The Biggest Loser, Week 4

Errr… I’m up .8 lbs this week. I expected as much, since my social life took priority over my diet. I spent time with friends Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and friend time often includes restaurants and alcohol. This week: Back on track.

Literally annoying

In my last blog, I posted a quote from someone else, and the final three words of that quote reminded me that I need to blog about this very important subject. The quote: “It literally rocked.”

Literally. Really? It literally rocked?

It’s a big pet peeve of mine when the word literally is used incorrectly. Not that it makes me upset - I don’t care that much. But when people do it I judge them because I know that they say words that they don’t understand.

Definition of literally:

1. in the literal or strict sense: What does the word mean literally?
2. in a literal manner; word for word: to translate literally.
3. actually; without exaggeration or inaccuracy: The city was literally destroyed.
4. in effect; in substance; very nearly; virtually.

When I was a kid I went to church with my mom. For a number of years the pastor there was a woman who really liked the word literally. But, you might have guessed that she didn’t exactly understand her fave word.

She once was telling us in her sermon how much she loved God/religion/etc. “I literally hunger and thirst for the church.” Think about it…

But, the all-time best, most inappropriate use of literally ever: Someone was upset with said pastor. What did he do? He “literally chewed her out!” I’m not going to say more about how that statement completely backfired on her. I think most of you can figure out what comes to mind to a lot of us when we think of someone being literally chewed out. Barf.

If you have any equally amusing word misuses, post them in a comment so that we can bask in the ignorance of others.

Married

This morning I came across a blog about a wedding. The wedding was in Washington state, and unfortunately the marriage is not legally recognized because it is between two women. I just wanted to post a quote from that blog, because I found it very powerful.

My favorite moment: The declaration of our marriage by our bad-ass celebrant & dear friend, Roxanne.

She took a step forward, puffed her chest and powerfully announced:“By the power unlawfully seized by me in defiance of the State of Washington's laws prohibiting marriage equality, it is my great pleasure to declare you MARRIED!"

It felt like the earth shifted at that moment. It was powerful because of how real the words were to her… it sent a visible wave of chills + joy over the crowd. It literally rocked!

Maybe I was just in a sappy mood, but I totally teared up reading that statement!

The Biggest Loser, Week 3

I lost 2.6 pounds in the last week!! That was more than I expected, and I attribute it to my working out.

Saturday James and I biked to the gym, lifted some weights, took a 90 minute cycling class, then biked home. We were exercising for almost 3 hours. Monday I took a 60 minute cycling class and Tuesday was 60 minutes of kickboxing (but I drove there both times).

My total weight lost in the last 3 weeks is 3.4 pounds (I was a little off last week: I lost .8 pounds instead of the 1.0 that I reported). The biggest loser in the competition this week was 2.7 pounds – I was so close!

Congratulations, President Obama!

As I watched the inauguration of our new President this morning, I remembered this poem by one of my favorite poets, Langston Hughes. I’m not just saying this for dramatic effect, I honestly recalled this poem as I was watching the former Presidents enter the stage.

Children’s Rhymes

By what sends
the white kids
I ain't sent:
I know I can't
be President.
What don't bug
them white kids
sure bugs me:
We know everybody
ain't free.

Lies written down
for white folks
ain't for us a-tall:
Liberty And Justice--
Huh!--For All?

The first time I read this poem (a few years ago), I thought about how sad it is that people are limited by their race. They know that there are limits to their potential success, regardless of their abilities.

Today as our country is led by its first African American President, part of that limitation is gone. Now, children of every background can know that they can be President. They can be anything they want to be, and no one can tell them “no” just because of their race. We have a long way to go, but today is historic nonetheless.

I am proud of my country today, for overcoming prejudice and voting for a great leader. I hope that President Obama can help our country recover and excel.

Pasta Puttanesca

Pasta puttanesca, in Italian, means "pasta the way a whore would make it." Ha! Several Wikipedia guesses on how this name originated: It's hot, spicy and pungent; In the old country, it was offered at a low price to entice men into brothels; And, it was a quick, cheap meal that prostitutes could prepare between customers.

In any case, it is yummy. My parents used to make it all the time. I remembered about it tonight and made it for dinner, and rediscovered how so very easy it is to make.

These amounts will feed about 2-3 people.

1 can cut tomatoes
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
5 oz. green olives
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried pepper flakes
4 cloves of garlic, chopped

Drain the can of tomatoes. Combine the tomatoes with olive oil and bring to a boil in a skillet.

Keep the sauce at a full boil and add oregano, pepper flakes, garlic and olives, stirring frequently. Reduce heat slightly, and cook until sauce has thickened.

Serve over penne pasta.

The Biggest Loser, Week 2

I lost 1 pound! Now I wish I had tried harder and made it more… the biggest loser this week was 4 pounds. But, this 1 pound is encouraging. I hope I can continue losing at least a pound each week!