Linsey’s Sleep Over Birthday Party
The birthday party sleep over went fantastically well on Saturday night and all the girls (I think) had a great time.

Linsey and I got there about 30 minutes or so before the guests so that we could get the room situated and drop off our stuff. The room was BEAUTIFUL!

With a king size bed All. For. Me.

Before the girls all arrived and after we got our stuff loaded into the suite LInsey and I stopped for a mother/daughter picture in the giant mirror that I really wanted to steal and bring home with me. But alas, it was too big.

The party was small and consisted of Linsey’s very best friends (three to be exact) so I knew there wasn’t going to be any drama. The girls played games, ate pizza and watched movies way into the night.

On Sunday morning we went out to have crepes for breakfast at Linsey’s request.

I’m pretty sure that all the girls had a good time and I’ve decided that the low-key, smaller parties are definitely the way to go in the future. This one was so easy and pain free. SCORE!

Clayton High School vs Westboro Baptist Church
If you’re not familiar with the group, Westboro Baptist Church sends members of their congregation out to protest military funerals, tornado destruction sites and anything else they can use as a platform to spread their message of hate.

Well, this morning they chose to do it at one of our local high schools. The group was protesting the high school because they said that is where children are being taught about “abominations like same sex marriage, equality for all and other anti-Christian values”.

The student body at Clayton High School put together a counter protest to take place at the same time that would raise money (selling t-shirts, wrist bands and screen printing items on the spot) for Gay and Lesbian Youth Support Groups.

I knew I wanted to join in the protest and take the girls with me immediately. Jason and I have always tried to teach the girls that we love and respect everyone. Race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and anything else that makes someone “different” does not matter to us. We love and cherish every equally because they are human beings and that is what being a human being means.

So we got up extra early this morning to head out for the protest. We stopped at Bread Co for breakfast…

(whole grain bagel with wild blueberry cream cheese – YUM!)

As soon as we got to the high school we realized that this was bigger than even I thought it would be. Look at the amount of police presence there was!

Some residence in the very expensive town homes across the street even joined in the support!!

The crowd of Westboro protesters only consisted of 5 people with 3 to 4 signs a piece. The signs were so horrible that I opted not to even give them publication, but know that the message was full of hate and ignorance. So sad.

The crown for the counter protest was amazing. It was probably 300 to 400 people with signs that said some of the most beautiful things. The vibe of the crown was peaceful, loving and compassionate, but strong on their beliefs.

I am so glad that I took the girls to see and be a part of the demonstration. Regan obviously had no clue what was going one, but Linsey really got it and was amazed to see such a large group of people coming together in such a positive way. It was very lovely.

We even got stopped and interviewed by a local news channel!! The reporter was so excited to see that I was involving my children in the protest. He asked me a few questions and then asked Linsey a couple as well. We may be on Channel 2 News if you live in St Louis!!

Who Won The Yogurt??
So – I was given some different types of Chobani Champions to try last week and was also allowed to host a giveaway of the new flavors. Well – we all tried the new flavors of yogurt. I am a tried and true Chobani fan! I eat many of the flavors quite frequently and was super excited to sample the new champions flavors.

Vanilla Chocolate Chunk

This was our over all favorite for obvious reasons. Who doesn’t love chocolate? The texture was smooth. The flavor was subtle and sweet, but not overwhelming. This is a flavor I will be buying often!

Orange Vanilla Swirl

The girls weren’t thrilled with this flavor as much. Regan doesn’t like orange anything and Linsey said it was way too sweet. She said it was too orange-y and not something she would want me to buy. I liked it! I thought it was definitely orange-y, but I happen to like oranges and orange flavor so maybe that’s why. I probably will buy this flavor, but not as often as the chocolate.

And the winner’s are…

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Candace and Missy please send your mailing addresses to maria@realfitmama.com so I can get them to the good people over at Chobani.

Today I’m thankful for:

…positivity in the world

…being able to share events with my daughters

…getting to hang out with Jason during the day

…friends who help lift my spirits

…yoga

~ Maria

Jason and I ran the deli all by ourselves, we got killed and then we got over it.

That’s how we do things up in this mug!!

I hope that you all took the time to read my previous post regarding Planned Parenthood and the Susan G. Komen debacle. It’s of the utmost importance and would mean the world to me to have your support.

Moving on…

Yesterday I walked to my front door and do you know what I found??

Yep! That is a HUGH JASS box of Chobani. And it’s all for … the girls. I was approached a while back to do a review and giveaway of the new flavors of Chobani Champions. Linsey and Regan already eat Chobani Champions and love it so this taste test was only going to end one way.

When we opened the box I was shocked to see just what WAS inside!

Now the really fun part … I get to give some Chobani Champions to not one, but TWO of you guys!! I have some Vanilla Chocolate Chunk AND Orange Vanilla ready to mail out. All I need to know is:

• what is your television guilty pleasure?
• what’s your favorite snack to eat while watching it?

I’ll pick two winners on Sunday night after getting back from Linsey’s birthday party sleepover.

Today I’m thankful for:

…my health

…my daughter’s health

…the fact that there is a place I can go when I need medical help without insurance

…the support of all of you amazing people

…twitter! It’s helped me connect with so many people today alone!

~ Maria

I was devastated to find out they are cutting all monetary (about $700,000) funds to Planned Parenthood because some asshole Republican politician in Florida decided they needed to be investigated for “misuse of funds” where abortions are concerned.

I am a huge supporter of Planned Parenthood for a number of reasons, but most of all because they provide Women’s Health to people who may not otherwise be able to see a regular doctor. Everything is based on your income and there is NEVER any judgement.

We have gone for a number of years without health insurance and I knew I could count on my local Planned Parenthood to provide me with the basic care I needed whether it be birth control, pap smears, breast exams, etc. I also knew it would be something I would be able to afford.

Does the Komen Foundation now think that only rich people get breast cancer?
That only rich people need breast exams?
That only rich people deserve the best care possible?

Because that is totally what it feels like to me at this time. That or they’re bowing down to some gray haired man down in Florida who hasn’t seen a vagina in 20 years so he’s stirring up trouble because he’s pissed! or they’re scared of the Republican’s who are out for Planned Parenthood blood.

Here’s what I (and my good friend, Elizabeth) have decided to do about it!

Send it to Susan
My dear friend, Elizabeth, has first hand experience as to what devastation’s breast cancer can cause. Her mother would be 67 years old on February 5th if breast cancer hadn’t taken her life.

So we’ve declared February 5th Send it to Susan Day!

All you have to do is go to your local post office and get a flat rate shipping box.
Fill it with ALL of your Susan G. Komen paraphernalia.
Include a handwritten note stating your disgust in this decision.
Ship it to the following address:
Nancy Brinker
Susan G. Komen Foundation
5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250
Dallas, TX 75244

Editor’s Note: I’m aware that February 5th is a Sunday so get your packages in the mail either Saturday or Monday!!

Race to Support Planned Parenthood
I also have first hand experience with breast cancer. My mother was diagnosed two weeks after Regan was born. She was one of the lucky ones who survived. Jason’s Grandmother was diagnosed in the 80′s and also survived, but so many others don’t make it. Without the proper screenings that number will go up.

Here in St Louis the annual Race for the Cure is June 23rd. I propose that we save our $25 registration fee and donate it right to Planned Parenthood. You can make an online donation by clicking here.

I plan to gather that morning, instead, with my family and friends and run a Race to Support Planned Parenthood. We’re currently putting together a little run meeting to complete a 5k on our own complete with race bibs (as soon as I get them finished I will post a printable version) and everything!

My hope is that you, my lovely readers, will also gather on that morning with your family and friends (donned in your Support Planned Parenthood race bibs) and run your little hearts out right along with us. I also hope that you’ll take tons and tons of pictures, send them to me at maria@realfitmama.com so that I can then write up and amazing post showing just how much we support Planned Parenthood and the work that they have and will continue to do.

That’s it for now, but trust me – I will NOT be letting this fight go. I’m in it for the long haul. I hope that someday the Race to Support Planned Parenthood on June 23rd will be as big (or bigger) than the Race for the Cure because to me…

All women’s health issues are my issues because I am a woman.

Today I am grateful for you and your support.

~ Maria

As a mother I have lots of guilt.

Is that normal??

Before I get into the guilt part of my day let’s get into the food part of my day.

Breakfast
Breakfast food has got to be my absolute favorite type of food. I live for pancakes, waffles, eggs, toast, omelets, crepes, sausage and bacon (vegetarian of course) and maple syrup.

Lately I have become addicted to yogurt bowls. They are full of protein, good fats and are big enough to keep me full for a few hours.

This yogurt bowl was filled with banana slices, a HUGE scoop of crunchy peanut butter, a sprinkling of dark chocolate chips and one container of black cherry chobani. It’s exquisite.

With ONE mug of coffee it goes down even better.

Regan still isn’t feeling well so I stayed home until about 10:30 this morning when my mom came over to watch her for me. Insert some guilt here…

On my way to the deli I kept feeling guilty for leaving my sick 4 year old at home with her grandmother, but I sucked it up and did my job. The deli doesn’t run well without me – or so I’ve been told.

Snack
I snacked on a granola bar around 11:30.

The weather all day was shitty.

It has been dreary.

It has been rainy.

It has made me feel more guilty.

It has me all dark and twisty inside.

Lunch
So I had lunch. A veggie sandwich on  a whole wheat hoagie with pepper jack cheese and honey mustard. There was also a small bag of chips and an orange.

I caved in to my sweet tooth (GUILT!) and had the top of a very yummy cupcake. I enjoyed every bite of that cupcake top.

Jason knew I felt guilty (I get bitchy when I feel guilty) so he told me to go on home and take care of Regan.

Which I did.

But when I got home she was mean. She was wild. She yelled and wouldn’t listen. Basically – she was a complete brat and I yelled at her.

Guilt…

I got her settled down, gave her some medicine and rocked her for a bit before she asked to lay in my bed and watch cartoons.

She was asleep in about 15 minutes.

Then I stood in the doorway and felt guilty for leaving her, for coming home early from work, for yelling at her while she’s sick and then for feeling so thankful when she finally fell asleep.

Guilt…

It fucking sucks and it never travel alone. It always shows up with it’s good friends doubt and self loathing.

I doubt my abilities as a mother. As a wife. As a writer. As a lot of things.

I hate myself for getting angry and yelling. For arguing with Jason. For resenting my children and their uncanny ability to suck up what little “me time” I get everyday.

Welcome to motherhood…

Dinner
I’m going to finish the workout I started this morning and make breakfast for dinner.

Today I’m thankful for:

…resilient kids

…cupcake tops

…breakfast for dinner

…naps

…Grey’s Anatomy on netflix (have I used this one before)

~ Maria

Nope.

Time keeps ticking away…

Here’s what has been happening while time’s been ticking and I’ve been home with a sick kiddo.

Today I am thankful for -

…chobani yogurt sales

…fishing princesses

…hummus and falafel dinners

…independent films

…tea parties with little girls who still don’t feel 100%

And now I’m off to sneak in a workout that I skipped this morning!

~ Maria

We’re currently under a Winter Weather Advisory, but I don’t really know what/if anything that means because nothing is going on. I guess we’ll wait and see. All I know is that it’s FU*KING cold out there right now!

Jason will be home shortly and the weekend will REALLY begin so without further ado…

Five For Friday:

–> I made it through another round of level 2 of the 30 Day Shred. Jillian ain’t playin around man!! I had the most embarrassing thing happen to me while working out this morning (loud girlie parts) so I had to kick Jason out of the living room.

–> Day 2 of only drinking one cup of coffee went pretty well!

–> I had the best oats E.V.E.R. for breakfast. In the bowl today was:

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 c unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1/2 c water
• sprinkle of cinnamon
• 1/2 c crushed pineapple
• 1 scoop crunchy peanut butter
• 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips
• ping of shredded coconut

–>I had tomato basil soup and a toasted veggie sandwich for lunch. It was lovely and comforting on such a cold winter day.

–> Tonight we’re taking the girls to see a show at the Touhill Performing Arts Center so I gots ta go.

Enjoy your evening!!

Today I’m thankful for:

…weekends

…family fun night

…cinnamon gum

…twitter friends

…comfort foods

~ Maria

We also got some very important things accomplished while we were in Springfield. Hair!!

I had some massive gray action going and was in desperate need of a hair cut. Both problems were taken care of by the lovely and talented Heather (also one of my very best friends).

Linsey also got to take advantage of Heather’s wicked hair styling skills. She has been begging me to let her get colored streaks in her hair and this weekend was the weekend it actually happened. I think she really loves her funky new do!

After we were both beautiful again it was time for the kids to hang with the grandparents and the grown ups to go out for the evening. Heather, Kyle, Jason and I went out to dinner and then to hang out at a local bar.

It was hard to say goodbye to everyone, but the real world beckoned and we had to come home.

This morning, after a very long night of hail, thunder, lightening, tornado sirens and kids in and out of our bed I woke up dragging ass. I really wanted to skip my workout, but knew I would feel even worse throughout the day if I did. So I got my ass up and pushed through level 2 of the 30 Day Shred.

Breakfast was a twist on my protein pancakes. I swapped frozen dark cherries for the banana and used4 tablespoons of liquid egg whites instead of wasting the real eggs. They didn’t look too pretty, but they tasted SO GOOD!!

Topped with some peanut butter and paired with a mug of coffee. DELISH!

The deli was depressingly slow today and I was a snack monster! I think the lack of sleep just had me feeling very hungry all day long. I had a granola bar for my first snack (no picture) and then a small cup of minestrone a little while later (also no picture) and tons of water.

When it really was time for lunch I wasn’t super hungry, but made a good sized salad anyway. In the mix:

• spring mix
• red onions
• tomatoes
• cucumbers
• banana peppers
• honey mustard dressing
• a morningstar farms chik’n patty

My sweet tooth reared it’s ugly head and I downed a chocolate chip cookie before I knew what had happened!!

I got home from work with plenty of time to spare so I snuck in a yoga session to help ease a bit of the stress and tension from lack of sleep.

Dinner time was a hodge podge for everyone. Jason and Regan wanted cereal. Linsey wanted pasta and broccoli and I wanted something that I could cook while I cleaned the kitchen and got everything ready for tomorrow. So I whipped up a very bastardized version of huevos rancheros.

In the mix was:

• black beans
• hummus
• garlic
• roasted broccoli
• two pan fried eggs

Regan and I are cuddled up in my bed waiting for Jason and Linsey to get home. I’ve still got laundry going and the temperature is dropping rapidly. I’m ready to curl up under the covers and read some books with my girl.

See what I mean??

I have tons of things I really want to talk about, but tonight I’m going to zip my lips and snuggle with Regan. She’s dying for some solo Mommy time!

…I’m thankful for snuggly girls

…I’m thankful for good books

…I’m thankful for great friends

…I’m thankful for my family

…I’m thankful for early bedtimes

~ Maria

I hope that you’re having a great Saturday and I hope that all my friends back home (we’re in Springfield for the weekend) go and enjoy the Ice Carnival this weekend. I’ll be here, enjoying some time with friends and family that we don’t get to see very often.

Actually, in about two hours I’ll be off getting my jacked up do repaired. It’s in desperate need!

This morning Regan decided that I needed to be up watching Winnie the Pooh with her at 5:30. Surprisingly it wasn’t hard to wake up because I would normally be up. The only trouble was my body wanted to be working out (who am I??) but everyone else was asleep. So I spent some time playing on twitter and facebook until about 7:00.

Once everyone was up and moving around I made the girls some breakfast (toast and scrambled eggs) then convinced Jason to join me in the fitness room of his parents apartment complex. I totally forgot to bring my 30 Day Shred DVD (epic fail!) but figured one day isn’t going to kill me. Besides, hanging out with Jason while we both did our own thing on the treadmill was much nicer anyway.

I happen to be one of those odd ducks that actually LOVES running on a treadmill. I love the fact that I can set my pace, my incline and just go. I can also be running with other people who may be faster or slower than me and we all stay together. Watching any one of Andy Cohen’s shows is always a plus!!

(photo source)

I got in a really lovely run!! It was slow, but steady and at a fairly high incline. I walked for five minutes at a two percent incline, then bumped it up to a five percent incline and jogged for 40 minutes and dropped it back down to a two percent incline for a five minute cool down.

WAHOO!!

When we got back to the house I pulled out the overnight oats I had stuck in the refrigerator for us. In the bowl was:

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 small banana sliced
• 1 scoop of nutella

And slammed my second cup of coffee!!

Thursday morning we woke up to the first snow fall of the year (and winter!).

While we only got about an inch or so, combined with plummeting temperatures (27 degrees down to 19 degrees in about three hours) and untreated roadways, the morning commute was a MASSIVE pain in the ass with drive times doubling and tripling for many residents of the St Louis area. I heard stories of people being stuck in the same spot on the highway for 2 to 3 hours!

The cold weather makes me want thick socks, an entire day in my pajamas and pancakes. Well… one out of three was the best I could do! So after my workout I got some protein pancake batter ready to be cooked after I took my shower.

I tweeted and facebooked (is that a word?) how yummy they were and got many people asking me how I made them so I figured I would give away my little “secret” which probably is no secret at all, but it was something I stumbled onto and fell in love with.

Chocolate Banana Protein Pancakes:

• 4 large egg whites
• 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
• 1 frozen banana chopped

Mix all the ingredients into a bowl and then let sit for 30 minutes or so (or long enough to take a shower and get dressed).

Scoop out with a ladle onto a preheated, nonstick skillet. Cook just like you would regular pancakes.

Finally – top with maple syrup, almond butter or your favorite fruit preserve. This mixture makes 3-4 good sized pancakes, but I could only finish three of them. I topped mine with a smear of almond butter and a drizzle of maple syrup. YUM!

I’m off to take a shower so I don’t smell like massive B.O. while I’m getting my hair done later today.

I’m excited because Jason and I get to hang out tonight with two of our very best friends who have recently reunited (like we always hoped they would) after years of bad relationships AND my sister in law, Theresa, is going to baby sit the girls!! It’s a win/win situation because she loves the girls and the girls WORSHIP her.

HAPPY SATURDAY…

…I’m thankful for never ending supplies of coffee

…I’m thankful for having a best friend be a professional hair stylist

…I’m thankful for in laws with a fitness center

…I’m thankful for a sister in law who loves her nieces (and will baby sit!)

…I’m thankful for a mother who will dog sit while we’re out of town

~ Maria

I will be back tomorrow, after a four hour drive to Springfield, a nice run on a treadmill and a refreshing green monster at my in-laws house.

…I’m grateful I know so many different curse words
…I’m grateful my children are cute otherwise their well being would have been in jeopardy
…I’m grateful for Jillian Michaels
…I’m grateful for the ability to half ass blog from my iPhone

~ Maria

After having another beautiful day in January (temps have been in the 50s for days!) I talked Jason into going for an afternoon run before picking up Regan from school.

I had already gotten in my 30 Day Shred workout earlier in the morning so the run was just cheddah baby, but being out with Jason was lovely.

After the run he said, “Hey! Let’s take the girls out to dinner. What do you think?”

I said, “If I don’t have to cook or clean up, no one will fight about what they’re eating AND it’s yummy – I’m so in!”

So we took the girls to their favorite place (because we’re old I had coupons!) and met our friend Jeff as well. Sweet Tomatoes is always a win win in our house. They have yummy salads, a dozen or so soups, baked goods, pastas and always something sweet to finish off the meal. SCORE!

This morning went like every morning:

• alarm goes off at 5:00
• in the living room by 5:30ish
• workout with Jillian Michaels

This morning did have a slightly different twist. My workout was crashed…

We pretended to jump rope just like Jillian instructed us too and Jason thought it was so cute that a picture just HAD to be taken. (don’t tell him, but I think it’s pretty cute too)

Then the normalness of the morning came back and I got in the shower where I could still hear the girls fighting over who got play with my hand weights.

Breakfast was a smoothie and coffee.

In the mix was:

• one frozen banana
• four frozen strawberries
• two handfuls of fresh spinach
• one cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• two scoops of chocolate protein powder

By the time I got to work I was hungry again. That smoothie was super filling, but it just didn’t stick with me like oats or toast and eggs do. I guess I’ll be leaving that to mid afternoon snacks or lunch paired with something else.

I got all my opening duties done and immediately ripped open my snack.

It was a snack for the tummy and the mind…

I completely forgot to take a picture of my hugh jass salad that I made for lunch, but it was two big handfuls of spring mix, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, banana peppers, hard boiled eggs, four veggie buffalo wings and honey mustard dressing. Then, to top it off, I had a chocolate chip cookie!

We had another amazingly beautiful day (maybe winter is going to just pass us by this year?) so I convinced Jason to hurry home and run with me again!

He has become very interested in moving towards a healthier lifestyle this year and even wants to run a half marathon in April. These shorter runs (afternoon delights) are really helping him get focused on training, plus, we get to spend a little time together with no work, no customers and no kids.

After the running was over he left to pick Regan up from school and I took Linsey to dance class. I am currently eating my brown bag meal and typing at the same time!

I’ve already eaten the apple and the sugar snap peas with roasted garlic hummus.

VAMPIRES BEWARE!! That was the absolute garlic-ey-est (yes that’s a word) hummus I have ever eaten in my life. I hope no one wants to get very close to me before I get home to brush my teeth.

I’m eating a crunchy peanut butter and cherry jam sandwich in hopes that will cancel out a bit of the garlic smell.

Question of the day:
this is in the name of research for an upcoming blog post so pretty pretty pretty please answer in depth…

Why do you work out? Honestly? I reeeeeeeeally want to know.

…I’m thankful for cherry jam

…I’m thankful for sunny days

…I’m thankful for afternoon runs with my husband

…I’m thankful for extra crunchy peanut butter

…I’m thankful for trash rag magazines

~ Maria