John's in charge!

Since my hip went out and John was diagnosed with whooping cough, we fell off the wagon. I couldn't (still can't) cook. Just getting my pants on was hard enough not to mention packing a healthy unprocessed lunch. I ordered jimmy johns instead. All that prep and planning..... I failed. I learned something though, my husband likes to help me. He will do anything I ask without complaining. He understands I am not myself. I just have ask.

Saturday, John and mom took me looking for primitives (I will blog on this hobby of mine later). We talked Nancy into going to St. Louis to hit up Trader Joes. I go to Trader Joes for staples. Nuts, seeds, natural seed or nut butters are half the price than any local store. Coconut oil and olive oils (garlic and giant extra virgin) are super affordable. We take a cooler for frozen organic fruit, hummus, and yogurts. John is obsessed with their dried spices and we get one seasoning blend called 21 salute that he buys 3-5 bottles of. We plan on going again in February if anyone wants anything we will bring back the goods.

Sunday, I made another 2 week meal planning schedule and grocery list. I sent John to Meijer with a list and coupons. Back on track and this week John is in charge. We make a good team.

Jock Goals

I have never been athletic. I played a half season of softball in eigth grade but when a bunch of girls quit the team we had two options join the other team or just quit, you see where this is going. I remember my dad loved my half season of softball. He loved trying to make me love it and loved making fun of my bestie Ericka and I for being so horrible. Secretly I've always wanted to be athletic. I mean I was in show choir and I did break a sweat on occasion singing and dancing to Footloose. I was pretty buff before my wedding. I was even running. But I never made my run a mile straight goal before I started gaining weight.

Needless to say I have set some pretty high goals for myself in 2013. As I continue, I keep setting MORE atheltic goals for myself. I should really buy that guitar and camera before I end up passed out in washington park gasping for air.

First Goal:

Brian McMillen Memorial 5K Run/Walk which is in May and another 5k in June and July.

Second Goal:

ABE'S ARMY with Carrie and John

Third Goal

Springfield Marathon Am I running a marathon? HELL no! I have no desire to run a marathon. Right now I plan on this being my second 10k but secretly I want to do the half.

Fourth Goal

Riding My Bike 25 Miles I wanted to do this a few years back but never trained. I plan on training for this once it gets warmer. I might even get some bicycle shorts depending on how big my thighs are.

The training starts with repairing my back so next week I go hard core swimming to exercise and repair my bad back. Then I will do couch to 5k.

This will all lead up to the ultimate goal over a year from now.PRINCESS HALF MARATHON

I am going to wear a tutu! Run with MICKEY!

Any advice on these adventures will be great. Running songs? Tools that will help?

I am going to be an ATHLETE!

birthday bummer

So I was bragging just this Thursday morning about how great I felt. Then as the day went on my left side got more and more irritated. I had trouble getting up and down. Friday I couldn't move so I headed to see my doctor and await to see the results as to what is wrong. While there we decided to check out John's awful cough that wouldn't go away, he was put on a slu of medication for whooping cough.

We both felt awful all weekend and all of the birthday plans pretty much fell through. We did make an apperance at my shared birthday dinner with friends but I was so out of it due to the muscle relaxers I just remember being hot, uncomfortable, and feeling really really out of it.

As I sat in pain on my birthday, knowing I would be stuck in my chair all of the day, I looked at John with sad eyes and said, "go get me a chocolate crossiant" John went and got me a chocolate crossaint from Incrediably Delicious. It was yummy but not part of my diet. Atleast it was a local unprocessed crossaint. :) oops.

I instantly began questioning all of my athletic goals due this most recent injury. But then I realized how much I want this back pain to go away forever and I have to lose weight in order to do it. So It is going to take longer but I am going to reach the goals and I will ride some form of the centinial and I will run that princess half marathon. Most importantly as a friend of mine mentioned on facebook (thank you Megan F.) Yoga will be great for this condition.

After watching the golden globes last night I came up with a new goal. To look like Jessica Alba. Woah! John would be a happy man.

Speaking of goals and fancy dresses... I have another reason to try get in great shape! April 20,2013 is the First Annual Springfield Area Arts Council Adult Prom! I am so happy to be on the Prom Committee and every aspect of planning has been so fun. I can't wait to buy a pretty dress, dance the night away, take some prom photos, and see how much we raise for this worthy organization. I encourage all of you to keep that date in mind! Plus it is always nice to have a fitness goal so perhaps buying a smaller sized party dress or suit would be a fantastic reward/motivation. I will post details on Facebook as they become available. I probably won't be borrowing Jessica Alba's dress by then but maybe that million dollar necklace?

My back problems last year were a major reason i feel 2012 was so unpleasant. I hope as the week goes on I will be back at work, perhaps swimming and reading on how to naturally strengthen, and able to cook and prep for healthy goals.

I made a birthday wish for my 31st years. Gifts I will purchase for myself through the year. My Birthday List

1. Abe's Army

2. Vitamix

3. A few Yogo Classes

4. A smaller sized prom dress

31, Busy Day Survival, and John Sivak for the WIN!

Today I realized... OH CRAP! My birthday is Saturday. I am not that excited about it this year. I guess that is part of the getting older bit. Maybe I will be able to avoid cake and booze. Fingers Crossed. We are saving money by not buying me gifts. NO Cake? No booze? No presents? and I get to be 31! No wonder I am blocking it from my memory.

Today was a busy day. I had an appointment to get to at 1:00pm so I didn't get a chance to eat lunch. I had intentions of waking up early and making a big breakfast to hold me over but that didn't happen either. So I made a big smoothie to get me through and it was the best smoothie ever. I really think I should open up a smoothie stand. Investors? Let me break down that smoothie and WHY i picked each ingredient.

ALMOND MILK heart health, good source of iron, protein (not lots but some) and vitamin B!

SOY YOGURT heart healthy, good source of iron, vitamin D (which I am defeciant in)

BERRIES low calorie, high in vitamin C, and good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium

SPINACH full of vitamins and minerals. Just eat the damn spinach.

FLAX SEED contain fiber, vitamins, minerals and healthy omega-3 fatty acids and also help restore hormonal balance.

AVACADO BEST THING TO ADD TO SMOOTHIE. TASTE SO GOOD! plus rich in monounsaturated fatty acids that improve your blood cholesterol levels and may also help you control blood sugar levels. They also contain fiber, minerals, B-complex vitamins, and vitamins C and E

This got me through a day of no time to eat. AND I DO NOT SKIP MEALS!

I came home and made chicken meatloaf. Don't ask, it looked good but it was weird. I can't be the best cook ever all the time. Yesterday I made chili, I didn't even use canned beans, I soaked those beans, I used whole tomatoes, It was the best.

John Sivak has been a real champ. He is currently drinking HERBAL TEA! No Milk No Soda and in two weeks he will be sans crystal light when I buy him this...DRINK MIX

John is really winning at this lifestyle change. I am so proud. I haven't heard him complain about acid reflux either. 2 days and already cured. After a busy, exhausting day I rewarded myself with zero calories of....

On a budget....let the games begin.

Yesterday was suppose to be our first day of Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Unprocessed, Healthy on a Budget Eating. But the flu/colds came through this house and we have not had the time or energy to plan for anything. Lucky for us we were still armed with some food left in the house from our pre christmas grocery shopping last pay day and ordered Jimmy Johns yesterday for lunch. HOWEVER! Last night I went through our meat and realized we have enough to feed us for two weeks. So I went to my iPad and meal planned for two weeks. I looked through meijer's weekly ad and then signed up for mPerks. So much produce and lots of organic produce. HOLY MOLY!

Mperks are awesome you go online, sign up, "cut your coupons"(just click on them) and then when you buy your deals you just put in your phone number/pin and you save with those coupons. Go sign up NOW! MEIJER mPerks!

I had 100.00 to spend for two weeks of food with no wiggle room to eat out because we will be out of town on Friday/Saturday.

GOOD DEALS: I got a natural whole chicken for 4.50 which I will use for dinner tonight and then in 2 soups. I got a bag of avacados for 1.50. The coupon said organic but I am not sure if they are. I have paid that for 1 avacado. four? DEAL! Most of my produce was organic. I did not get any processed foods. My eggs were organic and I got a roast for dinner next sunday on sale. Along with some pretty impressive prices on sweet potatoes and organic peanut butter.

I spent 91.00 And being as I had household items on my list I can say I spent about 80.00 in groceries which is 20.00 UNDER budget. I saved 11.00 in mPerks and even more by planning with the ads.

40.00 a week on healthy food for 2 people is pretty impressive. We did have lots of frozen meat though. Next time will be a REAL challenge.

I also threw out all of our processed food in the pantry/fridge. GOOD BYE frosting, canned soup, Hot Cocoa mix, chocolate syrup, powdered parm cheese, and soon candy canes.

I could not with good reason get rid of our butter, cheese, or sour cream as none of it is processed and we will just phase that out this week and start completly dairy free as we get rid of that.

John already had a, "where is the parmesan cheese?" moment looking for the powder stuff.. he looked upset but swore he wasn't. He agreed.

And we still have NO IDEA what he is going to drink. He is insistant he will drink crystal light NOT water. I guess it will be a learning experience all the way through.

My budgeting ideas were encouraged by reading 100 Days on a Budget blogger of 100 days of real food spent less weekly than she would get on food stamps and bought unprocessed, natural food. Pretty fun read.

RESOLUTIONS

Starting over is the theme for this year. 2012 I was unhealthy, financially unstable, unhappy, and unable to get pregnant. Over the past several weeks i have made very detailed orriented goals to make 2013 the best year ever.

1. Cut out processed foods. Inspired by this blog 100 Days of Real Food I have gotten great,simple ideas to make this transistion easy for the two of us. The best part is John is on board for this. This will begin on Saturday Jan 5th (after payday and we go through more of the pantry).

2. Fertility Diet. Basically No Gluten, No Dairy. Once again John is on board. This will be harder for him than me. He loves milk more than a new born babe. My inspiration came from a book recommendation from a friend who knew the hard year we had. It was a great read. Here is a link to the blog from the author which contains lots of information as well. Naturally Knocked Up

3. Take up cycling. I like riding my bike. I want to do the century this september. NOT 100 miles. heck no.. not ready for that kind of booty pain. Maybe 25 miles.

4. Start training for my 1/2 marathon in Feb of 2014, Disney Baby (14 months thats like getting a mile in a month). Which will require me to do a 5k THIS year to prepare maybe a 10k ?

5. Learn to play a musical instrument ( i am thinking guitar) I should probably get an instrument. Basically I want to be a 31 year old version of my bestie...

6. Build up a savings and pay of debt. BIG sigh of relief after this year. John's new job has been the biggest blessing and other things are happening. SIGH OF RELIEF!

7. Learn to crochet. My grandma was the best in the state, literally won awards. I have always wanted to learn her skill and she tried to teach me, I gave up after mastering a chain of yarn.

8. Audition for Muni. This literally just requires me to sign up for a time and show up. I should probably learn a song and practice too, and I of course will, but as a first time audtioner and someone who is TERRIFIED of auditioning, showing up will be the hardest part.

9. Yoga for body and mind.

10. Bye Soda. I am crying as I type this.

11. Peace Out caffeine. I gave this up months ago. EASY!

12. I am getting a nice camera so I want to learn from my friends/family members on how to capture this amazing year on film. Won't you be my photo subject?

13. Wear make up, do something to my hair, and get totally fashionable. Instead of the insecure, lazy blob I have been. All of these will help with my overall goals to be healthier, happier, and hopefully pregnant. Which is the biggest hope of the year. 2013, be kind.