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! 

Sunday Inspiration

So true, yet i'm still sitting at the computer blogging. Promising yourself that you WILL fit in some kind of workout today to get your blood pumping and combat that hangover! Happy Sunday everyone!

Commercial Break Workout

This week is what I have dubbed "exam week". Not sure if my professors do this to torture me or what but it seems that they all like to plan their exams on the same week! Not cool guys! Sometimes I find myself so buried in my books that I forget that there is a world around me and stop taking care of myself. I am vowing not to slide down that slope this week with some quick and easy workout ideas that have been stewing in my head since the last time I allowed "exam week" to be an excuse to let myself go.


I think we all need to stop using a busy schedule as an excuse not to work out, myself included. When your planner starts filling up and the emails start rolling in, its easy to put yourself at the bottom of your to-do list or even skip yourself all together. Here are some quick and easy ways I like to fit in healthy habits when things get too busy for my regular routine:

Commercial Abs
Who doesn't love a quick study break to watch your favorite trashy TV show? Instead of laying in bed after a long day, hit the floor and log in some crunches. Quick, easy and you'll feel tons better about yourself after!

Run It Out
Running is not only a great workout but it's also as FREE as workouts come. For the price of a pair of training shoes you can run for a few minutes or for 6 miles depending on how much time you have. Pack a pair of shorts in your backpack and wear your sneaks to class and you won't even be able to make an excuse. As I've said before, I'm a huge fan of the mind-clearing benefits that come along with running and really think it's worth giving a shot!

Walk > Ride
When you're super busy and none of the above are going to work for you, try walking as many places as possible. Walk to class instead of taking the bus, walk your dog instead of creeping on facebook (you're welcome Fido!). Walking is a quick way to get your blood pumping and burn a few extra cals. It's good for your joints and even better for your waistline!

Weighting Game
Head over to your local sports store or surf the web for a few hand weights. These will be a worthy investment when you can't make it to the gym all week and can hear your muscles begging for a little work out. Look up workout videos that can be done in the comfort of your dorm room and squeeze in a quick body pump for extra energy to power through your last bit of chemistry homework!

Listen to the Music
Next time you're cleaning your room or just relaxing play some fun tunes and dance like no one is watching! I like a little Flo-rida to get my foot tapping and my whole bod moving!

Stretch
First thing I like to do in the morning is a quick stretching routine to wake myself up and get some blood flowing in my lifeless body! Stretching is known to aid in injury prevention for those weeks when you are working out hard!

Tastes of Heaven

I. love. food. Almost all food, but I certainly have my favorites. Sometimes I think it's interesting to think about why certain foods our our favorite? Is it because they remind you of home? Or because it's something you've become accustomed to eating every day? Regardless of why, we've all go 'em. Here's my favorites and some assumptions about why that is.

Chocolate! 
I think I've only met one person in my whole life who openly admitted that he didn't like chocolate at all and I didn't like him anyways! Although i'm totally willing to consume chocolate in almost any form, I'm particularly partial to dark chocolate, and to get a little more specific, I LOVE dark chocolate M&M's. I think I was born with a chocolate obsession and began my love affair with dark chocolate when I found out that it's actually sorta kinda good for you! #winning

Peanut Butter!

Peanut butter is a universal solvent to hunger. Spread it on almost anything and I'd probably eat it. I'm positive that America as a whole loves peanut butter so much because we have and will continue relying on it to create great last-minute meals for the rest of our lives. When you found a PB&J in your lunch box every once in a blue moon, it probably wasn't because your Mom knew everyone was making fun of you for bringing a smelly tuna sandwich for the past week- it was because she had too many glasses of wine last night and throwing together a PB&J was easier than counting out the money for school lunch! Regardless, you can make anything with peanut butter! Sandwiches, desserts, snacks, you name it...and I love every single one of them! 

Tea! 

Nothing like a piping hot cup of tea in the morning while you check your twitter feed! Tea is great for relaxing, waking up (choose a caffeinated version) or curing your cold. I can't go a single day without at least one cup and if that makes me sound like a total granny-so be it! I'm going to credit this obsession to the tea parties I used to beg my dad and my stuffed animals to attend every weekend. 

Hummus! 

I actually have no clue why I like hummus because it looks like something a baby would throw up, but I did work in a greek restaurant that makes their own delicious recipe so I guess that could be it! Regardless, hummus is the ultimate snack food I will never have enough of. Here's my hummus recipe so check it out and have yourself a healthy little bite! 

Sushi! 

I could actually eat every single meal-yup even breakfast at Kaizen Sushi Bar and Grill and never get sick of sushi. Seriously it's the best sushi restaurant I've ever been to and will probably continue to be obsessed with it until i'm disappointed, which i'm hoping will be never. Here's some pictures of their beautiful sushi creations I snagged off their facebook! 

UHB-SESSED

I'm fully aware that it's wicked annoying when people are obsessed with their pets and plaster their blog and facebook with cute pictures about how awesome they are.

In my own defense, my dogs are pretty darn cute and being away from home for long stretches of time only makes me think every picture of them in even cuter. Here's some precious pics I hope you enjoy as much as I do!