My 2012 Wish List

1.  A Vitamix Blender

2.  Trekking Poles

3.  A Gore-Tex Jacket

4.  Binoculars







5. Outdoor Blanket

 6.  Road ID

7.  Cuisinart Griddler



My Dynamic December Challenge

This month I have challenged myself to workout burning at least 500 calories each day.  Let's see how well I do:

12/1: 575
12/2: 546
12/3: 510
12/4: 544
12/5  550
12/6: 516
12/7: 100 - I went to the dentist today.  Pain meds made me very drowsy and queasy.  I tried. :(
12/8: 554 - After today's workout, I have renewed respect for athletics who perform while in pain!
12/9: 303 - I tried but I really didn't have the energy.  This is harder than I thought it would be!
12/10: 240 - I did my best.::::sigh:::::
12/11: 566
12/12: 100 - I went back to dentist today, not feeling well.  Very frustrated!
12/13:  0 - Just plain lazy.  :(
12/14: 563
12/15: 519

Well, half the month is gone, I'm not doing as well as I thought.  Actually, it's more challenging than I thought it would be.  Some days I just didn't have the energy.  I think my dental issues really drained me.  I wasn't sleeping well.  Excuses, excuses, excuses....one day I didn't even try.  Oh well, keep moving forward!

12/16: 555
12/17: 305 - I injured my knee while on the Elliptical.
12/18: 133 - Yoga
12/19: 151 - Yoga
12/20: 111 - Yoga
12/21: 100 - Walking - knee feels much better.
12/22: 258 - Step Aerobics
12/23: 136 - Walking
12/24: 150 - Walking
12/25: 294 - Treadmill
12/26: 400 - Walk in the park
12/27: 370 - Treadmill + weights
12/28: 159 - walking
12/29: 151 - walking
12/30: 252 - Workout DVD
12/31: 221 - walk in the park

Okay, I'm kind of disappointed but I'm glad I tried.  I realize my opportunity was sleep.  I wasn't getting enough rest to work out intensely. 

Shirataki Noodles: Red Curry Stir-Fry Chicken and Vegetables

This dish is definitely a keeper.  When I make it for the second time, I'll add a little more red curry paste.  I used one tablespoon; I'll probably add another half tablespoon. 

Total calories:  356

Shirataki Noodles

One of my best friends recommended I try these.  The first time I tried them I just rinsed them off and added some lemon salt.  Yuck!  The second time I sauteed them in olive oil and some ginger seasoning.  Better.

Today, I stir fried with along with some peppers, onions, and shrimp.  Yummy!

The entire plate was 238 calories; it was very filling.

Soup is Good Food: Turkey Chili Soup

This soup was pretty good.  It wasn't as flavorful as I thought it would be.  When I make it a second time, I plan to use chicken stock.

I frozen half of it.  When I reheated it, I added some brown rice.  Yummy!

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Cochran Shoals Trail

Today was my first hike with Trail Dames. I had a blast! I do think I’m going to get some hiking poles so I can go on some of the most strenuous hikes.  This one was rated easy to moderate.  For some reason, I don’t have a problem with inclines yet I feel very unsure walking downhill.  The leaves were a little wet and some of the trail was muddy.  I had a great time!

My First Pair of Hiking Boots

After trying on several pairs of hiking boots, I finally purchasing a pair -- North Face Tyndall Mid WP. 

I chose this pair for a number of reasons.  The first being that they are lightweight.  A number of the boots I tried on were very heavy and clunky. 

The second thing I like about these boots is that they feel very much like high-top sneakers.  They're very comfortable.

They're waterproof.  I wanted the waterproof style, just in case,.

I also like the removable inserts.  I could exchange them for my own orthotics.  Truthfully, I do not think I'll need them.  I'm going to try walking with and without them and see what I think.

Finally, I like the mesh zones for ventillation.

I'm going to go a 4-mile walk tomorrow to break them in.  I plan to wear them when I walk to get used to them.