From Atrophy to Awesome - Who's With Me?

I just shared on FB how I hadn't exercised since Halloween.  We went on a cruise at the beginning of November - where I didn't gain any weight (yeah me!), but I also didn't exercise.  Unless you call weaving through walkers "exercise."  That's another story.  Upon our return, my mom's health failed and I spent the remainder of the year caring for her.  Everything else was put aside.  Life and death happened in between and now, three months later, I think I might be ready to try again.  Why now?

My body hurts 

when I'm not doing anything.  

My body hurts pretty much all the time.  Inactivity has done me in.  My lower back aches sitting, standing, walking, and everything in between.  I've lost all range of motion.  To say I'm not flexible is probably an understatement.  Everything is tight.  It's just not good.  And I'm tired of telling my husband how much my back hurts or my neck hurts ... waa, waa, waa!

Upon recommendations of my FB friends, I simply need to start.  One friend suggested to do the beginning of any workout and add a few minutes each week.  Another suggested the couch to 5k program (which sounds great, but I avoid running unless being chased by someone with a weapon - no weapon, I'll take my chances).  Some have suggested restorative yoga - I think I need to look into that - I've not enjoyed yoga in the past.  Swimming is a winner with no "impact" and a great way to stretch out my muscles.  Long and lean, is what I envision.

I don't want a reason not to exercise, 

so I think I'll wait on swimming so I don't use it as an excuse.  Walking is good.  I've started walking with friends a couple times a week - and my legs are so sore for days afterward.
Today, I have started.  I took the "beginning of a workout" idea and found a couple of EIGHT minute routines.  That way, I can finish - I need to finish.  I found an eight minute stretch from head to toe and realized how little I can really move.  I finished another eight minute workout for the legs.  I did most of it.  On top of my sixteen minute routine, so far, I added some ridiculously silly "Jamaican Me Move" aerobics for eight minutes.  Hilariously funny fashions from the eighties. 

Another FB friend suggested an "accountability partner."  Oh!  And to be active for 30 minutes every single day.  YIKES!  This is it.  I'm going to try to share my workout successes and failures with you along the way.  I'd love to tell you I'll post every day, but let's be real ... that probably won't happen :)  Come with me and tell me what you're doing.  You can inspire me while I encourage you.  

Last Week vs. Last Year - A Man's Perspective

I've been told I should

make this into a button.

(read the fine print)

If ever there were a ministry your husband

could support, this is it!

Happy Friday!

Roll from the Center

As I attempted my first pie for my own family, the dough wasn't stretching out the way I remembered.  My mind’s voice echoed up gently, “Roll from the center.”  It was my Mom’s voice and I was transported to the kitchen of my youth standing at the butcher block counter.  “Roll from the center, turn the dough, and keep rolling so it’s even.  Keep some flour on the pin so it doesn't stick.”  I formed the dough into a ball, re-rolled the crust, and voila – perfection!

My mom’s words come back to me over and over again with my own children whether it’s instruction or guidance.  Pouring truths into them now will yield great results for years to come.  “No toys at the table.” “Yes, ma’am.” “No, sir.” “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”  “God is in this, too.”  I envision one day, my kids sitting at the table with their kids saying, “No toys at the table,” then having the same debate they had with me over what is considered a toy.

What was poured into you shapes you.  I was always listening – and so are my children.  I pray my words will come back to my children as they grow, whether in relationships, at work, or in the kitchen with a pie crust. 

What will you pour into your children?  What will the melody of your voice float up from their memory to say?  Will it be a word of encouragement, warning, instruction?  Whatever it might be, it should be truthful – so they might rely upon it and pass it on.  I can think of no better tribute than for your words to be handed down for generations.

Crockpot Meal Makeover

There's nothing like coming into a home with the wonderful aroma of dinner wafting through the house from the crockpot.  While I love my crockpot, I'm not always thinking ahead.  Enter the Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker that is like a crockpot for your microwave.

"Gasp!" you say.  "Fear Not!" I say.  What do I like about this product?  The fact that I can put dinner on the table in LESS THAN 15 minutes.  I can put my pork tenderloin, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, hamburger, chops, even pasta, in the Deep Covered Baker, put in it the microwave for anywhere from 9-15 minutes.  Meanwhile, I pull the rest of my dinner together on the stove top, set the table, pour the drinks, and VOILA, dinner is served.  "The chicken doesn't brown," you say.  "Try it," I say.  The most tender, moist stuff you've ever had.  Throw a marinade on it if you absolute must color the chicken.  "It doesn't brown in the crockpot, either," I add.

As an added bonus, for those of you with crazy sports schedules like me - I set out plates and all the accouterments for the meal and let family members serve themselves as they come in throughout the evening.  The baker keeps food warm for several hours.  SCORE one for mom!

  

    

I've revamped several quick, throw together in the crockpot meals into a Deep Covered Baker meal.  Here's what we're having tonight.

Chicken Teriyaki

1lb chicken (sliced, cubed or however)

1c chicken broth*

1/2c Teriyaki or soy sauce

1/3c brown sugar

3minced garlic cloves

*Today I am out of chicken broth, so I substitute 1/2 wine and 1/2 water. After all, the chicken broth is just to boost the flavor.  The wine will do quite nicely.  

Directions:  Place chicken in bottom of crock pot (or Deep Covered Baker) then in separate bowl whisk together remaining ingredients then pour over chicken.  Cook on high  for 4 to 6 hours  or low 6 to 8 hours: OR  Cook on high in microwave in Deep Covered Baker for 12 minutes.  Serve over rice (I like Japanese Sweet Rice, my favorite).

She's in My Everyday

Today was the first semi-normal day I’ve had since October.  I slept 16 hours in the last 24 and realized how exhausted I was.  My mom recently passed away.  I’d been taking her to doctor’s appointments since mid-November, but she wasn’t really much better.  The day after Thanksgiving, she dialed 911 and I accompanied her to the hospital.  Since then, it’s been a whirlwind, filled with procedures and tests and diagnoses and medicines. 

There have been no two days 

that were the same.

Caring for my mom for five weeks was a blessing.  I was able to do for her in a short period of time what she did for me for a lifetime. She was my safety-net I didn’t know existed. Now, I was hers. She tucked me in at night, prayed over me and for me. She intervened for me in every circumstance – now it was my turn. Praise God for this blessing!

It went by so fast. 

Like a freight train but you 

didn’t know where the caboose was.

We had mom’s funeral mass and life celebration on Saturday – and then I slept. I slept like never before. This morning, I felt like a new woman. I began to put my own sadly neglected house back in order.  I changed sheets that hadn’t been changed in three weeks – with countless guests sleeping on them. I laundered towels. I started to pack away all that is Christmas. 

It wasn’t until I began to make dinner for my children that I felt it. I got new pots and pans for Christmas – a gift I asked for J  As I took the pot out of the drawer, I looked up and said, “Hey Mom, I’m using my new stuff.  It works great.” And I started to weep.  Two months ago, I’d have called her to tell her about it.  And then we’d have talked for a half hour about this and that (all while she half listened while playing solitaire on the computer).

She’s in everything I do. She’s in the way I load the dishwasher and fold sheets and make chili.  She’s in the way I raise my children, set priorities, and love my neighbor. She crafted me into the woman and mother I’ve become.  I miss her.  I miss the everyday of her.

I know she’s in a better place. I know she can breathe easily.  I know she can sing – she loved to sing.  I envision her singing When Irish Eyes are Smiling.  I love you, Momma.