Vegan Queso Coming Baby!

Production halted to open new facility

An accidental business has become so popular that the company, called Food For Lovers, halted production late last year to develop its own manufacturing facility in East Austin.

The health-conscious, all-natural vegan queso and salsa producer will open a new certified allergen-free and organic 3,300-square-foot facility in May, said President Crystal Tate, who co-founded the business along with her husband, Chris. In the meantime, she said, several retailers—including Whole Foods Market, H-E-B and other national and international grocers—have experienced a noticeable shortage of Food For Lovers’ core products.

“We’re out all over the place, but retailers are willing to wait until May when we open our facility,” Tate said. “They’re not filling our shelf space or giving it away.”

Tate started as a food blogger selling her recipes to cafes late last decade. An executive from Whole Foods got a taste, “loved it, and said, ‘You should jar this,’” Tate said.

After outgrowing a co-packer service in Round Rock, the couple quickly found its own permanent space. The new facility will continue creating organic quesos and salsas, but Tate also expects Food For Lovers to increase its food-processing operation.

“We’re really making our dreams come true, and we have a fire under us to get back to work,” she said.

8107 Springdale Road, Ste. 108, 512-909-6157

Food For Lovers

Bike Playlist 1

I earned music this week.  Coach said if I biked 40 minutes at the speed I dislike, that I would be able to bring my own playlist to the store. God bless him! He's a good sport. I DID it!  Now the guys have to listen to MY music ((add evil snicker here))

Warm Up

Breakthrough by Britt Nicole

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC9mIRiVVP8

Your Everything by Michael Buble

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeKtB2EhdaE

It's A Beautiful Day by Jamie Grace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxohx7IcN1Q

You Know Me by Robbie Williams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyg3RtALnwg

All Of Me by John Legend

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=450p7goxZqg

I Smile by Kirk Franklin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8SPwT3nQZ8

Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjhCEhWiKXk

In Gear

Me Without You by Toby Mac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qGa5rIOB28&list=RD0Ec6xT9ixGE

You Make Me Feel So Young by Michael Buble

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V8RIi7M7Oc

People Like Us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWbMz_aBlMU

Love Somebody by Maroon 5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU8B4XDI3Uw

Lose My Soul by Toby Mac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ec6xT9ixGE&list=RD0Ec6xT9ixGE

Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUwauaE0zEE

Stronger, Kelly Clarkson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn676-fLq7I

Good Morning by Mandisa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnmWwudeqfM

Don't Stop Me Now by Queen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPx-nUqLMtc

I Will Not Be Moved by Natalie Grant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWwzjqTiluA

My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRM70Jw7F4M

Uprising by Muse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMv9vzCy0vc

Whom Have I In Heaven by Sojourn

http://sojournmusic.bandcamp.com/track/whom-have-i-in-heaven

Fighter by Christina Aguilera

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PstrAfoMKlc

Catch My Breath by Kelly Clarkson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEValZuFYRU

Perfect by Pink

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3GkSo3ujSY

Always Something There To Remind Me by Naked Eyes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2nUtpv0IAQ

Cool Down

A Thousand Year by Christina Perri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtOvBOTyX00

City On Our Knees by Toby Mac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG-6TizB-HE&list=RD0Ec6xT9ixGE

Close Your Eyes by Michael Buble

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoEWmc60wJY

Go Gentle by Robbie Williams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmP39QEoEcU

My Life Is In Your Hands by Kirk Franklin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIPMllUV12o

She's The One and Angels in concert at Zagreb by Robbie Williams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGN3l8Y6bGQ

Try by Pink

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTCDVfMz15M

Can't Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnhamPnvXuQ

All I have Is Yours by Sojourn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JDrUtzpAyM

Make You Feel My Love by Adele

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0put0_a--Ng

Happy Listening Everyone!

More Plus Size Athletic Wear For Plus Size Athletes Please!

I walked into Walmart and left depressed and insulted. Juniors and misses all had some pretty nice workout clothes. I walked to plus size and didn't see any. I thought I'd ask the associate and she said, "I'm sorry ma'am, the biggest size we have is what's on the other side". She really did feel bad.

I decided instead of feeling like a victim, that I'd do something about it. I kindly went to the service desk and asked who I could put a complaint and suggestion to whomever the buyer of the store/s were. I in NO WAY accused the gentlemen nor did I speak to him disrespectfully. I shared that to have a workout section (nice large one at that) for one size and not even offering a few options for the plus size section is insulting. I told the gentleman that I work out 6 days a week and am training for a race. That I'd like their buyers to know that just because I am above their average size does NOT mean I do not exercise.

If you are a merchandiser or buyer of athletic apparel, could I suggest that you think about offering plus size clothes from 2XL and higher for those who desire to get healthy? I would also LOVE to see more quality sports bras in DD sizes or above for women who cannot get them in stores like Dicks, Sports Authority, etc. "If you build it, they will come".

I'd also like to share that I do not like shopping in a corner or on whole different floor from the rest of my dear friends. It make us feel like we are obsolete. If I'm at all honest, I'm sick of feeling that way! While I AM getting healthy, I don't want another plus size woman to feel as though she's worth nothing. If we want our communities to be healthy, we must provide resources to do so. It's awful hard to shop online without knowing how the fit is. Wouldn't it be great if more local stores carried sizes for women who fall to the back?!

"Nobody Puts Baby In A Corner"! 

A Dream From Something Dreadful.

I've decided that when I lose this weight, I'd like to splurge on a custom dress and go to a black tie affair with my husband. I'm talking Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth from "Pride And Prejudice" kind of night.

 I have the dress in mind. No matter how long it takes to get there, I WILL have my "Pride And Prejudice" moment with MY Mr. Darcy. <3  I'll think of that, our daughter AND the finish line when I'm out of breath and praying to get through a workout.  I'll think of growing old with my husband, watching our little girl grow up and the new opportunities I'm given because of being insulin pump and illness free.

Oh how I DO hope that Mr. Shearer asks me to the ball!

This Weeks Workout Schedule And Menu

Workout Schedule

Monday 1 hour of training on the Bike

Tuesday 50 minutes of walk/jog on the treadmill (my knee's are screaming)

Wednesday 1 hour and 20 minutes in the pool. 30 minutes of it with low impact cardio and the rest learning proper form and breathing technique to be able to run laps.

Thursday is Aqua Jogging

Friday Bike Training

Saturday  Undecided but "I THINK" I'm going to be running with the Y-Team early that morning. It's going to be interesting since my husband and I will be on limited sleep from the night before. I'm going to suck it up and try it.

Sunday
Day Off

This Weeks Menu

Monday
BREAKFAST
Oatmeal with Flax Seed, half a sliced banana and a Tbs of local maple syrup

Pre/Post Workout
Fuel Bites before workout
energy drink during workout (with LOTS of water for hydration)
recovery pudding post workout

LUNCH
brown rice, beans, onions, green peppers, pico, LOTS of lettuce, and a little quac
Washed it down with water

DINNER
a vegetarian burger with lots of veggies and baked chips

Snack Green juice


Tuesday

BREAKFAST
smoothie loaded with kale and fruit

LUNCH
cajun tofu sandwich with mixed green salad and vinaigrette and a coconut-cherry soy milkshake.

Pre/Post Workout
Under an hour (50 mins)
energy drink (with lots of water for hydration)
recovery pudding post workout

DINNER
A BIG FAT yummy salad with romaine, mixed greens, kalamata olives, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes and edamame with organic miso dressing.

I also had a sliced beet, onion and orange salad.

LOTS of water to wash it down with.

SNACK iced tea and a banana with a teaspoon of peanut butter.



Wednesday
BREAKFAST
Water and a banana (quick and far from enough fuel sadly)

LUNCH
Moe's earmuff's burrito bowl with tofu, sauteed veggies, rice, beans, pico, medium salsa and a small scoop of guac.

DINNER
steamed mixed veggies

SNACK



Thursday

BREAKFAST
smoothie

Pre/Post Workout
energy drink during workouts (with LOTS of water for hydration)
recovery pudding post workout

LUNCH
salad

DINNER
baked zucchini and mashed sweet potatoes

SNACK
veggie sandwich and baked chips




Friday

BREAKFAST

Buckwheat pancakes with Flax Seed, peaches over top in a lightly sweetened syrup of agave nectar and a glass of almond milk

Pre/Post Workout

Fuel Bites before workout

energy drink during workout (with LOTS of water for hydration)

recovery pudding post workout

LUNCH

vegetarian soup and salad

DINNER 

vegan sloppy joe sliders with sweet potato fries and a salad

SNACK 

steamed peas on whole grain toast with a tiny bit of vegan butter (my grams favorite)

Saturday
BREAKFAST

Oatmeal with Flax Seed, half a sliced banana and a Tbs of local maple syrup

Pre/Post Workout

Fuel Bites before workout

energy drink during workout (with LOTS of water for hydration)

recovery pudding post workout

LUNCH

salad 

DINNER 

a vegan pizza of some kind.  No cheese just sauce and veggies.

SNACK 

open

Sunday
BREAKFAST
homemade blueberry pancakes with blueberry chia seed jam and vegan bacon

Lunch
Open

Dinner
Open

An Eye-Opening Experience To Keep Me Moving Forward.

Friday I spent the day with my husband and daughter. I managed to catch up on some sleep and again on housework before we took Little Bear to a play area nearby.  The past two weeks haven't been the most productive with Little Bear having sleep issues and me getting "tested" in all directions.  The stress of it all didn't do justice for my immune system at all.

Luckily, every day becomes a new one and Little Bear is back to sleeping well, my infected eyes seem to be better, at least I think they are, and I'm just feeling overall happier.

Needless to say, I sat in the parent area watching Little Bear and my husband jumping and playing.  For a while there, I felt like I was once again just watching as my family played on.  One reason was I couldn't leave my purse (which I will gladly leave elsewhere next time).  I enjoyed watching our sweet girl move through different obstacles that she couldn't do the last time we were there. Milestones were made and I was watching her grow before my eyes.

As she glanced over my way, I kept thinking this is it Bek! This moment will be gone forever. Don't just sit on the sidelines. PLAY with her. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks, don't fret about your big tummy or whether people will make fun of you. JUST BE PRESENT WITH LITTLE BEAR!

My husband and I switched it out and I grabbed her hand and just started running around with her, flying her from one obstacle to another to another.  I heard her laugh with me as she said, "mommy, here"!  My heart just melted.

 Soon, I switched out again from shear exhaustion only to see Little Bear circling around hollering, Mommy!  Mommy!

I'll tell you, it pulled on my heart-strings and reminded me of why I keep on moving forward. There are days I get SO FRUSTRATED I just want to give up.  The past 2 weeks have been hard on me and had me questioning if I could manage to work everything in.  In the end, if I manage to get into a triathlon, it will be a moment of pride that I managed to push through everything in order to get to.  A place where I'll jump for joy because through God I was able to reach a goal or goals that will have saved my life and helped me to incorporate a healthy lifestyle with my family.

In the end though, I've already managed to lose 24 lbs now, I'm starting to FEEL better, I've overcome  some pretty heavy obstacles in my way and have managed to start BECOMING a part of my husband and daughters life. Not just watching them AND my life pass me by.

Whatever happens, I'm not going to worry about the things I cannot control. What I AM planning to do  is live my life RIGHT NOW where I am.  I'm loving ME right now where I'm at and I'm allowing myself to find joy right here with my family.

Raw, Non-dairy and Organic Coconut Almond Yogurt.

I've been REALLY wanting to make this for a while. I'm adding this to the blog so I have it for reference once I get the supplies. I've heard EXCELLENT things about Lou's Almond Coconut Yogurt.  You know what's in it and it's extremely healthy.

Lou Corona's Lemon Ginger Blast

It's ant viral, antibacterial, anti fungal, anti parasitic and anti fat. It enhances circulation, stimulates the digestive system and neutralizes free radicals. This " living juice" detoxifies, oxygenates, but more importantly is an anti-aging juice that gives you energy naturally. Little Bear likes it too!

I feel energetic and really happy today.

Lemon Ginger Blast. Great For Morning Drink

Okay, so "Dan The Man" is a little loopy and long-winded but he has some great recipes.

Gorilla Milk. I LOVE this stuff!

Lou

Hungry For Change Screening Tonight Check it out now. FREE

Hungry For Change Screening Tonight! 

Make-Your-Own Deodorant Recipe

Someone recently shared a recipe and I thought I'd add it in here and try it soon. Credits are below the recipe.

I've made this and it works even through an hour of boot camp!
5 tablespoons or 4 oz (organic virgin) coconut oil: a great natural antibacterial. If you notice the deodorant is at all flaky on the skin, you may add more coconut oil as needed.
4 tablespoons baking soda: neutralizes pH and body odor.
3 tablespoons arrowroot or organic cornstarch: absorbs perspiration.
2 tablespoons bentonite clay: adds extra wetness protection by whisking away sweat, and pulls toxins from skin.
5 drops tea tree oil (optional but highly suggested): a potent antibacterial.

Recipe from A.J. Dove

Reboot!

I think I'm going to make tomorrow a Reboot day from Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead by Joe Cross. I haven't been at my optimal self. I have a double eye infection, the stress from the past couple of weeks has really compromised my immune system and I'm feeling bloated. A Mean Green Juice day is just what may make me feel better. I'll play it by ear, but since the weather is nice, I may do this in combination with RAW foods for the weekend.

If I'm at all honest, I've come close the past two weeks to throwing in the towel so to say. I don't do well under stress and pressure (that I put on myself by the way). Luckily these kind of days/weeks pass by and the sun starts to shine again leaving me with a shinier attitude than the day before. It's time to just keep moving. 

Struggling

I'm mentally and physically exhausted. I needed to jot it down somewhere so I'll know what to do, what to look for when this arrises again. Poor Little Bear has been going through something at night and it's left us all with an inability to sleep. I'm not running on much. I'm coming off a 6 day workout though I DID miss 2 days of biking It's still more than I've ever done before.

The car is in shambles and we managed to add new break pads, rotars, spark plugs and wires, a new air filter, scheduled oil change AND yet we still manage to have a stupid light go off that we need more work. 4 lights to be exact! One we already replaced at a pretty expensive place this past fall. I want my money back! lol  I laugh, yet I'm pretty tired, pissy and my body is starting to show. I'm having heart palpitations and am stressed to the max trying to balance everything. I'm over-emotional from last weeks issues and with limited sleep things are just more intense.

Oh how I'd LOVE a Disney vacation with my husband and daughter where there are no distractions and we could just get a darn break for a change.  How many other people are thinking the same thing right?!  Plus, there are people who are doing a heck of a lot more who are working it out.  Why am I seeming to have an issue with balancing it all?

I managed to get yesterdays workout in at my parents and it left me feeling redeemed from the weeks dramatic events.

Today?  I'm just tired. I look at the week ahead with schedules to follow, housework to get done, appointments to make, training to get done and somehow trying to get in healthy eating. It's almost 2 am and I seemed to make roasted asparagus, roasted cauliflower, LOTS of mashed sweet potatoes for soups and regular meals. I have whole grain NAAN bread ready for a plant based pizza I plan to make, greens for smoothies, some extra Kale for sauteeing with onions and garlic and hopefully some energy bars and pudding for "when" I actually manage to DO those hour workouts.

Right now, I'm shaky, feel like my heart is running a mile a minute, I need some "ME" time with a good book and a flash light so I can take myself to another world where I don't have to think about broken down cars, weight loss, dishes, daily life etc. etc. etc.  I need to stop my mind from working overtime so I can regroup and just move forward.

I asked my coach if I could tone it down a notch this week with workout schedule. At least until Little Bear calms down. She needs me and we need to get whatever is bugging her under control so we all can manage to sleep again.  She seems to have fun during the day but at night, she's not content until she's attached to one of us. She's brought herself to vomiting. That's just too traumatic for a little toddler to go through and is horrifying for us as well.

If anyone is reading this at all, would you keep me in your thoughts and prayers please? I just need to get through each day as it comes and move forward.

When Falling Prey To Temptation...

Another tough week.  I was tested like crazy with certain aspects my daily life.  If I'm being honest, I have to say that I had succumbed to temptation last night. I felt frustrated from the week mentally, Little Bear hasn't been sleeping well, she's been up and down with her moods too. Last night was the straw that broke the camels back so to say. She was clingy, vomited all over her bed, refused to sleep and even after rocking her until 1am I ended up back up with her in the wee hours of the morning.  This week was unbearable for me emotionally.  I got pissed and had no problem reverting back to old eating habits.

All this hard work and it took one evening of temptation to put me back to square one with calories, fat and food issues.  Not only did I order fast food, I ordered the largest size (though I drank it down with water instead of soda).  A big fat double cheeseburger and a large order of fries.  I topped it off with an ice cream sundae with extra fudge and extra nuts.

That was my WHOLE day's calories and probably a whole weeks worth of fat. ((sigh)).  Granted, opting for water instead of soda was a plus but neither the meat, cheese nor the fried potatoes were a good source of nourishment. It's all dead. Nothing I ate was from a living plant. It wasn't whole-food and worst of all, it did NOT make my problems go away.  It also didn't make me feel any better.

Here's the thing though.  while I consider this a temporary setback, it is the first time I've gone back to this since December of 2013.  It could be much worse at the moment AND I'm pretty impressed with my how long I've resisted temptation like this.

Here's what I've learned from this week:

When dealing with issues with the "unknown" or where I don't feel in control, I get anxious, stressed and I am NOT pleasant to be around! My coach and I butt heads this week because I needed more communication and he was testing my boundaries to see what I would do and how much I would accomplish. It was a mental challenge having to do with exercise but also pointed to the shyer side of me which likes to stay in a corner and wait for proper orders.

Here is a little blurb I wrote and think I should post it here:

Before I lost my son, I was told a million different reasons as to why I was feeling the way I was feeling. What I felt my body doing and what professional medical staff told me I was dealing with were two different things. 4 weeks later, our son was born and 25 minutes later he was gone. 24 hours prior to that I was told nothing could be done and the next morning the head of the department called me in quickly to try to save him with measures that should have been done in the first place by the Dr. who sent me home the night before.
I gave birth to our son, my husband cut the cord even when we new the inevitable would happen. We kissed our son as he held my finger, we both held him and he went home to be with Jesus 25 minutes later. I walked out of the hospital without my child while most of the other women who went through the same process, were leaving WITH theirs.
All this to say, I am NOT good with not knowing what is going to happen. Not only is it an emotional aspect, but it's like going into the water feeling like your going to drown.

Second, I've heard from several plant-based folks that it's okay to have setbacks.  What WILL however, continue a downward spiral is the inability to move forward after having said setbacks.  In other words. If you have a bad day or bad week with eating healthy or exercising, use tomorrow as your clean slate. I plan to do that VERY thing!  I screwed up.  It's okay. When I look in the mirror I am NOT going to be that person who puts herself down EVER again.  I'm going to say, "okay. It was a setback but here is what I plan to do.  You WILL make your goal. You WILL make this a lifestyle and not just a temporary diet. That's why your doing this!

Finally.  I haven't always been good with making a menu for the week.  Lets face it folks.  When you have an active toddler or you wear many hats, it's hard to plan a menu and stick to it.  For me, it's hard to find the prep time and lately even harder to find new menu items.  It's why I cannot WAIT for spring and summer to get here. I'm more of a raw foodist at heart. Veggie Salads, Smoothies, Grilled fruit and veggies as well as lots of fresh picked items from our garden will be a heck of a lot easier than coming up with warm meals every day of the week.

So there you have it!  If I don't get honest, then who will I be cheating here?  Me!  My hope is that someone will see this who is going through the same thing or will be, and be able to take this experience to gain strength in their own journey.  Don't Quit! If you make a mistake, don't quit!

I'm Slowly Starting To Bloom

I had a really great swim class today! I am learning how to properly swim for a Triathlon. Technically it's a basic beginner's class which I thought I'd need some refresher's on. I'm glad I took it. The teacher was SUPER nice, "I" was the minority in the class which I love because I am able to chat with AMAZING women of different cultural and spiritual backgrounds and learn so much from them.

I met another Tri girl who new me from my CNY post and asked if I was the girl in the pictures. When I said yes, she said "I knew it!" She was SO encouraging and very sweet to chat with.

Then I enjoyed the sauna once again where I was blessed to be able to get to know the women from my class. There is nothing better than enjoying good conversation. I went from the shy one in the corner (as usual) to finally warming up and talking their heads off.

I do believe a part of me is starting to relax a little more and just enjoy conversation without being so guarded all the time. It feels good!

Train Your Brain!

 "The space in this post won't allow me to tell you everything on my heart I have about this phrase, but I want to encourage you today--your MIND is where it all starts folks. If you just start attacking your area of struggle without first changing your heart, then allowing it to hit your head, then it's just behavior modification and will not last long.

Check it- you have to TRAIN your mind. TRAIN it. It will not just "happen". You should be ingesting TRUTH regularly so that you may be able to discern when the battle is there and then proceed accordingly. I'll list a few scriptures for you to "chew" on below...You will have a battle today for the mind. Will you take it captive to Truth or allow the enemy to plant himself there?"  Peak313 Fitness  

This fits for today. I'm struggling with something that's hard to put in the past. I get angry, I push people away, I refuse to let people in and at times, when you see a smile or hear a laugh, on the inside I feel like I'm drowning. It's a part of this process. The journey I chose to take so that I can live a more freeing life pleasing to the Lord where I can just stop trying to control things. Stop needing to know everything and stop blaming people for the sadness I hold in (a lot of that blame is toward myself).

I was perfectly happy dealing with the physical aspect of this, but try to push me out of this particular comfort zone, and you'll see a whole new side of me. 

It's not a pleasant side, in fact, the person I've become because of fear, anxiety and anger from an event I couldn't control has caused me to have a little bit of PTSD. Up until this post, there have only been a small handful of people who knew this. A husband who has supported me and put up with it because he loves me. A husband who has now been pushing me along with my coach, to get out of the box. Who also allows me the space to make that decision which will change my life not just temporarily, but for good. 

I am trying, eventually I will succeed by standing on Gods promises to give me courage. In the meantime, I'm trudging ahead like with everything else. When I'm weak, I know that in God there is strength.

Positive Scripture For The Week

Joshua 1:9"…be strong and of good courage…..for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest."

Today's menu and this weeks exercise schedule

Today- Aqua Run (I also have swimmer's ear)
Monday- 1 hour bike training 40 minute walk/run at the park (It's all about being flexible)
Tuesday- Middle School Track and maybe an hour of yoga with my yoga instructor
Wednesday- Swim Lessons (I can swim, not good enough for the Triathlon though)
Thursday- Intense Aqua Run
Friday- 1 hour bike training (Little Bear Is Sick) Treadmill: warm up 1mile power walk on a decent incline, return treadmill back to flat and do 3x10min jogs at mild to easy pace with 1 min very easy walk between.
Saturday- Aqua Running
Sunday- Off.

BREAKFAST- I had a nice smoothie for breakfast with Spinach, strawberries, flax and more. If your interested in the smoothies I drink, you can find the link to them on the right side of my blog. I have several to choose from and they are OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Lunch- was a nice salad, broccoli soup and a whole grain bread.

Snack1- mixed berries

Snack 2- tomatoes, baby cucumbers and celery with hummus

Dinner- vegan sloppy joes with sweet potato fries.

Lots of water and lots of tea.


I have a lot more to say, but things have been busy so I'm going to have to come back.

1 hour aqua running today. Even I'm impressed by that!

What really made me smile was my yoga instructor yelling out "pick it up!" from the sidelines.  Not only did I have the class instructor but I had someone who knows my final goal pushing me.  I went in thinking the class would be easy-going and calming but I found myself breathing hard, sweating and exhausted by class end.

I had the greatest conversation with some new friends while in the sauna too. I spent a half hour in there!  All great ladies.  I think I'm starting to come out of my shell a little bit. Feeling the water a little bit.  Scared as all getup but just pushing through it all.  I don't ever recall feeling as inadequate as I have the past 4 years.  As all this plays out, I'm learning to be proud of where I'm headed and the work I'm already accomplishing.

It's not easy to break free of the negative attitude I've had all these years. Whether it's about myself, or a disappointment I've felt, or even anger because of a disappointment.  It used to be I'd eat all those feelings and anxieties away. Now I'm starting to deal with them without food. When I actually want something, I try to make a healthier vegan option for me.


This morning's breakfast was peanut butter on toast with a banana. and 16 ounces of water.

Lunch was a GREAT BIG SALAD with 16 ounces of orange peko tea.

Dinner was baked zucchini with a side of tomato sauce

a nice tasting orange with some popcorn for another snack

Tonight I'm feeling like chocolate.  If I don't allow myself some kind of treat, I won't be very long in this healthy lifestyle. I decided to make a simple cookie out of peanut butter, pureed banana, oatmeal, vanilla (not the imitation stuff either) and mini chips.  They turned out VERY tasty! I haven't eaten them all in one sitting either.

I'm so glad that I'm noticing such positive changes! I really am looking forward to Tri'ing this year.

Love and hugs!

Latest Pics from January, Feb and March

It's working! I've lost 22 lbs, my blood sugars run between 85-100 with the lower number being the norm now. That low number is considered normal.  Evening sugars still need to go down more before I get off the pump, but fall is looking like an actual number to get off the pump.  I can see it in my face, someone even pointed out that my posture is better too. I see my skin getting looser and the weight is shifting down more.  This is an AMAZING transformation! August is coming quickly. I'm still a ball of nerves, but this is so exciting to have something to look at.

Sunday was an Aqua Run session for 45 minutes which ran into close to an hour because I had a friend with me.
Monday I walked at a fast pace for an hour (WITH my husband and daughter in tow). I managed to run around the track 2 and a half times.  It's been a couple of weeks since I've run on the treadmill because of my muscles and tendons being in such pain. I got good sneakers and am praying this will make the difference.
Tuesday 45 minutes of Aqua Run by myself.
Wednesday I'll be doing another 45 minutes of Aqua Run (maybe a back to back swim cardio class)
Thursday half hour walk on the treadmill (though I may sneak a small jog in there shshshshsh)
Friday Will be a bike training session. I keep thinking an hour but my coach predicts around an hour and 15 minutes.  Whatever the case it's going to be tough.

Saturday will be my day off.
Sunday TBA


As for my food intake. I haven't been getting enough. It took me a while to understand, but more of a little each day is better than nothing. I'd skip meals. Mostly breakfast. I wouldn't eat a whole lot even if it WAS healthy.  Our bodies just aren't fixed that way. They need fuel to keep them going. They need hydration...MORE than you think you do.  Once I got the knack of that last week, I raised my hydration up MORE and started eating more. I didn't have a headache and it didn't take me 2 hours to recover from my workouts.   I like getting to know my body.

Finally,  There are a whole lot of areas that I'm coming out of my comfort zone. I would rather HIDE than be seen in public in a bathing suit or looking like the only fat girl there. I've had to come out of that negative thought process. The only one judging me right now is ME. A negative self will not reap a positive outcome. It's why each minute of each hour of each day I take it one step at a time and focus on God as my center and allowing myself AND others a little grace.

This most certainly is a balancing act. It's not easy to balance an active toddler, housework, marriage and daily life on top of allowing myself the time it takes to get and KEEP myself healthy. It just HAS to be done though. We all MUST make time for good health and well-being. Not just physically, but mentally and spiritually.