insta-life thanks to my iPhone

This week was a good one but again way off track. Maybe after the holidays things will slow down! It was still full of some fun stuff like...

a dance party 

a new do

a halloween party

some tanks just driving down the interstate

a beautiful fall harvest dinner

and of course a sweet little girl!

linking up with life rearranged 

My life and your thoughts on a Virtual 5K

I woke up a little early this morning and was sitting in bed thinking about a lot of things. I plan to post a lot of my thoughts over here this morning but since one is related to running I thought I would post it over here!

weeks before Ashlyn was born

Almost three years ago my world came crashing down and everything I imagined for life stopped. I realized no matter how much I imagine things, I have zero control over it. I also realized how out of shape and toxic I was. My body was carrying lots of extra weight and I was very unhealthy. If I could eat anything it would have been nachos and Doritos chips everyday and I am sure I did that a few too many times.

Ashlyn Rose 12-2-2008

I turned my life around, started exercise (mainly running) and did a major overhaul of my diet.  I got down to a healthy weight and got pregnant with Eisley. It was a long and very hard pregnancy. Going to the OB was a full time job and I was exhausted and on rest several times throughout the pregnancy. I developed undiagnosed diabetes because my body was confused with all my weight gain, weight loss, weight gain. It was a mess but Eisley was born healthy and is an awesome 19 month old now.

Life started to work, I kept working out after Eisley was born, got into running and as of today I am at a healthy weight and do my best at staying healthy. I miss Ashlyn more than anything and long for who she would be today. While I feel that way, I know that she changed me in so many ways and I love her for that. I still have lots of things to work on but she woke up me up and got me moving. 

So with all of this I wanted to throw out an idea to you all and see if anyone would be interested. I want to do a virtual 5k around her birthday. Is this cheesy? I don't know much about setting up a virtual run but I am sure I can figure it out. Just let me know what you think, I would love some feedback from you all. I cant even began to tell you how supportive I think this community is and I love it! 

Oodles of Soup

I posted about my Apple Cider Lentil Soup the other day and got an idea from Brenna to do a post with all the soups I have made over the years on Cooking Up A Family. Its pretty was funny how on so many of the post I plead for a desire for my family to like soup....apparently I really care about it!

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

The recipe that made me a soup eater. I still make this and love it everytime I do. Not sure if I could take out the meat and still like it but worth the try one of these days!

Southwest Corn Soup

Just seeing this soup again makes me want to make it all over again! I think I might just have to and maybe change it up a bit!

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

I really love this soup and plan on incorporating it into a vegan soup one of these days!

Lasagna Soup

I loved this lasagna in a bowl meal but B said he would rather have Lasagna!

 A sweet potato, apple and chipotle soup that I made in the slow cooker one day! The recipe is in the The Moosewood Restaurant Cooking for Health. Get this cookbook, it is awesome!

Minestrone Soup

While the picture of this soup looks pretty good if you ask me, the soup was forgetable tasting!

Basil Lentil Soup

This was my learning to eat lentils soup and it was a nice success. Everyone in the family ate it and thought it was pretty good!

Red Lentil Vegetable Soup

Once I started making lentil soup, I apparently never stopped! This one is really easy to make and has nice flavor.

Apple Cider Lentil Soup

Another great soup that I posted just the other day, that inspired this whole post!

Are you ready for oodles of soup this season?