Friday, January 30, 2015

Food Friday: My Favorite Sugar Cookie Recipe


 
This is my recipe adapted from one I obtained from my sister.  It's been years, but I think I added more shortening. I never vary from Butter Flavor Crisco!  These almost melt in your mouth!  Make a batch for Valentine's Day!
 
Carol's Sugar Cookies
  • 1 C Butter Flavored Crisco
  • 1 C Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla
  • 1 tsp Baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 3 C Flour
Cream together shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Blend in one cup of the flour. Add baking powder and salt and blend well. Add remaining flour - reserving about 1/4 cup for rolling dough. Mix well.

Dough will be soft. Do not refrigerate. Use remaining flour to keep dough from sticking while rolling out. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out cookies and bake in 400 degree oven for seven minutes. Do not allow edges to brown. Baking times may need to be adjusted.
Allow cookies to cool and decorate with your favorite frosting recipe. (Mine is in my head!  I just add ingredients until it looks and tastes right, but here are some things to help you...)

My Favorite Frosting Recipe

1/4 - 1/2 C butter, softened
1 tsp Vanilla
Powdered Sugar
Milk (about 1/4 cup)
Dash of salt

Cream butter and add vanilla.  I then begin adding powdered sugar and milk alternately until I have a fluffy white frosting. When I am happy with the consistency, I add a dash of salt. A seasoned southern belle once told me, "The salt makes the sweet sweeter."

Add food coloring and sprinkles - or not. It's really about what makes you happy!

Let them melt in your mouth!

Find more of my favorite recipes HERE.

Question: Do you have a holiday recipe to share?  Comment below.

Happy Running!

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Guest Blogger: The Grandkids sound off

Lots of sprinkles!
 
Guest Blogger Thursday is a little different this week.  I've been hanging with the Grandkids this week and they've been sharing some of their wise words with me.  I'm sharing a few of them with you.
  • Three year-olds know how to use words like actually and accidentally as in, "I accidentally dropped my banana on the floor, actually."
  • Six year-olds can sound out words like "dripping" and "brilliant," but when the waitress asks their age they have to use sign language and two hands.
  • The Rainbow Bridge in Niagara is a bridge to everywhere because we are always going over "the Rainbow Bridge!"
  • "Pink is my favorite color, actually."
  • It's okay to save a loose tooth for Grandma to pull.
  • While baking sugar cookies (the recipe will be up on tomorrow's blog), "Make more princess dresses.  Princess dresses are my favorite, actually."
  • The favorite thing at Niagara Falls was "throwing ice into the river" and "the walking." The latter from the one that rode in the stroller most of the day.
  • "On Top of Spaghetti" is our favorite new bedtime song and we know most of the words, actually.
  • "Grandma, did you bring your 'puter? Can we play a game on your 'puter? It's been a minute, Grandma."
  • "I'm Anna and she's Elsa, actually."
  • "Please." Thank you." "I love you, too."
I should have been making a list, actually, because I can't remember all of the fun things they taught me, but I do know this ... being a Grandma is the best job in the world!

Question: What is your favorite role?  Grandparent? Coach? Spouse? Friend?

If you would like to be a Guest Blogger, leave a comment or email me at cmgwrites@msn.com and we will discuss the details.

Visit my Guest Blogger page to meet more of my blogging friends!

Happy Running!




Wednesday, January 28, 2015

A little more about Niagara

That's a lot of water! We could use some of it in the Treasure Valley.
If you  read this blog very often then you know that I write about perspective on a regular basis.  If you've followed this week then you know that I visited Niagara Falls recently.  It was breathtaking, both for its beauty and the biting wind!

Ice everywhere.
The riverbed below the falls was full of ice and the mist coated everything in a smooth layer of ice.  It looks like snow, but it is solid! The sign below was found in the visitor's center.
 
Easy directions to follow as this one won't open.
And the ice conditions were truly a problem for doors.  This is a view of the ice filling the pathway outside the entrance.  It's about four feet high - a buildup of ice from the mist of the falls.  Pretty cool, even if it does present "an inconvenience."
 

It's all ice!
 
So ... take a minute and think about the things in your life that are inconvenient.  Perhaps they are just pieces to a bigger, more beautiful picture.
 
Question: What adverse conditions have you experienced that have caused you to grow?
 
Happy Running!


Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Tuesday's Training Tip: Stay hydrated

How much water is enough?
There is much information available about hydration and exercise.  Some of it is helpful and some is very confusing.  What we do know is that you need to drink ENOUGH water.  There isn't a One-Size-Fits-All measurement.  I know that if I am hydrated I can do a six-mile run without stopping for water. However, if I don't re-hydrate post-run, I will have more cramping and muscle soreness later.
  
Thirst is a good indicator, but it may take some time to learn how much water YOU need and when it is most beneficial for you.  In the meantime, visit this article at Runners World to learn more about the Myths and Truths of hydration.
And just for fun, you might like to try this Hydration Calculator to get a better handle on how much water you need.

Tune in every Tuesday for more training tips and visit my Training Tips page to find all the tips you may have missed.

Question: Do you have a training tip you would like to share?

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus! 
Happy Running! 
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Monday, January 26, 2015

Niagara Falls and Ice!

I wanted to share some of the beautiful wonders of this earth.  The Lord has truly blessed us.  We had an opportunity to visit Niagara Falls for the first time.  It was winter.  It was COLD! It was such a beautiful sight, even amidst the freezing mist. Ice was everywhere.  Here is a view from the Canada side.


All that white stuff in the foreground looks like snow, but it is ice. The second view explains itself.  

I am reminded of a hymn ...

 "For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,"

Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1835-1917


I am grateful for the varied landscapes and climates, even the sagebrush desert where I live, that beautifies this place we've been given to live out our mortal existence.

    

Mountains, beaches and deserts make this an interesting and wonderful world! 

Question: What are some of your favorite places? Please feel free to sound off in the comments below.

Happy Running!
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Friday, January 23, 2015

Food Friday: Chocolate berry breakfast smoothie

 
This protein packed smoothie makes a quick breakfast or after workout snack.  It's fast and flavorful and it seems almost like treating yourself to a milkshake.  Who doesn't love that?

Chocolate Berry Breakfast Smoothie

4-5 ice cubes
1/2 cup frozen berries of your choice
1 cup fat free milk
One scoop chocolate protein powder (I like Body Fortress Whey Protein)

Place ice cubes, berries and milk in a blender.  Let stand for a couple minutes to allow the milk to get nice and cold.  Use ice crusher setting to break up ice cubes.  Add protein powder and blend until combined. Enjoy!

Variations: Substitute one half frozen banana for berries or use vanilla protein powder in place of chocolate.

Find more of my favorite recipes HERE.

Happy Running!

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Guest Blogger: Paulee writes about decorating for you

Meet Paulee, a wife, mother, farm girl, artist, and favorite team member of mine!  Paulee has an eye for style and enjoys helping others work with the things they already have to make their homes a reflection of themselves.  She shares tips on Facebook as Perspective by Paulee.

Why do I like to decorate?  Is it to Wow? No, it is to create a beautiful space and to share moments with those I love, my family, and friends. It is to create a place where traditions are shared, and to bring people together in a comfortable setting. It is a place where I can feel relaxed and safe.  Decorating is a constant forward motion; it invigorates me and rejuvenates my spirit.  It lets me exercise my creative side and it brings me peace, happiness and joy. I think this quote says it all.
"Decoration is really all about creating a quality of life, and a beauty within that life that nourishes the soul, that makes life beautiful.  That’s what all this is about, not just what’s in and what’s out."
                                                                                                -Albert Hadley
Decorate with what is beautiful and with what nourishes your soul.  That is good advice. I would also like to add decorate with what inspires you. Decide if you want your room to look collected or decorated.  Collected is a style of decorating which embraces one’s eclectic, personal treasures by combining them with other items with divergent styles.  It is design without conventional rules.  Decorated conforms more to conventional rules and looks just like it says decorated. 
January is the perfect time to find a few objects that are beautiful and inspire you.  You can snag a few freebees’ if you just look around.  People are putting Christmas away and making room for all the new stuff they got from Santa Claus. The foggy overcast days make us pine for spring and so we clean up and clean out. Just the other day I had a friend call that was remodeling his shop and office.  He is in the upholstery business and was getting rid of pictures that he had acquired over the years in some of his restaurant remodels. I found some pictures I loved. If I find something I love, I usually get it.  If I don’t, I always get home and wish that I had.  I took home seven pictures.  I didn’t know what I was going to do with them; I just knew I wanted them, and that liked them.  It just so happened that three of them looked great in my Living room, and the fourth one found a home on the wall in my husband’s office. 

I have discovered that if I find something I love, there will always be a place for it in the end. So stick to the things you love. Pictures are a great way to change up a room without making a big commitment.  Decorating in a collected way makes it easy to incorporate your finds. 
Everything that matters requires risk. So take some risk this month and have some fun decorating your home!
Follow Paulee on Facebook at Perspective by Paulee or email her at perspectivebypaulee@yahoo.com
Visit my Guest Blogger page to get to know all my blogging friends.
Happy Running!
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Wednesday, January 21, 2015

It Hurts When I do This ...

 
Okay, I can't stand it.  My book is live on Amazon and my order won't be here until the end of the month.  I am curious to know what readers think, so ... I am going to share another excerpt.  This time you get the entire story and lesson learned.  Please feel free to comment here or on Facebook.  Feedback is invaluable to us writers.

From The Hard Run: Painful Lessons from a Running Granny


It Hurts When I do This

I am going to venture away from running just a bit. I promise I will get back there before long.

Several years ago (about thirty) I was sitting in a church meeting next to my twelve year-old niece when she nudged me, “Hey Aunt Carol, it hurts when I do this.” I watched as she rolled her ankle so that her foot was at a right angle to her shin. That had to hurt! Of course, my reaction was, “Then stop doing that!”

The activity was obviously weakening her ankle. If she continued to perform the same action, not only would it continue to hurt, but there was a possibility of long term damage and further injury to her ankle.

This is another lesson about my running feet. Who would have known that one could learn so many lessons from her feet? It is an unfortunate fact that runners do not have very attractive feet. It is not a requirement to have ugly feet in order to run it just comes with the territory. Runners get blisters and they lose toenails. Foot funguses occur from running in sweaty shoes and barefoot runners have thick discolored callouses on the bottoms of their feet that protect them from injury. I don’t intend to ever become a barefoot runner. Nail Polish wears off from rubbing in running shoes and socks and it can be difficult to find time for a pedicure that will dry before the next run. My big toes develop callouses on the outer sides that rub against my shoes. These callouses protect me from blisters – to a point. 

On the occasion that I actually run or hike too far, or if I have worn a pair of socks that doesn’t fit or is made of fabric that rubs, my protective callouses can and have developed large blisters beneath the callouses. This is unfortunate because not only will the blisters eventually pop, but I will also lose the protective layer of skin that used to be holding blisters at bay. Then, I will have to be patient as the wound heals and new callouses eventually form.

What did I learn from It Hurts When I Do This?

It is possible to be aware that an activity or habit is hurting and weakening oneself and yet we are often compelled to continue with the destructive behavior.

Let’s talk about binging. There are many things that one might binge upon, such as food, alcohol, harmful drugs, gummy candies (I don’t think these can be categorized as food), shopping/spending, and the like. Perhaps it would be better to call these things addictions, but for this discussion we will focus on binging behavior.

I have an affinity for candy corn. That’s right, the sugary pieces of yellow, orange, and white candies molded to look like a single kernel of corn. In case anyone wonders, I am a country girl. I freeze corn most years and those candies look nothing like a kernel of corn, especially the red, pink, and white ones available during February. I digress. The point is that I love those candies too much. I can purchase a bag in the grocery store, open it in the car, and devour half the bag on the drive home. In my defense, it is a long ride. I bite the candies apart at the color changes and eat them in three pieces, but I can do it really fast! The speed with which I devour this confection exacerbates my problem. I get way ahead of the sugar high and then pay for it when that good feeling wears off. If I happen to be going for a run on the following day, I feel sluggish and tired. It’s probably from the candy corn binge. This might seem harmless. It’s only a problem in October and February, right?

What of those other things that we continue to do that harm us or our loved ones? Where is the danger in a little self-indulgence of drug abuse or activity that harms relationships? If ever we are tempted to claim, “I’m not hurting anyone but myself,” we might need to take a closer look. When we hurt ourselves, we hurt those who love us. 

Even good things, when done in excess, can become damaging. For example, the provider who spends all of his time at work and neglects his family may not realize the effect his absence has until it is too late. A dieter can rob herself of nutrients and cause long term damage to the body she is attempting to sculpt. Even the writer, or the runner, or the hunter, or the fisherman must find balance while pursuing passions lest she neglect those things most important - her family, her health, her God.

How often do we engage in repeated activities that hurt and weaken us? When we know that we are damaging ourselves yet choose to stay on the same downward path it can only lead to unhappiness. Perhaps there is something you are doing now that is causing hurt to yourself or another. Take time to identify the offense and evaluate the damage it may be inflicting, then determine how you will make a change.
 
So ... What did you think? Please leave feedback in the comments below or on my Facebook page.
 
Happy Running!

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Tuesday's Training Tip: Chew some gum


This one might not sound like much of a tip.  In fact, I was skeptical.  When other runners mentioned that they couldn't get along without chewing gum on the run, I thought they were crazy. I was convinced that having a piece of gum in my mouth would present a choking hazard while I was gasping for breath! I don't remember why I decided to give it a try, but I'm glad I did.

Here are the benefits I discovered about chewing gum.
  • It gives your brain another distraction. (See Mental Tricks)
  • The rhythm of chewing helps you settle into a running rhythm.
  • In warm/hot weather gum is the next best thing to water!  It keeps your mouth lubricated and lessens the discomfort of a warm weather run.
  • It tastes good!
I use gum when I am riding a bike for the same reasons I use it on the run, and I have never choked! Give it a try.

Visit this page every Tuesday for more training tips! I would love to hear from you. Comment below or message me on Facebook.

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!
Carol - aka Running Granny Green


Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Monday, January 19, 2015

DIY: Glove monster crafting

I have a confession. It won't be news to some of you. I am not much of a crafter - unless it is in the kitchen or at the computer - and the computer is questionable! (Still learning to put words on photos.  So far, they look rather elementary.)  Anyhow, I am visiting my grandchildren soon and I wanted something fun and unique to give them. So ... I made this!

Purple Glove Monster

It's my first attempt and he needs a little tidying up, but I kind of like him.  I found the idea on Pinterest.  You can do a "glove monster" search and find all kinds of ideas.  I think he cost about $.50.  The gloves were $.97 and the rest of the stuff was just hanging around in my many neglected crafting collections! I'm going to make him some friends while I have the crafting bug! (It doesn't usually last very long!)

Happy Running!
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Friday, January 16, 2015

Food Friday: Fish Tacos


I posted a picture of these tacos on Instagram recently and had quite a reaction. I am sharing the recipe today as promised. The beauty of this recipe is you can make as many or as few as you like.

Fish Tacos

Frozen Tilapia fillets (One fillet per two tacos)
Shredded cabbage
Sliced red onion
Grated cheddar cheese
Chopped tomatoes
Sour cream
2-3 Limes
Chili powder
Corn tortillas
Salsa
Avocado slices


Thaw Tilapia fillets. Add the zest of one lime to 1/3 cup sour cream. (Use larger portions if needed) Combine shredded cabbage and a few slices of red onion.  Squeeze one lime and stir into cabbage mixture.  Set sour cream and cabbage mixtures aside.

Heat electric skillet or frying pan to 350 degrees.  Spray with cooking spray and place tilapia fillets in pan.  Season with lime juice and chili powder while cooking.  Cook for about three minutes and flip. Season and continue cooking until fish begins to flake - about 2 -3 minutes more. Remove from skillet.

Spray corn tortillas with cooking spray and heat through turning once.

Assemble tacos using one half of a fillet for each taco.  I prefer this order - tortilla, fillet, cheese, cabbage, tomato, sour cream, avocado, and then salsa if there is still room!

Find more of my favorite recipes HERE.

Happy Running!
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Thursday, January 15, 2015

The Hard Run cover reveal

Here is the back cover of The Hard Run.  The book is available now on Amazon, Kindle, and in my Etsy shop.

 

Visit my Books! page to find all my published works.

Happy Running!

Guest Blogger: Raquel writes about massage therapy

I’m Raquel Roetto L.M.T. (Licensed Massage Therapist). I have been practicing therapeutic massage since 1997 after graduating from the Myotherapy College of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT. I have an office in my Nampa, ID home and also provide seated chair massage in local businesses (some of which I’ve been in for nearly 15 years). My favorite reason to do massage is to make someone feel better and I do that through therapeutic massage as well as relaxing massage, depending on what you need.  My specialties include Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Reflexology and Pre and Postnatal Massage.
 


Beyond R & R

About 20 years ago as I was trying to decide what to be when I grew up, I was working as a teller at a bank. I got to know some of my customers pretty well as they came in on a regular basis. There was this guy who came in every week or so with a stack of checks to deposit. One day I happened to notice “massage therapy” written on the memo line of one of the checks. That piqued my curiosity because I had been raised in a family that utilized massage. My Grandma Roetto was a massage therapist/reflexologist. My parents would go to her for a “treatment” whenever they had back or muscle pain. I remember as a youth Grandma rubbing my feet and particularly my big toes to relieve headaches, which I had often. I don’t ever remember using the term massage and didn’t realize that it was such a common practice.  My grandma had apprenticed and learned hands-on techniques to help people feel better. She had many faithful clients who came to her regularly, even in her later years. Well you can imagine how excited I was to learn you could go to school to become a massage therapist.  I was enrolled within a few weeks and that began what has been a rewarding career.
In my years as a massage therapist I’ve focused my efforts beyond the standard “R and R.” Although massage is a great way to rest and relax, there are far better R’s to consider.
Recovery: massage allows the body to recover more quickly from vigorous exercise and competitive sports, by increasing circulation and relaxing muscles. Massage is also a necessity while recovering from sports related injuries and heavy training schedules.

Relief: massage offers relief from many ailments including stress, muscle tension, pain, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, sciatica, TMJ, insomnia and many others. Massage is also a great way to treat emotional issues such as depression, anger, anxiety and grief by increasing the “feel good” hormones.

Reduce: massage reduces the intensity of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after activity. It reduces inflammation and keeps joints limber. Massage reduces healing time and will have you back at play sooner. Massage reduces viral and bacterial illnesses by enhancing immune function.
Restore: massage, in a nutshell, is a great way to restore health and well-being both physically and/or emotionally. There are not many treatment plans available that are as beneficial as massage therapy. Many positive changes will be felt with regular 15 minute massages.

The Mayo Clinic’s web page on massage states:
 “Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. To the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are just looking for another stress reliever.”
I might add that massage therapy is beneficial for people of all ages from pre-term infants to elderly persons.  While there are some contraindications to massage, most therapy sessions can be customized for anyone.

So, find yourself a therapist that is educated and trained properly and carries the credentials your state requires. Someone that has experience and can provide you with the treatment plan you need. You’ll want someone you are comfortable with and that you can communicate with. Not every massage therapist is created equal and you deserve the best. Go out and get yourself some R & R & R & R and . . .

Raquel
If you are interested in more information or in getting a massage you may contact Raquel at 208.841.4831 or raquelroetto@aol.com.
 Mention this blog post for a $10 discount on your first full-body massage.
 
Visit my Guest Blogger Page to get to know all my blogging friends!
 
Happy Running!
 
 
 

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Silicone lid kitchen gadget

Isn't it cute?
And strong!
I love this and had to share it with you.  My Spudman Teammate, Paulee, gave me one of these cool silicone lids.  It's not only functional, it's cute! It's great for those times when you want to cover a bowl full of food quickly.  It works better and faster than plastic wrap. You'll be the envy of the potluck party or picnic when you show up with one of these covering your salad.

You can find them at Bed Bath & Beyond, The Kitchen Outlet, or on Amazon. 

Check out more of my favorite Gadgets!

Happy Running! 

Birthday Traditions

Burnt Sugar Cake

Today would have been my father's 97th birthday.  He's been gone a few years, but I try to commemorate it with one of his favorite recipes.  I'm not sure I will get it done today, but I am sharing this post with you anyway.

I built it. Now where is everybody? (Burnt Sugar Cake!)

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Visit my Recipes page for more of my favorites!

Happy Running!
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Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Tuesday's Training Tip: Find a plan


If you've been following all my Tuesday's Training Tips then you know it's time to commit to a race, but do you know how to prepare for one? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is NOT to try to run farther and faster every day.

Your best bet is to get a training plan that is customized for you.  I like the Smart Coach app at Runner's World.  Smart Coach allows you to plug in a recent distance and time. (You can simply time yourself for one mile, two miles, or more.) You also indicate the date of your race, its distance, and when you want to begin training. Smart Coach spits out a plan with target times to help you work your way through to race day - and its FREE!

More training plans -

Couch to 5K
Mayo Clinic 5K run: 7 week training schedule for beginners
Hal Higdon 5K Training: Novice

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or well-seasoned runner, there are plans out there that can help you take your running to the next level.

Visit this page every Tuesday for more training tips! I would love to hear from you. Comment below or message me on Facebook.

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!
Carol - aka Running Granny Green



Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.