We made it down in 1:45 for a neat 4 hour round trip. We're tired and hungry now so we are off to Massimo's for her birthday dinner.
More soon.....
Sunday, July 31, 2011
It's Her Birthday! If She Wants To Hike - We Hike!
Pam, Jason and I hit the trail at 8:05 for a leisurely 9.38 mile out and back hike of Norse Peak by Crystal Mountain Ski Resort. Pam set the pace and led us up the 4.5 plus miles in 2:15. We hung out at the top for 40 minutes waiting for the clouds to clear so we could get a picture of Mt Rainier to share with all of you, but no dice. This is all you get.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Silly Hats With History And Puppy Progress
Pam got off of work yesterday and we jumped in the RV which we now call "The Athenian" - a travelling dog hotel. We went to Shelton to the Mason County Fairgrounds for their county fair and rodeo. Our goal was to see Big Sam and Funky Nation a band from New Orleans. The RV site was maybe 400 steps from the stage and 200 steps from a stand that sold smoked turkey legs. Location, location, location.
I finally remembered to bring this silly hat that I picked up in New Orleans this year. We were sitting on the stoop at the house we rented in New Orleans and 2 girls were walking down the sidewalk. One was wearing this hat so I said something like "I looked all over for a hat like that and couldn't find one." The girl said "I'm so sick of this hat you take it." , and she gave it to me.
I planned on giving it to Rhonda's Paul that day, but forgot - so - short story long - Paul got his hat.
I finally remembered to bring this silly hat that I picked up in New Orleans this year. We were sitting on the stoop at the house we rented in New Orleans and 2 girls were walking down the sidewalk. One was wearing this hat so I said something like "I looked all over for a hat like that and couldn't find one." The girl said "I'm so sick of this hat you take it." , and she gave it to me.
I planned on giving it to Rhonda's Paul that day, but forgot - so - short story long - Paul got his hat.
Paully proudly wore his hat all day today and was asked for it at least once. As you can see it fits him well. Truly, the best dressed team.
As far as puppy progress goes, there were horses all over the place at the fair. Last year we took Athena to hike Packwood Lake and there were horses on the trail. I had to lay on top of her and Pam had to cover her eyes until the horses passed and she was jacked up for the rest of the day. This time she noticed them but didn't overreact at all. I was impressed and then some!
Tomorrow we are off to hike Norse Peak which is by Crystal Mountain. If the weather is like today there should be some great pictures to share.
More soon.....
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Preparing For Guests
Today is Pam's turn to host her wine club for dinner. I try to use the opportunity to get off my ass and get some "pretty work" done. For months I have been staring at the weed infested parking strip. In my chemical past I would spray some round up and call it a day, but the new "greener" me is left with the hard way.
Yesterday I pulled out the grub hoe - that's what I grew up calling the tool anyway - and chopped up the parking strip then raked and sifted the weeds out. It looks way better but I am a little sore this morning. For those of you following closely, I remain at 207. I'm wondering what the final thing will be to kick me off of this 207 ledge. I refuse to do a marathon just to get past this plateau! Last year about this time I was lamenting a 222 plateau so I guess it could be worse.
For wine club dinner tonight I am preparing a salad with lettuce from our garden and raspberries from our garden with an Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette. There will be bell pepper, black string beans and cauliflower all from the garden with some multigrain pita chips and my Hummus Italiano for appetizers. The main plate will be grilled Scallops and shrimp Skewers served with a Cocozelle Squash "Pasta" with a White Wine Sauce. The side vegetable will be Kale and Collard Greens in an Italian sort of Wine and Herb presentation.
Dessert will be a reasonable healthy Tart Cherry Crisp. Pam will likely bring some Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream to serve with that.
With all of that summery stuff on the menu we went with a Cabernet Franc for the wine. I can already hear the purists screaming for a white wine to pair with it, but even my summery menu items can stand up along side a nice red wine, and there will be white in the meal anyway.
Hopefully that is making all of your mouths water.
More soon......
Yesterday I pulled out the grub hoe - that's what I grew up calling the tool anyway - and chopped up the parking strip then raked and sifted the weeds out. It looks way better but I am a little sore this morning. For those of you following closely, I remain at 207. I'm wondering what the final thing will be to kick me off of this 207 ledge. I refuse to do a marathon just to get past this plateau! Last year about this time I was lamenting a 222 plateau so I guess it could be worse.
For wine club dinner tonight I am preparing a salad with lettuce from our garden and raspberries from our garden with an Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette. There will be bell pepper, black string beans and cauliflower all from the garden with some multigrain pita chips and my Hummus Italiano for appetizers. The main plate will be grilled Scallops and shrimp Skewers served with a Cocozelle Squash "Pasta" with a White Wine Sauce. The side vegetable will be Kale and Collard Greens in an Italian sort of Wine and Herb presentation.
Dessert will be a reasonable healthy Tart Cherry Crisp. Pam will likely bring some Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream to serve with that.
With all of that summery stuff on the menu we went with a Cabernet Franc for the wine. I can already hear the purists screaming for a white wine to pair with it, but even my summery menu items can stand up along side a nice red wine, and there will be white in the meal anyway.
Hopefully that is making all of your mouths water.
More soon......
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Subtle Hints From Athena
It turns out that Athena likes to split her time between Pam and I. Since I work out of the house she gets most of her Papa time during the day. She likes things to be pretty predictable, but she is willing to adjust when she has tried and failed to get things her way.
One of her things that needs to follow the script is her Mama's coming home program. Pam's ring tone on my phone is the Linus and Lucy theme from Peanuts. Athena hears that and knows that her Mama is 15-25 minutes from home. She has to go out with me to open the gate. She pretends that she could run off up the driveway and then heads back to the house.
Once Pam pulls up in the back we have to go out again so she can stare up the driveway until I come and pretend I am worried that she might run off and make a move to block her "attempt." She then puts on what can only be described as "wicked smooth moves" and runs into the yard. Somehow that qualifies as a greeting for her Mama.
When it's time for Pam to hit the couch for some laptop time to check Facebook, etc. Athena likes to jump up on the couch and lay her head across the keyboard. I hope none of you have received an email from her. I guess it's her way of helping Pam get her priorities straight.
It is always at least good for a laugh.
Exercise:
Since Wagon Wheel Lake Pam and I took Athena for a 4.15 mile walk Sunday and Athena and I walked our 6.3 mile route in 1:22 yesterday.
Recipe:
The other day I made some healthier Cajun food. I used my dry rub on some chicken breasts and grilled them on the BBQ.
Along with that I made greens from a cauliflower plant that I harvested the cauliflower from. I cleaned and chopped them and wilted them in some olive oil very simply with onion and garlic and some Organic Chicken Stock. They simmered for 3 hours or so.
I also did Red Beans and Wild Rice. I have Anaheim and cayenne peppers ripe in the greenhouse so I used one of each and 1/2 large red onion and sauteed them in a saucepan. I then added 2 cloves of garlic and then 1 can of diced tomatoes and 1 1/2 cups of the chicken stock and cooked it for about 45 minutes until the liquid was not quite all in the rice. I tossed in some basil and thyme and let it rest 5 minutes.
The whole deal was great. Try it - you'll like it. You can swap water or vegetable stock for the chicken stock if you wish.
More soon.....
One of her things that needs to follow the script is her Mama's coming home program. Pam's ring tone on my phone is the Linus and Lucy theme from Peanuts. Athena hears that and knows that her Mama is 15-25 minutes from home. She has to go out with me to open the gate. She pretends that she could run off up the driveway and then heads back to the house.
Once Pam pulls up in the back we have to go out again so she can stare up the driveway until I come and pretend I am worried that she might run off and make a move to block her "attempt." She then puts on what can only be described as "wicked smooth moves" and runs into the yard. Somehow that qualifies as a greeting for her Mama.
When it's time for Pam to hit the couch for some laptop time to check Facebook, etc. Athena likes to jump up on the couch and lay her head across the keyboard. I hope none of you have received an email from her. I guess it's her way of helping Pam get her priorities straight.
It is always at least good for a laugh.
Exercise:
Since Wagon Wheel Lake Pam and I took Athena for a 4.15 mile walk Sunday and Athena and I walked our 6.3 mile route in 1:22 yesterday.
Recipe:
The other day I made some healthier Cajun food. I used my dry rub on some chicken breasts and grilled them on the BBQ.
Along with that I made greens from a cauliflower plant that I harvested the cauliflower from. I cleaned and chopped them and wilted them in some olive oil very simply with onion and garlic and some Organic Chicken Stock. They simmered for 3 hours or so.
I also did Red Beans and Wild Rice. I have Anaheim and cayenne peppers ripe in the greenhouse so I used one of each and 1/2 large red onion and sauteed them in a saucepan. I then added 2 cloves of garlic and then 1 can of diced tomatoes and 1 1/2 cups of the chicken stock and cooked it for about 45 minutes until the liquid was not quite all in the rice. I tossed in some basil and thyme and let it rest 5 minutes.
The whole deal was great. Try it - you'll like it. You can swap water or vegetable stock for the chicken stock if you wish.
More soon.....
Monday, July 25, 2011
To MSG or Not To MSG
The easy answer is NO. MSG - Mono Soduim Glutimate is a flavor enhancer that was invented in Japan in 1908. It has virtually no flavor of it's own and is used by the food industry because it intensifies flavor and also can balance flavors when you reduce fat. Because of the balancing factor it is regularly used in reduced fat and diet foods. The sad part about it's inclusion in diet foods is that it has been linked to obesity and diabetes. Doesn't sound right, does it?
MSG has glutamic acid in it and that substance is now widely thought of by neuroscientists as a neurotoxin. MSG causes hypothalamus legions and neuroendochrine disorders. The young are more at risk. But it makes stuff taste better! The only other way to make stuff taste better is to caringly prepare it with fresh ingredients, but we wouldn't want to do that.
This is what happens with MSG.
1.You eat it.
2. Cells in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus that produce dopamine and regulate appetite are destroyed.
3. Hypothalamus becomes leptin-resistant
4. Glutamate activates AMPK, which slows metabolism AND desire for physical activity.
5. The fat cells release leptin to stop AMPK, but the hypothalamus ignores the signal.
6. Appetite stays high, activity is depressed. Calorie intake goes up, calories expended by metabolism go down, calories expended in activity go down.
7. MSG although it is an amino acid, signals the pancreas to release insulin
8. Insulin drops our blood sugar - causing increased hunger at the same time it packs away excess calories as fat
9. Obesity
Sounds like a perfect additive for food - especially diet food - RIGHT!
Now you know, you just avoid it right? Not so easy. MSG and other glutimates are in tons of stuff.
These things ALWAYS contain MSG - Glutimate, Calcium caseinate, MSG, Yeast food, Gelatin, and Autolyzed yeast.
These things often contain it.
Here are some surprising sources of it.
The best way to avoid MSG is to avoid processed and fast foods. Those industries are the ones who employ the food scientists who "craft" the packaged crap. It is not hard to do this math. The more processing you do to food - the more natural flavor you take away and the more additives become necessary to compensate.
Here is a list from msgtruth.org
The following foods contain MSG or its business end - the free amino acid glutamate - in amounts large enough to cause reactions in those sensitive to it.:
Worcestershire? Really? Something else I need to toss out.
The really sad part is that our government values industry over us so this stuff stays in our food and the use is ever expanding.
More soon.....
MSG has glutamic acid in it and that substance is now widely thought of by neuroscientists as a neurotoxin. MSG causes hypothalamus legions and neuroendochrine disorders. The young are more at risk. But it makes stuff taste better! The only other way to make stuff taste better is to caringly prepare it with fresh ingredients, but we wouldn't want to do that.
This is what happens with MSG.
1.You eat it.
2. Cells in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus that produce dopamine and regulate appetite are destroyed.
3. Hypothalamus becomes leptin-resistant
4. Glutamate activates AMPK, which slows metabolism AND desire for physical activity.
5. The fat cells release leptin to stop AMPK, but the hypothalamus ignores the signal.
6. Appetite stays high, activity is depressed. Calorie intake goes up, calories expended by metabolism go down, calories expended in activity go down.
7. MSG although it is an amino acid, signals the pancreas to release insulin
8. Insulin drops our blood sugar - causing increased hunger at the same time it packs away excess calories as fat
9. Obesity
Sounds like a perfect additive for food - especially diet food - RIGHT!
Now you know, you just avoid it right? Not so easy. MSG and other glutimates are in tons of stuff.
These things ALWAYS contain MSG - Glutimate, Calcium caseinate, MSG, Yeast food, Gelatin, and Autolyzed yeast.
These things often contain it.
| Flavors & Flavorings | Natural pork flavoring | Soy sauce |
| Bouillon | Malt extract | Whey protein |
| Pectin | Corn starch | anything Protein fortified |
| Seasonings | Natural flavors and flavorings | Natural beef flavoring |
| Natural chicken flavoring | Soy protein isolate | Soy protein Stock |
| Broth | Malt flavoring | Barley malt |
| Carrageenan | Maltodextrin | Enzymes |
| Protease | Citric acid | Powdered milk |
| anything Enzyme modified | anything Ultra-pasteurized |
Here are some surprising sources of it.
| Salad dressings | Frozen meals | Packaged and restaurant soups |
| Cheese | Reduced fat milk | Chewing gum |
| Ice cream | Cookies | Vitamin enriched foods |
| Beverages | Candy | Cigarettes |
| Medications | I.V. Materials | Supplements, particularly minerals |
The best way to avoid MSG is to avoid processed and fast foods. Those industries are the ones who employ the food scientists who "craft" the packaged crap. It is not hard to do this math. The more processing you do to food - the more natural flavor you take away and the more additives become necessary to compensate.
Here is a list from msgtruth.org
The following foods contain MSG or its business end - the free amino acid glutamate - in amounts large enough to cause reactions in those sensitive to it.:
- Taste No 5 Umami Paste ® MSG disguised as a substitute for MSG. A travesty of misleading labeling and marketing.
- "Low Sodium" or "Sea Salt" products now often have L-Glutamate added straight (without sodium) or freed during processing to act as a salt substitute to get a "clean label" without MSG on it. (Never mind that GLUTAMATE raises blood pressure)
- Taco Bell® - seasoned meat - contains autolyzed yeast - which contains free glutamate
- Other menu items that contain soy sauce, natural flavors, autolyzed yeast or hydrolyzed protein which can contain up to 20% free glutamic acid - the active part of MSG.
- Hamburger Helper Microwave Singles® (targeted towards children)
- Doritos®
- Campbell's® soups - all of them - based on their commitment to add "umami" (read - MSG) to their products
- Pringles® (the flavored varieties)
- Cold cuts - Boars Head - even the "low sodium" varieties with the "heart healthy" logos.
- Nathan's® Hotdogs
- Progresso® Soups - all of them
- Lipton® Noodles and Sauce
- Lipton® Instant soup mix
- Unilever or Knorr® products - often used in homemade Veggie dips.
- Kraft® products nearly all contain some free glutamate
- Gravy Master®
- Cup-a-soup® or Cup-o-Noodles®
- Planters® salted nuts - most of them
- Accent® -this is nearly pure MSG
- Braggs® Liquid Aminos - sold at Whole Foods
- Hodgson Mill Kentucky Kernel Seasoned Flour®
- Tangle extract (seaweed extract) - found in sushi rolls (even at Whole Foods) Seaweed is what MSG was first isolated from.
- Fish extract - made from decomposed fish protein - used now in Japanese sushi dishes - very high in free glutamate.
- sausages - most supermarkets add MSG to theirs
- processed cheese spread
- Marmite®
- supermarket poultry or turkeys that are injected or "self-basting"
- restaurant gravy from food service cans
- flavored ramen noodles
- boullion - any kind
- instant soup mixes
- many salad dressings
- most salty, powdered dry food mixes - read labels
- flavored potato chips
- restaurant soups made from food service soup base or with added MSG
- monopotassium glutamate
- glutamic acid
- hydrolyzed gelatin - found in VACCINES - is 10% free glutamate by weight
- hydrolyzed vegetable protein (found in many processed AMERICAN foods, like canned tuna and even hot dogs)
- hydrolyzed plant protein (found in many processed AMERICAN foods, like canned tuna and even hot dogs)
- autolyzed yeast (found in many processed AMERICAN foods, read labels)
- sodium caseinate
- textured protein
- beet juice - it is used as a coloring, but MSG is manufactured from beets and the extract may contain free glutamic acid - Yo Baby - organic baby yogurt has just changed the formula to include beet extract
- yeast extract
- yeast food or nutrient
- soy protein isolate
- soy sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Kombu extract
- dry milk and whey powder
- "natural flavors" - may contain up to 20% MSG
- carageenan
- dough conditioners
- malted barley
- malted barley flour - found in many supermarket breads and all-purpose flours including: King Arthur, Heckers, and Gold Medal flour
- body builder drink powders containing protein
- Parmesan cheese - naturally high in free glutamate
- over-ripe tomatoes - naturally high in free glutamate
- mushrooms - naturally high in free glutamate
- Medications in gelcaps - contain free glutamic acid in the gelatin
- Cosmetics and shampoos - some now contain glutamic acid
- Fresh produce sprayed with Auxigro in the field.
Worcestershire? Really? Something else I need to toss out.
The really sad part is that our government values industry over us so this stuff stays in our food and the use is ever expanding.
More soon.....
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Doin' Time For A Crime You Didn't Commit
I don't think I'm overstating when I say that Wagon Wheel Lake Hike is like doin' time for a crime you didn't commit. It is not as hard as Mt. Rose which is 15 minutes closer. It doesn't have a good payoff. You are stuck with the workout as the payoff which doesn't really work for me. Here is Wagon Wheel Lake.
Here is the sign as you start the hike.
Really it should say, "Warning! If you want a great payoff on a nice day try Mt. Rose. This hike will leave you tired and unfulfilled unless you happen to be a masochist."
That would be more accurate. Here is the good news. When you are a force of 2 out in the middle of nowhere the quiet is fantastic and there are some can't miss views.
At the end of the day that's why I put myself through this stuff.
More soon.....
Friday, July 22, 2011
Teaching Athena To Play
Athena is about 3 1/2 years old now and she only knows pull toy and keep away (run away) for play. She is generally a little nervous when I try to wrestle with her up close. She wants to play but really doesn't know how.
Last night she was bugging us to play so I took off my glasses and got down on all fours and dropped my head down. I read somewhere that that is the universal dog language for "what happens next is play." She seemed interested so I started picking at her by swatting at her paws. She tends to growl a lot when she plays, and it can sound menacing. She also has these playful lunges that take a little getting used to.
I was down "wrestling" with her for about 5 minutes before she took off to get a toy to play tug of war with. That was a record for her! She is way too good at tug of war - requiring you to have a lot of strength. Again, she growls the whole time and it gets worse if you pull with one hand and scratch her head with the other. Here is a little video of her playing pull toy.
Last night she was bugging us to play so I took off my glasses and got down on all fours and dropped my head down. I read somewhere that that is the universal dog language for "what happens next is play." She seemed interested so I started picking at her by swatting at her paws. She tends to growl a lot when she plays, and it can sound menacing. She also has these playful lunges that take a little getting used to.
I was down "wrestling" with her for about 5 minutes before she took off to get a toy to play tug of war with. That was a record for her! She is way too good at tug of war - requiring you to have a lot of strength. Again, she growls the whole time and it gets worse if you pull with one hand and scratch her head with the other. Here is a little video of her playing pull toy.
We are off to hike Wagon Wheel Lake tomorrow on the Olympic Peninsula. It is the only trail I know of that has a warning sign at the trailhead that says it is the hardest trail in the area. Not surprisingly, we are currently a force of 2. We have had a maybe, a no and a lot of silence so far.
I hope you like the video. I'll try to catch some more Athena moments.
More soon.....
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