final transformation.  Carving out time for that and running isn't easy but I know that it will be worth it and it's a sacrifice worth making!

28. That I grew up eating lots of vegetables.  I love vegetables now and I know that it is due in part to being served them all of the time from our garden as a kid.  As a vegetarian/sometimes vegan, vegetables are an important part of my diet and being so equal in my love for all things veggie makes that an easy lifestyle to maintain.  So, I am thankful to have had those habits instilled young.

29. Opportunities to give back.  I'm thankful to have had the chance to give back and to keep giving back through volunteering, mentoring and donating.  I wish that I could give more of all three but have been rewarded and blessed to have the opportunities I have had.

30. My life is filled with love, friends and reasons to be thankful.  Having reasons to be thankful is the sign of a life at peace.  And I am.  I'm settled, I'm happy, and I'm blessed.  What else is there?

Sheri

I'm So Thankful, part 1

Let me preface this by saying I am awful at those lists where you post something daily.  I get sidetracked, lose count and in general end up more stressed doing it than I would have been otherwise which is usually not the reason for them in the first place.  I love, love, love the idea of posting something that I'm thankful for every day of November.  But, I know me and I won't be able to do it.  I just have too much else going on.  So, here is 15 of my 30 days in advance.  Enjoy!

I'm so thankful for...

1.  My husband.  He's my go-to person for everything in my life.  I wouldn't be me without him.

2. My kids.  They drive me crazy but I love them and I'd do anything in the world for them and sometimes I am not so thankful they know that.  :)

3. My bffs.  Whenever I am losing my mind, I have friends who always have my back.  They make me sane again and make me laugh all at the same time.  They're my "reset" button.

4. My daycare.  Having a job that rewards and fulfills me is a blessing.  I forget that some days amidst the endless diaper changes and dried out hands from handwashing, but it is my life and I love it.

5. My family.  So, we just about as dysfunctional as they come but without them I wouldn't be the person I am.  Sometimes it's been a matter of gaining strength to overcome the crap, and sometimes it's having shared memories that nobody else has but either way, they're mine.

6. My neighbors.  For the first time, we've got neighbors who we like and who like us.  Okay, that sounds bad, but it's kinda true.  :)  And we're glad they're our neighbors!!

7. My fitness freak friends.  Who else will run 26 miles with you "just because" ?!?  Or understands that talking about bikes and shoes is not only accepted as conversation, but is welcomed.  There's usually someone who wants to run or bike.  And if not, they'll encourage me to get my butt out the door!

8. My blog.  My little corner of the world is fun.  It's a place I can talk about anything (like this list) and people care.  How completely awesome is that!!

9. Cool weather.  So glad to breaking out the cool weather running stuff.  Yeah, it's an adjustment but I feel like I'm floating instead of slugging through the humid air.  Yay!

10. Holidays. Yes, our holidays are a mess.  I don't even think we're doing Thanksgiving this year.  But I still love the festiveness of it all.  Something to look forward to and enjoy.

11.  Weekday morning text conversations with my husband.  Working opposite shifts makes communication trickier.  Thank heavens for texting.  My first text to him is before I even get out of bed just to say hello.  And we text on and off all morning before he leaves.  If he's busy and can't text, my morning just doesn't feel the same.  :(

12. My Vitamix and my breadmaker.  Yep, they rank that high on the list.  I used my Vitamix THREE times this morning alone.  Once for green smoothies, once to make almond milk and yet again to make waffle batter.  And the breadmaker is an almost endless fountain of bread dough, dough for rolls, pizza dough, etc.

13. Netflix. Hear me out on this.  Our Netflix has saved us tons of money.  We dropped back to basic cable, saving about $80 a month, and added Netflix streaming for $8 a month.  And we watch movies, shows, etc.  It is awesome.  And at 10% of the cost.

14.Facebook...or Social Media in general.  Working from home gets a little lonely and the various social media really fill in those gaps.  Other daycare providers help out with issues, friends can all talk and share, and it's a way to keep connected to the people I want to talk to. It's not perfect  - nothing is - but it's made a big difference in my life. There are groups for everything too and I've met more runners, foodies, etc than I ever would have in real life!

15. Late night homeschooling time.  Homeschooling has been a challenge with my son because he needs that one on one time with me and it's hard for me to give that to him between his work schedule and my daycare.  So, when we are both up and awake enough to do school at 11 after the hubby heads to work, it's a fun time for just us.  I love sharing a few moments with him because these are my last few months of him in high school.  Those times feel like stolen treasures for me to store up.

Halfway point!  I'll start with 16 my next post!!

Have a beautiful weekend.  This was the sky I woke up to this morning and it was a beautiful sight.  Sunlight.  Aahhhhh!



 

 

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is one of those fun holidays...just so many possibilities.  It can be cute and fun or scary and dark - whichever you prefer and it's all okay.  I love the cute and fun, but then again, I am a child care provider and I love planning fun activities for the kids.  One of my most favorite parts of October?  Singing "Spooky Walk" every day.  Yes, every day.  I love that cute little song.  And the kids love it too.  If you've never heard spooky walk, check out this little video.  It's not my kiddos, but it's cute kids anyway!



Another great thing about Halloween is all of the treats!!  And my kiddos were spoiled today!

[caption id="attachment_1321" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Boo! Ghosts found their way into the pancakes...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1324" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Spooky lunch!! I made the "mummy hot dogs" and my daycare moms took care of the rest. Isn't it awesome???[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1322" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Don't mess with these kids! Too cute to not give them treats to![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1325" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Stop with the pictures already! Can I EAT???[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1327" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Digging into those yummy strawberry ghosts...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1326" align="aligncenter" width="800"] And the Jack O Lantern fruit cups too![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1328" align="aligncenter" width="800"] YUM![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1329" align="aligncenter" width="800"] And don't forget the hot dogs!! These are pretty tasty too![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1323" align="aligncenter" width="682"] Happy Halloween from all of us!![/caption]

We still have a few treats to eat.  We had cute pumpkin cookies for am snack and we'll be enjoying some cupcakes for afternoon snack.  Luckily, we've had lots of good food and fruit in between!  I hope you enjoyed sharing our Halloween day with us.

  Sheri

Happy Monday!

So, I guess as long as I can manage a post a week, I'm going to just have to be happy with it.  I'd rather give you lots of good stuff than a few posts here and there!  So, as usual, we've been busy around here.  For once, it's not been as much running as usual though.  Just enjoying life.

Thought I might start with giving a glimpse into our menu for the week ahead.  I haven't done that for awhile, and thought it would be a good start to the week...

Keep in mind that breakfast and lunch are geared toward the daycare kids, and may include meat.  Dinner is for the hubby and I, and occasionally the boy, and won't include meat.  :)

Monday:

Breakfast: Banana Smoothie, Toast, Lunch: Chicken & Rice Bake, Dinner: Veggie Soup & Grilled Panini\

Tuesday:

Breakfast: Applesauce Baked Donuts, Lunch: Pizza Stuffed Pita Shells, Dinner: Sweet Potato & Black Bean Quesadillas

Wednesday:

Breakfast: Pancakes, Lunch: PB Banana Wrap, Dinner: Veggie Stromboli

Thursday:

Breakfast: French Toast, Lunch: Egg & Potato Hash, Dinner: Large Salad, Corn Fritters

Friday:

Breakfast: Baked Oatmeal, Lunch: Spaghetti, Dinner: Out with Friends!

So, there's our plan for the week.  I try to plan flexible meals and I change things up as needed. I have to say that I am looking forward to Friday night's dinner the most!!  We're headed out with some very good friends to Gettysburg and going out to dinner and then are doing a ghost tour through downtown Gettysburg.  The hubby and I did it last year and, besides the frigid weather of last year, it was a great time.  We're doing a different tour this year, with a different company and there will be 8 of us.  The weather is looking perfect too!!  No hat, gloves and boots required!  I will try and snap as many pics as possible to share with all of you.  :)

Now, what have I been making this past week, you wonder???



A great sauteed veggie platter with potatoes, kale, feta cheese and some spinach and feta pierogies added in.  Delicious and healthy!



And this was our Sunday breakfast...yummy!!



And while I was at it...I made some buns for Sunday lunch to use with our veggie burgers.  :)



And these are the apple hand pies I made for the daycare kiddos breakfast last week...they were tasty!



And this was the inside of the apple pies.  I used my Pampered Chef cut and seal tool to make them.  I love that tool.  I make my own uncrustable PB&J with it too.  Kids (and the hubby love it!)

So, I've shared our menu, shared our past meals and I guess all that's left to do is share about my running.  Of course!

I had a rough week last week.  Healing up from running my unofficial marathon was a little time consuming.  My ankles were the most sore I guess from running all that uneven surface of the Appalachian Trail.  So, I did 2 runs - one on Tuesday that was only 4 miles and speedwork at a local park, and then the next day on the trails I love at Rocky Ridge I did 6 miles.  Then I took Thursday and Friday off and had a great run at an alumni 5k for my high school.  The cross country course was tough but I broke 30 minutes and I was thrilled.  29:59 is breaking 30, right!?!  I did take first place in my age group too, but it was a pretty small field.  But I got a trophy.  My first one.  Even more special that it was from my high school and my hubby paced me the whole run!

Then, I skipped my long run yesterday.  I just wasn't feeling like running.  WHAT!?!  I hope that by listening to my body I can prevent injuries and hopefully I'll still hit my 1000 miles for running this year.  I am at 816 miles.  SO CLOSE!  So, I really want to keep that momentum going.  Fingers crossed I make it.

Anyway.  Enough rambling.  Time to wrap this up!

Have a fantastic week everyone!!

Sheri

 

 

Has It Really Been a Week?

I'm so sorry.  A week since my last post?  Really?  Wow.  I have no excuses other than life is a whirlwind sometimes.  Here's my rundown...

First off...the trail half marathon last weekend was BRUTAL!  I felt so good in the beginning...like I was flying up and down the hills, but, then, mile 7 came and I just completely bonked.  Hard.  It was a disappointing 3:08 finish.  But it was a finish.  And the hubby did so fantastic!!  He won his age group.  I love that guy!  He is AMAZING!  Best part of the trip?  Hanging with my in-laws and having some time away with the hubby.  I loved it.  I needed it.  So, bonked half marathon or not, it was a good weekend. Check out that elevation chart...isn't that rough looking.  I still don't want to look even though it's done.  :)



Next up, just what a freaking busy week.  Wow.  The hubby went for another vision followup and we got the official diagnosis.  I know I've been sorta keeping this one quiet and not sharing but that was really more because we just weren't sure what to do, and I wasn't really ready to share yet.  I still doubt that anyone will know what it even means, but he has Stargardt disease or Fundus Flavimaculatus is another name for the adult onset version like he has.  Not much is known about it and there aren't treatments yet but we're staying positive.   We're good over here.  Of course, we'd rather not have this to deal with but at the same time, we at least know what it is and that's a far cry from all the guessing we'd been doing.  Any and all prayers, healing thoughts and good vibes for our family are appreciated!  Choosing to be positive is a much better place than falling into negativity or freaking out so I'm hoping I can make that choice as much as possible!

One great part of the day of his doctor visit?  Peanut Butter and Jelly pancakes!  I don't have a recipe because I completely made this up as I went along.  But I'm sure you could do that too.  These were delicious!!!! A little, teensy bit on the dense side but an awesome pancake experience.



And, then, the hubby had a craving for something cinnamon that night.  Hmm....well, monkey bread or cinnamon rolls take some time.  But coffee cake doesn't...so I found this Best Coffee Cake Ever recipe from Pioneer Woman and had to try it.  And, it was pretty good.  A little heavy for me, but really, really good.



And, did you notice that Coco Cafe in the picture?  I have a friend who loves coconut water.  Okay, I have several friends who swear by it, but I have one who loves it.  Yes, Jen, I'm talking about you.  So, when I saw this in the store, I had to give it a try.  And, guess what?  I still don't like it.  Even when a shot of expresso and milk is added to it.  I just can't get into it.  I tried, Jen, I really, really did.



To top off all of that, I went out for a training run yesterday and decided to do 26.2 with my friend Stacey.  We decided to run on the Appalachian Trail and once you've gone out 13 miles, you really don't have a choice to but to finish it out and go back.  I was beyond excited to have gone that far!  I really feel ready to tackle my marathon in November, but it is a great feeling knowing I ALREADY have gone that far!!  Yeah, that's me looking like a silly idiot when Stacey snapped a pic as I was wrapping up the .2 of the whole deal.  I'm surprised at how great I still feel.  Maybe it's still the runners high?  I don't know but I like it.



Oh, and I did forget to mention it was fire safety week last week and one of my daycare dads is a firefighter.  He does the COOLEST. THING. EVER. for us every year and brings the fire truck to our house, gives the kids a lesson the equipment, fire safety, and rides on the truck around the neighborhood.  It's awesome.  The kids (and us grown ups!) love it.  Two of my friends who are also child care providers bring their kiddos over, and we have a great morning.

Here's my kiddos waiting...



And here's a quick shot from inside the truck...fun times!!



And, now that I think you're all completely caught up...I'll tell you something shocking.  I ate....a turkey burger today.  It was my first taste of meat in many, many months.  I don't think I will be making it a habit but it wasn't terrible.  I think I'll just end on that...

Enjoy and have a fantastic week!

Sheri