Inspired by none other than my sassy, C-Ville pal, Andrea, I have decided to post my own Intentionally Awesome moments on here. For those new to this...it basically means that these are things I'm trying out or small changes I'm making that are things I haven't done or wouldn't normally do. Here goes a few to get us started.
1. I started running again.
Why is this awesome? Because my lard-butt hasn't pounded the pavement in like 10 years. Through our Green Drinks group, Rob and I met Andrew and Stephanie Burroughs...a lovely couple. Andrew is a fitness coach and is coaching me FOR FREE, because he rocks. See, I've been wanting to run again and my physical therapist (from way back when I had my car wreck in 2002) said that trail running would be more my style since it's easier on the knees, etc. Well, running on a trail is my style an-y-way. So my first step was to walk a little and get back into it. Ellie and I took off on a mile walk down by the Kanawha River and when I got back I felt pretty great (not to mention Ellie was screaming at squirrels and having a party in the jogging stroller). So I got my little i-pod and went out for another mile. I had to run/walk/run/walk but I did it!!! No pain...felt great. Bam, said the lady.
2. Hangin' out with the mother in law.
If there's one parent who reads every single post I post, it's probably my mother-in-law, Greta. I try to remember this and keep my humor to minimal craziness (sorry G!) although I can usually get a chuckle out of her, too. Anywho - due to my recent drop in working hours, I've been spending a lot of time with Greta and Bob. This has been intentional awesomeness because I don't think we've ever spent this much time together and I have truly loved hanging out with them. Proof that even when you think you know someone - - it always great getting to know someone all over again. Greta likes cute shops, reading, crafts, the occasional drink, mexican food, long walks on the beach (haha)...and no folks this is not a personal ad! Just saying - we have a lot in common!
3. BEADING CLASS!!!
This falls under the last one, but Greta and I are going to a beading class tonight and I am SO EXCITED!! I HAVE BEEN EXCITED FOR WEEKS NOW! I will post pictures and fun info about it later. The funny part is that when I tell people about it (because I've told everyone I've seen in the last few days), they think I'm saying 'a beating class'. I usually get stares of disbelief. But I realized what was happening when a guy said 'that's cool!'. Yeah. Guys generally don't think beading is cool.
So that's it - thanks for the inspiration, Andi. I hope to post more of these soon!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Losing weight like a crack addict. ha!
I said 'like' a crack addict, people!!! I'm not doing crack, but I DID read this book...
Saw it on GMA (Good Morning America for those of you who hate acronyms). So yeah. Most of you know I like to eat healthy foods. I also like the unhealthy stuff as well. But my BIGGEST issue is overeating. In fact, I'm pretty sure that when people know I'm coming over for a visit, they make extra food because I eat THAT much. I can eat like 5 portions of things. It's ridiculous. And I'm known to graze the kitchen between meals...really embarrassing.
So the premise of this book is that there's a thingy in everyone's brain that 'turns on' when you see a particular food. When most people take a bite or two of that food the thingy 'turns off'. But since I'm a habitual overeater, mine supposedly stays on and I eat everything in front of me. Seriously. And about 30% of Americans suffer from this. So I read the book and learned to retrain my brain. It's the same method people use to quit smoking. I literally have to tell myself that this part of my brain is overworking, and I allow my prefrontal cortex to make executive decisions. Sounds crazy, but the book explains it and I highly suggest it. I have not have second helping, excess sugar, fat OR salt, and I feel a million times better. I have tried every diet in the world and they don't work long term (most don't...just because we don't stick to them...who would?!?) But I really believe this is the be-all end-all. No diet plans...just retraining your melon.
Does it stop there? No.
Rob is reading THIS book:
Basically I'm done eating meat for a while. I am SO grossed out by the meat industry I want to puke. I would NOT read this book unless you are ready to give up meat. Because you will be very mad at me and I don't want that. Or you could read it and tell yourself it's all a lie, trust what the big companies tell you and go live in ignorant bliss. Hey...whatever floats your dingy :) I'm a firm believer in giving people the facts and letting them choose for themselves and not being judgmental. We'll do the same for Ellie. But as for now - she eats organically and does not have meat that isn't organic and free range. :) And grandparents - PLEASE do not 'spoil' Ellie with food. It may look cute now, but it really isn't cute when she's overweight, struggling with health issues, and being made fun of (trust me, Rob and I both know how this feels). Although the kid doesn't need any more toys, I'll GLADLY accept them even if I have to rent a storage unit rather than deal with food-related health issues! :)
Eh. Enough about that. Anyway. Back to work and back to eating some yummy goodness. Also - I'll be posting my recipe for some fantastic pesto and another crazy good recipe we tried really soon. Check back, yo.
Saw it on GMA (Good Morning America for those of you who hate acronyms). So yeah. Most of you know I like to eat healthy foods. I also like the unhealthy stuff as well. But my BIGGEST issue is overeating. In fact, I'm pretty sure that when people know I'm coming over for a visit, they make extra food because I eat THAT much. I can eat like 5 portions of things. It's ridiculous. And I'm known to graze the kitchen between meals...really embarrassing.
So the premise of this book is that there's a thingy in everyone's brain that 'turns on' when you see a particular food. When most people take a bite or two of that food the thingy 'turns off'. But since I'm a habitual overeater, mine supposedly stays on and I eat everything in front of me. Seriously. And about 30% of Americans suffer from this. So I read the book and learned to retrain my brain. It's the same method people use to quit smoking. I literally have to tell myself that this part of my brain is overworking, and I allow my prefrontal cortex to make executive decisions. Sounds crazy, but the book explains it and I highly suggest it. I have not have second helping, excess sugar, fat OR salt, and I feel a million times better. I have tried every diet in the world and they don't work long term (most don't...just because we don't stick to them...who would?!?) But I really believe this is the be-all end-all. No diet plans...just retraining your melon.
Does it stop there? No.
Rob is reading THIS book:
Basically I'm done eating meat for a while. I am SO grossed out by the meat industry I want to puke. I would NOT read this book unless you are ready to give up meat. Because you will be very mad at me and I don't want that. Or you could read it and tell yourself it's all a lie, trust what the big companies tell you and go live in ignorant bliss. Hey...whatever floats your dingy :) I'm a firm believer in giving people the facts and letting them choose for themselves and not being judgmental. We'll do the same for Ellie. But as for now - she eats organically and does not have meat that isn't organic and free range. :) And grandparents - PLEASE do not 'spoil' Ellie with food. It may look cute now, but it really isn't cute when she's overweight, struggling with health issues, and being made fun of (trust me, Rob and I both know how this feels). Although the kid doesn't need any more toys, I'll GLADLY accept them even if I have to rent a storage unit rather than deal with food-related health issues! :)
Eh. Enough about that. Anyway. Back to work and back to eating some yummy goodness. Also - I'll be posting my recipe for some fantastic pesto and another crazy good recipe we tried really soon. Check back, yo.
Monday, July 20, 2009
FRUIT FLY MUST DIE
Drosophilia melanogaster. NO it's not something J.K Rowling came up with. It's the scientific name for the most annoying thing on the planet. They don't discriminate: clean house, dirty house, no house...whatever. If you have fruit, you get them. Even my cat-like reflexes are no match to them. I can bat a gnat to the floor before you can say antitotalitarianism, but not the fruit fly. It's wit and flight skills are too much for me. And the tinyness is too much for the swatter.
Don't know if you have them or not? I shall help you.
Drosophilia translates, literally, to 'lover of dew'. Then why do they want the sweet nectar that is my peach???? BAAH! You can identify them using the following methods:
1. Four black horizontal stripes
2. Reddish color eyes
3. Artistic designs on their wings
4. Tiny teeth-like mechanisms that allow the fly to puncture fruit and suck out the liquid.
5. Legs that are also used to obtain liquid from fruits
But if you are THIS close to one and don't kill it there is something wrong with you. You are a friend of the enemy, and I ask that you please do not frequent my blog any longer.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Russo Farm?!?!?!?
I'm a total dreamer. I will go as far as to say that I have never ever been one to 'live in the now'. I just don't believe it is that important. When asked if we will have more kids, what will be for lunch or any other question, my general answer is 'who knows!!!'. So I constantly have a stream of dreams going through my head. I have general guidelines I follow and the important stuff is set in stone, but I find that living this way works for me. When dreams turn into goals, they pretty much always come true. My dream morphs over time, but I pretty much know what we want, and my general dream/goal life is as follows (subject to change, of course!):
Rob and I will be with Ellie and however many kids we'll have on a little bit of land in the woods outside of Charleston in THIS house, which we will order because it is PREFAB, it is awesome, it is generally affordable and it is LEED Gold Certified:
We will have a small garden that will be enough for us and enough to share with those less fortunate but worthy of organic vegetables (because we are ALL worthy of organic food and I want to help as many people as possible). We will have chickens and room for Ellie (and said kids) to run and explore. We will have a dinner bell to ring when it's time for the kids to come home, and will all participate in daily life. Our children will be hard workers, but they will see their parents working hard, too, and setting a good example. But we will have FUN and relax. Relaxation time will be very much valued! Our home will be open and welcoming, with a spirit of generosity and we will share what we have, no matter how little that may be from time to time. Our home will be a peaceful place full of faith and love.
We will share our land with friends. We'll take care of each other and form a strong support group. I'll have stereo speakers around the garden on the outside of the house because I love the creativity that music inspires!
Ellie will have free-reign to do what she wants with her life. Will we shelter her? In our own way. Until she is ready to be set free, she'll have a strong faith, will know the difference between right and wrong, and will be taught to have a loving, kind heart and be accepting of others...the way it is supposed to be. Will she disagree with others? Sure. Will she always accept others' behaviors? No. But based on her nature, I believe that she will love no matter what, and realize that she, too, falls short. I pray that she will be humble before the Lord and loving.
I hope this comes true. I realize a lot of people will laugh, but I love this dream. Rob and I have been through ups and downs (like everyone) and we find that when we are sad, this little dream pulls us through. I can't imagine just living day to day, not having wishes and dreams and goals. Mine makes me SO happy :)
Rob and I will be with Ellie and however many kids we'll have on a little bit of land in the woods outside of Charleston in THIS house, which we will order because it is PREFAB, it is awesome, it is generally affordable and it is LEED Gold Certified:
We will have a small garden that will be enough for us and enough to share with those less fortunate but worthy of organic vegetables (because we are ALL worthy of organic food and I want to help as many people as possible). We will have chickens and room for Ellie (and said kids) to run and explore. We will have a dinner bell to ring when it's time for the kids to come home, and will all participate in daily life. Our children will be hard workers, but they will see their parents working hard, too, and setting a good example. But we will have FUN and relax. Relaxation time will be very much valued! Our home will be open and welcoming, with a spirit of generosity and we will share what we have, no matter how little that may be from time to time. Our home will be a peaceful place full of faith and love.
We will share our land with friends. We'll take care of each other and form a strong support group. I'll have stereo speakers around the garden on the outside of the house because I love the creativity that music inspires!
Ellie will have free-reign to do what she wants with her life. Will we shelter her? In our own way. Until she is ready to be set free, she'll have a strong faith, will know the difference between right and wrong, and will be taught to have a loving, kind heart and be accepting of others...the way it is supposed to be. Will she disagree with others? Sure. Will she always accept others' behaviors? No. But based on her nature, I believe that she will love no matter what, and realize that she, too, falls short. I pray that she will be humble before the Lord and loving.
I hope this comes true. I realize a lot of people will laugh, but I love this dream. Rob and I have been through ups and downs (like everyone) and we find that when we are sad, this little dream pulls us through. I can't imagine just living day to day, not having wishes and dreams and goals. Mine makes me SO happy :)
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