TTC #3 // Reader Q+A

I have less than a week until my fertility consultation with my new doctor. I've gotten a few questions and general comments (via Instagram -- that's the best place to reach me these days) throughout my blogging about our desire to add another child to our family. I thought I'd do a quick post to hit on the major questions and themes. I'm trying not to dwell on it so much, but I also would rather get my thoughts out into the open.

Side note: I took this photo a REALLY long time ago right after I had graduated college. This pregnancy test washed up on the shore of Cayuga lake (don't pollute, people!). Seeing it felt so scandalous at the time. And now I've probably taken like 1,000 of these!

Q1: Why do you want a third child when you have two healthy kids?

This one came from someone who did not mean it in a flippant or disrespectful way whatsoever. It's a valid question, and it's one I ask myself on a daily basis. I've said it before, but I'll mention it again: We aren't trying for a boy, so that plays no role whatsoever. I do occasionally have doubts about my ability to raise three children, to afford them, to provide the best life for them. I waver. Sometimes I feel like it'll be amazing -- why worry? Other times I see myself falling short and think I should reevaluate.

There's just this tugging that both Stephen and I feel. I have chatted with older people who are well beyond their childbearing years. My own grandparents are included in this set. The resounding advice I have received has been to go for it. That we won't regret having another child if that is what we feel strongly in our hearts would make our family "complete". Some of these people decided against it and forever have wondered what would have been.

At the same time, we aren't dead-set on three at all costs. I have yet to get pregnant. I feel afraid I may have miscarriages again. And if that situation happens again, I don't know if I'll want to put myself or my family through it. What I can tell you is that going through such loss did strengthen our desire to add to our family . . . but it's a delicate balance to account for what we "want" and what is "good" for us. Does that make sense?

Q2: Have you had your thyroid checked?

Not recently. But that wasn't my issue before. It's something I'm asking about, and I do think it's part of the regular infertility workup.

Q3: Are you on X, Y, Z supplement?

I had been taking royal jelly and COQ10, but I've stopped all supplements for the time being. I was also practicing seed cycling but have decided to give that a rest as well. I had an issue when I was trying to get pregnant with Eloise where my ovulation wasn't happening until later than ideal (past day 20 in my cycle) and my luteal phase was maybe 9 days at best.

Being on progesterone has my cycles incredibly predictable and "normal". I ovulate between days 12-14 and have a 14-16 day luteal phase. That's about as textbook as it gets. As a result, I don't necessarily see the need to use supplements, because the purpose of many for me was regulation of cycle. That said, I do know that some may help with egg quality, but I first want to discuss them with the doctor.

Q4: Do you worry about medical issues with another child?

This question comes from my own mother. Obviously, with Ada's medical history -- it's a concern. We also have a genetic heart condition that runs in both sides of the family. My dad had open-heart surgery to correct his aortic stenosis that was caused by a bicuspid valve a little over a decade ago. Another close relative on my mother's side has a similar condition.

Here's something we all know: I have anxiety. And of course this is something (among many things) I do worry about. Ada's surgeon assured us that the issue she had (a very large, benign arachnoid cyst) is a fluke. It's not genetically inherited. I've read anecdotal evidence to suggest otherwise, but I am trusting the doctor on this one.

So, the answer to whether I worry is both yes and no. There are so many unknowns that come with having another child. I just watched a YouTube video from a mother who almost died during delivery -- so all of these things do run in my mind. It can be serious, scary stuff. Again -- my heart is telling me to forge ahead.

Q5: Are you worried about being over 35 soon?

This question has come from a few people because much of the literature you find will have age 35 as this big cutoff point with fertility. There are so many studies on this and so many medical opinions. What I've gathered from a lot of reading is that fertility rates don't necessarily decline quite as rapidly as we're lead to believe at 35. At 40 they may even be better than we often hear about. That said, the fact remains that there are fewer eggs and more of them are abnormal as the years tick on.

I do feel weird sometimes when I think about having another baby in my belly . . . as I look at all the newly sprouted grey hairs on my head. But I was chatting with another "geriatric" mom who is trying to conceive last night. It is what it is. In a "perfect" world, I wanted to be done having babies by now, but I also lost a good 18 months during TTC#2. We don't have control, and I know plenty of mamas who have had healthy babies after 35 and after 40.

Q6: What TTC supplies do you use?

• I have this basal thermometer for daily tracking.
• I have read this book many times -- Taking Charge of Your Fertility.
• I use this gigantic package of OPKs and Pregnancy Tests.
• That said, I also stock First Response tests because they're the most accurate.
• I track everything for free in the Fertility Friend App. 
• I take Nature Made Prenatal Vitamins. I also take D3, baby aspirin, and folic acid.
• We do also use Pre-Seed, but after four cycles . . . it isn't magic for us.
• I had been using royal jelly in honey. I recommend it (here's why), but check with your doctor.

Q7: You've only been trying six months, why are you seeing a doctor so soon?

My midwife recommended after being on progesterone for four months that I get checked out. My cycles, as I mentioned, are extremely predictable. I'm using ovulation strips and temperature charting, and nothing is happening. We had tried two months with all these tricks before the meds as well, so that is where the six months is coming from. I will turn 35 in July, and most advice you'll see suggests to be checked after 6 months if you're over 35. Since I'm close to that cut-off and have previous infertility issues, I figure it's better to get checked sooner rather than later.

This isn't to say I'm jumping into fertility treatments. I mostly need guidance on whether or not to continue using progesterone in the way I'm using it. I also need a new prescription. Beyond that, I just want to get baseline tests and make a relationship with a new doctor. I'd also like to arrange to have blood pregnancy tests at the end of each cycle. If you've ever done progesterone, there's always this nagging feeling that MAYBE you ARE pregnant and the test just isn't picking it up yet. I'd like to eliminate the maybe.

Those are the questions I've had the most of. If you guys have any others, let me know in the comments below!

In general, I am writing about this process because I like reading about what others are going through. Before we had our own struggles, I had no idea how hard it can be to get and stay pregnant. I want to be as authentic a voice for this process as I can be. So, that's that!

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Weight Watchers, Month One + Weight

Alright. So, I've received TONS of questions about Weight Watchers. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around writing a post that will encompass absolutely everything. So, I thought I'd answer some of the most frequently asked questions. Just a reminder -- this post is not at all sponsored or associated with the Weight Watchers brand. I am doing this entirely on my own.

BTW: Check out my $4 vintage Levi's mom jeans! Still not sure if I'm on board with this trend, but I figured I'd give it a try.

Q: Why did you sign up for Weight Watchers? Doesn't MyFitnessPal/etc. do the same thing for free?

There are many calorie counting services that are free. I've used them. But, and as I've written in the past, I dealt with an eating disorder for a long period of time. Counting calories actually gets me back in this place that I think I should avoid. The whole obsession with calories in foods.

You could argue, and some have, that WW is just another way of counting something. I have less awareness, though, of what exactly the numbers mean. It isn't calories. It has more to do with the mix of calories, fat, fiber, and other nutrition factors in food. I could eat TONS of healthy foods and fill my stomach and still be low on points. Or I could eat a couple candy bars and be over my budget in two minutes.

For me, that makes the difference. If you aren't bothered my calorie counting, MyFitnessPal is a really great, straightforward tool.

Q: Is it hard to calculate points if you make a lot of your food from scratch?

Yes and no. Like, the tool is there. You can enter each and every ingredient in your dinner or dessert. Enter the number of portions it makes and -- BOOM -- get the magic point number. I was good at doing that for a while. Then I started resenting having to enter each and every ingredient in my longer recipes. It does take time, energy, and motivation to do that if you cook so much from scratch like I do.

I do feel like it promotes eating a lot of packaged things that are easier to count. I don't think that's a good thing.

Q: Do you really track everything, every single day?

No. I was doing really well for the first three weeks and it's gotten away from me. But the thing is, it is super easy to keep track using the app on my phone. I wasn't logging into the website. I was using the app almost exclusively. Why, then, am I not logging everything? I think the novelty of being on a program wore off. That's part of it.

And I also think cooking from scratch is hard. I was making lots of recipes after being more regimented and eating just, like, an apple or two eggs, etc. It's a pain to go in and create all my recipes for all my meals every single day. So, I need to strike a balance with that if I want to continue.

That said, the app is really easy. You can scan foods in your pantry, which is handy if you are just going to make a sandwich or eat a packaged snack.

Q: How many points do you get? Do you feel it's enough?

I personally get 36 points a day. I know some people who get like 24. Others who get 40+. I think the point value has to do with a complex mix of things, like how much you weigh, how much you want to lose, if you're a man/woman, if you're breastfeeding (and how much!), how much you exercise, etc.

On top of that, you get a weekly stipend of 35 points you can divide evenly or use in one shot. And then on top of that, you can get extra points when you exercise. On an average "good" day, I tend to eat around 46 points. So, figure I get 36 plus 5 from my weekly plus another 5 from exercise. And I do feel like this is enough food, at least at this stage.

Q: Isn't it just another way of restricting food?

Someone on Instagram made a comment about Weight Watchers being restrictive eating. I actually couldn't disagree more -- at least in some respects. Yes, you get a daily limit of points. Yes, you -- therefore -- tend to not eat so much of certain foods and more of others.

But restrictive? No. Not really. If you've seen Oprah on the commercials, she explains that she loves eating chips. You can eat chips and any other foods you desire on the plan. In moderation.

I have a lot of friends following Whole 30 who rave about that diet. And it sounds amazing for a variety of reason. Heck, I tried it one month a long, long time ago. But THAT is restrictive, especially for vegetarians. With WW, there are absolutely no foods that are off limits. There are no foods that you are told you can't eat. And, yeah, maybe there's both some good and bad in that.

Q: How much weight have you lost? How much do you have left to lose?

I have stalled out a bit. I started January at 148 pounds. I am now 145. So, I have lost three pounds and holding. I haven't lost weight in a couple weeks, though. I'm slightly annoyed. But I also know I haven't been tracking as carefully, I've been indulging a bit more (Super Bowl fondue, anyone?)

My goal weight is 135 (or so). So, I have 10 pounds left to lose. I wrote a post all about how I had ditched the scale long ago. I want you guys to understand I am not obsessed with these numbers. But I also genuinely feel like if I do not at least work back to losing some of the 20 pounds I've gained in recently years that it will be a slippery slope.

I weighed 125 before I got pregnant with Ada, but I was running constantly, eating a mostly vegan diet, and -- well -- didn't have two kids back then. I ended up being around 130-132 after Ada weaned. Then during all the struggles getting/staying pregnant, I hovered between 138-140. Anyway, 135 is a good fighting weight for me. I think 125, though still in a very healthy range (definitely not high school skinny!), just isn't maintainable along with enjoying food and spending the most time with my family.

Q: Is Weight Watchers worth it? Will you continue?

I think WW has been worth it so far. I am disappointed that I allowed myself to get off track simply by being lazy about tracking. I would like to continue until I lose the 10 additional pounds I've set out to lose. I know weight isn't everything, but I also know that I do have excess weight that isn't muscle. I won't obsess necessarily on the exact number on my scale . . . I have several pairs of pants I'd like to use for my measure.

I don't know how following the numbers will work with marathon training (more on that soon!), though. I need to evaluate how to get the best nutrition and may need to go over some times.

Do you follow Weight Watchers? What do you think I left out? And what else would you guys like to know in my next post?

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Babywearing // My Favorite Baby Carriers

Another highly requested post? Babywearing!

This is my second time around, obviously, so I've learned some of my likes, dislikes, and best practices for getting around with baby on my body. I started wearing Eloise just a few days after we came home from the hospital with my Moby wrap. Now that she's nearly eight weeks old (!), we've gotten into a great routine.

Here's what carriers I use and what I like/dislike about each.

Moby Wrap

By far, my favorite way to wear a newborn is with the Moby Wrap. I know people complain that it's hard to figure out how to tie it -- but that's just not been an issue for me. Not only do I feel like baby is snug and protected, but my back feels the best wearing a Moby wrap.

When Ada was an infant, the Moby was a big deal. I see that it's sort of faded away to other, similar carriers like the Boba and even the Baby K'tan (which slips on like a t-shirt with no need to tie!). There are even mesh wraps for really hot weather and easy packing.


Likes:

• Great back support
• Variety of ways to tie
• Wonderful for even tiny newborns
• Inexpensive
• Nursing is pretty simple

Dislikes:

• Difficult when on the go
• No pockets/storage
• Can be quite warm in summer 
• May not be as comfortable with large babies/toddlers

Maya Sling

I bought a sling this time around because all my friends rave about ring slings. I was on the fence because I didn't think it would be comfortable, but then I found the Maya sling with padding. I will admit that this carrier has taken some getting used to. Now that I have the hang of it? It's my go-to carrier when we're out and about.

Even better: If Eloise falls asleep on me after nursing or something, I can just slip this carrier over my shoulder and go on with my daily tasks with ease.

There are so many different kinds of slings you can buy! I love all the patterns with Mamaway slings and Tula slings. I've also heard good things about Sakura Bloom slings. And -- just like withe wraps -- there are mesh slings for really hot weather and even better portability.


Likes:

• Easy to take on and off
• Super easy to nurse
• Breathable, so comfortable in summer
• Maya has storage pocket and padding on shoulder
• Rolls up to fit easily in diaper bag 
• Variety of wearing positions once baby is older

Dislikes:

• Can be uncomfortable if you don't get it on correctly
• Sizing can be tricky. I got a medium, but it's slightly too big
• Tail can get in the way if not tied up correctly
• Can be expensive, depending on brand
• May not be as comfortable with big babies/toddlers

Ergo Carrier 

When Eloise gets slightly bigger, I'm sure my new favorite will be our ergonomic carrier. When Ada was a baby, I had a Beco Butterfly II (now old news). I used it so much that the padding got worn, so I decided to pick up an Ergo carrier when I saw a good deal on Amazon.

I actually just have an Ergo Original . . . but I see now that Ergo makes several new carriers, including the Adapt and the 360 with more carrying options. By the way, I have held E in this carrier and I skipped the infant insert because it's so hot (for winter, I probably would have bought one). What I do instead is roll up a few hand towels underneath her bum. Works like a charm!

Of course, I know that even Ergo is not necessarily the favorite in the ergonomic carrier world right now. My friends are crazy about Tulas, which come in both infant and toddler sizes. All the prints are super enticing, but I can't justify getting yet another carrier. If I could dream, I would get this Forest House or Shenandoah. One of my best friends says the LILLEbaby carrier is the best, and it has 6 carrying options with fun accessories. (And -- yup -- there are also mesh ergonomic carriers!)


Likes:

• Very comfortable with all that padding
• Pretty easy to get on and off
• Lots of storage pockets, depending on brand
• Lots of different prints and fabrics
• Fits babies and toddlers of all sizes very comfortably

Dislikes

• Can be quite expensive, depending on brand
• May need to wait till baby is slightly older
• Options can be overwhelming when buying

Ada asked to go in the baby carrier the other day. She still meets the weight rating -- but, sadly, I think her days of babywearing are over! Oh, who am I kidding? She's been more content to run around since she was two. 

Which carrier(s) should you buy?

Well, you certainly don't need many. I just have several because I've accumulated them throughout two pregnancies. I would recommend having something like a wrap for the early days + for wearing at home. And I love the ergonomic carriers for going out and stuff like that.

My best piece of advice is to try before you buy. Ask a friend if you can check out their carriers or even borrow one before you buy. You can even find gently used carriers on Ebay, local mom Facebook groups, or second hand stores. I was really close to buying a used Maya wrap, but the size wasn't the right one for me. Usually carriers hold their value quite well if you want to resell in the future, too.

BTW: What baby carriers do YOU use and love?

Tomorrow I'll be back with super simple instructions for how to make your own wrap carrier. There's no sewing required, and I was able to make two of these carriers for just $30.

Don't forget to enter the HelloFresh giveaway!

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Good Question: Miles or Minutes

Kimberly asks: "I am a relatively new runner and looking at training plans for my first 10K. I notice that some plans go by minutes while others go by miles. What's the difference between training with miles and minutes?"

I've always been slightly confused about why some training plans have you running a specific distance versus a specific time. To add to the confusion, the training plan I'm following at the moment has BOTH miles AND minutes prescribed. Easy runs, mostly in the 3 to 5 mile range, are written out by distance. While tempo and long run workouts are written out in time.

Why?!?!

Well, I'll be honest. I don't really know. I'm not a coach. I'm not even what I'd consider a competitive or fantastic runner. I can't exactly speak to why some plans go with minutes while other go with miles. I can, however, share the benefits I see through my experience with each type of training because I have prepared for races using both methods. So, I hope this answer is at least somewhat informative to you all.

I've been participating in road races for over 10 years now. And I found it helpful to train by time, particularly when I was a beginner. Especially for increasing long runs when my longest run ever was like 3 miles. I'm sure there are more technical reasons than this one, but even just mentally, increasing my time by 10 minutes sounded a lot easier than increasing my distance by a mile, for example. I used this method when I was preparing for my first 10K -- completing a few 60 minute runs before race day -- and I imagine that my pace was faster than 10-minute miles.

In other words, I was running 60 minutes, but likely going farther than a 10K. So, the approach prepared me well.

On the flip side, years and years later, I often don't run with a watch. As a result, I've been training by miles more and more. Mapping out routes and sticking to them is easy because it's simple to remember my two favorite 4-milers and 5-milers and my three best 8-milers. When I trained for my most recent half marathon, I depended on distance. I didn't want to dwell on my pace because coming back from pregnancy has been hard on my times. Instead, I felt the most accomplished by number of miles run and chose to ignore the speed at which those miles were completed.

But then there are those times I'm between plans and just running to run. So, I do neither.

Overall, I think I toggle between the two depending on my mood. A sort of "whatever works" scenario. If I'm feeling motivated by running 13 miles, I'll map out a route. During marathon training, if I had a 20 mile run ahead of me, I'd break it down by hours and live half-hour at a time until I reached around 3 hours total. Even with training for shorter distance races, I find I can win the mental game by training miles OR minutes day by day.


I try my best not to get hung up on either of the two and, instead, to train my best for how I'm feeling. I may not break the sound barrier, but with keeping a positive attitude -- thereby actually completing runs versus dreading them -- I've consistently improved my race times. Again, I'm not incredibly competitive, though, so you may find the following resources a bit more helpful.

Nike: Training Tip: Minutes versus Miles
Runners World: Minutes vs. Miles
COMPRESSPORT: Run Training: Measure by Miles or by Minutes?

How do YOU train? Miles or minutes? Or BOTH? I'd love for you guys/gals to weigh in.


Pssst: Check out a great sugar-free peanut butter cookie dough recipe today on Writing Chapter Three!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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Freezer FAQs

I think the best thing I did while I was pregnant was make a MONDO-batch of pumpkin chili and freeze it. Seven months later, we're still slurping the stuff on nights when we simply have no time to cook. What a life-saver!

We outlined our process in a post back in November. But we received quite a number of questions related to the whole thing. Too many to answer at the time, when we were caring for a newborn. But it's been almost 6 months. Time to revisit.

Are glass jars the best choice for freezing?

I don't know if I'd consider them the absolutely best choice ever for freezing. However, I don't know what would be. We try to stay away from too much plastic in our household (BPA), and wide-mouth canning jars are much less expensive than freezer-specific glass containers sold. They save space, too! Overall, breakage is the most noted concern of folks who wrote to me.

We haven't experienced any breakage, which we attribute to: 1.) Waiting to fill until the filler (in our case, the chili) cooled to room temperature (and then some in the refrigerator). 2.) Making sure to leave a good portion of empty space at the top of the jar to account for expansion. (We may have left even a bit too much room, but better safe than sorry!)

Does the food taste the same after being frozen for so long?

No. It actually does taste somewhat different. But we expected that. Not different in a bad way. But somehow the flavors have mingled in a new way. And the composition of the veggies/beans changed ever-so slightly. Like they were, well, frozen. A bit bloated is the only way I can think to describe it.

How long does frozen soup/etc. stay good once frozen?

We have a dedicated freezer in our basement set at a low, low temperature. I've read that our chili will stay good for up to a year. In a regular refrigerator/freezer combo, I have read anywhere from 3 to 6 months.

How do you keep track/label your jars?

Simple. We just use a Sharpie marker to write on the top of the jar.

What -- besides chili -- have you frozen?

Applesauce, mainly. And a few other types of soups. Now that we're running low on our supply, I'd like to make more soups, of course, but also stocks, cooked dried beans, pizza sauce, and purees in bulk.

One of our readers (Jodie) wrote that she freezes pancakes, cookies, and muffins. We don't have the right equipment right now, but I would LOVE to make up waffles and have homemade toaster waffles in the house. Need to get on that!

How did you choose the size of the jars?

We have a variety of glass Ball jars. We went with the large (I believe 32-ounce) because we realized that it would contain one complete meal for the two of us. We split it between us and have enough soup to feel full. With other items, like the sauce and purees I mention above, we will likely use the standard 16-ounce variety.

Another reader (Shady) suggests making up family-sized meals and freezing individual portions in muffin tins. I think that's a fantastic idea -- especially for foods we might want to munch on at lunch, when we often don't eat together.

What's the best way to thaw frozen food in jars?

If we have enough foresight, we try to get a jar from the freezer and let it slowly defrost in the refrigerator for a day or two. More often than not, however, we're rushing around in the evenings and make a last-minute decision to eat chili for dinner. On these nights, I put a large stock pot in the sink and fill it with warm -- not hot -- water and set the frozen jar inside. I change out the water a few times until the chili is loosened up and, when it can plop out of the jar, put it on the stove over medium heat and cook until warmed again.

For our entire process, you can check out the original FREEZE post -- the comments are especially helpful, full of tips from our readers. And if you have other questions, we'd be happy to answer them. We're not experts, but we've been through an entire round of freezing and eating now, so we feel like we're getting in a good groove.

Now it's just time to make some bulk meals again and reap the rewards later.


If you follow our home life on Writing Chapter Three, you have two posts to catch up on. The first is all about our new dinnertime routine (plus a tasty dinner idea!) now that we have a baby. And the second is about Ada's new love for momsicles. Yeah. That's right. Breastmilk popsicles.

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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Good Question: Fitness While Working 9-to-5

Maggie writes: "I'm a pretty casual runner. I jog for fun, usually with my dog, and take my time. Ideally, I run about two miles three or four times per week with an additional warmup and cooldown. This casual running (in combination with yoga and lifting) seems to keep me healthy, happy, and in shape."

"As a newbie to the 9-to-5 scene, I've found that I don't have the time I need to get my workouts in. Would it be as healthy and effective to run every weekday (Mon-Fri) for a shorter distance in order to maintain my sanity?"

The question Maggie poses is an important one. And it gets at a deeper issue close to my heart. Working a full-time job is difficult and, at times, disheartening when there's the desire to keep up life outside the office. Even more difficult is maintaining good nutrition and exercise habits -- as well as good mental health -- when logging long hours in a cubical. E.s.p.e.c.i.a.l.l.y when it's a first "real" job. (I wrote a bit about this balancing act in Staying Healthy While Working Full Time.)

But back to Maggie's specific question. Is it effective to run a shorter distance every day of the week versus running a slightly longer distance fewer days? My initial answer begins with a bit of a question. What are you looking to accomplish with your running?

Say you run 10 miles per week. As we see it, it doesn't matter exactly when you run those miles. You're still getting the overall benefit of the total.


So, if your running routine is more for the mental health benefits, do whatever you can to get out there more often and reap those stess-relieving rewards. To vary the routine a bit, consider taking some days slow, some days fast, and others with some brief intervals (30 seconds fast, 30 seconds slow, for example).

However, if you are running for your sanity and looking to enhance your fitness level, I'd suggest another approach.


Say your goal is to eventually run a 5K race. Or improve your time at the distance. It'd be a good idea to slate 3 or 4 days of the week as training days. Concentrate your running efforts on those days -- varying your routine as suggested above, or by following a training plan. Boost your mood on the "off" days by taking walks during your breaks or at lunchtime. Walking can be just as freeing as running.

Sometimes putting yourself on a plan will help you find a way to carve out more time for training. Or it'll motivate you on days when the stress of work is all-consuming.

Does anyone else have suggestions for Maggie? Ultimately, I have found that experimentation with different routines helps me find my stride -- quite literally. So keep at it, Maggie!


And if you have a question, check out our FAQ page. You can ask us anything!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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When the Going Gets Tough, It Helps to Get Moving

My salvation these past several months has been my half marathon training. I changed up my routine quite a bit -- averaging 3 to 4 runs a week versus the usual 5 or 6. Long runs went to an every-other-weekend schedule versus the usual build, build, step-back method.

Overall, I was way more relaxed.

There were many reasons for the changes. Chief among them was my need for flexibility. The level of stress we had with our house on the market made e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g difficult. Keeping a very much lived-in house pristine while working outside the home is nearly impossible without going insane. Oh, yeah. And it’s hard to drop everything at dinner time for a showing. It’s even more grueling to watch the days come and go with no offers.

And that’s not even the half of it! Here are some ways I kept myself sane and active during this busy period. We all have situations from time to time that get in the way . . . but exercise can be a great coping mechanism.

#1: Treat workouts as treats. It’s natural to feel like fitting in a run or other activity is more work than play. But in times of stress and overbook-ed-ness, working out truly is time to clear your mind. It’s time free from other, more stressful obligations. Time to devote to your #1—yourself. And when you’re focused on everything and everyone else, remembering to take time for yourself is incredibly important.

#2: Focus on a goal. But this isn’t the time to pick something tricky. I wanted to run our local half marathon. Not PR. Not race. Just run it. Having an event to look forward to—without the added pressure of doing well—helped propel me forward when I didn’t feel like doing anything at all. Plus, it gave me something besides all the crazy stuff to think about. In a fond way!

#3: Be flexible. There will be days when you just don’t have time or required energy. Or when what’s going on it just too overwhelming. That’s more than OK. Consider shifting to a walk or other form of light movement. Change your workout from the morning to afternoon. Or afternoon to evening. Or Tuesday to Wednesday. Keep it loose and use your sessions more as therapy than conditioning.

#4: Value the short and sweet. I feel like I should write a book about the value of mini-workouts. Seriously. If you’d like to read more of what I have to say on this topic, go read the No Workout is Too Short or Slow post.

Sometimes I forget it, but we have a lot of great running resources on this site. We're hoping to build these up in the coming months, so any questions or possible topics are welcomed. Just visit our FAQ page for more information.

I'm especially hoping to get Stephen to author some posts related to increasing speed and attaining other goals. He's the master at that kind of stuff.

Happy running!

Psssst: We'll announce the winner to the Oikos Super Fruits Giveaway later today!

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The ABCs of . . . Me!

I've seen this survey on many blogs now. So, I thought I'd join in on the fun. It's a nice way to spend part of my lunch hour. I definitely need some mindless activity today.

A. Age: 27 and 7 months.

B. Bed size: Queen. And we only recently got an actual bed frame.

C. Chore you dislike: I dislike most chores. Sometimes, I feel like my whole life is a chore, so when I'm home, I just like to relax. But nothing is worse than cleaning the litter box for our two cats. Ick!

D. Dogs: We have cats, not dogs (as mentioned above). Though, I'm not opposed to adding another fur friend to the family when we have more space.

E. Essential start to your day: I'm not a coffee person. I don't usually exercise in the morning. I don't read the newspaper first thing. I guess my morning shower? My hair is a grease pit. No, really. It's BAD. So it's definitely essential that I wash it before offending others.

F. Favorite color: This one's tricky, as it's always changing. Right now: deep teal. I always go back to combinations of blue/green.

G. Gold or silver: White gold. Silver tarnishes -- and that's no fun. If we're talking jewelry, though, I typically like stones/beads more than chains, etc.

H. Height: 5'6" and a half (or so). I wear slight wedges most of the time, so I appear to be more like 5'7" :)

I. Instruments you play(ed): Here we go . . . saxophone(s), trumpet, guitar, violin, flute, clarinet, valve trombone, euphonium, piano, various percussion, and a bit of cello. I also sing. I feel like I'm forgetting something.

Generally, if it can be played, I can find a way to play it somewhat well in an afternoon.

J. Job title: Administrative Assistant to the Dean. Whatever that means.

K. Kids: Not yet. But we do want kids someday -- probably 2 (max).

L. Live: Upstate NY. It's chilly and grey . . . but getting better every day!

M. Mom’s name: First: Amy, Middle: Carol.

N. Nicknames: I'm with Ashley on the Smashley. My mom also calls me Sandra because she feels like that name would have fit me better than Ashley (I was named after a soap opera character). Stephen and other friends shorten it to Ash often. When I was young, I always wanted a name that could be shortened so I'd have a legitimate second name (like Ben for Benjamin). But, alas . . .

O. Overnight hospital stays: Two. Both were when I was little -- I had tubes in my ears. As a result, I never felt comfortable putting my head under water when I was younger (plus, I'd get ear infections that way). I failed out of swimming class for this reason. So, that's why I'm not great at swimming freestyle. Or diving. Etc.

P. Pet peeves: "Jaime and I's house is nice" -- in other words, hyper-correction. Like I often hear on episodes of The Bachelor. "Me and Snooki went to the beach" -- in other words, plain bad English. Like I often hear on episodes of Jersey Shore.

Also, and this is weird, when I have a plate of to-be-eaten food near the kitchen sink and Stephen does dishes near it, I f.r.e.a.k. out. I feel like dirty water is going to get on my food. Hahha. Is there a support group for that?

Q. Quote from a movie: "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti." -- Any quotes from that whole Silence of the Lambs series, though. Hahaha. Love it. "Hello, Clarice!"

R. Righty or lefty: Righty-o.

S. Siblings: Brother, Ryan -- he's 23.

T. Time you wake up: I've been trying to make it 6AM, but it's more like 6:30. I go to bed by 10:30 -- at latest -- every single night. I need that eight solid hours of sleep.

U. Underwear: Pretty basic -- though it has to be colored. White is so blah. Aaaaaand I absolutely despise thongs. Ewwww. Why even bother?

V. Vegetables you don't like: Lettuce and celery -- b.o.r.i.n.g. And canned anything (beets, artichokes, etc.).

W. What makes you run late: I easily lose track of time (though I'm somewhat obsessed with being on time, so I am rarely late -- but sometimes if I'm not early, I feel late). I can get totally absorbed into something . . . it can be scary. At the same time, I tend to do many things all at once . . . so, my mind is on other things.

X. X-rays you’ve had: Most recently: My left knee, but we're almost certain that's an IT band thing. Teeth at my last check-up. Before that, my left foot for a possible stress fracture after my first half marathon (that I didn't adequately train for) -- ended up being a fluke. Before that, my right knee because I twisted it almost 100% while packing to move apartments. Otherwise, I can't think of any! I've had an echocardiogram related to a genetic heart condition (bicuspid aortic valve , but I'm all clear). I had an ultrasound, too (when the appointment was made -- some old ladies in the waiting room congratulated me on my pregnancy . . . when in reality it was for unexplained pain in my lower abdomen, which ended up being related to my sacroiliac joint, in my lower back!).

Y. Yummy food you make: Breads. Anything with chocolate and peanut butter, too.

Z. Zoo animal favorites: Zoos make me really sad. I have a lot of favorite animals . . . but the ones that make me laugh the most are sea lions. Just thinking about a fat, unfortunate-looking sea lion basking in the sun, making that awful noise. Hahahahaha!!!

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To Cook or Not To Cook. The From-Scratch Debate

Lacy asks: You bake and cook so much stuff all the time, and it all looks good (and healthy to boot)! Do you make every meal you eat from scratch? I want to know what you eat in a typical day/week (and if you could send some motivation to cook over my way - haha!).

When we received Lacy's email, I read it aloud to Stephen and almost fell over laughing. Why exactly? I mean, it's a valid question! You see, the circumstances were just too much to take. At the time, I was elbow deep in a plastic container of Chinese takeout (bean curd with garlic sauce, with a side of MSG probably -- thanks for asking). I was supplementing it with an ice-cold beer. And for dessert, I was planning on eating a peanut butter cup.

It was just one of those nights. So -- in short, Lacy -- no, I do not toil over every meal.

It's not all green banana scramble and cacao energy chunks here at our casa. We do not (repeat: do not) 100% abide by a whole foods, made-from-scratch, granola-or-bust diet. We don't mill all our own flours. We don't make Stephen's seitan every time we want wheat meat. We don't even bake cookies every time we need a chocolate fix. It just isn't practical for our busy lifestyle. So, we do what we can when we can (Stephen eats probably far better than I do, truth be told).


We like to show you all the highlights and most memorable moments on the blog, probably making us look like we feast on only the most good-for-you stuff the world has to offer. All the time. No matter what. Um. Not true. So very NOT true!!!

That doesn't mean we don't try to eat well as often as possible. I've already written all about my stance on junk foods and how I don't fret about 'em. That being said, we try our best to choose foods that are healthy. I definitely make room for dessert every single day (and usually more than one). But if we're talking about general intake. What we usually eat . . . it's pretty boring, which is why we don't take the time to write about it. That's right: Eating well doesn't have to mean hours in the kitchen following tricky, photo-worthy recipes.

If it did, our kitchen would always look like this:


O.M.G. No thank you, because we STILL haven't purchased our dishwasher.

For this post, I'll focus on my own habits (because Lacy asks what we eat in a typical day). Stephen can fill his in another time. For me, it goes a little something like this . . . and I'll give the three MVMs (most valuable meals) for each, well, meal.

Breakfast:

• Oatmeal with peanut butter and banana
• Smoothies
• Cereal (current favorite: Autumn Wheat)

Lunch:

• Spinach salad with apples, walnuts, and kidney beans
• Peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat
• Leftovers from dinner the night before

Dinner:

• Pumpkin chili or other crock pot soup (prepare on Sundays)
• Pizza (made by us or takeout)
• Curried chickpea mash with 5-minute naan

For snacks, I eat Greek yogurt (current favorite: Chobani Black Cherry). Graham crackers. Carrot sticks. Anything I can toss into a bag on the go, really. You can take a peek inside our fridge, if you like. Notice how there isn't anything that's terribly time-consuming on this list. I rarely break out new recipes during the week unless I know they'll be quick. That's what the weekend is for -- learning and practicing. Maybe even preparing ahead of time.


Working full time and having a full life outside of work requires planning. (We are called never homemaker for a reason, because it really does seem sometimes like we're never home!) It also demands tried-and-true recipes that can be made in minutes. Foods that are sustaining enough to give energy to get through all those crazy moments. Finding the right balance is totally up to you and your circumstances.

What do I recommend if you are having trouble preparing more than microwave meals (though, you can up the nutritional value on those, too)? Well, I challenge you to carve out an hour on Sunday afternoon and make something new and different that you can save for the week. Like how we make our Pumpkin Chili. I personally love to cook and spend time in the kitchen, so this time for me is mind-clearing and fantastic. If you don't love it so much, play some music or have a movie playing in the background.

It's just like exercise, really. You just need to find what makes it work for you.


SOME TIPS:

• Start small, but yield big. If you take the time to make a full crock pot full of something, you'll either have lunches for two most of the week. Or dinner for a couple nights. It's fantastic. More bang for your time-buck. (Uh. That doesn't work, but you know what I mean!)
• Create a list of go-to meals. Those ones I listed above are totally the ones we go after on nights when we feel there's just no time. Or crazy mornings. I mean, pouring a bowl of cereal takes two seconds. (And yes -- this includes a list of healthy-ish takeout places for those especially insane days.)
• Create a list of go-to ingredients. Maybe you're comfortable cooking with eggs, for example, and you know you can whip up something healthy and fast with them (like a protein-packed omelet). Maybe you dig sesame oil and soy sauce (like us) and know if you steam some broccoli and add the sauce to it, you'll get your fill. Whatever it is, getting to know ingredients that are easy to work with or that you and your family enjoy is super helpful.
  
• Find the fun in it. I find that a lot of people associate cooking with work. And we don't want to do work when we're returning or going to work, right? Try to find something about being in the kitchen that brings you joy. It will make your stomach AND your mind happy.
  
• When all else fails: Eat Simply. Carrot sticks require basically no time to prepare. Apples are a healthy snack on the go. Keep peanut butter and a loaf of whole grain bread at your desk for in-a-pinch lunches. Do what you can when you can. And ENJOY the food you do eat.

FRIDAY STYLE

More dark, colorless clothing items today. (But at least I have one color on!) I must have enjoyed wearing my shawl yesterday -- I broke out the other one I have (and haven't worn in months).


Dress and necklaces: Target
Leggings: Gap
Vest: TJ Max
Belt: Kohl's
Boots: Gabriella Rocha (via Zappos)

• Post 1: Fleece and Luon -- No More!
• Post 2: Weekend Happenings -- Style Edition.
• Post 3: Yet Another Belted Shirt
• Post 4: Resisting the Belt. For Today.
• Post 5: Blogtastic "Open Mic" and Friday Style
• Post 6: New Wardrobe!
• Post 7: Fish, Cornbread, and Jean Skirts
• Post 8: A Belted Shawl. More Neutrals

Is from-scratch at all times best? I'm taking a wild guess, but I'm thinking a lot of you who read our blog love to cook. But I'm also thinking some of you find it exhausting/annoying/etc. or feel it's not your favorite activity of all time. Love it or hate it, we want to know!

Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.


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Great Question: Treadmill Workouts

Blame it on the subwoofer. The intense synth at the end of Muse's "Apocalypse Please." Or maybe the 8 MPH speed I programmed into the treadmill's belt. Whatever made it happen: I reached nirvana Monday night while cresting an imaginary hill at mile 7 of my 8-mile run.

That's right: On a TREADMILL.

Which brings me to our Great Question today. It comes from Fiona, who asks: What are your favorite winter running workouts -- specifically on the treadmill?

Those of you who have been reading our blog for a long time know that we're not exactly pro-treadmill. We'd much rather run like the postal service -- through the rain, sleet, and snow.

But as time moves on, so do our opinions and ways of working out. My recently discovered love of aqua jogging and swimming are definitely testament to that phenomenon. And so is my new appreciation for the dread treadmill.


We were lucky this weekend to get a great deal on a treadmill from my parents (who recently joined a gym and didn't have space to store the bulky thing). But I've been running in place with a smile on my face for months now, in the wake of my knee/IT-band injury. I started out using the treadmill because it made sense. If my knee hurt, I could stop my workout early and not have to walk home. I could also keep myself on an even, flat surface.

Getting used to the boredom was another matter. Though, this year I've found it much easier because swimming isn't exactly the easiest exercise to do mentally either. It's all breaking the workout into different segments. So, my favorite workouts aren't runs all at the same MPH. They vary much in pace AND incline, keeping my body AND mind guessing.

NOTE: For these workouts, just substitute in your own paces. For me, my usual warm-up pace is around a 6.6 MPH. Other days it's faster/slower depending. But keep those increments proportional if you can. (For example, if I say start at a 6.6 MPH and you are comfortable starting at a 6 MPH . . . and then I say crank it to a 7 MPH, crank yours to a 6.4 MPH. I hope this makes sense.)


Workout #1: The Hill-Lover. (4 to 6 miles)

• Warmup: 1/2 mile at 6.6 MPH.
• Keep the incline at 1, but bring up speed to 6.8 MPH.
• At the beginning of mile 2, increase the incline by .5 every (1/10) tenth of a mile until you reach 3 miles.
• Increase speed to somewhere between 7 and 7.5 MPH. Bring incline back down to 1. Run 1/2 mile.
• At 3.5 miles, keep your speed, but increase incline by 1 every (1/10) tenth of a mile until you reach 4.5 miles.
• Repeat this whole sequence again at a slightly higher speed or incline.
• Then cool down with half a mile at your beginning pace.

Workout #2: Made For Speed. (3 to 5 miles)

• Warmup: 1/2 mile at 6.6 MPH.
• Push the pace up to 7 MPH for a quarter mile.
• Then push it up to 8 MPH for a quarter mile.
• Back down to 7 MPH for a quarter mile.
• Back to 8 MPH.
• Repeat this process until you reach your desired distance and have half a mile left to cool down at your beginning pace.

Workout #3: Long Run Or Bust. (8 to 12 miles)

• (Guess what!) Warmup: 6.4 MPH for half a mile.
• Then settle in at a comfortable pace. For me, this ends up being somewhere between 6.6 and 6.8 MPH.
• Crank the tunes. Pop in a movie. Sprinkle in some hills. Some (short) faster segments. Anything to keep it interesting.
• Cool down with half a mile at that 6.4 MPH.

Workout #4: No TIME! (2 to 3 miles)

• Warmup: 6.6 MPH for a quarter mile.
• Push the pace up to 7 MPH and crank the incline to 3 or 4 for half a mile.
• Lower incline and increase speed to 7.3 MPH for a quarter mile.
• Lower speed back to 7 MPH. Crank incline to 5 for half a mile.
• Lower incline and increase speed to 7.6 MPH for a quarter mile.
• Lower speed to 7.3 MPH. Crank incline to 7 for half a mile.
• Lower incline. Cool down (or do more craziness, if you want).

If you're wondering how treadmill running converts to "real" running, don't worry. As long as you up the incline (and always have it at least at a 1), you'll not have too much trouble switching between the two. I try to still get in at least two outdoor workouts per week. And plenty of cross-training.

With this method, I've kept my recent race times -- at least in the 10K -- relatively speedy.


Do YOU have a Great Question? Just let us know -- here's how! We'd be happy to help . . . or at least try.

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Returning to Running After Injury

We've received a number of questions related to how I'm planning to resume training as my knee heals. And though I'm definitely not back to normal yet -- still experiencing regular tightness and some slight pain on every run -- I'm better-ish enough to start seriously thinking about this issue myself.

Latest professional opinion on the matter (from my PT) is that it's alright for me to run. To hasten the healing process, we've decided on a course of hydrocortisone starting next week. This isn't a cortisone shot. Instead, it's a patch that is hooked up to a little machine that will use battery power to pulse the medicine into my knee. I didn't necessarily want this type of intervention, but after 10 weeks of dealing with this issue, I'm up for pretty much anything.

As for mileage: I'm focusing on between 15 and 20 miles for now, 3 to 4 days per week. A huge drop from my marathon schedule (regular weeks between 40 and 50 miles, 5 to 6 days per week). A big jump from what I've been doing (5 to 10 miles, depending).

See the difference?


Usually in the winter, I do scale my running back quite dramatically. I run maybe between 80 and 95 miles a month versus the 150+ during the heavy fall season. So, at 15 to 20 miles a week, that'll bring me in somewhere around 70 to 90.

If I can get back to this level soon-ish, I'll be thrilled!

Most of this mileage will be run indoors because I'm trying to watch my step. Run on even surfaces. Avoid ice and slipping. Regulate my pace (I'm running a full MPH slower on the treadmill than I normally do -- but that's OK. It's running!). And it's also nice if I do indeed need to stop, I'm able to quit without having to walk 2 miles home in the blustery weather.

In January, I'm hoping to participate in a 10K series, but only for fun. Racing isn't a priority right now. Nor is any specific training goal. I haven't been running, so despite how I may feel . . . my muscles/bones/etc. can't handle anything intense right now.


OTHER STUFF:

• I'm not signing up in advance for any spring races. In fact, I may only do smaller, local races where I can sign up the day of. I don't want to set my sights on something big with the possibility of being let down. That's happened too many times already! Nor do I need to race to be fit and happy. I'd like to do a few half marathons, but we'll see how my recovery goes before thinking that far ahead.
• I'm training like a triathlete. And though I doubt I'll get into the sport (it's a little too high-maintenance for me -- too much gear and other stuff to worry about -- I think) However, without even realizing it, I'm basically following a Half Ironman plan right now (I Googled it for fun this morning and was surprised that my training looked similar!). I've started hitting the pool 3 times a week at a mile each time. I've been indoor cycling at around 18 to 19 MPH 2 to 3 days per week for 45 minutes to an hour. And once my running gets back up, I'm hoping to soon build to 8 to 10 mile long runs. I'm in way better overall shape now than I was in the fall.
• I'm getting into strength training. Emily (Daily Garnish) wrote a great post about this topic the other day! Stephen has me lifting weights 2 to 3 times per week. I mostly focus on upper-body, 30 minute sessions. Starting with the bigger muscles (chest, back) and working to the smaller ones. I am also keeping up with regular push-ups (40 to 50 a set, 2 sets every other day) and chin-ups (up to doing 5!).
• I'm treating my workouts more like recreation than work. Usually when I train, there's an element of work to it. Not in a way that I don't enjoy, but now . . . if i miss a trip to the gym, I don't freak out. I take a walk later that day. Or if I don't have a great run, I hop on the bike or do something else. The Earth doesn't stop turning. I don't fall horribly behind on my training schedule.
• Did I mention I'm just trying to have fun? OK. I did. But REALLY! Tonight I'm going on a slow run with friends to look at all the pretty holiday lights around our neighborhood! I'm focusing less on pace and distance and more on moving my body and catching up with folks.

MORE ADVICE:

• Take each day at a time. I can't emphasize enough that if you're coming back from injury, you shouldn't start out doing too much. Set small goals, but not ones that require intense training (speed, distance, time, etc.). Half of getting better is healing from the mental letdown, so if you set yourself up for disappointment (because every injury and recovery is different), it'll be 10 times worse than it needs to be if you don't heal right away.
• Focus on overall health and fitness versus running alone (or whatever your primary sport may be). I never thought throughout this off-time I'd end up in better shape than when I began. But, here I am swimming miles in the pool, cranking out intervals on the spinning bike, and sporting a new pair of guns.
• Don't expect to be back where you were before your injury. You may be worse. You may even be better! After any time off, the game has changed. That's for sure. If you're not back to your old athlete-self, you'll get there eventually. If you're in better shape, don't leave all that cross-training behind just yet. Evaluate the good and bad and consider keeping some of those other activities in the mix.
• Remember that racing and events don't necessarily make you a better runner. I think a lot of emphasis is placed on them. And -- yes -- races are fun! However, before I got into marathoning, I did far fewer races than I do now. I think I have achieved some pretty respectable personal records . . . but racing too much can actually make me slower. In the future, I'm hoping to pick a few events and spend the rest of my time training smart for them.
  

This post is so long, I feel like I need some grand conclusion. Here's the short of it. I'm incredibly excited that I'm feeling somewhat better. I think I started my first week back (a couple week ago) a little too aggressively, so these tips are from what I learned in the process of finding my stride again. I want to get back to "normal" soon, but not at the risk of hurting myself more.

Plus, it seems there's a new "normal" for me. So, I'm happy to adapt and grow as an athlete!

Though I won't be logging 3-hour 20-milers anytime soon, with some careful attention to my body, cross-training, and positive attitude, I can see myself coming back from this whole ordeal a lot fitter and more balanced than before!

Of course, I'm not the only person in the history of running to be injured. Please share your recovery stories with us! What did you do to get back into the sport? What did you learn? Did you forever change the way you train? We want to hear it all!

Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

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Blog Updates: Round 2

Hey, everyone! Along with completely overhauling our layout and design, we've enhanced several areas of the site for your viewing and reading pleasure. You may have noticed that the links on the top bar have changed.

Let's go through them, shall we?

• HOME: OK. Bad example. Not much has changed. You just click this link to get back to neverhomemaker.com.
• ABOUT US: We've updated our About Us section to reflect more recent times. Complete with a new jump menu, too!
• HOUSE TOUR: We've reorganized the page to make it simple. Plus, if you haven't already checked out our humble abode, it's a fun way to spend 5 minutes.
• RECIPES: So, this link hasn't changed, but we have added a quick-view recipes link list to the main site. Just see the upper left-hand column.
• RUN: We're continually adding posts to our running page. This page is now up to date with all the latest info to help you hit the pavement!
• FAQs: This section is totally new. If you have a question, we'd love to help answer it. Visit the page now for more information.
• GOOD READS: Also new. Categories for food blogs, fitness blogs, and other websites we read regularly.

So, while you didn't get the usual second-post-of-the-day, you see we're working hard to make (never home)maker a better experience. And if you missed this morning's post, we're also introducing Printer-Friendly recipes! All recipes from now on will be easily viewable/printable via Google Documents, like these delish Double Chocolate Scottish Chippers.

If you have comments and suggestions about our changes, feel free to let us know! Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

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Wednesday, October 27

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Last night's storms blew many leaves off many trees. I'm sad to say that fall is speeding by like a bullet. It's crazy that next week, we'll be in November already! Now, I always say that consistency is key. And we didn't post a weekend update this week. So, we'd like to get you caught up on some stuff going on in the (never home)maker household.

1.) I took my brie stuffed-crust pizza photos outside yesterday morning. Yes. For those of you who were wondering, my neighbors saw me. Oh well. It looked a little something like this:


Compared to lighting in my kitchen at 7:00 AM, the top of the chiminea is a fabulous studio. Not so fabulous is my hair on mornings when I'm rushing around too much to dry it. I use an old trusty hat for that. But that's another story.

2.) Our house looks especially fall-liscious in the wake of a weekend get-together. If you want to beef up the autumnal spirit in your own abode, you don't need much. A little orange goes a long way. To spice up our fireplace, we used an old table-runner and folded it in half . . .


It created a great base for our other decorative items -- the grapevine we always have on there, some pumpkins, a couple owl candle holders (sans candles). And one of our new favorite cheap-o ways to decorate is to use bell jars, sand, and tea-light candles.

Cost for each? Under $1.

3.) I've been forcing myself to eat salad for lunch. I hate salad, but using tarami sauce instead of traditional salad dressing seems to make the medicine go down better.



Also, if I top my salad with some beans, bits of bread (or what I affectionately call "lazy-croutons"), and use colorful green-age, I can tolerate it much better. Oh, yeah. And I can't just eat salad. It never fills me. A good cup-o-soup is absolutely necessary. Right now, I'm still slurping down my smoked pumpkin chili. Every single day.

4.) I don't yet have a Halloween costume. Well, I'm 27. So, I guess it's not CRITICAL (as much as it feels like it is). And sadly, this year it won't matter much. We have no plans. Nada. Looks like I'll be dressing up for myself.


One idea I have is to be Deb from Napoleon Dynamite . . .


I mean, I already enjoy taking glamor shots, so it'd give me an excuse to be shutter-happy if we DO indeed go somewhere. Plus, I can totally rock a side pony and fanny-pack.

5. I finally enjoyed my Wineglass Marathon champagne. This tidbit is from a couple weeks ago. As silly as it sounds, I had considered not drinking it because I didn't feel I earned it. But after the Bread for Schools Half Marathon, I figured I'm still doing great things with my running. So, I mixed it with cider to infuse the spirit of that half marathon, and enjoyed.



6.) We're working on our 1-year blogiversary celebration week posts. We'd like to do some fun stuff, including a FAQ video for you all! If you have questions about cooking, baking, running, decorating -- ANYTHING, really -- just send them our way. You can always email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com. We'll only use your first name when we answer, so don't be shy! Ask us anything!


7.) A reader wrote to us last night with concerns about our current giveaway. I just wanted to state again that: We don't back any products on this blog unless we're passionate about them. And just because we're given stuff to try . . . it doesn't mean we're going to always say we like it. For the record: ML's mint chocolate truffle is my favorite hot beverage right now. Yes. Better than my homemade chai.

Honest. (And those of you long-time readers know I'm all about honesty here!)

And no need to worry that (never home)maker is turning into cleverly disguised advertising. We don't blog full-time, so we're not out hunting around for advertisements and other promotions (we get lots of pitches for sales-y guest posts, for example). We turn down offers that don't make sense. We happily accept the ones that do -- and I think the Mighty Leaf giveaway is awesome. If you haven't yet, you should enter!







What are YOU going to be for Halloween? Also: Don't forget! If you have questions about one of our many hats (running, cooking/baking, healthy living-ing, etc. . . . and that last one is just to throw you! No babies right now!), just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com. We'll answer as many as we can during our 1-year blogiversary love-fest.

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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