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By kilax, January 6, 2010 5:40 am

What’s better than arriving home to a fresh cooked meal?

Nothing, really.

When I arrive home and Steven has a warm dinner on the stove, ready for me to eat, I feel like a pampered princess.

Do you like it when someone else cooks for you? Whose cooking is your favorite? Or do you prefer to make your own food?

Last night, Steven made a modified (because we were missing a few ingredients) version of Anna’s (newlywednewlyveg) Black Bean Fiesta Soup.

Here are the original ingredients, crossed out with what we substituted. Check out her site for the full recipe! I hope you don’t mind that we changed it up a bit, Anna!

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 3 clove(s) garlic, chopped
  
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 1/2 T. Dried Red Pepper, 1 1/2 T. Dried Green Pepper
  
• 1 4. oz. can green chilies, chopped 1 1/2 Tsp Dried Jalapeño
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp. chili powder 1/4 tsp. Ancho Chili Powder and 1/4 tsp. Chipotle Chili Powder
  
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1/8 tsp. turmeric
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. lime zest
• juice of one lime 1 Tsp. Lime Juice
  
• 3 2 15. oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• ADDED: 1 15 oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  
• 3 cups 2 cans vegetable broth
  
• 1 15 oz. can corn
• ADDED: 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
  

Also, our favorite cornbread made a guest appearance. It went deliciously with this soup! I recommend trying the soup (either the original or our version). It was so tasty – perfect for a cold evening, and not too spicy!

Crap. I better be careful. I don’t want to turn into a food blogger. Stop making such tasty eats Steven! (no really, please don’t stop)

Time for another meme! Ayla (dainty vegan), Leah (why deprive), Kim (Adventures in Wanting) and Trayn Harder all gave me the Happy 101 award. Thank you! I am supposed to list 10 things that make me happy. Making this list was fun (I could have kept going past 10). I think I could do this everyday! Give it a try! Click “more” to read on.

Continue reading 'A twist on Anna’s Black Bean Fiesta Soup / Happy 101 Meme'»

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By kilax, December 31, 2009 5:33 am

We all want to know – how much exercise do we really need each week? How little can we get away with?

There was an interesting (although VERY confusing) article on the Well blog covering this topic yesterday.  The article stemmed from a study done in Scotland that concluded you only need 20 minutes of exercise a week to increase your contentment. Okay, but how much do you need to be healthy?

That’s more difficult to define. The article went into a discussion about “MET” minutes, which are “Metabolic Equivalent of Task” minutes. Huh? Apparently  you need 500 of those as week, and they vary based on what you are doing for exercise and how intense it is. For example, running at 6 mph is a 10-MET activity. So if you run for 60 minutes, that is 600 MET minutes. So, you’re done for the week then? Confusing…

Has anyone heard of this MET mumbo-jumbo before? How do you decide how much to exercise a week? Do you have any exercise goals for 2010?

I aim for at least 30 minutes a day, but usually go by how I feel. If I am in the groove, I will keep going! If I feel like crap, I won’t work out at all.

A few other interesting points from the article (repetitive, but interesting):

According to the Physical Activity Guidelines report, “It has been estimated that people who are physically active for approximately seven hours a week have a 40 percent lower risk of dying early than those who are active for less than 30 minutes a week.”

Interestingly, they did not find that exercise beyond a certain point conferred significant additional health benefits. Instead, the “dose response” for exercise, the committee found, is “curvilinear.” In other words, people who are the least active to start with get the most health benefit from starting to exercise. People who already are fit don’t necessarily get a big additional health benefit from adding more workout time to their regimens.

You do not necessarily have to divide your exercise time into daily allotments, either. Existing “scientific evidence does not allow researchers to say, for example, whether the health benefits of 30 minutes on five days a week are any different from the health benefits of 50 minutes on three days a week,” according to the activity guidelines. Do what suits your schedule.

Meme time! Leah, Gelareh and Holly have all tagged me for the “7 Random Things About Me” meme. Thanks, ladies! Click “more” to read on…

And of course, Happy New Years Eve! Enjoy your evening and be safe!

Continue reading 'How little exercise can you get away with? / 7 Random Things About Me meme'»

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By kilax, October 12, 2009 7:23 am

Julia gave me this Over the Top Blog award. Thank you Julia! You’re such a sweetie.

To accept this award, I have to answer the following questions* with one word answers, and pass the award on to six others. I usually don’t pass awards, but I thought it would be fun to read the following six people answers (if I read your blog and comment, I have always thought it’s over the top in its awesomeness!). Please grab the meme if you want!

Tori, Diane, Erin, Hotch Potchery, Andrew**, Etta

1. Where is your cell phone? counter
2. Your hair? unruly
3. Your mother? optimistic
4. Your father? supportive
5. Your favorite food? sweets
6. Your dream last night? realistic
7. Your favorite drink? water
8. Your dream/goal? health
9. What room are you in? living
10. Your hobby? blogging…
11. Your fear? gain
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? promoted
13. Where were you last night? home
14. Something you aren’t? proper
15. Muffins? vegan
16. Wish list item? practical
17. Where did you grow up? evansdale
18. Last thing you did? blog
19. What are you wearing? warm
20. Your TV? boring
21. Your pets? entertaining
22. Your friends? few
23. Your life? varying
24. Your mood? good
25. Missing someone? always
26. Vehicle? perfect
27. Something you’re not wearing? earrings
28. Your favorite store? NY&Company
29. Your favorite color? orange
30. When was the last time you laughed? recently!
31. Last time you cried? hmm?
32. Your best friend? Steven
33. One place that I go over and over? work
34. One person who emails me regularly? Gina/Courtney***
35. Favorite place to eat? home-cooked

*These answers are from Sunday night
**Something besides quotes PLEASE, Andrew
***Tie, because we email as a group

Comments (16)

By kilax, July 9, 2009 5:44 am

I am borrowing the “I’ve Come to Realize” Meme from Marla, because I am pretty sure you don’t want to read about how much my wrist hurts, all of the things I cannot do because of my wrist, and how frustrated I am. Oh yeah, and this is a fun meme, so borrow if you want!

1. I’ve come to realize that my chest-size. . .
is directly correlated to my weight – the smaller I get, the smaller they get.

2. I’ve come to realize that my job. . .
is extremely secure, and that’s important right now.

3. I’ve come to realize that when I’m driving. . .
I am my most impatient.

4. I’ve come to realize that I need. . .
to learn how to relax.

5. I’ve come that realize that I have lost. . .
my connection with mainstream society (implying I ever had one).

6. I’ve come to realize that I hate it when. . .
people tell me what to do.

7. I’ve come to realize that if I’m drunk. . .
uh… I am never drunk. I rarely drink.

8. I’ve come to realize that money…
shouldn’t define who you are, but a lot of people let it.

9. I’ve come to realize that certain people. . .
will never change, so it’s best I ignore them.

10. I’ve come to realize that I’ll always. . .
be a little bit impatient, no matter how hard I try not to be.

11. I’ve come to realize that my sibling(s). . .
are nothing like me.

12. I’ve come to realize that my mom…
is an extreme worrier when it comes to her schoolwork/grades.

13. I’ve come to realize that my cell phone. . .
is good enough for me.

14. I’ve come to realize that when I woke up this morning. . .
I still felt frustrated.

15. I’ve come to realize that last night before I went to sleep. . .
Steven was talking to me about something and I feel asleep. Oops.

16. I’ve come to realize that right now I am thinking. . .
is it time to go home yet?

17. I’ve come to realize that my dad. . .
is one of the most supportive  and non-judgmental people in my life.

18. I’ve come to realize that when I get on Facebook. . .
I get frustrated when I have lots of messages in my inbox. I still like email.

19. I’ve come to realize that today. . .
is going to be better than yesterday. I am not sure how…

20. I’ve come to realize that tonight. . .
I have to run those 6 miles I put off yesterday to sulk and cry on the couch.

21. I’ve come to realize that tomorrow. . .
I will be the only one in the office on my team.

22. I’ve come to realize that I really want to. . .
take a day off to myself to catch up on sleep.

23. I’ve come to realize that the person mostly likely to repost this is. . .
not sure about this one!

24. I’ve come to realize that life. . .
is about journeys, not destinations.

25. I’ve come to realize that this weekend. . .
met my expectations. More or less.

26. I’ve realized the best music to listen to when I am upset. . .
something upbeat to snap me out of it.

27. I’ve come to realize that my friends. . .
are not always who I think they are.

28. I’ve come to realize that this year. . .
I’ve made huge progress in my health.

29. I’ve come to realize that my exes. . .
deserve happiness.

30. I’ve come to realize that maybe I should. . .
be more cautious of what I say.

31. I’ve come to realize that I love. . .
laying in the sun doing nothing.

32. I’ve come to realize that I don’t understand. . .
many people’s interests, but I try to.

33. I’ve come to realize my past. . .
is somewhat irrelevant.

34. I’ve come to realize that parties. . .
are not for me.

35. I’ve come to realize that I’m totally terrified. . .
of being injured.

36. I’ve come to realize that my life. . .
is completely in my control.

Comments (15)

By kilax, April 29, 2009 6:43 am

Look! Another meme! I’ve seen this one going around the internet A LOT lately, and I finally got tagged for it… by Bethany!

I have to be honest. I usually skim memes. Or just mark them as read. So if you do the same for me, I understand.

Although, this one was interesting to fill out, because I really had to think hard about what to put on these lists! And I am sure as the day goes on, I will think of even more things to add.

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1. The Kenosha Half Marathon this Saturday!
2. Seeing my parents this weekend.
3. Going to SELF’s Workout in the Park with Diane on 5/16.
4. Spending time on the Mississippi River this summer.
5. Going to Disney World in January.
6. Doing the 30 Day Shred for 30 consecutive days (starting 5/1) and getting shredded!
7. Trying a vegan diet.
8. Seeing X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Star Trek, Angels & Demons, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Terminator Salvation this summer.

8 Things I did yesterday:

1. Got caught up at work!!!
2. Blogged. Read blogs. Added new blogs to my reader. Felt guilty for being addicted to blogging.
3. Talked to my coworker about doing a sprint triathlon.
4. Listened to Jillian Michaels’s podcast.
5. Ran 4 miles with Steven.
6. Ate homemade Mexican Food for dinner.
7. Got sick and spent a lot of time on the toilet.
8. Started watching Lady in the Water and wondered, “Is this lame movie going anywhere?!?!”

8 Things I wish I could will do*:

1. Run a marathon in 2009.
2. Finish logging in my IDP** credits.
3. Learn how to style my hair.
4. Work harder at communication with Steven.
5. Experiment more in the kitchen.
6. Try yoga. Try slowing down.
7. Maintain my weight loss.
8. Get more sleep!

8 Shows I watch:

1. I don’t watch television, but I do own all 6 seasons of Sex and the City.

Play along if you want!

*Modified that one a bit!
**It’s an architecture thing.

Comments (23)

By kilax, April 28, 2009 6:53 am

I’ve been tagged by Mrs. Smith. Here are the rules:

1. Take a pic of yourself right now.
2. No primping or preparing.
3. Just snap a picture.
4. Load the picture onto your blog.
5. Tag some people to play along. I don’t tag, but participate if you want!

This is me, when I woke up at 5:00 am, sans makeup! (See how wavy my hair is, Denise?!)

Of course, Data saw that I was snapping pics with my phone and wanted to get in on the action. I think he cheated though – he was definitely licking himself before he jumped into the photo!

See how tired I look? I look this tired ALL DAY LONG. Even though I put on makeup, try to get enough sleep and drink lots of water… I always look tired. Even when I don’t feel tired.

And… more blabbing – I love Jillian Michaels’s* podcasts. I often feel like she is speaking directly to me, about something I am personally struggling with. Already, I have been able to apply something I listened to last night to a situation this morning. More below…

Continue reading 'No primping or preparing / Why I love Jillian Michaels'»

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By kilax, February 13, 2009 3:30 am

I’m participating in Hilly’s Third Annual Self-Love Day! This is my second year, hence the “ii’ in the title.

The rules:
1. Post a banner on your blog and declare February 13th/14th as the day you not only love your one and only, but the day that you love yourself!
2. Post one nice thing about yourself……then ask others to post one thing that they really like about you.
3. Enjoy yourself!

It’s kind of weird to come up with a nice thing about myself, then ask you all to say something nice about me. So, if you did last year, you’re off the hook! Unless you’re family, then you have to say something! Ha.

So, I love my one and only, Mr. Steven-0, and of course, Sir Data-Lor, but I also love my family and all friends. Life is all about relationships, and having fun. I am lucky to have so many people to love.

Which brings me to what I love about me – I’m easy-going, approachable, and love to have a good time (with family and friends, as well as coworkers and other acquaintances, when appropriate). Okay, at least, that is how I see myself 90% of the time. Life’s too short to waste by being a negative, judgmental, pessimistic snob. I work hard to have an upbeat attitude. I try not to let things phase me, even though I sometimes can’t help it. The point is, I am conscious of my attitude, and realize that having a good one, as well as a positive outlook, is going to make me happier in general.

So… I like that I figured that out. And I like that it has allowed me to have a lot of fun this past year.

Yeah. Did that make any sense whatsoever?!

I can’t wait to read all of your self-love declarations! And leave my comments about what I love about YOU! It is going to take me awhile to get to them, since I am in Denver all weekend, but I’ll get there!

Oops, I just realized I used the wrong banner! I’ll have to fix that later!

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By kilax, December 13, 2008 10:49 pm

Teeni has tagged me!

I am to find and post the 6th photo on the 6th page (folder?) of my computer and my photo/host sharing site. I don’t actually use flickr (or similar) though, I so I can only grab something off of my computer.

The photo is of me and my father at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Chicagoland Speedway (I actually wrote about it on 10/20/07 at my old blog). My siblings and I gave my dad a gift card to ride three laps at full speed on a racetrack for his birthday. I think he enjoyed it. I think I would have too. I seem to be one of those adrenaline-seeking people.