tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42757076568090478322024-02-19T18:45:28.167-08:00Tri'ing For LifePlant-based Living In A Meat-crazed World~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-7896633154715250562016-10-04T15:39:00.000-07:002016-10-04T15:39:50.236-07:00A Lesson And Lentil Soup With Lemon & Dill <br />
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<span data-offset-key="ro90-0-0">I went to several appointments today thinking I was going to hear some very bad news. I thought I could just get up and go back to eating meat. Instead, my blood labs confirmed what I knew myself. That I cannot eat meat if I want to feel better or live to see my daughter grow or have any grandchildren. My weight has stayed consistent at least. Hasn't gone up, hasn't gone down though. I think we may have found a good combination to lower my sugars...FINALLY where meds are concerned. Maybe I'll actually see the scale go down and have more energy to get through a workout and my day. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="9418q-0-0">I started a new Reboot. Today I've eaten all plant based and the best part is Doug has made my favorite soup. Lemon-dill lentil soup. I'm happy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">LENTIL SOUP WITH LEMON & DILL</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">
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PRINT
PREP TIME
10 mins
COOK TIME
25 mins
TOTAL TIME
35 mins
Author: Amanda Maguire </div>
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Additions in parenthesis made by my husband, Papa Bear. </div>
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Recipe type: Soup
Serves: 6-8
INGREDIENTS
3 C. Dried Green Lentils
8 C. Vegetable Stock
2 C. Water
6 Garlic Cloves, thinly sliced
1 Tbs. Dried Dill
8 Carrots, roughly chopped
8 Stalks of Celery, roughly chopped
Juice of 2 Lemons
Salt & Pepper to Taste</div>
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INSTRUCTIONS
In a large stock pot, combine lentils, garlic, carrots, celery, and dill. (I put them in an Instant Pot pressure cooker)
Add vegetable stock and water.
Cover and bring to a boil.(In the Instant Pot, press the Soup button and let it cook for 20 minutes)
Reduce heat to simmer, and cook uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until lentils are tender.
Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.(I added 2 more cups of water at the end because it was too thick for our taste. Also added 2 tablespoons of Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base)
Serve with your favorite crusty bread.
NOTES
Fresh dill would be excellent in this recipe instead of dried. If you're using fresh, I'd recommend about 1 C. of roughly chopped dill as a garnish, rather than adding it in with the other ingredients. I ended up not using any oil in this recipe, but I think a drizzle of olive oil just before serving would be awesome.</div>
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-72755970603296983152016-03-21T23:12:00.003-07:002016-03-21T23:12:36.369-07:00Yummy Mummy Chia Pudding!<br />
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">1 cup of Chia seeds</span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> 3 3/4 cups of soy milk</span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> 1/4 cup of vanilla coconut creamer</span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">1/2 cup of date syrup (the</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> secret ingredient <span class="emoticon_text" style="clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; width: 1px;">wink emoticon</span><span class="emoticon emoticon_wink" style="background-image: url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v2/yx/r/pimRBh7B6ER.png); background-position: 0px -442px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: top; width: 16px;" title=";)">).</span></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Let it set overnight. I added raspberries on top and Aldi's 85% cocoa vegan dark chocolate which I grated at the top. I believe you could get 6-8 servings of this recipe.</span></div>
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<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">6 tbsp ground flax seeds</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/2 c warm water</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 c turbinado sugar (or light brown sugar)</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/2 c oil (I omited the oil completely and doubled the apple sauce)</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/2 c applesauce (I used 1 C. in place of oil)</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 tsp vanilla</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 to 2 1/2 c grated zucchini (~3 medium-sized ones)</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 c all-purpose flour (I used 3 C. of Whole Wheat Pastry Flour)</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 c whole wheat flour (3 C. instead of 1)</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 tbsp baking powder</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/2 tsp baking soda</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 tbsp cinnamon</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 tsp nutmeg</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 tsp salt</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 c chocolate chips or raisins, optional</li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">Add the Flax to the warm water and let it sit. While waiting for it to thicken add your sugar, oil if your using it, applesauce and vanilla in a separate bowl and mix it together then add the flax mixture in. Add the grated zucchini and mix together. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">In another separate bowl, mix all the dry ingredients. Slowly add to the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix together completely.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">grease your pan with coconut oil, add sugar to coat it and then fill your loaf pans half way. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">Bake at 350 degree's for 50 minutes. Let it cool and eat OR wrap it in parchment paper then put it in a freezer bag until you need it. It's just as good!</span></span></div>
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-3751795098872220292015-06-28T20:36:00.000-07:002015-06-28T20:36:38.278-07:00 Maple Baked Beans by Oh How She Glows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2 small cans of grandma browns baked beans or 1 big can. e. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 large sweet onion chopped and sauteed until see-through</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">3 TBS of blackstrap molasses</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">3 TBS of local maple syrup</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2 TBS of mustard</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2 TBS of apple cider vinegar</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 8oz can of diced tomatoes</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">pinch of sea salt</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">small handful of cranberries</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">mix all ingredients together and bake for 30 minutes or until you see the beautiful bubbles. Cool and serve. Oh Yummy!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">****Note: If you don’t have grandma browns in your area any navy beans or baked beans will do but I HIGHLY recommend Grandma Browns if your able to get them or purchase them online. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 large sweet onion chopped and sauteed until see-through</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This recipe in it’s original form came from <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2010/07/01/maple-baked-beans/">Oh how She Glows </a></span></div>
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-82569935727576941482015-03-22T20:20:00.001-07:002015-03-22T20:21:36.837-07:00Comparison of where I was to where I am.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Wow! I feel so self conscious right now about the weight I still have. Mainly the belly fat that seems to take forever to lose.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I decided to compare where I was with where I am right now. I'm glad I did!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">It's amazing what 270lbs, some courage and determination will do. I'm not where I want to be, but I'm so much further than where I was physically, emotionally and spiritually. This winter has been a tough one. It's given me a run for my money and played with my head at times. Whether I was sick or had symptoms from the side effects for a drug I am since off of or whether it was the many feet of snow paired with longer, darker nights I just figured I had gained and felt awful from the battle playing in my head. Looking at this comparison has given me joy and courage to keep moving forward. I must be doing something right. I just have to tweak a few things. Thanks friends for the encouragement.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">60 more pounds to go. 25lbs to finish my short term goal which has been the hardest 25 pounds to lose. Hopefully after that, the big apron belly will start to shed. Be gone belly, be gone!</span><br />
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-35209226694182969512015-02-12T16:13:00.001-08:002015-02-12T16:13:30.913-08:00Starting from Scratch or so I feel...It's been a while since I posted. I was sick from Thanksgiving until the beginning of January (no joke!).<br />
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I also am coming back from a vitamin D deficiency and SAD from the longer-darker season. I LOVE the snow but this winter has kicked my bum!<br />
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Y membership starts up in a couple weeks (I've been waiting PATIENTLY for flex spending to get their act together). I've been doing some HIIT workouts but holy cats are they hard! I feel like I'm starting from scratch again. I'd like to enter another Tri this year but it's been too hectic and there are simply other priorities we need to catch up on financially. My heart aches though as I see friends updates and see how hard their working and the camaraderie growing among the group. I can't stop though. If I can't do it in the group I was in last year, then I HAVE to use what I learned here at home. The only backside is I'm continuing to tweak meds. I'm not feeling the greatest lately. My knees are acting up again and I just feel utterly frustrated. Back in the water I go soon. I've been looking forward to the Y to gain momentum and just start feeling energetic again without putting too much weight on my knees.<br />
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-87772052456259946932014-11-10T15:21:00.000-08:002014-11-10T15:21:04.393-08:00StrugglingI have to say that I am feeling quite icky. I'm not sure if it's hormones, or the fact that I have a tipped uterus or even a multiple of issues but I'm achey all over including my knees that I have issues at times with running. I have pretty bad headaches, my lower back is extremely bad and man am I depressed! Moody just isn't describing the way I feel right now. I know that getting a regular menstrual cycle is a good thing but maybe not having had it regularly for years is making up for lost time.<br />
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To top things off I feel HUGE. I'm not sure if I've actually gained 60 pounds or just feel like it but man do I feel like a lead balloon!<br />
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I figured I'd jot this down so that I can look back and see how my body is changing and what I'm going through.<br />
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I don't have a whole lot to say. I'm taking things minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day. By the grace of God! I seem to be functioning for the most part and am keeping myself busy so I don't get too stagnant.<br />
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If anyone out there is reading this. I pray you have a day filled with blessings in Jesus name. Keep on keepin on!<br />
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-87810081786169054912014-11-08T21:18:00.002-08:002014-11-08T21:35:03.830-08:00Another Step Forward!I couldn't write this in my regular status post on FACEBOOK but I wanted to jot this here.<br />
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I've been exercising and eating "mostly vegan" for a while now. I have had many medical issues pertaining to hormone and endocrine issues. PCOS, Hypothyroid, Type II diabetes, hyper-prolactinemia, fertility issues, etc. etc. etc.<br />
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The past two months I've been getting my menstrual cycle. Something I haven't had since it stopped when I was about 16 years old. I was told I'd had PCOS, but at the time it was such a new diagnosis that Dr.'s didn't really know what to do with it. So he put me on The Pill to regulate the menstrual cycle and when I got off it because I felt awful 2 years later, I found myself with full blown type II diabetes and hypothyroid disease. It masked the cause but covered the symptoms.<br />
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Like clockwork I got my menstrual cycle yet again. I don't remember EVER having a regular menstrual cycle that came when predicted. I was told we could never conceive for YEARS because I never had an actual period. The Dr.'s just assumed if I didn't have one, I couldn't ovulate to get pregnant. BOY were they ever wrong! In 2009 without fertility meds we conceived Jackson on a mini vacation. I thought I had rectal cancer (no joke, later I found I had a tipped uterus and my left ovary was literally somewhere close to the sphincter)! Most close to us know that our son later passed at 22 weeks gestations just 25 minutes after he was born prematurely to what I later researched was an Incompetent Cervix. 2 years later after we conceived through IUI fertility treatment we had our little rainbow baby.<br />
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I'm sure you must be laughing by now. It is funny, but I can assure you that it's NO LAUGHING MATTER for my husband. I get lower back cramps and I'm worse than a witch to deal with! I have been sick to my stomach, have had the munchies which is abnormal for me and just undoubtedly off emotionally and physically then...SURPRISE! Holy Cats! I knew I was hormonal and figured it "could" be but counting the days between the last cycle it was literally shall I say predictable?!<br />
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I'd imagine some of you ladies are wondering what all the big deal is but when you go for YEARS without any cycle at all and then have two predictable cycles though I will say I should be quarantined so not to raise hell with those around me for being too forward and too moody. One gets excited that maybe all the hard work has been paying off.<br />
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I WILL say this though. I am bloated. I wore typical cotton pants, I hated walking out in public feeling bloated but I didn't give a hoot! I feel a ton and it doesn't feel all that great. Whoa Nelly! Someone help my cranky mood swings and don't look at me the wrong way or my evil looks will haunt you for months!<br />
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So, I'm guessing this is a sign that the hard work of eating healthy and exercising is working. Right now however, I am moody, I'm tired, I'm bloated and get the heck outa my way if your on the roads or look at me wrong! Hahaha<br />
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Happy Weekend Everyone! Go have some peace and joy. I'm going to find my happy place!<br />
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-75806489615877661632014-10-16T22:21:00.000-07:002014-10-16T22:22:55.250-07:00Vegan Apple Cake Recipe<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I took a friends Apple Cake recipe and made it vegan. It came out EXCELLENT!</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">One Bowl Apple Cake - This cake is so moist and rich and just perfect for this time of year. (and easy to make!)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Ingredients:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2 Flax Eggs (1TB of ground flaxseed and 3 TB of water = 1 Flax egg. Double this recipe for 2)</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1 3/4 cups sugar I used cane juice crystals</span></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2 heaping teaspoons cinnamon</span></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1/2 C. of Apple Sauce in place of oil</span></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">6 medium Gala or Fuji or Honey Crisp apples</span></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2 cups Whole Wheat Pastry flour</span></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2 teaspoons baking powder</span></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Directions:</span></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, mix the Flax eggs, sugar, cinnamon and apple sauce. Peel and slice the apples and add to mixture in bowl (coating as you go to keep apples from turning brown.) Mix together the baking powder and flour and add to the ingredients in the bowl. Mix well (best with a fork) until all of the flour is absorbed by the wet ingredients. Pour mixture into a greased one 9x13 or two 9″ round pans. Bake for approximately 55 minutes.</span></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">By getting rid of eggs and oil we're virtually losing the fat. The flavor and moistness are in there. Trust me...It's EXCELLENT! There's still sugar. I'm working on a healthier replacement but the alternatives haven't worked in place of cane juice crystals. </span></span></div>
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-79851700920391034902014-10-16T12:07:00.000-07:002014-10-16T12:07:54.732-07:00Winter Salad Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlRIftBEBPwnb07tNW6B-ugyB65puY3jA4RtPW7v89b3IoESV4tJ5LtoVj98TIzMkPxjnoahbvST-9R73Y0CZnl5Eov3gK5vwLiLq3Z1IVSGNafy4CmqrSzlwElnZHBGDIBZVueEtniN9/s1600/10628013_10152751590473809_4680980944733687569_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlRIftBEBPwnb07tNW6B-ugyB65puY3jA4RtPW7v89b3IoESV4tJ5LtoVj98TIzMkPxjnoahbvST-9R73Y0CZnl5Eov3gK5vwLiLq3Z1IVSGNafy4CmqrSzlwElnZHBGDIBZVueEtniN9/s1600/10628013_10152751590473809_4680980944733687569_n.jpg" height="320" width="266" /></a></div>
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My interpretation of Strong Heart Cafe's Winter Salad. I didn't have roasted beets and used roasted winter squash in place of sweet potatoes.<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
1 large bunch of curly kale, tough center stems discarded, leaves shredded<br />
1 tart apple, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored and chopped<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />roasted winter squash or sweet potato cubed<br />2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds or walnuts<br /><br />For dressing:<br />3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice<br />3 tablespoons white wine vinegar<br />2 tablespoons Dijon mustard<br />2 tablespoons of Agave Nectar (more if you need it)<br />1 tablespoon minced shallot<br />1 garlic clove, finely grated<br />1/2 teaspoon kosher salt<br />Freshly ground black pepper, to taste<br /><br />Instructions:<br />1. Combine lemon juice, vinegar, Dijon mustard, agave nectar, shallot, garlic, salt and a pinch of pepper in a small bowl. Set aside to let flavors combine. Check the dressing to be sure it's good to taste.<br />2. Mix shredded kale, apple and sweet potato or squash cubes and toss with dressing to coat. (You may not need all the dressing. but be sure to massage the dressing REALLY good into the leaves) Garnish with pumpkin seeds or chopped walnuts.<br /><br />Nutritional note: I did not use oil in the recipe on purpose. It cuts your fat intake completely. You can add it back in, but why mess with a good thing. The point is to cut out the fat for health. Your heart is more important than adding unneeded fat in your dressing. <i class="_4-k1 img sp_LWp1MpKGrs1 sx_85e800" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yP/r/90b8T5aM1AH.png); background-position: 0px -8088px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><br /><br />Happy Eating. This salad turned out AMAZING!</span></div>
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-84536327955485623192014-09-15T18:34:00.000-07:002014-10-06T18:58:45.332-07:00Quality Time With The Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Hello Kitty & Mommy what a fun day. Little Bear was her energetic self and finally on the mend after a virus and ear infection. Daddy is feeling better today too!</span><br />
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Little Bear Decided She's Native American. They let her in for a day. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="display: inline; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">This is why when people look at me for having a halter and leash on my child, I'm perfectly okay. She's active and will dart when she see's something exciting. Hahaha</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList" style="display: inline; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="fcg" style="color: #9197a3;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Little Bear LOVES train sets.</span></div>
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-51356692768355525672014-09-13T18:31:00.000-07:002014-10-06T18:37:15.427-07:00The Brighter Side Of Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvEHlZ7DbyApNNgPmhljviyAOCvxKaVunX7A1ApnkZlptND2vKx9bs3oHVxCcQlm9P-6jvHd_fgxILeCAEonHFJ8JETnpFrD1nIn0v7ZvZFR2UBtgzhxAp3Aco950VGVMsJUNFrEyX0vA/s1600/10454457_10152726452953809_495866548140951067_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvEHlZ7DbyApNNgPmhljviyAOCvxKaVunX7A1ApnkZlptND2vKx9bs3oHVxCcQlm9P-6jvHd_fgxILeCAEonHFJ8JETnpFrD1nIn0v7ZvZFR2UBtgzhxAp3Aco950VGVMsJUNFrEyX0vA/s1600/10454457_10152726452953809_495866548140951067_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I felt so good today that I decided to take a picture to document my loss from size 24 to 18.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Not many people get to see my hair down. 1.) it just rained 2.) My hair needs color BIG TIME and 3.) I'm REALLY self conscious about my thin hair and hair loss from thyroid and insulin resistance all these years. I've always wanted natural hair extensions to thicken things up a bit but it's pricey.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I haven't really mentioned anything in a while but today I stepped on the scale thinking I gained weight but I felt like my clothes were feeling bigger. The scale stayed the same but I went upstairs to try on some older clothes to find I went from a size 24 to a size 18. I feel great in them but I still have the dreaded rolls on the tummy. I'm still waiting patiently but I suppose that this is a good sign. I'm pretty proud of myself. It's been busy this month.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I'm looking at the bright side, I'm am healthier than I've ever been!</span><br />
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-37118684025355948082014-08-09T23:42:00.000-07:002014-08-10T13:59:57.242-07:00THE RACE Part III<br />
The week of the race, I trained a little more. I was blessed enough to swim, bike and run the Iron Girl course with an amazing and diverse bunch of women. Women who experienced the course on their own journey or have been triathletes long enough to help out the new athletes in some way physically emotionally or spiritually.<br />
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I made it to the Saturday before but not without panicking and wondering with each text message, call or facebook post if I was really cut out for this race. I made it early, met a lot of great friends I'd made along the way and talked my way out of nervousness. Thank God for Kathy, who put my mind at ease on plenty of occasions. Somehow knowing that my friends new and old were either IN the race or cheering me on helped me get through that itch to run the opposite direction. I waited in line for registration as I set Betty on the rack to wait. Looking at the registration table, I knew every face but 2. It had a calming affect on me. I love these ladies. I truly do! As I stepped up for my turn, I took some Iron Girl temporary tattoos for myself and Little Bear. Honestly I took enough to last me for 6 years but I worked hard for this race and I would wear them and wear them WELL!<br />
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<b>The name was misspelled but I forgot to have it changed. Oh well!</b><br />
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Next I ran over to get my registration packet which included my wrist band, a cool shirt, my cap which was cardinal red (more like a brown really) and this tracking doohickey thing that I've heard about but wondered how to use. "Doug will know how to use it!" I thought. There IS instructions. I rant to get my bike like I was ready to transition out of the park already. I ran so I could get that good spot I figured out in my head. I ran through these people who wanted to see my wrist band. Mary Lou from the Tri Club I've seen on occasion was very kind with her help and sweet smile. She directed me and I ran to find my numbered area. "Where is my numbered rack?" I kept asking myself and anyone who would listen. "They must have tagged me as nuts. I'm already talking to myself for crying out loud!" I said. Finally with several odd looks in my direction (because OBVIOUSLY I didn't learn how to count in preschool) I found my...What the?! WHAT? No! All I could do was laugh. <br />
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<b>The spot that was divinely chosen for me. The red seat is my old swim cap. lol It works! Thanks Coach.</b><br />
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If you are familiar with bike racing at all you know that the racks used for many races are long metal racks which I gathered to be about 5ft long. When I was looking at the numbered signs, MOST of them had around 15ft of room to figure out where precisely to place your bike for the race. I saw people placing their bikes, shaking their heads and changing it again and again and again. I looked at my rack which was only about 5ft long with only 7 bikes allowed on it and placed it at the very end of the rack so I could run in from the swim, grab Betty and walk WITH PURPOSE again out to bike. This is how much God has a sense of humor in my opinion! People were changing their bikes to strategically place them in a good spot and mine was already chosen for me. He knows I'm terrible with direction and about to poop my pants! The last thing I need is to have more than one place to choose from.<br />
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I woke up at 430am and left so I could get to the race on time. Anyone who knows my husband and I knows that we are night owls. Getting up at wee hours of the morning for a race is miraculous but we were even more astounded that people actually paid to get up and suffer to get to the finish line. ESPECIALLY those of you who run 70.3's, back to back Iron Mans, half and regular marathons. What I found out during this process is that this hour really IS the land of the living! You get to open water swims early enough to see the sun come up, you make friends, you get to run and bike in freely. It was this that reminded me how lucky we truly are to live in a free country filled with Gods beauty. It's an amazing hour to stretch out, take in all the goodness in the world and prepare yourself for the day. Strength comes from being grateful for these very things. Thanksgiving isn't just one day out of the year. It's every day you get to see a new day. To cherish the people you love, the scenery we get to observe and the overall health and wellness WE have the opportunity to take part in.<br />
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It was cold and foggy outside as I warmed up the car. It took me much longer to get to the site than anticipated. I'm so glad I got there before the parking lot started to fill up. I slowly looked around at all the women excited to start the race. I got out, grabbed my bucket and tried to remember if I forgot anything. "Let me see", I thought to myself. For the swim I need sunscreen, goggles, swim socks and my cap. "Oh Lord, please get me through this swim!" For the bike, "you got this Bek, you got this!" I needed Betty who is already racked and ready to go (my bike named after my gram), my helmet, "put your glasses in there Bek! You don't want the bugs smashed into your eyeballs! That would really stink if your race was cut short because you forgot your sunglasses." bike shoes and sunscreen. For the run, "dear God I'm scared! I'd ask you to help me run like the Holy Spirit Lord, but then I'd be asking to run all over the place. Help me jog a a steady pace Lord. Help me to remember to take my helmet off and remember my darn running shoes." SHOES! Oh gee. I brought two pairs of running shoes. The knew ones I bought specifically for this journey in January and the shoes I bought in 2007 which I'd never run in but I certainly walked to and from places a lot in those years. I wore them the friday before the race and felt like I was on air. I'm choosing the old dudds! I'm doing the run portion with old sneakers. This may not be a good thing, but I'm doing it! Done! I <strike>run</strike> no "walk with purpose" as Kellie tells me, to the transition area where I put my towel down, lay everything out and put what I don't need back in the bucket. I run to my swim, bike, mom friends to take some pictures and meet everyone. Lindsay has become one of my greatest friends. Had it not been her smiling face during swims, I'm not sure I would have felt comfortable enough to do this. Her strength is beyond anything I've seen and I really love hearing how much she loves this sport and her many stories about Meredith and swim, bike mom folks. The first thing I ever asked in the local Tri forum, was if there was anyone "like me". Not only did I find out there were PLENTY of men and women "like me", but there were a whole lot of people with their own journeys. What an AMAZING community of athletes to be among! Before I ran off, Lindsay handed me a package with Meredith's autographed book and ran off to prepare for HER race.<br />
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<b>Beautiful Sunrise At Iron Girl Syracuse 2014. Thank you Deanna <3</b><br />
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<b>Swim bike Mom Army courtesy of Lindsay</b></div>
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<b> Me, Beth and Lindsay</b></div>
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<b>Christy & I. Thank you for adding to the journey. Love you friend! Way to go Iron Girl!</b></div>
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<b>Dana, Lois and I</b></div>
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<b>My Deanna!</b></div>
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<b>Waiting and waiting and waiting.</b> </div>
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I had one more group to find. My Tri To Train girls. The women of faith who made it a point to pray before the race with each other and wish each other well before they went on their merry way. MaryJo started this group and has a story of her own. I wonder if she imagined when she started this group that it would be this big and filled with such a diverse crowd of women? One of those women is my friend Deanna who started this idea in my head during the worst moments of my life when we delivered and soon after lost our son. She came just to see myself and all the other women race. After our prayer she took me by the hand, showed me the water, smiled and cried with me again. As I looked at her and took in every aspect of Iron Girl Syracuse 2014, I remembered everything I went through that brought me here. I recalled the bitter moments and the very sweet moments. I thought of my husband and daughter and all that they sacrificed so that I could get healthy. I remembered my coaches love and commitment to helping me persevere through adversity and I thought of my son. I was carrying Jackson Jeffrey with me on this race. I carried every mother who lost a child no matter the age, every widow, every woman fighting disease, depression, anxiety, fear, ageism and body image. I looked at the water and to spite my fear of failing, I laid it down at Gods feet forever and turned a new corner. I did it for myself, my husband, our daughter and every life that would change because I became an open book. I allowed people in to see the transformation inside and out with each dietary, training, emotional, spiritual and medical change. I did it in Jesus name and wiped that last tear to power through to victory one....more...time!<br />
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<b>National Anthem before the swim portion. </b></div>
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<b>The water was cool and beautiful though there was a dead fish swimming about and algae which made several pretty sick. The beach was closed the next day. </b><br />
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It's time to get ready for the swim portion and I wondered how I'd do this. Coach and Steve came up and gave me their approving smiles. Coach told me to breathe and relax so I wouldn't fatigue out there. Lindsay and Beth from Meredith's army made it a point to find me in the beginning. They calmed every part of my being at that point. As everyone said, I trained and I was ready as I'd ever be. I found my friends Jennifer and Christy who were in my swim wave. Miriam, Maryjo, Lois, Katie and Dana all from the Tri To Train group found me as Deanna was massaging my back and neck (God bless her). Just before my wave was released, another Rebecca made it a point to share some encouragement and we were off. I felt good. The water was cool and relaxing. I got out there and tried to stay to the middle of the back left. I was swimming. That was good. I looked up several times to try and spot my target. I knew I'd fall behind some. I'm slow and while I had one REALLY good swim training where I could put my actual head in the water and breathe nicely in freestyle position, I just couldn't seem to get the position I wanted. I heard Joslyn one of my assistant coaches telling me to "just keep swimming". I didn't feel anything at all like Dory in the movie. I swam side stroke as I kept seeing the stronger swimmers "move to your left to give them some room" come up from behind me. I saw kayaks galore and later heard people were fearful of drowning. I tried to get around the second buoy and someone was holding on for dear life and I was getting caught up under it as more stronger swimmers with different colored caps (at least I thought they were) came swimming on by. There were some dangerous swimmers out there who didn't prepare very well. One held on to my friends leg and ripped off the timer that was on her ankle. Some of the swim was scary but all that kept going on in my head was "just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming." I was a bit disappointed with my swim portion but there was no time for that! I kept swimming as someone hit the same wrist I hurt a couple weeks prior to the open water swim. "OUCH!" I thought as I finally started to see I was getting to the end. I saw many women walking the rest of the way as land got closer. "Screw it!" I said as I got closer and closer. I got out and started jogging. My legs were like bricks and all I could think about was getting to the next destination. I thanked everyone who was cheering me through it and made it to T1. (little did I know that later, I and some newbies would be chastised by a small few for our swim technique and walking). My assistant coach Joslyn later says, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e5665; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Don't let Anyone or Anything change how you feel about YOUR experience! Your day was your day and theirs was theirs. You are on a journey and so are they let this path diverge from theirs and keep moving forward! Onward and upward!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e5665; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"> "</span><br />
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<b>Run Bek Run!</b></div>
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<b>I named my bike Betty after my Gram. I miss her but she would be proud!</b></div>
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Next was my ride. This was the portion I felt was my strength. I love the bike! I dried off, put my bike shoes and helmet on and walked again with purpose. "It's time!"I said. I got on the bike and rode off. Though it was my strength, I was not mentally alert. I can barely remember portions of the course as I rode it before. This time it was different. I was trying to get from point A to point B and do it fast! "on your left!" someone said. I must have heard it what felt like thousands of times. I noticed I was being passed a few times without anyone telling me they were passing on my left. I got to the halfway points and I started hearing people pass but they were telling me "great job...keep going you've got this!" Thank you for the kind souls who did this! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I got past one of the bridges where I started to panic. I was tearing up because I knew I was falling behind. It was THEN that I heard "how are you doing?!" It was my sweet friend Miriam!!! "not good!" I tell her. "I'm way behind the rest of them." I was worrying about failing my husband, our daughter, my coach and especially myself. "No! Don't you DARE!! Get up here" she demands with love and grace. "You are not racing against others but against yourself! Let's pray!" she says again as she starts dishing out what I now call the love of Christ banter". She prayed with me and kept herself behind a few short minutes to encourage and then went on her way. It gave me the fuel I needed to get through the rest of the course and "just keep moving forward" as Meredith would say. I made it back and almost fell off my seat! I heard later racers were moving so fast down the newly paved portion that there were plenty of accidents at dismounting. <br />
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<b>Loving encouragement through prayer. My bike angel!</b></div>
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<b>Coming in</b></div>
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<b>This is just about where I find ...</b></div>
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I got to my bike rack..."wait a minute! How did the rack move 3 feet and my stuff end up here?" I noticed the rack was off it's legs and my portion was on the ground. It took me several minutes to lift the rack and place Betty there so the rest of the bikes wouldn't get damaged. Then I ran BACK to my stuff and tried to put my sneakers on with my legs feeling like jello. I tried to put the braces on my knees since I have patella ulta in both of them. It would help the pain but there was NO WAY they were staying on. I threw those suckers to the wind and just started jogging.<br />
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"I hate this portion!" As I smiled for everyone who came out to cheer the racers. "just keep jogging Bek and shut up already!" It was again at this moment I thought people must think I'm nuttier than squirrel chasing it's tail. Ah man, not grass! Oh no sand! Ah !@#$, not gravel! Just then I notice this woman to my right cheering me on. She says, you don't know me, I'm Joslyn's friend. I saw your post and I'd like to run with you would that be okay? "Oh look, there's Mary Ryan! Hi Mary!" Oh look again! It's Ellen". Sure, I'd like that I said to the woman who introduced herself as Maria. I was tired, I was frustrated thinking about how far behind I was getting but I refused to quit! 2 months prior I couldn't jog 1/4 of a mile without stopping to gasp for air. Friday before the race, I managed to jog 1 whole mile in my old sneakers without getting winded. "you can do this Rebekah! You got this!" said my angel in running. There's Lindsay again "Wooooo, Rebekah your AWESOME!" God bless her spirit! Then came Katie from one of my Tri Training Groups who had biked with me. "Way to go Rebekah!" SHE had her own amazing journey and continues to inspire others. "are you okay Rebekah? Do you need to walk? " Nope! I said "Okay, lets keep moving". <br />
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<b>Photo Courtesy of</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sbphoto">Steven Buttolph Photography</a></div>
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I heard lots of "your almost there!" from people which were flat out blatant LIES. Whoever tells you that is a lying liar that lies! Don't believe it ONE BIT! Those dirty buggers had me begging for mercy and the loop even had snow cones, water, and other goodies not to mention the kind soul who handed out beer and margaritas. (which I seriously had hoped most people would ingest so my time would be better) I waved off the goodies and took 4 waters. Two I drank (with serious fear I was weighing myself down) and 2 I threw over my swollen hands along the way.<br />
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Just as I get to the loop who rode in behind me but Team Moxie! My coach and friend. "Get going! If you can talk, your not working hard enough!" Darn him! Sorry folks. A temporary loss of thought there. "Keep pushing Rebekah, you've got this!" as my running angel says. Coach keeps moving to the next few paces ahead and tells me to focus. I'm still jogging. Slow, but I haven't stopped since the very first portion of the run. I REFUSE to quit! "Tell me what time your swim wave was again?" coach said. WHY?! Did I not make the cutoff? I didn't make the cutoff did I?! "You made your bike portion before I expected!" coach said. "Your doing AWESOME in the run time. Keep going!" My angel to my right kept jogging with me and whenever someone wanted to take a picture or talk to me she insisted she get out of the way. When coach was talking, she'd remind me what he was saying and encourage me to keep going. "Your almost there!" coach says. "Do me a favor and hand me your goggles!" What?! I said, "They're hanging from your shirt!" Ah hell! I've had those goggles hanging out from the start of the bike portion! "turn your bib around! You've worked hard. They need to know who you are!"<br />
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<b>My mother, husband and daughter. I love them so much!</b></div>
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<b>The only picture I found of my "running angel" to my right. I'm jogging and she's STILL right there next to me. God bless her! </b><br />
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I'm almost there. Over that blasted gravel again then the sand and now the pavement. I see my husband, my daughter and mother cheering me on. I hear cheering from everyone and the little angel on my right had disappeared. Rebekah...YOU ARE AN IRON GIRL! WOOOSH! There in front of me is the coach who lovingly reached out to someone very sick and in despair to greet her as the Iron Girl he conditioned from January. Thoughts raced through my head as I heard cheering but it was all a whirlwind. My health. My son, Oh the loss,! OHhhh the pain. The debilitating fear that wreaked havoc on my day to day life. Thousands of dollars of medications that were no longer looming over me. Friends, Family...I see a future! Finally I'm becoming...ME! The girl God created me to be. Coach grabbed me for a hug and I fell to tears. I did it! Over 40 pounds down, I'm off the insulin pump and most all my medications. I'm no longer afraid to drive, no longer a recluse. I miss my son terribly but I know life continues on. I can either live it or I can choose to die without purpose. Without living for those who are in my life today!<br />
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<b>Photo courtesy of</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sbphoto">Steven Buttolph Photography</a></div>
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Coach grabs me and asks where my family is. I talk with friends. Hug with them and run to my husband who supported me from the beginning. Who also encouraged this with his OWN journey. I see my little girl. I know now that I'm ready to LIVE. I'm ready to be a part of HER life. To encourage a healthier lifestyle for her and watch her grow up.<br />
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<b>My Friend Kathy who swam, biked and ran with me when I needed it most. Love her!</b><br />
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<b>Talking with friends and waiting for my family.</b></div>
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<b>The two men in my life who supported my health & wellness journey. Coach and the husband God-handpicked to be my own! I'm a lucky girl. Blessed beyond measure.</b><br />
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<b>My mom, husband and daughter</b></div>
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My journey hasn't ended here. Tomorrow starts a new chapter. Coach hasn't dropped me like a fly. I'm continuing my adventure and am hopeful to lose more weight and get off more medication. I'm hopeful for another race and to meet more sweet friends. Those who will encourage me and those whom <b>I</b> can encourage!<br />
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If your out there and hoping to change something in your life. You don't need a tragic story or weight loss to get started. The unique part about accomplishing goals is that you write your OWN story! Don't wait, your ready NOW!<br />
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Love, hugs and congratulations to all the Iron Girls.<br />
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PS. I finished the <b>swim</b> in 23 minutes, the <b>bike</b> in 1hr and 29 minutes and the <b>run </b>portion in 44 minutes. Considering I couldn't breathe doing ANY of those last year and the fact that I've never done them before EVER is BEYOND phenomenal! If I can do it, you can do it. Now get out there!<br />
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<img align="Center" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/Hisirishgem/http---signaturesmylivesignaturecom-54492-87-51EFA804E529272F896EC0EAFF6011AC_zps3fcede27.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-31803870333453548982014-08-07T22:21:00.001-07:002014-08-10T13:53:12.512-07:00The Journey That Led Me Here Part II<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><i>I entered CNN FitNation's video contest and hoped for the best. The night before they were to be chosen I prayed to God for help. If I didn't get in, how could I move forward? If I didn't change my life around, my daughter and husband would be left without a wife and mother. Did I REALLY want to accept that? Was that REALLY the role of a wife and mother to accept what I had the capability to change? "Lord? Can you help me I cried?" and he did...</i></b></span><br />
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I did some research the night before which led me to a local Triathlon Club. I decided to stick my head out there and find out what kind of gear I would need and just how pricey things were going to get. Since it wasn't going to be cheap, I needed to find a way to complete my goals not just with a triathlon in mind but realistically looking at overall health & wellness. <br />
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If I was going to change my life, it was going to take balance. Mind, Body, Heart, Soul and Spirit. If one was out of balance, nothing would work. Without proper nutrition, my body wouldn't get what it needed and I would not lose any weight. However, if I didn't move I wouldn't lose the weight either. Add to that attitude (which I am STILL working on) and faith in the very same God that helped me through every other aspect of my life, without His mighty strength love and guidance NOTHING would work. There has to be a balance. I absolutely HAD to make time for God, myself, my overall health and emotional wellness. THAT is when I prayed for answers. How was I to move forward if I didn't get chosen for CNN FitNation's 2014 Triathlon Challenge?<br />
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I woke up and went to the computer where I found several responses waiting for me. One of those responses came from someone who said he saw my video and wanted to talk to me about coaching me and helping me get to my goals. I called him and he told me I would be the bike shops health & wellness ambassador and that he would cover the cost 100% along with the bike shop owners. I had never heard of such a thing! Who would do that? I waited for the catch but there was none.<br />
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<b>Working hard in the basement. I believe this is January.</b><br />
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I started training in January. Coach put me through the ringer and never treated me any different from his other athletes which meant that I received no slack. He accepted no excuses and expected me to put the work in. That I had no problem with! I walked shyly into the store several days a week afraid of being judged by the guys in the store only to find out later that these men had hearts of gold! I was encouraged every time I walked in and even hugged by Steve when I broke down in tears.<br />
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As I started to focus on numbers. Time became my enemy and I kept comparing myself to seasoned athletes who were FAR above my capabilities. If you learn anything, please DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF WITH OTHERS! These seasoned athletes spent many years perfecting their craft. In their own right, they deserve credit for the hard work and dedication they've put into the speed and accuracy they have earned. As I've heard plenty of times from all these folks, it's that we are racing against ourselves! I am racing against death, fear, anxiety, depression, age, and my own negative attitudes.<br />
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Because I spent many months focusing on numbers, I was put in corner after corner with my bike on a trainer so that I could concentrate on what was important. Coach praised me for my strengths but took my weaknesses and built them up. I started with a basic bike and a pretty big seat. My stomach was in the way and I felt self conscious every time I got on the bike or stepped in a gym to swim. What I found completely dumbfounding was that not one person pointed their finger at me or had the same attitude about me as I had about myself. <br />
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<b>My assistant coaches Kellie, myself and Joslyn. Oh I don't know what I'd do without these two!</b><br />
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Soon I started seeing results and some of the seasoned athletes were taking me out to help me perfect my own craft. I went out running, (and I say this extremely lightly as I could barely jog a quarter mile without gasping for air) with the two girls I call my assistant coaches. They've earned that respect from me! Not only have my coach and assistant coaches worked with me but they, along with countless others including the bike store owners have given tirelessly physical, emotional and financial resources without asking for one single thing. They reached out in love and encouragement to someone who needed help.<br />
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<b>First time out on the course. Thank you Joslyn & Kelly MANY times over!</b><br />
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By the time spring came around I started seeing more weight come off and my goal to get off the insulin pump had come to fruition. Shortly after that more weight slowly started coming off and more medication. My Hemoglobin A1C went from 9.0 when I was pregnant with Jackson, to 7.0 for years after that and NOW to 6.3 which is 3/10ths of a point of above normal. My cholesterol went down and my GOOD cholesterol went up in just 3 months time 3 points above what my Dr. suggested at 40. He couldn't believe it! He said he'd never seen anyone lower their good cholesterol that fast before.<br />
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<b>Lab Report that astonished my Dr.</b><br />
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I left shortly after conning him into letting me stay off oral medication and keeping to just one long-lasting insulin as specified by Dr. McDougall in his book "<b>The Starch Diet</b>". He couldn't believe he was doing this but with his trust and faith that I've gotten this far along with the fact that HE too represents PREVENTION and wants the best for his other patients, he let me move forward.<br />
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Just several weeks left until Iron Girl and I cannot believe I've come so far! My coach upgraded my bike a week before the race and I was moving faster than I had before. It felt comfortable and I felt more and more like I was becoming a woman that I once knew.<br />
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<b>January to now.</b><br />
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I kept working at swimming and running, though I knew I was slow and inaccurate. I made it to every training night with the club except the one I volunteered for and the ones that were rained out. Several women became family to me and I went from that recluse I spoke of earlier to constantly smiling and saying hello to others. I couldn't believe it! In just 6 months time I lost over 40 pounds, got off my medication and spoke so much that my coach would say "if your talking you aren't working hard enough!"<br />
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<b>Lucille my first bike racked!</b><br />
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So much work and it seemed like time just passed right on by. NOT without a few breakdowns or hiccups with illness or injury. I met with my past out on a jog with my assistant coach Joslyn. I was sick of carrying the baggage of fear. I was afraid to live, afraid to drive, afraid of everything. A whole lot of baggage was left there that night. Only to face one fight after another with each person who happened to be on that training with me.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>The run I lost my marbles on! Okay, I just had a good cry.</b></span></span><br />
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There are many people to thank for this journey. Without them I wouldn't have made it here. I am and will always be forever grateful to my coach Jamie, who loved me enough to reach out when he saw I was dying both inside and out. The people who lent me gear, gave me gear, shared prayers and encouragement. The ones who donated, wrote articles, took pictures, swam/ biked and ran with me. The ones who to spite me feeling out of place, walked up to me and shook my hand to introduce themselves to me. These people have no idea how much they truly have impacted my life! The honor to hang out with seasoned athletes or watch them from afar. The fact that they educated me on technique, speed, or basic Triathlon speech. I gained a whole new life and family when Jamie took me on that day. It is an honor to be among them!<br />
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Which leads me to race day! I did say I was TRYING to make this a II part story didn't I? Well, I'm sorry to say that race day will have to wait until Monday. There's nothing wrong with keeping you interested! At least I hope you're not bored already.<br />
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To be CONTINUED<br />
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-82800636596930211172014-08-06T22:34:00.000-07:002014-08-09T23:42:18.145-07:00The Journey That Led Me Here... Part I<br />
I did it! I set several goals, I stuck to them and I conquered just about every one of them one by one.<br />
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Let me start by saying none of them were easy. It first started by admitting I needed to do something or my husband would be a widower and our daughter without a mother. My heart aches just by thinking about it.<br />
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I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome at the age of 16. By the time I was out of high school, I gained so much weight that I lost any hope at a career as a professional dancer which I had worked 14 years of my life for. I married my husband in college but not without sharing the secret that I couldn't have any children. I didn't want to disappoint him but I wanted to tell the truth. It blessed my heart to know that he felt as much heart for adoption as I did. One day we would adopt. Until then, we moved to Ohio where we became foster parents to teenage girls who have held a part of our hearts to this day. <br />
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<b>The man God hand-picked to be my husband. </b><br />
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My husband decided that he wanted to pursue nursing and make a change in our direction. We spent 4 years of our lives away from family and working non stop. Me as a nurses aide working double shifts and he working full time, going to school full time and interning full time. It was those years that we learned the most but had the least. The day he came home almost twice as thin as he'd ever been was the day we decided I'd come home to be a full time homemaker to spite the fact that I had no children. I heard remarks about laziness but it was my sweet friends I call the Cyster Chicks who knew what I was going through and became a new kind of sisterhood that held me together when we didn't have much at all. We lived paycheck to paycheck and there was no room for pride. We utilized food banks and gave away what extra we had left. I made friends with the neighbors and prayed with them daily. Even the ones who had no religious beliefs. <br />
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When we moved back home to Central New York, I was excited but things had changed a great deal. Could we make it? Could we find a new bond with new friends?<br />
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My husband found a job at Crouse hospital and I continued to stay at home as his wife and support. Out of every job I've ever had, this one felt like I fit. The only thing missing was a child. My heart grew sad with each passing year and each time I had to cross a name off my list because someone's child was born. They were joyful moments but they also stung. They stung terribly bad. What made it worse was I lost my best friend, my grandmother, the year before we moved back. I couldn't ask her for advice or cry on her shoulders. I found myself deeper and deeper in sadness.<br />
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We found ourselves living with my husbands parents to help them out a little bit (but they were really helping US) and it was then we decided to take a trip to the Adirondacks. The scenery was beautiful and the time my husband and I had together was a healing one. In fact, 6 weeks later after a trip to the Dr.'s office from what I thought was cancer, we found out we were having a baby. "I think you must have the wrong file" I said. "Could you please check it again? I can't have children". She got back on and shared the joy she knew we had always hoped for.<br />
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<b>Our beautiful Dr. who left her practice to be with her kids. God bless her!</b><br />
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I cannot share this story fully yet. It's too raw and my heart still hurts. there is still anger and feelings that are slowly starting to fade from a journey I never expected to walk. I WILL say however, that I felt every heartbeat and saw every beautiful image of who became our son Jackson Jeffrey. I sang to him and remember his kicks. I remember feeling beautiful and as I think back, was very ignorant to the fact that nothing could ever happen once I was pregnant. At 22 weeks from what I know now was a preterm labor from infection due to an incompetent cervix, I gave birth to our son after 23 hours of labor and we had the pleasure of knowing him for 25 blessed minutes. He held my finger as I spoke softly to him and daddy and I took some pictures. Then God held us all as he took our sweet baby and a piece of our hearts to heaven. I walked in the doors a mother and I walked out of the unit without my baby.<br />
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<b>Sweet boy VERY MUCH ALIVE!</b><br />
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We buried him shortly after but the kindness yet again from others overwhelmed my husband and I. Our church family helped us locate a spot and paid out of their own pockets to put Jackson to rest because I couldn't think straight enough to find a plot. My husbands hospital unit pooled their own wages to give us what is now our beautiful stone. Every time someone spoke to me it was like I couldn't hear. The pain was so much that I felt I was being held in a straight jacket unable to breathe. I wailed at night with my pekingese Sasha lying next to me trying to console me as my husband sat quietly unable to comprehend it all. I with my deep pain and he holding his own pain deep inside. I wanted to die! I couldn't bare to go on and I couldn't fathom anymore children even IF I could.<br />
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It took me a year to start moving again. My mind was foggy and I don't even remember much of what happened during that time. I DO remember that whatever small anxiety I had turned into debilitating fear. I lost trust in everyone and quit driving on my own. I became in a sense a recluse. At that time I used food as a crutch more and more. The medication kept piling on because the PCOS turned into hypothyroid, then insulin resistance, then diabetes, then sleeping medication, and a little xanax for anxiety to get out of the house.<br />
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Where most people saw a smile on my face, I was crying on the inside. Every family function I hated going to because nothing ever fit and I just made myself feel so out of place. "A portion of my heart was gone anyways. Why would I even care", I kept telling myself.<br />
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Slowly I started to heal though the pain never truly disappears. The absence just continues to take it's rightful place deep in my heart. Those who've lost a loved one understand this but mothers, we hold a club of our own! Nobody knows this pain unless they've walked that mile. I sometimes look at my husband and pray for him. Men become the unspoken grievers. They try to hold it together for the sake of their wives and children but they grieve. Sometimes in their own quiet hours. I know what hurts my husband is the hours that he hears the Brahm's Lullaby that a child has just been born. It was what we heard on our way out that day without our son but my husband had to go back to work day in and day out holding it together piece by piece and constantly being reminded of the loss he was facing. Today I'm sure it gets easier as you will see.<br />
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<b>Pregnant, VERY sick and just off bedrest!</b><br />
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2 years after our sons death, we had our rainbow baby. It was not without a fight and I certain had more medical issues which kept me on 9 months full bed rest with progesterone injections weekly. I found myself praying day after day because after researching, I found I lost Jackson to incompetent cervix. Nobody would listen and though I went to Rochester for a second opinion. I chose the practice where the Dr. happened to graduate and know the Dr.'s I was fighting so hard to listen to me. They agreed with my Dr. but because I was aggressively persistent (all passiveness went out the door, I already lost 1 child) they monitored me weekly. <br />
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That persistence saved the life of our daughter. Had I not advocated for her and I, she would have been delivered the same week as our Jackson. Since they do not intervene this early, she would have tragically gone just like he did.<br />
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During those days, weeks and months I found myself continuing to eat for me and baby without any activity whatsoever. In defense, I was on bed rest anyways but added hormones added to the pounds just as the sedentary lifestyle. We delivered a healthy baby girl!<br />
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<b>God's Promise...A Rainbow!</b></div>
It was the most precious moment to see that she was healthy and crying. Health wasn't something her father or I had at the time. Her father was having fainting spells from high blood pressure and hereditary heart disease and her mother was obese with a diabetes pump and lots of medications for side effects from other medications.<br />
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<b>Me at 270 pounds even unable to take my little girl for a walk without feeling sick.</b><br />
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I couldn't walk in parks very well without feeling out of breath. I felt terribly sick and as I looked at my daughter I was accepting that she would be motherless. Here it took us 10 years to have her and I was facing death and accepting it! What the heck?!<br />
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My husband got sick of fainting and hearing how fat he was or how high his cholesterol had gotten. He read a book called <b>Forks Over Knives </b>and then a documentary called <b>The Last Heart Attack</b> by Dr. Sanjay Gupta which encouraged a plant-based lifestyle to reverse or even PREVENT heart disease and other diseases. Former President Bill Clinton used Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn's book <b>Prevent And Reverse Heart Disease</b>.<br />
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The book took several heart patients who were either close to death or had had open heart surgeries and put them all on a plant based diet with no oils, no dairy, no meat etc. It began to reverse most patients plaque in the arteries and lower blood cholesterol while RAISING the good cholesterol. As a cardiac nurse, my husband wondered why he'd never heard of this before and why Dr.'s and medical staff didn't have this information to give to their own patients. Here HE was a cardiac nurse with an ability to try it and become the example with medical conditions of his own. He lost 50 lbs and got off his medications. Soon he was determined to share this news and become an advocate for disease prevention and I was soon to follow.<br />
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I kept watching him change. From his body to his attitude. Here I've been talking to him about going vegetarian and he went vegan cold turkey!<br />
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<b>A nice portobella mushroom burger with mashed-notatoes and sweet corn.</b><br />
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It took me a month before I could change my thought process from where meat was the center to fruits and vegetables. I cried every time I opened the cupboards. I cried because I missed certain foods and I cried because everything I was taught by diabetic educators and most dietitians was the exact OPPOSITE of what really became THE ONLY thing that worked to lose weight and actually get me off of almost EVERY medicine I was on. The SAD or better known as Standard American Diet. Is making people sick, fat and depressed. OF COURSE we would be encouraged to continue eating as the status quo! Most Dr.'s aren't interested in PREVENTION. When they are, the patients aren't interested! The quick fix is a magic pill, powder or surgical intervention. When someone (even me) hear's that it takes work and it won't be easy, what do we do? We want to find an easier route right?<br />
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As soon as I started to get the hang of things and found plant-based chefs and food bloggers who shared meals that looked and tasted appealing I was on a roll! What lacked was stamina though. I still felt tired and weak. Something was missing. I saw a plug from Sanjay Gupta about the 2014 CNN FitNation Triathlon. I also remembered that my friend Deanna had done triathlons. She used her own grief to get in shape and work through her own emotions and the swim, bike and run has become a part of her own story. It was by the grace of God that we met. You see, as I was walking through the cemetery one day, I noticed a special stone. I knew I wanted something similar. Several months later, the mother of this beautiful little girl was the person I was told people wanted to introduce me to for months! There is no doubt our children are walking in the garden together. I'm looking forward to the day I can meet this little girl and hold my baby boy again. As I tell other grieving folks. They are NOT dead! We are not walking AWAY from them. We are walking TOWARD our loved ones! THEY are the ones HOME alive in heaven waiting for US. Our journey here is not yet complete. Neither is yours dear reader!<br />
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I entered CNN FitNation's video contest and hoped for the best. The night before they were to be chosen I prayed to God for help. If I didn't get in, how could I move forward? If I didn't change my life around, my daughter and husband would be left without a wife and mother. Did I REALLY want to accept that? Was that REALLY the role of a wife and mother to accept what I had the capability to change? "Lord? Can you help me I cried?" and he did...<br />
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TO BE CONTINUED!<br />
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-6420632120443575972014-07-31T14:47:00.002-07:002014-07-31T14:47:23.902-07:00<br />
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A sincere thank you to my coach Jamie, my husband Doug, two assistant coaches whom are my yogi Joslyn and my Yoda Kellie. To the guys at Bikeloft N. who've gotten to know me, encourage me and fix anything by means of girlie descriptions (that thing that goes to that other thing). To Steven who has been the ying to Jamie's yang sometimes and rooted me on in conjunction to the tough love that is sometimes received. To Everyone MOXIE those I've actually met like Heidi, Mary, Toby for just noticing me and taking the time to get to know me and encourage me. To those Moxies whom I haven't met yet but inspire me with each race I see picture of and hear about. To Earlin for the shirts. I won't forget that kindness you know! <i class="_4-k1 img sp_V2ejZVpkF7F sx_eff381" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yl/r/Lx-a7CF6q89.png); background-position: -119px -883px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i> To Lance and his precious wife whom I haven't met yet but hear so much about, THANK YOU for creating a space for health and wellness. THANK YOU for encouraging women to get involved and for your gift to so many in your (our) community.</div>
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To my Tri To Train ladies, CNY Tri Club, My PCP Dr. Hughes, my Physical therapist, Dr.'s and nurses from SOS, for your love, cooperation, prayers and faith. To Bethany for your encouragement and kindness when you sent me the polar monitor. To Shawna and your daughter for getting me through that first training session when I thought "maybe I can't do this bike thing". Thank you for your service and your friendship. <i class="_4-k1 img sp_V2ejZVpkF7F sx_af8f9a" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yl/r/Lx-a7CF6q89.png); background-position: -187px -866px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i> To Kathy who has talked me through some messy ups and downs both with emotions AND with plant-based eating. I don't know what I'd do without you! To Lindsay for swimming with me, making me smile and feel like I belong when all I really wanted to do was run and hide. To Laura for the time you took that day in Wegmans to get to know me and offer yourself as a running buddy sometime. <i class="_4-k1 img sp_V2ejZVpkF7F sx_af8f9a" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yl/r/Lx-a7CF6q89.png); background-position: -187px -866px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i> To Farah and her mother for being the epitome of kindness and encouragement. To <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=173468405998540" href="https://www.facebook.com/SyracuseWomanMagazine" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">SyracuseWomanMagazine</a> for sharing women of CNY with all backgrounds and life experiences who make CNY what it is. To inspire women HERE in our own back yard to BE more and ACHIEVE more! To <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=165014930325638" href="https://www.facebook.com/IronGirlSyracuse" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Iron Girl Syracuse</a> for offering an amazing event FOR women of all body types and reasons for being an Iron Girl. To 4 North at Crouse...You Rock! You are ALL family. Thank you to Lynn who is THE BEST manager to my husband. To my Deanna, Your friendship has helped me heal in ways that only mothers who've lost their children can understand. I've said it before and I'll say it again...This journey wouldn't have begun had God not had his hand in our friendship. He was already taking the pain and working it into all of this. I love you sweet friend!</div>
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Finally to family, friends and anyone I've accidentally missed. You are without a doubt Each and everyone I speak of right now a part of this journey.</div>
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You see, If you look at this picture in the link below, not only was I dying on the INSIDE, I could barely walk my little girl anywhere. I was physically dying but I pretended everything was okay.</div>
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This village of support has been PHENOMENAL! Weight loss doesn't happen with a pill or powder. Emotional healing behind the weight doesn't happen with a knife and surgery. It takes TOTAL transformation. All of YOU played a part in that.</div>
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To my coach, husband, daughter my mom and dad Jeff as well as my Moxie group. You've given MORE than anyone could ever imagine. Time, resources, love, encouragement. You have a heart of GOLD.</div>
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I do not deserve what I've been given, but I'm going to be sure that my life continues in the direction God has led me since the days he's answered my prayers. The work and commitment that so many put into me, I pray I will be able to give back to another and another and again another! I pray that you ALL know how grateful I truly am as I ask God to bless all of YOU for the gifts and talents or even the loving-kindness you offered to someone who intended to hide instead of shine. I didn't want another day to go by without sharing this HUGE thank you. God speed! <i class="_4-k1 img sp_V2ejZVpkF7F sx_af8f9a" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yl/r/Lx-a7CF6q89.png); background-position: -187px -866px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i></div>
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-31642680214247140952014-07-15T13:08:00.001-07:002014-07-15T13:11:21.915-07:00It's Happening!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.irongirl.com/Assets/Syracuse/2014+Iron+Girl+Syracuse+Participant+Guide.pdf">Iron Girl Syracuse</a></div>
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I cannot believe how close we are. I'm excited and freaked out at the same time. I'm REALLY excited!</div>
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Iron Girl Syracuse~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-34892574551817283552014-07-09T18:53:00.002-07:002014-07-09T18:53:49.166-07:00How To Find Joy In The Midst Of Chaos<br />
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Having a pep talk with myself because we're having a little bit of a rough week and it's just started.</div>
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Things may break down, plans may fall through and money may be tight, but we have each other and there is ALWAYS hope. I sat here trying to "figure things out" when I looked at the scripture on my wall. "Be still and know that He is God". BE STILL Becky! I sat with my hands in my lap and tears falling down from just feeling overwhelmed ....who's in control?! Where does your HOPE come from Becky?! Psalm 46:1 "The Lord God is my refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble."</div>
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Plans fall apart, things break, money may be scarce but we have each other, we're healthy and we have each other! God said that if he takes care of the birds of the sky and fish of the sea how much greater will he care for His people! Even in times of diversity.</div>
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I found myself saying, "Lord, I desire joy". I REALLY need joy right now. How in the world do I find joy through the muck and the mire?! Then I remembered two things:</div>
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"The JOY of the Lord is my strength." Nehemiah 8:10. I opened the book I've been reading through the last several months by <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=324577877554393" href="https://www.facebook.com/AnnVoskamp" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Ann Voskamp</a> called<a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=208315275852001" href="https://www.facebook.com/onethousandgifts" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">One Thousand Gifts</a> and I reflected on the key word to the WHOLE book. EUCHARISTEO (Thanksgiving), she says..."Always precedes the miracle."</div>
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Gratitude turns everything we have into ENOUGH. ~Melody Beattie</div>
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-76873278908051298322014-07-02T13:00:00.002-07:002014-07-02T13:00:35.512-07:00Using The Side Stroke <br />
I am NOT confident with the swim part of the triathlon. The only time I've ever swam has been on vacation. Nothing to save my life and nothing more than a nice breezy vacation kind of stroke. The last swim/bike/run training I had two weeks ago, it was AGAINST the current. Everything I learned in swim class at the YMCA was null and void in the open water swim against the current.<br />
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Today I'm not sure what the water will be like until I get in. What I noticed last time is that I did not like my face in the filthy water with my eyes open. I didn't care that I had my goggles on. The water has been known to have bacteria in it. I also had a tough time measuring where the buoy was when my face was in the water. How exactly can you tell?!<br />
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To add to the problem. I put anti fog on my goggles and instead of washing with water and letting them dry, I used my hands and a towel and dried the anti fog off. I couldn't see. It was AWFUL! THIS is the time to learn what the mistakes are so I can correct them before race day.<br />
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What one of the assistant coaches thought, was that it would be better for me to learn the side stroke in these conditions. I'm going to try it today and see if it will make me faster, more accurate to the buoy and back so that it doesn't mess with my bike time and my run time. I NEED to be faster.<br />
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-50958963899449979182014-06-23T13:56:00.000-07:002014-06-24T13:57:35.374-07:00A Muggy But Overall Successful Ride<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">60 laps (20 miles) on the bike today. No brick thank God Almighty! Here's how it felt. Muggy, REALLY muggy, A gust of flipping wind to make it harder. Just when I kept getting to the reach of another lap, a sweet older man left his sprinkler on JUST out of reach while saying, "you know 3 laps is a mile right?". I laughed a little when I told him it didn't matter because I had to get 60 laps in.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> He told me before I left he didn't want to get me wet. Hahaha Little did he know I was dying. Pavlov's Dog seems to ring a bell at that moment.<br /><br />Still, I can't even BEGIN to comprehend what the athletes went through yesterday in the heat when it was hard enough with my 60 laps. I'm EXHAUSTED!<br /><br />My coach makes it look like a dip in the pool, a short bike ride up a hill and a stroll through the park. I had respect for him before, but a whole lot more now that I've seen first hand how EXTREME the conditions were. These people pay big bucks to endure pain! Hahaha</span></span><br /><img align="Center" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/Hisirishgem/http---signaturesmylivesignaturecom-54492-87-51EFA804E529272F896EC0EAFF6011AC_zps3fcede27.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-13616504100229351012014-06-22T14:01:00.000-07:002014-07-27T21:05:35.261-07:00IronMan 70.3 Spectating<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">What an AMAZING experience! Congratulations to all the Iron Men & Women. Thank you for the honor to cheer you on!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Physical Therapy finished! The PT said he was impressed with the progress. Especially with the IT band stretch which I could barely do weeks prior. He used a couple other types of IT band stretches after yesterdays training and after an hour of lactic acid buildup (that's no joke let me tell you)again, I am now feeling great! YAY for progress!</span><br />
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-88374974329985029302014-06-19T14:06:00.000-07:002014-06-24T14:06:59.183-07:00The Inch Worm...Go!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">A certain coach has added the Inchworm to my regimen. The pushup wasn't asked for but I may just "try" it. I would rather do the "watermelon crawl" though.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><i class="_4-k1 img sp_1L2r5uNm0DV sx_6e586f" style="background-image: url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v2/y5/r/spAcfMfpPL-.png); background-position: -170px -866px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i></span><br />
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-15580723829845489822014-06-18T14:17:00.000-07:002014-06-24T16:26:15.609-07:00Surpassing Milestones And Overcoming My Own Standards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I don't even know where to start. Maybe I'll start with the fact that I finished. I finished something I never imagined I could do. I left a whole lot of baggage physically and emotionally on the course today. I broke down twice, prayed a whole lot, met new friends and bonded with the two most amazing triathletes who helped me and encouraged me from the beginning.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I made it through a little les</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">s than half a mile swimming toward rocky waves and managed not to be the last one out. Transition was slower than I would have liked but I got to the bike and finished 6 miles instead of my hoped-for 12. I ran a 15 minute mile and finished with 2 miles of the 3 miles I'll have to go which is MORE than I thought I could do even yesterday.<br /><br />I cried twice because of the mental determination I had and also because of the debilitating fears I hope to overcome. The ones that have led me here on this journey. Of lost hopes and dreams of a child I held and had to let go, of blame and anger which led to more fear and anger. It all just came to a standstill on the road running. Overcoming standards. MY standards! Pushing past the emotional pain which I hold more than any physical scars I could endure.<br /><br />Still through it all, I had my friends...new and old, by my side while my husband and Little Bear cheered me on, left and cheered me through the door again.<br /><br />Guilt, shame, fear, failure, lost dreams. They are not what builds the strength to overcome victoriously! God holds no prison with which to keep us. Rather, He builds us up with a new sense of HOPE. With His strength we gain courage. Setting the baggage aside is giving me a whole new life. One that I hope will flourish and become a new way of life for my marriage and our daughter.<br /><br />Today has been a hard day physically and emotionally, but I did it! I conquered the unknown, left the emotional pain behind and am hopeful for a better future.<br /><br />Thank you to my coach Jamie for believing in me and opening your heart and expertise to someone you never met that day you saw my post. Thank you to Lance and his wife for what you've done for me, Farah<a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100001910075056" href="https://www.facebook.com/farah.jadran" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"> </a>from Syracuse Woman's Magazine and her mom for the blessing you've been, for Kellie and Joslyn for being present with me today...for pushing me and encouraging me. For redirecting my fears and anxieties. Thank you to the slew of athletes who have blessed my life with your friendships, your wisdom and resources. Bless you all for the kind hearts you have!<br /><br />To the family who supports me everyday and to my friend Patti for praying with me and for talking with me when all I wanted to do was die from the heartache and pain. For standing on Gods word for our Little Bear who is our rainbow baby. To Deanna who shares a similar heartache. I can't imagine my life without you. This journey would have been SO DIFFERENT. I wouldn't have met any of these people without Gods hand over our friendship. <i class="_4-k1 img sp_1L2r5uNm0DV sx_e084aa" style="background-image: url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v2/y5/r/spAcfMfpPL-.png); background-position: -289px -849px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><br /><br />Finally to the husband Doug with whom God hand-picked to be mine. Nobody would have stood the obstacles we've had together. I'm not even sure anyone would have stuck with me for the attitudes I've had. You love me. ALL of me! You are loving, thoughtful, compassionate, patient, kind, gentle, encouraging and supportive. You allow me this time so I can be who God made me to be. So I can be there for the two of you! Thank you so much!<br /><br />It sounds like an award right now, I'm just on an emotional high. A year ago, I had my will typed up and thought I was heading toward death. Today I'm feeling great and facing with the things I couldn't change so that I could LIVE without fear.</span></span><br />
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275707656809047832.post-45067544295826780792014-06-17T16:31:00.000-07:002014-06-24T17:14:25.676-07:00Panic Before The Practice Run<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I'm panicking the night before my first participation in swim/bike/run (or walk/run) practice at CNY Tri Club. If I'm this nervous about a training day, I'd imagine I'm going to need a stiff drink or a sock in the head the night before the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> actual event to help me sleep. Lord, save me from my own thoughts!<br /><br />"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4:8</span></span><br />
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<br />~Rebekah~http://www.blogger.com/profile/13127264842271127158noreply@blogger.com0