Waterlogged App Winners

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Coco

Thanks to everyone who entered my Waterlogged App giveaway.

The winners are Jen and Carrie! Check your email for details.

Waterlogged Version 1.3.5 IPA App iPod Touch iPhone iPad

Happy Hydrating!

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Easy Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Coco

Even though I make dozens of fancy cookies with my friends at our annual Christmas Cookie Bake-A-Thon, my kids still want me to make a few batches of peanut butter kiss cookies. I really like them too, and since my friend gave me a recipe that is incredibly easy and makes scrumptious cookies, I am happy to oblige.

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

The hardest part is waiting long enough to pack them up without eating them all while they are cooling! Continue reading →

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I Don’t Need Excuses

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Coco

Last week was pretty rough. My eyelid swelled up like a sore thumb (I had a chalazion, which is like a stye, but not associated with an infection). I had a big work meeting every day, including one I was leading, one that involved a day trip to New Jersey, one where I was a speaker on a webinar, and one where I was the only presenter for an organization’s “holiday” meeting. All in all, my week was high in stress and low in sleep.

As I was talking myself through my treadmill workout on Tuesday, I thought of several reasons to cut it short.

  • My eye is swollen.
  • I’m tired.
  • I should get to work early.

But then I told myself:

I don’t need excuses.

Excuses are a dime a dozen, especially this time of year. There are more competing demands on my time, from clients wanting to complete their year-end business goals to friends and family wanting to get together for the holidays. I’m staying up later trying to get everything done, so of course I’m tired when my alarm goes off at o’dark-thirty for my workout.

But excuses won’t help me reach my goals. Excuses won’t ensure that my skinny jeans fit come January 1st. Excuses won’t keep me in shape for the four races in I’ve already signed up for in 2012. I don’t need excuses. Instead, I need to focus on my reasons for sticking with my exercise routine and (mostly) healthy eating.

Yes, I want to fit in my skinny jeans, but I also want to enjoy the holiday treats that are worth it. I may not be able to burn off every extra calorie I consume over the next two weeks, but I should be able to come pretty close.

Yes, I want to stay in good shape for my races, but I also need the mental health benefits of exercise, especially this time of year. Nothing clears my head of the Christmas chaos than a nice long run, even if it is cold outside.

So, I finished my full treadmill workout on Tuesday. And on Wednesday, I set my alarm early to squeeze in my elliptical and weights routine before I had to head to the airport. On Thursday, I walked on the treadmill. And Friday, when my eye finally was better, I went for a run. No excuses.  

Are you letting excuses override your reasons?

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Getting At The Heart Of Christmas

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Coco

Today is the fourth Sunday in Advent. In many traditions, this week’s focus is on love.

Did you feel the love at the mall, when you were hunting for a parking place and that family you waited for was just unloading their bags before their next round of shopping?

Did you feel the love at the department store, when you couldn’t find what you were looking for, but you found something else that would do, and you only had to wait in line for 45 minutes to pay twice as much as you were planning on spending?

Did you feel the love when you were up late wrapping presents and found that your husband used the last bit of tape and left just enough paper on each of roll so that you thought there was plenty left?

While I usually do get into the spirit of Christmas, I almost always find it hard to keep my focus on “the reason for the season” as the day approaches. My “to-do” list is dauntingly un-done, and I start to worry about whether I have done enough–bought enough gifts, baked enough cookies–to give my family a special Christmas.

When this happens (as it does every year) I try to remind myself of the lesson the Grinch had to learn:

“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.”
“Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more.”

As the narrator tells us:

Christmas Day is in our grasp
so long as we have hands to clasp.
Christmas Day will always be
Just as long as we have we.
Welcome, Christmas, while we stand
Heart to heart … and hand in hand.”

In these last few days before Christmas, I will be shopping and wrapping and cooking and baking, but I also will do my best to remember that the reason I am doing all of this is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with my family and to honor Him by proclaiming the Good News of God’s love for us all. That gift doesn’t need to be shipped, wrapped or decorated, and is perfect for sharing with everyone.

Prayer for the Fourth Week of Advent:
In our watching and our waiting,
Come Lord Jesus.
In our hopes and in our fears,
Come Lord Jesus.
In our homes and in our world,
Come Lord Jesus.
Come bless us and surprise us.
Amen

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Xmas Run

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Coco

Since I skipped my long run last weekend for my son’s wrestling tournament (Saturday)and my Christmas Cookie Bake-A-Thon (Sunday), today I did my first long run since the Hot Chocolate 15K. Because Christmas is only a week away, I decided it was time to listen to my “Xmas Run” playlist.  It’s an eclectic mix of fast-paced songs from various artists and compliation CDs.

Xmas Run
Christmas Wrapping (The Edge of Christmas)
Cool Yule (Rebel Pebbles)
Run Run Rudolph (The Edge of Christmas)
Dig That Crazy Santa Claus (Hipster’s Holiday)
Boogie Woogie Santa Claus (Hipster’s Holiday)
‘Zat You Santa Claus? (Hipster’s Holiday)
We Wanna See Santa Do The Mambo  (Hipster’s Holiday)
Nine Little Reindeer (Gene Autry)
Here Comes Santa Claus (Gene Autry)
Up On The House Top (Gene Autry)
Santa’s Comin’ In A Whirlybird (Gene Autry)
Santa Bring My Baby Back (Elvis Presley)
Sleigh Ride (Harry Connick, Jr.)
(It Must Have Been Ol’) Santa Claus (Harry Connick, Jr.)
I Pray On Christmas (Harry Connick, Jr.)
Last Month Of The Year (The Blind Boys Of Alabama)
Go Tell It On The Mountain (The Blind Boys Of Alabama)
Born In Bethlehem (The Blind Boys Of Alabama)
For Unto Us A Child Is Born (Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration)
Glory To God (Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration)
Hallelujah! (Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration)

It was in the 30s, but overcast. I wore the same long-sleeve shirt that I’ve worn on other 30-degree runs, but would have been comfortable in a thicker one. Not having that sunshine really makes a difference!

As I reached mile 6, I had to decide whether to head home for a 7 mile run or add an out-and-back spur for an 8 mile run. I had a sudden craving for pancakes, so I decided to run 8 miles and make pancakes for breakfast. 🙂

Garmin Data
Total Distance: 8.1 miles
Total Time: 1:16:45
Avg. Pace: 9:28 min/mile

Do you have a Christmas playlist?

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