Happy Saturday!

One of our fave coffee shops- Hebrew's Coffee on East Republic Road!

I hope that everyone is enjoying their weekend!  This morning we decided to ride bikes to the Farmer's Market, and then went for breakfast at Hebrew's Coffee!  

Our Farmer's Market finds today- Blueberries, Kale, & peaches:

Have a Happy Saturday!!  I'm going to get some laundry done & figure out some meals for the upcoming week :)  

~Jen

Just another manic Monday... :)

FAITH

Happy Monday!  It's July 2nd, and the week is off to a busy start!  

  

We had a few new blooms in the back yard (VERY thankful for the rain last night!)

I had a great bootcamp class this morning- I'm lucky, I have some very determined people doing the classes this session!  I love to see people push past their comfort zone and past their old goals!


FAMILY
Yesterday we got some farm fresh egg's (Thanks, Mom!)  They are so much healthier and tastier than the store bought version!  It's going to be an egg, avocado, & turkey (Pat smoked it on Saturday- YUMMO!) breakfast!  Here's a pic of the egg's- lots of color variety!  You can get them at your local farmer's market, or there are several places locally that you can drop by & get them!  Our's came from a family north of Springfield!

FITNESS

Today's goal is to 1) rest my leg, and 2) to work on getting enough water.  I always drink water, but I haven't been tracking it at all.  I have a feeling I'm coming up short, and that's not safe with this heat!  If you're doing my classes and working out in the heat & humidity, you REALLY need to be on top of your hydration.  I got this water bottle to help me out-

On the lid it has a helpful little tool- you just click it over each time you refill your bottle- my goal is to finish off 6 today!  They have lots of different versions of water bottles that will help remind you- or, if you're a DIY-er, just use a sharpie & mark off the cups/liters/etc!  Do what it takes to make sure you're staying hydrated!

Check out THIS link to find out what the Mayo Clinic has to say about hydration!

Have a wonderful Monday!!

It's July 1st! Happy Sunday!!

Happy Sunday!  


Faith:


I was wide awake at 7am today- not by choice (thank you Lola!  I love when the dogs don't understand that it's the weekend!) and opened up my online Bible.  I use the YouVersion app- it has lots of options!  You can pick different translations, reading plans, etc.  Today's reading was Proverbs 4, and I would recommend any and everyone to read it! (No Bible or phone/tablet handy?  No problem!!  Click here ---> Proverbs 4 NIV) 


It talks about getting wisdom at any cost, and avoiding the path of evil.  In today's world, that is very important both for us as adults & for us to teach our kids!   We need to work hard to learn and educate ourselves.  We will be able to make smart decisions and not have to rely on the input of other people in order to make a decision.  We have talked about this in my small group before- in reference to the Bible.  If we know the verses and their meanings, we will have that knowledge not only for our own lives but we will be able to help others when they need it.  The other part of this reading that touched me was to avoid the path of evil.  I know that it's hard to stay on the right path and not to get caught-up in worldly things.  Like many others, I've made mistakes in the past and started down that wrong path.  The good thing is that God forgives us!  He is amazing and despite the mistakes we make, He is always there waiting on us!  






Family:


This weekend has been a lot of Q.T. for me and the hubby!  It's nice to take the time to just BE...  yesterday we went to the farmer's market, and he got a lot of work done with the garden.  I got a lot of food prep and cooking done.  I even baked him a blackberry/blueberry crisp!  I haven't tried it, but I hear it's pretty tasty!   It's nice to just take a little time to just hang out- watch a movie, eat dinner, etc.  


I tried a new recipe this morning that I saw on Pinterest - I seriously LOVE this website!!  It's so addictive but you can find so many ideas for food, exercise, crafty stuff, etc.  This is the link to all of my boards: Jen's Pinterest boards :)  I made cinnamon roll waffles for Pat!  It's super easy & quick, and would be a good treat for the kids once in awhile! (totally not healthy, but Pat said they were tasty!  You can get the recipe here)

Cinnamon Roll waffles with cream cheese frosting

This afternoon we are heading out to my parents house- it's our Sunday tradition!  In the summer there is usually Cardinal's baseball on, and the rest of the year is split up between basketball and football (Pat is a Vikings fan!)

Fitness:

I went for a run this morning, twisting around my neighborhood and the back streets and ending up at the Y. I ran a mile there and did hill sprints.  That just equaled exhaustion!  And I twisted my knee, so it was a LONG walk home!  Word to the wise- take your phone with you when you run alone!  That way you don't have to hobble home :)  It's feeling better after ice & ibuprofen, but it just stinks getting older!  Between my foot burn yesterday (stepped in burning coals- melted the skin right off my left foot- OUCH!) and my knee today, I'm frustrated!  

I haven't had any food yet today...  it's time for some eggs & avocado!  I've had a few questions about supplements from friends & clients & FB friends- I don't always take them, but I try to listen to my body.  I may soon be selling a fabulous brand of supplements- news on that to come soon!  But right now I'm taking a multi-vitamin, probiotic, fish oil, and sometimes pre-workout energy and post-workout protein.  Today I'm home so I am eating my protein rather than drinking it.  (This is not fully Paleo- if you're following paleo 100% then you wouldn't be taking these.)

Have a blessed day with the ones you love!! Get some exercise in & your body will thank you!  

And if you're on Facebook, make sure you add me as a friend!  Jen's Facebook account!

Day 3 & 4

Day's 3 & 4-


Yesterday ended up being a busy day & I didn't get my blog done- so today is a 2-4-1 :)


We just got home from the Farmer's Market- I just LOVE that place!  It's already hot, but the vendor's are always smiling & friendly, and they have some great healthy (& local!!  I'm 100% in favor of supporting local businesses!) food choices!  I got some yummy blueberries, blackberries, zucchini, tomatoes, & peaches!  Pat is craving some baked goodies, so I'll have to see what I can come up with from this selection (probably zucchini bread- I'm thinking there is not a good way to 'paleo-ify' it so it will be all his!)


Today I am determined to get prepped for the upcoming week's food choices- I know that when I have stuff ready in advance, I'm less likely to screw up :)  I have a list made, and I'll be cooking & portioning stuff today and/or tomorrow!  I'm going to make paleo mayo for the first time today- wish me luck!




Faith-


This verse came to my mind today while having some quiet time-

Philippians 4:4-9

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I think that God is telling me (& possibly you, too!) to relax & be happy, and to turn over my worries to him.  Honestly, I know that I tend to worry too much.  About everything!  I worry about what's happening, then start to think of what could happen, and my brain goes crazy from there!  It's not healthy to be stressed out.  I've been working hard at turning it over to God & saving my body from the effects of stress!  And it turn, it saves everyone around my from having to deal with a stressed out Jen :-)

Family-

I'm going to go off to a different side of family today, and hopefully it reaches many people.  When you have a child with someone, whether you're married to them or not, you will have them in your life forever.  I think a lot of people don't realize this, and it just makes for a tough situation for everyone (mainly their kids!)  I have been very fortunate in this situation- E's dad married a great lady!  We get along & have a very open line of communication- I am thankful for her, and I am so glad that E has her & her kids in her life!  In today's society, there are many different forms of mixed families.  I'm not here to debate ethics or parenting styles, but I do think that the needs of the children need to come first.  There is no such thing as a perfect parent, and we all make mistakes, but do the best that you can!  If you've failed in the past, it's never too late to make an effort!

Proverbs 22:6

Fitness-

Yesterday I had a 5:30am bootcamp, and my allergies were not good!  I had a headache, stuffy nose, and upset stomach...  ugh!  I pushed through it (& my clients did AWESOME!!!  I am super proud of everyone- the effort that you are putting forth is inspiring!) but I knew that I had not done anywhere near 100%.  I was lucky if that was a 70% workout, because I felt awful...  well after some rest & letting my medicine kick in, I got in a good workout in the afternoon :)  I always feel better afterwards!  

Paleo is going okay- not 100% (only myself to blame!) but probably about 85% successful!  The main thing is that I'm making smarter choices and going for non-processed stuff!

Today I have done nothing productive on the fitness front (unless you count buying produce at the Farmer's Market!)  I'll be getting in a workout sometime today!

Next week is going to be a busier week- we are off on Wednesday for July 4th, so I'm scheduling all of the classes & training's within the 4 days!  I'm excited to watch it grow, and even more excited to watch everyone progress!

Have a great weekend- remember, prep your meals for next week!
God first, family 2nd, and life after that