Posts tagged Review
4/25/13: I Am Grateful For….
0April 25, 2013
You know, I could actually plan out my blog posts, like I used to…something like every Friday write my “grateful” posts. But that never felt right and let’s be honest, that sort of planning actually works against my whole “Be Here Now” plan. I’m over it. I’m going to write what I want to write, when I want to write. For those that are regular readers I’m sure you’ve already picked up on this transition since I used to post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, which is no longer happening.
Although I’ve always had control over my blog, (hello, I write it.) taking this thought and actually living it has felt empowering. I also have to say that my blogging voice is coming through much easier . My posts may not flow all that well (not that they ever did), but lately I’ve found that when I sit down to type there’s a much easier flow from my brains thoughts to keyboard.
So, with all that being said, it’s been several weeks since I’ve posted about things that I am grateful for I figured it’s time to share.
Mobile banking. Since we have direct deposit that last time we stopped at our bank was months ago. Direct deposit is awesome given that we bank with a credit union and there aren’t locations on every street corner. I recently received a check in the mail to be deposited but kept putting off depositing it because it wasn’t convenient to make my way over to our bank. However, I just happened to check if they offered mobile deposits, like Bank of America shows in their commercials, and sure enough they do! I simply downloaded the app, took a few photos, submitted, and within 24 hours the deposit was accepted. Now, I gotta admit, the whole thought is a bit scary but given that it’s not something I’d be doing regularly it’s a rad option to have.
Swanson Vitamins. After mobile banking and now reading this next one you may think I’m lazy. I swear, I’m not. It’s all about convenience! Coming from a small town I often had to order vegan products to avoid making hour-long trips to Whole Foods and such. Living in Phoenix has made things a lot easier, but heading to the store or mall drives me bonkers (can you believe D loves shopping way more than me?). So from clothes, food, and other odds and ends, I’m all about online shopping. The friendly folks at Swanson Vitamins contacted me and asked to see if I’d like to check out their products and services. Free goodies for trying them out? Why not? I must admit I was pretty blown away not only by the prices (the vitamins I normally order on Amazon are actually cheaper from Swanson) but they have so much more than just vitamins. I was thrilled I could purchase so many of the things I regularly use all from one source.
I also decided to order some Justin’s Nut Butter, which I had never tried. That may or may not have been a good idea. I’ll let you decide.
Running mojo. After several months off of running it may be back. I attribute this to listening to my body, taking a break from my daily runs, and adding in yoga. As you know over the past several weeks I’ve added in Zumba and Total Body classes to the mix. I have slowly pieced together all of this cross-training and am back to working out on a daily basis. I am no longer running everyday (like I used to), but I still workout everyday, with the exception of rest days, and still manage to practice yoga. It feels good and more importantly I’m having fun.
Amande Yogurt. I was never a big fan of yogurt prior to going vegan so it wasn’t something I missed. Several months ago I just so happened to see yogurt at Sprouts Farm Market that was made of almond milk. I was intrigued and grabbed the the coconut flavor. Delicious! I have since tried their other flavors, which are tasty as well, but coconut wins hands down. Unfortunately the closest Sprouts doesn’t carry the coconut flavor nor do they carry the large containers (hence, why David went on the hunt). I have since found the flavor and size at Whole Foods, but it takes a bit of a drive, so I stock up whenever I’m in the area.
Grateful Jar. Speaking of gratefuls. Just like many people we chose to start a Grateful Jar at the beginning of the year. Although I’m not great at putting something in each day I usually make up for it the rest of the days and the jar is slowly filling up. I look forward to reading them at the end of the year. Should be fun!
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Bright & Versatile #FitGear From @RRSports – Giveaway!
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It’s no secret that since moving to Phoenix I have fallen in love with Road Runner Sports. From the Adventure Runs to their other fun in-store events what’s not to love? Their fitness apparel is pretty darn cool as well and I’ve found it to performed amazingly well. However, they just upped the ante. With the help of the Road Runner Sports Tempe store I was able to grab a quick sneak peak of some of the newly released or soon-to-be released items. Wow! Bright colors and versatility are the two things that stuck out to me.
For me, the brighter the better so I’m in love with all of the colors.
I’ve also taken note of a few differences in the overall style of the clothing. Dare I say it’s more LuluLemon-esque? Which leads me to my next point. What I mean when it comes to versatility is the ability to transition from sweat to street with ease. Sure, the clothing is still active wear, but not all of it screams, “I’m a runner!” It can be easily worn for other active lifestyles….or in my case, even work.
Case in point. I have fallen utterly in love with my Out & About Cardi. I wear it a minimum of once a week and most often I wear it to work…in a business setting. Not only can I wear it to work but it can be worn 50 million (ok not really that many) ways. In all seriousness, it can be worn in more ways than you can imagine.
Having already connected with Road Runner Sports they reached out to me to see if I’d be interested in doing a giveaway. After consulting my own personal standards on holding giveaways, I think it fits perfectly, so let’s do this!
What’s up for grabs? This entire outfit below! Men, yes you can enter for the ladies in your life as well. Even better? Send them to this post to enter as well.
To sweeten the deal Road Runner has also included my absolute fave piece in the giveaway….
Yes, the Out & About Cardi! – dog not included 
There you have it. All 3 pieces of the outfit could be yours simply by entering. Cool, right?
Here’s how to enter:
-Leave me a comment below. With spring around the corner, what are you most looking forward to?
-For an additional entry, tweet about this giveaway and leave a separate comment here letting me know you did. Something along the lines of “WIN rad new #FitGear from @RRSports & @BananaBuzzbomb!!” or just click this to tweet.
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST March 20th, 2013. The winners will be chosen at random using Random.org and notified by the following Monday. Sorry international friends, this giveaway is open to followers with US shipping addresses only.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Drink Up Me Hearties – Reusable Water Bottle Options
20March 5, 2013
When it comes to drinking, I’m on top of it. No, I’m not talking about alcohol. I’m talking staying hydrated. That’s what happens when you have a history of kidney stones My drink of choice? Tap water. No fancy bottled water for me. As for the actually bottle I use for my water. Now that’s a deal breaker. For as long as I can remember I’ve been a sensory person. Sensory meaning if things don’t feel “right” then I’m not a fan. Surprisingly enough I’ve found not 1, not 3, but 3 water bottles that work for me….all a little bit different.
Several years ago I had a Swiss Army bottle that was similar to the wide-mouth Nalgene bottles. The biggest issues I had was that it seemed to collect slime and stink real easy, it wasn’t BPA-free, and I don’t know how many times I ended up wearing my water due to the wide-mouth. Knowing it was time to replace my bottle I went on the hunt.
Klean Kanteen – I purchased this bottle when the whole BPA-Free craze started. It made sense to stay away from plastic for obvious reasons. With the smaller mouth opening I no longer found myself having problems wearing my water. However, I have to admit I wasn’t a fan of the bottle. I felt that it somehow changed the flavor of my water. Years later I’ve held onto the bottle and have found that it’s one of my faves. Looking back I’m wondering if the “different taste” was all in my head. I’ve never had problems with slime or stink which is a definite plus. This bottle has taken so many beatings, yet although it has a few dings it’s still holding strong and has a ton o’ character. When I hit the trails this tends to be my go-to bottle due to being so light yet sturdy.
Life Factory – Like most I was drawn into these bottles with how cool they look. I stumbled upon these at Whole Foods when I wasn’t 100% sold on my Klean Kanteen. I loved the concept of a glass bottle, yet it being protected by a webbed silicone cover. The mouth is a bit wider than my Klean Kanteen but not as huge as the old Swiss Army bottle. Depending on the day I have to be careful not to spill much water, but for the most part I have no issues. Like the Kanteen I’ve had absolutely no issues with slime or stink and it can be thrown into the dishwasher….silicone covering and all. I love the loop on the lid and find myself using the handle to haul it places. Although it’s thick glass and covered with rubber, I personally wouldn’t dream of taking it on the trail for fear of dropping it and/or busting it on some rocks.
HydroFlask – I was introduced to HydroFlask by Wilderness Dave. After discussing his love of their bottles on our adventure last weekend he was gracious enough to hook me up on an extra bottle he had around. I’m not going to go into all the specifics because Dave does a rad job doing that. What I can say is that I dig it. The best way to explain it is that it’s a mixture of my Kleen Kanteen and Life Factory bottle together plus a bit of steroids mixed in. I have yet to put it through a true test of resilience but this bottle is like a tank. Instead of worrying about it being crushed by the rocks it is the rocks that should be afraid of getting crushed. I’m not a coffee drinker but having the added insulation will be a definite plus come summertime when I need an icy cold beverage. I look forward to putting the bottle through its paces out on the trail but so far it’s a winner in my book and leaves my water bottle line-up looking pretty darn good.
Are you a water-drinker like me? What’s your go-to bottle? Anyone a fan of Camelbak or Geigerrig-type packs? That’s my next step….find a high capacity water carrying option for the trails.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Meet Ellie: Fitness Apparel Review
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I’m sure a week after last week’s post on having my blog be more personal you didn’t expect to see a review. Alas, I have several posts that I promised to deliver and I don’t break a promise. Not to mention, as I stated, I will continue to bring insight on products that I use and/or find helpful.
It seems as though monthly subscriptions boxes of stuff are popping up everywhere. I even did a review on NatureBox awhile back who offers healthy snack foods right to your door step. It should come as no surprise that one that delivers fitness apparel would pop up at some point. Enter Ellie.
Several months ago I was introduced to PV.Body through social media channels and blog posts about a company that delivers high quality apparel to your mailbox on a monthly basis for a set fee. I was intrigued. Lucky for me they contacted me wanting to know if I wanted to try their services at no charge to me. I jumped at the chance. Who wouldn’t? I took their Style Profile Quiz which would help them choose my outfit and I patiently awaited the arrival of what I’d receive.
Soon after I received my bright pink package of two items that I loved I started reading some bad reports from fellow bloggers. Their complaints ranged from ill-fitting items, lack of quality or high-end brands they expected, and bad customer service. A few days later I began hearing “rumors” of changes that were happening within PV.Body. They were going to continue their service but under a different name and only provide their brand new, personal line of clothing. Many felt they were bait switched by having signed up under a different premise only to have the rug pulled out from underneath them. I didn’t want to pass judgement or jump to conclusions and wanted to await their formal announcement of what their actual plans were with the company.
Staying true to my promise of only presenting products I use and/or believe in, I spoke with my contact for PV.Body stating that I didn’t want to review their service based on the items I received because basically I’d be saying, ” Hey. Here’s PV.Body and this is the concept…but now it’s different…because the concept is different and this isn’t the product you’re going to get…you’re going to get their line of clothing.” Make sense? They were 100% understanding and told me to sit tight.
I don’t know the ins and outs of all of the details or whether this was their plan all along but as things began to unfold my own personal opinion developed. What I do know is that what I was seeing was a newer company growing at an exponential rate. Any company has growing pains, whether change in product or vision, but when it is thrust into motion at such a high speed it makes it that much more challenging. Most companies aren’t that well known yet for them to be noticed or criticized. With its popularity it was that much more in the limelight and placed under a microscope.
A formal announcement was finally made about all of the rumors that were swirling. Yes, it’s true PV.Body was now going to be known as Ellie and their monthly subscription would only include items from their yet-to-be released fitness apparel line. They also provided a few more details. Here they are along with my thoughts are in italics:
-Every month, Ellie will launch a new collection of 16 tops and 8 bottoms. <- Different choices each month.
-Your choice of two pieces from that months Look Book for $49.95 per month. You can choose two tops, two bottoms or a top and a bottom and the price is always the same. <- You know what you’re getting.
-You have until the 7th of each month to select your own pieces. Otherwise, Ellie will select and ship an outfit (top and bottom) to you, depending on your selected style profile.
-Ellie offers free shipping on all orders, exchanged, and return to Fit Fashionista program members - If you are not satisfied with the quality of Ellie, you can ship it back for free both ways and you will receive another free piece from Ellie’s collection. <- Doesn’t fit or don’t like it? Send it back.
-Ellie offers exclusive access to pieces available only to Fit Fasionista members. <- Want more of the pieces released this month? You can buy them.
-You can still cancel your membership at any point in time. <-Not locked into a commitment.
More from the brand:
-Ellie created their own TruFit technogology. According to Ellie, “TruFit begins with the fabric. Each piece is pre-shrunk to make sure it never shrinks again. We guarantee that our clothing will fit the same the first time you try it and the 30th time you hit the gym. We carefully design very piece to make sure it fits you in all the right places.”
-The waistband on all bottoms will be the exact same. <- once you find out what size works for you, you’re golden.
-Every piece of every collection is washer and dryer-friendly.
-All products are manufactured in the USA. <- That puts the cherry on top. Pretty rad.
Personally I think this is better than the PV.Body deal on so many levels. Upon seeing the February Look Book and making my choice of 2 pieces I was pretty pumped for them to arrive. When they arrived I immediately fell in love. The Catch Me If You Can top was so buttery soft.
I was nervous when it came to choosing the Electric Love Capris. I love bright colors but didn’t know if they’d be too bright or make me feel uncomfortable. I’m glad I took the chance because they are the perfect fit and beyond comfortable.
I loved both the look and feel of the pieces so much that I actually felt inspired to go for a run. Seriously. And they performed beautifully.
Final thoughts: I know people lost a lot of faith in the PV.Body/Ellie with all that’s gone down in the past month. Fingers crossed that they’ve pulled it together or can do so really fast, because I think they have a great concept and product. I can’t wait to see what this months choice brings.
Interested in trying out some of their stuff? Click to receive 20% off coupon off of your first order and feel free to pass along to any friends that may be interested.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Yoga At Home: DVD Options
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Due to my financial situation and my schedule I have been limited in my ability to attend a yoga studio. Don’t get me wrong, I want to attend a studio, and will someday soon, but for now I’m a homebody yogini. As I navigate through the world of yoga I’m trying my best to find my niche and groove. Thanks to books, the internet, DVDs, and the help of friends I’m making my way.
If you’ve ever done any sort of workouts to video you know they can be hit or miss. I’ve been asked several times, “What DVDs are you using?” I’ve done some research on my own but also had the opportunity to check out some different DVDs to review. I figured I’d do a little post on all the videos I’ve tried in hopes of sharing some insight from my experiences.
Weight Watchers Yoga Starter Kit – The kit includes the DVD, strap, block, along with a 10 Week Exercise Tracker. I was pretty stoked about the block since I hadn’t picked one up yet. The DVD has 3 sections – Basics, Get Moving, And Get Strong. As you can expect, it starts with the basics of breathing and then moves into asanas with the assistance of using a strap and blog. I think it’s great how they have two women performing asanas…one regular and one showing modified versions. This DVD really is about the basics but makes practicing yoga attainable for just about everyone and it’s a great starting point for someone just looking to get their toes wet. I also like that the 2 workouts are approximately 30 minutes each.
Zen-Ga Power & Strength – The best way I can describe this is a mixture of yoga and pilates. The DVD is fast moving, almost to a tempo, like most typical at-home workouts. This workout includes the use of a block as well and is 60 minutes in length. I know most yoga sessions are 60 minutes or more at a studio, but personally I find a 60 minute at-home workout a bit too much for me. Especially when it’s something at this tempo. Sure I can do it, but I don’t find it enjoyable. I think this DVD has great substance but the length along with speed of the work really entice me.
Element – Intro To Yoga With Tamal Dodge – Once again, a DVD that shares the basics in one session and then another session at the intermediate level. Tamal does a great job breaking down each asana, explaining breathing, along with the use of a block. This DVD is calmer than the above, focusing on balance and breathing, as he leads you through a series of full sun salutations. I find it excellent that he says all asanas in sanskrit and the modern vocabulary. This helps me to learn both versions. Each session is just over 30 minutes in length.
Element – Yoga For Energy & Relaxation With Tamal Dodge – Another DVD with the same presenter as above. Just as the other DVD Tamal breaks everything down so it’s easily understood. This DVD contains 2 sessions – 1 for energy (AM) and 1 for relaxation (PM). Each at approximately 30 minutes in length. I found these sessions to be more about breathing, holding asanas, along with stretching. I’m not sure if it’s just where I’m at in my journey but this doesn’t feel enough for me right now. Once again, I understand yoga isn’t all about the workout.
Gaiam – Rodney Yee’s A.M. & P.M. Yoga For Beginners – I found this DVD to be quite comparable to the video above. 2 different sessions, one for AM (energy), while the other was for PM (relaxation), both at 25 minutes. The morning session is presented by Rodney Yee and the evening presented by Colleen Saidman. As with the other, it just wasn’t enough for me. However, for those that are just starting out with limited flexibility, this is a great place to begin.
Gaiam – Rodney Yee’s Power Yoga For Flexibility and Power Yoga For Strength – Hands down the winners for me. With Rodney Yee’s calming voice that provides just the right amount of guidance I have quickly fallen in love with the flow of power yoga. It’s the perfect pace that’s not to slow and not to fast. Just perfect. I find it calming but also feel that I’m getting my movement/workout in. It helps to know some basics, but almost anyone can be easily guided with these videos. The length of 30 minutes is perfect to fit in whenever I have a few moments and I often find myself wanting more.
Anton Mackey’s Functional Flow DVD – While at the Sedona Yoga Fest I took advantage of purchasing one of Anton’s DVDs after his class. It’s a very basic DVD with no frills but it has helped reinforce all his teachings he presented in the classes. Although it sticks with the basics he still guides you through full sun salutations so in the end you feel as though it’s actually been a session and not just going through some random motions. And at only 30 minutes in length it can also be revisited when you have a few quick moments.
So those are the DVDs I’ve checked out thus far. Have you tried any of them? Do you have any faves that you’d recommend? I would love to hear about them!
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
@NatureBox Review and Giveaway
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I’m pretty excited to have a couple giveaways lined in the coming weeks. Who doesn’t like free stuff? When it’s healthy, it’s even better, right?
So, let’s get to it!
Recently I was contacted by NatureBox and asked if I’d like to try out some of their products. Having had a taste of one of their mixes at Inspiration and Perspiration along with having seen many rave reviews, I was pretty stoked at the opportunity. For those that are unfamiliar with NatureBox, let me break it down….For $19.95 each month you will receive a box via mail. Your box will include 15 to 20 servings across 5 different NatureBox snacks. Each month your NatureBox will be filled with different tasty treats.
Pretty simple, eh? But it gets better. NatureBox focuses on healthy, natural ingredients that are minimally processed. None of their products contain high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, trans fats, or artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors. Even more, many of their products are vegan and are clearly labeled if so.
When I received my box the hardest thing was not eating it all in one day! I immediately dove into the Carrot Chips but I made sure I shared with the pups. Ooh, did they love the them too.
The Cinnamon Spice Granola and Roasted Garlic Pumpkin Seeds were the perfect flavor for getting in the fall mood. I have to admit, when I received my box I wasn’t sure if I’d care for everything in the box. For instance the Country Ranch Peas and Chipotle Maple Almonds. I saved those for last. Alas, those were my 2 favorites. Go figure! The peas tasted so much like ranch that it was hard to believe they were vegan. I have no idea who came up with the Chipotle Maple Almonds but whoever did needs to win a prize. I’d buy those in bulk if I could. Yes, they were that good.
I really think NatureBox is onto something here. They have some pretty amazing tasting snacks at a reasonable price. Some may balk at the price but have you ever seen how expensive regular ol’ trail mix costs at the store. This is more natural, healthier, unique, and brought right to your door.
Because I loved my NatureBox so much they have offered to help me spread the love to my followers by offering a free NatureBox to one of my readers.
Here’s how to enter:
-Leave me a comment below. What’s your favorite healthier snack when you get the munchies?
-For an additional entry, tweet about this giveaway and leave a separate comment here letting me know you did. Something along the lines of “WIN a box of healthy goodies from @NatureBox & @BananaBuzzbomb!!” or just click this to tweet.
-For TWO more extra entries, find the photo of my NatureBox (above) on my instagram (@BananaBuzzbomb), and comment that you want to win. Remember to leave another comment here that you did it.
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST January 13th, 2013. The winners will be chosen at random using Random.org and notified by the following Monday. Sorry international friends, this giveaway is open to followers with US shipping addresses only.
For those wanting to give NatureBox a try, head over to their site and use the promotional code CARROT to receive 25% off your first month’s subscription. Get snacking!
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon Recap: Surviving One Of My Biggest Race Day Fears
16December 2, 2012
in Running
Another Half Marathon in the books. Nice! With temps starting around 55* and heading toward the mid 70s I settled on wearing my Nike capris, Columbia Insight Ice V Neck Top, finishing it off with my Columbia Solar Polar Long Sleeve Top (no link for that one…sorry!)
My fellow Cholla Chicks, who are all from Arizona, found it funny that I was staying “bundled” up for the run while they took to their tank tops. I know what works for me and am glad with my choice since the first half of the race was all shaded.
The Good:
Beautiful flat course near residential areas.
Traffic VERY well managed by law enforcement.
Local, smallish, affordable race.
Well organized.
Excellent medal.
The Bad:
Not enough porta-potties. Even though this was a small race, only having 2 at the start was not enough. Having 1 every 2-3 miles wasn’t either, since there were absolutely no other options along the route (No businesses to stop at). With so few options this lead to lines 3 deep at the ones that were offered. Ran out of water at the post-race refueling tent. I’m slow but I know there were many behind me that also missed out on this. I always carry my own water so this wasn’t an issue for me.
Lack of vegan options for post-race fuel. Although there were several options provided most were processed bars, had something in them I couldn’t eat, and the bread offered was questionable if it contained non-vegan ingredients. I would’ve been content with a handful of grapes or a banana.
The race shirt. Unlike most people I would prefer a plain ol’ cotton tee instead of a tech tee since often they are unisex, huge, and will never be worn.
The Ugly:
As I stated, I had no goals with this race other than to go out, have a decent run, and finish. Unfortunately for me, my body had other plans. What do you do when that happens? You roll with it.
This is when things get personal. Head’s up: TMI ahead! Men, you want to leave now.
Ever since my period arrived in 7th grade I’ve dealt with SEVERE cramping issues. The kind that cause vomiting, diarrhea, curling up in the fetal position, screaming in pain, and staying home from school. When I went on birth control it helped tremendously. I have since had a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis, Since having a tubal ligation and avoiding unnecessary chemicals in my body, I am no longer on birth control. This also means my cycle is all over the place. I never know when it will arrive or how severe it will be. In addition, I now deal with moderate cramps a week before the arrival and my severe cramps do not start until 3-4 days into my flow.
If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you may have seen this a couple days ago…
One of my worst fears. How was I going to deal with this? Growing up I showed horses and prayed my cycle didn’t coincide with shows since I knew it’d sideline me. I stayed open minded, hoped the cramps would come and go by race day. That didn’t happen.
I spent the night before the race tossing and turning in bed. Not from nerves, but cramps. I woke up Sunday morning, did my normal routine, and once again hoped the cramps would subside. As race start time drew closer I could only feel the cramps come on stronger and stronger. Although I couldn’t control the pain any better I knew the only way I could get through it would be to keep my mind in check.
Believe it or not the first half of the race went surprisingly well. I was able to keep up with a much faster pace group than expected, but the cramps kept kicking. In turn, I could feel my GI tract giving me a run for my money. Enter the lack of porta-potties. Yargh! I thought, “If I can stop, do my business, I think I can keep on track.” But it wasn’t an option. At mile 5 I finally stopped and waited to use a porta-potty.
At mile 6 my IT band/right hip/piriformis started screaming at me in my “bad” leg. I kept keeping on. Mile 8 called for some walking. Unsure if I was about to drop a load in my pants or upchuck my breakfast I decided it’d be best to not push my luck. Not to mention, my hip appreciated the small bit of rest.
From then on it was walk/run/walk/run until the finish. There was no method to my madness. My goal at that point was to finish without shitting my pants. Seriously. Been there, done that (during a training run…don’t think I ever told ya’ll about that…that’s a story for another day). I don’t want it to happen again.
And I finished.
One of my worst race day fears realized…and I survived.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Love Yourself: Your Body Project with @AngieGooding – Body Image Specialist
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Last week I stated that I was going to begin blogging with no set plan but promised to still write about products, services, and events that I thought were worth sharing with ya’ll. Today is one such day.
If you remember back to October I had the fantastic opportunity to attend Inspiration and Perspiration in Las Vegas. Not only was I able to meet and get to know the fellow attendees but I was able to spend some time getting to know the presenters: Danny J, Bex, and Angie. The cool thing about the experience was that although the presenters were there to present ideas and instill wisdom, they were still accessible. Since then I have gotten to know them all a bit better and am grateful to call them my friends. When Angie approached me about checking out a new program she recently launched, called Your Body Project, I jumped at the chance.
I have since been digging through Your Body Project to see what it all has to offer and must say I am beyond impressed. Angie breaks down the 16 week program into 4 sections or phases: Enjoy Exercise, Peace With Food, Love Your Body, and Manage Stress. Although these topics sound basic I know most anyone, myself included, could benefit from digging a little deeper into these parts of our lives. The project isn’t about creating a healthy woman solely on the outside, but the inside too.
From assignments, questionnaires, and weekly Skpe or phone call sessions, the entire experience is interactive. Not only do participants interact with Angie, but an invite is extended to everyone to join in a private community of fellow participants on Facebook. This provides a safe zone to speak about personal experiences throughout the project. In addition to one-on-one interaction, Angie also provides tasty recipes, videos that show proper fitness techniques (specifically lifting), and mini-circuit workouts to help you along the journey.
Having met Angie and having the opportunity to delve into her program I have no doubt in my mind that those that participate in the Your Body Project will have life altering experiences. Angie is passionate about health and fitness and is sure to provide direction and encouragement to those that need a little boost in their life. If you’re interested in speaking to Angie she can easily be found on her site, Facebook, or Twitter. I encourage you to contact her….You won’t be disappointed.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Buzz: Fun Times At @ColorMeRad5K Phoenix
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This past weekend was my second official race since arriving in Arizona. Color Me Rad Phoenix! A LONG time ago I won an entry to one of their races from Ashley. Unfortunately there weren’t very many race locations on their tour that were convenient for me. As popularity has increased they have quickly added dates/locations. Not to mention, I have since moved and thankfully Color Me Rad honored my free registration. Hot dang!
I had hoped to run this with some friends or D but no one’s schedules coincided with the date. Half marathon season is just revving up here in Arizona (Woot!), which means everyone was either training for a race or already running one this weekend. No biggie! Running alone has never been an issue for me. I knew I’d grab my GoPro and be ready for any action and fun that came my way.
Color Me Rad HIGHLY recommends early packet pick up the day before and I strongly back their feelings. I obeyed their rules and got my packet on Friday. It was a speedy process that included a kick butt gender specific t-shirt, temporary tattoos, stickers, and your choice of color sunglasses. Nice swag!
Parking on race day was easy but I must admit those packet pick-up/registration lines were horrendous. Yikes. See! Follow their rules and no worries.
The MC, Alex, did an excellent job getting the crowd amped up. Swag including t-shirts, tank tops, hats, and extra colored powder bags were being tossed left and right for being the loudest or performing the most push ups. Photographers were also on hand to catch before and after shots of runners.
Knowing I had more miles to log after the run I headed to the start in hopes of getting in one of the first waves. It was a sea of white that would soon be colorfied.
Within a quarter mile of the start we hit our first “Bomb Squad” and we were clean no more. Something that threw me off were the liquid color stations. Instead of having the colored cornstarch powder, some stations had pressurized color liquid that was sprayed as you ran passed. I had no issue with it, but didn’t expect it. As we ran through the course we continued to pass through Bomb Squad locations until the big finale of color at the finish line.
Want to see some of my GoPro footage?
This was a run that people of all ages and athletic ability could partake in…and that they did. I’d say 75% of the people that participated probably are not regular runners nor have they ever done a “race” before. High five to them! It’s all about getting out there, being active, and having fun. Right?!
Although I ran this race alone it was a fantastic experience and I’m glad I registered. Definitely nice to mix it in as I train for my next half marathon.
Oh yes! Speaking of “rad”, I wanted to share something else rad with you. I was stoked to see that Road Runner Sports is hosting yet another huge sale event this week….VIP Black Tie Friday Event.
Date: November 9th from 5-8PM!
The details: VIPS will receive 30% off select watches/monitors along with 40% off winter gear & apparel on the event night. Attending also gives you the chance to enter a $1,000 shopping spree & treat yourself to refreshments, games, gift wrapping & a VIP-ONLY Black Tie Raffle!
In the Phoenix area? Click here to RSVP. Not in Phoenix? Visit Road Runner Sports to find your closest location.
I can’t believe it’s already November and yet I’m still running races in 80* weather. Definitely a perk of living in Arizona. November means Christmas is right around the corner thought, right? Have you started your shopping yet? I haven’t….
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Pizza That’s Good For You? – Naked Pizza
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Ya’ll already know I LOVE pizza, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I’m reviewing yet another pizza restaurant here in Arizona. What’s even funnier? I already have another to review after this one!
While driving around our new location here in Arizona I came upon a place called Naked Pizza. Unfortunately it was not yet open but I was intrigued enough to do some research.
The concept behind their pizza is that it’s all natural. For instance, their Ancestral Blend dough contains prebiotic agave fiber and probiotics. There is no added sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or hydrogenated oil. With that being said, they are forthcoming and say it is not a “diet pizza”.
Sadly the location near us had already opened and since closed. The good news: there’s another location within 45 minutes our home. Even better: they offered Daiya cheese. I definitely wanted to give it a try.
We decided to head to Naked Pizza on a Friday night and found the location to be in a strip mall. We soon found that the restaurant wasn’t really a restaurant but more of a storefront where you placed and picked up your order, with the exception of several small tables just outside the door.
Upon entering the location was open and bright with their menu posted largely on the wall.
Basically you choose the size of the pizza, crust thickness, choice of sauce, choice of cheese. and additional toppings. As with most pizza places there are “specialty” pizzas to choose from too.
Within 15 minutes of ordering our pizzas were ready and we chowed down.I definitely noticed a difference versus regular ol’ pizza in the crust alone. The ancestral blend was definitely grainy in texture and different than what I was used to. With that being said, it was pretty darn delicious. As always, when vegan cheese is an option I’m pretty happy about it.
I think Naked Pizza could grow in many ways if a few ideas were considered. Have a more spacious area for dine-in eating and provided plates and utensils for those interested in dining in. We literally had to eat out of our boxes since no plates were provided. Lastly, nothing to do with their food….I’m not sure what the deal is with their website being a “.biz” instead of “.com” I’m sure there’s a valid reason for this but I would say this cannot help with their exposure.
Considering their location is so far away from our home I highly doubt we’ll make any special trips to visit Naked Pizza, but it is nice to know that I have one more vegan friendly pizza option in the Phoenix area.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
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Looking for more vegan food in Phoenix? Check out the rest of my adventures.
