I'm A Celebrity!!! (well in my own eyes!!)

Wow!!  When you make it on Skinny Runner's Blog, it deserves a post in and of itself.  What a surprise!! I was just minding my own business reading her blog about some neat stuff that she received in the mail, when all of a sudden I see this fine picture of myself.  I am truly shocked!! And Thrilled!!  Yes, It's the little things in life.

I copied her post here.  This is what she wrote:

Remember how I found a smoking deal on a Garmin 405 online?  Well, reader Karen scored big time on the same deal!

Wahoo for cheap Garmins!

Have you ever had your picture used on someone else's blog??

Do you follow Skinny Runner??

I do!  She is one of the first blogs I came across. I love her sense of humor and style.

Have a great Day!!

MFM

Lookie Lookie Lucky Me!!!

LOOKIE - What do you think of my new look for the blog??  I've been playing around with blogger and decided to add a few colors and fonts.  I am sure, just like my hairstyle that I will start to change this on a monthly basis!!

LOOKIE - UPS delivery the other day....... As you know, I have been wanting a Garmin ever since I started running.  Remember this post when I used my cell phone and I thought I ran a 7.41mile??  The next day I checked my stats and of course my cell phone tracker was totally off.  Well I was following the tweets of SR (Skinny Runner. She is a highly skilled professional blogger and I love her!!) and she mentioned that Walmart had a great price on the Garmin 405.  Now I am not a Walmart shopper, but the price was $139.00.!!!  I dug deep in my piggy bank and placed the order.  No buyers remorse here!!

I am truly a runner now!!!

Then this post arrived via Facebook..... The map to my first 10k!!  Hey....I thought...I can go and try out my new toy using the map for my 10k....... Then out of the sky.....

Wow!! A real running map!!

This happened overnight.......

Good for skiers, bad for runners.....

I have yet to run in the snow.  Now I'm not saying I won't ever be a snow runner, but maybe next year???

So today I sit and stare at my new toy with a cool map in front of me, dreaming for the day when this all is going to come together......

Have a great day!!

MFM

Spiritual Sunday - Authority Speaks!!

January 29, 2012

4^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deuteronomy  Chap. 18 verses 15-20

Corinthians : First letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians  Chap. 7 verses 32-35

Gospel Book of Mark Chap 1 verses 21-28

We are talking Authority this week!!

What do you think about when you hear the word Authority??  Are you put off by authority types??  What makes a person an authority??

This weeks readings touch on various aspects of Authority.  In the first reading we hear that God is going to select a prophet that will speak for the Lord.  I think from this reading we should remember that God is doing the selecting.  God is the authority.  We do not select ourselves as authorities.  This concept is sort of hard to understand.   I think we have to remember that there are a lot of people who claim to be the authority when it comes to God.  But were they chosen by God?  The only people actually chosen by God  to be the authority in the Catholic faith are priests and women religious (nuns). These people are chosen to serve God and the greater people. They are not serving themselves.

Which rolls us into the second reading, where the topic of marriage and celibacy amongst our chosen priests and women religious is explained.  Now here is an awesome explanation about why priests shouldn’t be married.  A person who is unmarried is busy for the Lord.  A married person is concerned (as they should be ) for their spouse and family.  A priest is chosen to serve God.  That is his life’s purpose, and in doing so he is free to serve the greater people without distraction.  I always hear people say “my priest doesn’t understand what it is like to raise kids in the 21^st century, why should I go to him for advice??.”  I think the answer lies in the fact that the priest is going to give you advice that puts you back in touch with God.   You don’t have to be married and have kids to know what God wants from you, and a priest is there to help you gain a God centered life.

Finally, in the Gospel we hear about the authority that Jesus has.  Jesus drives an evil spirit out of a man’s body.  The first exorcism?? I should say!!  It definitely was the first miracle noted in the Gospel of Mark.  Everyone in attendance is amazed at the power and authority that Jesus has.  Jesus of course was serving this man by healing his spirit.  

For this gospel, I obtained most of my information from the January  2012 issue of Catechist Magazine.   This is a great summary which I pass along to you ..”A person with authority is a person who serves others.  Jesus is the Son of God.  He showed his love for this man by driving out the “unclean spirit”. It’s not about power over others.  It’s about love for others.”

So I leave you with these questions for the week:

Can you think of some people in authority who selected themselves?

Certain Television evangelists come to my mind…

Who are people who were chosen ? (their purpose is to serve)Police, fire, social service workers

Have you been chosen, but have been blind to the call??

Have a blessed Week!

MFM

One Blog at a Time!

I'm pretty excited!!  Today my first blog post was published by my local online newspaper.  Next stop....The Huffington Post....(Girls got to have goals!!) 

Back to the fun treadmill posts tomorrow!!  

Have a passion filled day!!

MFM

Follow Your Passions

Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:00 am

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The Circle of Life

Every time I hear that phrase, I am taken to a wonderful Disney movie with an awesome song and a powerful message.  Life does tend to come full circle, whether it be the arts, political ideas, food fads, diet fads, movies, fashion trends, and of course life and death (the ultimate full circle). I think each of us has many “full circle” moments in their lifetime.   Mine is happening right now as I write this blog for Rochester Patch.

I moved to Rochester in the year 1969.  My parents wanted to move out to the country from Madison Heights.  When we moved here, the only pizza place around was The Alibi on Rochester Road in Troy.  Our home was built from a custom plan, and we backed up to a huge field with lots of manmade trails.  I was in the first kindergarten class to attend University Hills Elementary School from day one.  My parents loved Rochester and wanted to raise their family here.

I enjoyed writing as a student.  As a senior at Rochester High School back in the 80’s, I had the opportunity to write for our hometown publication The Rochester Eccentric.  It was a great opportunity, and I was able to get some real hands-on experience in the world of journalism.  I had a passion for writing back in high school, but I really let that passion die off as I ventured on to college.  Sometimes, as the saying goes, “real life steps in” and we get bogged down by the day-to-day grind of basically surviving. I still wrote a little … journals here and there, papers for various jobs that I held, but I think I was focused on sort of finding myself and who I wanted to be.

I Have Come Full Circle

Fast forward to 2012. 

I am now a parent, raising my three boys in Rochester and still eating pizza from the Alibi in Troy.  However, many other things have changed. Our home is not a custom home, we chose between four models.  Gone are the fields of my youth, to be replaced by homes and businesses. Yes, "They paved Paradise and put up a parking lot.”  But the parking lot is adjacent to some wonderful businesses, restaurants, bike trails, soccer fields, baseball fields, hockey rinks etc... which were not here back in the 60’s.  My hometown Eccentric newspaper is gone, but Rochester Patch has taken its place with some of the best up-to-date news stories ever.  Where else can you hear about a local car accident within minutes? Or be able to respond so quickly to articles read.

Best of all, I have found my writing passion again in a personal blog as well as through Rochester Patch.

My writings will be focused on the Mind, Body and Spirit as I come into that period in life known as middle age (yikes!)  Whether it is a book that inspires me, a great workout, or just my thoughts on life’s mysteries, I hope you will enjoy reading!

I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to write once again for my hometown publication.  I have come full circle.

"Hips Don't Lie"

And the Treadmill doesn't lie either!!!!

I have made it to the elusive 10 minute mile club!  Pretty good for someone who started seriously running right before Thanksgiving.  

Now on to the next goal.  What should it be...Speed or Distance??  I need some advice from the elite runners out there.




Have a great Day!!

MFM

Weird Science!

Fit in the Mind......

Yes, it is that time of year again....When moms and dads all over the nation get that flier in the backpack labeled "225th Annual Science Fair!"

For those of you living a child free lifestyle, let me paint you the scenario.....

Kids come home with flier advertising the Science Fair........

Kids: "Can we make a volcano this year?"

Me:"No"

Kids:"Why Not??...Joey, Julie and Kyle made one last year and it was the coolest!!  They ate some of it too!"

Me:"Do you kids think that Joey, Julie and Kyle were the ones that actually made the volcano??"

Me: (answering my own question..) "No. Joey's dad is an engineer." Enough said

Kids: Well I guess we can document the life of a seed then.......Said in the gloomiest tone of voice ever!!

Dad: (Who has just come in from work.) "Hey, they sell dry ice by my work. I'll pick some up and you kids can do some cool experiments with that.

Kids: Yay!! You are the best dad!!!

Now in all fairness, G and I take turns being the super cool parent.  He received the label this time. I have received the label many times before.  It is a good form of parenting!

It was a fun weekend of using our Minds and creating some great science experiments.  Oh, and I will let you know how many volcanoes are at the fair!!

Have a great day!!

MFM

Have you ever made a Volcano?

No

Any super cool Science Fair projects that you have seen??

Some kids last year did how pop (Soda) rots your teeth. They had real teeth that they let soak in the pop. Their dad is a dentist!!

Spiritual Sunday - Opportunities and Choices!

Getting fit with our Spirits today!!

3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time:

Readings:

Jon 3 1-5, 10

1 Cor 7:29-31

Gospel Mk 1:14-20

Today’s Theme: Opportunities and Choices

God Places Opportunities before us every day. We must try and make the right choices.

The first reading is one in which most people have heard.  God called Jonah to go to a foreign land (Nineveh) to preach repentance to people he didn’t know or care about.  Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh, so he went in the opposite direction, and ended up being tossed overboard in the sea into the belly of a whale.  He stayed there 3 days and then was spit up on the shores of….you guessed it, Nineveh.

In the second reading from Corinthians we hear St. Paul say that time is short, you must recognize God’s call when it happens.

In the Gospel according to Mark, we have the well known story of Peter and Andrew leaving everything they have to follow Jesus.  This was a start to Christianity.

In all three stories, we see God giving opportunities.  It is up to us to make the right choice.  That being said, as in the story of Jonah sometimes God makes the choices for us!! The choice wasn’t so easy for Peter and Andrew.  They had to leave their entire life in order to follow Jesus.  Now that takes a lot of faith and courage to make that choice.  I am not sure at this time in my life that I could just drop everything to follow Jesus.

So I leave you today with these thoughts…

Try and recognize God’s call in your day to day activities.

Ask yourself, “Am I making the right choice??  Am I seizing the opportunity that God has placed before me?”

If something happens to you that really is not your choice, trust that it is God making the right choice for you.

Blessings,

MFM

Juicing Update

Fit in the Body....

Two weeks ago I wrote this post.  And since I am a woman of my word, I am checking back in with an update on my "Juicing".

To be honest, I didn't replace every lunch with a juice.  Sometimes it wasn't convenient and sometimes I just needed some crunch to my lunch.  But I would have to say that I had a juice about 4 days out of the week.

My energy level in the afternoon was good.  I didn't feel light headed, and a couple days I did a run and felt fine.  I also didn't get that afternoon sluggish feeling.

Well, I am happy to report that I have lost 1.5 pounds in two weeks.  I think that is a very healthy weight loss.  Now the question remains....Is is because of the Juicing?? Or....

1. The increase in my running (4 miles as of late, 10 minute miles)
2. The increase of healthy eating in general (Have really cut out carbs and am eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies for dinner.
3. All the blogging I have been doing lately!!!  Keeping my fingers moving across the keyboards is quite a workout!!

All in all I like the idea of getting a ton of vegetables and fruits in a drink.  It also tastes really good.  The only downside is the color.  Sometimes the thought of drinking something that green can be a real put off.

Have a Juice Today!!

MFM

Do you Juice?

What is your favorite blend of fruits and veggies?

Spinach,strawberries, banana, milk, ice and a tbs of flax seed.

Treetops Resort Review

Fit in the Body...

Over the holiday break, we  loaded up the van and went North on I75 to Gaylord, Michigan.  We were in the hunt for some snow.   Fortunately the snow guns had been turned on for a few days, and as we pulled into Treetops Resort, we were greeted with some white stuff.  Not the best conditions, but skiable just the same.  Happy, Happy boys and parents!!

Headed up the Highway

We stayed for two nights at Treetops Resort.  Treetops is an older ski resort , but it serves a purpose.  It is a short drive from the Detroit area, right off of the highway, and the perfect small venue. 

Map of Treetops

Getting that wedge form down!!

Unfortunately over New Years weekend , there were only two lifts that were open.  This made for some very long lines.  This really wasn’t Treetop’s fault, and they did their best in moving the skiers through the lines.  Like I said, it is hard to give a fair review to a ski resort when there is no snow.

The Hills of Michigan

We skied Friday afternoon, then went to check into our hotel room at 4pm.  I was very nervous because there seemed to be a lot of angry patrons hovering around the check in.  From what I overheard, some patrons checked in prior to skiing, being told that at 4pm they could just stop by and pick up their room key.  Unfortunately this was not the case and some rooms still were not ready……

I had to wait about 10 minutes in line.  When it was my turn, the check in process went smoothly.  No problems at all.  Phew!!!  I exited out the front door and told my husband that our room was in the building at the top of the hill (The Lodge). He was glad because parking at The Inn where we checked in was crazy.

We made it to our room, and at first look, I loved it.  It had a huge wooden kitchen table, mini fridge, sink, microwave, coffee maker and some coffee mugs.  We also had a couch area which was right in front of the two queen beds.  The television was microscopic, but we made do. The only issue we had was that the lock on the door worked about 40% of the time.  We had a maintenance man come and try to fix it, but we always wondered if we were going to be able to get back in every time we left the room.  That was really our main gripe.  The room was just very tired.

We ate dinner at  Spicy Bob’s spaghetti and pizza place in Gaylord.  The boys loved Spicy Bob’s and I would recommend it for families.  Lot’s of good food at reasonable prices.

The next morning we did some tubing.  Treetops has a great tubing area, and they only allow 24 tubers per one hour session.  It is an extra charge to tube (15.00 per person), but the boys loved this more than the skiing.  Even G and I participated.  It was a ton of fun!!

Tubing was a blast!!!

Helmet on...Safety First!!

Tying three tubes together got you going fast!!

In the afternoon we did some more skiing and then got carry out from…..Spicy Bob’s!!!  Hey don’t mess with a good thing especially when you are on vacation!!

The boys had a ball!!

Since it was New Years Eve, Treetops had an awesome fireworks show on the hill.  G took two of the boys out to watch, because third child had fallen into a deep Spicy Bob’s, tubing, skiing sleep.  What a great way to end the weekend!!!

I would definitely recommend Treetops Resort for a two day getaway.  Just know that it is an older resort with tired rooms.  The kids had a great time, and in my book that is all that counts!!!

Do you downhill ski?

I have been skiing since I was age 3!

What are your favorite winter time fitness activities?

Skiing, sledding, ice skating

Get Outdoors today!!

MFM

Detroit Auto Show 2012 Review

Jumping for joy at the Camaro exhibit!!

Fit in the Mind..

Yesterday we loaded up the family van and cruised down I75 into the city for the North American International Auto Show (or as we call it the Detroit Auto Show).

This is an annual activity that stems as far back as when the hubby and I were dating as well as when I was growing up.  Coming from an automotive family, it has always been a highlight to attend the show.

We have a routine that we follow when attending the show.  Our number one goal is to arrive right when the doors open at 9am.  To do this, you have to factor in drive time and parking time.  Usually we park in the Cobo Hall parking deck, but this year it was closed for renovations??  That didn’t throw us because there is a lot right around the corner that did the trick.  It was 20.00 to park, but we just add that as a cost of going to the show. The lot is close enough that we leave our coats in the van, and just jog over to Cobo.  Saves us the hassle of checking our coats or carrying them around the show.

This year, the show was all about the cars.  In previous years when there was more cash in the coffers, the show was very over the top with water falls, and acrobats, and live bands.  The Detroit Dealers Association has definitely brought the focus back to the cars with very little extra bling.  I liked the slimmed down version of the show. 

Chrysler concept vehicle. The doors slide like on a minivan.

Lovin the Little Fiat!!

Neat display of the Mini

Then we made our way through the show, stopping and checking out all the various displays. The boys love being able to climb in the cars and check them out.

By 11am, we are done!!  Yes, we whip through the show in 2 hours.  The crowds by now are unbelievable, and we are so happy to be leaving, having actually been able to enjoy the show and see and touch all the cars.

Stopped at Coney Island for lunch on the way home, and finished our Sunday relaxing with some football and Golden Globes watching!!


Have a great Monday!
MFM

Have you ever been to an Auto Show??

I'd like to check out the Chicago Auto Show or New York.

Do you have a favorite car??

I love the Jeep vehicles.

Spiritual Sunday - Who Do You Follow?

Fit in the Spirit...

2^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

I’d like to talk a little today about today’s readings in the Catholic Church.  Since my blog entails both the Mind, Body and Spirit, I thought that on Sunday’s I would like to take the opportunity to discuss the readings of the day.  Hence the start of SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS!!!! (cue the voice echo machine!!!).

Readings:

1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19

1 Cor. 6:13c-15a, 17-20

Jn 1:35-42

Today’s readings come from the Book of Samuel, Corinthians and the Book of John.  In the first reading, we hear about the Lord trying to get Samuel’s attention.  The Lord called out to Samuel three times before Samuel asked his friend Eli what was going on.  Finally we get my favorite quote from this reading: "Speak Lord for your servant is Listening”.  We need to listen to the Lord and follow what is said.

In the second reading, the main point being made is to use your body for the Lord.  My favorite quote from this reading is: “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own.”  We have all heard the adage, Your body is a temple – treat it that way!! We need to eat right, exercise, and don’t use your body for immoral acts.

In the Gospel we read: “Behold, the Lamb of God”.  This is when John the Baptist tells a couple disciples that this truly is Jesus the lamb that will be sacrificed for us.   The disciples then go and follow Jesus. Jesus fixes his gaze down on Simon, the son of John and tells him that he will now be called Peter.  From this Gospel, we need to think about who do we fix our gaze on??  Who do we follow??

A few questions to ask yourself for the week: Who should we be serving and why?

We each have a calling.  Are you fulfilling that calling??

Are we serving ourselves or God?

Have a Blessed Week,

MFM

WHAT FRIGHTENS YOU????

Fit in the Mind..

Happy Friday the 13th!

In honor....What Frightens me in an acrostic point of view.....

Friends who really don't have your back. (are they truly friends then??)
Really ripe fruit in the bottom of my fruit drawers
Incompetent people
Going to the dentist (I have really, really sensitive teeth - I have to be totally numb for a cleaning!
Hearing politicians speak
Teaching Religious education when I am not prepared
Eating way too much (It is frightening how many cookies I can chow down on if given the opportunity.)
Not knowing it all!
Ice storms while driving
Not feeling safe and secure  (Usually felt on a plane, running solo, in traffic)
Giving my kids more and more freedom

This picture of me is truly frightening - Yikes!!!

Break a leg!!

MFM

Operation Hardcore Fit

Fit in the Body...

Good Morning!!! Happy Thursday.

Yesterday I signed up for Operation Hardcore Fit on Megan's blog.  Still don't really know what that entails, but I like Megan's writing style and she is a Michigan based blog which I can relate to!!!

I do know that she wants everyone who signs up to set some goals.  So I am going to restate my running goals for the year:

1. Run a 5k
2. Run a 10k
3. Run a 1/2 marathon

The loftiest of the three is definitely the 1/2 marathon.  The race I have chosen is a local race and it isn't until October, so I have some time to prepare.

Workout today: Rest day for running, but there is plenty of laundry, cleaning, dusting etc.. to do around the MFM household.

It looks like winter may finally be coming to Michigan........

Have a great day!!

MFM

If you have arrived at my blog via Operation Hardcore Fit, thanks for looking!!! As you can see I am new to the blogging world and running world, and the blog is a work in progress.  Just something fun to do in my spare time.  

Bowling and dancing!!!

Fit in the Body.....

Over winter break, I found my inner "Lebowski" and went bowling with my guys.  I am not...(i repeat!!) Not a bowler.  However, it is a good stretching workout if you use proper form (of which I do not..).  One of my fondest childhood memories is family bowling, so I wanted to pass on the memories to my kids.  It was a ton of fun, and once the lights dimmed, and the Katy Perry started, well... I got my dance on!!!

Yes, I can lift the ball!!

Eyeing my target!!

Nice........

I am a better dancer than bowler!!

So, when you are feeling the need to create some memories...Why not Bowl????

Enjoy the day!!

MFM

January in Michigan?????

Fit in the Body.....

Workout: Ran OUTSIDE for 4 miles.

All we are hearing on the news lately is the lack of cold weather and snow here in Michigan. I really feel for our snow related businesses which are really floundering right now. I am also a skier, so a huge part of me is praying for some snow.

On the flip side.. Now that I consider myself somewhat of a runner??? I sure am enjoying getting out of my basement into the bright sunshine and running around town. I tend to run farther when I am outside. Maybe because I really don't know how far I have gone without stopping to check my phone with my runkeeper stats.

I have also been cooking up some recipes from Eatingwell.com. Here are a couple which have been hits with G and the boys.....

Taco Salad

Ingredients:

Onion

3 cloves garlic

Turkey meat

1 can black beans

1 can diced tomatoes

2 tsp. cumin

2 tsp. chili powder

Salsa

Lowfat sour cream

Directions: Heat some oil in a pan and brown the onion and garlic. Then add the turkey meat and cook until it is almost done. Then add in the can of beans, tomatoes, cumin and chili powder.

Mix together the salsa and sour cream. Add 1/2 mixture to turkey mixture. Save the other half for a topper to your salad.

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Directions: Saute onion, carrot, and garlic. Then add in 1 box (32 oz. ) of vegetable broth. Also add in 3 zucchini diced as well as 4 tomatoes. Then add in one package of tortellini.

These are basic instructions off the top of my head. Go to eatingwell.com for specific instructions!!!

Enjoy the day!

MFM

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. Reboot your Life!!

Fit in the Body...

Over Christmas I received the Kindle Fire. One of the advantages of the Fire is free downloading of select movies from Amazon. One of the movies I happened upon was Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. I love documentaries, especially when it pertains to people who have overcome obstacles in their life.

The story centers around Australian Joe Cross, who decides he needs to change his fast food ways! He goes on a juice fast for 60 days and drops an enormous amount of weight. He also meets a truck driver named Phil, who he mentors and teaches how to "juice". It really is a riveting story.

I decided to replace my lunch with a juice meal for the next couple weeks.

This recipe is:

1-2 cups spinach

1tbs flaxseed

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup strawberries

1 cup milk

Ice

I really like the taste of this blend. I seem to have a lot of energy in the afternoon!! I will note my progress in the areas of weight loss and running with this meal replacement within the next couple weeks.

MFM

I did not die from Licking the Envelopes!!!

Body, Mind and Spirit

WOW!

It has been a couple weeks since I posted. With the kids off of school for 2 weeks, and Christmas and New Years, the blogging had to come to a halt. You just cannot get back precious time with your kids. Sometimes the precious time can be a bit daunting... IE... boredom sets in, fights ensue, and inevitably everyone is crying including me!!! But in the big picture, there were some awesome memories made!!!

WORKOUTS: UP TO 4 MILES NOW. I have been steadily running outside and on the treadmill. I am not sure if our Michigan weather is proof that global warming is indeed upon us, but for runners, it has been nice not to slip and slide. I have been inside on the treadmill more than not because I just can't get used to the cold. I am a skier, so I don't know what my problem is, but for now I am enjoying some morning talk shows and catching up on celebrity gossip. I also like knowing my pace. I did not receive or purchase a Garmin watch for Christmas, s

o when I am outside I am relying on my cell phone GPS, which doesn't give me my pace.

I did receive some fine outdoor running gear from Santa:

I love my Nike Hat!!

So Happy 2012. Some goals I would like to achieve this year are:

For my mind:

Read The Hunger games trilogy.

Learn more about how to have an awesome blog!!

Find that elusive job that I know is out there just waiting for me!!

For my body:

Run a 5k, 10k and a 1/2 marathon.

For my spirit:

Finish out my catechist classes

Really be prepared for my once a month religious education classes. Really listen to the kids!!

Pray every day.

For my family:

Show my love for all my boys each and every day!!

Have a great day!

MFM