Good Eats- Spinach Salad

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I know, I know what you are thinking. Spinach salad, blah or I already have a ton of those how is yours any different or special. Here is this AMAZING recipe! It is also REALLY GOOD! The kicker for this salad is the HOMEMADE DRESSING that is TO DIE FOR! Seriously! In my house, it is not a holiday without this salad. So I thought I would bring this out to you before the big day so just in case you want to try out this AMAZINGLY Yummy salad you can!

It is easy. Yummy and everyone will like it, unless they really don't like to eat salads in the first place. Like my husband. It's a lost cause.

Spinach Leaf Salad with Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing

Salad:

~2 bunches fresh spinach leaves, stemmed and washed (pat dry with paper towels.) OR 2 bags of baby spinach leaves

~1/4 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced

~1/2 lb bacon (8 slices), cooked and crumbled

~1/4 lb swiss cheese, grated

~1/4 red onion, thin half moons

~6 boiled eggs, sliced

~croutons

Dressing: Combine in a Blender

~1 cup salad oil

~1/3 cup cider vinegar

~3/4 cup brown sugar

~1 tablespoon dry mustard

~1/2 teaspoon salt

~1 tablespoon red onion (from the salad)

~1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Assemble salad in a large bowel. Combine dressing ingredients in the blender and blend together. (If you pre make the dressing store it in the fridge and blend it together just before serving because the oil will separate.) Just before serving, pour dressing over salad and stir well. Top with croutons. 

There you have it. Super simple and super yummy! Here are some changes that I have made over the years. I buy the bags of spinach, the pre-sliced mushrooms, pre-grated cheese, use the egg slicer thing to slice the eggs and I don't use bacon or croutons in it. Super no-fuss. I also tend to use a smidge more apple cider vinegar and a little extra brown sugar. I like it sweet but tangy! Play around with it and make it your own. Enjoy these good eats. This salad is great anytime but it has become a holiday tradition in my family! Maybe it will be for yours too!

QOTD: Do you think you will try this for one of your Thanksgiving sides? LET ME KNOW IF YOU DO AND WHAT YOU THINK!

Can't Do Them All

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Today I couldn't run with my training program. I actually had rehearsal for a gig at a church with a performance tomorrow! So how did I get my long run in this week??? Yesterday! I did my 4 miles yesterday. I have my 8k next week with the hubs and know that I can do 5 miles. And next week would have been 5 miles anyhow so I am feeling great for the race. I did do more walking than running yesterday as I realized how much I love to run outside. I find it easier to run outside. Our bodies were meant to be outside. We love the fresh air, we need the vitamin D. Also, I guess focusing on getting to the top of the hill then when at the top I get to just go and let the hill take me down seems to make it more fun and interesting.

Running the treadmill, or the hamster track at the gym can get boring. Even if I am watching the food channel salivating over all the yummy looking foods, especially all the Thanksgiving specials they have on there right now. So how can we make treadmill work more fun? Make it a game!

1. Intervals of running and running faster. Push yourself. If you are comfortable running at a 5.0 on the treadmill for 1-2 minutes try running at a 5.3 or 5.5. Then go back to the 5.0. I have been doing this, for me though I jog at a 4. When running faster speeds I go up to a 4.5. I have noticed that my new comfortable speed outside is now 13:30ish which is about 4.5 on the treadmill. Pretty neat.

2. Add hills. Add the incline on the treadmill. Be careful though that you don't add too much so you don't injure your self. Make them short splits too. Just do a few to work your quads a bit. That's all you really need.

3. Good music, or a movie if you have an iPad in front of you. If you have a movie or show to watch you are more than likely not watching the time on the treadmill. You loose track of time and realize that your interval run of 2 minutes was over with 2 minutes ago and you are still going strong! (That has happened to me a few times, pretty neat.) We become dependent on the clock and distance. Try covering it up or put on a good show.

4. Always do try to fit in an outside run at least 1 time a week. Outside running is different than treadmill running. Treadmill, you are being pushed by the treads. Outside you have to do the pushing. A few years ago I was purely a treadmill runner. Could not run outside for the life of me. I just did treadmill and was ok with that. Now I am the other way around. I love running outside!

Just have fun is really what it is all about. Running in a gym is convenient because, it is climate controlled. No bad weather. Great for super hot or super cold times of the year. No dogs. No ice. No bugs in the teeth. But make it fun. Enjoy it and do what you have to to stay in shape!

QOTD: What do you do to pass the time on the treadmill?

Disclaimer: I am not a professional trainer. The opinions listed here are of my own through my own personal training exercises. Find what works for you. If you have any questions on exact training or running programs consult a personal trainer at your local gym or a running trainer through a local track club. 

So Needed This

Oh my goodness! This has been my calming grace lately. Eden's Garden Relaxation. It has lavender, marjoram, patchouli, mandarin, geranium and chamomile. It has helped me sleep better. Feel more rested in the day and just plain feel good. I love the power of essential oils sometimes. They are just what the body needs. I went searching for this in the house because I felt stressed yesterday and man it just helped me, ahhhhh, take a nice deep breath. I put it on, just the tip of the bottle to the hollow part of my collar bone that way I can smell it easily, just before yoga today to help me forget about the life issues we are dealing with right now, and I just let the stress melt off of me.

I might smell like an old woman but on the inside I feel amazing!

QOTD: Have you tried essential oils? What are your favorite combos?

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. The use of these items are from my own research and are of my own opinion. If you have any questions about the use of essential oils contact your medical professional or an essential oils expert. 

Thursday Turkey Day - 1 Week Away!

~Mason and his cousins will be making these Turkey Cupcakes next week when we go to visit. Fun activity for children to do while waiting for food to cook!~

Next week is Thanksgiving day! YEA! I love this holiday because it is a day for me and my family. I remember going to Grandmas house for Thanksgiving when I was a little girl. All my cousins would be there. We would all sit at the table in the kitchen, wishing for the day that we could sit at the grown-up table in the dining room. (I actually inherited said grown up table and it is in my dining room.)

Grandma made her famous rolls that would be so yummy and Uncle John brought his homemade jelly. Mom made her yams and later added the spinach leaf salad to the mix. (MY FAV! And sharing the recipe next week!) I remembered watching Grandma getting the turkey and taking the innards out (EWWW!) and do all the fixing to that bird.

Sadly it seems that Thanksgiving is just another day sometimes. Or Black Friday is "the real holiday." This year so many stores are opening or staying open on Thanksgiving day. Where back in the old days, my days, everyone got the day off or most of the day off. The occasional grocery store was open for those who forgot something for their meal. Now stores are opening at 6pm and staying open over night and through the next day. If you want that deal be in the store at 6pm on THANKSGIVING!

Next week don't forget to just take a moment and really say thanks to all you have! Enjoy your family, whether you are with your entire extended family, traveling from one family to the next and having multiple Thanksgiving dinners in 1 day, we have done that, it is a very filling day. Or if it is just you and your sweet. Enjoy the day. Make a new tradition. Do something new this year and try to stick to it next year! Mine is running in my first turkey trot. With my hubby. I am super excited to do this and cross the finish line holding hands! It is a healthy activity and burns some calories that I am sure I will be eating later!

1 more week. Make it a special day.

QOTD: What do you plan on doing with your family on Thanksgiving?

How Wonderful Life Is-vol. 3

Wednesday wonderful life day again! So here it is!

This pregnancy. I am so delightfully happy that we are pregnant and were able to stay pregnant. After 8 years trying for our first, and that was with the help of fertility we thought that we would always have to go through fertility to get pregnant. We had heard the stories of people getting pregnant, who had my condition of PCOS, on their own after a first successful pregnancy. "It jump started their system" is what were were told. And we were told that it could happen to us but we never thought that it would. Well, it did. It is kind of a weird feeling knowing that I am "fixed." 3 pregnancies in 1 year is pretty good. I am just glad that the third time was the charm because honestly, I didn't know if I could go through what I went through last May. I mean if I had to I could, because what was I really going to do to save a pregnancy, but I certainly didn't want to.

It took me a while to accept the fact that I was pregnant and to celebrate it, just in case. But today I am 15 weeks and things seem to be going well. I am not sick. I have my appetite back (not such a good thing because I feel more hungry now, ALL THE TIME!) And I am still able to run pain free. (I pray that I didn't just jinx it!) I am so thankful for this pregnancy. And for the blessing of adding another little one to our family in oh about 6 months now!

My parents. My parents are awesome. I know I just said they are awesome. I am not a teen anymore so I can say that and mean it! I call them everyday or almost everyday just to talk to them. Or if I haven't called, they call me. We check up on each other. I have a relationship with them that I love. We are friends. I love having them visit and visiting them. It is really hard because they are so very far away from us, that we only get to see them a couple of times a year, but I am thankful that we DO get the couple of times a year! 

~Mason (5 months) and GMA~

~Mason (2 years) and GMA~ 

Mom is coming out next May before the baby arrives to spend some time here with Mason and will help out with him while I am in the hospital. That means so much to me. When I had Mason she stayed an extra 2 weeks to help me out because I didn't have anyone else. And that was seriously the best thing I have ever experienced. She helped me with her experience with a crying baby (since I did that a ton when I was a newborn) but she also let me figure out a lot of things on my own too. I was so sad when she left because we bonded in a different way than we had before.  It was quite amazing and I am so thankful for that.

~This is how Mason would look as a newborn screaming his head off. Pretty scary for a FTM who didn't know what the heck to do!~

~Mason (3 days) and GPA~

My daddy. Yes I am such a daddy's girl. He is awesome! He is a big bear. That's how I described him to all my boyfriends who were going to come calling at my home. He might be a tall guy but he is cuddly and nice! I call him and tell him about all my rehearsals and performances. He is so glad that I am keeping up my horn playing! I wish they were here to do their silly wave at me from the audience. It is really hard not having anyone for me in the audience but I know that if they could be here they would. I love the way Mason laughs at my dad over Facetime because my dad does a silly face or something and Mace gets this little grin of, yeah I think I like you. I love how involved they are in my life and I wouldn't change a thing. 

~Mason (2 years) showing off his jammies that GMA and GPA got him in Alaska~

There you have it. My 2 things this week! More to come for the last and final installment next week!

QOTD: How wonderful has your life been this past week?

Girly Girl!

I am, like totally, becoming a GIRLY GIRL! I am so excited and thrilled for my new find that I found the other night. I have known for awhile now what I and my teammate were going to wear for costumes for the Disney Princess Half Marathon. We are named team Brave Belles. Me as Merida (from Brave) and her as Belle. I also knew that I wanted to venture out wearing a tutu. I read that it can give you an extra little berth when running Disney races as the tutu's are so puffy and the races are so packed. I talked K into wearing a tutu, and actually just ordered hers the other day. Well, due to my pregnancy I have to wait to get mine until my belly is bigger and such.

But to top it off, it looks like I am starting the tutu thing a little early. When finding my friend's K tutu and my future tutu I found this amazing beauty!

I will be sporting it at my upcoming turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning!

 ~LOVE THE BACK PLUMAGE!~

 ~Side view~

It is the TURKEY TUTU! I love the back of it. SO CUTE! And for a top my shirt will say, "huffing for some stuffin'" I am really excited. I am so excited for my race and to run in my TUTU! Seriously, though, these are the things that get me excited now, running a race and what am I going to wear in it! So many tutu's to choose from now! 

Check out Angelina's website at Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RaceJunkie. She is super nice and so fun to talk to. (I sent her a couple of messages asking how do I measure my pregnant belly, do I have to pin the tutu to me to stay up, and such.) She had prompt response and was so nice and is very willing to work with you for you!

QOTD: Have you or would you ever run a race in a TUTU? And what was the theme if you did?

Good Eats- Vegan Baked Ziti

First off, we are not vegans, or vegetarians. We are carnivores. We like our meat in this house, but every now and then I will throw in a meatless meal. Not always a hit but this one was not a miss.

Don't let the name fool you. Vegan. Yes, Vegan. Vegan does not mean that there is no flavor and that you won't like it. Trust me! YOU WILL LIKE THIS! Because of this recipe I have found a new herb that I like to throw in various dishes now because of the black licorice taste and deep flavor it gives. Who knows what herb I am talking about???

Fennel seed! It is actually a really cool herb to use. So this recipe I found almost 2 years ago. (Still trying to find the website where I originally found it. When I find it, it will go here. Sorry!) Try this recipe out. Super healthy and super filling!

Vegan Baked Ziti w/Roasted Vegetables

• 1 lb. eggplant, peeled or not, cut into 1" cubes
• 1 large red onion, cut into 1" cubes
• 2 yellow peppers, large pieces
• 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 16 oz. ziti pasta, cooked
• 1 bunch fresh spinach, chopped ~( I used a small spinach container)~
• 1 cup non-dairy cheese, Mozzarella, grated (I like Follow Your Heart) (parm cheese works too)

FOR THE SAUCE:

• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup onions, fine chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon fennel seed
• 2 pounds tomatoes, crushed
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon organic sugar
• 1 pinch thyme
• 2 Tablespoon fresh parsley

1. Heat oven to 450F. Toss eggplant, red onion, peppers, oil and salt in small baking dish. Roast 30 minutes, stirring once or twice until vegetables begin to brown.

2. TO MAKE SAUCE: Heat oil in saucepan. Add onions and cook covered over med-low heat 10 minutes. Stir in garlic, red pepper and fennel seed; cook 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, sugar and thyme. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in parsley. (Makes 3 cups.)

3. Reduce oven heat to 400F. Toss ziti pasta with vegetables, sauce, spinach and cheese in bowl. Spread in shallow 3-quartbaking dish. Bake 20 minutes or until bubbly.

Serves 6. (we actually got closer to 9 servings because it was so filling)

Per Serving: 427 Calories; 2g Fat (5.1% calories from fat); 23g Protein; 79g Carbohydrate; 7g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 429mg Sodium.

SAHM Weekly Exercise Tips- Cleaning

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Alrighty moms! How many of us clean our house? (you don't have to raise your hand if you don't want to.) Do you know how many calories you are burning while cleaning your house? It is quite amazing actually to see that yes cleaning does burn calories. I hate cleaning. I hate having a dirty house even more so my dislike for cleaning is overruled.

So I teach piano lessons out of my house 2 days a week which means that for those 2 days a week that 3/4 of my house actually have to be clean. The main living floor: foyer, 1/2 bath, kitchen and living room where I teach and the basement need to be cleaned (that is where all the family members hang out while I teach since there are lots of toys for siblings to play with down there). I don't do a deep clean every week but I vacuum every week sometimes more than just 1 time depending on how messy Mason has been that day.

I just looked it up here a that if you weigh 165 lbs and vacuum for 60 min you have burned just shy of 200 calories. I know that doesn't seem like a lot compared to the gym and all but that is just vacuuming. Combine that with doing an in home walking DVD for 3+ miles and you are doing 500 cals a day alone in just a short amount of time. Need a little extra boost in cal burn. Run your stairs a few times too, try carrying your kid up the stairs a few times, or race them up it (as long as it is safe for you child). That will get you burning. These are all things we can do at home. Involve the kids. Make it fun. But don't stop moving!

QOTD: What other activities can you do with your kids to exercise?

Breaking The Stereotype

(source: Active.com)

One thing I have noticed over the last few weeks and this week in particular, now that I am showing, is everyone is SHOCKED that I am still running while pregnant. At the training program last Saturday people were so amazed that I could still run while pregnant. People at the gym are the same way. They all ask, "Is your doctor ok with this?" "How are you feeling?" "How long have you been running for?" And such. For so many years it was so taboo to do exercise without just sitting in a chair but to get out and actually run was FORBIDDEN!

Even recently doctors have changed their tune with what to watch for while pregnant and exercising. It used to be don't let your heart rate get above 140 bpm. But that is all done with now. Doctors say that if you have previously been running/exercising you may continue to do so. Their main concern now is with overheating and dehydration. Especially while running. And the other day I read this article here about the benefits of exercising while pregnant. And here is another great article about running while pregnant.

I think it is just so funny when I am running or exercising now to just get these looks of shock. Just you wait peeps until I am HUGE and still running. The 1/2 marathon will be an interesting sight to behold because I will have a very "out there" belly!

Rule of thumb about exercising while pregnant. TALK TO YOUR OB/GYN! Seriously. Ask them what they think. And listen to your body. You will know if something doesn't feel right. If it doesn't stop, slow down and/or try again later. 1st trimester is hard to exercise in because you are sick, sick, sick. 3rd trimester is hard to exercise in because you are huge, and getting huge-r (still walk or run though it is great for you)! So use the 2nd trimester to get back into it and just walk if you have to. But LISTEN to you body!

QOTD: What is your favorite exercise to do while pregnant?

Disclaimer: I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL! I have talked with my own doctor about what he wants me to do and continue with. These opinions are purely mine and the sites that I listed. Talk with your doctor or medical professional for help and advice on medical questions.

My Second 5k- Forest Lakes July 4th 5k

Here is another throw back Thursday. I never got a chance to recap my second 5k race.

July 4- 2013.

(Pre-Race. Not sweating or red)

OH MAN IT was hot and humid. Just heavy feeling. I was sweating before we left the gate! I had a hard time sleeping the night before again due to fears of getting lost and being the last one. When we arrived we were like the first ones there. (Great parking spot because of it but a lot of waiting around.) I saw a ton of people running and walking around. I didn't know what the heck to do. I had been in my training program for a couple of week now. Hadn't quite run 3 miles yet but I could do it. I was considering this as my long run for the week.

My friend and her husband were running in the race too, but they are speed demons and I didn't expect to run with them. My friend's hubby went out and ran 1/2 the 5k for a warm-up before the race began. My jaw hit the ground when L told me that because I thought that was crazy. But he loves to run! I had some other friends running in the race too from my training program. Janet, who is now a good friend of mine was there but she is a speed diva! (she ran with me on my 10k if you remember.)

It was time to get lined up. I milled around the back because I knew I would be in the back. Started talking to those around me. One nice lady said that she was recovering from an injury and would run with me since I was a slow runner. Thus began another great friendship. This would be Jen, who also ran with me on the 10k. She did the whole race with me. Gave me tips and pointers to do better. Encouraged me, pushed me and helped me come in at the time I wanted.

The course was beautiful. It is in this beautiful neighborhood. The hood that we wanted to live in when we first arrived in VA but couldn't afford the prices of the homes. The course took us on a footpath near one of the many lakes and rivers. It was covered in silt and shaded and very slippery. (there was a fall at the beginning of the race right next to me. and I hoped there wasn't another later.) Not too many hills to worry about except for coming out of the footpath.

My favorite part of the race is the end though. Because you know you are close to the end and you can push yourself just a little harder. I also feel like the horse going back to the barn. I feel that pull of, I am almost done, almost done. I can sit down and rest if I just get there a little faster. Jen pushed me up till the end having me run a longer split at the end to cross the finish line. I was pouring sweat, tired and I had done it. Came in the at the time I wanted to. Knocked 10 minutes off my original time from the month before! I was faster. Stronger. And crying. Yes, I cry at the finish line because I am doing something I didn't think I could do and wasn't strong enough or courageous enough to try. But I am now!

~My new running friends!~