Sometimes, You Just Need A Quickie!

Get your minds outta the gutter! ;)  A quick run... this is not that kind of blog! Ha!  :)

Don't mind me, while I amuse myself.
So today, I went for a quick run... 2.5 miles in 21.38 minutes... no stops, 9 minute miles!  I am very happy with that as that is the best I've done yet... and I think I owe it all to my new shoes!!  Love'n me some Asics Gels!!  This morning I woke up with out ANY pain!  None!  Do you have any idea how amazing that is for me, it's been months since I could walk to the bathroom in the morning with out holding onto furniture due to this dang right foot!  I am amazed and grateful!!  So very grateful!

Are you embracing the bounce?!  Ya, me neither!  I tried the whole..."well what's the difference between fat on your belly or fat on your chest, why is one sexy while one is not!?" stuff... but it only works so well, ya know!?  Which leads me to my other great find... spandex.
Let's get real for a minute here.... when you've gained weight (like I have) it aint pretty in the thigh area.  There will be rubbing and chafing... ouch!  And that belly blubber bouncing... ugh!  It's all very annoying and a constant reminder that you indeed have been a lazy ass!
I get it, I'm fat... but that's why there is spandex shorts with tummy control fronts to hold it all in and prevent the chafing.  I wore them under my running shorts... yes I said shorts, it was sunny and warm today... albeit windy, my hat kept blowing off... I now need sunblock! :)
Anyhow, point is, no more bounce and no more chafing!
They're a fat girls best friend! :)

Here are some pics from my run today!  Would you just look at this path!  Do you hear that?
"Come run me... come run me..."   :)

While I was on the path today I came across this:

Someone spray painted on the path "Don't Pity the Living"

This resonated with me enough that I took a picture!  Not that I want pity, ever... but until recently I have been alive, but not living... there's a difference between breathing and living!

After my run, I had a smoothie for lunch!  The Vega One has enough carbs and nutrients and it's filling enough to be a meal replacement!  I added that to three pieces of kale, a tablespoon of flax seed, some strawberries, blueberries, almond milk and ice.  It's healthy and delicious!  And Kale and Flax Seed, if you haven't heard by now are real SUPER foods!  Seriously, they give you Super Powers such as fighting 9 different types of cancer, improving your bowels, skin, hair, energy and so much more!  Cheers to that! :)

YA.... I got the curly straw... don't be jealous! ;)

Embrace the Bounce!

Today the weather was just right for a good run!  And seeing as I've got these new shoes to break in... that's just what 'we' did... sissy and I, while the boys were in school.  I put her in the stroller and we were off!  I felt sluggish at first, it's been a while... too long!
The baby condo was bouncing again and distracting me... but I'm learning to embrace the bounce... it wont go anywhere if I don't.
So instead, I played mind games with myself... pretending my belly bouncing was hot,... in the way some might view Pam Anderson running on the beach... oh if only I could push the blubber UP!

Around mile two, I started to feel good... and realized the shoes... were still awesome!   I tied my laces loser than usual and it took some getting used to, but I can see why it's important!

I am very happy with these shoes!  I'm reluctant to say "I've found the one" for fear that these too will turn into a toad!  But dare I say, I really think, hope and feel it to be so!  So much so that I have 5 pair sitting in my amazon shopping cart right now.
Well, they no longer make them... and they're clearanced out for $54.99 with free shipping... that's a great deal!  And look how long and hard I've looked, and how much I've spent to get here!
I don't know, maybe 5 pair is a bit much.... HA!

So just when I was starting to get my stride my daughter starts whining about something ...I thought she was saying "a bug go!?"  she hates bugs!  But I kept telling her there's no bug and she kept insisting..."abuggo" what does that mean in 2 year old language?
Finally, it clicks when I see her trying to lift the stroller tray!
She's saying "Abajo, Abajo" = "Down, down!"  ...  :/  Thanks, Dora the Explorer!

I have to admit I was really reluctant to let her out of the stroller, I was just getting a good pace!
But who can argue with a two year old in Spanish!?  Not me... so I just said "si" and let her "abajo".

Instead of wishing she were in the stroller so I could run, I began wishing I had brought my camera!
She was too cute chasing the flutterby's and blowing the dandelions!  She walked, skipped, hopped and ran for nearly a mile!  So happy!   We saw birds and ducks and even a beaver, all the while... I made an effort to suck in my stomach the entire time we walked!  Holy isometrics, Batman!  My stomach is sore as if I had done 100 crunches!
Whenever the thought crosses your mind, suck in your stomach and multi task, see how long you can hold it!  We used to do this in dance... and it's fantastic for toning!

We stopped at the park and played then ran home, just in time to get the boys from school!  What a great afternoon!

Time for dinner... and believe it or not, the Vitamix was not used for this meal... for a change :)  Starting to crave some substance!  So I made a combination of the squash, zucchini and cauliflower... cut up in noodle, stringy shapes or broken up small... cooked, drained, then I poured 3 eggs over the top along with some cheddar mixed in.  Sauteed up the onions, with some garlic, cayenne pepper, thyme, garlic herb, lemon pepper and bacon I had already cooked earlier...broken up small into bits.  Poured that over the top with more shredded cheddar and green onion, baked for 15 minutes while I cooked up some chicken for protein.
It was really good, and good for you!

Here it is before cooked.. and after below:

The kids love apple juice, but with all the arsenic concentrate from China crap stuff in the news lately, I've really lost my desire to purchase juice anymore.  And now with the Vitamix, I don't have to!  Two apples and one pear, (whole... stem and all... that's where most the fiber is) into the mixer with water and 2 tbsp's of organic sugar and voila, homemade apple/pear cider!
They loved it... and I loved not having to wonder if I was poisoning them or not!  :)

Runner Girl...

Hubby stuck this magnet on my car today... cute huh?!  Thanks Jeff... :)

I haven't blogged in a couple of days  (did ya miss me... I missed you!)  :)  

I may be hit or miss until we get our service switched over from Comcast to At&t on Friday.  Hoping we can get better service through At&t since customer service for any company these days seems non existent!  I have been trying to blog all afternoon, but my internet connection has been down... ugh!  So frustrating. 

But that's life isn't it?!  Sometimes, despite our best intentions... life happens.  Things come up that are just out of our control.  Such as Metatarsalitis or walking pneumonia.  Both of which are STILL plaguing my best attempts at progressively training.  So I just do what I can.

I have had my fears and reservations when it comes to aggressively training because my foot still really hurts and I don't want to make it worse.  Either way I feel bad... if I train I wonder if I'm hurting myself indefinitely or if I shouldn't be resting this injury more.  If I don't run, I feel like I should be running and training harder.  So I really have been in my own head making it impossible to win, either way by my own thoughts and feelings.

So yesterday, after book club... I asked my new book club friend Maggie for advice.  Maggie besides being a fabulous Mommy Blogger, Clothing line creator, Crafter, Chef and just over all fabulous... is also a Chiropractor!  

She was so kind to take the time to not only discuss my foot issues with me but actually, physically examine my foot in the parking lot after our meeting was over!  She gave me a ton of great information about how to treat and manage the injury... got me thinking a bit more about whether or not I should be running on the Newton's now or ever, since they can be so unstable in the toe front especially.  

But most importantly for me, she put my mind at ease by confirming that it seems to be more of a muscle tendon issue and most likely not a break.  I'm going to be going in to have her adjust me and hope that will help also... so if you live in the Chicagoland area and are looking for a great Chiropractor... you may wish to consider Active Family Chiropractic!  

Maggie, thank you again... so very much for taking the time to share your expertise!

Active Family Chiropractic

http://www.welcometoafc.com/

And if you're interested in checking out all of Maggie's other endeavors, see below:

Blog:  Smashed Peas and Carrots

Crafting, Kids and Crazy Fun!

www.SmashedPeasandCarrots.blogspot.com

Shop: Smashed Peas and Carrots

Beautifully Handmade Goods for Children and Momma!

www.SmashedPeasandCarrots.com

Facebook: Smashed Peas and Carrots

www.facebook.com/SmashedPeasandCarrots

Twitter: Smashed Peas and Carrots

http://twitter.com/smshedpncarrots

So once again... reconsidering my running shoes... I decided it was time to try... AGAIN!  (sigh)

So this afternoon, I packed up my Brooks and my Newtons and took a trip to see Eric over at Running Unlimited in Palatine, IL.  http://www.runningunlimited.com/index.html  

Eric really knows his stuff!  I was also reassured by the fact that the first thing he said, after I explained my predicament... was that he was stumped.  He said "I would choose the Brooks for you, again!"

So if it's a good shoe for me, why the shin pain?

So after more careful inspection Eric realized that I need a half size bigger and a wider shoe base.  I have wide feet I guess?!  AND, I tie my shoes too tight which is causing more pain, stress and possibly even injury.  He said you should be able to pull your foot out of your shoe with out undoing your laces.  This is going to take some getting used to!

So I tried the Brooks in 8.5 (half a size bigger) and wide base.  Ran around the block and while they were a lot better, I still had shin pain on my left.  He said this was because my left foot is bigger than my right.... what a mess I am, eh!?  ;)

So he pulled out the Asics Gels... Dad, I remembered you saying Karen (my step Mom) loves them, and I thought of Lacey praising the Asics and considered that perhaps a Stability shoe would work better than the one I had tried prior... I'll give it a go.  Around the block in the Asic Gels and I was sold!  

Love them!  Of course, its the GT 2160's which they're no longer making... and Eric said the newer 2170's run more narrow which wont work for me... so I could very well be in the same predicament (looking for the right shoe again) 5 months from now.  If I don't buy every pair I can find in the older model first! ;) HA!

So as much as I loved the fact that the Newtons didn't hurt when I ran in them... they weren't helping my injury either... and I couldn't walk in them without calf pain.  

Thank Goodness a woman reserves the right to change her mind! ;)

So I'll be exchanging the Newtons to Roadrunner Sports thanks to their 60 day return policy and selling my Brooks on ebay.

I am now an Asics girl.  Whooda thunk it?!  :)  

So beyond this, it's been more magical moments with my new VitaMix!

Split Pea soup (with Boars Head Ham... cause Boars Head is A-mazing good!)  and frozen Limonaid had us mmmmmm-ing as of late!

And just look at my purdy new jars I got to house my flax seed and organic cane sugar... idn't dat niiiice! :)

Move Over Cookie Jar... There's A New Kid In Town!

I got my Vita Mix yesterday, and used it all day long today!  I can tell you right now, I'm going to need to clear off some space on my countertop because this bad boy is never getting 'put away!'

I am in LOVE with it, already!   Seriously, so impressed!  Thanks Mom for helping me to get it! 
Happy early Birthday to me!  :)

For lunch I made myself a smoothie.  1 piece of washed Kale, (when you're buying organic watch for the worms.. they love kale... or keep'm extra protein ;)  HA!  JK)  1 tbsp. of flax seed, 2 strawberries, a quick grab a blueberries, 1 tsp. of my new Vega powder, and half a cup of almond milk.  Blended it up with some ice and voila!  Filled me up for hours and I still have steady, natural energy from the Vega One....not the stereotypical jittery then crash and burn energy!

After school the kids wanted milkshakes... so I put in a banana, 4 strawberries, a grab of blueberries, 1 cup of almond milk, washed kale, a scoop of peanut butter and a packet of carnation instant breakfast for the chocolate flavoring and vitamins and minerals.  Mixed it all up with some ice and 'tadda'.... "Milkshakes!" :)
They sucked them down in minutes!

For an early dinner.... the kids helped me make a simple soup in the Vitamix... 2 carrots, washed, but not peeled...even left the ends on!  2 pieces of celery, one tomato, couple slices of onion, clove of fresh garlic, 3 tbsp.s of cilantro, 1 cup of homemade chicken broth, a little warm water, a dash of Mrs. Dash lemon pepper and garlic herb... and mixed it up for a few minutes until smooth and hot!  The VitaMix flash heats the food so it's still considered 'eating raw' cause it doesn't cook out the nutrients!  I mixed in some corn and black beans for texture and crushed up some whole wheat ritz crackers on top for the kids!  They gobbled it up!
Dinner. Done. Just like that.  And healthy to boot!  Saweeeeeeeet! :) 
I heart my VitaMix! 

Pre-K Play!

Today was a fun and exhausting day!   My middle son is in Pre-k and his class had a field trip to Petco to learn more about pets for pets week at school.  His teacher's asked me to chaperone, but I couldn't bring little sis, so big ol' thanks to my good friend Kristin for taking Sissy for me so I could go!

My son was so happy to have Mama there with him on his 1st Field Trip and I was excited to be there also!
I was 'the shiny new toy' as his teacher put it because suddenly all of the 17 children wanted to simultaneously play with me, talk to me or hold my hand!

I'm telling you, if you're ever having a bad day or feeling low... go hang out with a bunch of kids, they'll make you feel like the best thing since sliced bread!

After the field trip I joined the class for circle time where I read them stories and then we had outside play... where we (you guessed it) ran races!
My son said, 'can we run Mom?' so I said of course... and the next thing I know I had 17 kids running around the play yard with me!  It was too cute!

I was a preschool teacher for 4 years before having kids and I have forgotten how much I loved and loathed it.  I mean, the kids are freak'n awesome, but man is it draining!  I was exhausted when I left!  And the germaphob in me just couldn't help feeling like I needed a good scrub down when I got home as well, HA!  You're always sick when you work with or have kids... just part of the gig!

I'd do it all again. :)

I also had a really great talk with my brother Tony this morning too!  I really need to catch up with him more!  He has a ton of good information about proper eating and nutrition as it relates to primitive lifestyle and Atkins... I wish I had been taking notes!  I'm going to need to follow up and get it all down!
Feeling very blessed for my family and friends and my health!

Happy Birthday to Papa who is 87 today!  May we all live as long and as happy as he... love you Papa!

Walking & Talking...

Yup, I can do both... ;)  We women can multi-task like that!

Met up with my good friend today who is like the little sis I never had!  We walked the hills in Glen Ellyn on a dirt path that is much like the course I'll be racing on.  Although we were walking, the pace was pretty quick and at one point I had to ask my beautiful, long legged friend to slow it down.... :)  My knee hurt!
It was so good to catch up with you Sherrie... I have missed you!  Sherrie is a young woman who I have been fortunate enough to have met a few years back while she was competing for Miss Illinois.  I helped her get prepared as she too is a classical singer!  She's so beautiful, inside and out... and such an inspiration.  She is the Editor in Chief and Founder of Tiara Magazine and Live Out Loud Charity, working in suicide prevention.  I am so proud of her and just love her so much!
You can check out Sherrie's great work here:

http://tiaramag.net/

http://liveoutloudcharity.org/

Not only is she beautiful, smart, hard working and gracious... she had a lot to teach me about eating whole foods and drinking distilled water.... and she introduced me to Vega!  The checker at Whole Foods Market confirmed that it's amazing... so I can't wait to try this stuff!  Thanks again Sherrie!

Hoppy Easter!

Taking it easy today... spending time with the kiddos, as it should be!
Took them for Happy Meals and we went to the park for a picnic.  Then we played with all the goodies they got in their easter baskets, bubbles, chalk, frisbees, baseball, soccer, football and rocket launchers!

We had an easter egg hunt and I hid 77 eggs... you'd think that would take them a while, but it seems it was over in minutes!  If only they would pick up their toys as quickly!

We're off to go visit Daddy at the Restaurant for a nice Easter Dinner!

Hope you and yours are enjoying a Happy Easter!