Thankful for Today!

There are many people that come into my life and I am just thankful that they touch me in some way. Sometimes they don't even realize it. It's Monday and I just want to give thanks to those that touch me in some way. So many!

Now for that certain person out there. You are thinking about doing something, but you are on the fence? Can't stop thinking about it? Go for it! Do it! Life is meant for you to take those chances! Think about feeling that high when you hit that goal. Go for it! You won't regret it!

Happy Monday Everyone!
XOXO
Chelsea

I'm Not Sure I Want Those Fries...

Hi All! I just got off the phone with my sister. We laughed so much, I am still smiling. We got our plans down for our mini triatholon we are doing in a few weeks. We are both so excited! We talked about our goals and what it means to us. Like, does it matter if one of us gets a better time? Not even. What matters to both of us is that we are competing against ourselves and it's our personal best. I am just getting my lungs back after being sick for many months so I am working on my cardio strength. For some reason, I've been having serious asthma attacks outside so I am training indoors, which saddens me because I want to be on the pavement. I am on the pavement for my bike and had my first bike crash last weekend. I ended up a with a sore right shoulder but nothing bad. I was ackey for 3 days, but I have no pain tolerance, so go figure! I was with my son when it happened and luckily my bike crash happened when I was only going 1 mph. Yeah. It was a boring crash. I was riding my bike TOO SLOW. My son wanted to take a rest and I wanted to get him to keep going....and I tried to "bike" a little too slow when I should have just got off my bike and stood still. Instead, I fell off my bike into oncoming traffic because I lost my balance and before I knew it, I was headed right into the road, but luckly it was a construction zone where the cars were only going 5mph. It was all slow motion and I felt some sharp pain and I was laughing at the same time. I mean, common! I fell off my bike going 1mph!!! Okay, I guess it wasn't a bike crash.

Anyhow, I caught this little video and I am not so sure I want to eat McDonald's french fries at all! I never, ever crave the burgers. EVER. The fries? I used to, but check this out. Makes me think twice. YUCK!!!!

My Life Right Now - Chicken Hair

What's new these days?

I've been busy with work and my kids and fitting in some workouts plus the full time job and oh, Charlie....my love! Gotta squeeze in some date nights with our fabulous babysitter! Mostly playing with my kids a lot, but they've been sick too, so lots of snuggles.

Some of my days, I am looking for my energy. Where did it go? I am looking under my bed, in my closet and I find it in a cup of coffee, or two!

I've also been on the Visalus products and they have been fabulous for me. My skin is clear. The products are gluten free and lactose free. The product is made with non genetically modified soy and the isoflavens have been removed. I eat more fruit than ever before so I am feeling pretty groovy and light. It's sort of changed my digestive life because I was having some serious issues. I am not sure if it's due to no gallbladder.

Anyhow, it's May! I am busy being Me! I'm out walking, working on my non-existant bi-ceps (where did they go?) and biking on my new bike. I just need to get myself some biking shorts. I can't bring myself to purchase a pair. Feels like I am buying a glorified pair of shorts with a built in maxi pad. I feel like I should just stack some maxi pads in my shorts.....did I just say that?

Fun in San Diego

Sanity! My bike rides! My music!

Soaking my Strawberries

Love my blueberries!

Taking kiddos out for Pizza

Date Night!

Blueberry Pancakes +2 scoops of my Visalus

Off to Gymnastics!

Kicking my own a$$ on my bike

A BATH AT 5AM?!
Yeah.....CHICKEN HAIR & UNDER EYE BAGS! 
OWN IT! 
WHOOOOOO HOOOOO!

It's a Good Article

Happy Friday!

Can I just say that I can't wait until my 4 year old is out of preschool? The preschool cooties she brings home have given me more "off" days than I have cared for! Boo!

Here's a nice article I read this morning and I thought it worth posting. It's back to the basics. It will make you feel good! Wait, I meant to say....put good fuel in your body!

LINK: Heart Surgeon Speaks Out On What Really Causes Heart Disease..

" There is but one answer to quieting inflammation, and that is returning to foods closer to their natural state. To build muscle, eat more protein. Choose carbohydrates that are very complex such as colorful fruits and vegetables. Cut down on or eliminate inflammation- causing omega-6 fats like corn and soybean oil and the processed foods that are made from them. 

One tablespoon of corn oil contains 7,280 mg of omega-6; soybean contains 6,940 mg. Instead, use olive oil or butter from grass-fed beef. 

Animal fats contain less than 20% omega-6 and are much less likely to cause inflammation than the supposedly healthy oils labelled polyunsaturated. Forget the "science" that has been drummed into your head for decades. The science that saturated fat alone causes heart disease is non-existent. The science that saturated fat raises blood cholesterol is also very weak. Since we now know that cholesterol is not the cause of heart disease, the concern about saturated fat is even more absurd today. 

The cholesterol theory led to the no-fat, low-fat recommendations that in turn created the very foods now causing an epidemic of inflammation. Mainstream medicine made a terrible mistake when it advised people to avoid saturated fat in favor of foods high in omega-6 fats. We now have an epidemic of arterial inflammation leading to heart disease and other silent killers.  "

How to Succeed - Plant that Seed!

I really liked Tyler Perry's message here about planting that seed. Water and Believe!
Plant your seed. Focus. Water and Believe. Watch it grow.

My Running Plan

"The five S's of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit."
- Ken Doherty

July 8th. That's the date for my mini triatholon.
July 14th. That's the date that my brother in law is getting married. I am very excited for him and his fiance!

I will be up in Spokane, WA for both events. I grew up in Spokane. All of my family is up there. I love them all! I am so excited!

It's less than 12 weeks away (73 days, I think) but I am starting a running plan. Normally, I just go out and run/sprint/walk. Whatever my fancy. I've been doing what I want and that means that sometimes I don't want to run. I want to power walk and if I have to run on July 8th and bike, I need some stamina. I need to build it.

I have a running plan that is now in place. Each week I will let you know what it is.

For this week, it will be to do the following:
-Run for 1 minute
-Walk for 1 minute
-Repeat for 20 minutes
Do this 3 days this week.

Each week will progress over the next 8 weeks. This is a beginner program. I may find I need to move up a step or two or that I am stuck at week 1. I am not sure.

I wonder how this will go. I have no idea, but I should report back to you tomorrow and let you know. I need to do this in the morning outside before it gets too hot!

I haven't done anything for a few days. I scrached my left eye and I've been wearing my glasses. I will be wearing my aviator glasses while running. Man, I love those things!

ps: I am riding my bike 10 miles on the days I am not running.

Chelsea
XOXO

Today's Thoughts

"You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through." - Rosalynn Carter

This is going to be my mantra as I work my way through the next few months of running and biking and learning to swim for my mini triatholon.  I am still on the fence about doing another bikini competition, but if I do one, the date that is looking the most promising is August 25th when my husband has the weekend off. That way, he can watch the kiddos.

Doritos:
I am trying to get back on track with better eating and I think I have done it. Once I fall off that wagon, I have a hard time getting back on track. Instead of reaching for a healthy snack, I will grab a bowl of doritos and a coke zero. For years, I've hated doritos. The smell would make me gag. My husband has been buying them and then he never eats them because I eat the whole bag. Boo! Anyhow, I will sit there and eat the doritos and actually enjoy them. I honestly feel no guilt or remorse until I work out. It's the worse feeling to put that kind of fuel in my body and go to the gym. I only do it once in a while, but it's pure crap in my body so I've told my husband if he wants the doritos, he better eat them or I am throwing the bag out. We really don't need them in the house and the kids don't eat them and they stink.

I'd like to point out that I believe in moderation. Anything is fair game, as long as it is in moderation. It's just that I need to kick the Dorito habit right now.

The Gym:
I am starting to hit the gym a little more to do some cardio.

Weights:
I prefer to lift weights at home, and feel funny when I go to the gym and get on the treadmill or elliptical. I want to tell everyone, " I AM NOT A CARDIO BUNNY!"

Biking:
I love biking. I love it. I can feel the burn in my quads big time. I am surprised that I feel a bit out of breath when I start. It could be a few hills I have to hit, but lately I have been listening to top 40 music (on pandora or iheartradio) and enjoying it. A lot!

Sweat to Street Sundays:
Oh, how I love the Sweat to Street Sunday posts. I want to participate, but I keep getting sidetracked. I hope to start posting more!

I am a Blonde now:
I went in for a haircut and got a few inches taken off and went really, really light. I love it! I think if I can get a Sweat to Street post in on Sunday, you will get to see the new hair color.

The Weekend:
My daughter is turning 4! The only thing she wants is the Maximus horse from the Tangled movie.
My dad is flying in to town, from Spokane, to spend time with us!
The weekend is going to be SO much fun. I am making him blueberry pancakes. He will love them.

Have a great Friday!
Chelsea

ps- Fun Song Alert! Pit Bull!! BACK IN TIME

Man Candy Thursday

I say, Hubba! Hubba! Hubba!

It's Mark Wahlberg filming a scene in just his underwear for his new movie Pain And Gain in Miami. I caught this picture on a website yesterday and had to do a WOLF WHISTLE...ha ha ha! I will always have a soft spot for Marky Mark.

Anyhow......I thought....It should be MAN CANDY THURSDAY :o) It was a man~spiration moment....

Mark

Channing

LL

Hugh

David

Ryan

Terrell

Matthew

Dwayne

Happy Thursday!

Rodan & Fields = Good Skin!

I have a friend that sells Rodan & Field's products and she cracks me up so much with her marketing videos, I had to share some of her videos today.

I have been using the REVERSE product for sun damage (I live in the desert) and it's a lot less painful than a photofacial! The kit is quite expensive, but less expensive than a photofacial. It's lasting me quite a few months too. Whoot! Whoot! I don't know if it's because I am a redhead, but I have a low tolerance for pain. If I see someone else get hurt, I need to take an ibuprofen. That is the reason I choose to go with this product over a photofacial.


BEFORE & AFTER PICTURE (that is not me, by the way, but...the the results are great):

Also, if you are looking for a business opportunity, you may be living in an untapped market for these products. Just something to think about. I am NOT a sales person, otherwise, I would seriously consider it! The only place I have luck selling anything is on the Craigslist website when I am giving away something for FREE, mmm-kay, so that's not really selling stuff, but if you are looking to build a business, this might be something to consider. Especially with the way the economy is. There is always room for beauty products and looking good.

See here: GRAYDOTS

By the way, the makers of these products are the same doctors that made the Proactive products.

List of products: Here

I don't use the AMPED product she does the video about below, but the video cracked me up so much that I had to share. My friends and I have been laughing. Do you need to have a laugh?

My Posts Have Been Sparse!

I apologize for sparse posting lately!

I am on the fence about what I can post these days, but fear not! I will think of something. I always do!

I've hired myself an attorney for the rollover car accident I was in and good grief. I am not sure if I should even blog this post, so I may have to delete it, but I've been shy about writing lately. It's really nerve wracking to have to hire an attorney, but it needed to happen.

I feel like I have my very own pitbull to take care of these matters, and I feel good about it. Somebody else to do the worrying for me. I've been stressed, but I actually feel a lot LESS stress right now, so that is good.

My health is under control. This is awesome!
My stress levels are under control. This is great!

My headaches are, for the most part, under control. I do have something called an axonal shearing injury (to my brain/3mm tear in the front lobe) so that gets treated with a maintenance medication to calm the nerves in my brain and another drug for breakthrough pain. There are days were I will forget little things, but then again....who doesn't? I am just extra sensitive to it. My neurologist tells me that I will always have this and it will not heal. Boo! It's manageable though. It's just a pain in the ass when I least expect it.

Sometimes, the pain stops me from working out, so on days when I feel good, I work out. When I work out, I feel like I do it for those that can't work out. When I am feeling great enough to do something, it means more to me because I am out there doing it. If I could get out and do it everyday, I would.

The most important thing I can do for myself right now is really take the time to take care of myself because if I do that, I can be a better mother, wife, friend, daughter, sister and co-worker. It's all worth it for me to take that time to do something for myself like working out.

It's also important for me to take time time to get my toes painted! I can hardly think of a time when I've had bare toes in the past 15 years! Ha!

Happy Thursday! The weekend is almost here! I am so excited to relax! I am all about relaxing these days!

The Hard Boiled Egg

                                                              

Happy Easter Weekend!

I wanted to dedicate today’s post to the Egg and how to hard boil and egg. Maybe this is for my own good so that I can reference back to this in case I forget how to hard boil an egg!

Here we go!

Place your eggs in a saucepan with enough COLD tap water to cover the eggs by 1 inch.

Bring the water to a ROLLING boil over HIGH heat.

Once the water is brought to a rolling boil, immediately reduce the heat to a lower medium boil and cook for an additional 10 minutes for your “hard boiled” eggs.

For “soft boiled” eggs, reduce the time by a few minutes.

Remove from the heat and IMMEDIATELY place eggs under ice cold water or in a bowl of ICED water to chill promptly. This will help your yolks stay bright yellow. Hmm....do you eat your yolks?

Chill for a few minutes in the cold water until the egg is completely cooled. This is an extremely important step because it supposedly prevents the greenish “ring” from forming on the surface of the yolk over time. I am not so sure because I still see the greenish ring at times. This is even after I think I follow instructions.

 Have a wonderful Easter Weekend!

XOXO!

I Got Dirty! Kiss Me Dirty (Part Two)

Please forgive me! Please! Please!
Okay, so I was supposed to probably blog part two, like....way last week, right? What the heck happened?

I was in a fog, but that's another story. It has to do with my computer geek side, which I need to save for another post. Let's just say that I am learning a new programming language and it sucked the living daylights out of me and left me drained. Work too. My kids too. I lost a week. Where did it go? It was one of those kind of weeks!

On to the race.

I need to tell you. I still have boo boos and bruises all over my lower legs and actual scabs that are still on my shins! I was gifted some nice abrasions when I went through one of the mud pits. Didn't realize at the time I was getting injured. It was too much fun I tell ya!

Lesson #1:
Wear KNEE HIGHS! It will protect your shins.

Lesson #2
Wear a lot of deodorant. Or, at least don't forget to put some on. I forgot to wear deodorant. Whoops.
After the first obstacle, it didn't really matter though. Everyone was smelly, or I was smelling a lot of perfumes and odors.

Lesson #3
Do wear sunglasses, but cheap. I wore my Walmart $5.00 glasses.

Lesson #4
Do wear a sports bra. Maybe 2. I forgot and wore a "nice" bra. Whoops.

The Race:
The race was a lot of fun. There were 8 women in our group and not only did we get completely dirty, but I got mud in my mouth. I got mud down my pants and somehow in my bra, rocks stuck to my boobs and dirt down my butt crack....ha ha ha!

After the race, I hosed down as best as I could because I had a birthday party to go to with my kids. I was supposed to go to drinks with the girls after the run, but I told my friend Christine that my stomach was pretty sick and I didn't feel like eating and drinking. I felt like FO-SHIZ-NIT, but I did the race because I really wanted to and then I went to a birthday party up north in Chandler, AZ. It was a Gymnastics party for my girlfriend's daughter and although I washed off as much mud as I could, not all of it came off. That night when I took a shower, I pretty much had dirt cemented on my head!

I was so tired at the birthday party, my friend took this 7 second video of me jumping in the sponge pit but it's too bad she didn't video what happened afterwards because once I got into the pit, I was so tired, I absolutely could not get out of the pit. My 7 year old son was adorable and tried to be my hero and help me out. I was spent!



So, I did the race with a bit of a stomach bug and the next day, I felt like I had a hang over from too much alcohol. It was due to severe dehydration. I would still do the race over! Absolutely! I just wish I would have hydrated myself better. I felt really, really sick. I just pumped the fluids and electrolytes!

Here is a video with some pictures. It's a bit long though. It's 12 minutes long. If you watch all of this video, you are a trooper. Ha ha ha ha!