Sierra House

Yesterday, I ran 6 miles (bringing my grand total this week to 26 miles) with the group at Johnson Park and joined them for breakfast afterward at the Somerset Diner. I ordered the Farmer's Omelet (a 3-egg omelet with mushroom, onion and zucchini, and lots of hash browns), which was delicious, but HUGE! It was too much for me, even in my famished post-run state.

I also drove up to Sierra House in East Orange, a nonprofit organization serving at-risk youth. They have programs that provide accommodation, life skills training and a safe environment for girls on the verge of womanhood. I have volunteered to help out with their newsletter, write articles as well as motivate the residents to get involved, discover and develop their writing abilities. I am really excited to get started. In the meantime, Keely, the Exectuive Director had promised to show me around the house whenever I could stop by. Unfortunately, I picked the wrong day. On Saturdays, residents usually visit friends and family. The house was deserted, except for the "house-mother", a friendly and warm lady, who gave me a whirlwind tour (she was leaving shortly), and Vanessa, one of the residents who was on the phone most of the time I was there (but got off it long enough to tell me that she enjoyed writing and to give me her email i.d). Everything was neat, spotless, homely and welcoming. Apart from a huge living room, kitchen, dining room, nursery (most of the residents had babies), 9 bedrooms (5 are currently occupied), and 5 bathrooms, there was a fitness room where yoga classes were conducted, a recreation room and an office.

This quote by Margaret Meade hung in the living room: "Don't ever think that a small group cannot change the world, they are the only ones that do."

We are expecting to be buried under tons of snow tonight and tomorrow. Ah running, I will miss thee! We are otherwise well-prepared, the refrigerator filled with everything edible we will need in the next week.

I cooked scrambled tofu (I added egg beaters to the tofu..sorry, it looks like mud!)

and Beijing noodles (the final product is nowhere near the Beijing noodles I set out to make, so I'll have to name it something else. Cook angel hair pasta and drain. Saute onions, mushroom, carrot, broccoli, green peppers, salt and pepper; add to pasta)

DH whipped up his masterpiece, Chicken liver fry (saute onion, add chicken liver, green chillies, turmeric powder and salt; cook till water evaporates. Chicken liver has a ton of protein, iron, Vitamin A, B &C...but is also chock-full of cholesterol, so it is a rare delicacy)

and Bhendi & potato fry (Cook potatoes in the microwave, peel and cut into pieces. Saute onion for a few minutes; add bhendi, chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt and tamarind paste; cook till stickiness disappears; add potatoes to bhendi mix)

Finally, lots of exciting stuff in March.

Chandra's March Booty Buster Challenge will hopefully give me the much-needed motivation to get rid of that last bit of stubborn belly fat. I want to be able to put my feet up on the couch without having to suck my tummy in and eye that bit of flab that creeps out when I am at my most relaxed.

Check out the GREAT GIVEAWAY on Krista's Kravings. What's better than working your butt off, then gorging on mouth-watering treats?

Have a wonderful month!