End of the year reflections and New Year's aspirations.

It's mid December and....much to my dismay, another year has passed even faster then the year before.  Just as we manage to get our asses smacked by the 2012 door , we are already hopeful for what lies ahead.  That's a glass half full attitude and I love that so many of us look ahead to a new year.

A New Year is, frankly, everyone's new beginning. We all start with a clean slate with our diets and attitudes.  This year I am going to______________________________! (With vigor and meaning, right?)  Then by January 15th or so we slowly fall back into our same ole, same ole habits....because that's who we are, easily distracted.  It's much easier to give up and give in than it is to say "self...get your shit together and stick with it!"

Somehow the voice that pumps you up and gets you to that amazing place of accomplishment is quieted by that rotten lazy bitch that holds more water than reason.  I hate her...coming in with her combat boots on squishing my motivation with her oh-so-sweet "it's just one day....you can workout twice as hard tomorrow" or the ever-loving "Who doesn't love cheese fries?  You DESERVE it".  Deserve what? To lose? To succumb to the temptation of food that I will only poop out in 8-12 hours?  Deserve to FAIL?

YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO FAIL!

Failure is NOT an option.  Your body is this amazing living, healing machine.  Why do we continue to sabotage the one thing that brings us happiness? Why aren't we looking at our children, our spouses, our selves and saying YOU DESERVE THE BEST? Why don't you deserve the best? Can't afford the best? You can't afford not to.  Pay now or pay later, right? If you don't take care of that amazing living, healing machine now, you WON'T be able to convince your body to take care of itself later.

I am telling you now that if you don't take a good long hard look into that mirror and tell yourself to get your act together...this year will be just like last year and the year before that and the year before that.  When do we say "I AM WORTH IT! MY FAMILY IS WORTH IT!"?

Truth: America is the ONLY country in the world whose budget does not have FOOD as their number one priority.  Food and water...the ONLY two things you NEED.  I mean in reality you can live without food for days, but not water.

This is YOUR YEAR! Make it happen, make it that year that you look back on; that year that you define in your life as before 2013 and after 2013! Dream BIG!, LIVE! Feed your body and soul!

Cheers!

Jeni

Marriage as coexistent

Sometimes I wake up before my alarm with these great ideas and need to put something in motion.  I dream so passionately, but my reality is so different.  I would really love for these two things to be closer together on my life spectrum.

Today's dream really was passion.  I woke up before my alarm because the woman in me wanted to be kissed gently, held close, and loved.  Where does that go with marriage?  In the early stages of our courtship (<- did I just say that?) we couldn't keep our hands off each other...even in the first 5 years of our marriage with two kids I was just completely smitten...butterflies and all with the thought of coming home to my life partner.  It seems with time, 3 kids, sports, homework and life our passion has resorted to "I hope I can stay awake passed the news".  Sex seems to be a distance memory and kissing...well I honestly don't remember the last time I got a kiss.

*sigh*

Here's my problem...men, well my husband anyway, just don't get it.  He won't understand where I am coming from.  If I confront him today and say "I'm not happy right now...you never kiss me anymore, you never touch me-unless you wanna hump my leg for a few seconds considering that 'playful foreplay' and get it on to our 10 min romp, when we will then just roll over and go to sleep".   He would look at me like I had worms growing out of my ears like "where did this come from??" and, the truth is, he would be right.

As his wife I just can't decide one day that I'm not sexually happy and drop the "you suck in bed cause you never kiss me anymore" bombshell and put the blame on him.  I mean, am I right? He's rolling with the punches of life just like I am.  His testosterone screams "MEAT, BEER, SEX" in that order and my lady hormones want to be cuddled NOW, when- at least the last 15 years of marriage- I've been "okay" with our (lifeless) sex life (in his eyes) cause I haven't even mentioned it.  To him, essentially, the perfect wife...right? I don't even expect foreplay.  Really I've wanted it all along at least 75% of the time, but have felt too awkward to mention it-since it's been an "okay/working routine".

So...after 20 years of marriage, how do I change up the routine without coming across as this crazy hormonal bitch?  AND....what if we don't have that passion anymore?  Maybe that's what I am really worried about...the ever-dreaded "NO SPARK" marriage-ender?

There ya have it. My first world problems.

Cheers!

Jeni

UnStoppable

I've looked and looked for pin on pinterest that conveyed a message I want everyone to feel: UNSTOPPABLE!  

I didn't find one that really "said" it with the picture.  So I made one.

I made it because the last few days I've been hearing some doubt.  I've been feeling this cloud of fear over the group.  That overwhelming feeling of self doubt and confusion.

Marathon training has taken a toll on our bodies.  We are tired, we are facing injury, we are doubting our own ability to run this 26.2 mile "race".

Technically the Chicago Marathon is a race, but I certainly am not looking for a placement.  I am running for me. I am running for charity, pride, and that sense of accomplishment that only running twenty six point two miles can give a person.  We are all getting in the miles (and miles and miles). We are all sweating during this miserable heat.  We are all facing injury of some sort.  We are all in this TOGETHER.  Together as a team, no man left behind.  

My running friends: you have brought SO MUCH to the table...keep on keeping on.  We are going to "do the damn thing" and when we finish, we are going to bow, accept our medal of honor and relish our success.  We will all have that coveted 26.2 under our belt.  We are doing it.  Don't worry about the rest...we are doing it.

Cheers!

Jeni

A Texas Chili Cookoff in Chicagoland

The last 6 days has been unbelievable.  I have had the pleasure of hosting a family reunion with my mom's sisters.  We have been reminiscing and making wonderful new memories!  How often can we do that?  It's wonderful that my kids can get to know their maternal side of the family even though we are spread out throughout the country.

Saturday my mom and step dad decided to compete in a chili cookoff, complete with palate cleaners and judging.  Can I just say...this was SO.MUCH.FUN!  When you go to a chili cookoff you have a specific time you must turn your chili in.  They cook their chili grind (the meat mixture) and add spices called "dumps" at certain times during the cooking process.  

 My mom

 This is the set up...in front of our house :)

 Preparing for the turn in.

 Doyle's painted stove he won after winning 1st place in the Texas Open in 2004!

 My mom's stove.

The Beans!

I should also mention, because it's part of this great memory; we had a huge storm the night before and were without power for about 20 hours.  But the SHOW (cookoff) must go on!  The chili was amazing!  Both recipes were delicious!  After all the scoring was in, my mom had the better chili with the scores: Doyle 45 Melodie 48.  

I still have one more day with my family here, and I will relish it!  

When all is said and done, family is what you have, cherish them!!

CHEERS!

Jeni

TooTallFritz Giveaway!!

Check it out!

http://tootallfritz.com/2012/06/26/favorite-training-items-giveaway/#comment-2622

Family

I am so excited this week, my mom her 3 sisters are coming to visit and my house is the hub!  I haven't seen my aunts in over 12 years!

My mom and step dad are on their way now.  I am picking my Aunt Linda up at Midway at 7pm and then my Aunt Brenda and Aunt Sue are driving in on Friday night.  It's going to memory making week and weekend!

My family is scattered all over.  We live in Northern Illinois, just south of Chicago.  My in-laws just moved to Florida a few months ago.  I have no blood relative within 300 miles (or a 5 hour drive).  My dad and sisters are in Southern Illinois, so if something happens I'm so far away.  I hate that.  I hate being so far from the ones I love.  They can't see the kids grow, they miss milestones, holidays, and weekends.  It's hard and heartbreaking.

While my family is in town this week I will stay on schedule with my marathon training, which means I'll either stay up late yakking my jaws and have to suck it up at 5 am or it means that I will have to say good night early so I am refreshed and ready to swim/bike/run on any given day.

What's the best thing about your family?  What do you love most about the get-togethers?

I'm gonna say all the reminiscing, smiles and new memories made.

♥ Cheers!

Jeni

Marathon Training is upon us! (YAY!!!)

I may be getting too excited, too early, but I can't help it.  I feel good. My legs feel good, I'm in a good place to start training for my first marathon.  Here's a little history about the event: 


The First Race: 
The Chicago Marathon is widely recognized as one of the best and largest marathons in the world!  WOW!!  pretty impressive!  It is on of the FIVE CITIES (along with Boston-of course, London, Berlin, and New York) that make up the World Marathon Majors, dedicated to advancing the sport among elite racers.  Usually held in mid October, the Chicago Marathon's frild is now limited to 45,000 runners. It is not unusual for 1.5 MILLION spectators to pack the streets of the Windy City to watch the event. 


The Boston marathon had established an annual 26.2 mile run in 1897.  Soon after that, on September 23, 1905, The Illinois Athletic Club organized the first Chicago Marathon.  The first race with [only] 15 runners, began in Evanston and finished at Chicago's Washington Park.  In a surprising upset, spectators watched Rhud Metzner come from behind in an amazing late race move to win from  the favored Louis Marks.  By the 1920's, the economic conditions sidelined the Chicago Marathon.  It wasn't until the 1970's, when running began to become popular, that the marathon returned.  In May 1977 (I was only 3 months old), Chicago Mayor Michael Bilandic decided to try to make Chicago into a world famous city for runners.  To show he meant business, Bilandic turned five miles of an old horse path along Lake Michigan into jogging paths, creating a scenic course that today, stretches for 18 miles.


The Chicago Marathon now recognizes it's first race, the Mayor Daley Marathon, named after the late Richard J. Daley, as being  held on September 25, 1977.  Initially set up with a $5 entry fee (holy crap!  pales in comparison to the $150 I forked out on 2/2/12) and an 8 a.m. starting time, the race required 700 volunteers to officiate and help guide the more than 4,200 runners who turned out. 


Throughout the years, the Chicago Marathon has seen some exciting race finishes.  One of the most famous and dramatic happened in 2006, when Robert Cheruiyot, a runner from Kenya, slipped just before breaking through the finish line tape.  He fell down onto his back hitting his head on the pavement and causing a concussion.  As he fell, he slid forward, pushing his timing chip over the finish line and making him the winner!!


In 2007, the 30th anniversary of the Chicago Marathon and the end of a 14 year sponsorship by LaSalle Bank, the race started with 36,000-plus entrants.  As the temperatures and humidity soared into the 80's, organizers were forced to halt the race after 3.5 hours, for the first time in history.  For their own safety, runners were sent to Grant Park and instructed to stop racing.  Only 25,534 were able to officially finish.


In 201l, Amber Miller felt contractions just minutes after crossing the finish line at the Chicago Marathon.  A few hours later, she delivered a baby girl, at 39 weeks pregnant.


I hope this training season is healthy for everyone! Lots of good, healthy training vibes for everyone who is running!!


Cheers!


Jeni

The Ultimate Reset-21 days to NEW YOU

On May first I started a life changing, reorganization of my priorities, and nutrition.
Basically the program works like this:

Week one you stick to one meal with meat/dairy a day-the other meals are vegetarian/vegan.  Week two is no meat or dairy but grains, fruits, and veggies.  Week three it all fruits and veggies with optional grains.

The science behind a 21 day reset is this.  If you can remove food allergens from your diet (diary, eggs, meat) the histamines in your body will be minimal.  When the histamines in your body are not on RED ALERT, inflammation in your joints, muscles and gut is down. This means no bloat, no gas, no pain in your joints.  An added bonus to reduced histamines for me was NO SEASONAL ALLERGIES-during one of the worst allergy seasons.  I have quit taking allergy pills, I can eat apples, pears, and peaches without getting itchy throat, eyes, and ears.  This reset has completely changed the way I look at food.  I *thought* I ate well before.

Here is a picture in March just after the Shamrock shuffle:

Here is after week one, these jeans are a size 10:

Here is week two, I am wearing a medium shirt and medium shorts (I wore large on day 1):

This is the beginning of week 3:

This is last Friday, day 18:

Here are my results.  The before was taken on May 1 the after was taken yesterday morning. I lost 15lbs and 10.5 inches.  I didn't workout.  I did run on Saturdays, as I didn't want to give up my long run endurance.

 

May 1, 2012

• Height 5'0
• Weight-135 lbs
• Neck-13"
• Left Arm (bicep) 11.5"
• Right Arm (bicep) 11.75"
• Bust (over boobs) 34.75"
• Bust (under boobs) 32.5"
• Waist 30"
• Hips 37.5"
• Left High thigh (abductor) 19"
• Right High thigh (abductor) 19.25"

May 22, 2012

• Height 5'0
• Weight-120 lbs
• Neck-12.5"
• Left Arm (bicep) 10.5"
• Right Arm (bicep) 11.0"
• Bust (over boobs) 33"
• Bust (under boobs) 31"
• Waist 28"
• Hips 35.75"
• Left High thigh (abductor) 19"
• Right High thigh (abductor) 18"

Overall weight loss 15lbs

Inches lost 10.5"

If you are thinking of doing this, I highly recommend it.  It's 21 days, you can DO ANYTHING for 21 days.
You can order from me HERE.

CHEERS!
Jeni

I am the mother of a babysitter!

Today was a special day here.  My oldest daughter, Meg, graduated today from babysitting academy.  She spent 3 out of 5 days of her spring break at the New Lenox Fire Dept. training in first aid, CPR, AED, and fire extinguishers.  Today she graduated with her Certified CPR/First Aid card.  I am so proud of her!

Here she is accepting her CPR/First Aid and diploma for Babysitting Academy.  She learned so much in those 3 days.  The NLFD brought in a librarian the first day to show the girls how to make crafts with simple items you find around the house.  The second day a safety officer from the NLPD came in to give the girls some tips on keeping their kids safe, and how to react in  stranger danger situation.  The graduates also learned how to properly use and AED and Fire extinguisher.

After the ceremony, the NLFD generously  provided cake, juice and coffee.  It was such a great event for the girls and their parents.  I am beaming with pride!  Great job Meg!!

Her graduation class 

Me and my baby girl ♥

I still can't believe my "little" girl is almost 4" taller than I am!  They grow so fast, days like these remind me to cherish them while they're young.  

Congratulations Meg!  I love you so much!

Cheers!

Jeni

Jake's first REAL race

My middle child, Jake, ran his first race two Thanksgiving's ago.  It was the kid's one miler at Pilcher Park for the Poultry Predictor 5k.  He did really well for being 7, coming in at about 11minutes.  Jake is a burst of energy and all boy.  He is dirt, bugs, cars, guns and mud 24/7.  It was no surprise that he wanted to come out and run with me and F'NRC.  His sister has been running with us for about 6 months, so I knew it was just a matter of time before Jake would get the competitive bug to race his very tall, very fast sister.

Here we all are, on our Wednesday night run.  I have another picture, but I can't find it. Jake is VERY confident, and thinks he can run faster than anyone, but when it came down to actually running, he was a bit big for his britches.

On May 19th Megan, Jake, and I are signed up for the PTO 5k. The kid can almost make it a mile without stopping, so we have about 10 more days to get him conditioned.  I know he will do fine, but his feelings might be a little hurt when his sister kicks his ass.  I'm just gonna let him think he's 10' tall and bullet proof for now.

Happy Thursday!

Cheers!

Jeni

The power of music

This morning is absolutely gorgeous.  Sunny, 60°, fresh and crisp.  One of those mornings you walk out side and take the deepest breath and are grateful to be alive.

I am sitting here finishing up a few small jobs, facebooking, and listening to my new favorite app, SPOTIFY. As I am sitting here listening to The Cranberries, Veruca Salt, The Breeders, Belly, and Juliana Hatfield.  Reminiscing my high school years.  I was such a emo/hippy chick.

My flowers are blooming and today is so gorgeous.  I thought I would share in my bliss.

Today is "Teacher Appreciation Day" at school, so I made my famous delicious guacamole for the teachers to fight over.  It's fabulous, just ask me.  I got to take Jake to school, which is rare.  He was excited to get to school today, because he checked out the new BONE book at the library...Bone 5, rock jaw or lock jaw...something like that.  Anyway, he found books he loves, so we go to the library anytime he asks.  The kid just is not much of a reader-so if he is asking for a book, I am on it!  Rory got her library card yesterday too, so it was a big day!  While we were at the library yesterday we took a walk across street to our beautiful town common area.  I snapped a few pics, because out village has down a phenomenal job making our town so pretty!

 Megan is reading a book to Rory.

 Jake Enjoying the pond.

 You think he is posing?

 Meg and Roar

Aren't my girls beautiful? 

Have a wonderful day!

Cheers!

Jeni

Spider bite...EEP!

Friday night was a typical one, here at the homestead.  We had family movie night and watched a marathon of America's Funniest Home Videos, all night.  I went to bed early, as I had a long 9 mile run Saturday morning.  Set my alarm to wake up at 5:30, and hit the hay

I woke up Saturday morning, and my left eye was swollen shut!

I put an ice pack on it and went on my run, thinking I must have gotten bitten in the middle of the night.

Throughout the day my eye was itchy, but the swelling stayed down.  My husband moved my pillow and a Daring Jumping Spider started hopping toward him, so he did what any strong, courageous husband would do-he killed it.

And there's the ferocious, rat-bastard!  So I put it in a baggie and went about my day.

Sunday was gonna be a BIG day for me.  The Southwest Half Marathon was this Sunday and a shit-ton of my pals from the Rucking Funners-Frankfort/New Lenox run club were running.  I was planning on going out to Palos with my girl friends and cheering on our friends.  My alarm went off on Sunday at 5:30 and I looked like this: 

 HOLY SHIT, is right!!  I called my friends and said "leave without me, I look like I'm auditioning for Rocky VIII". I posted these pictures to FB and everyone was saying to get my swollen head to the doctor, NOW!! But my face didn't hurt (maybe to look at) but I felt fine!  I started to wonder if that little critter laid eggs in my eye and they were growing, so my fear got the best of me and I went to urgent care.  The Dr. confirmed my original thoughts (SUCK IT UP, PORKCHOP) and said keep putting ice on there, and take benedryl.  He also Rx'd a steroid dose pack to tell my body's histamines to "back off". But by 2pm I wasn't looking that much better. 

This morning I woke up at 5:25 without an alarm, feeling FAN-FREAKIN"-TASTIC!  I am currently on an ultimate body reset, eating foods that are whole and fresh, and I am on day 7 of 21.  I can't believe how wonderful I feel, and how fast my body is recovering from my 9 mile run.  This morning I felt like I could run a quick 10 miles, no problem.  Amazing what eating good food does for you body.  ANYWHO...that's another blog :)  This is the way I looked this morning.

Not 100%, but I will take it!  

Have you ever had to deal with something like this?  What did you do?

Have a fantastic week!!

Cheers! 

Jeni

CrossTraining

For the last few months I've been getting up at 5:00 am to swim at the local high school pool, as a cross training  exercise and in preparation for the one lonely triathlon I am doing in August.  This particular tri is in open water.  Honestly I love to swim, in a pool...but I am really afraid of open water.  I can handle a river, it's narrow enough to be able to swim  across.  Open water, like a lake, is just scary for me.  I'm not used to being scared, so it's humbling for me to realize that I'm gonna have to suck it up and just do this.  In preparation for my open water swim, I am trying to make my swim portion of the the tri the easiest, and fastest leg for me.  I am not a fast cycle-er or runner.  ANYWHOOOOO...these 5 am rendezvouses (<-- is that a word?)  are starting to cut into my sleep.  I can't drink and if I do it can't be much on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday.  I can't over-eat or stay up late.  I have to be this responsible adult, cause my pals are depending on me (and I on them) to get my ass up the crack of dawn to exercise.

In all honesty, though, I really really enjoy getting up that early and being DONE with my exercise by 6:30.  It's so good to know that I don't have to do anything else, if I don't wanna.  If you're an early riser; what do you do?  How do you deal with being tired, the sleepy part of you, begging to stay in bed?

Are you planning on doing any athletic competitions this spring/summer, what are they?

Cheers!

Jeni

Resetting yourself

As I go through these stages in life, learning more and more about food and nutrition.  I become constantly amazed at the way FOOD impacts our life.  I want you to imagine for a second if you could not smell or taste.  You would only be able to eat food based on what you see.  Do you think you would be more likely to eat this:  

 or this

The amazing things that food can do for your body are just phenomenal.  It gives you life or death, right?  Food can fuel your body, mind, and soul or stop you dead in your tracks, literally.

We take advantage of the earth in so many ways, taking for granted food.  WE HAVE THE POWER to choose if food will kill us or truly give us a healthy life.  WE HAVE THE POWER to skip the drive through and prepare a healthy meal.  It's in our hands.  I am begging you to eat for life, not death.

Food can equal:

• Energy or lethargy
• Gas/bloat or healthy digestion
• Strong heart or heart disease
• Invigorating breath or barely breathing
• Running a marathon or sitting on the couch.

FOOD is energy, life, and health.  Every time you take a bite you are one step closer to life or death.

A friend of mine said something so profound to me it has stuck: "ONE BAD MEAL CANNOT MAKE YOU FAT; ONE HEALTHY MEAL CANNOT MAKE YOU THIN".  These are our every day choices, in moderation that make us who we are, and after all, we are what we eat.

When you stop and make a good choice, you will feel no guilt, no bloat, no weight gain.  Making a good food choice is setting the example for your spouse, and your children.  Make a small change a REAL goal to drink more water, or do 10 push ups for one full week.  When the week is done, pat yourself on the back and set another goal!

My goal this week is less alcohol.  I like a beer or whisky at night before bed to unwind and relax.  this week NO BOOZE!  What will you do for yourself this week?

Cheers!

Jeni

Tap Tap Tap, is thing on?

My, oh so humble, apologies for leaving for 3 weeks.  I am back, bitches!

So there are a few things I want to talk about today the first is my up and coming garden.  I would also like to touch on grandparents moving away, and finally Spring Break at my house!  I've had much going on here the last three weeks.  I've gotten a bit of blog bog...I really didn't know what one thing to write about.  It stinks for you, if you love this blog, and stinks for me because I get the guilt of not keeping you updated.

So let's start fresh...Hi!!  I'm Jeni and I am SO FREAKING excited that you are still here reading my blog about all things I love to talk about!! (yeah, I'm screaming at you). I am 35 short, spunky, mama of 3 and wife to what may be a real life Paul Bunyon for nearly 13 years.  The yin to my yang.  I am a runner (but this isn't a running blog), I garden, I can (as in veggies from my garden), I knit, I sew, and I LOVE NUTRITION (and beer).   Enough about me, let's talk about my garden.

In the beginning of March I started seedlings and my wonderfully handy, hot, husband built a greenhouse for me.

 This is a picture of my beautiful daughter, Megan planting a bulb.

I am growing lots of great things: tomato, cucumbers, squash, beets, spinach, watermelon, melon, okra, bell peppers, banana peppers, and flowers.

All my plants have been enclosed into this greenhouse, but a week ago we had a hard frost, and I lost my cucumbers and some of my watermelon.  It was sad day.  they looked beautiful, green and strong, but the frost got them even though they were in the green house.  I almost cried, but instead of crying I replanted.

These are my growing plants before the frost.

 these are my beautiful cucumbers before they died.

Now we are back in business, a little late, but still back.

So my in-laws have purchased their new home and moved to Florida.  It was a heartbreaking few days of tears and goodbyes, especially for the kids.  They are gone and their house is empty.  We've been going there often to get the house ready for their estate sale.  Depressing is the only word that can describe how the kids and I feel.  We knew it was coming, but it was still sad to see my mother in law go.  We had a little party here for her with our cousins, it was a good night with great family: 

Jake, Shane, Meg, Thea and Barney, Bill, Rory, and Pat

 Jake, Meg, Rory and Roxy

 Thea and Danny

 The Cooks: Jimmy, Krissy, and Danny

 Rory...LOL

The after party: Thea, Pat and Meg

Jake, Roar, and me.

Last week was Spring Break for our schools, so the kids were out Good Friday through the following week and went back to school Monday.  We went over to my In-Law's old house a lot and tried to get some stuff organized.  Pat took Megan and Jake to see THE LORAX and Roar and I went to see MIRROR MIRROR.  It was a super cute movie!  Julia Roberts was a great evil queen.  We baked lots of stuff and ended the week grilling out. Pat and I are getting ready for my middle child's birthday.  Jake will be 9 on April 19.  He has requested waffles and eggs for his bday bfast and ribs with baked potato for dinner.  I can't believe it.  Time really flies, when you're having fun.

And that should bring you up to date on me and mine.  Hope everyone's spring break was happy and healthy!

Cheers!!

Jeni