Runners World Magazine Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival Discount...

I cant believe in 6 days I will be on a jet plane on my way to Boston with the BFF Melanie for a week. AHHHHHHH! So excited. I have never been to Boston so I am super excited about checking the city out. Not only will we be playing tourist for a couple days I will also be attending the Runners World Magazine blogger event and racing all weekend...

My favorite magazine, Runners World is taking over the streets of Boston June 6-8th for the Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon and Festival. I am lucky enough to be able to attend this awesome weekend as part of the blogger team again.

I was fortunate enough to attend the very first Half & Festival they put on 2 years ago in Pennsylvania. Let me tell you Runners World knows how to put on a race. You can read my recaps, they are pretty epic...
Runners World Epicness part 1
Running World Epicness Part 2
Runners World Part 3, The Bloggers!
The RW Expo...The great companies

Anyways I know that this race will be just as epic if not more.

Held on the Boston College Campus with races that run through beautiful Newton, Massachusetts over some of the most fabled roads in running, the festival weekend on June 6–8, 2014, will include:

• Seminars
• Live music
• A keynote address by Sarah Reinertsen
• Prerace dinner with Runner's World editors
• Kids races, children's programming
• 5K and 10K races (Saturday)
• Half marathon (Sunday)

And if that's not enough for you, take on our multiple-race options: the Hat Trick (5K, 10K, and Half Marathon) or the Five & Dime (5K and 10K).

If you can make it for the race weekend, I would love to meet you. If you haven't signed up yet, I have a great discount code for you guys, check it out...

You can REGISTER HERE, cant wait to see ya in Boston!

Whats your favorite Health Magazine?
Have you ever ran in a multiple race weekend?

Glutes, Plantain Pizza Crust, and a Swiftwick Giveaway...

I have been loving my spin classes lately. A good sweat at 8:45 in the morning is always a great way to wake up. My friend Cindy is bringing a new spin concept class to Mobile soon, and I am so excited to try it out and tell you guys all about it.

Since taking time off from my Crossfit box to join the Y because I needed a pool to train for IM Augusta 70.3, I have been trying to incorporate a lot of the things I learned in Crossfit into my regular workout routine. I have been working a lot on my hamstrings, quads, and glutes. Its starting to show, thank goodness...


My Fit Plus Wear Sound Solution Pants definitely help my butt look good. I would love to know some of your favorite glute/leg exercises.

After I got home from the gym, I decided to test out my plantain tortilla recipe out as a pizza crust. (I cut the tortilla recipe down. 1 plantain, 1 egg, pinch of salt, 1/2 tbsp. coconut oil, and squeeze of lime. Mix in food processor till blended well. Spread on parchment paper and bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes. Makes a pizza crust the size of a large pizza) I knew that it wouldn't get crispy, however it actually held up great. I topped my pizza with organic tomato paste mixed with a tsp of raw honey and a tsp of coconut oil, lean ground turkey meat cooked with a little salt and island seasoning, chopped raw kale, and a very small amount of cheese. It was delicious.



I am so excited that you guys are excited about my Swiftwick sock giveaway. They are the most amazing socks EVER.



Enter below if you want to win a pair of Swiftwick Aspire colored compression socks.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

What's your favorite summer sport?

Swiftwick Sock Giveaway, Enter Today!

Hey guys, I know I'm a little late on the giveaway I promised you guys last week. We had a little family sadness happen last week, but we got through it and now we are all back on track. Sooooo that means I can get back to doing what I love and that is bringing great fitness products that I love to you guys.

On that note, the awesome people over at Swiftwick Socks want to hook 2 of you guys up with a pair of their awesome new colored Aspire socks...


"The ASPIRE™ Line is thin and light for serious runners, cyclists and athletes of any sport. We eliminated the toe seam using linked-toe technology, which means no bunching in the toe box."

The Swiftwick Aspire socks are my absolute favorite sock. One of the great things about Swiftwick are their awesome wicking ability. I have worn them for the past 2 years at every run, race, cycle, WOD, and the occasional "get your butt kicked by your highly athletic children's sport of choice"  and I have not had a single blister or foot problem. They are amazing. Also I am still wearing the pairs I got 2 years ago and they still have the same compression as they did the day I got them.

Up until recently they only offered the Aspire in black and white. Not anymore! Introducing the new colored Aspire sock...

 



As an Ambassador for Swiftwick for the past 2 years, I was super excited when I heard the news of the addition of colored Aspire socks. As a runner we love our colors. As you can see I would go to great links to "fancy" my socks up usually by cutting a colored sock at the rim and adding it to the top of my Swiftwick sock. There was no way I was running a race without my Swiftwick on.

I was sent the purple, blue, and red Aspire last week and I am in LOVE!

They are amazing and the color is awesome. The purple match my Mizuno Wave Creation 15's perfectly.



Now its your turn. The awesome people over at Swiftwick want to give 2 of you guys a pair of purple of blue Aspires. YAYYYYYYYYYYYY!
Just enter below and good luck...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway will be open until midnight on Wednesday June 4th, 2014!
 I will announce the winner on Wednesday before I hop a plane with BFF to meet up with some awesome bloggers for the Runners World Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival weekend in Boston with Runners World Magazine. Oh and if you haven't signed up yet or know someone who may want to come join us in Boston, here are a couple discount codes for you...

REGISTER HERE

 

I was sent Swiftwick product for review purposes as an Ambassador for Swiftwick Socks, no other compensation was received. All opinions are of my own and no one elses. 

Mamma Chia Giveaway WINNER and another giveaway announcement...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats David! You have won this awesome gift pack from Mamma Chia...

You have 24 hours to email me or another winner will be picked!
Thanks MammaChia for the awesome chia products and for hosting the giveaway...

Ill have another awesome giveaway up tomorrow, WHooHoo!

Everyone by now should know the love I have for my Swiftwick socks. They have taken me many miles around the world. Being an ambassador for them has been amazing. So to give back to you guys, they are giving 2 of my readers a pair of their all new purple or blue Aspire line sock...


The ASPIRE™ Line is thin and light for serious runners, cyclists and athletes of any sport. We eliminated the toe seam using linked-toe technology, which means no bunching in the toe box.

Stay tuned tomorrow for a full run down on how awesome these socks are and for a way to enter the giveaway. Until then, stay healthy...

A Liebster Award nomination and who I nominated. Sharing the knowledge...

Hey guys, I was awarded a Liebster Award by the awesome Jenn from www.JenZenator.com a couple days ago. Somehow I missed it and just saw it last night:(

How the Liebster Award works is

Answer the 10 questions the nominee has asked of you,

Choose 10 bloggers to nominate,

Ask your nominees 10 questions of their own,

Notify your nominees of the nominations on their blog.

You must link back to the person who nominated you

So the following questions were asked by Jenn..

What is your blog about?
My blog is geared more towards the active mom. You know the person who likes to workout, run, eat, cook, and travel while still maintaining peace at home. It also is a lot about my training and goals.

When did you start your running/fitness journey and why?
I actually worked and trained in gyms for years back 12 years ago. However after getting married and having 3 kids my body and health had been put on the back burner. So about 3 years ago I got off my lazy butt and decided it was time to take care of me. I have blogged about it ever since.

What’s been your favorite race so far?
This is a tough question. I have man favorite for many reasons. First my epic weekend with Runners World at the #RWHalf was a weekend to remember. My all time favorite race for experience would have to be the Crescent City Classic in New Orleans. And then the Double Bridge 15k in Pensacola is a fave too! See too many to name. LOL

What is the fitness gear you can’t live without right now?
If you follow me on social media, you pretty much know I am die hard Swiftwick sock fan. I wear them for every active thing I do. They have saved me feet. I also love my Mizuno running shoes. Oh and my Enell sports bra, (ladies if you have boobs you must check them out).

What advice would you have for someone just starting out on their fitness journey?
Believe in yourself. Keep your head up. And trust your body enough to push it to the limit.
Don't let anyone tell you you cant do something.

What do you eat before a long run/race or hard workout?
I am probably a little different than most. I do fasting cardio every morning. I usually don't eat before a race, my stomach cant handle it. Therefore I tend to eat during a longer race or after the race/workout is over.

How do you find time to exercise in your busy life schedule?
I am fortunate enough to not work. So my training time is basically from 8 am after my kids go to school till around 11. My job starts at 3 when they get out of school. LOL

Where do you find motivation to keep going?
My kids keep me motivated and my friends. I have met a lot of people in my journey that keep inspiring me everyday.

What do you do to splurge or indulge?
I take a lot of "racecations". I love traveling to new places and meeting new people.

Name a random thing about you that most people don’t know.
I suffer from MISOPHONIA. If you don't know what that is, its a sensitivity to certain noises. CRAZY, I know. Smacking food, someone gulping liquid, and people crushing water bottles drive me insane. Its certified! HEEHEE!

I am nominating the following 10 people...

Lisa and Christina from TriOurAdventure
Samantha from The More I Run
Tracy from My Fit Focused Life
Melissa from Melissa Running It
Dave from Wilderness Dave
Karen from Just Me and My Running Shoes
Laura from Our Full Plate
Tara from Wellness Trilogy
Bess from Bess be Fit
Megan from Mara.thong.irl

and here are my 10 questions to you guys...

1. What made you start blogging?
2. What is the craziest adventure you have ever embarked on?
3. What is your favorite fitness gear?
4. Who is the one person that inspires your fitness/health journey?
5. If you could race anywhere in the world, where would it be?
6. What is some of your favorite health and fitness blogs you enjoy reading?
7. What is something we may not know about you?
8. What is your favorite running distance?
9. What is your favorite way to burn calories?
10. Do you lift heavy or light weights and why?

I'm looking forward to reading your answers and getting to know you guys better.

Thanks to Jenn for nominating me:)

Runners World Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival discount code...

In 20 days I will be jetting off to Boston with Melanie for the 2014 Runners World Heartbreak Hill Half and Festival. I AM SO EXCITED!
(Its also my BIRTHDAY today, so I have a little gift for you guys at the end of this post:)

Yep! I'm joining some of my favorite bloggers in a weekend full of running, racing, sightseeing, reviewing, and hanging out with some of the coolest people Runners World Magazine could possibly employ. Oh and there may an Olympian or two there. HMMMMMMM!!!

Last time we got to hang out with Runners World it was a weekend of epicness. Full of Bart Yasso office takeovers...shhhhh!

Kristin, Michelle, Jess, and I only took a stapler Bart, I promise:)

 



 

Product testing:) Yeah that would be Lindsay, Tina, and myself smelling our Swiftwick socks after 3 straight days of wearing them while racing. Product Testing at its best right there. The life of a blogger is so glamorous:)



 

VIPing it! Well at least we thought it was. Hey Beachy can I borrow that to use the "clean, no line" restrooms?

 

Meeting such inspirational people like Matt Long. If you don't know who he is check out his story HERE. I have read his book a couple times and trust me it will have you inspired.

and inspiring Olympians...

 



Oh and lots of running...

a little thing called The Hat Trick...

and the best part meeting all of these inspiring "BLENDS" along the way.

 

Trust me when I say that Runners World knows how to put on a race weekend. I cannot wait to see what they have in store this year. So I hope you will join us June 6-8th in Boston as Runners World and some really cool bloggers take over Heartbreak Hill. And for being super cool and wanting to join us for a race or 2 or 3, here are some discount codes you can use to register yourself and everyone else.

 

Let me know if you are planning on coming, I would love to meet you. Hope to see everyone there...

 

 

Have you been to Boston? or ran a "Hat Trick"?

Plantain Tortilla Recipe (grain free/clean eating/paleo)

Taco Night!
Tacos are a staple in our house. Its the one food that all of us can eat and everybody be happy. I have tried different paleo/clean grain free tortillas before. I have had success with the Cauliflower tortillas but they are a mess to make and take a while to get perfect. The also include cheese and I try to stay away from dairy while training.
So when I came across The Paleo Secret recipe for plantain tortillas of course I had to try them.



I didn't have all of the ingredients that their recipe called for so made my own version.

Larisa's Plantain Tortillas
3 ripe yellow plantains
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp coconut oil
pinch of salt (I used about a 1/4 tsp)
1egg
1egg white
half lime squeezed

Preheat oven 350 degrees
Mix all ingredients in food processor or high power blender until mixture is nice and smooth.


Spread parchment paper (not wax paper) on top of baking pans. I sprayed my paper with coconut oil spray. You don't really have to it shouldn't stick. spread mixture onto parchment in circles. I made them about the size of a corn tortilla.


Place in 350 degree oven for about 15-18 minutes till they are golden brown.


I was amazed at how these tortillas turned out. they fold just like soft tortillas and they will even roll up if you want to make slightly larger ones for burritos.


Next was the taste test. I didn't want them to taste like a plantain. I was so pleased when I took my first bite of this awesome taco I built...

I filled my tacos with ground turkey meat mixed with Mrs. Dash salt free taco seasoning (love that stuff), avocado, pinch of mozzarella, and a spoonful of homemade salsa. Then I took a bite.
BAMMMMMMMM! AMAZING! and the best part is there is no plantain/banana taste. YAY!

I hope that you will take the time to make a healthier tortilla for your family. My kids and husband loved them. It feels good to know they are eating healthy. Make sure to tag me if you make them. You can find me on Instagram and Twitter both @0to26point2.

Do you have a healthy tortilla recipe you love?

Mamma Chia Giveaway...

If you follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, than you have probably seen my love of Chia seeds. I have used chia seeds in many of my recipes and drinks. There are some amazing benefits to these tiny little seeds.

So you better believe when I had the chance to review MammaChia Products, I jumped at the chance. I received this awesome package full of goodies in the mail.

And a few days later I received the Ready to Drink Vitality drinks in the mail to try. (Unfortunately they don't sell it at the stores local to me, hopefully that will change soon. Fingers crossed).

Let me tell you these drinks were delicious. I know some of you guys are probably not too keen on having seeds in your drinks, however you really don't notice them in the MammaChia drinks. My favorite was definitely the coconut mango.
Another great thing about Chia Seeds is that they virtually have no taste. You can pretty much add them to anything. I have added them to my burgers, chili, smoothies, yogurts, and even my drinks. MammaChia Margarita anyone?

I was super excited to review the Chia Vitality book by Janie Hoffman. I am almost finished with the book and will give you guys an update on my thoughts next week sometime. One thing I know is that there are some amazing recipes in this book. To order or check out Janie's Chia Vitality book HERE.

One of my favorite recipes that I have made many times now since receiving the MammaChia seeds is "Janie's Chia Vitality Pudding"

Its so easy to make and have on hand for those post workout snacks. I also have been adding a scoop of Cellucor Molton Chocolate protein powder while mixing. Its the best breakfast I have had in a long time.

If you have kids the you probably have had them ask for dessert and wished you had something healthy but tasty enough to call "dessert". You should make them me Chia Carrot Date Balls. They are delicious and #kidapproved.

Another MammaChia product that not only I have loved, my kids have loved also is the Chia Squeeze. I'm sure you have seen similar products in your store containing applesauce. The packages make it easy for my kids to grab and go. I took one to use during a swim session and it was just enough nutrition for me to keep going with out feeling bogged down.

So are you ready for the best part of this MammaChia greatness? They want to give one of you guys a MammaChia package. That's right one of you are going to win the following stuff from MammaChia products...

·         One week’s supply of Mamma Chia products -
7 Chia Squeezes (varied flavors) and 7 beverage vouchers
·         One copy of Janie’s book – Chia Vitality
·         One Mamma Chia T-Shirt
·         Total retail value: $75   
 
Enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Winner will be announced on Tuesday May 19, 2014. This giveaway is only open to U.S. and Canada residents.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: I received Mamma Chia products seen in this post through a campaign I participated in with FitFluential. No compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

Paleo "Almond Joy" and "Reeses Cups" recipes...

I have a huge sweet tooth! Unfortunately it is my one weakness I have yet to overcome. :( So I have been trying to make some of my favorite candy bars in a much healthier way. Also my kids love to have candy, what kids don't? So having healthier "mock" candy bars around just makes sense.

Here are 2 of my favorite candy bar remakes...
(Quick tip...Store both in freezer. The coconut oil will melt at room temperature, so they are best kept cold.)

Paleo friendly "Almond Joy" cups...

These are AMAZING!!!
Ingredients: (Makes 24 mini cups)
3 cups unsweetened coconut
3 tbsp honey (local if you have it)
5 tbsp coconut oil
pinch of salt

24 almonds
2 85% or more dark chocolate bars. I used Lindt 85% dark chocolate bars.

Combine coconut, honey, coconut oil, and salt in food processor. I used the chop button on my machine. Mix for a couple minutes, it will be still be chunky looking...

Use a mini muffin pan. You can add paper mini muffin cups if you want. I didn't but it will make them easy to remove from pan. Anyways Melt 3/4 of one of the bars with 1/2 tsp of coconut oil in microwave till it melts (about 1 minute). Spoon just enough chocolate for a small layer on the bottom of each cup. Place in freezer for about 5 minutes till set. Spoon coconut mixture evenly into each cup making sure to leave enough place at the top for more chocolate. Press mixture with fingers until it is flat in the cup. Press an almond into the middle of each cup.
Mix the rest of the chocolate bar and the 2nd bar in microwave with 1/2 tsp coconut oil in microwave and melt. Spoon over the top making sure to cover the almond and sides. Place in freezer to full set.
























Enjoy.
(To remove the cups from the medal mini muffin pan if you didn't use liners. Take a very sharp tip knife and push down the side of the cup and it should just pop out. Make sure they are frozen when removing.)


My other favorite is Peanut butter cups...

Ingredients (Makes about 20 cups)
1 cup almond butter or any nut butter (I made mine using 2 cups of raw almonds)
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1 tbsp coconut oil
3 tbsp honey
pinch of salt
1 85% or more dark chocolate bars. I used a Lindt 85% dark chocolate bar.

Mix all ingredients except chocolate in food processor fro about 5-6 minutes till it is good and blended. Spoon mixture into mini baking cups.
Mix chocolate bar and 1/2 tsp coconut oil in microwave till melted. Spoon on top of nut butter mixture and freeze for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

I hope you guys will try these super easy recipes out and let me know what you think...

What's you favorite candy bar?