A Personal Story On Revenge & My Ebook is Available!

 

So I want to announce that my Divorce Ebook,  a No-Nonsense Guide To Divorce & Parenting is finally available for download BUT I also know that most of my followers are mainly here to see the food, fitness, fashion, and random life stuff that I share on a regular basis.

Therefore, I’m not going to make too big of a deal or discussion about the 30-page Ebook guide being available (right now for $6.99!) in the top menu bar of my blog.

When I started this blog over five years ago now, I wrote on the topic of divorce more frequently. Over the years, as I become further removed from the divorce process and details, it becomes harder to write daily on the subject. It’s not the first thing on my mind, my situation is no longer active, and really, it’s all SO much more in the past now, especially with the Bar Mitzvah come and gone.

Although, a girl never forgets!

I wanted to share a quick, personal story on revenge from the volatile time period in my life today.

It was June 2009 and evident my divorce was going to be moving forward (we had put it on hold for a year). My life was basically upside down but I went about my usual routine, like the gym (or an outdoor walk) in the morning, plus shopping and lunch with my good pal Lisa while my son was in kindergarten, just to keep that sense of normalcy amid what was looming. You know, things like an emotionally/financially nasty divorce process in court with lawyers, needing to sell my house (and move to where? good question) while also figuring out where my son would go to school in the fall (all based on when/where I moved). And oh, did divorce mean I needed to get a job? 

I was in the car with Lisa (she was driving, I remember so clearly) and we were busy trying to come up with REVENGE. I wanted revenge so very badly.

Shrimp in the curtains. Yes. Shrimp in the curtains. That’s what Lisa found for me the night before as my revenge when she googled a combination of words that probably looked like “revenge for my friend getting divorced.”

While in the car, she told me all about the shrimp in the curtains concept (which was very funny) but we didn’t really know how we were putting the shrimp in curtains. The goal of this revenge concept was to put shrimp in the curtains to hurt the other party under the assumption that the shrimp would go bad and leave a smell that is impossible to remove from an entire house.

So which curtains? Certainly not in my house, that would hurt me! And another house? How was I getting in there to do it? I’m upset but not crazy. I cannot go breaking and entering with fistfuls of shrimp.

As we tried to come up with another concept for revenge because clearly we couldn’t do the shrimp in the curtains concept, Lisa stopped the car and said, “Your happiness is your best revenge.”

And that was that. We proceeded to go food shopping before picking up our kids from school. As much as it all still hurt, she was right.

Happiness is the best revenge.

The whole happiness is the best revenge became a positive mantra for me over those next few years and eventually landed me as a guest on Dr. Oz in 2013 on the topic of healthy revenge after divorce. I totally thanked Lisa for that.

A few reasons for sharing this story today!

1 – I’m always good for a story.

2 – Even in my worst moments, I always find something ridiculous to laugh about. Shrimp in the curtains?

3 – Divorced or not, everyone should realize that happiness is what we should be focusing on, not the negative and not revenge.

4 – My No-Nonsense Guide To Divorce & Co-Parenting focuses on helping others to understand how to pick your battles, accept situations and then deal with them in a positive way. Let go of the negative, it doesn’t help anyone!

While I do not share this shrimp in the curtains story in my guide, I do share a ton of useful information and behavioral tactics  that can help others learn how to effectively communicate in difficult situations while taking a more positive approach to what usually becomes negative.

As stated in my introduction section of the guide (like a disclaimer), please remember that I’m not a lawyer, doctor, therapist, or mental health specialist. I’m just a girl who went through a nasty divorce and came out stronger than before. The advice I offer comes from my own personal experiences, based upon what I learned along the way which can really help not only with how you communicate but how to steer your emotions in a more positive light.

If you are going through a divorce (or know someone going through the process) and/or need emotional help with co-parenting, I do think my guide can be a really helpful resource! It’s an easy read, divided into sections that can be read at any time, without needing to read from cover to cover. So for example, if you just want to refresh yourself quickly on how to effectively communicate without losing your mind, you can turn to that section and read only about that or if you have a day where you need additional help with speaking to your children, you can turn only to those pages.

Let me know if you have any additional questions at all related to the Ebook or to divorce/co-parenting in general! 🙂

[bctt tweet=”Quick story on revenge plus info on my Divorce Ebook being available! #divorce #revenge #parenting #coparenting #health #mentalhealth #divorceebook” username=”cookiechrunicle”]

 

TOL – Lenny & Larry’s, Time Hop & Midlife Crisis

I have been sleeping so well this week which translates into I don’t want to get up in the morning. Even us morning people sometimes like to sleep and have to drag ourselves out of bed.

I gave in to the hype and finally tried a Lenny & Larry’s chocolate chip cookie. Let’s discuss.

You see how the chocolate chip cookie is broken in half? Well, it was broken in half in the package and although I didn’t want a broken cookie, it was the only package left in the store so I accepted it.

Perhaps the broken cookie was a sign notifying me that the serving size of this actually tasty chocolate chip cookie is only for ONE HALF of the cookie.

Too bad I didn’t know the serving size was for HALF of the cookie before I happily ate the whole cookie.

Who wants to buy an individually wrapped cookie and only eat half?

Not only am I annoyed that an individually wrapped big cookie is supposed to be served in half (insanity), if I am going to eat a whole cookie for 360 total calories, almost 50 grams of carbs and 12 grams of fat, it’s going to be in the form of a real cookie…or a donut or ice cream. Or, basically, a dessert that is not considered health food, something not sold at a vitamin store and something not packaged as a protein snack.

I would rather go to Dunkin Donuts for a chocolate crème filled donut for less money, fewer calories and even less carbs <- I don’t normally count calories or want to see dessert calories but for this comparison I needed to look it up.

While the cookie was decent and may be made healthier than a traditional cookie (or donut), I would not waste my money on it again. It’s not like I look to the cookie (ha, Seinfeld reference) or to dessert for my protein and nutrients anyway.

Moving on…

I finally made the decision that my Energy Boosts are still my main pair, first choice and the best.

I like knowing that I can really wear either pair of running shoes for any type of run and even feel confident enough in both pairs for a race BUT after paying really close (and slightly ridiculous) attention to how each shoe feels, the Energy Boosts win out for first place over the Saucony Rides.

Remember how I said I don’t like my facebook Time hop feature? Well, it still notifies me even though I asked it not to do so. This week was the three-year anniversary of that time I was a famous TV star on the Dr. Oz show.

Who remembers that? If you missed it, I recapped it in this post, way back when I first started this blog!

Although I did enjoy seeing that memory, my latest issue with Time Hop is that it is slowly giving me a midlife crisis.

When I see posts about my son from five years ago, I am freaking out. It’s like I posted those moments just yesterday but it wasn’t yesterday, it was five years ago!

Where did the time go? And even worse, it is making me realize that five years from now will be here in a flash which means he will be a senior in high school getting ready for college before I know it.

Cue my freak out, approaching empty nest and midlife crisis.

I am seriously trying to embrace every moment even more than before, including the not-so-polite moments of the other night when we went out for frozen yogurt. My son felt the need to scope out the scene inside the frozen yogurt store before we could in together just to make sure he didn’t know anyone. Because, as if we should already know this,  I am embarrassing to be seen with.

Lucky for me, he didn’t know anyone so I was allowed in to have my after dessert snack. After dessert snack = Dessert #2 for the night.

[bctt tweet=”Thinking Out Loud #lennyandlarrys #thinkingoutloud #timehop #midlifecrisis #droz #fitfluential #running”]

Don’t forget to check out what everyone else is thinking about today 🙂

Are you a Lenny & Larry’s fan?

If you have kids, are they old enough to be embarrassed to be seen with you?

Last time you had frozen yogurt? What toppings did you get?

 

 

Let’s talk About my Black pants

 

 

Let’s talk about the black pants hanging in my closet. The black pants I bought at White House Black Market in 2013 when I was on the hunt for a new outfit to wear on the Dr. Oz Show (remember I was on television? Still so cool!)

So the pants. I remember taking two sizes into the fitting room and I recall trying on the first pair, realizing in that moment I should probably take the smaller size.

But this isn’t even so much about the size, it was more what I remember seeing in the mirror.

I remember looking in the mirror, as well as at the picture I took in the outfit while standing in the store and then  thinking, um, you know, I think I might be too thin.

Like, my shape is missing, where did it go?

My period was missing too.

Yeah.

For a few months in 2013, it had disappeared again. I knew it was missing and a part of me knew it meant my eating and exercise were out of balance (I had been through this once before) but the girl inside of me who hated menstrual cramps was secretly thrilled even though she knew this wasn’t a good thing.

I had been going to Lifetime Athletic during that time period, running less than now but spinning fairly often and really the biggest issue here if I recall correctly, was that I was not eating two breakfasts (pre AND post-run) which meant not enough calories for those workouts.

My period wasn’t gone for long though. It returned after I mysteriously injured my shoulder which looking back, I think happened because I was vulnerable to injury since my period was missing (amenorrhea can cause all sorts of problems including increased risk of injury) but I can proudly say that I haven’t missed a cycle since April 2013.

Anyway, the pants.

Those black pants still fit me but of course, they fit differently. As soon as my cycle returned, so did some curves.

And since that time, my mileage has increased and I took up Pure Barre which lifted, toned and burned my shape for the better, especially my lower half.

I love how I look and remind myself of this fact every time I put those black pants on rather than slip into the mindset of,

“Wait. These pants used to look different. Why are they hugging the tops of my thighs? They are hanging differently, longer than they used to be, buttoning in a different place…What did I do wrong?”

But see, I didn’t do anything wrong! I eat really well to satisfy my runner appetite. If one day that means my pants don’t fit, then maybe they aren’t meant to fit.

I certainly cannot eat any less or give up my favorite foods. Giving up dessert just to make my pants hang differently? That sounds like a really dumb idea.

I had this brownie sundae thing recently and forgot to show you!

I am hungry like clockwork and I need to be happy with what I eat. I cannot deny myself of my appetite or of the foods I enjoy.

Unsatisfied hunger is cruel and being unhappy, caused by my own doing, is even crueler.

I also know that the slightest change in my diet, should I even attempt to eat less, will throw off my period because my period needs me to keep up my calories.

Just last month, I found myself eating less peanut butter. I don’t know why, I just noticed I was taking less spoonfuls and guess what? My period was one week late.

Do we know for sure that it was caused by eating less peanut butter which was less fat in the diet? No but I do know that I am more regular than a girl who takes the pill and more often than not for me, what I eat directly affects my hormones.

I have written posts like this before, one in particular entitled Jeans Can Lie.

They really can, and so can black pants from your past.

[bctt tweet=”Can we talk about my black pants? #thinkingoutloud #amenorrhea #health #running #pants #girltalk @runwithspoons #fitfluential”]

Don’t forget to check out what everyone else is thinking about today 🙂

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When you need to get dressed for work/something that requires more than workout clothes, do you prefer dress pants or a dress/skirt?

Are you good about eating pre AND post workout?

Do your old pants fit differently than a few years ago?

 

 

Thinking Out Loud Randomness

 

Are Thursday nights still the night for the cool kids to go out?

I didn’t even know Thursday night was a thing until I got divorced. It never made much sense to me either since there was still a workday to function for come Friday morning BUT there was a time, like a few years ago, where I enjoyed Thursday nights and even looked forward to a little preweekend fun.

A Throwback to a Thursday night in 2011.

Now though? Unless it’s out for dinner, no thanks. I am too tired.

With all of our talk show talking lately, I completely forgot that I was a guest on Dr. Oz just about two years ago!

I was famous for a hot second actually to discuss the topic of healthy revenge after divorce.

The greatest part about the experience was knowing that something really cool came out of something really bad.

Had I not gotten divorced, I never would have been on television!

I have been getting better at retrieving my mail from the mailbox on a regular basis.

Well, sort of.

You see, I thought I was getting better but then out of nowhere the days pile up and I am looking at over a week’s worth of mail.

I need to remind myself that not getting the mail means I may be missing out on super special deliveries.

I have really good friends who think of me whenever they spot anything sweet-related, even sending me goodies (like this Birthday Cake gum) in the mail knowing I may not retrieve it for quite some time.

In fact, when I reached out to my friend Lauren to thank her, she had forgotten that she even sent it.

Yesterday I showed you another picture of my favorite post-run meal.

Just to clarify again, the oatmeal mixture, which I love to eat in an almost empty peanut butter jar, turns pink because of the frozen berries.

Fresh berries don’t really adjust the coloring of your food unless totally blended but the frozen berries seem to give off their coloring (which isn’t artificial, it’s antioxidant goodness!) making it look really pretty.

I was at another Islanders game Tuesday night.

It was the last ever regular season game to be played against the Rangers at the Nassau Coliseum (because my team is moving to Brooklyn next season but let’s not talk about that just yet).

It was fun, yes but not so fun when the guy next to me decided to physically fight the Rangers fan behind us.

It happens at sporting events, not as often as it used to, but it scared my son and was sort of uncalled for, especially when I tried intervening before the punches starting flying.

Fans will argue but arguing with severe foul language in front of my child is not acceptable.

I am not quiet and certainly not about to stand for some Rangers fan speaking that way near me except he really didn’t  care what I had to say which made me pretty angry since usually, as nutty as fans can be, they figure out that there’s a kid in the vicinity and clean up their language.

I never liked Rangers fans, never.

Has anyone tried this new popcorn from Trader Joe’s?

I saw it yesterday (I really tried again not to stop in there during the week but I needed brussels sprouts, okay?!) and was slightly fascinated that it’s only partially popped popcorn.

They made use of the unpopped kernels and somehow half popped them or something. I don’t know.

All I know is those unpopped kernels that occur when I make my own popcorn make me so angry because I can’t eat them which means they are a waste of my money.

Be sure to check out what everyone else is thinking about today!

[bctt tweet=”Thinking Out Loud Randomness #DrOz #Islanders #Oatsinajar #popcorn #thinkingoutloud”]

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Who’s running today? What time and how many miles?

Last time you had popcorn?

Do you still go out on Thursday nights or is it just another weeknight to you?

 

Gwyneth Always Seems To Annoy Me

 

It’s the littlest of things that make me giggle…

It’s not that I hate facebook, I just don’t really have any use for it anymore. I may or may not feel the same way about most people but we don’t need to get into that right now.

However, I did scroll through my facebook newsfeed yesterday afternoon and I came across this open letter to Gwyenth Paltrow which seems to be circulating the internet like wildfire.

Have you seen it? It is an awesome letter written in response to Gwyneth’s latest remarks regarding how easy working mothers have it compared to herself.

 

I can’t wait to hear her thoughts on becoming a single mother. I may even stay on top of my facebook newsfeed just so I am kept in the loop because you can bet that I will have my own letter to write in response to her comments.

I vaguely recalled having an issue with Gwyneth last year so I went through my old blog posts and sure enough, I found it.

Where were you last year, April 26, 2013?

I was smack in between half marathons and clearly annoyed at Gwyneth Paltrow for her feelings regarding her exercise routine.

It’s amazing how many blog posts just get lost in time. I decided that a section from this post was worth reposting today:

….I hear Gwyneth Paltrow has been named People Magazine’s 2013 Most Beautiful Woman. I don’t normally have what to say on things like this; the only celebrity news I chat about is Kardashian related.

I am extremely bothered by a comment she made that I read about in the newspaper yesterday.

She was giving credit to her five-day-a week Tracy Anderson Method routine for her “hard-won youthful look” and said the following:

“I mean, we all have our self-esteem issues. I have to work out Monday through Friday for almost two hours every day, and it’s a nightmare. Sometimes I cry, like, ‘I can’t do this anymore! I am so sick of it!'”

Dear Gwyneth, I do not know who taught you that your exercise routine should be making you cry. Your workouts should challenge you but not to the point of tears. Not to the point where you feel you can’t keep it up and that you are sick of it.

Can we say, overtraining much?

Listen, I am no expert, nor am I a celebrity.

Wait, yes I am. I was on Dr. Oz. I had a dressing room.

While we are all different and all have different thresholds,  if your workout routine is leaving you in tears or making you feel like you are so sick of your regimen to the point where you don’t want to do it, then it is time for a change.

Time for a break. A breather. A day off. Or two.

Your trainer won’t get mad at you. Your trainer is not in charge of you. Speak up for yourself. And for your body.

You won’t gain weight or drop a level of fitness if you work out an hour less or skip a day.

I don’t often take rest days, and I know I should. However, I do not push myself to spend 120 minutes a day several days a week running or spinning or weight training.

Every day that you lace up the sneaks cannot be a hard workout. It isn’t fair to your body. Your muscles need to time to recover in order to repair and rebuild. And so does your mood.

In all of my years of exercising, I have never, not one time, been close to tears regarding my routine. The reason I ensure to get at least my “30 minutes a day” is because it makes me FEEL GOOD.

Exercise should make you feel better about yourself, increase those endorphins.

Heck, exercise is supposed to have the same effect as those “happy pills” people take so often.

I am sure that Gwyneth has pressures that I cannot relate to. I was not even nominated for People Magazine’s Most Beautiful Woman (maybe the voters don’t watch Dr. Oz?).

However, one has to wonder how worth it is to be voted so beautiful yet speak of being miserable when it comes to the routine that it takes to maintain the desired beauty.

I love my routine. I look forward to it.

Lucky? Maybe. But I wasn’t always this thin, trim, and lean. I work for it sure, but would never do anything that made me cry….

I also posted a follow-up to this a few days later because I felt bad for attacking her. I may or may not claim to hate people on occasion but I guess I have my soft spots.

***********

If you are a blogger, do you ever scroll through old posts and find ones you forgot about?

Do you still use facebook as often as you did in the past?

Did you already see the letter written in response to Gwyneth’s comments?

Would you continue to work out if your routine was making you cry?

 

Pardon Me While I Rant

Fairway is still toying with me.

I am not at all amused and will simply be purchasing my granny smith apples somewhere else.

I shop at 5 different grocery stores Fairway, do you hear me? So don’t think I am any more loyal to you than the next store down the block. Especially if you are going to play this circular sale game with me.

Anyway, on to something more important. Well, maybe more important to you. My apple situation is actually pretty serious to me.

I hear Gwyneth Paltrow has been named People Magazine’s 2013 Most Beautiful Woman. I don’t normally have what to say on things like this; the only celebrity news I chat about is Kardashian related.

Confession: I love watching the Kardashians. Kourtney and Kim, Khloe and Kourtney, doesn’t matter who what which is in Miami or Calabasas, I am all about the new episodes, new series, reruns, specials and Kim’s legal battle with Kris Humphries while being pregnant with Kanye’s baby.

Ah the beauty of being divorced – I am in charge the remote.

Anyway, back to Gwyneth. I am extremely bothered by a comment she made that  I read about in the newspaper yesterday.

She was giving credit to her five-day-a week Tracy Anderson Method routine for her “hard-won youthful look” and said the following:

“I mean, we all have our self-esteem issues. I have to work out Monday through Friday for almost two hours every day, and it’s a nightmare. Sometimes I cry, like, ‘I can’t do this anymore! I am so sick of it!'”

Dear Gwyneth, I do not know who taught you that your exercise routine should be making you cry. Your workouts should challenge you but not to the point of tears. Not to the point where you feel you can’t keep it up and that you are sick of it.

Can we say, overtraining much?

Listen, I am no expert, nor am I a celebrity.

Wait, yes I am. I was on Dr. Oz. I had a dressing room.

While we are all different and all have different thresholds,  if your workout routine is leaving you in tears or making you feel like you are so sick of your regimen to the point where you don’t want to do it, then it is time for a change.

Time for a break. A breather. A day off. Or two.

Your trainer won’t get mad at you. Your trainer is not in charge of you. Speak up for yourself. And for your body.

You won’t gain weight or drop a level of fitness if you work out an hour less or skip a day.

I don’t often take rest days, and I know I should. However, I do not push myself to spend 120 minutes a day several days a week running or spinning or weight training.

Every day that you lace up the sneaks cannot be a hard workout. It isn’t fair to your body. Your muscles need to time to recover in order to repair and rebuild. And so does your mood.

In all of my years of exercising, I have never, not one time, been close to tears regarding my routine. The reason I ensure to get at least my “30 minutes a day” is because it makes me FEEL GOOD.

Exercise should make you feel better about yourself, increase those endorphins.

Heck, exercise is supposed to have the same effect as those “happy pills” people take so often.

I am sure that Gwyneth has pressures that I cannot relate to. I was not even nominated for People Magazine’s Most Beautiful Woman (maybe the voters don’t watch Dr. Oz?).

However, one has to wonder how worth it is to be voted so beautiful yet speak of being miserable when it comes to the routine that it takes to maintain the desired beauty.

I love my routine. I look forward to it.

Lucky? Maybe. But I wasn’t always this thin, trim, and lean. I work for it sure, but would never do anything that made me cry.

Would you?

Race Weekend

The forecast calls for torrential rain all day so I have decided not to head into the city for the race expo and will go tomorrow morning instead to pick up my number. 

This change in plan caps off a taper week that went completely different than expected.

My shoulder/rotator cuff/bicep is still giving me trouble but I am hopeful to still run the half. Sure, there is always the walking option but I much prefer to run the race.

My revised taper plan has included the usual rest, bananas and sweet potatoes with the addition of Bio Freeze, Motrin, ice, and giving up complete control around the house.

To allow the boy into my kitchen with full control to make his own lunch was not easy for me to do but it was better than doing it myself with a frozen Chobani (my version of ice pack) on my shoulder.

I didn’t even flinch when I witnessed him eating the pickles out of the jar at 8:00 am while making the sandwich loaded with half of the bottle of mustard.

I am also starting to get used to this leaving clothes on floor of closet thing.

As well as the pile of socks that need to be matched up and put away.

I bet this is how hoarding begins. A random event in life leads you to ease up on your cleaning routine. Then you slowly learn to shut closet doors, bedroom doors and turn a blind eye to the growing mess that starts overflowing from the closets and takes over the house..

I can see it now: FORMER DR. OZ “HEALTHY REVENGE” STAR LOSES CONTROL AND IS NOW BURIED IN PILE OF LAUNDRY ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF HOARDING:BURIED ALIVE.

Let’s just hope I am fine, can run the race on Sunday and return to my normal clean and organized self.

Perhaps this new Rainbow Cookie Cupcake from Crumbs will help me.

How amazing does this cupcake look? I used to be a regular at Crumbs (fudge brownie cupcake my fave) until I decided to switch things up and opt for Cold Stone chocolate dipped waffle bowls.

I may need to take a break from resting for a Crumbs visit today.

Have a great Friday!

Do you have a Crumbs Bake Shop near you? Have you tried the Rainbow Cookie cupcake yet? Do you have a favorite cupcake?

Mother of the Year?

Are you allowed to vote for yourself as Mother of the Year? Or At least write your own essay and submit it to your local newspaper for when they ask for entries to determine the local Mother of the Year? If so, I think I will start writing my essay.

You are correct – that is the Panera Bread bakery counter. But we didn’t order anything you see in this picture.

Nor did we order ANYTHING you would see on the menu.

That’s right friends. I finally took the boy to Panera to order from the Hidden Menu.

And if that alone doesn’t make me cool and mother of the year, taking him to Panera to order from the SECRET BREAKFAST MENU BEFORE SCHOOL on a Friday sure as heck does. Well, at least in my opinion.

And yes, I absolutely used this opportunity to “exchange an egg.”

I know, I totally live on the edge.

It went something like this:

I said to the nice girl, “Are you aware you have a hidden menu?”

She replied, “Yes.”

Super.

I then proceeded to say, ” I would like to exchange an egg for the Egg White and Turkey Bowl.”

In the same breath I am pretty sure I asked her if she had seen the episode of Beverly Hills 90210, which she had and was quite amused by me.

The little boy however, was extremely confused and of course now I  have to locate the episode so he can watch it.

I would be concerned showing Beverly Hills to the boy at the age of 9 but if you have seen the programs on television today for our kids, Beverly Hills is like Sesame Street in comparison.

I thought maybe the receipt would say SECRET MENU ITEM! or look all fancy like some Golden Ticket.

But it was just some plain receipt with the nerve to include an extra charge for american cheese.

The boy wanted it without the red peppers (of course since they aren’t Bird’s Eye).

It came in a to-go container even though we had ordered it to stay.

I went back to get him a plate but I am pretty sure she gave me a tray.

The boy said it was good but needed more turkey; he didn’t like the spinach and complained a little bit about the pesto sauce. But he ate the whole thing so how bad could it be?

What did I have? Coffee. I had already eaten at home prior to him harassing me to take him out for breakfast.

Once again, I totally think I qualify for Mother of the Year.

And if you aren’t convinced yet, tonight I will be taking him and his best little friend to the New York Islanders game.

As well as out for dinner.

Remember, we don’t just go out for pizza. Nor do we rely on concession stand meals.

We do it all up fancy and order  pizza at places that include “restaurant and lounge”  in their title.

Although I do see an ice cream sundae in a helmet in my future.

In fear that Nassau Coliseum may be lacking in good toppings for the sundae I am envisioning, I may just have to come prepared with my own.

No, I am not kidding.  Would I joke about dessert?

I just informed the little boy of my dessert plan and he agreed that I should bring some toppings because, and I quote, “I don’t want to be with you when you have a tantrum so yeah, bring yourself some chocolate chips. We can stuff them in my pockets to get through security. They never check a kid’s pockets.”

Who is the adult in this house? One has to wonder.

Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

I just finished my last long run before next weekend’s half marathon.

I am happy to report my run was uneventful except for the relentless wind that didn’t let up no matter what direction I tried to run to avoid it.

Speaking of next weekend’s race, it will be featured on Good Morning America this coming Friday morning during the 8:00 am hour with Sam Champion.

I am seriously considering taking the boy out of school for the day to come with me to be outside in the audience. I have to be in the city anyway for the Expo and I think he would enjoy the opportunity to possibly be on TV, especially since I was a Dr. Oz star without him.

I know, right? I am SO mother of the  year.

A Day in the Life of a Dr. Oz Star

I still can’t believe I was on national television yesterday. Thank you to everyone that tuned it to see me! Totally amazing.

I watched the episode with my son and we had a good time spotting me throughout the entire show and previews.

I also did what any normal celebrity would do during their moment of fame: whip out the big box of crayons and color in a giant floor pad.

We worked on the fire truck together until he got bored.

Then I found myself working on the treasure chest by myself. It took me a good 20 minutes to realize I was sitting on my living room floor coloring alone.

I love to color. Give me a big box of crayons any day.

We bought this new Melissa & Doug jumbo pad while out and about between dental appointments yesterday.

Anything to get him away from the iProducts.

An activity as simple as coloring can be done alone or with others. It is a calming activity and helps develop attention span and fine motor skills (Perfect for children AND adults).

Well, it is calm until someone takes my favorite magenta crayon. I guess I can’t share crayons just like I can’t share dessert.

Anyway, you would think my son would finally find his mother cool since she was not only on national television but sits on the floor with him to color.

Nope. In fact , yesterday he decided that perhaps he was adopted.

How wrong he is. He is so much like me that there isn’t a chance.

Case in point:

On the way to the dentist yesterday, it was time for lunch.

Most kids ask to stop for pizza, a bagel, fast food…

My boy requested the Whole Foods food bar.

No maternity test needed.

He loves his freedom of picking from the wide variety of food available and I love that no matter what he puts in the bowl, it is made with fresher ingredients than pretty much any other food establishment he could have chosen.

I get a little crazy though that he may overfill the bowl with heavy items. If you have ever eaten at Whole Foods, you know it is far from cheap.

Although lately the price hasn’t been too bad.

While we were eating, he suggested that we send Whole Foods customer service an email because he had a few ideas.

He is looking to provide a company with feedback and he wonders if I am his real mother?

His ideas:

The lunch plates should have sections so all of the different food items don’t have to mix together in his bowl.

Now for me, I don’t mind the mixing. I don’t mind all of my various salads blending together.

I guess when you get yourself a taco, chicken parmesan, macaroni and cheese as well as salad with hummus, his sectioned plate is justifiable.

He also thinks they should make the food bar a Pay-One-Price All-You-Can-Eat Buffet.

I am all for that. I would totally pay more so that I could keep going back up to refill.

Other interesting topics of conversation:

He can’t decide where he should attend college.

Syracuse to study communications or venture over to Penn State for the Ice Cream program like Ben & Jerry.

Why didn’t I know about this ice cream program when I was applying to college and how the heck does he know about it?

And if it isn’t obvious yet that I gave birth to him:

He totally took Whole Foods up on the free cookie offer. He hunted down an employee to assist him as soon as he finished his lunch.

I can’t believe it is Friday already. The week is a total blur. We are headed to Lifetime Fitness with friends this morning before my membership is frozen on Monday.

The boy hates going (even though I can hardly get him to leave once he is there) but I promised him we were going to do something very exciting for lunch:

Panera Secret Menu time!

I am quite excited to attempt to “exchange an egg” for the hummus salad bowl.

I will let you all know how it goes!

Have a great weekend!

I need to know:

Do you ever indulge at the Whole Foods food bar?

Would you be willing to pay more if they made it an all-you-can-eat?

Have you tried the Panera Bread secret menu yet?

Dr. Oz and I Have a lot in Common

Check your local listings people as my segment on the Dr. Oz show is scheduled to air today!

In some areas, Dr. Oz airs twice a day so the episode you are looking to catch is entitled, “Toxic Teeth”.

“Toxic Teeth” is the first segment of the episode devoted to discussing all of the potentially hazardous problems associated with the silver fillings in your mouth.

Good thing I am cavity free or this topic would only add to my recent personal care craziness as discussed in my post yesterday.

No wonder I was a guest on the show;  based upon the topics covered, it is clear Mehmet and I have a lot in common.

Speaking of toxic, I couldn’t help but laugh while I was out for my run yesterday morning.

Yes, that would be a tree blocking my path.

And those would be the landscapers planting trees and prepping our lawns for spring.

So why is this funny? Well, really it wasn’t. For one, I was not amused to have to dodge trees while running.

Nor was it amusing for an allergy sufferer such as myself to breathe in fresh-cut grass or the leaves being blown into my face.

I was slightly laughing  though when I gave this some thought:

After researching and making myself crazy over potential toxins, chemicals and allergens, no matter what products one buys or eliminates, one cannot live in a bubble.

Unless of course you are John Travolta. Then I suppose you can put yourself in a bubble.

I can certainly attempt to eliminate every possible paraben but if you stick me directly in the line of fire, there is no protecting me or my runny nose from the pollen.

I even tried to change up my course but those landscapers were everywhere I turned.

Even funnier? Coming in the house for a shower to wash the pollen out of my hair – using my toxic shampoo.

Oh well. At least I ran a strong 5 miles!

After my run I treated myself to one of my most favorite meals.

I make a mean parfait, yes?

The nice girl who worked at the Red Mango thought so too and took a picture of my custom-made parfait to post to the Red Mango facebook page.

I am really famous these days, huh.

I do love my Red Mango. It is a good thing that almost all Red Mango stores have switched to self-serve. I couldn’t handle someone else making my parfait as I have quite a system for perfection.

The Perfect Parfait:

• Strawberries on the bottom
• layer of original yogurt
• middle layer contains several toppings: Nature’s Path Pumpkin Flax Granola, dark chocolate chips and berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and/or blackberries – depends on the day).
• layer of original yogurt
• topped off with a final sprinkle of granola and a few more chips.

If I am feeling adventurous I sometimes throw in some peanut butter (of course).

The cherries are new to the toppings bar. It made my day.

I guess it is clear that since  I was at Red Mango yesterday, I don’t keep kosher for Passover.

That doesn’t mean I don’t still make delicious Passover recipes.

Yesterday I made the boy Matzoh Brei for breakfast.

If you aren’t familiar with Matzoh Brei, it literally means “fried matzoh”. Numerous recipes exist for the Matzoh Brei and the best way I can describe it is that it is like a french toast only using matzoh in place of bread.

You can click here to learn more,

As we know, I never really follow recipes so I am glad that there are so many ways to make this dish.

Yesterday’s variation on the brei was Cinnamon Raisin Matzoh Brei.

Cinnamon Raisin Matzoh Brei (serves one)

Ingredients:

• half mashed banana
• 1 egg 1 egg white
• 1 and 1/2 boards of matzoh
• pinch cinnamon
• Splash of skim milk
• raisins

(banana not pictured; was already mashed in the bowl)

Directions:

Crumble matzoh in bowl. Add a little bit of water to moisten. Add in eggs, milk, mashed banana, cinnamon, drizzle of skim milk and raisins. Mix well.

Pour into greased pan (cooking spray or pat of butter).

You can either let the mixture set as a pancake or scramble.

We went with scramble.

Topped with syrup.

You can easily add more egg to the mix to bump up the protein or throw in any other fruit you wish…apples, pears, berries etc.

You can also double or triple the ingredients to make more servings.

Or, you can go the savory route and leave out the fruit and add in vegetables such as peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach etc. Leave out the cinnamon and add in pepper, oregano.

Play around with it! You really can’t go wrong.

I am off to get the boy ready for his dentist and Orthodontist appointments. Might as well line them up in one day!

Please pray that we don’t get in trouble again this visit for our “lack of cooperation”. Remember our last visit? If you missed that post, click here.

I may have to ask the dentist his opinion on “toxic teeth”.

Have a great day!

I need to know:

Do you have a Red Mango near you?

Do you have seasonal allergies?