So, the last two weeks have been a complete and total blow out on the exercise routine. Ahhh... the road to hell right ??
We've had 3 non-stop crazy weekends and it's killing me. Too much good food and too many good drinks. On top of that, I managed to severely strain a muscle in the back of my knee. Don't know what I did, but I did a freakin' good job :( Don't know if it's the new mizunos or flat tenny runners I wore and walked too much in. Interesting.
So, I've done back to back days of no-impact cardio on the AMT machine at Golds.
This weeks goal - easy -
less carbs, less sugar, no alcohol, more moving
We leave for Chicago in a few days.. I gotta get my act together.
15 August 2010
02 August 2010
when you wanna complain and frown :
8 feel-good websites to brighten your day
Special to CNN
(CNN) -- Our world, and the internet, are full of bad news that makes it easy to be a Negative Nancy.
With oil disasters, wars, criminal misdeeds and corporate scandals clogging our news feeds, it's no wonder people prefer to spend their web time scanning Facebook and catching up with shows on Hulu.
"Nowadays it seems all we see and hear on the news are negative events," wrote Domonique Burke, a blogger for Skirt.com. "I'm sorry, but I don't want to hear about bad things happening in the world all the time...Where are the positive, uplifting stories? The stories that make us want to better our own lives after hearing them?"
Well, these stories do exist -- you just have to know where to find them.
Despite its haters and trolls, the massive realm of the internet still has enough bright spots to improve any dark mood. Here are eight websites that feature positive and uplifting stories for people like Burke. Or you.
Who knows? They may even help renew your faith in the goodness of the human experience. Enjoy:
1. Happy News
Did you hear about the pizza deliveryman who saved a life? How about the Haitian dancer who was given a prosthetic leg after hers was lost in the earthquake?
These stories and many others are often lost in the flood of sad/frightening/depressing/violent news that proliferate the internet. Culled from popular news sites and submitted by citizen journalists, the stories on Happy News are just that.
The site's credo says it all: "We believe virtue, goodwill and heroism are hot news. That's why we bring you up-to-the-minute news, geared to lift spirits and inspire lives."
2. Gives Me Hope
Along the lines of popular sites like FMyLife, but about 65,000 times more uplifting, Gives Me Hope (GMH) offers user-submitted true stories of kindness and generosity. The stories are sentimental and, at times, almost heartbreakingly sweet.
"It was my first day back to school after being hospitalized for chemo," one user writes. "I had lost all of my hair, and was embarrassed. When I walked in, everyone was bald -- the popular kids, people I didn't know, my friends, the teachers. Everyone. Their kindness GMH."
How can you not love the world after reading that?
3. 1000 Awesome Things
1000 Awesome Things is a blog, updated every weekday, that enumerates the little things in life that make us happy. It's a reminder that even the smallest of feats, like "#936 Perfect parallel-parking on the first try" or "#572 Learning a new keyboard shortcut" are a reason to smile.
The site was launched in June 2008 and has been counting down from 1,000 ever since. Now at post number 449, the site is so popular that creator Neil Pasricha even released "The Book of Awesome Things" in April. When asked what will occur when he reaches number 1, Pasricha said, "Something very awesome will happen."
4. PostSecret
This secret-sharing site might be the perfect outlet to release that secret you've been harboring. Every Sunday founder Frank Warren posts a handful of secrets that people have anonymously mailed him on postcards.
Sometimes it can do a world of good to know someone shares your fears, dreams, hopes and failures. PostSecret inspired a reader from England to write, "Your site is truly inspirational. I'm left feeling full of compassion for my fellow human beings -- we're the same the world over."
The secrets range from touching ("I'm not that tough. My parents just couldn't pay for medical insurance"), to cryptic ("Law school changed me"), to downright shocking ("Everyone who knew me before 9/11 believes I'm dead.").
Warren uses the site as as a platform to support Hopeline, an organization that fights suicide.
5. Cute Baby Fix
We've seen a lot of baby videos in our day. Maybe too many. But goshdarnit, they still leave us grinning every time. This site is dedicated to cute baby videos and pictures and will let you watch a breakdancing baby take down celeb-baby Justin Bieber or marvel at how even a lame picture of baby feet is so freaking cute.
But if a site full of bug-eyed newborns is too much for you, stick with these classic YouTube videos: 3-year-old Ha Youngwoong strumming his guitar while singing "Hey Jude" or this toddler laughing hysterically at torn-up newspaper.
6. Christian the Lion
OK, so this isn't a website. But it's a video so amazing it'll have you believing anything is possible. The backstory: John Rendall and Anthony Bourke bought Christian, a lion cub, from Harrods in 1969 and raised him in their London home. Several years later, they set the lion free to live in the wilds of Africa.
A year later, against the advice of experts, the pair was determined to locate Christian. They traveled to Kenya to find him, and their reunion was recorded on film. Really, you just have to watch it -- it's truly inspirational. (If you want to see the video with Whitney Houston singing in the background, click this link instead.)
You can read the full story at the Born Free Foundation site.
7. Today's Big Thing
Make Today's Big Thing your new home page and you won't be inundated with depressing stories. Instead, you'll see the latest funny videos and creative pictures the internet has to offer in arts, entertainment, sports and more -- the real "news" people will be talking about at work tomorrow.
Don't be the last person to see this old man dancing to Lady Gaga or watch Zach Anner's hilarious Oprah audition tape, because even though it's no Russian spy ring, it's still news. Kind of.
8. ZooBorns
Already know about the puppies of cuteoverload.com, the kitten in a bottle at thingsthatmakeyougoaahh.com or the LOL cats at I can has cheez burger?
Yes, it's true -- nothing gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling quite like pictures of baby animals. The site is an ongoing collection of animal births at zoos and aquariums around the world. You'll feel like a 12-year-old girl when you find yourself forwarding pics of a yawning orangutan (OMG so cute!!!!).
Special to CNN
(CNN) -- Our world, and the internet, are full of bad news that makes it easy to be a Negative Nancy.
With oil disasters, wars, criminal misdeeds and corporate scandals clogging our news feeds, it's no wonder people prefer to spend their web time scanning Facebook and catching up with shows on Hulu.
"Nowadays it seems all we see and hear on the news are negative events," wrote Domonique Burke, a blogger for Skirt.com. "I'm sorry, but I don't want to hear about bad things happening in the world all the time...Where are the positive, uplifting stories? The stories that make us want to better our own lives after hearing them?"
Well, these stories do exist -- you just have to know where to find them.
Despite its haters and trolls, the massive realm of the internet still has enough bright spots to improve any dark mood. Here are eight websites that feature positive and uplifting stories for people like Burke. Or you.
Who knows? They may even help renew your faith in the goodness of the human experience. Enjoy:
1. Happy News
Did you hear about the pizza deliveryman who saved a life? How about the Haitian dancer who was given a prosthetic leg after hers was lost in the earthquake?
These stories and many others are often lost in the flood of sad/frightening/depressing/violent news that proliferate the internet. Culled from popular news sites and submitted by citizen journalists, the stories on Happy News are just that.
The site's credo says it all: "We believe virtue, goodwill and heroism are hot news. That's why we bring you up-to-the-minute news, geared to lift spirits and inspire lives."
2. Gives Me Hope
Along the lines of popular sites like FMyLife, but about 65,000 times more uplifting, Gives Me Hope (GMH) offers user-submitted true stories of kindness and generosity. The stories are sentimental and, at times, almost heartbreakingly sweet.
"It was my first day back to school after being hospitalized for chemo," one user writes. "I had lost all of my hair, and was embarrassed. When I walked in, everyone was bald -- the popular kids, people I didn't know, my friends, the teachers. Everyone. Their kindness GMH."
How can you not love the world after reading that?
3. 1000 Awesome Things
1000 Awesome Things is a blog, updated every weekday, that enumerates the little things in life that make us happy. It's a reminder that even the smallest of feats, like "#936 Perfect parallel-parking on the first try" or "#572 Learning a new keyboard shortcut" are a reason to smile.
The site was launched in June 2008 and has been counting down from 1,000 ever since. Now at post number 449, the site is so popular that creator Neil Pasricha even released "The Book of Awesome Things" in April. When asked what will occur when he reaches number 1, Pasricha said, "Something very awesome will happen."
4. PostSecret
This secret-sharing site might be the perfect outlet to release that secret you've been harboring. Every Sunday founder Frank Warren posts a handful of secrets that people have anonymously mailed him on postcards.
Sometimes it can do a world of good to know someone shares your fears, dreams, hopes and failures. PostSecret inspired a reader from England to write, "Your site is truly inspirational. I'm left feeling full of compassion for my fellow human beings -- we're the same the world over."
The secrets range from touching ("I'm not that tough. My parents just couldn't pay for medical insurance"), to cryptic ("Law school changed me"), to downright shocking ("Everyone who knew me before 9/11 believes I'm dead.").
Warren uses the site as as a platform to support Hopeline, an organization that fights suicide.
5. Cute Baby Fix
We've seen a lot of baby videos in our day. Maybe too many. But goshdarnit, they still leave us grinning every time. This site is dedicated to cute baby videos and pictures and will let you watch a breakdancing baby take down celeb-baby Justin Bieber or marvel at how even a lame picture of baby feet is so freaking cute.
But if a site full of bug-eyed newborns is too much for you, stick with these classic YouTube videos: 3-year-old Ha Youngwoong strumming his guitar while singing "Hey Jude" or this toddler laughing hysterically at torn-up newspaper.
6. Christian the Lion
OK, so this isn't a website. But it's a video so amazing it'll have you believing anything is possible. The backstory: John Rendall and Anthony Bourke bought Christian, a lion cub, from Harrods in 1969 and raised him in their London home. Several years later, they set the lion free to live in the wilds of Africa.
A year later, against the advice of experts, the pair was determined to locate Christian. They traveled to Kenya to find him, and their reunion was recorded on film. Really, you just have to watch it -- it's truly inspirational. (If you want to see the video with Whitney Houston singing in the background, click this link instead.)
You can read the full story at the Born Free Foundation site.
7. Today's Big Thing
Make Today's Big Thing your new home page and you won't be inundated with depressing stories. Instead, you'll see the latest funny videos and creative pictures the internet has to offer in arts, entertainment, sports and more -- the real "news" people will be talking about at work tomorrow.
Don't be the last person to see this old man dancing to Lady Gaga or watch Zach Anner's hilarious Oprah audition tape, because even though it's no Russian spy ring, it's still news. Kind of.
8. ZooBorns
Already know about the puppies of cuteoverload.com, the kitten in a bottle at thingsthatmakeyougoaahh.com or the LOL cats at I can has cheez burger?
Yes, it's true -- nothing gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling quite like pictures of baby animals. The site is an ongoing collection of animal births at zoos and aquariums around the world. You'll feel like a 12-year-old girl when you find yourself forwarding pics of a yawning orangutan (OMG so cute!!!!).
01 August 2010
and... I'm back !
Sheesh... nothing like a little delay in posts !
First... I found an amazing new bar this morning, no, not a bloody mary bar, but a nutrition bar ! Made by Kashi - the peanut peanut butter bar. 140 calories... and wait for it... 7 grams of protein ! Stellar ! So good.
Next - I signed up for a free 10K training plan thru my Active.com account (oddly, the free part was sponsored by Snickers). Anyway, it's an 8 week program and I get my little calendar every week. I signed up for the beginner program, because after all, since hhhhmmmm November, there really hasn't been any actual "training" involved. This is what the week looks like:
Sunday - 20 minute easy run
Monday - 30 minute easy run
Tuesday - rest (not sure what I'm resting from... but OK)
Wednesday - 30 minute easy run
Thursday - rest (ditto from previous rest day)
Friday - 55 minute easy run with a 400 meter high intensity thrown in there for fun
Saturday - 20 minute easy run
Alrighty then... I'll follow the program and see where it takes me ;)
Got this from Hungry Girl the other day... honestly, my first thought was 'ew', however, I am famous for picking apart my hamburgers. I'll try this and let you know !
In-N-Homage Animal-Style Salad
PER SERVING (1 salad, entire recipe): 240 calories, 2g fat, 967mg sodium, 38g carbs, 12g fiber, 17g sugars, 23g protein -- POINTS® value 4*
We LOVE In-N-Out Burger (super famous here on the West Coast), so we've made a salad inspired by one of its popular items... YUM!
Ingredients:
4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 large tomato, chopped
2 tbsp. roughly chopped dill pickle
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 Boca Original Vegan Meatless Burger
1 tsp. yellow mustard
2 tbsp. shredded fat-free cheddar cheese
2 tbsp. fat-free Thousand Island dressing
Directions:
Place lettuce in a large bowl and top with chopped tomato and pickle. Set aside.
Bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to high heat on the stove. Add onion and cook until slightly browned and softened, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the large bowl and set aside.
Prepare Boca patty according to package instructions (either in the microwave or in a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray). Once just cool enough to handle, chop into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a small bowl. Add mustard and toss to coat. Transfer the mustard-y burger bites to the salad bowl. Evenly top salad with cheese and dressing. Now EAT!
MAKES 1 SERVING
First... I found an amazing new bar this morning, no, not a bloody mary bar, but a nutrition bar ! Made by Kashi - the peanut peanut butter bar. 140 calories... and wait for it... 7 grams of protein ! Stellar ! So good.
Next - I signed up for a free 10K training plan thru my Active.com account (oddly, the free part was sponsored by Snickers). Anyway, it's an 8 week program and I get my little calendar every week. I signed up for the beginner program, because after all, since hhhhmmmm November, there really hasn't been any actual "training" involved. This is what the week looks like:
Sunday - 20 minute easy run
Monday - 30 minute easy run
Tuesday - rest (not sure what I'm resting from... but OK)
Wednesday - 30 minute easy run
Thursday - rest (ditto from previous rest day)
Friday - 55 minute easy run with a 400 meter high intensity thrown in there for fun
Saturday - 20 minute easy run
Alrighty then... I'll follow the program and see where it takes me ;)
Got this from Hungry Girl the other day... honestly, my first thought was 'ew', however, I am famous for picking apart my hamburgers. I'll try this and let you know !
In-N-Homage Animal-Style Salad
PER SERVING (1 salad, entire recipe): 240 calories, 2g fat, 967mg sodium, 38g carbs, 12g fiber, 17g sugars, 23g protein -- POINTS® value 4*
We LOVE In-N-Out Burger (super famous here on the West Coast), so we've made a salad inspired by one of its popular items... YUM!
Ingredients:
4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 large tomato, chopped
2 tbsp. roughly chopped dill pickle
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 Boca Original Vegan Meatless Burger
1 tsp. yellow mustard
2 tbsp. shredded fat-free cheddar cheese
2 tbsp. fat-free Thousand Island dressing
Directions:
Place lettuce in a large bowl and top with chopped tomato and pickle. Set aside.
Bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to high heat on the stove. Add onion and cook until slightly browned and softened, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the large bowl and set aside.
Prepare Boca patty according to package instructions (either in the microwave or in a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray). Once just cool enough to handle, chop into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a small bowl. Add mustard and toss to coat. Transfer the mustard-y burger bites to the salad bowl. Evenly top salad with cheese and dressing. Now EAT!
MAKES 1 SERVING
19 July 2010
Happy Monday
Boy - I've got a list !
1 - went for a run around the lake on saturday morning. My usual manatee pace, but everything felt great.. including the new Mizunos ! wahoo ! Although, I need some good new running socks... I'll be researching that
2 - summer cold = ew. Sunday, it decided to get the best of me. So I'm hangin' low until I can breathe again !
3 - Napa 2 Sonoma Half Marathon was yesterday. I'm diligently watching their website to see when registration opens up for 2011. I'll keep you posted. Also, if you check out their website, there's a coupla pictures from the race. B E A U T I F U L :) Rob asked me the other day why I wanted to try / attempt yet another half marathon. My answer, I want to complete one not injured ! I did everything right for the first one, had a shin splint. 2nd one I was complacent. Totally didn't train and figured I wouldn't have a problem. My own fault. 3rd one.... trained perfectly. Followed dr's orders, got up to 12 miles without any problems and then a stress fracture, from nothing i did wrong. So I just want to be able to finish one not injured. End of story.
3 - while digging thru the Napa 2 Sonoma web page, I found a blog called... danerunsalot. It's this amazing guy (or crazy... your decision) who, in 2006, decided to do a marathon every week ... 52 marathons in one year. He did it ! He's blog is pretty snazzy. And he has a shirt that I love - "This isn't sweat, it's liquid awesome.
4 - YUM - I love Bethenny :
Tuna Burger:
4 pounds sushi-grade ahi tuna
5 basil leaves, chopped
4 scallions, chopped
2 heaping tablespoons black sesame seeds
4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
4 tablespoons honey
Wasabi Mayonnaise:
2 tablespoons wasabi paste
3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise (such as safflower)
Salt and pepper to taste
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Juice of 1/2 lime
Tuna Burger:
Combine all ingredients and form into 12 patties.
Grill, turning once, until medium-rare.
Top with wasabi mayonnaise.
Wasabi Mayonnaise:
Combine all ingredients. (If you are pressed for time, wasabi mayonnaise can by found in most upscale supermarkets and health food stores.)
And last, are you a runner or a jogger ? This is from Dane's blog and I was impressed. So read away :)
Difference Between a Runner and a Jogger
By Dane Rauschenberg • July 19, 2010
As the total number of marathon finishers increases, and the average marathon finishing times get slower and slower, the debate about how slower marathoners are ruining what it means to be a “marathoner” has raged on. To some extent, I understand the viewpoint of those who state that those in the five-hour range or slower are “dirtying” what it means to be a true marathoner. For example, if you say you play baseball and are a baseball player, the understanding is usually that you play in the big leagues and are, at the very least, one of a select few hundreds of people in America that are good enough to play that position. If not, and you just play beer league softball, well, then someone can easily categorize you as such.
However, if one were to scoff at the five-hour marathon finisher the same way we would the guy with the gut and 40 ounce aluminum bat swinging for the fences, they would risk being ostracized for their unenlightened opinions about what it takes to be a true marathoner. I mean, I truly do get it. For people who define themselves by speed, not necessarily everyone should be allowed to call themselves a marathoner. But then we get to the obvious question: where is the line we draw? 4 hours? 3:30? Maybe sub-3? Heck, soon we may have a world record under two hours. Can people only 2:30 and under be real marathoners? They would still be over a minute per mile off the world record. Isn’t that slow and therefore demeaning what the other real marathoners are doing? Obviously, there is not a time goal that fits all criteria for this line of thinking. As such, there has to be a better way to decide what makes a real marathoner, or real runners.
Recently, I was at the Boilermaker 15k in Utica NY. I had the chance to partake in a great conversation with Kevin Hanson of the Hansons-Brooks Distance project. This creation of Kevin and his brother Keith is an Olympic development squad that most recently put Brian Sell into the Olympics as a qualifier in the marathon. Obviously Kevin, who surrounds himself with only the speediest of the speedy, must be disgusted by the plodders out there sullying this wonderful sport, right? Not even close.
Kevin and I came upon just about the same conclusion and feel that we were able to easily define what the difference is between a runner and a jogger. In our opinion, this difference is having a goal. Not obtaining a goal, not having a fast goal, but plain and simply having a goal. If you are going out to run for a reason and a purpose, with a goal in mind (whether it be to get fit, to get faster, to improve your mental health, etc.) you are, without a doubt, a runner. Sure, hopefully it is a realistic goal or one that is not somewhere on along the lines of “I want to decrease my marathon time by one second” but a goal nonetheless.
Everything else falls into too much of a gray category. What is fast? What is slow? In the end it matters not. It only truly makes a difference if there is reason why you are putting on your shoes. Then, regardless of your time, you have just as much in common with the elites as anyone else.
1 - went for a run around the lake on saturday morning. My usual manatee pace, but everything felt great.. including the new Mizunos ! wahoo ! Although, I need some good new running socks... I'll be researching that
2 - summer cold = ew. Sunday, it decided to get the best of me. So I'm hangin' low until I can breathe again !
3 - Napa 2 Sonoma Half Marathon was yesterday. I'm diligently watching their website to see when registration opens up for 2011. I'll keep you posted. Also, if you check out their website, there's a coupla pictures from the race. B E A U T I F U L :) Rob asked me the other day why I wanted to try / attempt yet another half marathon. My answer, I want to complete one not injured ! I did everything right for the first one, had a shin splint. 2nd one I was complacent. Totally didn't train and figured I wouldn't have a problem. My own fault. 3rd one.... trained perfectly. Followed dr's orders, got up to 12 miles without any problems and then a stress fracture, from nothing i did wrong. So I just want to be able to finish one not injured. End of story.
3 - while digging thru the Napa 2 Sonoma web page, I found a blog called... danerunsalot. It's this amazing guy (or crazy... your decision) who, in 2006, decided to do a marathon every week ... 52 marathons in one year. He did it ! He's blog is pretty snazzy. And he has a shirt that I love - "This isn't sweat, it's liquid awesome.
4 - YUM - I love Bethenny :
Tuna Burger:
4 pounds sushi-grade ahi tuna
5 basil leaves, chopped
4 scallions, chopped
2 heaping tablespoons black sesame seeds
4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
4 tablespoons honey
Wasabi Mayonnaise:
2 tablespoons wasabi paste
3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise (such as safflower)
Salt and pepper to taste
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Juice of 1/2 lime
Tuna Burger:
Combine all ingredients and form into 12 patties.
Grill, turning once, until medium-rare.
Top with wasabi mayonnaise.
Wasabi Mayonnaise:
Combine all ingredients. (If you are pressed for time, wasabi mayonnaise can by found in most upscale supermarkets and health food stores.)
And last, are you a runner or a jogger ? This is from Dane's blog and I was impressed. So read away :)
Difference Between a Runner and a Jogger
By Dane Rauschenberg • July 19, 2010
As the total number of marathon finishers increases, and the average marathon finishing times get slower and slower, the debate about how slower marathoners are ruining what it means to be a “marathoner” has raged on. To some extent, I understand the viewpoint of those who state that those in the five-hour range or slower are “dirtying” what it means to be a true marathoner. For example, if you say you play baseball and are a baseball player, the understanding is usually that you play in the big leagues and are, at the very least, one of a select few hundreds of people in America that are good enough to play that position. If not, and you just play beer league softball, well, then someone can easily categorize you as such.
However, if one were to scoff at the five-hour marathon finisher the same way we would the guy with the gut and 40 ounce aluminum bat swinging for the fences, they would risk being ostracized for their unenlightened opinions about what it takes to be a true marathoner. I mean, I truly do get it. For people who define themselves by speed, not necessarily everyone should be allowed to call themselves a marathoner. But then we get to the obvious question: where is the line we draw? 4 hours? 3:30? Maybe sub-3? Heck, soon we may have a world record under two hours. Can people only 2:30 and under be real marathoners? They would still be over a minute per mile off the world record. Isn’t that slow and therefore demeaning what the other real marathoners are doing? Obviously, there is not a time goal that fits all criteria for this line of thinking. As such, there has to be a better way to decide what makes a real marathoner, or real runners.
Recently, I was at the Boilermaker 15k in Utica NY. I had the chance to partake in a great conversation with Kevin Hanson of the Hansons-Brooks Distance project. This creation of Kevin and his brother Keith is an Olympic development squad that most recently put Brian Sell into the Olympics as a qualifier in the marathon. Obviously Kevin, who surrounds himself with only the speediest of the speedy, must be disgusted by the plodders out there sullying this wonderful sport, right? Not even close.
Kevin and I came upon just about the same conclusion and feel that we were able to easily define what the difference is between a runner and a jogger. In our opinion, this difference is having a goal. Not obtaining a goal, not having a fast goal, but plain and simply having a goal. If you are going out to run for a reason and a purpose, with a goal in mind (whether it be to get fit, to get faster, to improve your mental health, etc.) you are, without a doubt, a runner. Sure, hopefully it is a realistic goal or one that is not somewhere on along the lines of “I want to decrease my marathon time by one second” but a goal nonetheless.
Everything else falls into too much of a gray category. What is fast? What is slow? In the end it matters not. It only truly makes a difference if there is reason why you are putting on your shoes. Then, regardless of your time, you have just as much in common with the elites as anyone else.
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