My Note to Peyton Manning

Hi Peyton,

On the off chance that you are bored and stumble across my blog over the next couple of days, here is a little note for you. Please don't come and play for the Redskins. I like you too much as a person and a football player and I would hate to see that organization destroy you. Best of luck in your search for a new team!

I am a (Running) Fool

There are 2 months and 1 day to go before the Pittsburgh Half, and I have transitioned from being nervous about this event to excited. It is truly amazing what our bodies can do when you apply some training and dedication.

Yesterday I ran a 10 mile race as part of my training plan. Considering the last time I did a 10 mile race was Cherry Blossom last year, I had a bit of a bad taste in my mouth and didn't feel that I could successfully do a race of this distance. My goal was to run it at a consistent and slower pace. I was familiar with the first 6 miles of this course and knew it was rather hilly and definitely challenging. I also brought along 2 gels with me and took them at mile 4 and mile 8 as I will do the same thing in the half marathon.

The race could not have gone any better. I kept my nice consistent pace throughout the race. Once I got past mile 8 and felt as good as I did, then I started picking up the pace. I even had enough left in the tank to drop the hammer at the end and came across the finish line moving at a sub 7 minute pace. (WOW!)

My running friends have been telling me that I could run a half marathon right now, but I really didn't believe them. Now after this race, I know I can. But since I have another 2 months to prepare, I can continue what I am doing and know that when May gets here, I will totally rock that race.

Book Review - When She Woke

I had been devoid of a book to read and was checking my list of books I earmarked. This one happened to be available at my branch of the library so I picked it up. Two days later, the book was finished.

Hannah Payne wakes up and finds that she is red. In the not too distant future, criminals are no longer jailed. They are injected with a virus that turns their skin a color that corresponds to the level of crime that they committed. They are then released back into society where are abused and discriminated against. Hannah is turned red because she is convicted of murder for having an abortion. Her sentence is extended as she refuses to give up the name of the father, a very public and conservative religious figure, or the name of the person who performs the abortion.

In this futuristic time there is no longer any separation between church and state. Hannah has been raised in a very conservative family. Now that she is thrust on her own to survive as a Chrome, she has come to doubt a significant portion of her upbringing.

The story starts out really fascinating, a modern day Scarlet Letter. As the story continues there seems to be a bit of an unraveling that occurs. The story is still enjoyable, but there are some tangents that are not wrapped up and some other ones that are finalized abruptly at the end of the story.

For me the most interesting part is thinking about the "what ifs?". What would our country be like if there was not some separation between church and state? What would it be like to have criminals branded and walking on the street? Would we as humans discriminate against them for their skin color?

Obviously if I finished the book in 2 days it is not a difficult read. It was not the best book I've read but also not the worst.

I give it a solid 3.5 stars out of 5.

Pumpkin Coconut Curry

1 bunch broccoli rabe, chopped, discard the thick stems

1/2 onion, chopped

3 carrots, peeled and chopped

4 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

15 ounce can of pumpkin

14 ounce can of coconut milk, NOT light

juice of 1 clementine

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli rabe and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and press extra water out.

In a large skillet heat a neutral high heat oil, like grapeseed, over medium high heat. Saute the onion and carrots until they begin to soften and slightly brown. Add the garlic and cinnamon and saute for 1 minute more. Add the pumpkin puree and coconut milk and stir to combine. Reduce heat and allow simmer for 5-10 minutes. Stir in the broccoli rabe, clementine juice and some kosher salt.

I served this over some brown rice and with some pan fried tofu squares. The tofu squares were pressed of extraneous water and then dredged in a turmeric, cumin, ginger, nutmeg mixture that was mixed with a little bit of flour for binder. I then pan-fried them in some grapeseed oil. They were so bland and tasteless. I really thought they would be good but alas no. You can see them in the picture and they sure look pretty but very tasteless.

When and if I get around to making this again, I would add some of those spices I used on the tofu and a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas for the protein. Or if you want to do meat, you can use that spice combo on cut up chicken breast and panfry that.

Book Review - The Book Thief

Taking place in Nazi Germany during WWII, this book was right up my ally of fiction that I like to read. And this one did not disappoint.

Liesel and her brother Werner are being taken by their mother to live with a foster family, the Hubermanns. On their way there, Werner dies. Two things happen for the first time that stem from this event, Liesel will steal her first book that she finds near her brother's gravesite, and the narrator of the book meets Liesel. And yes, that means the narrator of the book is Death.

With the help of her foster father, Liesel learns to read and finds she is able to escape the unpleasant world around her through words. Growing up in a time when everything from food to money is scarce, having the luxury of books is not in the cards for Liesel. She begins to steal books from various dangerous situations, like Nazi book burnings and the mayor's private library. When the Hubermanns hide a young Jewish man in their basement named Max, life becomes even more dangerous for Liesel. Max and Liesel share the same feelings of loss knowing they are the only living person in their respective families. Through words, the two of them both share their fears and anger and hopes.

The author, Markus Zusak, hit the nail on the head with this one by having it narrated by Death. The story of Liesel is not something out of the ordinary for a book based during this time period. Fear, persecution, loneliness, starvation, etc... are all common themes. But to hear the story from Death, changes it to something unique. Death as a character is not morose, he is just doing his job. Though he feels extraordinarily overworked during this time in history. He is not out to get you, he is there to simply collect you when the times come. He narrates in a descriptive way, often using colors, that involves you emotionally but you don't feel sad for those he comes to collect, you feel that they are taken care of.

You won't get any spoilers on the details of the story from me, you will just have to read it for yourself.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

2011 - Year in Review

So I am stealing this from my friend Courtney. I saw this on her blog and I thought it sounded like an interesting way to look back over the past year.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

I ran 10 miles.

2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I am not a New Years' resolution kind of person. My goal is always to live a healthy life and I think I do a good job of that. I guess my motto is moderation is key and exercise is essential.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I am in that age range where lots of people are having babies. Two that stick out in my mind are my friends Emily and Monique. Hopefully I am not forgetting someone important and offending them by omitting them here.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Chris, a mutual friend of my husband and I who we knew from the VT marching band. Trish, a wonderful friend of mine who I saw 2 to 3 times a year. But whenever we met, we could talk for hours. I miss her dearly.

5. What countries did you visit?

We took a cruise with some friends at the beginning of the year and stopped in St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Lucia, Antigua, and Grenada.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

Hmmm.....I'm not sure I feel comfortable answering this in a public forum. I'm going to say that I would like acceptance; I know what it means and I'm OK with being the only one.

7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

August 8th. I went to see INXS at Wolftrap. What makes it memorable is that I had asked my friend Trish if she wanted to go and see this show with me. She was unable as her health had taken a turn for the worse and she died the day before the show. I went by myself and with her in spirit.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I started taking piano lessons again after a 20 year hiatus. This time around I'm learning how to play without music. I also relaunched this blog again after having turned my back on it to try a different platform.

9. What was your biggest failure of the year?

Honestly I can't think of anything. Either I didn't fail at anything or it didn't bother me enough to remember. I think changing failure to disappointment makes more sense. In that case I would say my parents selling their house on OBX. I understand why they did and I am happy for them. But I would be lying if I didn't say it saddened me. There were a lot of fun memories created at that house and it will be disappointing not to be able to go back there.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Well, my IT band was pretty mad at me for awhile.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I got a new fancy pants camera and I love it!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I can not think of an answer to this question.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

As none of this has gone to trial yet, I'm just going to say the whole situation at Penn State.

14. Where did most of your money go?

I'm going to change this question also to "What did you spend money on?". Otherwise the answer will always be the mortgage; boring. We had the cruise we went on with our friends. Both hubby and I ran a lot of races this year. Running clothes (yes, one of my addictions). A ski trip to Wisp Resort.

15. What did you get really, really, really, excited about?

A trip to NYC with a girlfriend who was running the marathon.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Not a 2011 release but Plain White T's "Rhythm of Love" would be the song that makes me think of this past year.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder, thinner or fatter, richer or poorer?

Well, I am definitely much happier. I am neither thinner or fatter, exactly the same weight I have been for awhile. As far as richer or poorer, I have no idea. That is why I have a financial planner so she can figure all that stuff out.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Hiking. Started doing this over the summer and I love it, wish I had made time to do it more often, but there is always next year!

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Talking to people about vibrams.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

Since Christmas is over, we spent it with my husband's family at my sister in law's house about an hour north of Pittsburgh. On the way there we spent a couple of days at Wisp resort skiing, ice skating, tubing, and hiking.

21. How will you be spending New Years Eve?

I work until 5 that day. We have plans to hang out with friends, but I'm so exhausted from the Christmas trip I might just go to bed early.

22. Did you discover any great new websites in 2011?

I do a lot of research on the internet, I don't surf it very much for pleasure. Several friends of mine have blogs that I like to read.

23. How many weddings did you attend?

Should have been two but ended up only being one. Had to miss one for a funeral.

24. What was your favorite TV program?

Modern Family, and I still love watching Family Guy.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Hate is such a strong word and I'm not sure I would want to give anyone that description. But if I have to pick I will say the Occupy Wall Streeters. I saw those idiots when I was up in NY, I can't figure out what they think they are accomplishing. They were just plain annoying and in the way of keeping people from using a park.

26. What was the best book you read?

Well, I use this blog to document that. A couple that stick out were the Hunger Games, Consequences, and The Education of Little Tree.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

How about a re-discovery? I have really been enjoying the Talking Heads lately. This was a group that I totally forgot about.

28. What did you want and get?

Work/life balance.

29. What was your favorite film this year?

Muppets. Loved it. I cried through most of it as it made me miss being a kid and watching the Muppets on TV every week.

30. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

I turned 35 this year, a milestone birthday. I slept in to 7:30, ate breakfast and read a book, worked 10-5, did a 6 mile run, and had dinner at my favorite restaurant, Tuskies.

31. What one thing would have made you year immeasurably more satisfying?

If I could have figured out a way to keep running the MS yoga class I was teaching. I tried for several months but from a time and financial standpoint, I had to quit banging my head against a wall.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Fashion, what is fashion? If it isn't yoga clothes or running clothes, there isn't much else that I wear on a regular basis.

33. What kept you sane?

I found my way back to yoga as a student this year. That was something I didn't realize how much I missed. I still need to make more time to get there though.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy most?

The new trainer on the Biggest Loser, Dolvett, was not hard to look at.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

Our HOA taking a stance on an issue and representing the community as a whole without asking the community how we personally want to be represented.

36. Who did you miss?

My cousin Audrey. Texting just isn't the same as seeing someone in person.

37. Who were the best new people you met?

Libby, Courtney, Jenny (though we technically met in 2010 we didn't become close friends until this year).

38. Tell a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011?

It is never too late to fix a problem.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?

I'm going to quote something I heard in a commercial. "People don't make a list of the websites they want to see before they die".

Arugula, Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta Cheese Frittata

2 large cloves garlic, chopped

5-6 ounces (filled my salad spinner) arugula, chopped

8 sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped

6 eggs

1/4 cup of half and half (or milk)

1 Tablespoon Penzeys Parisian Bonnes Herbs

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

In a large skillet heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, when it is almost brown add the arugula and cook until wilted. Turn off heat and stir in the tomatoes.

In a bowl whisk together the eggs, half and half, and spices.

Spray a 9x9 glass baking dish with cooking spray. Pour in the egg mixture. Add the arugula mixture and stir to combine. Sprinkle the feta cheese evenly over the top.

I started typing this blog post up so long ago that I don't remember what temperature and for how long I baked this for. So I'm going to go with a guess based on the size of the dish and the fact that we are baking eggs. I'm going to say 20 minutes at 350 degrees.