'Twas the First Day of School

"Mom! We're ready!" is what I woke up to this morning at 6:15. Two kids, dressed with their backpacks on. I calmly explained that we weren't really ready yet and they should relax for awhile. After two breakfasts, wardrobe adjustments, hair brushing, and lunch making, we were ready. Off we went.

I made them take pictures, despite some grumbling. Then I made them walk. And then, gasp, I left them. I didn't walk them all the way to their playgrounds to find their teachers. I sent them off. They did just fine.

I picked them up and we walked home and learned the cross walk rules from the crossing guard. Then I started getting snippets of their day.

Did you know the crossing guard is also the playground monitor? ~Abigail

We only did like 3 worksheets. ~Declan

And then we did a scavenger hunt. And found the best room ever.....the cafeteria. ~Abigail

Our class was the only one who could figure out how to walk appropriately in the hallway. ~Declan

We were lazy, we only colored. No real work. ~Abigail

I'm ready for library! ~Declan

Robert Frost Was Right

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the road less traveled. And that has made all the difference. ~ Robert Frost

Almost nine years ago, I felt like I was taking the road less traveled. I hopped on a plane and flew cross country to see a boy. A boy I had met six weeks prior and with whom I had fallen head over heels in love. I made that cross-country trip two more times in the next few months and that Christmas we were married. Since then, I've traveled throughout the world. Usually without him, to go visit family while stationed far away. Occasionally (ok maybe twice) with him and our two kids on a vacation.

Today I travel cross-country again. On a road that has been traveled many times. I am flying to see my love. After (only) 8 weeks apart, I am making the trip to see him and bring him home to my kids. And while many would not have made the trip, opting to save some money and wait the extra 3 days until he flies back home, I simply could not. I couldn't imagine letting an opportunity like this pass me by. So while in this army life, we take many roads, some frequently traveled, some not, I'm choosing my own path.

And that has made all the difference.

Why I love Essential Rewards!

I love Essential Rewards for one reason, FREE OIL. Ok, let me start from the beginning. Essential Rewards is Young Living’s monthly ordering program. Some of the best perks of Essential Rewards (ER) are:

• Getting free oils
• Its only $50 (plus shipping and tax)
• You can cancel at anytime
• You can skip one month each year

So, let me lay this out for you. Let’s say you get a Premium Starter Kit in November. You love it! By December you start to notice you are running a little low on your favorites. The best way to order and try new things is to sign up for Essential Rewards. 

The steps are easy:

1. Log into the Virtual Office
2. Find Essential Rewards on the left hand side
3. Add product that equals at least 50 PV
4. Pick a processing date (which you can change)
5. And go!

The bonuses are awesome!

The first 6 months you earn 10% in points

Months 7 – 12 you earn 15%

After a year, you earn 20%.

So, does it really work? You betcha!

Currently I have 100 points. I’ve already cashed in points twice. On my third month of ER, I was able to cash in 34 points and get a 15ml bottle of Lavender and a 5ml bottle of RC. I also got a Ningxia Red 2-pack for $79, free in April.  So, basically in my first 4 months on Essential Rewards I had over 100 points. Almost every month there is a promotion that includes an extra percentage of Essential Reward points. I like those months. I also love the O.I.L. Promotion, which adds extra ER points based on the selected products you purchase.

Are you ready to join Essential Rewards? Make sure you check with me to see if there are any added incentives to doing so this month!

My Dream

Dreams are often motivators and often obstacles. I think we are afraid of setting goals and admitting to dreams because then it seems that we are committed to them. And if we achieve them, what do we do next? Are we to set a new dream or are we stuck with that one? My old dream used to be to run the world. No, not exactly, but close. I wanted to be in a position to help anyone with anything. My current dream is to live life without worrying. To be able to travel when I want, to do what I want, and to help where I want. Basically, I want to live a life where money isn’t an issue, ever.

My dream is directly tied to my why. So closely that in fact they are the same. I want to live a life free from worry. Worries about finances, about travel, about giving, about helping. I want to do all these things with abandon. I want to change the world, I want to help people. So I want to dive a little deeper into my dream. I’m going to address some of the questions in John Maxwell’s Put Your Dream to the Test.

Is my dream really my dream?

Do I clearly see my dream?

Am I depending on factors within my control to achieve my dream?

Does my dream compel me to follow it?

Do I have a strategy to reach my dream?

Have I included the people I need to realize my dream?

Am I willing to pay the price for my dream?

Am I moving closer to my dream?

Does working toward my dream bring satisfaction?

Does my dream benefit others?

So, I clearly seem my dream as being able to help people. I do believe this is a clear dream with factors within my control. I know I don’t just need money to achieve my dream, but it will be a huge step in beginning to live a life without worry. I long for a life free from worry and am actively taking steps towards that. My faith in God and in His plan are growing stronger every day and knowing and trusting in Him to make my path straight is a huge burden lifted.

My current strategy is to continue to place faith in God and to only worry about the things I can control. And I’m realizing there aren't a whole lot of things that need worrying about. My marriage is great, my kids are amazing, I have a solid house, enough money to life on, and great friendships.

My excuses are not particularly strong. Of course, that is why they are excuses. I’m not sure I can do this, but man, I really want to go down trying. I’m learning how to do this and I am making time to do this. And if by pursuing Young Living as a business to achieve this dream, I become “that person” to strangers, then that is ok. Because one day, I hope, they will see my dream in action. And that will make it all worth it. 

Excuses or Opportunities?

Excuses are hard to talk about. They are hard to admit and even harder to overcome. Excuses surround our life and they are constantly In our way. A few of my life business building excuses are:

·         I don’t know how to do this.

·         I don’t want to be “that” person.

·         I’m not sure I can do this.

·         Do I want to make the time?

As I think about these excuses, I realize that these four excuses surround almost everything I do. From being  a parent, to working full-time, to training for Ragnar, to building a business. Sometimes things just fall into my lap and they work out. Such was Young Living. I intended to try oils and see what happened. I liked them. I wanted to try more. I want to share. Here I am. Last month I got a check for sharing that was about $300. For sharing, for not working very hard, for spreading my good news about Young Living Oils.

I like to share how the oils help in my life. I like to use them around other people. I like to diffuse them whenever I have people over. Yes, I use peppermint for my headaches. I put lemon, lavender, and peppermint on my kids when the wind blows allergens around. I diffuse cedarwood when I sleep. But the real success stories come from the things I least expect. When I use Grow and Friends together at an event and make a new friend. When I use Faith on my wrists at church and feel my faith grow. When I am able to use oils to make someone feel better, sometimes physically (TummyGize on my son) or emotionally (Stress Away on a stressed friend).

When I think about the excuses I have, I try to remind myself of the times I’ve overcome them. When I found a way to train for my Ragnar Race despite working full-time. The way that my husband was able to support me in that 100%. The way the weather held and there was always a safe place for me to run. The way my teammates all came together to complete the goal. And I know I can do it again. In whatever I set out to do. 

I'm choosing to transform excuses into opportunities. To take these 'weaknesses' and make them into strengths. To learn how to do something, and to do it. 

My Why

I really enjoy working when I can work with people on a daily basis. I like to share, both in person and in writing and I like to help people. Young Living is an opportunity for me to do both! In addition, I can do this work from anywhere. As an army wife, I need flexibility. Flexibility in time, location, and hours. I need to be able to drop everything and move. I need to be able to work from the car as we drive cross country. I need to be able to throw myself into work when my husband is gone and times are rough. As a mom, I want more freedom. I want to be able to volunteer in the classroom, attend sporting events, and take the summers “off” to hang by the pool and to be there when they come home from school. I want my time to count and I want to work hard so I can play hard.

My current financial goals are to pay for my own oils each and every month. This is my short-term goal and I achieved it last month. If I could only stop at 100PV, I’d be fine most months. But my long-term financial goal is to be Silver. To make between $1,500 and $2,500 a month. To ensure that my family can take a vacation or travel anywhere at a moment’s notice. Being far from family means that plane tickets get expensive and I want to be able to make that trip. So my medium range goal – until I am established as Silver and making that money consistently is to make between $500 and $1,000 a month, so basically reach Executive. That way I can comfortably pay for my oils and have a little extra. Maybe a date night, maybe save for a weekend away. Or maybe just go shopping. Something “extra.”

The extra income, helps to offset the lifestyle that I want. I enjoy running but racing can be expensive. I would love to get back to Cross Fit, but that is also expensive. I’d like to ensure my husband can golf when he wants, perhaps a membership at a country club. We live very comfortably on our current income but I’d like to have extras. To vacation and not worry about money. To just live.

My mantra is: Work hard, play hard. I want to embody that for my children and I want to be able to provide that play hard for my husband. He certainly works hard enough.

Zoo Trip!

We've been members of the Reid Park Zoo since we moved to AZ in late 2012. We love it. Its small and perfect for kids. You can walk the whole thing and see every single animal in less than 3 hours. Its great as a morning trip or an all day event. Bonus? There is a Chick Fil-A two blocks away. On this Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, the kids and I loaded up and headed to the Zoo.

We wandered about for an hour or so, watching the bear stretch, enjoying the crazy sound of monkeys, and having snacks. After a few (hundred) times of asking, "Can we go play in the water now?" I gave in and sent them off to play. We've passed the splash park every time and are usually unprepared for it, or its February. Today I dressed them in their swimsuits and promised it would be our last stop, save for the otters.

The played (the kids and the otters, separately) for at least 30 minutes. I sat near by people watching. I felt bad for all the kids who wanted to play and whose parents didn't want to let them. I thought about the times I had to tell my kids no and vowed that we would not do that again. If it was warm enough, they could wear their suits. If it wasn't, they'd figure it out. It's Arizona, things dry in 30 seconds.

When Abigail couldn't stop shivering, they put on their socks and shoes and then watched the otters play in the water. By the time we got to the car, they were dry. A quick trip to Chick Fil-A and then an almost quiet trip home listening to How to Train Your Dragon, Book 3.

Does life get more perfect than a day with the kids?

If it does, I haven't found out how yet.

Hello Mornings: Week 1

Monday, May 4
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Luke 24:27

All Scripture ultimately points to Jesus and his arrival. To the "proof" of God's plan and will. To show that all things work together for His good and that we must be patient. Spending time in the word is what brings us closer to God and prepares us for Jesus's next arrival. God is good!

Tuesday, May 5
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
James 4:6

Joseph's family rebuked him and envied his dreams. They were afraid his success would harm them. I think we see this a lot, someone else's dreams affect us when that is not the case. We cannot control what others dream or God's plan for them. We should support them, pray for them, and encourage them. Especially our husband's. I struggle with this at times when instead of completing him, I compete for him. I want the best for my husband because he deserves it, but he needs to listen to what God's plan is and act on it. All I can do is support him. And that's all we can expect from other's. When God has a plan for us, nothing (but our very selves) can stand in our way. And, thankfully, God gives us more grace when we need it.

Wednesday, May 6
Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:24

God does not want us to be in conflict with others, the Enemy does. God has told us to love one another. Until we can love each other and be reconciled with each other we cannot truly obey and be obedient to Him.

Thursday, May 7
Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,
Matthew 1:3

Jesus's lineage was imperfect, as is his future. I find this to be told in other parts of the Bible, Romans 3:23 and Romans 5:8. I find it comforting because there are many ways in which I sin and Christ has already paid that debt. As Matthew goes through Jesus's lineage, he starts with Adam, who sinned.

Friday, May 8
the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
Genesis 39:21

Joseph rejected his master's wife simply, I believe, because it was the right thing to do. Because his master had trusted him, he rejected her. Our master, our father, our God trusts us, so why is it that we have such a hard time rejecting the temptation in our life?

Military Spouses

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day and with it come stories of amazing military spouses who do wonderful things for their communities. It is also when the Military Spouse of the Year is announced. I recently read this blog post on military spouses. there are so many different ways military spouses support our Service Members, spouses, families and communities. I think the bigger impact comes in the ways we support each other. Some of my best memories from the past 8 years involve my fellow military spouses:

Like the time you took me to the OB because my husband was deployed. And to the hospital when I was in pre-term labor.

Or the time you brought me dinner or cooked for me because I was so tired, sick, pregnant, stressed.

Or when you dragged me out of the house to experience Europe.

And the time we got lost because I refused to use the GPS.

And the many times we stayed up until midnight crafting and talking.

Or when we decided to cook two weeks worth of meals together to save time later on.

When I cried on your shoulder because I didn’t want you to move.

When you called in tears over deployment orders, again.

And when I needed to borrow a dress for the dining out, or a sweater for work.

Thank you ...

For loving my kids like they are your own.

For telling me to suck it up when I needed to hear it.

For answering the phone no matter what time it is and coming over to help.

For understanding the random emotional outbursts.

For packing up my stuff when I was too distraught to do it.

For sharing your family time with my family.

For the open invitation to holiday meals.

For not letting distance, time zones, months, or even years get in the way of our friendship.

And for so much more. I can’t even scratch the surface of the way you have opened your arms to me each and every time we move. We aren’t friends, we are family. I am so lucky to have you.

It's the Small Things

Friday Night
I had all kinds of plans for Friday night. I worked all week and put off nearly everything that should get done. I rented a movie for the kids and planned to catch up on laundry and cleaning while they watched. The first plan failed. By the time we got home and got the pizza in the oven, it was 5:45. Everyone was tired, there had been tears on the ride home, it was a long week. So, we all changed into our pajamas, and settled down to watch Paddington together. I'm so glad.

My kids have a habit of talking during movies. It drives me insane. But, some of their questions were well founded and really needed an answer. Especially when Declan asked if parents really sent their kids away during the war. Um, oh boy. Yes, I explained to him that parents sent their children away to protect them. And yes, it was scary for the kids and the parents. And yes, they tried to find them afterwards. And yes, I was really glad we don't have to do that right now. And yes, I would always go find them. What a hard conversation to have with a 6 year old! So after lots of snuggles, some great pizza, and half of the movie, they went to bed. Cue my evening plans.

Yeah, I ditched those too. I sat on the couch and washed a few episodes of my latest guilty pleasure, Gossip Girl, thanked my lucky stars I never had to play that dating game and then went to bed, at 9:30pm. Hey, it was a busy week. My ridiculous over-planning can wait until Saturday.

#MayWriteAway

It's May! Time for something new. I've joined Many Kind Regards' Writing Challenge. I'm hoping to write 200 words a day AND 8000 words as part of my book idea. So we'll see. As with any good monthly goal, a plan is required.

Here it goes:

Write 200 words a day.
Keep track on my nifty Excel Spreadsheet. Indicate if its been published somewhere or if it is part of any ongoing project.

I recently stumbled on a list of 365 writing prompts and chose 30 that could work as part of my book. They will help. I'm also blogging, writing for MKR, and freelancing. So this shouldn't be so hard. Right?

(That was only 100 words. Keep going Rebecca.)

So, this month's writing projects will include:

What Rebecca Thinks pieces for MKR
Another freelance article (due May 6th, so better get crakin')
Several pitches for articles
A guest blog post, or two
Figuring out my book plan (maybe narrowing it down to chapter ideas? gasp!)
Writing letters
Newsletter entries
Motivational quips
Short stories with my kids
Journal entries
Collaborative pieces
Marketing material for work
Book reviews
Writing on this blog!

What are you doing to expand your writing this month? Join the challenge!

Tales of the Mildly OverWeight: I'm Not Alone!

So after my original blog post, I realized that I'm truly not alone. There are others out there who are struggling as well.

Here are some common themes among us:

• medical issues
• stress
• toxins
• lack of time
• lack of knowledge

I really want to focus on the last two, because I think they are underlying issues.

Lack of Time

One of those early morning runs. #getitdone

As any parent will tell you, time is crucial. But its not that I don't have time, I don't make time. I have time (hence sitting here writing) but how I'm using it is the problem. Here are two situations to consider.

Time A:

I was working full-time, I was training for my Ragnar Relay, and I need to physically run outside several days in a row to accomplish this task. I got up at 4:45/5am three days a week and ran. I was home by 6, out the door with both kids by 6:55 and then at work. I did this for 2 months. I didn't have time, I made time.

Time B:

I'm now a stay-at-home-mom. I get up about 6:30 and have coffee, surf the internet, take one kid to school, hang out with the other all day, put them to bed at 7 and then watch TV or read. 

I have time, I don't make time.

My solution: Workout first thing. Whether its on that blasted treadmill, or I head to the gym as soon as we finish school drop off, it has to get done. If it doesn't, it needs to happen when the kids go to bed. (And sometimes maybe both?!) I can watch TV on the treadmill as easily as I can on my couch.

Lack of Knowledge

I know how to run, I know how to create a training plan that will get me to complete a race. I can follow an exercise plan for the most part. But what do we do when the plan is over? Or when we need to alter it? There are so many plans out there but they are lacking two things:

1. One-on-one personal training. When I started lifting weights, I followed the plan to a tee. But I didn't know the correct way to bench press and eventually hurt my shoulder. Having someone (professionally trained) right there would have prevented that. We've gotten away from personal trainers or coaches because they are pricey and because we ahve the internet. We need to find that balance.

2. I did it! Now What? Yup, exactly. When I finished my carefully laid out plan for Ragnar, I stopped running. I didn't have a plan. When we stopped going to CrossFit, I stopped lifting. No plan. So many of these plans, even the famous P90X doesn't come with a Day 91 plan. Starting over is an option, repeating the last week is an option. But we get bored, things change. We have 90 days or 2 months or a specific race goal in mind and when that is done, we think we're done. Its not a plan, its a lifestyle change. We need to find something that we CAN continue for the rest of our lives, not something that has an end date.

Making time at the gym. This needs to happen more.
#liftheavy #getitdone

What now?

Well, a good friend told me that motivation comes from within, its not something someone can give you. I have a goal in mind. I have broken into short-term goals and my first "milestone" is May 15th. Approximately a month, so enough time to accomplish something. I'm working on implementing some life-steps like eating breakfast every day. No coffee isn't breakfast. And doing at least 15 minutes of something. On "off" days I can still walk 15 minutes minimum in the evening.

I don't want this to be overwhelming so that I stop. I want it to be manageable so I continue to make these changes and it becomes the norm. So that when I miss breakfast or that morning workout I feel like something is missing. That's the way it has to be.

What is your next step?

Tales of the Mildly OverWeight: Part One

Pulling a 17,000 lb Bear Cat
 with 9 other women.

Weight loss is such a hot topic in today's society. For a lot of us, the number haunts us, it dictates how we feel. Recommendations to "ditch the scale" don't work for those of us who are constantly faced with those numbers. I can feel fabulous at 185* but the second I walk into the doctor's office they are spouting questions like, "What do you eat? Do you exercise? You are obese. You need to lose weight." 

Thank you, I know that. But I eat healthy, I exercise, I do not think I am obese, I think I'm built a little differently than your 5'3" and 130 lbs statistic. So, how can you help me?

There are SO MANY stories of people who have lost 50, 75, 100 lbs and have kickstarted a new, healthier lifestyle. While they are inspiring, they are also discouraging. I don't need to lose 100 lbs. Fifty pounds would be pushing it for my body. I 'm thinking somewhere between 20 and 30 lbs would be a good weight for me. Strong enough to lift all the weight I want, while healthy and lean enough to run the way I want and feel comfortable in my body. Where's the support group for that? Where's the magic, life-altering, safe way to do this?

At a 5k race. March 2015

I know. Exercise more and eat healthier. If only it was that easy. Yes, when I did Whole 30 during January I lost 10 pounds. But Whole 30 is not meant to be sustainable. Its not meant to be the rest of my life. And it was really hard to run while on it. So that's eating healthy with minimal exercise. So that is out. Yes, I run, I trained for and completed a Ragnar Relay, averaging 12-15 miles a week. And, running is not the way to lose weight, its just not. So, where does that leave me?

I have no idea. Truly. And I'm sure there are more of you out there. I'm positive, in fact. So what are you doing? What are you trying? What has worked? What hasn't? Let's talk about this.






*Not my actual weight, I'm not ready to divulge that yet.

Getting Back to It. Slowly.

So its time to re-evaluate and make new plans. The first two months of 2015 I hit my goals easily, without too much stress or heartbreak. Its time to make a goal for March and April.

March - get into a regular workout routine, eat healthier (I'll be more specific, promise), and PR my 10k.

April - Whole 30??

**************
This week the kiddos are on Spring Break. And now Abigail will be home with me full-time. So for this next week, I have two goals:

1) Drink a green smoothie once a day.
2) Go to the gym 5 days this week.

That's it! I can do that, right?

Oh, I also plan to ....

• work on sewing projects
• finish my book
• catch up on laundry
• meal plan for the month
• write a few articles
• and clean. 

But as long as I get the main goals done, the rest will fall into place.

January Whole 30 - Check!

Today is February 1st, which means our (first?) Whole 30 is now complete.

I'm so happy that I did this! For so many reasons:

• I am no longer addicted to sugar.
• I can drink black coffee.
• I realized the food I prepare and serve my family can be tasty and healthy.
• My kids understood that finishing your plate does not warrant dessert every night.
• Meal planning saves money! 
• Not eating out (or going to Starbucks) saves money!
• It's not that hard to go to a party/gathering and say no, politely.
• I feel better, I have more energy (until about 8pm at night but that's not new) and no sugar crashes.

So, the big thing, for me was figuring out what I should eat to lose weight and be healthy. The results?

I lost 10 pounds this month. And a total of 7.5 inches. In a month! 

Whole 30 is not meant to be maintainable, its meant for 30 days at a time. I know I will do another one, but I've learned I cannot do it while training for an endurance race. I need more sugar and carbs to do that. So, I'm modifying the Whole 30 for the next 2 months at least. 

Here's what I'm going to keep:

• Meal planning - work up front but easy once I've shopped and prepped.
• Limited eating out - no last minute lunch trips or pizza delivery because I'm tired
• Make a conscious decision to eat something sweet or non-compliant before it is put in front of me. For example, I'm going to book club and I'm sure there will be desserts and chips and salsa and dip. I will decide before I arrive what I'm going to do and then tell a supportive friend and then do it.
• Eat breakfast - this was a game changer for me. Weekends are still hard, but during the week, I've seen a huge difference in my demeanor with breakfast. I like to get some meat and potatoes ready in advance and then scramble some eggs and take it to work. I eat by 8 am at my desk each day and am usually not hungry until lunch.
• Evening snacking - I have rarely snacked during the evening this past month. I plan to keep it that way. A little lemon-oily water or a sparkling water post-dinner is enough.

Things I'm adding:

• Being cautious about the other things I put in or on my body. I spent a month putting only good, whole, healthy things in my mouth and I should also be concerned with what is going on my body. Lotions, shampoos, medicines, etc.
• Supplements - I need to head to my local Complete Nutrition and figure out what to do for that.

Thanks for sticking with me through this journey. Its been eye-opening and even fun at times.

Halfway!

Since it is 30 days, is 15 the halfway mark or 16? Maybe I'll just celebrate both days.

Friday, Day 15
Breakfast - two fried eggs
Lunch - Kahlua pork with cabbage
Dinner - pizza meatballs (ah-mazing!)

Saturday, Day 16
Breakfast - scrambled eggs with pepperoni
pre-run snack - applesauce
Lunch - chicken club lettuce wrap
afternoon snack/early dinner - California salad roll
late dinner - chicken apple sausage skillet

Oh, and Maggie and I ran 5 miles yesterday!

Another two days down. 14 more days. Here we go!

Day 14

The last few days i've been having mental failures. Oh, I really want this or I really want that. I haven't given in at all, but its been there. I want to stop, I don't want to do this anymore. But I am still going, and that is what is important.

I managed to eeke out a 2 mile run Thursday morning early. It was cold, my legs were tired, but that was done. Only one more long run this week.

Breafkast - chicken apple sausage and scrambled eggs
Lunch - romaine lettuce BLT
Dinner - kaluha pork with cabbage, red cabbage, and potatoes

I also meal planned dinners for the coming week. Its probably time to clean out the fridge and do some reevaluating on things we've bought and things we need. But tomorrow, is halfway day!

Day 13 - A Birthday!

Today we celebrate my dear husband's birthday. But not with cake ...

I woke up at 5 and headed out on a run, I ran the same distance as yesterday afternoon, but 3 minutes faster. And on tired legs, which is the whole point of Ragnar Training, in my mind at least.

Breakfast - chicken apple sausage and scrambled eggs
Snack - cashews
Lunch - tacos with salsa and guacamole on romaine lettuce
Dinner - Texas Roadhouse! We went out to a restaurant we knew we could get good food at. I had a steak with mushrooms and onions and a side of grilled shrimp; a baked potato with bacon and steamed veggies. It was ah-mazing!

So excited that we were able to celebrate a birthday without getting out of whack over food. This is a huge mental step. Two more days until the half-way mark!

2015 Growth Plan

The pastor at our new (can we still call it new if we’ve been going since October?) church posted this blog about resolutions, plans, and the New Year. He broke it down into six sections and encouraged us all to develop a growth plan for 2015.

Here’s mine:

1. Faith – I have been really stepping out of my comfort zone this past year with my faith. I’m serving as the AWANA Sparks Director this school year. Its forced me to be more comfortable leading kids and speaking about my faith. Steven and I have joined a LIFT (Living in Faith Together) Group with our church and that has really helped us move through life together. I would like to continue serving others and developing my faith as well. I’m hoping to work through reading the Bible this year. Tackling the whole thing is not going to happen in one year, but I’m going to get started.
2. Family – Things have been going so well for us. We had a lot of great adventures in 2014 and we have a few planned for 2015. We’re spending more quality time together. Games, books, outside adventures, and it’s been paying off. As the kids are growing up, more things open up for us to do. I look forward to exploring more of life through their eyes.
3. Finances – We are so lucky to be financially comfortable. This year we are working on saving more and spending less. Just to get a little more comfortable, a little more stable, a little more secure. I’d love to pay off the Mustang this year and start saving for a house.
4. Fitness – This is where I tend to put most of my focus. And being how it is number 4 on the list, perhaps this was my problem. We are starting the year on the Whole 30 program. It’s really helped me figure out what I should eat and when I should eat it. I’ve started a 12 week program that I am using for strength workouts. Short and sweet. I’m also training for a Ragnar Relay and a half-marathon this Spring. After March, I’ll focus more on strength training until the fall when I start running hard again.
5. Friendship – I have some of the best friends in the world. Absolutely. I hope that this year I can make more time for them. To see them, to talk to them, to make sure they know I’m there for them. We may have miles between us, but in true military wife fashion, we can make it work. And I’m going to put more effort into it.
6. Fun – We must have fun! I try to find fun in every day. Fun at work, fun at home, fun in the gym. I am planning a fun trip with the kiddos in late spring. I’d love to have a family getaway in the fall, but otherwise, I’m focused on fun right here in the moment.

What’s your growth plan for this year?

Day 12 and Week 2

Day 12 - almost to the halfway point!

Today also kicks off Week 2 of Ragnar/Half-marathon training.
Training this week looks like this:

• Tuesday - 3 miles
• Wednesday - 3 miles at race pace
• Thursday - 3 miles
• Saturday - 5 miles

I'm also doing 3 days of strength with the Bikini Body Mommy Challenge 3.0. Those are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

I switched up my running schedule and routes a bit this week and am running after work.

Breakfast - sweet potato hash and scrambled eggs
Lunch - spicy chicken lettuce wrap
Pre-run snack - applesauce and cashews
Dinner - taco boats and shrimp cocktail

Ran 2.7 miles after work and it felt awful. A lot of uphill, some trails and just yuck. BUT its done.

Day 11 - The Second Third Begins

Today was another good day. Since I was teaching this morning, I ate breakfast at home. I had some breakfast meatloaf and a fried egg. Yum. I haven't had a fried egg since we started this, since I usually make my breakfast and then take it to work.

I had some cashews about 11am and then had leftover soup from last night.

An apple about 4pm held me over until this awesome dinner. I would have never thought about adding coconut milk to sweet potatoes, but it was great. Gave it that creamy consistency. Everyone loved it! Only downside is that we have no leftovers.

I worked out before dinner, did the Bikini Body Mommy Challenege Day 8. Strength workout. Felt nice to get something done in less than 20 minutes.

Another day done. Couldn't feel better.

The Weekend

Day 9: Saturday

Saturday's are usually our slow days on the weekends. This week, that is not so. My daughter starts gymnastics this morning and husband and son are working hard on organizing and cleaning the garage, with a quick trip to the range. I meal planned yesterday for the week and will be hitting one of two grocery stores today for supplies. I've discovered that Wal-Mart's produce is cheaper than the commissary, with more options. So I'm doing that and any canned goods and a massive amount of eggs there. I'll get meat at the commissary later. I'm very excited about our meals for this upcoming week.

Breakfast -eggs with pepperoni
Lunch - unstuffed cabbage rolls
Snack - coffee
Dinner - steak, grilled veggies
Movie snack - vegetable juice

Day 10: Sunday

No joke, I'm 1/3 of the way there. I can't believe it. This is where I completed my first journey in July of 2013. Now I'm in the swing of things and feeling great. I'v e got a good week of meals planned, a lot of them are easy peasy in the crock pot. I completed Week 1 of Ragnar/Half-marathon training and I'm feeling good.

Breakfast - roast beef and an apple
Lunch - pulled pork, salad with raw veggies and salsa, and fruit
Dinner - spicy sausage and sweet potato soup

Meal Prep: Week 2

So we hit up two stores for food this weekend. Then I printed recipes and made a plan. Sunday was busy, but I knew I could get a few things done to make this week easier.

Here's what needed to happen:

• brown taco meat for Taco Tuesday (and book club treat)
• bake and mash sweet potatos
• make chicken apple sausage when making another meal this week
• make Kaluha pork for Thursday night and LIFT  Group - start early Thursday morning
• make breakfast meatloaf - Sunday morning and it cooks while we're at church
• soup for Sunday night - must be in the crock pot by noon on Sunday

Honestly, this puts me good through Thursday for meals. We are eating out (gasp!) on Wednesday night for husband's birthday. I am also heading out Thursday night for book club discussion and I have Friday night's pizza meal planned and plenty of time on Friday afternoon to make it. Oh, and extra hands! My sister is coming to visit!

Day 8: TGIF

The only thing I dread about work days and Whole 30 is the amount of prep they  required. I'd give almost anything for a fried egg and that just isn't going to happen during the week. But, I made it through a full week at work being Whole 30 Compliant. My coworkers are awesome and didn't try to tempt me.

pre-breakfast - apple sauce

Breakfast - grapefruit

Lunch - sushi! Well, my kind of sushi. I had lettuce rolls with cucumber, carrot and crab meat. 

Snack - coffee

Dinner - Pizza Pile! The base of this is spaghetti squash, then I added tomato sauce, sauteed mushrooms and pepperoni. The kids added cheese. It was yummy! 

Days 6 & 7 - I've Got This!

Day 6 was another easy day. So easy I forgot to write about it!

I ran 2 miles in intervals on the treadmill.
I had scrambled eggs and sausage for breakfast.
Lunch was vegetable juice and some chicken salad.
Then a grapefruit for snack.
Shrimp stir fry for dinner.
Then a quick strength workout before bed.

Day 7: I'm totally getting into this. Its great.

I ran 2.2 miles this morning in a light rain, it was delightful.
Breakfast: scrambled eggs and sausage and applesauce
Lunch: leftover shrimp stir fry
Dinner: well, the planned meal did not go over well, so I had a egg salad with guacamole and then cashews. Wasn't really hungry, so didn't stress over it too much.

Day 5 - Simple?

Today is Day 5. And it may have been the easiest. I'm most certainly battling something, whether its a cold, the change in temperature, or the "Whole 30 flu." So food was really the last thing on my mind.

Breakfast: scrambled eggs with sausage
Mid-morning: coffee
Lunch: vegetable juice and lunch meat
Dinner: tilapia & avocado on spinach salad

And that was it. I am bummed that I couldn't run this morning. And I'm bummed that I probably won't get in my miles tomorrow, but if I push it now then it'll be worse later.

Day 4 (and Day 1)

This morning I woke up earlier than I have been to get back on schedule. The kids are heading back to daycare/school and I need to get used to early morning workouts. I woke up at 5:30 and completed the Bikini Body Mommy Challenge (BBM) 3.0. This morning was a fit test and all told lasted 16 minutes. Easy.

I had chorizo chili with some guacamole for breakfast and then had one cup of coffee and a bottle of water.

Lunch was the last of the lasagna soup. With a small apple.

I had a quick afternoon snack of veggies and guacamole, about 3 o'clock. I'm still having a hard time making it all the way through the afternoon without a snack.

We had dinner with friends tonight and chowed down on breakfast casserole and paleo crepes. Yum!

Another day in the record books!

Day 3: Suprisingly OK

I woke up dreading this morning. Seriously, I knew that it was going to be a rough day, because that is what they freely tell you. I drank a lot of water last night, so I was hoping the Hangover wasn't going to hit me so hard. I woke up with a slight headache, but decided to take Tylenol before it got unbearable. That worked.

Breakfast was hurried but healthy: Scrambled eggs with avocado that husband made. (If you were counting, I started this journey with 5 dozen and 9 eggs, I'm not down to 4 dozen and 2 eggs.) Anyway, we headed off to church where I brought my water bottle to avoid the need for more coffee. We sat down and I turned to husband and said, "I smell Hazelnut Coffee Creamer." He looked at me like I was crazy.

I went food shopping for the few things we needed to make it through this week. It went pretty quickly as I avoided all but 2 of the inside aisles of the store. Produce, canned tomatoes, fruit pouches, meat, meat, meat. Easy.

For lunch I made grilled portobello mushroom caps and then whipped up some crab cake yumminess. Real crab meat, a little paleo mayo, mustard, dry mustard and Voila!

We had AWANA this afternoon, and as I expected my time was spent herding cats, I mean elementary school children who have been cooped up inside and out of school for two weeks. But I did drink a lot of water

Thankfully, I had Chorizo Chili in the crock pot for dinner. And there is just barely enough left over for breakfast tomorrow with a fried egg.

More water will come tonight, and maybe a banana or apple. But I'm going ahead and declaring Day 3 complete!

Day 2: Headache

Day 2 went well, food wise, really well, but I started getting the headaches. I knew they were coming, but it was still hard. I ended up taking a nap, diffusing peppermint oil, and finally taking Tylenol.

Breakfast: scrambled eggs, bacon, and avocado
2 mile run
Lunch: cabbage with bacon
Dinner: lasagna soup

I went to book club last night, I was a little intimidated as its a potluck of snacks. I made compliant deviled eggs and told myself that I wouldn't starve if that was the only thing I could eat. So I had several of those, red peppers and celery. That was an accomplishment all in itself. Another day down!

Day 1 - Off to a Great Start

Its 8:10 and my food prep has already paid off!

I woke up this morning, later than normal because I just didn't want to get up, and weighed and measured myself. One of the Whole 30 "rules" is no scale for the 30 days. However, I'm part of a competition that requires me to weigh in on Mondays. So I will be weighing in only on Mondays for that purpose. Anyway, I will be taking before pictures tomorrow morning. I will not be posting them right now. Maybe, MAYBE in the future.

So, I decided on some cabbage and bacon for breakfast, part one. While this was heating up, I packed up another serving for part 2, along with a banana and then mixed up my chicken salad for lunch.

I headed off to work, where I had my second half of breakfast, along with a cup of coffee. A few hours later, I ate the banana.

I had two hard boiled eggs and chicken salad for lunch about 11:30. And, I decided to join the big, scary world of instagram. You can follow me at: armywife12.29 but be prepared for lots of food photos!

That lasted me until about 3:30, where I had a glass of water and then another cup of coffee.

Dinner was Lasagna Soup and I had a light snack of a few banana chips and more water before bed.

Day 1 - SUCCESS!

Food Prep

Like any new adventure, there's a lot of work behind the scenes. I finished up meal planning for the next few days and with a quick Walmart trip, was ready to go.

Here's what I prepped today:
Chicken in the crock pot (for chicken salad)
Hard boiled eggs
Bacon
Paleo Mayo
Cabbage with bacon
Browned sausage for breakfast
Lasagna Soup

Now I'm pretty sure I'm ready for the next few days, at least. Dinners will still need to be prepared, but its easier to grab something and when the only things in the fridge are Whole 30 Compliant, that makes life easier.

My Whole 30 Journey

Today is Day 0, tomorrow I start on 30 days of a new way of looking at food. Here’s the basic of what the Whole 30 entails.

I will eat:

• Meat, seafood
• Eggs
• Vegetables, some fruits
• Good fats: oils, nuts, fruits, seeds

I will NOT eat:

• Sugar – real or artificial
• Alcohol
• Grains
• Legumes (yes, this includes peanut butter)
• Dairy
• Carrageenan, MSG, or sulfites
• “fake” desserts – ie Paleo cupcakes

The few exceptions to this rule:

·         Clarified butter or ghee

·         Fruit juice as a sweetener

·         Certain legumes (green beans, snap peas, snow peas are ok)

·         Vinegar

·         Salt

So, I will eat the things that are allowed and not stress over the things I can’t eat. I will not cheat. I will make food as interesting and fun as possible and I will start viewing it as fuel and release its psychological hold over me.

Yes, my family is doing this with me. The kids, of course, will still have dairy and grains. But desserts are gone from the house. There is nothing bad or dangerous about this, so there is no reason they can’t participate.

So, why am I telling you? Because this is important to me. Very important. So please do not:

1.  Try to convince me this is not what I should be doing. I’m intelligent enough to do my research.
2. Offer me things you flat out know I can’t have. Like birthday cake. Or a bagel.
3. Let me eat things I cannot. If, in a moment of weakness, reach for something I should not eat, be a good friend and slap me. Throw it away. Save me from myself.

This is my plan for the next 30 days. January 2^nd through January 31^st. They keep telling me this is not hard. That having my coffee without creamer isn’t hard. That if I could handle childbirth, multiple deployments, several moves, and finishing a Spartan Race, I can handle this. I can handle this! Who knows, I may even like it….