My first 5K Race!

I used to be a runner. Like a serious, long-distance runner.

I've run a few 10Ks & Half-Marathons and two Full Marathons {that's 42.2km & 26 miles of RUNNING for those inquiring minds}.

But I've never run a 5K race. Until this past Saturday!

Since becoming pregnant with EZ -- and let's face it -- since I ran the Chicago Marathon in 2006, I haven't really run. I had a bad race way back then {which I spoke about here}. Since this summer, I started training on my own, with friends, and then with a free Learn to Run clinic. It was awesome to be part of the running community again!

My good friend CC and I completed a 5K race together yesterday! She's awesome! It was a great experience. 

 It was a CHILLY start to the day, so here we are at the start line all bundled up. Then about 3 mins before the race started, it miraculously warmed up -- but I was all ready to go in my jacket! So I just kept it on!

Then about half-way through, I couldn't take the heat and I had to slip my jacket off. I stupidly pinned my number to my jacket, so I had to re-pin the number to my shirt while I was running. Silly Mummy! But it was worth it to cool off a bit!

Here we are at the finish line! Thanks CC for pulling me through and encouraging me to finish strong! We finished almost 8 mins faster than we planned, so we were BEYOND thrilled with our time!

The race was overall well-organized and was on a trail - which I'm not used to running on, but it was fun! There was even a Firefighter water station! Did I mention it was an all-women race?

There were good treats at the finish line, including a bananas, chips, and even Cadbury Dairy Milk Thin chocolate bars, but alas, I couldn't eat that because it's a milk product! I {heart} being a VEGAN! 

On that note, November 1st is National VEGAN Day! 
I encourage you to make ONE meal a VEGAN one! 
Being vegan is not that hard - be mindful of your food. 

Don't eat anything with a FACE or a MOTHER :) Simple as that!

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BFFs

My darling EZ has a best friend.  And it isn't me.  It's EZ's caregiver's son. 

Aren't they adorable?

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Kicking off the Month of LOVE - Mazel Tov!

Whew! I'm so glad January is over.
STRESS! EZ's gigantic party, EZ's medical scare, general drama, 3 weddings!, a cancelled Florida trip, bad acne, and weight gain. January can suck it {my new low-class phrase}.

I'm SO ready for February. The sun is shining. I'm feeling GREAT.

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I'm still glowing from my good friend Daphna's AMAZING wedding last night. Having never been to a Jewish wedding before, I had no idea what to expect.

It was THE BEST WEDDING EVER!

Stylish, thoughtful, good ambiance, GREAT food, and an explosion of LOVE & JOY!

It was my 1st time at a wedding where I saw REAL JOY! It was so inspiring. Seriously.

We arrived to a lovely cocktail party, complete with delicious hors d'oeuvres {sushi, satay chicken, sweet potato puffs, and even an Asian noodle bar with cute lil' takeout boxes!}. Everyone was dressed to nines as the wedding was "black tie welcome". This ain't no kool-aid and chips ahoy cookie wedding! This was a grand affair!

We then were ushered into the Sanctuary of the synagogue for the ceremony underneath the chuppah, a ceremonial tent with no walls to represent the couple's connection to the community and to symbolize making your home open to all.

The family made their way down the aisle one-by-one, lined in white linen and adorned with lilac-coloured roses. Everyone looked amazing, but none so lovely than my GORGEOUS girl Daphna. She was elegant and radiant in her lacey, sparkly, and full-on princess wedding gown. Her look was a modern-take on traditional. STUNNING!


The traditional Jewish wedding ceremony was so powerful. I could sense the love and devotion of my two friends, making their vows to each other. It was lovely to hear the Cantor sing the blessings to the bride and groom.

"I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me." {Song of Solomon}

I seriously got chills.



Of course, to ceremony concludes when the groom steps on a glass! What fun! The stepping on the glass, however, is to remind us that even in joyous moments, one must remember the sorrows of the history of the Jewish people and the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds go into a private room to be by themselves and to quietly appreciate the moment together.

Then...THE PARTY BEGINS! It's a mitzvah, a good deed, to dance and rejoice with the bride and groom, and so dance we did!


All of the guests gathered into the elegantly-decorated hall awaiting the arrival of the married couple, then they came in to the roar of the crowd and the loud, exuberant traditional music! Everyone gathered together on the dance floor, holding hands, and dancing around the happy couple! What fun! No Pachebel's Cannon at this party!


The speeches were eloquent and succinct. The food was AMAZING! Butternut squash soup, mixed greens, Chicken breast stuffed with couscous and raisins, grilled vegetables, and a delicious lemon tart for dessert. There was even a dessert bar!

So again, THE BEST WEDDING EVER! Mazel tov to the happy couple!

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