See Fluffy Run- The C25K Plan

All of my life I have never been a runner. I would only run when someone was chasing me. I would be happy with timing out in the Presidential Fitness Tests in gym class by walking and picking flowers along the way. So WHY would I volunteer to run and have a 5K as my goal? Because all my life I have never succeeded in athletics and have struggled with body image and I want to finally succeed. I am so tired of saying that I am going to lose weight with no particular plan in mind and my goal weight SO far away. I needed something that I could obtain short term that would be a definite check point on my way to my long term goal of losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle.

There's a "Couch to 5K" plan going around on social network websites and claims to get you (literally) off the couch and train you for a 5K in 8 weeks. Intimidating? Yes. Doable? Hopefully :)
I had originally saw a chart with the whole program laid out for you on how long to walk/run each day, but my big question was how was I going to keep track of when to walk/run while I was out there. I honestly didn't see myself being focused and disciplined enough to time myself so I then stumbled upon  an "app for that"! woohoo! It's called 5K runner for iPhones.

The app allows you to listen to your own music (I use Pandora Radio) while you have this app on in the background. It will tell you when to walk and when to run based upon where you are in the program.

The first week has you walk for 5 minutes, run for 60 seconds, then walk for 90 seconds (repeat 6 times), then walk for another 5 minutes.

My first thought and biggest fear? "Oh God, can I even run for 60 seconds?" What if I get out there, try to run for 60 seconds and die from a heart attack? How embarrassing would that be?!? I would be totally crushed if I can't even run the shortest amount of time. I don't know if I can take failing AGAIN.

So before I left my fear get the best of me and quit before I even try again, I went out for my first run. I actually did it! Did I die? No. Was a winded and sweating? Yes. But how good did it feel to actually do   it? Amazing. The hardest part? Getting out the door.

The best advise I've gotten about doing this program: When you think you are going too slow, go even slower. Just pick your feet up. I don't think I "run" any faster than I normally walk but I am allowing my body to get used to the movement of running. The worst thing that could happen is an injury.

So far I've completed the first whole week. Tropical storms prevented me from going out for a week but I am determined to stick with it and go out this week for week 2 of the program. I am excited to document my progress and thoughts as I go along.  :)

Add some ZEST to your life!

After searching for the perfect lemon meringue pie recipe, I ended up combining 3 together to make, what I think is, the BEST lemon meringue pie I have EVER had! Not only does it taste the best, but it is low(er) cholesterol with only one egg yolk compared to 3-6 in a traditional recipe.

Cassie's Lemon Meringue Pie
Filling:
1 1/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. cornstarch
1 1/2 c. water
2 tsp. butter
1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon zest
1/2 c. fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
1 large egg
1 egg white

Meringue:
3 egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
6 Tbsp sugar
3/4 tsp. vanilla

Bake single pastry shell ( http://www.crisco.com/Recipes/Details.aspx?recipeID=3589 ) in a 9" pie plate for 8-10 minutes at 475 degrees F, or until golden brown. Reduce heat to 400. In a small bowl, beat eggs for filling with a fork. In 2 qt saucepan, mix sugar & cornstarch, gradually mix in water. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until mixture thickens & boils for 1 minute. Temper eggs with sugar mixture. Pour tempered egg mixture into saucepan, boil & stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add remaining filling ingredients. Pour into crust. With an electric mixer, beat egg whites & cream of tartar on high until foamy. Beat in sugar (1 Tbsp at a time). Add vanilla. Do not over beat. Spread meringue all the way to the edges. Bake 8-12 minutes. Cool at least 2 hours (no drafts!) before refrigerating.


P.S.  it comes out to be the color of lemonade...if you want it to be bright yellow, just add some food coloring :)

Why did the turkey cross the road?

To head to California, of course!

I dedicate this post to pure genius brought on by desperation for some flavor.

I just created the most wonderful burger I have ever had. Quite a bold statement, I know. What is it you ask? A California Turkey Burger. Mmmmm!

From the bottom up:

Bottom bun of a Kaiser Roll
A thin layer of Thousand Island Dressing
Red Onions, sliced thinly
Turkey burger- nothing fancy- just ground turkey with some salt and pepper
Pico de gallo
Muenster cheese- (put the Pico de gallo on under the cheese then broil for a few minutes to melt cheese)
Avocado slices
Romaine/cilantro mix
Layer of Thousand Island Dressing
Top bun.

So much flavor packed in each bite. Warning: might require 2 napkins. Enjoy! :)

Think outside the box to find a way around high prices

I have been looking for beds for our two dogs for some time now. Every time I went to buy more dog food, I would check to see if any were on sale or what deals I could find (I am always looking for a deal) but the cheapest I could find were $29.99. Times that by two and add tax and that is over $60 for DOG beds. Call me crazy, but they wouldn't know that I spent that much on them. They would be happy with an old pair of jeans to lay on. But since their beds are in our family room, I wanted it to be something that I didn't mind looking at.

Then it hit me. I proceeded to leave the overpriced pet supply store and go over to the local Goodwill to see if I could find a comforter that I could make into both dog beds. Once I got there, I was able to find a twin sized comforter that suited my tastes for only $10. Not only was I happy about saving myself money, but the money I was spending was going to a good cause.

After I washed it, I began by folding it in half, then in thirds. I was planning on making each bed with 3 layers. With it being evenly folded and smoothed out on a table, I cut each fold line to make 6 rectangles. It doesn't have to be perfect; the cuts will be inside after it is sewn and turned right side out.  And remember- it's a dog bed ;-)

Lay two rectangle pieces on top of each other with two of the original outside finished edges of the comforter on the same side (trust me on this. it will make it easier to close up.) I laid mine both facing the same way so that I would have a plaid side and a solid side when I was finished. If you want both sides the same, lay them with the sides you want to be showing when you are done facing each other as you sew. (Example: If you want only the plaid to be showing when its finished, put both plaid sides facing each other) Make sure the sides are even and pin them if you would like.

Carefully straight stitch 3 sides, leaving the side with the finished edges open.

Lay the third layer on top of your inside out dog bed that you've just sewn 3 sides on. From the inside, pinch the third layer on the corners opposite the opening to hold it in place as you turn it right side out.

Stuff the third layer inside the bed and sew the fourth side up (right side out) to complete the dog bed.


Then, let Fido enjoy it!

There. TWO dog beds for only $10.00!

A new love affair

As I go through my house organizing things, I am not alone. I will admit that I have a new love affair...my label maker. It's nothing fancy and I was able to find it on sale for $15, but it gets the job done and I don't have to use masking tape and a permanent marker to label things anymore!

Thank goodness my husband is so patient and willing to go along with most of my shenanigans; I've even labeled our trashcan and recycling bin (with instructions on how and what to recycle). He was kind enough to call me when he first saw it so he would be sure to get the "system" right, hehe.

One of the first things I did in my mission to make the house more organized was to "Tupperize" my pantry. Now things are nice and neat. They are not in plastic bags and flimsy boxes falling over and spilling; they are all within reach and easy to see at a glance.

I had a Tupperware party in order to get the hostess discounts and free gifts to help out with getting what I needed. I know Tupperware is not cheap, but it does have a lifetime warranty- that I have actually used on a few pieces that I've inherited with no problems at all. But If Tupperware is not in your budget, check out the Dollar Tree (my favorite organizational bin mecca- can't beat $1 for EVERYTHING!) or Target and Walmart.

My most popular dish

Do you have that one dish that everyone always requests? Well, without a doubt, that dish would be my corned beef. With many different flavors playing off of each other, it is simply a party in your mouth. I hope your family will enjoy it as much as mine does.

Superb Corned Beef

Place 3-4 lb. corned beef and seasoning from packet that came with it in a large stockpot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer covered for 3-4 hours until fork tender. Preheat oven to 300˚ Drain and place beef in baking dish, fat side up. Score fat in criss-cross pattern with knife. Mix together 1 Tbs Spicy Brown Mustard and 1/3 cup Brown Sugar. Spread over scored fat. Pour 1 cup sweet pickle juice around beef in dish. Bake for 1 hour, basting with pickle juice if desired. Let rest 10 minutes, slice 1/4"- 1/2" slices against the grain.

Warm hearts in the heart of the cold

Since we are in the heart of the cold winter months, how better to warm our hearts than with a steamy bowl of home made soup? I've been wanting to try my hand at a soup I first had at White Oak Bakery in Jacksonville, NC; Shrimp Corn Chowder. They only serve it on certain days, but I look forward to it when we are able to visit.

Here is the recipe I came up with and I am VERY happy with it. I hope you will try it and let me know what you think.

Cassie's Shrimp Corn Chowder

1 c minced onion
3/4 c minced celery
3/4 c minced red pepper
1 Tbsp minced garlic
3 Tbsp butter
-cook on medium heat in large stock pot until translucent. about 5 minutes-

Add:
1- 32oz box seafood stock
3 cans cream style corn
1- 16oz bag frozen corn
1 c cream
1 lb small shrimp or larger shrimp, chopped

Season with:
1 tsp Old Bay
1/2 tsp white pepper
1- 2 tsp salt (to taste)
dash cayenne pepper

To thicken: remove 1/2 c soup into small bowl, mix in 4 Tbsp corn starch until smooth. Stir mixture into soup, stir until incorporated.

Simmer on LOW for 30-45 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Serve immediately or freeze to preserve freshness.

Back to the basics

For the past two years or so, I have found myself frustrated every time I went to get dressed. I would be staring at a jam packed closet and feel like I have nothing to wear. If you are like me, you wear the same 25 or so pieces of clothing over and over again and neglect the majority of your wardrobe. I realized this today and started wondering, 'why am I holding on to all of these clothes that I don't like enough to wear on a regular basis'? Then there's the clothes that don't fit "just right"...WHY do I even have them in the first place??? I also had a lot of clothes that just aren't me anymore; ones that I've had since High School. Thoughts like, 'There's nothing WRONG with them' had me hanging on to them, but I really should have been asking myself, 'What is RIGHT with them for me NOW?'

These thoughts spurred immediate action and within 10 minutes I had a 45 gallon trash bag FULL of clothes that I didn't LOVE and a closet that was thanking me for the vast amount of space I have made for my "REAL" wardrobe.

After cleaning out my wardrobe, I put all of the remaining items back in the closet and stepped back to look at what I had left. When I glanced over my wardrobe I realized that I LOVED every piece that was in my closet. It was actually easier to see what I really had to work with- I could see my REAL wardrobe.

So from now on, instead of buying a lot of things just because they are a good deal, I am going to be pickier and only buy things that I love. I think that will allow me to have a nicer & more manageable wardrobe.

And to everything there is a place

I will admit that I am not a tidy person by nature. I can clean when its needed, but I am naturally a slob and it takes a huge effort on my part to KEEP things tidy...a thing I am slowly learning about. During my year of unemployment, I have made it a goal to not just clean the surface of the house, but get to the root of the problem and KEEP it clean. So here's what I've learned so far (and I am still learning): 1. I have WAY TOO MUCH stuff! So I went through the house, basement, and garage and had a yard sale and donated everything that was left over to Goodwill after it was done.

Okay, great...now what? I am left with my rummagings (is that even a word? I don't care. I'm going to use it anyways.) and no place to put everything that's left- especially since we don't have any DRY storage areas since our basement floods and our garage roof leaks. So we have been forced to bring things in the house that I would rather store outside, but it is what it is when you rent. Which leads me to my next discovery: 2. Everything NEW that you bring into your house needs to have a place BEFORE you bring it home. If you don't know what you are going to do with it, DON'T bring it in!!!  This rule has helped with new things I might buy, but what about the stuff that I already have? Well, I am going on the hypothesis that 3. Organization is the KEY to cleanliness. I say that it is a hypothesis because I am still in the testing stages :)  I have found that the places that I need to put stuff away are taken up by a jumbled mess of other things that don't have a place. So I am organizing those said things to make room for the things that should be there. Example one:

I found that our linen closet was a mess all the time because all of the toiletries, medicines, lotions, etc that didn't fit in the medicine cabinet were consuming the closet. So I went to the local Dollar Tree (one of my favorite stores) and got these plastic bins to organize everything and KEEP IT NEAT! Is it O.C.D? Maybe. But it's working!

Example 2:

I don't have a lot of cabinet space in the kitchen and bathrooms and was constantly looking for places to hide all of these cleaning products and I would have to go through 5 different places sometimes before I came across what I was looking for. I also had some items (Paper products, plastic cups, bottled drinks) that never had a specific place. So I finally got tired of it all being strung throughout the house and taking up room that I needed for other things so I broke down, dug deep in my pockets, and bought this utility shelf for $14.88 at a store that shall remain nameless and put it in our laundry room/ half bath that we never use.
A small price to pay for such a great organizational space!

My next areas to tackle: the office, our bedroom (my clothes), and the basement. I am looking forward to see what solutions I find for these spaces. Although I did start to solve my clothes problem by giving away a whole garbage bag full of pants to a friend!

It might all be baby steps, but they are FORWARD steps and I can live with that! :)

My new role as "WIFE"

As my husband and I start to plan our first anniversary get-away, I am amazed at how fast this year has gone! I am so truly blessed with a great husband and life together with our two dogs, Layla and Bailey. I really enjoy my new role as someones wife and never get tired of him calling me his wife or someone referring to me as Mrs...it just makes me smile. :)
Although I am probably not the first to admit it, I will join in by saying: I had no idea exactly how much my mom did to run the household! Everyday I feel like I am putting out fires, juggling payments, keeping schedules straight, and keeping the house clean...and we don't even have any kids yet! YIKES! Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. I wouldn't change my life for anything. I am just simply saying,  "Thanks, mom!" :)