Let’s start at the very beginning
A very good place to start
When you read you begin with… A B C….

Registration for the 10 mile race is the beginning.  The race is the end, but you’ll have to wait for that one until tomorrow.

There was no hesitation about whether I should really do the 10 mile (my longest road race yet….oh yeah, not technically a race) or opt for a shorter mileage such as the 5 mile.  I walked right up, handed in my registration, got my shirt, and proceeded over to the Utica Road Runners Table.

I couldn’t help but notice some bountiful treats along the way…healthy right?

By the way, I had to grab a bag because I snagged 4 Chobani (Oh SO GOOD!) and a Fage plus ..see that Feta cheese pkg?  I swiped that as well.     Did you know that FAGE has a facility right here in New York State? 

In February 2005, FAGE USA Dairy Inc. was established in order to build a state-of-the-art production facility for FAGE Total in New York State.

The Plant is located in Johnstown Industrial Park, 200 miles north of New York City in an area of 22 acres and the building is 120,000 sq. ft. The Company has invested $100 million in order to manufacture FAGE Total in this highly automated, state-of-the-art plant.

Once at the Road Runners table, I met my friend Jim Moragne, the contact for Utica Road Runners membership should you want to join.  Every time I speak to Jim, he offers super information and somehow helps to take the edge off an up coming run.  We talked about the 10 mile Heart Run. I felt better. Then we discussed marathons.  He offered information about my desire to do the Flying Pig and then suggested some local marathons around New York State which might be an even better place to start marathon running.  I really felt great about running ANYTHING after our conversation.  THANKS JIM!

I continued on with my wandering about the Fitness Expo, remembering that I was playing hooky  from work so I was kind of “grabbing and going”.       

Biofreeze…you never know.  I sampled the Heidelberg French Peasant loaf.  I truly enjoy all Heidelberg breads. They are so soft and fresh and the flavor is like no other bread.  My favorite is the sunflower seed and raisin.  Unfortunately, the kind lady handing out samples had just finished handing out that loaf. 

Even a giveaway for coffee.  I so wanted to win a basket full of K-cups.  Oh well, I had to leave and they were just setting up for the raffle so I missed that one.

The popcorn was being consumed by about every other person I walked past.  Don’t you just LOVE the smell of popcorn?!

Even good old Hannaford’s had a table with their recipe filled magazines and information on “Guiding stars”. 

This year an organization was offering CPR training. There was blood pressure and cholesterol screening.  The Fitness Expo was so informative and interactive, it is a great place to get motivated to begin a healthy life style change. 

Now I’m excited. I’m looking forward to the challenge of this run.  I can’t wait to look back on this and scoff at myself thinking “how could I have been so concerned about such a SHORT run?”.  Wonder if that will ever happen?  Wonder if I’ll ever run that marathon?  I’m pretty sure I’ll complete a half marathon or two or more this year.  Food and running …does life get any better?

Me, a name I call myself
Far, a long, long way to run

See my info blog at EXAMINER on the Expo.

Joanne

We had fish last night. He had beef the night before and was also eating pork left overs from the weekend throughout the week.  That means it’s an EGG night!  Yahoo! Love eggs (well, ‘Beaters that is).

We had an EggBeater Frittata with fresh vegetables such as green onions, sliced grape tomatoes, and broccoli.  The cheese was a mixture of goat with basil and garlic, Feta, and herbed Mozzarella.  Our side was grilled yellow squash “logs” and snap peas.  Interested? Read on …

FRITTATA

• 4 green onions, chopped
• 3/4 cup broccoli florets (rinsed well in really hot water)
• 1 pint sliced grape tomatoes (tedious – but you have to do it)
• 1 cup Egg Beaters
• 2 whole eggs (or use 2 cups of EB’s and omit the real eggs and whites)
• 2 egg whites
• 2 oz Goat cheese with basil and garlic
• 2 oz Feta Cheese
• 1/4 cup herbed mozzarella (a mix of basil and rosemary in grated mozzie)
• fresh rosemary and salt, pepper to taste

 Preheat oven to 400 F.  Saute the green onions in EVOO  over medium high heat, 2 minutes. Add the broccoli for 2 minutes. Add 1/2 of the tomatoes for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and add about 1/2 tsp of chopped rosemary and salt and pepper to taste – stir around.  Beat together the eggs and goat cheese.  Spoon the veggies into a ceramic baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray and top with egg mixture.  Sprinkle on top the other 1/2 of your sliced tomatoes, the feta and finally the Mozzarella.  Bake for 25-30 minutes.

The Grilled Yellow Squash with Snap Peas:

• 1 medium size yellow squash.  Slice in thirds.  Take the thin end and slice  in 1/2 length wise.  The thicker pieces, quarter lengthwise.
• 6 oz Snap Peas

Preheat oven to 325 F. Heat 1 TBS EVOO on an indoor grill pan over high heat. Add squash slices and grill 3 min. then turn to grill other cut side for 3 minutes. The thin pieces that you only cut in 1/2, simply move to the side of the pan – away from the direct heat center.  Add the snap peas when you turn your squash for the 2nd 3 minutes.   Remove from heat, and put into a ceramic baking dish, sprayed with non stick or brushed with butter (you can salt and pepper to taste as well as add a little chopped rosemary before going into the oven) and roast 30-40 minutes.

 Friday morning, I am helping at the Utica Road Runner table for the Heart Run and Walk Expo from 9AM – 11AM.  Any of you Uticans who plan on attending, please come and say hello. I’m the only female working the table during those hours as far as I know.  Still haven’t decided on the 3M/5M run or the 3M walk.   The weather looks like it’s going to be pretty nice though. 

Hope you have nice weather tomorrow.  Enjoy your night!

Friday, as always, was non stop at work.  But I did take an extra 15 at lunch time to p/u some of my holiday baking goods.  If I get a chance, I’ll get started this weekend:

I’m also going to make another attempt at bagels, hence the big block of yeast and whole wheat flour. The butter mints are for a peppermint pie. The nuts and M&M’s are for cookies, bars, and other yummy yums.

The Utica Heart Run and Walk app. came in the mail but I already signed up on line. If you would be so kind as to make a contribution to the American Heart Association, you can do so by checking out the “Helpful Links” on the right and clicking on “Heart Run & Walk”.  I’ll have C-Flex as a sponsor as well as a personal donation, but a $1.00 from anyone goes along way to a very reputable organizaton.  If I can get Ted to do it, he might… maybe he’ll do the 3 mile walk with Shane. This is one of the few events that allow dogs. 

As for other plans, we are out to dinner tonight then again on Sunday. The Gents. from the UK and Sweden are arriving and Ted is being nice enough to accompany me on a business dinner at Dominique Chesterfield’s Sunday eve. Even though (I always stick a “t” at the end of my ”though”‘s!!!- it’s sooo annoying!)  it will be a bit late for us, it should be…ummmm…eventful?!

So that’s all…keep your fingers crossed that Shane and I don’t encounter any lose dogs on our run tomorrow. I think I’ll go through the Switchbacks just to be save. At least those dogs are on leashes!  Have a great night and enjoy your Happy Hour.. and then some!

As you can see, it’s snowing and … well, there isn’t usually a pond in our back yard!

 Because today was simply an uneventful day, thought I’d pass along this bit of interesting information for everyone to think about.  You can read more at:  www.idealbite.com  “a sassier shade of green” web site. 

 What drug habit do we all need to break?

The Bite
The habit of chucking unused medication. When we flush meds down drains or send them to landfills, they can make their way into rivers and even drinking water. Safer disposal is just what the doc ordered.

The Benefits

• Not turning fish into addicts. The U.S. Geological Service found that more than 80% of sampled rivers tested positive for meds like antibiotics, birth control hormones, and antidepressants.
• Less drugged-out drinking water. Trace amounts of pharmaceuticals end up in our taps (and bottled water, since 40% of bottled is just repackaged tap water) because most treatment plants aren’t designed to filter them out.
• Helping people who can’t afford meds. More than 20 states have programs that’ll take unused drugs and redistribute them.

Personally Speaking
We take unused meds to our local pharmacies whenever we have to pick up a prescription (sadly, it doesn’t mean we get a discount).

 Wanna Try?

• Starfish Project – takes donations of certain meds by mail and distributes them to people in need.
• Earth 911 – enter your zip and the word medication to find nearby drop sites for unused pills.
• SMARxT Disposal – disposal options for those who don’t have a nearby drop-spot.
• Green Pharmacy Program – join its campaign to push for proper disposal facilities in your area.
• Drug Repository Programs – check with your local Department of Health or Board of Pharmacy.
• Pharmacies – some pharmacies (such as many Rite Aids) offer safe drug disposal programs; check with yours.

I really like these free eco-living email tips – they give short, fun ideas for getting your green on.

Please also note that on the right side of the page, side bar, at the bottom, there is a link ”Click here to donate”. This is to offer small donations for America’s Heart Run and Walk. As little as a dollar helps the American Heart Association.  As of right now, I intend to run again.