Veggie Bakes and a workout changeup!

     I have recently discovered one of my current favorite side dishes...baked veggies!  I love them for a few reasons!  I am not a huge fan of broccoli....but crispy broccoli is irresistable.  I still get my fast food fix from a few good potato fries bakes.  Lastly, the carrots are just good!
       So to prepare the veggies, I spread broccoli pieces, sliced carrots, and cut potatos.  I lightly brushed them with olive oil, salt and pepper, and fresh rosemary.


Before veggies are thrown in the oven.

Preheat the oven to 375 and bake them for about 30 minutes.  I put them on broil for a few minutes after to get them good and crispy.
 

After the veggies are baked...yum!

           This was one of my favorite meals in a while.  We had leftover adobo spicy beans Devin made in the crockpot.  The delicious pork chop is from a local farm Bethel Trails in Gray Court, SC.

Our final product!

             I have recently been changing up my work out perspective.  I used to go out and run about 3 miles at a consistent pace.  After reading a few articles in health magazines, I decided to run my normal 3 miles.  This time I started out at a very slow pace  for a half mile warm up.  Then I made visual markers to sprint about 15-30 seconds.  After each sprint,  I went back down to a slow jog for double the time to recover.  I did this back and forth for about 2 miles in between my half mile warm up and cool down.  Needless to say, I was struggling at the end.  I could really feel my body working harder than I have in a while.  I think I had gotten in a running rut, and my body needed  a few changes in my routine.  I am doing the same thing right now with my circuits and playing with a change in raising my heart rate high and then bringing it down back and forth.  I am really starting to be more in touch with my heart rate during workouts. 

How do you get out of your workout ruts?



Gut Check Time!

            Ok so i have Recently decided to have a personal intervention or gut check. My main two weaknesses are starting to get the best of me.

              

           Number one is picking at snacks and food. Once I start letting myself pick at food, I don't go back. I will start with a handful of peanuts, then a gingerbread cookie which is a healthy version. From there I keep picking a little here and there. Then it leads to day by day.   Slowly, I pick so much in the afternoons, that I am not very hungry by dinner.  So now I have to restrict myself to only eating when I sit down for a meal or planned snack.   It is not easy once I have become a habitual picker, but I have to make myself do it.

         

        Weakness number two is chocolate. I usually only let myself have one sweet treat a day, but I have been slacking. I'll take a mint here, Reese's there, then some for dinner. Now it is very small portions, but it doesn't matter when you end up eating 3 or 4 pieces a day.   Now I have to put myself back on one piece a day, which is usually after dinner.
       The problem becomes when I have a get together or special occasions. For example I am getting together with a previous bible study group for appetizers and desserts.  However, I have decided that these events are not what do the damage. It is okay to enjoy these, but just picking and eating chocolate outside of my once a day and events is the problem. So I have decided to enjoy the bad food on special occasions. However, to be able to do this, I have to follow my guidelines at home.
      I know this may seem minor or not a big deal, but once I start picking at foods and eating chocolate, it just builds and gets worse and worse.  Does anyone else have this problem?  If so, do you have other suggestions?

What are your eating weaknesses, and how do you keep them in check?

The Happiest 5k on the Planet!

When the signs said The Happiest 5k on the Planet I knew the run would be fun.... but  had no idea the extent of the COLOR PARTAY!  First of all it was freezing at 40 degrees while we were waiting. I must say we had fun with our outfits.

Before Pics:

I was so excited my mom could come and join the fun!

        As we're waiting it was so much fun to look at other outfits. We saw tutus, plenty of high colorful socks, and a lot of wigs.   The build up while we were waiting was crazy. We did the wave and danced to fun pump up music. 

    ....And when we started, our first color was yellow. As we ran through the yellow cloud, dust covered us as volunteers squirted it all over us. Next we had pink, followed by red, then purple, and blue. It was so exciting to run through the different colors.   Little did I know how quickly the run would pass when we were having such a blast.  It was so exciting to see people of all ages and sizes celebrating exercising and helping the local charity, Girls on the Run.  There were a variety of people running, walking and acting crazy.  After, we took a lot of fun pics:

After Pics: 

My hubby and me!



Mom had a great time!



Fun pic with Devin's parents

         When we crossed the finish line, there was a huge color rave party.  It was amazing!  We got color packets for the rave party in our pre run packets.  There was also an awesome band and plenty of fun giveaways.  Every 15 minutes or so there would be a color throw.  Everyone counted down.....and boom the color packets were thrown everywhere.




There were clouds of color surrounding us!

I have to say, this was the most fun run I have every been to.  Also, I loved how everyone joined together to help a great cause and celebrate exercise.  What has been your favorite run or exercise event you have been to?