Makes gray.
Gray is apparently destined to be my new hair color. Argh!
For the past couple of years, I've had some gray hairs. Not a ton, but more than a few. As a result, I've been dying my hair for quite some time now. Blame the poor lighting in my bathroom at home but I didn't really know just how bad the situation was.
On one visit to my parent's house, I encountered the mirror in what used to be my bathroom. Natural light and bright lights. A quick look at my head and I was horrified! My head is being attacked by pale creatures!
But once back at my apartment I managed to forget just how bad it was, thanks again to the poor lighting.
Carlos has started making fun of me, which is mean. But it's OK because he also booked me an appointment to get my hair dyed...professionally. I guess he didn't like the whole do-it-yourself method. So tonight I'm saying goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Gray. Good riddance! (too bad it's not a one-time permanent fix)
After that I have a dinner date with my friend T. We're trying out a new restaurant that participates on restaurant.com. Are you familiar with restaurant.com? If not, you buy $25 gift certificates for a max of $10, which while a good deal, is not the deal I go nuts over. Frequently they have an 80% special which means you get $25 off for just $2! Depending on where you live, there can be quite a few local restaurants on there, however, read the small print as many won't accept the certificates on weekends.
The rest of the weekend will be busy, but it's still time away from work, so I'll take it. Plus vaca is in one week from tomorrow!!
So have fabulous weekends and to all the mothers out there, have a very happy mother's day! xo
Friday, May 6, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Confession
I just ate pure sugar for lunch.
Well, not really, but that's what it tasted like.
I swung by Boston Market since I'm never on that side of town around lunch and picked up some chicken noodle soup. Since I wasn't sure that would tide me over for the rest of the day, I needed something else. Took a look at the sides and went with the sweet potatoes.
Holy sugar. They may have even been too sweet for me. But rest assured, I still ate the whole thing. It was a small side, I'll get over it.
But that's my confession. Right now I feel gross and my stomach hates me, but hopefully that will pass shortly.
Anything to share?
Well, not really, but that's what it tasted like.
 |
| This is the at-home version (didn't even know it existed) |
Holy sugar. They may have even been too sweet for me. But rest assured, I still ate the whole thing. It was a small side, I'll get over it.
But that's my confession. Right now I feel gross and my stomach hates me, but hopefully that will pass shortly.
Anything to share?
Unhealthy deliciousness
Good morning!
I figured I'd get the day off to a start with an unhealthy but amazingly delicious recipe. A few years ago I worked for a publishing company and this recipe came from their magazine Fine Cooking.
It's the perfect summer dessert to bring to a BBQ or picnic. It makes a lot of squares (especially if you cut them on the smaller side). They're really sweet, so smaller is OK. Plus I think it's fun to make since you see a little bit of a chemical reaction between the sweetened condensed milk and the lemon juice.
So without further ado...
Blueberry Streusel Bars with Lemon-Cream Filling
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened; more for the pan
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats)
1-1/3 cups packed light brown sugar
1 tsp. table salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 large egg, separated
14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. grated lemon zest
2-1/2 cups room-temperature blueberries, washed and drained on paper towels
Directions
Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch metal baking pan with foil, leaving a 1-inch overhang on the ends. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of the foil.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Using your fingers, blend the butter completely into the flour mixture. Transfer 2 cups of crumb mixture to another bowl and reserve for the topping. Blend the egg white into the remaining crumbs and then press the mixture into the bottom of the pan to form a level crust. You can tamp it with the bottom of a measuring cup to even it out. Bake the crust until it starts to form a dry top, 10 to 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk the condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and egg yolk. Let this mixture stand for 5 minutes; it will begin to thicken.
Sprinkle the blueberries evenly over the hot crust and then drop spoonfuls of the lemon mixture over the blueberries. Spread gently with a spatula to distribute a little more evenly, but take care not to crush the berries; it’s fine if the lemon mixture isn’t perfectly even. Bake until the lemon mixture just begins to form a shiny skin, 7 to 8 minutes.
Sprinkle the reserved topping over the lemon-blueberry layer, pressing the streusel between your fingers into small lumps as you sprinkle. Bake until the filling is bubbling at the edges and the topping is brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
Let the bars cool in the pan on a rack until just warm, about an hour. Carefully lift them out of the pan using the foil overhang and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Remove the foil and cut into 24 bars (or more) when cool. The bars may be stored at room temperature for a few hours but otherwise should be kept in the refrigerator.
Final step...ENJOY!! Share them with friends and watch as they enjoy them.
I figured I'd get the day off to a start with an unhealthy but amazingly delicious recipe. A few years ago I worked for a publishing company and this recipe came from their magazine Fine Cooking.
It's the perfect summer dessert to bring to a BBQ or picnic. It makes a lot of squares (especially if you cut them on the smaller side). They're really sweet, so smaller is OK. Plus I think it's fun to make since you see a little bit of a chemical reaction between the sweetened condensed milk and the lemon juice.
 |
| Source |
Blueberry Streusel Bars with Lemon-Cream Filling
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened; more for the pan
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats)
1-1/3 cups packed light brown sugar
1 tsp. table salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 large egg, separated
14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. grated lemon zest
2-1/2 cups room-temperature blueberries, washed and drained on paper towels
Directions
Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch metal baking pan with foil, leaving a 1-inch overhang on the ends. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of the foil.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Using your fingers, blend the butter completely into the flour mixture. Transfer 2 cups of crumb mixture to another bowl and reserve for the topping. Blend the egg white into the remaining crumbs and then press the mixture into the bottom of the pan to form a level crust. You can tamp it with the bottom of a measuring cup to even it out. Bake the crust until it starts to form a dry top, 10 to 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk the condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and egg yolk. Let this mixture stand for 5 minutes; it will begin to thicken.
Sprinkle the blueberries evenly over the hot crust and then drop spoonfuls of the lemon mixture over the blueberries. Spread gently with a spatula to distribute a little more evenly, but take care not to crush the berries; it’s fine if the lemon mixture isn’t perfectly even. Bake until the lemon mixture just begins to form a shiny skin, 7 to 8 minutes.
Sprinkle the reserved topping over the lemon-blueberry layer, pressing the streusel between your fingers into small lumps as you sprinkle. Bake until the filling is bubbling at the edges and the topping is brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
Let the bars cool in the pan on a rack until just warm, about an hour. Carefully lift them out of the pan using the foil overhang and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Remove the foil and cut into 24 bars (or more) when cool. The bars may be stored at room temperature for a few hours but otherwise should be kept in the refrigerator.
Final step...ENJOY!! Share them with friends and watch as they enjoy them.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Anybody there???
A while ago I put up a post saying that when I got 10 comments (I think) I'd give something away.
Well, that hasn't happened yet, but in the meantime, I'm kind of curious as to who is out there.
So if you're reading this, write a quick comment to say hey. It's OK to keep it anonymous.
And just for fun so you have some direction...tell me your favorite food (healthy or indulgent). I'll even get things started in the comment section.
Thanks!
Well, that hasn't happened yet, but in the meantime, I'm kind of curious as to who is out there.
So if you're reading this, write a quick comment to say hey. It's OK to keep it anonymous.
And just for fun so you have some direction...tell me your favorite food (healthy or indulgent). I'll even get things started in the comment section.
Thanks!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Really?
Months ago I had submitted an online application to teach spin at another gym. A friend of mine teaches there and he suggested I do it.
A couple weeks ago I received a call to audition. Clearly this gym has no sense of urgency. I barely even remembered applying. But anyway...
My audition was on Sunday and it was seriously the biggest joke ever.
Here's how it went...
Walked in to the room. The hiring manager (or whatever she was) asked me to set up the bike for myself but talk to her like I was setting it up for her. Fine. Once that was done, she asked to see my form (seated, run, climb). Then we were done. Seriously!??!
How in the world do you know if someone is going to be a good instructor from that? I could have excellent form and be the lowest energy humdrum person in the world and you'd NEVER know. I could play Kenny G and Yanni all the livelong day (nothing against either of them).
Plus, one other thing she said rubbed me the wrong way. Fellow spin instructors, tell me if you agree/disagree. During the set up, I indicated that I'd ask a new rider (or any rider asking for help) if they had any back problems or knee problems so I could be sensitive to that. She told me to NEVER ask that as once I do, I become their doctor, and if they hurt themselves they'll try to sue and blame me. Really? Not only does Spinning teach you to ask these things, but it puts the well being of the rider first.
From what I've heard, this club does not have the best instructors and I can see why. However, the gym is close, so if they offer, I will probably take a class. These members deserve good instructors, so I'll do my best to help them out. :)
A couple weeks ago I received a call to audition. Clearly this gym has no sense of urgency. I barely even remembered applying. But anyway...
My audition was on Sunday and it was seriously the biggest joke ever.
Here's how it went...
Walked in to the room. The hiring manager (or whatever she was) asked me to set up the bike for myself but talk to her like I was setting it up for her. Fine. Once that was done, she asked to see my form (seated, run, climb). Then we were done. Seriously!??!
How in the world do you know if someone is going to be a good instructor from that? I could have excellent form and be the lowest energy humdrum person in the world and you'd NEVER know. I could play Kenny G and Yanni all the livelong day (nothing against either of them).
Plus, one other thing she said rubbed me the wrong way. Fellow spin instructors, tell me if you agree/disagree. During the set up, I indicated that I'd ask a new rider (or any rider asking for help) if they had any back problems or knee problems so I could be sensitive to that. She told me to NEVER ask that as once I do, I become their doctor, and if they hurt themselves they'll try to sue and blame me. Really? Not only does Spinning teach you to ask these things, but it puts the well being of the rider first.
From what I've heard, this club does not have the best instructors and I can see why. However, the gym is close, so if they offer, I will probably take a class. These members deserve good instructors, so I'll do my best to help them out. :)
Monday, May 2, 2011
April re-cap
I've noticed that many bloggers are doing monthly recaps, so I figured I'd follow suit.
Oh April...
I am OK with April being done with, it was a stressful month for me and all about messing up my routine; not good for a creature of habit.
Oh April...
I am OK with April being done with, it was a stressful month for me and all about messing up my routine; not good for a creature of habit.
- Construction at the condo started (as did the progression of my gray hairs)
- My lovely medical issue popped up
- Mid month celebration of my parents anniversary and family time
- Mets game on Easter
- Pack up and move
- And finally, run my first 5K
- My sister's birthday (today) - Happy 29th Owl!
- Renovations to (hopefully) be completed
- VACATION!
- 10 year college reunion
- Memorial day (plans TBA)
- Resume some sense of normalcy in my personal life and gym habits
What a weekend!
The good stuff first...
Saturday was my first ever 5K! As you saw, I had training plans and everything, only to get derailed with a medical issue and first time homeowner stresses. Going in to the run, I had gone on one 3.28 mile run in the past several months.
The good news...I finished it without a problem! Since it was a fun run, the timing wasn't exact, but I finished somewhere around 30-32 minutes which I'm happy with. I did it with my friend C and we were able to chat for most of it, which showed me that I wasn't pushing too hard. I actually felt so good during the last mile that I think I probably could have run it again. Woo hoo!!
As my first "race" experience, it was quite interesting. I loved seeing other people run (their forms, what they were wearing). I loved having people pass me, but then passing others. It was fun to say "OK, we're going to pass that lady in the blue" and then work towards doing it. What was a bit challenging was the fact that both the runners and the walkers started at the same time, so there was quite a bit of weaving involved.
Plus since it was at the Bronx zoo to benefit the penguins, I loved seeing the penguin costumes, themed shirts, hats, etc. It was great! Then I spent the day at the zoo with my family and a few friends. It was a perfect Saturday.
Taking just a moment to reflect, the fact that I completed a 5K is pretty significant. I was a girl who was never able to run. I think I've shared this before, but prior to 2006 or so, I couldn't even run a 1/4 mile. Last Saturday I told my class that I'd be subbing it out for the 5K, I told them that I was nervous because I haven't had the time to train. So many of them said something along the lines of "don't worry, you'll be fine, you're in great shape". Which really meant so much to me knowing where I've come from. Plus their faith in me meant alot too!
So back to the weekend... on both sides of Saturday, the rest of the weekend was STRESSFUL! Friday was moving day (not fun!), then Saturday afternoon was more moving/cleaning, and then Sunday was some unpacking. I'm nowhere near done but at least everything is finally at the new place. Sadly I'm not living there yet because I only have a half bath and the place is full of contruction dust. yuck! Hopefully I'll be in by next week. In a nutshell, I think it's safe to say that I've been stressed since March 18th when I closed on the condo.
Saturday was my first ever 5K! As you saw, I had training plans and everything, only to get derailed with a medical issue and first time homeowner stresses. Going in to the run, I had gone on one 3.28 mile run in the past several months.
The good news...I finished it without a problem! Since it was a fun run, the timing wasn't exact, but I finished somewhere around 30-32 minutes which I'm happy with. I did it with my friend C and we were able to chat for most of it, which showed me that I wasn't pushing too hard. I actually felt so good during the last mile that I think I probably could have run it again. Woo hoo!!
As my first "race" experience, it was quite interesting. I loved seeing other people run (their forms, what they were wearing). I loved having people pass me, but then passing others. It was fun to say "OK, we're going to pass that lady in the blue" and then work towards doing it. What was a bit challenging was the fact that both the runners and the walkers started at the same time, so there was quite a bit of weaving involved.
Plus since it was at the Bronx zoo to benefit the penguins, I loved seeing the penguin costumes, themed shirts, hats, etc. It was great! Then I spent the day at the zoo with my family and a few friends. It was a perfect Saturday.
Taking just a moment to reflect, the fact that I completed a 5K is pretty significant. I was a girl who was never able to run. I think I've shared this before, but prior to 2006 or so, I couldn't even run a 1/4 mile. Last Saturday I told my class that I'd be subbing it out for the 5K, I told them that I was nervous because I haven't had the time to train. So many of them said something along the lines of "don't worry, you'll be fine, you're in great shape". Which really meant so much to me knowing where I've come from. Plus their faith in me meant alot too!
So back to the weekend... on both sides of Saturday, the rest of the weekend was STRESSFUL! Friday was moving day (not fun!), then Saturday afternoon was more moving/cleaning, and then Sunday was some unpacking. I'm nowhere near done but at least everything is finally at the new place. Sadly I'm not living there yet because I only have a half bath and the place is full of contruction dust. yuck! Hopefully I'll be in by next week. In a nutshell, I think it's safe to say that I've been stressed since March 18th when I closed on the condo.
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