Monday, April 18, 2011

What is the quality of your intent?

"Certain people have a way of saying things that shake us at the core.  Even when the words do not seem harsh or offensive, the impact is shattering.  What we could be experiencing is the intent behind the words.  When we intend to do good, we do.  When we intend to do harm, it happens.  What each of us must come to realize is that our intent always comes through.  We cannot sugarcoat the feelings in our heart of hearts. The emotion is the energy that motivates.  We cannot ignore what we really want to create. What we owe to ourselves and everyone around is to examine THE REASONS of our true intent."
-Thurgood marshall


Also this:


"I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me....All I ask is that you respect me as a human being."
-Jackie Robinson

Sometimes I can't fathom others' actions.  I often think...seriously?! Who acts that way?!?! But yet I see it almost every day.  I am lucky to have a lovely life where I do not need to pick apart other peoples' every move in order to validate myself.  I have love and a team of supporters who are truly on my team and that is enough.  I do not need to gossip about every tom dick and harry that aren't around at the time in order to make myself feel better.  And I'm okay with that.  I just feel bad for those who need to do this to make themselves feel better.  I wish they had the support and love that I have so they didn't need to get validation in such a negative way. 


Here's to wishing these people get some love so they can stop hurting others.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sunday Funday

Today we went and bought annual passes to the water park.  
We did this a couple of years ago and definitely got good use out of it.  Today we had a blast!  I had a hard time climbing all the stairs after running a 5K this morning, but it was still really fun and a nice change of pace.  

Here are some pics of our adventure:
 (waiting in line for the ride below)
 (FUN!)
(I busted my camera out in mid ride to catch this priceless face)
(Relaxing in the lazy river)
(Warren going through the water fall :))
(More relaxing in the spa. No unsupervised children running around here.)
(No one I would rather spend my day with <3)


Freezer cooking

This year has been a crazy experience for me.  It is a rare day that I don't come home and take a nap.  My job and all the "extra work" that comes along with it is exhausting and I rarely have the energy to even think about cooking let alone do it.  For most of the year, my amazing husband has stepped up and cooked pretty much ALL the meals we ate. 

Since Warren will be starting Law school in the fall, it is my turn to step up.  Teaching is getting more manageable as the weeks go by, but I am still exhausted on a daily basis (likely due to my early morning runs).  My amazingly domesticated sister gave me the brilliant idea to start freezer cooking.  This way, I cook up a storm on the weekends and freeze about two weeks worth of meals to simply pull out and heat up during the week when exhaustion has hit.  Also, since I am only cooking for two, I normally make large amounts of each recipe so they last for more than one meal.  Right now I currently have the following meals in my freezer:
  • Chicken Rice broccoli casserole (4-6 meals)
  • Ground turkey chili (6 meals)
  • Chicken enchiladas (2 meals)
  • Chicken Fajitas (1 meal)
  • Mini Turkey meat loaves (3-4 meals)
  • Baked Spaghetti (2 meals)
  • Tacos (2 meals)
 It takes a couple hours of my weekend to do this, but it makes life so much easier during the week! Warren really appreciates it too :)

Saturday, April 16, 2011

What a loser!

I am happy to report that since last Saturday morning (one week) I have lost 4.4 L Bs!!!  I did this in the following ways:
  • Cutting out regular soda: This was never a problem for me until I met Warren.  Before him, I always went for the diet option if I was drinking soda.  Since him, I love Mountain Dew and Coke.  Not a terribly hard life change, but still important.  I still drink one diet A&W during lunch daily, but diet > regular when you are worried about empty calories and sugar.
  • Skipping on candy: I have a permanent sweet tooth.  My favorite candy ever is only available during Easter.  I couldn't get enough of those Cadburry mini eggs recently, but for now, I am saying no thanks to candy.
  • Saying Good bye to fast food/fried food: This was not something we ate regularly, but it was very easy to go that route when Warren and I were both tired and not in the mood to get in the kitchen.  This was especially a problem on the weekends when we didn't have a schedule to follow.
  • Portion control: Yes, I still eat all my favorites: chili/rice, baked spaghetti, tacos, bread, etc.  I just measure portions.  
  • Exercise!: I exercise six days a week.  Monday-Thursday, I wake up at 4:15 am to run 2-3 miles.  I also do stability ball workouts, light weights, and use an ab wheel. 

It's amazing what these changes can do for your figure.  DUH...it seems like common sense, but when you are busy, stressed, and tired it is way too easy to fall into the trap.  I never gained the "freshman 15" during my first year of college.  I did however, gain the "first year of teaching 15."  Maybe not quite 15...but more than I would ever want in the first place.  

I am not a crazy "dieter."  I personally feel that it is not realistic to follow a diet if it is not something you can do forever.  So if you feel like eating a candy bar? Fine. Just don't make a habit of it.  I feel exercise is the most important ingredient to success in being healthy. 

Stay tuned for more loser-like behavior :)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

progress

Miles ran in the last 7 days: 13.0

Miles ran in the entire month of March: 2

We're getting somewhere.  One more 4:15 wake up, then deciding to make Friday an off day.   Still have that momentum going.  Stay tuned!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Luckiest...

I am SO lucky. My husband is so amazing...I would literally starve without him.  He makes my breakfast and packs my lunch EVERY morning.  He cooks, he cleans, he helps me correct papers, he is so selfless, AND, he is on my team 100% of the time.  I could not have asked for a better mate. 

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Butt kicked

Just did an hour on the treadmill.  That is pretty much insane considering I couldn't have been lazier the entire month of March.  Okay, so I only ran 2.1 miles of that straight, but the rest of the time was spent doing an incline walking interval.  600 calories later, I am now consuming a delicious smoothie made by my WONDERFUL husband (I need to add that he makes this for me every morning!)

This is the "recipe" he follows:

Berry/Banana smoothie
-a cup of frozen berries (we got a bag from Sam's with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and pomegranate)
-1/2 banana
-a cup or so of nonfat milk
-a scoop of vanilla whey protein
-5 or 6 ice cubes.

Blend it all together and have a yummy breakfast that is about 300 calories with around 5 grams of fat   :)

Still kickin'

I have very much neglected this blog for the past months.  I have had one too many things on my plate at work, which seemed to consume my life.

As far as runs go, I have been off and on.  I trained so hard for a 8 mile race on presidents day, only to be told NO by my Dr. due to a severe sinus infection.  Despite this, I thought I could handle it, so we went to pick up the race packets anyway.  The journey from the parking lot to the Blaisdell expo (less than a 5 minute walk) kicked my ass, and to my disappointment made me realize that an 8 mile run was not in the cards for me the next day.  Such a hard realization considering the hard work I put in.

The month of march was crazy and lazy.  I took a long trip home for spring break to meet my beautiful new niece Ms. Briley.
 I also got to sing and play with the famous adders.
I miss my little girlfriends! I don't get to see them often, so when I do, I definitely make the most of it.


April has been devoted to getting back into the swing of my workouts.  Getting back on the treadmill, doing a little lifting, and using this crazy ab wheel (haven't been able to move for the past 2 days from this).  Each weekday this week I got out of bed at 4:15, drank my green tea, then ran.  This is something that I have been struggling with during the "winter" months here.  It is hard to get of bed when it is cold out!  I have some good momentum going so stay tuned for more...

Saturday, April 9, 2011

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”

The great Dalai Lama said it so well.  

 

There are so many people around me who claim to be religious. They claim to be devout Christians, but their actions speak much louder than words.  I am so tired of people using "I'm a Christian," as a get out of jail free card.  It is funny how the rude and selfish are the first to damn others to hell. I didn't realize a human had that ability..?

 

One of my biggest questions is, if you can't get to heaven without accepting Jesus, then what about all the others? What if you are Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim, or Hindu? What if that is ALL you know?  What about them?  Why can't their kindness and respect and good deeds get them anywhere?  What if they hear the word of Jesus and reject it because they have so much faith in their own religion? What if you don't believe in heaven and hell, but are still a good person with morals?  What if you're not sure?  I just wish people would have a little more respect for others' choices and quit with the, "you can't be saved without Jesus" stuff.  I totally respect your belief on that, but that is not the universal truth or belief of everyone. So please stop shouting it. 



ON ANOTHER NOTE: I just don't understand the mentality behind meddling into others' business.  Who cares if your neighbor is gay and wants to get married? Shouldn't they have the same rights as everyone else in the world?  

 

And what if a fellow community member is violently raped and becomes pregnant from this tragedy..?  Shouldn't she have the right to choose to abort?  Why is this anybodies business but the persons?

It is not like this would ever be a choice taken lightly....but why shouldn't she have the freedom to make the choice? 

 


Just my thoughts.  I don't think it is anyone's place to point fingers at others for making personal choices that don't affect others.  Your religion is a personal choice, not something you need to advertise on a billboard.  Especially when your advertisements are offensive.  If there is a heaven and a hell, I hope my kindness, good deeds, and respect for others' gets me somewhere some day.