My Favorite Breakfast :)

Greens for breakfast?!?! YEP! I have one of these green shakes every morning, so I thought I would share the recipe. It is filled with ingredients that are good for you, give you tons of energy, and YES it's delicious!

Ingredients

* 1/2 cup Coconut Water

* 1 Ripe Organic Banana

* 2 tsp. Sun is Shining

http://www.sunfood.com/food/green-superfoods/sun-is-shining-green-superfood-10oz- raw-organic-wildcrafted-ingredients.html

* 1/2 scoop Lifetime Life's Basics Plant Protein Vanilla Flavor

http://lifetimevitamins.com/products/lifetime_plantprotein.html

* 1/2 tbs. Raw Almond Butter (I like the brand Woodstock)

* 1 tbs. Organic Chia Seeds

* Organic Cinnamon to taste

* Ice Cubes

In a blender, mix all of the ingredients above with water. Play with the water ratio, I like a thicker shake so I just add a little.

Enjoy :)

A Little Reminder

" Most people never get there. They're afraid or unwilling to demand enough of themselves and take the easy road, the path of least resistance. But struggling and suffering, as I now saw it, were the essence of a life worth living. If you're not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you're not constantly demanding more from yourself-expanding and learning as you go-you're choosing a numb existence. You're denying yourself an extraordinary trip."

Dean Karnazes

I received an email from one of my best friends with this quote about an hour after I finished Ironman Wisconsin back in September. At that time, it brought tears to my eyes. It was obviously a very emotional day for me, but it was more than that. I had finally done something that I had to work HARD for, the training was beyond demanding...Ironman scared the crap out of me. I had days and weeks that I struggled to keep balance in my life, I suffered through grueling workouts, I was way out of my comfort zone...but I cannot put into words how much I learned about myself throughout the process.

I kept that email with this quote and have it saved both at home and at work to refer back to when I'm having a tough time. I stumbled across it this week, and it still has the same effect on me that it did the first time I read it. If I can do an Ironman, I can do anything. If I was able to get through all of the challenges last year handed me, I'm ready to take on new goals this year.

They are a little different than last year, I'm not doing an Ironman (although I'm thinking I will in 2013), but I am racing. Muncie 70.3 and the Chicago Marathon are my 2 big races so far. I still need to plan some races around those, I just haven't gotten that figured out yet.

I've also been talking about getting my Anusara Inspired Certification for a few years, I'm doing it this year. Studying Anusara has been a life shifting experience for me, and I want to share that with as many students as I can. It's truly the way I live my life, and I cannot wait to go to all of the workshops and classes I have planned for the year!

My last big goal of this year...USAT Level 1 Coaching Certification! Scared to death of this, but this is a huge desire of mine. I have to wait and see which one I can get in to, but I'm so excited! I'm not quite sure where I want to go with this once I have it, I'll figure that out down the road.

Looks like I have another busy year ahead which is just the way I like it!

What are you doing this year that scares you????

A Fresh Start

The end of 2011 was a VERY busy time for me. In a matter of 6 weeks I moved to a new city, started working in a new location with a new job title (yay!), found a new gym to workout at, put my house up for sale...you get the point! I can't say that those 6 weeks were easy (not even close to be honest) but they were exactly what I needed. I learned a lot about myself, what I want, and where I want to be going which is something I might not have been able to say had I not decided to do this.

The beginning of 2012 has been busy, but in different ways. It started out with an amazing "vacation" to Florida. I wouldn't say this was a relaxing or traditional vacation, it was actually quite the opposite. It started with a late flight out Thursday night getting into Miami about midnight with a quick turnaround Friday morning to get started on the Miami to Key West Ragnar Event. Pretty much means I lived in a van with 5 awesome people while we took turns running from Miami to Key West (in total just under 200 miles). No sleep, showers, running anywhere from 23-42 miles each...26 hours later we were on Duval Street in Key West at the finish line! Wait...it gets better. Two of my van-mates got married on the beach after a quick shower...awesome (congrats Ty & Kim)! Something about this trip sparked something in me. Having some really amazing miles to run at all times of the day and night gave me a lot of time to think. Why have I been complicating everything? Why all of these expectations? Why can't I just enjoy what life is offering me? Why do I figure this out at 11am while I'm running mile 22 of my last leg after I haven't slept in over a day?

It's so simple, figure out what you love, who you love, I've got that down...then figure out ways to make those things and people a bigger part of your life...that's what I'm working on.

I'm SO excited about this year and the possibilities that it can bring. I have a lot of plans, ideas, thoughts, and goals for this year which will all help me spend more time being with those people and doing those things I love. As the year goes on I will keep you all updated on where I'm at and how things are going.

First things first, a full weekend of Anusara Yoga with Desiree Rumbaugh at the beginning of February. Can't wait!