Veterans Day

Thank you.

And so it begins

I hit a weight loss plateau yesterday. I do my weigh ins on Tuesdays and this week? I didn't lose an ounce. So today I did what I said I would do once I hit my first plateau, I exercised. I know, I'll give you a minute to recover from the shock.

I headed out to the nearby mini-mountain and started walking the trail backwards. That is to say, starting at what is usually the end for me, not me physically walking backwards. Although come to think of it that would probably be really effective for working out my legs. If I didn't kill myself in the process.

Anyway, I did the trail backwards and then (since I was so intent on WORKING OUT!!!) I decided to run the downhill portions. Which worked great. Except for those first fifty steps wherein I was forced to channel a thug as I constantly had to pull up my pants to prevent a wardrobe malfunction. Once I realized there was no way I could make any kind of progress while my pants insisted on heading for lower altitude, I pulled off the trail and tied the heck out of the drawstring to make them stay put. Then started again. After I got around the whole trail (with the exception of the highest peak part, I'm not a complete idiot), I decided to walk the steps.

There's an outdoor theater type thing where Easter sunrise service is held for some church and it's right at the bottom of the mountain. There are about ten tiers of stone and concrete slab seating. So I started at the bottom and walked up, walked a few feet sideways and then walked down again. I did this across the whole seating area. This took about fifteen minutes and really works out the thighs. I know this because I believe I could smell them burning up. Although that also could have just been friction.

Then, because I have no sense at all, I decided I still needed "more". So I put my jacket (which I totally didn't need) and my water into my car and started walking on the park road that leads to another parking lot. When I got there, I ran back to my car. And then I drove home. As a side note, it is somewhat difficult to drive a standard when your legs start really shaking.

Keeping in mind that my normal level of exertion is somewhere between "none" and "seriously? I have to walk all the way to the fridge myself?" my suspicion is that I'm going to be feeling this tomorrow. If you don't hear from me, it's most likely because I can't crawl to my computer.

Weston, Missouri Funeral NOT interrupted

The town of Weston, Missouri pulled together to allow the family of a fallen soldier to bury their son in peace. We need more of this.

I pulled this video from
Fox4kc.com

While I understand that this man has the right to do what he does, I am deeply saddened (and exceedingly pissed off) that he chooses to do so in a way that is so very disrespectful of both the soldiers and their families. He may have the legal right, but he does not truly have the right to use their tragedy to bring attention to himself.

Southerners? A little help, please.

I need some help from my Southern readers, or anyone with a background in the cooking that emanates from that portion of the country.

Here's the deal...

You guys know that every Saturday I pick up my fruits and vegetables from the co-op. This week, the basket included collard greens. I know approximately how to cook them in the traditional method. I also know that cooking a mess of greens traditionally will not likely be on my diet plan. I'm fairly certain that bacon fat and/or ham hocks are not considered "healthy".

Is there any possible method for preparing collard greens without the high fat? One that tastes great as well? I thought about trying to slip it into a salad all casual like and pretending not to realize what it was ("No honey, I don't know why the lettuce is so bitter today.") I just can't do that to my family. Plus, I totally can't lie with a straight face.

So, any input would be appreciated. A decent, healthy version of a traditional recipe shouldn't be that hard to come up with can it?

Cliche Day

Yes, there's actually a day set aside for cliches. Which is perfect for the day after yesterday's tide turning voting. So here goes...

God willing (and the creek don't rise) there's finally a glimmer of hope regarding the direction this country is going. I'm hoping against hope and keeping my fingers crossed that those newly elected (and returning) to office will be able to turn this thing around. To get out of the red and into the black. It's mission critical that they do, although, it might be an uphill battle.

Right now, we're still waiting for the dust to settle and as we know, Rome wasn't built in a day. But if they put their noses to the grindstone and take care of the business at hand (even if it means burning the midnight oil) we might just see the light at the end of the tunnel.

When all is said and done, we can only hope the hand off will go smoothly with everyone keeping in mind that a house divided against itself cannot stand.



*I can't figure out how to do the little accent mark above the e in cliche without making it look like I'm a clueless dolt who's haphazardly adding hyphens for no apparent reason so I left it out.

Get out and vote

That is all.

Who Knew?

November is National Pomegranate Month. And I just happen to have a half dozen pomegranates in my refrigerator currently. I picked them up the last two Saturdays with the rest of my fruits and vegetables. The only problem is that I have no idea what to do with them.

From what little I've read, what I've determined is that they:

1. Are very seedy
2. Squirt when you cut into them
3. Stain your clothes

So, yeaaahhh, not really sure whether I want to deal with them or not. If anyone would like to dispute the above and tell me why (and how) I should consume this "fruit of the month", please feel free. I'm open to suggestions because right now they're just sucking up space in my fridge.