"Exercise and I"

We go way back.

"Exercise and I"

Then I had twins.

And.

It was great when I was nursing and the pounds came of quickly, but not so good when I stopped.

Ever since then I have been trying and fighting a loosing battle of weight, hormones and ups and downs.

However, I am a "fighter" a "go getter" my husband calls me and I don't give up easily.

I've been determined this year to gain muscle and burn fat.

I have such a background in fitness and nutrition that I know what i need to do.

So starting in January I went with a new program

 (kinda forced into a new program due to loosing a long time running buddy to a move)...

Anyway.

I've been really working hard on when i go to the gym on Monday, Wed, Friday and Sat (Sat is either outside or in...)

I make it really count.

I'm talking if I do the treadmill i pump up the incline every 10 seconds all the way up to 7.0 while running 6.5 or higher speed and then ever 10 seconds take it down.  I was told this was a good idea by a trainer awhile back...and it is.  I hang on until the very end when I feel like throwing the treadmill out the window and then...

I do it all over again.

It hurts. I sweat A LOT and it's making a difference.

Not only that but i'm doing a lot of weight training and spinning.

I tell you what lately i've seen a difference in the way i feel and the way my clothing fits.

YEAH.

The other thing I've been working on is SUGAR, CARBS AND SALT.

I'm doing great and feeling good.

I read it takes 21 days to get of Carbs and they were not joking.

Press forward all those who are trying to get in shape...press forward...

You CAN DO IT!

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines day.

We have three sick over here, including me, but my dear husband always makes it special on Valentines day.

Hope your having a extra special day.

"Finishing Well" A Tribute To Ed

Have you ever been to a funeral that was a celebration of someones life;

I mean a real celebration?

We were so blessed last Saturday to be able to attend a old friend of ours funeral.

Yes blessed. 

Blessed to have known him,

Jason was blessed to be mentored by him for some time,

I was blessed to spend time with his wife and

we were both blessed to be able to be in their young married bible study group when we had first moved to San Jose.

Ed was a blessing to all those who knew and spent time with him.

Ed was a man who loved the Lord with all his "heart, mind and soul" and treated each person and each day as a gift.

At the funeral service they had friend after friend come share how Ed was their

"best friend"

Really.

Their.

"Best friend"

Towards the end of the service they asked all the men (and it was a packed service) to stand up that were encouraged, mentored or had talked to Ed about anything spiritual and almost all the men their stood up it was so encouraging.

Jeanne Sechrist Nickell a friend of Ed and Sandy's says this:)

Ed Harris, our dearest friend who loved Jesus and others with his whole heart died suddenly yesterday. We can’t imagine this world and our lives without Ed. As Dale & I sit in this wonderful Godly man’s office where Ed was found peacefully, we feel privileged to be here surrounded with not only Ed’s presence but with the presence of Jesus. Everything about this room where Ed died reflects Jesus a...nd his love for him. There is a painting of Jesus lovingly embracing a man with tenderness painted by his daughter, Shelli ,and just given to him this Christmas. Ed died right below this picture and went into the warm embrace of Jesus. As we see Ed’s computer, we are reminded of all the people Ed communicates with around the world who email in with questions and who are searching for Truth. His many books reflect his quest to know, love and serve Jesus and share his faith with others, because he so loves. Ed was a man of prayer and if we had a problem, we knew we could tell Ed and he would pray for us. We are thankful that God gave us all Ed with his words of encouragement, playfulness, and loving personality. Ed, would say don’t cry for me I am finally in the arms of Jesus. When we get to heaven we will see and understand. For now with that limited understanding comes much grieving. We love Sandy and family and we grieve with them. Thank you Lord you promise to walk with us through our grief, and you will sustain them

"His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; Come and share your masters happiness." Matt 25:23

Life is a gift, precious and short.

God has a plan for your life and if you don't know Him today then start with a bible and the book of John. He wants to know you, He created you.

"O'Lord help me to live each day like it is my last and help me to LOVE those you put in my life with your amazing love." Me

Thank you Ed for your legacy of faith and love.

Thank you God for giving us all a chance to know Ed a faithful servant of yours.

Rocky Road Brownies

These my friends are ...

"Rocky Road Brownies"

Crazy.

My mom ever since I can remember has made rocky road candy at Christmas and it just doesn't seem like Christmas with at least one patch of rocky road to give to the neighbors.

So when I stumbled across this recipe on marthastewart.com

I just had to give it a go...even though i'm trying to eat really good right now.

O'my goodness you have to try them.

They are so much fun to make with kids and SOO yummy.

Make them for Valentines day, bible study group or girls night out.

A sure hit.

Note: I did not use the parchment paper and they turned out perfect.

Ingredients


• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for pan

• 1 bag (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 large eggs

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)

• 1 cup miniature marshmallows

• 1/2 cup chopped nuts, such as cashews, pecans, or walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch-square baking pan. Line bottom with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides; butter paper.

2. In a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water, combine butter and 1 cup chocolate chips. Heat, stirring occasionally, just until melted, 3 to 5 minutes.

3. Remove mixture from heat; stir in sugars and salt, then eggs, and finally flour, stirring just until combined. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes.

4. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips, then marshmallows and nuts. Bake until chocolate is shiny and marshmallows are puffed, about 5 minutes. Cool completely in pan. Using paper overhang, lift cake onto a work surface; cut into 16 squares.

Cook's Note

To prevent toppings from sinking into the batter, sprinkle them on after brownies are baked. An extra 5 minutes in the oven melts the topping together for easy slicing.