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!