Here is a recent post from another blogger I follow, New Girl on Post. She mostly writes about travel and living abroad, but her post Tuesday was poignant, and something I think we all struggle with.
So, a few disclaimers. I believe in health, moderation (truly, even with my random stash eating and baking blowouts), and enjoying the good things in life. I try and balance exercise when I can, meals with nutrients I need, and indulgences that keep me happy.
But I agree with New Girl's post -- we (I say this as a society, and as a woman) have to stop focusing well-being around size and scale numbers.
My jean size and weight do not signify how I love or am loved. They don't represent how well I do my job or keep the promises I make. Those numbers don't make me beautiful. The numbers don't make a difference in the world. (Sorry for getting a little carried away there, but seriously).
They don't represent my cholesterol levels, blood pressure, or energy during the day, although those are much better metrics for my well-being.
Every woman (and probably a lot of men) knows this scene. We turn around and complain to our cube mate at work that we had a handful of M&M's yesterday and didn't make it to the gym. We worry to our friends that we gained 5 pounds, or we celebrate when we have lost 5 pounds by eating yogurt for lunch. We tell ourselves that we feel fat/look fat/have to start dieting. We obsess over the numbers and put ourselves down. We idolize models whose Photoshopped-figures are truly unattainable.
It's a hard cycle to break. I do it without realizing. Even this week, when we did our weigh in and 2-week fit test for our Insanity challenge, I was discouraged somewhat because my weight stayed the same. Why did I care? Would I really have gone back in time and denied myself the treats I had? Probably not. What I really should have been thinking first was that I had worked out more consecutive days in a row than ever, I was getting stronger, and I had more energy than before. I was recovering faster after working out, and that means my cardiovascular health was improving.
My health was improving.
This is sort of a serious/rambling post, but it means a lot to me. I think we need to start changing the conversation. Certainly I understand how weight/image and health are connected, but why don't we talk more about the risks of weight/image being the first and only priority? What about how happiness is connected to all of it?
I'm a happier person when I'm keeping the balance mentioned above (I want my chocolate, people!). And I want the important people in my life to be healthy and balanced, too. I don't care what size they are. I think they are beautiful. I only care about getting as many healthy years with them as I can.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
This post is not important
But ladies and well-dressed gentlemen, I need your help.
Remember how I said in my last post that I get more excited to food shop than clothes/shoe shop? Well, I have a practical need now in the shoe department that requires attention.
So, I hardly ever spend money on shoes. I'll pick up a really cheap pair here and there, but then wear the crap out of it until it needs replacing. And usually, all my shoes need replacing at once, and it's a really overwhelming task (for WHATEVER reason). I can never decide what to get! I overthink how often I will wear them, if they will make me too tall, etc. etc.
Here is the primary need. It snowed in Iowa. A lot. It's slushy and cold, and I can't get by a) wearing dress shoes and socks or b) wearing my now-beat up pairs of knee high boots and skinny jeans every day.
My requirements:
1) Flat or a low heel
2) Can be worn with jeans or dress slacks
3) Preferably not suede or faux suede
4) Don't make me look twice my age (for whatever reason, I think this shoe type with my requirements is primarily marketed to middle-aged women.)
I've been wandering around shoe sections of stores and looking online. Between all the boot, bootie, and now... wait for it... shootie styles out there, I can't make up my mind. How do you guys get by with stylish footwear in the winter?
I think in past years, I've really not cared this much. But I have a few more days this winter/spring that require me to dress nicely, and I'd like something that I can wear to/from the car because I won't have the opportunity to wear snow boots and carry normal shoes in a bag.
Suggestions?
Remember how I said in my last post that I get more excited to food shop than clothes/shoe shop? Well, I have a practical need now in the shoe department that requires attention.
So, I hardly ever spend money on shoes. I'll pick up a really cheap pair here and there, but then wear the crap out of it until it needs replacing. And usually, all my shoes need replacing at once, and it's a really overwhelming task (for WHATEVER reason). I can never decide what to get! I overthink how often I will wear them, if they will make me too tall, etc. etc.
Here is the primary need. It snowed in Iowa. A lot. It's slushy and cold, and I can't get by a) wearing dress shoes and socks or b) wearing my now-beat up pairs of knee high boots and skinny jeans every day.
My requirements:
1) Flat or a low heel
2) Can be worn with jeans or dress slacks
3) Preferably not suede or faux suede
4) Don't make me look twice my age (for whatever reason, I think this shoe type with my requirements is primarily marketed to middle-aged women.)
I've been wandering around shoe sections of stores and looking online. Between all the boot, bootie, and now... wait for it... shootie styles out there, I can't make up my mind. How do you guys get by with stylish footwear in the winter?
I think in past years, I've really not cared this much. But I have a few more days this winter/spring that require me to dress nicely, and I'd like something that I can wear to/from the car because I won't have the opportunity to wear snow boots and carry normal shoes in a bag.
Suggestions?
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Oh no, she didn't
I decided that I would try and cut out the sweets during the week, a la my-favorite-blogger-I-would-want-to-be-besties-with Iowa Girl Eats. I'm only 24 hours into that decision, and I've ALREADY decided what I want to bake this weekend.
I really haven't spent much time baking since my Christmas cookie whirlwind. I've said it before, but cooking and baking is the only science I can really get excited about, and this weekend, I'm going to try two new things -- chocolate and tarts.
Thank you Martha Stewart.
I'm technically breaking my rule, because 2 of the three recipes will go to work with me for a birthday Friday (which is not the weekend). Sorry, friends. But if I'm successful, these could make appearances at your next gathering. Invite me. I might be chatty and slightly narcissistic (hello, I have a blog), but I show up with the goods.
Recipe No.1 = Chocolate Peanut Butter Shortbread Squares.
These seem to combine more than a few favorites into one treat. Chocolate? Check. Peanut Butter? Check. A cookie made primarily of butter? Ch-ch-check. I think the square part is really just a suggestion, only if you like your treats all cute and bite-sized. I prefer mine by the sliver every time I walk into the kitchen, until half the pan is gone. Mine aren't going to look that pretty because I can't be bothered to buy a basket-weave chocolate mold.
Recipe No. 2 = Chocolate Ganache Tart
The motivation behind this one was fairly simple. Try a ganache, try an almond tart crust, and finally use the sweet little tart pans I got in my stocking this Christmas. The tarts and the shortbread are headed to work with me.
Recipe No. 3 = Flourless Chocolate Cake
Oh, yes. Because this one doesn't lend itself well to single servings or travel, this one is staying home. I've had this dessert at countless restaurants, and this recipe is surprisingly easy (looking). All three of these recipes are, actually, otherwise I probably wouldn't have stacked so many into a single kitchen-lab experiment.
The science part of all of these is similar -- melt chocolate and add ingredients to it, and not make it seize up in the pan/bowl. I got really excited about finding the right chocolate to use and finally buying parchment paper. More excited than I get about buying clothes/shoes. Sad?
Friday, January 20, 2012
Ohhhh the weather outside is weatherrr
I was really hoping for a snow day today (I'm sure many of you can agree). It took me 30 minutes to drive to work this morning, not because the roads were THAT bad, but because people were.
I'm sure in a little while, I'll have to stop stalling and start the process of scooping and scraping and clearing. But I'm not complaining. I really think there is a certain romance about winter. I think, inadvertently, Tim and I chose our home based on this fact. Almost a year ago (!), we also chose to get married in the dead of winter, on a day with grey skies and show.
To all the haters, hear me out -- solemn, quiet nights where snow blankets everything. Snow covers even the ugliest cars and houses in our neighborhood and transforms them into a Norman Rockwell painting. Low light in the house, fire roaring in the fireplace, and something hearty warming on the stove. I love it.
Don't get me wrong, I still fantasize about palm trees and beach vacations. I also still surf the web to find the perfect moisturizers to calm my freaked out skin and hair. (Anyone have any suggestions? Morroccan oil did nothing for the static, and my Aveda calming face cream is NOT calming my face. Considering Clinique Redness Solutions but don't want to drop the coin unless I know it will work). I still won't want to travel long distances when the road conditions aren't perfect.
But.... I enjoy contrast. To love summer, I love winter.
Now for a little show and tell. For our first anniversary, I booked a stay at a pretty awesome place near Galena, Ill -- Irish Hollow Bed & Breakfast.
In my head, this is winter perfection. It doesn't come cheap (we're not counting on celebrating every anniversary this way, that's for sure). This B&B is about 6 miles outside of Galena in a location that at one time was a small town. There are a few houses and a general store that they have converted into dreamy little cottages and rooms with a central location to have meals. There are miles of wooded hiking trails that cross pastures and streams. In fact, for a price, they will set up a little wine picnic for you on a trail. Even in the winter.
We booked a cottage that comes with a huge tub, two-room fireplace, gourmet breakfast, a seven-course dinner one night, champagne/chocolates.... and no TV.
I understand why this is so, but we aren't THAT couple. Sure, we'll snowshoe during the day and read books and relax by the fire. But at night, we'll stare dreamily.... at a laptop screen with Netflix playing. Yup.
We are so excited. Weather/roads permitting, we actually have lots of plans for the next few months to look forward to. So many, that I double-booked us for a few weekends (including our anniversary weekend. No Mardi Gras for me in St. Louis this year -- what's a Catholic to do??). We also booked our flight for an April trip to Dubai! It's on the books!
In the meantime, we are keeping up with Insanity, but not necessarily with eating. Meals have been great and incredibly tasty and balanced, but the stash is not gone. I keep finding things! Chocolate stars left from Christmas cookie baking and a freaking PIE that a friend of Tim's family gave us after we moved into our house. A PIE, people. That we baked last night and I ate TWO pieces of.
Weigh in is on Monday and my expectations are really low. And, as I type this, I'm starving and thinking about what bad decisions I can make for lunch. Ah gees..... I guess you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make me give up my eating habits.
I'm sure in a little while, I'll have to stop stalling and start the process of scooping and scraping and clearing. But I'm not complaining. I really think there is a certain romance about winter. I think, inadvertently, Tim and I chose our home based on this fact. Almost a year ago (!), we also chose to get married in the dead of winter, on a day with grey skies and show.
To all the haters, hear me out -- solemn, quiet nights where snow blankets everything. Snow covers even the ugliest cars and houses in our neighborhood and transforms them into a Norman Rockwell painting. Low light in the house, fire roaring in the fireplace, and something hearty warming on the stove. I love it.
Don't get me wrong, I still fantasize about palm trees and beach vacations. I also still surf the web to find the perfect moisturizers to calm my freaked out skin and hair. (Anyone have any suggestions? Morroccan oil did nothing for the static, and my Aveda calming face cream is NOT calming my face. Considering Clinique Redness Solutions but don't want to drop the coin unless I know it will work). I still won't want to travel long distances when the road conditions aren't perfect.
But.... I enjoy contrast. To love summer, I love winter.
Now for a little show and tell. For our first anniversary, I booked a stay at a pretty awesome place near Galena, Ill -- Irish Hollow Bed & Breakfast.
In my head, this is winter perfection. It doesn't come cheap (we're not counting on celebrating every anniversary this way, that's for sure). This B&B is about 6 miles outside of Galena in a location that at one time was a small town. There are a few houses and a general store that they have converted into dreamy little cottages and rooms with a central location to have meals. There are miles of wooded hiking trails that cross pastures and streams. In fact, for a price, they will set up a little wine picnic for you on a trail. Even in the winter.
We booked a cottage that comes with a huge tub, two-room fireplace, gourmet breakfast, a seven-course dinner one night, champagne/chocolates.... and no TV.
I understand why this is so, but we aren't THAT couple. Sure, we'll snowshoe during the day and read books and relax by the fire. But at night, we'll stare dreamily.... at a laptop screen with Netflix playing. Yup.
We are so excited. Weather/roads permitting, we actually have lots of plans for the next few months to look forward to. So many, that I double-booked us for a few weekends (including our anniversary weekend. No Mardi Gras for me in St. Louis this year -- what's a Catholic to do??). We also booked our flight for an April trip to Dubai! It's on the books!
In the meantime, we are keeping up with Insanity, but not necessarily with eating. Meals have been great and incredibly tasty and balanced, but the stash is not gone. I keep finding things! Chocolate stars left from Christmas cookie baking and a freaking PIE that a friend of Tim's family gave us after we moved into our house. A PIE, people. That we baked last night and I ate TWO pieces of.
Weigh in is on Monday and my expectations are really low. And, as I type this, I'm starving and thinking about what bad decisions I can make for lunch. Ah gees..... I guess you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make me give up my eating habits.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
It hurts so good
We are on Day 3 of the Insanity workouts at our house. They are appropriately named. Day 1 was a fitness test (I thought I would puke or die), Day 2 was an ADHD-feeling circuit workout (progress... I only felt like I would die), and we will see what today brings. I'm, ahem, feeling all my muscles again, though.
The workouts are SO insane, that part of the DVD ensemble actually drops out here and there to catch up. That is really comforting to see. Every other workout DVD I've done has these perfectly-coiffed people who never stop, sweat, or appear to be cursing. Insanity people = my people.
The workouts are meant to be 6 of 7 days a week, for 2 months. A huge accomplishment for me would be to stay with it.
Secondary to THAT, will be meal planning and healthy eating (garbage in, garbage out on the workout front). Tim and I don't do too terribly here, at least during the week. Primary goals are to eat out less (including on the weekends), try and control portions, and cook balanced meals.
After the holidays, I'm having some troubles with this. Not with eating healthy -- I really do love good, clean food. I just realized today that I'm stash eating. You know what I mean. This week, I've eaten nicely rounded meals.... and then an hour later, find the holiday popcorn tin from my mom and eat from it until my jaw is tired. (Protip: you can't ignore the holiday popcorn tin after the holiday. And you can't just eat a little of it. Better just to throw it out). Today, I finished my nice, veggie-heavy, whole grain, lean protein lunch.... then remembered that I have tootsie rolls left over from Halloween in my desk. You read that right. Halloween. And yes, I ate them. You can judge me. I really just wanted that little bit of pure sugar.
Next week will be better.
I finished the first book of "The Hunger Games" series, and need this weekend to get into the second one (Insanity workouts = falling asleep on the couch insanely early). They are totally worth a read if you need some new book crack. They are meant to be a teen series, and yes, there IS a love story (ish), but unlike the Twilight series (which I am not embarrassed to say I devoured), there is almost no teen angst. Just a great story about future America with a main character you want to admire.
Forget the poor jobs economy and beefing up my 401k -- the books make me think I'd be better off sticking with the cardio workouts and learning to hunt/gather.
Hope everyone is enjoying their early 2012 goals. I still haven't finished OR won a game of Words with Friends...........
The workouts are SO insane, that part of the DVD ensemble actually drops out here and there to catch up. That is really comforting to see. Every other workout DVD I've done has these perfectly-coiffed people who never stop, sweat, or appear to be cursing. Insanity people = my people.
The workouts are meant to be 6 of 7 days a week, for 2 months. A huge accomplishment for me would be to stay with it.
Secondary to THAT, will be meal planning and healthy eating (garbage in, garbage out on the workout front). Tim and I don't do too terribly here, at least during the week. Primary goals are to eat out less (including on the weekends), try and control portions, and cook balanced meals.
After the holidays, I'm having some troubles with this. Not with eating healthy -- I really do love good, clean food. I just realized today that I'm stash eating. You know what I mean. This week, I've eaten nicely rounded meals.... and then an hour later, find the holiday popcorn tin from my mom and eat from it until my jaw is tired. (Protip: you can't ignore the holiday popcorn tin after the holiday. And you can't just eat a little of it. Better just to throw it out). Today, I finished my nice, veggie-heavy, whole grain, lean protein lunch.... then remembered that I have tootsie rolls left over from Halloween in my desk. You read that right. Halloween. And yes, I ate them. You can judge me. I really just wanted that little bit of pure sugar.
Next week will be better.
I finished the first book of "The Hunger Games" series, and need this weekend to get into the second one (Insanity workouts = falling asleep on the couch insanely early). They are totally worth a read if you need some new book crack. They are meant to be a teen series, and yes, there IS a love story (ish), but unlike the Twilight series (which I am not embarrassed to say I devoured), there is almost no teen angst. Just a great story about future America with a main character you want to admire.
Forget the poor jobs economy and beefing up my 401k -- the books make me think I'd be better off sticking with the cardio workouts and learning to hunt/gather.
Hope everyone is enjoying their early 2012 goals. I still haven't finished OR won a game of Words with Friends...........
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Why hello, 2012
When did it become the new year?
For all my holiday bellyaching, I wish I could go back and do it over. All the family time, all the hours in the car, all the decadent foods, all the time entertaining from my kitchen... even the, "is the flu? is it a hangover?" that layed me out for a few days. I might be a sadist, but I want to do it all over.
But, it's a new year, and there are more good times to be had.
Instead of resolutions, here is how I am starting this week, the FIRST week of a brand new year.
1. Working
2. Getting my hairs cut
3. Finishing the first book in "The Hunger Games" series... jhgjgdflippingawesomebooksofar
4. Finally finishing OR winning a game of Words With Friends
5. Maybe making it to the gym, maybe.
6. Celebrating a friend's birthday this weekend
Those are the highlights, anyway. Not too bad, but I have a weird feeling that the list should be more.... grand? For the first week of a new year, anyway, it feels like I should be doing more extraordinary things. But since it's a non-resolutions list, it's best to tell it like it is. Aside from the haircut and listing out all the sleeping, eating/drinking, cleaning, and TV time I do, that's a pretty typical week for me at this point in my life.
No big changes expected this year. Last year, I got married and bought a house. I think I will happily accept this year as a "pass" year, where nothing too huge and/or life-altering happens. I'll work. I'll pay bills. I'll go to the gym, I'll skip the gym. I'll take some really cool trips and I'll hang out on my couch. I'll spend time with people I love, and I'll chill by myself. I'll cook and eat.
At least, those are all the expected things. And for all the unexpected ones? We'll just see about those.
For all my holiday bellyaching, I wish I could go back and do it over. All the family time, all the hours in the car, all the decadent foods, all the time entertaining from my kitchen... even the, "is the flu? is it a hangover?" that layed me out for a few days. I might be a sadist, but I want to do it all over.
But, it's a new year, and there are more good times to be had.
Instead of resolutions, here is how I am starting this week, the FIRST week of a brand new year.
1. Working
2. Getting my hairs cut
3. Finishing the first book in "The Hunger Games" series... jhgjgdflippingawesomebooksofar
4. Finally finishing OR winning a game of Words With Friends
5. Maybe making it to the gym, maybe.
6. Celebrating a friend's birthday this weekend
Those are the highlights, anyway. Not too bad, but I have a weird feeling that the list should be more.... grand? For the first week of a new year, anyway, it feels like I should be doing more extraordinary things. But since it's a non-resolutions list, it's best to tell it like it is. Aside from the haircut and listing out all the sleeping, eating/drinking, cleaning, and TV time I do, that's a pretty typical week for me at this point in my life.
No big changes expected this year. Last year, I got married and bought a house. I think I will happily accept this year as a "pass" year, where nothing too huge and/or life-altering happens. I'll work. I'll pay bills. I'll go to the gym, I'll skip the gym. I'll take some really cool trips and I'll hang out on my couch. I'll spend time with people I love, and I'll chill by myself. I'll cook and eat.
At least, those are all the expected things. And for all the unexpected ones? We'll just see about those.
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