It's that most wonderful time of the year!

It’s that most wonderful time of the year again! The time where I get to tell you that I am preparing for this year’s Christi Thomas Memorial Run for Kids Cancer Crusade. This year the race will take place on Sunday, September 25^th.

2011 marks the 5^th year I’ll be running in Christi’s memory. Five years. Five years is a very long time. And while I wish I didn’t have a reason to run every year, while I wish Christi could share her own story with you, in the absence of that possibility, I am here to once again, share with you the brilliant wonder that is my dear friend, Christi Thomas.

I was amazed by Christi from the moment I met her. She was 5 years old at the time and unbelievably brave, as all children grow to be when faced with cancer. Despite her young age, Christi was incredibly wise and completely selfless. She took care of the other children in the hospital and was often more concerned about their pain than her own. She always visited her friends and brought them gifts when she went in for treatment. Her love and kindness brought them much needed smiles. Christi was a ray of sunshine in the pediatric cancer wing. From the beginning, Christi inspired me to be a better person—to give more, to love more, to laugh more, to believe more. She still does.

I adored Christi’s love of books and learning. I remember thinking it was amazing that there was someone else out there that loved learning as much as I did. (Even though, Christi was much, much smarter!) Christi is with me every time I enter a library and every time I miss my stop on the bus because I am so engrossed in my book. (This happens more than I care to admit. It seems I have a problem.)

Most especially, Christi is with me on my morning “Christi run”. Some of you have asked me what a “Christi run” is. Simply, it’s how I refer to my 4:30am run. I used to just do a plain old run in the morning until I realized it was much more fun to picture Christi running beside me. At 4:30am, I need some motivation and inspiration to get up when my alarm goes off. Saying, “I need to get up for my Christi run” provides just that! And then, once a year, I participate in a race in Christi’s memory to raise money for Kids Cancer Crusade. And, perhaps most importantly, to have another moment to share Christi with you. Christi deserves to be remembered and this world still needs her wonder shared among us.

Thank you for all of your support and love and kindness over the years. If you could donate again this year, it would be appreciated. Together, we’ll keep Christi’s legacy alive and support the great work of Kids Cancer Crusade. Thank you!

To donate: http://active.com/donate/christirun2011

To learn more about KCC: http://kidscancercrusade.org/

I love you!
Olivia

An update

I want to keep this short today.

In the last two days, I've faltered in my sugar-free challenge. But, I am not going to let this get me down. In fact, I learned some really great lessons:

1. I feel MUCH better physically when I eat natural foods. It sounds so simple, but I can tell you that it is much more challenging than it seems...sadly, natural food can be hard to come by. Especially when you're in a rush or working 12 hour days and not taking proper care of yourself.

2. I feel MUCH, MUCH better emotionally when I skip refined sugar all together. Even when I think I am going to enjoy the sweet, I don't. Sugar really messes with my head. Who knows if this will ever change, but the way I feel almost immediately after eating refined sugar simply doesn't make it worth it.

3. I really can do anything I set my mind to. Getting up after a fall is the first step. And one I know well. Tomorrow, I'll be back on track.

30 Day Challenges

I actually got this link from my friend, Vickie. I think it sums up well my reasons for the 30 Day No Sugar Challenge.http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days.html

(Let's just hope that my day 31 is not quite like his!)

For a brief update on my no sugar progress-- it's been over a week now and I am doing well. I, once again, turned down some delicious sweets at a family function and didn't feel bad about it at all! I have to admit that yesterday I had a huge craving for some peanut butter and chocolate but I resisted. I will have all natural sweets again at some point-- things baked with honey, fruit, etc-- but not for now. I can honestly say that I don't really miss it at all. It actually feels great to think that I don't miss it and to know that I don't really need it like I was once convinced I did. I am proud of my progress. And, am considering other 30 day challenges in the future. (The photo a day sounds like fun!)

I will admit that did I have some ribs with BBQ sauce though. It may seem like nothing, but BBQ sauce has corn syrup in it (read SUGAR) so while I am doing well on the sweets front, I need to be more mindful about ingredients in ALL foods I eat. It's amazing how sugar is really in so many things!

If you are reading this-- what would your 30 day challenge look like?

More Gratitudes

I have to make this update short because I am pressed for time but I was thinking today about my gratefuls and I thought I would share some here.

1. I am grateful for my family. The BBQ on Sunday was so much fun. I loved spending time with my cousins, aunts, uncles, sisters and parents. We talked and laughed a lot. We were together for the first time in a while (since Easter). The food was awesome as always. I did eat that sardine (yum!) I blogged about earlier and also had some tasty wine. Albarino is my favorite! I am already looking forward to the next Nunez family function!

2. I am grateful for my friends. I was finally able to (mostly) catch up on the emails that have been piling up in my inbox. As read each message, I was reminded of the amazing friends I have all over the USA and the world. Everyone should be so blessed.

3. I am grateful for my coworkers. They make working long hours and under tight deadlines more fun. Coming into work at 8:30am and leaving at 6pm is more bearable when you have so many good, intelligent and funny people surrounding you.

4. I am grateful for my new exercise routine. Working out in the morning and then again during my lunch hour (thanks to a reduced-price membership at Crunch) has really helped me keep body moving (it's hard to sit for so many hours straight!), my stress under control and slowly train for the half marathon in January.

5. I am grateful for my sugar-free challenge. It's helped me realize I really can do anything I set my mind to. I feel so much better (and it's only day #5) and I am learning one day at a time how to respond to feelings (sadness, stress, frustration, happiness, boredom) without reaching for chocolate.

6. I am grateful for beautiful summer skies and amazing summer sunsets. The beauty astounds and humbles me. Every. Single. Day.

Day #2: Sugar-Free Update

Today was a good day! I ran 4 miles (on the treadmill). It was rough, I have sort of slipped up on the running as of late, and not running regularly really makes getting back in that routine challenging to say the least. I am looking forward to another run tomorrow. Weather permitting, I'll run outside. We'll see. I didn't have sugar today. Ate a peach for a sweet. It's only day #2, so I am not surprised that it's been relatively easy.

We have a family BBQ tomorrow! I am so excited. I love my family time and BBQs are awesome-- especially since I'll get to eat some tasty sardines, salad, and lots of other goodies. And I know we'll be laughing a ton throughout. Everyone should get to enjoy a Nunez family BBQ at least once. I am fortunate enough to get loads of them.

I hope you're having an amazing weekend!

Sugar-Free Update

So, I didn't exactly start the sugar-free challenge until yesterday. (What can I say, it's harder than I thought it would be!) I am happy-- and proud-- to report that when I went out to dinner last night with my sister and cousins, I did NOT eat any dessert, which is quite something seeing as one of the desserts was a chocolate lava cake I really wanted to try.

I have been reading about others who have gone sugar-free and it's really helped. Here is a favorite blog of mine that has a lot of great information (and recipes!). http://myyearwithout.blogspot.com/

Today, I am going to go for a run. I signed up for a half-marathon in January (in Disneyland!), so I have to start working on my endurance. I am really excited for this run because a few of my Dartmouth and Belfast friends will be joining me so it'll be a reunion of sorts!

I hope you all have an amazing weekend!

The 30 Day Sugar-Free Challenge

So every now and then I like to challenge myself. To push myself to be better, to be healthier, to explore new options. Today, is one of those days. Well, to be honest, it started last week. After my indulgent days in California, I wanted to get back on track so I cut out sweets for the week. And I was surprised with how easy it was.

I mean it wasn't a piece of cake (ha!) but it was definitely not as difficult as I thought it would be. I have always considered myself to be addicted to sugar, but I found the week without processed sugar was great. I felt better physically and emotionally. It's definitely a positive change.

I don't think this means I am going to give up processed sugar forever. At least, I am not ready to say that now, but the sugar-free week got me thinking: could I do this longer? And so, I am ready to say that for the next 30 days, I will be sugar-free. (This means, my only "sweets" will be fruit.)

I look forward to reporting on my progress and discoveries. If you're interested in joining me, let me know! These kinds of adventures are always more fun with a buddy! July 21 will be here before we know it.