A Recipe For a Wonderful Mom

Recipe: For a Wonderful Mom
From the Kitchen of Elijah

1 cup of Kisses
2 cups of snuggles
1 cup of love
and Mix all together
for my Mom!

Latest Weight Loss Results :)

Regardless of What Happened, I will Run the Boston Marathon!

Earlier today, I friend who has been struggling with his weight called me to let me know he signed up for the Boston Marathon, and I was the first person he called to say that I inspired him to sign up.  I was flattered and so happy to hear that news that I was looking forward to my meeting.

As I was in a middle of helping launch a new company, we took a break and I checked my email and noticed a bunch of people tagging me on Facebook.  A confusion set in and my colleague announced a bombing at the Boston Marathon!

First I quickly checked FB to make sure that no one I knew running this year were ok and they were, and I took a moment to say a prayer.  A bunch of emotions bounced in my Tour, as the Boston Marathon was the race that I was going to cap my 50 State Marathon Run, thinking about what if that happened when I ran any marathon, to the passing of young boy who is Elijah's age, to all the families and friends who came out to cheer triumph and victory only to feel fear and worry.

More importantly, all the people who committed, sacrificed, and worked so hard to prepare for this legendary race, only to be part of this horror and tragedy.  My concern is to all the people who dream of doing a marathon, to all the people who have changed their lives because of a marathon, to all the people who have inspired others to be healthier, and to all the people who have raised millions of dollars to help different caused from childhood obesity to cancer will cause a negative shift for this positive uplifting event.

Today is my second to last day of my Cleanse, and for the past 20 days I have eaten clean and not cheated once.  As I walked into my home, I thought, why not eat whatever I can find, including the ice cream in the back of my freezer.  I was thinking it was ok since what had occurred and I feeling sad about what could have happened especially if it was my turn to run Boston this year.  Instead of binge eating, I went to my bed to lay down, and take a moment to think.  That moment, I dedicated myself to choose, and I chose to take control.  While I could not control what happened, and I wasn't about to let my emotion control me.  I will control my circle of influence and made Asian Stir Fry and Braised Swiss Chard.  I said a little prayer being thankful for my family, a little love to those families affected, the opportunities that have been given to me, and to the opportunities that will be provided to me.  There have been many times that I have given up when I felt bad.  This time I will not let my emotions get the best of me!  Good Food for a Good Life!  So that I may bring more Awesomeness to more people!

When I first started to learn about running, I said, "I am going to run Boston."  Then I hurt my back in October, I asked, "Am I going to be able to run Boston."  When I had my seizure, I asked, "Am I going to be able to run Boston."  And today, I ask again, "Am I going to be able to run Boston, and my answer is YES!!!!!" 

I plan on running/walking my next marathon, which most likely will be the Baltimore Marathon in October 2013, and I invite you all to join me.  Run for something more that who you are!  And my heart is in Boston today.

Kiss your loved ones tonight!
 

St. Baldrick - Like Daughter, Like Father

I don't ever remember being as brave as my Daughter, Emily is today.  It's taken me about 43 years to figure out who I am.  Let me restate that last sentence.  I am still trying to figure out my place in the universe! 

As we sat at The Bench, sans Irene, having lunch, my daughter and her friends moved about the restaurant as normal teenagers do.  Saying hello to fellow classmates and giggling as teens do at that age.  My daughter Emily shoves into my hands a clipboard full of small print with her signature on it.  I asked her, "Are you sure? You know Mom is going to kill me!"  She gave me her typical look of disapproval that only a teenage girl would give to her parents (the kind of look that I know what I am doing and I will prove it Look), and she answered, "Yes!"

A sense of pride overcame me as I looked at my beautiful daughter transform from a little girl into the awesome young lady that I know she already is.  I asked her why do you want to do this to make sure she was not doing it from peer pressure.  Her reply did not shock me because I know how Giving she can be.  She said, "I do not want any kids to have cancer anymore" as her eyes welled up with tears as she thought about her friend Juliana's Cousin passing not too long ago of cancer.

No family should suffer the lose of a child.  As she sat down and removed her headphones and glasses, I videoed her noggin being shaved and remembering that she had more hair when she was born, 15 years ago.  I watched and thought about my episode about 6 weeks ago, where it was possible that my little girl would be shedding tears for me rather and doing something that only a handful of woman would ever do and enjoying it.    

Even though it does state in my will, there will be no crying at my funeral, and she must play Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" and Erasure's version of "Take a Chance on Me."  Well all is stable for now and I get to see my kids do more Awesomely Awesome stuff that would make any Parent proud.  Never take Today for granted because Tomorrow might not be here.

Of course, I sat down right after she was done, to make sure she was not the lone baldy in the household.  The barber offered his couch to me knowing that Irene would kick me to the street for allowing her Daughter be bald.  As the warmth of the buzzer grazed my hair leaving my mane on the floor, I smiled and asked my boys if they wanted to do it also.  They looked at me and shook their heads no way!  My guess they are not ready.  We will wait until next year :)

I am a lucky guy to have an awesome family, especially a Daughter to keep me in check!  Emily and I can now add another thing that we have in common, wearing hats when it is cold outside.  Thank God that she looks more like Irene than me, because I am sure no guy wants to go out with someone that looks like me, let alone a bald looking female version of me.  Again, I am still amazed that I am still married for 16 years!

First words that came out of Irene's mouth when she got home from work, "Seriously, I would have done it with you.  You look beautiful!"

I am so proud of Emily in her support to Find a Cure for Childhood Cancer.  Please visit St. Baldrick's Foundation and help find a cure for childhood cancer at http://www.stbaldricks.org/

This time, Like Daughter-Like Father! Also I expect your showers to be at least 20 minutes shorter!

 

Challenges Today Make You Awesomely Awesome!

Gung Hay Fat Choy - Year of the Snake 2013

My Grandmother and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

I remember having my grandmother suffer with RA, so in the back of my mind I am always looking for solutions to this ailment.  I wanted to share this persons story on Shakeology and a  video on the ingredients.  As I understand many of the ingredients do reduce inflamation.  Please review the ingredients that make of this product.

 

Here is Barb’s Story - Barb has been dealing with RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. BEFORE Shakeology:

• Used to ride a chair lift up/down stairs in her home.
• Hurt to walk
• Cookies for breakfast
• Forecast rain
• No energy

ENTER —> 7 WEEKS OF DRINKING SHAKEOLOGY

• Walks up and down stairs –
• HAS **NOT** USED THE CHAIR LIFT IN 7 WEEKS AT ALL!!!!
• Has more energy!
• Cravings for junk food – GONE
• Lost 9 pounds & 14.5 inches
• Gone down 1 size in her clothes
• No longer a weather station
• Started the Shakeology 30 minute & 50 minute workouts – did them for 3 weeks
• Moved on to Beachbody’s Slim in 6 workout

Showed Shakeology to her medical doctor and Rheumatologist – both doctors approved. Her Rheumatologist is interested in ordering Shakeology and helping her patients with it – after seeing her success. WOW!!!!!!

 

Click here for the Video on Shakeology.