Dec 31

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE!

FUEL:
1100: 75% Light Sharp Cheddar on 2 x WW Bread; Large Orange
1200: Almost-Dessert Rice
115: Salmon; Red Wine; Egg Whites w/ bit of Green Veggie; Chunky Peanut Butter
515: 75% Light Sharp Vermont Cheddar
745: Bok Choy; Shrimp; Tarot Root; Turnip; Salmon; Carrot; Green Veggies; Mushrooms
845: Candied Pecans (egg white, brown sugar, pecans); 2 x Sticky Rice Cake topped w/ Ground Peanuts
1000: Some 70% Santo Domingo Single-Origin Dark Chocolate
1130: Apple; 75% Light Vermont Sharp Cheddar

Hurts to move towards a sitting position b/c of yesterday.

FUN:
AL's house for dinner. Adorable kids with Buttercup the hamster.
Learning Combatives and watching other cool videos at www.crossfit.com.

RECIPE: Almost-Dessert Rice

1 C Brown Rice
2 C Water
1 tsp Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
Dash of Ginger
15 Almonds
20 Raisins
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 C Skim Milk
1 tsp Coriander Seeds
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
5 tsp Mung Beans

1. Cook Rice in Water with Mung Beans (about 25 min)
2. Sautee Sliced Almonds and Raisins in the EVOO until it smells divine. Put it in a bowl.
3. In the same pan, cook on medium heat the rice, milk, carrots, sugar, and spices. Stir until the milk goes away.
4. Add the raisins and almonds.

Enjoy this amazing dish!!! It's one of the top two things I've ever cooked!

Dec 30

FUEL:
1215: Mesquite Smoked Turkey on WW Bread w/ a Tomato; 75% Light Vermont Sharp Cheddar; Crunchy Peanut Butter; Tangerine
1245: 70% Santo Domingo Hershey's Single-Origin Dark Chocolate... not vegan, but close
445: Almost-Dessert Rice w/ Raisins, Carrots, Almonds, and Spices (see Recipe); Salmon (vc)
700: Apple; Skim Milk
915: Dark Chocolate Dreams Peanut Butter; 75% Light Vermont Sharp Cheddar
1030: 70% Santo Domingo Hershey's Single-Origin Dark Chocolate
1200: Cheese on Wheat Lance Crackers
130: Lots of Dark Chocolate Dreams Peanut Butter

FIT:
Lower Body Plyometrics> 3 x Mini-Suicides (3 x 2-stage, 15/30 ft lengths), 3 x 15 Burpees (splits: 56, 55, 57 sec... 12-15 very hard), 3 x 1 min High Knees. About 1 min rest between each of the 9 sets. 2 x 0.7 mi run for warmup/cooldown to sandwich the workout.

FUN:
The Universe> Big Bang Theory on the History Channel.
Bourne Supremacy - didn't meet the expectations produced by the hype.
Haircut.

I have a friend who, when she stumbles upon a tails-up penny, flips it over to heads-up and leaves it there so that someone else can experience the excitement of finding a "lucky penny." I just thought it was the cutest thing ever. That just shows you what a great person she is.

I'm intrigued by why people become vegetarian. There are many reasons: religious, health, cost, animal-loving, ease, environmental, and maybe more. For me, #1 is health. Cost and ease come next (no messy clean-up, more sanitary). Environmental stuff is a big plus. So I'm not vegetarian. I eat salmon and turkey, but no animal fat (besides fish oils). So I tend to like vegan foods.

Here are my thoughts on religion and animal-loving:
If someone has been born with a tender heart that is compassionate for animals, that is really wonderful. Cruelty sucks, for sure, but how far am I personally going to go to protest against it? I'd pay extra if I knew I was getting cruelty-free animal products and that the other types were truly mistreating animals. They feel pain, and it's not right to inflict that on them. With respect to what the Bible says, there's nothing for or against vegetarianism, in my opinion. In Eden originally, people didn't eat animals, and it was after the fall that that started happening, I think. So ideally, we wouldn't. We can get everything we need from plant sources anyways. And there's meat-eating and animal sacrifices. And man was made ruler over the animals. Being a ruler doesn't mean mistreating stuff, though. We're called to be good stewards of the environment and the animals. There's also stuff in 1 Corinthians 8 about not eating meat and eating it, but it's specifically about meat that was sacrificed to false gods, and its point is something else entirely beyond vegetarianism (an excellent passage by the way). Anyway, so my thought is, if you're vegetarian or vegan, that's great, but there's nothing wrong with eating meat, either, in and of itself. These are just my thoughts, subject to correction.

Dec 29

FUEL:
945: WW Bread w/ Crunchy Peanut Butter; Some 75% Light Vermont Cheddar; WW Bread w/ Dark Chocolate Dreams PB (vc)
1145: Dark Chocolate Dreams PB Straight from the Jar; Mesquite Smoked Turkey on WW Bread; Dark Chocolate Dreams PB on WW Bread
200: Large Orange
345: 75% Light Vermont Cheddar
730: Cauliflower w/ Mustard Seed, Cumin, Cayenne, Ginger, and Garlic; WW Kidney Bean Burger w/ WW Bread & Tomatoes and Caramelized Onions
900: Cantalope, which I can never spell correctly
1215: Salmon; Dark Chocolate Dreams PB (vc)
115: 75% Light Vermont Cheddar

FIT:
40 min Abs while watching Drumline.

FUN:
Making dinner w/ AD, Guitar Hero, watching Serenity.

Dec 28

FUEL:
900: Instant Oatmeal w/ some Skim Milk; Chunky Peanut Butter (vc)
1215: Banana; 75% Light Vermont Cheddar on 2 x WW Bread w/ Garlic & Herbs
1115: Crunchy Peanut Butter
145: Cheese on Wheat Lance Crackers
600: 75% Light Vermont Cheddar
745: Bok Choy; Tofu w/ Mushrooms; Sweet Potato; String Beans w/ Mushrooms; Carrot Sticks; bit of Beef; Bean Soup; Herb Soup
1045: 2 Bowls of Bean Soup
100: Dark Chocolate Dreams PB; Chunky Peanut Butter; Cheese on Wheat Lance Crackers (vc)

FIT:
4 min plank while singing Star Spangled Banner and the Mulan Song. Shaky (like singing in front of a fan), but all the words and special voices were there.

FUN:
Monopoly, Outburst @ TT's party.
Cribbage - complicated game to figure out at first, but rather fun.

Craziest dream, crazy in that it was so complex in its plot, and that it had characters (real and imaginary) with whom I am very familiar, and that in it, I could go through a brainstorming process (I made a list in the dream) that I very well could have wanted to do while awake. Dreams are so intriguing - you wonder how they happen, what kind of info gets put into them, and whether they have any significance. But that part about brainstorming - if I can do that when I sleep, what other things can I do when I sleep? Maybe that's how some people think a little about an essay the night before it's due and then wake up, knowing exactly what they'll write so that they can just pump it out and turn it in. I can't do that. At best, waking up and going straight to work is effective when something's due that day and I have no choice but to buckle down and get stuff done.

Dec 27

FUEL:
1115: Instant Oatmeal; Tofu Chocolate Mousse (vc)
100: Crunchy Peanut Butter; 2 x WW Bread w/ 75% Light Cabot Cheddar, Garlic, and Herbs
545: Optimum Rebound Cereal w/ Skim Milk; bit of PB (v)
830: Indian-Seasoned Cauliflower; Chickpea Stew; Green Beans; 2 x WW Flatbread; Shrimp; Salad Mix w/ Tomatoes & Onions; Sweet Seasoned Cashews
945: Fruit Salad (mangoes, honeydew, cantalope, pineapple, red grapes); 3 cups of Milk Tea w/ nutmeg and other spices
130: Dark Chocolate Dreams Peanut Butter; 75% Cabot Cheddar

FIT:
1 hr Pickup Ulty> no subs but not particularly intense either

FUN:
Lots of Fetch w/ Archie & Moose, Chillin w/ MD & Crew.
Monopoly, Dominos, Chess.

Inspired by VP:

12 Things to do Before I Turn 21:
1. Fence w/ JJL.
2. Give someone a hug with my deer hat on.
3. Push-up contest w/ KJ.
4. Actually do some hard-core studying during a reading period.
5. Sing a song while doing a 4-min plank.
6. Actually do some hard-core studying during a winter break.
7. Defeat Yale at Ivy Risk.
8. Make a tofu or bean burger that tastes decent.
9. Show Lifehouse skit to 5 different people.
10. Apply for 7 summer internships.
11. Have a nice long conversation with someone.
12. Do something cool with my camera.

A Few Long-Term Goals
(b/c these will take longer than 2 weeks to fulfill):
1. See and hike the mountains out west.
2. Do a half marathon.
3. Go to Europe again.
4. Go to the top of Cleveland Tower w/ JJL.
5. Do a full BM Pyramid Sprint Session w/ no stops - just jogging in between... without dying at the end of it.

RECIPE: Tofu Chocolate Mousse

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb Soft Tofu
Candy Cane Bits
3/4 C Cocoa
Peppermint Candy Cane
8 tbsp Sugar
1/3 C Milk
Marshmallow

DIRECTIONS:
1. Slice up and Boil the Tofu.
2. Puree the Tofu, Milk, Sugar, and Cocoa.
3. Put a candy cane in a plastic bag and hammer it.
4. Add the bits and blend it a bit.
5. Chill the mixture for a couple of hours.
5. Serve with marshmallows and a candy cane.

Dec 26

FUEL:
830: Optimum Rebound Cereal; 75% Light Cabot Cheddar (v)
1115: WW Bread w/ Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams PB; Hickory Smoked Turkey Breast; some Sweet Potato
1230: Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams PB
430: Tofu Chocolate Mousse; Skim Milk
530: Tangerine; Spicy Edamame, Tofu, and Hickory Smoked Turkey
730: Tofu Chocolate Mousse w/ Marshmallow... ohhh, poor tummy... probably should've cooked the tofu before preparing and eating it....
1030: 2 x WW Bread w/ 75% Light Vermont Cheddar (v)
1230: Salted Dry Roasted Peanuts

FIT:
EZ Mile, 20 min Jump Roping, EZ Mile> Jump Roping is the ultimate immediate-feedback sport. Stop concentrating or start slacking, and you get lashed.

FUN:
After-Christmas shopping.
Monopoly, Clue, Chess, Checkers.

Dec 25

Merry Christmas!!!

FUEL:
245: Crunchy Peanut Butter; 2 x Fried Chinese Onion Pancakes; Cheese on Wheat Lance Crackers; Salmon; Boiled Cauliflower & Napa; Hot Cocoa w/ Marshmallow made with Skim Milk
615: Apple
745: Smoked Turkey; Greens; Baked Sweet Potato Chips; 3 x Marshmallows; Skim Milk & Trail Mix Crunch Cereal

FIT:
bit of running & ulty throwing w/ HF, HF, and NL.

FUN:
The Incredibles & HP 4.

Dec 24

FUEL:
1200: Tofu w/ Shitake Mushrooms; Instant Oatmeal w/ some Skim Milk; Chunky Peanut Butter (v)
200: Chunky Peanut Butter; 4 x Graham Cracker Sheets; Tofu w/ Shitake Mushrooms
630: Salmon; Red Wine; Boiled Turnip, Napa, and Caufliflower; Tangerine; 75% Light Cheddar on 2 x WW Bread; 3 x Smores (1.5 sheets of graham crackers w/ cocoa powder & marshmallows); Santo Domingo single-origin 67% Dark Chocolate ("upfront pleasant smoky notes lead into a pronounced wine profile with bright fruity acidity and delicate spice notes" - accurate and noticeable... unless it's all just in my head... though I prefer the "strong and well-balanced bitter and sweet chocolate profile" of the San Tome 70% with "underlying aromatic coffee tones with warm spice notes") ;) - I'm a coffee, chocolate, and nuts kind of dessert gourmand - fruit does not belong in dessert, unless it's some type of berry sauce atop a vegan cheesecake, oh man.
1100: Seaweed; 75% Light Cabot Cheddar; Grape Nuts Trail Mix Crunch Cereal; Air-Popped Popcorn w/ Extra Spicy Mrs. Dash and Garlic & Herbs
130: Rebound Cereal

FIT:
2.9-mile Megaloop> 24:07... bad time b/c I had planned on doing the M 2x, but I didn't wanna go by that scary dog again, and I thought that if I just did 3 for now, maybe I could do a 2nd workout later today, since research has shown that breaking up a 4-miler into 2-2 milers gets you in better shape than doing the 4 in one sitting, but all that may just be rationalizing a lack of will power. We'll see whether I do that 2nd workout.
45 min Abs

FUN:
Basic Cover Letter Done> yayyyyyy! weight of the shoulders.
Videos Online> ulty, pooh & spongebob soulja boy, runnersworld, potter puppet pals

Dec 23-p

FUEL:
1100: Apple; 75% Light Cheddar and Garlic & Herbs on 2 x Whole Wheat Bread; Chunky Peanut Butter
230: Baked Sweet Potato Chips w/ Cinnamon; White Cheddar Popcorn
630: Baked Sweet Potato
815: Tofu and Shitake Mushrooms; Bok Choy and Button Mushrooms; Orange; Sauteed Green Beans
1100: Baked Sweet Potato... 3rd of the day!; Tofu and Shitake Mushrooms
245: Optimum Rebound Banana-Flax-Almond-Green Tea Cereal; 75% Light Vermont Cheddar; some San Tome Single-Origin 70% Dark Chocolate (v)

FUN:
Facebook Graffiti
CC's house> Waltz & Swing, Mafia, Ping-Pong, Cheering for Ron and Christina on the Amazing Race.

Dec 22

FUEL:
1230: Rebound Cereal w/ Skim Milk; Garlicy Greens; some Orange
215: Instant Oatmeal; Chunky Peanut Butter
530: 75% Light Cabot Cheddar
700: Cheese on Wheat Lance Crackers
830: Tofu; Bok Choy; Broccoli Rabe
945: Red Oranges
1100: Sesame Ice Cream Moshe - a special treat!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's something I had a few times the last time I visited Taiwan to see my grandparents.
1230: Rebound Cereal w/ Skim Milk; White Cheddar Popcorn (v)

FIT:
Megaloop> 22:56, 2.9 mi, 7:54 pace... feel out of shape. Gorgeous weather, though.

FUN:
TT's Restraunt for a reunion of friends. Played Bang for the first time ever w/ TT, CC, NL, AW, and EC. Talked a/b Consulting w/ JM.
Beat NL in the Prrrr game on the ride back, 8-2.

FAITH: Evidence

Christians get asked why they believe that God exists. You'll hear many different answers. I think it's reasonable to expect a multi-faceted God who created everything in the universe to reveal himself in many different ways. For some, God's existence is most clear in the glory of his creation "since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse" (Romans 1:19-20). With the science-minded, it might be the complexity of the human eye, or how many of the constants in physics and chemistry are so perfect that if one of them was off by the most miniscule amount, the world as we know it would be extraordinarly different if not nonexistent. With the aesthetically-minded, it might be the glory of God reflected in breath-taking sights like the snow-capped Rockies or a colorful sunrise stretching above the ocean waves.

For me, though, the proof that penetrates me the most is God's work in people. Yeah, God does miracles - otherwise unexplainable medical turnarounds, hopeless situations being resolved as a result of the mere act of prayer and seeking God. But to see God change hearts, turning darkness into light, turning hopelessness into joy, seeing some of this in myself but especially in others, is what gives me certainty. I once read somewhere, that in the case of Shadrack, Meshack, and Abendigo, perhaps the biggest miracle was not that they came out of the firey furnace, in which they were thrown as the death penalty for not bowing down to an idol, alive, but that God could produce such men as these. Just knowing some of the people in my life, who haven't done stuff on the same level as the biblical trio, but who persist in seeking God and serving him with their lives in the face of trials, that's what does it for me.

Dec 21

FUEL:
1230: Tangerine; Optimum Rebound Banana-Flax-Almond-Matcha Green Tea Cereal w/ Skim Milk; Garlicy Greens
315: WW Penne w/ 75% Light Cabot Cheddar Bake with Garlic, Spices, Bread Crumbs, and Peppers and Onions (v)
630: Chunky Peanut Butter; Soy Sauce-Stewed Fried Fish; Leafy Greens; Celery & Tofu; 2 Sheets of Cinnamon Graham Crackers w/ 4 Marshmallows & Cocoa; WW Penne w/ 75% Light Cabot Cheddar Bake
730: Grape Nuts Trail Mix Crunch Cereal
1030: Apple; Chunky Peanut Butter
1100: 75% Light Cabot Cheddar
130: 4 sheets of Graham Crackers

FIT:
30 min Abs by the Christmas Tree.

FUN:
Catching up w/ AW.
Studied Social Psych.

Dec 20

FUEL:
900: Chunky Peanut Butter; Sauteed Cabbage; Maple and Almond Trail Mix Crunch Grapenuts Cereal with Go Lean, microwaved with Skim Milk; Salted Peanuts; some 75% Light Vermont Cheddar; Red Pepper Hummus on 2 Celery Sticks
1215: Red Bean Soup; Smore's (Cinnamon Graham Cracker Sheet w/ Cocoa Powder + 4 Marshmallows); Chunky Peanut Butter (v)
200: 75% Light Cabot Cheddar
645: Seaweed; Garlicy Greens; Tofu & Celery; Trail Mix Crunch and Go-Lean Cereal heated with Skim Milk
1030: Air-Popped Popcorn w/ Extra Hot Mrs. Dash, Garlic and Herb Powder, and Salt; bit of Chunky Peanut Butter; 75% Light Cabot Cheddar; Seaweed; Apple
1200: Grape Nuts Trail Mix Crunch Cereal; Salted Peanuts

FIT:
Ulty Pickup ~1.5 hrs.

FUN:
Trivia Game at the Fiddler's Green Pub w/ CH, NL, CF, LO.
Studied Case Interviews.

Dec 19-p

FUEL:
1045: Sauteed Cabbage; 2 x Protein Bread w/ Peanut Butter & Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Many Gingerbread Cookies; Skim Milk
300: Red Bean Soup; Apple; Jalapeno Smoked Almonds
445: 75% Light Cheddar Cheese; Roasted Red Pepper Hummus on Pretzel Chips
615: Maple-Glazed Salmon topped with Mango Salsa; Broccoli Rabe; 1/2 Mango; Roasted Red Pepper Hummus on Pretzel Chips
745: Chunky Peanut Butter
900: Egg Beater Omlette w/ Pickled Chinese Veggies (v)
1030: Nature's Path Rebound Cereal; Hot Cocoa
100: Roasted Red Pepper Hummus on Pretzel Chips; Microwaved Smores (cinnamon graham cracker sheet + cocoa powder + 2 marshmallows), plus a few microwaved marshmallows - as fun to watch as they are to eat!; Orange

FUN:
Putting up the Xmas Tree.

Dec 18

FUEL:
900: Spicy Peanut Pad Thai (awesomeness); Mashed Sweet Potatoes; Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
1245: Turkey; Mixed Greens w/ Carrots, Beets, Fine Herb Dressing, Feta, and Broccoli; Green Tea; 2 x Organic Multigrain Honey Bread w/ Honey and Cinnamon
400: Protein Bread w/ Chocolate Chips (v)
700: Large Chocolate Immunity Support Freshens Fro-Yo (has cultures that help your immunity system), and 11g protein, and probably lots of sugar
1000: Apple
1200: Zuchinni w/ Yellow, Red, and Green Bell Peppers & Onions; 75% Light Cabot Cheese - for the first time in a long time; Sauteed Cabbage; Salmon Sushi; Many Moon Gingerbread Cookies

FUN:
Catching up w/ CZ on our return flight.

Dec 17

FUEL:
845: Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Daikan, Squash, Mushrooms, Bok Choy, and Carrots; 2 x Big Gingerbread Stars
1045: Protein Bread w/ Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chips
245: Sauteed Yams w/ Onions, garlic, great spices; Skim Milk
700: Mixed Greens w/ Sunflower Seeds, Carrots, Mushrooms, Fine Herb Dressing, and Beets; 3 tall glasses of Tea; WW Pita with Honey & Cinnamon; Cheeze Doodles; Turkey
900: Gingerbread Man and Moon
100: Sprouted Grain & Legume Bread w/ Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips

FUN:
Dinner with VP & her buddies.
Sleepover at 28.5

FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise God.

Dec 16

FUEL:
145: Lox w/ Tomatoes; Spinach Leaves w/ Carrots, Beets, Broccoli, and Fine Herb Dressing; Tea; Oreo Outsides; WW Pita w/ Heaps of Hummus; Red Grapefruit; Gingerbread Cookies
300: Gingerbread Stars w/ Green, Yellow, and Red Sprinkles
700: Fried Eggplant; 2 x Protein Bread w/ Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chips; Watermelon; Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
745: Gingerbread Stars w/ Green, Yellow, and Red Sprinkles
100: Daal w/ Rice, Lentils, Onions, and Tomatoes; Daikan, Mushrooms, and Squash; Skim Milk; Protein Bread w/ Chocolate Chips & Peanut Butter
200: Green & Black's 70% Dark Chocolate; Gingerbread Stars
345: Apple

Less than 24 hours!

Dec 15

FUEL:
945: Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Veggie Pot Pie w/ Peas, Carrots, Mushrooms, bit of squash, Japanese radish, and onion
1045: 2 x Sprouted Grain & Legume Bread w/ Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chips
2oo: WW Noodles w/ Tahini, Tofu, and Onions; 2 x WW Corn Grits Bread topped w/ Salt, Olive Oil & Roasted Garlic - I had multiple cloves, I'm sure (it was delicious); Skim Milk (v)
300: Puffins Corn Cereal
700: Japanese Radish, Mushroom, Carrot, and Squash; Skim Milk; Daal w/ Tomatoes; Sweet Potato
745: Watermelon
1200: Falaffel; Gingerbread Stars and Moons; Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
1230: Gingerbread Moons (v)

FUN:
Gingerbread stars and moons! and a single man (he had to be shaped by hand, so there's only one of him).
I kind of enjoy studying for humanities courses. You just go through it once, and bam, you know it. Time series and regression with S-Plus, stochastic programming, though...

RECIPE: Biscuit Sweet Potato Samosas

Biscuit:
2 C Whole Wheat Flour
4 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tbsp Sugar
1/2 Tbsp Salt
1/4 C Buttery Sticks
1 C Soy Milk

Samosa Filling:
2 Yams
1 Large Onion
1 Carrot
1 Tsp Garlic Powder
1 Tsp Turmeric
1 C Frozen Peas
2 Tsp Olive Oil
1 1/2 Tsp Mustard Powder
2 Tsp Curry Powder
1/2 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 Tsp Corriander

1. Microwave Yams in 1 C water for 9 min - 3 x 3-min sessions, stirring between sessions
2. Sautee Onions & Carrots until the onions are browned
3. Add Seasonings and Stir
4. Mix thoroughly all biscuit ingredients, including shaved up Buttery Sticks
5. Place 3/4 inch high, 2 1/2 inch diameter coins of dough on greased baking sheet
6. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 min
7. Mash up the microwaved yams, mix in frozen peas
8. Add the yam concoction to the seasoned veggies
9. Continue to cook on med-low until the peas start turning wrinkly
10. Halve the biscuits, and fill with the samosas filling, sandwich-style

Dec 14

FUEL:
1045: Chickpea, Onion, Eggplant, and Tomato Stew; Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Protein Bread w/ Buttery Sticks
1130: Puffins Corn Cereal
100: Package of Spicy Peanuts
245: Apple
445: Skim Milk
700: Black Beans & Onions; 2 x WW Biscuit Sweet Potato Samosas (w/ onions, peas, carrots); Mini Cocoa Cookies; Squash & Stewed Tomatoes
1145: Cheese Crackers
1230: WW Biscuit; Plain Yogurt w/ 100% Fruit Spread; Mini Cocoa Cookies; Protein Bread w/ Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chips
330: Mini Cocoa Cookies

FUN:
Finished Alias S4.
Ulty Holiday Party > my white elephant gift, a 3-windowed picture frame w/ ultimate pictures I drew during the first 10 min of when the party was supposed to be, was the most coveted item, haha. taboo - returners win.

Dec 13

FUEL:
900: Savory Tofu; Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Puffins Cereal
100: Turkey; 1 1/2 WW Pita w/ Heaps of Red Pepper Hummus and Black Bean Hummus; Tea; Mixed Greens w/ Cherry Tomatoes, Black Olives, Fine Herb Dressing, Edamame, and Broccoli; Oreo Outsides
500: Skim Milk; Eggplant Parmesan (no cheese - just fried goodness covered in tomato sauce)
700: Veggie Pot Pie (peas, squash, mushrooms, carrots, Japanese radish)- not vegan but worth every bite; WW Noodles w/ Tahini, Seitan, and Tofu; Eggplant, Tomato, Chickpea Stew
1100: Soy Milk
115: Chickpea, Tomato, and Eggplant Stew; Veggie Pot Pie (peas, squash, mushrooms, carrots, Japanese radish)

FIT:
11-1am Ulty

FUN:
Slept last night on basement couch - quite peaceful.
Alias.

Dec 12

FUEL:
815: Black Beans w/ Eggplant & Onion Tomato Sauce; Puffins Cereal; Skim Milk
1130: Heap of Hummus; Squash & Mushroom Risotto; 2 x Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Chocolate Chips
200: Mango; Soy Milk
700: Savory Tofu & Tomato; Stir-Fried Bok Choy, Mushroom, and Japanese Radish; Skim Milk; Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Chocolate Chips
900: Pack of Oreos, minus the insides
1030: Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Chocolate Chips (v)
130: Sweet Potato Fries; Plain Yogurt w/ 100% Fruit Spread; Savory Tofu; Black Beans; Puffins Cereal... overly fueled, not enough sleep

FIT:
45 min Shooting, Horse, 21 w/ VC and her friend.

FUN:
Catching up w/ JL.
Bit of Teams & Toys.
Alias - 4-5 episodes?

Dec 11-p

FUEL:
845: Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Black Beans w/ Eggplant & Onion Tomato Sauce
1130: 2 x Sprouted Grain & Legume Bread w/ Almond Butter and Chocolate Chips; 2/3 Big Bag of Tomato, Romano, and Olive Oil Soy Crisps (vc)
100: Raw Organic Food Bar - Chocolately Chocolate Chip (Cashew Butter, Dates, Agave Nectar, Brown Rice Protein, Dark Chocolate Chips), 1/3 Big Bag of Tomato, Romano, and Olive Oil Soy Crisps
515: Green Tea
700: Squash & Mushroom Risotto; 3 x Chocolate Chip Cookies; Barley w/ Raisins (undercooked, but it had potential); Spicy Carrots, Squash, and Onions; Skim Milk
1145: Black Beans w/ Eggplant & Onion Tomato Sauce; Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
115: 2 x Sprouted Grain & Legume Bread w/ Almond Butter and Chocolate Chips

FIT:
Ulty Under the Stadium Lights!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sooooooo much fun. Amazing hucks by all. Light rain, beautiful Astroturf. Good scrimmage, and Raf too!

FUN:
KS White Elephant Gift Exchange. Bye TT :( Elections.
Talking Ulty w/ VC - always a good time. JH loving.

Dec 10

FUEL:
830: 2 x Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Chocolate Chips (vc)
1130: Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup; Tofu w/ Eggplant and Onion Tomato Sauce; Skim Milk
230: Glenny's Onion & Garlic Soy Crisps; Raw Organic Food Bar - Fiber Chocolate Delite (cashew butter, acacia, flax sprouts, dates, agave nectar, dark chocolate)
345: Spinach, Broccoli, and Black Beans
500: Sprouted Grain & Legume Bread w/ Almond Butter & Wild Berry Fruit Spread
545: Sprouted Grain & Legume Bread w/ Almond Butter & Wild Berry Fruit Spread
700: Brown Rice & Black Beans; Marinated Tempeh & Broccoli... tempeh is nasty; Carrots, Eggplant, Bok Choy, Japanese Radish Stir Fry; Tofu Fingers (crispy coating with hot wing sauce); Skim Milk
1030: Black Beans; Hummus; Carrots, Eggplant, Bok Choy, Japanese Radish Stir Fry; Puffins Cereal

FIT:
Wholefoods Run > 51 min... splits: 13:26 to Pebbletree, 4:07 to hill, 4:17 to bridge, 2:51 to end of golfcourse, 3:30 to bridge, 4:55 to hill, 4:25 to Pebbletree, 4:16 to toe path entrance, 9:21 to 2D. Much slower on the way back. It was 42 degrees and raining, and I was in shorts and a t-shirt. Wore the Acumen for the first time in a long time - hr ranged from 183-192 once I got into the run.

Dec 9

FUEL:
830: WW Spaghetti w/ Eggplant & Onion Tomato Sauce; Plain Yogurt w/ 100% Fruit Spread; Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup
1000: Raisin Bran Bread
115: Nacho Cheeser Doritos; 2 x Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Chocolate Chips (v)
400: Big Heap of Hummus; Skim Milk; Honey Flatbread
700: Sweet Black Rice; Eggplant, Onion, and Tomato sauce; Speckled Noodles w/ Broccoli & Bok Choy
1130: Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; WW Spaghetti w/ Eggplant & Onion Tomato Sauce; some Raisin Bran Bread & Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Chocolate Chips

FUN:
Katrina Service Trip Presentation at Westerly Road Church.
Vespers Service - got to sit next to MB & SV on one side!

GEAR GUIDE: Acumen HRM

Features:

Time of Day - Displays time and date with alarm features. Use a 12 or 24 hour clock system. Set daily alarm. Watch returns to Time Mode automatically when no heart rate is received for 5 minutes.

Heart Rate - Displays ECG-accurate current heart rate when transmitter belt is worn. Set your Target Heart Rate Zone or determine your zone automatically with the EZ-Set Target Zone feature.

EZ-Set Target Zone - Determines personal heart rate limits for an exercise session. The EZ-Set Target Zone feature can determine an individual light to moderate intensity exercise zone (65-85% of the maximum heart rate). The Acumen Heart Rate Monitor will automatically calculate lower and upper heart rate limits limits based on your age-predicted maximum heart rate (220 minus age). You can also program your own Target Heart Rate Zone with user defined values.

In-Zone Goal Countdown Timer - Set 0 - 60 minute timer to begin when Target Heart Rate Zone is reached.

Calories - This feature in Acumen Heart Rate Monitors estimates the number of kilocalories expended during exercise based on heart rate and inputted exercise intensity index. An Exercise Factor table is provided to assist individuals in choosing an exercise intensity index. Displays estimated calories burned when receiving heart rate signals.

This is mainly for fun, to see how hard my heart's working, how quickly HR drops post-exercise, etc. The highest I've gotten it is 200.

Dec 8

FUEL:
900: Hummus on Sprouted Grain & Legume Bread; Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
145: Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup; 2 x Protein Bread w/ Big Heaps of Hummus; bit of yogurt; Skim Milk (v)
815: Shrimp Coctail with Tomatoes, Caviar, Coctail Sauce, and Crispy Noodles; Spinach Salad w/ Pistachios, Rum-infused Baby Pear, Cherry Tomatoes, and Vinaigrette; Steak; Buttered Asparagus; Lobster Tails w/ Fish Salad Topping; Coffee Tiramisu
1215: Skim Milk; Raisin Bran Bread; Onions & Eggplant in Tomato Sauce; Seitan, Carrot, and Onion Stew

FIT:
4-HOUR ULTIMATE PRACTICE, going hard the whole time. After 3 hrs 30 min, I started feeling extremely tired (on top of the usual need to eat every 3-4 hrs, I had been running around a whole bunch, so my blood sugar must be low). Far more tired than I am after 10-milers, even - hard to say whether I went farther than that, b/c there was a lot of sprinting (mixed with some not-moving). Ohhh man. It was awesome, though. It'd be great if we had this every weekend, though maybe for only 3 hrs. Oh yeah, I'm running on 6 hrs of sleep over two nights.

FUN:
Winter Formals at the Colonial Club with KJ & JY, Dancing to the Jazz & Swing Band, Catch Phrase w/ '08ers, AIAers, plus.

Dec 7-p

FUEL:
915: Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Daal w/ Tomoatoes; Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup
130: Spinach w/ Black Beans & Broccoli; 2 x Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Chocolate Chips; Indian Ratatouille w/ Eggplant & Tomatoes; 2 x WW Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
715: Black Beans w/ Onions, Tomatoes, and Cilantro; Mixed Greens w/ Carrots, Mushrooms, and Green Salsa; Green Tea; Granola with Craisins and Raisins and Almond Bits w/ Skim Milk
1145: Cinnamon Graham Crackers
100: Soy Milk; 1/4 Bottle Acai Antioxidant Trinity Juice (blueberry, pomegranate)

FUN:
Winter Arch Sing!
PEF Christmas Party! - gingerbread house, caroling w/ roommates, fireplace
Dooring someone special

Dec 6

FUEL:
945: Puffins Corn Cereal w/ Skim Milk; Spinach w/ Black Beans, Tomato, and Broccoli; Indian Ratatouille (eggplant and tangy tomatoey sauce)
1245: Green Tea; Heap of Hummus on 2 x Sprouted Grain & Legume Bread (v)
500: Raspberries, Clementines, Bananas, Strawberries
715: Stir-Fried Eggplant w/ Bok Choy; Skim Milk; 3 x WW Double Chocolate Chip Cookies; Tofu w/ Edamame & Onions; Tofu w/ Japanese Radish & Carrots
1100: 2 x WW Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
130: Apple; Soy Milk
345: Spinach w/ Black Beans, Tomato, and Broccoli; Tofu w/ Edamame & Onions

FUN:
DS's baby shower!!!

FIT:
Ulty in the gym, day 1. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, it feels so good to be out again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dec 5

FUEL:
800: Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; 1/2 Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Bok Choy & Tofu Curry; Sprouted Grain & Legume Bread w/ Almond Butter & Semisweet Chocolate Chips
100: Mixed Greens w/ Carrots, bit of hummus, Mushrooms, Fine Herb Dressing; Steamed Broccoli; Green Tea; Multigrain Bread; Turkey w/ Tomatoes; 2 x Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Wild Berry Fruit Spread
700: Skim Milk; Brown Rice w/ Shredded Carrot, Raisins, and Hazlenuts; Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup; Indian Ratatouille
1000: 2 x Protein Bread w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread & Almond Butter
100: Daal w/ Tomatoes; Cream of Broccoli Soup; Yogurt w/ 100% Fruit Spread; Puffins Cereal

FIT:
Haven't run in 5 days, so crazily busy. So I speed roped for a few minutes and then did some pushups and ran instead of walking to places. Can't wait to go home and have plenty of time to train.

FUN:
Vespers Choir Practice.
Excellent Bible Study on Romans 5:1-11.

Dec 4

FUEL:
845: Bok Choy & Tofu Curry; 2 Bean Chili w/ Tomatoes, Onions, and Carrots; Skim Milk
1245: 3/4 Giant Peanut Butter Persuasion Cookie by Alternative Baking Company; 1.5 x Protein Bread w/ Hummus (v)
500: Apple
700: Daal; Spinach, Black Beans, Broccoli, Onions; Spicy Eggplant & Tofu; Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; 1/4 Peanut Butter Persuasion Mega Cookie
1200: Skim Milk; 1/2 Protein Bread w/ Hummus; Daal; Spinach, Black Beans, Broccoli, Onions
100: 1 1/2 Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Wild Berry Fruit Spread

Dec 3

FUEL:
830: Bok Choy, Tofu, and Carrot Curry; Skim Milk; 2 Bean Chili w/ Tomatoes, Onions, and Carrots
1230: Plain Yogurt w/ Dried Cranberries; Protein Bread & Hummus; 4 x Peanut Butter Cookies, topped w/ Hazlenuts (v)
530: Sprouted Grain & Legume Bread w/ Hummus; Apple w/ Peanut Butter
700: Tofu & Onions w/ Brown Rice; Plain Yogurt w/ Dried Cranberries
845: Sprouted Grain & Legume Bread w/ Hummus
1100: 70% Icelandic Dark Chocolate; Bok Choy, Tofu, and Carrot Curry
130: Package of Planter's Heat Peanuts; 1/4 Bottle of Acai Antioxidant Trinity Juice

RECIPE: Vegan Cornbread

3 cups Whole Wheat Bread Flour
3 Cups Corn Grits
1 Cup Blueberry Soy Yogurt
1/2 Cup Applesauce
6 tsp Baking Powder
3 tbsp Egg Replacer Powder
1 1/2 Cups Water
3 Cups Plain Soymilk
2 tsp Salt
1 1/2 Cups Cooked or Frozen Corn

1. Mix it all.
2. Pour it 1-inch thick into greased pans.
3. Bake it at 400 degrees for 45 min or until brown.

Great served with Chili! the sweetness of the Cornbread plays well with the spiciness and heartiness of the Chili.

Dec 2

FUEL:
830: 2 Bean Chili w/ Tomatoes, Carrots, and Onions; Skim Milk (v)
130: Oatmeal w/ Honey & Cinnamon; Smoked Salmon w/ Cherry Tomatoes; Spinach Salad w/ Mushrooms, Carrots, and Fine Herb Dressing; Strawberries
200: 70% Icelandic Dark Chocolate
715: Lentil, Bok Choy, and Carrot Soup; 2 x Potato Pancakes; 4 x Peanut Butter Cookies; Yogurt w/ Dried Cranberries
930: 1/2 Grapefruit
1115: Skim Milk; 2 x Peanut Butter Cookies; Protein Bread w/ Hummus

FIT:
45 min Abs

FUN:
2 episodes Alias s4

I love the kids in the nursery.
Funny things they've done:
- Dunking their animal crackers in their cups of water before they eat, without fail.
- A girl suddenly tackling my legs, causing me to fall over in a skirt.
- Each time my co-helper turned the page during story time, one little boy jumps out of his chair, runs up to the page, points to something random, and yells "mamma, mamma, alskjflsk djfoashif oaisdh fsjklkdsjfk." We tell him to sit back down. We get to the next page. He does it again... and again... for all 15 or so pages.
- A girl coloring with different colors, and when she got to brown, she told me that "that's the same color as when I was still in my mommy's tummy, and I pooped."

They are sooo precious.

Dec 1

FUEL:
1030: Bok Choy & Tofu; Mexican Brown Rice w/ Tomatoes & Black Beans; Skim Milk
130: 70% Icelandic Dark Chocolate (tastes like hot chocolate, rich); 2 x Sprouted Grain & Legume Bread w/ Heaps of Hummus (v)
600: Soy Milk
700: Brown Rice, Tomatoes, Onions, and Chopped Spinach mixed together into a bowl of healthy deliciousness; Cocoa and Cranberry Bread; Creamy Bok Choy & Tofu unspicy curry
1045: Creamy Bok Choy & Tofu unspicy curry; Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Protein Bread w/ Hummus
1130: 70% Icelandic Dark Chocolate

FUN:
Watching Princeton Fencing & JJL coaching.
Watching Princeton Squash.
Ulty Fall Banquet.

AT's memorial service.

FIT:
40 min Badmitton: As with frisbee, I had thought that badmitton was a fake sport. It's not as complex as ultimate, but it does give a good workout. I did a lot of jumping and diving - I don't know whether normal players dive - nobody else at the TASA event was diving, and the old Asian people I see playing often don't dive. It was fun.

Nov 30

FUEL:
830: Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Mexican Brown Rice w/ Black Beans & Tomatoes (v)
145: Fruit samples; 3.5-serving bag of Cheddar Soy Crispettes; 1/2 Bottle of Acai, Acerola, Agave, Pomegranate, and Blueberry Antioxidant Juice by Sambazoon - 1200% dv Vitamin C in a single small bottle
700: Mexican Rice w/ Black Beans & Tomatoes; Bok Choy & Tofu; Mushrooms; Skim Milk; 2 Hazlenut Molasses Cookies... a nice spread
130: 2 Bean Chili w/ tomatoes, carrots, onions; Skim Milk; 2 x WW Cornbread

FIT:
6-mile Wholefoods/Marshall's Run - chilly in shorts and a long sleeve tee... ha, just checked weather.com... it says "feels like" 34 degrees outside. That explains it.

FUN:
It's a Wonderful Life - my first time seeing it! With PEFers. Awesome movie.

Nov 29

FUEL:
830: Mushrooms; Tofu, Peas, and Tomatoes; Puffins Corn Cereal; Skim Milk (v)
1230: Apple; 2 x Protein Bread w/ Hummus; Peanut Butter
430: Yogurt w/ 100% Fruit Spread
700: Bok Choy w/ Tofu; 2 x WW Cornbread; 2 Bean Chili
800: WW Cornbread; 2 Bean Chili
830: WW Cornbread
1230: 1/2 cup Skim Milk; 1/2 Cup Chocolate & Vanilla Soy Milk; Bok Choy w/ Tofu

FUN:
Cooking "A Tribute to New Mexico": WW Cornbread and 2 Bean Chili - my proudest moment so far.

Nov 28

FUEL:
800: Puffins Cereal; Skim Milk; Hummus; Mexican Brown Rice w/ Black Beans & Tomato & Herbs (v)
1130: Apple
1245: Soy Milk; Heap of Hummus on Protein Bread; bit of peanut butter (g)
345: Vegan Colossal Chocolate Chip Cookie from Alternative Baking Co.
700: Asparagus in Tahini; Balsamic Mushrooms; Tofu, Peas, and Tomatoes
930: Orange Spice Herbal Tea; Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Protein Bread w/ Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chips
115: Tofu, Tomato, and Peas; Mexican Brown Rice w/ Black Beans; Puffins Cereal

FIT:
Ulty Track Practice: 6 x 400 (sprint the straight ways, jog the curves), with activity pulled from a hat in between (8 counts, grapevine/highknee/buttkicks, abs, arms, etc.)

Nov 27-p

FUEL:
815: 3 Egg White Omlette w/ Asparagus (:)), Marjoram, and Curry - my own delicious creation
930: 67% Expresso Dark Chocolate... kind of sick of food at this point, in need of sleep
1200: 1/4 Giant Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Cookie from Alternative Baking Co
145: Protein Bread w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; 1/2 Giant Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Cookie from Alternative Baking Co
730: Salmon!!!!!!!!; Wheatberry & Cucumber Salad; Chickpea Salad; Artichoke Hearts, Cherry Tomatoes, Steamed Broccoli, Carrots, Cucumbers; Skim Milk; Red Pepper Hummus
800: 1/4 Giant Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Cookie
1130: Mexican Brown Rice w/ Black Beans, Tomato, and Seasoning - Frank's the best at rice and risottos; Skim Milk (v)

FUN:
Lecture by John Bogle, Founder & CEO of Vanguard. Good investment sense.
Dinner at Colonial w/ KJ. Colonial rocks. KJ rocks.

Nov 26

FUEL:
845: Instant Oatmeal; Peanut Butter (g)
1230: Turkey Lettuce Wrap w/ Tomato and Red Onion; Mixed Greens w/ Hummus, Fine Herb Dressing, and Broccoli; Chocolate Frozen Yogurt, sweetened w/ Nutrisweet; Tea; White Beans w/ Tomatoes, Onions, Celery, Carrots, and Parsnips; Skim Milk
215: some 67% Expresso Dark Chocolate by Green & Black's
445: Peanut Butter (vc)
700: WW Spaghetti w/ Tomato, Peas, and Onion Sauce; Protein Bread w/ Peanut Butter, Wheat Germ, and Semisweet Chocolate Chips
930: Skim Milk; several servings of Tomato, Romao, and Olive Oil Soy Crisps
1245: Protein Bread w/ Peanut Butter, Wheat Germ, and Semisweet Chocolate Chips; Apple
130: Rest of the big bag of Soy Crisps; some 67% Expresso Dark Chocolate

booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo pset.

Hey me, guess what?
What?
This poorly taught class is not worth wrecking fitness over.
Good point. Let's just plow through this thing and get back to the fun.
Alright. Let's do it.

RECIPE: Irish Oat Cake

Original Recipe by Cara. Vegan Awesomeness that I have to share.
No picture, b/c I haven't made it myself yet, but Cara's was good.

2 c oats
2 c flour
2 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tbsp baking soda
1 c hazlenuts
1/2 package dried cranberries
1 1/2 c water
1 buttery stick

350 degrees, 45 min

Nov 25

FUEL:
900: Apple insides (skin was waaaay sour)
1215: Animal Crackers
115: Zen Palate's Rose Petals (home-made soy crepes with wolfberry seeds & garden vegetables [cabbage, mushrooms, snow peas, & carrots] in a sweet rice ginger sauce) with a bit of Brown & Red Rice; Sweet Yam Fries
515: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Nasty Oatmeal Cookie... haha, I used no sugar- just some apple sauce, and yeah, nasty is the right word. It's not so bad when I just eat the parts right around chocolate chips, so that's what I do
545: Taro Spring Rolls, minus the rolls (just the cabbage and shredded veggie filing)
700: Moroccan Tofu Bastilla (turmeric, ginger, peas [not traditionally in it], onions, carrots, hazlenuts); Protein Bread w/ 100% Fruit Spread; Soy Milk; Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie with whole eggs... nooooooo! I found out after I ate it.
815: Sweet Yam Fries - fridge-cold and still superb (g)
930: Zen Palate's Rose Petals with Brown & Red Rice
1000: 70% Dark Chocolate by Green & Black's
1215: Enough to properly absorb all the goodness of (v)

FUN:
Lunch at Zen Palate and a visit to Thousand Villages non-profit exotic craft store w/ NS.

Right now, my room is very colorful. There are strings of lights, Christmas and regular. Colors are so wonderful, and they make you happy. It's hard to be sad or apathetic where things are colorful. When I worked at the ink company both summers, I remember thinking how fortunate I was that the inks we made were colorful and not just black and white. It would be such a terrible job to only get to see and test black and white... oh, haha, I guess people don't make white inks that often... ink all day. Even if the job is boring, you at least get to see lots of colors where I worked. One of the highlights of my job the first summer was the two times that we dumped out old inks (environmentally bad practice - they no longer do it) in the sink. I'd alternate between cyan, yellow, magenta, and black. I'd release them in little splurts, in varying patterns. The colors would mix in interesting ways, and it looked like such awesome flowers or whatever else they turned out to be like. That's my thought for today. I had just noticed the prettiness of the lights while I was doing my readings (which are great and well-timed by God - it covers issues of when it's right to lie [I had been working out in my mind my thoughts on when it's right to kill recently], but it's also touching upon friendship), but a discussion of those readings will be saved for another day.

Nov 24

FUEL:
1115: Turkey Sandwich on Organic Multigrain Honey Bread w/ Tomato, ff Cream Cheese, and Fine Herb Dressing; Spinach Salad w/ Mushrooms, Radish, Broccoli, and Fine Herb Dressing; 1/2 Grapefruit; Oreo Outsides... Wilcox ppl brought out Lox some time after I had already gotten food, and I only noticed it on my way out. How sad.
115: 2 Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies (g)
545: Eggplant, Tahini, Greens, and Edamame; Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Protein Bread w/ Buttery Sticks (v)
715: 2 Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
930: Apple; WW Pita w/ Hummus
1000: 2 Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies (g)
1230: Trail Mix Chocolate Chip Balance Bare Bar

FIT:
1 hr abs, except it didn't feel like 1 hr, and I don't feel the workout at all. Sometimes, if you don't focus, you don't work the muscles like you should and just go through the motions. I was watching Alias while I did it, so maybe that's the case. I got through more reps, too. Hmm...

FUN:
Alias S4 e1 w/ JL.

Nov 23-p

FUEL:
915: 1 cup Honey Bunches of Oats w/ Almonds
1200: Eggplant, Edamame, Tahini, and Greens; FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Irish Soda Bread w/ Hazlenuts & Cranberries; 2 x Protein Bread w/ Semisweet Chocolate Chips & Peanut Butter
430: Wheat Meat; 1/2 Sweet Potato; Eggplant, Edamame, Tahini, and Greens
700: Sausage & Lentil Soup; Skim Milk; Garden Salad w/ Tomatoes & Carrots w/ Lite Dressing
800: Vegan Pumpkin Pie!
945: WW Dessert Pita w/ Semisweet Chocolate Chips & Peanut Butter; Green & Black's 70% Dark Chocolate; extra peanut butter (v)
230: FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Brown Rice & Red Beans w/ Eggplant, Edamame, Tahini, and Greens
345: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie (v)

Why do I pair my vitamins with fat?
"Failure to include these [healthy] fats in a meal will result in many of the nutrients consumed during the meal not being absorbed by the body. That's because many nutrients are fat-soluble nutrients. Beta carotene, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E are three such nutrients that require fat in order to be absorbed and used by the human body, but there are many other nutrients that also need fats for human metabolism. It doesn't take much fat, by the way, to aid the absorption of these important vitamins and nutrients. Eating just 5 or 10 nuts, or one-fourth of an avocado, provides plenty of dietary fat for transporting these nutrients and aiding their absorption."
(from http://www.newstarget.com/001545.html)

FIT:
Walmart Run> splits: 14:47 to pebble tree, 4:33 to dirt hill, 4:49 to bridge, 5:26 to second high/low road choice, 3:04 to walmart bridge, 13:26 back to bridge, 4:46 to dirt hill, 4:50 to pebble tree, 4:43 to toepath end, 10:51 to 2d.

FUN:
Running and shopping spree> bike lock to replace my often malfunctioning one (takes 5 min to unlock it sometimes - ridiculous) and 4 gifts down.
PEF Dinner at the Boyce's.
Cereal Box Xmas Tree to Decorate Room (2 cereal boxes, green paper from segments of a consulting company recruiting pamphlet, aluminum foil from Irish Oat Cake, red dots from a business card, pink icicles from airport transfer luggage tag, bark from brown paper bag, tree skirt from frist balloon that finally lost its ability to float).
Made Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies... at 315am. Went to bed at around 5:45.

Nov 22

FUEL:
1030: Banana; 3 cups Honey Bunches of Oats w/ Almonds
1130: Red Grapes
130: 1 cup Honey Bunches of Oats; Chinese Mushroom & Bean Snack; Chinese Dried Plums
330: 1 cup Honey Bunches of Oats; Chinese Mushroom & Bean Snack; 2 Clementines
515: Yams; Fried Shrimp; Cantelope & Pineapple; Tofu, Mushroom, Carrot, and Bamboo; Spicy Sprouts; Stir Fried Green Beans
900: Tofu, Mushroom, Carrot, and Bamboo; bit of Yams; Fried Shrimp; Red Grapes

FUN:
Walk around gorgeous PA valley complete w/ barn and hills with mountains and fall trees in the background w/ PX.
Earned 5000 grains of rice for hungry people w/ Free Rice vocab quiz.
Karaoke.

Nov 21

FUEL:
1030: FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Eggplant, Edamame, Tahini, Greens; Red Beans & Brown Rice
115: 9g protein bag of Glenn's BBQ Soy Crisps w/ calcium & folic acid; samples of snacks & fruit at Wholefoods
315: Apple
600: White Rice; Wintermelon Soup; 2 Egg Whites; Stir-Fried Whole Egg & Tomato; Pork & Mushrooms; Bok Choy
1015: 2 Clementines

FIT:
51 min run to Wholefoods> calculated splits w/ my Flix watch... 10 min to Toepath, 4:26 to gravel area's tree, 4:22 to top of dirt minihill, 4:32 to bridge, filled by bookbag w/ new jacket & hat & chocolate, 8:06 from Wholefoods to bridge, 4:21 to top of dirt minihill, 4:34 to gravel area's tree, 10:40 back home. Those were consistent landmarks, those 4:30ish legs.
It was so warm - if you had taken me from a random point in a year and stuck me in today, I would've guessed that I was in spring, if not summer! Shorts and T-shirt and still hot!

FUN:
Bought red & white ski jacket - light but waterproof and warm.
Adidas grey & red beanie.
To Philly w/ PX.

FAITH: Still

(Picture from HS Senior Retreat at Camp Saint Christopher... I don't know why there are only 2 crosses - maybe it's supposed to be symbolic or something.)

This song kept me afloat the other day.

(Words and Music by Reuben Morgan)

Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Nov 20

FUEL:
1030: WW Pita w/ Peanut Butter & Semisweet Chocolate Chips (g)
1130: Red Beans & Rice w/ Cayenne & Chili; FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
315: Apple
500: FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; WW Pita w/ Creamy Hummus; Green Tea
915: American "Chinese Food" Stir-Fry Broccoli & Tofu; Eggplant, Greens, Tahini, and Edamame; Indian Chickpea Stew
1215: Protein Bread w/ Buttery Sticks; FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
130: WW Pita w/ Peanut Butter & Semisweet Chocolate Chips
230: Peanut Butter (v)

FUN:
Coloring & Covert Mission w/ KJ on MH's door.

Nov 19

FUEL:
915: Walnuts (v)
1130: FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Tofu, Carrots, and Edamame; Eggplant, Edamame, and Greens
100: WW Dessert Pita w/ Semisweet Chocolate Chips & Peanut Butter
530: Vegan Burger Pattie; Mixed Greens w/ Mushrooms, Broccoli, Balsamic Vinaigrette; Skim Milk; Cauliflower & Snap Peas; French Vanilla Fro-Yo; bit of Honey Organic Bread (g)
715: Brown Rice & Black Beans; Carrot Bisque; WW Dessert Pita w/ Semisweet Chocolate Chips & Peanut Butter
900: 3.5 Servings of Cheddar Soy Crisps
1100: Apple
115: Eggplant, Greens, Tahini, Edamame; FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Creamy Hummus

FUN:
Lots of Alias. Back at it again.

Nov 18

FUEL:
900: FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
1145: Animal Crackers
130: Smoked Salmon; Spinach, Broccoli, and Carrot Salad w/ Fine Herb Dressing; 1/2 Grapefruit; Oatmeal; Strawberries (g)
530: Apple
730: Eggplant, Edamame, & Greens w/ Tahini; Tofu, Carrots, & Edamame; Brown Rice; FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
830: WW Dessert Pita w/ Semisweet Chocolate Chips & Peanut Butter ...mmm
1000: Tofu, Carrots, and Edamame; Daal w/ Green Tomatoes, Rice, Lentils; Puffins Corn Cereal

FUN:
A nice 2-hr nap w/ KJ after church and brunch. Perhaps 6-7 hrs isn't enough, b/c I was soo tired.

Nov 17

FUEL:
645: WW Dessert Pita w/ Almond Butter & Semisweet Chocolate Chips
845: FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
1130: Red Beans & Brown Rice; Spicy Sauteed Eggplant
130: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Clif Bar
730: Daal; Sauteed Broccoli Rabe & Tofu; Baked Green Tomato, bit of eggplant, tofu; Big Chocolate Brownie/Cake (g)
1130: Heap of Hummus; FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread (v)
1145: Big Chocolate Brownie/Cake (g)

FUN:
Ultimate Initiations. Highlight: DC's ptero noises (like a donkey).
Through w/ 3rd disc of Alias S3. I think I've had enough for a while.
Captives of Ashland w/ AM, performances by KT, NF, JDW, TT, RL.

Nov 16-p

FUEL:
1215: Black Bean Chili w/ bit of corn, onions, and carrots; Eggplant, Leafy Greens, Tahini, Mustard Seeds; Brown Rice; FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; WW Pita w/ Semisweet Chocolate Chips & Almond Butter (g)
400: Hummus; FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread (v)
715: Red Beans & Brown Rice; Fried Green Tomatoes; Squash w/ Onions; 85% Dark Chocolate
1115: Walnuts
145: Eggplant, Leafy Greens, Tahini, Mustard Seeds; Black Beans w/ bit of carrot (g)

FUN:
Lots more Alias.
Pursuit of Happiness w/ JL.
Hearing a/b AG's awesome fall break experience.

Nov 15

FUEL:
1015: FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Walnuts
1230: Black Bean Chili w/ Corn & Onions; Eggplant and Leafy Greens w/ Mustard Seeds & Tahini; 2 x Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & 100% Fruit Spread
545: and Leafy Greens w/ Mustard Seeds & Tahini; bit of yogurt
700: Roasted Acorn Squash w/ Onions, Garlic, Nutmeg, Coriander; BBQ Tofu; Spicy Eggplant
1200: Toasted WW "Dessert Pita" w/ Semisweet Chocolate Chips & Almond Butter; FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Protein Bread w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread & Almond Butter; 85% Dark Chocolate

FUN:
Lots of Alias.

Nov 14

FUEL:
845: WW Double Chocolate Chip Cookies (v)
1245: Mixed Greens w/ Carrot Sticks, Steamed Broccoli, Cucumber, Black Olives, bit of Hummus, Red Onion, sprinkled cheese, Sunflower Seeds, Mushrooms, Fine Herb Vinaigrette; Turkey Lettuce Wrap w/ Tomatoes; Tea; og Honey Multigrain Bread
230: Peanut Butter
445: Cinnamon Apple Tea
515: Rebound Cereal
700: Garlic Eggplant; Carroty Brown Rice; Nearly Raw Sugar and Oil Chocolate Cake; Plain Yogurt
930: 85% Dark Chocolate
1215: Black Bean Chili w/ Corn; Eggplant, Leafy Greens w/ Mustard Seeds and Tahini; Puffins Cereal (g)

FIT:
40 min abs

FUN:
5-6 episodes Alias

Nov 13

FUEL:
945: Tofu, Edamame, Ginger, and Green Onion; 1% Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
115: Black Beans, Onions, Carrots; Heap of Hummus; Protein Bread w/ Peanut Butter & Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Red Banana w/ Peanut Butter (g)
700: Black Bean Chili w/ Carrots & Onions; Eggplant & Green Veggie w/ Tahini, Mustard, and Onions; Brown Rice
930: FF Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
1130: WW Double Chocolate Chip Cookies (v)
1200: WW Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
245: 2 x Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Wild Berry Fruit Spread (g)

Nov 12

FUEL:
845: Edamame, Tofu, Ginger, Green Onions, and Onions; 1% Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Banana Pudding Chocolate Cake
1145: Tomato, Romano, and Olive Oil Soy Crisps
100: Peanut Butter (v)
130: Tomato, Romano, and Olive Oil Soy Crisps
445: 1% Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
600: Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries
730: Black Bean Chilli w/ Corn, Onions; Spicy Rutabega & Carrot Sautee... great stuff
900: Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries
1000: 2 x Protein Bread w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Tomato, Romano, and Olive Oil Soy Crisps; 85% Dark Chocolate

3 I-Banking Info Sessions: UBS, Merril Lynch, Morgan Stanley

7 hrs of sleep last night, plus 2hr nap. I'm trying to get better sleeping habits. With the exception of about 6 hrs over two nights, I've been getting 6-7/night for the past week. Time for bed, so I'll get up early in the morning and hopefully churn out an essay (only a 3-pager).

Nov 11

FUEL:
1130: Tofu, Edamame, Ginger, and Green Onion; Skim Milk
1230: Endangered Species 70% Dark Chocolate w/ Hazlenut Toffee; 2 x Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Wild Berry Fruit Spread (g)
245: Apple; Walnuts; Peanut Butter
615: Peanut Butter
715: Skim Milk; Swiss Chard or some other kind of greens; Black Bean, Carrot, and Onion Soup; Fried Green Tomatoes from the 1st Annual Forbes Organic Garden; Big Banana Pudding Chocolate Brownie
1145: 2 x Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Wild Berry Fruit Spread (v)
1230: Almonds (g)

FUN:
4 episodes of Alias S2
Top-to-Bottom Cleaning the Room... a little extra time on my hands, a fresh start after midterms
Praise Night

GEAR GUIDE: Fleece Jacket

Perfect for climate-controlled performance, the Burton Indy 500 Fleece has many features designed to keep your body at a steady and comfortable temperature.

- The collar part comes up to keep your neck warm. The neck and head are the biggest heat-losers (that's why if you're overheated in the summer, the best thing to do is put a wet towel around your neck - it's b/c much of your blood's passing through that small area, so you can access it easily), so this is really helpful. It's also a nice guard against chafing by my black bookbag, which I wear while I run. It's often packed full of stuff that I'll have to carry for 3.25ish miles, bounding around, making me have two lines rubbed raw on either side of my neck by the time I get home. That's a problem in the summer, so I have to hold down the straps at the bottom of my bookbag while I run. In the winter, though, I'm protected by Burton Fleece.

- The cuffs have zippers, which is great for mannual temperature regulation. It helps a lot to vent out excess heat when I'm running in cold weather. The regular front zipper's great for that also.

- The fleece itself is warm. It's thick but doesn't leave you too hot - just nice no matter how cold it is.

Nov 10

FUEL:
715: Half a Block of Tofu, Brown Rice, and Tomatoes w/ Curry Powder, Garam Masala, and Cayenne; 1% Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread (g)
1200: Red Grapes & Watermelon; Black Bean Soup; Mixed Greens w/ Carrots, Broccoli, and Onions; Oatmeal w/ Cinnamon; Tea; Chocolove 73% Dark
600: Apple; 2 x Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Wild Berry Fruit Spread
745: WW Pita w/ Almond Butter & Wild Berry Fruit Spread
1100: Tofu, Onions, Ginger, and Edamame; Skim Milk; 3 x Carrot Spice Muffins w/ Almond Butter (g)

Sleep does wonderful things to horomones that affect appetite.

FIT:
Rutgers Tournament... sprained ankle again. That's the end of running for a while. Such a supportive team, offered clothes, hugs, jokes, blankets, rehab tips, encouragement, hand-warmers, food, errands, ride home.

FUN:
Worldview Conference Intermission Sing
Lunch w/ TT

Nov 9

FUEL:
1030: Brown Rice and Tofu in Tomato Sauce w/ Onions; Almond Bread topped w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread (g)
245: Skim Milk; Peanut Butter; 2 x Sprouted Grain & Legume Bread w/ Almond Butter & Fruit Spread (v)
715: Daal; Kidney Beans w/ Tomato Sauce; Soy Milk; 73% Chocolove Dark OG Chocolate
1215: 2 x Carrot Spice Muffins w/ Almonds & Peanut Butter (g)

FIT:
2-mile Time Trial w/ SS: 13:39> Quarter Splits: 1:34, 1:42, 1:42, 1:43, 1:43, 1:44, 1:45, 1:40... consistent in the middle.
After the run, on the way to the Mailing Party, I started singing Holy, Holy, Holy really loudly and noticed a guy behind me turning into the stadium from around the corner. Slightly embarassing, but I couldn't stop singing then. We both moved towards up campus. I started running as a cool-down. I stepped over two ropes while running on the grass. Then, when I reached the place where the grass turns into pavement by Fine, I jumped over a relatively low chain, but I didn't clear it. It pulled my left shin back hard, and I went head-first down towards the asphalt. My arms broke the fall just enough so that only my lower lip barely touched the ground. My quads both got hit somehow by the chain, too. There are small bruises there, but the big bruise is on my left shin. And the guy saw it all.

FUN:
Worldview Conference Arch Sing

Nov 8

FUEL:
430: Tortilla Chips w/ Chile con Queso; 2 x Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Wild Berry Fruit Spread; 2 x Tofu, Almond, Onion Burger... not as good straight out of the fridge (v)
900: Skim Milk; WW Pita w/ Almond Butter, Wheat Germ, and 100% Fruit Spread (g)
1115: Apple; Tortilla Chips w/ Chile con Queso
1230: Chocolove 73% Organic Dark Chocolate
700: Black Beans w/ Corn, Tomatoes, Onions; 2 x Carrot Spice Muffins; Skim Milk
830: Persimmon
1130: Pumpkin; 1% Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread (g)

FUN:
Dinner w/ AM & JL

NOT:
Midterms for ORF311 and ORF405

Nov 7

FUEL:
800: Squash w/ Lentils; Green Tea
1200: Tofu & Brown Rice in Tomato Sauce w/ mushrooms & onions; Mini Tortilla Chips w/ Chile con Queso; Skim Milk; Persimmon
415: 2 x Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & 100% Fruit Spread; 70% Dark Chocolate w/ Hazlenut Toffee (v)
700: 1% Plain Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Mushrooms w/ Onions; 3 x Tofu, Walnut, Miso, Onion, other good stuff Burgers by BH... amazingly good; Rice w/ Almonds, Onions, seeds, herbs (g)
1000: Mushrooms w/ Onions; Pumpkin w/ Lentils, corn, rutabaga, carrots; Mini Tortilla Chips w/ Chile con Queso
1015: 70% Dark Chocolate w/ Lemon Flavor

Wednesday night cooks, truly an all-star team.

Nov 6

FUEL:
930: Pumpkin w/ Lentils, Corn, Peas, Carrots, Rutabaga; Kidney Beans; 1% Plain Yogurt
1230: Tofu & Brown Rice drenched in Crushed Tomatoes w/ Basil & lots of Cayenne Pepper
130: Optimum Rebound Cereal w/ flax seeds, almonds, bananas, soy nuts, raisins, green tea, peanuts, sunflower seeds, whole grains... a whole host of power foods (g)
445: Skim Milk
700: Wild Mushroom Risotto w/ White Wine & Fresh Herbs... by Frank... incredible; Kidney Beans w/ Tomato Sauce with Onions & Mushrooms; Soy Milk; Potato Leek Soup... great for a cold day
830: Vivani 70% Dark Chocolate w/ Lemon Flavor
1130: 2 x Protein Bread w/ Almond Butter & Wild Berry Fruit Spread (v)
1230: Peanut Butter (g)
230: Tortilla Chips w/ Chile Con Queso Sauce; Squash w/ Lentils

Nov 5-p

Endangered Species Dark Chocolate - delicious, variety of creative flavors, animal bio on the wrapper, 10% of proceeds to help endangered species

FUEL:
800: Shepherd's Stuffed Squash (w/ Rutabega, Lentils, Carrots, Corn, Peas)... perhaps one of my favorite foods now b/c it's amazing; Spicy Brown Rice w/ Tomato Paste & Lentils (g)
115: Stuffed Pumpkin (w/ Lentils, Rutabega, Carrots, Corn, Peas); 1% Plain Yogurt; 70% Dark Chocolate w/ Almonds and Cranberries
300: Protein Bread w/ Buttery Sticks; Hummus (v)
700: Skim Milk; Carrot Coins; Cod; Mixed Greens & Spinach Leaves w/ Black Olives, Sunflower Seeds, Cherry Tomatoes, Beets, Fine Herb Dressing, Cucumber, Craisins; Tea
730: Peanut Butter
945: Marinated Tofu & Rutabega (g)
1015: bit of 85% Dark Chocolate

Morale is low.

FIT:
Ulty> practice starts at 4, sunset at 455... so we had conditioning for 40 min in the dark. Fun obstacle course: accel from prone position, zig zag touch, 2-footed hops, one legged hop, swtich, piggy back ride to the finish.

FUN:
Good discussion w/ KJ on Heb 4.
Loving Daily Prayer.

FAITH: Sin & Forgiveness

Sin is sometimes hard to understand. What is it? It’s a transgression against whom? The topic can seem very abstract. This past week, though, sin and its effects became very real and penetrating, and I came to learn more about the latter question.

It’s probably safe to say that I don’t sin against people in a way that hurts them too often. This is in no way a source of pride. First, I know my own heart, and though I may not say things or do things that harm others, I too often sin against others in my thoughts and vainglorious judgments. Second, I don’t talk much, so there isn’t much opportunity for me to say things that are sinful. Also, I tend to be kind of conservative in my actions, and I’ll think things through, often too much, before doing them. Third, I sometimes hurt others through lack of action, like when I avoid some social situations because of fear or whatever, which might get misinterpreted as coldness or me not liking someone or having something against someone, or when I don’t stand up for people when others are gossiping or whatever else about them.

But yeah, I don’t usually do it, but this week, I sinned against someone for sure, and it was painful, for this person when I said something hurtful, and for me being convicted of my sin and the ensuing remorse, but I at least am learning much from it.

I never really understood how sin against others was so tied with sin against God. It was puzzling to me when King David said “Against You, You only, have I sinned…” in Psalm 51 when he had committed adultery with a woman, whose husband he murdered soon after. Seems like a sin-against-person thing, yet his poetic hyperbole was put there to highlight the significance of the sin against God. But in this week’s incident, it became clearer how sin against man and sin against God were connected. My comment was the anvil that broke the camel’s back during an occasion that was supposed to be about glorifying God and bonding in spirit with my brothers and sisters. But in one swoop, my smug and inappropriate comment hurt this person publicly. And on the God side of it, it made a mockery of all that the occasion was supposed to be and a violation of God’s most important commandment – to love God and to love others.

When I went to this person to apologize after realizing the hurt my words had caused, this person was in pain. This person meant so much to me, and I had long felt that I’d rather die than to ever have any part in causing this person pain, but I had betrayed this person. So I went into the room not long after the incident, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Nothing like this had ever happened between us before. So I apologized, and there was a long silence. I wasn’t sure what to do. Maybe the apology just wasn’t enough. It was just words, sincere for sure, but still, they were just words, like the comment was just words. Should I show my sincerity by getting on my knees as an act of contrition? Should I go back out and offer to leave the person alone for a while? I would have fully deserved being cast out after that betrayal. (I’m being sort of vague about details and am consciously trying to maintain confidentiality while being able to share these insights. Also, if the diction I chose seems like a tempest-in-a-teapot, I want you to know that I really do consider these events to be as weighty as I make them out to be.)

But the person responded with grace and forgiveness and openness about how the words hurt. Last year, I grappled with what it meant to forgive others, whose actions from the past (both recent and far off) still caused me pain and anger (= desire for vengeance). One definition of forgiveness (another term that’s hard to understand) that I found useful was “being willing to bear the pain caused by the sins of others without holding grudges or willing that the offender be punished for her actions”… or something like that. But now, being at the receiving end of forgiveness, I understand this concept more clearly. There was much pain – from humiliation and betrayal. But it was borne so that the friendship could be restored. Thank goodness. I don’t think I could have slept that night if I had been asked to leave the room or if things were not right between us. But there was grace. We ended up talking for a long time and leaving the room closer than we were before.

We talked about sin against man being an indicator of the greater sin against God, so it’s only fitting that I describe how forgiveness from man is a reflection of forgiveness from God. Jesus bore the pain and punishment for all of our sins on the cross. All we need to do is recognize our sin, confess it, repent of it, and receive the forgiveness that God, the one we sinned against, can give. Why does he do it? He is a loving and merciful God who wishes that none would perish.

Psalm 51:1-17

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Nov 4

FUEL:
900: Carrots & Red Beans in Tomato Sauce (strange combo); bit of Protein Bread
1130: Optimum Rebound Cereal (v)
200: Peas, Tofu, Zuchinni, Edamame, and Ginger; 1% Plain Yogurt (g)
430: Green Tea... help me not feel sick anymore! (Probably just the body's reaction to suddenly cold weather after it got so used to MI warmth)
700: Squash & Pumpkin stuffed w/ Lentils, Corn, Peas, and Carrots; 2 Oatmeal Cookies
1000: Some Spicy Brown Rice; Peas, Tofu, Zuchinni, Edamame, and Ginger; Squash stuffed w/ Lentils, Corn, Peas, and Carrots (g)

FIT:
LR> 50ish min, to Wholefoods, where I got just under 19 oz of Chocolate. On the way there, I was running by some apartments with some people talking outside, and a dog comes and bites the arm of my jacket, which I had thankfully taken off and kept draped over the bottom of the armstraps where the straps connect to the bag bottom. It pulled the jacket out of there before the owners stopped the dog. In those moments when the dog was barking and chasing after me, I kept thinking, "is this going to be my last run for a while? Is this the time my leg will get mangled?" It was scary.

FAITH: Immortality

It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no 'ordinary' people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilisations -- these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whome we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit -- immortal horrors or everlasting splendours. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously -- no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption. And our charity must be a real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of which we love the sinner -- no mere tolerance or indulgence which parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment.

--C. S. Lewis, From The Weight of Glory.

One thought that really struck me during a Bible Study at the Katrina volunteer center was that people are immortal. I can't say it any better than Lewis. I'll only add some thoughts from Rick Warren. When a person's dying, they don't want or find comfort in being surrounded by their old trophies. Those are just thihngs, things that rust and break and are so easily erased from memory by time. In their dying moments, people want to be surrounded by the people they care about. People are what matter. I should be more concerned about investing time in people. These choices and relationships have eternal implications and deserve the effort and time that are due.

Nov 3-p

FUEL:
645: Peanut Butter; 2 x Special K MiniBox; Black Cherry Tea
1245: Turkey Sandwich w/ Tomatoes & Iceberg Lettuce; Nacho Cheeser Doritos (g)
430: Nature's Path Rebound Cereal
515: Mini Pretzels
800: Nature's Path Rebound Cereal
1200: Spicy Brown Rice w/ some sort of Legume; Tofu, Peas, Zuchinni, and Edamame; 1% Yogurt; Hummus (g)
115: 72% & 85% Dark Chocolate

Back home, and it's good to have real food again.

FUN/FAITH:
Gulf Coast Sunrise w/ BM, JL, DL, MH, Wisconsin, KB, AMc> DL reading Psalm 24 (it happened to be where he was on with his reading)- incredible relevance as we looked out at the water. BM swimming out into the sunrise on a whim. Dolphins playing in the water. Like KB said, it's especially after moments like that when you know for sure God exists, as evidenced by the majesty of his creation, a reflection of his glory.

Nov 2

FUEL:
800: 2 x Peanut Butter on WW Toast; 1/2 Grapefruit; 72% Dark Chocolate (3i)
100: Salty Tomato Basil Soup; Cheetos; Honey Wheat Braided Twists (2i)
715: Spinach, Celery, Onions, Tomatoes, Carrots, Cucumber, FF Ranch Dressing; Cottage Cheese
1000: Peanut Butter on WW Bread; 72% Dark Chocolate; Marshmallows toasted on campfire

FUN:
Drywalling Windows.
Campfire, talking about missions.

Nov 1

FUEL:
800: 2 x Special K w/ Skim Milk; some Peanut Butter; some 72% Dark Chocolate (3i)
1245: 2 x Toast w/ Peanut Butter, Cinnamon, and Honey; Tangerine; Broccoli w/ Nuts, Seeds, and Raisins (2i)
700: Parsley Buttered Potatoes; Lots of Green Beans; Skim Milk; 3 scoops Vanilla & Chocolate Ice Cream (2i)
1200: Peanut Butter; Baked Doritos (v, g)
200: 2 x Peanut Butter on WW Bread

FUN:
Drywalling Windows.
Thank You Poster for CLC Staff.

Oct 31

FUEL:
730: Pineapple; Skim Milk; 1/2 and Orange; 2 x Peanut Butter on WW Toast (3i)
1230: Tuna, Celery, and White Rice Salad on Iceberg Lettuce; Apple
100: 70% Dark Chocolate w/ Almonds (2i)
445: Skim Milk; Tangerine
530: Turnip Greens; Sweet Potato; 2 x Fried Catfish; Stewed Tomatoes (2i)
800: Lots of Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips; 2 Marshmallows toasted over campfire
900: Peanut Butter (g, v)
1030: Skim Milk

FUN:
Mopping, Painting.
Watching kids and Katrina team at "Fear Factor" Harvest Festival competitions, campfire. Impressive & surprising gutsyness.
Arm Wrestling (Lefty) w/ KJ to determine whether or not I had to go to bed. After a stalemate that produced long-lasting finger imprints, I lost. So now I'm brushing my teeth.

Oct 30

FUEL:
730: Skim Milk; Grapefruit; 1/3 Banana; Special K (i)
100: Baked Nacho Cheeser Doritos; Turkey Sandwich w/ Tomatoes, Lettuce, Miracle Whip; Honey Wheat Braided Twists (3i)
700: Thai Chicken; White Rice; Peas & Carrots; Rootbeer Float (3i)
800: Skim Milk; Peanut Butter (g, v)

FUN:
Painting exterior.
SVC Visitors.

Oct 29

FUEL:
730: Skim Milk; 2 slices WW Bread; Red Grapes (i)
100: Vegetable Soup; Lots of Optimum Rebound Cereal (g)
215: 70% Dark Chocolate w/ Almonds (v)
400: Skim Milk
700: Tuna Sandwich w/ onions & Tomatoes
915: Walnuts
1130: Apple

FUN:
Scraping, Sweeping.
Sign "Football."
Praise God for each of the people on the team.

Oct 28

FUEL:
1035: Optimum Rebound Cereal
1145: Skim Milk (g, v)
415: Pear; Walnuts; Skim Milk
100: Optimum Rebound Cereal
600: 2 slices WW Bread; Popcorn w/ Olive Oil & Mrs. Dash
815: Tuna; Apple; 70% Dark Chocolate w/ Almonds (g)
930: White Tea (less caffine & more Aox's than even green tea!)
1045: Optimum Rebound Cereal

FIT:
Slooooow 2-miler.

FUN:
Beach> Coyote game, getting burried, 2-mi power-walking pace run.
Leading worship at church w/ TC & JL & AMe.
Anagrams (boggle scoring choosing 1 word from a dictionary, finding as many words as you can from it) w/ JL, TC, AMc.

GEAR GUIDE: Ironman Flix Lap Watch

FEATURES:
Green Color INDIGLO® night-light
FLIX System: hands free INDIGLO night-light > useful for bike rides at night, racing to precepts on time
All-day-white reflector display
30-lap memory recall > will be good for track
Top pusher for easy lap/split > good for track
99-lap counter
Forward/backward setting > speedy setting
Built-in setting reminders
Customizable mode set: > can keep out features you won't use
Occasion mode: 15 preset occasions
3 alarms: daily/weekday/weekend/weekly
3 time zones > a little excessive - who uses these? really!... well, maybe world-class athletes who travel abroad for competitions
24-hour countdown timer with countdown/stop and countdown/repeat > good for abs workout timing
100-hour chronograph with lap or split option either in large digits > intervals
6 year battery life**
Water-resistant 100m

Oct 27

FUEL:
515: Protein Bread w/ Hummus; Skim Milk (v)
730: Protein Bread w/ Hummus
1215: Moe's Tortilla Chips & Salsa; Protein Bread w/ Hummus; Apple; Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffin
300: Walnuts
600: Nature's Path Rebound Cereal
700: Bombay Veggie Burger
1130: Mandarin Orange Green Tea; 2 x Protein Bread w/ Hummus (lots of that today); 70% Dark Chocolate w/ Almonds... antioxidants, heal my knee!
145: Turkey

FUN:
Flying out to Waveland, MI.
Playing w/ Mark's kids.

Oct 26

FUEL:
1215: Mixed Greens w/ Feta, Sunflower Seeds, Carrots, Edamame, Craisins; Hummus; Turkey; 3 glasses of Tea; Toasted Multigrain Bread w/ bit of Parm; Red Grapefruit
445: Tofu, Celery, Mushroom, Onion, Tomato; Skim Milk
615: Slice of Papa John's Veggie Pizza; Garden Salad; Grapes
1215: Spicy Brown Rice & Chickpeas; 1% Yogurt (v)
130: 70% Dark Chocolate w/ Almonds (g)

FUN:
Lunch w/ CL & AC.
PEF w/ BM.
Sparta Party > sword, 2 shields.

Oct 25

FUEL:
800: Protein Bread w/ Buttery Sticks; Skim Milk; Sweet Mushroom & Peas; Chickpeas in Potato Sauce (i = ibuprofen)
930: 85% Dark Chocolate
1230: Plain 1% Yogurt; Sweet Peas & Mushrooms; Celery, Tofu, Tomato, Onion, and Mushrooms; Protein Bread w/ Cinnamon
100: Walnuts
200: 6 Oreos minus the filling
615: Mushrooms
715: Broccoli, Tofu, Garlic, Onions, Tomato, Cayenne, Mustard, Ginger; Brown Rice; Gingerbread (g)
1100: Organic Guacamole-flavored Tortilla Chips

Sooo exhausted today.

FUN:
Cooking w/ VC, who made highly-acclaimed gingerbread.
Pton Halloween @ Tower w/ Ulty Team.

Oct 24

FUEL:
745: Brown Rice; Celery, Tofu, Tomato, Mushroom; Skim Milk; Protein Bread w/ Cinnamon & Honey
1200: Plain 1% Yogurt; Brown Rice; Celery, Tofu, Tomato, Mushroom
1245: 85% Dark Chocolate (g)
330: Apple; Walnuts
715: Chickpeas & Carrot in Potato Sauce; Puffins Cereal; Skim Milk; Peas & Mushrooms
815: 85% Dark Chocolate
1145: All-American Flame-Grilled Boca Burger (v,g)
1230: Walnuts

FIT:
Ultimate... not much of a workout, taught rookies zone, have hyperextended right elbow.

Oct 23-p

FUEL:
845: Cabbage, Tofu, Corn, Carrot, broccoli; Protein Bread w/ Buttery Sticks; Skim Milk
100: Protein Bread w/ Buttery Sticks; Soy Milk; Tofu, Tomato, and Oregano; Marinated Carrot Sticks (g)
330: 70% Dark Chocolate
700: Celery, Tofu, Onion, Tomato, Mushroom; Buttery Brown Rice; Candied Carrots
915: Plain 1% Yogurt; Celery, Tofu, Onion, Tomato, Mushroom
1215: Apple; Walnuts (g)

Oct 22

FUEL:
745: Protein Bread w/ Buttery Sticks; 1% Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spead (v)
1245: Heap of Turkey; Mega Salad of Mixed Greens, tomatoes, mushrooms, edamame, hummus, sunflower seeds, marinated bell peppers, red onions, fine herb vinaigrette; bit of asparagus soup; Multigrain Bread w/ Cinnamon & Honey; 2 cups of Tea (g)
145: 85% and 70% Dark Chocolate
700: Skim Milk; Zuchinni, Tomato; Tofu, Corn, Cabbage, Broccoli; Marinated Carrot Sticks (g)
900: Tofu, Corn, Cabbage, Broccoli; Soy Milk
1000: Puffins Cereal
1130: Apple; Walnuts

FIT:
Smalltimate.

Oct 21

FUEL:
830: Protein Bread w/ Buttery Sticks; 1% Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread (v)
1215: Mixed Greens w/ carrot, Mushrooms & Italian Dressing; Lox and more lox; 4 glasses of Tea; Strawberries; Oatmeal w/ Cinnamon & Sugar
415: Walnuts
700: Spicy Seitan & Broccoli; Skim Milk (g)
815: 2 x Protein Bread
930: Apple
100: Skim Milk; Cabbage, zuchinni, and corn; Protein Bread w/ Buttery Sticks; Oat Bar w/ walnuts, chocolate chips, raisins; 70% and 85% Dark Chocolate (actually prefer the taste of 85%)

I have my bike again! Feels great. You go so fast on bike!

FIT:
BM Track Pyramid> 4x100, 3x200, 2x400, 1x800, 2x400, 3x200, 4x100. Killer workout w/ Killer. Would've quit after the 2nd 400 had she not been there. 2.75 mi + warmup/cooldown runs, inter-sprint jogs. Left quad feeling it, maybe b/c that one's not used to doing all the lunges the right one does. Body feels energetic afterwards, though. I got owned on the short distances. Slower 400 times than last wk (1:24 vs 1:22). Been sleep-deprived for a while now. Maybe that's it.

FUN:
Hanging out at 28.5

Oct 20

FUEL:
1000: Egg White Omlette w/ Broccoli, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Chives; Soy Milk; Protein Bread w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
1100: Oat Bar w/ chocolate chips, raisins, and walnuts (g)
200: Veggie (Cabbage, Tofu, Mushroom, Carrot, Onion, Zuchinni) Stew; 1% Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
500: Oat Bar w/ chocolate chips, raisins, and walnuts (g)
730: Freshly Baked WW Bread; Black Beans & Broccoli; Rice w/ Daal; Cabbage & Zuchinni; Oat Bar w/ chocolate chips, raisins, and walnuts
1130: Black Beans, Broccoli, Tofu, Tomatoes; Skim Milk; 70% Lindt Dark Chocolate
200: Peanut Butter; Oat Bar w/ chocolate chips, raisins, and walnuts (v)

FIT:
Ultimate> 50 min walk round trip to West Windsor, ridiculous. Don't be afraid to try to break my mark- I have the throw... well, it's probably much harder in game situations, since my target won't be standing still w/o a defender on her. I could at least try.

Oct 19

FUEL:
800: Protein Bread topped w/ Buttery Sticks; 1% Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread (g)
1130: Tofu, Peas, Tomatoes, and onion; Cabbage, Eggplant, and Onion; Carrot, Zuchinni, and Onion; Protein Bread w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread
415: Skim Milk
600: Peanut Butter
700: Veggie Pot Pie; Peas, tomatoes, onions; Soy Milk
945: Tortilla Chips
1230: Cabbage, Eggplant, Onion; 1% Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Oat Bar w/ raisins, chocolate chips, walnuts (g)

FIT:
45 min Abs w/ VC

FUN:
Wildcats Arch w/ Carnegie Melon.

Oct 18-p

FUEL:
945: Tofu, Broccoli, and onion; Cabbage Slaw; 1% Yogurt w/ wild berry fruit spread
100: Cooked Spinach; Turkey; Mixed Greens w/ Edamame, sunflower seeds, Fine Herb Dressing; Toast w/ ff Cream Cheese; Red Pepper Hummus; Black Bean Hummus; Tea
445: Soy Milk
700: Green Peas, Tomatoes, Onions, and Tofu w/ Corriander & Garam Masala; Seasoned and baked Zuchinni & Carrot; Sweet Stir-Fried Tofu, Broccoli, and Onion
930: Apple; Walnuts (g)
1130: Protein Bread w/ Buttery Sticks (v)
130: Broccoli, Tofu, Mushrooms, and onion; Soy Milk; Puffins Cereal
300: Peanut Butter

Sooo sleepy today - not sleeping this week has caught up on me.

FUN:
Cooked Green Peas, Tomatoes, Onions, and Tofu w/ Corriander & Garam Masala - such a good stress-reliever.
Daily Prayer Meeting - another great stress-reliever, refocuser on what's important.

Oct 17

FUEL:
830: Walnuts; Skim Milk; Eggplant, Onion, Cabbage (g)
115: Tofu, Diced Tomatoes, and Oregano; 2 x Protein Bread ttopped w/ Buttery Sticks
715: Rice, Cucumber, and Tofu; Skim Milk; Mushrooms; Broccoli, Tofu, and Onion; 3 Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
1130: 2 Plums; Tofu, Broccoli, Onions, Mushrooms; 3 Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies; Soy Milk

FIT:
Ulty> I'm going to have to ask for an alternate punishment next time - lunges and squats aren't kind to my knees, which have been sufficiently abused in the past. Fun practice, though.

Oct 16

FUEL:
945: Mashed Potato-like Cabbage, Onion, and Eggplant; Skim Milk
1045: Banana Bread (g)
100: 3.5-serving bag of Cheddar Soy Crisps
300: Banana Bread
700: Skim Milk; Swiss Chard; Tofu & Cabbage; some banana bread; Brown Rice mixed w/ Veggies
1145: Cabbage, Onion, Eggplant; 1% Yogurt w/ Wild Berry Fruit Spread; Banana Pie; Green Tea (g)
100: Peanut Butter; Plum

FIT:
Almost-a-BM-Track-Workout> 4x100, 2x200, 2x400, 1x800, 2x400, 2x200, 4x100. Sexy, sexy Spartans: KR (beat me in the last 2 100's), ML (far exceeded those who came to the last session)

FUN:
Ulty meeting.
Soloing for I Worship You.
915> left for 2d; 10am> psych class - listen to lecture while writing essay while emailing a/b ks craziness; 11am> phi class; worked on essay at Frist & grabbed lunch of soy crisps; 130 class; 300 class; 445 sprint practice; 615 essaying; 630 2d; 730 precept; 830 ulty meeting 930 ks practice; 1145 2d... and now, finish essay, start and finish econ pset.