Black and White

April Photo Challenge Day 26: Black and White

Life is no longer in black in white.

TV is not black and white.

Pictures are not black and white.

In fact they are even 3D and seen in spectacular colors now days. On my huge TV sometimes you can even feel like you are at the game on TV.




Everything else in life also doesn't have to be in black and white. If you fall down get back up. There are always going to be days that are easier than others but it only matters how you can recover.
This week one of my favorite foods got me into trouble...

I love pizza.
Who doesn't?

The key is to get back on track.
I have run.
Eaten well.
I will pay at the scale and I will continue to not let it get me down.

Nothing has to be black and white.

Positive and negative are directions. Which direction do you choose?

Looking Over You

Yesterday's post I talked about my best friend Amanda and I mentioned that she had been through some really difficult times... Today I would like you to met this really amazing man Adam:

April Photo Challenge Day 25: Looking Down

Amanda and Adam got married August 22, 2009. It was an amazing day. I still remember when Amanda told me she was going to marry Adam. She was so amazingly happy. Adam was so amazing from when I first met him. His smile made you smile. He always knew how to make you laugh and have a good time.

Sadly on December 23rd, 2009 Adam passed away and will forever be in our hearts. I believe he will always be looking down over Amanda. One thing that we have all learned from it is that life is short. Adam suffered from sleep apnea and he had some trouble breathing that night and they were unable to revive him at the hospital. Adam was an amazing person who made my best friend one of the happiest girls in the world. I have always believed though that after he passed it was a sign for me to do everything I can to inspire others to lose weight, take care of themselves, and live as if there is no tomorrow. Adam was only 29 years old. He was taken from us much too soon but there is a lesson from his death. Do not regret or hold back anything. Live your life as if there might not be a tomorrow. If you can only take one thing from this post... Live like there is no tomorrow. 

What changes will you make this week to live your life to the fullest?

What are you grateful for?

April Photo Challenge Day 24: Something your grateful for.

This is my best friend Amanda. I am always grateful that we have became friends. In many ways thanks to her I joined weight watchers and found the spark I needed to get where I am today. The great thing about having a best friend is that they support you through anything. Even though I don't live in Cincinnati anymore Amanda will always be my best friend. I always be grateful that her wedding inspired me to join weight watchers and lose weight.

Amanda has been through more tough times over the last few years than most people our age ever have to go through. She has survived all of it. The fact that she has survived is an inspiration to me. The one thing she always reminds me is life is short and you never know when it will be taken. It can always be too late to get started but it is never too early.

What will inspire you this week? What are you most gratefeul for today, let that be your inspiration....

Eat your Vegetables

April Photo Challenge Day 23: Vegetable

Being a lifetime member at weight watchers or even someone who really tries to eat healthy means I try to work in as many veggies as possible. Vegetables are good for giving you a satsified feeling without packing in the calories. I think I am the daughter of my father/grandparents when it comes to vegetables though. I love them all. My mom isn't a huge veggie lover but I spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up so they always fed me the good stuff.

I can remember my granny to this day having a garden in her back yard and my Nanny even started a garden this year. Last time I was in Ohio visiting we even planted a few things in her garden. I hope to someday have a garden built in my backyard. It always takes me back to my childhood when I see a garden. I loved going to my Granny's as a kid because she always had fresh green beans she had picked from her garden. Do you ever wonder if that's why we have the obesity problems we have now? Sometimes I wonder if it cardboard is to blame for some of our countries weight issues. Fresh is so much better.

Tonight I enjoyed some of my favorites for dinner

Boca Burger with spinach and of course a pickle. Spinach is so good on a sandwich. It really gives it a crunchy flavor. Spinach is also really good for you. It is good for cardiovascular health, brain function and many believe it helps fight cancer.

Green beans with canjun seasoning and salsa. I wish they were fresh because fresh green beans are so good. Sometimes in the summer I try to go to local markets or even flea markets to find fresh green beans.

Good Deals and Good Times

Yesterday I woke up and set out for a 4 mile run. I knew I didn't have a ton of time to get in a longer run so I settled for 4 miles which ended up being perfect. Ran from home to the Nipsco trail and back. I got home hurried and showered so I could get over to the local weight watchers center since I still had not made it over there for monthly weigh in. It was way better than I expected(don't you love it when that happens)

April Photo Challenge Day 22: Last thing you bought

 I set out to the produce market. I had never been to this produce market but I found out it was open year round and that often times have good deals. I got everything pictured for only about $8.00 I needed to grab a few essentials so I could eat something before we headed up to Wrigley Field for the game. I also got some bananas that missed the picture. The carrots were only $1.00 each, the cucumbers were on sale 3/$1.49 and the broccoli which is hard to see was all you could fit in a bag for $1.00... I couldn't believe it what a deal and the spinach was 2/$3.00.


Then we set out to see our Reds LOSE... against the Cubbies...


We did have a great time at the game...

And even got to go to one of our favorite places in Wrigleyville... they brew this beer back home and we love it. Its a slight taste of home for us....

I even took this picture for one of my weight watcher members who knows who he is. We have a bet going on the Cubs Vs. Reds series this year...

Overall a great day! I love baseball. My points plus values took some serious hits yesterday... Good thing I ran another 6.10 miles this morning.


What did you do this weekend?

Orange you glad...

April Photo Challenge Day 19: Orange 


I am really not that clever but a play on words is always fun!
Sometimes we just have to say orange you glads you did that... Today I just didn't feel much like running... Sometimes after longer races I have a hard time getting restarted.

I started the afternoon  with a really short run around my neighborhood. I just wasn't feeling the run so I knew I needed to do more...

So I set out to one of my favorite workout places... My basement... The best part is that this doesn't have to cost you money. Rain or shine its always there... So  then I let her kick my butt.... 33 minutes have hard core working out. I love her DVD's. She is very motivational and all can be done a your level. She always convinces yourself even more than you think you can... 

50 minutes later if you ask me Orange you glad you did that... Yes I am.....

What are you orange you glad you did today?

How do you take your coffee?

Let me just admit something... I love coffee.

 I always make sure I wake up in enough time to have it before runs. I have it almost everyday as I drive into work and enjoy some as I start my day at work.

One thing I do not like is coffee black.

April Photo Challenge Day 17: Something you don't like

 Today while picking up a few things at Wal-Mart I found this:

April Photo Challenge Day 18: Bottle

The best part 0 points plus.
If you love to flavor your coffee this is a must try.
Just don't use too much. The bottle suggest 1 TBSP for a cup of coffee. I didn't even think you needed that much. They also sell several other flavors.

How do you take your coffee?