(A Big Sur Inspired) April Resolution

Do you remember counting down the last few seconds of 2008 and welcoming the New Year? That sense of rebirth? The glorious wave of relief coursing through your veins when you start over? What did you propose as your "resolution"? Save more money? Shed those holiday pounds? Use up some of that vacation time? Run a marathon?

Oh, by the way...

How's it going with that?

I'm not so good with New Years resolutions. I certainly dream of having it all... my health, a well fed savings account, weekend getaways, a working car, land in Montana, glowing skin, peace of mind, and a fired up social life.

But let's be honest here...it's just too hard to have all my ducks in a row. Work is stressful and I'm tired when I come home, so I'm lucky if I even get a shower in before I head back the next day. By Wednesday, dinner looks like tortilla chips and cold pasty noodles because I can't afford a microwave, and my dog is glaring at me because it's been a few days since she's been to the beach. The shame is too much to bear when I'm this cranky so I force myself to take a nap, hoping that things will be better when I wake up.

(they never are)

So please take my advice, and don't be so hard on yourself if those resolutions fell to the back burner! Life is hard!

Fellow blogger at The Kim Challenge is in the habit of making monthly resolutions and stickin' to em. A month is a far less overwhelming time frame to work with when you're needing to change a deeply ingrained behavior. So if you're feeling guilty for not being as superhuman as you thought you'd be by now, why don't you try a smaller goal? Baby steps, right?

This month, I've been inspired to make my own april resolution to soak up as much spring sunshine as possible! Spring officially started last month...but I didn't feel it until this past weekend at Big Sur. The wildflowers were in full bloom, the sun was shining, and there were SWARMS of butterflies!

That means,

Media Detox. (sorry Tina Fey...but we need to take a break.)

1. No more mindless surfing on the internet after work. It's pretty much sunny all the time here, and I sit in front of a computer all day long. There is no excuse to not be outside after the whistle blows. I am always a much happier person when I get more fresh air and sunshine.

2. This means getting a full night's rest so I'm not craving a nap after work...and missing out on crucial daylight hours. When we set up camp last weekend we shared some smores at the fire and then went straight to bed. It was probably 9 or 10 by the time we were asleep...and we were up by 7/7:30 without an alarm and feeling fully refreshed. I do enjoy watching marathons of the Office and 30 Rock, but I think it's making me lose sleep.

3. What better way to enjoy spring than with plenty of running?! With less than a month to go before the marathon, there's really no way out of this one!

Unlike most detoxes, this media cleanse will include blog updates.

Big Sur, je t'aime

Today Big Sur is no longer an outpost, the number of sightseers and visitors increases yearly...What was inaugurated with virginal modesty threatens to end as a bonanza...Big Sur may rapidly develop into a suburb (of Monterey), with bus service, barbecue stands, gas stations, chain stores and all the odious claptrap that makes Suburia horrendous.

-Henry Miller, from Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch

We spent this past weekend at big sur.

Bus service? yes. Barbecue stands? you betcha. Gas Stations? plenty. Chain stores? pretty close if you count Chevron. Odious claptrap? uh huh.

Look at this picnic.


oh yum! Looks good right?

Halfway through a block of manchega, we were asked to move. Apparently, that part of the Big Sur river is owned by the River Inn (hint: don't go there) and they do not want people to sit there unless they are ordering food from the restaurant.

We didn't let an uppity restaurant manager ruin our weekend...but it did leave us wondering if there is there such thing as a proper human relationship with nature.

Regardless, Big Sur is still beautiful. Yes, the frequency of hoaky tourists crawling all over the coastline was probably less back in 1954 when Henry Miller drank tea with his beatnik friends at Nepenthe... but I still feel the magic every time I'm there, and am happy to share it.

..........

Descending Partington Ridge, Homeplace to Henry Miller (1947), where he completed work on Plexus and Into the Nightlife

.......

A gusty Pfeiffer Beach

.......

a sandy and gross looking ginger

I had a great weekend soaking up the beach with some friends from the east coast. I am definitely going to miss this place...

Saturday: 11 mi
Sunday: 9 mi
Monday: 12 mi

homemade granola bars

Tired of the same granola bar everyday? Tired of all the mysterious ingredients packed in your afternoon snack? This recipe from The Kitchen Sink Recipes features two kinds of nuts and seeds, and makes a mean granola bar.

These are extremely easy to throw together and the recipe calls for many pantry staples, so a trip to the store may not be necessary!

You will need:
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup shredded coconut (i left this out)
1/2 cup pepitas
1/4 cup flax seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 cup whole almonds (or other nut)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup honey*
1/4 cup natural peanut butter*
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup dried cranberries (or other dried fruit)

Preheat the oven to 325. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Next, line a square baking pan (8 or 9 inches) with two perpendicular sheets of parchment paper that are long enough to leave an overhang. The sheets will form a “basket” for you to lift out the sheet of granola, before you cut it into bars.

Combine the oats, coconut, seeds and nuts; spread out evenly on the rimmed baking sheet and toast for 15 minutes.


When the oat mixture has been toasting for about 10 minutes, combine the honey, peanut butter, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and vanilla in a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. If the sugar dissolves before the oat mixture is done toasting, reduce the heat to low.


When the oat mixture is done toasting, transfer it to a large bowl and add the honey mixture and fruit; stir to incorporate.


Spread the mixture in the prepared square pan, using the back of a wooden spoon or bottom of a measuring cup to press the mixture into the pan and create a smooth, even surface. Bake the granola mixture for 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.


Using your parchment “handles,” lift the granola sheet out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Using a large sharp knife, Cut the sheet into one-inch wide bars. Next, cut the series of bars in half, lengthwise. Store in an airtight container.

*Be sure to let these bars cool completely before you start cutting them up.

it's a date

I found a new favorite breakfast.



Toasted Date bread with banana.


Dates are rich in carbohydrates, packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin E, potassium, iron and calcium.

Pairing a toasted slice with a banana is pretty much the grandest slam of potassium I could ask for.

The only drawback is that they are rich in fiber, so if you can't handle it pre-run, this may be a better post-run snack.

Running The Big Sur Marathon for Parkinson's Disease

There are an infinite number of selfish reasons to run, and I certainly have explored most of them. I grew up running around on a soccer field, through the woods, and on a track. Reconnecting with this part of my life since I moved to California has certainly rebuilt a huge part of my identity that sidelined when I started college. And of course, it's also been an excuse to travel, go to the beach, spend time alone (and with ginger), and to stay in shape.

Training for an endurance event is very hard work and extremely time consuming, and with just a month from race day, there are some moments when this process feels less like a fitness hobby and more like a part time job! I am sure that the physical and mental challenge of this race will be a life changing experience...and pushing past a manageable point of exhaustion may reveal a vulnerable, gross and unpleasant Lindsey at around mile 20. The payoff for this kind of work needs to be great, and that's why I chose to make this a fundraising event in addition to it being a test of personal endurance.

Without further ado, I dedicate this race to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease.

Through fundraising I hope to expand the efforts to raise money and awareness regarding a devastating neurological disease that affects someone near and dear to my heart. There are currently 1 million Americans living with Parkinson's disease and an estimated 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Unfortunately, there is still no known cause or cure. With the ban lifted on Parkinson's related research, your fundraising dollars couldn't come at a better time.

If you would like to donate, please visit my (secure) website.

Be sure to spread the word and thank you for your support!

loose training plans...err..what training plan?

I've prepared for this marathon with a really loose training plan.
It feels right to me...but I wonder if it's enough to prepare me for the distance ahead.

Well here it is .

1. Run atleast 40 miles a week. I can't say that I've met this goal consistently with the sprained ankle and the slew of colds that knocked me off my feet...but I'm usually around that number when you average it all out.

2. Eat a Banana everyday, or, most days. If you ask me, bananas are pretty much here for runners. Here are some of the benefits.

3. Eat more greens, for calcium! Sometimes dairy isn't the best idea when you're running everyday, so it's important to look for green sources of calcium. Add kale to your soup, steam it, or saute it with almonds, garbanzo beans, and halved cherry tomatoes (my current favorite).

4. Develop your hill muscles. Running at work leaves me less time to get in a good distance, but that doesn't mean it's not worth heading out. There are some great hills on campus, and the track is perfect for speed workouts.

5. Acquire a taste for fitness food. I can't run with too much food in my stomach, and I don't like things that leave a strong taste in my mouth (like gatorade..). I'm not too satisfied with the GU gels I've tasted, so I need to look for other food options that will satisfy me along the way. Is straight up peanut butter a bad idea?

6. Run a marathon before the marathon. I know that I want to run 26.2 before the big day. I know that there needs to be a hill at around mile 13, and lots of hills before and after. It may also be smart to simulate race day...(I'll be awake at 3:30 to pick up the shuttle to Pfeiffer State Park, and then have plenty of time to hang out until the start). I need to know what's best for dinner the night before...and what I can stomach for a pre run breakfast.

7. Keep it fun. I bring Ginger with me on most all of my runs. She's a great listener, keeps a good pace, and is always down for some playtime at the beach at the end of a long run. She offers a special strength that I wouldn't trade for the world.