Reading, learning and rediscovering

Every day is an opportunity to learn.  We are constantly learning.  Learning helps us grow, expand horizons, meet mew people, try new things and so much more.  In reality, we never can learn everything, there will always be something new.

This has been my life in the last few weeks.  

As you may recall, I recently found out that I have 22 trigger foods that have been wrecking havoc on my stomach and intestines, are potentially the cause of my headaches, fatigue and so much more!  I think I have read more food labels in the last 2 weeks than I have in my entire life.

Don't get me wrong, I read food labels before, but never like I do now!  Before I would take a quick scan of the ingredients, but my focus usually was more on the fat, calories, protein and carbs in anything I was considering buying.  Now, I am literally reading each and every ingredient on the label, trying to decipher what some things are, contemplating if it is "safe" for me to eat!

This weekend, I finally tackled the project of going through the pantry and cupboards to sort out what I could eat from what was now fair game for the rest of the family to enjoy.  Everything that contained Milk, almonds, cheese, onions, pineapple and more was set on one side of the table. Everything that was free of all trigger foods was placed on the other side of the table.

In the end, there was definitely more on the right side (avoid side) of the table than the left.  Wow!  No wonder why I feeling the way that I was, if I was eating so many of these foods on the "avoid" side of the table daily!  

How much of it was I eating?  just to give you an example:

Breakfast most mornings was a shake mixed with Chocolate Almond Milk, a milk based shake mix and either a banana or pineapple.  I have since learned that Milk (most Dairy) is a trigger, as are almonds and pineapple!

Now I am replacing my shake mix with a dairy free version and sticking with bananas, strawberries or other fruit!

Lunch was usually leftovers... this particular day, it was baked salmon (now on the list of avoid foods) and green beans (another avoid food!). Yes, I will miss as my salmon and

Shrimp and crab, but I still have scallops and a few other varieties of fish I can enjoy!

In the two weeks that I have been working to eliminate these trigger foods, I feel better, sleep better most nights and am starting to see higher energy levels.  Oh yeah, and I have not had any migraines!

I have also had to stop and think more about what I am feeding my body.  I have gone back to some of my favorite recipes, some of which I have not made in a long time, played with them to see what I could do to tweak them, to fit in the new diet

One of those recipes that I went back to, was my favorite chicken salad recipe!

A few years ago, I posted the recipe for this here and figured that it was time to share it again.. with a few modifications!

This light, summer chicken salad, in its original formula, was made with almond butter.  Since I can't have the almond butter anymore, I opted to make it now with cashew butter!  

What a game changer!  

Shredded chicken (perfect way to use up that leftover rotisserie chicken!), granny smith apples, grapes, cashew butter and honey!

The perfect blend of sweet and crunchy to go with the chicken!

Pure yum!

Yes, I am still learning what I can easily grab to eat when I need a quick snack or am making dinner.  I will continue to work on finding modified recipes for some of the family favorites that right now, I can't make in the same way that I did before... Chili without onions, kidney beans and cheese, just is not the same.   Same goes for sloppy joes and meatloaf.

Yes, this is a tough journey, but I know that it will be worth it in the end!  The next few months might be tough and I will miss my pizza, but if, in the end, it means that I am healthier, have more energy and can avoid the headaches, it will be worth it!  Your health is more important!

Now, time to scour the internet for dinner tomorrow!

Destination Disneyland!

No better way to kick of 2016 than a trip to Disneyland...

unless it's a trip to Disneyland to run the Star Wars Half Marathon!

(note: I am finally sitting down to write this a few months after I came back!)

I will have to say that this trip came at the perfect time.  On Thursday, when I flew out of Milwaukee, it was 10 degrees outside.

When I stepped off the plan in Orange County, it was 65!  You will not hear me complain about the weather!! While friends of mine back home were posting pictures of running on the frigid temperatures, I was living in capri's and t-shirts!

First stop - Packet pickup and the expo!  I was really glad to make this stop on Thursday, before most people arrived for the weekend.  There were virtually no other people in line and I was in and out in a matter of a few minutes with my race bib.  Heading up stairs then for the expo!

I probably could have spent 5 hours wandering round the expo, checking out all the goodies, shiney things and apparel, but I really did need to find some food!  So that won out over shopping for the evening!  

Friday morning started out early as I headed to Downtown for the start of the 5k.  Even though I wasn't running, it was awesome to get down there and be part of the excitement.!  Since I also needed to get in some miles, I found out that from the south end of Downtown Disney to the far north end near the parking garage was a half mile.  I am sure that I got more than just a few odd looks from those walking to the race, of from the Disney employees that were working and select points thru town and I kept running past  :)  in the end, I hit 3 miles right before the 5k started!  All in all, it was a productive morning!

After the race and a shower, it was off to the parks for the day!  Yes, a 1 day park ticket is about the equivelent of highway robbery, but when you are in Anaheim for the first time in 18 years, (and didn't get to go to Disney on that trip) you go to Disney!

The nice part about getting to the parks early, the streets aren't all that crowded!  Plus, when you are not lugging kids and everyone else around with you, you can avoid long lines but hitting the single rider lines!  

To make a trip to California even better than just being able to run at Disneyland?  Finding out that a dear friend from college currently lives less that 5 minutes from your hotel!  After 20 years, it was amazing to be able to catch up with Amy over lunch and coffee on Saturday, promising that it would not be 20 years before we saw each other again! (We actually saw each other again in February when she was in MI visiting her dad and we made the trip up to see them!)

Finally, Sunday and race day was here!  When you wake up at 3am to get to the start line and look at your weather app in California, you don't expect to see 38 degrees!  I had been on the fence about what to wear it was time to make a decision!  Temps were not supposed to get much over 50, so I opted to go with the (heatgear) capri's and lightweight long sleeve shirt under my costume. 

At the start line at 4:30 am!  Time to make it happen!

After spending Friday walking through the parks all day, it was completely different to see them in the dark!  The entire park was lit up and there were awesome photo ops throughout the entire park.  Of course, the best ones were with the Star Wars Characters!  

Each time I stopped, I did stop my running watch as I wanted to get a more accurate idea of how much time I spent running.  In the end, I spent about a half hour waiting for photos with Chewie and R2, but it was so worth it!

Not sure how I managed it, but I timed my run through the park just right that the sun was coming up as I was running through Radiator springs!  Ok, not quite the same as actually running through the majestic areas along Route 66, but it's a close second!

What an experience!  Traveling across the country to run a half marathon, explore new cities, meeting so many new people was so worth the adventure!  I couldn't have asked for a better race to kick of my 2016 race season!

I was at the airport in LA bright and early Monday morning to fly back home.  Happy to say it was a quiet uneventful flight home but a nice way to relax and reflect on my adventure!  I feel so blessed to have been able to take this opportunity and run with it (pun intended!)  Some days, I think my family is convinced that I am completely crazy... there may be some truth to that statement, depending on who you ask.  In the end, it comes down to fining your passion and striving to reach your goals!  

Life is an adventure!  Get out there and live it!

Don't be so busy making a living that you forget to make a life!

What drives you?  What are your passions?  That is a huge part of figuring out what you truly want out of life!  

Rethinking the way that I eat!

After all these years of eating smart and mostly clean (I am a firm believer in the 80/20 rule when it comes to eating, you need to allow yourself a splurge once in a while), it's time to rethink and relearn how to eat

As some of you know, for the last several weeks I have not been feeling the greatest. I was constantly tired, had zero energy to get to the gym, was getting frequent headaches and my training was falling behind (I have 2 races in a few weeks and my next half marathon in a month).  I knew that something wasn't right. Previous food allergy tests didn't tell me much... Aside from seasonal allergies, I was allergic to hazelnuts and sunflower seeds.

I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. It was time to find some other answers!

Last week I went to a new Dr to see if we could get some answers. The motto of the doctors at The Wellness Way is "We don't guess, we test".  

And test they did!  After 2 panels of bloodwork and a few other tests and X-rays, I waited patiently for the results.  When I was in the office, thanks to the X-rays, she discovered some inflammation in my intestines and stomach, so we knew that I had some trigger foods that were causing those issues. But we had no idea what!

My gut had some issues and it's time to figure out how to fix it.

Today I got part of the results!  In the end, I am excited to get the results, but now sitting here trying to figure out what I can eat! 

In the end, I had 22 foods that I reacted to. Aside from a vast variety of seafood and other fish, cheese and dairy (mainly goat and cows milk) popped up as well as a variety of beans, pineapple and almonds. 

Wait... Almonds?

Yup!  Almonds. 

No wonder why I've been feeling so crappy!  I pretty much have almond milk in my shakes every morning (with pineapple - EEEK!), 

I use almond butter to make my protein balls, 

I  snack on them almost every day... 

Pre-race fuel is often almond butter and jelly sandwiches!

Pizza without cheese?

No lobster or shrimp?  Thankfully scallops are on the safe list!

As I sit here tonight, I am frustrated at the foods that are on the list, but also grateful that I now have some direction.  I finally feel like I have some control again over how I am feeling!  I am glad that I sought out answers.  I knew something wasn't right and I needed to find some answers.  We still are waiting for a few more tests to come back and then we can develop a full plan of action, but at least I have a place to start!

Yes, it's going to be tough to pretty much relearn how to eat, avoiding those foods that don't agree with my gut. Bottom line, if you think something is off, go with your gut (pun fully intended!) and ask questions, seek answers!  It can make a huge difference!

Time to go find some dinner and start figuring this out!  Dining out is going to be a whole different adventure, that will be a whole new post later!

Here's to a healthier future!!

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Kickoff training run to a season on inspiration, motivation and who knows what else!

What do you get when you combine  2 days, a crew of crazy dedicated runners, a group of inspiring Captains and a crazy DJ?

You get the weekend to kick off the 2016 myTeam Triumph training season!

Captain Jenny was all smiles, despite the cold and snow!  Jenny, I am so glad that I finally got to meet you over the weekend!  Diane is right, you are amazing! Your positive attitude and motivation are infectious! I can't wait to follow along on your IronMan adventures this year!

Running with your early morning running partner from last summer and you new running coach/training is always an adventure!  Apparently, I wasn't running fast enough and needed to catch up!  

New running cadence or just dancing while we run?  Nope, that's what happens when you have Mobile Run DJ Christian following you along your run!

New business adventure for Christian!  Run DJ/karaoke service!  You run and he will provide the tunes as well as the singing.  But beware, he will pass off the "mic" at a moments notice!

Thanks for an awesome morning Jenny!  

Day 2 brings together 8 Captains and about 20 angels to run laps with them for the 1st ever CP Telethon relay fundraiser!  Captains and angels were paired up to run as many laps as possible in the allotted 2 hours.  The winning team was invited to join Christian for the check presentation, live on the air that afternoon!

There were competitive race, and tons of infectious smiles everywhere thru the morning!

Tammy and I were paired up with Captain Ben and had so much run running laps with Ben and his mom!  

myTeam Triumph's goals are so much more than race day.  These events are always so much fun.  Just us, enjoying time with the Captains, having fun, creating lasting bonds and memories.  

Over the last several years, I have been a volunteer, helped with several events and done what I could to support this amazing organization.  I am so glad that I decided to take that next step this year and actually RUN with them!  There is so much that I can learn from these Differently-Abled athletes!  They don't know how to say "I Can't"

They will inspire you, push you and you can't help but smiles with them!

Together, we can accomplish anything!

OMG!  I just heard this and wanted to share with everyone!!!

Skirt Sports is having a Spring Sale! Starting tomorrow March 10th, all 261 Fearless gear will be on SALE!  This is an amazing Clearance Sale with up to 60% off 261 products; and everything MUST GO! With Spring just around the corner, everyone is thinking about fitness and getting in shape for the Summer! This sale is the perfect opportunity to make sure you have all the gear you need! 

For those of you that are not familiar with the 261 line, it was inspired my Boston Marathon icon Katherine Switzer!  I know that I will be adding a few more pieces to my collection!


How about you?

Spinning, IronMan Jessica Jacobs and crazy friends! Perfect way to spend a morning!

Spinning Spinning and more spinning!

Sometimes it's not about doing what's comfortable, it's about pushing yourself to see what you can do! 

Today was the 3rd annual Rock N Ride Spinathon at the East side YMCA.  Last year for the event, Lisa and I rode for 2 hours.  It was the first time Lisa did any sort of a spin class and she rocked it. 

All I can say is that I love this girl!  She keeps me moving!  

When I say let's run 4 miles, she says lets do 5!

Last year I told her we needed to decide between running the Warrior Dash or running the Packers 5k.  She quickly pointed out that we were running the Warrior Dash 9:45am heat and that the Packers 5k didn't start until 6pm.  Guess what?  We did both!

 This year we decided that we needed to up the ante and sign up for 3 hours!

So 3 hours it was!  3 Hours for the MAKS and Livestrong programs at the local YMCA

My friend Jenny told me to ride some miles for her since she couldn't be there.  I told her that the 1st hour was for her!  Stacy really pushed us to keep moving and put on the miles!

As I was riding that 1st hour, it got me thinking.  There are so many people that keep me motivated, inspired and moving forward.  It doesn't matter if it is my other fellow crazy runners, my family that puts up with my hours of training miles and travel, trainers that push me through classes, the numerous myTEAM Triumph Angels and Captains that I have gotten to know over the years, my online running family and more.

Today I was riding these miles for some of them!

Hour 2 for us meant a changing of the guard... a new instructor!  This time it was 3 time Ironman Champion Jessica Jacobs!  Jessica as come back to lead the spinathon each and every year!  Jessica is a force to be reckoned with on the course and I am always excited to workout with her at this event!  This year was no different!  This hour took spinning to a whole new level - more sprints, hills and then she decided to throw in some jumping, squats and everything in between!  Some of the guys in the back of the room decided (and let her know) that they didn't think she was human!  This woman didn't know the meaning of go easy!  We pushed it to levels that I don't think I knew existed!!

This hour also was a huge shout out to my newest inspiring friends,  my fellow Skirt Sport Ambassadors!  These ladies are out there making it happen, working to inspire and motivate other women to becoming healthier, fit women!  Even though I have actually not met any of these ladies in person, I feel inspired to do what I can to keep motivating and inspiring everyone around me!  Thank you ladies!

Finally, it was time for hour 3!  My legs were burning!  After one hour of Jessica, I still had another hour to go... and it was more Jessica leading the way!  After 2 hours of going all out, I knew that I didn't have much in the tank, but this time, I needed to pull out all stops!  When you legs get tired, you go with your heart!  You need to find what motivates you to keep going!

Today, by the time hour 3 got here, I knew that I didn't have much left in the tank.  I needed to dig deeper to make it through the last 50+ minutes!    But then I remembered Ashton's smile.  Ashton, hour 3 was all for you!  Ashton is the son of good friends of ours and I will have the honor of being part of his team of Angels for the Wausau Half Marathon with myTEAM Triumph.  All of my miles this year will be working up to helping him complete is second half marathon!  Ashton is one of those kids that has a smile that can light up a room.  He knows that he has limitations, but he doesn't let that slow him down!  So I couldn't let tired legs slow me down!

It was a tough hour, but we made it through!

In the end, when we added up the numbers, we rode for over 60k - or approximately 37 miles.  I say approximately because the spin biked at the Y have a trip odometer on them, but we really don't know how to convert it to miles.  From everything we have been told (or found online) the distance is somewhere between Kilometers and miles.  So for ease of tracking how far we went, Lisa and I have decided that we are calling it kilometers and going from there.  Yes we know the distance we are traveling is not accurate, but at least we have something to compare!

Overall, the morning was amazing!  We pushed ourselves, sweat A LOT and laughed just as much!  Thank you to the Green Bay YMCA for putting together an another awesome event and even bigger thanks to Stacy Ryan and Jessica Jacobs for pushing us to our limits!  I am already looking forward to next years event!

Oh yeah, and Lisa says we are riding all 4 hours!

So I guess we are going all out!

Who's coming with us?