The Big Picture

Over the past few weeks, while working on and trying to make sure I keep up with our Fit Family Challenge, I have really taken pause and looked at things in a more "big picture" way.  It's funny to me how little things, like making sure I get SOME movement in each day, can really change your perspective and how you look at things.  

When my youngest was born, I hated the fact that we weren't in a position where I could be a stay at home mom.  What if I missed something?  What if we weren't as close as she grew up as I had been dreaming we would be?   Why did my BFF get to stay home and not me?  These were questions that ran through my mind all.the.time.  But there was no changing how our life was, so it was something I learned to deal cope with, and it was hard.

What it did give me though was the ability to appreciate every moment we did/do spend together and the hope that things would eventually change.  I got a better job, the hours were better....I thought this was my time.  Mini me started pre-school and things were good.  Once she was in kindergarten though, I was back to feeling upset and angry.  My job changed some, which meant my hours changed and no the ream of mini being a car rider every day was gone.  We had to enroll her in extended care, and I hated everyday of it.  The first few weeks she cried everyday when she got there.  Now, she was generally only there for 30 minutes, but the tears broke my heart.

I had to find the silver lining.  My job was better than before, a little more money coming in, the schedule change forced me to take time for me everyday...and I used that time to exercise.  I started walking everyday for an hour.  I would grab my phone, listen to a book on tape and could generally crank out 3-3.5 miles in that hour.  When I had blood work done after a while, my numbers were all better, and I was feeling less stressed, but still guilty.

This daily moving though spurred me to do more at home which got everyone moving more.  The hubs and I would take turns exercising while the other played with the kiddos.  It was a nice routine, but I still longed for those SAHM perks.  Enter the opportunity I had been waiting for.  I was unhappy with work and all the changes that continued to happen, especially the workload increase ion everyone and the expectation that we would just take it and deal.  It was bad for morale and EVERYONE was unhappy.  That's a hard envirnoment to work in, my outlet other than my daily walk was to scan employment postings.  And that where I found my cha-ching!  

The job I am in now is, well a blessing.  I honestly don't know how else to explain it.  For the first time in 15 years I am working with someone who appreciates having school aged children at home and who puts family first the same way I do.  For the first time in 15 years, I can call in and say..."Hey, we have a parent program at school today" without a knot in my stomach for fear of the repercussions.  For the first tie since mini was born, I feel like I have the perks of a SAHM...she is a car rider both ways to school, she can do activities after school at 4:30 because Mom can be there and get her there, I can make my older daughters 5:00 soccer games, I can go to room parties, book fairs, volunteer in the classroom...all because of this blessing that is my new job.

This also means that I have a LOT more time after school to be active with my family.  We can do more nature walks, bike rides, swimming..all because we aren't getting home in time for dinner to get started.  We get home WAY before that!  It means being able to help teach mini how to ride without training wheels on a weeknight!  It means dropping her off at 4:30 dance class while Big Sis is at soccer, and mom getting in a much needed run.

Looking at how our life is, right now, in this moment, has allowed me to see the big picture...and I tell you what, I wouldn't change it for anything!  I have the best of both worlds.  My own sense of worth in my job career, and my sense of feeling like a great mom and wife! 

Family Challenge Day 2

Well day one of swimming was almost a bust.  My hubby works at the local university so Mini and I suited up to hit the pool.  Got over there, swiped my ID (dressed in my suit with mini in her water wings), and cross over to the big closed sign on the pool.  Um, what?!?  No mention of this on the website, nothing on the door, the girl at the desk didn't mention it as we water winged our way into the building.  But alas, there will be no swimming in the dark, empty pool.  not only is it closed, its closed for the next MONTH!  The tears start up as Mini is devastated by this news.  I walk back to Susie Oblivious at the desk and was like, "so, I guess no swimming."  She looks up from her magazine and responds, "oh, us that why she is wearing those.  yeah,. sorry.  Pool is closed.  There is a paper somewhere."  Then she shuffles through the stack of print outs on her counter until she finds something about the pool closure.  Great.  Tears still coming from Mini.

Think!  Ok, so I call the city rec to see if they have open swim now.  Hallelujah they do, so we get back in the car and drive to the city rec.  Once we arrive and walk in, Mini remembers our scout trip here.  The girls learned about healthy eating and fitness and got to do some exercises.  She seems happy to be here and asks why we don't come more.  Well, we don't have memberships anymore.  This answer seems SUPER lame though, especially now with our Family Challenge.  What to do?  Easy, renew!  So I renew the family membership and we are off to the pool.

The water actually feels glorious.  We have opted for the actual rec and not the outdoor pool too so we have the pool pretty much to ourselves.  Mini doesn't really know how to swim (yet) so this is a 2 fold victory.  We get some kick boards and set to it.  Before I now it, we have been floating and paddling around for an hour!  We still have to hit the grocery store though so I pull a very reluctant and unhappy girl out of the water with a promise to return the next day.

Now, I don't know of it was the swimming, the hike she took with dad and dog earlier...or just natural inclination but she loaded our cart with fresh fruit and veggies.  I LOVED it!

Today at work I get a text, "when will you be home?"  Someone wanted the family to swim together.  So i finish up my day and head home and this is what I am greeted with

In her suit ready to go back to the pool.  I have to say here in all honesty, the hubs was already in his suit too.  :)

I hurry upstairs to get my suit on to and we head off.  For day 2 since there were 2 grown ups in the pool, we were ab;e to take turns doing laps while the other played with Mini.  Another fine hour of swimming in for the day, and later this evening we are heading out on a family hike!  Look out world, here we come.

If it were up to Mini, we would be swimming everyday.  And while I do like love the full body, non-impact work outs we get in the pool...I need a little variety in my workouts.  We girls may try and squeeze in a short bike ride before the hike.  We are just on fire.  Hopefully we are going just as strong in 40 more days!

Settling In

It seems that life is finally starting to slow down a bit and allow itself to be enjoyed.  It has been so long since I sat down and wrote.  Lets see...since the post surgery update...my hubby is doing SO well.  Like ah-may-zingly well.  He is taking his doctors advice to heart about getting out and moving to get himself back on track.  He has been walking a few miles a day or hitting the gym.  nothing overly strenuous...just the elliptical for right now as he hasn't been given 100% clearance yet...that comes in a few short weeks, but he is doing great!  I got him a fitbit for Fathers Day to keep him motivated...hoping it fits ok.  He has had a really hard time finding something that fits comfortably on his wrist.

Mini me is rocking out things too.  She has been asked to audition for her dance studio's Competition Team.  She is over the moon excited about this.  She has a clinic today to get ready and tomorrow is the big day.  Mommy is taking the morning of from work to get her all ready and be there tomorrow. We went and got a new leo to wear, have all our hair stuff ready.  Daddy even found a super cool dance bag to buy if she makes the team.  We have been talking about how much more time this would mean at the studio if she makes it, and she is excited.  I think she found her passion in dance and that makes my heart soar!  We have also talked about the importance of making good choices with this new adventure.  She has always been good with food choices...this one will ask for fruit or veggies  before sweets and chips and stuff 99% of the time.  We have been trying to pick fun activities that will keep us moving too and keep us both in better shape.  She is LOVING her bike right now, so we have been doing long walks with the dog and her on her bike...I even attempted to get back out jogging some but she is too hard of a coach.  She kept shouting that I needed to move faster...I was slowing her down. hahahahha

My big girl had her first night of high school soccer training last night.  Mini me and I dropped her off and then went and did a 1 mile walk.  They worked those girls hard.  They have to pass a fit test in order to even be considered for the team.   They have awhile series of stuff they have to do...sprints, kicks, burpees, juggling, sit ups, laps, etc all in under 27 minutes to be considered.  She started at 35, which wasn't terrible for her first time out, and that was with stopping to see what had to be done at each station.  It was a shock to her system I think, but in a good way.  She got in the car after and asked if we could start running together.  So proud of how she has stepped up to this challenge. 

My new job is awesome!  So family friendly and the schedule is unreal.  I heard someone down the hall the other day say he was "too blessed to be stressed."  I really feel like that is the best way to describe life right now!

Acceptance

I have started this blog over and over in the past  few weeks.  Just  trying to really get my thoughts clear, get my head  clear.  Have you ever  felt like that, like you have turned a corner and you are so excited you want to  share it but just can't make it clear?!?!  That is where  I have been living the past  few weeks, and its great, and frustrating all  at once.

I had an epiphany a few weeks before Thanksgiving.  It was the strangest thing.  I was getting dressed for work, something that happens everyday  and usually triggers some sort of negative thought. Something like, that used to be more  tone or that was firmer once upon a time.  So I'm getting dressed and I look in the mirror and I think, pretty good for 37.  Yep,  37...and normally too this would have bothered me but it didn't, it doesn't.  It instead started this while whirlwind of thoughts and feelings.

The day I got  married I was in the best shape of my life, I will never be like that again.  ow here  is where the change happened...I  will never be like that again NOT because I'm lazy or anything like that....I will never be like that again because I am not that person anymore.   I'm not that young, I don't have the amount of free time I had then,  my body isn't the same...I  have been pregnant, I have rounded another decade, so many things...and you know what?  I'm good  with it.  I accept it.  Not only that, I embrace it.

It's true, I will never have the body I had at 21 again, I  will never have the body I had on my wedding day again...and I am so grateful for that fact!   I will never have it again because  I can be better...I can be healthier and stronger.  When I was younger I could workout for hours, I could run everyday unhindered...but now I have to make time for it.  But  you know what, it has made  me healthier overall.  I may have 10-15 pounds more on my frame right now then I would like, but its okay...because (most) of the food choices that got me there are  FAR better then the ones I made when I was hard(er)-bodied twenty-something.  My metabolism isn't what it used to be...but I can work with that, I can push myself harder...and until I get there, if I get there I'm good with how I am right now.

Wait...there was a wagon?!?!?

 

 

Wow...its been almost a full month since my last post, and I have to admit some of my time away was WONDERFUL, some not so wonderful, and some hard but worthwhile.  With all that being said I have SO much too catch you up on. 

 

First was vacation.  We  have never taken a vacation that wasn't fraught with stress and running around.  We do trips like Disney, Busch Gardens, Washington DC...places  that are  amazing and fun but require a lot of planning and walking and doing.  Now my mini me is a beach junkie.  Not sure where she got it from, but thank God she did.  It's as if she knew in her  little heart and soul what mommy and daddy needed all these years.  She asked us if we could do a beach vacation this year, and after our  one day of ocean time last summer, we  were ready to give it a  try.  Oh. Em. Gee.  The  hubs and I have always, I mean ALWAYS, said we  aren't beach people.  We aren't  interested in a beach vacation, what do  you do  when it rains, how do you not get bored...?!?!  Let me say, I am more than happy to say I was dead wrong about that! 

 

even the big girl smiled

We decided  to  go to Charleston, SC.  My hubby grew up spending lots of time there as he had family that  lived there for a long time.  We hadn't been in almost 12 years, so  it was time.  It gave us the best of both sides (just in case).   We had a selection of beaches to  choose from, plus it has the historical and beautiful city of Charleston to enjoy.  For the first time ever on vacation, I relaxed.  I mean, sleep through the night into the morning, roll out of bed  for a coffee and get  dressed  in my bathing suit to go straight to  the beach and lay back down relaxed.  It was amazing, no that's not even a strong enough word, it  was magical.  How had we been so against this for so many years.  We played in the sand,  swam in the ocean, laid on the beach and got  tan.  Mini me was SO happy.  My big girl, sat with kindle in hand enjoying time in her beach  chair under the sun umbrella, and the hubs and I  smiled  and breathed in the sweet salty air.

 



serenity

loving the beach with my girls

my sweetie and me

the beach junkie :)

 

We drove up to Ocean Isle, NC on our last day to see friends at the house they rented for the week.  It was nice to see another beach, but it's just not "our  beach" (which is now the only way my hubby refers to Isle of  Palm).  :)  I just can not even truly put into words how restful, needed, and just perfect it all was.

 

At the end of an awesome week, my hubby got a message though that his father had lost his battle to cancer.  It  was NOT the news we were expecting or obviously wanted to hear, and my hubby didn't want to take away from the  girls fun so we didn't really discuss it until after we were home.  There is still a lot to process from that,  but all in due time.

 

We came out of all of that into the start of a new school year.  My big girl started 8th grade, old hat at this whole school situation. 

lil sis  had to get in on the 1st day fun

 

And then yesterday was the day I had been dreading, excited for, sad, happy...all sorts of  emotions.  My mini me started kindergarten.  I am excited for  her, I really am, but I can't believe she is already at that age.  It goes SO fast.

hambone

this face <3

my baby and me

 

 

Forgive me for being so absent, but as you can see the past few weeks have been a bit of a roller coaster for  us.  With all this, I can honestly say I have not only fallen off the wagon with my eating and exercising, but I basically forgot there even was a wagon. 

 

To be fair, our rule is when on vacation,  we vacation!  We don't worry about what we are  eating, we don't worry about working out.  It's one week a year to  just kick it with the kiddos and that is EXACTLY what we did this year.  It's just with everything else that has happened and we  have had to prepare for, it got put on a back burner.  But have no fear, I sent out a search party...found the wagon, and am climbing back on one leg at a  time. 

 

Do you through the rules away on vacation?

Healthy Heart, Happy Heart

me on my run

This is me in all  my sun squinty glory!  You may not be able to tell, but I am pretty happy in this pic.  Ok, you can't tell but come on now, I'm blinded by the sun and trying to take a selfie while running. :)  I have made mention MANY times before (Running Along, Have running shoes, can travel, Re-program my run, Put my face on the milk carton!) my love of running.  I used to run multiple times a week...then the doc said no more when I was prego with mini me.  After that little ball of perfection came forth, I started again and things weren't quite right...but I muddled through.  Then I broke my foot (and didn't realize it) and after a year of on again off again pain, had to have surgery.  Since that point...I have been trying to find a show that didn't feel like it was basically killing my feet when I run/workout/etc.  I am hoping that the most recent order I made is my "knight in shining treads"...more on that is to come though in a later post. 

I decided to start the couch to 5K program, well I talked about it and the good ole hubs actually pushed me into finally starting...and I am LOVING it!  I forgot JUST how good that runners high can be.  I'm easing back in and just loving it.  It's my time for just me...and my kiddos are loving seeing me go!  Now, I've said before on my face book page that I have been lucky enough to join the ranks of three other AMAZING writers on another blog page as well, The Journey, and I hope you will check us out over there too!  Lots of great things happening!  Well last week to get ready to kick off Get Active America Week I talked about this whole "getting back into running thing."  I it has been go time ever since.

Something different this time around is where I am running.  To keep it as easy as possible to start, I am just running in my neighborhood.  I used to be a trail runner...and then was relegated to the treadmill when the weather didn't cooperate...but this time I am just hitting the pavement (literally)  which means no excuses!  C25K is a 3 day a week program, so as long as I check the forecast...I am good to go.  It rained and rained yesterday so as I was leaving work I bundles up in my raincoat, got on my rain boots and headed down the 3 flights of stairs...imagine my surprise when it was sunny and beautiful!  I mean, I went for a short walk at lunch and it was MISERABLE...so this was practically a miracle.  My first thought...I can run tonight!

So I am on track...and loving it.  I am making my heart happy and healthy and making time for me and being cheered on (literally) by my family!  What an amazing feeling.  I am so blessed.  On top of that...we are continuing our "get outside when you can" plans with the kids and being active and playing outdoors whenever the weather allows.  So after dinner last night and before family dog walk time...mini me and I got in some badminton, bubble mowing and chalk drawing.  Then it was dog walk, bath, treat and bed right before the storms rolled back in.  All this healthy activity is making my heart healthy yes...but this precious time with my family is what is REALLY making my heart happy!!

my beauty making something beautiful

Add on to ALL of this excitement the fact that I just found out yesterday that I was selected to be an I'm Fit Possible Ambassador!!!  I feel like this is the start of a wonderful windfall of good fortune due to good health!  How exciting! 

My Kiddos

my babies

Look at these two faces...OMG they make my heart full and happy!  They are the driving force behind my wanting to get healthier and in better shape.  They inspire me, motivate me, make me crazy at times, but they are the reasons I wake up in the morning!  I am so blessed to be able to be their Mom and want to be around for them for a long, LONG time! 

My focus since starting this blog has really been about them.  It has been to inspire them to be healthy and fit.  To show them "See Mommy and Dadoo are doing it, you can too!"  They are both active in their own ways but I feel like we need more.  They both play soccer.  My oldest on our local city travel team and on a premier level team...my mini in a "munchkin" league (too cute), plus they will play and practice together.

my girls enjoying the sunshine as they play together

 

My oldest also does horse back riding.  She LOVES it.  She smiles through her entire lesson.  She is prepping to starting jumping in the next few weeks (nervous Momma) and for her first show this summer.  She has been riding for six years and the strength she gets from it (both physically and mentally) is amazing!

sorry its blurry, its through the glass in the observation room

My mini me is still doing her swim classes which she really enjoys.  She is a natural born "floater" which is the exact opposite of her sister.  She will do pretty much whatever the teacher says as long as Mom isn't watching.  If I am there, she refuses to put her head under.  If she thinks I'm not watching and I catch her dive from the side and go under she insists I saw it incorrectly.  The little stinker.

Momma's little floater

Mini is also still dancing.  After the Christmas holiday we stepped it up a notch from just tap and ballet to tap, ballet and acro.  She is too cute learning cartwheels and back bends.  She is starting to really like all three components to her "dance" class now.  They are too darn cute with their recital dance too.  OMG!

my little dancer is on the left
 

As any parent would, I have concern about making sure they are getting enough activity and the right food to fuel their ever growing bodies.  My oldest was concerned after her last physical that she was on the high end of the BMI scale.  Mini had the same high BMI at her 4 year check up, but as I said when I posted about that...my pediatrician puts NO stock in BMI calculators.  This got me thinking though, could I be doing more for them? 

Then one night while my hubby was working out, mini was playing on nick junior on the computer.  Every few minutes she was asking for a snack.  This went on for the entire 50 minutes he worked out.  Once he was done he watched  a few minutes of the computer time with her to find that she most likely kept asking for treats and snacks because every few minutes there were commercials most of which were focused on snacks.  Can you say RED FLAG????  Couple this with my 12 year olds obsession with both her iPod and kindle and locking herself in her room as most tweens seem to do...

Then as in response to this new found fact, I get an email from Fitness Magazine the next day with the subject line How Healthy is Your Family?  I like to think that we keep the kids fairly active, as well as ourselves but now I'm nervous.  With both of the girls BMI;s being higher than normal, should I be making them do more?  This article said that "a new study suggests short bursts of exercise-as little as 15 minutes-can dramatically reduce your child's risk of Type 2 diabetes."  That night I was putting away laundry and mini asked to help.  We had  a lot of laundry to out away, I mean a lot...like of the apocalypse DIDN'T happen so now I need to do something for clean underwear a lot, and she wanted to help.  She ran back and forth from my room to hers as she only likes to out away 1 thing at a time.  SUCCESS!  That took her close to 20 minutes of running back and forth.  Then on "family dog walk" she wanted to walk and not be pushed along in the stroller.  SUCCESS!  Before I even had a chance to worry about the big girl, her soccer coaches (on both teams) have instituted a new conditioning format at practices.  The hubs watched last night and said its running with bursts of "Insanity like" exercises.  Hopefully these steps will make a difference. 

We (the hubs and I) have also committed to adding in more family exercise...jogs in the park coupled with bike rides...the kids, the parents and the pup are all en route to healthier lives.  I am loving it! 

Now if I could just kick this cough and give my workouts 100% I'd be SUPER happy, but hey...I'm still pushing through...even 60% is better than 0%!!!

Not "flaking" out

As the weather gets colder and we distance ourselves from News Years's I know that in the past with the dropping of snow flakes came the dropping of resolutions, at least it always did for me in the past.  But this year I am not (snow) flaking out!  I can tell that this time around with my workouts and eating habits its different.  This time it feels like the stakes are higher, like we (the hubs and I) are REALLY going to commit to it.  Some of it is that we are realizing we aren't getting any younger (HA) but I think it all comes back to one conversation, one moment after a workout when my amazing hubs said he felt ALIVE!!  That made it all click into place.

Part of what spurred me to start this blog was the need for accountability out side of myself.  To know that there is a group of people who are looking for me to succeed, who are cheering me on from a distance.  I love that about this blog and about the facebook page, but it's more than that. I wanted to be a good role model for my kids and inspire them into being healthier.  And I have to say I am seeing it succeed!   My oldest has always been good, she is an athlete.  She is also now a pre-teen though which means a good chunk of her free time is supposed ton be dedicated to texting, instagraming, and pinning right? LOL  So when there are breaks in her sporting schedule we do need to nudge her some...this has been fun.  I did get her to join her sister in some Wii fit games last week and that was fun, after forcing her to do boot camp a few weeks ago (terrible Mom I know).  :)

My mini me, well she is a workout junky!  She loves her yoga, just "upgraded" (read more expensive) dance classes to one that includes acrobats along with tap and ballet, and we took the plunge (love my wordplay today) with swim lessons.  SHE is the one who asks the hubs and I everyday...when are you working out today?  Are you working out.  She likes to sit on the couch with the ipad and look up and cheer us on, or count down reps with the videos.  How awesome is that!

And yesterday, I caught the hubs tracking his food on myfitnesspal too!  We are finally becoming the family I had hoped we would become when this blog started!  And as we get closer to better health, I realize what seemed like such a HUGE step then is really just a baby step now.  This isn't about losing a few pounds anymore, this is about life style choices....and life in general.  I am proud to sit here and say how STRONG I am starting to feel.  Thin, no but strong YES!  And I can honestly say I'd rather be strong.  I am proud to see muscles toning and building, and I LOVE the way I feel.  Just as my hubby said almost 2 short months ago...I feel alive!

 

2014....this is OUR year!!

How yummy!!

My sweet mini makes my heart so full it's like it will explode!  She has been my little coach during my workouts, has been making sure I make time for them and today wanted to reward Momma!

As I write this, she and the hubs are making cookies.  Not just any cookies, but Dadoo's special chocolate chunk chip cookies.  My favorite!!!

I have already been told I need to workout today...and now I know I will be well rewarded.  I just heard her say "Wait till Mommy sees how yummy."

Totally worth the calories!!!!  I will just push a little harder in tonight's workout!  

Being positive when the weather is negative!

It...is....cold!  I know, I know, winter is supposed to be cold.  But right now, at work, it is only 5 degrees, and that doesn't include the wind chill.  Tomorrow is supposed to hit -30 or -40 with the wind chill.  YIKES!!!  Glad that tomorrow is going to be a work from home day.

When I'm all bundled up like I am right now, quite literally, it makes it hard to get inspired to work out.  I mean, I am in my office wearing wool socks, winter boots, lined pants, 2 shirts, and Under Armour jacket and a scarf and am STILL freezing!  Do I really want or need a 3rd cup-o-joe today...no, but I'm so cold I just might.

I keep telling myself that once I'm home and can snuggle with my kiddos and fur babies, I can warm up, and I can workout.  I know it will be chilly when I get that workout gear on, but I also know that it will be the very best way to warm up on so many different levels.  PLUS, it will keep me motivated for my Fit Pursuit Challenge through EveryMove.org.  My goal is to get in at LEAST 50K steps every week.  Want to join the challenge...you can pick from a variety of challenges.  Sign up and join me (Waits&Measurements).

As I wait for warmth...I thought I'd share some Friend Making Monday from Kenlie at All The Weigh.

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Friend Makin’ Mondays

 

1.  What has been your happiest moment in 2014 so far?  Waking up over the break to my sweet mini me and the first words out of her mouth being "I love you Mommy."

2. Share the last compliment you received. I was told I had "mad skillz" with my knitting loom for mastering a new stitch!

3.  What is one thing that you plan to accomplish in the next week? I plan to get in at least 3 strength workouts this week.

4.  What is your favorite TV show currently on air? The Blacklist, hand downs the best show on TV right now.

5.  If you could go anywhere in the world free for the next two weeks, where you go? DISNEY!!!  I would pack up the fam and be gone in minutes if we could.

6.  Describe a significant event in your life that caused you to change your values system.  I had my daughter.  It changed EVERYTHING.

7.  What made you decide to live where you currently live?  I came for work, and stayed for love.

8.  What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about GOD?  Faith.  I have a hard time with the concept of religion.  How do you pick and choose...I am teaching my kids to have faith.  faith in God, faith in humanity, faith in doing good.

9.  If you could have a long conversation with someone famous (and alive now) who would you choose?  President Obama.

10.  List three things that you’re thankful for today.  

• My family
• Our health
• that we have a roof over our heads and food on the table

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions on your blog.  Don’t forget to link up in the comments.



 

Resolutions

As 2013 comes to a close, I am smiling.  We have had so many wonderful adventures this year as a family, and looking back through old posts makes me happy.  I am most happy about our family decision to get healthier in 2014!  Even my little mini is moving more and more.  I am excited that part of the reason I started this blog was to hold myself accountable and try to make healthier decision for myself and my family...and now my family is making choices that are inspiring me.

As we near the end of another year, I watch as my 4 year old does her workout. because as she says "we need to exercise everyday."  Is there any better proof of success then that?!?! In the past few days she has been actively playing games on the Wii fit and today she did her yoga DVD.  So proud of her.

My big girl, after being off from soccer and riding for a week the other day went upstairs and did my Belly, Butt and Thighs Boot camp DVD, just to get in some sort of workout.  The went up and down the sledding hill yesterday, and today is back at her riding.  Awesome!

last night my motivator, my hubby...opted to pass on our workout.  Did I let that stop me?  Nope.  I went upstairs and busted out one of my Ellen Barret DVD's and started working up a sweat.  before I new it, the hubs was changing into his workout gear and did his own workout.

All in all 2013 was a good year, and there is so much to look forward to in 2014.  As we finalize our "resolution" lists I urge you to challenge yourself everyday!  when you do and succeed...there is just no greater feeling!!

Heres to a happy, healthy 2014!!

Warmth Abounds

I love getting ready for the holidays!  I love getting out all of our decorations and making the house look festive!  I love getting gifts ready that I think people will really like.  I love all the excitement of Santa coming and the sheer joy of Christmas  morning.

Even with so much joy on the horizon though there is still that lurking thought in the back of my mind.  The question no one actually asks out loud but it is there like a giant elephant on the room.  How much damage are these few weeks going to do?  It's a time when we feel we can loosen the ropes some and just indulge.  

I am quite happy to say that this year the hubs and I did a pretty good job of staying on target.  We had a cookie here or there, and a few items that were far from gluten free, but in all honesty we stayed pretty close to the line with our meals.  We even had a healthy good challenge for our annual Christmakkah party.  There was garden vegetable soup, dill matzo ball soup, GF pasta and marinara, veggie tray, so many good healthy choices!  It was awesome!  

Where we have been "less then successful" (as failure is NOT an option) is in our workouts.  We have been running on empty and just enjoying time with the kids and family and friends!  But today, we are turning it around!  When I was a kid, Christmas break was all snow forts and sledding.  The weather lately though is so crazy that instead of donning snow pants we were outside in our jackets and the girls were roller blading/skating and riding bikes yesterday.  The unseasonal warmth was a great reminder to the hubs and I though of the importance of getting out there and moving!  It felt great having the sun in my face and watching the girls being so active (and silly).  

How have you been doing with all the holiday craziness??? 

Holiday Hunger-stoppers

My sweet and sassy mini is SO excited about the holidays!  We have been busy crafting all sorts of fun projects and writing letters to Santa...and now she wants to know when we are making the cookies.  The hubs and I have fiends that make dozens upon dozens of cookies every year.  They could feed a village on cookies.  We do a few dozen to share with family and Santa and usually call it a day.

We have an annual holiday get together with some fiends of ours too each year at our house and in the past my hubby has made some of the above mentioned cookies for them as "host gifts."  Yes, they are THAT good.  I do tend to boast how awesome my fam is but you don't understand...there aren't words to describe how amazing the hubs cookies are.  They are the only ting that is ever actually requested by the extended family for any and all gatherings...the girls look forward to special events because they know they will be made...they are epic cookies in our household.  He makes both chocolate chip and sugar and they are equally as delish!  I am curious as to whether he is going to attempt them this year with gluten free flour, or just make them "regular" style. 

Now, with the holidays coming up it brings concern as to how to get through the holidays without misbehaving too much.  The hubs and I have been doing really well with not eating the gluten, we also have a friend who is vegan, and most recently we have a family that has decided to cut back on sugar.  Now first and foremost, I am so proud of my family and friends for taking steps towards healthier lives, but with the holidays how is this possible?!?!?!  Well for our annual gathering, to add some fun to the event, I issued a healthy food challenge.  I made no restrictions but have challenged everyone to make the tastiest and healthiest food to bring to our potluck!  Lets not end up pot-bellied from our pot luck!!

So I have been looking for recipes, and am asking you for any suggestions you may have.  IN a perfect world, I would find the yummiest sugar free, non dairy, gluten free item to serve, and I have not lost hope in that endeavor. 

What do you recommend?!?!?!

 

 

also, a few resources I have found so far in my searching

 

12 Days of Vegan Treats

 

Sugar Free Holiday Treats and Sweets

 

Super Easy Gluten Free Christmas Treats

 

Seasons Eatings: Healthy Holiday Recipes

 

Holiday Central



Thankful for the "little" things

This little ball of sunshine is my sweet mini me!  I will openly admit that I LOVE that she is a tiny version of me.  I was jealous for YEARS with my older daughter.  The sun would rise and set on Daddy with my oldest...but this little stinker....she is Mommy's girl through and through.  We had her big holiday dance concert this past weekend, and my heart was bursting with pride watching her smile and dance up on that stage.  Sitting next to MY mom who knew EXACTLY who I was feeling...as she had felt that same way $%$& number of years ago with me on the stage.  She smiled, knew her dance, and you could see the joy sparkle in her eyes.  She LOVES to dance.

This beautiful crew is my oldest (in the middle) with two of her BFF's (whom I love like they're my own as well).  My big girl is strong and smart, tender hearted and funny.  I know why she is a Daddy's girl because I see so much of him in her.  The very best qualities he has are part of her soul.  She makes me so proud, and as my first, holds a special place as she is the one who gave me the gift of being a mom.  She gets more and more challenging everyday as she figures herself out and moves closer to the teenage years, but she makes my heart so happy it could burst!

And this guy right here...this is my hubby!  I loved him before I even knew him.  He really is the other half of me.  He gave me the greatest gift I could have ever hoped for (yep, you guessed it those two crazy yahoos above).  He loves me faults and all and he encourages, supports and believes in me. 

As I was laying in bed all snuggled up with mini the other night, the hubs came up and told me to get out of bed and workout.  He had just finished his workout, the big girl had already had an hour long riding lesson that day, the little one is in constant motion (although she does like to grab a small hand weight from time to time and join me...or join in a down dog).  I did NOT want to get up, but was so glad I did.  Feeling alive!  These three fill my heart...and are the reason I have to keep it in great shape! 

I am so thankful for my three "little things!"  No need for any gifts under my tree for me as long as I have them!

Revamping those Resolutions!

I admit, that every year I do try and make a set of resolutions.  I do try and stuck with them as best as I can too.  But like so many others, they seem to fall to the wayside.  That is why this year I am excited that the hubs and I decided to start making some serious changes for our health and well-being BEFORE the craziness (and let's be honest-pressure) of New Years is upon us.  As I have mentioned, the hubs and I have decided to try going gluten free. So far, its been amazing!  I am seeing an actual difference in my body.  I know some of it is getting my lazy butt back into an actual work out regimen, but the bloated look (and feel) I have been carrying in my mid-section is all but gone.  It's allowing me to see the sad out of shape ab muscles that have been crying for attention and love. 

With the "success" of the gluten cut back, we have been discussing more things we can change in our diets.  With all of THAT talk, and after a great post by Ashley over at Coffee Cake and Cardio about thinking ahead for 2014 I thought, why not start to draft up some resolutions that we KNOW we want to do. 

1. Continue on the gluten free lifestyle.  It seems to be helping both of us and I am feeling better then I have in a long time.
2. Continue working out and making it a priority!  This is where I have ups and downs a LOT.  The kids and their schedules always get pushed to the top of my priority list and I need to remember that I am a priority too. 
3. Slowly try to change the girls diets over to less gluten (especially my big girl).  The more research I do, the more I think we could help a lot of the issues she has with an eliminating diet. 
4. Start to kick high fructose corn syrup out of our home.  This is one the hubs and I feel VERY strongly about.  There are just so many downfalls and ill effects that are caused by this sneaky little filler, and we want nothing more to do with it.  Sorry HFCS, the road stops here.
5. Run that 5K. No more excuses.

I know there will be more things to add on, but I think this is a pretty good start, right?!?! 

Have you started thinking about your resolutions?  What will they be?

Feeling Alive!!

Over the past several weeks I have felt sluggish!  Actually more like a sleep deprived lump!  I now my sleep patterns are erratic (thank you fitbit), but even with that, with 7+ hours of "not so great" sleep, I was feeling just blah.  Cutting back on the gluten has helped some...but it wasn't quite the surge I had hoped for.  So, as we sat enjoying Thanksgiving dinner I announced that we would begin exercising again the following day.  No more excuses! 

Everyone at the table agreed.  So we enjoyed out delish dinner (my husband does an ah-may-zing job with the turkey), and this year it was a more "shared responsibility" turkey day which I loved!  usually the hubs takes on the brunt of the cooking, but we spent the better part of the early day enjoying the kids laughter as we worked side by side in the kitchen!  My fav turkey day to date!

While others were battling the crowds to shop deals on Black Friday, we went to the library and got some workout DVD's to try, some more gluten free books and a juicing book (our next possible morning adventure).  I have to say, I am excited about these videos.  We opted for a few of The Biggest Loser workouts.  There is something inspiring about seeing others who are fighting the same good fight as you as opposed to a group of trainers working out.  We have done three days in a row, and I feel GREAT!  My energy is back up where it used to be, I don't feel like I am going to nod off at 6 or 7pm anymore.  It's great!  And because you can customize the workouts we can go anywhere from 25 minutes-an hour!  Loving them so far.

We have done:

LOVE them all so far...the boot camp kicked my butt some, but its great!  My hubs put it the very best way I could think of the other night when he said, "I'm sore, but my muscles feel alive!"

So true!  Alive!!

Getting Rid of Gluten

We have been bouncing all sorts of ideas around in our house on what might be the best diet life-style choice for us.  Back in September I posted about feeling the need to do Something but not knowing what or where to start.  I made the decision after some research and documentary watching to cut dairy milk from my diet and the mini's diet.  We are still enjoying cheese (a lot of goat cheese though instead of cow), but we are drinking almond milk exclusively.  I know I have mentioned on here before the frustration the hubs feels from working out and working out and working out and not seeing any results on the scale.  Yes, the exercise is great for him and brings on lots of NSVs, but sometimes you just need the gratification of seeing the numbers slide down and away.

It has really made us look at all sorts of factors and what could be holding him us back?!?!  I have the same issues at times where I bust my butt and see no numerical results.  It's hard to stay motivated when that happens.  Both the hubs and our oldest are lactose intolerant.  In doing some research I have found 1 constant...gluten. I have been feeling like gluten could be a culprit for a while, but needed to find something more concrete before poo-pooing a MAJOR component of our everyday diets.   I have found that gluten intolerance goes hand-and-hand with lactose intolerance for a lot of people.  I have found that hypothyroidism and hashimoto's can be helped with eliminating gluten.  I am not a medical doctor...but I think this may be worth a shot. 

With the holidays coming up (and a full pantry) we have decided to gradually scale back the gluten until we can cut it (without being wasteful).  So I have decided to start experimenting.  It sounds so scary at first, gluten free, but then when you really research it there isn't THAT much that you have to give up.  You have to be smart about reading labels, and we can SO do that!!!  So, in the spirit of proving to my hubby that this will not only be doable but yummy...I decided to make a completely gluten free dinner last night!  Thank goodness I had my little chef to help.  We decided to make chicken strips with roasted veggies. 

how stinking cute is my helper?!?!?!  Love her SO much!!!!!

First we assembled our ingredients (well most of them).  We bought fresh, free range boneless, skinless chicken breasts, rice chex (did YOU know they are gluten free), fresh brussel sprouts (my hubs fav) and we had some fresh taters our friend Jack grew and gave us.

(sorry they are blurry...chef on the move)  My little chef went to work on smashing up the rice chex for our chicken coating.  This was FUN.  She smashed and danced and laughed...my own little iron chef in the making.

While she smashed I cut up and prepped the potatoes and brussel sprouts.  Those also went into large Ziploc bags with a little extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and a touch of garlic powder on the potatoes.  Once in the bag and ready, my sous chef mixed them all up to make sure they were all coated.

We laid them out on a baking sheet with the veggies separated (little chef is not yet a fan of the brussel sprouts), and put them in a 400 degree oven with the timed set for an hour.  Then we moved on to our chicken.

I we sliced up the chicken taking the small amount of excess fat off, and put them into nice bite sized pieces, put through an egg wash and rolled them in the chex mix (which we added a little more salt, pepper and garlic too).  Then the chicken was added to the same 400 degree oven for the last 45 minutes

The completed meal was delish!  The hubs and I had a brussel sprout/potato mix with our chicken bites, while the little chef opted for just taters, chicken and applesauce.  I am always over the moon if I make something new (especially with no recipe) and the hubs likes and this was a definite hit. 
Delish, nutritious and completely gluten free! 

 

What are some hints, tricks, recipes you do to keep out the gluten?!?!

Whirlwind

    

What a crazy few weeks it has been in the wide world of W&M.  We have been gearing up for Halloween for what feels like weeks in our house.  My sweet mini me LOVES to decorate the house so we have been busy...pumpkins, witches, bats, coloring pages, paint projects, you name it...we have been making it.  We even made our own little wreath for the front door.  What happened to fall close to the holiday this year that she was NOT looking forward to was her 4 year check up.  She is an amazing kid...healthy, strong, full of life, but also full of the biggest, saddest tears a mom could have ever seen as they gave her not 1 but 2 booster shots.  one in each of her sweet little leggies.  I tried to make her feel better with the talk of "Now you are ready for kindergarten...and no more shots until you are 11" but those words were falling on sad, tear stained deaf ears.    I just sat in the exam room holding my sweet, sweet girl wile she cried.

That same day my best friend of nearly 3 decades called to tell me her grandfather got his angel wings.  He had been sick for a while, and in my heart I knew this was bittersweet news...now he isn't in pain any more, but still...what a devastating blow.   I called my parents who were on vacation, gave them the news.  We got flowers ordered and I made arrangements to not be at work on Monday so I could be there for my BFF as we celebrated the life of an amazing man. 

Now, not everything was a "Debbie downer" though.  What also happened on Friday morning is the great opportunity I alluded too yesterday.  I have mentioned (many times I know) my little home based business I do with the girls and the hubs.  Well, Friday morning before we started a day of doc visits (mini me had her 1st eye exam that day as well)...I meet with the owner of a local kids resale store and guess what...she wants to carry some of my creations in her store!!!  Ardeline Arts & Crafts is starting a whole new page...a whole new adventure!  This is exciting and scary all at once! 

I am also eagerly waiting to find out if I made the cut for Fit Fluential to be an ambassador.  The application process closes today so if you are interested...get it in there folks!!  I am thinking of joining the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge (HBBC) which I discovered thanks to Kim over at Fabulous Fit Foodie.  I feel like its just the right motivation to keep me on track over the holidays.  I mean, I am =very proud to admit that I still have a completely unopened bag of some of my fav treats that I bought to give out to trick or treaters last week!  In my house, that is a miracle.  We are usually buying more the day before!!

What are your plans to stay focused during the holidays??

Warm, toasty and inspired





mini me modeling her new scarf made by momma

I'm not sure why the cool weather inspires me so much, but it just does.  Once the weather starts to cool off, I feel the need to ramp up my arts and crafts time.  Luckily for me, this year it hit earlier then most so when I felt the urge to bust out my knifty knitter and its only mid-October rather than late November it means...I may have started early enough to finish stuff the kiddos want AND do some holiday gifts as well.  I have been wanting to attempt an afghan for my mom for the past few years and think maybe this will be the year I can actually do it??!?!

 





I know the knitting ideas crop up due to the temps, but fall is just inspiring all around to me.  I start doing more painting projects, I really get a lot more stock made for our little home business, and my workout schedule seems to get going in overdrive.  The hubs brought home some adorable wooden pumpkins made from fence posts for the girls to paint...can't wait to get those done to show you all.  I have my new silhouette cameo which I have finally taken time to sit down and figure out so there are LOTS of signs to be made this weekend and over the next few weeks. 

I am proud to say that adding more walking back in this week has paid off...a full pound less on the scale this morning!  Woot woot...you can't see it, but I'm doing my happy dance.  All the colors and beauty of fall inspire me.  I know I should feel more like this in the spring, when everything is in bloom and bathing suit season is literally around the corner...but I am generally in better shape in the cooler months under my layers of warm and comfy clothes then I am all year.  The beauty of autumn is my catalyst for greatness I suppose.  I'm not going to question it, just embrace it.

another pic of the scarf with the new coat for winter

 

What are you inspired to change with the changing of the seasons?



Whirlwind Weekend

So this (see above) was my weekend! With a month full of September birthdays and the ongoing activities that they kiddos are in we always have the "when to celebrate their birthdays" dilemma.  This year we had already decided to do "destination" parties so that we didn't' have to also make time to clean and prep the house.  It was nice too because it actually saved us a little green in the long run so that is always a plus right?!? 

So we started out our weekend bright and early with soccer for the little bear.  She is REALLY loving it, and that just makes my heart happy!  I just wish my heart could be happy closer to 10 then 830...but oh well.  She was VERY excited this week that her Sissy was coming to watch too, so she was able to really show off her skills :)  Sissy went right out on the field to help with warm up.

Then we went home for a quick outfit change and got on the road for back to back club games for the big kid.  It was a beautiful day for soccer, just an already over scheduled one.  But three games down, a trip to the orchard, and a stop to pick up the cakes for the parties and we were back at home and changing clothes again (and showering, I mean...that's a lot of soccer playing).

My big girl turned 12 this year (her birthday is right around Labor Day so generally celebrating the weekend of the holiday with friends doesn't work), and she wanted a laser tag party.  The Dad's decided to get in on the action and they all seemed to have a great time.  If you have a pre-teen at home, you will understand when I say how hard it is to make one of "them" smile, well I am happy to report that there was nothing but smiles (well, nothing but smiles and a lot of smack talk) at laser tag.  We feasted on the traditional destination party pizza and a yummy cookie cake.  The big kid prefers cookie cake to regular, and proudly I managed to control myself.  That was Saturday night.

Bright and early Sunday morning, little bear rolls over in bed and without even opening her eyes says "I'm so excited!"  FINALLY her party day was here.  Don't get me wrong, she had a blast playing arcade games at her sissy's party, but today was about HER!  Sissy decided to forego the 4 year old party and go to her soccer game (yep, ANOTHER one...different team).  So we got bathed, dressed, dropped Sis off at a team mates house and headed to the Jumpyard.  A warehouse full of inflatable bounce houses.  It's like a preschoolers best dream ever! 

Blurry pic, I now but they were literally moving too fast to get any good ones while bouncing/sliding/running/partying/having a blast!  So needless to say on Sunday we feasted yet again on pizza but this time we added cake into the mix instead of cookies.

To top of our weekend of "not so great eating" weekend, I cat sit for our neighbors a LOT.  To thank me, they give us lots of veggies from their garden (which is much more abundant then ours) and very generous gift cards to the Macaroni Grill.    We decided we would go there to celebrate turning 4!  So onday night off to the grill we went for dinner.  Have you ever looked at a calorie breakdown for MG?  If not, spare yourself the horror.  The food is totally yummo. but the sacrifice...let's not even talk about it. :)

The hubs and I had already discussed the plan of attack for Tuesday morning and the changeover to less cals so we were okay with splurging for the little bear's birthday.  So many yummy choices, but I guess my body knew better then I thought it would and this delish dish is what I ordered, grilled salmon and spinach orzo salad!

 

 

Now, I did give half to the hubs in trade for half of his lasagna, but (without actual verification) I feel like I did pretty well.  And it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good!  It's funny to me how much I like salmon having grown up refusing to eat fish.  I just love me some salmon now!  (moment of pride)

So that was my whirlwind weekend.  Now we are back to "game face" on with our food choices.  Ready to re-vamp the workout schedule.  The tricky part is...there is one more birthday left this month....what healthy choice can I pick to celebrate my day with that will fly with the kiddos?!??!!

 

What is your celebratory food of choice when watching what you eat?