On the Run

One of the things that's been great about my recent running kick is that it's an easy workout to take on the road.  Whether it's visiting friends or family or a business trip, running doesn't require much equipment and allows you to explore your surroundings a bit.  My favorite tool for planning a run at home and on the road is Map My Run. 

It's a website that allows you to create a route and it measures the distance, whether it's in a park or along main roads.  You can also calculate elevation to show changes and vertical distance traveled.   It's totally free and also gives you the peace of mind that the route you envisioned from your hotel room isn't double the distance you can handle.  It's a great substitute for a pricey watch that tracks your distance and helps you pre-plan your route.  I've found it particularly useful planning my long training runs in preparation for our half marathon. 

The only con of this wonderful tool is that once you register, you will get some newsletters and updates, which I usually, upon receipt, immediately delete.  Luckily, they have a simple opt out function so your inbox doesn't get clogged.
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Great new book

I just returned home from my business trip (sorry for being so MIA) and am very eager to share a wonderful book that accompanied me on my journey.

Half Broke Horses, by Jeannette Walls.  She also wrote The Glass Castle, which was also fabulous.  Half Broke Horses is about the author's grandmother and her life in the West as a teacher, taxi driver, wife and mother.  It's a quick read and I love the author's style of short chapters - it makes it easy to pick up and put down quickly.  It was a wonderful Christmas gift (thanks Auntie Allie!) and a welcome addition to my carry on bag once my laptop died on our long flights!
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Now Boarding

I'm off on a business trip for the next 8 days and figured it was worth a post on how I prepare for a long flight.  We are hitting 2 sites, which means LOTS of flying time.  Luckily these two destinations are sunny and warm this time of year so I have very little room to complain.  When you go on any business trip, you have to be conscious of balancing work and play, especially when like I do, you travel with a client.  And lucky for me, 20+ hours of flying time in 8 days will more than adequately offer me time for both.  I have my laptop bag filled with my computer, work notebook and all the files and supplies that I need for our trip.  And then I have the "fun bag" - a small leather tote filled with some essentials for the long flights on the horizon.

 It's a tidy tote that works for daytime meetings and is a good purse for out to dinner in the evenings.  I like to stuff it with all sorts of fun things to keep me happy for these long journeys.

1. Glasses - I always wear them instead of my contacts because my eyes get so dry, but I always pack my contacts as well for when I get off the flight.

2. Snacks!  Peanut butter crackers are an old stand by.

3. Pashmina/scarf - doubles as a blanket...you never know when those icky blue ones were last washed on the plane.

4. DVDs...your own are better than the Hannah Montana movie they're showing on the flight.

5. Kindle - endless reading material.

6. Sudoku - quick entertainment for shorter layovers and when you're out of movies, books and work to do.

7. Another snack...homemade trail mix.  Mine is a mixture of almonds, peanuts, dried cherries, dried cranberries and a handful of white and dark chocolate chips.

8. My fav make-up bag stocked with tissues, toothbrush, vitamins and painkillers.

9. Quart-sized ziploc with toiletries- I pack my contacts and solution, deodorant, toothpaste, lipstick/gloss, facial moisturizer, hand sanitizer and tide to go pen.

10. Sunglasses...so you cover up those bags, er I mean look stylish from the moment you step off the plane.

Related posts: On the road again, Hotel sweet hotel, Now departing gate 1.

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Monday Meals: One pot chicken "stew"

I have been working on incorporating more protein in my diet since I started running.  I feel like I have a lot more energy and I don't get hungry as often...everybody wins!  This recipe evolved out of using some ingredients hanging around in the fridge and was surprisingly tasty!

One pot chicken "stew"

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into 1-2 inch pieces
• 3-4 slices bacon, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1-2 C assorted veggies - I used bell peppers, corn and onion.  Broccoli, green beans, spinach and peas would also be great.
• 1/2-1 C white wine
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp parsley
• 1/2 tsp thyme

1. In large soup pot, cook bacon over med-high heat, until cooked through.  Remove from pan and place on a plate, lined with a paper towel.
2. Add the chicken and cook 4-5 minutes or until no longer pink.
3. Add onions and veggies and cook for about 2-3 minutes.  Add wine and cook another 3-4 minutes.
4. Add vinegar and seasonings.  Taste and continue to season, if desired.  Let simmer a few minutes so the flavors combine.

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Running on empty

Saturday was a big day for me as it was a big milestone as I get closer to one of my thirty before thirty goals - the half marathon.  Saturday was my first 10 mile run.  It was a big deal in my mind - more than double the distance that I've ever run before I started training for the half, but I was ready.  I bought some new pants (aka compression tights) for these chilly winter runs (it was about freezing on Saturday morning with ice still on the roads...brrrr) and got myself a training belt, equipped with two small water bottles to help fight dehydration while away from home.  I even brought my cell phone after a friend recommended that I bring it when I run alone and especially for long distances.  I looked like a real pro and was ready to conquer my longest distance yet...or so I thought.

I am certainly not a runner by birth - I am more of an aquatic species than a land species.  I was a swimmer in high school and college, aptly called  a "wethead" during my college days.  I was comfortable in a speedo in front of hundreds of people; I was used to waking up at ungodly hours to punish my mind and body; I know what it's like to have lycra eat the skin on your neck (we called that a "suit hickey"); and I know the best shampoos for avoiding the green tint in your hair.  I was used to muscle-numbing practices where you swam endless laps only to find you'd barely made your interval and had exactly 2 seconds of rest before your next set.  It was brutal, but it was my way of life.  I think at one point, I swam 11 miles in one day during one particular hell week (the grueling training period between Christmas and New Years - a tradition for my year-'round team while I was in high school).  Yes, that's right - 11 miles.  That's 17,600 yards and 704 laps for those interested in the computation.  Brutal.  Insane.  Ouch.  Those are the words that come to mind. 

While I could, at one time (very far in the rear view mirror) swim 10+ miles, I found myself doubting my physical capacity around mile 2 of my run on Saturday.  If I was in the pool, I would have been more stable; my capabilities were tested and verified week after week.  But out on the open road, not so much.  I longed to turn around and just go home and try again on Sunday.  I wanted to walk the entire 10 miles.  Every 10 seconds, I was negotiating with myself.  It was terrible.  After about 3.5 miles, I flipped thru my shuffle to find a great song to psych myself up.  I found one - Check it out by will.i.am and Nicki Minaj.  I cranked up the volume and tried to lose myself in a good jam.  No matter how many things I thought about - my upcoming work trip, the actual race, my dear friend J who just ran a full marathon in Philly, this blog post, the snack I would eat post-run, rugs I liked for my living room (ahem, another post) - I couldn't lose myself in the rhythm of my stride or a song.  I think a few times I yelled at myself (yes, out loud) to try to find a rhythm or find some inspiration to meld mind and body.  No dice.  Around mile 5, I hit a decent stride for a mile or two.  Once I spotted the 7-11 that marks the turn to the homestretch, I practically sprinted the last 2 miles, somehow trying to make up for my lackluster start.  But who am I kidding, I was trying to finish in a respectable time and not look like a sluggish fool while I jogged down the main road that takes me home.  The entire hour and 40 minutes was a struggle. 

Above all else, it was a mental challenge and I was prepared for a physical challenge on this particular Saturday.  I even had the pricey gear to prove it.  I found myself wondering what the heck I was doing, questioning my physical and mental ardor for this race and vehemently conceding that I was no runner.



Sweaty, red-faced, aching and relieved.
Mmm Gatorade...



Even back at home, I was still beating myself up.  I'm not used to fighting my psyche for that long.  But after I stretched and took a 40 minute (no kidding) steaming hot shower, I felt a bit more limber and was able to reflect a bit more positively on the run.  While it didn't feel like it, I triumphed.  I beat myself at my own silly mind games.  It was an ugly battle, but I know I can do it.

I'll try the 10 miler again this Saturday, hopefully with a bit more ease on both the mental and physical front.  As my swim coach, Mike, used to remind us frequently, that which does not kill you, makes you stronger (he was a big Nietzsche fan...probably fan of the Evil Empire too, given the torture we endured in the pool).  While I hope to whittle my waistline and get in great shape in this process, I think deep down that my mind will be the stronger part of me in the end.

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Rug Shopping

I am a bad home shopper.  It takes me months and months to pick something.  I tend to generally be a picky shopper when it comes to spending lots of money, which is definitely a good quality.  But I often find myself frozen with indecision when it comes to home shopping.  It took me about 6 months to finally select the couch for our den.  And I'm facing the same indecision about a rug for our living room as part of our redecorating project.  I have some ideas and inspiration, but they're all over the map. 

Clockwise from top left: Red and Gold Wool Rug from Overstock; Bird Floral Rug from Pottery Barn; Martha Stewart Faux Bois Rug from Home Decorators; Beige Wool Rug from Overstock

I've learned a few things about selecting a rug.
1. Size Matters - Before you can start shopping, you really need to know precisely what sizes will work in the room.  I used a good tape measure and some painters tape to mark the corners of various sizes, which was helpful to visually show the size.

2. Know your floor color - I learned quickly after hitting a few rug and furniture store that the floor color matters more than I anticipated.  With a light colored floor, you are supposed to go darker in rug color and with a dark floor, the opposite.  Since our floors are a medium wood, we can go either way.  Who knew?

3. Know your style - While my ideas seem all over the map, they're all pretty traditional.  I know that I don't want a Jackson Pollack inspired paint splatter rug in bright colors.  Alternatively, I know I don't want a black-background oriental.  I have a general idea of colors and styles that will work with our taste and furniture. 

4. Take note of the material - I was amazed to learn that a lot of rugs are made with polypropylene, which is used to make plastic.  Who wants a plastic rug?  It doesn't sound cozy, nor does it sound like the sort of material that I want to cover our floor.  If you bargain shop, you can find some great deals on wool or other natural rugs.

5. Take your time - I went braindead after 3 stores on a Saturday afternoon.  It's exhausting to look at hundreds of rugs.  And more than exhausting, they start to blend together.  I can only imagine how the hubs felt...

I'm leaning towards one of the above and am eagerly looking forward to finishing our living room and will most certainly share the before and after photos.  Have you had trouble buying rugs?
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Citrus juice tip

Did you know...

If you're looking to juice a lemon or a lime, roll it on your counter under your hands, applying some light pressure.  It will help loosen up the pulp so it will juice more easily. 

*Photo courtesy of recipe tips.
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Home Office how to

The home office is an art form.  It can be challenging to motivate yourself to work among your comfy bed, TV, constant household chores and the kitchen.  And being that I work from home (and happily touted our home office makeover last winter here, here and here) from time to time, I thought I would offer my best advice on creating a comfortable, yet productive space.  I also solicited input from a few friends and co-workers who work remotely consistently and found some key themes from each of them.  The home office must meet the needs for anyone intending to conduct business there.  It must be a space where you can shut off the rest of the house, i.e. probably shouldn't be a lap desk in bed or a mini desk in your kitchen.  It must have adequate work space and be a place where you can be productive.

1. The basics.  You'll no doubt, need basic office supplies including the following:

• Pens and pencils
• Paper - notepads, sticky notes, printer paper
• Stapler and staples
• Paper clips
• File folders

2. Stay connected.  Computer, phone, printer and fax machine (if this is how you roll) are essentials.  A land line is nice for conference calls or other phone calls...hey, I like having one when I need to call a utility company and am on hold endlessly.

3. Work space.  Make sure you have some open space for any writing or paperwork you may have to do.  I try to keep at least 1/2 of our corner desk available for work space, whether it's jotting notes in my to-do list or commenting on a hard copy of a document. 

4. Creativity is cool.  Another aspect of a home office that can be helpful, particularly if you're in a visually-oriented field is the idea board, which is basically a beautified bulletin board that can hold any ideas, photos or other items that help complete a thought or project.  In my field, I could happily make use of an idea board with some of our graphics, flow charts and the like.

5. Chair.  No one wants to sit in an uncomfortable chair all day long.  Find one that works for you with an adjustable seat height and recline feature.  Your local office supply store and many furniture stores carry office chairs with lots of adjustments to ensure a good fit.  And you can always add a nice temperpedic cushion to help cushion your bum.

6. Lighting.  Nothing makes a work space more challenging than dim or poor lighting.  An overhead light may not work while you're bent over your desk, hard at work.  I have both a desk lamp and a standing, floor lamp in addition to our ceiling light.  But whatever you pick for lighting, I try to stay away from fluorescent and the energy efficient (don't hate me) bulbs because the light is so bright - they remind me of scarily white lights from an alien space ship or something like that.  Ok, I'm reaching, but I much prefer softer light.

7. Creature comforts.  A mouse pad with a photo of your cat, a soft candle or a pink gel pen might not be office essentials, but if they make you happy and make you more enthusiastic to do your job or finish any lingering paperwork, go ahead with your bad self!

  

*Photos from Martha Stewart.
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Monday Meals - quick and easy

Isn't it enough to go back to work after a week and a half off, let alone cook dinner?  I mean, I love being a modern housewife and all, but really I have to cook dinner too?!  The first day back at work is always a long day and I'm trying to avoid the inevitable plop-on-the-sofa-and-not-move scenario when I get home today.  So, I did a little bit of advance planning and put together a very simple dinner.

I'm working hard at better meal planning during the week so as to avoid copious amounts of take-out and the sometimes inevitable grouchy-pants dinner hour where I'm rushing around trying to put together a meal planned at the 11th hour.  That means I'll be using my trusty white board in the kitchen to pen some ideas over the weekend.  And while I'm sometimes motivated to try something elaborate and wow the hubs on a weeknight, I'll start off the new year simply. 

Quick and easy pesto shrimp
* 14-18 medium, frozen peel and eat shrimp, thawed and peeled
* 2 Tbsp prepared pesto
* 1 Tbsp white wine
* Cooking spray

Heat skillet over medium-high heat.  Spray with cooking spray.  Add the shrimp and wine and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and no longer opaque.

Serve over pasta or rice.  Add some bagged salad with a vinaigrette and a glass of crisp, white wine and you've got yourself a meal!
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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year dear friends!  I hope 2010 brings you only the best things in life - laughter, love and good fortune!

I am eagerly looking forward to a new year and instead of resolutions am working on a few themes for myself.  It may be cheesy, but I think some mental and emotional improvement is on the horizon this year.  I'm thinking about forgiveness, unconditional love, patience and charity.  These may be the sort of pie-in-the-sky cheesy ideas that we all think about every so often, but I'm going to make a concerted effort to improve, acknowledge and ponder each and what it means in my life every day.  So, here's to the best year yet!  I am after all, turning the dreaded 3-0 this year and I'm going to focus on life and keeping up with my thirty before thirty list. 

Planner from LilyJaneStationary on etsy.
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