Paula Deen

I have to add this one thing: Helena is OBSESSED with Paula Deen. She watches her cooking shows at my mom's house (Ga-ga has extended basic cable, which includes Food Network; we just have basic cable, which doesn't). When she sees a magazine at the store with Paula Deen (we always say her full name!), she wants to buy it. I found a bunch of Paula Deen clips on YouTube and she watched maybe 15 minutes, completely enthralled.

I'm not sure why she feels this way. Maybe because Paula Deen resembles the Fairy Godmother from "Cinderella." Maybe because she likes the idea of real cooking happening (doesn't go on all that much at home!).

Paula, thanks for being Helena's first hero.

July 29

So, I couldn't think of a clever title for this very small, random post.

I did the first leg of my Couch to 5K week 4. It required running for 5 MINUTES IN A ROW. This is very difficult for the slightly (or even more than slightly!?) overweight person who's two children and a couple of gimpy feet past running. Still, I was able to do it without being taken to the emergency room. That's something.

A couple of weeks ago, we had an informal Young Women's party here at the house. I asked the girls what movie they'd like to watch. I included "Steel Magnolias," of course, as it's a classic girl movie and an essential to every woman's film experience. They each looked at me as if I were from Mars and when we voted, NO HANDS went up for this excellent film. Clearly, my work is cut out for me. :) Actually, if I went back and watched the thing, I'm sure I'd realize it was totally inappropriate for me to show the YW, and hence not appropriate for me, either! I love it too much to give it up now.

I haven't posted anything about the kids lately, so here's my chance. Hunter is absolutely the cutest human being I've ever encountered. He has SO MUCH personality (as does Helena, although they're very different), which he augments with many different funny faces. He rarely puts his head on my shoulder but when he does, my heart melts utterly. He can say a handful of random words, including "Pooh," "cow," and "go?" (always said as a question, as in, "Can we go?"). He still likes baths, and is a fast little runner - especially when headed down the driveway into the street. He's aware of what's going on and seems pretty bright. So's Helena - maybe a little too smart!? - but she can also be sweet and compassionate. She's always worried about Sis. Nash from church. "Mommy, why is that lady sitting alone? Won't she be lonely? Will someone sit with her?" Then, when Ashley comes in and sits by Sis. Nash, Helena will say, "Mommy, that girl is sitting by the lady. Is she lonely now?" Helena and Hunter have started playing with each other now. In fact, Helena woke Hunter up from his nap today because she wanted to play with him on our new moon bounce thingy. I was upset by this, since it was WAY too early for Hunter to wake up, but I appreciated that at least they love each other. Later this evening, they were running around the house, screaming with laughter, and somehow Hunter hurt his little baby foot. He wouldn't put weight on it for about an hour. I naturally wanted to rush to the E.R. but Dan advised that we wait until the morning since nothing was swollen and the only time Hunter complained was when he tried to walk. After about an hour, he seemed to be back to normal. I'm still on Mommy Watch, though.

I don't know. I guess I'm in love with them.

My Dichotomy

I finished Week 3 of the running plan I've been working on yesterday.

I also made these for dinner:


(It's the bread-looking things on the left; I borrowed this picture from someone else!)

Puffed French Toast (Crystal Palace Restaurant - Magic Kingdom)

Serving Size 6

Ingredients:

4 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 each eggs
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 slices bread
oil -- for frying

Method:

1. Combine 3/4 cup sugar with cinnamon and set aside.

2. Mix egg, 2 1/2 tablespoons of sugar, salt, vanilla and milk until well blended.

3. Slowly add flour and baking powder and mix until smooth.

4. Cut bread diagonally into triangles.

5. Dip bread triangles in batter, allowing excess to drip off. Fry in hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Drain on absorbent paper towel. While toast is still warm, roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture.

I didn't do a calorie analysis, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the sweaty effort of one was canceled out by the delicious sweetness of the other.

Anyone else see a pattern here? :)

Running Down a Dream

Tonight I did something major: I finished week two of the Couch to 5K running plan. I think I've started this thing twice before, but this time - I've done two weeks! That's a big deal to me. This evening I ran on the treadmill, which helped my sore shins. It felt like less of a painful ordeal - yes, it's even getting easier! Not easy, yet, but better.

I've had some troubling health...well, symptoms, not really "problems," yet. But I'm scared into behaving in the food/exercise department! Hey, whatever it takes. I just want to do all I can to be available and healthy for my kids, as long as possible.

For all of you who were wondering what an "elephant ear" is, here's a photo, hastily taken - my first food porn!



It's really just fried bread dough, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Somehow, it's the most amazing thing - it almost melts in your mouth.

"Shame does not produce change."