Winter Running

So the winter has been a little bit of a challenge to get out and run.  Our group normally runs at 5:00 am.  However, during the winter season, 5 am is dangerously cold and terribly slick.  So, we have decided to get out in the evenings around 7-7:30 and then on the weekends as they fit in.  It is so nice to see the girls and get great runs in as well!  Even if we only get a couple a week.  We have had some pretty cold, but fun runs so far.  Moon and I headed out a few weekends ago and we had an amazing snow fall during.  It was so much fun (other than the snow sticking to your eyelashes making it a little difficult to see)!  Here are a couple of photos from that run!

With the winter cold, snow and windy conditions, we have had to rely on our treadmills a little more.  I DREAD the treadmill.  I never thought I would love running with others, but now I have a hard time going alone.  The treadmill solidifies that for me.  I get on and I just stare at the time/mileage saying to myself, "It has only been 5 mins" or "I haven't even gone a mile yet?"  I keep upping my speed in order to just get done.  I have had some of my best times for runs on the treadmill, but the quality is less than mediocre.  I don't feel good about them and I try to avoid it at all costs!

In keeping the spirit of the New Year and my positive outlook, I am going to try to embrace the treadmill. I decided that I have to change the way I use it in the winter. I am going to use it to my advantage and in a way that I don't have to be tied to it for longer than 30-40 mins. I am really trying hard to increase my speed and stamina. So, I am going to work on speed drills on my treadmill. I don't have to be tied to the monotony of staring at the wall in what seems like an eternity! According to Livestrong.com high-speed training helps you improve your ability to produce oxygen to support your workouts. The higher this ability--known as your VO2 max--the longer you can sustain intense running levels. Improved VO2 max benefits long-distance runners who seek to improve times in 10K races or longer. The Journal of Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism published a study in 2006 showing that runners who performed intervals involving periods at or near their maximum VO2 max improved their running times after doing just two speed-training workouts per week for four weeks.  There are lots of great websites out there for speed work on the treadmill. Just Google treadmill speed workouts or interval workouts for the treadmill!!

Another tip that will help us (beings that we are finally get some snow and ice this winter!) is "screwing."  I know that sounds crazy, but fellow MN runners swear by it and say they work so well.

You use small Hex head Sheet Metal Screws.... like 1/2 "

You can see the placement of them on my shoes in the photo below.  I removed them at the end of winter,

and they were fine...no  holes or anything. I had a larger amount on mine.  My husband used fewer....just preference. Just don't walk on hardwood floors with them....they leave indentations!  Yikes!

They really work well on snow and ice.....even on the tar getting to the snowy/ icy areas, it's fine, you just hear some clicking, but they don't throw you off balance or anything. 

To all our fellow runners and non-runners, get out there and enjoy the weather!  You will be glad you did! 


Cheers!


moon & lulus

The Twister Birthday Party

I can't believe that my  baby is 5!  I remember the day he was born like it was yesterday!  I am so proud of the little gentleman that he has become in his 5 years.  He brings smiles and warmth to my heart every day.  He is so kind, sweet, and a gentle soul.

When I asked what he wanted to do for his birthday party this year, he immediately said Twister.  That was not what I was expecting, but could totally roll with it!  I was expecting the standard sledding party that we have done for the last four years.  He then amended and said a Twister/sledding party!  Little did we know that the first time in his five years on this planet, we had NO SNOW.  So no sledding party, just Twister!

I couldn't find any invitations to go with the theme, so I found these foam circles at Jo-Ann Fabric and improvised and made my own.

I then was trying to decide what party favors to give.  I made homemade play dough in blue, red, yellow and green balls and gave those as favors.

Will wanted almond cake/cupcakes. I took one of my almond Christmas cookie recipe and modified it to make cupcakes/cake.  I didn't am going to decline giving that recipe for now. Maybe sometime in the future!

For games we played the Twister game.  Then we played musical Twister.  Each child had a foam circle.  We then took the birthday boy's away and had all of the kids put their circle on the floor.  We then had them dance around the room to some silly children's music and when the music stopped, they had to get to a foam circle!  The one that didn't get to a circle was out!  The kids had a blast and we played three rounds!  We then came upstairs and played Roll-a-Rainbow game.  You can find the printable here.

We sang happy birthday, had some snacks and opened presents.

What a fun time!  I hope you got some Twister party ideas.  There aren't many out there, so I hope this was helpful!

Cheers!

moon & lulus

Ways of "trimming the fat"

Speaking of trimming the fat, I did a lot of cleaning and tossing this past week and it feels so good!  It is so refreshing to be a bit more organized and have less clutter.  My husband Chris and I have donated a large amount of stuff again to a local charity.  Friendship Ventures, Vietnam Veterans of America, Courage Center, Leukemia, etc. are a few of the groups that we have worked with in the past. Most of them make it so easy and pick up right at your doorstep!

It is so convenient for us busy moms that don't have time for garage sales.  You don't get cash like you would get from a garage sale, but think of all of the time you put into the sale. Instead, you get to give to people that can use the goods to sell and put towards their charity. You also get a tax  receipt so you can write off a fair trade cash amount.  This amount is something you come up with, which has to be fair or equal to what you would get at a garage sale.  What a huge time saver and for a great cause.  Every Christmas, as new toys come in, my children are required to get rid of one toy too.  It will help save you space, and we all have them, the toys they play with for a day and then don't touch for a year.  Get rid of them...your children will love giving their toys to charity.  Great teaching experience for children too! 

 

I was also excited to be able to get rid of more chemicals at home, it has been a long time since I have needed or wanted to use some of the regular cleaning products, but thought I should hang onto them because they were expensive and I should use them. With the Norwex products I am able to be free of harsh chemicals and just think of all of the space I am saving. Wow!  Next on my to do list is cleaning out my make-up/skin care product grave yard ( a term that I love).  It is truly a grave yard of old and new skin care products, that I don't need, have tried and didn't like. 

 

Happy New Year Everyone!  Start anew, trim some fat, donate to a charity of your choice, it will all feel good! Chanda

Check out our space saving and time saving products on our website http://chandatanka.norwex.biz

Cheers!

moom & lulus

Welcome 2012!

We would like to say welcome to the New Year!  This is a year of simplifying our lives, slowing down and really enjoying every moment!  There are many websites our there to help you accomplish these goals.  We would like you to visit http://chandatanaka.norwex.biz/ to help you save time cleaning so you have more time to focus on more important things. Norwex makes cleaning easy with just water and a cloth! Our customers are able to reduce their cleaning time by up to 75%, save up to 90% on cleaning costs, and have a chemical free home!  

The New Year is a time to set goals and make changes.  What are your goals?  One of ours is to devote more time to our blog and keep you updated on our goal setting and reaching.  We hope to bring you meaningful insights, great time saving tips, some comic relief, and some great guest blog posts!  

Cheers!

moon & lulus