50 Things to Do This Summer {2013}

Visit the beach to soak up as much sand and sun as possible and possibly even visit Sanibel again.
Return to the TradeWinds.
Plan a sunset picnic on the beach.
Decorate a frame with seashells.
Have an in-home impromptu summer spa party.
Have a tea party.
Play oodles of board games.
Make root beer floats.
Make homemade ice cream.
Make popsicles.
Catch a drive-in movie.
See a free (or almost free) summer movie.
Go bowling.
Visit Busch Gardens and Adventure Island.
See the new Antarctica exhibit at SeaWorld.
Visit Winter.
Plan a day trip to the Loggerhead Marine Life Center.
Visit the Dunedin Children’s Art Museum.
Visit the Glazier Museum and/or Great Explorations
Catch a Storm, Rays or Threshers game for family fun day and fireworks.
Have a car wash.
Make sidewalk chalk paint.
See if it’s truly hot enough this summer to fry an egg on the on the sidewalk.
Build a pizza box solar oven and make s’mores.
Build a rain gauge.
Grow and release butterflies and ladybugs.
Go geocaching.
Make homemade bubble solution and bubble wands.
Have a sprinkler rampage and kiddie pool party.
Build pool noodle marble tracks.
Swim and splash around at any and all of our spray grounds.
Play swimming pool Scrabble.
Go for a nighttime swim with glow bracelets.
Study the constellations with some summer star gazing.
Visit a planetarium.
Go Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) tour and canoeing.
Go fishing.
Stop by Brooker Creek Preserve or Weedon Island to play in the hands-on center and enjoy story time.
Participate in the various summer reading programs through our local library and Barnes & Nobles.
Make a Father’s Day gift for Daddy.
Run the Lutz Independence Day 5K.
Watch the Lutz Independence Day Parade and enjoy the fair.
Read a children’s classic to my kids, such as Wind in the Willows, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH or The Westing Game or The Giver.
Collect canned goods for a homeless shelter.
Plan a gleaning event at local u-pick farm.
Visit the Lakeland Farmer’s Market and enjoy beignets for brunch at the Poor Porker.
Return to Keel and Curley for the Uncorked concert series.
Play miniature golf.
Create summer vacation memory jars.
Cherish every summer memory.

My summer list keeps growing. Like my Summer Fun Pinterest Board to see what other fun things we’re planning this summer.

J&J For All You Love

*Disclaimer: I am participating in the J&J For All You Love campaign and have received compensation for sharing my heartfelt motherhood tribute for Mother’s Day and to promote JOHNSON’S® Baby CARES Care Cards, a digital e-card platform encouraging moms to share positive messages of encouragement with other moms across the country, while simultaneously supporting Save the Children®*

Twelve years ago, I stood in classroom filled with desks and children. I loved my job and my career choice. I loved seeing light bulbs shine above my students’ little heads once they finally processed a concept.

Though the paperwork, the parent conferences, the hours spent planning often overshadowed the bright faces that filled my classroom, I loved teaching and I did so for seven years.

Then, I became pregnant and when I heard my little one’s heartbeat in our very first sonogram, I knew my life and my career path would change forever. That day, I willingly made the choice to be a stay at home mom to raise the baby that grew inside me.

As my little one grew, I sang songs to my belly. I read stories to a baby that I hadn’t met yet to ensure my little one would know my voice. On the day she was born, the moment the nurses placed my newborn baby girl on my chest, I looked into her little swollen eyes and cried. Though we only just met, I fell in love with my baby girl.

Twelve years later that love has grown and multiplied as our family grew and multiplied with the birth of two more babies. Each time, I instantly fell in love with them all.

I am still at home, raising my children and I often miss my teaching days, but I don’t regret my choice. I don’t need to ask for a personal day or worry about substitute plans. Though most days balancing three kids can be tough, for the most part, we have fun.

The other day, my seven year old completed an “All About Me” poster. In the “What I want to be when I grow up” section, she wrote “I want to be a mommy.”

I asked, “Why do you want to be a mom when you grow up? Why not a teacher or a doctor?”

“Because moms have fun. Moms go on field trips and take their kids places and spend time with them and love their kids.”

Yes, we certainly do. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

In celebration of Mother’s Day this year, JOHNSON’S® Baby has established JOHNSON’S® Baby CARES Care Cards, a digital e-card platform encouraging moms to share positive messages of encouragement with other moms across the country, while simultaneously supporting Save the Children®. You can help, too!

Simply pick and share a card filled with messages of reassurance for a Mom in your life on Facebook at http://www.johnsonsbabycares.com. For every card sent, shared or liked, JOHNSON’S® Baby will donate $1.00 to Save the Children® (up to $150,000) to benefit early childhood education programs that foster education and reassurance for new moms. These cards will not only spread encouragement to Moms throughout the country but will also provide Moms in need with the skills and knowledge to successfully support their child’s growth.

Thankful for the Kindness of Strangers

This past Sunday, my oldest daughter and I experienced stand up paddle boarding (SUP) together for the first time. We explored the brackish waters of Crystal River and searched for manatees with our friends. It was a wonderful day trip and one that deserves a full post review (to follow shortly), however, this post is dedicated to the kind people who helped Allana and me.

Once we reached the springs, Allana and I took the moment to take in gorgeous view and snack on the blueberry Larabars that that I packed which contained cashews. Unbeknownst to me, Allana is severely allergic to cashews and she immediately went into anaphylactic shock. Her throat itched; her breathing became labored. She began to swell and turn beet red with hives all over her body. After only ingesting one small bite, our fun adventure now turned into an emergency situation.

Due to my walnut allergy and my other daughter’s allergy to bee stings, I normally carry two EpiPens, but I left them back in the car along with allergy medication. I asked our guide if he had a first aid kit containing Benadryl or an EpiPen, but he did not. I quickly paddled over to a dive boat within sight and asked for first aid, but they did not have any medication on board either.

Then, I spotted a boat idling past and I flagged them down to ask for a ride back to the public park where we launched our paddle boards. With 14 mph winds, I knew I didn’t have the strength nor the time to spare. Thankfully, they graciously offered assistance.

I share this story hoping someone in the six degrees of separation in this big blogosphere may know Gary and Amy of Crystal River. (Other than they have two children a boy and girl ages 3 and 4, that’s the only information I have.) Please let them know Allana is safe and we are truly grateful for their kindness.

One Woman Army for Mother’s Day {Music Monday}

No musings for Music Monday. The lyrics for Kate Earl’s “One Woman Army” and one photo set the perfect mood for Mother’s Day. (Be sure to watch the entire video the end.)

Never knew what I was signing up for
Knew it was hard but not this hardcore
Never gonna stop, never gonna give up on you
No matter what I do

(Chorus)
Here I am baby, I’m your one woman army
I’d fight for you, I’ll die, I’ll be your protector
Here I am baby, I’m your one woman army
No matter what may come, I won’t surrender

Gonna give you everything I never had
Love you and teach you good from bad
Never gonna stop, never gonna give up on you
No matter what I do

What I do, I do for you the best I can
Build a life for you with my own two hands
Never gonna stop, never gonna give up on you, baby
No matter what I do

(Chorus) X3
Here I am baby, I’m your one woman army
I’d fight for you, I’ll die, I’ll be your protector
Here I am baby, I’m your one woman army
No matter what may come, I won’t surrender

Happy Mother’s Day from Run DMT, your one woman army.

For Music Mondays, I’m now teaming up with my good friend and fellow Marathon Mama, Chrissy.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

Dare You to Move {Music Monday}

Today, we celebrate Earth Day, but really every day should be treated like it’s Earth Day. Thinking about your carbon footprint shouldn’t just happen one day. Instead, do something every day to help keep the planet beautiful.

However, this Music Monday post is more than a friendly reminder to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Today is also one week after the Boston Marathon bombing. My friends, Andrea and Marcia, were only a half mile from the finish line when the explosion ignited last week. Their friends and family anxiously watched Facebook feeds for updates and prayed for their safety. As the world watched the events unfold, we learned that the Boston Marathon came to a halt as did their dream of crossing the finish. Our hearts ached for them, but we were grateful for the safety of our all-star athlete friends.

Marcia and Andrea have vowed to return to Boston next year and they have the entire running community behind them. Some of our other mutual running friends are determined to qualify for next year’s marathon. Others, like me, have made Boston Marathon a goal, even if it takes a lifetime to get there.

Prayers4Boston

Collectively, runners across America have banded in spirit for Boston with impromptu 26:20 runs on last Tuesday and #BostonStrong runs happening in cities everywhere this evening.

Several people have asked me if what happened in Boston changes things for me. Yes, it changes everything. I will run even harder. Prior to last Monday’s events, I would have never thought about trying to qualify for Boston, but now it’s on my running bucket list. What happened at Boston won’t stop me from applying for the New York City Marathon for the third year in a row this Thursday. I can’t live my life in fear.

And so, I dare you. I dare you to move for Boston. Don’t say, “I can’t run. I’m not a runner”. Just get out there and try. Start small. Run a block and then walk. Pick a loop in your neighborhood and run. Aim for 3 times a week and build up your endurance. Eventually, you will find yourself walking less and less. That’s exactly how I started 6 years ago.

Be strong. Be Boston Strong. Run Boston strong.

I dare you to move.

And pick up some litter while you’re at it.

For Music Mondays, I’m now teaming up with my good friend and fellow Marathon Mama, Chrissy.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

Random Thoughts about an Oil Spill, New Shoes, Boston Marathon and Track Tuesday

Last Wednesday, I wanted to get a quick 6 miles in before my husband left for his business trip. When crunched for time, I seem to run better under pressure in my training runs. I was so impressed with myself.

6 miles
Time 1:03
Ave Pace 10:32
Max Pace 8:30

Hubby has been working on the yard and therefore, the garage is a disaster. As a result and there is no path get in or out. I managed to maneuver through the garage before my run, but somehow I slipped trying to work my way back inside after my run.

I tripped over my hubby’s recycled oil container and used motor oil glubbed all over my shoes. I went into hysterics and probably woke the neighbor up with my cussing. I immediately took the shoes off and vigorously attempted to scrub them clean with an old toothbrush and Dawn dish detergent. I then threw them the shoes in a bleach cycle in the washing machine in the hopes would come clean. Another Dawn scrubbing and two more bleach cycles in the wash and the motor oil stains and smell remained.

I was devastated. These shoes were less than two months old and now I needed to replace them, however, I’ll hang onto them until Pretty Muddy. I’ll wear them for the mud run and then donate them at the end of the race. Hopefully, their industrial commercial washing machines can remove the smell and stains.

So, ordered a new pair of shoes form Brooks in the hopes they would arrive in time for Iron Girl, but they didn’t. They arrived on Monday by Fed Ex in this nifty shoebox free packaging.

Following the directions printed on the packaging, I turned the FedEx envelope inside out and it become a groovy tote. Don’t you just love that! It’s so green. Earth Day came a week early!

But oil spill shoes, new shoes and fun totes seem so trivial after the events that unfolded in Boston yesterday. I had been watching the live streaming on Facebook to stay up-to-date on my friends, Marcia and Andrea, but the live stream marathon updates were overshadowed by devastating news of explosion near the finish line. Patrick (Marcia’s husband) couldn’t locate her for about 40 minutes and we were all on edge until we had word of their safety.

When I finally watched the news footage later that evening, I cried. That could be any of us at any race. Why would someone do this? Is it some anti-government person trying to make a statement on Tax Day?

Well here’s my statement to the sick bastard who bombed the Boston Marathon.

You didn’t just bomb some race. You bombed THE race. Boston Marathon is the race that all runners dream and aspire to in a lifetime. It’s on every runner’s bucket list and some, like me, only qualify in our dreams.

Yes, these marathons are our dreams. Marathons are our goals and while your goal was to put fear in a nation with dodgy explosives, we don’t fear you. You make us stronger. You make us want to run more. You make us long for Boston even more. We will train harder and thanks to your cowardly ploy, you made Boston Marathon attainable.

We survived 911 and stupid shoebombers and we didn’t stop flying. We fly more.

You may have caused another massacre in Boston, but you messed with the wrong community. Runners are a resilient bunch. We are a strong people. Runners compete in wheelchairs and others with prosthetic limbs. Even bombs won’t stop us. Our will, our love and our passion makes us stronger. Just give us a reason to run and we will run until we die.

Though it turns my stomach to learn of the death of a young child who died while cheering for the world’s finest athletes, it won’t stop me from bringing my children to races. My children will keep running with me and we will keep cheering for others.

Furthermore, the actions of a lone lunatic won’t stop me from applying to the NYC marathon again this year, because I refuse to live in fear. Much like those who ran Boston, NYC is my dream. Once we stop dreaming, the terrorists win.

For Boston, I will keep running and dreaming.

And so will my children.

To prove it, my girls and I ran 26.2 minutes for Boston after dinner.

Today’s Track Tuesdays speedwork is dedicated to the speedy runners, the spectators and the lives lost at the Boston Marathon.

“I got sole, but I’m not a soldier.”

1.1 mile warm up
Time 10:45
Ave Pace 9:48

Lap 1 – 0.25 mile
Time 1:58
Ave Pace 7:54

Lap 2 – 0.25 mile
Time 2:00
Ave Pace 8:02

Lap 3 – 0.25 mile
Time 2:00
Ave Pace 8:03

Lap 4 – 0.25 mile
Time 2:00
Ave Pace 8:02

1 mile cool down
Time 9:34

Total Time 28:18
Total distance 3.1

*Also linking up at*

Donate a Photo App and Giveaway

This post on making a difference in the world through your own photography is brought to you by Johnson & Johnson and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

I found a wonderful way to help charities worldwide by simply sharing a photo, which is something each of us does on a regular basis anyway.

For every photo uploaded and shared through Donate a Photo, Johnson & Johnson will donate one dollar to one of its non-profit partners***. Together you and Johnson & Johnson can support a new cause every day.

Presently, the Donate a Photo app (which is FREE and available for the iOS and Andriod platforms) has three charitable partners to choose from:

Safe Kids: One photo helps protect a child from a sports injury
Keep America Beautiful: One photo helps restore a public park
Save the Children: One photo helps a newborn get medicine to thrive.

When a cause reaches its goal, another takes its place; the causes that have reached their goal will still appear in the app, so users can continue to learn more about the organizations and see the photos that helped support them.

Donating is simple: Just visit healthyessentials.com/our-caring to download the free Donate a Photo app and register to get started, then choose a cause, upload a photo and share it on Facebook and Twitter to show the actions and impact to friends and followers and encourage them to get involved in helping the causes, too.

Here is an excellent video that visually explains how to use the Donate a Photo app and how simple it is to use.

While all donations must be made through a mobile device, the experience (including a photo gallery and progress achieved for each charity) will be accessible to anyone, on any device, from mobile phones to tablets to desktop computers.

Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies has been committed to caring for the community for more than 125 years; with the Healthy Essentials™ and Donate a Photo initiatives, the Company reinforces this commitment by offering savings to families and helping those in need.

To demonstrate this commitment, Johnson & Johnson wants to help you save. Head over to HealthyEssentials.com and register to save on J&J products and find coupons for Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies’ brand portfolio, including NEUTROGENA®, BAND-AID® Brand, LISTERINE®, AVEENO®, NEOSPORIN®, VISINE® and others.

To encourage you join the Donate a Photo App cause, Johnson & Johnson want to give one Run DMT reader an assortment of Johnson & Johnson products valued at approximately $100.

Enter below for your chance to win. One winner will be randomly selected on Tuesday, April 23 12:00 a.m. EST.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway disclaimer: No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia, Eighteen (18) years of age or older. Sweepstakes end May 20, 2013. Prize(s) provided by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company Division of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. Void where prohibited.

**Johnson & Johnson has curated a list of trusted causes, and you can donate a photo to one cause, once a day. Each cause will appear in the app until it reaches its goal, or the donation period ends. If the goal isn’t reached, the cause will still get a minimum donation.

Food Bloggers Against Hunger

Today, I join over 200 food bloggers to bring attention to the 50 million Americans who go hungry every day. This call to action was prompted by by The Giving Table and the documentary A Place at the Table, playing in theaters now and also available for download from iTunes and Amazon.

One in six Americans face food insecurity and “it is the highest recorded percentage of food insecure people since the USDA began tracking in 1995”. – Mazon

Presently, SNAP provides approximately $134 per person (about $1.50 per meal per day), however, with government cut-backs and rising cost of produce, families are finding it harder and harder to feed their families.

What can you do?

Take 30 seconds and send a letter to congress asking them to support anti-hunger legislation.
Clean out your pantry and donate healthy canned good items to your local food bank.
Arrange a food drive in your neighborhood.
Spread the message and encourage others to help feed America’s hungry. Tweet “Hunger in America is a political condition. Tell your reps to make ending hunger a priority NOW. http://bit.ly/Yrn6MA #takeyourplace.”

As part of my Food Blogger Against Hunger call to action, I went on a shopping trip to see what meals I could feed my family if we lived on government subsidies. In my investigation, I learned that some healthy items are WIC, such as dried beans, tomatoes and brown rice. I also realized the importance of really shopping around for the best deals on food, couponing and price matching. Given that, here are some meals that could be prepared for under $4.

Black Beans and Rice

Mojo Marinade – Use frozen chicken breast shared in vlog. Thaw chicken and pound out to ½-inch thickness before marinating.

Lentils and Pasta

Linguini with Roasted Tomatoes and Arugula

Roasted Vegetables (seasonal)

Penne and Asparagus (seasonal)

Food Bloggers Against Hunger – Penne and Asparagus {Friday Food Fight}

On Monday, I will join over 200 food bloggers to bring attention to the 50 million Americans who go hungry every day. This call to action was prompted by by The Giving Table and the documentary A Place at the Table, playing in theaters now and also available for download from iTunes and Amazon.

One in six Americans face food insecurity and “it is the highest recorded percentage of food insecure people since the USDA began tracking in 1995”. – Mazon

As part of my Food Blogger Against Hunger call to action, I went on a shopping trip to see what meals I could feed my family if we lived on government subsidies. In my investigation, I learned that some healthy items are WIC, such as dried beans, tomatoes and brown rice. I also realized the importance of really shopping around for the best deals on food, couponing and price matching. Given that, here are some meals that could be prepared for under $4.

Black Beans and Rice

Mojo Marinade – Use frozen chicken breast shared in vlog. Thaw chicken and pound out to ½inch thickness before marinating.

Lentils and Pasta

Linguini with Roasted Tomatoes and Arugula

Roasted Vegetables

In addition to this call to action, I’m sharing a new recipe for under $4 for this week’s Friday Food Fight. In my investigative shopping adventure, I spotted deals to make this healthy meal affordable. This penne and asparagus recipe consists of five main ingredients, including garlic not pictured.

Regular Barilla pasta was a Buy One, Get One Free deal at Publix this week. Therefore, you could get two boxes of regular semolina pasta for $1.27 instead of box whole wheat for $1.19, if you wanted to stretch your dollar.

The eggs are a WIC item but if not purchased on WIC, you could buy the half dozen for $1.

Those ingredient would produce a similar healthy Penne and Asparagus dish for about $4.

Food Bloggers Against Hunger and Friday Food Fight

Recipe type: Italian, Vegetarian

Cuisine: Pasta

Author: Run DMT

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 30 mins

Total time: 35 mins

Serves: 6

Adapted from Skinnytaste, penne and asparagus smothered in a creamy cheesy pasta sauce.

Ingredients

1 lb thin asparagus
1 lb Barilla Whole Grain Penne
1 Tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and fresh ground pepper
1 large egg yolk
1 cup pasta water
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

Rinse asparagus. Trim ends of asparagus and then cut into 2” pieces. Bring 4 cups salted water to boil. Add asparagus and cook 3 minutes, until tender crisp. Drain asparagus.
Cook penne as directed on box for al dente only a minute less. Reserve one cup of pasta water.
As pasta boils, heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add garlic and cook until golden. Add asparagus, salt and pepper and sauté about 1-2 minutes, tossing with oil and garlic.
In a small bowl, combine egg yolk, parmesan cheese, 1 cup reserved pasta water, salt and pepper. Whisk well.
Drain penne and return to pot. Lower heat to a low heat and pour egg-cheese egg mixture over penne. Stir continuously to thicken sauce, about 2 minutes.
Add asparagus and toss through penne. Add crushed red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with additional grated parmesan.

Thank you for joining our Food Bloggers Against Hunger campaign and for linking up for this week’s Friday Food Fight.

Photobucket

*Also submitted at*

Same Love, Same Rights

The day after I wore purple to support epilepsy, I changed my Facebook to the color red to show my support for gay rights.

To some, changing my photo to a small red equal symbol seemed like a foolish way to make a statement. It’s never foolish to take a stand for what you believe in. With each red equal sign, each individual becomes another red square in a large quilt that blankets this country with a need for acceptance and change.

I have so many gay and lesbian friends and they deserve the same civil liberties and rights as my husband and me.

If my children are gay, I don’t want them to live through the pain that my gay brothers and sisters have endured. My friends and loved ones deserve the same love, the same rights as everyone else.

For Music Mondays, I’m now teaming up with my good friend and fellow Marathon Mama, Chrissy.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

Run DMT

I'm a mom on the run!

Tag Archives: love

50 Things to Do This Summer {2013}

J&J For All You Love

Thankful for the Kindness of Strangers

One Woman Army for Mother’s Day {Music Monday}

Dare You to Move {Music Monday}

Random Thoughts about an Oil Spill, New Shoes, Boston Marathon and Track Tuesday

Donate a Photo App and Giveaway

Food Bloggers Against Hunger

Food Bloggers Against Hunger – Penne and Asparagus {Friday Food Fight}

Same Love, Same Rights

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