We have a month before the health and fitness world goes nuts for New Years... But why wait until resolution time to start setting personal goals?
A very lovely lady at Fat Girl vs World set up a community online spreadsheet to track our individual goals. She calls this #GTD or Going The Distance.
#GTD is a monthly goal setting tracker where we can track progress on any goal we set
*How many ounces of water I drank everyday this month?
*How many calories did I burn?
*How many miles can I run this month?
(my goal of *How much boozin' did I do? caught a couple chuckles...)
In the summary, you can see your personal progress for the month and compare it to your buddies (I'm at 5% to goal- Don't Judge!). Sure, some people drop out, but others are in it to 'Go The Distance'.
In addition, with the twitter hashtag #DecGTD we share how we are making steps to reach these goals. By reading into them (and by snooping on the other player's personal spreadsheets), I've learned a great variety of individual goals people have set for themselves. As I progress in developing my own personal goals and accountability, may mimic some goals I've seen some of these guys and girls have set. I also love how #GTD is a monthly challenge, in this, I may choose a different 'resolution' each month.
More to come...
December's Goal: 3 miles/day
Friday, December 3, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Burn off the Turkey
I haven't posted in a while... never did a Thanksgiving post... been sick...
Oh well, I just need to find the time then!
Just wanted to get in a really quick post:
Now that Turkey-Day is over, the thoughtful folks at WorkSmart Labs, the developers for my all time favorite app CardioTrainer, have put together a widget to help visualize what it takes to work off your Thanksgiving dinner.
It is said that Thanksgiving meal is roughly 3000 calories on average. This widget sits on my home screen, a beautiful steaming turkey... Then as I workout using my CardioTrainer app (which calculates my time, pace, distance, calories burned, etc), it takes the calories I burned and subtracts it from this 3000 calorie goal. Then my turkey transforms as though I'm consuming it.
^Mine only transformed from being steaming hot to having a knife shoved into it... That's how far my lame, sicky-recovery 2 mile run got me.
This had me thinking: What if I could set up all my goals into something visual? I would love it if they generated customizable options in this fashion. Example: For every beer I drink, I can put a widget on my phone to burn off an additional 170 cals or so. Hmmm... me likey
Oh well, I just need to find the time then!
Just wanted to get in a really quick post:
Now that Turkey-Day is over, the thoughtful folks at WorkSmart Labs, the developers for my all time favorite app CardioTrainer, have put together a widget to help visualize what it takes to work off your Thanksgiving dinner.
It is said that Thanksgiving meal is roughly 3000 calories on average. This widget sits on my home screen, a beautiful steaming turkey... Then as I workout using my CardioTrainer app (which calculates my time, pace, distance, calories burned, etc), it takes the calories I burned and subtracts it from this 3000 calorie goal. Then my turkey transforms as though I'm consuming it.
^Mine only transformed from being steaming hot to having a knife shoved into it... That's how far my lame, sicky-recovery 2 mile run got me.
This had me thinking: What if I could set up all my goals into something visual? I would love it if they generated customizable options in this fashion. Example: For every beer I drink, I can put a widget on my phone to burn off an additional 170 cals or so. Hmmm... me likey
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
In preparation of Turkey Day, I made some home made cranberry sauce. I wanted to make it well in advance because it refrigerates well and I can forget about it until Thursday (leave time in my busy schedule to panic over other things.)
Cranberry Sauce
What you will need:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
12oz bag of cranberries
optional- any other kind of fruit or nut- raisins, apples, pecans, etc
I doubled the recipe and added 2 satsuma oranges
Prep (important!): Put cranberries into a bowl, wash and pick out the bad ones. If they are squishy, you probably don't want them.
Step 1: Bring water and sugar to a boil
Step 2: Add cranberries and bring to a boil again. It will look like there isn't enough water, but there is...
Step 3: When it gets to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. The cranberries will begin to pop. Cook the pop-berries for about 10 mins.
Step 4: Add your optional additions (I added diced orange wedges). I lost patience and popped the rest of the cranberries against the wall of the pot.
Step 5: Let cool a bit then put your sauce into a jar and refrigerate.
Don't forget to use your family and pets as guinea pigs:
Murphy was indifferent
The humans said it was a bit too tart, but I'm hoping that the flavor settles after it cools.
Riley likes it, but he also likes lemons, sea salt vinegar chips and cat poop
I'll give it until Thursday morn, if its too tart, then I'll be at Safeway's door... But I will report back.
Cranberry Sauce
What you will need:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
12oz bag of cranberries
optional- any other kind of fruit or nut- raisins, apples, pecans, etc
I doubled the recipe and added 2 satsuma oranges
Prep (important!): Put cranberries into a bowl, wash and pick out the bad ones. If they are squishy, you probably don't want them.
Step 1: Bring water and sugar to a boil
Step 2: Add cranberries and bring to a boil again. It will look like there isn't enough water, but there is...
Step 3: When it gets to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. The cranberries will begin to pop. Cook the pop-berries for about 10 mins.
Step 4: Add your optional additions (I added diced orange wedges). I lost patience and popped the rest of the cranberries against the wall of the pot.
Step 5: Let cool a bit then put your sauce into a jar and refrigerate.
Don't forget to use your family and pets as guinea pigs:
Murphy was indifferent
The humans said it was a bit too tart, but I'm hoping that the flavor settles after it cools.
Riley likes it, but he also likes lemons, sea salt vinegar chips and cat poop
I'll give it until Thursday morn, if its too tart, then I'll be at Safeway's door... But I will report back.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Dear Paula Deen,
The holidays are here, in some ways it came too early
^That was my parkinglot at work. I don't recall Pierce County ever getting this much snow in November, in fact, its rare for us to get snow at all before Christmas.
With the sudden cold weather and an email from the school stating that they will be closed due to "inclement weather", looks like I won't be going to work tomorrow. Wha hoo! Lets celebrate!
With 2lbs of butter!
Hot Buttered Rum Mix
Makes approximately 16 cups, serving size is 2 tbs (translation- enough drink mix to swim in..)
I made a large batch of this so that I can gift it out just in time for the holidays.
What you will need:
2lb butter
2lb brown sugar
2lb powdered sugar
1.5 quart vanilla ice cream (softened-ish.., consistency of yogurt)
Tbs cinnamon
tsp nutmeg/ginger or equally yummy spice
^can you tell I estimated?
Step 1. Melt Butter, remove from heat
Step 2. Add sugars and spice, mix until smooth
Step 3. Fold in soft ice cream
Step 4. Pour into containers and freeze
That's it! pretty simple huh?
For whatever reason (on sale!), I used "no sugar added" ice cream...
As if it makes a lick of difference... but its awfully hilarious that I added it to 6lbs of collective evil. >:)
I got about 16 cups worth of mix from this
The blue lid in front is ours, the red ones are subject to giving away (maybe).
When ready to drink, follow these directions:
In a coffee mug mix-
1-2 oz dark rum (we used bourbon tonight)
add 2TBS mix
top off with boiling water
This is certainly an indulgence drink, best after a cold day. Kids can also enjoy the mix by simply excluding the alcohol.
Please forgive me Paula Deen...
^That was my parkinglot at work. I don't recall Pierce County ever getting this much snow in November, in fact, its rare for us to get snow at all before Christmas.
With the sudden cold weather and an email from the school stating that they will be closed due to "inclement weather", looks like I won't be going to work tomorrow. Wha hoo! Lets celebrate!
With 2lbs of butter!
Hot Buttered Rum Mix
Makes approximately 16 cups, serving size is 2 tbs (translation- enough drink mix to swim in..)
I made a large batch of this so that I can gift it out just in time for the holidays.
What you will need:
2lb butter
2lb brown sugar
2lb powdered sugar
1.5 quart vanilla ice cream (softened-ish.., consistency of yogurt)
Tbs cinnamon
tsp nutmeg/ginger or equally yummy spice
^can you tell I estimated?
Step 1. Melt Butter, remove from heat
Step 2. Add sugars and spice, mix until smooth
Step 3. Fold in soft ice cream
Step 4. Pour into containers and freeze
That's it! pretty simple huh?
For whatever reason (on sale!), I used "no sugar added" ice cream...
As if it makes a lick of difference... but its awfully hilarious that I added it to 6lbs of collective evil. >:)
I got about 16 cups worth of mix from this
The blue lid in front is ours, the red ones are subject to giving away (maybe).
When ready to drink, follow these directions:
In a coffee mug mix-
1-2 oz dark rum (we used bourbon tonight)
add 2TBS mix
top off with boiling water
This is certainly an indulgence drink, best after a cold day. Kids can also enjoy the mix by simply excluding the alcohol.
Please forgive me Paula Deen...
Friday, November 19, 2010
Eating Healthy in the Workplace
Thanks to everyone for your kind comments on my last post. My headache has gone down and my throat is recovering. I didn't exercise- mostly due to a busy schedule, but if I get my way, I plan to get back on the pavement.
Eating Healthy in the Workplace
I work in an environment that is not very keen on the idea that employees who are healthy will work harder, with less sick days and with less risk of injury. They really should because the work most of the guys do here is rather unsafe and around very old and dangerous equipment-and out in the elements.
Yes, I am dubbed the health freak by my coworkers
We have vendors who come through to meet with the engineers and buyers almost weekly. If you know anyone in the field of sales, you know they like to put their 'target' in a good mood (for buying) by using food. We all know that food, especially as a reward or a gift, initiates a pleasure receptor in us. (which is why I ask my man to gift me with chocolate and not flowers- hint hint)
We have a particular vendor who knows the best(worst) doughnut shop in town. I won't even begin to try and explain it with words:
^That is bacon on a maple bar (next to a smores doughnut)... I actually took that thing home and gave it to my hubby (because I know he likes to be gifted with bacon and not flowers).
Being the good little office health-nut I am, I have succeeded in graciously declining these goodies (and put in a request that the vendor bring a fruit basket one day).
Its easy to tell yourself that you will bring in a healthy lunch everyday and eat a healthy breakfast every morning but the reality is that you won't all the time. There will be a day where you miss breakfast and you will tell yourself that your only option is the fatty-mcfat-fat doughnut. And there will be a day where you 'forgot' to pack a healthy lunch (or left it in the fridge at home) and tell yourself that Mc D's is closest and all you have time for in your lunch hour.
I expected these excuses- so while back, I dedicated a shelf in my office to some healthy options. I make regular trips to the market and buy fresh produce. In fact, this was on my 'food agenda' today after my yogurt-
I took some saladmix from home to eat for lunch before it turned, tomato and bell pepper to add to lunch, the lemon I squeezed the juice out and used in my second water bottle (first water bottle was a fizzy drink with 1000mg of vitamin C- take THAT cold!), The plum I got from the farmer's market and a kiwi for a mid-day snack.
Aside from produce, I also have a dedicated section of my own office for non-perishable health food.
(My office is still a mess and was primarily used as storage before I came onboard)
I keep some dishes, waterbottles, and at the bottom shelf (not shown), I even have a change of workout clothes in case I ride my bike in and get all wet.
Here's a closer look the food I currently keep 'on tap'
(From left to right- the jar or nuts is actually spare change) instant oatmeal (plan to switch to buying in bulk when supply runs out), granola cereal and a starbucks perfect oatmeal fruit packet(to top my yogurt & oatmeal), Cheerios!, chia seeds, dried apriocots
Dried Figs, tea (in the back), a container filled with red quinoa, coffee mate (in case we run out again and I panic), instant soup
And there you have it folks, an unadulterated, untidy look at my emergency food stores at work. If I ever produce a great healthy-living tip, this would be it- Keep healthy food options in your office just in case you forget breakfast or lunch at home.
Eating Healthy in the Workplace
I work in an environment that is not very keen on the idea that employees who are healthy will work harder, with less sick days and with less risk of injury. They really should because the work most of the guys do here is rather unsafe and around very old and dangerous equipment-and out in the elements.
Yes, I am dubbed the health freak by my coworkers
We have vendors who come through to meet with the engineers and buyers almost weekly. If you know anyone in the field of sales, you know they like to put their 'target' in a good mood (for buying) by using food. We all know that food, especially as a reward or a gift, initiates a pleasure receptor in us. (which is why I ask my man to gift me with chocolate and not flowers- hint hint)
We have a particular vendor who knows the best(worst) doughnut shop in town. I won't even begin to try and explain it with words:
^That is bacon on a maple bar (next to a smores doughnut)... I actually took that thing home and gave it to my hubby (because I know he likes to be gifted with bacon and not flowers).
Being the good little office health-nut I am, I have succeeded in graciously declining these goodies (and put in a request that the vendor bring a fruit basket one day).
Its easy to tell yourself that you will bring in a healthy lunch everyday and eat a healthy breakfast every morning but the reality is that you won't all the time. There will be a day where you miss breakfast and you will tell yourself that your only option is the fatty-mcfat-fat doughnut. And there will be a day where you 'forgot' to pack a healthy lunch (or left it in the fridge at home) and tell yourself that Mc D's is closest and all you have time for in your lunch hour.
I expected these excuses- so while back, I dedicated a shelf in my office to some healthy options. I make regular trips to the market and buy fresh produce. In fact, this was on my 'food agenda' today after my yogurt-
I took some saladmix from home to eat for lunch before it turned, tomato and bell pepper to add to lunch, the lemon I squeezed the juice out and used in my second water bottle (first water bottle was a fizzy drink with 1000mg of vitamin C- take THAT cold!), The plum I got from the farmer's market and a kiwi for a mid-day snack.
Aside from produce, I also have a dedicated section of my own office for non-perishable health food.
(My office is still a mess and was primarily used as storage before I came onboard)
I keep some dishes, waterbottles, and at the bottom shelf (not shown), I even have a change of workout clothes in case I ride my bike in and get all wet.
Here's a closer look the food I currently keep 'on tap'
(From left to right- the jar or nuts is actually spare change) instant oatmeal (plan to switch to buying in bulk when supply runs out), granola cereal and a starbucks perfect oatmeal fruit packet(to top my yogurt & oatmeal), Cheerios!, chia seeds, dried apriocots
Dried Figs, tea (in the back), a container filled with red quinoa, coffee mate (in case we run out again and I panic), instant soup
And there you have it folks, an unadulterated, untidy look at my emergency food stores at work. If I ever produce a great healthy-living tip, this would be it- Keep healthy food options in your office just in case you forget breakfast or lunch at home.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
"Don't Get Sick, Don't Get Sick..."
I'm not sure if I'm getting sick or if last night's run in cold/dark is making me feel this way...
*Headache that started last night
*Throat feels tight
*If I look upwards, my neck hurts but can't feel any swollen lymph nodes
I want to blame it on running in the cold, but I dunno if runners experience this sort of thing. Could the cold air entering my lungs cause a tight throat the next day? We had a severe wind storm the day before (which caused us to lose power) and it was still windy last night, could that have given me a headache? Again, I don't know.
just in case...
Does running in cold/windy weather make you feel like you are getting sick? Or am I likely in denial?
Is it safe to continue running if feeling a little sick or will it make it worse?
*Headache that started last night
*Throat feels tight
*If I look upwards, my neck hurts but can't feel any swollen lymph nodes
I want to blame it on running in the cold, but I dunno if runners experience this sort of thing. Could the cold air entering my lungs cause a tight throat the next day? We had a severe wind storm the day before (which caused us to lose power) and it was still windy last night, could that have given me a headache? Again, I don't know.
just in case...
Does running in cold/windy weather make you feel like you are getting sick? Or am I likely in denial?
Is it safe to continue running if feeling a little sick or will it make it worse?
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Taste Review: Nile Spice Minestrone Soup
If you're like me, you are a lazy office slave and don't always bring home prepared meals for lunchtime. It can be a hassle to try and shove your food into a fridge that a couple hundred people have access to. Not to mention, you have to plan ahead (pray it still tastes ok post-nuker) and find time to cook a single-serving meal after working all day, after having dinner, helping kids with homework, battling the mess monsters, fitting in workout and beer-drinking sessions... who has the time?
I'll admit that convienience (sp?)food is... well, convienient. Unfortunately, most are unhealthy and packed in salt & preservatives. I'm not too picky about every statistic on my food labels (ignorance is bliss?).
So this is what I had:
It had good flavor and tasted like minestrone soup but it seems a bit salty to me. I added more water, then I lost the flavor... It was a hard balance. Then I saw the back of the package- 140 calories gave me 25% of my daily recommended sodium. Well. Now I know why it tasted salty. I guess that is the dilema of soups, broths are supposedly good for you but salt isn't. I was expecting more spice from my Nile Spice... I should have had the soup along with some vegis or something, I wasn't feeling full after my allotted lunch time and downed a cereal bar and fruit leather... Looking around for more now...
I'll admit that convienience (sp?)food is... well, convienient. Unfortunately, most are unhealthy and packed in salt & preservatives. I'm not too picky about every statistic on my food labels (ignorance is bliss?).
So this is what I had:
It had good flavor and tasted like minestrone soup but it seems a bit salty to me. I added more water, then I lost the flavor... It was a hard balance. Then I saw the back of the package- 140 calories gave me 25% of my daily recommended sodium. Well. Now I know why it tasted salty. I guess that is the dilema of soups, broths are supposedly good for you but salt isn't. I was expecting more spice from my Nile Spice... I should have had the soup along with some vegis or something, I wasn't feeling full after my allotted lunch time and downed a cereal bar and fruit leather... Looking around for more now...
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