#58 - Cook 101...#'s 6-8

On a weekly basis I put together a menu and for once I've managed to stick to it rather well. Mainly because I really do need to concentrate on losing some weight. Even with a drink most nights I've managed to stay under 1,800 calories a day (and yes, I know if I cut out alcohol I'd lose weight faster but there are some things I won't do). Dinner has been inspired by the Wegman's magazine and are numbers 6,7,& 8 for my make 101 new recipes (click on the links to get the recipes - I didn't want this entry to be too long).
Here you go:

Pan-Seared Salmon Puttanesca with Fusilli

The title pretty much says everything that's in the recipe and I served it with some sauteed garlic spinach. This was a very easy to make recipe (took about 15 minutes). The only changes I made were I sauteed some garlic for the salmon and I used Smart Choice butter vs real butter. All in all about 550 calories or tasty goodness!


Chili

Typical chili with ground beef, onions, green peppers, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, kidney beans (oops, forgot to buy), and cannellini beans. The "odd" ingredients were worcestershire sauce, Wegmans Chili Sauce, and a beer (they recommended and I used India Pale Ale).

You'll notice there were no tomatoes so I added a can of diced tomatoes with Italian seasoning and I reduced the amount of Chili Sauce from the recipe to reduce the salt. Served this with some fat free sour cream and fat free cheddar cheese. Overall, tasted fine but the Turkey Chile with White Beans was much better.


Tomato Basil with Orzo Soup with Grilled Turkey and Gouda Sandwich (magazine said ham and gouda but I don't like ham and they called it a panini but I don't have a panini pan)

You can actually buy this soup already made at Wegman's and it is better then what I made. I think it's because I was not consistent with halving the recipe (halved some things, but not everything). The only other change I made was I used Italian Seasoning (from a tube - these are really good) so it wasn't just basil. For the sandwich, I made the grilled turkey/cheese with this tasty bread that I can't remember the name of but it's 100 calories for 2 slices, smart balance butter, 98% fat free turkey, and smoked gouda. The meal was good and very easy to make (30 min), but in the future I think I'll buy their version of this soup.


I'm a day behind on workouts because I skipped Sun. I keep saying I'll catch up and if I leave work early today I will do last nights run (I spun) and tonight's spin. 50 min run on Saturday, 2 hour ride on Sunday then "real" IMS training begins! WOOHOO!

Name Change

When I got divorced I checked the box to change my name back to my maiden name of Chavez. When The Ex saw that he pitched a fit, “we’ve been married ten years, this is an amicable divorce, we’re still friends, blah, blah, blah”. In other words, he convinced me to keep his name.

I recently found out that The Ex is now engaged. My reaction is mixed – certainly no jealousy because I am incredibly happy with Dude and where my life is now. The best way to describe it is I’m happy he found someone. I just hope he treats her far better then he ever treated me. Sadly though, from what I hear, he hasn’t changed so I fear he’s destined for failed marriage number two.

Back to the topic of discussion…now that he is getting married I think I should go back to my maiden name. No offense to him (we are still friendly) but his name means nothing to me, it’s just a daily reminder of a past failure.

On the other hand, my maiden name is from my father who I’ve met maybe 4 times in my life. So other then the connection to my siblings, that name means very little to me also. I think professionally it’s a great name – Esther Chavez just screams Hispanic. With my career aspirations it looks great for companies to have female minorities in senior management.

Finally, no one can pronounce my current last name (it’s a long “e” at the end). At the marathon finish I was Esther Le, Le, Le, Esther from The Sticks, VA.

But “Esther Chavez – You Are An Ironman”! Now that’s sweet!

Some things just make me laugh

Yet another "saw this on FB and had to try it". Deal is you google your first name and needs in quotations("Esther needs") then list the first 10 things that comes up.

Esther needs...
1. a mullet and legwarmers
2. a bus
3. to go the doctor
4. it to all fit together
5. your help
6. a hot storyline
7. to get out more
8. a spanking with her feather duster
9. your help to win a stupid contest
10. a loan of 1,000 soles

When I saw #8 I had to post. Especially when combined with #6.

Hee Hee

NSTR

That stands for Nothing Significant To Report. Last week was a transition week, so training schedule is light. Quite honestly, I barely did any of it. I spun for 40 minutes and I ran for 60 minutes. That's it!

I did cook another new meal - "Mom's Baked Fried Chicken with Gravy" and without reliving the memory by giving the recipe it scores:



We have another transition week this week and I've vowed to do more of the training. Mainly because, at the risk of repeating myself, I really need to get serious about this Ironman thing. So, time to FOCUS - get the training in (and I mean all of it), improve my nutrition (lose some weight), do strength and core workouts, and find a yoga class.

Wish me luck!

Final Marathon Post

I finished in 5:03, and no, I did not have a negative split

I did not get any blisters – Smart Wool Socks RULE

As far as I know all of my toenails are intact – toenails are still pretty from my pre-marathon pedicure

I never hit “the wall” – plenty of times that hurt, but no time of sapped energy or thoughts that I could not continue

Nutrition worked for the marathon but not sure about IMS - that last GU was tough to swallow

Need to get over my disgust of port-a-potties – I could have used one more break in the run (but I’m afraid I’d never start running again)

I need to work on my form. Coach Ed and Tony have both told me I sit back when I run and I never knew what they were talking about. Looking at pictures, I notice that I do kind of sit (like starting to squat) which could explain the quad pain.

I’d like to improve my time and someday get below 4:30

I'm seriously considering Marine Corp Marathon in the fall!

Now it’s time to get motivated and engaged in training for IMS. I can’t believe it’s just around the corner! YIKES!!!!