Power Outage Pumpkin Carving and Pie Making: Merry Christmas! Or, Happy Halloween, rather

So, last night, powerless, I decided to prep pumpkin pie while I waited for the power to come back on. Unfortunately, the power never came back on. So now, I'm over at my parents house, watching football, baking said pumpkin pie. But this is what my kitchen looked like last night...

Then, since the power didn't come back on, we decided to take pumpkins to the next level and carve ours from Hinck's Turkey Farm down the shore. It was not easy to carve the pumpkins by candlelight, but they turned out ok. Can you guess Bradford's from Jamie's? Hehe.

So, if you want to make the best pumpkin pie recipe ever, c/o Martha Stewarts wholeliving.com, I'm including the directions. Very simple, simple enough to make on a snowy October night when you have absolutely no power.

As the website states:
"Pure maple syrup, rather than sugar, sweetens this holiday favorite. Canned pumpkin puree is quick and easy to use. Don't substitute fresh pumpkin puree; it will be too watery.

Per serving: 265 calories; 5 g protein; 12 g fat; 35 g carb.

Prep: 30 minutes
Total: 4 hours 30 minutes
Ingredients

Makes 8 servings

CRUST
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) cold butter, cut into pieces
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons ice water
FILLING
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin-pie filling)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
TOPPING (OPTIONAL)
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
4 teaspoons to 2 tablespoons sugar

Directions

To make the crust, in a medium bowl, stir together flours, sugar, and salt until combined. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal with a few pea-size pieces remaining. Stir in vinegar and ice water until mixture just comes together (add more water if necessary). Wrap in plastic; refrigerate 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out to a 12-inch round and fit into a 9-inch pie plate, making a fluted edge. Place on a rimmed baking sheet.
In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, eggs, maple syrup, milk, vanilla, and salt. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake about 50 minutes or until set, checking pie after 30 minutes and tenting edges if browning too quickly. Transfer pie to a wire rack to cool for an hour before transferring to refrigerator to cool completely.
To serve, in a small bowl stir together sour cream and sugar to taste. Serve pie with a dollop of cream, if desired."

GTL

Gym, Tempo, Long

That's the story of our lives right now. I'm reading the most famous Marathon book in the game right now, which is "Marathon" by Hal Higdon. This is the 4th edition, and I picked it up at B&N the other day (along with Nancy Clark's "Marathon Nutrition") while I was attending a PD on Thursday (yes, on parent-teacher conference day). It's fascinating, informative, and motivational, although I think we're going to stick with Runners' World's training plan for now since that's what we used for the half and we felt really good about it. So, long runs on Saturday or Sunday (depending on weather and when we can fit them in). Short runs on Mondays, and longer midweek runs on Wednesdays (peaking at 10 miles). Then, gym on Tues and Thurs, with chest, tris, and shoulders on Tues (the worst!) and back, bis and legs on Thursday. And there's some scattered races on Saturdays which we'll add in for extra mileage.

The book has some great tips though, for half marathoning and marathoning, and makes you want to go the distance. It's interesting because it actually explains reasons behind things that other magazines/articles/novels just tell you to do. Now I know WHY. Plus, running will add 6-9 years to my life. And I love life. I would have read more, but I managed to cut my eye (again) and the pain has been too much to stand. Being at work was awful, as light makes it worse and all I wanted to do was put on a pirate eye patch and an ice pack. Only me. Sigh. Though, I have my follow up appointment today and it should be all better with the stinging antibiotics I've been dropping into my eyes every 4 hours. Which is awesome, because running with glasses in "wintery mix" and on trails with rocks and twigs is NOT fun. Imagine! Snow in October! Trick or Treat?

So, motivational quote of the day, "Tough times don't last but tough people do."
A.C. Green

Doogie Howser, M.D. End of Episode Message

Cue: Blinking Cursor

So, today I learned something about myself. I am not fast. Brad and I challenged ourselves to run with the Bronxville Running Company Wednesday night groups, knowing that these young men would be much, MUCH faster than we are. They all qualified for the NYC marathon, legitimately. Like, by time. But, I had no idea that the people who attend this group were insanely fast as well. The lead pack dipped down to 6 minute miles at one point, and an old guy seriously called himself a straggler because he was running 7:23 minute miles. (This was a 5 mile run). Meanwhile, Brad and I were desperately trying to keep this just-under-50-years-old guy in our sights so we didn't get completely lost (since we had no clue where we were going). And then that guy, a very nice guy named Norm, told us that he was the last of the "slow pack." Right. I think we ran that in 40 minutes or less. And there were crazy, CRAZY hills. But, don't fret, Brad and I will be back next Wednesday, pushing ourselves to be stronger, faster, better. Plus, I found out they go out to dinner afterwards and split the bill. Maybe we'll make some new friends. And we may even attend the Sunday hour and a half run at the Rocky's at 8am with the Bronxville Running Co. Because how else do you get faster than by running with people who can blow you out of the water?

(Pause, cue blinking cursor again).

It was a good day, because I learned a lot about myself and my goals. And I will meet them.

Trick or Trot: A New PR

Down in Long Branch, NJ, Brad and I ran our first 5k since the Woodlawn one on Sept. 17th. Beautiful day, helpful volunteers, and high hopes. After partying like it was 1999 the entire day before, we still had a positive attitude and expected to do well. I was aiming for 26 minutes. Well, we crushed that, coming in at 23:56 according to the clock, and we didn't cross the start line for at least 15 seconds (which brings our time down even farther). I was the 4th costumed female to cross the finish line (I was a jester), and I also found out later that I came in 3rd in my division (20-29 year olds). Holy crap! I'm hoping that JSRC can send me my award since I couldn't stay for the ceremony due to Melissa's bridal shower. But awesome! 2 awards! I'm going to need a new room for trophies. Even cooler, Brad came in 6th in his division (we finished together, as per usual) which is major-league impressive, and we were 38 and 39th overall out of a field of over 300. Boo-ya!!!

Fingers Crossed; I know it's cheesy, but I want my 3rd place kudos!

Planet Fitness and the Inability to Wash My Hair

So Brad and I are taking a few days off from running this week to recoup from our awesome half. But we're not taking time off from exercise! Instead, we're back in the gym lifting 2 days a week in between our "Marathon" training Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sat/Sundays. Instead of the manly 3 days, we're doing shoulders, tris and chest and then biceps, back, and legs on Tues and Thurs respectively. Plus, my Thursday yoga. And long runs up to 20 miles eventually (like Christmas Eve!). Ah!

Therefore, my arms are so sore I can't even lift them. Running starts again Sunday. Oh boy oh boy! I'm already exhausted just thinking about this. And typing hurts!

Bradford's Fat Tuesday Celebration

For some reason, television loves makeover shows on Tuesday nights. MTV's "I Used to Be Fat" coupled with "The Biggest Loser" make for some quality inspirational viewing. Last week, we saw this recipe on the Biggest Loser, and Brad thought it looked good, even though it had peppers and onions in it. So tonight, he made it. And it was delicious! I'm so proud.

Ingredients
Olive oil spray
1/2 cup minced onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1.25 pounds of extra-lean ground turkey
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup low-sodium tomato sauce
1 cup fat-free low-sodium chicken broth, divided
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
3 large sweet red bell peppers, washed
1/4 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat a large nonstick skillet with olive oil cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Add onion and garlic to the pan. Saute about 2 minutes, or until softened. Add extra-lean ground turkey to the pan. Season to taste with salt, then add garlic powder and ground cumin. Break meat apart and cook over medium heat for 10 - 12 minutes or until lightly browned, no longer pink, juices are clear and meat reaches an internal temperature of 165° F. Add 1/4 cup of tomato sauce and 1/2 cup chicken broth to the pan. Reduce heat and simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes. Add chopped fresh cilantro or parsley to the turkey mixture. There will be about 2 cups of turkey mixture.

Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise and remove seeds and stem. Put in baking dish and spoon about 1/3 cup of the turkey mixture into each pepper half. Place all stuffed peppers on a baking dish and pour the rest of the chicken broth in the bottom of the pan. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. When done, sprinkle with cheese before serving.

Nutritional information (per serving)
Calories 140
Fat calories 20
Total fat 2.5 grams
Saturated fat .5 grams
Cholesterol 35 milligrams
Sodium 150 milligrams
Total carbohydrates 10 grams
Fiber 2 grams
Sugars 5 grams

(From: http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/exclusives/nutrition/contestant-recipes/hannahs-turkey-stuffed-peppers/ )

A Guaranteed Way to Win Your Age Group: Turbaned Tornado's The MAN

Just had to share this story.... What have YOU done today?

Runners' World comment by Mark Remy:

100-Year-Old Finishes Marathon, Makes Me Feel Like a Lazy Bum
October 16, 2011 8:38 pm

I was supposed to run 18 miles Sunday. Instead, I ran zero.

Why? Because I woke up feeling groggy and "kind of nauseous."

So I was already feeling pretty pathetic when I rolled out of bed and wound up reading this:

(Article from )

100-year-old marathoner sets record in Toronto
Fauja Singh finishes in 8 hours to become oldest person to complete full marathon
The Associated Press
Posted: Oct 16, 2011 7:44 PM ET

'Turbaned Tornado' sets sights on age record

Play icon100-year-old Fauja Singh finishes Toronto's waterfront marathon in 8 hours, 11 minutes and 5.9 seconds and sets a world record. Turbaned Tornado sets record0:00
Beginning of Story Content

Fauja Singh secured a spot in the Guiness World Book of Records on Sunday at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

The 100-year-old accomplished an amazing feat, completing the gruelling 42.195-kilometre marathon and becoming the oldest person ever to complete a full-distance marathon.

It took Singh over eight hours to cross the finish line — more than six hours after Kenya's Kenneth Mungara won the event for the fourth straight year — and he was the last competitor to complete the course. But his time wasn't nearly remarkable as the accomplishment itself.

"Beating his original prediction, he's overjoyed," said coach and translator Harmander Singh. "Earlier, just before we came around the [final] corner, he said, 'Achieving this will be like getting married again.'

"He's absolutely overjoyed, he's achieved his life-long wish."

Although event workers dismantled the barricades along the finish line and took down sponsor banners even as Fauja Singh made his way up the final few hundred metres of the race, a throng of media, family, friends and supporters were there when Fauja Singh made marathon history.

And Fauja Singh, who only speaks Punjabi, also surprised himself. Through his interpreter, he said he had set a goal of finishing the race in about nine hours.

"He said he achieved this through the help of God but even God must be getting fed up of helping him," Harmander Singh said, drawing chuckles from assembled media after the race.

Sunday's run was Fauja Singh's eighth marathon — he ran his first at the tender age of 89 — and wasn't the first time he set a record. In the 2003 Toronto event, he set the mark in the 90-plus category, finishing the race in five hours 40 minutes and one second.

And on Thursday in Toronto, Fauja Singh — whose first name means soldier — broke world records for runners older than 100 in eight different distances ranging from 100 metres to 5,000 metres.

Fauja Singh, a five-foot-eight, 115-pound British citizen and vegetarian, looked tired and spent following the race and organizers gingerly assisted him to the post-event news conference. After receiving gentle massages to his legs and calf muscles as well as cups of water from members of his entourage, Singh leaned back on a couch and spoke little to start the news conference.

But a short time into it, he began looking remarkably relaxed and fresh with his hands clasped behind his head. Then, he abruptly sat up straight and with a smile, motioned for the microphone, obviously getting his second wind.

"He says he's recovered now so he's going to talk," his translator said, again drawing laughter.

Fauja Singh, affectionately dubbed the Turbaned Tornado, began running roughly 20 years ago after losing his wife and child. The five-foot-eight centenarian said he's happy to see more minorities taking part in such marathon events and is hopeful his next project will be participating in the torch relay for the 2012 London Summer Games.

Fauja Singh carried the torch during the relay for the 2004 Athens Games.

Race director Alan Brookes struggled to find the right words to describe Fauja Singh's remarkable accomplishment.

"I'm speechless," he said. "Fauja Singh is a remarkable human being."