Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The plate. No.... I didn't eat all of this- had to save room for dessert. ;p 

My beautiful sister (Mary) made this "not from this planet" CHOCOLATE pecan pie!

It's not secret- I love my family.

I'm sure I'm biased --- but I'm pretty convinced my grandmothers make the best food in the world! This is my grandma Mimi's famous homemade apple cake.

Ok, so I thought it would be fun to list a few things I'm specifically grateful for this year! Join me in the comment section!

#1 - my relationship with Jesus. He is my everything, without I am nothing.

#2 - a warm, comfy bed. yes- I seriously *heart* my bed.

#3 - school, and credits.

#4 - possessing a curious nature. some times.... it does get me into trouble!

#5 - real friends who call me out on things and love me through the good and the bad

#6 - Proverbs 18:21 - this verse has changed my life. I believe in the power of the spoken blessing, and that complaining only makes things worse. If I want to change something, I have to speak life, show up and do the work.

#7 - vision. and thinking about my 5 yr plan!

#8 - helping people get well. i believe God created me to help people heal.

#9 - music. it makes my heart soar!

#10 - my camera :)

and, of course--- MY FAMILY!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

Healthy Tips for Your Thanksgiving Meal!

Hi, everyone! Wishing you a wonderful and bless-ed Thanksgiving tomorrow. :)

Comment and tell me something you ARE thankful for this Turkey Day! 

Happy Monday to You!

Starting the week off yesterday with spinach and cabbage...... righto, it's hard core. :p 

What was the latest green you consumed? Have a good one! = )

Which One for the Newspaper? :)

Help! My little sister is going to be featured in the local paper as a listing agent for her Real Estate.

Which picture should we send in? Tell us what catches your eye most-- Photo 1 or Photo 2? :)

Thanks in advance for the help! =) 

Organic Beef & Some Life Happenings

Hello, peoples!

I hope you're doing wonderfully!

I seriously dislike visitings a person's blog only to read the "I'm to busy to post" line. That's rude, so I'll spare you and just say -- There ARE dreams and goals, folks- and I'm after them................ =)

Sometimes I do think I'm slightly crazy (or rather not exceling at anything for overbooking myself)--- enrolled in two schools (college & a holistic health certification), tests (i always get nervous before a test), deadlines, trying to work part time in the family business, taking care of my sweet, precious Momma (actually she takes care of me ;), preparing for a Christmas vocal performance just after Thanksgiving, coaching 5 clients (which I love, love!)..... phew! it's fun, y'all- and a great day to be alive!

Dinner tonight was organic, grass-fed beef stew with lots of peas. :) Oh, and 1/2 a bagel of 'fiberous' grain bread with coconut oil and delicious sunbutter. :) You should try it sometime!

I made it for a workout before supper-- weights (5-12 pounders), squats, lunges, crunches, etc. Yesterday was a beautiful run outdoors (3.1 miles in 24:55)-- so much that I'm aching to get out there tomorrow!

But, I won't make it if I don't hit the sack. hehe! I'm a 9-hour kind a gal. Sometimes I'll go on 7.5 during the week, but that makes for a definite nap on Sunday afternoon and sleepy eyes during church which isn't desirable. :p

See ya soon!

What are you doing for runs / workouts this week?

Any delicious dinners, of late? Throw them at me-- you know I'm always open!

This Battle Is Not Mine

Today was a hard day. The above picture has nothing to do with anything, except for I love glass bottles and Pellegrino water :). Ooh, and the fact that I thought I was possibly going into a bout of the flue (or something), whizzing into the nearest grocery, and grabbing this off the shelf to keep myself from loosing my "inner-erds". This was actually the least of my worries today, though!

If I could, I would give you more details, but it takes a lot of energy for me to open up with this particular issue as it's so close to my heart. Plus, I'm just plain pooped from the day. . .

At the same time, I feel an inner peace about this situation because my hope is in God. I was reminded by a dear friend yesterday that Jesus IS bigger than this situation, any situation. It really makes no sense why I am not a complete basket case at the moment.

"The LORD God will fight for you. . ." -Exodus 14:14 

". . . For the battle is not yours, but God's"-2 Chronicles 20:15

Sometimes I feel like it's all dependent on me-- like I should do something, or do more!!!!! I know if sounds crazy, but whatever IT is that I'm talking about is -- a TON of responsibility and more like a part, full-time job to stay on top of it all.

But, really if you read the story in Chronicles of the Israelites in battle -- they opened their mouths and praised God versus trusting in their swords. It doesn't mean they weren't ready and willing to fight it just means that wasn't where their hope and security was-- it was in God!

You know what happened when they praised God, despite their circumstances? The enemy turned on itself and started killing each other!!!!

Ok, so I thought this was interesting and wanted to share and it's helped me go from surviving to thriving today. :) Perspective is everything!

I am thoroughly exhausted, though. I hardly did anything physical today which is hilarious-- it's been mostly mental and emotional expenditure. A quick 20 min workout saved my skin by squeezing it in this morning! Phew, seriously- I feel sssoooo much better when I get this into the daily regimen. Don't you agree? :)

It's just after 8pm now, but I'm hoping to hit the sack here soon after I do a little more study for the day. :)

So, I will praise you dear Jesus because you are good, because you are with me, and because you are for me-- a sinner you saved by Grace. :) May Your love shine through me and bless others!

I'm interested to hear from you-- How to do you release after a stressful day? It's ok, we all have them. It's just how we respond to them that counts. :) 

What are you trusting in? :) 

Oh, and I was recently award the Sunshine Award from fellow blogger and friend, The Peanut Butter Runner! Post on this to answer her questions coming soon. :)

Stay tuned- if you're a blogger I might just nominate you next!

Fall is My Favorite!

If fall is your favorite, than we just might be kindred spirits. 

I love it all. 

Cloudy, gray skies with a nip in the air. 

The pumpkin, cinnamon spice that makes you feel warm and safe as you sip on a hot latte, regardless of what's going on in life. Adorable tights with cute, knee-high boots crunching between leaves with cool breeze and exciting winds-- making you feel that anything is possible! 

The festivities-- pumpkin patches, marshmallows roasts. 

Yes, it just might be the most wonderful time of the year. :) 

Orange & spice was my cup of choice this morning before leaving for work to celebrate the season, but I'm also into green tea at the moment for all it's antioxidant benefits!

Are you a tea drinker? 

What's your favorite about fall? :) 

Do you have a favorite festivity/activity during this time of year? 

I Need Breakfast Ideas!

Hi, friends! 

It's the middle of the week and I need some more breakfast ideas! It's been green smoothies of late after waaay too long of 'a break!

What are your go-to favorites? :) 

I pretty much burnt out on eggs (scrambled, boiled, 'omelitized' -- you name it!) so anything other than that, I'm open!

Leave a comment-- tell me your all-time, personal breakfast favorites!!!

Sister by the Sea

What's more perfect than a sister, a good book, oatmeal cookies, and a glass bottle of ginger ale by the sea? :) 

I managed to talk my beautiful sister, Kristen, into playing with me a moment for this photo. :p Fun! If I didn't have other plans, I would totally become a photographer for my job. 

It's just t-totally too much fun!

Oh, and I'd live at the beach. =) 

Mary Robinson | Ocean

Some people are just born beautiful. 

The ocean view is simply breath taking here so I took advantage of it and snapped a few of my lovely sister, Mary. :) 

Classy.

I could look at this all day. :p

Mary, darling- you are beautiful. But, most importantly your vivacious personality, and sweet spirit shine through all that you do. I love you, sister. :) 

More adventures to come! A bunch of us went on a late night (translator: dark with only a teeny, tiny flashlight) along the shore. Thrilling, beautiful and unforgettable!

My Favorite Colors in Vegetables

Purples and greens are my favorite colors, ever! Especially when it comes to vegetable juice. I shot this photo from a juicing session last week. :) 

Lovely, huh?

What are your favorite "vegetable colors"? =)

Of Late . . .

Fall is here!!!

You know it's a good day when you can go for a 4 mile run in the middle of the day and not feel like you're dying from the heat. :)

Last week was a better running week for me than the few previous. I'd been slacking (i.e.: not running at all) so it feels good to be getting back into some sort of routine!

Running is a release for me. Without it, I'm just not myself- even if it's just a 1/2 miler.

By far, Saturday's run was my fastest in a while. :) Four miles in 33:25 makes me happy!

I made cheesecake Friday night!!! My favorite. :)

Check out the recipe, and cut yourself a handsome slice-- here!

Late night study sessions do exist . . . I was so tired on Saturday from the week that I woke up at 10:26 am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know- I couldn't believe it either. :/ Half the day was gone!

In fact, I checked 3 clocks to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

But, I should mention- I wasn't up late Friday from studying, but rather watching "proposals gone wrong" on YouTube with my sister. We're just weird like that (sorry guys! you would have laughed, too!!!). I totally recommend it if you're searching for a way to make your stomach hurt from induced laughing. :p

Saturday morning, I had a giveaway package that was past due to be mailed . . .  and I made it to the post office within seconds (no joke!) of closing. I sped all the way there (and prayed!). Literally, I was walking in make-up-less and Mr. Post-man locked the door behind me one toe in the door. Phew!

The bad part was I almost started laughing . . . (actually, I probably did- knowing me). I have this weird quirk of laughing at the most moment unexplainable moments (to other people, at least).

Yesterday afternoon I made a batch of yummy blueberry muffins in prep for a house guest that flew in late last night. This picture turned out kind of yellow, but they came out a beautiful golden brown. :)

It's Sunday afternoon now. And, I'm outside on the front porch finishing up this post and writing in my beautiful 1,000 gifts journey. :)

Enjoy your day! Rest up for an exiting new week. :)

Cravings as Signals {Think of Your Body as a Crying Baby That's Trying to Tell You Something}

Ok- so in nutrition school this week--- everything is all about cravings, where they come from, and WHY!!!! 

{Just so you know the above cupcake was totally amazing. If you haven't had one- go get yourself one!}

Did you know?--- that cravings don't make you a bad person. I really want to stress this because it's amazing how many people I run into that really believe this!!!

I'll be working with someone, listening to what they're eating, and it's almost like they think they should feel guilty for wanting certain foods (or embarrassed) when really-- what's going through my head is the why? I'm thinking . . . hormones, pituitary gland, blood sugar levels, etc.

No, seriously if you're craving a GIANT ice cream Sunday (so yummy!), greasy cheesy pizza or a can of coke -- it doesn't mean there's something wrong with you as a person . . . :p

The question is, why? Is it a psychological reason (your thoughts), or a biological reason?

The answer to this question tells us how to approach it and pin-point a solution!!!!

Have you ever wondered why (at times) you desire to eat something that you know will only feel like a stomach bomb a few hours later, or why we eat things we know just really aren't the best for us (like fried foods, for example).

If you're experiencing uncontrollable cravings-- check these tips out before giving up!

{BTW, this chocolate stampede comes totally recommended by me!}

#1 - Get hydrated.

Have you had enough water to drink?

May sound strange, but yes- if you're dehydrated your body can fake that "hungry feeling" when all you really need is a big glass of h2o!

#2 - Check your deficiencies. 

Cravings can be a sign of deficiencies. For example, if you're low in iron you might crave crunching ice. You can get this checked by asking your doctor for a vitamin panel testing. :) There are other ways, but it's the simplest to explain at the moment!

#3 - Primary foods.

Are you satisfied with your life, or are you trying to cover up other issues with food?

#4 - Crowd out.

For example, instead of telling yourself that you'll never eat sugar again why not try drinking a glass of warm water and waiting 10 minutes before you head to the freezer for a late night bowl of ice cream?

If you still want some after that-- go for it!!!!!! But, at least you made a conscience decision versus a reactionary one to what could just be a "thirst signal". :)

#5 - Think of your body as a baby!

Taking care of an infant isn't the easiest task (I'm the second of 9, so yeah- I know! totally worth it, though :), but neither is taking care of your body!!!!

Use your imagination for a sec, and equalize the two.

Your body is a baby-- it's crying at the moment (cravings) and you don't know what it needs. Your body really is like this!!! We make educated guesses at to what's going on.

All this to say, if you're experiencing wild cravings-- it's just your body sending you a message, or signal. Until you figure out what that signal is, and respond to it (with the right answer!), that craving isn't going to go away.

Sometimes, though, babies still cry after you change their diaper because it was really an ear ache they were complaining of. The diaper change helped, but there was more . . . don't give up!!!! Use your brain, do the research, and most importantly-- listen to your body. It's talking. :)

If you have any questions about cravings I'm happy to point you in the right direction, if I can! My e-mail is realfoodrunner@gmail.com

Comment and tell me how you respond to cravings. :) 

Do you just go with them, or do you see that craving as something your body is trying to tell you? 

The Easiest Snack Ever! Ants on a Log

Ok, are you ready for something easy-peasy and totally delicious?!

Here ya go! It's one of my favorites. :)

• celery sticks
• ample amounts of peanut butter
• as many ants (i.e.: raisins) as you think you'll need. :p

Spread your PB and get those ants 'a marching! 

Chomp and chew. 

Enjoy your snack. :) I'm off for a run on the farm and then it's dinner.

Girls movie night / past wk/end report to come tomorrow! 

The Day I Went Hunting . . .

Alrighty, you guys asked for dove hunting pictures so here ya go!

My uncle hosts a opening dove day party every year. :) I'd been a couple years since I'd enjoyed in on the fun so this was extra special, for me! 

Sister Allie, and bro Sam fixing things up. 

Ooh, yeah. :p 

My uncle let me shoot his 12-gauge shotgun which was really nice! 

In the backseat of the truck with bullets galore and my sista Mary. 

In the woods. :) 

Just for the record, I actually did hit something. :p 

Our whole crew! 

Yup, we plum love each other. :p 

Alrighty, I've got to run . . .  been bitten by the closet organize bug! :p) And, then there's a chick-flick movie night Allie & I are hosting!!! 

So, do you like to hunt? 

What do you like most about? The still quietness of nature, or the actual sport? 

More fun stuff to come next week! 

Of Late . . .

I haven't been blogging much this wk . . . :/ Sorry! I had an exam today and (phew!) now that's over, my belly is full and I'm here de-stressing life is a lot better. :)



Breakfast this morning was brain food. :p

Coconut oil in a pan + one whole egg + 1 egg white + Himalayan salt + a sprinkle of mustard powder, and finally a heaping handful of whatever green you have in the frig = yum-ness that will ride ya through any wave. :)

It turned out to be a spontaneous omelet because I got side tracked and forgot to scramble it.

Oh, well! Do you ever do this?

After the online test (with proctor), it was nearly 1 o'clock so I raided the frig for lunch and made myself a warm ham & cheese tortilla. 

Yum - hit the spot!

Speaking of the test -- it turned out to be waaaay easier than I anticipated . . . don't you think test givers must all be in a conspiracy to keep us reviewing needless to know random facts? 

That being said, I don't get my results back for up to 10 days (agony . . . . !) so maybe I should just shut-up until I know, for sure, that I passed. :p 

Simple easy, 1-2-3 healthy snack post coming up soon! You can probably guess . . . =) I had fun with this photo shoot as the lightly felt perfecto! 

I discovered last night that the delicious Italian Dressing I've been using from Olive Garden has high fructose corn syrup in it. :/ 

Whoopsie! It was good while it lasted. :) 

Keeping up with the healthy lunches around here! How have you done this week? :)

I got the cutest lunch bag at the dollar store a few weeks back! You can kind of see it in the back of this picture. :) 

I went dove hunting with my sister Allie (and rest of family) this past Monday at my uncle's farm. This was quite the experience so I think it should have a whole post dedicated unto itself. lol! Let me know if you want this and I'll dig up some pictures!

Ok-- so that, and work, a voice lesson yesterday (high Bb's really-- I really love you in my living room, but not necessarily in public) and a totally fun time with friends at a birthday party earlier this wk (which I failed to get pictures of :/), possibly singing at a wedding in October and preparing to give you guys a freebie here soon that's about it! 

Ooh, and one more day until the weekend! Saturday night holds a girls movie night here. Any guesses as to what we're watching? :p 

Comment and tell me what this wk's held for you. :) 

How do you like your eggs-- "Runny" or firm? 

Do tests freak you out? Or, are you the envied calm, cool and collected type of person? :p

Do you like to hunt? :)

My One Thousand Gifts

One thousand gifts. 

A dare.

A dare to live life fully.

Where you are.

Right where you are. 

I've started. 

Recording again, that is. 

I've always considered myself someone who loved to write and give thanks (not to say I was good at it . . . ). When I was little, I'd lock away and dream about being a writer. :p I "published" my first book at the ripe old age of 7. 

In former days (not too long ago), I'd wind down the day processing the events, trying to grasp the meaning and gifts God had in it all for me -- expressing myself through writing.

I stopped, though. For some reason or another, and I've failed to look up like I should. 

I'm changing- by God's grace. 

I will do better. :)

I am giving thanks. 

And, I will remember the great things God has, is and will do in my life!

Guess what?! It changes your whole perspective and makes life so much more enjoyable!!! I'd recommend you giving it a try. :) 

Will you join me? Let's make a choice, like Ann Voskamp encourages us-- to be grateful for what we already have so we're ready to receive the future. :) 

MacroLife Naturals {Giveaway}

Care for an all-natural, raw, anti-oxidant super food snack-aroo? 

It's health food giveaway time! 

Macro Life Naturals is graciously sponsoring this fun & nutritious giveaway! All Real Food Runner blog readers are eligible to enter. :) 

The giveaway starts NOW (!) closing in 7 days. :) 

Winner will receive a sassy blue MacroLife Naturals hat to sport around town (or where ever you live. :p)  

This is what the hat it looks like up close. :)

Rock your healthy! Isn't that little mushroom (onion, or whatever he is!) t-totally adorable?!

And . . . 

• Macro Green nutrient rich super-food dietary supplement (56.7 g)
• Miracle Reds -- cardio antioxidant super-food (56.7 g)
• blue hat
• Macro Greens -- chocolate super food (3.3 oz)
• Macro Reds -- all natural super-fruits & berries (3.3 oz) 
• 2 of each:
• Chocolate & Cinnamon raw bars
• Fresh Berri-Berri
• Apple Lemon Ginger 

Wow! What a box of goodies. =)

I hope you win. :) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway