Celebration!

29 years ago I became a first-time mother.
Tanner was/is the perfect firstborn child.
Always a great example for his younger brother and sister. As a parent, that was oh-so valuable. **made my job as mom so much easier**
He is a natural leader. He easily finds the good in people and situations. He is a devoted family member. **pictured in Hawaii with siblings** He is stable and steady...dependable.

He is athletic. He joined a running club when he was ten...and has been running since...including marathons. **pictured after the SLC marathon w/dad and sister** He started sky-diving when he was 15. Loves to go hiking and rock-climbing...even cliff-diving and wakeboarding.

He's one of the smartest people I know! He posesses a wide range of talents...is super entertaining...so dang fun **perfect companion for road-tripping**

He was a missionary (for our church) in Peru. He is an awesome husband and rocks at fatherhood. It's pure joy to witness! He's a college graduate **considering going back for more**
Once again, he is an Arizonan. **pictured w/Charee & newborn Chloe** I love you (and your precious little family) Tanner...Happy Birthday! You **and your siblings** have made motherhood a true pleasure!

Blame the Stars...and FIT TIP (#12)

Sometimes I read my horoscope. It's an entertainment thing.

My sister and I have a little fun with it. Every now and then she calls me out on being "such a Capricorn".

This is what I read this morning:

Put off your big appointment or date until some other time--you've got bigger things to worry about now. It's one of those days when you've got more to do than you realize, but it's all manageable.

Starts out a bit somber...becomes almost panicky...ends somewhat encouraging.

Funny thing--I did (later) end up changing my plans for tonight. No, not because of what I'd read...but because I still had lots to do for very special out-of-town guests. Arriving tomorrow!

And now...

FIT TIP (#12): THE BIG SECRET
The secret to permanent weight loss is, there is no secret.

For safe, effective, lasting weight loss, you have to move to lose.

TRY THIS: Buy a pedometer (Wal-mart, 5 bucks) and track your daily step count. Work toward a goal of ten thousand steps (5 miles worth of walking!) for weight loss.

Once Upon a Time...and FIT TIP (#11)

24 years ago... **Please, no comments on my "Lion King" hair-do(n't)**
It was evident early on, this little blue-eyed blond, was a fearless go-getter. **Thanks in part, to her two older brothers.**
Faster. Higher. Two of her first words. Words that she would (and does) repeat often.

Doing flips **like her brothers** off the diving-board and ATV-riding as a toddler...bungee-jumping, sky-diving, cliff-jumping **like her brothers** as a teenager...marathon running **like one brother** snow/water-skiing **like her brothers** as an adult. Faster. Higher. She is a goal-setter and goal-achiever. She became a wife, a college graduate, and then a mother. And somewhere along the way...amongst all the "faster" and "higher" moments...she became more than my daughter. She became my great friend (and terrific sidekick).
She is a cheerleader...still. From the sidelines, encouraging those she loves and believes in. Sometimes her support is loud **Yes, she's considered loud, just ask the Jessups** Often it's quiet...in thought and prayer. She feels passionate about many things...but few as deeply as Hawaii. **Right behind the Gospel and her family** After spending a few springbreaks/birthdays in Oahu, she set a goal to attend BYU-Hawaii. She & Cliff returned from a summer semester in paradise just in time to get married and head back to school in Utah...where eventually this little guy joined the picture.

**To see him pay tribute to his mommy on her special day, go here. Happy Birthday, Kendal!!! Have a most wonderful day, and we'll celebrate next week! I love you (and your dudes)!

I only gave birth to one daughter, but I have three. I have my sons to thank for the ones I didn't have to go through labor for :) **And when the 4 of us play Phase 10, please--don't get in the way** I simply adore Rachel (on the left) and Charee (center). They bring such goodness to our family!

Love these girls! And now...

FIT TIP (#11): BREATHE

When trying to lose weight, breathing is an often overlooked ally. Weight loss is a matter of increasing metabolism and making it more efficient. Metabolism requires oxygen. So, proper breathing can help.

Symptoms of stress also show up in your breathing. Anxiety tends to cause shallow breathing, which reduces the brain's oxygen supply and, unfortunately, exacerbates the anxiety. That's why...

Common sense tells us to take a deep breath when we're tense. Deep, slow breathing can truly create a calming, cleansing, and nourishing effect for both body and mind.

Try this: Slowly inhale 6 counts, exhale 7. Then inhale 7, exhale 8. Inhale 8, exhale 9. Inhale 9, exhale 10. S-L-O-W-L-Y. Repeat throughout the day.

Once Again, It's Love...and FIT TIP (#10)

Love of lime continues!
Need to share this scrumptious-ness now...before "soup season" in the Valley of the Sun comes to an end. **'twas more than a tad bit warm here today!
COCONUT-LIME CHICKEN SOUP

So good, I've decided that during soup off-season, I'm going to fix it anyway...a love thing.
It's quick & easy. I dare you to try it and not fall head-over-heels.

Ingredients:

~2 large chicken breasts, cooked
~1 15 oz. can unsweetened coconut milk
~2 cups water
~1/4 lime juice (1 large lime)
~3 medium carrots, thin-sliced diagonally
~1 Tbsp. soy sauce
~2 tsp. Thai seasoning blend (I used more...and added extra curry)
~1/4 tsp. salt

Optional garnishes: fresh cilantro, lime wedges, Thai seasoning blend

Shred Chicken. In large saucepan combine all ingredients. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, 8 minutes or until carrots are crisp-tender. Garnish & serve.

This makes 4 servings...I advise you to double the recipe :) It's even better the next day!

I served it with crusty bread. Next time I'm serving it with a side of rice...the way Mexican soups are served on the border. Each person can then decide to mix it in with the soup or eat separately. Either way...yumm!

FIT TIP (#10): Spring-ish Ways to Burn 100

In honor of this glorious time of year, here are some fun ways to burn 100 calories...almost without even trying!

~fly a kite for 20 minutes
~play sand volleyball for 13 minutes
~rearrange furniture for 17 minutes
~hula hoop for 22 minutes
~leisurely swim for 17 minutes
~walk up and down 33 flights of stairs
~ride 20 mph on your bike for 6 minutes
~jump rope for 8 minutes
~roller skate for 15 minutes
~drink 3 cups of green tea in a 24 hour period
~dirt devil your car floor mats for 5 minutes and then wax your ride for 20 minutes
~bowl for 34 minutes

Top O' the Morning!...and FIT TIP (#9)

So, it's not quite morning...but I wanted to say something Irish-y...and that's all I could think of.
Irish Blessing: May your blessings outnumber the shamrock that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

At a loss for words? Try kissing the Blarney Stone (Blarney Castle, Co. Cork, Ireland). Thought to give visitors exceptional powers of speech, the stone must be kissed upside down from a prone position. In an effort to ensure the safety of visiting kissers, Blarney Castle provides a worker to assist in the process. Hmmm...

The (St. Patrick's Day) pinch is a tradition that was started here in the states by school children. Wearing green is strictly a U.S. custom, as green is not a popular color in Ireland.

A few ideas to help you avoid the pinch:




I will pass on the green lipstick and green hair...but would definitely consider the bracelet.

A green, yummy fat-free alternative to ice cream...one of my fave frozen treats: lime sherbet. **I'm not a huge "fat-free" fan, but you know how I feel about lime...and this gets a thumbs up!
And now...

FIT TIP (#9): Become a Fidgeter

fidg-et to move about restlessly, nervously, or impatiently.

I know, it doesn't sound very attractive. Guess what? Fidgeters burn 350-500 more calories a day than non-fidgeters.

Guess what else? I'm going to start fidgeting. Not ready to go public yet...but, I will definitely become a private fidgeter. Would you care to join me?

TRY THIS: While blogging, talking on the phone, or watching tv: wiggle and twist. **Just like those "antsy" people who are so annoying when you are trying to relax :)

A Royal Refutal...and FIT TIP (#8)

A royal refutal may be a bit strong...how about a simple clarification?

Yes, I like that better.

I will be refuting, I mean clarifying a statement I made in a past post.

I was doubting the reality of Reality TV **imagine that!

As a "newbie" (viewer) to The Biggest Loser,

I made the comment that this one (BL) was for real.

The weight loss is real, but...

As someone who has been involved in the fitness industry for almost 20 years, I feel the need to now add:

The weight loss is real, but not realistic.

It's not realistic (or healthy/safe) to lose 1+ pounds per day.

What is realistic? A pound (or less) per week.

It's not realistic (or healthy/safe) to exercise (almost) all day (and some nights) long.

What is realistic? Trying to squeeze in a workout (between family, career, and church obligations) 3-4 times a week.

It's not realistic to live in an environment surrounded only by healthy food choices.

What is realistic? Struggling daily to make wise food decisions at home and when socializing.

It's not realistic to expect a large, rapid weight loss to be enduring.

What is realistic? For pounds lost rapidly to (usually) reappear & multiply. **when they return, they bring reinforcements!

It's not realistic to have a personal trainer **pushing your dimply rear all over the "ranch" & cursing in your face and medical staff to assist in your efforts day in and day out.

What is realistic? Having to dig deep for personal motivation.

So, while I respect (most of) the participants for their dedication and determination, and wish all of them success in their continued fitness efforts...It's not reality.

**But this is...

FIT TIP (#9): Be Creative

Add a twist to your everyday tasks...upping the fitness factor in routine activities. For example:

--Eat with chopsticks instead of a fork. Eating slower helps you consume fewer calories per meal.

--Walk backwards to burn 10 calories for every 8 you would burn walking forward. **be careful! Make sure you have a clear path. I often have clients cool down from a workout by walking backwards on a treadmill...no hidden obstacles :)

--Perform squats while unloading the dishwasher. Great for the buns and thighs.
--Do toe raises while brushing your teeth. Feel the burn in your calves.

Use your imagination and get a "little extra" out of your daily duties.

Try this: next time you're at the grocery store, head for the Oriental food section and pick up a package of inexpensive (less than $2 for 10 sets of) chopsticks.

AND, totally off subject...how cute would these be on St. Patrick's Day?

Orange Scent Sneezing...and FIT TIP (#7)

I am a firm believer in deep-breathing.

And people, it doesn't get much better than this.

Right here. Right now.

In the Valley of the Sun, we experience very subtle seasonal shifts.

Our orange trees are now cluing us in.

They perfume the air with the intoxicating scent of their blossoms, and we know--

Spring is "officially" around the corner.

They also help my seasonal allergies to kick in.

So worth it.

The sneezing and sniffling are a small price to pay.

The scent of these orange blossoms

is right on top of my love for all things citrus.

As I returned home tonight,

and breathed in the crisp, fragrant air--

I was reminded, once again,

Life is oh-so (citrus-y) sweet!

B-R-E-A-T-H-E...and if you don't live among blossoms,

close your eyes and pretend!

FIT TIP (#7): Portion Distortion
A "portion" is how much you choose to eat.
A "serving" is a standard amount set by the U.S. Government (and sometimes others for recipes, cookbooks & diet plans).

The portion size that we have become used to eating may actually be equal to 2 or 3 standard servings. YIKES!
Recognizing a standard serving size can help us judge how much we are eating.

SIZE GUIDE:

• Baseball = a serving of vegetables or fruit


• Rounded handful = 1/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta - also a snack serving, such as pretzels


• Deck of cards = a serving of meat or poultry


• Large egg = 1/4 cup of dried fruit or nuts


• Tennis ball = 1/2 cup of ice cream


• Computer mouse = the size of a small baked potato


• CD = the size of a pancake or small waffle


• Thumb tip = one teaspoon of peanut butter


• Six dice = A serving of cheese


• Check book = a serving of fish

TRY THIS: Infuse your drinking water with orange blossoms. Make sure the flowers are clean and dry. Crush the petals slightly and allow to "sit" in the water container for several hours or overnight (for best results). Remove flowers. Delightful!

Utah Trippin'...and FIT TIPPIN' (#6)

The only thing better than spending time with one of my little peeps...

is spending time with all 3 of them! **They live in 3 different states

We are lucky that we get together often. A little distance has not prevented top-notch cousin bonding from occurring.

Chloe is in awe of Stone (and his big boy abilities), and he simply adores her! They both are super good at giving Gavin soft hugs and kisses. Plenty of smooches with these 3 around!
"Hold on tight, Chloe. If you think this is fun, wait until your dad moves out of the my way!"

Gavin's blessing day brought us all together. My mom joined us...making it a 4 generation, fun-filled 4 days. **Say that 3 times fast! It was all so beautiful...including the Utah weather. **Kendal & I even attempted an outdoor run. We made it to the edge of the hotel parking lot before retreating to the workout room. What were we thinking? Tanks & shorts...desert rats that we are.

And now...

FIT TIP (#6): Table Tricks

Managing weight involves more than just choosing a healthy variety of foods. It also calls for recognizing & controlling how much & how often we eat.

Try these table tricks to eat just enough for you.

Eat breakfast everyday. Don't skip meals.

Eat slowly so your brain can get the message that your stomach is full.

Keep snacking to a minimum.

Avoid eating in front of the T.V. or while engaged in other activities. Pay attention to what you are eating and fully enjoy the smell & tastes of your food.

When eating out - share an entree, order a half-portion, or order an appetizer as your meal.

Stop eating when you begin to feel full.

Try this: Eat your meals from a salad size plate...and then stop 2 bites short of the "clean plate club".