Thoughtful Thursday: Sitting Around

Life is to be lived. If you have to support yourself, 

you had bloody well better find some way 

that is going to be interesting. 

And you don't do that 

by sitting around. 

~Katharine Hepburn

It is no secret I have a desk job, but some how my brain has taken a while to totally process this hazardous fact of life. I have worked for the same agency for basically the same office for 8 years. The first 6 have been at desks with ergo chairs and ergo desks. I had access to foot rests, wrist rests, mouse pads with wrist support and risers for my monitors (I am pretty tall). Even with all of this I have had neck and shoulder problems from staring at a monitor for a good portion of my day. My current desk is not ergo and does not accomodate monitor risers. I still have a foot rest, wrist supports and an ergo chair. I have used a couple box type in-boxes to raise my monitors a couple extra inches. I only got wise to that after I needed months of chiropractic rehab for my neck and shoulders. Whine, whine, wah, wah, wah. So what I am really here to complain about, er, uh, talk about it how sitting is quite literally killing me.

People with desk jobs have a higher risk for:

• shorter life expectancy
• cardiovascular disease
• metabolic disorders
• pain related to poor posture
• obesity
• diabetes
• repetitive stress

What completely sucks about this is that even if I did an hour of yoga, ran in the morning before work and after work, nothing makes up for being sedentary for 8 hours a day. I have read lots of articles and basically they suggested getting up every 20 minutes to walk for 10-15 minutes. LOL I am not sure what kind of job allows for 10-15 minute breaks every 20 minutes, but mine sure doesn't. I try to walk over to my staff to talk to them when I can vs. the interoffice messaging system, email or phone. Realistically though, I don't have time to walk over to say something I can do by phone. Multitask. Multitask. Multitask.

So the longevity of my grandparents and family before them, all people who spent most of their day on their feet doing some sort of manual labor is not to be for me. My parents currently spend their days on their feet, laboring away. I am not raising a white flag or anything, but geez, it seems like I have pretty hazardous job, no? So while I  have managed to over come my shoulder and neck issues, I can't seem to shake the hip flexor fall out. They are tight. I get hammy and IT band problems when I run and it is not overuse or too fast too soon. I truly believe it's being in a darn seated pose for nearly 8 hours a day. So I am trying to work in a plan to help reduce some of the loss in flexibility and tension in my pelvis.



A lunge with the knee on the ground, hip thrust forward is a great way to open them up. I have another 5-6 stretches that are supposed to be helpful, some I can even do while sitting in my chair at work if you can believe it LOL What I would like to do is incorporate sun salutations into my daily waking routine. I can even do them at break in my office on days I am not wearing a skirt. I forget, that I have my own private office and can pretty much do these stretches daily without interruption on my breaks.

Do you have a desk job? How do you combat this sedentary disease called a desk job?

Why I Kick A$$: Because I was smart enough to earn a desk job, thanks mom and dad for the hard labor to get me here.

Thankful Three:

1. For feeling like doing something again
2. For friends who sign me up for hydrostatic testing
3. For Super Hubby who is supportive through my fitness, health and wellness ups and downs.

Tuesday Tidbit: Clue: This post is not about Christmas

I do want to get rich, 

but I never want to do 
what there is to do to get rich.

~Gertrude Stein

My scattered brain hardly knows where to start. I have so much to say and most times, the time it takes me to organize my thoughts discourages me from even typing up a post. Do you ever feel like that? Yeah, happens to me ALL.THE.TIME. That or I get bummed out by not posting more pictures. Truth is I am not a quick writer, these posts take me forever and pictures tack on just that much more time.

I spent some time listening to Gertrude Stein reading some of her own poetry, a great little poetry site called PoetryFoundation.org. It made me get all lofty thought and dreamy about how I'd like to live. Not because of what she was reading, but because of the kind of life she lead, it was very much her own. I can sometimes feel like I am on a hampster wheel called life. Wake up tired, go to work, come home tired, eat, repeat. I hate when I get into those ruts and I am obviously in one right now. So here is what my dream life looks like.... my husband calls it retirement.

A country house on a few acres. By country, I think more woods than plains. River and trails near by for me to hike, run and hubby to fish. The acreage is for the kids and dogs to have ample safe places to play. Near enough to a town big enough to have a social connection, but not invite too much traffic. I want to wake up lazily, eat, read, exercise, nap, write, eat and sleep. There must be a fire place. What do I want to write? I envision myself blogging more about what, who knows? I want to write short stories, light poetry and opinion columns about work, life and parenting. Notice how there is not job mentioned in this fantasy LOL I want all of these things, but it requires work and I don't really feel like it LOL The same can be said for my fitness goals, can I just have what I want without working for it.

So since this isn't going to happen any time soon, here is what is really happening in my life. I have three books I am reading ...or at least have cracked, but not finished:

• Let's Pretend This Never Happened, J. Lawson
• Gone Girl, G. Flynn
• The Right Questions, D. Ford (compliments of my friend and the existential phase she is going through)

Fit, Fat, Fabulous, Faker??? All of the above:

• I have some weight to lose. I would like to say 15 lbs, but it could be more it could be less.
• I want to fit into my 10's or at least be able to sit without my belly rolling into multiple rolls
• I want to ditch the funky aches and pains that come with too much weight on my bones
• A funny term I hadn't heard in awhile came up and sadly I totally fit this category right now, "Caterpillar" it is when you have so many rolls, like the bra roll, the muffin top and saddle bags etc. that you look like a caterpilliar.
• I signed up for a half marathon in March, so need some miles on these legs.
• A couple weeks ago I slowed down my fast food in take, didn't quit all together, but it's a start
• I started drinking more water and up'ing my fiber intake
• I started taking my fitness classes again and seeing my trainer
• I am coaching jr. high girls basketball. This is where I feel like a fake, we should totally be undefeated, but we are 2-4 I think. Ugh!

Right now the goal is just to get comfortable with putting forth an effort. After spending the year being fairly lazy, starting from scratch is tough. Sure I could jump into a regiment, severely restrict my normal eating habits and get super fit in a matter of weeks. I know I can do that. I know that after a few weeks I would quit. I need to pace myself, I need being fit to feel like a natural part of my routine. I will introduce some jump start activities, but one at a time.

So for as much as I wanted to say, this is kind of it.

I am going to try to blog more, same story I know.
I am going to try and eat better, same story I know.
I am going to try and run more, same story I know.
NEW* I am going to try and read or listen to a poem a day. A quick haiku or a multiple page poem --whatever-- my brain needs some creative stimulation and I like poetry. I got all ambitious and thought I'd post everyday what I read, but I know I am a slacker. Every now and again, I may tweet what I read, but I am not committing to more than that.

Why I Kick A$$: I am doing something, not Earth shattering efforts, but something.
The Big Picture: I may ditch this segment as it's the same sh&$ every time, take it slow, one day at a time, a bad day is just a day, in the long run its about how it plays out, blah, blah, blah
Thankful Three:

1. Afghani Bolani's from Costco, delicious
2. Tamales, Tamales, Tamales... I have an insatiable hunger for my mother's tamales
3. For the Jillian Michaels' Podcasts, I am slow on the uptake, just found them, I don't really like her on Biggest Loser, but I dig her podcasts as background noise when I just hanging out

Friday Five: Happy

There are two mistakes one can make 

along the road to truth... not going all the way, 

and not starting.

~Buddha

I come I go and I am not sure what direction things are going at the moment, but his quote resonated with me so without further delay, my Friday Five:

1. We moved into our home 8-years ago and we still don't have window treaments on a couple of windows. We did some decorating, but didn't "go all the way." We are finally working towards fixing that. Once we do, I'll consider some before and after pictures.
2. Last year we added an accent color to one of the walls in our bedroom and I have hated it almost that entire year. Today for $35 and 45 minutes we finally changed it. What a relief. It is amazing how draining simple dislikes can have when you face them every day. Word of advice to myself, if you don't like it and you can fix it, do it. Start and go all the way. All the way for us will be to add the right light switch plates, change our bedding and get a new dresser.
3. In the last several weeks I have started working out a bit again. Feels good, no pressure. I have in that time also completed a 10K and while I had to walk, it wasn't my slowest time either. I am registered for a half marathon in March and will ease through the rest of the year and start my official training program come January.
4. I am coaching again and I am elated. I have the privilege of leading a great group of junior high girls through a season of parks and recreation basketball. We have the full spectrum of abilities, but they are working really cohesively already. Our first game is Tuesday and I am totally stoked. The pure joy I feel when I coaching is pretty amazing. I am so thankful for my cousin and his wife for asking me to help coach their daughter, I am having a great time.
5. Thanksgiving was delightful and while I won't spend time regurgitating all the details, I will say I am a lucky girl to have such a loving family. I was apprehensive as I am every year about sharing the day with my immediate family and then heading to my in-laws, this year was so stress free and I am thankful me, but more importantly for my kids that they have the opportunity to be with both of their amazing and loving families for Thanksgiving.

Why I Kick A$$: I have turned into quite the bread maker.... Tortuga-Runner is going domestic!
The Big Picture: Sometimes there is a fine line between compromising time with my family and sharing time with my extended family. It is stressful to maintain balance, but in the grand scheme of things it is so worth it to have the opportunity to live close enough to share time and spend time with family when so many are not afforded this luxury.
Thankful Three:

1. For my husbands capable hands and my newly painted accent wall.
2. For our uncle hosting a beautiful meal tonight and sharing his table with all of us.
3. For my brilliant children, watching them learn and grow especially these last few months has been really cool. They are both becoming more and more articulate and they are just down right cool people to be around.

Saturday Sampler: It's where I'm at

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
~William Shakespeare

My oh my, how time flies. I sat down over hot chocolate and a breakfast sandwich at Panera the other week. I composed a lovely post catching you all up on Duder turning 5, Bug being in a bug parade and me trying to survive my procrastination at work. Guess what, it didn't post. Do you know why? Because I wanted to add lots of cute pictures, then never came back to the post to add pictures. Story of my life these days. Great intentions, great half efforts and a whole lotta nothing accomplished.

Since that delightful non-post I have done some sports related things, as I am sure not everyone wants to hear about Chuckee Cheese and pre-school parades. I went to a Tri Club meeting for the first time in forever. It was body fat testing day and I am 4% higher than last year. Yucky. I went from Athlete range to Fit range which is still good considering I never run. I need to find some motivation to run, I plan to return to my strength routine next week which helps, but I really need the cardio back.

On Sunday October 14th I got my 3rd Nike Women's Marathon Tiffany's necklace. No I didn't train, yes I had people I could have run with, but my SIL was either going to walk it or not do it at all so I opted to walk it with her. It was a nice stroll through SF, but it wasn't the best weekend overall. Saturday didn't go as planned, I was a bit under the weather and 4 hours of walking, yup, it took us 4 hours, and my body was done. To make matters worse, my post race meal ended up be alone, bad service, cold food and I left my favorite Bondi Band at the restaurant. On the upside I got a pretty necklace and an impromptu Target trip with my BFF on my drive home from the city.

Since Sunday I got knocked on my A$$ by a sinus & ear infection and had to take two critical days off work. Oh well, it happens, but never happens to me. I don't take sick days... at least I didn't until this week. So back strength training will be easy, I have a plan, I have a trainer and I love the classes. Incorporating running back into the schedule is going to take some work. I love fall weather, but I don't love running alone all the time, treadmills are only ok for so long and where does one find the time? Yes I know the answer to the time bind, "just do it,"anyone can carve out 20 minutes etc... I am just not motivated to run in the morning and that is where my time is. I am going to look into some 5K and 10Ks this fall & winter, it is my favorite time to train and hopefully the events themselves will be enough. I may even try to rope someone in so I have that social aspect too. We'll see.

Why I Kick A$$: Not everyone can walk a hilly 13.1.
The Big Picture: My blog is about me, I'll try and keep it sporty, but if all you read about is pre-school parades, hey that is ok with me.
Thankful Three:

1. For fun movies on TV today
2. For babysitters, I get to go to a super fun 30th bday bash tonight
3. For schedule girl time, looking forward to relaxing tomorrow with a girlfriend

Sunday Summary: Rolling with it

Rolling with it: going along with things; 

without high expectations..just being.

~Urban Dictionary

Long time no see Blog Land... ok not really. I still pop in every now and again and read other people's posts, but I have scarcely made time to compose a post. What is new? Still trying to lose weight and I am finishing up week two of actually following my RD's recommendations and it is it going well. I am pretty hopeful I can keep it up. Just in case I am locking in a back up plan. Way back in February Super Hubby bought me a 10 pack Group On to a new fitness studio that has all sorts of fun classes including boot camps, HIIT circuits and kettle bells. I really love the kettle bell series which offer Core, Sweat Max and Strong where the focuses change. I went to two or three classes back in May and stopped. and 1-2 in June and July and the Group On expired at the end of July and I had half the classes left. The owner was so great he extended it and I took 4 classes in August and and 1 in September.

It doesn't sound like much, but I have also been hitting the gym on occasion doing strength workouts. I have lost an inch on my quad, an inch on my upper arms and half inch on my waist. My belly bulge hasn't moved, but it feels good to know I am making progress in other places. I am only down 5-6 pounds, but I feel my body shape improving and it is nice to feel strong again. The one thing I continue to lack is sufficient cardio. I am staring at my bike trainer, while I sit on the couch and half watch Bride Wars and half type this blog post. It is so easy, cardio in the living room, but alas, I am so not into it at the moment. I have a half marathon in 5 weeks and my longest walk is 5 miles and my longest run is 1 mile LOL yeah, it should be interesting, but I a just going to roll with it.

I have been spending lots of time in the kitchen too. Aside from needing sweets, I am also living out my Pinterest dreams. Banana bread, pumpkin muffins using cake mix and canned pumpkin puree, egg muffins for a quick pre-made breakfast and today half win half loss when the Gnocchi I made came out tough, but the sage Gouda sauce came out perfectly. I am so excited to make the banana bread again later this week, but this time couple it with a Nutella butter cream frosting. Sounds so amazing!

The Big Picture: Strength training is an amazing boost to fat loss and to combat osteoporosis. Cardio is great too, at some point I'll balance both, but for now I'll take pride in whatever I am able to commit to at this point in time.
Why I Kick A$$: Because I am doing "real" strength training 2x per week. Yup, cleans and deadlifts with a bar (no added weight yet).

Thankful Three:

1. For my kids religious pre-school just refurbished the school building, it looks amazing!
2. For Pinterest... I am almost becoming a little domestic.
3. For S'mores, I really needed them this afternoon

Thoughtful Thursday: Burn out? High School Reunion

The price of anything 

is the amount of life you exchange for it. 

~Henry David Thoreau

I don't know what it is, but I am burnt out. Today I went home sick from work and I rarely get sick and even more rarely require taking sick time. I know some of today was brought on by the following:

• Dehydration
• Poor diet
• Very little exercise
• Oh and a little tiny bit can be attributed to a minor ailment, which is usually controlled with proper hydration, proper diet and proper exercise.

I keep coming back to the same concept and that is, it is super hard to dig oneself out of a hole. So why do I fall off the wagon? Because prevention is challenging. It requires planning, commitment and follow through. Planning I have down, no problem. Commitment and follow through, well I am still working on those. But maybe that is what I am tired of? Work is stable, home is stable, but personal time for relaxation, socializing and exercise are not in healthy balance and what do you know? It is a challenge too, apparently it also requires planning, commitment and follow through. So where do I start?

What is new? Uh, not a whole lot. I checked my training calendar pinned to my fancy vision board that I look at every day. It was a 12 week plan to my half marathon in October.....yeah.....uh, I am down to 8.5 weeks and I have started. I will probably spend some time planning that, might even take some action and revise the 12 weeks to the current 8.5. I have run the course. I know I can finish. I was never trying to PR. Now I just need to work on being able to complete it injury free. Wow, like I have said more than once LOL

What else is new? Oh yeah, I have my 15 year high school reunion on Saturday. No our class wasn't super on top of it for a 10 year, but we are making up for it with a 15. Did I mention I am nervous? I should have been motivated to try to slim down, but it didn't happen. It is funny, I didn't think of myself as all that pretty in high school, but looking back at photos I looked pretty good. I was such a dumb insecure teenager. So what did looking back at high school photos do for me? Make me a dumb insecure 30 something LOL I have an unrealistic expectation that everyone will look exactly as they did in high school or better and I will be the only one that let her self go a bit...ok a little more than a bit but not a lot. I am not fat, I just don't look like the athlete I once was.

Yes I punish myself with this pic by having it on my vision board.

Why I Kick A$$: Because despite my insecurities I bit the bullet and bought tickets to go.

The Big Picture: No, I haven't started training yet, but 8.5 weeks is plenty of time!

Thankful Three:

1. For the ability to leave work before puking in my office.
2. For the interest in wanting to blog tonight.
3. For kids that went to bed extra early tonight... I needed some down time.

The Turn Around: Kindergarten and Calories

One should eat to live, not live to eat.

~Benjamin Franklin

Wednesday Hump Day sounds funny to me, but like an out and back run it marks the turn around to the work week. Today was my son's first day of school. Kind of. It was the first day, but it was a short day and parent's stayed to learn the morning routine and classroom rules. Of course Duder was a complete rockstar and made Super Hubby and I EXTREMELY proud. First impressions: Great Teacher, Great Classroom Number, #18, Great Table Group Number, #1 nice kids that he sits with and the first kid he played with at recess used good sharing manners. Positive day indeed.

Where did the time go?

Looking sharp on her first day!

I met with a registered dietician on Monday. I had read over at TMB (before rmr) that she was having trouble losing weight after not having had that problem in a while. When something similar happened to me. I gained 10 lbs. Yes, I know, big deal right? Well when it started to come on I was under stress and had also tappered my running-tri season and wasn't working out much. 10 lbs in those circumstances didn't shock me, but then is settled on me and that I wasn't having. So I did what people are supposed to do. I worked out and ate better. No cigar. Seriously? So I tried a more conservative approach, more frequent non-competetive training style workouts, just walking, moving and eating better. Nope. Then I saw my doctor. I can't the type of food that I eat. Read: No fried food, no fast food and a plant based diet. The focus on fiber really made me feel better digestively and I had energy. Guess what I still had? A BELLY. A belly that still didn't fit into my size 10s. Yup, you read that right. I don't want to look like a super model, ok maybe I do, but I am not willing to put in the work to make my body unnaturally thin, what was I saying??? Oh, I don't want to be a super model, I don't want to lose 100 lbs. I want to fit in my size 10's by losing a menacing 10 lbs. Not a lot to ask, but 4-5 months into this (October-February) I wasn't seeing any results and I was gaining a little more. Yuck. So I went to my physician, my blood work came out normal. I was taken off meds I had been on for almost 2 years. Did blood work again 2 months later when the meds were out of my system, still normal. Went to an endocrinologist, normal. Went to the gyno, normal. YAY for normal, boo for not knowing what the deal was with this now 10+ lbs. Finally, I called on a registered dietician.

I told her my tale of woes and commented on how when I was eating clean for 6 weeks I gained weight and frustrated by the outcome, gave up, binged on fast food and lost weight. I joked how fast food really is malnourishment if I lost weight eating it. So she said it sounded like maybe I wasn't getting enough calories. We did some simple math about how many calories I need to function. No shocker here since I am terrible at math, I wasn't getting nearly enough calories. Yes I should still eat clean, no I don't have to restrict things I like to eat, but I do need to consider moderation. Water, fiber and protein intake sounds good, but I now need to look at my calories as a target. Calories are something I am shooting to get enough of, not "stay under" or restrict myself to. What a relief, and what a great new perspective for me. I didn't think much about calories when I was training for things because I was exercising enough to eat whatever I want. Now that I operate like an average person, not training hard, I need to know how to eat to live. Novel concept I know, eating to live, but I didn't understand that message. I ate clean, but not enough. Similar to TMB (after rmr) I needed more calories, not like TMB it was "just because" whereas she workouts so hard she needs crazy amounts of calories to function. We didn't do RMR testing with fancy breathing machine, just simple RD calculations for body function and I am really optimistic after the last couple of days.

It has only been 2.5 days and I have lost weight, but my goal is a month long goal, not a week long instant gratification goal, although instant gratification is my favorite. Conservatively I am shooting to lose 3-4 lbs in a month. I'll check in August 31st and if simply changing my calorie needs didn't do it, we'll look at other factors like how my body metabolizes food. My fingers are crossed it was a simple mistake in applying math to my caloric intake. I love myfitnesspal, but the settings were incorrect for my needs. What I love is that you can customize your goals so I can still use the application with my RD's recommendations.

Why I Kick A$$: I survived the first day of kindergarten.

The Big Picture: I haven't held onto this 10+ lbs for more than a year so I am hoping that this works and I can say that these 10lbs are not permanent lbs.

Thankful Three:

1. For the day off
2. For great friends
3. For the nap I am about to take

Monday Motivation: One Day At A Time

“One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.”

~unknown

 

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I had a great post going while on vacation and then we lost internet connection. Then I had a wonderful picture post about vacation going to post when we returned and it never made it's way up. The scoop is

• I'm busy
• I am currently addicted to Battlestar Galactica and watching it on netflix during ALL my free time
• I am reading a lot more lately
• I am gaining weight and gee, that struggle gets old to post about LOL
• I am now taking it one day at a time...

So what is on deck? 

• I'll post when I can, when I truly want to post and thus make time for it...like right now. Ok, by "make time," I mean, I came home from work to take care of my sick child and she was watching cartoons on netflix so I couldn't watch and now she is napping so I have time to wrap up this post and actually post it.
• I have a high school reunion in a few weeks, I am sure I'll post about that. I never wanted to be that girl that had to try hard to get ready for a reunion, but lord knows they don't need to see me jiggling on the dance floor so hopefully I'll find some motivation to work out between now and then. Obviously not enough time for a full make over, but any level of working out is great for the self-esteem.
• There is a trailrun the morning of my reunion, so I am hoping to knock that out...assuming I can get a sitter
• One day at a time

BIG PICTURE: What is going well? Well, you how skinny people who used to be fat, always feel fat? I have the opposite syndrome. I used to be super duper athletic and had the body to match. I no longer have the body to match, but mentally and most times physically I feel amazing, think that I look amazing and when I look in the mirror and only disappointed at my belly which, let's face it, is a common problem amongst women my age. The fact is, I feel awesome, just gotta work on the exterior matching the ego...the mirror is a mean ego check.

WHY I KICK A$$: I am a damn good mom and know exactly how to love and care for my sick little Bug today. I hate that she is sick, I love that I get to be her mom when she is not feeling her best.

Thankful Three

1. For the in-laws did a great job today helping with the Bug, running out for Popsicles and all!
2. For a few minutes to blog and give myself a break from feeling bad about NOT blogging LOL
3. For Battlestar Galactica, because obviously I needed a new excuse not to work out

 

Tuesday Tidbit: It's My Birthday!!!

Middle age is when your age 

starts to show around your middle. 

~Bob Hope

Before breakfast I got the best gift. A jacket in summer! Yep, you read that right. I have been wanting a white jacket since forever. I feel like white jackets are feminine and pretty.

 Breakfast was Super Hubby's specialty Shakshuka. It was served with great crusty bread, fresh avocado and his signature chopped cilantro. We also had some cooling fresh fruit, watermelon and raspberries.

After breakfast I seriously considered crawling into bed and staying there, but feeling rested and well fed I thought I could make better use of my day and went to a boot camp work out at the gym. That was great and I made it home with time to shower and watch TV-fiddle on the internet for an hour and a half. Who knew there was so much time in the day?

Noon-Hair cut. Just a trim really, but I love that I get it blown out straight, I feel like a fun, prettier, hipper version of myself with straight hair. Like it is a costume or disguise or something.

Lunch-Lunch with my hubby at my favorite seafood restaurant in town. I was anticipated a mahi mahi or halibut encrusted with some delicious macadamia nuts or pistachios, but it wasn't to be. Instead I went with the California combo. This was fried taken to the extreme with a some cod, shrimp AND calamari. Too much food. Too much and no picture to share.

I planned to nap when I got home, but I was feeling home sick so I baked a chocolate cake and rainbow confetti cup cakes. Chocolate sounded boring so I put mini chocolate chips in it and that sounded too boring so I also made banana cream pudding and plan to make a triffle with it. Rainbow confetti didn't seem colorful enough so I portioned the batter out and used 5 different colors of food coloring and piped them into the cupcake cups to make a tye died confetti style cupcake. Super fun! So how does this relate to being home sick? Well, I am taking said deserts to my family for a dessert party. My parents were out of the country for a month and I figured why not use my birthday as a way to get us all together for a night.

In the few minutes after I was done baking and just settled into bed to finish my movie from early in the day I got a call (hang up) and a knock at the door. Would you believe it? I was delivered some delicious Sherry's Berries. Thanks AMW, this was a very cool gift.

Why I Kick A$$: Because I surround myself with awesome people who love me.

The Big Picture: I wasn't sure my day was going to be "perfect." We usually do something extravagant like a long weekend away, but this year with our family vacation coming up, we decided not to. Instead, I just took the day off to relax and found that the phone calls, text messages and family dessert night was just what my heart and soul needed this birthday.

Thankful Three:

1. For a peaceful day
2. For my new outfit from my nieces and nephew
3. For Netflix

 

Sunday Summary: Home Run in the Kitchen

  All happiness depends 

on a leisurely breakfast. 

~John Gunther

So while this blog post will focus on how flipp'n awesome I was in the kitchen today, I can't go without sharing with you a summary of the last few days. No I haven't worked out, yes I know that is not shocking anyone, but we'll talk more work out stuff in another post. First I have to tell you that my oldest graduated from preschool and he looked fabulous! I used to think "graduating" from pre-school or kindergarten was lame, but man did my son feel accomplished and it is certainly setting the tone for him as he prepares for elementary school so I guess these types of things aren't so bad.

Friday night my extended family gathered at a local winery to celebrate my cousin's 30th birthday. Why it didn't occur to us to get a huge family photo is beyond me. We did snap this one and it is a glimpse of what life would be like if I lived back home. I only live 15 minutes away, but when you come from a "small" town kind of place, anything outside of city limits is "far" and there is a tendency to get left out of the Saturday coffee invites or last minute drinks. It is only 15 minutes people! Ok, well 15 minutes plus trying to nail down a sitter, but still.

We were in town on Thursday night to see our nieces last softball game, my hubby sponsored her team. We ran into 2 aunts, 2 cousins and boat load of kids at the pizza parlor. Small towns equal impromptu family reunions.

Ok, on to my greatness in the kitchen with a nod to Pinterest, My Recipes and Farmer's Market:

Zucchini Puffs
Zucchini Puffs-light crispy outside, fluffy inside. I found several recipes on Pinterest all boasting tater tot like texture and I found that they were more fluffy and strata or quiche esque on the inside, but light and crispy on the outside. I made this for breakfast this morning hoping not to let my excess of zucchini's go to waste this week. I adapted what I read and did the following:

1/2 cup grated zucchini
1/2 cup shredded zucchini
(squeeze all the liquid out-used 4 medium zucchini)
1/4 cup (heaping) of finely chopped yellow onion
1/4 cup (heaping) of crushed saltine crackers
1/4 shredded parmesean
1 egg
salt & pepper to taste

fills 12 mini muffin cups, I sprayed with non-stick olive oil spray

400 degree over for 18 minutes

I would absolutely make these again and would likely serve them at a brunch or gathering, because they are so good, other people must try them.

Oatmeal Banana chocolate chip cookies

This recipe is straight from My Recipes and the only adaptation I made was to make a few in a mini muffin tin which took the same amount of time and dipped the tops in melted semi-sweet chocolate and froze them to harden the tops. So good with a cup of decaf in the afternoon

Farm Fresh Fried-Taquitos
2 inches of canola oil (can use any kind for frying)
Corn Tortillas for rolling (microwave for 25 seconds to soften enough for rolling)
sauteed in 1 tsp of olive oil:
1 tsp minced garlic
2 medium zucchini, chopped

Once the zucchini was semi cooked add
1/4 cup canned corn, can use fresh if desired
2 cups of spinach, cook spinach to desired texture

***I am so bummed I didn't take a picture of the sautee before I used it, it was beautiful***

I spooned this mixture into corn tortillas, sprinkled lightly with jack cheese (can't be too full or it will ooze into oil) then fried until golden brown about 1 minute then roll over for another minute. We served it with homemade guacamole, light sour cream and queso fresco.

Farm Fresh Fried-Enchiladas
Use leftover sautee from above and roll into corn tortillas filled with enough jack cheese to be ooey gooey and drizzle a little red enchilada sauce inside. I like to layer some sauce at the bottom of a 9x9 pan, put the rolled enchiladas in the cover them with more sauce and topped with cheese and a sprinkle of cilantro for an added fresh kick. (For my authentic enchilada makers, no I do not fry my sauce or tortillas in this recipe so I can same time on prep, if you know your way around enchiladas, adapt to your liking)

Why I Kick A$$: My yummy food speaks for itself.

The Big Picture: Enchiladas are delicious, even when I don't go all the way authentic like mom and cook the sauce and tortillas.

Thankful Three:

1. For a relaxing Sunday
2. For delicious confidence boosting home cooked food
3. For waking up motivated to be Susie Homemaker today

Friday Five: Actually Working Out

I was always looking outside myself for 

strength and confidence 

but it comes from within.

Anonymous

Glad they look fun and pretty, because it is not that much fun and it sure doesn't look pretty LOL

1. Wow, working a full 5-day work week is tough stuff. LOL yeah, I have been very lucky to be taking so much time off lately that this week was a challenge to get through mentally. I've gotten so much done and I have all day today to do more. Phew, good thing it is almost the weekend....wait?
2. Tomorrow I am going to a wedding. I am super excited for my friends to be married, I am NOT super excited about the heat for this outdoor 4PM wedding. Fortunately, there will be refreshments if you know what I mean.
3. Workouts, what's working and what's not. I haven't run since I can't remember when. Has it been a week? Two? I have been lifting weights though. Weights on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday I went to a HIIT bootcamp style class, Thursday was Kettle bells and today a class appropriately title Guts and Butts. I dig the class thing and I am definitely seeing some muscle tone from the weight lifting I am doing at home, but I was too weak to hold some of the 1-1.5 minute circuits at both HIIT and Kettle Bell. It is crazy, I have no idea how I was ever an athlete?
4. Sunday is fathers day and I haven't gotten my husband anything. He is nearly impossible to shop for so I need to get it together in the next, uh 24 hours? We are going to an A's Game and are pretty excited about Coco Crisp Chia Pet day LOL Actually, what is most exciting is some of our bestest friends who just moved back to California will be there and that is a gift in and of itself.
5. Eating. I packed my lunches all week, I am rocking my protein shakes, fiber and water in take, but on class days i am extra hungry, even beyond the extra calories I get for what I am burning. I am also not so restrictive that I am going to pretend that I am not going to drink and eat a lot at the wedding, like cheese off my fingers from the Nachos at the game or burp hot dogs the rest of the day Sunday. Yeah, I know super sexy for the hubby LOL It will be a fun day, hot and probably exhausting for the kiddos, but fun

Why I Kick A$$: My biceps are a quarter inch smaller and more defined. Out with the fat in with the toned muscle. NOTE: I am not trying to bulk up, just firm up.

The Big Picture: Damn it, I wish I knew. Actually, I love the way my body feels and is functioning. My biggest complaint is the belly swell, but I can feel my abs coming in underneath, just have to get more cardio in to burn fat. All in good time.

Thankful Three

1. For wonderful bloggers sharing great information.
2. For a really neat gym offering dynamic classes that not only hold my interest, but are offered at ridiculous 5AM and 6AM start times.
3. For the nice guy that sold me my protein and not a single unwanted-needed item more.

Monday Motivation: What's Next?

It is never too late to be 

who you might have been.  

~George Eliot

Recap: 
I starting eating better back in February and my energy levels and mood have steadily improved. No weight loss though. I started a weights routine early May and hot damn do my arms and legs feel sexy. They may not look it quite yet, but the fact that I feel it has done wonders for my self esteem. I've lost 1.5 inches from the smallest part of my waist in the last month. I am only 2 inches away from where I was once very happy with my waist.

My belly is a whole other story. I am 2 inches bigger than where I am comfortable and more like 4 inches from my goal. The belly is always the last to cooperate for me. Eating as a focus is a challenge, especially with so many festivities planned these last few months and going throughout the summer. The day to day I am good with. I have been packing my meals for the day and eating healthily for dinner when I am home. Out...another story.

I found my water, fiber and protein balance. Goodness gracious, it took me months, but I am there. I have found the balance. I have found my weight lifting zone, I am sure I'll need to mix it up, but wow, the results with such a manageable effort (3-5x per week about 20 minutes a night). So the last thing...cardio. Dang it, my last 2 weeks have been weak, I have an easy plan, but more excuses than I know what to do with.

Fitness In My Face:
A girl friend just finished her first full. My old trainer just won an award at a fitness model competition. A guy I just met at work this past week has been so committed to Cross fit, he packed an ice chest to our meeting so he could stay on point with his diet. My BFF has shaved inches off her body and has been building muscle successfully for the last 5 weeks. My other friend texted me Friday, she lost 6 lbs in her first week of weight loss efforts. I have run into several work people who are boasting about their latest half marathons or marathon plans. One was even going to one of my dream vacation places, Bend, OR to run and drink beer. How dreamy is that. So what do I think about all this? I think, H-E-double hockey sticks, yeah! I needed some motivation and now I have a laundry list of people who are holding themselves accountable and to look to when I need motivation.

So what is next?
I have got to get better at "the plan." Sure I have a general work out plan. Run Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. What I don't have is a drilled down version that reads what time of day I plan to do any of my work outs. Even my weights routine, I just do it at night without any plan. So I think I should have more structure. The reason my eating during the day is so controlled is because I pretty much plan the night before what I am going to eat and when and plug it into my handy dandy myfitnesspal app. I just have such a lackadaisical approach some times... fear of commitment LOL

Events: 
I am still trying to decide among an 8K, 10K, 12K and half marathon. August is a 10K for sure, September might be a mud run and October is the big one, Nike Women's half marathon in SF. I am fighting the urge to do a full in December. Some friends are doing their first full and it's fairly local....I need to keep reminding myself that I have no real desire to go that distance. 

Why I Kick A$$: I am overwhelmed by happiness tonight. I love when I get that feeling, like nothing in the world matters. I wish my only job was to be home with my family, hanging out and loving life.

The Big Picture: My life is pretty great, because I have a pretty great job that enables us to have as much family time as we do have and wonderful weekends like this past one.

Thankful Three:

1. For the ice cream, dipped in chocolate and nuts at Costco (shared)
2. For dinner with my in laws
3. So many people doing so well with fitness, so motivational

Friday Five: Nothing's Changed?

Easy reading is damn hard writing. 

~Nathaniel Hawthorne

I don't know how I so much time has lapsed since my last post, but it seems nothing has changed? I am still focusing on my fitness and food. I guess to be a better blogger, I should start by just blogging. Novel idea, no?! The never ending saga. My guess is that since I blog at night and I have been weight lifting at night that I just can't seem to manage both lifting at night and blogging at night. That and my late bloomer self has hopped on the Friday Night Light's band wagon late and have been watching the series on Netflix while I weight lift and after as I wind down. Oooh, and I have been reading more. Without further delay, my Friday Five:

1. I read Bob Harper's Book The Skinny Rules. I wish he picked a different name, someone else published a book by the same title not so long ago HERE. Any way I guess that is neither here nor there. So I read the book and think for those with serious weight issues can benefit from his very simple plan. When I work on my weight I apply many of his same methods, but do not yield the same results....then again I don't stick to them for the blocks of time he suggests. For example there is an initial 30 day phase and then the program changes a bit. What I do like about his book and that I discovered only recently is that he emphasizes eating within 30 minutes to 1 hour of waking and having protein and EVERY MEAL.
2. I was tricked! I am embarrassed to admit it, but I am reading 50 Shades of Grey. People all over the place were talking about how great it was, it was on best selling lists and I thought it was a teenager book when I heard it was banned from a high school reading list. A friend of mine read it and said it was like soft porn. I laughed and thought it was an exaggeration. I figured I'd fine a taboo scene or something, but boy was I wrong. If you are interested, know you will be reading some risque stuff. Fun reading if you are into that kind of thing, but not for the bashful.
3. Eating. So I did great for a while and the energy levels were clearly up with my efforts. I prepped on Sunday by chopping fruits and veggies for the week, during week nights I pre-packed my lunches and wasn't eating after 8:00PM. I updated my fitness pal with more aggressive protein and fiber goals and started to really strike a balance with my food in take. Then Super Hubby went on a fishing trip and I spent a few days in San Francisco and at family parties and suddenly all my pre-packed and prepped life went down the toilet. Ok so I guess that was my fault. Darn food choices. I hurt my neck and obviously the only cure was brownies and cookies.
4. What seems to work for me and what doesn't

• Significantly more water. I was getting 60 ounces on non-work out days and thought I was awesome. 100-120 ounces really makes me feel so much better.
• Protein. I am now eating protein at every meal, not including snacks and I have upped my intake from the basic .8 grams per pound of body weight to closer to 1.3. This tough to do strictly through food so I am on the hunt for a protein powder that does not eat up my 1200 calorie daily in take.Whey isolate, not yummy. Spirulina, yummy. Next on my trial list is whey and casein combo, hemp and pea proteins. Soy is not an option.
• I am lifting. Almost every day. The focus on strength makes me feel fit even when the belly fat doesn't instantly disappear.
• Fiber. I used to get 15 grams. My doctor recommended 25. I find 30-35 is a better fit for me at the moment. My current issue is varying my insoluable and soluable fibers. I tend to get more soluable in my diet than insoluable. Trying to balance insoluable in my 1200 calorie daily in take target is my current challenge.
• What is not working is getting my runs in when Super Hubby is gone. I will be paying the gym day care in the future to make sure I don't have an excuse to skip a needed run.
• What is not working is staying up too late to watch TV

5. 10K Training round 2 is not going as well as round 1. So far week 1 I did my two weekly runs, but missed my long run. Good news is the long run was only 3.5 miles.  Week 2 didn't start off well either. I hurt my neck. It almost felt like whiplash so I had to skip my Tuesday night run and didn't want to push it tonight. I plan to pick back up tomorrow. Good news is that it is a repeat of week 1. It is a slow building 8 week plan and I think I may drop the 10K goal in favor of a local 8K trail run series.

The Big Picture: I still only have 10 lbs to lose, so I can take my time to learn and grow into a normal eater. My brain still thinks I am a division 1 athlete. While that was a lifetime ago, my brain really thinks that I have the ability to be that same girl. I can...if I was doing 3 a days, sure I could be that girl. The goal here is to learn how to be that girl that sits at a desk 8+ hours day and still looks close to the basketball player I used to be.

Why I Kick A$$: I only have 10 lbs to go.

Thankful Three

1. For quick fixes like better hydration and nutrition
2. For time to read again even if it meant a break from blogging
3. For a short work week

Friday Five: 10K, Fitness Check and Food

The belly rules the mind. 

~Spanish Proverb

1. Last week's 10K was spectacular! My body handled it well. I didn't run for time, but confident if I did that both my legs and lungs were up for the challenged. I stuck with my buddy.  She let me fly on the downhills, but I'd wait for on the flats and she was kind to me when she tackled the uphills.

I really love my new hot pink arm sleeves.

2. So while my legs and lungs were ready for that 10K, they were not ready for a Kettle Kore workout I did the day before. I thought a little core cross training wouldn't hurt the day before. I was wrong. The squat twists, obliques while in a squat and the single leg dead lifts made recovering from the 10K brutal. So far eating and running has not been completely effective in regaining a fitter version of myself and it is time to incorporate for strength to my routine. Super Hubby scored a great group on to a newish fitness studio in town, so my hope is to hit a kettle bell work out 1x per week for the next 10 weeks and see how that helps. Ideally, this will supplement what I should be doing at home in terms of core and general strength training.

3. This week was supposed to be an easy week with only 2 miles on the schedule for both Tuesday and Thursday and 2.5 tomorrow and an easy 25-30 minutes Sunday. So far I have done nothing. Zero. Zip. Zilch. I am ok with that. My next 8 week training cycle starts on Monday and it is easy with my week day runs at 2-2.5 miles and my long run at 3.5 miles. I am training for another 10K and I am really happy about the time that 10K training affords me and my family. It is a great distance, not too imposing on life, work, family etc..

4. Um, ok...silly question. How do I eat right? Plant based? Whole food? Organic? Yeah, those answers are no brainers, right? My body is normally very responsive. Cutting out fast food, fried food and sweets are normally a great way to drop those nagging pounds. Well it hasn't been working for me lately. (People who know me personally ignore the way you have seen me eat these last three days)

So now I venture into details. I hated detailed eating, I wish I could mindlessly eat exactly what I need when I needed it and only what I need. Now I am listening curiously to people not eating bread more than one meal a day, cutting out dairy to lower inflammation, eating 35 + grams of fiber, eating within an hour of waking, topping off glycogen stores every two hours and taking every vitamin known to man. I have juice fasted for 2.5 days once. It was funny. Not hard, no immediate results and no desire to do it longer. I know there are 1 day, 3 day and week long fasts and versions of others that last much longer than that. I am not a fan of fad diets because I have very little drive or committment for that kind of thing. I am not into meal replacement shakes because it is not a sustainable idea for me. Right now I am just trying to figure out how to get all I need, easily and within my 1200 calorie weight loss budget. I only want to lose about 10 pounds. Yes I said only, but damn it it is tough!

5. Good news! The new fitness studio I am visiting for Kettle bell also gave me a fitness assessment including a calipers body fat test. I actually have less body fat than where I was last year mid season. It is obvious that aside from my top heaviness, I am carrying my weight in my middle like most and I know I can overcome this with a little effort. Ugh, effort, bleh!

The Big Picture: Long term, I understand eating well and nourishing my body is a life long commitment, short term I know weight loss will take effort.
Why I Kick A$$: For working hard enough to be able to take a couple days off guilt free.

How I enjoy down time to myself...sitting in the sun.

Thankful Three:

1. For a night away in SF with Super Hubby.
2. For Duder having a great first sleep over with his uncle and aunt.
3. For so much time off work lately to recharge.

Thoughtful Thursday: Happy Mexican Mother's Day

God could not be everywhere, 

so he created mothers.

~Jewish Proverb

"Hot Mexican Mama"

"Happy Mother's Day to my Wife- Nothing could ever come between us, Dear."

"Well, except the kids. 'There's a monster under my bed.'"

I loved this card Super Hubby gave me this morning. There was also a special note inside that I am keeping to myself, but he was mushy, husband-y and father-y. I am a lucky girl.

The Big Picture: Family is everything.

Why I Kick A$$: I married the most amazing man and he gave me the most beautiful children.

Thankful Three:

1. For my own mother, she is an amazing woman
2. For a lunch date with Super Hubby
3. For time to myself today

The Turn Around: Finding Happiness, a Diary Entry

Most folks are about as happy 

as they make up their minds to be. 

~Abraham Lincoln

Wednesday "Hump Day" sounds funny, but like an out and back run it marks the turn around to the work week. Today is an exception to the rule in that I am off Thursday and Friday. An amazing thing has evolved...happiness, effortless happiness. Now don't get me wrong, I am happy and have been happy for a long time. I have always wanted and worked towards having happiness in my life. What I am talking about is the routine of making sure I have a balance of things in my life. Like working hard, but not taking myself to seriously. Like staying fit, but not obsessing. Like being with my family, but not neglecting myself. Spending time on me, but keeping my distance from being selfish. My goodness, it is this balance I have sought out for so long and I almost missed that it has arrived. I am riding a wave of balance...well almost. My weight is still a battle, but it is strictly for vanity. I am healthy, my weight does not prevent me from being active and I have no ailments. I just really want to feel better in my clothes. Moving on, here is a recap of the lovely life I've gotten to live since last time I posted. It is in diary format and long, but hey it's my blog and I am pretty sure I can do that, right?

05/02
I didn't have to work more than an 8 hour day, I got to run after work and took the kids on a bike and tricycle ride while my amazing husband prepared a delicious dinner. My man is a manly man and knows his way around the kitchen.

05/03
Another straight forward, 8 hour day at work. I am blessed to have steady employment and a supportive boss who has graciously approved my time off without question. I zipped into San Francisco this night to watch Don Quixote at the ballet with my sister-in-law. I feel weird saying in law, because the closer we become the more it truly feels like we are siblings. The night was wonderful, started with Sushi, then the ballet filled with gorgeous costumes and flawless choreography and if we weren't feeling fancy enough, we headed over to NOPA a trendy restaurant for 2nd "dinner." We had amazing deep fried Fava beans and serious cocktails. Strongly recommend the place to anyone wanting a quality food experience in a positive atmosphere. Bonus, one can actually go to dinner at 11 PM and have a great time.

05/04
I truly am blessed to live where I do. I ended up staying over in SF since my boss gave me Friday off. We woke up early, headed to the Embarcadero, ran-walked to Chrissy field and back, about 7 miles. I even got to stop into the Ferry Building for a croissant and Kefir and OJ. Seriously one of my favorite drinks. My morning was perfect and my afternoon was equally great. I got lots of house work done, then visited with my cousins who just had a baby boy, picked up kids from school and then went to our Uncle's house for Friday night dinner. Family is beautiful and time to spend with them, precious.

05/05
Just me and the kids today since Super Hubby was at an over night golf tournament (Fri-Sat). What better thing to do than to visit my BFF and her daughters who are the same age as my rug rats. Who needs therapy when you have best friends. D always grounds me, makes me feel confident in myself and in doing so makes me sad that I don't get to sit in her living room everyday...she lives out of town. Time with friends always rejuvenates me. At the end of our time I headed home, did all my house work chores and when Super Hubby came home to be with the kids, I walked to our neighborhood trendy restaurant for dinner and drinks with some of the local girls.

05/06
Super Hubs had to work a little and Duder had Temple pre-school. The arrangement allowed me and my Bug to have little girls day. We had breakfast then headed to farmer's market and then had time for the street fair with my mom and aunt. I can't wait for more of these little outings as she grows. After nap, we hosted some friends from school for dinner and a play date. The bonus about hosting a play date? I did all my house work on Saturday and Super Hubs did all the yard work. Our house is the cleanest when we are having company.

05/07
Monday was mellow, beautifully mellow and our little family got some swim time in after work and BBQ'd outside. I even hit the grocery before all this happened. I love how late it stays sunny. These types of afternoons scream weekend time, but this was my Monday!

05/08
Again with an easy day at work, I had time for short 3 mile run in the blazing heat then more swimming for the kids before a yummy dinner.

05/08
Work. Got EVERYTHING done. Seriously, every single thing on my to-do-list done. Dinner with my family and time for my hubby to head out for some afternoon fishing. Guess what, I have tomorrow and Friday off.

While I feel like I am taking a lot of time off from work lately, I also think it is an important component to maintain this sense of balance. Whether it is taking an half hour off to go run or a day off to relax. I understand not many people can do this. I know I am lucky to work for someone so flexible, but I also credit myself for positioning myself to afford the time off. I work my A$$ off to make sure I am not skipping out on my team or not pulling my weight. I instill confidence in my team and my boss that I can leave and that I have done what I need to do.

The Big Picture: There are times I will love every minute of my life and others where I will have to remind myself to love every minute. I am just enjoying how effortless that is for me right now.

Why I Kick A$$: Because I am working my training plan, it is not working me. Can't wait for Saturday's Trail 10K.

Thankful Three:

1. For life, for living, breathing and having my family with me.
2. For sunny days
3. For some mother-daughter time with my Bug this past weekend.

Tuesday Tidbit: Running and Fun, what more could a girl ask for

A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.

~Coco Chanel 

Training got a little weird last week. I wanted to run on non run days so I did. I wanted to run further than was scheduled do I did. It has been great, eating last week was great, the scale was great, then the weekend arrived.

Training  miles planned/miles actually run
Mon rest/4 miles
Tues 3 mile run/rest a.k.a. Happy Hour
Wed CT/ 5 miles
Thurs 2.5 mile run/rest
Fri rest/2 mile run
Sat 4.5 mile run/2 mile since I ran 5 Wed
Sun CT/rest

This week is off to the exact right start, a rest day! On the horizon:

Mon- rest

Tues- 3.5

Wed- CT

Thurs- 3

Fri- rest

Sat- 5

Sun- 40 min EZ run or CT

This weekend I partially hosted a Bachelorette weekend. The sister of the bride arranged an amazing spa day with a delicious brunch. Mimosa's, Sangria, a chicken salad with curry in it that rocked my world and fruit salad etc. Then it was my part of the trip, a couple little "get to know you" games, went to a fancy restaurant TASTE and the next day hit a few wineries for some tasting. I had such a relaxing weekend. I also got to pick the brains of a personal trainer in training and a registered dietician. Fitness, health and girl talk all in one weekend. It was pretty awesome.

Saturday night dinner drinks

Filet, greens and that little tart is a Pt. Reyes blue cheese tart

I just had fruit and toast, but these eggs Benedict for everyone else were picture perfect

Such a beautiful group of girls on a beautiful day drinking beautiful wine

The Big Picture: As I reconnect with a running, a schedule is just a guide... kind of a minimum if you will. So when I was feeling a like a little more last week, I was ok with going for it.
Why I kick A$$: I have entered a fitness world that has some semblance of consistency.

Thankful Three:

1. For a girls weekend
2. For making another successful batch of my white chocolate cashew fudge
3. For mapping a wine tasting run, 6 miles, 4 wineries...should be fun!