Let's go the distance...reflections of a decade

2010! WOW, I am still just grasping that the last 10 years have been the first decade of a new millennium. Can you remember where you were 10 years ago? Oddly enough, I don't. I don't remember what I did or was doing for the month of December in 1999. If you were there with me as the dawn of a new millennium was upon us, please remind me.

However, I do know this....that the last 10 years of my life have been intense! I have had to fight for every minute of it, but the best part is, I remember it and I am grateful for it all. I have lived in a way I couldn't imagine and with a new year just around the corner, I am not about to jump off the momentum I have already set foot with. There are many great things to come in our near future. Opportunity to make steps in a positive direction and to keep going forward along the path that each of our journeys' hold.

What did the last decade hold for me? LIFE! My eyes and heart open and my choice was for life. I chose a life with God, a life shared with my husband, to risk my life to share in the life of two beautiful boys, to walk with others that have chosen a life eternal, to WORK IT OUT and change how I walk through my life with a focus on fitness, nutrition, and longevity....my path and journey is a fight for promoting living life, fully. I will gladly put on those gloves and get into the ring of my life...it's mine and I plan to go the distance.

Let's reflect on the road of success that brought us through 10 years and to the beginning of another decade that is filled with the potential of much joy, happiness, and success. Here's to the best in the New Year!

Resolve

 Resolve, RESOLVE!! Think successful, find answers, gain knowledge and seek understanding, make firm decisions, change direction, make progress...grow and mature...let's live life fully!

Facebook Post - December 28, 2009

ELisa Sterling-Cowan

December 28, 2009 · 

Resolve, RESOLVE!! Think successful, find answers, gain knowledge and seek understanding, make firm decisions, change direction, make progress...grow and mature...let's live life fully!

Good morning! - Wednesday, December 16, 2009

ELisa Sterling-Cowan

December 16, 2009 · 

Good morning! Baking gingerbread cookies this morning with the boys....glad I cooked dinner already HAHA.

Holiday baking - Chewy Chocolate Ginger Cookies

 Good morning! Baking gingerbread cookies this morning with the boys....glad I cooked dinner already HAHA.

These are a favourite from Martha Stewart

Chewy Chocolate-Gingerbread Cookies

CREDIT: JOSEPH DE LEO

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

• 1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup dark-brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons boiling water
• 7 ounces best-quality semisweet chocolate, cut into 1/4-inch chunks
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Directions

Instructions Checklist

• Step 1

  Line two baking sheets with parchment. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cocoa.

• Step 2

  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and grated ginger until lightened, about 4 minutes. Add brown sugar; beat until combined. Add molasses; beat until combined.

• Step 3

  In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in boiling water. Beat half of flour mixture into butter mixture. Beat in baking-soda mixture, then remaining half of flour mixture. Mix in chocolate; turn out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Pat dough out to about 1 inch thick; seal with wrap. Refrigerate until firm, 2 hours or overnight.

• Step 4

  Heat oven to 325 degrees. Roll dough into 1 1/2- inch balls; place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Refrigerate 20 minutes. Roll in granulated sugar. Bake until the surfaces crack slightly, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating halfway through. Let cool on sheets 5 minutes, then transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool completely. Cookies are best the day they are made but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days.

Spiced banana banana bread

This recipe is a family favorite and this is the recipe for the latest version made. I made substitutes (and additions) from the original recipe to suit our dietary requirements (gluten free, egg free, no white sugar/flour).


Makes 1 loaf

* 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature, plus more for pan (I used 1/2 cup olive oil or sometimes 1/2 cup coconut oil)
* 1/2 cup honey
* 1 tablespoon molasses
* 2 large bananas (or 2 large eggs)
* 1 1/2 cup flour ( I used 1/2 cup chickpea flour, 1/2 cup rice/millet flour, 1/2 cup ground buckwheat and quinoa)
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas
* 1/2 cup sour cream (or full fat plain yogurt...I used organic unhomogenized)
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan; set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and honey until well mixed. Add eggs (bananas), and beat to incorporate.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, spices and salt. Add to the butter mixture, and mix until just combined. Add sour cream (yogurt), and vanilla; mix to combine. Stir in nuts (optional), and pour into prepared pan.
3. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Let rest in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool.

Good morning! - Tuesday, December 8, 2009

ELisa Sterling-Cowan

December 8, 2009 · 

Good morning! Loving the crispness of the cold, but not a fan of it being windy at night when the temperature drops....ugh, my utility bill !

Good Morning! - Saturday, December 5, 2009

ELisa Sterling-Cowan

December 5, 2009 · 

Good morning! Had a fabulous holiday potluck last night highlighted with decorating ornaments and a thick blanket of snow :).

Looking back through my own eyes at the future I am living

Long title, but best description. I'm not going to go into a long, drawn-out historical recount of my childhood, but today as I was walking home from dropping my son to school, I asked myself "Would I have ever imagined as a young girl who was singled-out, bullied and harassed in school, that I would be the woman who would work with children the age I was to help them through the same difficulties I had faced? I get the chance each day to share in the struggles of children as they learn and reflect what they have learned in their social interactions. I am seen as a "safe" place to turn to many children, when growing up, I didn't have that. I can remember one teacher in particular who took care of me and looked out for me, providing me with a listening ear in my struggles and I share this name whenever I recount the experiences I had in elementary school.

Over this last week, I helped a boy, that was misunderstood by classmates and teachers, to be forgiven for past actions and allowed the chance to prove he can change for the better. It was great having the opportunity to not only give this boy a little direction, but also to let him know that I believe in him to change in the way he wanted to and to be successful at it. He has all the right tools to succeed and do well, not only in school, but in life due to the heart of willingness he possesses. He showed me respect in the best way he knew how and vulnerability that only those who choose to take risks in life are willing to share. He has been helpful, respectful, and confident in his actions so far and I am excited to see where he will go next. Even my own son has had "stuff" to deal with and I shared with him what I went through and that he does have safe places to turn to (other than me) in times of need and he needs to use them.

I, as a young girl, would love to have watched this movie of success and overcoming as I have lived and I am glad that through the trials, struggles and pains I had lived in the past have brought me to such a fruitful future as the one I am living today.

Facebook post - Monday, November 30, 2009

ELisa Sterling-Cowan

November 30, 2009 · 

LOVING the snow! Reminds me to walk properly instead of scuffing my heels on the ground...teaching my kids the same as well 

Good morning! - Wednesday, November 25, 2009

ELisa Sterling-Cowan

November 25, 2009 · 

Good morning! Encouraged by the call to take it to the next level. Looking forward to a great weekend sharing in fellowship 

Facebook post - Wednesday, November 25, 2009

ELisa Sterling-Cowan

November 25, 2009 · 

Decisions, not conditions, help to change/ shape your life.

Church Christmas Banquet - Saturday, November 21, 2009

Church Christmas Banquet - Saturday, November 21, 2009

Hubby chose the dress, I found shoes to go with, and I brought a pair of fuzzy socks so I could dance HAHA. 

Good morning! - Saturday, November 21, 2009

ELisa Sterling-Cowan

November 21, 2009 · 

BEAUTIFUL morning!! I woke to a bright, inviting blanket of snow that brightened up the day before the sun rose....LOVE it!!

Good morning! Friday, November 20, 2009

ELisa Sterling-Cowan

November 20, 2009 · 

Good morning! Up EARLY today, so I know I will be napping later HAHA! Starting my day with burpees 

Facebook post - Friday, November 20, 2009

ELisa Sterling-Cowan

November 20, 2009 · 

Reflections....I am called to remember and by doing so, I am living a fuller life.

Good morning! Thursday, November 19, 2009

ELisa Sterling-Cowan

November 19, 2009 · 

Good morning! A note to my fellow FYMs in the Holiday challenge....do NOT let the burpees slip a day....ouCH! hehe

Recipe: Mashed potatoes - trial 1

Today I cooked a vegetable chili and am pairing it with mashed potatoes and mixed greens.

I haven't shared much for recipes as I tend to just through stuff in with an eyeballed measure and pray that God will help it to taste fabulous, but I am experimenting with modifying the mash potato recipe and I wanted to share my trials ;). Usually I use chicken stock and minced garlic with a few herbs, but out of chicken stock, so necessity required a solution.


Mash potatoes - Trial 1

10 medium potatoes cooked, but not peeled, cut into cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1/4 teaspoon coriander
1 cup water

Mashed the potatoes in a large bowl and set aside. You can add some water to help it along and achieve a smoother texture. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients making sure to whisk to an even consistency. Pour the oil mixture in with the potatoes and mix with a hand-held mixer until smooth.

Now of course this can be adjusted according to taste, but this is just the beginning....

Early-birding it

 Cooked dinner, loaded dishwasher, cleaned kitchen, emptied dryer, washed a load of laundry, put out garbage, made breakfast, put away dishes.......now to start my day

Good morning! Monday, November 16, 2009

ELisa Sterling-Cowan

November 16, 2009 · 

GOOD morning! Getting in a quick lil meal before my workout this morning which includes 15 burpees cuz I didn't do them yesterday. So it's confirmed...I am a morning workout girl :).