Candy for Troops, Cash for Kids

Thankfully, here in Melbourne, we have a dentist that buys Halloween candy from kids and ships it overseas to the troops. Dr. Ron Richardson gives $1 for each pound of candy, along with a toothbrush, and a Happy Meal coupon. (I will politely decline the latter 🙂 ) If you live along the Space Coast, he is hosting this annual “party” today from 3-5 PM at his office at 1704 Airport Blvd. Last year I went in the morning and just handed the candy to them. No “rewards” were being handed out at that time, but I was just happy to see the mounds of sugary stuff disappear!

So Google your city’s name along with ‘dentist Halloween candy’ and see if you get a hit. Ditch the extra candy so the temptation is long gone !

171 Calories Zapped in 20 Minutes

My SIL and I had to change our normally scheduled long run to yesterday afternoon (glad that’s over!) which means today is my cross-training day. Circuit training is almost always my top choice for these non-running days.

I am a huge proponent of circuit training. The combination of muscle building and cardio allows a person with a busy schedule to fit in all the right moves to maximize calorie burn. This 20 minute workout from Fitness Magazine requires only a set of dumbbells. The designer of this workout, Michele Olsen, PhD from Auburn University says this:

“Not only will you burn close to double the calories — 171 versus 96 — in less time,” says Olson, “but you’ll also firm everything from shoulders to calves, so you can check off your sculpting session, too.”

This workout also has video clips to show you a complete set of each move so you can be sure you are completing each exercise correctly.

You know you can find 20 minutes either today or tomorrow to give this a try. It’s a great way to get started on a workout program, or a 20 minute fix for blasting away these 150 calorie Halloween candy treats (and then you find that you ask yourself, “Are these treats really worth an intense 20 minute workout?”):

  • 3 York Peppermint Patties- 150 calories, 3 grams fat
  • 6 Dum-Dum Pops- 150 calories, 0 grams fat
  • 3 treat size boxes of Nerds- 150 calories, 0 grams of fat
  • 6 rolls of Smarties- 150 calories, 0 grams of fat
  • 6, 3 Musketeers- 146 calories, 4 grams of fat
  • 2 fun size packs of milk chocolate M&M’s- 147 calories, 7 grams of fat
  • 3 mini Twix- 150 calories, 8 grams of fat
  • 7 Hershey Kisses- 156 calories, 9 grams of fat
  • 5 snack size Twizzlers strawberry twists- 150 calories, 1 gram of fat

From Shape Magazine, October issue

Eating For Fuel and Satisfaction

Food’s primary purpose is to fuel the body. It has taken me YEARS to retrain my brain to think of it in this way. It used to be just an indulgence for me, and I would look forward to treating my taste buds rather than treating my body. Now my body is being super-charged AND I savor and enjoy every bite! Here are some tips for helping you keep your eating and body-fueling heading down the nutritious path:

  1. Use a smaller plate. I typically use a salad plate for my protein and carb portions and then use a salad bowl for my veggies.
  2. Use a big fork. According to a University of Utah in Salt Lake City study, taking bigger bites by using a large fork creates the perception of making a large dent in your meal and thus causes you to stop eating sooner. They estimate that this reduces food intake by 10-12%.
  3. Eat mini meals. Eating 6 or so mini meals throughout the day keeps you from overeating by curbing your hunger. When you skip a meal or eat inadequately, you approach your next meal with a growling tummy, and you are very likely to eat quickly and eat too much.
  4. Plan your eating. Always have healthy snacks on hand to help keep hunger pangs at bay. Plan on having snacks (trail mix, melt-free granola/snack bars, nuts) in your car, at the office, in your purse, or wherever they are needed so you are not tempted to grab fast food, visit the vending machine, or stop by 7 Eleven. My meal planning also includes cooking enough so I have leftovers for the next day or so. Check out my “In a Flash” breakfast ideas for mini-meals that are freezable or quickly assembled and are great any time of the day. Also, there are now many all-natural freezer selections that are handy on those super-busy days.
  5.  Do NOT give into “deals”. Just because something is advertised (i.e. A Quarter Pounder for just  $1 with any value meal purchase), you have a coupon, or it is on sale, do NOT buy it if you normally would not include it in your diet. A deal is not a deal if you don’t need it! (I tell that to my husband when he goes to buy another pair of Nikes or another t-shirt. Who needs 75 tees?!)

Just as you have your work day planned so you can have the most productive day possible, your meals and eating should be planned so you can have a purposely well-fueled body.

My Cross Training Day? Community Garage Saling!

Fall is the best time of the year to have garage sales, and it is certainly prime time for community sales. These are excellent opportunities to get the family out and enjoy the weather. Saturdays are my cross training days so today I hit 3 neighborhood community sales. I probably ended up walking 2 miles or so. It’s a great way to mix things up after a week loaded with miles of running.

So what do I love about these sales?

  • Family time
  • Bargain Deals
  • Physical activity

So grab your spouse, friend, or kids, strap on a pedometer, place a wad of one dollar bills in your pocket, and hit your local community sale next weekend!

Fun Fall 5Ks

After a weekend barricaded indoors thanks to the 48 hour monsoon, I am excited about heading out the door this morning for an early run. I will be christening my new Nikes as I run through my share of puddles for sure!

As summer has turned into fall, there is no better time to get outside and train! The change in temperature and mood sets the tone for a relaxed and fun running environment. There are many themed 5Ks during autumn and leading up to Christmas. Along the Space Coast we have the Ghostly Gecko, Pumpkins in the Park, the Turkey Trot, and the Reindeer Dash. (Check out the Running Zone’s calendar for registration) Many of these events are also family-friendly with other activities associated with the race.

Here is Jeff Galloway’s 5K plan for beginners and also for those who want to improve their PR (that is “personal record” for those like my husband who thought one of his youth was referring to  “public relations” when she said she set her PR for a 5K). And never underestimate yourself! You can be running 3 miles in no time flat. Set your goal, work hard, and you will cross the finish line before you know it!

Signs You are a Marathon Runner

You know you’re training for a marathon when…

  • You have tan lines defined by a sports bra rather than a bikini top
  • Your iPhone arm strap must be washed on a weekly basis
  • You hear your kids say, “Mommy, you’re stinky,” several time a week
  • You’ve peed in the great outdoors
  • You can out eat your husband
  • You’re dog could run the race with you
  • You’ve seen 2 full phases of the moon during your morning runs and will see 2 more before race day
  • You wash your running clothes on the hottest setting
  • You walk around your house with a bag of frozen vegetables strapped to various body parts
  • Your scent of choice is eau de Tiger Balm
  • You’re very thankful for the sacrifice your family has made for you to reach your goal 🙂

Financially Fit

I’ve taken a bit of a break from my blog this week because I had some projects I had to tackle. Between changing banks, changing insurance, and just basic financial re-evaluation, I have been busy tackling money issues. I also have taken the opportunity to earn a few extra dollars (including selling my sweet hummus!). These chances must be taken advantage of when your husband has a youth pastor’s salary. 🙂 Getting all of my “bucks” in a row helps me to feel more at ease and focused. Check out Create Margin to get ideas on how to become more financially fit.

On top of this, I have been busy working on a special post for a big fundraiser for Aleyah’s school, and I will have completed 21 miles of running in four days by 8:30 this morning.

I am thankful that my husband has chosen to celebrate his 40th birthday (on the 28th) by heading to Orlando for a 2-night getaway. We will leave later today and enjoy some much-needed R&R.

I can’t wait to get back to sharing on my blog, and next week I am focusing on back-to-school ideas as everyone is settling into or starting the new school year!

Cooking Class Round 2!

Making the Chicken

We had another successful cooking class today! Here was our menu:

I loved teaching these two classes.  I am looking forward to doing it again next summer on a bit of a grander scale. Maybe a 4 day camp with cooking, meal planning, and grocery shopping…? I love being in the kitchen with kids. Cooking encompasses so many topics- math, science, culture, and art- everything that engages a child’s interest. Thank you to each child and parent for allowing me a brief opportunity to teach your child!

Sour Cream "Lipstick"

Fresh Fruit "Pizza"

A Successful Cooking Class!

Yesterday I hosted a kids’ cooking class at my house. I am not sure who had more fun- me or the 7 girls! We made our own whole wheat pizza dough, they patted out their own individual crusts, and put on the toppings. We made a tomato and carrot balsamic salad to accompany our pizza pies, and, for dessert, I grilled up some peaches and plums and served them with a dollop of cinnamon honey yogurt.

The girls had a great time with all the hands-on involvement that cooking provides. We were able to talk about the ingredients we were using and their benefits. Of course they all got a kick out of learning about fiber- I informed them that fiber keeps you pooping! Lots of laughs from that statement!

Thank you girls for making my day with your smiles, laughter, and gratefulness. You are just as wonderful as your mommies! I am definitely looking forward to doing again next Tuesday!

Summer, Summer, Summertime!

I love summer because I enjoy being able to take the extra time to do special things with the kids. Yesterday, after returning from grocery shopping, we made kabobs for lunch. For some reason, sliding food onto little sticks is very appealing to them! I gave them grilled chicken chunks, 2% American cheese, whole wheat shell pasta, mangoes, and cherry tomatoes, and they stacked their skewers with all these yummy foods!

Later, when Joel was napping, the girls joined in as I did one of the segments on Denise Austin’s Pilates DVD.  This particular segment involves some ballet moves so they were definitely into it!

Then, once Scott got home from work, we went for a swim in our friends’ pool and finished off the evening with grilled Asian pork chops (will post tomorrow), spring rolls, broccoli and red pepper stir fry, and more mango (thanks Laura!!). Needless to say, bedtime was a cinch!