Health and Fitness Friday

Friday is here!! And August is over...SERIOUSLY?! I know now that these months will probably sneak by me, as I back at work.

I feel like I ran so much this month, but my miles weren't as large as they usually are. I have been having a hard time on my runs. I have been taking some antibiotics for when I tested positive for TB (which I do NOT have, and apparently is very common for people to come in contact with someone but their bodies convert it. My immune system is pretty stellar) and I'm certain this is the reason I cannot run as efficiently as I usually do.

Also, I've been getting up at 5 on days that I work, which I love, and use the days off for getting some addtional rest. Rest is so important. Probably just as important as staying hydrated. 

I've also been working on including more muscle work into my routine again. I've backed off my running to just about every other day and included yoga and walking back into my routine. I've been loving it. I love the feeling of soreness, crazy right?! But it feels good to know that I pushed myself.

Saturday: arms workout

Sunday: 13.7 mile  run

Monday: 1 mile walk with dog and Lilly, Leg workout

Tuesday: 3 mile run, 60 pushups

Wednesday: 5 mile walk

Thursday: 4.6 mile run/walk

Friday: planned ???

I really have no idea what I want to do today. Any ideas???

Health

So we did use some emeals recipes and I wouldn't say they are the healthiest despite them being categorized as clean eating. But I guess clean eating is subjective. I will definitely say that the meals were delicious. I'm excited for our nacho night tonight :). Except I can't have cheese due to the medicine I am on.

Hope you have a fantabulous day!!

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Book Review: The Whole Brain Child

Well what a book. 

Definitely eye opening and full of goodies.

I loved reading this book as an educational book, but found it to be so relevant in my parenting life as well.

This book is centered on the idea of the whole child. The whole child is accessing a child's needs physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This has found itself into education and I haven't seen much referred to in the parenting realm. But here it is!!

I believe as both an educator and a mama, how important it is to be whole. 

I find myself often off balance and know that I'm one run a way from a good mood.

It is neat that I have found that running helps me sort out problems, keeps me physically active, and is rejuvenating. 

This isn't the case for everyone.

Especially babies. 

I can totally picture myself telling Lil lets go for a run as she is crying and in a bad mood. I'll remind myself now not to do that.

But its so easy to just assume a 'logical' solution to our child's needs when they are upset, but sometimes creating that solution is ignoring what they really need.

Let me be more clear.

Its easy to tell your child 'It's okay, It's okay.' But really are they? They just fell down and we sometimes ignore their hurt so as not create a scene. Don't get me wrong, I do it too. 

But as they get older, will they be afraid to express their feelings because of that attitude we had as we handled their problems? 

This books talks about how to solve those issues. How to get to the root of what your child is really saying. 

I loved how the book is made up of 12 strategies. One of my favorite being Name it to Tame It. This stategy deals with helping the child understand their feelings and finding a strategy to change it. 

For instance, your child is crying at bedtime, you ask how they are feeling and they tell you they are scared. 

Instead of saying "It's okay, nothing will happen."

You ask "Why are you scared? I understand that when it is nighttime, it can be a scary time. What are some things that you can dream about tonight that will be exciting... and so on.

It's a great read. Lots of words, but full of helpful strategies.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 hearts.

What strategies do you use with your little one to avoid meltdowns?

 

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Health and Fitness: Back to School Edition

Well its back to school for me!! First week of school is done. I can't believe how much I miss teaching. It is such a privilege and I am so blessed to have the job I do!! Even with getting back to work I've been trying to get up early and go for a run. There has been lots of fires in Northern California, which has definitely affected the weather.

Saturday: 4 mile run

Sunday: 4 mile run

Monday: 5 mile run

Tuesday: 30 minutes of yoga

Wednesday: 5k run

Thursday: 4 mile run, leg workout resistance bands

Friday: Run and ab workout (planned)

Health:

Well this week I had to choose easy options because it was back to work for me and I still need to finesse my week. We are planning to do emeals soon, so I'm hoping that will help me out a lot. This week meals included pizza, spaghetti, veggie chili, burritos, BLTs, and grilled chicken. Can't get easier than that :)

How was your week? How do you plan meals around your schedule?

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Book Review: Help, Thanks, Wow

I SERIOUSLY love Anne Lamott! She is a talented writer. I love that she holds nothing back. I love too how personal and transparent her books are. Even though she is a Christian, she shares it in a non offensive way and validates everyone, especially in this book.

She focuses on three types of prayer. The 'Help,' The 'Thanks,' and The 'Wow' prayer. Even though many of us use more than one word when we are praying or our memories of prayer are long and lengthy, they can usually be boiled down into these three categories.

This short book is full of laughter, joy, and happiness. It is such a wonderful and refreshing read. I really love the chapter on Thanks and Wow because not often am I expressing those to God. I often find myself in the HELP category, always running to Him when I am in need (also I kinda love that Anne refers to God a 'she').

Great read and you'll be through it in no time.

6 hearts for this beaut!!

Have you read an Anne Lamott book? What are your thoughts on prayer?

 

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Meal Planning Monday!!

Okay! So here it is. I think we've figured it out. Looks like we are gonna keep our Emeals plan and use it. This first week back to school (School actually starts tomorrow but we had meetings) I was definitely in no mood to make the meals I had planned. Plus we had a few that did not turn out well, Polenta Kale Spirals, not so much :).

Well we will officially start our emeals plans next week, but I did borrow a few for this week.

Hope it goes more smoothly than last week!

Monday: Bean and Cheese Burritos

Tuesday: Veggie Chili

Wednesday: Spaghetti

Thursday: Grilled Chicken and Veggies

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: BLTs

Sunday: Family Dinner

It's an easy week! Happy first week of school!!

 

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It's Back To School We Go!!

This week begins the first official week back to school. Last week I worked, it was meetings and trainings all day. I'm so proud to tell you that Lil Miss did GREAT!! We are so very lucky to have my sister watching her.

I get to teach Transitional Kindergarten on a part time basis. I will be working Monday, Tuesday, and every other Wednesday. WOW!! This week has snuck up on me. I feel so unprepared, but so confident. I know that this will be such a great opportunity for me to clear my credential, to learn more, and to do what I love. It's hard for me to leave Lilly, but this is such a sweet deal. I am able to play and hang out with her the majority of the week still. 

I struggled for so long with going back. I cried and pouted and refused to go back. But as it turns out it is a lot easier than I anticipated. I was fortunate enough to have over a year with Lil. I also took on a small position at a nearby gym teaching which allowed me to be comfortable with leaving Lil for longer than an hour. Now that she knows how to soothe herself to sleep, it makes it easy for others to put her to sleep.

I am SOOO excited! Have I mentioned that yet?! It's a battle wanting to be excited by sad to leave her. I try to block it. And for so long, I just didn't understand how other moms did it. I refused to go back to work because I worried that one day she would be disappointed that I didn't spend more time with her. 

But this IS what is best. I am able to clear my credential, have purpose (outside of being her mom), and its helping to get rid of all those darn school loans I have. 

Well...Happy First Month of School!!

Did you struggle with going back to work? What helped you with the transition?

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Health and Fitness Friday

Well my life has now become much more busy...in a good way. I'm back at school! Yahoo!!

Anyway. This week with making meals was no fun and not good. I tried to add a few new recipes to our usual few, but I failed miserably!!

Here is an idea of where I went wrong:

Polenta Kale Wraps
Roasted Root Vegetable Stew




My poor family.
But at least we tried. I mentioned a few weeks ago that we had bought a groupon to emeals, but that the meal plan wasn't going to be convienent to our family and it would take away from my love of meal planning.

After this week....

I surrender.

We are doing the emeals program. We decided on low carb. I let you know how it goes!!


On to Fitness.

I have been getting up early, but a few days I needed the rest. Plus its still so stinking dark when I wake up. I have to be done by 6 when Lil wakes.


Saturday:
Sunday: 3.1 miles
Monday: 8.5 miles
Tuesday:4.5 miles, 1 mile run during a break
Wednesday: REST, some workout/stretching at a staff meeting (for my gymnastics job)
Thursday: walk during break, 1 hour 20 minute yoga

Friday: 2.5 mile run, ARMeggedon workout!



Hope you all have a fabulous week. Hoping to rise early and get those workouts/runs in.




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Lilly Mae 15 Months

HHappy 15 months Little One!!

Says Dada, Momma, Nom, Gus, Dog

Listens to me

Understands no/not right now (she puts her head down)

Slept in her crib all night (July 22)

Weaned!

Loves cucumbers, capers, hummus, salsa, ice cream, milk, Cheddar bunnies, chicken, bananas, salmon, craisins

Falls asleep on my chest, again

First boat ride (July 15)

Likes to put kids on things

Understands clean up

Identifys dogs, fish, baby, Melvin,

Knows family members and familiar friends

Still loves to be carried.

Loves to explore

Likes to put lids on things

Will Scream and RAWR!

Loves to have something in her hand at all times

Knows 'nose'

She is silly!

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Oh Organic Garlic!!

I love me a farmer's market. Fresh produce, juicy fruit, and homemade bread!!

Being a mom of a new one, I seek the best. And being a foodie, the best place is farmer's market.

I love supporting local farmers. 

I recently found my love for organic garlic.

Garlic has always been my favorite way to season food. I have been known to eat it raw.

GASP!!

I'm sure we all know the benefits of this lovely bulb.

1. It's great for your heart.

2. It kills bacteria

3. Its been used widely to prevent many different types of illness

Here is something you may not know.

Just like those carrots that have a white tinge to them, garlic too is bleached. 

That is why garlic is white.

But organic garlic has a dusty, almost dirty look to it.

You can also tell the difference when you are cooking with it. 

I typically use a garlic press. When pressing organic garlic it was translucent. Regular garlic is white.

Also, if you use the microwave, wait until after to add the garlic.

The microwave kills off all the goodness that is garlic.

I hope to grow some of this soon!!

Thanks for letting me share my love for garlic!!

Keep pressing on. hehe

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What's For Dinner Week 9

Well I'm back to meal planning. I like it too much. Even though we signed up for emeals, I'll be using it for new recipes, but we are not totally committing to it. 

I love being creative and it's a control issue probably, but if I want my family to eat healthy, I've got to do it! 

Here are this weeks meals (most from cookbooks I have around the house). I also used this book I picked up from the library:

No, we haven't taken the plunge to vegan, but I think that while trying to stay within a budget and eat healthy, you can't go wrong with veggies!!

This book has a wealth of yummy meals. Can't wait to share.

Monday: Braised Cabbage Rolls, hummus and pitas

Tuesday: Crockpot Teriyaki Pineapple Meatballs over Quinoa

Wednesday: Creamy Green Enchiladas

Thursday: Grilled Chicken and Wilted Spinach Salad with Spocy Peanut Dressing

Friday: Nachos

Saturday: Hot and Sour Noodles

Sunday: Family Dinner 

Hope you have a wonderful week!!

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