Home, Sweet Home, and IT Band 'Fun'

Hello Friends

So, we've made the decision to stay put, for now... the stress of having our home on the market is over. Do you know what we did that first day? Put chicken in the crock pot for dinner!  We'd always heard that having food cooking all day in the crock pot could have an aroma that your potential buyers didn't like. Cooking chili sounds amazing to me, but if the potentials don't like spicy food, they could be turned off. So, we abstained, often times we ended up eating away home. A full summer of too much eating out makes me excited for home cooked and clean meals. This unusually cool weather has me in the cooking and baking mood, too.

So, it's time to make our house our home again. Time to replace the pictures. Time to get out my recipe books, extra baking pans and covers and enjoy all the yummy and clean recipes that I can get my hands on! I know that I'll be utilizing the crock pot a lot this fall. Why? 

Well, it's time to finish what I started about 18 years ago. Jen's going back to school.  

My classes are on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, all night (6-10pm), so I'll need to be sure that there is food for the family, and something that I can have leftover for lunch and/or dinner the next day. Since I won't be coming home between work and school, having something simmering all day will make the evening less hectic for the hubster. That is, if I can convince him to try some new things.   Do you have a favorite crock pot recipe?  

Now, if I can just work out this IT Band/hip issue I'm having with my running... I've taken a week off of running, have been to see my chiropractor, and have been rolling out and stretching ... but it's not right yet. I don't want to get off track, but I also know the risk of permanent damage if I push running despite pain. It's frustrating, but I have to be patient.

I'm working in lots of extra stretching time - remembering that I need to be warmed up before I start. I've also started to ice my hip to help with inflammation. I have a specific goal in mind, but I have to remember that staying healthy is more important. It's a tough balance to find, and I have to remind myself every day.

I'll let you know how things go. In the mean time, I'm going to enjoy the great weather, good clean food, and take things slow.

Until next time (pancake recipes!),
<3 Jen