"Only The Strongest"

Today's Song: Breaking Benjamin's "Blow Me Away"

If I'm going to continue to stick to using Christian music and get back to working out several days a week, then I have to turn to a bit of hard rock Christian music!  This is no "Down With The Sickness" but it definitely works for me.

I've been in the process of collecting all of my belongings to one place.  Goodness!  But, even more, I cleaned everything out of my car.  I had rollerblades, a basketball, a speed training ladder, frisbee golf frisbees, jump ropes, a bike helmet, a football, and seven pairs of shoes, including the sandals.  Most of those shoes, if not all, I haven't seen or worn for months, probably summer!  How soon can the snow disappear so I can put them all back in?  Wait, wait, wait... not yet!  But for now, all this stuff sits in the space of one room, along with all of the other stuff.

This is my week to get organized.  Today was a day of cooking.  I didn't get as much done as I wanted to either, but there is laundry to do, exercise to be done, and a dog to play with.  Tomorrow is a long day at both jobs, but the next three days come with just eight hours of work.  A real break!  Ha!  That means I will be able to get some solid sleep, at least on Wednesday morning!  There is constantly more to do than hours in the day allow.

The best part though, I am still caffeine free except for the allowed green tea.  I know that as soon as I get back to lifting heavy again I will want the caffeine pre-workout boost, so I will need to be careful not to get back on it consistently.  It feels so great to be both away from caffeine and no longer chewing gum.  Both have been long battles.  It sounds ridiculous, but it's like trying to stop driving a car when it's all you've done since grade school.  Though, caffeine free, gum free, and car free doesn't sound bad either.

Earlier the dog and I went for a walk and a jog, and I must have tired her out.  She's been passed out in her favorite spot since we came back home two hours ago.  Down at the park we ran around inside the gated rink, which was nice because then she could run free without being afraid of her getting out and away.  We ran inside the rink in large circles, and I've never seen her so excited to 'play.'  I hope by 9pm tonight I am as tired and comfortable in my resting spot as she looks right now in hers.

I'm ready to lift heavy, but will take the next two weeks to get full body workouts in before I go after attack my body hard again.  I shall get some beginning stats this week at some point.  It's been quite a while since I made any updates on Bodyspace.  I think it's what will help the most, getting back to who I have been.  (The dog switched positions and looks so human with her front paws under her head while she sleeps.)  I need to get back to the shape I was in before I switched protein powders and weeks later found myself at the doc's office.  I need my sleep and training.  They brings me back to my 'About Me.'


Comic for the day:

"Faith and Desire"

Song of the day: "Come On Get Higher" by Matthew Nathanson

It was a day of work, rest, cleaning, and working out.  I watched my Gina Aliotti video while cleaning, and it really brings me back to myself and my training.  She is absolutely gorgeous and makes me jealous.  Ha.  I have much training to do this year!  If only I didn't work so much so I could train myself more...

I made a couple stops the other day after work.  One was to pick up coconut oil, which makes the BEST popcorn!  I ate a FULL two quart pan of popcorn sprinkled with Splenda today.  I resisted making an additional batch.  The second stop I made was to pick up Yaktrax so I've no excuses to run out in the snow.  Running outside shall start early tomorrow morning.  My snow pants have become an every day clothing item, but I probably wouldn't wear them while running outside.  But, it was 58 degrees F in my room this evening, so I am surely getting my monies worth out of these snow pants!  It felt almost as cold as the outdoors once the layers of jackets were removed.  I might as well be training outdoors when it's so cold indoors!

I have been in contact with a few friends I haven't spoken to in months or years this last week, three separate friends.  I love how regardless of time, some friends just KNOW that the friendship I have with them never dies.  I am grateful for each of them reaching out to me all in similar time.  BUT, why now God?  Why now?  I haven't spoken with two of the three for YEARS!  It's the feeling of something big coming.  I'm excited and just really glad they're not afraid to reach out to me!

Comic for the day:

"You're What I Need"

Today's Song: Shawn McDonald's "Take My Hand"

Today I'm talking FOOD!  Nutrition: it's certainly one of my favorite subjects!  Today I took on the task of making my own 'Naked' superfood drink and used my rice cooker/food steamer for the first time.  The results:

Let's start with my super food beverage.  A note before I get into the core of it: I just realized I bought kiwis and forgot to add one of those into the mix.  Bummer.  The ingredients I did remember and had on hand:

Sara's Own Concoction.  Attempt #1

1 cup Meijer White Grape Peach Juice Blend from Concentrate
1 handful broccoli florets

1 handful chopped parsley

At this point I pureed.

1 medium sized banana
1 gala apple - cored and sliced
1 soft-to-the-touch red pear - cored and sliced

Finished pureeing.  How did it taste?  Despite being a bit thick, it tastes great!  I wish I would have remembered the kiwi though!  It made just over four cups.

Having spare bottles for storing and taking to work tomorrow: priceless!  I am excited!

Now onto the steam cooker!  I am really excited about this kitchen helper.  This little machine was simple to use and simple to clean.  Thank you brother for such an awesome addition to my cooking skills!  Ha!

What excites me even more is all the little things that came with it: the little measure cup and spoons!  Now for my first victim:

Frozen salmon.  Farm-raised, bought fresh, frozen from Sunday, looks beautiful!  Read the note on salmon that is listed below for a new health discovery... think color.  How did it turn out?  Thirty five minutes later, along with added chopped up broccoli stems during the last five minutes:

It was absolutely perfect!  It smelled great, tasted even better, and fell apart beautifully!  What a nice little dinner!  AND, with this steamer, I no longer have a need for a humidifier! Ha ha.

Some quick facts, from the book "101 Foods That Could Save Your Life" by David Grotto, about the foods I used today:

Broccoli: "Researchers at the University of Illinois found that when broccoli was heated, the number of sulphoraphanes that fight cancer was enhanced" (59).

Spinach: Getting older?  "A cohort study of 36,644 United States male health professionals found that spinach intake was correlated with a lower risk of developing cataracts" (311)

Parsley: "is used as a breath-freshener, due to its high concentration of chlorophyll" ... And for those who may be diabetic: "Parsley extract was also found to have a protective effect comparable to the diabetic medication, glilbornuride, against liver toxicity caused by diabetes" (226).

Banana: Why these have been a life-saver for me this last year in fighting away ulcers: "Animal research found that bananas caused the cells that line the stomach to produce a thicker protective barrier against acid" (36).

Apples: A "group of researchers followed men at risk for heart disease for five years.  They found that the flavonoids and antioxidants in the apple skin peel may contribute to a decreased risk of developing heart disease" (18).

Pears: "have been used throughout history for a variety of health challenges such as digestive disorders and spasms, and for reducing fevers" (237).

Salmon: "Astaxanthin is a natural antioxidant that is used as a coloring agent to give farm-raised salmon their namesake color" (291).  I just heard about this last week on the the Dr. Oz show I recorded with one of my favorite health information providers Dr. Mercola.  Mercola.com supplies thousands of pages on some of the most interesting studies and results that relate to nutrition and health.  Mercola describes astaxanthin as the next big dietary supplement, but I'd rather eat it from my fish.  It is said to be a potent anti-inflammatory.

http://www.drozfans.com/dr-ozs-advice/dr-oz-astaxanthin-dr-joseph-mercola-1-supplement-to-take/


Comic for the day:

Be Aware of Her Smile

Song for Today: Brandon Heath's "Give Me Your Eyes."

I should be in bed already, but at least tomorrow is a short day of work.  Speaking of work, even with my mini vacation, I am still averaging 36 hours of work a week.  That number would have been 39 if I hadn't had some hours covered upon my return from Montana so I could relax a bit and not kill myself upon my return home.  [And, it would have been 42hrs/wk average had I not taken the mini vacation.]  Even better, those numbers do not include the hours lost between jobs and driving time.  Living further from work than I have been used to in the last three years 'throws a wrench' into my days, especially when snow can cause the trip (one-way) to be a full hour long.  I love my work, but I could use a bit more rest!

Today, after a busy morning at work, I finally found the art supplies I have been looking to find for months.  Finding them does not guarantee that I'll ever actually finish or even touch with paint again the last project I started, but the chances that I do certainly just got better.  I wasn't planning on getting back into the artist that exists deep within me, but it may be a bit of what I need this year.  Painting allows me to get completely absorbed in something and forget the world around me; it helps to me to come to a calm.

Last year is still killing; another lab bill came in the mail for the scan services I had in November.  I felt beaten when I opened it and saw the numbers.  Defeated.  Finished.  Game over.  I surrender.  It's as though just when I felt back on top of EVERYTHING, something just whacked me hard in the back of the head.  It's a good thing I am strong, and an even better thing that I took my health into my own hands and didn't go back to the doctor's office.  It's the pill pushing doctors that kill.

Speaking of taking my health into my own hands, I did the grocery shopping 'event' today and cooked up a few treats.  I'm trying to determine how I'm going to keep from sending my entire financial plan out the window without picking up five dozen more extra hours at work, so I'm going to do my best to live off what I brought home today through the month of February.  Of course, there will have to be fresh produce exceptions, but this will be a nice test for me.  Another test is to determine whether or not I like the seasoned white chickpeas I made to snack on while at work tomorrow.  I also made some boiled eggs for a quick grab protein for my next couple early mornings at the health club.  I'll have to make a decent portion of chia as well to keep up my energy at work.

I've been devoting my energy outside of work to sorting and reorganizing.  I brought home today several boxes that I had stored at my mother's.  I'm hoping to have everything all together here, so I can scale down on my possessions.  I cleaned out my kitchen cupboard and pantry shelf today.  Some items shall go onto Amazon.com in the next few days and other items donated.  Tomorrow I shall bring home the chess table.  The stools are the best to have around for some good cardio work! Ha!  Maybe I can put the set in the other room.  Despite needing to be resurfaced, it is one of the few things I don't know if I can part with just yet.

In other news, I'm still trying to determine more specifically this year's goals.  To run long distances, or to run shorter distances?  To move to Montana, or to advance in work in Michigan?  To swim or still sink?  It is in moments like this that I wish I had listened to my boss three years ago and just stuck with my old degree program and saved all the time and money I sometimes feel like I have wasted.  But, then I remember how far I've come since then.

And, I have so much going on in my mind right now.  I could type all night.  Earlier I was listening to a couple old sermons from the last church I have attended.  Similar messages were presented, and my interest in going back to church wasn't helped through them.  A friend stopped by at work this morning and presented the option of going to a new church.  I've decided to stick with Christian music for as long as I can stand to present with my posts.  I'm tired and exhausted, but I'm thrilled with life, respected, and am loved by the community.  I need to advance in my work.  I'm still hitting a wall.

Cartoon for the day:

"Why Not Now"

Today's song: Toby Mac's "City on Our Knees"

Sometimes I surprise myself.  I've still got a lot of work to do, but my health is good and I feel great.  With the last year, I am so happy to be at this point.  For having to start somewhere, I'm definitely glad to be here and not somewhere else.  Though, a change in location wouldn't be all that bad.

Enter Montana.  The trip to the mountains this last weekend was amazing.  In Michigan, looking out the window will show the neighbors.  Do a three sixty around the house, and still, all you can see are neighbors.   Looking out the window and seeing MOUNTAINS in Montana is awesome!

Snowboarding at Big Sky was a new experience for me.  Thank goodness I had great, motivating company who kept me on my feet as much as possible.  [Really big thank goodness!]  I'm pretty sure I broke my rear end the first day out, but I hear that's a common reality to learning to snowboard.  But, it was entertaining.  Indoor rockclimbing was more natural for me, not bouldering to risk falling on my rear again, BUT sometimes I surprise myself.

Enter Jim at MC Sports on Plainfield.  Jim has one awesome personality and was a great help today.  I, again, avoided buying a "brain bucket," as he called it, before running out with my new gear, but spending an hour with a former Marine who is a riot in his older years made my purchase an enjoyable process.   It's awesome too to have someone experienced in sales of the same products I'm interested and honest about what is a great deal and what isn't.  The result:

And, that should work for now.  I wanted to head over to mom's to use the back hill, but I took a nap and then had a driveway to finish shoveling out.  Tomorrow's a long day at work, but Saturday and Sunday should allow for some hours out on the hill, despite looking to be very cold.  Even better, I can wear my bike "brain bucket" out at my mom's without feeling ridiculous.

More to come this weekend.  It's far past my bedtime!

Comic for Today:



This New Year Came Fast!

Briefly Summing Up The Months In 2010

January – I was dedicated to get back into being a body architect.

February – After months and months of studying, I passed my NASM personal trainer certification exam.

March – I ran away for a week in Europe.  Two weeks after returning I was in serious pain.  Workouts stopped.

April – I scored a perfect score on my capstone project, and the doctors treated me for stomach ulcers.

May – Graduation!  Pain continued and worsened.  'Babysat': I found my life cared for by a close friend.  Hospital visits became my reality.

June – More doctor visits with no results.  Enter Mountain Man.  Still aching abdominal pain.  Replan eating habits.  My good outlook on life continued despite the pain; I never let it get me down.

July – Third gallbladder cleanse = clean.  Eye surgery = instant sight and flowers.  :-)

August – I started running again.  The pain was lightening in intensity.  Another hospital visit.

September – Moved into brother's house.  'The Separator!'  More running.  I discovered volleyball sand pits to run in!

October – Meet Mountain Man! Meeting Mountain Man = spoiled Sara! Another birthday =  flowers = spoiled Sara!  Best month of the year!  "Twinkles!"

November – Work began to get busy.  Another hospital visit.  CT scan showed nothing.  They tell me I am healthy.  Internally I am still miserable.  I feel as though my whole abdominal area is still experiencing inflammation.  I again replan my diet.  Careful removal of acidic foods and attention to getting enough carbohydrates.

December – Work got crazy! Saffron juice and chia seeds became staples in my diet.  Motivation increasing.  More workouts.  Zimmie feeling back to normal.  Stress lowering but the holiday season still crazy!  Sleeping better.  Eating easier.  Christmas = Mountain Man spoils Sara again.


This has been a horrible year and incredible year!  If balance sits on a teeter totter for the year of 2010, then my internal health sat on one side while graduation, Mountain Man, and my happiness sat on the other.  Goodness, it has been a tough year!  Constantly trying to figure out my health issues and being forced to rest sure caused the year to fly by.  My Mountain Man friend has made this an amazing year though, so I'll be satisfied with the rest!  But please, let's pray this crazy health year doesn't happen again!  I'm fairly certain I now know what it all has been, so I'm not too worried.  If nothing else, with all the tests I have been through, my doctors know how healthy I am!  Ha.

Comic for the day:

"Dare to Believe"

Almost a week until I fly out!  I cannot wait!  I wore my winter hat all day in anticipation,... and because this house is so cold inside!  It looks as though the weather in my destination will be in the teens, in degrees Fahrenheit, with a (let's hope) sunny Friday.  But in the here and now, I'm scheduled a full forty hours of work this week, so my workday starts at 4:45am EST tomorrow!  It will be nice to not have to wake up that early for a few days, and I certainly hope I don't find myself waking up naturally at 1:30am!  Of course, that would be mean I'd have a bedtime of 6:30pm, and I'm positive that will not be the case once I get to where I'm going!

Today, however, has been a full day of cleaning and catching up.  Most importantly, I caught up on some much needed sleep, though I hadn't really planned on doing so.  I set all the alarms like normal, put in one Ultra SafeSound earplug, and slept until after 8am without ever hearing a sound!  The only problem is it is so hard to get some sleep around here with my early bedtime and the kids upstairs staying up so late.  And, now I know I can't risk wearing the earplugs on a night that I work early the next morning, which is most days!  Tomorrow will have to be an earlier night than tonight, as I still have a lot of work to do.  Despite having taken out quite a bit of unnecessary 'stuff,' I've made quite a disaster in my process of reorganizing!  This is likely to continue through the next week.

Comic for the day:

Have a great start to the week!