At least that is how I have felt every single time my husband comes home from work and praises me for the delicious smells coming from our kitchen of a hot cooked meal ready to eat.

I feel like a rock star, but the beauty of it is– that it only takes minutes of preparation. Oh sweet Crock Pot,  how I love thee.

I honestly spend more time searching for new recipes and buying ingredients than I do actually cooking in my kitchen these days.

Here is a peek at this week’s meal plan.

So the method to my madness is to spread the Crock Pot love throughout the week. Because one of these meals will typically make leftovers, I don’t necessarily have to plan a meal for the following night.

When planning my dinners for the week, I also try to leave room for a random night out. So by having a few leftover or free nights, we don’t waste money or food. I will also try to buy in bulk, hence why we are having two chicken dinners in a row.

Please note that I’m still planning the veggie that goes with each meal. I wait until I’m at the store to see what vegetable jumps out at me.Also, I don’t always have so many Crock Pot meals in one particular week, but it’s so freaking easy I couldn’t resist!!

Link Love:

Here are link-ups to the three recipes I’m cooking up this week.

• Crock Pot Chicken Taco Soup
• Crock Pot Honey Sauce Chicken
• Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff

So wife of the year or not, I’m just happy to know that we have a menu of eats ready to go  and  no worry of what’s for dinner.

***

Do you use a Crock Pot? If yes, what are some of your favorite recipes? I’m always looking for easy and yummy ideas.

If you happen to be reading this blog from the actual website you may have noticed something was a bit different over here today.

The blog has a new name!

I’ve been toying with the idea to change my blog name for awhile now, and when I was changing around layouts last night somehow deleted my header (which is no where to be found). So I took that as a sign to move forward.

Since my life over the next few years will include lots of travel and moving around, I thought “On the Run” was fitting. But I also wanted a place where I could openly write about my life, and my adventures in fitness and running.

Destination 26.2 was a great journey for me. And I know I will keep training and working toward Destination 26.2, but I also know deep down that running a marathon will not always be the main goal.

As long as I’m moving forward, working toward my fitness goals, and training for whatever race it is I want to run I’ll be okay.

I suspect that the blog should remain the same as it has over the last few months –random posts about fitness, military life, life updates, etc…

It just felt to right to give the blog a new title and layout. And hopefully a new header here soon too!

As always, thank you to each and everyone of YOU who has followed me over the years as I’ve crossed numerous finish lines and hit other amazing milestones in my life. You guys are the best, and I’ve really enjoyed being able to come here and share a bit of my life with you.

Now I’ve got to run….or should I say swim? LOL, I’m off to Aqua Zumba to get my underwater booty shake on!

***

I’m just curious….Why do you read my blog?

Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!

Here are my 11 Random things:

1. This is the longest I’ve gone without a job since I was 16 years old. (3 months)
2. My favorite movie of all time is Empire Records.
3. I’ve traveled to Italy, Spain, Switzerland, France, Peru, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, and Guatemala.
4. My favorite party drink is the Basque favorite, Kalimoxto. (Half a glass of Pepsi, and half a glass of red wine –over ice).
5. I was never big into running before 2009, but in 4th grade I was on the track team and once took second place in a sprint race.
6. My latest snack obsession is brie cheese and figs on wheat thins.
7. I’m a Sorority girl! (I was part of a local Sorority during college)
8. I didn’t learn how to french braid until this past summer.
9. A special treat for me is an iced chai latte, with a pump of chocolate syrup. Chocolate Chai = awesomeness!
10. I am named after Lindsay Wagner, The Bionic Woman.
11. I’ve been skydiving,  but honestly hated it.

And now to answer Aneta’s Questions:

1. What is your favourite song on the radio right now? Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 (I know it’s been out for awhile but I still dance a little whenever I hear it).
2. Brad Pitt or George Clooney?  Brad Pitt
3. What is the last movie that you saw in the theatres? Sherlock Holmes II
4. If you were on death row, what would your last meal be? Dad’s lasagna and glass of red wine.
5. When was the last time you sent a real letter? A birthday card to my best friend Maria in Boise.
6. Blue or Black pen? Blue
7. What is the last book that you have read? The second book of the Hunger Games Series! (Currently reading the third!!)
8. running, biking or swimming? RUNNING!
9. coffee or tea? Coffeeee, coffeee, coffeeee!!
10. cats or dogs? I’m a cat person, but J. Alabama has me convinced that I could be a dog person.
11. What is your favourite colour? Pink

Now here are MY Questions:

1. What is your favorite dish to make?
2. Would you rather sing in a karaoke contest or be in a dance competition?
3. If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be?
4. Pepsi or Coke?
5. What is your favorite movie?
6. High heels or flats?
7. Where were you born?
8. Do you watch Reality TV? (If yes, which shows are your guilty pleasure?)
9. Have you ever met anyone famous? (Name them if yes).
10. What’s one thing you would like accomplish in 2012?
11. Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate or White chocolate?

***You’ve been TAGGED!

1. Amy — Army Amy
2. Cynthia – Run, Dream, Laugh
3. Kim – Just Another Running Mom
4. Kim – ilaxStudio
5. Meg – Life is Better than Fiction
6. Fran – Dutch Girl Gets Healthy
7. J – Morning Runner
8. Robin – Robin’s Blog
9. Katie – Legally Fit
10. Biz – My Bizzy Kitchen
11. Cambry – The Road to Happiness

Have a great weekend!!!

And not only because I hit up one yoga class and one zumba class, but because I found this guy running through the neighborhood as I was heading out for my second run of the year.

I don’t often run with the hubs because his slow speed equates to my fastest speed, but I honestly didn’t care what speed we ran at. I just desperately wanted someone to run with.

The weather was beautiful, sunny and warm which is a big difference from all the grey skies, tornado warnings and rain showers we‘ve endured for the last few days.

And our easy for him, pretty hard for me run through the neighborhood was GLORIOUS.

I may have been huffing, puffing, and struggling to even try to keep up a conversation but it was still glorious.

I felt every bit of the humidity in my lungs as I ran, but I appreciated that I could still run 2.25 miles without stopping.

As you read last week, I’m slowly easing back into running. 1 mile there, two miles here. And next time we’ll try for three!

I should look happier for completing my second run of the year, but honestly I was still trying to catch my breath in this photo.

For the record, I was happy for an amazing workout day which included the bonus of running with J. Alabama.

***

Update on my Yoga, Spin, Zumba Across America:

As you also read last week, I joined a fitness contest at my gym to complete 37 workout classes by April. Each class getting me one step closer to my goal of Boise, Idaho on the map.

I did the math, and each class is equal to 60 miles. And as of yesterday I’ve completed 15 classes bringing me up to 900 miles for the map!

So as of today I’ve made it to St. Joseph, Missouri!

It’s kind of a silly thing, but it’s really motivating me to go to more fitness classes. And I’m more motivated by fitness classes then on my own. So it’s a win win!

***

Happy WORKOUT Wednesday friends!

So when I saw AQUA ZUMBA on the fitness schedule at my gym, I knew I had to give it a try.

I’ve been hitting up regular Zumba classes twice a week for the past few weeks, so if Aqua Zumba was anything like the regular class I just knew I would love it.

I got my game face and tankini on (I think putting on the swimsuit was mentally the hardest part about taking this class), and then was ready to ZUUMMMBA!!!

The class met in the shallow end of the pool [we were wading in 4.5 feet of water] and didn’t require any equipment like that of a water aerobics class.

Though I did try to channel my water aerobics experience from earlier last summer when I hit up a few classes with my Aunt.

The class blared the same hip shaking and high energy music as a regular zumba class would, and our instructor kept up the energy as she danced the moves outside the pool for us to mimic inside the water.

Dancing in the water was actually a lot of fun. It took about 30 minutes of class for me to figure out how to make the moves work under the water, but once I realized the resistance of the water was my friend I started to feel pretty good.

We still shook our hips, did circular spins, jumping jacks, and other zumba moves in the water, and it definitely kept the essence of a regular zumba class.

Having the challenge of the water was a fun way to spice up my workouts, and I would probably take this class again.

I’m not a huge pool person and the thought of getting into a swimsuit in the middle of January almost deterred me from going to the class in the first place, but I’m really glad that I suited up and dove in anyways.

It was a fun class that ended up being a bit more of a workout than I thought it would be.  But I would definitely consider it a fun new workout option.

***

Are you a pool person? I’m soooooo not, but I’m trying to get more comfortable with the pool by taking these types of classes.

We found a killer deal on hockey tickets at the local Columbus Cottonmouths Hockey game. We scored $9.00 tickets and took full advantage of $2.00 beer night.

It was fun to get out of the house and cheer on our local team! It felt similar to hitting up a Steelhead’s Hockey game back in Idaho, though I’d say the Cottonmouths seem to be lacking a bit in the fan section, (lots of empty seats).

Good thing I came equipped with a full section of cheering fans!

I met these ladies at The Family Day Adventure a few weeks ago, and we have all been making a point to hang out a couple times a week.

It felt good to have a night on the town with new Army friends.

And the game provided us with entertainment, a chance for us to chit-chat, and loads of laughs.

Exhibit A: The Wiener Dog Races [video below]

I guess the locals were encouraged to bring their wiener dogs to the game and bring them on the ice during the break to race off against other wiener dogs.

I’ve never seen anything like that before. And although I let out a chuckle or too, I kind of thought it was a bit strange.

To end the night on a good note, “Our Team” brought home a big fat win in overtime. Oh yeah,  Go Snakes!

We usually keep the weekends pretty low key, so it was fun to mix it up with a night out on the town with our new friends.

Hope y’all had a good weekend, and happy Monday!

***

Goals for the Week: Run 3 times, hit up a new class at the gym (with a full report to follow), and accomplish 1 yoga, 1 zumba, and 1 spin class this week. EXCITING!!

This is the face of a woman who has not run in 22 days.

Ugh…22 days! It doesn’t seem so bad when I go back and actually count out the days. That’s a mere three weeks of no running for this girl.

But it’s not really the fact that I haven’t ran in three weeks that bothers me – but more so the fact that I haven’t even wanted to.

It took me 3.75 miles of brisk walking yesterday to even will up the strength to turn the brisk walk into a slow run.

Like anyone starting back at square one [that’s how I’m feeling about my running these days] I just wanted to take it slow and easy and show myself I still had it in me.

I feel sort of like I’ve taken two steps back in my running by taking a three week break, but either way I ran A MILE.

Yes…one mile down for the yearly mileage!

I proceeded to run that mile at a pace that felt good for me, not too fast, but fast enough that I knew I could hold the pace without having to take a stop break.

It’s not a huge accomplishment by any means, but more a test of strength, endurance and heart for the sport.

It’s safe to say that this one mile run got me over whatever mental block I’ve built up over the last few weeks.

Honestly, every single day that went by made it even harder for me to want to lace up my shoes and give it a go.

But to work as hard as I have over the last few years, I knew just not running because I didn’t feel like it was not the way I wanted to go out.

Nope –unless I have some serious injury preventing me from moving my limbs I want to keep running as something that is my special thing.

It just took a few week break and eleven minutes of my time to remember why running is important to me.

***

Remember where ever you are at in your fitness journey don’t give up. There will be times when you really really want to, but you should be thankful for the body you have and what it can do for you.

Happy Running Friends!

The Army gym is running a contest for anyone who can spin, zumba, step and yoga “Across America” by April.

So basically I have until April to complete 37 workout classes at the gym to get a prize pack [which I have no idea what it contains, but the sheer excitement of the prize pack obviously has me sweating it up to find out!]

They calculated that there are 2,220 miles between Fort Benning and Los Angeles, and by taking 37 fitness classes we should have covered that mileage.

I have no real motivation to get toward Los Angeles so I thought I would google the distance between my parent’s address in Boise Idaho and my own address here in Georgia.

Funny, it came out to 2,210 miles.

So now my motivation is to spin, zumba, step and yoga across America…but to get to Boise, Idaho [in my mind].

Whatever the motivation is—I’m actually pretty proud of myself for keeping to it.

I have already completed 7 classes this year which includes 3 yoga, 2 zumba, and 2 spin classes. And there will be another yoga & spin added today.

I’ll be in Idaho in no time!

***

Would a contests/game like this motivate you? I didn’t think I would stick with it even this long, but having the visual of trying to get back to Idaho has actually helped a lot. Now I’m in it–to win it!

There are a few things that have wigged me out, such as hearing random gun shots going off at all hours of the night [it’s an army base…so I know they are just doing training].

But it wasn’t until yesterday, when J. Alabama told me that they were doing a Family Day out in the field that I got to see what all the random gun shots were all about.

Family members were encouraged to come out into the field and see what these men are doing everyday.

I was actually really excited to be able to understand on a deeper level what my husband’s job is all about.

They started us off with a live firing demonstration. Complete with earplugs, we all sat intently watching the different tanks shoot off rounds at targets.

It was a crazy rush to watch these powerful machines go off.

Next up we were escorted to a small building where we were going to have lunch. I’m not sure why I didn’t expect this, but they handed us our MRE [Meal Ready to Eat] and told us to dig in!

The MRE’s are a little bag packed with a full meal in it – usually ranging about 1500 calories for the whole bag.

I honestly was intrigued by the Sloppy Joe and was curious as to what it would taste like.

In the bag also included a Trail mix, Gatorade powder, a piece of bread, a small block of cheese, a brownie and a small heater to heat the Sloppy Joe.

I scooped the sloppy joe mix onto the dense piece of bread, and added a bit of the cheese on top.  Yeah it looks pretty nasty I agree but it was edible.

I could only down about half of it before my tummy started to hurt.

After lunch it was time for the vehicle tour!

We were encouraged to tour the vehicles and really see what they are all about.

This one is called a Stryker.

***

The next one we checked out was the Humvee. 

He was showing us how heavy the doors were to open and close. Let’s just say you wouldn’t want to get your finger caught in one of those doors!

***

Our last vehicle to tour was the Tank.

Here’s a little peak into what the inside looks like.

It’s pretty cramped in there! And it’s hard to believe that three people sit in there at one time.

It was crazy to see how technical these vehicles are. And it was fun to actually see them up close and explore the inside.

Here is where my husband sleeps when they are doing field exercises.

***

My experience yesterday was actually pretty amazing. I feel like I can relate to my husband’s job a lot better now that I’ve had a more in depth look.

It’s just nice to know what the heck he is talking about when he rattles off about Tanks, Strykers etc…

I’m not saying that this whole army thing still doesn’t scare the crap out of me, because it truly does. But at least I understand it a little bit better now.

***

Thanks for letting me share a little bit to what I’ve been up to. I promise to get back to my normal working out and running posts soon.

There is the excitement of the clean slate, making new goals & resolutions for the new year, and the promise for making this new year even better than the last.

But I’ll be honest when I say that I’ve been struggling for the past nine days to come up with any goals for the new year.  And it’s freaking me out big time.

I am a very goal oriented and goal motivated person. So you can understand how confused I feel nine days into 2012 without a single goal or direction for my life.

If it wasn’t for this card I accidently found at the store the other day, I would feel even more lost.

I say accidently because I believe there are no accidents. Yeah yeah, I’m the ‘everything happens for a reason’ type of girl.

So as I’m struggling to understand my reason for being in Georgia, with a fresh clean slate of life and a whole new year to mold into my masterpiece, I look to that card for a breath of relief.

‘I am exactly where I should be.

I am doing exactly what I should be doing’

I think I’m just in a little new year funk because I know that as each day I get more comfortable with my new life here, we will be moving again this summer and will have to start all over again.

So in the meantime, I will still be working  on being the healthiest version of me.

And well…a clean slate to me means the possibilities are endless.

So I’m not going to dwell on my lack of  resolutions but instead delve into 2012 with open arms and an open mind.

***

Make it a great year!