So, why didn't anyone tell me before how much I was missing out on not having a dishwasher? For those that don't know, this new dishwasher is my first experience having one (we had one before we didn't use becuase it didn't work). Yes, we are catching up to the times. I have had it for almost two weeks, and this has by far been one of the best purchases in my life. It saves water (cuz we only have to run once a day max), makes my kitchen look cleaner and uncluttered, and most of all it saves MY precious time. Yes, I can clean the kitchen in five minutes flat, so I get more time with the kids, and possibly focus on other areas of the house that need attention.
This is one peice of technology that is by far amazing.
P.S.
Try this for your next cardio. 10 sets of Burpees for 30 seconds, 20 second rest between each set. I didn't do the hop to the side or the one legged. I just did a pushup. We will try the one legged our next run with these so called Burpees. Super fun. Complements of Coach Kusick.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Legs of Spaghetti complements of Coach Kusick
I haven't written much about my healthy advenure over the last few months, but I figure now is a better time than ever.
It started when Becca my sister n law ran her first marathon last November. She is a parent of two little ones like me who has her hands full. She was so inspiring to me to be able to accomplish such a feat!! Amazing. Now, I can't run, play a lot of sports that cause impact or other crazy stuff like marathon running because of my hip disease and previous surgeries. BUT, I can bike ride, use elipticals and lift weights. Becca (who happens to also be a birthday girl today!) gave me an initiative to do something great for myself. So, I made a personal goal to get in the best shape of my life.
It began. Becca had emailed me a training workout that consisted of about three weeks of intense exercises, and most I could do at home. With some great help from Ben and Jonna. I was dedicated. As I began to do these exercises, I increased my reps, or then added on weight. I began working out 4 to 5 times a week. Some workouts consisted of a 10 to 20 minute workout, and some were my 40 minute workouts at the Y on lunch. I call it a combinatin of P90X, Crossfit, Cardio, and Strengh training. Always core excercises, but some days focused on legs more, or arms more, or back more, or core more. I felt my body tone up more and more. I was getting stronger. The first weeks of these exercises I was SORE, and I mean sore in places I didn't know I could be sore in. But it felt good. I had to stay motivated. And it was helpful, that these workouts actually kept my endorphins up, so I felt good. I was getting good sleep when I can. Now, my kids still get me up at nights, but it takes seconds for me to get back to slumberland.
Then, Jake started this caveman diet. It consists of nuts, fruits, and vegetable all during the day, then a full meal in the evening. We had so many almonds, pecans, peanuts, and walnuts at home, along with a fruit basket of anything you could want. How could I not enjoy. I have always been a fan of healthy foods, and taking supplements. But I am also a big fan of carbs and sugars too! Love me some good ole chocolate! So, I ate what was around the house and Jake ate. He kept telling me how great he was feeling from removing processed foods from the diet.
So, Lent began (March/April) I told myself I could give up on sweets. I can't lie, I had some cheat days, but for the majority, I started this diet during the week of Hardboiled eggs, cottage cheese, apples, cheese, bananas, greek yogurt, meat, oranges, carrots, cucumbers, peanuts, and almonds. I ate those types of things everyday and stuck to one meal at night, with no snacks after dinner. Meals always had a meat in them, and then probalby some carbs, a vegetable, and sometimes even a dessert. Every so often I enjoy a bowl of icecream or some other small sweet, but nothing past 7pm. And I would still enjoy beer or wine on occasion. So, I haven't totally given up carbs, but did cut A LOT of them out of my normal day to day diet. I was a bread, cracker, chip queen, so by doing this, I really was reducing my overall processed food/caloric intake.
Ok, then I am still working out four days at least a week. I was getting stronger. Strong enough that I upped my dumbbells in workouts from 10lb to 15lbs. I was doing more reps. My pants were getting bigger. My arms were getting lean, and by golly I don't have any more cottage cheese on the back of my upper legs!! I fit into sizes I haven't fit since early college years. So, I decided to weigh myself about a month and 1/2 ago. I was weighing 6 lbs below my average weight that I have kept when not pregnant since I started dating Jake.
I have had this hypothesis in the past years, that from my genes, the more I lift and work out with weights I gain weight. Cuz, well, I always have. Even my sisters have agreed with me. That's what their bodies did too when they worked out. But back then i wasn't ever changing my eating habits. I LOVED CARBS. Now, I am not going to say I am on a diet, cuz I never go hungry, I am just eating more balanced, and a lot healthier. I weighed myself last week and was 8lbs less. And not only that, I thought I would test my strenth at some pull ups. I haven't been able to do a pull up since before I had Benjamin. I remember when I was young and in gymnastics I could do 10 or more. Do you know I did three?!! I couldn't believe it. I was so proud of myself. I sent a text to all my brothers and sisters and my Dad! haha. Fyi, my Dad and brothers can do up to 40 pullups or more. no joke. Then, last Sunday, I did a set of four, then two, then one in my work out.
So, I have had such great results with this and truly feel I am in the best shape of my life. I want more. So, what did I do talked to COACH KUSICK! My brother that is a teacher, coach, and now a personal trainer. He wrote me a program over the weekend, and my first workout was yesterday. Legs of spaghetti today are complements of Coach Kusick! But, I am excited again. I have more workouts to look forward to.
It started when Becca my sister n law ran her first marathon last November. She is a parent of two little ones like me who has her hands full. She was so inspiring to me to be able to accomplish such a feat!! Amazing. Now, I can't run, play a lot of sports that cause impact or other crazy stuff like marathon running because of my hip disease and previous surgeries. BUT, I can bike ride, use elipticals and lift weights. Becca (who happens to also be a birthday girl today!) gave me an initiative to do something great for myself. So, I made a personal goal to get in the best shape of my life.
It began. Becca had emailed me a training workout that consisted of about three weeks of intense exercises, and most I could do at home. With some great help from Ben and Jonna. I was dedicated. As I began to do these exercises, I increased my reps, or then added on weight. I began working out 4 to 5 times a week. Some workouts consisted of a 10 to 20 minute workout, and some were my 40 minute workouts at the Y on lunch. I call it a combinatin of P90X, Crossfit, Cardio, and Strengh training. Always core excercises, but some days focused on legs more, or arms more, or back more, or core more. I felt my body tone up more and more. I was getting stronger. The first weeks of these exercises I was SORE, and I mean sore in places I didn't know I could be sore in. But it felt good. I had to stay motivated. And it was helpful, that these workouts actually kept my endorphins up, so I felt good. I was getting good sleep when I can. Now, my kids still get me up at nights, but it takes seconds for me to get back to slumberland.
Then, Jake started this caveman diet. It consists of nuts, fruits, and vegetable all during the day, then a full meal in the evening. We had so many almonds, pecans, peanuts, and walnuts at home, along with a fruit basket of anything you could want. How could I not enjoy. I have always been a fan of healthy foods, and taking supplements. But I am also a big fan of carbs and sugars too! Love me some good ole chocolate! So, I ate what was around the house and Jake ate. He kept telling me how great he was feeling from removing processed foods from the diet.
So, Lent began (March/April) I told myself I could give up on sweets. I can't lie, I had some cheat days, but for the majority, I started this diet during the week of Hardboiled eggs, cottage cheese, apples, cheese, bananas, greek yogurt, meat, oranges, carrots, cucumbers, peanuts, and almonds. I ate those types of things everyday and stuck to one meal at night, with no snacks after dinner. Meals always had a meat in them, and then probalby some carbs, a vegetable, and sometimes even a dessert. Every so often I enjoy a bowl of icecream or some other small sweet, but nothing past 7pm. And I would still enjoy beer or wine on occasion. So, I haven't totally given up carbs, but did cut A LOT of them out of my normal day to day diet. I was a bread, cracker, chip queen, so by doing this, I really was reducing my overall processed food/caloric intake.
Ok, then I am still working out four days at least a week. I was getting stronger. Strong enough that I upped my dumbbells in workouts from 10lb to 15lbs. I was doing more reps. My pants were getting bigger. My arms were getting lean, and by golly I don't have any more cottage cheese on the back of my upper legs!! I fit into sizes I haven't fit since early college years. So, I decided to weigh myself about a month and 1/2 ago. I was weighing 6 lbs below my average weight that I have kept when not pregnant since I started dating Jake.
I have had this hypothesis in the past years, that from my genes, the more I lift and work out with weights I gain weight. Cuz, well, I always have. Even my sisters have agreed with me. That's what their bodies did too when they worked out. But back then i wasn't ever changing my eating habits. I LOVED CARBS. Now, I am not going to say I am on a diet, cuz I never go hungry, I am just eating more balanced, and a lot healthier. I weighed myself last week and was 8lbs less. And not only that, I thought I would test my strenth at some pull ups. I haven't been able to do a pull up since before I had Benjamin. I remember when I was young and in gymnastics I could do 10 or more. Do you know I did three?!! I couldn't believe it. I was so proud of myself. I sent a text to all my brothers and sisters and my Dad! haha. Fyi, my Dad and brothers can do up to 40 pullups or more. no joke. Then, last Sunday, I did a set of four, then two, then one in my work out.
So, I have had such great results with this and truly feel I am in the best shape of my life. I want more. So, what did I do talked to COACH KUSICK! My brother that is a teacher, coach, and now a personal trainer. He wrote me a program over the weekend, and my first workout was yesterday. Legs of spaghetti today are complements of Coach Kusick! But, I am excited again. I have more workouts to look forward to.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Sometimes it is hard being a parent
It;s just hard. Like when you wake up for the second morning in a row after seeing every hour of the clock with your little girl who has been sick. It's hard when that same morning that you are so sleep deprived you have every wish in the world to just climb back into bed and go into work late. It's hard when that same morning, you begin to get both kids ready, and they want to challenge and battle every little thing you say or try to get them to do. From temper tantrums, grunts, meltdowns as they throw themselves to the ground, or throw a toy at you. They don't like what they are wearing, Jonna doesn't want her hair put up. Ben doesn't like his shorts. Jonna hates that I put the lid on the cup and didn't let her. Ben doesn't want to wear socks, and he is cold. Jonna thought it would be a good idea to sneak away to Mom's room and plaster mascara all over her face and dress. Ben thinks he needs a peice of candy for breakfast before his actual breakfast. Ben wants his Dad cuz he is at work and Mom finally has had it and says, "GET IN THE VAN OR I AM LEAVING WITH OUT YOU!"
It's hard when you think you deserve more recognition. It's hard when you don't know what end is up, what end is down, where you are going, where you are coming from. What should you make for dinner? Do I have enough time to stop at the store on lunch, or clean out the van that has crackers, orange peels, tissues, cups, blankets, toys, crumbs, all over the place? What should I do next? Running in circles all the time. Sometimes, I remind myself to stop and BREATHE!! I can't even remember the last time I was able to pick up a book and read. Oh, how I love to read.
Lets' get down to business. Slow down, and just stop thinking in fast forward. The real truth is it's all so worth it. Really, who would I have enjoyed my mother's day with and went on a walk with accross the river bridge on Mother's Day while Jake was working. My kids.
As we headed home from Gma's house on sunday, I drove over the bridge as I do almost every day and saw the new bridge walk way, where all the families were taking a peacefull stroll admiring the river. So, what did we do? Mama parked the car, and said lets have an adventure! I wasn't sure what to expect, but this was it.
Almost to the top! I really thought I would be carrying Jonna a lot. It was the end of the day around 6pm, and they had both had their fill of playing. But nope, they both trekked away.
Did I mention how terrified I felt walking on this bridge while Jonna and Ben both felt the need to put their fingers underneath the fence and wiggle around admiring the huge river several hundred feet below. I think I have a small fear of heights. I wanted to stay RIGHT in the center of this walkway. Not my children. They felt the need to walk right next to the side of the fence that faced the river making sure to stop and lean into the fence to get a real good look.
Breaktime on the way down.
Seriously with two sweet kids like this that take a break to come give me a hug and say they Love me all the time. I mean me. Their Mom that sometimes forgets Ben's bookbag, or Jonna's diaper wipes for daycare. Oh, or did I mention when I pulled Jonna's elbow out of socket trying to keep her from falling down the stairs.
I would be lying if I didn't tell you how completely overwhelmed I feel sometimes. Even feeling like I fail as a parent, yes, those are the times, when I ask, "What am I doing wrong?!" or More so, "What can I do better?!"
Every day is in a adventure, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Okay, I am lying. I wouldn't mind a full nights' sleep. Sometimes, it is a little hard being a parent.
It's hard when you think you deserve more recognition. It's hard when you don't know what end is up, what end is down, where you are going, where you are coming from. What should you make for dinner? Do I have enough time to stop at the store on lunch, or clean out the van that has crackers, orange peels, tissues, cups, blankets, toys, crumbs, all over the place? What should I do next? Running in circles all the time. Sometimes, I remind myself to stop and BREATHE!! I can't even remember the last time I was able to pick up a book and read. Oh, how I love to read.
Lets' get down to business. Slow down, and just stop thinking in fast forward. The real truth is it's all so worth it. Really, who would I have enjoyed my mother's day with and went on a walk with accross the river bridge on Mother's Day while Jake was working. My kids.
As we headed home from Gma's house on sunday, I drove over the bridge as I do almost every day and saw the new bridge walk way, where all the families were taking a peacefull stroll admiring the river. So, what did we do? Mama parked the car, and said lets have an adventure! I wasn't sure what to expect, but this was it.
Almost to the top! I really thought I would be carrying Jonna a lot. It was the end of the day around 6pm, and they had both had their fill of playing. But nope, they both trekked away.
Did I mention how terrified I felt walking on this bridge while Jonna and Ben both felt the need to put their fingers underneath the fence and wiggle around admiring the huge river several hundred feet below. I think I have a small fear of heights. I wanted to stay RIGHT in the center of this walkway. Not my children. They felt the need to walk right next to the side of the fence that faced the river making sure to stop and lean into the fence to get a real good look.
Breaktime on the way down.
Seriously with two sweet kids like this that take a break to come give me a hug and say they Love me all the time. I mean me. Their Mom that sometimes forgets Ben's bookbag, or Jonna's diaper wipes for daycare. Oh, or did I mention when I pulled Jonna's elbow out of socket trying to keep her from falling down the stairs.
I would be lying if I didn't tell you how completely overwhelmed I feel sometimes. Even feeling like I fail as a parent, yes, those are the times, when I ask, "What am I doing wrong?!" or More so, "What can I do better?!"
Every day is in a adventure, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Okay, I am lying. I wouldn't mind a full nights' sleep. Sometimes, it is a little hard being a parent.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mama's day 2011 and our Mexico Trip.
A great Mother's Day weekend. With family. Ben and Jonna played, played, and played some more with their cousins.
Jake worked mother's day, but he did let me enjoy an afternoon free of the kids on saturday, when I got to go watch Katie have her final senior soccer game ever. She has an injured back and will not ever play again. She actually wasn't supposed to play this game, but the coach said with parents permission he would start her. And well, as any kusick girl does, we are stubborn, she didn't really ask Mom about doing it, she just went for it! Can't blame her. She looked awesome out there. She wore her back brace the entire game, so she was good. It is a hard plastic brace that covers her thoracic to lumbar vertebrae, and doesn't have much give. When one girl ran into her, she hit the brace pretty hard. Didn't stun Katie, but the other girl let out a yelp. Nothing like running in to a brick wall :).
Daddy and his little mischievous girl!
Sunday, we went to church with my family. 6 out of ten kids made it in. We went on a picnic that entailed a nice long walk, fried chicken, corn on the cobb, watching "duck" wars, and going down the slide 1,967 times.
My babies! Ben's shirt is very truthful.
Jonna is such a stinkin doll.
Man, I love her!
So, we did it. We bought new appliances! This is our trip to Mexico.
I love them.
Grown up decisions. Beach or new kitchen.
Awesome part about this, is we will enjoy them everyday. And thank heavens for Uncle Jim and his lakehouse. We will be enjoying some sun, water, and vacation time there this summer, and it will be fabulous!
Gma and Gpa Holee have an ETA of this Friday! We cannot wait!!
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