For some time now I've been hearing about a nearby Rails-to-Trails project. It's where a no-longer-functional railway is converted to a trail for public use. Yesterday evening (ahem...after my 2nd brownie) I decided that despite the 100+ degrees, it was time to finally check out the trail. It was now or never. I threw the baby jogger in the back of the car and Olivia and I set off for our adventure.
Arriving in the parking lot, I noticed only one other vehicle in the area with the driver side door open and no one around. I didn't see any car burglars so went ahead and parked. Just as we started down the trail I saw a large man, strangely resembling Mr. Clean, emerge from the bathrooms and head to the car. I was hoping the man was done exercising because he looked like the kind that lifts weights in his sleep. Yikes!
What was supposed to be a fun, exploratory walk/jog/exercise jiggle turned into my being more consumed with our safety than enjoying the new route. I obviously wasn't too concerned, or else I'd never have parked the car in the first place. Despite this fact, I still kept an eye out for anyone, anything that might be near us. Since becoming a Mom, my mind goes crazy running scenarios of what could happen in even the strangest circumstances. I almost wish I were my old level of not-quite-oblivious so that I could enjoy things a bit more. However, its probably better this way; my planning MacGuyver rolls, being ready at a moment's notice to run a million miles an hour to safety, and mentally walking myself through self defense moves that would put Chuck Norris to shame. Don't you mess with a Mama Bear.
Anyway...the remoteness of the wooded trail only served to intensify my wandering mind and up the ante on my adrenaline. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Mr. Clean coming up on us at a jog. I decided it would be a great time to call a few friends and family...you know, just to say hello. He passed us, jogging like a Neanderthal with granite muscles and sweat flying everywhere, me on the phone, mace in hand, pushing the jogger at a brisk pace and trying to look as mean as possible. **GRRR** He muttered a hello as he clomped by and I soon felt safer watching him jog into the distance ahead of us. About 1.5 in, I decided it was time to turn around. I felt safer thinking we would be going the opposite direction of Mr. Clean, and didn't want to overdo it on our first-in-a-while exercise jiggle...urr, adventure.
On our way back I got a little more freaked out than I should have. You know how your mind can play tricks on you? Well, mine decided to graduate to a full blown insanity. I began calculating the pace of the previously passing brute's and comparing it to that of my own, determining that if I kept up a certain pace, I'd make it back to the trailhead before anyone else could. The wind picked up and made the trees surrounding the trail rustle, their shadows making me certain that it was a perfect place for the headless horseman from Sleepy Hollow to emerge at any given moment. Old railroad timbers stacked near the trail made a perfect scenario for a crazed woodsman to be nearby, but I decided to rule that out.
I suppose my mind games became a strange motivation for me to jog harder than I normally would have. I'd been told the trail was pretty well traveled, was jogging along at a pretty good clip, with my child looking on as if she ruled the wood, and above all, knew that God was in control of every detail of our jaunt.
Toward the end of our adventure, once I'd calmed down, I noticed what a GREAT place those previously creepy trees would make for a family photo shoot, wondered what history the railroad timbers held of the people traveling back and forth between the two towns, and even began to feel a bit more motivated to return for future exercise. Despite the intense heat and my sluggishness from not having moved like that in a while, we were having fun.
Finally returning to the area where the car was parked, we be briefly visited with a nice man about to take off on a bike ride. He said his truck temperature gauge had just registered at 100 degrees, so exercising at that time was not for the faint of heart! I breathed a sigh as the nice man began his own journey down the trail, realized we'd survived my wild imaginings, and determined we'd be back again for a more enjoyable, calmer adventure. Maybe next time we can talk a friend into going with us!
August 30, 2011
August 29, 2011
Jenna's Absolutely Delicious, Yummy-Scrumptious Soft Tacos
Recently, I've been conjuring some easy-to-make meals that require little cooking time. I threw one together just last week and it was such a hit that I made it again for dinner tonight. The hubby and I devoured it, so I feel compelled to share the love.
Jenna's Absolutely Delicious, Yummy-Scrumptious Soft Tacos
Ingredients:
Corn Tortillas
Sour Cream/Plain Yogurt
1/2 head of Cilantro
1 can of chicken
1 can black beans
1 sm. white onion
4 jalepenos
2 T. coconut oil (un-coconuty flavored)
Lime slices
Preheat a skillet with the coconut oil. Slice the jalepenos and onions and saute' in the pan. Drain the juice off the canned chicken (you can reserve the juice for another recipe), slightly crumble and add to the sauteed veggies. Thoroughly rinse black beans then add them into the mix. Sprinkle with the fajita spice, stir together and heat through. Serve this in warmed corn tortillas with sour cream (or plain yogurt - it was delicious!) and top with chopped cilantro. Spritz with a lime wedge and prepare for your taste buds to sing with gratitude!
I might add that this meal goes really well when paired with a glass of white Moscato wine. Especially after a long day of errands. And enduring the summer heat. And listening to a whiny baby. ;)
Jenna's Absolutely Delicious, Yummy-Scrumptious Soft Tacos
Ingredients:
Corn Tortillas
Sour Cream/Plain Yogurt
1/2 head of Cilantro
1 can of chicken
1 can black beans
1 sm. white onion
4 jalepenos
2 T. coconut oil (un-coconuty flavored)
Lime slices
Preheat a skillet with the coconut oil. Slice the jalepenos and onions and saute' in the pan. Drain the juice off the canned chicken (you can reserve the juice for another recipe), slightly crumble and add to the sauteed veggies. Thoroughly rinse black beans then add them into the mix. Sprinkle with the fajita spice, stir together and heat through. Serve this in warmed corn tortillas with sour cream (or plain yogurt - it was delicious!) and top with chopped cilantro. Spritz with a lime wedge and prepare for your taste buds to sing with gratitude!
I might add that this meal goes really well when paired with a glass of white Moscato wine. Especially after a long day of errands. And enduring the summer heat. And listening to a whiny baby. ;)
August 22, 2011
Peaches!
The other day I decided to stop by our local Farmer's Market. I hadn't been in for a good while because while it's a great sized market, many of their products are not local. (sigh) Despite this, I stopped by to poke around. Much to my delight, they had a large box of peaches labeled "Seconds" they were selling for 60 cents a pound!!! Seconds are typically the imperfect or slightly bruised fruit or veggies that aren't as likely to sell. Not having a perfect-peach-prejudice, I quickly began picking through and before I knew it, I was toting home a 14 pound box of peaches!
Since I refused to buy peaches during our town's peach festival earlier this summer for ONE DOLLAR A PEACH(oh my!), I was a tad over excited and possibly had a slight case of my eyes being bigger than my stomach. I laid the baby down for a nap and promptly gave the peaches a nice cold bath in the sink. Then I laid them out on the counter...and kept laying them out on the counter...until they covered the majority of the surface of the kitchen counter top. All being perfectly ripe and delicious, I knew I had to act fast before any of them started to turn.
Many years ago, one of my Mom's friends, "Auntie Jan", was known for her spiced peach preserves. I remember the first time I tasted her preserves on a warm buttery biscuit...it was the very essence of fall itself. It's the kind of thing that makes you want to slip into your comfy jeans, turn on some moody piano solos and sit down to write in your journal as the weather turns cooler. It was just that good.
With so many peaches before me and realizing I'd once again forgotten to quiz my husband ("On a scale of 1 to 10...how much to you like peaches?"), the only proper destiny for those delectable fruits was to make some of Auntie Jan's peach preserves!
I ran to our local Gibson's, which I've been informed was the precursor to Wally World, picked up some Sure-Jell, a box of quilted jelly jars and headed home to get to work. Though unable to be very involved in the process, Olivia should be credited with helping as she happily played in her baby gym whilst I prepped the peaches. I do have to admit...the recipe called for 10 cups, which I determined to be about 13 peaches, but by the time I was done slicing everything I had nibbled enough to require 14. ;) How could I not when they were so ripe, and juicy, and beautiful?!
Working in between baby feeding and her naps, making my own batch of preserves took a good portion of the day to complete, but by the time my hubby got home, I had several pints of spiced peach preserves to show him. I also got my answer...he does like peaches. ;) *phew*
Since I refused to buy peaches during our town's peach festival earlier this summer for ONE DOLLAR A PEACH(oh my!), I was a tad over excited and possibly had a slight case of my eyes being bigger than my stomach. I laid the baby down for a nap and promptly gave the peaches a nice cold bath in the sink. Then I laid them out on the counter...and kept laying them out on the counter...until they covered the majority of the surface of the kitchen counter top. All being perfectly ripe and delicious, I knew I had to act fast before any of them started to turn.
Many years ago, one of my Mom's friends, "Auntie Jan", was known for her spiced peach preserves. I remember the first time I tasted her preserves on a warm buttery biscuit...it was the very essence of fall itself. It's the kind of thing that makes you want to slip into your comfy jeans, turn on some moody piano solos and sit down to write in your journal as the weather turns cooler. It was just that good.
With so many peaches before me and realizing I'd once again forgotten to quiz my husband ("On a scale of 1 to 10...how much to you like peaches?"), the only proper destiny for those delectable fruits was to make some of Auntie Jan's peach preserves!
I ran to our local Gibson's, which I've been informed was the precursor to Wally World, picked up some Sure-Jell, a box of quilted jelly jars and headed home to get to work. Though unable to be very involved in the process, Olivia should be credited with helping as she happily played in her baby gym whilst I prepped the peaches. I do have to admit...the recipe called for 10 cups, which I determined to be about 13 peaches, but by the time I was done slicing everything I had nibbled enough to require 14. ;) How could I not when they were so ripe, and juicy, and beautiful?!
Working in between baby feeding and her naps, making my own batch of preserves took a good portion of the day to complete, but by the time my hubby got home, I had several pints of spiced peach preserves to show him. I also got my answer...he does like peaches. ;) *phew*
August 16, 2011
Mummy Tummy
It's been 3 months since I no longer had to peek over my enormous belly to see my toes. Even though losing a good deal of the baby weight hasn't been too horrific of a process, my tummy is still recovering from hauling around such a large package. It's also been screaming from carrying said package on the outside of my tummy!
At the beginning of my pregnancy, my dear friend Sarah recommended to me a book by Julie Tupler called "Lose Your Mummy Tummy". I'd forgotten about it until just a few weeks ago. If I recall, it came to me as I was lying on the bed attempting to try on a pre-baby swinsuit. :-p After a fruitless search at our library, I defaulted to dear-ole Amazon. Swinging through the search box I found the book and anxiously awaited it's arrival.
In-between baby's naps, I discovered that anybody can have a "Mummy Tummy". Think beer-bellies, the belly and muffin-topped, overweight, the young and old alike...not just Moms with pregnancy stretched stomach muscles. The buldge is a problem called diastasis which is caused by the separation of the outer abdominal muscles. A look into how our bodies work, reveals that typical crunches, sit ups and criss-cross exercises will exacerbate the diastasis instead of helping to correct it.
The good news is that with simple, specific movements, the problem is not permanent and can alleviate not just tummy troubles but lower back pain as well. This helps not just recovering Moms, but anyone with a flabby stomach and back issues. Since our muscles help to support each other, it only makes sense that if you strengthen the front, the back with be better supported in the process.
I know I'm putting myself out there for scrutiny by writing a review on a no-more-flabby-stomach book, but as I've been working at it and slowing seeing and feeling results, I had to share. I've been reminded and better educated on how to make the most of my daily activities to regain strength in my core. In doing so, I'm a healthier, and as my clothes fit around the waist, happier, wife and Mommy. I highly recommend this book, and at some point in the future I'd also like to read Julie Tupler's book called "Maternal Fitness". Maybe it'll be in the our library system by then...
At the beginning of my pregnancy, my dear friend Sarah recommended to me a book by Julie Tupler called "Lose Your Mummy Tummy". I'd forgotten about it until just a few weeks ago. If I recall, it came to me as I was lying on the bed attempting to try on a pre-baby swinsuit. :-p After a fruitless search at our library, I defaulted to dear-ole Amazon. Swinging through the search box I found the book and anxiously awaited it's arrival.
In-between baby's naps, I discovered that anybody can have a "Mummy Tummy". Think beer-bellies, the belly and muffin-topped, overweight, the young and old alike...not just Moms with pregnancy stretched stomach muscles. The buldge is a problem called diastasis which is caused by the separation of the outer abdominal muscles. A look into how our bodies work, reveals that typical crunches, sit ups and criss-cross exercises will exacerbate the diastasis instead of helping to correct it.
The good news is that with simple, specific movements, the problem is not permanent and can alleviate not just tummy troubles but lower back pain as well. This helps not just recovering Moms, but anyone with a flabby stomach and back issues. Since our muscles help to support each other, it only makes sense that if you strengthen the front, the back with be better supported in the process.
I know I'm putting myself out there for scrutiny by writing a review on a no-more-flabby-stomach book, but as I've been working at it and slowing seeing and feeling results, I had to share. I've been reminded and better educated on how to make the most of my daily activities to regain strength in my core. In doing so, I'm a healthier, and as my clothes fit around the waist, happier, wife and Mommy. I highly recommend this book, and at some point in the future I'd also like to read Julie Tupler's book called "Maternal Fitness". Maybe it'll be in the our library system by then...
August 8, 2011
Baby Wearing
Before Olivia was born I found an adorable pink and brown baby sling at a garage sale. It was a trendy brand I'd seen online so I was delighted to pay $4 for it. At 8 months pregnant I tried it on and even put a stuffed animal in it to get an idea of how my baby would fit. Now that our "honey-badger" (as Andrew has dubbed her) is here, my hands have been quite full. It's been really nice when I need to run errands, to just slip her in the sling before going into a store so I have both of my hands free.
I learned early on that taking her anywhere (especially to the grocery store) in her car seat was a bad idea. For some reason, complete strangers feel compelled to not just admire your baby at a distance, but to reach in and touch her face and hands! THIS kind of behavior for a new germophobic Mom is completely unsettling. Goodness knows where other people's hands have been...and they're touching my baby! **shiver**
After that particular experience, I whipped out the sling, and the funny this was that people weren't nearly as apt to touch my bundle.
My theory is this:
People love and want to touch babies.
People know better than to touch other people.
Therefore, if you wear your baby and keep her in your personal bubble space, people know better than to touch her.
Over the last three month, my theory has proved correct and my baby wearing has continued. Not only has the sling been great to protect the sweet pea from stranger's germs, but also because she loves being close to me and it keeps her quiet. Let me tell you now: Happy, quiet babies make errands pleasantly possible.
With Olivia in the sling, I thought my worries were over. I could easily run around town getting my errands done in safety and comfort. The only thing I hadn't accounted for was that in this one horse town, baby wearing draws a LOT of attention. It's almost like I've grown a third arm or something. I'll see someone pointing/looking in my general direction and whisper to their friend "She's got a baby in there." One guy startled at the check out counter when she saw the munchkin's face peek out and exclaimed "Oh wow, I thought that was a purse!" New Moms will stop me and ask if I like the sling and ask where they can get one. Others will walk straight up to me and ask for a peek and admire. The most interesting has got to be the passers-by who will walk past, see I'm carrying my girl, smile and aren't quite sure what to say. We end up smiling and nodding at each other as if to silently communicate: "Oh, you're carrying your baby. How cute." "Yes. I am. Thank you."
I highly recommend baby wearing for numerous reasons, but warn if you do and happen to be in our town, just plan to spend a little extra time in the grocery store smiling and nodding.
I learned early on that taking her anywhere (especially to the grocery store) in her car seat was a bad idea. For some reason, complete strangers feel compelled to not just admire your baby at a distance, but to reach in and touch her face and hands! THIS kind of behavior for a new germophobic Mom is completely unsettling. Goodness knows where other people's hands have been...and they're touching my baby! **shiver**
After that particular experience, I whipped out the sling, and the funny this was that people weren't nearly as apt to touch my bundle.
My theory is this:
People love and want to touch babies.
People know better than to touch other people.
Therefore, if you wear your baby and keep her in your personal bubble space, people know better than to touch her.
Over the last three month, my theory has proved correct and my baby wearing has continued. Not only has the sling been great to protect the sweet pea from stranger's germs, but also because she loves being close to me and it keeps her quiet. Let me tell you now: Happy, quiet babies make errands pleasantly possible.
With Olivia in the sling, I thought my worries were over. I could easily run around town getting my errands done in safety and comfort. The only thing I hadn't accounted for was that in this one horse town, baby wearing draws a LOT of attention. It's almost like I've grown a third arm or something. I'll see someone pointing/looking in my general direction and whisper to their friend "She's got a baby in there." One guy startled at the check out counter when she saw the munchkin's face peek out and exclaimed "Oh wow, I thought that was a purse!" New Moms will stop me and ask if I like the sling and ask where they can get one. Others will walk straight up to me and ask for a peek and admire. The most interesting has got to be the passers-by who will walk past, see I'm carrying my girl, smile and aren't quite sure what to say. We end up smiling and nodding at each other as if to silently communicate: "Oh, you're carrying your baby. How cute." "Yes. I am. Thank you."
I highly recommend baby wearing for numerous reasons, but warn if you do and happen to be in our town, just plan to spend a little extra time in the grocery store smiling and nodding.
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