The year of runny jam!


My grandmother, Lois, has made strawberry freezer jam famous in the Keesecker family. It has been an annual ritual since before I was born.

My dad and I carry on this tradition and get together to tackle this project each year during strawberry season. So last Sunday, my dad, Dani, Maya and I went to pick strawberries. I spent enough time picking strawberries (2 hours) to know that it's a job that I wouldn't want to have. It didn't take me long to figure that out, did it? We picked 55 lbs. of strawberries!


Then we went back to the test kitchen (my dad's house) to make jam. Although my grandmother's jam was the most delicious, we have come to realize it was loaded with sugar (as most good things are).We have been trying to make a jam that doesn't use as much sugar. We prefer the taste of the berries instead of the sugar, but we don't want to cook the jam either, since that tends to change the taste of the berries.

The regular recipe calls for 2 c berries and 4 c sugar in each batch. Twice as much sugar as berries??!!? So, my dad and I decided we would experiment in order to come up with a less sugary, just as yummy, no-cook freezer jam.

We ended up making our jam using the following recipe: 5 c berries, 4 c sugar, 2 pkg pectin.

It tastes good, but didn't set well, therefore the jam is RUNNY. Ultimately, however, we decided that flavor was more important than the consistency and continued on with the runny jam.

We are still on the lookout to improve upon our annual strawberry jamfest product. I found a couple of online recipes that seem to indicate that it can be done, while my dad found a low-sugar pectin at Bi-mart made by Ball that I think we will ty next year.

Stay tuned...

Regarding the City of Portland Triathlon, Claudia has decided to do the swim, which leaves me to do the 40k bike ride.

This shouldn't be too difficult. I already know that I can cycle that distance. It's the hills that I am concerned with. Click here to see the route. The bike ride is shown in red. The course is to complete that 8.2 mi loop 3 times. Anyone familiar with the route knows that the ride up Barbur Blvd and then up Capital Hwy and then up some more through Terwilliger is going to be a bitch...times 3!

My goal is to do the loop once this week to test it out. I gotta figure out what I am dealing with here.

This morning, I stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few items. I walked by the feminine hygiene section and noticed that smack between the tampons and the maxi-pads there was a rack clipped on to the shelf with individual Hershey's brownies hanging from it.

Is it really legal to prey upon women when we are at our most vulnerable, when we are completely hormonally imbalanced?

Ah, capitalism, thy name is genius.

I have had a training setback.

I hate to even write about it, because I am then admitting to it, but yesterday I attempted to do my run outdoors for the first time. I was excited since it was a beautiful day and I was going to run along the river. I thought it would be a great way to reward myself for all those days of running on the treadmill watching the tv screen at the gym.

After about 10 min of running, I could not continue to run. I started walking. For the remainder of the trip, I alternated between walking and running, but never running more than a couple of minutes at a time.

I came back to the office, defeated. I have been on such an adrenalin rush from making the 30 minute goal last week, and now I feel like I have no business trying to do all these races and silliness.

Then I talked to a couple of people and did a little research. I found that, THANKFULLY, my experience was not uncommon. Apparently, running outdoors is more difficult than running on the treadmill.

So, I am trying to convince myself to continue on my path. To forge ahead, to believe that I can do it and anything else I set my mind to.

I will not let this little set back hold me back! Sí se puede, right?

I have convinced my girls to join in with me on a relay team for the Oregon Trout City of Portland Triathlon on August 31. Vero will do the running leg and I will do either the swimming leg or biking leg, whichever Claudia doesn't want to do. Shelli signed herself up pretty quickly to be the cheerleader (she will probably need to help get us all organized too - her specialty).

Maybe this will motivate me to train to do the entire triathlon on my own next year...

Either way, I am really excited to be doing this with my girls! Girl power!

I have been on a roll. I ran yesterday for 32 minutes. 2 extra just to see if I could do it. I think I will add 1 or 2 munutes each time until I can't take it anymore. We'll see how long that lasts.

Today I went on an 8 mile bike ride after work. My plan was to go 10. It was a light workout, but mainly I want to keep getting on the bike so that I can get my butt used to the seat. My butt was still sore from the other day, but I was able to do it. I managed to get myself out on the bike path at the wrong time. When I went out there, I came across about 50 people on bikes that were on some sort of tour. I was stuck in the middle of their pack for about 3 miles. I had to ride really slowly. Finally, they turned off the path at Oaks Bottom, so then I was able to start riding at a decent pace. Then I had to cut my ride short because it was getting too dark. I hadn't left the office until after 8:30.

At least I got on the bike and did something. Tomorrow, I am going to run. I'm lovin it.

It's the summer of ME.

Well, I did it! On Saturday, I ran 30 minutes...without stopping! I have to say, it felt great! My girls were there cheering me on...Shelli, Claudia, and Vero...my heroes! I love those girls!

After the run, I was overwhelmed by this amazing feeling. I was overcome by the feeling that I can do anything. I really do believe that if I can do this, I really can accomplish anything.

Then, just to prove my point, I went on a 20 mile bike ride yesterday. It was also great. I rode out the Springwater Corridor from downtown to the 10 mile marker. The only problem I had was with my rear. I really need to keep on the bike in order to get my butt used to the seat. I was hating that last 3 miles of sitting on that seat.

My big new goal is to become a machine. I have some extra time this summer since the kids are off enjoying their summer with their dad, grandparents, and will soon be off to Mexico, so I am going to take advantage of it by focusing on me.

This will be the summer of ME! I have a lot to figure out. I am working on deciding on what kind of romantic personal relationships I am seeking, physical fitness goals, nutritional and weight loss goals, and career analysis. It's quite a bit to take on, but I have the support I need and I have the time.

If I was asked six months ago how I would be feeling about life right now, I would never imagine I would be feeling this positively - this good about things.

Life is an amazing journey and I am so glad to be on it.

Beef jerky and vanilla wafers...snack of champions!

One week to go!

I am almost done with my running program. I repeated week 3 so it took me an extra week, but I really cant' believe that I have made it this far. I know now I can finish and that I will be able to do it. I am so close already. Yesterday I ran a 26 minute run/1 minute walk/ and then a 3 minute run, so really I am almost there.

I do have to say that my legs are sore today and I was supposed to rest, but I ended up raking the yard for over an hour, so we will see how that affects me tomorrow.

Tomorrow I am up to 27 minutes, and 26 was tough, but that was after going out salsa dancing on Friday night, so that could be the reason.

My plan is to continure running, but to also add in some swimming and bike riding, in order to cross train a bit and not be so hard on my knees.

My knees were sore yesterday, so I iced them last night and I think that helped.

The amazing thing is that I am actually going to do this and complete it. After the first week, I was really doubting my ability to complete this training, so I guess it is a well-structured plan.

I have never been able to run non-stop for this amount of time, ever, so it's pretty cool.

I had a slight training setback. I did not run on Friday and Saturday. I did a run last Wednesday which involved three 9 minute runs with a one minute run in between each 9 minute run. It was tough. I almost fell off the treadmill while I ran the last 3 minutes and decided to close my eyes for a bit. Not a good idea I found out.

I took a break for a few days, but I decided yesterday to get back to it. I am repeating last week's training schedule and I hope that prepares me to better move ahead with my training and to be successful.

Onward and upward...

Proceed...with caution

That is the decision I am making right now regarding my running training. I went to the gym today and ran my 6 min run, 1 min walk, repeat for 30 minutes plan. It was so much more doable being at the gym. I feel good and I didn't find it TOO hard. Next week, things get dicey. The time I need to spend running is longer (8 min on Monday, 9 on Wednesday, etc). I am going to try it and see how it goes.

None of this has been easy, but I have been able to do it so far. One thing I know is that I can't do the running part at home. At least I am able to complete it somewhere...

I had my first post-writing class meeting with my classmates from last term. At the end of the term, there were 7 of us, and 4 of us managed to get together last night at Starbucks. We set up a schedule to meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month to share our writing progress. We discussed what we are writing, what we hope to write, and what we are reading...fun fun fun. This is the kind of interaction that is truly motivating.

One of the girls actually quit her job since the class ended and has almost finished a rough draft of her novel - WOW! That is inspirational. I am excited to continue to meet with this group and I hope that much creativity will come out of it and that they will motivate me to do all of the writing I want to do.

Ok, this week has been tough on the running front. I think it's partly because I have the treadmill set up at the house now and I can work out there. I think it affects my mental state to be running while only 7 feet away from my couch. It's impossible to do. I have decided that I will only work out at home on my walking days. I am going to try my running workout tomorrow at the gym to test my theory. I don't think it is as physically difficult as it has felt, but I could be wrong. If that is the case, I will repeat training week 3 next week as well, before moving on to week 4, because week 4 is going to be brutal and I need to make sure I can handle the level that I am at now first. We'll see how it goes. I will keep you posted.

On a wonderful note, I took advantage of a birthday gift certificate of a massage. (I know, I held out for 5 months before using it) It was WONDERFUL!!! My back has been hurting from running, and the masseuse told me that I had a couple of knots in my lower back, which she worked out. I feel a lot better already. She said that running shouldn't make my back hurt tomorrow. I am looking forward to that. Although, if that's the case, I may need to save my pennies for more massages in the future...

Joaquin is a pretty considerate kid and I am reminded of this constantly by things he does.

The other day I was cleaning the kitchen after dinner and it was obvious that I was very tired. Who knows if I was being cranky or not, but it was clear to Joaquin at least (who pays attention to these things) that his mama was exhausted. I was starting to make lunch for him and he looked over at me and said, "Mom, you can just make me PB&J...I'm easy."

He was trying to lighten my load, just a little, in the only way he knew how. I am enjoying watching them grow up so much, especially when I can see whispers of the people they are becoming.

Ok, yesterday was my 9th day of training and it was almost my last. I don't think I have ever worked so hard in a 30 minute span in my life. All I had to do was run 3 minutes then walk 1 minute and repeat that 7 times, then run 2 minutes. That means, however, that out of a 30 minute workout, I ran for 23 minutes. I don't think I have ever done that in my life. My face was purple, the word 'masochist' kept running through my mind, I thought I was going to get dizzy and fall off the treadmill, and I almost stopped a few times. I told myself I was done with this stupid idea and what in the hell did I want to do this for anyway?

However, within 45 minutes of completing the task, I started to feel good. I figure that if I can do that, I can work my way up to running for 30 minutes right? So I continue along this crazy path, and at least for the moment, I have decided to keep going. There is something to be said for the sense of accomplishment that comes along with doing something this difficult.

The last day of training on this program is June 14, Flag Day, no less! On this day, I will run for an uninterrupted 30 minute period of time.

Funny, 30 minutes never seemed that long before...

I have decided that I am going to become a runner.

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-261--9397-0,00.html

I am going to start an 8-week program to learn to run. Don't get me wrong. I can run from here to the corner, but running for sport has never been my thing.

I have always been vehemently opposed to running for sport. I would ride my bike or walk or other exercise, but running was out of the question. I think I had an issue with too many bouncing body parts. However, as I have a little less bounciness now, I think it might be time to take this task on.

We will see how it goes. Make sure to ask me how it's going and help me to stay on task.

Shelli and I are going to get on our plans for our big trip at the end of the year. We are headed to Brazil and Argentina! We are in the planning process of the trip right now. I am just trying to figure out the logistics of where we will be traveling to so that we can figure out how to get some tickets and where to land and so forth. I am pretty excited!

Joaquin taught himself how to ride his bike two weeks ago. We had been talking about how he needs to ride his bike and he would cry and freak out and say that he didn't want to ride his bike because he was going to fall and get hurt. He has always been an extremely cautious dude. So I was putting the motherly pressure on and he was doing his usual freak out. I suggested we go to the school and try there. He was upset about that plan. Then, it started to rain, and he got so happy that we wouldn't be going. I was so frustrated. The next morning, I was with a client at the office and Lily called and told me to come down to the bottom of the circle at the end of our street when I came home because Joaquin had something he wanted to show me. When I came home, I drove down to the circle and Joaquin was RIDING HIS BIKE! He was just riding as if he had been doing it forever. He is so funny that way. I am trying to adjust to his way of doing things. He has always been the last one to get it, but once he does, watch out, he does it very well. He is a perfectionist. That's my boy and there's no changing him. I am learning to appreciate my children as individuals and not try to have them be the way that I would like them to be.

Little league is starting this week. Woo hoo! Too bad it's raining, hailing and snowing outside - weird! It's time to figure out how to fit in the 38 games plus practices into the schedule...YIKES! Joaquin is on the Angels and Lily is on the Shooting Stars teams. They love this and I love to watch them play.

It's been too long since I have posted on the blog. Not good. Here are some recent words from a wise friend that Ineed to keep in mind:

Sometimes someone can hurt you so much, that they don't deserve to have you in their lives.

I just need a reminder from time to time when I am feeling weak or vulnerable.

I am possessed. I don't know what has come over me, except that SHELLI is to blame.

I have been doing things that I do not normally do such as staying up late to prepare meals for the next day. This strange way of thinking ahead, planning, and getting organized, is foreign to me, as I tend to be a more 'fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants' gal. Yet, lately, I feel a strange compulsion to follow the lead of my dear amiga, Shelli, who has been kind in sharing her thoughtful and organized habits with me. I am making lists, using coupons (!) and other sorts of strange behaviors. It's amazing how calming it is to have some things taken care of in advance.

What a novel concept!