Monthly Archives: February 2010

Thar She Blows, Cap’n!

Posted on by Run DMT
25

Every pregnant mama has their cravings and this expecting mama is no exception.  During my first pregnancy, I craved very rare, bloody red meat.  During my second pregnancy, I guzzled gallons of ginger ale.

 

This time around, I can’t enough of the Cap’n.

 

 

At first, I tried to stay true to my organic and natural food habits by eating Mother’s Peanut Butter Bumpers, but my 4 y.o. and I were consuming the cereal far too quickly.  So to be more cost effective, I decided to fall back on the genetically modified good ol’ Cap’n Crunch.

 

See, everyone has their sell out point and I will quickly adjust my values for everyday low prices.  At Wal-Mart, this handsome fellow is half the price of its organic counterpart and twice the size.  And since I having been supersizing my portions, I decided it was time to set sail with the Cap’n.

 

To rid myself of the organic guilt, I decided to compare the labels to see if the products had any similarity.  The first three ingredients were nearly the same.  Mother’s contains corn flour, molasses, and peanut butter.  The Cap’n contains corn flour, sugar and peanut butter.  Therefore, I rationalized it by convincing myself that sugar is sugar whether it is refined white cane, honey or molasses.  All right, so maybe molasses has a lower glycemic index than sugar, but I’ll worry about that when I go for my gestational diabetes test.  In the meantime, just leave me alone with my man.

 

But then, I happened upon a very interesting and tasty bit of information on the Cap’n’s nutritional label. Funny enough, there’s 100% daily value of folic acid.  Of course, every pregnant mama knows the importance of folic acid.  I had found a true treasure in my happy box of cereal.

 

 

With that, I felt much better about the generous amounts of golden treasure I have been shoveling in me.  Now, if only could hide me booty.

 

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

 

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Going for Gasparilla

Posted on by Run DMT
2

Late last Saturday evening, I bit the bullet and registered for the Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K.  Since I’ve been feeling pretty good and my bladder is still holding stong, I feel capable to run a 5K.  So why not go for the Gasparilla gold?  After all that little bit of runner bling will look so lovely resting on my big ol’ baby bump.

 

The weather has been ridiculously frigid by Florida standards since December which makes it awfully difficult for me to find any motivation to run.  We’ve also had a really wet winter and I hate running in the rain.  Plus, since becoming pregnant, my sleep pattern has been so out of whack that I can’t seem to summon the energy to run in the early morning (my favorite time of day).  So, all of these stupid excuses seem to get in the way of any running, but I needed to find some room for running with a race only weeks away.

 

For the past month, I’ve maintained my training with wogging (jogging/walking).  I’ve kept my pace around 11:00-11:30 mm and remarkably throughout my little wogs around the neighborhood, I haven’t had a constant urge to pee, which is pretty amazing for a running pregnant mama.  But since I never know when an unsuspecting cough or sneeze will strike, I think I will start wearing a panty liner to avoid wet wogs just to be safe.

 

On Tuesday, the sun was shining. Our temps began to warm up to normal highs for this time of year and the sun greeted me like an old friend.  With every step, I soaked up the sun’s rays and I found my mojo once again.

3.10 miles

Time 35:17

Ave Pace 11:22

Max Pace 8:23

 

Then, on Wednesday our temps dropped again and the rain returned, but an e-mail from Tiffany, my running partner, later that evening coerced me to run in the cold early morning on Thursday.

3.18 miles

Time 41:50

Ave Pace 13:11

Max Pace 9:29

 

I feel confident that I will wog my way to the finish in about 40 minutes and hopefully, I can keep my race adrenaline from forcing me to run too fast for my bladder’s sake.

Raising Runners

Posted on by Run DMT
11

Since my running days are much less due to my pregnancy and my races fewer and far between, I decided to live vicariously through my girls by registering them for the Gasparilla Distance Junior Classic.

 

The city of Tampa hosts a month long pirate celebration in the name of Gasparilla which includes several parades, festivals and two types of races: the Gasparilla Distance Classic and the Gasparilla Distance Junior Classic, which is sponsored by the Mendez Foundation to promote a healthy, drug free lifestyle.

 

The children’s race was held at the University of Tampa (my DH’s alma mater) at Pepin Stadium.  To keep the children occupied between races, there were loads of fun activities including face painting, a coloring station and tons for free food and goodies.

 

 

Before the start of the race, a Tampa General Hospital helicopter landed in the middle of field.  My girls enjoyed climbing aboard and exploring the cockpit of the chopper.

 

 

 

 

 

We spent the morning with our friends, Chrissy and Mike and their two boys, Dylan and Jared.

 

 

Along the track, we also bumped into several other friends, including my runner blogger buddy, Becelisa and her daughter, Sierra.

 

 

Allana’s half mile dash was first.  At the start line, she instantly made friends with another little girl.

 

 

 

 

They walked and ran the race side by side and even crossed the finish line together.

 

 

 

 

Emmalynn’s 30 yard dash was much later and given the number of preschoolers in such a small area, the race organizers seeded the race according to birth month.  Emmalynn begged me to run with her and of course, I humored her.  Too bad my DH wouldn’t be a good sport and hold my purse for me.

 

 

 

Allan and I beamed with pride over our girls’ outstanding performances and Allana and Emmalynn were proud of their achievements.  Both girls proudly wore their achievements, smiles and medals for the rest of the day.

 

 

 

Proudly submitted at

 





I Heart Faces: Hands-On Fun

Posted on by Run DMT
12

Ladybugs always seem to be on hand where ever our travels take us.  Since ladybugs are a sign of good luck, I feel very fortunate whenever one of these little lovely hitchhikers lands on us.  They are small reminders of how blessed my life is.

 

 

*Happily submitted at  I ♥ Faces*

 

“This week, the focus is off the face and onto the hands. And, for this week only, faces aren’t even required to be in the photo.  Show off those teeny-tiny baby hands, chubby toddler hands, the soothing hands of a mama or the gnarled, wise hands of a grandfather. “


 

 

the long road

Musical Monday: Defying Gravity

Posted on by Run DMT
16

For those who know me, you would have heard me profess my love for Wicked on numerous occasions.  It is truly my favorite musical and next Sunday, I will be seeing the show for a third time.

 

Forget what you remember from The Wizard of Oz, because Wicked: The Musical takes a very different yellow brick road when unveiling the not-so-Wonderful World of Oz.  Based loosely on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, the musical tells the tale of Elphaba and how she earned her dreaded title.

 

Elphaba (green as a result of the tonic her mother drank during her pregnancy) discovers the real man behind the curtain and the Wizard’s evil plans to change life in Oz forever.  In her quest to stop his schemes, the Wizard spreads lies about Elphaba and the citizens of Oz begin to fear for their lives.  Out this widespread panic, tales of the Wicked Witch of the West fly out of control.

 

Throughout the story, Elphaba displays characteristics of strength, passion and compassion and fears nothing, not even her fateful destiny.  The cause is greater than what people may think of her or what could happen to her.  Though she may wear a “wicked” label for the rest of her life, the truth is quite the opposite.

 

Every song from this Tony award winning show moves me and each song is better than the next.  However, the climactic scene at the end of Act 1 definitely steals the show and always takes my breath away.

 

 

I suppose I love this musical because I connect with Elphaba.  People will believe what they want about me, but in the end, I can live with myself.  I take comfort in the fact that I am a kind, good-hearted, honest person filled with strength and courage.  In every aspect of my life, I am passionate about what I do as a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a runner, a writer, a blogger and a mom’s group organizer.

 

To those who’d ground me
Take a message back from me
Tell them how I am
Defying gravity
I’m flying high
Defying gravity
And soon I’ll match them in renown
And nobody in all of Oz
No Wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down!

 

 

Music Monday button

Let Them Eat Cake

Posted on by Run DMT
27

For Valentine’s Day, my DH and daughters wanted to bake a cake for me.  They asked what flavor I fancied and I requested a Devil’s Food cake with cream cheese icing.

 

As lovely as this gesture was, it was also the worst gift anyone could ever give a pregnant mama.

 

 

I’ve been so good so far during this pregnancy.  I’ve monitored my diet and despite my insatiable appetite for sweets, I have been able to limit my candy and cake consumption.  Occasionally, I’ll nibble on a few pieces of dark chocolate or savor a small scoop of ice cream.

 

At my last OB visit a week before Valentine’s Day, I only gained 11 pounds in 16 weeks.  My OB praised me on my efforts to gain a modest amount of weight and encouraged me to keep up good work.

 

But then the following week, this hideous crack cake little slice of heaven entered my home.

 

On Valentine’s Day, I enjoyed a small slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

 

The next night, I devoured three slices.  I ate a small slice in front of the children after dinner, but like a serial closet eater, I inhaled two larger helpings of cake after I put the girls to bed and then I washed it down with a big bowl of vanilla ice cream.

 

The next night served a similar scene.

 

On the third night, my guilt got the best of me and I only ate one supersized slice, but the cake taunted me for the rest of the evening.  To avoid the temptation of eating more cake, I went to bed but somehow that cake willed me to wake up in the middle of the night.  Like a junkie, I craved more cake. I quietly crept into the kitchen only to discover that my husband finished off the rest of the cake.  In the end, he robbed me of my fix saved me from another sinful situation.

 

Damn that, Devil’s Food Cake!  I’ve probably sealed my fatty fate with so many nights of sinful indulgence, but heaven forbid!  Next time, I’ll request something high in fiber, like a Bran Flake cake.

 

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

 

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This Post is More Than a Mouthful

Posted on by Run DMT
11

I’ve been enjoying a new reality series on CBS: Undercover Boss.  In the premise, presidents and CEOs of large corporations change their name and their identity without their employee’s knowledge to experience a firsthand look at the inner workings of their companies.

 

Two episodes have aired so far: Waste Management and Hooters.  In both episodes the CEOs witnessed some poor management styles as well as some fine,
good-hearted employees.

 

In the Hooters episode, CEO and President, Cody Brooks, failed to understand the stigma attached to the Hooters girl and brand.  I would have to agree.  Perhaps, back when the company first began in 1983 in Clearwater, FL the Hooters Girl appearance would have been considered risqué.  Now almost 30 years later, the stigma is no more than offensive than an old Benny Hill episode.

 

 

So some of the merchandise might be offensive, but who is visiting Hooters for the merchandise?  All right, so some people do visit Hooters for the merchandise, but to my eyes, a Hooters calendar is no more different than the Sports Illustrated calendar.

 

 

Sure, both sell beauty along with a false image of the perfect woman, but I’m not buying it and I’m not selling that idea to my daughters.

 

During the Hooters Undercover Episode, Cody wonders how Hooters can remove some of the stigma attached to the Hooters brand.  I’ve known girls from high school and college who worked as Hooters Girls to pay their way through school and I am sure their stories are similar to many other Hooter Girls around the world.  I would love to know where these women go after they leave Hooters.  Where are they now?

 

For myself, having grown up in Florida around the Hooters brand, I honestly don’t find it any more offensive than a high school cheerleader uniform.  I have always thought the Hooters outfit reminded me of a roller derby babe and simply needed a pair of skates to finish the look.  Sure the outfits are skimpy, but not slutty and like the slogan says, “Delightfully tacky, yet unrefined”.

 

But has my exposure to Hooters over the years desensitized me?

 

I have professed my love for Hooters chicken wings several times on this blog (here and here).  Our neighborhood Hooters is located on the water and offers some of the best sunsets this side of the Sunshine State.   When we visit the restaurant, we bring the whole family and even invite our friends and their children to join us.

 

As a mother of two girls, do I worry that I am sending the wrong message to my daughters?  No.  My husband doesn’t drool over the girls or make comments about the hefty pairings they bring to the table to accompany the wings and beer.  I also refrain from making observations about the girls, because I believe my daughters are far more influenced by our actions than what parades around in short shorts and tight t-shirts.

 

We’ve always respected our Hooters servers as such: servers who bring us the wings and cheap beer we love with a pretty smile.  And, we’ve never even noticed any other view besides the sunset.

 

The Sweetness of Pancake Day

Posted on by Run DMT
19

I first flipped over Pancake Day (Shrove Thuesday) as a student teacher interning in England when my housemates shared this tasty tradition with me. Although English pancakes are more flat like crêpes and topped with lemon juice and sugar, it didn’t prevent me from partaking in the feast.

 

When I met my Scottish hubbie, it only seemed natural to continue with the Pancake Day fun year after year.  However, we modified the British tradition slightly with American-style pancakes and syrup.

 

During my teaching career, I shared Pancake Day with my students.  I stuffed them with fluffy flapjacks as they wrote flavorful essays to demonstrate their knowledge and enthusiasm of the day.

 

When I became a mom, I hosted Pancake Day play dates for our mommy friends and their children. After moving to our new neighborhood in 2006, we introduced Pancake Day to our Moms on the Go friends the following year and of course, they flipped over the fun too.  We read stories while eating pancakes and even held pancake relays in the true spirit of the day.

 

Now, every year my children look forward to eating pancakes all day long with their friends on Pancake Day.

 

But, I simply savor every sweet morsel and memory this day has always served.

 

 

 

Mama's Losin' It