Recently I completed my first mud run. It was a cool morning and the mud was cold and honestly I sadly didn’t get really muddy. Here are some of my best tips for a successful mud run!

1. Pick your teammates carefully. Running with someone you know is more fun than someone you meet the day of the run.

2. Weigh your options when picking your heat. We went for fresh “germ free” mud but that also meant out mud was pretty cold since it was only in the 40-50′s out. If we had chosen a heat later in the day the mud  would have been warmer. Those competed later in the day were covered in mud while those of us who competed first thing, not so much.

3. Exercise. Although many races have been simplified so anyone can do them it helps to be in good physical condition.

4. Make a plan. If you are part of a team decide beforehand if it is ok to break apart or if you are staying togethers. Sometimes teammates can get separated during obstacles. This happened with my team after our first obstacle and was how I ended up doing the mud run with someone I did not even know.

5.Dress accordingly. Leave the cotton at home and go for tight fighting spandex-y clothes. I chose to capri’s to protect my knees during obstacles but saw others wearing tight booty shorts. I chose a dry-fit shirt. When choosing the color of your clothes keep in mind you will be getting wet and your clothes may become see through. I ended up wearing a black tank under my shirt for that reason.

6.Skip the socks. They add to the squish factor especially if you choose cotton.

7. Don’t give yourself a pedicure the day before. The grit from the sand will wear down the polish.

8. Shoes.. there are a couple options here. You can wear old shoes and donate later or rinse and wash when you get home. I wore minimals and they were the perfect shoe for this. While my teammate complained of squishy shoes after a couple seconds out of the mud my shoes were fine. Double knot your shoes tightly. You will be stepping in mud and nothing is worse than losing a shoe.

9. Bring a change of clothes that you don’t mind getting mud on for after the race, cheap flip flops and a towels you don’t care if they get muddy. Rinsing the mud off afterward may not be an option. I was lucky enough to be able to rinse off but those in a couple heats after mine did not have that luxury. I was able to change by covering myself in a large towel  (beach towel). If you are unable to rinse off you will need the towels to cover the sets in your car.

10. Have fun!

So those are my tips for a successful mud run. I have my second mud run coming up in less than a month and I cannot wait!

I should have posted this a while ago after all it has been a couple months now since being named Fort Bliss’s Military Spouse of the Year 2013. Has the award changed me, no. Has Fort Bliss done anything to recognize the award, that would be a big fat no. Does it matter? Not really I guess. I am me and like I said before i’m going to continue to do what I do. Run my online support group, the REAL Army Wives of Fort Bliss, Fort Bliss Chapter Director for Blue Star Families, Volunteer as cupcake maker to raise money for the James Butler Games/ Socorro ISD Special Olympics, Fundraising Coordinator for the El Paso Striders (and I am sure I will continue on as photographer)… my kid’s new track team, Head Coach for Team Bliss Special Olympics, FRG Co-treasurer and Volunteer for my husband’s company and who knows what I am forgetting and my other secret squirrel activities. Staying busy is key to being a military spouse right? My plate is full. I like that my plate is full.

Being that I volunteer a lot it means volunteer awards and I have grown to hate awards. In the past I have been told hey you are getting an award. Cool right? Except like if you log your hours and know what type of award you have earned and all that and then surprise you get the same award that everyone else did no matter how much or as little they also contributed. Politically correct much? I have yet to receive an award for work that I did and not just a general award. After a while you go from disappointed and frustrated to so what,why should I log my hours or do this or that. I guess you can say my view on awards for volunteer awards are as skewed as my husbands. Yeah, same stuff happens with service members awards too. Plus I don’t do what I do for an award… do people really volunteer just for awards?  I know they do, but really? I guess whatever floats your boat, right?

This brings me to the Military Spouse of the Year award. Back when nominations opened I promoted them. I never guessed that I would be nominated but I was and it shocked the heck out of me when I saw the email. My husband encouraged me to accept the nomination so I did.  That right there is where the award is different. You are nominated by your peers. Yes, you end up marketing yourself and campaigning for votes (which I hated and I am glad that part is over for me,lol)but that said. Your peers vote for you for whatever that reason may be that they want to vote for you. This is where the award is different than any other award. There is only one way for you to receive this honor, those votes. Someone took the time and thought enough of you to spend 2 minutes voting for you. They thought you deserved it.That is why I think being named Fort Bliss’s Military Spouse of the Year is the best award one could receive and I thank everyone who voted for me from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for thinking that I deserved it.

Tomorrow is branch voting for MSOY and while I am anxious about it I am not optimistic. I didn’t make a video, talking about myself and what not is not my thing. It was hard enough to write my about me. I do not have anyone one or company specifically endorsing me. Was I suppose to seek that out? I have not reached out to the media… I have seen the negative backlash of military spouses in the media here in El Paso. In the short time period I have been Bliss’s MSOY I have already experienced negativity from those who don’t know me. This really upset me but I know the truth and what really matters.

I am me and just me and whether or not I am voted branch MSOY or not will not matter in the long run because it will not change me and what I do. I will continue to use my voice. I will continue to help spouses out and try to help them learn how to be resilient. Being resilient I feel is critical. There are so many things that we as military spouses have to deal with and if you are not resilient it may break you. If I wasn’t resilient I would have broken a long time ago. I will continue working for special needs children and EFMP families. I am honored to be part of the Fort Bliss’s Chaplain’s Helping Hand’s committee and working on how to fix the gaps in the system. There are so many issues from PTSD, TBI to homeless soldiers that we deal with. I can’t forget about the work I do with Blue Star Families too and all the other things I am sure I am forgetting to mention. There are honestly so many issues if I could I would work on them all, ask Chris he would tell you I would.

So tomorrow, I would love for you to vote for me. 1 vote per email address. If your vote helps me become a larger voice for military families. Thank you! I truly appreciate it <3

You can vote for me here.

Honored, honored is what I am and have been for the past few weeks.  Honored because those that I know have nominated me for Military Spouse of the Year for 2013. I am among the ranks of so many wonderful women and a few gentleman that have done wonderful things for the military community. I have been nominated among other women that I have met personally, some I have met online through different social media outlets and then others I have worked with through Blue Star Families. Thank you to those who have nominated me  and have allowed me to join this group of wonderful spouses. It is truly an honor.

If you are interested in voting for me installation level voting for Military Spouse of the Year is on January 22nd only.
Voting will be from 5am to 11:59pm EST and results will be announced January 25th.

You can vote for me by clicking here.

Thank You!

Time has flown by and it’s that time of the year again, Fall! The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing color (well in most places) and it is time for the holiday season to start. I’m not talking about Christmas but Halloween!

October is full of fall festivals and different Halloween celebrations. Food is often involved too. There is so much that can be made to help celebrate the fall season.  An obvious choice is cupcakes and cakes like these yummy Harvest Pumpkin Cupcakes from Argo.

I made these tasty pumpkin cakes for my one son’s school’s Fall Carnival and they went fast! Pumpkin cupcakes are always a good call in the fall. They are also awesome with Caramel Frosting instead of cream cheese.

Not feeling like cake? How about these little gems?  Individual Pumpkin Pies.

Just note for the Individual Pumpkin Pies the vanilla wafer crust does become “soggy” instead of crust like. I am working on a solution for this and will let you know what I come up with.  Even with the soggy crust these babies went fast as well. They are oh so yummy. Perfect for fall festivals and classroom parties.

Looking for something with a little bit of crunch? Maybe some sweet and salty? Try Caramel Corn!

This Caramel Corn by Karo is extremely easy to make as well as addictive. I don’t think it lasted 24 hours in my house.

Looking for a little change to your Caramel Corn try Caramel Corn Treat Bags and add in your favorite treats, nut’s , candy, pretzels, whatever makes your tummy happy. This recipe will not disappoint and is sure to be a crowd pleaser at fall carnivals and in the classroom.

Growing up on Halloween my mom always made us chili for before we would go out. Having something warm and filling  before going out is perfect and I think I may have found our pre Halloween trick or treating meal, Argo’s Chicken and Corn Chowder. This soup is delicious and filling and my entire family loved it. The only way to make it better would be to add some potatoes. Try it out, it doesn’t disappoint.

Are you looking for more Halloween ideas? Check out my Pinterest page! I have a bunch of great ideas pinned.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

This month with Allrecipes had not one but two brand sponsors. The second brand sponsor was Al Fresco All Natural Chicken Sausage. I must say it was pretty good stuff. A little hard to find and pricier than most sausages ($5.99 for a 12oz package of 4 sausages) but it was good stuff.

Want to learn more about Al Fresco or see if it is in your area check out their webpage and don’t forget to like them on Facebook.

Here are the yummy dishes I made with Al Fresco-

Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage, Endive, & Blueberry Salad with Toasted Pecans

minus endive (could not find locally) and with feta instead of goat cheese

Grilled Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage with Tomato Cream Sauce Over Linguine

Roasted Broccoli & Crispy Polenta with Roasted Pepper & Asiago Chicken Sausage

Growing up I never knew the difference between butter or oleo/margarine. We had yellow sticks that went on the butter dish. After all there was no such thing as an oleo or margarine dish. We used margarine though and just called it butter. We used “butter” for baking, “butter” on our veggies “butter” in the scalloped potatoes. It just wasn’t butter, it was margarine. It wasn’t until many years after I married and had a family of my own that I bought butter instead of margarine because a recipe said butter only no substitutes. From that moment on I became a butter buyer. What type of southern girl had I been all these years buying margarine to bake, using the stuff in the tub for my mashed potatoes and what not. No more margarine in my cookies, butter only and nothing else will do. No subbing shortening in case i’m out either but then again that will not happen. I like to keep 3lbs in my freezer at all times. Butter is gold and really good stuff and makes everything better.
When I read that the brand sponsor with Allrecipes this month was Butter I was over joyed and could not wait to start the project for April. Dear Go Bold with Butter  this butter loving girl says THANK YOU! Simply I love butter and spreading the love of butter.
Anyways who doesn’t love some good real butter over that stuff made with oil? Really, what would you like something made with sweet cream or with vegetable oil and hydrogenated this and that. Even my dogs wont touch margarine but leave a couple of sticks of yummy sweet cream butter on the counter to soften while they are unsupevised. That butter will be gone. Butter is just good stuff. Try it you won’t be disappointed and become a butter lover too.

I made some beautiful and yummy recipes this month and I encourage anyone and everyone to try them! Check out the Go Bold with Butter webpage, their Facebook Page, Pinterest and Twitter.

Here are some of the yummy and beautiful things I made from the Go Bold With butter blog-
Cinnamon Toast Scones

Dark Chocolate-Sour Cherry Brownie

French Toast with Honey Butter

Did that make ya hungry? Yes, then go ditch the margarine and grab some butter and make something yummy!

Do these look yum or what? Easy Peasy treat that is easy to make and is full of good stuff.

My kids love Haystacks but I never make them because of the chow mein noodles. While not horrible, you can read the nutrition info here about them and compare to Fiber One’s here. I am the sneaky mom so I choose Fiber One. My kids loved these haystacks too and had no clue they were eating something healthy.

Try them out for yourself!

Fiber One Haystacks

• 1 (12 ounce) bag semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup reduced fat peanut butter
• 3 3/4 cups Fiber One® original bran cereal