Lap counters and hot cocoa recipe

An alert reader, possibly utterly grossed out by my misuse of dental hygiene products, e-mailed me with a link to this handy-dandy item, a manual finger-hold tally counter. Considering it costs less than ten dollars and weighs a mere 2.4 ounces, I might actually spring for it to count laps when I run on the track. But I can still use the flossie thingie until it arrives.

Boy, am I glad today was strength training day! (I say "was" because I did my workout as soon as I got back from walking the dogs this morning. *pats self on back*) The weather outside is horrible--cold and snowy. I called Kelly at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society office to set up a meeting, and she called me back from home because the roads were so bad the LLS employees were told to stay home and telecommute today. I am going in to see her and Andy on Thursday and I have many, many questions to ask!

This is a good day to settle in with some hot cocoa. I mentioned before that I love homemade hot cocoa after a winter workout. Here's the very, very simple recipe for Single Serving Microwave Hot Cocoa:

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. baking cocoa (straight 100% cocoa powder--Hershey's, Nestle, Ghirardelli, whatever)
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 1 cup milk (I use 2%, but any kind will do)
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract (this really MAKES the drink--use real vanilla for best taste!)

Preparation:

1. STIR together sugar and cocoa in a large, microwave-safe mug.
2. STIR IN a few tablespoons of the milk to make a smooth paste; then stir in remaining milk.
3. MICROWAVE on high (100%) power for 1 minute. Stir.
4. MICROWAVE on high for 10 more seconds. Add vanilla extract and drink immediately!

Enjoy, and stay warm and cozy today!