Berta...

Today is my bestie's birthday.  Today, I dedicate my blog to Berta.  Happy Birthday Berta!

I am so proud of her.  Back in 2007 or 2008 (we have bad memories) we ran our first 5K together.  It was the local Sunflower Fest in September.  I had run races before and I was able to talk Berta into running with me.  We used to walk very early in the morning; then one day we decided to run.  She threw her back out. We didn't run for a long time.  

For some odd reason, we decided to try again.  We trained and trained...ran and ran some more.  We ran when the rest of the world was asleep.  We ran hills and through the wind.  She struggled with her breathing and kept telling me she couldn't do it.  I told her she could.  We struggled as we ran from one mailbox to the next mailbox.  I begged her not to stop; I knew she could do it.  Each day she could run just a little bit farther and a little bit faster.  I stayed by her side until I realized she didn't need me anymore.  I knew she could do it.  I usually was not far in front of her and she could focus on my red pony tail blowing in the wind.  I distinctly remember the day, she passed me and finished before I did.  The girl who couldn't run.  I knew she could do it.

We started running a 5K every month.  We started the year with the YMCA run in March. We graduated to 10K's and 12K's.  We did street runs, beach runs, trail runs and color runs.  We did bridge runs and tower runs.  We ended our year with the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day.  One year we did a 10K on Thanksgiving and it was by far the worst race we have ever run.  It was cold, raining AND snowing.  Then the next year on Thanksgiving, we accidentally ran the 5K instead of the 10K.  We were disappointed for about 10 seconds as we made our way to get our annual Starbucks after the race. 

We have gone through more running shoes than we care to count.  Nike outlet became our favorite store.  We used the latest running gadgets to keep track of our miles and the goo to keep on track with our energy.  We have had spills, blisters and lost toenails.  We have run in freezing cold and horrific wind.  We have run from dogs and raccoons.  We would wake, hoping that if we checked our phone that the other would cancel, only to climb out of bed, lace up those running shoes and meet our partner.  We loved to hate it and we hated that we loved it.  

Last year, I had a bright idea that we should run the Flying Pig Half Marathon in Ohio.  I talked Berta and Belinda into running it with me.  We started training in January.  By the end of January, I had to drop out because of a hip injury.  I never was able to run that race.  She and Belinda trained and trained and ran and ran some more.  It's not the half marathon that kills you, it's all the training!!  I watched her cross the finish line.  I knew she could do it.   The girl that couldn't run.  

I have to give a huge shout out to Belinda too because she has been running with Berta since I have been unable.  Berta and Belinda are running another half marathon in Indy this weekend.  They have been training since the beginning of summer.

The girl that couldn't run.  I knew you could do it.  The truth is, I couldn't have done it without YOU!

 

The Color Run

Happy Birthday Berta!

I'm so torn

Hello!  My clean eating for the last two weeks have been good with some treats here and there.  My weight went from 152.6 to 150.4 then to 149.9 yesterday.  Sunday are my weigh in days.  So I've lost 2.7 pounds so far.  I'm good with that.  I need to work on drinking more water.  I do good one day then not the next.  Not sure what my problem is but step it up j.....step it up.....

So, lately I have really been having an internal struggle on going vegan.  Whenever I mention it, people around me FREAK OUT, gently try to talk me out of it.  I still think it is funny the amount of people that think I should eat a big ole steak and it will fix everything.  I don't judge anyone for what they eat, well except for the guy on tv about to eat pig tails.  Really?!   I guess waste not want not.  To each their own.

I have to tell you about this horrific nightmare I had.  But first, I have to share some background on why I think I had this dream.  This is going to be long so grab a cup of tea and relax.

First of all, my husband loves to hunt.  I am not fond of his habit at all and he knows he is not allowed to talk about any killing he does.  I don't want to hear it and I don't want to hear him talking about it to other people.  The other day, my dad was over and Tommy was telling him about the two deer that he killed.  I was getting ready to leave for work and I had a massage scheduled that afternoon because I have been having problems with my back.  Don't you know during that entire hour, all I could think about were those sweet deer walking through the woods and he kills them.  - just a side note, I do not want to hear from ANYONE on why we should kill the deer!  This is my blog and I don't want to hear any of it because trust me, I've heard it all-

We also have deer that walk through our yard and Tommy buys feed for them.  Feed one animal and kill another.......

About a month ago, we adopted a doberman.

This is Maggie.  

We obviously can't afford bigger beds so she sleeps in Gabbie's bed.   I couldn't believe she curled herself up on that bed and I was able to get a picture before she moved.  So cute!!

We had to put down our Chocolate lab, Levi, several months ago and our Doberman, Meeka needed a new friend.  

This is Meeka peeking through the cat door.  

Maggie seemed like a perfect fit.  After having Maggie for four days, we found out she is heartworm positive.  She has been for a year and a half.  My husband and I were in shock and really weren't sure what we were going to do at first.  Then, we came to our senses and decided that she came to us for a reason and we were going to fix her.  Our neighbor is a vet and after talking to him about it decided to start treatment.  Treatment at a sum of $1400 and she has a 70% chance of survival.  Sooooo, in my mind, I have a hard time understanding how you can spend $1400 on one animal yet go in the woods and kill other animals.  They are all lovely creatures that deserve to live.  

See what I"m saying here?!

Back to my dream.....one more thing I have to share first.....

This is Gabbie (the black one) and Beanie (the red one)

I had a dream that I was eating Gabbie.  I HAD A DREAM I WAS EATING GABBIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was eating her like you would an apple.  I was tearing into her flesh and ripping it from her body while she looked at me with those adorable buggy eyes and all I was thinking in my dream was, "don't worry it won't hurt for long."

WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON???????  I TORE HALF OF THE SKIN OFF HER HEAD!!

WHY???!!!

This dream is so disturbing in so many levels.  I told my husband about the dream and without hesitation he says, "Sounds like you should start eating meat."  WHAT?!?!?!?!  Did you just really say that to me!  Sounds like you should fall out of a tree while hunting.   No I'm just kidding honey!!!!!!!

All creatures deserve to live and to me eating salmon or cheese isn't any different than eating our pets.  That's what I took out of the horrific nightmare.

I am a vegetarian and I eat dairy, cheese and sea food. I am a pescetarian (eat sea food) and an lacto-ovo vegetarian (eat dairy,eggs)  The fact that I eat sea food and call myself vegetarian makes some vegetarians freak out.  If it has eyes, we shouldn't eat it.  When I first became vegetarian I did not eat sea food.  Then after a year or so, I began to crave it.  I do believe our bodies crave foods for a reason and so I decided to add that to my diet.  Oh I will have to share my story on salmon fishing sometime (this blog is already getting long enough)

It has been almost 10 years since I have gone vegetarian and lately, I am feeling more and more guilty about eating fish and dairy.  Did you know in most cheese there is something called Rennet.  It is used to aid in coagulation of cheese.  It comes from the stomach lining of young calves, but they are not killed specifically to get it; veal is the main reason.  You can get cheese without rennet.  It is called rennin and comes from vegetable sources.  Your cheese must say vegetarian for it to not have the rennet in it.  

When I did my 42 day challenge, it was vegan and I have to say I felt the best I have felt in a long time. I used to think cheese was the biggest obstacle but quite honestly, it's the half and half I put in my coffee every morning.  I probably only use a tablespoon and I've tried non dairy substitutes and it's just not the same.  

Oreos are vegan.  I could just put those in my coffee.  

Peace and Love,

j

Be kind to the creatures around you friends.  

The truth hurts sometimes.

Yep, that says 152.6.  Today's starting weight.  If you follow my blog then you may remember that my body LOVES to stay at or around 147 lbs.  However, for me and my body frame, that is too much weight too carry.  I do not feel comfortable at that weight.  I feel sluggish and tired and not motivated to do much.  Now let me say this- I do not judge anyone for the number on the scale.  I think we are all different in the aspect that we know when we have hit our number that makes us uncomfortable.  This is it for me.  I've taken about 9 months out of the last year, allowing my body to rest and heal from hip surgery and two foot surgeries.  I know this has a lot to do with my weight gain.  I also know I have utilized my fork and spoon way too much.  It seems to be an easy trap to fall into.  First, you can't work out so you miss those endorphins.  Then, you turn to food to help ease your depression.  Once you start to eat the garbage, it becomes easier and easier to do.  It is hard to eat healthy and easy to eat pre-made processed crap!  The saying is definitely true for me.  "If you eat crap, you will feel like crap!"

I went to the farmers market and Meijers yesterday to stock up on healthy goodies.  Here is some of what I bought!

Ok, so this Cherry pie isn't healthy but I had to have it.  Ate it all up yesterday!  It is a personal size pie not a regular size!  Cherry pie is one of my weaknesses!

Found these juicing carrots at Meijer.  15 lb bag for $14.99. 

I bought a bunch of other healthy goodies too.  I have decided to do a 3 day juice fast for the next 3 days to detox my system.  I can't wait to get rid of this bloated feeling!  It usually takes about 3 days to get that sugar craving our of our heads!

Juicing Veggies!

This was my breakfast!  

Oh and look what my Daddy brought me yesterday.  Oh yes, shouldn't everyone have a chocolate fountain?!  He called me last night to see if I used it yet.  I told him he forgot to leave me the chocolate!!!  

That's it for today friends.  Thanks for following me!  Here's to a better future!

love j

Welcome back j

It's been so long since I have blogged that I forgot my blog address.  Not cool j, not cool.  Looks like I last blogged in June.  I started trying to blog at least twice a week.  However, I became lazy because I didn't feel like bringing my computer home all the time to do my blog.  Then one week turned into two and summer turned to fall.  Wait, what?!  Yes, my how does time fly.  

I am back because I need accountability.  I need you to help me.  I obviously having problems helping myself.  Why is it that we can so easily let ourselves down but when it comes to letting others down, we stand strong?!

I have had a rough year.  It seems one injury, read surgery, after another kept me from exercise.  I've been unable to jazzercise since July due to having a second foot surgery.  I am able to start jazzercise on Monday.  I'm scared.  I hope my body remembers how!!   

This morning my scale read 151 pounds.  I have not weighed that since I was pregnant with my daughter!!!!!  How did this happen?  I've gained 20 pounds in the last 7 months.  

It happened one bite at a time.  Yep!  I'd like to blame it on my inactivity but, I have to keep reminding myself....just because my husband is eating ice cream doesn't mean I should!

I have always had a sweet tooth but it seems lately, I crave salty.  Hormones?  I don't know but if it said caramel with sea salt, it was MINE!

So here is the plan, tomorrow I am going to the grocery store to get prepared! 

I will plan my daily meals the day before!
I will weigh myself on Sunday mornings and post the results.
I will drink 3 Liters of water daily! (I've been soooo bad at this lately)
I will start working out again!!  I have more goals for the workout but will get into that later.
I will eat clean and cut the nasty addictive sugar from my diet.
I will use myfitnesspal to record my daily eats.
I will love myself every day.  


I will keep you posted.  Thanks for listening friends!

Peace,
j