i saw a good thing while i was doing something bad

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

i meant to blog about this last week.

on one of the days i was not feeling well i was a bad girl and we went to mcdonald's for dinner. we were already out, i was tired, didn't feel good and thought of making something at home in itself was exhausting. those are my excuses.

so the 3 of us went to the golden arches. we ordered our food and sat down. while we were eating i noticed a mom with her 2 boys sitting at a table close to us. the boys were maybe 8-10 yrs old. she had ordered them each a garden salad which they were all eating. i then noticed they had a couple of bags on the table. i heard the mom say that in order to eat what was in the bags they had to eat their entire salad. the mom had not even filled their pop cups yet. so when they were done they got to eat their fries and burgers and have some pop. i thought this was a great idea.

i often find i do this with my son when he is bugging me for bad stuff. my son is really good about eating good stuff most of the time. it would be so nice if we could somehow see the moment in our lives that most of our relationships with food for us changed for the worse. seriously, don't get me wrong. my son loves chips and chocolate and when we gave him a slurpee once he thought it was the "best thing on earth" however my kid at the vegetable market is so excited. the lady that works there has a laugh cause she has never seen some one so excited about buying mushrooms.... legal mushrooms that is lol.

so i thought to myself today that this is simple. maybe i should make myself eat the good stuff first. if i am still hungry, if i still have a craving for chocolate or some other high fat concoction then i can have the "bad." i even find with ds if he is bugging me for chips i make him eat a yogurt first then most of the time he doesn't even want the chips.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CHASINGPAVEMENT 3/31/2010 12:49PM

wow that is so awesome. I love that the MOm did that. And I love that you and your son eat healthy together :) I think that's a great idea about eating the healthy part first THEN the bad. I will try this from now on :) THank you! Report Inappropriate Comment

MBSHAZZER 3/31/2010 11:34AM

Jen, that is a great idea! And you are so right about the moment that our relationship with food became defined. You are doing a great thing with your son - he will have healthy habits for life! Well, probably not from ages 12 - 18, but you can worry about that when the time comes! Report Inappropriate Comment

SEEHOLZ 3/31/2010 10:34AM

Great idea about eating the good stuff FIRST! Need to try to apply that to my family! Just watch that love for mushrooms with DS, haha. Report Inappropriate Comment

BRUIN2 3/31/2010 9:28AM

Ooooh, I like that - eat the good stuff first. So simple. Excellent. Report Inappropriate Comment

my epic 6.4 mile run

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

ok, that was a bit dramatic but at times it really felt that hard.

so today i planned to do 6 miles or bust. the weather man yesterday said the rain would hold off in the morning. we had a storm yesterday so i wasn't sure cause the weather was so unstable and so patchy through out the city.

on the way to drop ds at school it was pouring rain. when i got home i went and got my rain stuff. i was going to do this rain or no rain. i suited up headed to the door and the sun was shining. all in 5 mins! i stepped out and it was too warm for a rain jacket without rain so i put on my trusty arm warmers and left. i had a route in mind which i did not end up following.

after my warm up walk i turned the corner into a very strong wind. wish i had my jacket. it was freezing. hard start running into the wind. i felt like i was barely moving. when i reached the river and turned the wind left and i enjoyed the run along the dyke. when i get to the airport i turn again and the i was so over heated. i was only wearing capris and a short sleeve shirt so i squished my arm warmers down. this is only 3 miles into my run and i am already feeling like i am done. not great. at this point i have also abandoned my original route. i was so tired. lot's of character building self talk. my hip was twinging a bit. my lungs/heart felt fine but my body felt so heavy. i felt like i was totally dragging it around.

some cute construction workers inspired me to run faster... or at least stop mopping and pretend i felt good for a few minutes. so i continued on. realized my new route was not going to be long enough so i had to run through the business park to add some on. looked at my watch at 6.2 and it was 1:10. probably my worse 10 km time ever. i was so happy when i got home.

i decided i was going to go up to my parents for some hot tub time after i picked ds up from school. we got in our bathing suits, ran outside in the cold wind, jump in the tub and it is cold. wtf? it was like 85 degrees. no clue why. everything seems to be working. my parents are away so next time they call i will have to see if they know how to fix it.

so that is my run. it is done. i decided on my run i need to start doing some of my long runs with the running room group again to distract me on the long ones. now that my work shift is a bit later on sundays i should be able to go as long as dh isn't working.

i am really torn about running right now.

do i still enjoy it?
do i not enjoy it right now as it is uncomfortable and hard again?
did i ever enjoy it or have i romanticized running pre injury to something unattainable?
am i just making excuses or do i really not enjoy it?
if i stopped running what else would i do?
will it get easier again?
will i not have to force myself to get out and run ever again?
if i continue running what are my goals?
do i want goals or just run for fun?

  

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MBSHAZZER 3/30/2010 6:55PM

The wacky weather is the only thing that stinks about spring! You never know what to wear! I think you did great. Sometimes running is mind over matter. I often don't feel like running, but I do it anyway. Most of my runs totally suck. Maybe I just keep doing them b/c I don't really like other exercise and after 15 years of running, it's just habit. But I totally know where you are coming from. Too bad about the cold tub! Oh well, ice is probably better than heat after a long run! Hang in there! Report Inappropriate Comment

SEEHOLZ 3/30/2010 5:18PM

Go with run for fun! Jen, I'm with you on this sometimes... I am having a hard time due to injury and I expect my body to perform at a level that it's not used to. I had a little moment at my PT last week when she told me that my soreness was part of my body getting used to running again... my 8 miler felt like 16 and I was in pain for 3 days after... so last week, after pushing it too much the week before, I ran 3.3, 3.5 and 3.1 for a whopping 9.6 miles-LOL... but I had a great 5K that I would not trade. Today I ran 5.61 ( that's the length of the loop downtown) and I ran 48 min.... I know I ran this in 46 last year--- that's the last time I ran it- last October-LOL... Luckily, I was like WOW... that run felt great! I wasn't as slow as I thought.. so I'll take it. And my hamstring was behaving. I know that running 8 miles is too much and while I am hoping for 8 this week-end, I will need to be careful- that's a big increase, I just don't recognize it as such... I don't know how many miles you ran this week, but if you're not running consistently enough ( weren't you sick) then 6 miles can be a lot... especially with a twingy hip.. What about doing some 5K or 10K's instead of a half and then doing a half laster in the Fall? I was hoping to do a Half in May ( I actually signed up for the Full- pre-injury) and now I'm leaning towards the 10K-LOL... babysteps girl... babysteps... it's rough, but there is a runner in you and if you decided to stop now, it'll just get harder later, but by the same token, if it's just torture, then it's maybe not worth it. Joining that runner group sounds like a great way to re-ignite that Spark and passion! Report Inappropriate Comment

BRUIN2 3/30/2010 5:00PM

EPIC indeed. I think you need to plan a construction route on EVERY long run. hehe. Report Inappropriate Comment

SLENDERELLA61 3/30/2010 4:48PM

I admire your tenacity! Good job. If I were you, I'd go with run for fun. But you know you better than I do. If you need a goal, set one. -Marsha Report Inappropriate Comment

monday? is it monday???? i have no clue what day it is.

Monday, March 29, 2010

seriously, working shift work can totally mess with your head. i really had to think about what day it was today. i work tomorrow night then 4 days off!

have had a pretty good day today. did a spin class this morning. loved it. when i got home i batch cooked some yummy lasagna. yum yum. i also made kale chips. i have made kale stuff twice this past week. the first time it was sautéed in garlic/olive oil. ds ate it up and loved it. today i made the chips and ds pretended to like it then i heard him spitting it out in the toilet. i actually liked the chips. they were crispy and had olive oil/parm on them. will try them again. so today was pretty good nutrition wise. ooops. i forgot about the donought. nevermind.

tomorrow i plan on doing my long run. minimum 6 miles or bust baby!

below is the recipe i followed for the kale chips.
www.katheats.com/favorite-foods/kale
-chips/
it says to bake them for 15 mins. i did mine for only 10 and some were burned. probably depends on the olive oil you use.

  

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CHASINGPAVEMENT 3/30/2010 4:07PM

I will have to try that recipe! Thank you for posting it :) 6 miles or bust! I know you can do it! Report Inappropriate Comment

MBSHAZZER 3/30/2010 11:05AM

Mmm, those look good! I usually steam kale in the microwave along with a can or two of hominy. I'll have to try the chips! At least Hayds tried them! :D Report Inappropriate Comment

MARLIE13 3/30/2010 11:03AM

Yep...now it's Tuesday. lol! Kale chips? I never would have thought. How interesting! 6 miles...you go!!! PS...Hayds spitting out the chips...he's just priceless! lol! Report Inappropriate Comment

RAWKNRUN 3/30/2010 9:11AM

LMAO about DS spitting them in the toilet! My dd will go "mmmm" like she likes something, then start shaking her head "no" so I have to remind her to go spit it in the trash. weirdo. Report Inappropriate Comment

please enter title

Sunday, March 28, 2010

my title is what it is cause that is what spark told me to do when i left it blank.

so i just wanted to let you all know my nephew is home from the hospital and is doing great. i can't wait to go visit them next month and get a bit of a baby snuggle. here is a picture that my sister has taken of 3 of my nephews (2 oldest and the newest).



my sis is a professional photographer so she gets some amazing pictures. you can check out her website at www.luvuphotography.com/ if you wish.

on to me....

still not feeling 100%. i am in that circle of if i rest i am ancy and feel i have too much energy but if i do a work out i need a nap. i am still so congested and cough all night so getting little sleep is probably the biggest issue with getting rid of this darn cough.

last week though i did manage 8 miles, do a cardio mix at the gym (bike/elliptical/stepper) and 1 strength workout so not so bad. i am going to attempt a 6 mile run on tuesday this week. i planned on a 4 mile run this morning with the pup but it was raining very hard when i went to leave so i decided to go to the gym to do strength and a 2.25 mile run. tomorrow i am planning on a kick butt spin class.

i had a great dinner with a good friend on friday. we agreed we need to do it more often. my friend, who is not a great kid lover, has totally come around and wants ONE kid. i never thought this day would happen. felt good to have some one who only wants ONE kid or understands why I only have ONE. to those of you with more than one i don't know how you do it mentally, physically and financially. i find it hard to even balance my needs with dh and ds. the more i think about it i don't want another. i just feel i should cause everyone on earth seems to have more than one.

especially now that ds is pressing to play hockey and it is ridiculously expensive. seriously, i know dance, karate and other things are pretty steep too for other parents. we were hoping to avoid hockey with ds but that is all he talks about and wants to play so bad next year. he starts skating lessons this week. hoping he falls on his butt and never wants to see ice again lol! i am not a huge hockey person and although dh likes watching has never played so we wanted to avoid it. then dumba$$... i mean dh starts taking hayds to games and watching with him constantly so it is his fault. the other night we were out to dinner. the restaurant had tv's. dh and ds were sitting on one side of the booth watching "the game" while i sat on the other staring into space. i told dh that i guess there is no reason for me to come along anymore lol.

  

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MBSHAZZER 3/29/2010 12:04PM

Glad to hear the little one is coming along. I hope your cough clears up soon, as well. It sounds like you are doing well with your exercise nonetheless. I have no advice for the hockey thing. Well, I have advice, but as a person with no kids, my advice would probably not be workable in the real world! :D Report Inappropriate Comment

SEEHOLZ 3/29/2010 11:20AM

Don't feel bad about the hockey thing! I think it's great that DS WANTS to do it... so often, parents push their kids into sports... plus, what a great bonding time for DH an DS. I wished my DH was more into sports, so Danny might have got the "bug", but DH is so not competitive... and it is nice once in a while to see them both go to see the CAVS and/or the Browns. After all, it is fun to go see life sports to many people--- I could care less-LOL. As for the money? I hear ya! But, you only got 1 kid, so if you can afford it, do you really want to see there 10 yrs from now, telling your son that you didn't let him play? After all, kids can and will sense stuff.. maybe even want it more..LOL. My DS is not much into sports, but he's going to a private high school that is going to cost me an arm and a leg or my sanity... and not being able to reach some other financial goals... so I hear ya! I'm soooooo torn all the time, because I know that school is not worth THAT much money and it's a burden.... but, by the same token, there is simply no way that I could ever afford it if I had more than 1 kid.... I wanted a 2nd one- DH didnt. But, I'm getting too old... so now DS wants a brother... except that he's going to be in college and out of the house in 4 yrs-LOL.... crazy, right? Nothing wrong with knowing what you want--- it's a lot better than putting kids in the world and not having want to properly take care of them-- my BIL and SIL used to tease Dan and I about not wanting more.... blablah... ironically, they are the ones separated now and their kids have an unstable life... so, what's better? Report Inappropriate Comment

thursday - nephew/me update

Thursday, March 25, 2010

so first off my nephew seems to be doing better. he is still in the hospital. they are hoping to go home soon. they think it was because he came so fast that his lungs still had fluid in them so had a decreased air capacity. part of the point of pushing a baby out is actually wringing out the babies lungs as they are full of fluid while indoors. since my sister basically got him out in 2 pushes he didn't get this. (my sister has babies unusually fast).

on to me, still not feeling 100%. i am on antibiotics and waiting for them to kick in. cough is keeping me up at night. i have moments i feel good then i am back to blah. did nrol4w yesterday and intervals on the treadmill. legs are a little sore from nrol but my hip hurts from the running. grrr. will this ever end?? even if my hip was 100% not sure i would run today as planned. you know what is oddest always about my blasted cough? the only time i don't cough is when i run. weird eh? i will wait to later to decide what i want to do.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MARLIE13 3/25/2010 9:59PM

Wonderful news on baby Hudson. "Indoors" hee hee! I didn't realize that about the lungs part and the pushing. How interesting. Hoping you feel better soon. I skipped the gym this morning as I was in need of the extra sleep. Still not all the way back to normal it seems. Have you upped your probiotics? wink wink Report Inappropriate Comment

SEEHOLZ 3/25/2010 12:52PM

Awesome news on the baby! I know I've asked you this before, but what is your hip diagnosis and the exercises you are supposed to do? I'm asking, because I'm trying to really nip this hamstring thing and have been focusing on strengthening my hip flexors, amongst other things... could use some more exercise/suggestions and/or will share what my physio said. It takes a day or 2 sometimes for the ab to kick in-- and the last time it took me a whole week to get my running back to "normal" which ironically was better than my misely performance right now.. that said, I'm thrilled to be running- at all.... Take it easy and not sure about not caughing while you run- maybe it's related to how you breath? Report Inappropriate Comment

MBSHAZZER 3/25/2010 12:35PM

Good news on the baby! Hope you are feeling better soon! Report Inappropriate Comment

AUSSIEFLOSS 3/25/2010 11:42AM

I am glad the baby is doing better. Yeah, the lung clearing part is reffered to as a heimlich. Interesting huh? Don't mess with mother nature! LOL. I am sorry you are sick, and not feeling well at all. I hope you feel better soon. Report Inappropriate Comment