Coffee. I love coffee. I drink mine black, but when I stop at a coffee shop, it’s easy to get lured into ordering something a bit more adventurous, which often means more calories, sugar, and fat. Did you know that if you drink a Grande Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino, you will be consuming 500 calories, 9 grams of fat, and 98 grams of carbs? And that’s WITHOUT the whipped cream. Oh my.

I’ve done some investigating and have come up with ten drinks that you can enjoy without feeling the guilt. Enjoy!

Finale? Really?! Where has the time gone? I might be having a minor panic attack when I think about the fact that May is already half over and the kids are going to be done with school in two weeks.

We have been Springing into Action for the past several weeks. Remember back on Day One when we discussed our Action Plans?

Analyze your goals – decide what you want to accomplish over the next 6 weeks.
Commit to a plan – how are you going to achieve your goals? Put it on the calendar!
Track your progress – Journal, journal, journal. Whether it’s on your blog or on paper.
Inspire yourself and others – Supporting other people will inspire you to do your best.
Overcome your fears – Face them head on, and realize you’re strong and can do anything.
Never give up – Enough said. Quitting is not an option.

Did you stick with your plan? Have you seen success and reached your goal? Tell us about it in the comments below or by blogging and leaving a link to your post!

We have been busy kicking-ass in April and building mad muscles in May! Are you enjoying the monthly workouts? Are there certain areas you would like to see targeted in upcoming workouts?

Stay tuned for a new, fresh challenge coming your way June 1st! Details coming soon!

Keep checking in every Wednesday! We love to stay in the loop with our readers!

Back in the day, we had simple terms to describe our eating habits. Herbivore, carnivore, omnivore… Simple. In our culture today, there are so many in-betweens and different words to describe certain ways of eating, in can be a bit overwhelming. In the end, the choice is yours. Eat as you see fit for your personal preference and ethical beliefs!

Omnivore- People whose diets consist of both plants and meats.

Vegetarian- Sort of a catch-all term for those who eat mostly plant-based foods. Some vegetarians choose to not eat meat, but allow dairy. Some eat fish. There are many different types of vegetarians.

Vegan- A person who eats strictly plant-based foods. Vegans eat no animal foods at all – no dairy, eggs, fish, poultry, pork, or meat. Many vegans also choose to abstain from eating any foods prepared with animal-derived ingredients, such as gelatin.

Flexitarian- A sometimes vegetarian. Flexitarians choose to eat mostly plant-based diets, but do consume the occasional serving of animal products, whether it be for health reasons or personal enjoyment.

Pescatarian- This term describes a person who abstains from eating all meats, except for fish.

Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian- A person who eats plant foods, eggs, and dairy, but no meat, poultry, seafood, or other animal foods.

Raw Foodist or Raw Vegan- A person who eats only food that is not heated above a temperature of approximately 115º Fahrenheit. Raw foodists believe that enzymes and other vital components of plant food are destroyed by heat.

Macrobiotic- The macrobiotic diet includes unprocessed vegan foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and allows the occasional consumption of fish. Sugar and refined oils are avoided.

Fruitarian- A person who eats a diet comprised only of fruit, nuts, and other self-reproducing plants that are not destroyed in the process of being eaten; for example, when we eat a carrot, we eat the whole plant and the carrot cannot reproduce itself, but when we eat an apple, the apple tree continues to live and produce more fruit.

Phew. All these big words are making my head spin. What term best describes your eating habits? What are your reasons for your choice? Favorite foods or recipes? Share!

May is almost upon us! In the past few months, we’ve gotten our abdomens bikini-ready {or at least tankini-ready}, and our asses are looking more fabulous than ever.

Are you ready for MAD MUSCLE MAY?

Once again, we have three exercises for you. The goal of these monthly mini-workouts is to fit in quick, repetitive exercises that will leave you feeling confident and strong by the end of the month. These daily workouts can be tailored to your individual needs, as well as modified to your personal level of fitness. We encourage you to focus on your form with each and every rep.

Get to know these exercises, because for the next 31 days you will be eating, sleeping, and breathing them. Cue dramatic music.

I now present to you…
{click on the exercise title for demonstrations}

PUSH-UPS! Everyone’s favorite right? Focus on doing each push-up with proper form and control. If you are anything like me, you probably have trouble doing these on your toes. That’s alright, try a few, then if needed, drop your knees down to the floor for the rest. Throughout the month, try and increase the reps you perform on your toes.

TRICEPS DIPS! If you have sensitive wrists, try gripping dumbbells as you are doing the dip -this will take the pressure off your wrists. If you still have issues, think about doing triceps kickbacks or seated triceps extensions.

MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS! {Insert groan here.} Have I told you how much I despise mountain climbers? I suppose it’s time to make friends with them since we will be getting up close and personal all month.

Weeks 1 & 2, perform two sets of each trio, and on Weeks 3, 4, & 5, kick it up to three sets!

Print out the workout calendar below, tell your friends, and bitch and moan about how bad your muscles hurt let us know how good you are feeling by using the hashtag #madmusclemay! We’re on Twitter and Facebook!

Ready, set, GO!

       Print This!    

Other workouts to firm and tighten…

• Kick-Ass April. 
• Six-Pack March.

Hello there. Ever have those days or weeks where you just feel kind of “meh”, even though you have no REAL reason to be feeling that way? Yeah. That’s me. My blog has been suffering for months weeks… My motivation is lacking, even though I have that half-marathon right around the corner.

I have been busy reading, redesigning, and planning our landscaping in our backyard. My husband has been busy with the manual labor. We have a few acres outside of town and have been dreaming of raising a few chickens. Fresh eggs, anyone? Only, I forgot a small detail, you know, checking our subdivision covenants to see if they allow for it. They don’t.

We were licensed for foster care at the beginning of the month and have been awaiting our first placement call. Only it hasn’t happened. It’s a good thing if we aren’t needed, right? I know this. At the same time, several of my friends and family are expecting or have recently given birth to precious little newborns, and while I am so excited and happy for them {because REALLY, I am}, I also have that little twinge of a green-eyed monster stirring inside of me. I hate that I even remotely feel that way. I keep telling myself that if we are meant to have more children, it will happen. We have four happy, thriving children, and I think our family is pretty dang awesome already.

Can you say roller-coaster? Drastic times call for drastic measures.

3 Ways to Rid Yourself of The Funk

Put on a bright unitard, some sweet legwarmers {pornstache optional} and practice, practice, PRACTICE this routine. Put on a show for your friends.

Buy Try something new. You probably don’t want to go buy a kayak, as I did, because once you do? The weather is sure to turn shitty.

Go to Walmart. Better yet… Wear this or this and go to Walmart. Just don’t buy anything or you will wait in line at one of the two open checkouts for an hour, and that just plain takes the fun out of it.

How do you chase the blues away? Share and link to your favorite funnies!

It’s Monday, friends. I spent all weekend outside and have all the aches and pains to show for it. My back hurts. My ankle is bruised and swollen, due to one sneaky little garden gnome hiding out behind my feet and tripping me and forcing me to fall over the raised garden bed. Gracefully, of course.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I haven’t had enough coffee or ibuprofen yet to be fully functioning.

We have had some great pieces featured on the Sisterhood over the years, posts that may not have gotten the attention they deserved. So, if you missed them the first time, make sure you check them out now!

• Have you ever considered signing up for a charity race? I can’t imagine a better reason for tackling that 1/2 marathon you’ve been contemplating, but too scared to commit. Tiffany Zook writes about the ins and outs of charity racing.
• Find your passion.
• Demystifying fundraising. 
• Using your passion to fuel your training. 

• We looove success stories. Since featuring Erin in this Couch-to-5K success story, she has gone on to become a half-marathoner. Whether you are a seasoned runner, or a newbie wannabe, this story will motivate you!
• The Story of Loss. Inspiring. Grab tissues.

What are some inspiring and motivating stories you’ve read lately? Do share!

This week, we are spotlighting our Run the ‘Hood sponsor, Moving Comfort. Moving Comfort is a women-powered company lead by the belief that a Fit Woman is a Powerful Woman®. They produce inspiring, flattering high-performance workout gear that will keep you motivated and supported while you sweat, and looking sporty and cute while on the go.

Moving Comfort has long been supporting my girls. First introduced to the company back in 2008, I have been a fan ever since. If you take a peek into my drawers, you will find an assortment of Moving Comfort sports bras, tees, capris and pants. My ultimate favorite sports bra *ever* is their Maia Bra. Read about it here.

My newest finds? Check them out!

The Lucky Tee - I have the purple haze. It looks great with a bright sports bra or tank top underneath. On-trend burn out fabric that performs and keeps you cool.

Every Tuesday, we like to give ourselves a little pat on the back , toot our horns, and tell the world what we are doing right. Excuse me while I dig deep.

{crickets}

{more crickets}

Okay, I’m back.

This week, I started running again. Running my way. You know, jog, huff puff, walk, jog, repeat, repeat. It’s about time since I have the Run the ‘Hood 5K and the Deadwood Mickelson Trail 1/2 Marathon coming up in, oh, 6-ish weeks.

We are now officially licensed for foster care! Wooooo! Now, we just wait patiently for our first placement!

I took the plunge and ordered a kayak! I can’t wait until it arrives! North Dakota is supposed to have sunshine and temps in the 80s next week, how perfect will that be? Have I mentioned I don’t really know much about kayaking? I was in one this one time, in Mexico, when I was 17. Yeah. Should be pretty comical. This is me ——->

What are you tootin’ about this week? Link to your blog post in the comments below!

Good morning, ladies and gents! We are a few weeks into our newest fitness and weight loss challenge here at the Sisterhood, and hopefully you are still going strong! Remember that ACTION plan you came up with the very first day of the challenge? Have you been following it?

Analyze your goals – decide what you want to accomplish over the next 6 weeks.
Commit to a plan – how are you going to achieve your goals? Put it on the calendar!
Track your progress – Journal, journal, journal. Whether it’s on your blog or on paper.
Inspire yourself and others – Supporting other people will inspire you to do your best.
Overcome your fears – Face them head on, and realize you’re strong and can do anything.
Never give up – Enough said. Quitting is not an option.

ONE OF OUR WRITERS NEEDS YOU.

Christie O. received some news last week… the kind of news that you hope none of your friends and loved ones ever receive. She is writing about “The Cansuh” over at Average Moms Wear Capes and could use your support on this new journey she has found herself on. We love you so much, Christie. Kick some cancer ass, m’kay?

FITNESS CHALLENGE

#kickassApril. Is it kicking your ass yet? Because, ohmygoodness. I despise burpees and wall-sits. THEY ARE HARD. I may or may not cuss the ENTIRE TIME I am doing them. Well, modified cussing because my 12-year-old daughter is doing the workouts with me at night. What would you like to see for next month’s workout? Arms? Cardio? Suggestions welcome!

RUN THE ‘HOOD VIRTUAL 5K/10K LAST CHANCE DISCOUNT

We are excited to be hosting our 4th Run The ‘Hood Virtual 5K & 10K on May 28, 2012. It’s a great way to break into running, or if you’re already a runner, a nice way to collect another race medal (because we know how runners are <—-medal hoarders)! Registered participants will score a race t-shirt, swag bag, and finishers medal! You can find more information on our Race Central page, or simply click below to be whisked away to registration. You must registered by April 20th -that’s NEXT WEEK! Special discount for you: Enter LASTCHANCE in the box when checking out and you will get 5% off your registration!

AND THEN…

Phew. Got all that? You didn’t think I would forget about weighing in, did you? Not so much. If you are a shrinker, GO! Get on that scale!

Everyone, go blog! Leave a link down in the comments, then hop around and visit your fellow challengers. Leave a comment on their blogs. It will make them smile. Really.

1,890,000 Kenyan children are infected by jiggers, burrowing fleas that cause painful infection.

30,000 people live on one landfill in the Philippines, where many are without shoes and are exposed to broken glass, syringes and debris.

4,000,000 people have podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring soil-based disease.

740,000,000 people are affected by hookworm which can cause intestinal pain, weakness and cognitive impairment.

Millions of children are at risk of injury, disease, and soil-transmitted infection.

In some areas, shoes are required for children to attend school.

Children who are healthy are more likely to be successful students.

On April 10, will you take off your shoes for a day to raise awareness and change a life?

For more information, check out the One Day Without Shoes website.