Beginning or the End?

Depending how you look at this day ( Sunday ) it can either be the beginning of your week or the end.  With that being said I hope to use this day as a day of reflection.  Did you accomplish all that you set out to for the week?  If you could change anything would you?  Looking forward to the new week that lies before us I would like to challenge each one of you to take a step out side of you comfort zone.  Challenge yourself!  Don't let comfort be your crutch.  I have recently gone thru some situations that have rocked me to my very core and have tested my faith.  From these experiences I want to grow, learn and change.  I do not want to come to the end of my days to find out that I have not lived my life, but merely existed.  We all have greatness in us, we just have to challenge ourselves to bring it out.  I hope this week you will challenge yourself, even if it is as simple as parking at the end of the parking lot and not at the beginning to take those extra steps.  Push past the limits that you have set on yourself, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish.  I hope you have wonderful week.  Thank You for reading, sharing and commenting on my first week of doing this blog.  I hope that over time it will evolve into something that everyone can read and take something away from.

Just Going for a Little Walk...

Ok, as most of you know, I am an ambassador for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure.  I am very passionate about helping to find a cure for breast cancer and raising awareness in the process.  With that being said, we all have to start somewhere.  My journey started with just going for a little walk.  Saying that you are going to walk 60 miles and actually walking 60 miles are two totally different things.  So, where do you begin?  Not everyone is in shape and ready to tackle those 60 miles ( YET ).  You have to make a commitment.  To do a little each and every day, to get you ready for those three days.  Now, I have met some people that never trained or prepared themselves for those three days.  All I can say is, if you really think that you can walk twenty miles on day one.  Then, sleep on the ground, in a tent ( air mattress or not ), get up on day two and walk another twenty miles.  ( Repeat the sleeping arrangements from the night before ) then finish up the 60 miles on day three.  Well, then you are better that I am!  I will tell you that I trained for six months.  Some days harder than others, but every day I did something.  I did really well walking in Cleveland.  Was I sore?!?  ( Can I say, He- double hockey sticks ) YES!  Even with all my training I still felt like I got hit by a mac truck!  Would I do it again YES!!!  To be exact 3 months later.   I drove to Washington DC to do it all over again.  I changed some things, but another 60 miles lay before me.  I will tell you that walking in DC was much more of a challenging course than Cleveland.  ( In my opinion )  So, if you are going to walk in DC my sincerest advice is to train on hills!  If you can find a ( Small Mountain ) feel free to train on that, multiple times!  I loved the scenery an all the amazing people that I met walking in DC, but it was rough.  I'm not going to lie to you!  I did end up getting blisters on this walk, and losing multiple toe nails, but nothing that would keep me from finishing.  So, where do you start?  When you sign up to walk in the 3-day, you are offered a wonderful ( FREE ) service called the virtual trainer.  If you sign up for this service.  Every week you will get an e-mail out lining their suggestion for what you should do for your training.  It also includes other helpful tips.  I found this to be really helpful as a first timer.  I sometimes changed things up, because I felt like doing a little more, or I would change my day off from training.  I also found as time went on that I kept a record of what I was doing and how I felt during and after the training.  It may take a little more time and effort on your part, but on days that you are feeling a little less than motivated you can go back and look at your progress.  We all have to start somewhere, even if it is just going for a little walk.  So, do a little bit each and every day. Before you know it you will be at the opening ceremonies of the 3-Day and you will start your Amazing journey...

Fantastic Foodie Fridays... Lemon Chicken Fingers

Every Friday I will be dedicating my blog to FOOD!  Part of training is fueling your body.  I hope to post something for everyone.  Most of the time it will be health conscious, but I will have times when it's just good, flavorful food.  I ( LOVE ) my spices!  I use Penzeys Spices if I am not cooking with fresh herbs,  I am growing myself.  I have found over the last eight years that they have consistently made a difference in any dish that I have made.  They are always fresh, they have blends that you won't find anywhere else and if you ever get to go to a store it is a wonderful experience.  I love going to their store and just smelling all the different spices, then thinking about what will I make next.  This is my gift to you... So, seeing that I can't be there to make this for you.   I figured this was the second best way for me to send you a gift once a week.  For your first of many recipes.  I am going to give you a recipe that anytime I have made it people have always asked for seconds and the plates always come back spotless!   I found this recipe in Penzeys One, Volume 3, Issue 2 2008. Page 22 ( if you care ).  It was submitted by Carol Heart...  
                                                          
         ~ Lemon Chicken Fingers ~


3     boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about one pound)
1      egg plus 1 TB water
1/2   Cup plain breadcrumbs
1 tsp.     dried basil
1 tsp     dried oregano
1/4     Cup olive oil, divided
1     clove garlic, crushed
1/2     Cup of white wine
1       lemon, juice of


Cut each breast into 4 pieces lengthwise.  Pound the chicken until it is thin and flat with a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy glass jar.  Briskly whisk the egg with the water in a wide, shallow bowl.  In a second wide shallow bowl, or a plate with a rim, mix the breadcrumbs with basil and oregano.  Heat half the oil in a large skillet over medium-low.  When hot, dip half the chicken pieces in the egg and then in the breadcrumbs, coating the chicken evenly.  Add the garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds ( do not brown ) Add the chicken pieces. Brown lightly, turn the chicken and lightly brown the other side,  1-2 minutes per side.  Remove from the pan and repeat with the remaining chicken, adding the remaining oil if needed.  Add the white wine to the pan and stir to loosen all the yummy browned bits.  Add the lemon juice.  Return all of the chicken to the pan and cook, covered over low heat for about 10 minutes, or until done.  If there is not enough sauce in the pan, add a bit more wine.  If there is too much, remove the cover and let it reduce for a bit.  Remove the pan and serve.  


Ok, here is where I am going to put my 2 cents worth in...
I throw all the breadcrumbs in a Ziploc bag with the spices.  Once the chicken is coated with the "egg wash" I shake away!  I also don't always cut them into "strips".  If I am making this for adults I usually just leave the whole breast and continue as instructed.  I think it gives a better presentation when serving.  Also, instead of throwing away all the leftover breadcrumbs and spices that are in the bag I toss them into the pan towards the very end so that I have extra sauce.  You will see if you make this that people can't get enough of it.  I usually pair this with grilled veggies and lemon water.  


Here is the website to Penzeys if you want to check them out. http://www.penzeys.com/ 
I have a handful of spices that I can't live without, and that you won't find anywhere else, here are a few of them.


*Sandwich Sprinkle
*Mural of Flavor Seasoning
*Mulling Spices
*Raspberry Enlightenment
*Vanilla Sugar

Why re-event the wheel?!?

I know you are sitting back scratching your head on this one... Honestly, how many times have you started something and instead of researching and pulling from resources that are available to you,  you have ended up re-enventing the wheel?  Well, the 3-day is no different.  Once you have set up your account you should  take a virtual tour through all of the tabs and get familiar with all that is available to you.  Under the "Learn More" tab there are 10.  Yes, I said 10 ways to get information and help in areas that you may not be familiar with or think you could use a little help in.  Believe it or not they actually have a fundraising ideas library just in case you are struggling with coming up with ideas to raise your donations.  If you still can't find what you are looking for you can pick up your phone and call 800-996-3DAY.  ( This number will become a number that you will likely use often.  So you might just want to add it to your speed dial now.)  ( It will save you time later...)   Ok , here's the BEST PART!  you get to talk to a REAL LIVE PERSON!  ( Imagine that!)  I should have had you sit down before giving you that little tid-bit of information.  Sorry, I will warn you next time before I send a Zinger your way!  A friendly, warm, inviting voice will be there to help you and answer all of your questions.  You can also go on Facebook and find lots of wonderful 3-Day participants that are willing to help you along the way.  You will be amazed how quickly that "stranger" will become part of your extended family or friend base.  Another way to meet and talk to people prior to the event is to go to one of the meetings or training walks in your area.  We all were first timers at one time.  So, don't be afraid to reach out and get the answers to your questions.  You will find that the only "Silly or Crazy" question is the one that you didn't get the answer to.  

One Step at a Time...

If you are anything like me, after signing up for the 3-day.   My head was spinning.  I had so many ideas and things that I wanted to do.  My best advice... Take one step at a time... Write everything down.   Just because you write it down doesn't mean that you will do it all, but I found it kept me more organized.  I made a game plan.  I would take one idea and run with it.  I first went and secured the sight that I wanted to hold the fundraiser at.  Then I would get all the art work and signage together.  ( I to date have never paid for a party center or venue to hold an event at. ) I trade my advertising of the establishment for their donation of location.  I take the artwork back to the owner of the location that I am using and get them to sign off on it.  Once that is done I go and have all the copies that I want done run off.  If they are fliers I usually have them put of varying shades of pink paper to make them "POP".  I save the color copies for posters that I will put in highly visible locations. ( You want to be careful when you are doing your advertising as I have found that it adds up quickly if you are not careful. ) I did one event last year and I spent more on fliers trying to get people to come to the event then I ended up making at the event! ( Lesson Learned ) !   As I would go out into the community I always had fliers with me for my next event, donation forms, and letters to explain to people who I was and why I was doing this.  I would walk around town and literally go from one business to the next asking for donations and handing out my letters and asking to post fliers in their store windows.  Does this take a lot of time... YES!  However, I found that I was much more successful going door to door and explaining what I was doing and why.  On the phone, people can hang up on you.  Face to face, people are more willing to sponsor you because they can SEE your dedication!  Now, I am not saying that this will ALWAYS work, but I found I got much better results.  Ok, here is where some of you will have problems...( Listen to what I am going to say before you lose heart...)  "NO"... When some of you hear "no" you take it personally... DON'T!!!  Do not let "no" sway you from your goals!  You never know what the situation is.  Sometimes it is our timing, sometimes they have been asked by so many people that they have to make a cut off somewhere and other times they just don't chose to donate for whatever reason.  Before I completely give up I make one last "pitch"... Instead of asking for an item, I ask for a gift certificate.  Here is why... If you ask the business for a gift certificate that is ( HALF ) the value of most of their items, then it becomes a WIN-WIN situation.  Here is why.  You get something to raffle off or use however to make the money that you need for your donations.  They get a customer that may have never been to their business before and they are guaranteed to make some money in the process.  If they still say "no" then thank them for their time and move on.  I usually don't send letters out "into the unknown".   I have had literally no luck in that department.  If you can write amazing letter then go for it!  I am by no means and expert in this. This is only my second year walking, but I just hope that some of my ideas can be helpful or give you insight.  Last year I had five different fund raisers.  I was exceedingly busy trying to coordinate it all ( mostly by my self ) if you can get a team together or find friends that will help you along the way it will make your fundraising much easier.  GET CREATIVE & HAVE FUN!  This is a journey, your journey... It's not just about raising the money that you need, or showing up and walking for three days and covering sixty miles.  It is everything that you do and put into it.  Take pictures, make memories and above all else enjoy your journey, what ever it may be or where ever it may take you.  If you need help ( even if this is your first 3-day ) it is there, all you need to do is ask.  You will find some of the kindest people that you will ever want to meet and they are all willing to help you.  Even if you are an individual walking remember you are part of a TEAM!  When one wins we all win!