the ultimate playlist

Music plays such a big role in my exercise life. Spin class, one of my favorite workouts, is only as good as it's music. And I know that my run is usually only as good as my playlist. I'm always looking for help in creating the ultimate playlist. I don't how I will be able to run in a long race without seriously amazing tunes!

Thanks to Spotify, I love being able to create new lists featuring tons of artists. But I never like any of the lists they make. So I spend hours creating my own. What are you favorite songs/artists/playlists to run with?

Some of my fave songs to get pumped include: Born to Run (duh, of course The Boss is big on the list), Mr. Brightside, and Dog Days Are Over.

pumped up kicks

As a self-proclaimed (and not ashamed to admit) shopaholic, nothing is better than the high of getting a new purchase in the mail. I think online shopping is even better because you get the high twice -- when you make the purchase, and again when it arrives. I know, I have a sickness...and I digress.

ANYHOO - these babies arrived! On sale and fabulous. I haven't worn Asics for running, so I'm eager to try them out. In the past I've gone for neutral shoes but these are labeled for stability so I'm ready to try something new. When I'm running the roads I find shin splints to be a problem so I'm hoping these help.

What kind of sneakers are your favorite to run in? Favorite brands for stability? I've been reading that maximalist styles of running shoes are "in" right now. This really is my time to get my run on!

living life as the pickiest eater

So I may not be the pickiest eater ever, but I'm definitely one of the pickiest 31 year old eaters ever! I've come a long way and I eat a lot more than I used to but I still have a lot of food issues.

(a few of the) Things I can't even have on my plate:
Broccoli
Mushrooms
Cooked tomatoes
Mayonnaise
Mustard

I don't really care for red sauces (hence the cooked tomato issue), so that cuts back on the healthy sauce choices. It's not that I don't like the flavor - it's that I don't like the texture. I can dip things in tomato sauce or salsa, but only because I have control over how much will be on the piece. And to be sure that no chunks make it into my mouth. I know, I know - I'm slightly insane.

That being said - it's hard for me to just go online and find a recipe. I'm always having to adjust things - which sometimes changes the flavor too much. But I have had some successes!

The Spicy Parmesan Shrimp skillet from How Sweet It Is was fabulous! Next time I make it, I may cut it in half - there was a lot of marinade for the amount of protein/pasta in it. And I definitely threw in some extra red pepper flakes to kick it up. I also halved the pasta and added in veggeti-style carrots. It was delish and easy! I marinated the shrimp Sunday night and cooked the pasta - and then just cut the carrots and threw it all in a big pan Monday night, plus I have leftovers! 


What are some either flavor combos that work olive oil and soy sauce? This one used both - but definitely didn't have a strong taste of either - probably because of the Parmesan and red pepper flakes.

the blueprint cleanse

If you're like me, doing a cleanse is something you think about, heck - you may even talk about it, but you don't actually do it. I like eating. I don't want to drink my calories all day.

But now that Target carries the Blueprint Cleanse AND it was on sale, I figured this was the time to give it a try. The juices range from about $6-$11 each and according to BPC you should be drinking six juices a day. There's a green juice, a cashew milk juice and some other fruit juices. You can go on the actual BPC website to see which juices you should get depending on which level you want to juice at.

I went with the introductory Renovation cleanse. It includes two green juices, a pineapple juice, a spicy lemonade, a beet juice and finally a cashew milk. They advise that you eat light leading up to the cleanse to help ease your way into a day without a food. I did my best, but I didn't want to cut back on runs/spin so I definitely still ate - just cleaner.

First juice of the day:

Green juice. Eek. This was scary. I didn't know this at the time, but celery is a super overpowering flavor. And definitely one that I'm not a fan of. I choked it down, but it wasn't pretty.

The next juice was fruity - pineapple, apple mint.

I thought I was going to love this one. Don't get me wrong, it didn't taste bad. It was pleasant enough (I mean, it would've gone down a lot easier with some Malibu, but I digress)...

By the time I finished this one, I was over drinking. I felt bloaty. I was trying to drink water as well and some tea to have something warm, but I just felt full!

The next juice was another green one. I couldn't even finish it. 

My afternoon snack consisted of a spicy lemonade - lemon cayenne agave. I was surprised how good it was! Definitely not very spicy. But again, this is a lot of freaking juice. It was hard to get down because I felt so full of liquids!!

 The last clearish juice was the beet (you can see it in my cart shot above). I didn't like it.  I think the ginger was overpowering and I just didn't enjoy the flavor. But I wasn't tired or starving. But I was ready to leave work!

I saved the so-called "milk shake" of cashew milk for last (as suggested) - and I was SO excited for it. People described it as a milkshake and said it was thick and creamy and filling. Well let me tell you, those people LIED.

It tasted like a combination of chalk and milk of magnesia. It was so gross. Whoever called it a milkshake has never been to Dairy Queen. I took a few sips and declared the juice cleanse OVER. I did lose a few pounds, but probably because I peed more than I ever have in my life, so it was definitely just water weight.

If you like the flavors (and plenty do, I shared with my work friend who loved them) then this could be a great cleanse. I liked focusing not on food - but on me for the day. Not sure I'd ever want to do it for multiple days, but I am glad I tried it!

Do you juice? Which are your favorite?

breaking up with the gym

I became a bit of a gym rat in college. But let's be real, it was easy back then. You just walk across campus. There's hotties to stalk. You have tons of friends who will meet you there. At one point, I went twice a day regularly. In the morning by myself - and in the evenings with my bestie before we had fro yo for dinner. I was slim and pretty strong. But I also didn't have a full time job. Or any of the other real life obstacles in the way now.

Since college, I've been in an on and off again relationship with my gym. I love spin classes, but they've changed the way you sign up for them and I'm not sure I want to keep paying the premium price to be able to sign up. I can downgrade but then I can't sign up. But I can still use the gym as I wish. It's a tough choice. I've been running - but I realize a time will come over the winter where I just don't want to run outside. Or I'll be in pain and would rather cross train on an elliptical. I'm afraid to pull the plug on my gym membership. I have been Soul Cycling - but it's expensive. And not around the corner from me.

While I debate the breakup, I'm focusing on Daily Burn videos. They have some quick ones that are great. I'm currently crushing on Ben Booker and LTF. Easy and you feel the burn. Plus runs and spins for cardio.

What is your fave non-gym workout?

taming the ta ta's

As a big boobed gal, I understand the PAIN of finding the best sports bra. Too tight and you can't breathe (let alone run) and not tight enough and you are risking hitting yourself in the face. I went to a Soul Cycle class the other night with only one weak sports bra on and I thought I was going to lose a boob while sprinting in the saddle. It was awful. I almost wish I could see how awful it was to remind myself to keep extra sports bras with me at all times!

So the hunt for the best sports bras continues!

My current fave: Moving Comfort - Endurance
Don't get me wrong, this bra isn't easy to get on and off, but it does the job. The girls stay in place and I don't feel unable to breathe. I got lucky and found it on sale in Jack Rabbit, but it's carried in many stores, like Nordstroms (free shipping, who doesn't love that!?) and Road Runner Sports -- and  both stores have great sales. Coming from a girl with double D's, any bra that can keep me tamed is a winner in my book. Before this bra, I often wore two sports bras. Not fun. Nor is it good for my laundry basket.

Any other recommendations? I hear mixed reviews on the Lululemon bras. I need the ultimate in bounce protection!

getting back in the zone

I don't know about you, but when I slack off from exercise and eating well, it's super hard to get back on track. And each time I try to get back hardcore, I fail. I need to gradually work at it. While I certainly haven't been eating super healthy over this break, I've made an effort to eat more veggies (um, hello vegetti!) and less crap. It's great being able to make an egg white omelet every day, but I'm back to planning for the work week ahead.

Breakfasts:

I'm no early bird. I AM trying to start morning workouts again. Whether it's a run or just a Daily Burn video, it has to start happening. It's too easy to make excuses after work. I make hard boiled eggs on Sundays and eat an egg white (or two) each morning while I'm getting lunch ready. Then I take a multigrain Fiber One english muffin for the road. Once I'm at work, I have two apples throughout the course of the morning. Repetitive (I switch up the fruit more in the summer), but it works and I like it.

Lunch:

This meal is the bane of my existence. I hate lunch. I don't work somewhere I can run out and get something yummy or healthy, so it's up to me to pack it or be miserable. My current plan is grilled chicken and black beans (in taco seasoning) in a spinach mix salad. Throw in some avocado and a bit of low fat colby jack cheese and it's a done deal. Filling, a lot to chew and yummy.

My snacks consist of apples, Fiber One bars, nuts, Babybel cheeses (I can't live without cheese), Cup of Soups (I know, high in salt, but sometimes I crave it!) and peanut butter.

Dinner:

Again, TRYING to plan better. So that I don't say F it and order something fatty in take-out or just eat a ginormous bowl of cereal.

The newbie on this week's dinner menu -- Spicy Parmesan Shrimp from How Sweet It Is. I plan on using way less pasta and adding in some veggies to bulk it up.

My other go-to dinners as of late include some kind of chicken in a high fiber wrap. I throw in the grilled chicken (with buffalo sauce or taco seasoning) with a bit of low fat cheese - and grill the wrap to make it a quesadilla. Pretty easy and definitely yummy. And filled with fiber!

What else can I eat for dinner?! Help me. Shrimp and chicken breasts are my main proteins, it's the sauce/flavoring I need help with. I'm red sauce-phobic so it cuts down on my options.