Sacrifice

What is sacrifice? Do I really understand the meaning of that word? As part of Ash Wednesday I have been thinking about this a lot. Over the past several years I have chosen to practice Lent in symbolic preparation for Easter. After much discussion with my friends and co-workers I have chosen (boldly) to give up sweets which includes dessert of any kind, especially ice cream and frozen yogurt. Some of my friends have chosen a much deeper and mature route, but the truth is giving up sweets is a pretty big sacrifice for me. I feel a little silly and shallow admitting that, especially as part of a tradition that celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus, but at the same time I feel like its the perfect exercise in self control. Sometimes I take sweets for granted or overeat without thinking, but this is a chance to gain a new perspective.

According to some traditions, Sundays during Lent are considered a mini-Easter celebration and fasting is not required. Though I can appreciate this, for my own sense of accomplishment I will skip Sundays, how much sweeter that first treat will be after 46 days anyway.

What are you giving up or sacrificing this year? What personal growth do you hope to gain from it?

Fighting the Good Fight

Last year I lost 40 pounds. It was amazing. It was freeing. I not only felt in control of my life but I also felt comfortable in my own skin. Fast forward 12 months later to March 2011 and I find myself struggling to not put back on the weight I fought so hard to lose. Why does this happen? Why do we work so hard to get where we want to be to only live in that moment for a short amount of time? I can think of a million reasons why those pounds of fat keep finding their way back to my thighs. I'm in love. I love food. Life is busy. I have better things to do then workout. But these are just excuses. Every time there has been a major change in my life (relationships, career related, moving, etc.) I always tend to gain a few pounds, so the trick is catching those pounds before they stick permanently to my mid section.

There is more to this than just the weight or the vanity of the subject, it makes me wonder why it seems like perfection is fleeting. Or more accurately, why does it seem like happiness comes and goes so quickly? Is this human nature or is it just me?

I'm not exactly sure how to answer these question, and if I did I'd probably write a book not a blog about it! But in the meantime, I guess I will continue to fight the good fight when it comes to keeping my waistline small and my relationships healthy.

Baking: Key Lime Pie

Ever since I took home economics in seventh grade I have loved baking. It might have a little something to do with my built-in sweet tooth, but I also enjoy the process and the end result of something delicious to share with the people I love the most. Despite my enthusiasm, one out of three of the things I bake in the kitchen is a disaster. With that in mind, I thought my blog would be the perfect place to share my successes and disasters. So, get ready for some mouthwatering and hilarious stories!

Last week one of my close friends (who happens to also be a co-worker)celebrated her 27th birthday. A few months ago she had mentioned her love of key lime pie so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try something new in the kitchen. The bonus was that not only was the recipe super simple, it tasted delicious, too. Because the pie is no-bake, it takes only a few minutes to prepare and is perfect to prepare the night before you want to eat it.

TIPS: the recipe calls for three limes to make a 1/2 cup of juice, I used four and still had trouble meeting the required amount of liquid, so I just topped off the lime juice with a little bit of water and it turned out fine.

Carnation Key Lime Pie
(Credit: Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Morsels Best-Loved Recipes)

1 prepared 9-inch (6 ounces) graham cracker crumb crust
1 can (14 ounces) Nestle Carnation sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup (about 3 medium limes) fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon grated lime peel
2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
Lime peel twists or lime slices (optional)

Beat sweetened condensed milk and like juice in small mixer bowl until combined; stir in lime peels. Pour into crust; spread with whipped topping. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until set. Garnish with lime peel twists. Makes 8 servings.

Oh Blog, How I Miss Thee

Dear Blog,

I am writing to apologize for neglecting you for so long. The truth is I think of you often and dream of what I can write to keep you updated, but life has gotten in the way. I have been busy. Really busy. The last year has been a whirlwind. But in the most amazing way. I have been busy falling in love, baking, laughing, living, reading, running and so much more. But, I think I'm ready to return to you. Ready to share my life with you again. Though it might be different than posts from the pasts, I hope to find the time to rekindle the friendship we once had.

So, Blog, here's to new beginnings. I hope to see you soon.

xoxox

Megan

It's Official: I'm a Warrior

It seems like I have been anxiously anticipating the Warrior Dash at Copper Mountain for so long and now it's over. I went, I ran (sort of) and I conquered (I place finishing in this bold category). In short it was an awesome weekend, but that was to be expected. I mean can you really travel to 12,000 feet above sea level to slop through mud and jump over fire and complete the experience without calling it such? Ok, maybe participating in the Warrior Dash isn't for everyone, but attending the celebration definitely is. For the people watchers there were people dressed in costumes from Avatar to Oompa Loompas and everything in between. For the foodies every restaurant at the resort was pumping out delicious food and there were even turkey legs for the true warriors and great beer to wash it all down. And if you got bored watching people throw themselves over fire or dive through mud pits you could watch the band and make new friends. If this doesn't sound like a good time then I really need to reassess my life! But seriously, one of the best parts was that I got to waddle my way through the obstacles with some great friends and my family was on the sidelines every step of the way cheering us on. (And, I can't minimize the long-distance love and support from my boyfriend. His pride for me is amazing and makes me feel so special. Cheesy? Yes. True? Absolutely.)

Not only was this a great day to share with friends and family it was also a chance to prove my inner voice wrong. You know the one (especially if you have ever ran for any length of time at all -- the one that laughs and tells you there's no way you can do this.) As I ran towards the finish line I kept thinking to myself, "if only the third grade version of myself could see me know, how proud she would be." Participating in this freed a little piece of me that I didn't even realize was captured.

Thank you to everyone who encouraged me, cheered for me, ran with me, laughed with me or simply thought happy thoughts for me.

So, now the question is, what's next?

She's Like the Wind

In 10 days I hope this is a phrase that can be used to describe me and my friends as we run and trudge through the obstacle course ridden Rockies in our first ever attempt at the Warrior Dash. A year ago I was about 40 pounds heavier, fairly sedentary and could barely run a mile without keeling over. And now with a little less baggage to carry around I am preparing to do one of the most adventurous things of my life, so far. The 3.27 mile run at Copper Mountain includes obstacles like a mud pit, hay bale hill, tunnels, junk cars to climb over, cargo nets, and my personal favorite, a fire pit. Maybe I'm crazy, but this seemed like the perfect challenge to spice up my life and crossing the finish line will not only solidify my place at as an official bad ass, it will also be a great reason to celebrate. And, that's what life's all about,right? Finding reasons everyday to celebrate being alive.

In the last week, as it has truly begun to sink in exactly what I am planning to do, I have been to reflecting on all of the changes that have happened in my life that have allowed me to be brave (or crazy) enough to literally run off the beaten path. Besides the physical changes I think I have become stronger, more confident and more at peace with the world around me. It's amazing what can happen in only a year's time.

Now it's time to stop my day dreaming and kick my butt into gear. With less than two weeks left I have yet to run three miles straight without a break, though I am close. Overall I am prepared but I don't want to just run this thing, I want to conquer it. So, wish me luck and say a little prayer because I will need it!

What is romance?

Recently I have been pondering this question. Not because my relationship is lacking it but simply because I never want the spark to die. My boyfriend and I have officially exited the honeymoon period that happens in a new found relationship and are settling into regular relationship status (whatever that means).  We have shown each other our true colors and decided we like each other anyway. But some of the romantic things that may have happened in the beginning of the relationship (when we were busy trying to gain each others affection) have become less of a priority. The other day we were talking and teasing each other about being romantic and it got me to thinking: what is romance anyway? As I thought more and more about it I began asking friends and co-workers. The funny part is the men I asked usually just looked at me puzzled as if it was a trick question and women would thoughtfully look at me and say something like, good question.

What I have narrowed down from these various conversations is that romance is thoughtful ways to share love with another person and some tactics are more obvious and general and some are very specific depending on the person. For example, when my friend posed this question to her boyfriend his initial response was, "when you make sure there are Pop Tarts in the cupboard, that's romantic because I really like them." To each his own I guess.What I have learned is that romance doesn't have to be roses, poems, chocolates and candlelit dinners. When I go out to dinner with my boyfriend (especially if its a date night) he will order my meal for me. The first time this happened I didn't know exactly how to take it, but I realized this is one way he shares his love and have learned to take it that way.

So, here's a question for you, what is romantic to you?