Baby shower invites

Here's the latest in my invitation making endeavors- baby shower invitations for my friend Megan:

The info for the shower is under each of the letter flaps...modern baby blocks if you will :)

Unique and yummy recipes

I stumbled across these recipes on Runner's World...they sound weird, but they are very very tasty and healthy to boot (confirmed by my meat-eating roommate; I didn't tell her there was tofu in the lasagna...she thought it was ricotta cheese :) ). And both are very easy to make.

Lentil Tacos-

My changes: used whole wheat tortillas and varied the seasoning amounts. I ended up have to pretty much quadruple the broth/water- lentils take awhile to cook, so keep an eye on them so the water doesn't run out!

1 cup onions, diced

1/4 cup celery, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup brown lentils, dry

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 cup water or vegetable broth

3 tablespoons dried black currants or raisins, minced

1 cup salsa, plus additional for topping

8 6-inch corn tortillas

shredded lettuce ,chopped tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

In a large frying pan over medium heat, sauted onions, celery, and garlic in the olive oil for five minutes or until vegetables are soft. Stir in the lentils, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Cook for one minute. Add the broth and raisins. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender (add more water or broth as needed). Remove the lid and cook an additional 10 minutes (until lentils are thick), stirring often. Fold in the salsa. Wrap the tortillas in a damp white cotton towel and microwave on high for one minute. Spoon the lentil mixture among the tortillas. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Serves four.

Potato Lasagna

My changes- I used 3 potatoes and 1 lb tofu to fill an 8 X 8 pan, but left the rest of the ingredients the same, so if you make the full portion, you may want to increase the seasonings/oil/lemon juice/honey. I added a layer of sliced mushrooms and did not use light sauce or part-skim cheese.

6 medium potatoes
2 lbs firm tofu
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 tbsp honey
1 Tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tsp dried basil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 qt light spaghetti sauce
1 cup shredded, part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions: Boil, steam or microwave potatoes until tender. Chill for at least 30 minutes. In a large bowl, mash tofu with a fork or potato masher. Add lemon juice, honey, salt, oil, basil and garlic powder. Combine thoroughly and set aside.When you're ready to assemble the lasagna, peel and slice potatoes. In a 9x13-inch pan, spread a thin layer of sauce. Layer half the sliced potatoes on top, then spread half of the tofu mixture over the potatoes, then half the remaining spaghetti sauce onto the tofu. Repeat this layering process with the remaining potatoes, tofu and sauce, then sprinkle mozzarella on top.Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serves 12.

Motivation Board

So I decided to create a triathlon motivation board for myself...what do you think?

Top half close-up



Bottom-half close up

Heroes

One of my very dear friends, Kaylene, and her husband Ajay, serve in the Air Force, flying in the B1-Bomber (a ridiculously wicked cool aircraft). Last year they were stationed in the Middle East. I recently found out about an award that Kaylene and her fellow crew members will be receiving in November for aid that they provided to our troops. Glad we have people like Kaylene and Ajay over there serving our country. Regardless of how you feel about why we are over there and whether or not we should be, we need to thank the men and women who are willing to lay down their lives to serve our country. I'm proud of you girl, and thank you.

From the article:
"Kaylene Giri and three crewmates aboard Bone 23 answered the call for immediate air support from U.S. ground forces under attack from more than 200 Taliban troops.

The B-1 Bomber crew suggested using a 500-pound bomb. The crew accomplished three bomb runs within 30 minutes that slowed the enemy attack and allowed coalition forces to regroup, according to the National Aeronautic Association in Washington, D.C.

"The distinctive accomplishments of the Bone 23 crew reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force," the association stated in a press release.

The association announced it will present the 2008 Mackay Trophy to the Bone 23 crew during the NAA Fall Awards Banquet Nov. 2 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va. The association describes the trophy as one of the most important awards in the Air Force.

"We were just doing the exact same job that we do every day," said Giri, a weapons service officer based at Ellsworth AFB, S.D.

Giri, 28, stressed crewmembers work as a unit.

"You cannot break a link in that chain," she said. "Not one person can do everything that is required. You've got to have everybody work together."

Also serving with her in the unit were Major Norman Shelton, 1st Lt. Boyd Smith and Capt. Louis Heidema. "

Completely Done

Awesome song that we sung at church today. I love the phrase "What you complete is completely done". God doesn't do anything half-heartedly. What overwhelming reassurance.

I am so thankful for our worship leaders who spend so much time and effort to put together song lists that allow us to focus on God and meditate on what He has done for us, giving Him the glory.

Completely Done
Words by Jonathon Baird, Ryan Baird, and Rich Gunderlock

What reason have I to doubt
Why would I dwell in fear
When all I have known is grace
My future in Christ is clear
My sins have been paid in full
There’s no condemnation here
I live in the good of this
My Father has brought me near
I’m leaving my fears behind me now

The old is gone, the new has come
What You complete is completely done
We’re heirs with Christ, the victory won
What You complete is completely done

I don’t know what lies ahead
What if I fail again
You are my confidence
You’ll keep me to the end

I’m leaving my fears behind me now

Nephewisms

Phone call from John Michael:

JM: "Hi Sissa! Sissa, are you an astronaut!?

Me: "No, I'm not, but I work with the astronauts. They are my friends"

JM: " Are you an astronaut? I am going to fly to Saturn. Okay, bye, I love you!"

Phone call from John Michael to my mom (who had surgery yesterday):

JM: "Hi Nana. I'm comin' to Arizona to take care of you 'cause you're gonna have a big owie on your belly".

Awww....what a cutie. And those sentences are pretty much verbatim, he talks SO well!

Clear Lake International Triathlon

The lack of posts has been due to the fact that life has been extremely busy- work, sleep, and training. Training for...the Clear Lake International Triathlon, Olympic Distance! (0.93 mile swim, 24.8 mile bike, 6.2 mile run).

Yesterday Lisa and I, along with some of our friends/co-workers, participated in this event. Big thanks to my roomies and my friend Jana, who is visiting (and took the pictures), for coming out to cheer us on.

Barry, me, Lisa, Scott, Sunni pre-race

I did better than I planned on the swim and bike (I had set "worst-case time goals" that I would be happy with and beat those).

That's me in the white cap at the end of the swim


Coming in from the bike

The run was brutal, it was really hot (in the 90s and humid) and I just do not run well in those conditions, so it wasn't the 10k time I was hoping for, but 1hr 11 minutes wasn't bad for the amount of walking I did...the first mile I ran was in 9min! Getting off of a bike going 17mph and starting to run completely screws up your sense of speed, so I definitely went much faster at first than I normally would have.

Starting the run

Still, my goal was to complete the tri in 3hrs 30 min and I did it in 3 hrs 28 min, so I am happy with the overall results. It was my first time transitioning with bike shoes too, so I know I can improve in that area. I am also excited to start some speed work training in my swim and I know I can improve in the bike (I think some weights and spin classes are in order :) ).

Chatting afterwards...I ran most of the time with that towel on my head and dumped ice water on it at every water station. Best idea ever :)

So I ended my tri season on a good note. While there are several available tris left in the season, I am refocusing my training efforts to prepare for my first half-marathon, the San Antonio Rock and Roll half-marathon in November. I am also registered for the Houston half-marathon in January. I plan to do several Olympic distance tris next year and am currently waiting to see how the Nov half-marathon goes to see where I should plan my first Half-Iron distance! Yep, you read right, Lisa and I are going to step up to the Half-Iron distance at some point (a Half-Iron is 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run)...its just determining first if I can handle that much running at once and then picking the best time to do one...

Best training/running/tri buddy ever, Lisa!

I was thinking while on the bike yesterday, how amazing it is that I can do these races. Some people with my disease are in constant pain and battling health instability all the time. I have been very blessed that the medicines I am on work well for me and that I have an awesome doctor (who still thinks I am crazy for doing this and is still amazed that I am ABLE to do these races). It is God who is sustaining my health through the rigors and stress of training, work, and life in general. I know it may not always be this way, so that makes me extra thankful for this very healthy period, where I can experience being an athlete. The training wasn't problem free, but I am being very careful to rest and pull back when any issues arise (so all you worryers, STOP WORRYING! :) ). So, I'll praise Him now for the privilege to participate in triathlons and half-marathons, and by His grace, I will praise Him still, if that privilege ever goes away.

Tris rock!!!!!