World-View Wednesday

I've been going back and forth the past few days about whether or not to blog about this particular topic but it is part of me and I figured I would just share that.  Please know that I am not forcing you to think one way or the other....just allow me this soap box for the moment.

Normally I spend my blog time musing about miles to run or rest days to take.....how to potty train (which still boggles my mind) and what to eat.  Lately there has been something weighing on my heart that physically turns my stomach and I am left searching for the message God is sending me.....the path which He is asking me to take. 

I have considered myself a pretty well traveled person.  Because of many sacrifices made by my parents, I have had the opportunities to visit many different countries as well as spend a semester abroad.  Many of my good friends traded their spring breaks or summer vacations during college on missions trips all over the world.  One place that has always and still weighs heavy on my heart is Africa.  6 years ago I was given the blessing of being able to work with children that were part of the Bantu tribe in Somalia.  They were ages 5-11 and were refugees due to the killings going on in their home country.  Their tales of amazing survival through war, travel from Somalia to Kenya walking days to seek safety, and joy to be with family just captivated me and captured my heart.  As their teacher I was able to help them through their struggles here in America, teach them how to read and write and speak in a whole new language, help them become part of a school culture so different from their own, and celebrate their small victories along the way.  Added to the class through the years were more refugees from Sudan, Burundi, Burma, and Thailand but the children of the Bantu tribe still hold a special place with me today. 

This leads me to today and the horrible famine that has plagued Somalia and Kenya.  Yesterday I read that 330 children have died every day for the past 90 days in Somalia.....almost 30,000 children.  I see images on the news and I can see the faces of my students and their families in each and every image.  It is not lost on me that there are nations who argue about how high to raise the debt while mothers in other countries are watching their children starve to death.  I realize we have our own problems here in America but this famine is something that is really pulling on my heart and I am left wondering what to do. 

I pray for the people of Somalia and Kenya that relief is in sight and that I am open to the path that God leads me.

Fitness Friday-Knowing When to Say When

This year and last I have been part of Tall Mom's 1000+++ mile challenge.  Last year I capped the year off at 1111 miles ending the year by running a costume race on New Year's Eve!  This year I decided to raise the bar even higher, because I just can't not push, and try for 1500 miles.  The beginning of the year I went out like gang busters and really racked up some miles.  Then came the pregnancy.....and the miscarriage.....then strep throat.....and now bronchitis.  Through all of these physical curve balls I have been determined to push through and get the miles done no matter what.  I have fought with myself both mentally and physically to do whatever it took to keep my miles up.  Well yesterday, as I wheezed through the day, I decided to scrap my 12 mile run I had planned.  It was difficult emotionally to do but I knew that my lungs needed a break and would probably revolt had I ventured out for 2 hours.  I was able to get a VERY long overdue pedi with Jill and have dinner at her house!  In the end it was a hard decision, but I needed to listen to my body this time.

It stuck me how hard it was not to run and made me wonder a few things about runners.....are we crazy?.....ok well I guess we are a little.  I mean we PAY MONEY.....sometimes big money.....to run!!!  That aside, what is it in runners that cause us to push our bodies and limits when others head to bed?  What do you finally need to take a rest day?  And the big question......are your rest days really a "day of rest"?  I want to be doing this running thing until I'm a little old lady so I guess I need to start embracing the rest!!!  What about you?

Three Things Thursday-Ode to Whole Foods

Since moving to Cape Cod we left behind a lot of conveniences in exchange for ocean and safe streets.  One of the things left behind was my dear Whole Foods!  Em and I used to roam the isles weekly picking up bright organic produce and lots of other yummy goodies!  Well last night when my girl Jill suggested we head to Whole Foods to grab dinner I jumped up and down cheering said sure thing!  I love Whole Foods aka Whole Paycheck for so many reasons but here are three.....

1.  You just feel healthy being there.....I know there are bad foods there too but the the produce displays and organic this and that I just feel like I am drawn to the foods that I should be eating!!!  Talk about eating with the eyes!!
2.  You never know what you could find!.....They have new things every time I go there!  This time was a grilled veggie panini, a "make your own" trail mix station, and a super yummy quinoa salad!  I love it!!!
3.  Feels like home....I realize that this is partly because the Whole Foods we went to was the one which I mentioned before.  Literally Em and I were there EVERY week roaming the isles and snacking away!  Yesterday walking in the doors was like coming home!  Silly I know but it was great!  I even picked up Em a new cup!  I had bought her one when she was first born that said, "I'm organically grown" and it is beyond recognition now!  She clearly needed a replacement!

Do you share my love for Whole Foods?  What stores do you use to find your healthy hard to finds?  Oh and have you seen the song on Youtube about Whole Foods....very funny!!


Oh and yes tomorrow is Friday!!!  I'll be the one driving at mock speed through Boston on way to see her girl and hubby!!!!  

WTF.....Wow These Flies!!

Ha!  Got your attention huh?  Thank you all so much for your support!!!  I called Em last night and we almost both ended up crying but I am staying busy and I know she'll have fun with her cousins.  At least that's what I'm telling myself!!

One way to distract me....rather have fun with me....my friend Carrie took me to a rail trail near her house in NH to go for a run.  I'm so thankful I have active friends that keep me on track with my mileage when really I wanted to go home from a full day of class and plop myself on the couch with a glass of wine!  Although the Cape has a lot of running/biking paths, I'm always convinced that someone is waiting in the woods ready to attack so I don't often run them.  Too many horror movies!!  Yesterday I figured I was safe since Carrie would be looking for me along the trail!  I really enjoyed the change of scenery!!  Beautiful trees, lots of shade, lakes, and animals.....oh yes and flat which is always an added bonus!  The downfall.....FLIES!!!  We're talking the kind that swarm you if you stop even for one second!!!  I'm pretty sure people thought I had a mental issue since I keep yelling, "Get away from me jerk!" and a few other choice words!  In the end it was good to get the miles in and my sweat on!  Today we are headed back....considering a suit similar to a bee keeper's to wear to keep the flies away!

Mommy MIA

Well this week I am putting my professor hat on and teaching a college course at the school where I got my undergrad.  This is always an awesome opportunity and really is a time that I end up liking once I am there.  They have really worked around us moving and made me able to continue teaching the course.  Fast forward to this week.....I am here on the North Shore of Massachusetts while my hubby is on Cape Cod and my dear Em is in RI.....I HATE IT!!!  This will be the longest I have ever been away from Em and I am really not looking forward to it!  My friends here have been awesome and let me crash with them while also planning lots of fun activities and running in order to distract me from my missing link!

Here is a questions for all you parents.....I'll make it right?....and she won't hate me when I get home?


I really am hoping so!!!  Have a great Monday and I can't believe it is already August.....that's another whole post though!  One quick pat on the back from last week for me.....46 miles done!!!  Highest week in a long time!!!

Wordless Wednesday....almost

My reward to myself for completing my long run....beach!!

Are YOU Getting Enough Protein

Ok so I nailed my run yesterday, organized my pictures (all 300 of them-for 4 months), and caught up with a few emails.  I figured I was well on my way to reaching my weekly goals!  Then came the protein.  The hubby is helping me out, more like answering every last question I have, and told me that I should be getting a pound of protein for every pound of body weight.  Well after yesterday's total, I would be doing backflips if I weighed 124lbs!  In reality I weigh 140lbs and thus fell short of my total.  However, in all honesty I could not have eaten one last bite!!!  I had a shake in the am, chicken, another shake, scoop of almond butter, egg whites, chicken, and then I rolled to bed!!  I guess I wasn't coming even close to enough before I started paying attention.  All in all I am considering Monday a victory since I really came close!  I'm not aiming at being the next greatest body builder so I am figuring close is pretty good!

What about you......how much protein do you get each day?

                       What guidelines do you shoot for?