Auction Day One...

Ten am sharp, we opened up our on line auction.  It has been great to see everyone biding on the items that they want.  Spent most of the day behind the scenes making sure that bids were not marked as spam.  Thanks Facebook!  I hope that everyone is having fun with this.  We have lots of wonderful items that have been generously donated.  I look forward to tomorrow to see how we finish up.  Huge Thank you to each and every one of you who have donated or bid on our auction.  It truly is heartwarming...

Fantastic Foodie Fridays *Slow Cooker Beef Stew*

In honor of the Royal couple getting married today, I figured that I would dedicate the Fantastic Foodie Friday to a wonderful english beef stew.  Pair this with some warm sourdough bread and a nice dark ale.  This is a  warm rich comfort food, that will make you want to snuggle with your sweetie after eating.  It was this or a Fruit Tart.  So, I decided to go in this direction.  Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Prep Time: 15 Mins

Cook Time: 7 Hrs

Ready In: 7 Hrs 15 Min

                           

Ingredients

• 3 pounds cubed beef stew meat
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup baby carrots
• 4 large potatoes, cubed
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 onions, sliced
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Place meat in a large plastic bag. Combine 1/4 cup flour with 1/2 teaspoon salt; pour into the bag with the meat, and shake to coat.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add stew meat, and cook until evenly browned on the outside. Transfer to a slow cooker along with the carrots, potatoes, parsley, and pepper. In a small bowl, stir together 2 cups of boiling water and dry soup mix; pour into the slow cooker.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter and saute onions until softened; remove to the slow cooker. Pour red wine into the skillet, and stir to loosen browned bits of food on the bottom. Remove from heat, and pour into the slow cooker.
4. Cover, and cook on High for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to Low, and cook for 6 hours, or until meat is fork tender. In a small bowl or cup, mix together 2 tablespoons flour with 1/4 cup warm water. Stir into stew, and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until thickened.

Can you Feel the Love?

I have been overwhelmed with the response today getting ready for the on line auction on Facebook.  I think that this has the potential to be a really big Auction.  There are so many beautiful things that have been donated.  Most of them made by hand with love.   I contacted Sinbad to let him know that the shirts that he signed for me would be up on the auction if he wanted to watch.  Fingers Crossed & Prayers Up!  I hope all of you will head over to Facebook ( if you have an account ) and will "like" our auction page ( Alpha-Pink-Omega Auction ) and pass the information along to your friends.  We have included all of the contact information for the individuals who donated that had a business.  So, just incase you don't win you have a chance to contact the donor.  Please let them know you saw their items on our auction, then you can purchase the item directly from them.  Hope to see you at the Auction!    

Going, Going, Gone...

Days away from kicking off the on line auction.  Cathy, ( from Cathy's Creations ) is helping me run this auction on Facebook.  It will start on April 30th and run till May 1st.  We have had many generous donators.  Most of the items that have been donated are hand made by the donor, or someone that they know.  I have been profoundly touched by this auction as I have never met Cathy face to face, but yet her unwavering support has been nothing less than amazing.  Cathy lost her Hero, her Mother to breast cancer. Just one of the reason why she is so passionate about doing this with me.  What all started out as a simple question. "Would you consider doing a fundraiser with me"?  I would never in my wildest dreams, have dreamt this would have happened.  I am tickled "PINK"...  I have been in talks with Cathy about next year.  I might be driving to Boston to do a 3-Day with her.  One year at a time, one city at a time I hope to walk them all ( in time ), or until a cure is found.  Please check out our auction and pass it along to all of your friends.  We are hoping that this will be a great success!  All monies made from the auction will go directly to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure.  Thank you in advance for your support and all of your encouraging words.  It means more to me than I could ever express in words.  

24 Hours, What a Difference...

From pouring rain to beautiful sunshine.  What a difference!  Well, my next fundraising idea is coming together beautifully.  I am so lucky to have people that believe in me, or think that I am crazy enough that my idea just might work.  I ran around today getting all of the pieces.  Tomorrow, I will spend the day getting it all ready and if the weather holds up.   I hope to bring out my idea on Monday.  Fingers Crossed, Prayers Up!  As the weather warms up and the ground dries, more and more miles will be under my feet.  So far my longest walk has been 12 miles.  Tomorrow as long as the weather holds up, I will be going for a nice 8 mile walk.  

Training in the Rain...

Ok, I am not afraid to train in the rain (think the Marines broke me in on that one) but at this rate, I can trade in my walking shoes for flippers!  It has been pouring down rain for days now.  I got spoiled in California!  So, taking all of this into consideration, I have become friendly again with my NordicTrack Incline Trainer.  Having Jillian run me through my workouts.  Between Jillian and the 40 degree incline it was rough.  By the time I got done with the workout , I looked like I was out walking in the rain!  95 days till I walk the 60 miles in Cleveland!  

Everything Easter...

Today would be one of those rare days when I take a break.  I know that cancer doesn't take a break not even for a holiday.  I needed a day just to collect my thoughts and spend time with my family.  Took some time to catch up on things now that I am home from my trip to California.  Amazing how much laundry can accumulate in one week!  Guess I was missed...LOL  Well, I hope that all of you had a wonderful Easter no matter how you spent the day.  I look forward to the new week ahead of me, for those of you that are not on Facebook with me.  Here is a little heads up for you.   April 30th thru May 1, we are having an on line auction, if you would like to look at it, or bid on anything just type in the Alpha-Pink-Omega and it should come right up.  Tell your friends and share with everyone you know!  We hope this will be a wonderful turn out, and that everyone will have fun and walk away with something that they want.  We have also listed the contact information of the retailers, so incase you miss out or want more than one, you have the information to contact them directly.  All we ask is that you let them know you found them through our auction.  Thank you for reading my blog and for the continuing support! 

Could it Really Be Science?

Today I took the boys to Cleveland, to go to the Science Center for a friend's birthday party.  Amazing!  I can't believe that I have lived in Ohio for 10 years and have never been there.   I work at the Brown's Stadium doing Security, which is right across the street so I can't even use the excuse that I didn't know where it was located.   It was fun to show the kids on a bike that by peddling you can create enough energy to get a light to glow.  The faster and harder you pedal, the more lights would glow.  To watch their eyes light up was priceless!  It got me thinking about all the energy we expend training, walking and fundraising for a 3-Day event.  Makes you wonder if we all had bikes and hooked them up somehow, and were able to  harness all that energy that we put into a 3-Day.  Talk about being able to change the world!  I think I have found a way to reduce our carbon footprint and get some alternative energy!  Hmm, might have to give this a little more thought.  Energy Source + Physical Activity= Less people with weight problems, may not have to rely so much on gas or other forms of fuel.  Could use it as a possible way to raise awareness or raise money for breast cancer treatments... Think I may have to ponder this further... Till then, it was a great way to teach the kids about science and it really turned out to be fun for everyone.  

Fantastic Foodie Fridays... *Fish Tacos*

Bringing back a taste from California that I wanted to share.  This wonderful recipe is so easy to make and yummy to eat!  Lighter side of Tacos, that will leave you full, satisfied with plenty of flavor.  If you want to keep this even lighter instead of frying the fish, you can grill it.  Serve it with homemade pico de gall, and lime wedges that you can squeeze on top.  You can use Avocados, Corn, Roma Tomatoes, Lettuce, or any other topping that you like.  Finish it of with a Margarita with or without some rum....YUM!  

Fish Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup beer
•  
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, minced
• 1 teaspoon minced capers
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
•  
• 1 quart oil for frying
• 1 pound cod fillets, cut into 2 to 3 ounce portions
• 1 (12 ounce) package corn tortillas
• 1/2 medium head cabbage, finely shredded or lettuce 

Directions

1. To make beer batter: In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Blend egg and beer, then quickly stir into the flour mixture (don't worry about a few lumps).
2. To make white sauce: In a medium bowl, mix together yogurt and mayonnaise. Gradually stir in fresh lime juice until consistency is slightly runny. Season with jalapeno, capers, oregano, cumin, dill, and cayenne.
3. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
4. Dust fish pieces lightly with flour. Dip into beer batter, and fry until crisp and golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Lightly fry tortillas; not too crisp. To serve, place fried fish in a tortilla, and top with shredded cabbage, and white sauce.

Nutritional Information 

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 409 | Total Fat: 18.8g | Cholesterol: 58mg


Thank you to All recipes.com for their take on this favorite.

Taking it all in...

Just like with any vacation, you are sad to leave, but you know when it's time to go home.  It has been a week since I last saw my family.  I have had a wonderful time getting to surprise Deb, visit with her family and soak up the sunshine!  The weather has been amazing.  I even got to catch up to a friend that I haven't seen in 12 years!  It's always wonderful to get away from the routine of your daily life, but after a while you miss the things you know and love.  So, with that being said I will be boarding a Continental plane at 6:45 in the morning to head back to Ohio.  Will I miss Deb and California?  Most definitely, but I know that we are friends for life.  There is nothing that time and distance can take away from us as we are connected in heart.  So, till the next time that we get to see each other,  I will hold the memories close and smile every time I recall the moments spent together.

Re-Visiting the Past...

Re-visiting my past, what fun!  Today started out really early, four am to be exact.  I got the opportunity to see a dear friend who I have not seen in twelve years.  We drove to San Clemente first, then drove to Oceanside all the while catching up on everything.  Arriving in Oceanside we found The Breakfast Club, we had breakfast there.  Great atmosphere, wonderful wait staff and really enjoyed the food.  Even found the house that "Top Gun" was filmed at & took pictures there.  With all the walking & talking we did, we ended up covering eight miles of ocean front.  I got so many great pictures!  Back to Deb's then we had a light lunch then we were off to Laguna Beach.  We walked in and out of so many really fun shops that I really didn't want to go when it was time.  On our way to pick up Tahi food for dinner we went to a consignment shop called JunQie's, what a fabulous store.  We found lots of fun things to get caught up with, from costumes to really beautiful clothing and don't forget the sunglasses!  Many years ago we had taken our famous "sunglass picture".  Today we updated that old favorite.  Over the last few days, I have defiantly not done the conventional things to get in my miles.  That being said I still ended up racking up twelve miles total today.  What a fun way to get in the miles!  I highly suggest that if you are doing a 3-Day event that you find different ways to get the miles in.  Over the last week I have had many different experiences and opportunities to get in my training.  A break from the same old routine can sometimes be just the thing you need to get you back in the mind frame that you need to keep moving forward.    

Fresh Picked...

There is just something about getting your food fresh that makes all the difference.  Right off the vine.  Lemons, Oranges, Limes & don't forget the long list of delicious berries in all shapes and colors!  I could get used to eating like this.  Today went for a four mile walk up and down some pretty healthy inclines.  I took pictures, but they really didn't do the hills ( Mini Mountains ) any justice.  Then for lunch we had sliders that were pulled pork & BBQ with a side of coleslaw.  After lunch we drove around Dana Point for a while taking in the sights.  Off to get a little snack at Yogurtland, this place was incredible!  Twelve different flavors some exotic ones like Mango, Cocconut and Honey.  Don't worry they have the usual ones like Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla.  Then don't forget your toppings!  One side was all fruits and healthy choices, the other side was gummy bears and candy.  Something for everyone!  Home to play and walk around in the sun some more.  Clocking in my total miles today at ten.  Dinner was Chicken with a touch of cream sauce with three kinds of roasted potatoes.  Then there was asparagus with button mushrooms and tomatoes.  Yumm-O!  Find it much easier to eat healthier and exercise in the sunshine.  All I can say is hope the sun is shining in Ohio when I get back!  When I leave California I will take with me the challenge to eat healthier food and more whole foods.  I want to embrace eating more food that is cooked fresh.  I will eat more foods that will perish in a day or two.   Instead of buying foods that are being packed with tons of preservatives that will make it last for months!  So, I challenge you to do the same.  Eat a little more color every day by eating fresh fruit and veggies and leave the brightly colored packages on the shelf.  

Lesson Learned!

Spent the day being a student sitting in on Deb's class.  She's a Professor at Santa Anna College, teaching nutrition classes to the Basic Fire Academy.  These young men and women are hoping to become the next wave in firefighters to graduate.  They are required to take a health and nutrition class.  Today, I had the opportunity to learn about the importance of keeping a detailed food log.  Figured this is the perfect class for me to be sitting in on, as this can relate back to doing the 3-Day.  Keeping track of everything that you eat and being as detailed as you can in your journal.  Answer these questions as you write in your food log.  Was the meal you ate prepared at home, or at a business?  if it was prepared out you can bet that it was prepared with some oil.  How many packets of sauce did you use?  How many ounces was your drink? What was it?  Everything that you don't think about as you eat it has a value.  Also, if you have oatmeal or rice and you measure it dry, as you cook it, the portion size changes.  So make sure that you keep track of what you are doing.  Remember, the more details the better...  There are many more questions that you could write the answers to in your journal, but those at least give you a jumping off point.  Tonight I had dinner out.  Instead of the Chicken Pot Pie that was screaming my name I opted, ( with Deb's help ) for a Chicken BBQ Salad.   Which, ended up saving me 1,250 calories!  Yikes!  That kind of math really adds up!  ( I knew there was a reason why I disliked math so much! )   With making better, healthier choices and combining it with my training that I will be doing for the 3-Day.   I should be in really good shape for my first walk at the end of July, then watch out in November for the 3-Day in Arizona!  

Taking a Day of Rest...

Today was a lazy day... After last night it was needed!  Got up rather late,( I traded in my usual 6:30am wake up, for an Oh, so lazy 9:30am ).  Once all packed up, we drove from Fountain Valley to Dana Point.  Upon my arrival at Debbie's,  we had a wonderful brunch.  ( A mixed Omelet, Hash Browns, Nut Bread, Fresh Fruit Salad, and then a beautiful Green Spinach Salad.  Finished off the meal with a Mimosa ).  Yumm-O!!! That's all I can say.   While the boys watched Nascar and then Hockey.  Deb decided to show me their park that is located down the street from the house.  Donovan rode his scooter as we walked and talked.  Kalia decided to stay home and take a nap.  Lovely Sunshine!  Deb & I threw a Frisbee around for a bit while Donovan played on the jungle gym.  Then it was time to head back home.  I got to take some great pictures along the way.  We even stopped to enjoy a few honey suckles, while I was taking time to appreciate my surroundings.  It's funny how when you live somewhere for so long you forget to take time to enjoy what you have.  We get tied up in the hustle & bustle of things.  I know that this is just part of life, but what a wonderful gift to see something with fresh eyes.  Being able to enjoy everything that surrounds us.  Makes me thankful for all the gifts I have in my life.  I will get back to training tomorrow.  Today was reserved for Family, Friends and wonderful moments.  

Change of Scenery...

Today, as I walk I realize that my environment plays a great part in my training.  Starting out for a simple training walk.   I found that because I was somewhere new and was seeing different things, I ended up going much further that I was planning on.  I almost doubled my miles just by changing my surroundings.  I feel so invigorated!  Having sunshine on my side, sand beneath my feet while listening to the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the beach and smelling the intoxicating smell of the salt water.  Yes, I am in the land of eternal sunshine with the added bonus of H2o!  I am currently in Huntington Beach California, getting ready to surprise my life long friend Debbie for her Birthday.  She has no idea that I flew in yesterday afternoon.  I went out with her brothers last night.  Jeff, Chris & me hanging out like old times.  Makes me thankful for all of the great memories that we have shared over the years.  We don't get to spend time together like we once did, but now every meeting is a celebration.  Tonight will be no different!  I can't wait to see Debbie's face when she see's everyone that has come together to celebrate her special day.  I could get used to the training in the sunshine!

Fantastic Foodie Fridays... *Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry*

Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh (if possible) ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 1/2 canola oil
• 1 can of water chestnuts
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
• 1/2 pound sugar snap peas
• 1/8 cup cornstarch
• 3/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
2. While rice is simmering, combine shrimp, ginger, cayenne pepper, garlic, sesame seeds and black pepper in a large plastic food storage bag. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator.
3. Heat sesame and canola oil in a large wok or skillet. Add water chestnuts and green onions; saute 3 to 4 minutes to soften slightly Add teriyaki sauce. Add peas and shrimp with seasoning; saute 4 minutes or until shrimp are opaque.
4. Stir cornstarch into chicken broth and add to wok; cook, stirring until mixture boils. Sprinkle with salt. Spoon shrimp mixture over rice.

Nutritional Information 

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 399 | Total Fat: 9.4g | Cholesterol: 174mg

This recipe you can play with quite a bit and make it more to your liking.  I always suggest that you try it once as is then change to fit your taste.  I try to always use fresh veggies as I think it turns out better.  I have tried adding a splash of lemon and pineapple pieces to make it a little bit sweeter.  Some people would add peppers, carrots, baby corn or even bamboo shoots.  I hope you enjoy this recipe and if you do decide to try it, I would love to hear your thoughts!  Enjoy!