This is how I roll!

Stretching, and taking care of your body is just as important as exercise and rest.  If we don't take a few moments each day to stretch out muscles then we might be asking for injury.  Muscles like to work hard and move heavy loads for us, but if we don't take care of them, our muscles will SCREAM for mercy.  Next time you get a WOD in take a few moments to stretch or "roll out".  Your muscles will thank you for it!  Here are some ways to use the foam roller.  Now get too it, and ROLL OUT!

bikeMS was a SUCCESS!

At lunch Day 2

First of all I'd like to thank each and every one of you that supported (monetarily, physically and spiritually) me on this journey.  I couldn't do it w/o you!  All my coaches at 810 XFit, even though they didn't coach me for 150 mile bike ride, I know the work I put in at XFit helped me endure this one.  My boss at the UMF Rec center, Marilyn.  She had faith in me!  My awesome chiropractor, Dr. Dayne Rogers, who kept me inline-in more ways than one!  My boss at the Yoga Path, Maria, who was rooting for me all along and kept a donation jar in her fabulous studio.  My team, The Puffins.  My roomie, Susanna!  My parents, kids, inlaws, friends, and most importantly my hubsy, Scott-my number one fan.  

We raised a huge amount of awareness and funding for MS research.  I surpassed my goal of $250 by $1.  Again, a huge THANK YOU!  Want to talk inspiration?  Ok, well what keeps me active and motivated?  I have over the years seen my Gma have her hip replaced at least 4 times, in addition to repair surgeries.  I know it is not MS, but seeing my poor Grammie (and she wouldn't call herself poor, she is very humble) struggle to be independent is what gets me moving, and keeps me moving.  I often dedicate my yoga practice or WOD to her.  Ok, how about a bit more inspiration?  There was a 91 yr old man that did this bike ride.  He has done it for 20 yrs!  His adult children did the ride w/ him... and he kept leaving them in his dust!  How stinking cool is that?  Lastly, since I had started this bikeMS journey I crossed paths w/ people affected by MS.  Some had it, some had family that had it, and some had co-workers that had it.  Some you could physically see the how the disease had affected their lives.  Some of them you'd never guess they had MS, but their doctors would tell you otherwise.  I know each and everyone of them are very thankful for all the support you give them, and finding a cure to MS is very important to them.

Alright, one last time... THANK YOU!!!

Ruffin Puffin, Mother Puffin (me), Huffin Puffin, Cussin Puffin, I.B. Puffin.  Not shown: Tuffin Puffin, Pretty Puffin, & Lovin Puffin.

Oats & Mango, Mmmmm!

Yummy, quick & easy breakfasts can have TONS of benefits!  Checkout this oat & mango breakfast I enjoyed the morning after my bikeMS (150 mi 2 day bike ride).  I knew it would get me on the right path to recovery, and it was DELISH!

Mango: Promotes prostate, breast, eye, & colon health.  Lowers cholesterol, contains vitamin C & fiber (good good good digestion).  Clears the skin.  Normalizes insulin levels.  Good for the immune system.

Oats: Keeps you full longer.  Fiber and protein.  Stabilizes blood sugar, & reduces risk of diabetes.  Removes bad cholesterol.  Promotes heart health, and wards off cancer.  Antioxidants.  Enhances immune response to disease. 

Maca: Dense super-food that contains high amounts of minerals, enzymes, essential amino acids. B-vitamins (energy vitamins), B-12. calcium and magnesium.  Helps balance hormones.  Maca stimulates and nourishes the hypothalamus and pituitary glands which are the "master glands" of the body. Brings balance to the adrenal, thyroid, pancreas, ovarian and testicular glands.

Hemp Hearts: Weight loss. Increases and sustains energy. Rapid recovery from disease or injury. Lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, reduces inflammation. Improvement in circulation and immune system as well as natural blood sugar control.

Chia Seeds: Keep you full longer.  Helps prevent Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis.  Balances blood sugar.  Omega 3s.  Energy!  Age-defying anti-oxidants.

Greek Yogurt: PROTEIN!  Promotes digestion.  Lower sodium & carbs than other yogurts.

Agave: Anti-inflammatory. Immune system booster.  Anti-microbal.  Low impact on blood sugar.  Lowers cholesterol and cancer risk.  Improves absorption of nutrients calcium and magnesium.

Nutmeg: Antibacterial.  Promotes heart & liver health.  Improves memory.  Aids digestion.  Relaxes muscles.  Helps anxiety & depression.

S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting

Here are some more goal setting tips.  This is just the beginning folks.  Expect to see more goal setting-life changing advice around these parts!

S.M.A.R.T. Goals:

Specific - Be Precise. Write down exactly what you expect to achieve.

Measurable - Include amounts, times, days, and other milestones for gauging success.

Achievable - Set your sights on a goal that is attainable, yet causes you to go beyond what you’re doing today.

Relevant - Your goal should matter to you, first and foremost.

Time-Specific - You need to set a date for the completion of your SMART goal. Once you
have accomplished the first goal, you can set another.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Doggone-it!  This blog wasn't supposed to be published until I finished it!  I promise I will finish it ASAP and add the recipe!  Even the kitty loved this one!

Vision Board & Goal Setting

Setting a goal & a vision for your life doesn't have to be a struggle.  It can be a bowl of fun! 

Sit back and reflect on where you'd like your life to lead.  Consider your goals and what needs to be done to reach them.  Then, visualize it!  Cut out pictures of people doing things you want to be doing.  Pate your head on their picture.  Then, post the vision board where you will see it on a daily basis.  While on your journey if you need to adjust make changes to your vision by adding more pictures, or create more boards.  The whole process is very calming, and really helps you focus on the present moving toward your ROCKING future!

Life isn't always easy.  Sometimes you fall down.

Smile, dust yourself off, and pull yourself back up.

Be a yogic love warrior... tall and strong!

 

You can't always control the waves of life, but you can learn to ride them w/ a little style & grace.

Take every opportunity to learn from life.  Sometimes things are hard, but who ever said life was easy?  There is always a positive outlook in every situation.  Let your light shine!