Sick Day

 

Cannon woke up with croop yesterday and spent the day with me. 

 I don't think he was too sad about it!  Haha!

 

I think I have trained this little guy well--if he sees Mom with her camera, he plasters on a big grin!  He actually really did not feel good but you couldn't tell that from this picture!

I made him some of this soothing lemon honey drink that my Mom made me when I was little and didn't feel good.  I love it.  My boys don't really love it but I think they feel happy that I make it for them anyway:)  I honestly do think it helps!

 

 

 In fact, I have read so much about the awesome health benefits of lemon that I have been drinking a warm cup of water with the juice of a lemon in it first thing every morning. This is an interesting article from the Huffington Post about the benefits of Lemon Water.
What do you think?

To Run

 

Last year I joined a little tiny gym close to my house and it was great for awhile, but I need a change and more importantly a challenge.  As I thought about this new year and what I want to accomplish, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to do something hard, really push myself and feel that sense of accomplishment.

I decided that I want to RUN a half marathon.  It makes me nervous to type this but I need to be accountable! I also had the idea pop into my head that maybe this is something my boys and I can do together.  Running is hard--for me it is a mental exercise more than a physical one.  I remember the first time I ran a 5K and the sense of accomplishment I felt and I want them to experience that too!  I started to research races in my area and found lots of options.  I wish they weren't so expensive, but I am thinking that instead of paying for a gym pass I can pay for some races--especially if I can convince some of my sons to run with me! It would be worth every penny!

I found these pictures here on Womensrunning.com. and was inspired to make this happen:)

Of course this is not always possible like early this morning when the only time I could squeeze in a run, it was too dark and cold to be out! Even still,  I am craving being outdoors with the wind in my hair!

 

So this is what I am planning:

I have found a 5k the end of February, a 10k in March, a 15k in April and I have my eye on a Half Marathon in July!  I haven't registered yet because I want to make sure we can work our summer plans around it BUT I have this idea growing in my mind and heart and it is getting me very excited.  So excited that I ran on my boring old treadmill this morning for 2 miles without walking.  Pretty huge for me!  I am really not a "runner"  My idea of running the last couple of years has been running/ walking like interval training--not really all that hard most of the time:) This morning was the first time I have run a couple of miles without walking and it felt GREAT! 

 

Do you run?  If so do you listen to something?  Any music or book recommendations?

I would LOVE any advice you have!

xo

Raw Energy

Lately I have been trying to be more careful about my snacks--choosing whole foods instead of the empty calorie, processed stuff that seems to be so easily accessible these days

Recently I found my myself browsing the health isle during our weekly library trip.

I ended up coming home with this little gem:

Raw Energy by Stephaine Tourles

A few things I learned (or at least was reminded of) from this good read:

*The nutrient energy derived from the foods consumed in our daily diets shapes, forms and drives all systems within our bodies.

*The quality of food consumed is the catalyst that affects one of these end results:  a body exhibiting radiant health, beauty and vitality; a body coasting along through life with mediocre health, appearance, and energy levels; or a body suffering with disease, discomfort, and exhaustion.

*Did you know that raw foods maintain their naturally occurring enzymes, which typically make them easier on the digestive system than cooked?

*Raw snacks meet your body's nutrient quota, trigger your natural appetite-regulating hormones and won't leave you wanting more.

Some of my favorite Raw Snacks:

+Smoothies: including Frog Nog, Green Smoothie, Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana

+Pear or apple with a small handful of almonds

+Celery stick stuffed with some almond or peanut butter

+Cut up carrots and cucumbers with some guacamole for dip

+Fresh blackberries or blueberries with walnuts

+Banana with almond or peanut butter down the middle

+veggies with hummus

+small handful of nuts and dried fruit

Really the possibilities are endless and so very tasty.  I must say it feels great to have a mid afternoon snack of nutrient dense raw food.  Yum!

Now I just need to convince my boys to join me:)

Do you have a favorite raw snack?

Work it Baby

Ever since the New Year I have been doing the 

The 30 Day Shred 

Sometimes Cannon joins me with his hand made weights (markers and paper) while Bridger cheers us on from his comfy chair (ha ha)

I LOVE it!  I get a pretty darn good workout everyday with this tough trainer:

and it is only 30 minutes!  I can do that!

I am sore and already noticing the difference in my shape and energy levels.

YEAH!

What do you do to stay in good shape?

 

By the way--I think I am going to start back Menu Monday--but a 2 week menu so I only post it twice a month.  Look for it next Monday:)

Living Healthy and Strong Challenge

(photo)

Lately I have been thinking about what it means to be 'healthy and strong'. I have noticed that this is a very common phrase uttered in the daily prayers of my little boys. I love that they want to have the blessing of a strong and healthy body and I wholeheartedly join them in that desire, but I started to question if I was doing my part.

A quote that I had heard long ago came to mind about how we should pray like everything depended on the Lord and them get up and work like everything depended on ourselves. I like that idea. Faith is important but so is our actions!

The last few weeks I have made a conscience purposeful effort to live more healthy and strengthen my body. I can already feel a difference physically and spiritually. I do feel more 'healthy and strong' without feeling overwhelmed. I started with some small changes that have made a big difference in my energy levels and motivation to nourish and strengthen my body better.

I know that it is always so much easier to stick to a goal when you have friends doing it with you. I wondered if anyone out there --my friends and family or anyone else who happens to stumble upon this little blog --would want to join me in a Living Healthy and Strong Challenge?

We could commit to 8 weeks of Living Healthy Strong together. Every week I will share a new challenge to focus on for that week. And we could make these changes together and report to each other in the comments section on how we are doing and any tips that have helped you so far.

What do you think? Does anyone want to join with me? I hope so:)

Here is the first one that I have been doing recently...


Living Healthy and Strong Challenge #1

Replace processed food with real whole foods in your diet.

Go for more fruits and veggies, wholegrain breads, cereal, and pasta and lean protein. Foods that are fresh (or frozen) colorful and whole are a good source of natural fiber, nutrient rich and energizing!! Create simple meals and snacks from real food.

See if you don't feel a difference! This has been my focus lately and it feels great!