Fitness Friday Proper Sneaker {Linkyup}

So this week, has been a week of commitment on my fitness journey.  I Signed up for a dietbet with Brandi at onegreatmom.com,  nothing like a little money to keep things out of your mouth.  The Bet official starts tomorrow with our 1st weigh in. I am excited  I need more accountability for food.

Then I signed up for the running training program with Fleet Feet Sports North Wales.  I recently was introduced to fleet feet by Joey Fortman and Ann Marie one of the owners this past Wednesday.  I will be working with them for training and they are out fitting me with proper sneaker/attire.  I was impress by the sneaker fitting I received and I learned things I did not know, because I have been doing to the big box stores. Here are some tips Ann Marie at Fleet Feet provided:

Proper Sneaker Fitting:

  • Have feet measured without socks (what you measured at 12 years old is probably not your current measurement.)
  • Have your foot measured in resting(sitting positions) and standing.
  • The Running store personnel should understand how you walk- (IE have you walk so they can see how your ball and heel hit and roll off the floor.  Then they can recommend a shoe that is designed for your foots needs.
  • Where design/color is nice a running/walking shoe should be about fit and support 1st,  so that you get proper performance.
  • In an athletic shoes it is better to go up a 1/2 size and have room (So mine sneakers are a 11 1/2 argh but it is about being the right shoe and not the size)
  • What does a good fitting sneaker feel like: “Heal should be supported, arch should be wrapped like a glove and your toes should be able to play a piano” Per AnnMarie
  • Fleet Feet Sports North Whales is nice because they allow you to actually run in the shoes outside, to insure comfort and fit.
  • If you are serious about a sport you should be serious about the shoes.
  • Also a good running store will take back the product at any point if you are not satisfied. That is the philosophy AnnMarie and her team have.

Ann Marie’s other Key advice : If you buy a good sneaker be sure to have a great sports bra just as important (but that is a separate post)

Thanks to Stephaine at aGrandlife.net for her foot

The training program I begin in a few weeks I am really excited,  of course I will continue to walk.

So how did I do this week?

Fitness Week:

  • Monday: Walk and run
  • Tues : Walked and Run
  • Wed: Walk and Run
  • Thursday/ Friday:  I have been fighting a cold so I actually stayed in bed,  I am trying to get out later today.  We will see.

Weight Loss:

  • Started 271 Jan
  • Last week 265  This week 264 -1

I am excited for next week if I can kick this cold I would feel better.

So how is your week going?



Disclosure: I was provided running gear from Fleet Feet North Wales, but all opinions in this post are of my own.

 

Quest for Zhu #Giveaway

savannah outenDuring the 2012 Toy Fair in New York last month.  I learned about the Zhu Zhu pets and the full length feature the Quest for Zhu.   I all had the opportunity to meet  Savannah Outen’s who sings on the Quest for Zhu Sound Track. She is a star with a beautiful voice, very sweet and lovely in person.   Savannah was there because of the Zhu zhu pets,  the song that she is sing “No Place, Like Here”  is on the Zhu Quest for Zhu soundtrack.    We received a copy of the Soundtrack Quest for Zhu which is on amazon.  My daughter loves it.. is an understatement.  She listens to the soundtrack non-stop.  The soundtrack has the covers of the Jacksons ABC sung by the Zhu Zhu pets and original artist such as Perfect.  I think my daughter is going to wear out the cd, playing it over and over again.  The Quest for Zhu soundtrack is a definite must have for the kids in your house.

We also have had the opportunity to screen the movie which is now on DVD.  Such a great well animated Disney movie.  The graphic are great and very well done high quality story.  I don’t want to give too much away but our kids will love it.

Check out a video here Quest for Zhu soundtrack

Watch the videos at: http://www.youtube.com/user/InTheZoneEntertainmt/videos

That being said Zhu zhu Music has been kind enough to offer you my readers a prize pack.

WIN A QUEST FOR ZHU & ZHUZHU PETS PRIZE PACKAGE:

-(1) DVD of QUEST FOR ZHU the movie

-(1) set of 4 Limited Edition Collectible ZhuZhu Pets Figurines

-(1) copy of the Official Soundtrack CD to QUEST FOR ZHU

-(1) Zhu Zhu Baby (including accessories)

-(1) Quest For Zhu fold out poster

Contest Runs from March 15- March 28, 2012 11:59pm

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Product will be sent directly to the winner from Zhu Zhu Music, superexhausted.com is not responsible for shipment of the product

Disclosure: I did receive product fro ZHU ZHU Music in return for this post but the opinions in this post are of my own.

 

 

Cabbage Casserole Healthy St. Patricks Day

St. Patrick’s day is this weekend. I grew up eating Corned Beef and cabbage,  my mouth is watering.   I love corn-beef and cabbage but  I am trying to be healthy.  The vegs cooked in the corned-beef fat add flavor and unwanted calories.  So I came up with a way to get the flavor with out the fat and grease.   The key is the cumin, which gives the depth of flavor.

Cabbage Casserole
• 4 potatoes peeled sliced thin 1/8”
• 1 head of cabbage remove outer layer slice thin
• 3 carrots sliced thin 1/8”
• 7-9 Brussels sprouts sliced
• 1/2 can of chicken stock (healthy) or ½ stick of butter
• Cumin (sprinkle)
• Salt
• Pepper

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees
2. Slice potatoes place on bottom of dish
3. Layer cabbage then carrots
4. adding salt pepper , cumin to taste each layer
5. Layer potatoes, cabbage, carrots finish with Brussels sprouts.
6. Pour butter or chicken broth over top
7. Place in oven and cook for 30min or till fork tender

Here is a printable version of Cabbage Casserole

Grab a pint and luck of the Irish to you !

Fitness Friday with Linky

So this past week, on my fitness journey.  I stopped counting the seconds I ran and just went out cleared my mind and focused on the steps. Run and clear my mind.  I also decided this week to take a picture, the before shot. The reason I looked at my friends Stephs post, and I thought how brave she was.  The photo is not edited or taken from an angle that makes me thin, and it is a full length full body and a side view.

What is weird is I have had an easy time posting my weight openly on the internet.   I have also wrote my struggles with not loosing.  I have to say I am more nervous about posting a picture which is unflattering.  Weird right?  I want full body disclosure.. but really I have to do it.

Oh  here a go.. I know people see me all the time so what am I hiding from. I guess myself.I do not look happy ..

My goal this up coming week is to be

  • Honest with myself looks at these pictures and say it is time for a change.
  • Honest with my food and not play games and bargaining with myself
  • Honest with my fitness I am starting work with a running company I am going to commit to a 5k and get off the fence.

My fitness Week:

  • Sunday: walked around a museum for 3 hours
  • Monday : I did not walk – (I feel guilt)
  • Tues: walk run around the block running from one telephone poles
  • Wednesday: Spent 3 hours walking the flower show
  • Thursday: walked ran around the block between the telephone poles

Weight loss:

Starting weight 271

Last week 267  this week 265

I would love to hear your story:  Join our #FitnessFriday  linkup

 


Philadelphia Flower Show #wordlesswednesday

Last week I told you about the Philadelphia Flower Show.  This afternoon, My daughter played hookie from school (1st grade) and we went to the flower show.  I thought it would be a great way to expose her to the beauty, smells, and learn about plants,  so an educational day.  Please be sure  to read the end of the post to see what I purchased at the show.  I think next time I would love to make a night of it with VisitPhilly.com they have a all sorts of great packages and discounts for overnight stays in Philadelphia and the surrounding area.

Here are some of the pictures I took at the show, for more picture I took of the day please check out my Flickr Philadelphia Flower show page.

The wave entrance was really cool my daughter loved seeing the sea life on the screens.

I thought the orchids were so beautiful and they were every where:

I loved the massive entrance water fall and Hawaiian mountain

The Miniatures and the pressed flower pictures were amazing!

Check out this window display- wow just wow

I think these were my favorites- I am a sucker for color:I also got a great picture of my girl!I have to share while I was at the Flower show I bought this lovely “Pooley” bud vase:bud vase

I love it for all the flowers that get pick for me over the next few months, they also have it in all white. Chive is located  Canada- shipping to US Orders under $50 will be charged $7, orders over $50 will be charged $10 in the continental US.

They do have some special offers chive.com so I thought I would share:

If you spend over $50 before shipping, they will send you Free Hudson 4 caterpillars ($16 goodie ) enter code “chiverocks”

or

If you spend over $50 before shipping, they will send you Free Hudson large arch ($18 goodie ) enter code “ilovechive”

So what Flowers are you planting this Spring?

 

Broccoli Cheese Soup #TasteTuesday

So all weekend I promised my husband my Broccoli cheese soup.  This soup is perfect for a cold night. Which was good  because I forgot to call the oil company and we ran out of heat.  So after sitting in a cold house all day wait for my husband to fix the heat, 99* after the oil truck came.  I rewarded him with  broccoli cheese soup in a bread bowl.  I know with my health living this was not a great choice.  So I had a cup”ish” and  avoid the bread.  I also Immediately pack the extra soup and sent it to a neighbor.  Using my trust weight watcher 1cup scoop I make 2 small plastic containers for my hubby to take to his job.

Broccoli cheese soup

  • Broccoli 2 heads
  • ½ gallon of  milk
  • 2 pints of half and half
  • 1 block of sharp cheddar 1lb
  • 1 onion
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 ½ sticks of butter
  • 1 tsp of cumin
  • 1 tbls of worshire sauce
  • 1 tbls of hot sauce
  • 1 tbls of soy sauce
  • 1 ham steak (optional)
  • 1 chicken breast cooked(optional)
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 10 Bread Kaiser Rolls (optional)

 

  1. Melt 1 ½ sticks of butter,
  2. Chop onions, place in pot  with butter cook until soft, add salt/pepper
  3. Add flour over onions making a rue with opinions butter and flour
  4. Add milk, half and half, cumin, worshire, soy, hot sauces,   stir until flour breaks down and blended
  5. Wash broccoli, cut up discarding stems, add to pot with milk
  6. Bring to a almost low boil (watch milk so as not to separate)
  7. Cover turn on low stir in occasionally so the soup does not burn on bottom
  8. Cook until broccoli is tender with fork
  9. Carefully mash broccoli with potato masher, (or use a blender)
  10. Add ham/ chicken heat till they are hot
  11. Add cheese and stir in.
  12. serve in a bread bowl optional

Makes 10-12 servings.. This is a very heavy recipe

Then call your Cardiologist.

 

 

11 Random Things about me

The Rules

1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them that you’ve tagged them.

11 Random things about me:

  1. I was the 3rd child
  2. I have 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 Guinean pigs, 2cars, and 2 Siblings
  3. My major pet peeve is gum chewing and what people do with it after they are done.  so much my kids are not allowed to chew it.
  4. I hate cooked salmon but love salmon in sushi (I married someone who feels the same way)
  5. I got married on a Boat on the inter-costal in Ft. Lauderdale we had 64 guests
  6. When  my son when he was born I bit him through his shirt while I was try to breast feed in the hospital.  I did not have enough hands and his arm blocked his face and I could not see if he was latched on.. 1st time mom.. then I explained it to the nurse.
  7. I have a size 11 foot.
  8. I can see my age in my hands.
  9. I could eat soup every day and I am on the search for the perfect soups the world has to offer.
  10. I love flowers but hate gardening because I kill plants
  11. When living in Florida I had 2 grapefruit trees, 1 mango, 1 banana trees, 1 key-lime trees in our yard.

11 Questions for me:

  1. What did you want to be when you grew up, and are you doing it? I wanted to be a fashion designer and work with clothes.   Yes, I did I was in mens apparel in design, development, production, then back to design.  So when I was 7 I knew.
  2. Sauce or Gravy? Tomato Sauce and Brown Gravy
  3. What was your first car? Oldsmobile Regency Brahms – aka the “Blue Whale”
  4. If you could be a tv character, who would you be? I am a Carrie from sex in the city mixed with Alica Keaton (family Ties)
  5. Have you been to a rock concert? If so, what was the band? U2, Pink Floyd
  6. Do you make your bed in the morning? Yes I throw the blanket over the bed every morning other wise I will loose things in the sheets.
  7. What’s your favorite inspirational saying? Don’t live scared.. Aka no regrets
  8. What’s your stance on New Year’s Resolutions? Hate ‘em? Love ‘em? Hate them
  9. In honor of Dr. Suess’s birthday, what’s your favorite Seuss book? Green Eggs and Ham.. A I love egg and Ham that was the first book my son wanted to read to me in the entirety.
  10. McDonald’s or Burger King?  McDonalds I love the dbl cheese burger. But hate the fries since I became an adult.  White Castles fast food in my favorite it is like crack.
  11. Have you ever had an imaginary friend?  I must have but don’t remember much of my childhood before 7th grade.

 

Questions for my Tags:

  1. What is your favorite sandwich?
  2. What is favorite piece of jewelry
  3. Were you a Metal Music or Dance in your youth?
  4. What makeup do you use the most?
  5. If you could only give one piece of advice 1 sentence  to love ones what would it be?
  6. What type of socks do you like Crew, knee-high,  or ankle?
  7. What how do you take your coffee or tea?
  8. Did you ever fake sick to get out of gym in High School?
  9. If you had a $100 to do as you please with what would you do?
  10. Are you chicken,fish, or steak at a wedding?
  11. Have you every wore neon clothes?

I’m tagging these 5 bloggers – but if you aren’t tagged or don’t blog, I’d still LOVE to hear some of your answers (or some fun random things about you!), so leave a comment!

 Hillary

Diane

Sarah

Jessica

Deb

 

Stop Listening Fitness Friday {linky}

So this past week, I was very good with my fitness plan, being a beginning runner is hard.  I ran, I walked, I moved and eaten better all week.  No eating junk food  after dinner,  if  ate  my choice a apple. The ice cream in the fridge;  I avoid it.  Replacing bad choices for  a salad. Yea I am winning a healthy lifestyle.

The thing is..  that killed me this morning, was the scale. I got on this week (complete naked) reading I was down.  Then went to the bathroom and weighed myself  again,  a different number (not in a good way.)  So I decided it was evil and I am not listening to it (sticking my tongue out).  I am going based my progress on my inner voice (hear the healthy angels). Do I feel better? Logically, I know I am better so I don’t need some stinking scale to tell me:  I am doing great (yea Me).

Stop Listening to “those” people.  This past week someone said to me “How is your 30 second running going?” in a snarky (with a giggle) voice.   Their Follow up statement  “but see I read your blog.”  FYI… un-supportive person… It is 30 seconds more than you run and at least I am doing something to make myself healthier.   So there!!

I am listening to someone who has inspired me to do this my friend Justin.   His opinion on running means more to me than others because Justin is a runner. Not a just a dad running when he hits 40.  But a marathon runner,  Justin had done the Boston Marathon for 15 years+ ,  He run most weeks 80 miles(that is more then I drive in a week.)

So Wednesday I spent time talking to Justin I was so excited to tell him about me moving up to 70 seconds.  He gave me some advice in the most supportive way, I really think he is proud of me at no time mocking me.

Justin’s Running Tips for Beginners

  • He said that is great anything counts.
  • Try running in between telephone poles in alternating between walking and running  between the poles. (interval and alternating is the best.)
  • I should only increase 10% at a time because if I go to quickly I could get injured.   (So there I am increasing slow enough seconds an all.. he says go74 seconds.. he said the slow increases.
  • Get great  supportive sneakers
  • Running is more efficient than walking because it takes less time- I noticed
  • He said it was good I had the Loyd (my dog) as a running partner because he will push me to stick to a routine.
  • Before you know it I will be running around the block

So find your Justin and get the support you need on this Fitness Journey

Fitness  this week:

  • Monday walk and than ran 40 seconds
  • Tues walk and then ran 60 seconds
  • Wed walk and then  run 70 seconds
  • Thurs walk and then ran intervals  70 seconds
  • Friday walked and run between telephone poles (Today I even ran in front of my daughters school  don’t care what people think any more let them say what they will about me running)

Weight: (for the record) this week started 271:  remember last week was a bad week- I gained 4

  • Last week 270 to this week 265 (I am going with the 1st number)

Feeling: Better I am not coughing so much after running, my lungs dont hurt,  I am going to bed an hour earlier so I feel well rested.

What did you do to get fit , active,  healthy  this week?


 

Banana Bread and Coffee Chat

Banana Bread and Gevalia Coffee,  Great in the morning.  This is my favorite  banana bread I have been making it for holidays and as hostess gifts for years.  My kids love to wake up have a piece of Banana bread and head off to school.  It is best if the bananas are very ripe almost black,  they are sweeter that way.

One of my favorite things to have with my coffee is Banana Bread.  Here is my recipe for great tasting bread, you kids will love it as well .

Banana Bread

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup of vegetable oil
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla
  • 1 ¼ cups of all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 3 large or 4 small bananas (ripe)(brown spots are fine)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Baking Spray or butter to grease the pans

Baking the Banana Bread

  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Using an electric mixer beat oil and sugar in large mixing bowl for 2 min
  3. Add eggs and vanilla to oil/sugar, beat well with mixer (I was making a dbl batch use 2 eggs for one batch)
  4. Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder into batter, mix for 2 minutes (if you don’t have a sifter light spoon in flour so it is not heavy)
  5. In separate bowl mash (with a potato masher or large fork) peeled banana with cinnamon (like chunky baby food): add to batter and mix to well blender
  6. Pour the banana bread into 2 well greased loaf pans 9x5x3″ or 1 pan if you like a bigger slice
  7. Bake for 37-40 mins for 2 loaves or 42-45 for 1 loaf (watch them once they get golden take them out as long as the toothpick comes out clean)
  8. Let cool for 10 min before taking out of banana bread loaf pan and cutting. Also can be frozen

Variations:

  • ½ cup chocolate chips, add once the batter is already in loaf pan.. if you add chips mix in with mixer they tend to go to the bottom of the loaf once you pour in the pan.
  • Smaller personal loafs which I make more at the holidays teacher gifts ..take about 37 min to bake , you can make 4 small loves from one batch of batter
  • Banana ripe but no time to make the bread, freeze the bananas for later . The bananas tend to not be a chunky but the taste is the same. FYI Banana turn black when frozen they are still good

I am doing my 1st webchat with a Gevalia. If you could join me for support I would love it.  Want to talk BabyPop, my blog, baking,  and coffee.   Join me Today 10-11 am for @Gevalia coffee chat

Thanks to Gevalia for the great talk.

Disclosure: I did receive product  for the chat but the opinions in this post are all of my own.