Body image

I have struggled with body image my whole life...however, since having kids, I've realized the importance of being a good influence on my daughters by having a positive outward body image. I make sure to celebrate myself and them in hopes that when they hit awkward stages and the time (that will undoubtably come) when adolescents lean towards hating themselves... They will have enough of a positive body image base from childhood to carry them through.

Right now, they both stand on the scale and celebrate weight gain. I know it is foolish to believe that this will carry through to adulthood... But for now, let us celebrate their gains and bodies and relish in the fact they are their own biggest fans.

In other news, we are of to lake Tahoe tomorrow for an awesome weekend with some of our favorite people. My mom is coming as well and she and the girls are staying in a nearby cabin. They should have an amazing weekend although it is warm up there right now with limited snow.

I'm looking forward to 2012... 2011 was a great year and I think life will only get better!



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Location:Hazard Center Dr,San Diego,United States

Fun with food

Dinner on Tuesday at Jax's house

Vegan bean dip, guacamole, daiya cheese, portabella mushrooms, grilled veggies, fake tuna dip....






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Happy Hanukkah

Last night, we spent the 7th night of Hanukkah with family....i made my gluten free, vegan sweet potato latkes....










Love this city...










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Acceptable vegan cream cheese

So happy to have found this one... It is actually really good.




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Why I love my best friends, reason 1000999.5

We can be total dorks....


And can't forget the hubby...




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Saturday after our run, we had an awesome gluten free vegan feast at Jax house...
















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The Holidays, the Holidays!!

2011 has been an amazing year. Jason and I have been fortunate enough to meet so many wonderful people and develop awesome friendships. The holidays were just a reminder of how great we have it.

Friday night, we celebrated Hanukkah with my mom, Jax and the kiddos. We made gluten free, vegan latkes and other delicious side dishes. The kids had a blast playing and eating and we adults stuffed ourselves full.

Saturday, Jax and I hit the trails for a little 16 mile jaunt around Sweetwater Reservoir.


















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Location:Spring Oak Way,San Diego,United States

We had a blast... the distance didn't feel HORRIBLE and we really enjoyed each other's company. I love running with Jax... we catch up on life (as if we actually didn't already talk all day anyway) and make plans... some of the best (and worst) ideas are formulated out on the trails... In any case, we didn't feel too bad after the run, which is making me excited and confident for the 50k in March.

That's right - Jax and I are going to do Oriflamme... as we've decided it's the perfect race... Jax having JUST turned 29...and me in the mid ground between 30 and 31.

This WILL happen, oh yes. :)

Vegan "tuna melt" on a Gluten free English muffin and a side of pumpkin soup

:)

Sooo good!!



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Shoes

My feet are so NOT swollen today I can wear my holiday heels!!







(yes that's crackle on my toes)

...and I even ran this AM, on the treadmill. And my feet are NOT swollen.


Yay!!


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Photo dump :)











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Location:Spring Oak Way,San Diego,United States

Success!!

Hand before becoming vegan an gluten free and cutting out caffeine and most processed sugar :)

(note: i can't straighten my hand)





Hand a WEEK AND A HALF into my new lifestyle :)




I can wear all my rings again!!
Guess this is a GOOD change that must be sustained forever!!

This morning I woke up without my feet hurting... I was actually able to RUN on the treadmill and not walk/limp! This is just so exciting.. Gives me hope for Jax and my ultra marathon (Oriflamme 50k) in march. She turns 28 and I wanted to do an ultra the year I turned 30...however, life had other plans (arthritis diagnosis 2 months before!!) so I'll settle for an ultra before I turn 31!

Tonight is bed date night at Jax. Once a week, when Mike is away, I spend a night over there. When Jason is away (as he is right now), the kids come with. We cook something yummy (last week it was vegan, gluten free "tuna" melts with vegan, gluten free ice cream sandwiches) and tonight it is coconut curry with tempeh, veggies and rice. For dessert, we will use Zoe's new hello kitty cupcake machine to make gf/vegan chocolate cupcakes.

We usually put the kids to bed and then watch a movie or a show.... And go to bed really early. Definitely a fun tradition to make the weeks pass by faster.





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wow, surprising results

One week update….

Amazingly, my inflammation in my hands has almost completely disappeared… my elbows aren’t in screaming pain… my knees feel pretty good, as do my feet.

Guess I’m doing SOMETHING right.

I’ve cut out:

Gluten
Dairy
Eggs
Meat/poultry/fish/gelatin/animal byproducts (with the exception of honey)
Caffeine
Most candy/processed sugar


Wow, that sounds like a lot…but the results are alarmingly good!!

Eclipse

Not a great photo but...




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Gluten free Vegan fun

So I've found the easiest thing to do is make bento boxes for breakfast and lunch. Now, not a traditional breakfast person... As can be seen here... (yes, one is breakfast)

Breakfast... Sweet potato, lima beans...fake chicken




Lunches







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Race

So proud of my sister... She finished in 2:43! I ran the entire thing with her and she didn't wak once!





We had a blast... So fortunate to have gotten to have that experience with her.

And.... I felt great. We ran at a steady pace and my joints fared well. I was a bit sore in the knees in the morning but... Overall felt amazing!

Jax and I plan to run that ultra in 2012 and I think I'm up for it. We start training soon and as of Monday, I'll be gluten free, vegan and processed sugar free. The goal is to try and suppress my
RA with diet and exercise... Not medicine!

So this blog is going to turn info a training, food and life blog.

And a few photos from vegas:
























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Vegas 2011

Here in vegas for the half marathon....my first race since new Orleans and my first race once my rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.

I'm not here to PR. I'm here to show myself that I CAN do this.

It's a bit cold here... So we shall see how it does on my joints!


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