10 Things That Happened During Dry January

So... I did it.  With just ONE drink after my marathon, I made it a total of 28 days in the month of January without drinking (I know the math's not quite right... I did drink on January 1 and 2).

It was an interesting experience, to say the least.  I'm pretty confident the last time I went anywhere close to 28 days with out alcohol, I was 20 years old.  I would assume this is pretty normal, for a 29-year-old who has never been pregnant.  Hell, I probably haven't gone a week without alcohol since I was 20 years old.  So what happen during those 28 days?

10 Things That Happened During Dry January

1.  I didn't lose any weight

You would think that cutting out all those empty calories for such a significant amount of time as four weeks would see the numbers on the scale plummeting, but it's just another example of how the scale is just ONE measure of health.  Sure, my weight fluctuated the four pounds it usually does, but basically, I hovered around my typical 130 lbs.  However, my pants DID fit better, an indication that some other health benefits were at work.  I did not attempt Dry January for the sole purpose to lose weight, so I didn't take pictures or measurements at the start, but my pants are really the only measurement I need right now.

2.  I didn't drink any more water than usual.

I don't like water.  So instead of drinking it to replace my alcoholic beverages, I just ended up pouring myself a glass of water and it sat in front of me while I ate.  Oh well.

3.  I had less decisions to make.

I try to be as intentional as possible when choosing my wine pairings for dinner.  Sometimes it takes a good five minutes for me to pick a wine.  If I ask my husband, make that 10 minutes (he's not the quickest decision maker).  None of that is necessary when you're not drinking wine.

4.  I realized how I connect some events with alcohol

We had a giant blizzard last weekend.  Whenever there's a blizzard, I always put Bailey's in my coffee in the morning.  The moment I realized I couldn't do that, I was incredibly sad.  Why?  It's not like I was going to drink enough to Bailey's to get wasted or even buzzed.  Clearly I don't rely on the taste of the Bailey's, because I probably only ever add Bailey's to my coffee five times a year.  Never the less, I was surprised how disappointed I was.

5.  We went out to eat less.

Our favorite restaurants are centered around wine and beer (Zinburger, anyone?).  Since I couldn't drink... we didn't go out at all.

6.  I had to find other things to do with my friends.

Ok, mostly just Rachel.  A couple times I thought to myself, "If Rachel and I can't hang out and drink, what would we do?"  That's sad.

7.  I became irritated with people who couldn't abstain.

I never want to think that I NEED alcohol.  Obviously, because that's kiiiinda like an alcoholic.  So, when people I was doing this with were really struggling or gave into temptation, it really annoyed me.  But of course, that's not fair.  Everybody's got their own shit and need to do what they need to do.  "You do you" as they say.

8.  I felt like I needed to stress to people that I wasn't doing this because I was pregnant.

I'm not pregnant.

9.  I read more right before bed.

Maybe because I wasn't always in that sleepy stupor that wine puts you in?  Anyway I've loved it.  I missed Harry Potter.

10.  I criticized my body less when I looked in the mirror.

This was the most surprising thing that happened to me over the last month.  I think it's totally normal (albeit not ideal or even healthy), for women to criticize their bodies from time to time.  Even though I didn't lose ANY weight (and frankly, didn't even work out that much, aside from running the marathon), I can't remember I single time this month when I stood in front of the bathroom mirror and tried to pinch the fat on my hips and stomach.  Yes, I do that.  Not every day, but apparently, often enough to where I noticed I WASN'T doing it this month.  Why do you think that was?  Because I really had less fat as a result of less drinking?  Because alcohol is a depressant?  Who knows.  What I DO know, is that even if I had lost 100 pounds, having a positive reaction when looking at yourself in the mirror is probably the BEST thing that could've come out of these last 28 days.

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

With January comes New Years Resolutions for a lot of people.  As you probably know though, my "resolutions" started on the day I turned 29 with my list of 30 Before 30.  This meant that January required that I try a new food!

Usually, I aim to try the new food in it's most unadulterated form.  That way, I really know how I feel about it before I start mixing it into things.  This time, though, I was inspired to try butternut squash during my search to find a healthier version of mac and cheese.

My friends on Facebook suggested the following recipe that is originally from the Team Beachbody Blog.

I got all ready to start, and realized I had no idea how to even CUT a butternut squash.  No worries, that's what google is for.

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Prep Time:  15 minutes
Cook Time:  61 minutes
Total Time:  1 hour and 16 minutes
Yield:  10 servings, about 1.5 cups each

Ingredients:
1 lb. dry whole wheat macaroni (or any kind of pasta shape)
1 tsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium red bell peppers, chopped
3 cups cubed butternut squash
1¾ cups low-sodium organic chicken broth
1 cup low-fat (1%) milk
2 Tbsp. low-fat (1%) plain Greek yogurt
1 cup shredded Gruyere (or Swiss) cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
Nonstick cooking spray

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375° F.  Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain and set aside.  While the pasta is cooking, I cut up the squash and chopped up the onions and peppers.  Next, heat the olive oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, then add the onion and bell peppers.  It should take about 4 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, for the onion to cook to translucence. Set aside.  Combine the squash, broth, and milk in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; gently boil for 22 to 25 minutes, or until squash is tender.  The milk might curdle a little, but that's not a big deal.  Be careful not to let it overflow!

Once the squash is done cooking, place squash mixture in a blender or food processor; cover with lid and kitchen towel. Blend until smooth.  I actually blended it in three separate batches, just to make sure it didn't overflow from my food processor.

Combine all the ingredients (squash mixture, macaroni, onion mixture, yogurt, and cheeses) in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper if desired; mix well.  Pour pasta mixture in a 13 x 9-inch ceramic or glass baking dish that has been coated with spray. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until sauce is bubbling.

We decided to eat this macaroni concoction with our favorite Buffalo Chicken Burgers (baked, since we were decidedly snowed in from two feet of snow).  I didn't realize how... orange our meal was going to look.

I was definitely apprehensive, as I usually am when trying a new food...

Final thoughts:  I didn't love it, and I didn't hate it.  I felt the same as when I tried spaghetti squash... it didn't taste like the original.  Even though it was orange and had some cheese in it, it really didn't taste a whole lot like mac and cheese.  And frankly, it took forever to make.  Cutting that squash was no picnic either.  Dan loved it, so that's good, but I don't see myself making it again soon.

75 Ways to Spend a Sober Snow Day

Guess who decided not to drink during the month with the first major snowstorm of the year?!

THIS GIRL.

Can't lie, it's been tough seeing everyone's alco-haul (see what I did there?) that they've been preparing for this weekend's east coast slam of Winter Snow Jonas.

Also, did you know they named winter storms?  Now you do.

So anyway, here I am, determined to stick to Dry January... while it's decidedly NOT dry outside.  What's a girl to do?

1.  Sleep in.
2.  Read a book.
3.  Make a snowman.
4.  Deep clean your kitchen.
5.  Deep clean your bathroom.
6.  DEEP CLEAN EVERYTHING.
7.  Do a workout you wouldn't normally have time to do.
8.  Make it a double day and do a second workout you really never have time to do.
9.  Take a nap.
10.  Light a fire (obviously only if you have a fireplace).
11.  Take a bath.  Light candles.  Play music.  Pretend you're at the beach.
12.  Play a board game.
13.  If you're alone, play solitaire with actual playing cards.
14.  Make a Dream Board either online (try www.picmonkey.com) or IRL with some old magazines
15.  Watch a movie
16.  Watch a movie series
17. Watch a whole series of a new show.
18.  Watch a whole series of an old favorite show.
19.  Call your mom.
20.  Call your grandma.
21.  Meal plan.
22.  Meal prep (if you have everything you need)
23.  Make an EPIC meal (breakfast?  lunch?  dinner?!)
24.  Youtube something you've always wanted to learn to do.  Start learning.
25.  Craft something.
26.  Make a gratitude list.
27.  Make a list of everything you want to do this spring.
28.  Make a list of everything you want to do this summer.
29.  Video chat with a friend or more!  Try http://zoom.us.  It's free!
30.  Build a blanket and pillow fort.  Even if you're sans kids.
31.  Online shop.
32.  Balance your checkbook (you know you haven't done THAT in forever)
33.  Do yoga.
34.  Listen to a podcast.  If you're looking for some personal development and entrepreneur topics, here are my favorites!
35.  Try meditating.  Youtube has guided meditations!
36.  Do a crossword puzzle.
37.  Put together a puzzle.
38.  Have a dance party.  Make sure you sing at the top of your lungs.
39.  Shovel the snow for a neighbor who could use the help.
40.  Have a snowball fight.
41.  Try some new fun makeup.
42.  Don't wear any makeup at all!
43.  Research some non-alcoholic drinks.  Make those!
44.  Write a poem.
45.  Do your nails.
46.  Set up a domino topple.
47.  Play video games.
48.  Play the Wikipedia game.
49.  Sign up for something you've always wanted to try.
50.  Organize your iTunes.
51.  Organize your iPhoto.
52.  Make a slideshow or playlist for a friend.
53.  Download an album you've been wanting.
54.  Download an album of someone you've never heard of.
55.  Research your heritage.
56.  Do laundry.
57.  Stalk some people on FB ;)
58.  Reconnect with one of those people.
59.  Drink tea.
60.  Learn astrology.
61.  Go through your closet and remove everything you haven't worn in two years.  Put it in a pile to donate.
62.  Clean out your inbox.  Or one of them.  I have like six.
63.  Run in the snow.
64.  Youtube puppies.
65.  Design your own t-shirt.
66.  Watch a TEDTalk.
67.  Write a letter to someone.
68.  Get lost in lists at BuzzFeed.
69.  Play quizzes at Sporcle.  They have every topic you could ever imagine.
70.  Have sex ;)
71.  Make a new pinterest board.
72.  Master the selfie.
73.  Learn to french braid... your own hair.
74.  Cuddle with something... a kid, a significant other, a pillow, a stuffed animal.
75.  Go to bed early!

What are your suggestions?

My First Marathon

I would be amiss if I didn’t start out this post by thanking everyone who supported me over this marathon journey.  From my first run in September, to my half in October, to my stress fracture in December, to this past Sunday, the outpouring of texts, FB posts, FB and IG likes, calls and everything in between.  It really shows that when used correctly, social media has to power to build people up and provide a supportive environment for any dreams and goals that people have.  Over the last four and a half months, I KNOW that I inundated the internet with pictures of my runs and workouts and quotes that kept me motivated, but STILL, instead of being annoyed, people went through all the emotion with me:  hope, encouragement, caution, disappointment, reassurance and finally overwhelming excitement for my accomplishment.  I felt everyone with me the entire time and it was everything I needed to get me through.  I hope that through this journey, I have inspired YOU to do something you never thought you could do AND to share that journey with others.

On Saturday morning, my Grandma and I drove into the city to pick up my bib and get acquainted with where she would be dropping me off the next day.  I purchased a VIP pre-race package, so I was able to spend the hour before the race the next day in a little café with heat, bathrooms and snacks.  It was probably the best decision I made.  As per a suggestion made by another running friend, I made a sign for the back of my shirt that said:  First Marathon!  What an amazing idea and HUGE blessing that was.  Before the run in the VIP lounge, I met a number of people who struck up conversations with me because of my sign. One woman I met was running her 32^nd marathon, but hadn’t run more than 13 miles in the last two years.  One man had just done the Arizona Ironman two months earlier.  Out at the start of the race, I talked to a man who was running his 60^th marathon over the course of the last 20 years!

I was surprised by how small the race was.  I can’t speak for the half marathon and 10K, because their starting line was at a different location, but I was in the very last corral, and it only took me about 10 minutes to get to the starting line.  In my experiences with races in Philly, sometimes it takes my corral 30-40 minutes to get to the front, and I’m not usually in the last corral.

I kept a steady 11-minute mile pace for the first half of the run.  I was really excited because I was on track to finish under 5 hours.  I could say that I didn’t have a time goal, but I really believe that everyone has a number in the back of their heads that they’re hoping to hit.  I was having NO foot pain and I was feeling really good.  So many people passing me saw the sign on my back and gave me thumbs up, high fives, words of encouragement and congratulations.

Things really started to slow down around mile 18.  While my injury was causing me no pain, the bottoms of my feet and my calves were killing me.  I was walking more and more and my 11-minute mile pace was creeping up to 11:05 and 11:10.  At one point, I expressed my struggles to a man who was trying to give me some encouragement.  He said, “You’re doing great.  Remember, you’re not the only one in pain right now… EVERYONE is in pain.  But you’re going to finish.”  That actually really helped.  He was right, everyone was in pain, not just me.

Around mile 24, I started running with a guy who had nothing but a pair of shorts and his bib on.  He started talking to me about where I was from, what I did for a living, and telling me a little bit about him self.  I am sure he was doing that to keep me distracted, but it was nice and it worked.  I was able to run another mile without stopping to walk.

I’m not a super sentimental person, but I absolutely cried when I crossed the finish line.  This race was, undoubtedly, the hardest thing I have ever physically done.  Thinking about the months of training, the set backs, and even the knee surgery I had just one day shy of 18 month before, I couldn’t believe I had done it.  I couldn’t believe my body physically made it through, but I also couldn’t believe I mentally allowed myself to take that risk.  I had a lot of time to think about what I was doing, a lot of time to convince myself I couldn’t, a lot of time to freak out and panic, a lot of time to back out.  But I didn’t.  Now, I really do believe I can do anything.

And if I can do it, so can you.

Dry January

I'm doing something I never thought I would do...

I'm participating in Dry January.

I'm not going to lie to you.  This is going to be one of my biggest challenges to date.  I love my [almost] nightly glass[es] of wine.  I love the taste of wine by itself and paired with food.  I love the socializing that often comes with drinking.  I love that weekend buzz.

But... I don't like how sleepy it makes me.  I don't like how the buzz convinces me to eat things I shouldn't.  I don't like the dizziness that comes with one too many, the rumbly, uncomfortable stomach and the obvious extra calories.

So I've decided that for the month of January, I will not have a single drink.

Are you interested in joining me?  Do you want to start the year off clean?  Are you looking to jumpstart your health and fitness, reset your liver, or just give yourself a bit of a challenge?

We are starting a PRIVATE group on Facebook TOMORROW, Sunday, January 3 so application is needed ASAP!  Just fill out the form below and I will contact you!

Fill out my online form.

Online contact and registration forms from Wufoo.