The best balance theory, pizza at home and you must try this stretch for your hip flexors.

Yes, her shoe did in fact come off and go flying through the air along with the ball after such an amazing kick.  She leaves it all out there on the field.

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While Brooke loves gymnastics class, she talks about soccer way more so we will probably be transitioning over to a soccer league in the fall.  I literally cannot wait to watch her future soccer games.  Rest assured, I will film them so that you can enjoy them too (but probably put the movie on mute so you don’t hear me cheering like a lunatic the entire time).

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It was the weirdest thing.  Brooke was playing with her cousin and I told her 5 minutes until we HAD TO LEAVE and the next thing I knew it (20 minutes later) I woke up and saw my sister passed out on the floor too.  I think we actually fell asleep while talking to each other.  Between her life with an extremely active little dude (he was napping too) and me not sleeping great ever since the happenings last week… we needed that power nap big time.

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Blossoms with some snowy mountains in the background?  Don’t mind if I do.

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And then Brooke took her turn taking a nap (that’s what happens when you score 20 goals against your mother). 

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While she slept I turned on some Yoga for Runners and got to work loosening up these tight legs of mine.  

I spy some long run gear out and ready for tomorrow morning. 

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One of the stretches she had us do was this one… I had never tried it with my back foot up against the wall like this and holy cow, it took the stretch to the next level.  I knew all of the other stretches involved in the video but I am much more likely to take the time to really do them and sink into the stretch if somebody is guiding me along the way.

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Once Brooke woke up we got to work on our pizzas.  Brooke is in kind of a picky with food mood lately if you cannot tell by the below image.

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I adore Trader Joe’s whole wheat pizza crust and their pizza sauce.  I added spinach under the cheese, some sautéed veggies and then avocado once it was all done.  And then I had another piece at 11 pm.  

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Also, these.  Have you tried them.  I didn’t see the microwave part until I was looking at this picture but I will be trying that the second I finish my long run today;)

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And we finished things up with a show together in bed.  

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I’ll leave you on what my sister sent me last night… I really like balance.  

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Are your kiddos pretty picky or adventurous with their food?

Outside of running… what is your favorite sport to play?  Watch?  Watch your kids play?

Favorite of all of the treats/chocolates at Trader Joe’s?

How often do you go to a gym?  Are you a fan of your gym or have you been to better ones in the past?

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71 comments

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Thanks for sharing that stretch. I’m in need of hip flexor relief :)

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I’m a huge college basketball fan. Love it!

I used to work at a gym so it was hard to want to go work out there after I was off work. We are building a home gym in our new house which is probably the room I am most excited about!

I have super tight hip flexors so any stretches for that area are appreciated!

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I am such a picky eater, so I feel Brooke on this one. I like what I like and I don’t what I don’t like and, for some reason, am very reluctant to budge haha.

And I’m a gym rat. I prefer to run on the treadmill or on the trails outside my gym because I like to be able to do gym things after the running portion of my workout is over. I like my gym now (can’t beat the $19 a month price tag) but my gym when I was growing up was much better. It always had the latest equipment, some of which was just straight up crazy, and the bathrooms were like spas with steam rooms and towel heaters. ahhh, to live at that gym again.

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My little guy has been playing soccer for 2 years (he’s 6 now) and he loves it! At first it was all about the friends but it’s also great to see how fast they learn to play the game! I love double pidgeon for my hips but will give this pose a try! I go to the gym more often in the winter but I have used the gym’s treadmill recently for interval training. I also do a power barbell class, a spin class and a yoga class every week. I have my annual pass and it’s worth it ;-)

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Haha, I love that last quote. So true. :) And I definitely need to try that stretch. My hips get ridiculously tight, and I’m always looking for ways to stretch them/loosen them up. Thank you!!

I love watching pretty much every sport ever. I’m so glad baseball is back!!

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My kiddos are thankfully both pretty adventurous when it comes to eating – they eat and will try absolutely everything, even Brussels sprouts, feta cheese, cucumber and other things that kiddos normally shy away from. So thankful!

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Hahah your pizza doesn’t even look like pizza! I’m picky like Brooke. I enjoy a few toppings (esp. goat cheese and sundried tomatoes) but I pick them off and eat them first and then I eat the slice like it’s a cheese pizza! It just makes it easier ;).

My kid is a cat and he’s not picky at all. He’ll eat whatever he can get his paws on! I once even saw him trying to eat a slice of plain bread that I had left out on the counter while I turned to the fridge to get other ingredients! :D

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My favorite sport to watch recently is tennis for some reason! I’ve never played but it’s so much fun to watch and it’s on year-round so I love to keep it on in the background. My favorite to play has always been softball!

I just quit my gym since I’m moving, but I used to go 2-3 times a week for classes!

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My fav TJs treat are those chocolate dipped peanut butter filled pretzels. They are a salty sweet heaven! I do enjoy the gym and strength train at least 3 days a week. My gym right now is okay, but I miss my old gym.

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I played soccer as a kid. It was one of my favorite sports. My mom even got to coach our team :) The guy and I still like to play sports. Basketball is a favorite right now but I may have to suggest soccer soon. That s’mores treat looks delicious. You will have to let us know how it is warmed up! I don’t have any kids but I have a nephew that is on a VERY strict diet of chicken nuggets and pizza… Babysitting him can be a struggle. I love group fitness classes which is the main reason I started a gym membership! I usually run outside and then take a class at the gym :) Plus it’s nice to have a treadmill for if the weather is bad.

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My apartment has a wonderful gym on site and I try to go at least twice a week to strength train. This time of year I just want to be outside though!
I nned to try that hip flexor stretch. Thanks for sharing!

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My husband is currently trying to get my son into sports a bit since he’s currently 100% into dance just like his sisters! My middle one is also very into gymnastics although I’m not sure how much longer it will last since it takes up 3 hours a week as it is. Time spent on activities seems to multiply every year!

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I try to go to the gym at least 4 mornings a week. The gym I currently go to is pretty small, but it has all the equipment that I need. I just wish they offered group exercise classes!

Your pizzas and TJs treats look delicious!

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I have one really picky eater and one not as picky eater. The first one eats just about everything with sour cream on top–weird, and the second only wants to eat my food. I can’t resist giving it to her most of the time either.

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What happened last week? I think I missed it

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I just had a scary experience where the cops had to come over. Starting to sleep better now but I was pretty freaked out!

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I was wondering the same thing? What happened?

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I got to the gym about 4 days a week and the rest of my workouts are spent outside. (Lately) I love a good outdoor run but the treadmill does come in handy for those speed workouts.

My niece plays soccer and I absolutely love watching her play! She’s only 8 and not the most coordinated so its entertaining too! Ha!

We dont have a trader joes here in Arkansas, so sad. But they’re putting one in Memphis and I’ll totally drive there to give it a try!

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I come from a soccer family (all three of my siblings played!) but I’m a diehard volleyball fan. I’m finally in a great city where I can play with other weirdly obsessed adults too :D

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Hahaha I love that last picture about balance! Aww that would be so much fun if Brooke played soccer! I played soccer growing up and it’s still one of my favorite sports to watch. That along with football and hockey.

I go to my gym a few times a week. I’m weird and prefer doing most speed workouts on the treadmill, mostly interval runs!

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Those hip flexor stretches against the wall… gah!

My PT has me doing those as I’ve got a tight left hip that’s being a bit of a nag as my long runs get longer in anticipation of the Vancouver half on May 1st. Good times.

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I love playing softball/watching baseball! I’ve tried that hip flexor stretch before and wow, did not realize how tight my hip flexors were. I use my apartment complex’s tiny gym as all the gyms in my town are super expensive and not that great (small town problems), I’d love to join one again once I move!

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I’m not a member of a gym. I’d love to go to one occasionally, but it’s not worth the cost for the amount I’d go (like three times a month perhaps?). I stick to running and cycling, and use the Nike Training app.

I’m making the Cowboy Caviar for dinner tonight, mounted on a sweet potato naturally :)

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I have a love hate relationship with that stretch. It is amazingly effective!!

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That pizza looks so good, yum. How is your stomach doing these days? Able to handle foods better?

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Perfect timing for this question because just today it started bugging me way more during my run but I am guessing it is because of stress! I have been able to handle food great lately until today so I’ll probably keep To the foods I know make my stomach happy for a bit! Hopefully this is a short flare up and a trip away for two days will help my stress (aka overworrying ha)! Thanks Jenni and I hope you are having a great day!

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Simple, but I love TJ’s Fleur de Sel caramels!

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I’ve actually been really loving the mint cream drops at Trader Joe’s (I can’t remember what they’re actually called) that they sell in the little mint green packets near the cash register. They’re AMAZING and so addicting.

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That pizza! :) All the colors of the rainbow there :)

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Hope has been kicking a ball now too. At first we thought it was a fluke, but no she does it……..and I dream of the future soccer days too. C tells me to be realistic she might just want to play the flute. ha.

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I <3 watching (San Antonio Spurs) basketball, football, and (Blackhawks) hockey. I also love playing basketball, as well as volleyball.

ANYTHING FROM TJ'S! We didn't have many in Texas, but they opened one right before I moved up to Chicago, where there are plenty. Long story short, I'm obsessed with the place. One of my faves from TJ's is their pizzas!

Seriously, I miss the gym where I used to be a trainer and group exercise instructor. It was a chain only in San Antonio and LA — pretty legit and luxurious. ALAS, I can work out anywhere! …or that's what I try to tell myself…

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I love to watch my boys play any sport, but loved watching my oldest play on the high school freshman football team! So much fun, the crowd, the cheerleaders… I just can’t believe he’s in high school!
Thank you so much for the stretch!! I battle with my left hip flexor a lot, so I will be trying this stretch out today!! :)
And, as often as I go to Trader Joe’s, apparently I need to start checking out their sweets!!

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My son is 7 months old, so I have yet to discover how adventurous his palate is. ☺ I am hoping he won’t be a picky eater. You never know what you are going to get.

I need to hit up Trader Joe’s immediately. I love s’mores anything (Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream is my favorite) so I know that candy would be a big hit. I wonder what it would be like if you toasted them like a marshmallow?

I go the gym a few times a week primarily to swim. I like to run and bike outside, and do all my resistance/strength training at home.

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Totally picky eaters in my house. I love tennis, I love watching my kids play soccer. And I go to the gym 3-4 days a week, mostly for tennis and kids’ swimming lessons. I almost never use the rest of the gym.

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My dogs are my kids. The girls will eat most anything I give them. They are getting old so I tend to spoil them. My boy is a little more cautious about new food, but he’s always interested in what I’m eating.

I’m not very coordinated, so running is my only sport. I like to watch college football and basketball. I like basketball the most because it moves so fast and holds my attention. I’m really excited about the Olympics this summer…lots of good TV time!!

I went to TJs yesterday and got all the pizza stuff. Can’t wait to try it. I like to add fresh basil that I grow at home. My standard is chicken, sausage and peppers. I put my salad ON TOP of my pizza and eat it like that :)
I’m currently obsessed with the TJ’s Meyer Lemon cookie thins.

I go to the gym 2-3x a week for weights and Pilates or yoga. I used to go more often before I ran. I love my gym. I’ve made lots of friends and I have several locations to choose from depending on what class I want to take.

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I love watching football. I wasn’t one for team sports, yell at me and we have a problem. (and that was pretty much most of the “coaching” where I grew up).

I love the dark chocolate espresso beans and the frozen macarons. The Firecracker Bar is fun on occasion. Who thought to put poprocks in chocolate?

I belonged to Crunch for 9+ years. Now I only use the gym when I have an injury. I prefer to workout at home and I stick with it, whether I’m at the gym or not.

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I am amazed at always how happy and bright you look even after nights of not sleeping well. And still manag eee to get your workouts in too! How do you do it Janae?

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Oh you are so sweet! I just highlight the best parts of the day ha…. I’ve been grumpy.com the last few days at points! I also have skipped my speed workouts this week because I am tired but there is always next week right?!? Hope you are having a fabulous week Elena!

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I love watching my daughter do gymnastics. This will be her 6th year on the Trampoline and Tumble competitive team, and it’s amazing how strong her little body has developed over the years. When she first started she was learning how to do a cartwheel, and last week at her State Meet she knocked out 6 back handsprings and took home the 2nd place medal.

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Softball is my favourite sport to play, and baseball is my favourite to watch!

Gym – I generally go 6-times a week (while there is snow outside) – I actually ran this morning and just before hitting my third mile, the power went out as I was running on 7mph. My heart died.

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OMG, a power outage on the treadmill would have freaked me out! Yikes! Our power went out at work this morning. Not much gets done without power :(

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Running is our “all year round” sport, but downhill skiing definitely is my family’s favorite sport in the winter! I do like to watch any sport at an arena, but don’t watch anything on TV.
I try to get to the gym twice a week. I fit it in on my lunch hour.
Wish we had a Trader Joes close to us. You show the most interesting and delicious, looking foods from there!

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That pizza looks amazing!

I have a training question for you – do you always do your long runs on the same day of the week? I’m currently marathon training and always try to do my long run on Saturday, but some weeks it would work out better to fit them into the middle of my week. Just wondering what your thoughts are on changing up the day of your long run and if that impacts your training!

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Hey Jordan!!! Great question because I just did my long run today even though I normally do them on Saturdays (I’m out of town this Saturday)! If you can consistently do them in the middle of the week, I say go for it! Do what is best for your schedule! I just like keeping them at the same time of week each week usually so that I have time to recover before doing another long run again the next week! So whether it is a tues/wed thing of a sat/Sunday thing… Do what is best for you!

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Thanks, Janae! It’s nice to know that moving around a long run here or there (like you’re doing this week) isn’t a huge deal :)

Have a great week!

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Sorry about what happened last week that is causing your distress! I must have missed what occurred, but my thoughts and prayers are with you and your sweet Brooke!

Favorite thing at TJ’s: cocoa swirl cookie butter! Put it on a banana… yum yum yum :)

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I love to play and watch soccer. My outdoor soccer league starts in a couple weeks and I can’t wait! The Women’s World Cup last summer was pretty fun to watch.

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I can’t wait until I can make pizza with my future family! Looks like fun.

Well, I don’t go to the gym much..About once a week. I should go a lot more though. I want to find a bootcamp class. I don’t get that tired when I workout all by myself at home, but I’m exhausted after working out with my PT.

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I need that stretch! My hamstrings have been really tight lately! I do a lot of Pilates and the moves do wonders for stretching out hip flexors and hamstrings. I highly recommend!

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Ok so what gives with the police officer in your apartment? I’m guessing it wasn’t all that serious if you took the time to take a photo but come on you can’t throw a pic like that out there and then not follow up!! :D

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I agree!

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So I posted that because I was feeling pretty off after the whole experience and felt like it was coming off in my writing and I kind of wanted to explain why I was so different. As far as why I am not going into details…. There might be ways that crazy internet people could connect it with me and figure out where I live. Does that make sense?

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No, to be honest it really doesn’t make that much sense at all. I don’t think anyone who reads your blog would have known that anything was different with you at all ( unless they know you personally ) with that being said, I do hope you are ok and nothing serious came of this but to honest I am still no sure why you would post something like this and then leave your readers hanging !!!

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Hey Sarah,
I apologize. I’m sorry I was in a weird place after it happened and I shouldn’t have posted it in the first place but I can’t risk our security by talking in depth about it now. I really am sorry, that wasn’t fair of me and I didn’t think it through. We are totally okay now and I learned from the mistake for future blogging. Sorry and I hope you are having a great day!

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I totally understand you not wanting to risk your security. No blog post is worth that. I really feel for you being a single Mom. That has to be hard. So I totally understand you not wanting to post details. I am glad you understand from a reader’s standpoint how frustrating a post like that can be. I think reader’s often think we have a “right” to know everything about your personal life. That is obviously not true, so posts like that are just a “tease” to those who want to know “more” I am so glad you learned. I wish the best for you…

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I’ve been dying to know what happened as well. But I do understand the safety concerns.

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I love yoga for runners- I have to try that stretch! I was going to maybe make pizzas later for dinner and now I’m totally in the mood. I buy the whole wheat crust and their frozen organic crust. Tj is the best. I didn’t know those chocolates go in microwave! I always see them but never bought them!

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those s’more bites are my jam! microwaving them is perfection but you have to be careful not to microwave them too long or the marshmallow can ooze out! I go to the gym twice a week for non running workouts but not for the past few weeks because of a detox that i have been on that has zapped my energy levels.

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I love playing volleyball but haven’t gotten to in years! That pizza looks sooooo good!

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I love to watch hockey games! I go to the gym 3-4 times a week to do body pump then run on my treadmill at home the other days!

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Oh that stretch looks great! I try to do yoga a couple times a week to loosen up and relax. Running is mental relaxation, but certainly NOT physical! Haha. So they’re not necessarily treats, but the trader joes organic peanut butter sandwich crackers…ugh. I’m in a one box per sitting phase.

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My kid is actually a really good eater. She’s never been a huge meat eater. But she doesn’t like seafood (much like her dad). Of course…she’s almost 15 so…take that into consideration.

I love to play volleyball. I love watching college/professional volleyball too.

The dark chocolate pretzel thins from Trader Joe’s is so addicting.

Gym is eh….Never been a huge fan.

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Oh gosh, soccer!!! It was the thing to do when I was a kid, so almost every girl in my grade in school was on a team together (smaller school) and we played both fall and spring from Kindergarten through 5th or 6th grade. I was horrible. But it was fun!

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I am extremely picky and so are two of my kids. One of them has learned over the years and adjusted and the other one is still young enough he’s figuring it out. But he gets a little picked on for his plain cheeseburgers and his plain cheese pizzas. We have to learn to like things and I’m the first to say sometimes it just never happens. I will never like Ketchup. I will never like mushrooms or slimy things. We just have to work with our taste buds and not push it.

The gym is fine. A workout is a work out. I just need to run. I don’t care where. I’ve been held back too many times in my life by kids, injury, illness, everything. I have no room in my life for not liking the gym. I only have room for I need a run and if I can get myself to one I’m going to appreciate the joy.

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Favorite TJs treat….COOKIE BUTTER times a million!

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My physical therapist just taught me that stretch last week during my appointment and it’s been a game changer!

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We are a hockey family. My 7-yr old daughter LOVES hockey and plays basically year round. She started actual hockey at 4 yr old and learn to skate at 3! I started playing hockey myself with beginner women’s clinic and I love it too. My husband play on an “old man/beer” team and has played his whole life. For me, on the ice, I feel like a kid again!

For gym – well I need to consolidate my gym memberships. Right now I go to a CorePower-type place for yoga sculpt and barre classes 3-4 days a week, Orange Theory Fitness 1 day per week, and a regular box gym whenever else I can fit it in (usually treadmill running). Hockey once per week. Total 5-6 days of workout per week. Its a bit of a mess (& expensive). I’m always thinking to cut out OTF but haven’t yet.

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My girls (8 and 5) are thankfully not terribly picky. Both will eat raw spinach and kale. My 5 year old would be a vegetarian if she could, except for bacon or chicken apple sausage. But you give her a bowl of beans and she is good so no biggy. It is my husband that is the picky one. He will deny it and considers himself a “foodie”. But if it is super healthy he has issues. I made vegetarian stuffed peppers last week and my girls were about to dive in when he started complaining and of course they rethought it but ended up eating it. He left the pepper.
We like the vanilla Oreo copy cats from TJs. I am annoyed with them right now because our past 3 tries of use their crab cakes that we used to love have been a disaster. They were a big globby mess. Not going to try them again!!!
Swimming is our sport. I was a competitive swimmer. My 5 year old can swim a full lap freestyle and backstroke and her sister won 1st in freestyle last year at championships. I am not pushing, my 5 year old would live in the pool. My 8 year old does fencing and though I don’t understand the sport, it is actually a good workout. She is the smallest in her class and it does not stop her!!

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I love volleyball. I played when I was younger and it just so much fun! Those TJ snacks look so good! Anything chocolate is a win in my book ha. I normally average 5-6 days a week at the gym. I just love the atmosphere and getting those endorphins. It is seriously addicting ha!

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I live in Las Vegas… forecast is rain this weekend :( Bad timing. But I’m sure you girls will still have a blast.

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TJ dark chocolate peanut butter cups are the key to my heart!

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