Dinner Review

Tonight's dinner consisted of two new recipes, both from SkinnyTaste:  Garlic Lover's Roast Beef and Skinny Garlic Mashed Potatoes.  We also had steamed broccoli, our family's favorite vegetable.  This entire meal was a hit with everyone.  Even had all of the boys asking for seconds.

The roast was really great, it smelled great while cooking and was very easy....just put it in the oven and wait.   I used my pampered chef small ridged baker for the roast- it was the perfect size and the ridges kept the roast from sitting in the juices that came from the roast.  Delicious :) The potatoes were also really good, I added a little bit of parmesan cheese to the potatoes, and that made them even yummier :)

This morning I did a 5.266 mile run using my half marathon with Jeff Galloway app.  It was a pretty good run- there were intervals in the workout, so not just running the miles on the treadmill-  the variety helps when doing that kind of distance.  So far I am on track for my moon jogger distance.  Tomorrow will be a shorter run, followed by a rest day and long run on Saturday.

2013 Goals

I thought for a while about what goals I would like to set for 2013.  Coming across the Moon Jogger  challenge made it easier to commit to the 1000 mile goal.  I've already created my plan for January, and if I follow that plan, I will complete almost 90 miles of the 1000 mile challenge.

I am also committing to run 13 races in 2013.  These won't all be half marathon distances, but I am already registered for 5 half marathons this year.  I'm looking for others to register for, hopefully some local ones as well as maybe a little more traveling :)

Next I thought more about my meal planning and what we are eating at home.  I then decided that my next goal would be to make 250 home cooked meals (mainly dinners) over the next year.  I am mainly counting dinners (the meal that we eat as a family), but the occasional lunch will also count as long as it is something cooked- not sandwiches.  And considering that we only have 365 opportunities to have dinner as a family, if we have 250 home cooked meals, we will be eating about 68% of our dinners at home.

So, those are my goals for this coming year.  2012 was a great start for me, I really made changes to my activity level and made changes to what I ate.  Because of that I saw results, but more importantly, I felt results!  I feel so much better than I felt last year at this time.  2012 was a great year for those changes, and I am really looking forward to seeing the changes that come from my new goals for 2013!

Sunday Meal Planning

Back to planning after a long break.  It seems like for the last two months one thing after another has come up and really messed with my planning of meals.  It seems like I am finally at a place where things are back to normal (as normal as they can be), so I am ready to get back to planning and cooking more regularly.  So here it goes....

Monday:  My family has been invited to a new years eve party and I was asked to bring buffalo chicken dip.  Last winter I had searched for a healthier version of my original recipe and found this one from Skinnytaste.

Wednesday:  We are are trying out: Garlic Lover's Roast Beef by Skinnytaste, Skinny Garlic Mashed Potatoes and broccoli

Thursday:  Gymnastics night, so we're going to have Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili

Friday:  Pizza movie night (homemade pizza!)

Saturday:  Bangin Good Shrimp  I've been wanting to try this one for a long time, so I'm looking forward to finally getting to try it.  I'll most likely make some mac and cheese for the kiddos as a back up....since this will hopefully be spicy- yum!

Sunday:  Leftover night

So, there are two new recipes for this week, reviews to come later this week.....

A Moon Jogger in 2013

So last night I was talking to my husband about some goals for 2013.  I casually mentioned that I think I'd like to shoot for a total of 1000 miles run/walked in 2013.  It comes out to a little less than 20 miles a week.  Thinking that through I was thinking maybe not....I just wasn't sure I'd have the time to commit to 20 miles each week.  But, at the same time, I kept coming back to it today.

Tonight I was checking out one of the groups that I belong to on facebook and came across a post about Moon Joggers.  Here is a little snippet from their blog page about the challenge:

"We are two sisters, ANGIE & ASHLEY, that set a goal to run 1,000 mile each in 2013. Then we decided to open it up to our friends and family and invite them to participate in the challenge! Now we are searching for people all over the world to run with us to the MOON!

We are putting together our team for 2013. More information to follow. You can commit to complete 1,000 miles as an individual, or you can do it with your family. It's great family bonding time to walk or jog together! If you have a family of four and you got for a one mile walk, that's four miles to put towards you 1,000 miles."

So I decided to give it a shot and really commit to running and walking the 1000 miles in 2013!  If you decide to join me in this, let me know.... registration ends tomorrow, December 30 and tracking starts on January 1st.

The Sweet Cupcake Race

Just in time for Valentine's day....once again in partnership with Run Find your Happy Pace, we bring you yet another chance to run for cupcakes!

This will be our fourth virtual race to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through Team in Training!  

Once again we are offering 3 options, a 10k, 5k and Mini Mile....each with their own custom medal!

YOU choose the day that works best for you to run (around February 16), complete your distance and that's it!  Simple as that!

We are also once again offering a Happy Band option as well:  

Registration is now open over to the right------------>

Thank you once again for your participation and your support!

***Registration will close January 31, we will make every effort to get your medal to you before February 16 (for those living in the United States)***

Congratulations!

Thank you for your response to The Great Nanp Run!  You helped us raise $400 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  And now for our winners, provided by random.org....

The 16gb iPod Nano goes to: Sue Weems

The yurbuds earbuds go to:  Deborah Martin

The $15 iTunes gift card goes to:  Yvonne Walker

Thank you again to all who participated!

A 1 in 100 (or better!) Chance at a New iPod Nano! (no running required!)

I am currently fundraising for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to run the Nike Women's Half marathon in Washington, DC in April.  I am co-hosting a drawing for a new blue iPod nano.  Only 100 entries will be sold, so you have a 1 in 100 (or better if you choose to purchase more chances!) chance at getting your hands on a brand new iPod nano!  You also have a chance at one of our runner-up prizes: a pair of yurbuds earbuds or a $15 iTunes gift card.  To purchase your chance, simply use the PayPal box over to the right ------------------->

You will have until midnight on December 18 to purchase your chance (unless 100 entires are sold before 12/18).  The drawing will be held on December 19 and all items will be mailed out on December 19 to the address you provided when purchasing your chance.  All items will ship priority mail, so the winner should receive their item by Christmas!

Good luck!