And the beat goes on. Here's part two of the beach body insanity posts. Here's a link to part one in case you missed it. My hope is that if you are just a random internet person and are lacking a buddy for the beach body program (and you really need a buddy, it just helps) you can be my buddy, even though I already did it. Just follow along day by day, and share my misery and pain and eventually feel the success. Or something motivating, I don't know. Insert something witty, clever and motivational for you and pretend I said it. Rah-rah go team!
By the way, the colors are the same. My original comments are in black, my comments from today are in red and A's comments are in blue.
Day 16: Cardio Circuit:
I hate the floor work on this one, it kicks my ass. it doesn't help when people come over and see me flailing around in shorts and a sports bra, flab flying willy nilly. Low moral day? Why do you ask?
I think this one my be my favorite one so far. I don't know why...maybe b/c it has more ab stuff that I can actually do and feel the burn on.
Day 17: Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs:
Well, I did better on pure cardio today. I didn't have time to do both, I was gonna take tomorrow off so I'll just do cardio abs tomorrow. I feel like I only have to take a few breaks during this one and I definitely feel that I'm not decimated when I'm done anymore. That's progress, right?
This was probably my best session so far.
Day 18: Cardio Recovery:
I did cardio recovery and cardio abs today to make up for missing it the other day. I actually prefer to do cardio abs with recovery than with pure cardio.
I'm still truckin' away...
Day 19: Cardio Power & Resistance:
Man, I did not sleep well last night and did this workout first thing in the morning without eating and being super tired. Needless to say, it kicked my butt. I was so tired throughout the whole thing. I really felt it more than usual, maybe that's a good thing?
Day 20: Plyometric Cardio:
this is the first time I felt a little sick working out, i'm still not sleeping well so I wonder if that's it. Otherwise a good workout.
Day 21: REST
Day 22: Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs:
not such a good workout for me, either. I've been having a week of stomach trouble and little sleep, I guess it's finally catching up to me, I was just so tired and stomach achy throughout this workout that i don't feel it was the best I'd had.
Not too much into the workout today.
Day 23: Cardio Power & Resistance:
I forgot to write this in when I did it! yikes. Oh well, this is my favorite workout, if I have to pick one.
Not a good workout today. I was ble to finish, but only after pausing for 5 minutes or so.Day 24: Plyometric Cardio:
Not a great self esteem workout today. I really felt ineffectual and fat. and slow. so slow.
This is my favorite one. I know I've said it before, but I really feel I'm working out every muscle group in this one. I feel the most results, I guess. I'm trying out this new Berry Vega protein shake as a meal replacement once per day. It worked out okay today at work with me drinking it for breakfast. I didn't have time to have a snack in between breakfast and lunch, so I was super hungry. I usually have a banana or protein bar for a pick me up snack. Let's see how tomorrow goes. It tastes okay with the addition of frozen strawberries, applesauce, and orange juice. I'm not big on protein shakes due to the eggy taste, but this one is vegan, so I thought I would try it out. We'll see...
Day 25: Cardio Recovery:
SKipped this one cause I was sick. I'll make it up sometime.
Day 26:Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs:
This might be the first time I really feel good after I finished a workout. I was worried about this one because I was sick but I'm feeling pretty good right now. So go me.
Good workout today...even if I'm still feeling unmotivated. I'm getting nervous for Month 2...I hear it's a killer. I have one more workout, then core recovery week, then my month 2 starts.
Day 27: Plyometric Cardio:
Going on vacation...hope it doesn't ruin my workout schedule...
Shit. I'm sofa king gross right now with all of the dripping sweat.
Day 28: REST
Day 29: Core Cardio & Balance:
I prefer some of the other workouts to this one. I agree that hipflexors suck massively. I hate them, I do I do I do. Also, my shoulders...after a while it really burns! I really hate Tonya. Down to 150.8 lbs! Woot. NYC and Beach body workout for the win.
This was an interesting workout. I would say a little tougher than cardio recovery, but not as high impact as some of the others. My hip flexors are going to kill tomorrow. This was also a good ab workout. Sipping on some whey protein shake that is actually yummy. My jeans that I wore today are officially too big. I was able to pinch a good 1.5-2 inches from the waist. I really should have started measurements...maybe I'll do that at the beginning of my month 2...
Day 30: Core Cardio & Balance:
day two down. I really don't feel the ab work so much on this one, i wonder if I'm doing it wrong... :(
I was pretty sore after yesterday's workout today in my lower back... A coworker that is also doing this told me to keep my knees faced front with the squat exercises. This helped today. The hip flexor burner exercises can kiss my ass, though.
Day 31: Core Cardio & Balance:
I kind of think Tonya doubles as a stripper. It's just that smile on her face. Seriously. I also think that there is some no doubt cover music in the beginning of the workout. I think that I prefer when we have different workouts every day, the same thing over and over gets, you know...
Yeah, I love everything except the hip flexor burner exercises. Suck it hard, Shaun T. Instead of rushing to get all of week 5 done before vacation, I've decided not to stress about it, because I know that I'm going to gain a ton of weight on vacation. I'm going to give myself a few days to get myself back in gear when I come back and prepare myself for the weigh in and Month 2.
Day 32: Core Cardio & Balance:
So, I had to work a double today, boo on that, but i brought the jump drive to work and fit as much in as i could in my second lunch break. I only had to skip the shoulder burners which, to be honest, i really wasn't sad about. The celebratory sound my hips made today during hip flexors: pop, crack, pop, crack.
One more workout in before vacation...
Day 33: Core Cardio & Balance:
I had a horrible workout today, my kid has a jihad against sleep this weekend and I've been having mild insomnia so the combination made for a sluggish and exhausted workout. Gah. I'll do better tomorrow. veggie quinoa for the win, though. I found it in bulk so I'm super excited about that. I really want to make it for you, A.
This is the first workout that I've done since we've been back. I plan on "powering through" to the fitness test and just grow some balls and start month 2. I was happy to see I didn't gain any weight on vacation, so that's awesome....my husband's bodybuilder cousin had suggested muscle milk to avoid any pain after the workouts (stop scoffing at me). Tried some today. Holy fuck. This shit is sweet as hell...and it's the light version. I'll have to cut it with strawberries or water or some shit tomorrow. Will not buy again...but must finish 3 remaining servings. I'm not trying to bulk up, just get extra casein and whatever I need to avoid pain of month 2. He gave me other pointers.
Day 34: Core Cardio & Balance:
dude, last day of recovery week. I'm pretty scared. I don't have time to do both workouts tomorrow so I'm probably going to do the fit test with maybe the abs one and then do the max interval the next day.
I'm so scared for tomorrow. I'm going to skip the day of rest since those 9 days were my resting days and try to pummel through if work permits....
Day 35: REST
Stay tuned for part 3, the dreaded month two....
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
all the parents of children under six say "hey!"
So, we took Asher to Yo Gabba Gabba live last night. And I was a little worried about a whole lot of things, if Asher would have fun, if he would be able to sit through the whole show, if he would cry when it was over, if we would be bored, if the whole night would end in disaster.
None of those things happened. It was super awesome. If you have a kid under the age of six, I highly recommend you to see this show. It's kind of expensive, we paid $34.50 a ticket after ticketmaster charges. What's sad is that the tickets were originally only like 25 bucks each, which isn't so bad. But, thank you ticketmaster. I appreciate you raping me every time I want to go to a show or concert. Just, thanks. You know I love it, secretly.
Anyway, it was at the Akron Civic Theatre, which is pretty much the coolest theatre I've ever been to ever. It was amazing and beautiful. Let me see if the internet has any cool photos of it... It's not much to look at on the exterior, but it's what's on the inside that counts.
Anyway, Yo Gabba. So, there is a huge tv screen on stage and DJ Lance comes on screen and talks to the kids. He then says he can't really hear them so he runs towards the screen, and jumps out of a hidden door, in the screen. Then he asks us to say the magic words to help our friends come out. When we chant Yo Gabba Gabba a few times the screen bursts into two panals and pushes open and our friends are inside, jut like the boom box on the show. It was super cool. We saw Dale Earndhart Jr. Jr. as our musical guest, because listening and dancing to music is AWESOMMMMEEEEE! And of course, Biz Marqie came out and did a whole segment with kids on stage doing Biz's beat of the day. It was fun.
I am not going to talk about the whole show, I really don't want to ruin it if you go and see it, and if you don't have a kid you probably don't really care. Just know there was a lot of fun and dancing and everyone had fun. I will try to post a video of asher dancing here, too.
 |
| It's a requirement for all parents of children who like yo gabba to know every one of these character's names. |
So, I know you want another beach body insanity post, which you will get tomorrow or the next day, I promise. Today, you are getting my Yo Gabba Gabba Live! post.
None of those things happened. It was super awesome. If you have a kid under the age of six, I highly recommend you to see this show. It's kind of expensive, we paid $34.50 a ticket after ticketmaster charges. What's sad is that the tickets were originally only like 25 bucks each, which isn't so bad. But, thank you ticketmaster. I appreciate you raping me every time I want to go to a show or concert. Just, thanks. You know I love it, secretly.
Anyway, it was at the Akron Civic Theatre, which is pretty much the coolest theatre I've ever been to ever. It was amazing and beautiful. Let me see if the internet has any cool photos of it... It's not much to look at on the exterior, but it's what's on the inside that counts.
I am not going to talk about the whole show, I really don't want to ruin it if you go and see it, and if you don't have a kid you probably don't really care. Just know there was a lot of fun and dancing and everyone had fun. I will try to post a video of asher dancing here, too.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Day by Day, adventures with Beach Body Insanity, part 1
Here are the comments I promised I'd post about my Beach Body Insanity workout with A from across the country. I really didn't think I'd make it and here I am, 8 days left in my workout. I'm not sure what to do after this, I'd like to keep the nice toning I got from my workout. I wouldn't say I'm beach ready, but I'm much more fit and Ry tells me I look good. So, anyway, here's the condensed version with some of A's comments sprinkled in for flavor. My commentary from now will be in red, A's comments from at the time will be noted and in blue. This is from the first 15 days of the workout. I'm hoping that anyone who reads this will know that you can get through this workout I can. I know you can. Cause I didn't think I could and here I am...
Day 1: Fitness Test 1:
Wow. This is...well..just wow. by the way...weight is 154 lbs today
Day 2: Plyometric Cardio:
Almost made it through before I wanted to die. Then I realized it was just the warm up. It's gonna be a long tough ride. My calves are killing me! (here I'm trying to be optimistic, I haven't given up yet)
A: Fuck. I don't ever think my calves will recover.
Day 3: Cardio Power & Resistance:
So, I skipped yesterday because I felt like i was in an a car accident. Today I was still super sore but this workout was better. Also, I paced myself a little better this time and didn't rush as much to keep up with the super athletes. (I really really really wanted to quit at this point. I was being optimistic on here because, you know, I didn't want to sound like a whiny bitch to A.)
A:Oh great. More sore calves AND almost puking during every push-up exercise. I rock.
Day 4: Cardio Recovery:
This one was the best so far. I wish I could just do this one every day. I really like it when Shawn T tells me that he's there for me.
Day 5: Pure Cardio:
I think Shawn T sums this workout up nicely when he says 'this shit is bananas!" And his admission that he was scared of this one, I was too. And, I really liked it when he said, "some people say, Shawn, why are you a fitness instructor? I think it's because I wanna look good." That was freaking hard. Btw, three days in a row if anyones counting. I'm proud of myself. (it's amusing that I'm proud of myself when the workout is supposed to be six days a week and I just made it three in a row. Seriously, though, this first week was agony)
Day 6: Plyometric Cardio:
Um...I did the abs workout today, was I not supposed to do that? It was only 18 minutes, maybe that should have clued me in. --------- Went back and did the pylo cardio the next day to make up for it. I suck at the groundwork. yes I do. (Yea, I often can't follow simple directions such as which workout to do which day, you'll find that as we continue. At least I made it up).
A: Second time around isn't so bad. Still feel like crap, but not as sore. I felt great in the morning. I felt like ass by dinner time.
Day 7: REST
Day 8: Cardio Power & Resistance:
This one is sooooo hard! I think it's the biggest challenge for me. But I made it through another day, so yea! 152.4 lbs
Day 9: Pure Cardio:
Did I say that yesterday was my biggest challenge? I think I forgot how hard this one was, too. Both are my biggest challenge. This one kills me. I thought i'd feel better about it today, like I'd have more stamina and whatever, but, no, that was not the case. Oh well, at least it's hard for the people in there, too. I don't feel so bad. (Pure Cardio is actually my favorite workout from the first month, now. When I fill in the blanks, basically when I'm skipping second level plyo (cause it sucks massive testicles), I substitute in Pure Cardio and Cardio abs.)
A: I got some more yummy protein bars at Trader Joe's and odwalla bars bulk in the mail. It's the one thing that I look forward to after my workouts, besides the long hot showers.
Day 10: Cardio Circuit:
Three hard days in a row is taking it's toll on me. This was way rougher than normal. Thank goodness tomorrow is recovery. I might skip tomorrow though, and take a day off, maybe, too. I'll decide how I feel tomorrow.
A: Who would've thought that Denny's pancakes and working out don't mix? Certainly not this dumbass.
Day 11: Cardio Recovery:
Man, for some reason this one really really made me sore. I'm gonna hurt even more tomorrow I bet.
A: **** doesn't know what he's missing. I love this workout.
Day 12: Cardio Power & Resistance:
Not too bad. I'm probably not going to be too reliable to be doing this for the next couple of days due to our trip to kentucky, I'll try but I might just have to make up for it next week.
A: Getting nervous for Fitness Test #2. I'm also excited for cardio abs tomorrow.
Day 13: Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs:
Yeah, three days off makes this one pretty hard. I'm very discouraged because I'm not losing any weight, I'm at the same I was at last time at 152.4. Big frowny face for today and the fit test, well, i kinda want to skip it and just keep working out, I don't want to feel ashamed of myself because I'm not any better than last time. I really don't know if I will do it or just skip to the next workout, I can only handle so much bad feelings about it, you know?
A: Drenched in sweat and disappointed...in myself. I'm pretty sure I was doing half of the exercises wrong, especially the c-position leg raises because I felt it half in my lower back as well. And, here's ****'s quote of the night: "That last exercise was ridiculous. You know...the fucking one."
Day 14: REST
Day 15: Fitness Test 2:Okay, I did the fit test. I did okay, maybe one or two better on some of them, only one where I did worse. So that wasn't too bad. I hate push up jacks. Let me just say that. I really hate them. My reward for working out hard? Stir fried veggie quinoa. It's my absolute favorite.
A: So, yeah. We're fine specimens of something or other here. I'm so nauseous right now that I probably won't do any protein bar tonight. Maybe some gatorade will help us out. I'm pretty disappointed. I'd thought we'd do better. I did more of every single exercise except the push-up jacks...which I did less of. A coworker says she sees results in me after 2 weeks. I still can't notice anything...maybe pants are fitting slightly better...
Wanna read more? Here's part two...
Day 1: Fitness Test 1:
Wow. This is...well..just wow. by the way...weight is 154 lbs today
Day 2: Plyometric Cardio:
Almost made it through before I wanted to die. Then I realized it was just the warm up. It's gonna be a long tough ride. My calves are killing me! (here I'm trying to be optimistic, I haven't given up yet)
A: Fuck. I don't ever think my calves will recover.
Day 3: Cardio Power & Resistance:
So, I skipped yesterday because I felt like i was in an a car accident. Today I was still super sore but this workout was better. Also, I paced myself a little better this time and didn't rush as much to keep up with the super athletes. (I really really really wanted to quit at this point. I was being optimistic on here because, you know, I didn't want to sound like a whiny bitch to A.)
A:Oh great. More sore calves AND almost puking during every push-up exercise. I rock.
Day 4: Cardio Recovery:
This one was the best so far. I wish I could just do this one every day. I really like it when Shawn T tells me that he's there for me.
Day 5: Pure Cardio:
I think Shawn T sums this workout up nicely when he says 'this shit is bananas!" And his admission that he was scared of this one, I was too. And, I really liked it when he said, "some people say, Shawn, why are you a fitness instructor? I think it's because I wanna look good." That was freaking hard. Btw, three days in a row if anyones counting. I'm proud of myself. (it's amusing that I'm proud of myself when the workout is supposed to be six days a week and I just made it three in a row. Seriously, though, this first week was agony)
Day 6: Plyometric Cardio:
Um...I did the abs workout today, was I not supposed to do that? It was only 18 minutes, maybe that should have clued me in. --------- Went back and did the pylo cardio the next day to make up for it. I suck at the groundwork. yes I do. (Yea, I often can't follow simple directions such as which workout to do which day, you'll find that as we continue. At least I made it up).
A: Second time around isn't so bad. Still feel like crap, but not as sore. I felt great in the morning. I felt like ass by dinner time.
Day 7: REST
Day 8: Cardio Power & Resistance:
This one is sooooo hard! I think it's the biggest challenge for me. But I made it through another day, so yea! 152.4 lbs
Day 9: Pure Cardio:
Did I say that yesterday was my biggest challenge? I think I forgot how hard this one was, too. Both are my biggest challenge. This one kills me. I thought i'd feel better about it today, like I'd have more stamina and whatever, but, no, that was not the case. Oh well, at least it's hard for the people in there, too. I don't feel so bad. (Pure Cardio is actually my favorite workout from the first month, now. When I fill in the blanks, basically when I'm skipping second level plyo (cause it sucks massive testicles), I substitute in Pure Cardio and Cardio abs.)
A: I got some more yummy protein bars at Trader Joe's and odwalla bars bulk in the mail. It's the one thing that I look forward to after my workouts, besides the long hot showers.
Day 10: Cardio Circuit:
Three hard days in a row is taking it's toll on me. This was way rougher than normal. Thank goodness tomorrow is recovery. I might skip tomorrow though, and take a day off, maybe, too. I'll decide how I feel tomorrow.
A: Who would've thought that Denny's pancakes and working out don't mix? Certainly not this dumbass.
Day 11: Cardio Recovery:
Man, for some reason this one really really made me sore. I'm gonna hurt even more tomorrow I bet.
A: **** doesn't know what he's missing. I love this workout.
Day 12: Cardio Power & Resistance:
Not too bad. I'm probably not going to be too reliable to be doing this for the next couple of days due to our trip to kentucky, I'll try but I might just have to make up for it next week.
A: Getting nervous for Fitness Test #2. I'm also excited for cardio abs tomorrow.
Day 13: Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs:
Yeah, three days off makes this one pretty hard. I'm very discouraged because I'm not losing any weight, I'm at the same I was at last time at 152.4. Big frowny face for today and the fit test, well, i kinda want to skip it and just keep working out, I don't want to feel ashamed of myself because I'm not any better than last time. I really don't know if I will do it or just skip to the next workout, I can only handle so much bad feelings about it, you know?
A: Drenched in sweat and disappointed...in myself. I'm pretty sure I was doing half of the exercises wrong, especially the c-position leg raises because I felt it half in my lower back as well. And, here's ****'s quote of the night: "That last exercise was ridiculous. You know...the fucking one."
Day 14: REST
Day 15: Fitness Test 2:Okay, I did the fit test. I did okay, maybe one or two better on some of them, only one where I did worse. So that wasn't too bad. I hate push up jacks. Let me just say that. I really hate them. My reward for working out hard? Stir fried veggie quinoa. It's my absolute favorite.
A: So, yeah. We're fine specimens of something or other here. I'm so nauseous right now that I probably won't do any protein bar tonight. Maybe some gatorade will help us out. I'm pretty disappointed. I'd thought we'd do better. I did more of every single exercise except the push-up jacks...which I did less of. A coworker says she sees results in me after 2 weeks. I still can't notice anything...maybe pants are fitting slightly better...
Wanna read more? Here's part two...
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Backdoor cracked, we don't need a key
So, this blog has been an awful lot about cooking and not a whole lot about anything else. So, I promise some different content. Just because I enjoy changing it up and keep you on your toes.
I just found a book through an indirect recommendation from Wil Wheaton, it's a steampunk zombie series called Boneshaker by Cherie Priest. I know, right? I'm sure you just peed your self a little, too, just like I did when I saw that. In fact, I don't just think you did, I know you did. Just a little excitement pee, it's okay, I won't tell anyone. It happens. I bought it and I'll let you know how it is, there are three more of them when I'm finished with this one. How exciting. Also, just found out the last book in Guillermo Del Toro's series The Strain comes out on Oct 11th. Also something awesome to look forward to, you know? It's called The Night Eternal. I read the first vampire book by Cherie Priest (the one that was actually recommended by Wil Wheaton), called Bloodshot, and it was good. Not very smutty but witty and charming and good. I liked it and I recommend it. Especially if you listen to the audiobook, man, the woman, Natalie Ross, who read it, was awesome. Seriously she was the best reader I've heard so far. I reserved more audiobooks read by her from the library, unbiased as to who the author was! We will see how that turns out...
I only have 12 days of Beach Body Insanity left. 12 days. I can't believe it. I honestly didn't think I would make it this far. So, go me. And go to A, too. Cause we are in this together. I'm planning on posting my comments on each day's workout on here, if you are interested, I'm gonna work on it for the next week and post them by month (two months total). I think some of the stuff A and I say about the workout gets pretty funny. Also, I need to ask A but I want to put up some of her comments, too. Edited, of course, but still, she gets pretty amusing. So, look forward to that sometime in the near future.
Did I mention I got kicked out of yet another office? That they are tearing down the wall in that office, too? I feel like my middle name should have been Kali because I seem to bring destruction with me where ever I go around here. I put my office on a cart this morning and set up right by the front door, partially to make a point and partially because it was the only free internet hookup I could find, but then I got told that I couldn't set my desk up there and to commandeer the smaller conference room for this week as it wouldn't be used and then to see where I needed to go next week. I was upset about it earlier but now I just don't care enough to care. And I'm pretty hopped up on caffeine and so I'm too hyper to be mad. Oh well, I'm sure it'll catch up to me eventually.
I just found a book through an indirect recommendation from Wil Wheaton, it's a steampunk zombie series called Boneshaker by Cherie Priest. I know, right? I'm sure you just peed your self a little, too, just like I did when I saw that. In fact, I don't just think you did, I know you did. Just a little excitement pee, it's okay, I won't tell anyone. It happens. I bought it and I'll let you know how it is, there are three more of them when I'm finished with this one. How exciting. Also, just found out the last book in Guillermo Del Toro's series The Strain comes out on Oct 11th. Also something awesome to look forward to, you know? It's called The Night Eternal. I read the first vampire book by Cherie Priest (the one that was actually recommended by Wil Wheaton), called Bloodshot, and it was good. Not very smutty but witty and charming and good. I liked it and I recommend it. Especially if you listen to the audiobook, man, the woman, Natalie Ross, who read it, was awesome. Seriously she was the best reader I've heard so far. I reserved more audiobooks read by her from the library, unbiased as to who the author was! We will see how that turns out...
I only have 12 days of Beach Body Insanity left. 12 days. I can't believe it. I honestly didn't think I would make it this far. So, go me. And go to A, too. Cause we are in this together. I'm planning on posting my comments on each day's workout on here, if you are interested, I'm gonna work on it for the next week and post them by month (two months total). I think some of the stuff A and I say about the workout gets pretty funny. Also, I need to ask A but I want to put up some of her comments, too. Edited, of course, but still, she gets pretty amusing. So, look forward to that sometime in the near future.
Did I mention I got kicked out of yet another office? That they are tearing down the wall in that office, too? I feel like my middle name should have been Kali because I seem to bring destruction with me where ever I go around here. I put my office on a cart this morning and set up right by the front door, partially to make a point and partially because it was the only free internet hookup I could find, but then I got told that I couldn't set my desk up there and to commandeer the smaller conference room for this week as it wouldn't be used and then to see where I needed to go next week. I was upset about it earlier but now I just don't care enough to care. And I'm pretty hopped up on caffeine and so I'm too hyper to be mad. Oh well, I'm sure it'll catch up to me eventually.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
I guess I could but if only I would
So, yeah, making pies. Put your orders in. Apparently everyone wants one for free, though. I can't do it that way anymore. Apples are expensive, even when they are in season, and my usual free apple hookup has run dry this year (her tree is on vacation). So, you want apple pies, you either have to come out and help me clean and core all the apples (in which case I'll give a discount) or you have to give me the apples for your pie (in which case I'll give you a really good discount). I'm not trying to be greedy or anything, or even to make a profit, just to break even with the cost of making them and the time that goes into it. I like to think my apple pies taste better than the garbage you get from the grocery store fresh and especially the frozen shit...but that's my opinion so I guess it's biased. Except for those of you who know me, it has taken years for me to feel that anything I cook tastes good, even if it did, so there is that.
Anyway, I digress, pies.
I have been put to the challenge to make a grape pie. I'm gonna do it, though I've never tried before. Here are the two recipes I found that I am torn between: this one from Allrecipes.com:
I think I prefer the second one due to the brevity of the ingredients list, sometimes less is better, you really get to taste the main ingredient, instead of hiding it behind a bunch of spices and stuff. I don't know...I guess once I get the grapes we will find out, right? :) Wish me luck...
Anyway, I digress, pies.
I have been put to the challenge to make a grape pie. I'm gonna do it, though I've never tried before. Here are the two recipes I found that I am torn between: this one from Allrecipes.com:
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pieAnd this one from nyfolklore.org:
5 cups Concord grapes
1 1/4 cups white sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt
3/4 teaspoon lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
Directions
1.Wash grapes, and remove the skins. Save the skins. Place grape pulp in a large saucepan; mash a few at the bottom to release their juice. Cook over medium low heat until grapes come to a full boil. Remove pulp from heat, and press through a food mill to remove seeds. Combine pulp and skins in a large bowl. Stir in lemon juice.
2.In a separate bowl, mix sugar, flour, and salt. Stir into grape mixture. Pour filling into pastry crust, and dot with butter or margarine. Cover with second pastry shell. Flute edges, and cut little slits in the top crust for steam to escape.
3.Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 45 to 50 minutes, or until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in top crust. Cool.
5 1/2 cups Concord grapes, washed
about 1 cup sugar, depending on the sweetness of the grapes
1 tablespoon tapioca
Pastry for a 9-inch pie
Pop the skins off the grapes by pinching them at the end opposite the stem; set them aside. Put the pulp (without water) into a heavy pan, bring it to a boil, and let it boil 5 to 6 minutes. Put it through a colander or food mill to remove the seeds. Pour the hot pulp over the skins and let the mixture sit for 5 hours. ("This colors the pulp and makes it pretty.") Add the sugar and tapioca, then pour the mixture into the pie crust and dot with butter. Put on the top crust. (Irene uses a "floating" top crust—a circle of dough slightly smaller than the top of the pie—because it is easier than crimping top and bottom together and it also makes a pretty purple ring around the edge.) Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 350 degrees and cook 20 minutes more until the crust is browned and the juice begins to bubble up.
I think I prefer the second one due to the brevity of the ingredients list, sometimes less is better, you really get to taste the main ingredient, instead of hiding it behind a bunch of spices and stuff. I don't know...I guess once I get the grapes we will find out, right? :) Wish me luck...
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Hanging out with a mushroom man, frying turnips in my frying pan
CSA post this week! Here's the rundown of what we got:
Truck guy: what do you want to substitute?
1 lb pumpkin sage linguine
2 lb log of butter made from grass-grazed, organic milk
2 ct eggplant
2 red peppers
2 ct winter squash (varieties include butternut, acorn, spaghetti, honey bear, heart of gold, and a few more)
approx 1.5 lbs heirloom tomatoes
1 lb yellow wax beans
Quarter peck Gala apples
1 head leaf lettuce
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| Any goombas around to throw these at? |
The story on the tomatoes...so we get an email about the heirlooms that says they didn't get a hold of the Amish guy soon enough so they won't be heirlooms but just slicing tomatoes. No big deal. We get to the back of the truck and find out that the tomatoes are not happening at all. Also, no big deal. It happens. So they are substituting one of the following: apples, cantaloupe, turnips or kale. It went kind of like this:
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| Turnip and potato fritters...delish! |
Me: Hmm....I've never had them before, give me the turnips!
He looks at me, shrugs, and then gives me like 3 lbs of turnips. There were a lot of turnips. Good thing I had friends to come over and help me eat them all. I was a little nervous about how they would turn out but...they were delicious! I ended up using this recipe from Simplyrecipes.com, I used all of my turnips and made a double batch. So good.
Planning on cooking the eggplant, peppers and summer squash with the pasta tonight. If it turns out good I'll post photos...
And the apples this week? Absolutely amazing. Did I mention how much I love doing this CSA? There is talk that they might do a winter CSA as well...oh I hope they do! I'm already excited.
Oh, and a side note, the 2lb log of butter is 5inches tall and 6 inches long. It's absurd. And awesome.
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| A normal sized Gala apple for size comparison |
Sunday, September 11, 2011
2011 Haunted House List
Calm down, I know you've been waiting for this all year...
Friday Sept 30th:
Hinckley CornStalker's Maze. (I bought a groupon for this so the first two people to tell me they are coming this night can get tickets for $8)
Hauntville, Elyria. This one has an online coupon that I haven't investigated yet.
Total cost for sept 30th (without discounts) is $35.00
Friday Oct 7th: *****This is a Pittsburg travel date******
Castle Blood. This one is cool, if you buy the more expensive package you get a hotdog, beverage and tshirt!
Demon House (formerly massacre on the hill).
Total cost for both: $32 for regular, $50 for VIP at both.
Friday Oct 14th: ******This is a Pittsburg travel date********
The Scarehouse. If we buy our tix ahead of time we go straight to the express line without paying VIP pricing...
100 Acres Manor. This one has all sorts of pricing options, might be beneficial to see how long the line is and pay the extra 9 bucks to not wait in it...
price for both, general admission: $34, $43 for VIP
Friday Oct 21:
Factory of Terror, Canton
Stalker Corn Maze, Bolivar. Mike told me this one was open again this year but I can't find a website or any info on it, so it's tentative. Looking for a replacement for this one just in case.
Friday Oct 28th:
Options......Either we go to Columbus and hit up House of Nightmares and Terror Park, neither of which seem to be active websites...so there is that... or we can do these ones;
Forsaken (Mentor)
Barber Haunt
price for both, general admission: $35, $45 for VIP.
There it is, folks. I'm super pumped. The dates are flexible except for the Barberhaunt doesn't open until Oct 7th so we wouldn't be able to move it to the first date. Let me know when you are coming! Invite your friends! The more the merrier!
Friday Sept 30th:
Hinckley CornStalker's Maze. (I bought a groupon for this so the first two people to tell me they are coming this night can get tickets for $8)
Hauntville, Elyria. This one has an online coupon that I haven't investigated yet.
Total cost for sept 30th (without discounts) is $35.00
Friday Oct 7th: *****This is a Pittsburg travel date******
Castle Blood. This one is cool, if you buy the more expensive package you get a hotdog, beverage and tshirt!
Demon House (formerly massacre on the hill).
Total cost for both: $32 for regular, $50 for VIP at both.
Friday Oct 14th: ******This is a Pittsburg travel date********
The Scarehouse. If we buy our tix ahead of time we go straight to the express line without paying VIP pricing...
100 Acres Manor. This one has all sorts of pricing options, might be beneficial to see how long the line is and pay the extra 9 bucks to not wait in it...
price for both, general admission: $34, $43 for VIP
Friday Oct 21:
Factory of Terror, Canton
Stalker Corn Maze, Bolivar. Mike told me this one was open again this year but I can't find a website or any info on it, so it's tentative. Looking for a replacement for this one just in case.
Friday Oct 28th:
Options......Either we go to Columbus and hit up House of Nightmares and Terror Park, neither of which seem to be active websites...so there is that... or we can do these ones;
Forsaken (Mentor)
Barber Haunt
price for both, general admission: $35, $45 for VIP.
There it is, folks. I'm super pumped. The dates are flexible except for the Barberhaunt doesn't open until Oct 7th so we wouldn't be able to move it to the first date. Let me know when you are coming! Invite your friends! The more the merrier!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Fresh peach pie, oh my, what a day, CSA...
Sorry this took so long to get to, I'm already picking up this week's CSA today. I just had a problem getting the pics off my phone, my work computer sucks more now than it ever did before. I wonder why...anyway, here's the list of last week's Fresh Fork bag contents.
First off, some of the cherry tomatoes were moldy again. It's kinda sad but we redeemed the ones we could. Asher ate them all as snacks, he's a cherry tomato fiend!
Also, due to a vacation (NYC trip) we had extra food I ordered this week, we got double peaches, double green beans, milk, lettuce, luna brand veggie burgers and cheese. I had all these peaches. Three pounds of peaches. What do you do with three pounds of peaches, you might ask? These were the best tasting peaches I've had all year, too. So good. Of course, I made pie. Delicious deep dish pie. And two little cobblers with the left over peaches. Here's the pics from that.
We grilled the summer squash and the corn with the luna burger veggie burgers. Awww....those veggie burgers. They were awesome. I really liked them. They were huge! I shoulda taken pics of them but I wasn't thinking about it. And ryan does something to the squash before he grills it that makes it like eating squashy heaven. It was a great dinner.
6 ears super sweet Miria 301 corn3 lbs yukon gold potatoes1 lb grassfed ground beef2 ct green bell peppers1 lb green beansApprox 1.5 lbs Flaming Fury Lucky 13 and John Boy peaches (freestone peaches)2 ct cucumbers2 ct yellow summer squash (probably last of the summer already)8 oz bag or bunch of kale1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes
First off, some of the cherry tomatoes were moldy again. It's kinda sad but we redeemed the ones we could. Asher ate them all as snacks, he's a cherry tomato fiend!
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| Before we bake...I was too short on time to fold lattice |
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| Yum! |
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| Sweet corn is awesome. Don't come near me, I won't share with you! |
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Silverware of the Damned
So, due to an unfortunate turn of events, yesterday I obtained a set of silverware and two pyrex pots from the home of a man who committed suicide. I didn't know this man. I brought the stuff back to work for use since we have a kitchen area but very little in the way of silverware and even less in the way of other cooking items. I thought people would be happy to have some forks, knives and spoons to use instead of washing and rewashing plastic throwaway ones like we do now.
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| Haunted silverware |
But, no good deed goes unpunished. A woman I work with who is pretty religious seems to be quite upset that I even brought them to work and refuses to use them. In fact, she cleaned out a specific drawer which she is going to label as such that are specific to these implements of assisted eating. And now we are teasing her, calling them the 'silverware of the damned'. I think we overdid it, though, she's pretty upset now. And so now I feel bad.
It makes me wonder, though, about people. I mean, when you buy stuff at Goodwill you know that there is like a 70% chance that it came from a dead person's house, right? Maybe that figure is a little high but you know what I mean. I made that statistic up, if you have a real one hit me with it. Either way, why is it okay if you don't know but now that you do you will be cursed forever for reusing something instead of burning it in effigy? I don't get it. I'm trying to get the photo off my phone now but...until I can, just imagine what haunted silverware and pots look like.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Behind a desk in a high rise filing cabinet in the sky
I'm feeling very wishy-washy about life right now. I don't like feeling unproductive and useless at work but I like the freedom I have. I wish I had more to do and more important work to do, yet I also like the looseness of my job. I want to do something that makes a difference but I also don't want to be responsible for some things. Same with things in my life. I like to read and listen to audiobooks all the time but I end up listening to fluff or smut or both at the same time. I do read other books as well, but mostly Sci-fi and fantasy. I like reading all of those topics, though, but I also feel that I should be spending my time doing something more intelligent. And, I do listen to podcasts, that's where I get all my useless info. But it's not enough, I think.
I feel dumber, I really do, I think it's a combination of both the reading and the job stuff. Like, I'm not stretching my mental muscles or something. I look at some of my friends who I consider really smart and I just feel, well, insufficient to even be their friends. Like I don't contribute enough to the friendship because I'm not on the same level as they are. I know this is just low self esteem talking but I really do think about these kinds of things lately.
I also don't feel that I'm smart enough to participate on google+. To me, it feels as if all of the people on Google+ are having these sophisticated conversations and posts about real things and I'm just posting dumb stuff. So then, I'm intimidated to post at all. Part of it is that it seems so much more mature and adult (not in the pervy way) than facebook, which just seems juvenile even on the best of days, and religious fanatic on the worst of days. And since it's in the beta stages still it's limited to who's on there. I feel like I joined Google+ for all the fly bitches but they are all too fly for me. I don't know, that sounded better in my head. I mean, I had it worked out better in my head but it just didn't translate well to the paper. Well, the digital paper.
Anyway, enough of that emotional shit. I promise a new CSA blog soon, having problems getting pics from my phone to the blog. And, haunted house list should be finalized this week. Isn't that exciting? I know I'm excited. Hit me up if there's any haunted houses you definitely need to go to this year so I can put it on the list.
Have a wonderful day, internets.
I feel dumber, I really do, I think it's a combination of both the reading and the job stuff. Like, I'm not stretching my mental muscles or something. I look at some of my friends who I consider really smart and I just feel, well, insufficient to even be their friends. Like I don't contribute enough to the friendship because I'm not on the same level as they are. I know this is just low self esteem talking but I really do think about these kinds of things lately.
I also don't feel that I'm smart enough to participate on google+. To me, it feels as if all of the people on Google+ are having these sophisticated conversations and posts about real things and I'm just posting dumb stuff. So then, I'm intimidated to post at all. Part of it is that it seems so much more mature and adult (not in the pervy way) than facebook, which just seems juvenile even on the best of days, and religious fanatic on the worst of days. And since it's in the beta stages still it's limited to who's on there. I feel like I joined Google+ for all the fly bitches but they are all too fly for me. I don't know, that sounded better in my head. I mean, I had it worked out better in my head but it just didn't translate well to the paper. Well, the digital paper.
Anyway, enough of that emotional shit. I promise a new CSA blog soon, having problems getting pics from my phone to the blog. And, haunted house list should be finalized this week. Isn't that exciting? I know I'm excited. Hit me up if there's any haunted houses you definitely need to go to this year so I can put it on the list.
Have a wonderful day, internets.
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