Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Pears. A delicious fruit that used to grow in my backyard. Sadly, the best pears were always out of reach at the top, and the crappy ones that weren't edible were always at the bottom and falling on the ground. So most of my childhood memories of pears are as a messy nuisance. I'm happy to report.... pears and I are, once again, in love.

Pears are a great snack; they are full of fiber and are low in calories. They don't contribute any fat or cholesterol to your day. They DO contribute some Vitamin C.

You know me, I like to think of creative ways to use my fruits and vegetables. Here is a breakfast treat that goes in the category of "should be disgusting, but is actually delicious."


CHEESY PEAR SCRAMBLE

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
* 1/4 cup chopped sweet onion
* two medium mushrooms, sliced into thirds or fourths
* 1/4 red pear, chopped
* 1/4 cup fat free or low-fat mozzarella
* small container of Egg Beaters
* sprinklings of salt, nutmeg, and ground red pepper (cayenne)

WHAT TO DO:

* Start by chopping up the veggies you need. While you heat up your sautee pan, put the chopped pears in the microwave for one minute. This will help soften them up a little before sauteeing.

* Spray pan with a little cooking spray, then sautee onion, mushroom, and pears until browned a little. Add spices and cook for another minute or so.

* Add Egg Beaters.

* When all that is looking pretty cooked, turn off the stove and add the cheese.


I had my scramble with a slice of Ezekial raisin toast. Best bread ever; expensive, but worth it. I keep it in the freezer and just tear slices off to toast when I need/want them. You can find it in the Meijer "gluten-free" frozen section!

Happy breakfast.


"I am doing the best I can given what I have today." ~ Jillian Michaels

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Ready for run camp....


Today starts my journey as a Borgess Run Camp team leader. And I'm excited.

So excited that when I saw the snow flying as I woke up, I knew I had to get out and run in it. You'll think I'm crazy, but there is a lot of confidence and strength that can be taken from winter running. Don't question the power of running despite being cold, despite being wet, despite being nervous you might slip and fall. Because truth be told, you MIGHT slip and fall. But... you might not. You have to take the chance or sit on the sidelines. And it takes a real bad-ass to brave the elements and sneaker up when it's 20 degrees and snowing.

A bad-ass like me. Or you. Or the hundreds of other people in Greater Kalamazoo who join the various run camps offered to push us through the dreary winter months.

A friend asked me what my leadership goals were for this winter. I've been thinking about that quite a bit, because as excited as I am, of course I'm nervous. I wonder if I know enough. If I'm helpful enough. If I have a clue as to what I'm talking about half of the time.

But frankly, the answer to those questions is no. I'll never know enough, or be helpful enough, or always have a clue as to what I'm talking about. I'm human. Like all humans, I know what I know and I'm always learning more. The best I can do is offer others the things I *do* know.

So what ARE my goals? To lead and inspire by example. To show that it's ok to not always be sure of yourself, but not to let it be a roadblock. To help others to trust their footing, whether snowy or dry. To push people to be the best they can be, and be committed to themselves.

And maybe most importantly, to remind others that who you were is not who you are. Who you are starts today.

Happy December 1st, and happy trails, wherever they may lead you.

"You know what they say, life ain't always easy. And everyday we're survivors. So forget the day, it's all about tonight; act a fool and start a riot, a riot. Be a rebel." ~ Jay Sean


Sign up!! Marathon, Half-Marathon, or 5k... never run? Who cares! ANYONE CAN TRY. Sitting still is doing nothing.
https://borgessruncamp.com/