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January 26, 2011

5k Training

Today started my first workout in preparation for my FIRST 5k! I have never ran before for fun or competition except in 5th grade once. However, I got the crazy idea to run a 5k this year...well April 30th to be exact!



I had no idea where to start but a friend told me about this program called Couch Potato to 5k and it's done in 9 weeks. I thought it was perfect because it takes the average "couch potato" and turns them into a 5k "runner". So that is the program I am using. You can find it on the Cool Running website.

Today's workout was a brisk 5 minute walk followed by 60 second intervals of jogging and 90 second intervals of walking for a total of 20 minutes. I ended it with another 5 minute walk.

Things I learned today:
1. Break in the brand new running shoes a little better!
2. Running with a program and breaking it up makes it do-able.
3. Up-beat music DOES help!!
4. Having a goal (running the 5k on April 30th) and putting the goal out there for the world to see (and paying for it) gives you even more motivation!

January 25, 2011

Pepperoni Wild Rice Pizza



The Pepperoni Wild Rice Pizza came about after eating at Tower Pizza (almost every time I went to my parent's house). They serve a delicious P.W.R. Pizza! However, Tower is just over 2 hours away and I can't jump in the car every time I want it. Not to mention it is expensive! So, I thought..."I can make one." Well I searched on recipe websites and Google and NOTHING! That's when I decided to create my own recipe!

I have two recipes...a quick one and a little more time consuming one.

First one (this is the picture above)

Easy Pepperoni Wild Rice Pizza
1 Pillsbury Pizza Crust (Classic)
1 Box (4.3oz) of Rice A Roni Long Grain & Wild Rice Original Flavor
Italian Garlic Bread Seasoning from Tastefully Simple (optional)
Pizza Sauce: amount to your liking
Pizza Blend Cheese: amount to your liking...I like a lot!
Pepperonis
Other toppings as desired (Green Peppers are really good with wild rice)

Cook the Rice A Roni as directed on the box. While the Rice is cooking, preheat oven to 425 degrees while you finish the rice and roll out the dough. Once the dough is on the cookie sheet add the Italian Garlic Bread Seasoning (prepare the seasoning with the butter as directed on bottle). Add the sauce, pepperonis, other toppings (if desired). Once Wild Rice is done add to the pizza then add cheese! Bake for 13-17 minutes depending on how thick your toppings are! Eat and Enjoy!


The second recipe is below:

Pepperoni Wild Rice Pizza w/ Homemade Dough
4 cups cooked Long Grain Wild Rice
Homemade Pizza Dough*
Italian Garlic Bread Seasoning from Tastefully Simple
14 oz Pizza Sauce (I use 1/2)
16 oz Pizza Blend Cheese
Pepperonis
Other toppings if desired (Green Peppers are really good on this pizza)

Prepare the Pizza Dough earlier in the day or prepare in advance and freeze. Prepare Wild Rice according to the bag/box. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Roll out dough on a floured surface and shape to your desire. Add the ingredients: Seasoning, sauce, pepperonis, other toppings (if desired), wild rice, cheese. Bake for 8 minutes or until pizza looks done. Eat and Enjoy!

Tasty Pizza Dough From: Bert Anderson
3 cups flour
2 tsp course salt
2 tsp active dry yeast
1 - 1 and 3/4 cup water
2 tbsp olive oil
cornmeal (for dusting your rolling surface)

1. Mix dry ingredients (flour, salt, yeast)
2. Add 1 cup warm water and olive oil, mixing gently.
(Avoid over working the dough. If using a mixer or processor, blend for about 30 seconds.)
3. Check the dough's consistency, if the dough is dry and crumbly add more warm water, a little at a time, until the dough moist but not too sticky.
4. Kneed the dough a few times and shape into a ball.
5. Let the dough rise for 2 hours on the counter top or for 6 hours in the fridge.
6. Cut the dough in halves and let rise for another 10 minutes.
(If freezing one half put into a freezer bag after splitting the dough.)
7. Roll out the dough on a surface with some cornmeal or flour sprinkled on top.
8. Top as desired.
9. Bake at 450 for about 8 minutes. (I turn the heat on my oven to the highest temp and bake it until it looks finished.)
(Check the bottom of the pizza to see if it's crispy enough according to your taste.)

 I linked up at:
http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2011/05/delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party_18.html

   The Girl Creative 

January 12, 2011

To Goal or Not To Goal...

To Goal or Not To Goal...that is the question for 2011. I think I will "Goal."

I don't like the word "resolution" because it seems to come with a negative effect. I feel like if I mess up on a resolution that's it...it's over! But a goal...now that is more positive...that I can just keep trying until I accomplish what my goal is. Therefore, I am setting goals in 2011!

Some of my goals...

Personal:
1. To complete a running training program. The one I picked is called C25k. I have NEVER been a runner. Well once in 5th grade I ran a race and came in third. Thank you Jenna Vogel and Emily Burrows for beating me! There are runners in my family including my hubby (who did his first 5k in 2009), my sister (who has done many 5ks), my mom (who did 5ks despite needing a hip replacement) and my little brother (who once ran a 5k without running shoes on)! So I figure I should join them...or die trying!



2. To blog more...you are reading this, aren't you?! :)

Professional:
3. To make a decision with Mary Kay. What do I truly want out of it?? Obviously to build customers for life...but to what level?? Right now my title is Daphne Christenson, Senior Consultant, but what's next for me??

4. To get better at Photography! Thanks to Jennie Gaskins, a photographer group I joined and practice, I hope to get there sooner rather than later!

Spiritual:
5. To continue on with daily devotions as a family.

6. To blog once monthly about something God taught me or that really stuck out to me while reading my Bible that month.

Well there you have it...some of my goals for 2011. Check back January 1st, 2012 to see how I did in accomplishing them. Well please check back more often than that!

January 5, 2011

Adventures With Monkey


Today as I was observing Elijah with him little stuffed Monkey...I realized just how much he loves that thing! He hangs on to it, he sucks on it, he spits up on it and he even fell asleep in the car holding "hands" with the monkey! As I watched this a light bulb went off...

The idea...to create a scrapbook of Elijah's monkey traveling the world! I want to use this monkey (well it will actually be a "copy" monkey as I didn't want to send the spit up monkey anywhere) as the guide to learning (cheesy I know). He will visit friends/family in other states and countries! They will take pictures of themselves with monkey and in places in their town, work, etc. He can also go on vacation!



My goal...To put together the scrapbook and use it to teach Elijah who the friends/family members are (especially those he doesn't see often) and also teach him about their state or country! As he gets older I will add facts about each place to the pages.

This is where I need your help! If you would love to help me out and let Monkey come visit you, be willing to take some pictures with him and then send him back or on to his next location...please let me know!!



**Monkey's first visit...to MEXICO!! He is going on vacation with Mark and Kelsey Baker in one week!