What do kettlebell certifications, microwaves, and raccoons all have in common?

They make me nervous.  Tomorrow is my second official taekwondo tournament and I’m a bit nervous.  Okay so I’m really nervous. Considering MMA Mama beat me in the last tournament giving me a nasty bruise adding injury to insult  , I think my nervousness is justified.  Wondering IF she is going be there is more worrisome than the tournament itself.  Next week I’ll do a recap…if I live.  Just kidding the sparring is totally controlled and fully padded.  It’s nothing like a “real fight”.  It’s actually really fun especially for a girl who grew up with pictures of Rocky taped in her junior high locker while all the other girls had New Kids on the Block pictures.  Weirdos.

As of late I’ve felt like I’ve come across a bit more beastly than I actually am.  Sure I may love picking up heavy stuff just for fun and sparring until I can’t breathe but I also love glitter nail polish, red lipstick, fake eyelashes, and cozy leopard print pj’s.  Not all the same time…the make up and the pj’s that is.  I’m feminine, really I am.

This picture, as ridiculous as it is, captures my two sides, the glamour girevik (Russian word for kettlebeller) even though my nails are all chewed down.

BTW Brent took that for project someone is putting together.  I just don’t put on eyelashes and grab a kettlebell for photos.

My 30 Day Primal Challenge is going well, three days into it.  I’m enjoying the “challenge” going “Grok“.  After leaning out and training the last few months for the RKC, I found myself sort of bored and not sure what to focus on next so the primal challenge is a perfect fit.  I need mini-goals to keep me focused, excited, and on track with the big picture.

Lastly, I saw this older but good post on Planet Green, 7 Foods So Unsafe That Even Farmers Won’t Eat Them.  I love it when I read an article and I can feel all self righteous.  Don’t you?   Actually, I’m really sad about the tomatoes.  I LOVE canned tomatoes for the flavor and the convenience.

Does anyone else ever feel like you have two sides equally important but totally opposite?  What about that list?  Do you follow some, none, or all of it?  I would say I follow all of it 90% of the time.  Does anyone know if Muir Glen and Trader Joe’s canned tomatoes have BCA in the lining?

Have a great weekend!

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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The post Fluffy Friday: Glamour Girevik Goes Grok appeared first on Girl Heroes.

My love,

I’ll never understand how I got so lucky.

You know there are no photos or words that could ever adequately express my love and appreciation but I’ll do my best.

THANK YOU…..

…for going through life with me

…for the thousands of kisses you’ve given us.

…for the willingness to play

…for taking care of yourself

…for allowing me to dress you up (more times than we can count)

…for allowing me to dress our kids in matching clothes.

…for always being a good listener.
(and having a good sense of humor)

…for sharing in our excitement over God’s creation.

…for being the mellow one.  

…for being there when we fall jump.

…for keeping a roof over our heads.

…for being willing to just “be” in the moment.

…for making us yummy carbs.

…for being an a leader. (Even if it means wearing a kerchief)

…for loving me for over 11 years.

What an example you are to our children.

A loving husband.

A hard worker.

A creative artist.

A prayerful father.

A quiet servant.

Thank you for being YOU.
(My favorite picture of just you.)
You are MY HERO.

Happy Father’s Day.

Hugs, High Fives, and a Million Kisses,
Your loving wife

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We kicked our camping season off this weekend with a trip up the coast with one of our homeschooling groups.  (For those who may be considering homeschooling and are concerned about “socialization”.   Don’t worry, in most towns, the opportunities to hang out with other kids and really get to know other families are endless.)

Of course, for a nutty person camping would not feel complete without a workout.  Saturday morning, Brent and I hauled our kettlebells down to the beach.

Kettlebell Complex

5 one arm swings
(Clean the bell into the rack)
5 squats (kb is in the rack)
5 military presses
(Switch hands and repeat)

Rest and repeat 5 times each side.  (Total of 50 swings, 50 squats, and 50 presses- 25 each arm)

20 snatches (10 each side)

Rest and repeat 5 times. (100 snatches)

Because I was feeling so dang good I decided I wanted to sprint.  It felt SO. GOOD. I love to sprint.  It’s exhilarating and makes me feel like a child again.

(You have my permission to laugh at that picture.)

2 (approximately) 100 yard sprints

Then I practiced a few other moves (cleans, clean to catch, and windmills) trying to improve my form. When I “practice” I use a lighter bell and my focus is entirely on form and not at all on numbers.

I finished my workout with a relaxing stretch session.

BUT the best part of the weekend wasn’t working out.  It was watching these guys fish, boogie board, ride bikes, and play with friends.

These pelicans were pretty rad too.
God’s creation never ceases to captivate me.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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A Fluffy Flashback.

I really can’t think of anything much fluffier than cupcakes.

and

This post has been patiently waiting amount the other 123 “drafts” in purgatory.

A few months ago I took a mini-road trip to visit a cupcake truck even though I don’t eat refined sugar myself.
(Don’t worry I asked what they had been sweetened with before I passed.)

I didn’t intentionally dress to match the trailer.

I’m not that dorky.

Really, I’m not.

Lovely Raya who unlike myself is a real photographer.
(Just in case you couldn’t tell by the 3 cameras hanging off her body.)
Her photos are beautiful check them out.

While I didn’t partake in the fluffy goodness these guys did.

And enjoyed every bite.

I never imagined I would be a mom but I’m sure thankful I am.
(even if they don’t look too happy about the idea)

No this is not posed.
Meow Cow and I gaze out the window all the time together.

Have a great weekend.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Honestly I’m tired of thinking about fitness today.

I didn’t even workout.
(Shhhh….don’t tell anyone.)

Instead I’m going to tell you about my date.

Tonight Brent and I went to a little Argentinian restaurant.

There was live music.

Brent loves watching live music.

I…

…love watching him.

We shared an empanada.

I had Pastel de Choclo
Chilean style country dish layered with beef, chicken, onions, raisins, and spices.
Topped with a corn soufflé and served in a clay bowl

I was so hungry I forgot to take a picture of his.
Ooops!

Everything was so delicious.
I’m inspired to work on perfecting a chimichurri recipe I’ve been working on for months.
(Since Trader Joe’s quit carrying it. Grrrr.)

Brent skipped dessert so I wouldn’t have to watch him.
I wouldn’t have care but it’s sweet anyway.

After dinner we burned a few calories took a walk around the block.

Then stopped by a little wine bar.

This is why, today, I don’t care much about eating more than I burned.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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I know this is a health and fitness blog but the last few days I’ve just been enjoying some simple pleasures.

I think that’s healthy too and I hope you’ll bear with me.

Today I enjoyed making pizzas with a friend and our kids.

Beautiful Laura.

Homemade Pizza Dough

Oh cheese how I love thee.

Thing 2 putting toppings pepperoni and cheese on his pizza.
(His sense of culinary adventure kills me.)

Thing 1 and 2 = Double Trouble + Double Pepperoni

I love it when my clothes match the decor or, in this instance, the plates.

Laura’s funky earrings.  Love them.

Napoleon.
(Check out his eyes.)

We weren’t the only one’s grubbing.

The lens I was using doesn’t have zoom so I couldn’t get a decent picture but there was a family of finches just outside Laura’s kitchen window.
That mama was feeding her babies too.

Making pizzas together is such a fun thing to do with friends.
I want to invite everyone I know over to make pizzas.

Bodybugg Update:
I have to say I’m loving the Bodybugg itself.
However, I’m not so keen on the software nor the customer service.
I’m having some technical difficulties with the software.
I sent them an email and have yet to hear back.
Annoying.
I’ll keep ya posted because I know it’s a lot of money to spend on something.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!
(I’m going to a burlesque dance workshop at Laura’s studio.)

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Today was an awesome day.

We had a peaceful morning schooling.
I got dressed by noon.
My husband shaved.
(nothing like kissing a smooth face)

I also got in a few kettlebell swings.

I’ve been wearing cut off tube socks “gloves” on my hands the last few days.
(I ripped a callous off on Monday.  I’m not sure why I forgot to share something so pleasant.)

Today Noah Thing 2 saw my gloves while I was swinging and his eyes lit up as if I was holding an AK47.
“Will you make me some of those?”

Since I do steal his socks to make my “gloves” I had no choice.

As soon as he had them on he informed me he was going out to the garage “to workout”.

First he bounced the stability ball.

(Don’t be jealous of my classy high tech gym)

Then things got serious.

I have no clue where those 5 lb dumbbells came from.

He finished his workout and we exchanged high fives.

Mother and son tube sock “gloves”.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Yesterday morning we got up early and went to a breakfast for The National Day of Prayer.  It was at a hotel on the beach and simply lovely.

When I got dressed it didn’t occur to me that I might match the decorations.

We prayed for our city, our country, and our world.  I hope you don’t mind but I also said a prayer for you and I.  This prayer is for all the women who, like me, are stumbling along in their quest for health.

Dear God,

Thank you for creating us as us.  Help us to see ourselves and others as You see us.  Help us to forgive ourselves and others as You forgive us.  Help us to see beyond the the mirror on the wall or the number on the scale.  Help us to see beyond the labels and hurtful words.  Help us to see beyond our fears and see the potential You so generously give to us.  Help us to realize our dreams even the secret ones that only You know about.  Strengthen our bodies, our minds, our spirits.  Help us to see our place and purpose in this crazy puzzle of life.  Thank You for your steady and unwavering love.

Amen.

Ummm….I hope that wasn’t too awkward.  Love you guys!  Have a great weekend!

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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This month I set out to complete the 10,000 swing challenge.

This meant I “have to get  my swings in” be it the In-N-Out parking lot or rest stops.

Never mind if people stared at me as if I was insane or I was embarrassing driving my family nuts.

No siree. I won’t quit.

The great thing about kettlebells is they make it easy to feed my neurosis workout anywhere.

Yesterday I got in 200 while cooking, Mozzarella Chicken.

It’s just too tempting to pick one up and crank out 50 swings while the onions sauté.

Off came the jacket.  It gets warm doing kettlebells next to the hot stove.

I even had to open a window.

Yes. I just posted a picture of me opening a window.  WTH?  Next thing I’ll be posting a picture of an apple and two almonds.

I have 900 more to go today to reach my goal.  Procrastinate?  Me?  Noooooo.

Have an awesome weekend!

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Ten years ago today a brand new chapter of my life was opened.

I gave birth to my son via an emergency c-section.

I was a senior in college and struggling with a severe mental illness
but
with his birth I God birthed a new me.

While life has not been perfect since (it never will be) something magical happened that day in the delivery room.  From that day on, the most severe of my “symptoms” subsided. (Some day I will share more details…maybe.)  Oh I still struggled with depression and “emptiness” from time to time (who doesn’t) and in 2008 I was hit hard with the mallet of depression but the words “check her in”  were never muttered again at least not by a psychologist. Soon after I was off my meds.  I was on my way to wholeness.  Maybe it was a shift in hormones.  Maybe it was a shift in brain chemistry.  Maybe it was the very new and tangible sense of purpose that comes with having a child.  Maybe it was spiritual.  It was probably a combination of all those and other things beyond my understanding.  Whatever it was I’m am grateful.
Thank you, Brent. Thank you, son.  Thank you, God.

Happy Birthday my dear kind creative son.
(Although you don’t read mommy’s blog.)
I doubt you’ll ever know the depths of healing your life brought to my life.
You are worth every fat cell, stretch mark, scar, and so much more.

I love you.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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