I’m linking up again with the fabulous hostesses of the “Friday Five” (Courtney, Mar and Cynthia). This weeks’ theme is 5 Things about me. I actually had a tough time with this one!
1. I have a Masters in Social Work with a specialization in Eating Disorders. Before the kiddos were born I worked at Georgetown Hospital in their Eating Disorders clinic and then in a private practice counseling mostly adolescents. I loved my job and really enjoyed helping young women make steps towards recovery. It was very challenging and very rewarding. Once the kids came, I made the decision to stay home with them and left the field. Although I no longer practice, I remain involved and interested in women’s issues and encouraging girls and women to feel comfortable with who they are. I try to stay current with research and info in the field. I’ve kind of toyed with the idea of getting some sort of sports nutrition certification.
2. I am happily married with 2 teenagers. No idea how that happened! (the teenager part I mean) My husband is in Republican politics and travels quite a bit. I have a son who is a rising 9th grader and a daughter who is a rising senior. Will certainly be an interesting school year. I know they don’t need me as much as they used to , but I still need them! I love that I had the opportunity to stay home with them when they were young and watch them grow into responsible (almost) adults. They are really very good kids.
3. I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 12. I eat dairy, eggs, beans and lots of soy for protein. I love cooking and discovering new and interesting ways to prepare foods. Having the blog has helped me to be a little more creative with my recipes. I tend to eat the same meals a lot. I’ve been focusing on cleaning up my diet lately. One of my favorite breakfast casserole recipes is here. Confession: My family does not always embrace my quinoa, kale & tofu ways so I’m embarrassed to say that I often cook to dinners every night. I know! Don’t judge! I do need a little chocolate every day-I mean who doesn’t? My favorite are these:
4. Along the lines of #1 above, I stopped weighing myself about 9 months ago. I just didn’t see the point of torturing or rewarding myself with a number everyday. It’s so liberating and I’m so happy about it. And guess what? Nothing bad happened! I’m still wearing the same clothes in the same size. I figure, I exercise 6 days a week and eat a healthy vegetarian diet so I am doing everything I am supposed to be doing. It’s made the world of difference for me. Anybody else done the same??
5. I am the “Ambassador of Rock” for the DC Rock n Roll Marathon & Half marathon. So that means I get to throw some fun parties during the year to help hype up the event in March. I love giving away free entries and products at our pre events. We had a huge group of MRTT mamas there last year and everyone had a blast! There was an awesome turnout for our National Running Day event so this year’s race should be epic!
These are a few things you may not have known about me. Anything surprise you?
Love this! The masters surprised me, but I guess I had no idea of your educational background. That is such an important issue, and I am glad you are able to help others. In the elite world I see SO MANY women suffering from this, and although I have been able to pull a few back, some are just too far gone, and it breaks my heart. Loved learning more about you 🙂
It is sad how many women fall into this trap. Glad to know there are coaches like you out there looking out for them
I’m fascinated by the specializing in eating disorders. So many questions!
Anytime! I miss chatting about it. Happy Friday
I planned to run the first Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Pittsburgh last year, but it got canceled. 🙁 I hope to run one someday because I’ve heard such good things about them. I’ve been vegetarian for 12 years and went vegan four years ago. I have no kids but my omnivore husband usually has some of what I make for myself as a side (except for tofu or kale, which he hates!)
You should come do the RnR DC in March! I don’t think I could ever give up dairy. I love cheese! My hubby hates my food. I’m traveling today so it may take me a few to get back to your blog. Happy Friday
Love your “screw the scale” comment. So many women worry about the number and being healthy is so much more important. Good luck with the college search (for your child, not you!) and enjoy daughter’s senior year….it goes by way too quickly!
I wish all women would ditch the scale! It will be an interesting year indeed. Happy Friday
Just popping over from the link up. Great to learn some more about you. Working with eating disorders sounds very challenging but something so important. Also who doesn’t love chocolate. I prefer dark chocolate chips (Ghirardelli makes awesome ones)!
Hi thanks for stopping by! Yes chocolate for all! We work hard life’s short! I’m traveling today but will visit your blog too as soon as I get to a computer. Hope to see you again!
I am a certified Nutrition teacher and would love to have a job like what you did but I know that would require me to do more schooling and at my age I really don’t feel like doing that ( lazy I knowm..haha). Congrats on raising two responsible young people!
I’ve always wanted a nutrition degree too. Not really to work somewhere but just for me. Seems like it’s an ever changing field and so exciting. We’ll see how the kiddos turn out-LOL
Love the facts about you. Challenging work can always be very rewarding too.
I had a friend at work that ran the Rock and Roll in DC this year. I’m considering that for a race on my schedule next year. Trying to get together a list so I can figure out what I can actually afford. Race budget is never big enough, but staying local helps that stretch a little farther. Haha.
Yes you should totally run it! Sign up early before the prices go up! I was injured this year and couldn’t run so I’m really looking forward to this year
Weight is just a number, and what so many people forget is that muscle weighs more than fat does. So if you’re active, eat nutritious meals, and lead an overall healthy lifestyle, then the number on the scale may not accurately reflect society’s standards and expectations. So many people, especially females, have set unrealistic weight goals for themselves that have led to so many eating disorders.
And kudos to you for having worked with those who battle eating disorders. Trying to help anybody with a disorder is never easy, especially when there are neurological issues involved.
I totally agree! I wish more women would realize this. Happy Friday!
woo hoo on screw the scale!!! it’s all about how you feel and how you treat your body! And yay for the RnR in March. I missed it this year but totally plan on running it next!
Yes indeed! I was injured last year and couldn’t run it so I’m so excited to do it this year! Hope to see you there
This is great–i really admire how constructive your 5 facts are–it just illustrates how driven you are to help others, and in a truly meaningful way. I too, in the past 12 is months have just given up on the scale. Some times, when i go to the doctors it suprises me (for me, not in a good way) and my weight is down, but I have been working on me from the inside out, and that has helped me more than tying myself to a number.
We are so much more than a number! I actually refused to get on the scale at the OB/GYn last visit. The nurse looked at me and said “great idea. It’s not really necessary” I was so happy
i did not know #1! my husband has a masters in counseling and so does social work / counseling…so interesting — that would explain why you are just so easy to talk to! i really loved learning all this about you! 🙂
Thanks! And I didn’t know your hubby did that! I will have to meet him at one of these races. Happy Friday!
Hershey Kisses are my favorite too! I really need to be more like you and throw the scale away…I let it get me down too much instead of focusing on the good that i am doing.
Yes throw away the scale! It’s liberating
That’s awesome about #1!!
I love hershey kisses too! I kinda just like the plain chocolates 🙂
They are the best! Have a great weekend!
LOVE that race!! Huge PR there this year, and the old PR was there too!
Hope you are going to do it again!
I love that you stopped weighing yourself 🙂 I know we already talked about this earlier this week, but I totally agree with that method! It’s so easy to get obsessed with the scale. That’s funny that you coo two dinners sometimes! But SO sweet that you’re such a good momma and wife that you’ll do that for your family!! It shows a lot that you don’t force them into a lifestyle they don’t want to be a part of (yet?!). Also, SO cool about the DC ambassador!! You rock 🙂
Thanks! And the weight thing is a work in progress. Some months are better than others. It doesn’t define you. Have a good weekend!
That is great that you have stopped weighing yourself, I wish I was there. But I am pretty far from it, but its okay I am not obsessive, I just am working on some goals right now and I am enjoying looking at the scale, LOL yes I just said enjoying:)
If it works for you in a healthy way then that’s great. I got to a point where it was more hurtful than helpful. Have a fun weekend!
I stopped weighing myself a long time ago and agree, nothing bad happened. I have teenagers going into Sophomore year and 8th grade. They are so much fun and I can not believe that one could be leaving the house in 3 years…. I like vegetarian meals but my husband is such a carnivore that its too much to manage, making several different meals. But I have cut back on red meat. Have a great weekend.
We do have lots in common! My husband also is a carnivore don’t know how we get along! Happy Friday
Oh, exciting about the R&R Half! I will have to keep that in mind. 😉 Also very interesting about your previous career – such challenging but important work.
Oh yes you should totally run it this March!
I love this theme – I learn so much about everyone! I will def have to come to one of your RnR events!
It was fun to learn more about everyone today. Have a great weekend!
Your work with teenagers and eating disorders sounds so amazing. And that’s awesome that you’re involved as an ambassador for RnR USA. I definitely want to do that one some year.
Thanks! You should come do the race with us in March
So glad to know a few more things about you! I’m interested in the RnR race next year, maybe I will sign up for that!
Yes you should! It’s going to be a blast
My college roomie is a social work master! I have huge respect for y’all! That field is not easy!
It’s not easy for sure but can be very rewarding. Thanks for stopping by!
I work in healthcare too- on the finance side so not much surprises me anymore (plus my kids are in the their early 20’s- I have seen a lot) I like the part about the scale- I find it will drive a person crazy! I like sliding into a pair of last years shorts and having just a little more wiggle room in them- that is way better than what any scale can say!
I agree totally! Have a great day!