Stockshow 2014

Ever since we took Lily to her first National Western Stockshow last year, she has been anxiously awaiting her return.  While Bob was out of town on business, Memaw and Papa took the 3 of us girls to the show.  

For the second year in a row Memaw made Lily a special stockshow outfit complete with a little horse on the front.  With a red cowboy had and pink cowboy boots, her little ensemble was complete.  Evie was outfitted in her very first pair of pink Carhart overalls.  The girls were simply too cute for words.  

It was so much fun to watch Lily and Memaw together.  They were both in heaven, especially whenever we saw horses (which is always).  Two peas in a pod.  There is so much to do on the stockshow grounds and we simply had too much fun.  Lily wanted to stand in the big tractor tire.  You can just hear her, "I fit Mommy!"  Yeah Babe, you do!  Those are some big tractors.

One of the biggest highlights from last year was the pony ride carousel.  Real ponies, going in circles.  She was beside herself with glee to see it again.  And of course, while all of the other little riders have a safety person walking besides them, my little independent lady sat up there and rode that horse like the little experienced rider she is.  Bob and I are in trouble, this little girl LOVES horses and is frankly a phenomenal rider for a 3 year old. 

There is so much to do in the kids area of the stockshow and Lily wanted to do it all.  I thought it was great because the show set up a pink TUFF SHED as a breastfeeding hub.  It was wonderful.  Lily played and rode trains while Evie and I snuggled in the big comfy chairs inside the pink shed.  It was pretty cool

Lily and Memaw watched intently as the course for the dog agility was set up.  Even though it wasn't a horse event, Lily loved watching all of the doggies run through the different course sets.

The 2014 Stockshow was once again a hit and Lily cannot wait to go back again.  Hopefully next year we can go to the rodeo too and introduce her to Bull and Bronc riding!

Meeting Miss Evergreen Rodeo.  Two pretty princesses!

Musings of a Vegetarian

So Bob and I decided at the end of December to take on a meatless month challenge in January.  We are now 17 days into our no meat journey and I thought I would muse a bit about the experience.  Its funny how our culture is usually polarized between the people that love meat and think we are 100% crazy to the super health conscious who are only too willing to give recipes and advice.

Our challenge was really born out of a curiosity more than anything.  As athletes who have ambitions of an IRONMAN, we are always researching and discovering new ways to improve our fitness levels.  We heard a TED talk about an elite athlete who dramatically improved his times and physical stamina by switching to a completely plant based diet.  Now, I am not in a place where I am ready and or willing to give up my eggs, cheese and yogurt BUT, giving up meat and focusing on increasing our vegetable intake seemed very doable.  So our challenge was born.  Here is what I have learned and what I am finding amazing about this vegetarian lifestyle:

1.  I LOVE IT! Once you get over the stigma that all you can eat is pasta and quesadillas, the plethora of options is limitless.

2.  I feel lighter.  No kidding.  I eat....and A LOT, but I find I eat better and cleaner foods.  I just feel lighter, not weighted down or bloated.  Its wonderful.

3.  Avocados have become a staple for us.  They are amazing and work in place of meat on sandwiches and as a garnish on practically everything.

4.  Vegetarians don't miss out.  AT ALL.

5.  Quinoa and Beans are my new favorite protein.  They are amazing.

6.  I feel stronger and fitter.  My energy lasts longer and like I said before, I feel lighter.

7.  It is SO nice to not have to purchase or handle raw meat.

8.  This might be TMI, but I poop better.

9.  If we go out to eat, the vegetarian options are usually cheaper.

10.  I've lost weight.  No it hasn't been a lot, and No I am not necessarily trying, but this meatless lifestyle has given me more sustainable energy and helped me run harder and workout longer.

All in all it has been fantastic and I am looking forward to the last couple of weeks.  While we will most likely NOT give our meat up completely (Chic-fil-a nuggets anyone?)  we will absolutely limit our intake of meat to once a week or less.  There are so many other options out there.  Oh and apparently vegetarian cooking sits great with my picky toddler.  She has been eating like a champ!