I run to be

Nike's slogan for their 2010 marathon was "I run to be" with space for each participant to describe why he or she runs. After much contemplation, I finally have an answer. I run to be SOCIAL.

I began running cross country my junior year of high school. Why? I joined the team because most of my friends were on the team. It was another way to hang out with them. The underlying theme responsible for my running is also to burn calories. I love to eat, as evidenced by my many posts about food. While I type, I'm baking pumpkin cookies. The reason I'm able to continue running is because it's a social activity for me.

After high school, I stopped running. I'd go for the occasional jog; sometimes, I'd even jog consistently for 2 weeks. Running was not an activity I could maintain by myself.

For eight years, I essentially stopped running.

Then, I accepted Jesus as my Savior. He really does know our innermost desires. I met Kristen. She started running by herself in April 2009. I invited myself to tag along. She graciously allowed me to crash her morning jog. We have met 2-3 times a week at 6 in the morning to jog or walk or do (pre) prenatal yoga since then. We have welcomed Amy into our morning routine as well. Not only do we have someone else to hold us accountable to get out of bed in the morning to exercise, but we are also able to share our lives with each other. Their counsel has been a crucial part of my life. And now, since Kristen and Amy are both pregnant, I'm able to take mental notes about the joys and quirks of pregnancy, if I should ever need such notes.

In January of this year, Kristen mentioned running a half marathon. It was something we were talking about. Not once did I imagine I'd run 2 half marathons in 2010. I always thought running for 2-3 hours was crazy. I even called it stupid. I would never run that far. I'm learning to remove the word "never" from my vocabulary, so I don't have to say that I was wrong.

Running is part of my routine. Now, I can jog by myself, but I prefer to run with a friend, because I run to be social.

Power bar success

Before I left for San Francisco, I shared my plan to bring enough food for the trip so I could spend my money at retail stores.

I packed at least 16 pumpkin power bars (2 different recipes) and 12 cocoa power balls. I also made 4 peanut butter, pumpkin butter, and jelly sandwiches. I brought 5 apples and home made trail mix. I also brought my own tea bags plus an empty Nalgene bottle.

I spent 2.74 on a tea at a cafe on Sunday to get out of my hotel, warm up after walking in the rain, and to use free internet.

Twice I asked for a cup of hot water (once at Philz coffee--the dude taking my order looked at my like I was crazy).

As you can see in the picture, I visited one of my favorite stores, Lush. I also bought a pair of earrings at Nordstrom's for a penny. Seriously, just one cent is all I gave to the cashier.

All of the restaurants in San Francisco were very tempting. I contemplated treating myself many times, especially at some cupcake store called Cako. But I stuck to my budget. This just means I need to plan another trip to the Bay area and choose restaurants over shopping.

A Desi Girl

What I made for lunch today--

mango lassi:
Bottom layer: grapes and toasted almonds

then raita, then garbanzo beans, and then the curried chicken

"Desi Girl" is the name of a song in which I have learned some choreography to in my Bollywood dance class. A desi girl is an American born Indian girl. I have decided that I am a pseudo-desi girl. My friend likes to sing "Caucasian girl" instead of Desi girl when we listen to the song.

Anyway, today my delightful Bollywood dance partner in crime came over to practice. I decided I'd make an Indian dish for lunch. I almost made chicken vindaloo as an homage to Outsourced. I found a fantastic recipe on epicurious.com. It was so good, I now want to make Indian food all the time. I bought garlic naan at Trader Joe's, and I made up my own recipe for a mango lassi.

Here is the recipe for the curried chicken, spiced garbanzo beans, and raita: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Curried-Chicken-Salad-with-Spiced-Chickpeas-and-Raita-243206

For the mango lassi, I blended mango, mint, nonfat plain greek yogurt, and skim milk. I used about 2 oz of yogurt, between 1/2 and a whole cup of milk, 5 or so mango sliced that Trader Joe's sells pre-cut, and a some mint. I think I should have added more mango.

Pumpkin power bars take 2

I tried this recipe: http://lilveggiepatch.com/2010/08/28/chococolate-pumpkin-protein-bars/

I substituted ground flax seed for protein powder; maple syrup for agave; dried cranberries for prunes.

I was only able to spread the mixture into about half of an 8 x 13 pan; however I cut 9 bars, and I believe the recipe said 8 servings.

I definitely prefer the taste of this power bar to the first version I made. I think it's because this recipe has peanut butter.

I ate one for breakfast this morning along with a baby apple and a glass of milk; it was filling. Delicious and nutritious!

Power bars

This Sunday I will be running my second half marathon in 2010. I will be traveling to San Francisco for the Nike Women's marathon. People who want to participate must enter a lottery. I joined a group with my co-worker. If one member of the group is picked, the entire group is able to participate in the race. I'm not sure which one of us was picked, but we are all running!

The race starts near Union Square, therefore my hotel is also near Union Square. This means I will be in close proximity to one of the best shopping spots in San Francisco. My favorite bath and body store, Lush, will be within walking distance. My point is, I plan on bringing as much food as I can, so I don't have to purchase food. The money I save can go toward a controlled shopping spree in Lush. At least, that's the plan.

I have canned pumpkin to use, so I decided to try this recipe for pumpkin energy bars: http://cycleandstyle.com/2009/10/pumpkin-energy-bars/

I substituted apple sauce for canola oil; cloves and cardamom for pumpkin pie spice (I used pureed pumpkin pie filling); and wheat germ instead of flax seed.

As a power bar, it tastes decent.

I also tried a recipe from a vegan website claiming to have a recipe similar to a Clif bar type of which I've never heard. Here's the recipe: http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2009/10/13/make-these-now/

I wanted to use the dark cocoa powder she recommended, but I did not want to make a trip to the store. I used Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder. I did not have dates, so I used dried cranberries. Again, they taste descent. I have to set aside my desire for a delicious desert type flavor. I made power bars not cookies.

I'd make them both again. I hope to try a different pumpkin power bar recipe tomorrow.

Pumpkin waffles

Pumpkin is my favorite vegetable. I enjoy making pumpkin enchiladas. One day I want to make a pumpkin soup or pumpkin curry. This morning, I made pumpkin waffles. I followed this recipe: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Pumpkin-Waffles-104264

I made the following substitutions:

I used 2 eggs and 2 egg whites

1 1/2 cups of milk

1/2 cup of Trader Joe's spiced apple cider

I used pumpkin pie filling (I actually prefer plain pumpkin, but I was careless in the grocery store)

I substituted wheat germ for butter.

The waffles I made are good, but they could be better. A similar recipe added vanilla extract. I think that's a good start. :)

Banana Waffles

On October 3, I made banana waffles. I think making waffles has become one of my newest hobbies.

I do not remember the recipe I followed, but it smelled delicious as it cooked.

A thoughtful gesture

I work in a low-income neighborhood. I wouldn't want to work anywhere else. Teachers may receive gifts occasionally, but I do not typically receive gifts. My job is rewarding enough, so gifts aren't really necessary. Wanting a gift is just my greedy-only child-who-loves-presents side that rears its ugly head once in a while.

On Wednesday October 6, I had a meeting with a parent. I work with her son and her daughter. She and her daughter brought guava that was ripe from the tree in their yard. I had to ask her how to cut it up as I have only seen guava in its liquid form. It was so sweet (the gesture and the fruit).

The perfect example...

So this story is actually about one of my memorable teaching moments.

My trip to Haiti has inspired me to use soccer as an activity to teach language. I'm also selfishly trying to gain some soccer skills before my second trip in December. My motivation is largely selfish, but my students are very excited to play soccer.

The best part is that after they do a trick with the ball, I have them explain what they did. We wrote out the instructions, then I asked them what they did first, second, last, etc. My selfish idea is actually quite brilliant.

Anyway, a group of 3rd grade boys were a bit too rowdy with the soccer ball. The concept of being in a classroom meant nothing to them. In demonstrating that they do not need to kick their leg as high as they can or with all of their might, I kicked up my leg and watched my shoe fly across the room.

I'm pretty sure my point was lost as they howled with laughter.

Triple 10

I'd like to post a special devotional for the 10th day of the 10th month in the 10th year of the millennium.

Romans 10: 10

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

I am justified in God's eyes, because I believe in Jesus in my heart. I am saved, because I confess my sins with my mouth. Nowhere does it say that I am saved, because I volunteered at my church's youth ministry or traveled to Haiti. I am not saved because of what I do. (Amen!) I am saved because of what Jesus did. I am saved because I put my faith in Jesus, and I confess my sins. I have many sins to confess, but I am loved by God anyway. God's love is bigger than my mistakes. God's love is not contingent upon what I do for him. God's love me because I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139).

I was reminded of this at a Harbor-wide church service in Balboa Theatre downtown in Horton Plaza (a shopping mall). Harbor celebrated 10 years today at 10:00 a.m. Here is a link: http://www.harborpc.org/ If you click on the link, Mid-City is the site I attend.

Richard P. Kaufmann preached about being a gospel pace-setter. The first step in doing this is preach the gospel to yourself. His message was important for me to hear. He talked about his own personal sin, how he would beat himself up or try to implement specific techniques to stop worrying. I recognized that in myself. Recently, I feel like I'm in a washing machine. I go from beating myself up to trying strategies until I receive God's grace. Mr. Kaufmann reminded us the importance of preaching the good news to ourselves. Only when he confessed his sins and reminded himself of his own righteousness through Jesus did he feel peace.

Today is at least the second time I've heard the idea of living today as a thank-you note to Jesus. Before I set that as a goal, I think I'll continue to remind myself of the good news and let my joy flow outward, so I may love my neighbors.

There's something about Haiti and babies...

When I arrived in Carrefour, the McLanes shared the good news that they were expecting a third baby.

When I returned to San Diego, the Reams shared that they were also pregnant. They have an indirect connection to Haiti, but they are part of the baby craze.

In August, Wilbert, one of the interpreters, shared that his wife was pregnant.

Recently, I found out that a member from the trip is pregnant.

Today I found out that Wilbert's wife had their baby. More details should be forthcoming.

Father, I pray for these growing families. Welcome these precious babies into your family with open arms. Father, I ask that you keep these babies on your path of righteousness. May these children always know your love. May their parents share their faith and point to your son, Jesus, always.