Going the Distance

I did it.  I ran a self imposed 5K this morning on the trail at White Rock Lake.  Okay, okay... "ran" is a bit strong.  But I did jog.  I jogged a 5K in 40 minutes flat while pushing two children in a jogging stroller, which if you haven't done it, is sort of like pushing a 65 pound kitchen appliance on a tricycle.

Anyway, I'm totally pumped.  I jogged a 5K and I didn't die.  I didn't get gassed or pass out or throw up or stop short or get mad or yell at passers by when they looked at me like, "who are you trying to fool", which of course they weren't really thinking.  I just jogged and pushed my kiddos and listened to my iPod and smiled at the other joggers and when I was done I felt like I could have jogged some more!

My Favorite Juice Recipes

For those of you who just got a new juicer for Christmas (I'm looking at you, Tiffany), I thought I'd share some of my favorite juice recipes.  I use a Breville juicer, but have also made these with a Jack Lalanne juicer.

Green Lemonade is the juice I drink most every morning and sometimes even twice a day.  It's also a fantastic recipe for juice fasting!  It's hands down my favorite juice.  This recipe makes 2 pints.

Green Lemonade

1 head romaine lettuce or head of celery

2-6 stalks of kale

whole cucumber (if it has been waxed, peel it)

2 apples (I use Fuji, Gala and Macintosh)

1 whole lemon (you don't have to peel it)

1 inch of peeled fresh ginger

The following recipes are delicious, but I make them less often than the Green Lemonade.

The Park Lane 

(inspired by the Whole Foods at Park Lane in Dallas) 

4-8 whole carrots

1/5 head of romaine or 3 stalks of kale

2 apples

1 lemon (you don't have to peel it)

1 inch of ginger, peeled

The Pink Lady

1 pear

1 beet

1-2 inches ginger

1 ½ cups pineapple, in chunks


Veggie Ginger Juice
3 large carrots
1 beet
1 green apple
4 large stalks celery
1 large handful of spinach, parsley, or other dark green
1 small cucumber
1 inch knob ginger


Gimme a Beet Juice
(this recipe make about 1 litre (1.75 pints) of juice)
1 beet root, bulb only
4 medium carrots
3 oranges
5-6 apples
small bunch of parsley
4 strawberries

I just registered...

...for my first 5K!

I'm running my first 5K, Run For Human Rights, on March 24, 2012.  I know that seems like a million years away, but for a person who just started running two months ago, its soon enough.  The 2nd annual Run For Human Rights will take place in Dallas, Texas at Bachman Lake Park.  The date coincides with the International Day for the Right to Truth, which was established by the United Nations to honor the memory of the victims of gross and systematic human rights violations, and to promote the importance of the right to truth and justice.

So I'm in.  The 5K is on!  Just the act of registering and paying my fee makes it real.  I never back out of anything that I've already paid for.   Oh, and thank you to my Dad who gave me some running shoes for Christmas!  I picked them out today and am now the proud owner of a pair of very supportive purple ASICS. 

The Warrior Dash Pledge

I had not heard of the Warrior Dash until recently when my boot camp pals announced that they were going to start training for this event.  What is it?  Well, from what I understand it looks kind of like this...

It's basically a 5K obstacle course inspired by fire fighter training.  Except that instead of wearing fire safety and rescue gear, you dress up in tutus, head dresses and whatever silliness the entrant can dream up.

When I heard about the Warrior Dash, I suggested another variation called the "Mommy Dash" where the entrant wears an infant in a sling, a diaper bag and a shirt with spit up stains while carrying three grocery bags, a toddler, some hockey gear and a small dog.  Then the sherpa-like entrant would have to run through an enormous parking lot dodging oncoming vehicles, answer an important cell phone call from her boss, wipe everyone's noses with her own sleeve and fish a small cluster of keys from the bottom of her zipped diaper bag before safely delivering her children, pets and gear to a minivan.   I think the Mommy Dash would be a big hit.  However, I don't know if the men would make it.

All of this is to say, my boot camp pals invited me to join them in their Warrior Dash.  And as with so many key moments in my life, I was inspired by their enthusiasm and gusty bravado and said "yes". 

Wait... is that... a picture of fire?  

What the F#@K have I gotten myself into?

Weigh In - Week 28

Christmas week, plus the beginning of my period means one and one thing only.  I had no defenses against chocolate and pie.  But if you can't splurge during Christmas week, then what is life for?  I had lots of family here for the holidays which meant that I was able to leave my kids with them and attend a full week (3 classes) of boot camp!  I even went to class this morning - the day after Christmas!  So, even though I gained a pound this week, I'm looking trimmer and feeling great!

Pounds lost this week: 0

Pounds gained this week: 1

Total pounds lost: 43

The "I Did It" List

I attended a full compliment of boot camp classes

I ran two miles on my own

I thoroughly enjoyed my food and family this holiday season!


And here is a little something that Mallory (Owner of Positively Fit Lake Highlands and also my current girl crush) shared with her clients on her Facebook page.

Music to Run With

Alright readers, I need your help.  I need more up-beat work out music for my iPod.  I wear my ear buds when I go running and I want some more variety.  So my question is, What song gets you supper pumped when running or working out?  I want all your suggestions... I love most every kind of music.

Here are some songs that are already on my iPod:

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

Just Dance and Born This Way by Gaga

Raise A Glass by Pink

the Body Talk album by Robyn

all of Michael Jackson and Prince

4 Minutes by Madonna

Weigh In - Week 28

I feel more rested and more relaxed than I have all year.  Jack and I just returned from a week away in Cancun.  Sitting on the sugar fine white sands of Cancun, watching the unbridled beauty of the sea was spectacular.  Then, just when I thought it couldn't get any better, someone would bring me a pina colada from a near by bar.  It was the bomb.

I did not work out while I was away.  But I did swim in the sea, walk on the beaches and drink a lot of Negra Modelo.  But somehow, much to my surprise, I still lost a pound while I was away.  Go figure.  The day after I returned, I went for a mile run.  Then this morning I attended the most ass-kicking boot camp session ever.  It was epic.

Pounds lost this week: 1

Total pounds lost: 44

The "I Did It" List

I went to boot camp on the morning I left for Cancun (that is commitment!)

Left my two babies with my mom and mother-in-law for a week

I drank heavily on the beach with my husband

Ate healthy food while away

Renewed my spirit and soul by taking some time for myself

 

Vacation?

What's that?

Jack and I are leaving tomorrow for a one-week visit to Cancun, courtesy of my Mom and her wonderful husband!  Its been a crazy year, what with Charlie's surgery and all.  So, we're taking a break.  This is the first non-work related vacation without children since our honeymoon seven years ago!  And the best part is that my mom and my mother-in-law have both flown into take our boys for the week.  Two grandmas for two boys!  What could be better?

Adios!

Weigh In - Week 27

The weeks are starting to get a little crazier now that Christmas is approaching.  We hosted a dinner party on Friday and I had a ladies stitch n' sitch style craft night on Saturday - both of which brought a slew of snacking.  But it was a great week all in all.  I attended two rounds of boot camp and got out to run a mile on three separate mornings.  I'm still sticking to my raw snacks and mostly raw meals as well! The thing I'm noticing most these days is that my exercise keeps my metabolism up and my raw snacks keep my sugar consumption in check.  This combo is obviously a good mix because I lost four pounds this week!

Pounds lost this week: 4

Total pounds lost: 43

The "I Did It" List

got out the door in this cold weather to run three times

made lots of new yummy nutritious raw smoothies

enjoyed dessert with friends without pigging out

researched a running shoe purchase

Produce for Less

I just joined the Bountiful Baskets Food Co-Op.  Today I picked up my first basket - a 50/50 veggie and fruit basket filled to the brim with beautiful fresh produce.  The best part is that I paid about 16 dollars for produce worth about $50.  What a deal!  Except for the slight tardiness of the delivery truck, it was a great experience and I will certainly order again.  Thank you, Jacki, for introducing me to Bountiful Baskets! Have any of you ever participated in a food co-operative? 

Here's a look at my stash:

4 heads of brocolli
4 cucumbers
4 green bell peppers
6 tomatoes
5 apples
4 persimmons
6 pears
bunch of radishes
head of butter lettuce
3 onions
1 pineapple

Six Months / Half Way

Today, I'm half way between the beginning and the end of my one year journey to lose 75 pounds.  I had no idea how important this journey would be to me when I began June.  It seems simple, right?  Eat less, exercise more and loose weight.  In six short months, those three seemingly simple things have changed every aspect of my world.  There are obvious and visible changes, like dropping 40 pounds, a healthier complexion and more energy.  However, the most astonishing change is not an external shift, but rather an internal one.  My mental and emotional state is calm, clear, focused and acutely aware of the possibilities that lie ahead.  So far, the greatest gift from my weight loss journey is a renewed sense of self worth and a re-invigorated joyful spirit.  I am so excited to embark on the second half of this amazing year.

Bacon

I have really laid off the meat lately. I'll do an occasional chicken breast or fish, but mostly I'm sticking with plant based foods.  But for some reason every time I smell bacon, my nerve endings go a little crazy.  Why does bacon smell so good?  Its just burning fat, right?  But oh the smell!  I love it.  I haven't eaten any bacon.  I just like smelling it.