Christmas Eve........Prepairing for Santa's arrival

Kylee getting cookies and milk ready for Santa's arrival. We also left a letter for Santa thanking him in advance for the presents and to tell Jesus Happy Birthday. Kylee didn't go to bed until almost 1am because she was so excited for Christmas. She slept in Christmas morning until 10:30 which was nice since we stayed up until 2:30am wrapping presents. It sure would be nice if Santa was real so we wouldn't have to buy and wrap all those presents. Really though we don't get too crazy for Christmas because that's not what we want our girls to think Christmas is about. We always make a birthday cake for Jesus and sing happy birthday to him. I believe Kylee understands the meaning of Christmas. The presents are a bonus to her! She really got into opening her presents this year. Last year it took her forever!

Good Friends, Good Times!

Time sure does fly by! It seems just like yesterday we were doing this every weekend. Now it's tough getting together just a few times a year with my old college buddies. I miss the old days sometimes, but glad I'm where I'm at in this stage of my life right now. We had a great time hanging out catching up on old times.

"The best things in life aren't things...they're friends."

Surviving the Winter Blues

The weather has clearly turned and winter is here. Coats and sweaters make their way back into our daily wardrobe, the trees stand bare, and ...... the malls are bustling. As we move through this season many emotions may arise for us. Holidays past - both joyous and melancholy - find their way back into our thoughts. It is certainly a time of year when we need to take care of ourselves both physically and emotionally. I experience a slight case of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which I'm sure I'm not alone. See below for a few tips to that helps me get through the long, cold, dark, witner months:


~Stay connected with others. Whether in person or on the phone, the human connection is critical to our well-being.

~Practice daily affirmations. Repeating a positive thought several times throughout the day can help remind us of the potential we have to live well. (Ex: "I am a strong and optimistic person.")

~Do something kind for someone else. It is well known that helping others brings a flood of good feelings for the helper as well as for the receiver.

~Keep active. Exercise releases those important endorphins that keep our brains triggering positive emotions for us.

~Take care of your basic physical needs. Eat well and get enough sleep. Lack of sleep and poor nutrition are culprits in bringing on the blues.

~Pamper yourself often. Treat yourself to a simple luxury - a bubble bath, a relaxing evening with a friend, your favorite upbeat movie. You're worth it and you deserve it.

~Notice the beauty around you. Keeping your focus on the lovely things in life focuses your attention on what you DO have. The sunrise in the morning, children laughing, a flower blooming in the midst of the cold winter day - blessings we have that we sometimes overlook.

14 Tips for Starting and Sticking With It

14 Tips for Starting and Sticking With It
Stop Failure Before it Starts

For some of us out there, if we could just convince ourselves that there is enough time in the day to exercise, we could be on track to a great fitness program. For others, we get started but quickly lose momentum and give up. To help get started and stay on track, here are a few tips:

1. Throw away the bathing suit you wore in high school… and the memory too. It’s normal to have a mental image of yourself when you last exercised like a fiend. But if that image is from high school, you could be in big trouble. Even if it’s from last year, forget it. Remember as little as possible of what you used to look like. Starting today, make new memories.

2. Prepare. We already know you don’t have the time, so write it down like an appointment every day. You wouldn’t cancel an appointment, why would you cancel on yourself? Aren’t you important too?

3. Start slowly. Do much less than what you’re capable of. Take a 20-minute walk if you’re returning to exercise. You might feel like it’s not enough, but it’s a good start.

4. Get the family involved. Run while your daughter rides her bike. Go to a local track and let the kids play their own games. Run with your spouse. Sign up for a local 10K. Walk with your son. Celebrate with a little something special after every activity.

5. Where are your friends? Four words, four reasons – motivation, inspiration, determination, conversation. Surround yourself with friends who think positive and live large.

6. Put the pain in perspective. When the going gets tough, remember that you have survived 600 carpools, 540 loads of laundry (this month), 41 baseball games, 230 dinners and one family vacation. What’s the big deal?

7. Allow yourself to slow down. You’re driving this bus! For the first time today, you are in control.

8. Sign up for a race. It’s a goal to strive for and adds a little meaning to your everyday workout.
9. Run/walk in public. Be proud of your accomplishment. Take in all the sites and be an inspiration to others.

10. Just show up. Go to the gym, class, or the park. Once you’re there, it’s hard to say no. 98% of life is showing up.

11. Eat. Follow a healthy eating pattern. If you limit your calorie intake, you will not have enough energy to work out and your metabolism will slow down.

12. Understand your energy cycle. There are peaks during our days. Even during the week. Try to complete your workout when you feel good about yourself.

13. Wallow in your greatness. You can exercise to become a better exerciser, or you can exercise to become a better mother, a better father, doctor, teacher, or a better friend – or you can exercise to become BETTER. Be proud of that accomplishment.

14. Have fun. Where’s your childlike spirit? When you can make workouts "playouts," you’ve got it made.
Don’t give up on yourself. After all, it’s never too late to be that healthy person you might have been.

Check my girls and I out on the right side of the article. We are featured in January's issue of Oxygen Magazine on page 72 called Real Moms, Real Fit. I'm pretty excited and honored to be selected to be a part of my favorite fitness magazine, but what really excites me is knowing how excited Kylee is about being in the magazine with me. She was jumping up and down when we got the magazine in the mail today. I feel like I'm setting a good example for my girls and that is what the article is about. Check it out on page 72!!!!

Our 1st and probably last marathon! It was an experience of a life time that's for sure! We ran the marathon in Grand Rapids, MI. It was a beautiful course and we had perfect weather for the run. There were only a few hills at the beginning of the run and the rest was pretty flat thank goodness! I'm so proud of my husband because I thought we'd run together for the 1st 5 or 10 miles and we ended up running the whole entire run together and I don't know if I could have done it with out him. He is the most determined person I know. When he sets his mind to something he does it!!! Another thing that got me through the run was my grandpa that died a year ago. I ran this run for him and he was who was on my mind the entire race. The hardest part was the last 5 miles, and I really felt like he was there with me pushing me through the pain. Jeff and I felt really good other than our left knees. Both of our knees locked up and got really tight around 18 miles and it took everything we had not too stop, but we did it without stopping. We ran it in 3 hours 51 minutes beating our goal of 4 hours. The last 1/4 mile we held hands to the finish line. It was an amazing feeling completing something that tough!!! I doubt we ever run another full marathon because it's so hard on our joints, but we plan to run many more halfs and maybe even a tri. I'm just glad I can actually say this quote that really helped me train for the marathon and that quote is: "There will be days you don't think you can run a marathon. There will be a lifetime of knowing you have."

Another great reason to eat your Banana!!!

More than a Banana a Day! Make sure you're getting enough of this muscle-helping mineral. Not up to your usual routine? Feeling Fatigued? Maybe you're not getting enough potassium. An essential dietary mineral and electrolyte, potassium is necessary for proper nerve, brain and muscle function. Although it's often asymptomatic, signs of low potassium include lethargy, decreased muscle strength, muscle spasms or pain, decreased tendon reflexes, constipation and fluid retention. If you're low on potassium, maybe you can't do as many reps or last as long on your cardio, or you feel weak and more fatigued.

The most common cause is poor diet, although excessive use of diuretics and laxatives, severe or chronic diarrhea and vomiting, dehydration and eating disorders often trigger hypokalemia as well. Don't get stuck behind the eight ball when it comes to getting enough of this nutrient. To meet the recommened daily allowance of 4,700 mg per day, eat lots of fruits and vegetables. See below for a few potassium all stars that you should incorporate in your diet:


Baked potato with skin~794 mg
Baked sweet potato~694 mg
1/4 cup tomato paste~664 mg
1/2 cup cooked beet greens~654 mg
1/2 cup canned white beans~595 mg
Other great choices are yogurt, legumes, spinach, fruit juices, fish & don't forget the banana!!!

Why would anyone want to go back to the 80's????

No this was not a Halloween party, it was an 80's party and what a fun night it was! I haven't laughed that much in a very long time! We were sitting around the fire and I was looking around and I really felt like I was back in junior high school again. It brought back some memories. Teased hair, Big shirts, Peg rolled pants, Over all bibs, lots of make up, bright colors, you name it! It was great listening to 80's music all night! Loved the music, not the style! It was fun going back to the 80's for the night.

I'll Show you my mantle if you show me yours!!!!!

nu=3233>348>335>23243484265::ot1lsi.jpg"> My baby is going to be one! I can't believe how fast time flies! You don't even realize it fully until you have kids and see how fast they grow. I feel like it was just yesterday that I had her. Heck my 4 1/2 year old will start kindergarden next year! Where does the time go? It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and I have to remind myself that life IS short and I need to sit down and smell the flowers! I've been doing better in my super busy life, trying to remind myself that my girls are growing up fast and I need to spend quality time with them because before long they will be teens only wanting to hang with their friends. I took my girls to a playground a few weeks ago and this last week my daughters and I went and had lunch at a Chinese restaurant. It was quite fun. My daughter Kylee love egg drop soup and egg rolls. She wouldn't even share her egg drop soup. Let's remember to take time to enjoy life. When we're gone we will not be remembered by how clean and organized our house was. Take time to smell the roses!!!

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Fall is here!!!!

My favorite season.......Fall! I'm not sure why this is my favorite season. Maybe it's the fresh crisp air we get to breath in or all the beautiful color changing of the leaves or the mums and pumpkins we get to put out for decorations. I don't know but I love it! I know a bitter cold winter is to follow but this is my favorite season. I love making big pots of yummy healthy soups. Which btw I just made a wonderful soup that my mother-in-law even said it was the best soup she had ever eaten. See below for the recipe:

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
4 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chopped carrots
5 cups diced red potatoes
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 1/2 quarts chicken broth
1 cup quick-cooking barley
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
salt and black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spread slivered almonds evenly over a baking sheet. Toast in preheated oven until golden brown and fragrant.
Heat the oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Cook onions, celery, mushrooms, and garlic in oil until onions are tender.
Stir in carrots, potatoes, chicken, and broth. Bring to a boil, then stir in barley. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.
Remove from heat, and stir in butter, parsley, and toasted almonds. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Go Bananas!!!!!

Bananas are a favourite snack and some people use them as a staple breakfast food in a morning smoothie, on cereal or just eaten alone. Recent studies are showing why this might be a wise choice. Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fibre. The sugars combined with fibre in the banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. In addition, recent studies have shown the banana to be valuable to good health in many ways. According to a recent survey taken amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This may be due to the fact that bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. The vitamin B6 it contains also regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. Bananas are also high in other B vitamins that help calm and heal the nervous system. High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so help in cases of anemia. Potassium, another vital mineral in bananas, helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack. Not only high in potassium but low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. Also high in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel function, helping to ease constipation without resorting to laxatives. The banana is also used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. Snacking on bananas between meals during pregnancy helps to keep blood sugar levels up and the B vitamins help to avoid morning sickness. One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system. If you are tormented by insect bites, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. And if that doesn’t make the lowly banana incredible enough, The New England Journal of Medicine found bananas as a regular part of the diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Labor Day Weekend 2008

Labor Day Weekend this year was a blast as you can see by the picture! I can say this was the highlight of my summer thus far! What more can you ask for in the summer beside being on the lake on a 90 degree day with friends, family, an awesome band, great refreshing drinks & lots of yummy heathly snacks! Great time, Great friends!