Meet Dan

I just have to start by saying we've been 100% blessed by the amazing people we've met out here.

The group of gals and guys we've been getting to know have just be great.

They share our love of God, learning, food, excellent movies (read: Tommy Boy), and the boys happen to share a passion of cooking :)

Jon has definitely been the meal maker around here before and I ALWAYS appreciate a man who can cook, no matter who he is.

Last friday a few of us ladies went to free yoga while the boys played X-box and then made us dinner.  I am all for coming home to tacos and fajitas that I didn't help prepare in any way shape or form.

Our friend Dan then volunteered himself to make us brunch the next morning

biscuits. and. gravy

I took him up on his offer, and he didn't disappoint.

Meet Dan. Dan is the Man

not to be confused with Jon who is my Mon (a little Jamaican flare for ya'll)

OH breakfast sausage... it's been WAAAAAAAY to long.

getting the gravy ready. 

you most definitely do not want to know how much butter and salt went into this

let's just say it was totally worth my stomach feeling slightly uncomfortable for the next 2 days.

The sausage has been added... magic is happening folks

crisp.golden.biscuits

yes

please

For the love...

This was inhaled in about 2 minutes, I'm still salivating thinking about them

Dan you are definitely the man, and I'm totally thinking we need to make this 

"guys cooking for the gals" a weekly habit :)

Question: Does anyone know some substitutions that would maybe make this a little healthier? Not that I don't love clogging my arteries...

Eleven

Considering I started this blog as a way to keep track of my running I haven't been recording much of that. Last week was CRAZY and running was just not happenin' during midterms. So friday I decided to head out for four miles, and it. was. awesome!

My legs were fresh, I was breathing easy, and I was FLYING!

I figured since my 4 miler was so fantastic that of course my 11-miler on Sunday would be easy peasey. Especially because my 10 miler last week was incredible.

So with my spirit high and a positive attitude I set out.

I love the S. Platte River. It's gorgeous scenery and I love that people just chill out and fish :)

This is part of the trail that I will be running along for the 1/2 I kept picturing myself here in 3 weeks, I was feeling strong, I was going to CONQUER this in the next few weeks.

I was feeling FANTASTIC.

How could I not with the mountains in the background?

I felt my energy sink at around mile 5 so I decided to try something new!

Last week I tried Clif Gu shots.

I'm attempting to find something to give me a boost during my 1/2 and I want to test it before the actual race.

The Gu shots were good... but the gel wasn't the best texture

The Shot blocks were good too, but i didn't feel like I got the same burst of energy with them

So close to home... and yet still 5 miles from being done.

This is where things started to fall apart.

Mile 6 is typically my worst mile, but in all my previous long runs around mile 7-8 I pick it up and finish strong...

Today.

not.

happening.

I couldn't breathe if my life depended on it (which i found out, it very much does)

my lungs felt like they were being crushed, and my legs were really tight (darn you yoga!)

It was looking not so fantastic, and then the wind picked up... thanks for that one.

I just kept holding on until I saw this beautiful sight ahead of me :)

my fabulous hubby and our friends dog Remy.

We're helping take care of Remy this weekend so I figured she would want to join me for part of my run.

Thank goodness for Remy!

She was literally pulling me for the last 2 miles. 

And those last two miles were ROUGH

I'm praying this whole "off" run thang is over and done with.

I don't want it showing up again for the 1/2.

I will say I was quite proud that I didn't totally lose it during the run. In the past there would have been tears, frustration, and a sense of failure.

This time around I just walked when I needed too and kept reminding myself that it's ridiculous to expect every run to be great. It just doesn't happen, and I need to be ok with that!

Let's just hope the 12 miler this weekend goes a bit better :)

prayers and advice are more than welcome!

mid terms

I apologize for the hiatus in the blogging schedule.

mid terms week is finally over.

I truly had no desire to do ANYTHING but study my butt off

and the few days after I have had no desire but to do ANYTHING but sleep my butt off

none of those are actually conducive to doing anything but adding to my butt.

I will be returning soon with some recipes, some run updates, and life updates!

hope ya'll are enjoying spring!

Lent

Today is fat tuesday... and I'm indulging in some last minute ice cream :)

Last year for Lent Jon and I started our journey with The Love Dare and really loved it, but this year I decided to sacrifice something that is very close to me. sweets. and hopefully most processed sugars.

My friend Claire and I decided we were giving it a go and keeping each other accountable. Our definition would be cakes, candy, ice cream, cookies, etc. and I'm hoping to extend that to a lot of processed sugar. I'll stick with honey for a little sweetener, but for the next 40 days I'm calling it quits!

Growing up with Lent I don't know that I fully understand the true concept of doing something for Lent, but for me, now, it means sacrificing something that is important to me. and believe me, sugar is EXTREMELY important to me...

shall we take a gander??

Clearly I have some sort of addiction

although I will say that I'm having a little bit of a struggle at the thought of giving up my frozen yogurt. While the gummy bears and fruity pebbles are obviously not an option, my frozen yogurt choices have 0g of sugar, and no HFCS or anything like that..

 (yes I looked up the nutrition facts and ingredients online)

What do you think??

Are ya'll giving up anything for Lent?

I love work

... Jon's work that is.

He now works for Denver Seminary as part of the set up crew for events... which means....

amazing leftovers.

chocolate covered strawberries and the most amazing oreo cupcake... EVER.

it reminds me of my catering days. hopefully I won't add on the 10 pounds from my catering days.

meh... I won't think about that right now. I'll just wash it all down with some milk :)

I wonder when Jon works next... maybe I can request some creme brulee?

Grocery Shopping

I have a fabulous husband.

No, seriously.

He goes grocery shopping for me us.

Every week.

Even though I actually enjoy grocery shopping, it's hard for me to fit it in during the week. Jon has Wednesdays off so he decided to take over task, and he's been rocking it.


Today he did a reeeeeaaaaaalllllly good job though :)

Why yes, he is the world's best husband :)

I absolutely LOVE fresh flowers... he knows me so well. He may have also brought me some ice cream too... although I doubt that will last as long as the flowers will.

VFF: Spring is Here!!!

The VFF/BF Adventures are back! Now that the weather has warmed up and the gravel isn't muddy anymore it is time to take the Vibrams out for a run!

And it isn't just me anymore....

Yes, that's right. I've officially converted my husband to the barefoot side :)

He's actually been running in them for a few weeks now and has reported no knee pain! woo hoo

before when he'd be running his knees would hurt so badly... thanks to the vibrams he's pain free.

and before I sound too much like an infomerical we'll move along..

His first run outside :) Doesn't he look excited!?

It's alright, I was pumped for the both of us.

I have to say, I really thought my legs would kill after just a little bit of running in the Vibrams, but we made it 2 miles and while my calves are a little sore... that's the worst of the damage.

I'm thinking I'll definitely be ready to run some races in the Vibrams come May.

If this weather keeps up, you can expect some more Vibram Adventrures comin' your way!