Running for a purpose

I am training for the first 5k of my life, thanks to my beautiful friend Deondra Scott.

In June, Deondra was in an awful boating accident that resulted in the loss of her right arm. That moment has changed her life forever - a reality she faces every day. I can still remember her at work the day before, bubbling with excitement about the boat she and her friends rented and were taking out on Lake Norman. It's a memory that kind of haunts me now.

A fellow co-worker called me that Saturday afternoon and reluctantly shared what happened. You can never prepare for news like that, and it wasn't clear at that point if she was even going to make it. The fighter in her has shone through, though, and  almost two months later she is out of the hospital and radiating with gratefulness and hope even as she faces the difficulties of transitioning into everyday life without her arm. And yes, she was right handed.

So the community is pulling together and holding a 5k in her honor on September 10 at Frank Liske Park in Concord, NC - to raise money to cover the mountainous medical bills and to support her as she continues pursuing her dreams.

So how is that for a health goal? I'm gonna do a 5k for the first time. It's amazing motivation to run for a cause and allow your commitment and determination to support someone else. I've never run a race except for the 6th grade endurance run mentioned in an earlier blog, so it may be more like a walk/run endeavor. But that's okay. Either way my feet are hitting the pavement for 5 kilometers to show that I am committed to seeing Deondra recover well.

It would be an honor if you could join with me and sponsor me in the race. Each participant is asked to raise $200, and all the money will go to Deondra's fund (you can learn more at http://www.deondrascott.com/). Every little bit makes a big impact. Email me at cddarnell@gmail.com or post in the comments.

Thanks!

A morning meal to remember

There is something about starting your day right that sets the tone for every subsequent hour. The choices I make in my waking moments are crucial. When I avoid the snooze button and get up at the time I intended, I am able to get ready at a relaxing pace. But when I press that doggone button for a measly five minutes a pop, I find myself rushed, disheveled and moody (hey, what girl isn't moody when she's disheveled?). In the immediacy of a rushed morning, the main thing I forgo is usually breakfast. And guess what breakfast is...the most important meal of the day. Ugh.

So lately I have been planning my mornings so I won't miss out on the benefits of a solid, nutritional morning meal. I'm not talking about coffee (although it's one of my morning staples), a bowl of cereal or a granola bar. I mean an eat-like-a-king breakfast. Here's what I have been trying lately:

So, my breakfast are now including the following:

-- Kale lightly sauteed in water (learned that one from my awesome health coach, Theresa Caveney)
-- Eggs. I either do it fried or scrambled - scrambled is more fun because I like to add onions and peppers)
-- Fruit.
-- Grains. I didn't have grains in the first one, but the second dish includes polenta. It's great because Trader Joe's sells premade polenta - all I have to do it slice it and put it on the skillet.

The day I started eating like this, I noticed I had a lot more energy, mental clarity and I didn't get hungry for hours. And it only takes about five minutes to make!

What do your breakfast meals look like - are you treating it as a nice-to instead of a need-to? Why not find some simple, fast options that work for you. It might take a few days for some people to get used to eating a large breakfast, so it might be good to start with small portions. It's worth it.