Seriously.
Let's look at the things I do on days off:
Last year - registered for GRE with less than 6 weeks to go. Thank goodness that turned out ok.
Last month - got a haircut. Regretted it as soon as I walked out of the place.
Today - signed up for not 1, not 2, but 3 races in the next 2 months.
That's right. 3 races.
This weekend is the 2nd Annual Race for Research, a 10k raising money for brain tumor research and awareness.
December 12th is the 32nd Annual Santa Monica Christmas Run, another 10k benefitting a shelter for homeless pregnant women and children.
Then, January 17th is the big one... the PF Chang's Rock n' Roll Marathon, of which I will be doing half.
Wish me luck!!!!!
PS - both of the 10k races have lots of info about volunteering and donating. I'll post info soon for those of you who are interested.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
RULES
I realized, I need rules. Structure. For this month - o - fun.
So here it goes. Editing will follow.
Thursdays (and some Saturdays) I play soccer. There's NO FREAKIN WAY I'm running and playing soccer after a day of work... hello, I'm not THAT crazy... so I decided for 45 minutes of play (1 full Thursday game, half a Saturday game) I get 2 miles. Except for this Thursday, which I have off work, and on which I get to run on the beeeeeeeeach during the day. Then play soccer at night! So it's going to be a good day for the ole mileage factor.
Ummmmmmm I can't think of anything else right now. But I will.
Also, I feel compelled... Kids. Don't try this at home. Unless you can. Then do it.
So here it goes. Editing will follow.
Thursdays (and some Saturdays) I play soccer. There's NO FREAKIN WAY I'm running and playing soccer after a day of work... hello, I'm not THAT crazy... so I decided for 45 minutes of play (1 full Thursday game, half a Saturday game) I get 2 miles. Except for this Thursday, which I have off work, and on which I get to run on the beeeeeeeeach during the day. Then play soccer at night! So it's going to be a good day for the ole mileage factor.
Ummmmmmm I can't think of anything else right now. But I will.
Also, I feel compelled... Kids. Don't try this at home. Unless you can. Then do it.
Monday, November 2, 2009
NaRuALoMo
Natural Ruins Are Lovely Messes.
No, that's not it.
Name Rural A Lotta Money
What?
National Run A Lot Month. Aha!
In honor of NaBl/Wr/Si/Ae/wahtever month, I'm doing something too.
Running. A Lot.
2 days in I've logged 2 runs for 6.5 miles. I'd like to run 30/30 days, and at 3 miles a day (at least) that means 90 miles. At least.
HOLY CRAP DID I DO THAT MATH RIGHT???
Wish me luck!
No, that's not it.
Name Rural A Lotta Money
What?
National Run A Lot Month. Aha!
In honor of NaBl/Wr/Si/Ae/wahtever month, I'm doing something too.
Running. A Lot.
2 days in I've logged 2 runs for 6.5 miles. I'd like to run 30/30 days, and at 3 miles a day (at least) that means 90 miles. At least.
HOLY CRAP DID I DO THAT MATH RIGHT???
Wish me luck!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
The Long-Awaited Chocolate Yogurt Cake with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting and Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache
The Cake.
The Death-by-Chocolate-and-Peanut-Butter Cake.
The Gain-Five-Pounds-by-Reading-the-Recipe Cake.
Yum.
I've become the office baker. Birthdays are my domain. In September a girl I am close with celebrated her birthday, and requested a cake with chocolate and peanut butter... a girl after my own heart. I had bookmarked this recipe so so long ago, and was just itching for an excuse to make it. It was so so good, sinful and rich and moist and delicious. I've made it twice since then, once for another birthday and once because, well, why the hell not? (Reason why not: unhealthy BMI!) Enjoy.
Chocolate Yogurt Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting and Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache
Adapted from Smitten Kitchen, adapted from Irresistable Triple Layer Cakes
Chocolate Yogurt Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch process
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup neutral vegetable oil, such as canola, soybean or vegetable blend
1 cup plain yogurt
1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter the bottoms and sides of three 8-inch cakepans.
Sift flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl; combine them well. Add the oil and yogurt and blend. Slowly beat in the water, then the vinegar and vanilla. Whisk in eggs and beat until well incorporated.
Bake 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean. Let cool completely in fridge.
Frost and top with ganache. Refrigerate to allow cake to set. Remove 1 hour before serving.
Peanut Butter Frosting
(I usually double this)
10 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2/3 cup smooth peanut butter, preferably a commercial brand (because oil doesn’t separate out)
Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add the confectioners’ sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly. After all sugar is incorporated, beat on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Add peanut butter and mix until blended.
Chocolate-Peanut Butter Glaze
8 ounces seimsweet chocolate, chopped
4 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup half-and-half
Melt the chocolate and peanut butter over a double boiler, stirring often. Remove from heat, whisk in half-and-half, and beat until smooth.
The Death-by-Chocolate-and-Peanut-Butter Cake.
The Gain-Five-Pounds-by-Reading-the-Recipe Cake.
Yum.
I've become the office baker. Birthdays are my domain. In September a girl I am close with celebrated her birthday, and requested a cake with chocolate and peanut butter... a girl after my own heart. I had bookmarked this recipe so so long ago, and was just itching for an excuse to make it. It was so so good, sinful and rich and moist and delicious. I've made it twice since then, once for another birthday and once because, well, why the hell not? (Reason why not: unhealthy BMI!) Enjoy.
Chocolate Yogurt Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting and Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache
Adapted from Smitten Kitchen, adapted from Irresistable Triple Layer Cakes
Chocolate Yogurt Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch process
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup neutral vegetable oil, such as canola, soybean or vegetable blend
1 cup plain yogurt
1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter the bottoms and sides of three 8-inch cakepans.
Sift flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl; combine them well. Add the oil and yogurt and blend. Slowly beat in the water, then the vinegar and vanilla. Whisk in eggs and beat until well incorporated.
Bake 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean. Let cool completely in fridge.
Frost and top with ganache. Refrigerate to allow cake to set. Remove 1 hour before serving.
Peanut Butter Frosting
(I usually double this)
10 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2/3 cup smooth peanut butter, preferably a commercial brand (because oil doesn’t separate out)
Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add the confectioners’ sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly. After all sugar is incorporated, beat on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Add peanut butter and mix until blended.
Chocolate-Peanut Butter Glaze
8 ounces seimsweet chocolate, chopped
4 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup half-and-half
Melt the chocolate and peanut butter over a double boiler, stirring often. Remove from heat, whisk in half-and-half, and beat until smooth.
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