Challenges...Bloggerized

I have to say Blogging is a great way to get motivated...or at least it works for me because I find new and different ways to get motivated everyday through all sorts of sites and blogs.


RUN 40 Miles

First of it's my own challenge. As you know, I have a goal of 40 miles per month. Well...January it's almost over and I still need to run 15 miles!!!. Just seeing the little ticker on the side motivates me to get out there and complete my own challenge. The NYC trip set me back so i will have to do some longer runs to catch up!. Next week it's the Race for the Cure!...I'm very excited to see what my time will be (this is my first 5K!), but even more excited to support this great cause and Tati's good friend, Daniela.

Yesterday Tati (my sister) called and said "Have you considered you can win this race!?"...haha, I thought that was really funny. No I have not considered it...and no, I'm not that fast!. I do appreciate her confidence ;)


100 Push-ups

Then I found a really cool challenge that I plan on starting...



Basically it's a progressive program that will help you build up to doing 100 push ups!. I plan on starting this next week. It starts with an initial test and depending on your level, you follow one of the plans suggested on the website. Why Push-ups? Push ups are an awesome exercise not only for your back, chest..but it also helps to strenghten your core...which is a key for good form when running.


Cooking

In 2009 I want to expand my comfort zone in grocery shopping, specially when it comes to fresh produce. I love cooking but I always find myself eating some of the same things over and over. We have a fairly healthy diet and eat mostly fresh stuff (so most of my grocery shopping is done in the outer aisles of the supermarket). What I want to do is add more color and try new things.

So far I've done a good job at this with simple things: adding sweet potatoes sometimes to roasted potatoes, adding peppers or radishes to the salad, trying (and loving..at least me -and not the hubster- loving!) Brussels sprouts, adding spinach to a tomato based sauce (you will see this in the Inauguration pasta dish I made!), etc.

I found a cute new blog The Chic Life and she has set-up a weekly food challenge. Basically every week she will choose an ingredient that most people don't typically use and you have to use it that week (either by eating it by itself or by trying a new recipe). This week's challenge (which I guess I only have a day to complete!) is Pumpkin and Pumpkin Seeds!. For the longest time I've been dying to try Kath's Pumpkin Oatmeal so that will be my recipe. I plan on making it tomorrow so Alejandro can also try it!. I think it's a great way to change oatmeal and add an additional flavor. I will be using canned pumpkin. Although I try to limit the use of canned stuff, I will use it for the try out.

The ingredients being selected for the challenge, will include items from this article 11 Best Food you aren't eating from the NY Times. Here is what the Chic Life author posted about Pumpkins:

"Pumpkin - According to Parker-Pope, this ingredient is, "A low-calorie vegetable that is high in fiber and immune-stimulating vitamin A; fills you up on very few calories. How to eat: Mix with a little butter, cinnamon and nutmeg." According to Ellie Krieger, in her book The Food You Crave, "1 cup (of canned pumpkin) contains more potassium than a medium banana and more vitamin A than a cup of carrots."

Positivo

Another great way to get motivated is to see what others do to enhance their lives. My friend Nani has created Positivo. Here is what she had to say:

"POSITIVO is a mission that encourages people to be proactively POSITIVE, and spread positive vibes to all individuals around them. For now, I will start by posting once a week a positive story/thought or simply a story that cheered me or someone else up, so please feel free to share, the more the merrier!!! Some other positive actions will be coming soon to help all of us in the quest to spread positive vibes"

You can see the little icon to positivo on the right side. I love the idea and look forward to reading her stories!


There are so many great challenges out there...from getting organized to reading more books. Don't beat yourself up if you end up picking up way too many challenges that you can't really complete them all. Pick a few themes and have fun with it!! At the end of the week relax, have a glass (or glasses, in my case) of wine, smile and know there is always next week!