Tuesday, April 19, 2011

History of Easter

A Colorful History of Easter and Easter Symbols

Natural Egg Dyes
While everyone knows that Easter brings out a festive mix of brightly decorated eggs, adorable bunnies, and cute baskets in spring, Easter is also a combination of important events in different traditions.
In Christianity, Easter is preceded by Holy Week. This week includes Maundy Thursday, which commemorates Jesus' last supper with his disciples; and Good Friday, which remembers the day of his death. These somber days are then followed by Easter Sunday to celebrate the day that Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion.
Easter is also related to the Jewish holiday of Passover, a period that remembers Israelites' freedom from slavery in ancient Egypt. This is observed during Nisan, the first month of the Hebrew lunar year – which also happens to be between March and April.
Also according to St. Bede, an English historian, the term "Easter" is derived from the Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility, whose name is Eostre. Pagans had festivals in her honor during the spring equinox, when daytime is equal to night time.
So where did the Easter bunny and eggs come from?
European pagan religion incorporated rabbits and hares in their celebration as a symbol of fertility. In Germany, pagans even named their hare "Oschter Haws" and early settlers introduced him to America during the 1700's. In their stories, Oschter Haws left eggs the night before Easter for the children to hunt and find on Easter morning – some children would even build "nests" for these anticipated eggs in baskets and bonnets.
Meanwhile, eggs were used to represent resurrection – a celebration of new life in Christianity. Likewise, many other ancient civilizations from India to Greece have used the egg to emphasize the significance of life. While the origin of coloring eggs is unknown, some reports date it back as far as 2,500 years ago where Zoroastrians painted eggs for a New Year celebration. Today, for varying reasons, beliefs, or for just plain fun, people from different cultures all over the world dye eggs and present them as gifts or as little treasures around Easter time.

Upcoming dates for Easter:
2011 -- April 24
2012 -- April 8
2013 -- March 31
2014 -- April 20
2015 -- April 5

I thought this was really interesting! I never realized how much Easter shifted every year? This year it is really late!! Do you like Easter being later or earlier or do you even have a preference?  Why do you think it changes so much every year? Is it weird to you that most holidays are on the same day every year but Easter isn't?  Now that were playing twenty questions I'll ask a few more haah just kidding!

Perfect for an Easter in Florida!

Dye-ving Dudes

by NAOMI SHULMAN From FamilyFun Magazine
1-2 Hours
These hard-boiled snorkelers are fully equipped for a dip in the blue (or green or pink). For a hilarious centerpiece, display a row of the finished dudes sitting in their dye-ving tanks.
Materials
  • Egg dye
  • White eggs, hard-boiled
  • Permanent marker
  • 3/4-inch round white adhesive labels
  • 1-inch-wide water-bottle lids
  • Small rubber bands
  • White glue or glue gun
  • Flexible straws
  • Self-adhesive foam
  • Small clear glasses or bowls (optional)
  • Small pitcher (optional)

Instructions
  1. For each snorkeler, dye the bottom third of an egg, then let it dry.
  2. Draw eyes on a label and adhere it to a water-bottle lid. Slip the rubber band around the egg, about a quarter of the way down. Glue the lid over a rubber band.
  3. Trim a straw 1 inch above and 2 inches below the flexible section. Bend it into a snorkel shape and glue it in place.
  4. null Cut foam flippers (trace our template ). Glue them to the egg, adhesive side down, and let dry. Stick the adhesive side to the display surface, or, if you like, to the inside of a small glass or bowl. With the pitcher, gently pour in dye until the egg is partly submerged.
Notes:
White glue is kid-friendly but requires drying time; using a glue gun is an adult's job.

Happy Easter!!!!

I'm going to include a few things here to get you all ready for Easter! I am actually going to spend Easter with my family and were all going to meet up in Columbia, SC where my uncle John is a pastor of a church! So here are some ideas I had for us to keep the kids entertained! Because there are lots of little ones now!!  First, will make sumy yummy easter treats because kids love cupcakes and especially when they get to be involved in the decorating! So I thought these would be fun to make!!

Easter Bunny Cupcakes


You don't have to grow a garden like Mr. McGregor's to have a family of rabbits show up at your house on Easter -- or any other time.
Ingredients
  • A cupcake (baked from your favorite recipe)
  • White icing
  • Shredded coconut
  • Pink decorators' sugar
  • Jelly bean nose
  • Chewable Sweet Tart eyes
  • Large marshmallow
  • Mini marshmallows
Instructions
  1. Frost a cupcake (baked from your favorite recipe) with white icing and sprinkle on shredded coconut fur.
  2. Cut a large marshmallow in half widthwise. Squeeze each half slightly to give it an oval shape, then decorate the sticky side of each one with pink decorators' sugar and set them in place for ears.
  3. Add a jelly bean nose and either jelly bean or snipped Sweet Tart eyes, and mini marshmallows for cheeks. For a finishing touch, draw on decorators' gel pupils or whiskers if you like.
  4. Then I found this one! SO I want to do this one too lol! Theyre just all so cute!
  5. Ingredients
    • 1/2 cup shredded coconut
    • 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
    • 1 Twinkie
    • Chocolate sprinkles
    • Orange frosting
    • 2 candy lemon slices
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    Instructions
    1. To make a pair of nests, first spread 1/2 cup of shredded coconut on a cookie sheet and toast it under a broiler until golden brown, about 1 minute. Remove the coconut from the oven, stir it, then toast it for 30 seconds more. Repeat as needed until all of the coconut is evenly toasted, then let it cool.
    2. Next, melt 1/4 cup of white chocolate chips in a double boiler according to the package directions. Remove the pan from the heat (keep the chocolate over the warm water) and stir in the coconut.
    3. For the nestlings, lay a Twinkie flat on your work surface and cut it in half. Press 2 chocolate sprinkles into each half for eyes and pipe on orange frosting beaks. Let the beaks set a bit, then stand the chicks upright on waxed paper and spoon the warm coconut mixture around them, shaping it into rings. Lastly, use frosting to stick on trimmed candy lemon slices (we used Brach's) for wings.
    4. Some more cute idea:

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Workouts for this week!

Monday : 2 mile warm up, than for 6 miles...2minute hard, 1 min.jog, 1 min
hard, 30 sec.jog, 30 sec hard, 30 sec  jog, (fartlek),
Tues. easy 6 to 8 miles
Wed. 3 x 2 miles (6 min pace for meg, 6:52 pace for Katherine)
Thurs : easy 6 to 8
Fri: 2 mile warm up, 4x 200m with 200m jog, 3 x 1000 w/ 2 min rec,  2x 400

So these workouts are preparing me for the women to women 10k that I'm racing in not this weekend but the next! Here is a little bit about it below! What I'm most excited about though is that after the race we get our medal put around our neck by the cute palm beach county fire fighters haah! I though that was a cute spin on an award presentation that I have never heard of before! I guess b/c it is an all female race, they decided to do this!
Women for Women 5k/10k was created to celebrate women and their strength.  Women in running has grown in the last several years and women are averaging 60% of the total race field.  It is a time when women of all ages come together to support each other in achieving a common goal.  We are excited to have the first time runner to the seasoned veteran.  The race course offers a sunrise as you head over the challenging Lake Worth Bridge.  There you will enjoy the ocean view briefly as you head back over the bridge to end your run through the Historic South Lake Worth neighborhood.  The finish line is at the "M" Street Park  and will be filled with music and excitement as you head to the home stretch where family and friends cheer you on.  Finishers Medals to ALL!  Enjoy the after celebration with food,drinks and raffles.  So bring your sister, mother, daughter or best friend to celebrate you!   

This is exciting too!

You Could Win..

You could win one of these exciting raffle items:
We have 2 4G AT&T phones to raffle off, each worth $499.
Baskets from Mind, Body, Sole
Baskets from Spa
Watercolors from local artist

In addition to many items in the goodie bag: magazine, sample lotions, sun screen, bug repellent, nutrition bars, biofreeze and coupons

I'm super excited about this race! I'll let you know how it goes!!
 

A joke!! I mean I guess its funny!

So one of my guy friends sent me this and even though I am making fun of myself and its demeaning to women, I do have to admit that I think it is kind of funny!
 

Thursday, April 7, 2011

A Post from my favorite blog-Skinny Runner!

I decided to add this for my beloved friend chris hernandez!!
Would You Rather….
Give up chocolate for life
or
Give up coffee for life?

I’d give up chocolate because I would be a raging psycho without coffee. 

A Post from my favorite blog-Skinny Runner!

This next post is a bit redic. to me though! Where she says "no animal protein after 7:30 pm", I think that is just crazy! I mean just eat healthy and workout and you will be slim and healthy! I really don't think if you ate a slice of turkey at 6:30 would make skinner than if you were to eat it at 8pm, its just all about calories in, and calories out! What do ya'll think?

Following the theme of last night’s celebrity bikini post, here’s Sara Rue:
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Only a year and a half after she began the Jenny Craig program, Sara Rue has lost more than 50 lbs. – and 4 dress sizes! – and is wearing a bikini for the very first time in her life.   "It’s a little strange," says the Shedding for the Wedding host, 32. "But after I tried it on, I thought, ‘I look good!’ "
Since July of last year, Rue has been on a Jenny Craig maintenance plan that consists of cardio workouts four days a week and a 1,700-calorie-a-day diet.  "It’s hard. It’s a struggle," she says of keeping off the weight. "There are days where I’ll say, ‘I feel off the rails.’ But I don’t give myself excuses."
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The actress – whose ABC Family movie My Future Boyfriend premieres Sunday – also has plenty of diet tricks up her sleeve.   "I try not to eat animal protein after 7:30 p.m.," she says. "And when I make pasta, I layer the bottom of the bowl with fresh spinach. That way you’re having the pasta, but with half the carbs."
Come May, when Rue exchanges vows with her fiancé, college consultant Kevin Price, 35, she won’t be skipping her wedding cake. "We’re having three kinds, including red velvet and pumpkin caramel," Rue reveals. "I’ll be having one of each! Very small slivers of every kind is the way to go."
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I like that she’s honest about how hard it is to maintain and keep the weight off.
Who’s your healthy diet/weight loss/weight maintain inspiration?

Another blog I found that seems fun to follow-check it out!!

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Let’s meet someone new in Cat lady Blogs!
Today’s cute blogger is Nicole from FashionablyFitFemme.
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I have a Bachelors of Science Degree in Exercise Science from USF here in Tampa, FL Like the majority of degree holders, I don’t use mine in a "career sense".  I work in the lighting & projection industry ~ total opposite end of the spectrum.
I totally hated PE as a kid & teen…and then one day in college after discovering Reese Witherspoon made it look way too easy to become a lawyer (I was shooting for doctor) – I had an "aha" moment & chose Exercise Science.

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I started running back in 2006 with my dad & did my first 2 races that year. I’m super competitive & super slow. 
I use my degree selfishly & to train friends / family on the side. I’ve stepped on some toes in the past with offering up health & fitness suggestions – when I wasn’t asked.
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I write about my workouts, races, suggestions for a healthy lifestyle, my family… and then there’s random ramblings about shopping & fashion. I should have minored in fashion – but I also should have laid off the Cheetos as a kid – lots of conundrums in my life.
My dream would be to have my own training studio that’s all encompassing: health, fitness, and fashion – it would be like Biggest Loser meets What Not To Wear.
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Other factoids if you want to know:
I’m super close to my family – mom is my BFF after the hubs. I have a younger brother who has cerebral palsy…working on making a post about him – he’s an inspiration.
I love the Lord & wish the church would do more to promote health & wellness since our bodies are the temple 1 Cor 6:19&20
I shop way too much – I’m addicted to online shopping. I have them shipped to the office to dispose of evidence. I love shopping. I cried during Confessions of a Shopaholic. 
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We have a dog named Dexter & he is ridiculously BAD. I brought it on myself though – his name is Dexter, and not after the science lab guy, after the vigilante guy on Showtime. yikes.
Everyone go check out Nicole’s blog right now and get some Cheetoh-loving, fashion and exercise help!  Thanks Nicole for the email.

Ran the Gumbo Limbo Green Turtle 10k last Sunday!

This past Sunday I ran the Gumbo Limbo Green Turtle 10k race in Boca Raton!
The race was really fun! I got second female finisher and sixth place overall!
The girl that beat me is a senior at FAU well actually she is older, she is from Germany and is like 26 years old and I raced against her twice during the Fall for cross country and she beat me both times.  She is a good runner but I kind of feel like it is cheating since she is older and has more experience but oh well it can only make me stronger to race against better competition. 
Also, not that I am using this as an excuse but the day before the race, I wasn't sure if we were running the race so I did a long run of about 12 miles where she did the typical pre race workout of just an easy 3 or 4 miles and so I was running on a bit of tired legs. 
Also, I was upset after the race that she beat me again but my boss helped me put it into perspective in the idea that yes she may be better than me right now but she is getting better training than me right now.  She is doing her workouts on a track with the guys and getting massage therapy and a couple of coaches guiding her.  Where I am doing my workouts by myself on the roads and sidewalks on the island and most times, my coach is not there because she lives an hour away and me and one another girl are the only ones even running right now because everyone else is either supposedly hurt or quit the team.  So put into that perspective I felt a little better!
Also one funny thing is that even though she beat me, we got the same exact prize, we got both got an embroided T-shirt and towel. 
Here is a link that shows some photos from the event:
http://mackphotography.shutterbugstorefront.com/g/gumbo_limbo_green_turtle_gallop_10k

Friday, April 1, 2011

Just found this awesome video!!



This video is very very inspirational! Awesome for runners but anyone alike can take something from it! Just a reminder that anything is possible if you believe it and want it bad enough!!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

One more post from SkinnyRunner that I liked!

I saw this post on her site too and I thought it was cool! I loved it because I don't have the time or money to buy gossip magazines but I am like everyone and have a guilty pleasure of celeberity gossip and after school if that is where God leads me that is one route I would love to take to live in L.A. and work for E!news and do celeberity gossip! Here is the post! Hope you enjoy!
From the same super old US WEEKLY as last week
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Do tell, who’s your favorite??

A Post from my favorite blog-Skinny Runner!

You guys may not get excited over these goodies like I did because they are kind of runners stuff but this is a huge give away so I wanted to share it with you guys because I love you guys and hopefully one of us will win something because that would be really cool! So here is the post and all you have to do is enter your email address and vote for this couple for this marriage contest or you can just post it on facebook or twitter or something! Which I found ironic since we were just talking about Twitter in our Briggs book so its so prevalent that social media is how we get all of our information for a lot of things in our life! Good luck! I hope one of us wins!
This is a big one so hold onto your hats and tie up your horses.  It will run until Thursday when the winner will be picked by random.org.  You have only 2 ways of entering:
A. Vote for Matt and Marlie in the Ultimate Wedding Contest. again.
If you’ve already voted, you need a new email address.  I promise this is the LAST time I’ll force you to vote…   The more email addresses you use, the more entries you get.
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B. FB, Twit, Blog, Airplane message in the sky about the contest.
Those are the only two ways of entering. 
Let’s get to this big honkin’ contest, shall we?
(These are all items that have been given by companies that I know of, like and/or personally use their products)
Size small, hot pink, will fit 4 gels.  Retails for $11.95
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I have an iFitness belt that I wore in my last marathon that I’d recommend to anyone who carries a lot of stuff with them or hates anything in their hands.  It stays in place, doesn’t bounce around, gets tight enough but doesn’t strangle-hold you.
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2. Justin’s Peanut Butter Packs
5 packs: 3 Maple Almond Butter and 2 Honey Peanut Butter.  Retails for about $5
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I admit, I didn’t really get the big deal about Justin’s until they sent me some.  It takes nut butters to a higher level.  It’s like thinking Courtney Love is the ultimate crazy, but that’s only because you haven’t met Charlie Sheen.
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Both the maple almond butter and the honey peanut butter have the perfect hint of flavor, subtle in just the right way.  These aren’t sweet, they aren’t salty, they’re just nut butter perfection.
3. Mission Skincare Refreshing Foot Therapy Cream and All-Sport 50 SPF Sunscreen.
Retails for $19.
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Mission Skincare is what I personally use; I haven’t found a product of theirs that I don’t like.  I feel like they all do their job well: the sunscreen stays on my face, the muscle rub relaxes and soothes my muscles, and the anti-friction cream doesn’t chafe. 
Those professional athletes who created the line must know what they’re doing….
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4. Drymax Running Lite-Mesh Sock
Retails for $9.00.  There’s either a Women size 5-7 or a Women 7.5-9.5 to choose from.
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This is the only sock I run in: the lite-mesh.  It doesn’t bunch or move, it keeps my feet dry, they don’t stretch out, and I like the tight arch band.
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5. CLICK Espresso Protein Drink ALL-Natural Single Serving Packet
5 Packets: 3 Mocha and 2 Vanilla Latte.  Retails for $16.25
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CLICK is my favorite recovery drink: it’s got protein, fats, and carbs but tastes like a coffee Frappuccino, not a protein shake.  It’s easy to make, good for you, and tastes good.  end of story.
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6. XelvaGen All-Natural Pain Drops
2 bottles.  Retails for $60
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On the days that I don’t want to smell like a rest home with eau de Ben-Gay, I rub XelvaGen on any achy body party, particularly my knees.  What I like about these pain drops is that EVERYTHING is all natural: 100% natural botanicals so no chemicals or anything habit forming.
7. BIC Bands headbands
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3 BIC Bands.  Retails for $27.
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One of my favorite headbands is this zebra print BIC Band:
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It stays in place, is easy to rinse off and a part of the sale goes to charity.  love that.
8. GU Performance Energy Sampler
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17 different products.  On sale for $24.
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You know I love my GU gels, that’s what I take in races, but the beauty of the sampler pack is you get to try a little of everything to see what works best for you.
9. CW-X Ventilator Compression Socks
Retails for $30.
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I’m really jealous of the winner because this is one product that I have not tried, although I really, really want to!  I love my compression socks and sleeves, and CW-X is one of the leaders in the field.  Whoever wins, can I borrow these??
10. Sun Chlorella Tablets
One 300 tablet box.  Retails for $38.25
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You’ve heard of Amazing Grass, right?  It’s a nutrient-rich food supplement. 
Well, Sun Chlorella is something similar: it’s a natural whole foods supplement derived from freshwater, single-celled, green algae.  It provides nutrients like potassium, all of the B vitamins, magnesium, zinc and iron, 18 vital amino acids, beta carotene, lutein, and nucleic acids. 
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I actually went to a presentation about it recently and since then have been adding the granules in my breakfast oatmeal.  I feel like if it’s natural and full of vitamins and all that good stuff, why not try it out?
Sun Chlorella is sold at all Whole Foods and online.
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11. Heart Thrive Vegan Energy Bars
A gift card for 1 dozen, valued at $21.
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These are all natural, super healthy, yet tasty energy bars with a ton of flavors to pick from.  My favorite would be cranberry or apple.  You smear a little peanut butter on top and it’s deeeeelicious.
Rubber bead bracelet with Run Endurance Bead.  Retails for $60.
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Another product that I really want to keep for myself!  How cute is this bracelet?!  All of the products are 100% guaranteed and the RUN bead is handmade from recycled sterling silver in the USA.
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Plus, you can get 20% off at Inspired Endurance with the code SKINNY.
13. Chocomize Customized Chocolate Bars
3 Chocolate bars and a $25 gift certificate!  About a $43 value.
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Did you know that Chocomize was the first product that I ever reviewed on the blog?  I bought two and then gave 2 to my family; I still remember showing them this crazy candy bar creation and them thinking it was pretty cool.
I think Chocomize is such a fun, unique idea; who doesn’t like chocolate and who doesn’t like creating their own special recipe?!  And the ingredients they use, from the chocolate to the toppings, are all high quality and great tasting.
14. Ryders Eyewear Vela Sunglasses
Retails for $40.
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These cute, girly running glasses know what they’re doing: they have polycarbonate lenses with 100% UVA, UVB, UVC protection, a durable, flexible frame, and the nose pads and temple tips are also anti-slip and hypoallergenic.  You can even adjust the nose pads.
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I have a pair of Ryder sunglasses that if it ever stops raining in this place, I could start wearing again.  But until then, I’ll look like a total dirtbag and wear them inside.
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That is over $400 worth of sweet swag!!  You know how to enter; get to it.

2. Social media-ize about the contest.