P90X Update

Day 2 complete.

Yesterday I did the cardio dvd. It was not as intense as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, I was completely dripping in sweat by the end of it, but I was a little more familiar with the yoga & kickboxing type moves that we did.

I went to my annual doctor visit this morning and walked out with a high: I lost 5 lbs since last July! Wohoo! Then shortly after, I was exiting the parking garage only to realize I did not have $1 or even a check to write a $1 check. The parking attendant smiled at me while I began to sweat. She pointed to the gas station down the way while she wrote down my license number to hold hostage for my $1 bail.

I drove to the first gas station, then realizing that I needed gas, so I went ahead and filled up. I walked inside to purchase some water in the hopes of getting cash back since paying atm fees is my worst nightmare. I hate the concept! Well of course they did not do cash back so I jammed my cared in the atm, grumbling. I followed all the prompts and entered all my information and then the machine stated, out of order. Are you kidding me?

So I frantically called my poor unsuspecting husband, yelling at him to find the nearest chase atm so I didn't have to pay the fee and I could end this delima with some sort of accomplishment. He couldn't help, so I sped to the next gas station under the highway.

It was under construction! I finally found the next gas station about 1 mile down that road. It was a big fancy RaceTrac, so I felt confident that they would give me cash back. I calmed down and found some smart water to buy (which has electrolites to refuel after my grueling workout last night). I walk up to the counter and of course they do not do cash back either. I almost threw the bottle at the cashier this time. I stamped outside and stuck my card in the 2nd atm machine which gave me $10 for the fee of $3 for the $1 parking fee. ARG!

I drove back to the hospital and entered back into the hospital parking garage, wind around all the levels back to the parking attendant and give her my parking bail, making sure to tell her in an annoyed voice that the atm she directed me to was out of order. All the while in the back of my head, I was wondering if the parking attended thought I was going to come back or just drive off, since it was only $1. Maybe I was doing all this to impress her in hopes that she would refund my $1. But then would all of that effort have been worth $1? I should do the right thing, no matter how inconveniencing it is.

Well, I would like to blame my temper on "roid rage", but alass I am not taking steroids. Just protein powder. Does this have the same effect? Maybe so? .

Lesson learned: always, ALWAYS carry cash.

The end.

90 Day Challenge

Cam and I have started a 90 Day workout of P90X.

Let me tell you, this is a high intensity, limit pushing workout series. I mean I have only done the 1st dvd and I can barely walk today.

Yesterday I started with the Core Synergistics dvd

Tonight I am doing the Cardio dvd. The whole idea of this work out is muscle confusion so you don't plateau during your routine workouts.

They recommend blogging or jornaling about your journey, so I'm going to try to do frequent P90X updates.

Cam and I are learning how to celebrate the small victories.

1 day down, 89 to go.

First homemade apple pie!

Apple Pie

Joy of Cooking

BASIC PIE OR PASTRY DOUGH

One 9- or 10-inch double crust

Sift together:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

Add:

3/4 cup chilled lard or vegetable shortening

3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter

Cut half of the shortening into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or work it in lightly with the tips of your fingers until it has the consistency of cornmeal.

Cut the remaining half into the dough until it is pea-sized.

Sprinkle the dough with:

6 tablespoons ice water

Blend the water gently into the dough until it just holds together; you may lift the ingredients with a fork, allowing the moisture to spread.

If necessary to hold the ingredients together, add:1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon ice water

Divide the dough in half, shape each into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

APPLE PIE:

Prepare:

1 recipe Basic Pie Dough

Line a 9" pie pan wiht half the dough. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Peel, core, and slice 1/4" thick:

2 1/2 lbs apples (5-6 large apples) I used granny smith

Combine in a bowl with:

3/4 cup sugar

2 to 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

Let stand for 15 minutes, stirring several times, so that the apples soften slightly. Sprinkle flour over the pie crust to keep it from getting too soggy. Pour the filling into the bottom crust and gently level with the back of a spoon. Dot the top with:

2 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into bits

Cover the pie with the upper crust. 

Sprinkle with: 

2 tsp sugar

1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

Bake for 30 minutes. Slip a baking sheet under the pie, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees, and bake until the fruit feels just tender when a knife is poked through a steam vent and juices have begun to bubble through the vents, 30-45 minutes more. Cool completely on a rack, 304 hours. To serve pie warm, place it in a 350 degrees oven for 15 minutes. 

Enjoy!

Happy Independance Day!

Tomorrow I will be sitting on the lake enjoying my holiday with good friends!

My little sister and her husband, who I haven't seen in 8 months, will also be here for the weekend!

I can't wait to watch fireworks, play Apples to Apples and eat tasty food all weekend.

Here's a few things I'm making:

Hello Dolly Bars (otherwise known as 7 layer magic bars)

Buttermilk Chive Biscuits

Aunt Beth's Chili Egg Puff (jiggly egg puff, as my dad refers to it)

10 eggs

1/2 cup flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

16 oz small curd cottage cheese

1 lb. grated jack cheese

1/2 cup melted butter

2 4-oz cans of green chilis (chopped)

Mix all ingredients and pour into a buttered 9x 13 glass baking dish

Bake for 35 min at 350 degrees

Breakfast Apple & Blueberry Crumble (I'll share this recipe soon)

And of course, coffee.

I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July! And say a prayer for all those who are away from their families, making sure we get to keep our freedom.