Good-bye with a new Hello

Hello!!  Long time no chat????  and I've got no valid reasons here....just lost my mojo...and to be perfectly honest, I just wasn't feeling it.  When I started this blog, I loved the concept of it; write about everything, just be a voice.  But as time went on, it felt like I didn't have direction and somehow by being all encompassing I felt like I was pigeon-holed (makes no sense, I know).  I've been thinking about this for months and months and finally decided to take the plunge.  What do I really want to write about??  Yes, I want to write a bit about life, but mostly I want to write about my fitness journey.  I want to set a goal and document my path along the way. (That's what I love reading about from all of you...the everyday runs/work-outs, race recaps, with life sprinkled in).  And yes, I have been reading all your blogs.  Lying in bed at night, I catch up on all my blog readings and although I haven't been commenting I've been following along with you! 

So, I have spent a lot of time thinking about this and finally came up with an identity and goal that I am in love with.  I have been running again for 6 weeks and am working towards the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend.  You can follow my journey at www.Prairies2Princess.wordpress.com.  It's still in the beginning stages and I hope to eventually register my own domain and get a style but for today it's where it needs to be.  This blog already feels a little more focused to me; it's about my goal of running the Princess Half Marathon but also brings a little of me into it.  I was born and raised on the Canadian Prairies and am now raising my children here.  I love the beauty of the prairies and the peace and calm running on a country road brings.  I hope you all stop by to say hi!! 

Take care!!

ABC's of Me

There is a popular blogging Q & A going around the Blogiverse and I thought it would be fun to join in.  I've had so much fun reading other blogger's, so I hope you enjoy mine as well!

A. Attached or single? Attached!  I am married to a great man who makes me laugh and I am proud to share my life with. 

B. Best friend - I have several best friends; one I have known my whole life, several from high school, and a couple that live in the same town as me now. 

C. Cake or Pie - I am more of a cake girl.  I don't like pie, unless it's rhubarb....I LOVE rhubarb pie. 

D. Day of Choice - Even though I'm a stay-at-home Mom, I still love Saturdays.  I read the Saturday paper, relax, and enjoy time with my family. 

E. Essential Item - My iPhone.  I use it for social media, reading books, and keeping in touch with family and friends. 

F. Favorite color - Teal green and blue. 

G. Gummy bears or worms - I like either as long as they are sour. 

H. Hometown - Small town Saskatchewan.

I. Favorite Indulgence - Coca Cola.  I know it's an awful habit, but I can't help.

J. January or July - January in Saskatchewan means -40C, blizzards, and howling winds....so I'm going to have to go with July.  I love July because it means spending time in my backyard, campfires with my kids, and relaxing outside. 

K. Kids - I have a daughter and identical twin sons.  My children are the light of my life.  :)

L. Life isn't complete without - Family...my children, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles & cousins.  I didn't realize it when I was younger, but I come from a very close-knit family.  I am so fortunate to have such a great support system!

M. Marriage date - February 25, 2006

N. Number of brothers/sisters - 2 younger brothers

O. Oranges or apples - I'm an apple girl...with a strange twist.  It started when I was pregnant with my daughter...I craved apples, cheddar cheese, and green olives.  Sounds strange, but it really is great!!

P. Phobias - I am afraid of flying and earthquakes...it makes the week before I leave for Disneyland a little stressful.  The happiest place on earth is worth it though!!

Q. Quotes - "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." Bill Wilson

R. Reasons to Smile - My three children make me smile every day. 

S. Season of choice - A few years ago, I would have said spring or fall.  I didn't like the heat or the cold, so the shoulder seasons were perfect for me.  Now, I love the summer.  Summer means days spent outside, supper on the BBQ, campfires with my family, and a beer relaxing with my hubby at the end of the day. 

T. Tag 5 People - Anyone who hasn't done this survey yet but would like to.

U. Unknown fact about me - I don't like to do one thing at once, so I always try to double up.  For example: Talk on the phone & do dishes, fold laundry & watch a movie, knit & watch TV....oh, look at that....another fun fact about me...I can knit.  :)

V. Vegetable - Roasted asparagus

W. Worst habit - Why can I not think of a bad habit?  I know that I have a ton of them and right now I am at a complete loss to think of any??  This makes no sense!! 

X. X-ray or Ultrasound - Most recently?  When I was pregnant with my twins, we had a lot of complications and I had hours and hours and hours of ultrasounds. 

Y. Your favorite food - This is a tough one.  I'm going to choose my favorite "fancy" food combo....filet mignon with bernaise sauce and lobster.  Not everyday food at my house, but it's my favorite "going on a celebration date" food. 

Z. Zodiac sign - Taurus

There you have it...the ABC's of me.  I can't wait to read more of yours as well! 

Energybits Review & Giveaway

Hello everyone!  I am so excited to be sharing my first product review & giveaway all on the same day!  A few weeks ago, the kind folks over at Energybits sent me a sample of their product to review.  Twitter and the blogging world has been buzzing about this product and I was so excited to be given this opportunity! 

I mentioned here that my computer crashed and then I was busy on the weekend having a date with my hubby.  Last week, my son had eye surgery and since I wasn't getting a lot of sleep, it seemed like the perfect time to test out Energybits.  After a particularly short night of sleep, I felt like I was hitting the wall by 10:30 in the morning. I pulled out the Energybits tin I received.  The letter I received said "We suggest you take atleast 30 tabs
10 - 15 minutes before your next run or workout to experience their steady flow of energy and to improve mental alertness or stop hunger.  More is always better." 

My first impression of the tabs was that they smelled like a fish tank, or the fish department in a pet store.  Energybits can be chewed, but I swallowed mine.  I don't mind swallowing pills and the tabs are quite small, so I had no problem with this.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but I did feel a VERY noticeable energy boost after taking the tabs.  I perked up and began feeling less tired and more mentally "clear" (not sure how else to describe it).  Before taking the Energybits, I wasn't sure how I was going to get through the day without a nap.  After taking them, I ended up feeling way more alert and when my hubby came home at lunch, I went on a 3 mile brisk walk.  Even after my walk, I was feeling energized and ready for more.  Wow!!  I am a believer!! 

There are many other features of this product that I am in love with (on top of the fact that they work!!).  All of the following information is straight from the letters and hand-outs that Energybits sent me. 

Energybits offer "the highest concentration of protein in the world and deliver a "steady stream of energy without sugar, caffeine, chemicals or stomach distress."  These bits are NOT a supplement, they are food! 

I love that these bits give you energy without all using a natural product.  We put so many chemically manufactured ingredients in our bodies these days that it's refreshing to see something straight from nature!

Energybits have just one ingredient - 100% organically grown spirulina algae, yet they contain 40 vitamins and minerals, Omega 3 and 64% protein. 

One ingredient!  It's not very often we see that!  And each tab contains only 1 calorie, so I got a HUGE boost of energy...both physically and mentally...for only 30 calories.  I am in love!  :)

Check out www.energybits.com for all the products this company offers.  They also have Recoverybits, Vitalitybits, and Skinnybits.  I can't wait to try more!

Energybits have offered to send one of my readers a tin of bits to try as well.  Enter below...I can't wait for someone else to try this amazing product! And for everyone who doesn't win, the great folks at Energybits are giving everyone a 10% discount off of bits.  Enter the code "BLOG" into their coupon box when ordering and the discount will be instantly applied. 

Please stop by and "Like" my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter @EveryDayGirl5. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Question of the Day: Tell me why you would love to try Energybits?

Date Night

So, I've been MIA again for a while.  And I'm sure many of you thought "Oh, there goes Becky dropping off the face of the earth for months at a time AGAIN".  (Oh, by the way....my name is Becky, not Every Day....but you probably already assumed that).  My computer crashed and I went without for a few weeks.  I haven't yet attempted to blog post from my phone, although I am thinking I should soon.  So, basically, I disappeared.  Then I got my computer back, but hubby and I spent a day in "the city" (also known as anywhere that has a store open past 5:00 on Saturday). 

Here's a peak into our "date day".  Our first stop was at an irrigation store to pick up more sprinkler heads (cause we're romantic like that).  Next, we made a few stop to look at chimineas (fire pits).  We got a beautiful clay one as a wedding gift, but it broke this spring and we are in the market for a new one.  I loved our clay one and can't find another one, so looks like we'll be going to a new material. 

Good-bye clay chiminea! 

 

After that, it was 4:00 already so we decided to go sit on a patio somewhere and relax, and then have an early supper.  We decided to eat at The Keg.  This was our "Mother's Day, Father's Day, Celebrate Seeding Being Done" date and we were feeling in a steak-y kind-of mood. 

Summer Sangria (hubby's) & my favorite Reisling white wine

We relaxed on the patio, had a drink, and talked.  With hubby working a full-time management job and then helping out at the family farm so much since his Dad's accident, we haven't saw much of each other lately.  When he is home, our focus is on our children and spending time with them.  It was nice to just be together, talk, and enjoy each other's company.  Day's like this remind me of how much I love my husband, how fortunate I am, and why I married him.  He makes me laugh all the time and is my best friend. 

I forgot to take a picture of our appetizer, but we shared the calamari.  It was delicious!  It was mixed with jalapeno and red peppers and had a nice flavor without being too spicy!  Totally recommend it!  For an entree, hubby ordered the filet mignon with crab legs and mashed potatoes.  (I forgot to take a picture until he was half done). 

I ordered the filet mignon with a lobster tail and twice-baked potato.  It was delicious!  Seriously, I am actually getting hungry thinking about it.  The filet was wrapped with applewood smoked bacon and cooked to perfection!  The Keg serves their filets with a bernaise sauce that I loved!  Hubby didn't enjoy it quite as much, but I thought it was amazing!  

 

We noticed a young couple that were obviously on their first date (or very early on in their relationship).  There were lots of smiles, awkwardness and laughter.  As a random act of kindness, we asked our waitress to take them a complimentary dessert and bill it to us.  I told her to tell them to "pay it forward" some day.  I hope they do, and I hope in a few years they are married and have a fun story to tell about one of their first dates. 

 

After that, we headed home to pick up our kids from my Mom & Dads house.  All in all, it was a great day!  We talked, we laughed, we held hands.  I can't speak for other's, but I know how important it is for my husband and I to spent time just ourselves.  It's easy to neglect when children, work, or life are all calling for attention too, but it makes our marriage so much stronger.  Our son had eye surgery on Tuesday, so it was nice to get away before the stress and worry of that came. 

 

Stay tuned for my Energybits review & FIRST EVER giveaway!  (Can you tell I'm excited about this great product!!)



If you aren't already following me, look me up on Twitter @EveryDayGirl5.  I'd love to connect with you!

Question of the Day: What do you & your significant other do to "bond"?

Tasty Tuesday

Good afternoon!  Sorry for my late posting today!  Today I am going to share another soup recipe (I know, I know, enough with the soup recipes).  I got this recipe from my girlfriend who is vegan and gluten free and it's great!  

Lentil Soup

2 Leeks, sliced, white part only
3 - 4 carrots, sliced
3 - 4 stalks of celery, sliced
1 clove garlic, crushed
3-4 cartons vegetable stock (12 - 16 cups)
1 - 2 tbsp. basil
Seasoning salt & pepper, to taste
Bob's Red Mill Veggie Soup Mix (1/4 - 1/2 cup)

In a large soup pot, sauté leeks, carrots, celery & garlic in a little bit of water or vegetable stock until a little soft.  (You can use oil if you want) 

Add vegetable stock and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer to add basil, salt & pepper.  Rinse veggie soup mix in a strainer with cool water and add to pot.  Let simmer until lentils are soft (approximately 20 - 30 minutes). 

NOTES: I didn't use the Bob's Red Mill soup mix because I couldn't find it where I live. I did use a mix of lentils and pot barley, but I think next time I would add more like 1 cup of lentils instead of a half a cup.  I also added a cup of mushrooms and a cup of Kale.  The mushrooms and Kale were a great addition.  I ripped the tough stems off the baby kale, and next time I would use more.

You can mess around with the amounts, but this is a great, hearty soup that offers lots of nutritious foods! 

Enjoy!

Random Acts of Kindness

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's reading this!  I hope you get a day full of whatever you were hoping!  Last night, my five year old daughter brought out some nail polish and lotion because she wanted to give me a foot rub and paint my nails.  No spa could compete with that service!!

 

M's favorite movie is Brave, so I found the YouTube video of Merida being inducted as a princess at the Magic Kingdom yesterday.  We watched it as our nails dried and snuggled on the couch.  

When I woke up this morning, I got a beautiful card from hubby and snuggles from my boys.  M surprised me with her card and present she made in Kindergarten.  So cute!! 


In non-Mother's Day related news, runDisney released pictures of the medals for the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend and Dumbo Double Dare races. 

Source



 The Disneyland Half Marathon probably won't ever work for me to make, the timing is just all wrong.  That doesn't stop me from being mega-jealous of everyone who will be earning these medals.  Good luck and have a blast everyone!!

You can read how this started (along with my first reported Random Act of Kindness) here or the second one here. 

Random Act of Kindness #3: Maybe this doesn't count as an "act of kindness", maybe it's more of a favor??  I'm not sure, but it put a smile on someone's face and it was in the right spirit, so I'm putting it down.  This week, I heard through the small town grapevine (yes they exist) that a friend of mine was taking her two small son's to the Mother's Day event at the school (the Grade 1 - 4 class invite their mother's in for pampering).  The day was supposed to be for her, but she didn't know what to do with the other kids so she was bringing them along.  I called her up and offered to watch the smaller children so she could enjoy her time with the older ones.  She was happy and it was no problem for me.  My kid's got to play with some friends and she got to enjoy her mother's day experience.  Everyone wins!  :) 

 

Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's, mother-in-laws, step-mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures (aunts, cousins, babysitters, etc).  The world is a better place because of your love for children!!  Hope you have a great day!!

 

 





Real Beauty



 

This past week has been a lot of things...overwhelming, frustrating, heartbreaking and ultimately enlightening.  My father-in-law, who suffered from a farming accident (read more here) isn't healing properly and had to go back into surgery.  A project I have been working on for over four years came to completion and we have been swamped by it.  But most of all, my heart is hurting for my daughter. 

 

My daughter, M, is five years old.  She is one of the sweetest, kindest souls I have ever met.  She is empathetic and wise far beyond her five short years.  She is beautiful in every way possible.  And at age five, she came home from school crying because one little girl in her class told her "you aren't pretty", "you aren't my friend", "you aren't good enough".  Big, sloppy tears fall down my cheeks now even as I write this.  You aren't good enough!!  At age five!  It breaks my heart that any child can say this and that any child has to hear this.  Truthfully, I think I am taking this harder than her.  After talking to her for a few minutes, she felt better.  She knows that she is beautiful, on the inside and out and she knows that she has friends who love her for who she is.  I know this won't be the last time she encounters these sorts of comments, but I wish I could bubble wrap her little heart and protect her forever. 

 

Then it gets me thinking even further, isn't this what many women feel; we aren't pretty enough, we aren't good enough.  How do I raise a daughter who knows her worth; who knows how important she is, how special she is, how beautiful she is on the inside and the outside?  First things first...show her.  Show her that I think I am pretty, important, special and loved.  And hopefully, she will follow suit and learn the same.  When she looks in the mirror, I want her to see what I see in her.     

 

A few weeks ago, a friend shared the Dove Real Beauty video on Facebook.  The first time I watched this video, I cried big, ugly tears and immediately shared it with my friends.  

 

I love this video but it also makes me sad.  As women, why do so many not see our real beauty?  When we look in the mirror, why is the image so different than what others see. 

This week, I pulled out my wedding pictures.  My brother-in-law told me my wedding pictures looked like I could be a model, so this week I looked at them with his eyes.  Seven years ago, I didn't see it, I almost thought he was being sarcastic.  This week, I looked with gentler eyes, and there was a beautiful, happy young lady looking back at me.

My pledge is to look at myself with kinder and gentler eyes.  Not only for me, but for my daughter.  I want her to love herself and there is no better way to teach than by example. 

Question of the Day: Do you see yourself how others do?