Blue Ribbon Race- 5K

Busy weekend!

Did you know I signed up for a 5k? I didn't think I wanted to run anymore before I heard about this 5k. My sister and I ran it in honor of a nurse that took care of me my entire pregnancy with little buddy. She gave me weekly shots and showed even showed my husband how to do it. She was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in July and passed away in September. She was only 41 and had a 10 year old son. It was heartbreaking because she was such a beautiful person. Always funny and full of energy. It was a good feeling knowing I was doing something for her.

Pre-run food?

Egg sandwich with one egg, avocado, tomato, and light provolone.

Lunch:

Romaine, tomato, roasted sweet potato, veggie burger, and carrots.  Topped with a dressing made of equal parts evoo, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, and maple syrup.

Pre-run photos:

Little buddy was sleeping...

At mile 2 it began to downpour.  Not sprinkle... not rain... Buckets of water fell from the sky but we finished!

35:59.  Not too bad for not even running beforehand.  I ran the whole time and didn't get too tired.

Post-run food:

This pizza was the best thing I ever tasted.  Probably because I haven't eaten something like that in 3 months!

This run made me thankful for everything I have.  I hate that it takes moments like that to make me realize what I have.

Sometimes I get so caught up in my daily life that I need a reminder to take a step back and be grateful.  I need to remember to hold my family closer and to appreciate the life I have been given.

Hunger Games

We had spaghetti squash and meatballs last night. I was hoping it would be as good as the first time and it really was.

I make the meatballs ahead of time using the recipe here and then put them in a freezer bag.  Yesterday I just dumped some of the meatballs and a jar of pasta sauce in the crockpot and let it cook on low all day.  All I had to do for dinner was roast some spaghetti squash.  DONE!

I got the random idea yesterday to go see the midnight showing of The Hunger Games.

Around 9:30 I made some coffee thinking it would keep me awake.

I took a couple of sips and dumped it in the sink.  I'd rather had green tea!

I stayed awake and went to see the movie with friends.  The movie started at 12 and we got to the theater at 11.  They had 16 showings at midnight at our theater.  When we got there it was hard to find a seat.  Isn't that insane?!  I've never done a midnight thing before and today I know the reason why.  The movie ended at 2:30.  We made it home around 3 and I was in bed by 3:15.  My kids were up at 6:15.  Kids ruin all the fun!

This morning I was running on 3 hours of sleep.  Was it worth it?  YESSSS!  The movie was incredible.  I'd do the midnight showing again tonight if I could!

I made a green smoothie and tried the coffee thing again.

My only idea to stay awake and sane all day was to keep busy so that's what I did.

I met my sister early this morning to walk a 2.4 mile loop near us.  Afterwards, we went to ABC for lunch.

Seriously, is that all we ever do?!  I got a turkey sandwich on sourdough with extra turkey, tomato, lettuce and avocado. I figured the avocado would be a better choice over cheese or mayo.  It was perfect.  I also had a bowl of french onion soup which I ate maybe 2 bites of.  I just wasn't feelin' it.

I did a few more errands but started to drag around 2:30.  I stopped and got coffee-

A large iced mocha with skim milk.  I've never ordered anything large at a coffee shop.  It was a must today.

Now I'm buzzin' on caffeine!  Off to start on some dinner.  Cheesy bread for us tonight instead of pizza!

What do you do to stay awake when you are tired?  

157- Minus 2!

I'm kinda in a dinner rut. Baked chicken, BBQ chicken, spaghetti, pizza.... Blah. I stick with the things I know the kids will eat. I'm bored with it.

I made what used to be my favorite last night.  BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

But ended up only eating half.

Instead I ate cheese and crackers!

This times 3... maybe 4!  I can't control myself with cheese and crackers!

This morning I weighed myself and 2 more pounds are GONE!  Peace out!  I won't miss ya!  That's a total of 18lbs since January 17th.  18lbs in 2 months isn't bad.

Breakfast was an egg nuked in the microwave for a minute on a sandwich thin with laughing cow cheese.


And green tea of course.  I missed coffee a little this morning.  It's been over a week with no coffee!


I worked out with my trainer and it was HARD.  One of the hardest leg workouts I've ever done.  In 30 minutes my legs were shaking and I was dripped sweat on the floor.  Plus I did 30 minutes on the treadmill walking at 4.0 with varying inclines.

When I got home I ate my weight in banana chips.

1/4c has 150 calories.  I estimate I ate at least 300 calories worth!  These are one of those things I can't keep in my house.  I have no self control...

I had a ham, reduced fat swiss, and mustard sandwich.  Plus a salad with greens, avocado, tomato, carrots, evoo, and vinegar.


Plus a soda...

This was SO good!  It wasn't really a soda.  More like seltzer which is totally my thing.

I tried to eat light this morning because I knew the kids and I were making cookies.

Making cookies with two kids actually isn't fun at all.  It's chaotic and messy.

I'm surprised our cookies turned out.


Check out my new friend!  PARCHMENT PAPER!


I've never used it before and man was I missing out!  It made the perfect little cookies.


What food do you have no self control around?

Feelin' So Good!

Last night dinner was inspired by Jen over at Food, Family, Fitness

I saw hardboiled eggs on her blog yesterday and knew I wanted some. I had planned on yogurt for dinner since my throat hurt so bad but those eggs were calling to me.

Hardboiled eggs, french onion laughing cow, salt, and pepper all on toast.  It's one of my favorites!

Plus I had yogurt with granola, banana, and honey.


Since the weather is getting warmer I've been trying to get the kids outside after dinner.  We eat around 5:30 and bath isn't until 7 so there's about an hour down time.

Last night we painted...

As you can tell they had a blast... and they went straight into the tub.

When they went to bed I snacked on cottage cheese and applesauce and watched an episode of lost.


This morning I woke up with a slight sore throat but I wanted what I had for dinner.

I'm a creature of routine and habit.  I could eat the same things all the time.

Plus green tea!

It's been about a week without coffee... I'm doing just fine but I do miss it a little.  The warm weather makes it more possible.

After breakfast I headed to the gym and took some carrots along.


During body combat class I started feeling GOOD!!!

I came home and made cookies while the little guy napped...

These are so good!

I had three cookies and a smoothie for lunch!

They balance out right?

Thank you for all of your get well wishes.  As of right now I feel 100% better!  I'm so happy!

What could you eat every single day?

Drinking Calories

Last night's dinner was comforting and I needed comfort.

Oven baked chicken, steamed broccoli, and brown rice.  This is a meal we eat all the time and we all love it.  Even the kids eat every bite.

I had a restless night and woke up this morning barely able to swallow.  Thankfully, I'm on a green smoothie kick so that's what I had for breakfast.

Spinach, banana, almond milk, protein powder, and peanut butter.

I had a session with my trainer at 8:30 and I didn't want to miss it.  I did 30 minutes weight training with him and 20 minutes of cardio.  I actually felt ok but I made a doctors appointment anyways.

Turns out I have strep throat.  I thought only kids get strep throat?!

I've been wanting soup for a couple days now so we ended up at Atlanta Bread for lunch.

I had a bowl of french soup and two pieces of bread.

I've definitely been drinking my calories today.  In fact, I've got a yogurt bowl planned for tonight's dinner.

Afterwards we walked around a little bit and did some shopping.

I am seriously hoping these antibiotics kick in asap!

In the past week and a half we've battled pink eye, double ear infections, 104+ fevers, and now strep throat.  It seems as though we are always sick and we are a healthy family.  We obviously eat healthy, get plenty of sleep, and exercise regularly.  This is squirrel's first year at preschool and the kids do go to the gym kid care  everyday but I really don't understand why we are sick all the time.  I'm hoping the warm weather brings us better days.

How do you stay healthy?

Loss of Appetite

Even though I didn't feel well yesterday we did some work in the garden. Almost everything from the fall survived the winter. It didn't grow but everything is still alive and really growing now.

Check out our carrots!

Squirrel won't leave them alone long enough to let them grow. I was hoping for something edible out of our garden. We'll see! We just planted some strawberry plants and had good luck with them last year. I'm hoping this year will be the same.  

My appetite has been off the past two days.  My stomach isn't upset but I just don't feel like eating.  Someone seriously better call 911 now haha!  I always want to eat!  Dinner went unpictured because I forgot. I didn't eat much and that trend extended through today.

I got down a green smoothie this morning made with spinach, banana, peanut butter, chias, and almond milk.

I didn't want it but I drank it. The green tea was awesome though!

Around 10 I was hungry, obviously, and nibbled on a peppermint luna bar.  Little buddy ended up eating half of it.

I was hoping lunch would be comforting but it was kind of blah.

Cheddar and hummus on a sandwich thin.  Plus roasted carrots and a pickle.

On a good note....


The babies are feeling MUCH better!


Praying for a better day tomorrow!

In our garden we have herbs, carrots, lettuce, sunflowers, blackberries, and strawberries.

Do you have a garden?  If so what do you grow or what would you grow if you had one?

Food as Medicine

My weekend in pictures...


I've been crazy busy this weekend and I woke up sick this morning. Sore throat and achy. My plan of attack?

FOOD.

I'm a big believer in food being medicine. Who wouldn't believe in it? Over the counter cold medicines may help your symptoms but it doesn't help your body get rid of disease. Eating immune boosting foods and eating essential vitamins and minerals will help your body fight it.  Whenever I load up on good foods my sickness doesn't last long.  Usually I don't even get a chance to take dayquil.

I see a lot of green tea, green smoothies, and soup in my future.

I'd love to read books on foods that heal but I can't seem to find any.  Any ideas?

What are your remedies when you get sick?

Spaghetti Squash

I tried something new last night for dinner. Spaghetti squash!

I just roasted it face down at 350* for about 30-45 minutes.  I topped it with marinara and two homemade meatballs.  Plus steamed broccoli on the side.  I have been missing out!  I'm not a fan of squash but this was delicious.  Slightly sweet and not mushy.

The kids cracked me up last night eating...

Little buddy is a serious eater and always has been.  He literally shovels in food.

Check out his plate...


Squirrel eats like a bird...


Here's her plate right after I photographed little buddy's plate.


I made the kids noodles for their spaghetti but both of them ate a good portion of the squash.

I woke up this morning ready for tea.

I finally found my drink to replace coffee.  This is the 3rd day without coffee and I'm doing great!  Green tea with almond milk.  I use my coffee pot on delay brew so I have hot water ready when I get up in the morning.  I steam the tea with about a quarter cup of warm unsweetened almond milk and water.

It's delicious!


For some reason my green smoothie was missing from my camera.  Not sure where it went but it was spinach, banana, protein powder, and almond milk.

I did 45 minutes cardio at the gym and headed to meet my sister and her friend for lunch at Atlanta Bread.

The usual!  Balsamic bleu salad.

Now I'm snacking on triscuits and cheese...


I'm so happy it's FRIDAY!


Do you have any favorite spaghetti squash recipes?