Monday, April 30, 2012

Neuroma.....Tarsal Tunnel Syndrom.....?

Had the therapy session this morning for my foot.  I think we are going with it's Neuroma and will treat it that way.   I happen to have a double blessing.  Not only do I get to go to a great place for the therapy but it's also a friend of ours doing it.  I get to go & have fun while getting tortured (not really). 

It's hard to come to terms with the fact I'm injured & I do need to adjust how I'm doing things for now.  John did tell me we will get me back to running but slowly & carefully so I don't re-injure myself.  You know what?  I DO want to run again & do my normal cardio so I'm going to be a good girl & listen to him.  Yes, if he gives me exercises to do at home for it I will.  I'll be good :)

Tomorrow my plan is to go for a bike ride & get some cardio that way.  I live in a beautiful part of Florida & the weather has been just perfect.  I'm going to take advantage of it now.

What are you favorite places to ride your bike, walk or run?  What makes it your favorite? 

 Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Happy Birthday SIS!!




40 years ago today I got a new baby sister!!  She is STILL my baby sister.  We have had alot of ups & downs and now I can honestly say she is also one of my best friends. 

Happy Birthday Andrea!  You are an awesome woman of God, Mommy, Wife, Sister & Friend.  I love you!!

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Veggie Garden Pics

As promised! Here are some pictures of our verticle vegetable garden.  My husband has been trying so hard for the 14 years we have been in FL to have a garden atleast 1/2 as good as the one he had in PA.  It's so hard for us because the dirt here is just sand.  We had it tested and it's just barely good for growing weeds :).  We ended up buying dirt & got the idea of using pots & going verticle from an organic co-op garden we used to be part of.  It is working!!  We have been getting lettuce & broccoli already.  We picked our first cauliflower as well.  At this point we are trying all kinds of things & seeing what works for us.  It's so exciting & my kids are loving it too.  It's so hard to walk by the garden & not pick the red cherry tomatoes  - especially for my 6 yr old.  She is addicted!!


This is where we started at the beginning of March:




Today:



This is what came off it today:






Do you have a vegetable garden?  How does yours grow?  Do you keep it organic?  What are you growing?  Please share!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Friday, April 27, 2012

Gardening with the Kids

Oh my what a beautiful day!!  It hit about 90 here in Central Florida & after a morning of a yucky dr appt I called my 2 youngest kids & said be ready to get in the car when I get home.  I took them over to Lowe's & let them pick out plants to put in their gardens.  My 13 yr old son took over the plot that used to be the butterfly garden.  We still have some butterfly hosts plants in there but he is choosing to put some more color in there too. 




Miss E my 6 yr old princess has a spot outside her bedroom window.  When she was just a baby I would sit at her window with her & we would look out & enjoy all the pretty things outside.  She remembers alot of it & said she can't wait to enjoy that again with all these new plants.  She also picked Spearmint & Parsley to plan since they do ok with part sun.  Her plot doesn't get alot of sun. 



Of course when they were all done we just HAD to turn the sprinklers on!  There has to be some rinsing off & watering all the new plants.  I'm sure this wasn't fun AT ALL.  Can you tell how they weren't having fun?



Last but NOT least, my son M found this little friend in his garden.  He put it in our veggie garden to help us out there. 



So, I know you know I can't let you go without a little fitness/health talk right?  Well, now.  Gardening is a GREAT way to get out there & get some physical fitness.  Get down & dirty & pull those weeds, push that wheelbarrow, shovel that dirt.  Yes, that all counts as a workout.  Now, it doesn't and shouldn't take the place of a good cardio workout but it does count. 

Tell me about your garden.  Do you have a flower or veggie or both?  We also have a great vegetable garden.  It's my husbands creation for sure.  I don't have that kind of green thumb.  I'm so proud of him.  I'll posts pictures of that next!!  You want to see a REALLY cool garden?  Check out my friends blog over at The Not So Perfect Housewife.

If you stop by let me know.  Just leave me a comment & say hi.  Thanks!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Foot Pain - don't ignore it!

Well I have done it again.  I finished a workout about 3 weeks ago & my heel was hurting.  It felt like someone was holding a hot poker against my heel & up the inner part of my foot.  With having had Plantar Fascitis.  I thought that was bad!  Atleast with that I could tape up & be on my way.  Not with this.  I need to stop running & curb my high cardio for a while until we get this one under control.   My physical therapist believes this is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome.

I'm taking it all in stride though (haha) or trying to.  It feels a little better to be in my sneakers so here is the barefoot girl wearing sneakers as much as possible.  I'm trying to be patient & appreciate my friends for their patience in me! 

So, what are some things you do to adjust when you get an injury?  Would really love to hear!!

Oh, I do plan to get back to running as soon as my therapist tells me I can.  AND I don't believe this has anything to do with my age :)  Nope, won't ever admit to that one!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Having a BABY!!

Heehee - no I'm not.  Got your attention though didn't it?  I'm sure some people who are close to me had a start with that one :)  I have some friends & blogger friends who are pregnant now & it got me thinking about posting this.

My journey in health & fitness didn't actually get started until AFTER my 3rd child.  I had some medical issues that I realized can be handled with eating better & less of certain things and I decided to go that route. 

Anyway, I also started my fitness then as well.  I did start out slowly & with young children in the house & only one income going to a gym wasn't even an option.  I started out with Leslie Sansone's Walk the Walk.  She has ALL different levels/mileage & while it does seem strange to be walking in your house it works!  She makes it fun too. 

From there I was able to get a little higher intensity & longer workouts in.  My children are totally used to seeing me in the living room every day getting my workout in.  If I'm lucky one of them will even join me for a little bit of it.

Now on to the pregnancy thing.  Often the 1st trimester is rough.  It was for me.  I can only describe it as I felt green.  While fatigue set in as well, I felt like just going about my day was a workout enough.  Something to remember though.  Keeping your body strong & healthy is REALLY important for you and your baby.  I am not one that necessarily agrees with that "eating for two" mentality.  I think it's important to eat the calories you need for both of you but it's not double OR lots of sugar, etc. 

You can incorporate some exercise into your day too.  Take a walk with the new daddy to be & you can catch up with him about all the changes you are feeling & seeing.  He will probably really appreciate you sharing more intimate details that he wouldn't normally know about.  You can look for some workouts that are special for pregnant women.  They are out there.  Denise Austin has one.   Just Google "workouts for Pregnant woman" and you will find there are alot out there!

Drink LOTS of water.  It's not just about you anymore & your baby needs that water!!  Stay strong during your pregnancy.  Of course listen to your body.  Talk with you doctor about doing a light workout during your pregnancy.  I can tell you from experience - in 9 months when you are ready to deliver your baby you will be happy you are stronger!!  I have never heard ANYONE say - Oh I wish I hadn't begun this workout journey......

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

I would love to hear about your pregnancy journey & how you stayed healthy during it.  What did you do? 

Also, check out my sisters blog Your Successful Family.  She has some posts lately about prengancy & some things you might hear while you are pregnant.  God BLESS!!


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Wordless Wednesday (well almost)

Almost because these aren't specifically my words but I DO feel this way.






Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Cab-Co-Po (recipe)

Get your attention?  I just made a very yummy & quite versatile soup.  So excited to share it with you & can't wait for lunch tomorrow!!


Cab-Ca-Po Soup

1 Large onion, minced
1/3 - 1/2 Serrano pepper, seeded & minced (I didn't have one of these & was still yummy!)
1 tablespoon olive oil
5 new potatoes, sliced in quarters (skin on)
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup water, divided (I used vege broth)
1 head cabbage, chopped
2 large carrots, peeled & finely chopped
salt
black pepper
2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes with liquid OR 4 fresh tomatoes sliced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 14oz package turkey sausage cut into small pieces (also didn't add this)

Heat a Dutch oven or large heavy pot over medium-high heat.  Saute onion & Serrano in olive oil.  Add potatoes, butter & 1/2 cup water (or broth).  Cook on medium heat for approximately 10 minutes, or until slightly tender.

Add 1/2 cup water (or broth) and remaining ingredients.  Reduce heat & simmer till cabbage, potatoes & carrots are tender -- approximately 30 minutes.  Stir periodically.  Adjust seasoning to taste.

Be Blessed & Healthy!!!

**recipe found in the Guidposts March 2012 magazine

Friday, April 13, 2012

Ultimate Blog Party 2012




I'm joining the Ultimate Blog Party again over at 5 Minutes for Mom.  I'm always excited about getting my blog out there for others to read.  I love learning about new people & sharing my passions with them.  So, here is a little about me :)

I'm a wife to a wonderful guy who has SO much patience with me. I'm a stay at home mom who also homeschools my 3 children ~ an almost 17 yr old boy, 13 yr old boy & 6 yr old daughter.  I love to sing on the Praise Team at church.  One of my BIG passions is health & fitness.  I don't have a degree in either but I like to learn all I can and I hope to be able to be a personal trainer one day (when I grow up). 

Most of my posts will be about healthy eating & fitness but I do add in the occasional post about my family or something I'm doing at the time.

I hope you enjoy it here!  If you like what you see I would love for you to follow me.  I love learning more about others & their lives.

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

No time for exercise??





Really.  No time huh?  Ever wonder where our time goes?  We wake up in the morning & we hit the floor running.  Whether you work in the home or out of it our days are full of doing things for others more often than not.  Have you taken a moment to think of what would happen if you didn't have your health?  I believe eating right & exercising is something we all need for healthy bodies, minds & souls.  It amazes me how I feel when I don't get a workout in.  When my kids don't get outside or during a break in the sports they play, they are different.  We need that outlet. 

So, where does your time go?  Studies show you just need about 20 - 30 min of focused exercise a few days a week.  That used to seem like alot to me a while back.  Now it seems like that would be enough for a warm up!  Do you watch TV?  What about taking 30 minutes of that time to take a walk.  Wind down from your busy day or use that walking time to catch up with a loved one.  Take a walk with your spouse to connect before getting ready for the rest of the night.  Walk with your child/ren to catch up on their day.  You could even call someone that lives far away & catch up with them while you walk!  There are so many ways.  Go to the library & borrow some workout dvd's.  That is the best way to try them out without putting money out for them right away.  I have gotten some great workouts from the library that they were selling for about $1 or $2.  Both of those options cost nothing or next to nothing.  NO GYM MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED. 

Don't have weights?  Get some canned food from your pantry & use them.  Save milk jugs & put sand, rocks or water in them.  Go to the thrift store & see what they might have too. 

Need a lift in the afternoon?  Don't reach for the chocolate or caffeine.  Try doing some stretching.  I love to do yoga.  The stretching is great & focusing on making sure I'm doing them correctly really helps to clear my mind.  Obviously if you have an office job you may have to close your door or find a spot you can do this without causing a scene :)  

You CAN do this.  We need to remember if we aren't healthy then we aren't any good for those that need us.  Focus on yourself a little bit every day.  You won't regret it. 

What are some ways you take to clear your mind at the end of the day?   What do you do when your energy level drops in the afternoon?

Be Blessed & Healthy!!


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

T.V Time

A few years ago (or more I'm sure) we got rid of cable tv.  We were paying so much every month & hardly watched any of the channels and it seemed like the bills kept going up.  My awesome hubby got an antenna & we have some great channels including the biggies like ABC,CBS & NBC.  3 PBS stations too.  Then came the INSP channel & Good Life.  Can I just say I LOVE these channels!!??  My kids are watching shows like "Little House on the Prairie" and "Dr Quinn Medicine Woman",  "Brady Bunch".  Shows like that.  It's so fun to sit & watch these shows with my children.  Not worrying about the nasty stuff that is on the other channels and the commercials!  Ugh!  Some times they are worse than the actual shows. 

Honestly, I realize how much harder it would be to live back then in the prairie days but that would be so nice huh?  Knowing what we know now for sure.  The simple times.  Ahhhh........

What about you?  What shows do you enjoy with your kids/family? 

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Saturday, April 7, 2012

My Easter Wreath




Yay!!  I made an Easter "Spring" Wreath.  I love it!!  Totally inspired by Brittany at Fun with the Fullwoods

The flowers are on sale at Michaels 50% off this week & the butterfly is borrowed from my little princess E.  I LOVE IT!! 

Be Blessed & Healthy!!