Category Archives: pictures

by Heather | January 7, 2013

Five Faves from the Four Corners: Winter Edition

Having ten whole days off and at home felt like a college flashback – a suitcase that barely passed the airline weight regulations packed with equal parts sweatpants, run clothes & casual attire, days to fully relax and a few holidays to celebrate. In contrast to last July’s southwestern adventure, there was barely anything on the agenda save for one ski-day and one New Year’s celebration with the little sis & her guy.

To sum it up, here are the best things about winter in the southwest:

1. Snow that comes…and goes.

Fun fact: YES it snows in New Mexico. Sometimes a lot. Sometimes not so much. But the desert knows very well that it shines nicely with a white blanket.

I spent two runs stepping cautiously on freshly fallen snow at an early morning hour. By noon on both days the sidewalks and streets were mostly clear and the sun was shining, mocking my early-bird habit.

Top: I loved the set of footprints already out. I certainly wasn’t the first to test these sunny winter roads.

Either way, the missions were accomplished. I probably could’ve used a pair of goggles instead of just a beanie, but the miles were finished regardless.

2. Open desert roads.

‘Nuff said. Driving to/from will inevitably land you in reservations and/or national parks that provide these views:

3. Food to clear the {stuffed-up} sinuses!

If you find yourself in the Southwest and you don’t have a plate full of green chile (or red, I guess) at some point, you’ve failed. It is an absolute must, and I recommend finding a hole-in-the-wall restaurant above all else. I also recommend chasing that deliciously spicy dish down with a sweet sopapilla (save room!) and (relatively) local honey.

A trip home always includes a stop at Si Senor & Three Rivers Brewery.

4. Durango, CO.

We make at least one trip up to downtown Durango every time I’m home. We walk up and down Main street visiting the local shops, dining on local eats and taking in the mountain backdrop. I love that it has maintained its character and roots despite its obvious tourist draw.

Here, you get a true taste of the Rockies, a laid-back lifestyle and a town that could not be any more obsessed with skiing & cycling.

5. Sweet baby love.

I’m now an Aunt. My brother & sister-in-law are parents; they brought the sweetest little guy into this world of ours. We’re all head over heels…

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And with that, it’s time to really look 2013 in the face and get this thing started…

8 Comments

Filed under Exploring Colorado, home, pictures, random, travel

Tagged as Colorado, holidays, New Mexico

by Heather C | October 19, 2012

Days in the Life: Traveling & Biometric Screenings

In the next edition of the Corporate Wellness Life series, we travel!
(Part 1: Event Planning)

A few of us headed up to the West Chester, PA area earlier this week to be onsite for Biometric Screenings*. The coaches (Jared & I) act as Health Educators, while the Program Manager (PM) and PM Assistant make sure everything runs smoothly. We’ve been with this particular client for a few years now, and love being there in person to host and execute the screenings!

*We do a ton of these in the Fall! It’s our busiest season, without question.

Monday morning was spent on the road, landing us at our destination in time for a late lunch (Chipotle, Round 1) and casual afternoon of catching up on some work. The TV-stand / dresser happened to be the perfect height for some standing action (see left).

We eventually headed out to dinner, checking out the local Bonefish Grill. I’ve heard a lot about these restaurants, but had yet to try one. Two thumbs up from this crew! We loved the variety of options, tasty dishes and kid-friendly atmosphere. Some Penn-State friends of mine were able to join us, with their adorable 6-month old in tow. Win!

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Tuesday: Bring on Biometrics!

Jared and I both do Wellness Coaching for this client, so we took the opportunity to be onsite for the Screenings. We got to meet some of the people we work with, face-to-face, and also help them check in on some wellness goals. The signage and complimentary Screening Staff refreshments weren’t too bad, either…

We had a busy day! The 9-4 hours flew by, leaving us ready to explore the area and get some fresh air. Per a recommendation, we headed over to the downtown West Chester area (hello, old-town charm!) and right into the Iron Hill Brewery.

This place gets two thumbs-up from hungry WCS’ers for their free beer-sampling policy, sweet potato fries, fresh guacamole and healthy entrée options!

Photo sources: left, right.

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Wednesday: Forging on!

I had thoughts of going for a run, but there were no sidewalks near us and Jared’s description of the hotel gym (i.e. breaking my no-treadmill streak!) was far less than stellar.

Make-shift hotel workout? No problem. Grab a towel and get to it!

Safe to say this was effective, as I’m still a little bit sore two days later. Mission accomplished! Next mission: more frequent make-shift at-home strength routines.

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After our second session on Wednesday morning, we hit the road and checked another Chipotle stop off the list (options were a bit limited. See also: we heart Chipotle)!

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Do you travel for work?
What’s your favorite way to stay fit & keep healthy habits in tow?

I’m lucky to travel with a crew that shares my priorities – tasty, healthy food and a sweat-session or two!

8 Comments

Filed under Dietitians, health, Nutrition, pictures, training

by Heather C | August 2, 2012

In the Mind of an 80/20 Perspective

I’m not a girl drawn to extremes, whatever they may be. I don’t often cut something out of my mind completely, whether it’s a food, sport, travel destination, career choice, etc. If nothing else, we should have options, right? Right.

I’ve never thought that a situation had to be all or nothing, and when they are, I tend to change things pretty quickly (whether I realize it or not). Enter, my 80/20 perspective. With or without always meaning to, my life falls into this balance in almost all aspects (maybe, say, 80% of them?).

This may be completely different from, or exactly the same as, the 80/20 business model. I couldn’t tell you, because that has always confused me.

Either way, this is how my mind works:

80% of the time I don’t consume meat, poultry or fish. 20% of the time, I splurge on a grilled salmon dish, or shrimp skewers, or seared scallops. I do not like the word “pescetarian”, so I don’t use it.

80% of the time I run without a plan or real distance in mind until about 5 minutes before I head out the door. 20% of the time (i.e. Saturdays), I have something specific in mind (i.e. 10+ miles).

80% of the time I sit on an exercise ball, or stand at my work desk. 20% of the time I want to slouch, sit on a cushioned chair, and let it be lazily comfortable.

80% of the time I read thought-provoking articles, stumble across golden websites that I can’t help but subscribe to and “like” on Facebook, read a great novel, or watch a movie that changes something about my thought process (I love all of these things). 20% of the time I remember enough to share with you, too.

80% of the time I’m a regular yogi, paying enough attention to go at least once per week and get a quality dose of Om-time. 20% of the time I do a few stretches at home, fit in a few plank-holds and call it good.

80% of the time I remember I’m training for MCM, actively work to get a little bit faster on the run, and put some effort into finishing up my training plan (oh, that is…almost done…). 20% of the time I just go for a run, and stick to what I know works.

80% of the time I operate on a Why not?, Say Yes, Of course I’m in! attitude, and love every minute of it. 20% of the time there are reservations, and I give my mind a little bit of time to catch up.

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Are you an 80/20-er? Or an all-out, all-the-time extreme liver? To each their own, as long as it works for you!

10 Comments

Filed under about me, challenges, Goals, pictures, random

Tagged as lifestyle, perspective, tips

by Heather C | July 29, 2012

Joy Is…(II)

“Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.” Marianne Williamson

Joy is, part 1.

We had a typical weekend, full of running (for her), cycling (for him), new CSA goods arriving in the kitchen (for us both!) and a little dose of late birthday celebrations. It’s been a solid few months where routine is the norm, DC is unpleasantly hot but pleasantly “home”, and everything is in place.

Joy is a word we just don’t use often enough, but if it came to mind, it would encompass this whole summer thing:

Joy is a counter and fridge filled with food (and dirt) that came straight from the Good Life farm.

Joy is life giving you another chance with a basil plant (see above: Farmer’s Market-style CSA loot). Number three, I think we have a good thing going so far (read: you survived the weekend)!

Joy is absolutely having to eat that peach above the sink to avoid a trail of sticky, delicious peach juice.

Joy is a rare {birthday celebration} fancy dinner date, suit-and-tie not optional.

Joy is said dinner date involving a personalized menu. It’s the little things…

Joy is watching his Italian side emerge, turning an overload of farm fresh tomatoes into a batch of homemade marinara sauce.

Joy is flipping the pages through a new book, completely captured.

Image sources: Left, Right.

Joy is a night on the mat to restore, recharge and put all things “zen” where they should be.

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{Joy is ____ .}

10 Comments

Filed under about me, pictures, random, things that make me Happy

by Heather C | July 20, 2012

Five Faves from the Four Corners

Our trip home to New Mexico was just what the Wanderlust ordered. In seven days we took two road trips, saw three states and finally stopped at the Four Corners. In between it all was a wedding date, a lot of family time (my fave), a little bit of running and a lot of relaxation – the kind that can only come from a cool southwestern morning coffee on the deck.

These five frozen moments depict a few of my favorite things:

1. What “relaxing at home” means to me: