Austin, TX

This is the last weekend for:

Pioneer Farm’s Candlelight Christmas Tours
When: December 5, 6, 12, and 13 6pm-10pm
Where: Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive, Austin, Texas
$$$: Tickets $10 (over the age of 2)

Time travel to the 19th century. Hayrides will transport visitors to each of the historic home sites for an evening of entertainment, crafts, and games. At the German Immigrant’s cabin you’ll hear stories around the fire, sing carols around the pump organ in the Homestead parlor and string popcorn around the kitchen table, by the warmth of the wood stove, and enjoy the ambiance and hospitality of the Commercial Cotton Farm as the ladies welcome visitors to play parlor games as was the custom during holidays in the 1880’s.

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Luminations: A Winter Celebration
When: Sat.-Sun., Dec. 13-14
Where: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse
$$$: Bring two canned goods for the Capital Area Food Bank or a gift for Blue Santa

Enjoy gardens lighted with more than 3,000 luminarias, 5,000 twinkle lights and hammered copper torches and to listen to music of the season from local bands, quarters and choirs. Admission is free with two canned food items for the Capital Area Food Bank or a gift for Blue Santa.

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TCA Gingerbread House Competition
When: Saturday, December 13, 2008, Noon – 3:00 p.m.
Where:Texas Culinary Academy, 11400 Burnet Road, Ste. 2100
$$$: Free

TCA will host its seventh annual Gingerbread House Competition and Open House on Saturday, December 13. Everyone, from children to seasoned chefs, is encouraged to participate in both the Open House and the competition.

Judging will be based on overall appearance, creativity, difficulty, execution and consistency of theme. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place as well as “Favorite in Show.” Winners of the Gingerbread House Contest will be announced during the Open House. Winning entries will be on display through December 19 at TCA.

The Open House will include caroling, holiday cookie decorating for kids, holiday dessert demonstrations, a life size Gingerbread Santa House where visitors can have their photo taken with “Chef Santa,” and much more.

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Want something worthwhile to do this weekend? Here ya go:

Stuff Stockings with Elgin’s Angels
When: Sunday, Dec. 14th, 2-5pm.
Where: Elgin Public Library, 404 N. Main, Elgin, Tx

Volunteer to help fill stockings for abandoned, neglected, or abused children. Stocking stuff will be supplied, all they need are some holiday helping hands.

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Wassail Event
When: Sunday, December 14th, 6pm
Where: Sri Atmananda Memorial School, 4100 Red River, Austin, 78751
$$$: Donation: $10. Children 12 and under, free

Enjoy a magic evening of stories, carols, magic, mummers and morris dancing. Wassail 2008 1.pdf. Performers: Pratts Bottom Mummers, Thom the World Poet, magician John Maverick, Chuck Freeman, Rita Ricardo, Jenifer Thyssen, Jim Carpetas, Occasional Terpsichore Morris Dancers, Bucolics Anonymous Christmastyme Band, Jacobs IV and Aimee Zivin.

Now that Thanksgiving is over many of you will begin preparing for Christmas. Big on the list of “things to do” is finding the perfect Christmas tree. As you know, I’m all about “real” Christmas trees. Don’t give me any of those plastic, ugly trees missing the fresh smell of pine. If you want to be earth-friendly, buy a potted tree and re-plant it after Christmas.

Here is a list of Christmas Tree farms in the area:

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EVERGREEN FARMS CHRISTMAS TREES
Address: 242 Monkey Road, Elgin, Texas
Phone: 512-281-4833
Email: evergreen@evergreen-farms.com

Opens: Friday after Thanksgiving through December 24 at 3pm
Hours: Saturday & Sunday from 9 a.m. until dark
Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. until dark

TYPES OF TREES:
Virginia pine and Leyland Cypress are grown in the fields. Pre- cut Fraser fir trees from North Carolina are available near the gift shoppe. Check prices here.

DAILY: Evergreen Farms furnishes all the tools for cutting and harvesting the perfect tree. Poles for measuring the tree and saws for cutting are all furnished free of charge as well as cleaning and shaking the tree and finally the netting and rope for ease in transporting the tree.
After cutting the tree there are many games to entertain, including tetherball, hopscotch, bean bag toss and horseshoes. There is also a nature trail, farm animals and the gift shop.

WEEKENDS: Families can enjoy several more activities. Evergreen Farms keeps a campfire burning with free marshmallows, cider and coffee. After you pick your Christmas tree, enjoy pine cone painting and food from the concession stand, including the famous Elgin sausage.

DIRECTIONS:

From Austin:

East on 290—8 miles past Manor (before you get into Elgin), turn right on County Line Road. There is a Valero Gas Station and Sac n Pac at the corner. Go 2 miles and turn left on Monkey Road. The farm will be 2 miles down Monkey Road

From Bastrop:

95N—Turn left on 290; The first stop light by the Antique Mall, McDonalds turn right on Loop 109. After two blocks the road splits, take a right onto 1704. After two miles turn right onto Monkey Road and the farm will be about 1 miles down Monkey Road.

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ELGIN CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
Address: 120 Nature’s Way, off Roy Davis Rd., Elgin, TX
Phone: 512-281-5016
Open: Day after Thanksgiving through December 22nd
Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 am - 5:30 pm, Sunday: noon - 5:30 pm
Email: elginchristmas@sbcglobal.net

TYPES OF TREES:
Virginia pines, Loblolly pines, and Leyland Cypress. Pre-cut Frasier firs and potted Leyland Cypress Trees.

Organically grown trees. They claim to have the largest supply of Christmas trees in central Texas. They provide all the tools you’ll need to cut down your tree and they shake, clean and wrap it up to go. The selection of 9-12′ trees is limited so go early if you need a very tall tree. Christmas trees are half price for churches. They have a gift store.

DIRECTIONS:

From Austin

Take HWY 290 East from Austin - Through Elgin - Go approximately 1 mile past HWY 95 (Bastrop HWY) - Turn left on Roy Davis Rd. - Follow Signs

From Round Rock

Take HWY 79 East from Round Rock to HWY 95 South - Take 290 East through Elgin - Go approximately 1 mile past HWY 95 (Bastrop HWY) - Turn left on Roy Davis Rd. - Follow Signs

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LOMA ALTA CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
Address: 214 Loma Alta Drive, Smithville, Texas, 78957
Phone: (512) 360-2005
Email: lomaalta@flash.net
Opens: Thanksgiving Day afternoon until a couple of days before Christmas

DIRECTIONS:
About 6 miles east of Bastrop, your first landmark will be Duke’s Country store (a Mobile station) on the right side of the highway. Approximately a block and a half past Dukes on your left, you will see their sign on the corner of the Hwy 71 and Alum Creek Road.

TYPES OF TREES:
Virginia pine and Loblolly pine. Potted Virginia pine and Leyland Cypress.

Located in the beautiful Lost Pines region in Bastrop County, this farm is approximately 35 to 40 miles SE of Austin just off highway 71. Turn left on Alum Creek Road, and proceed 1 mile to the Loma Alta gate on your left. There are ducks and geese to feed, pine cones to collect, a picnic area to enjoy and you can even purchase wreaths made fresh daily. Trees are $4.75 per foot up to 12 feet. The cost above 12 feet is $5 per each additional foot. Trees are shaken, cleaned and for $1 baled.

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If the thought of Thanksgiving brings you visions of a filled with dirty dishes and leaves you exhausted for days then you might consider eating out this year. Many of Austin’s best restaurants are happy to do the work for you, leaving you free to enjoy your holiday. Here are some suggestions:

Hoover’s Cooking
2002 Manor Rd # C
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 479-5006

13376 Research Blvd #400 Austin, TX
(@ Anderson Mill Rd)
512 335 0300
Hours: 11am - 7pm
$$$: 15.49

If you’ve never been to Hoover’s, you’re in for a treat. Hoover’s serves up delicious and satisfying home cookin’. Their Thanksgiving day menu is very reasonably priced and has everything you could ask for plus a little more. Roast turkey, Cajun roast pork, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Smoked Filet of Sirloin, Smoked Portabella Medley (Vegetarian Jambalaya & Gumbo) plus a tempting array of side dishes and desserts. This is a great place to go if you have a crowd and a tight budget.

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Bakehouse Restaurant & Bar
5404 Manchaca Blvd
Austin, Tx
Reservations: (512) 443-5167
Hours: 10am - midnight
$$$: Adults $12.95, Kids 6-12 $6.95

Unlimited servings, table service, no lines. Reservations recommended. Turkey, Ham, all the usual sides plus Strawberry Shortcake and Pumpkin Pie. Take out dinners available for $9.95.

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The Driskill
604 Brazos St.
Austin, Texas
Reservations: 512-391-7121 or Online
$$$: Not listed on their website

The Driskill Hotel’s Famous Grand Holiday Brunch offering on the Mezzanine floor. Enjoy a lavish holiday brunch or six course prix-fixe dinner with wine pairings. Or diners can head to the hotel’s 1886 Café and Bakery for lunch or a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

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III Forks
111 Lavaca Street
Austin, TX 78701
Reservations: (512) 474-1776
$$$: Adults 42.95, Children under 12 soup or salad, entrée, and dessert 14.95
Includes tea and coffee. Excludes tax and gratuity.

Open Thanksgiving Day 11 am - 5 pm. Special four course menu will be served. Slow Roasted Carved Turkey or Chateaubriand with Bordelaise Sauce. All the fixings, plus dessert.

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Dona Emilia’s
101 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701
Reservations: (512) 478-2520
$$$: $22.95 Adults - $10.95 Children 12 and under
Hours: 10:30 - 4pm

Thanksgiving Buffet featuring garden/fruit/pasta salads, appetizers of ceviche and empanadas, entrees of turkey, salmon, top sirloin, paella, and spinach enchiladas. Dessert selection including flan and tres leche.

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Four Seasons Hotel
98 San Jacinto Boulevard,
Austin, Texas
Reservations: (512) 685-8300
Seating from 11:00 am - 8:30 pm in TRIO
$75 for adults; $20 for children ages 6-11
Seating from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm in the Ballroom
$68 for adults; $20 for children ages 6-11

Thanksgiving Day Buffet. Appetizers & Salads, Seafood Station, Carving Station & Dessert Station. Entrees include: Hill Country-Style Braised Beef Rouladen, Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi Vera Cruz & Smoked Lamb Tenderloin Cassoulet.

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Austin Hyatt
208 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
Hours: 11:30am ~ 5:00 pm (last seating)
Includes Complimentary Champagne & Mimosa
Reservations Required: 512.480.2035
$$$: $52.00 for Adults, $27 5-12 years old, Complimentary 4 & Under
No Discounts or Coupons

Thanksgiving Buffet. Their menu looks fabulous and includes an Antipasto selection, Salad buffet, Seafood buffet, Hot entrees, a Carving station and a Dessert Station. This is just the carving station:

Carving Station
Roasted Prime Rib with Horseradish Crust & Wild Mushroom, Pancetta Ragout,
Assorted Mustards & Au Jus
Maple Glazed Ham, Java Red Eye Gravy & Biscuits
Roasted Turkey with Gravy & Corn-bread Stuffing

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Katz Deli
618 W 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
Phone (512) 472-2037
Always Open!
$$$: $15.95 Adults, $6.95 Kids
No reservations needed or taken.

Turkey with all the fixings plus a few items on offer from their menu.

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McCormick & Schmick’s
401 Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas
Reservations recommended: (512) 236-9600 or (888) 344-6861
$$$: Turkey dinner $19.95 per person, ham dinner $18.95. Dessert is extra.
Hours: Serving from 11am - 9 pm.

Offering both their regular menu and Thanksgiving traditional dinners.

If your least favorite part of Thanksgiving is cooking the bird then why not buy it cooked this year? There are several stores and restaurants that will do all or part of your holiday cooking for you. It’s easy, convenient and a lot less messy!

To gobble, gobble, gobble and not cook, cook, cook this holiday season. Here are some places you can obtain pre-cooked turkeys and all the fixins.

• Louisiana Longhorn Cafe
  Order by Phone: 512-248-2900 or Online
  200B E. Main Street
  Round Rock, TX
  
  This little gem of a cafe is located in Round Rock. They offer smoked or Cajun fried and either way it’s going to be finger-lickin good. They’ll even be open on Thanksgiving day from 11am-3pm. Don’t forget to order your pies, too!
• Greenberg Turkey Inc.
  221 McMurrey Dr.,
  Tyler, TX 75702
  (903) 595-0725
  
  I have yet to try a Greenberg Turkey but people who have just rave about them. They are apparently fantastic. They have been taking orders since 1940 and they’re still going strong. Order early.
• Popeyes, I’ve had their cajun fried turkeys and they are very good!
• Threadgill’s
  For just $129.95 you can feed a family of 8 from one of Austin’s favorite restaurants. Your Holiday Feast includes roast turkey or spiral cut ham, cornbread dressing, mashed taters, candied yams, green bean casserole, gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls and your choice of pumpkin or pecan pie. Can you say YUM?
• Luby’s, you can order an entire meal, complete with dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce and pies for a very reasonable price $58.99 to serve 4-6 or a feast to feed 10-12 for under $100. This would be a great choice for the budget conscious, you can barely buy all that food for that price, it even includes 2 pies.
• Barton Creek Spa & Resort
  8212 Barton Club Drive
  Austin, Texas
  1.866.572.7369
  
  Dinner for Six - $275+tax
  10-12 lb. traditional roast turkey
  cranberry relish w/ dried cherries
  cornbread sage dressing
  garlic whipped potatoes
  wild mushroom green bean casserole
  pecan candied yams
  house-made dinner rolls
  double apple Waldorf salad
  choice of one: Granny Smith apple, southern pecan or traditional pumpkin pie

  Feast for Ten also available for $395+tax

  
  
• HEB, turkeys or ham, just heat and serve. They have all the side dishes, too.
• Central Market, heck, you can order the whole meal! Not only that but you’re not limited to turkey. You can get duck, capon, turducken, yes…turducken, cornish game hen and even pheasant! Or, if you’d rather have seafood, you can get lobster, crab, shrimp and more. If you’re just looking for your basic, traditional Thanksgiving meal from the bird to the gravy, to the green beans to the cranberry sauce you can pick that up for right around $140 to feed 6-8 people. Not too bad really.
• Whole Foods, whether you want dinner for 2 or a dozen, Whole Foods can hook you up with the entire meal. They also have an option for Vegetarians! A complete traditional meal for 6-8 people will run you about $80, $120 to make your turkey organic.
• Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, ham or turkey with all the fixins and fresh baked pies, too.
  Small Party Pack - Complete Meal for 10
  (Broad-breasted turkey hen, hot and carved, 2 quarts cornbread dressing, 1 quart giblet gravy, 2 quarts green beans, 1 dozen dinner rolls, 1 9″ fresh baked pie, 1 gallon iced tea, plates, cups and set ups for 10)
  (Only $6.90 per person + tax) . . .$69.00
  
  Large Party Pack - Complete meal for 20
  (Broad-breasted turkey tom OR 1/2 Honey-glazed spiral cut ham, hot and carved, 4 quarts cornbread dressing, 2 quarts giblet gravy, 4 quarts green beans, 2 dozen dinner rolls, 2 9″ fresh baked pies, 2 gallons iced tea, plates, cups and set ups for 20)
  (Only $5.90 per person + tax) . . .$118.00
• Target Superstores
  All Locations?
  
  A full Turkey dinner (or choose Ham) with all the trimmings for $70. Includes your choice from 4 pie selections, Apple, Apple Berry Rhubarb, Bourbon Pecan or Pumpkin Pie. Feeds 8-10 people.
  
  Appetizers:
  
  * Stone Ground Wheat Crackers
  * Pumpkin Cheese Spread
  
  Main Course:
  
  * Fully Cooked Butter-Basted Turkey
  
  Side Dishes:
  
  * Homestyle Stuffing
  * Traditional Mashed Potatoes
  * Turkey Gravy
  * Americana Vegetable Blend
  * Green Bean Casserole
  * Cranberry Orange Walnut Relish
  * Ciabatta Rolls
  
  Bonus:
  
  * Signature Coffee
• More Great BBQ Places to get your bird:
  The Pit Barbeque
  Rudy’s BBQ, try their cream corn, it’s out of this world good.
  The Salt Lick, now with locations South and North. Seriously good BBQ!
• HoneyBaked Ham, they may be a chain but they make a mighty fine ham and I hear their turkey is also excellent.
• Hoover’s Cooking
  2002 Manor Rd # C
  Austin, TX 78722
  (512) 479-5006

  13376 Research Blvd #400 Austin, TX
  (@ Anderson Mill Rd)
  512 335 0300
  Hours: 11am - 7pm
  $$$: 15.49

  If you’ve never been to Hoover’s, you’re in for a treat. Hoover’s serves up your turkey, fried, roasted or smoked. 14-16lbs worth for $54.99. Take home just the turkey or order up some side dishes and pie or two to go along with it!

Saturday, September 6 @ 8:30 am
With Free Concert to Follow

+ Adults $27 | Children $20
Online registration closes September 5 at 10 pm.

The Race: The Arts Run begins and ends at the Paramount Theatre on Congress Avenue and consists of two races - a Kids K and an Adult 5K Fun Run/Walk. [More Info]

RACE DAY SCHEDULE
7:00 am - Packet and Chip Timer pick up begins
8:30 am - Kids K begins
8:45 am - 5K Run begins
8:50 am - 5K Fun Run/Walk begins
10:30 am - Free concert for Arts Run participants by White Ghost Shivers at the Paramount

Prizes: All registered participants will receive an Arts Run packet - includes a t-shirt and other fun goodies. Top runners will compete for prizes with the help of chip timing and every participant in the Kids K will receive a special prize. Plus, anyone can win with over fifteen fantastic door prizes given away following the run.

Music: Live music will be provided by Austin’s own Brooklyn Lane on Congress Avenue. Following the run, all participants will be treated to a free concert by the White Ghost Shivers inside the beautiful Paramount Theatre.

Costume Contest: Runners, walkers, sponsors and volunteers are strongly encouraged to participate dressed as their favorite stage or film star. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. Rumor has it that Audrey Hepburn, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and Jane Fonda are set to make an appearance.

Food: After you’ve worked up a thirst and an appetite, Gatti’s Pizza will serve fresh pizza to everyone and Steaz will provide the beverages! Plus, plenty of Crystal Gyser bottled water will be available to keep you hydrated.

Cause: The Paramount Theatre brings more than 10,000 area youths to the Theatre each year as part of our youth outreach program. Many of those children gain admission for free and would otherwise be unable to attend the Theatre. Your registration helps us provide this and other services to our community.

The last Zen training we attended was two weeks ago. At that time we were told that the training would be set back to 8:45 instead of 8am, since the weather was getting cooler. The main reason for getting there at 8am was because it was a lot cooler and it’s easier to exercise in the cooler temperatures. We were supposed to get an email confirming the time change but we never did and I just assumed the email had never been sent. So last night we waffled back and forth about whether we should show up at 8 or 8:45. In the end we decided to show up at 8:45 since we’d been told that was going to be the new time. We chose poorly.

It was immediately obvious that we were late. The Zen table was already set up and two Zen employees were sitting on the wall looking cold. There were no Zen participants milling around the table, either. As it turns out, they switched the time back for some reason. The girl from Zen restaurant told us that there was an email but that some people hadn’t received it. I was a bit puzzled because I’ve received emails from Raquel and Adam in the past so I used to be on the mailing list. The Zen girl told us where they’d gone and the direction they’d be returning so we headed up the path in the direction they’d be returning, hoping to meet up with them. We didn’t go all that far before we caught sight of them running back. Today was meant to be the first long run, with people running 3-5 miles. We ran/walked back to the meeting spot and I talked with Raquel about not getting the emails. She told me that she only adds people so she couldn’t imagine why I stopped getting the emails. She took my email and promised to make sure I’m on the list. As I was standing there I thought to ask her about the previous email and whether it had been sent out and she said it had so I told her I didn’t get that one either and must have fallen off the list around that time.

I was grumpy and feeling bitchy because I was sooooo disappointed to miss the group training this morning. I’d missed the last two due to other obligations but I’d continued to train at home. I’ve improved my speed and I’ve started running. My neighbor was going to come with us but we never sorted out the details with her which turned out to be just as well.

James was there wearing his new running shoes! Yay for James! He said his old shoes had really been hurting his feet. Lizzie was there with her dog which jumped on some poor older guy who did not look best pleased. I’m still not sure it’s a good idea to bring a dog to group training but plenty of people do bring dogs to that location. It is a cute dog, I will say. There is an older lady in our group who apparently got quite far with her running today. She probably did better than I could have done. I wish I was able to run farther but I guess it’s just a matter of time and practice. My running partner pointed out to me that I did spend some 30+ years of my life very ill. I’ve had 14 major surgeries and I’ve overcome breast cancer. I guess I should give myself a break, huh?

We did, at least, make it in time for the Tokyo Breakfast so it wasn’t all bad. Also, Raquel mentioned that I should email Adam and ask him if he’d sponsor me since I’ve been going to the training since the beginning. I guess he’s now sponsoring Kim and Charity who also started with me in hopes of being chosen by the Chronicle. Charity and Kim are my favourites on the Zen team. They are really nice and always take the time to say hello.

No Zen next week because our trainer, Patrick, will be away for the Thanksgiving holiday. Bummer. There is the Turkey Trot coming up, though, so maybe we’ll sign up for that.

The Trail of Lights 5k run is fast approaching. I don’t think I’m going to be ready to fully run that one but that’s okay, I’m getting stronger all the time and the goal is to be healthier and stronger. There will be many more races to choose from and I can always walk part and run part.

If you’d like to read more about my Zen training:
Week One Review
Week Two Review
Week Three Review
Week Four Review
Week Five Review
Week Six Review
Week Seven Review
Week 10 Review ( I missed 8 & 9 )

Exercise, running, Team Zen, Zen Japanese Food Fast, restaurant, tokyo breakfast, Austin Chronicle, Challenge, Auditorium Shores, Fitness, Trail of Lights, 5k

My blood sugar is a true testament to the power of exercise.

I saw my doctor last week for a follow-up visit. For the first time in ages, he was happy with me and he didn’t yell at me about my weight. This was due to the fact that I’d lost 4 lbs since I saw him 3 months ago. Not only that but I had, in fact, lost a little weight in each of the 3 previous visits. In all I’ve taken about 12 lbs off in the last 6 months. He was so pleased with me that he said I if my HgbA1C came back good he wouldn’t make me visit him again for 6 months. Still, I’m diabetic, so he told me he’d have to run my HgbA1C, the standard blood sugar test for diabetics that gives a readout for the previous 3 months.

That’s when I got scared.

“You know this month is Halloween, right?” I asked my Doc.
“Yes,” he said, stretching the word out and looking at me suspiciously.
“And you know I have a candy corn addiction, right?”
“Oh, yeah, I forgot about that,” he said.
“So, I’m not so sure my blood sugar reading will be too good. I may get lucky because I am exercising a LOT!”

Imagine my surprise when I got my test results in and my HgbA1C had dropped from last time. Woohoo! Three months ago my blood sugar was 7.2 and this time my reading was 6.8. Acceptable ranges for the test are 4.4-6.6 so I’m still a smidgen high but not too bad!

Considering the amount of candy corn I’ve eaten this month this is amazing! Roll on Halloween. The sooner it’s past, the sooner the candy corn will go away.

If you’d like to read more about my pursuit of fitness, click here.

health, fitness, diabetes, HgbA1C, exercise, candy corn, blood sugar, Halloween

It was cold at Zen training this morning! I was thankful for the gloves I’d brought and for my new long sleeved running shirt my mother gave me on my trip to Dallas last week.

As Patrick had promised last weekend, we did hills this morning. I got a little bit of a head start walking to the hilly area and although I was still the last one there, it was only by a few minutes. We walked three laps, hitting the uphills hard and catching our breaths in between. The block consists of half a street uphill, half downhill, one level stretch and repeat. At the starting corner Patrick sets up the water and I usually stop for a drink along the way. Walking the hills makes me really thirsty. After the third lap we walked backward up the first hill. I managed about three times before I had to quit. Some people managed four or five.

We leisurely strolled back to Auditorium Shores. It was a beautiful morning. I found the hills much easier this time, as did several other people. I am not even close to being as sore as I was the last time we did hills. Thankfully!

We stood around chatting for a bit, eating our Tokyo breakfasts and relaxing. Adam Weisberg, owner of Zen, was there again today. He seems like such a nice and genuine person. It’s always a pleasure to talk with him.

I had been a bit nervous about going today due to the recent drama in my blog over my having criticized the Chronicle and my having dubbed one of the Chronicle people, “Annoying Guy”. As it happens, he came across my blog and left me a comment. Someone else (with You-Tube comment disease) came along afterward, possibly feeling protective of Greg (formerly known as “Annoying Guy”), and left me a clichéd, poorly written message in which they couldn’t even manage to spell my name correctly.

As it turns out, I needn’t have worried. I think 3 out of the 11 people chosen by the Chronicle made it to training this morning. I talked with Katie for a while this morning. She seems like a very nice person. Cassandra was there, too. I haven’t really had a chance to talk with her but I think she’s cute as a button. I think Drew might have been there but I don’t really know. The person I think may have been him had no facial hair so if it was him, he’s shaved. I wonder where everyone else was this morning? I know Ingrid’s daughter has been sick so that may have kept her away and Ian is undergoing treatment for cancer so that may have kept him away. As for the rest of them, I have no idea. I was sorry to see that James didn’t make it.

And that concludes week seven! Have a safe and happy Halloween!

If you’d like to read more about my Zen training:
Week One Review
Week Two Review
Week Three Review
Week Four Review
Week Five Review
Week Six Review
Week 10 Review ( I missed 8 & 9 )

Exercise, running, Team Zen, Zen Japanese Food Fast, restaurant, tokyo breakfast, Austin Chronicle, Challenge, Auditorium Shores, Fitness, Hills

I did not want to get up this morning. I slept poorly. My allergies have been kicking my ass lately. I was having night sweats and the roof of my mouth was itching. Mind you, I couldn’t sleep, either, but laying in bed feeling sorry for myself seemed like a good option. I got up anyway, with the promise of my Tokyo breakfast awaiting me.

My Zen partner helped get me motivated with toast and tea and the parking gods shined on us and we got a parking spot right up front at Auditorium Shores. My stomach started cramping on the way there but walking seems to relax my belly and by the end of the training I felt just fine.

We started off our training with a brisk ten minute walk, down to Stevie’s statue, turn the corner and back around. That loop is a bit less than half a mile. After that we met on the grassy area and did our plyometric drills. We did butt kicks, skipping, two types of high knee kicks and we walked backwards.

From there we moved on to speed training. These were our first speed training exercises. Speed training, also called interval training, is all about short bursts of high intensity training followed by a slower rest speed. We took the same half mile we started with and broke it up into 4 sections. That’s fairly easy since the loop around Stevie’s statue is basically a square. We started at one corner and walked hard and fast up to the next corner, from there we walked leisurely to the next corner, then fast and hard again and finally slow and leisurely. We did this circuit 3 times. Our trainer, Patrick, said we should push ourselves to the point where we were almost glad to slow down for the next portion. It was a good workout but I managed it fairly easy. I’m sure that’s due in large part to the amount of walking I’ve been doing. I’d say I’ve been averaging pretty close to 3 hours of walking a week. This is thanks to my walking partner because without him to push me I’d never get up. I still don’t think I’ll ever be one of those “feel the burn, isn’t that fantastic” kind of people, though.

When we finished the speed work Adam Weisberg, the owner of Zen, introduced us to a young guy who is starting up a new gym in Austin called Revolution. I think his name was Justin. Justin took us through a set of cool down exercises. He talked to us about the importance of doing these exercises every time we train.

And then…..drumroll….. Tokyo Breakfast! Woohoo! They also have blackberry green tea that is very refreshing.

We sat chit chatting and eating our breakfasts. I talked with one of the “Chosen”, a very nice lady named Ingrid. I told her a bit about the whole drama surrounding the Chronicle and the shitty way they’d treated the rest of us. She said she didn’t think they meant to be shitty to us, they were just a bit ignorant and unorganized. That made me laugh!

Now I’m home and tired and sweaty and getting ready to hit the shower and pack. I’m headed to Dallas this weekend with Adam to attend the engagement party of some friends.

Have a great weekend everyone!

If you’d like to read more about my Zen training:
Week One Review
Week Two Review
Week Three Review
Week Four Review
Week Five Review
Week Seven Review
Week 10 Review ( I missed 8 & 9 )

Exercise, running, Team Zen, Zen Japanese Food Fast, restaurant, tokyo breakfast, Austin Chronicle, Challenge, Auditorium Shores, Fitness, plyometric, drills, speed, training, interval

We got all the way to Riverside before we remembered that Zen training was taking place at the Capitol. At the end of our last training session Patrick told us to meet on the left side of the Capitol. We were supposed to be doing something to support the LiveStrong team and also, I think, to do our workout. Unfortunately, amongst the sea of yellow t-shirts, we never managed to find the Zen group. I’m not sure if anyone else managed to hook up but we never saw anyone else. There really wasn’t a good plan for meeting up. We weren’t even sure exactly where we were supposed to meet. We did manage to catch part of Lance Armstrong’s speech, which included a plug encouraging people to vote for Proposition 15.

Proposition 15 would authorize the state to issue up to $300 million a year in bonds for a decade. The newly established Cancer Prevention and Research Institute would award grants to researchers seeking causes and cures for all types of cancer.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the main enemy of the proposition is voter apathy. The proposition has been proposed due to a lessening in federal funding and passing it would mean a constitutional amendment. I tend to be cautious where amendments to the constitution are involved. I’m not sure about this proposition. More research is required before voting on November 4th. As a breast cancer survivor myself, I can certainly understand the desire for more research and funding.

It was a gorgeous morning. The weather was crisp and sunny. As much as I hate getting up early, I love mornings. We walked around the side of the Capitol toward the back lawn but along the side we saw the first of the Elite runners running past and we stopped to cheer the runners on and watch for a bit. I saw a few people wearing Zen t-shirts run by though I can’t say as I recognized any of them. After a while me moved to the back of the Capitol and again cheered the runners on for a bit. Eventually we headed back to the car, discussing what we should do. We thought about heading over to Auditorium Shores and walking but by that time it was nearly 9am and getting hotter by the minute. Neither of us fancied walking in the heat so we decided to go in search of breakfast. I was missing our Tokyo breakfast so we headed to Zen to see if they served breakfast. Sadly they don’t so we turned around and went to Kerbey Lane Cafe. Kerbey Lane is a bit of an Austin institution. Chip had Eggs Benedict while I had Migas Tacos with chipotle sauce. Mmmm… it was yummy, as was the iced soy chai latte that I drank with it.

This week I’ll have to get in more walking to make up for the lack of Saturday training. I’m up to walking about 3 hours a week in addition to my pilates and Saturday Zen training. As a happy consequence I found out at my doctors appointment this past week that I’ve lost another 4 lbs since I last saw my doc a few months ago. For once he didn’t give me grief for my weight. I’ve actually lost a pound or two every visit for the past 3 visits so he was quite happy with me. He asked me to return for a fasting blood sugar to get a 3 month reading on my diabetes and I had to admit that I was a little afraid of the results. October is a particularly hard month for me because I have a bit of a candy corn addiction. I call this the mean season for that very reason. The Doc said if my blood sugars are good then he won’t make me return for 6 months. With the added exercise and weight loss, I may get away with it but I’m not going to get my hopes up knowing I’ve eaten a fair amount of sugar lately. Still, it’s a three month reading so there is a chance, albeit small.

That’s my Zen update for this week! Hopefully I’m back to it next week!

Week One Review
Week Two Review
Week Three Review
Week Four Review
Week Six Review
Week Seven Review
Week 10 Review ( I missed 8 & 9 )

Zen, Austin, Challenge, Update, fitness, Proposition 15, Livestrong, Lance Armstrong

Why does morning have to start so danged early?

Got up at 6:45, got dressed, got some tea and toast in me and off we went to Zen training. We got a bit of a late start, as usual, because the new “chosen” people from the Chronicle team were late.

We eventually got started with a half mile walk around the park and then met on one of the fields to do the plyometric drills. It was markedly easier for me this week and Chip was impressed by how well I did at the sideways cross-overs. The first time I did them I had a hard time getting it but Chip showed me how and I’ve been practicing. We also did butt kicks, skipping, two types of high knee kicks and walking backwards. After the drills we did the circuit training from last week and finally I got my Tokyo breakfast, still my favourite part.

I was really encouraged by todays training. My legs aren’t killing me like last week. My legs hurt for about 4 days last week. Ouch! The training felt a lot easier overall. I’m sure Patrick, our trainer, will up the ante next week. He passed out a training schedule today that details what we’re supposed to do all week to prepare for next week. The plan actually calls for a bit of running. We’ll do two minutes on and two minutes off. The walking schedule will be a bit easier than what I did last week. I managed three hour long walks last week then took the last two days off to rest because my legs were still hurting. I think that was a good call because my legs felt find today.

One woman whom I shall call “Cute Blond Chick” brought her dog, which just seemed ill-advised. Of course Annoying Guy popped up and said, “I think I’ll get a dog to bring with me next time.” He was probably just flirting with Cute Blond Chick.

I think this was week 4 for me. Go, me! Next week we are meeting at the Capitol as part of the LiveStrong 5 k. That should be cool. I do that 5k for the Susan Komen every year and it’s a really nice walk.

Week One Review
Week Two Review
Week Three Review
Week Five Review
Week Six Review
Week Seven Review
Week 10 Review ( I missed 8 & 9 )

Exercise, running, Team Zen, Zen Japanese Food Fast, restaurant, tokyo breakfast, Austin Chronicle, Challenge, Auditorium Shores, Fitness, plyometric, drills

Week 3 of Zen training this morning was good. It was a tough workout but achievable. Before I get into that though, I have something to say…

Dear Austin Chronicle,

YOU SUCK GREAT BIG MONKEY BALLS!!

Okay, I feel a bit better now. *deep breaths*

So I get to training this morning and suddenly there are a dozen new faces and lots of people asking, “are you with the Zen training?” I said yes and introduced myself and a few other people to a couple of the new folks. As more and more people showed up I finally asked, “Are you the folks the Chronicle has chosen for the Zen Challenge?” Why yes, yes they were they all nodded.

This is the point at which I got angry. I leaned over to Raquel, the very nice lady from the Brain and Spine Center and said, “It would have been nice if the Chronicle had informed the rest of us that they’d chosen the team.” Raquel told me that no one had talked to her either and that she’d never met Erin from the Chronicle. Raquel, by the way, attends and participates in the training.

Pretty soon I hear that Erin is parking and will be along shortly. Erin and a photographer show up with some packets and name tags for the Chronicle team and I spot one of the other ladies who’s been coming the past few weeks walk up to the Chronicle group and ask a question. I went over to talk to her and her friend and like me they were upset at not having been told that the Chronicle team had been selected. “I’ve been looking at the website all week waiting for them to announce the winner,” she confided, her friend nodding in agreement. “Me, too!” They were supposed to announce the winners on the 24th but none of us had heard anything. In fact even this morning the website still says:

The entry deadline is over and we are currently reviewing all entries to determine the Club Chronicle Team. Thanks so much for your interest in the Club Chronicle and Team Zen Challenge!

I’m not mad that they didn’t select me. Disappointed, yes. Highly disappointed. I am very angry though that the Chronicle did not have the courtesy to inform us and instead let us find out the way we did. I was so angry at the beginning of the workout that my stomach was just roiling and I had stomach cramps for the first half hour. It was rude. It was unprofessional. It was unkind. I am also disappointed that they didn’t choose a single person who’d been attending the Zen training for the past three weeks. The Zen training that they invited us to join early. Those of us who joined early did so as a way to show commitment and to see what it was like and while the training has been good for us and while it was by no means a waste of our time you’d think they might have talked with Raquel or Patrick to ask about us. I know for a fact that they did not. It is possible they talked with Adam from Zen Foods Fast but he hasn’t been at training the past two weeks. I think that the Chronicle owes us a big apology for the shabby way they treated us. So, once again, I say to Erin at the Chronicle:

Dear Erin,

YOU SUCK GREAT BIG MONKEY BALLS!!

/end Rant

Todays training was what is referred to as “Circuit Training”. Circuit training is a type of interval training that combines strength training with endurance training to benefit your cardiovascular system and improve your strength. To do this you set up a circuit, Patrick chose to use the half mile loop that turns at my 2nd favourite statue in Austin, Stevie Ray Vaughn (read about my favourite Austin statue). At each of the four corners of our circuit we had to do a set of exercises. The corners would be the “stations” of our circuit. At the first station we did 10 lunges.

At the second station we did 10 squat jumps (or perhaps they are called star jumps) where you start in a squat and explode upward.

At the third station we did 10 sit ups and at the fourth we did 10 push ups. I had to do “girl push ups”. Have I mentioned that I’m not in shape? Heh.

By this time my legs were already feeling a bit wobbly but we did the circuit a second time and lastly we walked it for a cool down.

Finally my favourite part arrived. Breakfast. Mmmm those Tokyo Breakfasts make me a happy camper. I had to laugh because as I was grabbing my breakfast another woman said, “I just come for the breakfast.” “Hey,” I said, “that’s MY line!” Chip ate two breakfasts.

We sat on the wall eating our breakfast. The Chronicle’s Zen Challenge team sat down around us. One fella whom I shall henceforth likely refer to as “Annoying Guy” sat next to me. He said, “what this breakfast needs is queso.” Um, no Dickwad, I don’t think so. He was very exuberant during the training and talked a lot. He mentioned stopping off for a burger on the way home. “But I suppose that would be counterproductive. Y’think? He was encouraging to the slower challenge members which will possibly be good. Time will tell. He said to Erin and the photographer, “can I say fuck a lot in my essays?” Being around him certainly made me want to say fuck a lot. Maybe I was just grumpy but I don’t think so because my walking partner expressed annoyance before I did. They assured him that he could and advised him that they were mostly looking for the essays to be “interesting”. I have nothing against those folks who were chosen by the Chronicle. I’m sure they are all deserving. Well, except for “Annoying Guy”. I’m just pissed at the way the Chronicle handled the situation. Yeah, yeah, I know I said I was done ranting.

Patrick mentioned again that we’d probably hate him later. He was right about last week. My ass hurt all week. I’m already feeling todays training!

And thus ended week three. Aside from the Chronicle debacle, it was good. They let us take home an extra breakfast. Guess what I’m having for lunch. Woohoo! How can something so healthy taste so yummy?

Read about Week Two
Read about Week One
Read about Week Four
Week Five Review
Week Six Review
Week Seven Review
Week 10 Review ( I missed 8 & 9 )

Exercise, running, Team Zen, Zen Japanese Food Fast, restaurant, Adam Weisberg, tokyo breakfast, Austin Chronicle, Challenge, Auditorium Shores, Fitness, Rant

Week 2 of my Zen Team workout. I managed 3 walks the past week. 32 minutes, 42 minutes and 44 minutes, as well as my hour long pilates session.

This morning I got up bright and early, if not bushy-tailed. 6:45am is an ungodly hour of the day. Somehow or another I managed to talk Chip into going with me. I wanted to combat the loneliness I felt at the last meet-up. We got there at 7:45am and of course couldn’t find a parking space at Auditorium Shores so we had to park nearby and walk over. If you’ve never been in town on the weekend at that hour of the morning you’d probably be surprised at the number of runners there are all over town. Runners, like golfers, are insane. Heh. There were more people on time this time but still a few stragglers who managed to catch up with us.

Patrick, our trainer, said he wanted to do “the hills” today in place of doing the plyometric drills. We must have looked scared because he was quick to assure us that it wouldn’t be too bad. He convinced us and told us to walk to Bouldin Road. That turned out to be a bit of a jaunt and by the time I got there I was already feeling tired. That’s partly because I was walking fast to try and keep up with everyone. As usual I was still the last to arrive. Have I mentioned that I’m short. Really short. 4′11″ short! By the time I caught up with everyone Patrick had already given instructions. I felt discouraged. The exercise was to walk the block. It was a good road for it because it had a couple of steepish hills and a couple of steepish inclines. I made it around 3 times in the time it took everyone else to make 4 trips. Afterward we had to walk up the first hill backward and then back down again. He wanted us to do that 5 times but I made it 3 before my legs refused to do it again. I wasn’t the only one who didn’t make it 5 times. Patrick said we’d all hate him tomorrow and I could certainly believe that because my thighs were burning. I really began to question whether the Zen people really understand the concept of a beginner or if I’m just that out of shape. Quite possibly the latter.

Thankfully that ended our session for the day. Except for the part where we had to walk back to Auditorium Shores. It was a fairly easy walk back and I didn’t worry about keeping up with everyone. I just took my time and cooled down. There was just one thing keeping me going. The Tokyo Breakfast. You can call me Kyla “I’m only here for the Tokyo Breakfast” Myers. I’m happy to say that the breakfast lived up to my memory of it and I had my first moment of happiness as I sat there sipping green tea and eating.

Overall, though, I have to admit that I was highly discouraged today. I remember thinking to myself, “I can’t do this.” I stuck with it anyway and managed to finish. Monday is the day the Austin Chronicle and Zen Japanese Food Fast are supposed to select the 6 people they will train for the Trail of Lights 5k run. Wish me luck.

I got home and spent the rest of the day cooking. I had a party to attend and I’d promised to make the dessert. 100 mini-cupcakes. Let me tell you, that’s a lot of cupcakes. Especially when you’re doing several different kinds.

Yes, I am crazy. So, after getting up at the crack of dawn, I spent the next 5 hours or so baking, filling and icing cupcakes, topping each with a letter signifying the birthday person. It was a joint party for 3 friends who work together. I made 2 other cakes last week. Have I mentioned that I’m a sugar artist/cake decorator? After I finished the cupcakes, I delivered them and stayed for the party and that is precisely why I am just now posting at 1:27am. I am soooo tired! I am definitely sleeping in tomorrow!

Read about Week 1
Read about Week 3
Read About Week 4
Read About Week 5
Read About Week 6
Read About Week 7
Read About Week 10 ( I missed 8 & 9 )

fitness, Zen, Exercise, running, Team Zen, Zen Japanese Food Fast, restaurant, tokyo breakfast, Austin Chronicle, Challenge, Auditorium Shores

Recently I read that the Austin Chronicle and Zen Japanese Food Fast were looking for 6 people who want to lose weight and be healthier. The idea is that they will choose 6 people and with the help of a trainer assist them in reaching the goal of running the Trail of Lights 5K that will take place in December. I thought that sounded like a great idea and since I could stand to lose a good 20-25lbs and I’d like to be in better shape, I applied. Selections will be made on September 24th. I’m both nervous and excited at the thought of being chosen.

Later in the week I received an email inviting me to join Team Zen and get a head start. Team Zen, it turns out, has been around for a while. A joint collaboration between Zen Japanese Food Fast, RunTex and the Brain and Spine Center, Team Zen is the brainchild of Zen founder, Adam Weisberg, who wants to help his customers meet their goals of living healthier fuller lives. The training, the email informed me, would start at 8am.

8am in the morning. 8am in the morning on a weekend during ACL Fest with some 75,000 people in attendance. Still, I wanted to show that I was serious about wanting to be on the team and that I was willing to meet the commitment. The training would take place at Auditorium Shores, one of my favourite places in Austin. I usually refer to it as “Pagoda Park” due to the lovely Pagoda located there. It’s also where the statue of Stevie Ray Vaughn lives. That reminds me, I still have a funny story to tell you all about that statue.

To say that I am not a morning person would be the understatement of the year. I prefer to see morning from the back end. Staying up until 8am, not a problem. Getting up at 8am, big problem! As it was, I got up around 6:30am so that I’d have time to shower, wake up and have a cuppa. On reflection I decided against the tea, thinking that a diuretic prior to running might be a bad idea. I wasn’t sure what to eat so I grabbed a Kashi granola bar and a bottle of Gatorade and headed out the door, grabbing sunglasses and a hat.

I arrived at Auditorium Shores about 7:50am and was lucky enough to catch a parking place right there. Very lucky! I looked around but didn’t find anyone from Team Zen. I did find the bathroom however. Thank goodness because God knows I have the smallest bladder on the planet and I’d managed to drink nearly an entire bottle of Gatorade. For some reason I’d woken up thirsty. I also managed to choke on my granola bar and had to turn up the A/C to cool down my face so I wouldn’t arrive all red and choked up looking. D’oh!

Not long after I arrived Adam Weisberg and his team mates drove up in his truck to unload coffee and iced tea and a few more people gathered around. We introduced ourselves and signed in as Patrick arrived. Patrick is the trainer who Adam hired to work with Team Zen. He has also been a trainer with Gilbert’s Gazelle’s, a team run by Gilbert Tuhabonye, a former NCAA All-American and a very successful running career. Adam introduced himself and talked a bit about Team Zen and how it came about.

From day one, Zen has been about more than just the food we serve; it’s been about helping the people who walk through our doors live a healthier fuller life. Now Team Zen is about community, choices and lifestyles.

With Team Zen you can choose to run or you can choose to walk. I chose to walk because, as Patrick stated, “you need to walk before you can run” and I have no experience running. None. Zippo. Nada. The walkers were told to do the 1 mile loop. I did that and of course everyone else on the planet finished ahead of me. I’m short. At 4′11, my stride was much shorter than anyone else’s. I met the rest of the group on one of the fields and Patrick began running us through drills known as “Plyometrics” aimed at building strength in our legs. I was slow but Patrick was encouraging. “Don’t pay attention to anyone else,” he told me, “it’s more about form, so you just concentrate on that.” Well, I can do that. I regularly do pilates and pilates is definitely about form.

I finished the exercises, tired and red-faced. It was definitely a workout. Patrick sent us off on another mile long walk to cool down and we all gathered back at the Team Zen site where Adam was waiting for us. We chatted and waited for our breakfast which would be supplied by Adam and Zen Japanese Food Fast. Holy cow, Batman! I’m here to tell you that the “Tokyo Breakfast” they supplied was the bomb! It consisted of a small bed of rice that, if I heard correctly, was cooked in broth. The rice was topped with a perfectly poached egg which was in turn topped with a little sriracha and a few chopped green onions. This was served along side some crisp stir-fried veggies. It was truly wonderful. I could go back every week at 8am for that breakfast alone. Mmmm…

And thus concluded my first Team Zen workout. I felt good about going. I was a tiny bit lonely being there by myself but everyone was friendly and I’m sure I’ll make friends. Either that or I’ll drag friends with me.

I should mention that anyone can join Team Zen. If you’re looking to improve your health and would like some team support from a friendly group, look them up!

Zen Team Challenge Week 2
Read about Week 3
Read About Week 4
Read About Week 5
Read About Week 6
Read About Week 7
Week 10 Review ( I missed 8 & 9 )

Exercise, running, Team Zen, Zen Japanese Food Fast, restaurant, Adam Weisberg, tokyo breakfast, Austin Chronicle, Challenge, Auditorium Shores