peanut butter and good times

"wow, that was a productive week. *faceplant*" - my good friend, PR and fashionista extraordinaire, Danielle

It's like she crept right into my mind at 5:30ish this evening, as this quote sums up my week. Let's recap:

• I started a new job
• Rebuilt our closets at the new house (lies that was hubs and my dad, but strategizing on how it went down and making sure they were fed is tough business)
• Ran everyday, twice a day (not because I am crazy but because Jackalope the man needed some attention per his summer solstice)
• Ran one time with my bestie (WEEK HIGHLIGHT)
• Currently someone is rolling down our street blasting Whitney Houston and ooohhh I wanna dance with somebody (If you've ever seen me karaoke this, you know that Ms. Houston should actually pay me royalties...)
• Ate a lot of peanut butter...

Girrllll's a buttah face!

Literally it has been my snack everyday in between lunch and dinner. (I have a jar at my desk, and take a spoonful when no one is watching) Word.  Oh and I have almond butter with my morning protein shake everyday... So if someone would like to calculate the amount of nut butter my body is currently fueled with, I might draw a picture of myself eating nut butter or something real fancy like that....

No but I am not kidding.  It's out of control.

The thing is, it's delicious, I feel as though it's nutritious AND it helps me survive the time between lunch and chowing down dinner time.  (It also helps my brain remember what it's supposed to be doing, no ritalin for this lady).

Not gonna lie, life is grape right now!

Long story long, this week I remained pretty healthy in my eating and worked out a good amount.  I love my job, I am still somehow in balance (this week) amongst the ish going on in my life.  I am also currently obsessed with frozen grapes.  Life is good.  Grape actually!

Bird snacks!  Nom Nom Nom (Warning not for the faint... I.E. those who enjoy fat and taste)

What was missing this week?

• Blog.

My lovely little blog got tooted and booted.  Because I simply did not have the time.  However, I will not make this mistake again my darling, so I hope you consider giving me another shot.  Oh and about the bird food pictured above, it's actually a delicious raw food bar that I picked up at Whole Foods that makes my heart warm.  Hubs thinks it is bird food.

 This is the universal sign for BLONDE BEEEEZIES UNITE!  (More on that another blog) Photo by the talented Paige Lowe

Speaking hubs, one of my besties (hot blonde in the middle with the black dress) Jen Jen, or as my speech impediment ways refer to her as Gin Gin, is getting MARRIED and just had her engagement party last week.  Made me think of a few things:

• I really miss the 3 girls in this photo whom I got to spend too much time with and make a handful of really well thought out decisions with in college
• My own 2 year anniversary with the hubs is on Monday
• I am very blessed with the people in my life and need to make more time for them (just like my blog needs more time)
• I need to go have some wine right now because I am pretty sure this post officially is not following a theme of any kind

OTL practice tomorrow, and trying to stay in balance again in the next week! HAPPY FRIDAY! Bottoms up (bottoms up, up) ... We both know you're dancing right now.... xo

Muscles, Excuses and Mentors

"You can make excuses or you can make muscles but you can't do both." - Bill Lyons, via my amazing friend January of Bliss Fitness.

January posing for me for a lululemon post about opening up through yoga.

I am blessed with knowing this wonderful lady lovely pictured above. Her name is January and she is one of my fitness/whole life mentors, as well as a wicked awesome friend.  I love her for reasons I have lost count of, but am most thankful for the following:
     She inspires me to love myself, inside out and around this big old badonk we both share!
     She balances life with health, fitness and fun and never takes any of those things too seriously.
     She has taught me how to train, fuel and appreciate the body I have.
     She is the best bootcamp instructor on the planet.  (Don't believe me, here's her schedule, test her for yourself.)

I made her model for lululemon a lot...

Today I am dedicating this post to her because it is her birthday, and I think she deserves to know about the impact she has had on my life, and probably a ton of others.   This morning I was in need of a shake up in my morning workout so I joined her bootcamp class, which I shamelessly have not been to in months!  It more than kicked my badonk, it reminded me of how much more you get out of a workout when it is led by someone who really has love for what their teaching paralleled with incredible knowledge, and a triple threat of actually knowing how to deliver their message.  (We've all had those terrible teachers who mean well but just shouldn't be leading class...) 

Her teaching is a gift, and I am lucky to sweat in her graces every now and then.  I hope to be half the trainer she is someday.  (Remember it's a 1 year goal of mine...)  So today if there's someone in your life who has helped you to become a better you mentally, physically, both, whatever, give 'em thanks.  We tend to view our trainers and teachers as super heroes, but really they're human too and sometimes need to be reminded just how wicked awesome they are.

xo

Running temper tantrum...

"Where there is anger, there is always pain underneath." - Eckhart Tolle

There was anger.  There was hurt.  There was a child sitting on the front porch pouting, and that child was me.  Have you ever thrown a temper tantrum?  Of course you have.  Have you ever thrown a temper tantrum as an adult?  Yep, thought so.  And last question, have you ever thrown a temper tantrum over a protein shake?  Nope, just me?  Thought that might be the case.

Imitating this little nugget at 26 years old... STILLLLLL got it!

This past weekend I set out for a glorious 4 mile run on a hot Sunday afternoon. Not sure if you can relate, but I am motivated by food.  I easily sprint up hills by simply knowing that a delicious peanut butter mocha covered strawberry awaits me at the end of the climb.  As I sprinted into our backyard like a child to an ice cream truck and attempted to open the back door to our kitchen, I nearly shattered the glass door with my fist, pounding in wonderment as to why it was locked.

Day dreaming of better days...

On the other side of the glass in the living room, my hubs looked up from his hands and knees as he refinished our hardwood floors, and motioned for me to go around to the front door.   Crushed. I sprinted to the front door and noticed there was absolutely no trail for me to get into the kitchen, as he had already lacquered the floor and the door to my dreams shut.  I did not think clearly at this moment, I simply turned around and slammed myself onto our front porch and placed my head in my hands. Poor hubs came out offering to send me off to Whole Foods with his wallet to buy a protein shake.   He knew why I was upset, I need not speak, but like Michelle Tanner would, I simply said, "IT'S NOT THE SAME!" and slammed my head back into my hands.   He turned around just shaking his head, and leaving me with the words, "Wow, you've got be kidding me."

I wasn't kidding, I was being an a-hole.   The worst part was I could feel the crazy taking over my body but I couldn't stop it from coming.  The best I could do was tuck the crazy into my pocket when it was all over, run back inside and apologize profusely to my wonderfully kind, hard working and care giving hubs who has to put up with the 5 year old within me now and again.  He appreciated that I acknowledged my lapse in sanity, as we both know me admitting that I am wrong happens about as often as I take out the trash.

Isn't he a handsome devil?  P.S. Hubs I apologize for sharing this photo, as well as my temper tantrum... Double sorry...

This particular episode really got me thinking as to why we allow the ones we love the most to see us at our very worst?  No one else in the world would have gotten this reaction from me, but poor hubs did.  I bought him lunch and beer to say sorry and thank him for making our home so beautiful (pics to come), but I still feel bad for this one.  Guess we have to remember that we are human and sometimes we throw fits, hopefully whoever is lucky enough to scrape us off the ground is patient and understanding, and hopefully we have already started to apologize.  My bad on this one...

xo

Workout Retail Therapy

"I like my money right where I can see it: hanging in my closet." - Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

If you have read this blog once, you know by now that I am a fan of shopping. If you've read this blog twice, you know by now that I solve most problems with retail therapy. So here's the sitch:

Problem: My morning runs were getting boring and subsequently shorter.
Solution: New running shoes.

New kicks!  Brooks from the San Diego Running Institute

In my crazy behavioral defense, I really, really needed new running shoes. The Etonics I bought almost 2 years prior had had their day(s) in the sun and needed a proper burial. So I decided to pop over to the San Diego Running Institute and replace my old dogs, since I have had such a wonderful experience with them in the past. I walked in wanting to replace my Etonics with the exact same pair I had before, as they were super comfortable and had treated me right for so long.  However, Heather, my friendly shoe fitter, quickly let me know that Etonics had stop making running shoes.  Shocker. They made wonderfully comfortable and functioning shoes that were not cute. I don't care what they say, pretty will always outperform performance talk. Wish they would have consulted with me first, totally could have given their product management team a tip or two.

In love with my new Brooks: the Ravenna 2

Nonetheless Heather helped me into a wonderful pair of Brooks and my feet and I lived happily ever after, running into the sunset. If you are in need of new running shoes and live in San Diego, I HIGHLY suggest you visit the San Diego Running Institute.  If you do not live in San Diego, I apologize, and anyway here are a few tips for finding shoes and running gear best for you.

Glide is a girl's best friend...

Invest in your Sweat

• Go see an expert.   Preferably a small shop that has a knowledgeable staff INVOLVED in the local running community. They really know what you're dealing with out there on the road.  They also tend to have a better selection of performance shoes.
• Tell them if you have achy feet or any uncomfortable ticks when you run.  For example, I have arthritis, sometimes my feet hurt in the morning and I need comfortable support.  Heather knew this and knocked it out of the park with my shoes.
• Don't buy your shoes at Nordstrom.  We all know I love me some Nordstrom, but most of the "running" shoes I have purchased there have performed terribly despite raving reviews from the sales people.  You may as well run in your Jimmy Choos, because that's about how comfortable you will be.
• Have an open mind and SPEND for performance.   I am not patient, but when it comes to running shoes you have to find the perfect fit, because if you get into any sort of distance running, even 3 miles, bad shoes can be a big problem for your feet.  Think about it, you use your feet everyday!  Treat them right and they will do the same.  Don't cheap it with bad shoes that lead to bad knees later on.
• Like shoes, invest in the clothes you plan on running in.  There is nothing worse in the world than chaffing from bad fabrics when you are 4 miles from home and cranky.  As we know, I heart all things lululemon, and I really love the sports bras from Target.  (Comfortable and they tend to carry neon colors, score!)
• RUN in your shoes.  Run around the parking lot or around the store, do some high knees and see how those bad boys really feel.  If it is a good shop, they will have no problem with this test drive.
• Last but not least, possibly buy some glide.  I used to hate running in shorts because I would always chafe regardless of the brand I was wearing.  Test drove some glide on my 5 mile run this weekend and chafing is officially a thing of the past.  Hello tan legs for summer.

Long story long, it pays to be comfortable and supported in your runs and all workouts.  You will want to do it more often, and your body will really thank you for taking such good care of it.  Cost per wear is a terrible place to waste your money or not spend enough...  xo

Happy running!

healthy happy hour

The first cup is for the guest, the second for enjoyment, the third for the sword. - An old Arabic saying on coffee

That's right, pourin' one out for my homies this morning. Funny story. After my run and while making a morning protein-a-cinno, I checked Facebook while the blender mixed up my treat.  I found Facebook chat was open, which is odd as I never have it turned on, probably some Facebook software upgrade so I have to go re-do my settings again...

My favorite mug of all time, purchased at Vernazza in the Cinque Terre

To my delight, an old friend from Italia, Giovanni who speaks zero English, messaged me to come back to Parma and visit his cafe for a delicious cappuccino. Me speaking only a bit of Italian, and babble fish translating the rest, responded with what I think probably read to him in Italian: I go work now. Make coffee for myself. How is you? I miss you a lot. What I wanted to say: Getting ready for work, making some coffee but really missing the coffee from your cafe. I believe it translated awkwardly because he responded with 8,000 kisses emoticons. Whoopsies.

New obsession: love burritos.

Healthy Treats

I personally am a very big fan of treats.  I love snack food and could live off of snacks and never eat an entire meal.  Luckily my Tone It Up plan calls for little meals all day long and I can snack like a king.  It is my gigantic need for good snacks that has inspired today's post.  For quite some time I have been purchasing Kale snack chips from Whole Foods, but they are usually like $100 for one small pack (okay maybe $7.50 but still) so I was beyond delighted to find a kale chip recipe in my Tone It Up plan! 

Kale all dressed up, and in the oven we go.

I heart kale by the by.  I could eat it everyday and I actually probably do.  Yesterday I was in need of a snack to hold me over between lunch and dinner and decided to give baked kale chips a try.  I strayed from the TIU recipe just a bit and here is what I created:

Kale Cayenne in my Belly Chips:

• 1 1/2 cups of fresh kale (torn into "chip pieces")
• 1 Tbsp. of drizzle olive oil (probably could use 1/2 Tbsp., this was too much)
• A few shakes of cayenne pepper
• A few shakes of onion powder
• A few shakes of cumin
• A few pinches of Sea Salt
• Juice of 1 lime

Lined a baking sheet with foil and baked for 15 minutes.

Mmmm baked deliciousness! 

Nosh away I did! The verdict: I think I have found my new favorite snack, though next time I will definitely use less olive oil. And I am dying for a dehydrator because I think they would taste even mo bettah!

Very much not on the TIU plan: Carne Asada Tots (luckily I don't eat meat and was not tempted)

Did I mention I met my slo-pitch team before our game last night to watch the NBA finals?  Surrounded by big hungry men they ordered no less than 4 trays of Carne Asada Tots!  I am a vegetarian and sat happily full with kale chips in my belly, and a veggie patty on the way. Though I may have picked at one tot on the edge that never touched the meat...  Just one.  I also enjoyed a pear cider, just 2... 2 too many....  All the sugar from the 2 ciders really did not sit well with me and I did not wake up too happy this morning. 

Summa Summa Summa Time: Healthy Happy Hour Drinks!

My RA rattles every now and again when I eat things like sugar and basically anything white, so I was a bit achy this morning.  From my achy breaky bones, I started dreaming of healthy summer delights and so I thought I'd share my favs with you to wrap it all up!  I'd probably prefer to make every single recipe from the Fashionably Bombed girls, but their drinks tend to have a lot of sugar which does not sit well with me.  Not to mention is a leading culprit in hangovers!  So here are a few of my favorite summer healthy happy hour recipes!  Share 'em, enjoy 'em and love 'em in moderation.  xo

My best beezy whom we share the exact same tastes in food and cocktails and life!

Beezy Breezies

• 1 Shot Vodka
• 4 oz Water
• 1/2 Lime
• 70 calories of delish. P.S. These can get you quick, so probably just a couple and take it slow.

Grapefruit Drank Drank

• Juice of 2 Grapefruits (makes about 1 cup)
• 1 shot vodka
• 163 calories of refreshing deliciousness, and the best cocktail to escape the warm weather.

P.S. Got any healthy happy hour recipes? ALWAYS in need of more!