Embracing 2014 and how I'm ringing in the New Year

So I've decided to ring in the New Year by getting some of the goals and resolutions that I spoke about in this post yesterday - (I know, right? Two blog posts in a row!) rolling in the right direction.

The first thing I did this morning was to renew my membership with the Moms In Motion! They are an awesome group of women and a tremendous support - I feel lucky to be a part of the group.

MIMS! I'm bottom left with the arm warmers

Secondly, I took a bold leap and also joined the RTA (Ridgewood Tri Club). It seems like a very friendly (though very accomplished) Tri club and I have been stalking admiring them from afar for a while now. From the looks of the talent and caliber of athlete there I am a little nervous that I could be way out of my league. But I exchanged emails with the owner and she assured me that they are welcoming to beginners. Stepping out of your comfort zone is where you grow - right?

I then began to build my Whole30 pantry with some staples. For those of you who missed it, I'll be doing a clean eating detox program for 30 days beginning on Jan 2. It looks like a great program and it's based on the book "It Starts With Food." The program eliminates sugar, alcohol, legumes, grains, dairy, processed foods and gluten leaving you with all the organic meat, fish, eggs, coconut milk, veggies, fruits, (most) nuts, ghee, sweet potatoes, butternut squash and olives that you want!

I totally bought a cheap food processor (the one below was only $35 at Target) because I don't own one and a lot of good recipes for this plan includes using one. I also bought some vegetable peeler thing that will make zucchini into ribbons for this recipe I plan on making and also some homemade mayo.

Some of the other things I got was coconut aminos (reportedly tastes like soy sauce), coconut milk, coconut flour for thickening stuff, cashews, ghee, coconut oil, kalamata olives and a bag of sweet potatoes. Not pictured are a ton of eggs and some organic meats and veggies.

And in the spirit of Whole30 I made my favorite butternut squash soup that is totally made to fit the plan. It's yummy. If you are interested the Whole30 Butternut Squash soup recipe is here.

I've been hydrating with my very fancy Mom in Motion pink cup - my favorite!

Then I will head to the gym (when hubby gets home so I have someone to watch Ben) I will run my last run of 2013.

A few unhealthy things I'm doing today - I am polishing off some leftover pad thai as we speak and I'll be swilling in a martini or two as I watch the ball drop from the warm coziness of my couch!

Have a very happy, safe and healthy New Year!!

Are you doing any New Year prep today?

XO
Jen

Happy New Year 2012! Running streak day 1

Happy New Year friends!

There once was a time that New Year's eve meant drinking until i couldn't see.

It doesn't mean that anymore.  But don't think we didn't try.

We went to our friend's house for some appetizers and drinks but by 11PM we were calling it a night. Hubby wasn't feeling great and we figured we'd head home before the revelers hit the road.

at least we looked the part until 10:30 PM

Awesome friends and family

Even so, we still had a great time. New Years now means celebrating friends and family and we got to do that.

someone cut that crazy kid off 

It's actually kinda nice waking up refreshed and non-hung over to be honest.

I'm gearing up to do a mile run - I will be partaking in I <3 To Run - (at least) one mile a day running streak:

Only gonna do a mile today since technically yesterday and today were to be "rest days" and yesterday I ran 2 miles (after my 10 mile long run) and today I'm a little achey - so gonna go a slow mile and just enjoy the nice weather and the first day of 2012.

Ironically I'm on a 13 day run streak without even noticing it. Was looking over my running log yesterday and realized that everyday I've gone out and did some kind of running. It's funny how that happens.

Are you doing a running challenge this year?

What is your opinion about run streaks? 

Part of me thinks it's a cool challenge the other thinks you've gotta be careful that you don't get so wrapped up in the streak that you don't listen to your body if it truly needs a rest.

XO

Jen