I always swore I would never be one of those girls who gained weight when she married. I used to wonder what changed that would cause such drastic changes in a girl's waist line. Well, now I know...a lot. I have noticed that some of my pants are fitting tighter and that I am a little softer around the middle than the day I married last year. Some of the contributing factors? I can't say for sure, but here are some guesses: I used to eat really unusual meals at times. For example, I love canned spinach (gasp!). Probably 3 times a week I would have a can of spinach and a salad or other vegetables for dinner. As a married woman who actually loves her husband, I don't think I could submit Abraham to that kind of dinner. The problem is, the food is often so good I eat more OR the things I make are probably higher in fat than the throw together meals I used to make. Not to mention, Abe is an amazing cook who loves making desserts! Secondly, there is a lot of stress that comes into marriage and starting a new life together --the wedding, moving in, establishing your sock drawer and a routine, etc. Not to say it has been bad, but big life changes mean big stress.
So, I have decided to improve upon my waist line once again through a bigger emphasis on health. This week we bought over $20 in produce (I hope we can eat it all before it goes bad). I even bought a jicama to expand the variety. I am now looking for healthy meal alternatives. Any ideas? Today I made a split pea soup and some bread bowls but I need more ideas for lower-fat, lower-cal, more veggie diets. Please share your ideas. You may have noticed that Abe's cooking blog, IronSheff, contains mostly yummy treats!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Countdown
The new Twilight book came out today. It seems all of my friends have been counting down the days. I guess even my mom pre-ordered the book. Kind of surprised me! Are you reading the book today?
I would like to read it eventually. I think I can wait a few days to borrow someone else's copy. My big question is, will Bella become a vampire or not? I'm not sure I want her to...too many questions in the air...would she really be happy, could she control her appetites, give up her family?
I would like to read it eventually. I think I can wait a few days to borrow someone else's copy. My big question is, will Bella become a vampire or not? I'm not sure I want her to...too many questions in the air...would she really be happy, could she control her appetites, give up her family?
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Back to School
Today was our first day back in the clinics. They keep telling us to "get your ducks in a row," that our patients will judge us not on our dentistry but on how organized we appear. Unfortunately, I don't think I have ever been an organized person. I think I have a few rogue ducks in hiding, waiting to ambush my row at an in-opportune time. I decided I better really try to overcome this weakness. The solution: three ring binders.
All of my organized friends use them. There are cute dividers you can use, sticky notes, and other accessories such as the in-the-binder three ring hole puncher. Previous attempts to be organized have ended with my binder lost in my room with a lone syllabus and my papers and notes crumpled in my bag. I decided to motivate myself this year by buying fun and colorful teal and lime green metallic or "durable" notebooks instead of my typical "economy." What a splurge! I even got some of the pretty colorful, translucent pocket-tab dividers...and the hole puncher. Wow. It cost a fortune so I hope I will follow through.
Then again, I didn't punch anything or file it today. I guess old habits are hard to break.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
E. S(c)heff Confusion
I've been lucky. Somehow, for probably the first time in my life, there have been no Erins in my class besides me. Even luckier, no Ambers either (now people don't understand why I would answer to that name, but I definately definately would, and can you imagine the embarassment?). Also, no Jacksons in my class.
But, since I got married, times have changed. There is an Emily Scheff. Seems different enough, right? Yeah, except whenever people are making a quick glance (such as assigning patients, dividing us into groups etc), they often make mistakes. Worse is, often on the computer where patients are assigned or on roles it is abbreviated E. Scheff. People don't know that I have no C in my name so you can see the confusion. Erin Scheff, Emily Scheffield, etc.
Today we were assigned our units for the year. The group I was assigned to was different than my original assignment. I asked if this was okay. The instructor told me I was in group A (obviously) and he didn't know why I got so wrong to think I was a B (maybe because the list said?). I felt confused and a little dumb by the way he had acted like I messed up, and checked into my unit. About 20 minutes later, Emily Scheff pointed out I was in a left handed unit and she in a right handed unit and that she was supposed to be an A but was with the Bs. Yup, the instructor had done the quick abbrev E. Sheff and mixed us up. Thanks for making me feel like an idiot!
I have caught these mistakes quite a few times. How many times have I not caught it I wonder even more? Maybe that could explain some of my grades...I have a hard time believing the graders have been impeccable in their scoring.
But, since I got married, times have changed. There is an Emily Scheff. Seems different enough, right? Yeah, except whenever people are making a quick glance (such as assigning patients, dividing us into groups etc), they often make mistakes. Worse is, often on the computer where patients are assigned or on roles it is abbreviated E. Scheff. People don't know that I have no C in my name so you can see the confusion. Erin Scheff, Emily Scheffield, etc.
Today we were assigned our units for the year. The group I was assigned to was different than my original assignment. I asked if this was okay. The instructor told me I was in group A (obviously) and he didn't know why I got so wrong to think I was a B (maybe because the list said?). I felt confused and a little dumb by the way he had acted like I messed up, and checked into my unit. About 20 minutes later, Emily Scheff pointed out I was in a left handed unit and she in a right handed unit and that she was supposed to be an A but was with the Bs. Yup, the instructor had done the quick abbrev E. Sheff and mixed us up. Thanks for making me feel like an idiot!
I have caught these mistakes quite a few times. How many times have I not caught it I wonder even more? Maybe that could explain some of my grades...I have a hard time believing the graders have been impeccable in their scoring.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Hawaiian Breeze
We got a new fan a month or two ago for our bedroom. It has been great, we have somehow managed to go all summer without turning on our A/C. (Going green!...or maybe just cheap). It is called a Hawaiian Breeze. You know, kind of a cheesy name, but I think it is appropriate. I turn it on and lie on my covers, feeling as though I am on our honeymoon again. A nice, quiet, soft breeze. Just like Hawaii.
Problem: I think I have sleep disorders or something. I wake up almost every night in a panic over one thing or another.
This wonderful little fan has two red light sensors to designate the speed and mode it is set to. They look like two red, glowing eyes. I feel like a robot or alien is staring at me at night. I don't think ET is helping ease my night time stress much. It seems so silly but it does make me a bit nervous, on nights when Abe is away.
Problem: I think I have sleep disorders or something. I wake up almost every night in a panic over one thing or another.
This wonderful little fan has two red light sensors to designate the speed and mode it is set to. They look like two red, glowing eyes. I feel like a robot or alien is staring at me at night. I don't think ET is helping ease my night time stress much. It seems so silly but it does make me a bit nervous, on nights when Abe is away.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Concubine Rocks
My little brother Colt just released his first album! I am so excited to get my own copy. He and his band have been working together for years and have finally got some of their hard work together on cd.
Ever since he was a little boy, Colt has had a guitar in his hands. I remember my mom used to bribe him to practice the piano with guitar time. Weird! For every 15 minutes he played piano he could play his guitar for 30, or something like that. He is an amazing bassist and guitarist as well as a song writer. I think he is a musical genius. Not only can he rock, but he understands the theory behind it all which I've never quite got. No matter what we are listening to he can tell me if it is a rumba or a salsa and what time/key/instrument, etc the song is in. Overall, I think he is pretty amazing.
In junior high he played the National Anthem on his guitar in an assembly. Later that week a friend at BYU told my sister about this amazing guy who played at the junior high school, who wouldn't believe he was a junior high student (probably esp hard with the beard he has been growing since 6th grade!). In high school, he was a finalist in a battle of the bands competition at Muse Music from over 20 bands, mostly from college, and his songs are played on the local KOHS station, Utah's most popular alternative radio station. I am amazed at how much he has done musically at such a young age.
Congrats Colt! You can catch a few of his songs now on my blog, all written and performed by his band Concubine.
Ever since he was a little boy, Colt has had a guitar in his hands. I remember my mom used to bribe him to practice the piano with guitar time. Weird! For every 15 minutes he played piano he could play his guitar for 30, or something like that. He is an amazing bassist and guitarist as well as a song writer. I think he is a musical genius. Not only can he rock, but he understands the theory behind it all which I've never quite got. No matter what we are listening to he can tell me if it is a rumba or a salsa and what time/key/instrument, etc the song is in. Overall, I think he is pretty amazing.
In junior high he played the National Anthem on his guitar in an assembly. Later that week a friend at BYU told my sister about this amazing guy who played at the junior high school, who wouldn't believe he was a junior high student (probably esp hard with the beard he has been growing since 6th grade!). In high school, he was a finalist in a battle of the bands competition at Muse Music from over 20 bands, mostly from college, and his songs are played on the local KOHS station, Utah's most popular alternative radio station. I am amazed at how much he has done musically at such a young age.
Congrats Colt! You can catch a few of his songs now on my blog, all written and performed by his band Concubine.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Corn, corn, corn, corn, corn, what's that smell? Corn, corn corn corn....
Today was my first and final day of RAGBRAI 2008 (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa). At 7 am I was picked up by a friend who placed my bike on his rack and drove me to Abe's parents. From there, we made our way to Tipton, Iowa, not too far from Iowa City. We parked at the Pizza Hut and made our way through town and into the cornfields on small country roads.
It was exciting to see thousands of bikers, some wearing interesting shirts or hats. Some interesting participants included a guy who was rollerblading across Iowa and a guy without a seat (not sure why you would choose to do that!). There were "Bead whores" who left mardi gras beads along the trail and even a woman dressed as Waldo from the "Where's Waldo?" books with a striped red and white bikini top, goofy black round glasses, and a funny hat, and a group including a large man in pink jerseys and feathers.
Along the way we were greeted by our friendly Iowa neighbors and farmers who waved from their porches or yards or corners. Mostly, we rode through miles of corn fields, occasionally greeted by a familiar Iowa scent...pigs.
After our first 15 miles we stopped in New Liberty, one of the "bigger" towns. My friend Tim told me that all of the "Liberty" towns in Iowa were once refuges for slaves. Interesting. We bought some gatorade which I promptly dropped on the ground and continued on. After another 20 miles, we made it to Eldridge. We stopped with thousands of other bikers for a pork chop sandwich (delicious, actually, even after 35 miles of biking) and a banana. We met a couple actually from the town who seemed to think we were very weird for only doing one day of the trip (sorry we don't own a golf course and can take a week off whenever we want). Each town puts on a bit of a party for the bikers. This town had loud music, food stands, volunteers everywhere. They had rigged up special pvc pipe water stations and even fire hydrant water stations for bikers. By this time I was feeling great except for some chaffing.
Again, continued on. After about mile 40 I was beginning to feel it in my knees and my neck. We passed a small girl on a bike seemingly by herself and many Italians and some French riders. Some of the riders wore women's thong underwear OVER their spandex shorts...??? We stopped for "The world's largest horse...almost" which was a pretty horse but disappointing in size.
About 48 miles in we started hitting the hills. Good timing! (Nothing like some good hills right at the end to give you the encouragement you need to finish!) I was getting pretty tired. We passed over the freeway on I-80 which was extremely congested due to some construction ahead. I guess A group of friendly bikers decided to share the bruises on their bums to the drivers below, perhaps helping them feel grateful they were in their cars, even if they weren't going anywhere.
Finally, at mile 53.5 we made it to Le Clair, Iowa, where the residents cheered us on and met us with balloons and fireworks. The tradition is to dip your front tire in the Mississippi (after dipping the back 400+ miles ago in the Missouri River). I felt a bit like a fraud having only done a mere 53 miles so we found the car my father in law had left the night before and unloaded our bikes. By this time, my knees and neck were pretty sore and I was grateful to remove my helmet and gloves. We walked around a bit, ate some hot dogs and cake, and finally made our way home.
All in all, it was a great time. It was really cool to see so many people coming together, opening their towns and waving us on. It was also nice to see thousands of people exercising and enjoying a slower pace among the open air, silos, and pigs. I was proud of myself for doubling my daily mileage. It was a challenge but the weather was great and the company good. I am hoping one day I will be able to do the whole ride. I figure if the many old, overweight, young, etc people could do it, that I can probably make it too. We'll just have to get a team together and a bus, as well as a place to store our bus all year for this one week event.
An interesting piece of the heartland! I hope you get the chance to experience it sometime.
It was exciting to see thousands of bikers, some wearing interesting shirts or hats. Some interesting participants included a guy who was rollerblading across Iowa and a guy without a seat (not sure why you would choose to do that!). There were "Bead whores" who left mardi gras beads along the trail and even a woman dressed as Waldo from the "Where's Waldo?" books with a striped red and white bikini top, goofy black round glasses, and a funny hat, and a group including a large man in pink jerseys and feathers.
Along the way we were greeted by our friendly Iowa neighbors and farmers who waved from their porches or yards or corners. Mostly, we rode through miles of corn fields, occasionally greeted by a familiar Iowa scent...pigs.
After our first 15 miles we stopped in New Liberty, one of the "bigger" towns. My friend Tim told me that all of the "Liberty" towns in Iowa were once refuges for slaves. Interesting. We bought some gatorade which I promptly dropped on the ground and continued on. After another 20 miles, we made it to Eldridge. We stopped with thousands of other bikers for a pork chop sandwich (delicious, actually, even after 35 miles of biking) and a banana. We met a couple actually from the town who seemed to think we were very weird for only doing one day of the trip (sorry we don't own a golf course and can take a week off whenever we want). Each town puts on a bit of a party for the bikers. This town had loud music, food stands, volunteers everywhere. They had rigged up special pvc pipe water stations and even fire hydrant water stations for bikers. By this time I was feeling great except for some chaffing.
Again, continued on. After about mile 40 I was beginning to feel it in my knees and my neck. We passed a small girl on a bike seemingly by herself and many Italians and some French riders. Some of the riders wore women's thong underwear OVER their spandex shorts...??? We stopped for "The world's largest horse...almost" which was a pretty horse but disappointing in size.
About 48 miles in we started hitting the hills. Good timing! (Nothing like some good hills right at the end to give you the encouragement you need to finish!) I was getting pretty tired. We passed over the freeway on I-80 which was extremely congested due to some construction ahead. I guess A group of friendly bikers decided to share the bruises on their bums to the drivers below, perhaps helping them feel grateful they were in their cars, even if they weren't going anywhere.
Finally, at mile 53.5 we made it to Le Clair, Iowa, where the residents cheered us on and met us with balloons and fireworks. The tradition is to dip your front tire in the Mississippi (after dipping the back 400+ miles ago in the Missouri River). I felt a bit like a fraud having only done a mere 53 miles so we found the car my father in law had left the night before and unloaded our bikes. By this time, my knees and neck were pretty sore and I was grateful to remove my helmet and gloves. We walked around a bit, ate some hot dogs and cake, and finally made our way home.
All in all, it was a great time. It was really cool to see so many people coming together, opening their towns and waving us on. It was also nice to see thousands of people exercising and enjoying a slower pace among the open air, silos, and pigs. I was proud of myself for doubling my daily mileage. It was a challenge but the weather was great and the company good. I am hoping one day I will be able to do the whole ride. I figure if the many old, overweight, young, etc people could do it, that I can probably make it too. We'll just have to get a team together and a bus, as well as a place to store our bus all year for this one week event.
An interesting piece of the heartland! I hope you get the chance to experience it sometime.
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