Let them eat Fish!

Being raised Roman Catholic in southwestern PA, I am no stranger to fish fries during Lent.  I have visited many and definitely have my favorites  Today I read about no less than 15 different options for places to go for a fish dinner tonight. Some churches, some restaurants, and even some local non-profits are offering fish, seafood and other non-meat fair. Every year, I wait patiently to get my hands on some homemade pierogies (yes I know it can be spelled a thousand ways so I just picked one.) They are my absolute favorite Lenten favorite.


I struggle with the local traditions of seafood feasts and big fish dinners.  My god mother would be proud that I actually looked up the theology behind the Catholic tradition of no meat on Fridays.  In the past it was every Friday not just during Lent.  The purpose of abstaining from meat was one of penance.  I will include the definition of penance just because...


noun

1.

a punishment undergone in token of penitence for sin.

So I struggle with how indulging in fish dinners that I really enjoy and splurging on fish and seafood that I don't buy as much during the rest of the year is a penance.  I love fish, I love a lot of vegetarian meals. Sorry but not eating meat is not a penance for me. Maybe being forced to eat bologna sandwiches for dinner would be a penance. On the other hand, spending the day doing Laundry is a penance without a doubt. 

I will continue not to eat meat on Fridays during lent, but I have decided that another form of "penance" is  essential if I am to reflect of the true goal of the Lenten season . Extra  prayer, giving up something I love to help others. I have committed to each of those.  I realize there are other reasons that eating fish can be beneficial during lent. For me, I think of it in terms of What Would Jesus Eat?  Most likely it was fish! And after all the goal is to lead a life more like Jesus did right?? So if even just during lent, I eat fish more often just to remind me to lead a life more like Jesus who gave so much for others, I'm going to indulge.  

15,840 Calories in Two Days!

In February 1999, I achieved what many would think is nearly impossible. I burned 15,840 calories in just two days! This weekend over 700 students will achieve the same goal.  The calories aren't the benefit however, instead it is the health of others.  This year marks the 40th anniversary of Penn State's Dance Marathon or THON as most affectionately refer to the event.  What is THON?--A 46 hour dance marathon (when I danced it was 48 hours) that benefits the Four Diamonds Fund at Hershey Medical Center.  The Four Diamonds Fund provides support to children and families facing a battle against pediatric cancer. Throughout those 40 years, Penn State Students have raised $78,000,000 to support the children, their families, and research that we hope will some day lead to a cure.

For me, dancing in Thon has been one of the most memorable events of my life. I can remember every detail like it was yesterday.  Of course there are a few hours that I now know were from about 3 AM-8 AM on Sunday morning (you start dancing on Friday) that I don't remember at all, but the last hours are as clear as what I had for breakfast this morning.  Thon '99 One Step Closer raised just over $2.5 million!

I had met many of the children and their families and realized how appreciative they were. I cried as many of the families shared their stories. I laughed with many of the children as we danced and played games. I hugged parents with tears rolling down their faces as they watched their children laugh and smile.  Despite every amazing moment from dancing in Thon, after over 10 years, I only now am beginning to see the full impact that Thon has on the children and families that benefit from the Four Diamonds Fund.  For the past two years, I have followed the journey of a child of a fellow Penn State Nutrition Grad.  6 and  1/2 year old Emily, has been fighting Leukemia.   I have seen through her online journals how much the year round support  of the Penn State students have impacted their family.  The money raised is only a small fraction of the benefits from this event!  I urge you to take the time this weekend to think about donating to Thon.  At a minimum, I hope that you will pray for all of the children and families facing Pediatric Cancer especially Emily!  And please pray for all of the students and volunteers that make this event possible.

FTK!!!!

Let it Snow!

This morning I am sitting by the fireplace enjoying a cup of coffee looking out the windows at the falling snow.  My plan is to enjoy the winter wonderland with the kids and burn some calories.  Instead of staying in the house all day or just sending the kids out, join them! It might just be the workout you need and you can have a lot of fun while you are at it.

1. Build a snowman and burn 285 Calories.
2. Have a snow ball fight and melt away 319 Calories.
3. Make a bunch of snow angels and you can burn another 214.
4. Go sled riding and burn 408 :)
5. Shovel out your driveway and burn 340 Calories (I know this one isn't really fun)
6. Head to Winterfest at Nemacolin Woodlands and burn 340 calories skiing or snowboarding.

Heading outside in the snow is more than just a workout. Some of my best memories are from playing out in the snow. To this day heading out to "play" makes me smile.  For some reason, adults don't always let themselves have that fun. You can even try something unusual.  My brother thought it would be fun to take his kayak out in the snow and it was a blast. We had so much fun it felt like we were 10 again!! Nothing like fun to make all of the stress of being a "grown-up" disappear if even just for an afternoon.


Whatever you do, turn the snow into your playground. Have fun and get in shape while doing it :)

***The calories and activities are based on a 150 pound person doing the activity for an hour.

Super Workout!

Last night while most of you were pigging out on your favorite party foods, I decided to try the Super Bowl Workout challenge from Spark People. The idea of the workout was to make exercise a game while you watch the big game.  You can check out the link, but it included challenges like do 25 Jumping Jacks for every TD, 25 Squats for every time out, 20 bicycle crunches for every first down, et. 

Let me just say I should have started this challenge back in the preseason and done this workout every Sunday while watching the Black and Gold. It was a blast! I got a great workout in while watching the game.  Obviously it wouldn't have worked if I were at a SB party but I will definitely try it again.  I will admit that I didn't finish the entire game.  Three quarters was enough, I did have to get up in the morning and be at work by 7:30. I never fall asleep right after a workout!

This great idea just proved that you can find ways to fit exercise into just about every activity. You just have to give it a little thought and creativity. 

Ice Cream without the Guilt

This morning I had some bananas that were turning a little too brown.  That usually does not happen in my house.  I hate to waste them so I cut them up and put them in the freezer. You never know what you might be able to make with them.  I usually just throw them in a smoothie for AGL with some yogurt.

I had read something a few weeks ago about making ice cream out of frozen bananas in the food processor.  Of course I couldn't find the directions so I figured I would wing it.  I am so glad I did!!!! The result was an amazing tasting ice cream that both AGL & I loved and it didn't have any added saturated fat or added sugar.  The best part was AGL could help make it.

If you want to try our peanut butter banana ice cream, you don't need much--just a food processor.  Cut up your bananas and put them in the freezer.  Mine were only in the freezer for about an hour. I used two bananas. One for me and one for AGL.  Put the frozen bananas slices in the food processor. You don't need to add anything else.  Turn on your food processor until the bananas are mashed up to little pieces. Mine looked like the texture of smashed peas. Then stop and add about 1 TBSP of peanut butter for each banana you use. (I use natural peanut butter because I don't want the added sugar but you could use whatever you have.)  Turn the food processor back on and it will turn into a creamy texture just like ice cream.

FANTABULOUS!!! It was a creamy treat full of good nutrition without the guilt! It was a great treat and a great project to do with AGL.  I highly recommend it.  Next time, I might even add some cocoa powder :)

Dinner club at The Smokin Crab

Last night, my friends and I had our first dinner club of 2012. Our dinner club is nothing fancy. Just, a bunch of great friends getting together to try different local restaurants. It isn't really about the food. It's really about spending time and having fun with an amazing group of people. Food however, is involved. Last night we visited the Smokin Crab in Uniontown.

My goal was to try to pick something healthy. I had thought about a dinner salad but the whole point in trying new places is to try the food not just the salads. I did start with a side salad and it was Fantastic!

I opted to try the creole stuffed shells with shrimp. They were in a great red sauce. While stuffed shells would not normally be my "healthy" choice, a lot of the other menu items were fried, very high in fat or sodium. I ate half which was plenty. While the food was good my best advice is to SHARE. If you don't want to overdo it with fat and calories grab the salads and split your meal, you still might have some to take home.

Our waiter was great but too persuasive when it came to the peanut butter chocolate pie. As far as desserts go, this one was at the top of my list. I made it a point to only eat a few bites, share a bite with friends and take a few bites home to PCL.

It was a great night with great friends. The food was good and the company was even better. My recommendation is if you decide to eat at the Smokin crab, share. Your waistline will thank you for it!