Can't Beat the Beets

Am I the only person on earth that loves un-pickled beets...on my salad? Or did chemo permanently screw up my taste buds? When Kalee becomes a Mom I'll explain exactly how her pancakes got so pinkish in color. Until then....shhhhh! I think Max is finally picking up on it too. At least he no longer looks at me funny when I pull out frozen food cubes or the jar of wheat germ. ;)

Cardio Anonymous??

Is there a such thing as cardio anonymous? Or better yet, Zumbanonymous? Not that I want intervention right now, or ever...but I do realize I get grumpy if I don't get my fix. The other day I was getting ready to jump in the shower after my workout and got to talking with a little old lady in the locker room. We got into conversation about my hair, scars, and cancer. She too is a survivor (by surgery) and told me I was glowing. I nicely told her it was sweat. For her, working out is a chore. For me,...I'm grateful I'm at a point I can workout again! I remember being curled up on my left side in misery on my bad after chemo days. I also remember how bad it hurt my chest and the pressure of blood pumping in my neck when I would bend over to take clothes out of the washing machine, or sit on the toilet. I remember those feelings like any mother remembers the day her child was born. In my mind, it was just yesterday...even if it has been 3 months since my last treatment. I'm so blessed to be on this end of it! I appreciate the ability to move my body...and darn it, I WANT TO TAKE CARE OF IT and keep up with my kiddos! Today the kids got a tiny taste of Zumba themselves. Kalee picked up on it rather quick, Bear was just interested in moving and having fun...which is what it's all about! I'd love to see our Y offer Zumbatomic (for kids)......

Instead of Zumbanonymous I want to get Zumbafied and embrace it as a part of my "new" normal! Once again, I'm addicted!

Blue Jeep

While out and about today Kalee saw a lady get into a Hummer (H2) and blurted, loud enough for her to hear, "Look at that blue Jeep Dad!". Couldn't help it. I chuckled under my breath. Then I thought about how people are materialistic....in one way or another.

Most people will agree that priorities change when you become a parent. Before kids I'd like a pair of Uggs...but now that I'm a Mom I'd like to own a pair of WUggs (Wal-Mart wanna be-Uggs). Or have a jewelry box full of ear-rings so I look like a lady with short hair instead of....well, we won't go there. I'd love to own all the cool electronic toys, like an Ipod....shop QVC daily, or flaunt a name brand wardrobe.

But then I think...and I think...

None of those worldly possessions are going to heaven with me.

And I think some more...

...just to realize that I'm so glad! I'd rather invest in spreading the word of God, educating my children to do the same, and make memories with my family.

:)

I'm just saying....

I officially have had 3 Mii's in one year. It keeps changing. My first one had hair. The second one was bald, and my current one has spiked hair. Somehow the spikes help me bowl a good game. :)

Today I was told I can pull off a funky foe-hawk. Someone else said I should go for a stripe of blue.

Max thinks my body freaked out and my neck is now making up for all the hair it didn't grow last year. Well, either that or growing an on board scarf because of this frigid weather.

I'm feeling GREAT! Since going Vegetarian full time (Vegan part time...if there is a such thing) I am more aware of what is going in my body....like how sensitive I am to milk...or what sugar does to me. It's amazing! I'm getting my foot back into Zumba too! Yeah, it's kinda strange because I find myself comparing things to my first Zumba instructor in Japan. Or remembering her choreography to a song. Her husband totally rocked too...he did low impact and she was movin' it! I just keep remembering what she taught me it's all about....breaking a darn good sweat while HAVING FUN!!!

A couple days ago I had a bright idea. I Zumba'd my butt off and then followed up with Ab's and More. That idea hurt! But it was a good hurt!!!!!

I'm getting back into my cardio junkie self...minus the animal. :P

A Laundress' Perfume

I love the smell of clean laundry. In fact I love it so much that I found a way to get the whole house to smell good. Our heat/air intake is right near our washer and dryer. Yeah, that means I'm always vacuuming lint before it gets sucked in sifted through the filter and distributed to other areas of the house. It usually smells good while doing laundry...which is nearly all the time...but for those few minutes the machines get a break, I found a way to keep it keepin' on.

It's all about a damp baby washcloth, soaked in liquid Jojoba essence fabric softener, placed between the grates and house filter. Just enough to notice yet not overpowering. :)

Yes, I though that up all by myself. Impressive. I know!

...and that concludes today's episode of Averi's cheap air freshener. :)

Stay tuned, cuz if my brain continues to work I'll post more of my crazy ideas. :)

If it has a face...I no eat!

Rumor is true. Those of you on Facebook already know...I decided to go Vegetarian again (and eventually Vegan). I am still on milk, eggs and cheese but plan on phasing those out one at a time along with processed sugar. I'm crazy huh? Cheese is going to be the hardest! I might just reduce my intake of that. :)

So why did I decide to do such a thing? No. It's not because PETA told me to. And I don't think animal eaters are "wrong" or "crazy" either. I have had several complete strangers come into my life at different times educating me on how to go into remission and STAY in remission. Most of you know how picky I was about cleaning with chemicals before cancer. I still am picky but not as strict. Now I'm focused more on what I'm putting IN my body, including processed sugar. Yeah did you see me cringe when I typed that last sentence? I have no intentions of completely removing processed sugar from my body or trying to replace it with one of those nasty artificial sweeteners, but I will choose an oatmeal raisin walnut cookie sweetened with honey over a peppermint milkshake from Chick-Fil-a. Now that's hard! I love Chick-Fil-a's ice cream!

After researching what all these people have been telling me I decided they weren't as crazy as I thought. Even if it wasn't "true" at least I could say I feel not so drained and sluggish...and I no longer depend on coffee, oatmeal or Miralax. :)

So what do you eat Averi? A lot. You'd be surprised. I never was much of a boxed/processed food eater so the transition was not very difficult. Not to mention I was pretty much vegetarian until I got pregnant with Kalee...when I craved well done steak.

I also avoid drinking water that has been treated with chlorine.

If I wasn't weird before, I am now...huh?



*NOTE: I still cook things with a face for the family. :)

Happy New Year....

here's to a healthy one!