#15 Autism Speaks

I wasn't planning on doing any of my Thirty's while I'm on "vacation" (I have yet to relax), but when we stopped by TJ Maxx to get B a shirt and tie for his work picture they asked if we wanted to donate to Autism Speaks. Of course I said yes!

My nephew has Asperger's Syndrome which has made me become more sensitive to autism issues. April is Autism Awareness Month so find out how you can help with this issue today!

Learn more at autismspeaks.org

#14 Girls On The Run Practice 5k

"Girls on the Run is a transformational learning program for girls in 3rd-8th grade. We teach life skills through dynamic, conversation-based lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5k running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness." GOTR website http://www.girlsontherun.org/

When I first heard about Girls on the Run, I immediately knew I wanted to help out in some way.  I really would have loved to have been one of the coaches, but I just didn't have the time and never   know what B's schedule is going to be like.  I decided that I would sign up for the Practice 5k.

Now I've run in a lot of 5ks and this was by far the most fun I've had doing one. I met my girl D who is a 3rd grader. While running/walking/having fun, I learned about her family, her favorite subjects in school, and why she loves running. I could tell that she felt a little awkward being with someone she didn't know so I told her funny stories about my baby and made up a rule that we had to do a mini-dance party at every mile mark to celebrate how far we'd come. D really enjoyed that and was very intent on counting our laps to see when we would do another dance party. Luckily, I have no fear of looking ridiculous in front of other adults as long as it puts a smile on a kid's face.

I had so much fun that I confirmed being D's running buddy in the big 5k that will be at the Titan's stadium downtown on May 4th! Woo hoo!

I gave a lady my phone number to text me some photos so hopefully I can post some of those later.

#13 TOMS

If you know anything about fashion trends, I'm sure you know all about TOMS. About two years ago I was watching the Ellen show and this guy named Blake was a guest and he talked about these shoes.  Since he can explain it so much better than I can, watch the video:  TOMS on Ellen

Unfortunately, I think a lot of people have forgot about the "one for one" idea of TOMS and just buy them to be in style.  That's really sad to me and to be quite honest, I don't think they're all that cute of shoes.  I know that there are tons of high heels or running shoes that would look better on my feet!  I bought a neutral color that I could wear with anything and secretly my heart longs for a red pair or ones that are doctored up to support University of Oregon.  However, this pair was bought with the whole "one for one" idea in mind.  To give someone in need a pair of shoes is pretty awesome.

Learn more about TOMS here.

#12 Bake Sale for Dravet Syndrome

I know, I know...two posts in one day but it has been a BUSY day!

A lot of things are happening in Sylvan Park today!  Not only did we have the Richland Creek Run this morning and have the normal event of the farmer's market, but there was a bake sale going on at Local Taco!!!

A couple of months ago when I was planning out some things to do for my Thirty, I came across an advertisement for this bake sale that the proceeds go to help research for Dravet Syndrome.  I had no idea what this was so I looked it up here and basically it is early onset epilepsy.  Kids that have can be behind on developmental skills.  As I'm writing this I realize that I should have had a little interview with my friend that is a peds/neuro resident...silly me!

Anyway, you can click on the hyperlink above to learn more about it.  I baked some chocolate chips cookies and pumpkin-chocolate chip cupcakes for them to sell.  Yes, I know that pumpkin is a fall ingredient but I'm moving in two months and have some things I need to get rid off.  I was also planning on my making my beloved Special K Bars (really just so I could have some) and realized when I started making everything that I forgot to get Special K cereal!  Oy!  Oh well, I didn't really need to eat them anyway. :) 

I hear E up from her nap so there is no time to edit.  Bear with me!

#11 Richland Creek Run

One thing that I really like about running is that usually the races go to support some bigger cause.  As much as I like to complain about how much it costs to enter races, I know that there are a lot of behind the scenes things that go on and that you're not just paying for a ridiculously expensive t-shirt.  I've debated on whether or not my runs should count as some of my Thirty, but I've decided that it should; at least the ones that support something I believe in.

Today I ran in the Richland Creek Run.  It is a 5 mile run/walk that loops through Sylvan Park and connects to the Richland Creek Greenway.  There are a couple of reasons why I love this race.  First of all, I live in Sylvan Park so my running warm up is to go up the street to the start line and my cool down is to walk home from the finish line.  I don't have to worry about parking and maneuvering around closed streets other than I move my car a block over the night before to clear the roadway for the race.  It is also a family friendly race which was perfect for me today since B was working and I didn't have a sitter lined up.  Here are E and I right before the race when we met up with some of my pals from Sylvan Park Urban Runners (SPURS).  This running group has literally watched E grow up from week to week and helped me become the better runner that I am since I had E.  E is wearing her "Future Running Partner" onesie that a dear friend and former neighbor of mine sent to us.  :)

Why am I counting this as one of my Thirty?  Well, some of the proceeds go to the Nashville Greenway Project which helps keep the greenways such as Richland Creek maintained.  I live about two blocks from two different trailheads of this greenway and I have literally ran hundreds of miles on it since I moved here almost three years ago.  It is both B and I's favorite thing about where we live and is something that we will sorely miss when we move back to Idaho in a couple of months.  Richland Creek has some low-laying sections that are affected every time there is some flooding.  In the 2010 Flood, part of the protective fence from the golf course and one of the bridges had been wiped out.  I don't know who, but someone worked really hard to get the greenway in running order again.  I'm okay with spending some money for a run that helps maintain something I love so much.

Here is a picture of E and I post-race.

E really enjoys the post-race food.  She was really mad when her banana was all gone.

If you follow my Goal: Fit 4 Life blog, Facebook page or on Twitter, you probably know that I'm training for some half marathons coming up and I'm going to combine these two blogs for a moment.  I haven't really ran with the stroller for a few weeks and I had done a very intense cycling class and 5 mile hike yesterday so I didn't know what to expect for this run.  I even went in thinking I would walk quite a bit of it.  I was so surprised by how good I felt and how well I actually did.  My results are below.  I did five miles in 45 minutes and 7 seconds which translates to 9 minutes and 2 seconds per mile!  That's HUGE for me while pushing a stroller!!!  I finished 52nd overall, was the 41st female to cross the finish line and finished 12th in my age group!!!  I am very proud of this and it was so nice to have people come up to me afterwards and say that I inspired them when I went by with the stroller.  I guess my take away for you for this post is that you should enter a walk/run that supports a cause you really believe in.  Not only are you helping out, but it is also motivation for some extra exercise.  Also, you never know who is watching you and being inspired.  Inspire someone with your actions today.  :)

#10 Share Breakfast

 

My day usually starts out with watching Good Morning America while eating breakfast. This morning they had Taye Diggs (Rent or Private Practice, anyone?) on to talk about his collaboration with Kellogg's and Got Milk to provide breakfast to children in need. He said all you had to do was go to the Kellogg's website and share, tweet, whatever their story. I Googled "Share Breakfast" and it was the first option available. It really was super simple and took me two minutes to do. If a child really gets a breakfast that otherwise would not have had one, it is WAY worth it! Since I have my normal FB page and my Goal: Fit 4 Life FB page (which you should "like" if you haven't already ;)), I shared it twice to help two kids. I think I'm going to look into how many times someone can share it, so if you're friends with me on FB an you're annoyed by it, get over yourself because I'm trying to help people. :)

Here are some statistics posted on the Share Breakfast website:

*With breakfast absences and tardiness usually decreases.

*When a child's tummy is full, they are generally more focused in school.

*With more energy from food, physical activity is increased.

*A full stomach can improve moods and make time spent as a family more enjoyable.

Here's where you go to help a child start their day right:  http://www.kelloggs.com/en_US/share-breakfast.html.html

#9 Nursing Home BINGO

Last night I did a very special volunteer opportunity.  I played BINGO with elderly people in a nursing home!  This event was so special because of the look on the residents' faces when we showed up. When volunteering, there may not always be instant feel-good rewards for the good thing you did.  For example, when I volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank we didn't see the look on the faces of those we were helping.  We had to imagine it.  The nice thing about BINGO with the elderly folks was feeling the immediate excitement from them that people came to spend time with them.  A lot of the residents don't have anyone to come visit them and they are lonely.  It was a complete joy to watch their faces light up when we talked with them and helped them play.

Another reason why this was so special is that my friend, Julie, joined me.  Like me, Julie has a desire to volunteer when she can.  It is so important to have friends that enjoy doing the same things you do.  I met Julie through Sylvan Park Urban Runners, the running club I joined almost a year ago.  Julie has a son that is a few weeks older than E, so we became fast friends in bonding over first-time motherhood while running and trying to get back in shape post-pregnancy.  The funny thing is, Julie was looking through opportunities on Hands On Nashville and sent me a text about playing BINGO at the nursing home and I had literally just signed up for that same event!  Great minds think alike!  I have to say that this was the most fun experience to date just because I had someone to share it with.

Julie getting excited to play some BINGO!

Volunteering with a friend is so much fun!!!

Now onto BINGO...

Volunteers for this event are asked to bring a $1-$2 gift for the winner's table.  I have got to say that the quote "One man's trash is another man's treasure" is a true statement!  You would not believe the knick-knack stuff that people brought that just made the residents so excited to win!  I now know that they are not as big of fans of crossword puzzles and Sudoku like I thought, but LOVE baseball hats, cheap jewelry, and old pens. haha!  Everyone won several times and when the volunteers won, we gave our prize to a resident who may not have won as much as the others.  I gave a hideous glass fish paper-weight to the lady I was helping and she looked at me as if I gave her the most precious thing in the world.  Very sweet! After BINGO, we passed out a plate of treats and soda to the folks.  We then cleaned up and said our goodbyes.  The group that Julie and I played with pretty much begged for us to come back and we both agreed that we would get back when we could--and we meant it!

Our fantastic group

Helping out.  B 4 anyone?

If you live in the Nashville area and are interested in joining in on this fun activity, go to http://www.hon.org/ for more information.  It's at J.B. Knowles Home for the Aged and they play BINGO every third Wednesday of the month.  If you are not in the Nashville area and you would like to do something like this, contact your local nursing home and see if they have anything like this.  Or, better yet, start it if they don't have it.  You will bring so much joy to the people who live there!

Until next time...

Julie with the cutest "couple"!

Getting my BINGO on!