Be Back Soon....

I'm sitting here sipping my vanilla coke zero and nibbling on my granola bits when I should be back in the bedroom finishing up my last minute cleaning list and packing.

I fly to North Carolina tomorrow morning for 7 days. I'll also be going ALONE. This will be the first time I've traveled alone and only the 3rd time I have left A for longer than a day. I know E and my amazing in-loves will be able to handle her but the mom in me is feeling beyond guilty right now, and I haven't even left yet!!

Pray for me, sweet readers. This week will be exciting as I visit my sister and my newborn niece and help her get in the swing of mommyhood, but it'll also be hard for me to not be with A for such a long period of time.

E also teased me this morning as I laid out everything I planned on packing. "You know you have more running gear than actual clothes to wear, right?"...Yes, dear I'm aware. :) I'm just a little excited to go running/hiking in the mountains.

Have a great week everyone, I'll have some fun post lined up when I get back.(Pics too!)

-HLC

P.S.- LET'S GO RANGERS !!!!!!

NOM NOM WEDNESDAY

I'm so excited to actually have an entry for "Nom Nom Wednesdays" I have been trying out so many new and healthy recipes but I have failed at documenting them and showing the end results.



I found it on pinterest. This one is super easy and quick for a great snack.....bonus points for A liking it as she is by far the PICKIEST eater in all of toddler history. Anything she'll eat and like, I'm a fan of.




Apple Sandwiches:
2- 4 Apples (any variety, I like Gala, honey crisp or Fiji)
1/3 cup of choc. chips
1/2 cup granola
1/2 cup peanut butter




Wash apples, core and slice tops and bottom off before slicing horizontal in half.
Add peanut butter, granola and sprinkle with choc. chips before topping with other half.


Enjoy!
Easy, quick, yummy.

I love how Internet pictures make things look so amazing. haha, this is my reference picture but they are a bit messier than this picture.

Stay Healthy,

HLC

...Then it happened....

I hope you all had a great weekend. I am enjoying the roller coaster that is known at Texas weather with highs and lows all over the place. This weekend was very pleasant though and I regret not getting to run during it but E and I took A to a concert on Saturday to support and watch a dear friend perform in a band he's in. Check out Sleeperstar on iTunes!! Or go here http://sleeperstar.com/ (shameless plug for the ones I love.)




So today I had a realization that has probably taken me 15 years to figure out and in the most bizarre place I could ever think of it to happen. While standing on the scale. I almost put revelation, but it's not a revelation when it's been kind of clear as day to anyone who knows me. The last 6 weeks have been both hard and overall amazing for me. I'm eating healthier, I'm exercising more, I'm taking time for ME! Something I hardly ever allowed myself without feeling guilty. The results are a few pounds lost, more confidence in myself, less stress and way more energy than I've had in years and so so much more personally for me.

My goals seem attainable without outside help or motivation. I love running and going into the gym and even when I have my weird inner self confidence issues on how I look to others or go through my closet 3 times over to find something I'm comfortable in and making sure it's not a t-shirt EVERYDAY with my comfy jeans...it's not riddled with anxiety and panic.


I've accepted who I am on the outside and guess what...
I'M BEAUTIFUL.

(A took this pic of me on sat., my 2 year old is too smart)

I also have to just say to you, sweet reader that you are, that you are also BEAUTIFUL. I wish that we as a society had never put titles or labels on people or made beauty based on a number or a size. I've wasted so much life by worrying about those petty things. I've cried too many tears over it and my childhood was full of wayyyy too many bullies that I allowed to have power over me because I was just a different kind of beautiful, one that is suggested not to be accepted by people and for what reason?

So I embrace my stretch marks, my calves rock and I know some who wish they had my bust. My hair is awesome and my smile is cherished by my hubby and sweet daughter. I'm happy. I'm healthy and it's only getting better the more I allow myself to see and believe this.

I can only hope and pray you see this in yourself as well.

Stay Healthy!

HLC :)

And so it begins....

I signed up for another 5k in December and E will be joining me!

Now, I'm hooked for finding fun 5ks to do soon when a friend posted info on this one and now.....I'm STOKED.

http://thecolorrun.com/

I'm planning on running it possibly 3 times next year since the dates fit perfect for a few trips we already had planned. I'm also looking into a few of these.....again, I'm hooked.

http://www.thespeedwayrun.com/ - Nov. 12th

http://www.coxracingservices.com/holidayseries.html - Thanksgiving

Denton Reindeer Romp - Dec. 2nd

First 5k!!

If this weekend could have been any busier, I may have had to call in from life tomorrow!


Well, I'm here. Which can only mean one thing. I SURVIVED MY FIRST 5k! :)


I must say I had such a blast! The people were great, the weather was perfect and aside from a little mud, the trail was awesome (concrete, gravel, mud, grass, small hills and more!). I wish I had taken more pictures that entire morning but I only got one of Michelle and I after the race while we were snacking on some yummy Panera Bread bagels.

I got up at 6:15am, showered, ate a banana and then got nervous. I probably tried on 9 different tops and judged myself in the mirror about each one before settling on my oh so comfy and over worn laps for little ones tee to go with my running Capri's. Then it was go time! I walked to the race since it was being hosted at the park close to my home, I used that 10min walk as a pump it up time and warm-up with some good pacing and funky music.

Met up with Michelle who looked so adorable in all her "Yeah, I'm pregnant!" glow as we decided our best way to tackle this 5k and started chit chatting with a few fellow runners she knew from her running class (Seriously thinking of joining one). Since Michelle is pregnant we decided to just have fun and walk the entire 5k rather than the 1-mile walk, although Michelle did assure me over and over again to just "Go for it if you feel the need!" but to be honest I was just excited that I was there and actually completing something I set out to do!!!!

We chatted about running goals, past experiences, friends, relationships, church, faith and pregnancy stuff and enjoyed a wonderful cool morning with not a cloud in the sky. So amazing and so needed. It truly just fueled my fire to be more active in the jogging community. There's a 5k this weekend in Denton but I'm not going to do it due to previous plans but I am very much looking forward to the Reindeer Romp and Turkey Trot.

My official end time was 49min 50sec http://http://www.eteamz.com/racechiptiming/files/joj.htm#20

Yeah, for walking the entire thing I'm pretty proud of myself. Come next month when E and I do a Thanksgiving run...I'll be running the 5k so we'll see how I improve from then. :)

I must also mention that as soon as I walked back home, I changed shirts and socks and made my way back out the door to the Texas State Fair and did not return home until after midnight! That's 16 hours on my feet (meh, take off maybe 2 hours for sitting) and in steady motion.

My calves hate me today. I mean H-A-T-E me. I love it. HA

Let the addiciton take flight, I love this extra energy!

-HLC

Free For All Friday

Crazy week for my family. Lots of things happening so I'm off a bit, forgive? Sure ya do.
I will say that I am super excited because my very FIRST 5k is tomorrow with a sweet friend of mine. Expect a awesome entry this weekend on that. Very much achieving a personal goal this weekend. One of many...


It's October already! Sheesh, time is flying by. I'm excited about decorating this weekend and getting ready for A's Halloween as I will be in NC with my sister who had a BEAUTIFUL baby girl today!!! (Check out the deets on my family blog)

October Running Mix- Enjoy and Share! (Yes, I'm in a old school vibe mixed with my indie tone)

1. "Monster Mash" - Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt Kickers
2. "Here Comes The Sun" - The Beatles
3. "Sexy and I know it" - LMFAO
4. "Kick Drum Heart" - The Avett Brothers
5. "Chop & Change" - The Black Keys
6. "This is Halloween" - Citizens of Halloween, Nightmare Before Christmas
7. "Runaway Baby" - Bruno Mars
8. "Call it what you want" - Foster the People
9. "Love Shack" - B-52's
10. "Feel Good Inc." - Gorilliaz
11. "11th Dimension" - Julian Casablancas
12. "Read My Mind" - The Killers
13. "You're Not Stubborn" - Two Door Cinema Club
14. "You Get What You Give" - New Radicals
15. "500 miles"- The Proclaimers
16. "Larger Than Life" - Backstreet Boys
17. "Sweet Dreams (are Made of this) - Eurythmics
18. "How it Ends" - DeVotchKa

Very random songs I put together but it seems to fit my life right now as well as my workouts. My runs are weird since I seem to be more treadmill then free run lately which makes me sad. Just me being lazy and not getting up when I should. Tsk...Tsk...

I truly don't have much to touch on. I will say, I plan on adding a few more quotes and noteworthy things I've stumbled upon lately as well as FINALLY getting some recipes going on with some pictures. Who doesn't like food sharing?!

Enjoy your Friday and be sure to check back this weekend (Sunday).
- The HLC

Body Image Tuesday!

This is what a month of healthy eating, steady exercises, limited sodas and more sleep looks like.

10 pounds slimmer!

Yep, after weighing in yesterday I stood there slack jawed a bit then fought back a huge urge to cry. It seems almost too easy how steady the weight has been coming off of me and I'm noticing other little "bonuses". I have more energy, I can run farther than ever, my skin looks better, I'm not nearly as bloated as usual, my hair looks healthier and mood is more positive.

I rewarded myself today with a 2 hour butt-kicking at the gym alongside E and a yummy picnic lunch from Subway today. :)

Seeing as how I hardly EVER stick with anything(not on purpose), I'm pretty freaking proud of myself right now. I know I have a ways to go to get to my goal weight/healthy lifestyle but for a months worth of commitment and transition, the results are better than I ever thought they would be.

Keep it up folks, put yourself first, stand firm even on lazy days and do not let bad choices rob you of being healthy and living a full life!

-Healthy Living Chick

Simple Sunday

Nothing big to post. Just wanted to share a few things I am currently obsessed with and few cool things about my week. That's the beauty of "Simple Sundays".

I lost another 2 pounds at my last weigh in. I gained 2 though the week before so I'm back to 175. I'm not deterred though, still very proud of each pound and will be honest, I hardly worked out or watched what I ate this week. No regrets, it is what it is and I'm not strapped to a single diet or a scale.

I have a new music crush and am loving them during my walks/runs. Check out TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB. If you like catchy beats and something to get you movin and groovin', I think you'll love these guys.

It's officially Fall-like weather in Texas. Highs this weekend in the mid 80's! A and I made a pallet on the deck and stayed there for over 4 hours playing and enjoying the sunshine. I also went through my closet and I have ZERO fall/Winter clothes. I've bought A a few things so far but it looks like I will be needing new clothes soon, add in a trip to NC in 3 weeks to be with my sister as she has her 1st baby....might be shopping sooner than I'd like.

Anyone else LOATHE clothes shopping? I wish I could be girlie in my clothes and come up with awesome looks and be up to date with the world of fashion but I've sadly fallen into 2 categories....The jeans and Tee Mom look and the Running shorts/Capri's and tee look....I'm in one or the other...

I wish I could share the neatness of my town. Denton has some really awesome places to try and one of them is Beth Marie's Old Fashioned Ice Cream http://www.bethmaries.com/. I went 3 times this week for my absolute FAVORTIE ice cream flavor "Bees Nees". It's vanilla ice cream with Lavender and Honey. So wonderful and as much of an addict of all things lavender, the honey is whats the seller in this ice cream. Wish I could share it with the world.


I'm also on this new self-educate mission on Veggies. No, not Bob and Larry Boy veggies, but the edibile kind that a lot of people limit in their diets in todays America. I'm looking for a book or a site that tells you about all veggies and how to cook with them. With a community garden one street away I've been walking through it lately and have been so impressed with some amazing looking squash, eggplant,zuccinni,peppers and other weird looking veggies I've never bought fresh let alone cooked with. I'm eating more in my diet, I just want to be able to buy more fresh and locally grown and not let them go to waste because I don't know what to do with them. Not going Vegan mind you, just wanting more veggies to eat for my family.

So there you have it. I'm currently watching the Hallmark Channel (In a tee and running capri's) and getting my dork side on with some "Love Comes Softly" movies. Frozen grapes by my side.

Yeah, I love Sundays.