Against The Grain

I don't consider myself easily annoyed, but there is one thing that definitely is hard for me to swallow:

I hate it when my husband is right.

Luckily, it isn't something that happens too often, unless we are playing Trivial Pursuit- he's one of those people that knows just enough about every possible category. There will be some question that no one should know the answer to, and he just spits it out nonchalantly. Pisses me off...

But anyway, at the beginning of this week, my husband asked how my workouts/training was going. I was honest with him, and told him I was exhausted. Getting up at 4:45 AM to workout three times a week and doing two workout sessions most days was leaving me fatigued, drained, unable to concentrate, and even starting to feel like I was getting sick.

Then he simply said, "You're probably not eating enough".

What?

 I gave him The Rock raised eyebrow. Didn't he understand that I was trying to lose body fat in order to be more "aerodynamic?" (Ok, the truth is I'd like to feel better about my thighs when I wear my bike shorts...).

He showed me a couple of articles that he had read, and reminded me that I was burning more calories than it was used to and my body needed fuel. I nodded and smiled, but remained stoic in the back of my mind that he was off the mark.

I mean, carbs are every woman's ultimate enemy! And he wants me to increase my fat intake? Riiiight. That sounds like a great way to get in shape.

So I laid in bed, exhausted,  and started looking up articles related to endurance sports and nutrition on my IPad.

And boy did it burn my ass that he was right.

Every article I clicked on talked about eating carbs and fats. Michael Phelps eats 12,000 calories a day when in training.

That wasn't a typo. And he definitely doesn't have a muffin top.

Professional triathletes are eating 4000-6000 calories a day, and the majority of it from carbohydrates! Huh. I knew there was a reason I like this sport.

But there is a trick. The fat and carbs you consume need to be of a certain variety- Wonder Bread and T-bone steaks are not among those. But as I continued to research, and roamed my grocery store, I did find quite a bit more palatable food than you might think.

So for the rest of the week, I changed my eating habits. Muscle Cookie on the way to the gym or work. Slice of Ezekial whole grain bread with peanut butter and fresh berries for a snack. Brown rice with meat or fish and veggies for lunch. Protein bar or yogurt with berries for another snack. I also tried chocolate frosted shredded wheat and veggie chips for snacks. I increased my fluid intake as well, using lemon and peppermint oil to change up the flavor. I put strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries in a saucepan with a little water and cooked them just until soft, then mixed them in with oatmeal, yogurt, cottage cheese, or on bread all week.

By Thursday, I was getting things done at work, and feeling strong through 2 workouts a day up, even until bedtime. On Friday, I wore street clothes instead of scrubs to work...and discovered that a pair of pants that were too tight a month ago fit perfectly. And, I felt stronger than I had in weeks at the gym, able to finish strong and without the psychiatric games of "how the hell am I going to ever actually do this?" going through my head. I begrudgingly hung my head and admitted to my husband that night that he had been right. Boy oh boy was that hard....but I figure I have to throw him a bone every now and then, right?

So listen to me ladies- if you start to do regular exercise (good for you!!), make sure to take a look at what you are (or are not) eating. Salads are great, but may not be enough. I know how hard it is to tell yourself that bread can be good for you- but oh my goodness what an awesome thing it is to pull out a square of brown goodness and know that you can devour it without guilt!

I'm not ridiculous about it, of course. I'm no Michael Phelps. I ate an entire container of Ben and Jerry's the other night (why do they insist on saying that there are 4 servings in that container? Do you actually know any woman who has made one of those last for four servings?!)- but it was their frozen yogurt Cherry Garcia instead of regular ice cream. I bought chocolate covered almonds, and put chocolate chips in my yogurt along with my berries most nights. I have always been a big believer of everything in moderation. This has allowed me to be much more consistent in my diet, allowing me to stick in the same general area on the scale over the last 10 years.

So tonight's picture represents going against the grain, and admitting that someone else was right. Feed your body right, and I am finding it will let you do amazing things. For many people, it shouldn't be about getting 'smaller" as much as getting "stronger". The stronger you are, the harder you can work out and the more calories you can actually burn. Because in the end, the truth is it's not about how you look in the bike shorts, it's about how well you actually ride the bike.

Not so 'Little"

As a child, being around tall people was just a way of life. My mom is 5'9 and is the shortest of seven children. I have five uncles, ranging in height from 6'0" to somewhere around 6'6". Funny enough, my grandma was not much over 5 feet tall, but Grandpa....

Let's just say Grandpa wore a size 16 shoe...

So it was no surprise when I quickly became the tallest toddler, preschooler, kindergartner, and so on into my school age years. People always assumed I was older than I truly was, which always delighted me-and pissed off my older (shorter) sister.

I had a few years in middle school that sucked pretty bad, as middle school for most girls does. I had a growth streak in seventh grade, going from above average height and pudgy to downright tall and skinny. On top of that, it was the 1980's and Aqua Net hairspray allowed young women to add on a couple inches to their height in bangs. So boys were pretty much out of the question for a couple of years, as I towered over even the star basketball player in my grade. But middle school is where I started to learn that my height could be used to an advantage in sports, and I discovered my love for volleyball and softball.

And no, I did not play basketball. I cannot shoot a basket to save my freaking life. And there's definitely too much running in basketball...

By high school, some of the boys had caught up and even surpassed me, and I was fortunate to live in a large community that graduated over 500 kids per year. That way, the odds of there being other girls my height and boys taller than I was increased much more so than it could have been elsewhere. My two best girlfriends were about my height, but my my sophomore year I resigned myself to the fact that I would most likely never wear 3-inch strappy sandals to prom.

As I became a young woman, I started to embrace my height. I liked being the one everyone looked up to- literally. I didn't mind wearing double-digit size jeans when most girls my age were in pants half my size, and I definitely never had to worry about getting in a fight- the only girls taller than me were already my friends, an alliance between tall girls that I don't even think we knew existed at the time. I had filled out from my scrawny middle school days, but not in bad ways- I was a strong athlete who just happened to wear a size 10 shoe.

Fast forwarding a few years, I met my husband while volunteering at the firehouse. He eventually asked me to be his date to the annual awards ceremony, and I admit there was a part of me that said yes simply because I knew I could actually wear heels on a date for the first time (he is 6'4").

Three years later, I took his last name. And so now, at 5'10" and 6'4" we are...The Littles. Yes, I know. Ha ha. And what's even better is that our son's pediatrician has forecasted him to be 6'7"...

As I get ready to age into a new decade of my life, I again am just fine with being tall. It's much easier now than it used to be for sure- stores now carry "tall" jeans, and size 10 shoes are much easier to find. But my height and build also allows me to swim like a fish, carry more muscle and energy per square inch, and pregnancy was not filled with sleepless nights due to a baby pressing on my diaphragm.

But there are other things too. At the grocery store the other day, I started to pass by an older woman in the laundry detergent aisle. I didn't notice at first that she was trying to reach the top shelf, as I was in my own happy world of grocery lists and coupons. But as soon as I heard the words, "Excuse me dear..." I knew what was needed before even looking up.

"Can I get something from up there for you?" I asked before she finished her sentence. It's not the first time this has happened, nor will it be the last. And that's just fine, as I am more than happy to help.

Tonight's picture represents using what you have to help others and being ok with how you were made. My massage therapist has a quote on her wall- "Love the body you're in. It's the only one you have". How true, in so many ways. Embrace what and who you are, and take care of what has been given to you for such a short time. I may never be able to sit comfortably in most amusement park rides, but the food on the top shelf of my pantry won't ever go unused!

Like A Good Neighbor

I live in the suburbs. It's a nice neighborhood, with homes on about an acre per lot that were built in the 1960's and 1970's. Many have been remodeled, and we have an array of personalities and age groups throughout our little neck of the "Creek".

That being said, I can only really say that I know a handful of my neighbors. Now, I can recognize them at the grocery and wave, but I wouldn't even know most of their names to say hello (in fact- one of my neighbors actually works at the grocery!) And each time that happens, it makes me a little sad. But admittedly, I haven't done a whole lot to change that, so I have no one to blame but myself.

One of the ladies in my neighborhood happens to also be a good friend of mine though. Our sons are the same age, and we have spent the last four years or so getting to know each other better and better. She is from the South, where I truly feel like I should have been born, and we have always just...clicked...in a lot of ways.

Let me tell you, it can be handy to have a girlfriend that is also a neighbor. I have borrowed her car when I locked my keys in mine. And I have borrowed countless items for entertaining, from centerpieces to tables. In return, I have gone to the grocery for "sick supplies" when her son was ill and didn't want Mom to leave the house, and provided emergency crafting supplies from my stock when making last-minute football team treats.

Because that's what neighbors and friends do. Or at least what I think they should do. It seems like the days of "borrowing a cup of sugar" just don't exist as much lately (although my other neighbor did borrow dishwasher liquid last week lol). I wonder why that is- are we all too caught up in our own world, and has Walmart made everything a little too convenient? I think I'd be a lot more inclined to borrow a cup of sugar if the grocery wasn't only 3 minutes away...

Last weekend I decided to use up a ham bone from the holidays and make bean soup with cornbread. As I perused the recipe, I realized I was gonna have a lot of leftovers, and my boys just won't really eat leftovers- even after I freeze them. Still wanting to make the soup, I decided I would put the rest of it to good use.

I would give it to my girlfriend/neighbor.

I knew she had a lot going on that week in her life, and that having a home cooked meal to share with her son one night without having to cook it would probably be well received. Plus, as I mentioned before, she is southern- and what good southernly girl doesn't like ham and bean soup with cornbread?!

Before I took the care package to her house, I pulled out my stationary from the table next to my bed. Here is something else that we rarely do anymore- the written word. I couldn't remember the last time I had taken the time to actually sit down and write a small letter to someone- the box literally had dust on it. And I was surprised how much joy I actually got from doing it. It's not as easy as email- you can't re-write sentences, or use auto correct. You have to intentionally think about what you want to say before you write it- because let's face it- white out just looks tacky on a pretty letter...

I took the soup, cornbread, and letter- oh, and the trifle bowl I had borrowed- to her house and left it on her front porch. I walked back to the car with a little spring in my step and lift in my heart, knowing she would come home to something a little happy and personal without any specific reason for it.

So tonight's picture represents friendship and being neighborly. Next time you make soup, or lasagna, or a crock-pot meal, or a casserole, make two. Then take one with a note to someone- a friend, or the little old man down the street (I really need to learn his name), or the family with 5 kids who all have sports events 7 nights a week. It's such a simple thing- but can mean so much. And it will make your own heart happy too- trust me, I know. I came home from the grocery today to find my own little package- the container from the soup had made it back to me, as well as several other Tupperware containers she had borrowed, a coffee cup I obviously had left in her car...and three miniature Moon Pies with a thank you card.

Your'e welcome, neighbor (and now, I have the Mr. Roger's Neighborhood theme song running through my head...).

Not My Mother's Coupons

Growing up, I can remember both my mother and grandmother sitting at the kitchen table each weekend, a large pair of scissors in their hand, cutting out coupons from the Sunday paper. They would also peruse the local grocery ads, searching for what was on sale and planning the week's meals accordingly. I bet many of you have similar memories, maybe even involving a recipe box or photo album for storage and organization.

Things have changed for our generation in the coupon world though. The Sunday paper still carries coupons, but unfortunately many times they are on things that we really just don't need- packaged and processed foods for the most part, full of chemicals and high fructose corn syrup. God Bless America, right?

Coupons have become much more convenient as well. Is sitting at the table cutting paper too old-school for you? Your'e in luck- websites with printable coupons abound. And here you can honestly many times get coupons that are more worthwhile, especially on things for the home like toilet paper, shampoo, etc. Because unlike Pop Tarts, everyone needs toilet paper...

Many grocery stores are now sending you personalized coupon packs as well, using the "perks" card that you swipe with each purchase to tell them what types of foods you buy most and sending you coupons aligned with commonalities. This is another great way to gain coupons without the dreaded "sit and clip" session.

I have always been a bit of a penny pincher. I am grateful to be in a position where I don't absolutely have to rely on coupons anymore, but I just don't understand paying full price for anything that I don't have to. Therefore, (believe it or not), I have an organized stash of grocery coupons at the ready on top of my refrigerator. The only problem is remembering to remember to take the damn things with me to the grocery- I can't tell you how many times I've had a Homer Simpson moment (you know, saying "Doh!" and slapping your forehead) as I pull into a parking space at Kroger...

Lately, I have started to utilize my Iphone and Ipad to pull up coupons while on the go. No clipping, and no forgetting them on top of the refrigerator. I don't get the newspaper (who wants to read pages and pages of bad news every day?), so using electronic coupons allows me to take advantage of non-traditional savings, such as restaurants and craft stores (I saved 25% off my entire purchase at JoAnn fabrics tonight!).

Last night, the 11-year old wanted to go to Steak and Shake for dinner. Our usual haunt has traditionally been Friendly's, but the economy has taken our beloved Tuna Melt and ice cream sundae restaurant away. Hopping on my IPad, I found a plethora of coupons from what he has deemed as "our new place", so I printed them out and stuffed them directly in my purse (so I wouldn't forget them on the printer...).

We took along a friend of his, and after using three coupons our bill for three meals and milkshakes was under $20! Not bad- I don't think you could eat at McDonald's for that, and although it wasn't prime rib it was definitely better than most fast food joints.

Feeling smug, I started to fold up the rest of my unused coupons, when I noticed two women who were attempting to manage about 5 children. There was a mixture of ketchup and ice cream on the majority of their faces and clothes, grown ups included. Inspired, I walked up to one of the women and asked if she would like to have my coupons- "I'm not sure how much it will help, but just looking at your table I think there are a couple in here that would work".

After an initial little look of shock, she smiled and accepted my offer. Handing over my stash, I whispered, "You have a little something...right...there", pointing to the corner of her mouth.

"Thanks", she replied, "for the coupons too".

My pleasure- good luck getting them in the car after ice cream. Been there, done that, got the tshirt with ice-cream-puke stains to prove it...

As we were walking out, the 11-year old asked me if I knew those women. I told him no, and he looked at me oddly. "So you just randomly walked up to her and did that?"

Yup. And hopefully set a good example for my kid and his friend, as well as saved those ladies a couple extra bucks that they can use towards a bottle of wine for after the kids pass out in a grease and sugar induced coma.

Tonight's picture celebrates the coupon, as well as helping out a fellow mom. Not going to use a coupon? Hand it to someone who might, or leave it in the grocery on top of the item that it is good for. What an easy way to help someone just a little bit. I just got back from my second trip of the day to Kroger, after realizing there was only one egg in the carton and I needed 3 for dinner....They were $1.99, but after using my coupon app, they were only $1.49! Seems like change, but trust me- it adds up! When I hit $20 the company sends me a check- all with no clipping required :).