When all else fails...EAT!

Alright, I guess the title of this post isn't a very good example of balanced behavior.  (And, I was even just reading about balance on my friend Amanda's blog, Runninghood.)  But, sometimes, the comfort of food is just too much to resist.  Again, this is one of the major reasons I continue to run and stay as active as possible.  I shudder to think of what would happen if I stopped... 

Scary.

This past week and a half has felt like so much chaos to me.  My husband has been working day and night on a deadline for work, which has left me with more than I'm used to at home.  (I know there's plenty of momma's out there who have husbands who travel for work on a regular basis, so my little pity party seems kind of ridiculous.  I don't know how people do this all the time!!)  And, starting this blog has, unfortunately given me just one more thing to think about.  Don't get me wrong--I love writing this blog and hearing that others are actually enjoying it (so cool).  But, it's become another part of the unending dialogue in my head of "things I need to do".  I'm constantly thinking of my life in "blog-worthy" terms now, like...

"Hmmm.  How could I turn this trip to the grocery store into a good post about the meaning of life?" 

or

"Oh!  I've got to take a picture of this bowl of cereal for my blog!"

Good grief.

My kids have even started saying things like, "Mom! Take a picture of me for your blog!" and "Mom! Are you going to write about this on your blog?"  Most of the time I answer "Okay!" and "Yes, I am!"

So, I set out to make this blog about food, spirituality and running.  On the running front, I don't have much to report since I haven't gotten to run since Friday (argh!).  I will be having a date with the treadmill tomorrow afternoon though...In the meantime, I did revisit P90X yesterday.  (I've determined that I don't think I could do a good Dreya Roll to save my life.)  I'm hoping for a full hour of running tomorrow (30 minute time limit on the treadmill be damned!) and would like to try to keep my pace at around 8:34.  Wish me luck...

With all of this not running I've been doing the last four days, I figured I'd better fuel up for all the calories I'm not burning.  So, here's your food report:

Dear Bread and Chocolate,

 I love you.

Yours Truly,

Lisa

On the bright side, I should be well carb-loaded for tomorrow's date with the treadmill.

Here's how our Valentine's Day looked...

These are the little sandwiches I put in Grace's lunch for Valentine's Day.  Just some cream cheese and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.

Here's Grace with the heart garland card I made (with my eyes barely open) the night before.

There's my little man, Weston, showing me his bag full of Valentine's.  He could NOT wait for Valentine's Day and his party at preschool.  Which, by the way, did not disappoint.  They got to make their own heart-shaped pizzas.  He was pretty impressed.

This is the "hot chocolate bar" at Grace's school Valentine's party.  Holy Sugar!!

Grace and one of her

"Valentine's".  Such sweet friends!

And, in the name of healthier eating (for myself, that is) I'll leave you with a recipe for homemade Greek Dressing.

Greek Dressing

1/2 cup olive oil (I use Extra Light)

1 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1 1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

2/3 cup red wine vinegar

Mix all ingredients, except vinegar, in a salad dressing shaker.  Add vinegar and shake well.  Enjoy over a salad of romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and crumbled feta.

Here's to more leafy greens!