Surprise(s)!!!

My mama is one lucky woman! She had not one, but two surprises for her 50th birthday! She is also lucky because she doesn't look anywhere near her age...

She hasn't changed a bit! That's me and my mom at my Aunt Jenny and Uncle Dean's wedding. I was 3 - over 20 years ago!

Anyway, back to the surprises. My dad planned to take my mom to the beach for her birthday, but she wanted to be with her whole family. My brother and I made excuses for why we couldn't be there, and even presented her with her birthday present a few weeks early - which would be the "last time" we would both see her before her birthday. Little did she know, we were all scheming!!!

Friday night I drove from Charlotte to Durham and met up with some special friends of mine for dinner. It was great to see everyone, and it is always a wonderful time when we get together. I got to see so many people that I love! On Saturday morning, I picked my brother up in Raleigh and continued on our way down I-40 east (my favorite road in the world!)

My brother and I planned to meet my parents at Ruth's Chris in Wilmington - conveniently at our hotel. My parents were staying at Carolina Beach. My brother and I were hiding in a booth awaiting my parents' arrival! My mom and dad came in, and sat at the bar (we were behind them) and my dad told her to turn around - she was so surprised and happy to see us! Also, dinner was delicious... That was a fun surprise. All the while there was more scheming going on for the next weekend. Her birthday celebration was not over!!

My dad planned a surprise party for my mom back at home with all of our friends and neighbors (our NC family!). He did it all! All I had to do was get my mom out of Apex for the afternoon so she wouldn't be suspicious.

I had run a 5K that morning in Charlotte, and conveniently scheduled an eye appointment on Saturday afternoon so that I would have to come home. My mom came with me to the appointment, and then we did some shopping! All while my dad was working like a busy bee to get the party started! He got a customized banner and candy bars as party favors! I was constantly texting my dad keeping him updated on our whereabouts (thank goodness I am always on my phone, or she might have gotten suspicious!). We got delayed at the mall due to some unfortunate circumstances (I may or may not have gotten stuck in a dress), which was a good thing; everyone was totally ready for the surprise when we got there!

When we walked in to Rudino's, my mom was still totally clueless. I walked right in, and I hear her telling the hostess "oh we are meeting someone..." I had to walk towards the party for her to realize what was going on! The bar area was really busy and loud and it was kind of hard to tell what was happening! As you can see below, she noticed!!

Totally surprised!!! The party was a success. The food was yummy (I <3 Rudino's pizza) and Coors Light was on special... that worked for me! My mom had a great time and was surrounded by her NC family and friends. Here are the rest of the pictures from the party!

I am so glad we were able to surprise my mom TWICE for her birthday!!! I love you, Mom!!!

P.S. I promise the surprises are over now... or do I?

A Confidence 5K

So, I have a 5K on Saturday (that may or may not be cancelled due to AM thunderstorms, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it). I made my little weekly training plan and told myself I would do it!

Monday: Eliptical (lunch) + pilates (after work) <- didn't happen
Tuesday: 2.5 mile run <- major struggle with cramping
Wednesday: Eliptical (lunch)
Thursday: 3 mile run <- turned in to a 5K run + 5K walk
Friday: Pilates (after work) + maybe walking
Saturday: 5K (?)

So far, so good. I will consider myself on track. 

Today was the most gorgeous day in Charlotte: 78 degrees and sunny. It was hard to believe that spring is not quite here yet! And I had a 3 mile run on the training plan (groan). This week I have really lost running confidence in myself. I took a break from running and just lost my mojo. I am not a natural runner, but I have come a long way since I started running in August (reminder to self!). Even so, I have been doubting my abilities. However, I signed up (and paid for) a race on Saturday, and I want to give it my all. If there is one thing I am, it is stubborn; so, 3 miles would indeed be run today. I had no excuses: no headache, hydrated, perfect weather. 

I set out on my run, and decided to take it pretty easy today. I wanted to successfully finish 3 miles, and not struggle too badly. My apartment complex is essentially located at the top of a slightly graded hill. When I go out, I am mostly going down hill. When I come back, I am mostly going (slightly) uphill. I always love tolerate the first half of my run, but coming back just kind of sucks. I decided to run a 'confidence' 5K today. 

What the heck is a 'confidence' 5K? I don't even know. I made it up somewhere around mile 1 while I was talking myself in to actually running 3 miles. I took it easy speed and hill-wise, but decided to run the first part of my long route (not my usual 3-ish mile route): mostly graded downhill, but with a few good uphills (enough to give me an excellent workout, without wearing me out or giving me bad cramps). I completed running (!) the 5K in 36 minutes. That made me feel great! Strong and powerful. And tired. 

But, I had to get back to my apartment. After the first 'cool down' quarter mile or so, I got my second wind. So, I decided to wind through the neighborhoods surrounding my apartment and finish the second half of my workout by walking a 5K. The walking leg took me about 46 minutes. 

I finished the workout in just over 1 hour and 22 minutes! Not a bad 10K time if I do say so myself... I am proud that I pushed myself today Not to toot my own horn, but I really wanted to write this post so that when I am feeling unmotivated or unable, I can look back and be reminded of today! 

P.S. sorry for the lack of cutesy workout pictures. I am not a fan post-workout pictures in other people's blogs. Pet peeve, but to each their own! I know that I look like a red-faced, sweaty, train wreck when I am done with my workout. And I have no need to put that all over the internet. Maybe one day.... but most likely not. Phew, glad I got that out there. 

Tofu-nk

In a tofu-nk and in need of ideas!

I realized I really haven't had much meat in quite a while. I might order it when I am out to eat, and I am happy to eat it if someone cooks it for me; however, I am not going out of my way to buy and prepare meat myself. I am not mostly vegetarian for moral or ethical reasons, or even really for 'diet' purposes. A lot of vegetarian dishes can have just as many calories as meat-filled dishes, depending on how they are prepared. While I didn't make a conscious decision to phase it out of my diet, it kind of happened naturally. Wanna know why?

My #1 reason for being mostly vegetarian is because I am cheap. Have you seen how much one pound of ground beef is lately? Not to mention I don't like touching raw meat (specifically, chicken). A block of tofu is $1.99 at Trader Joe's. Eggs are cheap too. I am going for the most bang for my buck here.

Eggs and Morningstar sausage. Tofu. Super versatile. Yum.

I have made or tried tofu prepared in a few different ways now (see recipes page for some of these recipes if you are interested!): tofu noodles, tofu pigs in a blanket, baked sesame tofu, tempeh in pasta sauce, tofu in soup, and I recently made up a delicious tofu marinade. My favorite way to eat it is sliced thin, marinated, and pan seared in my new cast iron skillet (one of my favorite purchases as of late). I will eat this tofu plain, and I have put it on a sandwich and used it as 'lunch meat.' A grilled cheese with mayo and tofu hits the spot, and provides a little more protein than just a regular old grilled cheese.

To make the marinade, I mix dijon mustard, worcestershire sauce, horseradish, and a bit of canola oil. Then I pour it over the sliced tofu and let it sit at least overnight.

I feel like I am now comfortable cooking and working with tofu. Now I need to expand my library of recipes! Please help! Also, if anyone has any good vegetarian frozen meals or snacks. I am stuck on Morningstar, (sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits!) but I know there have to be other good vegetarian options out there. I need ideas, please!