35 Is The New 13

So here's something I've learned recently: 35 is the new 13, at least in regards to skincare. Technically, I don't turn 35 for 8 weeks, but who's counting? As most of you know, I've had a rough go of it these past 4 months, but in the last few weeks especially. Why? Because my face has turned against me. Oh, & my hairline, but that's fixed now thanks to some strategically placed highlights (thanks, Gio!).

I've been washing my face with Kiehls Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser for over 10 years. But this winter, my skin got especially dry because of all the outdoor running, so I went into Kiehls & they recommended I switch to Kiehls Ultra Facial Cleanser. Done. I immediately didn't like the new cleanser. It had a lot more bullshit in the ingredients; it had a smell (sensitive skin); & it seemed really drying. But I persevered & kept using it. In hindsight, I have no idea why.

I've never had issues with break-outs. I have super dry skin & I just don't break out. Ever. I'm not bragging, I'm just laying the ground work here. So for the past month or so, I've been getting some serious zit action. Mostly on my chin & jaw (wtf?). For whatever reason, it didn't occur to me that it might be my new facial cleanser. Also, chin zits are apparently 'stress zits' which clearly makes sense in my case. Thanks, biology.

I polled all my friends about what cleanser they use & did some pretty serious market research on MakeUp Alley & decided to return the new cleanser to Kiehls. They happily accepted my return & gave me a new bottle of my old cleanser. In the week-ish that I've been back on the old cleanser, my face has gone completely back to normal. For now....

There's really no point to this post aside from warning my more youthful readers that 35 is starting to feel REALLY old & that if I don't find a job soon, I'm going to turn into a witch. And not the cool Helena Bonham Carter kind either. I've got the grey hair, the chin zits, & you all know how much black I already wear. I'm just a pointy hat & a gingerbread house away from full-on transformation. Not good....

Weekend Wrap Up

Friday: I got a much needed haircut on Friday, a la Brooklyn Decker. Jordan did an awesome job! I've been having issues with my face since I switched cleansers about a month ago, so I went into Kiehl's, returned the new cleanser & went back to what I've always used (& shouldn't have strayed from). John & I had dinner at Woodlands & then I watched Winter's Bone. I didn't love it, especially since we just watched the nonfiction version: The Wild & Wonderful Whites of West Virginia. Meh.

Saturday: On Saturday afternoon, I cashed in my free highlight with Gio, courtesy of Mary Katherine. I asked Gio about my sudden abundance of grey hair & he said it's just stress & that once he colors over it (& I chill the eff out), it probably won't come back. Yeah right.

Our mens were in the studio all weekend, so I drove to East Nashville to meet Ali & Sarah for dinner. Somehow we got on the topic of this horrible Christian 'rock' band, Skillet. Hilariously, I'm in one of their music videos from the late 90's. After dinner, we went back to Ali's house to find the video on YouTube. I love how you can literally find anything on YouTube. Video here. Bonus points for anyone (besides my mom) who finds me in the video. Advance apologies for the fact that you'll have to listen to the song in order to watch the video.

Sunday: Yesterday, for the first time in weeks, I ran with the East Nasty Half Marathon training group. They're running the actual CMM course now, so I met them at Centennial Park at 8am. Brittany, my PT, told me to run 5-6, so I stopped at Wedgewood & ran back to the park instead of continuing on through Belmont. I don't know for sure how far I ran, but it was definitely the longest, hardest run I've ever ran. OMG, Demonbreun, you are a motherf*cker.

We started at Centennial Park, ran all the way down West End/Broadway to 4th Ave. Then turned onto Demonbreun & ran to the Roundabout & down 17th Ave to Wedgewood. This is where I turned, ran to West End & back to the park. I think it was at least 6 miles, if not a little more.

My knee felt fine until the very end. The last few blocks of West End were rough, but I didn't have far to go at that point, so I kept running. My friend Heidi ran with me & timed us. It took us 1:12 & that's counting stopping for water once. Oh, & I ran the whole thing. I never walked. It was hard as shit, but I'm pretty proud of myself for doing it. I have PT this afternoon, so I'm interested to find out how my knee's holding up. It honestly feels fine today. We'll see....

Book Review: The Hunger Games

I totally forgot I read this! I picked it up after The Poisonwood Bible, devoured it & then forgot to blog about it. Oy! Okay, The Hunger Games. Man, I loved this book! It's the first book in the trilogy, & from what I hear, it's the best. I COULD NOT put it down. I read it in 2 days, which actually isn't that impressive since it's written for tweens & weighs in at a generously-spaced 384 pages...

In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing.

This review is from the School Library Journal, Grade 7 Up (ha!). I highly recommend this book for a quick, surprisingly intense read. For the first part of the book, you'll wonder why you're reading this & possibly curse me, but keep going dear friend, because by the end, you'll be singing my praises.

You're welcome!

P.S. The movie is slated to release in March 2012.

Weekend Wrap Up (& by 'Weekend' I Mean Thurs-Mon)

Thursday:

We had our neighborhood amigos Mike & Amanda over for dinner. John grilled pork chops & then we had corn & boursin creamed spinach. Amanda made peach cobbler for dessert -- so good!

Friday:

A few weeks ago, my girl gang saw a blog post on starting a Cookbook Club & we decided to try it. We decided on Bittman's How to Cook Everything & set about planning. We kept going back & forth, trying to decide on a theme & who's bringing what, etc. One by one, we all kind of lost steam, then someone, brilliantly, said, "What if we just make waffles with a bunch of different toppings?" Done! So we turned Cookbook Club into Breakfast Club & never looked back.

Saturday:

I started my weekend with some much needed ladyscaping at the Wax Pot Studio with Lynette. Ladies, you're all going to Lynette, right? If not, you should be. That night, John & I drove to M'boro for Lauren & Kelly's annual St. Patrick's Day party. Good food, green beer = good times!

Sunday:

Brittany, my physical therapist, wanted me to try a longer run this weekend, so Jolie met me in Belle Meade & we ran the Boulevard. No knee pain during the run, but a tiny bit of swelling & soreness afterwards, but nothing like it used to be.

Post-run, I drove West to pick up Tiffany. We hung out on my deck for awhile enjoying the weather, then met Jessica at City House for dinner. OMG, so good! I love you, City House! With a $50 gift card burning a hole in my pocket, we headed to The Patterson House & enjoyed yet more cocktails & girl talk. We were able to sit outside, which was so nice & relaxing. Great night!

Monday:

Today, Tiffany & I got up & shopped a little bit, then we picked up Lauren & went to lunch at The Farmer's Market. We took Lauren back to work & headed to 12th South to see Jessica at Imogene + Willie. We walked around a little, ate popsicles, shopped some more.... Then, sadly, I had to take Tiffany to the airport. *tear*

Awesome weekend; awesome friends!

More weekend pics on Flickr.

Books!

All of these books were waiting for me when I got home last Friday, courtesy of one very good friend who figures if I'm going to be stuck at home, I'm going to have plenty of books to read. So excited! Also, I'm pretty sure I'm going to meet my Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge now.

From top to bottom:

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

Hanna Heath, an Australian rare book expert, has been offered the job of a lifetime: analysis & conservation of the famed Sarajevo Haggadah, rescued from Serb shelling during the Bosnian war. Priceless & beautiful, the book is one of the earliest Jewish volumes ever to be illuminated with images. When Hanna discovers a series of tiny artifacts in its ancient binding - an insect wing fragment, whine stains, salt crystals, a white hair - she begins to unlock the book's mysteries, ushering in its exquisite & atmospheric past, from its salvation back to its creations through centuries of exile & war.

March by Geraldine Brooks

As the North reels under a series of unexpected defeats during the dark first year of the Civil War, one man leaves behind his family to aid the Union cause. His experiences will utterly change his marriage & challenge his most ardently held beliefs. From Louisa May Alcott's beloved classic Little Women, Geraldine Brooks has taken the character of the absent father, Mr. March, who has gone off to war, leaving his wife & daughters to make do in mean times. From vibrant New England to the sensuous antebellum South. March adds adult resonance to Alcott's optimistic children's novel. A lushly written, wholly original take steeped in the details of another time. March secures Geraldine Brooks's place as a renowned author of historical fiction.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

Twelve-year-old CeeCee is in trouble. For years, she's taken care of her mother, Camille, the town's tiara-wearing, lipstick-smeared laughingstock, a woman who is trapped in her long-ago moment of glory as the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen. When tragedy strikes, Tootie Caldwell, CeeCee's long-lost great-aunt, comes to the rescue & whisks her away to Savannah. There, CeeCee is catapulted into a perfumed world of prosperity & Southern eccentricity - one that appears to be run entirely by strong, wacky women. Both hilarious & heartbreaking, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt charts the journey of an unforgettable girl who loses one mother, but finds many others in the storybook city of Savannah.

EVERYTHING MATTERS! by Ron Currie, Jr.

In this novel rich in character, Junior Thibodeau grows up in rural Maine in a time of Atari, baseball cards, pop Catholicism, & cocaine. He also knows something no one else knows - neither his exalted parents nor his baseball-savant brother nor the love of his life (she doesn't believe him anyway): the world will end when he is thirty-six. While Junior searches for meaning in a doomed world, his loved ones tell an all-American family saga of fathers & sons, blinding romance, lost love, & reconciliation - culminating in one final triumph that reconfigures the universe. A tour de force of storytelling, EVERYTHING MATTERS! is a genre-bending potpourri of alternative history, sci-fi, & the great American tale in the tradition of John Irving & Margaret Atwood.

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

In 1940, Iris James is the postmistress in coastal Franklin, Massachusetts. Iris knows more abut the townspeople than she will every say - for example, that Emma Trask has come to marry the town's doctor, & that Harry Vale watches the ocean for U-boats. Iris believes her job is to deliver secrets. Yet one day she does the unthinkable: slips a letter into her pocket, reads it, & doesn't deliver it. Meanwhile, Frankie Bard broadcasts from overseas with Edward R. Murrow. Her dispatches beg listeners to pay heed as the Nazis bomb London nightly. Most of the townspeople of Franklin think the war can't touch them. But Iris & Emma & Frankie know better.... The Postmistress is a tale of two worlds - one shattered by violence, the other willfully naive - & of two women whose jobs are to deliver the news, yet who find themselves unable to do so. Through their eyes, & the eyes of everyday people caught in history's tide, it examines how we tell each other stories, & how we bear the fact of war as we live ordinary lives.

Petropolis by Anya Ulinich

After losing her father, her boyfriend & her baby, Sasha Goldberg decides that getting herself to the United States is the surest path to deliverance. She grits her teeth & signs up for a mail-order bridal service. But she finds that life in suburban Phoenix with her Red Lobster-loving fiance isn't much better than life in Siberia. So she takes off across America on a misadventure-filled search for her long-lost father. Petropolis is a hilarious & moving story about the unexpected connections that create a family & the faraway places that we end up calling home.

Losing My Cool by Thomas Chatterton Williams

In Williams' debut, he offers a memoir that focuses on his upbringing, primarily credited to a father who instilled in him a value of education and mature study habits over sports and recreation. Williams recalls that he spent many summer days growing up pouring over flash cards or his seemingly never-ending stack of books, while his peers swam and played outside. What little free time he had he spent at a local park playing basketball and idolizing the older boys, one in particular who loved Hip-Hop and had gained the street cred that came from violence when defending one's honor. Williams credits Hip-Hop and its legends for his ever-growing curiosity of what it means to be black, and initially considered popular rappers to be historians of African American culture. As Williams enters adulthood and begins his first semester at Georgetown, he meets people of many different ethnicities and cultures and his opinions of the black identity begin to change . Williams' innate respect for knowledge and analysis emerges, and he discovers the value of the people around him and real experience over image.

Girl In Translation by Jean Kwok

A resolute yet naïve Chinese girl confronts poverty and culture shock with equal zeal when she and her mother immigrate to Brooklyn in Kwok's affecting coming-of-age debut. Ah-Kim Chang, or Kimberly as she is known in the U.S., had been a promising student in Hong Kong when her father died. Now she and her mother are indebted to Kimberly's Aunt Paula, who funded their trip from Hong Kong, so they dutifully work for her in a Chinatown clothing factory where they earn barely enough to keep them alive. Despite this, and living in a condemned apartment that is without heat and full of roaches, Kimberly excels at school, perfects her English, and is eventually admitted to an elite, private high school. An obvious outsider, without money for new clothes or undergarments, she deals with added social pressures, only to be comforted by an understanding best friend, Annette, who lends her makeup and hands out American advice. A love interest at the factory leads to a surprising plot line, but it is the portrayal of Kimberly's relationship with her mother that makes this more than just another immigrant story.

My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster

Readers have followed Jen Lancaster through job loss, sucky city living, weight loss attempts, and 1980s nostalgia. Now Jen chronicles her efforts to achieve cultural enlightenment, with some hilarious missteps and genuine moments of inspiration along the way. And she does so by any means necessary: reading canonical literature, viewing classic films, attending the opera, researching artisan cheeses, and even enrolling in etiquette classes to improve her social graces. In Jen's corner is a crack team of experts, including Page Six socialites, gourmet chefs, an opera aficionado, and a master sommelier. She may discover that well-regarded, high-priced stinky cheese tastes exactly as bad as it smells, and that her love for Kraft American Singles is forever. But one thing's for certain: Eliza Doolittle's got nothing on Jen Lancaster-and failure is an option.

I just started reading Freedom, but as soon as I'm done with that, I'm tackling this pile!

Weekend Wrap Up

Saturday:

I woke up early on Saturday & decided to go swimming. I'm getting better, but I still kind of suck. Post swim, I met MK at Marche for brunch where I made a fool of myself by crying at the table when she gave me a Trim gift card to get my hair done. I don't wish unemployment on any of you, but if you to have to go through it, I hope you have friends like mine. J'adore!

Saturday night Ali & Alexis took me to Tequila's for some much needed margarita therapy. I hardly drink anymore & I've never been able to hold my tequila, so there was some kneeling before the porcelain throne later that night, but I needed it. Plus, it totally negated all the cheese dip I ate, right?

Sunday:

I lost a hubcap this weekend (because driving through I-40 W / White Bridge Rd is like driving through a war zone), so John asked if we could go to some junk yard he's always wanted to go to to look for a hubcap. I was too hungover to protest & who I am to deny a man a trip to the junk yard, albeit one he's allegedly been wanting to go to "forever"? So this junk yard is called Pull-A-Part. Once we get there, I immediately recognize their sign because they have billboards everywhere with this girl who looks just like *Chandra Levy.

*I have a weird obsession with Chandra Levy. Don't ask.

You pay $1 per person to get in & then you walk around this enormous lot of cars on blocks. Most of the people there had wheelbarrows & tool kits & were taking apart engines & shit. It was crazy. I took a couple pictures, but not many as cameras were forbidden & there was no way I was getting in trouble at a place like this. Anyway, we didn't find a hubcap, but I did realize there are a lot of cars that don't hold up well in crashes. I'm just saying....

John's dad blew through town yesterday, so we went to dinner (at 4:30pm) with him & then came back home & stared at each other until we went to bed. He & John got up this morning & went to Waffle House, while I did my butt exercises & got ready for work. Good times...

Book Review: The Poisonwood Bible

About 2 years ago I joined a group of friends who meet once a month & swap books. It's kind of like a book club, except we don't all read the same book. Anyway, for 2 years now, I've been chastised for not having read The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Well, I finally read it & I LOVED it!

From the cover:

The Poisonwood Bible is a story told by the wife & four daughters of Nathan Price, a fierce, evangelical Baptist who takes his family & mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. They carry with them everything they believe they will need from home, but soon find that all of it - from garden seeds to Scripture - is calamitously transformed on African soil. What follows is a suspenseful epic of one family's tragic undoing & remarkable reconstruction over the course of three decades in postcolonial Africa.

Believe the hype. This book is that good. I daresay it's one of the best books I've ever read. The story of this family is so compelling & the way the book is written makes it impossible to put down. Each chapter is told through the voice of one of the four daughters, so you find yourself reading chapter after chapter to get back to a particular storyline/daughter. If you've read The Help, it's very similar to that.

This book is historical fiction. So while the characters are obviously made up, the details about Africa are not. This book taught me so much about Africa. You may think you know, but you don't know. If you grew up in the late 1950's/early 1960's, I think you'll really like this book. There are a lot of cultural references to that time. There are also a lot of references to Georgia, so if you're from the South, you'll identify with that, as well.

If you are one of the few people who have yet to read this book, read it. Now. You can borrow mine, or buy one of the million paperback copies at McKay for $1.00. I'm serious, I'm going to start harassing you if you don't read this book. You've been warned....

Chicken Schnitzel

Thank you all for your comments, Facebook comments, calls, emails, & texts. It really means a lot. Also, I left out a HUGE shout-out in my list of things I'm thankful for yesterday: hiring me as your part-time assistant, when you don't in fact, need a part-time assistant. Thank you!

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And now back to our regularly scheduled program. Last night we made one of John's favorite dinners: chicken schnitzel. I saw the recipe on Love & Olive Oil a year or so ago & it quickly became a Baldwin favorite. Healthy eaters & those watching your waist line, beware, this dish is probably not for you. Everyone else, you're welcome.


Chicken Schnitzel

Adapted from Thomas Keller, via Love & Olive Oil

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 cup AP flour
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups Panko
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, butterflied & pounded 1/4" thick (makes 4 cutlets)
Salt & pepper
1/2 cup canola oil
6 tbsp butter
2 tsp capers
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

Set the flour, eggs & Panko in 3 separate, shallow bowls. Season the chicken cutlets with salt & pepper. Dredge the chicken in flour, shaking off any excess, then dip in the eggs & coat thoroughly with the Panko, pressingly lightly to adhere.

In a large cast iron skillet, heat 1/4 cup of the canola oil. Add the chicken & cook over medium-high heat, turning once, until golden & crispy, about 3 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined baking sheet & sprinkle with salt. *You may have to do this process twice, depending on the size of your skillet.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the butter & cook over medium heat until browned & nutty, about 4 minutes. Stir in the capers, lemon juice & parsley; spoon over chicken & serve.

Notes:

I'm pretty sure I first heard about this recipe from Delaney, which is also where the broccoli side dish comes from. With an entree this rich & delectable (yes, I just said 'delectable') you kind of need healthier sides. Although, that being said, I have made this with baked macaroni & cheese, too. You know, Cracker Barrel style. You might die in your sleep, but, by god, you'll die happy.

A Heartfelt Thanks

Friends, I am having a hard time. The combination of being unemployed & normal winter blues is taking it's toll. I'm kind of sinking. For whatever reason, Saturdays are particularly hard, probably because I'm not leaving the house or spending any money, which is what I used to do on Saturdays. So Saturdays being rough has led to Saturday nights being rough, followed by Sundays & Sunday nights. You can pretty much bet that at some point during the weekend, I am having a melt down & taking John down with me.

Then, because this is how the universe works, all of this other shit keeps happening. Nothing major, mind you, just more bullshit that makes an already hard time even harder, e.g. a knee injury; a check engine light; cancelling a much needed hair appt to pay for new running shoes; realizing you have a shit-ton of grey hair that you've never seen before & don't know if it's from stress or lack of highlights; getting turned down for every job you apply for, some of which you really wanted & thought you would get, & sometimes, hilariously, all on the same day. Point? Folks, don't walk beside me in a lightning storm, that's all I'm saying.

So yeah, life's a bitch - blah, blah, blah, but that's not what this post is about. I know, could have fooled me, right? No, this post is a shout-out to my husband, my family & my friends, without whom, I probably would have thrown myself in front of a train by now.

So, in no particular order, thank you all for: paying for my coffee/breakfast/lunch/dinner/; making me leave the house to meet your for said coffee/breakfast/lunch/dinner; taking me to the movies; making me re-learn how to swim; getting me out on the green way to walk our dogs; letting me vent; listening in general; telling me about jobs; writing letters of recommendation; getting your boss to write letters of recommendation; offering to bring me dinner; dropping cupcakes off at my house; flowers; cards; refusing to let me pay you for a brow wax (or 3); calling to check in; supplementing our bank account to make sure we can pay our bills; reminding me that I'm more qualified than I think I am; buying me ice cream & splurging for the magic shell; constant emails/texts/chats to check in & offer support; letting me off the hook for birthday presents; & not complaining when you come home every single Saturday to find me crying on the couch.

I turn 35 in May & I daresay, this is the hardest thing I've been through. There's no way to do justice to the range of emotions I feel on any given day. This is humiliating & it's arduous. From the very bottom of my heart, I thank you all for sticking with me. XOXO

Weekend Wrap Up

Saturday:

I drove to Brentwood in the torrential downpour to get fitted for new running shoes at Fleet Feet. Luckily, I saw Drew right when I walked in & he was able to help me. After trying on, & running in, multiple pairs of shoes, I decided on the Nike Vomero + 5. I also bought a pair of Montrail Enduro-Soles. I have to walk around in the insoles for a week before I run in them, but I ran in the shoes (sans inserts) yesterday & they felt really good. I was also able to run a pain-free 3 miles, which is the first time that's happened in weeks.

This is my first pair of Nikes & so far, I really like them. They seem to have a lot more cushioning than my Brooks did & they're super light. They feel really good. I've only ran in them once, so we'll see, but so far, so good. I'm still astounded that I was in the wrong shoes. Apparently, as I've become a better runner, my gait/stride has changed. Who knew? If you haven't been fitted in year or two, you may want to. Plus, Drew was awesome. He talked to me a lot about running, why I'm injured, how to train in the future, etc. He's good people. Love Fleet Feet!

With new shoes in tow, I drove to Smyrna for the twins' first birthday party. Hilariously, they're both getting their first teeth & they're getting their top fang-teeth first. They look like little jack-o-lantern/vampire babies, hahaha.

That night, John & I ate Indian & watched Zach Galifianakis: Live at the Purple Onion. So funny! "Fugees & Funyuns."

Sunday:

Jessica & I ran 3 miles at Shelby Bottoms & then went to Mitchell Deli for breakfast bagels. When I got home, I noticed there was a Tupperware bowl sitting on the trunk of John's car. I ignored it & went inside. When I asked him what it was, he had no idea so we walked out there & realized it was for me, haha. Chrissi & Mike had left me, or my butt rather (see above), some cupcakes, which I promptly inhaled, thus defeating whatever good the 3 mile run did.

Needing to burn off cupcake calories, John & I went to Target & McKay. McKay was a total bust for me. I couldn't find anything. John, however, made out like a bandit & bought $20 worth of misc. paperbacks about WWII & Cthulhu. You know, because it's not like there's already 200 books on these topics littered throughout our house....

This Week In New Recipes

This week we tried two new recipes & really enjoyed both, so I thought I'd share. We made, correction: John made, dan dan noodles on Sunday night. He flagged this recipe in the 2010 Cooking Light Annual. For awhile now, we've had this huge bag of frozen, fresh Chinese egg noodles in our freezer & I was sick of looking at them, so I decided to find some way to use them. Dan dan noodles was the way.

We loved this recipe, &, my god, does it make a lot. I think we ate off of it for 3 days.... Anyway, very good dish. John said it's a lot of prep, so maybe save it for a weekend meal, when you have more time.

via

Dan Dan Noodles

Adapted from Cooking Light

Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 lb frozen, fresh wide Chinese egg noodles, thawed
2 tbsp canola oil
1/3 cup dry-roasted peanuts
3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp Thai chili garlic sauce/paste
1 tsp sugar
2 garlic cloves
1 (1/2") piece fresh ginger, peeled
8 ounces lean, ground pork
1/8 tsp salt
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
3/4 cup thinly, diagonally sliced green onions
1 1/4 cup chopped, seeded, peeled cucumber
1/4 chopped, fresh cilantro

Directions:
Cook noodles in 6 quarts boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving 3/4 cup cooking liquid. Place noodles in a large bowl.

Heat oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add peanuts to pan; saute 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Combine peanut mixture, soy sauce, & next 4 ingredients (through ginger) in a mini chopper, process until finely ground.

Cook pork & salt in skillet over medium-high heat 8 minutes, or until done, stirring to crumble. Add peanut mixture & 3/4 cup cooking liquid to pork; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add pork mixture, juice & onions to noodles; toss well. Place about 1 3/4 cup noodle mixture in each of 4 bowls; top each serving with 5 tbsp cucumber & 1 tbsp cilantro.

This is the second new recipe we tried this week. It's in the new issue of Real Simple & hilariously, it is 'real simple,' haha. Seriously, you just put the meat in the crock-pot, go to work, come home & eat tacos. Done. We didn't love the slaw, but it's possibly because I accidentally bought parsley instead of cilantro. Oops.... It just needed a little more flavor. Also, some pickled carrots would have been a nice addition. That's how the taco trucks do it, at least. Definitely recommend both of these recipes.

Slow-Cooker Chipotle Beef Tacos

Adapted from Real Simple

Serves 6

Ingredients:
3 lbs beef chuck, trimmed & cut into 2" pieces
1 large onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tbsp chopped canned chipotles in adobo sauce
1 tsp dried oregano
2 bay leaves
kosher salt
4 cups thinly sliced cabbage
4 radishes, halved & thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
12 6" corn tortillas
sour cream, pickled jalapeno peppers & hot sauce, for serving

Directions:
In a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker, toss together the beef, onion, garlic, chipotles, oregano, bay leaves & 1 tsp salt.

Cover & cook until the beef is very tender, on low for 7 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 1/2 to 4 hours.

Twenty minutes before serving, heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, toss together the cabbage, radishes, cilantro, lime juice, & 1/4 tsp salt. Wrap the tortillas in foil & bake until warm, 5 to 10 minutes.

Transfer the beef to a medium bowl (reserve the cooking liquid) & shred, using 2 forks. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into the bowl with the beef & toss to combine.

Fill the tortillas with the beef & slaw. Serve with the sour cream, jalapenos, hot sauce, & lime wedges.

Knee Pain - An Answer!

*Disclaimer:  I am not a medical professional or physical therapist, nor am I in a position to give medical advice. This post is based solely on my experience. Please consult with a doctor or physical therapist if you are experiencing pain.

For about a month or so, I've been having knee pain. I self-diagnosed my injury as runners knee, blogged about it here, and took two weeks off. Well, it's just getting worse, so I finally went to the doctor. She confirmed it is runners knee and took an x-ray to make sure there is no serious damage -- there isn't, just a stupid, swollen, over-used knee.

Today was my first physical therapy appointment. I'm seeing Brittany Endres at Results Physiotherapy. She comes highly recommended and after today, I see why. She's freaking awesome! This isn't my first rodeo. I've been injured before and I've been in physical therapy before, but I've never had someone like Brittany, who explained why I'm hurt. My last PT "fixed" me, but he never explained what caused my injury and he discouraged me from running in the future. Brittany is a runner (ENFL!), so she gets it.

Brittany examined me, did various strength tests and confirmed I have runners knee. But then she told me something I didn't know was possible.... basically that my butt is broken. Yeah, exactly. Apparently my glute muscles aren't pulling their weight, pun intended, thus the knee injury. This news is particularly shocking since I take sculpt classes THREE TIMES A WEEK!!! Thanks for nothing, group fitness.

Other things I learned today: my injured leg is a lot weaker than I thought; I'm limping (slightly); and my body's chain of command for receiving impact is backwards -- of course it is. When you run, you're supposed to feel it in your butt first, hamstring second and calf last. My body goes in reverse, also contributing to the weak butt/knee injury. Who knew? Oh, also, I'm in the wrong shoes and now have this hilarious prescription for a fitting at Fleet Feet.

This is why you go to physical therapy. My runners knee probably would have eventually gotten better, but I would have never known that I had weak glutes, was receiving impact wrong, was in the wrong shoes, etc. This profession exists for a reason. I highly recommend anyone with joint pain make an appointment, to not only fix what's wrong, but to find out what, if anything, you may be doing wrong.

Brittany showed me some glute strengthening exercises that I've got to do two to three times a day. She also said no running this week, but to swim and try Spin at a low resistance. I'm seeing her again on Friday, so we'll see how much stronger my butt gets in two days. Seriously, ya'll, who knew? I hope I can still fit this butt into my jeans when it's all said and done!

P.S. Hey, this post is five years old! Here's where I am now.

P.P.S. Don't forget, I am NOT a physical therapist. Please consult with a doctor if you are experiencing knee pain.