A Pagan's Easter is a Christian's Redemption

A Facebook friend of mine recently posted this image.

I've heard this before.  Don't doubt that it's true.  But I never researched it or anything.  It just didn't seem important enough for me to spend time researching.

Because even if it's true (which it probably is), it has no effect whatsoever on my FAITH and my celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Like Christmas, Easter Sunday is a Christian holiday that also has pagan roots.  I understand that a lot of Christian groups celebrate neither Christmas nor Easter because of their pagan history.

Here's the thing.

I have NO PROBLEM with their pagan roots.  I fully believe that we are able to "reclaim" traditions, customs, practices, etc... of a culture for the Kingdom of God.

So Easter is the celebration of sex and fertility?

I say GOOD!

Because within God's law- sex and fertility are GREAT things.  And they bring NEW LIFE!!

Bunnies and eggs represent fertility?  Easter is just a celebration of the Spring Equinox? Oh, you don't say!

I have no problem with bunnies (especially chocolate ones) or eggs (especially Cadbury ones).  Or Spring for that matter.  They all represent NEW LIFE.  Out with the cold, in with the new! (yes, I said cold- not a typo).

In response to that image above, I decided to "share" it and also share my reaction:

As for Easter Egg hunts?  All just fun and games, right?  Sure, I guess.  Pagan roots?  Most likely.

But let's take it a step further.

Eggs represent fertility and new life.  "Seeking" the eggs during a hunt runs parallel with seeking new life or a new beginning.  In our family, we call them Redemption Eggs or Resurrection Eggs and use it as a conduit to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

If you are seeking a new life or beginning, you will find it.

Matthew 7:7 (NIV) states: "Ask and it will be given to you;  seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

My dear friends.  There is only one way to find new life.

His name is Jesus Christ.

"I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (NIV)

Hiatus Shmiatus

That didn't last long...

Please say a prayer for my friend and fellow blogger Sara at Words To Run By.

She suffered a Pulmonary Embolism recently and is currently recovering.  Thank you!

Holiday Blog Challenge Day 8

CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

Let's get to the goods!!

For Christmas I would really really love to get some new work out gear.  My current work out ensembles consist of old, cotton, 2 sizes too big t-shirts collected as souvenirs and a couple of basketball shorts I've had since high school.

Yes, you read that right.  High. School.

I have one pair of "yoga" pants that I wear often.  They are capri style and I got them from Target.  However, they are cotton and seem to soak in the sweat instead of making it disappear.

My shoes? I've had for over a year.  They are from Asics, but I have no idea what the make/model are on those babies.  Also, I use them for everything- cross training (elliptical, stationery bike, etc...), running, walking, and sometimes wear them to work to keep my footsies warm (yes, we get cold in Hawaii!).

I found these two tops from YMX by YellowMan.  The shoes? Asics (hey, I like to stick with what works for me!).  I love these tops because they both feature a Polynesian print.  And they're pink! My favorite color =)

The shoe (sorry so blurry) from Asics is meant for low mileage- beginner runners (that's me!). When I get new shoes, I promise to myself to only use them for running and to log my miles.  One of the easy ways to prevent injury, right?

I would also love a membership to my favorite Bikram Yoga studio.  I used to volunteer at the front desk a few years ago and received FREE classes in return.  It was great!!

Once baby arrives I would love to get back into yoga.  I always felt like dying in the middle of the practice but felt like a rockstar while walking back to my car, dripping in sweat and gulping down my VitaCoco!  I imagine I could one day do this:

And of course after all that running with my new wardrobe & shoes, and after intense yoga sessions, I'm going to need to freshen up!

I would love a new bottle of my fave perfume: Chance by Chanel

And anything from Sephora:

What's on your Christmas wish list?

Holiday Blog challenge Day 6

CHRISTMAS DESSERTS/TREATS

Well, the first thing that came to mind was yet another pumpkin recipe.  

But I figured I'd spare you all and try something new.

So I scoured boards on Pinterest (You can follow me here!) to see what desserts I would like to try out (maybe someone can bake them and bring them over for me? Thanks!)

First up? Marshmallow Snowflakes.  I would love to learn how to make my own marshmallows! I heard it's super easy but haven't done much research into it...

And of course Pumpkin Cupcakes! I actually had a recipe for this from a magazine... somewhere around here... I made it and it was delish!!

I also love anything chocolate and mint so these White Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes are also on my "Need to Try" list.

Followed by Fruit Pizza! I remember one year at my grandmother's house in California (I must have been 7 or 8 years old), my aunt was visiting and made this delicious Fruit Pizza with flattened out cookie dough, cream cheese, and fresh fruits.  It was sooooo good!

Also on my treat list? Well, if I wasn't pregnant anyway... Pumpkin Eggnog Martinis and Dark Chocolate Whiskey Cupcakes!

What are your favorite Christmas Desserts/Treats? 

Don't forget to link up your post =)

I Grow Humans. What's Your Superpower?

Earlier this week, as most people are aware, the Victoria Secret Fashion Show aired on TV.

From my friends on Facebook and Twitter, I read a lot of mixed feedback.

Many women gave credit where credit is due-

"Wow, these women look great!"

"Look at those abs"

"WORK IT!"

and so forth and so forth...

And as many positive comments there were, there were just as many negative ones-

"Where did they find these little girls?"

"Ugh, excuse me while I throw up now"

"Great.  Now I really feel insecure"

I viewed the show as a mostly inspriational.  These women were beautiful! Any insecurities I felt, were not due to them being fabulous, but were due to me, not loving me.

And most of these women are either blessed with great genes and naturally stay thin (yes, ladies, such women do exist!) or have to work really really hard. Like Adriana Lima.  I posted an article on Facebook where she talks about what she goes through to prepare for the show. You can read the full article HERE.

Neither type deserve to be bashed for being "too skinny" or not looking like "real women", whatever that means.

I'm all about loving every body type.  Would I love to look like a VS model one day? SURE! But I know my body type and it's not likely that I'm going to grow about 5 inches in height and lose 100lbs.  My body just isn't built that way.

But that doesn't mean I can't be inspired to lose weight and be healthy! I've already been building myself up mentally for my new workout routine once I get the green light from my doctor.  I want to get back into running and work on my strength training. 

What's the point of all my rambling?  Well I've read quite a few blogs that have touched upon this topic.  And it really dug up a gem for me- We should be loving our bodies now, loving ourselves now.  Not when we lose those last 10lbs, not when we are in a healthy BMI.

If we can't love ourselves the way we look and feel now, who else will?

I'm not saying be complacent with an unhealthy lifestyle.  I would never advocate that.  I'm saying love yourself enough, whether you want to gain or lose weight, to get yourself healthy.  Use self love as motivation!

My girl Ali at Running W/ Spatulas has got the right idea- whenever something negative comes to mind about your body, flip it into a positive! Instead of getting down on your hips, remind yourself your hips give you sexy curves! Or instead of focusing on flabby arms (not that you have them!), tell yourself that your arms are STRONG.

What part of my body do I get down on?

Pre-pregnancy, it was my belly.  I hated the way my belly stuck out.  I always felt I looked pregnant, even though I wasn't (and didn't even comprehend what a REAL pregnant belly looked like!).  It was flabby and weak.  I had strong legs, loved my butt (yup, I said it!) and even though I gave up my strength training regime after college graduation, I could still see the contouring in my arms.  The only thing I was insecure about was DA BELLY!

Now that I'm pregnant and my belly has gotten bigger than ever, I've grown to appreciate my body more.  Granted, I would not want to look 8 months pregnant after I give birth, but I can stare at my bare belly and not hate it.  In fact, I kinda like it now. 

Inside my belly I'm growing a human.  Not an ulcer or a kidney stone, but something with a soul and a purpose.  This human being inside my belly is meant to accomplish great things and has a purpose for someone, some thing, in this world. 

Because of pregnancy, I've found a new appreciation- and dare I say love- for my belly.

Here is what I look like now @ 37 weeks, stretch marks and all.  I thought I'd hate the stretchmarks but they really don't bother me.  Honest confession- I've had stretch marks on my hips and thighs since puberty.  So they're nothing new.  But now I have them in the middle of my belly, up above my belly button.  And they'll be there for LIFE. 

But that's OK. 

Because while I may not look like this:

http://weheartit.com/entry/17477924

I'm pretty awesome.  I grow humans.



Holiday Blog Challenge Day 5

IDEAL OUTFIT FOR CHRISTMAS/NYE FESTIVITIES

Another reason to love the holiday season? Dressing up!

Out here in the islands we are WAY more casual when it comes to special occasions and dressing up.  

Granted most of the ladies here love to wear their pretty dresses, sparkly jewelry, and glammed up makeup when they are out on the town but when catch them at a family gathering?  Everything is toned down... WAY down.

It's pretty much a guarantee that if someone showed up in sequins at one of our family gatherings the response would be 1) "Oh where are you off too? You're not staying with us?" or 2) "Why you gotta show off and be all fancy for?"

It's one of the things I miss about living in the "mainland".  I could get dressed up to my hearts desire without running into someone who would ask, "Why you all fancy, huh?".

You can bet money on the fact that if I show up to a family party for NYE, I would be in jeans, a t-shirt, and a jacket (just in case it drops to the low 70s.  I know. Be jealous).  I would also put on make-up because I know lots of pics will be taken that night. 

And probably wear pretty earrings. 

But that's about it.

The night would be spent chasing after my nieces/nephews/cousins, pouring drinks for the everyone, stuffing my face, and not worrying about ruining my outfit.  

But ideally?????

I would love to go to a "fancy" cocktail party hosted by friends and get all dressed up.  In fact, if/when we ever move back to Maui I would love to host a cocktail party for my friends- with the request for "cocktail attire", of course! I think dressing up is fun and everyone looks so good!

So if I had somewhere to go this year, I would probably rock one of these dresses:

As you can tell, I love sparkles!!

And for accessories? These really caught my eye:

But for a night spent with the family?  I think I'd take the jeans and t-shirt combo- it's all about comfort sometimes!

What's your ideal Christmas/NYE outfit?

If you're participating in the challenge (it's not too late to jump on in), don't forget to link up =)

Why I Love Blogging...

Yeah yeah... I know what you're thinking.

"If you just LOOOOOOOVVVVEEEE blogging so much why don't you marry it post more often?"


Honestly?

Or like the Kardashians say, "BIBLE?"

I'm really lazy.  And I have a junk camera so I am kinda embarrassed about the quality of pics that show up on my blog.

But really- How hard is it to take a few pics via camera phone and email it to myself and then save on my computer and then upload to my blog?

Apparently really difficult since my computer is also a POS.

Anyways. Back to the Point.

I love blogging because of the great sense of community it creates.  I love finding new blogs and love it even MORE when it is someone I know!

Recently I was awarded the Versatile Blogger Award from Jenns Adventures.

Part of the award acceptance requirements is to pass along the award to 15 new bloggers.  Well, she covered a lot of the blogs I recently started reading so I passed the award along to 1 new blog and 3 others that aren't necessarily new to me but that I love to read and may be new to you (HOLY RUN ON SENTENCE BATMAN!)

You can check them out HERE.

So because I have 11 spots left for my Versatile Blogger Award I'm going to pass it along to....

JAYMEE of JAYADORES!

Courtesy of her blog: jayadores.wordpress.com

Jaymee is a former co-worker of mine when I used to work in public accounting.  She is a very bright, funny, creative, and sweet lady who moved to Hawaii from Southern California.  She works in tax by day and is a graphic designer by night.  Her claim to fame? Designing shirts and business cards for SKINNYRUNNER!

Be sure to check out Jaymee and let her know you found her on my blog (pleaseandthankyou).

Besides awards, another way to build a sense of community is...

GIVEAWAYS!!


I love giveaways because they bring exposure to your blog and also? You can win free stuff!

Check out this giveaway from GOURMET RUNNER:

Courtesy of her blog: gourmetrunner.blogspot.com

"Active Bands have offered to give TWO readers each a gift certificate for $25. Then, you can pick which ones you like best and have them shipped to you. Here's how to win:

+1 Become a follower of my blog, or let me know if you are already (Mandatory)

+1 Like Active Bands on Facebook

+1 Like Gourmet Runner on Facebook

+1 Tell me which style Active Band you like most from their website

+1 Spread the word about this giveaway--blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Be sure to leave a comment for each entry to be counted!"

Easy as pie! And my favorite part is that there are TWO winners! Whoo hooo! Plus, her name is Vanessa which is only the most awesomsauce name in the universe!

So when you get a chance, go check out my girl Jaymee and then go enter the giveaway from Vanessa at Gourmet Runner!

Versatile Blogger Award!!

Whoo hoo!

I received the Versatile Blogger Award!!

How it works: 

Thank the person who gave you the award: My BFF Jenn at Jennsadventures.com!

We've known eachother for almost 20 years now (don't do the math, please!).  She has always been there for me even though after high school most of our friendship was a long distance one.  I can count on her for anything! Go check out her blog and catch up on all her adventures. She loves food, fitness, travel, and of course her boyfriend! You will not be disappointed! (And why is this text in purple? BECAUSE IT'S HER FAVORITE COLOR!! WHOO HOO!)

Share seven things about yourself:
1. I'm married to my high school sweetheart. We've been together for 10 years and have been married for one.


2.  I'm pregnant with our first baby, due in late December.


3. I hate having people rub my belly (you've been warned!)


4. I love to travel but have noticed I have a champagne taste on a chocolate milk budget... but I can dream!


5. This year I became a runner.  I'm not very fast and haven't been running for the past few months, but I'm still a runner and will be working on my fitness for 2012.


6.  I used to compete in pageants when I was little.  I have a love/hate relationship with the TLC show "Toddlers and Tiaras" because it's so ridiculous sometimes! My experience was pretty much the complete opposite of that but sometimes I watch that show and think I actually know some of these crazies mothers.


7. I grew up as an only child but now have a baby brother and sister.  We are 20 and 23 years apart, respectively.  I love watching people's reactions when I tell them I have a brother in kindergarten and a sister in pre-school! Classic!


Pass the award to 15 recently discovered blogs:

Well, being that I've been on hiatus for awhile, I don't have that many new blogs to share.  I do, however, have some of my faves that I would love to take this time to spotlight:

1. New Blog- My college roommate blogs for her dad at Andy Shah Photography

Some faves:

1. Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner
2. Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be Meiri
3. Kimberly @ Healthy Strides 

And there you have it folks! If you would like me to feature you as a Versatile Blogger (being that I have 11 spots left to fill!) just send me and email and I'll add you to the list (islandstylerunning@gmail.com).

Revisiting My 2011 Goals

I got this idea from Aron at Runner's Rambles.

She has been an inspiration to me early on in my running/blogging "career".

Every quarter she likes to reevaluate her goals and see where she's at and if anything needs changing.

"Goals are always a work in progress so things definitely change over the matter of a year!"

I figured it's time for me to reevaluate my goals too!

Really I only had one for 2011: Run a 5K under 30 minutes.

As most readers know, I chose this goal so that I could focus more on athleticism and not on losing weight.  I wanted weight loss to be a "by-product" of my goal, not the main result.

So now that it's October, where am I now?

I started training in January and ran my first and only 5K of the year in May.  I was about 7 weeks pregnant at the time.

It was tough.

But I did better than I thought I would!

I didn't reach my goal of less than 30 minutes.

My original plan was to try my best at my first 5K and evaluate what I needed to change for the next one.

But after finding out we were expecting, my fitness level dropped drastically. Which I now regret.  I thought I had an excuse to take it easy sit on my ass and eat what I want.  Granted I wasn't shoving my face with Ben & Jerry's every night, but I wasn't as focused as I was before.  I should have kept up with it.

Since I most likely won't be running a 5K by the end of the year, I think it's best I rewrite my goals.

FOR THE 4TH QUARTER OF 2011:
I will have a healthy pregnancy- I will try my best to control my gestational diabetes. This means I need to closely watch what I eat, continue with my daily walks, and take my vitamins.

I will enjoy the last quarter of my pregnancy- Less than 12 weeks to go!! I need to be sure we have everything set for baby to arrive.  I also want to start a baby journal so that I can document when I first felt baby's kicks (July 30), when my husband first felt baby move (September 1), when I felt baby's first hiccups (October 4), and other milestones.  I can already feel that I'm going to miss being pregnant so I need to soak in all I can!

DO YOU SET GOALS EACH YEAR OR HAVE A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION?
I usually don't because every year it's the same goal- to lose weight.  This year was supposed to be different and boy is it different! I think I might just recycle this goal for 2012.  With a new baby, it will definitely be a new challenge.


HOW ARE YOU DOING ON YOUR GOALS?
I won't be achieving my goal this year but I'm OK with it.  It's one more 5K than last year!

Happy Happy Birthday to the Most Awesome Little Boy EVER

Today is my brother's birthday.

He is 6 years old!

Enjoying Pancakes Bigger Than His Face

He is the best little brother.  He is also the best big brother.  We have a sister (2) and he is so amazing with her. 

He is such a blessing to me!

I was an only child for most of my life. 

Every bedtime prayer, every birthday candle wish- was for a little brother or sister. 

I always figured God had other plans.  My parents divorced when I was 14.  I seemed destined to ride this out solo.

Then I moved away for college.  During my Christmas break freshman year my dad shares the news that he and his girlfriend were expecting!!

His estimated arrival was 8/22/2004.  I was home for Summer break but heading back to college very soon.  I waited and waited for his debut. 

He waited until I was back at school, an ocean away, to make his appearance.  I was able to meet him 3 months later during Thanksgiving break.

My brother is one of the sweetest kids I know.  He has always been there to make me smile and drive me crazy, usually all at the same time.

He has a love for Thomas the Tank Engine and his entourage, superheroes (especially Green Lantern, as of today), Transformers, and sweet surprises (ice cream, cookies, cake, etc...)

I thank God for answering my prayers and birthday wishes after all those years.  Seriously, 10+ years of the same request.  If there were any doubt that God answers prayers, I just remember this little guy and all the good times we have shared during his 6 years with us.  I can't wait to see what else God has in store for this little guy!!!

Happy happy birthday little brother!!!

I'm cheating on my treadmill. And I like it.

So much for Wordless Wednesdays.... maybe next week? LOL

First things first- check out this rad giveaway: EAT, DRINK, AND BE MEIRI

OK... on with the post!

After work today, I decided to go for a run.... but after a morning that started out all rainy and cloudy, I wasn't sure if it'd work out.  On Monday, I made plans to go walking with a friend but it started pouring 15 minutes in! Needless to say, I had my fingers crossed!


The sky was overcast and dark gloomy rain clouds hovered over me. I arrived at the same park as Monday, around the same time.  As I started out, it sprinkled a bit, but nothing I couldn't handle.  I even convinced myself that if it started pouring, I'm gonna have fun running in the rain.

Fortunately for me, it started to look like this:

And this...

Any Hawaii 5-0 fans out there?  Do you remember this spot? Kono sat here with a little girl who's mom was kidnapped by Russian gangsters/her daddy... they had shave ice (snow cones) on these benches...

Sorry it's so blurry! I was dodging other runners....

After a quarter mile, the path turns onto another part of the park named Magic Island.  I have no idea how it got this name, but it was pretty magical....

This is looking back towards the first 0.25 mile I ran

Can you spot the surfers? They look TINY



Proof that I was there. Yes, I was the idiot who took pics when I was "resting"

The pic above is of a portion of the beach protected by a sea wall... it's calm and shallow, perfect for keiki (children)! see those runners in the background? the sidewalk curves around to where they are... I had fun runny down that manini (tiny) hill LOL

Famous Diamond Head, Honolulu Harbor and not-so-famous moi

This was my view as I headed back to where I began... I must say that I don't think I could ever run on a treadmill EVER again. Don't know if I can handle staring at a wall for my entire workout. 

And if you're wondering why I was so amazed by a park on an island where I've lived for 3 years, this is the second time I took a run outside. The first time took place on Sunday.  I guess that speaks volumes of the extent of my running "experience".

I'm really inspired and motivated to start running here after work...on most days when I can.  I can never take for granted the beauty that surrounds me.

And as I round out this post I leave you with one more image... the sunset as I jogged back to my car...Good night dear friends!



MY RUN Movie Premiere

Today I wanted to start a new theme (idea by a friend and blog reader) called Wordless Wednesdays... a post using only pictures.

I was super stoked and ready to go until:

1. my camera died.  So I don't have any cool pictures to share except a bowl of Apple Jacks (maybe I'll post that later).

2.  I found this really inspiring blog with this really great giveaway (so since I get points for sharing, I'm posting, and it also seems like a super cool movie):

Words to Run By: MY RUN is Your Run

The movie MY RUN will be premiering on 3/31st, and she's giving away 2 pairs of tickets! AND they are showing it in Honolulu!  It's hard to get really great non "main stream" movies here... and when we do, the publicity can use a lot of work.

Here's the trailer:

I haven't seen the movie yet but I'm already inspired.  There are times when I feel like collapsing on the treadmill before I've even reached a mile... and this guy ran 26.2 miles for 75 consecutive days! HOLY MOLY!

I'm definitely going to check out this movie, even if I don't win the free tickets =)