Above tree line in Pikes Peak Ascent, I could have used more energy…too bad, I had already eaten everything I was carrying.

Last week I talked about revising and reclaiming your 2013 goals.  For instance, I have a vision board centered on running and reclaiming my pre-pregnancy body.  I have always been a runner and, now, that our baby boy has arrived I am literally chomping at the bit to hit the pavement and start logging serious mileage.

To date I have run four half marathons and seven half marathons.  Although pregnancy put a dent in my schedule last year, I will add at least one more half marathon and full marathon this year.

As you might imagine, running any distance especially 13.1 or 26.2 miles is exhausting.  Over the years I have tried many products and, my favorite is the FRS Healthy Energy line.  The FRS Health Energy Chews are small and easy to carry when I am out on a run or hiking. They remind me of a jolly rancher, except that they are soft and loaded with vitamins such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E and B vitamins.

However, you don’t have to be training for a marathon or be an elite athlete to try FRS Energy products.  Do you ever experience that afternoon lull? You know the one where you start slapping yourself in the face to stay awake as you struggle to review that 30-page document that had to go out yesterday???  Well, when I get those lulls instead of that afternoon cup of coffee, I grab an FRS Healthy Energy drink.

The drinks state that FRS Healthy Energy provides natural sustained energy without the crash – and it’s true – no crash! I have not experienced any shakes or jitters from their energy drinks or energy chews.

Whether you are looking for energy supplements for your next hike, marathon or to just get through the workday, if you haven’t tried FRS Healthy Energy products yet, here’s your chance!

Beginning at 12pm EDT, 9am PDT tomorrow (Monday, April 22nd, 2013) go to the WellJourn Facebook Fan Page, and you will have the opportunity to WIN one of two Healthy Energy Prize Packs.  Each prize pack includes 2 bottles of concentrate, 1 bag of chews, and 2 cases (12-count) of cans delivered to their door every month, for 12 months. How amazing! This is a $1,475.40 value ($122.95 per month).

The FRS Healthy Energy Sweepstakes Prize Pack

But wait, there’s more!!

Later this week, FRS Healthy Energy will partner with DropGifts to give 5,000 lucky readers a chance to give a friend the gift of natural, sustained energy without the crash. This event will be hosted on the FRS Healthy Performance Facebook Fan Page.

Starting Monday, April 22, 2013 you will notice a Facebook tab called ”Gift FRS” on their page. The gifting will not start until 8pm EST on Thursday, April 25^th; but you will have the chance to remind your friends to gift you by ”Wishing for” the gift before the event starts. This will remind your friends to gift you.

When registration opens (remember, 8pm EST on Thursday, April 25th) a ”Gift Now” button will appear on the FRS Facebook Tab.  The first 5,000 users to connect will have the chance to gift a friend.  Don’t worry! I’ll be sharing the direct link as we get closer to the event.

Don’t forget, the fun kicks off Monday April 22nd at 12pm EDT, 9am PDT on WellJourn’s Facebook Fan Page!

Yesterday I wore an old race shirt because I read about an idea on Facebook. The idea was simple. It asked runners everywhere to show their support for the Boston Marathon by wearing an old race shirt. The one I chose to wear was my first Nike Women’s Half Marathon shirt from 2005.  I wear my race shirts all the time; however, yesterday it was somehow different.

I felt more apart of the running community despite the fact that I haven’t run one inch since becoming pregnant.  I felt part of a community of runners who train relentlessly to complete their next challenge.  I’ve always been a runner, ever since my first pair of chetah running shoes as a little girl. I liked chetah because I believed they made me run fast.  It is no surprise that I became a sprinter in high school and college.

I later trained for my first marathon in 2005 because it was a bucket list idea.  An idea that has been put into action every year since.  To date I have run four full marathons, seven half marathons, and countless 10k’s and 5k’s — all because of an idea.

How many ideas do we have in a day? I can barely begin to count.  How many ideas do we put into action? Those I can count.   The moment you act on an idea, it becomes apart of you.  For your health, it could be as simple as participating in a community walk or cutting out soda.

We all have ideas on how we can live healthier but what do they matter if action is never taken?

My new board focuses on fitness after having a new baby.

I first heard about vision boarding from a former co-worker.  The topic came about during a difficult and yet opportune time in my life. I had just gone through a horrible breakup that left me feeling stranded and confused.  I managed to keep it all together at work, or so I believed.  In retrospect, I must have looked like a walker from the TV show The Walking Dead.

Recognizing my pain, my coworker mentioned vision boarding as a means to grow, focus and heal.  I decided to give it a try, but only after I had started therapy to get over the emotional train wreck I allowed myself to become.  I shared my boards with my therapist and explained how each image and affirmation were actionable steps towards healing.

I posted my boards in a place I would see them everyday: the front door.  I chose the front door because if I wanted to do laundry, run errands, go to work or simply take out the trash I would see my boards and take time to review and reflect on my goals.  Seeing images such as a yogi balanced and focused with an open inner eye, ocean waves, and phrases that declared inner peace, forgiveness and love really helped me heal. I created a second board that highlighted a challenging half marathon I wanted to complete, and later accomplished. That board featured images of training such as running hills, strength training, core exercises and a photo-shopped picture of me crossing the finish line.

I enjoyed creating my vision boards not only because I felt like a kid again with stacks of magazines, glue and scissors; but mostly because it provided an outlet for me to express feelings and thoughts through pictures and phrases.

The power of the vision board is, in my opinion, to bring positive focus to the forefront of one’s mind.  Your board should remind you of what you hope to accomplish and feature images and phrases that outline the necessary steps towards achieving your goals.

Ultimately, the board is a reflection of your positivity and motivation — the person you want to be and shall become.

Below are additional resources to help you make a vision board.

How to make a vision board with pictures. – WikiHow

How to make a vision board by Christine Kane.

Pop this filling treat in the oven while you get ready for the day.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 to 45 minutes at 375 *F

While nearing the end of my pregnancy…

…I knew I would have to start thinking about make ahead meal options and meals that could bake while tending to the baby, breastfeeding, doing laundry, etc.  Quiches are an easy solution for a tasty and satisfying breakfast.  Quiches may be prepared with a rich buttery crust or crustless.  They are relatively quick to whip up and the best part: you can prepare them in advance.

This crustless quiche I made during the my first two weeks post-partum and found it very satisfying. Plus it was great to throw it in the oven while I was getting ready for the day.

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• 1 Tbs butter, unsalted, room temperature
• 1 Tbs olive oil
• 1 c baby bella mushrooms
• 1/4 c red onion, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1 c ruby Swiss Chard, chopped
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 c heavy cream
• 1/2 c milk, skim
• 1/2 c cheddar cheese, 2% shredded
• 1 apple, sliced 1/4” rounds *make it easy and use a mandolin*
• 1 quiche pan

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Butter a 10-inch quiche pan and set aside.

In a large non stick skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add mushrooms and onion; cook until reduced. Lower heat to medium low and add chopped chard. Cover and let wilt.  Remove from heat.

In a medium size bowl, whisk eggs, cream and milk until blended.  Fold in shredded cheese.

Spread mushroom-chard mixture evenly across bottom and carefully pour egg mixture atop. Top with sliced apples.

Place on middle rack and bake for 30 to 45 minutes or until center comes out clean when pierced with a knife.

Cool slightly before slicing and serve warm.  Enjoy with a side of fresh fruit or salad.

Click on image below for an expanded view of the nutrition information.

The book explains why habits exist and how they can be changed.  One segment of the book caught my attention and has been on the forefront of my thoughts ever since.  It was a piece about how when we relate a particular story, negative or positive, over and over again — the story begins to own us.  This habit of relating a story, the same story, owns our attitude, our feelings, and ourselves.

For negative stories, it like a perpetual “pity party” that drags us down and has the potential to drag others down, too.  I think most people get caught in this cycle. I know I have and when it happens it is because I feel people aren’t hearing me. They aren’t empathizing.   To feel validated we tend to want more than recognition, we want others to literally walk in our shoes.

How is this healthy for our mind and our body? My answer is that it isn’t.  Sure, if a friend asks you how you are doing and you need to vent – fine.  However, I’d ask you (myself included) to try to flip any negative thoughts or feelings, because happy positive feelings is what we really want to reflect and own us.