The Way Of The Sub

Last night, I picked my youngest up from a school activity and asked, "Are you hungry?"  He replied, "Starving, what's for dinner?"  Then he told me about an older kid that showed up for practice, and proceeded to snack on a twelve inch Subway sub.  They were all making bets as to whether or not he would well...you know...lose his dinner.  So, I asked "You want to go to Subway?"
This wasn't easy for me.  Despite the resurgence of Subway's popularity with Jared Fogle as the spokesperson and the consistent mentioning of their healthy menu on one of my favorite television shows (The Biggest Loser), I have personally not been to a Subway since the mid nineties.  Why?
Its not a pretty story but, here goes.  We were living in North Carolina.  I was pregnant with our youngest.  We popped into a Subway for lunch.  I had grown up on Subway sandwiches and on many occasions well into adulthood, we had ordered the gigantic six foot sub for parties (it is designed to serve 18-25 people).
But this particular visit turned me off to Subway for a very long time.  As I said, it was in North Carolina.  It was probably one of the hottest days of the year.  The woman who waited on us wore no headgear and no gloves when she made our sandwiches.  Her long and stringy hair hung down over and into the food area.  She was significantly overweight, so much so that, her belly literally hung over into the food bins from which she gathered the ingredients for our sandwiches.  To make matters worse, she was pouring sweat everywhere.  Now, I am not one to have a weak stomach.  I never have been.  I'm an old soldier.  I've eaten my meals in some of filthiest conditions around.  I've eaten with flies swarming around me.  I fought off ants that were competing for my trail mix.  Heck, even now, I frequently eat dinner while watching "Bones" reruns (I love Bones).  Maybe it was because I was pregnant but, I was so grossed out by that particular incident, I never went back to Subway.  I was traumatized.  And as a result, I kind of became a non submarine sandwich person.
But, I believe in second chances.  So, last night I decided it was time.  I suggested we try Subway.  Boy, was I surprised.  Subway today is not the Subway of yesterday.  The servers were clean, well groomed, and seriously sanitary (they changed their gloves with every customer's order).  The nutritional information for everything they served was right there posted where you could see it (though small for us folks with poor vision).  My son got a sandwich and said hi to a few of his friends who happened to also be there.  I ordered a veggie delite salad (I still try to cut down on the bread when I can).  I could of made my salad any way I chose but, I stuck with lettuce, tomato, green peppers, cucumbers, and pickles.  When I said that was all I wanted, the server smiled and doubled the portions.  He gave me a strange look when I said no dressing (I am trying to remain on that nice list).  When we got in the car, my son said, "I think I'm going to start going there more often."  I told him I thought that was a good idea.  I can safely be assured that, at Subway, he will have numerous healthy choices made available to him.  
The only suggestions I would make would be that they add shredded carrots to their veggies.  I added my own when I came home and it really rounded out the salad.  Also, try adding some dark leaf lettuce like romaine.
I learned some things last night.  Disappointment in the past doesn't have to mean disappointment until the end of time.   Keep and open mind.  You adapt.  Businesses (and people) can too.  Sometimes, its good to give second chances.  You might be pleasantly surprised if you do.
http://www.subway.com/nutrition/NutritionList.aspx?id=lowfat&Countrycode=USA         

Honey, Where Did I Put Baryshnikov?

This morning, I was distracted like the Dug the Dog from the movie "Up" (2009).  I was attempting to gather old clothes, blankets, and such for our upcoming donation to the National Children's Center when I came across a poster tube.  Squirrel!
But it wasn't what I had hoped.  I had hoped to find the old poster I had from my youth, that of Mikhail Baryshnikov.  Every morning, I go down to our basement gym and walk on that treadmill.  And every morning, I see that calendar of the Redskins cheerleaders, and that weightlifting lady that gave my husband an autograph at one of his conference shows.  Me?  I want my own motivation.  I want to be motivated by Baryshnikov.
So, I started my workout a little later than usual.  I became a woman on a mission.  I searched and searched but, I never found my elusive dancer.  I even thought I might find a replica online...but the poster I have...it just isn't out there.
Now, you might be wondering...why Baryshnikov?  I never danced ballet.  I've never even been to a ballet.  I am not of Russian descent.  I am a mix of Irish, English, and Scottish.  To be honest, I couldn't tell you why.  Perhaps Ophelia explained the attraction best..."That unmatched form and feature of blown youth, blasted with ecstasy.  Oh woe is me to have seen what I have seen, see what I see."  That poster of Baryshnikov got me through my teenage years and, even with over a dozen moves, I've never gotten rid of it.  It is somewhere buried in the catacombs of this home and I have to find it.  
So, when my husband called this morning, it was the first thing that came to my mind (after I love you and miss you of course).  I asked, "Honey, where did I put Baryshnikov?"  He knew exactly what I meant.  "Its in the house somewhere", he replied, "probably in the storage room.  Why?".
I explained to him that I needed motivation while I work out.  "What do you mean?  Doesn't the (Redskins cheerleader) calendar motivate you?  You look just like them now."  He's such a sweet talker.  "No, I don't."  I laughed.  "I look better.  Anyway, I don't want to look at half naked 20 something cheerleaders when I work out.  That doesn't motivate me.  I'm a woman.  I want to look at Baryshnikov.  Now...he motivates me."
"Well, we'll look for him when I get home."
I have such a supportive husband.      

A Pear By Any Other Name

After my workout this morning, I sat down and wrote a letter to my mother.  She likes it when I write.  She has difficulty hearing when I call.  Letters are better.  At first, I wrote long hand.  It wasn't long before that became difficult for me (carpal tunnel).  Nowadays, I do all my letter writing by computer and I insert photos throughout.  This morning, I put in a few extra photos.  I hope it makes her smile.  I wish I could visit more often.  Live sometimes gets in the way.
Later on, my Stepdaughter and I went over to Costco for some essentials.  While we were there, I saw that they had pears.  I love pears.  The whole family does.  Sometimes, when you get them, you have to let them sit a while.  But, if you have patience, they are totally worth it...all sweet and tender.  They are loaded with fiber too.
When I was a kid, I hated pears.  Why?  Well, we had a pear tree in our backyard.  My brother used to climb up on top of the back house (formally a garage) and call me outside.  When I came out to see what he wanted, he would pound me from above with those hard as a rock pears.  I was absolutely covered with pear shaped bruises.  Needless to say, I learned very quickly how to catch things being thrown at me.  I'm left handed but, I can catch with both hands.  And I can catch anything from baseballs to sets of keys.  It doesn't really matter.  Throwing?  That a different story.  I've never been much for throwing.  Probably because I never really had a need for it.  I couldn't for the life of me climb up on that roof without assistance and my brother wasn't about to help.
I read this link (see below) that said pears were a member of the rose family.  I guess a pear by any other name would taste as sweet but you know what?  I really wish my brother had lobbed roses at me way back when.  They'd have hurt a heck of a lot less.  Then again, had he thrown roses, I guess I'd a had to of dealt with those ornery thorns.  Maybe I just should have just learned to climb up on that roof.
I bet I could do it now.  
 http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/hsmrs/Middle_School_Nutrition_Marketing/Middle_School_Marketing_Pear.pdf
http://www.usapears.org/en/Facts%20And%20Nutrition/Healthy%20Choice/Pear%20Nutrition%20Facts.aspx 


  

Veggie Night

Sorry I'm so late with the blog today.  The Pats game just ended...another win.  It was a close one.  I held my breath...a lot.  I said a lot of prayers as well.  I think, sometimes, my husband is surprised at my level of enthusiasm when watching football.  I'm not.  I'm not the woman I once was.  You might say I have a new found appreciation for athletics and athletes.
We were very good today.  We made good choices.  My husband made us small cream cheese omelets for breakfast.  Then we headed out for some last minute Christmas shopping.  I believe we are pretty much done now.  As soon as we got home, I wrapped the presents.  Wrapping Christmas presents is like folding laundry fresh out of the dryer.  It relaxes me.  Its a good thing because unwrapped presents tend to attract the eyes of curious gift recipients.  The worst of all is my husband.  He is such a kid at heart.
During the football game, we snacked relatively healthy on whole wheat crackers and roasted red pepper hummus.  I had a protein drink, with blueberries and a banana.  For dinner, we've decided to make the vegetable lasagna we had in the freezer.  The label reads 280 calories per serving.  Each package is said to contain 5 servings but, we've had it before and its more like 6 or 7 servings.  If you have a Wegman's nearby, you need to try this stuff.  For frozen lasagna, its really tasty.
Tomorrow, my husband heads out on another of his work trips.  Whenever he goes away, I like to have just veggies for dinner.  Sometimes, I just microwave one of those bags of veggies.  Sometimes, I have those individual servings of broccoli or peas.  If I have hummus, I use sliced peppers, cauliflower or carrots to dip instead of crackers.
When I was young, I could not have told you what a cauliflower even looked like.  I remember eating peas and carrots, green beans, black eyed peas, lima beans, succotash, collard greens.  We ate a lot corn but , my maiden name was "Mays" (Maize).  We ate corn on the cob, off the cob, and creamed.  I never had spinach as a kid and now, its my all time favorite.  Though I never them in my youth, I now love eggplant, asparagus, artichokes, squash...  I like okra but, only in my gumbo.  As a matter of fact, about the only vegetables I still say no to are brussel sprouts and beets.  Potatoes?  Well, I do like sweet potatoes.  I have a weakness for sweet potato french fries.  As a kid, we stuck to the vegetables that either came in a can or from a TV dinner.   If we were lucky, we'd get some from my Grandma's garden but, one thing is for sure...we never ever had a meal of only veggies.  Vegetables were merely a side dish, something to make the plate more colorful.
I don't know where the rule came from that you had to have meat at every dinner meal.  I like having a dinner meal of solely veggies.  You know what?  My body does too.
Tomorrow morning, I get back to my normal workout routine.  I wonder how many days it will take me to make to 1500 miles.  My current plan is to stop blogging when the kids get out for Christmas vacation.  That gives me two weeks to reach my new goal.  Yes, even though I won't be blogging about it, I will continue to work out well into the new year.  I hope you will as well.    

That's What I Call A Full Day

We were exhausted this morning after spending the evening with close friends.  I tried to sleep in but, I was hurting.  My head, my hip, my knees, and my stupid big toe were aching.  Maybe I shouldn't have danced so much.  I can't help it.  My body says be careful but my heart says dance now and pay for it later.  This morning was...well, later.  Still, I got up, made some coffee, and fed the cat.  No workout today.  No, today I really needed one of those recovery days.  One day, I will learn to master my limitations.  Okay, maybe not.
While the boys stayed home and worked on scout stuff, my Stepdaughter and I went to see "New Year's Eve".  Its a really wonderful film.  See if it you can.  You won't regret it.
I was a little naughty today.  I had a small popcorn (no added butter or salt) but, I did have a bottled water so I don't feel too guilty.  When the movie was over and my Stepdaughter left to head to work, I met up with my husband and our youngest for some quick Christmas shopping.  But, I was way on the other side of the mall.  In order to get to where they were, I walked through the mall dodging the slowest shoppers I have ever seen in my life.  Now I know I walk really fast but, I think maybe they were slowing down and blocking me on purpose.  As I sped through the crowded hallways, I was reminded of my days as a teenager at my local hometown roller skating rink...in and out, quick turns, sudden stops...it was complete madness.  I mean, was everyone in Northern Virginia at this particular mall today?  It felt like it.  Anyway, we did our shopping and left.  As we walked to the car, I noticed a bus...imported holiday shoppers with armloads of purchases standing in line.  On weekdays, its so quiet and peaceful, it almost feels like they opened the mall just for me.  I wish weekends were like weekdays.  I don't like crowds.  Amazingly, the crowded mall didn't really stress me out.  I had my walking face on (or maybe my rollerskating face).  One mission.  Get to the meeting area while avoiding any and all obstacles AKA shoppers of all ages.  You know, maybe I should have gone out for roller derby.  If I were doing roller derby today instead of walking the mall, I would have amassed some serious points.   : )
We are home now, just sitting here with a fire in the fireplace...watching the final moments of the Army Navy game.  It seems the Navy always wins but, that's okay.  We never lose hope for a future win for the Army.  There is no real reason to stress over a game.  Its just healthy competition between two teams that, off the football field, really fight for the same team...the defense of our nation.  No one should feel bad.
I walked three rapid pace miles today and wait a minute...wasn't it supposed to be a recovery day?  Shouldn't I be hurting like I was this morning?  Could it be all that walking helped loosen up my sore hip, my bad knees, and my stupid aching toe.  My headache was even gone as well.  I love ending the day sans pain.
Awesome...Right now, I'm thinking dinner and Jacuzzi.  An excellent movie, shopping, dinner, a fire crackling in the fireplace, ending with a dip in the Jacuzzi?  Now, that's what I call a full day.  My only dilemma now?  Finding a bathing suit that won't fall off.          
 

Lord, Give Me Strength

Carolers at Potomac Mills Mall

This morning, like every morning, I go from room to room and gather laundry for that first load of the day.   Then, ever so slowly, I hold on to the banister with my free hand and descend the stairs.  I have to hold on.  My knees hurt.  That's my life.  I don't complain anymore.  I have my good days.  I have my bad.  Then, as luck would have it, I dropped a sock.  I bent down and picked it up.  I can't bend from the knees.  It hurts too much so, I bend...very carefully.  In the process of bending to get the sock, I dropped someone's underwear.  So, I bent down and picked that up.  This went on for a while.  I kept dropping things from my arm load of laundry.  Finally, I just sat down on the stairs, looked to the sky, and said, "Lord, Give me strength."  Once I said it, I had to chuckle.  It was something my Gram-ma used to say when I was a teenager and would come to her home with short shorts or long painted fingernails.  I smiled remembering her.  She drove me nuts sometimes but, one thing was for sure, she was a believer.  We spent every weekend together until I was eleven or so.  My Gram-ma knew her bible and could quote the scriptures better than any television Evangelist she forced me to watch on Sunday mornings.  She even made notes in her bible.  I imagine she made quite a few about me and my unacceptable attire...probably in the sections regarding Sodom and Gomorrah.  She was just waiting for the Lord to turn her Gran-daughter into a pillar of salt or something.  Sometimes I wonder what she would think about me now.  

I managed to make it downstairs.  My knees were still hurting when I stepped on the treadmill but, in time, I made it to my five mile mark.  I followed with my normal routine of push ups, sit ups, butt lifts, and weight repetitions.  I took a quick shower and made myself a whey protein smoothie.  I needed to head over to the mall to pick up some more of my favorite calcium chews.  They only carry them at Vitamin World.  Well,  when I came out of the store, I heard singing.  I walked down the hall a bit towards the music.  There, I saw these kids.  They were all dressed up and singing Christmas carols.  I stood and listened.  I don't know who they were but, they were quite good and before long, a crowd formed.  Ten o'clock on a Friday morning and I was standing there listening to these angels...all because I ran out of calcium chews.  When I thought about it, I had to smile.  I was standing.  I wasn't in bed.  I wasn't in pain.  I was standing there in front of Marshal's with all the other shoppers enjoying the songs of the season.  I felt warm all over.  And my heart...was full.  I decided I didn't want to go home immediately as I had previously intended.  I decided just to walk around and see what else I could I see.  I guess I just wanted to...I don't know...participate, be a part of that seasonal spirit.  In the past few years, I've done most of my shopping on line.  You miss a lot when you shop from home.  You get everything done but, you miss that warm embrace that the holiday provides.  So, I walked.  I walked the halls.  I walked around stores.  I smiled at complete strangers, especially salespeople who looked as if they really didn't want to be there.  I walked until my stomach told me it was time to head home.  I looked down at my pedometer and saw that I'd added another four miles to my day's walking total.  Then I realized something.  The Lord?  He listened.  Come to think of it, he kind of always does.  Its difficult at times, to stand, to take that step, to push myself, to make the right choices.  But there he is...when I least expect it...through a memory or just a familiar song...giving me strength.         

No Soup For You

We love soup.  Who doesn't?  Its warm and comforting and loved by folks all over the world, right?
I fell in love with soup as a kid and yes, its was Campbell's soup.  My favorites were tomato, chicken noodle, and vegetable.  I used to put so many saltine crackers in the vegetable soup, all the soup juice would be soaked up.  It made my soup crunchy and I liked it that way.
When I was stationed in Germany, I ate Goulash soup.  In Arizona, we always got the tortilla soup.  For years, we had tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches (okay, that really sounds good right now).  By the way, if you are ever in Occoquan, stop by the Blue Arbor Cafe and try their grilled cheese panini.  The other day, my Stepdaughter said it was the best grilled cheese she has ever had.  After seeing it, I'm going to have one next time we go (which may be very soon considering the fact that I can't stop thinking about grilled cheese sandwiches).  http://bluearborcafe.com/
Anyway, back to soup.  At work, my husband loves to make soup for lunch.  Its light and absolutely perfect when its chilly outside.  Last night, he stopped off at the local store and picked up a couple of soups.
"Sweetie", I said, "Did you know the soups you picked up are loaded with sodium?"  He replied, "I want to keep the calories down."  Well, you know me.  I saw a challenge and I love a challenge maybe even more than I love soup.  Mission:  Find soups that are low in calories and low in sodium.  It wasn't easy.   I tried looking on line first.  On line, I discovered some of the most popular soups.  The lowest in overall calories was the Campbell's Select Harvest.  The Chicken with Egg Noodles had 90 calories and 6 grams of protein per serving.  Unfortunately, it had 650 mg of sodium per serving.  The Light Southwestern Style Vegetable had 50 calories per serving.  Unfortunately, it had 650mg of sodium also.  The Light Italian Style Vegetable had 50 calories as well.  It had 650mg of sodium.  Even the Light Vegetable and Pasta with 60 calories had 650mg of sodium.  The Light Italian Style Wedding had 100 calories.  It only had 400mg of sodium, but remember we need to double it as each microwavable container equals two servings.  So, I kept looking.   Maybe I was just getting the serving size too large?  I picked up the Campbell's Soup at Hand and nearly dropped it.  Sure it was only 80 calories but, even with the label saying 25% less sodium than our regular product, it still had 730mg.  Ugh!  I kind of liked the Healthy Choice option.  The Country Vegetable had 90 calories per serving (2 servings) and 480mg of sodium.  Both the Chicken Noodle and Chicken and Rice had 90 calories per serving and only 390mg of sodium.  Still, I wasn't quite satisfied.  I want to keep my husband healthy.  So, I continued my search for a low calorie, low sodium soup he could make in the microwave at his office.  Amy's had some great low sodium soups, but they weren't low in calories like he wanted and weren't available in microwavable containers.  Oh well.  While in the health food section, I discovered Dr. McDougalls vegan soups.  I hesitated.  They looked an awful like Ramen and we all know Ramen noodles are filled with sodium.  Still, I gave them a look see.  I was curious.  As it turned out, Dr. McDougalls soups are both low in calories and sodium and each container is single serving size.   And just like Ramen, all you had to do was add water to the cup.   I picked these up.
                                         Calories                                Sodium
Tomato Basil Pasta            100                                      360mg
Pad Thai                             100                                      290mg
Miso w/organic ramen        90                                        340mg
Tortilla w/baked chips        100                                      310mg

I'm not sure if my husband will like them, but at least I know I'm making an effort to help him eat healthy while he is at work.  So, as the "Soup Nazi" put it on "Seinfeld" back in June 2008, make good choices when it comes to microwavable soups or "No Soup For You."