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? :)