That Orc Ranger can't get his shit together

[The Battle Chef]

Today is my one day off this week, yay being run into the ground!

Started the day off walking the dogs at sunrise, really beautiful morning.  There must have been at least 20 barn swallows devouring all the insects dumb enough to be out and about that early in the day.  It's always nice hearing them sing and watching their areal acrobatics around the farm.

This week I will be focusing on getting the running shoes broken in and reading Ready to Run.  I'll be doing a smattering of cleaning and organizing, but it won't count towards the challenge as it isn't going to last more than a few days.  On the plus side, I finally got a dehumidifier for my office.  This damn section of the house is always miserable in the summer, the dehumidifier should help.

I'll likely be posting some recipes tonight.  Sweet Potato Masoor (red lentil) Dal served on roasted spaghetti squash with okra fries.

[The Battle Chef]

I've read the first 2 chapters of Ready to Run, and I am glad I started now.  Seems I am going to have some homework.  Wore the shoes around the house, then took the dogs out.  Now I shall curse the existence of big feet problems.

Sweet Potato Masoor (red lentil) Dal
Yields 5-6 L

 

3 tbsp ghee

3 cups yellow onion, small diced

3 tbsp ginger, grated

2 tbsp garlic, minced

1 jalapeno, cut lengthwise and seeded

2 bay leaves

2 lime leaves (optional)

2 tbsp garam masala

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp salt

2 tsp sugar

 

10 cups water or stock

4 plum tomatoes, seeded & diced

3 cups red lentils, rinsed

2 medium sweet potato, small dice or shredded

Salt & pepper to taste

4 tbsp ghee

2 tsp whole cumin seed

2 tsp whole fennel seed

2 tsp whole dill seed

2 tsp smoked paprika

Sweat the onion in ghee until soft and translucent.  
add the ginger and garlic, sweat 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
add the jalapeno, herbs and spices.  Stir constantly for 30-45 seconds.

Add the water, tomato, sweet potato and lentils.  Bring to a simmer and cook out until sweet potato and lentils are tender, 20-30 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the second quantity of ghee over medium high heat until shimmering.  Add the spices and fry for about 45 seconds.  Strain out the spices, extracting every last drop of flavour and mix into the dal. Discard the spices. Fish out the jalapeno and bay,  season to taste.

I served this over shredded spaghetti squash and hot damn, that was a good meal.  Didn't get around to making the okra fries, will try tomorrow.

[Seraphina]

Yikes! I hope it's been a good day, sounds like you're making the most of it. 

 

Also, that recipe sounds amazing and I'm totally going to try it (sans ghee cause veg )!

[The Battle Chef]

52 minutes ago, Seraphina said:

Yikes! I hope it's been a good day, sounds like you're making the most of it. 

 

Also, that recipe sounds amazing and I'm totally going to try it (sans ghee cause veg )!

Make it on your hedonism day   Coconut oil works just as well.

[Seraphina]

On 5/28/2018 at 4:35 PM, Azukmul gro-Dragnar said:

Make it on your hedonism day   Coconut oil works just as well.

True, but hedonism day is more like... a pizza candy chicken wings birthday party... with alcohol. 

[The Battle Chef]

4 hours ago, Seraphina said:

True, but hedonism day is more like... a pizza candy chicken wings birthday party... with alcohol. 

 

Feeling very assbutt today.  Long shift in a hot kitchen followed by a long shift landscaping.  Cold dinner of skyr, grapes and hemp hearts.

[The Battle Chef]

I managed to knock another 2 chapters of Ready to Run down.  Chapter 4 emphasized the importance of keeping your feet in a neutral stance- toes more or less pointing forward and not slouching too much.  This is something I am going to have to be conscious about at work.  

Chapter 5, deals with the "importance" of zero drop shoes and footwear in general that doesn't raise your heel up.

Below is a rant that contains language that has been found in the State of California to cause cancer.  Viewer discretion is advised

Spoiler

Alright you stupid knobgobbler, pull your head out of your arse long enough to realize that not everyone conforms to the shoe industry's bullshit size categories.  I have e-mailed EVERY GODDAMN SHOE MANUFACTURER ON THE MARKET about the biggest/widest zero drop, low drop, minimalist, or other "approved" shoe, and the biggest sizes they made I OUTGREW WHEN I WAS 12!  I OUTGREW THEM WHEN I BARELY HIT PUBERTY!  Do you have ANY idea how many "Sasquatch Sightings" in my area has actually been me taking my dogs out for a late night piss?  There are 3 cobblers in North America I have contacted who can make me a shoe for about $500 CAD, and that is simply too much.  You & crossfit need to use your brand power to bring more bigger than average training clothes to market, or STFU about how "great" your gym cult is.  WAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!



Other "custom" shoe makers simply buy pre-cut Vibram soles and stitch an upper on them, then charge a few hundred bucks for the feeling of smug satisfaction they get from being an "artisan".  I bet they compare their labours to that of Hercules, sweat shop children, or master artisans of the Renaissance.  Apologies to Sweat Shop children.  I know you guys have a good work ethic.

Shoes and I generally don't get along.

I'm not too keen on barefoot running.  Too many sharp hazards and ticks on the farm.  Bleh.  I bought a pair of Under Armour Bandits that are "close enough."

[Seraphina]

2 hours ago, Azukmul gro-Dragnar said:

Below is a rant that contains language that has been found in the State of California to cause cancer.  Viewer discretion is advised

Shoes and I generally don't get along.

Your rant had me cry-laughing, btw. But ugh, as a female with really wide & flat Mediterranean feet, I get this on a level. I can't wear any "girly" shoes because I don't have Barbie feet, and most women's shoes are uncomfortable. That's so weird that they don't carry high enough shoe sizes... I feel like a lot of tall dudes out there are feeling the same.

[WhiteGhost]

5 hours ago, Azukmul gro-Dragnar said:

Chapter 5, deals with the "importance" of zero drop shoes and footwear in general that doesn't raise your heel up.

I haven't read the book, but I am a bit skeptical about exactly how important this is.  I used to be a runner in a previous life (I was on the run team for our base when I was in the army) and everyone had regular running shoes and I don't think it really made much difference.

[ladyofthebog]

I want to write a story about you and your shoe problems. A fairy tale but like the grimms type

[The Battle Chef]

6 hours ago, Seraphina said:

Your rant had me cry-laughing, btw. But ugh, as a female with really wide & flat Mediterranean feet, I get this on a level. I can't wear any "girly" shoes because I don't have Barbie feet, and most women's shoes are uncomfortable. That's so weird that they don't carry high enough shoe sizes... I feel like a lot of tall dudes out there are feeling the same.

You know what they say about guys with big feet... It's true.  Damnest time finding shoes.
I wear a Us size 14, 4E or 5E wide.  Most of these shoes are -barely- 2E.  It does not make sense.  Apparently shoe manufacturers think I am not supposed to move very much?
 

2 hours ago, WhiteGhost said:

I haven't read the book, but I am a bit skeptical about exactly how important this is.  I used to be a runner in a previous life (I was on the run team for our base when I was in the army) and everyone had regular running shoes and I don't think it really made much difference.

Well the book is written by a dedicated Crossfitter, so yeah...

 

2 hours ago, ladyofthebog said:

I want to write a story about you and your shoe problems. A fairy tale but like the grimms type

I am the big bad Ork that's kidnapping all the neighbourhood cats trying to make shoes that fit just right.

[crazykhajiitlady]

On 5/28/2018 at 12:55 AM, Azukmul gro-Dragnar said:

It turned out better than expected, not gonna lie.  I'm really not a fan of Mike's hard lemonade, but I just didn't have the energy to make lemon simple syrup and buy more vodka and limoncello to make a proper drink.  

 

LIMONCELLO!!! All of that sounds so good. 

[The Battle Chef]

Weekly update:  I still have one more shift to go tomorrow, probably will wrap up around 60 work hours this week.  Trying to get back on track Sunday.  Next week's not quite so insane.  My back is better and rested, I'm going to work up to a 1 rep max deadlift.  I sincerely hope I can use every single weight plate I have on it (I think I have around 300# of plates?  I dunno)

 

It's so goddamned hot here right now I almost went down with heat exhaustion yesterday.  I drank easily 2 gallons of water/electrolytes and sweated out more.  

The shower beer is your friend.  The Shower Beer was earned.

[ladymorella]

On 5/30/2018 at 3:23 PM, Rusk said:

I managed to knock another 2 chapters of Ready to Run down.  Chapter 4 emphasized the importance of keeping your feet in a neutral stance- toes more or less pointing forward and not slouching too much.  This is something I am going to have to be conscious about at work.  

Chapter 5, deals with the "importance" of zero drop shoes and footwear in general that doesn't raise your heel up.

Below is a rant that contains language that has been found in the State of California to cause cancer.  Viewer discretion is advised

  Hide contents

Alright you stupid knobgobbler, pull your head out of your arse long enough to realize that not everyone conforms to the shoe industry's bullshit size categories.  I have e-mailed EVERY GODDAMN SHOE MANUFACTURER ON THE MARKET about the biggest/widest zero drop, low drop, minimalist, or other "approved" shoe, and the biggest sizes they made I OUTGREW WHEN I WAS 12!  I OUTGREW THEM WHEN I BARELY HIT PUBERTY!  Do you have ANY idea how many "Sasquatch Sightings" in my area has actually been me taking my dogs out for a late night piss?  There are 3 cobblers in North America I have contacted who can make me a shoe for about $500 CAD, and that is simply too much.  You & crossfit need to use your brand power to bring more bigger than average training clothes to market, or STFU about how "great" your gym cult is.  WAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!

Other "custom" shoe makers simply buy pre-cut Vibram soles and stitch an upper on them, then charge a few hundred bucks for the feeling of smug satisfaction they get from being an "artisan".  I bet they compare their labours to that of Hercules, sweat shop children, or master artisans of the Renaissance.  Apologies to Sweat Shop children.  I know you guys have a good work ethic.

Shoes and I generally don't get along.

I'm not too keen on barefoot running.  Too many sharp hazards and ticks on the farm.  Bleh.  I bought a pair of Under Armour Bandits that are "close enough."

That is crazy they don't make bigger sizes. The zero drop movement is kinda weird. I mean those shoes are pretty expensive even ones that don't have Vibram soles. I don't understand how shoes without much of anything can cost so much. Just cause they are in right now? 

I have basically been in zero drop shoes since my parents finally let me stop wearing high tops for my bad ankles at 16. Skater shoes were in during the 90's and I found they actually helped me somehow. Ever since I have usually ended up in low drop shoes. Now there are more options, but they are so expensive. 

 

On 5/30/2018 at 5:51 PM, Seraphina said:

Your rant had me cry-laughing, btw. But ugh, as a female with really wide & flat Mediterranean feet, I get this on a level. I can't wear any "girly" shoes because I don't have Barbie feet, and most women's shoes are uncomfortable. That's so weird that they don't carry high enough shoe sizes... I feel like a lot of tall dudes out there are feeling the same.

You know what is funny? When I went for hiking shoes last year I had a guy that seemed really knowledgeable. He said there were four common width sizes for women and I was a B being the 2nd most narrow after A. I think he said C was "normal" (maybe it went to E?)  Many women's shoes are too narrow for me. Girly shoes are ridiculously narrow. When will these manufacturers realize we are not all made the same?

[The Battle Chef]

3 hours ago, ladymorella said:

That is crazy they don't make bigger sizes. The zero drop movement is kinda weird. I mean those shoes are pretty expensive even ones that don't have Vibram soles. I don't understand how shoes without much of anything can cost so much. Just cause they are in right now? 

Honestly they are about the same price as what I normally pay for shoes.  $150+ is pretty standard for my size range.  I've been condemned to a life of construction/safety shoes and the occasional pair of overbuilt hiking shoes. D:

[Seraphina]

Agreed about the hotness. It's barely June... ugh. I'm glad you didn't get heat stroke and drank lots of water. I hope it's not a hot summer but it seems like it will be. :|

 

Also, I like the name change! 

[The Battle Chef]

A general update:
 

A week of rest did the body good.  Since surgery is going to reset any progress I've made anyway, going to do more fun lifting leading up to it.

I worked up to a 300# deadlift single. I didn't calculate the weight until after I did it, I just kept adding plates to the bar.  That's a x1 bodyweight lift for me, and a major PR.


On the food front, I made some mung bean dal with some "more interesting" flavours.  I was just throwing things in at random, but it's edible enough that I froze off some portions.  Since I needed space I started organizing the stand up freezer and found some steaks.  It would be a shame for them to go to waste and dangit, I just picked up the equivolent of one me on a barbell.

edit: the 2.5 pound plate is apparently too shy to show up, but it's there!

[ladymorella]

Awesome! Congrats on your deadlift! Steak seems like a fitting celebration for deadlifts. 

[WhiteGhost]

I thought I replied to this this morning, but I can no longer find my post...

 

Congratulations on the PR, that is a massive lift.  

[The Battle Chef]

I moved through another 2 chapters of Ready to Run, since I wasn't sleeping anyway.

 

Chapter 6 revolved around keeping a neutral thoracic (central) spine and not rounding your shoulders (meaning Good Posture), something I am hyper aware of when I lift, but like the neutral foot position, something I have a hard time maintaining when fatigued.  But I do try to remain conscious about it when working and sitting at my desk.  Might give one of them swiss ball chairs a try.

Chapter 7 deals with being able to squat with good form, as the mobility to squat properly is important to good running mechanics.  This one I am not worried about.  Squats are my worst and most hated lift, so I have spent the more time tinkering and fixing my stance.  I can go full ass-to-grass with a barbell, so this was an easy chapter for me.

[doctorake]

On 6/1/2018 at 4:22 PM, Rusk said:

The shower beer is your friend.  The Shower Beer was earned.

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/showerbeer/

 

 

Nice job on the deads

[The Battle Chef]

6 hours ago, doctorake said:

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/showerbeer/

 

 

Nice job on the deads

There seems to be a reddit for just about everything!

 

And thanks.

[The Battle Chef]

I decided to wear my new shoes while running errands and my feet informed me that wasn't the best idea.  Friggin' shoes.

Worked my way up to a 135# overhead press, which isn't a huge improvement over where I was before.  Honestly having a hard time finding gym time when I am swamped with yardwork.  3 acres of the family farm needing constant maintenance was a stupid idea.  

Still sticking more or less to my reduced meat consumption.  Making lentil bacon soup for dinner tonight.  

[ladyofthebog]

third the shower beer. only thing better is banya beer. in russia, you drink beer between saunas.

[Seraphina]

9 hours ago, Rusk said:

I decided to wear my new shoes while running errands and my feet informed me that wasn't the best idea.  Friggin' shoes.

Worked my way up to a 135# overhead press, which isn't a huge improvement over where I was before.  Honestly having a hard time finding gym time when I am swamped with yardwork.  3 acres of the family farm needing constant maintenance was a stupid idea.  

Still sticking more or less to my reduced meat consumption.  Making lentil bacon soup for dinner tonight.  

Does maintaining the farm = exercise? If so, that's cool! I mean, all I have to maintain is my Netflix account, and I could never count that as physical activity. I would imagine maintaining that much land would require some form of both cardio and strength.