when meredith and i married almost 10 years ago, i gained a sister-in-law and a brother-in-law (who i am also equally proud of as he just returned from a year of service in afghanistan).   my sister-in-law, morgan, was 18 and into what most 18 year old girls are into – parties and boys.  morgan and i didn’t get to know each other that well at the time as meredith and i moved away and lived in new york for the following seven years.  my interactions with morgan were brief – sometimes good, sometimes bad – but she reminded me of myself when i was her age.  i wanted to share my wisdom and help her avoid many of the mistakes i made, but she didn’t want to hear it and just thought I was old.  we all have to learn from our own mistakes, so looking back i guess she was right.

we moved back to mississippi three years ago.  and we started our journey back to the south with morgan as a roommate of sorts when we moved into a family home in brandon.  i was just starting to seriously adjust my views towards food and exercise and started getting things in place to start my newest and current venture, liveRIGHTnow.  the three of us would sit around the dinner table eating fresh vegetables and talk about the benefits of clean eating, drinking water and staying active.  morgan was one of our first audiences that we could inform about the politics of food marketing and the injustices of factory farming.   she listened and then told others about our new mission.

we soon after bought a house in fondren and began to pursue our mission of helping form a more active neighborhood in the city of jackson.  a few months later, morgan moved in three doors down (at the time, honestly, i wasn’t extremely happy about  it… sorry morgan!).  she started running hills with us and was one of the first people to sign up for our warrior dash training program.  as she has written in her blog, formerONEfitty, she was unhappy with her health and body and had decided to do something about it.  when i held my first tabata class at butterfly yoga, there were two attendees – meredith and morgan.  morgan has only missed a handful of classes since then.  it was through exercise that morgan and i started to really connect.  trust me, she was still able to get under my skin, but when it came to exercise we had the same view – go hard or go home.  and stick to it.

i started to really notice morgan’s body changing.  by the time our action jackson teammate laura signed up for her first fitness competition in july of last year, morgan had dropped almost 30 pounds.  i remember after the competition (and a margarita or two) she looked at meredith and i and said, “i am going to do that next year.”  we looked at her and said, “let’s do it!”  i had my doubts, but we started putting things in motion only a couple of weeks later.  i knew it was going to take a lot of work to get her muscles toned enough to get on stage and she was going to have to be extremely disciplined over the next 12 months.  she was really starting to show me that she had something deep inside of her that would drive her to success on that stage.  this weekend was her big test.   we were about to find out what 5:30a.m. workouts six days a week and an extremely disciplined diet with no sugars and hours of food prep would look like at the pinebelt showdown in hattiesburg.  morgan’s first fitness competition!

after the morning pre-judging, we were not sure how she did.  in our eyes, she was a clear favorite to win but we are obviously a little biased.  she looked amazing with her spray tan and her hair and makeup all done up (thanks david and charlie!) but we have learned that these competitions are very subjective by the judges.  we killed time during the day and went back and forth analyzing the morning session.  by the 6pm show, we had no expectations.  we were hoping for top 5 but decided we – as a team, team morgan – were happy to have made it this far.  an hour later, morgan stepped out on stage as top 5.  they called the 5th place competitor and it wasn’t morgan’s number.  they called the 4th place winner and it wasn’t morgan’s number.  then they called number 72, her number, and she claimed her third place trophy and posed one last time.

yep, i was proud of her… as proud as i would be of my sister.  morgan stands as an example for everyone that hard work, consistency and a long-range vision pays off.  she will be the first to tell you that it was hard, but i think she will also be the first to tell you that it was worth it.  i am proud to call her my sister-in-law and am proud to have been a part of her journey to the bright lights of the stage.

congratulations, morgan! now, it is time to get ready for the next competition in june!

HUGE thanks goes out to our generous sponsors and partners:  sal & mookies, broadstreet baking company, buffalo peak outfitters, old canton dental care and jackson academy.

there is still time to REGISTER, if you haven’t already!  but hurry because we want to make sure every kiddo gets a tshirt!

SHRIMP and GUAC TOSTADAS

*  6 corn tortillas
*  cooking spray
*  2 cups grated cheddar cheese
*  2 avocados
*  1/2 cup chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
*  juice from 1 lime
*  2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
*  1 pound (wild caught) shrimp, peeled and deveined
*  1 tbs ground cumin
*  2 tbs chili powder
*  1 tsp crushed red or green pepper
*  1 tsp garlic salt
*  1 red bell pepper, cut into small slices

preheat oven to 350.

lightly coat both sides of the corn tortillas with cooking spray. bake for 4 minutes on each side. switch oven to broil. evenly divide the cheese over the tortillas and broil until cheese is melted and bubbly, 2-ish minutes. remove from heat and set aside.

in a small bowl, combine the avocados, cilantro, lime juice and a pinch of kosher salt. mash up with a fork until you get guacamole.

toss the shrimp with the cumin, chili powder, crushed pepper flakes and garlic salt.

heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium high. sear the shrimp on one side for 2 minutes; flip and sear 30 more seconds. remove from pan.

to the pan, add the sliced red bell pepper. saute for 2 minutes, scraping the browned bits from the pan, seasoning the peppers.

spoon the guacamole over each cheesy tostada, followed by shrimp and red bell pepper. garnish each tostado with cilantro and give another good squeeze of lime juice over each one.

[RECIPE from BevCooks.com]

we don’t even know where to begin… but THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our first race.  we had a great time and we were so thankful for the break in the weather.  all day the weather channel was calling for 70% chance of rain and thunderstorms.  miraculously around 2pm, the forecast changed to ZERO PERCENT.  and the race was a go!

BIG THANK YOUs to fondren renaissance, find it in fondren, southern beverage, fleet feet sports, rod’s racers, studio chane, mcdade’s, miso, babalu, N.U.T.S., good sam and patrick harkins.  ALSO to ALL of our volunteers and course marshalls.   we couldn’t have done it without you.

PICTURES HERE (via Find It In Fondren)

RESULTS HERE.

beginning sunday, may 5th, liveRIGHTnow will put 21 poor souls through our BADASS BOOTCAMP!  one team will be lead by personal bodyguard and undercover ass-kicker, ray crawford.  one team will be coached by liveRIGHTnow’s very own terry sullivan, ultra marathoner and inventor of hills runs. and we’ve got a new coach this go ’round… leta collins, who is a certified, medal-carrying BADASS herself!

the five week bootcamp will consist of four sessions (sundays at 1pm – dates below) – a combination of speed drills, tire flips, cardio circuits and just overall muddy, misery – and will end with a final competition between the three teams that we will only reveal AFTER you have signed up.

each coach will advise their team on proper training during the week to make sure his/her team will be the most ULTRA at the end.

this is not for the weak.  it will be tough.  it will be hot.  embrace the suck (as coach ray would say).  but you will be a certified BADASS if you complete it!  oh and by the way, don’t think a little rain will get you out of this one.  we will soldier on unless there is lightning… or the apocalypse, of course.

DATES/TIMES:
* sunday, may 5th at 1pm
* sunday, may 12th at 1pm
* sunday, may 19th at 1pm
* sunday, june 2nd at 1pm

FINAL COMPETITION:  sunday, june 9th

LOCATION:  madison middle school, 1365 mannsdale rd.

FEE:  $75.  limited spots available.

Register Now

team liveRIGHTnow was well represented at the race.  our group signed up for the first heat at 9am and after a lively (and warm) bus ride to byram, we got checked in and lined up at the start.  as the announcer counted down and the torches fired up, we bolted across the start line into the woods surrounding and winding down the pearl river.  the abundance of rain we have had lately made for a wet and muddy course, full of deep water holes and slippery surfaces.  the obstacles this year required more dexterity and upper body strength, and were placed more along the the latter two-thirds of the course.  at the finish, we were faced with a very high a-framed wall with short ropes and no foot holds and then we had to crawl through mud that was as thick as quicksand.  let me tell you… that last section of mud was as hard as any obstacle i have ever overcome.

but then it was done, and we all felt great that we had completed the challenge that warrior dash presented.  just as last year, we hope they will come back to mississippi and give us another tough race. we will be ready and we will be trained.  and we hope that if you didn’t get to do it this year, that you can join us next time!

you can view our pics from warrior dash and our training HERE.

SPECIAL THANKS to everyone who helped us with our training program:  madison middle school, fleet feet sports, brooks running, beagle bagel madison, cups madison and our coaches, wade, ray, mark, scotta and morgan.  we couldn’t have done it without you guys!

each time we approach a task, we have two options – either we give it all we have or we choose not to.  whether it be a presentation at work or a marathon, we always know deep down inside how prepared we are and how willing we are to dig into those deep, uncomfortable areas in our mind and bodies and pull out the best that we have to offer.

we are fortunate enough to be able to participate in many exercise related activities, from warrior dash training to bootcamps to distance races.  each time I am out working with people, i always try to identify those that i know are trying harder than others.  they may not always be in first place, but i know that they are striving to be something better than what they have been.  i love that look of determination and sometimes pain from someone that is pushing themselves to their individual limit.

i can also identify those who are not pushing themselves but are just going through the motions.  we see this everyday in the workplace by those that are just not willing to go that extra step to make their company or organization better.  The ones who are there to collect a paycheck and not lose their job.  in athletic endeavors, those that are only there to say they have done something – without really giving it their best efforts – can cheapen the experience for those that go out everytime and leave it all on the field or pavement.

So today and each day going forward, i challenge you to push yourself to your limit in everything that you do.  you may not always feel like it, but knowing that you didn’t give your all feels much worse.  if you do this, not only will you get better results, but you will build self confidence and influence others.

BLACK BEAN BROWNIES

* 1 1/2 cups black beans (1 15-oz can, drained and rinsed very well)
* 2 tbsp cocoa powder- dutch or regular
* 1/2 cup quick oats
* 1/4 tsp salt
* 1/2 cup pure maple syrup or agave
* 1/4 cup coconut or vegetable oil
* 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
* 1/2 tsp baking powder
* 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup chocolate chips
optional: more chips, for presentation

preheat oven to 350 F. combine all ingredients except chips in a good food processor and blend until completely smooth. stir in the chips, then pour into a greased 8×8 pan. (optional: sprinkle extra chocolate chips over the top.) cook 15-18 minutes, then let cool at least 10 minutes before trying to cut. makes 9-12 brownies.

[recipe from chocolate covered katie]

Fondren After 5k, presented by liveRIGHTnow, Find It In Fondren™ and Fondren Renaissance, is May 2 at 6pm on Duling Avenue at State Street. Run or walk the challenging hills of the neighborhood and enjoy your “first round on the house” courtesy of Southern Beverage. Patrick Harkins will provide pre and post race music and Babalu will host after race drinks and dining.

Participants get a T-shirt and potential bragging rights on a new personal best.

WHEN:  Thursday, May 2nd at 6PM
WHERE:  Duling Avenue at State Street
REGISTRATION FEE:  $20
(the first 150 registrants will receive a t-shirt but registration must be received prior to APRIL 24th to guarantee size)
AWARDS:  Overall Male and Female, Top 3 in Age Groups 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-40 and 50+

PACKET PICK UP will be at the Fondren Renaissance office located at 2906 N. State St., Suite 101 from NOON to 5pm on Thursday, May 2nd  and then on location at Duling Avenue and State Street from 5pm to 6pm.

Register Now

SPINACH PIE

* 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and liquid squeezed out
* 1/2 cup scallions, chopped
* 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
* 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
*  1/2 cup reduced fat crumbled feta
* 2 tbsp grated Asiago cheese (or Parmesan, Romano)
* 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
*  1 tsp baking powder
* 2/3 cup fat free milk
*  1 tsp olive oil
* 2 large eggs, beaten
* 1/2 tsp kosher salt
*  fresh cracked pepper to taste
* cooking spray

preheat oven to 400°.   lightly spray pie dish with cooking spray.  mix spinach, scallions, dill, parsley and feta in the pie dish. sift flour and baking powder in medium bowl.  add remaining ingredients to bowl and blend well.  pour into pie dish.  bake for 28 to 33 minutes or until knife comes out clean from center.  let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

[recipe from skinnytaste.com]