6k and FMM- Quick and Random

Saturday morning was my 6k!  I made it to bed on time Friday night and actually slept pretty well.  I woke up 5 minutes before my alarm went off on race day.  Because everything was all ready to go all we had to do was get dressed, feed me, and feed the baby.

I was so excited for this race to start!  My sister-in-law ran it with me and it was her first race.  It was fun to help her out with little tips.

The race started and I started running.  My first (and main) goal was to run the whole thing.  The race was at Thanksgiving Pointe, running through the gardens.  It was beautiful, but hilly.  Not gonna lie, those hills were hard.  Instead of concentrating on the hill in front of me, I looked down, focused on my feet, my breathing, and my music.  Before I knew it, I was at the top.  And I kept running.

 

My other goal was to finish in under 37 minutes.  I've never done a 6k before, so I didn't have a time to beat.  37 minutes just seemed reasonable enough.  I was running 5ks in 34 minutes and I always run faster for races.

 

 So, when my iPod told me I was done, the time said 39 minutes.  But I wasn't done.  I still had a ways to go.  Apparently, my iPod has been under-judging the distance on my runs.  When I crossed the finish line, I came in at just under 44 minutes.  And my iPod said I had gone 4 miles.  To be honest, I was pretty disappointed in my time.  But then I looked at my 3.5 mile run last week and realized that I matched that time.  So I did increase my speed.  I also got my Farthest Run, Fastest Mile, and Fastest 1k badge.

 

 

Overall, I came in 101st out of 294 women.  I was 39th out of 114 in my age group.  I feel very good about that.  Now I have a time to beat!  

 

Here's some pictures of the race.

 

Before the race (It was cold!)

 

Finish line

Getting closer

Waving at my baby.  When I saw her, I almost started to cry.

Cool Down

Post race.

 

Next race:  The Night of the Living Dead 5k on Saturday.  I'm going to be a zombie!!

 

Now on to Friend Makin' Monday

 

 

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers, so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic

 

 

Quick and Random

1. Choose three songs that would be on the soundtrack of your life. Only 3?  As a musician, music has always been a huge part of my life.  Lullaby (Good Night My Angel), Billy Joel.  Loved it growing up, learned to play it on the piano, and now I sing it to my daughter.  I'm a Believer, Monkeys/Smash Mouth.  Shrek was one of the first movies Russ and I saw together and this song was on the soundtrack.  It song went on our wedding video and it always makes me think of our wedding day.  One of Muse's songs would have to be on there.  They are my most favorite band EVER. 

2. Share the details of one project that you’re currently working on. I am crocheting an afghan for my soon to be here niece.  I'd better get on it though...she's due in a week!!

 

3. If you could learn to do one thing overnight what would it be? Ballet.  I dream of being a ballerina.

4. If you could be a fictional character which one would you be?  Elizabeth Bennet, Jo March, or Hermione Granger.

5. What’s your favorite thing about the month of October?  Halloween!  One of my favorite things is picking out a costume and creating it.  This year I get to dress up a baby, too!

6. Share one TV show that you’re embarrassed to admit you watch. Pretty Little Liars.  I'm totally hooked.

7. Name one friend that you’re thankful to have in your life today.  Sam has been my best friend for 25 years.  I am so so glad that we are still a huge part of each other's lives.

8. What was the most relaxing part of your weekend?  This weekend?  Relaxing?  ;)  Saturday night, Russ was playing poker with some buddies so after I put K to bed I watched walking dead until 1 am.

9. Do you like to dance?  Yes.  Am I any good?  No.  Maybe in my next life.

10. Share one thing that you’re looking forward to before the end of the year.   I have two.  My 10k in December and K's first Christmas!

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Take a moment to answer the questions on your own blog, and don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments!

6k Tomorrow

I bought my running shoes in July. 

I started the C25k program in August.

Tomorrow morning I will be running a 6k race.  My first race since December 2010.

I'm excited!  I am ready.

 

I'm doing a photo a day contest on Instagram.

Yesterday's theme was Goal.

This is the picture I posted. 

 

The race starts at 8 and is about an hour drive to get there.

I need to wake up at 6 to get ready.

 

So...

 

I plan on eating a good dinner.

I plan on having everything ready to go tonight.

I plan on going to bed early.

I plan on drugging my self with NyQuil.

(I haven't been sleeping well lately.)

I plan on eating a peanut butter and honey sandwich an hour before the race.

I plan on being well hydrated.

I plan on being there early enough to stretch and warm up.

I plan on running the WHOLE thing.

I plan on finishing in under 37 minutes.

 

Wish Me Luck!!!

 

Do you have pre-race rituals?

Well, I Was Way Off!

I got an email from my church on Friday inviting the adult ladies to a pickup volleyball game and a Crossfit class on Tuesday.  I love playing volleyball, but hadn't for a really long time so I thought this would fun.  I also decided to mostly cross train this week because I have a 6k race on Saturday so I thought the Crossfit class might be a good way to do that.

Volleyball was a blast, but I definitely need some practice.  I fell on my bum twice, got hit in the face once, and did something funky to my back when I leaned back too far to hit the ball.  At least my serves were consistently good.

At 7 ladies started showing up for the Crossfit class.  I'd never done it before and didn't know what to expect, but I really thought I would be able to keep up no problem, because hey, I can run 3.5 miles without walking.  I was so so wrong.  That class was hard!!!  Since we were in the gym at the church, we didn't have and equipment so we just used body weight.  I did pretty good with the squats, lunges, anything leg related, but when it came to push ups, planks, and other arm related exercises I came up short.  I could go with the excuse that I have a cyst in my wrist

Cyst - It's that bump at the top.

which makes it hurt to put weight on my hand when it's like this

Ouch

but I modified it like this

Better, but harder.

and it got rid of the pain and I still sucked.

The whole class I was thinking, 'I should have just done the 3 mile run, it would have been so much easier,' but exercise isn't supposed to be easy.  It's supposed to push you to your limits.  This almost pushed me to mine, but I did it.  And I liked it.  I am sore today in a good way.  I used muscles that needed working.

The class is going to be every Tuesday night, and that is a scheduled run, but I think I am going to try to do both.  I know it will be hard, I know I will be tired from the run, but I also know that a push is good and that this will work my muscles rather than just cardio.

Has anyone ever done a Crossfit class?  What did you think?  Do you have any injuries that make you adjust the way you work out?

Awesome week and FMM

It's been a couple of days since I posted, but wow, I had an amazing week! 

Monday night we decided it was time to Cry It Out with K.  She has always gone to bed on her own so well, but she started waking up hourly and crying until one of us went in and stuck a binky in her mouth.  Then she would want a bottle at 2 and 5 am.  The lack of sleep was really starting to get to both of us.  Monday night was hard.  She cried off and on all night and then for about an hour and a half at 1:30.  I went in every 10 minutes to soothe her and eventually she fell asleep.  She woke up happy, though, and napped well. 

Tuesday night I had a yucky run, probably due to my sleepless night the night before.  When we went to bed we took the advice of a pediatrician and shut her door, our door, and turned the sound off on the monitor.  She woke me up once at about 2, after letting her cry for about 20 minutes I went in to soothe her and she went right to sleep.  I think she did wake up one more time because when we woke up she was sideways, but we slept through it. 

Wednesday night was Bell rehearsal.  I just love it!  It is definitely something I look forward to every week.  I seem to get the giggles often and last time was no exception.  It's about an hour drive to rehearsal each way and then I am there for 2 hours, so I am usually gone for 4 hours.  4 hours of "Me" time.  I listen to audiobooks, eat dinner anywhere I want, and practice beautiful music.  It is a sanity saver.  Wednesday, I left feeling especially good.  I came home and typed this as my Facebook status.

To make things even better, K slept ALL THE WAY through the night!  She was so still that I had to get up and check on her to ease my troubled mind.

Thursday, I hung out with a new friend.  I don't really have any friends (Other than my mom, brother, and sister-in-law) that live in Heber.  We have lots of friends in Salt Lake that we still see, but it is hard to schedule stuff when people live so far away.  Anyway, she moved up here recently so she doesn't have many friends up here either.  I taught piano lessons and then got home to run my 2.5 miles WHILE IT WAS STILL LIGHT OUTSIDE!  I'm usually running in the dark, dark because I procrastinate.  I felt like my run was taking way too long and taking me too far, but I finished.  I realized when I got home that I ran without the sensor in my iPod so it didn't track my run properly. Even though I know it was a good run and I actually got out and exercised, it felt like I wasted a run.  But, I did it, and that's what counts.
K slept through the night again, even though I didn't.  I think my body is so used to waking up at certain times that I wake up automatically now even though I don't need to.  It had better cut that out soon!

 

Friday I took an easy day and made sure we were all ready for family pictures.  For once, I was all ready when the husband got home from work.  The photographer met us at our house and then we drove up the canyon to one of my favorite spots.  From what she showed me on the screen we got some great shots.  When we were done we drove down to Salt Lake and had a bbq with friends.  There was lots of good food, a fun Pictionary type game with Legos, and a cute baby girl playing with a sweet dog that is as big as a small pony.

 

Saturday was my "Long Run".  It was my first week of 10k training and I was scheduled to run 3 miles.  I decided to bump up a week and run 3.5 miles because I have a 6k race on Saturday.  I got up, ate a pita with some peanut butter, took an Advil, drank a bottle of water, made sure I had my sensor in my iPod, and drove into Midway.  I picked up my Bountiful Basket and parked my car.  I warmed up and started running.  It was a gorgeous day and a great run.  The air was crisp and cool, the sun was shining, and the leaves were slowly falling off the trees.  I ran under covered bridges, over the Provo river, passed horses and cows.  The beginning of the run started off going down a pretty big hill.  I was worried that I wouldn't be able to run back up it when I came back to it.  I psyched myself up about it almost the whole run.  When I reached the hill at about mile 3, I just kept running.  I made it to the top before I realized I was tired.  It was my longest workout yet this year (Lance Armstrong told me so) and I felt GREAT!  It was the first time I have ever clicked the Unstoppable face on the Rate My Run.

When I got home I showered and headed to the zoo with my hubby, K, and my niece.  It was a little chilly but the animals were active, and the kids had an awesome time. 

Now on to....

 

Friend Making Monday

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Inside Your Home

1. Do you live in an apartment/condo, townhouse or house?  Townhome.

2. What is your home’s coolest feature? I love our master bathroom.  It has a big stand up shower and a bigger soaker tub.  It has a separate "toilet room", a big walk in closet, and a big window for natural light.  My last master bathroom was only called that because it was attached to the master bedroom.

3.  Do you enjoy DIY projects?  If so, what are you working on now?  I love DIY.  I just took down the stupid blinds from our sliding glass door and put up and curtain rod and panels.  I'm also working on crocheting an afghan for my couch.  I'm sure I will finish it someday.

4. When using the dishwasher do you use powder detergent or liquid?  I use the cascade dishwasher packs.  So, powder, I guess.

5. Do you have a TV in your bedroom?  No, we did in our old house, but it was our only TV, so I would end up spending the whole day in bed watching TV.  We also stayed up too late.  It's not a good idea for me.

6.  Is your range gas or electric?  Electric.  I’d love a gas stove, though.

7.  How often do you sweep/mop/vacuum?  Usually right before company would come over, but now that I have a CRAWLER!! I think I will be vacuuming a lot more.

8.  What is your favorite place to shop for home furniture and accents? Pier 1, World Market, Target, TJ Maxx.

9.  Do you decorate for holidays?  I do, I do!!  I so look forward to each new holiday so I can decorate.  

10.  If you could have HGTV come in and redo one room in your home which room would you choose?  I'm not sure.  We're renting right now, so they wouldn't be able to do much.  Maybe the living room, since that is what people see when they come over.

Yucky Run and Guiltless Alfredo Sauce Recipe Link

Last night's run was yucky.  But I did it.  3 miles without walking.  This is the 3rd time I've done that.  My legs hurt, I had a side stitch that would not go away, and I was tired.  I didn't break my record, but I matched it.  That makes me happy. I am also happy that I had no pain in my shins and knees.

I came home, did my stretches, took an 800 mg ibuprofen, and slathered my legs with horse liniment.  (Yes, for horses.  It's like extra extra extra strength Icy Hot.  It's kind of amazing.)  I woke up feeling good.  And not sore. 

As I mentioned on Monday I completed my c25k program.  Oh my goodness, it feels so good to be able to say that!  I haven't been able to get my time under 34 minutes, but that is ok.  Though I would like to speed it up, time is not my concern right now, distance is.

I am registered to run a 6k on Saturday the 13th.  I feel 100% percent ready.  The goal is to run the whole thing and as long as I don't start out too fast (something I tend to do) I know I can do it.  I've never run a 6k before so I don't have a time to beat.  My fastest 5k time was 31 minutes so I am going to try and beat 37 minutes. 

Now for the recipe.  It comes from Our Best Bites.  This is one of my favorite recipe site.  While not everything is healthy...(Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake *drool*) they do really well at posting lots of healthy options. 

This sauce is amazeballs.  You know how when you go to a restaurant and order fettuccini alfredo and you can't finish it because it makes you sick so you take it home and reheat it for lunch the next day and the bottom of the bowl is pretty much a greasy mess?  Yeah, this doesn't do that.  Best part?  1/4 cup of this sauce is 100 calories!!!  100.  I'm going to go ahead and link you over to their site because they post pictures of how to do everything.  But, I've made this many times and it is pretty much no fail.  One thing though, make sure you buy a block of Parmesan cheese and shred it yourself.  If you use pre-shredded cheese, it won't melt and your sauce will be lumpy.

Our Best Bites: Guiltless Alfredo Sauce

 



FMM-Uniquely You

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

 Uniquely You

1) Do you prefer to talk or text? It depends on the situation.  Texting is a great way to get a hold of my husband while he's at work, but there are somethings that need to be said and not texted.  I do tend to text someone if the topic is uncomfortable. 

2) How often do you make your bed? Everyday…I wish.  I only make my bed when I have just washed the sheets (once a week) or company is coming over.  This is something I want to work on.  The new cool thing on Pinterest I just pinned says I have to make my bed every morning.

3) What sounds do you hear right now? A babbling baby playing with her toys and a pug snoring.

4) List three things that you always carry with you.  Phone, wallet, car keys.

5) What are your favorite TV shows? Growing up - Full House. Of all time - Scrubs, Buffy, Big Bang Theory, Firefly.  Currently - Bones, Castle, Modern Family, New Girl, and The New Normal.  I just watched the pilot of The Neighbors (Neighborhood?) and thought it was pretty funny.

6) Is there a hobby that you’d like to devote more time to? If so, what is it? Playing the piano.  My baby grand doesn't fit in our new place so it is sitting at my mom's house.  (Not far, less than a mile away.) It's amazing how fast you lose those skills even in a year when you don't play everyday.

7) What is your favorite drink? I don't know.  I don't really have a go-to drink.  Every once and a while a root beer sounds really good, and on a really hot day by the swimming pool, a Coca Cola Classic can't be beat. (Bad, bad sodas, I know.)

8) Share a couple of cool facts about your family. My dad and uncle are famous if you fly fish.  My dad is good friends with Mark O'Meara.  (Pro golfer...won the Masters and the Brittish Open in '98.)

9) List one thing that you will do for yourself today. Decorate my house for Halloween!

10) Share something that you’re thankful for today. My beautiful baby girl!!  I'm thankful for her everyday.

I finished the c25k program on Saturday!!!!!!!  I can't believe that I actually followed through with it.  I can run 3 miles with out stopping to walk.  This week I start my 10k training and I know I can do it. 

Train Up a Child

Train up a child in the way he should go,
for when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

K is 6 months old today.  I can't believe it!  It seems like just yesterday I was holding her in the hospital trying to breastfeed.  Our first week home I was an emotional mess because she wasn't getting enough breast milk.  (I know that a lot of moms think that their babies aren't getting enough to eat, but my baby really wasn't.)  I switched to pumping and all was well...then I stopped producing enough.  So I started supplementing with formula.  Then I really stopped producing and after trying all of my options we decided to exclusively switch to formula.

Now we are starting solids.  We decided to start with vegetables since I have heard that starting with vegetables instead of fruit keeps them from rejecting veggies later in life.  Maybe it's true, maybe it's not...but it can't hurt.  We started with sweet potatoes and today we added peas.  So far so good.

The reason I am telling you this, is because it shows how much effort has gone into making sure my baby is eating properly.  I think all moms (and dads) start that way.  Somewhere, though, during the course of childhood that seems to change.  Be it for convenience or because kids can be picky eaters but fruits and veggies turn into mac & cheese and chicken nuggets.

K is the 14th grandbaby on Russell's side.  As I've attended lots of Sunday dinners and parties I've watched two meals being made.  One for the adults and one for the kids.  I don't like that.  I think doing that keeps kids from trying new things and puts a lot of pressure on the cook.  I know that some kids are picky eaters but I think a lot of times the picky eating comes from the parents.  I don't know how many times I've heard someone say "Oh, you won't like that" to a toddler.  That drives me crazy.  My brother's little girl tries everything you give her.  Her favorite foods are tomatoes, avocados, cucumbers, and sushi.  Yes, sushi.  No one ever told her it was "yucky".  I hope my little girl is as good an eater as she is.  

I can't tell you how many blogs I've read that blame their childhood for their poor eating habits.  My goal is to continue to make good healthy meals for my family.  Now, my daughter will get The Blue Box, Happy Meals, and hot dogs.  Just not every day.  She'll also get ice cream and soda pop.  Just not every day.  I believe in a good balance.

It is my hope that K learns to love healthy foods.  It is my hope that I can teach her healthy eating habits that she can take with her for the rest of her life.  It is my hope that she never has to feel like the fat girl.

 

K's first bite of solid food

Fat Husband

I'm pretty sure none of my 'in real life' friends read this.  (Except for Sam) So, if you are my friend and know my husband, please keep this to yourself.


I'm trying to lose weight.  Obviously.  I'm eating better.  I'm working out.  I want to feel better.  I want to look better.  I'm trying really hard.

So here's a frustration.

I have a fat husband.  He is 5'6" and weighs just over 260 pounds. 

And he doesn't seem to care. 

I've tried talking to him multiple times, signing him up for Weight Watchers (That was a waste of $50, he didn't even log on once.) I've told him how worried I am about him.  Family members have told him how worried they are about him.  I've asked him to work out with me.

He insists that he is healthy...just fat...but then I watch him struggle with knee pain, sleep apnea, and trying to go up and down stairs.

His grandfather died at age 35 from a heart attack.  And that scares me.  I've told him this.  Again, he insists that he is fine.

I'm not physically attracted to him anymore.  The tons of skin tags on his neck gross me out.  He makes fun of his weight by rubbing his stomach in public while making yummy noises and then eating way too much food and that embarrasses me.  He wears stupid t-shirts that are too small and that embarrasses me too. 

This makes me feel like a bad, bad wife.  I know that love is unconditional, but is attraction? 

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my husband.  He is an amazing man.  He is the most thoughtful person in the world, he is a great dad.  He works hard so that I can stay home with K. 

I feel like it is unfair to feel unatracted to him when I look at myself and wonder how he can find me attractive.  I feel like he doesn't care about his health and, in turn, doesn't care about K and me.

I try to do my part.  I try to keep healthy foods in the house and make good dinners, but that doesn't stop him from going out to lunch everyday, eating way too much, or drinking too much soda.

I'm not his mother...he is his own person and can make his own choices...I just hate the choices he is making and I hate the way I feel about that.

I've asked him to lose weight for Hawaii and he said he was trying, but I don't think he gets it.  He has no idea how many calories he is eating and he won't even try to track them.

I don't want a fat husband, but it's not like I am going to leave him because he weighs too much.

So....now what do I do?  What would you do?  I'm at a loss.

Vegetarian Recipe - Carrot Souffle

I promised I would post this recipe if it was good.  At first, right after I popped it in the oven, I thought, 'This is way too time consuming for a side dish.'  And then I tried my first bite.  It was better than good.  It was light and fluffy.  It had a yummy carrot flavor without being too carroty.  (I don't like cooked carrots.)

Carrot Souffle

 

Ingredients

• 2 lbs carrots, peeled, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• Salt for salting cooking water
• 1 cup whole milk (Low fat milk works, too.)
• 1 cup Saltine cracker crumbs
• 3/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup minced onion
• 1 Tbsp room temperature butter
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground mustard
• 3 large eggs

1 Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish and set aside.

2 Place carrots in a saucepan and cover with an inch of water. Add about 1 teaspoon of salt to the water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the carrots are tender. Strain the carrots and purée in a food processor or with an immersion blender.

3 Place carrot purée in a large bowl. Slowly add in the milk, a little at a time, whisking after each addition so that the mixture stays smooth, not lumpy. Mix in the saltine cracker crumbs, the grated cheese, onion, butter, Kosher salt, cayenne, and black pepper.

4 In a separate bowl, whip up the eggs until frothy. Then whisk them into the carrot purée mixture.

5 Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until puffed up a bit and lightly golden.

This makes 6-8 servings.  There are approx. 170-230 calories per serving.  I served this along side some grilled pork chops.  Yum!

On an unrelated note, I ran 3.1 miles last night in 34 minutes!  Woo-hoo!

Recipe by: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/carrot_souffle/  (I stole their picture too.  I took one, but it didn't turn out so well.)

Title Goes Here

So it's Tuesday.  It's a running day.  A three mile running day, actually.  The last two Tuesdays I was unable to run, so I'm glad that I got passed that jinx.  I'm excited to run 3 miles but I'm always nervous before a run.  I worry that I won't be able to finish or that I will have to stop and walk.  I haven't yet though, so I really don't know why I get so worried.  So yeah, I'm worried, but confident at the same time?  Hahaha.

Now that fall is here I thought I would post a yummy fall recipe...but I don't have one. Yet.  I'm going to try to make a carrot soufflé tonight and if it turns out as yummy as it looks I will post the recipe tomorrow.

FMM-Fall Favorites

Wow!  I usually blog in the morning but my dear, sweet, brother called me at 7 am (Yes, it's early for me...baby girl keeps me up all night.) and asked me to babysit his 2 year old daughter because her babysitter (my mom) was really sick.  She's darling, but she's a handful...and she's been getting a little rough with K lately....Last night at dinner she bit her finger, bonked her on the head with a toy, and stepped on her hand....so I have to really pay attention.  But she's gone now so here goes.


If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Fall Favorites

1. What is your favorite thing about this time of year?  I love that it is cool enough to go on hikes in the middle of the day...and I love watching the leaves change.

2. What do you hope to do again before Summer is officially over? I feel like I should go on at least one hike this year.  I haven't been at all.

3. When did you last go on a hay ride?  I don't know...a looooooooooong time. 

4. What is your favorite pumpkin dish?  While I love all things pumpkin, my favorite is actually a casserole that you bake in a pumpkin.  <3 p="p">
5. Do you decorate your home for fall?  I have a ton of Halloween decorations that I put out every year...then I tone it down quite a bit for Thanksgiving.

6. Do you have any hobbies that are seasonally specific? If so, what are they?  I just taught myself to crochet and I am making a blanket for winter.

7. Apple cider or hot chocolate?  I love both, but I think real hot apple cider might just win.

8. Are you a fan of football? If so, who is your team?  Not a fan of NFL but I love me some College football.  The University of Utah all the way.  Go Utes!

9. Share a fond Fall memory.  Probably raking leaves just to jump in the pile!

10. It’s not Fall until…I can leave my windows open all day. 

More on the Subject of Running

I feel kinda like dancing! And it would totally look like this. :)

 

 

 

 

I did it.

I even think I might have come in at my goal of 2.75 miles in 30 minutes, but silly me, I didn't look to see what my time was until after I finished my cool down.  I actually felt pretty good.  :)

I thought I would list some of the things that help me with my runs.

The Shoes:

NIKE ZOOM STRUCTURE TRIAX+ 15

Love them!  They help correct my over-pronation.  If you haven't been fitted properly for running shoes, I HIGHLY recommend it.

How I Track my Runs:

Nike + with and iPod Nano

I have a couple of programs on my Droid that let me track runs, but I hate carrying my phone with me.  So this works great!  I love that the Nano is so small and clips any where.  I usually just hold it in my hand so I can check music, times, distance, etc.

 

 

How I Stay Hydrated:

 

I use this for my little shorty runs

 

(Mine's way cuter though, and has a pocket for keys and chapstick.)

and this for the longer ones.

I'm a mouth breather, so I definitely need water when I run. 

 

 



Here's my Play List:
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) -Kelly Clarkson  (Warm up)
Any Way You Want It / Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'-(Glee Cast Version) Yes, Glee, don't judge me.
My Life Would Suck Without You -Kelly Clarkson This is actually my "Power Song" but I have found that I haven't needed to use it lately
I Will Wait -Mumford & Sons This is a little bit slower than I like to run to, but I love the song enough that it works.
What I Like About You -Lillix
The Art of Losing -American Hi-Fi
Hungry Like The Wolf / Rio (Glee Cast Version) This one is also a little slow, but all I have to do is picture the video, cause you know, hot boys.  ;)  Watch it and see what I'm talking about.  Yes that is Neil from White Collar singing and dancing. 
Break Me Out-The Rescues
Ours -The Bravery
You Wear Flowers- Peter Breinholt This guy is local, but he is great!  Just ignore the poor Mormons trying to dance.  (Also as you can see, those rumors that Mormons don't dance just isn't true.  We try, anyway :D)

When I run, I need a strong beat.  I also tend to run on the beat so faster songs are better.  I am getting better at not doing that though.  Music is a must when I run!  Maybe when running isn't such a chore, I won't need to rely on it as much.  It just gives me something else to concentrate on and helps pass time.  

So not pictured are the 2 bras I wear...a normal underwire and a sports bra over that...a bandanna to keep my short hair from falling into my face, and polyester socks.  Don't run in cotton socks, you'll get blisters!

 

What are some of your must-haves when you run?  What are your favorite songs to run to?

Me as a Runner

Pre-race pic...2010.  I'm on the left.

It's a slow day.  I have my run planned tonight...(Nothing is going to stop me this time!)...I will be running 2.75 miles without walking.  My goal time is 30 minutes.  I think this time I am going to have someone drop me off 3 miles away and I will just run home.

It's been a little hard for me to have to start over with running.  A little humbling, too.  I've done the 5k thing.  I've even run three 10ks.  My goal is a half marathon.  It has been for a while.  I even signed up for one 3 years ago, but stopped training because of really really bad shin splints.  Could I have worked through those?  Maybe.  But I didn't.  I waited almost a year and started running again, but I think I pushed too hard, too fast and got shin splints again.  I might have tried to do something about them this time, but we started our infertility treatments and I was determined to not jinx it by working out.  Not that working out would make me not get pregnant....or stay pregnant....but I didn't want to blame myself for anything if I didn't get pregnant...or stay pregnant.  It's a decision I am glad I made...but coming back was hard.

That said, I've been really happy with the way my running training has been going.  I have only missed 3 out of 21 runs.  Once for poor scheduling, once on the day I donated blood, and once for being sicker than I have been in a long long time.  One thing that I am really happy about is that I have been able to do all the runs as I was told to do them.  They started out pretty easy...Running only 60 seconds at a time...but then they started to get longer.  At times I wondered if I was actually going to be able to run for 5 minutes no walking, let alone 20 minutes without walking, but I did.  When my body started to whine, my mind took over and told my body to shut it.  I've been working really hard at stretching, warming up, cooling down, and running with what I hope is proper form so I haven't had shin splints or ITBS.

I feel strong.  I feel empowered.  I feel that I might actually meet my running goals this time.  I might not look skinnier, or even feel skinnier, but I feel stronger.  And that's a start.

**Blargh**

So yesterday sucked.  I woke up at 2 in the morning to give baby girl a binky check and was hit with a huge wave a nausea.  So after a night of too many bathroom trips I asked my husband to stay home from work, which he did, thank goodness!  I stayed in bed all day, had a glass of ginger ale and a total of 4 saltines.  Tuesday's daily goal: Eat a healthy breakfast?  Yeah right.  I was also supposed to go running yesterday but of course that wasn't happening either.  I think my body has something against Tuesday's.  Ah well.

Today is a new day!  I feel so so so much better.  I'm going to start with a healthy breakfast and then spend the day with my baby girl.  I missed her so much yesterday.

I've kind of designated Tuesdays as "Post a Recipe" day.  I missed that yesterday, so here it is today.

    Tofu Stir-fry over Quinoa

1/2 cup prepared Quinoa (Or rice...or neither.)

1/2 package Extra-firm tofu, drained - cut into 1 inch cubes

Corn Starch

Sesame seeds

Your favorite vegetables

I used...

Broccoli (Crowns and Stems)

Onions

Green Peppers

Red Peppers

Diced Mushrooms

2 Tbs Olive Oil

Kikoman Teriyaki Baste and Glaze Sauce (Or a homemade sauce like this or this)

Procedure:

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Lightly coat the tofu cubes with the cornstarch and sesame seeds. Place on a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden.  (I used my toaster oven)

Dice and slice your vegetables.  and saute over medium heat until tender.  If using broccoli, reduce heat and cover.  You just want to steam it a little bit.

Add baked tofu and as much sauce as you need.  Toss until everything is covered and serve over quinoa.  Or rice...or just eat it plain.  

This was so good!  The Kikoman Baste and Glaze is thick enough that it clings to all the vegetables really well and you don't need to use that much, and baking the tofu makes it slightly crispy on the outside.  

It was so yummy! I can't wait to make it again.

(Soon, I will actually manage to get a picture of the food before I eat it.)

Daily Goal: Monday

Today's goal was to clean the house.  Downstairs is almost done, I just wanted to write this before I was too tired to do it.

Tuesday's Goal: Eat a good breakfast.
Which I really have been doing, except for today.  Today I had watermelon and I felt like I was STARVING all day.  I still feel hungry, actually.  I made "Smoothie kits" tonight and stuck them in the freezer so they will be ready to go when I want one.  I might make oatmeal though.  I really like how that seems to carry me through the day.  Sunday I made apple cinnamon oatmeal with unsweetened almond milk and it was pretty amazing.

FMM- Blog Stuff/Weekly &Daily Goals

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Blog Stuff

1. Have you ever met anyone through your blog that led to an in-person friendship/relationship? Nope, though it was my BFF that got me starting in weight-loss blogging.  I met a bunch of people through her.
2. Most bloggers have a specific niche. What would you discuss if it didn’t seem inappropriate on your blog? I don't really know.  I try not to talk about my religion too much, because I know that not everybody has the same beliefs and that it can make people feel very uncomfortable.  I'll mention it from time to time, but I try not to go into specifics...I figure if readers have questions, they will ask me.
3. If you could meet three bloggers, who would they be? I think it would be Jia from Untypically Jia (We don't ever talk, and she has no idea who I am, but I know we would be friends).  And the girls from Our Best Bites.  Same reason.  Unfortunately, I have just started blogging again and lost many of my previous contacts and have yet to really get to know any of the new people I follow.  Soon though!  I love reading your blogs. 
4. If you had to choose between Facebook or Twitter which one would you choose?  Facebook. 
5. Do you vlog (video blog?) Nope!  I usually blog in my underwear (Great visual, right?) So vlogging might not be the best idea.  Though maybe I will post one so you can all see how stinkin' cute my baby girl is.
6. How many blogs do you read on an average day? I have a growing blog roll (Let me know if you want me to add you.) that I read everyday.  I also will click on other people's blog rolls to find people that way.  I am a stay at home mom, so I need lots and lots to read.
7. What is the coolest thing that you’ve seen online recently? My sister-in-law who went through infertility with me just announced on her blog that she was pregnant through IVF.  It makes me so happy that she gets to be pregnant!!
8. If you gave your blog a new name what would it be? When I started blogging I was Vegan Ana, but changed it when I stopped doing VBD to Just Ana because I didn't want to mislead anyone.  If I changed it again, I think I would just confuse people.
9. Have you ever attended a blog conference like Fitbloggin? If not, would you? I haven't.  It sounds really fun, but I would have to feel a lot closer to the Fitbloggin community than I do right now.  At this moment, I kinda feel like the new girl asking the popular girls if she can sit at their lunch table.
10. In the past I have asked why you blog. Now I want to know why you read blogs? What do you take from it?  I read blogs for motivation.  It shows that people can do hard things!!

Now it’s your turn to fill out this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments!

Weekly Goals:

Here are last weeks goals-
1. Drink more water. 4 bottles a day. I'm really bad at remembering to drink my water. Mostly.  There are a couple of days that I forgot and then I woke up dehydrated and with a headache the next day.
2. Stick to the Vegan Before Dinner plan. (I'm starting it tomorrow.) Yes!  I love the things I ate, and I felt good about every bite.  It was the jump start I needed and I lost 4 pounds!  171, baby!
3. Find and use a new ab workout every night. Um, no.  Someone recommended Jillian Micheal's workouts though, so I am going to look into that.
4. Do all 3 runs on the days I am scheduled to do them. (TTS) I did not end up running on Tuesday because I almost passed out after donating blood.  I figured it might not be the best idea to try and run that night after I got lightheaded after walking up the stairs in my house.  Instead of stressing about it thought, I just skipped that workout and did the Thursday and Saturday runs as scheduled.
5. Hold a plank for 1 minute. Yes.  And it was HARD!

Weekly Goals 9/17-9/23
1.  Drink 4 bottles of water a day. (Yes, it's a repeat.)
2. Cross train on Monday and Friday.
3. Keep the house clean all week.  (Making yummy breakfast and lunch everyday means a messy kitchen!)
And of course...4. Do all 3 runs on the days I am scheduled to do them.

Daily Goal: Monday
Saturday's goal had 2 parts.  Part 1 was to get up at 8 to go for my run. Part 2 was to run the full 22 minutes.  I did both.  I got up a little after 8...(I was really really tired after a sleepless night.) and got ready for my run.  Then I drove to Midway and picked up my Bountiful Basket. (What's a Bountiful Basket, you ask?  It's a fruit and vegetable co-op.  It is $15 for a laundry basket FULL of fruits and vegetables.  You should check it out to see if there is one in your city.)  After that I decided to run the pathway that goes along the road from Heber into Midway.  It was beautiful!!!  I will definitely be doing this again and I will try to take pictures along the way.


Today's Goal:  Clean the house!  Oh yeah!

Happy Monday, Everyone!!

Daily Goal: Friday

Today's goal was to get out of the house by 10:30.  Done.  I left just after 10.  It was a good day, but I am exhausted!  2 kids (I had my 2 year old niece is a lot of work.  I chopped my hair off too.  Yay.  It was getting so shaggy.

Saturday's Goal:  This goal has 2 parts.  Part 1 is to get up at 8 to go for my run.  Part 2 is to run the full 22 minutes.  I think I'll be able to do it.  Last night when I was running I realized that I wasn't miserable, and I was thinking about things besides running.  It was a great feeling.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Daily Goal: Thursday

Today's goal was to control the amount of tortilla chips I ate when I went out to lunch.  Check!  It wasn't that hard actually, considering that I couldn't eat my favorite salsa, the cilantro cream.  I had a lovely spring mix salad with passion fruit vinaigrette.  It's one of my favorite things to eat anyway, so getting without shrimp or chicken to make it vegan wasn't much of a stretch.

Friday's Goal: It's silly, but my goal is to get out of the house on time tomorrow.  K is having some pictures taken in Salt Lake tomorrow and I always seem to run about 5-15 minutes behind when I take the baby girl anywhere.  I would like to leave the house at 10:30.  

~TGIF~

Sammich

Have you ever eaten something for lunch that was so so yummy that you couldn't wait to eat it again, so you make it for breakfast the next day?  I just did.

Have you seen this in your local grocery store?  I picked it up on a whim and I am so glad I did.  Yum-o!  It's a little tangy and slightly spicy and oh so good.

So here's the sandwich I had to make for breakfast:

Whole Wheat Flatbread

Sauteed Red Peppers and Onions in Olive Oil

Sauteed Portobello Mushroom Slices

Avocado

Alfalfa Sprouts

and

Chimichurri Spread

So so good!  I thought I was buying pita pockets and when I got home I realized they were flatbread.  200 calories, but kinda worth it.  Next time I'll get pitas though and save the calories.

Daily Goal: Wednesday

Tuesday's goal was to donate blood.  Which I did, thank you very much!  I almost passed out after it was over and had to lie down on the gym floor with my feet up, but I was able to drive myself home.  We think I just got up too fast.  In all it was a good experience and I'm glad I did it.  I'm sure I will do it again.

Today's goal was to not stop for a treat on the way home from Bell rehearsal.  It was with great pride in myself that I drove right passed McDonald's and Crown Burger.  :)  I ate a banana and drank a bottle of water.  Good thing too because my dinner was way more calories than I thought. It's also a good thing that ringing hand bells for 2 hours burns almost 300 calories.

Thursday's Goal: I'm going out to lunch with my Grandma tomorrow to the best Mexican restaurant ever, so my goal is not to eat too many tortilla chips.  (They have an amazing salsa bar!)

Pictures and a Recipe!

I started VBD yesterday and it was a success food-wise!  (Excepting the cookies I ate post-blood donation, but I'll get to that.)

Breakfast was Oatmeal made with vanilla almond milk-topped with fresh strawberries and bananas.  I've never cooked oatmeal that wasn't instant, so this was fun and delicious!

Lunch was a Romain salad with pico de gallo, homemade corn and black bean salsa, cucumbers, alfalfa sprouts, avocado, lots of cilantro, and a spicy Boca Chik'n patty. So yummy, but the pico and the patty were a little too spicy for me.  (I'm a wuss when it comes to spicy.)  It was still really good though, and the avocado did a good job of calming the heat.

Dinner was grilled pork tenderloin with a brown sugar spice rub,  mango salsa, baked zucchini, and corn on the cob.  I've never had tenderloin grilled before, but it was so good.  :)

My snacks were an apple, half a banana (Emergency banana, my mouth was on fire after chomping down on an extra spicy bite of my salad.) and frozen grapes.  Usually I am more of a snacker, I just wasn't home much yesterday.

Here's the Recipe (Ok, not a recipe so much, more like instructions.) for the baked zucchini.
My bestie, Sam at Believe In Yourself, makes these amazing breadsticks.  She made them for us on Saturday night and I got to watch.  The topping is the best part...so I pretty much just used the topping on my zucchini.  Usually I will just use some salt and Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients:
1 zucchini
1 Yellow squash (keep these small, don't use the big honkin' ones from your garden.)
1 Tbs Melted Butter or Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. Salad Supreme seasoning
1/2 tsp. Lawry's Garlic Salt
2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese (The canned stuff.)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  (I use a toaster oven and it works great.)
Thinly slice the zucchini and squash.  Place in a casserole dish or small glass cake pan and toss with the melted butter or olive oil.  You only need enough to lightly coat all the pieces.
Top with the seasonings.
Bake for 10-20 minutes - You want the zucchini to be just tender and the topping to be lightly browned.

So, the measurements are total guesstimates.  I just sprinkle the seasoning on until it looks good.  Add as much parm as you want.  Right now, this is my favorite way to eat zucchini and squash.

What is your go-to easy vegetable recipe?

Daily Goal: Tuesday

Monday's goal was to hit the fitness center for cardio and weights.  I finished cardio at 9:55 pm and the gym closed at 10, so I was out of time. 

I realized that I never wrote down today's goal which is...

Tuesday's Goal: Donate Blood

It sounds a little silly that would be a daily goal, but I have signed up to donate blood 3 times in the past and chickened out every time!  My fear of needles is not gone, but after 2 years of infertility treatments, I don't dread it like I used to.  Also, now that I know I have O- blood (Something blood banks need desperately) I feel like it is my responsibility to help.  The significance of today, 9/11, makes me feel even more compelled to donate. 

I went to the store last night and stocked up on my VBD stuff.  I have lots and lots of yummy things that I am ready to eat.  I will post pics tomorrow.  And a recipe!  :)

Wednesday's Goal: Drive home from rehearsal without stopping for a fatty fatty "snack".

I have Bell rehearsal every Wednesday night in the city.  (About an hour from where I live)  We rehearse until 9:30 pm.  I usually leave to head home at about 9:45.  Because it's an hour drive home, (and I'm hungry because I haven't eaten since 6, I usually stop at the Golden Arches for a Diet Coke to get me through the drive home.  I tend to get something else to munch on -Burger and fries-.  I'm not going to do that this week.  I'm going to make sure I have an appropriate driving snack waiting for me in the car.

Friend Making Monday

 

Since I have revisited this whole weight loss blogging thing, I have found that many of my fellow bloggers and friends no longer blog. So much motivation comes from knowing that people are reading about and following my journey. I found this great way to link up with some new active bloggers. If it works, welcome! Leave me a note...and I'll follow you back! I hope to hear from you lots and lots.

If you are one of my readers that isn't from http://alltheweigh.com/ head on over and link up!

 

 

Have You Ever?

1. Jumped out of an airplane?  It is on my bucket list.  Now that I have a baby, it seems slightly irresponsible.
2. Lived alone? Yes.
3. Met a celebrity? Yes.  A couple...I worked at a hotel in Park City, UT.
4. Said something to someone that you immediately regret saying? Of course.
5. Had a manicure/pedicure? I love pedicures! 
6. Gotten a hickey?  It's been a while.
7. Owned a pet that was not a dog or a cat?  Yes.  Frogs, hamsters, a snake, and a horse. Oh, and fish.
8. Been outside of your home country?  I've been to Ireland.  And Mexico.  Tijuana counts, right?
9. Kissed your best friend? Yep. I married him, too.
10. Eaten food that fell on the floor?  Sure.  Brush off the dust and it's fine.  :)
11. Met someone online? Sorta kinda.  We never actually met in person.
12. Been on TV? Yes.
13. Had braces?  Yes. 5th grade through 7th.
14. Gone skinny dipping?  Yes.  With the girls.  In her private hot tub.
15. Been to the opera? Yes.
16. Been caught making out by a policeman?  Haha, yes.  In high school.  At the park.  After it was closed.
17. Sung in public? Yes.  A couple of solos in high school and recently I have sung the National Anthem at our horse shows.
18. Handed out candy on Halloween? Yes.  We usually set up the fire pit in the front yard.  People love it!
19. Been snowed in? I've experienced a few snow days, but it was never bad enough that you couldn't leave the house. 
20. Fallen in front of other people? All the time.  I'm a total klutz.
21. Cheated on a test? I would try by writing stuff on my hand, but then I was too scared to look cause I knew I would get caught.
22. Regretted saying “I love you” to someone? Nope.
23. Finished a meal in a restaurant and realized that you didn’t have your wallet? No.
24. Shot a gun? Yes.  My dad is a cop.
25. Heard a song that was written for (or about) you? Yes. A guy I was dating once upon a time wrote a beautiful song on the piano for me.

Thanks for reading!