my next marathon...

Yep. That's my announcement. I just sent in the application for the next marathon I'm gonna do. The Atlanta ING marathon. It's in March. I'm very nervous about it because this marathon has a time limit, not like the Honolulu Marathon which has no time limit. In theory, I should be able to finish in plenty of time, but it's hilly here! That slows me down quite a bit. However, I'll be training on the hills, so hopefully I'll get faster on them. Also the cold has be worried. I dont' know what the weather will be like in March, and I don't know how to dress in this weather, and I don't know how I'll be able to consistantly train in the winter and during the holidays. Living here near family, we are obligated to visit for extended periods. So I'll have to carve in the time to walk, plus I'll have to figure out walking routes.

On my other two marathons, I've not had a doubt I could do them. Now I have doubts. i'm even unsure about my shoes. I've not been happy with my usual shoes, not cushy enough. So I just bought a new pair and I'm not sure about them. And you shouldn't be fooling around with that during training. I need to get properly fitted.

This will really bring me to my knees in prayer! It's good to challenge oneself.

nothing much...my current obsessions...

I know, I know, I'm late in posting anything. TT has been happening, but I just haven't felt like posting about it. However, I WILL, later. I've been doing a lot of interesting cooking lately. I even bought another cookbook. Can you believe it?! Just call me a sheep. I heard about Oprah's latest Best show, and saw that she had the Best Vegan Chef - so of course I had to read all about it. I went to Target and saw his (Tal Ronnen) cookbook - and against my own best judgement, I bought it. I KNOW I shouldn't have, because gourmet cooking is not my thing. I don't like to eat it or do it. But I saw 2 recipes that caught my eye and HAD to have it. I HATE that he's got recipes with alcohol in them without a substitution suggestion (curse gourmet cooks!). But now I want a Vitamix blender. gulp. I can't afford that for a blender! Although my Oster is in abysmal shape. I've been reading about Vitamix's for a couple of years now. It's on the top of my kitchen gadget want list. Anyway, he's got some interesting soup recipes that call for cashew cream. Remember my attempts at almond milk? It looks like the same thing. Very watery. But I have high hopes that the cashew will come out with some substance. (LOL! I really fool myself)

In the middle of my online surfing, I discovered that 7th day adventists are typically vegetarian or vegan. So I was trying to poke around for their cookbooks or recipes. I figure these are regular folks with families they have to cook for. Not the usual teenage to young adult crowd that only has to fend for themselves that you find online.

No, I don't know what my obsession is, but it's gotten stronger lately. I really don't think I could actually commit, but it fascinates me. Actually, cutting out a whole food group goes against the grain for me. It doesn't seem right. But I kinda think it might be best for my body.

Anyway - I can really see myself actually becoming a vegetarian - at least by the time I'm 60 I'll be ready to take the plunge. And maybe switch over to veganism by the time I'm 80. If I care about my cholesterol at that age. Maybe by the time I'm 80 I'll start drinking and smoking and frying all my food! All bacon, all the time! Woo-hoo!

I need to go to bed now, but I do have an announcement that my probably only remaining reader already knows. And I'll get those TT's in before another Tuesday rolls by.

Tah!

Terrifying Tuesday - 2 week edition...

First, I have to say I'm so bummed that Guiding Light has gone off the air. That was one of my favorite "stories".

Last week was not a thrilling TT. We tried pomegranate. I did a little demo on how to get to the seeds, a hands on demo. Gary helped. The boys are too old, they were underwhelmed. Anyway, we all deem it pretty good, but the seed - do you spit or swallow? (I'm sorry that's raunchy) I eventually decided to just swallow the things because it became too tedious to pick the seeds out of my mouth.

This week we tried Brussels Sprouts! I cannot remember where the recipe came from, I'm pretty sure it's either from someone's blog, or a cookbook of mine. I just didn't document it.

Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Roasted Red Peppers

2 tablespoons Grapeseed oil (use this as it is wonderful at a high heat!)
2 cups shredded Brussels Sprouts (chop or use a grater)
1/4 cup coarsely chopped purple onions
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup coarsely chopped roasted red peppers (homemade or from the jar)
1 tablespoon white Balsamic vinegar
Garnish: Chopped walnuts

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add Brussels sprouts, onions, and walnuts. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are tender and sprouts are bright green, about 5 minutes. Stir in peppers and vinegar. Continue cooking until heated through, about 2 minutes. Place on serving platter and garnish with chopped walnuts if desired.
Yield: 4 servings

notes:

I didn't use grapeseed oil, but I did splurge and buy the white balsamic. Um, using a grater is just ridiculous. I coarsely chopped the sprouts.

This recipe was pretty good. It got a thumbs down from Jake, but a half thumb for both Gary and Ryan. I thought it was so-so at first, but the more I ate it, the more I liked it. It's pretty too. I wasn't wild about the red pepper or vinegar part. But anything with nuts is always a winner! I had a few sprouts leftover so I'm going to steal Kath's recipe of roasting them with maple syrup tonight. Or maybe something different since I'm making bbq chicken and I think that's too many sweet things on a plate...

This was the first time I've ever had brussels sprouts and I'm glad I tried them. They are supposed to be very high in lots of nutritious stuff and be good cancer fighters.

Speaking of cancer... I had my yearly mammogram and it went very well. Yay! Another year down!