Running with a Twist

Running of course is very much a habit for me. It is necessary on many levels.  I run alone. I run with one person or I can run with a group.  If I miss a couple of days and don't run or get to the gym, my hubby will be the first to ask me......"Have you ran lately?"  All of that being said, I try and go at least 3-4 days per week.  I get asked a lot why I run.  One of my first comment is because I don't want to go back to where I was.  I also do it because it is a stress relief for me.  It is also a bit of "me" time if I am going alone. 

Last week I went running with a friend.  I was not even prepared for what was going to happen.  We were running a long and I had seen her post the day before about her awesome time at church and I asked.  She started to share.  I was hearing her and her heart. She was empowered and strengthen by what she had learned.  He had come to visit with her and met her where she was. As she talked and shared we were running up a hill.  We were in the midst of the "big hill" and she didn't miss a step but continued to share and hands raised and tears just streaming down her face.  It was almost like we were the only ones in the park.  I was literally left speechless at what we had just experienced.  She is seeking after Him and what He has for her.  It's amazing to watch.

This morning after dropping off Little Man, I headed to the park to run.  Not really an agenda but knew I was to meet up with someone.  I got a text that she had something personal come up and would have to run tomorrow.  No big deal.  I thought, well, I can just run until today.  It was almost like the Lord was riding in the car with me.  "Go a different route, listen to your new praise and worship music".  Sounded good to me.  IT WAS INCREDIBLE!  I ended up running 3 1/2 miles on a totally different route and really listened, focused on my music and just prayed. Prayed for friends, family, strangers, for the houses I was running by, for even the school that I ran by.  It was an incredible time with my Saviour.  It was just powerful.  He brought me around in a circle that was new for me but for sure a challenge.  We often hear of others going on Prayer Walks.  Well today I went on a Prayer Run.  It was WONDERFUL!!!!!!

It was for sure Running with a Twist and I am thinking we may need to add it to my running.  Have you ever done this before?  Maybe you should try it?

Pam

Sunday Encouragement

Pinterest Post

I have had a VERY busy week, working 4 nights in a row.  I am exhausted!!!!  I went running this morning with my friend Amber.  Bless her heart, she was as tired as I am and we KILLED a 4 mile run.  I mean we really KILLED IT!!!!  It was great and we got it done before it was so incredibly hot.  I posted on my other blog some great things that I have found on Pinterest that I just love so I thought it only right to do it here.  Some of my favorite things that I have read and "motto's" that I have actually said to myself when I didn't feel like going to run or just felt down and discouraged.  I hope they will help you and encourage you!!!!!!  Thank you so much Sarah for the idea!!!!!!!

Hope these encourage you today!!!!!!!!

Banana Oatmeal Muffins

Banana Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients
*2 /1/2 cup oats (old fashioned kind, not quick cooking)
*1 single serving cup of plain low fat greek yogurt
*2 eggs
*3/4 cup sweetener of choice, I used the real stuff: sugar! or 2 tbs stevia sweetener
*1 1/2 tsp baking powder
*1/2 tsp baking soda
*2 bananas (I only used one but realized it needed at least one more)

Important: The paper liners don't work well when baking with a base that does not include flour, they always seem to stick to the paper. I sprayed the muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray or you can use foil cupcake liners or a silicone muffin pan.

Let the Baking Begin!
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray tin with non-stick cooking spray or line 12 muffin tins with silicone or foil liners, (or just use a silicone muffin pan).
2. Place all of the ingredients, including bananas in a blender or food processor, and blend until oats are smooth.
3. Divide batter among cupcake liners, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
4. Most importantly: Enjoy!!!

I ofund this on Pintrest.  Here is the link to the blog.  http://travisjessjones.blogspot.com/2012/03/banana-oatmeal-muffins.html

Transformation Update From Tara

I was so excited to get this e-mail!!!!!  YEAH!!!!! TARA!!!!!

I Love Running!!!

Sorry, that I missed updating last week.  I don’t even remember week 4, so, I told Pam that I am using my do-over card.  With that being that case week “4” has started with a blast.  Okay so maybe saying I Love running is a little bit of a stretch but that is what I keep telling myself.  For the last 3 days in a row as I ran I kept telling myself I love running.  I went 3 miles tonight and ran almost the whole first mile completely.  I know that is not the plan but I just can’t stand it. I will not get on here and complain any more.  I will not complain when I run with Pam anymore. I am choosing to be thankful:  Thankful I am up and moving, Thankful that it is finally cooler, Thankful that I have a plan, Thankful my husband is running with me( we will not talk about the part that he did 4 miles in 44 minutes last night).  I have figured out a few things about myself.  I like running alone because I am too competitive to be the slowest and I don’t like being last.   I like running in neighborhoods because I can focus on something other than myself.  I like timing myself, enough said.  I like that my kids see that this isn’t easy but I hope I can teach them perseverance and discipline.  I like that my hubby is squeezing my backside a little more often or maybe I just enjoy it more because it doesn’t feel like a batch of bread dough.  I am drinking more water, thanks for the tip Sarah, and eating less at night.  I am getting in the cardio and doing push ups and sit-ups each day.  All in all I think this is a success.  I have a goal of 15 pounds in 6 weeks.  We have a wedding to go to and I want to look smokin’ for my sweetie.  Keep praying.  Thanks for all the encouragement and accountability.

Tara

Tranformation Continues......

So Tara is finishing out her 4 weeks of my "Transformation" plan.  I'm super excited that we are going to set aside time to sit down and talk and sort through what worked for her and what was not right for her.  What I can add and what needs to be taken out.  I did recieve a text from her and she is going to do one more full week.  We will get a full report from her this weekend and see what happened!!!!  Squeal!!!  Can't wait!!!!!

I hope that some of you will speak up and speak out!!!!!
What do you look for in a "plan" that you want to try?
What do you expect a plan to do or be for you?
I want to hear from you!!!!!  Please chime in!!!!!
**Key to remember----This is NOT a DIET! 
This is a plan....
*to get you moving
*to get your family moving
*to get you reading labels
*to get healthy food in your cart at the store
*to get your head around the idea that what goes in makes a difference in your day!!!!!!

June Challenge

So my friend Danielle at the hospital that I have mentioned on here before issued a June Challenge via her husband, Adams company, called Team Genetics.  It was incredible.  I actually even went on vacation during June and of course was terrified that anything that I had done, I would loose. 

Glad to say that now we are into July, I can say that I won the challenge in my book.  I actually went on vacation and used the fitness room at our hotel. I walked every day and I even went for a run while we were gone.  Yes, I ate what I wanted while we were gone.  It was so much fun. 

Thank you Team Genetics for giving me something to shoot for and especially while traveling.  I am actually still on track. Still working hard!!!!  Please check out their T-shirts and active wear!!!!!!!!

Apple Chicken and Grape Wrap

Apples, Chicken & Grapes in Lettuce

1/2 cup chopped cooked chicken breast
3 tablespoons chopped Fuji apple
2 tablespoons chopped black or red grapes
2 tablespoons Almond Butter
1 tablespoon  reduced or fat-free mayonnaise
2 teaspoons honey
Iceberg lettuce

Spoon into a lettuce leaf and enjoy!!!!!  Great for left over chicken!!!!

Enjoy!!!!

TRANSFORMATION TARA!!!!!!!!!!

I am so very excited to share with you about Tara.  She has family in this week for the holiday and so she asked me to share.  She actually has 12 guest in her home.  She has 5 in her family.  HER HOUSE IS FULL!!!!!!  She has worked so very hard.  She has dealt with schedule over-load, work, children, balance and this extreme heat. 

SHE HAS LOST 7 POUNDS IN 3 WEEKS!!!!  I saw her the other day and you can see it!!!!  I was so excited for her!!!!  She is so on her way!!!!!  Squeal!!!!!  We chatted and I believe that she might be running a 10K with me in November.  So much fun!!!!!!!

CONGRATS! TARA!

Go Tara, Go Tara

I have a Tara update!!!!!!!!!! Whoooohoooo!!!!!!! But you will have to check in tomorrow!!!!!!!!