Back on Track

Well, it's been slow getting back on track, lots of little things keep popping up, but I am determined to keep going and fit these long walks in when I can. Today I walked to my church and back, about 6 kms. Very happy that the weather has changed, I can breathe outside without my nostrils sticking together ;)
I just wish people would do a better job cleaning sidewalks! It's not fun to walk and be worried about falling down, if you are a good sidwalk shoveler, thank you! If not... well.. nah, "if you haven't got anything nice to say..."

A Horrible Second Week

Ugh, well I guess boasting about my great week last week wasn't so smart.
The only walking I did this week was to the school bus stop and back, and promptly onto the couch or chair by the computer..
Some kind of bug knocked me on my butt this week. Sort of like a flu, sort of like a cold, but it left me really lethargic.
I am so disappointed.

Here's hoping to a complete recovery by Monday, and back to it!
Have a great weekend.

A good first week

Well!
It's Friday already, I can't believe how fast the week has flown by!
I walked to the church again today, but got a ride home this time (hey I was entertaining a 1 year old and 4 year old for 3 hours!), it's funny how you forget how physical it is to be around a baby when yours have gotten past that stage!

I have walked just over 20 kms this week. I know I have to get to 30 kms a DAY, but I would love to average 30 kms a week soon. I believe it's more about endurance than speed and right now I can walk pretty fast if the stroller or dog doesn't slow me down. I think I need to concentrate on doing more of both kinds of walking, and have decided I don't really care if my daughter is 'too big' for the stroller, if she is happy, then we're gonna do it. I'm anticipating the Spring, and long strolls. The sidewalks around here get pretty rough so our walks will be a little limited for the next couple of months. And the same with the dog, my number one concern with her unruliness is that she pulls me over ice patches. But I think perseverance is in order!

I am very happy with my first week. I am going grocery shopping this afternoon, and I just realized it is the first time all week that I will be taking my car out!

Have a great weekend!!!

Strolling with a Stroller

Well... I guess the time has come.. I think I may have to give in that my daughter is now too big for a stroller.. I've known for some time that babyhood is officially over, but was holding out hope that I could prolong that one nice experience a little longer.
I had something to do at the church this morning, and wanted to walk. However, my daughter is home from school and so I needed to bring her with me. I decided to dig out the stroller (or more honestly have my hubby dig it out for me) and give it a go. I should have know better as I was getting her in the stroller... her little feet dangle over the edge ('it's okay honey, just put them up') It took me an additional 10 mins to walk today over yesterday's time.
It was the walk home that was the back breaker though. I loaded up on books at the library (hey we were downtown!) and it's a trek up hill on the way home... so there I was at one point, stroller practically over my head, giving a good push up the hill. This is my best pushing stroller, it's an ancient 3 wheeler, the best wheels in the world... and I'm afraid my stroller pushing days may be over.
I had so desperately wanted to take my daughter on long walks with me, heading out to our local trails... whizzing around town, etc. I did a lot of walking with both kids when they were little, and I guess this is just yet another part of them growing up. But I don't have to like it...
Maybe in the Spring I can get her out on the trails with me, but this time her on a bicycle...
First the dog, now my daughter... two little daydreams I had for walking.. I guess I just have to readjust my dreams and figure out new ideas. I do enjoy walking by myself, that's a given. I had just hoped to mix it up.
Oh how I hate these little reminders of time marching on, and the kids growing too fast!

Walking as transportation

On Wednesdays, I volunteer in the office of my church.
Our church is between 2 and 3 kms from our home. We used to walk quite often, but it seems we were always running too late to walk. Or it's too cold, or too rainy, or we have too much to bring with us, or.or.or... always something.

Today, I decided to keep going with the great 'get moving' wave I'm riding on this week. It's only Wed, and I've walked around 12 kms without really trying. I walked to the church on this beautiful crisp clear January morning. The sun was shining, and the snow is beautiful and sparkly. I do wish the sidewalks were clearer, but I didn't let it ruin my walk. The walk home was even better, because it was a tad warmer. There is a long hill that is uphill on my way home. I've found the best trick for me with that is to crank up an upbeat tune and power through. I'm absolutely loving my new mp3 player (thanks to my Hubby again xox) I keep running out of sidewalk before I run out of great songs ;)

I used to be very 'walk minded' before the kids. My husband and I walked all over the place, and I used to walk to work. Heck, I didn't even bother with a driver's license until I was 24 and pregnant with my son. Then it got more and more difficult, I got more and more round and tired... and it was soo much easier to load the kids in the car, then to walk. Also you can't reasonably expect little ones to walk that far, and we're in an awkward stage right now, too big for strollers, too small for long walks. But, now with the kids in school, I have no good excuses for driving in town. Sure, going for purposeful training walks is a great idea, but the best way for me to get the stamina to walk for 2 days straight, is to make walking a several times a week, more than once a day if possible kinda way of life... and I'm starting.. now.

Unstructured workouts

I am a huge fan of activities that are great workouts, especially outside. Yesterday, I underestimated my morning walk, it turned out to be 2-1/2 kms not 1. And later in the morning, I chose to walk to where I volunteer instead of drive, and walked another 1 km. Not bad at all for not really trying.

This morning, I shoveled the driveway with my daughter. Then we shoveled our neighbors (they live in a semi, so we did the other side too) both of them have snowblowed our drive for us for years so really I'm just trying to pay them back a little. Anyways, we also know that one of the ladies across the street is elderly and would have a tough time to shovel,so we did hers. Then what the heck, let's do the family's driveway next door to her (it's another semi), they're nice people. Well we did all those, why not one more? So we did the neighbor's directly across from us, they both work and I talked to my daughter about what a nice surprise it will be for them. While doing that driveway, I noticed another disabled neighbor trying to shovel, so we hurried over to finish the job. What started out as 10 mins shoveling our driveway after taking my son to the bus stop, turned into 7 driveways, a full hour of shoveling! The temperature is awesome, and the snow is light, so it was not bad at all. In fact, I was all set to finish the street (it's a short street lol) but my daughter ran out of steam, so we came home for the hot chocolate I promised her. I used to hate shoveling snow, but it's a great workout, and valuable time with my daughter! And yet another example in my life where I am happy to be doing something JUST BECAUSE I CAN. I am healthy enough to shovel, I have the time to shovel, and it feels great to help others. Plus, I'm pretty sure the neighbors don't mind ;) Win/Win/Win!

So that is my training for the day. At least for now ;)

Hello Monday

Well, Hello Monday? How've you been? Been awhile since I've seen you. I mean yes, I have know intellectually that there have been 2 Mondays since vacation started, but sleeping in, and hanging out at home with my wonderful family hasn't really felt like Monday ;)

In any event... I have finally done what I told myself I would do since both kids started school in September. I took them to the bus stop, and after they got picked up, I went for a walk. And not just back to the house to enjoy a 2nd cup of coffee in peace. I went for about 1-1/2 km. And I really enjoyed that. It was an Alicia Keys kinda morning, slow and soulful. Although I walked fast. I was home again less than 1/2 hour. I hope to do this most mornings when they both go, which is every other day.

I am off to do some volunteering this morning, but hope to get the doggie out for a little walk after lunch, still struggling to gain control over her, to make walking long distances enjoyable. She is still in the goofy yellow lab puppy stage even though she will be 2 this month. She is a gentle and loving dog, but getting out for a walk makes her turn into a close resemblance to Marley from Marley and Me. She is getting better, and I have decided that my best bet is to take her on shorter walks more often.

Have a great Monday everybody, and remember, Mondays are horrible for a good reason. Sure it is not fun to have to get up, and rush off to school, work, etc. BUT all those things are good... and we should be thankful for jobs, kids, and housework.

Granola

I am not jumping on the New Year, New Diet bandwagon... rather, it's more like I was on it, jumped off, walked for a bit, and have decided I'd like to hitch a ride for a bit. More like one of those jump on jump off tour buses.

In any event, yesterday I made some super yummy granola with the kiddies. I didn't realize it is so easy to make! And making it WITH the kids means that they're more interested in eating it.

A quick trip into our local bulk food store (okay so maybe I browsed for 1/2 hour..) helped me get all the necessary bits and pieces.

If you would like the exact recipe, I'd be happy to send it to you. Basically you get a bunch of oatmeal (I used regular oats, and whole grain spelt), mix in some nuts and seeds (I used mixed unsalted nuts broken up a bit to make it easier for the kids to eat, and shelled sunflower seeds, with ground flax). Then you mix up some kind of syrup. I used maple syrup (because it's MAPLE SYRUP) with molasses (for iron) with a splash of vanilla and cinnamon. Then you bake it for about 45 mins at 300 degrees. When it's done, you mix in about a cup of dried fruit. I used dried cranberries, dried blueberries, and chopped dried dates. Let cool and then store in an airtight container. Voila...

Super healthy and easy. Mmm. you could make it even healthier by trying a different syrup, such as Agave sweetener, or honey.