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The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

March 16, 2015

{a year of challenges} March is for Health & Fitness: The Halfway Point

We are halfway through the March Health & Fitness Challenge!  For those of you who are participating, how are you doing?  What small changes have you been incorporating into your day?  And if you’re new here, welcome!  There is still time to jump in!

This challenge has been really motivating for me so far and I’m learning a lot about myself.    

As a reminder, this was my challenge:

+ Walk 10,000+ steps daily
+ Continue to work on drinking at least 5 glasses of water everyday
+ Eat at least one salad/green vegetable a day
+ Try one new type of exercise 


I’m following a 
half marathon training plan, so most of my workouts have been runs.  I do try to fit in one cross-training or weight session a week.  Still need to decide what new exercise I want to try too.


I’ve been doing most of my runs on the treadmill, mid-morning during a school break.  With warmer weather coming, though, I’m dying to get outside.  Last Saturday was raining, but I still couldn’t wait to get out there.  To be alone (no kids who just have to tell me something!) and in my own head for five miles was awesome.


As for my diet, it’s a work in progress, but I’m taking steps in the right direction.  I’ve given up almost all sugar and after the initial detox, I don’t even really miss it.  I treated myself to a cookie (made for for Sunday dinner) yesterday and felt sick afterward.  I think I’ll be sticking to my dried fruit “dessert” for now.  


A salad has become my lunchtime staple.  I make it with lots of romaine lettuce, whatever veggies we have on hand, ham, a bit of cheese and a little yogurt-based dressing.  Sometimes a handful of croutons too.  It is delicious and keeps me full for awhile.   

One thing that I love about health and fitness is the wealth of information.  While it can be overwhelming, I like to see what’s out there, experiment a little, and see what works for me.  I’ll post a record of the workouts I’ve tried and the books/articles I’ve read at the end of the month.  There is so much to learn!  



Let’s finish out the month strong, friends!

{photo & quote from one of my favorite movies via}



March 13, 2015

{around here} Week 10/52: Week of 3.9.15


A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.  At the end of the year, I’ll publish them into a keepsake to treasure.

Around here, I have been:


trying on and keeping a few pieces from my first Stitch Fix box in about 18 months.  It’s been awhile and my postpartum body is still far from normal, but I thought it might be fun to give myself a little extra motivation.  It did the trick; I kept a dress and an embroidered top.   

laughing about J’s latest observation during our first spring-like day: “Look, we’re twins!  We both don’t have socks, we just have toes.”

reading The Secret Keeper (almost done!) and Overcoming Dyslexia.


running Week Five in my half marathon training and feeling strong.  I even got a chance to run outside – 55 degrees!  Pumping myself up for a five mile long run tomorrow.

drinking a really delicious post-workout smoothie: frozen fruit, milk and half a scoop of vanilla protein powder.    

working a little everyday on Sophie’s room.  We moved the guest bed into her room and the duvet I ordered on ebay arrived.  Now we’re waiting for the headboard to be delivered…my first time ordering big furniture online!   

taking care of Mark.  He pulled a muscle in his back while working out and could barely walk.  After a trip to the doctor, they think he may have a muscle spasm?  He is in a lot of pain, but they gave him prescriptions to try to keep him comfortable.  Hopefully, he’ll be back to normal soon.


homeschool notes:
+ We have been so pleased with D’s reading program that I purchased a spelling program from the same company for M.  He’s flying through it!  We use a dry erase board with our lessons and he loves writing on that instead of on paper.  Whatever works!
+ M is also working on his multiplication facts and having a bit of trouble remembering.  I found a few skip counting songs on YouTube and even an old Schoolhouse Rock one.  We’ll see if it helps him.
+ In Kindergarten, we played a game about syllables.  I put paper on the floor with the numbers 1-3 and when I called out a word, the kids had to clap out the syllables and then jump to the correct number.  Big hit.    

March 12, 2015

{cookie project} No.005: Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

Since I’m not eating sugar as part of March’s health and fitness challenge, choosing a cookie this month was tricky.  I suppose that I could have made something sweet and delicious and just given them to the kids…but we all know I’m too weak to have that temptation in the house!


Instead, I found this recipe for healthy oatmeal cookies.  They are banana based and don’t have butter, sugar, flour and eggs!  I was a little skeptical about the taste, but they are strangely delicious.  


THE RECIPE
The recipe I used is from the sisters at Favorite Family Recipes.  They also suggest using chocolate chips instead of raisins…I’ll be trying them that way soon!  

P.S. The giveaway for the 24oz. Mason Jar Tumbler ends tomorrow tonight!  Have you entered yet?

March 10, 2015

{a year of challenges} A Health & Fitness Link List

The Dehydrated Girl’s Guide to Water


I liked the thoughts behind weight loss in this post.


This blueberry and avocado smoothie sounds delicious.


Feel Great in 8: an 8 week challenge that encourages you to make healthy choices along with a motivating support system


The 100 Best Running Songs of all Time: I’m checking this out for new material.


I love the free printables Mique made to create a fitness binder.

How to Kill Your Sugar Addiction Before It Kills You

I plan on making these cinnamon molasses muffins soon.


That’s Not Sweat, I’m Just Leaking Awesome.

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