A Spoonful of Peanut Butter

Helps the medicine go down?  Well...kind of.

Some mornings, J and I go to the gym.  We usually do 30 minutes of cardio, and then follow it up with 60 or so minutes of lifting.  It's a drag to get there some mornings, but once we get going, it's great.

I'm the kind of person who needs a lil something in my belly before I can run around.  When I run a race (like this coming Sunday, actually), I like to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich about 2 hours before race time.  If we get to the gym by 6 or 6:30am, there's no way I'm getting up 2 hours earlier.  I tend to rise about half an hour before needing to be at the gym, and finding nutrients is always a fun thing.

I'd say my go-to pre workout food is a spoonful of peanut butter.  Anything more, and I'll get a stomach ache.  Anything less, and I'll feel dizzy and weak.  Oh, and when I remember, I also take a scoop of N.O Xplode in a glass of water.  Apparently it's supposed to make me stronger.  We'll see.

Now that I need to be really mindful of my spending, I need some more food suggestions.  A week or so ago, I was with some folks who posed the question "What would you eat if you were homeless and only had 2 dollars a day?"  Another person took this down the route of "And you were homeless, on drugs, addicted to alcohol, etc..." Being stubborn/defensive, I of course had to chime in and say that not all homeless people are addicts.  But that's not the point of this story... The point is, what would you eat on 2 dollars a day?  I know people survive on less than that, but let's just start with this for the sake of the story.

If I only had 14 dollars a week to spend on food, I would probably go to Mississippi Market to get some grains.  I would likely get granola, brown rice, and maybe some quinoa or barley.  I'd also get some dried beans for protein.  I'd then head to super target or rainbow for some fruit and veggies (whatever was in season and the cheapest).  If I had any money left over, I would buy a bucket of ice cream.

A friend and I are supposed to sit down any day now, and talk about how to eat on a budget.  I did buy a book a few months ago on that same topic, but that was when I was gainfully employed and "eating on a budget" was more of a choice than a necessity.  I'm not down to the $2 a day thing yet, but I think it's important to think about how to stay fueled without breaking the bank....and doing so especially as someone who is active most days and needs adequate protein, nutrients, etc. 

Suggestions are encouraged from foodies, athletes, starving artists and moms.  All other opinions/suggestions are welcomed as well.  Thanks!

Love's in Need of Love (ASAP)

I try to steer away from "song of the day" because I feel lazy when I post someone else's video, rather than writing about what's on my mind and in my heart with my own words.

"Love's in Need of Love" by Stevie Wonder was my SOTD yesterday afternoon.  After Troy Davis got executed last night, it seemed even more appropriate.  Have a listen.  And then go hug somebody.  

There's a lot going on in this world, and it's easy to overlook things, forget or ignore people, and keep on "moving forward" without really paying attention.  A good hug can go a long way.  Trust me.

I may or may not be Scared of Heights

But as things would happen, I busted up my shoulder pretty good a few weeks ago, which is why I couldn't rock climb this weekend at my (new) friend's birthday extravaganza.  I didn't mention my fear of heights to the group, but it's there, believe me.

A few car loads, totaling about a dozen people made way to Duluth this past weekend to climb shovel point.  I took photos, and didn't partake in the climbing.  At night, we played music around a bonfire until our fingers hurt and our voices went hoarse.  It was rad. 

See below for a few photos from the weekend.  It was so nice to get out of the city for a few days, to be in nature, and experience the vastness of Lake Superior.  I can't wait to go back! 

In Light

Eric

Lunch

Details

First Time Climber (she rocked!!)

The Shoes of a Photographer

Preparations

I can't remember who took this photo, but I love it!

Hanging Around.  Photo by Erika.

Mission Accomplished.  Photo by Kat.

All Smiles

The Whole Group!

What Happens when I get on Youtube

I look up a bunch of things.... today went from Erin McCarley to Colbie Caillat to Whitney Houston to Too Short to Eve to Feist to U2...  

I might have missed a few too....but it is what it is.  

Song of the day: It's Not Right But It's Okay (before Whitney became too stoned to function).  

Now that is one woman I would not want to mess with.  She's fierce!

Strategic Planning

I got laid off last week.... so I'm now in the market for a new job.  The title of this blog is strategic planning, which means I need to be smart about how I proceed from here. 

Employers google you.  Blind dates google you.  Strangers may even google you.  While yes, sometimes this blog is me ranting or complaining, it is also a place to explore new ideas or thoughts.  I just need to be careful about what I say.  I get that...

It's a beautiful day outside.  After I got laid off, I had this brilliant plan to buckle down and get my schoolwork done.  I still like that plan, and will follow that plan...just maybe not today.  Starting tomorrow, fall is coming, I know this.  How do I know this?  Because I looked at weather.com, obviously.

Today I need to spend some more time outside.  Tonight I can set up my apartment to be more conducive for studying.  This means putting my records and turntables in storage...so that my desk can be used for what it was meant for.  It means making a new calendar; one that I can use to be productive and organized.

I hurt my shoulder a few weeks ago, lifting weights.  I felt it get pulled/ripped out.  It was gross, and left my fingers numb/tingly for several days.  I've recently joined a flag football team.  My first game, I was never thrown to.  I was frustrated, but later found out it was because they knew I was injured and were just looking out for me.  Last week, I hurt it again, pretty bad.  I didn't cry, and I finished out the game....but dang it was painful.

I'm finding that it's extremely hard for me to sit still, not use my arm, etc.  I wore a sling for a few days, because I kept irritating it...but even just in the last 24 hours, I've overused and hurt it again.  Ugh.  I need to rest so I can heal faster.

So, in the span of 48 hours, I busted up my shoulder pretty good, and got laid off.  A few days before that, I decided I needed to focus on my running, and one way to do that would be to not drink any alcohol until my 10 mile race (October 2).  Whew...let me tell you, that descision was before the whole 48 hours of bad luck/fortune/reality came about.  I've stuck with it though (minus the one beer I had the evening of my last day at work).  It's amazing how much longer the days seem when there's no booze involved.  The cool thing I'm learning though, is there's tons of fun stuff to do and experience!!  Legit, I've been having a really good time lately, hanging out with positive people, doing new things, and generally feeling pretty good!

A few folks have commented on how well I seem to be dealing with all of this... but really, what are my other choices?  Be sad?  Be mad?  Where is that going to get me?  Nowhere.  I need to be proactive about my future.  I'm reminded of a quote.  "As for the future, your task is not to foresee it but to enable it." -Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.  Seriously, so true.

I need to go.  I've got a few errands to run, and as I mentioned earlier...the nice weather isn't going to last much longer.  For those who are reading this...I hope all is well.  Life is a beautiful thing...even when it gives you lemons. 

Oh, lastly, I've been playing guitar a lot lately.  It's been really nice.  I've probably played more in the last 2-3 weeks than I have in the last 2-3 years.  Granted...it's not the best for my shoulder... but it's good for my heart, and my creative side.  Every now and then, I feel myself tapping into my artistic side.  This is a good thing...especially now, because it's not fueled by sadness, but rather a curiosity and energy to put something positive back into the world.