More weird foods

I do keep on forgetting how my palate is so much different from most people's now.

I did a focus group yesterday and made $100 just to spout off. And since I do that all the time for free, I was happy to get the chance to make some money at it.

Anyway, I signed a confidentiality agreement so I can't get into specifics, but I can say that the product we were testing is a dairy product I eat frequently and really like. We tested a particularly delicious version.

All the other women turned up their noses. The product wasn't sweet enough and it was too expensive.

I have my definite frugal side, but I'll spend money on good things -- particularly good food.

Odd (but yummy) meal

I was messing around in the kitchen last night, and I put together a surprisingly good meal.

First, I started with some yummy red quinoa. I mixed it with some brussel sprouts that I'd grated in the Cuisinart and sauteed with garlic and olive oil -- then added some meat.

I know, I know -- I like things now that most people wouldn't eat. But I think this would work for most people -- adults, at least.

Christmas in L.A. ...

... is obnoxious.

First, we're all sick. By "we" I mean my entire family and now myself. With six of us we manage to extend sickness for weeks. I just got it yesterday. I went to a wonderful little get-together and dinner party with women on The Plan. Then, I got home and felt like I'd been hit by a truck. So, sorry, people, if you got sick from me.

But the big thing that's an L.A. thing is how much more obnoxious people are on the roads. Everyone is out more, and they're angry that every else is out there, too. There's more honking and rudeness. Merry Christmas to you, too.

70 minutes of laziness

OK, I hadn't run for a week.

So, I got out today for a rare early afternoon run.

What a disaster!

I'm thinking that some of my chilliness lately might've been a very mild version of the flu, which explains some of the trouble on the road.

I got two miles in in 25 minutes, and I walked the rest of the time. The knees were surprisingly achy -- I think just from not getting the time on my feet in recently. So I was happy with some walking, particularly since I did hills.

Off the wagon?

A friend asked today: "OK, you write about Christmas cookies and then nothing. Did you go off the wagon?"

O ye of little faith. Of course not!

We just all got sick, and that's just boring, even by my (low) standards. I was either tired or taking care of sickies, so that's primarily what I did this weekend.

I will admit I'm feeling more sorry for myself than usual with all the holiday cheeriness around. Which is stupid. And I'm getting over it. Once again, it's not a desperate kind of craving for treats, it's just the wish that reality were different, that I could sample a couple of cookies and not end up at 200 pounds by Easter.

Quick bullet items:

1) No, I have not run either. Because I'm an idiot. I know I'd feel better if I ran. I still have time tonight.

2) My coldness has continued. The kids are complaining because I like the heater on in the car, even though I'm wearing a sweater, winter coat and gloves and they are not. I guess I'm at least 25 pounds lighter than I was last year at this time, so it should be understandable, as a friend has pointed out.

3) Gingerbread house: I got a pre-assembled one at Costco for the kids to decorate. How's that for culinary wussiness? Just like I don't have the patience or inclination to bake homemade croissants anymore, I'm not wrestling over a gingerbread house. Weirdly, the kids had it in their heads that we would eat the gingerbread house. Uh, no.

4) I'm proud of myself because I went to Confession Reconciliation like the striving-to-be-good Catholic woman I am -- and managed not to cry. I think that's the first time in my 42.5 years. That's either a good thing or a very bad one.

5) I've got a bunch of homeschooling friends, but there's also a big crowd of friends whose children go to school that I hang out with. Yesterday, I went to a fun sing-a-long party. I was the only homeschooler, and I got introduced this way: "This is Kathleen and she homeschools four kids!" It's fun to be a freak of nature!

6) I read this great book: "101 Things to Do Before You Diet," which is written by a fashion editor and is full of cute little tricks. The only thing I disagree with is her "Eliminate nothing" advice, which she promptly goes and contradicts a few dozen pages later. But I will forgive her. It's a fun read.