My role model (mom) turns 88....

WooHoo.  She's turning 88 and I can hardly keep up with her!  My mom and I are spending a weekend in NYC to celebrate Mom's Day, her birthday and all other happy occasions we can come up with. 

We arrived Thursday afternoon.  My hotel of choice went over the top this time - PENTHOUSE - 2 BEDROOM SUITE upgrade. 

If that isn't enough, we arrived at the suite to find a veggie platter, cheese platter, 3 platters of SWEETS and a bottle of champagne.  How cool is this?!  Mind you, my mom is wondering how did I pull this off and perhaps I'm a secret Rock Star or something.  Nope none of that, just fortunate to have nice friends.....in the hotel biz!

Our first evening we attended a charity dinner and theater - The Addams Family with Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth.  It was entertaining enough and just looking at Nathan Lane's face keeps me laughing.  Today we have a full day planned - workout, lunch, museum, dinner & theater again with friends. Tomorrow is another full day - workout (every day of course - mom's a fan of the tmill and bike!), outdoor art/craft show, more museums and dinner @ a veggie restaurant I hear is fabulous.  Short day on Sunday of working out, lunch and home. 

The weather is spectacular.  Hear it's even forecasted to reach the 80's tomorrow.  No matter, it won't get in our way.  We are two girls on a mission to have a great time in NYC!  Like mother, like daughter!!!!!

The Dirty Dozen OR Clean 15

Some where along the way last year, I decided low calorie wasn't good enough.  I wanted low calorie AND healthy, nutritious food.  I can't remember when this interest started; Dan probably can I'm sure of that.  He'll remember when the barrage of questions started. :-) I began reading everything I could get my hands on and became more and more confused as I went.  There is SO much information out there and much of it is contradictory so who do I believe.  What's a girl to do?!

I still feel this way on many days but the one thing I'm solid on is buying organic.  At this stage (beginning healthy eater), I am picking my shots.  And just like I picked sunscreen vs. makeup for now, organic is it for me.  I buy organic whenever I can for several reasons - 1). pesticides (why the &^%$# would I want that in my body) and 2). organic tastes better!

 I've been following the dirty dozen lists.  A new one just came out - check out EWG's 2010 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides.  This organization is awesome! 

The most amazing weekend.......

I'm back from NYC and my head is spininng (again).  It often does this after a school (IIN) weekend.  This past weekend was the most outstanding.  My mind was really opened up for lots more research and experimenting.........

We heard from so many incredible people - all who are not just experts in their fields, more importantly all these people are TAKING ACTION. 

Some were former IIN grads - a NYC public school principal from The Marie Curie School in NYC who is changing the world one school at a time; a teacher/mother who started Wellness in Schools; an attorney who's daughter spoke @ a hearing on school lunch programs.  Incredible, inspiring - all of them. 

We also heard from some well known experts - WOW!

John Douillard - Dr. Douillard has been teaching Ayurvedic medicine, natural health, fitness, and nutrition internationally for 22 years.  I knew nothing @ the concepts of Vata, Pitta and Kapha and boy do I have some interesting research ahead of me.  I have an Ayurvedic questionnaire if anyone is interesting in finding out where they fall. 

David Wolfe - He's leading the Raw Foods revolution.  David is considered one of the world’s top authorities on natural health, beauty nutrition, herbalism, chocolate, and organic superfoods. You wouldn't believe the smoothie he made in class - I'm clueless and again lots more research to do.  I need to get my "jing" going! 

David Katz - "Act with feet & forks not stethoscopes & scalpels"!  He's international authority on nutrition, weight management, and the prevention of chronic disease; internationally recognized leader in integrative medicine and patient-centered care.  I expected a typical MD approach and was pleasantly surprised and pleased - check out thefuntheory.com and rfrk.com.  More cool stuff.

I'm sure anyone that reads this can see why my head is spinning and I'm psyched.  This was the best school weekend and it reinforces that I'm doing the right thing for me in continuing my education around nutrition/healthy living and pursuing my Health Coach passion! 

A walk in the park....

Central Park that is....!!!  I woke up to a beautiful day yesterday.  Had a quick coffee and headed out the door.  I first got a glimpse of Colin Powell in my hotel lobby.  I posted this on FB and got a few interesting responses. 
As I hit the street, the clear, fresh air was glorious.  I was still not feeling so hot and thought some exercise would make me feel better.  Got that from my mom!  She always says "get going and you'll feel better."  I hadn't done cardio since Sunday.  I decided to take it easy with a fast stroll through Central Park.  Forgot my music so it was me and all around me!  IT WAS WONDERFUL.  OMG, the school kids in groups, nannies pushing the strollers, biz people bustling to work, tourists galore, dog walkers, cyclists, runners and people like me just enjoying the morning. 

I stopped periodically to take a few shots and other sights I simply stood in obervation.  I discovered new areas of Central Park that I'd never seen before.  It is such a great park! 

It wasn't life in the fast lane for me so I thought this banner held a nice contrast and set the pace for my day. 

Can you see the seal?  He was stretching for us.  How cute.  I've never been to the Central Park Zoo.  May have to do that one day. 

 

Simply the color against the black/white of the city is neat to me. 

Enjoy a little of Central Park. 

Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!

HAPPY EARTH DAY - 2010!

"Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day."

Not sure how I'll be "taking action" today.  I'm interested to see what's going on in the city today (NYC). 

This week I've been thinking @ things I WILL start/continue to "do my part" ongoing.  It seems so overwhelming like my lifestyle changes (diet, exercise), I'm breaking it down into baby steps.  I read in the Sunday AJC that Target set up recycle bins.  Glass, aluminum and plastic - I'll separate my plastic and haul it to Target.  (It's too far to walk so I'll have to drive).  I have to start recycling my newspapers and stop throwing them in the garbage!  That's a must.  Bring my own bags to Whole Foods.  I have the bags but always forget them.  OK so here's my start - recycle plastic & newspapers and reuse my own bags @ supermarket.  Simple so I think I can stick with this.  Throughout the day, I hope I'll come up with a longer list.........

What are you doing on Earth Day?

Down for the count..........again!

I've never had an allergy problem in my life but this season is kicking my ass!  This is the 2nd time this season I'm out of it.  It's unreal and awful.  Ugh, I now understand what all the allergy complaining is about.  Stuffed up, congested, achy and all out feel like shit. 

Enough said.....My friend text'd me last night a remedy to try so I'm on it.  Breaking out those essential oils - inhale peppermint & lavender 1x hour - drink thieves (clove, rosemary, cinnamon), lemon & honey in hot water - rub thieves on feet day & night - neti pot (don't own one, never done that).  Gotta run cause got some allergy fighting to do. 

Before I sign off, rather than repeat, I wanted to share a post I read today from Weighty Matters - Susan G. Komen for the Cure doesn't understand breast cancer.  Check out Yoni.  Would love to hear some thoughts on this?!

It's a TWO POST day....

Not often does this happen so today is one of those rare occasions.  Today was a wonderful, beautiful, sad, inspiring kind of day.  So many different things & emotions..... 

I was up early; the sun was coming out and it looked like it was going to be a pretty day.  I had a quick, yummy breakfast - whole wheat bread, topped w/cottage cheese and a slice of swiss cheese on top - in the toaster oven to warm/melt the cheese and toast the bread + a banana.  Yummie!!!  Waited an hour and then out the door for my morning run.  I ran through Piedmont Park as the exhibitors were waking up, having coffee and beginning to set up for the last day of the Dogwood Festival.  It was quiet and wonderful.  I had to cut my run/walk short because I was going to my uncle's unveiling today.  That was my next stop.

My uncle died of Alzheimer's last July and today was his unveiling.  It was family only and ironically his grave lies beneath an apple tree - this was his favorite.  My cousins said the appropriate blessings and then.........my niece spoke.  She is 21 years old, high functioning down syndrome.  I always love and admire her but today she spoke with ease and grace and it blew my mind.  She said what everyone was thinking but too teary to talk.  She loves to color and created a book in her grandfather's memory.  She read her book.  First a letter to her grandfather where she described the "team" of herself and her grandmother and hopes he was doing OK.  She's a riot!  Her next letter was to G-d thanking him for having a grandfather such that she had.  This was signed "your partner."  Strip away all the pretensions, apprehensions and BS and this is what you have....a caring, loving soul.  I'm still teary!  And lucky to have such a great kid around! 

I recovered from the unveiling, ran home to conduct a Health History with a fellow blogger volunteer.  What an incredible experience and THANK YOU (you know who you are and I won't use your name cause didn't get your permission)!  How cool is it that you can connect so much with someone you've never met except online in the blogging community.  I accomplished my "school work" but more importantly I got to know someone new.  It's so cool!

Next I had to get back to the Park quickly before closing because I saw something on my a.m. run that blew my mind and I needed to take a photo............so here it is!!!!  FRIED CANDY BARS.  WTF is this?  Come on, this is disgusting not to mention so bad for us.  I so wanted to ask them how many they sold but it was so crowded.  Not sure if the crowd was buying the cheesesteak, fluffy fries or the fried candy bars?  Either way, can you imagine this crap going in your body?!  I was so traumatized by it, I had to come home and have a vodka!  Now we're talking!!!!!

Planks!

Nope I'm not talking @ installing planks in my home, nor walking the plank.  I'm talking the exercise..........PLANKs.  Dan had me doing those again yesterday.  OMG, my ribs are sore today.  This photo isn't me cause - #1 I wouldn't be wearing no crazy short shorts! and #2 you'd see tears dripping down my cheeks (not the butt ones)!!!

So what's it all @ - the PLANK hoopla? Why am I friggin doing these?  Didn't take much research to learn why/how these killer planks are good in the end.  They strengthen my ab muscles and work my core muscles -- back, hips, etc.  OK, this I need cause it helps me keep my balance (prevent falling! - love that), helps me in my running and all kinds of other stuff. 

So I guess....there's gain to this pain.  Get over it and keep movin!!!!

The Beauty of the Beast

The Beast being the Internet that is...the WorldWideWeb!  When did you become aware of the Internet? 

In 1999, I was the head of HR for a company that was acquired and all our corporate office employees (including myself) were loosing their jobs.  At the time, I remember hearing talk about job postings on "the Monster Board."  I really didn't pay much attention.  Six months later, I returned to Atlanta and began working with my now business partner.  Note:  In 1991, this guy had a McInstosh (yep, now what we simply call Apple) computer on his desk.  No one else knew what it was but he did all kinds of cool stuff.  You can tell where this is going.....he introduced me to the WWW (handheld devices too - we had Palms back then).  He said you have to subscribe to Mindspring; it's the coolest, newest provider.  OK, I didn't go the AOL route and went with Mindspring. 

I started with emails, junk mail, online shopping and quickly moved to research (for work and play) then directions, phone numbers (not sure when the printed phone books went out) and online bill paying.  And now is it just about everything - movies, TV, music, phone calls (VoIP and Skype), networking (LinkedIn, Yelp, Facebook, MySpace of the days ago), blogging and the list goes on. 

Is the world sort of getting smaller?  Recently I reconnected with an old roommate.  I hadn't talked to her in 30 years.  It was amazing to catch up.  I'm on LinkedIn, FB and I love Yelp.  A couple people found me on Yelp and have reached out to connect on some stuff.  People I probably would never have known otherwise.  It's SO cool.  My niece was in Israel for a couple months.  I kept up with her on FB and was more connected to her than her parents.  They were always shocked I knew what their daughter was doing in Israel.  I kept saying the Internet....!!!!

I'm curious how others use the Internet in cool ways.  How do you use it?  What is next for us? 

Sunscreen - how do I choose?

I should think @ this all year but frankly haven't until recently.  In my teens and into my 20's and 30's, I was a sun worshiper.  I loved the beach (still do!) and would sit out all day with NO sunscreen.  I grew up in the era of using baby oil + iodine.  Not only would I never do this now, I try to limit my "laying out" to the early part of the day and I use sunscreen - all over.  This has most recently been top of mind because of my running.  Plus I'm paying close attention to what I'm putting IN my body, should what goes ON my body get equal attention?!  I need to get it together. 

Next I Google suncreen and sit back.....TOXINS!  Holy @^%$#!  I can't even pronounce these words which is my first tip.  But there's more.

It's reported that some sunscreen ingredients absorb into the blood and some are linked to toxic effects. Some release skin-damaging free radicals in sunlight, some could disrupt hormone systems, several are strongly linked to allergic reactions, and others may build up in the body or the environment.  Look for the following; read the labels, do some research and use discretion.  Just look at these words!  UGH!

 -Benzophenones (dixoybenzone, oxybenzone)
 -PABA and PABA esters (ethyl dihydroxy propyl PAB, glyceryl PABA)
 -p-aminobenzoic acid padimate O or Octyl dimethyl PABA)

 -Cinnamates (cinoxate, ethylhexyl, p-methoxycinnamate)

 -Salicylates (ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate, octyl salicylate)

 -Avobenzone (butyl-methyoxydibenzoylmethane; Parsol 1789)

 -Digalloyl trioleate

 -Menthyl anthranilate

 -Propylene Glycol: Called a humectant in cosmetics, it is industrial antifreeze, and the major ingredient in   brake and hydraulic fluid. - YIKES!

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are thought to be two of the safest sunscreens. Instead of being absorbed into the skin (and other body organs) to react to ultraviolet light so that the skin does not burn, they keep the light from penetrating the skin in the first place.  

I checked out sunscreen products using the Environmental Working Group's 2009 Sunscreen Guide.  What a great tool.  There's a great, hot summer ahead and preparation is key.  Got my hat and going sunscreen shopping this weekend.  I think I'm ready.........

Carbs - Friend or Foe?

Last night I went to listen to a speaker, a registered dietician and I'm not sure what else because she didn't give us anything with her name on it, her bio, etc.  Hmmm.  Nevertheless, she spoke to a small group of women on Carbohydrates.  She called it "Just the Facts" but it was laced with lots of her professional opinion which was great. 

She talked about simple and complex carbs; portion size, etc.  Her position on Carbs was - there are NO bad Carbs only good or better.  EVERYONE should eat carbs - 45 carbs at every meal (3x day) and 15 carbs at every snack (3x day). 

The EVERYONE bothers me so I asked, do you believe EVERYONE should follow this recommendation or is it individual to the person, know your own body?  Her reply was basically this recommencation/guideline is for EVERYONE. 

I have some concerns with this....I think she saw it on my face (not too good @ hiding my thoughts and that's OK).  I'm not sure if it's who I am or my years in professional leadership roles, Human Resources, or my training from IIN but I'm not sure there is much in this world that is the same for EVERYONE.  This goes for food intake too. 

There are so many "recommendations/guidelines" out there that a person could go nutso!  Eat carbs, don't eat carbs, high protein, veggie, vegan, non-dairy, omega 3, antioxidants, fish oil - how does a person know what to do? Try things and LISTEN TO YOUR OWN BODY!  How does your body respond?  Feel good, energy, low energy, gassy, constipated, sleepy????

For me Carbs are my Friend as long as I eat them before 4ish.  I don't eat Carbs at dinner time or after except in fresh fruits.  They are Foe late in the day and certainly don't work well when I'm trying to lose weight. 

So.... are Carbs Friend or Foe? 

The chain gang.....

How often do you get the chain emails that say for health, wealth, great things will happen.....if you pass this on?!  I get them all the time like most of us and honestly, I rarely read them and/or pass them on.  If it's short and has pictures, I'll sometimes read and maybe pass it on. 

Last night, I received "To A Beautiful Person" chain email.  It met my criteria (especially when I'm tired), short and pictures so I read it and this one I forwarded.  I loved it.  It was funny and thought provoking at the same time.  It ended as I will end this post with a quote from the talented and graceful Audrey Hepburn.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

How can I lose weight?

Can you say - bathing suit season!  The media is bombarding us with a gillion ways to lose weight, get thin fast, have incredible bodies, etc.  In these ads, I haven't seen much regarding getting healthy, staying healthy or if the product will even damage my health?!  Hmmm. 

I googled "diets" and it returned 19,900,000 results - that's 19 MILLION results.  As compared to googling "lose weight" which returned 43 MILLION. 

Over the last week, I've been thinking @ possible ways to lose weight:

• Diet Pills - Alli
• Supplements
• Drinks / Powders
• Surgery - bypass
• Fasting
• Lipo
• Some sort of spa treatment where they wrap you in plastic
• "Diets" - Atkins, South Beach, Grapefruit, Mediterranean, Lose Weight Fast, Detox, Flat Belly, Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, Celebrity and millions more
• Exercise - can you lose by exercising and not change eating?
• Lifestyle change - what I eat, how often I eat, portion sizes, exercise, fun activities.......

The Health Coach in me is bothered (I guess cause there's so much of it right now) by all the "stuff" screaming and in our faces @ quick solutions.  What are the lasting results of these?  Are they positive / Does the weight stay off?  And perhaps more importantly, are the longer term results damaging? 

I was talking to someone the other day who went the bypass route a few years ago.  She reduced over 100 lbs.  Two years later, she says her health is not good.  Are these two connected?  Does one lipo lead to two, three...?  

I chose the lifestyle method.  Slow, steady, healthy and lasting!  I didn't make it into a bathing suit the 1st summer and not yet where I want to be for the 2nd summer but I'm working on it every day.

The Heart Rate........

What's it all about?  There is resting, recovery, training, target, normal, healthy and on..........For the first 50 years, I was simply glad I had a heart rate/beat.  Over the last year, I've learned more @ the importance and how to positively affect my heart rate and my health.  I did my HR first thing this a.m. when I woke up and WOW! 

Some basics - My heart rate is beats per minute.  Things that affect HR are my age (51), female (males typically have lower HR), weight (135), my health and fitness levels. 

So I thought I'd take a look at where I started and my progress:

• 
  
  March 2009 - 170 lbs - resting HR 79
• 
  
  November 2009 - 135 lbs - resting HR 65
• 
  
  April 2010 (TODAY) - 135 lbs - resting HR 55

Just like with weight loss, lower is better with HR.  It's a measure of physical fitness and heart health.  WooHoo, 24 beats lower.  I'm learning all this and I'm excited.  All these months of food journaling to keep my weight down, continuing my cardio workouts and my strength/weight training with Dan is really having an impact.  It's so much more than just how I look in the mirror (although that's a good one too).  

My BRAIN or My HEART?

I'm the youngest of four kids and my oldest Bro, an atty, really got to me this time.  So do I listen to my brain or my heart?!

Quick back story.  Bro, his wife, 2 daughters and my mom (88 yrs old) are going to Israel again this summer.  Bro wants me to go.  Mom wants a roommate - she wants me to go too. :-)

Do I listen to my brain that is shouting - this trip is pretty much the same itinerary that I've done on my previous two trips to Israel.  Not too much new although Bro promises we'll cut out, hire a guide and do side trips to new places.  Will he follow through?  Not his strength unless he wants it. 

OR

Do I listen to my heart that's pounding (and my bro and my niece)?  Do I want to pass up on a trip with our mom in Israel?  This may be hers (and ours as you never know) last trip!  We should all go while we can.  This could be guilt too.  I've not totally ruled that out but it still doesn't solve it for me.

What do I do?!

It's heatin up out there........

Not sure where you live but here in the South (Atlanta) it reached close to 90 yesterday.  That's hot considering we went from about 60-70 straight to 90 degrees.  The forecast calls for some rain tomorrow and then some spring-like weather for the balance of the week.  It is beautiful although very YELLOW. 

The annual invade of the YELLOW stuff - yep, POLLEN.  It appeared within an hour one day and now we are covered up.  Yesterday while running, we saw what appeared to be a dust storm ahead - the stuff was blowing off the bldg roofs and man o man!  I am SO fortunate to not be too bothered by this and I feel for those with allergies.  I have my calendar marked for March 2011 - start with bee propolis every day!!!

Even with the heat and yucky yellow stuff, yesterday was a healthy day for me!  My eating was right on, I journaled everything and I ran/walked my 1.5 miles in 18 minutes.  I'm starting over and that was my goal so I'm pleased.  I started back my workouts with Dan last night (took a week off).  OMG, I don't think I've sweat that much ever.  It was a great workout - I loved it.  Stairs first - didn't beat my 3.03 time but I did OK.  Quickly followed by jump squats, then inside for pull ups, dead lifts, cleans, bent over rows, military presses and snatches!  Wow! And of course followed by my all time favorite.............the STRETCH! 

A friend just joined Body Solutions and I bumped into her last night too.  That was fun.  I'm not sure I'm a large group exercise person but I love to run or workout with a couple people so call me a small groupie. 

Today is my day off from exercising.  I'm looking forward to the one shower day.  Having 50th birthday lunch with my sister-in-law and dinner with friends.  Another great day ahead........

Should Ronald retire?

That would be Ronald McDonald.........The McD's mascot has been around since 1963.  This dude has been working 47 years.  That's a long time.  There's a campaign calling for Ronald's retirement. Corporate Accountability International has waged an all out effort to retire Ronald.

McD's marketing strategy was simple: build brand loyalty among children and you will have customers for life.  But childhood obesity is epidemic, type 2 diabetes is on the rise.  Is this happening inside the Golden Arches?

It's time for Ronald to change his focus from fast foods to whole foods!  What if McD's marketing focused kids on eating healthy?!  Man, that would change the world. 

Ronald does so much good that I would hate to see him go away completely.  For one, the Ronald McD House Charities.  Their mission is to "create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well being of children".

OK McDonald's, if you want to "improve the health...of children," it's time (passed the time actually) to focus your menus and marketing on whole foods?! 

The weekend keeps "gettin betta".........

Yesterday was the awesome day I dreamed & planned it to be.  The weather was spectacular; my run in the park was filled with looking @ all breeds of dogs and lots of cute little babies in strollers and picnicing families; everyone was out.  I came home to my egg salad and matzah lunch which I love and then out the door.....Everywhere I went people were in good moods.  Probably part me and part the weather.  It was such a nice change from the doldroms of the rain and economy woes of late. 

I met someone new who has agreed to be a "lab rat" for another health history - have 3 more to do for GRADUATION requirements.  Any volunteers?  I also unexpectedly ran into some friends and had some wonderful laughs!  The day kept going until I fell into bed......feeling great & exhausted.  :-)

OK so that was yesterday and today is off to a great start.  The weigh this a.m. showed I'm back to my lowest.  I'M SO EXCITED.  I've worked hard the past couple weeks to get off the "creep" that put me ahead of my goal weight.  I got serious and took off the creep and then some.  For me, there is no substitute for journaling!  I know it but it still is amazing the results when I write down what I eat & exercise every day. 

I ate really good this past week. I don't take photos of my food and never a recipe (since I don't cook) and my meals are fairly routine - cereal & yogurt w/berries for breakfast, turkey sandwich for lunch w/tom & cucs on the side except during Passover and its been salad w/turkey, snacks are fruit or popcorn (love my organic apples) and dinner is protein and 2-4 veggies.  I switch up the protein and veggies thruout the day but it's pretty routine for me.  Since I don't cook, I try to keep it simple and doable.  

I've got my groove back and I feel great!  What a feeling.....

It's Easter - Happy Easter to those that celebrate.  I like these days when most everything is closed.  I don't celebrate Easter so it sort of forces me to slow down and relax for the day.  I do like those Easter Egg Hunts!!  What are you doing to make this a great day?

Spectacular Saturday!!!!!!

This is going to be a GREAT DAY! It is so far and I've only been up for one hour. I got up this morning with no alarm - how wonderful to just wake up when your body says it's time to get up.  I weigh every morning @ home and today I love what I saw.  I've been working hard to get rid of the "creep" and its gone and moving forward!!!! 

I opened all the windows - sunny and slightly cool outside.  Fired up some candles (can't wait until I get my essential oil diffusers) and frothed the milk for my coffee!!!  All simple things yet I rarely do them. 

Next stop computer.  My "thank you's" for donations to St. Baldrick's have been hanging over my head.  Today was the day to get them out and when I looked at how much money the Body Solutions team raised ($4500+) and the generosity of my friends & family, I didn't know what to say.   I'm not often speechless but this a.m. I was.  So I said exactly that......words this time can't express my gratitude.  I actually got a little emotional while typing.  What a great thing to cry over!!!!

It's time for breakfast and the rest of the day.  I'm going to hit my weekly running goal today - 10 miles here I come!  There is no stopping me today!   I hope everyone who reads this post has an equally as wonderful day and make that weekend!!!!

TGIF (Friday not Fiber!)........

Yeah, it's almost the weekend.  I'm in town and NO plans except being the list person I am, I have a million and one things I want to do.  The past few weeks, I've had some really incredibly stimulating experiences/learnings and now I'm obsessed (I tend to do that) with learning more.

• Twitter - I want to figure this out. I met Sweet Tater at FitBloggin and she sent me a Tweetorial.  The Chic Fit has been sending me Tweets and checking in on me which is so sweet. 
• Essential Oils - Ever since I met Bianca @ IIN, I've been totally absorbed in learning more @ EO, how to use them, what they can do, etc.  I ordered a Desk Reference and a "starter" set of 9 essential oils.  I hope they deliver fast.  This week, I started using Bianca's new oil - Arganica, which launches on Earth Day.  It is AMAZING so far.  I'm so excited for her!
• The closet - the heat came upon us quickly this week and it's time to change out the closet.  Especially my workout clothes.  The long pants gotta go.  This means a shopping trip to Lucy and Lululemon cause I don't have any shorts in the new me size.  That will be fun! 
• 10 miles - I think this is the week!  I've run 6 miles so far this week.  2 more today with my co-worker and I plan to run at least 2 on Saturday. 
• And the list goes on and on........The weather forecast is spectacular so I'm really excited for a great weekend!!