8 Must-Have Kitchen Tools

I’ve been getting some emails with questions about kitchen and cooking stuff lately, so I thought rather than replying individually, I’ll post the answers here. Today’s “question” is more a conglomeration of different ones about what kitchen tools I use, why, and which are the best buys. Here are my top picks for things I use most every day in my cooking and baking.

(Also check out my list of Useless Kitchen Gadgets!)

BeaterBlade

I bake something almost every day. So, I use my BeaterBlade (sold for 4.5/5 quart + 6 quart mixers) almost as often. I used my KitchenAid mixer’s blade so much the paint started coming off. And I’ve had the BeaterBlade for at least four years -- heavy use -- with no problems.

Ninja Blender

Every food blogger has a blender preference. Healthy living bloggers, in particular, can’t live without Vitamix or Blendtec blenders, and I so wish one of those was in the budget for us. The thing is, we’ve been using our Ninja Blender for the last five or six years . . . and it’s still going strong. I’m able to blend greens, even tough kale, into smoothies. Soups are quite easy to pulse together. I’ve even made juice with my blender, etc. All for hundreds less than the other machines.

Silicone Spatulas 

Whether it’s smoothing out brownie batter or mixing together stir-fries, I use each my silicone spatulas -- I have four of them -- pretty much every day. I got my set at Kohl’s, but wherever you find them make sure to get the ones that are all one piece. That way there are no grooves to catch gross leftovers, and they’ll clean in a breeze. The ones in the link are heat-rated to 450 degrees F -- so check to make sure any you consider can stand up to whatever you plan to create.

Dutch Oven

I waited the longest time to buy a large dutch oven because of the price. It seems like ever since I did, more and more have been popping up at stores like Home Goods, TJ Max, etc. -- at good price points. You can also find some online ranging from the luxury editions (Le Creuset 5-1/2 Quart at $299) to the budget-friendly (Lodge 6 Quart at $70). I make bakery style breads in my dutch oven, along with simmered soups and stews. They’re incredible versatile and should last a lifetime.

Slow Cooker

Of all our kitchen gadgets, the crock pot comes in the most handy year-round. The one we use -- an old Rival pot -- was given to me by my mother-in-law. Nowadays you can get a variety of slow cookers that can be programmed certain ways and others that have more than one pot for cooking or heating multiple meals. As I type this, I can smell the corn chowder I’ve tossed together for dinner simmering beautifully.

Dough Scoop

Somewhere along the way, I picked up a baking/ice cream scoop that I use to portion out my cookies. I also use the scoop to portion veggie burgers and other patty-like edibles. You’ll notice these guys come in different sizes, ranging from 1 tablespoon to 4 tablespoons (mine is the biggie!). Of course, you don’t need this tool, but it sure makes life easy with the sliding band that releases the cookie dough or ice cream or whatever else you’ve mixed together.

Ball Jars

We use our Ball jars of all shapes, sizes, and varieties for a number of purposes in the kitchen. We store a lot of our bulk foods on exposed shelving in extra tall wide mouth jars for easy grabbing. I freeze or put leftovers from different meals into other jars. We even use the jars to drink our water, beer, and tea. They all get washed together and then we have a good stock so we can shift their purpose according to what we need at the moment.

Large Bowl

A nice large, shallow mixing bowl works for so many things. You can hand mix breads and other baked goods. I like to chop up all my veggies and then hand mix my veggie burgers in the bowl. Big salads can be tossed together in a huge bowl. Sometimes we even just use ours to serve.


What did I miss? 

Add your must-haves in the comments!

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A Weighty Issue

Miraculously I have lost two pounds since last week. The reason it's a miracle is something you'll see in a minute because if I was going to give myself a grade for exercise and eating healthy this week, I'd get like a D minus. Also: I definitely think there's something to what you guys were saying about time of month and weight with regard to water retention, etc., so I fully expect to waver again.

// A WEIGHTY ISSUE

Not to change the subject too much, but I'm just curious to get your opinion on this issue. I have been sharing bits and pieces of my attempt to lose a little weight, and I've had some seriously split responses to my writing.

• On the one hand, some of you have told me you appreciate my candor and honesty as I look for healthy ways to slim down a bit. 
• On the other, I've received some emails (even from people I know in real life) and comments saying quite the contrary.

I'm puzzled with the negative responses. Those equating caring about my weight with having an eating disorder. Those focusing my "extreme" attention and, well, weight on weight. It's just not that way in my mind -- at all! My clothes were fitting tighter, I've known I've been eating too much bread/cookies/beer and not moving much outside running this winter, so I weighed myself and got the black-and-white result.

(This isn't my photo or my weight.)

Image Source

Another criticism I have received is that I'm generally of a healthy build, so I shouldn't worry or care about how much I weigh. But I seriously disagree. I know from personal experience how quickly a "mere" 7 pounds can turn into 70+ with heart surgeries, diabetes, and a host of other health problems.

My quest (and this isn't just about this time around or any specific time I've tried losing weight) isn't about vanity alone, and I hope you guys understand that.

// WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I'd like to know, for example, what you think about weighing yourself. Do you do it regularly? Do you never weigh yourself under any circumstances? I go through period of time -- months to even a year once -- when I haven't used a scale. Not on purpose either way, but we weren't members of a gym and our digital scale's battery died, and I wasn't sick and going to he doctor where I'd otherwise weigh in. (Office scales are notoriously unreliable anyway, right?!) 

But I also don't see anything wrong with occasional weigh-ins -- once a week or even monthly. That being said, we all know that the number on the display isn't the best indicator of health anyway, so it should never be used solely to measure up. It's just a tool -- along with many others.

Overall, I try to value all opinions, even if they aren't according with my own. So, these criticisms are valid and I want you guys to know that sharing my experience isn't meant to trigger or upset anyone. If I had an obsession with losing those 7 pounds I seem to "dwell" on, I would probably easily have lost them already.

Whatever the weight. I'm feeling good!


// MOVE MORE

This week I've stalled out on my activity. I had trained through the polar vortex, through the ice and snow, and now that it's March? I'm totally burned out. All that dedication came at a price, so I'm taking this week really easy -- which is fine because we have a 4-mile race on Saturday. I hate to sound like a broken record about the weather, but it's really starting to get to me. I even thought about joining an inexpensive gym (some are just $10 a month), but Stephen pointed out it HAS to get warmer soon, so I held off.

// DRINK LESS

Didn't do too great with my beverages this week. It was Stephen's birthday, so I definitely indulged in more beers and Moscow Mules than I usually do. What's good is that I'm drinking more water with all those indulgences.

// CHALLENGE MY BODY

Nope. See "Move More" above. I could be upset with myself for taking it easy, but at the same time, I'm over 8 weeks away from my half marathon and haven't missed more than a couple workouts total -- and that includes several weeks of pre-training in January. Sometimes rest is GOOD this far ahead of the game. After some days of easy running, I think my mind will be back in the game again.

// ADD MORE VEGGIES

We ate like healthy kings last week! Lots of veggie-loaded quesadillas, slow cooker stews, veggie burgers, etc. I've also started hard boiling eggs at the beginning of the week for some easy grab-n-go protein (or for making Avocado Egg Salad sandwiches at lunch). I think the best part about this week, and possibly where I did lose some weight, was with my diet. I'm enjoying so many more veggies because I've just added them in wherever possible!

// SKIP DESSERT (ON OCCASION)

I ate half a birthday cake this weekend (it was a small one, in my defense). Otherwise, I haven't been keeping as many baking supplies at home, so doing better with desserts. I might stop buying sugar for a while and only use maple syup, honey, and other natural sweeteners. I've stopped buying white or even white-whole wheat flour and now use entirely whole wheat and oat flour. Our pizzas aren't as stretchy, but it's healthier.

// WEAR REAL CLOTHES

Of course I'm typing this as I wear a pair of Stephen's pajamas, but I've been dressing up even more than usual. I packed away half my closet recently because we're planning to put our house on the market -- so I only have around 25 pieces of clothing (not including exercise and lounge stuff), but it's actually made it much easier to dress. Still, my clothes are tighter than usual, which is frustrating. Maybe that's why I tend to wear Stephen's clothing to augment my own closet!

// WRITE IT DOWN

I did keep a paper log for like two days of what I was eating, but honestly it was making me feel obsessive. I think this method can work of a lot of people, but with an eating disorder in my past, anything that involves tracking food just gets me thinking about it way too much during the day. I would like to strike a balance because there's a huge difference between obsessing and just being aware of what I'm putting into my body (which admittedly isn't always the best food -- so I'd like to identify if there are patterns there).

How are your diet/fitness goals going?

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Reader Question: Juice Fast + Training

Briana asks:  

"I finally watched Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead a couple weeks ago and Joe's journey with juicing has inspired me. My own eating habits aren't the best especially since I have increased my mileage. I am training for my first half marathon that's in late May. What I'm wondering is if you have any experience with juice fasts combined with regular running?"

\\\ /// \\\ /// \\\ ///

I wrote back to Briana right away because I don't have any specific experience with fasting -- with or without food -- so I'm not the best person to ask. However, her question stuck with me because I think it's a common one these days. I see variations of fasts popping up in my Pinterest feed almost daily.

I've dabbled with juicing, even going to great lengths to make juice at home using my blender versus buying a juicer. In my own experience, when I've had fresh juices -- plain carrot is a favorite -- I feel this amazing rush. Whether that feeling is psychosomatic or not, I don't think anyone can deny adding juice to the everyday diet can be a good thing.

But can it stand alone? I'm not so sure.

And support running? I'm really skeptical.


For those of you who are unfamiliar, a juice fast is when a person chooses to consume only 100% fresh fruit and/or vegetable juices for a set amount of time. I've seen fasts from a few days to months at a time. Proponents claim a number of benefits, including a cleansed and regulated colon, a strengthened immune system, increased mental clarity, increased energy levels, and more (source).

A lot of these quick detoxes or more long range plans look enticing, but when combined with an athletic training plan, my first thought is: BAD IDEA. Since I don't have any first-hand knowledge, I thought I'd toss this question out to you guys.

First, here's some information/personal experiences:

Do Juice Cleanses Work? 10 Truths About the Fad (Huffington Post)
My 14 Day Juice Fast (HighExistence)
How I Ran 20 Miles Whilst Fasting (Running On Juice)
Beginner's Guide to Juice Fasting (Living Green) 
Burning Runner: Preparing for a Juice Fast (Competitor)
The Juice Clease: A Strange and Green Journey (New York Times)
10 Tips for Before, During, After a Juice Cleanse (MindBodyGreen)
Intense Exercise During Juice Fast? Is it Even Possible? (Nina Cherie, Ph.D)

I am inclined to keep eating a balanced diet while training -- complete with all the food groups -- adding in juices for an extra boost.


Briana's question inspired me to make a fresh batch of juice at home last night. I combined 3 apples, 2 blood oranges, and 8 carrots with a good amount of water + blended in my Ninja blender (or, as we affectionately call it, the poor man's Vitamix) + ran it all through some cheesecloth to strain. 8 cups of juice in all.

I guess my (somewhat ignorant, but I don't mean in the pejorative sense) answer is that I don't think drinking ONLY juice while training for a half marathon is a good idea. I think adding juices to your diet might help you clean up messy eating habits and give you some of the benefits without having to make a drastic change. I'd wait until the race is completed to try a full-on juice cleanse.

What's your take on this question?

Can you smash 20-mile runs drinking only juice? I'm not promoting or condemning the practice. It's such a massive trend these days, I think it's an interesting topic for discussion!

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Good Question: Aches + Pains

Kate writes: 

I finished the couch to 5K plan a few weeks ago . . . and in the past couples of weeks I have noticed that my legs are killing me after and during a run. It doesn't last a full day which makes me think that I haven't done any serious injury. 

My question is this: As a new runner, how do we tell what is an injury and what is just our body adapting to the change we have made? I would also really love some tips on how to help with muscles after running as I know to stretch but am not sure what types of stretching or if it's enough. 

Does this sound familiar to any of you? I can sense the head-nodding.

I know for certain that I had similar issues to what Kate is experiencing when I was just starting out. First: I don't want to diminish the cause for concern. Whenever you have recurring pain or problems, a doctor is your best source of information. However, I have experienced general soreness -- growing pains versus injury -- as I've brought my training to another level.

When I went from running 3 miles to more back in college, I remember I had shin splints and my calves would just throb and ache during and after a run. It was so frustrating because I wanted to run longer and farther, get faster . . . but it's like my body couldn't keep up.

At the time, I was running in the wrong pair of shoes, not taking many rest days, and definitely "forgetting" to stretch. I wanted my body to do its thing without fully doing mine to take care of it.

So, I guess that's where to start: Look at your routine.

What are your goals? 
How is your weekly running plan helping you work toward them?
Are your shoes old or not suited for running?
Have you been taking adequate rest?
Are you stretching enough. At all?
Do you enjoy cross-training? Could you?

For me, after a pair of new shoes (road versus trail), 4 days of running a week versus 6, and starting to compliment my workouts with yoga . . . things got better rather quickly. And usually for cases for general aches and pains versus injury, this will be the case. If the issues continue, that's when to head to a doctor.




Honestly, yoga is THE BEST compliment to running. I'm horrible at sticking with cross-training like yoga + strength despite knowing they have incredible benefits. But I'm back at it again, and I am feeling stronger than ever, which is great.  Adding some basic stretches to your routine will not only make you stretched + stronger, but also help you recover from those hard workout days.

Here are some resources:

• The Runner's Guide to Yoga (Book)
• Yoga for Runners: Intermediate Program (DVD)
• The Athlete's Guide to Yoga: A Personalized Practice for Strength, Flexibility, and Focus (DVD)  
• Yoga for Runners by Ann Richmond (DVD)
• Why Runners Need Yoga on CNN
• Runner says: "Is Yoga Good for Me?" on Natural Health

I'll be back soon with a post dedicated to other cross-training, specifically strength as I have seen dramatic results and differences since I started lifting weights again. I'm late to the fad, which I think has already passed, but kettlebells are awesome.

Thanks to Kate for her good question!

Also: Many of you let us know that the old site was running slowly for you. I think the menus were to blame, so I'm in the middle of switching to a very simple framework. It's hard because on Blogger you have to do things while the site is live.

The main trouble at the moment is if you're viewing not at full screen capacity, the images are skewed. Please let me know of any huge issues (if you're reading on RSS, you can see what I'm up to here). 

Otherwise, thank you for bearing with me!

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Ready, Set, Weekend!

Happy Friday. I thought it'd be fun to share a variety of things I've been meaning to sneak into posts, but just haven't yet. There isn't much of a theme here. So, let's get to it!

#1: Grace wrote to us because she enjoys our Food for Runners series. She sent along the link to an awesome cookbook called Power Foods: 150 Delicious Recipes with the 38 Healthiest Ingredients.

Grace writes: "Power Foods starts out with info about 30-40 of the most nutrition-packed foods out there and explains why each are good for you and how to best to prepare and store them. Next, it's got tons of recipes containing all (and pretty much exclusively) these super foods."

"It's not aimed at eating light or weight loss, but at how to feed your body what it needs to keep it strong and healthy. Right up your alley. The recipes are great too. I want to make every one of them! And the majority are vegetarian. The photos are excellent to boot. I highly recommend it."

You can buy Power Foods on Amazon.com for $16.

#2: Christina writes: "I just started running this summer and really enjoy it . . . I recently came across this way of running called 'Chi running' and was wondering what you thought about it. Have you tried it, and, if so, is it worth venturing into?"

What is Chi running? Check this out . . .



I'm sharing this topic because I, myself, don't know much about it. Stephen, on the other hand, read ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running and watched several videos like the one above. He now swears by the method, which he says has "helped [him] use the downward pull of gravity to [his] advantage."

#3: Kim writes: "At a race I did recently, the results had a column for something called 'Age Grading' . . . I hadn't seen that before. What do you know about this number? Does it matter much?"


I came across the age grading thing in the same way, Kim. I had never heard of it before, but then I saw a number in the results of a race one day. Basically, age grading is a way of judging everyone -- regardless of age -- on the same scale based on their performance versus exact time. There's more information about specifics on the Compuscore site.

The scale is as follows:

100%= Approximate World Record Level
Over 90%= World Class
Over 80%= National Class
Over 70%= Regional Class
Over 60%= Local Class

To calculate your age grade for a recent race, just check out this nifty Runners World Calculator.

Do you know anything about Chi Running or Age Grading? We'd love to hear your thoughts and help answer these questions. Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.


And read all about our Tornado Thursday today on Writing Chapter Three. What a wild afternoon it was.

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Reader Question: Running Wardrobe

Briana writes: "I started running in the spring, so I don't have many active clothes in my wardrobe. I appreciate that you guys are budget-conscious. What things, minimum, do I need for running year-round (I live in WI -- it gets cold in winter!). Also: Where do you find the best deals of your workout clothes?"

I've always heard that running is the least expensive sport. All you need is a pair of shorts, a shirt, and shoes. And if you're into barefooting, you don't even need those. But those of us who have been in the sport for years know that it isn't quite as simple as that.

Not only does the weather dictate what's best to wear and when . . . but the selection is continually increasing. You can really go crazy with apparel. You don't need too much, but if you're running 4 to 6 days a week, it's good to have a solid selection to choose from, especially in the tricky fall and spring months.

Here's what I would consider essential:

• 2 good sports bras 
• 1 to 2 tanks w/ shelf bra 
• 1 to 2 sleeveless or short-sleeve, loose shirts 
• 1 to 2 long sleeve shirts 
• 1 to 2 breathable jackets or hoodies
• 1 fleece vest
• 1 to 2 pairs of cold weather tights 
• 1 pair of 3/4 length tights 
• 2 pairs of shorts 
• 1 hat or fleece headband 
• Socks (several of you mentioned in the comments). I'm weird, though, I don't often wear socks unless it's below 0!

It might seem like a lot, but -- really, it isn't. You don't want to do laundry every single day, and I think this list means you can go 3 days without doing a load. The key for the cooler months is layering. I use my sports bras a lot during the summer, but tend to wear tanks layered with a shirt and jacket or vest in the winter.

But the more I think about it, clothing choices are certainly personal based on your own preferences and climate. For example, you may not want a vest at all. I just happen to like them for layering over a jacket because it very cold here in the winter. I suspect, Briana, that it might be chilly in your area, too! However, you might also want gloves, whereas I don't like wearing them.


As for where I find the best deals:

• I buy most of my tops and bottoms at discount stores like TJ Max and Burlington Coat Factory. You'd be surprised with the high quality items I've found! Usually at least 40% off what I find at retail stores like Dick's Sporting Goods.
• Target's selection of sports bras (among other running gear and stretchy yoga threads) has increased in recent years and is especially good for the small-busted athlete. Plus, their latest line of colorful Lululemon-esque stuff is cute, but is only a fraction of the cost.
• Ever since I started my jobs as Deals Editor at Wise Bread, I've found a whole new world of savings. I hunt around at stores like Running Warehouse (where our runners club membership earns us a 15% discount) and Road Runner Sports. For example, today on Amazon.com, there's up to 50% off Under Armour gear -- I never used to take time to seek out those kinds of savings.
• I have bought a few items at thrift and consignment stores. I don't usually find much there -- slim pickings -- and the integrity of what's there isn't always the best for long-term wear. Still, I shop for a lot of my regular clothes there, so I usually take a look around.
• I also deal with what I have and wait for gift cards or holidays to add to my collection. For example, Stephen bought me the top and shorts above for my birthday, which is Saturday -- he gave me the gift early -- this year! (He also used lot of coupons!)

Start small and add as necessary. I have had many runs made or broken by the weather, so suiting up the right way is important. Just shop smart, and -- over time -- you can amass what you need. The good part: I have had a large majority of my workout clothes for over 5 years . . . and 8 years in some cases. The stuff lasts if you treat it right. (Psst: Here are some tips we wrote up on Washing Your Workout Clothes.)

Is there anything you consider essential that I missed on my list? And what are your tips for saving money on workout clothes? It's worth the investment in tech fabrics for comfort and not all brands are created equally. Still, without attention, the $$$ can get out of hand . . . fast!

And today on Writing Chapter Three we have a video of Ada saying her first word. Maybe. You tell me!

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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!

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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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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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How to Train in the Cold Months

Sue writes:

I started running in August and finish my first 5K on October. It was so much fun and I plan on entering more races in the future, but since it is getting colder, it is going to be harder for me to run during the week. I also don't belong to a gym, and don't have a treadmill.

During the winter I just want to run, not really train for any particular race. Do you have suggestions as to how much to run in the winter months. Also: Should I try to increase mileage or wait until I am ready for another race?


Sooner than we think, the geese will fly south. The ground will freeze. So will our toes. Indeed, Sue asks a great, timely question, which is why we thought it'd be perfect to post for everyone. Now that fall racing madness is slowing down . . . the temperatures are cooling . . . the light hours in the day, dwindling . . . running/keeping fit gets somewhat a lot more difficult. I'm also not a member of a gym right now. And with no access to a treadmill, longer workouts mid-week are getting tough. (I say this mostly from Stephen's perspective, since my knee has kept me from running longer than 6 miles this past week.)

As far as mileage during the winter, it's difficult for me to prescribe a plan because we're all so different. I always say that one of the best things you can do -- no matter what time of year -- is create a goal in your mind. For some, that's a winter or spring race. (There's this awesome January 10K series where we live, so we both try to keep our pace up!) For others, it's getting faster. For others, it's going longer. Etc.


Coming up with a goal to work toward will not only help you decide what and how much training to do. It will also help keep you motivated when the ice and snow make you think twice before heading out the door.

• For speed, you may want to start doing more intervals (bursts of faster running). Fartlek workouts. (more info)
• For endurance, you may want to add a longer, slow run to each week (but no more than 10% more per week). Hills, even. (more info)
• For a race, you may want to evaluate how your last training plan went and try a new one.
• For maintenance of current fitness, you may want to simply continue your current intensity and mileage.

No matter what you decide your goal will be, simply stick within your current fitness level (no big changes) and slowly incorporate workouts in that help you reach it. And winter nights mean more time indoors. Instead of plopping yourself in front of the TV for yet another 16-and-Pregnant marathon (guilty), use your time wisely. Read up on running. That's what we, the English teacher and library worker, do!


Books we've read/plan to read:

• Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
• Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running published by Rodale
• What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
• Chi Running by Danny Dreyer
• Running for Mortals by John Bingham
• Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life by Amby Burfoot
• Running Fast by Hal Higdon
• And, of course, new/old issues of Runner's World published by Rodale

See! There's tons of advice and inspiration that you can soak in on those cold, dark days.


CROSS-TRAINING

Winter is also a great time to tune up on other areas of fitness you may neglect when you're in the habit of only running. Many gyms offer a short-term membership plan and some offer a "membership freeze" if you want to quit for a while once the weather gets nicer.


I'm seriously considering joining a gym right now for several reasons.

1. I'm injured and -- whether or not I'm able to complete the marathon next month -- I'd like to add swimming to my regimen. And some more strength training.
2. I get cabin fever in the winter. I like to have a place to go on blustery days. Someplace that isn't my couch. I've been known to spend hours at the gym, sometimes only sitting in the sauna or walking some slow laps around the indoor track.
3. I like to meet new people. So, the opportunity to join some group fitness classes, like yoga, spinning, etc., is exciting. And it beats watching TV.
4. I get sick. Often in the winter. And even if I'm still OK to work out (because in many cases, you can still maintain fitness while you're sick), I may not feel like running in the dark. On ice. While snow accumulates on my shoulders.

If you haven't tried cross-training before, you'll be amazed. I promise! I was the most skeptical and always, always wanted to just keep running. No matter what.

BUT. When I get going on the bike, I tend to tone muscles I didn't know existed. I grow a new appreciation for my body. I get motivated to try new things that continually challenge my body and my mind. And I know for certain I've become a better runner from yoga and cycling. My very best 5K race time was completed during an intense spinning class-obsessed (in a good way) period of my life.


This year? I want to make a splash and learn better swimming technique. I'm not a natural in the pool, but there's always something about skipping around in my bathing suit while it's snowing outside that gets me giggly and exited!

And if you don't have the cash, you can work out at home, too! Though we don't have dedicated space, we have created a way to workout at home. We've written about our in-house "gym" here and here. One of our readers also wrote a passionate post about the topic a few months back. And we even have tips on how to squeeze in some zero-dollar strength training.


NEW SEASON. FRESH START.

I always find myself at the beginning of a new season desiring change. If you're new to fitness or running, now may be a good time to start. We've got a ton of running-related posts to get you laced up and ready for your first run. Most basic of which is titled simply: How To Run.

It's not too early to start training for your first 5K. Stop making excuses. Waiting until "next month." Now's the time! You can do it!


Other related information to get you moving . . .

• Sometimes the treadmill is a necessary evil. It doesn't have to be. You decide: Treadmill Versus Outdoor Running: Which is Better?
• Seasonal De-Motivation strikes no matter the time of year. Here's tips on how you can fight back.
• If you're joining a gym, you may want to freshen up. Take the Stink Out of your Workout Gear by following these steps.
• Staying Motivates is half the battle. Especially in winter!
• Knowing How to Suit Up to Set Out will help when the temps dip below freezing.
• All other running posts . . .

How do you keep up your running/workout schedule during the colder months? Any tips to share with Sue and other readers? We'd love your input! Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

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You, Too, Can Rock a Chin-Up

Last week, I wrote about my new-found ability to do a chin-up. Ever since, I've received a number of emails asking a simple question: HOW DID YOU DO THAT?! Mind you, it's a single chin-up. But, regardless, I'm quite proud of it. So, though I'm certainly no strongwoman worthy of instructing how to perform such a feat, I do have some tips to offer. Tips that might get you closer to nudging your own chin above the bar. Or tips that might simply help you develop better upper-body strength.

We all need to start somewhere, right?


Hi. Let's be honest for a moment.

If you're anything like me (and I think many of you are, or you wouldn't keep reading) . . . you need to focus more on strengthening your upper-half. For years and years, I ran. I ran some more. I did spin classes. I walked. I ran some more. Though I did yoga from time to time, I didn't focus much on my arm strength. Ever. Or my core strength for that matter (that's a topic for another day -- Stephen has some excellent workouts that I've been neglecting).

In high school, part of those dreaded Presidential Fitness Tests involved doing a pull-up. Or maybe it was a chin-up, I can't really remember. It's irrelevant because I would never even try it. Not even the bar hang. Wow, as I wrote those sentences, I just realized that for such an over-achieving dork, I was a difficult student in gym class! And here's a fun fact: The only detention I ever received resulted from my attitude in gym class one day.

Phew. I feel . . . lighter having told you my troubled past!


Well, you're about to be schooled. So, take note!

A chin-up . . .

• is performed with an under-handed grip. 
• You start with your palms facing you. 
• The action works your biceps more. 
• Generally, it's an easier way to lift your body.

A pull-up . . .

• is performed with an overhand grip. 
• You start with your palms facing away from you. 
• The action works more on your back versus your biceps. 
• You guessed it, this is much harder.

Now that you know all there is to know. You can get yourself a bar and do one. It's that easy!

WRONG.

Yes. You may want to go out there and see what you can do. Test your "starting ability" . . . so go ahead. If you don't have your own at-home bar (you can get one here), head to the gym. A playground. Anywhere you can find something solid to hang from.

Test yourself. (It's more than OK to fail miserably.)

If you just hang there for a second . . . and then leave hanging again, but this time it's your head in shame (like I did so many times), follow these tips. My method isn't scientific. It isn't clinically proven. It's not even particularly formal in any way. But it's how I magically found myself on the positive side of the bar last week. And every day since.

(((Yeah. I've been doing chin-ups every day now. Not more than one. But one on several occasions per day. Averaging around 4 to 5 each day. I'm not bragging. I'm just letting you know that even the most hopeless of you has, well, HOPE. You really can do it with some practice and determination!)))


1.) Start on the ground. What I used to do instead of the bar in high school was the alternative test for arm strength: Push-ups. I was fierce at them. 25 was the target to hit. And I hit 25 every year. During college, I tried to maintain my ability to do 25 push-ups. And I did practice them off and on. I'd do a couple sets every day for several weeks. Then forget about it for months. Then start up again.

After college, I upped my practice and they became a regular habit. But I never really pushed past the 25 mark. Within the past year or two, I decided to change that. I began the intense, 6-week 100 push-ups program. I never finished it. I didn't even follow the workouts for a terribly long period of time. What it DID get me doing is 3 sets of push-ups in a row. I did what felt OK for my body, and this summer I was up to doing 3 sets -- 50, 65, and 45. One night per week, I'd just do as many as I humanly could. I got up to 80.


If you can't imagine doing a single push-up, don't worry. But I do I suggest starting with your arm strength on the ground versus skipping to the bar. Check out the One Hundred Push-Ups site and build your strength. Take some yoga classes and really focus on the arm strength poses. Get comfortable working your arms. Lifting, even.

Once you're more comfortable, move along and try step 2.


2.) Think negatively. Not about your ability to progress. I'm talking NEGATIVE chin-ups. They work the same muscles, just in a different, more manageable way. Before you know it, your arms will be buff. Capable. Eager.

• Hang for 30 seconds (or more, if you can) like you just pulled yourself up (so in the top position with your chin above the bar). Stand on a chair or, if you have an at-home bar, jump to get into position.
• Then slowly lower yourself down. S.L.O.W.L.Y.
• Do this five times. Twice a day (or more, if you feel comfortable).

IMPORTANT: Lower yourself in a slow and controlled way. You're building strength. As I mentioned above, you use the same muscles on the way down that you use on the way up. This will help teach you muscles how to coordinate with each other.


3.) Forge ahead. When you feel comfortable with your level of strength. Or perhaps if you're just feeling crazy one day . . . try to do a chin-up again. Maybe it won't happen at first. So, you can keep following up with steps 1 and 2. But keep trying. Don't hurt yourself and, of course, listen to the signals your arms are giving you. But try again. And again. And one more time.

The day I did the magical chin-up . . . I didn't know that would be the day to changed everything. I tried it once because Stephen had set the bar up in our kitchen hallway. FAIL. I tried again on my way to bake something. FAIL #2. And then I tried again on my way inside after a run. That's when it all clicked.

I did it! Woah. I. DID. IT!

Since I was able to do it the one time, I've kept trying. I still do my push-ups, but now several times a day, I'll try do to a chin-up. Sometimes I do it, sometimes I don't. But with each time my chin rises above the bar, I'm getting stronger. More able. I'm gaining more confidence, too. And it feels great.


4.) Think holistically. I attribute my ability -- in part -- to my general fitness. Without running, my body wouldn't be as toned overall. My core strength wouldn't be there either. Even though I need to work on it quite a bit. When I do my chin-ups, I can feel my whole body working. Not just my arms. Just something to keep in mind.

One last tip: I don't know if it's endorphins or what . . . but I seem to have more success trying chin-ups after a run. I'll come inside and try right away, while my head is still buzzing from all that activity. Usually I can do one. If I've just gotten up from a couch session, not so much. It may be pure coincidence, but it's worth a try.

As far as moving past just one, I don't have the ability yet. I'm going to keep trying my several times a day method. I'll still incorporate the negative chin-ups. And I'll even just try to do two. A couple times a day. Just try. If you have any tips and/or experiences to share, we'd love to hear 'em. Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

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