Five Great Gifts for the Runner in Your Life!

Here's a list of some great gifts for the runner in your life...birthday, Christmas, house warmings, to celebrate a major race, etc.  Show them just how proud of them you are! 

1.  For the Boston Qualifier in your life (or for the runner on their way to that BQ) The UnCommon Green makes pint glasses and wine glasses that display the Boston Marathon route.  What a great memory of the race or as a way to celebrate where they are headed in April!  http://www.theuncommongreen.com/collections/street-maps-glassware/products/boston-strong-marathon-map-pint  My husband loves the one I gifted him! 

2.  A gift card to their favorite local running store.  Allows them to pick out their own gift while supporting local business and who doesn't love that?

3.  A race entry, a running club membership in their area (ours is only $40 per year for unlimited racing, what runner wouldn't love that???) 

4.  Ask them for their bib after a memorable race and create personalized DIY coasters! Or from a high resolution photo from their race, recreate their bib to then modge podge onto the coaster. 

5.  Runner's World Iron Strength or Yoga for Runners DVDs.  Help your runner stay strong and flexible in the off-season! 

Product Review: Minted Christmas Cards

I have found a great site www.minted.com "The Marketplace of Independent Artists" to get our cards from this year.  One huge draw for me was that each design was created by a unique artist.  The next was that I could chose the recycled paper.  And yet another was the huge time saver of free beautiful recipient addressing! 

FREE RECIPIENT ADDRESS PRINTING

Save time and let us address your card envelopes for you

• We'll print recipient addresses on your envelopes
• Included at no additional charge when you order holiday cards.

If you are artsy, you can also submit your own designs to them and they may choose yours to post on the website!  So cool! 

 

They also sell really neat art and graphic prints as well as unique fabrics! 

 

I can't wait to get mine in the mail.  When they come in, I will let you know my thoughts once they are in hand.  If you order, use this referral link for $25 towards your first purchase of $50 or more: http://www.minted.com/referral/landing/8yme6f

Chocolate Protein Mint Smoothie (Vegan)

Not pictured: baby spinach and organic soy milk

The little was craving "minty pie" today and I created the next best thing!  Chocolate Mint Protein Smoothie!  It's Vegan! 

 

2 cups organic soy milk or other non dairy milk,

2tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder,

a dash of peppermint extract,

1 scoop of chocolate quinoa and oat protein,

1 handful of baby spinach

1 tbsp of chia seeds. 

Blend and enjoy! 

 

Don't let sit too long as chia seeds will gel up. 

 

Still time to win this protein powder on my blog.  #contest ends this weekend!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Nuun Hydration Review

I love my Marine Corps Marathon bottle!

I am a huge Nuun hydration fan!  I like the product, the company and how they support runners.  

 

I prefer Nuun over other sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade that can upset my stomach.  Nuun doesn't do that.  

Nuun comes in a tube with tablets that you drop into your water bottle.  It lightly fizzes up and mixes itself into your water, unlike some mixes that require a good shaking.  It is low calorie and sugar free.  So, just know that if you're participating in intense exercises lasting more than 60 to 90 minutes, you should consume carbohydrates to ensure energy levels for working muscles. But how you do that is up to you. Everyone manages energy consumption differently, whether it’s with sports bars, gel or other sources of calories and carbohydrates.

 

 

I love that Nuun creates a race specific water bottle for many of the big races!  I have the Marine Corps Marathon (pictured), Nike Women's SF, Nike Women's DC and the plan is to acquire the Boston Marathon and NYC Marathon bottles in the future!  

Nuun tasting station at the Marine Corps Marathon Expo

Thanks for the great flavors Nuun and BibRavePro

Nuun comes in many flavors and you are bound to find one you like.  Nuun Active Hydration comes in 12 flavors: Orange, Lemon Lime, Strawberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Kona Cola, Lemon Tea, Tri-Berry, Grape, Tropical, Citrus Fruit, Watermelon, and Lemonade.  At many expos, they have a tasting station.  My favorite is citrus. 

U Natural Hydration is newer and I have yet to try.  It comes in 4 flavors: Cucumber Mint, Goji Berry Green Tea, Tangerine Ginger, and Lemon Chai.

Nuun All Day comes in 4 flavors: Grapefruit Orange, Tangerine Lime, Blueberry Pomegranate, and Grape Raspberry.  I have only tried the Blueberry Pom and it is really good! 

Since Nuun is my preferred method of hydration, I jump for joy when it is served on course at races such as the Nike Women's Half Marathon!  :-). 

Thanks to BibRave for providing me with some Nuun to review!  I loved it anyway and so happy to have more! 

Flip Belt Review

I was sent a FlipBelt through the BibRave Pro program to test out on some of my runs.  To be honest, I never saw myself as a running belt person.  I got a hydration belt and ran with it a few times but never felt truly comfortable.  I didn't have high hopes for the FlipBelt, but I will give anything a try.  First, it claims it does not bounce....I just couldn't believe this one would be true. 



Stretching with my FlipBelt still securely in place

I took it out for a run on a cool November day and put my phone and house key in the pockets.  Sometimes I want to run with my phone so I have it for emergencies or for pictures.  I have a bra by Lululemon that I usually put my phone in, but that causes unslightly square boob photos! 
The belt can be worn over or under your shirt.  I chose over since my shirt was so form fitting. 

I was very pleasantly surprised by the FlipBelt.  When I got home my husband asked how it went and I answered, "Great!"  Now he wants one for himself, but is well aware that mine in size XS will probably not work out well for him.  The belt comes in multiple sizes so that it fits snug and doesn't bounce.  (It also comes in multiple colors too, but I chose the traditional black).    I think I will be getting one for my husband for Christmas!  At races, he likes to have his phone so that we can touch base and meet up afterwards.  He also likes to have it for photos because he is the Selfie King! 

I would recommend the FlipBelt for anyone who is looking for a way to carry their phone, key, money, metro card, etc. Things that won't fit/work in traditional pockets and they want to avoid bounce which can ruin a good run. 

SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIES TO STAY ON TRACK DURING THE HOLIDAYS-November Smoothie Challenge

I love smoothies because of how quickly they can be pulled together with great, healthy ingredients.  I also like to balance smoothies and juices because smoothies hold more of the fiber, which is important too!  I am participating in the “Puritan’s Pride Smoothie” program and over the next few months will be sharing smoothies that I drink, recipes and great product giveaways to create your own super-food smoothies! 

 

October's theme was all things pumpkin!  You can check out my post here. 

 

This month,

November's theme is Cleansing/Belly Soother Smoothies.  The holiday season is upon us and just in time for month two of the Puritan’s Pride Superfood Smoothie challenge. It’s easy to indulge over the holidays, but, as you’ll see from these recipe ideas, it’s just as easy to take care of ourselves when we’ve overdone it. That’s why I’m excited to share November’s Superfood Smoothie recipe ideas with you. The focus is on cleansing and soothing, so we can enjoy every minute of the season ahead.

I made my smoothie using these ingredients:

Half of an avocado
1 tbsp. of chia seeds
1 large chunk of cut pineapple

2 teaspoons of Eclectic Institute Raw Kale Powder (056836)

1 tablespoon of Puritan’s Pride Psyllium Husk Seed 100% Natural: Psyllium Husk (010992):

2 cups of water

 

Blend together and enjoy.  If you like a sweeter morning juice/smoothie add an additional chunk of pineapple. 

Some other great recipe ideas:

Cleanse Smoothie

Focus ingredient:

Capsicum (cayenne pepper) is an herb that contains antioxidant vitamins A, E and C, B6 and K, making it a very healthful spice. Cayenne pepper my help to aid in digestion, which many people may need after that big holiday meal.

Recipe:

• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 Clementines
• 2 cups of water
• ½ lemon, juiced

Blend all ingredients together and enjoy immediately.

Belly Soother

Focus ingredient:

Mint is an herb that needs more credit. It may help to soothe your digestive system after a few too many bites or sips. Mint also has antioxidants and key nutrients like trace amounts of vitamin A and vitamin C. All the more reason to love this refreshing herb.

Recipe:

• 1 tbsp fresh mint
• ½ cup pineapple (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup coconut milk

Blend all ingredients together and enjoy immediately.

These recipes were developed by Brooke Alpert, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., of B Nutritious and author of The Sugar Detox, who works as a spokesperson for Puritan’s Pride.

Giveaway (over an $80 value!)

Giveaway Time! Puritan’s Pride will ship directly to you if you are the winner  I am so happy with this month's protein giveaway because the protein source of the powder is quinoa and oats!  So cool!  So if  you are avoiding soy and maybe don't like the taste of hemp, here is an alternative for you! 

• All Natural Vegan Protein Chocolate with Quinoa and Oats
• Eclectic Institute Raw Kale Powder (056836) Kale is one of the most nutritious of all vegetables. This powder is made from fresh, whole, raw Kale and custom freeze-dried. Freeze-drying is the best method for preserving the complex chemistry, active enzymes and entire matrix of a plant in its fresh form.
• Alacer Emergen C Immune + With Vitamin D Blueberry-Acai (073348) Supplement provides key nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and a proprietary immune complex with beta glucans.*
• Puritan’s Pride Psyllium Husk Seed 100% Natural: Psyllium Husk (010992) is rich in soluble fiber, to keep your digestive tract moving smoothly.* Fiber naturally slows down digestion, making it possible for your body to absorb more nutrients. Plus, the fiber in Psyllium Husk Seed Powder helps your body eliminate what it doesn’t use, making for a cleaner colon.*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interested in finding out more about Puritan's Pride? 

BLOG: http://blog.puritan.com/

TWITTER: @puritanspride

PINTEREST: http://www.pinterest.com/puritanspride/

INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/puritanspride

YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/PuritansPrideTV

 

What are your favorite smoothie ingredients?  Comment below! 

 

Manitoba Hemp Hearts Review

If you have been following my recipe posts for any length of time, you will know that I love #HempHearts!  These nutty little seeds are packed with protein and Omega 3s, and taste delicious sprinkled on just about everything, from salads to toast, to soup, to smoothies to oatmeal. 

Lunch is served!  Avocado Toast on Ezekial Bread with Hemp Hearts!

 

Want to order your own?  Go to http://manitobaharvest.com/view_category.html Use code HHSweatPink14 for 20% off.  Discount code expires November 30, 2014

I love pumpkin soup with Hemp Hearts!  Recipe here. 

Manitoba Harvest is offering a great giveaway.  Don't miss this (a $50 value!) and it's so easy to enter!

Contest details!

• Manitoba Harvest is also offering a 5 lb bag of Hemp Hearts (yes, 5 LBS) to one lucky winner. 
• To enter to win: get creative in the kitchen, tag @manitobaharvest, #hemphearts, and #sweatpink in your Instagram and/or Twitter post and you'll be automatically entered.
• Anyone is eligible for the contest
• Contest deadline: November 30, 2014

 

Race Report: Women's Health Run 10 Feed 10 NYC

Setting: the beautiful city of New York!

view from our window! 

Wearing my FEED foundation bracelet to breakfast

We arrived in NYC on Fri night from train from DC.  We got up early and had breakfast in Central Park and went for a run.  

Love running in Central Park

We headed over to City Sports at Rockefeller Center for packet pickup.  My bib was at the VIP table...I felt very important!

 

My pic made Women's Health Magazines instagram feed!

 

The Race:  We started at Hudson River Park at Pier 84.  I headed down there with my husband and daughter.  They had registered to run as well, with the stroller.  I went to the bathroom quickly and then headed to the Panasonic Tent to get hooked up with the video camera I would wear for the race to film footage for Panasonic and Women's Health Magazine. 

 

The course was an out and back along the East Highway and we would have had really great views, but it was quite foggy that day. 

 

The Finish Line Festival:  Tents were set up giving away all sorts of free things, yoga mats, towels, hair ties, Women's Health Magazines, etc.  Seiko was there raffling off watches and Lincoln Motor Co. was giving away yoga mats.  There was a stage with music and dancing, and later some yoga/stretching.  I stopped by the Panasonic tent to get a make up refresh...normally I don't look good after finishing a 10k!

Afterwards, I headed over to the VIP tent for some pictures and post-race refreshments. 

Action Heroes meet up post race at the VIP tent!

 

Then we used the afternoon to sightsee and walk the city.  I love New York!  This race really sealed the deal that I wanted to run the New York City Marathon one day!  Thanks Women's Health Magazine for this amazing opportunity.   I would definitely run this one again....great city, great cause!  I love that by running 10k, I provided 10 meals.  Hunger is a solvable problem.