Everything is Growing!

First of all, bear with me this week. My computer decided that it had lived long enough. So, until I get a replacement set up, my pictures and posts will be iphone quality. That being said...

So excited to see my garden looking so good so far. We've had some crazy weather here lately, including a lot of rain. (Side note, thank you to everyone who checked in on us after the tornadoes came through. We are safe and incredibly blessed.) In the front yard, we have tomatoes, eggplants, beans, and peppers. In the backyard, we have all the herbs (due to the proximity to the kitchen), more beans, and my lime tree.

Container Garden

And look who else is growing!

5 months

Beautiful Produce

I love my new CSA. Last year, I couldn't get into my first choice CSA because it was full. This year, they emailed me at the beginning of the season to let me know they had an opening. I love, love, love the new one! The produce is fresh and beautiful, and the family that runs it is easy to work with and well organized. But, the BEST part is that they plant such a variety! This time of year 'greens' are in season. I like most greens, but no one in our family is a huge fan of turnip greens or collard greens. This week we received bok choy, strawberries, onions, salad mix, and radishes. The strawberries are delicious and the onions are so sweet. It's so much fun to open the box each week and see what's inside!

Born to Run

I have been intrigued by the whole barefoot running craze. Vibram Five Fingers have moved from a group of avid runners wearing toe shoes to a full blown fad. The other day when I tried them on, school children were buying a few pairs. I wanted to know more about why people were choosing to run barefoot. Enter this book by Christopher McDougall:



I really enjoyed reading the book. As an avid runner, it was both inspirational and informative. Some interesting quotes from the book:

"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or a gazelle - when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."

"Shoes block pain, not impact! Pain teaches us to run comfortable! From the moment you start going barefoot, you will change the way you run."

"When your feet aren't artificially protected, you're forced to vary your pace and watch your speed: the instant you get recklessly fast and sloppy, the pain shooting up your shins will slow you down."


On Thursday, I gave it a try. I ran 3 miles with "barefoot" shoes. I did not purchase the Vibram 5 fingers. When I tried them on, I had a ridiculous time attempting to get each toe in the appropriate toe spot. I could not commit to spending half the day getting shoes on my feet. Plus, aesthetically, they fall somewhere in between froglike and Big Foot. So I bought a pair of Merrell's that have a thin bottom. They protect your feet from objects on the road but with the thin bottom and large toe box, they still encourage proper running form.

The shoes did force me to focus on my form. In traditional, cushioned running shoes, you end up pounding your heels because of all the extra padding. When running barefoot, it causes you to shorten your stride and land in the middle of your foot. I really enjoyed the run and they are really comfortable. You feel like you could run forever. They also make great every day shoes. I was told to proceed slowly though as your body has to adapt to the new form. The barefoot running wakes muscles you didn't use as much when running with traditional shoes. My calves have been tight for two days!

Team Rump 'N Roll

Rump 'N Roll

I ran a 5K this morning. It was so much fun! It was the first race that I have done in a couple of years. We put together a team called Rump 'N Roll. The race was called the Rumpshaker. It raised money for colon cancer research. There were eight of us on the team and everyone did great! It was a fun atmosphere. Jesse brought the boys along to cheer. There were a ton of people running so it was hard to meet up with everyone, but we did manage to get a picture with 5 of the 8 team members.

Places to Go

Baby Sean is rolling over!

The boys and I went for a run this morning. We ran for three miles around the neighborhood. I love our neighborhood. It's really pretty. The area is wooded and hilly and there's a creek that runs behind some of the homes. The people you meet are always friendly. Both boys really seem to enjoy the stroller most of the time. Plus, as I get faster, we are able to cover more distance in the same amount of time. Today we kept a 12 minute pace. The first two miles were at an 11 mile/min pace, but the climb up to our house is a rough one. On a treadmill, I've been doing about an 8.5 min/mile pace (if that gives you any indication as to the effects of what hills and pushing 50lbs of kiddos will do to your pace). We had fun though. Sean faces me so we smile at each other the whole time and Trent points out all our surroundings. When we got back to the house, I laid a blanket on the grass for Sean and I. Trent went in and got his toys. While Trent was drawing masterpieces on our driveway with sidewalk chalk, Sean rolled over from his back to his front. So fun to see! We were outside all morning. Sean was happy as could be to soak up the sun and Trent was all over the place. It really feels like spring is here!

Different Approach the Second Time

First, let me tell you about round 1: I ran on and (mostly) off during and after college. Then, in the fall of 2005, I decided I was going to do a triathlon. The first problem was I never had a swim lesson. I had no idea how to swim competitively. My idea of swimming back then could be defined as movement in water to avoid drowning. I did that well. But, that's not necessarily enough skill to compete in a race. I met some people at the YMCA and they taught me the correct form. My swim stroke and confidence in the water is so much better now, thanks to them. The next problem I encountered was I didn't own a bike. Easy enough, I went out and bought one. However, prior to 2005, I was probably 14 the last time I rode a bike. So, I started riding regularly after work. The running was the only thing I had semi been doing before I decided I was going to do a triathlon. I am competitive. Back then, I worked out before and after work. I would lift weights, swim, or run in the morning and bike, run or swim in the afternoon. Two-a-days were pretty common. I competed during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. I wanted to get better and better. I was decent. I never expected to win, but I was usually in the top part of my age bracket.

Fast forward four years and two babies later and we're starting round 2. During round 1, I discovered that running and biking are two of my favorite forms of exercise. I love how fast you can go on a road bike, but also enjoy being in the woods on a mountain bike. Same with running, I love to push myself on the pavement, but also love running the trails. My affection for swimming is more than it used to be, but I still wouldn't say, "I heart swimming." Some friends of mine convinced me to train for another race in June. With two little ones at home (one that is still breastfeeding), I obviously can't train to the same degree that I trained previously. Oddly enough, that has been really refreshing. I am enjoying each workout more this time because there aren't as many of them. I don't feel SO tied to the sport. Mountain biking is something Jesse and I love to do together. Unfortunately, there can be a good chance of getting hurt while doing it. I used to be afraid an injury would end a triathlon season. This time around, since I am racing for fun and nothing else, I am not worried about it. So I probably won't be winning any awards this summer, but it'll be great for shedding the baby weight, enjoying time with friends and exercising outdoors!

Kicking it Up A Notch

I've been toying with the idea of doing a few sprint triathlons again this summer. I did them regularly for a few years, but I haven't done one since 2007. In 2008, I was pregnant with Trent. In 2009, I had just had Trent. In 2010, I was pregnant with Sean. Now, I have several months to get back in shape before the season starts and I have no plans of being pregnant in 2011. So we'll see. If nothing else, it's motivation to work out and lose the last bit of baby weight. This week was my first week of tri training. I made it to body pump twice (weight training), ran and biked. I haven't squeezed in swimming yet, but hopefully that'll happen tomorrow. It's always the hardest for me because of the three areas (run/bike/swim), I enjoy it the least. So it takes more motivation than biking and running, which I really love doing. My hamstrings have been crying uncle but once they get over the shock of exercising them regularly, it will improve.

Back in the Gym

Today was my first official day back in the gym. I was so glad to be back! I've been running outside for several weeks now, but I had not yet made it to the gym. It's so easy to make excuses with a newborn as to why I can't go (lack of sleep being the major one, followed closely by two under two is tiring).

Maintaining good health is beneficial to both me and my family. Plus, it's really nice being able to focus on the workout and get some solo time. The best time frame for me to go during the day is early morning. There's nowhere else I have to be at that time of day so stuff doesn't get in the way. I find when I depend on my workouts being at other times during the day, so many things can pop up and get in the way of good intentions. The other reason is that we're still minimizing how much time Sean spends in nursery. This leaves me to either find someone to watch the boys for a little bit during the day (not always easy) or go during the times when Jesse is home at night. I've never been good at working out after a long day. Hence, the early morning workout slot.

So, this morning I ran 5 miles on the treadmill. Tomorrow is body pump. Hopefully, I'll be able to reestablish the habit/routine of early morning workouts pretty quick.

Running With a Jog Stroller

I have a BOB Revolution Duallie stroller. I had a BOB Revolution Single stroller when I had just Trent. I love it. I highly recommend it. It handles great whether you're in a department store or running in the park. It has accessories so that I can have Trent sitting in it on one side and the car seat clicked in on the other side for Sean.

Running with kids in a jog stroller can be comical though. It can take just as long to get the stroller out of the car and the kids situated as the actual run itself. Loop routes are the easiest because you're never really far from the car (should the run go south), but they can get pretty monotonous for all involved because you're running in circles. However, running longer routes can have their own potential disasters. At any moment, one or both kids could:

- start screaming or crying

- be in need of a sippy cup, snack, diaper change, etc.

- disrobe (something about stroller rides makes children want to lose their shoes)

- throw items (such as that sippy cup, snack, shoe) OUT of the stroller

- talk incessantly (so much for that tempo run)

- kick their feet (causing that smooth riding stroller to bounce along the way)

Regardless - I try to embrace the run, no matter how it ends up. The time isn't wasted if I'm exercising and spending time with my kids. It's a win-win.

Why I Run

I just recently received the go ahead to start running again post pregnancy. I'm excited. I've already been planning the races I want to do this winter. I have my training schedule saved on my computer and have been diligent to get my miles in. So far, I've ran in the dark, in the rain, with a screaming baby, in beautiful weather, with happy (or sleeping) kids... but nonetheless, I'm running!

Here's why:

1. The Challenge

Running always gives you a chance to push yourself. You can always increase distance, improve your speed, change your terrain, etc. Pushing kiddos in a double jog stroller is a challenge in itself. The last quarter mile up to my house is an elevation change of 109 feet. I feel like I've conquered Everest by the time I push a heavy stroller with 50 pounds worth of kid in it! Believe me, there's a definite sense of accomplishment when we arrive on top!

2. "Me Time"

With two kids under two, and two affectionate little dogs that still believe they're our children, someone or something is always demanding my attention. Running with the kids is an activity we enjoy doing together and yet gives me a little space. Plus, an added bonus of setting an example of living a healthy lifestyle.

3. Stress Relief

There are few things better than running shoes, an IPod and a great running route. It provides plenty of opportunities to focus on the run, plan the day, pray... Very therapeutic!

4. Just Plain Fun

Running is an easy way to enjoy a beautiful day, spend some time with the hubby (run date!), or the kids (daily exercise), and an excuse to buy cute clothes. ;)

5. Great Workout

Have I mentioned I love cardio? Really though, it works your entire body! Great way to get back in prepregnancy shape.

Free Running App

For all my friends with Androids and IPhones - RunKeeper Pro is a free download through the end of January. Normally, this app costs $9.99 to download. I have used several running apps and this is my favorite so far. It consistently works the way it's supposed to work. You can manually input your runs or start the app when you take off and it'll track your course, pace, time, etc. for you. It tracks your activities so you can be encouraged to see all the runs you've done. I have been anxious to get back to running since I had Sean. However, the doctors always make you wait the six weeks postpartum before you can start exercising again. I had my visit today and got the okay to start working out again so my runkeeper will be seeing some activity soon!

Midweek Menu

This has not been much of a cooking week. We've been spending a lot of time with friends before we go into 'new baby hibernation' mode. TJ and I are also fighting colds so my energy level has not been great. The veggie box this week was a good one though. Thankfully, it's a lot of things we eat raw so I haven't done much menu planning. We had our share of greens for the last three weeks so I opted out of receiving kale and lettuce this week. Instead, I got a double order of tangerines and tomatoes. We also received a pumpkin and a mix of turnips, carrots and parsnips. I've never made anything pumpkin that didn't use the canned pumpkin so that will be the interesting cooking/baking adventure this week.

Meal time with TJ has become more of a challenge. He just does not want to stop to eat. He is obsessed with balls and cars and would rather play. His snacks tend to be sliced tomato, whole wheat graham crackers, roasted winter veggies, etc. If he's going to be finicky about eating, then when he does eat, it's going to be healthy!

I am now at 37 weeks. My contractions have been ramping up. My doctor asked that I go easy this week as far as exercising in hopes that we can keep the baby in one more week (better chance of lung development). So that's the plan - hopefully baby agrees! Not feeling 100% and keeping busy with friends has made it much easier to keep my mind off exercising.

Midweek Menu

I did not plan a menu last week and I hated when it would hit 4pm and I'd be scrambling to figure something out. I was bound and determined not to let that happen again this week.

Yesterday, we picked up our veggie box. In it, we received green tomatoes, collard greens, cucumbers, and oranges. We doubled up on oranges and cucumbers instead of getting carrots and lettuce. Once I know what's in the box, it's time to figure out how to incorporate it into a menu. The oranges are delicious! I'm not sure what variety they are but all three of us have been eating them with breakfast and as a snack. They don't peel easily so Trent is learning how to eat the flesh off the orange smiles.

Monday - Lentils and Veggies

(basically a clean out the fridge day of the veggies we have left from the previous week's vegbox. I loosely followed the recipe, but instead of spinach, I used butternut squash and sweet potatoes.)

Tuesday - Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff with sliced cucumbers on the side

Wednesday - Pork Chops with Collard Greens

(Thank goodness for southern friends because I had no idea what to do with collard greens!)

Thursday - Chickpea and Parmesan Pasta

(I have been wanting to try this recipe for weeks and it keeps getting put off - tomorrow's the day!)

Friday - Homemade Pizza

So that leaves me with green tomatoes... I like fried green tomatoes, but we have more tomatoes than I want to fry. A friend suggested green tomato salsa, so I may have to try that and see how it turns out!

TJ Reprimands the Nurse

Trent had to go to the pediatrician for two shots today. He was such a brave boy. He didn't cry at all. However, after the shots were given, he stood up on the table, looked straight at the nurse and started loudly "talking" to her a mile a minute. It was like he was telling her that the shots were so uncalled for and she did not have to do that again. Both the nurse and I were laughing at how adamantly he was expressing his point. If only we understood baby talk better! :)

CSA Tuesdays

Every Tuesday, Trent and I venture out to get our veggie box. The weekly menu is revealed the Sunday before and we have until Monday afternoon to customize what we'd like for the week. This week we received green beans, a double order of winter squash, sweet potatoes, and a double order of apples. I usually get a double order of whatever the fruit offering is for the week. The CSA always offers 6 vegetables or fruits and you can double up, single order, or request none for any of the options as long as your total number equals six. I usually skip the lettuce options because we don't eat much salad at our house.

The vegetables and fruits offered change from week to week. Sometimes we'll have the same vegetable offered week after week and other vegetables will appear for a week and then not be offered again. Sweet potatoes have been in season for a while. We have accumulated at least three weeks of sweet potatoes. We also have a large supply of winter squash and that's only from today! So tonight I have been perusing the internet for winter squash and sweet potato recipes. I also have an abundance of green beans right now. Sometimes the items seem to disappear so quickly and other times I have to start getting creative to use it up before it goes bad. The latter seems to be the case for the sweet potatoes and squash (even though I enjoy both). There's just that much! So if you have any suggestions on what to do with these items, I would love to know! I'm not big on making separate casserole dishes. Normally the veggies are either in the meal (like a casserole) or they're on the side but kept simple (sauteed, roasted, etc.)

The other fun thing about getting a box of locally grown produce is TJ gets to try new foods fairly often. He has eaten such an assortment of vegetables. Tonight we had okra, cucumbers and corn from last week's box. Trent devoured the corn and cucumbers but the boy does not like okra. If it happens to sneak into his mouth, he will find a way to remove it. He makes a face every time!

Cooking in Bulk

It has been 18 months since we went from being DINKs to a family of three and in twoish months, we'll be a family of four. It's amazing the impact a child can have on the way you cook. As the primary chef/nutritionist in our family, I try to make the most of our meals. We are fortunate to live in a state where you can actually grow produce year round. So our veggies and fruits come in a CSA box each week, our grains/legumes come in buckets, and our meat comes from a local farmer. My family's health is important to me. If you are what you eat, I'd rather fill my family full of whole grains and naturally grown food than with factory made food. The downside to this is lack of convenience, so the biggest change has been cooking in bulk.

There are days when I just don't have time to cook or a certain toddler is bound and determined to keep me away from the countertops. He literally wedges himself in between me and the cabinets and pushes with all his might against me. It really makes cooking interesting! I know this will be amplified once I add a newborn to the mix. But gone are the days where we have a supply of Tombstone pizzas and Marie Callendar pot pies. So usually one night a week, I cook multiple meals at once. Tonight was my bulk cooking night.

This week's menu:
Monday: Alfredo
Tuesday: Pork Chops and Gravy
Wednesday: Black Bean Quesadillas
Thursday: Chick Pea and Parmesan Pasta
Friday: Leftovers/Clean out the Fridge Night

So today, I made the pork chops and gravy in the crockpot. It smelled SO good. I put it in tupperware for tomorrow because Tuesdays are our busiest day of the week. I made tonight's alfredo, homemade tortillas (for Wednesdays Quesadillas), and three batches of split pea soup to freeze.

Making meals to freeze helps me use up food that might otherwise go bad before I get to it and keeps us from ordering out when I don't get the chance or don't feel like cooking. I also make our snacks. We usually have homemade granola and hummus on hand. Just last week, I found a really easy homemade graham cracker recipe. It's healthy and delicious. We also have quick breads in the freezer.

Quick breads are my favorite! They are great for using up the extra produce we get in our CSA box. I make squash bread, banana bread, peach bread, strawberry bread, zucchini bread, pumpkin bread... you name it, I've probably made a quick bread out of it. Next up, apple bread! It's delightful with a cup of coffee in the morning and easy to pull out when company is coming over for a snack.

Eating this way requires more planning, but we are getting spoiled. Once you start making the homemade equivalents of most foods, you'll find the taste and nutritional value far superior to factory made foods.

Milling My Own Flour

We have been baking our own bread for at least a year now. I primarily use our bread machine and a book called 'Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day.' Both ways provide quick and easy approaches to making really yummy bread. The bread machine also allows me to use the dough setting to make bagels, homemade rolls, etc.

We had been keeping massive bags of flour in the freezer. When I did some research, I found that the majority of the nutrients in flour are lost within 72 hours of being ground. When flour is commercially made, they purposely take out the bran and germ to increase the shelf life. This increases shelf life, but depletes the flour of nutrients. Even more nutrients are lost when the flour is bleached.

When you grind your own flour, the bread tastes delicious! It's lighter, moist and better tasting than commercial comparisons. Plus, there are many different kinds of grains to choose from - far more variety than you can find in the grocery store. I've never been a huge fan of toast, but homemade bread had me eating more, and bread made with freshly ground flour has me converted!

Now before you think I've lost my mind... it is SO easy. The grain mill works just like a coffee grinder. You toss wheat in the top and it shoots flour off the side into another bowl. It takes about a minute. So simple! Since you generally grind the grain right before you make the bread, you do have to do a little bit of math. 8 cups of grain makes 12 cups of flour so it's not a 1:1 ratio - still, it's not difficult.

So far I've made banana bread, a few loaves of sandwich bread and dinner rolls using the hard white wheat. They have all turned out really well. Tonight, I'm going to attempt some squash bread as well.

The first time we bought wheat, we drove about 30 minutes away to a store that sells the wheat. I later found a co-op in our town that we started using instead so we don't have to make the drive. I ordered Rye from the co-op so I'm anticipating its arrival so I can make some Rye bread and Pumpernickel Bread.

And the best perk... having a house that smells like freshly made bread!

Shoe Dilemma Solved and a Pregnancy Rant

Some of you may remember my running shoe dilemma. Basically the quality of my favorite shoe had gone down and the price had gone up. After thinking I would not go with a New Balance shoe because of my past experience, I decided to give them another shot. New Balance has 5 factories in the US. All of their runners are manufactured here, though some of the parts are foreign. (The 993 is entirely American Made) I went and tried on a pair and asked which model was comparable to the Asics 2150 that I had been wearing. They recommended the WR760. So I tried it on. It was too wide. So I tried on the narrow and it was perfectly snug without being too tight. New Balance has a policy where you can try out the shoe for 30 days and if you're not satisfied, you can come in and exchange it. So yesterday, I wore them on a 3.5 mile run. No blisters. That's right, not one! They were light weight and really comfortable. My only complaint was that they made my feet really hot when I first starting running. I don't know if that's the shoes fault or simply that it's August in Alabama. So far I have been impressed with them and like them much better than the Asics they replaced. I'm taking them out for another run tomorrow. Hopefully, they won't let me down!

And for my pregnancy rant...On Monday, while I was running, a stranger came up behind me and stood probably four feet away from the treadmill and stared. If you're that interested in what I'm doing, ask or at least try to be discreet when you're looking. Ogling my treadmill from behind me is rude and a little weird (especially when the cardio room is basically empty.)

I know there's a lot of misinformation about exercising while pregnant. A while back, the rule of thumb was to prop your legs up for 9 months and not do anything while pregnant. Now, doctors encourage exercise. However, there are still some people that give you the crazy eye when they see a pregnant woman exercising. I do not overexert myself when I'm pregnant. I'm not out to break any personal records. My goal is to stay fit and healthy, and to have the stamina and strength to have a quick, healthy delivery.

So please, instead of staring, get on the treadmill and set the personal record that I currently can't attempt. We'll encourage each other and it will be far less awkward.

Caring Bridge Site

Sue has started a Caring Bridge site to help keep everyone informed on how she is feeling, how the treatments are going, etc. You can access it here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/suekeller

One of the nice things about caring bridge is that you can enter your email address and it will send you a notification every time she updates it.

More Walking in My Future

I came across this article the other day and found it really interesting. It talks about naturally preparing your body for childbirth by doing squats and walking. It explains the hunter/gatherer mentality of years ago and how today's lifestyle can keep us so sedentary that are bodies are not as physically in shape to deliver babies. The lady who wrote the article is all for natural, drug free, non-hospitalized births. I think it's great that women can choose how they want to birth their baby. However, in Alabama, midwives are legally not an option. I would have to cross state lines and give birth on a "birthing farm" in order to make this happen. That makes me uncomfortable. I want to deliver close to home and I love the doctors and hospital where I delivered Trent. While I may still consider drug free this time around, pending any major surprises, it will be another hospital birth.

Each time I get pregnant, I think about whether I want to use pain medication. Last time around, I had planned to go without pain medication, but ended up having an epidural. My water broke but contractions did not start so I was put on a pitocin drip to start the labor. Pitocin does its job to start contractions, but it gives you supersized, painful contractions (from what I've read/heard since I have only had pitocin induced contractions - hopefully after this next one, I'll have a comparison!). They are awful! I suffered through them for several hours, until the contractions made me sick. At that point, I decided to go for an epidural. Overall, my labor was fairly quick. From the time my water broke to the time I was holding Trent in my arms, was about 7 hours.

This pregnancy has been much different from my last pregnancy. I have had more morning sickness, my cravings are different, my belly is shaping up different. No two pregnancies are exactly the same. Only about 10% of women have their water break, so there is a good chance that this labor will start in an entirely different way than the last time.

I like the suggestions in the article for being physically fit for the pregnancy. I will be walking and squatting. I do body pump a couple of times a week and squats is one of the areas of focus. On the other days, I'll walk. This morning, Trent and I walked 5.2 miles. It was great - good weather, nice exercise, and we even had the chance to stop and play in the park for a while. :)