Thursday, August 29, 2013

The Epidemic that is Taking over children

*disclaimer: I was provided an advance digital copy of the book in exchange for a review, comments, and/or blog post.  

(and yes, I know I have been gone for a while- I'm trying to desperately to find a routine- it's not going so well!) 

This post is a little different in that I am going to be doing a review plus talk about something that is very close to my heart.  There is an epidemic that is taking over our children and taking away their childhood.  Obesity in children is growing at disturbing rate- I am including links that tell the tale:
The CDC does state that obesity has declined a small bit in preschool children in low income areas
(and if you scroll down there are a couple other links there with info)
This PDF has some disturbing facts- 1 in 3 preschool children are obese or overweight by their 5th birthday!
Why Children need an hour of exercise a day
What can we do about obesity?
Kids health tackles overweight and obesity
and finally- Childhood Obesity Facts

As you can see- a lot has changed in the last few years and quite honestly, it's time to get off our hands and DO something about it.  I will be honest- I was never overweight as a child- as I hit puberty though things started to change and by high school I would have been considered overweight- I have been fighting that ever since.  I am still working my way through this journey and I just wonder if it would have been any different if I had not been overweight?  I also know that as long as I was playing basketball I didn't have a weight problem, as soon as that stopped, pretty much all physical activity stopped and the weight gain started.  I have no clue what I weighed in high school or college.  I know that I can look at my senior picture and see the weight there (of course the big hair probably helped with that- LOL).  What I do know is that part of my job is to teach the children that I come in contact with about healthy habits.  And I can't teach them what I don't do.  So, I am going to make even more of an effort to lead by example.


This book by an IIN graduate will help in that.  This book is an interactive workbook that breaks up the teachings into 8 Life Lessons: Love Yourself, Love Your Life, Dream Big, Think Positive, Learn to Relax, Eat Healthy, Be Active and Love Others

Lindsey and Janelle have collaborated on this book and a "movement" they are calling- Nourishment for Kids.  You can see their website HERE; facebook page HERE; and their twitter page HERE!  They are just getting this launched and I would love for you to go take a look!   

I had the opportunity to preview this and I loved it!  I can see myself using this on a weekly basis with an after school club or in my health coaching with children.  You can read other reviews HERE

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

The Boring Life of an Evergreen (guest post)

**Alicia contacted me regarding writing a guest post for my blog- with the beginning of school and the craziness that follows, I knew that this week would be perfect.  She emailed me the following post (and "coincidentally"- which I don't believe in) when I read the post- it couldn't have come at a better time!



The Boring Life of an Evergreen
We were driving when my husband randomly spoke out, “Evergreens have such a boring life, always the same no matter what the season.” It was an arbitrary comment but made me think of all the other trees throughout the year. Every season the trees foliate, flourish, lose their leaves, and then start again growing more beautiful each year. They grow with the seasons just as we do.

Life is packed with the good times (summer), the bad (winter), and the transitions in between. Our trials are what make us stronger and more beautiful than ever. Without them we would be living a boring life of an evergreen. 

In retrospect, the seasons are good for us but still we complain and dread every time winter comes to take away our leaves. We doubt spring will ever come and we become hopeless in our despair. While trials are different for everyone, we all go through them. 

I always try to remind myself in those hard times that God is my refiner. Malachi 3:3 says, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” 

When silver is extracted it comes with all its impurities. Refining it is a complicated process. The refiner must hold the silver over the hottest part of the fire to burn away the impurities but if the silver is in the fire a second too long it would be ruined. The refiner knows when the silver is pure when he can see his reflection in it.

God knows our seasons and won’t leave us in winter a second too long. In this life, we all go through the difficult trials so that at the end our refiner can see his reflection in us. 


BIO: Alicia Lawrence is a content coordinator that works for a web design company. In her free time, she enjoys blogging at MarCom Land and helping others through addiction and withdrawal.



**as I have mentioned before- I believe that part of a healthy life is found in all aspects of life and that includes your spiritual life as well as the mental part of life.  We all go through ups and downs but through it all He is with us!

Monday, August 12, 2013

Back to School-Meal Planning and Food Tips (and a giveaway)

*As a Diet to Go Ambassador I received a week's worth of meals in exchange for a review (not in this post) and have been offered the opportunity to offer this giveaway

I'll be honest- I don't have any food tips for you- I want you to share them with ME!

Bottom line- this week will be crazy- I have this post, another post that I have been working on and a guest post (which I'm excited about because it ended up being very timely when I got it in my email).  This particular post is a giveaway post.

As I have mentioned before I am a Diet to Go ambassador and that means I have had the opportunity to sample several of the meals.  I still have several to try and may put them to good use this week and next as I work on cleaning out the fridge and freezer in preparation for my big payday shopping trip at the end of the month.  What this means for you is that I have a giveaway- Diet to Go has generously offered one of my readers a chance to win a week's worth of meals from the menu of your choice.  I'm not going to put the rafflecopter on here- I know it's easier and such but I am not going to ask a lot.


How do you win?
1. Comment below and answer the question (must do)- What are some healthy back to school tips you have for lunch and/or snacks- or even healthy recipes that can be prepped ahead of time and made when arriving home??

2. Like the Diet to Go Facebook page (if you do this- or already like them- please comment below in a separate comment)

3. Like Diet to Go on Twitter (again, leave a separate comment below) Oh, and be on the lookout for info on a twitter chat coming up soon!

4. Like Our Journey to a Healthy Life on FB (if you do this- please do so under your own name and not a page name because I can't find you)- leave a separate comment for this as well.

Make your comments below (separate comments and this will run through midnight on the 16th.  I will do random.org on Saturday the 17th.  Good luck!




Sunday, August 11, 2013

The workouts that weren't and the run that was

In all honesty, this post could have probably been called "Excuses, Excuses, Excuses" or even "The Run that Almost Wasn't" but part of being a healthy person is being willing to admit when you have "failed"/had a setback and celebrating the small victories.


So, if I am going to be real I am going to have to admit that I ran on Monday (3 miles and walked around 1) and then did nothing until Saturday.  Now, in my defense, I did a lot of walking at school this week as well as moving things around and squatting.  I had my clothes in the car on Friday and ended up working later on Friday instead (since the first day is Monday).  Wednesday I came home from the grocery store and had plans to go to zumba- I had done a presentation that morning and was exhausted so I closed my eyes "just for a minute" and woke up an hour later and it was too late to go.  I need to do some serious time management (still working on this) and schedule some workouts.  So, looking at the week ahead here are my "plans"

Sunday- this is still up in the air-there is something I would like to try but Sunday's are more of a self-imposed rest day
Monday- I have a meeting with someone at 5 so I won't make it to spin class so I may try the Sunday plan on Monday (we'll see)
Tuesday- if it's not raining I will be going for a run and if it is raining I will have to check out the classes at the gym
Wednesday- zumba and stretch and flex at the gym
Thursday- if it's not raining- go for a run, if it's raining go to spin and body pump
Friday- rest day?
Saturday- possible race (I haven't registered for it and I don't really have the extra money this month since I went ahead and signed up for next year's Knoxville half marathon last week) but if not then I will head out for a run

There- now that I have made it public- it's "real" and I will have a measure of accountability.

Now, for the run that was- this morning (Saturday) I woke up and honestly just did not want to go for that run.  I was tired, my hips were aching, and when I looked at the weather it said it was 50% chance of rain, with 75 degrees and 96% humidity (this was at 6:30).  I finally forced myself out of bed and talked myself into putting on my running clothes.  I did 4 miles- I didn't eat enough before I went because I ran out of energy- I did use a new product and a gel but they weren't enough to help.  This picture is after the 52 minute run- you can see the difference in my red face and white neck LOL :)


So what am I celebrating?
- I'm celebrating that I DID get out there and run this morning
-I'm celebrating that I have done 10 days of no soda.  My plan is to keep up with this and then on August 31 I head to a Braves game.  I always get a commemorative cup at the games- if it's different then one that someone gave me, I will be getting one.  If it is the same then I will stick with my water.
-I'm celebrating that my first week is over!  and kiddos start Monday (but mine don't start until Tuesday).



And my goals for the week are simple:
- Drink more water
-complete my exercise plans
- watch my food intake and try to eat cleaner (I am definitely NOT perfect- I still eat things that I shouldn't and struggle with my portions- this is something that I think I will fight all of my life).  If I can make better choices then I know I will see the scale go down and feel better!

Saturday, August 10, 2013

July Kona Kase Review

*As part of being a Sweat Pink Ambassador I received a free July Kona Kase box in exchange for a review.

These "specialty" boxes have been making the rounds- everything from beauty supplies to "healthy" ones.  I had the opportunity to try out and review the Kona Kase one.  I'll be honest- this probably won't be the fairest review simply because of the foods I cannot eat.

When I opened the box the first thing I saw was this quote from Arthur Ashe.  I am in the process of making a vision/health and wellness type of board and this will definitely be a prominent feature on it!


Included in the box were:
Pro Bar Bold energy chews, turkey perky jerky, chia bar, seeds and fruit mix, granola mix, a surge gel, a Garuka bar, and 2 unlabeled cookies which I found out from the info card were Caveman Cookies


So, what did I think?  Well,  I couldn't eat the chia bar, the granola mix (because of the almonds- although if those were in it I think it would be great), the perky jerky (which is a bummer because I was looking forward to trying it but it has soy sauce listed), and the garuka bar (has whole peanuts in it).  I also am not a fan of the flavor mocha which is the flavor of the Body Glove surge gel.  The Cavemen cookies were also made of honey, nuts, and berries but I ate them because they were small)

The Pro Bar Bolt Energy Chews?  First thing I tried!  They were good, had a good texture, good taste.  The only thing I struggle with these chews are the fact they are so bulky.  I took them on a run and they were perfect!  I need to look to see if they are sold in the stores locally.

The seeds and fruit mix- I haven't tried it yet.  When I remember it I don't have the bag it's in or am in a place where I can't eat it due to the mess factor (i.e. my car).

The Caveman Cookies- these were pretty good, a little chewy but the taste itself was okay.

I received a Bulu Box the same day and it was a pretty similar comparison.  So, lesson learned, always best to stick to the snacks that you know you can eat and are familiar with!




Wednesday, August 7, 2013

ABC's of Me

I have seen this several places over blogland the last few weeks and my friend over at Flaming June on the Run tagged me in this so I thought it would make for a fun, lighthearted post for the week.  I'm working at scheduling my posts for the next week or two due to the beginning of school.

A. Attached or Single? Single- but okay with that- see why HERE


B. Best Friend?  I don't know- I don't really have a "BEST" friend.  I have several friends that are really good/great friends but I don't know who would fall into that category.

C. Cake or Pie? Pie- but honestly I prefer cheesecake (and especially the filling)

D. Day of the week?  oh, I suppose it would be Saturday and Sunday (yes, I know that's two)- for multiple reasons: I get to spend time with my church family, I'm off of work and they are race days :)

E. Essential Item?  My phone- being six hours away from family it's how I keep in touch with my mom, dad, and sister! I can also read books and my Bible on the phone!

F. Favorite Color?  I would have to go with turquoise!  I love all shades of the color!
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G. Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms? neither
H. Hometown?  That depends- I grew up in the midwest: Ohio- Akron, Massilon, Danville and Indiana- Fortville and Terre Haute.  However, out of the last 20 years I have lived 18 of them (college years included) in Knoxville!  I don't have the hometown listed on FB either because I don't know what to put! 
I. Favorite Indulgence?  Cheesecake!  Or White chocolate M&M's  oh yeah, and some diet mtn. dew along with some diet dr. pepper with cherry added in

J. January or July?  both!?  January because it's snowy and July because I am out of school (but it's HOT)

K. Kids? Nope (well, none of my own- I have 15 on a daily basis)- and I am okay with this- you can see that post HERE
L. Life isn't complete without? my relationship with Christ.  It's not always easy and it doesn't always make sense but I know that I "can live in confidence with Christ in a fearful world" (Jim Jeffries in yesterday's message)

M. Marriage Date? still waiting on that :)


N.  Number of Brothers/Sisters?  I have one sister (and a brother in law)

O. Oranges or Apples?  Apples all the way!

P. Phobias?  Mice and some spiders!  I do NOT like mice!  

Q. Favorite Quote?  The following is just ONE of my faves!  I really like C.S. Lewis!


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R. Reason to Smile?  I'm alive, I have an amazing family, a job I like, and am watching God work in my life daily!

S. Season of Choice?  I like them all- for different reasons: Spring- the newness and seeing how everything is growing; Summer- I am out of school and can have a little more freedom; Fall- because it's going to be cooler and everything is just crisp and fresh; and Winter- because I love a newly fallen snow and the peacefulness around it.

T. Tag 5 People.  I'm going to be honest- I am not going to tag 5 people- but if you decide to play along (or if you have already) and want to share the link I would love to read it!

U. Unknown Fact About Me? I don't drink or smoke, I love to travel, and I want to get my personal trainer certification (that will come after I am done at IIN)
V. Favorite Vegetable? zucchini!  or Broccoli (but mainly zucchini)
W. Worst Habit? picking at my nails- I don't bite my nails but I do pick at them.
X. X-ray or Ultrasound? neither!  I have had both and don't like either of them :)
Y. Your Favorite Food?wow- just one?  I don't even know that I can pick one- if I had to- Trader Joe's sunbutter (made from sunflower seeds)
Z. Zodiac Sign?  Gemini but that means absolutely nothing to me!