June 21, 2015

Father's Day fun

When I woke up this morning, the first thing I did was make a pecan pie for my dad. Over the last few years, I've done that instead of buying him a gift; I know that sounds like he's getting shafted, but if there is something he wants, he usually just buys it himself--it's hard to shop for him! And since pecan pie is his favorite, I like to make him one for Father's Day and his birthday. I can't bake to save my soul, but I somehow make a really good pecan pie!

Jerry was off work today, so we decided to take the kids to the zoo. We planned to go to the Toledo Zoo, but when I looked at the weather, it was supposed to thunderstorm. The weather in Detroit looked good, so we decided to go there instead. First, we dropped the pie off at my parents' house for my dad, and then we headed to the zoo.

As we were driving, I was thinking about how every time we go to the zoo, we say we're never going again (it's never as much fun as it sounds in my head, and it's crazy-expensive). I started to think of alternatives, and we chose to go to Belle Isle instead. Belle Isle is an island in Detroit that was recently converted to a State Park. The Detroit Marathon goes through it, which was the first time I remember seeing it, and then the kids' first 5K race was there.

The island has a small nature zoo, a conservatory, a Great Lakes museum, nature paths, and some other stuff--all for free. It has an awesome view of Detroit and Canada, too. First, we wanted to get some lunch, and we planned to go to Supino's (a well-known pizza place in Detroit). We'd never been there, but we've been wanting to try it for about two years, so today was the day. On the way there, though, I noticed that they were closed today (I don't know if it's every Sunday, or just today, but we were bummed to see we couldn't go.)

We tried going to the two Coney Islands (American and Lafayette, which are next door to each other), but they didn't have tables available, so we decided to just skip lunch and get something to eat later. We went to Belle Isle, and first, we went to the Great Lakes museum. Eli loved it! He loves to go out on the boat fishing with my dad, and he gets really excited about identifying fish. I loved seeing a map of the old Boblo Island--an amusement park that closed in the early 90's. We used to have to take a boat to Boblo, and that was one of the most exciting parts of going. I have a lot of good memories of that place!


After that, we went to the Nature Zoo. Again, Eli loved it--lots of turtles, frogs, snakes, fish, etc. I was hoping to see the deer (the only mammals there), but I guess they only open the exhibit when they feed the deer, three times a day. The fence was closed, so we didn't get to see them.


We noticed a big slide in the middle of the park, which looked like fun. It was one of those slides that you have to sit in a burlap sack to slide down. The tickets were 6 for $5, so we bought 6. Jerry and the kids went down first, so I could film them.


Then it was my turn to go down with this kids. Jerry told me it was nice and smooth, and from what I saw, it was. Hahaha! Not quite. Listen to the video of us sliding, and you can hear how hard I hit on each bump after getting some serious air. It's so funny to compare the two videos--Jerry's ride is nice and smooth, and then on mine, it sounds like a bowling ball rolling down the stairs. ;)


We watched the video over and over, and all of us were dying laughing. It's the sound--you can hear me hit the slide SO hard. My tailbone is going to be bruised for sure!

After that, we were all starving. It was about 3:00, and we usually eat dinner at around 4:00. I asked Jerry what sounded good to him, considering it's Father's Day, and he said it would be fun to get frozen yogurt for lunch/dinner. My arm didn't need much twisting for that idea ;) So we went to a place called Yogurtopia in Dearborn. I told the kids they could get as much as they could fit in their cups, and they were thrilled.

I chose cake batter frozen yogurt (3 PP per half cup, and I had about 1.5 cups) and I made what my friend Paige calls "yogurt lasagna"--you layer the yogurt, then add toppings, then more yogurt, and more toppings, etc. That way, you don't wind up with lots of yogurt and no toppings on the bottom. I counted each spoonful of toppings as 1 PP, so in total, I counted this as 25 PP of frozen yogurt and toppings:


It was delicious! I felt a little sick when I was done with it, but it was totally worth every point. I'm *almost* glad that we don't have a fro-yo place near my house, because I would get way too used to this. As it is, I only have it about 2-3 times a year, so I tend to go a little overboard when I do ;)

It never rained while we were out, and it was a gorgeous day to go to Belle Isle. We had a lot of fun, and next time, we want to bring our bikes there!

I noticed an awesome deal on Groupon today for the Garmin Viviofit (it's an activity monitor, similar to a Fitbit). It's only $60! That's the cheapest I've ever seen them. Later, I noticed that they are on Amazon for that price, too. Just wanted to let you know, in case anyone is looking for an activity monitor--it's a great deal! Last year, I couldn't decide between the Vivofit and the Fitbit, but I ultimately bought the Fitbit Zip (also $60). But I do love Garmin, and I'm very curious about the Vivofit, so I took advantage of the Groupon today. I'd like to see how the two compare.

Don't forget, tomorrow is Motivational Monday! If you have a photo of an accomplishment you'd like to share, here is the info to submit it. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

20 comments:

  1. The conservatory sounds like a lot of fun! The yogurt looks delicious-- frozen yogurt is one of my favorite treats. Thanks for sharing the info about the garmin-- it seems like a really good deal.

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  2. My mom used to take me and my siblings to Belle Isle all the time. We loved it! What a wonderful Father's Day. And I feel the same way about frozen yogurt, thank goodness I don't live near one.

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  3. Your eating habits are atrocious. I'm done with this blog. Good luck.

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    1. With a blog called "Runs for Cookies", I guess I thought it would be self-explanatory that I am not a clean eater. But yes, if you're looking for a cleaning eating blog, this definitely isn't the right fit for you. There are a ton of fantastic blogs like that online, though, so I'm sure you won't have a problem finding them. Best wishes to you!

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    2. AnonymousJune 22, 2015

      Wow! If you have never had a special day with your kids & eaten junk food for dinner, then that is your loss.

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    3. Good Answer Katie!!!

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    4. AnonymousJune 22, 2015

      I don't think people are being extraordinarily rude as much as they are surprised... People look up to you for inspiration, and while it's great that a 25PP fro-yo is within your points (although in reality, it was probably double that), that's not a healthy choice. Yes, you're not a "clean eater," but I'm sure you want to model responsible choices for your kids and eating fro-yo as a meal isn't one.

      So, no, I've never eaten junk food for dinner, or in this case, lunch and dinner. That's just absurd.

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    5. AnonymousJune 23, 2015

      Teaching your kids that sometimes it's ok to eat something that's not nutritionally the best choice because it's yummy and fun and not obsess over it afterwards seems responsible to me, Anon. And I find Katie's ability to do just that personally very inspiring. I eat healthily most of the time but sometimes I just want to eat a big piece of cake for dinner. Or lunch. And that's ok. Kate

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    6. AnonymousJune 23, 2015

      BINGE (verb): indulge in an activity, especially eating, to excess.

      "I told the kids they could get as much as they could fit in their cups"

      "I felt a little sick when I was done with it, but it was totally worth every point. I'm *almost* glad that we don't have a fro-yo place near my house, because I would get way too used to this. As it is, I only have it about 2-3 times a year, so I tend to go a little overboard when I do."


      DENIAL (noun): failure to acknowledge an unacceptable truth or emotion or to admit it into consciousness, used as a defense mechanism.

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  4. I love frozen yogurt but can't really eat it unless I plan on being sick to my stomach for a couple days. I have a few very close to me but definitely haven't gone since last summer. I constantly say I am going to but then decide against feeling awful (Crohn's = sugar + dairy issues) boy how I miss it!
    I have the Garmin vivofit! first generation. I love it but have nothing to compare it to since it is my first tracker. I got it to get me up and moving at work. I like that it is intuitive and changes your daily goal based on activity (mine is close to 16,000 steps/day now) so as a runner who wants to remain active in my down time some days I am begrudgingly going on extra walks lol

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  5. AnonymousJune 22, 2015

    Unless you get your sugar addiction under control, you will gain back most of the weight you lost. I seriously worry that you will develop serious health problems due to all the sugar you consume.

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  6. Katie, I almost never comment, but I feel like I need to balance all the negativity here. I always have to laugh when people criticize my sugar intake or cholesterol or salt or carbs or whatever. I know they thing it's unhealthy but, really, isn't worse for my health to weigh 150 pounds more? I know from experience that you have to do what works for you (in weight loss and all other things) and YOU ARE! Keep on keeping on and ignore all the haters.

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  7. Wow, so many rude commenters on such a happy post. The heck with them Katie! You are so inspiring to so many people for doing what you do. You counted your points and still made an amazing memory with your family. They will remember froyo for dinner! They won't remember just another dinner. You do what you do girl! You are rocking it!

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  8. I love those types of froyo places--I can't believe I never thought of layering it like that!

    I love Weight Watchers because NOTHING is off-limits. You're active and you eat healthfully most of the time--considering you've maintained your weight loss for nearly 5 years now, I'd say you're doing something right! Please don't let the haters get you down; you're such a huge inspiration to so many people (like me) with your honesty and openness!

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    1. I agree with you! Weight watchers is wonderful because it fits in what we like to eat. I think part of diets that don't work are that there are "bad" foods and "forbidden" foods.

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  9. I just cannot believe some people! Please don't let those that posted Anonymously above get you down, Katie. You have to do what works for you - forget those that offer their "help". Are you supposed to stop living in the moment? No one is perfect, and judging by the way and tone of those that posted those mean things above, they aren't either.

    I agree with Christina - you are an enormous inspiration to others!! Keep up the great work.

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  10. Don't let the trolls get you down, Katie. They're so smart and tough from behind their cowardly "Anonymous" masks.

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  11. To the hateful anonymous folks: this blog isn't required reading. If you don't agree with Katie's lifestyle and food choices, you don't have to say mean, hurtful things. Just stop reading!!!

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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