Shin Splints

I turned 36 in August and then a few weeks later I had a visit with my doctor.  These two factors have spurred me into action and as I explained before, the "cleanse" didn't last but becoming a lot more active has and I am proud to say that I have conquered 5 weeks of the "Couch to 5K in 8 weeks" program and tonight I finished the middle of week 6.  I have noticed a huge improvement in my stamina and feel really fantastic afterwards (well after I've recovered my breath).  Tonight is a different story though.  I am feeling the effects of shin splints and tonight was the worst that I have felt after my run.  Ugh.  I really hope there is a cure... any suggestions would be appreciated.

On the bright side, I think I just might be a positive influence on my beautiful oldest daughter, Grace.  This morning she joined the Cross Country team for her school.  She has always disliked running but I might just be providing her with some inspiration.  I am very proud of her and she had a lot of fun this morning.

Just Being Honest...

I need to be honest.  This whole "cleanse" thing... not working for me.  I just don't like it and I certainly don't feel good.  Especially my mood so I gave it up.  Just being honest.  I gave it a whole-hearted try for 4 days... day four was really hard and then I just threw it out the window.  I know what changes I need to make AND I know what I can cut down on.  I learned some great new recipes and discovered quinoa and how easy and versatile it can be.  I know now that I can give up dairy if I want to - that wasn't so hard.  I think the biggest mistake I made is that I gave up too much at one time.  Maybe I should try cutting just one or two things out of my diet for a while and then moving on to more once I mastered that... overall I need to become a lot more healthy and pay attention more to what I eat but the best thing I've learned is that I love to be active.  It just feels good.  Here's shot of my lovely runners after a great run today.  I overcame some hurdles today and that just feels amazing!

I hope we can all find ways to be more healthy - I plan on being around for a while and I hope to run and jump and play with my grandkids so I better keep those runners going.  Although, I really love all the bright, fluorescent colours in running shoes right now... maybe a new pair is in order!

Some super-cute running shoes we bought for the kids today.

Fresh Starts

There's a change in the air around here... fresh new starts is literally on the menu.

I am making a healthy change.  A few weeks ago I began running again.  Once I get myself out the door, running shoes on, music going, I feel amazing.

My Running View

I have only just begun but feeling pretty great and looking for more.  This week I began somewhat of a cleanse.  I mean "somewhat" because it is really hard to just cut certain things out of my diet - dairy is a pretty big part of our eating day - but I am doing my best.  I am also taking away wheat products and alcohol for 10 days.  Hopefully this will give my body a much-needed healthy break and also give our family some ideas we can take way to last us past the 10 days.  Wish me luck!

What I Love About September

Here comes the bus...

Day one of our new school year is over...

We are rolling into another school year; new routines, new lunch ideas, new teachers, new classrooms, new shoes... how exciting!

The kids were very, very excited for school to begin again.  Grace is in grade four which means a new hallway in school, a new teacher, some new classmates and a different area of the school yard at recess.  After the first day of school she wasn't as excited about all of the changes.  After the first week though, she has found a rhythm.  Alex is in grade two and Jean is in senior kindergarten.  Not a lot of changes for them but excitement to get back to school nonetheless.  Our nephew Ross is now in school and shares the same class as Jean which will be nice for both of them.  My volunteer commitments at the school are already underway as well - we have a vibrant library for our students completely run by volunteers.  I love the library.

What is really love about the school year is time to myself.

For the next few weeks I will be canning and preserving.  This week I made crab apple liqueur which we will enjoy in the winter months and later I will be making more jam, salsa, tomato sauce, apple sauce, freezing sweet corn and much more.  Our farm has a bounty of produce available right now and we love to make the most of it.

Off to the Renfrew Fair now...