I started off the day by going to an early (car-headlights-on early) yoga class at the YMCA. It was the last visit I needed to reach my 12 for the month, which, you may recall was one of my intentions. Aside from having to squeeze in a lot of visits towards the end of the month, this particular goal worked out very well for me! In addition to my usual Pilates, I tried three class formats, all variations on yoga. I think I will keep some of them in the mix going forward. One trick that really helped was to put all the classes in which I was interested on my calendar each week. This way, I could keep track of my options and be mindful to plan my other activities around them.
So, how'd I do on those other resolutions? Pretty well, I'd say. I missed some opportunities to get together with friends due to weather and not wanting to over-schedule myself. Still, I went to several holiday happy hours, a Christmas party, a birthday party, and brunch with a friend yesterday. Not too shabby! There are several more folks I hope to see early in the new year.
To celebrate the holiday season, I did almost precisely what I suggested in that post-- put up a Christmas tree, bought some holiday albums, and went to a few movies. Actually, one of the highlights in this department was sharing the movie Elf with our niece when she slept over. She LOVED it and wanted to watch it the next morning, too. One thing I wanted to do, but didn't, was go to a holiday concert. I'll put that on the list for next year.
Today, E is working, so I'm spending a low-key day at home. I plan to do some reading, work on getting out our New Year's cards, and make a salad to contribute to the New Year's lunch at E's sister's house tomorrow. Tonight, we'll be heading out for dinner at a Vietnamese bistro near our house, which is offering an amazing tasting menu. We'll ring in 2013 at home with an Old Fashioned and maybe some bubbly. Hope you all have a fun and save New Year's Eve!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
New Year, New Projects
I'm not making any of the traditional New Year's resolutions this year-- I'm generally happy with my eating and exercise habits. Still, I want to keep things fresh by taking on a few new challenges in 2013.
Try snowboarding once. I've never tried any winter sports involving hills. I've cross-country skied a few times, and E and I have snowshoes that we break out a few times a year. I'm not sure what exactly appeals to me about snowboarding, but it seems potentially fun. Several of the ski hills around here offer beginner packages that include a lesson and equipment rental along with the lift pass. It seems like the perfect thing to try on a cabin-feverish weekend.
Make kombucha. Until recently, I resisted even trying this stuff. The big reason is cost: At $4 a bottle, I figured it was a habit I didn't need to pick up. Then, on a whim, I picked up a bottle at the co-op as a treat. Lo and behold, it was delicious! I tend to love the tartness of fermented foods (sometimes I eat sauerkraut with my eggs at breakfast) and I know they are good for me. Many of the bloggers I follow have picked up the kombucha habit and are making it themselves. I'm going to give it a try, starting with this technique. I think the only problem will be finding a warm enough place in my house!
Try rock climbing once. As with snowboarding, this would get me out of my physical comfort zone. We have an outstanding indoor rock climbing gym nearby, so I know I could get good instruction there. I've heard that the activity can be rather cerebral-- it's not just about speed or strength, but about plotting your course up the wall. This kind of "thinky" activity sounds fun to me.
Read poetry. I read poetry with some regularity in high school and college, but am completely out of the habit now. I think it would be good for me to challenge my prose-reading brain with something a little different. I have no idea where to start, so if you have some recommendations, please leave them in the comments section!
Try snowboarding once. I've never tried any winter sports involving hills. I've cross-country skied a few times, and E and I have snowshoes that we break out a few times a year. I'm not sure what exactly appeals to me about snowboarding, but it seems potentially fun. Several of the ski hills around here offer beginner packages that include a lesson and equipment rental along with the lift pass. It seems like the perfect thing to try on a cabin-feverish weekend.
Make kombucha. Until recently, I resisted even trying this stuff. The big reason is cost: At $4 a bottle, I figured it was a habit I didn't need to pick up. Then, on a whim, I picked up a bottle at the co-op as a treat. Lo and behold, it was delicious! I tend to love the tartness of fermented foods (sometimes I eat sauerkraut with my eggs at breakfast) and I know they are good for me. Many of the bloggers I follow have picked up the kombucha habit and are making it themselves. I'm going to give it a try, starting with this technique. I think the only problem will be finding a warm enough place in my house!
Try rock climbing once. As with snowboarding, this would get me out of my physical comfort zone. We have an outstanding indoor rock climbing gym nearby, so I know I could get good instruction there. I've heard that the activity can be rather cerebral-- it's not just about speed or strength, but about plotting your course up the wall. This kind of "thinky" activity sounds fun to me.
Read poetry. I read poetry with some regularity in high school and college, but am completely out of the habit now. I think it would be good for me to challenge my prose-reading brain with something a little different. I have no idea where to start, so if you have some recommendations, please leave them in the comments section!
Friday, December 28, 2012
Coundown to 2013
Friday at last! It's amazing how long a two-day work week can seem. I jetted out a bit early today and scored a ride home from my brother-in-law (who gave us La Quercia prosciutto as a host gift and is now walking my dog-- he is awesome!), shoveled the walks, and am now wrapped up cozily under a blanket.
Said brother-in-law is staying with us tonight before he leaves town tomorrow, so we have plans to go to Brasa for dinner. Brasa is one restaurant I'm always in the mood for-- the menu is chock full of well-sourced, simply prepared, and delicious meats and veggies. We like ordering family style to share a wide range of their tasty sides. Nearly all of the menu is gluten-free, which makes it especially easy to put together an order without feeling like a demanding wierdo.
Tomorrow, we have one last big family gathering (at the Ikea cafe, of all places) before all the far-flung relatives re-fling themselves home. We'll see some of the travelers again in mid-2013, but we probably won't see E's other brother and his family, including the niece and nephew, for quite some time.
If last weekend and early this week were all about family holiday traditions, the coming long weekend is for seeing friends and recharging for the new year. I have brunch and quilt shopping plans with a friend on Sunday, and we are still sorting out our New Year's Eve plans. On New Year's Day, I think we'll throw a roast in the crockpot, drink some eggnog, and take down the Christmas tree.
Said brother-in-law is staying with us tonight before he leaves town tomorrow, so we have plans to go to Brasa for dinner. Brasa is one restaurant I'm always in the mood for-- the menu is chock full of well-sourced, simply prepared, and delicious meats and veggies. We like ordering family style to share a wide range of their tasty sides. Nearly all of the menu is gluten-free, which makes it especially easy to put together an order without feeling like a demanding wierdo.
Tomorrow, we have one last big family gathering (at the Ikea cafe, of all places) before all the far-flung relatives re-fling themselves home. We'll see some of the travelers again in mid-2013, but we probably won't see E's other brother and his family, including the niece and nephew, for quite some time.
If last weekend and early this week were all about family holiday traditions, the coming long weekend is for seeing friends and recharging for the new year. I have brunch and quilt shopping plans with a friend on Sunday, and we are still sorting out our New Year's Eve plans. On New Year's Day, I think we'll throw a roast in the crockpot, drink some eggnog, and take down the Christmas tree.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Christmas
We are just home after spending several days with E's family for the holiday. The past few days have been jam-packed with playing with the nieces and nephew, eating great food, making fun of the dogs, and general merriment. Our 8-year-old niece is often the only kid at family gatherings, so it was nice for her to have her adoring 3-year-old nephew trail around after her. At least, it was nice when he wasn't trying to nab the toy she was playing with at the time. Our little almost-1-year-old niece was shy about being held by anyone but her parents, but would tolerate it when blissfully asleep-- she spent about half an hour zonked out on me this morning.
As usual, E's mom put out an incredible spread for her houseful of guests. On Christmas Eve, we had a ham dinner with roasted sweet potatoes and kale salad. I skipped the Swedish thin bread and cookies, instead enjoying some eggnog for my dessert. Christmas morning was the traditional family breakfast of bacon and a special woven bread ("candy cane bread"). I'm not kidding about the bacon; there were 6 pounds cooked for 12 people. I'm pretty sure I ate my fair share, along with some fruit. Dinner was the great lasagna feast! Though I couldn't compete with my mother-in-law's cheese and pasta variety for sheer mass appeal, almost everyone sampled my paleo version and pronounced it tasty.
I was expecting some controversy about not eating gluten anymore. When asked, I tried to keep it light and just explain that it makes me feel sick. This approach worked well, and everyone was pretty understanding. Gluten-free diets have more mainstream recognition, I think, than our usual paleo way of eating. It's a little harder for me to explain the whys and wherefores of paleo eating. I have a general grasp of the concepts, but really would prefer to just hand people a book. In mixed settings, I'm more likely to summarize what we do eat (lots of high-quality meat, eggs, veggies, and some fruit), explain that it works for us, and leave it at that.
Though we had a great time over the holiday, I'm happy to be back at home enjoying relative peace and quiet. Reba and I took a cold walk around the neighborhood, and I had a cup of tea and a Facetime session with my sister and nephew in Wisconsin. We're planning to have some leftover lasagna for dinner and a low-key evening before getting ready to head back to work in the morning. Just two days of work before another long weekend-- I think I'll survive.
As usual, E's mom put out an incredible spread for her houseful of guests. On Christmas Eve, we had a ham dinner with roasted sweet potatoes and kale salad. I skipped the Swedish thin bread and cookies, instead enjoying some eggnog for my dessert. Christmas morning was the traditional family breakfast of bacon and a special woven bread ("candy cane bread"). I'm not kidding about the bacon; there were 6 pounds cooked for 12 people. I'm pretty sure I ate my fair share, along with some fruit. Dinner was the great lasagna feast! Though I couldn't compete with my mother-in-law's cheese and pasta variety for sheer mass appeal, almost everyone sampled my paleo version and pronounced it tasty.
I was expecting some controversy about not eating gluten anymore. When asked, I tried to keep it light and just explain that it makes me feel sick. This approach worked well, and everyone was pretty understanding. Gluten-free diets have more mainstream recognition, I think, than our usual paleo way of eating. It's a little harder for me to explain the whys and wherefores of paleo eating. I have a general grasp of the concepts, but really would prefer to just hand people a book. In mixed settings, I'm more likely to summarize what we do eat (lots of high-quality meat, eggs, veggies, and some fruit), explain that it works for us, and leave it at that.
Though we had a great time over the holiday, I'm happy to be back at home enjoying relative peace and quiet. Reba and I took a cold walk around the neighborhood, and I had a cup of tea and a Facetime session with my sister and nephew in Wisconsin. We're planning to have some leftover lasagna for dinner and a low-key evening before getting ready to head back to work in the morning. Just two days of work before another long weekend-- I think I'll survive.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Two of Five
Number 2 of 5 days off, that is. Yesterday got off to a rocky start- I got a terrible night's sleep, and then woke up (too early) to find that the cat had peed on the dog's bed. Filthy creature. Fortunately, things only got better from there. I had some coffee and eggs and swept off to a yoga class, feeling very satisfied that I was out of the house before 9 a.m. After class I ran a few errands, including scoring an awesome Christmas gift by happenstance, before joining E, her brother, sister, sister-in-law, nephew, and two nieces for lunch.
E and I passed the afternoon pleasantly with some Christmas music and gift wrapping, then I went out to get a haircut. Our evening was topped off with our friend's annual birthday wing extravaganza at the Mall of America Hooters. Yes, you read that correctly. This year, there were 8 gay fellas, E & I, and 10 dozen wings. Tradition holds that we must avail ourselves of some wacky Mall of America entertainment afterwards. Past selections have included the mirror maze and indoor mini golf. This year, the birthday boy selected a rollercoaster. I sat that one out ("I'll hold the coats!") and was glad I did, considering how green everyone looked afterwards. Maybe next year we'll stick to the Build-A-Bear workshop.
One of my errands yesterday was to pick up ingredients for our contribution to Christmas dinner. For the past few years, E's mom has adopted a tradition of serving lasagna on the holiday. Everyone likes it, and she can prepare it in advance instead of spending the morning fussing over a roast or something. Since I'm skipping the pasta these days, we offered to bring a paleo lasagna to add to the feast. I'm looking forward to trying this recipe, with some bonus italian sausage added to the sauce.
These are probably my last quiet moments for a few days-- shortly, we are heading off to E's aunt & uncle's house for an extended family gathering. We'll have a few hours at home this evening (egg nog tasting time!) and tomorrow morning before we pack up and go to E's parents house through Wednesday. Off to chop onions for the lasagna! If I don't manage a post tomorrow, happy holidays to all who are celebrating!
E and I passed the afternoon pleasantly with some Christmas music and gift wrapping, then I went out to get a haircut. Our evening was topped off with our friend's annual birthday wing extravaganza at the Mall of America Hooters. Yes, you read that correctly. This year, there were 8 gay fellas, E & I, and 10 dozen wings. Tradition holds that we must avail ourselves of some wacky Mall of America entertainment afterwards. Past selections have included the mirror maze and indoor mini golf. This year, the birthday boy selected a rollercoaster. I sat that one out ("I'll hold the coats!") and was glad I did, considering how green everyone looked afterwards. Maybe next year we'll stick to the Build-A-Bear workshop.
One of my errands yesterday was to pick up ingredients for our contribution to Christmas dinner. For the past few years, E's mom has adopted a tradition of serving lasagna on the holiday. Everyone likes it, and she can prepare it in advance instead of spending the morning fussing over a roast or something. Since I'm skipping the pasta these days, we offered to bring a paleo lasagna to add to the feast. I'm looking forward to trying this recipe, with some bonus italian sausage added to the sauce.
These are probably my last quiet moments for a few days-- shortly, we are heading off to E's aunt & uncle's house for an extended family gathering. We'll have a few hours at home this evening (egg nog tasting time!) and tomorrow morning before we pack up and go to E's parents house through Wednesday. Off to chop onions for the lasagna! If I don't manage a post tomorrow, happy holidays to all who are celebrating!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Observations
The days were going by very slowly earlier this week; on Wednesday at lunchtime, a co-worker and I both noted that it seemed like it really ought to be a day later. Today there was a marked difference in the atmosphere at work: The pre-holiday activities seem to be winding down, and "Back 12/26" is starting to show up on the in/out board. I predict tomorrow will drag, particularly once my morning meeting (for which I spent all day preparing) is over. Good thing a few of us have planned a happy hour, providing a good pretense to duck out a bit early.
I just heard from E that she is on her way home after a few errands. She's picking up both wine AND gelato. I think the treat factor is about to get kicked up a notch around here! On top of that, I just mixed up the macaroon recipe I've been meaning to make all week, and will be shaping them and throwing them in the oven later. If the world is going to end tomorrow, we might as well enjoy ourselves on the way out.
Eats today: We've been working our way through the leftovers from my cooking frenzy earlier this week. However, the glitch in my plan was that I prepared tons of meat, but not enough veggies. Tonight, I'm roasting a squash and sauteing a head of cabbage to go along with the crock pot pork roast from earlier this week. This is one of our most common meal structures-- some kind of meat, plus an orange vegetable and a green one. There are countless combinations to choose from, and it's simple, satisfying, and healthy. I can't ask for much more on a cold and windy winter night (except for maybe wine and gelato).
I just heard from E that she is on her way home after a few errands. She's picking up both wine AND gelato. I think the treat factor is about to get kicked up a notch around here! On top of that, I just mixed up the macaroon recipe I've been meaning to make all week, and will be shaping them and throwing them in the oven later. If the world is going to end tomorrow, we might as well enjoy ourselves on the way out.
Eats today: We've been working our way through the leftovers from my cooking frenzy earlier this week. However, the glitch in my plan was that I prepared tons of meat, but not enough veggies. Tonight, I'm roasting a squash and sauteing a head of cabbage to go along with the crock pot pork roast from earlier this week. This is one of our most common meal structures-- some kind of meat, plus an orange vegetable and a green one. There are countless combinations to choose from, and it's simple, satisfying, and healthy. I can't ask for much more on a cold and windy winter night (except for maybe wine and gelato).
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Almost There
It's probably stating the obvious to mention that, this time of year, it can be difficult to keep up your healthy habits. Your co-workers keep bringing in seasonal treats, and there are plenty of festive parties and happy hours to attend. All of the baking, shopping, and social occasions can take time away from your normal workout routine. It's tough to strike the right balance between staying more or less on track and being overly austere at the expense of enjoying the season. Now that we're well over halfway between Thanksgiving and New Year's, I thought it would be worth taking note of how the holiday season is going.
Eating habits: Things have been working well on this front! I've avoided knowingly eating gluten since Thanksgiving weekend. I think I accidentally ate some at a work potluck-- I nabbed some meatballs before remembering that most people make them with some bread crumbs as a binder. I'm taking it easy on the sugary treats, but still enjoying a few more than I normally would. The highlight so far has been the spread of gluten-free goodies at a friend's holiday party last weekend. As with sugar, I've had a few more drinks than I normally would, but nothing too crazy.
Exercise: You may recall I'm shooting for 12 gym visits in December. I'm at six so far, so I'm a little off pace. The second week of the month, there were some logistical issues that prevented me from getting there on any of the weekdays. I've got a system for the rest of the month: I put all the classes I want to attend in my calendar. I know, it sounds like something straight out of a women's fitness magazine. But hey, it works! Having that little reminder staring me in the face when I look at my calendar helps me to internalize what I need to be doing and when. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be knocking out my final visit on December 30th.
All told, I think I'm doing pretty well! The big challenges are still yet to come, though. This weekend, we start family celebrations that will last through Wednesday. After that, there are a few days of normalcy before New Year's Eve hits. So, how are the holidays going for you? Have any good strategies to share?
Eating habits: Things have been working well on this front! I've avoided knowingly eating gluten since Thanksgiving weekend. I think I accidentally ate some at a work potluck-- I nabbed some meatballs before remembering that most people make them with some bread crumbs as a binder. I'm taking it easy on the sugary treats, but still enjoying a few more than I normally would. The highlight so far has been the spread of gluten-free goodies at a friend's holiday party last weekend. As with sugar, I've had a few more drinks than I normally would, but nothing too crazy.
Exercise: You may recall I'm shooting for 12 gym visits in December. I'm at six so far, so I'm a little off pace. The second week of the month, there were some logistical issues that prevented me from getting there on any of the weekdays. I've got a system for the rest of the month: I put all the classes I want to attend in my calendar. I know, it sounds like something straight out of a women's fitness magazine. But hey, it works! Having that little reminder staring me in the face when I look at my calendar helps me to internalize what I need to be doing and when. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be knocking out my final visit on December 30th.
All told, I think I'm doing pretty well! The big challenges are still yet to come, though. This weekend, we start family celebrations that will last through Wednesday. After that, there are a few days of normalcy before New Year's Eve hits. So, how are the holidays going for you? Have any good strategies to share?
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