This is my year

I'm tearing myself away from Pinterest to give some much needed attention to my blog. Argh, Pinterest, you've destroyed my 9-10pm reading hour!

We're now well established in 2012, but it takes me a little time to work up my resolutions. Furthermore, this is really the first time I've had the schedule, budget, and desire to set exciting goals. When one is in grad school, one does tend to be utterly focused on getting the heck out of grad school. That and sleeping.
So. 2012. Here are some things I want to accomplish this year.

1. DO A PULL-UP. I've been working on the assisted pull-up machine for a little while, and I love it. I also regularly hit the free weights to work on my arms and shoulders. Boy howdy, I have to work really hard for upper body strength. It simply does not come naturally. Leg strength? No problem, broseph. But the biceps, deltoids, pecs, traps and lats...ugh, it's a battle. If I crank out one good, clean, unassisted pull-up in 2012, I'll be pleased as punch. My general plan is to work on the assisted pull-up machine at least twice a week and just keep increasing the difficulty. I'll continue my regular free-weights workout, but incorporate more push-ups.

2. BUY A ROAD BIKE. I've been teaching spin for a few years now, and have been going to spin class since sometime in the middle of college. I even have a pair of amazing Sidi cycling shoes (graduation gift from Dad, I think in the hopes of me getting out on the road). It's really silly that I don't cycle for real. But hey, bikes are expensive and cars are scary.  But hey, now I have a job and why am I afraid of cars when I ride 1200-lb unpredictable animals over obstacles? I've bought a book and called my Dad (he worked for corporate REI and cycled for most of his life), and decided I want a good quality, entry-level road bike. This is a big purchase for me, so I'm going to take my time going about it. I want to hit the roads (or maybe the Silver Comet to start) by late spring.

3. JOIN A CYCLING GROUP. While I love my friends, I'm always looking to make new ones. I just remember my Dad going out with his boys for long rides, and how much fun he had with them on the road. I know this will take me some time - finding the right group, the right level, and just getting the general feel of riding in a pack (horseback riding in a pack often goes terribly awry). I'm shooting for early fall on this one.

Life Changing Applesauce

No, seriously. It's really life changing. You'll reevaluate your entire existence and discover your inner chi and save the rain forest. Your tummy will thank you. Plus it's pretty darn healthy, with only 2 Tb of brown sugar and all those anti-oxidant rich cranberries. It's tart and the texture (if you don't overcook it) is lightyears better than anything you can buy in a jar. Sorry, Motts.
The recipe says you can freeze it, but I haven't tried it out yet. I have a jar in the freezer right now, so I'll update you on how it thaws.
*update - it thaws beautifully! You'd never know it was frozen.

CRANBERRY-ORANGE APPLESAUCE - I used a mix of McIntosh and Gala Apples. The McIntoshes provided sweetness while the Galas seemed to hold their shape to lend texture. I got this recipe from the latest issue of Everyday Food by Martha Stewart.
- 4 lb apples (try 1.5 lb McIntosh, 2.5 lb Gala)
- 1/2 C water
- 1 C fresh-squeezed (~3 oranges) or quality high-pulp orange juice
- 1 C fresh or frozen whole cranberries
- 2 Tb dark brown sugar

1. Peel, core and thinly slice the apples.
2. In a large pot, bring all ingredients to boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until apples are soft and falling apart, 20-30 min.
3. Mash with a potato masher to your desired consistency.
4. Let cool. Transfer to airtight containers. Refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze up to 2 months.

Still hanging in there

Good news, folks. I am still very much on the South Beach Bandwagon, despite being terribly sick today. No worries, I'm good now. But I've learned my lesson about eating too much dairy and caffeine.

Now time for confessions: I did break down and eat a few Pepperidge Farm milan cookies (that was my whole lunch), but if you know what I've been through today, you'd understand. They were the only things I felt my stomach could handle. Cookies are my chicken soup.

I have 1 day left, and then I'm going to jump off this moving South Beach train for a few days. Let's hope I don't land too hard. Ill be in Chicago on Friday, and I'm not going to try getting a head of lettuce and some low-carb salad dressing through airport security. I don't want to be mistaken for a Hidden Valley Ranch Al Qaeda.

I'm a Terrible Daughter.

I love my mom very much, but today I just couldn't help myself. It all started when I called her from my office phone for the first time. Oddly, she didn't recognize my voice from that phone. Psh! As if I'm not going to take advantage of that? So I waited a few hours and called again...

*ring ring*

Mom: Hello?

Me: Hello, is Mrs. [Mom's last name, pronounced totally incorrectly] available?

Mom (a little annoyed): This is she. May I ask who is calling?

Me: Hi Mrs. [Name still pronounced wrong]. My name is Laura, I'm calling from Atlanta Refrigeration and Cooling Services. I'm calling with regard to a problem that seems to be occurring in your neighborhood. Do you have time to answer a few questions?

Mom: Yes, well, as long as you don't mind if I'm working. I have spreadsheets to work on, and if somebody calls, I'll have to go.

Me: Absolutely, m'am.

Mom: We might get cut off.

Me: Yes, and thank you for your time.

Mom: What's the problem? Your name is Laura?

Me: Yes, as I said, my name is Laura and I'm calling from Atlanta Refrigeration and Cooling Services. Your builder has contacted us to investigate a recurring problem in your neighborhood. Some of your neighbors have experienced a problem with the power supply to their kitchen appliances. Have you had any problem with power to your kitchen appliances?

Mom: Yes, Laura, actually I have. The microwave has been cutting out. It started recently.

Me: Hm, the microwave? I'm afraid that's new. I'm going to make a note of it here. Thank you.

Mom: Yes, sometimes it's fine, and then it shuts off for no reason.

Me: Ok, have you had any trouble with the stovetop?

Mom: No.

Me: Ok, thank you. How about your refrigerator? Has it been running OK?

Mom: Yes, I think so. I haven't noticed a problem with it.

Me: Hmmmmmm, well, then you should probably go catch it.

Mom: ........

Mom: ........

Mom: WHO IS THIS?!

Mom later expressed that she wasn't sure what to be more embarrassed about: that she fell for that refrigerator bit, or that she couldn't recognize her own daughter's voice. In her defense, I was using my best telemarketer voice and we use phones that don't pick up any background noise (so we probably really do sound different). She also told me that the microwave really isn't working right. I recommended that she call Atlanta Refrigeration and Cooling Services about it.

I love my poor mother. She puts up with me.

South Beach, Day 2

So far, so good. I even had the will power to cut up some forgotten and overly ripe strawberries, stuff them into a ziplock bag and hurriedly shove them into the freezer without eating a single one. I'm proud. And one day, when I take out those strawberries to make a delicious, sugary daquiri, I will know the fortitude from whence they sprang.

Anyway, after work I got through the p90x Cardio X DVD. Between my poor fitness level and the lack of carbs, it was a little tiring. Have to start somewhere, yeah?

I then made a tasty salmon dinner. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, I get a little snobby about salmon. Those Atlantic fishies simply do not measure up to the Alaskan real deal. Furthermore, my Dad is a black belt grill master - he would buy a whole side fillet with skin on, spread this thick and tasty mystery paste on it, and then oh-so-carefully cook it to perfection on the grill. Heaven.

Well, I can't do all that. But I can make this very fast and easy steamed salmon with dill sauce. Plus it's low-carb. You can even get Alaskan sockeye in the grocery store right now, so don't be a cheapwad - get the real deal.

PERFECT STEAMED SALMON - You can half this recipe if you can't eat 2 pounds of fish.

- 2 lb fresh salmon

- 1-3 TB fresh lemon juice

- 1/3 C water

- salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and adjust rack to center. Line a baking sheet with a large piece of foil, and turn the edges up. Very lightly coat with cooking spray.

2. Place fish skin-side down on foil. Squeeze lemon juice over salmon, then lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour water around fish.

3. Fold aluminum over fish, and firmly crimp shut so the fish will steam cook.

4. Cook 12-15 min or until fish flakes with a fork in the center of the fillet. Or, allow about 12 min per 1" thickness of fish. Be careful when opening the foil - hot steam! Serve with ~2 Tb dill sauce.

DILL SAUCE - I subbed Kroger brand sugar-free relish (OMG, I love you Kroger!) for the dill relish. This might also make a tasty salad dressing if you like dill, but I've yet to try it.

- 1/4 C fat free Miracle Whip

- 1/4 C light mayonnaise

- 1/3 C skim milk

- 2 tsp dried dill or dill seasoning mix (I use Pampered Chef brand)

- 2 tsp dill relish

Post-Holiday Relief

Don't get me wrong, I love the holidays. But boy howdy, they get me every year. 10 pounds? Maybe? It's hard to say, since I've been putting it on since August. And while I normally scoff at the post-Christmas crash dieters (lazy binging bums!), I too have reached that point. Actually, I am so utterly sick of rich holiday fare that I REALLY want to diet.

So.

South Beach Diet.

Me and my blog have been through this before, so check out the August 2011 archive for the basics. For 12-14 days (however long I can last), I'll be depriving myself of carbs and sugars, which sound terrible right now anyway.

That said, I traipsed off to the grocery store today to stock up on vegetables, lean meats, and light dairy. I even made a batch of all the fixings for taco salad (with seasoned ground turkey and homemade dressing), so I'll be all set to start tomorrow.

Updates tomorrow!

Scamming the Scammers, Part II

The house has THREE liquor chifferobes?! It really is too good to be true!

(214): How are you doing today? did you forward your Deposit becos they are people also interested in the house

(214): Are you able to send your deposit...They are other people that is up for the house
(678): Good morning! Before I submit my deposit, could you email me a pic of the liquor chifferone? You said the house has 1. I need to know it's big enough for us 3.

(214): Do you mean the Liquor chifferobe...

(678): Yes, that's what I mean. You're so sweet! I'll check my email for your pic.

(214): Good...we will be happy to receive you and your nfamily as our guest

(214): Please check your email now

(214): We will be happy to receive you as our guest(214): It will be ncie to have you as our guest

(214): Did you get it?

Email attachment:

(678): I did receive it. Thank you! It has a lovely distressede finish, but I don't think it's large enough for our purpose. Plus, I don't think it's a certified chifferobe. You should contact your dealer. But thank you so much for all your help. We'll have to decline.

(214): we have two of it let me send you the second one

(214): Let me send the second one...we have about 3 in the house

(678): Are you at the house now?

(214): yeah...i am at the house now...We already have you reserved...that is why we declined whosoever booked the house

(678): Oh, that was so kind of you to do

(678): Can you see Cuba today? Is the weather clear enough?

(214): You will be such a nice person

(214): Thanks...
(214): Yeah...sure

(214): All you need to get the house reserved is to get your deposit paid and your date will be reserved successfully.

(214): We will be happy to have you as our guest

(214): You will enjoy the house and its facilities