Month: July 2016

A Marshmallow World 

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I went to the doctor’s today and got a clean bill of health, some blood taken from my arm and got the yearly scoot to the edge of the table out of the way.  The doctor seemed unconcerned about both cancer and premature menopause which made me feel good!  The bleeding stopped so there’s no more worry there.  The other interesting thing that happened though was that they questioned me at length about my asthma.  I had to take a special survey about asthma that was primarily directed at looking at how frequently I have to control it with my inhaler.  I had to explain, over and over, that I only need to use my inhaler before I go for a run.  They were kind of bewildered and I finally launched into the whole big news about how I’ve lost 150 pounds through diet and exercise and, for the first time, one of my doctors actually listened to what I was saying and seemed to hear the scope of my project.  She asked if I’d had gastric bypass surgery elsewhere since it wasn’t in her records.  Her eyes widened in surprise when I told her it was all a diet and exercise shift!  Finally, after all these years of begging for an atta girl from my medical professionals by weighing less each time and asking about exercise plans, my doctor smiled and complimented my progress, and even went as far to say that she was impressed.   Then she asked how often I exercise and if I diversify what I do.  She agreed that integrating weightlifting for strength and balance as I age is a great plan.  She also encouraged me to continue running long distances and saw no problems with me pursuing half marathons!  When I mentioned 170 as a goal, she agreed that it was an ideal place for me to shoot for and encouraged me to continue my pursuit of health. It was like all of those things I’ve been fearing got washed aside and I was sort of cleansed with that trip to the doctors office.  Usually I don’t leave feeling like I’m on the right track to that degree!  
You know, I just love sharing the results of my intimate doctor visits with the world.  LOL!  The thirteen year old in myself is simultaneously horrified and in awe that I can speak of such things publicly without dying of embarrassment.  I remember mentally shopping the grocery store aisles in an attempt to come up with the most embarrassing collection of items to purchase when I was a teenager.  I think that, by my grown up standards today, I could come up with a way worse basket.  Life just keeps getting weirder and more embarrassing and we just have to roll with the punches, so thanks for listening!  🙂


Since we were in Lynnwood, home to my Dr.’s, Costco, Trader Joe’s and the Grocery Outlet (bargain market…  I know you sang it) all within a few blocks of one another, we decided to do a big, summer buy.  Our focus was loading up on lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Our theory is that a family sized bag of Cheetos costs as much and gets consumed at the same rate as a pound of cherries for the same cost, so we really focused and loaded up on healthy snack options like that.  I know we used to look at grapes like they were spendy but chips like they were cheap and plentiful and it kind of seemed like we might have been swinging back in that direction over the past month.  

We did notice, however, that Trader Joe’s is now carrying vegan marshmallows!!!  To those of you in the mainstream marshmallow world this isn’t a big deal, but to those of us in the vegetarian world it’s HUGE!  Marshmallows are made of vanilla, sugar, gelatin and corn syrup; gelatin is made from animal bones so it’s a common no-no for vegetarians.  When Bradley and I were on our honeymoon in 1999 we stopped the Seventh-day Adventist* church in Oregon on the way down the coast to get some marshmallows for our fireside romantic nights. It was there that we learned that the vegetarian marshmallow factory had blown up and burnt down and there were no more vegetarian marshmallows available anywhere. We were so sad!  Four years later, a new factory was up and running but we could only get the marshmallows through a vegan company through the mail so we would rally our fellow vegetarian friends, split the shipping costs and order a summer’s supply!  Then that company went out of business and we could only get them with coconut on the outside at Whole Foods, refrigerated, in a box of about ten.  For $8.00.  Who pays almost a dollar a marshmaoolw?  I am not that girl, I tell you.  We were stingy with our s’mores.  Last year the vegetarian marshmallows turned up at Target, of all places, and this year, TRADER JOES!  So you can see that marshmallows, while growing in size, color and quantity for most of you- an American institution, if you will, similar to apple pie- was an out of the loop thing for us, and finding them for less than six bucks at the local Trader Joes is cause for celebration!  

* Many followers of the Seventh-day Adventist faith practice vegetarianism, therefore the church usually supports a store that provides vegetarian alternatives to animal protein.


I went to halfmarathons.net to find this accessible and solid training schedule for Gigi and I so we can kick the Beat the Blerch half marathon’s bootay.  We are going to start running three miles this Wednesday.  While I’m going to try to stick closely to this schedule, I’m not going to be insane about it.  I want to hit at least two shorter runs with one longer run per week.  I plan on attending Zumba on Tuesdays or Thursday’s to mix things up, and I also want to incorporate some weight training back into my workout.  I’m not too worried about doing all of the running on the schedule because I believe that the Zumba and hiking have to factor into this somewhere, too, and I don’t want to become so focus driven that I forget to have fun, get all uptight, get crabby, obsess over mileage and schedules…  This is bonding and fun, not boot camp!  Mostly I’m excited that I get to DO IT again!!!


Freddie-pedi

I saw this poem by Nikki Giovanni the other day.  In reference to things happening all over the world and it just keeps sticking.  I keep coming back, rereading it like a song lyric, meditating and thinking and rethinking about it…  


At first I was a vegetarian when I read it.

Then I was an American, a citizen of the world, a teacher, a mother, a wife…  

Crabby McCrabberston

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My new moniker- cuz I’m a crabby apple.  Ms. Crabapple, perhaps.  Why am I all filled with the crabbiness that should only belong to the crab?  Because I’m like a toddler and all the things I like to do I can’t.  Or circumstances have made it so I have to do things I don’t like doing, like cleaning out the dishwasher and doing laundry.  There’s are reasons why I go to work and my dear husband stays home- laundry is a big one.  The dishwasher is the other!  With Bradley’s injury happening within two hours after school let out, I went from being Mrs. Littlejohn: ‘2nd grade school teacher, wife, mom, kid wrangler, runner and summertime gal’ to Mrs. Littlejohn: ‘housekeeper, wife, mom, chef, kid wrangler, puppy wrangler, bleeder and chauffeur.’  

‘Runner’ is not on the second part of that list because ‘bleeder’ replaced it.  I started bleeding, like, randomly.  I don’t think I need to tell you where I’m bleeding at.  If I were bleeding elsewhere it would be cause for immediate attention, but this kind of bleeding just gets a dismissive phone call and vague instructions to see my doctor within the next week or so despite webMD telling me that this kind of bleeding could quite possibly be a sign of cancer…  It might not be, either, but in the meantime I’m taking it easy and not running or dancing;  I’m avoiding the big jostle, as it were.  It’s a little frustrating because running and eating are my two biggest stress relievers and when I can’t run I want to eat so much food.  On top of that I hate to not meet my goals for the week.  I was determined to start getting going in earnest.  I wanted to firm up some habits and start running some miles.  I’m walking my mileage instead, but it’s not what I wanted so I’m frustrated so I’m whiny.  Plus, this morning?  I weighed in at 206.  What the everloving heck is up with that???  I weighed 193 on Sunday.  Today, five days later, I seem to have gained 13 pounds.  Have I been eating a little off plan?  Yes, but not 13 pounds worth!!!  Something is rotten in Denmark and I’m looking forward to my Dr. appt on Monday to solve those mysteries, perhaps, because this is not cool.


I decided to look on the bright side and see this as an opportunity to smash book, watch crap TV and sit around…  I did that yesterday and the day before.  But now I’m caught up on my smash books until I get new photos to add to it, so I decided to upload the pictures to the sites from which I wanted to order, but that was full of annoying snafus and issues.  I finally got it done after visiting three websites, uploading one app and writing one strongly worded letter to PrinterPix, but steam must have been coming out of my ears because when I said I was going to take a break and go upstairs, my family just backed away slowly and handed me the puppy.  

And guess what?  I do feel better now!  🙂 Thanks to my puppy and you!

Getting Out

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I’m feeling a little bit accomplished today.  I never quite believe that after I take a break from my workout and eating routine that I’ll get back to it.  While I’m not as anxious as I once was about it, I certainly worry that this is going to be the time that I really fall off the wagon…  Perhaps that is just a healthy dose of fear that keeps me in line and it’s really just what I need.  Bradley’s car wreck related injuries are just tenacious- his back went out while we were in Idaho and I’m sitting at th doctors office while I write this.  He rarely visits the doctor, if that tells you anything.  So the bulk of ‘stuff’ has fallen to my shoulders as he is recovering with ice packs, stretches, bath soaks and massages.  Yesterday I took the kids on a short hike through St. Ed’s.  It was one of the few times I’ve taken them there alone, with the Bradley, and the kicker was that we had Freddie Sparkles with us.  It was her first time going on a hike with a leash and I was so proud!  The little pupper followed us everywhere, uphill and down!  She was interested in the smells but was very motivated to continue forward, and because of that, I believe I have the makings of a great hiking and running dog!  She’s fast, too!  See:


Ok, so maybe that picture doesn’t illustrate as much speed as CUTE!  Lol!  I’m kind of falling deeply, which is very good.  I thought I was not interested in having another dog around so soon after Martha, but I missed having that buddy.  The reliable friend who is always excited to see me.  Freddie Sparkles goes nuts on whenever she sees me, lately, and I actually find myself getting jealous when someone else has held her a lot and I want a turn…  Silly, I know.  It’s better than the alternative of not liking her, though.  I’m just over the moon.  Am I a dork or what?  Waxing on about my puppy…  😜😂👍

In addition to lighting a few sparklers last night there was a salt course.  You know how people have a cheese course or soup course?  We had one, big salt course and I was so thirsty allll night because of it!  This morning?  Bleh.  I fault the cantaloupe and watermelon growers because the diet soda and potato chips just tasted way better than the fruit!  They should know better, right?  Anyhow, this morning I woke up feeling like I should work out but really felt bloated and gross, so I made a deal with myself that if I found out that any other people from my accountability were going to the free Zumba class offered in my school district then I would go too.  I checked, there were two headed that way, so off I went!  I wasn’t expecting the class to be as good as it was, but the instructor isn’t just a hobbyist teacher, she actively teaches at local gyms and is regularly updated with her routines!  I was so impressed and I’m so excited to start going to Zumba again!  There’s nothing like it for toning my torso.  Before Zumba I was an apple.  Now I’m a pear.  I will take it!

Home 

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Back from Idaho and five pounds lighter!  Or 3.5 pounds lighter, depending on if you want to believe my scale or my Wii.  I’ll take the scale, along with a victory lap!  I need to remember that taking a break from my intense focus on exercise and nutrition once in a while can do a body good.  As you know, I totally let go of everything and just maintained for about a month.  I gained a little weight, but nothing outside of what I feel is normal fluctuations.  I topped out at a PMSy 198 and came home from vacation to weigh in at 193!  I credit the break in my exercise and decreased calories for this.  I ate more calories, for about two months, without gaining significant weight which makes me think I may have forced a minor metabolism shift.  I also stopped working out in earnest for about a month, only taking a few walks and hikes, but I didn’t do intensive running, dancing or anything else.  While in Idaho last week I went for two runs, one, long bike ride, I paddleboarded twice, got 17,000 steps at Silverwood and made my step count every day except one. I was busy!  Last week was a little like starting over and my body responded by losing some weight!  I’ll take it!


{My Wii and my room scale read slightly different, yes.  🙂 AND a Derpy run pic of them days- haven’t done one in a while 😜}

It was a little tricky to eat while on vacation.  My parents are generous and definitely keep and open pantry, fridge and freezer, but it’s hard to eat like I eat at someone else’s house!  I usually eat all day long:  

  • I rise and shine with coffee and a granola bar
  • 8:30ish Morningstar vegetarian sausage for a protein boost
  • 10:00ish fruit or vegetable snack
  • 12:00 lunch- usually chik nuggets from Morningstar and an apple, I also try to chug a lot of water at this time
  • 2:00ish string cheese or yogurt or almonds
  • 4:00ish -carb snack!  Pop chips, cheese and crackers or something like that
  • 6:00- dinner!  We eat a protein with 2-3 vegetable sides, sometimes a carb in the way of potatoes, brown rice, whole grain pasta, croutons or a bun but not always
  • 7:00-9:00- I get my treat.  If I’ve used self control all day I usually eat ice cream or something like that.  If I don’t allow the treat, I circle my kitchen island like a shark, eating this and that until I’m stuffed full of crap!  If I’ve already eaten my dessert for the day I try to be intentional and choose blueberries, grapes, an apple or orange, cantaloupe or some other kind of sweet fruit.
  • I never limit fruits or vegetables, ever.  They are always allowed.

So on vacation, when I was hitting the fridge again and again, or at 8:30 at night, and I felt like it looked like I was eating a ton of food but really I was just doing my million tiny meals all through the day routine.  Plus, when I get self conscious or hear feedback about how much/often I’m eating, I always remind myself that I don’t eat animal protein and therefore don’t get the animal fat or the big calorie hit from eating animals like other people do.  My plate always looks heavily loaded at mealtimes because I both burn a lot of calories and consume calories in a different way from the average American.  I’ve heard many comments on my plate through the years, from friends and family, about how full my plate is, but when I look at mine it’s usually loaded with lots of veggies and fruit and maybe a bit of pasta or potato.  However, in public settings there are rarely vegetarian protein sources so my food is processed by my body at a much different rate than someone who eats hearty ribs or a steak in place of my baked potato or green salad.  When I really get anxious about the whole thing I have to remember my results.  Obviously I know what I’m doing otherwise I wouldn’t have maintained a 150 pound weight loss and gained a solid running habit.  


{My new BFF.  It’s weird how much I love this dog already but oh-my-goodness I’m over the moon about my little Freddie Sparkles.  I never thought I’d be that girl!}

This morning I woke up and went for a run.  It was lovely and overcast, just in the 70’s, perfect for a run.  I’ve decided to go on three 5k’s this week, a hike through St. Ed’s with the fam once and, hopefully, take one Zumba class.  I recently found out that there’s a person in my school district who gives free classes to district employees, and she’s doing it all summer too!  I’m hoping that I can make a few.  I do love to Zumba. 😋 Anyhow, I was pleased to see that the warmer and farther  I got, the faster I got.  I had predicted that after three runs I should be in decent condition again, post running break, and I’m happy to say I was right.  I’m looking forward to pushing a little more mileage in next week, as Gigi and I start training for the half- marathons!   Yes, that’s plural.  My friend, or should I say “friend”, Jessica, has twisted my arm and said I just have to do the Snohomish River Run again with her.  (She didn’t have to twist too hard.  I love the race and the medal looks really cool this year, plus, I like her and perhaps this is just a thing we will have together for a while.  😊)