Wintry Zoo Trip

There was no preschool last week, but we had to spend a couple of days wrapped up in not-so-fun errands (Like getting car issues fixed.  Twice.)  So we finally got a free day and I gave Pierce several choices of activities.  He chose the zoo.  Our little local zoo is situated on top of Mill Mountain, so it's chilly up there.  However, it's open year round, and this time of year it is never crowded.

Instead of Pierce, I found myself accompanied by Buzz Lightyear.

This guy didn't look so cold. 

The Zoo Choo wasn't running due to snow on the tracks, and not all the paths were adequately shoveled for the stroller.  But we made our way through anyhow. 

The twins were well bundled, and had pb+js to munch on in their snack traps for the visit. 

Pierce  Buzz Lightyear stopped at a picnic table for a snack of freeze dried bananas and strawberries. 

We found one warm spot.  The reptile house! 

Isn't he cute? 

The view was a little hazy - unusual for the winter months. 

And of course, Buzz had to climb the tiger statue. 

A final stop at the Discovery Center before heading home. 

A very fun day.  A little snow and chill?  Nah, it won't keep us in! 

I'm linking this post up with Angela's Show and Tail at WV Treasures.  Click HERE to go visit her.

Muffin Tin Monday - Skewered

It's Muffin Tin Monday, and today's theme is picks and skewers.

Pierce had clementine orange slices, yogurt, skewers of cheddar and green olives, corn, a sandwich of whole wheat, smoked turkey, pickles and olives, and some pretzels.  Because pretzels are kind of skewerish themselves.

Want to join in?  Click:

Best Salmon Recipe. Ever.

This salmon recipe is from Prevention magazine (an issue last Spring). 

It is the best salmon recipe I've ever found.

It's quick, easy, and healthy.  And it tastes so amazing.

2 tbsp dark brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp ground mustard powder

4 salmon fillets (skin removed)

1 tsp olive oil

Stir seasonings. Press fish into rub on both sides. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. When hot, place fish in pan. Cook until rub dissolves and darkens slightly (a nice toasty caramelized brown color). About 4 minutes. Flip and cook about another minute or two on the other side.

Enjoy!

Fitness Recap December (plus 2010 review and 2011 goals)

I had a good month in December for fitness.  Usually in the 'dark months' I have pretty low mileage, but this month I didn't slack off as much as usual. 

Total running mileage = 100

Weightlifting x 7

Abs/Core workouts x 8

Yoga x 2

Marta Montenegro dvd (similar to Shred) x 1

Most of my runs were done on the treadmill (boo!) but here is a picture Paul took after I ran 10 miles in some crazy snow:

Paul thought all the snow on my hat was funny.

Looking back on 2010, I ran 3 half marathons, one 10 miler, three 5Ks, and of course the NYC marathon.  Much of the year was spent trying to regain fitness after having the twins.  I am finally starting to see my runs improve, although I'm nowhere close in speed to where I was just prior to getting pregnant with the twins.  My total running mileage for 2010 is 1043 miles.  I'm pleased with this, particularly considering it was a comeback year and I didn't run at all last February due to postpartum depression.

So for 2011 I have just a few small goals.  First, I'd like to PR (set a personal record) in the half marathon.  Why the half?  Well, mostly because it's the most 'doable' race.  Two summers ago when I was at my fastest, I ran all sorts of distances but not any halfs.  So my half marathon PR is from three summers ago, and I'm really only a couple of minutes away from the PR as it is (according to the half I ran in November).  My second goal is to run the Portland Maine Marathon next October.  My Dad read an article about that race and said that I should run it because it sounded fun.  He said he'd go with me if I did.  It's a smaller marathon, but sounds like it's well organized and low key.  So I'll be saving money for that and will start training next summer.  My third goal is to spend more time at the track this year than I did last year (that shouldn't be hard).  I definitely want to get faster in 2011, and I know what I need to do - and that's go to the track!

Do you have goals - fitness or personal - for 2011?

Memory Lane Friday - New Year's

Memory Lane Friday is a weekly blog carnival where you can blog about your memories and link up.  All are welcome, and this week the topic is New Year's.

It's been a long time since I've done anything interesting for New Year's, because of the kid-factor.  So I had to wind back quite a bit on this one - ten years to be exact.  One of my favorite New Year's was when a large group of us bought tickets to go hear The Worx play.  They are a regional band that has some really fun music.  The tickets included snacks and champagne at midnight.  People from both my work and Paul's work were there, so it was a lot of fun.

This is me with my friend, Tiffany.  I had to crop out some random person to the left, since I can't remember her name and don't have permission to put her on my blog.  But Tiff has said before (granted it was 10 months ago...) she doesn't care!  Everyone needs a friend like Tiff.  She's vibrant, fun, geniune, and a true girly-girl who still manages to be down to earth.  I adore her.  Plus, she talks a lot.  I always like when I don't have to carry the conversation.  Tiffany has always been there when I needed a friend to lean on, and she also carries a very strong faith.  What more can I say?  Where there's Tiff, there's fun!

Note the date in the bottom corner.

Now I know this picture was taken before midnight.

Why?

Because the year that we hit 2000, I stayed at home all night refusing to go out and I watched a marathon of The Crocodile Hunter on television.  Ha!

Anyhow, we danced and drank our champagne at midnight and heard some great music.

And I vaguely remember stopping at IHOP on the way home, where I was practically starving because they took so long; I even saw stars.  I was so happy when my eggs and toast and bacon finally came!

Want to join in on Memory Lane Friday?  Just add your blog to below:

Please be sure to visit the blogs of other participants and leave them comments.

Next week Memory Lane Friday has no theme.

Deluxe Banana Pudding - Vintage Recipe Thursday

It's been a while since I've joined in on Vintage Recipe Thursday over at Joy of Desserts.

Today's recipe is for Deluxe Banana Pudding.

This is my grandmother Lin Lin's recipe, and is handwritten in the front of one of her Southern Living cookbooks.

Mix 3 regular or 2 large boxes of instant vanilla pudding with 5 cups of milk.  Fold in 1 cup of sour cream and half a 9 ounce carton of whipped topping.  Layer in a large glass dish, starting with coarsely crumbled vanilla wafers, a layer of sliced bananas, then half of the pudding mixture.  Repeat the whole thing one more time.  Cover with remaining whipped topping and chill.

I've 'skinnied' this up many times by using 1% milk, fat free sour cream, fat free cool whip, and reduced fat vanilla wafers.  It does just fine with the substitutions.

Mister Tooth Decay

Pierce has been going to the dentist since he was 2 years old.  So for 2 years now we've gone every 6 months.  We started early because Pierce had severe acid reflux the first 3 years of his life.  He had numerous appointments with specialists, tests, and medicines.  It was a long road, but he is mostly past all that, and has been free from medicines for over a year now. 

Anyhow, the first four times Pierce went to the dentist, he wouldn't allow them to do anything other than peek at his teeth and count them. 

This time, he did allow the cleaning of teeth, but he was very nervous and jittery the whole time.  He also wouldn't sit for the x-rays, so they didn't happen.

They gave him some cool shades to wear so the light wouldn't be in his eyes.

He looked so funny I had to sneak a picture:

Unfortunately, Pierce did have one cavity.  We are on well water, so this isn't too surprising (the twins are on fluoride drops, but for some reason they weren't prescribed for Pierce).  The cavity is behind one of his front teeth.  The dentist said that because it's a baby tooth, it doesn't have to be filled - it's optional.  Based on his jitteriness at the dentist, I decided to wait and see on the tooth.  The dentist said to limit sugary foods, which we do anyhow, but I'm going to make an effort to start brushing his teeth after breakfast every morning, since he loves his waffles.  In another 6 months, we'll either see that the cavity hasn't gotten any worse, and maybe it won't need filling.  Or, if it has, perhaps Pierce will be a little more capable of sitting still for more than two seconds.

Got any good tips for youngsters with dentist anxiety?