absent

So I have been almost completely absent from writing posts and participating in the challanges.  I will make a comment here and there but I have felt that I have not had much to contribute in the last couple of weeks.  I am going to take a break and re-group.  Good Luck on the next challange and I hope to join again soon. 

Put Your Final Points Here!

Ladies, lets see how you did. Some of you started off slow and then took off and others pettered out...It's time to see how our next challenge winner is!

NEXT CHALLENGE STARTS MONDAY AND WILL RUN THROUGH FRIDAY THE 2ND OF JULY!

LET EVERYONE THAT WANTS TO JOIN KNOW OR IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN PARTICIPATING LATELY THAT WE ARE GETTING STARTED AGAIN!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The good first: 8 oz glass of water first thing in the morning with the bevy of vitamins. Peach for snack at the pool. Grapes, broccoli, carrots, grapes packed for an evening picnic on a boat.

The bad: soda, bag of chips, bag of M&Ms were also a part of evening picnic, on my feet all day, but no exercise in sight.

The ugly: despite the M&Ms earlier, ice cream before bed.

I don't feel terribly miserable about this day, but it made me realize something that I already know but sometimes forget: if you schedule a crazy, busy fun-packed day, something's gotta give and today that something was me. Next time I'll just try for busy, not crazy-busy.

The Onion

So I have been doing some deep thinking which I do often but don’t often share and decided sharing my thoughts might be helpful for me so here is my deep thought for today.

Sometimes I feel like an onion. Not because they smell, though I do feel sometimes that I sweat more than a man, but that is off the subject. Seriously though, I was thinking today about a line from Shrek where he compares himself to an onion because they have layers. I feel like as I go through this journey to become a healthier me, I am slowly pealing back layers. I am delving deeper into myself and finding what I am really made of. I am trying to get to the center of why I am the way that I am, and how to overcome my emotional tie to food. I am trying to find the best me that I can be and trying to learn how to balance the many aspects of my life.

One of the things I like about onions is you never find one that isn’t a little cracked and peeling, but those cracks are usually only a layer or two deep. You don’t throw the onion out just because its outer layer is flawed because you know it can be peeled away and the fruit inside is still good and flavorful.

Onions are actually kind of pretty once you get past the thin outer covering, especially when you slice right into the middle of them. The lines of an onion are kind of unique and remind me of tree rings and growth. I am not particularly fond of onions by themselves but I do enjoy the flavor they add to many of my most favorite foods, foods that just wouldn’t be the same without an onion.

I am like this onion with some flaws and imperfections but the majority of me is still good and flavorful and I have a unique beauty that is only me. I also have the potential to make and do some really fantastic things. I will not be everyone’s favorite flavor and some people may not like me at all but if I am being true to myself and can be happy with who I am that just doesn’t matter. I am okay being an onion.

A Tasty Summer Salad . . .

It’s been a while since I posted a recipe and last night {judging by the way the Hubby licked the bowl clean} I made one that must be shared.

This salad was brought to me by a friend last year right after I’d had Oliver. I consumed it in a very hog-like fashion then promptly called her for the recipe. It is perfect for a summer night when you don’t feel like cooking a heavy meal. I know it contains pasta and oil, but this recipe makes an enourmous amount of salad, so I feel like the oil is definitely spread out and the pasta, well, we all need carbs people! Enjoy!

Sesame Pasta Chicken Salad

1/4 C sesame seeds
1 (16oz) package bowtie pasta
1/2 C vegetable oil
1/3 C light soy sauce
1/3 C rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
3 Tbsp white sugar
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
3 C shredded, cooked chicken breast {I use the canned chicken from Costco – it is PERFECT for this recipe}
1/3 C chopped fresh cilantro {if you are cilantro averse, leave it out – I’ve made it both ways and it’s still yum.}
1/3 C chopped green onion
3/4 C grated or julienned carrot
3/4 C shelled, cooked edemame

Directions: Heat skillet over med-high heat. Add sesame seeds and cook stirring frequently until lightly toasted and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.

Cook pasta according to directions on box. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool. Transfer to large bowl.

In jar w/ tight fitting lid, combine oils, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, sesame seeds, ginger and pepper. Shake to combine.

Pour dressing over pasta, tossing gently to coat. Add chicken, cilantro, onions and vegetables.

Serve immediately, or if you’re like me, chill in fridge for an hour and serve cold.

You could also add peppers, snap peas, water chestnuts, cashews, etc. for more protein or veggies.  This salad is a majorly delish dish.  Let me know if you try it.

The Highs and Lows of The Incredible Shrinking Menopausal Woman

Yep, that's me the Incredible Shrinking Woman or at least that's what I'm trying to be. I'm trying to shrink everything inwards from the neck down. I've been counting calories, eating healthy and exercising since March, it's hard work !! I'm here to report that it's finally starting to pay dividends as some of my accumulated fat is shrinking away and I'm actually building up a wee bit of muscle. But.... I have to accept that no matter how hard I try my legs will not get longer, my menopausal chin waddle will still exist as will my breasts and tush.

Recently I've been asking , some of my peer-aged friends and sisters (as I stand above them), "Are you shrinking?" I ask because they all seem to be getting shorter, while in my mind I'm staying the same. Here's the lowdown ladies, my family measured me over the Mother's Day weekend and I was stunned to find out that I've lost an inch in height. Do you know what that means? It means less calories, it means re-thinking your whole persona, it means that you too will shrink if you live long enough, it means that there is no stopping time even if you can afford plastic surgery.

I've always hoped and wanted to grow old gracefully but I'm fighting it. I don't like, now that I've lost some weight, that I look older in the face. I don't like the hundreds of age spots that are showing up on my hands, face, neck and legs. I don't like dry hair, skin and eyes. I don't like that I can't accomplish in one day what I use to be able to do. I don't like the loss of muscle tone. I don't like that my metabolism which was always high has slowed down. I don't like that I have to now count calories. On the other hand, I don't have PMS or a monthly periods anymore and I don't miss them one bit. Everyone ages differently and much of it has to do with our genetics but there is also a lot we can do to make the last third of our lives the best that they can be. Now is the TIME for you to develop healthy eating, exercise and lifestyle habits because if you're fortunate enough to live a long life those habits will pay you huge dividends..... consider what you are doing by participating in this blog as investment aging.

Reaping dividends, now that's a real HIGH!

In a Slump not a Funk

I am exhausted. You'd think I'd be well rested from a relaxing vacation without the kids, but I can't seem to get out of this Slump. I am motivated to eat healthy and exercise, but it's hard to do anything when all I want to do is crash on a pillow. Did you read that recent article by Trainer Momma on how to travel fit?

hhttp://trainermomma.blogspot.com/2010/06/traveling-fit-momma-style.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TrainerMomma+%28Trainer+Momma%29ttp://

While I didn't gain a single ounce on my trip, which I am very proud of and also shocked, I am still recovering from all the yummy, but not necessarily healthy food. Traveling does give me anxiety, and it is so hard to go into it not having the "I give up while I'm on vacation" attitude. Ya know what, the overindulging used to be so fun, but I don't feel so good anymore.

How to Shop for Running Shoes

Check this link out. I think it's really solid from all the other information I've read.

http://workoutmommy.com/2010/06/14/why-you-need-to-invest-in-great-running-shoes/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Workoutmommycom+%28workoutmommy.com%29

411 on Jicama

There has been a lot of talk about Jicama lately. I love this vegetable but I've never cooked with it myself. I have a hard time finding it. But, I've been saving this recipe since the summer of 2006 and I'm determined to use it.

What is it?
Jicama (HEE-kah-mah) is a root vegetable native to Central and South America. Beneath its papery skin is a crisp, sweet white flesh that is 85 to 90 percent water. Also known as a "Mexican potato," its flavor is often described as a cross between a potato and an apple.

What to look for.
They can weigh anywhere from one to six pounds. Look for jicamas that are firm with smooth skin that is free of bruises. Avoid any that are soft, wrinkled, or moldy.

How to use it.
Jicama is very versatile. It is often used raw in salads or as a snack; it can also be steamed, baked, broiled, mashed, or fried. Store, uncovered in a cool dry place for up to two weeks. Wait to peel until just before using.

Here is the recipe that I'm determined to use because it is very similar to how I've eaten it before.

Jicama Slaw
1 1/2 pounds jicama (1 medium size), julienned
1/2 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
coarse salt and ground pepper

In a medium bowl, place jicama, onion, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper; toss gently to combine. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate, up to 6 hours.

GOAL!

Put your summer goal that you want to share here so we can keep them all together to look back at!

A walk on the wild side

I had about 30 minutes of kid free time today in the midst of Vacation Bible School where I am the early morning music teacher for the 0-3 crowd. So that was enough time to take a power walk, but not enough time to take out, then reset the kid-friendly 'do. That's right, I walked 2.5 miles with those crazy ribboned "pink tails," as my little girl calls them. Oh my! What must the neighbors be thinking?!

Jicama: in search of the perfect recipe

Hi ladies!

This week's veggie in my {eat all the veggies in the produce section} quest was jicama. I made a super easy fruity salad: mango, strawberries, jicama, cilantro and lime juice. I ate it, but I have to say that I haven't yet found the perfect jicama recipe, because when I taste the jicama mixed in with the other ingredients, I notice it too much, like something's not quite right. I know that the perfect recipe is out there waiting for me, calling my name. Do you have it? Cuz I've got half a jicama left after tonight's dinner.

Also, I've been walking a 3 to 4 miles a few nights a week and my legs feel like jelly afterwards. For all you runners out there, does that simply mean my legs are tired or does that mean I'm gaining new muscle or does that mean I've over-walked?

Jicama. Just had to say it once more.

Excited To Be Back

We just got back from a tropical paradise in St John, Virgin Islands. I logged onto my computer and found there were 200 e mails from Healthy Wife. Wow, I am excited to get caught up, but it might take me a few days. There also seems to be some new names I don't recognize. I'm so excited to get to know the newcomers.

Everything but the kitchen sink...

It's Monday already? How did that happen? Ok, please post your numbers here. I'll get the math done ASAP so you can see how you're doing. Right now I think it's any body's game so lets see where you're at so we can finish off the week strong.

ONLY 5 MORE DAYS! CHALLENGE ENDS THIS FRIDAY!

Now Ladies! It's time we all pull ourselves out of this funk. For some of us I know its getting started that's the hard part but trust me once you get going it will seem much easier. For others I think we're in a stage where we think we know what we're doing, may have little slip ups and are wondering where the results are. OR it's the busiest time of the year, things are changing if we have kids finishing school and it's time to adjust. Guess what, this is called life and we need to learn how to be healthy year round. Adjusting to new situations is part of your new lifestyle change.

Ok, I'm taking over for Ms. Thunder Bumper this week so here is your challenge.

You may be thinking of this as having an endgame. Guess what it doesn't. Look for my post later today on my thoughts on this. But, summer is here and we've got to learn how to accomplish a healthy happy life style even now.

For some of us this may be easier than others. After my experience last summer and fall I can tell you it was VERY VERY HARD.

The challenges for the rest of the summer will consist of two week increments.

For this last Ms. Thunder Bumper challenge I want you to not think of the end result but of mini goals that you want to achieve over the summer. Maybe it's doing a certain number of men's push-ups. Maybe it's training for a race that is coming up, or maybe it's finding time to have family home evening. Sit down and think about some smaller achievable goals that may help keep you motivated during this summer.

I think setting goals and writing them down makes you committed to them. Now I also think writing them down in a public forum makes you accountable. To earn your 10 points for this challenge I want you to tell everyone what at least one of your goals is. You don't have to share them all but you may. I want to be able to come back at the end of the summer and say, hey did you do this? Great!

So get to it ladies. Find your motivation and keep moving forward. I need you here with me to accomplish what we all want to do. I can't do this alone. I'm afraid of falling into the same place I was last year and I can't do that again. I don't want you to be there with me next fall asking yourself why you stopped and didn't keep going.

MOVE IT MOVE IT MOVE IT! Quit second guessing yourself and JUST DO IT! I know you can!

Checking Out

I'm checking out of the last week of this challenge. I've got too much going on, and something's gotta give. Saturday we fly east to meet up with Our Fearless Leader, The Queen Vee, The Dragonfly, and later next week, Apis Melliflora. Between now and then I have about a million things to do. I'll still exercise and eat right, it's just the point tracking, posting and commenting that must suffer. Hopefully.

Until then, Adieu.

Finally a Moment

This week has felt like such a whirlwind week for me. I felt like all I did was run but when I look back on the week and trying and recount what I did, it doesn't seem like much. Does anyone else feel like that sometimes?

Also, I don't know if it is just a second week slump or what but I have really had a hard time being motivated this week. I started off alright but by Friday and Saturday I just felt "blah". I didn't care that I went over my calories and had no motivation to workout. Today has been better. I am trying to pull myself out of this funk. I just hope the weather tomorrow is good so I can get outside and workout. I think that will help.

So this question may have been asked before, but I was just wondering what suggestions you gals have in getting over the lack of motivation?