Sunday, March 27, 2011

Mamavation Monday... Eye of the Tiger


Dum... dum, dum, dum... (enter my current theme song)
Risin' up, straight to the top...

Oh, yes. I felt a little Rocky-esque this week. Obstacles? Yes, I had 'em!

My son got sick and we fought a 101 to 104 degree temperature for 4 days. Then he stopped eating... and for a guy just hanging onto the bottom line of the growth chart, that is a big deal. Add his stomach emptying issues and problems with throwing up... well, it was a challenge to get in my time and focus on eating. But I wasn't about to be kept down..

Had the guts, got the glory...

I  met this week head on! I walked 6/7 days for 3.5 miles or more each day regardless of the weather. I worked on the #100pushups and #300lunges challenges. @Fitmomtraining owned me during hazing circuits, and I even snuck in some DVDs for abs and general strength.

Went the distance now I'm not gonna stop

This marked the last week of "hazing" as a Mamavation Campaign 8 applicant. Regardless of the outcome, (since I have been here before) I know this is the time to really take off with my fitness and whole foods. I hope to be a finalist and start working on getting votes, but either way the MILI challenge will begin and Leah is offering another great carrot to complete the 7 weeks -as if a great body isn't enough? Right?

Well, I am proud of myself for reapplying for Mamavation. It isn't easy to ask friends and strangers even for help and support to make a life change. Shoot, it is tough to just admit that I am overweight and unhealthy. It is usually just the elephant in the room. I am moved by the support from my great Mamavation Sistas. You ladies are great! You have no idea how much this all means to me.

Just a (wo)man and (her) will to survive...

I have a deep desire to survive... I want to live and succeed at being a good role model and a healthy woman. Huffing and puffing, wheezing or sitting out for a break are not ways to survive. I am going to do better than that. I am going to kick this weight to the curb and really live.

Do you remember the Office episode where Michael Scott had his theme song? Well, in Michael fashion... I have chosen my theme song, Journey's Eye of the Tiger. Yes, it is a tough oldie... but goodie.So feel free to get that one stuck in your brain today. I bet it will lend you some extra Rocky-esque strength to tackle your running, resistance training or those planks we all love so much!

My goal is to not give up, keep fighting and go till I succeed in my desire to get fit. I hope you will all be joining me on this quest... either with support, tweet accountability, or...if it comes to it, votes. I hope Mamavation Mom is in the cards for me after these past months. I am definitely hungry for it!  Best of luck to all the applicants. I hope we all reach our goals soon.

***UPDATE*** I AM a Finalist!!! So excited and nervous about getting the votes needed. Please tweet if you can and ask your friends/family to help vote also. Just click on and vote notimeMom, hit enter and you are done. SUPER EASY!

As for my weight this week? I will be adding my scale photo and weight loss Monday morning. I don't think there was much change this week.

This Week's Recipe Share - Black Cherry Tea


you will need:
2 1/2 quarts water
1 lb. black cherries, pitted, or 2- 10-oz bags frozen pitted black cherries, thawed
1/2 c. sugar (frozen cherries might require more)
1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
3 whole star anise
1/2 vanilla bean, split & scraped
16 green-tea bags
Mint sprigs, for serving  (opt.)


Bring the water to boil in a large saucepan. Then simmer the cherries, sugar, lemon juice, star anise & vanilla bean (both seeds & pod) for 15 minutes. Smash the cherries against the side as they simmer. Take off the heat and let it sit for 1 hour.
Then put through a sieve, smashing all liquids out of the cherries. Bring the cherry juice back to boil and then turn off the heat. Let your green tea bags steep for 5 minutes. Remove the bags and chill your tea. 

Serve it over ice with a sprig of mint. Enjoy! *If you are concerned about the cost, use U-pick or slighly bruised fruit (on discount), you can omit the vanilla bean or put in just a touch of real vanilla extract. Look for star anise in Asian markets or in the Latino section at the grocery store for less than big label bottles.

MAMAVATION TV: Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV

SISTA of the WEEK: A big well-deserved congrats to Stephanie (@fitmomtraining) for being recognized for her help, motivation and putting all of the applicants through hazing circuits. I think she is even more creative this campaign. I look forward to keeping those up in the next few weeks. I appreciate the push and am happy to be hazed any ole' time. 

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Earth Footwear.   One blogging carnival participant will receive a pair of Earth Footwear.  To be eligible answer the following blogging carnival question in your weekly Mamavation blog post and mention Earth Footwear with a link back to their site.  Link up your post here.

Where will your feet take you this year? Any plans for a big hike, race, or just a lot of walking?
I just ordered a sunshade for our double Phil & Ted Stroller and hope to really get out and pound the pavement this Spring & Summer. Right now I am doing a 3.5 mile loop in front of our house, but hope to do some longer walks to the park and produce market soon. I am still looking for a good 5K (local is best) to sign up for and as soon as our trails here in Oregon dry out a bit, there will be lots of hiking and camping in my future. Really Spring and Summer are exciting times for me and the family to get out and get active.
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11 comments:

  1. That tea looks absolutely delicious... but isn't it pricey??? Especially if it tastes as good as it sounds, I'd drink the whole container in 2 days...

    ~Erin
    http://dreamingwithmidnite.com
    TwitterID: Midnite592

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  2. We have a cherry orchard next to the house, so not bad. Get the cherries in season to lower the cost. Or find a sale on slightly bruised or blemished cherries... who cares in a drink. Right?

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  3. Well now that you've got the song so stuck in my head, I will return the favor in the future just to warn ya lol I am very proud of you for reapplying We will whip this battle of weight together 5lbs at a time, I will have to try the tea recipe soon sound delish :)

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  4. Theme songs are great. I let Marvin Gaye's Gotta Give It Up Pt. II roll through my head when I need that extra punch in my step. Good luck Andrea. I am pulling for you. I would love a #realfood advocate in this campaign. Good luck. I think I will try this tea with some bruised seconds for a potluck or other affair I would normally take a punch or decorative beverage to.

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  5. Wow, sounds like you had a rough week! But it sounds like you did a really great job walking this week. Goodluck to you in the Mamavation Mom campaign, can't wait to hear the finalists! Thanks for sharing the tea recipe, it sounds yummy! :)

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  6. First off, thank you for getting the song stuck in my head. I greatly appreciate it, haha.
    You have a bijillion reasons to be proud of yourself, so many of which are shown right here in the this post. Despite the kiddo being sick, you kicked this week's butt clear across the street.
    You rock, and I hope you always keep that mindset.
    Good luck with the campaign, hun.

    http://neverwithoutgrace.tumblr.com/

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  7. Dood, Journey is awesome!
    Congratulations on being a finalist! You are going to OWN this!
    Have an awesome week and I hope your little one starts to feel better soon!

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  8. you have had such an amazing jounry so far I know you can do this!

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  9. I am so proud of you. You had a rough as heck week and you still pulled through it. I'm so proud of you..oh wait, I said that already, but I am! You kicked some serious butt.

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  10. Congratulations on becoming a finalist! Can't wait to see the results of the voting, good luck to you! You're drive is so motivating! You had a heck of a week, and you're still fighting and keepin' on! Have a great week!

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  11. have an awesome week great job on the walking

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