Tonight I tried a new food--spaghetti squash. I had seen the interesting veggie on Barefoot Contessa, and I looked online to find out how to cook the squash and prepare it. I punctured it several times, rubbed olive oil all over it, and roasted it in a 400 degree oven for one hour.
I cut it in half, took out the seeds, and used it with the leftover goulash I made Tuesday night. I think I actually like it better than whole wheat pasta as a substitute. I would like to try it with spaghetti sauce!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Fitness Journey, Day 2
8.27.09
Day 2 went much better. The "weepies" did not hover like Ziggy's dark cloud. A good friend started today, and having her there made the experience a good one.
I thought we would do the same moves we did the first day; but, alas, such was not the case. The trainer had us work different areas, which makes sense, of course. I did everything except the stomach crunches, and I had to stop a bit short on jumping jacks, of all things.
I am more sore tonight than I have been.
Day 2 went much better. The "weepies" did not hover like Ziggy's dark cloud. A good friend started today, and having her there made the experience a good one.
I thought we would do the same moves we did the first day; but, alas, such was not the case. The trainer had us work different areas, which makes sense, of course. I did everything except the stomach crunches, and I had to stop a bit short on jumping jacks, of all things.
I am more sore tonight than I have been.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Quest for Healthier Eating
8.26.09
A new recipe (which needs tweaking!)
I tried a healthy version of salmon patties using a 15-oz. can of salmon, 1 slice of wheat bread crumbed, 1 egg, some scallion, some banana pepper, some garlic, some fresh herbs, some lemon/pepper seasoning, some cayenne, some turmeric, and some paprika.
I tried using a fork to keep the mixture loose as I combined the ingredients. For each croquette I packed a l/3-cup measure, tapped that mixture into a hot pan of EVOO (aka Rachel), and waited until the croquettes were browned before turning them.
HOWEVER, the next time I try this, I will use two slices of bread and two eggs because the mixture was crumbly and dry. It also stuck to the pan even though the pan and oil were hot. I would also form the patties by hand, compacting them a bit more in an attempt to make them hold their shape better.
A new recipe (which needs tweaking!)
I tried a healthy version of salmon patties using a 15-oz. can of salmon, 1 slice of wheat bread crumbed, 1 egg, some scallion, some banana pepper, some garlic, some fresh herbs, some lemon/pepper seasoning, some cayenne, some turmeric, and some paprika.
I tried using a fork to keep the mixture loose as I combined the ingredients. For each croquette I packed a l/3-cup measure, tapped that mixture into a hot pan of EVOO (aka Rachel), and waited until the croquettes were browned before turning them.
HOWEVER, the next time I try this, I will use two slices of bread and two eggs because the mixture was crumbly and dry. It also stuck to the pan even though the pan and oil were hot. I would also form the patties by hand, compacting them a bit more in an attempt to make them hold their shape better.
Week 1
8.26.09
Although I've been trying for several days to incorporate more healthy choices into my food selection and preparation and have walked a few times for exercise, my eight-week challenge began in earnest yesterday as I made my first visit to a training studio for a forty-five-minute group session focusing on strength training, cardio, and abs.
I was able to do at least a modified version of almost all that was required--not always as many reps as the others--but more than I expected to be able to do. I finished the entire session, also something I was not sure I could do. That much was a surprise.
However, I was embarrassed beyond description--on the verge of tears the entire time. Why? Was it the embarrassment itself? Was it shame and guilt for having allowed my body to become almost unable to do the simplest moves? Was it fear, as in, "I have never been able to stick to an exercise program--this one won't be any different/I won't be any different/ I won't be able to continue past the length of the program"? I held in my tears until I reached my car, and then I let them go.
This morning I woke up a little stiff and with just a tad of soreness--nothing like what I expected. I walked this morning--over twice as many laps as the last time I walked.
As the day has progressed, the soreness makes itself more manifest--my shoulders and upper arms, my hips.
I know that tomorrow's class is the one that will present the most challenge of this particular journey: I will be in the throes of all the soreness but will have to attempt to work through the pain.
Sixteen visits: I am committed.
Although I've been trying for several days to incorporate more healthy choices into my food selection and preparation and have walked a few times for exercise, my eight-week challenge began in earnest yesterday as I made my first visit to a training studio for a forty-five-minute group session focusing on strength training, cardio, and abs.
I was able to do at least a modified version of almost all that was required--not always as many reps as the others--but more than I expected to be able to do. I finished the entire session, also something I was not sure I could do. That much was a surprise.
However, I was embarrassed beyond description--on the verge of tears the entire time. Why? Was it the embarrassment itself? Was it shame and guilt for having allowed my body to become almost unable to do the simplest moves? Was it fear, as in, "I have never been able to stick to an exercise program--this one won't be any different/I won't be any different/ I won't be able to continue past the length of the program"? I held in my tears until I reached my car, and then I let them go.
This morning I woke up a little stiff and with just a tad of soreness--nothing like what I expected. I walked this morning--over twice as many laps as the last time I walked.
As the day has progressed, the soreness makes itself more manifest--my shoulders and upper arms, my hips.
I know that tomorrow's class is the one that will present the most challenge of this particular journey: I will be in the throes of all the soreness but will have to attempt to work through the pain.
Sixteen visits: I am committed.
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