love life.
tonight was marshall’s third dinner request of his birthday week.
we invited my parents over for dinner because we were all going to head to the hospital to see my brother, his wife and their new baby.
turkey chili & cast iron cornbread.
for the chili, i put the following in my slow cooker this morning:
- 1.25 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 packet mccormick low sodium chili seasoning
- 1 diced green bell pepper
- 1 diced red onion
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans kidney beans
- 1 (14.5 oz) can chili beans
- 2 TB chili powder
- 2 TB cumin
- 1 TB garlic powder
- 1 TB smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
the chili cooked for about 8 hours on low.
for the cornbread, i used jessica’s recipe. it was incredible. word on the street is that she will be posting the recipe this weekend. it’s a keeper!
sour cream, greek yogurt & sharp cheddar for chili fixins.
my plate…er, bowl and plate.
i am really proud of this meal! it was just perfect.
i had a killer cardio sesh today. it was rough because my legs were sore from yesterday’s lower body workout.. but once i got going it actually helped loosen things up and now my legs feel better than they did earlier today.
here are the details:
treadmill jog / sprint routine.
i jogged 2 minutes and sprinted one minute for thirty minutes total.
| minute # | speed | pace |
| 0-2 | 6.0 MPH | jog |
| 2-3 | 8.0 MPH | sprint |
| 3-5 | 6.0 MPH | jog |
| 5-6 | 8.0 MPH | sprint |
| 6-8 | 6.0 MPH | jog |
| 8-9 | 8.0 MPH | sprint |
| 9-11 | 6.0 MPH | jog |
| 11-12 | 8.0 MPH | sprint |
| 12-14 | 6.0 MPH | jog |
| 14-15 | 8.0 MPH | sprint |
| 15-17 | 6.0 MPH | jog |
| 17-18 | 8.0 MPH | sprint |
| 18-20 | 6.0 MPH | jog |
| 20-21 | 8.0 MPH | sprint |
| 21-23 | 6.0 MPH | jog |
| 23-24 | 8.0 MPH | sprint |
| 24-26 | 6.0 MPH | jog |
| 26-27 | 8.0 MPH | sprint |
| 27-29 | 6.0 MPH | jog |
| 29-30 | 8.0 MPH | sprint |
total time: 30 minutes. total distance: 3.3 miles
**************************************************************************
long time readers will remember something that happened in july of 2009. my brother and sister in law lost their baby boy when she was almost full term.
it was hard. it’s been hard. but, fortunately, they were able to get pregnant again. and yesterday, they welcomed their baby boy into the world.
greyson.
i love him already and i haven’t even held him. i love him already and i’ve only seen him for a few moments. i love his fingers and his toes and his lips and his nose.
but what i love most is that he gets to live life.
and love life.
life. it’s a pretty amazing thing. it should not be taken for granted.
ironically, tina posted this image today.
read every sentence. feel every word. embrace this message and live your life. love your life. it’s the only one you’ve got.
Q~
what is something you have always wanted to do, but haven’t done yet for one reason or another? what is holding you back?
xo. janetha g.
meals & moves 
So I think it’s becoming a habit that I am one of the first comments on your posts because I am a night owl! Greyson is absolutely adorable!
That’s the second time I’ve seen that image today, and it is so inspirational! I’m going to print it out and post it on my fridge! :)
I am a night owl, too :)
how fun I just got all the ingredients to make the same meal tomorrow!!! lol LOVE THE POST. Praying for your nephew!
I saved that image from Tina’s post earlier today, too :) Hit home hard.
love this post. love that your nephew is perfect, healthy & adorable. love life indeed! xoxo
I have always wanted to travel. I am only 20, so I still have a lot of time. I kept telling myself I’d travel when I finished university, but then I realized that NOW is the time to do it. So I am going to combine travel AND school. Next year, I am going to go do a semester abroad somewhere, either in Europe (either England or Scotland) or in Australia!
I did a semester in London when I was 19. I can say that it was one of the best decisions (if not THE best) I have ever made. Glad to hear you are going for it!
Definitely go abroad. It changed my life…I met the man of my dreams.
My mom’s death when I thirteen taught me life is short. she had a shorter life, but it was high in quality. anyhow, she taught me to not hold back and really live each day as if it were your last. She had cancer and even though she didnt show it to me, I think she new she would not live as long as she would have liked.
Anyhow, I really want to write a book, a funny memoir about my eating disorder and my recovery. So many ed stories are so depressing, i think the eating disorder and recovery can be humorous. i guess I’m just lazy and writing book is a long process. thats what gets in the way.
Wonderful post Janetha!
Love the picture quote hybrid thing. I need reminders like that, especially at this point in my life. Lately, I’ve found that you CAN change most anything if you aren’t happy with it, so long as you give it enough effort. One of those lines, “If you don’t like your job, quit it”? Check. I walked into a restaurant today on a whim to fill out an application, and got the job on the spot :] Full-time, better pay, amazingness. Woot.
There are plenty of things I still want to be able to do, like travel to different countries and things like that. Nothing’s really holding me back except money (dumb cash money, always gettin’ in my way). I’ve also found myself really wanting to be in school again lately. Sounds weird, but I just want to learn about something new – don’t care what. Again, there just aren’t enough dollahs in my rubber band bank to afford college ;]
Happy for your brother and sister-in-law! That must’ve been so hard on them.
Early bird here :) Congrats on the little one!
I have always really wanted to run a 5k. I’ve done the walk. I’m not sure why i’m so afraid of it??
I am so happy for you guys and your family!
and so glad you liked the cornbread. :)
Chili is such a great put together meal, especially ahead of time and yours looks fantastic!
OMG Janetha, he is PERFECT!!! Congratulations auntie and congratulations to your family. This new little addition is going to be the best part of everyone’s lives. ;)
PS- I LOVE this print!!!
I’m totally ina chili and cornbread stage! Just made hug batch of both myself. COMFORTING!
What a precious nephew! Life is so sweet and life is so short. I have been pretty blessed in my life and I continue to count those blessings DAILY!
JAnethat first I want to say congrats to your brother and sister in law on a beautiful baby boy, he is just adorable and perfect! I love his name too! Congrats to you and your family on the new addition!
I love your inspiration at the end of the post, life is beautiful and we only get one life, I always appreciate everyday and appreciate every loved one in my life : )
First, I want to say- that chili/cornbread look amazing!
But more importantly, CONGRATS to your bro and sis in law, Greyson is absolutely beautiful! So, so cute. I wish you and your family the best.
Culinary school was the one thing I wasn’t doing… and I did it. Now, I need to start my own business. The hardest part is STARTING. So I just need to do it, I mean, WHY NOT?
xo
Kris
Congrats again!
I made chili and cornbread the other night and the cornbread was less than stellar. I hope she shares the recipe soon.
ok, i’m teary eyed after seeing little greyson (love the name btw). seeing babies all tubed up breaks my heart.
he’s adorable and i hope he can leave the hospital soon. congrats to your whole family!!
i’ve wanted to drive cross country in an RV for years now, and the only thing that’s holding me back is my inability to drive an RV, lack of someone to go with and money!!
First off- what a dinner. Chili & cornbread just may be one of my most favoritist meals. And what a cute baby- I love the name. Seeing a newborn is truly seeing a miracle. Makes you appreciate every part of your life. I’ve always wanted to open or manage a breakfast joint. The fear of decreasing our income is whats holding me back ;)
Congrats on being an aunt again!! I used to hate babies, but now every time I see pictures like this I just can’t wait to have my own :) I’m so happy for your brother’s family!!
1) Your nephew is sooo cute. His fingernails are so long! I can’t believe he still had a month left to “bake.”
2) I really love that joined dish that you have with your tiny spoons. Jealous!
3) Regarding that image…I would really love to quit my job because I know I’m just wasting valuable years of my life. Hopefully I can find something new soon-ish…
OH. MY. GOODNESS! That sweet baby boy is SO precious! What a beautiful blessing for your family! Gah, makes me want to have a baby…um, yeah, welllll, maybe later down the road… :)
Your chili looks SO yumtastic! Seriously, it’s chilly here and that epitomizes “comfort food”. Also, being from Texas, I love me some cornbread and chili!
And, way to go on that workout! I’m a shortie like you and have shorter legs so an 8mph is like seriously sprinting (i.e., running for my life). Even a 6.0 is some serious footwork for me. I’m impressed!
oh my gawd, that baby boy is so incredibly adorable. I am so happy for your family to welcome this miracle into life!!! and love the name as well :)
um that chili looks fantastic and there is NO better comfort food when its cold out than chili and cornbread!
something I have always wanted to do is 1) fitness competiton (which I am currently persuing) and 2) skydiving (just havent had the chance but I want to before i die!!)
and LOVE that image that Tina posted yesterday!!!
xoxox
My heart just breaks seeing that little baby with all the tubes. :( BUT it is such a blessing that he is here and being cared for.
That message is probably one of the best ones out there.
That looks like a great meal!
Congrats on being an auntie! My thoughts are with him and your family. Welcome to this crazy world little man!
I like those passion sayings and all, but I don’t know what my passion is. I have a college degree and all that, but I don’t like what I do. I can’t think of anything I would want to do as an actual job you know? I feel like I’m the only one. I just don’t know what I’m passionate about or how to figure it out.
I wrote down that recipe. I’ve been looking for a good chili recipe! :)
Congrats to your family! I’m sure the little guy can tell how much you guys love him already.
I’ve always wanted to go to Europe. I just need to find someone to go with! :) But in all seriousness, I want to learn more about photography and maybe take pictures professionally some day. I just haven’t gotten around to starting out.
This has to be my favorite post of all! Loved the pics of the baby, but I especially loved the message about life. It is so true. Thanks for sharing that. It is definitely food for thought. Love ya :)
What a beautiful baby boy!! I love his name too, how original. My godson, Wyatt, is going to be born in the next 7 days and I’m so excited to meet him.
Great reminder at the end too. I always tell my husband to slow down and savor life, he’s always so stressed and rushed. I really want to print that image out and frame it…
what wonderful news so happy for your family! i try not to be morbid about things on a daily basis but part of the reason i push myself so hard to make sure i’m enjoying/savoring life’s moments is because it can be gone in an instant. every.single.day. i wake up and am thankful for another breath. nothing is holding me back but it’s taken me a very long time to get to this point in my life.
What a beautiful baby boy! I can totally relate to this post. You might remember me mentioning Baby Bo a little while back, but he is FINALLY ready to be transfered to a closer hospital which means I might get to see him tonight! :) I can feel your excitement and I’m happy for you and your family!
Congradulations to your brother, sister in law and family!!! :D Welcome baby Greyson! I love that name.
I really like that dish you have the sour cream and yogurt in. Very cool!
Go little Greyson! Wow – I’m not even a baby person, and my heart just shattered open at that first picture. C’mon buddy, we’re pulling for ya. He’s gonna do great.
Your dinner has totally put me in a chili mood. Will have to tend to that right away! Yum!
Aww I love this post! Greyson is so lucky to have such a great aunt! Congratulations to your fam!!
Your chili makes me want chili. In a ridic baaad way.
I feel like I’m wasting my time at a job/city that I don’t like. I want to go to culinary school SO BAD but can’t go because of the boyf’s job right now :(
Oh! Greyson is so adorable! He is such a miracle! Congrats to your brother and his wife! :)
Awww…sweet babykins. I know he is going to grow to be STRONG. Just like his Aunt J!
Awww congrats on the lil guy! I made the chicken apple chili combo last night and it’s a keeper! Yours looks yumtastic as well :) I almost teared up looking at the message picture and it’s not even that time of the month hah.
I have always wanted to become a veterinarian AND move to the west coast. Working on making both happen in the next few years I hope!
What a beautiful baby boy! You are all still in my prayers!
Congratulations auntie J!! What a little blessing.
I’ve always wanted to move out of CO for a little while (I’ll probably end up back here at some point because I really do love it) – but I’ve lived here my whole life and I’d love to experience something else. I think $$ is what holds me back. Money and security.
What a great post! That message is SO inspirational, thank you so much for sharing! I wish you & your family all the best with your new addition. Greyson is adorable!
HUGE congrats to your brother & sister in law. Graysen is absolutely beautiful!!!
Second, I LOVE corn bread- it’s one of my favorite foods, and I try to eat it at least once a week. (total nerd, I know- lol!) but, cast iron corn bread?!?! WHOA! That is beyond words! :) I always use Jiffy- hahaha!
Congrats to your family on the birth!!!!!!! And yes, I do actually remember that loss. I had JUST started reading your blog and I remember thinking how grateful I was to have Skylar, to have this life. To have this gift. A child.
What a tiny lil pumpkin…he is beautiful and amazing :)
Love the Life picture from Tina.
What do I want to do but am being held back? Ironically scale things down, downsize, down ramp….most people would say it’s easy to do less. For me, it’s not. I have to try really hard to do less. Paradoxical but true.
I’m so happy for your brother and his wife, what a beautiful baby boy they have brought into this world. I can only imagine the joy they must feel after such a heart ache.
That picture is something I can’t get enough of right now. I needed it. Thank you!
congrats to them times a million. so so so happy.
What a beautiful boy! Congratulations, Auntie Janetha :)
I adore that message – I spent so many wasted days obsessing over how I looked and what I ate that I had no focus on enjoying my life. Thanks for the reminder that we’ve only got so much time to do what we love!
There are tons of things on my bucket list – like a marathon and travelling, but right now I’m holding back on getting a certificate or degree in a health and nutrition field. The money, time, and fear of quitting my brand new job are what is stopping me. But I might start with a small one like the AFPA to get my feet wet!
Congrats on the baby boy!!
I’ve been thinking of Greyson since I saw the pic on Twitter yesterday. Sending my love and prayers.
I love the image from Tina’s blog. It really says everything…
What do I want to do more? Live in the moment, let go of the “small” stuff, just be… I spent the morning with the toddler at preschool (it’s his birthday today), and it was about as perfect as it gets. (And I managed not to worry about all the papers that I have to grade…).
Congrats on the new addition to the family!
I have a question – how do you go from sprinting to jogging so fast on the treadmill? I swear I almost fall off every time I try to make a quick speed change, so I am totally scared to do an interval run like yours!!
DUDE! that dinner just screams autumn. Me likey, me likey a lot.
p.s. just made that quote my desktop picture. BEAUTIFUL!
love you long time, J! <3
I really like the name Greyson! I really want to take classes- further education for my career, but also cooking, photography, etc… but I have no money!!!! :(
i am so happy for your bro and sis-in-law. i can only imagine how happy and relieved your whole family must feel. i love the name too, adorable!
congrats on the newest addition! what a fabulous dinner spread, too :) i loved that picture when i saw it on tina’s, but i’m thinking of putting it as my background to remember it more often!
All of your meals this week look fantastic! What a wonderful extensive birthday celebration idea… and congratulations on the new family addition!
In answer to your question, I have always wanted to visit the archaeological ruins around the world I studied in college, but haven’t had the chance to yet… but I will one day!
i made that life poster thing my computer background yesterday!
i saw that you’re having a shitty day (comment on melissa’s blog) love you girl :) hope you’re day is somewhat better or just better because it’s almost over!
btw how amazing is chili. i want to make that cornbread. and pair it with chili. on a sunday. because chili on sundays with football is ultimate.
also i remember when that happened with the baby last time and just reading about greyson made me want to cry. i’m so happy for your family :)
Congrats on the new addition to your family Janetha! I love babies. LOVE!
The chili and cornbeard looks amazing. One of my favorite meals!
I agree with you, life is amazing. One of my personal goals this year is to finally start fully appreciating my life, marriage, family and friends. I often dwell over silly things and forget how awesome my life is.
However, I have always wanted to be able to run longer distances. I’m going to start slowly training for a half marathon. I’m excited and very scared but I’m going to do it. Even if it takes me 3 years!
Thank you for posting that image about living life. I really needed that today.
That cornbread looks amazing. I need to get a cast iron skillet, apparently.
Janetha!!! Congrats to you and your entire family on the beautiful baby boy! Glad he is well and hope he can come home with his mommy and daddy soon! After what they have been through they definitely deserve this wonderful blessing!!!