For Buffy!!!

 

Today, I ran for 8 miles. Yep, you read that right. I freakin ran 8 miles! And it was great! It took 2:09:57 which is a 16:14 minute per mile pace. I was aiming for a 16:00 pace. I was very happy! For the past 2 weeks, my runs have been horribly bad. I was more worried about speed and time. Today I just ran and I ran with 1 person on my mind. My high school friend, Buffy.

 

 

Buffy was just diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer last Friday. This has affected me for many reasons. Buffy is my age (technically she is about 5 weeks older and older is older) and has 3 M's (babies). She was burned when we were in High School. And you know, that I have a very special place in my heart for anyone who has been burned. Buffy is also a runner. She was a sponsor for the SuperMAHAN 5k. For anyone who is new to my blog, you can read my why Here .

 

Buffy and I were good friends all through High School. We even dated the same boy (at different times). Remember Kelly, Buffy? There was the usual High School Drama but Buffy was a blast! We always had fun.

 

Year book photo for an essay contest!

 

Buffy "borrowing" flowers for our Prom decorations. I was the get-a-way driver. My favorite memory of Buffy in High School!

 

Buffy and I haven't seen each other a lot since our late teens and early 20s. Facebook has allowed us to keep in touch. Buffy will beat the beast that is called Cancer. She follows her dreams and is a woman of strength. Buffy is a FABULOUS Mom!!! And did I mention a baker? You can read about that Here and Here .

 

 

I had already decided to run 13 races in 2013. After learning about Buffy, I also signed up for the Shoot for the Moon Challenge. Details Here . The charity for the Shoot for the Moon Challenge will be the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. All my miles this year will be for you Buffy!!! And when you are ready, we will run together.

 

 

 

Listen to ME, Life...Buffy will beat cancer!!!

 



 

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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 2012 was a great year. No one had to stay overnight in the hospital. Cade started playing sports again (his 1st touchdown and sac were fabulous and brought tears to my eyes). Whitney started middle school and band (and no one has broken her flute). Jeff expanded his welding shop to include a tire shop. I am a much healthier and happier Moma. We are blessed with a great family and great friends.

Now on to 2013, Jeff was in bed by 9pm and asleep by 930pm. Cade was asleep by 1030pm. Whitney stayed up til 2013 and watched the ball drop. I was awake at midnight but was in bed watching TV. We are party animals!

Do you make resolutions for the New Year? I haven't written down resolutions in years. I am this year.

1. 13 in 2013...I am running 13 races in 2013 including The Big D Half Marathon (Dallas TX) in April and The Route 66 Half Marathon (Tulsa OK) in November.
2. Lose 30 more pounds...will this get me to my final maintainable goal weight? I don't know, I may get to the 30 pound mark and decide that my body needs/can handle loosing another 10-15 pounds. I will know when I know.
3. Tone my tummy and arms.
4. Write my blog consistently.
5. Become a more organized housekeeper.
6. Take a family photo every week for 52 weeks.
7. De-Clutter the office.
8. Cook healthier meals.

I started the year off right by running 2.4 miles this morning. It was cold. I like to make sure that I am visible to passing cars.

 

Listen to ME, Life...2012 was great and 2013 will be even greater!

 

 

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Healthy Holiday Baking

I have never been much of a chef. I don't really enjoy cooking. It is just not my thing. Several different times of the year, I will make a certain food or snack. Around Halloween, I will make a Popcorn Party Mix. I will make a pecan or pumpkin pie around Thanksgiving. During Christmas Break, Whitney and I always make Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread. Sometimes, we will bake an extra loaf or two for a neighbor or a teacher.

For the past year, I have been looking a food differently. As I was buying the ingredients for the chocolate chip banana nut bread, I decided to make a healthier version of my recipe. No white flour, less sugar, and dark chocolate chips.

This is the original recipe. I have no idea where it came from originally. It is hand written in my cookbook. But if I had to guess, I would say it came from a magazine article.

2 cups All Purpose Flour                                                             Calories 260
1 cup Sugar                                                                                  Total Fat 12.61 g
1 tsp Baking Powder                                                                          Sat Fat 3.74 g
1/2 tsp Baking Soda                                                                            Tans Fat 1.05g
1 tsp Salt                                                                                      Cholesterol 29.26 mg 
1 cup Mashed Ripe Bananas - 3 small bananas                           Sodium 178.34 mg
1/2 cup Crisco                                                                              Total Carbs 33.28
2 eggs                                                                                                   Dietary Fibers 1.22
1 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips                                                     Sugars 19.17
1/2 cup Chopped Walnuts                                                             Protein 3.9 g

This will make 2 loaves, about 16 1-inch slices.


My New Improved Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread

2 cups Whole Wheat Flour                                                           Calories 205
1/2 cup Sugar                                                                                Total Fat 12.13 g
1 tsp Baking Powder                                                                           Sat Fat 7.38 g
1/2 tsp Baking Soda                                                                            Trans Fat 0
1 tsp Salt                                                                                        Cholesterol 26.44 mg 
1-1/2 cups Mashed Ripe Bananas - 3 large bananas                     Sodium 84.1 mg
1/2 cup Coconut Oil                                                                      Total Carbs 23.38  
2 eggs                                                                                                   Dietary Fiber 2.87 g
1/2 cup Dark Chocolate Chips                                                             Sugars 10g
1/2 cup Chopped Walnuts                                                             Protein 4 g

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottoms only of two loaf pans. In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except chocolate chips and walnuts; blend well on medium speed. Stir in chocolate chips and Walnuts. Pour into prepared pans. Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool completely on wire rack.

My pictures are out of order, technical glitch! Oh well

Walnuts & Dark Chocolate Chips

Whole Wheat Flour & Less Sugar

WW Flour, Full Sugar & Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (Left) WW Flour, Less Sugar, & Dark Chocolate Chips (Right)

Before Baking

Before Adding Dark Chocolate Chips & Walnuts

Whole Wheat Flour & Coconut Oil

I was very pleased with the outcome! You can taste a difference. The original version is way sweeter.  I made 2 regular loaves, 2 low sugar loaves, and 2 loaves of banana nut bread only. I used whole wheat flour and coconut oil in all 6 loaves. Whitney could taste a difference in the low sugar loaves but had no idea of the substitutions in the other loaves.

Listen to ME, Life...I guarantee that even though Jeff's throat gets scratchy, red, and a little swollen; he will eat several pieces of banana nut bread. Pin It

Half Marathon Training

Why do I let so much time pass between blog posts? I have no idea! It takes 21 days to develop a habit; and one of these days, I am going to make blog posting a habit.

So, I have fallen off of the fitness wagon. I haven't been running as much any. I have been eating sugar, sugar, and sugar. I gained about 4-5 pounds. I needed a swift kick in the butt. I needed a goal!

I read a lot. I came across an article on the Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa, Oklahoma several months ago, maybe September. It was a 5k, a half marathon, and  a full marathon. I really liked the finisher medals for the half marathon. I liked the theme. It was also within a reasonable distance of my house. Plus, I have family in Oklahoma that I could visit. It was in November 18, 2012. At the time that I read the article, I had not even completed a 5k. And at this point, it was only a little dream in the very back of my mind. Way Way Way Back!

I ran my 1st and 2nd 5k. I felt really good. The half marathon idea was slowly coming to the front of my mind. The Route 66 was a year away. I found the Big D Texas Marathon, Half, and 5K. It was April 14, 2013. It was in Dallas. It was the weekend after the county stock show. I knew that nothing should interfere with the race. I printed off a registration form and hung it on my dry erase board. It just hung there.

It was still hanging there through Thanksgiving and the sugar, and the laziness, and the 4-5 pounds of what I am pretty sure is fat. I knew that I have worked too hard to lose 50 pounds, which I had let slip to 45 pounds. I knew that I still have at least 30 pounds that I want to lose. Last Wednesday, I weighed and did not like the number at all. It had increased. I mulled over that number all day Wednesday. Thursday, I kicked myself and signed up for The Big D Half Marathon!

I have been reading a book by Hal Higdon and someone told me about Jeff Galloway's book HALF-Marathon You Can Do It. They have both been very helpful. I also downloaded Jeff Galloway's 13.1 app for my iPhone. He uses the run/walk method. I am using the Finish training plan. Time does not matter on this first half marathon. As I type that sentence, I know that in my head I can say time does not matter, but it does to me. BUT, finishing matters more on my first half marathon.

Yesterday, was my first running day since November 17th. It was so so so so so COLD! I don't even remember if the run was hard. I was NUMB! I think the temp was around 18 degrees with a wind chill of around 11 degrees. Today was better, no wind.

Listen to ME, Life...I am running a half marathon!!! Pin It

Passionate About Zeal

Passionate adj. having or showing strong feelings. I hope I can convey with my words what I feel.

I recently discovered a wellness product called Zeal. It is amazing. I wake up in the morning (without my alarm clock) feeling awake, healthy, happy, energized. I lay down at night feeling fulfilled, satisfied, at peace. I don't want to take a nap at 11am or noon or 1pm. I breeze through the day with a smile.

Zeal is not voodoo hocus pocus. It is an all-in-one nutritional formula. The benefits are wonderful. Mental clarity, focus, energy, natural appetite suppression plus a full day's supply of vitamins and minerals. With NO artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives. That means no splenda, equal, or sweet n low. Zeal is sweetened with Stevia.

I researched several key points while learning about Zeal that helped in my decision to use the product.

1. I did not want a product that had lots of sugar or artificial sweeteners.
2. I did not want to take a product that had to be supplemented with lots of other vitamins.
3. I DID NOT want to take 14 pills 3 times a day.
4. I wanted a protein powder that did not claim to have 12 gazillion grams of protein.
5. It must taste great!
6. It had a money back guarantee.

Zeal has met and exceeded my expectations. Instant gratification! My husband and kids are using Zeal.

 Do I believe that Zeal is going to turn me into an 120 pound super woman who is invincible overnight? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Do I believe in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise that Zeal will help me become the best me I can be? WITHOUT A DOUBT 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know how it feels to be overweight and moving in auto pilot. You do whatever you can to get through the day. I also know how it feels to lose weight and stress. I want to share this wonderful product with everyone. I want them to feel happy and have energy.

Visit my website for more info on Zeal or call me direct 903-249-0530 or email andmahan@gmail.com

www.andreamahan.zealforlife.com


Listen to ME, Life...Zeal is a tool that I will use to become a healthier person, which will make me a better wife and mother. And I want the whole world to know that I LOVE ZEAL!!! And as of this past week, I have lost 50 pounds.
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How Running Has Changed Me

October 6, 2012 was the 1st Blake's Bash 5K. It was also my 1st 5K. It was cold, mid-50's. I wanted to chicken out all week but I didn't. Cade ran the race also. He finished in about 31:31. He does not have an official time. He timer chip did not go off. The person in front of him and the person behind him had a time, so we guessed his time. My time was 47:24! It was the fastest 5k I have ran. I was excited that I finished. I was excited that my time was a Personal Record. I am most excited about how running has changed me!

                                                             My Race Bib & Koozi

I experienced an amazing feeling during the race. About mile 2 of the race, Brianna and Page came back and finished the race with me. They offered words of encouragement to me for the last mile. They are both freshman in high school. Bri was the Overall Female Winner and Page was the winner in her age group. It was so great to hear "I am so proud of you." from Bri.

This has been a personal journey for me. I started this journey so I could become a healthier person, wife, and mother. This journey would affect only Jeff, Whitney, Cade, and I. All 3 of them have been great! Cade has ran with me. Whitney has ridden her bike  and walked with me. Jeff has told me how great I look and how proud he is of me. I EXPECTED that from them. They are my family and that is what families do. Your family is your biggest cheerleader.

What I did not EXPECT was how my journey to become healthier would affect others. I never expected Bri and Page to run with me. I never expected for Greg (Bri's dad) to ride by on his bike during the race and say "Keep running steady". It is a great feeling!

I will usually allow my c25k app or nike running app to post on facebook. It is kinda like a diary or journal. I don't write a journal but I have always been really big on writing in my calendar/date book. Dr appts, sporting events, special occasions, etc. That is how I looked at the posts on facebook, a log of events. I never EXPECTED  to receive such  motivation from something as simple as someone liking or commenting on my running post.

Random and unexpected gestures can touch your life in ways that are unimaginable. I do lots of things automatically just because they are the right things to do. If I see a donation jar at a gas station and I have extra money, I drop it in the jar. If one of Cade's football teammates walks by after a game, I say "Good job, boys!" I have never really thought about how these actions will affect others until I have been on the receiving end of these actions. If Jeff and Cade had never been in their accidents, would I still drop a dollar in a donation jar? Absolutely! Would it feel the same? Absolutely Not! Would I tell the football boys "Good Job" after a game, if Bri had not told me "Good Job"? Absolutely! Would it feel the same? Absolutely Not!

Thank you Jeff for telling me that your are proud that I haven't had a coke since January 1, 2012. You know that it has been one of the hardest habits to break. Thank you for coming to the race. Thank you for your love.

Thank you Cade for setting an example of what true strength really means. Thank you for running with me.

Thank you Whitney for showing me how to sacrifice unselfishly. Thank you for always being honest when I ask how I look.

Thank you Bri & Page for coming back and running with me.

Thank you Greg & Stacy for teaching Bri how to treat others with kindness and generosity.

Thank you Brent for telling me I could not chicken out of running the 5k.

Thank you Logan for asking me to run with you in the upcoming weeks.

Thank you Allison for telling me in the grocery store that I was doing a great job running.

Thank you Sarah for your texts.

Thank you Fillip for telling me "You lost weight"

Thank you Kim for telling me that 47:24 is a great time.

Thank you Gayle for liking my running updates on Facebook.

Thank you Tricia for always being there with your camera.

Thank you HG Varsity Cheerleaders for clapping as I ran by.

Thank you Donna for commenting on my blog.

Thank you Jennifer for your messages and sharing your story

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me, loud or silent!

I have used the phrase "It is better to give than receive" hundreds of times. Sometimes it has been jokingly and sometime very serious. I do believe that it is better to give than to receive. But for me, I never really knew the true meaning of giving until I was on the receiving end.


Listen to ME, Life...Thank You!






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FOUND!!!

I have been MIA for far too long. I have written hundreds of post in my head. Unfortunately the recorder in my head is broken and wont rewind my thoughts. That would be totally awesome and completely scary if we could really recall verbatim our thoughts to print out!

I am still running. Yay! This Saturday is my 1st 5k. I am nervous, excited, and sick at my stomach. The weather is cooling off. That is very good! The race is local. I will know a lot of the runners personally and from the SuperMAHAN 5K.

Jeff and I took a vacation at the end of August for our 15th wedding anniversary. We went to Colorado Springs. It was wonderful. We ate a wonderful restaurants, our favorite was The Famous Steakhouse. Yum Yum Yum! Pikes Peak was awesome and amazing. I felt a little woozy that high but Jeff was really woozy. I think it had to do with his asthma. Seven Falls was fabulous. I loved the waterfalls. Garden of the Gods was nice. The hot air balloon festival was so fun.Royal Gorge was nice. We flew in Thursday evening and left Monday morning. We were gone by 6:30 every morning and did not get back to the hotel til 9 or 10 at night. We really enjoyed ourselves and plan to take the kids next summer.

Cade had day surgery on his neck. It was called a Z plasty. Surgery went great and recovery was fabulous. He has an appointment in a couple of weeks and if things go well he will not have another appointment for 6 months. He is playing football. Yay! He plays just about every down. They have a small team, usually on 2 extra players on the side lines. He also had his 2nd set of braces put on in September. He should be able to take them off in 2 years. He had shown T-Bone in 3 shows in the past 6 weeks. They are both great.

Whitney is always Whitney. No complaints from her. She is loving middle school. She is playing the flute in the band. It amazes me that in such a short time, she has went from making noise to making music. She  is really enjoying band. Her commercial heifer, Flo, has been puttering along. Then BAM, Flo started eating like a cow on death row...hahaha. The county show and sale is in a week. They are both ready. Whitney has decided that she wants to show pigs now. She decided a long time ago but I just relented. She is getting 2 in 4-6 weeks. She is already in love with the pigs. She pig sat for some neighbors and was in hog heaven.

I will try my hardest to post more often.

Listen to Me, Life...Sometimes I am busy! Pin It