tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70679456599644287402024-02-20T10:23:25.614-05:00What's Normal, Anyways?The Chronicles of a Semi-Abnormal LifeJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.comBlogger379125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-21085384541876831852012-03-28T21:17:00.000-04:002012-03-28T21:17:41.321-04:00Semi-Abnormal Gal is Over and Out!This is my last post here on <b>Chronicles of a Semi-Abnormal Life</b>. But no worries ya'll, this Gal isn't really going away, I just moved over to my own <a href="http://www.thatjessgal.com/">website</a> now! <i>(And it only took nearly a year to accomplish this goal! I always complete what I set out to do, even if it takes an absurdly long time.) </i>Come visit <a href="http://thatjessgal.com/">ThatJessGal.com</a> ASAP! Also, if you subscribe to me via email, Google Reader or Blogger Dashboard, be sure to update your browsers/favorites/subscriptions!<br />
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Oh and no worries, you haven't missed much between my <a href="http://thatjessgal.com/2012/03/19/the-gal-is-out-spring-break-edition/">spring break</a> and today, because now I'm on a Hunger Break! Don't know what that is? Read more <a href="http://thatjessgal.com/2012/03/29/the-gal-is-still-out/">here</a> at ThatJessGal!<br />
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Love to all,<br />
~the Semi Abnormal Gal turned ThatJessGalJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-11765950746677892642012-03-19T11:00:00.001-04:002012-03-19T11:00:00.169-04:00The Gal is Out-Spring Break Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcAqow22Whra_AlQ0g2e4wk_pfU-Vg-6rn2TnyALwAp59NeES1gbBcTm_4Pz1LR08gY6lIWotK0JWWEOB8JThhyphenhyphenDVfTWd3ecb2hB56lKNJUGUP9s7Y9MldaL3E_Zt2lCuvYrKrNJwILE/s1600/The+Gal+is+OUt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcAqow22Whra_AlQ0g2e4wk_pfU-Vg-6rn2TnyALwAp59NeES1gbBcTm_4Pz1LR08gY6lIWotK0JWWEOB8JThhyphenhyphenDVfTWd3ecb2hB56lKNJUGUP9s7Y9MldaL3E_Zt2lCuvYrKrNJwILE/s400/The+Gal+is+OUt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-51034627028715466982012-03-17T22:56:00.000-04:002012-03-17T22:56:12.208-04:00No Meat Shall Touch These Lips for the Next 40 Days-Half Way Check In<b>The Stats:</b><br />
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Starting Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2012<br />
Ending Date: Sunday, April 8, 2012<br />
Total Days Meat Free <i>(so far)</i>: 24<br />
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<b>The Eats:</b><br />
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Tofu Bahn Mi<br />
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Tiki Masala Soup with Shrimp<br />
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<b> </b><br />
Trashcan Salads<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuUTGRhW_3ZVCdshn794ytzei2MRz1HZbvDeEyDPWDcmysRLvnum2hGCUnm6TWjdDqxs8l2X5HFvRb1US6NA4tmR1vhQaNYnC_UXLEiLW14sGrjUArgdWYlyCeFgIvi_n7qyS1hxCHcY/s1600/IMG_2659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuUTGRhW_3ZVCdshn794ytzei2MRz1HZbvDeEyDPWDcmysRLvnum2hGCUnm6TWjdDqxs8l2X5HFvRb1US6NA4tmR1vhQaNYnC_UXLEiLW14sGrjUArgdWYlyCeFgIvi_n7qyS1hxCHcY/s320/IMG_2659.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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Spicy Curry Noddle Bowls <br />
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Vegetable Stir Fries with Tofu <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMG26U80aMDnkkhQIFjcbhMG59Z39VfMOz2Q9kzXJL31Rzb40k2g_iSNKtfaQ_bGs3G3bRLhOhDgTKoryENQxTnwzAXVTfpOKWVPRlaSAWDqzptYIuSn9KV_uUfBnFZJvFlaRpgnzxUIc/s1600/IMG_5473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMG26U80aMDnkkhQIFjcbhMG59Z39VfMOz2Q9kzXJL31Rzb40k2g_iSNKtfaQ_bGs3G3bRLhOhDgTKoryENQxTnwzAXVTfpOKWVPRlaSAWDqzptYIuSn9KV_uUfBnFZJvFlaRpgnzxUIc/s320/IMG_5473.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Not nearly enough <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20%20%20http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/03/sanaa-makes-me-say-ahhhhh.html">Paneer Cheese and Spinach, and Spicy Peas, Chickpeas & Potatoes with Five-Grain Pilaf and of course, Naan. </a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBlbjwK08PA2R2s2ilXOuYZ38CZRd7Ur0S5xAr6bCS3LvV8CGvSlfVpYTm_3yUgeV4TkB_VAYYcRERVy6Xl-nRD7_-dmLy31G2sPt1sDGiDEU-87ceqtw0Vi1xM6OlC5b7NoCp03M8O8/s1600/IMG_6127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBlbjwK08PA2R2s2ilXOuYZ38CZRd7Ur0S5xAr6bCS3LvV8CGvSlfVpYTm_3yUgeV4TkB_VAYYcRERVy6Xl-nRD7_-dmLy31G2sPt1sDGiDEU-87ceqtw0Vi1xM6OlC5b7NoCp03M8O8/s320/IMG_6127.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZbbaDEqOSvkXWQG1V0W7driEhfqzwXQvJ73Fyt0X2WkxDbo24gW1w5nJj-oY_VveqPR1pdxxJEHoK-RYI5HhEsAD__BAt3aT1-8a4kzUveBmwm3jqNySrAa0ThVTGCL09pwImydowkc/s1600/IMG_6150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZbbaDEqOSvkXWQG1V0W7driEhfqzwXQvJ73Fyt0X2WkxDbo24gW1w5nJj-oY_VveqPR1pdxxJEHoK-RYI5HhEsAD__BAt3aT1-8a4kzUveBmwm3jqNySrAa0ThVTGCL09pwImydowkc/s320/IMG_6150.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Plus loads of: Tuna Salad with Crackers, Subway Seafood Sensation Subs and Eggs (scrambled, fried sandwiches, hard-boiled)<br />
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>The Reflections:</b><b> </b><br />
<br />
This challenge has been fairly smooth so far but admittedly not very creative. I've been a very busy gal the last couple of weeks, so grabbing what I can, when I can has been the reality of the situation. I've discovered that the only time I struggle with avoiding meat consumption is when I fail to plan in advance. Of course this statement is true of nearly any healthy eating, I think, meat or no.<br />
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I've been eating mostly <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/05/brain-dump.html">trashcan salads</a> for dinner <i>(I roast up a huge pan of veggies and potatoes on Sunday and eat off it all week in my salads)</i> and tofu sandwiches or tuna/seafood subs for lunch. Breakfast has been mostly unchanged, I just don't include ham in my egg scrambles or sandwiches. <br />
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Dining out has been painless as well, since my friends are awesome and we have been frequenting mostly Asian fare restaurants, which ironically I usually eat tofu at all the time. Dining out with others has also been the hardest on me, because I'm a big sharer of meals and it's irritating not to be able to steal a sesame glazed chicken wing off a friend's plate, or a bite of chicken pad thai off another's. I think that leaves me more <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/02/no-meat-shall-touch-these-lips-for-next.html">leaning towards reintroducing meat into my diet after Easter.</a><br />
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This coming week will be the most challenging yet to be sure. I'm headed out on a road trip with my Mum to stay with her brother as we visit with my elderly grandmother who now lives permanently in a nursing home. I didn't tell my uncle and aunt about my new "vegetarian" ways because I didn't want them to make a big fuss. But they are good southern hosts and both excellent cooks; which means bacon in even the green beans! Oh and my uncle makes some wicked good grilled chicken. Yes, a challenge to be sure. I'll report back soon.<br />
<br />
How is everyone else doing with their Lenten abstinences? Have you learned anything new about yourselves?<br />
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Love to all,<br />
~the Lenten veg head herself, JessJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-35839123605375713752012-03-12T17:00:00.002-04:002012-03-13T06:53:37.628-04:00Medium & A Pinch and Other Things that Shouldn't Go Together but DoSome combinations are sound strange and yet they go together so well. <br />
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Potato Chips/French Fries on Deli Sandwiches.<br />
<br />
Cheddar Cheese and Apple Pie.<br />
<br />
Peanut Butter, Bacon and Bananas.<br />
<br />
Salt and Melon. <br />
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Pickles and Ice Cream.<br />
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Penn and Teller.<br />
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<i>(Not sure how that last one got in there!)</i><br />
<br />
Another one of those wonderfully wacky <i>(and incredibly tasty)</i> combinations can be found at <a href="http://www.bahnthai.com/">Bahn Thai</a>. <br />
<br />
Actually Bahn Thai is is a rather wacky, yet wonderful, place itself as it is located in a funky old hotel on the south end of Gville. In fact, due to it's arrangement in the hotel, BT has no windows, instead they have framed old Thai motif printed wrapping paper hanging where windows would be. It's awkward to be sure but the food is so good that no one cares. <br />
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I actually chose what would become my favorite item at Bahn Thai based on what sounded like a random combination of things.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7S3Ak4Wh4MpHI0GcGXiL5uSfpO2ZseemFS3kNPmIe6Z7IKdF0tJ_pwIwYOns6UBUdFE6yz09KOUOOuH1id_ND9AhoHOESYktN8bCWWj3Wg3VLSvUNOhPjo41jTxp2PPALh5NzoHBkZgw/s1600/IMG_5459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7S3Ak4Wh4MpHI0GcGXiL5uSfpO2ZseemFS3kNPmIe6Z7IKdF0tJ_pwIwYOns6UBUdFE6yz09KOUOOuH1id_ND9AhoHOESYktN8bCWWj3Wg3VLSvUNOhPjo41jTxp2PPALh5NzoHBkZgw/s320/IMG_5459.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i><br />
<i><b> Gang Kua w/ Tofu </b>Red curry sauce with coconut milk along with tofu and sweet potato, pineapple, bean thread noodle, snap bean, asparagus and black mushroom. </i><br />
<br />
</i>Yep, you heard right. Sweet potato AND Pineapple AND Asparagus? Whoa. Of course I had to order it. It was during the ordering process that things got even more wacky, wonderful and combination challenged.<br />
<br />
See, Thai and American spice tolerance levels are quite different. For some reason they forgot to put "Thai Hot" on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoville_scale">Scoville Scale</a> but I'm pretty sure it falls in somewhere around 2,000,000 units. Phew. <i>(and yes, I just made that measurement up, but it sounds reasonable, don't you think?)</i><br />
<br />
Now most Thai restaurants have a "star scale" that you use to order how hot you want it. Five stars is "American Hot" and well, you just order Thai Hot if you are Thai. <i>(my boy bestie is...so I've been this move in action)</i> For reasons unknown to this customer Bahn Thai isn't a fan of the star system. Or at least the star scale was missing on the menu.<br />
<br />
When asked by the owner/server how spicy I wanted my Gang Kua I said "two steps down from American Hot, please." She replied "ok, how about medium with a pinch?" "Sure." I innocently replied.<i><br />
<br />
</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifm6F9YsBt3xv7_IN7DpTIt9Fa2hCyb0klodfxe81YlDvN7GiSuKgCBnU54nuTarxXZJktoxPVLZMUOPCy2tfCNfxmotwF0StK8CXa1Az7fakX5SVYYMYFcP48775LF3tq9CT6ScREhIc/s1600/IMG_5461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifm6F9YsBt3xv7_IN7DpTIt9Fa2hCyb0klodfxe81YlDvN7GiSuKgCBnU54nuTarxXZJktoxPVLZMUOPCy2tfCNfxmotwF0StK8CXa1Az7fakX5SVYYMYFcP48775LF3tq9CT6ScREhIc/s320/IMG_5461.JPG" width="320" /></a></i></div><i><br />
</i>See all the red flakes on the top of my lovely meal? I'm guessing it was the "pinch." Let's just say medium is sufficiently spicy for this gal. However, I discovered the odd sounding combination of flavors actually go together beautifully, and if I killed a few taste buds while savoring the sweet, tangy, green, sour flavor profile so be it. <br />
<br />
But next time Bahn Thai, just medium will do it.<br />
<br />
Love to all,<br />
~the weird combination loving gal, JessJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-50040608529676335272012-03-10T12:50:00.000-05:002012-03-10T12:50:32.335-05:00Day Light Savings Listening ListHerrrro my dears! It's a beautiful spring-like day here in NorCenFLA. And the best part about spring like days, is spring-like weekends. And do you want to know the very best part about this spring-like weekend?<br />
<br />
You do? I knew I liked you, friend. Yes, you guessed correctly. The best part of this spring-like weekend is that Sunday, March 11th is the first day of Daylight Savings Time. Horray, horray, horray!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDD3HrUt02wGxUsaFmZuDcEicOtJtOMyXs1c_lp8hAx5NFqLWSk3Iq9Sh33PV-IHFhgwdlGX3EXUmF_3KIaj-Ce74t5UnvJjcv7XR4jss2YuJf6YXeCjOAubtwo3Dg-jL2wpIhxAoRJUI/s1600/Daylight+Saving+Time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDD3HrUt02wGxUsaFmZuDcEicOtJtOMyXs1c_lp8hAx5NFqLWSk3Iq9Sh33PV-IHFhgwdlGX3EXUmF_3KIaj-Ce74t5UnvJjcv7XR4jss2YuJf6YXeCjOAubtwo3Dg-jL2wpIhxAoRJUI/s320/Daylight+Saving+Time.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/Employee-Cyberloafing-Spikes-After-Jump-to-Daylight-Saving-141982433.html"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source</span></a></div> <br />
Wait. That wasn't what you guessed? And what did you just ask? Why am I excited about losing an hour of sleep? Well, because I love sunshine. I mean, I am a a born and raised Sunshine State Gal after all. And the best part about an extra hour of daylight for the next eight and a half months is I have more time to be outside soaking up fresh air and vitamin D.<br />
<br />
What? You still aren't convinced? Oh boo. Well, how about a fresh playlist to enjoy during the extra hour then? You know, something to light up your ears, as the sun lights up your day. Yes, I'm cheesy. No, I'm serious. Ok fine. At least you do like music. We'll call it a compromise. <br />
<br />
Florence and the Machine-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbN0nX61rIs&ob=av2e">Shake it Out</a><br />
Drake ft. Nicki Minaj- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MT8C4uWCKI">Make me Proud</a><br />
Neil Diamond-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w-_Vtttrfc">Sweet Caroline</a><br />
Kanye West & Jay Z- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG_dA32oH44&ob=av2n">Ni**as in Paris</a> <i>(this is the explicit version-consider yourself warned)</i><br />
Flo Rida ft. Sia-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpOR_HuHRNs">Wild Ones</a><br />
Dia Frampton, ft Kid Cudi-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmWETnxHnjA&ob=av2n">Don't Kick the Chair </a><br />
David Guetta, ft Nicki Minaj- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVw7eJ0vGfM">Turn Me On</a><br />
Beyonce- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAmnkPUFMHg">Schoolin' Life</a><br />
Christina Perri-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtOvBOTyX00&ob=av2e">A Thousand Years</a><br />
Journey-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcjzHMhBtf0">Don't Stop Believing</a><br />
Y.C., ft Future-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5w21_Vphbg">Racks</a><br />
Say Anything-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwjfRSUme3U">Every Man Has A Molly</a> <br />
She & Him- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYnDxFann0c">Gonna Get Along Without You Now</a><br />
A Day to Remember- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h3NQTnnFt8">If It Means a Lot to You</a> <br />
Fun. ft Janelle Monae- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6dMFF_yts">We are Young</a><br />
<br />
Some if it is new. Some of it is old. Some of it is getting overplayed on the radio already. <i>(but I promise I was listening to it first!)</i> All of it will be perfect for an extra hour of light to read by the pool, run an extra mile or two, or just cruise around in your car, embracing the golden rays of sun.<br />
<br />
Happy Spring Forward, friends.<br />
<br />
Love to all,<br />
~the music and sunlight lover gal, JessJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-48025208261221883402012-03-07T22:13:00.000-05:002012-03-07T22:13:22.186-05:00Sanaa Makes Me Say "Ahhhhh"An optional title for this post would be <b>Fatty Fatty Moo Moos go Carby Carby Moo Moo </b><br />
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<a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/02/french-birthday-celebration.html">Bestie Michael</a> came up with the term Fatty Fatty Moo Moos for our group<b> </b>of friends, because we all LOVE food so much and are always going out on quasi extravagant dining outings together. <i>(or at home, Michael is a great chef!) </i><br />
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But when this Fatty Fatty Moo Moo gal heads to Sanaa it is all about the carbs, specifically these beauties:<br />
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Warm, ghee drenched Naan will you marry me? Well, I guess we won't be monogamous, because I do tend to wander over to spend equal time with the Onion Kulcha and the Paneer Paratha too. Actually that is a threesome I can really get behind. Is that ok, Naan? We can invite these guys too:<br />
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Woah. I still write a food blog, I promise. Not one of <i>those</i> <i>websites. </i>Back to the yummy bites.<br />
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Even after the bread and dipping sauce orgy I had no problem making room the in bottomless pit I call my stomach, when this beautiful platter arrived in front of me.<br />
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From the Vegetarian Sampler: Paneer Cheese and Spinach, and Spicy Peas, Chickpeas & Potatoes with Five-Grain Pilaf.<br />
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It might come out from the kitchen in neat bowls, but nothing stays orderly around this messy Jessy gal. <i>(Yep, I'm a huge fan of entropy...well, and playing with my food. duh.)</i><br />
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In fact no one at our table went home with empty stomachs or clean fingers. The spread at Sanaa is so simple, so satisfying and yet filled with such complex flavor profiles.<br />
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It's any foodie's (or Fatty Fatty Moo Moo's)<i> </i><strike>afternoon delight</strike> dream lunch.<br />
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Now, when this herd of Moo Moo's <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/09/disney-dining-sanaa-and-zebra-butts.html">take on Sanaa</a> we really have no choice but to finish out the meal with this divine little cup. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNRgMlooyIMSudz8SfDLPPjTKgp2lF7kvLMYACQhxiMi5E419UIOafMUyfTyJEZp5LQCe1ng5eEyIABeIogcdZnSkXnE3ZVI1vgtiv3IAZqCRZYhyphenhyphenGnK1hBIzFOxAE7HrVcFVv3uy6V8/s1600/IMG_6159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNRgMlooyIMSudz8SfDLPPjTKgp2lF7kvLMYACQhxiMi5E419UIOafMUyfTyJEZp5LQCe1ng5eEyIABeIogcdZnSkXnE3ZVI1vgtiv3IAZqCRZYhyphenhyphenGnK1hBIzFOxAE7HrVcFVv3uy6V8/s320/IMG_6159.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Oh Chai Cream, how are you so refreshing yet silky and rich? And Sanaa, why are you literally breaking my heart by taking it off the menu? <br />
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And our dessert's dessert? Why some giraffes and an ostrich! <br />
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The giraffes were particularly active and our party of 6 ended up spending nearly an hour out by the fire pit watching the animals and gossiping about food, fashion, career changes, technology and basketball. Just another Sunday afternoon for the Fatty Fatty Moo Moo crew. <br />
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</div>Love to all,<br />
~the, carby moo gal herself, Jess<br />
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</div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-68773303332011779832012-03-04T22:56:00.000-05:002012-03-04T22:56:39.212-05:00Gal Talk: MotivationMotivation. It's a bit of a dirty word to a high school teacher. We are always trying to find a new way to motivate our students and let me tell you friends, in 2012 even this "young dog" is having a hard time finding any "new tricks" to motivate her students.<br />
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Motivation applies to many things. Motivation to be successful in a career. Motivation to be successful in a partnership. Motivation to raise a family, be a supportive parent, or understanding to an aging parent. <br />
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Finding the motivation to be healthy is one of the most common topics around the lunch table and blogging world, however. I don't usually say much about motivation around these parts for many reasons, mostly because I think "motivation" is truly different for everyone and should be a personal thing.<br />
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I know that I personally am not motivated when people yell or scream "hard, faster, push-push-push" or anything of the sort. I just don't really like yelling. Or being bossed around. Or anything that seems remotely similar to military boot camp. In fact at <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/10/learning-to-tri-myfirsttri-at-6th.html">my triathlon</a> one spectator <i>(she was another competitor's coach, I think)</i> started yelling at me to "push harder" during the last mile of the run and I may have yelled back a few not so nice things. Don't push me; it just makes me angry, not motivated.<br />
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Needless to say, most of the "motivational things" that are said in group classes, such as spinning, Body Pump and Body Combat don't really get me going either. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQfMljgX9VTFi6krkcEZ0frE7vk-4srVVvoymkNLJoV3eMo03QvzpN50ywhK0BDup4yxSPTGMr03lwRaS1poUviNtRhE8seAn8SyWb3vKrmH5IlM2n-jiQ-eIMOvfYVSSFXmzP4Vh1cE/s1600/BodyCombat40_39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQfMljgX9VTFi6krkcEZ0frE7vk-4srVVvoymkNLJoV3eMo03QvzpN50ywhK0BDup4yxSPTGMr03lwRaS1poUviNtRhE8seAn8SyWb3vKrmH5IlM2n-jiQ-eIMOvfYVSSFXmzP4Vh1cE/s320/BodyCombat40_39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.corefitness1.com/classes-at-core/bodycombat"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PS. This isn't my gym. They didn't have any group class photos. Lame, GHF. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This Saturday I had a revelation. Right in the middle of Body Combat. Carrie, our instructor kept saying that if we we want "<b>to see change you have to go get it. It won't just come to the doorstep</b>" or something to that effect. Sometimes sweating my brains out makes my memory a touch fuzzy. I'm sure you understand.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anyways, as usual I was tuning out the "motivation" spewing forth from the instructor's mouth until the last track. Push-ups. Ugh. I hate push-ups. And after a bunch of punching drills that had already shredded my arms and shoulders I really, really hate push-ups. Honestly I was about to fake my way through the set when Carrie once again said "change won't come to you, you have to go get it" and for some reason it finally clicked. If I want ripped arms, I have to fight through the push-ups. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now I know most of you are saying "duh, Jess. Did you really just climax with that?" Stay with me. Aside from realizing I need to embrace push-ups the important lesson I learned while teetering on shaking arms and abs was I am motivated by rational "cause and effect" statements. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Guess that means that I'm finally motivated to be motivated. And you know what? It feels good.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love to all,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">~the "motivate me with logic and reason" gal, Jess </span></span></div></div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-33746925791057852642012-02-29T22:32:00.003-05:002012-03-02T17:14:47.503-05:00Leap Year Look AheadI'm a gal who really likes goals. I'm always dreaming about the future and plotting out my next weekend, vacation, and move in life.<br />
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Since I am pretty much always thinking <i>(and chatting aloud)</i> about the future, one of my closest friends was surprised that I didn't have a running "bucket list."<br />
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This came as a bit of a shock to me as well. Why didn't I have a bucket list? I realized that I do have one, it's just been rattling around in my brain <i>(and occasionally getting lost)</i> all these years. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawxOCD7vIi6mqaQs8qgg9niXcRef6M2aP65ze_b8CFWPF3dnOzWR9LQRRo0pm-S_c8Ew0x9M0eQ35EgDNlcgcNkDtLwsXJILLoRnYRP3oS0FGXyuTJksIdqYShuZmdcYe1JkDcZCIu8M/s1600/bucket_list_words_comp_258x294.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawxOCD7vIi6mqaQs8qgg9niXcRef6M2aP65ze_b8CFWPF3dnOzWR9LQRRo0pm-S_c8Ew0x9M0eQ35EgDNlcgcNkDtLwsXJILLoRnYRP3oS0FGXyuTJksIdqYShuZmdcYe1JkDcZCIu8M/s1600/bucket_list_words_comp_258x294.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beckbeckrec.blogspot.com/2012/01/utah-bucket-list.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The physical act of listing out my life long dreams, goals and aspirations brought to light how varied they are in terms of time to accomplish. Some of the entries will be crossed off as soon as this summer <i>(road trip solo)</i> or as far off as visiting all 52 states and the 7 continents <i>(who knows when I'll pull that off...50, 60, 70?)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As the Leap Year drew closer to the all important date of February 29th I began reading up on what the Leap Year means and special traditions that are associated with this funny quad-annual calendar anomaly I kept running across the term "Leap List."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A Leap List is pretty much what it sounds like. A list of goals to be achieved by the next leap year. Four years to tackle a chunk of my Bucket List? Now that sounds like a plan right up this gal's alley. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Leap List, 2012 Edition</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Solo Road Trip</div><div style="text-align: center;">Visit Polyface Farms, owned and operated by Joel Salatin</div><div style="text-align: center;">Return to Metropolitan Area Living</div><div style="text-align: center;">Start Leading Community Yoga Classes</div><div style="text-align: center;">Complete a Sub 3 Hour Half Marathon</div><div style="text-align: center;">Complete a Sub 30 Minute 5k</div><div style="text-align: center;">Complete a Sub 1:55 Sprint Tri</div><div style="text-align: center;">Complete an Olympic Distance Tri</div><div style="text-align: center;">Travel Abroad Again <i>(Asian Countries? Return to Munich?)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spend Time in Portland and/or San Fran</div><div style="text-align: center;">Purchase a house as a single gal</div><div style="text-align: center;">Adopt a Rescue/Shelter Dog</div><div style="text-align: center;">Start a Vegetable Garden <i>(and ideally not kill it!)</i><br />
Take a college level creative writing course<i> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Phew! I'm sure I'll think of a thousand more things before midnight, but I'm going to cap myself right there. It's going to be an amazing four years. Get ready 2016, I'm going to have a lot to share with you!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Love to all,</div><div style="text-align: left;">~the "what did I just <i>leap</i> into this time?" gal, Jess</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-82588376428808074532012-02-24T18:29:00.002-05:002012-02-26T22:33:55.957-05:00This Post is Brought to You by the Letter SBecause S stands for:<br />
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Spectator Signs and Science Show and Tell, duh.<br />
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It's been a busy week over here in Gal Land, and I've been dying to share my thoughts on my first time spectating a race, but first I had to make brains.<br />
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Yes. I said, <i>make</i> brains. Behold:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFWF2-LMF2P3gELeyCGxDT7sPANE3wLmTTgJklGsa2c1mxfuV87NgZ16EE24sqcuuEuX-eDiBjQS71M2JeUtDsi9kh6ULAQOSr4xziJP8M3ZTBlvF_OJobzWd5ZlN5dhXnyYP2rDx_kQ/s1600/IMG_6118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFWF2-LMF2P3gELeyCGxDT7sPANE3wLmTTgJklGsa2c1mxfuV87NgZ16EE24sqcuuEuX-eDiBjQS71M2JeUtDsi9kh6ULAQOSr4xziJP8M3ZTBlvF_OJobzWd5ZlN5dhXnyYP2rDx_kQ/s200/IMG_6118.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm93eQyKAEiYJql6nJIwMgqCBXWz4WkUVndjFihfHzHsfilJ9uq9B1fNoEjPhSRhtbMyC9RwmjAQycxn1doB_os7J1BH81wsaJ2V_wrgcugABlMJHXbBtlG1iqmlucsfYTnY_4YhCd36w/s1600/IMG_6120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm93eQyKAEiYJql6nJIwMgqCBXWz4WkUVndjFihfHzHsfilJ9uq9B1fNoEjPhSRhtbMyC9RwmjAQycxn1doB_os7J1BH81wsaJ2V_wrgcugABlMJHXbBtlG1iqmlucsfYTnY_4YhCd36w/s200/IMG_6120.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"> Just a little mixy-mixy- with some boiling water, a trip overnight in the fridge in an oiled mold and voila! I give thee brains! Muahahahah.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFLrpTFXX3eN8CtkxBmavkpy3b5PFiUWo1gp6AfXYqkVklOIag3nps9S8UJr-hodICZWPqoW69RJ_8fUVA04gu7Do2U6vtgNVvI16HiF_sjN4qv8IqSpLFTmPy3HcLs8lk6asCNe7ceE/s1600/IMG_6124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFLrpTFXX3eN8CtkxBmavkpy3b5PFiUWo1gp6AfXYqkVklOIag3nps9S8UJr-hodICZWPqoW69RJ_8fUVA04gu7Do2U6vtgNVvI16HiF_sjN4qv8IqSpLFTmPy3HcLs8lk6asCNe7ceE/s320/IMG_6124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The heart one didn't firm up. Turns out the recipe on the mold calls for more water than the recipe on the jello box. Lesson learned. I got both the <a href="http://www.perpetualkid.com/zombie-brain-mold.aspx">brain</a> and <a href="http://www.perpetualkid.com/heart-gelatin-mold.aspx">heart</a> molds from <a href="http://perpetualkid.com/">PerpetualKid.com</a> which is one of my favorite "stores!" It is jam packed with all kinds of quirky items which make great gifts and as a teacher, fun pranks for my kids! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I wish I had a picture of my biology student's faces when I took a bite of "the brain" after telling them all about Kuru! <i>(a nervous system disorder like Mad Cow Syndrome that has been observed in Papua New Guinea after ritual brain consumption)</i> I had convinced the class that the brain was real; that I had gotten it on loan from UF so it was pretty priceless. Ahhh, Science Show and Tell. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, about that race spectating. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">See, in the races I've done so far I've had some amazing spectators:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXI6fz0pZ8dGkL5JhDjwbWhisP5VItuO3yrJwYdjIitIBbp-WD2SD8MBewyEJ3dqdwb7HzBKjEbz3MzwzJIy0OrHbXo_TeNBtQEy50s8O7dhc4lgcVSN6SF3cReqps6MaP6tOLS0rdCA8/s1600/Finished-with+M&A+1+JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXI6fz0pZ8dGkL5JhDjwbWhisP5VItuO3yrJwYdjIitIBbp-WD2SD8MBewyEJ3dqdwb7HzBKjEbz3MzwzJIy0OrHbXo_TeNBtQEy50s8O7dhc4lgcVSN6SF3cReqps6MaP6tOLS0rdCA8/s200/Finished-with+M&A+1+JPEG.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Z_HCC7OAAZUre1IkXDnwhiNC1_WgYpC_QEUXz28UvyTLO6oSCmTeVRXsFkTw4Vqb9NVjL1SwxEXqLqR_M6QYMVaYwEmU8O88zh9YuSlSvzHYe3J8hwlqGHVXs-R_ksSPDlOVB154F5g/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Z_HCC7OAAZUre1IkXDnwhiNC1_WgYpC_QEUXz28UvyTLO6oSCmTeVRXsFkTw4Vqb9NVjL1SwxEXqLqR_M6QYMVaYwEmU8O88zh9YuSlSvzHYe3J8hwlqGHVXs-R_ksSPDlOVB154F5g/s200/IMG_0500.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB492XaK9C_iKOGOXLX0mN6XMGt29v0Ya3WTYYoQPbIBy_ix_P0erXbHj2YMYfE_R7KAmmZqPp4kJJ_dg3_VFZsPvLxBuNBFKBckzvgohx4MdmENcxT4DFrmIM8p0-1DVibkUJY-Y0RoU/s1600/IMG_4774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB492XaK9C_iKOGOXLX0mN6XMGt29v0Ya3WTYYoQPbIBy_ix_P0erXbHj2YMYfE_R7KAmmZqPp4kJJ_dg3_VFZsPvLxBuNBFKBckzvgohx4MdmENcxT4DFrmIM8p0-1DVibkUJY-Y0RoU/s320/IMG_4774.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But I'd never actually been a spectator myself. However, last Saturday both Anni <i>(who came to <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/10/learning-to-tri-myfirsttri-at-6th.html">my first tr</a>i and took up running afterwards, she was so inspired by all the competitors)</i> and my bestie Christine with her boyfriend Ross, were running the 5 Points of Life 5K, which is a part of the 5 Points of Life Marathon Weekend, one of the biggest racing weekends in Gville. Needless to say, I was pumped to test out my spectator <i>skillz</i>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And we all know that a good spectator comes with fun signs. So, fun signs we made! <i>(we being my Mum and I...Anni is her best friend. No worries, friends. I don't just talk in third person like a crazy royal!)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG9aH7VV8J0patpHKAJrNy3niBRV7aYNU0v9Zp06v1h3I7sMrSGE_gkcT9lVeZJGKTY4kvCZMRPJiBNDpnuIUKdU3V-rw8Lx6cADszVFeZAeiV4EBxgDlNzhOzvJO6z7TVIHqZs2emRQ/s1600/IMG_6012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG9aH7VV8J0patpHKAJrNy3niBRV7aYNU0v9Zp06v1h3I7sMrSGE_gkcT9lVeZJGKTY4kvCZMRPJiBNDpnuIUKdU3V-rw8Lx6cADszVFeZAeiV4EBxgDlNzhOzvJO6z7TVIHqZs2emRQ/s320/IMG_6012.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialjML0KU0h361-vzfZypWmrP3amdatmmf3dxH1zgOGc-4pGTGQ7d3JIpwQAJuOC5u7lcuCaQOfV4v8kMVgv178PKGhd4-EIvrYnrL0rjeAFAFYdPVd5Rw7D_EeuSJEbtT8_NOweyZSAQ/s1600/IMG_6014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialjML0KU0h361-vzfZypWmrP3amdatmmf3dxH1zgOGc-4pGTGQ7d3JIpwQAJuOC5u7lcuCaQOfV4v8kMVgv178PKGhd4-EIvrYnrL0rjeAFAFYdPVd5Rw7D_EeuSJEbtT8_NOweyZSAQ/s320/IMG_6014.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i>Mom, showing off our handiwork.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QKRQj-6kOmz2u9mQPisXQVYQo8Anf1H6v5QYgGd1zj3-B_gp65I847kb6LWbT7jn_WSl-QtV5zB6UZgbouoc3RaYUM5DiYkktWKhhLh9YY4YP9WvZrIcPHyoNLk_RqZC6yGNJBvN380/s1600/IMG_6015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QKRQj-6kOmz2u9mQPisXQVYQo8Anf1H6v5QYgGd1zj3-B_gp65I847kb6LWbT7jn_WSl-QtV5zB6UZgbouoc3RaYUM5DiYkktWKhhLh9YY4YP9WvZrIcPHyoNLk_RqZC6yGNJBvN380/s320/IMG_6015.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AugFsbOvQA18VM21jQrnWK3qPui3buv6LaPKcou-9_suMCwoMt-LCnL-684Rd0p8fEtfNYyUi-uuCktQFXlBrHG5CKBCTO402vQBOATO98tuR4HMjgBHsb4-i8a_zAapQBKTpxUKnt8/s1600/IMG_6018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AugFsbOvQA18VM21jQrnWK3qPui3buv6LaPKcou-9_suMCwoMt-LCnL-684Rd0p8fEtfNYyUi-uuCktQFXlBrHG5CKBCTO402vQBOATO98tuR4HMjgBHsb4-i8a_zAapQBKTpxUKnt8/s320/IMG_6018.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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We finally found our racers and all three of them were super pumped to get this <strike>party</strike> race started! <i>(and no we didn't have to stand around in the chilly pre 8am air for an extra 35mins before finding them because I super over estimated how long it would take to find parking. I don't know what you could possibly be referring to.)</i> <br />
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I really enjoyed this experience because I got to see some of the "behind the scenes" of the race.<br />
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Like the start, with the bike leader:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPnueDowsGEX7uEZ9kIaxHTSca9w0eNODh_DZZQBvTswhPiicu7nx2iyZhKc1nBOlUbV_5J-GeEv91XmKgHHZowkdkwhsRtbUEy47LnDia89WkKjXbaQlLGvK_AVsPJovaxkG8lULaFs/s1600/IMG_6027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPnueDowsGEX7uEZ9kIaxHTSca9w0eNODh_DZZQBvTswhPiicu7nx2iyZhKc1nBOlUbV_5J-GeEv91XmKgHHZowkdkwhsRtbUEy47LnDia89WkKjXbaQlLGvK_AVsPJovaxkG8lULaFs/s320/IMG_6027.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And how fast the starters are:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIixv8DZ8kpkMgSAcSWyZFgCoHfXIT-n2-r1XvyLufwYAfmcFC7OvkdH1NV07aoLFxZbnePIJWxUQ2Rpy8rTNggct0x5WJb2wp4eC2cv41KkAZ-l66Gyxc9gsoQt8gqViGI2QHo91Zn4/s1600/IMG_6031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIixv8DZ8kpkMgSAcSWyZFgCoHfXIT-n2-r1XvyLufwYAfmcFC7OvkdH1NV07aoLFxZbnePIJWxUQ2Rpy8rTNggct0x5WJb2wp4eC2cv41KkAZ-l66Gyxc9gsoQt8gqViGI2QHo91Zn4/s320/IMG_6031.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I missed getting a good shot of Christine and Ross at the start...they were really flying and I wasn't prepared, but I love this one of Anni. She was so happy! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2REzHa7bOueJMvJshyQxNrO1fuT03XrELnwQYYS4tzYcbsfgahK2lqOnORBLQ3kmSAuftQP-8UjzLxC6CImNL86gTc7oAcOQ7G8rgwqR-txjl1wC60gfJlwGzyWmlBvtNcpZIKtEhmbQ/s1600/IMG_6037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2REzHa7bOueJMvJshyQxNrO1fuT03XrELnwQYYS4tzYcbsfgahK2lqOnORBLQ3kmSAuftQP-8UjzLxC6CImNL86gTc7oAcOQ7G8rgwqR-txjl1wC60gfJlwGzyWmlBvtNcpZIKtEhmbQ/s320/IMG_6037.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
This course was essentially a loop through UF's campus and the finish line was a mere 1000 meters from the start, so I got off really easy in my first spectating job. Operation stay-in-the-same-spot commence!<br />
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A mere 17 minutes later the winner came flying by. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DC_-h_4AbsDV1WLFsFzsVcO1xGjaWmosUjA3N48wp6khy7qufuP9hTn6CDaqoEK0tKEpEMMJvLbxJ3EEicIUOgoxNpqo9NwW1Ztmn-cBU0GqopkpWNcTYgdMEuzvZf4gdoyJGrqxtb0/s1600/IMG_6046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DC_-h_4AbsDV1WLFsFzsVcO1xGjaWmosUjA3N48wp6khy7qufuP9hTn6CDaqoEK0tKEpEMMJvLbxJ3EEicIUOgoxNpqo9NwW1Ztmn-cBU0GqopkpWNcTYgdMEuzvZf4gdoyJGrqxtb0/s320/IMG_6046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And then at ~29 minutes into the race a familiar couple came into sight. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3QmjsOkWzEvKkNqzrX51NAHoUiTiVdfoc6hxDgQBjvXnGllyCVbCO83QfOrZYLraZpjQDwVXmSGt8LOLC3DYqSZ6pZ-GrFS5L6CiXqwYQki-GCNTN2o9SwKrY1kGLKIRaVnNN57t-pI/s1600/IMG_6071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3QmjsOkWzEvKkNqzrX51NAHoUiTiVdfoc6hxDgQBjvXnGllyCVbCO83QfOrZYLraZpjQDwVXmSGt8LOLC3DYqSZ6pZ-GrFS5L6CiXqwYQki-GCNTN2o9SwKrY1kGLKIRaVnNN57t-pI/s200/IMG_6071.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr5E2ZGBjm5ATo-Uoc-SUQvgGaBxLxKv8JlYNfHDLo09BXZez64c_KR_XEOCGfdBCnxvnbsZxidq4mOMpVCnDWsSS9QkNzIexSp-eLZXHm5ZQ4U9LTCoGOYUzPb3_WK5ttvFlq2xjvXE/s1600/IMG_6065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr5E2ZGBjm5ATo-Uoc-SUQvgGaBxLxKv8JlYNfHDLo09BXZez64c_KR_XEOCGfdBCnxvnbsZxidq4mOMpVCnDWsSS9QkNzIexSp-eLZXHm5ZQ4U9LTCoGOYUzPb3_WK5ttvFlq2xjvXE/s200/IMG_6065.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Christine really powered through the finish line and accomplished her goal of finishing under 30 minutes with a time of 29:56! I'm so proud and totally inspired to pick up my own running game! <br />
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Just over 10 minutes later Anni came into sight, making that nasty little hill up to the finish look like cake!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Vl6ZrHhkbthmcMzWRMq6knjLkMVrPnzoue4dBbXSt23AwMJip0fYKbirQxGbrU6ajH3zARQ8SEOYFO6pnFgJHzrV75XDCo2qPOSjHIpou7aslBYuVY-5I9BEMeJRGTIGu_IlPnu6M4s/s1600/IMG_6097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Vl6ZrHhkbthmcMzWRMq6knjLkMVrPnzoue4dBbXSt23AwMJip0fYKbirQxGbrU6ajH3zARQ8SEOYFO6pnFgJHzrV75XDCo2qPOSjHIpou7aslBYuVY-5I9BEMeJRGTIGu_IlPnu6M4s/s200/IMG_6097.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWOAyjm6C6Vt6cOJ1SU9XA33g6nF1cULTVtU6qLPyPFq-KqQ-wP6UPMLiN1FvCLwMfTBHaE5wTtwAt5t5OocGjqdxS6n2Ujc7dEvLViA9T_DEonNexySYelty66XcovP4HcUBtsRFhOk/s1600/IMG_6091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWOAyjm6C6Vt6cOJ1SU9XA33g6nF1cULTVtU6qLPyPFq-KqQ-wP6UPMLiN1FvCLwMfTBHaE5wTtwAt5t5OocGjqdxS6n2Ujc7dEvLViA9T_DEonNexySYelty66XcovP4HcUBtsRFhOk/s200/IMG_6091.JPG" width="200" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXBuk_L6ycF68HT7L9V1LpHQs9BgTg_D4Uvtfn1PcKKNFfySdZ5BPMvR3XKnbpQEeSVnSkDWFragrlwv4VqVY2cxaX2TclMTCzh-_IcMWyZuXDWLBTsxb0q9fuG6T3bkmmNKMBD7bxE8/s1600/IMG_6104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXBuk_L6ycF68HT7L9V1LpHQs9BgTg_D4Uvtfn1PcKKNFfySdZ5BPMvR3XKnbpQEeSVnSkDWFragrlwv4VqVY2cxaX2TclMTCzh-_IcMWyZuXDWLBTsxb0q9fuG6T3bkmmNKMBD7bxE8/s320/IMG_6104.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anni, celebrating her super awesome finish! What an amazing first 5k!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMf-ua0hzhPfolJfI_n_MUYGfwiGjYbMVzdXBWRh4Bsurn3J4QJOsAOMMHw07DLBC9iO08e-Xl4B1a5n_KlI5KjF6fCaF40-W3g0d8dEBu7on4K1mRL53N5jGhfddtte_p0MvsjzVCPQ/s1600/IMG_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMf-ua0hzhPfolJfI_n_MUYGfwiGjYbMVzdXBWRh4Bsurn3J4QJOsAOMMHw07DLBC9iO08e-Xl4B1a5n_KlI5KjF6fCaF40-W3g0d8dEBu7on4K1mRL53N5jGhfddtte_p0MvsjzVCPQ/s320/IMG_0680.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Christine, myself and Ross. Hungry for that breakfast! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdlVhAFPBavRvCr_45CIUUCnXpipD3c0jah2bD2dfmGO81rA8p6YHIZlY7KUE_zQ758YvVmyohjpZTAAS_BAWMps0ktDS6IjlFGD_8bJzq3WHiwlxHhuhPRpWrSGDlS-gWXOBjrHHTa4/s1600/IMG_6112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdlVhAFPBavRvCr_45CIUUCnXpipD3c0jah2bD2dfmGO81rA8p6YHIZlY7KUE_zQ758YvVmyohjpZTAAS_BAWMps0ktDS6IjlFGD_8bJzq3WHiwlxHhuhPRpWrSGDlS-gWXOBjrHHTa4/s320/IMG_6112.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Mission accomplished! <a href="http://43rdstreetdeli.com/index.htm">Thanks</a> <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/12/keeping-it-real.html">43rd Street Deli</a>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My first spectator experience earns a score of "super!" Just another letter S to add to the day!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Love to all,</div><div style="text-align: left;">~the science-y spectator gal, Jess</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">PS. Speaking of signs, check out what my Mom snuck down to hang up in my apartment, since she couldn't make it down for my <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/02/impulsive-half-marathoner-full-errr.html">first 1/2 marathon</a> in person. So sweet!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb1ILPydrUFuv7repBVKa6oL96ABZEqQoz22WWK_S6_FSR7P8su_A5ARLPbYio8w97qyBZ7zLCZLRrw_FfWgfs0jJDmfc3d8k9HPooSQLd0GiRD95op9WMo3UyZoqtzmAMObOZz0hAJI/s1600/IMG_6002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb1ILPydrUFuv7repBVKa6oL96ABZEqQoz22WWK_S6_FSR7P8su_A5ARLPbYio8w97qyBZ7zLCZLRrw_FfWgfs0jJDmfc3d8k9HPooSQLd0GiRD95op9WMo3UyZoqtzmAMObOZz0hAJI/s320/IMG_6002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-27360032856361884552012-02-21T22:11:00.001-05:002012-02-22T16:43:30.002-05:00No Meat Shall Touch These Lips for the Next 40 Days<i>That's what she said. Barharhar. </i><br />
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Ok, sorry. Let me get serious here. Today is Fat Tuesday. So, happy Mardi Gras, everyone!<br />
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As I am Catholic, that also means that tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the start of the 40 day season of Lent. If you are not familiar with Lent it is a period of reflection, prayer and fasting.<br />
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<i>["40 days" represents many things- The 40 days of the great flood (found in Genesis), 40 years that the Hebrews wandered in the desert (found in Numbers), 40 days Moses spend on Mount Sinai (found in Exodus), 40 days that Jesus was temped by the devil in the desert (found in Mathew).]</i><br />
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In the past I've given up fast food, swearing, chocolate, and caffeine. Well, I don't eat fast food any more. The swearing bit was an epic fail last year and as a high school science teacher I NEED chocolate and caffeine so I don't bite the heads off of unruly freshman and sophomores! <br />
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That only leaves one thing: it's time to go meatless. I had actually considered fasting from meat for Lent a couple years ago, but at the time I wasn't eating much meat at all, so that didn't seem like much of a sacrifice. But recently? Well, I've been eating-and enjoying- a great deal more meat than I have in the past 6 years or so combined. I blame it on addictive nitrates!<br />
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
Case in point:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFYyuiDkJI1KH3lkhPzcn0CP7yx5hvOeWb4d0w0VOQKkJD9bj5bkVqKPmJ6OZnsmyTapOIgtXXtJ2RLiwHDjQf1SYTXINYYHJu6OanMS8GETvoyQUuJFtX2khrFwW5WfZcOWkqJGBxqk/s1600/Salami+Tweet-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFYyuiDkJI1KH3lkhPzcn0CP7yx5hvOeWb4d0w0VOQKkJD9bj5bkVqKPmJ6OZnsmyTapOIgtXXtJ2RLiwHDjQf1SYTXINYYHJu6OanMS8GETvoyQUuJFtX2khrFwW5WfZcOWkqJGBxqk/s400/Salami+Tweet-JPEG.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Yep, that was just a week ago. And let me tell you, the idea of having to for go salami on my cheese plate for the next month and a half makes me a little twitchy. However, since Lent is about sacrifice, I can suck it up. <br />
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
Instead, my <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/ThatJessGal">Tweets</a> might sound a bit more like this in the coming days:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAhoO3J3WxggpFUGBm1zJcnwEpC4tddb_FfHkRkLnCcgjDtC3ITI8B6xWj92bY_1k90ywYllFih9CsXHUL7Vg7nRxaiv4IClTyuBz4ZAaQlB-6ft9aNK5TaWWmvKqCvb_oXK49RO2_I0/s1600/lentcheezburgercat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAhoO3J3WxggpFUGBm1zJcnwEpC4tddb_FfHkRkLnCcgjDtC3ITI8B6xWj92bY_1k90ywYllFih9CsXHUL7Vg7nRxaiv4IClTyuBz4ZAaQlB-6ft9aNK5TaWWmvKqCvb_oXK49RO2_I0/s320/lentcheezburgercat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
I'm excited for this challenge, to be perfectly honest. My vegetarian and vegan friends are being super supportive, sending me recipes and ideas. Some predictions have been made that I won't even look back after Lent is over. We shall see. Maybe this Lenten experiment of sorts will change my diet drastically.<br />
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Or maybe I will feel like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmHtHYAvSdpYapTaGtFMlyqBhGPGAaJmMp9N-osCuJ1_FvaakoRUamhGJYysgNgafLvlFecWNCk4LHaDBxkVOI13Heyz1chQ7oW3B3MpC3T5k7kMhDffCWAAgMWVzCBXU2qyViNLeCwc/s1600/lent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmHtHYAvSdpYapTaGtFMlyqBhGPGAaJmMp9N-osCuJ1_FvaakoRUamhGJYysgNgafLvlFecWNCk4LHaDBxkVOI13Heyz1chQ7oW3B3MpC3T5k7kMhDffCWAAgMWVzCBXU2qyViNLeCwc/s320/lent.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Thank goodness I genuinely like beans, tofu and veggies*!<br />
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
Is anyone else abstaining for the season of Lent? I always get a kick about of everyone's fasting choices. It's like New Years with wonderful religious backing.<br />
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
Love to all,<br />
~the little <strike>vegetarian</strike> pescatarian Catholic gal, Jess<br />
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
*I'm abstaining from meat (chicken, pork, beef, etc), but will still consume dairy, eggs and seafood. I also am not worried about chicken stock in soups if it is unavoidable. <br />
<span style="color: black;"></span>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-22426249709262417642012-02-19T16:46:00.001-05:002012-02-21T22:33:47.186-05:00The Impulsive Half Marathoner-The Full, errr, Half MontyExactly one week ago I competed in my first half marathon. I'm honestly not sure when I started thinking about completing a half marathon <i>(at least a year ago?) </i>and now I've completed one. It's a little mind boggling to be sure. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmQQxXNeh7mlYnIBRkYUYEZkW8BS81qczF8adF7bGHmCTGsrFwCPSNWGnTXjfn8ckkvaodpouMu8kuJ-DjnFS-QWCWxDX2amEtjN4TKDDwc2VpT3j0pdEV54YeykfGydNcQmS46ph5Co/s1600/Finish+Line+Hands+Up-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmQQxXNeh7mlYnIBRkYUYEZkW8BS81qczF8adF7bGHmCTGsrFwCPSNWGnTXjfn8ckkvaodpouMu8kuJ-DjnFS-QWCWxDX2amEtjN4TKDDwc2VpT3j0pdEV54YeykfGydNcQmS46ph5Co/s320/Finish+Line+Hands+Up-JPEG.jpg" width="213" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But one thing I can be sure about is on Sunday, February 12, 2012 I ran/jogged/walked 13.1 miles all over downtown St. Petersburg, FL in the <a href="http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/st-petersburg">Inaugural St. Petersburg Rock and Roll Half Marathon</a> and eventually found myself crossing the long awaited finish line. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU1dwwX5VKPyOOXIcievbD4Sy0LMYtskQ7L_Xq6AhTKyEmLebeoWdSeDs-YmL1-wEUXRgiea8rW8hzL1z9QFD2Y4qJqjW2SD7as03IfS7uCpEQeecDKhTCblWFZRnu9f2Ux9q0PfAK6A/s1600/Fist+Finish+Line-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU1dwwX5VKPyOOXIcievbD4Sy0LMYtskQ7L_Xq6AhTKyEmLebeoWdSeDs-YmL1-wEUXRgiea8rW8hzL1z9QFD2Y4qJqjW2SD7as03IfS7uCpEQeecDKhTCblWFZRnu9f2Ux9q0PfAK6A/s320/Fist+Finish+Line-JPEG.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I stated before, <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/02/spontaneous-half-marathoner-plan.html">registering for this race was very spontaneous</a>. <i>(impulsive, even?)</i> I randomly signed up after seeing friends post the link to Facebook on 11/11/11 with a discount code bringing the cost of registration down to 60 bucks. After a quick peek at the course map, which covered some of my favorite parts of St. Pete I had an email confirmation in my inbox from RnR and a "what the hell did I just get myself into?" feeling in my gut.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few weeks later that same group of friends whom unknowingly "got me into this mess" ran in the Las Vegas Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon, bringing some flaws of the Rock 'n Roll series under the microscope in very sharp focus. I recall some people having real qualms about how packed the course was and that they couldn't move, but the two issues that sent me into a panic were <i>lack of aid stations/no water at the aid stations</i> and <i>a shortage of metals for the slower finishers. </i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">WHAT? "Come on people, I only do this for the metals!" I wailed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Needless to say, this cute little turtle paced gal was legitimately freaking out! <i> </i>But just like any of my freakouts, I got over it and got proactive. I purchased a water bottle with a running grip from Camelbak and reminded myself that they could always mail me the metal later, if they once again ran out at the St. Pete event.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It seems that the RnR group really learned their lesson in Vegas, because I could not have asked for a better first time half marathon experience on my own race day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeziakzVTXzx_wTq79eCUeLjazglTEtaWcVvthiNBCKo5G6FtkmbXrt9Io5hHrBVz8GEqOg3kdl1C8TxZdD1mH3S06eL8-F9H-SFdMf0Vvl2HT-PWKuMYcVOpKD_EpxRZbAPdAPe_nbg/s1600/Snell+Island+Bridge-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeziakzVTXzx_wTq79eCUeLjazglTEtaWcVvthiNBCKo5G6FtkmbXrt9Io5hHrBVz8GEqOg3kdl1C8TxZdD1mH3S06eL8-F9H-SFdMf0Vvl2HT-PWKuMYcVOpKD_EpxRZbAPdAPe_nbg/s320/Snell+Island+Bridge-JPEG.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>So, with all that preamble and no further adieu here is the story of my first half marathon: <br />
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The morning started off with a great big "ugh" regarding alarm clocks going off at 5:15am on a Sunday morning, especially when you have stayed up until past midnight with your bestie <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/02/impulsive-half-marathoner-herewego.html">making positive running shirt signs</a>, watching silly youtube videos, gossiping and chatting about fitness the previous evening. Oh and a double ugh for the 30 degree windy weather awaiting me outside. So yes, it was cold, but frankly I was more concerned about food than the cold snap. <i>(well, when am I not concerned about food, honestly?)</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-jlyDZJ1qXnsGiXiEAhw-rF3pPYeHwtCkqjZpF1wa0Xps16PrQi9iwjPOGRU3Cxo0dK0ElN4EWdJLYm9jKjWFziU7LRE_ZX8QVbGhcG7tKUvtHJ7ITdpoUJzGr1ryXKc-oUs5uUE0pA/s1600/DSCN2715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-jlyDZJ1qXnsGiXiEAhw-rF3pPYeHwtCkqjZpF1wa0Xps16PrQi9iwjPOGRU3Cxo0dK0ElN4EWdJLYm9jKjWFziU7LRE_ZX8QVbGhcG7tKUvtHJ7ITdpoUJzGr1ryXKc-oUs5uUE0pA/s320/DSCN2715.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I had discovered the previous week during my last long run-12 miles-<i> </i>that banana and peanut butter didn't go too well as a pre-run meal for me and since I usually eat scrambled eggs/omlete every morning I had this crazy thought that I would just order that for room service at 5am. Um, well, it was a nice plan but no dice, because good 'ol room service doesn't start until 7:30am. <i>(shows you my vast experience with room service-I thought it was 24 hours) </i>The Starbucks in the lobby of the hotel was opening at 6am, so that was my only plan B.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw60gK429PndndQL_v9Q0Mz-_-wSUyifXbPBmvfMLmVY_JtxW79f1Xz6BVlssQn60YWpy6CcrR4DsSGVPeUyPTtDceoRM9qD4fqw7vBppnW08m5Z0VXdP3IgydTEiW-F-oRsrFCFuu5To/s1600/DSCN2714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw60gK429PndndQL_v9Q0Mz-_-wSUyifXbPBmvfMLmVY_JtxW79f1Xz6BVlssQn60YWpy6CcrR4DsSGVPeUyPTtDceoRM9qD4fqw7vBppnW08m5Z0VXdP3IgydTEiW-F-oRsrFCFuu5To/s320/DSCN2714.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Actually, it was quite a few people's plan B, because the line was 15 deep even though I got there right at 6am. One coffee and a "perfect oatmeal" later I was headed over to the Trop for the start of the race. I did my best to woof down the oatmeal in my car, but it just tasted really sweet and I only managed to eat half of it. <i>(Rookie mistake number 1)</i><br />
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I wanted to stay in my car, nice and warm, but I couldn't hear the announcements on the loud speaker and that was making me nervous so I yanked my ugly yellow sweatshirt on over my long sleeved tech tee and headed out to join the queue for the porta-potties. Fun times, fun times. Fast forward the 25 plus minutes of shivering in corral 12 the race finally started. <i>(rookie mistake number 2-totally could have stayed in the car all that time!) </i><br />
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Another 24 minutes later thanks to the staggered start I was crossing the start line. The first 5 miles were very uneventful. Lovely, very chilly <i>(chilly as in my nose was frozen but snotting at the same time-thanks random head cold that popped up on Friday morning)</i> enjoyable miles, winding around the stadium and covering some western parts of Central Ave. I kept thinking about chunking the sweatshirt as it felt very cumbersome, but then another gust of wind would come swirling down the street at me. Burr.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5tBY_nEgzdZtaJoqpjNOxbwL4boZ1oRwXX4IaoOzC394t1WEzS7CXefMqc7zhRjgRvP0Hq_cbCUfRQQgFG4wFFcuccwT-j5fXfY-0RhWjB9RcwPPZDkdPa8ZYQYMhsu3d1EMtvLgtmw/s1600/race+course-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5tBY_nEgzdZtaJoqpjNOxbwL4boZ1oRwXX4IaoOzC394t1WEzS7CXefMqc7zhRjgRvP0Hq_cbCUfRQQgFG4wFFcuccwT-j5fXfY-0RhWjB9RcwPPZDkdPa8ZYQYMhsu3d1EMtvLgtmw/s320/race+course-JPEG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Just past the 5 mile marker we turned back unto 4th Street South and into blessed full sun. I said goodbye to the uncomfortable yellow sweatshirt and kept on trucking. My plan to run 3x each song on my playlist was working grandly and I was also enjoying the live entertainment on the course. My only slight problem was my pants. Turns out they are a size too big for running <i>(I bought them primarily for yoga)</i> and therefore kept falling down, leaving me yanking them up every third or forth stride. Eventually I got used to them riding low <i>(just on my hips, not my waist where I wanted them...nothing was exposed or anything)</i> just let them be.<br />
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The turn around through a residential neighborhood at mile 7.5ish was particularly memorable because I stopped to chat with a friendly homeowner and play with his beautiful Great Dane. She wanted to run with me, which would have been amazing, but of course I had to say goodbye to them both. <i>(It's moments like that I wish I had run with my camera, but I just wanted to keep the race simple) </i>I also said goodbye to the cool sign on my back around that time, or rather the wind said goodbye to it for me. Sniff.<br />
<br />
Trotting along the marina and bay was great, even if a bit breezy, because that chilly breeze was laced with sweet, tangy salt. It made me feel alive and happy. And if <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/01/im-racer-not-runner.html">feeling alive and happy isn't the point of a race</a>, then I don't know what is. The next segment of the race was the down and back along the Pier. When I signed up for the race I was not happy about the idea of this stretch because I figured it would be in the full sun and hot as blazes. It was full sun, but the sun was welcome. Honestly as much as I keep mentioning the chill factor I'm glad it was cold. I would much prefer shivering at the start and having to plan extra layers to shed <i>(and getting super windburned too)</i> over sweating my brains out. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6B-HA3amUzCIJMmHyJ1RGLmdXP7mlMA7Em3psPzicpS-DKIduHfd7rAbW3UYHYduq26tufKvGtr-wUIoxZ-yb7YLFeyYOdSpGmFfBfe-3EJOP-XlMmHPpmY-vKm28frjjCUnRQYcqQM/s1600/Pier+Peace-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6B-HA3amUzCIJMmHyJ1RGLmdXP7mlMA7Em3psPzicpS-DKIduHfd7rAbW3UYHYduq26tufKvGtr-wUIoxZ-yb7YLFeyYOdSpGmFfBfe-3EJOP-XlMmHPpmY-vKm28frjjCUnRQYcqQM/s320/Pier+Peace-JPEG.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Peace to the Pier indeed. I actually love the "down and backs" of race courses, because you get to better see exactly who is ahead of and behind you. And let me tell you friends, even though I had now long lost the 3:00 hour pace keeper I was nowhere near the end either! And that golf cart that I feared would be on my heels? Not even in sight. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Exiting the Pier left only 3 miles left! Just a 5k, right? No sweat. Ugh. This was the only part of the race where I got a little frustrated and from mile 10.5 to 11.5 I didn't run at all. Remember, rookie mistake number 1 of not enough breakfast? It came back to bite me hard. I knew I needed more calories, but had only had 2 cups of Gatorade <i>(or whatever brand of electrolyte drink it was-they are all nasty to me) </i>thus far, although I had water at all the aid stations. <i>(which were at every mile-making my decision to leave my running bottle at the hotel actually a good one!) </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But back to the calorie deficit, at mile 10 they offered Gu packets. Admittedly I'd never had one before, and I know you "shouldn't do anything new on race day" but I also knew I needed something. So I took a vanilla one and sucked down about 3/4 of it with a cup of water chaser. <i>(it actually tastes and "feels" just like vanilla pudding, so I'm a fan for future training/events) </i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the Gu pack station the race course turned down the cobblestone street of 5th NE right next to the Vinoy, aka sheer gorgeousness. I have always loved this part of St. Pete and was feeling SO good to be running along it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9DPFj8nz500W0MD4JrA6Iwzd3Kc1Ts7VwABY946zpekQ8E1DbhSO3eeIwjTW3ooUyeTGgBSKjQ85G0WK5tpOqSNSmOm_-beKbK1CEqhqL7pfEy9FE1NnKlYEJoF6yFImHOHyUX7WlVU/s1600/Vinoy+1-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9DPFj8nz500W0MD4JrA6Iwzd3Kc1Ts7VwABY946zpekQ8E1DbhSO3eeIwjTW3ooUyeTGgBSKjQ85G0WK5tpOqSNSmOm_-beKbK1CEqhqL7pfEy9FE1NnKlYEJoF6yFImHOHyUX7WlVU/s320/Vinoy+1-JPEG.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That good feeling abruptly disappeared as I rounded the corner off Bayfront onto Beach Drive and two things happened pretty much simultaneously: 1-my stomach started trying to reject the Gu. 2-I could see the finish line party but knew I still had nearly 3 miles to go. <i>(and people who had already finished started wandering on the course-not cool, fyi) </i>Needless to say I wasn't feeling so alive and happy at that moment. I pushed on walking as fast as I could and focusing on keeping the Gu inside my stomach. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thankfully there was another aid station with water just after mile 11 and after stopping for two full cups of water and some deep breaths I felt much better. Finally all that was left was the out and back across the Snell Island Bridge. Ugh, again. We could still hear all the festivities at the Finish Line Party, and yet we were running <i>(or walking as briskly as possible in my case)</i> away from it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we turned and headed back across the bridge I finally got a last spurt of energy. Maybe it was because we were headed towards the finish. Maybe that Gu packet was finally in my bloodstream. Maybe it was gravity helping me down the Snell Island bridge. Whatever the reason I perked up and started trotting along Coffee Pot Blvd with my head held high, knowing I was less than a mile from becoming a half marathoner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymcPqWBglh-s8WDXzlvu8shBRp4H7TnJFdfCbqIaccQh223P9000UCNW7Ee6umWmNYXYTKTv1Qqm4-6PUzPfHc9z8Zfvkzu37D1ebezzqMBIzbi1MepXTmpLhrNJFORL0AB5DmHfBXhQ/s1600/Snell+Island+2.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymcPqWBglh-s8WDXzlvu8shBRp4H7TnJFdfCbqIaccQh223P9000UCNW7Ee6umWmNYXYTKTv1Qqm4-6PUzPfHc9z8Zfvkzu37D1ebezzqMBIzbi1MepXTmpLhrNJFORL0AB5DmHfBXhQ/s320/Snell+Island+2.tiff" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My good mood only improved when I noticed a familiar figure walking in the opposite direction on the sidewalk. With excited recognition I called out "Meghann!" and jumped up on the side walk to give her a quick hug and congrats on her run. <i>(and engagement since I hadn't seen her recently) </i>Little did I know aat the time she had just <a href="http://mealsandmiles.com/2012/02/12/rock-n-roll-st-pete-half-marathon-recap/">successfully completed her goal of finishing a sub 1:45 half marathon</a>. She encouraged me to keep moving, since the finish line was just around the bend. I shouted a good bye to her and kept slowly trotting to the finish line. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Just a quick side story here: I first met Meghann back in 2006 when she was dating one of my childhood friends and we were all home from college for the holidays. We stayed friends on Facebook even though that relationship didn't last and it was thanks to her blog that I first discovered this world of blogging runners, inspiring me to take up competitive racing. So, even though we don't talk on a regular basis, it is because of Meghann essentially that I am even able to write this post. Isn't it fun how small the world is?]</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They had photographers set up to catch the facial expressions of people as the finish line came into sight. This was all I could offer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHrCm8JAG-gWmv6yftIbIj8OLrF1pVGYflK29zEVvvFyIJ8TFSSRtYFcHgidikYGxLwF76Hb0btzlAI1NRfForkVfDhmG4wTJcI0BGwPPwYva_4xJnIv-FxrN_8kKW1xC-rPOIyTIRTo/s1600/Where's+the+Finish%3f-JPEG.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHrCm8JAG-gWmv6yftIbIj8OLrF1pVGYflK29zEVvvFyIJ8TFSSRtYFcHgidikYGxLwF76Hb0btzlAI1NRfForkVfDhmG4wTJcI0BGwPPwYva_4xJnIv-FxrN_8kKW1xC-rPOIyTIRTo/s320/Where's+the+Finish%3f-JPEG.tiff" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I call it "where's the finish line?" because that was all I had been thinking for the last 3 miles! I began a slow jog towards the mats, getting really excited when I saw Christine along the fence of the shoot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj81N81nlWaMJn6M7j7IrlTCta0jkGrp4JFOghW9V3aVYJm8o1ruEVZ5cudnsEBSMFpW-VmRiHJUTIE2s6KOIBIva_wwophPXK_BDWi2Tt0-Nb143xdrh5KqB1-WihIbzpeFQmUAkFng0/s1600/DSCN2718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj81N81nlWaMJn6M7j7IrlTCta0jkGrp4JFOghW9V3aVYJm8o1ruEVZ5cudnsEBSMFpW-VmRiHJUTIE2s6KOIBIva_wwophPXK_BDWi2Tt0-Nb143xdrh5KqB1-WihIbzpeFQmUAkFng0/s320/DSCN2718.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Those are my "excited hands."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I was waving and flapping around when I saw her!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The next thing I knew I was crossing the finish line!</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DE9CsH2D_ru2cK5zVVBeeNrrueCtK51xfw_4dscSfsWFqSCYB5544T-I3ftFpug-Sn-Xc6n8U9WzuqfOW4oJIQNfzOjG2Nprr8wVls_hzOAI-tlO9mhcOFqYeBIzinH1o_c5oksuR-s/s1600/Finish+Line+Trio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DE9CsH2D_ru2cK5zVVBeeNrrueCtK51xfw_4dscSfsWFqSCYB5544T-I3ftFpug-Sn-Xc6n8U9WzuqfOW4oJIQNfzOjG2Nprr8wVls_hzOAI-tlO9mhcOFqYeBIzinH1o_c5oksuR-s/s400/Finish+Line+Trio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> Since I crossed solo the annoucers really hammed it up. I believe this is what was said:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>And here comes Jess Mahoney. She is 25 and fabulous. And looking so pretty in purple today. Well, I'm sure she always look pretty, but she is sporting that purple today.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It made me laugh and really feel special, even though I'm in the "turtle group" and finished with a time of 3:26:06, a time that many other women can finish a full 26.2 miles in. And awaiting me past that finishing mat was my metal. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55Ce5uxU7Xy1go5ipRSGhHWSgnzkoM3XEuFd6F6amnC9GeR4Dpv891oAdYzGmlkJybdH293Ke-YREE9FwQtnMiSveC6Ka64xqGjE0tPt79mKrrqk-xYCnxYkPcb2qERYv0uroTrhB0Rk/s1600/Just+Finished-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55Ce5uxU7Xy1go5ipRSGhHWSgnzkoM3XEuFd6F6amnC9GeR4Dpv891oAdYzGmlkJybdH293Ke-YREE9FwQtnMiSveC6Ka64xqGjE0tPt79mKrrqk-xYCnxYkPcb2qERYv0uroTrhB0Rk/s320/Just+Finished-JPEG.jpg" width="215" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLH5VpAhn4tm55SxWdGUxmGBkWOxe_XzdLzvWcUA7SO5y8S1cyOhbBmV7ag7n0QYDhAQP2ztQy1flt8XTX2r4WhxnlfMpZ0Cwm6LMqOPrsgOUT7uHpDVHRO5bFbeaxjtuw0Ec0Nb1RHs8/s1600/Staged+Finisher-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLH5VpAhn4tm55SxWdGUxmGBkWOxe_XzdLzvWcUA7SO5y8S1cyOhbBmV7ag7n0QYDhAQP2ztQy1flt8XTX2r4WhxnlfMpZ0Cwm6LMqOPrsgOUT7uHpDVHRO5bFbeaxjtuw0Ec0Nb1RHs8/s320/Staged+Finisher-JPEG.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrY6Ch2pS38x1MEEuEk6x1mrX6t2Txh1LNDjdjNqHMg4cGOCSt1sqSwniYHqwJHfjbLO2woVzE2-zKx_6D5I5EsnPzBti7TcnyGuAbJBkVFtql1dhgcb3k1QC88o1bNURRbVPL5p7gpM/s1600/Detailed+Results-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrY6Ch2pS38x1MEEuEk6x1mrX6t2Txh1LNDjdjNqHMg4cGOCSt1sqSwniYHqwJHfjbLO2woVzE2-zKx_6D5I5EsnPzBti7TcnyGuAbJBkVFtql1dhgcb3k1QC88o1bNURRbVPL5p7gpM/s320/Detailed+Results-JPEG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My overall pace was quite a bit slower than I thought it would be <i>(I was shooting for more of a 14:45) </i>which also helps to explain why I was closer to 3:30 than 3:00, but I'm very pleased, considering how <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/02/spontaneous-half-marathoner-plan.html">undertrained I was</a> for this event. And hey, I totally wasn't last! I'm excited to announce after this amazing experience that while this was my first half marathon, it won't be my last! I'm going to focus on triathlons for the rest of 2012 but I'm planning on fully training for another half for the spring of 2013 and will attempt to actually run the whole beast! Stay tuned for that fun!<br />
<br />
Phew, writing this recap was nearly as exhausting as completing the 13.1 miles that made me a half marathoner! Thanks for reading, you deserve a metal just for finishing the post!<br />
<br />
Love to all,<br />
the "yup, I'm pretty proud to call myself a half marathoner now" gal, Jess<br />
<br />
PS. My only other rookie mistake was my poor hands. I didn't wear my gloves, which I did bring with me, but just didn't realize how cold they would be. Also, they got very swollen around mile 6 which you can kind of see in my finisher picture if you look at my wrists. A lady I was chatting with during the "bad mile" told me it was from not keeping them at heart level when when I was taking walking breaks. Lesson learned indeed, because they were incredibly uncomfortable but went back down to normal with in an hour of finishing the race so no real harm done. <br />
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</div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-86252721070475170882012-02-13T21:20:00.000-05:002012-02-13T21:20:02.107-05:00The Impulsive Half Marathoner-The Short of ItBefore:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyGw9fI0LFcZodX44uuxUEahPNADW64SlytHB_3Nn_eht_hSwbW91P7ZELfTae1xUKmYiacVG-Q-hq9a37F-KK8QuxroD2bwUsJCQ1Qtsilg09rwGBk8QzWzErMyfIUD87zH7rrZjEOg/s1600/DSCN2714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyGw9fI0LFcZodX44uuxUEahPNADW64SlytHB_3Nn_eht_hSwbW91P7ZELfTae1xUKmYiacVG-Q-hq9a37F-KK8QuxroD2bwUsJCQ1Qtsilg09rwGBk8QzWzErMyfIUD87zH7rrZjEOg/s320/DSCN2714.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
During:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zGW8JWjRC-eXpZ6CkZ3EPKutawDas_RKj5SrmiCsjgPQkVqknFYSXJpqVMhtoTgU3X60ZhwY4iT8PNV_aKz48KRn-BmQvZ2J4HUUYhJsBjB1AzygjkVn3aSc3wQspA-2NqN-O_PoqJI/s1600/Pier+Peace-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zGW8JWjRC-eXpZ6CkZ3EPKutawDas_RKj5SrmiCsjgPQkVqknFYSXJpqVMhtoTgU3X60ZhwY4iT8PNV_aKz48KRn-BmQvZ2J4HUUYhJsBjB1AzygjkVn3aSc3wQspA-2NqN-O_PoqJI/s320/Pier+Peace-JPEG.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
After:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9S2KpMo1mVHCoTleLCWVkojb3lXKjEvCz961hiHDtbxLy6oH988lbG1mv-5FtfNh31BcApjnngbQBrUoICUpbgI_Eb4_ksyzNcspmdqPeDsc2kr4dK1DPYoe1xRM7jMRaIiLdfgzx-I/s1600/Finish+Line+Hands+Up-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9S2KpMo1mVHCoTleLCWVkojb3lXKjEvCz961hiHDtbxLy6oH988lbG1mv-5FtfNh31BcApjnngbQBrUoICUpbgI_Eb4_ksyzNcspmdqPeDsc2kr4dK1DPYoe1xRM7jMRaIiLdfgzx-I/s200/Finish+Line+Hands+Up-JPEG.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZeEXsTcPON3QFFOx5Y8gF5Q8i-LlNTFQ0r7TGWFzmhLcZYwKL0t5cd0IBCNDh4kbwBmib082cIpCTN94FHH2A1pOkz5rDLmW3nwyfGQSnialzKy_PSmcFgWw-P2QMYLu6m-bo4c094o/s1600/Fist+Finish+Line-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZeEXsTcPON3QFFOx5Y8gF5Q8i-LlNTFQ0r7TGWFzmhLcZYwKL0t5cd0IBCNDh4kbwBmib082cIpCTN94FHH2A1pOkz5rDLmW3nwyfGQSnialzKy_PSmcFgWw-P2QMYLu6m-bo4c094o/s200/Fist+Finish+Line-JPEG.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyW9z2OCHUNm3VFtr3YVCgGboyLutkYlYBrSIYggFaWJxa4Zl38h7s7erea99Lpb_TftN74juBe6dd-Hwt4HsFS2-81SRmaQueVK4dUGOcOKYpPFoA1ll5NMAFY0W7lI_r_5pMbPDBAg/s1600/Staged+Finisher-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyW9z2OCHUNm3VFtr3YVCgGboyLutkYlYBrSIYggFaWJxa4Zl38h7s7erea99Lpb_TftN74juBe6dd-Hwt4HsFS2-81SRmaQueVK4dUGOcOKYpPFoA1ll5NMAFY0W7lI_r_5pMbPDBAg/s200/Staged+Finisher-JPEG.jpg" width="136" /></a></div><br />
How:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlEh5d1YfHDCTqEQgKbhuCZXM1Mo1o2MBcQPqjOXpR19BA79y96dX36RjQh2vxF8eaesyMpmJTIwo56wHm-LOxVMOM3Wn9s9gFBgW0vrUNEgzEB6MOwL6b_QHF_yUTzZ3vZO1-ugqtPw/s1600/RnR+St+Pete+Half+Results-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlEh5d1YfHDCTqEQgKbhuCZXM1Mo1o2MBcQPqjOXpR19BA79y96dX36RjQh2vxF8eaesyMpmJTIwo56wHm-LOxVMOM3Wn9s9gFBgW0vrUNEgzEB6MOwL6b_QHF_yUTzZ3vZO1-ugqtPw/s1600/RnR+St+Pete+Half+Results-JPEG.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Details and such coming soon. The short story is: I loved my first half marathon. I might be slow, but I finished and for 2012 that is enough for this gal.<br />
<br />
Love to all,<br />
~the half marathoner gal herself, JessJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-1402253904527304552012-02-11T23:24:00.000-05:002012-02-11T23:24:15.689-05:00The Impulsive Half Marathoner-Here.We.Go!I survived the Expo. <i>(Unlike most racers, I'm not a fan of expos mostly because I suck at asking for free stuff.)</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtvN8Zz_pugZ-1yi7xH-f2C-36bPYug2R6rGSnyGwwHHJgJIcKhwFu3W7TXS7QAHOzEn4QdboOpIKUmfWxAq2WeyG6HgCOMSgWBXSI6omNowNKZDZz_tAqnqFMr0BwyZnfCwvGlME25A/s1600/expo" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtvN8Zz_pugZ-1yi7xH-f2C-36bPYug2R6rGSnyGwwHHJgJIcKhwFu3W7TXS7QAHOzEn4QdboOpIKUmfWxAq2WeyG6HgCOMSgWBXSI6omNowNKZDZz_tAqnqFMr0BwyZnfCwvGlME25A/s320/expo" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credit: <a href="http://mealsandmiles.com/2012/02/11/expo-day/">Meals and Miles </a></span></i></div><br />
I have my gear laid out. <i>(Which is not the gear I had indented on using...considering one week ago I was sweating my brains out-and a significant volume of tequila-on my 12 miler)</i><br />
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<i> </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQ442_I67gbUgJk1OR8suNjiQljjEDZlQ6wxEVOaSTMrZRCAwLNTcaNOGghQGfami2dODL8l8agfW3rTYrBr2_sYnX6qXkZJS8nk2z9h8ljr1efbnvIWtqEiqcW3_K2omFw139Apfo_c/s1600/IMG_5464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQ442_I67gbUgJk1OR8suNjiQljjEDZlQ6wxEVOaSTMrZRCAwLNTcaNOGghQGfami2dODL8l8agfW3rTYrBr2_sYnX6qXkZJS8nk2z9h8ljr1efbnvIWtqEiqcW3_K2omFw139Apfo_c/s320/IMG_5464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And I have a sweet sign. <i>(Care of my beloved Christine...who impulsively joined me in St. Pete for the weekend...see, we were impulsively destined to be besties!)</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaMmWw4UdgFXZOt5cdiIE0qFZVizI-JAmZZYEILAu36nSQy5UR0YmesxNaWJAGyZRucYeW0J2LAW44_dgV3dLzdfZJz1KvgnpgvCRV7ykl9a6rRppym10E3ORNmLqc1VeBhTr4FZPXDk/s1600/IMG_5462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaMmWw4UdgFXZOt5cdiIE0qFZVizI-JAmZZYEILAu36nSQy5UR0YmesxNaWJAGyZRucYeW0J2LAW44_dgV3dLzdfZJz1KvgnpgvCRV7ykl9a6rRppym10E3ORNmLqc1VeBhTr4FZPXDk/s320/IMG_5462.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Love to all,<br />
~the "hey, so I'm actually going to be covering 13.1 miles tomorrow, you know, in a race" gal, JessJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-35353317088072359312012-02-10T22:08:00.000-05:002012-02-10T22:08:35.130-05:00Super Bowl Turned Supper BowlOh, Super Bowl. What can I say...I have little to no interest in watching revoltingly overpaid men who still behave like small children on the playground pushing each other over and then having tantrums when they are not given enough attention/praise/more money. <i>(I do love sports, fyi but prefer the collegiate level, where the players still have a soul)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
But you all know this gal well enough by now that if there is food, I'll be there. And lordy does the Super Bowl incorporate food of all kinds.<br />
<br />
Case in point, the spread that my family <i>(of three)</i> put together:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXWvVmq_UNZwbdEfSmmSLpOtiPxaZv9qH-WzhlN0DOJsDXdgDc5tWB3_YtHxDt5mXYgPehXkTVRL-5E37yICwWj58lyrS6WSbAD5Iv0XelKyiuZw6mzL69iLUbLYya8HgsROLgO616lU/s1600/IMG_0656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXWvVmq_UNZwbdEfSmmSLpOtiPxaZv9qH-WzhlN0DOJsDXdgDc5tWB3_YtHxDt5mXYgPehXkTVRL-5E37yICwWj58lyrS6WSbAD5Iv0XelKyiuZw6mzL69iLUbLYya8HgsROLgO616lU/s320/IMG_0656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Queso, pita chips, Guac, Roasted Garlic Dip, Mini Crab Cakes, Veggie Tray, Assorted Dips and potato chips, <i>(all with a side of mutt, obvs)</i><br />
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Wait, did you say <a href="http://my-plate.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-dip.html">Roasted Garlic Dip</a>?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsY3Fg6sF9MBgdz8Qj-ZiIX7djXarM4t5ewzrdV5O_nzPMWUWrSxtbA5LZ_8L4kMM_Yxb7pgMmk2CV92tM6tgUhJ2GMvSHq6BpCK17-ejRpqTgzl5w2L2yFCGzqdWOGExETeKbZ0qh_Y/s1600/IMG_0658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsY3Fg6sF9MBgdz8Qj-ZiIX7djXarM4t5ewzrdV5O_nzPMWUWrSxtbA5LZ_8L4kMM_Yxb7pgMmk2CV92tM6tgUhJ2GMvSHq6BpCK17-ejRpqTgzl5w2L2yFCGzqdWOGExETeKbZ0qh_Y/s320/IMG_0658.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div><br />
This cheesy dip <i>(can you say asiago?)</i> was a find on my first days of <a href="http://pinterest.com/thatjessgal/">Pinterest</a> and I'd been jonesing to make it ever since. Thus, the infamous roasted garlic dip became my contribution to snackfest 2012. <i>(I did sub Greek yogurt and 2% milk for the sour cream and heavy cream respectively, fyi.)</i><br />
<br />
Anyways, fast forward past the horrid lip-syncing half time show, the Giants win, and even the ticker-tape parade in NYC a few days later, and that damn dip was still in my fridge. Time to get creative, because I could not load up yet another cracker, pita chip or celery stick with the stuff, tasty or not.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4OZQjP3_CHcZ8curQkskv9JRMMSBR9rQJLGnIHA55_TvOXzn-wY5kijlk15luCBp9-H-65MG6kvEA6FFzyyBGTzsnjTUVuohLJEwL_Ognx1JxtX-lgsaFFkjyRFuRO6tH3IQaiwg9TA/s1600/Super+Bowl+Turned+Supper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4OZQjP3_CHcZ8curQkskv9JRMMSBR9rQJLGnIHA55_TvOXzn-wY5kijlk15luCBp9-H-65MG6kvEA6FFzyyBGTzsnjTUVuohLJEwL_Ognx1JxtX-lgsaFFkjyRFuRO6tH3IQaiwg9TA/s320/Super+Bowl+Turned+Supper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Before and After</span></div><br />
And thus Roasted Asiago Garlic Chicken Penne with Red Pepper and Broccoli was born.<br />
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If you too need to get rid of some lingering Super Bowl dips, or just want a really quick dinner idea <i>(seriously, this took me 15 minutes to throw together) </i>carry on my wayward <strike>Giants</strike> <strike>son</strike> foodie.<br />
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While water boils for the pasta, season boneless, skinless chicken breast <i>(because it thaws quick...don't forget this meal come together faster than it takes for the Pats to lose their lead)</i> with salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes.<br />
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Saute with garlic and red pepper in olive oil. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CZwRMdndF7J6j7ygSNhD4mjAqKngr56olztbhov0YSUl7gb7xXLF_FWOvBlMCJao3-e4BPSLrZbX4RiYV3U4Ya5QAz-76q8mI_ImeqaSwMwo6Di-61tl2pobOV3YIsblHbqNPyqrEQ4/s1600/IMG_5981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CZwRMdndF7J6j7ygSNhD4mjAqKngr56olztbhov0YSUl7gb7xXLF_FWOvBlMCJao3-e4BPSLrZbX4RiYV3U4Ya5QAz-76q8mI_ImeqaSwMwo6Di-61tl2pobOV3YIsblHbqNPyqrEQ4/s320/IMG_5981.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3O_83tJjPHceIXY1c_fsb7qXnKUFa0GsM7Vy5d8uR7P3pS8xMt290mX_jBgn5i2d1kqmqSgU-ofP-e3PEq1fUls8dDbCMMRv89kU5MiDvVA9XbKYVNb41g-7r_h4BiY1EkmA2nvr6hI/s1600/IMG_5982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3O_83tJjPHceIXY1c_fsb7qXnKUFa0GsM7Vy5d8uR7P3pS8xMt290mX_jBgn5i2d1kqmqSgU-ofP-e3PEq1fUls8dDbCMMRv89kU5MiDvVA9XbKYVNb41g-7r_h4BiY1EkmA2nvr6hI/s320/IMG_5982.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Steam broccoli florets over the pasta water in a colander until tender crisp. Toss in with the chicken mix.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVCHdvBlDaZJ_tKHXi0ey_2QSs0AnyZhg_KeHBXhxInUNoGIbIr8skuFsudEEfglUpzespfdCSChQXBvIg2bUdkTQ3yOEqj6TPsO4T76kTXIGhexwUg6np15ua5lNJhMMsAGEmMXkh8Y/s1600/IMG_5984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVCHdvBlDaZJ_tKHXi0ey_2QSs0AnyZhg_KeHBXhxInUNoGIbIr8skuFsudEEfglUpzespfdCSChQXBvIg2bUdkTQ3yOEqj6TPsO4T76kTXIGhexwUg6np15ua5lNJhMMsAGEmMXkh8Y/s320/IMG_5984.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4VvFH_9TMVnYbJJS3QMWGQIoy69HabzFaYte4m4QBbOcjRtU6c_eu6XX8Rr7_Zqyq37OqymBZuL9ql9Q5yvLXk7O863wH112iFsMvlKkrUKdgB0qxydzTCizabLUsghrRJAOhFlGciI/s1600/IMG_5985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4VvFH_9TMVnYbJJS3QMWGQIoy69HabzFaYte4m4QBbOcjRtU6c_eu6XX8Rr7_Zqyq37OqymBZuL9ql9Q5yvLXk7O863wH112iFsMvlKkrUKdgB0qxydzTCizabLUsghrRJAOhFlGciI/s320/IMG_5985.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
To make the "sauce" I pushed the chicken and veggies to the edges of the skillet and then added the last 3/4 cup of the roasted garlic dip. <i>(minus the mozzarella cheese topping-it doesn't melt well)</i> As the cheesy dip melted down I added 2 large cooking spoonfuls of the pasta water.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXvhlTJqQdzlkOFMlb8cM9nZMMX3NBntC7r42bQFBpnQpp1bGqvxOacHFf87fxqWLEP46ePJFpWGw_xXp5Ltsy7z3CMfS26iD4QO7XMOHysCoJmLDqiALiHECymowoeRPqfbVmc0yplg/s1600/IMG_5988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXvhlTJqQdzlkOFMlb8cM9nZMMX3NBntC7r42bQFBpnQpp1bGqvxOacHFf87fxqWLEP46ePJFpWGw_xXp5Ltsy7z3CMfS26iD4QO7XMOHysCoJmLDqiALiHECymowoeRPqfbVmc0yplg/s320/IMG_5988.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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Mix well to coat the chicken/veggie mixture, then drain the pasta and toss it in too. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl00a4ikv8xOGrIuA0yXN8ZjAaCKIf8vlOZrfL0dw-6oqwgV7fyOAyL5pqQ97FbYKL7UjXh0diSw-FzsLwwHmgs4Y0UuerDgc9lJxb-_jzac6-7iPQlhgSZvVlFivwjZbFwM96wAvq938/s1600/IMG_5991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl00a4ikv8xOGrIuA0yXN8ZjAaCKIf8vlOZrfL0dw-6oqwgV7fyOAyL5pqQ97FbYKL7UjXh0diSw-FzsLwwHmgs4Y0UuerDgc9lJxb-_jzac6-7iPQlhgSZvVlFivwjZbFwM96wAvq938/s320/IMG_5991.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFB15f88ykMao9h2qOJaerltOP-BnYDBPAZs4kO8XZiFk7gXLhG4OsSpjaHlqEyCpHbQ-sLNUbfGHxmy36EzJ4LrOJHcYZtVzgxdRiD6dG1_nHij_qvgX6NcYaQTxfu-KoiJnMdE6896Y/s1600/IMG_5994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFB15f88ykMao9h2qOJaerltOP-BnYDBPAZs4kO8XZiFk7gXLhG4OsSpjaHlqEyCpHbQ-sLNUbfGHxmy36EzJ4LrOJHcYZtVzgxdRiD6dG1_nHij_qvgX6NcYaQTxfu-KoiJnMdE6896Y/s320/IMG_5994.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Done and done. Just like the NFL season.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X8o5ElNp_6F2aOjTFeJ7FWw8yJhEI7kZcIo9MVfBFW2wSAU1CM8RzBVw6HBd80JLJSgYzjVmQLJZSu7jGGrF2ebJ3pKxGNTuxBNULd9BcShG5DR-67REcgCYn6S4ucNMQfQrajf2yD8/s1600/IMG_6000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X8o5ElNp_6F2aOjTFeJ7FWw8yJhEI7kZcIo9MVfBFW2wSAU1CM8RzBVw6HBd80JLJSgYzjVmQLJZSu7jGGrF2ebJ3pKxGNTuxBNULd9BcShG5DR-67REcgCYn6S4ucNMQfQrajf2yD8/s320/IMG_6000.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Now that is what I call a Super Bowl of Supper.<br />
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Love to all,<br />
~the "you bet I cook play off worthy meals out of leftover dips" gal, Jess<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Roasted Asiago Garlic Chicken Penne with Red Pepper and Broccoli</b><br />
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<u>Ingredients</u><br />
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1/2 lb penne pasta, cooked according to the box <br />
3/4 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed<br />
sea salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes, to taste<br />
2 cloves garlic, finely sliced<br />
1 small red pepper, finely sliced into strips<br />
1 head broccoli, cut into florets<br />
3/4 cup of leftover* <a href="http://my-plate.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-dip.html">Roasted Garlic Dip</a>, mozzarella topping removed <br />
<br />
<b>1.</b> boil water salted water for pasta-add pasta and cook according to directions upon boiling<br />
<b>2.</b> while water boils prep garlic, red pepper and broccoli<br />
<b>3.</b> add 2 turns of the pan of olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat.<br />
<b>4.</b> season chicken with salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes <br />
<b>5. </b>when oil begins to glimmer add the garlic and saute for ~1 minute, until garlic is fragrant<br />
<b>6. </b>add the seasoned chicken to the skillet, turning to brown all sides.<br />
<b>7. </b>add the red pepper strips to the skillet, while the broccoli steams over the pasta water<br />
<b>8.</b> when the broccoli is tender-crisp add to the skillet<br />
<b>9. </b>push the chicken and vegetable mixture to the outer perimeter of the skillet, adding the leftover dip to the center of the skillet, adding ~1/4 cup of pasta water to form the sauce.<br />
<b>10. </b>add drained pasta and toss to mix.<br />
<br />
*or substitute a mixture of 1/4 shredded asiago cheese, 1/4 cup cream cheese, and 1/4 cup Greek yogurt.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-36303385242890258792012-02-06T22:51:00.001-05:002012-02-11T17:38:35.592-05:00The Impulsive Half Marathoner-the planHi, my name is Jess and I'm a gal with an impulse problem.<br />
<br />
My mouth gets me into trouble, cause I call 'em like I see 'em.<br />
<br />
My credit card gets me into trouble because if I want something I buy it.<br />
<br />
Similarly my taste buds also get me into trouble, because if I want to eat something, damn it I will. <i>(sorry tight jeans)</i><br />
<br />
And on November 11th, 2011 my impulses got me into trouble again.<br />
<br />
See <i>(what had happened was)</i> I was killing just a few minutes at home on the Internet before heading out to a neighborhood BBQ to celebrate the super lucky Veteran's Day when <a href="http://mealsandmiles.com/">Meghann</a> posted to fbook about the $60 deal for the St. Pete Half Marathon. <i>(do you see where this is going?)</i><br />
<br />
Did you say half marathon? <i>(cause I'd kinda sort been thinking about doing one-usually when I'm drunk with running friends)</i> Did you say St. Pete? <i>(cause I used to live there and have crazy withdrawals)</i> Did you say one day sale? <i>(um, sale?)</i><br />
<br />
<i> </i>Um, yeah. So I signed up. And I was really excited. I mean, I was still high on my <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/10/learning-to-tri-myfirsttri-at-6th.html">first triathlon</a> finish, so why wouldn't I be pumped for what would be my first half marathon, in one of my beloved Florida cities? <br />
<br />
I mean, it's only 13.1 miles. And the fact that I still couldn't run a mile straight wouldn't matter right?<br />
<br />
Then after half-ass training for a 5k in November and having my <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/01/im-racer-not-runner.html">revelation about running/racing</a> during that said 5k the first weekend of December, I kinda sorta took the rest of December off. I mean, I knew that this half was in February, but that seemed so far away <i>(it wasn't)</i> and I had "write half marathon training plan" on my to do list <i>(for 5 weeks)</i> so everything was going to my not-planned-out-impulsive-race-registration perfectly! <br />
<br />
Well, now we are t-minus 6 days to the half. And I've done exactly 11 of my 13 planned training runs. Only one of those runs was double digits. And it was 12 miles. And I did it yesterday. <i>(In three hours. Um, can you say walker in the back?)</i><br />
<br />
While I might not be runner ready, I'm ThatJessGal ready, and that my friends is as ready as I can be.<br />
<i> </i><br />
<br />
Here is my plan for the day:<br />
<br />
1- Enjoy myself <i>(even the run on the Pier-full sun, ugh)</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EXf3THUGM-lD2Dsq1mWt44t1sdXNFt8SFCTPOW-cD236yCKernVn5svVBmW7vEeyi96162wJCBWOTZABGcvUhGToC8ka2utpmUKydTlaF1lKwutOxRCwkVd5oRMnB4njppBirXe5cWk/s1600/st+pete+sunrise-jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EXf3THUGM-lD2Dsq1mWt44t1sdXNFt8SFCTPOW-cD236yCKernVn5svVBmW7vEeyi96162wJCBWOTZABGcvUhGToC8ka2utpmUKydTlaF1lKwutOxRCwkVd5oRMnB4njppBirXe5cWk/s320/st+pete+sunrise-jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
2- Keep my eye on the prize <i>(because it's all about the metal-I sure hope RnR ordered enough this time) </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FIJ0TQeCP2lkLRYPAlsWuYvLnA80RMG9GFogCv4URi7pCHxeEXhLh2Ki7tD6wZcF5Ztzss9lEY4iUmvXmApJ8HfWla-Rts4_w1zTlp10m8DATbhRHs5-YD8y-SZncyjg5EfPtUwO2gM/s1600/st+pete+rnr+metal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FIJ0TQeCP2lkLRYPAlsWuYvLnA80RMG9GFogCv4URi7pCHxeEXhLh2Ki7tD6wZcF5Ztzss9lEY4iUmvXmApJ8HfWla-Rts4_w1zTlp10m8DATbhRHs5-YD8y-SZncyjg5EfPtUwO2gM/s320/st+pete+rnr+metal.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
3- Enjoy the post race beer <i>(or two-cause the brew is just as important as the bling)</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBS2e1-eBLdNsRYxadslIE35-rK4Yn-3ezNJk10osXHoN7qsQSvcLFy1usbsTtkCh_iCCxopMOobVK5xygDZmfwmLqp8obRnrgFI0D57lkQRN6zl6ku3lPRov-N6OBsSRNZi0OiaEvAQ/s1600/IMG_4823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBS2e1-eBLdNsRYxadslIE35-rK4Yn-3ezNJk10osXHoN7qsQSvcLFy1usbsTtkCh_iCCxopMOobVK5xygDZmfwmLqp8obRnrgFI0D57lkQRN6zl6ku3lPRov-N6OBsSRNZi0OiaEvAQ/s320/IMG_4823.jpg" width="177" /></a></div><i> </i><br />
Now how I plan to accomplish those three goals is a touch loosey-goosey. Mostly I will NOT drink half a pitcher of margaritas the night before, like I did pre-12 miler <i>(can you say tequila sweats? phew). </i>Also, I plan to order an omelet and toast at 5am from room service, so I can mimic my normal eats, because peanut butter on bread in my belly for 12 miles makes me want to ralph. <i>(besides, if I'm paying to stay in a Hilton for two nights, you'd better believe I'm getting room service too!)</i><br />
<br />
<i> </i>Oh, and about the running bit? I still can't run a mile straight, and I'm cool with that. I know I'll be in the back of the pack, and <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2010/10/smoked-that-golf-cart.html">once again I'm hoping the golf cart driver/sweeper is a cute guy</a> cause he'll be watching my booty the whole race!<br />
<br />
Well, there is my plan. It's pretty <strike>lame</strike> impulsive but regardless how under-trained I am I am just as determined that by the end of Sunday I will be a half marathoner. <br />
<br />
Love to all, <br />
~the impulsive little gal, Jess<br />
<span id="goog_599621061"></span><span id="goog_599621062"></span>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-84094698237423998492012-02-02T22:55:00.001-05:002012-02-04T11:56:39.390-05:00A Lucky Booster ShotOn New Year's Day, just like any other good southern gal, <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/02/lucky-booster-shot.html">I had my lucky dose of blacked peas and greens. </a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xEokz3LK3igWLLsT_h1LFH8N3u9AXyNYPZ5RloSCO0_byzFmPm5tRK8-3qtpZUNzrlxZM2_IFJK9TPpO3A0I2pEsfq16UyA7AUM-9GgFIqPjNFm3s-f4njhdsoZTHSLzePHa2AqZy64/s1600/IMG_5514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xEokz3LK3igWLLsT_h1LFH8N3u9AXyNYPZ5RloSCO0_byzFmPm5tRK8-3qtpZUNzrlxZM2_IFJK9TPpO3A0I2pEsfq16UyA7AUM-9GgFIqPjNFm3s-f4njhdsoZTHSLzePHa2AqZy64/s320/IMG_5514.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Since then however, I've been really busy <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/01/forget-smart-goals-these-are-kind-goals.html">sharing my goals</a> for the 2012, busting out <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/01/project-2012-snail-mail-love.html">Project: Snail Mail</a> and generally <i>survivin' and thrivin'</i> in what turned into my busiest, most hectic January ever! <i>(thanks early Beta Convention, additional position at work, training for a half marathon and learning web design, it's been blast.)</i><br />
<br />
So, on February 1st I did the only rational thing. I made Black Eyed Pea Soup as a booster to my New Year good luck vaccination. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7io605eThM0bkIixqp4h7F17JPkvC2N5qatdRCI2OdtVWoKuGRV3BMkvLDIQVlt36foFO_OOQhLbY8A_lNSIesyNQo82JuJ4WoVPlx2LCsyrLH1T2J-IbWuBEScmgMqjBNAdk9GaFWk/s1600/IMG_5900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7io605eThM0bkIixqp4h7F17JPkvC2N5qatdRCI2OdtVWoKuGRV3BMkvLDIQVlt36foFO_OOQhLbY8A_lNSIesyNQo82JuJ4WoVPlx2LCsyrLH1T2J-IbWuBEScmgMqjBNAdk9GaFWk/s320/IMG_5900.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Yes, it's a bit nontraditional. And yes, I borrowed <a href="http://www.boulderlocavore.com/2011/12/good-luck-for-new-year-coconut-black.html">the idea</a> from Boulder Locavore. But that's just how this nontraditional, idea borrowing gal likes to roll. Besides, who else eats black eyed peas again on 02/01? That's what I thought. Luck soup's <i>(nearly)</i> up!<br />
<br />
These veggies were sauteed in butter, salt, pepper and curry powder. <i>For luck.</i> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBi5WJ2L43oIXv0GDhgOTsVakuu5AcfnxhyAUfIiqTGOBHaTtDgdCZdw9gFluFsHqZhvnHe3kAIEx9whPKKNFcoDAU4X1UW4tx82wUEvYYi1LMWJ3MJXYy-EzqXMWTb0K3wmTDAzTHdks/s1600/IMG_5880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBi5WJ2L43oIXv0GDhgOTsVakuu5AcfnxhyAUfIiqTGOBHaTtDgdCZdw9gFluFsHqZhvnHe3kAIEx9whPKKNFcoDAU4X1UW4tx82wUEvYYi1LMWJ3MJXYy-EzqXMWTb0K3wmTDAzTHdks/s320/IMG_5880.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<i>Luckily </i>I had all these short cut items on hand. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIEmfes21wghulZCxS6oGNITgpQ7Is_891yLqCrXSxh6qAGVRo_vMc43-OC0zIMoEWFrkcky_3SseaZw-cs91QDKKtwj2HQ6_l8uQQIT7etYqUDKrSQUTtkOT98U9RiJj2TS1MVLZDBU/s1600/IMG_5885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIEmfes21wghulZCxS6oGNITgpQ7Is_891yLqCrXSxh6qAGVRo_vMc43-OC0zIMoEWFrkcky_3SseaZw-cs91QDKKtwj2HQ6_l8uQQIT7etYqUDKrSQUTtkOT98U9RiJj2TS1MVLZDBU/s320/IMG_5885.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After the vegetable/spice mixture simmered in the coconut milk, tomatoes and Hoppin' John-my quick source of the black eyed peas-instant brown rice was add to the mix. <i>(for texture and heft, not luck. I'm running out of lucky quips.)</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4CfkDO-g6TdHZtdu-5ykzGuYBKAGdyTncX_vB7-cGVQZiEnwXYuOeuLakAyzgYz1xOj4P0ab02nMjrW1iFIeld6tKV_kbP1FfSeMHx9dI7Lcpa5x-l2hJKVxCOlIc0SFqmG6YgbA0I8/s1600/IMG_5887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4CfkDO-g6TdHZtdu-5ykzGuYBKAGdyTncX_vB7-cGVQZiEnwXYuOeuLakAyzgYz1xOj4P0ab02nMjrW1iFIeld6tKV_kbP1FfSeMHx9dI7Lcpa5x-l2hJKVxCOlIc0SFqmG6YgbA0I8/s320/IMG_5887.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Finally, to make this an authentically <i>lucky soup</i>, one bunch of red Swiss chard was rough chopped and tossed in to wilt. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fZvviaUFMaySlbEapGE3kB_F4g1g3C4WEV2FilycV9iw5YKkkLTjYZY-MiiXGwtUFs2pWsLNBZV_JexS4R7VYSGuLj_v1OEnn42yvwS6w4KFtke4BKiSkENEtsBW64KcvpSljCL2AXY/s1600/IMG_5893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fZvviaUFMaySlbEapGE3kB_F4g1g3C4WEV2FilycV9iw5YKkkLTjYZY-MiiXGwtUFs2pWsLNBZV_JexS4R7VYSGuLj_v1OEnn42yvwS6w4KFtke4BKiSkENEtsBW64KcvpSljCL2AXY/s320/IMG_5893.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
The <strike>money</strike> <u>lucky</u> shot. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjbf6YoJgs6DcGTQioxTZTruNpid5MUXuSfkUVGI23cHqN3Gb6-qmaFVWM3mq40vQg7We5x3fqYntqxQZ5jvQchZSVHtjst1lYlBY8ZX2okhf0uKoIMpNmdhDxKHdcKptdSRDTat78pU/s1600/IMG_5896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjbf6YoJgs6DcGTQioxTZTruNpid5MUXuSfkUVGI23cHqN3Gb6-qmaFVWM3mq40vQg7We5x3fqYntqxQZ5jvQchZSVHtjst1lYlBY8ZX2okhf0uKoIMpNmdhDxKHdcKptdSRDTat78pU/s320/IMG_5896.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
With garlic toast. I didn't have cornbread. I hope that doesn't break my lucky streak. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqISSZRPKT6rOxeSqBG9343oKKwtZdgj0WDp3S2R69kCZVH586sXgkBcWn8MJEfufMYcFJcoPKHmc_M3BDttjlL8G-MCxkGkJWPgeDqGjulcgh-ALr8awME_iG4swpy1rksrxwzrV-NTQ/s1600/IMG_5902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqISSZRPKT6rOxeSqBG9343oKKwtZdgj0WDp3S2R69kCZVH586sXgkBcWn8MJEfufMYcFJcoPKHmc_M3BDttjlL8G-MCxkGkJWPgeDqGjulcgh-ALr8awME_iG4swpy1rksrxwzrV-NTQ/s320/IMG_5902.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Love to all,<br />
~the double your luck gal, Jess<br />
<br />
<b>Lucky Black Eyed Pea Soup</b><br />
adapted from the <a href="http://www.boulderlocavore.com/2011/12/good-luck-for-new-year-coconut-black.html">Boulder Locavore</a><br />
<br />
<i>I</i><i>ngredients:</i><br />
1 tbsp butter <br />
1/2 medium sweet onion, chopped<br />
1/2<i> </i>green bell pepper, chopped<br />
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped<i> </i><br />
1 tbsp curry powder<br />
salt and black pepper, to taste<br />
2 13oz cans Hoppin' John (or black eyed peas)<i> </i><br />
1 <i></i>28oz fire roasted tomatoes<br />
2 13oz cans lite coconut milk<br />
2 cups water<br />
1/4 cup sugar (less if you prefer, I like it sweet)<br />
2 cups instant brown rice, cooked (1 cup water, 1 cup instant rice)<br />
1 bunch red Swiss chard (or green of your choice), rough chopped<br />
<br />
<i>For Luck</i>:<br />
1-saute the chopped onion and pepper in butter in a large soup pot. Season with curry powder, salt and pepper<br />
2-while the vegetables saute, prepare the rice according to the package, omitting salt and fat<br />
3-add canned tomatoes, hoppin' john (including juices) and coconut milk<br />
4-use 2 cups of water to rinse out the cans, if desired. Add to pot.<br />
5-stir in sugar to taste and rice.<br />
6-bring to a rolling simmer for 10-15 minutes<br />
7-add the Swiss chard, allow the greens to wilt and remove soup from heat.<br />
8-enjoyJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-82828124457105902922012-01-31T21:07:00.000-05:002012-01-31T21:07:25.201-05:00Project 2012: Snail Mail Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTVj5RuZYhNmwBfxwOxhYFqShvHqO2obNsPW4BOMxIrSdLEZHv9J7TwNW6y3mxiOBMZtw9ptrtot1kV2YlUV4Zc-rogGdzD54aLQ4oKEqdOGiqDIexCgoEOaTECdc3nINncVN5mPmJDI/s1600/SnailMail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTVj5RuZYhNmwBfxwOxhYFqShvHqO2obNsPW4BOMxIrSdLEZHv9J7TwNW6y3mxiOBMZtw9ptrtot1kV2YlUV4Zc-rogGdzD54aLQ4oKEqdOGiqDIexCgoEOaTECdc3nINncVN5mPmJDI/s320/SnailMail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shelleysarina.blogspot.com/2011/08/snail-mail-rocks.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I shared my <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/01/forget-smart-goals-these-are-kind-goals.html">KIND goals for 2012</a> with you last week, but I had one more thing up my sleeve. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">See, not only do I love getting snail mail, <i>(because who doesn't really?)</i> I have a pretty huge thing for stationary. Oh and stamps. And cute return address labels. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, in 2012 I vow to share my love of stationary with YOU. Each month* I will randomly draw 2 names/addresses and send you a card. Just for fun. Just for you. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Want a 1 in 48 chance of getting a fun surprise in your mail box this year? Just send me your mailing address to ThatJessGal@gmail.com. Yay.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Love to all,</div><div style="text-align: left;">~the stationary <strike>obsessed</strike> loving gal, Jess</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">*Yes, I realize that I'm sharing the project with you on the LAST DAY of January. I guess I'm sending out 4 fun and random cards in February!</div>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-8181902955516836212012-01-30T22:27:00.000-05:002012-01-30T22:27:06.092-05:00A Teahouse the Mad Hatter Would Approve OfAnyone who is friends with me in real life, on Facebook, <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/ThatJessGal">Twitter</a> or even just follows my boards on <a href="http://pinterest.com/thatjessgal/">Pinterest</a> may have noticed I'm a pretty huge Alice in Wonderland fan. Basically anyone who could get me an original edition of Alice Through the Looking Glass would be my BFF forever. <i>(and yes, I know that is redundant, thanks) </i><br />
<i> </i> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4eLaYojVvstxkeSPcszjg7stBPPz0O5p1TyGQ_pBcHk6F_xjux02UWfi3AqnbchWW-U-ob9QdBYRZCzB_JXu5fnv0HFghgdxCnDE54OyMQ5ARB6vwPyK63Cp-kTilvg0d0WGFM9XlVY/s1600/AliceSketch" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4eLaYojVvstxkeSPcszjg7stBPPz0O5p1TyGQ_pBcHk6F_xjux02UWfi3AqnbchWW-U-ob9QdBYRZCzB_JXu5fnv0HFghgdxCnDE54OyMQ5ARB6vwPyK63Cp-kTilvg0d0WGFM9XlVY/s320/AliceSketch" width="224" /></a></div><br />
Any girl who follows instructions on glass bottles reading "Drink Me" and glass classes containing cakes labeled "Eat Me" is obviously a winner in my book. While I'm a big fan of door mice, late white rabbits and silly, emotional girls, one character who still freaks me out a touch is the Mad Hatter. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdie3sxTWn0wedY-W4sjwHDEvINVt9gUXNeHuGnAl0up3Vdt_gE31cEBPLAM6JzLk8kY-67HVR3-Bif6Ev4rv38PP7JPf2AZUg4JVcJIqOxGkEqknQCXeHcH99_HSinIXxP_KVAWgQZU/s1600/MadHatterTenniel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdie3sxTWn0wedY-W4sjwHDEvINVt9gUXNeHuGnAl0up3Vdt_gE31cEBPLAM6JzLk8kY-67HVR3-Bif6Ev4rv38PP7JPf2AZUg4JVcJIqOxGkEqknQCXeHcH99_HSinIXxP_KVAWgQZU/s200/MadHatterTenniel.jpg" width="175" /></a></div><br />
And Johnny Dep's portrayal, with the awkward chemistry with Alice? Only made me scareder. <i>(and yes, I know that isn't a word, thanks)</i> But finally the Mad Hatter and I have something we can agree upon.<br />
<br />
That something is <a href="http://pompomsteahouse.com/">Pom Pom's Teahouse and Sandwicheria</a> located in the funky Milk District of Orlando, FL. Pom's is a pretty popular hangout spot with the older emo/hipster scene. While I personally didn't see the appeal of hanging out in a crowded, slightly smokey from the sandwich press, atmosphere for an extended period of time, I will gladly stop in for a quick lunch and a brief perusal of the newest rotation of art on the walls. <i>(both for sale, of course. The lunch and the art, I mean.)</i><br />
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Behold my newest aquisistion from Pom Pom's.<br />
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<strong>The Fu Man Chu</strong> – Asian Pulled Pork, Watercress, Goat Cheese, Ginger Cranberry Chutney & Red Onions<strong> <span style="font-weight: normal;">on Pumpernickel Bread. </span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Aka, a delicious wacky, perplexingly rich and light with each savory, sharp and sweet bite, sandwich. A sandwich that is I dare say, befitting tea time with the Mad Hatter. And considering I had this delight of a meal with a side of hot, sweet, oolong tea in the middle of the afternoon that is close enough to tea time for this gal!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">And just think, I didn't have to fall down a rabbit hole, defeat the Red Queen at croquet or even paint a single rose red while enjoying my sammy. A win for me, and a well deserved nod to the Mad Hatter, himself.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Love to all,</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">~the silly gal who sometimes wishes she could escape to wonderland, Jess</span></strong>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-58800579448316554992012-01-25T21:47:00.004-05:002012-01-26T20:56:01.849-05:00Forget SMART Goals, These are KIND Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUIYAWqUsiPxR_5pwr8uCvQDLRR3jRzhjqkAQc4v3NSQEXpe3ktFPVC_1GEb5J0krE6fqPGuM0ckdrXXDo2z942tfQVAb2NlO_DNEJKABfGOYqyx-J06Ng2lw5r8NNpVQbYQwvn38_fs/s1600/be-kind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUIYAWqUsiPxR_5pwr8uCvQDLRR3jRzhjqkAQc4v3NSQEXpe3ktFPVC_1GEb5J0krE6fqPGuM0ckdrXXDo2z942tfQVAb2NlO_DNEJKABfGOYqyx-J06Ng2lw5r8NNpVQbYQwvn38_fs/s320/be-kind.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
BE KIND. No, it's not an acronym. This is my goal for 2012. Be Kind.<br />
<br />
Simple, yes? I got the idea of a "word goal" from Rachel Wilkerson, who is all about the <a href="http://www.rachelwilkerson.com/2011/12/30/getting-it-investing-in-2011/">verb goals</a>. Rachel says that verbs are great goals or resolutions because verbs are what "get things done." I think her logic makes perfect sense, but of course I couldn't just pick a simple verb. No, I chose an adjective. Kind is a description. But throw "be" in front, and by God if I don't have a verb on my hands after all!<br />
<br />
So, what does "Be Kind" mean? Well, that's just the beauty of it. Being kind applies to nearly all aspects of your life. <i>(Well, I guess if your goal for 2012 was to be more assertive, "be kind" wouldn't be such a great goal, but this gal knows how to speak up for herself and those she cares about. Just ask my boss.)</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
This year, 2012, I have declared the year of kindness. <br />
<br />
I will be kind:<br />
<br />
<b>To my health</b><br />
by snacking on more raw veggies<br />
by resting, so I don't wear myself thin so often-even if that means I'm "lame" sometimes<br />
<b> </b><b> </b><br />
<b>To my body</b><br />
by training with intention for my first 1/2 marathon (February) and at least 2 more sprint triathlons <b> </b><br />
by spending time on my yoga mat at least once a week-either at home or in the studio<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>To my mind</b><br />
by reading even more, especially nonfiction<br />
by watching more documentaries and seeking out the hidden from view issues in our modern world<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>To my soul</b><br />
by traveling domestically-hello road trips<br />
by attending more cultural events <br />
by living in the moment more and fretting about the future less<br />
<br />
<b>To my blog and readers</b><br />
by finally getting my self-hosted site live<br />
by posting 3 times a week consistently, with worthwhile content<br />
by expanding my knowledge, connections and ideas through attending a blogging conference <br />
<br />
<b>To my future</b><br />
by continuing to save at least 10% of my income each month<br />
by finishing my professional license requirements and determining my next plan of action for continuing education<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>To my world</b><br />
by supporting and advocating for local farmers/ranchers and all businesspeople <br />
by investing in companies who have the same values as me <br />
by researching/starting my own small garden in the summer<br />
<br />
<b>To my students</b><br />
by listening to and being patient with them all, no exceptions<br />
by striving to instill in them my own love of learning and puzzlement at the world's wonders<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>To my family and friends</b><br />
by staying in touch, even when we lead busy lives <br />
by staying in touch, even when we lead busy lives <i>(yes, that one is worth saying twice)</i><br />
<br />
I hope that 2012 is very <b>kind</b> to you, dear readers. I plan on ensuring this year is kind to me, because what you give, returns in<b> </b>kind.<i> </i><br />
<br />
Love to all,<br />
~the striving to be kind gal, JessJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-40501037006681253862012-01-22T14:42:00.000-05:002012-01-22T14:42:28.443-05:00Pretty Things in a Gloomy MonthI don't know about you guys, but January can seem a bit gloomy. The lights and other fancy decorations of the holidays have been packed away <i>(ok, ok, I still have mine out-I'm pushing it as "winter decor")</i> and those glittery days and nights of holiday parties have faded. Let's not forget the crazy weather that we are having all over the country! A never ending deluge of snow, rain, wind and over-cast grey is enough to make any month seem gloomy.<br />
<br />
Here are three things I've acquired this month that are keeping my days bright and shiny, even when the Mother Nature isn't so accommodating.<br />
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<b>1- New Running Shoes! </b><br />
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These Brooks Adrenalines are only my second pair of running shoes. I bought my first pair way back in the spring of 2009, when I was still living in St. Pete. Um, yeah, totally time for a new pair. <br />
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<b>2- Beautiful Heirloom Hothouse Tomatoes</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
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These beauties were a bit of a splurge at Fresh Market, but considering I was supporting Florida farmers, I'm cool with that, especially since these babies were some of the best tomatoes I've ever eaten, season be damned! <br />
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<b>3-Charming Grocery Store Tulips</b><br />
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When I "rescued" these cute pink tulips from Publix for a mere $6 "adoption fee" last night they were droopy and closed. Less than 12 hours later in fresh water they have stood up and opened to display lovely orange pollen inside. I adore fresh flowers, especially in the wintertime.<br />
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So kick the gloom of January and find something pretty to show off in your life.<br />
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Love to all,<br />
~the "I'm always in search of something cheerful" gal, JessJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-37888786930972584872012-01-17T21:01:00.000-05:002012-01-17T21:01:34.946-05:00Auf Wiedersehen, 2011Nearly a year ago, I made some <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/01/with-little-bit-of-luck.html">goals for 2011</a>. They were pretty <a href="http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/goal-setting-tutorials/smart-goal-setting">SMART</a>. They were certainly detailed. And I'm fairly certain I never looked at that post again, until January 1, 2012. Whoops.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I didn't accomplish all the goals on my list, mostly because I didn't remember they were my on my yearly goal list. In spite of my lack of attention to my goals list I did accomplish some great things this year.<br />
<br />
Here's a run down of my <i>(itemized)</i> goals list from 2011 <i>(check the link above for detailed descriptions if you are interested), </i>good, bad, accomplished or otherwise. <br />
<br />
<b>Blog</b><br />
1-Use my words.<i> Frankly, I forgot this was a goal for 2011. That being said I have been much more contentious about employing good writing skills on a regular basis. I still have plenty of room for improvement in this department, however. </i><br />
2-Make a move to self-hosting. <i>I've always said that I'm true to my word, I just operate on a slow time schedule and that is very true of this goal. I have actually purchased my domain and am working on setting up my very own webpage/transferring everything over. I hope to have everything live by February of 2012! </i><br />
3-Up my photography skills. <i>This too is a work in progress. I am getting much more comfortable with all the settings on my camera and have been doing some research on setting up a small light studio at my house, since most of my time in the kitchen is spent in the evenings. </i><br />
<br />
<b>Food and Cooking</b><br />
1-Cook one new meal a week. <i>Considering I do this 90% of the time, I'm calling this goal a tasty success that I hope to continue for the rest of my life. I love learning new cooking techniques and experimenting with flavor profiles. </i><br />
2-Buy more local/organic foods. <i>Not unlike the cooking one new meal a week, I follow this rule about 90% of the time. I do have a very strong love of Hass avocados from California, so that is one local rule I can never follow. I'm a Florida Gal, but Hass trump Florida 'cados every time! </i><br />
3-Bake more bread. <i>Didn't happen. I didn't even remember this was a goal. Whoops. </i><br />
<br />
<b>Health and Fitness</b><br />
1-Be consistent with workouts. <i>Still a work in progress, but I'm feeling better about this goal over all after a year of trial and error in 2011.</i><br />
<b> </b>2-Master the 5k. <i>I ended up focusing on <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/10/learning-to-tri-myfirsttri-at-6th.html">training for my first triathlon</a> this year, not running. But I also came to grips with my battle between <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/01/im-racer-not-runner.html">running and racing</a>. </i><br />
3-Manage my food portions. <i>Like most of my life, and apparently all my goals of 2011, this too is something I will continue to work on long past the close of the year, but I feel like I'm developing a better balance between worth it splurges on a second helping and eating just for the sake of eating. </i><br />
4-Consistently floss and whiten teeth. <i>A huge check on the flossing...still working on finding a whitening treatment that doesn't hurt my apparently sensitive teeth. </i><br />
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<b>Personal/Random</b><br />
1-Balance my checkbook monthly. <i>Hahaha, thank goodness my <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/01/with-little-bit-of-luck.html">Mommy loves me</a> and still is willing to do this one for me 2x a year. (Just a note-I do keep up with my fiances both in my checkbook and online, I just don't "reconcile" my accounts each month against the bank statement). </i><br />
2-Save 10% of my income. <i>I did pretty good on this. Of course I spend a good deal of those savings in Europe over the summer, but that was totally worth it, and likely the trip would not have happened without the additional cash I scrimped away. </i><br />
3-Watch less tv. <i>I still watch a lot of TV, but I've gotten away from getting sucked into repeats of shows I've seen before, so this is a success in my book!</i><br />
4-Brush my dog's coat weekly. <i>My <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/01/welcoming-2012-or-traditional-gal-ring.html">baby boy</a> is beyond spoiled, but this was another goal I was not successful with. In my defense (aka an excuse) he doesn't really enjoy being brushed, so this wasn't a total loss for either of us. Now, my clothes being fur free is another story. </i><br />
5-Travel, hardcore. <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/07/epic-european-vacation-2011-edition-by.html"><i>Check. Seriously. </i></a><br />
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Now, what would a good post be without some photos? Enjoy a visual reminder of the year gone by.<br />
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2011 will always stand out in my memory because it was my first trip abroad. <br />
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While those three weeks in Europe will remain prominent in my memory forever, I was a busy gal in the entirety of 2011. <br />
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2011 may have been a tough year for us as a nation and a global economy but it was a pretty incredible year for me personally, and I cannot wait to see what 2012 will bring.<br />
<br />
Love to all,<br />
~the "it's best to reflect on the messes, successes and everywhere in between" gal, JessJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-69449873577349462162012-01-08T22:01:00.000-05:002012-01-08T22:01:36.575-05:00Perplexingly, but Utterly, HappyOne again I have a confession to make to you, my friends of the internet.<br />
<br />
It's something that has been weighing on my mind.<br />
<br />
I just have to get it off my chest.<br />
<br />
<b>I am 100%, undeniably, happy with every aspect of my life. </b><br />
<br />
There. I said it. I'm crazytown happy and in love with life.<br />
<br />
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Wait. WAIT. Don't click away just yet. I promise I'm not just boasting, bragging or bluffing here.<br />
<br />
See that oddly placed word in my title? Yes, I said "perplexingly" happy. What the heck does that mean, you may be wondering. Well, see I was wondering too.<br />
<br />
Let me lay out some of my life facts for you and perhaps you will see the source of my confusion.<br />
<br />
<b>I am teacher at a rural school, where my ideas are not appreciated and usually ignored, in spite of my experience and proven successes. </b><i>(oh and don't forget that teachers in FLA-particularly my district- get paid diddly squat)</i><br />
<br />
<b>I live in my hometown. A hometown that I ran kicking and screaming away from after graduating high school. </b><i> (Frankly I am still a bit "embarrassed" to have returned to teach after acting such a "big shot" about how I was "getting out" all through school)</i><br />
<br />
<b>My hometown is an hour away from civilization. </b><i>(And by civilization I mean, Gainesville, which many could question it's worthiness of the label "civilized")</i><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>I rent from my parents. On their property. </b><i>(As in I see the back of their house from my front porch.)</i><br />
<br />
<b>I'm a good 15 lbs away from my ideal weight.</b><br />
<br />
<b>My dog has <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2012/01/welcoming-2012-or-traditional-gal-ring.html">cancer</a>.</b><br />
<br />
<b>I'm single. </b><br />
<br />
<b>As a girl I always thought I'd date my husband to be for ~5 years before we got married. I thought I'd be married before I turned 30. </b><i>(Note, these weren't "goals" just these concepts I've had for a long time.)</i> <br />
<br />
<b>I'm closer to the age of 26 these days then 25. You do the math. </b><br />
<br />
So, overall it looks like the cards should be against me. I mean all the points above do not really sound like the ideal life for a fabulous 25 year old foodie and wannabe fashionista. But for reasons I still don't quite understand none of the above is getting me down. <i>(ok, not 100% true, Chubby having cancer is really, really, really shitty, but it's also part of life, so I'm dealing with it.) </i><br />
<br />
I love my little <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2010/06/abarnment-update-and-my-very-first-vlog.html">abarnment</a>. I love my students and seeing their eyes light up when we do something "cool" in class. I love my wardrobe of clothes, so 15 lbs be damned, I look good. And luckily I love my parents dearly and enjoy seeing them everyday. <br />
<br />
If you too would like to have this feeling of being geninely "high on life" I have only two suggestions for you.<br />
<br />
<b>1- Revel in the little things.</b> <br />
<br />
Little things like random flowers blooming in the dead of winter. <i>(see my silly bromeliad above for an example)</i> Little things like receiving a complementary cup of coffee at Starbucks just for returning an empty bean bag. Little things like encouraging a shy student to share their opinion in class. Little things like a brisk winter walk with a friend.<br />
<br />
Those kinds of little things in life. Things that are mostly free and always worth keeping your eyes open for. <br />
<br />
<b>2- Play the smile game.</b> <br />
<br />
This one is simple. Just smile at someone until they smile back. <i>(make sure your smile is genuine, otherwise you just come off as a creep or mentally unstable, ok?)</i> You both will feel instantly happier. I love the smile game. I made it up last year and it's the best thing about my day sometimes.<br />
<br />
I don't know if those two things are really the cause of my ridiculous feelings of happiness <i>(hell, my hormones may just be bonkers out of balance from copious amounts of Christmas Sugar)</i>, but they do seem like some good guidelines for life, don't you agree?<br />
<br />
Phew, thanks for listening to all that mushy happy stuff, guys. I'll do my best to return to my snarky gal self as soon as possible, because honestly one of the things that makes me most happy is all my "<a href="http://www.rachelwilkerson.com/2011/10/31/lessons-from-a-chicago-weekend/">imaginary friends</a>" on the internet! <br />
<br />
Love to all,<br />
~the happy gal, JessJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-86803058388166397822012-01-04T17:10:00.000-05:002012-01-04T17:10:23.463-05:00I'm a Racer, not a RunnerNow please don't be misled by that title.<br />
<br />
I've been struggling with how to write what should be a simple "race-recap" for over a month now; just as I've had a struggling relationship with putting sneaker to the pavement for nearly 4 years now. <br />
<br />
I'm not that gal standing up on the podium receiving the special awards post race. <i>(I'm just happy to get a finisher metal.)</i> I'm not that gal picking off my "rabbits." <i>(I'm happy to get passed by 10 year old Girls on the Run, decked out in purple.)</i> I'm not the gal breaking any records, personal or otherwise. <i>(I'm just happy to finish the race.)</i><br />
<br />
But I am a gal that loves to race. <i>(And if that means I have to run in the process, than so be it.)</i><br />
<br />
However, I didn't know all those confident statements <i>(even if written in Italics) </i>applied to me until recently. I knew that I needed goals to stay on top of my physical fitness game and signing up for races seemed like the right thing to do. <i>(Beside, you do totally sound like a badass telling your friends about registering for your next [blank] kilometer race)</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Speaking of friends. Here are mine.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9np0JmRq16EblK0FhMDaQWzdfJTz2EaPSabS5vVfO_Kuhl0YE1vALbEkwhet4V3TQHZzsUBYhsIF75l0Qagy_guhjaxZ8mxBgQdXYfQ2XkT_BEGgjG0Qu6xzc15ferpIjFcipnq-9XU/s1600/IMG_4774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9np0JmRq16EblK0FhMDaQWzdfJTz2EaPSabS5vVfO_Kuhl0YE1vALbEkwhet4V3TQHZzsUBYhsIF75l0Qagy_guhjaxZ8mxBgQdXYfQ2XkT_BEGgjG0Qu6xzc15ferpIjFcipnq-9XU/s320/IMG_4774.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Ashley and Jenna are my roommates from college and two of my closest friends in the entire world. They have been there for me during the ups, downs and in-betweens of life. And they also were willing to get up early on a chilly December morning to be my cheering section at the OUC 5k. <br />
<br />
As I stood shivering with my two friends, watching the start of the OUC Half Marathon and awaiting the call to the starting line for my own race all I realized two things: One was that I was excited to be out and about on this brisk morning and and the second was that I was seriously under-trained.<br />
<br />
When I signed up for this race I had this idea that I wanted to run a sub 45 minute 5k<i> </i>since I had completed the 5k run of my <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/10/learning-to-tri-myfirsttri-at-6th.html">first triathlon</a> in October in exactly 45 minutes, post a 400m swim and 12km bike ride. My "brother" Tim had put together a training plan for me that he predicted could even get me sub 40 minutes.<br />
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Turns out both he and I were very optimistic, but again it was 100% my "fault" I didn't achieve either of our goals for me. I started the training plan only 1 month (aka 4 weeks) out from the race and only completed 1 or two of the scheduled runs each week. So yeah, really under-trained. <br />
<br />
Regardless, when the last 1/2 marathoner had crossed the starting line and the call for us 5k-ers to line up came I hugged my girlies goodbye and jumped in towards the back of the pack. <br />
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As usual the start of the race was really exciting.<i> (As evidenced by the little boy in white to my right.)</i><br />
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The pack thinned out pretty quickly and I was able to pick up a slow jog across the starting line and out onto the first leg and turn of the course.<br />
<br />
We were running a lovely course through one of the older neighborhoods, chock-full of beautiful craftsman style houses and bungalows. And also chock-full of cobblestone roads, slippery with morning dew. While I enjoyed the views of homes and lush landscape my legs and hips did not appreciate the cautious stride I was using on the cobblestones. Enter extreme hip cramps and lots of walking/hobbling to relieve the cramping.<br />
<br />
I started to get frustrated with myself for not being strong enough physically, or mentally to just "power through." Negative thoughts including "why the hell did you sign up for a 1/2 marathon if you can't even run a 5k streamed through my mind. <i>(And while that is still a valid question, it was not welcome mid race. I'm going to be racing in the Inaugural Rock n Roll St. Pete Half Marathon in February.)</i><br />
<br />
Then suddenly my mood lifted. I honestly can't tell you if it was a shift of sunlight in the trees, a particularly lovely house or an adorable pack of Girls on the Run passing me but I shook off that negative feeling for good.<br />
<br />
<b>I realized I was alive.</b><br />
<br />
<b> I realized that the blood pumping hard through my body felt amazing.</b><br />
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<b> I realized that if I didn't sign up for this race I would have been a lump sleeping in on an beautiful Saturday morning, missing out on the sunrise over Lake Eola. </b><br />
<br />
<b>I realized that I was happy. </b><br />
<br />
<b>I realized I was having fun.</b><br />
<br />
<b>I realized I was racing. </b><br />
<br />
<b>I realized I am a racer, not a runner. </b><b> </b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47qXjhSA_XhbBxsET5LM_A8gar3UntyE9BYW5eReRSA8iD2eZ0BSH_DYssS6yU70vX7F0Iz7vIlE4A_I3Wk1rW8IZ3GkIXiE6dxdldDWWzztPwvTX-10gC9Rez2bomWG7bkB1qmM65Uk/s1600/OUC+5K+finish+line+with+clock-jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47qXjhSA_XhbBxsET5LM_A8gar3UntyE9BYW5eReRSA8iD2eZ0BSH_DYssS6yU70vX7F0Iz7vIlE4A_I3Wk1rW8IZ3GkIXiE6dxdldDWWzztPwvTX-10gC9Rez2bomWG7bkB1qmM65Uk/s320/OUC+5K+finish+line+with+clock-jpeg.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><br />
So, for the rest of the race I ran when I could and walked when I couldn't. Pure and simple. And with that I finished my first official* 5k with a respectful time of 48:47.<i> </i>While this time is reflective of my walk breaks, it says nothing about the racing/running balance I earned for my heart and soul by the time I crossed that finish line.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ0nNwtscjX_rXqevUgOsyR9t9vuyOC1Af_2QavIQnEyopGMMjFj276TS_jI7ITlSJWz0kDUe6ap_SnDZJ5uWMdDn1yQDjHSKyt4vChbcqjfZRbMlL1FmAj7-yXcoXwzioCq8yet_aaM/s1600/IMG_4797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ0nNwtscjX_rXqevUgOsyR9t9vuyOC1Af_2QavIQnEyopGMMjFj276TS_jI7ITlSJWz0kDUe6ap_SnDZJ5uWMdDn1yQDjHSKyt4vChbcqjfZRbMlL1FmAj7-yXcoXwzioCq8yet_aaM/s320/IMG_4797.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>What I earned from this 5k cannot be measured with a new personal record, a trip to the winners podium or the size of my finisher's metal. I learned to find peace with the fact that being an "A Corral" runner isn't going to be a goal of mine. My body, nor lifestyle, could not support such a goal.<br />
<i> </i><br />
I was running this race on <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-i-celebrate-heart-health-super.html">the anniversary of my heart surgery</a>. I was never athletic as a child. I would much rather read a book than go for a run. And I'm ok with all those facts.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg36dURH4Bsip289nGLUFmgD5Pe-jTNNaJ208RTxYVyfEKfiHHAZICmI52OQ-patno-_cKRCtO9O-jmbNn5wIScfMeb6R8d9j3J648UGqFI2xx-XhI4DzNl2puZJfD3gCgYOv-Ocm-CBY/s1600/OUC+5K+Finisher-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg36dURH4Bsip289nGLUFmgD5Pe-jTNNaJ208RTxYVyfEKfiHHAZICmI52OQ-patno-_cKRCtO9O-jmbNn5wIScfMeb6R8d9j3J648UGqFI2xx-XhI4DzNl2puZJfD3gCgYOv-Ocm-CBY/s320/OUC+5K+Finisher-JPEG.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm a racer, not a runner.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I love the camaraderie of a race. I love seeing amazing athletes at races; I am humbled to be in the same "race" as those athletes. I love letting little kids smoke me on the course; I just love being out on the course.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCi8qNDX_2XCsUI05cJBidofZRvVOZ8ZQolWLkF_mlDnYRBloyddlcJlQfs0qWbsGF3ZAH_uToQj92cm8jsQBqKMBOfIn98N-LUF0CeyupEWtzkjVjARj6Ulz3lVc-19VIbZUTzkeXJzA/s1600/IMG_4823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCi8qNDX_2XCsUI05cJBidofZRvVOZ8ZQolWLkF_mlDnYRBloyddlcJlQfs0qWbsGF3ZAH_uToQj92cm8jsQBqKMBOfIn98N-LUF0CeyupEWtzkjVjARj6Ulz3lVc-19VIbZUTzkeXJzA/s320/IMG_4823.jpg" width="177" /></a></div><br />
Oh, and I also love the complementary beers after the race. You know me, always keeping it real. <br />
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Love to all,<br />
~the "racer, not runner" gal, Jess<br />
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*this was my first actual 5k. My first race was a <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2010/10/smoked-that-golf-cart.html">5 mile leg of a 1/2 marathon relay</a> and the second was the <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/10/learning-to-tri-myfirsttri-at-6th.html">MyFirstTri</a> sprint distance triathlon. <br />
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PS. Also, I here by swear off the "thumbs up" while racing. Between my ridiculous turned out ex ballet dancer stride and hickhicker thumbs I don't need any additional photographic evidence looking like a total doof.<br />
<i> </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPwx6p__yQqlBSRbHUiFT8NEyvcJxYc4-AtpYQXgHIY0tbhVgA-MnrZ2rCAALm9h0DkEJsVc1nNC1QWAa3k6lQAmBNyKztsNGnI4p-2C5hx0W2rybTOnZqNjzEQKXgSCCJ4Azc6BcMbQ/s1600/OUC+5K+on+course+%2528painful%2529-JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPwx6p__yQqlBSRbHUiFT8NEyvcJxYc4-AtpYQXgHIY0tbhVgA-MnrZ2rCAALm9h0DkEJsVc1nNC1QWAa3k6lQAmBNyKztsNGnI4p-2C5hx0W2rybTOnZqNjzEQKXgSCCJ4Azc6BcMbQ/s200/OUC+5K+on+course+%2528painful%2529-JPEG.jpg" width="137" /></a></div><i></i>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-84775051344312242872012-01-01T22:25:00.000-05:002012-01-01T22:25:56.748-05:00Welcoming 2012 OR A Traditional Gal Ring InIt was just <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/01/this-aint-post-about-black-eyed-peas.html">last year</a> at this time, I was chattering on about how I have "grown up" dinners out with my friends for NYE, and how my childhood days of doing jigsaw puzzles with my parents were long gone. <br />
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The ringing in for 2012 was supposed to be more of the glamorous same: my boy-bestie Michael and I had plans to enjoy delicious Thai eats and treats at <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-hate-to-brag.html">Orchid Thai</a> of Winter Park with a large group of friends and then migrate down the street to <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2010/02/mother-daughter-orlando-weekend-getaway.html">Wine Room</a> for some sophisticated debauchery and a midnight champagne toast. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes though certain events in life change even your best laid plans. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is Chubby. He is my baby. And he has cancer. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrTidgPklgFKIqm72r6WKc2qx5Ocwse6kBRdfaUiaNyj_gEpPXZ5JBRbItGvVfKCFuylZ5jiUFWelJr8WgrofCGkzsD764Q6SmalQ5yrKLZVx4Z1UO3hK50Omx58oRqi9ugFVtun6M80/s1600/IMG_4674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrTidgPklgFKIqm72r6WKc2qx5Ocwse6kBRdfaUiaNyj_gEpPXZ5JBRbItGvVfKCFuylZ5jiUFWelJr8WgrofCGkzsD764Q6SmalQ5yrKLZVx4Z1UO3hK50Omx58oRqi9ugFVtun6M80/s320/IMG_4674.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
He was diagnosed with an inoperable abdominal tumor just over two months ago. As he has been his normal self the all this time we are just "riding it out" for the time being. <i>(He is also 11 years old, which for a large dog is very elderly)</i> But on Friday night he took a turn for what looked like the worst. A urinary tract infection I'd been treating him for the last week didn't seem to be clearing and he was getting very reluctant to eat or drink water.<br />
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Needless to say, I did not feel comfortable leaving him with my parents <i>(which is what I typically do when I travel and he can't come along)</i> and with the vet's office closed for the holiday weekend I didn't have any other options.<br />
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Plan B consisted of joining my parents for their annual puzzle building party on NYE. And since Chub and I were the honorary guests, I even got to choose the puzzle. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPESvrCWTsmRlhchn0SKAdyx47ZpvJjyhiN1yxggNP0X4SkSr5EFmBj_HqwRl-t69EVzMBZjOkd_odNpVa6TLABY6jOlvd_lpBDiIUw-Nw33Ore4SYHeijezoIxqUKEl9rR8hfYs_utk/s1600/IMG_5498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPESvrCWTsmRlhchn0SKAdyx47ZpvJjyhiN1yxggNP0X4SkSr5EFmBj_HqwRl-t69EVzMBZjOkd_odNpVa6TLABY6jOlvd_lpBDiIUw-Nw33Ore4SYHeijezoIxqUKEl9rR8hfYs_utk/s320/IMG_5498.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqauSl8U-FLTEA2xLatrwT2ImTLKFmhbYgDh827xclfDbtwNxY1UUttcPGGbGMYwvnS6dCt9bx1kbiSWyp0XBtPuFSlhejfFnURQTqN2qsZDZmm730iAUaJ9AaS2403JJEpTPD99jI9oM/s1600/IMG_5504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqauSl8U-FLTEA2xLatrwT2ImTLKFmhbYgDh827xclfDbtwNxY1UUttcPGGbGMYwvnS6dCt9bx1kbiSWyp0XBtPuFSlhejfFnURQTqN2qsZDZmm730iAUaJ9AaS2403JJEpTPD99jI9oM/s320/IMG_5504.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
It's a good thing I also chose to tackle this 1000 piece monster with a generous pour of vino, because this vintage French print is tough. In fact I am may have cried out "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/quotes">inconceivable</a>" and very nearly swore "impossible" a few times as we sorted the frustratingly similarly colored pieces and began tackling the border. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHBsvb5PaslwShL9_gguAy0ZybR2lnc2natN-79dj3nOZRuQ7QprAiIvoOGXDIRqWZTOhMAl_s2CjTma252nsCOke44pSUeR3-18isCDfRbj_1zR-la8TNkPgwv7_VJ3lgCuaoqF8HuY/s1600/IMG_5505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHBsvb5PaslwShL9_gguAy0ZybR2lnc2natN-79dj3nOZRuQ7QprAiIvoOGXDIRqWZTOhMAl_s2CjTma252nsCOke44pSUeR3-18isCDfRbj_1zR-la8TNkPgwv7_VJ3lgCuaoqF8HuY/s320/IMG_5505.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIliqRyJkTY7Y6RnZeSCZs6fXlvsx8Qlqu03YvDmFe8DDOTJSKJpyLKoYHhLSthFSKqkKFWioqggmTAZqSCHuW0gH_ADPAAVLcxoJvMQo-woY3u8NlOg8tzFJlTUagYb_PDnl00BM2lIc/s1600/IMG_5507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIliqRyJkTY7Y6RnZeSCZs6fXlvsx8Qlqu03YvDmFe8DDOTJSKJpyLKoYHhLSthFSKqkKFWioqggmTAZqSCHuW0gH_ADPAAVLcxoJvMQo-woY3u8NlOg8tzFJlTUagYb_PDnl00BM2lIc/s320/IMG_5507.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
We worked on this puppy <i>(while my sick puppy snoozed on a cushy stack of quilts)</i> long past Lady Gaga's performance on ABC's Dick Clark's Rockin Eve and the famous ball drop. Dad even got in on the action with a magnifying glass after a few flutes of champagne! Sadly, we only finished the border in all that time. <i>(Did I mention this puzzle was HARD?)</i><br />
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New Year's Day has been more of the same. Puzzle, puzzle, yoga to stretch out the kinks in my back and neck, then more puzzle time. <i> (Plus plenty of cuddle time with Chubby, of course!)</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GWeKPr4j2cesyVXgGi20p_KG01mINx3caBK3SG7jdQzEAo9RJaNWhiy6rSNlzM0b6mvAYNfkJ0OIfVJ_hdyK-sEqQbmSJTHv9FNlbqPKxKAbs4bw54nw8iWsGco-kzHNZuk3Rc0DbU4/s1600/IMG_5509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GWeKPr4j2cesyVXgGi20p_KG01mINx3caBK3SG7jdQzEAo9RJaNWhiy6rSNlzM0b6mvAYNfkJ0OIfVJ_hdyK-sEqQbmSJTHv9FNlbqPKxKAbs4bw54nw8iWsGco-kzHNZuk3Rc0DbU4/s320/IMG_5509.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Note the serious progress here. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Two of the three types of text are finished and attached to the border! </i></div><br />
I finally took a break for a delicious helping of my family's traditional Southern Good Luck Meal.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Black Eyed Peas over Rice with Collard Greens </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>(Plus a side of tomatoes with mayonnaise. Told ya it was southern!)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And now, this puzzle, like many good things in life, is coming along slowly but surely. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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My New Year's Celebration this year may have been a bit more "slow and traditional" than recent years past, however I'm really happy with how it has turned out. All too often I feel I'm rushing around like madwoman, neglecting to slow down and enjoy the moment. This weekend <i>(and most of my holiday vacation)</i> has been the perfect time to stop, spend time with my family <i>(furbabies included)</i> and enjoy the little things life has to offer. Things like cooking a meal with those you love, snuggling with a stinky but sweet dog, reading a book for the sheer joy of it, and the frustration, but ultimate success that comes from working on a puzzle!<br />
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I think the Rolling Stones said it best, "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you'll get what you need" <br />
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I hope the start of 2012 has brought you and your loved ones great joy and celebration.<br />
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Love to all,<br />
~the "you know, a celebration doesn't have to be fancy to be just what you need" gal, JessJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067945659964428740.post-61502166559969212632011-12-27T23:04:00.000-05:002011-12-27T23:04:28.907-05:00Tasty Treats for Christmas EatsFor <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2009/12/cardamom-bread.html">several</a> <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2010/12/tis-season.html">years</a> <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/12/advent-books-and-baking.html">now</a>, this one not to be excluded, I've talked about the making of my fraternal grandmother's Cardamom Bread. What I've neglected to mention is the second part of this annual tradition. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjFmQlt4cFl9gITPxKlIPnJZZ3WQJrM1Rlc5-9V5MKpWCWWXCh7UN8WXuHiaWEs41wNgyVpYMvtQvCahH4ByTcAhyphenhyphenHfX5sY5K54xK3YGOjGUDKhdYiXnxuxy8snb4yavzmsNnMIYn7Nk/s1600/Cardamom+Bread+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjFmQlt4cFl9gITPxKlIPnJZZ3WQJrM1Rlc5-9V5MKpWCWWXCh7UN8WXuHiaWEs41wNgyVpYMvtQvCahH4ByTcAhyphenhyphenHfX5sY5K54xK3YGOjGUDKhdYiXnxuxy8snb4yavzmsNnMIYn7Nk/s320/Cardamom+Bread+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Since my family is Catholic, we always attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve to celebrate the real reason for our beautiful Christmas Season. After mass (which at our church <i>ends</i> at midnight) we head home for champagne and ham sandwiches on cardamom bread.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2k-5ie9GqzuSVMoPdLqnVEWCyQcx2gY3aP_hP05CKjjn9-dXMkSZ-aLBPZb8cuOSgFMS6BKlcXUv2qrN1XKSvxPucLfROTSm7YPNHgFFwse5oZBgoRzc_jdn8Zx7yHNuVzPYbdC3M6I/s1600/IMG_5395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2k-5ie9GqzuSVMoPdLqnVEWCyQcx2gY3aP_hP05CKjjn9-dXMkSZ-aLBPZb8cuOSgFMS6BKlcXUv2qrN1XKSvxPucLfROTSm7YPNHgFFwse5oZBgoRzc_jdn8Zx7yHNuVzPYbdC3M6I/s200/IMG_5395.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-88CCwsgITzjYqArYYWF7ofNXlVKcxl1xooyrJTf1og6_o4jPM3vONhSBsbed3fgZ4qWVP4PXWdIDVRfHXWeVzV4BerpBLNWoTaBaikvlx_DmZF_rM2StgVuPW1uWtWEfHokXUOlgdnc/s1600/IMG_5411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-88CCwsgITzjYqArYYWF7ofNXlVKcxl1xooyrJTf1og6_o4jPM3vONhSBsbed3fgZ4qWVP4PXWdIDVRfHXWeVzV4BerpBLNWoTaBaikvlx_DmZF_rM2StgVuPW1uWtWEfHokXUOlgdnc/s200/IMG_5411.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESghBrVLEWbABofnXAERrGCgW2se0uAgVzH5Cgz_AYAb7dkKkxDMgUqYi3JFNyRkRild4Dn9QzceEI-7ee0kpOPvTob-OLLeBJnDIgx4cMilQBJYfxKPjuiUcA_uy_w_YiTTwwjFT1N4/s1600/IMG_5414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESghBrVLEWbABofnXAERrGCgW2se0uAgVzH5Cgz_AYAb7dkKkxDMgUqYi3JFNyRkRild4Dn9QzceEI-7ee0kpOPvTob-OLLeBJnDIgx4cMilQBJYfxKPjuiUcA_uy_w_YiTTwwjFT1N4/s200/IMG_5414.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />
Let me tell you folks. Nothing tastes better than a ham sandwich on soft, fragrantly spiced bread at 1:30am on <i>(technically) </i>Christmas Morning. Well, the only thing that makes it better is a glass of champagne <i>(or four! my father</i> <i>keeps insisting on buying a magnum of champagne for our family of three!)</i> and a side of classic deviled eggs. <br />
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Our ham sandwiches may have been traditional, but Christmas dinner was anything but this year. <i>(Praise be to the newborn Baby Jesus! I would gag if we had another slice of roasted turkey in this house. )</i><br />
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For dinner: Rosemary and Sea Salt Sourdough, <a href="http://justjess-itsallicanbe.blogspot.com/2011/01/shrimp-and-grits-that-will-change-your.html">Shrimp and Spinach Cheddar Grits</a> and a beautiful (but sadly unpictured) salad made of mixed greens from my mother's best friend's garden. And for a simple dessert: "holiday red" grapes topped with Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of brown sugar. <br />
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I hope your holiday season is filled with wonderful food, be it traditional or no, but more importantly that you are able to cherish the time you spend with friends and family during your meals. <br />
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Love to all,<br />
~the "I'm getting sentimental about meals in my old age" gal, JessJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17866056715870071695noreply@blogger.com1