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Sunday, October 30, 2011

What are Your Favorite Grab-and-Go Snacks?

Weekly Question

I’ve been trying to gain a little control over my snacking habits lately. Feeling uninspired and unmotivated has resulted in grabbing all of the husband’s junky treats.

So I gave myself a good talking to and Laura brought up a great idea in the comments…

Hey Roni… your example grocery lists are some of my favorite things (like the Trader Joe’s one). Would it be possible for you to maybe give us a quick rundown of a few quick-grab-and-go snacks that you pick up at the store? For some reason I feel at a loss lately… pretty much the only quick-grab snacks I buy are the Stretch Island fruit leathers, which I LOVE, but I need more suggestions. Like, what kind of nuts do you get? Are they salted?

Well Laura, as I said, lately I’ve been out of my groove, but normally I buy carrots, sugar snap peas, Triscuits Thin Crisps, popcorn, Cocoa Roast Almonds, light yogurt cups, pistachios, and of course, fresh fruit.

For some reason I haven’t been choosing these things though, so maybe it is time to change things up a little. Let’s get a good list going of everyone’s favorite snacks. Hopefully it will inspire us to stay away from the junk and try something new!

So… What are Your Favorite Grab-and-Go Snacks?


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Needing and Sharing Comfort Food: It's Human. Dump the Guilt.

Well, it’s time to fix another body part. It’s like I’m in a “Surgery-of-the-Year” club. The dues are pretty high, but what can I do? I need functioning joints if I can get ‘em.
This year, it’s my left shoulder. I didn’t injure it, but due to my “loose ligaments” and arthritis, I tore the supraspinatus muscle, which is part of the rotator cuff, as well as the biceps tendon a few years ago. I was able to rehab with physical therapy and chiropractic (see “It’s All One Big Huge Freaking Circle”), but then in April, I mowed my lawn and made a mediocre problem a bigger problem. I literally tore the crap out of that supraspinatus.

Every night I sleep against a pillow fortress (BF calls it The Great Wall of China) which elevates my arm enough so I can sleep with minimal pain. However, the last few months I’ve been awake most nights at 3 a.m. with a burn in my shoulder so hot I could supply enough energy to keep my town in electricity for a week. (This, in addition to hot flashes, makes my nights really interesting.) I get up and take 2-4 Advil with a glass of soy milk or a piece of cheese because if I don’t, the Advil will eat my gut. Too bad NSAIDs aren’t a weight-loss aid…

In addition to the muscle/tendon tears, I found out today that my biceps tendon is not where it should be and needs to be “moved back into place.” Hmmm… Sounds like fun. Doc will also clean out the arthritis. Afterwards, he’ll stitch and patch me up, put me in a sling, and send me home where I won’t be able to shower or wear a bra for at least a week. Can’t wait. And I wasn’t even a bad girl this year! Santa better treat me well…LOL

Oh, I kid you. It’s not all that bad. It could be a lot worse, I know that. And I could also choose to drown my sorrows in food, which, for a moment, I thought about doing.

As I posted on Lynn’s Weigh on Facebook: “I saw my orthopedic surgeon today and I admit, my first thought after getting into my car after the appointment was, 'I want to eat.' Granted, I was hungry, but I wanted to eat something to console myself. I thought about it and was grateful that I recognized this feeling and met it head on. It didn't stop me from getting vegetarian dolmades at my favorite Greek restaurant, but I understood why I wanted them. And not only are they awesome comfort food, they're not horrible for me, either :)”

I took my dolmades and a Greek salad over to my daughter’s house, where she and the g-babies were eating lunch at the dining room table. I sat down next to Claire and opened the Styrofoam container of dolmades. We all chatted while they ate their chili and I my pieces of grape leaf heaven. Then I opened the container of Greek salad: lettuce, feta, red onions, tomatoes, olives and peperoncini.

“I done, Mama,” said Luca and he got down from his chair. I thought he was going to go play, but as I talked to Cassie, the little munchkin crawled under the table, climbed up on to my lap, grabbed a piece of lettuce and ate it. “Mmmm…” he said.
Claire then said she was done, too, and started eating my salad. Who knew salads were finger food? They also ate the pita that came with the dolmades (I’m still gluten-free! Three weeks in and I feel great!), dipping them in the Greek salad dressing that is so absolutely fantastic I wish Greek Stop bottled it. But the don’t. And they won’t. So sad.
Anyway, my salad was gone and they were still hungry, so Claire went to the fridge and dug out a bag of spinach and dumped a bunch into the Styrofoam container so she and Luca could continue to graze. It was wild watching them eat lettuce and spinach, leaf by leaf. When they were done, Luca was covered in dressing and very, very happy. Claire was a little more neat, but she still had olive-oil hands, and after she washed them, proceeded to dry her hands on my jeans, laughing so hard she almost peed herself. Who knew Greek salad could get you so high?

I did! That’s why it, and the dolmades, were my go-to food when I got the shoulder low-down from Doc today. Comfort food – when used in moderation, and particularly when it’s shared with people we love (Thanksgiving and mashed potatoes, anyone?) – is OK. Dump the guilt! God knows I spent years during my weight loss/maintenance feeling guilty for eating food that soothed my soul. I’m so over that.

I did a little search-a-roo on the Internet and found a few recipes for dolmades that I will attempt to perfect before my surgery in December so I can make them (with my one good arm and an assistant) when I need comfort food during rehab. I’m going to try a vegetarian version of this recipe from Food Network or this one from Living and Loving in LA or both!

How do you respond to your inner “You need comfort food NOW!” voice? And if you choose to eat a comfort food, which one or ones are your go-tos?


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My Progress Pic: This Is What I look Like Today!

I forced Health-hater Husband to snap this pic at 6am this morn. He was grumpy as hell.

So this is what I look like right now. Whatcha think? Not too shabby for a woman who birthed four child-spawns? I actually desire to get knocked up again, but husband said “hell no”. Eh, he’s right. I could potentially become a first time grandmom in 8-12 years anyway (because Greedy Kid #1 is already 18-years-old).

Besides my early morning rat’s nest hair-do, darkness under the eyeball and ashy knees (can I borrow some lotion, please?), I’m pretty happy with the way I look. Well, I’m downplaying it actually. I am FREAKING STOKED!!!

I haven’t gone for a run or lifted weights in a long while. I accomplished my current fitness state through bodyweight exercises, plyometrics, Shakeology, plenty of water, and a clean diet, while still enjoying the occasional weekly splurge on something like pizza, cake, pancakes, etc. EXCEPT for stuff like white flour pasta, a bunch of sugary-sh!t, and soda. I don’t eat that crap. I keep packaged foods & restaurant foods to an extreme minimum.

I still have some fatty parts showing around my stomachs areas, but mostly in my thighs. The thighs is a genetics thing for me. My next round of fitness bad-ass-ness will have a big focus on weight training with compound movements. The mission at this point is to continue to get lean while focusing on muscle development in my legs. That way, when the rest of the thigh-fat melts, my leg muscles will be swaggin’ like ka-POW! 

Ya feelin’ me?

You guys, continue to work hard and stay consistent with your workouts. I never thought I’d get to a point where I be happy with my body, especially after looking like this before I got started with my fitness journey. As you may have heard me mention, I’m working on videoing my personal workouts. That’ll be rolling out soon and I’m excited to be sharing it with you. Watch for it so we can workout together!

Now getting back to YOU. It is possible. You can do it. You just have to want it really bad. Let that desire fuel you and push you and take you to where you want to be. There will be days when you feel like it’s not working; like your hard work isn’t making a difference; like you should just quit instead and (try) to live happily ever after where you’re at right now.

But ohhh, you keep at it. You just wait and see. I dare you to keep…kicking…ass.


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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Finish It Monday: Home Stretch Thoughts

We are in the home  s-t-r-e-t-c-h! Only one week left. While finishing sometimes requires outside encouragement that I hope the Challenge has delivered these in past weeks, I’m scrutinizing myself over how the Challenge could have been even better. ((sigh))

Welp, all that aside, I hope you’ll finish out this final week strong as you look to what lies ahead for you. It’s so dang important that you don’t drop the ball on your goals. There can be all kinds of the challenges and motivation and personalized cheerpeople coming at you from every direction, but the fact remain that it’s still all up to YOU.

Today I’m headed to New York City for that Glamour Magazine photoshoot I told you about. I’ve done this kinda thing before, so why the heck am I so nervous? Eh, I dunno. But I’m sure it’ll be awesome. See you when I get back!


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EatSmart Scale Winners!

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Naked 100% Pure Coconut Water Review

Naked Pure Coconut Water

I'm currently at my folks place visiting for the week which means I have access to more natural foods stores. Yesterday, I dragged the parental units with me to the grocery store and while I was looking around, I saw Naked 100% Pure Coconut Water. They had quite a few flavors such as Lychee, Mango & Pineapple - but I was having none of that. Sorry but Phenom Coconut Water (Reviews) has permanently turned me off flavored coconut waters. So I opted to try the Naked Pure - 100% pure coconut water and nothing else added.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1 container (11.2 ounces)
Calories: 80
Total Fat: 0%
Saturated Fat: 0%
Sodium: 20 mg, 1%
Carbohydrates: 14 grams
Fiber: 0%
Sugars: 11 grams
Protein: 0 grams

The packaging describes this as being produced from Brazilian green coconuts - and indeed it does taste very similar to if it were fresh and taken straight from the coconut. This is one of my favorite brands of coconut water. And each 11.2 ounce container provides only 80 calories, no fat, fiber or protein and 11 grams of sugars. It's also a good source of potassium (650 mg).

I purchased a container of Naked 100% Pure Coconut Water for $2.29, which is a little pricy for a beverage. But then again - an 80 calorie, refreshingly good all natural beverage that doesn't have gobs of sugar is certainly worth that.

Do you have a favorite brand of coconut water to recommend?

{Website: Naked Juice Coconut Water}


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Fudge Stripe Cooo-kees

Fudge Stripe Cooo-kees

About 10 years ago I discovered Odd Todd and his animation "A Day in the Life." Ever since then the husband and I joke about "Fudge Stripe Cookies." You have to watch the animation so you can hear the way he says it….

Fudge Stripe Cooo-keees

Click here to check it out. Warning: Some bad language. Not overkill, but present.

Anyway, for some stupid reason I bought a package of these cookies and now I find myself stealing one here and there from the pantry. Not a big deal, I just need to stop buying things "for the Little Guy and the Husband" when I really know they are for me.

ANYWAY.

I was hoping to have a podcast and a new recipe up today, but I just couldn’t do it. This post may shed some light on why.

I also shared another Lunch Box idea and Baby Food Adventure on GreenLiteBites.

Other than that my day was spent feeding and playing with a 6 month old, picking up my race bib for this weekend race (I’m running a 6 mile leg in the Baltimore Marathon,) helping a 1st grader with his homework, and taking my boys for a walk.

I was about to say it was a pretty uneventful day, but that’s just ridiculous. I did a lot. I just have even more to do. ;)


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Wordless Wednesday: Go Team MizFit!!

Some viewing for you whilst you HYDRATE:

And the obligatory five second outtake:

**this is not a sponsored post. this post was unplanned until the child & I decided to rip into/Sharpie-UP a 6 pack of tees we found in a closet.  the filming of (one of) the results was all the Tornado’s idea.

Tags: ,


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Keep Austin Weird.

I love me some Austin & Austinites.

We’re all pretty damn quirky, weird, and unapologetically ourselves.

And supportive.

We’re all pretty damn supportive of each other, too.

Austin ROCKS.

THANK YOU!


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Friday, October 28, 2011

Video Tasting! Yum Earth Organic Vitamin C Lollipops

Let’s all give Health-hater Husband a round of applause for forcing me to the store to fetch him bacon and cinnamon rolls. That’s the only reason I met up with the YumEarth Organic Vitamin C Pops.

The “certified organic” labeling smacked me in the face and, although still skeptical, I did further eyeballing of the package to discover these lollipops are also 100% vegan and contain 100% natural flavors with real fruit extracts. There are no artificial dyes, no GMO’s, and no High Fructose Corny-ness either.

And let me tell ya something. You can DEFINITELY taste the difference. These lollipops are NOT like regular candy. They don’t taste like Dums Dums or Tootsie Pops. YumEarth lollies are like fruit juice in lollipop form, and us greedy grown ups can capitalize on the tasty-natural-sweet flavor by using one of these 22-calorie pops to happily soothe our sweet-eating temptations. I kid you not.

And yes, my kids are crappy eaters, so the Vitamin C in every pop is an added bonus. I ate two (or three).

Video reaction from the Greedy Kids

 

It’s a healthy-genius idea to buy YumEarth Pops for Halloween, kids’ parties and other greedy moments.

POP NOTES

Price Paid: $.77 for bag of 15 lollipopsCalories: 22 (for one pop)Sugars: 6gVitamin C: 100% DVContains no fat, sodium, fiber or protein.

Yum UP! to: The only lollipop I’ll ever buy my kids from now on.  #win

Yuck Down to: Bacon and cinnamon rolls. I just…can’t…do it.

View the complete Taste Test Directory and Fast Food Cheat Sheets.


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YoCrunch Low-fat Yogurt (Strawberry Banana) Review

YoCrunch Strawberry Banana Low-fat Yogurt

YoCrunch's trademark is the little container on top with some crunchies that you can add to the yogurt. Traditionally it was granola, but now there are containers with Oreos, M&Ms & even Butterfinger crumbles! But, I wanted to try a traditional variety this time, so I picked up a 6 ounce container of YoCrunch Strawberry Banana Low-fat Yogurt to try out.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1 container (170 grams)
Calories: 180
Total Fat: 2 grams, 3%
Saturated Fat: 1 gram, 5%
Sodium: 90 mg, 4%
Carbohydrates: 37 grams
Fiber: 1 gram, 4%
Sugars: 26 grams
Protein: 6 grams

The taste is so sweet, with a little hint of tartness, but nothing in the way of banana. There were a FEW bits of berries scattered throughout the yogurt, reppin' the strawberries, but the overall flavor was a generic SWEET yogurt. In fact, this reminded me a lot of Yoplait Original 99% Fat Free Cherry Orchard Yogurt (Review) - both are very sweet, so don't let the "low fat yogurt" spiel fool you.

Each 6 ounce container of YoCrunch Strawberry Banana Low-fat Yogurt provides 180 calories from 2 grams of fat, 1 gram of which is saturated (3% and 5% of the daily value), 1 gram of fiber (4% of the DV), 6 grams of protein and 26 grams of sugars.

The ingredients list (which can be seen at the product website) is surprisingly not very lengthy, but for those concerned, it does contain high fructose corn syrup, no artificial sugars or colors.

Although the YoCrunch Greek Non-Fat Yogurt (Peach) Review doesn't taste as good, I would prefer to have it - with almost twice the amount of protein, 1 gram more fiber and 7 grams less fat plus 6 grams less sugars - all at 10 calories less.

{Website: YoCrunch}


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Yum Yucky Newsflash: Brand New Feature & Other Awesome Stuff

Since the real buffet is overrun with fat calories and cholesterols, how about your chew on a buffet of Yum Yucky news instead? This newsflash is fat-free and filled with delectable goodness.

Quickie Fitness Videos

I’m a wee bit nervous about this new feature, but my love for fitness cannot be squashed! The show must go on, so I’m launching a series of Quickie Fitness Videos to show you how I do fitness when I’m lazy tight on time. All of the workouts are 15 minutes or less and designed for you to burn fat AND build muscle all in one workout. The workouts are centered around bodyweight exercises and plyometrics. It’s these types of exercises that have been effective in my weight loss journey, so I’m sharing my favorite fitness moves and personal workouts I keep in my arsenal. I’m filming my first workout this weekend! ((insert butterflies in my stomachs right here))

Shape Magazine Awards

See that woman hanging in mid-air? I shall replicate this MizFit move once I purchase some invisible wires and strings for up-in-the-air suspension purposes. For you wonderful peeps who don’t blog, you may not know the MizFit. But you can get to know her now and, if you love her as much as I do, cast your vote for MizFit in Shape Magazine’s “Top Blogs For Fitness Junkies” awards.

Glamour Magazine Photo Shoot!

I’m heading to the big NYC later this month to be photo-shot (is that a word?). It’s for Glamour Magazine’s January 2012 issue! I’ll have to save all the extra details until later, but I had to spill the beans on some kinda a level by at least sharing the good news with you that I got picked. I can’t tell you how great it feels to be selected for this. New York City, here I come!!!

Have a fantastic weekend, everybody. I’ll be celebrating someone’s birthday on Sunday, which means I’ll be chewing on extra large cake slices.


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A Paranormal, Zombie filled, Spectacular Fall Weekend!

I have so much to tell you about this weekend I don’t know where to start!

I guess ‘the beginning’ makes sense. Huh?

Ok here goes…

Yesterday I woke up early for the Run For Your Lives Obstacle and Zombie Run. It was a BLAST! I’d love to tell, and SHOW you more about it, but unfortunately my camera didn’t survive. Let’s just say my high tech water proofing device (a zip lock bag) didn’t survive crossing a river.

YES a river!

Thankfully I have phone insurance and they will be shipping me a replacement, but until then my photos are stuck on the sim card. Once I get them out I’ll write a more detailed review of the run.

Right now all I have is this one of Carrie and I at the finish. Proof that we survived, even though we didn’t.

I’ll explain in a few days.

After the run I watched my Little Guy play soccer. It’s amazing how much progress he’s made this season. It’s so much fun watching him and all the boys out there. I think they are converting me into a soccer fan!

Once the game was over we raced home and handed the kids off to a babysitter. We had a date for a matinee and dinner. Paronomal Activity 3 opened this weekend and as you may know, I’m a huge horror/suspense fan.

It was alright. I liked the second one better. Without spoiling anything I’ll just tell those that care to ignore everything they saw in the previews. Once you see it, you’ll understand.

After the movie we went to dinner and headed home for the Notre Dame game. I read Little Guy a few chapters in a Goosebumps book and then crashed before the end of the 2nd quarter.

I. was. tired.

This morning I woke up for more fall fun! And I have the pictures to prove it!

Little Guy and I finished up some crafts we started the night before.

I love having a kid who’s into crafts.

We can’t wait to get our hands on these babies!

Before too long Little Bean decided to join us. I love when babies wake up happy!

Nothing makes me happier than this photo…

We were making Banana Oatmeal Cups. Click here for the recipe.

While the muffins baked I washed the produce we picked up from a local farm on Friday…

and Little Guy made a card for his Friend’s Birthday.

The muffins were almost done, but I wanted something more for breakfast.

I made myself a warm, indulgent bowl of dark chocolate raspberry oatmeal. Click here for the recipe.

Once the cups were done and cooled someone stole 4-5…

Someone else was very interested.

After we cleaned up after breakfast it was time to tackle…

The junk drawer.

I can’t be the only one who has one or two. OK, OK, I have THREE! At least we made a dent…

What was the Husband doing?

Ohh yeah. It was his turn to do some sorting.

We finally got everyone dressed and headed to the bowling alley for a birthday party.

That’s Little Guy on the left and his best friend on the right.

We all had a good time. Even Little Bean and Dad…

I handed the husband the camera so I can get in on the cute baby action too…

When we got home it was time to start sketching.

I don’t know if I told you, but the whole family is dressing up this year.

The Husband = ShaggyMe = VelmaLittle Guy = ScoobyLittle Bean = Scrappy Our Red Rider Wagon = The Mystery Machine

My plan is to paint the sides of the van on cardboard and fasten them to the wagon.

While I sketched, Little Bean napped and the Boys sunk even more into their Lego obsession.

Although, I was able to lure Little Guy away from Dad with paints.

Works every time.

We sketched, made the colors and then painted the sides all by ourselves. I was so proud. They came out great!

and SO MUCH FUN!

Afterwards we headed out to a local comic book shop I learned about at the Zombie run. We were then SUPPOSED to go grocery shopping and then come home and make dinner, but instead we fell prey to Outback and decided on a nice family dinner out.

I got a cup of french onion soup and their new tuna dish, skipping the butter on the veggies, and it was out of this world! Really good. Wish I had my camera phone to take a picture!

Right now I’m watching The Walking Dead and The Husband is folding the last of the laundry.

Looking back and writing this, I can’t believe how much awesome was packed into one weekend! I LOVE October. It’s fast becoming my favorite month.

Hope you had a good weekend. I need to wrap this up and head to bed!


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Getting Out the Door

It’s ALWAYS the hardest part. Why is that?

I ran to the gym tonight and did a class, then ran home. It was my first workout since last Monday (besides the Sat Zombie event.)

It. was. AWESOME.

I felt great. I feel great! Frankly, I could have ran further and stayed at the gym longer but I had to get home and cook dinner!

The funny thing is, it took every fiber of my being to actually get my butt out the door. The excuse gun was loaded, cocked and ready to go in my head, but I wouldn’t let myself pull the trigger. Instead, I turned on autopilot and simply…

walked out the door.

Sounds easy enough right?

It should have been but, for some reason, it wasn’t!

Once the door shut behind me I was into it 100% and why WOULDN’T I be? It was the first time all day I was doing something just for me.

No baby needing to be fed.
No grade schooler needing help with his homework.
No husband wanting me to review his work.

It was me, my music and my thoughts.

What a luxury!

I’m so happy I didn’t give myself an excuse, but I have to wonder….

Why IS getting out the door the hardest part?


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Shakeology Bitch-Slapped My Seasonal Allergies

I do NOT wish for the FDA to accuse me of proclaiming miracle cures, but as for me personally? I do call myself cured. This is MY story. It’s MY experience. Shakeology did, in fact, take away every seasonal allergy symptom I’ve suffered through like clockwork since the late 1990's.

I’m gonna tell you how it happened. But first, let me start from the beginning.

I was getting sick all of the time. It especially hit me hard through winter and early spring. And after many doses of unsuccessful antibiotic treatments, I still couldn’t get well. I was on antibiotics about every 12 weeks. Not good. Then came two hernia surgeries due to severe coughing fits.

I was a sickly, hot mess.

Finally, an Ear Nose & Throat specialist gave me a different diagnoses. Those weren’t persistent colds I was experiencing. I was suffering from allergies! And according to the doc, all those years of untreated allergies caused me to have “one of the worse cases of sinus disease” he’d ever seen. Yup. That’s what he told me. I have the CAT scans to prove it.

Tests revealed that I’m allergic to felines and certain environmental factors, like ragweed ‘n such. So I got rid of the the cat (Smokey is an outside critter now) and went through a grueling sinus surgery (terrible, terrible surgery & recovery, but highly recommended if your doc says you need it). Those two solutions worked pretty good, but I still suffered-miserable from the environmentally triggered allergies that continued to cause sinus infections – I’m talking the kind with green, infection chunks of boogers, a mucous lined throat, fever, etc… (sorry to be graphic, but it’s true).

I declined allergy shots, swore off antibiotics, said no to anti-inflammatory steroids to treat my allergies, and looked to the homeopathic solution instead: nasal rinses. And those rinses are a fabulous treatment (I’ll share more on that later)! But the fact remained – my allergies were still not gone. I had to stay on top of my treatments to live normally. And I prayed that I didn’t get another hernia from allergic coughing fits.

Then, in winter 2010, I started using Shakeology to help me with my fitness goals.

I’m gonna lie. Initially, I had sticker shock when I saw the price. One of my eyeballs actually popped out and rolled down the hallway (I used 5-second rule to pop it back in). I was NOT happy about the price at all. But after doing a bit of budgeting-math, I decided to make it part of my food budget. The video right here is what sealed the Shakeology deal for me.

So anyway, I’ve been using Shakeology for close to a year now, but it wasn’t until the other day that I realized something pretty significant: I have NOT had a seasonal allergy symptom or even required homeopathic treatment for my allergies since last year! This is the first time year in over 10 years (since I first began have allergy symptoms) that I am allergy-free!

There are a ton of testimonials about people who not only lost weight with Shakeology, but also lowered their cholesterol, and got off Diabetes and thyroid medications as well. Now I have a testimonial too: my allergies are gone.

Will I still sneeze if someone throws a half-pound of environmental dust into my face? Yesss (and so would you)Do outdoor pollens and other common seasonal allergens affect me anymore? Noooo. No even close.

This is my story. That’s how my allergies got bitch-slapped.

I’m a Beachbody Coach. If you need some one on one fitness motivation, and/or if you’re seriously interested in Shakeology and you want me to send you a FREE sample pack, then do this::

1. Connect with me on Team Beachbody: sign up for a FREE profile using this link.

2. Then, email me your name and mailing address so I can send out your sample. (or email for help with your fitness goals!)

If you’re interested in more than one pack, snag yourself a cheap Shakeology 4-pack Sampler or email if you want to try the Shakeology 3-day cleanse. You can also shop my Beachbody store for yourself or for the holidays for P90X, P90X2, Insanity, TurboFire, etc, etc, blah blah blah.


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Thursday, October 27, 2011

Sweet Talking Ken

(please to excuse the blurry snapped in aisles photo)

The other day when I was shopping with the Tornado I got sick and tired of her lollygagging and plunged on ahead she ambled down the toy aisle and became entirely riveted by a Ken doll.

Mama!! Look! She shouted. It’s super cool! It’s a talking Ken guy!!

Seeing as she’s a Barbie-girl (to my chagrin) & rarely interested in Ken my curiousity was piqued enough to retrace my semi-annoyed steps.

When I found her she was standing in the aisle, GRINNING FROM EAR TO EAR, & cradling the doll pictured above as he announced repeatedly: You are a pretty princess, Tornado! in an odd, robotic, I-guess-that’s-how-Ken-sounds voice.

I laughed (it was kind of funny & Im easy like that) & then I took a closer look at the box in her hand.

And, as a feminist misfit raised on a steady diet of Free To Be You & Me, I was horrified.

Barbie dolls are bad enough (for the 9834578 reasons better bloggers than I have written about)––but a “sweet talking” male our daughters are supposed to long to own so he can SWEET TALK THEM (!)—–I lost my mizmind.

I fired off angry missives.

I ranted *at* poor Ren Man and anyone else who would listen.

I let my imagination run the proverbial a’muck with precisely what Mattel thought Ken would sweet talk my Tornado into.

Then I took a deep breath,  stepped back, &  had a little sweet talkin’ AH HA! moment of my own.

Was there a chance good ole intended as trashy Sweet Talking Ken could be utilized to teach The Tornado a positive self-esteem lesson?

I ‘got real’ with myself (as Dr.Phil would say).

I acknowledged I flew off the handle was displeased because as an adult I was aware what Mattel presumed our girls would program Sweet Talking Ken to say.

It was precisely what the Tornado initially had him utter.

It occurred to me, however, S.T.Ken was the perfect tool for teaching her how she should expect to be treated.

One of my fave quotes is we teach people how to treat us.

On an adult-level this alludes to complicated renegotiating of relationship dynamics. 

On a five year old level this is as simple as carefully choosing the words we program Sweet Talking Ken to say to us. 

As a parent to a five year old it’s about harnessing the power of a potentially trashtastic toy  & using it as a teaching tool about the power of words both good and bad.

The Tornado didn’t forget ole S.T.Ken as easily as she had other toys.

She begged (never works around here).

She whined (seriously?!).

She offered to earn him (that’s typically an option at Casa MizFit).

What transpired comes later this week.

First *YOU.*

Are you are offended as was I at first glance by Sweet Talking Ken? Or were my feminist-sensibilities merely on HIGH ALERT?

What’s YOUR definition of “sweet talking” & does it resemble my *immediate one* verging on coercion, convincing & underhanded?

Please to give me a reality-check in the comments below…


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Yoga for all sizes.

It’s the third Friday of the month and you’re out for cocktails with the usual group.  Early into the evening you notice one of your friends has lost some weight and initiated a self imposed one drink limit.  You ask what’s up.  Her eyes light up as she begins to eagerly espouse the benefits of yoga.  You spin the conversation over to a recent episode of Jersey Shore as quickly as possible.

You’re leaving work behind a small group heading to the parking lot with yoga mats under their arms. You hustle to the other side of the lot, suddenly grateful you came in a little late and had to park in the back. 

By the time you turn around in the supermarket isle to find a woman taking a deep forward bend to retrieve something on the bottom shelf, you’re pretty sure you’re the only one not on the yoga band wagon.  But the reservations remain.

I’m too fat, too old, too inflexible, deeply opposed to pants with fold over waists, I don’t sweat in public.

No matter what excuses have kept you from taking that first step onto a mat, they can probably be boiled down to a fear of failing and not fitting in.

Here’s the honest truth of why your fears are a complete waste of your valuable energy:

 First, in a good yoga class, within 3 minutes everyone’s eyes are glued to their own mat.  If they were looking at (or even thinking about) you, they’d fall over.Second, I’ve never met a human being with a heart beat that couldn’t benefit substantially from improved internal and external physical health, increased mental focus and clarity, and an enhanced sense of well being and confidence.Third, there’s a yoga class that is absolutely appropriate for any shape, size and physical condition.

Starting a yoga practice can be intimidating for anyone, but there are a few forms of resistance I hear more often than others:  

I’m too heavy!

To varying degrees, depending on the style of yoga you choose, yoga will help you lose weight.  Power and Vinyasa yoga torch more calories than other styles.  However, all yoga increases the efficiency of your internal systems so that your body and your metabolism are working optimally.

Sure twists and forward bends can initially be challenging.  A good teacher can modify poses for someone with no head and one leg.  Modifying for different shapes and sizes of bodies is no big deal.

A gentle Hatha yoga class is good place to start.

Hatha is an umbrella term for most yoga styles taught in the US.  In these classes you will learn the fundamental poses at a pace that is moderate enough to find the modifications that work for you.

If you are so inclined, there are also classes that specialize in yoga for overweight people that make ample use of props (bolsters, straps, blocks, walls) to assist students in exploring poses without straining joints.

I have grey hair!

Last year, on my grandmother’s 102 birthday, I took a picture with her for my newsletter in which we were both doing tree pose.

She then decided to show off and started doing warrior poses for the camera.  Age is not a deterrent to a yoga practice. As our bodies age, our lungs, and the connective tissue between our ribs, become less pliant.  Over the years we become accustomed to shallow breathing.  We then start to cave in our chests and hunch our shoulders forward making it even harder to take full breaths.  Our ribs eventually become a steel-like straight jacket confining the expansion of our lungs and the movement of a now weakened diaphragm.

The yoga practice of pranayama (breathing exercises) can prevent and correct this decline.

In addition to improving overall strength and flexibility, yoga helps increase balance and decrease bone lose.  All big concerns for seniors.

A beautiful senior option is chair yoga in which a full practice is modified for sitting in, and holding onto, a chair.  Chair yogis enjoy all of the benefits of a mainstream practice without ever rolling out a mat.

I’m a guy!

Translation- I’m not flexible.

The image of a yoga class as a rehearsal for Cirque Du Soleil is an urban myth.  Classes abound where you don’t have to chant or turn your body into a pretzel.  Iyengar and Anusara yoga take a slower pace in which you hold poses longer and focus on aligning your body properly.

Bikram and Power classes take a more athletic approach.  On these classes building muscle strength is emphasized and you move more quickly between poses adding an aerobic workout to the practice.  These styles are often taught in heated rooms so your muscles relax quicker and you are able to go deeper into the poses.

No matter who you are, when you’re starting a practice, a yoga studio can seem like a secret club where you have to know the handshake. 

I’ve traveled around the country and taught in many different types of studios.  I’ve taught in spaces with buckets on the floor to catch the rain. I’ve taught in gyms with weights clanking in the background.  I’ve taught in a huge banquet hall, and a tiny home dining room.  I once taught in a parking lot when no one showed up with a key.  Still, I feel a small twinge in the pit of my stomach when I enter a yoga community as an outsider.

My experience is always the same – everyone is there for the love of the practice.

Once you jump in, yogis are inclusive and overwhelmingly receptive.

Your practice, on and off the mat, will advance quickly when you allow yourself to try, and to fall.

The best gift your yoga practice can give you is to realize the joy of living without the constant commentary of that critical voice in your head.   No matter what shape, size or physical condition you’re in, everyone can use that.

Kim Shand, founder of Rethink Yoga, is a certified yoga teacher. 

You can practice with her online videos at Youtube and join her 31 Days/31 Poses on facebook.


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Tasting! Naked Juice (Part Of A Triple-Trio of Nakedness)

I already told you about the naked Yoga I did. There’s naked jogging, too (although questionable). And now you can add in some Naked Juice 100% Juice Smoothies for a triple-trio of naked adventures. It’s an on-the-go smoothie you can get in the produce section and its deeeelicious! I do love my homemade fruit smoothies, but I always snag me a Naked Juice at the grocery store to chug down while I shop. (yes, I do pay for it first. sheesh)

Red Machine is my favorite so far.

…and this particular Machine right here contains 13 raspberries, 11 strawberries, 3 cranberries, 1.5 apples, 1/4 pomegranate, 1/3 orange, 1/2 banana, and 7 red grapes (that’s alotta fruit), plus a “boost” made up of flax seed, omega-3's, B &C  Vitamins, potassium and 5 grams of fiber.

Haller-luuu-yah!

Damn, I love this stuff. And how about that “no added sugar” thing? All of its 25 grams of sugar occurs naturally from the fruitiness I listed. I highly encourage you to leave those drinks in the juice aisle alone. Thou shalt cleave to thine Naked Juice instead.

NAKED NOTES

Price Paid: $3.99 for 15.2 ounces (pricey, but worth it)Servings: 2Calories: 170 per servingNutrition label: read it here

Yum UP! to: Food companies who cater to our desires for tasty-healthy foods.

Yuck Down to: Naked’s “Protein Monster” drinks. Those things are a turrrrible. It’s like gulping liquid chalk.

View the complete Taste Test Directory and Fast Food Cheat Sheets.

Get printable grocery coupons in the Yum Yucky Savings Center.


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Guest Post: An Update From My Brother

My brother discovered a love of writing about five years ago and has written more than 200 essays. However, Marty's "voice" has been silent since June when a series of seizures left him with substantial memory loss (click here to read more about this). Since then, many of you have asked how he's doing, and I'm thrilled to let him tell you himself. The following is Marty's first essay since his brain injury. I couldn't be more proud of the progress he's made.

“I have no yesterdays – only today”
By Marty Haraldson

A person reading the title of this short essay might say that I have written that incorrectly. It should read, “I have no ‘tomorrow’ – only today.” We are never guaranteed tomorrow. But on the morning of June 23, a Thursday morning, things for me went from normal and everyday to extraordinary and life changing. It was on that morning that I lost my yesterdays and started struggling to recall the events of each “today.” Now, if I do not record the events of each day, those events fail to become memories.

It was a Thursday morning. It was trash day in our neighborhood. That meant taking the garbage can and the recycling container down to the curb early in the morning before going to work. I did just that. That’s the last thing I remember doing for the next three weeks. After walking back into the house, I apparently suffered a “rapid succession of un-witnessed seizures,” according to the medical report. These seizures caused a neurological memory loss and a psychological memory loss. I spent the next two weeks in the hospital and a third week in a care center.

This event makes it difficult for me to learn new things and remember new things, even simple things. As far as remembering what I did yesterday or the days preceding, I cannot remember unless I have a written record of what happened. If I fail to write down what I did yesterday, where I went yesterday, or whom I saw yesterday, I’ll most likely not be able to remember it. I’m embarrassed when I walk into the offices where I once worked for 30 years and not remember everyone’s name. It bothers me, too, that I cannot remember all of my neighbor’s names. Even more embarrassing is when I cannot remember my own phone number or my home address that I’ve had for 20 years. It’s then that I realize and accept that something is really wrong with me.

When the doctors and therapists say my “possible” recovery may take a very long time or that my recovery may not be “full” or “complete,” I must prepare myself for that possibility both physically and mentally. I cannot live with blinders on. I’ve always taken on life and responsibilities with both eyes wide open and given it my all. There’s no reason for me not to do the same in my present situation.

I realize that this is not what I asked for. I’ll now be living on disability income. My life now moves at a considerably slower pace. I’ve been accepted as a volunteer at the S.T.E.P. program in my city where I’ll be helping with their food shelf program. My truck and I will be put to good use to help those in need. I hope to get back to my former self, but much has to happen before that is possible. Until then, I’ll make the best of what God has allowed to happen in my life. I hope you, too, allow Him to make the best of your life!


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Wednesday Weigh In: Plateau City

I know I haven’t "weighed in" here the last couple of weeks. Part of me was just unmotivated to do so. It’s hard to come back week after week weighing the same thing when you actually are trying to lose. The last 8 weigh-ins go like this…

0
-1.4
0
+.4
-.2
+.2
-.2
-.4

That’s a grand total -.2 for 2 months.

I get the plateau question a lot and I understand the frustration, especially RIGHT NOW. My response is always the same… Just keep trucking.

Let’s think about this. What’s the alternate?

Am I suppose to get mad the weight isn’t coming off faster and then drown my sorrows in a pint of Ben and Jerry’s?

There’s no going back.

There’s no off plan.

If I never lose another pound I will still to eat the way I’m eating. I will still run and go to the gym. I will still dance at weddings, climb walls, go on hikes, and get lost in corn mazes.

I may have a weight loss goal but it’s secondary to my lifestyle goal.

I’ve reached that one a long time ago and nothing the scale says can take that accomplishment away.


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Four on a Friday (VEGAS edition)

Because really what says VEGAS more than TUTUS?

By the time you read this Ill be happily on a plane, snuggled with my Kindle, and heading toward Las Vegas.

I could do an entire series of posts about how much I adore flying.

The abdication of control. The navigation resting on someone elses shoulders. The slice of (relative) silence in an otherwise harried world.  The fact Ive been married to a reluctant flier for 15 years and STILL dont understand said reluctantnessment.

Love. Love. Love.

Which leads me to my fabulous (or at least bullet’ed for your reading pleasure) four on a friday.

Today I may be obsessively practicing my talk be less laid back than on other flights as Im heading to Vegas to do a presentation.  For a brand (read: to grown-ups).  About harnessing the power of Twitter (specifically) & social media (in general).   Im excited. Im ready. Im not donning the tutu till Im finished (for those of you, like Ren Man, who were worried) and I plan to phone-blog any and all adventures.After this brief trip Im homebound until I head off to Los Angeles & Blog World/New Media Expo. Im speaking on the subject of Finding a Better Fit.    My panel will focus on transitioning passions (blogging and fitness) into business partnerships with brands & how to each manage blogging/social media engagement to translate personal brands into viable business opportunities.  (translation: My co-panelists Kelly, Andrea, Leah & Steph are amazing, savvy women. I plan to listen & take notes as well as speak)

And ever the misfit (where on earth she gets it from I have no idea!!!) the Tornado insisted on wearing both sets around the house for a while FLEXING and attempting to shatter then with her emerging bicep muscles:

Hmmm I guess thats really it.  Duly noted I only had three—but am unflaggingly smitten with alliteration.

So that’s where I am on this friday:

Flying, not tutu wearing (yet!), hydrating, & excited to head to LA soon.

And you?

What shall I do with my free time in Vegas? (it has been so so long since Ive been there!) Got any tips for me?

Are you still Brita challenging? Did you procure you some bangles or rubberbands as well?

Are you heading to Blog World Expo? Attending VIRTUALLY?

Do you live in LA? Shall we meet up and frolic while Im there?


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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

A story of compulsive overexercise.

Once upon a time there was a Misfit Queen and her lovely Tornado of a Princess.
Each morning, as they’d ride their carriage through town toward the local school house, they’d spy a young woman walking on the side of the road. 

Head tucked, shoulders slumped, arms swinging walking.

The Queen noticed the young lady immediately and took note of how frequently and vigorously she walked.  One morning the Queen turned to her Princess and asked:

“Have you noticed the lovely lass who wanders all day?” 

The Queen had spied the girl walking as they headed out to the school house, and walking when the Queen returned home to the palace and walking when the Queen went out to the Bucks of the Star and walking… (you get the royal idea)

“Oh YES!” The girl immediately responded.  “You mean the Walking Princess? I do notice her.  She’s walking a lot so she can be big and strong!”

And the year passed and the Queen wondered (to herself & to her King) if she should stop and chat with the Walking Princess.

“Oh dear me,” fretted the Queen.  “Im concerned there’s a situation here, but Im unsure how to proceed.  Ive never encountered the Princess except when I’m driving on the boulevard.  Do I pull over and ask about her health and wellness?  Engage her in royal conversation? She’s only about 17 or 18.  I do wonder where her parents are…”

It was during one of these times of Walking Princess sightings and internal frettings the Queen’s thoughts were interrupted by the Tornado.

Mother, theres the Walking Princess!!” She shouted in delight.  “Why do you think she walks so much Mama?  She walks like almost all day.”

Ever the unprepared Queen, the Tornado’s mother responded with: “I dont know. Why do you think she walks so much?”

Without missing a beat the Tornado Princess replied: “I think she’s walking and looking for her Prince all the every day, but when she finds him she will be too so tired.  Sometimes walking a lot is too much I think maybe.”*

Here’s where I pause to clarify the above is in no way mocking the young woman who compulsively walks in our neighborhood.

Here’s where I pause to clarify all of the above actually transpired.  From the Tornado’s naming of the girl to the final few sentences at the end.

(Here’s where I pause to clarify literary license was taken and this has been an on-going for over a year thing. Those of you playing along at home will realize the Tornado has not been in school for a year.  Oh & to our chagrin we are neither a Queen nor a Princess.)

My questions to you, Oh Wiser Than The Queen Readers:

What would you do? 

It’s evident she’s a compulsive over-exerciser (I do not exaggerate when I say she walks for HOURS a day.  4?) yet Ive never seen her when Im not driving & no one else in the ‘hood seems to know who she is either.

It’s shocking.

It’s heartbreaking.

It all causes me to wonder where her parents are?! (Our neighborhood is all homes and not a place anyone would live NOT with parents) or if she drives here, parks, and walks because she doesnt live here?

It’s all also a reminder (as per the “*” above. lets call this the *-defined) of how much children notice and internalize.

It surprised me the Tornado realized even something I tout as good! for! you! can be “bad” if done too much.

I want to “do” something, but Im not sure exactly what or how.

Id love your tips, thoughts, help and proverbial .02 in the comments below.


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Avoiding the train wreck.

Avoiding the Train Wreck

I have well engrained habits of no-breakfast-no-movement-no-water days fueled by caffeinated-whacked-out-blood-sugar-and-adrenaline. And I can tell you that I was a wreck – a train wreck actually. But, I’m happy to report that eating this elephant, one tiny bite at a time, has resulted overall in a MONUMENTAL shift in my lifestyle.

Little by little.

A shift here and there counts. Big time.

Consistency is queen.

I am both proud and grateful for being able to transform my life (that is, making a dent in my proverbial elephant).

But I am easily side tracked. Life gets busy. The phones ring. The meetings are relentless. The todo list is never ending. Life’s commitments continue to rear their ugly head trying to interfere with my healthy choices.

I’ve learned several interesting things about myself through this process.

When I don’t drink water, I crave crappy food and soda.

When I’m overly hungry, I crave more crappy food.

When I don’t move, I don’t crave water.

But, when I treat myself well, I crave more of the good stuff.

I’ve also learned that I can change my direction at any time during the day. BUT, for me, it is much harder to redirect the locomotive than it is to keep the train on the desired track.

So why not start the day with a few purposeful, mindful actions to firmly set the day’s course?

Eat breakfast. I’m a yogurt, berries, nuts, and flax seed girl. I’ve been VERY good about this for about two years, so it really doesn’t require much effort. But since it is the gateway for day’s healthy fuel choices, it must be on the list.Pack a lunch. I’m basically very busy lazy. And I’m not a sandwich girl. I either throw dinner’s leftovers into a pyrex, or I throw together spinach, pre-grated carrots, tomatoes, beans, and cucumber said pyrex dish. It sounds silly, but if I don’t pack a lunch, I forget to eat, and by 2 or 3 I’m starved and doomed. (Can you tell I love my pyrex bowls with lids? They’re in the top 5 for my key health tools.)Drink a bottle of water. Yep, water is my nemesis. I’ve tried all sorts of water drinking trickery: lemon, cucumber, cranberry juice ice cubes. But this strategy of finishing a full bottle of water before I go to work has been perfect for me! After all, I’m a third of the way done before my crazy day even begins. Brilliant!Plan for the day’s 20 minutes of movement. Will I be walking to work? Will I be sneaking in some intermittent bodyweight exercises at the office? If I’m going to the gym, when and what will I do? This sounds simple enough, but without a plan, I’m unlikely to find my resolve at 6pm.Breathe. This may sound silly, but I think I hold my breath. A lot. So I’ve been trying to be more mindful of full and complete inhales and exhales. Sometimes I breathe in the shower. Other times I breathe when doing the dishes or tidying up the house. Sometimes I turn on a song and breathe through the melody. Sometimes I do a couple of sun salutations. It doesn’t matter what the tool or prompt is, just that I engage in some action to create some awareness of the power and importance of breath.

So there you have it – my little twist as I trip down this health and wellness path.

Inspired by the words of Miz, “Set yourself up to succeed.”

And I might add, “Set yourself up to succeed… first thing in the day, before the train takes the wrong track!”

Kris is a wannabe fitness/culinary guru who can neither cook nor jog. You can find her sweet and snarky commentary at Kris M Beal | The Heart and Humor of Being Human where she learns to mince basil and do kettlebell swings while tweeting, all while trying to find some balance in this distracting world. You can also find her on twitter @krazy_kris.


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VitaTop Winner, Quick Updates and a 7 MONTH OLD!

Just real quick today. I’m exhausted!

First, the winner of the Banana Choco Chip VitaTops is Kathy King. Congrats Kathy! Second, I’m behind 2 recipes that need to be posted on GreenLiteBites. I can’t keep up with my own cooking! HA! In the meantime you get the latest school lunch post. Those are quick and dirty. Third, I avoided processed carby snacks today by munching on some cashews and dried apricots. What a great combo! I’m trying hard to to stop the cookie/graham cracker/pretzel mindless grabs from the pantry. Day 1 has been a success! Fourth, I made a FitBloggin’ decision! Will be announcing dates and location later this week!! Fifth, poor BlogToLose is getting the short end of the stick again. I hope to get through the volunteer emails this week. Sixth, and FINALLY, did you know my LIittle Bean turned 7 months today. 7 MONTHS!! Where does the time go?! Click here for a fun month-by-month photos journal. His growth is amazing!

Ok, need sleep. :)


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Ahhh Im back to MUSTurbating

(with apologies to the amazing Albert Ellis)

My MUSTS these days?

I must take new group exercise classes so I can yammer about my likes and dislikes here on the blog.I must get to the Tornado’s school and volunteer once a week.I must try a new vegetable each week so that Im role modeling adventurous eating for the child hell AND Ren Man but thats a whole ‘nother blog post.

Lay it on me please & normalize my MUSTurbation filled life (I know. feel free to snicker. I am as I type…):

What have you been MUSTing yourself with recently that you *know*, deep down, it’s TIME TO LET GO OF?

Tags:


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6 miles and a Carb Avalanche

Yesterday I ran the 3rd Leg of the Baltimore Marathon. Carrie snapped this pic just before I handed her the chip to finish up the race.

The run was great, but the event could have been a bit more organized. We hit quite a few logistical issues, but I don’t feel like focusing on the negative.

The Leg I ran was 6.3 miles. I ran it in 1:04:16.

Not bad. Not bad at all!

After the race I watched my Little Guy play soccer and then went out with The Husband. With Grandma and Grandpa visiting we had built in babysitters. :)

We went to see The Thing and it was awesome. If you liked the 1982 Thing you’ll like this one. It may be the most seamless sequel ever. We both loved it.

This morning started nice and quietly. Grandma watched Transformers with Little Guy…

while I made eggs. Some for breakfast…

and some for later this week.

(Click here for my video on making the perfect hard boiled eggs)

The boys shared a mango.

(I made Little Bean’s mango like this)

Everyone seemed to enjoy breakfast, especially Little Bean.

Click here to see a video of one of his cheerio experiences.

While we were eating I had a squash in the oven.

I could lie and tell you it was for Little Bean, but the truth is I wanted some too. :)

(If you are interested you can click here to see how I make it)

The rest of the morning was filled with tummy time…

and cool cars that follow drawn tracks.

Midday The Husband took his Dad golfing and I took Grandma and the boys to Ikea.

Once Grandma and Grandpa left we were all business. Our dishwasher broke AGAIN so we had to do the weekend’s dishes by hand.


(yes that is what you think it is lol)

And the laundry went in the washer, although it’s still not done yet. The husband is folding it now.

Before it got too dark we decided on a family walk.

I carried Little Bean in the carrier…

and we walked.

And walked.

And walked.

Awesome weekend overall, even though I ate my way through it. I really did. I swear it started with those gosh darn fudge stripe cookies. My carb cravings are out of control. I have to ease up on the sugar and high carb, easy to grab snacks. They are always the start of a bad food choice avalanche and I’m buried right now. Buried. It’s time to dig myself out.


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