How is it possible

We were in Ewing, New Jersey this weekend and stayed at a Courtyard by Marriot. It was a long drive and required a bottle of water and a soda or two. Before we checked out, i was tidying up the car and thought i would take the bottle and can inside to have them recycled. I asked the woman at the front desk if they recycled. I didn't even think that the answer would be anything other than yes.

But ack. she said no unfortunately they do not. I took my cans and bottle to recycle at home said that i couldn't believe it. This hotel was immediately next door to what i thought was a NJ Dept of Envir Protection office. In this day and age i am still amazed that a chain of hotels the size of marriots doesn't do the seemingly easy task of recycling. I imagine they have the opportunity to recycle hundreds of pounds of cans and bottles each year. They have vending machines for guests. Guests bring their own beverages. I know as we were early arrivals and the cleaning staff were still cleaning rooms from the night before, that i saw at least one case of beer bottles in the hall. Now i know that these probably just went into the trash.

The hotel was so proud to be smoke free, as it had signs everywhere that reminded you of the fact. Hey thats great. But why not be proud of recycling too.

Some efforts could be done sooooo easily.

Cha cha cha cha changes

New job folks. I am working for the state as a planner. Kinda funny. Very different working full-time at an office than it is to work part time from home. It is taking a lot of getting used to. For everyone involved.

Finding it hard to squeeze in everything I feel I should be doing - errands, chores, yard work, and exercise. The hardest to get used to is the lack of exercise. I used to do a one hour run or a quick 18 mile bike ride and go back to work with or without a shower. Can't do that from my new office.

Its killing me. Its definitely nice to pay some bills, but I am struggling to keep my weight in check. suggestions.

argh.

Sportskool

I was looking for something to watch the other day on tv. i didn't want to pay for movie on demand. i went surfing and came up with a very enjoyable hour or so of GREAT stuff. Comcast OnDemand in addition to movies has some cool stuff to watch. I had to dig pretty deep to find it, but it was right up my alley. Sportskool. Check it out. Comcast On Demand>Sports and Fitness> Sportskool>Adventure Racing. There was other stuff too - golf- triathlons, running, etc.- but I have been very curious about adventure racing for a while. They had great instructors. The primary presenter was a guy named Cary Bond. Also appearing was Eric Stiller, John Hartley and Brian Duncanson. It would be great if they could add some women, but maybe some day. They covered topics like kayaking, mtn biking, trail running, navigation. Each segment was standalone and was no longer than 15-20 minutes. All in all a great way to feel energized on a cold rainy day.

I checked out the website www.sportskool.com and couldn't find the piece on adventure racing but still worth a peep. I will probably visit it from time to time.

Evening dog walk at Stow Town Forest

Toby and I took a walk through the town forest one Saturday evening in January with the camera. I love the shades of grey/blue.

Another magazine for us.

I came along a complimentary edition of Her Sports + Fitness recently. http://www.hersports.com/ It would be worth the couple of bucks to take a look at it. I will continue to check it out. Great articles on all kinds of activities for women. Lots of running and cycling, but also nutrition and health.

Kale Soup

I found this recipe in Bread & Circus Grocery Store (now Whole Foods) like 15 years ago. I can't find the original anywhere. This may be way off the original, but it works for me and it is perfect for cold winter days when you want something healthyish. So here goes as I have modified it over the years.

Olive Oil (1/4-1/2 cup)
Onions (1 good size, yellow)
Garlic (4-6 cloves)
A bunch of Kale (Cut off the stems, wash and chop up)
Carrots (4 or 5, cut up in to 1/4 to 1/2 inch chunks)
Parsnips (about the same amount or a tad bit more than the carrots, cut up in to 1/4 to 1/2 inch chunks)
Potatos (4 or 5 each red bliss and yukon gold on the small to medium size, cut up in to 1/4 to 1/2 inch chunks)
2 large cans whole tomatoes (John Muir, Pastene, or the like, organic is good, cut them up a little and use the juice)
1 or 2 cans diced tomatoes (John Muir, Pastene, or the like, organic is good, and use the juice)
Basil and any other spices, to taste but I don't use much so the flavor of the veggies really comes out.
Pepper, to taste
Salt, to taste
Orzo (Cook in a separate pot, 1 1/2 cup dried)
Water if you want it soupier
Goat Cheese (optional, best done on the side, I like some herbed stuff from Vermont)
Black Olives (optional, best done on the side)
Good Bread

Cooking it goes like this.
Cut all the veggies up first. This takes a while. Careful if you have a sharp knive (like the one iI got for Christmas, Thanks Beth and Julia), not to chop off a finger.

In a big pot, heat about a 1/4 to 1/3 cup of oil, saute onions and garlic till clearish.
Throw in the kale till it cooks down. You'll know when. Then I throw in the tomatoes. You're now ready to throw in the rest of the veggies. Bring the whole thing to boil for a while. Then turn down to medium or low, cover, and let cook for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Till the taters, carrots and parsnips are done.

Right before you are ready to eat, cook some orzo in a separate pot. Strain. Throw in with the rest.

TaDa, Thow it in a bowl, add a chunk of goat cheese to the top, and a slab of bread to the side for sopping up good juices and enjoy.

A Winter Wonderland

Yesterday, we recieved 7 or 8 inches of new snow. Wonderful. This is when New England rocks. After working all morning, the usual afternoon dog walk became an hour and a half exploring the Stow Town Forest on my Karhu 10th Mtn Tour full metal edge back country skis. (Heavy, but a great work out!)

Despite, the fact some folks with bare boots, ski and yes snowmobiles had had beaten Toby (3.5 year old pointer) and I there, it was still awesome. Heavy snow really weighted down some of the evergreens and other small trees. We broke trail through an area I typically mountain bike - lots of ups and downs. Had to knock snow off trees to get them to stand up and allow us to pass. Kind of fun, they bow at your feet in formation, you tap them and they stand and salute. Or dump snow down the back of your jacket. :)

And to top things off, we got up this morning and skiied a similar route with my partner before starting work today. Maybe this afternoon's dog walk with be a ski around Delaney Wildlife Management Area. January as it should be.... I hate the thought of global warming.