Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Dear Imperfectly Pamela -

**An oldie but a goodie - posted 7/11**



Dear Imperfectly Pamela -
I often find myself judging people that I see sitting in fast food restaurants that are eating things maybe they shouldn't be and they are overweight. How can I stop doing that?
Signed - Judging Judy

Dear JJ -
Let's remember that God made us all in HIS image. While His image is perfect, WE have free will (ack!). None of us is made exactly the same. We all have different things that may tempt us or things we have troubles saying no to. It's unfortunate yes but instead of judging that person, pray for them. Pray that whatever might be the reason they are overweight that God would show it to them & help them to overcome. Some of us are emotional eaters. When the stress gets high, we eat (I know this from experience). The satisfaction of eating whatever we shouldn't outweighs (no pun intended) the disappointment afterward.
Imperfectly Pamela


Think about your life. Is there something that just drives you crazy that you do and know or wish you shouldn't/wouldn't? Anything you feel like sharing?

Personally - around 2-4 in the afternoon I have a MEAN sweet craving. I have stripped my kitchen of all things bad & that forces me to go for the better-for-me stuff. I just need to keep in mind that too much of that isn't a good thing either.

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Christmas cards






Yesterday I wrote about thank you notes.  Today?  Christmas cards.  Oh how I love receiving them in the mail every year!  I love the updates that people write about their family.  I love getting the pictures of the kids (and parents!).  It's a little old fashioned but I love "snail" mail.  I send cards out too.  It's a time of year I just like to sit down & take the time out of my busy-ness to remember my friends & family.  I also write in the names of all the people in the family.  I have a little Christmas "log" book that tells me everyone's name & if I sent one out the year before, etc.  I'm not a real organized person but I do like organization with that. 

What about you?  Do you send out Christmas cards?  Enjoy receiving them?

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Thank you cards





I grew up writing thank-you notes to people after receiving gifts.  Christmas, Birthday - any time we got a gift, we had to send a note.  As I grew up I kept up with that.  My mom still gives us a pack of thank you notes at Christmas time.  I have been trying to get my kids into sending them as well.  Even if it's a picture they draw saying "Thank you!".  I have noticed with email, facebook ,etc people may be finding it so much easier to send an electronic "thank you!".  Honestly?  I still like getting a handwritten card in the mail. 

What about you?  Do you write thank you notes?

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Do you have a plan?





Have you really thought about having a plan for staying on your healthy eating/exercising course over the holidays?  Oh there are so many blogs & websites out there that are offering LOTS of advice.  I just heard one I hadn't heard before.  If you are a drinker, have a glass of water between each drink.  I'm thinking that will help a couple ways really.   What about the one - eating before you go to the party.  Now that is a good one.  My only problem is I eat before then I get there & feel like I can just skip right to the sugar-filled yummies!  When I am asked to bring a dish I always bring my fresh veggies & hummus.  That gives me something I can eat & I won't go right to the dessert table. 

As for all you fellow exercise nuts - don't kill yourself keeping up with the schedule you normally keep for working out.  Allow yourself a vacation day or two to enjoy family & the festivities.  Get right back to it though on the 26th!  Now for me, we are taking a trip to visit family.  We will be in the car for 17 hours one way.  We hope to break up the trip to make it a little more enjoyable but that would mean 2 days of no working out for me.  When I stay in a hotel I always find the stairs & do some running up & down a few times.  My son loves coming with me.  Then we walk the halls for a little bit at a brisk pace.  Makes me feel like I did something worth while. 

I hope this season brings love & family & friends for you all.

Be Blessed & Healthy!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Kitchen Staples





As I prepare for our trip to TX to see my sis & her family there are SO many things to think about, as I'm sure you know.  She sent me a note recently and asked me the "Top 5 staples in my kitchen that I just CAN'T live without".  Well, that got me thinking really.  Truly, I hadn't realized there are certain things that I just NEED, for me anyway, in my kitchen. 




  1. Brown rice
  2. frozen (or fresh) veggies
  3. black beans (any kind really)
  4. almond milk
  5. soy cheese
Now I also realized that I could go on from there too - eggs or egg beaters, gf bread, etc, etc. 

What are your staples in your kitchen?  (Zebra cakes don't count Brittany-  heehee)  Tell me some of the things that you just NEED in your kitchen.  Mine are probably pretty strange to some I'm sure!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Cravings








We all have them.  I find myself craving both sweet & salty stuff & most times at the same time!  I love slipping some carob chips or dark choc chip in a little natural peanut butter then dipping my apple slices in it.  Ok, yes that is what I do.  What do you do?  Come on - good or bad - spill it. 

Also wanted to share a nice WELCOME! to my new followers!  It was like a present seeing you here.  I am happy to check out your site & follow you as well (which I believe I have done with everyone I have publicly following me).  If I haven't let me know!

Ok now spill it.  What do you crave & what cravings do you give in to??

Be Blessed & Healthy!!


Saturday, December 10, 2011

Giving a shout out to Three P's In a Pod  on Say Hi Sunday!!  Go check them out!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Countdown has started!!

Oh my!! Did you know that there are only 15 more days until CHRISTmas!!?? Oh my!! I was at church last night talking with someone about our singing schedule & realized how close it actually is!
We are blessed to be visiting my dear sister & her family this CHRISTmas. I am SO looking forward to seeing them & hanging out with my sister. This is the sister that is my accountability parter with our working out & eating. It will be nice to be LIVE while doing these things.
So, the presents are bought & waiting to be wrapped. We are going to be packing very soon & making last minute arrangements for things. All the while remembering what this time is about. I love this time of year. I love the images of Jesus as a baby.
A little tiny, vulnerable baby. Needing the love & care of Mary & Joseph. I love that God loves ME so much he sent His son here for ME!
So, what are you doing to get ready for CHRISTmas? Are you traveling or staying put?
What are some of your CHRISTmas traditions? I would love to know!!
Be Blessed & Healthy!!







Just wanted to share our CHRISTmas tree with you!!  We call it "Goliath".  Yes there is quite the story behind it.  The short version is it's VERY tall(haha).  Over 9 ft.  There is really only one spot in the house for it besides the middle of the room :)  We just love this tree & it will be able to handle every homemade ornament my children want to make or buy for it.  The lights are colored & so peaceful when we turn all the lights off at night and just leave the tree lit.  I love this time of year.  Did I mention that? 
















Monday, December 5, 2011

Mundane Monday

Love that title.  Well, not really.  Not feeling well today.  I hate days like this.  I have to say though I got my MEGA-workout in this morning though before I realized how yucky I was feeling.  This too shall pass I'm sure.  One thing that always makes me feel complete (besides Jesus & my husband :D)  is a good workout.  You know the kind.  Butt-kicking, covered in sweat, can't lift your arms (or your legs) for anything toward the end of the workout.  I have to admit, I do agree with the whole muscle confusion thing that Tony Horton and I'm sure others talk about with their workouts.  This morning I did a mix of some P90X & TurboFire.  It felt great until I was done & the natural high wore off.   Still worth it to me though.

Another thing - guess who is working out now??  My almost 13yr old son!!  I'm so proud of him.  He plays baseball (is there another sport?) but is on a break right now and needs something to keep him conditioned.  We started him out on some great DVD's that I already had & he is loving it!  He even tried Ab Ripper with me the other day -- I must say the poor boy is still feeling it!  Not for the faint of heart for sure.  As I tell everyone, he did what he could but didn't push it real hard.  He was back there this morning for a good 30 minute workout again though.  So proud of him!!

What are you up to besides getting ready for the holidays?  How do you keep your fitness up with all the business? 

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Shopping & other things








Ah, so Monday, that is CYBER Monday. Anyone taking advantage of the deals? I have to say anything I got today online was NOT a Cyber Monday deal. I must have done it wrong because something was actually $5 MORE today than it was yesterday on Amazon.com. Was a little bummed because I figured if anything it would be cheaper today. I already had my cart ready to go and figured I would wait for today to "checkout". Oh well. I can honestly say that we are done with our shopping -- ok for the most part - for Christmas. Oh if my children knew I would get them EVERYTHING they wanted if I could. My next step is to go through my little girls room to weed out things she doesn't play with :) Good luck with that one huh?
How did you do for Thanksgiving this year? I stuffed myself but feel like I made good choices. I still ate pie but made sure I stayed away from the things I HAVE to stay away from. Sugar was definitely the problem this time around though. I need to get to my happy place that I'm not craving it like I am now.
I managed to work out over the weekend too. I got in short workouts & if you include the Black Friday 100 miles I walked the stores then WOW what a workout I got in that day!!
How did YOU do with your eating/exercise? What are your plans now for this week getting back on track? Don't let the holidays ruin all the good work you have done!!
Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Happy TURKEY Day!!


Well, you would think Tom Turkey would be safe around here since I don't eat meat but I'll tell you the rest of my family are carnivores! So, Tom Turkey BEWARE!!
What are you planning for Thanksgiving? What are some of your traditional dishes? We have a butternut squash to DIE for. It's like dessert for sure! I'm allergic to sweet potatoes (WHAT?) so can't have them on the table. We don't really miss them though with this sweet dish. We also have a cranberry relish that is really yummy. My sisters mil gave her the recipe & I have to say it's a fave in my house too!!
Well, enjoy your Thanksgiving with family & friends. Let's pray for our men & women in the services fighting for the freedoms we have.
Be Blessed & Healthy! (just get back to the healthy Friday morning(-: )

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Body Image

This model would have to change her body to the outlined proportions to be a life-size Barbie. We must teach ourselves and daughters that women can be soft with curvers and still be healthy and strong.
Be Strong & Healthy!!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Gratitude





This morning during our family service the leader for our PreK - 5th grades did the childrens message.  He talked about being grateful for things that maybe you don't feel so good about. 

Last night while getting ready for our worship time this morning ( my son and I are on the praise team), we got a phone call from the keyboard player.  His son, who plays the drums for us, was rear-ended on his scooter.  He was at a red light & the car behind him hit him atleast 30mph.  Thankfully he was wearing a helmet, leather coat & gloves.  I hear the helmet was pretty mangled.  He flew in the opposite direction of the scooter & flipped a few times.  I know it just sounds awful and can't imagine going through it.  I am so thankful, as I'm sure he is and his family, that he was wearing that helmet & not being "too cool" NOT to wear it.  He is hurting alot right now but I'm sure counting his blessings. 

Do you ever look at things that way?  While on vacation in PA at the beginning of October my son got really sick & ended up in the hospital.  My husband wasn't with us but he WAS 3 hours away for business.  Now while it was VERY scary I realized a few things.  We were with my parents & my mom had worked at the hospital over 20 years.  She knows the ins & outs & was able to help me understand what was going on.  Had we stayed home my husband would have been up in PA for his business trip & over a 1,000 miles away when our son went in to the hospital down here.  While I do have a great support network here it would have been so much harder.  So, I can look at that and see the blessings. 

God is so good to us.  He sacrificed His one & only Son for us.  He NEVER changes.  He is ALWAYS there for us.  We are the ones that are fickle & change.  We are the ones that will love Him one minute & think we don't need Him the next. 

During this Thanksgiving season I want to remember how thankful I am for every little (and big) things.  There are so many and I know I take them forgranted all the time.

What are you thankful for?  Do you have any blessings in disguise you can share? 

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Another Pumpkin recipe!!!

Recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie's blog! Check her out!!

Pumpkin Bread in a Bowl
(can be gluten-free)
Inspired by this awesomeness.
  • 1/3 c canned pumpkin (or cooked pumpkin)
  • 3/4 c nondairy milk
  • 1 cup flake cereal (I like spelt flakes, but bran, corn, etc will work. Some people have even used oatmeal!)
  • 1/4 to 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • sweetener (such as stevia, sugar, or even maple syrup)
  • optional: chocolate chips, pecans
Blend all ingredients together. The cereal will have a thin consistency at first, but if you leave it in the fridge (after blending) for even just 10 minutes, it starts to get really thick! I usually make it before I run, and it’s the consistency of thick pudding by the time I return.
Click to see the Nutritional Information.
If you’re using the optional pecans or chocolate chips, you can either blend them right in or sprinkle them on top after serving.





I haven't tryed this but Oh it looks YUMMY!!

Enjoy!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Pumpkin Black Bean Soup


1TB oil

1TB butter (I just use the oil, it’s enough)

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 can (14.5oz) chicken or vege broth

1 can (14.5oz) diced tomatoes in juice

1 can (14.5oz) black beans drained & rinsed

1 can (14.5oz) pumpkin puree

½ cup heavy cream (I use soy or almond milk)

1-1/2 tsp curry powder

1 tsp ground cumin

3 pinches cayenne pepper (1/4tsp)

Coarse salt to taste


Heat deep pot over medium heat. Add oil, butter, when butter melts add onion & sauté 5 minutes until tender. Add broth, tomatoes, black beans & pumpkin. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low & stir in cream, curry & cumin, cayenne & salt. Simmer 5 minutes & enjoy!!


I make my own corn tortilla chips & they taste VERY yummy with this!

Saturday, October 22, 2011



Joining the Blog Hop at Three P's in a Pod.  Hop on over & check it out.  BUT FIRST, leave me a comment & let me know you stopped by.  Tell me what you FAVORITE season is.  Mine is Fall in Florida.

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Fall is HERE!!!


Oh the weather in Florida is just GLORIOUS!!  We are in the 70s today & nice & windy.  I LOVE this time of year in Florida!! 

We took some time to go to PA & visit my parents a couple weeks ago but it wasn't much of a vacation.  My eldest son got really sick & was in the hospital for most of the trip.  While there was no confirmed diagnosis we are very happy he is better & living life like a 16 yr old should.  School & baseball are the main focus again instead of "what's for breakfast, lunch, dinner & when is the next blood draw".  Yuck.

Well, I have tackled a challenge I have had in the back of my mind for a long time.  A spin class!!  My sister is a member of a large gym in the area & invited me to come & check it out.  Let me tell you - KICKED MY BUTT!!!!!.  It was one of the good butt kickins' though :)  I'm looking for a place that I can go and just pay for the class though & not get a membership.  They just don't seem to offer that stuff here though.  we'll see.  I may just have to be a professional "guest".  There is NO way I can just do 1 spin class & say I'm done.  I must have more!!  Yet another mountain to conquer for me.

I'm still healing from my plantar fascitis & whatever happened with my elbow.  Tennis & golf elbow are actual REAL things & I have them both in the same elbow it seems.  Don't play either sport!  Funny.  So, I am looking forward to when I can run again.  I would be happy with a slow, leisurely jog at this point!  Looking forward also to my heavier weights. 

I have been able to get my workouts in though without taking much of a break.  Pilates, Yoga & some of things have been great for me during this time.  I have been able to get a little more active & incorporated some cardio in with my TurboFire DVDs.  Gotta love Chalene.  Jillian Michaels has been seen in my living room lately too :)  30 Day Shred is a GREAT dvd for shorter intense workouts if you don't have alot of time. 

How are you celebrating Fall?  Getting out there with your family?  Talking walks or just playing in the yard?  I hope so!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Monday, September 19, 2011

A Great Man








It's been a while since I have posted. I'll get to that in another post. Today I want to honor the memory of a great man. My father in law.








Papa Andy

There are so many reasons this man was great. First was his love for God. I'm not talking about a Sunday morning love for God. I'm talking about a walking the walk, talking the talk, living every moment he had here on earth for his Savior. He didn't hesitate to share the love of God with EVERYONE he came in contact with. Including this sinner that is typing this. When his son started dating me I have to wonder what he thought. I refused to go to church at first. Really! Then I realized that would be the only way to spend Sunday mornings with my (at the time) boyfriend.

My father in law was patient and kind. He followed God's heart and shared Gods love with a young girl that didn't know she had a Savior that loves her like He does. He made our children, his grandchildren feel loved & welcome at any time. He spoiled them rotten with his time. The best kind of spoiled I know!!

When people are asking where you were 10 years ago. I know where I was that fateful day the towers fell & the US was attacked. I also know right where I was exactly a week later when my Savior took one of my favorite people to heaven to worship with Him.

I look forward to that day when we can all be there together!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Serotonin

Pamela's definition of Serotonin -- one of the chemicals that our brains need & without enough we are depressed.

As I have mentioned in the past I struggle with depression. I have been trying to work to take care of things naturally & I'm learning some things I would love to share with you.

There are some things we can be sure to do to help boost the serotonin. Exercise, sleep & eating certain foods.

Something I have found out that sleep (7-9 hours) is not only a good thing but when you go to sleep is important too. Hadn't thought about that. Last night I went to bed close to midnight & got 7-1/2 hours of sleep in but when I woke up I felt like I hadn't gotten much sleep. If I'm in bed before 10pm I can get up at 6 or so and feel pretty well rested. I find that very interesting. Honestly this is VERY hard for me to go to bed by 10 because I'm more of a nightowl. I'm hoping eventually it will get easier :)

Here are some foods that help give a boost to the serotonin production. (I found this at http://www.livestrong.com/article/288554-list-of-foods-with-serotonin/).

GrainsFoods rich in vitamin B such as brown rice, wheat germ, wholegrain cereals, yeast extracts and brewers' yeast, help with serotonin production, according to Scottish general practitioner and author, Dr. Dan Rutherford of NetDoctor. Eating granola, oatmeal, whole grain cereal or a whole grain muffin for breakfast will start your day with nutrients that help boost serotonin.

Fish, Poultry and MeatSalmon, fresh tuna, snapper, sardines, herring, mackerel and halibut are high in tryptophan and excellent sources of serotonin, according to the World's Healthiest Foods nonprofit website. Poultry, such as chicken and turkey are excellent sources of the tryptophan necessary for serotonin to stay at an optimal level in the body and brain. Meat, including beef, lamb and liver can provide amino acids and other nutrients that facilitate the creation of serotonin.

Nuts and SeedsWalnuts are especially beneficial for serotonin production. Flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, peanuts, almonds and cashews can increase serotonin in the body.

OilsEssential fatty acids increase serotonin production. These nutrients include the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, walnut and flax oil. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in canola, grapeseed, safflower, sunflower and wheat germ oils. Gamma-linoleic acid is found in spirulina or blue-green algae and black currant, evening primrose and borage oils.

DairyEggs are protein rich and contain amino acids and essential fatty acids necessary to produce serotonin. Egg whites are ranked very high on the serotonin food list. Lower levels of tryptophan are found in milk and a variety of cheeses, according to Outofstress.com. Cottage cheese and yogurt are also good foods to eat to increase and maintain your serotonin levels.

FruitsBananas, kiwi, pineapple, plantains, plums, grapefruit, mango, honeydew and cantaloupe have a high serum concentration, which makes them very useful in serotonin production. Tomatoes and avocado are also rich in nutrients necessary for serotonin to develop and reach optimal levels in the brain.

VegetablesCorn, broccoli, cauliflower and green leafy vegetables such as spinach are serotonin-rich, as are baked potatoes with skin, mustard greens and mushrooms. Soy products, including soy milk, tofu and soybeans provide nutrients that help serotonin levels stay stable.

Sea VegetablesSea vegetables include kelp, seaweed and spirulina -- a blue-green algae -- contain tryptophan, an essential amino acid that is necessary for creating serotonin in the brain.

Legumes and BeansLentils, mung beans, chickpeas, peas, cooked beans -- kidney, black, lima, navy and pinto -- are good sources of serotonin, as are foods such as hummus and lentil soup, which are made with these products


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/288554-list-of-foods-with-serotonin/#ixzz1UltaQYXe

So, I hope this helps someone out there that might want to try a more natural was of doing things. I also realize there are many out there that need to take an antidepressant. Just wanted to share some things I'm learning.

What do you do when you are feeling down? Are you a pull the covers over my head kind of person or get up and do something to try to get over it quicker? I think I fall somewhere in the middle.

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Friday Funny


Some would say he would rather suffocate himself than trade in french fries for apple dippers

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Motivation or lack there of???

What motivates you?

I want to be healthy. I want to feel good in my body too. That's important to me. I want my little girl (and boys) to grow up with healthy body images.

What saps your energy?

A day of NOT eating well or of being so busy I can't find the time to put together something healthy. I also feel very drained when I have a mess that I just can't begin to figure out how to clean it up. While others might just walk in and know right where to start, I struggle alot because I see a mountain not a mole hill.

So, what motivates you? How do you get passed the things that sap your energy?

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

You're getting sleepy......


Sleep. How much do you get? Hmmm, not sure that I'm consistant at all. I go through my ups and downs. Some nights a good 7-8 and others 5 or so. How important IS sleep anyway?

There are alot of studies that show sleep is very important for weight loss & maintaining your weight. When we don't get enough sleep there is a change in hormones that will actually trigger hunger. A new study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says not enough sleep will also aid in slowing down our metabolism.

Well, I don't want either of those! I have a hard enough time keeping my weight where it is and I definitely can't seem to lose anymore so I'm thinking if sleep is what my body needs than I need to do my best at giving it that.

Do you struggle with getting enough sleep? Are you a night owl??

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Say Hi Sunday



Joining 3 P's In A Pod with "Say Hi Sunday".





HI there!!

Go on over & join. If I can do it -- it MUST be easy!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Happy 16th Birthday Son

16 years ago today I gave birth to my first child, a boy.

DH and I are very proud of him. Yes, we experience the usual teen things but all in all we couldn't be more proud. He is showing himself to be a very strong young man with convictions. We have brought him up to know God and we pray that he continue along that path that we know God has for him.

He is a great older brother
<(meeting little sister)
who likes to tease as much as he can. When the chips are down he is there to help pick up. He is very intelligent and doing very well with his schooling. He is dual enrolling at the local college for his Junior year. He has loved baseball since he was 8 & continues along that path.
He has played Varsity with the high school since freshman year. We just love to watch him play. (10yr old Allstar)>
He also taught himself how to play the guitar & leads our youth band at church. He is amazing to me.



making little bro do all the work....








before the baseball banquet



AW - Dad and I love you so much. It is so hard to let go sometimes but we are trying little by little to help you spread your wings. You will always be my little boy and while I may see that little boy when I look at you, I am also in awe of the young man God is growing you into. Thank you for sticking to your convictions & continuing to pursue God.


Tell me about your 1st child. Was it hard for you to let go?

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

What inspires me to keep this blog?

I have some friends that are pretty good at keeping a blog. I love reading them too. Even though I may know what is going on in their lives people tend to keep a blog about certain things. There are some that are sharing their different dietary restrictive lives. I happen to be gluten, dairy, meat free. I prefer to stay away from refined sugars as well. It's nice to read blogs about similar issues & possibly get some ideas & recipes.

I also enjoy exercise. If you had told me 6 years ago that I would and I would have laughed in your face.
It is truly an addiction and unless you try it consistently for 30+ days, I'm not sure you would quite understand it. I love the way I feel when I'm done & how I feel accomplished the whole rest of the day. This is why I decided to keep this blog. I found there are so many out there that just feel like exercising is too much work or boring. I'm sure there are many other excuses but really I can't get past these things. With the variety of workouts that are out there now there is something for everyone. Including people with things like Fibromyalgia. I have friends with this and it just breaks my heart to hear them say how miserable they are feeling. As with all workouts, we need to check with our doctors to make sure we are ready physically for certain workouts but I would be shocked for a doctor to tell their patient that a workout would not be good for them.

Some are affected by the heat more than others. That is when a DVD works great OR find a workout facility where you can possibly be part of a class or two there. If money is an issue the library has some you can try out. Amazon has some great workouts DVD's that are $10.00 or under. For $25.00 (including shipping) I just got 3 great DVD's from Amazon. Now that is a deal!

So, that is why I write this blog. I don't know how many really read it but all I figure is if one person reads it and something I have said resonates with them and possibly makes them get out there and get healthier, well, it's all worth it to me.

Why do you keep a blog? How do you advertise your blog?

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

5 Top Faves

I wanted to share my top 5 favorite blogs right now:

1. The Not So Perfect Housewife I love this for a few reasons. I am also a "not so perfect housewife" and on this blog she talks about her ups & down with every day life. She reviews some really cool books, including cookbooks and since we have very similar dietary restrictions it's great to get some recipes as a bonus. She also happens to be a wonderful Godly woman & friend.

2. 9 Kid Fitness I love fitness & eating well. I love learning new things about this too. Whitney over at 9 Kit Fitness has a positive & very encouraging blog to help others that are also looking to better their lives with fitness & eating well.

3. The Romantic Vineyard I came across this blog and just knew the timing was perfet. If you are married or engaged I'm positive you will walk away with something that will benefit your communication in your marriage. No marriage is perfect but the One who created it is. They know this and are sharing what they have learned with others and from the comments, they are blessing many.

4. Confessions of a Daydream Believer I love going to this blog & seeing what Andrea has to share with us every day. I love her positive outlook on just about everything. I can also say I share a few things in common with her -- we both homeschool our WONDERFUL children & we both pretty much can't survive without our coffee. She is an author that is sharing some of one of her books right now. Check her out!

5. As Far As We Can Go Ah, this one is more personal really. This is my cousin Amy & her husband Brian. They have decided to traverse the world -- on their bikes!! Their trip started Jan 2011 & they recently stopped to rest in Odessa/Ukraine. The pictures are just beautiful and just make me want to really go to some of the places they are visiting. I love hearing the stories they tell about the experiences.

Well, these are my top blogs of the moment. I hope you find time to check them out. Enjoy!!

What are some of YOUR favorite blogs?

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Fell off the wagon...




Well, I have missed a few days of doing my Ultimate Blog Challenge
I'm thinking the best thing for me to do is just pick up where I "fell" off and keep on going.

Things in my world have gotten a little crazy. Like rollercoaster ride crazy. When I got the tendonitis in my foot I figured that was ok, I will work out in other ways. Then the muscle in my back got a little perturbed at that :/ As I lay on my chiropractors table on an ice pack I realized I'm not 20 anymore. No, I didn't really think I was but as you work out you get to feeling awesome & some times may over-do as I did. It's hard not to get discouraged but I keep thinking this is VERY temporary. I'm incredibly blessed to have my health & will see running & weights again very soon.

What do you do when you have an injury? How do you balance your workouts so you don't get hurt?

Would LOVE to hear from you!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Thinking positive during your run




If you know me or have been following me at all you know I love to run. Well, my blogging friend over at http://www.9kidfitness.com shared about her recent run with her friend Coach Dan. He has a great story and I know my running friends out there would love to read this. He talks about being positive during your run. We all know there are times when we are just hitting a wall.

What do you do to get through a run when you just don't feel like you can go on any more? Would love to hear!!

Thanks for sharing Whitney!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

In a rut??


Ever find yourself in a rut? Maybe you are trying to get healthy or have been for a while and you have noticed you can't lose anymore weight or you are finding that you just don't see anymore changes happening with your body. It may just be your workouts (OR your food)!! Some times our bodies just get used to the same old thing and eventually that just isn't going to work anymore. We need to shake things up a bit. Some times we are FORCED to shake things up a bit :)

In the past (and present) I have found myself injured and can't do my regular workouts. It's hard to transition to a more lower cardio exercise mode but we (I) have to do what we(I) have to do!

So here is the plan......until this tendonitis in my heel gets better - more Yoga,
stretching & Pilates mixed in with my beloved weight training & some bike riding. Not that leisurely bike ride though. I am quite addicted to that high cardio rush I get so maybe the bike can help during this "down" time of mine. I'm looking forward to the changes I might see by switching things up a bit.

What do you do when you need to change things up a bit? Do you find yourself in a rut some times? Tell me about it!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

BTW - I just happened to be cruising around on line & found this article about staying motivated with your workouts.

http://weightloss.about.com/od/exercise/a/blexercisevar.htm

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Organic or Not Organic?

Saw this video come across my Facebook page recently. Out of the mouths of babes. This little girl just started out with wanting to grow more potatoes. She found a lot more than she thought. Hope you have the chance to check this out.



Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Wish List.....

Doesn't everyone have a wish list? I started making one years ago and keep it on the side of the fridge so my honey doesn't have to wonder or ask what I would like for those times he gets me things :) Funny thing is, now the things on the list are the very high priced items. Off the top of my head I believe the VitaMix is still up there as opposed to being in my cabinet :)

Here are some other things I would love to have. See a trend here?:

Insanity with Shaun T (dvds)
Brazil Butt Lift (dvds - I know this is silly but I have heard some great things about it)
Chalean Extreme (dvds)
RevAbs

I already have lots of Leslie Sansone, Denise Austin, Billy Blanks, P90X & TurboFire. I love all of them. Mostly I use the last 2 though & I run whenever I can. I have heard if I become a BeachBody coach I would get a discount. Hmmmm, very enticing.

Now maybe I'll email my husband a link to my blog.

What's on your "wish list"?

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Ahhh, Sunday

Sundays should be peaceful. I can say today is. I realized last night that I (somehow) got behind by a day in my blog challenge. Probably because I had time to sit and try to rest my back and that is when I realized it :) Anyway. This morning was really good at church. I sing on the Praise Team every other weekend & just really missed it for some reason. I decided to NOT workout today. Yes, I said it. I need a day of rest and I am taking it. I would atleast do an extended stretch or yoga on a nice peaceful day like today but some times our bodies tell us we need to just rest.

This got me to thinking about priorities. We are trying to teach our children about priorities & how important they are. You put the wrong thing first & other things can fall apart. Being a Christian my choice is to put God first, then my husband & family. I can tell when I get things out of whack for sure.

Just some random thoughts for my #9 post. I will be back later with #10. Then I'll be caught up.

Have any aha moments lately? Make some changes in your life that have really just turned things around for you? I would love to hear about them!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Humbled

Well, this morning I pulled a muscle in my upper back AGAIN during a workout. I immediately iced it and I lay on the floor (not able to move, my son had to bring me the ice pack). My chiropractor isn't in until Tuesday. I'm really praying that it isn't like last time but time will tell. I knew I was pushing things a bit far this morning with my workouts but still didn't stop. I got lazy and didn't use my abs when I should have. Lessons learned daily. Thank you Lord.

Be Blessed & Healthy!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Admiration

There are a few people I really admire. Since I'm focusing here on health/fitness it narrows my field a little :)

I truly admire people that have a dream & do what they can to really follow it. They don't let their nerves or negativity get in the way. There is one person in my life that has done this in the last couple years. She followed her desire to learn more about nutrition & took the time out of her already busy schedule to take classes in NYC one weekend per month. The thing is - she lives in Houston, TX! She continued to keep up with her regular job, her step-sons & their busy schedules & of course her loving husband who stood beside her while she followed this dream. Now she has a job that she has been at for many years & it pays the bills right now but her dream is taking being a nutrionist very seriously & wants to eventually only be doing that. She is making sure her priorities are right. She wants to bless others with her knowledge of healthy eating and speaks at womens groups at churches when she is able to.

Something else I admire is that she struggles just like all of us to make sure her family is eating properly. It's hard most times to explain that drinking that bottle of soda (that is meant for 2!) is just not healthy and there are other options. She is GREAT at finding healthy alternatives so her family AND her can eat and be happy & satisfied.

A little less than a year ago she and her family were skiing & she fell and tore her ACL & meniscus (at her knee). She had to have surgery & continues to amaze me at how well she is doing. She is a go-getter & had to depend on others to help her along through her recovery. God is good isn't He? He just guided her and gave her the patience & humility she needed/needs.

She is my accoutability partner with eating & working out. She is my sounding board with all things life related. She is one of my bestest :) friends.


Best of all -- she is my sister.

Love you Jackie!!

Go check out her website.

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

To change the world.....

It's so hard for me to watch how people eat & let their kids eat today. Knowing what we know. Really. Fried foods - we know how bad they are for us right? Sugar. Ok I realize in moderation maybe for some but honestly why?

I hear people telling young adults it's ok for them to eat anything they want because their metabolism is so good. They will just burn it right off. Really? That bothers me very much. The soda with all that sugar & acid that the kids are drinking today is just amazing to me. It breaks my heart to see so many overweight children when there just doesn't have to be.

Fast food restaurants are making it so easy for this to happen too with their .99 cent menus.

What can I do about it? Not really sure. I do know I can start with my house. My kids & husband. It's harder with my oldest. He was the one who got to have food from fast food places. I have to admit though. He does make better choices now then he ever did. He is very athletic & knows he needs a healthy body to do what he likes doing. My middle son has some food allergies and knows when he eats the wrong stuff he suffers for it. My youngest hasn't really had the oppurtunity to eat much bad stuff. I find she can't stomach it when someone gives it to her though. That does make me secretly happy though.

I don't know. I think we can make a difference. I just don't know where to start. So I'll keep doing what I'm doing. Keep running & exercising & inviting people to join me. Keep buying the healthier/organic foods. Maybe some day things will change.

What about you? Is there something in the world you would like to see changed? Something you have taken on to change? I would love to hear about it!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Little frustrations.....

I'm so excited to be doing the Ultimate Blog Challenge. One of the things I am to be doing is commenting on others' blogs. I love to do that! I love getting comments & therefore I like to leave comments. Well, for some reason Blogger isn't allowing me to leave comments. Anywhere! Even on my own blog! It seems really silly to me. At first I thought I was the only one but I just found another that is also frustrated with this problem. So, here I go....

For those of you that have commented on my blog recently. Thank you! I so appreciate you coming & reading my blog & leaving such nice words for me.

I also wanted to let you know that I will take the pain in my heel seriously & have it checked out.

Well, as simple as it is, I have completely my Day 5 challenge with the UBC. I have also figured out how to leave a comment withOUT Blogger. It only works with some blogs but I have left my comments & feel better about it :)

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Success & Set-Backs (UBC - Day 4)

The 5K is complete! My end time was 34:30. It was CRAZY there!! This was the 20th Anniversary of the Watermelon 5K here in Central Florida. I guess everyone wanted to come out & be part of it. There were over 3,000 people there!! It was pretty difficult to run it because there were lots of people running & walking so they were stopping right in front of the runners. Thankfully I didn't have any crashes with anyone.

Running through this area was neat. It was mostly residential. Unfortunately with it being so crowded there wasn't much watching the scenery as there was watching for people in front of me. I have decided to up my level a bit and start training more for a 10K. I think many people out there want to complete a 5K & they are going to start getting pretty crazy crowded. Since I know I can do them I need to see what else can challenge me. I told my husband when I started running I would LOVE to be able to do a 1/2 marathon. Now THAT would be cool.

The "Set Back" part of my title is this. I believe I have Plantar Fasciitis.

It's my left heel and to be honest I am completely self-diagnosing here. It always hurts worse after running. I have been training more for barefoot running lately and when I put my sneakers back on I find it gets worse. I think eventually I will need to get this checked out. It didn't slow me down today though!

I am VERY happy to say though that my friend that just completed the Couch to 5K program completed her FIRST 5K today!! I am so proud of her. Her husband is in his 3-4th week of the program & was able to join us today too. We now have another friend over at The Not So Perfect Housewife that is taking on this challenge too. I'm so proud of my friends. It is the best feeling to be exercising & making your body healthy. God has given us this miracle of a body. It's our job to keep it healthy so we can continue to do His will!!

What about you? Ever feel like just getting out there and running? It's another great way to fellowship with others!!

Thank you for your good wishes on the 5K!! I hope you got to enjoy this 4th with family & friends!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Preparing for a 5K




One of my goals when I started running was to be able to run a 5K. There is something very rewarding when I run across the finish line & see my time and have all those people cheering me on. Well I have been on a little hiatus from my running. I had surgery & had to take some time off and when my time was up the heat was on here in Florida. You can't keep me down though. The feeling I get while I'm running is just too much to hold me back.

Tomorrow I will be running in the 1st 5K since my surgery. A good friend of mine (who I blogged about in "Healthy Eating") was just finishing her Couch to 5K program & wanted to complete it with a 5K. What better day to do that then on Independence Day!! We are registered to run tomorrow morning at 7:30.

I'm really looking forward to it. I have to say there is still that nervousness that I may not be prepared. I try not to go full out right before a race so I know I am not going to fatigue my body before the race. Yesterday I ran 2-1/4 miles & it felt great. Today I am taking it easy and will get a good nights rest to be ready in the morning. Remembering to stay hydrated tonight & tomorrow as well. This Florida heat will do a person in that is just standing still!!

Happy Independence Day Everyone!!
Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Ultimate Blog Challenge Day 1 (and 2) About Me

Yesterday I happened across the Ultimate Blog Challenge when I visited my friend over at Confessions of a Daydream Believer. I have been trying to figure out more ways to get my blog out there and this is a great idea!

Today's blog I just want to share a little about myself. I'm a stay at home, homeschooling mom of 3 children. 2 boys almost 16 & 12 and a little girl 5-1/2. I am married to an awesome, Christ loving man and I wouldn't trade my life for anything.

About 5 years ago I decided I needed to make some healthier changes in my life. My diet was the first to change. I eventually became a vegetarian and I love it. I can honestly tell you I don't miss meat. There are so many other options to choose from. I also found out through an elimiation diet that I am gluten intolerant & am allergic to dairy. After cutting those 2 out of my diet I saw some great changes with my body. One of the great things was I don't feel so bloated & gross after eating. Another thing I did was my best to eliminate refined sugar from my diet as well. It's amazing to me how my tastes have changed when I took out the bad stuff.

In doing this I found that my middle son also has a gluten intolerance & my little girl is now gluten & dairy free. We are mostly stomach ache free too!!!

Once I got my eating & diet under control I realized I needed to be a little more active (other than driving my kids around and running after them :) ). I started easy with some Leslie Sansone dvd's & Denise Austin. I got to the point that they weren't challenging me anymore and I changed to some bigger things like Beachbody's P90X and now TurboFire.
Another thing I do is run. It's so freeing to get out there and just run. I started off with walking of course but ended up slow jogging with a good friend & now I'm running. (If you are interested in how to start running & just don't know how visit the Coach to 5K site. I hear it's a great way to train!)

Some would say I'm addicted and I would have to tell them that it's an addiction I'm ok with :) I feel so much better than I have before. I have been a sufferer of depression & while I'm certainly not completely better I see a big difference when I work out. It releases the chemicals in your brain that help with depression. My hope is some day I can be a certified personal trainer to help others in this way too.

Another thing about me and is the best of all. I'm a God following, Jesus loving Christian & when I made the clear decision to be that it changed my life completely. I hope I show people every day my love for Christ.

If you have any questions about any of this I would love to hear from you! Thanks for visiting/following my blog. Let me know about yours. I would love to follow you too!!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Baseball tourney = mini vacation for me!

Wow, what a week we had! We knew we were going to be in Jupiter/West Palm Beach, Fl for atleast 7 days but could be 10. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE watching my son play ball. He is amazing to watch & he is completely in his element while on the field. I just thought being away for that long in a hotel would really break me AND the bank. I finally realized before the trip I need to see this as a vacation for me and the kids as my DH worked around the games. (He is blessed to have a job he can do that with). We stayed at a GREAT hotel - Hawthorne Suites We had 2 nice sized beds, a very large bathroom & a living room area completely with a little kitchen, full size fridge & 2 burners.



Now, there were 5 of us in this room most times and honestly while it was tight, it was very nice. I didn't mind at all having my family so close. The hotel employees were just wonderful. Having lots of baseball families there they put up with alot. Our boys did have curfews but they are also teenage boys that are quite active. They played a rendition of wiffle ball in our hallway and the parking lot any chance they could. They hooked up a game station (can't remember xbox/playstation who knows but them) on the tv in the sitting area down by the lobby and they hung out down there. They were very well behaved but really the employees there were really good about things.

I did get to visit the fitness room and it was so nice & clean. I made myself run on the treadmill 2 days I was there. The rest of the time I improvised with other things like running the stairs til my legs felt like they would fall off. I took my own hand weights & also did squats when I couldn't get out otherwise.

The boys had games every day we were gone but one. Wednesday I decided we needed to see the beach down there. I love our beach here but honestly when I saw the Jupiter beach I had to stop for a moment to take it all in.
I was truly taken aback by the beauty of the color of the water. The sand was a little coarser than we are used to but it was so beautiful. The water was so clear the boys could put their mask on and go out and see clear down to the sand to look for shells & rocks. We had so much fun.







We spent lots of time at the pool at the hotel too.













How did the boys do? They made it to the semi-finals & the last game was a game between pitchers. The game went 7 innings 0-0. The 8th inning went to a tie-breaker & we lost. The boys played hard in the heat & should be really proud of themselves. I know we are!





We are back to life as usual for a few more days. Just til the next tournament. No more nights away though.






I hope you are having a great summer & can find some time to enjoy your family. I'm learning so much more every day that there are things that just need to take priority. I take so much forgranted.

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

(please pay no attention to the date on the pictures. I had to change my batteries & it wiped out my date -- duh)

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Healthy Eating


I have a friend that was told she was "predisposed genetically" for things like high cholesterol. She made a decision to make some changes to her lifestyle starting with exercise and then changing her family's eating habits. She has chosen to be vegan which is when you don't have any animal products at all (eggs, dairy, etc). In doing so her latest blood work came back (drumroll please) NORMAL!! I'm so very proud of her. She is also in the middle of the "Coach to 5K" program. That is where you start off walking 5K (approx 3.2 miles) and by the end of 9 weeks you are running. She is doing AWESEOME. As you know I love to run and am really excited that I have a friend that is so excited about running and I will hopefully have a running partner very soon. We hope to sign up for a 5K as soon as her 9 weeks is up.

So I am not only writing this because I'm just so darn proud of my friend but I'm writing this to say hey, you can do this too! It does work. While I can't guarantee all your numbers will be in the normal range I can tell you that you will feel SO much better making yourself healthier. God created our bodies for so much more than what we put in them and what we do physically. Push yourself and see what you can do. You may just surprise yourself!! I would love to hear about your progress or what you have done in the past to make you and your family healthier.

I wanted to start this blog to maybe pass on some of the things I have learned and possibly help someone else take a step toward better health. You can do the same! Share what you have learned with someone. Grab a friend for a workout. Get out there and make things happen. You deserve it!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Monday, June 6, 2011

"Choosing To See" by Mary Beth Chapman with Ellen Vaughn




I have just finished reading this book and was completely taken in and convicted of many things. Mary Beth Chapman is very open and real in this book. She covers alot of her history before talking about the accident that took her daughter Maria's life & threatened her son Will's faith (and the whole family) as well. This is a book I would absolutely want to own and reread as often as possible. As I am on the cusp of watching my first born go on his way to college & start a new part of his life, watching our 2nd son enter the sometimes scary world of teenage-dom & our daughter is just starting really being just 5 I realize how much I need to treasure & hold on to every moment, moody or not. I want to make sure I let my children know I love them happy, grumpy, sad or mad. They are loved by me unconditionally. I need to remember that when my depression decides to show it's ugliness that I have 3 very impressionable young lives here that are just as affected by this. Asking for help is ok. Sometimes that might mean taking a little pill that will help some of the symptoms of depression. That might even mean seeking help in the form of therapy.

Mary Beth & Steven Curtis Chapman are real people and they live their faith outloud. I have loved SCC's music for a long time and MBC quotes many of his songs in her book. The songs mean so much more reading all they have gone through. It amazes me how they have gone through such a horrible tragedy and can continue to "chin up" and help to lead people to Christ through all this.

I hope this makes sense. I hope you go out and get this book & read it. Let me know what you think of it. I hope it touches you as well.

http://marybethchapman.com/?page_id=74

http://www.amazon.com/Choosing-SEE-Journey-Struggle-Hope/dp/0800719913/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307396111&sr=8-1

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

The Versatile Blogger Award

My wonderful blogging friend, The Not So Perfect Housewife, put me on her Versatile Blogger Award list. Now, being a new blogger this had me for a few minutes on how to go about following through with this. So here we go.




Here are the rules:
You have to share 7 things about yourself and then pass along the award to 15 other bloggers.

Here are 7 things about me:

1 - I live in Florida & while I never thought I would even enjoy living here I'm happy to say I call it home and truly mean it! When I go up north to PA to visit Mom & Dad I am cold and miserable. I love the heat here!!

2 - I love to scrapbook but NEVER find the time to anymore. It's something that is on my mind alot as to how I could scrap some pictures I just took. Maybe some day....

3 - Blogging scares me! Why is that? Don't have any idea. My friend just helped me revamp my blog & I couldn't believe how much I didn't know & how nervous it made me to change things. I do love a challenge though!!

4 - I love baseball! It took my boys to be playing it but I know alot more than I ever thought I would. Hey, one day I may be watching one of my boys in the pros!!

5 - I have needed my 5 yr old daughter to teach me how to play again. Really, the make-pretend part of my brain fell asleep a long time ago.

6 - I am addicted to exercise (Ok, if you follow my blog you knew that already). When I'm out running & can't stand it anymore and feel like I'm going to quit I start going through scripture that I know that will help me keep going. I imagine Jesus just being right beside me.

7 - My husband and I took ballroom dance lessons for 2 yrs. I loved it and hated to stop. It was the only time he and I got to really be together & alone (well, except for our instructor). One day when our kids are living their own lives we will dance again. I just know it!!

Here are some blogs that I follow pretty regularly that I would love to pass this on to:

Your Successful Family

Fit Food Lover

Confessions of a Daydream Believer


I know there aren't 15 but this is a good start!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Travel




We are blessed to have 3 wonderful children. Our oldest has been playing baseball since he was 8 years old and, not to sound TOO braggy, he is really good at it. He is a sophmore in high school & has been playing with the varsity team for 2 years now. For this summer he made a team that is traveling around Florida. We were hoping to get an RV to cut the costs of these trips down but weren't able to do that SO, here we go hotel hopping :). I have to say, I'm really excited about this time! Now, normally traveling doesn't bring out the best in everyone since we are all so different but I'm really looking forward to this. The level of play will be awesome & honestly? I don't have ANY problem having someone come in and clean our room!!

One of my problems with traveling though is making sure I keep our eating healthy & continue my exercise regimen which truth be told, I'm told is pretty intense. So, here are a couple tips I can come up with off the top of my head.

Bring healthy snacks (i.e. nuts, dried fruit (in moderation, high sugar content), rice cakes w/nut butter, veggies).

Order a salad and eat that first.

Since you may not have a fridge for leftovers, make sure you order the lunch portion & not dinner. This is usually just 1/2 the dinner portion and honestly all you will need after that salad!!

WATER - WATER - WATER.

Pretend the elevator is OUT OF ORDER. Take the stairs any time you are able to.

Park far away from wherever you are going so you can walk.

Stick a couple handweights into your overnight bag and use them. (haha - I did this one time and felt sorry for the guy carrying our bags. I took 26lbs worth!!)

I think that is good for now. Do you have something you do that helps with your food choices & exercise while you travel? Let me know!

Oh - did I mention to drink lots of water?? heehee

Be Blessed & Healthy!!