Goal Crazy

Periodically, the same thought crosses my mind: goals are bad.

Let me explain.

Society has created this concept of success and failure. And people feel like there is a bare minimum they need to achieve. You know, the whole American dream thing: house, spouse, kids, minivan. And to not achieve that is to fail. Hence, the goal is to prove your success to the world and procure the caravan. And then get public recognition via facebook about how awesome your house, spouse, kids, and minivan are.

Well, this also translates into exercise. If you run five minutes and are out of breath, we think that society calls that failure. Maybe even epic failure. And people, as a general rule, don't like to fail. Failing doesn't make anyone feel good. So people stop. They concede. They acquiesce. They give in. And that's not right. Because in reality, 5 minutes is better than zero. And eventually, five minutes becomes five and a half. And six. And seven. And maybe even ten. And even if it doesn't, five is still better than zero.

Goals are bad. People feel the need to achieve them. I mean, look at the Great Gatsby. Or even your own neighborhoods. People you know. Flaunting their "wealth", whether it be material or not, in other people's faces to feel good. Stop it, society! You're teaching all the wrong lessons to the youth of America. Success comes when you FEEL successful, not when someone else tells you that you are!

So go out and do something, and realize that doing anything is a success all in itself.

8 Miles and Winter Rum Punch

Party was a success!

And I ran 8 miles. At around 8:40 average pace. Not bad for just getting back in the running game... Finished the whole thing in less than 1:10. Which was good, because I had a lot to do to get ready for the party.

Overall, quality performance.

2 more weeks 'til vacation. That's 10 school days. Very much looking forward to relaxing. And sleeping. And running, obviously! :-D

Winter Rum Punch: Awesomeness

16 cups of apple cider
4 cups of rum
2 apples sliced thinly
2 oranges sliced thinly
4 cinnamon sticks
2 one inch slices of ginger

Combine everything EXCEPT for the rum (you don't want it to cook out, do you?)

Bring to a boil.

Turn down to a simmer.

You can leave it like this for up to 2 hours to let the flavors marry.

When you're ready to serve, remove from heat and stir in rum. Then play the "Natty or Nice" Christmas soca soundtrack on Songza and pretend you're at a beach.

Deckin' Da Halls

So I got my "festive" sweater for the party tomorrow. Spent a pretty penny on food. I'm waking up at 4:30 AM to deal with the meat. And I'm excited to dance around tomorrow with my broom and my mop and make everything sparkle like Cinderella did.

I have been so pumped for this party since October! In fact, the invitation says that we would be married by the time of the party. Sigh. Kinda makes me sad. But, such is life. We have been preparing for weeks. Literally. I'm excited to show my grandfather and Joe and Vera and big Dawson and Dawsie our new house!

Maybe I can get a run in in the morning between preparations. That'd be nice. A long run. To the beach and down a stretch of ocean. It'd relieve some of my stress! I'd like that.

Winter Sunburn

I ran a 5k tonight, and my cheeks are now chapped! It was soooo cold! But, I got out there and did my thing, so there's my positive thought for the day.

Work is exhausting. I used to think my Thanksgiving plate was massive. But this brings plate full to a whole new level. Sigh. But, I'm helping my students, so there's my other positive thought for the day.

Black Bean Soup

Fat Busting Black Bean Soup

This is a tasty morsel that sheds the pounds and provides a protein punch. Another Runner's World recipe. Perfect for after a run on a cold winter's night. I ran 3.14 miles tonight in 25 minutes and change. Legs were exhausted after yesterday. Took Shea with me, as Brad is working late. Wanted to tucker her out. She's now curled around me, passed out as I write this :-D Mission accomplished!

Burn some fat, shed those holiday pounds, make this awesome dish tonight!

Heat 2 tsp. canola oil (yay healthy oil!)
Add one onion and one sliced carrot. Let mingle for 5 minutes.
Add 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
2 15 oz cans of drained black beans (Go Goya!)
1 cup of sliced red pepper
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 tbsp. chipotle peppers in adobe sauce
1 tsp. cumin
salt and pepper

Let this marry for 20 minutes on a nice simmer.

Add zest of one orange (I used tangerine) and 1 tbsp. thyme. Serve with avocado. Voila! Burn some fat, and have an easy, healthy meal :-D

December Night Scamper

Sometimes you just have to make time. Out of thin air. And that's what I did this weekend. I managed to grade a million papers (or so it felt), finish my report cards, lesson plan for next week (that alone took over four hours this morning and drove me to tears), decorate the house for Christmas, have Brad's parents come up, go to lunch with Brad's parents, and go for a 7.22 mile run with Brad up to the beach in Long Branch, down to 7 Presidents' Park, and back.

Patting myself on the back. :-D

This is going to be a lonely week. Brad has to stay in NY Thursday and Friday night because he has inventory at work, which means he'll be working minimum of twelve hour days. But, I'll be busy cooking, getting ready for the party, and line dancing in South Jersey Friday night with his sister Kris!

Just hope I can keep all this running up. Gotta get in "pre-marathon" training shape! Marathon training will start before I know it!

812 calories. That's like, one and a half slices of pecan pie. Haha.

Natty and Nice Christmas Curry

Ok, so spicy food reminds me of the Caribbean and there's this great station on Songza called Natty and Nice. It features hits like "Christmas in Jamaica" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Dreadlocks" to name a few. Awesomeness. I love steel drums.

So, I was inspired, also by my high-stress weekend of grading, lesson planning, and report cards, and this meal is supposed to relieve stress, to make a coconut-curry dish. It's supposed to be salmon, but surprisingly by the beach it is very difficult to find Alaskan salmon and I didn't want to go all the way to Wegmans as I have a not-so-fun headcold/allergy thing going on. So, this is what I concocted:

1. Heat 2 tsp of canola oil (So much better for you!)

2. Chop 2 garlic cloves and 2 shallots. Brown for 2 minutes

3. Add 2 cups chicken broth (I use light), 1 14oz can of light coconut milk (I couldn't find it so I used full fat. Oh well...) 2 tbsp. of tomato paste, 2 cubed sweet potatoes, 1 tablespoon minced ginger, 1 tablespoon curry, 1 tsp cumin, and 1/4 tsp salt, pepper, and if you're up for it cayenne pepper.

4. Let all of this boil. When it starts to boil, lower the temp and let it simmer for 20 minutes.

5. Add 1 lb of cubed salmon (or in my case, chicken) and 1 1/2 cups frozen peas and the juice of one lime. Let it mingle for about 5 minutes ('til salmon or chicken is cooked.) Top with cilantro if you desire, and voila!

I did see mommy kissing dreadlocks. I did, I did! Or maybe it's the cayenne pepper going to my congested head!