Perspective...

It was an interesting morning as I headed out for my Wednesday am run. Usually on this run I have my running buddy, but today I was heading out alone! It's always different alone. It was drizzly this morning so I was trying to talk myself out of going and just doing a DVD instead. However, I headed out the door anyway as I knew I would feel GREAT as soon as I got out there and especially after the run was over!

I cranked up some music (one headphone for safety reasons) and headed out the door! I was quickly reminded of why I love to run(note the sarcasm sign!) down certain streets on garbage day. I am not known for my ability to jump (Tony Horton would bust a gut if he saw me doing his plyoX workout, however I do it anyway because it's fun, challenging and good for me!) and off I go jumping and leaping over trash cans and lids. It didn't seem to matter if I ran street or sidewalk, the stuff is all over! I was blessed today to not trip and fall on this run! I don't know about anyone else, but my mind wanders when I run alone. I work to find my focus and just go, keeping myself at a fairly constant pace and heart rate.

So I have to admit, I was saying some choice words about and to the garbage collectors (in my head) about the obstacle course of trash cans all over... I forgot about it for awhile as I ran into an area away from the neighborhood that didn't have trash cans all over, then my mind wandered somewhere else for a bit. Then as I hit the turn in my loop where I head home, there is the garbage truck! I am heading up one of the larger hills and thinking to myself. GREAT not only do I have to jump over and around this stuff, but I will probably get hit with a flying trash can lid instead. Well much to my surprise, I start passing the truck (and they were stopped, weird) and there is two guys back there... GREAT now they are going to mock me instead! Here's where I got some new perspective. Two guys behind the truck, clapping and cheering me on... "Great pace, keep it up", "Good for you"! I was so floored I almost fell over! I'd been cursing them, and they totally blew me away, being nice!

I find it funny how the simple things make a difference in your day! Not only did I think about how much work it would be if all the trash cans, lids and recycle bins were all placed perfectly back in place (not that I don't think it would be nice) but I realized that they are people too trying to do their job to the best of their ability!

It takes all kinds of people to make this world go round... So what are you going to do to make today a better day for someone else, without expecting anything in return?

And on another note here's my new favorite smoothie 'recipe': Enjoy!

approximately 2 cups or large handfuls of Kale

scoop of chia seeds

1/2 cup of frozen mango chunks

1/2 cup of frozen pineapple chunks

1 cup of frozen blueberries

Blend in blender with adequate water to desired consistency. Yummy!!! This is my favorite breakfast before running.

Anyone have a favorite protein powder they like to use... I would love to try one, as it would be great to drink after hard workouts! Please share with me!

I hope everyone has a great day... I just opened the windows, as I realized that it is warmer outside then in and I was a bit chilly in here! Here comes the sun!! Off to do some homework now!!

Need your help and Ideas...

As some of you may know I recently passed my American Council on Exercise Personal trainer certification exam. I am a certified personal trainer now! I need to get marketing materials together(IE I need a business name)so I can get started.

I know you guys are creative people, so here's what I need, I need your ideas on what to name my fitness business. Please keep in mind that I will be doing nutritional consulting/education as well in the future as I either get another certification and when I finish my master's degree. The plan is to train clients (mainly women since it would be in their homes, office gyms etc) and teach weight loss and nutrition education classes too. So now it's your turn... Help me out and brainstorm with me! Can't wait to hear your ideas? I had a few and was bummed out because they were already taken..sigh..

Yoga by any other Name... Meltdown (Oh Jillian)

Just yesterday I purchased this DVD. I really didn't have and expec- tations that this would be the slightly challenging and relaxing yoga experience of Sunday Morning (when I can get my arse out of bed, not lately.. sigh). Think about it, if you have ever done any of Jillian's workouts or have seen her train people on TV you know Jillian-no mercy, you will leave it all in the gym and Yoga meltdown is no different! I have to say, I did give it my all in every aspect.

This workout used a combination of sun salutations, lots of planks, repetition of movements of classic yoga poses followed by a period of holding the pose. The intervals raise heart rate while you are getting the benefits of dynamic and static stretches. If you are looking for a classic yoga workout this is not the workout for you. If you are looking for a yoga style workout that is low impact, will give you some calorie burn and some of the benefits of yoga and toning your body, give this one a try. I found this workout to be challenging (at level one) with lots of core strengthening work -which I need!

If you are a fan of Jillian and would like a softer (not soft mind you) Jillian without jumping jacks this is a great workout. I am looking forward to using the video a time or two a week in addition to my usual workouts and watching my strength grow. I also like that no equipment is needed with exception of a mat if you are working out on a hard surface.

Overall, I am looking forward to trying out level two, sweating a little more and seeing if I can find some abs in there somewhere! I am definitely going to try this DVD again!

The Vision Board- It's done!!!

I have been working on the elements for this vision board for a few months now. It seems that for some reason there is always something getting in the way of the time to spend to even put it together. I am sure that many of you are wondering what the vision board is even for. Ever since 2004 when I started my weight loss journey, goals were very important so I wrote them down in a little notebook (still have it and still write in it sometimes) however, life is challenging and busy at times and it is easy to just not look in it. So the vision board is a way to have your goals, ambitions, and values out in a way that one can see those things that are most important everyday. It is believed that seeing your goals and visualizing yourself (the way you desire to be) helps things happen in your life.

I realize that just looking at this board is not going to make things happen. I still have to get out there and work at my goals! However, being conscious of these things at all times does make it easier when hard choices come to play, when fear sets in or some other obstacle comes into play.

I have found that I am more on track with where I want to be and I am seeing some success happen already since finishing this board. Of course since taking this photo last week. I have already removed a typo, and thought of some things I would like to add as well. I guess it will be forever changing!

what are your goals and how do you see yourself achieving the things that you want from life?

Happy Birthday Zach!

Zachary is now 14~ It is SO hard to believe that I have a 14 year old! He had a great birthday weekend, went out to dinner his choice, and got to eat ice cream cake which we do not get very often.

Today in the midst of baking, we went through some scrapbook albums from when he was a baby and toddler. It was sort of fun because when he was about 18 months or so we went on a trip to Vancouver, since they are showing so much of Vancouver with the Olympics it was fun to show him that he had been there. They showed a park called Capillano (not sure if I spelled it right) but it has a very long rope suspension bridge. Not so exciting for those of us with height issues! Absolutely beautiful though.

The kids grow so fast, it is hard to believe where the time goes. It seems that some days life is so busy and fast that we forget to appreciate the good things in life.

I digress, however really wanted to say, Happy Birthday to Zachary! You are growing in to a fine young man! I love you! Mom

Fish N Nips.....

Plus a few other fun shapes. My kids and I made these great cheese crackers from here. I originally saw them on Erika's blog. Thanks for sharing the recipe. My daughter and I had a great time cutting out the shapes however I have to say that just making the squares was the easiest and quickest. I was hoping that between the sweet potato oat bars we made yesterday and these that they would have snacks all week! Ha.. they are almost gone.

In the spirit of clean eating, I have really been searching for snacks for the kids that they would enjoy and wouldn't be too hard to make. I would hope that I could make these each week at least in theory, and squares not fancy shapes. There is no sugar in this recipe and I altered the recipe and used whole wheat flour instead of white for more than half of the flour. I will try half whole wheat and half spelt flour next time and see how it turns out. I also used white cheddar instead of yellow to avoid the food dies. This means they don't look as pretty yellow as the photos on other other website. I will also try to alter them in other ways as well in the future. I will see how it goes!

All in all, it was a great success. Even my husband likes them, which means they wont last long!

Let me know if you try these. I don't think you will be disappointed at all!

Tosca You Are My Hero... Another Eat Clean Winner!

I have jumped into baking some new stuff this weekend. I started with a Sweet Potato Oat Bar from Tosca Reno's new The Eat Clean Diet Recharged. I was so excited to win this book from The Fitness Freak's Blog, I have to make this recipe first. First order of the day was baking the sweet potatoes in the oven early in the am, I was so tempted to just eat them but I held off and made the recipe. This recipe has whole oats, fresh ground flax seeds, slivered almonds, walnuts, dried cranberries, coconut oil (which I used instead of coconut butter, research said that it would work the same way) I had bought some goji berries and I forgot to use them too.

I have been searching for something to make my kids for a quick breakfast or a snack for school. I also want something that I can pack in my bag when I head out for the gym or another activity in which I might get hungry! It is packed full of nutrients, smells great and tastes to good. Zachary said it tasted good and he says he doesn't like sweet potatoes!! Thumbs up from Ariana! She liked it too!

So thanks again Tosca for such a delicious recipe, I haven't met one of her recipes that hasn't knocked my socks off! This one is no different!

For all you Tosca fans out there. What's your favorite Eat Clean recipe?