On the Run! Day 1

WOW! That title can mean so many things! I really have been on the run, which is why I haven't been able to post much lately.  The title though, is mostly referring to my new training program.  I am getting ready for a half marathon in June.  I will be participating in the one at Sundance on June 12th.  I am pretty excited about it.  However, I think I psyched myself out a little and had a really rough first day for my official training.  Of course, I planned on starting today, even though I have been running for a while.  This morning, I woke up to bitter cold and wind.  It was so nice and cozy where I was and the thought of going out to run in the weather just simply didn't appeal to me.  Yet, it was my first day and I needed to get off my keaster and not be afraid to begin my journey....so I layered my clothes on, loosened my shoe laces, covered my ears, put my buds in and got the music goin....once I was done warming up and stretching, I was warm enough to want to go outside to feel the cool air.  Cool isn't really the word for it, but I will try to make it sound a little desireable!  The start of my run and middle of my run wasn't so bad....it was when the wind shifted coming straight at me where I began to struggle with the running part.  I felt as though Michael Ohre was shoving me backwards not allowing me to even move forward a little bit.  I finally caved and walked quite a bit of the last third of my route.  I will attempt it again tomorrow morning. 
I hear that once you have worked out, you should have some kind of protein within 90 minutes to help your muscles heal faster and recover better.  So of course, since I seem to be motivated by food on a regular basis, I cooled down and went in after a good hearty breakfast.  I sauteed some veggies, which included onions, bell peppers, cauliflower, brocoli, and spinach in a spray of olive oil, added two eggs and a small amount of cheese....it was delicious!  I also included some fresh strawberries on the side.  It was wonderful.  Took my vitamins and was off to get ready for the day. 
Well, I have about 8 weeks to be ready, let's see how I do, shall we?
Have a great day!

A Bit of Splash Colorful Tossed Salad

I love to add a splash of color to things for a better presentation....talking about salad here, life is good that way too though! Last night, my son liked my salad just fine...was in a hurry, so it was lettuce, grated cheese and ranch! Wooo hooo, what design, what style, what a BORING way to eat lettuce!!! Holy Cow!  Today for lunch, I decided to brighten up some fish sticks (I know, real gourmet!), with a beautiful salad!  I just took a head of romaine and chopped it up, rinsed and put in the spinner..then took the spinner out and just used the bowl for my salad.  Added, a small can of manderine oranges, a handfull or two of craisins, 2 green onions chopped, a handfull of chopped walnuts, a half a red apple cut-up small, a sprinkle of feta cheese, and a splash of Balsamic Vinegar.  Toss it all up and whallahhh! It was so yummy. It was fun to dress it up a bit for lunch and not hard to do.  Enjoy this idea - maybe it will make life a little more colorful today!

Imagine...

Imagine tomorrow, not just today
Imagine your lifetime, just a mometn away
Imagine your dreams, all coming true
Imagine rewards, all coming to you
Imagine your business, your family, your home
Imagine for each, you're never alone
Imagine success in all that you do,
Imagine results...It's all up to you.

Poem by Stephanie Barton
March 2010

The Difference a Coach Makes - Stephanie Barton February 2009

This is a poem written from my heart because I don't think it is easy to say all the words to express my gratitude to the men and women who have made a difference in the lives of my children through the years they participated in sports.  I appreciate them more than they will ever know - This poem is for them. Just a note, I had written this specifically for my son's wrestling coach and his coaching team, so it references the "boys" on their team and wrestling....I suppose I will need to come up with another one for all coaches which will include girls!!! For now, Coach Turner made a great impression on my son that he will take through his lifetime.  He was a great inspiration for him - Matt still looks up to him today.
Thanks Coaches!!!


The Difference a Coach Makes




The difference a coach makes

You may not really know

The changes that happen

The way our kids grow.



Through his guidance & training

The goals that they make

Commitment, endurance,

The will to take State.



The difference a coach makes

An opportunity he sees

To change a boys life

With the foot print he leaves.



The leader he is as he

Runs side by side

The example is set

For the boys who all tried.



For the times they attempted

To take every win

Sometimes the most learned

Is in trying again.



The persistence he teaches

The whole season through

Staying in focus expected

Every wrestler knew.



So the wins they all happen

Because of a man

Who coaches our kids

And tells them they can.



It’s not just for wrestling

All the great things they learn

It’s a lifetime of changes

And victories they earn.



It’s the future that’s theirs

They successes they take

The men they become

For the difference a coach makes.



Stephanie Barton – February 2009





Thanks to all the coaches who made the difference with my kids!

Mighty Meatloaf Supper!!!

This is a recipe I made up myself!!!
I have a large family who comes home for Sunday dinner every week.  That is probably my favorite day of the week as well.  I love to have my family all together.  I wish my son could come home from college a little more often to sit down with us for dinner too, but I will enjoy the times he can for now.

Mighty Meatloaf
Take about 4 pounds of ground meat and put in a bowl. Add 2 eggs, 1 8oz. can of tomato sauce, 2 cloves of garlic squished through a press, 1 chopped onion, salt n pepper to taste, and 1 box of savory herb stuffing mix.  Blend together and drop into a large cassarole pan and top with ketchup.  Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour.
Serve with mashed potatoes that have salt, pepper, butter, milk, garlic, parsley, and grated cheese mixed through them - you can put them in a pan and top with cheese and bake until golden brown if you want.
Don't forget the veggie of your choice and/or a salad to finish it off.
Hope you enjoy this dinner as much as my family did.  There were no leftovers on this one!

This too shall pass....

OK - the last week I have been down with a nasty cold that was just kickin' my tail! I am sure it is going around, and many will have to endure the same cough and congestion that I took on myself.  I decided that I just don't have the time to be sick!  I hated dealing with it...but I found there were some things that helped ease the symptoms for me....FIRST, a friend who brought me homemade chicken soup.  Of course that warms your heart and your spirit and I felt comforted with every spoonful.  Then of course, life did not stop for me while I was down for the count, and I had definately hacked up at least one of my lungs, so Vanilla Chai Tea was just the thing to help soothe my throat.  It was what I needed to get started in the morning, the pefect mid-morning relaxer, then of course it was a lovely lunchtime breather...if you can see how my day was going? After six cups of this wonderful concauction, I realized I was full of energy to get some things done around the house for my 5pm planning meeting, of which I was facilitating.  How wonderful that this tea I thought to be so medicinal was also full of caffeine!!! So as true to form, what goes up...must also come down - just in time for my own little zone center as I try to focus for what I was supposed to be doing at 5:15.  I am sure my group was wondering just what I thought I was doing. Not only could I not speak, which exhausted me at every effort, but I was also lacking enthusiasm.  This was obviously something they would have more likely witnessed a few hours earlier in the day!  Now I have to give credit where it is due. Musinex DM was the answer for my cough and congestion for the most part, I was able to at least sleep at night, so for that I was grateful.  I believe the meeting was at least productive, and although I didn't do much through the week while I was sick, for that one day...my kitchen, livingroom, and bathroom was clean!!!  What I do feel bad about, is that it seems when you are ill, you just can't help but spread the love...my poor husband is down for the count today - I hope these symptom easing tricks can work on him as well...for me - well, I am feeling like a new woman!

Recipes "paid forward" - thank you friend!

I have decided it is very difficult to think and write when your brain feels pickled!  We have been fighting off a cold for the last week or so, and the battle is not going well for me.  So I apologize in advance for not getting something on here more often, which is my goal.  I will work on that.
Now, a little order of business.  Obviously, I was not born with a wealth of knowledge, and have had to pick up things along the way.  My life comes, well...with a little help from my friends.  With that being said, I will constantly be sharing things which I have learned and helped me through life, recipes that are loved by my family, and tips/ideas for easier living.  I won't ever print your name withouth permission, however, if I do have your permission, I will definately share the credit....it is usually not mine anyway, it is rare an idea just jumps out at me in my own mind!  With that being said, I would like to thank my friend Sonie for providing me the Lemon Chicken Recipe and Manicotti recipes I share with you already here on my blog.  She was very kind to help me out when I just didn't know what else I could possibly fix for dinner.  Her brother is a chef and had shared these with her, so I guess you can say she "paid it forward".  I still have a couple of hers I will be posting later, so be watching for them!  For now, I can't say that I have much more to offer for a dinner idea tonight than cold medicine, lemon tea, and sleep!  So I will close for now, and write more tomorrow when my head doesn't hurt so bad! Thanks for reading!