Friday Five...

Just popping on quick to share some Friday Fav's!

• Here is a wonderful, lowfat rice krispie treat recipe! Really good! Check it out!
• On September 8th I am doing this...if you live in the MN, you should join us!
• I am loving this blog right now...she has motivated me to try and do something...more on that later!
• This video brightened my week!  Read up on the story...it's a good!
• My sister made a version of these cute favors for my little cousins party...I made the cookies this week for a non-healthy camping treat....they fricken rock!  I improvised a bit myself so maybe a recipe further on down the road.



I'm off to bed...

So I can wake up in the morning, put in a few hours at work, and then hit the road for a girls camping weekend!  Bags are packed, food is planned, and I need to go brush my teeth so I can hit the sack!  Have a great weekend!

Knees deep in Journals

I am fully immersed in school work right now.  My course does not finish till June 19th and I had every intention of procrastinating but my teacher had other plans and it totally snuck up on me!  Last Sunday when I went to go dig into my homework, I realized our assignment was about 10 pages of our 25 page paper.  And the remaining assignments all build upon that.  So you, there ya go.  Nothing like getting thrown into a research paper.  But really, it's worked out to my benefit.  I have some of the hardest parts done and can really just build it up from here.  In the end, I know I will be happy, but for now, I am swamped!  Not only with school, but work too...and that's another story, for another day.  But enough about that crap!

Want the low down:

Today marks two weeks no meat.  None at all.

And maybe three or four weeks no soda.

And I am down 9 pounds from Valentine's day.  Slow and steady peeps!  (insert: I will be doing this my whole life!)

I ran a mile tonight after dinner just because I had the urge...but I am taking it slow because next Wednesday I am seeing an Orthopedic doctor about my planters fasciitis (self diagnosed that is!).  We'll see what the professional has to say.  Until I know, I have been shredding away!

I go to Alaska in 2 weeks and 5 days....I CAN NOT WAIT!

I am stoked for a girls camping weekend this weekend!

And maybe a 5k in Alaska!?!?!?  We'll see what the Doc says but I think it would be cool to run a race while I am there.  How often will I get the chance to run a race in the AK?  And for a good cause...suicide prevention.  The race takes place June 2nd.  That will be one year and one day since my best friends sister took her life...so yeah, I would love to run in her memory.  And make some new memories...I'll keep you posted!

That's all for tonight folks!

Lucy, you have some splainin to do!

So what a cliff hanger right?  That was fun!  Lol…

But yes, I have not eaten meat for over a week…in fact, I believe I have not eaten any meat derived products…ie. No one died for me to eat. 

But I will clarify, I know there is a circle of life, and I know we are carnivores.  I get that.  Prior to my no meat days, I tried hard to purchase as much grass fed and free range food as I could because honestly, humans eat too much meat and we process it in the most ridiculously inhumane ways ever.  We need to step back and simplify life a bit.  But since I can’t change the world in a day, I figured I would do the next best thing and change myself. 

And here’s the thing, I am not against eating meat, although I hope to reap the benefits of a lower BMI, Lower Cholesterol, and (gasp) less adult acne!  And I may incorporate meat once or twice a week, BUT, I will make sure that it is the best meat processed in the most humane way that exists. 

In fact, Chaz and I have a Groupon for a Lobster dinner in two weeks so I will have to come to some terms by then!  I'm not perfect, and I don't need this to be perfect, but I want to make a difference, and do the best I can!  

So that's the story.  I'm not saying meats out for good...for now yes, but I think I will allow myself occasional days.  I just want to really be aware, and really focus my eating.  

Happy One Week....

Of eating no meat...


more to come!

First 10k done!

The race on Saturday went very well!  It was cold and rainy, but I pulled of a good time and hey, I finished!

I spent Friday night at my friend LeeAnn's house.  We had some pasta and spent the night relaxing.  We got up the next morning and my mom grabbed us at 7:15 am.

The race was ridiculously well organized.  There were shuttles from the VA Hospital to Minnehaha Falls since there is very little parking at the falls...only time this sucked was waiting in the cold rain pot race to get back on the bus...that line was a little too long.

On the way there however, the lines were short and the buses were rolling through at a consistent pace.

We got to the park and headed straight for the bathrooms.  Then enjoyed some coffee, some stretching, and another bathroom break before heading to the starting line...I loved getting there early and having time to settle in.

The race started and I felt pretty good.  With so many people, the race was slow to get started but I loved that!  It helped me remember to set my own pace and fall into a comfortable groove to ensure I finish.

Around a mile and a half, I started to get a side ache.  Instead of running through, I decided to nip that baby in the butt.  I stopped, did some quick stretching, and made the stop worth while by removing my jacket which was getting a little too warm for comfort.

I stopped a second time at mile three to grab some water, and stretch my calf which was starting to feel tight.  The next three miles went pretty smoothly.  I did have to walk a few times, mostly for my calf, but one time out of pure exhaustion.  I had started my way up this stupid hill and just decided that this hill was meant to be walked.

Mile four was probably my favorite mile.  I have no clue why but the music on my I-pod was rocking, and I was feeling great!  I just had this shit faced grin on my face.  Best feeling ever.

I wish I could have hit the finish with that face but for some reason, right as I was coming into the finish line, I was hit with a waive of nausea.   I straight up think it was nerves.   I did so well at focusing on my pace, and how my body was feeling, but once again, I let me nerves get to me.  I am an anxious person, but that's a bit too much!  So a goal for my next race will be to just be relaxed!  Running is such a mind game and I continue to learn new things all the time!

Even with that little hiccup, I ran the race, I finished in 1 hour and 16 minutes (hell yes!), and I am proud of myself!

A huge thanks to LeeAnn for the idea to sign up!  You are such a motivating and great friend.  My mutti for being an inspiration and for running the race with us!  My hubby for starting the trek to the finish line but not making it there in time because I am a rockstar runner!  lol (You can't blame him since it took me forever and 20 years to finish my half marathon last year!)  I have the best husband in the world and all I ever get from him is motivation and praise...It's mind boggling how supportive he is!  All my peeps who shared the love on Facebook!  And of course the French Meadow who prepared my post race feast!  I am so blessed to have such amazing rockstars in my life.

Pre-Race Day

 We gots our swag...

And my nails are painted perky, positive gold (I made that name up-gotta keep the positive vibes rollin)!

Tonight I have hh with some of my girlfriends, and then I am headed to a friends house to spend the night.  She is also running the race so we are going to eat, relax, stretch, and get a good night sleep! 

I am nervous, but at this point, I can't focus on that.  I need to focus on being positive and uplifting.  Those feelings will get me much further then the nerves! 

Hoping to fill you all in on the results tomorrow!