Red Velvet Poke Cake
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Friday, March 15, 2013
Monday, March 4, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
The New and sorta-Improved Me!
Hey y'all I'm back! Back for good, or until I need another break LOL. I've taken some time and really worked on myself and my body and creating a better connection with my family. I wanted to share a project that I've been working on for a little over a year now. It's a big one! I took this previous year to focus on my health. As I watched Jaydyn playing soccer for the first time last year I sat in the bleachers drinking my Pepsi, eating Doritos and Sour Patch Kids I realized that I needed to shape up! I don't want to be Super-Model-Skinny (that's a lie I totally want to be that skinny) but I don't want to look like I've had 5 kids either. I didn't want to look good for having 5 kids, I want to look GOOD!
December 2011, I saw a picture of myself for the first time. Of course, I had seen pictures of myself but I saw what I REALLY looked like and I was NOT happy.
I decided to take 2012 for myself. I worked hard! I watched what I ate, I started working out. I'm really putting myself out there when I say that when I started this journey I was 190 lbs. Keep in mind, I'm only 5'6"!
The weight started melting off the moment I became serious about getting healthy. I stalled out in several places, gained a little here to loose a little more a couple of weeks later. It was not always easy and I faltered many times along the way.
I did not have any kind of diet in mind, I did no formal fitness plan. Eating Organically as much as possible has made a large change in my life. I have found that when I use natural herbs and spices along with fresh produce and grass fed beef I am more experimental in cooking. So far I have not cut out gluten from our diet, but that is something that I am looking into. Not for fitness however, my husband suffers from IBS and I believe that is a "Catch-all diagnosis". The doctor can't figure out what you have, so they say it's IBS and send you on your way.
I have seen an increase in my children's activity level and a decrease in the amount of time spent in front of the TV and iPad's. Instead, I have heard a lot more "Mom can I go play outside?" "Mom, can we go to the park?" which is music to my ears!
My Jaydyn is a huge health nut now, and his favorite snack is baby carrots and hummus! I've made my own hummus, and pesto recently and am quite happy with the way they turned out.
The biggest change I've seen is my own personal energy level. I am out there kicking the soccer ball with my kids, bike riding, running the track, and even roller skating! I have found a new zest for life that I didn't even realize I was missing. Although I am extremely impressed with the physical changes I've seen, I think the fact that I can play with my kids without getting winded is the biggest benefit of all.
December 2011, I saw a picture of myself for the first time. Of course, I had seen pictures of myself but I saw what I REALLY looked like and I was NOT happy.
I decided to take 2012 for myself. I worked hard! I watched what I ate, I started working out. I'm really putting myself out there when I say that when I started this journey I was 190 lbs. Keep in mind, I'm only 5'6"!
December 2011 190 lbs.
The weight started melting off the moment I became serious about getting healthy. I stalled out in several places, gained a little here to loose a little more a couple of weeks later. It was not always easy and I faltered many times along the way.
February 2012
I did not have any kind of diet in mind, I did no formal fitness plan. Eating Organically as much as possible has made a large change in my life. I have found that when I use natural herbs and spices along with fresh produce and grass fed beef I am more experimental in cooking. So far I have not cut out gluten from our diet, but that is something that I am looking into. Not for fitness however, my husband suffers from IBS and I believe that is a "Catch-all diagnosis". The doctor can't figure out what you have, so they say it's IBS and send you on your way.
June 2012
I have seen an increase in my children's activity level and a decrease in the amount of time spent in front of the TV and iPad's. Instead, I have heard a lot more "Mom can I go play outside?" "Mom, can we go to the park?" which is music to my ears!
My Jaydyn is a huge health nut now, and his favorite snack is baby carrots and hummus! I've made my own hummus, and pesto recently and am quite happy with the way they turned out.
March 2013 Reached my goal of 140 lbs.
The biggest change I've seen is my own personal energy level. I am out there kicking the soccer ball with my kids, bike riding, running the track, and even roller skating! I have found a new zest for life that I didn't even realize I was missing. Although I am extremely impressed with the physical changes I've seen, I think the fact that I can play with my kids without getting winded is the biggest benefit of all.
Prom 2001
I am so proud of the work I put into my body this year, and I didn't play the diet yo-yo game. I am proud to say I did this on my own, and I am officially only 5 lbs away from being the weight I was when I got pregnant in 2002. (Yes I was a teen mom, but I made the best of it)
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Vacation From Blogging?!?
Hey Howdy Hey!
I am taking a blogging break for the remainder of the month and probably all of February. I may post small updates through this break, but I am going to enjoy these next couple of months of relaxation and recuperation. I hope to see everyone back when I return!
All My Best,
Pennie
I am taking a blogging break for the remainder of the month and probably all of February. I may post small updates through this break, but I am going to enjoy these next couple of months of relaxation and recuperation. I hope to see everyone back when I return!
All My Best,
Pennie
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Fabulous Floats!
Hey Hey Hey!
Just a quick post to share a couple shots I took today! On my way home, the sun was shining through my windshield! I knew it wasn't warm outside but it sure lifted my spirits to see some sun. I decided to make a quick stop off at the grocery store, and pick up a surprise treat for my favorite munchkins!
When was the last time you enjoyed one of these magical treats? I haven't had one in years, and it made me feel just like I was a kid again!
Just a quick post to share a couple shots I took today! On my way home, the sun was shining through my windshield! I knew it wasn't warm outside but it sure lifted my spirits to see some sun. I decided to make a quick stop off at the grocery store, and pick up a surprise treat for my favorite munchkins!
ROOT BEER FLOATS!
I had a blast watching the kids see what mustache's they could come up with! I have some pretty awesome kids if I do say so myself!
Friday, January 4, 2013
Mini-Road Trip Down South
For New Years we always go and visit Chris' grandmother for her birthday. As the years go on, and she gets a bit older it's becoming harder for my husband to watch her. As she gets more frail I watch Chris get more tense, trying to accept the fact that she will not be around forever.
This week we went on a mini road trip to visit her. She lives about 200 miles south of us, in a small town just north of Roseburg Oregon. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and there were very little clouds in the sky. Completely abnormal for January in Oregon! As we reached the edge of her property, Chris grabbed my hand and held it tight. I know how hard it is for him to see her as the time goes on. It's such a role reversal, usually Chris is holding me up when my knees get weak and I can't go on. This time it's my turn to be the strong one, my turn to keep him from falling.
I thought the visit was going great, until I realized that Chris was spending very little time in the house, he kept stepping outside. I decided to follow him, he was walking through the property and taking it all in. As I walked behind him, slipping my hand into his I asked him what was wrong. I could see the hurt in his eyes. "This could be the last time I see her." I didn't know what to say. I just rubbed his back, finally I muttered a low "I'm here for you babe."
As our love grows stronger with the years, I worry what will happen when one of us passes away. I usually tell him that we need to die together, like in The Notebook. But I know that will likely not happen. Statistically I will outlive Chris. That will leave me alone.
When we got home that evening I told Chris how worried I was about living without him. He told me in that moment the only thing that could make me feel better.
I promise to give you enough memories to make you laugh every day that I'm gone, I promise to wrap you with enough love to keep you warm at night, and I will wait for you wherever I may be, I will wait for you.
I cannot imagine life without Chris, but lucky for us we are young, and hopefully have many many years to build an amazing life, filled with enough memories to keep my heart full when it feels like breaking.
This week we went on a mini road trip to visit her. She lives about 200 miles south of us, in a small town just north of Roseburg Oregon. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and there were very little clouds in the sky. Completely abnormal for January in Oregon! As we reached the edge of her property, Chris grabbed my hand and held it tight. I know how hard it is for him to see her as the time goes on. It's such a role reversal, usually Chris is holding me up when my knees get weak and I can't go on. This time it's my turn to be the strong one, my turn to keep him from falling.
I thought the visit was going great, until I realized that Chris was spending very little time in the house, he kept stepping outside. I decided to follow him, he was walking through the property and taking it all in. As I walked behind him, slipping my hand into his I asked him what was wrong. I could see the hurt in his eyes. "This could be the last time I see her." I didn't know what to say. I just rubbed his back, finally I muttered a low "I'm here for you babe."
As our love grows stronger with the years, I worry what will happen when one of us passes away. I usually tell him that we need to die together, like in The Notebook. But I know that will likely not happen. Statistically I will outlive Chris. That will leave me alone.
When we got home that evening I told Chris how worried I was about living without him. He told me in that moment the only thing that could make me feel better.
I promise to give you enough memories to make you laugh every day that I'm gone, I promise to wrap you with enough love to keep you warm at night, and I will wait for you wherever I may be, I will wait for you.
I cannot imagine life without Chris, but lucky for us we are young, and hopefully have many many years to build an amazing life, filled with enough memories to keep my heart full when it feels like breaking.
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