MyDogParty

Whole30 Day 17

2013-06-17T19:49:00.001-07:00

Today, Monday...back to meh. And after such a great weekend, too.

Grumpy, aren't I? Well, I've had an upset stomach all day, heartburn to be exact. I think I know what it was that caused it - too much garlic. Bob marinated "the world's best tri-tip ever" in garlic and pepper. This marinade and his amazing grilling skills (that's for in case he reads this) is the exact reason why it's the world's greatest tri-tip. I ate three big pieces of it which were very garlicky (delicious). Now, I'm wearing a really pitiful face, cause I love garlic. But if I'm correct on this, it doesn't agree with me (bugger).

I took a rest day today and I think my body just knew it. This morning, I slept in until 7am. I then made coffee. That's when the heartburn began, but it was pretty light.

Breakfast, 7:15am -

"Mocha" - Whole30 compliant

Mid morning snack, 11:00am -

banana with one teaspoon almond butter nuked to ooey gooey

Even with the upset stomach, I was in good spirits today. I got my walking in running errands on campus and kept busy catching up at work.

Lunch, 2:30pm -

I know, it looks disgusting, but trust me it was not. It's the leftover cauliflower mash I made recently with ground turkey in it. I had some avocado slices with a little salt, too. This was a perfect lunch, one that tasted so amazing...the first time. Upon repeat, not so much. In fact, I've been belching it all afternoon. Goes to show that one ingredient can really affect you. Thing is, there would be no way for me to determine exactly what caused the heartburn if it wasn't for the fact that I'm on the Whole30 and not eating anything but real food! Garlic is the logical assumption simply because my diet is so clean, there isn't much else it could be.

Dinner, 7:30pm -

I just wasn't in the mood for much of anything, so I threw frozen mango and berries in the food processor. No, it was not "ice cream" or "fro-yo," paleo-primal-fied anything. It was blended fruit with one tablespoon of coconut oil to make it less like ice. So, I'm not cheating - I just didn't want anything else for dinner (except maybe Pepto Bismo).

Tomorrow will be Day 18, and I'm thinking kale and eggs for breakfast after my gym workout. Getting closer to a successful completion (yay!).

For J.T. -

Whole30 Day 16

2013-06-16T20:20:00.003-07:00

Today was a great day. I got both a ride and a dip in the pool. I got to hang around fun adults and one very entertaining little baby. I got lip-smacking tri-tip. What more could a girl want?

Breakfast, 6:00am -

"Mocha" - made with compliant ingredients
Scrambled eggs with plantains

I needed a little more carbs today since I'd skimped on the fruit this week. Unfortunately, the plantains yesterday and this morning did squat for my ride. I bonked at mile 20. I'm admittedly so frustrated with it, but I am participating in a "challenge," so I can't be too shocked that it's a little challenging trying to get my fuel dialed in for endurance training...grumble, grumble. Fortunately, Bob, my tour guide through Swankville (yes, again), was very patient and understanding.

back in Swankville, take II...

It was truly gorgeous out and I was certainly game, but it didn't matter. The legs were just not interested. Worst part is that Bob even made the ride easier this week, but I couldn't hang on his wheel, not even on the flats.

looking back to see if I'm still there...

summer is definitely here and everything is very green...

By mile 24, Bob could tell I was suffering, so he led me to Zankou Chicken for lunch (we got a late start).

taking charge and telling me to move it...

Lunch, 12:45pm -

1/2 Apple Pie Larabar
2 pieces of chicken kabob with scoop of mutabal
turnips

Then, being the super, duper friend that he is, he led me back to his house. I'd been very graciously invited to stay the afternoon and for early dinner (by his better half), so I had my stuff to change into. Bob then encouraged me to just jump in his pool with my cycling clothes on. I've done this one other time and it was so much fun, so I took him up on it.

After dressing and hanging out with Tina for awhile, I got a call from J.T. and Dad. Lucky for me, since Dad was asleep when I called him this morning. I got five minutes with him on the phone and a chance to wish him happy Father's Day and tell him how much I love him. He's up in MO for another funeral (bad year). This time for Aunt Polly. She was 95 and we just saw her. She will be missed.

After the call, it was time for dinner. Bob grilled the best tri-tip ever, zucchini and corn on the cob (which I skipped). There was also watermelon, strawberries, carrots and tomatoes. I had plenty to choose from! I did, however, have to skip all the good desserts. I brought gluten-free brownies. They were not a hit, but Bob's daughter's icebox cake sure was...not that I'd know.

Dinner, 5:30pm -

Tri-tip, grilled zucchini, three garlic-stuffed olives, tons of fresh watermelon
Dessert - strawberries
Beer - NONE, I only drank water!

Like I said, great day, one spent with good friends. And no matter how much I was tempted, I stayed true to the course (with the help from Bob and Tina, certainly; they made sure I had plenty to eat).

For J.T. -

Whole30 Day 15

2013-06-15T20:15:00.001-07:00

Week 3 on the Whole30 has begun! First, I slept in (it was a rough Friday, okay). I got a good 9.5 hours of rest. I then lingered over my coffee - made with coconut milk and cacao with a tiny bit of date paste. Within minutes of finishing my first cup, I was running...for the bathroom. I will spare you the details, but after doing some Googling and thinking back on the last 15 days, I realized something. Guar gum is a laxative. Did you know that? (you do now)

The coconut milk from Whole Foods has guar gum in it, as does the coconut cream from Trader Joe's. However, the lite coconut milk at TJ has nothing but coconut and water. That will be what I add to my coffee from now on! But it was a relief to figure it out.

Breakfast, 7:45am -

"Mocha" (with compliant ingredients)
Leftovers from dinner last night with two eggs cracked over all of it and poached

This fueled me for sure and once dressed, I headed out to ride for 1.5 hours up and down some hills in my hood (my old training route that I love). I would have ridden longer but my boss called. In the chaos yesterday, I'd forgotten to give him something he needed for his travel tomorrow (and all next week). It was not his fault, it was mine, and although he flat out demanded that I not drive over the hill to fetch it and bring it to him (he lives all of two miles from me), I did. I had to, as that is just my work ethic. If I screw it up, I fix it. And in the end, he was very grateful.

However (sigh), it left me starving as I simply rushed to do it and forgot to eat. By the time I got to Trader Joe's, I was craving anything I could chew. The Sample Giver (I don't know if that's their correct title or not) was handing out Krinkle chips and some processed cheese dip. I averted my eyes. I thought of eating fruit, but I have this thing about washing it and I didn't want to deal with a slimy banana peel. So, what did I do? I bought plantain chips.

Now, wait....wait...wait...   No, I did not cheat. They are allowed in very small doses. In fact, if I made my own with coconut oil (have done so before, and damn they are delicious), I could have eaten my face off with them. But since these were plantains, sunflower oil and salt, I was severely limited. So, like a good girl, I counted out 30 of them (1.5 serving, 210 calories) and ate them very slowly. Then, I chugged a raw Kombucha (whatever that stuff is - fermented tea, kinda like mold? - and mango puree, all natural). This was my lunch...pathetic.

Lunch, 2:30pm -

Pathetic serving of plantain chips and that probiotic mold drink

If you decide to do the Whole30, do not even consider this kind of meal.   It's not one. I was starving again by 4pm but for punishment, I did not eat anything until time to make dinner.

Dinner, 7:15pm -

Two grilled turkey burgers
Mashed green cauliflower with sage, cayenne & garlic powder
pickled turnips

By the time I finally sat down to eat, I was surprisingly not that hungry, but this hit the spot.

I'm hitting the hay really early tonight as I've got a good ride planned for tomorrow. Plus, I have to make brownies in the morning. Don't worry, I won't even so much as lick one of my fingers if it has chocolate or honey on it.

For J.T. -

Whole30 Day 14 - 2 Weeks

2013-06-14T20:09:00.001-07:00

Third day at the gym...I made it there! I also couldn't barely walk. Apparently, my legs, the clever devils, are on to me. They were just not peachy keen on being whipped royally yesterday. My quads, in particular, were causing me grief. I could neither walk up nor down stairs without them giving me an earful. I just ignored them. After all, I'm on a mission.

Breakfast, 5:30am and 9:00am -

ice-cold coffee and leftover chicken kabob before the gym
banana/almond butter goo after the gym

Work was a nightmare. The campus (hint: big one) was emptying all its students for summer and there were several graduations taking place. This meant chaos from every direction, tons of stuff to get done and just an all around mess. I held it together even at a "thank-you-for-volunteering" luncheon. I simply brought my own tuna.

Lunch, 12:30pm -

I went for fast and easy - tuna cut up/mushed up with two hard boiled eggs, steamed broccoli, plain grape tomatoes and black olives. I then chewed slowly and pretended my lunch was as decadent as what those around me where chowing down on - pumpkin ravioli and clam chowder.

My lunch didn't keep me sated all afternoon though, and by 4:00pm, my hand had found its way into a bag of macadamia nuts. I have got to hide those better! I just love them and their little buttery bursts of flavor. I stopped at two handfuls, though. I just needed something to keep the stomach from growling.

By 5:30pm, I was finally out the door. As I drove over the hill, I imagined how awesome a cold glass of Pinot Grigio would taste. I could even feel it on my tongue as I envisioned the first fragrant sip. Did I stop and buy any? It's Day 14, I've made it two weeks...no way in hell was I going to blow it with wine! Instead, I made one majorly delicious meal.

Dinner, 7:30pm -

Garbage Skillet - ghee and sliced-thin sweet potato heated, nutmeg and allspice and sage thrown in, steak added, browned, kale added and sauteed - served piled-high on my plate.

I ate a little over half and put the rest in the fridge for tomorrow's breakfast. I'm going to crack a couple of eggs over that, just because I can. Yum!

Tomorrow marks not only the beginning of Week Three but the half-way marker. I'm well on my way to completion. Like I told my friend yesterday - I got this.

For J.T. -

Whole30 Day 13

2013-06-13T20:15:00.002-07:00

I'm patting myself on the back tonight. I'm just so proud. I made it to the gym again this morning and I tore my legs down. Granted, my entire body hates me at present, but by tomorrow morning, the arms should be all recovered, and they just won't know what's about to hit them again. If I keep this up, they and my legs will eventually respond defensively by gaining more muscle. I've been through this before and it's going to bode well for me.

Breakfast, 5:30am and 9:00am -

Coffee with coconut milk and cacao before the gym
Two hard boiled eggs, 12 macadamia nuts and one small orange after the gym

Lunch, 12:45pm -

Salad - tuna, two tsp EVOO, grape tomatoes, spinach, romaine, black olives, carrots, avocado, balsamic vinegar (just a tiny bit)

This was a success today! The secret is using tuna (not salmon). Nothing mushy about this salad. It was fresh and satisfying. I think I'm going to do a repeat tomorrow.

In the afternoon, I had to attend an employee's going away party. I love the gal and wish she wasn't leaving, so I had to be there, but I did not want to be faced with the many goodies out for consumption - pudding cake with Marzipan icing, hummus and pita chips, Greek flatbread with lamb, feta and sun dried tomatoes. All of it looked amazing, but none of it appealed. Mainly because I spied, at the end of the table, an enormous tray of fruit (that had hardly even been touched). I scored some pineapple and a sliced up strawberry.

The other goodies were easily ignored once I bit into the cold, tangy-sweet flesh of fresh pineapple!

After work, and more farewells, I headed to the valley with an empty stomach. This meant a stop at Zankou, easily one of my favorite go-tos.

Dinner, 7:00pm -

That's a chicken breast Kabob plate for which I subbed out rice and hummus with salad/tomatoes/extra onion and mutabal (baba-ganoush). I could only eat half, so the rest is for breakfast tomorrow. I've noticed that I can't eat as much in the last few days. It's as if my stomach just shuts down once enough is enough. And since I'm not eating starchy carbs, I just don't feel like eating more and more (if you know what I mean).

I did just now have a date for "dessert." But I walked an extra two miles to and from a different parking lot than usual today (and will again tomorrow as well), so I felt I could afford a little slimy date. It took the taste of garlic off my tongue.

For J.T. -

Whole30 Day 12

2013-06-12T20:44:00.000-07:00

Today started well and ended...hungry. I woke, drank the BP coffee and headed to the gym where I worked out with true dedication. I had tons of energy and really worked my upper body with jumps and kettle bells in between. I was a sweaty smiley mess at the end of it. I got to work on time and from there, the rest went awry.

Breakfast, 5:15am -

Bulletproof coffee

Lunch - 12:45pm -

Same as the other day minus the ikra.

My lunch was not satisfying, yet again. No reason other than I just wasn't in the mood for shrimp but didn't realize it until I sat down to eat it. That, I'll admit, is the real difficulty of the Whole30 (for me, anyway) - inconvenience. There I sat with something I didn't want and it wasn't like I could go anywhere and get anything else (other than a boiled egg, I suppose). So, I ate most of it and chucked the rest (bad, bad, bad).

I then made myself another banana and almond butter cup, with grapes, all smushed up. I don't think this is bad in the least, but it's becoming a habit.

Then, I had to stay a little later today. Thing is, I know better than to be without food. In fact, I had a fruit cup (just melon) around 4:30pm, but that's all of 40 calories! It did not sustain me and by the time I drove over the hill and made a quick stop at Whole Foods, I was famished. It was 6:45pm and the food hounds were beginning to nip at my heels. My stomach was growling and my defenses were (way) down.

As I perused the isles, my eyes spotted them - Terra Sweets and Beets. I ignored them initially and passed on by. But my stomach kept gnawing while the hounds kept nipping. Next thing I knew, I had them in my cart. Before I could talk myself out it, I bought them, ripped the bag open and ate a couple.

Now, before you think I cheated...I (technically) did not. The ingredients are allowed. No, Whole9 does not like Canola Oil (and even less, I believe, Sunflower Oil), but they allow it (in small portions). They also take no issues at all with the root vegetables or beet juice. However, if I asked them (as politely as possible and with a wide, toothy grin) if I can have them, they'd say "no" and for this reason only - chips, even if made with compliant ingredients, are "no brakes" food. When translated, this means that rarely will one put the brakes on when eating this food and likely, one will overeat. I remembered this as I ate four more. Then, I quickly smashed the bag, crushing all the chips inside. (Gee...I guess those were my brakes.) I then threw the smashed evidence in the trash.

Phew! I could have eaten the whole bag and out of principle, had to have started the Whole30 all over again (well, that's an exaggeration - I'd have had to have added an extra day at the most). It's one thing to start the slide down the slippery slope, but entirely another to be wallowing in the muck at the bottom of it. Fortunately, I rammed an ice pick into my wall of determination-to-succeed and I'm still clinging to the side, precariously dangling above the abyss of failure. But I didn't fall and with the chips gone (and only 6 past my lips - not even a full serving of 14!) I'm still on track. I really don't want to blow this.

After that, I came home and made steak and eggs and kale. That is all.

For J.T. -

I forgot to wear my pedometer today...bugger...so, I have no proof that I walked a single step. IOU a dollar. Now, we're even-Steven for your missing Sunday!

Whole30 Day 11

2013-06-11T20:50:00.000-07:00

No spin class this morning. I did the "toss of shame." It's where you roll over and fall asleep when your buttage should be in spandex at the gym.

Oh, well, I didn't have my Bulletproof coffee either. Instead, I threw three large cups of coffee in the blender with a 1/3 cup lite coconut milk, a tablespoon of cacao and a teaspoon of date paste. Wow, this was delicious too. Only very slightly sweet with a caramel aftertaste mixed with undertones of cocoa. A keeper!

Breakfast, 6:30am -

Kale and Eggs - oh, how this makes me happy! Take some Kale, throw it in a pan with a little ghee and a little chicken broth, cover, let wilt, then push it to the sides and crack two eggs in a little ghee, cover pan again and let eggs poach. Lightly salt, throw on a plate with sliced tomatoes. Amazing...

Lunch, 12:15pm -

I made the mistake of trying to create a salad again in the dining halls. I realized today that it's the protein choice that's blowing it - canned salmon. I don't like that fish whether it's poached or grilled, so why I think slimy canned salmon is good, I don't know (I can only handle smoked salmon...on a bagel, with cream cheese!). Anyway, I tried. I used only a little vinegar and Dijon this time (instead of smothering it), a small avocado, tomatoes, olives and cucumbers on spinach leaves. In a word, blechk!

I ate what I could of it and (shamefully) threw the rest out. It just did not appeal to me at all. Then I walked the remainder of my mile walk and made myself an ABB&G cup - looked kinda gross but was heaven on my tongue.

That's a banana with two teaspoons of almond butter and red grapes. I nuked the banana and almond butter until it got all gooey and then added the grapes cold. This tastes so much more decadent than it really is!

Once home after a workout at the park, I threw leftovers in the oven with some added peas (that I can have, yay!).

I followed it with a small bowl of cut up strawberries, blueberries and a tablespoon of unsweetened applesauce.

Not much more to say about today (it was a good one). I'm now really tired and am going to bed... gonna.try.to.drag.ass.to.gym.in.the.morning. Try is the operative word.

For J.T. -

Whole30 Day 10

2013-06-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

Before I became grumpy today, I started off feeling good and riding the euphoric wave of abundant fat. Yup, I had another Bulletproof Coffee. For sure, I won't be drinking it every day. I only drank it today, because a) it tastes so damn good; and, b) I wanted to see if yesterday's high off it and hours of feeling satiated were a fluke or for real. It's for real. You do stay full and alert and feeling rather fantastic. However...don't ya hate that there is always a however?...it's a cup of fat for breakfast. Even though fat is good for us and a great source of energy, I'm not so sure I want almost an entire day's worth before 6am. So, I'm thinking of keeping it as an indulgence for maybe once a week, right before a huge gym workout.

Breakfast, 5:45am...

Bulletproof Coffee - with nutmeg, turmeric, cacoa powder, cinnamon and cayenne (just a dash of each)

Then, I got to work. Mondays are never fun days, but today was particularly annoying and for no reason I'm going to share (too long, too boring). By the time I decided to eat lunch, I needed to just be left alone. So, I shut my office door and jumped online. Here is where I got grumpy.

But first...

Lunch, 12:00pm -

Ice cold water

Leftover chicken thighs with carrots and Brussels Sprouts with leftover beets and avocado.

While enjoying my leftovers, I popped onto the Whole9 Website and read this article. At first, I was thrilled, since having to wade through the forums on their site was becoming tedious. But then I read the part about no pan"fakes" and no "ice cream." Well, if you've been reading my blog in the last week, I've had both. Granted, the version I made of each (off of recipes I'd found online on others' blogs about the Whole30) wasn't really much like the real thing at all.

Coconut milk with frozen banana and berries is simply not sugar-filled, cream-based ice cream, no matter how you cut it. Nor is banana with egg fried on a griddle really a pancake. And, to be clear, neither are "triggers" for me to want to run screaming back to the S.A.D. (standard American diet) way of eating. I've been glutton free for weeks prior to the Whole30 and pretty much following MarksDailyApple (the Primal Blueprint) for the last year. I simply like coconut milk with frozen fruit and I got bored one day with plain ol' eggs (although, they are one of my favorite all-time foods to eat).

But...rules are rules. So, no more "ice cream" or pan"fakes" until after the Whole30. At least my green peas were spared from being banished! I love green peas. So, take away any "paleo-primal-fied" food you'd like, but leave me with my peas, please.

Still, it made me grumpy, like a five-year-old told "no candy." So, in defiance, I ate a decadent snack (just kidding...I ate it cause I was hungry).

Snack, 4:45pm -

1 medium banana cut up, 1 small nectarine cut up, 1 Tbs organic Almond Butter - pop in microwave for 30 seconds and you end up with ooey-gooey goodness. But it did ruin my dinner.

Dinner, 7:15pm -

One leftover chicken thigh, One cup of Tomato Juice, 1/2 cup raspberries (no greens, shame on me!)

Day 10 is in the bag. Tomorrow, I'm gonna try to get up to join a spin class at my gym. This means, I may change my mind and have a Bulletproof Coffee again tomorrow after all, but only if I am heading to spin class. Otherwise, I've not earned it - which just might motivate me to get my ass on the spin bike! (yes, it's that good)

For J.T. -

Whole30 Day 9

2013-06-09T19:59:00.000-07:00

I was hoping to sleep in today, but nope. My eyes flew open like a pair of tightly wound shades suddenly released from their hinges, right at 5:30am. It didn't help any that the little feathered bastards just outside my window were creating a cacophony of chirps. If only I owned a water gun (don't worry, I'd only squirt them a little and not enough to go knocking them, tails over feet, off their tree branches).

There was nothing for me to do, but get up, put on laundry and make Bulletproof Coffee. Only, I didn't use MCT Oil (whatever that is). I just used coconut oil, cause it's got the same stuff in it. I did use the crappy Starbucks coffee, though. I already have it and I'm not going to waste it. And, of course, I used ghee. In fact, for two huge cups, I used 1 tbs ghee and 2 tbs (raw, virgin, organic) coconut oil. I then blended it with Turmeric (yes), Cinnamon and Nutmeg for close to a minute. It was frothy and creamy and instantly satisfying. I don't know if the claims Dave Asprey makes are true or not, but I can attest to the instant energy it gave me, which lasted through my morning ride and a full-effort workout in the fitness zone at that park. I drank it at 6:00am and wasn't hungry until 11:45am, when I returned from my workout!

So...

Breakfast, 6:00am -

Bulletproof coffee (which, when I did the calorie count, came out to roughly 370 calories)

Lunch, 12:15pm -

The leftover shrimp cocktail and pan steamed/fried broccoli.

I have to be honest - the cocktail had not done what I'd hoped overnight (mingled); instead, it was watery and mushy. So, I didn't eat what was pictured. I just picked out the shrimp and some of the avocado that was still firm. I left most of the tomato. Lesson learned!

As for the broccoli, I simply threw it in a saute pan with 1/3 cup organic, gluten-free chicken broth, put a pan on top of that and let it simmer-steam/fry until tender. I added nothing more - no ghee, salt or anything. I love broccoli and the simpler the better.

I was still a little hungry after not eating the full plate, so I cut up 1/2 a papaya, squeezed lime juice all over it, pinch of salt and a bunch of cayenne. Delicious!

After lunch, I fiddled a bit around my apartment, folding laundry and such when, suddenly, I felt a pair of eyes on me. Somebody, that I let hang out in front of the sliding screen door, was giving me the stink eye. I'd promised her a "hike" today and had yet to deliver. So, being the good dragon owner that I am, I put my tennis shoes on and took Boo on a three mile walk through the neighborhood and along the LA River.

I stopped a lot along the way to let her down to explore a bit, so we didn't get back until 5pm. I had to make dinner! I threw some chicken thighs in the oven with onion, garlic and olive oil to roast. I then cut up and cleaned Brussels Sprouts and popped them in the oven below the chicken to roast as well. I took Trader Joe's pre-packaged (but not pickled) beets, sliced them, threw them in a bowl, covered them in White Balsamic Vinegar and a pinch of salt and let them marinate. The end result was pretty scrumptious, if I must say so myself (and I have lots of leftovers for this week's lunches!)

I drank lots of water today, but I also snacked a bit on Macadamia Nuts. I mean, I ate a handful. That may sound innocent enough, but Macadamia Nuts are the snack of demons. Seriously, they are evil and they will call to you to keep coming back for more. Next thing you know, you're in some exorcist film having holy water thrown on you. Approach with caution!

Oh, and I made date paste. Yes, it's crack. But fortunately for me, I just don't (ever) have a desire to binge on dates. Even the paste is a little too...um...slimy for me - if that makes sense. However, I do plan to use it to sweeten my cherry/Raspberry ice cream I'm about to make. What? I earned a tiny bit of dessert for not only working out two hours this morning, but taking a two hour walk with Boo!

Which reminds me...

For J.T. -

Tomorrow is Monday (meh) and Day 10. I'll have a Whole20 left. Seems to be flying by!

Whole30 Day 8

2013-06-08T20:54:00.002-07:00

Today marks the 8th day of my Whole30 experience and the beginning of Week 2. Today was also the day that I rode my bicycle for more than just a romp in the park. But before I get to that...

Breakfast, 6:15am -

Butter Coffee - only I used one tsp of ghee and one tsp coconut oil (didn't want to waste my good fats in case I hated this concoction. Nope, it's insanely delicious. I will have again!)

Scrambled eggs and a half sweet potato with an apricot grilled in ghee and sprinkled with cinnamon.

Then, after a little upset stomach business, I dressed, got the bike strapped to the trunk and was on the road to Swankville. Bob had invited me out for a mere 30 mile ride. He'd tweaked his calf a week or so ago and it is just now healing. He swore he needed to go "easy." (uh-huh)

It ended up a 30 mile ride with 2100 feet of gain. Not epic, but certainly not some "easy" ride. I'm not complaining, though, as I needed to see what I'd feel like riding a bike after a week of eating zero starchy grains, dairy and refined sugar. Those are three fuels I have used in the past on rides (Egg McMuffin and Lowfat Chocolate Milk from McDonald's for breakfast, anyone?) but not anymore. So, what's the verdict?

I got reprimanded for...oh, I don't remember...

I just followed...

Well, I'm torn. I did do well today and given that I've had amazing rest all week and even better nutrition, my mind was clear and my muscles more than willing...for awhile. In fact, I chased Bob's wheel like a hungry dog on a bone for the first half. But as the pedaling increased, my fuel storages depleted rather rapidly. I asked Bob pretty early on when we'd be taking a break.

"Right before we turn to start climbing," was his nonchalant, rather disinterested reply.

sigh...I told him about Dad's shenanigans, and he just had to try it...

yes, I was there...

I had to remind him of my diet like 20 times, of course, in the hopes he'd take pity. Who am I kidding?! His whole goal was to push me today and his idea of easy was that he planned only 30 miles. He was (sorta) sympathetic to my diet in general, well...only in the sense that he himself would never take on such a challenge.

"I wouldn't last 12 minutes," he admitted.

I had to laugh. "You could do it if someone ripped the beer out of your hand."

"Yup, that's me," he said proudly. "I think I'm going to start my own diet - beer, bagels and donuts." - typical!

Bob does not approve of the Whole30 challenge...he's all for beer, bagels and donuts!...

I make fun, but he rode better than I did today, even with a hurt calf. Of course, by the time we took a break right before the climbing started, I was past hungry and my fueling was screwed. I gobbled down two lemon Larabars at the park where we stopped for a (two minute) breather. But it was too late and there was no way it was going to hit my system before the climb. I just had to HTFU and pedal.

Yes, Bob dropped me (easily). But it didn't matter at that point. I just put the gear in granny and told my legs to move it. They kept biting at me and snarling, but I ignored them, thinking "up, up, up," the whole way. My stupid back joined them close to the top, and when Bob offered me an out from having to climb the last 1/2 mile, I took it. Then, I blew everything I had left out on one last two-layered hill. Needless to say, I limped it home.

I was no longer on his wheel at this point...

he came back to ensure I hadn't been abducted by aliens...hey, it happens!...

I'm not unhappy in the least about any of this. I feel great, actually, and if I can get the fueling down to a science, I think I'll find I can ride longer miles on a diet similar to the Whole30 (certainly for the three weeks I'm doing this and then, hopefully, after it's over). I would like to continue for many reasons, but this one was the clincher - Bob said six little words to me when he first saw me this morning..."you look like you've lost weight." Those are the six sweetest words to any woman's ears and, even better, he's right! No, I've not weighed myself (against the Whole30 rules) but my clothes are definitely looser. If this finally helps me succeed at getting my cycling shape back, I'll be sold for good!

Lunch, 12:45ish -

I was starving when Bob, Tina and I got to Islands, but I was determined. First, I ordered the (gluten-free) Kobb salad with oil/vinegar on the side, minus the cheese. But I kept the bacon on it (shame on me, cause you know they use the kind with sugar!). When the waitress brought the salad, I sent it back, cause it was pathetically lacking much of anything but lettuce. Instead, I ended up with the (gluten-free) burger wrapped in lettuce with Kosher pickles, onion, tomato and mustard; then I asked for avocado to be added (they added a miniscule amount). Terrible waste of money for what I got, but you do what ya gotta do.

By the time I got home, I was hungry again (but, of course), so I made myself a parfait with lite coconut milk and layers of blueberries, apricot, nectarine and coconut flakes. It hit the spot! (so, we'll call this my snack)

Dinner, 7:15pm -

Shrimp cocktail - I threw together a large chopped tomato, two small avocados, one jalapeno pepper, tomato juice (1/3 cup) and some fresh lime juice with shrimp, let it sit for a bit and chowed down. Yum! I have half left over for tomorrow's lunch and leaving it overnight will just let the flavors mingle even more.

I also made asparagus in butter (I used ghee, of course). Delicious! I highly recommend this, although I wouldn't recommend it with shrimp cocktail. I'm going to make it again on a night I grill some fish or steak.

Okay, that's Day 8 - Long but very satisfying, all of it!

For J.T. -

Whole30 Day 7 - 1 Week

2013-06-07T20:35:00.003-07:00

I'm having a coconut conundrum. I love coconut. I can eat it and anything made out of it. The oil, milk, flesh are all addictive. They are also all high in calories and fat. Now, on this Whole30, I'm allowed fat. In fact, fat is encouraged (well, according to some; according to others, it's avoided on the Whole30, along with fruit, because of the sugar - but I'll get to all that in a minute). After years of living "low fat," it is still very difficult for me to throw caution to the wind and eat fat as if it were just another normal component of any meal, giving it its own prominent and rightful spot on the menu.

So, in the last seven days, I've had this small, yet nagging fear that I'm going to end up even fatter and facing a heart attack at the end of 30 days. It's irrational, of course, simply because I've cut out so much other (far more less healthful) crap from my diet, I just don't see how I can be overdoing anything I'm eating at present, especially considering how I've been mixing it up and adding variety.

In fact, if you look at my meals, fat is there but never in enormous quantities. When I brown food in ghee, I generally use a tablespoon for the whole recipe. I also use "lite" coconut milk (well, now I do since I realized that whole coconut milk or the cream has like 500 calories per cup!). It's caloric but only 4 grams of fat. And I can't binge on it. Nor can I binge on plain, unsweetened flaked coconut. I'd like to binge on it. Hell, I'd like to bathe in it...with melted dark chocolate, of course (isn't that everyone's fantasy?). In reality, I eat a couple of handfuls and I'm done. It's simply too dense and filling. Same thing with any other fat or with meat that has fat. Like the grass fed beef I bought last weekend - half of the package is now in my freezer, cause I just can't eat that much of it.

That there is the beauty of the Whole30. Some would say it's the beauty of the Paleo diet. But those folks might as well not waste their time trying to convince me. I'm not a fan (and by that, I mean that I'm not a fan of calling this way of eating Paleo even though I realize its creators eat Paleo and call it Paleo). Why? Well, tying in the comment above about how different folks are doing the Whole30 differently (how is that possible, anyway?) - I've discovered something while out researching the Whole30 on various websites and blogs.

Number 1, there is a whole bunch of folks who view this diet and the Paleo diet in general as a "pure" or "clean" way of eating. Apparently, that means eating like Dr. Atkins did minus any cream or cheese or artificial sweetners. You remember Dr. Atkins, don't you? Yeah, me too. And as I recall, his diet was pretty restrictive when it came to fruits and sweet potatoes and,well, carbs in general, and the focus was all on meat and fat and greens and fat and meat and...didn't he die of a heart attack? Sorry, I digress...

Number 2, there is a whole bunch of other folks out there who view this diet as a way to be anorexics. Yes, that's a tad mean and insensitive of me to say. It's just that when I read questions on forums to other members like, "I'm feeling really nauseated and tired and I have extremely dry skin, what am I doing wrong?" and, through the comments that follow, discover the person isn't eating hardly any fat ("cause it makes you fat, don't ya know?") or fruit ("too much sugar!") or meat ("I'm just not a meat-eater"), I realize that the person is just using the Whole30 to eat nothing but plates of veggies all while masking their eating disorder along the way. I could be wrong, but back when I was in high school and friends with a girl so skinny, you could slip her through the crack in the door sideways, anorexic meant not eating and/or just eating plates of veggies.

The creators of Whole30, or at least what I've read on Whole9, aren't advising folks to cut out foods they allow on the program. It's the ones they don't allow that are to be avoided. Unless I've misinterpreted...? For me, I allow everything they allow, even if it's limited. I do so, cause I plan to ride my bicycle several times before the end of the 30 days and I'd rather not bonk while doing it. To hell if I'm giving up fruit or sweet potatoes or even Medjool dates - a seemingly innocuous little (slimy yet sweet) food that gets some "Paleo-ites" all frothed beneath their nostrils. I read their comments on blogs and forums and marvel at their fear...of a date. Yeah, so what, it's got sugar? It's a whole food.

I should state here (yet again) that I've not bought the book (although, I will). So, perhaps I shouldn't go acting as if I am doing this program 100% to the letter. I'm sure some of my choices could draw criticism. But, I am staying within the parameters and I am determined to not only finish but to reap every benefit I can from it. And the biggest, best benefit I can garner thus far, is that I'm eating from all the groups of natural, unprocessed, whole foods.

Which brings me back to my experience on the Whole30. I'm eating the fat (nagging fear and all), the fruit (no fear whatsoever - blueberries rule!, just ask Boo) and lean proteins. Oh, and a bunch of veggies too. I've not had grains, dairy, alcohol, sugar (other than naturally occurring in fruits), beans or anything processed. And I've stuck to it for a full seven days - a whole week!!! I've made it one week!!! Yippee!!! Now, pass me the margari...er...never mind.

Three more weeks (and two days) to go. My energy is back for sure and I can't wait to ride my bike tomorrow - can't wait to see how I will feel. I may suffer terribly or I may ride as if my wheels are on fire. I suspect it will be somewhere between the two.

Breakfast, 6:30am...

8oz tomato juice
black coffee

Pan"fakes"
There are simply too many recipes on the web to give credit to any particular one (Google Paleo pancakes two ingredients).

- 1 egg
- 1 banana
- small handful of chopped walnuts
- 2 chopped dates
- ghee

Mash the banana, whisk the egg, combine the two, stir in the walnuts and dates, heat ghee, grill, eat...yum. I nuked some frozen berries for topping and cooked one turkey patty for extra protein.

I know, it looks a bloody mess, but it tastes so good and it fueled me all the way until 1:00pm before I got hungry again.

Lunch, 1:15pm...

Iced tea with lemon

I first ate a cup of Bubbles sauerkraut (love it), then I ate my shrimp stir fry that I made in the morning using coconut oil, sea salt, garlic powder and cayenne (threw out the packaged seasoning) and some more ikra.

Snack, 5pm...

Fruit cup with fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, grapes

I stopped off at the park for a quick walk (to get my 10K steps for the day) and the - can you guess? - fitness zone! Yup, I've officially become a regular there.

Dinner, 7:30pm...

Ice cold water

I polished off the leftovers from dinner last night and then made myself mango/blueberry ice cream using lite coconut milk, unsweetened applesauce, mango, blueberry, allspice and nutmeg. I topped it with flaked coconut. This was a treat since I'm riding tomorrow. That and my dinner wasn't very big. Oh, and I ate four small vine tomatoes just as I would an apple. I love tomatoes...almost as much as I love coconut.

One week down, feeling good (but not cocky) and excited to start another week.

For J.T. -

Whole30 Day 6

2013-06-06T20:58:00.003-07:00

When my alarm clock goes a blaring at 5:30am of late, my usual response to it is to rip the cord out of the wall so that the blare goes "beeeeee....." in a two second, pitiful whine before shutting the hell up. I feel so powerful and smug when I do that...until later, when I wake up realizing that by silencing my alarm clock and falling back asleep, I've yet again missed my work out at the gym. And morning is the best time there considering it's nowhere near as crowded as in the evening.

Well, this morning, I'm happy to report, I was perfectly polite to my alarm clock, in fact, downright friendly. I turned it off by using the knob on top, something I imagine more even-tempered folks do every day without issue. I then got out of bed, put all my stuff together for the day, dressed in my stretchy attire and reported to the gym.

Surprisingly, I was not a walking zombie. I had some energy. It helped that I had breakfast beforehand.

Breakfast, 6:00am -

Black coffee

Same as Day 5 - only in lieu of blueberries, I cut up some organic strawberries for on top.

I decided to try my upper body workout, bench press and all. Although I couldn't do as many reps (10 instead of 12), I did manage to pump iron. I jumped rope, did lateral slide jumps and squats in between. Was it up to my usual standard? No, but it wasn't a pathetic snoozefestfail either. I left the gym with a smile on my face (and I mentally patted myself on the back).

Then, I reported to my second day of jury duty and got dismissed from trial (yay!). It was around 12:40 pm before I could turn in my badge, get my forms and get to the parking garage and out on the road. I was starving. So, I decided to swing by one of my favorite family owned Armenian markets to pick up a kabob and some sides for lunch. I just wanted flavor and couldn't stomach a chicken breast and avocado.

The sweet (and very patient) woman behind the counter assisted.

"Does your Babaganoush and Ikra have dairy in them?" was my first question.

"Eh...nooo. No dairy," she replied.

"Olive oil?"

"Yes, olive oil. Only oil we use for our salads."

"Sugar?"

"No. No sugar."

"Even in the Ikra?" I know there are different ways to prepare it and in some recipes, certainly not all, one does put a teaspoon or so of sugar.

"No. Eggplant, tomatoes, onions, garlic, a little bit of pepper - spicy, you know? - salt. Oh, a little vinegar."

"So, no sugar." I was determined to know the truth.

She looked a little perplexed. "You don't like sugar."

I smiled sheepishly. "I can't have sugar."

"No sugar. Honey, I make it myself. We usually run out by this time."

"Bread?"

"Bread?" She looked at me like I had two heads. "No, but you can buy some bread at the front, we make it fresh every morning. Very nice to dip the bread in it."

"What about your babaganoush?"

She laughed at that. "Come on, honey. No. Eggplant, Tahini - only sesame seeds - garlic, lemon, a little salt. You don't have a problem with salt, do you?"

"No, just sugar, dairy, wheat...I'll take two large containers of both." I smiled as gratefully as I could.

This is what one must go through on the Whole30 if one wants something a little more interesting to eat and doesn't have time to make it themselves from scratch. My efforts were worth it!

Lunch, 1:30pm -

I'll just post a photo of the deliciousness.

After lunch, I worked at home up until 5:30pm (I had so many emails to get caught up on!) and then I put my tennis shoes back on to go walking in the park. I also couldn't resist "playing" in the fitness zone. I'm just so addicted to it!

I got home hungry.

Snack, 5:00pm -

An apricot and a nectarine (both organic).

Dinner, 7:45pm -

I made a funky version of some kind of gravy, goulash - grass fed beef browned and removed from pan, ghee added with a tablespoon of almond meal and 1/4 cup coconut milk, simmered down, mushrooms added and browned, simmered some more, peas added, garlic powder, salt, cayenne and then the beef back into the pan, stir.

Comfort food, I suppose. I had one bowl and put the other half of it away for tomorrow. It was a tad rich but very satisfying.

Oh, and I decided to make myself a cocktail. (Don't worry, no alcohol was harmed in the making of said cocktail.) I took half a small, cold watermelon, skinned the peel, chopped it up and threw it in my blender with half a squeezed orange (just the juice) and some mint and blended.

Now, that's a keeper!

Day 6 is done...fingers crossed that tomorrow I'll have more restored energy like I did today.

Whole30 Day 5

2013-06-05T19:31:00.006-07:00

I woke up this morning feeling like I had the flu, only not in the dreadful kind of way but more with the fatigue throughout my body. I'm just wiped out. And my workouts (if at all) have been measly, in-slow-mo kind of workouts. So, it's not that! But then, what is it? Yes, I've read the Whole9 website and other forums, and it seems that low-energy to outright exhaustion are normal. I just wish I understood why. I mean, I'm eating plenty of food, all whole food (mostly all organic, grass-fed, free-range, etc.), drinking plenty of water and sleeping upwards of 10 hours/night on average over the last four nights. That's 40 hours of sleep in less than a week!

I did not workout today. I wanted to, I promise. But walking up and down 12 flights of stairs six times was all I could muster. My legs feel like weighted bowling pins and my eyelids droop. Strange thing is, it comes and goes in waves - literally, like in waves over my body! I guess this is detoxing? Whatever, I've got 25 more days to go.

Today's eats...

Breakfast, 6:30am -

Black coffee (since I'm now adding coconut milk in larger quantities to my diet, I've decided to stop adding it to my coffee - no need!)

My version of this recipe on this website
I varied it in this way:
- 1 cup pumpkin (Trader Joe's canned organic pumpkin which is seasonal I believe)
- 1 banana
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup lite coconut milk
- 2 Tbs Almond Meal (Trader Joe's)
- generous sprinkles of cinnamon and nutmeg
- pinch salt
- 2 Tbs flaked unsweetened coconut
- 1 Tbs ghee/2 tsp coconut oil
- small handful of walnuts/blueberries/2 chopped dates to mix in and for topping

Crazy delicious and since I made a double batch, I have some leftover for breakfast tomorrow.

I had jury duty today (and have it again tomorrow since no jury was selected), so lunch was (kinda) on the fly. I did snack on one banana this morning, since I wasn't sure if we'd be let out on time for lunch.

Lunch, 1:00pm -

Unsweetened plain tea with lots of lemon

Sharky's Naked Tostada salad without:

- the tortilla
- sourcream
- beans
- rice
- cheese

with:

- mixed lettuce (spinach, romaine and Kale)
- chicken
- guacamole (I asked, it is gluten and dairy free)
- tomatoes
- steamed (not grilled) veggies - and I asked for extra
- fresh made hot sauce (not Tapatio, sadly)
- jalapenos

I couldn't eat it all, which kind of surprised me giving that it's mostly lettuce! But I just couldn't. And worse still, I wanted to take a nap immediately following. It wasn't like a "I ate too many carbs, need nap" kind of thing (clearly), but more just that same stupid, sleepy fatigue I got going on at present...sigh.

Snack, 10:00am -

Banana

By the time I got home, I wanted something quick (I'm hitting the hay by 8pm!). So, I whipped together the following:

Dinner, 6:15pm -

Smoothie
Didn't measure, but figure 1/2 - 3/4 cup of frozen organic mango, raspberries, pineapple, 1 cup spinach, 1 1/2 cup lite coconut milk, water to help blend it in.

No photo items, cause I was simply too tired to take anymore photos; and really, do you need to see a photo of turkey?
- Trader Joe's pure turkey patty, pan fried in a tsp of ghee
- 1 egg muffin (still have those leftover; plan to polish them off tomorrow)
- 1/2 can Trader Joe's green olives (yay! - no preservatives so I can has 'em!)

Funny thing - I'm not even full. From being too stuffed to eat the salad at lunch to now, not full, is bizarre! But I've had more than enough. I'm going to let my stomach settle, then I'm going to bed. I am definitely going to the gym tomorrow morning, even if all I do is curl up into a fetal position under the bench press and go back to sleep!

Well, congratulate me - I've made it through 1/6 of this program. (I think that's right anyway...math is not my forte.)

Whole30 Day 4

2013-06-04T20:13:00.002-07:00

Today was the kind of day that could send anyone running toward da-booze. It was a stressful day, one that didn't pan out like I had hoped (long, boring story). This meant being really hungry and bitchy toward the end of it. I'm happy to report, however, that I stayed the course, even after finding out that I do, indeed, have to report to jury duty tomorrow. That is going to suck it all over the place. The only thing I can do is pack a lunch and eat it cold. Eh...I can do it.

Back to today...

Breakfast, 7:30am -

ice cold water
Starbucks Venti Blonde black (picked up on my way to work)

Sweet Potato Hash - My Style
- 1/2 - 3/4 a sweet potato
- 1/2 an apple (any organic kind will do)
- 1/2 banana
- 1 date
- 2 unsulphured dried apricots
- 1/2 an orange (to squeeze the liquid from)
- cinnamon, nutmeg (to taste)
- 2 tsp coconut oil (raw, virgin)

Brown it all (except the juice from the orange) in the coconut oil. As it starts to turn brown, squeeze the orange, getting lots of juice in the mixture. Let the juice cook down into the hash. Then top all that with a little fresh cut strawberry and blueberries (Boo approved!)

- Serve with two pork sausages (I used the organic, nitrite free chorizo for mine)

Lunch, 12:30pm -

ice cold water

I decided to brave the dining halls. The results were mixed.

I made a salad (of course, cause like what else could I eat?) -
- Spinach leaves
- black olives
- tomato & carrots
- can of Trader Joe's wild caught pink Alaskan Salmon
- 2 hard boiled eggs
- half a small avocado
- Dijon mixed with balsamic vinegar

I did not eat the pictured cabbage, cause it was nasty.

Meh. I was past hungry and irritable and I mixed in too much Dijon. I ate it anyway and then felt like I had a sour stomach (too much vinegar).

Snack, 4:00pm -

Fruit cup (fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, red grapes)

Dinner, 6:30pm -

Ice cold water

Got out of work late and was starving, so I said f* it and drove to Zankou. Not the best choice but not out of compliance with Whole30.

I ordered the half chicken (with skin, but I took most of that off) with tomatoes and turnips. I subbed out the hummus with mutabal - all natural ingredients: eggplant, pure tahini, olive oil, garlic, salt. No rice (duh) and no bread (double duh). Garlic paste for the win! (it's just fresh garlic, olive oil and salt whipped to frothy, stinky crack...I feel so sorry for anyone who sits next to me at the court tomorrow.

Now, to bed. Still exhausted and I've got 26 more days to go!

Whole30 Day 3

2013-06-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

Monday = suckage, and today was no exception (I simply am not a fan, like millions of other humans who work 9-6 jobs for 5 days a week). But given the whole Whole30 thing I got going on, it was...can you guess?...not as bad as usual.

You didn't expect that, did you?

I'll admit that my buttage was not up at the gym this morning as planned. Nope. I slept eleven hours last night. Could it have been that I exercised twice yesterday? Maybe. Could it have been the Whole30? Probably. In fact, if you go here on the Whole9 website, you can read about the many phases. I guess I'm in the hangover phase, because I am really tired. I haven't had any headaches, but I'm not exactly clear headed either...of course, that isn't necessarily all that unusual.

Now, onto the food...

Breakfast, 7:30am -

8 oz tomato juice
Black coffee

Sauteed Kale (in a little ghee) mixed with fresh mango and cayenne. Yep, boy, it was lickedty delicious. If you're scrunching up your nose, cut it out! - and go make some. It's wonderful first thing in the morning, especially coupled with eggs. Which is what I did - coupled it with three of my egg muffins. Kept me satiated until noon!

Lunch, 12:15pm -

Plain Iced Tea with lemon

I packed it today as I really wanted to ensure I ate Whole30. Tomorrow, I may venture into the dining halls where I work (armed with a can of sardines and salmon) to see what I can scrounge up for lunch. But today, a Monday, I was in no mood!

I started with a cup of Bubbles S auerkraut. It's pretty pricey but very worth it. I generally eat about two cups of it a week for its probiotic properties. More than that, and I'm a gass bomb.

Then, I moved on to leftovers of mashed cauliflower, last night's veggie mix (with a little beef in it) and a chicken breast with 1/4 an avocado. I then went for a mile walk.

Snack, 5:15 pm -

A banana

I knew I'd be working out tonight, although I lacked any energy to hit the gym. I don't know how to describe it. I wasn't sleepy or anything, but I definitely felt stuck in quicksand whenever I walked. Still in yet, after work, I drove to the park, walked another mile and did some equipment (just for the legs) at the Fitness Zone. It was all I could muster.

Dinner, 7:45pm -

Ice cold water

I cheated. No, not on the diet plan, but with a pre-packaged Trader Joe's stir-fry. It's totally Whole30 compliant as long as you throw out their seasoning (has Dextrose, a no-no, in it) and use your own. I cooked the shrimp first in a little coconut oil (raw, virgin) and seasoned it all, veggies added, with Coconut Aminos (available at Whole Foods) and cayenne pepper (but of course). Easy! I'm buying tons of these stir fries as they will save me so much headache during the week.

Lastly, and I guess dessert if you just HAVE to call it that, I made Mixed Berry Ice Cream. I used half a bag of Trader Joe's organic mixed berries and four small pieces of frozen Trader Joe's mango with a 1/3 can coconut cream. I needed to use up the cream as it goes bad in 48 hours, so I figured why not? Besides, it was mostly berries and not hardly sweet (unlike the Banana Ice Cream). It was more like berry sherbert, truthfully. I dug it as it was refreshing.

Now, I'm full, sleepy (yes, again!) and ready for bed. Boo is already asleep in her little cabana. So, I guess I'll just make like my lizard and...snooze...

Whole 30 Day 2

2013-06-02T18:03:00.000-07:00

This morning, I woke up half an hour earlier than expected. This just gave me a little more time to play around in the kitchen before my hike with friends.

Breakfast, 7:30am -

8oz cup of tomato juice (yup - allowed on the program as long as it's just veggies, yay!)
Coffee with two teaspoons coconut cream

First thing I did was peel and roast some sweet potatoes in a 425 degree oven. I've read on a couple of blogs that folks who take on the Whole30 challenge while being active need more carbs and should not forgo their sweet potatoes. Since, I hope to keep cycling and hiking during this, I decided to heed the advice.

While the sweet potatoes roasted, I browned some onion, mushrooms, zucchini and chorizo in a little ghee and whisked together 8 eggs in a bowl. I then greased a muffin pan with coconut oil and spooned in the chorizo mixture into each cup, after which I poured the egg halfway up (I filled 12 muffin slots). For a full recipe, go here. As you will see, you can make these any ol' way you'd like. And they are delicious!

I ate three with 1/2 a mashed roasted sweet potato mixed with one diced date and 1/2 cup organic, unsweetened applesauce.

Lunch, 12:30pm -

Ice Cold Water
4oz cup of Coconut Water

After a decent (but not terribly arduous) hike with two sweet friends, I headed home. I had plans in the afternoon, but decided not to risk it, so I cooked at home very quickly. This meant no food out for me, just seltzer water (which wasn't hard considering I was full!)

First, I made Banana Ice Cream, while I roasted some zucchini in a 425 degree oven. Oh, sweet Mama, that stuff is delicious. I modified mine by using half frozen banana and half frozen mango. I also used coconut cream from Trader Joe's and lots of cinnamon, nutmeg and Allspice. I could not believe how good this concoction is. I will definitely make it again, but it has to remain a treat or I'm going to end up just eating bowls of it the whole 30 days!

After the zucchini was done, I sprinkled it with dill and ate it alongside some left over chicken salad (which did, indeed, taste better after sitting overnight in the fridge).

Snack -

Are you kidding me? ...none.

I decided to go out on my mtn bike and ride to the park late this afternoon for a little more exercise. I've discovered Fitness Zones. For real, these are awesome. They are like playground equipment for grown ups and you can work out doing circuits all your little heart desires. I just fiddle-fart around on them enough to burn some calories and have fun. I plan to hit the gym tomorrow for a full, "real" weight workout. But these Fitness Zones are 10 gazillion times more fun. If you live in LA, go try them. You'll see.

Dinner, 5:15pm -

Ice cold water

I had a craving...for beef. I'm not a big red meat eater, but when I crave it, I really crave it. So, luckily, I had some grass-fed, humanely raised, uber-pricey (sigh), ground beef from Whole Foods. I threw garlic, onions and ghee in a frying pan, browned it, added the beef with chili powder, cumin, salt and diced fresh jalapenos, mushrooms, orange bell pepper and left over roasted zucchini. I cooked it all through and served it up in a bowl with chopped tomato, avocado and black olives.

I could not eat all that, so I have left overs. But it was very tasty and fast. So much for the rhubarb soup. I'll make that this week.

Something that hit me today - I did not eat out even one time this whole weekend. Nor, did I have a single boozy sip of any boozy-booze. And guess what? I survived just fine.

UPDATE, 7:00pm -

Had 1/2 a small watermelon from Trader Joe's (very in season and sweet!). It was staring at me in the kitchen. Of course, I'm going to regret it when I have to get up five times in the middle of the night to pee!

Whole30 Day 1

2013-06-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, here goes...Whole30 has begun! I admit that I've not bought the book yet but luckily there is plenty online to get the process started. I've already knocked out mostly all food with gluten in it (and I don't just mean bread and crackers - all processed food that has gluten as a filler). So, the transition will not be hard in terms of not eating starchy, bready crap or grains (or legumes, for that matter). Where I'm going to feel it - and I likely shouldn't admit this - is in the giving-up-da-booze.

If you know me, you've likely drank with me, on more than one occasion and with more than one drink. I'm not big on the hard alcohol, never have been, but give me my vino please. I will drink beer after a ride, but even that I've given up without much ado. However, I love wine, really love it, I won't lie. As luck would have it, wine does not love me. Instead, it's more like some violent ex loser boyfriend who comes around on the weekends to woo me back into imbibing only then to kick the shit out of me later. I know this, and yet I allow it even though it affects my sleep and it hurts my workouts. No, I don't drink every day, but unless I've got some epic ride scheduled for the weekend, it is normal for me to drink 2-3 times a week. Since joining Weight Watchers, I've cut way back and when I drink, I try to keep it to one glass optimal, two glasses the limit. But given my nature and co-dependent relationship with it, a third glass often very easily slips through my lips no matter how much I have told myself limit to two only.

So, yup. The no alcohol thing is going to suck. So is the no sugar thing. I don't eat a lot of sugar, mind you, but I do consume Splenda which is the worst crap ever. In fact, I've read it's worse than sugar and raises insulin just as much if not more. Even knowing this, I still put 5 packets of it in my coffee every morning. If there is one thing I do hope happens during this Whole30 experiment, is that my addiction to Splenda disappears. I don't drink soda, diet or otherwise, but that morning sweet coffee is what I look forward to every day. No.Splenda.Gonna.Suck...sigh.

Other than that, I think I'm golden. I can live without cheese (can't believe I'm admitting that) and bread and rice and pasta and...the list goes on. And, as of Day 1, I'm perfectly happy. Of course, it's Day 1...talk to me on Day 5 (uh-huh).

Two things I'm thrilled about, though. I get to eat ghee and drink coconut milk. I'm fairly certain neither is Weight Watchers approved, but oh, well...they look pretty harmless to me.

Now, onto Day 1, here is what I ate:

Breakfast, 8:30am -

Coffee with 2 teaspoons of whole coconut milk (from a can) - NO sweetner of any kind (sniff).

Chorizo Scramble
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 c organic, gluten-free, nitrate free chorizo (this stuff cost $$ but its only ingredients are pork, water, paprika and spices)
- 1/2 orange bell pepper
- 1/2 red sweet onion
- 1/2 c mushrooms
- 1 Tbs ghee
- salt/cayenne pepper to taste

I browned the onions and mushrooms in the ghee, stirred in the bell pepper, added the chorizo and cooked it all until golden brown (and I made sure the chorizo was cooked all the way through). Then I cracked the two eggs over it, turned the heat to way low and set another pan on top of the frying pan to trap the heat and let the eggs just poach. When done, I broke the yolks over the mixture, put in a pinch of salt and several pinches of cayenne. I ate it with a cut up tomato and a bowl of cherries. Yum!

This meal kept me full for 4 hours. Then, it was lunchtime!

Lunch, 12:30pm -

Ice cold water

Chicken Salad from this blog - (click here and scroll down for recipe) I found this while Google-ing Whole30 recipes. I've never heard of anyone using Almond Butter in place of mayo or yogurt, so I just had to try it. I ended up using canned chicken (from Trader Joes) and only one tablespoon of the almond butter. I added White Balsamic Vinegar to taste instead. My version was not as creamy as her photo of the salad in a lettuce leaf appears, but it was so delicious! No, you don't taste the Almond Butter once you've mixed it all in really well. The combo of the grapes, apple and onion is so good. I have tons left over and I suspect it will just taste better after having set overnight.

Cauliflower Mock Mashed Tatoes
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 1 Tbs organic coconut oil
- salt/cayenne pepper to taste
I'm sure you've heard of mashed cauliflower. No, it tastes NOTHING like mashed potatoes no matter how hard any Paleo/Primal eating individual tries to convince you. It tastes like mashed cauliflower. I love cauliflower, so I am oh, so cool with that. It was yummy and very filling. I have tons left over too.

- sweat peas (heated...that is all)

I couldn't finish all of this and ended up throwing out a tiny bit of cauliflower (I scraped it off my plate absent minded-like before I realized I'd just wasted food...shame.on.me). And it kept me full up until 4:30ish. So far, so good.

Snack -

None - I'm too full from breakfast and lunch!

Dinner, 5:15pm -

Ice Cold Water

Greekish Kale Salad
- 2 cups organic kale
- 1 chicken breast (freshly baked in the oven but allowed to cool)
- 1/2 avocado
- 2 medium tomatoes
- small handful black olives (Kalamata Olives would be best)
- 1 Tbs sliced raw almonds

Orange-Dijon Dressing
- juice from half a fresh orange
- 2 Tbs White Balsamic Vinegar (or regular Balsamic- just as yummy)
- 1 tsp Olive Oil
- 1-2 tsp Dijon (start with one and taste it; if you want more of that tangy Dijon flavor, add more)
- Pinch salt, lots of Cayenne (I like it spicy, so I don't skimp on the pepper)

Place Kale in a bowl, cut a lemon and squeeze it all over the leaves. Sprinkle in some sea salt and with your hands, massage the devil out of the Kale. This lettuce, my favorite, really can be bitter. The only way to curb that is to either nuke the lettuce for 30 seconds or massage it. Both methods work, but if massaging, really get in there. Your Kale should shrink down 3/4 in size.

After massaging Kale, cut up all other ingredients and put them in the bowl.

In a separate bowl, combine all of the dressing ingredients and whisk it until fully combined. Pour it over the Kale salad and gently mix. I say "gently" because if you mix it too aggressively, the avocado starts to break down and the consistency is weird. Just mix it enough to coat it.

I've been eating this salad long before I decided to try the Whole30. I just love the flavors. I will admit that I normally use a little maple sugar in lieu of orange juice, or, gasp!, sometimes in combination with it. Maple sugar definitely gussies up the dressing, but you really don't need it. I didn't miss it when I ate it for dinner tonight. Oh.So.Yum!

I may have a little watermelon for dessert, but not sure of that yet. I'm definitely sated. Of course, I haven't done any exercise (yet). I know...laaazzzzyyy. But it is sickeningly hot outside today which is not motivating me. I could go to the gym or...I could just be a lazy slug. I'm going hiking in the morning with a group of gals (and taking Boo!), after which I do plan to drive down to the ocean to ride my mountain bike a bit. So, lots of exercise tomorrow.

I'm already looking forward to Day 2. I'm planning on making Rhubarb Soup tomorrow. Then, I'm going to eat it for lunch next week, along with...not sure yet. But the soup appealed to me, so I can't wait to try it. I'm also going to make chili, but that will likely happen Monday night. The one thing I know for certain about the Whole30 - you cannot wing it! So, the more prepared I am, the easier this shall be.

Okay, off to finish the salad. I may even lick the bowl clean.

UPDATE, 7:15pm -

I wasn't craving watermelon so I made myself a Berry-Bowl - 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce with Allspice sprinkled and mixed in, 1/2 cup organic blueberries, 1/2 cup sliced organic strawberries. I ate that with three dried, unsulphured apricots (these are something I'll have to get used to as they are not sweet and yummy like the regular dried apricots - way more tough and chewy!)

in my own sweet hole-digging time

2013-06-01T13:31:00.000-07:00

It may seem as if I've given up writing on this blog. I haven't entirely (yet). Nor have I given up riding my bike(s). It's just that this year, the first half of it anyway, has been...wacky doodle doo. I didn't want to come on here to whine about it, so I've remained silent and absent (and pissy).

Before I get to the post I wrote back in April, I will start with an update on my dieting trials and tribulations. If you don't want to read my rambling, by all means, skip to the pretty pictures way below said rambling. I won't be offended.

The diet, Weight Watchers, is sorta working, sorta not. It's been lose a pound, gain a pound, lose a pound, gain a pound, curse and kick scale across bathroom floor. Since starting on the whole "point counting" crap, I've lost all of 14 lbs. That is simply not enough to satisfy my ever waning attention span to all things "point counting."

So, after my recent visit to the doctor to have the bee removed from my ear (sorry, you'll have to read all my other jibberish below to know how a bee got in there to begin with), I went all gluten-free. Have you ever tried that? It is frickin' ridiculously hard to do as gluten (wheat protein) is in everything. It's in there as a filler. It's cheap and although it initially fills you up, it raises your insulin levels so that you inevitably crave it all over again and eat more. If you don't believe me, go chow down on some pasta or crusty bread and see if you can stick to one measly serving and if you don't crave more within an hour of eating it. I've never been a big pasta eater myself, but I can shove a whole damn crock pot full of mac and cheese down my gullet in less than five minutes. I avoid it at all costs.

Anyway...now, I'm full-blown gluten free. Now, I have to read every stupid label to make sure that what I think is just soup or just oatmeal or just chicken doesn't have wheat in it or on it (as in a glaze - seriously, if you're eating a Teriyaki chicken breast, you're basically eating chicken coated in wheat). Gross. No really...GROSS. And it makes you really fat, especially if you're a female over 40. I know this to be true as I'm living that dream right now and am just begging someone to wake me up to that fit, lean body that is hidden under the rest of me.

Well, someone did wake me up - my doctor. After flushing the stupid bee out of my ear, she had a "Come-to-Jesus" discussion with me.

"You're fat," she told me.

By the way, she's this little itty bitty skinny Chinese lady who has to be in her 50's but looks 35. She has some major 'tude, but I dig her. She always says things as she sees them without any attempt to buffer your hurt little feelings. She's my primary and the exact opposite of my Gyno lady doctor. My Gyno would never just say, "you're fat." She'd more likely pat me on my shoulder while mentioning that I might should drop some weight.

"Yes, I know I'm fat. But as of February, I've been on Weight Watchers and I'm kinda losing...kinda?"

"No, no. Weight Watchers isn't going to help you." She said this looking at my mid section with a very concerned expression. "You could have a heart attack if you don't lose your belly fat. That's the most dangerous kind."

"Okay..." I said with a slight giggle. I wasn't trying to be disrespectful and all, but there is nothing more amusing to me than when skinny Asian women give me advice about weight. They should try being a whitey-white-white; we got entirely different genes.

She ignored my amusement. "You ever heard of the Whole30?"

"Yes, but isn't that extreme?" I asked.

She raised one of her eyebrows and scribbled something on her pad. "Look up gluten-free and try that first. Give up gluten...bread, pasta, processed food...and give up dairy. And no sugar. Try that for a few weeks. If that doesn't work, try the Whole30. But you have to lose weight. I want to see you again in three months. Oh, and do you exercise?"

"Never." I joked. "Yes, I ride a bike and go to the gym. I'm pretty spotty of late, though, and haven't been as disciplined."

"Exercise...every day. I'll see you in three months."

That very day of that appointment, I went gluten-free and somewhat dairy free. I definitely feel better, but I'm not dropping weight like I thought I would. By the way, I don't replace wheat products with processed gluten-free ones. The only exception has been when I've treated myself to gluten-free pizza recently. It had dairy on it too. Dr. Lau would not have approved, but I was craving something other than a salad!

Okay, now that I've written all of the above...today, June 1st, I officially started the Whole30. Yup, gonna do it. If you want to read about it, go here. It's pretty strict - no dairy, sugar, grains, alcohol, processed foods (of any kind). I can't even use Lawry Salt and that, right there, is something I'm going to miss. But you see, the gist of it is that you get back to eating just whole foods. It's considered a Paleo diet, but I see it more as an elimination diet. Luckily, you can eat fruit, veggies, meat and healthy fats and you don't have to count points. And I'm not going to be for the full 30 days. Don't worry, most folks lose weight on this 30-day plan. In fact, I've never heard of anyone who has gained. So...fingers crossed.

I'm going to come on here and post photos and recipes during my Whole30 experiment. I'm going to try to do this every day. It's been done before by so many others on other blogs, it won't be ground-breaking or even all that interesting. But I want to record it and share it - and, who knows?, I may even inspire someone else to try it. Of course, my vegan friends are going to be repulsed (sorry, guys), but the rest of you meat eating beasts may actually be interested in some of the recipes/ingredients. Oh, and I will be using recipes off of other blogs and I will give credit to those folks - which, in turn, will just provide even more info for anyone interested.

Okay, phew! That's the skinny as of today. Below the dotted line is what I wrote back in April and never got around to posting.

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The biggest and saddest news I have to report is that my grandmother, my father's mom and the only grandparent who's been alive for the past 30 years, passed away on April 10th. She was just shy of 94 and I'd hoped (selfishly) to hear her voice one last time and to give her a gentle hug. She was so weakened last year when I visited home for 4th of July and, according to Dad, extremely fragile when he saw her last, the weekend prior to her passing. He knew this was coming and I did, too, but I still held out hope.

I flew back to Fried Chicken Land to pay my respects [in April] and although it was a very sad affair, it was an expected one. At some point I suppose, we all just wear out and decide to move on to less chaotic place. She gave this life a lot, and because of her many of us are here, so I think it fair that she decided enough was enough. I just wish I'd had that one last opportunity - just goes to show that the sentiment "tell those you love them every time you talk to them" is not some cheesy over-statement.

Even with the sad occasion, I did get to spend one day with Mom, Dad and JT. It was a good one too, one in which I had a great bike ride with Dad down to the Cumberland. The weather was perfect, the country roads beneath us felt like butter and my company, "John Wayne," was fantastic (of course). I was riding well, too, considering. Dad was a little tired (to be expected after his week!), so I actually could (kind of) hang with him on the hills. All would have been stellar except for one stupid little bug (bee?) that flew into my ear, all the way into my ear, as in - got stuck all up in my ear.

Can you guess the rest? There was the emergency room visit that cost me $100 (copay) at which they didn't do shit but pour a solution in my ear to kill the (doomed) bug, but not before it bit/stung me. Then, after killing the it, they refused to irrigate my ear or stick any instrument in my ear to remove it (they gave some lame excuse about not having an ENT specialist on-call). Whatever! I ended up flying back to LA with a dead bug carcass in my ear. I now have an ear infection in both ears (yes,possible, go Google it). I also had to take Cipro for 10 days. Good times!

So with this all now shared, I'll admit that I'm not digging this so-far shitty year (there have been a couple of other disappointments since January as well, but none of them compare to losing my grammy). I can call it "two thousand one three" all I want, but "13" is still upon us. And coincidentally, April 13, 1998, my cousin passed away suddenly. April 13, 2013, I attended a funeral for my grandmother. I don't read tea leaves out of weeds, mind you, so please don't think me paranoid. The number "13" is simply a foul number. I think of rotten eggs and burnt toast anytime it's mentioned. And (here is where you will think me loony) I won't even count to the number "13." That's right, it has to be 12 or 14 in anything I do, including weight reps, steps, laps, crunches, sips, swallows, etc. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to January 1, 2014.

Anyway, today I decided to tip toe back on here for one main reason - my father mentioned to me the other day that he logged on here and "hell, you haven't written anything since February." He's right. I need to close this blog down or write something (anything). So, here goes...

I lost 11 pounds in six weeks (yay); I'm fairly certain I put a couple of them right back on in the last week and a half (cut me some slack; one has a hard time dieting in Fried Chicken Land, hence the name!) This does not mean much of anything except that my final lean-thin-trim-fit reveal photo will be a little later in the year than I had hoped. I'd like to be lean-thin-trim-fit as of yesterday but...um...not gonna happen. I'll settle for whenever it does happen. It's my new motto - it'll happen when it happens.

Speaking of, I don't like Weight Watchers (WW), but it does work (when followed, of course). It will work even if you just follow it half-assed. It is effective, cause it forces you to deal with portions and to eat a ton of fruits and vegetables. If anyone ever tells you that you'll get fat eating too much fruit, tell them to go stick a large banana up into their crawl-space and leave you alone. You will not gain weight eating fruit. I know this to be true, because I've lost weight eating bananas and apples and oranges (and strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, honeydew melon, papaya, mango, plums and pears). Without fruit, I'd starve (okay, not really, but I would be awfully grumpy.) I'm also eating a ton of veggies.

That's how WW tricks you. They ding you zero points for unprocessed rabbit food and ding the hell out of you for eating anything else. Lean proteins and healthy fats are favored. Starchy crap? Give it up, cause WW doesn't want you to eat it. Some say WW is now a low-carb weight loss plan. They are incorrect. WW just doesn't condone wasted carbs like bread, pasta or rice. They are also pretty mean when it comes to eating processed foods. I eat so little now. I ate little before, but now, if I eat bread, it's once/week. Typically, I don't eat it. I would rather use the points for a piece of chicken or scrap of cheese.

I'm hungry all the time, unless I eat fruit, and I'm pretty temperamental. In fact, when I rode with Bob several Saturdays ago, I threw my bike tire. No, not at him, at the sidewalk. He just laughed at me (brave man). I threw it in anger. I'm so sick and tired of changing flats, I could scream. I have new Gatorskins on the bike but I must have put the front tire on incorrectly (it happens), cause it blew out when I tried pumping it. Then, the tube I put in to replace the blown out one went flat (who knows why). That was two flats in under 30 minutes. I couldn't take it...that, and I was hungry...so I threw my tire. It survived. Surprisingly, so did Bob.

Oh, and I had a birthday. I'm now 43. I would be depressed over this except that I know if I wasn't 43, I'd be dead. Not a real comparison between the two, so I've changed my tune from one of complaining to one of being grateful. I had a nice birthday weekend too and was treated by good friends the whole time. Southern California was blessed with gorgeous weather, so I got some hiking and biking in, even if it wasn't epic.

Speaking of...cycling at present is just pitiful. I rode 60 miles with Herb and Linda over a month ago and then fell apart. I don't know if it's my weight (although, I'm sure it has something to do with it) or what, but I don't get the endorphins high like I used to. It's also eating at me that I can't handle the kind of rides I used to join with glee. Herb and Linda rode Stunt recently and I passed on the ride. I just wasn't up to it.

When did this happen? Don't know but in lieu of crying about it, I'm just going to dig myself back up out of this hole in my own sweet hole-digging time. I think the weight loss, as it continues, will help tremendously. I want to feel sexy again on the bike. I want to trust my legs, knowing they'll get me up an arduous climb. I used to never even question that. Now, I worry, so I shut down and just don't go. Not exactly an effective training program.

I am working out like crazy though. In fact, I bought a Pedometer. It's my new secret weapon. It motivates me to walk 10,000+ steps per day, Monday-Friday. That may have been my secret weapon for losing 1.5 lbs per week (up until last week.) It really is true that walking is just great exercise.

Phew! That was longer than I expected. As is the norm, below are photos from recent rides, etc. Lots to scroll through, sorry. I'll try harder to keep this blog puttering along - at least until I shed the weight. I really can't wait to have the "before" and "after" photo shoot. It's what's keeping me with my eye on the prize at present, and that will just have to do.

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Photos taken from March through May in no particular order...I'm too lazy to try and sort it out!

Herb, Linda and I rode 55 miles to eat potato balls - well, when else would you?...

This is the new extension part of the LA River Bike Path, pretty snazzy...

I felt pretty strong on this ride up until the last climb through Descanso...

And I rode to breakfast one morning with Bob...

I could barely hang with him on the bike path, but just look at those calves!...

Not sure I'd be out there running...

This is why Bob is one of my favorite friends - he doesn't take life or himself so seriously that he won't pose on a frog in front of a dinosaur (snicker)...

this was one of my favorite rides of late - Bob and I rode to Simi and it was a day where I felt the best I have all year and rode very strong...

I even dropped Bob on the way up Santa Susana (on his hill repeat, that is...snicker)...

yes, I can still fit into my helmet...

this is from my visit home and JT and I were out on the town. She's just such a doll...

aren't they the cutest? I love my parental units...

riding with Dad on my last day home...

just as he attacked the hill...and dropped me...like a badly microwaved potato...

smooth roads, blue skies and lots of barns - Fried Chicken Land!...

I'll be riding these roads again in a month...

getting dropped again...oh, look! another barn!...

this is the mother of all farms...

John Wayne looking good on two-wheels...

down by the Cumberland (he called Mom just "because")...

sigh...you can take the man on the ride but you can't take the boy out of the man...er...or something like that, anyway...

this was the butt-burner ride (almost) out to Parker Mesa with Herb...

I had to walk a lot of it back...

I'm convinced that he's trying to kill me...

but just look at that innocent face...

this was in March when I went riding with the cousins out to Simi...

Now, for some bike bling...

I've had these since 2003 and as much as I hated replacing them, well...

then I found these, on sale!, and I'm in love...

this was before I got them dirty, on their maiden voyage...

new chain for Nellie; now, she's rideable again...

and lastly, a new bike rack - some idiot stole the old, rickety one I had on there!...

this kid has got to go!

2013-02-22T17:16:00.001-08:00

So, it's been...um...over a month since I've written on here. I don't have a real reason why except that the year Two Thousand One Three is a transitional one (I'm hoping it will be, anyway) and I've been distracted (for lack of a better word).

Before I go any further, I want to state something with utter sincerity. If you are a female similar to my build and height (medium boned and 5' 5") and weigh near or over 200 pounds, I do not judge you. You may be overweight, but I do not think of you as "fat" and would never call you fat. I would encourage you to exercise if you don't, but I'd encourage a 100 pound woman to do the same (with the approval of her doctor, of course). I don't judge anyone so harshly on his/her weight...except...myself. I'm a cyclist (in case you haven't read my blog) and I used to be a pretty damn good athlete - amateur, yes, but committed nonetheless. Weight is so relevant when it comes to riding a bike, certainly on the kind of rides I love but haven't done in so long. So my judging my weight is specific to me and my lifestyle and not a judgement of others. Please note that before you continue reading below.

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A little over two weeks ago, I arrived at my pulmonary specialist's office for my annual exam (which included my breathing test of late). "Pulmonary Specialist" is a fancy way of saying "lung doctor." The one I see sucks...most of the time. This year? He was stellar, but that's not what this entry is about, so I'll move on.

His nurse, a sweet-faced gal who kept furrowing her brow in a kind of Betty Boop-ish way, greeted me and asked me to step up on the scale first thing.

"Okay, but I don't want to know what I weigh. I mean, it's not like I'm in denial. I see myself butt naked in the mirror every day, but I just lost 4 lbs. Or, at least, I had lost 4 lbs, but then I've 'relaxed my diet' all over again and...well...who knows?"

She just smiled (patiently), brushed back her thick shiny brown bangs with one slender hand, and pointed to the (dreaded) "doctor's scale." You know the one - a bulky, mammoth, metal torture tool.

"Can I remove my shoes...and the rest of my clothes?" I flashed her a big cheesy grin.

"Sure," she replied with a wink.

I ditched my shoes, stepped up on the scale and held my breath. And, I closed my eyes. I knew already how dreadful my weight has become. After all, I'd been weighing myself every week for the past two months (plus seeing myself "butt-naked"- let's not forget that!), but I didn't need the aggravation that particular day.

But as I heard her move the weights on the scale and scribble on my chart, I had a change of heart. "Okay, I don't really want to know, but I think I'd better face it. What's the damage?"

"You're funny," she said before pausing a moment. "206 pounds, give or take. Your clothes probably add a pound and if you've eaten today...maybe, another 1/2 pound? Or, you could be ovulating and therefore retaining water or...whah whah whah whah whah..."

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I don't remember much else about that visit.   I saw my doctor, I was prescribed more drugs (for my asthma), I paid for parking - but the one thing that wouldn't stop looping in my brain was...206 pounds.

I drove home, stripped down to nothing and looked (really looked) at my body in the mirror. There before me was a fat woman. She wasn't entirely unattractive but she was fat. Her arms, beefy sausages, dangled at her sides pitifully. Her face was bloated and her chin, doubled. Her (used to be) slender shoulders looked padded and swollen. When turned sideways, a "shelf of fat" stood out from above a bulbous stomach, a bloated layer of skin between her breasts and her belly button (a coffee cup can be rested on it when sitting, so it does serve some purpose). Her breasts were full and bigger than they've ever been, but distorted by the "shelf" so they didn't really stand out. Her butt? Oh, it stood out. In fact, it was her most defining feature, attached to meaty thighs that had gone from "sort of muscular" to "undefined softness." This couldn't possibly be me, but it was...is.

So, deep breath, now that I've (gulp - really??!) revealed my weight on here, what am I doing about it?

First, I'm accepting responsibility. It isn't the fault of my genes, my office job, my metabolism, my age, my sex, my asthma, my "big" bones, or my lizard (Boo had absolutely nothing to do with this).   I could blame my mouth, I suppose, and my hands, teeth and tongue - damn them! But since I over-operate them in unison (apparently), I guess the buck will stop here. I've gotten to this weight all on my (not so) wittle bitty own.

Second, I've set my mind and am determined to lose it - 60 pounds of it.   I mean it this time too (so you can stop rolling your eyes now, please). I mean it so much, I revealed my weight on a public blog. How many women do you know who'd do that unless she's serious about reducing the number? (yeah, thought so!)

Third, I've joined Weight Watchers (WW) again and have followed it perfectly since officially beginning this past Monday. It seems that WW has improved their program in the last year. They are more veggie/fruit/protein/healthy-fats driven than they used to be. Now, they ding you zero (0) points for raw fruits and vegetables, instead of encouraging you to snack on their stupid, overly processed (and priced) sugary cakes and muffins. This bodes well for me since I plan to do WW "Primal Style." I love Mark Sisson's website and believe wholeheartedly in what he's espousing (The Primal Blueprint), but obviously, I need help with portion control and calorie counting. WW worked for me in 2005 (when I lost 40 lbs on it) and for my sister (who lost over 100 on it and has kept it off!). There is no reason it won't work for me this time as well...if I stick to it.

So, this past Monday, I weighed myself first thing in the morning, butt naked on my scale at home (yes, I own one). I weighed 196 pounds. That is the weight I'm starting with this go around and I will weigh in every Monday and record my weight. I also took photos of myself in a tank top and shorts from the front and side. I will continue to take these photos for every ten pounds I lose to document my weight loss. I will then share them on here (yay! Before-and-After photos!) once I've lost down to my goal weight of 136 pounds. Why not? It will be fun to see them once I'm lean again. And, I will keep them to remind myself should the weight start creeping back on.

I sound pretty confident, don't I? That's because I am. I know I can lose the weight. I'm giving myself the year to do it (although, of course, I'd like to reach my goal weight by July). The real challenge for me (obviously) is keeping it off for good. My sister did it, so once I've lost, I will be using her as inspiration to keep maintaining a healthy weight. No more thinking that I can eat what I want after a long bike ride. No more thinking that I don't have to count every little morsel that goes in my mouth. No more super-sized beer after a bike ride with the guys ("but it's just one!" - nope). I'm gonna have a tough few weeks acclimating to WW all over again, but, honestly, I don't mind. I want my shape back and I want to ride a bike like I used to without carrying 60 lbs along the way.

Wow...that just hit me writing that. 60 pounds! It's as if I'm carrying a third grader with me in my jersey's back pocket every time I ride my bike. I have no issue with a little third grader, but this kid has got to go!

Oh, and in case you came on here for the pretty photos and not all my other nonsense, I have been riding and hiking and taking pictures of it all. Photos are below (in no particular order):

Rode with Herb and Linda 61 miles recently...

Some things never change...

We rode from Burbank to Encanto Park and back...

I felt a pang of sorrow when I turned this corner.

I haven't ridden Mt. Baldy in over two years...

And there my old friend is, snow-covered in the distance...

I was the slow one all day, my climbing is non-existent anymore...

This was serious business...

I also rode with the girls to the beach one Sunday...

One of the main reasons I live here (this in January!!)...

When you have this kind of weather, you can't help but smile...

and then...there is the scenery...

riding past the airport...

I wish they'd all wear helmets, but a nice sight to see...

In fact, many folks took the same advantage of the day as we did...

he posed for me...

love this photo, as I think I caught a "moment"...

It was just an outstanding day and ride...

I took Boo hiking in January too...

And she was a celebrity among the boys...

Griffith Park Ride with Bob...

It was a tad chillier that day...

I demanded he smile...

At least it was the deluxe model...

So serious...

They are still doing road work at the park, by the way...

To the bike path over the 5 freeway...

Trash Truck Hill - still there and still just as painful...

He ran past me as I was climbing, and dropped me...like a badly microwaved potato...

This was last Saturday - a ride out in Swankville...

Valley Circle...

his usual...

into Encino...

to the bike path...

and back in the (swank) hood...

And I end this entry with one last photo,

one I captured while riding that made me chuckle:

Effectively Fighting the Fatigue Caused by Cancer Treatments

2013-02-12T14:11:00.000-08:00

For the first time ever since beginning this blog in 2008, I'm featuring a guest author from another blog. Her name is Melanie Bowen and she writes for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog. She sent me a very sweet email and asked if I'd be willing to post her article. You bet I am, Melanie! Cancer has touched my life twice, once was devastating that resulted in a tremendous loss and the other was frightening but thankfully minor. I wholeheartedly endorse anyone who promotes healing and support for those fighting this dreadful disease.

Before you read the article, here is a little info about Melanie:

Melanie Bowen joined the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance in 2011 as an awareness advocate for natural health and cancer cure initiatives. You will often find her highlighting the great benefits of alternative nutritional, emotional, and physical treatments on those diagnosed with cancer or other serious illness. Melanie also assists in social media outreach in her efforts to spread awareness. In her spare time, you can find Melanie trying new vegan recipes, on her yoga mat, or spending time with her family.

Please pass the below article on to anyone you know who may be recovering from cancer and for whom this information would be useful.

Effectively Fighting the Fatigue Caused by Cancer Treatments

There are many types of treatments available for people who have received a cancer diagnosis. Some cancers are minor while others can include a very long and difficult road full of medications and various cancer treatments that can take their toll on a person. While many cancer treatments can be beneficial in either helping to extend the quality of life or in some cases to eliminate the cancer, there many side effects that come from aggressive anticancer treatments.

Perhaps one of the biggest issues that many patients face, especially with chemotherapy and other aggressive treatments, is fatigue. Fatigue can last for months and in some cases even years, after the cancer treatments have been completed. There is, however, a way to help cancer patients deal with and overcome excessive amounts of fatigue.

In a recent review by Cancer Research UK, data suggests that cancer patients participating in exercise activities were able to reduce the amount of fatigue that they experienced after cancer treatments. However, not all exercise activities were found to be beneficial to those people experiencing fatigue.

Patients who had been treated for solid tumors received the best anti-fatigue results from cardiovascular workouts than any other type of workout. While strength training may have been beneficial to their self-image, strength training offered little resistance against fatigue that is common after certain cancer treatments.

Much of the activity that is recommended includes cardiovascular exercises such as cycling, walking, jogging and in some cases even running. Researchers were also very quick to point out that physical activity, such as cycling, needs to be done in combination with other activities in order for patients to receive the maximum benefit in fighting off fatigue during and after cancer treatments.

Another issue that researchers point out is that while it is recommended that people speak with a doctor before starting any exercise program, in these cases it is vital that they speak with their physician before beginning any sort of exercise routine. The physician will be better suited to determine what is acceptable and what is safe giving a patient’s condition and treatment schedule.

Fatigue after cancer treatments is typically the number one complaint. While the cancer treatments are necessary to either keep the cancer at bay or to help eliminate the cancer, the side effects of these treatments can be devastating. However, something as simple as cycling can be a perfect way to get the exercise that the body requires and help fight against fatigue that is so common in the aftermath of aggressive cancer treatments for mesothelioma, prostate cancer, breast cancer and more.

- Melanie Bowen

If you would like to follow Melanie on Twitter, you may find her there at @MelanieLBowen.

whole new attitude

2013-01-14T11:13:00.001-08:00

It's wintertime. I say this in awe cause we don't get that time (season) out here all that often. Our winters usually mean one of two things - colder yet mild temps with lots of rain, or heat wave (think 100 degree + temps) with Santa Ana type conditions (dry wind). I remember back in 1998, going to Disneyland with a friend on Christmas Day in 95+ degrees (miserable). Then, three years ago, it rained for a month straight (beyond miserable). We just never know what we're gonna get.

Well, this year, we got ourselves a bona fide cold winter here in So Cal. Chicago is warmer than we are, and it's quite possible that we've had more snow this year than the Windy City (!!!!!) Crazy, huh? Call it Global Warming (something I do believe in) or simply call it "unusual weather." That's what I keep hearing out the mouths of the weather forecasters. "Across the south land, we are experiencing unusual weather...." No shit.

I like it cold. Last weekend, all jazzed about the new year and kicking it into "fit" mode, I headed out on my mountain bike to ride 50 miles of hybrid road/dirt. I ended up with 36 miles for two reasons: 1) It was a ride I used to do in better shape that is all front loaded climbing (i.e. hard as hell); and, 2) I got waylaid by a donkey and two horses.

Proof...

donkey...

donkey butt...

very friendly...

and here was the other one, grazing away...

They were all friendly, but, apparently, loose ("at large") horses (and a donkey) is illegal. I know this cause some (very sweet) lady out hiking insisted I dial 911. I insisted that dialing 911 for loose animals was the wrong thing to do. Turns out, I'm wrong and dialing 911 for loose animals is the right thing to do (they re-route you to animal control). So, do yourself and the rest of us a favor and dial 911 should you ever see a loose chimpanzee or elephant.

secret dirt path out of the valley...

this always gets me right in the bum...

Long story short, I stuck around waiting for animal control (and to pet the donkey) and lost 45 minutes of my ride time - all this after getting a late start. I don't really care since 36 miles was plenty and I wanted to steal that donkey. I have nowhere to keep him, of course, but how awesome would it be to say, "my pet donkey..."?

in case you think I'm riding in an isolated area - nope!...

I blew past the Nike Missile Site since I'd gotten a late start...

It looks warm, doesn't it? - but it was not...

in fact, if you look closely, you will see that this puddle is frozen...

and very long too (recent rain)...

lots of runners/hikers/bikers out...

this chick blew me away - she ran past me on a hill and dropped me easily!...

see that single track in the distance? I'm going to get Herb to ride it (snicker)...

love this section heading to Topanga...

As for last Sunday, I hiked. I've decided that hiking is as good as biking for fitness, actually may be better. I'm not ditching the wheels anytime soon, but I love hitting the trails for cross training. And since I have such a fantastic area to hike so near me, I might as well take advantage. Last Sunday was a perfect day for it, too. There were crazy skies above us filled with both light and dark clouds. The air was super crisp (has been for the last two weeks) and temps were perfect for hiking (cold).

I've only ever ridden Fryman once as it's just not that enjoyable to ride...

in case you think I'm hiking in an isolated area - nope!...

The next set of photos are all sky - the clouds were amazing over the valley...

Now, this week? Rinse and repeat... kinda. I had planned to ride to the Rose Bowl yesterday, climbing Patrician Way, Inverness and St. Kat's on the way out, but those plans were never realized. I had bad bike juju this whole weekend for some damn reason.

It started all of 15 minutes before I was to take off from my driveway to meet Herb (who so sweetly offered to be my ride companion yesterday even though he is trying to get major miles in of late). I was well on time and excited. That disappeared within seconds of spying the back tire of my bike in the morning. It was completely flat which is unusual. I removed the tube, checked it thoroughly (or so I thought) and got it fixed and back on the bike in under eight minutes (honest).

sadly, I saw so little of Herb...

*BRAG ALERT* I'm uber skilled at changing flat tires both front and back. I forced myself years ago when planning on riding double centuries to change a tube over and over again until I mastered it. I never wanted to be caught out on an epic ride stranded due to lack of skills. On my very first double century (LA Wheelman), I had to change three flats! So, all that work paid off. In fact, I have changed a tire in freezing rain in under five minutes (Herb and the girls are my witnesses). *END BRAG*

However...I'm not worth shit when it comes to new tire pumps. I just got a new one and, like a dummy, forgot that I have to go easy on the lever until I know for a fact it's been released. I ended up breaking the steam on the tube when ripping the lever off (apparently, I'd not opened it enough). If you know me, you know I have an Irish temper, one that rarely makes any sense. I'm like a dog that for no reason will just go all berserk on your ass and bark, snarl and drool (but, with that said, I am "all bark" and no bite). I also break inanimate objects when they don't work right (or I forget how to use them). I've destroyed many hair dryers, kitchen appliances and cell phones in a fit of rage. Yesterday, I considered taking a hammer to my back wheel but am happy to report, I did not. Instead, I changed the stupid tube again and managed to pump air and remove the lever without breaking yet another steam (or the tire pump likely would have been destroyed).

love this section of Flower Street...

one and only climb for me...

I also managed not to take it out on Herb when I finally got on my bike and took off toward the Rose Bowl with him. I was all business, apologetic (but not annoyingly so) and ready to ride. Herb, who also has a temper (he and I are both Pisces if that means anything at all), was forgiving. We rode off into cold temps but the bluest skies one could hope for on any ride.

Too bad that my tire went flat again within all of four miles. This time, Herb, who loves fixing bike issues, closely examined the tire. Guess what? My back tire, a Gatorskin, is toast. That makes sense. I haven't changed it for over two years! He found two small pieces of glass that I'd missed when changing the tube(s) in my apartment (they sparkled in the sun). So, I changed the tube once more and off we rode.

Can you guess? Yup, within another five miles, my back tire once more went flat. As I hollered out at Herb to pull over, I could feel that familiar white hot rage building up in my chest. I made the split decision to fix the flat and head back home. Herb's ride had already been compromised and I wasn't about to completely ruin it. Plus, I knew the farther I rode, the farther back it would be. Herb argued with me for all of 30 seconds before realizing I was serious. He went on to ride 43 miles and some god-awful amount of climbing. I limped it home. Actually, that's not entirely true - I hammered like hell. I figured that if I wasn't going to get the full ride, I'd at least get a good workout!

even Herb was perplexed by my tire issues...

Now, as for today? More crappy juju - only this time with my mountain bike. I just took Nellie in for maintenance too! (the bike shop is going to get an ear full). I think I may need a new cassette or new chain, whatever. The chain would just go slack even when on the cassette correctly. It was weird and would happen as I was climbing.

I had plans to repeat the ride from the weekend before with (hopefully) getting the full 50, but as I hit the canyon up to Mulholland, that was when the chain went wacky. I didn't want to be on dirt Mulholland with a possible chain failure, so I high-tailed it home.

Normally, this would have sent me into temper tantrum mode. But this is the year "Two Thousand One Three" and I don't have time for any drama. I am determined to get my fitness back. So, what did I do? I put my bike away, threw on my hiking shoes and headed out my door on foot. I then hiked 5.5 miles, heading up Coldwater Canyon (not exactly the safest road to walk on) to the Tree People camp and into Fryman Canyon. I hoofed it and ended up exhausted by the time I got home, but I got 'er done!

Coldwater Canyon is one hell of a hike up...

a little too close for comfort; gonna have to rethink my hiking route...

love this section near the Tree People...

much different skies than the week before...

took a trail less traveled...

So, even with the bike failures, I still got amazing workouts. That's going to be my goal all year long. If I can't ride, I hike. If I can't hike, I walk. If I can't walk, I swim...wait, scratch that cause I hate swimming. But I'll find something. I simply will not be deterred from regaining full fitness and improving! And there is only one way to do it...just do it.

See? Whole new attitude in here. The sniveling act was stinking up this place and doing me no favors. Out with the old, in with the new...get 'er done...onward, forward...or whatever other adage you want to throw out. I'm on it.

2,000 One Three

2013-01-02T18:29:00.000-08:00

I suspect I wrote this exact same thing last year (although, I've not looked back to find out): sniff as hard as you can. Smell that? Well, you should given it's now January 2nd. It's the "New Year smell" which is just slightly sweeter than the "new car smell" and not nearly as fresh as the "new human smell." Good to breathe in, any oh how, given that we were all suppose to perish in spontaneous combustion on December 21st. I'm sure there are some whack-a-doos out there who are highly disappointed. I'm not one of them. And even though I hate the number 13, I am not one to diss a whole shiny fresh new year.

As for the number, I prefer to call this year "2,000 One Three." 13 is a morose, spooky number for me. I lost my cousin (who was closest to a brother I'll ever have) at a young age on April 13th. That was pure hell and the number has never lost its sting. In my usual weirdo way, I joked with a friend that this would be the year I would expire although I hadn't a clue how it would happen. I shouldn't joke like that, so, um...Universe, it was a joke (humble grin).

Nah, I'm not going anywhere. I got a lot more suffering ahead of me as well as opportunity. That's my new word of favor, opportunity. It implies promise but does not promise ease. Any opportunity worth taking is one you must strive for and striving is working, working is doing, doing is...I think you get my point. It doesn't come easily.

Last year, I wrote on this blog's title "2012...bring it." I asked the year to bring it to me. That was a mistake. For starters, I didn't clarify what "it" was that I wanted. One must be clear and precise with her requests. I also came across as lazy and that impression never left me. Turns out, I was just that. Instead of working and seeking, I kept asking for it to seek me (and, no, I still can't tell you what "it" was).

This year? I'm not doing that. I'm going to it and I can tell you what it is - opportunity, to improve (duh), to make gains (in my fitness and otherwise), to shed (more than just weight) and, lastly, to retain balance. I'm not implying that I didn't have opportunity last year. I just didn't see it, I guess, or was too busy moping to notice. Not in 2,000 One Three! This year, I'm gonna seek it, find it and hoard it. No, I'm not sharing and you can't have any of mine. Go seek your own.

Now, about 2012...so glad it's over. Too much of an odd year, too much election business, too much crazy rhetoric in this country and far too little bike riding. I'm determined to change that this year. And by determined, I mean I got up on New Year's Day after too little rest and too much celebration and rode my bicycle. I rode it to Griffith Park, climbed Trash Truck Hill (without puking), up into the canyons and went forth taking new photos for the blog heading on here. I can't say it was an epic ride, but it was just what I needed.

I rode solo and measured in my pace, thinking through all the many reasons for why I am (still) so very grateful:

My family - phew! Mom took a fall last year and came out okay, but the experience of it all brought to focus just how lucky I am to still have her, and Dad, and J.T., and Grammy, and... (the list is really, really long).
My loyal, nonjudgmental and supportive friends - I didn't lose any friends this year (I don't recall, anyway) and I gained one back, one who's gonna be on here a lot in the next year, I'm sure.
My home - I love my new(ish) apartment and neighbors and I don't think I've ever been this happy or content. I don't mind paying rent and have made the place my own.
My health - other than my nemesis (weight), I'm pretty healthy. Well, there is still the stupid asthma to contend with, but that's not going anywhere so I'm not going to fret over it.
My job - I have one.
My passions - bicycling for sure, but I have others that I've neglected and will focus more on in the coming year.
My dragon - lizards make the best pet!
My muse - never you mind.

Okay, enough of my yakking; here are the photos from yesterday and one bonus photo:

I got these glasses for myself and the girls for New Year's Eve and decided to wear them out on the ride and to use them for the blog header photo again this year...

it was empty out, as if the roads were all mine...

I rode through Burbank, the most urban part...

the Burbank bike path was empty too (not that I minded)...

heads up if you ride over at Griffith Park - there is some road work going on that has made some parts of the roads very narrow...

aww, Trash Truck, how I hate thee...

I wasn't entirely alone the whole day...

I've missed this canyon and plan to be up it on a regular basis in the new year...

The valley below, beautiful; I was feeling pretty good at this point...

and then this sent my mood soaring...

setting up a photo shoot on a picture perfect day...

the observatory, so magnificent and peaceful in the distance...

then I noticed all the cars lining the hill...

doh! some kind of event - I hightailed it out of there and skipped my

planned stop up at the observatory...

I rode through Los Feliz instead and out onto the bike path where I was again in solitude except for a few other cyclists out enjoying the first day of the new year...

I didn't mind the usual route home as it was just so nice out...

back into Burbank riding on still calm streets; I almost didn't want the ride to end...

and here are the runner up photos that I took; yes, I stopped and did this all the way up the canyon, so I can't claim to have pushed the pace...

Do you see the Hollywood sign in the background?..

this little girl popped into frame out of nowhere...

she looks just like me when I was a little girl riding a bike...

do you see the observatory in the background? (yup, still a dork)...

I had so much fun taking these...

almost my first choice...

That's it. Great way to start the year! I'm looking forward to more rides. Today, I had one more day off from work and I chose a hike. I'll be riding again this weekend, so it's all good (plus, I do plan to hike more this year as well).

Now, final photo for your viewing pleasure. Boo says it for me...

today is Christmas

2012-12-25T10:29:00.000-08:00

Today is December 25th. Today is Christmas. Before I go any further into this entry, I need to do two things: 1) wish everyone a Merry Christmas; and 2) rant about Christmas (and not in the way you might imagine).

First up, the cutest, smallest, scaliest Santa Claus in the world. Yup, I finally went to the deep end of crazy and dressed Boo up in her most elaborate costume yet. I say "most elaborate," since I had to not only coax her into wearing full on pants (with a hole out the back for her tail) but a full jacket as well (normally, I cheat a little and drape costume pieces on her to make it look as if she's wearing them). Then, I had to figure out a way to put a beard on her (made out of slightly dampened cotton balls). I would never tie anything on her, so I just had to use her scales as hooks for the cotton.

Being the pro super-model dragon that she is, Boo held perfectly still and put up with all this nonsense for a good 100 photos before rubbing her snout into the towel I used as a back-drop and storming off - Santa suit askew and cotton ripped to shreds. I'll say one thing for that little animal, she does not think I'm boss around here, no matter how fat my head or big my teeth. Gotta give her props for that! (Note: she is NEVER forced to do these shoots; the minute she refuses or starts struggling, the costume comes off and she's put back on her "branch of zen." I'd cut my own arm off before I'd ever harm a single scale on her!)

test shot before hair and makeup - we thought about her just being The Grinch,

but then settled on Santa Claus.

getting hair and makeup done for the shoot...

Best shot out of so many good ones...she is just so talented!...

Now, to that rant. This year, more than any before, there has been a lot of murmuring about the "War on Christmas" and reports of discord over, of all things, Nativity Scenes. What the fuck is wrong with America? Excuse my French, but people have seriously lost their minds. And I don't just refer to the gun-obsessed among us (or to the recent heartbreaking tragedy in Newtown). I'm talking the typical Joe Schmoe who has a problem with baby Jesus.

I was raised Catholic but I am not one now. I don't go to church and I don't believe all that I was told to believe in Sunday school. However, I do have respect for people's religions as long as they don't shove them down others' throats. Yes, there are the Christian nut jobs out there, just as there are nut jobs in every religious denomination. A zealot is a zealot whether he/she believes in Christ or Ron L Hubbard. So, super fanatic Christians don't own the market on crazy and there are many sane, loving Christians (including members of my own family) who have every right to not only celebrate and enjoy Christmas as a holiday (which it is) but they may honor it for the birth of Jesus if they so choose.

So, to those of you with your balls all twisted over nativity scenes or (face-palm) someone wishing you "Merry Christmas," please take up drinking and chill the hell out. December 25th is Christmas and it's a holiday, just as Hanukkah is, yet I don't hear a bunch of nothing protesting over the candelabrum. So, what's the beef with the nativity scene? Oh, and if you're going to be so opposed to Christmas celebrated with Jesus - why the hell aren't you out protesting over the fat ass in the red suit? (and I'm not referring to my lizard pictured above here). Santa is the ultimate pedophile if you ask me, creepy as hell, sneaking down chimneys and leaving "toys" for all the "good" little boys and girls who "sat in his lap" and told him exactly what they "want for Christmas." Really, folks - where is the outrage??!!

I celebrate Christmas. I say, "Merry Christmas," on both December 24th and December 25th...Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I don't have any issue with Jesus and those three kings bearing gifts, anymore so than I do with elves, reindeer or tubby with the beard chuckling "ho, ho, ho." The true meaning of Christmas is celebrating the end of the year with your friends and families. The gift giving thing is over the top, sure, but the rest of it is just all part of the festivities. I hope every city in this country passes a law that includes within freedom of religion the right to put up nativity scenes in public places - especially in every public place a Christmas tree, Santa Claus effigy, Grinch poster, etc. is displayed. And anyone who doesn't like it should just mind their own business, mumble "Bah, humbug" under their breath and go on about their (un) merry way.

So, one more time - to everyone, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!"

Now, to the bike riding. Photos are below:

solo, fall/winter day ride in So Cal, out on knobbies...

Over at Lake Balboa, where lots of families were out on such a pretty day...

tranquility...

this lake is so pretty with lots of birds...

I believe this is a pelican although I haven't a clue why he is so far inland!...

in fact, there were a bunch of them...

a whole flock!...

more tranquility; I love it over there...

then, rainy day ride with the girls...

and Herb...

love this section of the Burbank bike path with the murals...

first ride for Debbie in a long while - she did just great...

too cute - this little girl took off on a chase after Linda's wheel...

future top pro female cyclist right there!...

love, love, love this section of the LA River bike path; so urban...

don't know if you can see it or not, but they are shivering here - it was COLD...

but then they managed to smile big when I ~~demanded~~ requested they do so...

artsy fartsy Herb shot...

this was after breakfast, so she was warmed up from her latte...

love this bridge; always provides a good photo op...

as does this tunnel...

and now to the 50 mile Rose Bowl ride...

don't be fooled; I chased their wheels more than I was ever ahead...

just Bob and his...er...shadow(s)...

again, another shivering shot, it was even colder on this ride!...

for as long as I've ridden in this town, I'd never gone down Fairmont -

very wide and pretty...

almost to the Rose Bowl...

rare hawk sighting (no, that is not a pigeon)...

yes, I know, I need a new camera (that is not a ghost to the left of Herb in the shot)...

final stretch along Riverside; I was starting to fade here...

I don't know what he was saying...something like

"stop goofing around and move your ass!"...

If you've read down this far, I'll mention the day one more time. I hope you are with family and/or friends and appreciate every moment you have with them. This is a day to both celebrate and to show gratitude to one another. Another year is around the corner. Let's hope it's a good one for all of us.

like some out-of-water Guppy

2012-12-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

The inevitable has happened. I've finally (for real this time) hit what I consider rock bottom with respect to my fitness. Yes, I've been exercising (gym-weights, walking, hiking, jump-roping, WODs, etc.) and I've been riding my bikes (but only twice a week since I can't get back over the hill into the valley on weeknights in time to ride with anyone and I don't ride alone at night). But any improvement in my fitness is stalling due to my lack of motivation, which is not being helped by my capricious temper and impatience. Plus, there is the whole out-of-my-normal-shape thing working against me. It seems that when I've said in the past that I like to suffer, I was kidding.

In a moment of feeling defeated, I snapped at Herb this past Saturday, something I'm sure brings back bad memories for him. Herb and I have recently (in the past year) started riding together again after a period of discord. I've missed Herb, certainly, and am thrilled to be riding with him again, but the tables have turned, something over which I'm a tad prickly. I remember back in 2006, riding with Herb for the first time on a Griffith Park night ride. He was the last cyclist up the canyon and left the ride early given the difficulty he was having trying to keep up with the rest of us. He was on a mountain bike (if I recall correctly) while the rest of us were riding slicks. Not exactly a fair race. My then current flame, Phil, paced Herb up the hill (like the sweetheart Phil is). I, on the other hand, left Herb in the dust (although not intentionally).   I was definitely the stronger rider.

Well, flash forward to now. Herb can ride rings around me and does. I don't begrudge him this at all, no more than I do Bob for his ability to drop me like a badly microwaved potato on the easiest of rides. It's not their faults. It's mine, my failure, and, if I can ever pull my head out of my over-sized ass long enough to really examine what's happened to my fitness mojo, perhaps I will see this rut for what it truly is - a challenge. Only then am I going to return to a level of disciplined fitness, including the ability to ride the kind of miles and routes I used to jump out of bed in absolute joy to ride. These days when I hear "60 miles with ### feet of climbing", I pull the comforter up to my ears and hit the snooze button.

Back to Saturday. My ride with Herb was not the kind of ride I ever want to have again. To start, Herb and every other man I know are...er...men. Men will go push themselves until they blow up and then, when standing heaving, out of breath, they just shut down into silent stoicism. Women (especially this one) do the opposite. We (I) snivel, whine and, when all else fails, cry. I'm not a very talented crier, by the way. Typically, when the tears begin flowing and the snot dripping, my asthma kicks in, so I end up gasping through teary snot bubbles, like some out-of-water Guppy.

I was doing this this whole Guppy act on Saturday when Herb convinced me to follow him (on his 9-er with those big ass wheels) down the side of a very steep canyon in the Santa Monica Mtns and then back up the other side. Guess what? What goes down can't always go back up.

Anyone who knows me, especially him, knows I don't have skills worth shit on a mountain bike. It's actually kinda funny how I actually tell people I'm going mountain biking. It's really not true. Yes, I'm on a mountain bike and, yes, I'm pedaling. But there's no mountain in the true sense. For one thing, I don't "do" single tracks - at least not the ones that are narrow, rock and rut filled, winding and steep (which describes just about every single track out there). I prefer fire roads and even on those I climb like seal...a chubby seal. I'm sure you know that seals don't climb, right? They don't pedal either. So what I'm getting at is that all I do on a mountain bike is ride on fairly innocuous fire roads. I still call that mountain biking, cause I'm contumacious, but I know what's what.

a promising start to the day, heading off in a new direction...

my fearless leader and his big ass wheels...

riding into the fog...

eerie yet cool...

Anyway, Saturday... I don't have skills to go down steep hills, especially muddy ones. Herb took me down a very steep, muddy, rock and rut filled fire road within 15 minutes of take off. I didn't want to do it. I wanted to ride out to the Ruins. I know I can get up to The Hub, even though that hill leaves me breathless. I know, with fuel and breaks, I can possibly even make it out to Parker Mesa to see that stunning ocean view just off the mountain. I've ridden both routes and know they are all wide fire road. What I didn't know with Herb's sudden route suggestion, was where the hell he was dragging me to when he took off down the side of the mountain. He simply insisted we go. So, I went.

It's pretty in there, kinda like a hidden forest. Given the cool morning air, dense fog and wet (yet packed) mud beneath my wheels, it felt wintery (a word one doesn't use much when living out in Southern California). I rode the brakes all the way down, slip-sliding a tad here and there around the bends. My butt was way off the back and beads of sweat tickled my top lip as I descended. Thank goodness I'd taken Nellie in for maintenance and new tires the day before or I suspect I'd have slid out on the old tires. Yes, it was that steep.

around that bend is where the steep begins

(only pic I took as I kept my hands on the handlebars!)...

Herb's famous for his "hike a bike" excursions...

Herb had no problem with the descent and disappeared into the fog and forest with ease. He then waited for me at the bottom gate where we "hiked a biked" over to the road. You end up on Mandeville Canyon off this trail and have to ride over to where the trail picks back up on the other side. It was at this trail head that my stomach dropped. What laid before us was a far narrower (but not single track) trail which was far more rock and rut filled than the other side. It was also steep, in the other direction...up.

"Herb, I can't do this."

"Sure you can. Move it, maggot!" He said all this with the usual jerk of his head, kinda like he's envisioning smacking you with an imaginary whip.

steeper and muddier than it appears, albeit "packed" mud...

he was getting cursed at here...

Herb didn't get the memo of late, that or he ignored it. I'm not in good shape and, uh, I don't have any better mountain biking skills than I did the last time he rode with me. I started to remind him of all this, but he took off on those big ass wheels, spraying a little mud behind him. Not trying to make (too many) excuses here, but he now rides 29 inch wheels attached to a very light bike...compared to mine. I have 26 inch wheels attached to a 27 lb bike. I just watched him go before trying four times (unsuccessfully) to clip in and make some kind of attempt to actually pedal up the hill. The fifth time was the charm and in my granniest of gears, I spun the pedals like hell trying to go both forward and up.

How much of this 1.5 mile mountain, fire-road climb do you think I pedaled? If you are thinking none, you're wrong. I did manage to ride the last, oh,1/8 mile section. But prior to that it was "hike a bike" all the way up the gaddimn side of the mountain. I was wanting a good workout, but pushing a near 30 lb bike up a muddy fire road that was between 10 and 16 percent grade in cycling shoes, no less, was just a little more bite than I was hoping to chew.

Here's where the crying started, followed by the wheezing and the gasping. Herb just had to be there when I turned the corner on the hill, so fantastically Guppy-fied. And he just happened to be grinning from ear to ear. He was having a good ol' time.

"Everything thing cool?" he asked, giving me a thumbs up.

I shook my head, gasped and tried wiping snot off my nose. I'd forgotten my gloves, so this meant just smearing it between my hand and face.

"I think that was 16 percent, maybe 17. It's not that much farther. You okay?"

"Herb, this is too much! I didn't want to do this!"

"But you're doing it!" He was still grinning.

I think that's when the smoke blew out of my ears. "I don't give a shit if I'm doing it or not! I'm having to walk the bike!"

"Nothing wrong with that." (I'm pretty certain he was still grinning when he said this.)

"You...just...don't...get it!" I blubbered. That was not true, although I didn't think of it at the time. Herb does get it. After all, back in 2006, he was the one struggling like hell up the side of a mountain while I was standing, grinning back at him with encouragement. Turnabout is fair play, and although I think he was enjoying himself just a tad too much witnessing my hyperbolic emotional outburst, he had done no foul. I did, after all, follow him off the cliff. Getting back over it was solely my task - whether I pedaled up, hiked up, or crawled up on my knees dragging my bike - I would have to be the one to do it.

my lip began trembling at this point...

and the full on Guppy gasping took place on this grade...

finally past the worst part...

the mist off the mountain; the ocean is down there somewhere...

Of course, I made it without sudden cardiac arrest or killing Herb by beating his skull in with my helmet (I did think of that, though). I made it up in the saddle (like I said, I did pedal the final 1/8 of the 1.5 miles up). This did not brighten my mood any. Herb could tell and apologized.

"I'm sorry. I forgot how tough that was. It was even tough for me." He was wise this time and dropped the grin.

I can't remember exactly what I said back; something along the lines of "I'll get even," "Next time, if there is one, your body goes missing," and "I actually kind of dug that now that I made it up it; I might do that again as it's a good training route." I grew less agitated as the fog wore off and fatigue set in. Yup, just that short bit of hike-a-bike knacked me.

and the fog dissipates; the sun appears again...

Herb no longer takes the road most traveled...

I certainly didn't complain about how lovely it was up in the mountains...

Fortunately, Herb insisted that he was tired and perfectly happy to ride down Westridge/Mandeville Fire Road (our usual). I think he just wanted to hit the single tracks again. I wasn't sure I'd be up to it, but I was out there so I figured I'd just float down easy and waddle back up it.

that is steeper than it appears!...

but he did it without breaking too much of a sweat...

I'm so glad I did. It was crisp out and just perfect riding weather. The mountain was her lovely, majestic self, inviting to anyone who appreciates the great outdoors. Of course, there were all kinds of stupid people on the trail (always are) with their dogs unleashed and uncontrolled. Like Herb, I never get mad at the dogs. But the owners?

"One of these days I'm just going to not brake hard and run right into them," I hollered aloud just over his shoulder. "...the people, that is. Not the dogs!"

lots of furry faces along the trail...

all mostly friendly...

There were also other mountain bikers out as well, including a small group of very gregarious (and attractive) guys riding on "left fork only" Cannondales. Never seen anything like those before. The guys were more than happy to show off their toys (I love that about men; it's rather fetching to see their eyes light up with boyish enthusiasm over some gadget or another). I'm not sure I'd ever want one of those (couldn't afford it anyway) but I dug oohing and awing over theirs.

hot and friendly! - showing off their bikes...

left fork only...

pretty cool, I must admit...

Oh, and don't fall over, but I actually agreed to jump on one single track with Herb. He'd waited for me (for the 3rd/4th time) and pointed it out just to my right.

"Want to do just one really easy single track?" He then pointed.

"Sure."

And we were off, me following him up and then down the slightly rock and rut filled, narrow, steepish single track. I survived, it was actually kinda fun, but, no, this doesn't mean I'll be on any other single track any time soon. I'm still smarting over that rock and rut filled fire road Herb took me on in the morning. If I'm going to challenge myself, I really will have to do that stupid thing again...sigh.

the one single track I attempted (yes, it was fun)...

That was Saturday. Sunday, I rode leisurely (but with push) to 1) have a cup of coffee at Peet's (my favorite coffee chain), and then 2) the farmer's market. I love these kind of Sundays. I feel like a European riding my bike to pick over organic fruit and vegetables. The farmers market I go to never has exactly the same wares and I never know what I'm going to spy. The folks there are always nice and, typically, beat to their own drums. It's like an oasis from the city around me.

love this place on a Sunday morning...

never know what you'll find - size 4 gold slippers!...

best place for locally grown, organic fruit and veggies...

breakfast!...er...I mean, samples!...

this is what I bought and carried in my backpack home - Persimmons & Pomegranates...

such a treat...

That's my latest. I'm hoping in the new year that the theme will yet again change, and my mojo will return full force. I have a good 14 days off work in December and I plan to ride most of them. Maybe that will be the just the jump start I need.

I was (and still am) very grateful

2012-11-30T14:44:00.000-08:00

It's the final day of November, the near last breath of 2012 (one more month to go!) This means that I either blog today about my Thanksgiving holiday weekend (and subsequent rides) or forget about it. Given that my blog's underlying and ongoing theme is all about being grateful, I have decided to get off my lazy bum and write.

To start, I did not go to my usual spot for dinner this year. My friend and her bro, who normally throw an insanely decadent all-the-fixin's-type-dinner, flew out of town. This left me a Thanksgiving orphan. Luckily, I still have enough charm (and ability to look pathetic) to weasel my way into being invited to another home, Tina and Bob's. Only, they took me up on my offer to actually bring something this year other than a purchased pie from Marie Callendar's and a bottle of booze. This year, I had to cook.

I'm not a cook, by the way. I do throw crap together from time to time to feed myself, but it usually involves Kale, feta cheese & currants. I offered this (salad) up to my sweet friends as an option to bring or scalloped potatoes (how hard can that be? - potatoes, butter and cheese) or Brussels Sprouts...with bacon. Guess what Bob chose? Well, if you're a guy, you will guess correctly. No man turns down bacon. In fact, I don't think he even heard "Brussels Sprouts" at all and just thought I was bringing a bowl of fried bacon. enough to feed 25 people plus extra...for him. In a man's world, bacon is a perfectly suitable side dish.

As for the Brussels Sprouts? Those little bastards are an arduous undertaking. First, I had to buy 5 lbs of them. They aren't expensive (so please don't think me complaining about price) but to cut the ends off of, take the outer leaves off of and halve 5 lbs of them is an hour and a half process...an hour and a half. I then had to "blanch" them in boiling water, "shock" them in ice water and "dry" them (gently) on paper towels. It was like a frickin' "spa day" for Brussels Sprouts. The bacon was far easier (perhaps I should have just prepared a bowl of that?). I put 6 slices of it on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and popped it in a 375% oven for 25 minutes. This is the best way to make bacon, by the way, and it makes your house smell glorious!

After all this Brussels Sprouts pampering, I had to pick them up (again, gently), put them in an enormous bowl and transport them to my friends' house. There, I spread them on a cookie sheet and threw them in their oven (set to 400%) for six minutes. Prior to this, I set up shop out on Bob's backyard barbeque counter (that he built; it's very snazzy) so as to whip up the "dressing" for the Brussels Sprouts. It was comprised of olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, Balsamic vinegar, salt & pepper. I had to whisk it all together in my mixing bowl, which was the most enjoyable part since I had an audience of guests watching me - kind of like my own reality cooking show.

After all that whisking and the sprouts were heated thoroughly, I tossed everything together and added dried cranberries. I kept a small batch in a separate bowl for the vegetarians and added the crumbled bacon to the rest. Phew! I'm no cook, but they turned out amazing. I was told they were "a hit" and now I have to bring them for Christmas Dinner. The bright side? I got invited back over to Bob & Tina's for Christmas. The downer? Go back up and re-read the last two paragraphs (sigh).

nom nom nom...so good, everything! (those Brussels Sprouts in the front are the vegetarian ones)...

with bacon added...

I'm reporting this tongue-and-cheek, of course, as I was very, very grateful to have such a wonderful invitation to begin with, let alone such a nice time at my friends' dinner. I was grateful to be served some of the best tri-tip I've ever had (not that I've had a lot, but I'm pretty certain this was stellar). Bob smoked the tri and he made the turkey (delicious). Other folks brought all the other fixin's - it was a feast! Thank goodness I rode beforehand.

See how I segued into the cycling? Yup, I rode. On turkey day, I rode solo close to 25 miles, sprinting in intervals down Ventura Boulevard (pretty empty), across the valley and back. It was so beautiful out and fairly quiet, typical for a holiday morning.

Ventura Blvd. Thanksgiving morning...empty!

We do get a taste of the Fall/Winter season here, but just a taste...

the Orange Line bike path just lovely with the wash of color on it...

Then, on Friday, I decided to just hike as I knew I had a Simi Valley ride with Bob and Tim on Saturday. I went trekking back up Fryman Canyon again, only in reverse, so it was pretty tough. Just as the day before, it was stunning out.

yes, we still have these in November...

the view out over the valley toward Burbank...

Simi...sigh. I hadn't been over Santa Susana in awhile. I love that hill, it used to be a piece of cake for me, but not anymore. I won't even sugarcoat it, it's my weight. I keep saying "I've got to lose weight," but then I fight myself. You see, I'm the jovial type. I love nothing more than some vino and good food with friends. Scratch that! I love nothing more than riding my bike on epic rides with friends. Oh, look, a conundrum - fat or fit; sit or ride - I can't do both. Really, I can't do both. I'm the kind of build that it's feast or famine but my metabolism (what's left of it) doesn't quite work the way it should. I'm not whining, just stating the facts. I keep trying, but as of today, I'm like a "rolling tomato" on a bike - a very suitable metaphor.

Anyway, I did make it over Santa Susana, both ways. Going out to Simi was easier (fresh legs and Tim and Bob stopped to fix a flat). I even pushed a bit (for me). I then waited for the boys at the top, a total change of circumstance! I was smug too...but that did not last. After chasing their wheels down Los Angeles Ave and into Simi, my legs began to wane. The men had decided before the ride to take me up First Street (which becomes Long Canyon Road). I loved the new route, it's pretty and a nice gradual climb. Sad thing was, I just couldn't move the pedals past slow-mo. Every rider passed me...every rider, no matter age, size or ability (a lady on clip-strap pedals blew by me like I was standing still). This just frustrated me and took away from the enjoyment of it all. I also worried about slowing the men down.

first time ever that I beat these guys up Santa Susana Pass; if I'd known it would only take a flat tire, I'd have carried nails with me on previous rides (snicker)...

And down to Simi Valley we go...

He's too fast for me...

I can barely catch that wheel, let alone stay on it...

After Long Canyon, we rode back on Madera Road. It was here that I got pissy. The men need to ride without me. The disparity between their level and mine is shocking and I can no longer deny it. I told them as much, even though Bob kept disagreeing. He's a sweetie (and still MFRPOAT) but I think he was being dishonest in an effort not to hurt my feelings. I'm a grown-up (most of the time) and I know I need to pedal solo until I can keep up.

"Honest, Bob, I need to go out on my own and push myself until I can keep up with you and Tim," I told him at the golf course (our one and only break during the ride).

"But will you actually challenge, push yourself if you don't ride with us...stronger riders?"

He's lucky he still has his teeth, but I get the point. And, yes, I'll challenge myself (only not this upcoming weekend due to rain; my riding will be literally washed out!)

And don't get me started on this one...

I think he's cheering me on here...

Bob would really like for me to just focus on pedaling forward...

First Street, a gradual climb...

getting dropped by the boys (and then getting dropped by every single other rider out that day...sigh)...

Oh, but the climb was worth it for the descent on Long Canyon Road...

Heading to the golf course, just about out of gas...

Santa Susana Pass was cruel to me last Saturday, but I'll get even with her,

mark my words...

As for the rest of the ride, Santa Susana Pass on the way back was torture. Legs were as MIA as my motivation. I crawled up it. I insisted (yelled and shrieked) that the men go on without me and I'd meet them back at Bob's house. For once, they obliged. This gave me a chance to ride and ponder, lost in my own thoughts. I came up with nothing new or inspiring, but the anxiety of holding up other riders did fade. Once back at the tip of Bob's driveway, I learned we rode 45 miles with a little over 2,500 feet of climbing. I'm not concerned about bragging rights these days, so I'll take it.

Oh, and in case I sound like I don't appreciate the strong men (friends) I rode with, not true. I love these guys. They could have left my sorry ass a long time before I screeched at them like a rabid baboon, and I don't take that lightly. I just know the work I have cut out for me if I really want them to both ride with me and to enjoy themselves at the same time!

So, did I rest on Sunday? No. I rode with Herb up above Reseda, on dirt. I'm a glutton for punishment, I suppose. Surprisingly, my legs were stronger than the day before. So, riding out and down Mandeville Canyon wasn't as difficult as I worried it would be. In fact, I had a great ride.

Herb and me taking off on very compacted dirt; someone must have leveled it up there...

the geek in me never gets tired of this one photo op spot...

the Nike Missile site, or as I like to think of it, our potty stop...

have to have at least one of these...

every time I see these up there, I wonder it they are edible (?)...

Herb is definitely digging his 29'er...

I also got to watch Herb, in full boy-joy mode, take on some single tracks. Herb has really improved on a bike. I can't say I'm not jealous. However, you won't catch me on any of those single tracks. I'm too chicken-shit, but I was highly entertained watching Herb climb up and then bomb down them.

see that speck at the top of that single track hill? - that would be Herb...

what goes up...

must come...

down...

It was simply gorgeous up in the mountains, an exceptional day. I am so lucky to live where I do. I miss my family for sure, but I do not miss the soggy, freezing, drab Novembers in Tennessee. So for all the high rent, traffic and city drama I deal with, I'm still grateful to be able to ride, hike and play in such a strange but beautiful wilderness just above the city's din.

I offered to give that couple my bike so that I could ride their dog back to the car;

they declined my offer...

Herb brought turkey treats, the compassionate kind made out of malt balls, Oreo Cookies, Reeses PB cups and M&Ms...

and another furry face, who wanted a treat but did not get one...

So, that was my Thanksgiving holiday weekend. I was (and still am) very grateful for every minute of it - the time with friends, phone calls with family, having the health and ability to ride and the glorious weather to ride in! Can't say the same for this coming weekend (it's been a full week of rain out here in "sunny" southern California). We need the moisture, so I won't complain. I just hope December doesn't turn into another freak month like back in 2010 when it rained for three straight weeks!

Oh, last but not least - I (almost) forgot to mention my gratitude for the tiniest, most scaly, most zen individual in my life...

...here she is getting ready for a Thanksgiving photo shoot;

I wanted to dress her up as a turkey, but at the last minute, she refused -

she didn't want anyone to get any smart ideas...