jo burgess hannon

fit for today, fit for life

Tick Tock

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As Honey’s alarm went off this November morning the bedroom was pitch dark. I had been sound asleep and was convinced it was earlier than normal. I was shocked to see it was 7:15am.  Usually, by this time of day, I have brewed a cup of coffee and am deep into catching up on all the latest news my iPad offers. You know, reading the important stuff like my favorite decorating or fashion blog. I even commented that it felt WAY earlier and Honey said solemnly, “like 5:00am. ”

The question is not will we go through change, but will we grow through change.
John Maxwell

This post might fall into the category of “you know you are getting old when…” As time marches I am more aware that I need to allow myself the right to shift my outlook, change my ways. In fact, even encourage myself to explore fresh ideas.

Now I long for daylight savings to get here a little quicker.  NO! I love the light of late afternoon.  Don’t make the skies any darker and sooner.  Repeal the daylight savings program.  These past thoughts are pushed aside: I must be getting old to crave more light in the morning hours. (Then again, maybe the pre-dawn brain haze was just a sugar hangover from Halloween.)

I must be getting old, or at least older. Yikes.  So I’m going to try to remember this simple lesson: life is always changing and I can change, too.

 

What’s your plan?

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Have you heard the phrase “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail’? I used to think this mantra was original to my father in law, who for years sent every family member an inspirational letter encouraging goal setting.  A google search gives credit to Benjamin Franklin.  Who knew? Well, probably my father in law.

With Halloween right around the corner, I daily remind myself to stick to the plan.  Yep, having consumed WAY too many miniature candy bars in the past I realized I needed to confront my weakness for itty bitty Snickers bars.  And single servings of Peanut M & M’s. And Twix. And Kit Kat. I’m not sure why these littles are so delicious: I can walk by a full size bar without a glance. They seem to be the perfect combo of everything I like.

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How did my little Husky turn into a Coug graduate?

 

When those annual letters would arrive, a hand addressed envelope mailed separately to each person, mine would sometimes sit for days, sometimes it was eagerly opened, sometimes it was weeks before I read the contents.  I knew enclosed would be a call to action, a call to plan and I wanted to be in the right mindset.

I have found myself this time of year putting all my favorite Halloween candies in my cart, telling myself I will save them for the knock on the door and the shout of “trick or treat!!!” I want to ignore my inner voice, the voice of reason, reminding me I can’t eat just one. Some years a trip a buy more has been needed: all the good stuff gone before anyone in costume had a chance to make it to the front porch. Anybody been THERE?

Failing to plan is a plan to fail.  Oh, how those empty candy wrappers can expose that.

The strategy that has worked for me is pretty simple.  I wait until the last possible minute to bring the bags home.  Then they get stored out in the garage, up high, out of sight.  The first few years I only purchased the flavors I did not like because I knew I would open the bag.  You know, like gum drops. Seriously, those might would go stale in my house.

How about you? How do you avoid consuming hundreds of extra calories this time of year?

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Thanks Gary Hannon for always encouraging reflection and action.

An easy recipe idea

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I am dreaming of sunny days, warm weather and spending time outdoors so I thought I would share a versatile pulled pork recipe I made a few weeks ago. We spent the afternoon at a winery and watched a couple of precious people sky dive. You can read more about that here.

I know that picnic weather might be behind us until next spring.   However, this recipe is easy and can be made ahead and used for sandwiches, in stir fried rice (recipe here), or as a layer in a burrito bowl or taco. You might even have your own favorite recipe so maybe this post will spark a make ahead dinner you can use for a few different meals.

Enjoy!

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2 pounds boneless pork shoulder

(I generally use a couple of Costco pork sirloin roasts as they are lean and a smaller portion for my family)

Salt and Pepper

5 Sprigs Thyme

3 Sprigs Oregano

1 small onion, pealed and quartered

2 large cloves of garlic

1 1/2 cups water

Season pork with salt and pepper.  Brown in dutch oven with a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.   Add remaining items.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat and simmer on very low heat, covered, until meat is tender, about 2 1/2 hours. Uncover, boil until liquid has evaporated.  Remove meat and shred or cut into small chunks. From the remaining liquid, remove stems from the ‘gravy’ and using an immersion blender or regular blender, blend until smooth.  Use the ‘gravy’ to season shredded meat.

PS-check google for oven roasting temperature/time  or for crock pot temperature and times. Or leave a note or link in the comments below

Serve with buns and barbecue sauce and coleslaw.

Serve with warm tortillas, salsa, guacamole and condiments.

Use leftovers in fried rice, burrito bowls, tacos.

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Today’s the day

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The ‘limo’ and driver included with the deluxe package

 

Recently I watched two of my most precious people jump out of an airplane. Even as I type those words I get a little teary thinking about how important these two women are to me.  Both are brave, strong, well-spoken, loving and kind.  Though they share many qualities one is a young 24 and one is a young at heart 82.

The story as I heard it goes something like this: Mom-in-Law (Gram) entered a contest at her local gym. It is a January kick-off promotion to encourage members to get active. You earn tickets for participating in a variety of activities and can then enter an array of drawings for numerous prizes. Gram really wants to win the Deluxe Sky Diving Package for 2. After 3 years her name is finally drawn. The family email goes out with the exciting news.

Waiting for those parachutes to open I was anxious and fiercely proud.  I can remember struggling as a kid just to jump off the 10-foot diving platform at our local pool.  I jumped, even though I really wanted to turn around and climb back down the ladder.  Though it never got easy, with every jump I gained a little more self-confidence.  Does anyone remember nickel swim night?

Wine tasting while the jumpers got their marching orders
Wine tasting while the jumpers get their marching orders

 

Waiting, as bodies emerged from a plane so high it was barely visible, I wondered if this was ever on my daughter’s bucket list.  As daughter tells the story she simply answered the email by saying, ‘sounds fun Gram!’ The next thing daughter knew, Gram was inviting her along to be her plus 1 and they were choosing a date.

 

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Fiercely proud and utter relief as those chutes opened.

 

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Congratulations toast after landing at the Tsillan Winery

 

PS-I think maybe the contest was rigged….