Children Model OUR Behavior

Mom, can I make an omelet when we get home?

The time is just around 3 O’clock  Sunday afternoon.  This kid loves eggs.  Oh my goodness! To further persuade me, he goes on to say,

There’s protein in the egg.  I need my protein after my workout…

LMAO!!  How on earth can I say no to that?  Hahaha!

Omelet and tobasco

Here’s what’s left of his 3-egg omelet.  That red stuff is Tabasco Sauce, which he’s been eating since he was around 6!

On the weekend, B’Dazzle participates in a rigorous football conditioning camp. I like the program because the coaches push him beyond his limits. Like me, he doesn’t always realize his full athletic potential.

The camp is an intense hour of various drills sprinting, running ladders, crawling, pushing sleds, wrapping, and more.  I like it because there is no slacking, horse-play, or performing half-ass. Before the boys walk in the door, the bar is raised and they know exactly what type of performance is expected of them. Makes for a great work ethic.

In an hour’s time, the boys burn an enormous amount of calories! It is important to their growth and development that after practice, they fuel up and replace the calories burned. While my son is young with an active metabolism, I still stress, to him and to hubby, that he eats “good”  food instead of filling up on empty, high fat, and sugared calories. Even though I cringe, an occasional slurpee isn’t going to kill him.  I hope not! Lol!  Okay so you know, I had to sneak a peek!! Read More


There Is Something Good In Every Day

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Image courtesy of One Perfect Day Blog via Pinterest

If you follow my blog, you have probably noticed fewer posts in the past month. It happens every year this time.  Everyone in the house is back to the daily grind.  Work, school, football practice, homework, gym, game day… repeat….

Six games into football season, B’Dazzle’s JV team is kicking butt.  With a record of 5 wins and 1 loss, the team is undoubtedly headed to the playoffs.

What that really means is that in November, when evening/night temps in South Jersey drops below 40, momma dukes will be sporting a ski bib, boots, a wool hat, fluffy scarf, and wrapped (me and my chair)  in my big, ragged, but  warm pink blanket.   I get funny looks, but I would rather get the funny looks than be cold.

Yeah I know.  I can sit in the warm car, but for me, it’s not the same.  Roughing it out on the field with him is my way of showing my support.

This week we celebrated B’Dazzle’s 12th Birthday.

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Breakfast with dad, surprise birthday cake, fun at Dave & Buster’s, and cupcakes on the football field, makes for a week of happy days.  #100HappyDaysChallenge #100HappyDaysChallenge4Lexa #Day42

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What’s brewing?

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Remember… I LOVE chocolate…   Lol!!  🙂

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While at The Vitamin Store replenishing my protein powder, I took a quick detour down the loose leaf tea aisle.  Why do I prefer loose leaf tea? Read this and this. Looking to try a new flavor, I read each box on each shelf.  “Chocolate Chai!”  There was no way I was going to walk out the store without this box in hand.

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 Here is the back of the box. As I write this, I am sipping the tea and trying to find the words to describe the flavor.  Umm… let’s see… it’s spicy, bold..   Now I’m sloshing it around in my mouth like I’m wine tasting!  In the center of my tongue I feel like I’m teased with a subtle hint of cocoa… just enough to suggest chocolate. After swallowing the tea, my pallet is saturated with a spicy flavor.  It’s delicious.  I like it!  I’m happy I tried it. The tea is a perfect end to a long day. Boy have I come a long ways from drinking a nightly glass of Cabernet before bed.  Lol!!

Anyways, tea will keep me in my happy mode over the anticipated brutally cold winter. #100HappyDaysChallenge #Day43

IMG_3242.JPGI have wanted shrimp for a week or so now. Late afternoon rain caused football to be cancelled.  No complaints here!  Although a crock pot full of homemade black beans was in the fridge, I took a few minutes to cook this spicy dish.  Shrimp, arugula, and baby spinach over brown rice.  It had kick and I enjoyed every bite!
#100HappyDaysChallenge #Day44

I could be cranky now because I have not worked out in 22 days and it’s driving me nuts. Although I feel physically ready to start again, I have to wait for clearance from my doctor. Meanwhile, I continue to eat clean and drink plenty of water. When I step back into the gym, the beast is coming out!  Watch out, I have my eyes set on another figure competition in 2015!

Thanks for stopping by and sweet dreams! 🙂

 


This Is How To Drink Tea

Last night it was chilly outside on the football field.  Tonight was chilly, but I was armed with two additional tops, including an oversized hoodie that kept me warm.

But what really warmed me inside and out and made me childishly happy was that finally, I got to use my Simply Better Tea, Tea Traveler today.  I brought mine from a tea shop in Smithville; however they can be purchased online.

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#100HappyDaysChallenge #100HappyDaysChallenge4Lexa Day#22

So over tea bags, I have been wanting to return to what I knew as a kid.  Sipping my mom’s and grandmother’s tea made from the root of a plant or fresh leaves, pulled straight from mama’s back yard.  None of the grandkids knew that tea bags existed.

What’s so special about this traveler? It has a removable infuser, so you add the loose leaf tea of choice in first.  Secure the infuser on top and pour boiling water in the traveler.  Then simply enjoy freshly brewed organic (if you chose)  tea!   It’s potent but delish!  The aroma is inviting and relaxing.

Today I chose the Turmeric Ginger.

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Although the two are said to have many health benefits, I picked this blend because I enjoy the bold and spicy flavor of both herbs.  Oh it was wonderful!!  The experience of the tea was a great distraction because I wasn’t happy to miss the gym today. Grrr…  😦

Anyways, it’s bed time.  Will talk to you again soon. 🙂

Sweet dreams!

 

 


Small Things Matter Too!

Hubbie and I were on the road for most of today and arrived home just in time to take B’Dazzle to football practice.

While I did not make it to the gym today, I am super excited and happy about my post workout vibes (soreness) from Monday and Tuesday!

Ha! Ha! Who is happy about being sore? Me and other gym junkies! Feeling the “growing pains” means that I worked the muscles well and pushed to failure. My little guns won’t grow unless I push hard.

So what put a big cheesy smile on my face today?

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My rear profile! This guy stopped me in the gym yesterday and told me that my back was “Sick as F***!”  OMG! Yes, that was a compliment.  Lol!!

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The definition in my triceps! #100HappyDays Day #2

My triceps are so sore! When I workout with my friend AR, sore muscles are guaranteed, however, working alone is more challenging. Although my journey began almost a year ago, I have only been weight training solo for three months.

Most days she is not with me in the gym, so my focus is on technique, on form, getting the movement right, and performing each exercise to failure. Then, eat, rest, and repeat the next day.

Sometimes it is the little things that bring about the most joy. Happiness doesn’t require large amounts of money, or other expensive tangibles.  I think it’s simple.

Look for the small moments in each day that make you smile from ear to ear and that is where you’ll find a piece of happiness. :0)

Sore triceps and achy abs means I did ay-ok, so this chica is HAPPY!

I hope you had a great day!  :0)


Monday’s Motivation

“Write your injuries in dust, your benefits in marble.”

Benjamin Franklin

Warm Up:  High Knees, Run 100M, Toy Soldier, Run 100M, Butt Kicks

Mobility: 6 MINS

WOD:   4 RDS – 1 MIN On Each Station 20 Sec Rest/Transition

  • CAL Row
  • Burpees
  • Box Jumps (24/20)
  • Pull Ups
  • KBS (55/35)
  • Run 100 M

*Scoring Every 5 Reps (or 5 CAL Row) is 5 Points

Run = 0 Points

Example:
Athlete Does 9 Burpees = 5 Points
Needs to hit that last burpee to make 10 reps to get additional 5 points

Other than another nasty and painful bump on my shin that I earned from fatigue and carelessness doing the box jumps, the WOD wasn’t too bad.

I didn’t jump high enough, so I scraped my left shin on the box.  Ouch!!  The pain was excruciating!  But I kept going.   I repeatedly whispered out loud to  myself,

“You don’t feel anything!  Keep going! It’s all in your head girl!”

The blaring rock music in the background also help to keep up the momentum.  The music’s base and rhythm would not allow me to stop.

Seriously, mental endurance is as, maybe even more important than physical endurance.  When your body aches and fatigue is in overdrive, only a strong mind with determination will keep you going.

I used a 26 pound Kettle bell, but will use the 35 pound KB next time.  Overall I am pleased with my performance.  My score was 280.

The best part of my day today was when the UPS driver pulled up to the house to deliver my running sneakers.  Happy doesn’t begin to describe my emotions.  I ripped open the box and my face lit up with joy.  Call me crazy, but I wanted to put them on and go for a long run right then.   I couldn’t because I had to tend to my son.  Y’all non-runners, just don’t understand.  LOL!

Ascis Gel Nimbus 15 - Titanium/Hot Pink/Mint

Ascis Gel Nimbus 15 – Titanium/Hot Pink/Mint

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These are the some of the chicken breast and pork loin that I marinated yesterday.  After CrossFit and dinner, I tossed them on the grill.  Yummy!

These are the some of the chicken breast and pork loin that I marinated yesterday. After CrossFit and dinner today, I tossed them on the grill. Yummy!

The sadness in today is the shooting at the Washington Navel Base this morning.  My thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and colleagues of those who were killed today.  So Sad!

TTYL


The Life Of A Football Mom

Attending a football camp in July for my son isn’t my idea of a vacation. Anyways, this four-day trip has me scrambling in the most odd and unusually way.

The challenge? Scratching my head because both of my fridges are jammed packed with food from two consecutive weekends of partying and fun with friends at “the resort.” Ha! Ha! My friend Michelle upgraded the title of our “backyard” to “The Resort.” No, our yard is nothing over the top, just a nice pool, pretty greenery, humming birds, lots of sun shine, and good old fashion fun with two-handful of incredibly awesome friends and family.

Both fridges are filled with fresh strawberries, cucumbers, blue berries, spinach, tomatoes, and more! Leftover potato salad, turkey burgers, collard greens, baked mac and cheese, ribs, and more crowd both refrigerators. Yikes!

I am old school and was raised on the conviction of “waste not, want not.” So the thought of throwing food in the garbage makes me cringe. Speaking of cringing, I had to toss a fairly decent amount of a home-made margarita cocktail, made with Grey Goose, down the drain!! NOT cool! But there was no room in either fridge.

I am taking some of the day-old leftovers to a friend’s house, but still some items won’t make it to the fridge or freezer. Sadly, some will end up in the trash.

This morning I realized that letting broccolini, tomatoes, and spinach go bad is just too disturbing to me; hence breakfast:

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Sauteed broccolini with garlic and a spinach and tomato egg omlet

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Smoothies are in order for an afternoon snack and tomorrow’s breakfast. I will wash the remaining fruit and pack it on ice in my cooler, hauled right up to hotel room, and shelved in the fridge.

From what I understand, my son’s camp will include long days filled with intense workouts. Fresh fruit will refuel and recharge his battery. This is our first official football camp and I am a little nervous– nervous for me and for my son.

While this is an overnight camp, my baby, who hates being called “baby,” will stay at the hotel with mom and dad. There is no way in hell that I am trusting my 10-year-old to some unknown counselor. From the stands, binoculars and all– like a hawk– I will be watching him to make sure that he stays hydrated in the heat and to monitor the bathroom situation. Call me paranoid, but I am not giving anyone the chance to hurt my child. I want to say more, but that’s another lengthy post.

Oh yeah, speaking of resorts, Alex is all checked into the All Star Pet Resort, where posh like miniature beds await the nervous and suspicious pooches. The Resort is located in an ideal rural setting that is beautifully landscaped. In addition to pet sitting, grooming services and additional outdoor and unleashed play time (for an extra fee) is available to “guests.” Now that Alex is set, mother won’t have to worry about caring for him. Although Alex is pretty well-behaved, he is still a puppy and, at times, likes to take off running.

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If you know me personally or follow this blog, then you know that I eat healthy and try to avoid junk food. My healthy snacks are already packed; which will make sure that continue I eat well and avoid wasteful spending on empty calories, non-nutritious food, loads of sugar, and only God knows what else.

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This posts must end now. Why? The pool is calling me. My reward for completing this long overdue post is a dip in the pool.

Talk to you again soon!