Farrar recently participated in a 5-week Paleo Challenge at CrossFit 806, so we thought you'd like to hear the Funspired scoop on this popular diet: 

What is the Paleo Diet? 

The Paleolithic Diet - abbreviated to "Paleo" and also known as the Caveman Diet - is based on the theory that our food needs have not evolved from those of our pre-agricultural, hunter-gatherer ancestors. Proponents believe that in order to optimize our health, we should eat a diet that mimics the food groups eaten by the so-called "cavemen." This means lots of meat, seafood, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, but no grains, no dairy, no legumes no refined sugar and no processed foods. This is not a weight-loss diet, but a lifestyle diet, meaning most of the people who adopt this diet are hoping for an improvement in overall health and well-being - they want to feel better. That being said, many people do lose weight when they go Paleo. One of the reasons that the Paleo lifestyle has become such a trend is that it is the favorite diet for CrossFit athletes. If you haven't heard of CrossFit, it is hugely popular strength and conditioning program with affiliate gyms popping up all over the country (we have 3 right here in Amarillo) - click here to learn more. 

The Food

Food to Enjoy - Meats (especially leaner cuts, grass-fed, and wild game), Seafood (wild-caught is preferred), Eggs, Vegetables (everything from leafy greens to starchy sweet potatoes), Nuts, Seeds, Oils (olive oil, coconut oil and avocado are the favorites), Herbs and Spices.

Foods to Avoid - Dairy (this includes butter, cheese, milk, yogurt, etc.), Grains (including wheat, oats, and even quinoa), Legumes (includes beans, peas, soybeans, cashews & peanuts), Refined Sugar and Processed Foods (mostly the center area of the grocery store).

Up for Debate - There are more and less strict versions of this diet, and the following foods fall into the "grey" area, meaning they are allowed by some and not by others: green beans (some allow these as  "vegetable" even though technically a legume), natural sugars (such as honey, agave nectar and maple syrup) , wine and tequila, whey protein powder (for workout recovery), and corn & potatoes (most consider these no-nos).

Pros & Con

Proponents of the diet believe that it makes them feel stronger, leaner, more energetic and just plain healthier overall. They also believe that it can help prevent or cure cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and other health problems.  And nobody can deny that the Paleo diet is a clean, nutritious, low-sugar, un-processed diet that encourages the consumption of whole foods. However, there are a lot of "healthy" foods that are not permitted in this diet - for example: low-fat dairy (such as plain yogurt), legumes (such as lentils, black beans and chick peas), health whole grains (such as oats, quinoa and barley). Opposition to this diet believes that avoiding these healthy foods might lead to nutritional deficiencies. Many also claim that the Paleo diet can be expensive, but most un-processed whole food diets would be similar. 

Farrar really enjoyed trying the Paleo diet, although not a huge change from her pre-Paleo way of eating. She learned how to order differently restaurants, and will continue to do so post-Paleo. And while she will add some dairy, legumes and grains back into her diet, she will certainly limit them more than she did previously. Overall, it was a really positive experience!

Resources & Recipes

For more information about the Paleo diet: The Paleo Diet by Dr. Loren Cordain, Ph.D. - Robb Wolf's Paleo - Beginner's Guide by Nerd Fitness - Mark's Daily Apple

For recipe ideas: Amazing Paleo (we loved the hummus pictured above) - Elana's Pantry - Everyday Paleo

A special thank you to Hannah and Whitney at CrossFit 806 guidance and encouragement during the Paleo Challenge!

Your fun friends, 

Susan and Farrar

The Pectoral Sandpiper

Many of you may be surprised to learn that the Texas Panhandle offers outstanding bird-watching, or otherwise known as birding. Since we are located on the High Plains - it puts us in the heart of the Central Flyway. Over 300 species of birds ranging from neotropical migrants migrating from Central and South America to the Boreal Forests of Canada to shorebirds like the Pectoral Sandpiper that migrates through the Texas Panhandle from South America to the breeding grounds along the Arctic Ocean.There is something primordial about migrating birds - just like the great herds of American Bison before the 20th Century, today's Barren Ground Caribou of Alaska, or the Wildebeest migration through the Rift Valley of Africa. It is a spectacular thing to witness each spring and fall - and most don't notice.

Lake Marvin - Canadian, TX

WHERE TO START...

Find water in the Texas Panhandle and you will find birds. With our lack of large, deciduous trees - it helps to concentrate the birds around water. Other good spots are wooded areas along the Canadian, Salt Fork and Prairie Dog Forks of the Red River and their tributaries. Playa lakes, when full, offer an incredible variety of birds. Hundreds of thousands of waterfowl winter on area Playas and Reservoirs. During the spring and fall many varieties of shorebirds migrare through and some will nest on the Playas.

The Lesser Prairie Chicken

Special Species to look for...

In the Texas Panhandle - The Lesser Prairie Chicken, while on the Threatened Species List, is found near Canadian, TX. Other species that are rare or unique to the Texas Panhandle are the Interior Least Tern that nests on the sandy banks of the Canadian and Red River Tributaries and the beautiful Painted Bunting. Bald Eagles are common around large bodies of water with wintering waterfowl.

Time of year...

For resident species - anytime is good. Certain species winter in the Panhandle - while others nest in the summer. The greatest variety will be during the spring and fall migrations. The VERY BEST time of year is mid-May. (You are welcome!) Find a day after a major cold front has passed through and you'll be surprised how many different species seem to have just appeared. This is because the birds migrating north run into strong headwinds and literally "fall out" of the sky seeking refuge and rest on their journey north. Find a day that the wind is not blowing too hard and get outdoors. If the weather is bad read, the book titled The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature and Fowl Obsession by Mark Obmascik or rent the movie starring Steve Martin, Owen Wilson and Jack Black.

Gear...

Most important is good quality optics. Leica, Swarovsky, Pentax and Leopold all can be found locally at Riverfields Outfitters in Wolflin Square. Like jewelry - high quality means big $, but it is worth every penny!

The beautiful Painted Bunting

Public Places to Spot Birds...

* Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge * Palo Duro Canyon State Park * Lake Meredith * Lake Greenbelt * Lake McClellan * Lake Marvin * Gene Howe WMA * Lake Fryer (near Perryton) * Rita Blanca (near Dalhart) * Cactus Playa (east of Cactus) * Area Playa Lakes * Thompson Park

Websites for Birding...

Texas Panhandle Bird Club * American Birding Association * Texas Parks & Wildlife Birding * Texas Panhandle Chapter of the Audubon Society * Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Field Guides, Reference Books and other Good Reads...

* The Sibley Guide for Birds by David Allen Sibley (also an outstanding iPhone App)

* Birder's Guide to Texas by Edward A. Kutac (wonderful man that lived his last 15 years in Amarillo)

* Birds of the Texas Panhandle: Their Status, Distribution and History by Kenneth D. Seyffert - He spent an untold number of hours in the field studying birds in the Panhandle. His book is a true labor of love.

* Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America by Kenn Kaufman

* Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America by Roger Tory Peterson

* Birdwatcher - The Life of Roger Tory Peterson by Elizabeth J. Rosenthal

* John James Audubon - The Making of an American by Richard Rhodes

* Kingbird Highway - The Biggest Year in the Life of an Extreme Birder by Kenn Kaufman

We would like to thank our expert birding friends for helping with this article! Great information! Now, get out there and do some birding!

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

Have you ever found yourself in a rut? You just feel "blah" and nothing really inspires you? Be honest - we have ALL been there! We have had so much fun dreaming up the SWi awards to annually celebrate our readers and our Funspired anniversary, but it has been a crazy, busy time of year as well! If we are being truthful, we all suffer form burn-out. Because we are all over stressed - over committed and over stimulated - it is easy to find ourselves exhausted and just zapped. Since none of us want to dwell in that place too long - we have complied a list of ways to become "re-inspired!"

1. TURN IT OFF! We are all addicted to our smart phones, smart tablets, lap tops, social media sites and so on. Detaching means turn it off at least for a few hours - or go big and try a few days! You won't regret it - because it is like pushing the "reset" button and makes a drastic difference in the quality of your home and work life! 

2. TRAVEL. Both of us love to travel, it is a huge priority in our lives. Traveling gives you a new perspective. It changes your "view" and with that - refreshes and invigorates you. Nothing is more exciting than getting to know a new city or destination - becoming a temporary "local" and getting a sense of the place's vibe. By immersing yourself in a new culture that challenges you to look at your life and your priorities in a new light. Or, when all else fails - a margarita and a good laugh does the trick too.

3. STUDY. Apparently Housewives of Beverly Hills is not fuel for the mind (and neither is Keeping up with the Kardashians, people!) Sitting in front of a TV only makes your "funk" worse! Why not pick up a new book, attend one of our great local wine or beer tastings, go to a museum to see a new exhibit or take a class. Amarillo College has great continuing education classes - learn something new! Don't worry, it doesn't matter how long you've been out of school - your brain will remember how to learn.

4. GET FANCY. If you are reading this in sweatpants, we are talking directly to you! Yes, your "laying around the house clothes" are comfy, but sometimes you can't underestimate how much the way you LOOK affects the way that you FEEL. Get showered! Ladies - do your hair and makeup and put on that outfit you bought but haven't worn - and go somewhere! You'll see your confidence and swagger return. Men - same goes for you! Style is intentional, have some fun!

5. CHANGE. Even though we all must have a routine, sometimes why we are feeling stuck in the mud is due to TOO much of a routine. Move around the order of your day if you can - wake up for an early workout instead of waiting until 5PM, try a new spin class or hire a trainer to help spruce up your workouts. Challenge yourself - sign up for that 5K you've always wanted to run. Try a new recipe for family dinner instead of making the same spread. If you spend the day in the office - give yourself the morning to be creative, to dream big ideas or innovate - then spend the afternoon returning those emails that seem to stack in your Inbox (they are not going anywhere!) and at least you had the morning when you were fresh to be creative!

6. PLAY. Laugh - have fun - get out there! It is wildly important to engage with other people, and not just the ones we know - reach out to someone new. Sometimes being exposed to other people's thoughts, experiences and opinions is refreshing! Invite a new couple to dinner. Set a goal to have coffee or lunch with a new person every month. Instead of going to dinner on Friday night - go for a bike ride with the kiddos (or without!) or instead of going to a movie - pick up a new sport. Tennis anyone?

We hope that we have given you ideas on how to become re-inspired in your life! Now get out there and be inspired!

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

Did you realize that every year 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States? The United States has the worst record of any industrialized nation. National statistics report a child is abused or neglected every 35 seconds and as a result - a child dies every 6 hours. Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education. 

Unfortunately, Amarillo is not immune. 

The Texas Panhandle has one of the highest rates of confirmed cases of child abuse in the state of Texas. When abuse or neglect is reported, children find themselves in our legal system fighting for a safe place to grow up. To assist children in our area to find safe, permanent homes - Amarillo Area CASA steps in. CASA is a non-profit service organization that recruits and trains a diverse group of court appointed volunteers to advocate for the best interests of these children during this process. It is CASA's goal for every child of abuse or neglect to have a CASA advocate - appointed by the court - to ensure them a safe, nurturing and permanent environment.

A CASA's main function is to gather information that will aid the court in determining permanent placement for children removed from their homes due to abuse and/or neglect. This work is carried out by volunteers - with the support and guidance of professional staff. The volunteers are teachers - business people - retirees - stay-at-home-moms - college students; extraordinary people who want to make the voices of abused children heard. Volunteers get to know the child and conduct their own investigation. This includes interviewing everyone involved in the case, including family members, teachers, foster parents, doctors, lawyers, social workers and others. The information they gather and their recommendations help the court make informed decisions. CASA volunteers commit to a child until the case is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.

What is abuse?

Physical: failure to provide food, shelter or appropriate supervision

Medical: failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment

Educational: failure to educate a child or attend to special needs

Emotional: failure to provide emotional needs, permits child to use alcohol or other drugs

What can you do?

* AACASA is hosting an advocate training course - this helps volunteers to be well-equipped to serve abused children in our area. The extensive training gives the CASA the necessary skills needed to successfully advocate in court. New Advocate Training Dates are: May 7th, 9th, 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd and 24th - all from 5:30 - 9:00pm. As an advocate - you can change one life at a time. There is nothing more rewarding than helping a child who has been neglected, abused or abandoned. 

* Report abuse or neglect to law enforcement - there is a 48 hour reporting requirement for professionals. Reports are confidential - the national abuse hotline is 1-800-252-5400.

* Donate! Attend Amarillo Area CASA's Pearls of Hope Masquerade Ball. The event is scheduled for May 11th in the hangar of Mr. and Mrs. Scharbauer at 3410 Airway Boulevard. 6:30pm cocktails - 7pm dinner by Joe's catering. There will be a program honoring nominees and dancing to one of our favorite bands. Attire is costumes or glamorous cocktail attire. A mask is required, and a limited quantity of masks available for sale at the door. For more information - call 806-373-2272.

We salute CASA and their exceptional volunteers for the important work they are doing in our community. We hope that you will join us in supporting this worthy organization.

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

Today is Funspired's 2nd anniversary! 

In celebration, we are thrilled to introduce the SWi awards (pronounced "swee") which celebrate people in our community who inspire us with their Style, Wellness, and Impact on the world around them. Every year, we will present three awards in each category. While the recipients that are honored have different characteristics and strengths, one thing they all have in common is that we respect the balance they achieve in their lives. They are happy people who surround themselves with friends and family. We asked them each the same questions, so make sure to click the links to compare all of their interesting answers. Here is the Funspired scoop:

Inspiring Style

Style SWi's present themselves with confidence and a positive attitude - always look great and make it look effortless - and stay true to a look that is all their own. They inspire authentic style. Our 2013 Style SWi's are...

Mary Nell and her husband Rex

* Mary Nell Lemert - She walks in a room and immediately you sense her presence. Confident, yet graceful. We are inspired by her effortless beauty - she looks just as pretty in her workout clothes as she does in her black tie attire. She is warm and gracious, and in so many ways embodies the "Proverbs 31" woman in our book. Click here to read more about our friend Mary Nell.

* Tom Knapp - This is a guy who is not afraid to take risks in the way he dresses. His style is colorful and energetic just like his personality. And, he always wears it with a big smile and twinkle in his eye. He's a music-loving lawyer who takes great joy in his family and friends. Click here to read more about our friend Tom.

* Jenny Bivins - She's a young beauty who always looks fresh and chic. She's a trendsetter beyond her years, but it's her positive energy, enthusiasm and confidence that sets her apart. She's a senior at Tascosa High School and heading to UT next year. Click here to read more about our friend Jenny.

 Inspiring Wellness

Wellness SWi's enjoy an active lifestyle - look forward to the next challenge - and strive for health in both mind and body. They inspire us to live well. Our 2013 Wellness SWi's are...

* Sam Price - She inspires us by the way she balances her career, her dedication to fitness and health and her time enjoying friends and family. She is beautiful inside and out and she has a rockin' body from all those early morning workouts. Click here to read more about our friend Sam.

Kyle and his family - wife Ronna, daughter Hallie and son Hayden

* Kyle McAdams - This is a guy who has recently found a passion for his health and his bike. We love his contagious enthusiasm for life. He's a family man with a strong faith, and we can't wait to cheer him on at this year's grueling Leadville 100 bike race. Click here to read more about our friend Kyle.

Ellen and her husband Greg

* Ellen Graham - What impresses most about this woman is that no matter where she is, she always finds a way to get in a workout... and she travels a lot, so this is no easy feat! She's a diva on the tennis court and a machine in spin class, but what we think really makes her "well" is that she surrounds herself with great friends, her precious "Goofy" and always smiling with a tall margarita in hand. Click here to read more about our friend Ellen.

Inspiring Impact

Impact SWi's use their talents to make a difference one person at a time - balance their many roles in life with ease and grace - and give with all their heart. They inspire us to make an impact. Our 2013 Impact SWi's are...

Steve and his two grandsons Four and Joe

* Steve Dalrymple - He is fun family guy who's played many leadership roles in the Amarillo area. We're especially grateful for his recent contribution to the BSA sale and his commitment to the best interests of our community. His leadership style is quiet, effective and always with a sense of humor (click on his link to get a taste of his humor). Click here to read more about our friend Steve.

* Michele Agostini - This gal moved to Amarillo and hit the ground running. She is involved in a little bit of everything, but anything she takes on, she jumps in with all hands and gets the job done well. We're so impressed with her ability to balance her many commitments while still making her family and friends her first priority. Click here to read more about our friend Michele.

* Jason Crespin - This guy inspires us with his incredible energy and enthusiasm for life. He a talented actor, a great friend, and most importantly, a teacher that encourages the youngsters of Amarillo to believe in themselves. He has a special talent for making everyone around him feel like a star.  Click here to read more about our friend Jason.

The Awards

A few of the SWi awards

We gathered our award recipients together for a presentation yesterday evening. We wanted to do something different and special, so we found these small canvases and asked our artist friend Shannon Pierce to interpret the SWi logo into original paintings for each of our honorees. As you can see, she is incredibly talented, and we hope each of our recipients will treasure this award not only for what it represents, but also because it is such a cool piece of art. 

Shannon with her precious sons Ben and Will

Artist Bio... Shannon's father was a marine, so she lived all over the world. When her family moved to Lubbock, she remembers looking at the landscape as they landed and being confused -  "Where are the trees?"  With time, she fell in love with the landscape of the Panhandle, the canyons, the colors, and the sky! Shannon points out that the ground - not only the trees - change color with the seasons. 

Shannon married her high school sweetheart and moved to Amarillo. This is home - she loves it here. Shannon and Chad have two sons, Ben and Will, who fill their home with energy and love. Shannon's mother is a trained artist, so she has been around art all of her life. After studying English and History at Texas Tech, she began experimenting with art. Her friends started buying her art and encouraged her to have her first art show in 2003 - and she has had three shows since that time. Shannon's art is contemporary and multi-media. She is in medical sales during the day, artist by night...with the dream of doing art full time someday. We are so grateful to Shannon for sharing her amazing talent - each piece is a treasure that we know all the recipients will enjoy for years to come!

Thank you all for your support of Funspired - and cheers to our SWi recipients - to put it simply... you inspire us.

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

This past weekend the Funspired gang retreated to West Texas for an adventure in the rustic and beautiful Big Bend area. We loved experiencing the wide variety of people, scenery and distinct personalities of each location we visited along the way. Our husbands joined us (enjoying it all on Funspired's tab makes it even more fun for them:) - and between the four of us, here is a breakdown of our adventure in Big Bend...

ALPINE

We couldn't pass up stopping at Fort Davis in route to check out UT's McDonald Observatory - an astronomical observatory located near the Davis Mountains. Next stop: Alpine. It is the gateway to the scenic Big Bend area,and has an old-school western vibe and is the home of Sul-Ross University. We checked into our hotel The Maverick Inn - a renovated adobe motor lodge with friendly staff. Since it was cocktail hour, we headed over to their sister hotel (which was sold out) The Holland Hotel to their lobby bar - Century Bar & Grill. Farrar and Rob quickly discovered brews from a new local micro-brewery that was on tap and were impressed. Big Bend Brewing Company offers a variety of delicious beers from a Hefeweizen to a Porter and more. Dinner reservations at Reata - a restaurant named after the legendary ranch in the James Dean classic movie "Giant" that was filmed in nearby Marfa. It is a southwestern style steakhouse that we enjoyed tremendously! Next, we jumped in the car and drove the 5 miles out Route 67 to see if we could see the famous "Marfa Lights." Known as eerie "dancing orbs" - they are a mystery that draws visitors nightly. 

Looking for the lights... Farrar supposedly saw them, Suz is still looking...

MARFA

Marfa is anything but expected. Embraced by artists, this population 2,000 west Texas town has a dual-identity. Part traditional ranching town, part eclectic and fascinating expression of artsy-creativity. Marfa was recently featured in 60 Minutes and labeled the "quirkiest little town in America." When a rancher was asked what he thought of the influx of East and West coast artists and art enthusiasts to their town, he responded "it is a lot like bird watching." Yet, both diverse cultures seem to blend perfectly in this town. 

Marfa main drag with courthouse in background

We first arrived and toured Hotel Paisano - designed by Henry Troust who is viewed by many as one of Texas's finests first architects. Troust also designed the historic Gage Hotel in Marathon. Immediately you are impressed with the crisp white adobe buildings lining downtown and the beautiful courthouse at the end of the main street. 

Checking out the great art in Marfa 

The Ayn Foundation hosted two exceptional exhibits in their cool, edgy space with steel & glass sliding doors - Andy Warhol's "The Last Supper" and German artist Maria Zerres' "September Eleven" - comprising of paintings she completed in the wake of the tragic events of 9/11. Yes, impressive art in a town where the closest airport is 190 miles west (El Paso).

Sloan, Farrar and Rob in line at the Food Shark in Marfa

Our local architect friend, Mason Rogers, gave us a tip to go to Exhibitions 2D to see his Clarendon friend who is exhibiting art at this gallery: John Robert Craft. Loved it. Lunch next - Food Shark & Fat Lyle's are very popular food trucks, and a great way to interact with the locals. Next stop the Chinati Foundation - founded by artist Donald Judd, it is largely responsible for the influx of art enthusiasts visiting the area to see his famous minimalist works. El Cosmico is a close by lodging option, with a bohemian funk vibe - guests can stay in teepees or airstreams. We continued on, and after a quick stop at the Velvet Antler for some cool locally made jewelry, we headed to the coolest spot in town: Planet Marfa. An outdoor beer garden - live music - and only open on the weekends - it feels like Key West in the daytime and night time turns into a little bit of Cabo. We mingled with friendly locals, hung out in a teepee that is dug 6 feet into the ground and enjoyed the stories of the other tourists checking out this town that can best be described as "hippie chic."

"Prada Marfa" - a permanent installed sculpture outside of Marfa by German artists Elmgreen and Dragset

LAJITAS

Next stop... the border! The drive from Marfa to Lajitas was breathtaking with the rugged beauty of the mountains along the Rio Grande. Lajitas has a history that reads like a Michener novel - settlers - indians - even Pancho Villa tales. For many years the mayor of Lajitas was Clay Henry III, a beer drinking goat. In 2000, an Austin entrepreneur bought the 25,000 acre parcel of Lajitas, spent $100 million to turn it into the isolated and unique retreat where we stayed. Known for it's golf course, Lajitas is a lovely oasis in the middle of the dessert.

One of the past mayors of Lajitas 

It is a paradise for mountain bikers, so Sloan (Susan's husband) jumped on his bike and the rest of us went running/hiking in the hills on the 20 miles of trails near the resort. You could spend days enjoying the beauty of Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park.

Sloan heading out on the trails, Big Bend National Park in distance

TERLINGUA

17 miles down the road from Lajitas resort is the ghost town of Terlingua. It was the US's quicksilver mining capital during  World War II - supplying precious metal for bomb ignitions. After the war, Terlingua became a ghost town. Now it is a tourist stop and artist haven - and just a funky little spot. Since all of your meals in Lajitas are at the resort, we decided to explore nearby Terlingua for our last night in the area. What. A. Surprise. We first hit La Kiva Bar for a drink. Quirky doesn't even begin to explain this watering hole that is partially dug into the earth. European tourists blended with hippies, artists, and locals - all made for a great vibe. The Anthony Ray Wright band started playing, and our favorite part is that locals would grab their instruments and join the band for various tunes. Dinner was down the road at the Starlight Theatre Restaurant and Saloon with chicken-fried antelope and amazing quail and steak. 

Enjoying the tunes in Terlingua 

To visit Big Bend, one must have an adventurous spirit and a love for the arid desert landscape and mountains. We did not get a lot of work done on our "Funspired Retreat" but we certainly had an amazing and memorable trip together. 

Sunrise outside the resort in Lajitas

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

Our second installment of our "Day in the Life" series, but this time with Farrar. Susan chose the pictures, and Farrar describes...

5:51 am - SNOOZE!

6:30 am - Get ready. These bangs have made my morning routine a little longer - they take some taming.

7:30 am - Green protein smoothie for breakfast which Fiona loves to share.

7:45 am - Load up and head to school. It was chilly this morning, so we bundled up.

8:15 am - Arrive at work and look over my calendar. I still have a paper planner although most of my calendar is also online. Spend the rest of the morning working on various projects.

11:30 am - Boot Camp class at the Amarillo National Bank health club. Tire jumps, kettle bell swings, rope climbs and more... I really love the energy of working out in a group.

12:30 pm - After a shower at the gym and lunch at my desk, I'm back to work at my super-cool standing work station.

4:00 pm - Playing squash on the only squash court in the Texas Panhandle. This is my favorite sport because it's a great workout but it's also all about strategy and anticipation - it's like the physical game of chess.

5:00 pm - Errands: Today I'm picking up some granola at Eat Rite to take to my parents in Florida when we visit for Easter next weekend. They love this stuff!

5:15 pm - I'm having a wonderful, relaxing acupuncture session with Traci at the Garden of Natural Health. I really believe acupuncture improves my health in every way - body, mind and spirit. Such a great stress-reliever for a busy lady like me.

6:15 pm - Meet Rob and Fiona at home for an after-school snack and movie followed by some play time.

6:30 pm - Rob does most of the cooking while Fiona and I do our best to lend a hand. Dinner tonight is seared tuna with baby bok choy, sauteed shitake mushrooms and a tomato salad.

7:30 pm - After bath time, Fiona chooses a bedtime book and we all read together. Then lights out and the Lord's prayer. Sleep tight, Love Bug!

8:30 pm - Clean up the kitchen, do laundry and work on Funspired. I work best with little distraction, so I set up camp in the breakfast room. I get caught up working, so Rob has to coax me to bed. Time to get ready for another great day...

I am so blessed.

A special thank you to Chriselda for coming up with this fun idea and taking such amazing photos. What a treat to spend my day with such a lovely, creative spirit.

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

The talented photographer and our good friend Chriselda approached us with an idea for Funspired. Chriselda proposed that she spend a day shadowing the two of us and photograph a "Day in the Life" of Susan and Farrar. A typical day for either one of us, well, this could be interesting or terrifying. We agreed: why not? Susan went first. Chriselda arrived at 7:30AM the Monday after Spring Break and spent the next 14 hours seeing what the "stay at home wife, mom of 3" did all day. Farrar chose the pictures, and Susan describes.....

7:31AM - I've been awake since 6:30AM, but still in robe. Hudson and I are on St. Andrew's school website to see if kids eating school lunch or if I need to pack one. In the process, realize youngest (Evie - 2nd grade) is the class "star of the week." This requires a poster customized by Mom. Day changer.

7:45AM - Drive kids to school, still in robe. I am not a morning person. Boys make a run for it while I promise Evie her "star" poster will be delivered to school in a bit. There is glaring involved.

8:15AM - Most important part of day - writing the "to do list." Nothing makes me happier than crossing things off the list. If I misplace that legal pad, I would be completely helpless.

8:30AM - Spin Class at the Downtown Athletic Club. A few of my friends do the class, it is taught by Sara Johnson. There is lots of visiting at the start, catching up on what everyone did over the weekend. Then intervals start. Silence.

9:30AM - Class over. Decide that glass of wine last night was not worth it.

9:45AM - Race by CVS on way home from DAC and grab supplies, probably have them all at home, but who has the time to search? Start work on "star of the week" collage for Evie. Cutting out magazine pictures and words that describe our baby girl.

10:30AM - Poor Fozzie. His walk will have to wait. Running late. Jump in shower to change for rest of day.

11:15AM - Take star poster up to present to Evie at St. Andrews during her lunch. She loves it. I am redeemed and back on her good side. Her teacher gives me the thumbs up. Deep sigh of relief.

11:30AM - Running late. Dr. Sloan waiting on me in his office to sign some of our books that were part of a promotion with our publisher. He reminds me that he has a work related meeting after his last surgery tonight. Sweet! Take grocery store run off list and plan dinner out with kids and friends.

NOON - Meet Farrar and Meagan for lunch at our fav spot Panhandlers. Best salad bar in town. We love to have our lunch meetings there because it's in the ANB building where Farrar goes to her real job, plus the wifi makes it easy to get work done. Discussing plans for Studio 4. Love my partner, work is always fun with her!

1PM - Take the stairs up after lunch - it is only one floor, but legs already sore from spin class. Head to friend Maggie Velky's house for her clothing show for W for Worth. Maggie has great taste and I love everything I buy from her. Get a few tops for spring.

2:30PM - Need to pick out the wines to be served at a baby shower I'm hosting on Wednesday evening. What? Just because the guest of honor cannot have a glass, doesn't mean the rest of us should suffer:) 

3:01PM - The mania starts. Pick up school carpool and take a car-full of kids to gymnastics. Oldest son has track practice, soooo race home to do homework with Evie. From 3PM on I spend the majority of my time in my car driving my three bosses to their many obligations.

4:31PM - Still trying to get the star of the week to do her homework. Hudson dropped off from carpool and is reading. Get a phone call. Ev and Hudson see an opportunity to escape study hall. Find them next door playing basketball at neighbors. 

4:32PM - Capture one of the runaways and sit back down to finish homework. Evie agrees - IF I wear the star of the week hat. Sure. Race off to pick up Chase from track practice, Hudson hops on bike to find friends to play with - he promises he knows his science vocab. Make mental note to quiz him in morning at breakfast. Scratch that, I'll never remember. Put a reminder in my phone.

6:00PM - Sloan at work meeting, so we join friends at Taco's for a little family supper. Go around table and play "high-low" which involves sharing the high and low of each of our days. We play this every night at dinner. Have a "splendita" marg, supposedly they make it with splenda so it has less calories. At this point, I believe them.

8:45PM - It doesn't matter how big my boys get, I will ALWAYS scratch their backs at bedtime. They share things - it is my high of my day. We end each day praying the Lords Prayer together outloud. I hear Sloan's voice downstairs, he is home. The kids are bathed, asleep (or at least pretending to be), homework is done, and backpacks lined up to start the process all over again in the morning. I head downstairs to spend time with my Sloan. 

It's been a good day.

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

Thank you to Chriselda for your creativity and infectious smile - it was a joy to spend the day with you!

The first day of April - also known as "April Fool's Day" - is named for the custom of playing practical jokes on that date. Though it has been observed for centuries in several countries, including France and Great Britain, its original origin is unclear. The Hilaria Festival of Ancient Rome (March 25) and the Holi Festival of India (ending March 31st) are similar, and it is thought that the custom of playing April Fool's jokes was brought to America by the British. 

Some notable April Fool's Day Hoaxes

One of the best media hoaxes of all time happened on April 1, 1957 when the BBC reported on its news program that Switzerland was experiencing an exceptional "spaghetti harvest" that year thanks to favorable weather conditions and the elimination of the "dreaded spaghetti weevil." Armed with staged video footage showing happy peasants plucking strands of pasta from tall trees - it was apparently so convincing that many viewers called the network to ask how they could grow their own.

Taco Bell had some fun on April 1, 1996 by taking out a full page ad that appeared in six major newspapers announcing that they had purchased the Liberty Bell. "In an effort to help reduce the national debt, Taco Bell is pleased to announce that we have agreed to purchase the Liberty Bell... it will now be called the "Taco Liberty Bell." At noon the same day (after being flooded with calls), Taco Bell issued a second press release in which they confessed to the hoax, and announced they would donate $50,000 towards the upkeep of the Liberty Bell.  When asked by the White House Press Corps about the ad, press secretary Mike McCurry told reporters that as a part of its "ongoing privatization efforts, we will be doing a series of these. Ford Motor Company is joining  today to refurbish the Lincoln Memorial. It will be the Lincoln Mercury Memorial." haha!

On April 1, 1985 Sports Illustrated published an article "The Curious Case of Sidd Finch." The article described a mysterious rookie in training with the New York Mets. An eccentric who only wore one shoe while pitching, he allegedly threw the ball 168 miles per hour (fasted previously recorded at that time was 103 mph). Even though the article details were absurd, almost 2,000 people called SI and the Mets. Mets fans were elated! On April 15th, Sports Illustrated admitted the hoax. The author of the article actually left a hint in the subtitle of the article: "He's a pitcher, part yogi and part recluse. Impressively liberated from our opulent life-style, Sidd's deciding about yoga - and his future in baseball." The first letter of each of these words, taken together, spells "H-A-P-P-Y A-P-R-I-L F-O-O-L-S D-A-Y."

Fun Ideas For Pranks....

* Help someone look a tad bit older by adding a little baby powder into your target's blow dryer. When they go to turn it on, their hair will get a sudden burst of white!

* Reverse the signs on doors that say push and pull (push if it is a pull door, and pull if its a push door). Then entertain your devious self by watching people struggle all day trying to get in and out of the doors.

* Take one of each of your victim's shoes, watch them go into full panic mode when they can't find a pair of shoes.

* After your friend leaves the house, put a for sale sign out front of their house. Your welcome.

* This one might come back to bite you - but what the heck! Put a rubber band around the sprayer nosel of your kitchen sink so that when they turn on the water, they get sprayed. Good morning!

* Basically there are a dozen things you can do with Saran Wrap, depending on how much you have. 1) Over the bowl of the toilet (under the seat) and they will never know what "hit" them. 2) Your co-worker's cubical. 3) Go big or go home: your friend's car.

Best yet, watch this YOUTUBE video of seven hilarious ideas of pranks... and have a happy April Fool's Day!

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

Photo by Caitlin Fairly

Caleb Fairly is a professional cyclist who grew up right here in Amarillo, TX. A graduate of San Jacinto Christian Academy, Caleb is currently based in Girona, Spain, and rides for the Garmin-Sharp professional tour cycling team in Europe. We had the privilege of interviewing Caleb, and he had a lot of interesting things to say! Here's the Funspired scoop:

How does it feel to be back with team Garmin? Is there more pressure on you now that you're back on a ProTour team? It's great. I'm comfortable here, know most of the guys and now that I've been on two other teams, I see value in some things that I didn't notice before. There is no additional pressure from the team. The pressure I feel personally far outweighs any team pressure. 

Photo by Caitlin Fairly 

Do you have any races that you are specifically targeting? If so, why that particular race? I do have a goal or two, but I'm keeping them to myself. As a younger rider, I just need to focus on being valuable and productive to the team and being ready to take advantage if I get an opportunity to ride for myself. Very few riders get to plan their schedule around their own interests and it is very infrequent that a rider is riding for himself. I don't so much focus on a specific race; just being 'good' for the ones I get to do. 

Your team director, Jonathan Vaughters, is outspoken and opinionated on a lot of big issues within professional cycling. What's it like to have him as your director? I didn't know him very well (really, at all) when I was on Garmin's development team. He retired from racing during his peak because he was tired of the doping pressure/culture that existed during his era. Then he started a team (what became Garmin-Sharp) to provide a place for riders to compete without the pressure to dope. He's been an agent of change and a lot of what you see/hear is because he's fighting for a better way forward for cycling. He's great - cycling need more people like he and Doug Ellis. 

Photo by Caitlin Fairly  

Several members on your team (Christian Vande Velde, Dave Zabriskie, Tom Danielson) all provided testimony that was used in USADA's Reasoned Decision against Lance Armstrong. Each of them admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs and methods, and each of them received reduced sanctions in exchange for their testimony. 2 questions: 

a) Your team has a firm anti-doping policy and culture so what is the feeling within the team now that this information has come to light? I can only speak for myself. They finally got the past off their chest, they are serving their punishment, and we can hopefully move on. Honestly, while I don't agree with what they did, I can't focus on it - I have to focus on the things I need to do to be successful. Everyone seems to think cyclists sit around and talk about Lance and doping all the time. We don't. My hands are full with my own business.

b) As a younger rider in the professional cycling ranks it must be frustrating to face all of these issues created by older riders and older teams. What needs to happen within cycling to create a truly clean sport? I like this question, but it's sad to me. The fact is that cycling has already changed. I'm sure there are some left who try to cheat and always will, but the truth is that everything that has recently become public happened years ago and since those times, two major changes have happened: 1) We are tested constantly, both in and out of competition. In Lance's day, riders were only tested at races, so they doped during training and then stopped in time for the drugs to leave their system before a race so they wouldn't be caught. Now, every rider has to tell the UCI where we are every day of our lives (a specific address), and we have to give them a specific window each day that we will be at that location so they can come test us, unannounced. They show up at my house in Girona, in Colorado, and in hotels all over the world - they knock on my door and I let them in, at which time I can't leave their sight until they draw blood and take a urine sample. If I happen to have just gone to the bathroom when they arrive, we sit around and look at each other until I can give a sample. If I'm in a hotel room with my wife, she is there with two strangers in our room watching us. In any 18-month period, if I'm not there when they arrive 3 times, I automatically get a positive test result and will be banned from the sport for a year. 2) The Biological Passport Program. Riders don't have to test positive anymore to be guilty. The UCI evaluates all my blood samples taken in doping controls watch the values. If they think my blood values look suspicious, they can accuse me of doping and ban me from the sport. They don't need a positive test of any kind. It is the most stringent and invasive drug testing program in any sport and honestly, it stinks. That said, I wouldn't have it any other way. It keeps guys honest. There is nothing more depressing than lining up on a start line and wondering if the guy next to me is cheating. But, I think the sport is now largely clean. 

Photo by Caitlin Fairly  

What do you do in Spain when you are not riding your bike? Rest. We are constantly recovering and conserving energy; eating, sleeping. Ally and I have found some beautiful places in the Pyrenees (Spain's version of the Rockies) that we like to go explore/hike/enjoy. And we spend time with other cyclists who live in Girona; we all kinda stick together. But overall, it's a pretty boring group, especially during the season. 

Photo by Caitlin Fairly  

Tell us about your nutrition. How many calories a day do you try to eat? What is a typical meal plan on a training day? What exactly do you eat everyday and who prepares it for you? On a typical 5-hour training day I eat up to 5,000 calories. For breakfast I usually have oatmeal, yogurt, toast and eggs. ALWAYS coffee. Pretty much the same breakfast every day. During the bike ride I take in 200-300 calories per hour of exercise. When I arrive home I immediately start eating to enhance my recovery. Carbs and protein. Dinner in Spain is late...usually not before 8p. Ally usually cooks dinner, which is my big meal: we eat salad, vegetables, chicken, bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes - all fresh and as organic as possible. In Girona, there are no 'super markets'. Ally has to go to several stores and markets multiple times a week - one for bread, one for meat, one for vegetables, etc. It's always fresh but it keeps her busy - it's not as easy as going to Market Street in Amarillo and having everything right there in one place. 

Photo by Caitlin Fairly  

Besides time on the bike, what other fitness exercises or training do you do weekly? Nothing. We ride our bikes 25 hours per week or more. There is no energy for other exercise. 

Any advice for young cyclists in Amarillo that might be interested in this sport/career? Yes. Have fun. That's it. I think we take sports too seriously in America. Young people should just focus on having fun and enjoying their sport and being active and healthy. Even when I began to win races at a national level, my parents never let me take it too seriously. Almost every national-caliber junior rider I knew in those days has left the sport and I think one difference was that I was never pressured and we didn't take it too seriously until I became a pro. Just have fun. 

Photo by Caitlin Fairly  

Do you have an "off-season" where you can take some time off training (or at least cut back)? If so, what do you like to do with your free time? Yes. When the last race is done, we usually take 2-3 weeks off the bike. This year I did it differently, I never really got completely off, but I spent about a month riding my mountain bike all over the Colorado mountains - no schedule, no pace, no power meters. I just rode till I was ready to go home. It worked out really well for me, but the most important thing is to take a period of time where your head and body get a break from the norm. 

If you weren't a pro cyclist what would you be? No idea. This was it for me; I've wanted this since I was in elementary school. There was no backup plan. 

Photo by Caitlin Fairly  

What are your favorite things to do when you are in Amarillo? Favorite restaurants, shops, etc? Top of the list is spending time with family. My favorite restaurants are Joe Taco, Indian Oven, 575, La Compana, and Sharkies. 

Tell us something interesting/unique about yourself not related to cycling. Something that people wouldn't know. As a kid, at least in my head, my other pro sports dream was the NBA...lol. That dream didn't last too long at 5'7 and 130 pounds. I'm actually a pretty average guy...I was a Boy Scout for a while and paid for lunches in high school mowing yards. Nothing overly exciting... 

Thank you so much to Caleb for taking the time to share his life with Funspired and our readers. For more information about Caleb and his career, check out his website provided by Amarillo National Bank, a proud supporter of Caleb and his endeavors.

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar