Final photos for FYM STC09

Went to Hinton, Alberta yesterday and it was a fun trip! I got to celebrate in the joy that my hubby experienced as he rode his new bike home yesterday. Here's a pic of the snack bag I packed.


In it is 2 bottles of water, a mason jar (20 ounzes) of bengal spice tea, bananas, pears, apples, sliced sweet potato spears, my favorite organic multigrain spicy tortilla chips (28% fibre baby!), and snack bags of almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, goji berries, and currants. Next time I'll pack a bit more protein as the snack bags went quick and the lunch everyone got to eat was not quite celiac friendly. Options would include a chicken wrap or something that the boys won't make a big mess of the backseat with :D.

WOW! I am so thankful!....an update on life

(Disclaimer LONG 4-day update :lol: )

Ok, I am on a gratitude HIGH right now and it is awesome!! I was ill from the air on Monday and it was also the day that my friend had booked to come and hang out. So we went for a drive to look at the house that we have an accepted offer on. We had the kids in the back since her daughter and my older son had the day off from school and it was like old times. I am grateful to have her as a friend as I am really enjoying the fact that I get to share in how she grows as a woman and mother and how our kids are growing as friends together.

We drove around the house and noticed it's details. We discussed how we would use the yard and do the gardening.....all positive images of a time enjoyed in a new home. Now this was also the same day that the conditions for financing were to expire.....and we had not heard any final words on the mortgage being fully approved yet. We were on the hinge of knowing whether or not the sale would be finalized and we could move on to a more productive environment and live a new phase of our lives.

After that day, I was seriously struggling to breath, had a severe migraine to a point I didn't want to open my eyes, my body ached and I was chilled to the bone. I had no appetite and the worst point was, I could not take care of my kids. I took a long time to clue in to the fact that last year I had similar symptoms, (Update on Toxicity....) but not this bad. I finally made it upstairs to bed and as I continued to rest (think I was down for about 14 + hours), I was grateful I had enough breath to still be breathing. The following day I was much better, but as I came down the stairs I was confirmed of the source of illness.... the same toxins from last year....spring was in full "blooom" again. I opened all the windows and put on my winter coat and packed. And when I could, I made phone calls to get more information and more action taken on fixing the pending problem. It HAS to be possible as I know we had the same repairs done to our own condo. I booked a doctors appointment and I was going to see about my symptoms.

Yesterday I had the appointment and the doctor didn't even know me. She asked me questions that were in the file in front of her. I have been there on a frequent basis over the last 2 years and reception is familiar with me and my family, but the doctor isn't. I assumed that something major was going on in her life, but also concluded it was time to keep my eyes and ears open for another practitioner that I can work with to the benefit of me and my family in a progressive manner, not just someone that will write me a prescription when that was not what I asked for. And to top it all off, being out of the house my symptoms were greatly improve in just a half hour span.....nothing much to report I guess by the time I was checked out. Glad that I heal and recover so quickly. :wink: The pluses of yesterday were numerous though as my mom drove me to my appointment, then to pick up my son, to storage, and then to my son's appointment. After the encouraging time spent with my mom and my boys (and a casting director making sure to tell me before she went in for her son's appointment ...."Your boys are beautiful....DON'T WASTE IT!") I asked my mom if she wanted to go see the house.

Well, after coming down to the very hour where we would have to say "no" on removing the condition on our offer and being refused the phone call, to the edge of having to admit my hubby by ambulance to the hospital for anxiety attack, heart break, and severe depression, we got the call saying "Congratulations!" God pushed us to the EDGE of our faith I tell you. (.....movie script in the works hahaha.) So as my mom pulled up in front of the house, there it was! GOLDEN! The SOLD sign! We parked in front and went right to work.......checking out what plants were in the garden HAHA. It's my time for giving love to nature and I wanted to see what wonderful gifts would bloom over the summer.....daffs, peonies, lilies....ALL good!

SO with all the pressing details of life that have arisen over the last 4 days, there has been so many wonderful things to be thankful for and to remind me that it's is always worth it to keep on steppin!

(P.S. and eating supportively helps to recover quickly)

It's time to vote Fit Yummy Mummy style!!

The FYM New Year's Transformation Challenge has come to a close and the finalists have been chosen. I have read through each one of the essays submitted by the fit yummy mummy group over ClubFYM and so many of them gleaned such great successes with fat loss, inches removed, confidence gained, and wisdom gleaned from the experiences they have had over the last 12 weeks. I was INSPIRED by these women and their successes as they transformed inside and out. A few days remain for you to cast your vote.....I have already! Who will you vote for? Go and find out NYTC Vote.

Don't get fat from a bunny bearing chocolate!

It's that time of year again. Can you smell it? The fresh scent of cocoa in the air. It's on all the stacks outs and ends of the aisles in all your favorite stores. CHOCOLATE!!!

I went down the main aisle of the grocery store with my boys and I had to PEEL their attention away from the huge display that ran up the middle of the store. Easter time is here again and a new level of holiday gift-giving has arrived. I'm sure you may have noticed it over the last year, but for EVERY "holiday" or occasion they have come out with all the goodies that you can stuff baskets full of and give as gifts. Excellent marketing idea for those who spent ages trying to get people on board giving gift baskets, but NOW it involves every possible thing being tossed in. Toys, books, cards, crayons, but most of all candy! Sugary treats with their packaging changed for the season (like costumes) and to entice the eyes (at all sight levels) of those who like to buy for the occasion.

At some point, I am thinking that when people think of giving to children, that their first instinct is not always going to be laden with sugar. That the "treat" they think they are giving is a "present" left by the Easter bunny as "it" secretly hopped around all night long leaving these gifts of colourfully foil-wrapped chocolate balls and other goodies for kids to gorge on. And of course, as we think these gifts of chocolate will ONLY be eaten by the kids, then we fool ourselves as we may all be familiar with the taste of the tail of the chocolate bunny and a nibble of the tip of its ear (the easy to snap parts) as our children share with us as they have been taught to do with their toys. Those little nibbles and bites add up to a lot of sugar and a lot of unwanted and unsupportive calories. They also leave you hungry, and craving for more with your thoughts all obscured and your children running around in hyperactive circles till they drop from fatigue and exhaustion. About 25 chocolate chips (not even a handful for me) is easily 100 calories or more. That means an average-sized, well-meaning, chocolate easter bunny's appendages can amount to over 500 calories (2 ears, 1 foot, 1 tail, and the paw....flat chocolate bunny), about 1/3 of required calories for an average woman (doing average exercise). That equals almost a full lunch and snack.....2 MEALS worth of calories.

So pray that your generous, gift-basket-bearing-tonnes-of-sugary-treats friends are heavy on the chocolate giving this year (especially if you have more than one child too). And if you like to stock up a basket for your kids at this time, opt for options like coloring books, fancy parkers, pens, and pencils, fruit, carrots, flowers, seeds to plant in the garden (carrot seeds), gardening tools...the options are endless. Or celebrate this time in a way that does not shove unnecessary, and unsupportive foods into their faces and establishing an expected tradition (habit) of celebrating with sugar, gifts, and treats. Focus on the WHY of what you are celbrating this time of year and share it with your friends and family. We can also celebrate by getting together with family, doing something fun and active together, and enjoying quality time. What better time in our economy to up the standard on quality, instead of showering with quantity.

Have a great weekend and enjoyable holiday!

NYTC final pix

Final Results of the NYTC (April 2nd, 2009)
Name: Elisa Sterling-Cowan Age: 33
Weight: 145 lbs to 144 lbs (- 1 lb)
Height: 5'5" to 5'6"
Arms: 11" (same)
Chest (above breast): 33" to 35 ¾" (+ 2 ¾ “)
Chest (under breast): 31” to 33 ½” (+ 2 ½ “)
Waist: 29” to 29 ½” (+ ½ “)
Abdomen: 30.5” to 31” (+ ½ “)
Hips: 36” to 37” (+ 1 “)
Thighs: 21 1/2” to 22 ½" (+ 1 “)
Calves: 15" (same)

My Goal: To hit it with intensity and focus. I want to set the foundation of success and accomplishment to jump off in other areas of my life. I want to increase my strength using pullups and my 3 year old as a guide (how long/far I can carry him) . I want to get back to my nutritional convictions. Over the last few months I have made best scenario choices and I would prefer to just eat as I would like to nourish my body best (if that makes sense). As much as I want to plan my meals, I will have to gauge that with other priorities in my life, but I will try new recipes and set a schedule for the times that we will be eating through the day and will aim to cook dinner by lunch time and maximize when I am most energetic in the day. I want to tackle what I have been putting off and be a woman of action and get back to perseverance and discipline.

This has been a time of intensity and perseverance for me and my family. And with the many challenges we faced together, we are growing in our hope and patience to see things through and fighting the feeling of bailing out before the finish of what we have started.

I came into the challenge ready to get back at it and see what I could accomplish, in my fitness journey and in other areas of my life. And with so many things on the go, I felt as though I wasn't giving my all to this challenge and not hitting it with the intensity I did at first. In the first 4 weeks I saw how my clothes fit differently and I was losing weight and inches and I was excited. But after those 4 weeks I saw the weight and the inches going up and at first I was concerned, thinking I was slacking off and not keeping it up and just getting down on myself. I decided that since my focus was divided, I would just continue to make supportive choices and keep pushing to get in my workouts and be active and enjoy life while working on the other things I wanted to accomplish. As I look back over the last 12 weeks, I can see how I managed to maintain my health and the health of my family, and my sanity and manage to meet all the goals I started out with and more. I was able to ramp it up give that extra push at the end and find a way to get get in the intensity, but also to make the most of the efficiency of the FYM workouts.

I am definitely stronger and able to carry my son for quite a distance and time. I have muscle tone in my arms, back, and legs that I didn't before and I know it's been a while since I have. I gained new nutritional convictions, learning that I will continue to tweak each day something in my diet, trying out new recipes and foods that are high in nutritional value. I want to keep it sustainable, something I will do for a long time, not just a diet that last for 30 days. I have raised my standard and am now eating more in the 80 / 20 range and it's doable for me. I can enjoy making “treats” with my kids and still have it be healthy.

In the other areas of my life I have gone after my undone list and finished off things I had started. I got my learner's permit for driving after putting it off for 13 years and it has inspired others to go and succeed in writing their learner's test as well. I have noticed that many are inspired by the actions I take and since I want to live an inspiring life, I am truly encouraged when others around me go after what they want and succeed. That has been my motivation, is to help and motivate others. God has enriched my life with this blessing and as I take more action, others around me take more action. As I step out faithfully, others around me are encouraged to help and to step out on their own faith as well. It can be hard to trust in the unknown, but I have only been pleasantly surprised at every step forward I have taken. I am eager to RUN! I pray that I will not let fear trip me up on my journey and that as eager as I am to run, I still want to walk and enjoy this journey I am on for life (I may through in an interval here and there though).

To God be the Glory!

Psalm 66

For the director of music. A song. A psalm.

¹ Shout with joy to God, all the earth!

² Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious!

³ Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.

⁴ All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing praise to your name."
Selah

⁵ Come and see what God has done,
how awesome his works in man's behalf!

⁶ He turned the sea into dry land,
they passed through the waters on foot—
come, let us rejoice in him.

⁷ He rules forever by his power,
his eyes watch the nations—
let not the rebellious rise up against him.
Selah

⁸ Praise our God, O peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;

⁹ he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.

¹⁰ For you, O God, tested us;
you refined us like silver.

¹¹ You brought us into prison
and laid burdens on our backs.

¹² You let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.

¹³ I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
and fulfill my vows to you-

¹⁴ vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
when I was in trouble.

¹⁵ I will sacrifice fat animals to you
and an offering of rams;
I will offer bulls and goats.
Selah

¹⁶ Come and listen, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me.

¹⁷ I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.

¹⁸ If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;

¹⁹ but God has surely listened
and heard my voice in prayer.

²⁰ Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!

I am full of overwhelming joy, encouragement, and excitement. I am surrounded by love and faith and I know that I am truly grateful for every minute of this life I get to live.

I waited a long time for the P.I. (planned indulgence) I had last night not know that it would be a celebratory dinner spent with just me and my husband. We wore matching sweaters and went out on the town in Red Deer after receiving a call that encouraged our hearts and fulfilled our hopes.

Our offer on a house I have been LONGING and dreaming of for months now, but was WAY off our price range until the other day has been accepted. It meets every prayer and request and more. And as I reflect on the duration of my desire, I see how there was no other time, but EXACTLY as it happened that it could have come to where it is today (God's plan is perfect!).

So as we continue to work towards moving into our home, I would ask that continued positive thoughts and prayers can be submitted for the financing to go through smoothly, and that we get a renter for the condo as well. Thank you for your love and support my family. I am truly grateful you helped to encourage me and give me strength through all this time.

The finale of another FYM challenge

Here it is!! The end of another challenging 12 weeks and the excitement is building over at ClubFYM as the New Year's Transformation Challenge comes to an end. Myself and hundreds of others began this journey at the start of the year, applying the Fit Yummy Mummy workouts and setting goals to achieve amazing results from the inside out. As the fit yummy mummies shared their progress over the last 12 weeks I was astonished and overjoyed at how quickly they were seeing results! Many simply applied the workouts, the fundamentals of supportive nutrition along with focus and hard work and they were shedding pounds and inches in weeks!

As a finalist in the Summer Transformation Challenge, it made me realize that the concept of time and the expectation of getting quick results has been skewed by media, and by scams when in reality 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and even 12 weeks is not really a long time at all. The time has FLOWN by again and it leaves me wanting more. Well, there is more to come as another challenge is soon underway at the beginning of May. If you want in on the e.xcitement, and the opportunity to get fit inside and out, pick up your copy of Fit Yummy Mummy and stay posted for the sign up of the next challenge!

My one year at ClubFYM

Today is the day and it is a very emotionally charged day. Son was circ'ed yesterday and lead to part of our sleeplessness last night. We lost a bid on a house again to a full cash buyer (WHERE are these people coming from with 1/4 mill in their pockets?), but at least it was another quick sale(not even on the market 8 hours before it was purchased) with multiple offers (our 3 or 4th occurrence.....losing count HAHA and sleep). We are just going to keep putting in the offers I guess until one gets accepted, but it would be nice not to have to "settle" for the lesser option and get the property we want HAHA. We can always make the best out of what we get, so I know it's never a complete loss.

I've been eager to post some motivation for everyone and wrote a wonderful post on wisdom and mindset. I learned I won't be posting here first.....will post to blog and then to the site and copy the whole thing before I send. Always an opportunity to do better, right? As much as we can use new technology we still need to remember it's a tool that we use and to apply the basics (back up, back up) when you use it (especially for writing).

In 3 weeks I will be flying around the US to meet up with some wonderful FYMs and it should be an encouraging time. It will be good to share in the company of those I have read about for a year.

And mindset is your foundation for what you want to gain and where you want to be. Visualize, feel, OWN, plan, make a decision, focus......all are actions that you take from your mind first. Your mindset is your captain and it delegates the orders to the rest of you to follow through the action. Know that what you know in your mind is the knowledge, but APPLYING it and experiencing it is where wisdom gets to be nourished,and once the fruit of your wisdom grows, you can harvest it and share it with others.

Happy Anniversary!

A man races a pizza....NO JOKE!

My friend Craig Ballantyne of Turbulence Training has decided to race a pizza (I'm not kidding) to prove a valuable fat loss lesson.

See who wins at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQbuzsY_34Q

Make sure to post your comments. I would love to hear what you think about the race.

Stay tuned for tips on how you can be the winner in your very own race for fat loss.

Stay healthful!

Time to kick it up a notch!

Have you ever caught yourself wishing and hoping for results and wonder why nothing was happening?

I caught myself doing just that and realized it was time to start thinking about what I was really doing and then do what it is I need to in order to get the results I want. I was just letting things happen and not taking control of the situation that I had the ability to change.

I had signed up for the Fit Yummy Mummy New Year's Transformation Challenge in January. You get 12 weeks to do your best at achieving the goals you set out to accomplish. I put down my goals and then I got to work. For the first 4 weeks I would say that I was focused on getting the results I wanted to achieve. I could see more definition and my shape was changing in a good way and I was pleased to know the work I put into it was evident. Then I got sick. And being in rest mode got to my head. I stopped focusing on my goals I set at the beginning of the challenge and put my focus somewhere else. Granted, that there are many things going on in our lives at this time, when being sick was over I didn't pick back up with the intensity that I had before. For just a total of 90 minutes a week, 30 minute workout 3 times a week or even 15 minutes a day I could have had a full workout. I was working out but not with that UMPH that makes it fun for me.

I was recently inspired by the advice of Vince Delmonte of No Nonsense Muscle Building and being that he has competed in fitness competitions I can say that he knows what he is talking about (taking the advice of a fitness model champion never hurt). I have followed his info for over a year now and I saw the before photos. What he has to offer works. And now with his advice, I can apply it to my Fit Yummy Mummy workouts and I have already noticed a difference in my tone and strength. Some tips I had already been doing from before and in the Summer Transformation challenge, but it is always good to be reminded of what works. And now I feel like I am back at where I want to be with my fitness journey. I am excited to see what the next notch will look like.

Looking for fast results?........But wait!

You could miss out on the "meat" of the journey. WHEN you finally reach the result of all your efforts and succeed in achieving your goals, look BACK at the journey that you went through and ALL that you have gained through persevering THROUGH the struggles, trials, and pain. Be grateful that you not only received your reward for the work you have consistently and passionately put in, but you became RICH with knowledge, wisdom, and experience. The wealth of what you gained through the time it took to achieve what you sought after is wonderful refinement that will last.

Today was the pinnacle of what I have been working towards for almost a year. In a matter of 5 minutes, the heart of neglect and disdain have met it's match with love and concern. I look back and see that everything has been set in place for this beautiful (frosty), winter day to be remembered as one that brought a family united, an injustice righted, and hopefully a hurting situation healed.

It has been very painful....spiritually, emotionally, and definitely physically, but I know that it will not remain undone, but the work that NEEDS to get done will get done. Even when others figured I had given up, I kept going. I don't want others to have to go through the pain I have gone through and suffer quite in the way I have. SO I say to you, fight for what you believe in, keep going after your goals and dreams, do what is right, love your neighbours as you would love yourself and, NEVER give up.

All or Nothing?

• Posted by Elisa on February 27, 2009 at 8:30am

What you give may be what you get.

I have been rolling this over in my mind this morning as I was kicking myself in the butt. Why was I kicking myself? Because I found myself in a situation of having to do something when it could have been done already. Months ago as we finished off projects around our condo before we listed, I was told to not paint the basement....there was so much other things to do. I knew there was lots to do,but the way the basement looked was a HUGE turn off for me being left in such an unfinished state SO close to being done......especially in contrast to the rest of the space. I went through many sleepless nights pondering the things we needed to get done and I decided to get out of bed and head to the basement and paint. I finished off the mudding and sanding in the stairwell and primed and painted the walls and the stairs as I thought about the other things I had to get done in other areas of the house and my life. I couldn't do much else while others were sleeping and in the end, it turned out well. But one thing lingered on my mind...."I really should finish off the walls in the living space as well.....it just needs a little sanding and I could prime and paint it while I have the stuff out. WELL.....I didn't. I didn't give it the couple hours of attention to just finish it off. I know I did something, but I didn't do it all and now I am back at having to finish it anyhow. It's taking more time as it is now a furnished instead of an empty room and I have to shuffle around and move furniture in order to get at the walls.

In all this I thought about applying myself to anything I want to do in life. I shuddered at the fact of doing anything with a half-attempt, not really caring how I do it or not or doing the work grudgingly. Where is the satisfaction in that? If I am going to do anything, I am going to give my all (or whole heart) to it....regardless if it is something I think I won't like. Because I realized, that regardless of liking what I do or not, it the getting it done and done well that I get a KICK out of. Ever clean up dog doodoo in the spring time?......not fun. However, after cleaning it all up off your lawn, you know that you can enjoy taking care of your lawn and going onto it without worrying about rolling in a dog's leftovers.

I also thought about wanting to get something out of what I put into it. If I am all or nothing, and I put nothing into it, what am I going to get out of it? NOTHING! If I put my half-effort into doing something, how much do I expect to get in return? I should expect half. But if I put my ALL and full effort into doing something, then I can hope to expect a whole lot in return. As I did my workout this morning I gave it my ALL. I didn't finish it all, but for what I did do, I got the most out of it. I did do something as opposed to nothing, but in the SOMETHING I did, I gave it my all! I have muscle awareness all over the place HAHA and it is soooo satisfying. I know that my example of giving my full effort to whatever it is I do, will be seen and hopefully lived out in my children, in my friends and family too. I AM going for ALL as half or nothing doesn't sit well with me. =D

CHICKEN SOUP!!!....What's in yours?

• Posted by Elisa on February 20, 2009 at 5:44pm

As I mentioned my happy dance for chicken soup on twitter today, other fellow FYMs have stated they enjoy chicken soup as well. So I decided to share what I tossed into the pot and would hope others share as well.

Onions, Celery, Carrots
Sea salt and black pepper
Garam masala, tumeric, cayenne pepper, fennel seeds, bay leaves
minced garlic cloves, grated ginger
leftover rotisserie chicken
some chicken stock and water
sweet potatoes

TADA!....chicken soup LOL.

Quote of the day

"you need a valley to reach a peak" - Annik

Thank you Annik! This made me think of all the contrasts we live in life and how we need one to help define the other for us.

What "valleys" have you been through to help you reach (or aim for) the "peaks" in your life?


Elisa

"Wall-E"....reflections part 1....use it or lose it

"Wall-E"....reflections part 1....use it or lose it

* Posted by Elisa on February 18, 2009 at 2:30pm

I can't share enough about this movie so I am doing it in parts.

First point: Use it or lose it!

What do we have to use? Our bodies, our minds, personal interactions, our choices. If we don't keep moving we will not be as mobile. If we don't keep thinking and challenging our mind and grow in what we know...well, we won't grow in what we know and everything changes and evolves around us, so better to keep up than get left behind. If we don't keep social and interact with others, we will not only miss out on challenging our senses, but lose on important feedback as well. AND if we leave our choices to be made by others, we will lose the experience, knowledge and wisdom gained from making our own choices.

DISCLAIMER - If you haven't seen the movie, try and get the opportunity to do so and then come back and read this beyond this point as I may spoil the movie for you =D.



Currently I am feeling like one of those people floating around on the hover thingys as I am experiencing joint pain (could be gout) and cramping. I haven't been very mindful of my eating amidst the stress either. I know I'm not going to stay that way, but as I am watching the movie with my boys, I am reminded to keep at it in the best way I can.

We are provided with a lot of information from the media and multiple sources telling us one way or another to do this or eat that. I would like to think that I question enough to want to check out the info for myself and make my own decision based on the information I sought out and was given. Of course, I wouldn't have sought out the information if it wasn't presented to me in the first place, but I can always expand on what I was exposed to. (Instead of letting a company tell me what to think, do, eat, wear, etc).

Our personal interaction helps us to learn and gain feedback and experience the fullness of life. Let it be with our environment, nature, the sun, the moon, the stars, flowers, plants and how things grow, we are a part of it and it influences us. Being involved in a community that offers support or being out and about and encouraging others and your environment gives encouragement in return.

And last but not least, the continual use, nourishment, and challenge of our bodies will help us to better interact mentally and physically with what is around us. If you want the change, choose to make the commitment in your mind and follow through with continual actions. Every little step counts. Put one foot in front of the other and start walking, jogging, running and skipping and enjoy life! (use that jogging track and help your muscles encourage your bones to stay strong and useful)


Keep on steppin'!


Elisa

For my personal reflection, but you can see too.....I love my smile =D

• Posted by Elisa on February 17, 2009 at 12:30pm

As we move and go through our blog posts, etc, You just gotta love where you are at as you look to the future was a blog I posted with pictures of me almost 3 years ago, 6 months after having my youngest son.

It's interesting to reflect as the body I see in the picture I don't recognize (I don't even know if I really acknowledged it), but I always gravitate to the smile on my face.

This smile encourages me (taken about 2 weeks ago) as it is similar to the first one, but with more support =D.

My "anniversary" at ClubFYM is April 1st, but wanted to express my gratitude before the move =D. Thanks again for being a part of why I smile =D.



Elisa

Carrot Banana muffins

• Posted by Elisa on February 15, 2009 at 8:30am

This is one of my favorite recipes I make. I modified it from Martha Stewart's Carrot cupcake recipe. I switch it up all the time and it's quick and easy.

Carrot Banana Muffins

Ingredients (Makes 12)

* 1/3 cup honey (or agave nectar) and some stevia (1/4 cup sugar equivalent...original recipe called for 1 cup sugar)
* 1/3 cup vegetable oil (I use olive oil or coconut oil)
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 large eggs (2 large ripe bananas or 1 banana and a tbsp of plain yogurt)
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
* 1 cup chick pea flour
* 2 tablespoons ground flax seed
* 2 cups shredded carrots (could mix it up and use some shredded zucchini)
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional....I don't use them)
* 1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a standard 12-cup muffin tin or line with paper liners. In a bowl, combine honey, vegetable oil, orange juice, vanilla extract, and eggs (or mashed bananas).
2. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, stevia, allspice, cinnamon, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix.
3. Stir in carrots, walnuts, and coconut.
4. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 25 minutes.

Note: Being that I am allergic to eggs, I tend to use bananas (or yogurt) in place of. However, if you can do eggs and want to add the bananas as well, I would use one egg and one banana.


Enjoy!

Valentine candy, crass behaviour, and rewinding the clock

• Posted by Elisa on February 13, 2009 at 3:30pm

Why celebrate the example of others? Years ago a man with the name of Valentine was martyred and they celebrate on February 14th. There are several stories that are out as to why and how he lived his life and not really related to how it's celebrated today. I know that from past experience, when this time of year comes up, children hand out valentine cards and treats to their classmates. We got no notice from my son's teacher that he was required to hand out cards and I asked him if he would like to. He said he already did. He made one in class and gave it to his friend, a girl (LOL not the time to panic haha). When my son got home from school, we emptied out his bag and it was full of candy and cards. I felt like he just came bag from trick or treating or something hehe. I began to sort the candy from the cards and I put the candy in a baggy and set it aside. I am thankful for cards and the encouragement and my son can now focus on that as well. As we go into this weekend, and the rest of the year we can focus on encouraging others and that is worth celebrating.

Now for crass behaviour.......NOT a fan. Wasted pride and energy....it's ugly, destructive, and self-serving. It poisons the environment around you....don't surround yourself with it! (WOW, what a vent!) ....Where did it come from? I have neighbours who have been parking on the grassy areas in our condo complex.....sadly enough with leaking antifreeze and oil and with being the closest unit to the parking lot, it's kinda unfortunate that they would do so. The reason they started parking there? A few parking stall outlets are not working (including ours) and when the temperatures dipped in the minus 30s, they needed to be plugged in. After discarding their garbage, cigarette butts, and phlegm on our neighbour's car, it was time to ask them to stop parking there. I asked once, they moved the car and then parked it back there, with more......3 cars this time. I posted notices on their cars, and it was ignored. Police have been monitoring their actions and today as I saw them about to get into their vehicle, I asked politely if they could park in the parking stall. All but one was agreeable. And that one didn't even drive the car or LIVE there!! Not to say that in approaching them that they would be compliant, but I figured it was worth asking. Not only would they be towed, they would be fined as well.

After returning inside, I starting thinking in reverse. I started thinking about people I know and turning back the hands of time through their lives. Seeing their lives in the past and how they handled it reflects in the lives they live today. I am now realizing, that some of the people I know that are successful, accomplished, giving, and loving lived some pretty harsh experiences. They chose to be strengthened and also chose to act and respond in a way that would not encourage the harshness to continue in their lives. They made a change for the better. And I can not even imagine what the lady that started to bark at me lived like in the past. Even if her life was hard and harsh, it's how she chose to respond that has made the difference in her life today. Maybe even in who she has chosen to be surrounded by have rubbed off on her and she has chosen to "celebrate" their example and pass it on to others.

What positive, nurturing, life and love advocating actions and examples am I going to celebrate? Those of my family and friends that I have chosen to surround myself with as well as those that have set the example I want to follow in the past. There are even people I don't know (yet) that their positive contribution to the environment around them have influenced my life positively as well. I am grateful for "negative" interactions as they confirm that I want to move in a positive direction and stay that way.=D


Elisa

Numb....

• Posted by Elisa on February 12, 2009 at 10:48am

I'm not sure if it is done successfully or not, but I wonder how people get along well with little to no support. In just over a month it will have been one year since I joined ClubFYM. Before that I struggled with feeling alone and unsupported, looking to share my thoughts and struggles with someone tangible who would listen. Someone who would respond with emotion and concern, and express an interest in who I am as a person.

Without giving away too many details or letting my mind go off on a tangent, I am in need right now. I am feeling weakened and struggling for strength. To maintain sanity, I have put myself into sharing my thoughts and reaching out to others. I have had little sleep for a number of reasons and it leaves me open to feeling undone......it can be a good thing as it helps to bring about the necessary change needed, but I am lacking tolerance and focus. I thank you all in advance for your support and encouragement.

The doughnut you ate was not chewed on by your thighs

• Posted by Elisa on February 11, 2009 at 9:00am

I listened to Holly's interview with Scott Colby and I must say, it is fun to here the fun they have on these calls. But something in what Holly shared stood out in my imagination. It was in regards to spot reduction exercise. I know that many people tend to forget that their body is a complete system and see it for it's individual parts instead of as a whole. But the imagery that came to mind was a woman rubbing fat onto her thighs and then the other was of someone stuffing fatty foods under their skin. We don't consume food into the one area of our body. We put the food into our mouths and the "extras" get stored as fat after being circulated through our bodies (it's a generalization, but you get the idea).

Anyone have those cargo pants? With the big pockets? I used to wear these often and would just stuff the pockets full of stuff. Imagine if our body stuffed the extra fat in our eyelids? Or the gums in our mouth? How about our tongue? In our nose? We wouldn't be able to function. The fat gets stored on parts of the body that still allow us to have a range of motion and function as best it can to help us to survive. When we put into our body what it needs to function optimally, then the rewards of what it gives back encourages us not only to survive, but to thrive. With a full body workout program (i.e. FYM) and supportive nutrition habits we can focus on the whole package functioning instead of particular body parts holding on to fat.

Of course this parallels with how we contribute to our own success and in encouraging those around us. Do we focus on the flaws of others or do we encourage them as a whole package? Do we keep working hard at our flaws or decide to work our strengths to help strengthen our weakness and encourage others with what we are strong in? We as individuals are a part of the whole and what may be our "flaws" may be a strength to someone else. As I continue working on keeping my focus directed in a positive and productive way, I hope that by looking at the whole picture I may benefit by encouraging others and others encouraging me =D. Glad to be a part of whole picture here at ClubFYM.

Thank you ladies =D.


Elisa

I totally BONKED this morning

• Posted by Elisa on February 10, 2009 at 11:00am

Ok, I decided I would try out some info I came across to confirm if it will work for me or not. I woke up early before my children and decided that since I "missed" my workout yesterday as I chose to get the rest I needed after a fulfilling, but draining weekend, I would jump first thing into a workout today. I had a glass of juice and was going to get to it. Then my oldest woke up. Got him breakfast (hemp granola, plain yogurt and a few goji berries) and then headed to my workout. I jumped in after a quick warm up and I felt I was cranking. Actually I realized I wanted heavier weights cuz I counted past 12 in the set. I did a quick check to find out the store across the road would be getting a visit from me soon since I couldn't see any DBs on the site. Then my youngest woke up....put him on the potty (woohoo #2), got him cleaned up and sat him down for breakfast and went back to my workout. At this point I was thinking, "Well that sucks! It's well past 15 min and I am SURE I used up all the energy running around not focused on just getting my workout done." So I jumped back into the second set and I pulled off the first set, but at the end of it, I was waning at the end of it. Started into the second set and my oldest came down chatting at me and asking questions, trying to show me stuff......and yeah! Annoyed, out of energy, and lacking in focus, I let it be done at the end of the second set. I figured since I would be heading downtown to run an errand for the hubby, I could get the intervals in as I ran for the bus, as usual. Hubby noticed something missing on what I was going to turn in for him, so he had to get that taken care of (out goes the interval session).
What did I learn? I am STICKING to having my full breakfast first thing in the morning, and THEN I will proceed with my workout with a bigger window of opportunity to get my workout in....I'm a mom after all. I noticed I have a lot less frustration and a lot more focus after having a proper breakfast. My recommendation, go to bed at night with having had a decent dinner, have a good breakfast in the morning, and post-workout meal is not negotiable, especially as a mom =D.


Elisa

On the road again.....the ease of meal planning

Posted by Elisa on February 7, 2009 at 6:33am

I just finished my breakfast at my friends house a few hours south from where we live and I was satisfied with not only the meal, but with how easy it was for me to plan out our meals for the weekend while at our friends house. It's funny how I have been struggling with meal planning at home on a day to day basis being that last year it seemed to be simple enough to do. It took me, at most, 5 minutes to write down in my planner easy snacks and breakfast, lunch, and dinner options for 3 days. Let me share what I brought with us:

Cooked quinoa
Trail mix bags I put together (almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, goji berries, raisins)
Sliced zucchini and red pepper
Apples
Hummus
precooked chicken
Organic plain, unhomogenized yogurt
Carrot muffins I baked
Rice milk
Hemp Granola
Multigrain tortilla chips
Juice

I packed the trail mix in little snack bags at the beginning of the week and set them aside. Then the morning before we left I cooked the quinoa as we had breakfast, sliced the veggies and mixed up the muffin batter before I walked my son to the bus stop and then baked the muffins as he was in school and in between packing up our stuff.

With just a little time spent planning at the top of the week, I had 3 days of fun options for the kids and myself, and we can spend our time having fun and enjoying the company of our friends instead of worrying about what to eat and if we can eat it or not. As it is not just me with food sensitives, but my kids as well, I wanted to make sure that my options were better than the tasty temptations we may encounter, but also simple to prepare. It also took up very little room and that is always a good thing when you are bringing food that needs to be refrigerated (and the fact that we were packed into the back seat of the car).

I have given myself a little peace of mind that one of our fundamental needs are met and not left in the control of those that may not know how best to meet that need. It's all up to me.

Tags: meal, planning, prepare, snacks

ROAD TRIP to Calgary!!!.....4 week results

Posted by Elisa on February 5, 2009 at 1:23pm

I'm excited that after years, we are finally heading South to Calgary for the weekend. It will be a welcome break from a lot of things including time with my hubby HAHA. He'll be going winter camping with the brothers (Male bonding ....grunt, grunt!) from the Calgary church and I will be visiting with friends in the city and be in fellowship with our church family before we head back up Sunday evening. Ahhhh, what a feeling =D.
Also, I began week 5 of the NYTC and I wanted to say YEAH!!! Love the deadlifts!!! Love the fly!!! And LOVE the way my lower back looks. My skin is looser, my tummy looks flatter, and I like my shape =D. I have no excuse for not getting in a workout really. I started my FYM journey with 2 minutes a day! It's what you make of it. I know that I can through in pushups or squats throughout my day. But at this time I am choosing to get the full benefit of how the FYM workouts are laid out as I know they yield results with my body.I'm still getting back to it, but I am thankful for where I am at with my focus at this time as I am able to share the time line with all the other tasks on hand atm. I'm going into business it looks like and it is just the beginning. So many options to work with. I am really enjoying my move to the advanced workouts and glad that my body is primed and trusting in me to give it what it wants and needs. My body trusts that I will protect it from harm and when I slip, it jumps in to help (not sure what I ate or was triggered by the other day, but always thankful for the additional cleaning hehe).

A picture of me in one of the goal jeans (don't let the picture fool you these are SNUG 80's style)...TRUE to life skinny jeans, but really warm in cold weather HAHA. I bought all the jeans SNUG,so I have no option,but to stay as I am or get a little leaner and THAT is my physical goal. And Mary, I got the brown boots....not as sexy as the black ones and I think that is a good thing HAHA (pssssst). I can't WAIT to see ME after 12 weeks let alone all the other women in this challenge. This ROCKS!

Results so far:
Weight: 145 lbs down to 140 lbs
Arms: 11" down to 10 3/4"
Chest (above breast): 33" up to 34"
Chest (under breast): 31" up to 32"
Waist: 29" down to 28 1/2"
Abdomen: 30 1/2" down to 30 1/4"
Hips: 36" up to 36 1/2"
Thighs: 21 1/2" up to 22"
Calves: 15" same

Tags: friends, goal, results, trip

Mung Bean Pancakes

• Posted by Elisa on February 4, 2009 at 5:46am

This is a recipe that was inspired by both Korean (bindae duk) and Indian (Pesarattu) recipes combined. I put my modifications into this version in italics.


Ingredients

* 1 cup split mungbeans (original recipe calls for hulled, I use whatever I have on hand)(I used whole)
* 1/4 to 3/4 tsp cayenne
* 1/2 tsp salt (original recipe calls for 1 tsp. omit and increase other spices according to your own salt comfort level).
* 1/4 tsp turmeric
* 1/2 tsp whole cumin seeds
* 1 tsp garam masala (I think I add this to everything LOL)
* 2 scallions, cut into very fine rounds
* 1 medium tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped (I just chop it) (I don't do tomatoes,so I chopped 1/2 red bell pepper)
* 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
* 2 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/2 cup water, plus soaking water

Instructions

1. Soak the mung beans for seven hours in lots of water. Drain, rinse the mung beans and discard the soaking liquid.
2. Put all the ingredients except the scallions, tomato and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Blend or process until you have a smooth and light batter. Transfer the batter into a bowl.
3. Stir in scallions, tomato and cilantro.
4. Spray a good non stick pan with a little oil and wait until it is warm (the original recipe calls for lots of oil, but I find that not necessary). Pour about 1/3 cup of the batter in the center of the pan. Spread the batter with the bottom of a large spoon and form a pancake.
5. Wait until the bottom part seems done. Turn around and bake the other side.
6. Enjoy!

I dipped with a little tamari soy sauce, but can be eaten plain. Also keep your eye on the pan as they brown quite quickly (at least for me ;D).

Tags: beans, breakfast, recipe

SLACK!....Pick it up!!

• Posted by Elisa on January 29, 2009 at 11:30am

This morning I was draggin' my butt.....no set plan in mind for working out as my mind has been focused elsewhere. Then I stopped myself in my own tracks and went to it. I cranked it and as I was doing my intervals and listening to the songs on my page and looking at the pics as I was going I realized that my 2008 self would kick my 2009 self in the butt when it comes to working out and enjoying the challenge it brings.

I realized that I am my OWN motivation! Not wanting to let the best version of me down when I approach anything in life. Last year was no excuses when it comes to working out and this morning I gave it a go in honour of the self that brought me to this point in the first place. I will live the example that I want in my life and that I have in my life and I will honour those who have helped me to this point and pay it forward.

After 13 years of putting off getting my learner's permit I finally hit that goal and got it yesterday (with my kids in tow and fighting while I wrote the knowledge test HAHA). I would not trade those 13 years for anything or the experience of bringing my kids to a moment in my life that would bring another example of going after what you need or want regardless of the situation. So no more slack for me.....I have people watching and waiting for me to succeed.

John 5:1-8

Tags: do, it, motivation, workout

What am I not doing that I said I would?

• Posted by Elisa on January 23, 2009 at 2:00pm

I said I would buy them if they went on sale. Did they go on sale? Yup! Did I buy them? Yup! BUT, and here's the fun part, it was a close call. There was only one pair available in the size I wanted. There is another pair of boots that I would love to have as well and they are not available in store and have NOT gone on sale. But I would love to have those boots. I realized that I set a condition on me having it. I have set conditions on having what I really want. Sometimes that is a good thing if you have issues with self-control. However, sometimes it can hold you back from having what you really want or NEED. I set the responsibility of me having a GOOD pair of leather boots that will last (instead of the pleather version I use a permanent marker on to keep the heel black) on something arbitrary.....something random and out of my control. Instead I could have planned to have available the funds to purchase both pair as needed and benefit from the occurrence of them going on sale.
What else have I chosen to put out of reach or out of my control that I wanted or needed? How are my workouts going? How is my nutrition going? Am I planning meals based on what I have or have I developed a "taste" for something that is not available or unsupportive? Am I even planning meals or am I leaving it to last minute? Am I eating 5 to 6 times a day or 5 to 6 times in the morning? With the knowledge of knowing to have a balanced meal (i.e. lean protein with carbohydrate) am I just eating a bowl of fruit to itself or did I add some yogurt or almonds to it? Have I gotten my driver's permit yet? How are my relationships with others or have I set conditions in those relationships? The list of questions can go on.

To answer my own questions.....My workouts have been on hold due to illness and lack of sleep. How can I change this? Ride the wave. Illness is a part of life and being a mom is a part of who I am. I have added little things into my day to keep active such as carrying my 3 year old through the snow as we walk my older son to the school bus in the morning (OUCH!), I have gone out and walked each day, I push my times close so I am forced to add some running into my travel plans (intervals to catch the bus). I add challenge to my daily activities. I'm not completely wiped of energy, but I know that my breathing is not where I would like it at to be for completing a good FYM workout.
My nutrition? Not bad. Currently I have turned to dark chocolate chips more times than needed and I could include more veggies into my diet. How can I improve it? Drink more water, add more veggies instead of chocolate LOL and do more food prep. The food is there, I just need to prep it.How's my meal planning? I have decided to write down a recipe a day for dinner, so I know what I need and I have mental prep on hand before I even get to that day. Now I have deviated and cooked something else, however, I did cook and that is an improvement. I need to get my driver's permit and my relationships are growing deeper......still moving forward and that is good =D.

I heard mentioned that part of the reason for low self-esteem is that we have gone back on what we said we would do......thus setting ourselves up not to be trusted by others or ourselves. I don't want to get caught up in breaking myself down by not following through with what I said I would do. Why not be a woman of my word (as my name and life has called me to)?

As nice as it is to be a part of the NYTC which can help me to set goals to achieve and to be accountable, in the end I need to ask myself these questions and hold myself accountable for my own actions and achievements. I am responsible for my OWN outcome in every situation that I am involved in. If I want a life of success and accomplishment for me AND for my family, then I need to live it!

Talk about finding the right pair of boots (to kick myself in the butt with) HAHA!

Missed my workout, but gained inspiration

• Posted by Elisa on January 16, 2009 at 12:23am

I was hyped to keep on the pace of muscle awareness and cranking it in my first week of the NYTC. I was seeing results almost immediately and it made me laugh I was so surprised. Even with a few days before my monthly visit, I feel like I am looking great. SO how did I miss my workout? Well, let me share.....

After returning from Jamaica just 2 weeks ago, it's still a bit of an adjustment coming back to a space that really isn't yours in your heart anymore. For those that don't know, we are in the process of selling and the longer we stay the more detached we seem to be getting from this place and more anxious to get into something we can SETTLE into. Also after our return our sleep was in adjustment mode and we were not feeling the best......due to detoxing our systems and returning to a more healthful way of eating (and potentially returning to not-so-fresh air in our house as opposed to the mountain breeze we awoke to each day while in Jamaica). After almost returning back to a "schedule" my DH was assigned a night shift that started Sunday night of this week and to last the whole week (hopefully). I have trouble sleeping when I know he is out at night. I made the most of it for the first few days and got in my workout, but now my baby is ill (joy of playing with sick friends) and has been having issues breathing at night. I had him in with me in bed and could hear him closing up =(. I gave up on getting in my workout to be an attentive mom, and that choice is always a good one. The good news.....I get to cuddle up with my baby and make sure he is ok. The better news....I have been getting in some quality time with my boys and my friends and their friends too. HEHE. And with being on a denim mission this week, I have also been able to find the pair of jeans that have haunted me since trying them on in October, and they were labelled a size 3 LOL (I made the lady call the entire city for them and the one store she couldn't get through with I called the next day and they had ONE pair and in that size......what can I say!?). There were also another pair of skinny jeans (and I mean SKINNY) that I tried on and they were a size 7, so not to be deceived by the number. In the process of hunting down the haunting jeans I discovered a denim sale....$5 a pair! YEAH!! Now that beat my lowest purchase price for denim at $7. HAD to return to the scene....it was a must!! I knew that I would have to find SOMETHING there! Especially since I was down to 3 pair that fit.....soon to be 2 pair.

So I set out on a trek across the city (got a ride to the mall that had the store) and planned to return by bus. Not only was I able to stock up, but also I found something for my friend and she looked GOOD in them (SUPER encouraging!). Now for the inspiration part. BWAHAHA.... Pushing a stroller through slushy snow on a warmer day after we have had 3 days of continuous snow is comparable to carrying water in a 5 gallon pail up a 45 degree angle slope. Can we say WORKOUT?!?! UGH! SO 3 hours later we returned to our home point (usually an hour and half trip) and my legs (my quads I think.....jello moment here) are tingling, my triceps may be burning (can't tell....let's just say I think they hurt), and my inner thighs are tight. Struggling with a stroller not made for the snow AND with a wheel that only want to go in circles was not my best move and I won't be considering it again anytime soon LOL. SO even though it wasn't an FYM workout, it was a mommy workout and I count it as DONE!

P.S. Thought I would also share the poster I saw while shopping and it sums up my day real well. Keep on trekkin' ladies! It can be tough out there =D.

Tags: awareness, children, mom, muscle, priority, sale, shopping, stroller, workout

09 NYTC Starting stats

Name: Elisa Sterling-Cowan Age: 33
Weight: 145 lbs
Height: 5'5" to 5'6"
Arms: 11"
Chest (above breast): 33"
Chest (under breast): 31"
Waist: 29"
Abdomen: 30.5"
Hips: 36"
Thighs: 21 1/2"
Calves: 15"

My Goal: To hit it with intensity and focus. I want to set the foundation of success and accomplishment to jump off in other areas of my life. I want to increase my strength using pullups and my 3 year old as a guide (how long/far I can carry him) . I want get back to my nutritional convictions. Over the last few months I have made best scenario choices and I would prefer to just eat as I would like to nourish my body best (if that makes sense). As much as I want to plan my meals, I will have to gauge that with other priorities in my life, but I will try new recipes and set a schedule for the times that we will be eating through the day and will aim to cook dinner by lunch time and maximize when I am most energetic in the day. I want to tackle what I have been putting off and be a woman of action and get back to perseverance and discipline.

Who am I?

• Posted by Elisa on January 7, 2009 at 11:43am

I recently had a conversation with my DH and I realized it is VERY important to be interested in the people you surround yourself with. To know the details of what makes them tick, to understand what makes them tick, and to know about their dreams, passions, likes, dislikes and what makes them smile.

My children seek to know me. I am humbled and brought to tears about how much my children have CHOSEN to know about me. They are 3 and 5!! They know what I eat and do not eat, they know that I love to dance and play sports, they know my favorite color and the foods I love. They know my values.....that I believe in being kind and loving, protective and nurturing, wiping tears from their faces when they cry. They wipe my tears, they dance with me, they offer to cook me dinner (HAHA), and they strive to make me happy. Their example of love in my life has set a new standard for me and for those around me.

So I wrote a blog on my blog page about who I am as a person describing the things I do, feel, and love. I wrote it as though I was standing beside myself and sharing about me to someone else who I would want to know me.

Of recent, I have been reading and realizing that to really know someone is to love someone. So, I just wanted to share that I know and love many of you here. I am interested in your lives, your likes and dislikes. I have compassion for the struggles you experience and I wanted to thank you for allowing me to grow as a person from the inside out.

Thank you=D.


Elisa

Fit for Function....reflections on my trip to Jamaica

• Posted by Elisa on January 2, 2009 at 9:30am

I have returned from my 3-week trip to Jamaica and I really enjoyed the experience. In the first week, I came to realize that even though I wanted to return to Jamaica a lot sooner (last time was 2001), now was the best time to have gone. I was not struggling with my thyroid as I was before which posed a lot of issues and with all the improvements, discoveries and changes to my health and lifestyle, I didn't struggle as I could have.
My belief, faith, and commitment to God was strengthened and enriched as I turned to God and the bible to help me cope with dealing with family, the barrage of advances, the threat of violence and danger, and a lot of sexual focus. It can be overwhelming for some (as it was for a close friend of mine a few years ago), so it is good to have a strong foundation to come from if you venture outside of the resort experience. Also since it was Christmas time, my family and I grew in our knowledge base that surrounds the traditional time of year and were able to make our own choices regarding the celebration (including my children).

Positivity and gratitude helped with dreams, vision, and hope makes every moment more enjoyable. From the flowers, bugs, stray dogs, hens and roosters all over, many trees and plants that are good for food and healing, the breezes, and the views....there was a lot to enjoy if you look at it in the right way.

Both sides of my family live towards the top of the hill (one on the edge of the mountain range and the just beyond the view of the ocean) and being that the roads were not in the best condition after the hurricane season, there was quite the hike involved in going anywhere. 45 degree steep roads were challenging, especially when carrying a bucket of water or a 3 year old toddler. Having been prepared for such tasks through my interval and resistance training made me excited as I was not only able to handle the task,but the hills were my favorite part.....my interval high point.

If you are a FIT yummy mummy and are in love with your workout and challenging intervals, than life on the rougher side of things, although not convenient, would still be manageable for a time. Everyday offered some form of physical challenge and I am glad that I prepared for it this year in comparison to the last few years where I was still recovery physically. It was only just over a year ago I regained my level of mobility to walk for a length of time without pain and being that we walked for hours up and down hills and roads, I was again grateful for all the events and training this year have prepared me for.

Although the physical challenge was fun, the diet was a bit wanting for improvement and all based on the fact that I was not able to get to where I needed to get what I wanted (hard to pick fruit of the top of a tree that you can't climb). But being on kitchen duty had me making the most of what was available (how many ways can you cook chicken and rice?).

(looking not so yummy in this pic HAHA).
Lots seen, a lot experienced, and I know, that my lifestyle is to stay fit so that I can function and make the most of my environment no matter where I go.