i love/hate to exercise

I have never been super athletic.

Throw a ball at me and I'll probably duck. Kick a ball at me and I may fall on my face trying to return it.

I've always worked out but it was an occasional thing: a run every other weekend, a gym class here, whatever I would remember to fit in.

My husband, on the other hand, is really athletic. After playing soccer through high school he took up running in college. He qualified for the Boston Marathon running his first marathon. He runs miles around a 6:45 pace**. He works as the shoe buyer at one of the best running stores in the country. I don't say this to boast, (OK, maybe a little), but to let you understand the difference between us.

For the longest time I would never let the husband see me workout -- or heaven forbid! -- run. I was nervous about what he thought, what his runner friends thought about me.

But he always just told me that it didn't matter if I worked out or not-- just as long as I felt good.

Our first year into marriage I was working nights and really struggling with life in general. One day, after crying to him about various things, he suggested that I go for a run, or try working out... just a little bit... each day.

I scoffed at him, but secretly I started doing it. I started running, I joined a gym and I discovered that I love to exercise.

I love the adrenaline after I work out-- the energy and rush.
I love sleeping better at night.
I love the sweat and the hot shower after.
I love the time to think, to pray, to let my mind go blank
I love the accomplishment I feel when I'm a little bit sore the next day.

But as much as I've discovered that I love to exercise, I also hate it.

I hate getting up earlier, or taking time out of my day when I could be doing something else.
I hate the first five minutes when I run-- the tightness in my chest and my leaden feet.
I hate running hills and the fact that you can't run anywhere in Seattle without encountering one.
I hate how much effort it takes some days.

But I keep doing it. Finally get it and I've gotten to the point where I need it in my life.
Granted I don't ever run over 4 miles (one time I ran 8 miles but it was because I got lost in my husband's hometown-- long story,) and I rarely put more than a half hour's worth of time into it. But I'm still doing it several times a week.

And over Christmas, I even went for a run with the husband. Granted, it was after he ran 9 miles by himself... but still, I let him see me run.

I'm not saying this to make you feel guilty, or pressured or really anything at all. Just my love/hate story. :)

xo, erika

p.s. I would like to add that the 6:45 pace is his training run pace, not his racing pace. Don't worry, I can't run that fast.

caesar salad with homemade dressing

Caesar salad has the bad reputation in the salad family. It's not chock full of veggies, and it has a heavy creamy dressing and heaven forbid, loads of croutons. But it's really really good. It's also really really easy to make homemade caesar dressing. (And in a way, also redeem caesar salad's bad rep.)

 dressing: (recipe altered from here)

gather together...
2 tbs of light mayo
6 cloves garlic, mashed + minced
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbs dijon mustard
1 tbs worchester sauce (if you don't want it as tangy, don't include this)
1 tbs white wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
pepper, lemon juice to taste

Combine salt, garlic, mustard, worchester and vinegar in a blender. Add in mayo and blend. (don't overblend! That, apparently, can be bad.) Slowly add olive oil in a stream and blend. Add in pepper and lemon juice to taste.

This will keep for about a week in the fridge.

I paired my dressing with large romaine leaves slightly grilled in a skillet with olive oil, thinly sliced radishes, and whole wheat croutons (I made my own-- recipe here).

Perfect as a meal (the husband and I added chicken to it for dinner) or as as a side.

xo, erika

sponsor spotlight & giveaway with I Believe In Story

I'll admit it-- I'm a bookworm. I love love love to read and devour nearly any sort of book, which is why I'm excited to introduce one of my lovely sponsors Maria!

<><><>

Hi, everyone! My name is Maria and I blog over at I Believe In Story, where I post musings about all types of literature. Erika asked me to write a post with a few book recommendations. I hope these titles will inspire you to start making your own to-read list for the new year! Tweet me and let me know what books you plan to read this year.

for the fairytale fan.

1. MIRROR MIRROR by Gregory Maguire

A story that explores the classic tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  Maguire's writing is absolutely beautiful.  You'll find yourself reading with a highlighter or a pen nearby, making sure you document all of the passages that speak directly to you.  For example: "We make of the hollow world a fuller, messier, prettier place, but all our inventions can't create the one thing we require: to deserve any fond attention we might accidentally receive, to receive any fond attention we don't in the course of things deserve."

for the art fan.

2. THE LADY AND THE UNICORN by Tracy Chevalier

A story based on the background behind six tapestries woven in the late 15th century.  Chevalier has created a fictional story about the people who were connected to the creation of the tapestry, from the rich man who commissions the piece to the family who work day and night to finish weaving before the project's deadline.  "Two families, two cities, one rogue go-between, and a set of gorgeous tapestries."

for the memoir fan.

3. LOOSE END by Ivan E. Coyote

A collection of short stories that focus on urban life in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia.  Coyote writes about the impact of modern society on the diverse Canadians that live around her.  A storyteller by trade, Coyote's craft and mastery over words will have you laughing and crying within a span of two pages.  The stories are short and sweet, commenting on the gender binaries we place upon ourselves and others.

for the classics fan.

4. THE AWAKENING by Kate Chopin

An often ignored American classic, The Awakening is about Edna Pontellier, a woman who struggles with her personal views about femininity and motherhood and the views of American society at the turn-of-the-century.  The book focuses on the psychology of Edna and her literal "awakening" from the expectations that have been placed upon her.

for the young adult fan.

5. THIS DARK ENDEAVOUR by Kenneth Oppel

Oppel's YA novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein's apprenticeship as he discovers the world of alchemy and does everything possible to save his brother from death.  This book has just the right amount of fantasy to keep you on the edge of your seat, but the adventure is incredibly realistic.  The main character’s desire for power is something all readers will relate to - even if they don’t want to admit it.

<><><>

Maria is generously offering a rouge & whimsy reader a book of their choice from this list!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

fort steilacoom

 headband: c/o Just Lovely Things // sweater: old American Eagle // top: Target // skirt: hand-me-down // boots: Wanted

 There's different kind of gorgeous scenery-- there's the awe-inspiring views of mountains, oceans, cliffs or deserts. And then there's the mossy, damp beauty of a western Washington in winter.

My husband's parents live south of Tacoma in the city of Lakewood and every year we drive the hour or so down (depending on traffic) to spend part of Christmas with them.

One of my favorite parts of visiting is going to Fort Steilacoom. The park is popular but its size can make parts of it feel secluded. On Christmas Eve, the on and off rain made it so we nearly had the place to ourselves.

The rising mist and fog partnered with the abandoned barns gave the park an eerie, almost mystic feeling. Am I the only one who loves rundown barns? Something about the history- the idea of what was once there- it makes me want to write a poem, or something.

But don't worry, I won't be torturing you with one anytime soon.

xo, erika

** in case you were wondering how to pronounce Fort Steilacoom, (it's an American Indian word), it's stil-eh-come

the grace of les miserables

source: universal pictures

Even if you hate musicals, or have heard rumors that Russell Crowe's singing voice left something to be desired (for the record, I thought it was perfect for his character), or can't imagine sitting through a two and a half hour movie -- you should go see Les Miserables. (or perhaps read the book.)

If only for one reason: the depiction of grace.

Grace is something that so many of us struggle with -- Christians or not -- simply because the notion of grace is that it makes things unfair.

If others mess up-- we want revenge, we want things to be made right and that could involve not forgiving someone or even punishing someone. And if others continually mess up, forgetting having anything to do with them. In fact, we should push away people who mess up-- even if they ask for forgiveness, or even, gasp, say they've been changed.

Without spoiling the movie, the main character Jean Valjean experiences extreme grace, when for no reason at all-- even in the face of something he's done-- someone extends grace to him. It causes him to turn from his former life-- be made new -- and to extend that same grace to others.

It's so different from another character Inspecteur Javert who cannot see past the laws, staying fixed in his beliefs that in order to receive love, respect, anything-- he has to do things right-- do things perfectly. He creates a narrow life for himself and one that is largely unhappy.

When I walked out of the movie, it wasn't the songs that followed me home but the notion of pure grace-- believing that doing good and being good are from God, given to those who don't deserve it and know they don't. I, too, do not deserve grace from God yet I am freely given it. The best way to show God, and show love, is to extend that grace to others. And sometimes, give myself that grace as well. Perhaps another New Years resolution ;)

xo, erika

p.s. other posts I've found interesting about the themes of grace in Les Mis here & here.