Happy Halloween!

Halloween is almost over and I only ate 3 pieces of candy. And I only stole one piece from Amara's pumpkin bucket. She had a lot of fun. She went as a Snow Princess this year. The last 2 Halloween's it has been either raining, freeing cold or both (freezing cold rain). She was Snow White her first year and Cinderella last year. She had to wear a jogging suit underneath her costume both times it was so cold. She did not look very princess like! So it was my brilliant idea to convince her to be a snow princess. A long to the ground fleece get-up, complete with hand muffler that she would be warm in--too bad today's weather was in the 60's! She put her costume on this afternoon to go to Matt's work and asked me to turn the air conditioner on in the car she was so warm. Oops! It did cool down by the time it was time to Trick or Treat though so I am thankful for that.

Cutey Miles was a Playful Puppy. He seemed to like his costume well enough. So easy to please at this age!

Success......

Recipe number 3 was yesterday. Spaghetti Pie. It looked nothing like the picture, but it was a hit with the family nonetheless. Amara heard what I was making and warned me that she was not going to like it. I told her thanks, but too bad for her because that's what we were having for dinner.
This recipe used broccoli puree ( which I cooked longer and it turned out a lot smoother than my first attempt a few weeks ago), and carrot puree. I did not have any eggs so my meatballs were a little loose, but other than that this was pretty tasty. Other changes I will make for the next time are: I will use spaghetti sauce instead of plain tomato sauce and maybe use a bigger pie pan.
Even though Amara took her usual snails pace to eat this meal I was convinced she really did enjoy it. Matt will basically eat anything I cook, but gave thumbs up to this dish and even packed the leftovers for his lunch today.
Workouts have been as good as I can make them this week. Matt is on a hunting mission so my early gym mornings have been put on the back burner for the most part this week. I even agreed to sub a class this week so I knew I would get a workout in!

So Zumba was last was last night. I was watching myself in the mirror ( that's why they are there people!) and I felt I looked kind of stiff and uptight. That is so not what Zumba is about! It's about being loose and carefree. I decided then and there to get over myself and have more fun during class and loosen up. I did, and I seemed to have even more fun!! I was not worried about the people that were looking through the class-- they were all jealous and wishing they were in class. I just know it!
I have also been notified that I will be a single mom this weekend as hunting will be priority since it is not going so well. So good luck to you Matt!
Food choices have been quite good this week too. I must have a mental image of those ladies from the figure show in my head or something. Whatever it takes I guess.
Amara had her gym class yesterday and she learned some sweet new moves. She also learned about grains. I tested her and asked her if she had fun learning about broccoli and oranges. She assured me that those were not grains, but pasta and breads were. She was also quick to point out that the grains they showed in class were white and not the brown healthy kind that we use at home. It's nice to know that she listens to us. I better not get used to it though-she's only 4!
Miles is coming into his own as well. Sleeping for over 10 hours a night, using sign language and trying to run. That's a sight to see.
Here's to many more successful days!

New found motivation???

It's Monday! The start of a brand new week. I was able to wake up at 4:15am and was at the gym by 5am this morning. I made it to the gym bright and early 3 times last week and I think I handled it fairly well. I got at least 5 hours asleep--6.5 one time! I think I looked more tired than I felt. I will try to make it 3 times again this week as well.
The weekend always seems to take forever to arrive and is over before you know it. This past Saturday I attended a figure show. I explain a figure show as a bikini contest with muscles. It's not really, but people who don't know seem to accept that answer. I competed in a show in 2006. This was totally out of my comfort zone. I don't even wear a bathing suit to the beach. I was up on stage in a very tiny bedazzled bikini, 4 inch clear heels ( I wore ankle socks to my wedding), and TONS of makeup ( I wore makeup in my wedding-courtesy of my sister in law). This was all so foreign to me. I am glad I had the opportunity to do it though!
This was the show I had planned on entering, but since that did not happen I decided to watch it and see who I would have been up against! I am confident that I could have placed in the top 5 in my class( there were 9 girls I think in all). I will admit I was a little jealous sitting there in the audience thinking about the "what ifs", but I am mostly over that now! Seeing those beautiful bodies up on stage seems to have given me a bit of motivation ( hope it lasts..) to get more serious about my own workouts and more diligent on my eating. I don't like to use the word "diet" when talking about myself becasue I am trying to make it a lifestlye, not just a way to drop some pounds quickly.
That was my weekend pretty much. Here's to new found motivation!!

Deceptively Disgusting

The Macaroni and Cheese was not a success. It wasn't totally nasty, but I am sure I won't be using the recipe again. Amara kindly told me that she likes the kind in the box better. Matt doused his w/ hot sauce, but he does that with the boxed kind too(and most foods in general).
It was kind of bland to say the least. It was totally the recipe at fault and not my awesome cooking. Hopefully next weeks recipe will taste better.
There was another mac n' cheese recipe in the cookbook as well. I wonder if that one tastes better. The one I chose ( Mac and cheese 2) used garbanzo beans as the "hidden" veggie. Mac and cheese 1 used butternut squash or cauliflower as the vegetable. The only reason I picked the one with the beans was because it had less ingredients. So much for time management!

Bummer...........

I have been gearing up to start my new goal in January. That would be to start training for the grueling 25k race that I swear to NEVER RUN AGAIN every year. It hurts so good. My goal is to run in under 2 hours. That's pretty quick for 15.5 miles. I have been thinking about joining up with a running club again for at least 4 months now. I took it upon myself to email the new coach and ask( brown nose) a few questions about the upcoming season.
The running club offers guidance on how to train for races. They have a speed session workout during the week and a long run on the weekend. It's up to you to do the other prescribed runs during the week. I really love the group aspect of training, doing something besides teaching group exercise, being outside and just enjoying other grownups! There are people there who are at or around my fitness level and can really push me when I need it. I need that push.....
So it really saddened me to find out that the speed sessions are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I can't attend either of those days-stupid work.
When I was last with this club the speed sessions were offered on Tuesday and Wednesday-perfect for me and would have been again. I would have to give up my Wednesday Zumba, but dare I say this would be worth it?? YES-it would have been. So now I don't know what I am going to do. I really feel the speed work is in intricate part of me doing well and achieving my goal. I really don't see myself on a track by myself doing 800 meter repeats anytime soon. Lame.
So I apologize for the pity party. This is just a total bummer.
OK, moving on to some positive things.......
I don't get to do Power Pilates on Wednesday because Matt is hunting early. Oops, that was negative. Zumba- take me away!!! I still have that hopefully........
Amara had her gymnastics class today during school and I am able to log onto the computer and spy on her whenever I want. I was able to see her in action as she had tons of energy this morning even before school started. She was as funny as I expected. She jumped on the trampoline, walked the balance beam ( just a line on the floor I think), did a somersault and a cartwheel and the while a big smile on her face ( I wish there was sound..I am sure she was giggling the whole time). She gave a couple high fives after the stunts and then repeated the process again. I think she wore herself out. She was pretty tired for us today after school ( ie: whine bag).
Miles had a pretty big day as well. He signed his first word--SHOES! Proud mom over here!
His exercise of the day was dancing to the opening theme music of Yo Gabba Gabba! This show is either the coolest thing ever or it can be scary. I play it a few times in a row so he can get his heart rate up ( kidding).
I pretty much took the weekend off from, well, everything! Monday and Tuesday have been great exercise wise. Monday- not so well with a minor almond M & M attack. Moving on.
This weeks ( maybe tomorrow) recipe will be homemade macaroni and cheese. Stay tuned!

Half Marathon........

I thought I would be blogging about my last race of the year today. I made up my mind yesterday afternoon that I would not participate in the half marathon. Or should I say it was decided for me when I found out the price was almost $90! That's what I get for waiting to the last minute to make a decision. My pal Mary ran the race though and totally stomped her under 2 hour goal--way to go girl!
It was most likely a good decision though. I am way too competitive a person to settle for just jogging it at a normal pace (especially at that price!). That's just not my style. I probably would have hurt myself and that would be most unfortunate. I suppose I have something to look forward to next year......The good thing was that while the race was gong on I went grocery shopping; and since there were a few thousand people at the race, my shopping experience was great- no crowds at all. So worth skipping the race.....
More good news is that I am officially finished nursing my son! He got cut off this weekend. That probably sounds harsh, but I swear it wasn't. It was easeir that I thought. So, now I can stop using the excuse that I am nursing and need to keep my calories high-- dang! But in all honesty, I am very grateful, and blessed that I was able to nurse as long as I did. My goal with him was 6 months, so I really outdid myself (ha!).

1 down 5 to go

I did it. I made a recipe out of my new cookbook last night! I made fish nuggets ( recipe), toasted almost pilaf and red skinned potatoes and green beans. Sounds pretty fancy! The fish nuggets were a big hit with the family. I was not so sure what Amara would think about the green hue the nuggets had ( made with a broccoli puree), but she was all about it. Matt says it was one of his favorite fish meals that I have ever made.
Here is a link to the recipe: http://www.recipezaar.com/257969 the only difference is I made mine with tilapia so you reduce the cooking to 2-3 minutes per side. I might also add that next time I do a broccoli puree I will cook the broccoli longer. I was afraid of overcooking it and it does not puree as well when undercooked. Lesson learned. I need to choose 5 more recipes to make.

Well, yesterday's Power Pilates was really great. It is such a challenge for me. It is so easy to do pilates wrong that I am grateful for my instructor- she reminds the class to engage the abs throughout the session and every time she reminds me I realize I was not fully engaged.
I am a little sore right now and expect the pain to worsen as the day goes on. Can't wait.
I am also grateful for my buddy Mary. She met me at the gym bright and early for class. We just might make this a regular thing for us. If we can both drag our butts out of bed on time. I think I had my alarm set for 4:25am. I am not one that can just roll out of bed and be on my way. I need to eat and to drink my coffee. After that I seem like a normal morning person. I did power pilates at 5:30am. And 12 hours later at 5:30 pm was my beloved Zumba! It was a good class too. It was very crowded and hot which would normally annoy me, but not this time. Most of the songs and dances are getting to be familiar to me so I feel more confident in myself. I am not quite at the point where I would not be embarrassed if someone I knew walked by and decided to watch through the glass. It happened once and I got all flustered and messed up my moves! Dumb I know, but I'm working on it. I love that there are so many different ages, body types, fitness levels and ethnicities that attend this class. There is one woman that stands in the front row. She might be in her 50's or 60's and you can tell she is having the time of her life and not a care in the world during the hour long class. There is also a woman/girl ( she could be 12 or 30--it's hard to tell), that might be working on her stripper moves too. Not even going to go there, but it is something else to watch. Whatever reason she is there is fine with me. Everyone has a story, so I won't judge! The point is people are there to have fun and I am all for that!

It's stinkin' early....

Here it is dark thirty in the morning and I am getting my caffeine so I can participate in Power Pilates. This might be a new goal of mine( yipee!)....an oldie but a goodie. I used to do this class every Wednesday morning a few years back ( 2006!), and kind of got out of the habit. I should also add that I am not very good at pilates. I try very hard and it irritates me that I find it so difficult. I also get great results from it since the kids totally destroyed my core. When I take it on a regular basis I can really notice an improvement on my midsection (ie: I start to look less and less like E.T.)

Miles has slept for 12 or more for the past 2 nights, but naturally that was not the case last night. He slept for about an hour and then woke up and was up until after 10pm. I was really trying to be in bed by 10pm last night knowing that I needed my game face on to concur this pilates crap. Oh, and when I took it years ago it was only Pilates-not POWER Pilates so this should be interesting.
Ok, so here I go....wish me luck!

Goals.....

I love to make goals for myself. I really got into goal setting after having Amara and wanting to lose the rest of the baby weight. My first goal after having her was to run a 25k race almost exactly a year after I had her. After that I ran the Chicago marathon( sub 4:00--woohoo!). After that I did a few more races. After that I participated in a Figure Show. After that I got pregnant with Miles. After I had Miles I did the 25k and a few more races again. Now that leaves me here today. Goalless and out of sorts. I have been without a goal for a few months and it sucks! I have gotten so bored with not training for something specific that I might on a whim run a half marathon this Sunday. Not too smart, but it has given me something to look forward to. I am not signed up yet and I might not even go through with it. Matt does not think it's such a good idea either. I did run 10 miles on Saturday and it went a lot better than my 9 miles the previous week-so I have that going for me.

Next weekend I plan on attending a Figure Show near my home town. This particular show was one of my goals this year, but it just was not in the cards for me. Maybe next year. Which leads me to try and figure out what my Activity Goals for next year are.
I have a few for sures: In January I will join my local running club to help me prepare for my races. In April I will do a 10 mile race and in May I will run the brutal 25k in hopes of doing it in under 2 hours. My best time for that race so far is 2:04. So I am close. After that things get a little hazy. I would love to try a duathlon (a triathlon but without all the stupid swimming in a big body of water so I can drown), but I don't have a bike-kind of a necessity. I would like to do a figure show again, and I am contemplating doing another marathon. I can only pick one activity though because they all have very specific training. I guess I have until May to figure it out, but I like to plan things out so not knowing yet is killing me.

One of my vain goals this year was to be at my pre-pregnancy weight by Miles' 1st birthday. This was really an estimate as I really do not know what I weighed before I got pregnant. It was kind of a fake weight anyway. I had just done the figure show ( and weighed what I did when I was I high school--for real!) I was probably at my pre-pregnancy weight by 6-7 months post-partum..it just was spread around in various places. Some areas of my body like to hold onto the fat stores ( read: BELLY). My neighbor friend and I were having a discussion on which one of us looked more pregnant, which one of us was flabbier and who can suck in their guts better. It's unfortunate that I won this discussion and even more unfortunate that she is indeed 8 weeks pregnant. I think this is a good place to stop this blog entry.......
So, here's to figuring out what the heck to do with myself!

~Pictures are:

My first 25k

Figure Comp.

Chicago Marathon

Has anyone seen my wagon?

This week has been interesting for me. I have had really awesome workouts all week. I even got up and made it to the gym by 5:30am twice this week ( thanks to Miles' 4am wake up call--thanks a lot buddy.) I actually like getting to the gym early; it's not as crowded and I can take my time for the most part without worrying about the kids acting up in the gym child watch. It's strictly my time by myself. I am also finally at a point where I can "get by" on 4-6 hours of sleep a day and still be nice to my kids and husband!
And then we come to my food choices this week-- I have had better weeks for sure! It's not so much that I have been pigging out on a bunch of crap. Just not making the best choices for myself all the time. I can say it was partly due to all the birthday festivities and such, PMS ( oh, I guess that was 2 weeks ago..must be some crazy lingering symptoms) and maybe my increased physical activity. Sometimes I don't even realize things have not been going all that well... until my daughter shows the signs. POOP TALK AHEAD.
I heard her voice calling from the bathroom, " Mom, I need help!! I have soupy poop today. Must be because I have not been eating enough vegetables." Thanks for not sugar coating it honey. But she is right. I always feel bad too, because it's one thing if I eat a bunch of garbage, I'm an adult and make that choice for myself. And the smell...no poop smells good, but as a parent you can smell the effects of a not so healthy diet. She is only 4, so I make most of the decisions for her. I never thought boxed organic mac n' cheese could do such horrid things to a person. Her little tummy just is not used to tons of processed foods. This should be a good thing, but when we do go that route every so often she ends up paying the price. Not to mention the birthday cake ( it was reduced sugar and quite good!), birthday lasagna, caramel apple with sprinkles and the free bag of popcorn given to her because "she's just so darn cute!" It's not that we don't let Amara have treats, but this amount would be in a few weeks time, not all in the same week, some even in the same day!
I'm just now realizing that there is most likely a direct connection with her naughty behavior all week as well......it's really not ( all) her fault! Dang.
I asked for and received a cookbook for Christmas last year called Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld, ( yup, Jerry's wife!). I have yet to make any recipes out of it. I have at least 20 cookbooks with the same story. My goal starting next week is to make at least one recipe a week out of it for 6 weeks- even if it is a dessert which includes cookies made with garbanzo beans. http://www.deceptivelydelicious.com/site/
I am off in search of my wagon........

Why?

Why in the world did I think it was a good idea to get up on Saturday morning and run over 9 miles?!!? My highest mileage since the end of July has been 5 miles-once a week if I am lucky. This was a dumb move on my part. I am lucky I did not get injured. I started off strong ( 9-10 minutes a mile) and ended not so strong--I am guessing a 12-14 minute mile pace for the last 3 miles!!
Why do people that know me ( personally or professionally) insist on looking into my grocery cart to " see what you eat." This kind of annoys me. It happens often. Some people make comments and the rest try to pretend they really are not looking in my cart, judging me on my food choices! It should not bother me, but it does. How would they like it if I commented on the 12 ( yes TWELVE) 2 - liters they have in their cart?? I know the sale was BUY 10 get the 11th free ( and you have an extra one at that!), and that most of your choices are diet..but who needs 12 - two liters of anything?!?!
Why does it cost so much to eat healthfully? My grocery bill is higher and higher every week and for the most part I buy the same stuff. Food manufacturer's need to make more coupons for those trying to eat well. I don't mean more fat-free and low fat/baked chip coupons either. They should make coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables, organic products and unprocessed foods.
Why am I thinking about running 10 miles next weekend? Because I am hardcore that's why. Or just plain stupid.


I would like to give a shout out to Matt and Miles!! They are celebrating their birthday's tomorrow!!
Matt is turning the BIG 3-0 and Miles is 1!!! Love you both!!!

Just roll with it......

Well, it was a sad day yesterday. I had to miss my Zumba class. It was the right decision. Kids were driving me bonkers and it would have been very cruel of me to leave them in somebody else's care while I was shakin' my money maker.
I think I have not missed a class in 5 straight weeks. I am almost an expert. It's almost time for me to move from the middle to the front row! Well, not yet. I guess this gives me something to look forward to for next Wednesday! Things happen, especially with 2 small children ( plus 1 grown one), and I just have to adapt. I don't like missing my workouts, but it's not the end of the world either.
I also became a hunter's widow yesterday. Bo hunting season started, so that makes my time for myself even less. It's OK though, Matt will get his time taken away again when I start training for my races next year!! We are good that way I think.
It has been a crazy week here so that is probably why the kids were acting like lunatics. We got home late Sunday (9pm), and have not really gotten our acts together. I got to the grocery store at about 10pm and bought the essentials in about 20 minutes-so we have been pretty much scrapping meals together all week ( read post: Fail to plan, plan to fail). I think we have done a good job though, no major catastrophes have occurred. Just minor ones! Tilapia Wednesday was moved to Thursday. Spaghetti Friday was moved to Wednesday. I also added Red Licorice Wednesday in this week--just for me though. All the rest of you can get your own.
Besides missing my beloved Zumba this week, workouts have been great. I plan on going to Spinning on Friday and maybe even running more than 5 miles on Saturday. We'll see what happens though.
I am proud of myself for not throwing in the towel this week regarding eats and workouts just because things didn't go as planned. Just roll with it........