Healthy Lifestyle

Well as many of you know, Steph and I are running the Eisenhower 1/2 Marathon on April 10. It has felt great to set a goal and be so close to achieving it.


I have found that it really is a matter of your mind overcoming what your body is trying to tell you! Had I not just had the mindset about what I wanted to achieve, I would have just given up several times - those 5 am mornings are killers sometimes as is running in the snow and ice, not to mention just the muscle fatigue and soreness that comes with training.


The benefits have been great though . . . I am just about at my goal weight that I set at the beginning of the school year, and my clothes are fitting great. Actually, the only drawback is I have had to buy new clothes as I dropped 2 sizes - woohoo!


Along with exercising I have really taken a good look at what is going in my body as well. This means that the whole family is in on this as I have never been one to make separate meals. The kids have resisted some, but thanks in part to Jamie Oliver's new show they too are starting to see the importance of eating well and eating more raw and natural foods.


So what am I doing? Like I said, trying to eat more "raw" foods. As Dr. Oz likes to say those around the outside edge of the grocery story. Not the processed, pre-packaged foods that are quick and cheap - which is why I think we are so often drawn to them. I have found some great sights to help me out in this journey which is really more about changing my lifestyle than it is dieting. Don't get me wrong, I still crave these foods at times, but I have gotten better and realize that when I do give in and eat them, I don't feel as well or have the same energy as I do when I am putting the right things in.


If you want some great recipes, advice, or motivation to change your eating as well, then check out these sights. Let me know if you try any of the recipes and how they are. I will try to do the same.


http://www.eatingwell.com/
http://www.eatbetteramerica.com/
http://www.realage.com/ (Take the real age test - I did and was happy to find that my real age is 29.8 - a difference of 4.4 from my real age!)
http://www.whfoods.com/
http://www.healthyfoodforliving.com/
http://www.ohsheglows.com/


And one of my favorites - http://www.thegreenmonstermovement.com/

Several of you know I have been having a green monster for breakfast every morning, and have gotten Kris to share this with me. We really think it makes us feel great all day! Let me know if you try it and what recipe you like best - love mine with flax seed, wheat germ, banana, blueberries, and o.j.! It actually looks more like a purple monster because of the berries!

Ten, 10, One-Zero, Zehn, Diez, Jyuu, Dix - No matter how you say it - He's 10 and I'm 10 days late in letting you know!

Last Wednesday Elliott turned 10! While we didn't get to celebrate much on his actual birthday, I did make the basketball Krispie pops for him to take to school. Luckily they were a hit, and he felt good about that. He also was surprised that we got him a cell phone. We recently disconnected our land line, and I just felt better knowing that he has a way to reach us if he needs to where ever he is. It has already come in very handy. I really wanted him to wait until at least middle school, but with the rules we've put into place, I'm thinking it will work out - keeping my fingers crossed!


Last Saturday, we celebrated his birthday with the family. Elliott wanted a cake shaped like a football helmet, so I decided to give it a try and make a cupcake cake. I think it turned out pretty good!

Getting ready to open presents.

Getting a gift he really wanted!

Ending the day watching the Jayhawks - unfortunately they lost to Oklahoma State. Oh well, if they had to lose, I would choose OSU - it's where Elliott was born!

Happy Birthday Elliott! We love you so much and love the young man you are growing to be.