Lauri Loves You

Moving

2010-03-07T09:29:00.000-08:00

I've moved the blog

to read about running, and charity work go here:

www.runningforgood.wordpress.com

to read about eating and cooking go here:

www.theindecisiveeater.wordpress.com

Thanks a bunch! See you there!

Round two!

2010-02-10T14:14:00.000-08:00

It's official, I am insane.

Right after Disney I volunteered with Team in Training to mentor for the summer season, and help new participants with their fundraising.

And now I just signed up to fundraise another $4,000 and run 2 more halves with them!

I'm going to run the Long Island half AND the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Half!

Holy cow am I hooked!

On that note please consider making a donation to my fundraising goal here on my fundraising page!

New hair

2010-02-05T18:16:00.000-08:00

This is my new hair and I love it! So much shorter now, and it will be much easier to manage. I can even curl everyday if I want! The Garmin came yesterday. More on the later.

Garmin en route

2010-02-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

In two days my Garmin will be here! I'm so excited!!!!

I ordered the Garmin Forerunner 305 from Amazon, which had the best price I could find. I did find a few other sites I never had heard of which were a few bucks cheaper, but I figured I'd go with what I know. Plus there is free shipping. I also signed up for a free trial of Amazon prime, which gets me free 2 day shipping for a month.

Tina and I are planning for a run after kick-off on Saturday so I will get to try it out then!!

2010-02-02T12:12:00.001-08:00

RM99SMJ8XD2G

Things to look forward to.

2010-01-30T18:19:00.001-08:00

This is my last semester of school and then I graduate and I'm done! I want it to go as fast as possible so I try and keep my schedule full of fun things that I can look forward to. It helps break it in to smaller more manageable chunks, just like running a big race.

Next weekend is Team in Training Summer season kick off on Saturday! This is where the whole team meets, and gets pumped for the season! The next day is SUPERBOWL SUNDAY! My partner in crime Siobhan and I are going to do the Long Beach Polar Bear plunge. It's a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish foundation. You can donate to our team here.

Valentines day weekend Matt and I are going to Philadelphia for the weekend. I'm looking forward to eating a cheesesteak, checking out Tria, and shopping at the Sailor Jerry Store for some cute new outfits.

The weekend before St, Patrick's Day is the parade! This is one of my favorite times of the year! That day I'll be hosting our Team Run in the morning, napping, the parade! Followed by a great St. Pat's day feast at my in-laws.

This year for the parade feast and St. Patrick's day I'm going to pickle my own corned beef, using this Alton Brown recipe. And of course I will be baking Guinness cupcakes.

April, I have no plans yet. But that's probably a good thing, since I'm sure I will have a lot of work on my plate with my research.

May is going to be busssssy! Long Island half marathon, presenting my research to my department (omg, very scary to type that!!) Then graduation!

Cannot wait!

Life your Sole Giveaway

2010-01-30T13:36:00.000-08:00

Marlene at Mission to a(nother) marathon is hosting a give away for a $24 gift certificate to the Life your sole store!

I think I'm going to order myself this beauty:

I'm just still glowing with excitement about finishing my first half! I earned it!

Go visit Marlene and check out her blog, which happens to be one of my favorite running blogs, and enter to win!

Tattoos

2010-01-18T18:09:00.000-08:00

These are all my tattoos. I love each of them and have no regrets about them. There are so many other things that I want.

This is little wing, my first tattoo. She was done at Lark Tattoo in Westbury by the lovely Miss D' Jo. It's a little hard to tell but it's on the side of my ribs. Yupp my first tattoo was on my ribs. It wasn't as bad as people said it was going to be. I also tend to tolerate pain pretty well.

I got my sakura done by Miss D'Jo after our wedding. This was an uncomfortable spot. I have no black outlines either. She went over the stencil outlines with no ink in to gun, just water, to make a blood outline for the rest. Both legs took about two hours, and the next day I felt like I did some horrible leg work out. Anytime I was being tattooed the other leg was so tense and pressing into the table I was laying on. So worth it though. These are to commemorate my trip to Japan.

This is my newest addition. Done at Hand of Glory in Brooklyn. It was done for Friday the 13th this past October. Many shops do specials on Friday the 13th, to help make new contacts and introduce themselves to new clientele.

I cannot wait to get more. I'd really like to get a piece of Sailor Jerry flash. Not sure what exactly.

Disney Swag

2010-01-16T13:14:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to show off some Disney swag! My mom and I went to the expo on Friday and she spoiled me with some good stuff. She's so proud of me!

An absolutely snugly hoodie. They also had this nice Donald Duck half marathon tech shirt the day before, but it was already sold on on Friday :(

This is a really nice hoodie, which does not come up too high and choke my neck.

Half marathon visor

This was the race shirt we got for free at packet pick up. Nice because it's long sleeve, and tech fabric. I wore it today on a short run and it was perfect, breathable and kept me warm.

A Mickey Mouse Bondi Band for my hair. I wanted the half one but it was white, and since I dye my hair it would be red in a short amount of time. This band is great! Vicky had one on at the Friday morning run. Since it's so wide it efficiently keeps all my little bird feathers (the short little fly-aways around my face) from sticking to my sweaty face when I'm running. This will be essential in the humid weather.

Post race withdrawal

2010-01-15T19:16:00.000-08:00

It's just like after my wedding. I was so bored, all the time I spent training has created a void. I've been just bumming around, and working a lot and reliving race day in my head. It was so amazing. I cannot wait to do another half. Emily and I are going to do a nice easy short run tomorrow, not early though.

I applied to be a fundraising mentor for the Team in Training summer season, and I found out today I was accepted! My team will be doing the Long Island Half or the Rock N Roll Half/Full in San Diego. I decided I am definitely going to do the LI half, and I'm on the fence about signing up for RNR too and doing the fundraising again so soon. I know I could do it though. So two definite races so far for the year are the LI Half and the Smuttynose Half in October.

I also got my finisher pictures the other day and before receiving them I was sure they

would be horrid. However they turned out nice:

My Finisher Picture

Somewhere near the end in Epcot.

Emily and I right before crossing the finish line. We decided to hold hands as we crossed.

WE DID IT! Would you believe it took us 40 minutes just to cross the starting line? There was that many people.

Disney Half Marathon 2010 Race/ Weekend Report

2010-01-11T15:24:00.001-08:00

I'm back with a medal! The race was great, albeit quite chilly. I finished in 3:01:12 which is pretty good for my first half.

Before:

We left on Thursday from JFK on a 9:30 am flight. We flew Jet Blue out of terminal 5, which was recently redone and is gorgeous with lots of nice places to eat and healthy food is easy to find. I woke up with a nervous stomach. So I had a banana, a Fage yogurt with honey and sea salt rice chips which helped to settle my belly pre-flight. Our flight went smoothly both ways. Once we arrived in Orlando we took Disney's magical express to the hotel and got settled in our room. Later on we went to the race expo to pick up our numbers and buy some goodies.

I picked up The Stick, to massage out my horrid IT bands, and a cute Will Run for Beer hooded

tee from One more Mile. After we got back I got everything laid out for the race then we to the team dinner.

The Time:

5k split 41:17

10k split 1:24:55

15k split 2:09:42

Finish time: 3:01:12

Pace: 13:49

The race:

We had to meet the team at 2:30. It was too early we hadn't gotten back until after 9 pm from the dinner. I was so anxious, on edge, overwhelmed and just plain exhausted that I called Matt crying. When I got back to the room after getting off the phone I saw Mentor Rob had decorated our door! It was so exciting!! We took pictures then went to bed.

We got about 4 hours of sleep then tried our best to get ready and not forget anything.

When we met the team in the food court at 2:30. We hung out there for about an hour before taking pictures and getting excited the we got on the bus to leave for the race.

When we arrived at the race the bus dropped us off in the Epcot parking lot and we had to walk pretty far (half mile?) to the gate. It was *so* cold. We are all bundled up and shivering. Coach Dave declared a base camp area. We got out ourblack garbage bags, tore holes in them and huddled under them for warmth. And then, it started snowing.

Myself, Emily, Vicky, Tina and Jess were running together. So we made our way to drop off our bags, then to the potties. I have made it 26 years with out ever using a porta potty. I broke the streak on race day. It was not as bad as I thought it would be, and it was better than running 13.1 with a full bladder. I still will in the future avoid them like the plague.

After we starting making our way to the corrals

which were about a 25 minute walk still. When we arrived we could not even get in the corral it was so crowded! We waited outside the corral for a while. We were all running in the last corral to stay together, and it was not until the corral before us started that we were able to get in.

We all held hands like a row of ducklings so we didn't lose anyone and we got in and made our way up, the fireworks went off and we started! Then Vicky looks back and sees we are the last few people there. She says "There is no way they are basing the cutoff pace on us!" We held hands again and she pulled us up through the pack, and we started to settle into our run.

Miles 1-3: So cold and dangerous! Everyone was peeling their garbage bags and layers off so they were all over the course. I was so scared of slipping on something so I was looking down the whole time. Just as we started running it started sleeting. My face was getting pelted with the little ice pellets and they kept ending up in my shoes. And it was still dark out. Boo.

Miles 4-7: I finally warmed up and was rolling although my legs were still chilly. Through the whole race we were watching out for each other and constantly yelling out each others names to make sure we were still all together. Around mile 6 we got into the Magic Kingdom and it was so nice. There were lots of people cheering us on even in the lousy weather. And I got to see my mom there!

Mile 8: Tired kicked in. I wanted an extra walk break, but Emily said no way. Thank you Em for that. I know if I took it that would have been the end of me, and I would have gotten lazy through the end. We stopped for the potties real quick and while I was waiting for the others we met another girl who was hurting and was also going to run the full the next day. Yikes!

Miles 9-10: We plugged on some more. It was cold, I was tired and hungry and getting really cranky. Mile 10 was a cloverleaf, so we were running on a sideslope, which my ankle did not enjoy. By the end of mile 10 I swore I will never do this again. I also got a bad cramp in my calf, which I could not get rid of and decided to run through it.

Miles 11-12: We were really loosing it here. I got another cramp in my other calf. Em got a bad side stitch and refused to stop. We slowed down and I pulled her arm over her head to stretch it out as we running. I'm sure it was a sight to see.

Mile 13: Is it over yet? I just wanted to be done. Em and I were cranky and on the verge of tears from lack of sleep. We got to the end of mile 13 and I yelled "Oh my god, we still have another tenth of a mile?!" I was pissed.

Mile .1: That was the longest tenth of a mile ever. The finish line was in sight. Em and I held hands and raised them up as we crossed. 3:01:12 was my time. As soon as we crossed we were crying and hugged. We were so happy we finished! Then we saw Tina and Vicky and had a big group hug. It was such an amazing feeling to have finished! We got our heat sheets and stopped on the side to catch our breath. I was wheezing so bad. We kept walking then got out medals and I hugged the guy that gave me mine. Then finisher pictures, which I'm sure look amazing after running in the rain, sleet and crying. Powerade, food, then the baggage line. It took so long to get my bag! I was so cold and my teeth where chattering, and my fingers were so numb I could barely peel my banana. It was sad.

After I got my bag I made my way to the TNT tent to check back in and let them know I was safe. I got my TNT finisher pin and changed in my dry sweats, hugged the rest of my team mates and then found my Mom. My friend Pam took some pictures of me after and I look like I should be on a Red Cross disaster relief commercial. So sad. We made our way to the bus line and I got

on my bus back to the hotel. I was so happy, it was soo warm and a place to sit.

After Em and I got back we took showers and then debated food or sleep. But since we had to walk a little bit far to get to the food court we decided to wait and sleep. It was the best sleep ever.

We woke up and got food. I had a double bacon cheeseburger with fries. It was so gross but so good. I deserved it!

That night we met up with my Mom and Pam and her family at Cape May Cafe in the Beach Club for a a seafood buffet dinner. A great end to a long day!

Emily and I in our comfy clothes with our medals.

Dinner at Cape May Cafe, one big happy family.

Sunday I got to sleep a bit late. I met my mom in Epcot for a bit then I met up with my favorite Rich, who I haven't seen since he moved to Florida! We spent the after noon catching up and drinking around Epcot.

Epcot is really rad. I love the world section where you can be transported around the world in a matter of a few steps. I want to go back there with Kuma, he'd love it. Rich was saying there is a food and wine festival in the fall that involves a half marathon. Sign me up!

Emily, Vicky and I in the Orlando airport.

Even though the weather was lousy it was still a great experience. And even though I swore during mile 10 that I would never run another half I will be signing up for another one.

I can't believe it's here!

2010-01-06T15:52:00.000-08:00

Leaving for Disney tomorrow! And I hear it's chilly down there. It better not snow!

WE had our send off party last night and it was great to see everyone all together and be excited all together! As a team we raised over $130,000 bucks! Go TEAM!

My boss gave me Captain Squirrel today as a good luck gift and made little sweatbands for him! So cute!

I was ready and almost packed but then the weather seems to have become very chilly in Disney, so that threw a wrench in my plans. I'm packing extra running clothes so I can decide when I'm there.

I'm excited to lots of eating and seeing one of my old friends from high school who now lives down there!

Race report to come!

Huevos Rancheros

2010-01-03T09:24:00.000-08:00

This summer Kuma and I went to D.C. and spent a few days with his cousin Derek. D.C. is great place for eating, and Derek is a great food tour guide. He knows all the best places around and I can never get enough of what D.C. has to feed me.

He took us for brunch at a bar called Asylum in Adam's Morgan. This place was quite interesting, a metal bar at night and serving brunch on the weekends duri

ng the day. There is also a vegan menu of all the brunch favorites.

Asylum was where I was able to cross huevos rancheros off my Omnivore's 100 list. A nice crisp corn tortilla topped with eggs, salsa and black beans served with fruit on the side. Such a great breakfast! I haven't had it since then and have been craving them the past few days.

Huevos Rancheros

4 corn tortillas

4 eggs

1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, munster, monterey jack, whatever blend you like)

1 15.5 oz can of black beans

1/3 cup salsa

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1 clove of garlic, pressed

2 tbsp olive oil, plus additional for frying tortillas

1 small onion, diced

1 lime, cut into wedges

Optional: 4 oz can of green chilies

Beans:

In a small sauce pan heat 2 tbsp of olive oil, saute onion and garlic until onions are translucent. Add beans and liquid from can, 2 tbsp of salsa, 1 tbsp of chopped cilantro and green chilli

es if using. Stir and simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated. Stir frequently to prevent beans from sticking to pan and burning.

Tortillas:

In a frying pan, preferably cast iron, heat about 2 tbsp olive oil and fry one tortilla for about 5 seconds, the flip and fry other side for about 5 seconds. Using a spatula lift fried tortilla and place a second tortilla underneath the first. Fry for about 5 seconds and repeat by placing another tortilla under the stack until all are fried. Remove from pan and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Scramble eggs in frying pan, top with shredded cheese. Turn heat to low and cover with a lid, allowing cheese to melt. Divide eggs into four portions.

Assemble:

Place tortilla on a plate, top with a portion of eggs, then beans, add 1 tbsp of salsa, then garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing and a margarita. Avocado wedges also make a nice addition.

German Meatballs

2010-01-01T14:42:00.000-08:00

My mother in law made these once for Sunday dinner. Kuma, my brother in law and his girlfriend were all a little freaked out by them at first. But sometimes it's better to just say "Shut up and try it." to quote a lady I used to work with.

This is such a keeper recipe. Easy to make. You can even freeze the meatballs before baking them in the sauce for a quicker dinner. You can make this with your choice of ground meat and since it's baked for an hour you don't need to worry about cooking the meatballs the whole way through when you fry them. This also works nicely for dinner parties and potlucks.

German Meatballs

Meatballs:

1 pound ground turkey, pork, beef or a blend It's up to you.

1 cup cracker meal or crushed crackers

2 eggs

1/2 tsp caraway seeds

1/2 tsp freshly ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp chili powder

1 small onion minced

oil for frying

Sauce:

1 16 oz. can whole cranberry sauce

1 16.oz can sauerkraut

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp. chili powder

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl mix together all the ingrdients for the meatballs except the oil. To test the seasoning of the meat heat a small amount of oil in a frying pan and fry a small patty. Adjust seasoning is necessary.

In a large frying pan heat oil and cook meatballs until they are just browned on the outside. Don't worry about cooking them all the way through, since they will bake after.

In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, add all the sauce ingredients and combine until throughly combined and the brown sugar is dissolved.

Place meat balls in a single layer in a 9x13 glass baking dish. Top with sauce and bake for one hour at 350°F uncovered. Serve over egg noodles, spaetzle or potato pancakes.

Serves 4

Good bye 2009, Hello 2010

2010-01-01T08:15:00.000-08:00

It's been a great year! I'm happy 2010 is here, so the greatness can continue on.

Recap of 2009:

• Started running regularly

• Ran a 5K and a 10K

• Signed up for Team in Training and a Half marathon

• Discovered I can run 14 miles and not die

• My senior year of college

• Raising over $4,000 for LLS

Things to look forward to in 2010:

• Running the Disney half marathon (in 8 days!!)

• Graduating college (5 months!!)

• Moving to the city

• The Smuttynose Rock Fest Half marathon in NH with Kuma.

• A new tattoo

• A trip to California

• Getting out of debt

Cheers to a new year!

Merry Beleated Christmas!

2009-12-27T11:22:00.000-08:00

10 days until Disney!!!
It's been quite a crazy holiday season! Between the end of school, papers, running, and getting ready for the holiday it has come and gone faster than ever before. Matt and I decided not to go crazy with gifts this year. Santa brought some nice running gifts for me!

I was wanting a pair of Race Ready shorts to wear in Disney. They are not super attractive in this photo (and they are black, but look blue). These suckers have five great mesh pockets on the back for keeping everything you possibly need on race day or on a long run with you. The pocket in the middle is larger than the others. Inside there is a credit card sized pocket on the inside for super safe keeping.

I had heard about them in the beginning of the season, but I wasn't sure about them. They can only be ordered online from Race Ready. I really do not like ordering clothes online unless I can try them on somewhere first, but one of the mentors on the team, Vicky, wears them all the time to practice and *swears* by them. So I trusted her and got them, and they fit perfect. I wish they were a tad longer, but they will be perfect for running in some nice Florida winter weather! Trust me when I tell you they look much better on you than in the photos on their website.

While we were Christmas shopping I got this Under Armor winter hat and kinda used it a few times before Christmas. It's great! The ear flap come down nice and low and the back also comes down low to keep my neck covered. It also fits my big head and hair nicely. Something that many hats I tried on do not do. And of course it has nice UA wicking fabric in side, so no longer will sweat be dripping down my face.

Also got a training diary to use for the next year. It has some nice calender pages for planning your training. It's nice too because it you get to fill in the dates. Good for taking some time off for recovery.

My mom got Matt and I the entire Curb Your Enthusiasm box set! And the first season of The Office on the BBC! I'm so excited to start watching them, especially since I have no school and now am tapering!!

My Dad's whole family came over for Christmas day. There were 30 of us all together! The house was so crowded, but it was so nice to everyone over. We do a Yankee Swap grab bag every year. I bought a NY Giants snuggie, and my Dallas loving cousin picked. Look at the fake smile. It's great! I got this very cool electric griddle in the swap. Now I can make some breakfast in bed. All I could think of was the episode of the office where Michael grills his foot on the George Forman grill trying to make breakfast in bed! So how was Santa to you?

Snowy Saturday

2009-12-20T20:45:00.000-08:00

Saturday was supposed to be my biggest run before Disney(17 days!) however, it became my shortest. All week I was having shin and foot pain. (I know it was from wearing those damn

Ugg boots!) Friday night I questioned running or not the next day, and Saturday when I woke up I questioned it again. But I shook it off and went to practice. I didn't tape or wrap anythi

ng either.

We had a merged practice in Nassau with the whole team and it was amazing, I was so pumped even though it was freezing and about to snow any minute.

Then I started running. With every strike of my left foot on the ground the pain shot from my sole all the way up my shin. I held strong for almost 2 miles out. At the first water stop I told the rest of my pack I had to turn back.

I gimped back with my tail between my legs. It was the longest two miles ever. I kept passing people from the new team, other runners. I was so bummed. Finally I saw coach Carmen and she new something was up. She stopped and I started crying on her. She walked back with me and made me feel a bit better but still it's such a bummer of a feeling so close to race day.

I made it back and left for home, stopping at the grocery store on the way. What a zoo! People freak out with snow around here. I just wanted to make a roast beast for dinner.

It started snowing and this morning when all was said and done we had two feet dumped on us. Matt wished for a white Christmas and he's getting it! We're buried.

Blizzard!

2009-12-18T14:12:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow we are supposed to have a minor blizzard. It's also going to be my last long run before the race. Let's home that the blizzard waits 'till we're done running. If I were still doing the full I'd be doing 20 tomorrow. At least it's *only* 11!

Winter gelatos

2009-12-16T19:33:00.000-08:00

I'd like a nice gelato right now. I think this may be a good week to put the kitchen aid ice cream attachment to good use. Something seasonal. Mascarpone gelato with cranberry sauce, liquified sauce not that dread-full canned sauce. A nice blood orange gelato would be great too. Wow that just reminded me that it is blood orange season. I need to get some while the getting is good for the year. YUMM! I'll have to work on that this week, plus gelato is on the cook's 100 list.

Another another cooking note, I made sloppy joes today using this recipe from Simply recipes. Absolutely amazing flavor. Joe mix from an envelope does not even compare. Nice sweet and tangy flavor. However I would add additional cayenne powder for more heat next time.

A year of Races

2009-12-14T20:41:00.000-08:00

I decided I am going to try and run a race every month for the next year. Early New Year's resolution? I suppose. The past two weeks I have been obsessively looking and picking out races.

I'm also thinking about joining the New York Road Runners this year, and doing their 9+1 program so I can be assured of entry to the 2011 NYC marathon.

This is my month by month list. Any suggestions, are you doing one of these? Let me know!

This is just the start

January:

1/9-Disney Half Marathon- Registered!

February:

2/28- Runner's Edge Fun Run, 3, 6, 9 miles, Farmingdale

March:

April:

4/3- 13.1 NYC half Marathon, Queens

4/25- More half marathon, NYC

May:

5/2- Long Island 10K, Long Island

June:

July:

August:

September:

9/19- Rock N Roll half marathon, Philladelphia

October:

10/3- Smuttynose Rockfest half marathon, New Hampshire

November:

December:

3 mile Monday

2009-12-14T13:03:00.000-08:00

Three miles today. The intent was four, but just at the start of mile 4 my stomach protested :(

Nice though overall, I did a 4:1 interval and it was not too cold out and not windy at all.

Mile 1: 11:07

Awesome, nice and strong felt great, however right at the end I was almost taken down by a pine cone in the road. I felt my ankle go under as I started to fall down. Luckily I caught my balance and kept going.

Mile 2: 11:40

I slowed down and got into a rhythm for mile 2. I called Matt half way and asked him to meet me at the corner with some water :) Cursed at the pine cone as I passed it again.

Mile 3: 13:36

Started okay, 3/4 of the way through I got a side stitch, and walked it off for a 1/4 of a mile (boo!) I went back to the house for my water but my stomach wasn't feeling so hot. Went back out for mile 4

Mile 4:

After the side stitch started so did my belly. I wasn't feeling so hot this morning, and now it was back again. I was only out about .10 I turned around and ran home, fast.

Time: 35:23

Pace: 12:14

Super 8 Saturday

2009-12-12T20:10:00.000-08:00

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired.

- George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian

Saturday morning: 29 degrees with a wind chill making it feel about 19 degrees. Not exactly the conditions you expect to have the best run ever in!

I've been hurting, my feet, my legs, my back. Last night I came across an article on Runner's World about how after an injury, pain can present it self mentally even you've healed. You can become hyper-vigilant to injuring yourself again. I'm pretty sure that's what's been going on with me. Every little ache or pain has become a reason not to run.

Last night I said screw this, I am running strong and having an awesome run tomorrow I don't care- and I did!

I met up with the other half of the team today at a place know as "the dump", which used to be- a garbage dump. Now it's a secluded park preserve with some amazing views. There is a two mile loop around the base and about two and half up the big hill and down.

This morning I saw cute little guinea fowl, the sunrise over the beach, ran on a boardwalk, saw a windmill, had an awesome view of Manhattan from the top of the hill, and saw goats on the way out. It was quite a day. I did a 3:1 interval and while I was tired during the run it was a great eight!

The cold doesn't even matter anymore. Okay, yes I did wear two of everything today. But after the first two miles I was sweating.

After the run I stopped at Starbucks and had myself a well derserved chai latte.

This afternoon, after my post run siesta, Matt and I went Christmas shopping. I picked out some nice running goods for Christmas.

I also ordered my Race Ready shorts. These shorts have about four pocket sewn into the back of the shorts to carry you're things on race day. More about those when they arrive.

25 days until I leave for Disney!!

Dread-mill and future races.

2009-12-10T20:09:00.000-08:00

I ran 2.5 miles today on the dread-mill. It's been so cold the past few days and windy to boot. Enough to make me not want to run outside. So it was dread-mill day. I was supposed to do 5, however It was a good 2.5, I ran hard.

I picked out two races last night to register for after Disney. I'm going to do the Long Island half in May and the Smuttynose Rockfest in October in New Hampshire. The LI half will be great because I know friends will run it and more friends will be there to cheer me on!

Smutty is going to be great because it's a weekend away and sponsored by the Smuttynose Brewery. I'll need a shirt that says I'm here for the beer. So lame people love that stuff at races as I learned at Cow Harbor with my "Udder Choas" shirt. (I cannot take credit for that one though.) Both races are under $50, cheap for half marathons.

I'm pretty sure after Disney and the cold winter starts to warm even slightly I will be more motivated to run more.

However in order to train for the LI half I will pretty much need to start the week after Disney. Meaning I will need to be running in the really cold parts of the winter. :(

Maybe I will get some new toasty clothes.

And thinking about it It would be really nice to run in the preserve parks covered in frost and a little snow. It's like a wonderland.

One more thing

2009-12-09T18:08:00.000-08:00

Today at work I ran into one of my professors from the summer. She's one of my favorites. I asked what brought her to the hospital and she told me about her brother who is there, with lymphoma. Just hearing this was another one of those moments where I was reminded of how important of what we are all doing with TNT is!

28 days till Disney!!

Verklempt

2009-11-29T20:28:00.000-08:00

I'm still in awe of everyone's amazing-ness! I can't stop looking at my fundraising page and seeing that $4,000 and 100%! I even got a little verklempt :) You guys are absolutely amazing!

This is me today and I'm sure I'll be like this at the finish line

xoxo

Lauri

Thank you!

2009-11-29T15:20:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I could not have done it with out all of you! Just now I met my fundraising goal of $4,000!!!!

Thanksgiving morning I ran the turkey trot with Kuma and let him beat me ;) It was such a great run. I met a mentor from the new season's team, Kristen who ran my pace and we chatted through the whole 3 miles.

I also don't think I mentioned this, but a few weeks ago my hip gave out on a long run. Coach Jen told me there still may be a chance to switch back to the half, and I did. I feel a million times better about this decision. This allowed me to take two full weeks off my feet and rest giving me time to heal well with out falling too behind. I am also MUCH less stressed seeing as I have already run 14 miles and know how I felt about it and that I can do it.

Pushing yourself is always a good thing. However pushing yourself too far to the point of injury, not so good. I plan to sign up for more races through the next year and keep training. I'm also thinking about entering the lottery for the NYC marathon just to see if I get in or not. By then I would be ready for the full after a whole year of running.

I'm still so blown away of what Team in Training has helped me to accomplish so far! I'll be back for another round.

Now to one last month of hardcore training!

Creamy Vegetable Soup

2009-11-16T18:39:00.000-08:00

No story for this one. Just make it and enjoy it :)

Creamy Vegetable Soup

· 1 medium onion chopped

· 3 strips bacon chopped

· 1 tbsp olive oil

· 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

· 2- 16oz bags frozen California medley vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli and carrots)

· 1-10 ¾ cheese soup

· 1- 10 ¾ cream of chicken soup

· 3 cups milk

· 1 tsp chilli powder

· salt and pepper to taste

· chicken broth or water

1. In a large saucepan, heat up olive oil, sautee onions and bacon till browned.

2. Add potatoes and vegetable, stir to coat with onions and bacon mixture.

3. Add cheese and cream of chicken soup, milk, salt, pepper, and chili powder.

4. Add enough water, chicken broth or a combination of the two so that everything is covered.

5. Simmer for about an hour.

6. Optional: puree with a stick or immersion blender for a smoother soup

7. Serve with some crusty French bread, biscuits.

Notes: You could also make this in a slow cooker on low for 6 hours. The longer the better.

Make it a meal: Pair with a tuna melt or grilled cheese sandwich.

14 miles back on my feet

2009-11-09T08:42:00.000-08:00

Saturday was my first run back on my feet. 14 miles! For not running in two weeks it was not so bad, although had I ran on schedule I would have had an easier time with it.

We ran in a preserve park trail, which was gorgeous. It was quite a chilly 33 degree morning and everything was covered in frost. Along the trail there are several small wooden bridges and streams that ran along the trail. There was also a fog that sat upon the lake and made me feel like I was in some magical place. I was waiting for gnomes to come out of hiding and hand me drinks.

My first eight miles went strong and I felt great. Mile eight I hit the wall. My foot started bothering me I ran about another mile and a half and then had to walk the rest of the miles.

The whole run took 3:36:18 with a 15:42 pace slow but I walked.

I'm just happy I'm back on my feet.

For the rest of the day I curled up in bed and slept.

Running and the Creative Process

2009-11-04T07:22:00.000-08:00

I don't know how the creative process works, but it always seems, as I'm running...that thoughts start coming in; sentences start coming in.

Robert A. Caro, biographer

There could not have been a better quote for me to read today from Runner's World. I find that almost every time I run I have ideas of all sorts spilling out of my head like a boiling pot bubbles over. Something I could never figure out. There have been several instances where I have made notes on my cell phone so I would not forget.

It's a bummer I have not run in over a week now. I've been nervous about my leg and want to give it sufficient time to heal up and I've found myself in a bit of a writers block for all my school work. This semester my papers have been so much better, maybe because running allows my some serious thinking time alone.

Thursday I plan to get back out there after my physical. I hope everything is okay with my leg now as its feeling better. This Saturday I am looking at a lengthy 14 miler in the morning with Emily and Bonnie. We are going to run on our own this week and plan a new route. As much as I love running with the team on Saturdays we keep running in the same park, which I don't think is the best for long runs. There are several shorter routes most of which are about 3 miles so we keep running loops and meeting back in the middle. I find this a little frustrating and easier to want to stop running. So we're going to try something new instead.

Down for the count.

2009-10-28T18:46:00.000-07:00

Monday when I went out for my run, I has having some weird leg pain, in my shin bone. It didn't feel like shin splints, so I took it slow and kept telling myself just get to there and you can stop. Four slow miles later I was back home. Tuesday I kept feeling like the bone was bruised all over, but there was nothing there. So I rested.

I emailed Coach Jen to see what she thought, and she suggested taking the whole week off. Yikes! I knew that but I feel like I have some issue giving myself permission to not run. I needed someone else's permission. Weird right. But like she said it's hard to let yourself do that mentally.

I get worried that I miss a day I will be destroyed for the race. BUT, if I get injured I won't be running the race. So I'm resting and icing my legs. So I can finish the marathon.

I've been reading Marathon by Hal Higdon and in there he talks about overtraining and says that It's better to be undertrained for the race than to be injured or overtrained and not make it to the starting line.

Back to icing.

Sad News

2009-10-23T17:26:00.000-07:00

Many people who sign up for Team in Training do it because they have some connection to blood cancer. But not me. When I initially signed up for Team in Training I was in this for me. I wanted to lose some weight, become more active, run a marathon and most of all I wanted a sense of accomplishment.

At the kick off party we each received a sheet with information of our honored team mates who have been or were living with blood cancer who were there to inspire us through our training. I was sitting at a table by myself reading over the sheet and my heart stopped. I saw my friend Tim's dad, John, on there. I knew that he had been really sick but didn't know too much about it. I decided that I would run for him.

Today John passed away after a long battle with Lymphoma. After hearing the news I was able to make up my mind on the race, I'm doing to full marathon in his memory. Never before have I been so inspired.

The "Oh my god!" moment.

2009-10-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

Today was the deadline for recommitment. I confidently filled out my forms and faxed them in, committing myself fully to fundraising and training. As I sat at my desk today (playing with my new desk toys) I saw an email from Rich our coordinator congratulating us for recommitting. and with this in it:

It's Time to Register for the Race!

Attached you will find the official Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Registration Form. Although you've filled out everything for me, Disney does require that you fill out their official registration form (if you have not done so already).

Yikes I thought. Recommitment didn't involve deciding on your race yet. But I need to do so by November 4th and I starting to feel unsure. The longest run I have done so far is 10 miles. I'll be doing 10 again this Saturday with the team. Then the Thursday I will be doing my 12 mile run by myself, since we will be away in New Hampshire on Halloween.

If I do the half marathon I will probably be running by myself and I don't know how I feel about that. I know that Emily and Bonnie are doing the full and I really want to run with them, but I also don't want to start a race that not be able to finish it. I really hate letting myself down, and I know if I don't finish I'm going to be really bummed. Matt said he doesn't want me to hurt myself, or to be disappointed (He knows me all too well.)

After looking at last weeks 10 miler, ignoring splits and going with the overall time it will probably take 6 hours and 49 minutes to finish the full. That is with walking some miles. When I signed up intially for the program I planned to walk the whole race, so I suppose anything is better.

I suppose I will be able to make a better decision after my next long runs.

What do you think?

10 weeks in.

2009-10-21T06:01:00.000-07:00

"It is amazing how much you can progress week after week, month after month, year after year if you allow for gradual training increases." Bob Glover

This is today's Runner's world kick in the butt quote and it's is so true. I find it amazing what I am able to do now 10 weeks into training. I went from not walking or running at all to taking down a 10 mile (with out dying!) Had you asked me to do this a year ago I never would have thought I would be able to.

The past few weeks have been rough training weeks. It's getting colder, which makes it harder to get out the door. I've been overwhelmed with school. There was a whole week when I was sick, and then my foot was bothering me for a few days both of which took me down. But I just have to remember to not let little set backs get me down.

The other day a post popped up in my Google reader from Nicole at The Marathon of Life, it was her post race report of her first marathon. I read this after I was feeling bummed about training and just to read about how awesome her first marathon went after all the hard work of training was such an awesome feeling. It made me feel so much better about getting out there everyday and running.

It's going to feel so amazing to cross the finish line!

The end is almost here!

2009-10-20T08:35:00.000-07:00

The fundraising end that is! Only $547.61 left and I will be at my goal. If you have donated already thank you so much! If you have not, well this is an awesome time to do so, anything you can send will be greatly appreciated and will bring me one step closer. Once I reach my goal I will be able to focus 100% on my training so please help out! You can donate on line, safely and securely right here on my site: http://pages.teamintraining.org/li/wdw10/SeeLauriRun Thanks a million! Lauri

+58: How it went

2009-10-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

Luckily for me today, we ran at the park right near my house. I left at 6:55 and made it on time.

Not only was it chilly today, but it was windy. I wore a pair of yoga leggings under my shorts. A nike shirt with my new Under Armor Zip up over it. Wool fingered mittens and a winter head band and my hood. After two miles I was so hot!

It was a good week! Bonnie came back after getting over a back injury and Emily was there. Just like in the beginning. Team captain Robin and Mentor Carrie ran with us too.

We did 10 miles this morning! This was my first double-digits run. I really was dreading it all week long. As it turned out it was not as bad as I thought.

This week I finally was able to calibrate my Nike+ wristband, so at least today was accurate. There is new feature on Nike+ now also. They give you splits for your run.

Mile 1: 11:44

Mile 2: 11:44

Mile 3: 16:17

Mile 4: 11:44

Mile 5: 11:44

Mile 6: 11:44

Mile 7: 16:17

Mile 8: 11:44

Mile 9: 11:44

Mile 10: 16:15

My overall pace was 15:15, slow yes but this is an increase in miles. I was amazed to see how consistent I am able to keep my pace. The run miles were all done in 3 min run/1 walk intervals

which I am sure helps me to be consistent. There were some points were we just walked a chunk of the mile, bringing up our overall time. Really all in all not bad.

I want to work on getting a little bit faster now. If I we can keep at that 11:44 mile we can finish the whole marathon in 5 hours 7 minutes and 30 seconds.

That 15:15 mile however will take 6 hours and 40 minutes to finish.

Our normal average pace is 13:23 which will take 5 hours and 51 minutes till the end.

I really want to finish this race in 5 hours.

How do I know all this? Cliff has a pace band tool on their site here, where you can go by finish time or pace. Then you can print a wristband to help you stay on track the day of. It even tells you what miles you should be taking shot bloks or gels!

+58: Brr!

2009-10-17T03:21:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday and it's 6:15 am and it's freezing cold. It October for Pete's sake! It should be a tad warmer than 40 degrees. I should not have had to look for gloves last night. I really want to go back to bed, but thankfully there will be a team of people waiting for me at the park to run. That sense of obligation makes it a little easier. Hopefully it stays dry, 10 wet miles would longer than 10 dry ones.

Till later.

My own new school

2009-10-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

In a few months I will be finally graduating college. What will I do when I graduate, well dude we just don't know. I thought about graduate school, it would be nice. To be honest with you I am quite tired of school and need something different.

Seeing as being a housewife does not pay the bills, although Matt says it pays in kisses but Verizon recently informed me that 113.45 kisses will not cover our bill, I will probably find myself working in an office somewhere. Hopefully a job where I can do my own thing at work.

I do intend to keep my education going though. While attending my own new school. I think I will take classes on beer, wine, cooking, baking, cheese, and other edibles. I'll work on my cooking and writing about it. And I will work so that I can also afford myself some travel. I will freelance for myself. Maybe one day I will land myself a cook book deal, or open my own brewery.

+52: A little while

2009-10-11T19:56:00.000-07:00

Oh it has been a little while hasn't it. It's been quite a hectic two weeks. Where to start...

First we put my dog Sandi down last week. She was 16 and sick. A very tough decision but it was for the better. We will miss our little Puppy Girl.

After running Cow Harbour I came down with either allergies or a cold. I ran that Monday on the treadmill and took a few days off. I stayed home from school and had planned to run eight miles at home since I had to work. When I woke up, it was pouring. Normally I would go out still, but I thought that since being sick I should pass.

Running on Sunday was the plan instead. I hope up with a unhappy stomach waited a bit then went out to run. I was four miles out and uh-oh, I knew what that feeling in my stomach meant and it was not good. I got back home after five miles and that was the end of it.

Monday I picked up back on to the schedule, until Thursday. By Thursday I was so stressed out about the entire week of mid-terms and projects, and my fundraiser which was on Saturday.

Saturday, what a day. Emily was in Arizona so I went to practice with out her. I ran with mentor Carrie and Sheryl the walking coach. I was happy to have them there because I was very cranky and did not want to run eight miles. Especially once I found out that we were doing cardiac hill and snake hill. Cardiac hill sounds too much like cardiac kill. It was also the first time I ran on dirt and sand. My ankles and knee have been killing me all day today.

Then was drinking for a cure. Three hours of open bar, friends, and Royal City Riot! It was fantastic and I am so thankful for everyone who helped out and came. I can't thank you all enough. While we were setting up a guy at the bar donated a 17" Flat screen to raffle off and then Kim's boss stopped by later and gave me a check from one of her customer's for $100! Someone I have never met. The generosity of strangers is amazing!

The fundraising update: $3,308! Yupp, that's correct only $692 left.

+40: Ugh!

2009-09-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

What a cruddy day. We put my dog Sandi down today. She was a good girl, but she was sick and pretty sick. It was for the better.

With that was also a cruddy run. I have a break from 11:40 am to 12:50pm, with classes and and starting at those times. So I thought I would get 4 miles in at the gym at school. By the time I got there and what not it was 11:50 am, I though okay I can still make it in time.

This was just poor planning and setting my self up to not do well. I thought that through some magic that the treadmill has I could run 10 minute miles. I know that is not in the cards for me now. But I thought oh this can be speed training, plus I always work well under pressure. Clearly that doesn't translate well to running. I got in 3 miles, wanted to die, washed my self up (since i decided to wear my running clothes to school and not bring something to change into)and went to class thinking about my dog.

Where I went wrong:

-The gym, it was hot and I felt like I was suffocating while I was there.

-Wearing nice plush, fuzzy sweatpants, they stuck to me like leeches.

-Cotton sock, yuck

-Coors Light Promo tank top I got from the bar, also made from cotton, also stuck to me.

-THINKING I could go from running 13 minute miles to 10 minute miles!!!

-Running with a cold.

It wouldn't have been so bad otherwise if It had only been one of these things, but all together= recipe for disaster.

Actually my stuffy nose felt better while running since it was humid in there and my nose tends to run with me (ha!)

Fundraising Update: $1839.00!

+38: Gimme 5!

2009-09-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

The Gimme 5 Project

Hey all! So as many of you know from my updates, I'm still training for the Disney FULL marathon, to stomp out cancer and support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I have just about $2,200 left to reach my fundraising goal! To help get me there and beyond, I am instituting a friendly challenge called the Gimme 5 Campaign to all of you Facebook friends out there! 5 minutes, 5 reasons, 5 bucks. That's all it takes.

1. Gimme 5 minutes of your time:go to my website at http://pages.teamintraining.org/li/wdw10/SeeLauriRun, and read about what I'm doing.
2. Gimme 5 bucks - just donate online: five dollars for a great cause - and if you want to donate more, fantastic!
3. Gimme 5 friends - pass the word to five friends and help spread the word!
4. 5 is the number of years that some blood cancer patients have to stay in remission in order to be considered cured.
5. Every 5 minutes someone new is diagnosed with a blood cancer - money for research is desperately needed - so PLEASE donate now.

I'm doing the hard part, running over 20 miles a EVRY WEEK! I saved the easy part for you! Just make a quick painless(much less painless compared to a spinal tap.) $5 donation!

$5 can get you a few lottery tickets, a latte at Starbucks or a beer at the local bar. But to see how $5 makes an impact on cancer patients, check out these cool notes on how every dollar really does count

If 2 people gimme 5....
$10 provides two hours of microscope use to determine if a new medicine will stop a life-threatening lung infection in a bone marrow transplant patient.
4 people....
$20 pays for a bottle of nutrients that will nourish 10 million leukemia cells grown in the laboratory for a week, enabling scientists to test whether a new anti-cancer drug halts their growth.
8 people....
$40 purchases enough razor-sharp blades to prepare bone-marrow biopsy samples from 200 patients, enabling doctors to make accurate cancer diagnoses.
20 people....
$100 pays for the cost of an antibody used to determine the precise characteristics of lymphoma cells, allowing doctors to determine the best treatment for a patient.
50 people....
$250 buys an instrument to measure tiny volumes of liquid, which allows scientists to accurately measure the solutions needed to prepare a patient sample for a diagnostic test.
100 people.....
$500 purchases 10 hours of time on a flow cytometer, a machine that reveals a multitude of characteristics of blood cancer cells that could be developed into effective diagnostic tests.

As I put in the milage, step up and stand up to cancer with me. See the amazing things The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society does with your donation at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Website. Thank you for your support!
Lauri

+37: ~Post

2009-09-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

Post race report

I finished in 1:22:33

Not the best time but Saturday is my slow day. Plus I finished!

Good-I woke up on time, early actually. Good-I was not over dressed for running Not so good-I was pretty cold before hand. Good- Didn't get caught up with the excitement of the starting gun by tearing ass across the line. We walked just like we do every run in the beginning. Not so good- We were definitely at the end of the pack, and catching up was not really too much of an option. Good-The James St. hill was not as offensive as I thought, even after driving it the night before and cursing at it. Not so good-I wish I trained on hills more, I was much more shot halfway than if I did 6 miles on flat ground. Good-I had a good idea to put my cell phone in a zip lock bag in the key pocket of my pants. Probably not good- I learned that running up hill and texting is not so hard. Good- Myself, Emily and my friend Kate playing going on a picnic during the painful parts of the run, as a distraction. Not so good- People telling me "You're almost there!" at mile 2, or "It's all down hill from here!" as I start see a hill ahead. Good- People cheering us on, Knuckle bumping with 5 year olds, high fives, words of encouragement, water stops, free tissues, and misting stations to run through. Not so good- Jammed my knee running down hill. Good- The beer truck. This was my first race ever and an eye opener to what's ahead. I need to make sure I keep on my training, look into what the Disney course is like elevation wise and train appropriately. Something interesting: Usually on the Sunday after the Saturday run, I feel fine. Monday however is when I feel the run. This time was different, Sunday I felt terrible (and had developed a cold) and Monday I felt fine (excpet for the cold) Overall- Big win! Glad I did it, and I will do it again next year. My husband even wants to run it next year too!

+37: Pre~

2009-09-26T02:59:00.000-07:00

I'm up. Cow Harbor is today and I can't wait! I had a dream last night that I had to run the 6 miles around my kitchen table, number fell off, I forgot my chip and had no sense of time or distance that I had accomplished. Quite scary! I'm sure it will be much better than that today! Time to get ready and pick up Kate. I hope it's not too cold out today.

+36:Pre Race Readiness!!

2009-09-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my first ever! The Cow Habour 10K which is a fantastic race that people come from all over to run. I am going to be running with 5,000 people tomorrow. I'm quite excited!

Tonight Kate and I went to pick up our numbers and race swag. We got sweet tee-shirts and other goodies. I have everything laid out, now I just need to go to sleep and wake up at 5:45 am. Hooray! I hear there is a beer truck at the end!! Off to bed.

+33: A cranky knee

2009-09-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

It happened today. I missed my first run. :( I felt terrible about it all day long. In all fairness though, my knee has been bothering me since Saturday's long run. Four years ago I fell on a concrete floor at work and injured it. I was out from work for a month! It bothers me every now and then, but otherwise it's not bad. I found out at that time also that I have IT band. I think that's what this is, but am not 100% on that. However I ran yesterday, in pain. Took some Motrin last night, and decided this morning to rest an extra day and let my knee have a break. It starting feeling better today, then the pain came back while I was in my 3 hour film class tonight. I think it's the way I sit. The desks have no place to put my feet in front of me, and it bothers my knee when I cross it over, or when I put the other leg on top. So it still hurts. I'm not happy about it either, and I'm not sure what I should do. I think I may go to the doctor, and see if maybe I can go back to physical therapy for it. I hope it feels better for 10k of Cow Harbour on Saturday. Boo!

+28: 4 Weeks!

2009-09-18T15:40:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been 4 weeks since I started. Eight days since the last time I was here. Things have been busy with school and running. Training is going well. My body is getting used to running. I find that I am better off running after I first wake up. When I go later in the day I'm tired during the run. I ran 5 miles yesterday according to my Nike+ watch, then mapped it at home on line to link to that run. And guess what? The map said it was 6 miles. I'll have to look into that. Maybe I need to re-calibrate the watch. I felt good about that run though. I walked a bunch of it, but I think that was because I went at 5 after a long day.

On the financial front, I'm doing quite well as of today, I have $1,552. This Sunday I am having a pampered chef party to raise some loot. And October 10th is Drinking for a Cure, which is going to be a huge drunken fundraiser. I went out hunting for raffle donations and did well! I'm excited.

Tomorrow, I'm running with Emily by he house, 7 miles. I'll keep you posted.

+20: THE WHOLE ENCHILADA!

2009-09-09T16:50:00.000-07:00

Done! I am signed up for the full marathon! Holy crap!! Emily and Bonnie are excited!

I also broke $1,000 in donations this week! Thank you again everyone!!!!

Save the Date!

Drinking for the cure

Saturday October 10 5-8pm

TJ Finley's

Main St.

Bayshore

$40 per person includes 3 hrs of 25+ beer taps, top shelf booze, wine, food, and live music from Royal City Riot!

Email drinking4Acure@gmail.com for tickets!

+17: The whole enchilada?

2009-09-06T17:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at group run, Emily pointed out how mice it would be if I ran the full with her and Bonnie so we would all have each other through the run, and we can chat and play games--and I'm seriously considering it. It would really be nice to have Emily and Bonnie with me through the 26 miles, and I almost feel like it I'm doing all this I should do the whole thing. Right? I have until recommitment to change my mind, so I will follow the marathon training schedule, and I'll let you know how it goes!

I forgot about this:

The metro station in DC by Derek's, where we stayed, had this poster right when you went up the escalator. I was so excited!

+16: Big Win!

2009-09-05T08:52:00.000-07:00

Today was my 2nd Saturday run with the team. At last weeks' Saturday run I walked the entire thing. This week, I ran it, all 4.3 miles of it! I cannot tell you how awesome it feels to accomplish that! I ran with Emily and Bonnie. We ran for 2 minutes and walked for 1 min (repeat.) Emily kept our pace today and was good at letting me know when I wanted to stop that it we would stop soon only 30 or 20 whatever seconds left. I also found that doing the longer run actually made running easier, after 15-20 minutes I realized how much easier it gets with more time in the run. There were some moments where I felt like my legs were going to give out shortly but I made it.

I was rewarded at the end with bagels and Jelly Bellies. And then a nice 2 hour snooze and work.

After today I feel a million times better about doing this and signing up for the Car Harbor 10k this month too.

I need more money everyone, donations have slowed, so it you have been putting it off, now is a good time. It will make me feel better!

+13: Bike Ride

2009-09-02T20:46:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful for this beautiful weather that we have been having. When it is 90% humidity I have problems breathing, get bad anxiety and am just miserable. I will take this year round!

Today was a cross training day, which meant any aerobic activity that is not running or walking. I was going to go to the gym after class and use that arm bike, where you pedal with your arms, in hopes to minimize what I like to call my "bat wings" or the flabby parts on my upper arms. Buut it was really too nice out today to be in a smelly gym with people grunting and I had a lunch date with my friend Jen, who is my journalism partner in crime. She found this crepe place on campus that only to find out they keep odd hours such as really early morning and again in the evening. But the lack crepes resulted in a nice walk on hilly grounds. Lunch was veggie burgers and sweet potato fries from our newly revamped cafeteria.

After I came home went out to talk to some bars about my bar night (more to come!!)

I also booked a pamper chef party as a fundraiser, and my letters are going out tomorrow!

Then I went for a really nice bike ride to the beach near here. I love bike riding, that breeze as you roll on! Only problem is my butt hurts bad from the bike seat. I never realized how much I really need to be running and bike riding, since I don't bring my I-pod, I have time to think about anything on my mind or nothing at all. TIme to notice all the little things that would be left unsaid. It's really a beautiful thing.

+11: Firsts

2009-08-31T20:20:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of school and the first day of real running (No, I really mean running not walking.) I woke up earlier before I had to leave for school to do a 25 min run wearing my new sneakers which are great! Today was a 25 min run day, which I did 1.87 Miles today using the walk run method suggested by my coach. I walked rather slow for 2 min, power walked for 3 minutes all as a warm up. Then ran slowly for 2 minutes, and walked from 2-3, then repeated. I varied the length of the walking based on how recovered I felt, it took a little longer in the beginning and a bit easier at the end.

On Saturday I talked to Coach Jen about this method, looking for some advice. She asked me how long I thought I could run for at a time and I told her 1 1/2- 2 min, and she had a good point, make yourself run what you think you can do, even if you feel uncomfortable for a little (for a very short time frame, not long discomfort) it's only a few seconds more. And when you reach a point where you can run 2 minutes with out being uncomfy then run a little more time. There was a point in the middle of the run during a run cycle where I ran for just about 2 minutes with out looking at my watch, which I normally do and tell me self "Okay only 10 more seconds" or whatever the case may be.

Good deal. So tomorrow I will keep that up on my run, and I know it will suck a little less with each day that goes by. As for the shoes, my feet felt great all day. They were not tired feeling at all, which they have been. I also enjoyed wearing my Chucks around for the rest of the day. They are always like a vacation for my feet.

And as for school that was good today too. I had Japanese first, which I forgot almost a whole year's worth of Japanese. (Not good) Had lunch with a bunch of friends, and felt great about eating my lunch from home. Oh! I did roam through the new cafeteria with them and found this tasty red barely with vegetables dish which I got a side dish of. I will figure out that recipe soon! Yum!

+9: Poor Ankles

2009-08-29T20:03:00.000-07:00

Today was our team's second Saturday run and my first with them. With the threat of hurricane Danny raining on our parade I received some reassuring emails from my coaches that practice happens no matter what, and that it is to our advantage to run in all conditions because who knows what will happen on race day.

We went to see Inglorious Basterds last night, and did I did not end up going to sleep till 2:30 AM. When the alarm went off this morning I contemplated staying in bed, but I got up ate a banana and went on my way. It was quite drizzly when I left, still unsure of what to wear I wore my long Nike shirt and compression shorts and some new dri-wick socks I bought last night. These socks were sent by the devil. Too low, and I ended up with a bloody ankle from my chaffing sneakers.

It was a nice walk in the rain, with my Co-ordinator Andria, and one of the mentors, Carrie. Im amazed how fast the 40 minutes went with company with me. I got in a little over 2.5 miles and walked the whole thing.

After we went to the Sayville Running Store and they fed us bagels and talked about socks and shoes. I got fitted for some legit running sneakers that will not leave my poor ankles bloody. They have this nifty setup that you stand on and shows where you put pressure on your feet and then they recommend shoes for you. Can't wait till Monday to try them out on the road!

On the fundraising front I'm up to $710 and have $3,290 left. Also Bollinger's Family Restaurant in Farmingdale donated several gift certificates for my upcoming events and there will be a counter jar there also for donations! Go visit them and get yourself a tasty dinner and some homemade icecream!

+7

2009-08-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

Day seven, vacation's over. Back to work and running. I had good intentions last night of waking up at 5:45 to be out at 6 am for today's run (and when I say a run I mean a walk), but when the alarm went off, I saw that it was still quite dark out, quickly allowing myself an additional hour of sleep before heading off to work. (Which for the record you know your job is awesome when you and your boss almost knock down the UPS driver to tear into your shipment of larger than life stuffed animals including a giraffe almost as tall as me and a barrel of hobby horses and unicorns which you then proceed to ride around the store!)

So after a day of playing with toys at work I came home went went out for a run. I haven't been running with my I-pod and I really enjoy it. It is nice to be able to focus on what is going on around me and helps me to pay attention better. There are so many little things to be noticed while running outside (non-running things). Various plants, people watching, people driving by and yelling "I love your tattoos!" The best is I found this kick ass vintage buffet side table which someone was getting rid of and I went back later to get it (and it did not fit in my car) and the guy at the house let me put it up further on the lawn to come back later with Matt's car! Score! i never would have found that if I wasn't running. (Or if I went at 6 am!)

I also got to try out my new running clothes I picked up on the way back from D.C. There happened to be a small outlet near a gas pit stop with a Nike in it. I picked up a pair of knee length cool max shorts, two cool max shirts and a hat. I am happy to say I dig these shorts. They do not ride up on me, the are short enough so you can see my tattoos in full view and long enough to avoid my poor thighs from chaffing. And the cool max is lovely because there is no swamp ass involved later.

Oh did I mention that the weather was beautiful running weather today? It was, I hope it is like this in Disney!

+6: Party's over!

2009-08-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

We got back from our trip to DC yesterday. It was so nice, and I did TONS of walking there. I also did TONS of eating. Not the good kind the bad kind. Including a trip to Sonic to see what that's all about. (For the record, not so exciting, although the cherry lime-ade is tasty). On a more exciting note, I did get some running clothes on vacation!

Anyway, I did not go out on separate walks while we were in DC, but I did walk all day for several miles. I also missed my walk yesterday since we were driving all day, and today well, today was a lost cause on cross training day. I woke up super cranky and hot. If today was a running day I would have been out there, but today was cross training, and the gym at school/work is closed this week. I really didn't know what I should do for cross training. Really though none of this is an excuse.

Tomorrow I need to be in work at 7:30 am, and I'm debating if I should go out for 25 min. in the morning before I leave for work or go after work. I think I will get up at 6 am and go out.

I'd like to get into a early morning running habit. Okay tomorrow I'll be out at 6am.

+1

2009-08-21T06:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Matt! (My husband!)

We're leaving on vacation today so I wasn't quite sure when I was going to get my first walk in for the training season. I woke up earlier than planned and went out. It was so hot out already at 8 am. My walk was good, I went easy since I went for a long one yesterday before I knew my training plan.

I did however spend too much time fixing my shorts which kept riding up on me. My new mission is to get a pair of running shorts that are longer, don't ride up and have some kind of magical moisture wicking property so I don't feel so swampy.

Off to DC!

0:Kickoff!

2009-08-20T20:45:00.000-07:00

Tonight was kickoff. It was so great to be able to meet all the awesome people that are on my team and working to find a cure for blood cancers. I can't tell you how great it feels to be part of a team where everyone is working together for such a great cause. My coaches and mentor are so sweet too! I'm even more excited about the program now!! Plus I got a sweet tote bag, and about 20 PowerBars. Score!

Training update, I jogged/walked 2 miles today on the treadmill. I decided I don't really like using the treadmill, I find it really boring, just looking around the gym. Now I have my training plan and I am going to be running outside more. Hopefully this humidity lets up.

Matt and I are going to DC tomorrow for a few days, so I will be getting up early on vacation to run run run.

Now I need to go pack!

-2

2009-08-18T20:02:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a great donation day today was! I got 7 donations! (Thanks Carrie-Anne, Mike, Doug, Kellie, Caitlin, Krista and Teddie!!) I'm up to $420 and counting. This is so great.

Kick off is in just two days. My Mentor emailed me today to introduce her self, and let me know that she will help me out with fundraising, which was so nice! (Hi Donna!) This is her 8th race with Team in Training, and her fourth time doing Disney! She'll be doing the half with me too!

We also discovered we are neighbors!

I got my hair cut today too, which was well needed. I walked in and told Lorraine to "Chop it!" She didn't though, she knew I'd be unhappy doing that. So she took a few inches off and thinned out out big time. It feels so much better and I can still put it up when I run. She started running too and we are going to run a 5k in October together. I love how I've been finding new bonds with people I know already through running.

Nike is doing the Human Race again, which works well. It's a 10K October 24 all around the world. That's 6 miles which is half of my half marathon at my halfway time frame, so I believe I will be ready for that one. I'm signing up for the one in Brooklyn.

Matt and I are going to DC this weekend for a few days of well earned vacation (FINALLY!!!) Can't wait! This is going to be a bad eating/drinking weekend, but once we're back it's on! Training in full swing. I may do a walk/run to the White House, it's not too far from where we are staying. Hopefully it is not deathly hot, which I have a feeling it will be.

-4: A nice start

2009-08-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

It's been three days so far since I started fundraising and my website went up. So far I have been able to raise $195, which is a great start. I have sent out emails to all my contacts (realizing I don't have very many email addresses) bombarded my Facebook friends. It's great to see people willing to help out financially.

Today at Matt's parents house for dinner my mother in law told me she forwarded me email to family and friends. I later checked my account and saw a new donation! (Thanks Derek!!) My MIL was so excited that her email helped.

Kick off is in four days, then fundraising will be full time action. I'm leaving on vacation the next day, but on the road I will be typing letters and addressing envelopes.

If anyone who is planning any parties in the future would be willing to be fundraiser parties please let me know. All you have to do is ask your guests for a $5 or $10 cover charge/donation at the door.

Don't forget to donate!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/li/wdw10/SeeLauriRun

-7: For real

2009-08-13T11:25:00.000-07:00

After much debate, thinking, and asking others I finally signed up with the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Program. This January, less than five months from now, I will be running/walking/crawling 13.1 miles through Disney World. I will be also fundraising $4000 for LLS as part of the program.
This will tell the story of my adventure, all the times I love running, hate running, how I manage to fundraise this all this loot, what I'm eating and of course about my training.

My fundraising site was set up today, so I spent a good portion of the morning making it nice, and then mass emailing it to everyone I know. My Facebook page has been taken over with updates about this and link to my site.

I made a nice breakdown of what I need donation-wise to get to $4000

I would need all of these donations:

10 Donations of $100= $1000

20 Donations of $75= $1500

17 Donations of $50= $850

26 Donations of $25= $650

I've been brainstorming ideas for fundraising, and if anyone has any ideas please let me.

So follow me along and check back frequently. I won't be quiting, my only goal is to get across the finish the race the same day I start it.
Of course please consider making a donation to my goal here
And please bookmark this Amazon.com link which will give a small percentage of your purchases to my goal.

Wish Me Luck!

Aebleskiver/Takoyaki

2009-07-23T19:40:00.000-07:00

When I was in Japan I found myself marveled at the various food stalls scattered all about Tokyo. I missed out on trying many of their treats since I was on a strict gluten-free diet at the time. The one I wanted to try the most was the takoyaki (たこ焼き), grilled octopus balls made from a pancake like batter and chopped ocotopus (tako たこ in Japanese). poured in to a cast iron grill of little half domes and grilled. I found myself mesmerized as I watched skilled takoyaki chef's hands fly across hot griddles 100 takoyaki wide with a small tool in hand, which looks like the metal nut pick my parents always kept in the nut dish around the holidays for picking walnuts out of the shells, flipping the octopus balls 180 degrees with such speed and precision all with out missing a beat flipping rows and rows of the little octopus balls putting on quite a show.

So as I have still never had takoyaki, I find myself quite obsessed with the idea of a grill that will allow me to make them at home. My husband reminds me that a takoyaki grill is a uni-tasker, which Alton Brown disapproves of. But today I can across this:

Behold-the Aebleskiver pan, the dutch version of a takoyaki maker, which lets me know that it was meant other uses which I do not need to make up. This is meant to be in my home making octopus balls, mini jelly doughnuts, apple dumplings, brownie balls, croquettes and the most amazing sunny side up eggs that protect the yolks.

As I was writing this post I stopped and I ordered it. My new aebleskiver pan will be here in 5-8 days according to Amazon.

Stay Tunned...

We are going to a BBQ on Kuma's side of the family on Saturday and then having one here on Sunday for my sister's birthday, here's the things I plan I cooking this weekend:

Pesto pasta salad

Lemon Blueberry cake

Herbed roasted potatoes

BBQ Chicken

Homemade Ricotta cheese

Something with the cannoli filling I plan to use the ricotta for.

Possibly a fruit salsa too.

Can't wait!

The Omnivore's Hundred #29 Baklava

2009-07-14T10:06:00.000-07:00

Sunday I met up with friends who are leaving the US this week for good and going back home to their home countries. So we met up at Moustache Pitza in the west village for lunch.

Moustache Pitza is a middle eastern place, with a big focus on fresh baked pita breads that arrive to your table hot, and puffed up like a blowfish. The food there is amazing, everything is fresh and you can count on a waiting a bit for your food (even when it's slow there) but believe me--it's worth it.

My friends Christy, who is going home to Malaysia, is also doing the Omnivores 100, so when we saw baklava on the dessert menu, it was decided even before we ordered drinks.

So after a delicious lunch of hummus, pita bread and various "pitzas" which we all shared, we ate baklava.

So now about the baklava.

It was pretty tasty, but I wasn't a huge fan. The crust was flaky and buttery with a nice golden top. The filling was full of nuts and a tad dry. I think it was too much for me, too many nuts.I would have liked some dried fruit maybe some raisins in it along with the nuts.

I was expecting a sweeter flavor and a moister filling. Baklava is on my Cook's 100 list, so when I make it I think I might like that one better.

That's really all I have to say about the baklava.

The Cook's 100: #63 Deviled Eggs

2009-07-05T20:37:00.000-07:00

We went to Matt's grandma's for a 5th of July BBQ today. She loves deviled eggs, quite possibly more than me. So I try to make them for parties and holidays there, and to justify owning a deviled egg plate.

Since my herb garden is growing in full swing right now, I though I would try something

new aside from the standard deviled eggs I make. So I present you with herbed deviled eggs.

Herbed Deviled Eggs

Makes 12

6 Eggs, hard boiled and peeled
1/2 tsp fresh chives, finely chopped
1 tsp fresh dill, finely chopped
1 tsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dry mustard powder, I use Colman's
1/4 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
pinch of salt
1/4 c mayonnaise

After eggs have been boiled, peeled and cooled, carefully slice each egg in half lengthwise.
Use a spoon to scoop out the yolks into a bowl. After I scoop out all the yolk, I like to gently rinse out the inside hollow of the white. I think it keeps them looking nicer afterwards.
Mash yolks up with a fork.
Place yolks, and all other ingredients in a food processor, and pulse till mixture is well blended and smooth.
Using a rubber scrapper, scrape mixture into a zip top bag, or piping bag. (Use can use a fancy cake decorating tip if you like.)
Place eggs whites in an egg dish, or cover a plate with salad greens to prevent eggs from sliding about, cut a small corner from zip top bag, and pipe into egg halves.
Garnish with chopped herbs.

You can easily make these ahead of time, a day or two. I keep the yolk mixture stored in the bag, and the whites stored in a container with a lid. This makes bringing them else where much easier, and they assemble quickly.

The Cook's 100: #28 Infused Olive Oil

2009-07-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

So all these big fancy gourmet grocery stores sell this nicely packaged infused olive oil, for a lot of money. I don't have extra cash to be spending $15 on a small bottle of garlic rosemary olive oil. I do have a rosemary plant though. Make your own instead. It's quick and more exciting when you make what you like. This recipe is about winging it and using what you have.

Olive oil, a bit less than will fit in your jar
Jar with a lid, or one of those fancy oil bottles with the pouring spout
Funnel or measuring cup with a spout
Saucepan, or small frying pan
Infusions, garlic minced, rosemary, thyme, dill, marjoram, dried chili peppers, anything you like.

In a frying pan or small sauce pan, over medium heat pour in your olive oil, and add in your infusions.
Bring to a high simmer, and simmer for about 5 min
Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes
Using funnel or measuring cup with a spout, pour into jar or oil bottle
Taste it, with a nice crusty bread
Make more!

I would make this oil in small batches that you can use within a week or so and keep in the fridge. By heating the oil with the infusions in it, you are also killing off any bacteria, and preventing botulism.

This can also be a nice little quick gift to make too. It took me about 10 minutes start to finish to make this batch.

The worst recipe ever.

2009-07-01T20:11:00.000-07:00

This is the worst recipe ever. Don't believe me, go try it. I know enough not to make this dish. What makes it the worst dish ever--maybe it's the tinned pears, or the French dressing to moisten. I'm not sure, and I will pass on finding out. I have thought about making it and secretly bringing it to a potluck BBQ, and watching peoples reactions to it. This recipe was posted in the Guardian, in an article written about British food writer Elizabeth David, with a warning above it. Do not try this at home.

Italian salad

1 pint cold cooked macaroni

½ pint cooked or tinned pears

½ pint grated raw carrot

French dressing to moisten

2 heaped tablespoons minced onion

½ pint cooked or minced string beans

Mix the chopped macaroni and vegetables; moisten with French dressing, ﬂavouring with garlic if liked. Serve on a dish lined with lettuce leaves. Decorate with mayonnaise and minced pimento or chives.

Yup, I do not believe I have ever seen anything worse. The article is about this one particular cookbook in Davis's cook book collection. Ulster Fare, from 1945 had the following note wedged inside:

"Italian salad p50. Sounds just about the most revolting dish ever devised."

Yes, yes it is. I do wonder why they went with Italian salad. If anyone out there does decide to try this salad, please post and let me know how it is.

Here is the link to the Guardian article:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jul/01/elizabeth-david-food-cookbook

Inspired to change

2009-07-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

Since seeing Food Inc. last weekend, we've made some changes. (Yes, it was that powerful!)

We've decided to be more conscious of what we purchase and from whom. I found a local organic farm where we can purchase any produce we need that we do not have in our garden. This means that any produce, eggs or honey I buy are being grown 2.5 miles from my house. Talk about local. I also met the farmer who owns the farm, it's nice to know where you food is coming from.
We are cutting back on our meat eating. And free-ranging it otherwise.
I am limiting what frozen foods I purchase, and will be super picky about which ones I do.
I have finally found and decided on a perfect graduate school program for me. I had been up in the air about various Journalism schools, but I discovered NYU's Food Studies MA program. This program was made for me! I will be applying next year.

Late night havesting

2009-06-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

I went out to the garden just now at midnight, with a flash light, to pick cilantro and arugula for tomorrows lunch.

Carefully following the beam of light, I was amazed to discover all the creatures in my grass at night. Slugs of all sizes relaxed on leaves, and worms quickly slipped back into the ground as the flashlight beam shown upon them.

Lately I have been discovering little things that make me smile.

Food Inc.

2009-06-27T19:25:00.000-07:00

Last night Matt and I went to see Food Inc. at the Cinema Arts center. If you can any tiny bit about the future of our food, environment, or your wallet I strongly urge you to see this film. I've been working on a lot of research dealing with food policy and agribusiness, and believe me there are some very scary things out there, these big companies do not want consumers knowing about the food they are eating.

I will say right now, this film is intense. Mind you I have seen much similar footage, and read many articles about issues addressed in the film. But let me tell you, reading it and seeing it are two totally different things.

This film is broken up into chapters, and deals with several issues: genetic engineering of foods,

cloning, food worker protection, environmental impact, food borne illness, factory farming, pesticides,

and healthy eating to name a few. The chapter on factory farming really got me, seeing the conditions

that my food had been living in. Chickens are crammed into pens and never see the light of day.

Their breasts so large they collapse under their own weight after taking just a few steps, from being

pumped full of growth hormones. Seeing the way this big companies like Tyson,

treat the farmers raising their chicken, really aggravated me.

Then there is Monsanto. Monsanto is the Agri-Devil. Monsanto, who dominates

the farming industry, sells seeds, corn and soy are the big ones, to small farmers with strict contractual

guidelines. They do not allow farmers to "clean" seeds, or save the seeds from the years harvest for next

seasons crops. In fact they will go after farmers who do such, and even have a special investigation unit

like the FBI to find out who does. Taking it even further, they will go after farmers who have Monsanto

seeds that have blown on to their property.

There is also a companion book called Food Inc. out too. This is a nice little refrence

guide of everything you see in the movie, and more details. Good for those moments when you

are trying to remember something you saw and wanted to know more about.

The book is broken up into three parts. Making the movie, the issues, and what you can do.

In the isuses and what you can do section there are short essays written by various food writers,

such Michael Pollan and Marion Nestle to name a few.

Watching the film really drove these things you already know home. Seeing the factory farms, hearing about how Monsanto screws farmers, and hearing the story of a four year old who died of E coli really makes you think about all the problems with our food industry.

People need to see more of a connection as to where the food they eat comes from, this film will do just that. Following the path your food takes is quite an eye opening experience. I'm certain that the path you think your food take is different from the path it actually does.

This movie has really inspired me that I can make changes in the worlds food system.

While I cannot single handedly change the world, I know that what I buy makes a difference.

Hell, If Wal-mart see that consumers are demanding organics and suppling their customers

with them, that says something about the power of your spending dollars!

(Please though don't buy at Wal-mart, shop Mom and Pop!)

26

2009-06-22T15:07:00.000-07:00

Last year I turned 25 and had a quarter life crisis. It was just like a mid life crisis, except I didn't buy a sports car or starting dating the pool boy, I just cried a lot and went back to school.

This year I realize that 26 is now on the closer side to 30, which means I'm getting older. Since I've been back to school and most of my school friends are under 21 I feel as if I've been given a second chance at being a kid. Which is nice since I've always been 4 going on 40.

My birthday was on Saturday and I've decided to throw myself the birthday party of a six year old, Hello Kitty themed,complete with Hello Kitty birthday cake.

Kuma and I

Hello Kitty Cupcakes!

Hello Kitty cake! Lemon cake with a whipped cream/cream cheese icing.

Delicious!

It's hard to tell from this angle, but her face is a separate tier.

The cake was quite a pest to make. Put together like a puzzle from broken cake. Originally I had made a lemon cake with strawberries in it. But the strawberries made the cake too soggy and it broke coming out of the pan. I have made that cake before but as cupcakes, which worked very well. Anyway the HK cake was tasty and everyone though it was cool.

Birthday 26= Sucess!

The Cook's 100

2009-06-16T19:08:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about the Omnivores Hundred today, and realized of all the foods I've eaten on the list, I've cooked about five of them. This is something that I am okay with though. I feel that if I am doing the list in order to experience these dishes, they should be cooked by someone who is a pro at making them.

There are so many dishes I have come across while reading cookbooks and blogs, which I would love to try my hand at, but so many of them require extensive preparation, and not practical to be cooking on a Wednesday night after work.

I thought why not make a list of different dishes to try cooking or baking at least once. A nice opportunity to expand my cooking skills further, and step outside my cooking comfort zone, and also to get me to write about food more often.

So I am proposing a challenge: Cook the 100 things on this list, and blog about it. Document it, take pictures, write about the recipe you used, did you like making it, was it the best thing you ever made, or the worst. It will give us food lovers a full on challenge. It's not a race, take your time. Just cook it again if you cooked it once before, and cook it from scratch!

I have tried to include a mix dishes that can be made by any level, and some that require more experience, some that may be about experimenting with different kitchen tools, and a broad range of different cooking techniques.

Many things on this list of foods are usually purchased and cooked. Everything on this list should be made from scratch, start to finish. Stuff your sausage, don't just grill it!

Enjoy!

The rules:

Copy and paste this list on your blog.
Mark off the items you won't cook.
Blog about it!
Post a link to your list in the comments section of this post, and link back to this post, so others can join in!
Cross off items as you cook them.

The List:

Crown roast
Baked clams
Croissants
Stir fry
Curry
Hand cut french fries
Pasties
Something in a tagine
Beer/Mead/Wine
Double crust pie
Jam/Canning
Rack of lamb
Pickles
Beef wellington
~~Ricotta cheese~~
Baked Alaska
Jello Mold Salad
Homemade Pasta
Cream Puffs
Gnocchi
Multi Tiered cake
Something flambéed
Corned Beef, that you pickled
Fish cooked on wood planks
Bagels
Baklava
Sausage
~~Infused olive oil~~
Ice cream
Fried chicken
Lemon Meringue Pie
Pizza dough/Pizza
Sushi rolls
Turducken
Lasagna
A whole fish
Pudding
Cannoli, shells and filling
Infused vodka
~~Hummus~~
Fried Calamari
Fresh squeezed lemonade
Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Biscuits and gravy
Cornish hen
Something in a crock pot/ slow cooker
Stuffed peppers
Risotto
Roasted vegetable/potatoes with white truffle oil
Clam Bake
Osso Buco
A Vegetarian dish
Guacamole & Salsa
Mayonnaise
Vegan cake
Chili
Ganache
Poached pears
Baked Brie/ Brie en croute
Flan
Pineapple upside down cake
Pita bread
~~Deviled eggs~~
Chocolate truffles
Pulled pork
Hot sauce
Filet mignon
Terrine
Sorbet
Turkey stuffed with something other than traditional stuffing
Miso Salmon
Dosa
Mousse
Quiche
Strawberry Shortcake
Baked macaroni and cheese
Eggs Benedict
Loaf of bread
Cheese ball
Smoked ribs
Flourless cake
Soup stock (chicken, beef, vegetable, ect)
Deep fried turkey
Dry rubbed meat
Chicken Kiev
Kombucha Tea
Stuffed Tenderloin
Crepes
Souffle
Fish en Papillot
Baked Ham
Waffles
Corned beef hash
Pot-stickers
Cheesecake
Whole roasted garlic
Ceviche
Artichokes
Fondue
A copy cat recipe (Something that is made commercial or in a restaurant, find the copy cat recipe on line, is it just as good?)

Spiderman and the Ladies room

2009-06-16T13:10:00.001-07:00

Today after class I am walking through the library building on my way to my car, and stopped to use the ladies room. Now Stony Brook is a very large school, with a lot of students, and good amount of bathrooms. Usually they are not immaculate, but usable. Of course there is always paper on the floor and some one always needs to hover and brace themselves so high up in the stall like Spiderman, that their urine makes seems to make it every where but in the toilet.

But today was something like no other. As I walked through the entrance of the ladies room, and approached the stall I chose the first empty one. My arms full with my purse, coffee cup and books, I pushed in the stall door. I immediately look at the toilet seat to decide if it is usable or not. This one was not. Somebody pooed on the toilet seat. Yes, you read that correctly. I froze. Is this, poo I ask my self. Yepp, that's poo the little moderator in my head confirms. I could not understand how this happened.

As my eyes lock on to the poo, I can very quickly tell that this was no emergency. This did not look like the type of poo that causes one to run in fear to the ladies room. No this was a premeditated poo that someone lovingly left on the seat of the toilet that I just wanted to pee in. All the way on the back part of the seat too.

I turned and left, still not fully understanding how to poo make it there. Was some one out on a vendetta against the cleaning staff? Spiderman must have been hovering in that stall, for it to land there.

Beer, BMW and bastards.

2009-06-06T21:27:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday my afternoon class let out early. With several hours on my hands, I walked across campus back to my car, which was parked in the stadium lot. As I started walking across the lot from the Union I noticed people tailgating. Mind you this was a Thursday at 3:30 in the afternoon, during summer session. I find my car in the sea of other cars, get in, turn on the radio, and dig out my lunch bag with my dinner in it. As I snap open the latches of my lock lock box, containing tuna macaroni salad, a car pulls up in the spot across from me to the right. I'm eating my tuna-mac, listening to NPR, and watching as three young guys get out of this car. They appear to be the typical Long Island douche bags I'd rather not deal with. As work on this massive bowl of tuna-mac, I watch as they pop the trunk and go around, talking to each other in their secret D-bag language I'm not really able quite understand. As they hover over the trunk like cops over a corpse they start popping open cans of bud light and pouring them into the ever so discreet red party cups. The cans start hitting the ground, as I watch in some absurd amusement of their actions. "Really?" I say to myself out loud, "It's four in the afternoon." The three start walking to the location behind me where more festivities seem to be occurring, but just as they reach the hood of their fancy BMW, red cups in hand, I see a bastard bud light can come flying towards my poor Corolla, sailing over my hood, and just missing my poor baby by centimeters. "You have got to be fucking kidding me." I said out loud, as I look to the three. The shortest one looks over and clearly sees the look of rage on my face, and knowing better puts out his arms like wings and starts yelling "SORRY, SORRY!" in his Gotti Boy wanna be Long Island accent. I roll my eyes in pure disgust as I repeat, "You have got to be fucking kidding me." Tempted to run out after him and kick him in the nether region, I restrain myself and continue working on the macaroni salad, and listening to All things considered on NPR. Staring through my windshield, running a play by play of what just happened, as I usually do, and thinking about the various other ways I would like to have reacted, I glanced at that bastard BMW and noticed something absolutely magical. In their excitement for drinking from red cups and watching the high school lacrosse tournament going on in the stadium, they left the back passenger window down. All the way down. I gleamed at the shiny black BMW and it's tinted windows. Was there anyone else inside?, I wondered. No there must not be, after all who would sit in this car and pass up canned bud light in red cups? No one sitting in that car, that's who. Then suddenly I had this idea to return the beer can that almost hit my car. I glanced in my rearview mirror, and looked all around to make certain they were no where in sight. I unlocked my door, stepped out, scooted around my door, and slyly picked up the beer car that lay next to my tire. This car was much heavier than I expected. In fact I would say about half full. What wimps I though, can't even handle half a can of piss light beer. I looked around again, and darted over to the back window, my heart racing, stopping to pick up another can on the way, peeked into the open window and threw the two half full beer cans on the pristine black leather back seat then I ran back to my car. Adrenaline pumping through me I hopped back inside and locked the door. I peered around again. I couldn't believe what I had just done. I picked up my tuna mac, which was waiting for me and continued to finish eating. After i finished, I packed up my lunch bag, started my car and moved to the teacher's lot which was much closer to my evening class.

How I got here.

2009-05-28T17:03:00.000-07:00

The topic of how I got here could become highly philosophical very quickly, so lets talk about how this blog became. My mind is ever changing, there are not many things that I am able to settle upon, except for my love of my husband and food. When anyone who I have not seen in a while asks how whatever I last told them I was doing is going it is usually 42 careers/ideas/jobs/thoughts ago. I've wanted to be everything from a nurse, artist, fashion designer, photographer, chef, teacher, business person, to pretty much anything else. I'm 25 now and have had over 22 jobs (that I can remember) including my current job. I have attended 5 different colleges/trade school with 7 different majors i've tried. There is only thing that has remained constant through all of this, my love of food (and my hubs!).

Now I'm in my final stretch of school. This round I started out doing a double major in Asian studies and linguistics, with the ultimate goal of moving to Japan to teach English (that's another story) and was talking into doing a teaching program to be an ESL teacher. Short story short teaching is not for me. One night while sitting on the couch watching Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations, having my usual "what I am going to do when I graduate/the rest of my life" moment, I declared "That's what I want. I want to eat and travel. That's it."

That's it. Eat and travel.

My personal secret to happiness. "Maybe you should take some journalism classes." my husband suggested. Really why did I never think about this before. (I could see the thoughts in my husbands head, here we go again). I am majoring in Asian studies and minoring in journalism. and will be done in a year.

So this blog is my new project. I am going to love it and, I need to love it. Just like my love for food (and my husband!) When you are passionate about something you glow when you speak about it. Anyone who knows me knows this is true! Just ask me about a cupcake I just fed you, or the beer that we just brewed, or a the dosa I ate last weekend and you will know exactly what I'm talking about.

Enjoy!

Baked Mac N Chee, the easy teenage version

2009-05-20T16:07:00.001-07:00

Driving home from work the other day all I could think about macaroni and cheese, specifically the baked variety. I had no desire to stop at the store to pick up things to make such a dish. I knew I would be eating macaroni and cheese from the box. But I really wanted the good stuff. I debated in my head, should I stop at the store, but it's 5 o'clock, it'll be a zoo. Ugh! I though about the block of parmigiana cheese in my fridge drawer...

When I finally got home, I investigated the contents of the icebox, and found some a block of cheddar, monterey jack, and a small carton of heavy cream. "I will make this work."I said aloud determined.

Here's how it went down:

1 box of annies naturals mac

plus what the box of macaroni and cheese calls for (milk, butter)

1/4 heavy cream (or milk)

3/4 c shredded cheese i used a mix of motery jack, chedder, and parmgiana

a few spoons of panko

1 tbs butter melted

1. Prepare the boxed macaroni and cheese according to the instructions on the box.

2. While the macaroni is boiling preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

3. After the macaroni is prepared from the box, mix in the heavy cream and shredded cheeses. Then transfer into an oven safe casserole.

4. Sprinkle panko on top of macaroni and top with melted butter.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes, or until golden on top and bubbly. You can also broil the casserole on high for a few minutes to get the top nice and golden.

This came out great, it was exactly what I was craving. My hubs absolutely loved it. Next time I make this I'd like to add some chicken and broccoli to it.

Food review: Starbucks Gluten Free Valencia Orange Cake

2009-05-14T09:51:00.001-07:00

Starbucks Gluten Free Valencia Orange Cake

A little over a year ago I discovered that I had been misdiagnosed with Celiac disease, after 2 years on a gluten free diet. I've been on a regular diet which I keep high in fiber to help control my IBS (which I was diagnosed with instead). Since then i've been noticing an abundance of tasty looking gluten free goods on the market. And then last week I saw it, the mother of all gluten free goods, at Starbucks! So today as I camp out at my local Starbucks writing final papers, I will take a break to review this little gluten free goody. Keep in mind I have not eaten any gluten free specific products in over a year, so I suppose this is a good unbiased review since i'm sort of broken out of that being used to GF foods.

Price: $1.95 + tax

Ingrediants: (from the package) Whole eggs, Valencia orange pulp, almonds, sugar, orange peel, G/f baking powder & orange oil.

Nutritional: 290 Calorie, 16gm of fat, 4gm of fiber, the whole cake is one serving.

This cake come individually wrapped protecting it from being exposed to cross contamination. Beware they are super moist and the first one they handed me had started molding so check it out before you leave! The high on this cake is pretty nice for something gluten free almost 2" high, not flat at all. Like I said very moist which is nice especially considering some gluten free things tend to be on the dry side. Very orangey, great flavor. The crumb is very nice and tender not dry at all. There could have been a little less orange peel in it, the finish leaves my mouth a

little dry until I eat another bite. Overall, Big win for Starbucks and Celiacs! This is something I would pick up again, finding it very satisfying and enjoyable to savor slowly!

Ratings (1 Lowest- 5 Highest):

Price: 5 Something tasty and G/F for under $2,who knew?

Taste: 4 really good, just a tad too much on the orange peel

Presentation: 5 individually wrapped, as to not make anyone cry

Value: 5 bargain!

Satisfaction: 5 Super yum! Celiac or not you need to try this one!

What's Left?

2009-05-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

2 more days of class
Linguistics final
Japanese final
10 page observation report
8 page research paper on being trapped in Intercultural Space

That's it!

Then:

2 summer classes, one each half of the summer
working full time
July 4th
San Fransico, the week in between Summer and Fall classes
My garden
Fridays off for the summer!
Garrett's Tagine will be visiting me in August
Making pickles from the cucumbers in my garden
Food Adventures?

I hope I did okay this semester. I'm really worried about my grades, especially my Japanese class, which I am NOT doing well in. I will most likely be graduating next spring, if I do not decide to stay and do a minor, which I am thinking about.

What am I going to do when I graduate?

Stir fried pork in Nom sauce

2009-05-04T21:59:00.001-07:00

Since school has been in full swing, the devil, the death of me i've been neglecting cooking, laundry, feeding my husband and myself a proper diet. This week i've had it. Tonight I decided at 11:30pm I needed to get my self in the kitchen and cooking (like a good housewife!) And now at 1:00am i'm going to tell you about it.

Along with all the other neglect i've been neglecting my bento-ness. And since in my teaching class tomorrow, I will be teaching my class a Japanese lesson on food, and bento I thought I should make one to prepare and not look like a fake!

Lately at school, more specifically in my Japanese class, we've been obessing over lol cats, even more specifically the "noms" that they make. Ie: Anything yummy!

This sauce= exactly that!

Pork in Nom Sauce!

This recipe makes one Man sized bento portion.

1 porkchop, cut into strips
sesame oil, for cooking

Sauce

2 tbsp tamari (soy sauce) , Please buy the legit stuff, read the label if there anything hydrolized put it down. I beg you! That stuff is crap!
2 tsp. mirin (aka: sake, cooking wine)
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp or so of light agave nectar or honey. I like the agave better it mixes up nice!

I do this in the big pyrex measuring cup I have. Mix all the ingrediants other than the pork up in the cup bowl what-have-you. Make sure you taste it! Adjust the ratios if need be. I also wing this, and I think you should too. After it's kosher add the pork to the mix, stir up good and find something else to do for 15- 20 min. Heat a smallish skillet up and add about 1 tbsp of sesame oil, let heat up, throw down the pork strips and reserve the marinade on the side. Once I see the white creeping up the side of the pork, I add in the excess marinade, put a lid on it and let it simmer till its cooked all the way through. Only a few minutes or so depending on the thickness of the pork. Remove pork from sauce.

Optional: You can crank the heat back up on the pan with the remaining sauce to thicken and coat the Noms all over the pork!

NOM!

What's in the Bento?

Clockwise from top left: Basmati rice (from the freezer stash) with edamame, hard boiled egg with nori faces, gyoza (from trader Joe's), pork in Nom sauce, steamed carrots, wax beans & haricots verts in mirin. Packed in DH's 900 ml bento.

Dear..

2009-04-06T21:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog,

Sorry I havent been showing you any posting love lately, school and papers has consumed my life. Please forgive me.

Dear Meg and Tree,

Congrats on your new marriage! Thank you for having your wedding in the mountains! I needed a getaway!

Dear Spring 2009 Semester,

Its been swell, but In 4 weeks it's over.

Sincerly,

Lauri

What was I thinking?

2009-02-18T14:52:00.000-08:00

School started three weeks ago and I've already started a countdown. 10 weeks left. I'm not sure what I was thinking taking 19 credits, running 2 clubs, teaching knitting classes, working part time, donating platelets every other week, and having a husband. Yea. It's my own fault. Maybe this will be good, Hopefully in the next few weeks I can figure out how to make the best of my free time. 19 credits may not have been so bad, but I am taking 6 classes that are all heavy workloads :|

Anywho, here are somethings I'm looking forward to right now (besides the end of school_

St. Patrick's Day Parade
Going away for A wedding in April and another in June
Spring break
Sakura Matsuri at the BBG!!!!
Starting the garden!
Renegade Craft Fair
My Birthday (June)
Warmer weather
A mystery trip? Hopefully we will go somewhere this summer
If not a new apartment

And thats about it. Why my birthday? So I can make these!

Cherry Lime-aid Cupcakes

And these!!

January 17-20, 2009

2009-01-21T09:39:00.000-08:00

January 17, 2009

The Self: Cranky, gross night at work. Mreh!

The Daily: I started knitting a sock.

January 18, 2009

The self: In a daze on the couch. I did data entry at work all day. Surprisingly exhausting.

The Daily: Gave up on the sock, started a new hat for the beginning of school.

January 19, 2009

The Self: My Mother in Law at Dinner.

The Daily: Butter at dinner. I like this plate.

January 20, 2009

The Self: Getting Ready for Eric's Wake. Today is a day of mourning.

The daily: Inauguration day Coffee sleeve from Starbucks. Today is a day of change and celebration.

Fridays Bento

2009-01-16T20:13:00.000-08:00

Today's Bento:

-Vegetable Gyoza (frozen from Trader Joe's)

- Cherry tomato/ Mixed Vegetable Gratin

-Tamago (yucky tamago today)

-Shrimp/Furikake fritters

- Grapes for filler

The Verdict:

Not bad but i've had better. I like the gratin again. I think I will use less mayo and cheese in the future (I'm trying to be healthier!) There was also a teeny hole in the cupcake liner that I had the gratin in and it leaked on to my gyoza. Gyoza were good as usual. The shrimp fritters were really good, I just wish I had soaked the shrimp in lemon before I cooked them, they tasted a bit fishy. Todays tamago was no good. It looked so nice but it tasted soggy. Not sure why, as there was nothing wet in that part of the bento. Grapes are always good. I think I did not enjoy my bento so much today, because I didnt really want to eat at the time, and was not in the mood to eat anything in it. They forced me to take my dinner break. Its good when they do that at work, as I frequently forget.

Goals For the next week:

-Keep up the cooking in the morning

-Keep up the mise en place

-Plan for the week, I do the "What can I make?" The night before while I prep for the next day.

-Track the calories for each bento

-NOT blow the whole day of eating (mostly) well when I get home at night. I usually get home from work around 9pm and have a habit of eating dinner or a larger meal then. If I need to eat I will eat fruit or yogurt which I will have on hand for this (and bentos)

January 16, 2009

2009-01-16T20:08:00.001-08:00

January 16, 2009

The Self: I'm the lotto bitch in the hospital. Here's me with the scratch offs.

Today was a big winner day. Lucky Them. Also my sweater was trying to choke me all day. I was grateful

for changing when I got home.

The Daily: My Tamago that I made this am for lunch. I was very proud of it's nice roll. Too bad it tasted like crap. The one I made yesterday looked like crap but was tasty. I think I might buy pre-made tamago at Mitsuwa next week.

Week 1 Bentos (so far)

2009-01-15T21:43:00.000-08:00

I was Monday and Tuesday this week, so I didnt make Bentos for those days. (Although I would have been better off doing that.) I made bento for today and for tomorrow. I tried something new though. Normally when school is in session I would make bentos at night for DH and I. However at work I have no microwave access (I do at school) so after my bento sits in the fridge over night its still too chilly when I eat lunch. Since I dont have to be in work till lunchtime I've been prepping my bento at night and finishing it off cooking wise in the am. Today was the first day I did that. (And of course I woke up to a few inches of snow this summer which cut into to my am bento cooking time!) But it worked well and tested much better then super cold bento.

So for todays bento I made a mini vegetable gratin, tamagoyaki, teriyaki shrimp and rice.

This way was easier. Last night I marinated the shrimp, prepared the gratin in the cup and that was it. So this morning all I did was put the gratin in the toaster oven, while that was baking I fried the leftover rice I had, and cooked the shrimp in the same pan (I did the rice first since it takes longer to cool) After the shrimp and I rice I made the Tamagoyaki.

This is the vegetable gratin, all ready to go for tomorrow and be cooked in the toaster. The gratin was so good today I decided to make it again tomorrow! Yum!

I also cooked up some really easy shrimp furikake fritters too. Keeping frozen uncooked shrimp in the freezer is a good idea, they defrost very quickly and work for proteins.

I've been following (trying) the bento challenge at Just Bento. This is week 1. More about getting started and into the swing of making bentos for lunch everyday. This is my week to get back on track, with making lunches and not eating so much crap. (again trying) I linked all the recipes I used from Maki at Just Bento, go visit!

January 14 & 15, 2009

2009-01-15T21:33:00.000-08:00

January 14, 2009

The self: Doing some paperwork, at work.

The daily: My iced tea I made. In my reusable Starbucks cup.

January 15,2009

The self: Some webkins and myself.

The Daily: My tamagoyaki pan

Donation No.1 of 2009!

2009-01-13T17:32:00.000-08:00

Since my new year resolution this year was to donate blood and components as much as I am allowed I though I would write about two firsts for the year. Today was my 1st donation of the year, and also my first platelet donation.

Platelet donation is great because they are able to take several 1000 times more platelets out of your blood then they would be able to get from just a single pint donation. The platelets are then used for cancer patients, accident victims, and bone marrow transplant patients to name a few. The amount I donated today is enough for two transfusions.

The whole process takes about two and half hours, which is a bit long but not bad it all!

The quick version of it is:

You do the mini physical/screening.

The put one needle in one arm where the blood will be taken from, and a second needle in the other arm where it will be returned to you. You blood is taken out run through a centrifuge filter machine, separating out the platelets and the plasma and returning the rest in the other arm!

So for a bit less than two hours this is what you are doing. They have little TVs to watch which is very cool, and they gave me some nice blankets to snuggle in. (When your blood comes back in it is cooler than your body temperature so you get a bit chilly during the process. I took a nap for a bit of the time and talked to the phlebotomists who were working.

I am going to document the process more next week when I go to do my next donation and will take some photos. More then!

January 12 & 13, 2009

2009-01-13T17:19:00.000-08:00

January 12, 2009

Self Portrait: At a 7-11 ATM with Wifey

The Daily: A cute scarf and Bracelet I got at Old Navy with Kate. That bracelet was originaly $12.99. I paid $1.99!

January 13, 2009

Self Portrait: Today should be called the 8:15 project, I fell asleep on the couch and my alarm was supposed to go off at 7pm. Buuut I didnt go off at all. So here is what I was doing at 7pm (re-created of course)

The Daily: Some yummy yarn I picked up today with Jess after donating platelets today!

Cold Indian Rice Salad

2009-01-12T11:39:00.001-08:00

My mother in law is a great cook. Such an inspiration to my culinary adventures. This is a salad that I am addicted to and I can always count on this to be at any BBQ or summer party she is at. A very easy recipe which can also be made in a rice cooker streamline things, has a great combination of spices that are center stage in this salad. It is my all time favorite!

Cold Indian Rice Salad

1 cup brown rice
1 tsp. curry powder
2 whole cinn sticks, broken3 or 4 whole cardamom pods, slightly crushed
2 cups chicken broth (or H2O)
2 TBSP oil
1/2 C raisins
1/2 Cup chopped almonds=toasted is best
1 10 oz. pkg froz peas
1 Cup mayo mixed w/1 or 2 tsp. curry powder (I go for the 2)

A neat trick: To make life easier in hunting down the cardom pods, I take a needle and double thread and sew them together into a ring. I like to make two of them each with half the pods.
Simmer rice & spices in broth w/oil till broth is absorbed, covered, approx 40 min. (I do this in my rice maker, Again use the approriate amount of liquid according to your rice maker.)

Cool and remove cinn sticks & pods (if you can fine them!-I usually end up dumping in big bowl to cool better and search for pods & sticks.)

When cool, add thawed peas, raisins, & almonds

Mix in mayo mixed w/curry powder. Chill & enjoy!

Wild Rice Salad

2009-01-12T11:32:00.002-08:00

This is one of my other favorite bring a dish dishes. A few summers ago I was introduced to this salad by our friend Meg in Boston who was super sensitive to my new celiac needs at the time. I have fond memories of sitting on her deck inebriated, freshly engaged, with a bottle of Sailor Jerry rum, DH, and our friend Mike raving about this salad, eating about my 10th serving. It was just that good.

I also find that with this salad there is a lot of winging it to be had. I really just use this as a guide, no apples use a pear, no walnuts (not a fan) pecans work well. I really do use whatever. I also keep a jar with the "scrap" rice in it for this. You know, when you have that little amount left and dont want to cook it, it goes in the "scrap rice jar". Also this makes great leftovers and is good hot or cold. You really cannot go wrong with it.

Wild Rice Salad with Apples and Walnuts

1 c wild rice
2 c water
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 tsp salt
1 c coarsely chopped walnuts
1 celery rib
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1 c raisins
1 medium red apple (not Delicious), cored and diced
grated rind of 1 lemon
Dressing

3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (Sometimes I use the bottled juice if I have lemons, and leave out the zest)
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 tsp salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/3 c olive oil

Put the wild rice in a strainer and rinse under cold water. Place it in a medium saucepan along with the water, oil and salt. Cover, bring to a boil, and reduce the heat to simmer. Cook 50 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the water has been absorbed. (When wild rice is done, it has a tender yet nubby texture.)

Meanwhile, combine the walnuts, celery, scallions, raisins, apple and lemon rind in a large bowl. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil and shake vigorously. Pour half of this dressing on the apple mixture and toss well.
When the rice is done, let it cool until just warm. Combine with the fruit mixture and pour on the remaining dressing. Let sit at least 1 hour before serving at room temperature.

Notes: I usually use 1/2 wild rice and 1/2 Brown rice. (you can use anything really) I also usually do this in the rice maker. When I do it in the rice maker I put the water (use and amount according to your rice maker!!) oil, rice and salt in the rice maker. I despise baby sitting rice on the stove and Love my rice maker deeply! I reccommend that you get/use one! I also vary this recipe according to what I have on hand (fruit, nuts and dried fruit wise) , really anything goes. I always make this salad in a double batch for parties and BBQ's and everyone loves it!

January 8-11, 2009

2009-01-11T20:37:00.000-08:00

January 8, 2009

Self Portrait: With a paper Sakura I made. I want spring to be here so bad.

The Daily Photo: Our cool new electric toothbrush. Best thing ever.

January 9, 2009

Self Portrait: Stockroom (as usuall)

The daily photo: Kate's Dog, Booming Molly wearing my scarf.

January 10, 2009

Self Portriat: Waiting for my car to warm up. I got to leave work an hour early because it snowed.

The daily: After the longest day ever all I wanted to do was lay in bed and knit.

Januaary 11, 2009

Self Portrait: Doing a scratch off lotto ticket at work. I didnt win.

The Daily: A rum and Ginger, and Wii. Well deserved after a long week!

Back to Bentos

2009-01-07T20:18:00.001-08:00

I'm getting myself back into making bentos for lunch. Maki at Just bento is doing a 5 week bento challange. Im getting back into the bento swing a bit early, It starts on the 13th so there is still time to get involved. When I do my bentos they are not anything fancy. Im blogging it for the challenge (not required though!) You really can do anything. Im going to be working longer days for the next week straight and Im usually there for lunch and dinner, so I need to bring a bit more with my so Im not tempted to give in to all that candy. (Bad News!!)

I stopped at Trader Joe's on my way home today to pick up some things. I tried this fresh Low fat ranch dressing in their produce section. Get it! It's yummy! 30 calories for 2 tablespoons makes it a nice choice. These wraps are good too, with 5 grams of fiber they keep you fuller longer.

In The top tier of the bento is mesclun salad, with baby tomatoes, feta, and a Hello Kitty Egg that I made in my HK egg mold. (Ill post about that another day!)

The bottom tier has Almond butter and strawberries.

There is also a string cheese, the yummy dressing is in those cute little apple shaped sauce containers! They each hold 1 teaspoon.

Here is my bento .....

...packed in my cute Hello Kitty insulated bag. I also put the tuna wrap and dressing containers in there. I put everything in this bag and then put it in the fridge, that way the bag starts out a bit colder. My lunch stays nice in this bag. If it was summer I would throw my HK ice pack in there too.

As a side for the Almond butter I packed a few Wasa crackers, some small multi seed crackers from TJ's and some TJ's brand french onion sun chips. I always like chips, and Ive been buying overpriced mini bags from the cafeteria at work. $1.99 is waaaay too much!

I got this sandwich container at Stop and shop for $3.99 since I frequently bring a PB&J sandwich on really long days, and it frequently (I mean always) gets squashed in my bag I thought this could nicely replace all the foil. Im not sure where else you can buy them online but this link has a where to buy look up. It's also eco friendly and has no creepy chemicals (well I'm sure it some but no lead, PVC, bisphenol-a)

Works nice for keeping crackers, crackers and not crumbs in my bag!

So go make your self a Bento!

January 7, 2009

2009-01-07T20:04:00.001-08:00

The Self Portrait: The face of someone who "wasn't even supposed to be here today."

The Daily Photo: My sweet little Kapibara San Bento. I love my Kappies!

January 6, 2009

2009-01-06T21:59:00.000-08:00

Self Portrait: Creating a display at work and yaking.

The Daily Photo: The cafeteria at work. I like the way the lights reflect off the tables. It reminds me of Disco.

January 5, 2009

2009-01-05T20:02:00.000-08:00

January 5, 2009

Self Portrait: In our living room eating wonton soup, watching Seinfeld, snuggling with my HK Blanket.

Daily Photo: My Cable knit mug from Starbucks, filled with Mint chocolate chip ice cream.

The 7pm Self Portrait Project, The first 3 days.

2009-01-04T19:07:00.000-08:00

I've started some new projects for the year. Two photo projects to be precise.
The first (and main one) is the 7p.m. Self Portrait project. Matt and I will be taking our self portraits on a daily basis at 7p.m. To see how we change for the year, get creative with shots in the same locations where we tend to usually be at the same time daily. I'll be posting them on here along with a daily picture. The daily photo project
is to document the little things over the year. Things I would probably forget about in a year that may not be so important, but at the time s
eem to be. These two projects will also get me back into taking photos which I seem to have been neglecting for the past year. Plus why not?
So here are the first three days:

January 2, 2009

Self Portrait: In the stockroom work

The daily photo:

Pints of Guinness with Kate at the Penny.

January 4, 2009

Self Portrait in the stockroom

The daily photo

A box of good from knit picks.com; A christmas gift from my mom

January 5, 2009

Self portrait in the Doorway of our bathroom

The daily Photo:

My garden wish list from burpee

Looking Forward

2008-12-29T10:01:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday. I know we did here. Christmas was a bit hectic seeing as classes ended and finals were going on up until the 23rd. (Nothing like baking, studying, Christmas cards, studying... all at the same time!) I managed to survive it though. I vow to start earlier next year (IE: plan for holiday crafts early, start earlier on cards, bake and freeze cookies ahead of time) The 5 days before Christmas was just a huge blur of baking, crafting, studying marathons. My apartment is a disaster from the past week. Anyway.

So here are some updates:

-I have received all my finals grades except for one and I did *amazing*. I know the one I am waiting on is very good too.

- DH is leaving on tour with his band this week. I will be sad and will miss him! He will be gone for three weeks on the road. Down the eastern seaboard, through Florida, New Orleans, Tennessee, Texas and back up here.

- Christmas gifts of note: A gig bag for my Ukulele, Electric toothbrush (sounds lame I know but so amazing) Japanese books, Gift certificate to knits picks. "Santa" brought DH an X-box 360 too.

-Knit picks shopping spree! I ordered a yarn ball winder which I am so excited for!

Looking Forward to 2009

Official New years resolution

This will probably be the best one I have ever made. And pretty easy to keep.

I will be donating blood every 56 days! I started the week of Christmas. I went on the Monday, the donation center was absolutely dead. Which is not good. This time of year (among others) there is such critical blood shortages. That's why I'm going every chance I can this year. Really that is only about 6 times for the whole year. Much easier that the standard loose 10 lbs resolution. I just need to show up and do it. 6 hours for the whole year and I'm done. I am also going to try and donate platelets during the in between times. Platelets can be done every 3 days up to about 26 times a year or so.

Some other things I am going to try to do this year.

-The bento challenge over at Just Bento.

- Do more food blogging, start doing more food blogging events too.

- Blog more about knitting, publish some patterns on ravelry.

-Find a new apartment in the beginning of April.

-Organize things better around the house.

-Cross a few items off of my Omnivore's Hundred List, and blog it.

-Go to Lebowski Fest in Louisville this summer! Just for the record, if you have not seen the Big Lebowski or do not know what that is, go! Run and go rent/buy it. It is the best movie ever.

ぞく！ぞく！

2008-12-08T10:44:00.000-08:00

ぞく！ぞく！

It's so chilly today, and I just cannot warm up. ぞくぞく(zoku zoku) is Japanese onomatopoeia for shivering. Today was onomatopoeia day in Japanese, we learned about how different sounds are expressed in Japanese from English. (ex: English dog bark is woof woof. Japanese dog bark is わんわん wan wan) There are two different types of onomatopoeia in Japanese, ぎたいご (gitaigo) which expresses sounds/states of the external world and ぎじょおご (gijioogo) which expresses internal mental states, conditions, feelings. These Japanese onomatopoeia express more than they do in Englisg by giving sounds to things that do not normally have a sound. Such as ぼっけっと(bokketto) which is the sound you make for gazing vacantly, something I did not know had a sound! Hopefully soon I will すやすや (sound for sleeping peacefully) I am so tired and have been ばりばり(the sound of being very busy) with the of the semester school work but it is all most over!

ps. I think that Japanese onomatopoeia is going to be my research topic ^-^!!

Holiday Knitting Update

2008-12-01T18:56:00.000-08:00

So that list seems to grow. On top of that I need to finish this baby blanket for my cousin. I found out on Thanksgiving that him and his wife are expecting a little girl in March. They live in Nebraska, and will be here December 14th for the holidays. They got married last year but many of us could not get to Nebraska for the wedding so this is our chance. I would love to give them this cute blanket then, but it is really asking a lot of myself in such short time. Especially given the fact that I also have final projects due next week and finals the next two weeks after. I was really pushing myself, but I think that I will take my time with after the holiday and then mail it to them. I think they will like that better. For one thing it will be one less thing to bring on the plane ride back with them. And they wont be opening it with a bunch of other presents, so it will get special attention. (Yes, a bit selfish I know.) So knitting update:

Hat for SIL- done, if there is time I will make another, this was a tad shortish

Hat for SIL's DH- Done

Hat for MIL- Will be done tonight, just need to do dec's.

Chomp Chain hat for BIL- needs teeth, chain and eyes

Question block tissue box cover- nothing yet.

Felted Yoga mat bag for my sister- I will probably cast this on tonight

Scarf for my mom- nothing yet

Hat for my dad- nothing yet

Hat for FIL- nothing yet

Christmas Balls- 4.5 out of 10 so far. I love making these, so fast and simple!

Off to finish that hat now!

Blogger Tag!

2008-11-26T16:11:00.001-08:00

Post your name and I will do each of the following:

1. I'll respond with something random about you.
2. I'll tell you which song or movie you remind me of.
3. I'll pick a color I feel suits you.
4. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
(if possible. If not, I'll say something that only makes sense to me.)
5. I'll tell you my first memory of you.
6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
7. I'll ask you something I've always wondered about you.
8. I'll tell you my favorite thing about you.
9. I'll tell you my least favorite thing about you.
10. If you play, you MUST post this on yours

Holiday knitting check list!

2008-11-18T13:10:00.000-08:00

No time to talk! Much holiday knitting/gifting to finish! Here's a list!

Green= On needles

Red= Done

~~Turn-a-square Hat~~

Chomp Chain Hat-

Super NES Question Block Plastic Canvas Tissue box cover

~~Basic Cable~~

Organic Cotton Hat

Felted Yoga Mat bag

Cable/Seed Stitch Hat

Scarf for Mom

2 Hats for Dads

10 or so knitted christmas balls (4.5 down)

~~Pikachu Scarf (for DH!!)~~ - Frogged, Im going to re work this for after the holiday! Sorry DH!!

Updated 11/25/08- 1 month left!

That Pikachu scarf will be the death of me, I swear! Ive been working on it for 2 years now, It just keeps going back into the UFO bag. Im certain DH has given up on ever getting it. Maybe Ill show him this year!

Hopefully my ravely progress bars will keep me in check with all these projects!

Wish me luck!

Omnivore's 100: No. 65 Durian

2008-11-17T15:12:00.000-08:00

On my break today I went to check my email and facebook. When I went to facebook I found this message from my friend Christy:

hey lauri are u free tmr? i bought u durian, the no. 65 on the omnivore's hundred:)

I immediately left her back a message and texted her to get the durian. My mind was racing, how bad would it smell, would I hurl? Would people run away from me after I ate it? Christy had to get the durian from her friends car, where it had been hiding for the day. 1 Min. before my next class I see Christy calling and I run out and there she is with my Durian. Wrapped up in a bag. It smells she tells me. She also lets me know that I can freeze it if I dont finish it and want to save it. And that if I get it on my hands they will smell for a bit. Just as I was walking back to class with the Durian I saw my friend Cynthia. Poor Cynthia, little did she know when she woke up today she would be peer pressured into eating the stinky fruit. But she was in! We had a plan. After class we were going to get forks and sit outside and try this. We also thought of over places we could put the Durian to freak people out by the smell. We parked it on a picnic table outside and started. We opened the bags and the smell started to hit us. Once we opened the plastic and the box it came in it was'nt that bad. We each took a forkful and counted to three. I also held my nose, just in case. Not bad we decided. We tried to figure it out. Mangos for sure. Very creamy/custardy like. We tasted something else out couldn't put out fingers on it. Then Cynthia figured that it was mango+shrimp shumai= durian. Overall not bad. We discussed ways we could cook it and make it better. Cheesecake, pudding, a sweet bread. After I saw my friend Haruka called her over to try the Durian. As she was walking over she stopped about three yards away. She said she could smell it. She tried it, we all liked it, but not loved it.

After we left I texted Christy and asked what I could make with it. She said ice cream , put it on cake, make pancakes with it. And creme puffs. Creme Puffs. Mhhh. So the Durian is in the freezer awaiting it's fate in the form of creme puffs.

The future and a sweater.

2008-11-10T18:45:00.000-08:00

There is only 1 month of school left for me. I cannot believe it is over already. This is going to be a long month. Things that I know I will have to involve reading 2 whole novels, writing a 6-8 page paper, and 3 short papers, plus finals. That is not me leaving things till the last min, that is the assignments are on the syllabus but just I just don't have details yet. Im going to start one of the books this week, probably tomorrow. Im also reading this book called "Does Accent Matter?" by John Honey. It was referenced in an essay i read yesterday for class and it got me into learning about Received Pronunciation (think British Oxford English accent). I also need to go get permission tomorrow so that I can register for 23 credits for the spring. Im not really crazy, but I will be taking 16 credits of regular classes, then I will be Teacher Assisting which I get 3 credits for, but does not really count towards my degree per say, and then there is an Classical Indian (South Asian) Dance class offered that I really want to take but again would not count for anything I need, so I want to take that as pass/no credit but I need to overload my credits to do all this. 23 credits sounds impressive though I suppose.

I am also in the middle of a internal debate with myself about whether or not I should apply to do the summer program in Mishima, Japan this summer. I was all gung-ho about it but then was thinking maybe not. I dont know. I want to go but i'm not sure. I dont want to apply and be accepted and then not go, and apply for the next year. If I take summer classes this summer and dont go I can graduate in May '10. Which brought up the topic of grad school with Matt. I really want to go to school in CA, to maybe UC Berkeley or Stanford for my MA and PHD. But Matt did not seem very receptive/happy about that move. Mainly because of his bands here. Which I can understand but I feel like he should be a bit more supportive of this. Maybe the band will move to CA with us if we go. I just feel like if I am going to continue with Asian Studies the schools in CA have more to offer me than here. Plus I need a change of pace/scenery.

I feel like I finally have a moment to relax a bit! I started my job at the hospital last week, which involved working more hours than I will normally and two very early days. Plus Friday and Saturday which are going to be my regular days to work. Its going to kill most of my weekend. Sunday Matt and I slept a bit late and then we needed to clean out the gardens for the season. Then laundry, laying in bed and dinner at his parents. I spent almost 4 hours there studying Japanese. My neck actually hurts from reading for so long straight. All my nails are chewed off down to nothing and they really hurt. Grrr.

Tomorrow is the first night of the knitting club I started at school. I hope a lot of people show up. I will probably get to teach some new people but I decided to start a new knitting project anyway! I really love ravelry and how easy it is to find patterns. I wanted to make a sweater with yarn I already have. So I started this sweater that I found. It will be all green when its done. I hope it comes out lovely.

Vote 2008!

2008-11-04T15:35:00.000-08:00

I voted today! I really hope you did too! (Otherwise you can't complain for the next 4 years!) 6:30 am I walked in and out. Less than 10 min. It was the easiest thing I did all day! And I got free Starbucks for it too! I won't get into politics but I cant wait to find out who wins tonight!