Oh it is SOOOOO worth the drive!
Oh Wake Forest, how do you tempt me so with such a delightful treat adjacent to a bowling alley?
I
would never have expected a restaurant two doors down from the local
bowling alley to be anything I'd want to return to, or have the desire
to try absolutely everything on their delightfully planned menu...but
Over the Falls certainly accomplishes that...and more!
I've had
the delightful experience of being served here three times. Twice for
lunch and once for dinner. There is no better place at this price point
in RTP and frankly, few places that exceed even at a higher price point
for the menu!
The amazing sandwiches come on a variety of bread
choices including one of the best marble rye I've ever had anywhere in
the US and a superbly finished pretzel roll. Imagine a bread and it is
likely they feature it here! Additionally, they will swap out breads to
accommodate your preferences and only the pretzel roll carries a
surcharge of just 1$.
The meats are all perfectly flavored,
sliced beautifully and layered in sandwiches filled with the exact right
mix of cheeses and vegetables. The grilled items are not dripping in
oil, but rather perfectly crisp and not burned.
I love She Crab
soup, but typically do not order it unless I can hear the gulls crying
out from the shore. I took a chance and did a cup of soup with my entree
and was delighted to find it was as good as any I have had in
Charleston, sans the sherry float which I do enjoy!
My dining
companion chose a flatbread with artichoke hearts, fresh spinach,
delicately sliced Bermuda onion, crumbles of feta and the perfect melt
of mozzarella! The flatbread was brushed with a blend of olive oil and
fresh garlic and was cooked to perfection. It was crisp without
shattering at each bite and had enough 'chew factor' to be eaten with a
fork if desired. The aroma was phenomenal, the taste even better. Were I
to order this, I would add chicken to make it the perfect meal with
protein. It is enough to share with several as a starter and even as a
meal, plenty to take home to enjoy the next day...it was, much to our
delightful surprise, even better Day Two!
Torn between a Reuben
and a burger, I was and then I saw it...the answer to my culinary
prayers, Brink Burger! Their tag line is...We can make it, can you
finish it? and I'd have to give a resounding NO. Though I think one of
my teen boys could possibly attempt it. A perfectly medium burger atop
layers of grilled corned beef, and then snuggled under perfectly done
sauerkraut and a blanket of melted Swiss cheese all tucked into grilled
swirl rye. Now it traditionally comes with Thousand Island dressing,
which I call Thousand Calorie dressing, so I got it on the side and had
just a bite or two with that, but it was wonderful without it, too!!
Choices
of sides are wonderful-the house made chips are divine as are the
fries, fruit and cole slaw. I however, happily paid an extra dollar for
the sweet potato fries and though I ate only four of them, they were
well worth the price. 3/8 in cut long fries with a crisp exterior and
steamy, pillow soft interior. No sauce needed, just sprinkle with sea
salt and sigh.......
You can also substitute the amazing She Crab
soup as a side, which I've done both times in the past but heard so
much good press on the SPF, I had to give them a go and now I shall be
torn forevermore on which side to choose. I may have to start
engineering that my dining companions get SPF and I will 'test' a few of
theirs!
Friendly, delightful staff and even though we once had
someone a bit ditzy, she was still such a nice and genuine person, how
can you say that's a bad thing? I'd rather have warm and effusive than
self-important and abrupt any day!
Menu is the same, as is the
pricing, from dinner to lunch, which I find delightful, save for 5
entrees that are only available after 5p.
The owner is a hoot
and if you get a chance to chat with him, be sure you get your waitress
to fill your drinks as you settle in for great conversation on any one
of a hundred topics he's ready to talk about. He's the kind of person
you hope to sit beside on a plane, interesting and engaging and truly
cares about making a difference in the world and it shows!
Over the Falls should be the ONLY deli anyone in Wake Forest goes to, there is simply nothing that compares!
Friday, January 30, 2015
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Farm Table--a very favorite restaurant
This restaurant is located in Wake Forest, NC
I have had the distinct pleasure of dining at Farm Table half a dozen times since last summer. Each time the menu is as fresh and delightful as the local, in season items used to craft each selection.
While many restaurants will have a standard selection of appetizers and then a range of difficult to choose from entrees, Farm Table has thoughtfully applied their creative approach to include small plates such a pork meatballs with risotto, which I enjoyed recently along with perfectly seared scallops.
The risotto was perfectly toothy and yet had a delightful creamy texture. The flavoring was rich and full, but not heavy handed and commanding. It was the ideal accompaniment to the three pork meatballs which were so delightfully seasoned, I think the local pig that was used likely was smiling from Heaven that such pleasure was brought forth with each bite. Tender, but still firm and an incredible exterior that was one moment of heat away from an actual seared crust, the timing to remove from the heat was incredible. And not a happy accident, a dining companion had chosen the same small plate and hers were equally phenomenal.
Onto the scallops. I do believe that if there is a restaurant beyond the Pearly Gates, they are seeking how to replicate these spectacularly seared, buttery shellfish delights. They are lightly seasoned to bring out the unique sweetness of the scallop and seared on one side to give that amazing caramelized richness with each bite. Served over a bed of slightly wilted arugula dotted with toasted hazelnuts, each bite was a superb symphony of everything that is right with exceptionally crafted food. Sweet, salty, savory and just the right amount of bite. Scallops would leap from the ocean and into the pan if they knew their destiny would be Farm Table.
Service--which can sometimes be lacking in establishments with such amazing food, is absolutely on par with the food. Folksy, each server is attired in a T that evokes thoughts of Etsy with casual jeans or khakis to complete the outfit. Oversized flour cloth 'aprons' tied at the waist complete the look. Each time I have been there I have had a different server and while I tend to request a favorite upon a return, I am so delighted with new discoveries that I am seated in whichever section they so choose at the hostess desk.
The interior ambiance is very much 'we remodeled our family estate barn' feeling and delightfully so. Mismatched distressed tables of various sizes, cozy banquettes and chairs that look acquired over time, not at a single rush through the flea market. Even the geranium scented soap in the bathroom leaves you with a delightful fragrance that evokes an time where there is no rush, there is no hurry, just simply being and enjoying.
Dessert, how can we not mention dessert. The signature treat is a chocolate bourbon pecan pie with fresh, house made whipped cream. The filling is not overly firm, but neither is it runny. It is the perfectly set pecan pie so many Southern women hoped for over the last several centuries...done to perfection each time. The chocolate is an enchanting addition, not a cloying competitor for sugary excellence and the pecans...oh the pecans. They are plump and moist and toasted for a rich flavor and happily ensconced in that delightful pie filling. The crust is a marvelously well done, fluted edge that stands on its own. Flaky, yes, but without being a crumbly mess at the touch of a fork. Be sure to dip a bit of the pie from your fork into the whipped cream, a perfectly unsweetened delight to counterbalance any propensity to be too sweet from the pie. While that has been what I have ordered in the past, they were featuring white wedding cake this past Sunday and having not had a wedding to attend in the past year, the hankering for that light and sweet treat got the better of me and my dining companion. Very pretty in the presentation atop a rustic cutting board board dusted with confectioners sugar and set at an angle to a dollop of whipped cream. Several layers of a moist vanilla cake with a perfect buttercream filling between each and then an artistic icing around the exterior. Served with edible silver dragees and white sugar pearls, it was very good, however I'll return to my beloved pie next time. Unless there is creme brulee of course, one must never pass up a chance to try a brulee!
Please do not come here if you are looking for pedantic, manufactured menu items from Olive Garden or Red Lobster. This is not the place for gorging oneself on an epically large serving of thoughtlessly prepared food on a menu that changes once a year. Please also do not come if you are going to check your watch and have to be done quickly.
Farm Table is the ideal place to come and enjoy a meal over the course of an afternoon or evening, laughing and sharing conversation with your dining companions, hearing interesting facts on the local food sources and menu offerings from the staff and being able to peacefully linger with coffee or tea, sad to think your time there is coming to an end.
This is truly an amazing treasure hidden in the forests of Wake and should be frequented anytime an exceptional dining experience is desired.
I have had the distinct pleasure of dining at Farm Table half a dozen times since last summer. Each time the menu is as fresh and delightful as the local, in season items used to craft each selection.
While many restaurants will have a standard selection of appetizers and then a range of difficult to choose from entrees, Farm Table has thoughtfully applied their creative approach to include small plates such a pork meatballs with risotto, which I enjoyed recently along with perfectly seared scallops.
The risotto was perfectly toothy and yet had a delightful creamy texture. The flavoring was rich and full, but not heavy handed and commanding. It was the ideal accompaniment to the three pork meatballs which were so delightfully seasoned, I think the local pig that was used likely was smiling from Heaven that such pleasure was brought forth with each bite. Tender, but still firm and an incredible exterior that was one moment of heat away from an actual seared crust, the timing to remove from the heat was incredible. And not a happy accident, a dining companion had chosen the same small plate and hers were equally phenomenal.
Onto the scallops. I do believe that if there is a restaurant beyond the Pearly Gates, they are seeking how to replicate these spectacularly seared, buttery shellfish delights. They are lightly seasoned to bring out the unique sweetness of the scallop and seared on one side to give that amazing caramelized richness with each bite. Served over a bed of slightly wilted arugula dotted with toasted hazelnuts, each bite was a superb symphony of everything that is right with exceptionally crafted food. Sweet, salty, savory and just the right amount of bite. Scallops would leap from the ocean and into the pan if they knew their destiny would be Farm Table.
Service--which can sometimes be lacking in establishments with such amazing food, is absolutely on par with the food. Folksy, each server is attired in a T that evokes thoughts of Etsy with casual jeans or khakis to complete the outfit. Oversized flour cloth 'aprons' tied at the waist complete the look. Each time I have been there I have had a different server and while I tend to request a favorite upon a return, I am so delighted with new discoveries that I am seated in whichever section they so choose at the hostess desk.
The interior ambiance is very much 'we remodeled our family estate barn' feeling and delightfully so. Mismatched distressed tables of various sizes, cozy banquettes and chairs that look acquired over time, not at a single rush through the flea market. Even the geranium scented soap in the bathroom leaves you with a delightful fragrance that evokes an time where there is no rush, there is no hurry, just simply being and enjoying.
Dessert, how can we not mention dessert. The signature treat is a chocolate bourbon pecan pie with fresh, house made whipped cream. The filling is not overly firm, but neither is it runny. It is the perfectly set pecan pie so many Southern women hoped for over the last several centuries...done to perfection each time. The chocolate is an enchanting addition, not a cloying competitor for sugary excellence and the pecans...oh the pecans. They are plump and moist and toasted for a rich flavor and happily ensconced in that delightful pie filling. The crust is a marvelously well done, fluted edge that stands on its own. Flaky, yes, but without being a crumbly mess at the touch of a fork. Be sure to dip a bit of the pie from your fork into the whipped cream, a perfectly unsweetened delight to counterbalance any propensity to be too sweet from the pie. While that has been what I have ordered in the past, they were featuring white wedding cake this past Sunday and having not had a wedding to attend in the past year, the hankering for that light and sweet treat got the better of me and my dining companion. Very pretty in the presentation atop a rustic cutting board board dusted with confectioners sugar and set at an angle to a dollop of whipped cream. Several layers of a moist vanilla cake with a perfect buttercream filling between each and then an artistic icing around the exterior. Served with edible silver dragees and white sugar pearls, it was very good, however I'll return to my beloved pie next time. Unless there is creme brulee of course, one must never pass up a chance to try a brulee!
Please do not come here if you are looking for pedantic, manufactured menu items from Olive Garden or Red Lobster. This is not the place for gorging oneself on an epically large serving of thoughtlessly prepared food on a menu that changes once a year. Please also do not come if you are going to check your watch and have to be done quickly.
Farm Table is the ideal place to come and enjoy a meal over the course of an afternoon or evening, laughing and sharing conversation with your dining companions, hearing interesting facts on the local food sources and menu offerings from the staff and being able to peacefully linger with coffee or tea, sad to think your time there is coming to an end.
This is truly an amazing treasure hidden in the forests of Wake and should be frequented anytime an exceptional dining experience is desired.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
My closets are full of beautiful clothes that I love...and I don't want to wear any of them!
I like to think I've always dressed nicely in a style that is mine without being crazy wild or too staid. "Fresh Classic Twist" is how I'd have described my style most of the time. No sweatpants out of the house for me!
When I reached a point in my career that I was able to afford it, I invested in quality clothing and had some pieces over 10 years and they still looked beautiful and were in great condition. I have a gorgeous white Christian Dior suit jacket from Paris that is as beautiful now as the day it was purchased, and thousands of days have passed since it was purchased. Even though it no longer fits and never will again, it still has place in my suit closet.
As I began the journey of this new life, which I love, appreciate and enjoy so much, a metamorphosis took place that I was not expecting. At least not all of it.
First, I started buying via consignment, which I love, to buy both quality and single season pieces as I shrank in size. I had to have clothes that fit, I wasn't going to start being a sloppy mess as I lost weight. Then I started buying clothing on steep discount, sometimes missing out on something I'd really like to have, but knowing it would only fit a few months, I could not justify the investment and so I made the choice to be wise with my spending until I achieved my goal weight and size.
Quickly, I realized there is no goal size. I stood in a dressing room trying on three brands at a nicer department store and ended up buying a pair of pants in 6, 8 and 10...each fit me just right but designers sized them differently. Okay, I can learn to live with that. I simply sound like a young child learning to count by twos when asked what size I wear.
But I did achieve that goal weight. The weight I am comfortable at, am able to go 5 lbs either direction and not be too thin or fall into the overweight category. The clothes I have purchased fit fine with the swing in weight either direction as well and so when I spent a few months at this size I realized I could go back to investing in quality clothing again.
Which is not to say I said farewell to deep discounts or consignment, those were new habits I learned right along stopping before feeling full and hydrating the goodness sakes out of myself on a daily basis. But I started spending money on quality pieces again. Pieces I should be able to wear for the next decade and beyond. St. John, Ralph Lauren Black label items, Pendleton woolens and Burberry and I will even admit to spending more than my fair share of time visiting items at the local Hermes boutique. You get the picture. It's a most delightful sickness!
The first 46 years of my life I enjoyed new clothing, sure. I even created with my own patterns and trusty sewing machine certain pieces I could not find in my size back when anyone larger than a certain size was robed in a caftan...because those are 'slimming'.
I also had a solid, and quite comfortable, habit of wearing things over and over and over. I rarely got kudos on anything I was wearing. I'd get a compliment tossed from time to time, but nothing like what I have had happen with the new me. The new me has the woman at the Chamber of Commerce calling a colleague of hers from the back office to come see my dress when I picked up packets for fellow workers. The new me has boutique owners calling me when new items arrive because they know I'm like a junkie needing a fix. The new me has people asking what I am 'all dressed up for' when I am out running mundane errands. Gosh, just today I had a man in a home improvement store stop and ask me where I got my jacket (Lilly Pulitzer) because it looked so great on me.
I only have a few things left in my closet I have not worn before. The flutter of tags has nearly come to an end. Out of nearly 400 items, I am down to less than a dozen I have not yet worn. And some I need to wait until warmer weather or a surprise trip to the tropics. And I hate that I am not overcome by new, new, new! I love the rush of that brand new item, outfit, ensemble being put on. I like not wondering if the people I am going to see have seen me in that before. And I do not need A N Y T H I N G. Nothing can be justified as even slightly needed right now. I really don't have the space to store them any longer, either.
Tomorrow I'm going to dinner with two couples I have such a good time with, my husband has such a good time with and I'm dreading getting dressed to go out. Why? Because what if one of those four have seen me in what I pick to wear before? What if I wore it better the last time? What if I don't get that WOW that I am so addicted to now? I spent so many years being quasi invisible that I really and truly appreciate when people compliment my clothing and how I look. And when it is fresh and new and wow, I love it even more!
And while I generally consider myself a thoughtful, considerate and caring person who is very aware of social issues and the needs of my fellow man, this is the very shallow beach entry through which I access the deep end of the pool of self and humanity.
I do realize that no one is cataloging my clothing the way I am, keeping track of what I wore and how I looked and if I am *gasp* wearing something again, but it is chafing me. I never understood how all my lean and beautiful friends could fling open closet doors or walk from one end to the other of huge walk-ins and say they had nothing to wear. I think what they meant to say was that they had nothing NEW to wear. And I get that. I get that so, so deeply...which is ironic because it is so shallow.
There have been mostly positive realizations on this journey. Some have been painful to work through emotionally and have taken extreme work with my therapist to resolve, release and move forward from and to simply record as something that happened, not that is happening. There is a tremendous difference. But there have been those darker moments. Moments where I had to take responsibility for my actions, regardless of what others chose to do. Moments where I had the choice as fully mine and realized I had not really made the best choice for me and it had kept me from being the best I could be. And then this. This totally shallow and ridiculous thing that I've finally come to realize and don't like, but have not figured out how to deal with just yet.
The good news--while I am not sure what I will wear tomorrow, I WILL be wearing something and not going naked in protest of "nothing to wear". But I need to work through this branched path I had not foreseen in my journey. If I ignore it, I know it will only become a bigger and bigger issue. But I am not really sure how to tackle it, either. I am sure my therapist will have all sorts of fun with this one!
Are there things that you have changed in your life that had an unexpected result that you then had to work through to move forward?
When I reached a point in my career that I was able to afford it, I invested in quality clothing and had some pieces over 10 years and they still looked beautiful and were in great condition. I have a gorgeous white Christian Dior suit jacket from Paris that is as beautiful now as the day it was purchased, and thousands of days have passed since it was purchased. Even though it no longer fits and never will again, it still has place in my suit closet.
As I began the journey of this new life, which I love, appreciate and enjoy so much, a metamorphosis took place that I was not expecting. At least not all of it.
First, I started buying via consignment, which I love, to buy both quality and single season pieces as I shrank in size. I had to have clothes that fit, I wasn't going to start being a sloppy mess as I lost weight. Then I started buying clothing on steep discount, sometimes missing out on something I'd really like to have, but knowing it would only fit a few months, I could not justify the investment and so I made the choice to be wise with my spending until I achieved my goal weight and size.
Quickly, I realized there is no goal size. I stood in a dressing room trying on three brands at a nicer department store and ended up buying a pair of pants in 6, 8 and 10...each fit me just right but designers sized them differently. Okay, I can learn to live with that. I simply sound like a young child learning to count by twos when asked what size I wear.
But I did achieve that goal weight. The weight I am comfortable at, am able to go 5 lbs either direction and not be too thin or fall into the overweight category. The clothes I have purchased fit fine with the swing in weight either direction as well and so when I spent a few months at this size I realized I could go back to investing in quality clothing again.
Which is not to say I said farewell to deep discounts or consignment, those were new habits I learned right along stopping before feeling full and hydrating the goodness sakes out of myself on a daily basis. But I started spending money on quality pieces again. Pieces I should be able to wear for the next decade and beyond. St. John, Ralph Lauren Black label items, Pendleton woolens and Burberry and I will even admit to spending more than my fair share of time visiting items at the local Hermes boutique. You get the picture. It's a most delightful sickness!
The first 46 years of my life I enjoyed new clothing, sure. I even created with my own patterns and trusty sewing machine certain pieces I could not find in my size back when anyone larger than a certain size was robed in a caftan...because those are 'slimming'.
I also had a solid, and quite comfortable, habit of wearing things over and over and over. I rarely got kudos on anything I was wearing. I'd get a compliment tossed from time to time, but nothing like what I have had happen with the new me. The new me has the woman at the Chamber of Commerce calling a colleague of hers from the back office to come see my dress when I picked up packets for fellow workers. The new me has boutique owners calling me when new items arrive because they know I'm like a junkie needing a fix. The new me has people asking what I am 'all dressed up for' when I am out running mundane errands. Gosh, just today I had a man in a home improvement store stop and ask me where I got my jacket (Lilly Pulitzer) because it looked so great on me.
I only have a few things left in my closet I have not worn before. The flutter of tags has nearly come to an end. Out of nearly 400 items, I am down to less than a dozen I have not yet worn. And some I need to wait until warmer weather or a surprise trip to the tropics. And I hate that I am not overcome by new, new, new! I love the rush of that brand new item, outfit, ensemble being put on. I like not wondering if the people I am going to see have seen me in that before. And I do not need A N Y T H I N G. Nothing can be justified as even slightly needed right now. I really don't have the space to store them any longer, either.
Tomorrow I'm going to dinner with two couples I have such a good time with, my husband has such a good time with and I'm dreading getting dressed to go out. Why? Because what if one of those four have seen me in what I pick to wear before? What if I wore it better the last time? What if I don't get that WOW that I am so addicted to now? I spent so many years being quasi invisible that I really and truly appreciate when people compliment my clothing and how I look. And when it is fresh and new and wow, I love it even more!
And while I generally consider myself a thoughtful, considerate and caring person who is very aware of social issues and the needs of my fellow man, this is the very shallow beach entry through which I access the deep end of the pool of self and humanity.
I do realize that no one is cataloging my clothing the way I am, keeping track of what I wore and how I looked and if I am *gasp* wearing something again, but it is chafing me. I never understood how all my lean and beautiful friends could fling open closet doors or walk from one end to the other of huge walk-ins and say they had nothing to wear. I think what they meant to say was that they had nothing NEW to wear. And I get that. I get that so, so deeply...which is ironic because it is so shallow.
There have been mostly positive realizations on this journey. Some have been painful to work through emotionally and have taken extreme work with my therapist to resolve, release and move forward from and to simply record as something that happened, not that is happening. There is a tremendous difference. But there have been those darker moments. Moments where I had to take responsibility for my actions, regardless of what others chose to do. Moments where I had the choice as fully mine and realized I had not really made the best choice for me and it had kept me from being the best I could be. And then this. This totally shallow and ridiculous thing that I've finally come to realize and don't like, but have not figured out how to deal with just yet.
The good news--while I am not sure what I will wear tomorrow, I WILL be wearing something and not going naked in protest of "nothing to wear". But I need to work through this branched path I had not foreseen in my journey. If I ignore it, I know it will only become a bigger and bigger issue. But I am not really sure how to tackle it, either. I am sure my therapist will have all sorts of fun with this one!
Are there things that you have changed in your life that had an unexpected result that you then had to work through to move forward?
Just breathe!
I've come to realize that if you want one, there will ALWAYS be an excuse:
I'm tired
I'm on vacation
I'm busy
I've always
I've never
It's cold
It's hot
I'm away from my kids
I'm with my kids
I have no kids
I'm going to 'X' tomorrow
I'm going to 'X' next week, month, year...
List goes on and on and on of course. But they are not reasons. They are EXCUSES. Kill the excuses in your life. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it!
Do it TODAY! Be the change for yourself you want to see TODAY! Just because you have always, doesn't mean you must always! Value you YOU over anything or anyone else.
On every commercial flight they tell you to put your own mask on first so that you can be of help to others! You are no good if you are without oxygen. Translate that to whatever else you are without and go after it with the same desperation someone struggling to breathe would go after that dangling bag on a flight!
Each small step takes you down the path of the journey you are aching to live, you don't just decide and instantly arrive. The struggles that you may encounter on that path are worth it. SO worth it!
If you are already on a happy and fulfilling path and have your mask secured, I hope you'll reach out to those that want to improve their lives and no matter how small it seems, that you'll encourage them. That is part two of the flight advice. Once your mask is secure, help others, and this is important--who want to be helped--with theirs. Even someone who is stumbling down their path can help those who want to walk beside them. If you wait until you achieve perfection to help...you'll never help. There is no perfection, just practicing and refining.
Do or do not, there is no try.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Shed those excuses! Stop telling yourself you can't...because you CAN! Now go and get that mask on. Don't suffocate another day in layers of excuses and bad habits.
BREATHE!
I'm tired
I'm on vacation
I'm busy
I've always
I've never
It's cold
It's hot
I'm away from my kids
I'm with my kids
I have no kids
I'm going to 'X' tomorrow
I'm going to 'X' next week, month, year...
List goes on and on and on of course. But they are not reasons. They are EXCUSES. Kill the excuses in your life. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it!
Do it TODAY! Be the change for yourself you want to see TODAY! Just because you have always, doesn't mean you must always! Value you YOU over anything or anyone else.
On every commercial flight they tell you to put your own mask on first so that you can be of help to others! You are no good if you are without oxygen. Translate that to whatever else you are without and go after it with the same desperation someone struggling to breathe would go after that dangling bag on a flight!
Each small step takes you down the path of the journey you are aching to live, you don't just decide and instantly arrive. The struggles that you may encounter on that path are worth it. SO worth it!
If you are already on a happy and fulfilling path and have your mask secured, I hope you'll reach out to those that want to improve their lives and no matter how small it seems, that you'll encourage them. That is part two of the flight advice. Once your mask is secure, help others, and this is important--who want to be helped--with theirs. Even someone who is stumbling down their path can help those who want to walk beside them. If you wait until you achieve perfection to help...you'll never help. There is no perfection, just practicing and refining.
Do or do not, there is no try.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Shed those excuses! Stop telling yourself you can't...because you CAN! Now go and get that mask on. Don't suffocate another day in layers of excuses and bad habits.
BREATHE!
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
The power of tea...and compression wear
Over the past month I have been almost assaulted with amazing and delectable smells coming from what seems like every corner of the world. I realized that when the local gas station smelled delicious due to a new latte they were making in their quick serve area, things had gotten out of hand!
So while I am able to say to myself I AM NOT HUNGRY, I still don't want to walk around during the holidays...or any time of year...feeling like I'm being deprived. I decided that I had to come up with a more active plan for not feeling like I was saying no to treats 24 hours a day.
For a few days I kept careful track of the smells that were calling out to me and being the basis of cravings that didn't really make any sense, like wanting to have a cookie at 10a while still feeling actually satisfied from breakfast but smelling them baking as I walked into a hotel of all places! What I realized is that richly spiced and caramel were the two things that made me salivate most. So I starting thinking of what I could do to get those flavor profiles to me with a limited amount of calories.
The first choice I made was to buy So Delicious quarts of Eggnog and Pumpkin Spice non-dairy milk. The Eggnog was more calorie rich than I like-90 calories in a half cup, but just 45 in the Pumpkin Spice. I found that by using 1/4 cup of either flavor and an equal amount of either Almond, Coconut or Cashew milk (unsweetened of course) to my coffee, I could have an amazing treat that let me enjoy that same scent and flavor profile.
Additionally, I bought a number of sugar free coffee syrups and would add a pump or two of them to a 24 ounce tumbler of coffee.
But one day I had a coffee around 4p and regretted it until after midnight as I lay in my bed wishing and begging that I could fall asleep but caffeine had other plans and my sleep that night was limited. So I decided I had to pull back on my coffee intake, but what else would do the trick?
TEA!
I bought several chai, winter blends and fall favorites to try out. I looked for herbal varieties of course, did not want to trade one vexing beverage for another and found that I did not even have to use the milks, but simply the tea as a stand alone and sometimes with one pump of the syrup.
And for those times I might have been tempted to grab a cookie and eat it mindlessly, I found wearing compression wear was a wonderful helpmate as well! The feeling of that snug second skin layer was a great reminder to me. I also find a belt and fitted clothing works well, too! I am not a fan of overly tight clothing, but well fitted and form fitting is a wonderful 'time delay' item that gives me the moment needed to tell myself that food isn't worth it and save my calories for something that IS worth it!
And while I'm waiting for that worthy item to cross my path, I shall be drinking tea in my Spanx!
So while I am able to say to myself I AM NOT HUNGRY, I still don't want to walk around during the holidays...or any time of year...feeling like I'm being deprived. I decided that I had to come up with a more active plan for not feeling like I was saying no to treats 24 hours a day.
For a few days I kept careful track of the smells that were calling out to me and being the basis of cravings that didn't really make any sense, like wanting to have a cookie at 10a while still feeling actually satisfied from breakfast but smelling them baking as I walked into a hotel of all places! What I realized is that richly spiced and caramel were the two things that made me salivate most. So I starting thinking of what I could do to get those flavor profiles to me with a limited amount of calories.
The first choice I made was to buy So Delicious quarts of Eggnog and Pumpkin Spice non-dairy milk. The Eggnog was more calorie rich than I like-90 calories in a half cup, but just 45 in the Pumpkin Spice. I found that by using 1/4 cup of either flavor and an equal amount of either Almond, Coconut or Cashew milk (unsweetened of course) to my coffee, I could have an amazing treat that let me enjoy that same scent and flavor profile.
Additionally, I bought a number of sugar free coffee syrups and would add a pump or two of them to a 24 ounce tumbler of coffee.
But one day I had a coffee around 4p and regretted it until after midnight as I lay in my bed wishing and begging that I could fall asleep but caffeine had other plans and my sleep that night was limited. So I decided I had to pull back on my coffee intake, but what else would do the trick?
TEA!
I bought several chai, winter blends and fall favorites to try out. I looked for herbal varieties of course, did not want to trade one vexing beverage for another and found that I did not even have to use the milks, but simply the tea as a stand alone and sometimes with one pump of the syrup.
And for those times I might have been tempted to grab a cookie and eat it mindlessly, I found wearing compression wear was a wonderful helpmate as well! The feeling of that snug second skin layer was a great reminder to me. I also find a belt and fitted clothing works well, too! I am not a fan of overly tight clothing, but well fitted and form fitting is a wonderful 'time delay' item that gives me the moment needed to tell myself that food isn't worth it and save my calories for something that IS worth it!
And while I'm waiting for that worthy item to cross my path, I shall be drinking tea in my Spanx!
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Saving idea on new running apparel
Many of my running friends have lamented the desire for new running gear but not the prices for new running gear. If I can find a way to save money on something I use as much as running gear, it's a double win as far as I am concerned.
I had a coupon for a big box sports store and went in to see what deals could be found. I liked a pair of running pants but they did not have my size in women's and the woman said for me to check the girls department because they might have been put away on the wrong rack.
LIGHTBULB!
Zipped over to the girls section and it was like the heavenly hosts of angels sang as I found the pants not only on sale for HALF of the women's price, but in great bounty! I bought three pair of the XL girls instead of women's medium and they fit great. In a way, they actually fit BETTER because I have no tushie to speak of and neither do many young girls.
If you wear any size up to a women's medium....check out the kids wear! Even a friend who normally wears a large can do the pants, but not the tops, in girls sizes!
Another option is to buy off season. If you know you are going to run next year and presumably it will be hot that summer or cold that winter, you can buy the summer gear on uber discount in October and the winter duds in April that are practically free!
One of my favorites is to find items at consignment. My two favorite running jackets both came from consignment and at a fraction of the price they were new and I got them in season! Things like bras, socks and shoes....gotta get them new as far as I am concerned, but anything else I am up to try from a selective consignment store.
And don't forget referral systems! I do not ever want to be that person that chases people down to sign up for various clubs or Facebook pages or you name it...however if someone says they really like my outfit or would like to find affordable clothing, I am going to offer to send them a link to Fabletics. They get their first outfit for very little, I get a 10$ thank you and they get one for their next order! I always make sure people know I'm getting a little something for the referral, but so are they. :)
What great ideas do you have on saving for your running apparel?
I had a coupon for a big box sports store and went in to see what deals could be found. I liked a pair of running pants but they did not have my size in women's and the woman said for me to check the girls department because they might have been put away on the wrong rack.
LIGHTBULB!
Zipped over to the girls section and it was like the heavenly hosts of angels sang as I found the pants not only on sale for HALF of the women's price, but in great bounty! I bought three pair of the XL girls instead of women's medium and they fit great. In a way, they actually fit BETTER because I have no tushie to speak of and neither do many young girls.
If you wear any size up to a women's medium....check out the kids wear! Even a friend who normally wears a large can do the pants, but not the tops, in girls sizes!
Another option is to buy off season. If you know you are going to run next year and presumably it will be hot that summer or cold that winter, you can buy the summer gear on uber discount in October and the winter duds in April that are practically free!
One of my favorites is to find items at consignment. My two favorite running jackets both came from consignment and at a fraction of the price they were new and I got them in season! Things like bras, socks and shoes....gotta get them new as far as I am concerned, but anything else I am up to try from a selective consignment store.
And don't forget referral systems! I do not ever want to be that person that chases people down to sign up for various clubs or Facebook pages or you name it...however if someone says they really like my outfit or would like to find affordable clothing, I am going to offer to send them a link to Fabletics. They get their first outfit for very little, I get a 10$ thank you and they get one for their next order! I always make sure people know I'm getting a little something for the referral, but so are they. :)
What great ideas do you have on saving for your running apparel?
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Some ideas for mixing things up and cutting calories in the kitchen!
I’m always intrigued by the different thoughts people have
on lower calorie cooking. Some people feel that they need to deprive themselves
and pick ingredients and they don’t really care for because of the calorie
count, other people feel that they should be able to buy things package that
are both healthy for them and tasty. I find both of these to be a wrong way to
approach eating.
I believe you should be eating the foods that you love! You
should be eating the foods that you enjoy! Certainly moderation plays a factor,
but so does what you combine them with. For example I love scrambled eggs! I
love omelettes! I love poached eggs! Pretty much if it is an egg, I’m going to love
it! Eggs however are 70 cal each. So I started using Eggbeaters. And yet I hear
from people so often that they hate Eggbeaters and when I asked them why, they
generally tell me they are rubbery little discs, which in turn tells me they’re not making them right
because I make them for people and they generally ask where I get my wonderfully
farm fresh eggs.
Which is not to say that I don’t buy farm fresh eggs, I certainly do, but
I don’t use them just for basic scrambled egg. I'll make use of my farm fresh eggs
when I’m poaching or frying and probably in some baking as well. But generally
I’m using Eggbeaters and I’ve even migrated from using 50% Eggbeater whites and
the other 50% in the regular Eggbeaters I can cut my calories, 75% with that one
little change alone!
Eggbeaters to me are a top choice food to take on the road! I
can make so much with them, they are so warm and satisfying and it doesn’t feel
like ‘made in a hotel room’ food. Stopping off at the local salad bar and
picking up some mushrooms, peppers, olives...whatever else I am in the mood for...to
mix in with my eggs as a great way to amp up the Eggbeaters. I pour a third of a
cup into a microwavable container, add the vegetables, sometime some cheese, stir
with a fork and cook it for 45 seconds. Then I stir again and I cook it in
eight second increments. I find that just up one or two second overcooking will
result in an overcooked and yucky Eggbeater experience. By staying a little bit
on the wet side and allowing the heat that’s already present to continue
cooking the mixture once I removed from the microwave makes a huge difference.
Eggbeaters another great way to cut calories in a baked dish
as well! Now sure, there are some where an actual egg makes a difference, but mostly, Eggbeaters rock!
I’ve learned to take a sugar-free brownie or cake recipe use Eggbeaters instead of a regular egg use additional water or applesauce instead
of oil and can cut the calories dramatically from what stated on the package I
can add some calories but really amp up the protein by putting two scoops of
protein powder in the batter. Sometimes I choose a protein powder that will
enhance it such as a peanut butter or cookies and cream and other times I use
unflavored because I just want the pure taste of the item to be enjoyed. For
whatever reason I find that when I had a protein powder I really have to
overcompensate for the liquid so sometimes I’ll even have cookies that seem a
little goopy when I put them in and thus I moved to a bar shape cookie instead
of a scoop or drop cookie.
One interesting thing that has come from this practice, is a
very consistent serving size. When I put them into a pan, I cut them into 36 same
size cookies and I don’t have to worry that one cookie was a little larger
than or a little smaller than its counterpart. It gives me an extremely
consistent calorie count it also makes me very mindful that I can’t mentally
compensate for the easy thought of “Oh gosh that was a smaller cookie, I can
have another”.
Another nice thing about
bar cookies is I can make them all at once, rather have to put them in the oven
and take them out another dozen in the oven and take them out I can civilly pour
them all into one pan wait for them to cook let them cool just slightly mark
them off and then let them come to a full cool at that time it’s very easy to
separate them without having them pull or tear against each other. I have not
found a single cookie that I could not do this to which was formerly a drop or scoop
cookie. Certainly something like a Mexican wedding cookie or Spritz would need
to be handled differently but frankly I can get by without eating those types
of cookies, I’m talking chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, butterscotch or
gingerbread.
Even a plain “sugar cookie” can be adjusted made a little bit
healthier lower calorie and still 100% enjoyable. But all of this requires some
adventure in the kitchen. And I’m always interested when I talk to people how
unadventurous they are in the kitchen how afraid they are of the basic
ingredients that are in their own cupboards. I find so many people are so tied
down to recipes that they can’t re-imagine or think differently of how that
might have come to be in a smarter way. And I figure the worst thing is going
to happen is you’re going to throw away a batch of cookies (or feed them to your local teen boy) as I guarantee you are NOT going to have
your kitchen access revoked. You are not going to be made fun of and mocked openly in
the streets. So you made a bad batch of cookies. So what? Who cares?
You’re out there experimenting and trying and that’s more
quite frankly the most people seem to do. Go for it...all you have to lose is calories!
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Watershed moments
NOTE:
Some writings I had done in earlier years, and shared on a smaller
scale, have been requested to be posted on my blog. So I am going to do a
bit of older posting, the time scale will seem off of some, so I want
to be clear this is from many years ago.
Last weekend, for 5 days really, I played single mom while Carter was 800 miles away at a funeral. During said time away, the following took place:
Thursday Nick fell and impaled his leg with the gears from his bike. A most horrific wound if I've ever seen one.
Friday after school and work I walked the dogs, took Jackson to chess, delivered something to a woman 30 minutes away, picked Jackson up from chess, took Nick to the mall, made dinner for Jackson, chatted with my mom, learned how to make a Bazzill gift box, picked Nick up from the mall, procrastinated in doing both laundry and dishes (gee I hate housework and missed Carter!), finalized my inventory, filled all my Wishblade title orders and got everything ready to take Jackson to the chess tournament on Sat.
Saturday morning I got up at the crack of dawn, walked the dogs in the cold morning air, showered (this will be key, later on!) took Jackson to a chess tournament 25 miles north of us, came home, thought about doing the dishes, took the dogs on a long walk, filled the truck to overflowing with all manner of things that needed to be taken to the dump, raked leaves, trimmed a holly topiary, gathered lots of recycling materials and headed out to the dump, knowing that my sweaty, stinky, nasty self would need a shower as soon as I returned home.
Pulled out of my driveway and admired the lovely, expansive and exceptionally natural fountain gracing the front lawn of my home. We live in a country club neighborhood where some people have quite lovely landscaping, extensive man made ponds and other such desirable water features. Right in the middle of my front lawn, a fabulous, remarkable fountain that caused me to draw my breath in utter fascination.
Mostly because we do not normally have a fountain.
Our water main had broken and was putting up brilliant water sculptures at an amazing and expensive rate. I stopped the truck, loaded down like I was a movin' to Beverly...and ran, FILTHY ALREADY, to my water main at the street. After much effort on my part and the benevolence of a neighbor, we were able to shut the water off completely to my house.
And that, my dear friends, is where this story really begins.
So there I stood, awash with mud, sweat, filth and thinking there isn't a clean place upon my body with the exception of the two tear-cleansed paths down my dirty face and realize that when I come home from the dump (surely I can't NOT go now), there will not be a cleansing shower for me.
I return home, disrobe in the garage and set about realizing all the places in which water is needed, and so sorely taken for granted.
Toilet? Out of order.
Sink? Not gonna happen.
Dishwasher? Oy--why didn't I just run it last night?
Laundry? Ha ha ha...ugh!
The list felt as though it went on and on and on.
A bright moment, when I realize that I can go to the church (bless my master key!) and bathe myself back to normalcy.
Except I forgot a towel.
And did not realize this minor little fact until well lathered and unable to turn back time. And while my two Labs can shake themselves into a bone-dry farethewell after a long bath---I was unable to do so. Pulling dry clothing onto a predominately wet body, especially one that is the before photo in a Bally's ad, should be the next reality show on UPN. It is truly hysterical to see, if it is not seen in a mirror. Then it is just sad, and only mildly humorous.
I must now return to retrieve Jackson from the tournament, prepare a meal without water (telephones are allowed! Bless you Domino's!) and figure out how to do those luxurious little things--like brush your teeth, when the tap runneth not. I used bottled water to brush my teeth. I swear I saw a flash of Paris Hilton in my mirror as I spit and rinsed at 8.00 a gallon.
Sunday morning Nick is passing Lord's Supper at church. Do I have the shirt he asked me to wash, clean? Nope, and all the bottled water in Charlotte couldn't help me with that.
I could go on, but then I'd have to tell you that we're now in the grip of strep at my house and I feel like someone dropped a house on me and I have to go to work because I am running the staff meeting in my manager's absence tomorrow.
I'd have to tell you I am staying at my in-laws house until Saturday when the plumber is 'pretty sure' he'll have the whole system put back together with gleaming copper piping to replace that forsaken plastic that is there now.
I'd have to tell you all that, and it just seems too depressing, so I won't go on.
Feel like praying and being thankful? Go run the tap for me and say a prayer that your plumbing is designed to outlast you and your loved ones.
And know that I'll be back in full-force once water runs freely once again at our home. Until then, I'll likely only post in a trickle.
Last weekend, for 5 days really, I played single mom while Carter was 800 miles away at a funeral. During said time away, the following took place:
Thursday Nick fell and impaled his leg with the gears from his bike. A most horrific wound if I've ever seen one.
Friday after school and work I walked the dogs, took Jackson to chess, delivered something to a woman 30 minutes away, picked Jackson up from chess, took Nick to the mall, made dinner for Jackson, chatted with my mom, learned how to make a Bazzill gift box, picked Nick up from the mall, procrastinated in doing both laundry and dishes (gee I hate housework and missed Carter!), finalized my inventory, filled all my Wishblade title orders and got everything ready to take Jackson to the chess tournament on Sat.
Saturday morning I got up at the crack of dawn, walked the dogs in the cold morning air, showered (this will be key, later on!) took Jackson to a chess tournament 25 miles north of us, came home, thought about doing the dishes, took the dogs on a long walk, filled the truck to overflowing with all manner of things that needed to be taken to the dump, raked leaves, trimmed a holly topiary, gathered lots of recycling materials and headed out to the dump, knowing that my sweaty, stinky, nasty self would need a shower as soon as I returned home.
Pulled out of my driveway and admired the lovely, expansive and exceptionally natural fountain gracing the front lawn of my home. We live in a country club neighborhood where some people have quite lovely landscaping, extensive man made ponds and other such desirable water features. Right in the middle of my front lawn, a fabulous, remarkable fountain that caused me to draw my breath in utter fascination.
Mostly because we do not normally have a fountain.
Our water main had broken and was putting up brilliant water sculptures at an amazing and expensive rate. I stopped the truck, loaded down like I was a movin' to Beverly...and ran, FILTHY ALREADY, to my water main at the street. After much effort on my part and the benevolence of a neighbor, we were able to shut the water off completely to my house.
And that, my dear friends, is where this story really begins.
So there I stood, awash with mud, sweat, filth and thinking there isn't a clean place upon my body with the exception of the two tear-cleansed paths down my dirty face and realize that when I come home from the dump (surely I can't NOT go now), there will not be a cleansing shower for me.
I return home, disrobe in the garage and set about realizing all the places in which water is needed, and so sorely taken for granted.
Toilet? Out of order.
Sink? Not gonna happen.
Dishwasher? Oy--why didn't I just run it last night?
Laundry? Ha ha ha...ugh!
The list felt as though it went on and on and on.
A bright moment, when I realize that I can go to the church (bless my master key!) and bathe myself back to normalcy.
Except I forgot a towel.
And did not realize this minor little fact until well lathered and unable to turn back time. And while my two Labs can shake themselves into a bone-dry farethewell after a long bath---I was unable to do so. Pulling dry clothing onto a predominately wet body, especially one that is the before photo in a Bally's ad, should be the next reality show on UPN. It is truly hysterical to see, if it is not seen in a mirror. Then it is just sad, and only mildly humorous.
I must now return to retrieve Jackson from the tournament, prepare a meal without water (telephones are allowed! Bless you Domino's!) and figure out how to do those luxurious little things--like brush your teeth, when the tap runneth not. I used bottled water to brush my teeth. I swear I saw a flash of Paris Hilton in my mirror as I spit and rinsed at 8.00 a gallon.
Sunday morning Nick is passing Lord's Supper at church. Do I have the shirt he asked me to wash, clean? Nope, and all the bottled water in Charlotte couldn't help me with that.
I could go on, but then I'd have to tell you that we're now in the grip of strep at my house and I feel like someone dropped a house on me and I have to go to work because I am running the staff meeting in my manager's absence tomorrow.
I'd have to tell you I am staying at my in-laws house until Saturday when the plumber is 'pretty sure' he'll have the whole system put back together with gleaming copper piping to replace that forsaken plastic that is there now.
I'd have to tell you all that, and it just seems too depressing, so I won't go on.
Feel like praying and being thankful? Go run the tap for me and say a prayer that your plumbing is designed to outlast you and your loved ones.
And know that I'll be back in full-force once water runs freely once again at our home. Until then, I'll likely only post in a trickle.
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