<p>45 dull minutes on the elliptical watching sad and depressing news. Had to do something, though! </p>
<p>Recumbent tricycles are a wonderful alternative for those who want to cycle but have significant balance and stability issues. There are models out there that are remarkably light, modern looking and zippy for what they are. They can be found in single speed and multi speed versions. If you are going to consider getting one with an electric motor assist, be sure to check your state laws that define when a motorized bicycle is considered an unregistered motor vehicle with restriction on use on public roads. It is often based on speed capability under motor power with limits that may be surprisingly low.</p>
<p>Cardio and weights today – plus some “dodging, sprinting, and hefting” at the grocery store in the midst of the pre-Thanksgiving crowds. I’m pretty sure I now have everything I need, and won’t have to go tomorrow when it will be even worse, complicated by the approaching snowstorm.</p>
<p>Explored new territory for yesterday’s workout and even managed to run errands at the same time. I felt like one of those people you see in ads doing stuff nobody actually does, lol. It was very cool. :)</p>
<p>Running (4 miles) and weights at the gym today. Very rainy, very warm. </p>
<p>Fast treadmill Tuesday. 2:30 .5 mile, followed by three - .25 intervals at 75 seconds each.</p>
<p>My exercise has been a continuing effort to get ready for Thanksgiving. Did the big shop today, giving many thanks that Market Basket did not go out of business this summer. What a zoo. You just have to smile and enjoy it. I had been making my shopping list for several days and I think I got everything I need! I usually forget either the milk or the heavy cream for Julia Child’s creamed onions, since neither are staples in my kitchen. I managed to remember both, plus the parsley and the extra pound of butter.</p>
<p>Market Basket sale: fresh turkeys at 89 cents a pound.</p>
<p>Another hour of assorted cardio machines yesterday, supplemented with weights because the gym wasn’t crowded. Had an erg race with S2. He killed me, but it was fun. </p>
<p>Get to do the same again today. I may get out of this holiday not having gained weight.</p>
<p>Good for you, Lizardly! Got up this morning intending to run - heard rain which quickly changed to heavy, wet snow. Gym is closing at 10 this morning, I’m at work - of course! Close to month end. I might have to break out the home kettlebell. Will just have to work in a run tomorrow. </p>
<p>iDad, I thought I got a good deal on my fresh “natural” Costco turkey - $1.09/lb. They had the super premium organics for $2.89/lb. I like to eat healthy but not that healthy. </p>
<p>4 hilly miles yesterday outside and wimped out this morning and stayed in for 3.1. Traveling this weekend so will try to do a 7 mile run tomorrow morning. I think the dreadmill is actually helping my running, though, because I do some speed work just to get it done faster!</p>
<p>The bad news is…it’s eggnog season! </p>
<p>4.46 miles run/walk on the treadmill. Not sure about tomorrow – maybe an early walk before we leave for BIL’s house? H tends to freak out about getting bogged down in traffic, so wants to leave at 9:30 am. I think it’s somewhat of an imposition on SIL to show up that early, but fortunately we all get along very well, so she won’t be upset.</p>
<p>The rain has started here; not scheduled to turn to snow until about 6:00 pm. We shouldn’t get too much here, but the middle of the state may get 6-10 inches.</p>
<p>That’s not bad news in my book. I love eggnog - might have to check into some dairy-free options this year. </p>
<p>I’m making a weight watchers recipe at D’s request - pumpkin fluff. The only pumpkin I had was organic - bought a super pack at Costco since we eat a lot of it. I’ll be combining that with sugar-free, fat free pudding mix and fat free cool whip. There’s got to be some irony there somewhere. It does taste good, though! </p>
<p>I proposed the idea to my family about doing our own personal “Turkey Trot” tomorrow morning - even if it’s short and a walk/run. We’ll see who gets out of bed in time to do it!!!</p>
<p>Went to the gym this morning - figured I did enough to pre-work off the pecan pie with freshly whipped cream I am looking forward to having tomorrow. 3 miles track/treadmill and another mile on the ArcTrainer. </p>
<p>Rode the bike for an hour today. It was really windy, and I struggled with the inclines, so I didn’t do as many miles as I usually do. Also, I noticed I kept coughing. I don’t have allergies until the winter months, when the cedar gets me. I didn’t notice a lot of cedar trees, but something had me going. I might take some claritin or something tomorrow, because almost an hour later, I’m still coughing when I take a deep breath, as well as when the drainage irritates my throat. </p>
<p>I can say no to pies or other desserts, but no way can I pass up the stuffing and gravy. Hoping to get motivated to do another ride tomorrow before getting the turkey started.</p>
<p>sabaray- that pumpkin fluff sounds really good. I love pumpkin anything!</p>
<p>I don’t cook, but I can make about 3 things and one is a really good cranberry salad. I’m not allowed to make it at my sister’s house anymore because one Christmas I left the lid off of the blender when I went to grind up the cranberries and sprayed red all over the kitchen. I learned from that! Anyway, I cut down the sugar that’s in it a lot and it’s actually pretty healthy. It has canned pineapple and red jello. I love it.</p>
<p>Using your mixer, combine 15 oz pumpkin, 3 1/2 oz package of vanilla instant pudding mix (fat and sugar free), 1/2 cup skim milk, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice. Fold in 8 ounces of Cool Whip (fat free). Chill and serve with gingersnaps. </p>
<p>My good friend made this marathon weekend for dessert and we all loved it. </p>
<p>D has arrived safely - we’ve got lots of heavy, wet snow right now. </p>
<p>Mmm…eggnog…I like pretty much all that seasonal food. </p>
<p>We have done those family turkey trots. In the old days, I was the leader and the fastest. Now I am the slowest as the kids can beat me. I ought to put one together for tomorrow—balance all that eggnog. </p>
<p>Yes, yum, eggnog. For dairy free, pre-prepared eggnog, I like the Silk brand (soy). It isn’t as sweet as the dairy stuff in cartons. Needs only a shot of rum or brandy :)</p>
<p>H and I did a three mile walk this afternoon. The rain finally moved off and beautiful, cool air has slipped in. 60 and sunny. Today I made spiced cranberry sauce (jelly) using the old Joy of Cooking recipe. I’m also making two pumpkin pies in a walnut and flour crust. I have a fresh turkey for the main event tomorrow ($1.29/lb). Only sweet potatoes on the menu, and stuffing, of course. It’s going to be a carb fest. I would love to have a heritage turkey, but after reading about some $200 birds, uhhh no, decided to pass.</p>
<p>$200 turkey?! The turkey is almost the LEAST important thing on the table to me. The side dishes trump the meat for me. Dessert goes without saying - see pecan pie comment above. :)</p>
<p>I’m making a hot pineapple casserole I’m always required to bring. Just mixed up a lemon/rosemary/gruyere bread which will rise overnight and bake in the morning. Then last night I did a dress rehearsal of a roasted veggie salad over mixed greens topped with feta and olives - it was AMAZING! Will be roasting beets, sweet potatoes, onion and small baby potatoes for that tomorrow. </p>
<p>Enjoy the day all! </p>
<p>$200 turkeys will never be happening in our house either! Even though we love turkey, the sides take the center stage for us. Making lots of veggie options for the table: green salad with pomegranate and persimmon, Seattle Times roasted veggies, idad’s Brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, and roasted cauliflower with Parmesan. :)</p>
<p>Lots of running around town gathering food items. Weightlifting bags to and from the car… 
</p>