Week 5: Shooting With Soul Challenge- Books

This week's Shooting With Soul exercise was a photo of Books.

I decided to go with the books that have been ones I've been reading (and using) lately.

My MacBook - see what I did there?! Yes, I am reading on it! The course I'm taking to become a Breastfeeding USA Breastfeeding Counselor has the textbook available as an e-book for free for the time it takes you to finish the class. I plan on buying it to have in my library, but I haven't yet.

The Developing Person Through the Life Span - required text for the Lifespan Development course I'm taking this semester.

Shooting with Soul by Alessandra Cave - for this challenge of course!! I do love growing my photography. If only I could google how to make my brain be more creative!

My Bible and Study Notebook - for my spiritual development. I'm enjoying my reading as I started over in my reading schedule. I'm also working my way studying through the book of John using the SOAP (scripture, observation, application, prayer) method of studying.

The Strong-Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson - I'm slowly making my way through it. It's an easy read, but I find myself getting distracted by thinking of my own strong-willed child. It goes without saying that I have not made it very far.

One fun tidbit about this photo: this is straight out of the camera, not edited, not cropped!

Check out Hannah's book post. Be sure to use #shootingwithsoul and #theevereclectic when you posting to Facebook or Instagram. I can't wait to see yours!!

Shooting with Soul: Week 4: Something You Collect

This weeks exercise in the Shooting with Soul challenge was a photo of something you collect.

As I discovered trying to shoot the above picture: it is hard to take pictures of framed pictures! These pictures (and frames!) however, are so special to me. They represent the places we've been, memories we've made, some as a family, some just Chad and me. 

Whenever we start to plan a trip, we always say to each other, "we need to make sure we find a frame". On the way to our destination, "where do you think we should take our picture?". We enjoy hunting for the perfect frame, the perfect spot, and looking back through the photos for which photo we should display in our frame.

When we were visiting Niagara Falls a few years ago, we were in the elevator after one of our tours of the Falls, deciding that our next stop would be the Official Falls Gift Shop to look for a frame. We were talking about how many frames we would accumulate over the next 50 years. I got (and am getting!) choked up thinking of the new places and new sights we would explore together, hoping that these photos and the photos of the future would mean as much to the kids as they do to Chad and me.

Be sure to check out Hannah's collection of earrings, and tag your collection photos with #theevereclectic and #shootingwithsoul!

Shooting with Soul: Week 3: Your Shadow

This weeks exercise was a picture of your shadow. This week, I had several different ideas run through my head- we had snow on the ground most of the week, and a bunch of snowy days, but every time I tried to take one of by myself it wasn't what I really wanted. Then later in the week, I was finished with my run and walking back home and noticed that if I stood in the middle of the street, and the way the two streetlights are situated, it would cast 2 shadows.

I had Chad help me, and he just snapped a quick pic with my smartphone. I like how it turned out! The two shadows, but also since the lights are behind me, I look like a shadow.

Link up your shadow pic using #theevereclectic and #shootingwithsoul. Be sure to check out Hannah's shadow pic (and she featured my pic from last week!!)

Shooting With Soul Challenge: Week 2: Your Reflection

After a super busy week, it was refreshing to get outside in the mild weather with the kids to shoot this weeks Shooting with Soul exercise: Your Reflection.

I love this photo!! I mean look at those sweet smiles!

I can't believe that it actually turned out exactly how I envisioned in my very uncreative mind.  That happens never!

These faces are a reflection of me as a mom.

Love my three.

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Be sure to link up your reflection photo with Hannah (The Ever Eclectic). Be sure to use #shootingwithsoul and #theevereclectic when you post on Facebook or Instagram.

Marathon Training, part 1

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Monday, I will be finishing up week 8 of marathon training, marking the halfway point.

I have been following this schedule pretty closely.  I made the schedule in Numbers based off of the Hal Higdon Novice 1 Marathon Plan. You may have to zoom in to get a clear look.

THE PLAN


THE REASON
Since I completed a half on October 19, I knew I could start with higher mileage. I chose the Novice 1 plan because I wasn't happy with how my runs had been going leading up to my half. I'm very happy with the decision to drop down to a 5 mile long and build from there.

HOW IT'S GOING
So far, my training runs have been great. Most have been faster than planned, and felt great.

Sure, I have missed a few runs, and strength workouts over the course of the last 8 weeks. I have also needed to move days around as our schedule required. Over all, I've put in the work. I'm looking forward to the 8 weeks ahead as my mileage continues to build and I run new distances in training and finally the marathon.

FUELING
Starting with my first 9 mile run, I tried out Generation UCAN. I am a believer. I have since ditched all other forms of fueling and use UCAN exclusively for runs over 6 miles. For those long runs, my routine includes a LaraBar and a banana an hour before I run, and then drink UCAN 30 minutes before I run. I have used UCAN as fueling at all times of the day, from early morning to later in the afternoon and have had the same results each time. (I was not paid to say this, I love UCAN, and I'm not embarrassed to tell you).

POST RUN
At the suggestion of Mandy over at Paleo Running Mom, I found a really great protein powder at Costco. If I'm not going to eat a meal pretty quickly after I run, I blend up chocolate milk, protein powder and a banana to help aid recovery. With UCAN, replenishing protein in enormous amounts isn't as necessary since it burns fat and not protein. Even with that knowledge, I still either eat or drink a protein shake pretty quickly after a run to help replenish energy burned.

CHANGES
As the midweek runs are starting to increase, I'm having a hard time getting my body up early enough to fuel and run. For the remaining 8 weeks of training, I am going to even out the 3 weekday runs, keeping each run between 4 and 6 miles, keeping the mid week runs.  This will help me run the miles early in the morning on just a LaraBar and a banana.

I'll be sharing the second half of my training plan in the next few weeks once I work out the kinks.

Shooting with Soul Challenge: Glimpse of You

This week, the exercise included taking a photo of myself. But more than that, showing you a glimpse of me.

At the beginning of each week, I sit down with a cup of coffee (that cup was handmade by our sweet friend, Jada) and plan our week. I gather our various schedules and make sure they are in one place and to refresh my memory to what commitments we have. I plan our meals, the grocery list, and I plug in my running schedule where it fits.

There are some weeks that I feel I'm too busy to take the hour or so it takes to make the schedule, meal plan, and grocery list. Those are the weeks that often blow up, in a matter of speaking. Things get forgotten, lunch for the kids is whatever I can find rather than balanced, dinner is either picked up by Chad on his way home from work, or is less than desirable. And I just feel on edge. Because we have had too many of those weeks, I now make myself sit down and take the time to organize our life, if only for a week.

A Glimpse of Me.

Photo Challenge & Update

What a busy busy fall! I'll get more into that later, but first, the reason I'm joining you again after months of silence.

I'm so excited to announce that I will be taking part in a photo challenge hosted by my friend Hannah over at The Ever Eclectic. You can check out a into to the project here. And the post of her first exercise here.

Each week, I'll post a photo as it relates to the exercises found in the book Shooting with Soul.

Stay tuned for the first exercise: "Glimpses of You" later this week. I hope you guys link up too!

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Now, I'm going to give a little catch up of the last few months. You can stop reading, if you want, I won't be offended. Or just scroll through the pictures. I do this more for me, than for you - I like going back and remembering too.

I started (and finished last week!) some classes online from a local community college. I'm working on the requirements needed to sit for the IBCLC exam.

Of course, the kids started back to school. 5th and 1st grade. How does that happen?

 

Lydia turned 2:

I ran my second half marathon. It was quite possibly the most difficult thing I've ever done, except child birth x3...That's a sore subject, so we'll leave it at that.

I registered and started training for the Myrtle Beach Marathon on February 14. Just under 9 weeks to go. Training is going great. Maybe someday soon I'll share my training schedule.

We had our first snow day!

We had a student of the month:

We had our first ever (of many!) band concert. Fifth grade band is about as good as it gets, haha!

The last few weeks have been busy with the big kids basketball schedules. Juggling 2 schedules is hard sometimes. Thankfully, we have very few games that overlap. So while I will be doing a lot of driving between now and March 1, I will get to see the majority of the games.

I Did It! Juice Cleanse 2014

 

It's been a week since I finished the Big Juice of 2014, so I wanted to check in with how it went.
 
You can read about Day 1 here.
 
Days 2 and 3 went pretty well. Over all, I lost 2.6 pounds which wasn't as much as I expected, but since that wasn't my purpose, I was fine with that. I think that since I was blending the ingredients using my NutriBullet instead of actually juicing it in a juicer, that contributed to the limited weight loss.
 
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Day 2
On day 2, I switched up the order a little bit and drank the carrot and beet stuff for "lunch" and then the apple, kiwi, banana and greens drink for "dinner". I also didn't drink the almond drink at all, and didn't replace it with anything. I decided I just didn't like it after all.
 
I started later in the day, and that really helped the mid-afternoon hunger problem I had on day 1.
 
Day 3
Day 3 looked almost exactly like day 2. I probably failed at drinking water like I should have been. I wasn't hungry, but I was ready for food. Not even to eat it, but just to chew something!
 
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What about the days after?
 
Friday, I woke up with a mild ache in my right side. Maybe my kidneys? As much as I wanted to, I had a little bit of trouble choking down breakfast and lunch, but by dinner time, I was starved!
 
It's now a week later, and I am still down those 2.6 pounds.
 
I'm settling into a 90 paleo/10 clean +some dairy diet . I have had a few slip ups, but all in all, I feel like I have done pretty well. I plan to talk about that more tomorrow.
 
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Would I do it again?
 
Probably, yeah. Three days was the perfect amount of time, easy enough to carve out with careful planning, yet long enough to be a commitment. Plus it was easy using the NutriBullet.
 
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If you have questions, let me know. I will try to answer as best I can.
 
 
Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist, dietitian, or doctor. When I write about my diet and health, it’s completely my own opinion and based on my own experiences and research. Please consult a professional for all medical questions about diets.

 

Juice Cleanse: Day 1

Monday afternoon, I gathered up all the ingredients needed for 3 days of 6 juices each.
 
When I got back from the grocery, I pulled out the borrowed juicer. And I couldn't get it to turn on. I'm sure user error, but hubby and I tried everything. And I mean everything.
 
So out came the NutriBullet. Since I was going to be using all of the fruit and veggie and not just the juice, I decided that I would split one recipe between 2 bottles and then add water to the top of my bottle.
 

 
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I'll be honest, I was a little nervous going in! Making them was one thing, now I have to drink them!
 
Juice 1 and 3: Apple, banana, kiwi, greens. The taste wasn't bad, and it was really very filling. There was a little gritty aftertaste, but I think that's more because of making them with the bullet.
 
Juice 2: Apple, pineapple, cucumber. Again, the flavor was pretty good, refreshing even.
 
Juice 4: water, lemon, honey, cayenne. Soooo sooooo soooo tart!
 
Juice 5: beet, carrot, apple. I had to just guzzle it. I didn't like the taste at all. Gag!
 
Juice 6: almonds, banana, cinnamon, nutmeg, milk. I blended these up and made a smoothie.
 
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WHAT I DID TODAY


I started the day with a cup of coffee. I guzzled juice 1 before I drank my coffee.
 
Around 11:30, I drank juice 2. It took me about 30 minutes start to finish.
 
At 2:30, I drank juice 3. Around 4, I started getting really hungry. I think I could have eaten a horse! I tried to keep busy. I took Lydia outside (even though it was 700 degrees). We went to the grocery store. I sorted laundry.
 
At 6, I started juice 4, aka special lemonade :) I took Lydia back outside and sipped while we played. It took me probably an hour to get it all down, it was sooooo tart. Lydia laughed at me every time it took a drink because I puckered up. She'd say, "punny, mommy, punny!"
 
At 8, I started juice 5. This was so gross. I took forever drinking it, like an hour and a half at least.
 
At 10:30, I blended up my smoothie for juice 6, and drank it for dessert.
 
In between each juice, I drank at least 20oz of water.
 
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WHAT I'LL CHANGE FOR TOMORROW
 
1- I want to get away from the mid afternoon super hunger. I'll drink my coffee first, and then drink 20oz of water, maybe around 10, and then drink one every 2 hours.
 
2- I will only be putting in 1/2 a lemon in my special lemonade instead of a whole lemon. I'll use the other half in my water throughout the day.
 
3- For juice 4, I'm going to shake it up really well, and then drink it as fast as I possibly can. And try the best I can not to gag on it!
 
4- Less almonds in the smoothie. And I'll make it ahead of time so it can be cold. But it was pretty tasty, just a little warm from grinding up the almonds and then "bulleting" it all together.
 
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With the changes, hopefully tomorrow will go much much better! I'll check in and let you know :)
 

ISO: Accountability

Wow. Blogger says it's been since March 17th that I posted. It is kind of hard to believe it has been FOUR months since I posted.
I'll save you the last 4 months of our lives, and instead just jump right in to the here and now.
 
<<<<<>>>>>
 
Yesterday, I ran for the first time in 4 weeks. I've been healing my broken toe. Two slow miles that I'm trying not to get discouraged about. Not to mention that every muscle in my body is sore. Just in case you wondered.
 
<<<<<>>>>>
 
Now, for the majority of next week, my big kids will be visiting with grandparents in PA. And since it will just be me, Chad and the little- I've decided that I am going to do a 3 day juice cleanse. I found a great DIY juice cleanse (thank you Pinterest). The prep is super easy. I just hope these girls are telling the truth that they stayed feeling full.
Why a juice cleanse? The second week of June we went on vacation. Now, on vacation we indulge in food- dessert every night, local pizza, snacks, pop, chips, free dinner at the hotel (a happy surprise!), the list can go on and on really. The problem is, it's now 3 weeks after vacation and I'm still snacking like its vacation.
 
<<<<<>>>>>
 
After completing the cleanse, I plan to start a strict 90/10 Paleo/clean plan for 30 days. After those 30 days, I will evaluate to see if I need to adjust my plan. But I also want to see how it affects training for my next half marathon in October.
 

 
Who's in?
 

Monday Meal Plan

 

You know that moment when you look into the freezer and realize maybe it's time to use some of what's in there? Yeah, that's what this week is looking like. Plus, we have some carryovers from last week. We're going to be out of town for a few days for spring break, and you know how I love love love to leave a cleaned out fridge.

Meal Plan: March 17-22

Kids' Breakfast

Monday: eggs & toast, strawberries and blueberries

Tuesday: waffles, peanut butter, apple slices

Wednesday: blueberry muffin, yogurt, banana

Thursday: granola bar, strawberries

Friday: waffles, Nutella, banana




Kids' Packed Lunch

Monday: leftover crockpot Philly hoagie, pretzels, yogurt, muffin

Tuesday: ham & cheese wrap, carrots, strawberries and blueberries

Wednesday: cream cheese and jelly sandwich, goldfish, red pepper slices, strawberries, cookie

Thursday: quesadilla, celery and peanut butter, chips and salsa, yogurt

Friday: leftover BBQ pork sandwich, apple slices, cheese stick, muffin




My Lunch

Monday: ham & pesto "faux" grilled cheese, steamed carrots

Tuesday: veggie wrap, steamed asparagus

Wednesday: salad with leftover pork

Thursday: taco salad

Friday: veggie wrap




Dinner

Monday: jalapeño popper chicken, steamed asparagus, salad, rolls

Tuesday: pork roast, mashed potatoes, steamed corn, salad, rolls

Wednesday: taco salad

Thursday: BBQ pork sandwiches, cheesy potato chips, steamed asparagus, celery & peanut butter

Friday: pizza

 

Five Friday Faves :)

 

 

I've taken some time- maybe too much? But I woke up this morning with a new resolve and eager to get into spring!

I'm excited to reflect on this weeks favorites with you!

1. Favorite Workout

Today! And before you ask, it was not my only workout. . .

3.14 miles for pi day :) can't be any more fun than that, right? It was a hard run. Wind+BOB=brutal. For real.

But look at this sweet face swinging after our run:

Oh, and have I mentioned she's nosy?

 

2. Favorite Article

I read this article on Finding Joy. I just need it this week. Read it. Maybe you do too.

 

3. Favorite Picture




Yeah, just hanging out eating blueberries in the middle of the kitchen floor. Love her.

 

4. Favorite Meal

I should have taken a picture. But imagine if you can: frozen waffle, scoop of plain Chobani, sliced apples, sprinkled cinnamon. Yum!

 

5. Favorite Moment

Lately, we have been trying to be diligent about having a family bible study 1-2 nights a week. Nothing makes me prouder than hearing those sweet voices recite 1 Peter 3:8. But beyond that, Noah's apology now includes, I wasn't loving as brothers. I love his tender heart.

Oh and that moment that taxes are done? Yeah love that moment too! Haha!!

 

Catching Up

Our winter has been busy. And cold. Bitter cold.

We filled our Saturday's with basketball games. And some Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. We have one last hurrah tomorrow night at the bowling alley with Noah's team. I sure will miss it, but am also looking forward to a free Saturday :)

I've certainly loved the nice weather the last few days. Lydia and I have been able to get out yesterday for a run and then today we took a walk and played on the playground. She giggled the entire time.

Chad had a meeting tonight, so after homework, we went to the basketball hoops to get some more sunshine:

(and then after dinner, we went for ice cream, shhhh... don't tell Chad :)

*****
Chad did a little DIY last week.
We started with this:

And ended up with this:

























Isn't it great?
Yes. Now I can delete my "House: Foyer" Pinterest board!

And our new "jumbo" coffee mugs:

oh wait? Swanky coffee shop? Nope! :)

And then these 3 :)














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What have you guys been up to?

Meal Plan Monday is back!

Over this ugly deep freeze, somehow (hello cookies and coffee!) I gained back about 7 pounds- but it's been a great winter :) This week however, I have my resolve back- the warmer temps make me smile just thinking about it, and I'm ignoring the snow we're supposed to get Wednesday after 70 tomorrow. I'll believe it when I see it. But I see lots of running and playing outside in my future this week :)

I'm sure you have probably noticed (or don't care!) that we've been having a bunch of waffles lately. Costco has a ginormous box of waffles for $6.99, the kids and I may be in love! I pop one in the toaster too it with a little peanut butter and load up sliced bananas, strawberries and blueberries. Perfect!

Oh and then there is the box if 15 cartons of Chobani for 8.99 this week. For real. I guess I know what I'm eating a lot of this week! It's ok because I love it, and so do the kids. I should be able to score another box before the sale is over.

Meal Plan: March 10-16

Kids' Breakfast
Monday: granola bar and apple
Tuesday: pancakes, strawberries, blueberries
Wednesday: blueberry muffins, banana
Thursday: waffles with peanut butter and banana
Friday: eggs & toast


Kids' Packed Lunch
Monday: Nutella sandwich, banana, pretzels, fruit snack, yogurt
Tuesday: ham and cream cheese roll up, gold fish, cheese stick, apple, cookie
Wednesday: peanut butter and apple quesadilla, carrots and ranch, yogurt, cookie
Thursday: cream cheese and jelly english muffin, cheez-it's, raspberries, yogurt
Friday: leftover crockpot chicken Philly hoagy, pretzels, strawberries, cookie

My Lunch
Monday: salad with chopped ham, salsa, avocado
Tuesday: salad with salmon, avocado, ranch dressing, 1/2 baked sweet potato
Wednesday: leftover taco salad with black beans, avocado, salsa
Thursday: leftover chicken philly hoagy, small salad
Friday: leftover chicken fried rice

Weekend Breakfast
Saturday: French toast with bananas, strawberries and blueberries
Sunday: blueberry muffins


Weekend Lunch
Saturday: leftover pizza
Sunday: Cajun dirty rice, salad

Dinner
Monday: pesto salmon baked sweet potatoes, salad
Tuesday: taco salad
Wednesday: crockpot chicken Philly hoagies, corn, salad
Thursday: chicken fried rice
Friday: homemade pizza
Saturday: jalapeño popper chicken, steamed asparagus, salad
Sunday: skyline baked potatoes


 

Meal planning

 

I'm in a cooking rut. There. I said it out loud.

I'm stuck between I'm ready for winter to be over and winter is not over. At all.

It makes me not want to plan. And so, at 5pm, you can find me standing at the fridge, gazing in, hoping something will jump out at me. And fast!

Because nothing is jumping out, I've been flying by the seat of my pants (well, skirt) and my family is severely underwhelmed.

And now, I have a 10 pound bag of chicken from Costco that is taking up all visual space in my freezer, and it seems I always need what is behind it. I should really do something about that. I'm thinking, big bag goes in the basement freezer, then I'll keep a smaller bag with this weeks chicken plans upstairs?

Since yesterday and today are now over, I'll start with Wednesday.

Meal Plan: March 4-9

Kids' Breakfast

Wednesday: waffles, peanut butter, banana

Thursday: granola bar, yogurt, blackberries

Friday: eggs, toast




Kids' Packed Lunch

Wednesday: peanut butter, jelly & banana roll up, pretzels, cheese stick, yogurt

Thursday: cream cheese, ham & spinach roll up, goldfish, mixed berry smoothie

Friday: leftover tacos, chips, salsa, strawberries, yogurt

 

Mom Lunch

Wednesday: salad with leftover chicken

Thursday: taco nachos with leftover taco meat

Friday: leftover shrimp Fra Diavlo




Weekend Breakfast

Saturday: pancakes, banana

Sunday: blueberry muffins




Weekend Lunch

Saturday: baby shower

Sunday: baked chicken parm, salad, steamed asparagus, rolls

 

Dinner

Wednesday: tacos

Thursday: shrimp Fra Diavlo, salad, rolls

Friday: homemade pizza

Saturday: chicken fried rice

Sunday: leftovers

 

Ever feel like you need a reset button?

<source>

You know how when you power down your iPhone, and when you start it back up, everything wrong magically is fixed.

Or when you call tech support and the first question they ask is, "have you restarted your computer?"

That's why I haven't checked in since last Monday. I needed a reset. I spent my time away from the blog (and other things) going to bed early, spending time with family, basketball games, napping, running, catching some Olympics, and trying to figure out how to be a better Christian, wife, mom, friend, runner.

<source>

Taking time away from the unnecessary is a good way to write a new plan. Not a pencil-me-in type of plan. A new life view type of plan. It forces you to decide what's important. I still don't have it all worked out, but I'm excited about this new direction.

Stay tuned, over the next few weeks, I'll be telling you about these changes, after I work out the wrinkles.

 

Meal Plan Monday

 

I hope you all had a great President's Day (and so sorry if you had to work!). We had a fun trip to Costco, came home with Costco pizza for lunch ($4.95 with coupon, score!), and free (another coupon!) rotisserie chicken for dinner.

But we started the day with these:

<French toast with bananas and blackberries topped with maple syrup>

*****

For my lunches this week, I plan to stick to a salad with chicken or whatever protein we have leftover from dinner and a smoothie. So I'm leaving the my lunch category off the schedule this week.

I'm also going to be experimenting a little with smoothies, especially with the kids, so I won't be linking any recipes for now. I'll try to remember to tell you what was a hit and what failed next Monday (if not before!)

*****

Now,

Meal Plan: Week of February 17-23

Kids' Breakfast

Tuesday: pancakes with peanut butter and banana

Wednesday: granola bar, apple, smoothie

Thursday: French toast, smoothie

Friday: pumpkin pie oatmeal with granola

 

Kids' Packed Lunch

Tuesday: leftovers, orange, yogurt

Wednesday: peanut butter and banana quesadilla, cheese stick, yogurt

Thursday: ham and cream cheese roll up, cheese stick, carrots, apple

Friday: leftover spaghetti, red pepper sticks, apple sauce




Weekend Breakfast

Saturday: waffles, eggs, strawberries and bananas

Sunday: cinnamon rolls




Weekend Lunch

Saturday: sandwiches or salads

Sunday: Salmon, garlic cheesy biscuits, brown rice, salad




Dinner

Monday: rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, garlic cheesy biscuits

Tuesday: leftovers, celery with peanut butter

Wednesday: honey garlic pork chops, leftover mashed potatoes, peas

Thursday: spaghetti, salad, homemade garlic bread

Friday: Skyline

Saturday: date night <3

Sunday: enchiladas, chipotle "copy cat" rice

*****

What's on your schedule this week?

 

Friday Faves: Valentine's Day Edition <3

 

Happy Valentine's Day, friends! I hope you all were spoiled by your loves :)

1. Favorite Workout

I'm going to have to say yesterday's run. Not because it was a great run by any means, but because it was outside. I needed the sunshine. A glorious 2 miles with my littlest girl.

I also want to try this full body workout by Be Mom Strong:

2. Favorite Article

As a new Costco member, I found this article about real deals on real food. I mean, I did some price checking on some of the items we buy often and on our very favorite pasta sauce (that we use for pasta, lasagna, pizza, anything with a red sauce) and based on the rate we use a jar, we would make our money back for the year from the savings on the sauce alone. I was excited to find more things that we use that will be cheaper!

3. Favorite Picture

Chad came home from work (after sitting in snow traffic for over an hour) and surprised me with this delish treat (which I'm sure he waited at least 30 minutes during his lunch). He even made me latté. He spoils me.

4. Favorite Meal

I didn't actually drink this as a meal, but with a salad. But, I love my Bullet (fantastic Costco find, their set even had the extra large cup with the flip top lid). Happy V-Day to me (from hubby of course ;)

 

5. Favorite Moment

This week has been pretty low key, and well boring. The kids had today off school, so Noah was off at a friends for a sleep over- so we had a girls day (morning). I'm pretty sure Madison had the best day ever, how do I know? Oh, she only said it like 40 thousand times. And we didn't do anything earth shattering- a trip to Michael's to spend a gift card she had, wondering around Target and Marshall's until we went to pick up. Noah. But I think she was happy to see him back with us, but she would never admit it.

*****

What are you favorites from this week?

What do you have planned for the weekend? More basketball for us!

 

10 miles on a treadmill makes you want to sleep

A lot. I have gone to bed early (for me) the last 3 nights. Like, oh, the kids are in bed, let's go to bed! So, I haven't had a chance to recap Monday's 10 miles on the treadmill.

CONFESSION: it wasn't horrible.

Truth: it went NOTHING like I expected, no matter how prepared I was. Check out Sunday's post to see how I got ready.

I got up at the normal time (7am), got the kids up and ready for school. After they left, I woke up a little while eating my breakfast: oatmeal (with a little butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon), banana, and a Chad-made latté (he spoils me).

Around 9, I got my running clothes on- skirt and tank. I gathered up my iPad, iPhone, headphones, running shoes, 3 Gatorade chews, and water bottle.

The gym was CROWDED. I wanted a treadmill in the back, but I didn't want to run beside someone else, so I went with this guy on the 3rd row.

 

Remember this?

Haha! Yeah, it completely went out the window within the first .25 miles.

The warm up of 5.8mph in the heat and humidity was pushing it for me. After that first quarter mile, I turned it down to 5.0mph.

From the best I remember, this is how it really went:

I refilled my water bottle more than I ever imagined, I'm going to bring another one next time. I was so thirsty. And sweating sooooo much. Gross.

 

I didn't expect to eat the 3rd chew, but I'm so glad I thought to bring an extra.

I did wear my heartrate monitor. Super cool random fact: the awesome hrm my awesome husband gifted me for my 30th linked to the treadmill at the gym. I was totally surprised. My heart rate stayed higher than what I intended, mid-160s to low-170s (83-86% of my personal max), but I went with it- after I threw the plan out the window and slowed down, I wasn't out of breath.

I ended up only watching TV. I watched 4 episodes of My First House on HGTV. I tried to read, but I think my glasses bouncing made the words bouncy.

The run, even though slower than I wanted, was good. I walked away feeling good about finishing. And I felt like I was going to explode from all the water I drank! Pretty sure 2 more minutes and I would have!

*****

Until today, I had some pain in my knee (rushing against the pause timer and turned the corner too quick when refilling my water bottle), so I stayed off the road/treadmill until today. I only had time for 2 miles, but was glad to get those mile in outside with Lydia riding along in the BOB. It wasn't a great run- but the sunshine alone was a mood booster. I am so looking forward to getting back to running outside again all the time.

*****

How were your workouts this week?

Anyone running long this weekend? 10 more miles on Monday, venue yet to be determined.

 

Meal Plan Monday: February 10-16

 

Last week was a busy week, to say the least. We had some unexpected things turn up that messed with my original meal plan- so I have some menu items carried over from last week.

This week, with parent teacher conferences and no games on Friday, we have a few open evenings to actually sit down together! Unless something changes :)

I'm also including Friday's meals in our weekend meals since it's a day off school for the kiddies.

Week of: February 10-16

Kids' Breakfast

Monday: blueberry muffin, banana, yogurt

Tuesday: pancakes

Wednesday: egg bagel

Thursday: granola bar, apple

 

Kids' Packed Lunch

Monday: ham and cheese bagel, celery & peanut butter, banana chips, yogurt, fruit snacks

Tuesday: leftover pizza, carrots and hummus, blackberries, cookie

Wednesday: Skyline 3 way, salad, York mint

Thursday: cream cheese and jelly bagel, cheddar bunnies, carrots and hummus, orange

 

My Lunch

Monday: Deyo's Italian Bistro

Tuesday: leftover pizza, yogurt, salad

Wednesday: baked potato, salad

Thursday: quinoa salad with beans, corn and tomato

 

Weekend Breakfast

Friday: waffles, banana

Saturday: omelette, apple and peanut butter

Sunday: pancakes

 

Weekend Lunch

Friday: grilled cheese with tomato soup

Saturday: sandwiches (in the car, in between games)

Sunday: lunch with family

 

Dinner

Monday: pizza

Tuesday: Skyline baked potatoes

Wednesday: enchiladas, quinoa salad with beans, corn and tomatoes

Thursday: spicy honey chicken, corn, cheesy potato chips

Friday: shrimp pasta with lemon, spinach and tomatoes, salad, rolls

Saturday: spinach and ricotta stuffed chicken, salad, leftover rolls

Sunday: leftovers

*****

I feel like I'm in a rut, what's on your menu for the week?