Veggie Patch

It's no secret lately that I have put my family on a health kick. I'm still easy going with the sweets for the kids, but I'm subbing in more fruits and veggies wherever I can. And I feel like I am making so much progress. In less than two months, the boys are eating so many more veggies than before. We still have meals where they fight me here and there, but I have noticed such a difference.

And I love it.

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by someone with Veggie Patch about trying their products. In the interest of disclosure, they sent me a few coupons to try their product for free in exchange for a blog post and social media promotion. I was excited to give them a try after looking at their website and finding that this was not a frozen product.

Veggie Patch can be found chilled in the produce section. Choices include:

- Broccoli Bites
- Buffalo Wings
- Chick'n Cutlet
- Chick'n Nuggets
- Falafel Chickpea Balls
- Meatless Meatballs
- Mediterranean Spinach and Chickpea Patties
- Spinach Nuggets
- Ultimate Meatless Burger

The boys and I looked everything over and decided to pick out the Spinach Nuggets ... (OK I was the one that decided on the spinach) ... but they agreed with getting the Falafel Chickpea Balls and Broccoli Bites.

When we got home, the boys had me heat up the falafel right away. You know how much they love falafel. They have come a long way since the first time they tried it and now ask for it frequently. It was a hit. I actually liked the falafel more than the ones we purchase from both our local Whole Foods and some restaurants.

I only have one child who likes broccoli, but all three boys agreed that the broccoli bites were 'sort of good Mom'. (Progress!) These were my favorite. My husband and I couldn't stop eating them.

And then there was the spinach. More honesty. I have no love for cooked spinach. I can put it in a smoothie or a salad. But once I cook it? Not a fan. I do like spinach pies but you will find me scooping out more than half the spinach inside first. Well ... these spinach nuggets were actually delicious. The boys don't eat spinach either, but they all tried (and ate) a nugget the day we opened that package.

Here's what I love about Veggie Patch. Not only are they fresh, but they are GMO free, Trans fat-free, and free of artificial flavors or preservatives. And a great source of protein which I can always use more of. These are items I would never take the time to make for myself at home. Picking it up from the refrigerated section makes all the difference for me.

One of the biggest challenges I have lately when it comes to eating healthy is the days I am on the go. Audition for the boys, sports practice and more. That is when my healthy goes down the tubes because I'm not home long enough to cook. This is so easy to grab out of the fridge and get ready in a few minutes. And it's healthy.

I know I've found three favorites already, but I am looking forward to trying their other products as well. I highly recommend Veggie Patch. In addition to their website (where they have some recipes as well as a section just for kids), you can check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

Getting over the stone wall of death

I think I figured out why I fell off the workout wagon. The running kills me. Until last week, I had been running for about 5 weeks (3x a week) and hating every last second of it. I was doing it, but it wasn't getting easier. All I could think about was getting the workout over with ... how many minutes were left. No matter how I tried, I could not get in the zone so to speak.

As crappy as I have felt this week though, doing that core workout yesterday that I posted about on Facebook, wasn't at all bad. It was hard, yes. But I got into it. And I loved it even more that I did it in my living room and didn't even need to leave the house.

This morning I walked the boys to school, popped in my ear phones and started with a 20 minute brisk walk, followed by a plank in my yard before I went back inside. I finally broke 3 minutes.
3 minutes 6 seconds by the stop watch to be exact.

I thought I could get through the entire ABC, 123 workout from The F Word's Fit Squad session ... but I realized I was missing a few things. Like an evil wheel. So I started with a portion from the workout.

high kicks
cobra
bear crawl
60 second center plank

OK you got me, it was more like a 36 second plank and then my abs gave out. And though I tried, I couldn't even side plank today. I switched over to the core challenge and did away with the push ups and center/side planks, leaving me with:

50 crunches

1 minute bridge

50 crunches

2 minute bridge

50 crunches

After that, I went back to the ABC,123 workout and searched for the spot the kids last left the jump rope but couldn't find it. I remembered I had my Hoopnotica hula hoop I brought home from LA and grabbed it from the basement. I rocked out to some Britney Spears and Katy Perry, managing to hoop for 5 minutes 57 seconds - which was huge. When I brought that thing home I could barely hoop a minute at a time before sticking it back in the basement and giving up. I SO could have beat 6 minutes but the dog was barking at the door and I lost my concentration.

I thought I would end the workout with the box jumps from Fit Squad. The ones that I am afraid of because my knees are not... awesome shall we say. No boxes. OK, I was making this work. My uneven stone wall in front of my house would totally do, right? Right. I cranked the music up so I could be in the zone.

And I jumped up.

And I did it! And then? I promptly lost my balance and fell over backwards on my back. This photo right here? The Stone Wall of Death. Look at the height on that thing.

I picked myself up, sure my neighbors were watching from their windows, grabbed my phone and headed in. I debated on ending the workout with that, but I felt like I needed to do one more thing. I grabbed the hoop and stopwatch. I got back in the zone with some Amy Winehouse and some Lemonade Mouth (don't judge) and not only did I break 6 minutes this time, I hit 8 minutes 58 seconds before that hoop dropped. So close to 9. 

All in all not a bad morning. I am way more motivated to mix things up like this, then run around the track. That bores the crap out of me. I'm not giving up running. I know that I need to do that as well if I am going to do the Spartans. Maybe its more of this sort of thing, with some running thrown in here and there, that is what will finally do it for me.

Grabbed a coffee and after that, it's back to all water (and apple cinnamon water) all day like yesterday. Now to plan tomorrow's workout.

Spartan goals

I have come to the conclusion that I need a goal. Something to work towards. It has been a really hard adjustment for me having the twins in full day school the last few weeks. Some days I am still incredibly busy. But other days? When I have too much time to sit and think? And believe it or not the house is actually clean (due to the impending move) ... and it's just me? It can be horribly lonely.

I spent the last six years with these two tiny little guys following me everywhere. Wanting me to sit with them all the time and just cuddle. And now that they aren't home to do that? I don't know what to do with myself at times.

I know that I need more clients. Oh my God do I need more clients. And I need to start packing up the house. But aside from that? I need something to work for. Something for me.

A few months ago Jen, Liz and Kameron started talking about doing the Spartan Beast. My initial thought was they were Crazy, followed by a hey maybe I will do it with them! But then reality set in and I had barely been able to keep up with anyone at Gored for Good and that was just a 2 mile fun run that Kam helped me push though. Who was I kidding, there was no way I could do the Beast.

Three weeks ago Laura got me started on C25K. We joined Dawn who was already a few weeks ahead of us and kicking ass. I told them I hated every single thing about running. I have told you all the same. It isn't getting any easier, though I am sure my weight isn't helping things either.

As the Beast got closer I found myself wishing more and more I could compete with the girls. I was so proud of them when they completed that race together over the weekend. They are amazing to have completed what they did. I seriously got teary looking at the pic of all 3 of them at the finish line, and of their individual medals. (Jen was awesome enough to let me use this pic of theirs in my post.)

So I have made a promise to myself of sorts that I will finally get myself in shape. Once and for all. (Like you haven't heard that before.) Before? There was always an excuse. Not anymore. We cancelled our gym membership in prep for the move, but I didn't go like I should have anyway. I have already asked Kelly to help me set up a home gym of sorts like she has in the garage when we move to the new house. I am so excited she's ready to help me with it. It it's there, I will have no choice but to use it.

I won't be the girl running 5K after 5K. I won't be the girl training for that half marathon. I won't be the girl who will ever have that desire to run a full marathon. Like ever. You can quote me on that last one. The Tough Mudder never really called my name. Something about this set of races? Is screaming at me. And I can not explain why.

If I'm going to do it I might as well go big. I have about 10 months before the first race and I think I want to try all three. The Spartan Sprint, then the Spartan Super, and finally the Spartan Beast. All in one season. Baring any changes due to the boys possible new-found career, this is my goal. Sounds like I'm already making excuses doesn't it. I guess what I mean is that if something with them were to conflict, they would come first.

That being said, here is my goal and I am saying it. Hell even my 7 year old had crazy muscles. How can he be more in shape right now than I am. Have you seen this child?

And his brothers are not so far behind. I feel like I want to set some sort of an example. They have heard me talk too often and more than I should have about wanting to be healthier and lose weight ... to the point where I didn't realize they were soaking it all in and they started stepping on the scale - for fun. I had to change the way I looked at everything - and explain to the boys that little kids do not ever need to lose weight. Their only job is to grow big and strong and eat and be healthy.

I want to show these boys that Mommy isn't all talk. That Mommy can actually do this. I pre-registered for both the Super and the Spartan for 2014. Just waiting on the details to get posted for the initial Sprint and I will pre-register for that one as well. I'm 3 weeks into C25K (even if my Facebook log reads week 1 - started over when I got a new phone last weekend ... had to have my stats people!) and I think if I push hard enough over the next year, I might actually be able to do this.

Even if just once. To say that I did it. So here we go.

Oh, and if my husband happens to mention that he randomly got some emails that he was also pre-registered for these races? Y'all know nothing.

Runnin' runnin' ...

Let's get it started in here

And the bass keeps runnin' runnin'
And runnin' runnin'
And runnin' runnin'
And runnin' runnin'

And runnin' runnin'
And runnin' runnin'
And runnin' runnin'
And runnin' runnin' and...

And there you have my week. That Black Eyed Peas song "Let's Get It Started" is playing in my head on repeat. Laura (who I now affectionately call the Drill Sargent) decided now that the kids are settling into school, we would be starting C25K.

Do y'all know how much I hate running? 

I have always hated it. I could spend all afternoon going up and down a field hockey field at top speed, but the running laps and all that at practice? Just no. At UMass when I did Army ROTC, I hated the sprinting drills. The long runs? While I dreaded them I could still keep up, even if I was in the back. I was oh so much skinnier then and in awesome shape though. I did go through a phase after I left UMass where I felt like I needed to keep running. 

Now? As I struggle for breath and to keep going? I am silently screaming at myself. 

This shouldn't be hard! Look how hard this is! You didn't like it before, but it sure was easy!

Laura wears awesome shirts from Abundant Heart. So ordering some. I want to kick her when she runs past me, but how cute is this!

I couldn't join the girls for our second day, so I did it on my own and snapped a pic for them ... after my 95 degree heat morning run. I think this sums up how I felt.

With all the rain last night and this morning I thought I was catching a break. Rain obviously means no running. Right? Someone back me up here.

No one backed me up.

So we ran.

Why I am always the only one with the red/purple face after we finish is beyond me. Oh and Laura would tell you not to look at her hair. She thinks it looks messy or something. I say it just looks like she's a real runner now.

First three days are in the can. And yes, I'm sure I will continue to complain and hate every second of the runs. But I am doing it. I'm doing it.

Getting my groove back with Olympic Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine

For those that have followed me here for the last few years, you know my weight and getting back in shape has been a constant struggle for me since the twins.  I can lose 20 pounds and gain it right back like no one else.  In fact, that is about how much I was down at the start of the summer - 20 pounds.  Pushing through the knee pain, hitting the gym a few times a week and trying to watch what I ate (after giving myself a one month kick start with Herbalife).  6 weeks and 3 business trips later and all that weight was right back again once I was off my routine.  Frustrating.

My friend Kirsten was looking for some fellow Rhode Island Digital Media Women to participate in a blogger project with Olympic Physical Therapy & Foot Orthotics and I jumped at the chance. 

My appointment was this morning at the Wakefield office.  I had to take the twins with me and the whole office was so nice about it.  I brought the iPad and cell phone for games to keep them occupied, promising everyone they would sit quietly and everyone was really nice to them and told me it was fine to have them there.  (I did notice a few other small ones around then too.)

My appointment with Bert lasted about 40 minutes, and included not only a bio-mechanical evaluation but a new pair of running shoes.  First we talked about what I thought my problems were, what I have been told over the years.  I explained that I have pretty bad knee pain at times, which has happened on and off since I was a teenager - and more than once Patellofemoral Syndrome has been mentioned.

In high school I started - and promptly stopped - physical therapy at University Orthopedics.  In college I didn't do anything about it when it came back and another doctor spoke with me about it.  Most recently, my hip was clicking and my knee hurt so I was in the doctor's office again.  My current doctor is great.  He offered physical therapy, but said I could do it all at home and gave me several printouts ... which I never ever did.  I can't even lie about it. 

Bert looked over my current Adidas sneakers (which did not come cheap) and showed me WHY they were not helping my feet.  I had no idea I wasn't even picking out sneakers right for my feet.  Almost no support around the ankles and I could pretty much twist the sneaker in half, which meant the rest of my foot wasn't really being supported either.

We did some stretches, I walked a bit, and we figured out that in addition to not having enough support, I needed a special insert in my right sneaker.  Which had to be modified.  Something about the arch of that foot and how part of my foot comes down when I walk before it is supposed to - which throws everything off.  Bert handed me a pair of Women's Gel Asics to try on and the difference was unbelievable! 

I didn't even know he had put an insert in my right shoe at the time.  After I walked a little, he took the insert out to modify it a little, then put it back in.  I already feel like I am walking differently.  I can not get over the difference with these sneakers.

I will be honest, I went into this totally skeptical.  I thought what will they do that is any different than what the last 3 doctors I have seen over the years have done.  I tried to go in with an open mind anyway and I am so glad that I am a part of this project.  I'm not saying that I didn't have good doctors over the last few years, but they also didn't specialize in this sort of thing.  That bio-metric evaluation is $125 and believe me I know how steep that sounds, but I feel like that evaluation was more than worth it to figure out what was really going on.

I love that they do it all on site.  Physical therapy if you need it, the bio-metric evaluations, even the shoes (which run about $85-125, not including any modifications, such an inserts, etc).  The staff is friendly and Bert was incredibly knowledgeable.

For the next few days, I will be slowly breaking these new sneakers in as I walk the boys to school and back three times a day.  Monday is a fresh new start.  I will be meeting Jules at the gym and getting back to it.  And I am signing up for another 5K.  You can follow all of it here, and I will include a piece or two on Buy-Her as well.

If you are local, I am telling you it is so worth your time and money to check out Olympic Physical Therapy & Foot Orthotics.  They have five locations providing the residents of Rhode Island and Southeastern MA with outpatient physical therapy, sports medicine rehabilitation and performance improvement.  The locations the girls and I have tried out are Wakefield and Middletown and I am in love.  I had no idea things like this existed.  In addition to their website, you can check them out on their Facebook page too.



*Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post. Olympic did comp my bio-mechanical evaluation and shoes in exchange for blog postings.  Opinions are all my own.