About Me

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I am a former career girl and am now a stay-at-home-mom to 2 amazing little girls. Exercise and "dieting" have never been easy for me. But now more than ever, I am determined to adhere to a more active, healthy lifestyle. I am not dieting - just making smarter, more natural food choices. I want to set a great example for my girls. I starting running last year with the Couch-to-5K running program. I've lost over 35 pounds since last year and I want to lose 60 more. I completed my first race (a 5K) in October and I running a 10K by this summer. My long-term goal is ultimately to run a half-marathon in 2012. I've created this blog to put it all out there and most of all - to keep me honest. I include a tested recipe & inspiring workout song on each post. I am also hoping to inspire and be inspired by you! I would love for you to join me for this journey and become an official follower of this blog!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Your Oxygen Mask Goes On First

This post is in honor of all the moms out there. Have a wonderful Mother's Day!!! And to my mom, who I truly believe is the best mom in the universe, thank you and I love you.
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I think a lot of busy moms often feel guilty about taking time to take care of themselves as it often means additional time away from the kids. I now truly feel that taking time to completely take care of yourself physically and mentally is the best thing you can do for your kids - even if it means time away from them.

In a recent interview when asked how she had time for all she does and getting her long workouts in Gwyneth Paltrow said that, "Taking care of yourself is being there for your kids, like how they tell you to put your oxygen mask on first."

Now believe me, I know we all can't be perfect like Gwyneth who has a personal trainer, and multiple nannies to help her make sure she can take care of herself physically (I'm not jealous, really). BUT I do love her analogy above as I believe it is spot on

I hired a babysitter for a couple of hours once just so I could get a run and have time to shower (this was before my youngest could go in the jogging stroller).  That isn't practical for me to be able to do often, so I've found other ways to get moving when a long workout by myself isn't in the cards. One of these ways is through Wii Just Dance 2. I do it with my toddler while my youngest is sleeping. She thinks it's hilarious and I burn a few calories. It gets us both moving. 

SONG THAT KEPT ME RUNNING THIS WEEK: "I Like It" Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull
I used to hate this song, but those pop marketing geniuses know that if you hear a song like this long enough, you will grow to like it in a weird way. Either way - it is a good one to run to. Plus I think it is funny because this is also a guilty pleasure song of my husbands! 
RANDOM TIP OF THE WEEK: Add some variety to your diet and make/eat a few things you have never had before or haven't had in awhile this upcoming week. I have been guilty of eating my same go to foods these past few weeks and I am going to break outside the box. Next week I will share what my M-W meal plan was with you!
THIS WEEK'S RECIPE: Overnight Baked French Toast 
Don't burn the top like I did! 
This would be the perfect mother's day brunch dish. Serve along with fresh fruit and some kind of breakfast meat! A good friend of mine brought this delicious baked french toast dish to a recent brunch and I loved it so much I kept going back for more (too much more!). So I got the recipe from her and lightened it up a bit. Don't make the mistake I did though when you cook it and forget to cover it...So cover with aluminum foil for most of the baking, and only uncover for the last 10 minutes or so (then it won't look burnt like mine!). 

Overnight Baked French Toast 
Note: This recipe is for a 8x8 pan (6 servings). You could double it in a 9x13 if you were serving a larger group.
1 package of Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (Key to the recipe!!)
3/4 cups of non-fat milk
1/3  cup whole milk
4 eggs beaten
1/2 brick of reduced fat cream cheese
1/4 cup of real maple syrup
Instructions: Spray 8x8 pan with non-stick cooking spray. Cut each roll into 4 fours and spread messily in the dish. Beat together remaining ingredients. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake at 375 for 50 minutes (cover for the bulk of cooking time and remove foil about the last 10-15 minutes of baking). 
Nutrition Info per serving: 360 calories, 12 grams fat, 48 grams carbs, 2 grams fiber, 15 grams protein, 10 pp+

1 comment:

  1. "but those pop marketing geniuses know that if you hear a song like this long enough, you will grow to like it in a weird way"........isn't that the truth!! Hilarious!!

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