<p>I hate keeping seafood around, so I almost always try to have fresh seafood on the days I go to the grocery store. I’ve had salmon curry and Bobby Flay’s grilled shrimp with salad and lime scallion vinaigrette recently, so it was time for a haddock or cod night…</p>
<p>I’ve got a new Bobby Flay recipe I’m dying to try: lobster/avocado cocktail served in a big martini glass, but the price of lobster has to come down a bit. The winter price of $9.99 a pound isn’t too attractive when I know it will be $3.99 pretty soon. </p>
<p>I’m doing good ol’ fashioned BBQ chicken breasts this weekend.</p>
<p>I also vote for the Idad gastronomic retreat :)</p>
<p>And BB, I too wish you and Mr. B-with-the-chainsaws were my neighbors My neighbor to the south is a widowed school teacher whose a lovely fellow but who I never ever see outside, let alone wielding a chain saw. My neighbor to the north is a nice elderly gentleman who already does daring, rugged things up on his roof, taps trees, and hauls lumber around but my overall feeling is that we should be helping him not vice versa because as it is I suspect his wife lives in terror of elderly misadventure in both cases, they keep to themselves, which rather suits us. With the 2.5 acre lots, you have to make something of an effort to actually speak to one another I’ve come to treasure the privacy in terms of clothing-optional hot tubbing and swimming.</p>
<p>You’re going to have a big crowd for dinner, Idad. I never see lobster for $3.99/lb, though…$9.99 would be a good price here! I did laugh - I made a big round of shopping this week and our local grocer is evidently experimenting with stocking grass-fed beef, venison, bison, duck confit (!) and the like - well, evidently it hadn’t sold so had been marked down significantly. Right place, right time - bonanza for the freezer. </p>
<p>KMC, I am very envious of your privacy. At one time we had a very private lot. Sadly, now we have neighbors who either want to interact (i.e., they want their dogs to come “play” with ours- translation, they have a tiny manicured landscaped yard) or neighbors who have a pool that they entertain loudly at. I’m not sure what a pool should look like when one removes the cover but let’s just say I don’t think they shut it down properly at the end of last season. </p>
<p>Plan on getting a run in today. Am also thinking of registering for my next race. There’s a half and a full marathon that’s not far from me. I like having something to work towards, so think I need another goal. Race wouldn’t be until November, so I think that’s plenty of time. What else do I have to do anyway? </p>
<p>Thanks, everyone. I forgot to mention that I ran into one of my heroes at the Vandy cardiology place. Vice Chancellor and Athletic Director David Williams. He is known as “The Goldfather” in these parts, I introduced myself and shook his hand. The weird thing is that I had a premonition that I would see him! I didn’t put it out on Twitter that I saw The Goldfather at the heart clinic, (he could stand to lose more than a few pounds…). </p>
<p>On the Mio LINK. I think it works well. I still haven’t gotten on the treadmill to compare it to the Polar strap. I find that my Garmin 910 picks it up better if I wear it on the same arm as my Garmin. It seems to pick up fine if I put the LINK on the other arm, but there are blanks of a few seconds or more every now and then. I think the LINK is still working, but the Garmin loses it for some reason. I love not wearing the strap!</p>
<p>4.2 miles this morning- 65 and sunny. I felt pretty good- despite the alcohol last night. Will do the 10 tomorrow and might try a 4 to 1 run/walk just to see what I think about it for a marathon strategy.</p>
<p>65 degrees and not raining, so I had to head outside for a little 5.5 mile hike at the local state park. Did another variation on a loop up and over a little mountain. These aren’t spectacular scenic hikes, but pleasant enough terrain with just enough climbing to get a little workout, and a pleasurable way to get a little exercise.</p>
<p>Tried out both flavors of the UCAN. Not bad. A little too sweet for my taste (but an apple is super sweet to me now). Not much aftertaste from the fake sugar. Didn’t even think about diving into the roast almonds. If anything, I probably could have cut back on t he UCAN. I had 1.5 packets over a 4 hour period. Probably 1 packet would have been enough.</p>
<p>I made North Minnesota 's quinoa recipe tonight - it’s a keeper!!! I used slivered almonds for the “nut” - it makes quite a bit - if you are making for two, cut in half or if you like leftovers, don’t cut in half!!</p>
<p>Did my 60 mile ride yesterday. Lots of hills; lots of tired legs today. Leaving soon for a 50 mile team sponsors ride for Sturdy Girls race team. Home made cookies at the mid point. Yummy! If I can continue to get in 110-120 mile weekends with a couple of 25-30 mile rides during the week, I should be set for the Habitat Ride on June 5. The big challenge I don’t think will be getting the miles in but will be making sure to remain fully hydrated and to balance nutrition so as to not unintentionally lose weight. Either one could impact negatively on the muscular strength and endurance I will need for 4 days of hills over 250 miles.</p>
<p>The Flying Pig this weekend had spectacular weather! No rain, not too hot…I have two friends who ran the 1/2 marathon yesterday, and one who ran the marathon today. Pictures online looked like the spectators were enjoying it, at least!</p>
<p>The Flying Pig Half Marathon and Marathon were both today. They start the races together and the half peels off. The 10K was yesterday. I wonder how DadII did with his first marathon?</p>
<p>Deb922- You won’t have any trouble with the 10K. I tried run walk (4/1) this morning for my 10 miler and it didn’t go well. I never felt good- not sure what was going on. Really slow pace- I am a TERRIBLE walker, for one thing. Finished almost a minute a mile slower than my last 10 miler. Weather was warmer, which could have contributed, although it was beautiful. Went from about 62 to 75 while I was out there. It was a struggle, but it’s done. I really did look forward to the walks, and they seemed WAY too short!</p>
<p>I’ve been doing WW for a few weeks now. Week before last I was really, really sick with a cold virus so I lost 4 pounds and naturally, even while being WW strict, I gained 0.8 last week. @@ The story of my life. Mind you, I am VERY overweight, we’re not talking I’m trying to shave off 8 pounds. It’s so freaking discouraging. I absolutely am following it to the letter and yet it’s torture for me. At my age, I’m doing it for my health, but having a smaller shape would be nice for other reasons, too! Bear with me as I plod and vent here with you guys.
My downfall is that I am terribly lazy. I hate to exercise. I still work full time and that’s about all I can manage at my age. I know it’s a matter of “just do it”, I know that.</p>
<p>VaBluebird- I hear you, and vent away! I sometimes think that with my job, that’s all I can really manage. There are days when I never want to run again… Is there anything you can find that appeals to you in terms of movement? Even a walk at lunchtime? I know you might not love what you choose, but finding something you can stand is really important. Don’t be surprised at gaining a little weight back after losing the weight with the cold. Some of that was probably water weight and it’s normal to bounce around. Keep at it.</p>
<p>Vablue, shar with us some activities you DO like and we may be able to suggest some “exercise” that goes along with it. For instance if you love flowers and gardening (which is exercise in itself) how about a weekly walk through a local park or arboretum now that things are blooming?? It doesn’t have to be a speed walk - distance can make up for speed. </p>
<p>We can help you find a comfortable starting place to exercise. :)</p>
My neighbor to the south is a widowed school teacher whose a lovely fellow but who I never ever see outside, let alone wielding a chain saw. My neighbor to the north is a nice elderly gentleman who already does daring, rugged things up on his roof, taps trees, and hauls lumber around but my overall feeling is that we should be helping him not vice versa because as it is I suspect his wife lives in terror of elderly misadventure 
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