Pelotonia 2013

This is my third year riding in Pelotonia, which is a grassroots bike ride that raises millions of dollars each year for the Jame Cancer Hospital here in Columbus, OH.  One of the big reasons I support this ride is that my dad died of cancer in 2011 and was treated at the James.  It means something to me personally. Like most people in this county I have had cancer touch my life in other ways as well.  It's such a great cause, all the money the riders raise goes directly to the James, Pelotonia has corporate sponsors that support the business throughout the year, but the dollars raised for this weekend ALL go directly to research. That makes me happy as well!  

To be able to ride this weekend I had to raise $1250.00.  I can not thank my family, friends, and coworkers enough for the support they gave me in raising these funds.  It wasn't easy for sure, but oh so worth it. In January I sent out letters to my family and friends asking for donations.  They stepped up with a whopping $375 to get me started..  I really needed to get creative to get the rest of my funds that were needed to ride, so I did what I do best.... I baked!  Every Friday I held a bake sale at my cubicle at Huntington Bank where I work.  In two months of baking I raised over $400!! Bake it and they will donate became my motto!!  With my $475 Huntington match I hit my goal!!  

The ride was a bit daunting this year for me. After my weight loss surgery, I lost the ability to physically eat enough volume to fuel my ride.  The first 13 miles went pretty well, I stopped for a drink and snack and started off on the next 12 miles to the 25 mile mark. This is where I really struggled.  I hit the wall, my legs were hurting, but more than that I just felt empty.  I had no energy what so ever and honestly didn't think I could make it.  But once I stopped, and had time to think about it, I knew I just needed to eat. So eat I did, I grabbed half a peanut butter sandwich, some pretzel's and gummy snacks.  I finished off my powerade and most of my water and just waited.  Once I was feeling better and had some more energy, I grabbed some more snacks and stuffed then in my pocket for the ride.  The next 13 miles went MUCH better!  Of course if anyone was actually watching me, it would have been funny. But I knew I had to keep fueling my body if I was going to make it.  So I nibbled and sipped all the way. IT WORKED!   I rolled into the 50 mile finish feeling pretty darn good physically as well as emotionally.  I did something great today, and burned 4136 calories to boot!  

Rolling through the 50 mile finish!!!!!!  

Slightly Obsessed

Since buying the condo, or Tres Ya Ya as we like to call it, I have been slightly obsessed with DIY shows and Pinterest.  There are so many things I want to do, but so little space and time to do it!  BUT, I did find the necessary materials at the Habitat Re Store a few weeks back and got most of it done on this rainy Sunday!

I tackled a redo shoe holder on wheels for my closet, a shelf and redo of the bathroom, mostly done with a new spring wreath for the front door as well as some spray painting!

Check it out!

Before of drawer and S for wreath

The finished product, I used painters tape to make the stripes. It has four casters for easy movement. 

This is my sad plain bathroom before.

I added a shelf over the toilet in espresso color, I plan to use that color on my cabinet in a couple of weeks!

I used a drawer front again from the Habitat Re Store. I picked up 3 spigot drawer pulls at JoAnns.  

If you haven't been, the Re Store is an awesome place to find stuff to re purpose   I bought the large drawer, 2 drawer fronts, a cabinet front for another project and a wall hanging that is still drying for less than $10!

It was a great day at Tres Ya Ya!

Cloud Bread

I learned early on that the key for my success is to find foods that I like, or to create foods that taste like foods that I like!  This find has me soooooo excited, see I LOVE bread, well all carbs actually, but today I have one small victory and have found a "bread" that I can eat!

Enjoy

Cloud Bread (not my recipe, found it on a weight loss board)

3 whole eggs separated

1/4 tsp cream of tarter

3 TBS cottage cheese ( I used Fat Free)

1 packet of splenda (or any sweetener)

1 large sheet tray with parchment paper sprayed with cooking spray. 

Separate the yolks from the whites.  Put the whites and the cream of tarter in a stand mixer, or use a hand mixer and beat until stiff peaks form.  In a separate bowl, add the yolks, splenda and cottage cheese. I used a fork to mash the cottage cheese.  I also added 1 tsp of homemade ranch seasoning. You can really add any or none. Once the egg whites have been beaten and the yolks are mixed, fold the whites into the yolks.  Be careful not to lose to much air in the whites.  I then put the mixture into a large zip top bag, cut a whole in the corner and piped 10 "buns".  Place in a 300 degree oven for about 50 minutes.  The cooking time really depends on how large you make the "buns", so check often.  Once out of the oven let cool and then transfer to a zip top bag. They need to sit overnight in the refrigerator to soften.  

next up I am making slider rolls!

My version tastes a bit like an onion roll, they are very soft and fluffy! This recipe with ten "buns" is about 22 calories each with 1.8 carbs and 2 proteins.  Not bad!

New year new life!

On January 15th I had weight loss surgery, the Gastric Sleeve to be specific.  With my new lease on life and hopefully a healthier future  I am planning on a huge goal!  I am riding a century, or 100 miles in August!  The ride is Pelotonia, the goal is to raise money for cancer research at The James Cancer Hospital here is Columbus OH.  Last year I rode my bike 50 miles and plan on doubling it this year!

Perdue Oven Ready Roasted Chicken

One of my latest Bzzagent campaigns is for Perdue Oven Ready Roasted Chicken. Let me tell you, this was a HIT with me this holiday season. So quick and easy, and very little clean up. It comes out of the bag marinated and ready to put in the oven. It took about an hour and half to cook, when I took it out it was brown and juicy! It was one of the most chickens I have cooked. The leftovers were great too! For me and my busy life it was a time saver.

I plan on cooking one on Sundays and packing my lunch or the week. I can't buy lunch cheaper or more healthy!

#igotitfree

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Unreal candy

My latest bzzagent campaign is Unreal Candy!

For junk food this stuff is pretty darn tasty. The trade mark "Unjunked" is really just what it says, no artificial anything, no corn syrup, and no hydrogenated oils. Although I am diabetic, so I didn't eat much, I can say that what I tasted what really good, and I wouldn't feel guilty sharing!

I try to stay away from chemicals as much as possible, now there is a treat out there that doesn't break the bank nor my health!

Buckeye Nation

Living in the Buckeye Nation is unique to say the least.  Over the years I have noticed a few things that set us aside or maybe are just out of the norm for those not living in a college football town. 

For example, when approaching another fan, and you will know them because no self respecting fan would be caught dead without their Scarlet and Grey on during the football season,  you do not simply say hello, the greeting is “O-H and they respond I-O.” Now, this O-H-I-O can be shouted for several reasons actually.  We shout it to show team spirit or it can mean Go Team, or great job.  You can also use this “call” to find other fans.  A great example, last fall we were watching the game out on my cousin’s deck, it was a warm night and we were grilling. The Buckeyes had made a great play, someone in our group yelled  O-H and we then heard a faint I-O from a neighbor.  This went on for the rest of the night!  We had found our people!

Something else I feel we excel at here in Ohio is the tailgate/football party.  Football and food seem to go hand and hand around here.  During the week at work, there are a lot of conversations’ around going to watch the game somewhere and what we are making to share.  We always have the standard brats, deviled eggs, meat and cheese trays as well as wings and dips. But my favorite and I think the most “Ohio” food is the buckeye.  Now a real buckeye is a poisonous tree nut, not to be eaten at all.  But the candy version is a yummy peanut butter center dipped in chocolate, made to mimic the actually nut that is dark brown with a light brown circle on one end. 

Not everyone shares the love when it comes to football season in Central Ohio, but those that do, do it well!