Meet Jenny

Hey there! I'm a bit awkward when it comes to intros, so bare with me! My name is Jenny, I'm a 30 something wife to my HS sweetheart, mommy to 2 scrappy, sweet, smart, silly kids and Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I'm a photographer, Homeschool Mom, fan of essential oils, coffee addict and my idea of a amazing Friday night is curling up in my favorite comfy clothes, uggs and watching some Netflix. I also often hug my husky Lilo and say "It's so fluffy!" and cuddle her as long as she lets me (usually about 30 seconds and she's over it). 

Almost 2 years ago my family and I moved from the city life we've always lived and headed to a small mountain town about an hour away. We traded concrete for dirt roads. Power grid living to off grid living, the sound of sirens and cars zooming by to hearing the rooster crow and cows moo. We also traded having excessive of amount stuff for a more simplistic life and have truly appreciated this slower pace of life. 

I've gained and lost 70+ lbs TWICE in my life. (Yep you read that right). Gained the first time after HS once I stopped playing soccer several times a week and trading it for a desk job, college and living off dollar tacos from Jack n the box. I had no desire or knowledge of what eating clean meant and really struggled with my weight my first few years of adult hood. 

I lost the weight and then some before my wedding in April 2009. One of the best days of my life. 

I gained the second 70+ lbs while pregnant with our first child Carson. I enjoyed a few to many California burritos, root beer floats and chocolate milkshakes. YUM.

I don't want to write a huge novel for you here so I'm going to just fast forward a bit... I lost the weight. had a much healthier pregnancy with our 2nd child Lily who we welcomed into the world in 2011. And I started to find my love for living a healthy balanced life again.

2018, we are celebrating a few things... Our daughter Lily's 4th birthday, our son Carson's 7th birthday and our 2 year anniversary on the ranch! 

Health and Wellness Goals for 2018:

Soccer was my passion growing up. Running, the adrenaline, the team unity, the sport I loved it so. I've always said SOMEDAY I'd play soccer again in an adult league and well.. It's never happened. Lisa really inspired me to start running. Her posts, the way she described why she loved doing it really lit a spark in me. Coming off of breaking my big toe last year I have really struggled to get back into a health and fitness grove. I thought, why not give this a try? 

So did, and guess what? It's amazing. 

I'm very much a beginner, I'm not very fast and I'm training up in high elevation...

so I'm not expecting a huge transformation over night. But there is something about feeling your feet hit that dirt, the wind in your face and breathing in that fresh air as you run. Don't get me started on when that right song comes on when you need it too. I'm excited to see how I can improve over the course of this year.

 I hope to use this blog as a platform to share a running journey from the perspective of a newbie and to encourage others on their own missions. Also to share healthy recipes, natural remedies,

trials and errors and to just keep it real around here. 

So my goals for 2018: Run a 1/2 Marathon, finding healthy balance of eating to fuel my body, being outside more with my kids and not talking negatively about myself. 

I share a lot of pictures of our homestead, homeschool journey, oil recipes, healthy and wellness and pictures of my husky over at my Instagram page..  If you'd like to follow me over there, I'd love for you to say hi! 

(Click the icon above)

I look forward to sharing more with you,  and will see you very soon!

From Dusty Trails,

Jenny