Sunday, February 27, 2011

Because I am SO Excited...

... I will share my enthusiasm with you!  I ran a 10K (6.2 miles) today and beat my personal record time by A LOT!

It is my longest run to date, although I have done this run a few times before.

It is exciting for three reasons:

1. I KILLED my old 10K time. Last 10K (treadmill): 1 hour, 14 minutes.  Today's 10K (outside): 55 minutes.  DANG, GIRL!

2.  This is the longest distance I have ever run without stopping to walk for a little while.  The last 10K I ran was on the treadmill.  I ran 1.5 miles, walked .5 miles, ran 1.5, walked .5, ran 2.  Today I just went and didn't stop running until I was back on my doorstep.

3. I listened to Jay Z's The Blueprint 3 album in its entirety.

It was awesome!  I feel like this is a big step in my half-marathon training :-)

The half-marathon is about two months away!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

My History with The Devil Part Three: That Damned Treadmill

This time, I actually started working out mid-fall.  I still didn't lose any weight, though.  I think it had something to do with apple pie...  whoops.

But I did, of course, begin to run again.

In the past, I always ran outside on sidewalks or roads or trails.  I eventually "liked" it.  I didn't love it, but I loved being healthy, so I ran.

Well, when I moved to Salisbury in a not-so-great neighborhood, I quickly decided that I would have to make friends with the treadmill.


I really liked my gym and I really LOVED watching my own personal TV with headphones while on the treadmill.  I started slow this time.  I would walk in the beginning, then run short distances, and then gradually increase my pace and my distance.  I always got a great workout, but I was having a VERY hard time increasing my distance the last few months.  I knew I wanted to try that half-marathon, so I was really concentrating on increasing my mileage, even if I had to take a few walking breaks.  

It was SO much harder than I ever thought it would be.  I couldn't go faster and I couldn't go farther.  Then I got the shin splints REAL bad, then I almost gave up.

I took two weeks off from running and high-shock exercising to give my shins a rest.  The day I was about to get back into it, it was literally like 65 degrees outside.  I feel much more comfortable in my neighborhood now that I have been here for a while and taken a few walks.  I thought, "Why not?  I will run outside!".  Mapmyrun.com saved my life.  I knew that I wanted to go a specific distance, so I got on that website and mapped that distance around my neighborhood.  So, I tried it.  The weather was great, Lady Gaga was on my ipod, and it was an amazing run.  I was SHOCKED when I got home and realized how long it took me to do that run.  I felt like I went at a relaxed pace, but I estimated that I had cut over a minute and a half off my usual mile time!

Could this be true?  All this time?  The treadmill was holding me back?  


I tried again a few days later and went TWICE the distance.  Same mile time.  And I felt great!  I  didn't feel like I was going to die (like I usually do on the treadmill!).  

I figured it out recently.  I was purposely running very close to the front of the treadmill in fear that I couldn't move back any further or else I may fall off or something!  So, because I restricted my space, I had to take MUCH smaller strides.  I exerted way too much energy and couldn't go fast.  My legs are short enough to begin with!

I tested my theory yesterday.  It's true.  I was holding MYSELF back!  I tried the treadmill yesterday and forced myself to scoot back and take longer strides.  I set my speed based on my outside runs and just went. Who knew?  I had a great, long run!

I still like running outside, though.  It's pretty to look at all of the houses and the river.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Mmmmm... Lasagna

Okay, here it is.  The beloved lasagna recipe.  I don't make it too often, but that's because I don't want to wear it out!  


This recipe was adapted from a number of recipes from parents, online cooking sites, and me!


Here is what you will need:


1 pound of sweet Italian sausage
1 pound of ground venison (deer meat)  (I sometimes use ground beef if I don't have any deer, but deer is better!)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves of minced garlic
1 28oz. can of crushed tomatoes
1 jar of Classico Spicy Tomato & Basil spaghetti sauce
4 tablespoons of white sugar
3 tablespoons fresh Basil leaves, chopped
4 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (I usually buy curly leaf parsley--that's because it's called "curly leaf" and I think that sounds cute)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
32 ounces ricotta cheese
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 egg
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Handful of shredded cheddar cheese
8-12 lasagna noodles


Start with the following in a large pot:  The Italian sausage, beef (or deer meat), the chopped onion, and the minced garlic.






Brown these ingredients until they are cooked--15 min-ish.  After it is finished cooking, do not remove the grease from the meat.


Then add the can of crushed tomatoes and the can of Classico sauce.  Stir.


Now you need to chop the basil and 2 tablespoons of the parsley.  If you are great with a knife, go for it.  I would kill myself.  So I refer back to my Rachael Ray roots and will pass on a tip from her that has saved my life.  Do you need to chop your fresh spices and herbs?  Put them in a coffee grinder for about 1 second!  Literally---that's it!

BEFORE:

ONE SECOND LATER:


Add the chopped basil and 2 tablespoons of the parsley to the sauce.  Also add sugar, salt, Italian seasoning, and pepper:

Cover and let it simmer as long as you want!  I usually stick to one and a half to two hours.  You could let it simmer allll day, though.  I have also considered cooking it in the crock pot overnight, but have never tried it.  If you do, let me know!  Sometimes I make the sauce and let it sit overnight in the fridge, too.  It tastes better the next day :-)

Soak the lasagna noodles in hot tap water for about 15 minutes to start the pasta-cooking process.


While they are soaking, I make the cheese filling.

Add the ricotta, the nutmeg, the egg, and the other 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley to a bowl and mix them up!


Now, to build the layers!  Use a 9x13 baking pan.

Layer in this order:

--Sauce
--Half of the Noodles
--Half of the ricotta mixture
--1/2 of the mozzarella cheese
--1/2 of the Parmesan cheese
--Sauce
--Rest of the noodles
--Rest of the ricotta
--Mozzarella (save some for the top)
--Parmesan (save some for the top)
--Sauce (I usually have lots of sauce left over.  I freeze it and use it with spaghetti later)
--Remaining cheeses (including the cheddar.  I only use a tiny bit of cheddar, it's basically just to give the top of the lasagna some color.  I usually add some chopped basil on top, as well)

It should look similar to this:



Cover it with foil.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350 F for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 25 minutes.

ENJOY!

(I forgot to get a picture after it came out of the oven... sorry!  It smelled so good I couldn't think about anything else!)

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

My History with The Devil Part Two: Autumn, The Season



As you can see from some of my previous posts, I really enjoy fall.  Actually, I enjoy every season for different reasons.  In Fall, I love the leaves, the colors, the crisp air, the pies, the first time I wear a sweater or a jacket, soup, etc.

That season has got it out for me.



It seems like I get a great head start on "being in shape" each and every Spring and Summer.  I lose weight, I begin running (again), I have motivation for being healthy.  It doesn't hurt that bathing suit season is coming up, either.

Another reason for this phenomenon is the abundance of delicious produce in the summer.  The berries, the corn, the watermelon, the peppers, they are so cheap and so good and so local that it's all I want to eat!  That's not a bad diet!

When autumn rolls around, so do the rolls and biscuits, so do the pasta dishes, so do the baked goods.  Why?  Because these things taste delicious when it is cold out!

And I suppose going back to school each and every fall has something to do with it, as well.  I have never worked a summer in my life.  (Summer jobs don't count).  I have never gone to school in the summer.  I am free and have lots of time to be healthy.  When works starts again, I get overwhelmed with things to do, and exercising just doesn't seem to be on the top of the list.  I say to myself every year, "Maria, you HAVE to keep working out this Fall!  For once in your life, please wear your summer clothes size in the winter!"

It's true, guys, all of my summer clothes are 1 (or 2) sizes smaller than my winter clothes.  And sure enough, I lose weight in the Summer EVERY YEAR, and I gain it back in the Fall EVERY YEAR.  For once I would like to buy new winter clothes... in my Summer size!

Is 2011 going to be the year when I turn this terrible habit around?  Who knows.

Part Three to follow...




Tuesday, February 22, 2011

My History with The Devil Part One: Running


Here's a little background story for you:

All through my life I had always thought of running as a disgusting habit that some people just couldn't seem to get rid of.  I thought it was a terrible way to work out.  Who wants to go from A to B by running?  Can't they take up a sport or dance or something to get exercise?!  I know I'm rambling and my thoughts are not justified, but it's true.

Well, when I was a sophomore in college, I really started to get in shape.  I would go to WVU Rec Center and take lots of zumba and pilates classes.  I was really enjoying the weight loss that came with it and started getting into the hang of working out.  I had this friend, we will call her L.  She loved to run.  She also went to zumba with me.  One day she says, "Maria, would you like to run a mile with me after zumba?"  "Sure, L!"  (Mostly just to make her happy, but also to see if I could do it).

Well, I went on that mile run and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.  It just confirmed all of my thoughts about the nasty habit.  It was hard, I couldn't go fast, and it made my legs, heart, and lungs hurt.

But... I really felt like I got a good workout.  I just as soon forgot about it.

I continued my zumba and pilates classes until BAM! Summer break.  I can no longer go to the Rec Center for free because I am not currently a students.  Well crap.

What choice did I have?  I had to try running.

I went to the rail trail every morning that summer in Morgantown, WV and ran.  I would only go about a mile a day.  I started by running a quarter of a mile, then walking a quarter of a mile.  I would do that, then turn around and do it again.  I eventually increased my distance to two miles.  Then I would run for a half mile, walk a half mile, run, walk, etc.  And by the end of the summer, I could run an entire mile without stopping to walk.  I wanted to die and it sucked, but I could do it.

Then school started again, I got busy, and I didn't run again for about 6 months.

Part Two is yet to come!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Thank God for Long Weekends!

This is the best weekend ever.  I have a lot to do and I am somewhat busy but I am thankful for being able to sleep in and NOT be around 700 kids under the age of 10 today.

Yesterday it was almost 70 degrees out!  I got home from work, immediately changed into some workout gear and went on my first outside run since we moved to Salisbury.  I even mapped my run on Mapmyrun.com!  Then I got home, took a super-quick shower and met some work friends for Happy Hour at a cute local restaurant/bar on the river.  I drank EVO (a local ale) on tap for the first time and friends, it was great.  Then Josh and I ordered pizza and it was delicious.  We had an early bedtime, though, because it was a long week!

This morning I woke up early and took my usual bodypump class at the gym and then I actually stayed and took a kickboxing class!  I have never done kickboxing before, so I was a little intimidated at first.  But guess what?  It was AWESOME.  It was by far the best cardio workout I have ever got in a class setting.  I will definitely be attending every Saturday morning!

Then I came home and made us salads for lunch, went to the grocery store, and did all the laundry.

I also made a homemade spaghetti sauce.  Our friends from York and their 10 mo. old baby are coming to visit tomorrow and I am making lasagna.  The sauce is ALWAYS better on the second day, so I got it started today and even let it simmer for like, 3 hours!  I plan on posting my lasagna recipe on here soon--you should definitely try it!

Then... the dreaded taxes.  JUST KIDDING!   I am actually pretty excited!  I have never done my own taxes before and neither has Josh, so I was pretty excited to actually do them on my own for the first time.  Yes, I know that this will be the only year I am excited about it, but let me eat it up, okay?!

It turns out that after I completed the majority of the taxes, I got to the last thing.  And we realized that Josh left it in his briefcase.... at work.  So the taxes won't be done until next week. Oh well!

Tonight I am making waffles and bacon for dinner and then I am getting a head start on my first grad school paper!  I am NOOTTTTTT excited to write it.  Not at all.  In fact, it terrifies me.  But I will do it and hopefully it will be great!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

TGI (almost) F

This was the LONGEST week of my life!

Okay, this literally happened:  It was Tuesday afternoon and as I was eating lunch in the teachers' lounge I thought to myself, "Thank God it's Friday.  I really need a weekend."  It was almost an hour later when I realized it was only Tuesday!!!!  ahh.

It's FINALLY almost Friday.  It truthfully was a good week, though. Not stressful or anything.  Just felt long.  It could be because I am trying this new thing called NOT watching TV.  I told myself that I would only watch my 3 favorite shows this week and other than that--I wouldn't even hit the power button.  Not even while I am in bed.  I am always staying up too late because the TV is on.  So this week I would read for grad school instead and I would be so bored out of my mind that I would eventually just turn the light off and sleep.

Who knew that less TV would equal more sleep?!

Josh and I are going to view another property this weekend. It's a little further away from Josh's job, but we really like it so far and hope it's as nice when we get there.  We viewed another property already and had some bad luck when it came to moving forward.  So we are trying again!  I will try to keep you updated.

Tomorrow it is supposed to be 70 degrees and it is casual day!  As soon as I get home from work, I am going on a run outside.  I started running again after the shin splint issue and the worst flu of my life.  Damn flu shots are a waste of money.  So I am still working on increasing my mileage.  We will see!

Have an AWESOME-LONG-WARM weekend!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Changing Education Paradigms

If you are at all interested in education, watch this video.  This was introduced to me by my professor, we viewed it in its entirety in class.

My Online Program... in a Nutshell

I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I am.

I only have to take one class this semester.  The most I will ever have to take is two.  I need to fit 8 classes into 6 semesters and if all goes according to plan, I will graduate in December 2012.

I only have 2 hours of class per week.  Wednesday evening from 8-10pm.  It sounds late, but my professor is in Australia (sometimes India), our grad assistants are in Illinois, London, and India.  And the students are scattered throughout the world.  So, while 10pm seems late to finish class, try waking up at 2am to have class, which is what some of the people have to do.

I also sit in my pajamas in my comfy computer chair for class... usually accompanied by a glass of wine.

Sounds easy, right?

That's what I thought.  I was sorely mistaken.

It turns out that it is, in fact, like most graduate school programs... difficult.  I have to read SOOO much.  I have lots and lots and lots of writing to do.  [On a side note: I HATE formal writing.  I loathe it.  I am a slow writer, I am a terrible writer, and I have a knack for plagiarizing like no one else I know--but I can't seem to help it.  Writing for a grade is like public speaking for others.  I am embarrassed and scared to DEATH.]  I have to focus for only two hours per week.  But try focusing on a voice that you can barely understand and you CAN'T see about topics you are NOT very interested in for 120 minutes.

Actually, it's usually more like 60 minutes.  The last hour is devoted to group work.  Then our groups come back together and share what we came up with!  That part is fun.

The whole online-learning thing is still a bit foreign to me, but I am becoming more and more intrigued.  And more and more convinced that it is a reputable and efficient style of learning.

We work in a virtual classroom called Elluminate.

.Elluminate Logo

It is super awesome (one of my favorite phrases), and is much like a real classroom, just without people.  Here is an example of what my classroom looks like:


This is obviously not my class.  I am not learning about bicycles.  But for our sake, this is what my class typically looks like.

1.  This is a list of students, professors, and grad assistants who are currently online and logged into the classroom.  It also highlights which people are currently using their microphone, typing, or editing the whiteboard.

2.  These little options give the student an easy way to communicate without typing or turning on their mic.  There are lots of buttons to show or express feelings to the professor.  The "Raise Hand" button will show a blinking hand by your name and your professor can call on you if you have a question.  There are also other buttons that show the professor how you feel.  "Applause",  "Smiley Face", and "Confused" are among the most popular.  We actually have a "dislike" button and it cracks me up when people use it.

3.  Chat box.  You can type all as a class simultaneously.  If you have a question, just type it in the box and everyone can see it.  You can also type private messages to others in the class or to professors.  This is one of the most difficult parts of online learning.  There are people constantly typing, pressing buttons, and chatting all while the professor is lecturing.  If you are not SUPER great at multi-tasking, this can be very frustrating.  The whole two hours move very quickly.

4.  Microphone.  I wear a headset with a microphone attached to it.  If I press the microphone button, I can speak and everyone in the class will hear me through their headset.  I can adjust the volumes here as well.

5.  The whiteboard.  It is like a real whiteboard.  There are 'paint' buttons to the side.  The professor shows a slide and you can copy and paste and add text boxes and such and everyone will see as you are doing it in real time.  This comes in handy mostly in our "rooms".  When we split into groups, we go into four different "Rooms".  Only the people in your room can hear you, see your whiteboard, or text with you.  No one else knows what is going on.  The professors and GAs just jump from room to room and comment on our discussions.  In the rooms, we create our own slide on the whiteboard of our notes that we discussed.  When we come back as a group, we share the slide with the class and use the microphone to describe our discussion.

6.  Video.  We sometimes play youtube videos for everyone to see.  Or if our professor or one of us uses a webcam, that's where we would see it.  We usually don't use webcams, but we watch videos together as a class occasionally. 


There you have it.  An introduction to the next two years of my life.  I will update you later about the actual content of my class/program.  Have a great day :-)

Monday, February 14, 2011

Update!

I go in phases when it comes to posting...  sorry for the delay :-)  I hope to return to my old habits!

I have been super-duper busy.  Two weekends ago, Josh and I met some great friends in Philadelphia for a WVU vs. Villanova basketball game.  The game was lame (not a basketball fan), but we went to a really nice seafood restaurant and did some downtown Philly things.  It was my first time to Philadelphia, so I was pretty excited.

Then we got back in time on Sunday to see the Superbowl, and I unfortunately preceded to get sick during the middle of it.  And I was sick throwing up for the 15 hours following that...  Needless to say, I didn't go to school Monday.

Tuesday I HAD to go because I had a program that day.  The program went great!  The 5th graders were excited to get the opportunity to play instruments on stage (they had never done that before!).  So all in all, I'm glad I went.  But it didn't feel too good.

This past weekend we went to York because I had an appointment to try on bridesmaids dresses for my friend's wedding this June.  I saw family and friends and it was a great trip, too :-)

Today is truly the first day that I have felt back to normal.  So I started back to my usual Monday routine at the gym.  WHOA.  OUCH.  That's what happens when you don't go in TEN days!

I'm going to go rest this off...