Day 17(ish): Going As Well As Can Be Expected

So... in the interveining 12 days since I last posted we went to a Labor Day BBQ and cheated on the diet (more with alcohol than food really), I had a work staff retreat where I cheated (2 glasses of wine and some potato chips), and we played poker last weekend and we both cheated (wine and a cookie or 3). I think we are doing pretty well though. I am base minue 3.8 lbs and hubby is base minus 4. We are going to Blacksburg this coming weekend (YEA!) so we will once again be off the diet - but i think we are going to do another week of Phase 1 before we move on to Phase 2. God I can't wait. All I want is a freaking muffin and a sandwich. Now I just need to figure out where I can find whole grain muffins and bread - or learn how to bake them....

I am really looking forward to going to the 'Burg for the weekend. We got free Tix to the Georgia Tech game. I really hope we win. That whole East Carolina thing was soooo depressing. I don't know if I'll be able to blog during any of the games this season if we are going to suck this bad. I think i will just get more depressed. I mean, we are in a "building year" and all but still.....

anyways... GO VT!

BTW - the half marathon is now 4 weeks and 3 days away. I've ran 5 miles a few times the last 2 weeks but i need to up it to 6. I just don't know when i'm going to have the time. 6 miles takes over an hour for me. I just can't do it in the AM b/c I am so hot afterwards - even after I shower. I need to do it at night or over the weekend (not possible this weekend.) I am going to run 5 miles tonight when i get home from work. It is getting a little dark now around 8 so i'm kinda worried about that but i think i will be ok... i don't think i have any reflecty clothes tho... hm...

ok - that's it for now. - Peace!

More Adventures in Baking - Apple Pie (I meant to post this back in early Feb and forgot to... Sorry.)

Pre - Bake

Post - Bake

Yummy!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

I had a great Christmas and New Year's Eve! I was able to spend the holidays with my family and also with D's family. NYE we had a party here at the house. We had a great turn-out.

One of my favorite presents I got this year is this Kitchen Aid Mixer. D's mom got it for us. She wasn't sure what to get us for Christmas so she just bought something off the wedding registry. Hey - that's cool with me! Also I am including a sampling of the tasty treats I have made using my new mixer.

My New Mixer

Rum Balls

Sugar Cookies

Thumb-print Cookies with Jelly Filling

To heat or not - that is the question

So... Capitol Swell says that it is bad to keep pastries and croissants under a heat lamp but that muffins are ok.
I disagree. I think we need to break this down even more.
There is a fundamental difference between pastries with filling (fruit or dairy based) and pastries without filling. (Also please note - bagels and donuts are not included in this discussion.)
Pastries with filling can really hurt you if they are hot. I have burnt my tounge more than once on a poptart.
Pastries without filling such as muffins AND croissants are better when warm. This is a fundamental truth.
I'm not sure what else I need to say about this.

Top Chef

aaaahhhh!!!! Bravo is playing the last 4 or 5 Top Chef episodes before the new one at 10 pm tonight.
I am hooked! This show is awesome! This is one of the best reality shows there is. It really makes people show their talent. and as far as i am concerned cooking is one of th most difficult things to do.
Anyone can read the directions on a box but to "create" - it is beyond me.
I am supremely jealous of anyone who can create amazing dishes.
One of the things I am learing from this show is that simple can be tasty.
The girls on this show pretty much suck and Howie is just an asshole.
Sara just got kicked off but eventually Howie is going to have to go.
It's 10 pm. I can't wait to see what happens!