Liquid Sunshine Dance Party!

As I sit here this morning after my Tai Cheng workout, I am reflecting on this week.  It's been a fairly good one.  I am slowly feeling better, not as tired.  I'm a little crabbier than usual this week, but I am guessing it is just my body adjusting to the hormones and trying to get in balance.

 I'm trying to enjoy the Tai Cheng.  It's not that I don't like it, it is just so different from what I am used to doing.I'm used to jumping around like a wild woman, sweating like crazy and really working HARD.  Tai Cheng is SLOW, it is static poses, it is stretching/foam rolling/posture.  I'm trying to embrace the process and just go with it!

In my fitness challenge group, we are participating in the October Challenge.  I'm going to share the info here with you so you can join the fun!

We will follow the usual rules - Eat clean, journal your food/drink intake and your workouts, drink at least 64 oz water each day, workout 5 days per week, stretch/yoga one day per week post it here for an extra challenge and then the BIG CHALLENGE:

Week 1 - 100 pushups per day ( however you can get them done: toes, knees against a wall or counter. I don't care, just do them. Break them up into manageable increments throughout the day or do them all at once (showoff!!)

Week 2 - keep the pushups and add in 10 burpees and 20 bicycle crunches ( I know.... don't hate me!)

Week 3 - keep the first 2 weeks and add in a 1 mile walk each day ( indoors or out, treadmill or walking around your house, should take you about 15 mins)

Week 4 - keep the first 3 weeks and add in 20 tricep dips and 50 jumping jacks. (OH MY!)

Now, not everyone is at the same level, if you can't jump around like a wild person that is ok MODIFY, MODIFY MODIFY! If you need help modifying a move, please let me know and I will help you!

You have the info - will you USE it? Bwaa haaa haaa! (it is halloween month you know!)

I had a craving for carrot juice yesterday, so I enjoyed a glass of orange/carrot AKA LIQUID SUNSHINE!!! Paired that up with a little dance party for one and some cooking!  I had a blast and before I knew it my cooking was over!  FUN!

I've enjoyed the cooking challenge this week.  It's been fun to go through my cookbooks and find interesting recipes that I probably wouldn't have tried otherwise!

Yesterday I had a friend coming over for dinner, so I made turkey chili and for dessert:

Chocolate Chia Crunch Brownies from Hungry for Change.  Be sure to check out Hungryforchange.tv for the video as well.  This is a GREAT book and video!

This was an interesting recipe.  I wanted to make it dairy free, so I tried it a little differently.  It did take a little longer to cook.  Brian thought it wasn't sweet enough.  He added a drizzle of agave nectar and then was in LOVE!  We were supposed to let it cool for 2 hours in the fridge.  That didn't happen.  It was eaten right out of the pan, warm and gooey!  It was more like a souffle than a brownie but I did like it!

Gotta get busy today - chiropractor and recipe to make this morning before we head to the lake!

What good, fun plans do you have for the weekend?

Happy and Tired! A good combo!

It was a Madelyn day yesterday.  Just thinking about it makes me happy and tired!  She is one busy little girl!  We played all morning, watched a movie, had lunch with Grumpy, ran a few errands and took a nap.  We listened to princesses sing and just talked.  It was a perfect day!!!

How could I forget that we worked on cars too???  I'll be you didn't know you needed a fish net to work on cars!

For the cooking challenge, I was short on time.  So, I pulled out my go-to cookbook for quick and easy recipes.  Luckily, I had everything on hand to make ranch dip!  Since it was leftover night, it added a GREAT touch to our soup!

The Happy Herbivore is a wonderful cookbook and I recommend it to all my friends, vegan or not!  

I've missed ranch dressing, so this really hit the spot.  It was tasty and garlic-y!  Perfect for our bean soup!

Have you made changes to your diet that require you to miss a food you love?  Have you been able to find a substitute?

Madelyn tested, Nona approved!

It is Day 2 of the Cooking Challenge!

Yesterday I used my new cookbook - The Karma Chow Ultimate Cookbook.  So far, I am liking this one, but I KNEW I would!  I love Melissa Costello's cooking!

I wanted to try something a little quick and easy, so I chose the Karmic Cherry Almond Granola.  Brian and I both love granola and it is sooo expensive.  This is a GREAT alternative  and tastes WONDERFUL!!!

It turned out good - Madelyn tested and Nona approved!

I haven't even thought about what I am going to make today.  I guess I will have to get it done when Madelyn takes her nap or this evening.  Hmmmm..... which cookbook to chose and what to make.  Decisions, decisions!

Do you like to cook?  Bake?

Lauren's day!

Today is Lauren's birthday!  Happy Birthday pretty girl!!

Since it is her birthday, we got together last night to celebrate!  On each family members birthday, I will fix whatever they want for dinner and whatever kind of cake they want.  Lauren, didn't go with the usual chocolate cake with cherries!!!  (YAY! something different)

So, we had grilled pizza's and cake pops!

Luckily, I have a cake pop maker.

Just takes a bit of time, but worth it!

Lauren enjoyed them!

Everyone did, I enjoyed 3!!

Since yesterday was October 1, it was the first day of 31 days of new recipes.

I chose the Food Matters cookbook and the Potassum Balance Broth.  It is really good for the adrenals and stress related conditions and general fatigue. 

All the ingredients

The finished product.  I will put it in the blender today and made it creamier.  But, it was VERY TASTY!

Got a new cookbook in the mail yesterday - The Karma Chow Ultimate Cookbok!  Gonna find today's recipe in there!  Can't wait

It is written by Melissa Costello, a friend and   Tony Horton's personal chef.  She made delicious food.  I have had it several times and look forward to it!  YUM!

Trash Cancer!

What a great weekend!

Saturday was my #Trash Cancer party!  We had a blast, tried some delicious food and then learned how to lessen our chances of getting cancer.  Reduce toxins, make our own cleaning supplies and great recipes!  I got my kit from Trash Cancer for free for being one of the first 1000 people to sign up and let me tell you, they did a fantastic job.  Everyone went home with a goodie bag with some toxin-free cleaners and LOTS of information!

The gang (minus Robin, she had to leave a little early)

The food

Pumpkin Brownies, white bean hummus w/ veggies, sparkling apple cider, Kale soup

YUM!

The goodie bags and our homemade cleaner supplies

Sunday was spent in Grove with the in-laws.  While it is hard to see the decline, we treasure each and every moment we can spend with them.  You just never know when your time is up on this beautiful earth!  Then last night my dear friend Doris was driving through town and she stopped to see me.  We met up and all I can tell you is - I MISS THAT GIRL!  So glad we got to spend a few minutes together!  We decided that we haven't see each other for 2 years. That is horrible!!

Today is the first day of October.  This means fall, this means a new challenge for Missouri Fit Club.  If you want to join in the fun, let me know.  This is a private group on facebook and we offer encouragement, support and fun challenges and of course, accountability.


I started a new workout program today - Tai Cheng.  I think it is going to take a little getting used to, a MUCH slower pace than I usually do.  No jumping around like a wild woman, slow movements, but my legs were shaking.  Static holds mean muscle use in a different way for me!  This is going to be good, absolutely NO impact!  Perfect for this time in my life!

I've also decided that since I have a cookbook addiction ( I may need an intervention, I ordered 2 more last night...) I need to use them more often.  So, since there is 31 days in October there will be 31 new recipes I will try.  One per day....  Could be as simple as a juice/smoothie or a full meal deal!  This will be fun! I'll share with you each day what recipe I choose so you can play along if you want!

This is just one of my bookshelves in the kitchen.  I have another one in the kitchen and another one in my library and one at the lake..... see I DO have a problem!

Happy October!

Princesses for the day!

It was a GRAND day!   We got to see princesses, be princesses and have fun ALL day long!

Madelyn and I headed out bright and early to meet Memaw and Virginia at the Tulsa State Fair for Disney on Ice!  The best part - featuring Rapunzel!  Oh my, Rapunzel, on ICE SKATES!!!!

We weren't there for two minutes without having to get a Rapunzel sno-cone.  Who cares that it is only 10:00 AM, a sno cone is NEEDED!!

We HAD to get our picture in the lego Cinderella carriage.

She made out like a bandit - Miss Virginia bought her a light up wand, she got the program guides to take home, her Rapunzel cup and of course, the Rapunzel braid.... how can you not get that one?

I think my favorite part of the whole day was watching her face when she saw the princesses for the first time!

At one point, I asked her if she needed to go to the bathroom.  She insisted she did not, I was not convinced so I asked her a second time with a "Are you sure?"  She looked at me and said Nona, I am singing with Cinderella, I don't have time right now.  LOVED IT!

She was in awe of the whole thing.  We saw Tiana first, then Cinderella and then Rapunzel.  At the end all the princesses came out in their beautiful dresses and there were even fireworks.  The minute it was over, she told me she wanted to see it all again!

After the show, we headed out to get some lunch and check out the fair!

This is one of my favorite pics from the day!

We went to the petting zoo, got to pet a LOT of animals.  The deer tried to eat Memaw's shirt, twice!  Madelyn told her that her shirt was just too tasty!  Madelyn got to pet a kangaroo, goat, sheep, pig and she looked at the llama, but he was WAY TO BIG!  She didn't like him at all.  I didn't get any photos of her with the animals because she had a death grip on me after the goat poked his head between her arm and her body right after we got in there.  She liked them, but just wasn't sure enough to let go!

We checked out the expo building, saw the Indian dances and drum ring and then she wanted to go to the sheep barn.  It was a wonderful day and I can't wait to take her again!

On the way home, all the excitement caught up with her and she napped for a while.  Then she had to try on her new braid.

Everyone should have their own Rapunzel braid!

I just love that girl!

Wiggle Cars and Tai Cheng!

Miss Madelyn was here to play yesterday.  We were having a good morning, but got a call and off we went for a play date!  Wiggle cars, playing with someone else's toys and lunch in town always makes for a fun day!

By the time we got home, Mads was worn out!

We had a good day and she is so excited for Disney on Ice tomorrow.  Rapunzel on ice skates - it doesn't get any better than that!

I'm really missing my workouts.  I  LOVE, LOVE ( til my Daddy takes the T-bird away) Les Mill Pump.  But for now it just isn't doing my body good to be working out hard and steady.  So, I'm taking a break.  However, just walking isn't really doing it for me.  So, I ordered Tai Cheng.  It came in today and I'm going to play around with it over the weekend and start it on Monday.

I've not ever done Tai Chi, so I am really looking forward to this one.  Another thing I am looking forward to is that Brian MIGHT do it with me. This is a no-impact workout.  He can do that!

I'm looking at a few other workout programs, but will be keeping it simple and easy for now!  I must listen to my body first, not what my mind is telling me I should do!

So things are slowly getting better, I am having less fatigue and having a few good days!  I'm so excited.  I'm ready to feel like myself again!!!

Do you have a new workout routine?  A favorite workout program?  A wiggle car?