First World Problems

The last couple of weeks I've been struggling on the home front. Actually, the house front to be more accurate. a floor fell in, bathroom had to be redone, walls fixed, roof replaced, furnace replaced, central heat installed and now the hot water heater replaced. I've not had my house all in one piece for 4-6 weeks. Which also means I've not had my home in one piece.

I've put on as many as six blankets to stay warm. I've showered at my mom's and the YMCA for over a week. I've boiled water to do the dishes. I've washed towels and sheets in cold water. 

One phrase comes to mind: First World Problems. 

It's true, I've been inconvenienced but at least I have running water, and water that won't even make me sick when I drink it! I have dishes to wash and food to make them need to be washed. I have a car to take me to the Y, heck, we even have BUILDINGS dedicated to just getting in shape! I have seven floors from which to choose my workout. I have safe roads that I can run on, and refuel with a glass of ice-cold water into which I can mix my Emergen-C for that extra boost of immunity. I have used six blankets in a single night, but I could have used any of the 5 more should I have needed them. 

These are the things that came into my head yesterday as I was ticking off my 10,000 steps in circles around the track. It's only about 3 miles or so...without sounding cliche, there are people who would probably be relieved if they had to walk ONLY 10,000 steps to get to work, school, home, doctor, water, food, etc. Yes...10,000 steps; 10,000 thoughts. 

Two thoughts should permeate them all: First World Problems and I am blessed. At least that's my twenty six point two cents worth. . . 

Marathon Grade Stock

I think that perhaps I failed at my most recent attempt to train for and run a marathon because I relegated it to just that: Running a marathon. It's so much more. It's a way of life that merely includes running as a conduit to the rest.

It's about being a healthier, whole person.

I say this from a lazy position on my couch, covered in a warm & fuzzy blanket that I have NO idea where I got it. Oh, and turkey stock is simmering on the stove, now entering it's second hour. Both times I've been successful at a full marathon I approached it with all my might. I drank smoothies for dessert, I ran with other runners, I cross trained and stretched, I got into the zone and stayed there all 26.2 miles. This time, I did none of that with much commitment or determination. I just ran. And then I stopped.

So as most Americans (myself included) are still in a post-gluttony stupor, suffering from indigestion and lethargy might I broaden this blog to include how to be healthier so you can finish whatever marathons you may literally or metaphorically be facing?

My turkey stock recipe:
First enjoy as much meat from the turkey as you and your family can. THEN...

Scrape off any remaining meat you can, you can use this in sammiches, pot pie, stir fry or putting in turkey soup later.

Throw the bones, fat, juices, etc. into a BIG ol pot.
Cut up an onion (or two, whatever you have)
Put in a couple things of celery (be sure to keep the celery leaves on, they add so much pizazz!)
Slice up some garlic (I love garlic and it's REALLY good for you, so I add double what most people do, I use 4 cloves, NOT bulbs mind you)
couple shakes of peppercorn (if I had to guess, I'd say at least  teaspoon maybe a tablespoon?)
Three FRESH Bay leaves (the trick to good flavor from bay leaves lies in their freshness)
Chopped herbs which may include: cilantro, thyme, oregano (I avoid sage as I can my stock and sage does not can well)
10-14 cups of cold water.

Simmer on LOW heat for 3-4 hours. Let cool. Strain (I just put through my pasta strainer, some recipes call for expensive sieve things)). Let sit in fridge overnight. Skim fat. (sometimes I'll reheat, recool, reskim...depends on how low fat you want it). Be mindful the stock will congeal due to the natural bone simmering as opposed to the gross stuff from the store). Before I started canning, I would freeze in two cup amounts in zip lock bags. Lay them flat to freeze, then stack on top to conserve space. Now I can them at 10 lbs pressure for 75 minutes.

Voila, you have fresh, organic (if you choose), low fat and low sodium marathon-grade stock. I hope you enjoy! Remember...running a marathon is about WAY more than running...it's about completing a marathon. or at least that's my 26.2 cents worth and hey, that's about what the serving of stock cost too!

I'm back

I'm back. I'm sore. I'm cranky. I'm sweaty. I have a cough. I'm cold. I'm jittery. I'm slow. I'm like a clydesdale. I'm remorseful. I'm upset. I'm contemplative. I'm remembering. I'm regretful. Most importantly, I'm back.

Due to a variety of reasons which include injury, grief, lack of motivation and ESPECIALLY the journey to prepare my home and my heart for a child, I took several months off. I gained some extra weight and I kept saying, "I'll start next week...tomorrow...later today...next week looks good..." and so it went for about two months. TWO MONTHS of not running. I pity those that were around me and had to endure. But I'm back. And that's what is important, right?

Usually, I can summons the motivation internally to get out and pound out a few miles, that just wasn't happening. At an open house a friend of mine mentioned the Humana Vitality program where you could earn points for a free greenhouse. Free? <ears perked, head cocked sideways> Yes. Free. And so I signed up. You do things like workout, get cpr certified, get a physical, etc. and you earn points. One quick way to earn a lot of points is to take the Vitality assessment. And so I did. And wow...it has my Vitality age at 40, though I'm only 34! I answered honestly with my lifestyle today, not what it "normally" is. And I'm back. And that's what is important, right?

I'm back to my old habits. Eating candy and sweets daily. Drinking a soda a day. Not eating fruits and veggies like I KNOW I should. I'm back. And so is my weight, bad complexion and jeans that barely fit. I'm back. And that's what is important, right?

So I was shocked back into reality. I bought leaner meats. More fruits. And saute'ed some greens in a light olive oil. I am reducing my sodas (elimination is the goal) and candy too. My sweets will be tackled on another day, I have to take this challenge one obstacle at a time. I have power over it, it no longer has power over me. Yes, I'm back. And that's what is important, right?

So today, on a day when I know I'm going to eat thousands of calories (Thanksgiving) I laced up my shoes and decided I'd move for 30 minutes. I didn't care how far, I just cared how long. 35 minutes and 3.5 miles later I can say, I'm fucking back and that's what's important!