These are a few of my favorite things...

Since Oprah is off the air and her replacement, Ellen Degeneres (an upgrade if you ask me) is yet to air an episode of "her favorite things" I figured I'd play celeb for a post and tell you about the trivial things that i'm convinced I can't live without!

1. My Keurig

My life has changed for the better since Santa pulled this one out of his magic bag of tricks and plopped it under my Christmas tree. If you don't have one, get one and if you already have one then you probably understand why I could go on and on about how awesome these things are! Hop out of bed, push a button and you've got a steamy cup of hazelnut flavored energy waiting to make your Monday a little less manic.

2. Lululemon Yoga Pants

I'm not kidding when I say once you go lulu, you never go back. I made the mistake of purchasing these pricey pants and now i'm hooked. If you want to make your somewhat flabby ass look like it's been sculpted by the greek gods then either start doing lunges now or keep sitting on your at your computer and check out their site! Even better, go to a store and try them on! Whether you're rocking some long gams or short little stumps, they'll hem your plants for free + the $100 hard earned dollars you're already paying for them!

3. My New Running Sneaks! 

Although a new pair of kicks is a total pain in the ass to break in something in likes to think that people tend to give me a double-take when my feet are fresh n' clean...even if they're just starring at my feet, I'll take it! My shoe of choice is Asics GT 2100 Series and I just bought a pair in hot pink! Look good, feel good, be good! 

4. Women's Health Magazine

I've been obsessed with magazines since I realized they had the ability to keep me on the stationary bike for a whole half hour! Women's Health is my absolute fave because the writers are witty yet informative, can't beat that! Loaded with tips about nutrition, fitness and sexy secrets pick one up on the way to the gym and run your little butt off! 

5. Sony Noise-Cancelling Headphones 

When i'm trying to go to sleep early because I'm a total grandma and there's pretty much a party right outside my window I like to stick these little guys in for instant quiet time. Not the best for running in since they fall out easily, but they work fine for working out at the gym or studying! Get Em

6. Goetze's Caramel Cream Candies 

When I was a little nugget, my grandpa had a candy jar filled with his two favorite candies (these and hershey's with almonds). Since his house was a junk food free zone (besides the candy obviously) our snack options were a handful of oyster crackers or sneaking into his candy jar and stealing a few of these guys- guess which one I picked! 

7. Essie Nail Polish 

I am obsessed with painting my nails. Seriously. I can't have my nails and my toenails be mismatched and I like to switch things up at least once a week in the color department. After plenty of experimenting with different brands I have come to the conclusion that Essie is the best all around. It's not too thick so drying time is shortened, the colors are awesome and they're constantly coming out with new ones, and 2 coats can easily last you 4 days without chipping! If you don't believe me, try it for yourself! I have found that Target usually has the best color selections! 

Ab Work!

Anyone else totally envious of this girl? I'm with ya! I certainly wouldn't mind peeling her abs off and putting them on my body. If there's one thing I lack it's strength, and this girl looks pretty darn strong!

So here's my own personal challenge for myself: Be stronger 

My plan of attack: more core and upper body work 

When I ran cross country in high school (the peak of my running career thus far) we did tons of core work and hit the weight room on the regular. When you've got a strong core and upper body, you have to rely less on your legs to push you through your workouts. The following is my favorite ab routine that can easily be done in the comfort of your dorm/apartment! 

7-minute abs 

1 minute of regular crunches 

1 minute of plank

1 minute of "penguin crunches"

1 minute of regular crunches 

1 minute of plank 

1 minute of "penguin crunches"

1 minute of regular crunches 

Regular Crunch

Plank

"Penguin Crunches"

#HALLOWCOMING Recap

This year at UNH, the administration came up with the bright idea to pack two of the craziest party weekends into 1. Nicknamed, "hallowcoming" on Twitter by @Prezhuddleston, and tweeted about from the moment it was announced, the kids at UNH were anticipating nothing less than the craziest weekend of their life, and (good or bad) I think it's safe to say that #hallowcoming lived up to it's wild expectations.

 Now that the weekend of craziness has come to a close I think it's only fair to recognize some of the best (and the worst) parts. First let me start by giving you a weekend line-up of activities. People began getting into the halloween spirit on Wednesday night with a shmorg of creepy eat and halloween treats by UNH dining. There were a few interesting characters who thought it would be fun to dress up for this night making dinner all the more entertaining for those of us who didn't. Although I spent the night catching up on homework the following "thirsty Thursday", I could tell by the yelling and screaming outside my dorm that some people made it out to celebrate the beginning of the weekend. Friday was the parade and BBQ, followed by a night spent by most wandering around in skimpy costumes looking for the best party. Saturday morning kids and alumni alike dragged themselves out of bed to kick off the football tail gate. If you're convinced that drinking cheap beer and dancing around in the mud can't be fun, you're very wrong. It seemed to me like everyone was having the time of their lives preparing for the football game they probably didn't make it too, scroll down for some hard evidence. UNH also played a game of basketball where they were handing out free t-shirts to the dedicated fans that resisted taking a nap to cheer on their team. Finally was the hockey game, an interesting event to say the least. In case you missed the BLIZZARD that hit New England Saturday night, it set the mood and dimmed the lights for pretty much everyone from Connecticut to New Hampshire! The hockey game went pitch black a few times but the fans held their ground for the half hour game delay to watch the wildcats claim a W. If you think a little snow was going to stop college kids from dressing up half naked and running around Durham, you're sadly mistaken. Power out, party on nothing was stopping the dedicated cats and police officers from strutting their stuff on the dance floor. Thank God I was dressed as Princess Leia, equipped with my turtleneck and earmuff buns! The power is back on in the dorms, but the rest of Durham is left in the dark hoping that classes will be cancelled and we all have one more day to recover from the #hallowcoming festivities.

Wednesday Inspiration

I always enjoy a good body-love ad from Nike! Here's my favorite:

Brussel Sprouts TO DIE FOR!

I'm going to be straight forward and honest about one thing, I HATE BRUSSEL SPROUTS! 

But seriously, that all changed after I tried this recipe in the cooking class I'm taking at school. Knucks and High-fives to Amy Winans for completely doing a 360 on my opinion of the mini cabbage devils! Cook these for yourself, your friends or your family and I promise their brussel hate will be changed forever!

Braised Brussels Sprouts

Yield 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

1 pound                         Brussels sprouts

2 each                                    shallots, minced

1 tablespoon                         vegetable oil

2 tablespoons                         cider vinegar

2 tablespoons                        cider

1 tablespoon                         butter

2 tablespoons                        maple syrup

To taste                        sea salt and fresh ground black pepper

Directions:

            Blanch

1.     Bring a large sauce pan of salted water to a boil.

2.     While the water is heating, trim Brussels sprouts (remove outer spotty or wilted layer) and cut each sprout in half.

3.     Blanch cut Brussels sprouts in boiling salted water for approximately 5 minutes, or until done.

4.     Drain and sauté immediately (see directions below) or shock in cold water to hold.

Sauté

5.     Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat.

6.     Add the oil then the shallots and season with salt and pepper.

7.     Sweat the shallots until they are translucent, not brown.

8.      Add the Brussels sprout and sauté approximately five minutes or until they are warmed through; stir occasionally.

9.     Add vinegar and cider and let the liquid reduce by two thirds. 

10.  Remove from heat and add butter, salt and pepper.

11.  Drizzle with maple syrup.

12.  Serve immediately.

           

Fall Favorites!

Winter needs to GET OUT. Fall is my favorite month of the year and I'm really not looking forward to the frigid temps that winter brings. It's already November! Can you believe it? Pretty soon it's going to be out with the t-shirts and in with the mittens and scarfs!

Here's a totally nerdy post about everything that makes fall so awesome!

1. Piping hot, hot cocoa. 
After a summer of iced coffee there's no better feeling than making the switch to hot beverages. I love 'em all; hot tea, hot coffee and my true fave, hot cocoa.

Yumm-O!

2. Apple picking. 

Pretty bummed that the first snow already came and I didn't even make it to the apple orchard! Thankfully, momma dukes hooked her little girl up with some Brookfield Farm yummies! There's really nothing like a crisp fall apple especially when you've been stuck eating crappy, cheap dining hall apples for the past few months! 

How do you like them apples?

3. Pretty Scenery 

Even though New England loves to throw us some serious weather curve-balls, I think all it's residents forget about all the weather misery once the leaves start changing colors. You really can't beat the scenery here! People travel from all over to catch a glimpse of the chameleon leaves and yet we take it for granted every year. I can't even imagine how weird it must be living in Florida during the fall, those palm trees just don't match up...

4. Football 

Nothing screams fall time like a plate of chicken wings and a Pats game! Football games are a part of fall and regardless of if you're watching the game from your living room or on scene. I'm not even really sure if I actually like the sport of football but being among a bunch of crazed fans chanting and screaming makes it a favorite fall activity! 

P.S. Did I mention my cousin Jill is a Pat's cheerleader?

5. Bundling up!

I really hate working out in the heat and fall means the end of heat strokes keeping me inside! Lookout for me out there on the streets because i'm sure to be jogging around now that cooler weather is here! I love bundling up and heading out for a jog on a cool fall day! 

My sexy old XC teams! RIP

Tuesday Inspiration

Never take your abilities for granted. Ever. 

Sweet Feet!

Recently I've been on the market for a new pair of running sneaks since I've had mine since high school and they left me with a bloody heel on a recent Sunday run.

Cold, hard evidence that it was time for a new pair!

There's some pretty basic rules about running shoes and how many miles are appropriate for your average pair. Since running shoes are designed to do a specific job (keep you running your best, obviously!) once they stop doing that it's time for a change! 

Allow milage to be your first guideline. 
A basic rule of thumb is that you should replace your sneaks every 300-400 miles. Running shoes help absorb impact from your feet striking the ground as well as cushion your feet in a way that will inhibit over pronation or under pronation. As miles build, this cushioning deteriorates and your shoes become much less effective in controlling pronation.

Consider body weight as a factor. 
Since force is a unit of weight over area it can be assumed that a heavier runner will be exerting more force on their shoes, meaning that they may want to look into replacing them sooner. If you are on the heavier side consider replacing your shoes more near the 300 mark than the 400 one.

Where are you running?
Those who run primarily on trails are causing much more stress on their feet because of the variation of terrain. Replace sooner if you're a trail runner than if you stick strictly to pavement.

Check for signs of wear and tear. 
Turn your current shoes over and take a look at the soles. If you're once black soles are now white, it's time to head over to your local running store for something new. If one side is more worn than the other, the same rule applies. This signifies that the angle which your foot hits the ground is not centered and needs to be assessed by a professional for correction.

How do you feel? 
Achy joints? Shin splints? You can probably solve your problems with some new kicks. Test out your shoes by twisting them in half. If they fold easily without much force then it's time to upgrade. Also look for creases in the middle of the sole. The middle of the sole receives the most impact and creases and lines mean that they are beginning to give in- sorta like your knees might do if you don't replace!

So how the hell are you supposed to pick the best pair? I always recommend going to a running-specific store. The employees at these stores are trained professionals who know how to diagnose pronation problems and have probably tested a few pairs themselves. Don't be afraid to take a few laps around the store. A good pair of trainers can be expensive and you certainly don't want to be throwing down a hundred bucks for a pair that will give you blisters the size of Texas!

If it's not broke, don't fix it.
I've worn the same pair of shoes since high-school (with the occasional update). Yes, I've tested different brands here and there but never found a pair that matched up to my favorite: Asics 2100 Series. So if you find a pair that works for you and your feet, don't jump the gun on testing the hottest running shoe trend. Chances are, nothing will compare to a trusty pair of your favorites.

Out with the old...

In with the new!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

After the freaky snow storm on Saturday night took out the power for most of New England and made for  a messy halloween weekend. Innocent pumpkins were left in the cold while (some) students altered their costumes for a warmer effect. 

SnOMG! I have a feeling a rough winter is ahead...fortunately Today and Sunday were much warmer so walking outside in the snow was not as miserable as I anticipated. 

I am going to go ahead and "boo" this snow though because really, it's way too early. Mother Nature really needs to get it together. If I'm not allowed to listen to Christmas music yet, there better be no snow in sight or else I'm blasting J. Biebs "Mistletoe" and singing along until she realizes how miserable I can make her winter. 

Anyways, I'm not celebrating halloween on the actual date this year by dressing up but instead sipping my favorite winter beverage (hot cocoa) halloween style and doing a little bit of homeowork! 

Here's what you'll need:

1. You're favorite brand of hot cocoa- I like this one the best! (BONUS: it's sugar free!)

2. Chocolate Soy Milk- makes it extra creamy!

3. Campfire marshmallows

4. M&M's 

Heat up some water on the stove (i'm stuck in a dorm so I use my Keurig Coffee Maker to boil water) and mix in your cocoa packet. 

Add a splash of Chocolate soy milk until you reach the desired consistency- I like mine extra creamy!

Stick the M&M's into the marshmallows and drop them in your cocoa for a halloween treat that is fun to eat! 

Enjoy! 

Monday Inspiration

I'll put money on it that this little guy is going to be a champion someday. Everyone could use a little advice from this 6 year old. 

Cold Weather Essentials

Being cooped up inside all day because of harsh New England weather sucks, but running outside in harsh New England weather sucks even more, unless you're well prepared. 

When I ran outside in sub 30 degree weather for the first time I remember it as an absolutely miserable experience. Running has always been an awesome outlet for me to get rid of bad tempers and pissy moods, but that experience left me wondering if running had lost its charm...thank God I was wrong! 

After returning from my run I had was covered in splotchy red spots and wanted nothing but to throw myself into a pot of boiling water and cook like the human lobster I appeared to be. There had to be a better way to do this. Cooping myself up all winter was not an option and shouldn't be for you either! Thanks to the wonderful world of running gear, we can stay warm on the run without overheating! 

Since i'm no stranger to a budget, and realize how expensive popular running goods can get, I've complied a list of bare essentials to keeping your body cozy and your style cool when you hit the pavement this winter! 

1. Gloves 

Invest in a good pair of these bad boys, your hands will thank you. Extremities get cold the fastest and a good pair of gloves will keep those little piggies nice and toasty. I've had this Under Armour pair since high school and I swear by them since my hands get cold very easily, but lots of runners I know prefer the cheap $1 pair from Walmart since gloves can be lost just as easily as a pair of socks!

2. Hat/Head Wrap

You probably already have a hat that will work just fine! Hats that you buy from a specialty running store will serve the same purpose as you're favorite sledding hat so save your cash for a new pair of quality trainers instead!

3. Warm Running Tights 

Since most of us don't work out in sub freezing temperatures, this is something you should seriously consider investing in. You really only need one or two pairs. Once again, Under Armour produces another cold weather favorite of mine, these! Make sure to check the racks at Target for similar materials for even cheaper!

4. Thermal Tops

Pick up a few thermal tops before you're stuck wearing a t-shirt on a blistery November day! I really like ones that are tighter to lock out any wind and long enough to tuck into my tights (another windy weather trick) Make sure the tops you choose are sweat wicking or you'll end your run feeling like you gained ten pounds! Just because it's cold doesn't mean you'll stop sweating. 

5. 1/4 Zip Ups 

Invest in a warm, lightweight zip up that you can shed and tie around your waist if you get too hot. Layering pieces like this are key in New England since weather men are often incompetent and we never really know what we'll be faced with until we step out the door! 

Wash 'n' Wear

Today's Workout: 5.4 miles- 47 mins on the roads with this playlist blasting through my pod.

Usually don't give the deets about my runs because 1. sometimes the times ain't pretty and 2. I have more important stuff to talk about like: halloween! (it's this weekend in case you haven't noticed that candy prices are through the roof and pumpkins are everywhere!) 

Okay, I reuse the same costume every year...get over it. Those things get expensive and if you don't reuse them once a year than you just spent fifty bucks to freeze your half naked butt off for a night with nothing to show for it except a facebook profile picture! Count me out! 

Anyways, this year I obviously requested my mom ship me my "signature" cat ears along with a few other goodies that I plan on getting creative with this year. I can't tell you what I'm being but I can tell you that i'll probably post some photos in the near future! That means you gotta come back, since I base half of my overall happiness on how many blog views I had that day. (jk, sorta!) 

I digress. 

Back to the regularly scheduled blog post, "Wash 'n' Wear". Before I continue I would like to let anyone reading this know that I do shower daily and wear clean underwear. I brush my teeth a lot too! But hey, we all forget to do our laundry every once and a while right? (I hope some people are answering yes to this question, or this is really awkward.) 

I got up this morning at the crack of dawn per usual to get my run in before work. Since all of New England has been freaking out since we got a dusting of snow yesterday, I figured it'd be chilly and I should dress warm. That's when I ran into the problem above...nothing was clean! Whoops! 

At this point I dug in the hamper without thinking and pulled out some running tights that yes, I had already worn. Which brings me to my question, have you ever re-worn your workout clothes? 

I never re-wear sports bras or socks because those can get pretty nasty after a solid sweat-sesh but I'll dry out a pair of shorts or pants and wear them again when times get tough and the dollar sign on my laundry card gets low. Not that I need to recycle my stuff...I have a ton of workout clothes: 

But I do play favorites and I do hate doing laundry! So if i'm feeling lazy or my "cats cache" has been drained then i'll do a poor man's washing routine and just wear 'em again! Nasty? What's a girl to do?

Friday Inspiration

Sometimes it's not about beating the guy next to you, but instead beating the part of yourself that thought you couldn't do it. Push yourself a little more everyday and you'll be shocked at how many doubts turn to done!

You Gotta Start Somewhere

We all wanna be the total babe, capable of turning any head this side of the Mississippi and making the fellas drool harder our french bull dog when we run by. Since the holidays are rapidly approaching which means tons of good eats and time spent with people you haven't seen in months, what better time than right now to get it together and make your training program count. It really can't be reiterated enough, ANYONE AND EVERYONE CAN BE A RUNNER. If you want it, you can have it, but it's not going to come free. If that means you're starting out as a total beginner and walking or running a couple miles everyday then so be it, you just won a race with all the people still on the couch. Whether your finish line is the mailbox in your driveway or the end of your goal race, it exists for all of us. And anyone who can cross that finish line with pride is a winner in my book!

Where to begin?

Running sneakers- get fitted. Your sketchers shape ups aren't going to cut it anymore. Go to a specialty running store in your area and get fitted for a shoe. Trust me, it will make the world of a difference. Ever had a blister from a new pair of sneaks? You're wearing the wrong kind then. These guys are trained to look at how your foot strikes the ground when you run and know what shoe to put you in to counteract and weird movements. Be sure to try a few different brands on to see what is most comfortable to you. Some popular brands that I have had success with are Asics, Brooks and Mizuno. Running sneakers will last you about 300-500 miles and after that they need to be replaced to prevent injury. Break in your new kicks on a short run the first time out and then you can run your little heart out!

Easy, killer. Starting slow is the key to any training program. If you go from 0-60 you're going to be miserable and running should be enjoyable! If you haven't run in a while, start with shorter runs or even by walking. Everyday increase how much you run and decrease how much you walk. Eventually, you'll be able to start increasing your pace and milage. 

Listen to your body. Don't "push through". If you're in pain stop. Injuries aren't fun and can easily be prevented if you take a clue from what your body is telling you. I know i'll never be a speed demon so I don't bother sprinting. Instead I make sure to focus on longer distances- something I also enjoy. 

Set a goal. Sign up. Search online races and find a few in your area. Having a deadline on the calendar will hold you accountable for your own goal. Running is all about making progress and having a goal race will allow you to display all the hard work you've put in!

Cross train. Cross training is a part of running that most people don't realize. Pounding the pavement everyday is tough on our bodies and we need them to be strong in order to complete our goals. Cross training will give us that strength. Lift weights, take a yoga class or do different workout videos at home. Commit to cross training 2-3 times a week and you'll build your strength and prevent boredom from a every-day running routine. 

Stretch. It takes a max of 5 minutes so do it before and after your activities. This is something I personally tend to struggle with, especially if i'm in a rush but I keep reminding myself how nice stretching feels on sore muscles and how horrible a strained calf will feel if I neglect my stretching routine. 

Press snooze. Getting an adequate amount of sleep is imperative to an effective training plan. A tired body doesn't work as well as a well charged one, so press snooze and get your 8-10 hours- doctors orders!

Diet like a runner. This means piling the fruits and veggies high and consuming lots and lots of healthy fats like olive oil, nuts and seeds and jumping on the low-fat dairy bandwagon. It also means guzzling water all day long and even allows for nights where you can eat more carbs than linebacker, Jerod Mayo (Go Pats!)

Stay Positive! Ah, the golden rule. Things go wrong in every aspect of life, including running. Sometimes you don't meet your goal time, and sometimes it's pouring rain during your long run. But just as many times as something goes wrong, something goes right too! Whether you're happy as a clam and decide to go for a run with all your extra energy, or about to explode with sheer anger running is a consistent part of life that it always available to calm whatever emotions you feel like throwing at it. So remember even when you want to give up on running, running will never give up on you!

Soundtrack to my life (workout edition)

There's no feeling like the feeling of almost wanting to step off the stairmaster and throw in the towel until your ipod throws a little fire under your feet with a brand new beat! This has happened to me countless times with the following songs so I figured why not make a fool-proof playlist that's sure to keep my on the bike for the time I intended. Here they are:

We Found Love- Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris: A happy song with a kicked up beat that's great for getting me amped to work it out!
In The Dark- Dev: Reminds me of being at some sort of club or something but still a decent gym tune!
Take Over Control- Afrojack feat. Eva Simons: Recently discovered this little devil, catchy!
Beautiful People- Chris Brown: Love this sone whether i'm on the treadmill or i'm getting ready in the morn! So good!
Party- Beyonce feat. J. Cole (remix): Love me some Beyonce, love me some J Cole and together makes for a pretty dece remix.
Make Me Proud- Drake feat. Nicki Minaj: Another sick collab!
Beautiful Bliss- Wale feat. J Cole: This is a happy rap that I can't seem to get sick of!
Caramel- City High: Sometimes I like to think this some describes me a little-whatevs!
Be On You- Flo Ride feat. Ne-Yo: I'm not kidding when I say this is my favorite workout song of all time, not sure why but I loveeee it!
Spins- Mac Miller: This is my fave Mac song! Good beats = good workouts!
Headlines- Drake: Another good one by the man, the myth, the legend- Drake!

Thursday Inspiration

Just when I thought i'd give myself another "rest day" I saw this...

Wednesday Inspiration

"You are doing everything exactly how you should be doing it. You are asking all the right questions. You are doubting yourself in all the right ways. You are so much younger than you realize and will look back and see how all of these things put you exactly where you needed to be. " -Annonymous

Why I Eat Healthy

This is a topic I've been thinking about blogging about for a while now, but there's so many reasons that go into why I have chosen to live a healthy lifestyle that I'm unsure if I feel comfortable speaking about them all on a blog for anyone to read. Here's what I'm willing to share:

When it comes to living "healthfully" everyone has a different definition.

• Some people work out a few times a week and eat healthy food once in a while. 
• Some people work out a lot and eat whatever they want. 
• Some people like to eat healthy during the week and indulge on the weekends.

I'm not writing this to have an influence on anyone or judge anyone on their "healthy" habits but instead share an insight on mine. 

Living on a college campus and eating most of my meals in the dining hall has shown me why our nation is so unhealthy. The dining halls are filled with pizza and dorm rooms are filled with chips and cookies sent with love from home. Don't get me wrong, enjoying a piece of pizza or a homemade goody with friends is no crime, but eating like this every day can lead to down a path of even more unhealthy choices which lead to weight gain and even to life altering diseases like diabetes and heart disease. 

Before you assume I am judging your diet, you should know that I have been there. Although my family has always eaten healthier than I give them credit for, there was a period of time when seeing three different types of Doritos in the cabinet was not uncommon. Every day in 8th grade I would come home from soccer practice and eat 4 heaping bowls of cereal for dinner. I really had no concept of health at all. 

With that said, I should note that I give my mother full credit for my healthy habits after she decided to make a change not only for herself, but our whole family. Looking to lose a little weight and increase her level of fitness, my mom started cooking healthier, eating healthier and working out, all while encouraging our family to do the same. Since that point in time, we've been known as the "healthy house", a last-choice stop for my friends to gather because of our lack of junk food to munch on!

1. I have been able to see first-hand the effects of what an unhealthy lifestyle can lead to. 
Being interested in nutrition since high school, I have always paid more attention to health magazines and documentaries geared towards eating healthy. I think its amazing that so many people wait until they are diagnosed with diabetes or told by a doctor that if they continue their current habits their life will end, to change their diets. In addition, I have members of my own family that have battled with their weight and the health problems that come with being overweight. Because of my family history, it is important that I pay close attention to what I am putting into my body or I, too could easily end up with some of the health problems my family has been battling for years.

2. I like to keep my body "on top of it's game"
Eating a healthy diet allows me to work out harder and fight off the many germs that are floating around college campuses. When I am eating right I feel like I have an edge on my competition whether i'm competing against the road, the elliptical or the sniffles.

3. I feel better.
Eating heavily processed food makes me feel like crap. Plain and simple. I think that once your body becomes accustomed to eating wholesome foods made from real ingredients it starts acting weird when you try to throw chemicals into it. Eating a bunch of junk food as an excuse for a busy week only makes me feel more sluggish and less productive so I try to stick to the same foods every day and have a plan before I am distracted by the mountain of brownies at the dining hall.

4. I am investing in myself. 
I am a firm believer in preventative medicine and think that before you spend tons of money on antibiotics to lower your cholesterol- which will lead to side effects in other areas of your life- you should try to do things naturally. I know that a lot of health issues can be solved by taking action early and even though committing to at least one sweat session every day and a diet full of real food won't prevent me from being hit by a truck while crossing the street, it can help me avoid diabetes or a heart attack later in life. 

Tuesday Inspiration

Sometimes we all need a little break from the constant flow of emails that creates a constant pattern of stress. Take time for yourself instead of spending it all answering to other peoples problems. Make yourself a priority. I promise you'll all your emails will still be waiting when you return! 

Can Peanut Butter Cause Cancer?

Say it ain't so! If you've read some of my pervious posts you already know that I'm a peanut butter junkie! Recently, my mom expressed concerns about my PB habits after reading somewhere that the carcinogens in peanut butter cause cancer. Since I refuse to believe anything I'm told until I do a little research, I decided to do just that.

So what is a carcinogen anyways? According to merriam-webster.com a carcinogen is any "substance or agent causing cancer."

Woah! I don't want my "healthy" snacks leading to my demise! So I searched more online to see if I should be concerned. And thankfully I learned peanut butter itself isn't a carcinogen, but there is a mold that can grow on peanuts that produces aflatoxin which is a carcinogen.

Ew! I can't be eating this! 

Thankfully, there are ways that you can kill the toxin and there are even peanuts that are aflatoxin free! Most articles I read seemed to think that the carcinogen levels in peanut butter consumed in moderation is nothing to worry about.

I also found it very interesting that the brands with the lowest levels of aflatoxin are brands many foodies consider "unhealthy". The lowest amount of this toxin was found in big supermarket brand like Jif, Skippy and Peter Pan and the highest amounts were found in peanut butters ground fresh in health food stores.

You can avoid any concerns altogether by switching to almond butter or cashew butter but they are often much more expensive and have a very different taste than my beloved peanut version.

The best news I found was that you can avoid all peanut butters sans toxins as long as you refrigerate it. Here's the discovery article in case you're interested in reading. The article states that no one should assume "that switching to the overly processed, non-organic version of peanut butter will save you because those peanuts are treated with a host of pesticides that seep right through that thin skin."

In conclusion, follow these directions when shopping for your next jar and you've got nothing to worry about:

1. Buy organic to prevent pesticide contamination 
2. Refrigerate your jar to prevent the growth of fungus. 
3. If you're particularly concerned, opt for high end brands like Arrowhead Mills which are aflatoxin free. 

Personally, I think I'll stick with the brands I've been using all along and toss them in the fridge. I might consider switching to organic since I do have a history of breast cancer in my family. Never ever will you see me giving up peanut butter unless there is a complete proof that it's going to lead to health problems though!

Monday Inspiration

Happy Monday guys! Monday's are busy for me with work, classes and a chemistry tutor session in between, but i'm trying to make the most of it! Start your week off right by making healthy choices and having positive thoughts and hopefully that lead to more throughout the week!