tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50270992034919231382024-03-12T22:44:03.802-04:00ColleenWaitWritesWriting, running, photography, food, family, and faith. Not in that order. It's my life here for your reading pleasure. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.comBlogger254125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-83530131367058220432017-03-08T08:52:00.000-05:002017-03-08T08:52:41.331-05:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello readers!</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quick update to let you all know I'm still here. I'm still running, finished the New York marathon as well as the Florida marathon in Melbourne, Fl. Next up is Rome, Italy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although I haven't been writing, I have been very busy learning and pursuing photography. Please take a look at all the sites I am selling on:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.twenty20.com/ColleenWait/photos" target="_blank">https://www.twenty20.com/ColleenWait/photos</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://contributor.stock.adobe.com/portfolio" target="_blank">https://contributor.stock.adobe.com/portfolio</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.eyeem.com/u/mrswait" target="_blank">https://www.eyeem.com/u/mrswait</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.foap.com/search?q=Mrswait&objects=albums,photos&page=1&albums_per_page=5" target="_blank">FOAP</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much to my surprise and delight, I have sold quite a few photos! I'm also taking lots of photography, Lightroom, and PhotoShop classes to make my pictures as close to perfect as possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy the life God gave you. Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppQXFeY86B5OK3HzWbEKxnAoKQfhcUUDvaA7rXMm4b8YXO-xhAdCJxZRIIRbxFwI4CsisEdCUt3N3JYv6A7ZPhgynlR8lCC4hju6NpRqLwAX_ird6OjtZngCMx4W6m2B4an2gfoR2iM8/s1600/ColleenClimb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppQXFeY86B5OK3HzWbEKxnAoKQfhcUUDvaA7rXMm4b8YXO-xhAdCJxZRIIRbxFwI4CsisEdCUt3N3JYv6A7ZPhgynlR8lCC4hju6NpRqLwAX_ird6OjtZngCMx4W6m2B4an2gfoR2iM8/s640/ColleenClimb.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reach for the stars! Push yourself!<br /></span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-65912741808035184392016-09-29T17:59:00.001-04:002016-09-29T18:00:19.430-04:00A lesson in patience If you're even a little bit familiar with the Bible, you know there are many, many passages about patience. If you know me even a little bit, you'd think I'd never read the Bible. <br />
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Yeah, I hear you laughing. It's not even a little bit funny. Patience is the one thing I lack. I'm a 'do it now' kind of woman. <br />
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It's not that I have absolutely no patience. After all I'm a marathon runner. Training takes time. Lots of time. You don't go from 0 to 26.2 in one day. It takes time... translate here to : patience.<br />
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Let me tell you a story. It's a sad story with a happy ending and a moral. You see, one day I was doing some cleaning up. My husband and I travel quite a bit and my housekeeping skills are, well, lacking. Plus my adult daughter had just moved back home. We had lived in our house for a little over 10 years and I never lived anywhere for that length of time. Deep cleaning was done twice in my lifetime - move in and move out. Needless to say, our home needed a thorough deep clean. After much discussion, my husband and I decided to hire a cleaning crew to do it for us. To be honest, I hate to clean but I love a clean house. Toilets are just gross. Of course, what do you do when strangers are due to arrive to clean your house? Clean of course. I called my son the morning before and asked him to come help move a very large and very heavy coffee table from the downstairs living room to an upstairs bedroom. He was due around 1:30. At about noon I decided to move said coffee table from the dining room to the staircase. A distance of about 15 feet. It was to save time of course. <br />
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Once the coffee table had been slid to the staircase, on a bath mat because it was heavy, I looked over at the other, smaller and lighter coffee table to decide which one I really wanted to haul up the stairs. <br />
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In a split second, the coffee table fell over and landed on my left foot. BAM! Impatience just broke my foot. <br />
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Seriously. It was bad. I screamed and cried. Not because I was in pain, which I was, but because I had a marathon to run in Montreal in 2.5 weeks!<br />
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To make a long story short. I was diagnosed with a small chip fracture. Boot, crutches, no running were prescribed. Many tears were shed.<br />
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I pulled up my big girl, impatient panties and decided I was going to heal fast. Two weeks fast. I kept the boot on and no weight bearing for as long as I could stand it. 6.5 days. Exactly. The boot was heavy and the crutches were dangerous. I nearly fell down the stairs twice, nearly fell getting in and out of the shower several times, and even with using two different types of crutches I was a danger to myself just standing up. <br />
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On day 6.5 I took off the boot, threw away the crutches (not literally, they are still in my closet), and stood up. Carefully. My heart pounded with fear. What if it hurt? What if I couldn't walk? What if I put a little weight on it and made it worse? <br />
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To alleviate my fears I requested a copy of my x-rays. Got the CD. Not films, a CD. It was blank. I wanted to scream. However, the official report was in the envelope and it read, ahem... "may be an avulsion..." MAY BE. I loved those words. <br />
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"I'm going to run!" I said to myself excitedly. "I'm going to run!"<br />
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I tried. Didn't work. Sure, I could walk, but there was pain in my arch. "You're calf is tight, roll it," came advice from strangers. I rolled it. Still hurt. Felt better, but still some discomfort. I stretched, rolled, wiggled and moved my foot as much as possible. Hit the floor and did every floor exercise that didn't require weight on my foot that I could find. (My abs are rock hard!). <br />
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Monday before I was to leave for Montreal I tried to run. First, I walked for three miles. Then I took a few running steps. My gait was short and there was pain. Walked another mile. Didn't feel good. Took a break and stretched my foot. Walked some more. Tried to run again. No go. Stride was like a little tiny trot and it hurt. I cried the rest of the day. That was that. No running in Montreal.<br />
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My husband, saint that he is, decided to go to Montreal with me to make sure I didn't run. That, in and of itself made the whole ordeal worth it. I got my husband all to myself for five glorious days. The weather was cool and sunny except for Friday morning. We went sight-seeing, walked the underground city, went shopping, ate - a lot. And, for the first time ever I got to see the winners of not one but four races - 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon. Plus, I took some awesome photos of the city and recalled a little high school French. <br />
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Today, I saw the orthopedist. He said my x-rays were fine, normal. However, the foot still needed a little more time. That's okay, I have a little time. A little, 37 days to be exact. I'll be able to participate in the New York marathon if I can just be...oh...what's that horrid word ......<br />
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PATIENT.<br />
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Right. Patient. One day at a time. God's time, not mine. I'm slowly realizing I'm not 18 anymore. I'm 51. I physically cannot do some things I used to do at 18, 30, and even 40. However, I couldn't run a marathon at 18 and I've already done 7 starting at the age of 40-something. I'll ask for help now and then and not try to do it all, all by myself, right now. <br />
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Patience is a virtue. Maybe I'll have that virtue, one day, maybe. I'm getting there. For now, I need to memorize and live these verses:<br />
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Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. Proverbs 14:29 (moving a 75-pound table displays folly)<br />
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Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (Affliction demands patience, demands prayer.)<br />
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Pray for me while I'm attempting to be patient. I need it. If you need me to pray for you to have patience I certainly will. Attached is a video of some of my many photos. Enjoy.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-62159415528595427862016-07-09T16:07:00.000-04:002016-07-09T16:07:16.536-04:00Avocado Brownies, No-Bake<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WSYOwHkHJlfhrbT5BdtFhBnNeWfaolHALfimVl5WxM1UW6aNhM6AUwMFWJ-lvQxbEdPPKL3laYIS8iVde-hNuHlr_wmiQPJzcFQvhU_3SaLoldSg0thL7o5Bu2j1Ryn-maMwYHE_g-U/s1600/FullSizeRender+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WSYOwHkHJlfhrbT5BdtFhBnNeWfaolHALfimVl5WxM1UW6aNhM6AUwMFWJ-lvQxbEdPPKL3laYIS8iVde-hNuHlr_wmiQPJzcFQvhU_3SaLoldSg0thL7o5Bu2j1Ryn-maMwYHE_g-U/s400/FullSizeRender+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avocado no-bake brownies</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my never-ending search for the perfect chocolate recipe, dairy-free of course, I decided to try something new. There were two brownie recipes that I really liked. One was baked, the other no-bake. One used avocado, the other didn't. Hmm. How could I mash up the recipes? I had recently purchased coconut flour because the store I frequent was out of flaked, which I use regularly so why oh why did they have to run out? In any event, I had on hand avocados, coconut flour, an assortment of raw nuts, and my usual 5-pound bag of dairy-free dark chocolate. With my I-Pad open to both recipes I mentally mashed up the ingredients and came up with this. Viola. It's so yummy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">INGREDIENTS:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Haas Avocados</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">coconut flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cacao powder </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(preferably organic and not cocoa powder)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">espresso powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">raw honey (if you're a purist vegan, substitute Agave)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hot water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Majool dates</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">raw cashews</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">dairy-free dark chocolate chips</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 bowls, 4 x 4 pan, plastic wrap, food processor</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First: In the first bowl, mash or puree 2 avocados. Add one cup of coconut flour and 1/2 c cacao powder. Stir well. Heat 1/2 c water to very hot, not boiling. Add 1 TBS of espresso powder. Once dissolved, pour into bowl and stir well. Add 1/4 c honey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second: Grind 2 large Majool dates with 1 cup of raw cashews. Put this into bowl #2. Then, grind 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Third: Add 1 TBs of the date/cashew mix & 1 TBS of the chocolate chips (ground) into the first bowl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fourth: Add the remainder of the ground chocolate into bowl #2 then add 1/4 c honey.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLRQnha7h_1xb2Wopwv7vS79PfrwclsabZBy0jyv2GGwWcEB8yIENvLKeliGhvr1ls6fa_2Bo3IO3AHXl6wMFRbazyU-mH4o2-iM1mbruPrJ99o0aDZQEh3VUXc8nNq2CXewUBTxmJSw/s1600/IMG_8264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLRQnha7h_1xb2Wopwv7vS79PfrwclsabZBy0jyv2GGwWcEB8yIENvLKeliGhvr1ls6fa_2Bo3IO3AHXl6wMFRbazyU-mH4o2-iM1mbruPrJ99o0aDZQEh3VUXc8nNq2CXewUBTxmJSw/s320/IMG_8264.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixing crust and filling of brownies</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5th: Line your pan with plastic wrap. Make sure you have enough to cover all sides. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28RFAzcLtIDnMbSoUtlg4CM5wDOx-Kr9mrbzH5lXg0ZXWLHLvJc4B0ZkAayvHXGx2EuiNXJ0uybZA0UE4PbzfI1xIA6LVBzwcr_6i4q8X0nURVC27qRKvm9iL49Jpey78hvROj7RUFZE/s1600/IMG_8265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28RFAzcLtIDnMbSoUtlg4CM5wDOx-Kr9mrbzH5lXg0ZXWLHLvJc4B0ZkAayvHXGx2EuiNXJ0uybZA0UE4PbzfI1xIA6LVBzwcr_6i4q8X0nURVC27qRKvm9iL49Jpey78hvROj7RUFZE/s320/IMG_8265.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan for avocado brownies</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spoon bowl #2 onto the bottom of the pan and press firmly. This is your crust. Spoon bowl #1 on top of that. Cover with plastic wrap and press until the mixture is flattened. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6ePlGp882tDx3svXDiDW5iuKz2MUAMbQpRHKlXiPfWJdmBJEX5bTsl6OCshEN6JLZ43StIHkSbc8GQLQMSXawKrK4nJ_amNLNiRJ0IDcKcQSAJoA1mluVq7u2JXxmaYClzNgcdrd5J4/s1600/IMG_8266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6ePlGp882tDx3svXDiDW5iuKz2MUAMbQpRHKlXiPfWJdmBJEX5bTsl6OCshEN6JLZ43StIHkSbc8GQLQMSXawKrK4nJ_amNLNiRJ0IDcKcQSAJoA1mluVq7u2JXxmaYClzNgcdrd5J4/s320/IMG_8266.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Line with plastic</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place mixture into refrigerator for 2-3 hours or the freezer for 30 minutes. Cut into bars. Keep remainder covered and in refrigerator or freezer. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlHEQ_r4ftjgEdAz7Zy-AHwm2pMFizyFMWmaHe25H6zZ9-WeX1wWkB_87RdVqy3P16KFEziHlOFjWRa0Otu_Ms4KKTsnXeb5bDUEfLhffyHNHyvv-OUpL6ghDT1sd5qcQJhDLAfIQdRs/s1600/FullSizeRender+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlHEQ_r4ftjgEdAz7Zy-AHwm2pMFizyFMWmaHe25H6zZ9-WeX1wWkB_87RdVqy3P16KFEziHlOFjWRa0Otu_Ms4KKTsnXeb5bDUEfLhffyHNHyvv-OUpL6ghDT1sd5qcQJhDLAfIQdRs/s400/FullSizeRender+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy Avocado Brownies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XxYm2rG8KGNtzehevJmURNzOtwXCLODF1BYagqSpKm1ZT2vDCmnKttCdfTUBBhc-D_GnFUDIWmaD0-77RKWS4zAf7w6mHHiGFAWl9WtVOXVWiDkfMkpJX1k8aKeyiF_w7z8e-FuIt1M/s1600/FullSizeRender+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XxYm2rG8KGNtzehevJmURNzOtwXCLODF1BYagqSpKm1ZT2vDCmnKttCdfTUBBhc-D_GnFUDIWmaD0-77RKWS4zAf7w6mHHiGFAWl9WtVOXVWiDkfMkpJX1k8aKeyiF_w7z8e-FuIt1M/s640/FullSizeRender+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close-up of delicious Avocado no-bake brownies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDS4ZtJv8opGGiyKOJa4AoIcILOQviXcqb4G3TcHwvAaoaGDreIuvLn2d5nIVl0jw20A9UuRPLPC-wgFmfY7DL7R2JC_Tf3UHnpc-6lk3_HawgZLyKFlrO4746G98uvSKw7uSn_q591D8/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDS4ZtJv8opGGiyKOJa4AoIcILOQviXcqb4G3TcHwvAaoaGDreIuvLn2d5nIVl0jw20A9UuRPLPC-wgFmfY7DL7R2JC_Tf3UHnpc-6lk3_HawgZLyKFlrO4746G98uvSKw7uSn_q591D8/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One more photo just to get your mouth watering.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-13305655949223010092016-06-24T15:30:00.002-04:002016-06-24T15:30:51.203-04:00Rainbow Baby<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Facing the past. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today I did something that I never want to do again, willingly, something I haven't done, willingly, in a very long time (if ever). Hope I never have to again.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I went to a cemetery. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Facebook today, someone wrote, "Today is Rainbow Baby Day. <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">A “rainbow baby” is a baby that is born following a miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or infant loss. In the real world, a beautiful and bright rainbow follows a storm and gives hope of things getting better. The rainbow is more appreciated having just experienced the storm in comparison."</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"> </span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd never heard of it so I looked it up. There is such a thing. I didn't know. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">Of course, I quickly posted that my daughter and myself are both Rainbow Babies. Then I thought for a minute, that's not quite true. My son is a Rainbow Baby, too. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"><br />
</span></span></span> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">Then, the memories came back. The memories of the deaths, miscarriages. The memories of the abortion. The memories of the feelings that flooded me...when those events occurred. And I wanted to do something to </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">commemorate, remember. I've never done it before. Never. I don't have a grave, or tombstone. I'd fought so hard to forget, forgive. You never forget. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"><br />
</span></span></span> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">So, I decided to go find a cemetery, and remember. I got a pink teddy bear and some fake flowers I had in a closet and I went to an old cemetery. One way out in the woods. I found some really old gravestones of children and I took some pictures of them. On my way out, I found four headstones. Unmarked. Two together, and two next to them. Four. They were all babies. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"><br />
</span></span></span> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">I swore I wasn't going to cry. Fought the tears harder than the oppressed emotions. It's in the past. I've gotten over it. But....I haven't. So, I took a picture of those four gravestones without the teddy bear. somehow it seemed right not to. They had no visible names and I didn't want to add or subtract from the visual. I wanted to remember it the way it was. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"><br />
</span></span></span> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">I can't remember all the dates. I kind of do, but I wish I had the actual dates. Because, those were my babies. Whether I wanted them or not at the time. Some I did, some I didn't. They never were given names, either. Whether I had emotions about them at the time...some I did, some I didn't. They are still a part of me that need to be </span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">remembered and never forgotten. It has taken me a long time to forgive myself. I know God has and he has forgotten my sins. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">Now it seems wrong for me to forget. Now I have pictures of headstones to prove I didn't. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLERQE6r5Mg2jYXhmUIAdNa137ZXKck2BthNla1KMuoD2-cZMIFl8uEogwYqCZ_hsHf3nBYNt0RxTXUkkBTdEcEB03oyKPRFLpt-aT8pILRS4HBasiHWlFzhC-mEG_gvIZIGEKtnBvbA/s1600/IMG_0432RainbowBaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLERQE6r5Mg2jYXhmUIAdNa137ZXKck2BthNla1KMuoD2-cZMIFl8uEogwYqCZ_hsHf3nBYNt0RxTXUkkBTdEcEB03oyKPRFLpt-aT8pILRS4HBasiHWlFzhC-mEG_gvIZIGEKtnBvbA/s320/IMG_0432RainbowBaby.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Memory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Dh_vUMoQ6LrTkBSsIooPfW24D3FYsNu4xt1PGd1G5sEwIIwN2gI3CrMltUitGM99VdtkXm0o5hxdBhQFHFNouFExpWKp-7jZqdL-YsheMlagHSn1BSd_6jcIJNAMkr_xYEJGGZ9cIno/s1600/IMG_0434RainbowBaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Dh_vUMoQ6LrTkBSsIooPfW24D3FYsNu4xt1PGd1G5sEwIIwN2gI3CrMltUitGM99VdtkXm0o5hxdBhQFHFNouFExpWKp-7jZqdL-YsheMlagHSn1BSd_6jcIJNAMkr_xYEJGGZ9cIno/s320/IMG_0434RainbowBaby.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Memory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5WoVi2fWIL8jPcZWb3GUm4wpJyCoUbb1ZdFfbUtb7Affk6whbFN7UNhdfjDad-KEmKQqz9Tq6oehJ2jAEhQvnVGNFxq0avuk2C0drJc14cuwAOOh3-ZjP5qUZu6Q1djMkr9UEcOuWhM/s1600/IMG_0439RainbowBaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5WoVi2fWIL8jPcZWb3GUm4wpJyCoUbb1ZdFfbUtb7Affk6whbFN7UNhdfjDad-KEmKQqz9Tq6oehJ2jAEhQvnVGNFxq0avuk2C0drJc14cuwAOOh3-ZjP5qUZu6Q1djMkr9UEcOuWhM/s640/IMG_0439RainbowBaby.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My heart aches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaz60AnzRhtJBC9DyXMZket_TAO2hR6bcNsjYKEFqMh5qz0aJffZePtIgyR35mr7WYLcMfoKG7E9X6De-XLnDV26Kv-2u0cFhJnYxJtdCtkVTndVOR02Fb_RwFzU_XEOY3HC2vCEryG4/s1600/IMG_0446RainbowBaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaz60AnzRhtJBC9DyXMZket_TAO2hR6bcNsjYKEFqMh5qz0aJffZePtIgyR35mr7WYLcMfoKG7E9X6De-XLnDV26Kv-2u0cFhJnYxJtdCtkVTndVOR02Fb_RwFzU_XEOY3HC2vCEryG4/s320/IMG_0446RainbowBaby.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Memory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdXqwVIYwOu7hROXkGIFun1vr6aZ67lSUtecRfRbc1YiTax1dSoHGz33vhSSPjvlP3-39Xtl7mAyAwHIYQs088zSsVjB9dbT9zdgiMptoWlICdwJ_1hSxuNumPgCDoOWqlaTFdcxjKOs/s1600/IMG_0453RainbowBaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdXqwVIYwOu7hROXkGIFun1vr6aZ67lSUtecRfRbc1YiTax1dSoHGz33vhSSPjvlP3-39Xtl7mAyAwHIYQs088zSsVjB9dbT9zdgiMptoWlICdwJ_1hSxuNumPgCDoOWqlaTFdcxjKOs/s320/IMG_0453RainbowBaby.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Memory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mRYWgF_0mjSjnmLoQwM11t2qIDNg7NWE9oJal8r8DgiELafCNJA9vrHByOFMv3feyTXbdD6xZphH9sewcO7cYMLJrzD44RUiKx06kI4LbDCPDUCm0CwXMmIBNEiOGIQgysV2UuCkg24/s1600/IMG_0458RainbowBaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mRYWgF_0mjSjnmLoQwM11t2qIDNg7NWE9oJal8r8DgiELafCNJA9vrHByOFMv3feyTXbdD6xZphH9sewcO7cYMLJrzD44RUiKx06kI4LbDCPDUCm0CwXMmIBNEiOGIQgysV2UuCkg24/s640/IMG_0458RainbowBaby.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Memory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-3865056360333129942016-06-03T14:20:00.000-04:002016-06-03T14:20:01.141-04:00Oops I did it again...Today was long run day. It's Florida and it's hot - 75 at 5:30 am to be exact. I've got my camelback filled with water, fuel, and my trusty head lamp. 16 miles to do and hopefully do them as quickly as possible to beat the heat. Ha!! No such thing. It's hot. I keep telling myself, "It's okay. Train in the heat, race in the cold." Remind me I said that in August. In any event, my next two marathons will be cold - Montreal and then New York in November.<br />
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Speaking of New York. I'm running the New York Marathon under the fundraising umbrella of Team <a href="http://www.teamworldvision.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=53767&confirm=WW91ciBmdW5kcmFpc2luZyBwYWdlIGhhcyBiZWVuIHVwZGF0ZWQgZm9yIDIwMTYgVENTIE5ldyBZb3JrIENpdHkgTWFyYXRob24u" target="_blank">World Vision</a>. I have a goal of $5000.00 to raise. This money will be going towards child protection in Africa and thus far I have raised $810.00. <br />
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Fundraising isn't my thing. So, why did I sign up for it? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOLhIwJ_Kq4UUXpgp-Xvz2VAPKDE5b6qDsKvHTHEHKUw9hlez-A2qE1In6qGVSxKt54XsE_zeJ4dtRqkRgbPy4bAGHYF-FHIkr59AapfrW0ZRGY4leFQ7YX_VnKOtgd0fF_ECu15jN08/s1600/ZambiaChildren2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOLhIwJ_Kq4UUXpgp-Xvz2VAPKDE5b6qDsKvHTHEHKUw9hlez-A2qE1In6qGVSxKt54XsE_zeJ4dtRqkRgbPy4bAGHYF-FHIkr59AapfrW0ZRGY4leFQ7YX_VnKOtgd0fF_ECu15jN08/s400/ZambiaChildren2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxbKIxzidjfamYhP6iWvWBSPPy8zOvRa8m2WbvhtGOYSa6hhthR0Ae6a7frxzvp952tUldMk0s_C4gyxL5-Nd5EzAHw7YVeTYNOtf-_dePOncACa8F7ZEjIED3bWPitsY-aP0Pa13WVw/s1600/ZambiaChildren3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxbKIxzidjfamYhP6iWvWBSPPy8zOvRa8m2WbvhtGOYSa6hhthR0Ae6a7frxzvp952tUldMk0s_C4gyxL5-Nd5EzAHw7YVeTYNOtf-_dePOncACa8F7ZEjIED3bWPitsY-aP0Pa13WVw/s400/ZambiaChildren3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcShLRVljjykP3AedLQXOPesfOMuEfRhLIoIkHl5CxOENTkSy5QxBHvBVcUwzl0FhARMMofwpWaj_5T58JxRnc-5qtFSXyWhh7dzg20ms6ue7aW-xChiq6Prm4JZ4zujeaTJJnt4GscYU/s1600/ZambiaChildren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcShLRVljjykP3AedLQXOPesfOMuEfRhLIoIkHl5CxOENTkSy5QxBHvBVcUwzl0FhARMMofwpWaj_5T58JxRnc-5qtFSXyWhh7dzg20ms6ue7aW-xChiq6Prm4JZ4zujeaTJJnt4GscYU/s400/ZambiaChildren.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHDCBg_teQydh1EZcNxS65hb9oo62PUJPi8HAbTsxf6KSaz_rPw9FuE616nDLhns5GWLY4T47MSIpDCKFnS9oE-bpF0tzKt652QNLNne4Ki-LUcs5hKFqxb59tFr59z4W9auf2P0pWbY/s1600/ZambiaGirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHDCBg_teQydh1EZcNxS65hb9oo62PUJPi8HAbTsxf6KSaz_rPw9FuE616nDLhns5GWLY4T47MSIpDCKFnS9oE-bpF0tzKt652QNLNne4Ki-LUcs5hKFqxb59tFr59z4W9auf2P0pWbY/s400/ZambiaGirl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhce_dFyKz4KOzg3eWcE1qzGaRPKB_9YLdSci-ccYhPiMFqbfmnucBP23uRVhmtRTYALa6Md-oXjoS9F-WP7Smj9aUbGkAyx4VgVowgOTAlG_W0IqR5G9YSc_qrJ7RmYsW23NlQhRsKKbE/s1600/ZambiaWomanWater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhce_dFyKz4KOzg3eWcE1qzGaRPKB_9YLdSci-ccYhPiMFqbfmnucBP23uRVhmtRTYALa6Md-oXjoS9F-WP7Smj9aUbGkAyx4VgVowgOTAlG_W0IqR5G9YSc_qrJ7RmYsW23NlQhRsKKbE/s400/ZambiaWomanWater.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I signed up to fundraise for these beautiful faces. Read their stories <a href="http://www.worldvision.org/" target="_blank">here</a>. See the woman in the bottom picture? She's gathering drinking water for her children (photo credit Scott Stauffacher). Where did you get your water today? <br />
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So the oops. I ran pretty slow and was drenched with sweat, including my socks. I swung up my left foot to the countertop to check my toenails when I felt a sharp pain in my left 2nd toe as it clenched. You remember I broke that toe over a year ago. Orthopedist told me it could take a year or more to completely heal. Great... That hurt so bad!! Praying it doesn't hinder my running. If I'm in pain next run, Monday, I will remember these faces and remind myself that I have such a blessed life. A little broken toe is nothing compared to the living conditions and the dangers these precious children, God's children, face every day. <br />
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Next time you are hot, sweaty, in a little pain (or a lot), remember these children. Make a difference in their life by donating. As little as $50 can provide water for one child for their lifetime.<br />
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Thank you for your support. <br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://goo.gl/oB6jyL">http://goo.gl/oB6jyL</a></span></div>
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DO WHAT YOU CAN, NOT WHAT YOU CAN'T</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Noto Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">None of you should be looking out for your own interests, but for the interests of others.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />(</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Noto Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">1 Corinthians 10:24)</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com111tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-2757456504236789262016-05-25T14:30:00.001-04:002016-05-25T14:30:50.966-04:00One last trip to Korea<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After my first trip to S. Korea I told my husband, "Never again." It's not that I didn't like it. I loved being there, hiking the mountains, exploring the city, traversing the subway. The problem is - getting there!! And back. From Detroit its a 12.5-hour flight! Ugh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have now been three times. This time, I'm really done. Haven't seen everything, but enough to have a pretty extensive library full of photos. Plus, now all four of our children have been. I'm not going to post a long travelogue of our ten-day stay, just a link to the YouTube slide show. Enjoy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-88837636789500968092016-04-30T17:57:00.001-04:002016-05-02T13:02:04.586-04:00Peru, Lima to Machu Picchu<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">MY JOURNAL, PERU - LIMA TO MACHU PICCHU.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4/6 Approximately one year ago, my husband came home from worked and asked me if I wanted to go to Peru and climb Machu Picchu. My jaw dropped. My reaction was one that you would get from any busy mom if you would have asked her if she would like chocolate, new shoes, a massage, and a housekeeper for the rest of her life. All at the same moment. I picked my chin off the floor and said, "Well, of course!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We did a lot of research on Peru, the mountain, tour companies, etc. and decided on G Adventures. I called and spoke for at least an hour with a representative, whom they call 'CEO's. Booked the trip and began training for what we knew would be a difficult 4-day hike along the Incan Trail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A month before the trip, we got the flu. I got a mild version and recovered quickly. My husband ended up in the hospital.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4/11 Today I officially cancelled Mark on the trip. So difficult to do. No turning back now. Go alone or not at all. I have started putting things in a suitcase - deciding what goes in my backpack and what gets checked. I will only be alone on the first plane ride. Joining the group at the hotel. Will miss Mark for 10 days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4/17 Arrived in Lima. Got through customs quickly and found my driver, Walter, without too much difficulty. City is bigger than I expected. Very noisy and lots of traffic. Typical for this part of the world. Hotel La Castellana is quite charming. On the 4th floor. No elevator and no AC but nice and clean. I lost my glasses on the plane. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4/18 Got a map from the desk clerk and went exploring. We are in the Miraflores district. I walked to Kennedy Park, which was filled with hundreds of cats. I learned to cross the street with locals. Your life depends on it! Cars don't obey traffic lights or stop signs - when there are lights and stop signs. Traveling solo is a bit lonely, but I like the solitude, seeing a new city, experiencing a different culture, observing the people who live and work here all at my own pace. There is a low haze over the ocean and a cool breeze.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I met a young lady from Canada. (Bumped into her several times over the course of my stay. She's in one of the photos on video #2). I had to change rooms from a double to a two person with a roommate since Mark didn't come. I didn't mind even though I had already paid for the private room. Her name is Nicole. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;">Group meeting was very informative. I did not need to bring my backpack. The tour group will give us a duffle bag, limited to 6 kilo. Will carry my camera bag as my day bag.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">4/19 On the plane to Cusco. Our group is comprised of Canadians, Irish, English, and Australians. It's nice to be traveling with other world travelers and be able to talk of my </span><span style="font-family: "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;">journeys</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> without sounding like I'm bragging. Everyone is talking about the altitude, fretting, worrying. I'm not worried. Should I be? Our guide, David, met us at baggage claim. I immediately feel the difference in the air. It feels 'clean'. My heart started beating faster so I did deep breathing exercises to acclimate. In through the nose, out through the mouth. 30-minute bus ride to hotel. It's very quaint, Spanish architecture. Called Prisma Hotel del Cusco. I'm rooming with Nicole again. We put our luggage in our rooms then took a group walk. Sunny for ten minutes then a sudden downpour on our way to lunch. I need rain pants! The one thing I didn't think of. I had Alpaca for lunch. Yum! Then found rain pants. The store we were recommended to go to had one pair of rain pants in stock. Thank you, Jesus, they were just my size! At 4:30 we had a meeting at the G Adventures office where they gave us an itinerary for the hike with very detailed information about the trail and what to expect. The duffel bag they gave us could only weigh 6 kilo or less including sleeping bag and air mattress. I packed and repacked many times. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">4/20 We left the hotel at 7:30 am and w</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">ent to the Sacred Valley to the <a href="http://www.planeterra.org/south-america-projects-pages-46.php" target="_blank">Planetarra Project.</a> Click the link to learn more about it. The women's weaving co-op is in the Sacred Valley and not at all "touristy". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The land here is so beautiful it brings me to tears. I stood and stared at the mountain, singing to myself, "Lord oh Lord How Majestic is Your Name." Mark would have loved this. Next was lunch at Parwa, another G Adventures project. Delicious!!! We then drove 1.5 hours to Ollantaytambo and our next hotel - Inka Paradise. The weather has been perfect all day. Slight chill with a breeze and mostly sunny. There is a lot of red clay soil in the mountains. We pass farm after farm after farm following the Urubamba river. The school children all wear uniforms with wide-brim hats. David tells us that Ollantaytambo is a living museum. It is the center between Cusco and Machu Picchu, a 'hotel' for the upper class Incans. We walked to an historical, archeological site. David gives us a history lesson and even though he is thorough and very knowledgable, the photographer in me wants to leave the group to explore and take pictures. However, it is best that I don't wear myself out. Trail in the morning! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">INCA TRAIL DAY 1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We left the hotel around 8 am and drove 35-40 minutes to "82 km", the starting point. We met our new guides, Joel and Elias plus 18 men who serve as our porters and cooks. Only nine of us are hiking. One of the women from Australia got sick and backed out. The trail ran alongside the river and at times the railroad track. It was rock, gravel, with sometimes slow grade and sometimes steep incline going up and down. We stopped every 15 to 30 minutes for a break and twice for archeological sites. We are told, whenever you hear "Porters!" to move to the mountain side of the trail to let the porters pass. Every day they will leave after us and arrive before us. Thus, they are running!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lunch - We arrived to our lunch site already set up. One large tent with a table and chairs. There is a bathroom "Bano" that costs one Soles, the currency of Peru. I don't like to pay to pee, etc. but we are all so well taken care of in every other aspect I can't complain. The alternative is nature. After a three-course meal, we are on the trail again. Every time we start up and especially after a meal I'm out of breath and heart pounding the first five minutes or so. The coca leaves and tea really don't seem to make a difference so I stop. Two hours later, we arrive to our overnight campsite - again already completely set up. We get to choose our own spot on the three-tiered site. I chose the tent closest to the bathroom. Beautiful view of the mountain and moonrise. The guides introduced each worker - porters and cooks who ranged from 18 to 63. We then did the same and took a group photo. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Dinner - First, a snack of tea, crackers and popcorn followed by a game of cards. Another excellent three-course meal. It has been an amazing day. The beauty of this land gets more spectacular as the hours pass. No rain even though at sunset we saw rain clouds and heard thunder. G Adventures takes such good care of their staff and the people in the community. They give back and help them to succeed in life. I'm very impressed thus far. I'm in bed and they are still working. I hear sounds of people in other camps, dogs, frogs, and occasionally the bray of a donkey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">INCA TRAIL DAY 2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do you hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? One step at a time. How in the rain? One SLOW step at a time. Before bed I prayed if it were going to rain, then all night would be fine. I forgot about needing to go to the bathroom. I woke needing to go but didn't want to come back and get the tent went. Held out until 4:15 am. Took me half an hour to pack my stuff and put on my clothes and contacts. Exited the tent at 5 am, went to the bathroom then hung out in the misting rain while the breakfast tent was readied. Contacts fell out several times. Weird. We hiked straight up for four hours then down 1.5. The rain stopped right after I bought a new poncho at the second rest area. I ripped my old one in several places. (Note to self - invest in a good quality poncho!! Bring duct tape!) The sun came out just before Dead Woman's Pass, our highest point for the day. Downhill after that to our camp. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Late lunch, where it started to rain again (light). It's 3 pm. We are here for the night. The day was hard, not horrible, but difficult with all the rock steps and the mud. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lunch was great as usual. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Toilets are squatties - you know, a hole in the ground. Not the end of the world but difficult when your thighs are burning and shaking. Rain started again after I got back to the tent for a siesta. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">At tea time we played cards. The guides are hysterical trying to teach us new games. Clouds rolled in. Lots of mist. Made for good photos. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">On the trail today, it was remarkably quiet. Sounds of the rushing river and a few birds that flew overhead. Parakeets traveling in pairs. When people did talk, it was at a whisper. Now, snug in my sleeping bag, there is a chorus of frogs mixing in with the sounds of the rushing river. Tomorrow is the longest hike day. Praying for favorable weather. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">INCA TRAIL DAY 3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It sprinkled a little bit overnight but we awoke to cold and clear skies at 5 am. It was a cold night! After a carb-loading breakfast we left at 6:30 am. Plan is to arrive at the next campsite by 5 pm. The trail was beautiful. We walked a while then stopped at several archeological sites along the way. It was a long hike, but not nonstop. We kept to our own pace and often there was no one in front or behind me. Lunch was at a peak and we could see our campsite from the high mountain. Well, sort of. We could see the archeological site step terrace and the camp was 25 or so minutes beyond. SIDE NOTE: Every time we entered camp for lunch or for the night all the porters clapped us in. It was very encouraging!! We returned the favor by clapping and saying Go G! as they passed us on the trail. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The weather was perfect all day. A tiny brief sprinkle after lunch when the clouds rolled in - we are at cloud level. So cool. The trail was the same as before with two little tunnels. Slightly muddier than previous days. Saw several waterfalls. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">At dinner we organized to get a Facebook page. We have been named team "Sexy Purple Warriors" (in Spanish). Elias added the Sexy because we are seven girls and only two men. At dinner we gave the porters a generous tip and said our formal goodbye to them. Tomorrow the wakeup call is 3 am. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a long amazing day!! So glad I'm keeping a journal. I'd never remember everything that happened. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">INCA TRAIL DAY 4</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It rained hard overnight. Thought we might be washed away. But, the tent stayed high and dry! Thanks porters!! Rain slowed to a slight drizzle by the time Christine's alarm went off. I was actually in a deep sleep for once. We had to be out of the tents by 3:30 am because the porters had to have camp completely packed up early in order to catch a 5 am train. I didn't eat breakfast until later. 3 is way too early. We hiked about 5 minutes to the checkpoint where there were already nearly 50 people there. The gate opens at 5 am and we have to check in as a group, via our guides, one group at a time, with a limited number allowed in. (All the groups had to pre-pay.) There was one small shelter and one bench so we stood until 5. My left contact kept falling out. Again. Did it the first morning as well. I was really irritated but finally got it back on after multiple tries. Elias led us through the checkpoint and we walked, in line, down the much narrower trail for two hours. I burst into tears, full of emotion. Partly because my journey was coming to fruition and partly because I missed my husband, sad that he was missing this amazing journey. Half way we stopped to remove layers - rain gear, warm jackets, etc. Several minutes later, I saw a guide running back to the checkpoint. Uh oh. Not good. Sure enough we came upon a narrow curve with people standing around. There was a large puddle blocking the path with a 3-4 inch diameter stick denoting the edge of the trail. Someone in a big hurry decided to ignore the 'stay to mountainside' rule and tried to pass someone on the wrong side and fell down the mountain. Slid actually, there was a lot of wet vegetation. Not sure how far down he went but I later learned he was ok. This person was with the rowdy group who were always running and goofing off, singing Justin Bieber songs at camp. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">At the Sun Gate, Machu Picchu was in full sight and the sun was just beginning to shine on it. Elias gave us a guided tour of part of the site then allowed us to explore on our own. I wandered around on my own for another hour or so. So many steps!! I really, really...i mean really despise selfie sticks!!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">After I got my thousand or so photographs (see videos below) I took a bus ride down to the small village for lunch and then a train ride back to Ollantaytambo, then back to Prism Hotel in Cusco. After a nice hot shower we had a farewell dinner at La Feria. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This trip was just about perfect. The only thing missing was my husband. It was the journey of a lifetime and I pray that <u>We</u> will be able to come back. Even though the hike was difficult - I expected it to be - and the weather was not what I was used to, I was well-prepared for both. G Adventures was amazing. We were pampered, as much as possible, and the chefs even made a cake for the two newlywed couples at the top of a mountain! I still look at my photographs, a week later, and cannot believe I was actually there - on Machu Picchu mountain! I'm so appreciative of my life, the things and people God has blessed me with. I hear people complain about the most ridiculous things and think, they need to go to South America, Central America, any other country than this one and see how people live. In general, we Americans see 'those poor people' and think they are pitiful and unhappy and unfortunate. I don't see that at all. The people I've met are content, happy, joyful. They work hard to make the best of their life with very little complaint. The main thing they are concerned about is providing for their families. Food, shelter, water, family, love, God. What else do you need? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-62319110453552633182016-03-25T13:32:00.000-04:002016-03-25T13:32:55.432-04:00The road to NY, hit a potholeQuestion: How do you jump back into marathon training after a week of the flu?<br />
Answer: You don't.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't care how healthy you are, how tough you are, how physically fit you are, the flu knocks your body to the ground and does a double body slam. Then it crushes your lungs and takes your physical abilities way, way back to the day you first started the quest for that elusive thing called "The Marathon". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've had the flu twice now. The first time I was in my early 20's. Wasn't a runner then, wasn't even very physically active except of the occasional trip to the gym. After all, I was in my 20s. Had the flu for a week, took two weeks to feel "back to normal." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This go round, the flu itself wasn't that bad. It couldn't be. I didn't have time to be sick because my poor husband REALLY had the flu and I needed to be well to take care of him. My last good run was on a Friday, 14 miles. Started running a fever on Saturday. Today, it's Friday and I've only managed a few miles on the treadmill in a week's time. My lungs are shot, still coughing. My congestion is gone and my energy level is returning, however, I'm not 'bouncing' back. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's going to take time and I don't like that!! I've done everything right - nutrition, hydration, sleep. Obviously, I should have been able to run at least ten miles today, right? Right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WRONG. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, it's frustrating, however, I know..I KNOW... it's going to take at least another week for my lungs to be back to 'normal'. I won't give up, it's not in my vocabulary. Therefore, the answer is, you do not jump back into marathon training, it's simply one day at a time, one step at a time, one breath at a time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After all... I AM A MARATHONER!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And. I have goals! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) Climb Machu Pichu</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) RocknRoll marathon Montreal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) TCS New York Marathon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) breathe normally</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">5) Celebrate Easter - This list is actually backwards somewhat but that's okay. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-72531989132399245982016-03-14T08:51:00.000-04:002016-03-14T08:51:36.572-04:00The Journey continues<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Training for the New York Marathon is in full swing - did it ever end? This week-end's cross training consisted of carrying 20+ 40-pound bags of dirt up and down the hill in my back yard. I built a vegetable garden to save money. Will take a lot of veggies to break even, but hey, they will be extra healthy, right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See, here's the thing, every Spring I get the urge to plant things, play in the dirt, see pretty flowers in my yard. Then, every Summer I watch them die. I'm great at planting, not so great at keeping them alive. Every year I tell myself it will be different. I WILL keep better care of my plants and they will thrive. So, I keep telling myself. Don't get me wrong, I do try. I try a little harder every year and I'm getting better. I think. Plant, water, grow. Sounds easy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I turned to cactus and succulents last year. They are doing great! This year, however, I wanted to grow veggies. With my marathon training I eat a large container of spinach a week, plus a large head of broccoli, a couple of pounds of berries, four apples a week. Wish I could grow an almond tree. I eat a pound of those every two weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, I'm running on the treadmill. Heavy rain last night and I'd rather not slip on wet leaves. While I was running, I was trying to think of ways to encourage people to donate to my <a href="http://goo.gl/oB6jyL" target="_blank">World Vision fundraising page. </a> Here's an idea I came up with that sounded fun:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For every $100.00 donated this week I will run for one hour up and down a busy street in my town in a costume of your choosing and since I don't own a ton of costumes, you would need to provide the costume. I know that will be difficult for those not near me, but I'll figure something out if you cannot get me a costume.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will, of course, post pictures. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zlBLXC8ToLVVKcIbpg2FsH4zKoNrKYzSl0rNz3a70JM4Yb9yf5jlBxTxzX_z26H2unsxtfKXYZgajOH39cLCvuJTavGRjW5LGrnxOWY-CAZ6gOp64-ChYdiWMcNMblIKN_g8R1bDbsc/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zlBLXC8ToLVVKcIbpg2FsH4zKoNrKYzSl0rNz3a70JM4Yb9yf5jlBxTxzX_z26H2unsxtfKXYZgajOH39cLCvuJTavGRjW5LGrnxOWY-CAZ6gOp64-ChYdiWMcNMblIKN_g8R1bDbsc/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goo.gl/oBj6yL" target="_blank">Donate here</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-4886113554273364272016-03-08T18:01:00.001-05:002016-03-08T18:01:53.241-05:00The Journey Begins with Just One Step, and a little help from my friends.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I got the news I didn't want to hear, "You didn't get in." This was from the New York Marathon Lottery system. This means my name was not drawn for entry into the race. Fortunately, there's more than one way to run a race</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My race calendar is planned out at the very least one year in advance. I keep a list posted in my office of races I've signed up for, races I want to do, races I might do, and of course the "Bucket List" races. The TCS NYC Marathon is on that list. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I didn't get my name pulled out of the hat or runner's shoe or whatever. I'm not going to let a little thing like that stop me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Therefore, I've joined a charity. This means, I sign up for the race through a charity, promise to raise money for them which guarantees my entry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After much thought, research, and prayer, I have joined the "Team World Vision" charity.</span><br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nCVWcQnDX8I/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nCVWcQnDX8I?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watch the video here to learn more about World Vision: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After watching the video, please prayerfully consider donating to my fund here: <a href="http://goo.gl/oB6jyL" target="_blank">http://goo.gl/oB6jyL</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mAcTnFyq7hiXviAtc5DIBEL6M8mp0tDJ0c1aFSi65iA2ozVtsgHE6NBYiD3UaB3CQ_rNOV_meFS5KebBVxet4S6MLc5fRTsI4abU7ewb-U5aHGDJyrE_Q7Ev5CQDDWCWv5LuG53DRZ0/s1600/Thank+you+for+your+supporthttp___goo.gl_oB6jyL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mAcTnFyq7hiXviAtc5DIBEL6M8mp0tDJ0c1aFSi65iA2ozVtsgHE6NBYiD3UaB3CQ_rNOV_meFS5KebBVxet4S6MLc5fRTsI4abU7ewb-U5aHGDJyrE_Q7Ev5CQDDWCWv5LuG53DRZ0/s640/Thank+you+for+your+supporthttp___goo.gl_oB6jyL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-0BZv8OVJlhyphenhyphentNAUR57ZBJ6a1Y7V9BXU4fnORMk4HZ_t3V_pCxj9OxPsjcqZZQYYxyoGzeBvNyWY75mekHwW1apJNwuiDIdnL5QcZXcxhKhdDK75YdvwilBt7t8QO976exiAbySJVTc/s1600/xPN4tm3L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-0BZv8OVJlhyphenhyphentNAUR57ZBJ6a1Y7V9BXU4fnORMk4HZ_t3V_pCxj9OxPsjcqZZQYYxyoGzeBvNyWY75mekHwW1apJNwuiDIdnL5QcZXcxhKhdDK75YdvwilBt7t8QO976exiAbySJVTc/s320/xPN4tm3L.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World Vision</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-58290661412548258212016-02-24T16:53:00.002-05:002016-02-24T16:53:27.647-05:00Rhubarb. Is it a fruit or a vegetable?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's colorful, it's tasty, and it makes a great desert. So, fruit or vegetable? According to Wikipedia, who knows everything:</span><br />
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<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<b>Rhubarb</b> (<i>Rheum rhabarbarum</i>) is a species of plant in the family <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygonaceae" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Polygonaceae">Polygonaceae</a>. It is a herbaceous <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perennial_plant" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Perennial plant">perennial</a> growing from short, thick <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhizome" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Rhizome">rhizomes</a>. It produces large <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Leaf">leaves</a> that are somewhat triangular, with long fleshy stalks and small <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Flower">flowers</a> grouped in large compound leafy greenish-white to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_(color)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Rose (color)">rose-red</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflorescence" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Inflorescence">inflorescences</a>.</div>
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In culinary use, fresh raw leaf stalks (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petiole_(botany)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Petiole (botany)">petioles</a>) are crisp (similar to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celery" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Celery">celery</a>) with a strong, tart taste. Most commonly, the stalks are cooked with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Sugar">sugar</a> and used in pies and other desserts. A number of varieties have been domesticated for human consumption, most of which are recognised as <i>Rheum</i> x <i>hybridum</i> by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Horticultural_Society" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Royal Horticultural Society">Royal Horticultural Society</a>.</div>
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Rhubarb is usually considered a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Vegetable">vegetable</a>. In the United States, however, a New York court decided in 1947 that, since it was used in the United States as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Fruit">fruit</a>, it counted as a fruit for the purposes of regulations and duties. A side effect was a reduction on imported rhubarb tariffs, as tariffs were higher for vegetables than fruits.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhubarb#cite_note-1" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[1]</a></sup></div>
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But seriously, who cares!? It's delicious. The other day my husband informed me that he loves rhubarb pie. I had never eaten rhubarb in any form or even cooked with it so I didn't give it a second thought. That is, until I saw it in the freezer section in my grocery store. I bought two bags, just in case. He added vanilla ice cream to the cart to make a simple rhubarb smoothie. </div>
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To prove that I'm a good wife (that's a joke, he knows I love him), I did a little digging. I found a good smoothie recipe (see below) but I also found something better - BROWNIES. Who knew. Now you do, too.</div>
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INGREDIENTS:</div>
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1 c raw honey or agave</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
1/2 c coconut oil, softened</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
2 eggs or 2 flax eggs (2 TBS ground flax seeds soaked in 1/2 c water)</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
1 tsp vanilla</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
1/2 c whole wheat flour</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
1/3 c cacao powder (not cocoa), raw cacao powder</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
1/2 tsp salt</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
1 c finely chopped rhubarb (measure after chopping)</div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
1/2 c dark or semisweet dairy-free chocolate chips</div>
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PROCEDURE:</div>
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Preheat oven to 375. Line an 8x8 or 9x13 or similar pan with parchment paper. </div>
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Mix wet ingredients then add dry. </div>
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Bake for 20 minutes or slightly less if your oven runs hot. </div>
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Chill before cutting and removing from parchment. </div>
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ENJOY!</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_KsmesMBsaRQvbiQvCOJcekZtP8jZZh2P9fQTA_o9U5_4u03l1Hkp7T0jtjGPd9PUrE27dgradG_5dO9xzuy-xpXpIIB5V6EuRp3m3iLUlGE-OrM0KXjV3RWVO_f_RtGg6XQqUKWPHM/s1600/IMG_6651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_KsmesMBsaRQvbiQvCOJcekZtP8jZZh2P9fQTA_o9U5_4u03l1Hkp7T0jtjGPd9PUrE27dgradG_5dO9xzuy-xpXpIIB5V6EuRp3m3iLUlGE-OrM0KXjV3RWVO_f_RtGg6XQqUKWPHM/s400/IMG_6651.JPG" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhubarb brownies hot out of the oven</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYpyzPNkIRpYB3GU7JF3tNJSKJjkt1-MmNtZV4ZIygLXeDu0SraJvz6yvznlr__h_hU0yZi3I_OJWBXuntFRucWNNPl_10vhzEi-1dBxA3doer8tLlkMLTezgSSNVTGS5xUQTjojkIbY/s1600/IMG_6656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYpyzPNkIRpYB3GU7JF3tNJSKJjkt1-MmNtZV4ZIygLXeDu0SraJvz6yvznlr__h_hU0yZi3I_OJWBXuntFRucWNNPl_10vhzEi-1dBxA3doer8tLlkMLTezgSSNVTGS5xUQTjojkIbY/s400/IMG_6656.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhubarb brownies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't have a photo, but here is a smoothie recipe and variations.</span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 c milk</span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 c frozen strawberries</span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/3 c frozen rhubarb</span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 TBS ground flax</span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 tsp vanilla extract</span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 tsp cinnamon</span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp honey</span></div>
<div style="color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Puree until smooth. </span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Variations: Use almond milk or chocolate cashew milk. Add a banana. Leave out the flax seeds. Use agave instead of honey. If you use a banana may not need the honey. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Here is a link to my granola bar recipe: </span></span><a href="http://colleenwaitwrites.blogspot.com/2015/01/fruit-and-nut-bars.html" target="_blank">http://colleenwaitwrites.blogspot.com/2015/01/fruit-and-nut-bars.html </a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-3554540781692939002016-02-09T15:11:00.000-05:002016-02-09T15:15:48.224-05:00Carrot and Zucchini Nut Bread<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Valentine's Day is right around the corner. It's a day where tradition and the card companies tell us that we must show people how much we love them by buying cards, flowers, and candy. An expensive dinner out is usually a plus. I say, why wait? Why not tell the people you love every day? Why not show them acts of kindness and give expressions of love as often as possible? Showing someone love doesn't have to be expensive. Oftentimes, it's the little things that say I love you so much more than jewelry. My husband tells me he loves me every day by going to work, coming home, and genuinely wanting to spend time with me. His greatest act of love was when he married me - a broken, insecure woman who felt worthless and unworthy. His next greatest act of love was when he made it possible for me to retire from a job that was sucking the life out of me. I do my best to reciprocate and show my appreciation. One of the hardest things I did for him was get on an airplane. I used to be terrified of flying. I would have anxiety attacks and use all available air-sickness bags. That being said, it took great courage on my part, and his, to get on a plane for a 13+ hour flight to S. Korea. He now has me hooked on travel. (see some of my travel videos on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Z9Yb3C3Z0apAl9Qn4w-FQ/videos?shelf_id=0&view=0&sort=dd" target="_blank">YouTube</a>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What has this to do with bread you ask? I'm getting there. After writing and publishing 11 books (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Colleen-Wait/e/B0052F5LXE/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1455046477&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a>) I decided to take a break and focus my attention on photography, and baking of course. I've become a bit of a food mad scientist as you've probably seen with my previous recipes. It's been fun looking up ingredients and adding them to a bowl to see what happens. Below are two recipes. One is Carrot and Zucchini Nut Bread and the other is my gift to my husband - Bacon Chocolate Cheesecake. Enjoy:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>CARROT AND ZUCCHINI NUT BREAD</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 cups whole wheat flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 c ground rolled oats</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 TBS ground flax seed soaked in 2 TBS water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 TBS chia seeds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 TBS amaranth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 c ground raw nuts: almonds, cashews, sunflower, pistachios</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1-1/2 c ground carrot (grind or grate before measuring)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 to 1-1/2 c ground zucchini (grind before measuring)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp each baking soda and baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 c unsweetened plain almond milk</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Put ground flax in water and set aside. Set oven to 350 F.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Grind oats and nuts. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(I use a Ninja chopper but you can hand chop the nuts or use a food processor)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Grind or grate the carrot and zucchini, very fine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. In large bowl add all ingredients 1-3 and stir. Add the soda, powder, and salt. Next, stir in the almond milk. Once incorporated, shape into a ball and let sit for 20 minutes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Spray a large bread tin with nonstick spray. Alternatively, you can hand shape and bake on a silicone mat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes. Cover with foil, lower temp to 300 and bake another 10-15 minutes. Cool for 10 or so minutes before slicing. It will be slightly soft in the center. Best not to over bake or the crust will be too hard. If you prefer, slice then toast. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot out of the oven, Carrot and Zucchini Nut Bread</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrot and Zucchini Nut bread ready for eating</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYzbR1dFhtLsCGbFK5iAD6b6_otegtCUUOoxAu-t5dzJs3SnRG39HE5E6dKjr36HRI15J66-wmorcRX-uI8npSxf24XcPGLbzlKmQG-QfN9ZbAldN3DnISOSjWZ6ifM9ent2UlhZ41t8/s1600/IMG_1162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYzbR1dFhtLsCGbFK5iAD6b6_otegtCUUOoxAu-t5dzJs3SnRG39HE5E6dKjr36HRI15J66-wmorcRX-uI8npSxf24XcPGLbzlKmQG-QfN9ZbAldN3DnISOSjWZ6ifM9ent2UlhZ41t8/s320/IMG_1162.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bread</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1CYj7079pVnx_9HlwumQtMqibYJcJP_jOgx8zofhj2A00wRK5FrNKm9BQ-eq5ovUeVg0f3SJuQRULkHmkyyI_YcVUEOAF6FdjWxdZhigS__f1A6m6v6zRUk2EBms_pHX3sYdOYYDBNQ/s1600/IMG_1165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1CYj7079pVnx_9HlwumQtMqibYJcJP_jOgx8zofhj2A00wRK5FrNKm9BQ-eq5ovUeVg0f3SJuQRULkHmkyyI_YcVUEOAF6FdjWxdZhigS__f1A6m6v6zRUk2EBms_pHX3sYdOYYDBNQ/s320/IMG_1165.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I mention it's vegan?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now for the husbands, and other bacon lovers. Bacon Chocolate Cheesecake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step 1: Bake 4-6 strips of thick bacon in the oven. Time and temp varies. 350 for 10-12 minutes is what I did. Bake it crisp and flat. Pat off the fat and dry on paper towels.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step 2: Melt 4 squares of semi-sweet baking chocolate and 1/4 tsp coconut oil. Double this if you want more chocolate. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step 3: Get your baking pan out. I used a cupcake tray. Cut your bacon to the size of the bottom of the tray. Next, put the bacon into the bowl of chocolate, using a fork to coat well. Line a flat plate or cookie sheet with plastic wrap or foil. Using your fork transfer individual pieces of bacon onto the cookie sheet. Put into freezer or refrigerator to set. Reserve the remainder of the chocolate for later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step 4: Make the cheesecake. I used the Philadelphia 3-step cheesecake recipe. This part is up to you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 1 package Philadelphia cream cheese</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 1/4 c sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 1/4 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 1 egg</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Blend on high until creamy. Take strips of parchment paper and make an X in the baking pan. This will help remove the cheesecake. Put in about 1 inch of batter. Bake 25 minutes if using cupcake tray. Remove from oven and allow to cool until warm. Don't cool all the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step 5: Line cookie sheet with plastic. Place bacon pieces on top of warm cheese cake and immediately invert onto plastic. The bacon is now your crust. Drizzle the top of the cheesecake with more chocolate and add an additional piece of bacon, if desired.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZiYLbQt5h-jUGmiPiCBpRYmdyq-J3q0HxNs_xf1redD8tecLW4BQ_O3HznP2hhxY8W6fMQ9fiCv9mCf57bMPmIjc3pJjzi6z_7oIiOW9ZTEw1EdO1QRLzR8A2QzhL4rQSVHSl5FYOdzI/s1600/IMG_1121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZiYLbQt5h-jUGmiPiCBpRYmdyq-J3q0HxNs_xf1redD8tecLW4BQ_O3HznP2hhxY8W6fMQ9fiCv9mCf57bMPmIjc3pJjzi6z_7oIiOW9ZTEw1EdO1QRLzR8A2QzhL4rQSVHSl5FYOdzI/s640/IMG_1121.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon Chocolate Cheesecake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon Chocolate cheesecake</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">P.S. I am still in training for my upcoming races. Saturday and Sunday the 20th and 21st I am running at Disney. September I'm headed to Montreal for a marathon and finally the TCS NYC Marathon. I will keep you posted on the fundraising efforts for New York. I also am loving my new camera zoom lens. Check out some of my photos for sale <a href="https://www.twenty20.com/ColleenWait/photos" target="_blank">Twenty20</a> and <a href="https://www.foap.com/search?q=MrsWait&objects=photos&per_page=150&page=1" target="_blank">FOAP</a>.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-88658066311171682092015-12-23T17:37:00.000-05:002015-12-23T17:37:10.011-05:00For the love of Gingerbread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsPvvepSS1cbpYr6YdqG1RgQnEMP3xyuvZGcDlsQIv1bxu49UmOqNg8_tCMUlgtt3Ungt6Msc18YdUNBWWRA7vszHudQEXv_d54_YGe4WbVmwm8F93uPQaV65AeebY_bCUgryNHOG8Ng/s1600/Support+my+journeyto+the+NY+Marathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsPvvepSS1cbpYr6YdqG1RgQnEMP3xyuvZGcDlsQIv1bxu49UmOqNg8_tCMUlgtt3Ungt6Msc18YdUNBWWRA7vszHudQEXv_d54_YGe4WbVmwm8F93uPQaV65AeebY_bCUgryNHOG8Ng/s320/Support+my+journeyto+the+NY+Marathon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Years ago, when my children were very young, I made sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies. We spent hours together in the kitchen baking and decorating the cookies. I must have gone through three or four icing recipes until I was able to get it 'just right'. As the kids grew older and we all got busier, the tradition died out and was replaced with simple, less time consuming recipes. Then, I became allergic to dairy and my whole recipe world changed. It's been years since I've made gingerbread men and, quite frankly, I thought I could never eat them again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until, that is, I discovered Google search and alternatives for butter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, I made my very first batch of vegan gingerbread cookies and they are as delicious as I remember them to be. I haven't delved into the icing yet. Leaving that for the kids (now grown up) to do on Christmas Eve. This recipe takes some time. Grab your kids, an apron, and have fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">INGREDIENTS:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1-1/2 cup sugar in the raw (you can put it in the Ninja and grind it smaller if you'd like)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup molasses</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 c unsweetened almond milk (not vanilla flavored)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 cups whole wheat flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp nutmeg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2-1/2 tsp ginger</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp vanilla extract</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350 F.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a medium sized bowl, add the sugar, oil, molasses and milk. Mix with a wire whisk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a mixing bowl sift together the flour and the rest of the dry ingredients. Add the wet. Mix until well incorporated. Roll dough into a ball and slightly flatten. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roll half of the dough onto a silicone baking mat to approximately 1/8 inch. Not greased. May add a bit of flour. Cut out your shapes. Remove the 'negative' dough leaving the shapes in place. Bake for approximately 5-7 minutes depending on the thickness. When the edges start to brown, they are done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Allow to cool for a few minutes. Less than five is plenty. Use a metal spatula to transfer to a cooling rack or paper towels. Repeat until dough is used. Refrigerate cookies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To ice, mix 1/2 c powdered sugar with 1/2 TBS unsweetened almond milk or your favorite icing.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIInOAzSDqDP9kp2ylgGfi-ElzxXNrgMtuFJBT3aYrr-rZwTiCLglxHr32-Z_0FeN5uILkSobtM6RJNM-X67mKwLAKGPJJ46M8lpGLqjPx88Czuchvg8Wynm4c490NWrLZ-WFdF9jqhU/s1600/IMG_6033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIInOAzSDqDP9kp2ylgGfi-ElzxXNrgMtuFJBT3aYrr-rZwTiCLglxHr32-Z_0FeN5uILkSobtM6RJNM-X67mKwLAKGPJJ46M8lpGLqjPx88Czuchvg8Wynm4c490NWrLZ-WFdF9jqhU/s320/IMG_6033.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gather your ingredients</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wUAGe5cjbDqLTvL9OIfNlOfZ0QyOJ_q-FH6_hCpz3McrUQZLZg5gEpni_WfdPTLZZtgD9D_7v-FTyI-PhmvyETiVYmcVLkJdQ3GMQLz402SwNoZYbv0y96qsvYdcGBBnGoaoniz4CYc/s1600/IMG_6040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wUAGe5cjbDqLTvL9OIfNlOfZ0QyOJ_q-FH6_hCpz3McrUQZLZg5gEpni_WfdPTLZZtgD9D_7v-FTyI-PhmvyETiVYmcVLkJdQ3GMQLz402SwNoZYbv0y96qsvYdcGBBnGoaoniz4CYc/s320/IMG_6040.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mix then place on plastic wrap</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGU5qeC20z9ZSCQ8cMQTj5svtzXAjnN2LHQZ8gHCzxaqinkZ4GQXrVdsxMYHEzrCdr1g3-H1yfbEsf9WWf1DZWfxqHi-gGImt0knwguUm7Q3jrsQ8tGdzcekiLdhiXBaIHABJM_BP6uc/s1600/IMG_6041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGU5qeC20z9ZSCQ8cMQTj5svtzXAjnN2LHQZ8gHCzxaqinkZ4GQXrVdsxMYHEzrCdr1g3-H1yfbEsf9WWf1DZWfxqHi-gGImt0knwguUm7Q3jrsQ8tGdzcekiLdhiXBaIHABJM_BP6uc/s320/IMG_6041.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrap and chill</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W7LZ1J3w17iwcLcNrTtNhzPvmT562otorL1s7cHZxrFcvoIf7cTbX4jQEqYGIYy02es-FH184R-Nk7-WyheWEOoDBlV_9qArpGBcGRlyyIOqJ9qgNrEbcJl_1uYNpvvNh_eFVMVWEAI/s1600/IMG_6048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W7LZ1J3w17iwcLcNrTtNhzPvmT562otorL1s7cHZxrFcvoIf7cTbX4jQEqYGIYy02es-FH184R-Nk7-WyheWEOoDBlV_9qArpGBcGRlyyIOqJ9qgNrEbcJl_1uYNpvvNh_eFVMVWEAI/s320/IMG_6048.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take out of refrigerator and roll out to 1/8 inch</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7XaWLcfW8aV13DDHU4ArB-I27tUCg-nWZpeWJ7iYCe46PjDAFfqoMUCTXeUKxWp1qqlCI-2IifhCNQ5iLqXDs2npvdV5tzFL_c9IxAyF692PZlGbh42wgRhKKaMfrtCkGRK2lQIv_q8/s1600/IMG_6049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7XaWLcfW8aV13DDHU4ArB-I27tUCg-nWZpeWJ7iYCe46PjDAFfqoMUCTXeUKxWp1qqlCI-2IifhCNQ5iLqXDs2npvdV5tzFL_c9IxAyF692PZlGbh42wgRhKKaMfrtCkGRK2lQIv_q8/s400/IMG_6049.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut out your shapes</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYmfiyGpVSOVAA8Qho6dZfUqg4GU0TkG_UQfzN3C65A3_ym2W1E1yDoCPiH5fdk8Wp4pacqmgRDn0FBGA-2ncRN1Wh4tQVFsos1sJf6k0_K9dJmTZ6v4yGElQvGmKww83t1UcZ9QUPxg/s1600/IMG_6050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYmfiyGpVSOVAA8Qho6dZfUqg4GU0TkG_UQfzN3C65A3_ym2W1E1yDoCPiH5fdk8Wp4pacqmgRDn0FBGA-2ncRN1Wh4tQVFsos1sJf6k0_K9dJmTZ6v4yGElQvGmKww83t1UcZ9QUPxg/s400/IMG_6050.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remove unwanted dough</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTK1ureHBI8NbJpaDWBXU67EN9MAmszmYqyQhi4ftU3YeFbqhcp0b-OXjj1kpK2FyR9jgfLOZb0DStElNSc4BMZ2D5qCZz6T__312gcLQ6FITliETMkw8jJLY0NvS6NhwnYJUPu8HA3NE/s1600/IMG_6051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTK1ureHBI8NbJpaDWBXU67EN9MAmszmYqyQhi4ftU3YeFbqhcp0b-OXjj1kpK2FyR9jgfLOZb0DStElNSc4BMZ2D5qCZz6T__312gcLQ6FITliETMkw8jJLY0NvS6NhwnYJUPu8HA3NE/s640/IMG_6051.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bake and enjoy!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGfcZ9_qwGaUc6MdTr-HIK9AgRFaZnu0JGCwGDSFqSuXhOqRmC4nNWDMmdvMuv1fwiTE4fLCLrJWA2lakXFx6qX0QKzQxj-lkMXsJ7hmTTTEUwpdh6Fxp6OdylcrtLOSQmZHxXpzVCwk/s1600/IMG_6052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGfcZ9_qwGaUc6MdTr-HIK9AgRFaZnu0JGCwGDSFqSuXhOqRmC4nNWDMmdvMuv1fwiTE4fLCLrJWA2lakXFx6qX0QKzQxj-lkMXsJ7hmTTTEUwpdh6Fxp6OdylcrtLOSQmZHxXpzVCwk/s640/IMG_6052.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegan, dairy-free gingerbread men</td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-67494366550002160162015-12-22T11:39:00.000-05:002015-12-22T11:39:24.120-05:00Pumpkin Pistachio Cookies and Pumpkin Graham Bread<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My love for all things pumpkin continues. I think I've turned into a bit of a food mad scientist. I think of a few ingredients and ponder what I can create with them. Then, I Google the ingredients. When something catches my eye, I look at the recipe and immediately start altering it in my head. Switch this flour for that flour, this sugar for that, this fat for theirs, etc. Below are two that I've recently been playing with. The Pumpkin Pistachio Cookies are a big hit. They are moist and not as sweet as a typical chocolate cookie. The Pumpkin Graham Bread has a nutty flavor, very different from traditional pumpkin breads. Hope you enjoy and let me know how you've altered my recipe to fit your taste buds!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PUMPKIN PISTACHIO COOKIES:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 c whole wheat flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 c rolled oats, ground fine or oat flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 TBS raw cacao powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 c chopped raw pistachio nuts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 c finely ground raw pumpkin seeds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/4 c sugar of choice. I use raw local honey. Vegans may use Agave.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 c warm (softened or melted) coconut oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 c natural applesauce, room temperature</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 TBS almond milk at room temperature or warmed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 c pumpkin puree</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Optional, 1/4 c semisweet, diary-free chocolate chips</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 325. Have a silicone baking pad ready. Do not grease or spray with Pam. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liquid ingredients need to be warm to prevent the coconut oil from solidifying.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mix dry then add wet ingredients. The mixture will be very soft and wet. Once well mixed, put the silicone pad into the oven. Using a melon ball or cookie scoop, scoop the mix and put on the pad. (I tried using a baking sheet and parchment paper but the cookies stuck. It was a big mess trying to place the dough onto the pad and then move it to the oven.) Either leave the cookie as is or press down with two fingers. Bake approximately 6 minutes then let cool for 2 or 3 minutes before removing from the silicone pad. I use a metal spatula or let them cool a few more and just remove with my fingers. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyURckgdVJF17_SvRRUvPKIV04KfNyaMx00E8F4h0jSNYCa35Ckvf4QubsaPAcHwSJrZwRagCJ2QrcA0nDFWwrHW9YtaAnunzQxgJGoB9Sv8vFiXFXkd3WJIJJsP8WIoDIjDPxSkmNGho/s1600/IMG_5862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyURckgdVJF17_SvRRUvPKIV04KfNyaMx00E8F4h0jSNYCa35Ckvf4QubsaPAcHwSJrZwRagCJ2QrcA0nDFWwrHW9YtaAnunzQxgJGoB9Sv8vFiXFXkd3WJIJJsP8WIoDIjDPxSkmNGho/s400/IMG_5862.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin Pistachio cookies</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PUMPKIN GRAHAM BREAD</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made some graham crackers last month and had graham flour left over. Had pumpkin left over from the pumpkin pistachio cookies. Hmmm... put the two together?? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 c oat flour, ground fine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 c graham flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/4 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp nutmeg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 c pumpkin puree</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 c coconut oil, melted</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 eggs (vegans sub with flax seed)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 c + 1 TBS honey or agave (or maple syrup)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 c almond milk, warmed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 c ground/chopped pumpkin seeds for the topping</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350. Spray two 3 x 5 loaf pan with Pam.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mix dry then wet. Pour mixture into pan then press pumpkin seeds onto the top. Bake approximately 20-25 minutes until toothpick comes out dry. Cool then wrap in plastic wrap. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVhJS21B7LWKOlgGYoaLw1rQsMwoi9XKQND0aTBcyYuwWtzmD4U05ZuQCpLIHXgCs4AT6hGWTwAsgFw3I7OBmkafy5W8Gtwge51UkL76FBRkKmvJpcOOznBcXdKlhImwbIqmtuJtn6-Y/s1600/IMG_6018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVhJS21B7LWKOlgGYoaLw1rQsMwoi9XKQND0aTBcyYuwWtzmD4U05ZuQCpLIHXgCs4AT6hGWTwAsgFw3I7OBmkafy5W8Gtwge51UkL76FBRkKmvJpcOOznBcXdKlhImwbIqmtuJtn6-Y/s640/IMG_6018.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin Graham Bread</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWU9M5aIjuFI1Ei47Og8IkkYTpcerBJusJgFUmsXlew6NqOnclT7jXHhbCDVkJNoS3wq2tRbVtSFaHoxp7ehETVjQjykYdVjJfyhT4A1kko72xvTtFFsrq4jS-jnIRvzR94OhFLBngZFk/s1600/IMG_6012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWU9M5aIjuFI1Ei47Og8IkkYTpcerBJusJgFUmsXlew6NqOnclT7jXHhbCDVkJNoS3wq2tRbVtSFaHoxp7ehETVjQjykYdVjJfyhT4A1kko72xvTtFFsrq4jS-jnIRvzR94OhFLBngZFk/s320/IMG_6012.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin Graham Bread, muffin</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgI2pCKg9qK1UIElc4EgH5yaLctj-b9fGbWkwu7QwSCVHPGrpVJwOg-qXb13oUpKJd5z7TqqSs6GLyEWed7nJUu6OwF_5sF5_wvuUsL7Qs0nbjVxisLy3YPTGhs2oYRUPoYF19ZZ4uWzU/s1600/IMG_5777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgI2pCKg9qK1UIElc4EgH5yaLctj-b9fGbWkwu7QwSCVHPGrpVJwOg-qXb13oUpKJd5z7TqqSs6GLyEWed7nJUu6OwF_5sF5_wvuUsL7Qs0nbjVxisLy3YPTGhs2oYRUPoYF19ZZ4uWzU/s320/IMG_5777.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graham cracker sandwich</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMt7XgpKFgcd4Gy36XDo-SOvGlV4CZ1fvipFjsiDLgzGZog1b1zs-C-h9DDZaC5R-fEDibZkz9Aa_totbiMlgaeXYU5mN45Eqy9n7AJ8ky_lkNxL2sFpMWNvrLEdYYVxnqK97DYg8g2s/s1600/IMG_6006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMt7XgpKFgcd4Gy36XDo-SOvGlV4CZ1fvipFjsiDLgzGZog1b1zs-C-h9DDZaC5R-fEDibZkz9Aa_totbiMlgaeXYU5mN45Eqy9n7AJ8ky_lkNxL2sFpMWNvrLEdYYVxnqK97DYg8g2s/s400/IMG_6006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookies for Christmas</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 c whole wheat flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2-1/2 c graham flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 TBS coconut oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 c almond milk, warm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 c honey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 c brown sugar (raw or honey or agave)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 c water, as needed</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Combine wet, then dry in food processor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roll out on lightly floured surface about 1/8 inch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Score for ease of cutting after baking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake 350 6-8 minutes on silicone mat.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaBnQBiMKWTpiKzlq6jQ-zq8pVwGV00ttq3BxaJlRtpdHXjkhoGktFlk5OxU3LrvONuVdgZTYhwfMRla3Nt9oYN7VTXDJ3XTjKw-ZuDw-OFaFC4nLwsQkYqX9LFvrYcilJRS-ZTNOFr4/s1600/IMG_5746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaBnQBiMKWTpiKzlq6jQ-zq8pVwGV00ttq3BxaJlRtpdHXjkhoGktFlk5OxU3LrvONuVdgZTYhwfMRla3Nt9oYN7VTXDJ3XTjKw-ZuDw-OFaFC4nLwsQkYqX9LFvrYcilJRS-ZTNOFr4/s400/IMG_5746.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graham crackers with strawberry chia jam</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2W2NoTgXTAqNt7SZ8g39mFb3unC_4IWD_7atvWoMBphr4H216eNv42PYquTVQsY41SVnwaAD9Nub0Qslu5537O6NJrzPrBGb0LuC-Rs5wx4FbMklP07lkYEqXBhMLfs4CNK3QYzEmtJo/s1600/Support+my+journeyto+the+NY+Marathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2W2NoTgXTAqNt7SZ8g39mFb3unC_4IWD_7atvWoMBphr4H216eNv42PYquTVQsY41SVnwaAD9Nub0Qslu5537O6NJrzPrBGb0LuC-Rs5wx4FbMklP07lkYEqXBhMLfs4CNK3QYzEmtJo/s640/Support+my+journeyto+the+NY+Marathon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/ColleenNYCMarathon" target="_blank">GoFundMe for NYC Marathon</a></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-42068760417753449792015-12-17T10:10:00.000-05:002015-12-17T10:10:07.997-05:00The Road to New York City<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is that time of year where people start setting goals and plans for the upcoming New Year. I do not believe in resolutions, have never made them. Goals are different. They are tangible things that you work toward with an end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For 2016 I have a lofty goal that I need your help with. I plan on racing in the 2016 TCS NY Marathon! I'm not sure if anyone from my town has done this. I'll have to find out. In any event, please consider helping in any way you can whether by donating money, spreading the word, or donating an item for raffle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/ColleenNYCMarathon" target="_blank">Read all about my GoFundMe campaign here.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Share my GoFundMe link: <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/ColleenNYCMarathon" target="_blank">https://www.gofundme.com/ColleenNYCMarathon</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learn about the TCS NYC Marathon: <a href="http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/" target="_blank">http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIvUZJjmYMSQZdaW3w69yg2_zKWVwDAFPtTAHyHKZ_US_7BXdfhTfn28JJTluI-i2OYmt0vi97xh3aLig-khmAcHRyjkw6u6IwyGLArYXbBaOonH-9bC6Wg9NromAjLURVAnye7KHCXQ/s1600/IMG_5877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIvUZJjmYMSQZdaW3w69yg2_zKWVwDAFPtTAHyHKZ_US_7BXdfhTfn28JJTluI-i2OYmt0vi97xh3aLig-khmAcHRyjkw6u6IwyGLArYXbBaOonH-9bC6Wg9NromAjLURVAnye7KHCXQ/s640/IMG_5877.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/ColleenNYCMarathon" target="_blank">Let's race New York.</a> </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-40442052790820264672015-12-05T15:35:00.001-05:002015-12-05T15:36:30.883-05:00Gluten-free flatbread<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I was a little girl my mother made this salad called 3-bean salad. I hated it. She made it with garbanzo beans and two other beans, red beans and something else I cannot remember. Ever since, the word garbanzo immediately elicited a YUK face. Fast forward a whole lot of years and I've been experimenting with all kinds of foods and, surprise surprise, I started making hummus. I like hummus and have developed several recipes. A short time ago I came across a recipe for chickpea flatbread. Hmmm, I thought, I wonder if I could do something with that? Sure enough, I did something with that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's pretty easy actually. Or it can be difficult. All depends on how much time you want to put into it and the tools you have available. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The basic recipe is 1:1 chickpea flour to water plus salt, garlic, and herbs of choice. I've used parsley and a mix of oregano and basil. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First, I ground the dried chickpeas. Took forever in my little Ninja chopper, but worked well. Recipe called for baking it on parchment paper. Tried it. The bread stuck. Next, I tried it on a silicone mat, preheated with a non-stick spray. Perfect. Only problem was my oven wasn't level so I had to prop it up with pot holders. The next batch, I took the chickpeas that hadn't been completely ground and soaked them in water approximately 1 cup to 1 cup ratio. Let them soak for about an hour then added garlic, salt, oregano and basil. This batch was a little thicker and easier to pour onto the silicone mat. Yum. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a great substitute for regular bread if you are glucose intolerant or allergic. Haven't tried without the garlic but I'm sure I will be doing some more experimenting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">RECIPE:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup chickpea flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3-4 cloves garlic, minced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 TBS parsley or oregano and basil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 tsp salt</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bake on Silicone mat 375 15 minutes or until edges turn brown. (preheat the mat)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oR4E6c8n2qz5U1RdiOvSp0TtytD1r_Nwpj5UbQYiyDVMW3sII3jBFJFLSg7HvqumURrBsqDmlYUOMO3g96u4Sr46K452Ych-JpRHuiTDfPurQSkrcVmmBxDonpef8tVhULnbOINuciI/s1600/IMG_5875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oR4E6c8n2qz5U1RdiOvSp0TtytD1r_Nwpj5UbQYiyDVMW3sII3jBFJFLSg7HvqumURrBsqDmlYUOMO3g96u4Sr46K452Ych-JpRHuiTDfPurQSkrcVmmBxDonpef8tVhULnbOINuciI/s320/IMG_5875.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickpea flatbread</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ3rIG5ndnkLlIH6GqQgwGKXjicwUQju-2f0f4KH8cDp6sjymvIJt2WXgkSRmQw0B6tMsWWK9krEZBTom3wfrRECGH1Pa6gabFT-cr-pY6ehoCksopbVYfMl-ry8XaFqrs4XuDTTRCDY/s1600/IMG_5876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ3rIG5ndnkLlIH6GqQgwGKXjicwUQju-2f0f4KH8cDp6sjymvIJt2WXgkSRmQw0B6tMsWWK9krEZBTom3wfrRECGH1Pa6gabFT-cr-pY6ehoCksopbVYfMl-ry8XaFqrs4XuDTTRCDY/s320/IMG_5876.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closeup of chickpea flatbread</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdS_mvhfs3jgiitZEYFgou3Iij7O3H1g_LIN-F4Yynmr_p-oSZSfSqqopl6JjOTEkgz0ViOCwOSK25IyOBWYsgK7zMX-ZTOdDudaN8HfEmfYwuAG7pJY2Kq7oYTMl2jGb2BHxXHfHU40/s1600/IMG_5877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdS_mvhfs3jgiitZEYFgou3Iij7O3H1g_LIN-F4Yynmr_p-oSZSfSqqopl6JjOTEkgz0ViOCwOSK25IyOBWYsgK7zMX-ZTOdDudaN8HfEmfYwuAG7pJY2Kq7oYTMl2jGb2BHxXHfHU40/s320/IMG_5877.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonus photo. Runner medalian</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-1712912802810168802015-10-08T13:35:00.000-04:002015-10-08T13:35:25.480-04:00Pumpkin Soup a recipe in pictures<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I eat pumpkin all year round. Love it in cookies and bread and energy bars. When the bright orange gourds start showing up in the stores and farmer's markets it is time for soup! Pumpkin Soup! Made with the real thing and not the canned puree. Here is the recipe in photos. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PUf6DDKOx_byZaBMOqCS_aS2Jk3qEtiTn5LJA7fwM0gSyUKSyD4agE3hIcVtoh3iU-P9DcPXpu_ZQLlkEW06QMeOQSIPPq0Bv5BBEydOCoKbAx23-Hv3oadeZx_3WqavwElAKy8WNiU/s1600/IMG_5111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PUf6DDKOx_byZaBMOqCS_aS2Jk3qEtiTn5LJA7fwM0gSyUKSyD4agE3hIcVtoh3iU-P9DcPXpu_ZQLlkEW06QMeOQSIPPq0Bv5BBEydOCoKbAx23-Hv3oadeZx_3WqavwElAKy8WNiU/s640/IMG_5111.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wash your pumpkins and prepare a baking tray.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyfzE1DBd5aZb1KhQrnd6XvliQr_kLfjT-o574xtWTZV9nKJTFse1FwyjyyYzKRsXVyOqAF9BwQ8iwKHdQIegZYqyj30oNia7Gevv93I5foEqsNT_laTs1twFtiF15GxZRw_WMDbbQNc/s1600/IMG_5112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyfzE1DBd5aZb1KhQrnd6XvliQr_kLfjT-o574xtWTZV9nKJTFse1FwyjyyYzKRsXVyOqAF9BwQ8iwKHdQIegZYqyj30oNia7Gevv93I5foEqsNT_laTs1twFtiF15GxZRw_WMDbbQNc/s640/IMG_5112.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slice the pumpkins in half.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VowshZ8t433tRcLaOrsnTHw-PEUj9EZAZBmmsW_hfmi4DmOlkJagy7ctw8iKhDT0-EmR8hVmqNC60KrLH6CODaPBwMbW1SuY3zTlPuGX03YleqOotgyLtx-C9VU9liW6fYqXOc2ITfA/s1600/IMG_5113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VowshZ8t433tRcLaOrsnTHw-PEUj9EZAZBmmsW_hfmi4DmOlkJagy7ctw8iKhDT0-EmR8hVmqNC60KrLH6CODaPBwMbW1SuY3zTlPuGX03YleqOotgyLtx-C9VU9liW6fYqXOc2ITfA/s320/IMG_5113.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scoop out the seeds and save for later. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toasting instructions to follow.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcZh-rJVTQbeWasLkYeWZhFF4WZs9St0ojsNvI6kDLOpaCyMGEiO6m9b3-IfuZz2YJtQb5ccLJlpnkNaCHp_3VWIFKEnEMxTyfPkmo7wsjZuZmodFAkLo468XKFk-NN2xNIxSuS7rqwA/s1600/IMG_5116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcZh-rJVTQbeWasLkYeWZhFF4WZs9St0ojsNvI6kDLOpaCyMGEiO6m9b3-IfuZz2YJtQb5ccLJlpnkNaCHp_3VWIFKEnEMxTyfPkmo7wsjZuZmodFAkLo468XKFk-NN2xNIxSuS7rqwA/s400/IMG_5116.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GWGqMWREwxlQagZMAUI3WGXU_w6WyFTIfZuofIy6ukS12nj9t062uGp0_61ZSX0FxGCa3eIIoAaL89HRkHpKEpvgSuLS-dYvrnobpzYLTsCA0jkCNP_Ea0Q37E_m2efhr7pt7Qd-3nk/s1600/IMG_5117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GWGqMWREwxlQagZMAUI3WGXU_w6WyFTIfZuofIy6ukS12nj9t062uGp0_61ZSX0FxGCa3eIIoAaL89HRkHpKEpvgSuLS-dYvrnobpzYLTsCA0jkCNP_Ea0Q37E_m2efhr7pt7Qd-3nk/s400/IMG_5117.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake on 350F for one hour until meat is fork tender. Scoop out the meat and put into a large bowl. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BbrwHZN1TYYSjrpJc_Vgzp7Ez95wwwQDeyHuOq4Z8f0YOvH42n6xSLIvewCllcVMea-k6OgeR6_SSF-2fb6uCh29pkHpJVA7HJBNwWw0VstsME-SwMxGEMz400GRtD749XBRVpbIkG8/s1600/IMG_5119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BbrwHZN1TYYSjrpJc_Vgzp7Ez95wwwQDeyHuOq4Z8f0YOvH42n6xSLIvewCllcVMea-k6OgeR6_SSF-2fb6uCh29pkHpJVA7HJBNwWw0VstsME-SwMxGEMz400GRtD749XBRVpbIkG8/s400/IMG_5119.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a large pot put 2 TBS of red curry paste. Heat on medium until warm, about 2-3 minutes. Add the pumpkin 2 cups water and 2 TBS of extra virgin olive oil. Using an emersion blender, puree until smooth. Add one can of coconut milk, 1/2 TBS chili powder, 1/4 TBS curry powder, and one clove of garlic. . Salt to taste. Simmer until you cannot stand the smell any longer and MUST ladle yourself a giant bowl full. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IofDKhqTJ7Zjx2rt21SmeT4zJ2uIae0UptfN8wkFhbjZKwVgdvuE21BfvdBE2QcahPtJyQGl2JHPkoyS9I9XhyY5b1uI-Hht1bkpfW2YDYeUUtBlHe_Gd8t1yMgQZ9CHMXhvt6CN2cc/s1600/IMG_5120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IofDKhqTJ7Zjx2rt21SmeT4zJ2uIae0UptfN8wkFhbjZKwVgdvuE21BfvdBE2QcahPtJyQGl2JHPkoyS9I9XhyY5b1uI-Hht1bkpfW2YDYeUUtBlHe_Gd8t1yMgQZ9CHMXhvt6CN2cc/s400/IMG_5120.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZR8u6hYDJFb3xo0QNGJ7165ZRDeKz9BaGbFZfiellOwO0NZzLXpsyuTFXU8u_aJlGZgvp3yu4l06s1Nn8TSUH5ASiTFfhbUnd5h-8O7ebWSj9VBM_JXzTcskylgfadlRJ7t8IwzUw3WE/s1600/IMG_5121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZR8u6hYDJFb3xo0QNGJ7165ZRDeKz9BaGbFZfiellOwO0NZzLXpsyuTFXU8u_aJlGZgvp3yu4l06s1Nn8TSUH5ASiTFfhbUnd5h-8O7ebWSj9VBM_JXzTcskylgfadlRJ7t8IwzUw3WE/s640/IMG_5121.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut Curry Pumpkin Soup</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBOHQbBO5SETLSgFTmRtMMcsyC3xWo07ywAgC9OYv_1pdzcg2W-at0ry-0bRAdGeQcccGvLLJNxJjITf6dh5TxoOWDivGaN9ADyJHNe_EZIHxCR9lRD5VvKW4Z-9FIEpcq7Vtc5HPPvs/s1600/IMG_5113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBOHQbBO5SETLSgFTmRtMMcsyC3xWo07ywAgC9OYv_1pdzcg2W-at0ry-0bRAdGeQcccGvLLJNxJjITf6dh5TxoOWDivGaN9ADyJHNe_EZIHxCR9lRD5VvKW4Z-9FIEpcq7Vtc5HPPvs/s400/IMG_5113.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wash the scooped seeds and remove the orange fleshy bits. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwi3kWhun6VttR2P5O0PsZxRXehXP1BaCmNd_Nf4O2mr2mTTucQChgTpF3ktRqgp4sY3zIEbwehT4yhf6ycqsXT82NnAZCYKs22LGvxbX7Ks5EnWfrkEP28MVwTlokg9rzEIRQPhOlDo/s1600/IMG_5115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwi3kWhun6VttR2P5O0PsZxRXehXP1BaCmNd_Nf4O2mr2mTTucQChgTpF3ktRqgp4sY3zIEbwehT4yhf6ycqsXT82NnAZCYKs22LGvxbX7Ks5EnWfrkEP28MVwTlokg9rzEIRQPhOlDo/s400/IMG_5115.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sprinkle foil-lined pan with olive oil, spread out seeds. Sprinkle on top of seeds salt and pumpkin pie spice. Toast in oven at 200 to 250F until dry and toasted, about 30-45 minutes. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-84766001133245849722015-09-21T11:07:00.000-04:002015-09-21T11:07:17.213-04:00Obstacles or Opportunities?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning I began my run about an hour and a half later than usual even though it was hot and humid outside because it is trash day. No, I'm not averse to trash trucks or the people who work on them. It's the bears. You see, bears have been spotted in and around my neighborhood in the wee hours morning of trash day, the same time of day that I like to run. Starting a run late is a big deal in Florida, in September, when the humidity is above 85%. I chose to use the extra time to gett a little extra sleep and do my strength workout. The bears presented an obstacle that I turned into an opportunity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you do when faced with an unplanned and immediate decision? A roadblock or obstacle in your life? I suppose it all depends on the circumstances. Does it look like photo on the left or photo on the right?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0Fg6_wRU-YeocFiJBEDLA4v1wFU5f6goOuVMXDuF61B1uBiZmnW3nSTuIjmVa9xXgrJhMSDhOe9ZZJ9tRpRU9ocMFwd-Lr3hqKz2qq_J-MrTj21enRSE6xeuwyw_NCT1EHFarBHEOX0/s1600/IMG_2828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0Fg6_wRU-YeocFiJBEDLA4v1wFU5f6goOuVMXDuF61B1uBiZmnW3nSTuIjmVa9xXgrJhMSDhOe9ZZJ9tRpRU9ocMFwd-Lr3hqKz2qq_J-MrTj21enRSE6xeuwyw_NCT1EHFarBHEOX0/s400/IMG_2828.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Daedun - big obstacle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uTI0tQYRJywjxxzhbomiWKH9j0SHWhvoNGv1oqQuCLgpOmCdw-bkF280i8zlU6L9J463JaE_Mcb8OBQEvq5IveLXOdYBPDBDCfUjkAp6K0xWanzHWTtXfjGLKvPkenRgBDu1X7MVvrk/s1600/IMG_4923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uTI0tQYRJywjxxzhbomiWKH9j0SHWhvoNGv1oqQuCLgpOmCdw-bkF280i8zlU6L9J463JaE_Mcb8OBQEvq5IveLXOdYBPDBDCfUjkAp6K0xWanzHWTtXfjGLKvPkenRgBDu1X7MVvrk/s400/IMG_4923.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little pile of dirt - small obstacle</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are basically four things we can do when faced with obstacles, perceived or real. We can stop and turn around, go around, go over it, or tear it down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stopping and turning around may look like giving up, however, it my be God's way of telling you that you are going the wrong way in the first place. Perhaps there is danger on the other side. Perhaps you aren't supposed to go that way or do that thing now, or ever. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If the obstacle is perceived as major, but easily dealt with, you might decide to simply go around. It's not truly a roadblock, only a hindrance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like to see things as opportunities. In fact I had another opportunity on my run this morning. While running around one of my favorite parks I came across this sign:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJa3EDwRYtusXbzN8aoBnyFWOzZWsg2bPf9gAAK6MewS0mV8Tev2dfxeAffHImJau3zFXK0D-sNf99EmNkjDlG894cXLLFBdVNKndJmJ8O3jSHN0pTeQDWx9mirta1QhUibpui6CqhR0/s1600/IMG_4921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJa3EDwRYtusXbzN8aoBnyFWOzZWsg2bPf9gAAK6MewS0mV8Tev2dfxeAffHImJau3zFXK0D-sNf99EmNkjDlG894cXLLFBdVNKndJmJ8O3jSHN0pTeQDWx9mirta1QhUibpui6CqhR0/s400/IMG_4921.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead of turning around, I went around the sign and ran up and over the 2.5-foot high pile of dirt and thought, "this looks like a fun training route". In fact, I went back and forth several times during my sprint repeats.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are extremely adventurous and determined and certain of your path, you and I can turn the obstacle into an opportunity to tear down fears and boundaries.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kEWUGD7OXZG1OuYV7MqH-XAboje1HWVZuXhFIZRm90KxNTVVQU-O_67DmQrQRX9pxVLCpBjRK5LRT94CiydM3LLyyJ5ms0ogbOl6d1XkYAK-ub520azspCHcOFghD43_4HWm88yYY80/s1600/IMG_4922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kEWUGD7OXZG1OuYV7MqH-XAboje1HWVZuXhFIZRm90KxNTVVQU-O_67DmQrQRX9pxVLCpBjRK5LRT94CiydM3LLyyJ5ms0ogbOl6d1XkYAK-ub520azspCHcOFghD43_4HWm88yYY80/s320/IMG_4922.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe in shifting the paradigm! Turn those obstacles into opportunities, each and every one of them. I believe it so much I put it to use today. On my way home while facing the two 'dreaded hills' that my brain usually whines, "I can't. Must walk." I was thinking about shifting the paradigms and saying to myself "obstacle or opportunity" over and over again I decided those dreaded hills were opportunities to change my thinking. Those hills were opportunities to get stronger, mentally and physically </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul, in the book of Romans (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+1&version=NIV" target="_blank">Romans 1:13</a>) <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">writes that he desired to go to Rome but he was prevented, by God. God had other plans for Paul and he recognized it. Read also the following verses about obstacles and think about all of the ones that Jesus faced, especially when he was tempted by Satan. What an obstacle that was! Would have been for me. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+17%3A20&version=NIV" target="_blank">Matthew 17:20</a> ...<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Truly I tell you, if you have faith</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23721Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23721Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> as small as a mustard seed,</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23721R" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23721R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23721S" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23721S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Nothing will be impossible for you.”</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+57&version=NIV" target="_blank">Isaiah 57:14</a> <span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">14 </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">And it will be said:</span><br />
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<span class="text Isa-57-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">“Build up, build up, prepare the road!<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18780AL" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18780AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-57-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%204:1-11" target="_blank">Matthew 4</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4&version=NIV" target="_blank">Philippians 4:6</a> <span class="text Phil-4-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29447F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29447F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Phil-4-5" id="en-NIV-29448" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29448G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29448G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>Do not be anxious about anything,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29449H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29449H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29449I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29449I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Phil-4-7" id="en-NIV-29450" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>And the peace of God,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29450J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29450J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>which transcends all understanding,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29450K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29450K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shift the paradigm! Turn your obstacles into OPPORTUNITY!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-71562222963385809732015-09-19T16:05:00.000-04:002015-09-19T16:05:26.775-04:00Saturday's Tips and Treats<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you do on Saturday? I usually try to get all my 'chores' done during the week so Saturday can be Fun Day. Today my husband and I worked in the yard, planted some new flowers in the front beds, then went to my favorite shops for nuts and honey. Once that was done, I had nothing to do. When I have nothing to do and I get bored (I get bored pretty easily) I do one of three things 1) walk on the treadmill while watching a movie or TV on my iPad 2) eat 3) get creative in the kitchen. Truth be told, I usually end up doing all three. Today, I made pineapple ice cream - (mostly)vegan and dairy-free style. Then I promptly dropped it and splattered it all over the floor! : ( Before I give you the recipe and a pre-splatter photo I'm going to give a few tips.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coconut milk: A while back I was making something with coconut milk. Only need about a quarter cup. A week or so later, I needed another quarter cup. The milk I had transferred to a container in the fridge was smelly and green. Ugh! Wasted coconut milk. I came up with (what I think) is a brilliant idea. I have a silicone chocolate mold that I use for my #Runergy bars. They hold just a touch over 1 tablespoon. I filled the molds with coconut milk, froze, then stored the cubes in the freezer. Now, I have pre-measured coconut milk whenever I need it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bananas: Do you get frustrated when you buy a bunch of bananas and a short time later before you've had time to mix them in your favorite smoothie or eaten them fresh with peanut butter they've gone too brown and you are so tired of banana bread. I mean really, how much banana bread will fit in the freezer? Solution? Buy a dozen bananas. Go ahead a whole dozen. Not the green ones, the ripe ones that no one wants. When you get home, peel, cut into thirds or fourths then wrap in plastic wrap (tightly). Put the dozen wrapped bananas in a gallon sized freezer bag and store in the freezer. Ready for a smoothie? Pull out a frozen banana. Making ice cream with avocados and bananas? Open the freezer and there it is at perfect ripeness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fresh fruit: When fruit such as blueberries and strawberries, are in season, buy as many as you can haul home. Get a clean cookie sheet or jelly roll sheet (the one with a short side so they don't fall off). Put your berries on the sheet, no touching, then into the freezer. Once completely frozen (for about 4-6 hours) put in a storage container and keep in the freezer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You've suffered through my tips so here's your reward:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pineapple ice cream:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16 ounces of frozen pineapple (you can buy a whole fresh pineapple and pre-freeze like the tip above)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 cubes of frozen coconut milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tsp vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 c honey or agave </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">shredded coconut to taste</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put all except the shreds in a food processor and puree on high until smooth. No need to wait until the ice cream freezes, it already is! Garnish with shredded coconut and, if daring, chocolate chips. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3LPb8x5k0qinEm_T_00wrdKYaqkKondS5M-tgsOlSmk9aGPhGXddbFxsilFxmKvliBppPHRw960QBm8eknMhtvO5jHZWb5AklQYTZbLhSNfwPV0XhAgdzUPfxrejQAmePXfeLlu71-s/s1600/IMG_4918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3LPb8x5k0qinEm_T_00wrdKYaqkKondS5M-tgsOlSmk9aGPhGXddbFxsilFxmKvliBppPHRw960QBm8eknMhtvO5jHZWb5AklQYTZbLhSNfwPV0XhAgdzUPfxrejQAmePXfeLlu71-s/s640/IMG_4918.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pineapple coconut ice-cream - dairyfree</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-87635958846519170262015-09-17T13:00:00.000-04:002015-09-21T12:45:58.808-04:00Who's Hungry?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I woke up hungry this morning. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I've been in the kitchen all day and for some odd reason, the theme is 'green'. Below are the recipes for Spinach Crackers, Edamame Hummus, and Chocolate Zucchini bread with pumpkin seeds. I also made granny apple chips, but you don't need a recipe, only a dehydrator. Do you know what tahini is? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spinach Crackers:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 2/3 cups whole wheat flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 TBS extra virgin olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 cup water, plus 1-2 tsp as needed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cups fresh spinach</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 c raw sunflower seeds</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 1: Puree the spinach and water until liquid. Add the sunflower seeds and pulse for a few seconds to grind. (alternatively, chop the seeds coarse separately).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 2: Put the dry ingredients in a bowl then add the wet plus evoo. Mix then knead the dough until well incorporated. If the mix is dry, add water a drop at a time until you get a bread-dough consistency.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 3: Roll the dough out on either parchment or a silicone mat. Make it thin as possible not more than 1/8th inch. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 3: Using a serrated plastic knife (don't cut your mat!) score the dough into squares.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 4: Bake 20 minutes in a preheated 400F oven. Keep watch and don't burn! If the sides start to brown, they are done. If the edges are done but not the center, break off the cooked crackers and bake the center a minute or two more.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0V8qT8cALbpMldhCNEFuLSwmbz3jr8NCy3nYDo9i9KPwnuok9cjpUdCwPTFzYC7c5ntnPrim4BNiDswTrAWDXxObqZUT19K1XDEW6RhDP2O4hncwNZPITFRXOF2DTWIlWLooDQXjF9M/s1600/IMG_4902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0V8qT8cALbpMldhCNEFuLSwmbz3jr8NCy3nYDo9i9KPwnuok9cjpUdCwPTFzYC7c5ntnPrim4BNiDswTrAWDXxObqZUT19K1XDEW6RhDP2O4hncwNZPITFRXOF2DTWIlWLooDQXjF9M/s640/IMG_4902.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edamame hummus with Spinach crackers</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Edamame Hummus</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup cooked edamame (I bought frozen then warmed)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 cup tahini*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 tsp +/- lemon juice (to taste)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 garlic clove</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp +/1 herb of choice (I used rosemary)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 TBS extra virgin olive oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 tsp salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put all ingredients in small food processor and blend until smooth. Chill and enjoy. If it is too much of a paste, add a few drops of evoo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* You can also add chopped sun dried tomatoes. Yummy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*tahini - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 1/2 c raw, unsalted sesame seeds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/4 c olive oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">puree until smooth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THAI COCONUT CURRY HUMMUS:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One 16 ounce can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 cloves of garlic</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 TBS tahini paste</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 TBS line juice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 TBS red curry paste</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 cup plus 1 TBS coconut milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 TBS olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">salt to taste</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put all ingredients in food processor and blend until very smooth. Chill. </span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3l5jL4aDFNK-HAb2WpLsDibrbTmJ55xEegFcfpPzFG8hj6TgTlGdSJqLAw6eoworjfysTtgOmFPeuZVOpw3re9W1NR6IkWorlrphVUGVOBe9a0miC5DsWUEWH-f8EjhyG5ewIZQEdGc/s1600/IMG_4927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3l5jL4aDFNK-HAb2WpLsDibrbTmJ55xEegFcfpPzFG8hj6TgTlGdSJqLAw6eoworjfysTtgOmFPeuZVOpw3re9W1NR6IkWorlrphVUGVOBe9a0miC5DsWUEWH-f8EjhyG5ewIZQEdGc/s320/IMG_4927.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingredients for Thai Coconut Curry Hummus</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEU-QV3Y-utZB0EEHddtEzobQv3GoPLBSrtI1oxNZpBUFKlMBKvd28eGJrNFZ8_1qmnO4msrycpNpdOeqDuG8d3quvJ3NM9_SHBQSN7rvbiQFMdLHn20DWcdRWDTyCedoi0o6XZeff6-k/s1600/IMG_4928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEU-QV3Y-utZB0EEHddtEzobQv3GoPLBSrtI1oxNZpBUFKlMBKvd28eGJrNFZ8_1qmnO4msrycpNpdOeqDuG8d3quvJ3NM9_SHBQSN7rvbiQFMdLHn20DWcdRWDTyCedoi0o6XZeff6-k/s320/IMG_4928.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Put ingredients into food processor</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA3hBKUmUQ5KMNAQIB-EaRCBL7ABtweX0JuNF9AxlEcgRelodI8pVcJG-DE7ptY6LzJOgktIQ_0rWr9jfQFtUgPuv5rFiV6WYwPndEWNpUGH5EODb4_cLr2MpLfxlrmzF2KEMTRn1RTU/s1600/IMG_4930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA3hBKUmUQ5KMNAQIB-EaRCBL7ABtweX0JuNF9AxlEcgRelodI8pVcJG-DE7ptY6LzJOgktIQ_0rWr9jfQFtUgPuv5rFiV6WYwPndEWNpUGH5EODb4_cLr2MpLfxlrmzF2KEMTRn1RTU/s400/IMG_4930.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoy on a Spinach cracker</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chocolate Zucchini bread with pumpkin seeds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a take on my other zucchini bread. Same basic recipe. More chocolate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 eggs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup natural applesauce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup raw local honey</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cups grated zucchini (about 1 large)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tsp vanilla extract</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cups whole wheat flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup rolled oats, coarse ground</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp baking soda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp baking powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup chopped pepitos (raw pumpkin seeds)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups dark dairy-free chocolate chips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 TBS espresso powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 1: put all the wet in a bowl, in order</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 2: put the zucchini in a food processor and coarse grind, add pumpkin seeds, pulse for a few more seconds until seeds are coarse ground, pour into dry</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 3: Coarse grind oats then chocolate chips, add to dry. Add remainder of ingredients</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 4: Spray a large muffin tin or mini loaf tray (holds 12) with Pam or other nonstick spray. Fill 3/4 full and bake for 30 minutes in a preheated 350F oven. Remove from baking pan immediately and let cool. If you want large loaf, increase baking time to 45 to 50 minutes.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOPoukqyETJnFC-myMWvWat4VYEwvaV6C77QERDUm98a7fxmTd8A56lC9X3iewZFYkeWeFYbEKv7aEVt65Mi3x64t2OqRB3sZeof0F8K6EkNzn8JOwqMctldrVqdYY2sZEMvUDMP_W4o/s1600/IMG_4905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOPoukqyETJnFC-myMWvWat4VYEwvaV6C77QERDUm98a7fxmTd8A56lC9X3iewZFYkeWeFYbEKv7aEVt65Mi3x64t2OqRB3sZeof0F8K6EkNzn8JOwqMctldrVqdYY2sZEMvUDMP_W4o/s640/IMG_4905.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate zucchini bread</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsj43aS7-a5279J4HOhg5eIUh7iRCf72LGqFo6CXT1ObboA0g6VYlCOYzjfqaZQ2lEOqTya3CfTNISfVRw05d1XSKh8afKvUdpyFsV8B1ji6BoN9oeGFBDnaX2iXmUHPIVWOI3suRDFk/s1600/IMG_4903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsj43aS7-a5279J4HOhg5eIUh7iRCf72LGqFo6CXT1ObboA0g6VYlCOYzjfqaZQ2lEOqTya3CfTNISfVRw05d1XSKh8afKvUdpyFsV8B1ji6BoN9oeGFBDnaX2iXmUHPIVWOI3suRDFk/s400/IMG_4903.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granny Smith apple chips</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the apple chips, slice with a mandolin slightly less than 1/8 inch. Sprinkle with cinnamon and dehydrate for 8-10 hours at 135F. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BONUS: Cherry non-dairy ice cream</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup coconut milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cups frozen cherries</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 TBS cacao powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Puree all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Pour into a dish and freeze. It may be a bit 'icy'. If you like it a bit premier, add half of an avocado. Just add the avocado anyway, it's really good! Top with a few dairy-free chocolate chips. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2LIkKnkOBCKS-ryUWTMSt_txoASAo4YgCIpP7ZwOyTfRN9mY21vgc8CNim5rffTtyzsizzxsxa2fM0IAuI3dXQffM5HEJ7oeRuOEXJizCrAN_bnFdru5rXJeE3r4b9DU6J-k1DdwMa0/s1600/IMG_4879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2LIkKnkOBCKS-ryUWTMSt_txoASAo4YgCIpP7ZwOyTfRN9mY21vgc8CNim5rffTtyzsizzxsxa2fM0IAuI3dXQffM5HEJ7oeRuOEXJizCrAN_bnFdru5rXJeE3r4b9DU6J-k1DdwMa0/s400/IMG_4879.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dairy-free cherry chocolate ice cream</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-25052833195685266942015-09-14T17:26:00.000-04:002015-09-14T17:26:12.720-04:00Another excellent adventure - Japan<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever been walking down the street, minding your own business, when all of a sudden it hits you, "Wow, I cannot believe I'm here!" In the past 8 years or so I have had several of these "aha" moments. Looking back on my 50 years on this planet I can see God's hand in every aspect of my life. The good, the bad, the mundane. God was there orchestrating everything. Sometimes I took a left turn or a U-turn, but He always got me back on His path. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone once said, and I paraphrase quite a bit here, "You know, it's a good thing that I did what I did to you or you wouldn't be where you are today." This statement to make the speaker feel good about their actions. The response is priceless, "Yes, I suppose so. I've never been happier in all my life than I am right now." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is true. Sometimes other people's actions are the catalyst though it is God's response, and how we respond with the love of God that leads us to the point of the "aha" moments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take late August, for example. I'm doing laundry or something and I receive a text from my husband:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Wanna go to Japan?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Yes"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Looks like I have to go. Would love for you to come with me."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Did you see any hesitation??? Of course I'll go!!!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My poor husband <i>has to go</i> to Japan. It's my wifely duty to accompany him, don't you think?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fast forward to Thursday, September 3rd. I am walking around Tokyo enjoying the sites, alone, and I stop and simply worship the Almighty. <i>I'm in Japan!! How did this happen? Thank you Lord, for all your blessings! </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I agree with everyone who says divorce is bad. Very bad. Don't ever get a divorce. Sometimes, however, sometimes God has a way of working this to his advantage. I take that back. God always has a plan. He always is working his plan. Was my divorce part of his plan? Maybe the question should be - was my first marriage part of his plan? I don't have the answers and I'm not here to start a debate. I'm simply stating the fact that had my life continued as it was going ten years ago my life and the life of my children would be so different - and not in a good way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm well aware of the fact that my husband, through God's mercy and grace, changed my life. I thank him as often as I can. I've been able to retire from my 'day job' to focus on my writing. I've been able to train and run six marathons in three states. I've been able to help my children move from student to adult in ways I would not have been. I've gone to South Korea twice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, I've been to Japan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm just so eternally grateful that it brings me to tears thinking about all of the 'what ifs', if I had not gotten divorced and remarried such a remarkable man. Sure, sure I would have survived, maybe. Seriously - maybe. I'm the first person who will tell you that the here and now, this life on earth, is fleeting and the most important thing is being obedient to God's will and knowing the promise of eternity in heaven. I do not dwell on the chaos of this world, worry about this war or that war or the hurricanes or other disasters. All I know, know for a fact, is that my life is so much better now than I could have ever imagined and I will shout it from the roof tops - THANK YOU JESUS!! (Read my book "Lessons Learned from Summer Camp" and you'll understand a little better) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This blog is about my trip to Japan, however, I had to preface it with my gratitude for being able to go and see God's people and his creation half way around the world. Japan is a beautiful country with friendly people and good food (if you like seafood). We only visited Tokyo and Mt. Fuji since our time was limited. God willing, I'll go again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now - sit back, grab some popcorn and view my YouTube videos: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v_-FmOuKbs" target="_blank">A tour of Tokyo</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8SVfK98R0g" target="_blank">Hike up Mt. Fuji</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnVQP2bMMtAsObV8Wy2Fd3VJkroVvy3rh4J8ggbzZN5EYpHm_Gn_liaguVDQ9nrHdznsberD1FIB0RcyLR_WapqYaujU7rBcEo8q409tj8pnWXeC4_UPPlN5iU6ovzhXJmCGvOR3KfKo/s1600/FujiPraise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnVQP2bMMtAsObV8Wy2Fd3VJkroVvy3rh4J8ggbzZN5EYpHm_Gn_liaguVDQ9nrHdznsberD1FIB0RcyLR_WapqYaujU7rBcEo8q409tj8pnWXeC4_UPPlN5iU6ovzhXJmCGvOR3KfKo/s640/FujiPraise.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Praising the sunrise on Mt. Fuji</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMisQRG3uZl_SsiUR4g8VKtek1xtqAzyhJkd2zdZUdQIcat6cZC6xhrfxyE1uVMa0n7bt11u2ojCjtfVesPSseE9Rle6ZOK5tnUTVXRZ-PQXgjHLgdKNcLj1sct8eV8RNBShwlo0QHvM/s1600/TopOfFuji.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMisQRG3uZl_SsiUR4g8VKtek1xtqAzyhJkd2zdZUdQIcat6cZC6xhrfxyE1uVMa0n7bt11u2ojCjtfVesPSseE9Rle6ZOK5tnUTVXRZ-PQXgjHLgdKNcLj1sct8eV8RNBShwlo0QHvM/s640/TopOfFuji.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing on the summit of Mt. Fuji</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are thinking about taking this hike, I highly recommend <a href="http://willerexpress.com/st/3/en/pc/campaign/fuji/" target="_blank">Willer Tours</a>. The entire process from booking to the end of the hike was highly orchestrated and went off without any problems whatsoever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-91353995730040711342015-08-23T17:04:00.000-04:002015-08-23T17:04:08.029-04:00Goji Berry Muffin<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you know what a Goji Berry is? I had never heard of it until recently. According to Wikipedia: </span><div>
<b style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Goji</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">, </span><b style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">goji berry</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> or </span><b style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">wolfberry</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> is the fruit of </span><i style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycium_barbarum" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Lycium barbarum">Lycium barbarum</a></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> (</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplified_Chinese_characters" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" title="Simplified Chinese characters">simplified Chinese</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">: </span><span lang="zh-Hans" style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" xml:lang="zh-Hans">宁夏枸杞</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">; </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Chinese_characters" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" title="Traditional Chinese characters">traditional Chinese</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">: </span><span lang="zh-Hant" style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" xml:lang="zh-Hant">寧夏枸杞</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">; </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinyin" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" title="Pinyin">pinyin</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">: </span><i style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span lang="zh-Latn-pinyin" xml:lang="zh-Latn-pinyin"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ningxia" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Ningxia">Níngxià</a>gǒuqǐ</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">) and </span><i style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycium_chinense" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Lycium chinense">Lycium chinense</a></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> (</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinyin" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" title="Pinyin">pinyin</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">: </span><i style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span lang="zh-Latn-pinyin" xml:lang="zh-Latn-pinyin">gǒuqǐ</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">), two closely related species of </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxthorn" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" title="Boxthorn">boxthorn</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> in the Nightshade </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_(biology)" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" title="Family (biology)">family</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanaceae" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" title="Solanaceae">Solanaceae</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">. The family also includes the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" title="Potato">potato</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" title="Tomato">tomato</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggplant" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" title="Eggplant">eggplant</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atropa_belladonna" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" title="Atropa belladonna">belladonna</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chili_pepper" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" title="Chili pepper">chili pepper</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">, and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicotiana_tabacum" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" title="Nicotiana tabacum">tobacco</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">. The two species are native to Asia.</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1" style="color: #252525; display: inline-block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goji#cite_note-1" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[1]</a></sup></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've only eaten them dried. They have a mild flavor somewhere between a raisin and a dried cherry. They are quite chewy all by themselves. I've started incorporating the berry into my granola, #Runergy bars, pancakes, and muffins. They are brightly colored, and mixed with pistachios or pumpkin seeds remind me of Christmas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below is my Goji Berry muffin recipe. Enjoy!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 c all-natural applesauce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 c raw, local honey</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 c canned coconut milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 ripe banana</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 egg</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla extract</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp baking soda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/4 c whole wheat flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1-1/4 c rolled oats (I use Quaker old fashioned)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 c raw cacao beans</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 c dried Goji berry</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put all of the wet ingredients in a large bowl. Grind the oats and cacao beans. Chop half of the Goji berries (optional). Add all the dry to the wet. Spray muffin tin with non-stick spray. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Options: Use chocolate chips instead of cacao beans. Add 1 to 2 tsp Espresso powder. Leave out the chocolate/cacao and add another fruit like blueberries or apples. Go vegan by using Agave, add chopped raw nuts such as almonds, pistachios, or pumpkin seeds. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7A21vL1et7F0JIcmsDexywOtzZ6d5ieIAxaCfj1yJfIg2hLo0TChtBlrLnFBuOgcfqci5ghaxZsLYkBDQbCVeoKvBg9v75RRysVSoLn4s43jOofLFGKSBmVfpzz0MfywC6WyisR5UI0k/s1600/IMG_4674+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7A21vL1et7F0JIcmsDexywOtzZ6d5ieIAxaCfj1yJfIg2hLo0TChtBlrLnFBuOgcfqci5ghaxZsLYkBDQbCVeoKvBg9v75RRysVSoLn4s43jOofLFGKSBmVfpzz0MfywC6WyisR5UI0k/s640/IMG_4674+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goji Berry Muffin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzAqgxnvW91v5zFeiswkZp37cNVRjHSvYzE5FULZrUUwJBrfXYM20_ILhCYd_HWoWKoWyqnxn9NozaIa1XZbnhhDxJgcEVnbqLvRl1FG4qbw57K92phtJOjRwidxjv5phFQTlbKYvslc/s1600/IMG_4677+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzAqgxnvW91v5zFeiswkZp37cNVRjHSvYzE5FULZrUUwJBrfXYM20_ILhCYd_HWoWKoWyqnxn9NozaIa1XZbnhhDxJgcEVnbqLvRl1FG4qbw57K92phtJOjRwidxjv5phFQTlbKYvslc/s640/IMG_4677+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goji Berry Muffin hot out of the oven.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-34856151147010200132015-08-05T09:58:00.003-04:002015-08-06T09:24:25.070-04:00The Road to Deseret doesn't end at the Finish Line<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is hard for me to fathom that it has been ten days since my 6th marathon. Six! I still remember my first and the vow to NEVER ever run a marathon again. Today, after six I cannot wait until the next and am daily searching for where and when. Who's the lucky city? State? Country? Lucky for me, that is. On the calendar now is the Disney Glass Slipper, a 10k on Saturday followed by the half marathon on Sunday. I will have to be satisfied with that and focus on getting faster in the half...for now....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We left off on my last post, The Road to Deseret, on workout day June 3rd. I kept a loose log after that as follows:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/5 8.5 mile run. Had some ankle pain. Walked 6.5 miles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/6 stadium circuit x8, total 4752 steps (stair steps)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/8 run, didn't log the distance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/9 to 6/15 trip to Panama. I went on two mountain hikes. No run. Lots of walking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/17 Core, treadmill with the back end hiked up on cement blocks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/18 20 miles on the West Orange trail. It was hot!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/19 walked to the high school track for stadiums. It was locked up. Walked home and did treadmill, strength for hip and core.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/20 treadmill walk with negative incline (because my race is downhill)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/21 9 miles. Sprint intervals then 1.5 miles on treadmill.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/22 9 miles then 2.5 miles on treadmill</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/23 core and strength</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/26 24.3 miles HOT! Can you tell I'm preparing for a heat wave?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/27 ITB routine from StrengthRunning.com</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/28 - Guess what I did? Kicked a plastic stool in the kitchen and broke right 4th toe. Gimme a break!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/29 6 mile sprints, squats. I'm so used to broken toes, it doesn't slow me down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/30 Core workout. Treadmill neg and positive inclines</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7/1 Sprints to prepare for 4-mile race</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7/2 walk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7/3 2-mile job with my husband </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7/4 Race! 4-miler 32:43. 2nd in age group.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Okay, there's a story here that goes like this. During the race I see a lady whom I've seen run in my neighborhood many times. She's frail-looking and has an awkward gait. Around mile 3 she catches up to me and we run together until the last turn to the finish line. I think to myself, "she's not in my age group, there's no one else around and I'm well below my goal time. I'll coast." Joke is on me. She IS in my age group, younger than me by 4 years. So I'm at the top of the category and she's at the bottom. I could kick myself!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the race, I noticed a vendor, looked like a sports therapist, trainer, or masseuse. The race director had never allowed vendors before (I know him personally) so, curious, I talked to the guy. His name is <a href="http://bodytuneupshop.com/" target="_blank">David Petersen</a>. See the link for full info. He tested my core strength, which I think is good. I was wrong. I made an appointment to see him because I had been having left foot and ankle pain along with right hip pain. I had been thinking about seeing a sports physician. Knowing <a href="http://trinrun.com/" target="_blank">Jerry Pegram</a> and gut instinct, I made an appointment. David is unconventional and his methods work! He uses acupressure and posture training. (See his link for further information). Long story short, after five sessions I had no more stiffness, much, much less pain, and I was taller (yes taller) and running faster. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My training continued with runs 3-4 days a week with the long runs generally on Friday. The Florida heat and humidity kept me from running as far or as fast as I would have liked, However, after my sessions with David I was feeling much healthier. That gave me confidence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hubby and I left for Salt Lake City in the wee hours of July 18. Arrival was hours earlier than hotel check in time so we decided to head over to Antelope Island. My mother told me about it a while back. I like islands, animals, and hiking. Perfect place to stretch my legs after our flight. See my YouTube videos<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIiFXVR3_uw" target="_blank"> #1</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBtiGyjdH1k" target="_blank">#2</a> for video and stills of the island and stills of the rest of my trip, except the race. I video the course from the car, however, I didn't like they way it turned out. Too much car in the video. I should have placed the GoPro on the dash instead of holding it out the window.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tuesday and Wednesday I ran on and near the race course to get accustomed to the altitude. So pretty! And so difficult! Going uphill at altitude gets you winded quick! Thursday was my 50th birthday. We spent it doing as little as possible gearing up for the big day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The race itself was awesome!! We took a bus from the university stadium to the start line at the top of the mountain. At 3:30 am. AM! I planned ahead and kept my clock set to Florida time. My body felt like it was 5:30 am. My meals and sleep were also kept to Florida time. Bed at 7 pm (Utah time), awake at 3 am, breakfast at 3:30, lunch at 9 am, etc. This kept my internal and externals right where I needed them to be. (Runners know what I mean). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I joined the 4-hour pace group hoping to qualify for Boston. Realistically, I knew it was not likely since my prior fastest time was 4:36. I stayed right with them until just past mile five when we hit the uphill. I had never run uphill at over 6,000 feet. I slowed and never caught back up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPp6LiB68G1ppDjD6tfylxXYSCm7cHO-KcRH-0y6a1BdPTctZ4CXdvu7MChaoPtg9KGmMgANOaPoWmLGpSec15-v1Nzqxm0-h21u1Iy9xL2tOEuSNH5y7HxhUyLF6AdqCpO3D_zCqwsg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-08-05+at+9.33.34+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPp6LiB68G1ppDjD6tfylxXYSCm7cHO-KcRH-0y6a1BdPTctZ4CXdvu7MChaoPtg9KGmMgANOaPoWmLGpSec15-v1Nzqxm0-h21u1Iy9xL2tOEuSNH5y7HxhUyLF6AdqCpO3D_zCqwsg/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-08-05+at+9.33.34+AM.png" width="574" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My pace group was within site until we got into the city. They were my rabbits and I was chasing them down! It worked, too, because I finished with a time of 4:10:35! Blasted 26 minutes off my time. Hu Ya!!! as they say in the Marines. Great race. I expected heat, only got up to about 80 and almost no humidity. The lack of humidity was a hindrance for the last half hour. Made it difficult to swallow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The event itself was well organized. The route was clearly marked with plenty of volunteers and police to keep us on course. I didn't see many port-o-potties but then again, I didn't need them so I wasn't really looking. Water stops were stocked with volunteers and with water and sports drink. At on point, near mile 20 or 22 a mom and her little boy handed out ice water! Ice water! I grabbed a glass and stuffed my mouth with ice. The crowd at the finish line was loud, cheering me on. The last corner I was out of breath and walking until a woman yelled, "only 800 yards to go!" I yelled back, "seriously?" She confirmed and I ran to the finish. My husband said the DJ announced my name and wished me a belated birthday. That was cool. I didn't hear it, but it was cool just the same. I was handed a water bottle, a finisher medal and grabbed a banana after crossing the finish line. Then, here's a really neat aspect that I didn't expect. At the results tent, a monitor listed the top three in every age category. I saw my name and nearly fainted. Inside the tent I went to a computer and typed in my bib number. A little machine printed up my time and placement immediately. I then showed that paper to a woman at the next tent and she gave me my 3rd place award. Super high tech! Buses shuttled us back to our car at the stadium. Overall, I was impressed with the race. My strength training and downhill running paid off.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEoUhlnTNcsR5fLHafBZ9X2tyfzGo949Ji2bLNa-9FOcTKzvsYYFTAsA67vWbPP8hGi8kyKRq_mn7temToDT0VFSCDtmOFxn5As2S8YBa-w0L2gxYo05HbydXW_t7zHgmxnQvh8hphrE/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEoUhlnTNcsR5fLHafBZ9X2tyfzGo949Ji2bLNa-9FOcTKzvsYYFTAsA67vWbPP8hGi8kyKRq_mn7temToDT0VFSCDtmOFxn5As2S8YBa-w0L2gxYo05HbydXW_t7zHgmxnQvh8hphrE/s320/IMG_0246.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finisher award and Garmin time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was in shock when I saw this!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKdw2VSHYuQnyUEzvyFxXDo33VjUh8AXux3kULVQ8UWWxPC60qr2S0hT4g9IdPXs0kSQ5qtQkOS-_4dUS57oYzu4FV3RdOPOgmD5zpJyRjLwuLdGQC-CzocZttsT90VnMVxqamUTD09o/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKdw2VSHYuQnyUEzvyFxXDo33VjUh8AXux3kULVQ8UWWxPC60qr2S0hT4g9IdPXs0kSQ5qtQkOS-_4dUS57oYzu4FV3RdOPOgmD5zpJyRjLwuLdGQC-CzocZttsT90VnMVxqamUTD09o/s400/IMG_0260.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'M A HAPPY RUNNER GIRL!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhdfclHqrsauRmyOzMDd28gR4G_k4Mb_wVr_7yGTCGRMmyW1asDjn6xhTGHoDQ4DLJ4RpT_QgSmSLZT_kWO_0EFdNJ97ND3FpVJiWBhcRHLPKVy57EHXKQykpbackitTqmERRZMvoBBs/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhdfclHqrsauRmyOzMDd28gR4G_k4Mb_wVr_7yGTCGRMmyW1asDjn6xhTGHoDQ4DLJ4RpT_QgSmSLZT_kWO_0EFdNJ97ND3FpVJiWBhcRHLPKVy57EHXKQykpbackitTqmERRZMvoBBs/s320/IMG_0284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What to do after accomplishing a huge goal? Why go to a ropes course in Park City, Utah at the Olympic training facility of course!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a trip, a journey, an adventure, and a birthday celebration that I will never forget. My husband has been my support team and my cheerleader the entire time. Oh, I have to give him props, too, for signing up for the 5K. He said he needed something to do while I ran. Go Mark! I love that man.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What should I do next? I'm up for suggestions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also have to give all the glory to my God without whom I would not be breathing much less running down mountains. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hebrews 12:</span><span class="text Heb-12-1" id="en-NIV-30214" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30214A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30214A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> with perseverance<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30214B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30214B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the race marked out for us,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Heb-12-2" id="en-NIV-30215" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>fixing our eyes on Jesus,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30215C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30215C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the pioneer<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30215D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30215D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30215E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30215E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> scorning its shame,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30215F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30215F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30215G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30215G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Heb-12-3" id="en-NIV-30216" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30216H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30216H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and lose heart.</span><br />
<span class="text Heb-12-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Heb-12-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">1 Corinthians 9: </span><span class="text 1Cor-9-24" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">24 </span>Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28565AM" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28565AM" title="See cross-reference AM">AM</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> Run<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28565AN" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28565AN" title="See cross-reference AN">AN</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> in such a way as to get the prize.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-9-25" id="en-NIV-28566" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">25 </span>Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28566AO" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28566AO" title="See cross-reference AO">AO</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28566AP" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28566AP" title="See cross-reference AP">AP</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-9-26" id="en-NIV-28567" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">26 </span>Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28567AQ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28567AQ" title="See cross-reference AQ">AQ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28567AR" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28567AR" title="See cross-reference AR">AR</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-9-27" id="en-NIV-28568" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">27 </span>No, I strike a blow to my body<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28568AS" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28568AS" title="See cross-reference AS">AS</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8L3haLTyN5Q2cChG4DkD7Q_OCqPRZwjopow6Nk7WwjAhJ3p1zgGVtvosVrGGlJct5JrtR4fUs992gvYkgeTmwy2jKwRbWXDE0KW9gHJpCUQU0Uaos4ovIMq3bn7hrl0uWnmvCfC62-gk/s1600/IMG_0244.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8L3haLTyN5Q2cChG4DkD7Q_OCqPRZwjopow6Nk7WwjAhJ3p1zgGVtvosVrGGlJct5JrtR4fUs992gvYkgeTmwy2jKwRbWXDE0KW9gHJpCUQU0Uaos4ovIMq3bn7hrl0uWnmvCfC62-gk/s400/IMG_0244.mp4" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the finish line, see video below</td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx6K-2VC4Dw0xJ-UjZxDYSq-qIiLv7sJhECgft3DxphmbViAqvtLCfmsPBsRIAhm7yrcBhStGNcsrDptvbs1A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span class="text 1Cor-9-27" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-89183951324395516272015-07-13T18:04:00.000-04:002015-07-13T18:04:01.754-04:00Cookie Please...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been doing a lot of baking lately. Perfecting older recipes, trying out new ones. I'm getting ready for my 6th marathon and I want to make sure my energy bars are 'just right'. I also want to see how they travel. On my recent mission trip to Panama I took several of my Fruit and Nut granola bars and they were delicious from home, to airplane, to El Valle, and back on the plane. I'm sure my recipes aren't 'new' or 'revolutionary', however, I do know they are delicious! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My newest endeavors have included spaghetti squash, a pineapple and coconut desert that's not quite ice cream, not quite pie filling - but YUM, and cherries. Have you ever tried to pit a half-dehydrated cherry? Still working on figuring that out. Long story short, I didn't want to buy pre-dehydrated cherries because they are coated with sugar and other junk I don't want. The grocery store I use featured cherries one day so I bought a big bag. They were not pitted. I've dehydrated frozen and they seep juice everywhere. To prevent loosing any goodness I dehydrated them with the pits in, for 10 hours, then cut them in half, dehydrated another 2 hours, then removed the pit. There's got to be an easier way!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below are pictures and a few of my newest recipes. The explanations are pretty quick because I've gone into greater detail on similar blog posts. If you'd like more details message me and I'll be glad to do a step-by-step how to. If you want a cook-booklet, send $6.00 to my Paypal account (freedspirit05@me.com). It's not fancy, but all the recipes are in one place. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZgZMCF-b3g6VeYR0LedEAaasDqMfW5PIHHJhz2W-vH2X5VwcyMH9AVULUyVf3w5_oGSeAr8pk4OCA9TjQtnTBsNp2wtQe_LIuI8JZgPAT33khMsRnTgZ3ZEAoqnHnNju98JFPlTKl5A/s1600/IMG_4284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZgZMCF-b3g6VeYR0LedEAaasDqMfW5PIHHJhz2W-vH2X5VwcyMH9AVULUyVf3w5_oGSeAr8pk4OCA9TjQtnTBsNp2wtQe_LIuI8JZgPAT33khMsRnTgZ3ZEAoqnHnNju98JFPlTKl5A/s320/IMG_4284.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spaghetti Squash</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First up - Spaghetti Squash. I've always wanted to make it but was a little afraid. I'm not a huge...okay so normally I dislike squash. Avoid it at all costs. However, in the attempts to broaden my horizons I tried it. Simply cut the squash down the middle, drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, maybe a little garlic, turn upside down (opposite of this picture) and bake at 350F for an hour. Turn over and scrape the flesh with a fork and it looks like spaghetti. It does have a bit of a crunch and needs salt. I like to put my favorite red sauce on top, just like regular spaghetti. It's good! Filling, too. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIL6snT2kyH8FHQ4OCUo3ueItCd5jM1Zfdcs25eItUD7hwIOfTvnnj8GofODoF6tLorkSmojorqf4hFerOEvyUZEDV9tttaEtD-nZXr6_kEbsKm1V3d5qvq6w6RV2fxPQiqLziSLGiCo/s1600/IMG_4269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIL6snT2kyH8FHQ4OCUo3ueItCd5jM1Zfdcs25eItUD7hwIOfTvnnj8GofODoF6tLorkSmojorqf4hFerOEvyUZEDV9tttaEtD-nZXr6_kEbsKm1V3d5qvq6w6RV2fxPQiqLziSLGiCo/s320/IMG_4269.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat bread</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYC9utLwU37EtBxd1v7nixP3ZP8CyJEU8qgqkGYByQ2MTr88fXZEMCrUI7pr77JGAFAyIgHuVcHsr-X_GeJR0sU9wXz_wK3fl_GAG3YXcx4PB9tWNrX4dMHbJtIpNCRD__aebg4e1q1E/s1600/IMG_4185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYC9utLwU37EtBxd1v7nixP3ZP8CyJEU8qgqkGYByQ2MTr88fXZEMCrUI7pr77JGAFAyIgHuVcHsr-X_GeJR0sU9wXz_wK3fl_GAG3YXcx4PB9tWNrX4dMHbJtIpNCRD__aebg4e1q1E/s320/IMG_4185.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whole wheat flat bread</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bought a handy, dandy tortilla press to help me make flat bread. You can make with any type of flour, white or wheat, with our without yeast. (the one on the left has yeast). Simply mix together 1 coup flour, 1/4 to 1/2 cold water, 1 tsp olive oil, and a pinch salt. Knead, roll into 1/2 inch sized balls, cover the press with plastic wrap and press. Not too hard, you don't want it paper thin. For a cracker bake at 225F for 45 minutes. For a softer bread bake at 350 for 5-10 minutes. If you use yeast, use my whole wheat bread recipe and let proof twice. Once in ball form, and once after pressing. It will rise a bit and get a big air bubble in the center. Make a pita type pocket bread. </span><div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggjdwd8L3NfWsV9tlM7H_cY24chG3vp7u6I2pSFGOluFXJ1ZiDZAZwUIsKJTCfVGy9gBphTJxcSvyrwMLGo3LMRdtnMc8TkmAmA3ugmaQsKQsUImqLBiqSJUfWiPzD73TTogvvVsDb28/s1600/IMG_4293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggjdwd8L3NfWsV9tlM7H_cY24chG3vp7u6I2pSFGOluFXJ1ZiDZAZwUIsKJTCfVGy9gBphTJxcSvyrwMLGo3LMRdtnMc8TkmAmA3ugmaQsKQsUImqLBiqSJUfWiPzD73TTogvvVsDb28/s320/IMG_4293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxrSqEH9AqVwN0MAkZPvYJp7Ca5yXyUHewz_Pcr1n1yw43gEC5tXVMW0rFhQzbXGG7WzEa6LzVDViPCFB4oIv49m0bhO10-antc33aIQwpJQf1kpSu8kauIpqnTqV9UQvZ0fZNXFhARo/s1600/IMG_4305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxrSqEH9AqVwN0MAkZPvYJp7Ca5yXyUHewz_Pcr1n1yw43gEC5tXVMW0rFhQzbXGG7WzEa6LzVDViPCFB4oIv49m0bhO10-antc33aIQwpJQf1kpSu8kauIpqnTqV9UQvZ0fZNXFhARo/s320/IMG_4305.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4YPsLyviWAT-QFfOE1kxr4ZItezcMBb7W_VgLN0iZ4ssIjlG_mbd7dmuJZZJJWB5ji_i5yDiTb31KLyYhbBzwuNLLuya6PrdMii-9xWKNThriyzwOS0W81U6C3bbGOU3LkxTwZsoqhE/s1600/IMG_4229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4YPsLyviWAT-QFfOE1kxr4ZItezcMBb7W_VgLN0iZ4ssIjlG_mbd7dmuJZZJJWB5ji_i5yDiTb31KLyYhbBzwuNLLuya6PrdMii-9xWKNThriyzwOS0W81U6C3bbGOU3LkxTwZsoqhE/s320/IMG_4229.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are my post-run smoothies. I do a wide variety, depending on my mood. First take a dozen or so ripe bananas, peel, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze. Use one banana, and fruit of choice, add a handful of raw nuts. Optional - a handful of raw spinach, 1/4 cup cacao powder, 1 Tbs natural peanut butter. For the liquid add about a half cup of unsweetened regular almond milk. About to the middle of the blueberries in the picture, enough to get the blender moving but not so much the smoothie is runny. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-0aC8fPudTKFY3jQI2ojbJWWtLp9JBP3Pk-xI7F0HaK1QSFqd1N1b9N7sv3x7fTYxDXjXauwBHLMaH7X13NxLqbTX7uOQmEeegMbIRmZiArMX51TUYWqIw1v-Et-UI24BgCmIyBsU7c/s1600/IMG_4227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-0aC8fPudTKFY3jQI2ojbJWWtLp9JBP3Pk-xI7F0HaK1QSFqd1N1b9N7sv3x7fTYxDXjXauwBHLMaH7X13NxLqbTX7uOQmEeegMbIRmZiArMX51TUYWqIw1v-Et-UI24BgCmIyBsU7c/s320/IMG_4227.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apple muffin. I had an apple and wondered what to do with it. Did I want pancakes? No. So, I took whole wheat pancake mix, added a cup of ground oats, an egg, some almond milk. Then I took an apple, chopped it up fine. Put some in the grinder and made apple sauce. Ground up some almonds, threw that in. Yummy! Don't be afraid to get creative with your food.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXfcu9L1o148E2zbJEBjvPPqlnos___CCKWO7cGkFOwR2PTs8FzPmbwlb0Y62OBx6YHU7Pi87q8Vh9nbMTJMoRqRVlhPUEt96ae6O7LG-OYl5t5payTjV4mO4rLh4XdFPpQhlMAvqeaI/s1600/IMG_4201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXfcu9L1o148E2zbJEBjvPPqlnos___CCKWO7cGkFOwR2PTs8FzPmbwlb0Y62OBx6YHU7Pi87q8Vh9nbMTJMoRqRVlhPUEt96ae6O7LG-OYl5t5payTjV4mO4rLh4XdFPpQhlMAvqeaI/s320/IMG_4201.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut delite</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XVJJF4zgi7OQfL1EFc1eLHLDEipTKpDdsbsmgJpCvcID5HO6Hj2qA2kDTP9mp4vKhiAdedYfbRvspbCut6ToIbL9fzyW_djK0qiKOHSw6KddOjQCR7HsLrcu3M2fuWFfqgbiDwnDdVI/s1600/IMG_4204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XVJJF4zgi7OQfL1EFc1eLHLDEipTKpDdsbsmgJpCvcID5HO6Hj2qA2kDTP9mp4vKhiAdedYfbRvspbCut6ToIbL9fzyW_djK0qiKOHSw6KddOjQCR7HsLrcu3M2fuWFfqgbiDwnDdVI/s320/IMG_4204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut delite</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't remember where I got the base recipe for this one. I had a whole coconut and wanted ice cream. Since I'm allergic to dairy I decided to make something yummy and cold. Not quite a smoothie, not exactly ice cream. Take a whole pineapple and cut it in circles. With a paring knife cut just inside the rind to get rid of all the hard stuff. Keep the center. Put half the pineapple in a blender with 1/2 cup canned coconut milk, 1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut flakes, and 1 tsp vanilla. Puree until relatively smooth. The coconut flakes will remain chunky. Pour into two bowls and chill/freeze until the edges are frozen but the center is firm but not hard. So delicious! If you have them available, add some fresh coconut flesh.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-NC-mK0npwmd5Jd-57ksIkF-oEMIB0o6VyomovNt9-V1Ui-fnaslM_WW2uY6KQn_Ij891kGBpTnp8W2FvLBR0TN0G35DSIomEgojE6_8z1ed862fjDh5lbXFMTOkNzPUZQosXaXa4WE/s320/IMG_4172.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#Runergy bars</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSCzA7PBiYYfI5saH9dVnaubKabAeA3TBs5iAKVSuJv9xN6BCBe8l_WX6GuhyP4d7X7y1pJ_K0rxQrckyzwaui1skhyphenhyphenCQ9I2RGjG5pQV3A8fo2yzTXvUQGgtCr5s1f2MNkczF5zm9uIs/s1600/IMG_4177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSCzA7PBiYYfI5saH9dVnaubKabAeA3TBs5iAKVSuJv9xN6BCBe8l_WX6GuhyP4d7X7y1pJ_K0rxQrckyzwaui1skhyphenhyphenCQ9I2RGjG5pQV3A8fo2yzTXvUQGgtCr5s1f2MNkczF5zm9uIs/s320/IMG_4177.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#Runergy Bars</td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are my new favorite #Runergy bars. It's a similar recipe as before but I put them in a silicone chocolate mold. They are raw, not cooked, not even dehydrated. I don't give this recipe away. If you're in Florida (or Utah week of 7/19) message me and I'll sell you some! I eat them before and during my long runs (greater than 10 miles).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiheyP7Jx_8n6-sHv2vAhwt3PMHK2Bp7lhLmgzQ73SbCaoPOS9oDb7b-hzymEs806aCHNtHSY_iAlDNs_ihe2ZFXXpk2WrooUiXfqyWAAlp91Zl34kQqvIQ9CL94kHmJLjcEnL_TWOUSc/s1600/IMG_4206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiheyP7Jx_8n6-sHv2vAhwt3PMHK2Bp7lhLmgzQ73SbCaoPOS9oDb7b-hzymEs806aCHNtHSY_iAlDNs_ihe2ZFXXpk2WrooUiXfqyWAAlp91Zl34kQqvIQ9CL94kHmJLjcEnL_TWOUSc/s400/IMG_4206.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin chip cookie<br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is my son's favorite cookie. It's on the blog. Type it in the search bar to find the recipe. It's pumpkin and chocolate chip, dairy-free.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5fvkcsnWp7qC5Lf9J_ELOOlbUHj4Di4l7uv1d24HEFP647l_AaOql6FxW2NnP48xQASs1MB34u6RzhB6BCHUeVpMor5fPQ_5s9XGoHelEx3eShkL8ZPyh3iAkB-fgfeTiJPS1J1hdiA/s1600/IMG_4272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5fvkcsnWp7qC5Lf9J_ELOOlbUHj4Di4l7uv1d24HEFP647l_AaOql6FxW2NnP48xQASs1MB34u6RzhB6BCHUeVpMor5fPQ_5s9XGoHelEx3eShkL8ZPyh3iAkB-fgfeTiJPS1J1hdiA/s640/IMG_4272.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit and Nut and Everything granola bars</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are the granola bars I travel with. Fruit and nut and 'Everything' or Fruit and Nut plus cacao. I don't give this recipe away either. I sell them for $5.00 for the F&N, $7 for the 'Everything'. I will say the Everything has espresso powder and is so good, I could eat nothing else all day every day for the rest of my life!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW0wUv7J1FZgyS4CdJ7FdPJyNXUGkqMWi5QpiOrp4qUJ7wB0HrDaf1ajh3w8qf8pJZG7RyOsfZso3rjYVwa9tnVu1HN2KGx9anUGHSFDZW2HJSzNvDLSmyDc5-4HzOM1A60fAb-Zsvwg/s1600/IMG_4342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW0wUv7J1FZgyS4CdJ7FdPJyNXUGkqMWi5QpiOrp4qUJ7wB0HrDaf1ajh3w8qf8pJZG7RyOsfZso3rjYVwa9tnVu1HN2KGx9anUGHSFDZW2HJSzNvDLSmyDc5-4HzOM1A60fAb-Zsvwg/s320/IMG_4342.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookies!! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPm59YojZ3ezTjjtSWrUfy2oJ6wWmVeNZHX4uuoiLW1G57scYT66UmoXUycej2FZxopUQG-_C5OaGAgY8UtEkMqlhyphenhyphen9ul5CtOqBAFP7Q_PFbmhJ_1L5H8o5ZWIwGrzO8NRwGqZR7two4/s1600/IMG_4344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPm59YojZ3ezTjjtSWrUfy2oJ6wWmVeNZHX4uuoiLW1G57scYT66UmoXUycej2FZxopUQG-_C5OaGAgY8UtEkMqlhyphenhyphen9ul5CtOqBAFP7Q_PFbmhJ_1L5H8o5ZWIwGrzO8NRwGqZR7two4/s320/IMG_4344.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cookies please!! I love cookies. On this blog I have a lot of cookie recipes. I mix and match all kinds of ingredients. That's the fun thing about food and baking. Take a little of this, a little of that, start with a base dough and have fun. I mentioned earlier that I wanted to make something with cherries. I also had some avocados I needed to do something with. The lighter cookie on the left is made with the 2-ingredient base - 2 ripe mashed bananas and a cup of oats, ground. I then added my dehydrated cherries, chopped up, and chocolate chips. Baked at 350F for about 10 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The darker cookie, doesn't it look red? Well, it's the cherries. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 mashed avocado</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 egg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 cup cacao powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/3 cup honey (or agave if you want it vegan)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 TBs (or a little more) ground oats</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/3 cup dried cherries</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My cherries weren't completely dried because I plan on making more granola bars. The original recipe that I found called for apple juice. Since my cherries were juicy, I didn't add it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put all the ingredients, except the cherries in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the cherries and blend another 30 seconds or so. Now, here's the tricky part. I put the first batch on silicone baking pad. Nope. They stuck. Use a non-stick pan and spray with cooking spray - liberally! Bake at 350F 10 minutes, cool, the put in the fridge. I also added 1/8 cup of ground cacao beans for a little crunch. You could add chocolate chips, espresso powder, nuts, coconut, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of these recipes need to be refrigerated. The granola bars will keep longer if they are dehydrated until crunchy. I like them a little softer. To be quite honest, they are so good they won't last long enough to worry about spoiling! I tend to make a huge batch of everything then freeze. I hope you enjoy making fun, delicious, and healthy recipes. Message me with any questions. If you try a recipe and you loved it, tell me. If it didn't work for you, message me and we'll figure out what to do to make it yummy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Eating. Be sure to check out my book sale on Amazon! </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033277547512472626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027099203491923138.post-53156007303980633482015-07-05T16:57:00.000-04:002015-07-05T16:57:08.452-04:00Kindle Countdown DealsNew Kindle Countdown deals begin on 7/10 and runs through 7/17. Prices begin as low as $0.99!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kindle Countdown Deals</td></tr>
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