running :: tips + tricks

This post is for serious runners ;) 

 Just before Mother's Day last year I saw a poster for a Mother's Day 5k and having completed my raw & running challenge just before finding out I was pregnant (alongside my 3 sisters-in-law) I thought, hey, this might just be perfect timing post baby for all 4 of us to participate in a 5k celebrating this year of joint motherhood.

So, 6 weeks post baby found me back on the saddle, er, treadmill...making my way to running 3.1 miles.

I am NOT a runner, but I do enjoy having had run...feeling a sense of accomplishment and strength...plus I'm just really sweaty and red-faced and feel like I've gotten a pretty good cardio workout in a relatively short amount of time.

In an effort to encourage my sisters-in-law I sent them an email of tips & tricks and thought others (perhaps those recovering from labor & delivery) might find them useful or entertaining...these are not for the easily embarrassed!

1. Wear a panty liner...you may not have regained all control of your bladder (thanks Rachel for this tip ahead of time)
2. Wear a really supportive sports bra...skimping on this had me switching hands the entire time holding those things that go into a sports bra that are quite a bit heavier due to breast feeding...not a good look
3. Don't wear panties with lace...I completely got chaffed and it was totally unnecessary :(
4. Don't answer your phone on the treadmill. Though it will make the time pass quicker, it's bound to make your total time longer- I do love you though Jane!
5. Don't throw out your back doing things around the house on your off day...this will likely throw off your whole workout plan, at least for a week.
6. Don't wear shorts.  If you're going to wear shorts...vaseline the parts where your thighs touch...or better yet...don't wear shorts (at least that's how I felt when I saw my reflection!)
7. If you're on a treadmill watch tv....and if you have an iphone there are plenty of apps (netflix, abc, nbc- please let me know if you know more)...I totally need a show to keep me distracted and it's better if you've seen other episodes and are familiar with the characters. I've run outside once and listened to a show and found it just as engaging...music does NOT cut it for me.

I've definitely been making progress...I started out running a mile and tried to beat my time each gym visit, then upped it by a quarter mile after I had completed it 5 times...I was also run/walking 3.1 miles every other visit...but that kind of got boring so I'm now running for 20 minutes and trying to get to 2 miles in 20 min. (I'm at 1.81) then I figured I'd bump it up a minute or two...or switch it up altogether...I have to keep it interesting or my brain will tell my body to stop- running is a total mind game for me.  I'm hoping to brave Green Lake one of these days when it's sunny and I'm feeling confident.

You may or may not see more running posts from me but I definitely thought I should document this season in my life in some way ;)

What do you want to do tonight?

Am I the only one that finds themselves asking this question and often answering it with wasted hours spent on the computer, phone, or in front of the tv? I have to admit, sometimes I'm just plain bored.

One of my favorite things to do when I'm feeling like life is stagnant is to brainstorm ideas and give myself some guidelines...I'm more creative with boundaries, what can I say?

Thus, our evening guidelines were born. (I say guidelines because you've got to be flexible)

Sunday- Redfin search.  We are always on the look out for our forever home and although the idea of moving stresses me out I feel like part of being a good wife to Jeff is indulging him in this and trusting that he's not going to move us to Timbuktu.
 
Monday- Jeff and I trade off having time out with friends (usually after dinner).

Tuesday- Home improvement, which can be as simple as cleaning a bathroom or hanging a picture.

Wednesday- Themed dinner night.  And to make this more interesting we've decided to go through the alphabet. (I'm telling you, I get more creative with self-imposed structure.)  We are also attempting to learn French using Rosetta Stone and if we're ever really going to do it we need to put it on the calendar...unfortunately, we haven't followed through with this one yet.

Thursday- Wesley's choice, within reason. He works a little better with options but I think this could get interesting in the future.

Friday- Tech free, no TV, no phones, no computer. This is so liberating!

Saturday- Free day!

(this photo was taken on our "A" theme night where we dined on Alaskan King Crab, salmon, asaragus and baked Alaska for dessert...it was so much fun and really delicious. We've been thinking of ways to have crab work for all the alphabet ;))

I think it could be fun to mix this up every month or so.  Keep the things that work...I love the themed dinner and tech free night so they'll be staying for awhile.  So, while I was in the brainstorming mood I came up with a few other ideas.

- Sports night or family workout...Wes has some 2lb dumbbells that he likes to use.
- Dance party & music night.
- Science project night.
- Raw or vegan dinner
- Purge & clean
- Art night
- Movie & popcorn
- Pinterest night...find something fun on pinterest and go for it!
- BBQ & picnic

The possibilities are endless and I've already seen the positive effects for our family.  Being creative and intentional together really helps answer the "what do you want to do tonight?" question in a truly enriching way.

If anyone happens to do this already or feels inspired please do share your ideas so I can incorporate them as well.  Happy planning!

R&R

In January I challenged myself to 4 weeks of RAW & RUNNING. Yes, I did say raw (as in food)...and no, I'm not crazy...I just enjoy a good challenge and when I saw THIS book at the library I felt inspired to change my thinking about the food I put into my body. And while I was thinking about my body I might as well try my hand at something I typically despise...running.

Thus began my adventure into eating a ton of fruit, veg, and nuts and heading to the gym 5 days a week to increase my running strength and stamina. Honestly, both aspects of this challenge increased my strength and stamina; emotionally and physically.  I have to say, this is probably the best I've felt in years.  And boy did I feel disciplined.  I definitely realized I work better when things are black and white...so I made a "rule" (and I failed on occasion) that I would eat all raw except for one splurge a week (we're talking El Gaucho splurges) and I started my running at 1 mile (yep, I want to achieve my goals) increasing it by a quarter mile each week.  I'm happy to report that I'm up to 2 miles and though this may seem like small beans to a runner this is a HUGE deal for someone like me and I can't remember if I've ever been able to do this consistently in my life...yep, life.

The goal wasn't to lose weight, though if that happened I wouldn't mind terribly seeing how these last 5lbs of baby weight never really came off (Wes is 3).  I simply wanted to feel healthier...and I did! At one point Jeff told me that I seemed more confident, more energetic...one morning as I whipped up a raw smoothie in my gym  clothes he actually called me a "rockstar"- gee, that felt good!

I don't have a ton of tips if you are interested in this raw lifestyle...but I do think it's helpful to have the following kitchen tools: good blender, food processor, and a spiralizer (this thing changed my life...I didn't just have to have salads...it felt like I was eating pasta). I think it's helpful to have a friend or two that are interested in doing it with you.  My best friend, Jane, took the challenge too and Alisha did her own thing which she recaps beautifully HERE.  Thankfully raw is becoming more available...I mean fruit & veg have always been around but if you're going all raw then you'll probably want some snack food and you can find a ton of stuff readily available from Amazon.  These are a few of my favorites (1) (2) (3).  You don't have to feel deprived- I didn't!

Two of my quick favorites were a zucchini primavera...I spiralized the zucchini and served it topped with tomatoes, pinenuts, onions, basil, olive oil, and nutritional yeast (not technically raw but a really yummy cheese substitute and my new favorite popcorn topping)...this meal is delicious!  The second thing I enjoyed was frozen banana ice cream...frozen bananas blended in a food processor until smooth (add a tiny bit of water if you're having trouble) topped with chocolate sauce (maple syrup mixed with coconut oil and raw cacao powder- addictive!) and crushed almonds, fresh strawberries...add things to your hearts content.  The great thing about eating a raw meal is that you don't feel that heavy, tired, sometimes, bloated feeling after you eat...partially because the foods natural enzymes haven't been cooked out and it doesn't take as much effort for your body to digest the food.  I could really go on and on, but if you're interested in hearing more about my experience just let me know...my brother-in-law will tell you this is all I talked about for a month!

So, here I am 1 full week off the raw diet and I have to admit...I miss it, I kind of feel yucky and I'm craving raw food...but I'm also feeling lazy and without the initial excitement and energy needed to really do the meal planning so that you're not stuck with carrots and apple slices...I'm trying to find my happy balance.  I'm also continuing the running, though not as frequently I will definitely be going as often as possible and continue to creep up on the mileage.  I'm kind of dreaming of doing a 5k this year, but I don't want to commit yet.

If you're interested in learning some basics and want to transition into eating more raw I would recommend THIS book.  Good luck!

Thank you also for reading this post (if you made it to the end). This was such a huge part of the beginning of my year (hence the lack of posts) that I just really wanted to get it all out there!

Next year...

...I'm doing this.

pose.

shoot.

print.

cut.

stuff with yummy lollipop.

 

{is it weird that I have someone else's kid on my blog? thanks design mom.}

Violet Magpie

Last month I had the privilege of photographing the gorgeous creations of my beautiful and talented friend, Jen.  The genius behind violet magpie.  We spent the half day together enjoying each others company without the presence of little ones...playing with her vintage and handmade treasures.

If you're a Seattle local you can find her jewelry and feather hair clips at the pretty parlor, velouria, and the finerie.  They'd make a perfect holiday gift for someone special!

I can never get enough of her stuff...it's addicting.  It's amazing what a little sparkle can do for your self-esteem.  I'm one lucky gal to have her as a friend (not to mention to take photos for trade- thanks Jen!)

So, I've been keeping busy...and now I'm just trying to finish up all my christmas shopping and spend some quality time with my boys.  Hope you're all having a good week!

looking forward to...

...the day Wes is creating a ton of artwork, so that I can create my own collage. Don't you just love this miniaturized artwork poster (not to mention that adorable yellow chair)? It's a genius idea to preserve, minimize and display your child's art.

It can be found here, but I think my pocket book (prices range from $750-$1500) would prefer to make my own version.

I'm Ready...

...for some sun, some snow...but please, no more rain!

There's a QFC opening near our house and when I drove past it this evening on my way to the ridiculously over-packed gym I thought "hey, maybe Wes and I can walk here tomorrow" (I know, way too exciting of a day planned)...but then the rain, yuck. no thanks! now, what to do when you're stuck inside...

I know, shop! I finally caved in and purchased something from this incredible shop. I couldn't resist it....I could seriously have one of everything, in every color...but I settled for one. So you see? I'm being sensible!


What's keeping YOU busy indoors? Or are you braving the soggy Seattle weather?

Speaking to me Today

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive
them anyway. If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish,
ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win
some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are
honest and frank, People may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build
anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, They may be jealous; Be
happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget
tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may
never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see,
in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between
you and them anyway.

Mother Teresa

Feeling Inspired

I can't remember which blog I was looking at that pointed me in the direction of this granny square beauty...thus I don't know how to look it back up :(

However, the color in this has made me want to pick back up my crochet hook and relearn how to make these gorgeous squares! I haven't crocheted in years...but I used to love it once, pre-sewing days...and once again the idea of it is quite appealing.

Perhaps others of you would want to join me? We could get together once a month with our yarn and hook?