Monday, August 3, 2009

Lazy days

Yep, summer is getting the best of my time right now.

I have decided to start a picture blog. One pictue everyday for a year. This is good for me for 2 reasons. First, I will make sure I TAKE a picture everyday, and second, I will get the darn things OFF my camera on to the computer!

Feel free to take a look

http://rockspictures365.blogspot.com/

Friday, July 3, 2009

Fitness Friday

I decided that Friday I am going to measure my progress.

I am using April 20th as my start date, as that is when I really got serious (all the Easter candy and Girl Scout cookies were gone at that point!)

Weight lost- 12 pounds

Inches lost-
waist- 4.5
hips- 2
bust- 1
arms- 2
thighs- 3
TOTAL- 12.5

To get to this point I have been tracking calories on my iPod touch using the Lose It app. I put in EVERYTHING that I eat, and track all of my exercise as well.

I have been working out 5-6 times a week. I just finished week 5 on the Couch to 5K program. I do the runs 3 times a week. I have also started going to Zumba classes. I try to go 3 times a week, but if that doesn't work out I will do the 30 Minute Shred video.

I know that it doesn't seem like a lot, but this is a big deal to me. I have never been able to lose weight ever and it has been a long, hard road for me. I still have a lot to lose, but it took years to put on and I know it will take some time to get it off. My body has been through a lot! I had 4 babies in 5 1/2 years!

I have also never been a runner. 10 weeks ago, I wasn't even able to make it through the 30 second interval runs. Today I ran 20 minutes strait!

This past week I have added in 2 days of weights. I had Mr Rocks show me some moves on the Total Gym. As you may have noticed on my measurements, my upper body is not my strong suit! I am very weak right now, so that is where I am going to focus.

I have been very lucky to have so many wonderful friends to encourage me on my journey! To know that I have friends who have been through it, and those that are going through it with me now, has really been the biggest help to me!

I hope that I have more progress to report next Friday!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Murphy's Law Strikes

If you go to workout in your most raggiest (is that even a word?) work out clothes, and your hair tied back AND with a headband in. If you are red as a lobster and dripping sweat, with pit stains on your shirt. DO NOT stop at the grocery store on your way home. Even if you are just going to run in real quick, just for a few things.

If you do the above, you are guaranteed to see no fewer than 6 people that you haven't seen since high school.

Great.

That is all I have to say about that.

Monday, June 29, 2009

I Made it Monday

This week I bring you one of my most requested deserts Strawberry Pretzel Jello .

I know- it sounds weird. But I love it. It is a regional dish. In this area it isn't a party unless there are 14 varieties of Jello (Ok, that may be a slight exaggeration....)

There are 3 layers to this Jello.

First layer:

1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels
4 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
3/4 cup butter, melted

Mix them all together and press into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. (pardon the lack of a photo)

Bake it in the oven for 10 minutes on 350. Let cool for at least a half hour before adding the next layer.

Middle layer:
1 cup white sugar
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Beat the cream cheese and sugar till smooth and fluffy. Fold in the cool whip.
A tip I have learned over time is to spread this over the crust and make sure that it is all the way to the edge of the pan, so you can not see any of the pretzel. Once you have the middle layer spread on the crust, put it in the fridge for about a half hour.

This is what it will look like:



After the middle layer is set, get ready for the final layer.

Ingredients:
1 (6 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin
2 cups boiling water
1 (16 ounce) package frozen strawberries


What I do is put the water on to boil. While it is cooking I cut up the strawberries. I prefer to use the whole frozen berries in a bag over the store brand that comes in a box.
Once the water boils, stir in the Jello until it dissolves. Then stir in the berries. Now this is important, work fast. If you let the Jello sit, it will start to set! You must get it in the pan, on the top of the other 2 layers. Once you pour it on, you may need to spread the berries out so they are even.

It will look like this:



You will stick it back in the fridge for at least an hour. I usually make this ahead of time, so it usually sits overnight.
Now, cut a piece off and enjoy!




*note* I also make this with rasberries, but I don't like rasberries, so I chose to share the strawberry!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

First Haircut

L got his first haircut. You can see how long his hair was in these first pics.





He was really upset about being held down, but Mr Rocks did a good job! L was NOT happy about it!
After he got a bath, he was much happier!



Now he looks like a boy, and not a baby :(. I think the haircut helped him realize that he is a big boy, because he FINALLY decided to really start walking- at 13 1/2 months! All these milestones in a few days of each other really make a Mama sad!


Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Graduation

We had two graduations in the Rocks house!

G graduated from preschool.


Her graduation was really cute. All the kids sang a few songs and danced. The highlight of the show was that they said their prayers in Spanish! I don't know what it is, but little kids talking in another language sounds so cute!

A graduated from Kindergarten. This is a picture of a picture frame that they got as a gift from the homeroom moms. I thought that it was really cute! Of course I think the boy in the picture is the cutest Kindergarten graduate!



I am so proud of both my graduates!

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Elephants Swim!

I love elephants! They are my favorite animal to see at the zoo.
When we went to the zoo last week, I was surprised to learn that elephants swim!




Here you can see that elephant was completely under except his trunk sticking out!



Elephant went from completely under to getting out-





The swimming elephant was one of the coolest things I have ever seen at the zoo!