An Update On Those Self-Improvement Programs

/

A confession: I have stopped and started so many self-improvement programs in the past 6 months even I've lost track of what I'm supposed to be doing... not be doing... etc. Am I a better person than I was six months ago? Marginally. (Maybe.) But I've had some fun in my attempts to improve myself and drag others with me along the way. So here now, a quick review of what's been stopped, started, put on hold or embraced. Based on a 5-star rating scale.

The 100 Push-Up Challenge: We're all familiar with this one. About 10 of us jumped on the "You bet!" bandwagon and developed an intimate knowledge of our floors. I was gung-ho on this program, especially when I tested right into week 3 of the 6 week program. Halfway there! How hard could it be?

Read More

Point Taken

/

Last night Blair and I were sitting on the couch, thinking about getting ready to go to bed.

"I have to do an 11-mile tempo run in the morning," I said. 

"I have to go to work for 10 hours," said Blair.

He wins. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have to take a moment, though, and say this morning was a REALLY good run for me - the labor-intensive training is paying off. 11 miles at just under an 8:30 pace. I need to remember to GO OUT SLOW. I ripped through the first 5 miles at about an 8:12 pace and mile 8 was hit with fatigue. Slow and steady will take me farther, faster. 

Home Projects - Guy vs. Girl

/

The "Reset Water Filter" light came on in our fridge and, frankly, I was at a loss. So I did what any good wife would do. I nagged my husband about it.

"The reset water filter light is on in the fridge," I said at dinner.

"Yeah, I know. I'm not sure where to get a new filter."

I shot him the evil eye.

"Uh, maybe Lowe's or Home Depot carries them?" 

"Great," I said. "Can I mark you down as being in charge of this project?"

I don't know why, but "buying and replacing water filter" falls under the "husband duties" category in my book. Other duties in the husband category include dealing with the wasps nest on our back porch, changing the kitty litter, and killing spiders. 

Home projects that fall under my domain include emptying the trash, cleaning the lint tray in the dryer, and herding the cats to the vet. 

Neutral duties include taking out the trash and recyclables, changing light bulbs, and taking the cars in for inspection stickers. 

What's the division of duties in your household? 

I Just Made The Best Salad Ever

/

I just made the best salad ever. (Yes, I realize it's only just after 11 AM and a tad early for the traditional lunch, but today is a Monday and that means I meet my trainer at 2, which means I need to allow a full three hours for a meal to digest or else I'll start retching in the middle of my workout.) 

I opened the door to our fridge and saw about a billion tupperware containers staring back at me. I decided to do something about it. I was going to make a salad and everything - and I mean everything - that was in our fridge was going in it. I started with romaine lettuce then added:

  •  Sun-dried tomatoes
  • water chestnuts
  • grapes
  • broccoli
  • pineapple
  • navy beans
  • carrots
  • celery
  • short-grain brown rice
  • ground flaxseed
  • sunflower seeds

I topped it off with Annie's Organic Goddess Dressing and OMG... YUM. Possibly the best salad I've ever had. The beauty part is I still have enough of everything left over to have this same salad at least 1-2 more times. 

If I keep eating this healthy, I may actually be able to put a piece of tupperware or two in the dishwasher sometime soon.

Happy Monday!