Deal Time! Whole Living Magazine (10 issues) for $3.99

Get 10 issues of Whole Living magazine for just $3.99!

Click here

Hit the “Buy” button under Whole Living magazine

Enter code LIVING and then click ‘update’. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Off and Running! A Plan to Get You Going

It was April of 1997 that I gave running a shot. I started off by walking one minute, and then running one minute. I did this rotation for about 20 minutes. I followed this pattern for the first few runs, and then I extended my running intervals a bit until I eventually was running a mile before I reached my walking segment. By the time I went to FSU in August of ‘97, I was running three miles. I would leave my dorm, head across the front of campus, then back and around the stadium (home to two National Champion Teams!), and up through the center of campus back to my dorm. So began my running career. The start of it all was to lose weight, and there were many times I dreaded heading out. But now I truly love to get out there and go. It is a small snippit of time when I have no one calling out “Mom’, no one tugging on my shirt, and no demands being made of me. If you have ever thought about giving running a try, check out Runner’s World Magazine for their beginner’s running plan. It’s similar to the one that set my feet on the runner’s path.

Shoes- The Great Motivator!

There is an instant connection between lacing up my new pair of Nikes and my motivational trigger. I love trying out new running shoes for the first time.  It always pays off with a high-powered, feel-good run. Today was a gorgeous day to give my new Nike Shox a test drive. I took the risk of blisters and completed a long run in good time.

So, what is your motivation? How do you celebrate your accomplishments? I once did a 5 mile run with some ladies, and one said that she was heading off to have a large french toast breakfast to reward herself for a good run. For me, I think about how hard I just worked, and how I am not going to negate all that I just accomplished by heading off to consume all the calories I just burned. Find another way to reward yourself for achieving your goals. Whether it is escaping for an hour to read a book or magazine or buying new workout clothes, you will still feel rewarded without undoing all your success!

BTW – The best part of my run today was that, as I walked home as my cool down, I saw a familiar piece of paper on the sidewalk. I picked it up and scored a Winn Dixie ‘$5 off a $55 purchase’ coupon that I will be using later this week at Publix!! God is good! 🙂

Mambo Sprouts- Coupons and Info!

Mambo Sprouts is a great place to grab some coupons for organic and whole foods. Check out their booklet “The Messenger”. It is a great place for information regarding whole living. Enjoy!

20 MINUTES TO TONE

Since time is of the essence for me, I don’t have the luxury of devoting 30-45 minutes to weight training 3-4 time a week. So I take 20 minutes and pack it full! Upper body, lower body and core all get combined into this compact time slot, and I usually get one of these workouts in every 4-5 days. Fitness magazine often has some great 20 minute circuit training routines. These workouts involve no rest between sets, so while you are toning, you are also incorporating cardio to help burn some extra calories. This particular express workout from Fitness magazine involves quick video clips on how to perform each exercise. Search through their list and find some of the sessions that suit your goals, and then set aside 20 minutes, 2-3 times a week, to achieve those goals.

Russian Tea Cookies

Aleyah’s kindergarten class has a “Children Around the World” project due tomorrow. She chose to do Russia and, to go along with her beautiful Russian paper doll, we made Russian tea cookies. The recipe we used is from the Eating Well website. I made a few changes in the recipe. I like to use extra light virgin olive oil in place of canola oil so I get additional healthy fat. I also used whole wheat flour, and I always use unbleached flour rather than a bleached, all-purpose flour. These are a great little treat!

4 Fitness DVDs for $10

Here is a great deal on DVDs for those who don’t have a gym membership or want to try something new. The deal is for one 4-disc set for $10!! Choose from 8 options.

 

Amazon Deal + Peanut Butter

Thanks to my friend Amy for sharing the LivingSocial deal for today! Get a $20 Amazon gift card for $10! This came at just the right time because I need to order our favorite peanut butter- Peanut Butter & Co.’s Smooth Operator. They have many other wonderful, all-natural flavors too! I always make sure my peanut butter is free of hydrogenated oils/trans fat and that the label reads “peanut butter” rather than “peanut spread” (which is only 90% peanuts).

It’s All in the Name

As I considered the point of this blog, I decided to change the name to Whole to the Core. I wanted the title to encompass all the points that I want to include as I discuss a healthy lifestyle. From eating nutriously, to staying physically active, to feeding your mind and soul through God’s Word, I hope all these aspects lead to a wholeness for anyone who reads this blog. I once again am reminded of the greatest commandment- to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And so, my prayer is that you will be all that God desires you to be from the inside out.

Fries For Dinner

We love the Alexia frozen potatoes! Tonight, I made the waffle fires for the kids, and Scott and I tried the spicy sweet potato fries seasoned with chipotle pepper- YUM! Visit the Alexia Foods website and get a coupon for $1.00 off one of their products.