What’s For Dinner?

May 19, 2014 by bec2point0

I’m considering having my name legally changed to that. It’s what everyone calls me anyway. (I kid. Kind of.)

Are you the person in charge of meals at your house? Do you routinely get called ‘What’s For Dinner?’

And do you sometimes not know how to an answer?

This is what happens when I don’t plan.

I feel you. I really do.

What’s worked for me over the years is to plan. It takes some time, but I figure what I lose in planning time, I make up for in getting to skip Wednesday night runs to the store because I didn’t have anything in mind for dinner. (I still make them. Just less often). I’m not going to get into the nitty gritty planning details. Pick your recipes, check the pantry for what you have, check the sale flyers, make a list, get thee to the grocery store. Or you can start with the sale flyers and the pantry and go at it that way to keep cost down. Either way.

This is more about WHERE to get the ideas. I get up on Sunday Sunday mornings, pour myself a cup of coffee, and sitt down in my dining room. From there, I’ve got access to my cookbooks. I have… a few cookbooks.

What? I like options!

All kidding aside, I have a major cookbook obsession. Last year, between my birthday and Christmas. between gifts and gift card purchases, I think I got nine new ones. But I use them, so it’s all good. Some get used a lot more than others. Some are for special occasions. Some are just to make the stacks look even (not really).

My babies!

Pictured above are some of my favorites:

The Oh She Glows Cookbook: Oh my GOSH, I love this book. If you don’t know Oh She Glows, it is a website for vegan recipes. While I’m not a vegan, everything Angela makes looks amazing, and everything I’ve tried IS amazing.

Keepers: This is a newer book for me, and hasn’t gotten a lot of use yet, but the “Jump-In-the-Mouth’ Turkey Cutlets are really, really good.

Relish: I don’t watch The Chew, and I didn’t even make the connection that Daphne Oz was the daughter of Dr. Oz, but this book was reccommended to me and it’s fab. Part cookbook, part party planning manual (which I ignore because HA). I took this out of the library first (I do this a lot, I hate cookbook buyers remorse), but I’ve already added it to my GIANT cookbook wishlist on Amazon.

Weight Watchers One Pot: If you are on Weight Watchers, or if you are trying to eat healthier, or if you like FOOD, go get this. Everything I’ve made from here, from the Cinncinnatti Four Way Chili to the Chicken in White Wine (the one on the cover), has been incredible. It definitely does NOT taste like diet food.

The Food You Crave: Oh, Ellie. You’re my hero. I have every one of Ellie Krieger’s cookbooks, but this was my first and it is still my favorite. Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta. Make it. Trust me.

How to Feed a Family: Not pictured. Because I don’t have it yet. But it’s top on my list.

Skinnytaste: You probably know the blog of the same name. I’ve been waiting for this cookbook for a while. And there is still a while to wait, because it doesn’t come out until the fall, but if you’re a cookbook dork like I am, you can preorder it!

And even with all those cookbooks, I often turn to the internet. I will usually have something in mind and just start with Google, but these are the sites I wind up on most of the time.

Emily Bites: This site is newer to me but the tagline of ‘Lightened Up Comfort Food’ means it’s already a favorite. Make the Deep Dish Sloppy Joe Casserole. Trust.

Skinnytaste: There it is again. It was worth repeating. Recipes are healthy and have Weight Watchers point listed. This is NOT your mama’s Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy. Unless your mom made that really well and healthy.

LaaLoosh: Weight Watchers Points included. Asparagus Goat Cheese Risotto. YUM.

And that is how I get here.

Anyone want to come over?

How do you meal plan? Favorite cookbooks? Website suggestions?

Tales of the Boot: Books I’m Reading, Parties I’m Planning

May 14, 2014 by beewhobabbles

Monday morning, I received the following email-

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Cue my sad face. (Also, I didn’t realize Daily Mile sent these kinds of emails.) I’ve spent two weeks in the boot, and while I am doing some exercise (abs and arms, arms and abs. wash, rinse, repeat.), I’m still supposed to be resting my lower body.

Yesterday, I received this email:

I’m excited to try a new arm workout! Good job, Tuesday. I think you’re cute. (Those Tone It Up girls are super duper cute, aren’t they?)

The nice thing about doing a lot of arm exercises are my biceps. It’s always tank top season here so nice biceps are a-okay with me. Plus, my friends leave comments on my instagram pics praising “Dem guns!” and that makes me giggle.

But really, I’m mostly resting. A fun thing about resting is that I have a lot of time to read.

Last week, I finished this-

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And it made me want to read more art caper/historical/love stories so if you have any recommendations in that mishmash of themes and genres, please pass me a note during study hall.

I’m still reading this-

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And today I bought this book, which I’ve been waiting for since December. (Note to book bloggers- please don’t review books and say they’re a STAY UP ALL NIGHT MUST READ OMG if said book isn’t released until six months from now. Thanks.)

Another fun thing about resting is that I can’t do chores. Really! I walk so much during the day that I’m supposed to sit at night. Can’t do dishes. It’s very difficult to fold laundry when one leg is elevated. True facts, my friends. So, I’m also watching TV. I haven’t done that (besides the news and Rachel Maddow) since the second season of Glee. J and I have one more episode in season one of House of Cards and then we get to watch all of season two. What should we watch next?

I’m also doing some planning for my middle girl’s birthday party. We’re having a “messy party” which is an appropriate theme for a five year old, or a frat house. It’s so diverse!

Some party crafting.

Some things we’ve experimented with so far-

– a shaving cream slide
-several variations of homemade slime (I still can’t get this right)
-squirt gun painting
-silly string war

It’s going to be cray cray (my six year old used this in a sentence last week and then informed me that it meant “crazy.” I think she thinks I’m old.).

Happy Wednesday! What are you reading and watching? Let’s share.

Celebrating Virginia

May 13, 2014 by vfreile

I’m blessed to be surrounded by a family of smart, strong and motivating women.

Typically, I chat about my fabulous mother. But last weekend, I headed downstate with my in-laws to celebrate my mama-in-law Virginia, for her 50th birthday.

V and I joined the Sebastiano family about the same time and have lots in common. We always enjoy baking together, shopping, hiking, chatting and visiting, even if we do absolutely nothing when we join forces. She is a joy and has a pure heart. Thank you for being you, dear Virginia! Happy 50th!

From left, my father-in-law, sister-in-law and mama-in-law back in 2005.

Last weekend, my generous father-in-law treated Virginia and a few of her favorite family and friends to a weekend at Mohonk Mountain House, a stunning 150-year-old resort in New York’s Hudson Valley. I had a fabulous time with my family, and the outing really reminded me how lucky I am to have such impressive and strong women in my life.

We ate, we hiked, we rowed on the lake. We toasted Virginia, and we celebrated one another. And of course, we were pampered at the spa, which is apparently the top spa resort in the country! (We do things right in our family.)

Mohonk is a stunning setting for any relaxing getaway. It reminded me of the resorts of yesteryear, when emphasis was placed on family activities and spending time together. There are no televisions in guest rooms, and I only saw one on property – which was playing a family friendly movie each evening. A high tea was offered each day. Nearly every activity is included – minus spa treatments and anything involving horses.

Here are a few images from my weekend. If you ever have the chance to visit Mohonk, even for the day, GO! It’s incredible.

View from a hike around the resort. Wow, just wow!

The gang’s all here to celebrate Virginia (center, front row) The candle might give her away!

Me with my sister-in-law Lauren and Aunt Maria at dinner. We three shared a room and had a great time together!

I love this side shot of V and her sister Dot. You can feel the love and joy

Check out the view from our room/balcony.

We spent a lot of time at the spa, and the gym, and we three also hiked a bit around the stunning property.

Horses! I need to stop laughing at this sign. I know I am misreading it, but I still find it hilarious. #imaybite

Row, row row your boat! Lolly and I shared rowing duties. We loved it so much we went out twice!

View from the water

Group outing on our final morning

Tell me about your favorite family weekend getaway! Where do you go to relax? Would you hike, row or hit the spa? Have you been to Mohonk? Tell me in the comments!

Celebrating Mother’s Day

May 11, 2014 by scootadoot

Tales of The Boot: I Miss Running

May 7, 2014 by beewhobabbles

Well, I finished week one of sporting the boot (clunky and so last
season, if you want my opinion) and yesterday I met with my doctor
about the results from my MRI. It’s not a stress fracture; it’s
tendonitis. Still an overuse injury, but not nearly as long of a
recovery time. I hope.

Well, at least the boot keeps my foot dry in the rain (also pictured: rain flat. You want these shoes!)

For the next three weeks, I’m supposed to wear the boot and rest as
much as possible. No biking, no dancing, no playing volleyball in the
pool (that was an example the doctor gave me. Really?) and definitely
no running. Which, come on- I want to heal, so I wasn’t even
going to attempt that.

I am really missing my endorphins right about now. You know, there
have been times where I haven’t wanted to go to the gym. Times when I
think- “Is this what I have to do for the rest of my life- exercise
regularly– to be fit and look fit and stay healthy? Ugh.” But now that
I can’t do it, I realize how much I need it. I need to feel my heart
pounding after I finish a fast run. I need to sweat. I need to feel my
muscles ache and then the relief of a really good stretch. I need the
wind in my hair and the sun on my shoulders. The thump thump thump of
the treadmill. Those early mornings with Sara where we see the sun
rise. I need it all. Hopefully I’ll be back to it- pain free–
soon.

Failing to succeed

May 6, 2014 by vfreile

There are days when I can’t do it all.

No one can, but that doesn’t stop me from trying. And it surely doesn’t stop me from repeatedly falling short. If you’re anything like me, you see this as a failure.

Last week, I couldn’t make it to the post office before closing time – personal errand failure. I didn’t answer any personal emails until the end of the work week – time management failure. I couldn’t get a source to call me back or open the door for me – professional failure. I made a smoothie for dinner instead of a real meal – delicious, but still my latest domestic failure.

I’m hard on myself. I want to succeed. When I make a mistake or fail to follow through, I kick myself for days.

Caught in the act: pulling out my hair on assignment. Photo by Annette Lein

It’s normal to fail. I certainly learn more from my mistakes than when I tackle something correctly on the first go-around. I remember what I did wrong.

So let me share a few fabulous failures and flaws (and corresponding lessons) with you:

Never make an offer that you aren’t willing to follow through on. You’ve never been to “fill-in-the-blank-city?” Why don’t you come with me? Trust me on this one. Don’t offer to be nice. Don’t say it unless you mean it. Otherwise, the weird chick you met while volunteering at the thrift shop could commandeer your upcoming trip.

If something sounds off, it probably is. It’s ok to question people if you think something sounds wrong. My first big professional failure – a source flat-out lied to me. And I fell for it, in part because I didn’t want him to think I didn’t know the ins and outs of local politics. He knew I didn’t, and he took advantage.

It’s OK to ask for help. I love to bake, but I can’t get cupcakes right to save my life and I refuse to ask for help. As a result, I don’t even like to EAT cupcakes. Hmm. Maybe that’s actually for the best.

Speak up for yourself and your loved ones. If you don’t do it, who will?

My mother often will tell me that no one is perfect, that we all grow and evolve based on our experiences. Among her famous quotes:

I won’t make the same mistakes as my parents did. I learned from those. I’ll make new ones.

True enough, mom.

Now I want to hear from you. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from a mistake? What advice would you give others?

Mother’s Day Gifts for the Mother Runner

May 5, 2014 by beewhobabbles

I love a good gift list. How else will I know what to buy unless someone on the internet tells me so? I kid, I kid. But I do love a gift list and I love Mother’s Day because it’s an opportunity for me to sleep in and demand brunch and get a pedicure- it’s pretty much the only day I can be somewhat selfish. (I say “somewhat” because I usually end up doing at least one load of laundry. Laundry is my life.) It’s a day for family, because I love my kids and husband the most, and without them, I wouldn’t be a mom. It’s a day when I give extra love to my mom and my mother-in-law, both of whom are wonderful moms and friends (and live close enough to babysit their grandchildren). It’s a day when I feel grateful for my mommy friends, for all the advice and support and laughs they’ve given to me on this crazy journey called motherhood.

Moms! My mil, my mom and me at a football game last fall.

I’m lucky to have some mommy friends who are also runners- both near and far. My first mommy friend is also my best running buddy and it’s only been two weeks since our last long run together, but if I have to be in the boot for a long time, I’m considering pulling a chair up to her treadmill so we can chat while she runs.

Sara and I with our little babes. And Santa. (this is the earliest pic I have of us moms with the girls.)

Sara and I with our little babes. And Santa. (this is the earliest pic I have of us with the girls.)

This gift list is for the mother runners and the runners and the moms who like to wear running clothes to do school drop off in the morning. I actually have some of this stuff already- I love love love it all. (those socks! I went to buy them last fall and they were sold out. So glad Pro Compression brought them back.)

Mother Runner Mother’s Day by scootadoot featuring NIKE

And this list is for my husband, who always reads my posts. (And you can’t be that surprised by the faux birks. I’m already sporting overalls. All I need is for Chick Jess to make the perfect 90s playlist.)

Mother’s Day- Spring and Summer Fun by scootadoot on Polyvore

Happy Monday, my friends! And an early Happy Mother’s Day wish to all the moms, mommies-to-be, and mothers-at-heart.

Tell me how awesome your mom or mother-in-law is. Or how wonderful you are, mama. (Because you are! And really pretty too.)

In Pictures: Disneyland Half Training, Day 1!

May 1, 2014 by writeitdownjess

In my post last week, I asked for advice on half marathon training programs and got some amazing advice. Which, let’s be honest, I was totally expecting because you all are the shizz. So, thanks to your advice and specifically to Juliana for hooking me up with a runDisney plan that is perfect for me, I set out Tuesday night to conquer Day 1. I put Bug to bed at 7, laced up my sneaks, and hit the city streets!

As a runner (I use that term loosely) (for now), I love and hate training in San Francisco. Quite obviously, it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Truly. I couldn’t ask for better scenery. But the f&%king hills, you guys! Oy vey. My runs are usually planned around avoiding the steepest ones, but inevitably I always end up having to climb at least one. Still, my run last night was more of a fast walk, so the hills were conquerable.

And because San Francisco is so stunningly gorgeous, especially last night when it was in the low 70s at twilight, I had to snap some pictures and share my route!

Ready to rock with Weezer!

Excuse the blurriness of the above picture. I took it fast because I was afraid a neighbor was going to catch me selfie-ing.

Forget Weezer, Britney was the name of the game.

These are the kind of hills I like: the ones that go down. But seriously, look at this steep-ass hill.

Runners! Hello, fellow runners!

I love these houses. They could be mine for a mere something-million dollars. I like to dream whilst I run.

Now, I will admit to making a pit-stop at two places: Walgreens, so I could get some water, and Bob’s Donuts, to pick up a donut for Mister Jess. I was wondering why he was so eager for me to go running until he said, “Hey, while you’re out…” But I am so committed to my training that I didn’t even get a donut for myself.

How ~~stupid~~ awesome am I?

Mmm, donuts.

A hill going the wrong way.

Another hill going the wrong way. What’s with all of these up hills?

And finally, after about 40 minutes, I arrived home safe and sound from the streets of San Francisco.

Celebrating with my friend, the creepy cherub.

I even had enough energy for a Katy Perry dance party in the elevator. Gotta love those endorphins!

My next run is tonight – another 30 minutes – and then Saturday I’ll run 2 miles. While 13.1 still feels incredibly daunting, I’m excited to have a plan in place. I’m ready to rock it!

Do you have a favorite route you run? Do you prefer out in the world or indoors? What’s your favorite donut? Tell me about it in the comments!

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: A (mostly) Wordless Wednesday

April 30, 2014 by beewhobabbles

The Good-

I ran DC with Kyle, whom I hadn’t met in person before last weekend. We internet-knew one another, and she’s a running buddy of my Chicks, so I knew it would be a love-fest. We were both struggling with injured feet, so we took it easy and had great conversation. Best first date I’ve been on in years AND it ended with a blue box. (and later, a Bacon Bloody Mary. I mean, does it get any better?)

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The Bad-

Yesterday, I visited my podiatrist and got The Boot-

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I’m booted from any lower body exercise for an unknown number of weeks. I have an MRI today and once I meet with my doctor again, I’ll get the official word. It’s most likely a stress fracture, but I haven’t really had the chance to think about the implications of it yet (or cry. But I’m sure that’s coming.).

The Ugly-

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Sick baby. My poor guy has had a fever since Monday and he’s pretty miserable.

I prefer to focus on the positive, so tell me something good that’s happening in your life. Little Dude still has enough energy to play peek-a-boo with the Elmo Calls app and it’s SO adorable.

Dear Pizza, I Miss You

April 24, 2014 by camoozle

This is definitely going to be a TMI post. But I’m okay with it if you are.

All I’ve ever wanted was to be one of those people who could just eat like a normal person and not worry about gaining ten pounds immediately. I don’t think it’s too much to ask. I don’t even want to be skinny, I just want to be able to eat the food I love. And I love food. How could I not? I grew up sneaking rolls in my family’s Italian restaurant. And it just so happens my grandma makes the best berry custard pies on the planet. Seriously, they’re magic. This culinary-rich childhood has led to an extreme appreciation for really, really good food. Unfortunately, the metabolism gods hate my guts.

Side ponytail for the WIN

My Body Back session is wrapping up and I’ve already enrolled in the class again. I’ve lost about 10 pounds in 8 weeks. Which I’m fine with because I’m stronger today than I was 8 weeks ago. What I’m not fine with is the fact that I’ve lost and gained over 100 pounds during my twenties and thirties. I’ve tried every fad diet known to mankind and I’ve been pretty successful with some of them but I always revert back to my old eating comforts. I’ve come to the reluctant realization that those comforts have to be replaced if I’m ever going to maintain a body I’m healthy in. Forgoing my favorite foods has been incredibly hard for me. My family IS food. Whether it’s crepes that taste just like my great grandma’s or homemade pizza from a secret recipe, every family memory I have is wrapped in a meal. How can I just give that up?

Well, my future satisfaction with my life depends on it. Because right now, I’m not satisfied with the quality of that comfortable life. My energy levels suck. Dairy has declared war on my intestines. I’m medicated for depression and medicated for the side effects of depression medication. I’m pre-diabetic and anemic. And all I want to do is comfort myself with a giant, cheesy, slightly burnt piece of pizza.

I don’t know if I’ll ever get over my cravings for comfort food. I don’t know if I SHOULD get over them. Part of me wants to scream fuck it and eat a damn piece of pizza. And then some cake and coffee. Because I’ve worked really hard these last two months. I deserve it.

Another part of me knows these foods will actually provide very little comfort, especially all that dairy. How do I find new comforts? How does this become a life change? How do I come to terms with the stuff on the inside so I can be comfortable with the outside? When will I stop being tired?

The key word here is change.

Scootadoot

fitness, food, friends, fun

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