Don’t forget to update your Feed Readers!

[Ariela's Special Editor's Note] We’re still making some changes to the style, format, and general awesome-loading-time for Pen at Peace, so get excited for P@P 2.0!

I totally look like I know what I’m doing? Right?  Yea, that lasted appx 10 sec.  Because right after this picture was taken, things starting falling apart.  Because, as Chinua Achebe would tell you, Things Fall Apart. (Holla AP English from a decade ago.)

Ok, so take a look at those pearls that are “borrowed” from my mom right now.  Did you know that you can snag pearls on a microwave door?  Yep .  You can.  I didn’t know that.  I was all hurry hurry rush rush, get to court.  Stuck an apple + flax + brown sugar + cinnamon in the microwave and grabbed it out, only to catch my necklace on the door and send the pearls spilling all over the kitchen floor.

Of course, I then yelled frick! Sprinted up the stairs, and put on my grandmother’s lucky mikomotos.  I break them out only on special occasions because I heart them/her so much.

I finally grabbed the brekky out of the microwave, and balancing a redwell full of files, ran out the door.

And then, of course I hit every red light on the way to court. Frick Frick.

I run up to court and I’m already 5 minutes late because I had to change my necklace.  I’m not that superficial…but some juries are.  For serious. But, anyway, I get up into court and they are already checking in all the jurors and stuff.  I’m rushing in, dodging the crowds, still carrying my uneaten brekky.  I get to the attorney sideroom, and plop my redwell down.

At that moment, I KNOW something is wrong.  The pen that had been clipped to my files is feeling a little to nice and snuggly up to my leg.  And frick. My pen is caught on my stockings.

Ok, deep breath.  You can pull the pen out, and maybe only have a little hole.  Yes. yessssssss. Ok, pen is out. I have a small hole.  I ask around, do you think the jury will notice? (because I, of course, have no spare stockings).

And then I bend down to really look at the hole. AND FRICK. The hole raaaaaaaaaan.

And. There I am.  Sitting in court.  About to start a trial. With a GIANT run in my stockings. And I don’t have any spare pairs.  And my mother would have my head if she knew I was considering going sans stockings.  And no southern jury would approve of a girl being in court without stockings (like I said, juries get hung up on interesting/unimportant/irrelevant things…).  And my run makes me look messy. And. FRICK.

So, I call over to the office.  And ask if any has a spare pair.  Forget the fact that I’m taller than everyone at the office.  If anyone has a pair, they’re only going to come up to my knees.  And no one has any.

And then. A court reporter called in sick.  And we can’t have the trial. And my trial is postponed until tomorrow. Sigh.

So, I sat second chair on another trial.  With a run in my stockings.  But I didn’t have to get up or have the jury see me.  So it was all ok.

And, while the jury was *briefly* deliberating…I did a bad thing.

A bad, but delish thing.

Ok, now my trial is really going tomorrow.  So, I’m off to rest and relax and get mentally all ready to go.  And, to go stick three extra pairs of stockings in my attache’.

I got a crockpot for Christmas this year (my parents sent me home with all my presents, except my new camera, after Thanksgiving).  I had really wanted a crockpot so that things could cook while I was at work; and I could come home to a fresh cooked dinner–almost like having my very own househusband.  (And who wouldn’t want one of them?).  Today, I finally broke out the crock pot for dins.  I was apprehensive because all the recipes I saw for crockpot meals were meaty things.  And as I wrote two days ago, I’m done with meat.  But, I figured, it can’t hurt to try something in the crockpot.  If I fail, I can always have canned soup for dinner.

So, before work, I poured half a bag of Bob’s Red Mill Vegi Soup Mix in the pot with 6 cups of veggie broth, some salt, oregano, and pepper.

When I got home, my house smelled so yummy and inviting and the soup was great!  All lentilly and mushy and yum.  It looked gross (hence no picture), but it was yummy.  And I would say my first crock pot adventure was a success (with many meals of leftovers).  For the entire pot, it cost about $3.50; with about 5 servings, so $0.70/serving.

Ok…time to go do some pushups, watch The Sing Off, and plan my opening statement.

ps. <3 The Sing Off, like whoa!  Anyone else an a capella groupie in college? Love me some a capella boys.

________________________________________________________

Strength Mondays:

• Pushups: 25 (6, 6, 4, 4, 5)
• Arm Lifting
  • Hammer Curls: 2X15 @ 10lbs
  • Runner’s Lift: 2X12 @10lbs
  • Lateral Raise: 2X8 @10lbs
  • Shrugs: 2X20 @10lbs
  • Upright Row: 2X15 @10lbs
  • note to self: invest in more than one set of dumbells.
• Core:
  • Plank: 60sec
  • Side Plank: 60sec each side (arm bent)
  • Plank w/ elbows on ball: 45sec

Oh heavens, I don’t even wish that I made the irresponsible decision..  My ticket is all paid off and now my house will be Christmas Tree-less this holiday.  Which really doesn’t bother me because we typically spend the holidays at the beach house with just a fake pink 1 ft tall sparkly tree.  And honestly, I feel more warm and fuzzy inside about being responsible and on top of things.  Even if I was willing to charge a tree, what’s the point?  I’d rather have financial peace of mind than foliage in my house.

And, in the grand scheme of things, the holidays aren’t about the things that you can throw money at. Aw, how sentimental and Disney-movie of me.

But, even without the tree, I had to do at least a little decorating.

I have a thing for snowmen…and blue and white holiday decorations (I’m just not a big fan of the red and green, even though those were my college’s colors, go wustl).

And, of course, the animals’ stockings are hung by the chimney with care.

Don’t worry, even with my new found fiscal responsibility, Santa Paws will not be disappointing the good little boy and girl in this house (though, it could be debated whether they are actually good little boys and girls).

Aaand moving on.  My house is sadly devoid of fresh veggies.  I did however stumble upon ORGANIC LOCAL PINK LADY APPLES (my absolute fav) at Earth Fare yesterday and bought 5 lbs!  And I bought some squashies, but there wasn’t much else in season there, so I didn’t buy anything.  And, when I thought about dinner, my first thought was, fine, I’ll just go to Nacho Mama’s for some yumminess. Instead, I said NO! You have food in the fridge.  EAT IT. And, I managed to make a pretty good, healthy and cheap meal.

Spinach Salad w/ black beans, stewed tomatos, green beans, goat cheese, and a spritz of balsamic vinaigrette.  The spinach was about 10 minutes from going bad.  And all the other veggies/legumes were sitting in cans in the pantry waiting to be eaten.  So often I forget about whats already in the pantry.  It turned out deliciously light , healthy, filling, and cheap (at about $1.80):

Which brings me to my first Frugal Foodie tip: Plan your meals ahead of time (I do the entire week on Sunday) and prepare what you can.  So often, I get home from work and don’t even want to think about what I’m going to eat.  I just want to eat.  But. this will help stop you from doing the easy thing and getting takeout when you are tired at the end of the day.  There are lots of things that you can do on the weekend to prepare for a weekday dinner.  Like making soup on the weekends.

In a similar vein, bring your lunch to work.  Packed lunch = major savings (both financially and health-wise as compared to eating out).  I find that packing lunch the night before helps, just in case I sleep in .

There will be some extra special big wonderful news at P@P coming up…but I’m going to let the suspense linger for a little bit.  And, when there is something a little more definite to show for the news, I’ll let you all know.  Until then, go visit my bestest-ever’s blog who is making this surprise all possible.

Does anyone else have tips on how to keep yourself motivated to cook dinner after a long day at work??

And, oh my, that’s just what Food, Inc. did for me.

I’ve been a reformed veggie for a year or so now.  I.e. a former veggie who occasionally eats meat.

The funny thing is, I really have only one meat love.  Hot Dogs.

Which is truly ironic because hot dogs were the reason I first started forgoing meat.  When I was in middle school, I saw a video in class about how hot dogs were made.  And that did it for me.  No more hot dogs.

It just grew from there.  I never really liked meat much anyway, so it wasn’t a hard transition from Omnivore to Pescatarian.  Fish has always been a weakness because sushi is oh so delish.  But I eventually gave it up. As a teenager my opposition to meat was primarily an animal rights (and treatment of animals) thing.

Then, as I moved on to college, my vegetarianism was further solidified through my studies for my Environmental Science Degree.  I worked in the Interdisciplinary Environmental Law clinic during my senior year of college as my capstone project.  I worked primarily on water pollution cases dealing with CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations).  So my vegetarianism became an animal rights and environmental thing.

When I got to law school, one night when I was intoxicated, I broke down and ate a hot dog. But, I was a vegetarian from age 15 to age 25. So, nearly a decade of vegetarianism was broken down by the all-powerful hot dog. After that one hot dog, I’ve dabbled in meat eating on occasion (um…mostly for hot dogs).  But, when I cook, I still only cook vegetarian meals.  I never cook meat.  And I rarely crave meat.  But, I’ll occasionally break down and eat a hot dog.  So, for the past year, I haven’t called myself a vegetarian, because it just seems so fake.  Even if my meat consumption is once every 6 mos.

But, I’m announcing today, I’m going back to being a full blown vegetarian. No meat.  No fish.

Honestly, after again viewing the conditions that our “meat” lives in before it’s slaughtered has made a hot dog once again no longer appealing.  Good bye my desire for a hot dog.  CAFOs are horrible.  Horrible to the animals (I can’t begin to discuss it because it, again, makes me dry-heave and cry at the same time) and really really horrible to the environment.  When I was working in the law clinic, we were all given a copy of Cesspools of Shame to read.  It was both interesting and depressing.  But, outlines all the bad things our factory farms do to the environment.

Anyway.  Back to Veggie for me.  For good.  Forever.  Ok.  Rant over.

In related but not directly related news, I found a WONDERFUL CSA in Disgusta.  Holla.  There is one that I’ve been trying to hook up with all summer, but I keep missing the sign up times and apparantly their emails just go to my junk mail.

And finally. PROPS TO ME for doing a LONG RUN ON THE TREDDY! I was worried my head would explode after 6 or so miles on the treddy, but I made it all 10 miles.  Stupid rain, go away.

10 mile Long Run

• Total time: 1:26:46
• Avg Pace: 8:41 min/mi
• Splits: 9:20/8:56/8:56/8:56/8:41/8:41/8:41/8:24/8:20/7:50 (negative splits!)

Ok, I don’t love so much the panic that comes when you have a reality check (because I may or may not have had an 11pm frantic call to my father where I finally broke down and cried…).  But I love the feeling of control when you start doing things to prevent yourself from again experiencing the tough situation in which you currently find yourself.

This whole needing a new furnace thing has been a shock to the system.  It’s the first time I’ve ever had a big (non-elective) purchase rear it’s ugly little emergency head.  Especially because the $4K that will likely go to the furnace had been mentally alloted for a new beautiful Felt B-12 (and race wheels).

Drool.

Ok, so I’m on a mission to figure out how to get myself the nice new tri bike and still stay warm (i.e. get a new furnace….).

When I realized that I was faced with this delimma; I realized I had finally really become an adult and a homeowner.  And with those new roles come yucky decisions.  New Bike?  New Furnace?  Redoing the bathroom?  New kitchen countertops?  Ick.

My underlying personality is uber responsible.  But, my old job kind of undid that. I didn’t need to be on top of my finances.  Because, honestly, there was almost nothing I could do (short of going and buying a Hummer) that would have financially screwed me.  And I really got used to that.  You get used to wearing all lululemon to workout.  You get used to shopping solely at Whole Foods and eating just organic produce.  You get used to eating out for lunch and dinner every day  without worrying that you are throwing away money at a disgusting rate.

I’ve been in my new job for 8 mos. now.  And HELLO.  I’ve had my wakeup call.  I can’t live like that any more. There is part of me that is bitter about that.  However, that part is far outweighed by the part of me that loves my new job and my work life balance.  In fact, I know I wouldn’t go back to a job with the corporate law salary ever.  I’ve already turned down a few options to do so.  Because happiness > money.

However, that does mean I need to get on top of my new financial reality.  Which will be my weekend (that and prepping for 102854012 bagillion trials next week).  I am going to get on top of keep track of my bills, and what I spend money on, and make plans to pay for the big ticket items that I want (felt b12, felt b12, felt b12, felt b12….).  And make a budget that I can AND WILL stick to.

So with this impending financial reality of spending some major money on the house (and need to start being more proactively financially responsible), I ventured into the kitchen hoping to use whatever was there for dinner (and hopefully making a cheap dinner).

I ended up with Oranghetti Squash (which is much like spaghetti squash, just smaller, oranger, and a little tarter):

I didn’t have an spaghetti sauce…so…I made my own!   I took a can of Stewed Tomatoes and pureed them.  Stuck them in a sauce pan with Ancho Chili Powder, Sea Salt, a can of Black Beans, and Baby Spinach.  Then topped the squash with my home-made Tomato Sauce and some Goat Cheese crumbles.

On the side, I made roasted Butternut Squash in a Buckwheat Honey Ancho Chili glaze.

With all the servings I made, it cost about $10.  But.  I got at least 3 meals out of it all…so about $3.33/meal.  NOT BAD.  Healthy, fresh, cheap (cheaper than most fast food….) at less than $4 a meal.  Ok, if you figure in my glass of wine from a $3 bottle of Trader Joe’s Merlot, its about $4 total.  not bad, not bad at all.

SO, that brings us to the new big announcement of the post: my new CHEAP EATS section.  I’m now going to be keeping track of how much I spend on groceries each week.  And how much each meal costs.  And things that are alreaady in the pantry have been assigned a price value of zero.  GAME. ON.

Lastly, Brennan would like to share his holiday cheer with you all.

While he appreciates the carrots left out for him and his other fellow reindeers, he wants me to let you know that this year, he would prefer you to just leave bacon.

But, like I said, I started running again! After a very enjoyed few weeks off, I’m back training like a fiend.  It’s weird though, having jumped from October to December in terms of running.  While I had a hope of running in the light after work in October, there is now only 20 minutes of daytime when I’m not at work.  So, all of my December runs are done in the dark.  The thing is, I used to prefer running in the dark.  And, I guess I still do.  But, honestly I’d just prefer to have the option not to be running in the dark.

The past few weeks I’ve felt like this was the first time I’ve ever been in a situation where I have no runnable day time because of work.  Which surprised me, because this isn’t the first winter that I’ve worked through as an adult.  I mean, in grad school, my schedule was so flexible, I could run almost any time.  But, last year I worked until 7pm most nights.  And I don’t remember a winter’s worth of dark/night-time runs.  And, seriously, this has bothered me for a while now.  Why does this winter feel suddenly so oppressively dark this year when it didn’t last?

It dawned on me last night.  I was in a boot from Nov 08 til Apr 09.  I wasn’t doing any running last winter.  I mostly sat on my butt or went to spinning classes.  And that solves that mistery.  So this winter is really my first winter as a working adult where I have to run either in the dark in the morning or the dark in the evening.

Fortunately, my mommy bought me a bright running jacket when I was home for T-giving.

I gloooow.

So, two nights ago I ventured out into the dark to go for my first training run: 6mi @ 8:30ish.  It felt awful.  Mostly mentally awful because I’m just not nearly as mentally tough as I used to be.

And last night, I had a tempo run that I’d been dreading ALL day…I was supposed to run a 1mi warm up followed by 3mi @7:36 then a 1mi cool down.  I was CONVINCED that I COULD NOT run 3mi at 7:36…especially with how sluggish I felt yesterday.

I kept telling myself, just get up and get out. Get up and get out.  And I finally did.  And the workout was hard, but not miserable.

5MI in 40:28

• 1mi warmup @ 9:20
• 3MI Tempo @ 7:24
• 1mi cooldown @ 8:58 (with the baby boy brennan)

And, I did cheat a little…I “cut out” a hill that was on my route (I still ran all the other hills…).  And, I know I know, I’m only cheating myself.  AND I’m not going to do that again.  But, in my defense i DID run the Walton Way hill TWICE.

Followed this up with some core work:

• plank: 1min
• side plank: 45sec each side
• plank with elbows on ball: 40sec
• stability ball jackknife:
• stability ball roll outs:
• plank rotations: 30 sec.

I really hate doing ab work…but I LOVE the feeling of my abs being sore the next day   (And, I know that it will help my running…)

Lately, I spend a lot of time battling the mental side, that little voice that says “this hurts you should stop.”  Or, the one that says, “you aren’t as fast as you used to be, why are you even trying?”  or the worst one “there is no such thing as an easy run.  easy runs are for lazy people.”  I need to work on that.   Any tips or suggestions????

And a last happy note…I DO have heat.  My furnace will need to be replaced soon, but for now, I’m no longer freezing.  See:

Bare legs: That NEVER would have happened before the heat got fixed.  And yes, I’m leaning in for a kiss with the pup.  Um, I may have tried to take a picture for my parents of my and B…and he made the move (please note that I’m actually leaning away from him in the picture.)  So, it’s mutual.

Um, hello from a reasonably temp-ed house!  Granted, this is not because I have heat.  Instead, the south did its amazing thing, and it’s 80 degrees here today.  My 50 degree house is slowly rising to 60 degrees.  And feels great!

Even, better, I’m here (home!) at 3pm and puppy is enjoying the weather…while I wait for a furnace guy (#2).  I got an estimate today for a high efficiency furnace that would qualify me for the tax credit.  And, well, you know how I love (1) money back and (2) saving the environment; so, all in all, it wasn’t a completely depressing meeting.

And to top of my not so bad day?  I got to wear my bright pink wellies today.  That ALWAYS makes me happy.  It even made me laugh when I got to work this morning and our trailers (yes, I’m a lawyer.  and yes, I work in a trailer) where partially submerged in a new pond.

Ok, I don’t know if you can tell, but there are about 3-4 inches of standing water surrounding our trailer.  And, while everyone else had to be careful of their shoes, I just tromped right through in my rainboots.

I’ve even done a little holiday decorating at the office.  How festive is little frosty?

And to top it all off, I had the most delish bfast.  OatNog!!!!! When this idea came to me in the night, I knew it would be brilliant.  Oh, and it was.  It so was (even if it was eaten atop a bagillion files and client letters).

Steel cut oats + Soy Nog + Cinnamon + Nutmeg + Cinnamon Almonds: OatNog

Nom Nom Nom

It was awfully orangey brown, but it was still delish.

But, it’s been looked at by a professional.  The furnace is essentially totaled (it would cost as much to fix it as to replace the 17-year-old furnace).  I’m a little peeved b/c this was “inspected” before I bought the house and cleared.  The furnace guy today told me that the furnace has likely been inoperable for a couple years.  But I’m all *breathe* getting angry won’t make it any better.

Now I know have to replace my furnace.  And can get started on that waaay expensive process.  I hate being an adult.  It is no fun at all.  And, my furnace won’t be replaced for a few more days (at least).  And it’s so expensive.  And…I’m doing it without a partner in crime (unless you count my panicked call to my Daddy).  Anyone else have that?  The whole being an adult and homeowner by yourself…aosfibaosfnas.  Believe me, it’s not that I need a husband.  I’d just like a joint venturer so I had someone to freak out with instead of freak out to. (More on this tomorrow).

But until I get heat, I will cook many winter squashes in an attempt to warm my house and prevent myself from turning into a pennycicle.  And the major victory for today?  I DID NOT CRY when the guy told me I would have to replace my furnace. Yes, I consider it a victory any time I deal with crappy adult-y stuff without crying. (More on that tomorrow).

Ok, moving on, fortunate for me, trying to stay warm by oven is tasty.  (If not fashionable:)

Yes.  That’s me cooking with gloves on.  But cocoa helps.

Breath in the warm chocolateness.

I haven’t wanted to cook lately because I’ve been sick and wanted comfort food (i.e. greasy/cheesy…) and I don’t cook food like that.  But, tonight, with the news that I would have to replace my furnace, spending money on takeout was out of the question.  So, I went to my fridge and pantry to figure out what kind of belly-warming comfort food I could make.  I was relatively successful. Plus, like I said, I stayed warm by the oven (success, in and of itself).

I ended up baking a Kabocha Squash in half, and then stuffing it with Israeli Couscous, Lentils, Tomato Sauce and Goat cheese.  Yummers.

And some “Baked” (aka nuked) Apples with cinamon and sugar.

Yum.

In other fun news, today started my training for the GA ING Marathon in ATL (and my quest for the sub 3:30 marathon).  I was supposed to run 6 miles today, but, with the furnace craziness, and a big hearing in court, and rainy yucky weather, it just didn’t happen.  Normally, I’d beat myself up.  Instead, I let it go (because, like I said, I didn’t cry to the furnace man today, and that means I deserve some leeway)…and got going with a borrowed core plan in my living room:

• Plank (arms extended): 60sec
• Side Plank: 45sec on each side
• Stability Ball Jackknife: 10reps (umm, o.m.g.)
• Stability Ball Roll Outs: 15reps
• Plank w/ Elbows on Stability Ball: 45sec
• Plank Rotations: 10 reps

And then, my favs, pushups: 5 sets (10, 12, 7, 7, 9)…46 total. GRRRRRrr.

Ok, time to go to bed and snuggle with the Bandana-d Brennan Boy:

STAY WARM OUT THERE!

It all started with me trying to enjoy one of the benefits of living in the south for as long as possible.  I made it until December 6th without turning on my heat.  When I saw my thermostat reading at below 50 degrees in the house, I figured, ok, i need to not freeze the fur children to death. So, I turned on the heat last night.  But no hot air came out.  I heard the fan running, but no heat.  So, I said to myself, ok, snuggle with the pup tonight and maybe it will eventually warm up.

but it didn’t.

And I left work feeling kind of icky and with the thermostat still set to a toasty 70 degrees but only registering at 50.  As I approached work, I thought to myself, oh crap.  What if there is something wrong with the heater and there is carbon monoxide leaking into the house.

And that set it all off.  This is what my next 8 hours were like:

Oh god, I have carbon monoxide poisoning and that’s why I don’t feel well. Um, crap the animals are so little and are going to have CO poisoning too.  Oh no, I’m going to get home and they will be DEAD from CO poisoning.  What if there is a spark?  My house will blow up.  And I will lose everything.  And it will be all my fault.  And oh my god, my babies!  Oh god, I really am sick, my brain isn’t working and neurological problems are some of the major symptoms of CO poisoning.  It’s binding with my hemoglobin.  It’s binding and it’s going to kill me.  And, I’m going to be all sick and dead for my hearing tomorrow. And, I’m going to walk into my house after work and my animals will have died from CO poisoning and oh my god, my puppy! THis is why I will never have a gas stove, inevitably it would have a gas leak and I would die.  I would die of CO poisoning.  And all in the pursuit of a better stove.  Why don’t I have CO detectors?  This would all be solved by having CO detectors.  But, it probably wouldn’t work anyway, and I would still die of CO poisoning.  And this is why I shouldn’t own a house.   As a single female.  I’m useless.  Where is my daddy when i need him?  Daddddddy.  My house is filling with CO and I have no heat, and my hemoglobin is going to be all taken over by CO.

Ok.  yep.  That was how my day went.  Because icky feeling + no heat = dying from CO poisoning.  At least, in my mind.  And again, yes, I know I’m neurotic.  I slowed down enough to go buy CO detectors for the house.  And figured out that the pilot light in my heater is out.  So it’s all good.  And we’re all safe.  And our hemoglobin is fine.

But, I’m still afraid to relight my pilot light, so I’m going to bring a handy friend over tomorrow to help.  But, I did say to my dad as I was flipping my shit about this that I wished I had a husband.  Which is like horrifying to my feminist father.  He was like “Pops, you only need a handyman and some housework lessons, not a husband.”  Touche’ Daddy, Touche’

In other news, the two hall lights in my upstairs hall that have been blown out for a month are finally replaced.  I couldn’t figure out how to get the fixtures out to replace the bulbs, so I figured I would just wait till Daddy came down for Christmas.  But, then, I figured, shit, it’s my house, I can figure it out. So I did.

But, as I also told my father today, Being a homeowner stinks a lot.

Not always.  But when you don’t have heat and your house is 49 degrees.  It sucks.

I look like this again: