When I went about picking a name for my blog, I did not get my first pick(s) because other bloggers had snatched them up already. I don't even remember what the favorites had been, but for some reason, I think that "On the Loose" suites me wonderfully fine.
I'm sure some of my faithful followers know exactly why I went with this And to them, they see how perfectly it is and read and smile and hopefully chuckle a little and go on about their day. Some may not even have noticed and are now thinking--oh, so that's the title of her blog. Mayhaps their are others who have often wondered Why in the world or does she not know how to spell lose?
The truth of the matter is it is taken from the title of one of my favorite camp songs. The lyrics are beautiful and touching. Talking of climbing mountains and following trails and searching and watching and being free and oh, so many other things. I have come to realize that this song is a great theme for my life and at this moment it could be no more truer than ever. There are trails that I'm hiking just to see where they might go. In time when you are ready, come and join me and we can enjoy life out on the loose.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Delay in progress
As we come to the end of winter (I say that with great hope) I figured I should give a recap of how my renovation is going. Currently? At a stand still. Under the weather (in healthy and outside). Project stalled. Isn't that the way it goes with renovations? Going go and then something gets in the way of progress. If it's not the weather that is keeping me indoors it has been illness that has changed my momentum.
This past week has been the worst. Not able to breathe properly, weak, drained and hungry for nothing good and I have not had enough energy or will power to fight off the evil food villains and have staggered away from my path for a moment {damn you salty french fries}. But with determination and support, this will only be a slight delay in progress...and not total derailment. I raise my kale smoothie (http://withstyleandgraceblog.com/2012/02/20/market-monday-greens-on-the-go/) to you all and drink to good health.
This past week has been the worst. Not able to breathe properly, weak, drained and hungry for nothing good and I have not had enough energy or will power to fight off the evil food villains and have staggered away from my path for a moment {damn you salty french fries}. But with determination and support, this will only be a slight delay in progress...and not total derailment. I raise my kale smoothie (http://withstyleandgraceblog.com/2012/02/20/market-monday-greens-on-the-go/) to you all and drink to good health.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Feeling Strong
Another month has come and gone and I continue to plug on. I have a few weeks of Half Marathon training under my belt. Most of the work has been done indoors due to the flux in weather conditions. Once again I am following Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Program (http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51131/Half-Marathon-Novice-1-Training-Program) It works for me and although I am not running, I find the miles enough to challenge and push me harder. I am really enjoying the work so far and look forward to being able to take it outdoors soon. He also has a program for walking. I tried it one year and it did not light my fire and I ended up not training very much and the event was not as fun as the first year.
The program seems pretty well rounded. I have trying to keep things fun and I have been trying new things--walking, swimming, kettle bell workouts, sometimes a really really slow jog (I like to call it wogking) yoga, workout videos, snowshoeing, I even had the ice skates on for a couple loops around the rink. All of these activities keep me and my body interested in working out. I am not perfectly doing everything, but I'm doing something. Everyday I drive by a set of stairs that keep calling my name and I tell them "Just wait until the snow melts and we can spend some time together". This weekend I will be doing my first 5K of the year.
My goals this year for the Eau Claire Half are 1) to actually get there (I hurt myself the day before the event last year and was not able to participate) 2) Enjoy the route and not worry about how long it will take me. 3) Be able to wear a EC Marathon shirt (the shirts are made out of non stretching material and cling and have been tight or too small in the largest size and not flattering and I just didn't feel comfortable wearing them. At all.)
I entered the first year because completing a half marathon was on my bucket list and I have done it ever year (except that one time) for the past 4 because it is something that got inside of me and makes me who I am. I may not be the fastest one out there--but I'm out there and giving it my all. And I am feeling strong.
The program seems pretty well rounded. I have trying to keep things fun and I have been trying new things--walking, swimming, kettle bell workouts, sometimes a really really slow jog (I like to call it wogking) yoga, workout videos, snowshoeing, I even had the ice skates on for a couple loops around the rink. All of these activities keep me and my body interested in working out. I am not perfectly doing everything, but I'm doing something. Everyday I drive by a set of stairs that keep calling my name and I tell them "Just wait until the snow melts and we can spend some time together". This weekend I will be doing my first 5K of the year.
My goals this year for the Eau Claire Half are 1) to actually get there (I hurt myself the day before the event last year and was not able to participate) 2) Enjoy the route and not worry about how long it will take me. 3) Be able to wear a EC Marathon shirt (the shirts are made out of non stretching material and cling and have been tight or too small in the largest size and not flattering and I just didn't feel comfortable wearing them. At all.)
I entered the first year because completing a half marathon was on my bucket list and I have done it ever year (except that one time) for the past 4 because it is something that got inside of me and makes me who I am. I may not be the fastest one out there--but I'm out there and giving it my all. And I am feeling strong.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Dairy {o}Mission
One of my favorite teachers use to call down to the office when she omitted to do something on the attendance report. I always think of her when I hear the word omit and smile.
I have made a couple of discoveries as of late. The first thing is I can not write a food blog. For those of you who asked for the recipe for Dragon Noodles, I tired and failed so here is the link (http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/2012/08/spicy-noodles-204-recipe-102-serving.html) if you are planning on substituting spaghetti squash for the noodles, google "roasted spaghetti squash" to find your favorite way to cook it. I am not trying to be lazy, I just found that I am not good at writing directions. Or giving--I like detail and try to give to many and then it just becomes muddy. If you choose to make them, feel free to add different items into the dish--nuts, veg what have you. It's so good.
The second discovery is bitter sweet. I am from Wisconsin. Land of Milk and Butter and home to the cheese heads and as of right now, I choose not to eat dairy (with the exception of a bit o' butter from time to time). I hope that I will not have to cross the boarder now that I have admitted this to the world. No squeaky cheese curds or ice cream sundaes. I'm san Greek Yogurt and cream in my chai. No Alfredo, mac & cheese, or cheese fondue. Sour Cream? Nope. Cream or Cottage? Nope and Nope. No milk, whey protein. None of it at all. The choose was not because I think that milk is evil (that should allow me to stay in this fine state) it because dairy and my body do not get along. So I have decided that I will no longer enjoy the fare of WI.
The sweetener in this situation is that because I am not eating cheese or heavy creams or anything like that I have to find different ways to achieve the creamy, gooey, goodness of dairy. I love a good challenge. I like trying to figure out a way to make a grilled cheese sandwich with the cheese omitted. I find it an adventure to rethink about how I make something with a cream base not have a cream base. The answer most of the time (because I may not feel like searching) is making something with tons of veggies, some grain and a protein source. It all adds up to healthy meals that I love and make me forget about the fact that someone moved my cheese.
I have made a couple of discoveries as of late. The first thing is I can not write a food blog. For those of you who asked for the recipe for Dragon Noodles, I tired and failed so here is the link (http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/2012/08/spicy-noodles-204-recipe-102-serving.html) if you are planning on substituting spaghetti squash for the noodles, google "roasted spaghetti squash" to find your favorite way to cook it. I am not trying to be lazy, I just found that I am not good at writing directions. Or giving--I like detail and try to give to many and then it just becomes muddy. If you choose to make them, feel free to add different items into the dish--nuts, veg what have you. It's so good.
The second discovery is bitter sweet. I am from Wisconsin. Land of Milk and Butter and home to the cheese heads and as of right now, I choose not to eat dairy (with the exception of a bit o' butter from time to time). I hope that I will not have to cross the boarder now that I have admitted this to the world. No squeaky cheese curds or ice cream sundaes. I'm san Greek Yogurt and cream in my chai. No Alfredo, mac & cheese, or cheese fondue. Sour Cream? Nope. Cream or Cottage? Nope and Nope. No milk, whey protein. None of it at all. The choose was not because I think that milk is evil (that should allow me to stay in this fine state) it because dairy and my body do not get along. So I have decided that I will no longer enjoy the fare of WI.
The sweetener in this situation is that because I am not eating cheese or heavy creams or anything like that I have to find different ways to achieve the creamy, gooey, goodness of dairy. I love a good challenge. I like trying to figure out a way to make a grilled cheese sandwich with the cheese omitted. I find it an adventure to rethink about how I make something with a cream base not have a cream base. The answer most of the time (because I may not feel like searching) is making something with tons of veggies, some grain and a protein source. It all adds up to healthy meals that I love and make me forget about the fact that someone moved my cheese.
 |
| The Grilled Cheese-less Sandwich (whole grain bread, sweet potato, avocado & sun dried tomatoes grilled on my George Foreman Grill--no butter or oil added) with a two bean salad side (beans, two different kinds I think mine are kidney & black soybean???) chopped celery, carrot, and green onion with a lemon and black pepper seasoning) |
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Taking the Plunge
Picture it: Early summer. A group of freshly graduated high school students. A really big water park. Even bigger hair. A water slide called "The Plunge". Nerves and fears being pushed to the limits. I did it. I climbed all those stairs (there had to be a few million of them) to the tippy top of the world laid down, crossed my arms over my chest and slide over the edge feet first. Within moments, I found myself back on Earth--no worse for the wear.
Looking back, I have no idea how I did it. I don't know how I got talked into it. I don't know why. Something over took my brain that day and convinced me--someone who is afraid of heights and does not like the feeling of falling--that I should give it a go.
I guess I have taken all kind of scary impossible plunges after that day. I think what has gotten me through those moments is feeling good about who I am. I know on that day so many year ago I felt like I was on top of the world. I was proud of all that I had accomplished. Nothing could stop me. The risk was small after all.
I took a plunge the other day. Someone convinced me that stepping outside of my comfort zone could be safe and fun. I love myself all the more because I was able to see myself differently than I ever have before. What I saw was beautiful.
Looking back, I have no idea how I did it. I don't know how I got talked into it. I don't know why. Something over took my brain that day and convinced me--someone who is afraid of heights and does not like the feeling of falling--that I should give it a go.
I guess I have taken all kind of scary impossible plunges after that day. I think what has gotten me through those moments is feeling good about who I am. I know on that day so many year ago I felt like I was on top of the world. I was proud of all that I had accomplished. Nothing could stop me. The risk was small after all.
I took a plunge the other day. Someone convinced me that stepping outside of my comfort zone could be safe and fun. I love myself all the more because I was able to see myself differently than I ever have before. What I saw was beautiful.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Thinking outside the {pizza} box
One tool that I have that has helped me a ton is Pintrest. Yes Pintrest. It has helped me find so many different ideas that help me to think outside the box. I have found food ideas, workout plans, and advice on how to tie my shoes. Where would I be without it. I also have found that you have to do more than just pin the activity or recipe, you have to actually do it.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Feeling Brave (but just a little)
I did something today that I have not done in a very long time. I laced up my "new" skates and hit to the ice so Poppy and I could learn how to skate together. It is a lot more work than I remember.
Poppy took to the ice and like she'd been wearing blades her whole life. Me, not so much. I don't remember the blade being so thin. The balance is so much different than I remember. I made it around the ice track? (not sure what you would call Boyd Parks rink) twice. With the help of a "walker" and my arches, calves, hips, back, and maybe even my teeth were aching. With great defeat, I unlaced my boots and called it a day.
I didn't think of myself as a quitter. I thought of it in the light that I tried. And I will try again. Soon. I realized that it's okay to try something and not get it perfect the first time. I realized that I did not want to push myself to point of injury and then not be able to do other activities.
After I tucked the skates into the van, I walk around the parameter of the park for an hour and got one my Adopt 5 activities done while Poppy Moon skated her little heart out. It was a good day. There was even a little blood, sweat, but no tears.
Poppy took to the ice and like she'd been wearing blades her whole life. Me, not so much. I don't remember the blade being so thin. The balance is so much different than I remember. I made it around the ice track? (not sure what you would call Boyd Parks rink) twice. With the help of a "walker" and my arches, calves, hips, back, and maybe even my teeth were aching. With great defeat, I unlaced my boots and called it a day.
I didn't think of myself as a quitter. I thought of it in the light that I tried. And I will try again. Soon. I realized that it's okay to try something and not get it perfect the first time. I realized that I did not want to push myself to point of injury and then not be able to do other activities.
After I tucked the skates into the van, I walk around the parameter of the park for an hour and got one my Adopt 5 activities done while Poppy Moon skated her little heart out. It was a good day. There was even a little blood, sweat, but no tears.
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