What's Red All Over (Sometimes), But Always Good For You?

For the backyard gardner or farmers market forager, tomato season is one of the true joys of summer. They may not be around for long, but when they are  there is little you can put on your plate that so easily and simply (and healthily) packs so much flavor.

Some swear by the many, many interesting and wildly different heirloom varieties (in all sorts of colors and patterns). Others just as proudly show off the hybrids they grew in their backyards, passing out bags bursting with tomatoes to friends and neighbors when the bounty arrives. But either way, come August and September in most of the country those at the table are in for a delicious treat.

The tomato has long been a controversial fruit, er, vegetable, though. Did you know that on May 10, 1983 The U.S. Supreme Court officially declared the tomato a vegetable, based on the fact that they are generally served with dinner and not dessert? Botanists may argue the other way. Whichever side of the debate you fall on however, one thing is for sure: The tomato is a good for you food!

Tomatoes are not only extremely versatile and taste great; they also have many nutritional benefits. They are high lycopene. Lycopene is a phytochemical found in tomatoes (and fruit such as watermelon and pink grapefruit) that has potent antioxidant properties. Many studies have revealed evidence that lycopene may help decrease the risk of prostate cancer while working in concert with other nutrients.

Tomatoes are also high in vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. One medium tomato is approximately 95% water and has 22 calories. One cup of fresh tomatoes provides over 57% of the daily value for vitamin C, 22% of the daily value for vitamin A, and almost 8% of the daily value for fiber.

Sometimes it's all we can do to wait to pop the deep red slices into our mouths as soon as the orbs are sliced. Others blanche and preserve their ruby treasures or boil them down into sauces so the late-summer treat can last months more.

But raw or cooked -- which is better? Fat­soluble nutrients such as lycopene become more concentrated when tomatoes are cooked. Vitamin C, on the other hand, is more abundant in raw tomatoes. You'll be happy to know that you should enjoy this anti-aging “fruit” both ways for optimal benefits.

Try this recipe I learned from a friend in Hawaii for a delicious tomato salad -- you'll find it at FlavorFirst.com.

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Win a one-year membership to the Biggest Loser Club! Season 12 is just weeks away, but until the premiere we'll be giving away a year-long membership to the Biggest Loser Club, a customized interactive diet and fitness program, every week. To enter for your chance to win sign up for my monthly newsletter of tips, recipes, news and advice. Sign up here.

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Athenos Baked Pita Chips (Original) Review

The front of the packaging of Athenos (Original) Baked Pita Chips has a bright blue sticker on it that reads, "50% less fat than the leading potato chips." Well, since crispy snacks like potato chips are my weakness, I only too happily threw this product in my grocery cart to try it out.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 28 grams (11 chips)
Calories: 120
Total Fat: 4 grams, 6%
Saturated Fat: 0%
Sodium: 270 mg, 11%
Carbohydrates: 19 grams
Fiber: 2 grams, 8%
Sugars: < 1 gram
Protein: 3 grams

Their website describes Athenos (Original) Baked Pita Chips as "the ultimate dipping chip ... made from freshly baked pita bread, baked and seasoned to perfection ... with 50% less fat than the leading brand of potato chips and no cholesterol." What I found was a tasty, golden brown, sturdy pita chip, so good for the eatin'. Not too salty, not not too oily and just as good as World Classics Trading Company Sea Salt Baked Pita Chips (Review). My problem was when it's hard to eat just one serving, which is about 11 chips (28 grams).

Each serving provides 120 calories, 4 grams of total fat (6% of the daily value), no saturated or trans fats, 270 mg sodium (11% of the DV), 2 grams of fiber (8% of the DV), less than 1 gram of sugars and 3 grams of protein.

The ingredients list of Athenos (Original) Baked Pita Chips reads wheat flour, sunflower oil, salt, sugar, yeast, with ascorbic acid, rosemary extract and citric acid to preserve freshness. To overcome my problem of eating more than 1 serving at a time, I started having with StarKist Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water (Review) - lots of protein and crunch to make a nutritious snack.

A 9 ounce bag (255 grams) cost me $2.50, and I would buy these instead of regular potato chips any day of the week.

{Website: Athenos}

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The Kindergarten Blues

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Dannon Activia Selects Parfait (Strawberry) Review

I usually have plain low-fat (and low sugar) yogurts, but those tend to have artificial sweeteners, and there are times when I give my body a break from that. So while I was out, I decided to check out a few yogurts that are not artificially sweetened, including
Dannon Activia Selects Strawberry Parfait. It's described as, "crunchy granola you can mix into delicious creamy Activia low fat yogurt."

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 6 ounces
Calories: 220
Total Fat: 3 grams, 5%
Saturated Fat: 1.5 grams, 8%
Sodium: 120 mg, 5%
Carbohydrates: 42 grams
Fiber: 2 grams, 8%
Sugars: 29 grams
Protein: 6 grams

The yogurt was sweet with lots of strawberry pieces throughout. Mixing in the granola adds a nice contrasting texture. While I preferred the taste a bit more than Breyers YoCrunch Blueberry Fruit Parfait (Review), the YoCrunch parfait wins in the nutrition facts department.

Each 6 ounce serving of Dannon Activia Selects Strawberry Parfait provides 220 calories, 3 grams of total fat (5% of the daily value), including 1.5 grams of saturated fat (8% of the DV), 2 grams of fiber (8% of the DV), 6 grams of protein and 29 grams of sugars. The YoCrunch parfait provides 170 calories, 1.5 grams of total fat and 24 grams of sugars.

The ingredients in Dannon Activia Selects Strawberry Parfait are cultured grade A reduced fat milk, strawberries, sugar, fructose, water; modified food starch; less than 1% of milk protein concentrate, modified corn starch, Kosher gelatin, natural flavor, agar agar, carrageenan, carmine (for color), sodium citrate,calcium lactate, lactic acid, xanthan gum. vitamin D3. The granola topping has rolled white wheat flakes, sugar, milled rice, molasses, honey, cinnamon, salt, malt.

I purchased a single 6 ounce serving for $1.00, but would buy the Breyers YoCrunch Blueberry Fruit Parfait (Review) instead as they both cost the same, and although the Dannon parfait is a little more tasty, the YoCrunch one has the edge in the nutrition facts.

{Website: Dannon Activia Selects}

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What would you give? (guest post)

I love the interwebs, even more so over the past several years with the advent of social media growing so much.

It makes the world a much smaller place.

Without the interwebs, I likely would never have met any of the phenomenal fitbloggers I’ve had the joy of meeting in person, like our own MizFit (don’t EVEN get me started on how muchI freaked out excited I was when she asked me to write a guest post here – OMG!), our FitBloggin’ rock star Roni, or my amazing fellow writers over at the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans.
Not only have I met so many amazing new friends, but it’s also afforded me the opportunity to reconnect with some amazing people from my past.

As an example, last year I reconnected via Facebook with a couple of friends that I worked with about 15 years ago when I was living in Nashville working in the music industry. Of the three of us, only one still remains in Nashville. I moved on to California and the other is now living in Portland, Oregon.

Last week, the friend living in Portland posted a photo of herself on Facebook from 14 or 15 years ago. I commented saying something along of lines of, “Oh, that’s the girl I remember!”

She left a follow-up comment saying, “What I’d give to look like that again. Apparently getting off my ass and eating right isn’t what I’d give. ”

At first, I just giggled at her comment and left her a little wink comment back.

The more I thought about it though, it really gave me pause for deeper consideration.

I mean, we’ve all said that line (or something similar) in our lives. “Oh, I’d give anything to __________.”

Just fill in the blank with whatever goal/dream you like.

I’ve even said it before about my own weight loss, “I’d give anything to just be done with the weight loss portion of my journey so I could work on maintenance instead for a change!”

Since we’ve all been there, the question then becomes, what WOULD I really give to meet my weight loss goals?

Am I willing to give up a little more sleep in the morning to get up early to exercise?

If morning workouts aren’t a good option, then am I willing to give up that favorite TV show at night to get in a workout in the evening?

Am I willing to give up a little extra time each day to prepare my own meals rather than relying on picking up take-out or convenience foods?

Am I willing to give up that one (or more) particular red-light food that calls my name that I can’t seem to control?

I’m mean, seriously, if it isn’t in the house then I can’t eat it, so why do I buy it in the first place?!

Given I’ve been playing with the same 5-10 pounds for nearly a year, clearly I haven’t really been willing to give anything to meet my goals. Apparently all I’m actually willing to give it a lot of good lip service.

Perhaps you’re already at your ideal weight and aren’t on weight loss journey.

Perhaps you’re interested in improving your fitness, taking up running, doing that first triathlon, etc.

Perhaps you’ve said to yourself, “I’d give anything to run a marathon.”

So, what are you really willing to do?

Are you willing to give up some time a couple of times during the week to get in some shorter distance runs or do hill work?

Are you willing to give up a chunk of time on the weekend to get in a longer run?

The bottom line is this, lip service never got anything accomplished.

Only through hard work and dedication can we reach our goals.

So, what are you REALLY willing to give in order to reach your goals?

By day, Mel works full-time as an IT manager in the aerospace industry. She made the decision last year to continue her education, so by night, she is also a full-time student pursuing a degree in Information Technology in preparation to enter an MBA program with an emphasis on IT Management. In her spare time (ha!), Mel enjoys doing needlework (cross-stitch and needlepoint), reading on her Kindle, and playing Angry Birds or Bejeweled on her iPhone or iPad. Oh yeah, did I mention Mel is an uber-geek, ‘cuz she is!

Mel is a Contributing Writer for The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans and blogs about her personal weight loss journey at melgetsfit.com. You can also find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

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Back to Nature Organic Saltine Crackers Review

My dad, being the supportive person that he is, is always presenting me with food products to try, and his latest find was Back to Nature Organic Saltine Crackers. Theses Saltines are made with organic ingredients and sprinkled with sea salt, plus they contain no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors,

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 15 grams
Calories: 60
Total Fat: 1.5 grams, 2%
Saturated Fat: 0%
Sodium: 150 mg, 6%
Carbohydrates: 12 grams
Fiber: 0%
Sugars: 0 grams
Protein: 1 gram

Saltine crackers and soup just go hand in hand for me - one should not be eaten without the other ... although Saltines also make a great base for other things like tuna, and spicy cheeses like Pepper Jack, or Weight Watchers Jalapeno Cheese Wedges (Review). On their own, Back to Nature Organic Saltine Crackers taste like ... saltine crackers! It's crispy, but not much flavor to it other than being a little salty. Paired with soup (I had mine with Dr. McDougall's Garden Vegetable Low Sodium Soup), they do the job required, meaning provide a good sturdy base that doesn't get soggy too quickly, as well as a plain base for the soup and it's ingredients to shine.

The nutrition facts are very similar to Nabisco Low Sodium Saltine Crackers (Review), with a 15 gram serving providing 60 calories, 2% of the daily value for total fat (1.5 grams), no saturated or trans fat, 150 mg sodium (6% of the DV), 1 gram of protein and no fiber or sugar. Of course, Nabisco Low Sodium Saltine Crackers only has 30 mg of sodium (1% of the DV), but it's also made with partially hydrogenated oils, while Back to Nature Organic Saltine Crackers is not. The ingredients are organic unbleaced enriched wheat flour, organic safflower oil, sea salt, baking soda, organic barley malt extract, organic brown rice syrup, dried yeast, organic malted barley flour.

A pack of Back to Nature Organic Saltine Crackers (8 ounces/ 226 grams), can be purchased online at iHerb.com for $3.67, which is a little more expensive than other brands (about $1.50 more). I don't find the price unreasonable though, and if you are trying to switch some if not all of your food products to those with a more natural ingredients list, then this is certainly an easy way to start. Great taste and reasonable price.

{Website: Back to Nature}

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My Day In Pictures.

Breakfast with my Little Guy

Oatmeal for my Baby… :)

Some protein for Mom.

1 egg, egg whites, onion, zucchini, ham and spinach.

Delicious!

A little monthly planning.

Laundry bombs!

Legos with Dad.

Organizing Little Guy’s Clothes before school starts.

LUNCH! Tuna Salad Caprese Style

Play time.

Dance time.

Went a little nutty at the grocery store.

Prepping for the week.

Someone was curious! :)

Stocked up!

Dinner. Store bought rotisserie chicken, a few leftover fries, broccoli and cauliflower.

Dessert! Little bugger took a bite of my cookie.

Day ended fabulously with 6 miles.

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Dating and the FFG – Part 1: Never Assume A Man Owns Measuring Cups

Remember the scene in Bull Durham when Nuke (Tim Robbins) is on the mound wearing Annie Savoy’s garter and he rolls his eyes back and pitches the ball? That’s kind of what it’s like dating 14 years and a few hundred pounds gained and lost since my last date.

In pre-Google days, it would have been a no-brainer. I’d have waited longer than an initial coffee date to reveal that I used to weigh 300 pounds. But fortunately or not, anyone who searches my name gets the lowdown real fast. So when it comes to dating, I roll my eyes back and throw it out there. I was who I was and I am who I am and the guy up to bat has a number of options of what to do with that curve ball.

This is a first in a series of blogs I’ll be writing from time to time about my experiences as a single woman with an overweight past who is dating but not looking for Mr. Right (I won’t walk down that aisle again). The names have been changed to protect the guilty, but my hope is that it will lead to an ongoing discussion with you about relationships in relation to weight gain and loss.

PBF1 (Potential Boyfriend #1) was five months older than me, taught economics at a private college, and liked to pick me up and throw me over his shoulder and walk me around his “man cave”: a white-walled, sparsely decorated condo. He said throwing me over his shoulders was how he would be able to tell if I ever gained weight.

PBF1 said he had all a man could want: a big-screen TV mounted on the wall, a leather couch and chair, and a “summer” car stored in the garage. Because we dated in the winter, I never got a ride in it.

I wanted to impress PBF1 by making him the always homey Wild Rice Pilaf. Seriously. This stuff is love in a casserole dish. I brought all the ingredients to his condo: wild rice, long grain brown rice, butter, broth, broccoli, carrots, onions, and crushed rosemary. As he sat in his leather chair working on his laptop, occasionally gazing over to the kitchen through Ward Cleaver-like eyes (for the record, I was not wearing high heels or a floral dress with an apron), I searched for anything resembling a measuring cup, particularly since I’d altered the recipe a bit and needed the non-ubiquitous 1/3 cup. I found shot glasses, duct tape and six months of newsletters from the condo board, but no measuring cups.

“Um, babe?” I said. “Do you have measuring cups?”

He laughed and went back to typing.

Blinded by the possibility of true love, I missed what should have been my first clue that this guy was NOT kitchen savvy: an eclectic mix of plates and bowls – pieces of what used to be whole sets of dishes, given to him, no doubt, by his mother.

Knocked off my cooking game, I channeled my domestic MacGyver. ‘Hmmmm…How can I make this pilaf work?’ A shot glasses holds about an ounce of liquid. There are 2.66 ounces in one-third cup. PBF1’s coffee pot held 8 cups of liquid. I could fill water to the one-cup line and then divide it evenly into three glasses. But did he have three of the same glasses? Yes, he did! In the bathroom! Thank you Dixie!

The rice turned out perfectly, but the relationship did not, lasting about as long as it takes to cook wild rice. That’s OK. It’s hard to fall in love with someone who doesn’t know what a dish towel is for. Besides, I found out after we broke up – just after Valentine’s Day – that he is married to a woman who lives in a former Eastern bloc country. *eyeroll*

My former therapist said to me, after telling her about this dating disaster, “We all have baggage. We’re just trying to find someone with a matching set.”

“Heck,” I said, “I’d be happy to find someone with matching flatware!”

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Oven Crisp Chicken

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Things Ive learned since losing almost half of me (guest post).

You have to start out small. Do not look at the big number you need to lose by the time you are done. Set small reachable goals like 5% of your weight or 5 or 10 pound increments. Each time you reach one celebrate! Chipping away at 120 pounds was easier when I looked at it 10 pounds at a time.You will sustain change over time by making 1-2 small changes every week or 2 and building upon them. I did not go from eating out every day to paleo in a week. It took a good year to instill each healthy living habit I live today. Every week I pushed myself harder and worked more towards an end goal: to cut out all the processed junk and eat whole, natural foods.Exercise is not always what the body wants but it is what the body needs. Our bodies were built to exercise, our ancestors walked and ran everywhere no cars, no planes. I do not always want to get up and workout but after a workout I feel so good that it keeps me excited for the next one.Living healthy is not the easiest choice to make. There is so much cheap quick diet fixes out there and it can be tempting to try them, I did I always failed long term. Weight Watchers is what worked for me because it taught me to eat healthy balanced meals and control my portions. Losing an average of 8-10 pounds a month was the healthy way to do things and it has kept me consistent, to lose 100 pounds in 14 months.Keep setting new goals and achieving them. I mix up my workouts, I look for new challenges. It keeps the body guessing and me working harder and harder every month. I like to find new challenges and set new obstacles for myself to overcome.Most Important: You can do anything you set your mind to. At 272 pounds I never ever would have thought I would one day we running half marathons and training for a full. But thankfully I am and I know that no matter what challenges I face it can be done.

MizFit comment: I love me some Colleen.  Ive had the opportunity to meet her in person and beg her for a guest post and she’s as amazing IRL as she is on her blog.

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It’s Fit Stanley ya’ll!

(click on Fit Stanley to read all about his FITventures!)

Thanks so so much to all of you who’ve received your FITbuddy and blogged about it.  If you’re still waiting for a visit you can toss your name in the pool floaty proverbial ring today.

I’m trying to arrange a visit for Fit Stanley & Fit Stella to the Today Show, too. 

It seems like the perfect place for the Dynamic Duo to remind us grownup types fitness can be FUN!  

I think Kathy Lee & Hoda could have some HILARIOUS FITventures?

Tags: Fit Stanley

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**cue confetti shaped like triceps**

Subtitle: No Tornado. No cry.

Ahhh People.

Ive been derailed from the workouts PLAYouts over the last month or so.

It has been hotter than the proverbial Mo Fo in the ATX and, quite frankly, I chose (theres that word again) to follow the Tornado’s pre-K lead and do what she wanted to do.

We colored (that didnt work the triceps).We painted our nails in bright circa 1980s flashy colors (that didnt work the triceps).We held hands and walked (ok that mightcould have been cardio had I NOT stopped every 8 steps to grab her by the chin and announce: I COULD EAT YOUR FACE OFF!).We practiced reading (Im woman enough to admit that experience worked my patience—but not my triceps).We giggled, snacked on crap & watched a million movies (That was good for my soul, but didnt work the triceps either).

In summation: it’s time.

I need to get back at it (three cheers for muscle memory!) and this post goes out to all of you who have ever commented, tweeted, emailed or texted me:

What’s your workout today, Miz?? SHARE!!

Here it is.

Im announcing so Im held accountable and resist urge to sit in corner counting down until Tornado returns from her book learning.

Im doing this:

Then Im doing a little of this:

Sure my workout could be longer–but you know me.  Im all about setting myself up for success and THIS I will do.

Because if I dont—youll call me on it.

Right?

Because if I dont Ill feel badly about it because I know you’re playing along at home.

Right?

Are you in to join me?

Will you tire your triceps in solidarity with this getting back to it misfit?

Please to announce yourself in the comments below.

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Food Journal and Other News

No time for much tonight except my food journal.

In other news…

oh how I’ve missed them! It’s funny how I forget about things and then rediscover themHUGE omelet with 1 egg, a ton of egg whites, onion, zucchini, ham, and spinachFinally took the leap and bought a container of egg whites to bulk up my omelets in the morningsmall sliver of chocolate cake.Long story but the HUSBAND made a cake and it’s been staring at me from the counter since last night. dinner was the chicken and portabellos over brown rice with asparagus will be posting soon! Family approved!5 mile run and 45 of a yoga class – it was all I had time for. could have done better. Off to take vitamin now.

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Finish It Monday: My Most Insane Giveaway EVER!

Calling all crazies! Go on and click the video above for inspiration.

(Special note to FWYS Challengers: Download this week’s Star Chart here to track your progress and earn your bonus stars.)

Well put me in a straight jacket and feed me happy pills! Surely I’ve gone insane in the cranial membrane? If you Like me on Facebook you might already know I’ve been itching to do this, and since it’s Finish It Monday, this Giveaway is reserved for my Finish What You Started Challenge peoples. Is that YOU?

I’ve been in the throes of Insanity for over 3 weeks now. It’s the toughest workout program I’ve even done in my life; much tougher than my beloved Bodyrock.Tv. And although I’m experiencing the fast results Insanity is designed to deliver, I still sometimes question myself (usually in the middle of a workout) with, Why am I doing this?  The discipline factor is also insane. It’s taking a lot for me (mentally) to get up every morning and push myself to do these workouts.

So in the the spirit of finishing what I, myself, have started and will definitely see through to the end, this is what I’m crazy enough to give away right now. One winner gets its all:

Brand new Insanity 60-day workout program. It comes with 10-DVD’s, Elite Nutrition Plan, Fitness Guide, Workout Calendar and 20-minute Bonus Workout DVD.Shakeology 4-pack Sampler Bonanza (because those shakes are dang important with these workouts).

How To Win It All

1) If you’re not already part of the Finish What You Started Challenge, sign up now. You must be part of the Challenge to qualify for this Giveaway prize. But serious people only, okay? No slackers allowed – not unless you’re ready to turn yourself around and make a change.

2)  Leave a comment to show me the stars you earned this past week (I earned 26) and/or share with us all how you’re working to overcoming any urges to quit or slack off in your goals.

Other Stuff To Do (But It’s Not Mandatory To Win the Prize)

1) Like me on Facebook so you can follow my short vlog updates on Insanity.

2) Join me on Team Beachbody to make me your coach. It’s free to join and it’s an awesome resource! Let’s connect there.

Your chance to win ends Wednesday, 8/31/11. Winner announced Monday 9/5/11. United States entries only. Totally null and void where prohibited.

Ready? Set? Go Insane!

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A Run-less Yet Still Sensational Sunday at Comic-Con

I didn’t get my long run in today for the Half Training. :( No excuses here. I just wasn’t feeling it. I’m going to do my best to get it in tomorrow. I have to carve out an hour and a half for myself, not sure if the baby will last a full 8 mile run.

Anyway, I had a GREAT day. Actually, a great weekend! A little over indulgent in the food department but you’ll have this. Tomorrow is a new day.

Here’s my Sunday in pictures. I’m posting these and then going to bed! I’m exhausted!

A great start to the morning. Brotherly love. :)

Camping out in the hallway as we organize laundry.

A little show from goofy big brother.

More laundry bombing! :)

We had NO food in the house except fruit.

Someone is LOVING his solids!

A little game of war.

A family outing!

Action figure heaven!

How could we not?

The boys were having fun!

We came home and watched Pee Wee’s Great adventure. This was his reaction.

And this was Little Bean’s.

I just had to throw this one in. I love this picture!

After the movie, Little Guy and I went grocery shopping. It took all the energy I could muster. I’m wiped!

Hope you had a great weekend!

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Ive judged you.

(At the spring kindergarten round-up, post-bus ride & clutching her free chocolate milk)

Oh people.

As the title states: Ive judged you.

And, by way of full disclosure, there’s a pretty good chance Ive mocked you too.

A little to your face (Im upfront like that) & more than a little at home to Ren Man while I furrowed my brow and stated, yet, again, SERIOUSLY? Have they no life??

Let me back up.

We were late to the parenting-game.

It was never in the proverbial plans to have a child starting kindergarten when I was the ripe ole age of 42—but here we are.

Sure there are other women my age with kids starting school, but typically it’s the ‘last of’ situation and not their first and only.

As a result Ive witnessed more first-day-of-kindergarten! with friends than I can count.

It stated when I was 26 or so and continued right up through last year.

I watched my friends (and mere acquaintances) grow sad as the start of school approached and witnessed more than a few cry after their little ones climbed on the school bus for the first time.

And I judged.

I assumed any woman who had a job and/or a life would be happy to procure herself a little alone time.

A chance to pee without tiny eyes prying & providing a running commentary.

An opportunity to eat non-prison style (AKA hunched over my food so the Tornado doesnt steal it), sit for a few moments and just BREATHE.

I mocked the tears (inside where it counts) in the same way I now realize weve all mocked something we didn’t or couldnt yet understand.

I have work (these days thankfully more work than there are hours she will be at the Garten of the Kinder).

Whether I have a life is debatable, but I see this gift of time as an opportunity to perhaps get me one why yes. you MAY read that as the plea for IRL friendship it is.

Still, on this day the Tornado toddles strides off to launch her independence, Im sad.

Im not sure I wanna pee alone.

I fear Ill get me a dog just so I have something at home to stare at me with those you gonna eat that?! eyes as I lunch solo.

In this early morning hour as I get her stuff and my brain ready for the first day of school Im here to admit I judged you and to admit chances are pretty damn good in a few hours I shall join you.

By way of apology I wanna wrap these bleary musings up by proffering an opportunity for you to mock me relentlessly snicker at my expense.

I give you the little somethin’somethin’ I plan to tuck in the Tornado’s lunch today & which I dragged Ren Man out semi-last minute to do.

Please to enjoy.

Dizclaimer: This will not become the kinderchronicles permanently, but it may for the next few weeks.  In addition Id like to claim it was blogging through a veil of tears which resulted in the tootiny photo above—but it is not.  I merely suck at photographs.  Youll have that.

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Put Some Zensah On That Ass! Here’s Why

Greedy Kid #1 modeling Zensah

I keep hearing the name Zensaaah! People are obviously talking. Then I heard what they do. Compresssssion … [insert music of intrigue and suspense here]

But what exactly is compression. Do you need it? And what makes Zensah the brand you should be looking at?

Instead of posing as the intellectual humanoid that i am not (I’m only 1/2 humanoid, which explains a lot), I turned to Livestrong for a thorough, reliable and respected explanation on what compression does:

Provides support and control.Reduces muscle soreness and promotes faster recovery.Improves blood circulation and lessens muscle fatigue.Provides sweat-wicking to keep you dryer and cooler.May protect against thrombosis.

You should really go read the full article. All of these compressionalized qualities can help you trainer better, perform better and get the most of out muscle-demanding workouts like running, biking and the plyometric shenanigans I’m doing with Insanity right now.

I browsed 3 different athletic stores to see if I could find compression shorts that compared to the quality of the Zensah. But nada. I did not. Before I sampled the Zensah 3/4 High Compression Capris (they sent them to me), I had long fooled myself into thinking that I already owned compression shorts. Aren’t they the tight biker-ish shorts that hug your booty and thighs, make the fat slab remnants spill over the waistline and enhance the look of those exercise-sweaty spots in, emmm, certain areas?

Nope. That’s not the same thing as compression.

I’ve had these Zensah’s since early July, but I still can’t get over the super soft and comfy feel of the fabric: 85% polyamide and 15% elastan. It’s tight and stretchy (aka, holds stuff in, smooths stuff out, and gives needed support) yet somehow allows for free movement without the feeling that you’re miserably squished into the capris. The sweat-wicking factor is also really important, because who the hell wants booty sweat showing on the backside after a hard workout?

I wish I could jump right out the blog and have you look at these Zensah’s for yourself. Their $85.99 high end pricing may give you sticker shock, but I encourage you to go for it anyway; if you’re the type to occasionally treat yourself to quality goodness, you need to be treating yourself to a pair of Zensah’s. Put them on your list of “things to buy” or add them to your wish list. It may seem like a splurge, but Zensah is a beneficial tool just like those other workout aids you invest in.

Note! Although I’m a “Small/Medium” on Zensah’s sizing chart, I would have done even better with a “Medium/Large”, because they run slightly small for women with thigh and booty curves. If you have curves, go up a size.

I have crazy respect for the hardcore types I come across that run and bike for some serious miles. Many of them sing the praises of compression for training and race day events, and some have mentioned the Zensah brand in particular. I trust what the hardcore peeps are saying.

Have you heard of compression clothing or have you tried it yet?

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Are you a square peg?

Many thanks to Stephanie for sending this blog post my way.

It completely amazes me MizFit is four and a half years old.

(I look back on the blogging I did in 2001, too, and snicker at how rudimentary it all was—but that’s a different discussion for us old fogies post)

It seems like yesterday I sat on the couch with a now famous writer-friend, while the Tornado destroyed the play room, and announced:

Im starting a new blog. A fitness blog. A personal development blog. Im calling it Sisyphit!

Yep.

You read that correctly.

That was my plan.

You see to me, many days, the actions of getting fit & staying fit and leading a healthy life can all conspire to feel precisely like the myth of Sisyphus.

Thankfully my loving friend (& all other friends, family & veritable strangers I approached with the name) informed my while creative my new blog name sounded like a venereal disease.

So I pondered & I mulled and I tested and I settled on MizFit.

An attempt to convey what the blog is mainly about (fitness) *and* what the blog-writer really is (misfit).

Which rather circuitously leads me back to the Harvard Business Review blog post aptly titled What kind of misfit are you?

It’s a phenomenal post (Umair Haque being a far better writer than I) extolling the virtues of non-conformity.

Some of my favorite lines being (excluding the first sentence which I love since I seem to type it every other blog post):

It’s not that every misfit accomplishes something fundamentally unexpectedly awesome…But it’s also probable that most things unexpected, radical, and breathtakingly awesome take just a little bit of nonconformity; just a little bit of dissatisfaction with “the way things are.”

I stood and cheered while I read this post Haque’s post hit home the first time I read it and even more so today as this misfit prepares to head out (or am already out. or am already DONE depending on when you read this.) to Muffin Morning.

An event which is the launching pad for the Kindergarten experience complete with teacher-meeting, parent schmoozing, tattoo revealing, PTA sign-ups, Girl Scout opportunities—you get the idea.

A mandatory gathering where I find myself grateful to already know precisely the comfortable in my own skin, happily marching to the beat of my own drum misfit I am.

And thats my question for you today with many thanks to Haque for his post.

What kind of misfit are you?

An awkward gazelle in an a world of Solid Gold dancers?

A proud-tech nerd in this land of semi-Luddites (*raises hand at mention of the L-word*)?

A plain ole square-peg (who remembers fondly, as I do, when SJP was NOT a fashion icon)?

Please to hit us misfits up in the comments below.

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