This past weekend we decided to take a day off from going to church and spend the day out in nature. We have both been so busy with work, church and other functions that it was time for a relaxing break! So we drove to Hocking Hills, which is a state park here in Ohio and met up with David's mom, dad, and grandma for the day! The dogs, of course, come along too!
We spent most of the day at Ash Cave, which was very popular on Saturday! There were 3 weddings while we were there. It is a half a mile paved trail back to the caves, so I guess it makes for a good wedding site for the avid outdoors people!
This weekend was considered the peek weekend for fall colors, so there were a lot of pretty yellows, oranges, and reds mixed in with the green or already brown.
After a hike and picnic we took a drive over to another state park that we hadn't been to before. There was a very pretty lake, which the dogs enjoyed!
Caspian is the swimmer of the three, so he wasted no time in finding sticks for David to throw out into the lake.
Denali decided to get her feet wet a little bit, but not too much! :)
Cody decided that the "all in" approach worked well and just laid in the water!
Caspian again with the back-drop of the beautiful colors!
Overall, it was a very beautiful and relaxing day away!
Since I am sitting here looking at names, I ran across our dogs names. I thought it would be fun to list them and what they mean. So here it goes...
Denali - Great One Caspian - Of the Caspy People (Prince Caspian from Narnia is much better :P). Cody - Descendant of Oda (okay, a little weird). Jadis - Thank goodness that one wasn't listed on the baby site. Don't think or hope a parent would want to name their kid after the White Witch in Narnia. lol
A new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research finds that people who spend more time on the computer have a higher risk of obesity, even among those exercising “enough” during the week. Three categories of internet time were set: none, low (less than 3 hours per week), and high (more than 3 hours per week). People falling in the highest levels of computer use (more than 3 hours per week) were 1.5x more likely to be overweight and 2.5x more likely to be obese when compared to people who don’t use the computer at all [1].
Advice? Aim for 250.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends people spend 150 minutes per week exercising and 250 minutes per week if they want to lose weight [1].
Really? 3 hours a week is a lot? No wonder I want to lose weight! ;)
And for us dog lovers, some wonderful news!
The average dog owner gets more exercise walking their pets than someone with a gym membership. The average dog owner exercises their pet 2x a day for 24 minutes each time – 5 hours and 38 minutes a week. In addition, the average dog owner takes their pet on three long walks a week, adding on another 2 hours and 33 minutes of activity [2].
Those without dogs spend a mere 80 minutes per week at the gym or heading out for a jog. However, 47% of non-pet owners admit they do absolutely NO exercise [2].
And who’s happier? A whopping 86% of dog owners reported enjoying the time they spend walking their dogs while a mere 16% reported enjoying their time spent at the gym [2].
I almost wish I owned a more athletic breed of dog. Lily is athletic for a bulldog, but that isn't saying much...
And last night (after boot camp, no less!) I met a fellow bloggie for a beer (go check her out, her blog is pretty awesome!). And we have a freakish amount in common...
- both named "Nicole"
- she is from Tulsa, I am living in Tulsa
- both RD's!
- both have important people in our life named "Rob/Robbie"
- both 24
Crazy, huh?! It was great to talk and network with another RD! Thanks for meeting with me, Nicole!! Safe travels back to Cali!
Questions:
Have you ever met a "blog friend" IRL (in real life)? Maybe at FNCE or somewhere similar?
If you are a pet owner, how many times a week would you say you walk your dog?
How many hours a week, realistically, do you spend online blogging/Facebooking/emailing friends, etc. (non-work related, basically)?
I would have to say I spend at least 9 hours a week online/blogging/emailing/Facebooking in a week -- most of which takes place on the weekends. Eek!
And we walk Lily about 5 times a week for 20 minutes a pop...failing on that one, too!
[1]. Main, Emily. Overweight? Blame the Internet. MSNBC. November 29, 2009.
[2]. Average dog owner ‘gets more exercise than gym-goers’. Telegraph. November 27, 2009.
I have officially fried twice in my LIFE. Yesterday, husband and I fried up (in canola oil) a plantain, sprinkled with ground sea salt. Yummm! Husband wasn't expecting to enjoy plantains, but he gives them a thumbs up! Surprise, surprise!
Looks like one huge, bruised banana..but not the same!!
My second attempt at frying was a success compared to my falafel several weeks back. Though, frying will obviously never be something REMOTELY "regular" in this household!
Fried Plantains -- very popular Puerto Rican food
And like many others out there, we have officially decked out the crib for the season encroaching! We purchased a fake tree at Hobby Lobby last year AFTER Christmas (hello, 75% off sales!!). Mark also won the ornament battle -- we have a tree decorated in orange and blue. Yes, Go Illini!
That THING to the left of our tree is a University of Illinois "Sky Box" (AKA vending machine). *eye roll*...when will my house NOT look like a bachelor pad?
Husband and Lily.
We put the tree in our third bedroom because Lily loves to eat anything and everything she's not supposed to. Next year, I look forward to having the tree in the living room where I can enjoy it every night. I do have a mini tree in the kitchen, though...
Last night we tried PUMPKIN PANCAKES! Allison emailed me this recipe for the Newman's Own Organics Giveaway and her winning entry was the recipe. Thank you, Allison...and keep an eye out for that package, it went out today!
Um, YUMMMMMMMMMMM
A dollop of FF Cool Whip and a sprinkle of cinnamon..nom nom nom!!!
Pumpkin Pancakes
From Allison
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup oats
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1 cup pumpkin
In a mixing bowl, stir together dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine eggs, vanilla, milk, water, and pumpkin. Add liquid to dry ingredients. Stir mixture until well blended.
Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake onto griddle. Cook until golden brown.
I served with fat-free Cool Whip and cinnamon. Husband used maple syrup. Both were delicious!
Questions:
Have you ever tried plantains? How were they prepared? Did you like them?
Do you have a fake Christmas tree or real Christmas tree?
Firstly, I have missed the blog world! My brief 2 1/2 days in Chicago were jam-packed with family, friends, and food. I look forward to catching up my blog-rollers today at some point!
Mom and I did manage to squeeze in a step class yesterday morning. It was supposed to be step + strength, but she decided to kick our butts with an hour of step. It annoyed me to great lengths that the instructor of the class did her helicopters going the opposite way I've learned...so I had trouble keeping up with those because my body knew what it wanted to do already!
And then my luck continued at O'Hare Security...
Background story: In April (I think it was April) heading back to Tulsa from my Bachelorette Party, I forgot about a can of hairspray in my carry-on. My bag got searched and my poor, over-loaded packing skills allowed for "Tickle His Pickle," lingerie, personal lubricants, and all other sex-related personal items given to me by friends, to spew from my suitcase as the older gentleman searched the bag and stander-byes pointed, snickered, and laughed. I tried explaining that it was my Bachelorette Party this weekend and I was heading for home, but I just received an annoyed "whatever, nympho" stink eye. A-w-k-w-a-r-d.
Fast-forward to yesterday when my handbag didn't make it through the scanner. A gentlemen asked me to step to the side, and asked if there was anything in my bag he needed to know about, as he searched my bag. Told me not to touch anything. He pulled out books, iPod, magazines, wallet, sunglasses, gum...the usual. He ran the bag again and again it looked suspicious. In the VERY VERY bottom of my bag was a paring knife I had brought to work to cut up an apple WEEKS ago. So the security guy 1) thought I was lying because I didn't tell him it was in there when he asked (didn't know!!!!), 2) it was shoved to the bottom, and 3) it was wrapped in a paper towel and Ziplock. Thank goodness I don't look like a crazy person? Scarily, that same knife was in my bag coming from Tulsa to Chicago. Hmmm. Anyways, husband was pretty embarrassed.
Thankfully we're driving up for Christmas? :)
While in Chicago, I was able to visit my personal paradise: TRADER JOE'S!!! I don't know what was more exciting, the wine sample guy being from south Tulsa and nearly demanding we try every wine he had, or that I finally found these LARABARS everyone's been raving about! Trader Joe's was a much-needed fix in this RD's heart. Oh, and Chianti...had to get SEVERAL bottles of the various Chianti's TJ's carries...Mmm!
Ends up, these LARABARS are worth the chatter. I tried the "Cherry Pie" bar this morning and it was delicious! These bars are 190-210 calories and loaded with MUFA's and PUFA's...mostly MUFA's! They're like a protein bar in consistency, but the protein content is low-to-moderate -- the bars are high in fat and carbohydrates. The "Cherry Pie" LARABAR contained NO sodium, 350 mg potassium, 4 grams of fiber, and 5 grams of MUFA's. The ingredients? Get ready.....dates, almonds, unsweetened cherries. The bars are gluten, dairy, and soy free and also contain 2 grams of omega-6's. Wish it was omega-3's but nonetheless, thumbs up, LARABAR!!
Lots to try!
Complaint: Size. I wanted more!!
And, of course...Newman's Own Organics GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!!
Allison and Andrea!!
Giveaway 1: The Cookie Monster
Newman's Own Organics Champion Chip Cookies (Chocolate)
Newman's Own Organics Ginger Hermits
Newman's Own Organics 54% cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar
Winner of Giveaway #1: Allison!!!!
(THANK YOU for the pumpkin pancake recipe -- making them tonight!!)
Giveaway 2: The Smorgasborg
Newman's Own Organics White Cheddar Soy Crisps
Newman's Own Organics California Prunes
Newman's Own Organics 54% cocoa Espresso Dark Chocolate Bar
“What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?”-Erma Bombeck
I’m talking to my mom on my way to work this morning, requesting my favorite coffee creamer while she was grocery shopping. Mom just happens to mention, “Well, the store was out of pecan pies, so I got pecan pie cups. Good portion control, right?” Where do I begin with the wrongness of this all.
Pecan pie should be homemade.
Pecan pie cups? Give me a break. No pumpkin PIE is the equivalent of Christmas without a Christmas tree littering gifts beneath it.
I feel so shafted already. Pecan pie is a once-a-year-can’t-live-without-it STAPLE. Holds. Me. Together. All. Year. Treat.
As un-healthy as that little tantrum is, I could’ve verbally berated husband last night after he decided he NEEDED (yes, NEEDED) Buffalo Wild Wings. Let’s not be confused here, I love anything involving wing sauce -- it’s a guilty pleasure. Just look to the right there and you can see that SEVERAL of my “must-try” recipes contain wing sauce. However, BW3’s is 30 minutes away from home and I had a headache and a wonderful, healthy pad Thai dinner planned. But no, husband NEEDED wings. So, off we go at 8:30pm (had to wait til the game was on!), only to arrive and find that both the restaurant and inhaler-requiring bar were filled to capacity and there was a 40-minute wait. On a Tuesday. One would think they were GIVING AWAY $0.40 wings, my goodness! After flashing him a stink face and a blatant, annoyed eye roll, we left BW3’s for a silent 30-minute commute back home.
I am a man. I do NOT want to watch games (football, basketball, or otherwise) that I care about in a bar watching a TV without volume and obnoxious patrons taking away from my viewing experience. Which leads me to the acceptance of a sad truth: I am old. On a Tuesday evening after an 11-hour work day, I want to be a homebody. I want to be in my warm house, in my cuddly clothes, enjoying healthy, homemade food, watching and listening to my sporting pleasure! Last night being Fighting Illini men’s basketball.
Is anyone else a huge homebody, especially once the fall and winter seasons encroach?
My crankiness subsided this morning when I opened my office door to a package from Newman's Owns Organics (not to be confused with Newman's Own). I've heard a lot about Newman's Owns Organics (NOO's) and I was interested in sampling some of their products. Well, let's just say I received an early Christmas gift this year! Check out the loot...
Thank you, Newman's Own Organics!! <3
Food models, mess, lunch (upper right), Zevia (upper left)...and the loot, scattered! My office is atrocious!
An array of cookies...chocolate, Arrowroot, and chocolate chip!
Choooooooocolate! Need I say more? Note: that dark chocolate bar
on the left is opened...I wonder who did that!!
Fat-free AND low-fat Fig Newmans...love the play on words : )
Dried fruit...prunes, apricots, apples, and berry blend. The apples are delicious! They are completely all-natural in taste, not all pumped up with sugar!!
For my afternoon snack, I had 2 original Hermits. Um, DELICIOUS! They are so moist and rich in flavor...love them!! Favorite taste from Newman's Own Organics thus far!!
Mint rolls -- Peppermint, Wintergreen, Ginger, and Hot (not pictured, oops!)
Newman's O's -- Chocolate and Mint!!
There was a 3rd bag, but one of my patient's ate them. Thumbs up! Especially excited about the protein pretzels!
Soy crisps! Can't wait to try!
Hot, Wintergreen, Ginger (yum!), and peppermint mints. The ginger ones are delicious!!!
And Newman's Own Organics even sent something for the puppy -- dog treats! Lily gives the salmon and sweet potato treats a high-five (and my dog gives high-5's, no joke!)
And since 'tis the season to be giving...a GIVEAWAY for you all! And because that box weighs about 25 pounds!!! THANK YOU, NEWMAN'S OWN ORGANICS!!!
NEWMAN'S OWNS ORGANICS GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!
There will be 2 winners as there's plenty of goodies to go around...
Giveaway 1: The Cookie Monster
Newman's Own Organics Champion Chip Cookies (Chocolate)
Newman's Own Organics Ginger Hermits
Newman's Own Organics 54% cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar
Giveaway 2: The Smorgasbord
Newman's Own Organics White Cheddar Soy Crisps
Newman's Own Organics California Prunes
Newman's Own Organics 54% cocoa Espresso Dark Chocolate Bar
How to enter? Lots of ways!
Enter up to 4 times by doing one, two, three...or all of the following:
1. Post a comment with your giveaway selection preference below (1 or 2, see above)
2. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with a link back to your tweet, or follow me @PreventionRD
3. If you're a blogger, post about this Newman's Own Organics Giveaway with a link back to this post on your blog. Leave a comment below containing your blog/post link!
4. Email me a favorite, healthy recipe at Mrs.RD44@gmail.com
Entries will be taken through Sunday, November 29th at 12pm (Central Time) and the winners will be announced on my Sunday blog post!
Sampled thus far: 70% cocoa organic chocolate bar (super yum!) and organic dried apples. Mmm!
A patient this morning had to fast for a late lab appointment and by the time he made it over to my office for his nutrition appointment, he was so hungry he had a headache. I handed my country bumpkin of a patient Newman's Own Organics salted pretzels, and that country bumpkin chowed down. And believe you me, I'd have heard about it if he didn't love'em! Thumbs up, Newman's Own Organics!!
Looking forward to Pad Thai tonight and an early departure to Chicago tomorrow morning! If our flight is delayed, we’ll be missing Thanksgiving dinner. Wish us luck, O’Hare doesn’t have the best of records when it comes to flight delays.
Have a wonderful, safe, healthful, and relaxing Thanksgiving!
I'll admit to a guilty pleasure: donuts. Though, donuts are [typically] an indulgence on a very rare occassion. ....Until about 3 weeks ago.
Three weeks ago, husband came home from Saturday morning errands with about 3 donuts. Between the 2 of us, they were consumed as breakfast. Eaten, enjoyed, and done with. Until the following Saturday when he did the same thing! We stopped for gas and as I was pumping gas, he went in to the gas station and emerged laden with 4 donuts. Ugh. Those lasted Saturday AND Sunday morning. TWO days of poor breakfast choices! Two WEEKENDS of poor breakfast choices. Shame!
Then today I was out running morning errands and I went into the gas station as my gas was pumping and bought 3 donuts. I walk in the door and husband had stopped by the donut shop and picked up 5 donuts, one of which he'd already consumed. And in the midst of blogging, another one hits the dust (him, not me). I'm yet to indulge and I'm thinking I'll hold off in hopes that husband goes to town on the darn things! (Husband is one of those people who can eat what they want, all that they want, and as often as they want without any adverse effects such as.......WEIGHT GAIN. Terd.).
Bad, bad, BAD!!!!!
Husband and I just pow-wowed and decided this habit has GOT to go. While donuts are not the worst of all evils they are a COMPLETE waste of calories and fat...and contain NO nutritional value whatsoever. At all! They fall far into the "20%" of my 80-20 guidelines! I vow to you, blog world, to cut the donut habit we have formed. Back to the good'ole days of the very occasional guilty pleasure.
ANYWAYS... ::eye roll at self::
A patient brought me some fresh home-grown turnips yesterday and I haven't a CLUE what to do with them. For the record, I am not a fan of anything "pickled" (okra, beets, etc.).
Any ideas on how to deliciously indulge in my new vegetable?
I tried Kay's Naturals gluten-free Apple Cinnamon cereal this morning and it was very good! It held it's crunch really well in milk, to my pleasant surprise. However, I was hungry 2 hours after I had breakfast. I was surprised at this because of the high protein content. I'll give it another shot for breakfast and see it it wasn't a fluke. Hopefully, because it was really good!!!
And on a completely unrelated topic...a debate, if you will. Question: If someone is a "vegetarian" and they consume meat occasionally, are they still a vegetarian or are they a Flexitarian?
I guess I don't "get" labels. I think that there's a lot of benefits of both meat-containing and meat-free diets. Personally, I aim to consume at least 1 if not 2 meat-free meals a day. I eat red meat on a very rare occasion, not only because I don't prefer it, but also because of the high saturated fat content and the assocation between red meat intake and cancer, such as colon and breast cancers. Seafood, however, I could never give up.
I also do think it's somewhat hypocritical to be a vegetarian for reasons such as animal rights and then to consume eggs and milk that are not organic or from free-range animals. It's very true that conditions for chickens, hens, and cows are cruel and inhumane.
Day 20 (yesterday) I had my first big goof: I insisted on trying the pumpkin spice cappuccino mixed with my dark roast yesterday morning. Ends up, my 8 ounces of heaven cost me 30 grams of carbs (2 choices!)!!!! Oh, and that's not including my 2 carbs worth of steel cut oats and 1 carb worth of pumpkin butter. Oooops. Lesson learned.
So, day 20 looked like this...
Breakfast:
1 cup steel cut oats, prepared (2 carbs)
1 Tbsp pumpkin butter (1 carb)
1/2 tsp Splenda brown sugar (0 carbs)
8 ounces pumpkin spice cappuccino with 8 ounces dark roast coffee (2 carbs)
"Snack": 8 ounces v8 Fusion Light mixed with water (1 carb)
This week has been INSANE at work (but I did manage a brief workout at lunch today!) and Miss Lily is very full of energy. After a 2-mile walk (that's FAR for a bulldog, by the way!) and shredding multiple boxes to hundreds of pieces...she was still full of energy last night. Needless to say, today was a camp day. However, you can see that she's just CHILLIN' in the lower left corner of this snap shot...just sun bathing the day away *eye roll*
Total random question -- What is your FAVORITE variety of apple?
Me: Honeycrisp! They're in season right now and I can't get enough! At least one a day, mmmm!
And...another give away! This one looks tasty! Go here to enter!
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