sometimes you need a little extra oompf

so, monday was my first day of 10k training, but it was a rest day (I took my dog on a long, brisk walk). I'm not making that up, by the way, I'm following a real schedule that was put together by someone other than me, and on the first day, you rest. hence, Tuesday was my very first run of my very first 10k training plan.

a month ago (or so) I stopped eating most carbohydrates (I know!). I skimmed a book, titled, Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It, and it convinced me to cut out all unecessary carbs. so, out went bread, rice, crackers, sweets & etc. it was hard at first, but I've gotten used to it. for me, the key was to eat a tiny sweet at least once a day to keep the other cravings at bay. I also allow myself a cheat day, but I don't go crazy (unless you call eating a veggie samosa crazy - I don't, I call it crazy delicious).

anyway, my boss brings in a home-baked treat every Monday morning. I NEVER eat them. however, I heard SO MANY yummy noises coming from near her office door the other day (which happened to be a Tuesday, but she wasn't here Monday and she's that committed to baking for the office) that I buckled and took one of what looked to be a fairly thick chocolate cookie. I ate it on the way to my son's daycare where I was scheduled to make butter with his class. I decided that it would be extra fuel for my very first official 10k run.

the cookie was so amazingly delicious that as I had the first bite in my mouth, I nearly pounded the steering wheel and said out loud in my best Special Agent Dale Cooper voice, "That is one damn fine cookie, Diane." I got the link to the recipe today - it was that good. the chocolate cookie looked thick because there was peanut butter hiding inside. for me, that is a very nice surprise.

since yesterday was a run day, today was a rest/cross train day. I went to a spin class during lunch and came back beet red and feeling like my face was pulsing. I had a meeting at 1pm, which meant that I had to bring my lunch and pulsate throughout the meeting. even though I was already sweaty, I got soup because nothing else in the cafeteria was calling to me. have you ever heard someone tell you that if you're hot you should drink or eat something hot because it will cool you down? well it works, I swear it did. as soon as I began to eat the soup, I began to cool off, and it wasn't because I was just normally cooling off. I'm usually a pulsing hot mess for at least 45 minutes after working out.

more new traditions

OK, so I thought that I was OFFICIALLY through with making cookies (after two batches of walnut-chocolate chips, one batch of snickerdoodles, and a MASSIVE batch of frosted sugar cookies - which for me, is A LOT of baking), but I just saw this post, and I am captivated. I want to make those cookies today!

besides inspiring cookie awe, the article also suggested the perfect movie for circleness day movie watching, The Fantastic Mr. Fox! duh. I'd been wondering if there would be a dvd mainstay, and I've just found it. and yet one more bonus from the very same article? how about the circleness apple painting tradition? where do I get that gold paint? is it edible?


OK, I just checked, and there is an edible gold paint available for purchase.hm, we may be looking forward to a new tradition next year. The good thing is that Henry actually eats fruit, so he may be interested in its embellishment. Just think about gold and orange clementines!


I sadly did not have the presence of mind to take photos of the New Year's Eve cookie decorating party, I did take one of the tray of finished products. The McGregor Corsons brought a slew of gingerbread cut-outs (which, by the way, included bears, horses, hippos, and cats) and colored royal icings and colored sugars. it was great to see man and child alike decorating the cookies with abandon. Nick did the bikini bear.