Thursday, May 22, 2014

Vega Sport Bars Review

Well I thought I would dust off my blog after a 9-month hiatus.  And what better topic to write about than Vega Sport bars.  I know what you're thinking, "Oh yeah, another bar".  You've already tried 300 different kinds, protein, fiber, cricket powder, they're all the same, they taste like cardboard, etc. etc.  I thought the same thing.  But Vega bars are different.  First, they are vegan. Secondly, they taste amazing!  Think chewy, moist brownie.  I had the pleasure of trying the chocolate coconut almond flavor.  Yum!!! Truth be told, I only got one out of the entire box of 12.  My volleyball-playing, just-discovered running daughter ate the rest.  "Mom, can we get more of these" Vega Sport bars are great for refueling after a workout or as a healthy snack when you're a busy on-the-go Mom like me!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Kona Kase Review

Runners and fitness enthusiasts:  Do you ever spot a new tasty-looking snack at the store and think "I'd love to try it but what if I don't like it?"  Or maybe you never even knew that healthy snack existed?  Wouldn't it be cool to get a handy little box each month of the latest and greatest healthy eats? I know! If you haven't tried it, check out Kona Kase!

Sample Kona Kase




My July Kona Kase came fully-loaded with these yummy things:

Perky Jerky

Perky Jerky is an all natural, premium jerky that is unlike any other!  It's made with a seven ingredient marinade, which includes Guarana.  It is low fat, low carb, and high protein without any preservatives, nitrites or added MSG.  It's great for a quick pre-game boost or a mid-mountain hike snack.  Satisfying and portable, it's the perfect fuel for whatever it is that you do!  perkyjerky.com

Enjoy Life

Salty, sweet and crunchy, Enjoy Life's Seed and Fruit mix is great for on the trail or on the go!  This portable protein-packed snack features a blend of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and dried fruit!  Enjoy Life's products are always Gluten Free and free from the top 8 allergens.  The Seed and Fruit mix is also verified Non-GMO and Vegan! 

Pro Bar

Bolt organic chews step up your game right when you need it.  They're loaded with electrolytes, B vitamins, antioxidants and complex carbs that last through the home stretch of a long workout.

Health Warrior

Health Warrior Chia Bars are the best way to "Chia" on-the-go.  The ultimate superfood, Chia has more omega-3's than salmon, more fiber than oatmeal and loaded with antioxidants and plant-based protein.  Each bar has 100 calories, and just 5g of sugar, perfect for a snack or a pre-workout energy boost.  www.healthwarrior.com

Barbara Llewellyn Granola

Enjoy artisan granola at its best from the kitchen of award-winning California caterer, Barbara Llewellyn.  Rolled oats, sliced almonds, sesame and pumpkin seeds, honey sweetened and spiced for the perfect breakfast treat or snack to keep you going throughout the day, on the trail or at the office. 

Caveman Cookies

Caveman Cookies are just like your great, great, great, great...great-grandmother used to make!  Made with simple ingredients (just honey, nuts and berries!), they are all natural, grain-free, dairy-free, preservative-free, naturally sweetened, delicious, and make a great post workout snack!

Garuka Bars

Garuka Bars is named for one of the few remaining mountain gorilla ranging the volcanic forests of the Virunga Massif in Rwanda.  Garuka needs protection and you need all-natural energy.  We're working on both.  Our bars are packed full of simple, wholesome ingredients, and a percentage of each sale goes toward gorilla conservation. 

Body Glove Surge Gel

NEW Body Glove SURGE is an energy gel that delivers rapid and sustained natural energy and is incredibly easy to use whether you're in the water, on a bike, or runner.  Each gel contains 150mg of caffeine. 


Sounds tempting doesn't it!  Imagine a different box, each month stocked with goodies like these!
Just $15 a month with free shipping!  Cancel anytime.



Check it out at: www.konakase.com and use code: GiftSummer to get $5 off Month 1


Thursday, July 11, 2013

Marathon Training Take 2

Things I learned from my marathon training:

1.  Never change things up on race day.  Advice I give to other runners and didn't take myself.  For example, I trained with Jelly Belly Sport Beans and had them with me on race day.  But out on the course, they had gummy bears.  Easy.  I'll just grab them and eat them.  Note: Sport Beans and gummy bears are SO not the same thing. 

2.  You can keep going even when you really, really don't want to.  When giving up is so very tempting, when you're 21 miles in, there is no other option but to keep going. 

3.  There is no such thing as too many porta-potties on the race course.

4.  You really learn a lot about yourself when you're running 18-20 miles at a time.  Just you and the road.


Saturday, March 23, 2013

Racecation

Ahh...a racecation.  Who doesn't love to run while they're on vacation?  Ok, some people do just the opposite, but not me.  I can't imagine a more fun way to spend my days away then running.  Especially a race.  I just signed up for my 2nd marathon, who knew I'd ever run one 26.2, let alone multiple?  But that's another blog post.


Back to my racecation.  It's not Fiji, it's not Hawaii, it's not Jamaica.  It's not all that tropical at all.  It's Portland.  Yes, Oregon. They have the 10th largest marathon you know. Super excited to be sharing the road with 10,000+ other runners with mountain views and historic scenery along the way.  So what if my trip will be planned around the pasta dinner, the expo and swapping hydration tactics with fellow runners?  To me it's the perfect scenario.  A long weekend away from home and some new bling to wear home on the plane.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

CORE Foods Review

Hello fellow fitness lovers!

I'm so excited to write this blog and review a really great product!

Let me give you a little background on CORE Foods, in case you've never heard of them.

On a quest to get to the bottom of human nutrition, our founder Corey Rennell trained with elite athletes, researched the biology of food and lived with 12 tribes from around the world. Remarkably, he discovered the most profound and consistent things we know about nutrition are REALLY SIMPLE. At CORE, we apply this enduring wisdom to make convenient, healthy, food. Inspired by the inherent reciprocity of the traditional people Corey lived with, CORE Foods is anot-for-profit B Corporation, with 100% of profit being reinvested in food, community, and the planet. We believe that healthy food is a human right and we strive to separate food from profit in the way we do business.




Core Meals are 7 simple ingredients.  Whole foods.  Organic.

Let me start out by saying, I'm kind of a picky eater.  Well, that's what other people call me, I like to refer to myself as a "selective eater".  While I can't say I never eat junk food, the bulk of what I eat is nutritious, healthy stuff.  I'm a big label reader and a huge organic lover.  It wasn't hard to be on-board with CORE foods when given the opportunity to review their products.

I received three bars and since they're perishable, I immediately stuck them in the freezer.  One of the biggest dilemmas for me was, When do I eat CORE meals?  Is it a meal or is it a snack?  These are actually meant to be a portable meal.  Take it out of the freezer, let thaw for 10 minutes and enjoy!  Always enjoy CORE meals with two glasses of water.  This is key.

My first impression was, okay, this is gonna be like every other 'granola bar' I've tried.  Trust me, it's not.  And isn't even in that category at all.  I tasted freshness, wholesomeness, rich flavor.  Not a processed taste you get from most bars.  This is the real deal.  Their flavors include Raw Walnut Banana, Raw Cashew Cacao and Raw Almond Raisin.  Very tasty.



The bottom line:

As a fitness enthusiast, long-distance runner and vegetarian, I'm always looking for healthy refueling options.  CORE meals will be a go-to for me after long runs, when I'm on the go and need a quick meal and maybe in the future as a pre-workout fueling option.  Good quality speaks for itself.

"LIKE" CORE Foods on Facebook and receive a $5 coupon and a chance to win FREE CORE Meals 

http://www.facebook.com/COREfoods/app_143103275748075

Stay fit friends!






Sunday, February 10, 2013

Winter Running Woes

I live in Wisconsin.  I know a thing or two about winter running.  Running in the winter for most people, myself included, is more about maintaining than about training.  Not only are there not many races in the Midwest this time of year, it's hard to find your groove when you're dodging slush piles, melted snow puddles, black ice and of course non-attentive drivers.

It's no secret, I hate the dreadmill.  Running indoors in the winter simply is just not an option for me.  That's not to say I don't ever do it.  If it's been a couple of days since I've got a run in and now there's black ice, I will put myself through the torture known as indoor running.  You just can't beat that feeling of the fresh air, the road and you.  In fact, the other day when the ice finally melted and 75% of the street was actually dry, I was overcome with the urge to just get out there and run on it. I could have went an ENTIRE mile with no frozen precip in my way. Glorious!

But for now, I'll take the layers, the claw mittens, the sloppy slush and the frosty air.  Training season is almost upon us!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Liebster Award Nomination

So excited to be nominated for a Liebster Award!  I know you're wondering what a Liebster is right?  Liebster is the German word meaning, "beloved" or "dearest".  So of course, I'm honored!  Thanks to Lindsay at Sweets n Sweat for nominating me!

This award comes with a few rules:

1.  Write 11 random facts about  yourself.
2.  Answer the 11 questions by the person who nominated you.
3.  Create 11 new questions.
4.  Nominate 11 bloggers and mention them in your post.
5.  Thank the person that nominated you and tell the people you've nominated.

11 Random Facts About Me:

  • I was in the National Guard for 9 years.
  • I can sing the alphabet backwards.
  • I can't stand the feeling of wet wood.
  • I love all things 80s!
  • I love reading about the Holocaust and the Westward Journey.
  • I was in the high school colorguard.
  • I know lots of useless trivia!
  • I don't eat meat.
  • I wish I was a sign language interpreter.
  • I have a sweet tooth!
And Lindsay wants to know:

My favorite breakfast: Whole-grain waffle with almond butter and a banana.

My favorite workout: Running.  Hands down.

Do I workout in the morning?  You bet I do!

My favorite restaurant: I'm a big Panera fan!

Favorite thing to buy myself: Running clothes and running shoes!

Mani or Pedi?: Mani!

Pony or Braid: Pony!

Favorite show as a kid: You Can't do that on Television!

Favorite actor: Topher Grace

Do you watch the news?: Not often

Do you blog on your phone or the computer?: Usually the computer.

My 11 questions:

1.  Who is  your biggest fitness influence?
2.  Yoga or Pilates?
3.  Favorite candy?
4.  HGTV or DIY Network?
5.  Favorite snack?
6.  Rainbow Brite or Strawberry Shortcake?
7.  Do you have a tattoo?
8.  How old were you when you got your ears pierced?
9.  One food you would never give up, ever.
10.  Favorite book?
11.  How many pairs of flip-flops do you own?

My nominations are: