Product Review: Addaday Stick

Thanks to BibRave for sending me a stick to try out.  I was able to use it last night to try and roll out my sore muscles from my very hilly runs, yoga and lunges! 

 

I am so pleased with the Addaday Stick!  It is so much better than my old roller!  It feels so good.

 

 

Here is a quick comparison of my old rolling stick and the addaday side by side.  You tell the addaday is going to do a better job just by looking at it. 

 

Thanks to BibRave and Addaday for providing me with the product to test! 

2014 in Review and Setting Goals for 2015

It's funny....I was just reading my Recap of my running year 2013.  It's always fun to relive those memories.  At the bottom of the post, I outlined my goals for 2014.  


"What will 2014 bring?  I'm thinking another full marathon, getting my personal training certification, my RRCA Running Coach certification and my health coach certification.  I have my fingers crossed to be chosen as a Lululemon ambassador, a Zooma Ambassador and being chosen for Nuun Hydrations Hood to Coast Relay Team!" 


I accomplished some of those goals, but not others.  Honestly some I had sort of forgotten about....and some to be honest...I was probably a bit ambitious.  I don't have all that time!


Running another Full Marathon: CHECK!  I ran Marine Corps Marathon again....and really wanted to break up with the marathon at the finish line.  Read about it here. 

Getting my personal training certification: STILL ON THE BACKBURNER


Getting my Health Coach Certification: STILL ON THE BACKBURNER


Becoming a Lululemon Ambassador: SOMEDAY!  Hoping and wishing on that one!  As a spin instructor, I would love to have my picture up on the wall of my local Lululemon! 


Being as a Zooma Run Ambassador: CHECK!  I was chosen and ran the Zooma Annapolis 10k and Half Marathon. 

Being chosen for Nuun's HTC Team: CHECK...SORT OF.  I was chosen as part of Team Nuun, which I may then be able to run HTC for Nuun! 

Getting my RRCA Run Coach Certification: Coming up in April 2015!  Wahoo! 


But also completed a goal that wasn't on that list....I completed my very first triathlon!  At the Nations Triathlon here in DC.  You can read all about it here.  I finished 1st in my Age Group and it qualified me for the Age Group Nationals this summer in WI. 

What are my goals for 2015?


I want to run another full marathon (or two!).  I definitely want to go sub 4:00 as my initial goal and then run a 3:35 to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  Heck, my hubby did it...I can do it too!


I want to attend yoga once a week.


I want to incorporate more strength training.  This used to be a larger priority for me, but it let it slide in 2014.  2015 will be the year of strong!  I feel like such a stronger runner when I focus on weight training!


Let's see what 2015 will bring!  What are your goals?

MOCKTAIL SMOOTHIES: A HEALTHY HOLIDAY JUMP-START

Thanks again to Puritan's Pride for another wonderful month of the smoothie challenge! 

The little was craving "minty pie" 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!   

I want to share with you all of these great goodies to make your last chapter of 2014 a healthy one! 

This month's giveaway will include:

Puritan’s Pride All Natural All Natural Vegan Protein Chocolate with Quinoa and Oats (054825) - I use this all the time.  So neat that it is vegan and perfect for those avoiding soy! 

Lehi Valley Natural Ginger: Natural ginger is from the ginger root and is perfect as a spicy snack (which my daughter and I love to do!), place in a cup of tea, or an ingredient in cooking and baking. Dried naturally with a unique combination of sweet, spicy, moist and chewy.

Dynamic Health Pomegranate Juice Concentrate: Convenient, delicious way to obtain the beneficial compounds in pomegranate fruit.  I add a splash to seltzer water for a delicious and nutritious pom spritzer! 

 

Vanns Peppermint Flavor Extract: Few flavors are as distinctly tantalizing as the cool, minty vibrancy of Peppermint Extract. Use in cake, cookies, frosting and smoothies (like the one above)!

 

Puritan’s Pride Vitamin C Crystals: Supports antioxidant health and immune system function.* Vitamin C Crystals are specially designed for people who cannot take tablets or capsules.

 

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

This post is sponsored by Puritan’s Pride; opinions expressed are my own.

 

Recipe: Veggie Chili

Southwestern Corn and White Bean Chili
from Monica at www.healthyliving-happylife.com
adapted from a 1990s recipe in “Vegetarian Times” Magazine.

Makes 6 servings.  Total cook time is about 30 minutes.

1 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 peppers, red and green, seeded and diced
1 medium zucchini, diced
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 cups freshly roasted or frozen corn kernals (I used Whole Foods organic roasted frozen corn)
15 ounces of white kidney (cannellini) beans if canned then rinse and drain
28 ounces of crushed tomatoes (I used Tuttorosso canned)
4 Tbsp. fresh parsley
2 tsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

Heat the oil in a large saucepan.  Add the onion, peppers, zucchini and garlic.  Cook over medium heat until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally for about 8-10 minutes.  Stir in corn, crushed and stewed tomatoes, beans, and spices.  Bring to a simmer.  Cook uncovered over low heat, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in the cilantro.  Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

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!  

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