Random

1.  By 10 A.M. this morning, I had baked 2 batches of bread and 1 batch of muffins.  I was totally impressed with myself.  It brought to mind the time when the Bionic Man and I loaded up with flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and baking powder at Sam’s Club, and the clerk asked if we owned a bakery.  Why yes, yes, I think I do.  

2.  Also by 10 A.M. this morning, my kitchen was a Disaster.  Note, that it is “Disaster” with a capital D.  Naturally, that is why I have escaped to my office to do some writing.  Because it is one thing to bake, and yet another thing to clean up after baking.  Where’s my sous chef?!?!?! [Read more...]

The Things We Do for “Fun”

The Bionic Man and I have a rule that our children need to do some kind of activity on a regular basis that will keep their bodies moving.  Our goal is not to produce Olympians, it is simply to give them the opportunity to find activities they will enjoy that will help them stay healthy.

Fall means cross country season for Endeavor.

This is her second year as part of her middle school’s cross country team.  Last year, when she started, it took her 23 minutes the first time she ran the 3K course.  This year, she can do it in less than 14 minutes.  Running has helped Endeavor to deal with stress.  She’s learned that she feels better after she runs, even when she’s had a hard day at school.  Running has also taught Endeavor to eat.  She has learned to recognize the connection between her body and it’s need for healthy food to power it up.  She’s ravenous after she runs, and I’ll tell you:  for the mom of what used to be three very picky, sporadic eaters, it’s good to be down to two.  (Her grandmas will be interested to note that Endeavor still won’t eat cereal with milk, though.) [Read more...]

New Running Shoes

As I mentioned yesterday, scoring a great deal on some new running shoes was the highlight of my Labor Day.  (Fair warning: this is going to be a wordy post, so if you have zero interest in shoes for running or walking, then feel free to skip this one completely and read about one of my favorite meals.)

I’ve bought more pairs of running shoes in the past 10 years than I have bought pairs of cute high heels.  While that is not exactly reflected in my physique (ahem), I have learned a few things along the way about how to find the best deals on shoes for fitness, and why it’s important to spend more money on those shoes than any others.

Here are the shoes that Bionic Man, Endeavor, and I were wearing for running (Bionic Man and Endeavor) and jogging/walking with Hunter the Dog (me) prior to Labor Day.

Not bad, eh?  Still look like they’ve got some wear in them, right?  And they do, for things like mowing the lawn.  Not for exercising–especially running or walking for fitness. [Read more...]