Category Archives: random

by Heather | March 8, 2013

Friday Four: New Eats (Larabar & Chobani), Step Feats & Trails

I tried to come up with a synonym for running, racing or hiking that rhymed with “eat”: mission impossible.

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With a handful of new-to-me things in this corner of the world, it’s time to group a few of them together & share with you. Because it’s Friday. Welcome to the end of the week, where brains function at 50% and {our trail-racing} minds are looking at the “63*, Sunny” forecast ahead, internally singing repetitive rejoices!

Let’s start by grabbing a bar & a spoon:

1) NEW: LARABAR – ALT (Protein bar)

I’ve heard talks of this bar but had yet to see it on the shelves! I am a huge fan of the regular ol’ LB – and even worked with them for a while back in 2010 – but a lot of bar-eating clients seem to focus on that comparatively-low protein content.

C’mon, they taste great and they’re only made from nuts, fruit and spices and in theory you could make your own in your kitchen!

While I think added-protein is a bonus but not a necessity, it seems I’m an outlier. These bars use plant-based protein powders to up the ante and join the ranks of companies that cater to vegan/vegetarian-friendly high-protein food options. Nicely done, LB!

2) NEW: Chobani Bits & Bites

More on this Chobani love to come;this team has clearly been hard at work to bring out some new options for greek yogurt-lovers! You know I’m not much of a dairy eater these days, but I still admire these CHOlks and am pretty impressed by the all the creativity here. Flips, bites, champions and new flavors? They’re changing the yogurt game, here.

Specifically, they’re wooing us with CHOcolate, and I’m intrigued:

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3) STEP it UP: Wellness Corporate Solutions’ Fitbit Challenge

We’re 5 weeks into our steps challenge at work (WCS) and it’s getting competitive. I battle these two gals every week, usually having to accept that no matter how many times I walk or run in circles around NW DC, they will beat me.

Then, I had this moment:

One down, one to go! (JP is probably relentlessly stepping all around NYC as I type this.)

An update on this steps-challenge to come, but trust me when I say that we’ve all done some crazy things to get “more steps!” in. Incentives and friendly competition go a long way with corporate fitness.

4) Backyard Burn: Trail Racing, Round 1

Photo credit: flickr user Swim Bike Run Photography.

The race-season has officially kicked off, but for this round we’re ready to switch gears! At the recommendation of my friend/fellow local-race-junkie Rebecca, a carful of runners have agreed to join me in the hills of Virginia on Sunday.

I signed on for the 10-mile option. There might be an ounce of in-over-our-heads and a dose of humility to come with this – all in the name of good, muddy running adventures!

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What’s new to you this Friday?

7 Comments

Filed under DC, food, new things!, random, running, running hills

by Heather | March 1, 2013

Friday Five: Thinks & Links

Every week seems to end with a long list of bookmarked pages, articles and blog posts that I really want to remember, to go back to, to absorb. Some weeks I think if I went back to school there would still be enough information to fill another four years, and I will enroll in a heartbeat!

Some weeks I just decide to share them with you, too.

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This week…

I think there is more to know about Saturated Fat, where the recommendations came from and why we’re so terrified of it. I think – strongly believe – there is a difference in saturated plant fats vs. animal. I wonder about the “Saturated fat is always bad” mantra.

Friday read: 8 Reasons Not to Fear Saturated Fat
(Not saying I agree with this 100%, but I appreciate the sources listed.)

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I think DC has decided to stick with this windy semi-winter, not giving us snow but instead plenty of gusts, rain and cloudy days. I think my skin has noticed, too.

Friday read: 4 Essential Oils for Natural Winter Skin Care
(Does anyone actually know where things like “Sandalwood” are sold?!)

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I think junk food might finally be on the way out the door. Sure, it could take decades before we can slam that door behind it, but we don’t mind screaming until that happens.

Friday read: The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food
Insanely long; cancel your plans, grab a comfy couch and soak this in.

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I think I’d rather make progress.

No matter how much time that takes.

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I think these posts are invaluable – entertaining blogs, amazing videos and hilarious tweets, all in one….

Friday Read: Stuff {Dooce} F0und While Looking Around
Let’s end on a mindless note – it is Friday, after all.

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What are you thinking?

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Filed under about me, food, new things!, random, things that make you go Hmmmm

by Heather | January 24, 2013

Yala & lululemon Make Fitness Chic

If you had asked me to pull on some shorty-shorts and hop on a spin bike in front of a crowd, it’s likely that I would politely decline and turn the wheels over to someone else. If lululemon asks, provides the ‘costume’ and adds a room full of (kick-ass) Ambassadors to the scene? …uh, yeah, count me in!

Only in DC do you get an Inaugural “Ball” focused on fitness & the Yala trend (have you heard? Check this craziness out…), with a dose of celebrity and a lululemon fashion show. We weren’t really sure what to expect, but that combination seems pretty worthy of a Saturday night adventure.

EXCITED? Why yes, yes we are…. (blurry iPhone pics took over the night)

We had one mission: show that lululemon will get you through the whole day – brunch to sweat to evening out!

I was chosen, along with Emma (see EPIC yoga) to bust out the Boogie shorts – which work really well for laying. Add in some pant-changes, a few jackets and easy-to-pack shoes and voila! All set for the day.

Brunch: Boogie shorts + Studio Pants + Cool Racerback + All-Sport Bra
Accessories: the classic Jean-jacket and a pair of flats.

Workout: shed the Studio pants & accessories, put on the Nike Frees.

Evening Out: Pull on the Spring has Sprung Wunder Unders (yep, right over the shorts!), add a black blazer & some bling (i.e. earrings & bracelets) and go back to flats.

Enter stage Left and walk to the Spin-bike area. Get down to the basics to workout, then pull on the extras to head out on the town. Easy as 1, 2, 3….

Photo credits: Bonnie Wilson, GregsListDC & DC Fit Crasher

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We had a blast; how can a night end badly when you’re rockin’ pants like that?

I’m lucky that my job is casual enough on most days that I can let my lululemon closet decide weekly outfits – along with cardigans, flats, boots, jackets, scarves, etc. – and also take me right to the workout-of-the-day. The colors are always changing and the patterns continue to push the fitness-chic boundaries. I know the price tags are up there, but the quality, versatility and functionality set a new standard. These outfits aren’t a far cry from my daily choices (the patterned pants are new to me…); jeans & cotton take a back-seat to luon all the time.

Thanks to the lululemon Georgetown team for putting this together, to Bonnie Wilson for some amazing photos & YALA + SportsClub LA for a fun fitness-focused night in the city!

Do you mix fashion, fitness & function? What are you go-to choices?

6 Comments

Filed under DC, Lululemon, random, things I Love

Tagged as fitness, lululemon

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 | August 17, 2012

Friday Faves: What Happens in One Week

Sometimes the rise and fall of the 5-day work-week seems to stretch and defy the 60 minute hour and the 24 hour day. For whatever reason, unbeknownst to me, this week decided it deserved more of my time.

Alright, week, that’s fine as long as you let me squeeze in some extra goods, too!

This week, things stretched out on Sunday. And by things, I mean our agenda, our road-trip entertainment and our walking legs.

Fave: TED Talks! I downloaded the TED app in the car – one of those apps I’ve had my eye on for a long time and just never took the time to search, click and open (because that’s just such a process…). We listened to talks the rest of the way home, and I will never think of time in the car the same! This is now my go-to for the morning work-commute, too. I learn something and proceed to spread the knowledge, usually unsolicited, to my coworkers.

You’re welcome, guys. Learn something new every day!

In DC, we were met with 85* sunshine and no humidity. This is such a rarity in August that we didn’t even think twice about dropping off our packed bags, throwing on our walkin’ shoes and heading out the door. We stopped by the Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr, FDR* and Thomas Jefferson Memorials! Hey, when in DC…

Fave: playing ‘tourist’ in our city, and taking in a gorgeous summer day. *I didn’t even know this memorial existed…hidden gem? Discovered.

I love that the drive home from any trip is greeted by this scene.

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Sunday set the tone, and opened the door to a few other faves this week…

Fave: Early mornings in this city! This what I see on a run, or in this particular case, a walk with Kate…

Good morning, Obamas!

Fave: Yoga in the park, a la lululemon Logan Circle. The weather has made this my absolute favorite way to spend a Wednesday evening. Cool temps, sun slowing down and rush hour surrounding a quiet scene.

Fave: Using those stretched hours to get in some reading. These sites and posts are swirling around in my pool of thought – they’re worth a glance or two:

4 Qualities of “Lucky” People – alternatively titled “How to decide what you want, meet good people and be the best version of yourself”

100 Days of Real Food – this is your body, on the good stuff. This gal knows how to take on a challenge, and “Real Food” is only one chapter in her book.

20 Ways to Make your Monday Awesome – oldie but a goodie. I refer to this list often; it’s especially useful on any of those hour-stretched weekdays.

Dooce’s Stuff I Found While Looking Around – this series in starred in my reader every time it pops up. If nothing else, read these for the tweets at the end.

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Fave: mapping out a 16 mile run for tomorrow. The legs & I have some sites to see, and miles to conquer! And with that, we’ll end this long week on a runner’s high and with a couch-recovery-date on the afternoon agenda.

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What’s topping your list of faves this week?

5 Comments

Filed under random, running, things that make me Happy, weather love

Category Archives: random

Friday Four: New Eats (Larabar & Chobani), Step Feats & Trails

Friday Five: Thinks & Links

Yala & lululemon Make Fitness Chic

Five Faves from the Four Corners: Winter Edition

Friday Faves: What Happens in One Week

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