Where Does The Time Go?

Wow, it's been awhile since I've blogged and so much has happened. My kids started school last week so the entire family has been in crazy mode. Braeden is in 3rd grade and Brylee, my sweet baby, is starting Kindergarten...yes, the first day was a tearjerker for Mommy! Braeden has also started football and Brylee is cheering for the first time ever and loves her coach...Mommy! Yes, I volunteered to coach yet another sport and this one I know nothing about! I have to say I'm enjoying myself and the time with Brylee and the other girls. They are precious (and they actually think I know what I'm doing)! I was scared to death to take on this task but I love a challenge and I decided I would do it for my girl! How can I expect my kids to take chances in life if I'm not willing to do the same?

Cale and I also competed in yet another triathlon a few weeks ago. I was so excited because I bought a new road bike and couldn't wait to try it out...surely I was going to be my fastest ever!?! My body had other ideas. About 8 miles into the 15 mile bike ride my legs completely locked up with cramps. I've never had pain like that on a bike and it was excrutiating! The problem...Dehydration....plain and simple. That's what I get for not drinking enough water going into the race weekend. It's so hot here and I know better. I'm always telling clients and my kids to drink water all the time...Maybe I should listen! Anyways, not such a good race for me but another lesson learned.

Now that school is under way for us, I'm going back into training mode. I'm currently taking a few new clients and have openings in some group training on Monday and Fridays if anyone is interested. I know most of us are ready to hit it hard now that the kiddos are gone so come get your burn on!

Race for the Cure

When I was in college, I was in a sorority (Zeta Tau Alpha). Every sorority has a philanthropy and ours was the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Given my love for sports, I was the chairman of the ZTA Annual Run for the Cure which was our primary fundraiser for the Komen Foundation. Being the chairman of that race was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in my life and I've continued to run in the Houston Race for the Cure every year for as long as I can remember.
This year I decided to put together a team to run/walk in the Race for the Cure on Oct. 2 of this year. The team has been formed and is open to anyone to join. The team name is Body Rock Fitness and our original fundraising goal was $500. Our team has been formed for less than a week and we are alreay at over $600! I'm so proud of our team!
It's not too late to join us for the race or support our team with a donation. No donation is too small! If you'd like to join the team and participate in the race or donate, please contact me for details. The race is a 5K (3.2 miles) and you can either run or walk. We'll have a few training runs once school starts and team shirts for race day. This is an incredible opportunity to support an incredible foundation that can affect all of us or someone we know at some point in our lives. Together, we can find a cure for breast cancer!

What Really Matters

I'm back! My vacation was awesome! Eight wonderful days in Turks & Caicos and it was everything I'd hoped it would be. Relaxing days spent on the beach or by the pool surrounded by my wonderful family...what more could a girl ask for? For the first time, I've come back from vacation feeling rested and content. I even skipped workouts! I always go on vacation with planned workouts in mind and always find the time to sweat. This vacation was different...both my hubby and I decided to really take it easy and give our bodies a break. We did just a few light workouts on the beach and in the ocean and that was it...Boy did it feel good! We gave our bodies some much-needed downtime and have come back rejuvenated and ready to go!

I also figured out something on this trip...I needed some good, old-fashioned family time with my kids. Our lives are so crazy busy and we run from one activity to another (as so many of us do). This vacation was different. We spent the last week building sand castles, snorkling in the ocean, exploring pirate caves, working puzzles, playing monopoly, lying in hammocks, and eating ice cream on the beach at sunset. Each and every day was spent with the kids, my husband, my brother-in-law and my mom. We did a lot of relaxing, talking, laughing and sharing stories and it was awesome. What really matters the most in my life? Family and the 3 people in this picture are everything to me. This vacation reminded me to slow down and enjoy the time with my kids while they're so young. Work will wait, sports will wait, etc, etc. Family is my priority and I need to slow my life down and enjoy these special moments.

I know this will always rank as one of the best trips we've ever taken and I'll always remember it!

Vacation time!

Yep, after noon tomorrow I'm officially on vacation! We're off to Turks & Caicos with the family and I can't wait! As always, I start to have anxiety about when I'll get to workout while on vacation. We are renting a house on the beach so I won't have access to a fitness center and that worried me at first. However, I will have access to a free, amazing beach where I can walk or run in the sand for endless miles...heaven! I'm also packing some resistance bands, gliding dics and a jump rope...we'll see if any of it gets used. I actually think my body will enjoy the time off as I plan on doing a whole lot of NOTHING! Maybe I'll read a few books, make some sand castles with the kids, snorkle, get a massage and who knows what else! My main goal of this trip is to spend some much needed time with my husband and kiddos. My mom is also going with us which I'm so excited about! Nothing but free time for the next 7 days...we'll see if I can sit still!

I love tricking my kids!

OK...that might sound a little weird but tonight, I pulled a fast one on my kids during dinner. My kids are pretty good eaters...well, my son is but my daughter is picky and moody about eating. She basically wants mac & cheese or pizza every night. It's usually a battle to get her to even try anything new. I love trying new recipes and decided to try something different tonight. My husband grilled a whole chicken and I was in charge of the side dishes. I made fresh homemade pesto with basil and parsley from my garden (added garlic and olive oil) and mixed it with penne pasta. I also made "mashed potatoes with cheese sauce". I'm sure the potatoes don't sound very original but that's not really what it was.
You see, we don't eat many potatoes in our house except for sweet potatoes which we love. I have a mild allergy to potatoes so I tend to avoid cooking them but the other day my husband mentioned he was craving baked potatoes and my son asked what that was. I was mortified...how do you not know what a baked potato is? I decided my family needed a potato fix so the other night I made baked potatoes with a chicken and blue cheese stuffing. They loved it! Yeah! A new vegetable my kids will eat. So, tonight I didn't have any potatoes on hand but had a nice organic head of cauliflower which I knew my kids wouldn't be thrilled about eating. I decided to steam the cauliflower, use my trusty hand blender to "mash" them, make a gluten free, low-fat hollandaise sauce and VOILA...mashed potatoes and cheese sauce. I served the meal to my family and didn't say a word and they loved it! After the meal, I revealed my secret and my kids were amazed and told me to cook it again. Success!
For any of you with picky eaters in your family, I encourage you to be creative and a little sneaky (it's ok when good health is involved) and do you're best to sneak those veggies in. I usually keep baby food carrots and squash on hand to add to spaghetti sauce and my kids never know. I grind up spinach and add it to brownies and use applesauce when baking. All of it makes a difference in your family's health and keeps the peace at the dinner table. Feel free to share your sneaky tips...I'd love to hear them!

Gym time baby!

I am pumped for today...I'm headed to the gym. Many of you may be thinking "Kendall, you are truly sick in the head to look forward to the gym on a Saturday!" Well, maybe so, but with my crazy and hectic schedule of work, teaching, kids, family, etc., I rarely get to go to the gym these days unless I'm teaching. These days the majority of my workouts take place in my training studio. After staring at the same four walls all day, I'm usually screaming to change scenery and find it hard to stay motivated for my workouts.
Today is a rare Saturday...nothing to do, no place to be, no kids' sports, etc. I'm planning a vigorous 2 hour workout involving the stairclimber, treadmill and lots of squats and lunges. The next two hours are all about me, my ipod, and the gym. It's time to get in the zone and feel the burn. My workout will be followed with a protein shake mixed with my new best friend...my Cuisinart hand blender. This tool is the greatest $30 I've ever spent. I highly recommend it for making your protein shakes. Just mix your preferred protein powder, crushed ice, a banana (or whatever fruit you desire) and a little flaxseed. Blend for a few seconds and VOILA! An awesome protein shake which will immediately help with muscle repair and restoration.
OK...enough computer time. It's time to get dressed, load my bag and head to the gym. I hope to see you there! Happy Saturday!

Aqua Classes are Under Way!

Well, week 1 of my summer aqua classes is done. I absolutely love teaching these classes for so many reasons.
First of all, I'm in the comfort of my own pool which is awesome. I can step outside and start teaching...no stress, packing up the kids, loading bags, etc.
Second, the participants are mostly family and good friends which I love! It gives everyone the chance to catch up, vent, laugh, etc. all while working out. I know many of you don't think of water aerobics as a strenuous workout but that is such a misconception! We work hard using aqua dumbbells, noodles, and the water as our resistance. Every movement you make in water causes resistance and I'm usually sweating like crazy!
Do you have a pool at home? If so, I encourage you to get in a start MOVING! Jog in place, lift your knees, do jumping jacks, tread water, or whatever gets your heart rate up and muscles burning. It's fun in the sun with a little sweat mixed in! If you'd like to try one of my aqua classes, let me know as I've got a few spots here and there and would love everyone to join the fun!
I can't wait to make a splash on week 2!