Two New Things: A PDR and the Best Fro Yo EVER!!!

I woke up bright and early thig morning (on a Saturday, blech) for a scheduled long run that I had committed to completing with Cynthia. Because I had been having such a hard time actually getting out the door for my long runs lately I knew firm plans with a running buddy was just the thing I needed.

Breakfast was munched in the car because I was desperate for every extra minute of sleep I could get. Judging by those eyes, I certainly needed a few more!

After meeting with Cynthia and giving my Garmin a little extra charge we headed out. The plan was a 24km out and back along the Lakeshore in Toronto. Easy Peasey, right?

Umm...right.

Or not.

I am not a fan of running (walking or breathing) in the humidity and it was obvious to me from a few kilometres in that it was going to be very warm and sticky. The sun refused to duck behind any clouds, leaving us out in the open, women versus the scorching heat.

I (unlike Cynthia, who is a hot weather running freakin' superstar) will lose that standoff each and every time.

At least I am winning at being a totally hot running chick! Err..actually scratch that accolade too while you are at it.

Getting to the half way point wasn't completely horrible. I knew the humidity was getting me so I took some walk breaks and slowed my pace as Cynthia charged on ( I am positive she was a desert roadrunner in another life)

The way back was another story. I had rolled up my shirt in an effort to try to get my skin ventilated because my body felt like it was on fire, but I am pretty sure some significant damage was already done. I was hot, my legs were heavy and my mind slowly going to the dark place.

Uh oh, the dark place.

With every step I started to hate the sun, my socks, iPod, water bottle, fuel belt and ear phones even more and I was seriously (and I mean seriously) contemplating whether the marathon is a good idea for me.

If given the opportunity to drop out while I was at kilometre 20 you bet your ass I would have!

So let's fast forward, knowing that the run (or at least the back half) was one of these sucky "I hate this, why do I do it to myself" kinds of runs but I have been at this long enough to know that they happen and you move on.

On the bright side, I did get a PDR to tuck under my much aggrieved running belt: 23km. In your face 21km half marathon..in your face!

Oh and I didn't quit the marathon when the chance did arise. Yay me!

Now for my favorite part of my entire life day

Self-serve frozen yogurt with a mega stocked toppings bar? Where have you been all my life??

To say that we were excited for this trip, which was months in the making by the way, is an understatement.

Think kids going to Disneyland and a birthday party on Christmas morning and you've pretty much got it understood.

I got cookies and cream and banana split fro yo with pretty much every topping they had. Between the giggling and squealing and the overload of yogurt goodness the teenagers working there must have thought we were as stoned as they were (tasteless stereotype alert!!)

We made sure to tell them we had just run for a bazillion hours which only served to make them think that we were completely crazy given how hot it was outside. They probably still think drugs had something to do with it to.

Nope! All natural runner's high baby!!

And a touch of sugar high when we were done too.

I'm in heaven! And it's walking distance from my house.

There goes future hopes of that hot runner chick award.

Oh well...I'll drown my sorrows in fuzzy peaches and red velvet fro yo instead. Totally hot is way overrated anyway.

So tell me, what's something new you tried recently? Have you have had self-serve fro yo??

Take that Starbucks!

I actually wasn't planning to blog tonight because I have my Feature Friday post set to publish tomorrow morning but I couldn't resist sharing this with you...

Ok, so here's the back story: I love Starbucks Vivianno protein smoothies as a way to refuel post workout.

I love them when I can actually get them that is.

You see, I've has quite a few instances in the last few week's where my regular (and formerly reliable) coffee house was out of either the bananas or the protein. Ack! Once or twice I can understand but this is becoming a far too regular occurrence for "I need fuel in my belly right now!" Sam to deal with.

You know it's a out of hand when you've gone so far as to supply your own banana.

So what's a girl to do? When you can't count on someone else you pull up your big girl pants and get it done yourself, that's what!

Introducing the "better than Starbucks because at least its in stock and it tastes just as great and isn't as expensive" post workout smoothie (I should totally work in marketing huh??)

What you need:

1 cup milk (cow's, soy, almond)

1 frozen banana

1 tbsp cocoa powder

2/3 scoop unflavored protein powder

1 tsp instant coffee

Blend everything up in a blender and serve.

Easy and reliable? No that's more like it!

So tell me, do you create any coffee house recipes at home?

Ode to a Runner's Boyfriend

There is something extra special about a man who will....



See this face and think "beauty" not "tomato head"

Watch this and not run from your assumed masochist ways

Keep quiet about the fact that, while you once smelled nice most of the time, these days you kinda stink

Accept that workout gear accessorized with a headband is dressed up now

Deal with the fact that a 6am wake up call for a Sunday long run usually means a 6:15 "have you seen my keys/running belt/iPod?" wake up call for him

Accept that this is considered a hairstyle (and that taking pictures of that back of your own head is really, really hard)

Understand that taking a "shot" doesn't have the same meaning it once did

Come to terms with that fact that you'd rather spend money on races than pedicures because the polish just rubs off any way. He won't even hide your flip flops when things start getting really "rough"

Learn to be okay with the fact that you are certifiably obsessed with your cats. (Okay so that's more a me thing then a running thing but its special all the same)



For everything you do, this one is for you.

Wait, I feel like I am ripping off a commercial or something...

Hmm..

Oh screw it...thanks times a million and yeah, I love you lots and lots and all that stuff.

Isn't love grande??

So tell me, what does your partner or family put up with because they love you?

Get Yer Motor Runnin'...

Alas, the perpetual wait for Friday at 5pm is finally over and it's time to get the weekend started right!

It supposed to be like 11 million degrees again this weekend so I am so pumped that The Boyfriend's parents have loaned us the cottage. Goodbye cement city and good riddance!

My bags are packed and we are about ready to jump in the car and get going. Of course I made sure not to forget any of the important stuff.

If you run and blog I think its virtually impossible to go away for the weekend without at least 23 chargers. Phone charger? Check! Garmin charger? Check! Camera charger, memory card, SD reader? Check!

Its ridiculous.

Oh and looks who's totally torn about me going away and leaving the place unsupervised for a few days.

He'll be having a couch scratching party before I even get on the highway I'm sure.

On deck for the weekend:

Biking (30km)
Running (18-20km)
Blogging (daily)
Relaxing (no maximum)

I can't wait! And on that note, we're off.

Have a great weekend everyone!!


So tell me, what are you planning for this weekend? What's the one thing you always forget when you go away for the weekend?

Why I Won't Read Your Blog

Hey friends! Have you listened to Katy Widrick's 10 Tips for Killer Blog Posts yet? If you haven't, you are definitely missing out! So go do that now and come back. I'll be waiting here, I promise.

Welcome back! How great was that huh? So much of that seems so simple (and obvious) and it basically sums up a lot of the things that draw me to a blog post or even better, a blog. I'll keep coming back for more and more and more (because I'm a blog glutton like that) if I like what I see and read, if you are funny or interesting and I feel like I know you. Accomplish that and you've got a friend for life.

On the other hand...

Yes, I'll just go ahead and say it. There are things that make me stop reading, whether its half way through a post or the entire blog altogether. There are only so many blog reading hours in a day and I want to spend them on all the blogs that I enjoy.

What can I say? I know what I like...or in this case what I don't like.

One Long Paragraph

Katy's mentions the short attention span of readers in her webinar and in my case its totally true. I can't read sentence after sentence after sentence all strung together for what seems like forever. Do that and you've lost me. I will skim, look at pictures and probably just click away.

Don't get me wrong, I want to read what you have to say. But please break it up so I don't lost interest and lose out on all your insight and hilarity!

For the Sake of Posting, Posts

I get it. We all want to post often because we know it helps us build and maintain a readership but nothing is more obvious then the quick "I got nothing to say at all but here's a photo of some toast and a link to an old post because I was too lazy to write anything fresh" post. And I am not interested.

I'd rather read you once a day, or week, or hell month for that matter if your content is interesting and refreshing. I am really so tired of looking at toast with almond butter I could scream!

Now, if you are strapped for time (who isn't) or feeling some writers block and you want to post, what I can say that I like looking at really interesting photos. Putting together a wordless post that captures the essence of a weekend/event/race is still really entertaining and a nice change from the talk, talk, talk everywhere else

Miss I'm So Perfect

There is nothing that is going to lose me faster than a blogger with a perfect diet, fitness routine, family, house, job and hairstyle. Why? Because she is not REAL!

 I don't care who you are, what side of the globe you blog on or what your experience is, there is not a blogger out there who doesn't mess up sometimes. And those are the bloggers I want to know! Give me the girl who skips an occasional workout to go to happy hour, eats candy with breakfast sometimes and fails to brush her hair every once and a while and you've got someone I can relate to.

I refuse to read the blogs that make everyday seem like easy, peasey sunshine. And I don't want to read all about your perfect anything unless you are also willing to post a photo (or at least a story) of that time your dress got tucked in your underwear on your way to meet your in-laws for the first time.

We've all been there. And I know you have too, whether you share it or not.

Get All Preachy

For the same reason that I don't want to read that so-called perfect blog, I also can't stand a blog that is nothing but advice and how to's and "I'm such and expert" blah blah blah. If you're blog reads like eHow.com I'm a goner.

If I wanted expert advice online, I'd turn to Wikipedia...duh!

Be a real person. Ask for help sometimes. Tell me a story of that mistake you made. It's called authenticity and I like it.

Never Post Real Photos

I love photography. It doesn't even have to be great photography for me to love it. What I enjoy is how a photo captures a memory or a moment, can make you laugh or make you cry, but nonetheless brings you in on the story.

Show me your life in your blog. If all you ever use are someone else's images to illustrate your point, I don't feel like there is a real life author behind the message. I want to see your face. Hell I want to see your dog's face! Give me something to look at and I'm gonna hang out, I promise.

Cross that Line.

I am all for a blogger who curses now and then, pokes fun at herself and celebrities and makes the occasional mildly offensive joke.

On the flip side, anything blatantly racist, sexist or homophobic or an attack on another person and I am out. Permanently.

Keep it clean(ish) people, my grandma reads this sh*t. ...Ok, she doesn't, but someone's does. Aim for PG13


A few things that surprisingly enough, don't bother me:

• Lots of pet photos. If the photos have captions and add to the story, even better!
• Celebricizing on a healthy living blog...I can snicker at Lindsey with the best of 'em
• Healthy living turned wedding/baby on the way blogs. If I like you I like your life. Those are big parts of your life so share away!!
• Spelling mistakes. I'm guilty of that in a big, bad way.

Believe me, I am far from a perfect blogger and I know that but where I lack in one area, I make up for in another.So if there is one thing I know its what will keep or lose my attention quicker than the sellout of the NYC Marathon. But really, this is just my opinion. You do what you do and maybe you'll catch me stalking my Google Reader for a fresh post from you.....


So tell me, what is one thing you HATE about certain blogs that make you stop reading. (Do not name the blog please...let's play nice)

On the Mend...

I just wanted to stop in and thank all of you who have taken the time to wish me well here and on Twitter. You guys are all a bunch of super cool rockstars and your concern means the world to me.

As for an update:

I am on my back back to health. I slept for over ten hours last night and thankfully some of the more, shall we say, excruciating symptoms have subsided and while I feel some noticeable kidney pain and tenderness throughout the day, keeping hydrated it helping.

It's safe to say I have upped my water consumption to 11 bazillion litres today. I might was well park myself in the bathroom for the afternoon. Thank goodness I finally figured out my wireless router because now I can bring you guys with me. Is that too much information? Good thing I am sort of kidding!

Oh and by the way, you guys are such a bunch of smart cookies! Stress is a definite factor for me and my health and one that I need to stop overlooking if I want to live healthy. Thanks again for all the great advice and perspectives!

Things other than drinking water to keep me busy today:

An epic clean-up of the apartment (The Boyfriend is so thrilled about this and is trying to milk my illness to get out of it!)
Reading blogs and resting in my organized home once the cleaning is done
A trip to Yogurtys which I am told is the Canadian equivalent of Yogurtland. My insane Janae jealousy can begin to subside now...

I can't exercise yet and may have to skip my long run again this weekend so I will spend a better part of the day reminding myself that "its for the goodness of my health". Oh well, I'll be back to running (and only drinking 3 bazillion litres of water) in no time!!


Have a wonderful and fun Saturday!!


So tell me, what fun (non-water drinking) things are you doing this weekend?

If "You Are What You Eat?" then what does that make me??

After writing last night's post and reading the comments as they came in (thank you all for sharing your thoughts!) I couldn't help but think about how what we eat truly defines who we are. And not in a self-deprecating way at all but in the sense that what we fuel our bodies with can change the way we feel physically, mentally and emotionally. Food, something many of us take for granted, can cause or prevent disease, which ultimately allows it to somewhat dictate our life and how long we might live it. It's pretty crazy when you think about it huh?

That got me thinking that a part of this whole journey that I am on is to live my best life as my best self. Not perfect. Not flawless. Not up to someone else's standard. Just the best version of me that I can be. And because food is so influential in all facets of that life the things I consume should reflect my intentions.

If I were to be the food that I eat, who would I be?

That's a good start...

Definitely proud to be associated with that...

Yes, yes, yes!!

For damn sure!...

In this sense being called a monster is a very good thing!..

Okay so I definitely have some good food choices that can help positively portray who I am and where I want to go. My biggest issue then is consistency. I eat like this quite regularly but in between these really strong moments there are copious amounts of not-so-stellar treats like candy, soda, chips.I say it all the time and I will say it again, I believe in balance. But that does not mean that it's 50/50! I should not ingest one sour key for every spoonful of yogurt (not that I do that everyday  but you catch my drift)

So what does it all mean? Instead of a diet plan or food rules I want to begin to treat my food consumption as another choice that is meant to reflect how I want to be treated. By feeding myself wholesome, nutrient dense food I am respecting and loving myself. Its so simple and healthy and that's just the way I like it.

And hey, some days love and respect mean having the cake. Nothing says I love you better then the occasional slice of Oreo cheesecake anyway!

So I am what I eat huh? I guess I must have eaten a whole lot of "weirdness" growing up.....



So tell me if you are what you eat, what does that make you??

Friday Night De-Funk

I've been in a bit of a funk for the last few days. I am not sure what it is exactly or what's causing it but its definitely a funky kinda funk. I feel restless and yet lazy. Tired and bored but also antsy. Lethargic and also compelled to do something. Very, very weird.

Assuming my brain and body are telling me I need a break (or that I'm on the verge of full-on crazy town!) I gave my self some time. Time to not exercise. Time to go with the flow. Time to relax and just be.

The alternative is me all burnt out and moody and trust me no one wants that (The Boyfriend isn't even here and he's nodding in agreement)

The break is over tomorrow, when I set out for my planned long run, so tonight I am taking full advantage of having the place to myself to rest and basically do "Sam stuff"

Like eating a yummy, healthy and satisfying dinner..

.

Complete with dessert salad...

Some On Demand movies of the chick-flick variety...

And some snacking carb-loading....

Plus an early bedtime, where I will take advantage of having the bed to myself and sleep like a happy Starfish. (Don't act like you don't do it. And if you don't you are seriously missing out!)

Yeah, suddenly I can't quite remember what I have to be all in a funk about. Here's to some solid sweating tomorrow but until then I've got every single spot on the sofa with my name on it!

Happy Friday friends!

So tell me, how do you pull yourself out of a funk? Anything fun happening this weekend that I should know about?

Blogs > Magazines

As I stood in the grocery store the other day browsing the magazine stand for something to read I realized something that I had been overlooking for a while; the nature of the magazines that I buy has changed a lot over the last few years. Instead celebrities with no makeup and high fashion movie stars, the covers of the magazines I gravitate towards usually have beautiful pictures of yummy looking food or a runner.

Yes, I knew that times had changed when I put back a Cosmo in favor of Canadian Living.

The other thing that I noticed was that I rarely buy magazines at all anymore. With the exception of a deeply discounted subscription to Chatelaine the only magazine I buy regularly is Runners World. I rarely pick up an issue of Glamour or Women's Health anymore (I used to buy every single issue) and when I do I am just not as engaged as I used to be. But why?

Is it because I'm getting older? (don't answer that)

It it because I am just not as cool as I used to be? (leave that one alone too)

Nope. Its because of you guys. That's right, I have replaced magazines with blogs. I argue its with good reason but you can be the judge of that:

Reason 1: Cost

Blogs are free. Magazines on the other hand are upwards of $5 per issue. I spent nearly $40 on magazines to take to Cuba in April and was done them all by the third day. Definitely not a cost effective option in my opinion.

Reason 2: Wholesome Food

In the healthy living blog community there is a push towards real food (You know, that stuff that comes from the actual earth?). Women's "health & fitness" magazines tend to feature low-calorie, fat free (and sugar infused) options with minimal nutritional value. Believe me when I say that in my magazine reading days I never would have considered this a lunch choice like I did today.

Reason 3: Fitness

Many of the blogs I read are written by runners and fitness enthusiasts who work out because they love to. They have goals and accomplishments far beyond total calorie burn. On the flip side many magazine tend to focus on the easiest or fastest way to lose weight through physical activity. The shift towards exercise as a lifestyle is definitely a welcomed change for my own life.

Reason 4: Recipes

There are many times that I go to buy a magazine for a recipe and then realize I probably know at least two bloggers who created that exact same meal and it will taste better and be healthier. If not I can certainly take ideas from their creations and come up with something pretty darn good on my own.

Reason 5: Substance

In blogland, there are stories and experiences and actual content, not pages and pages of ads pushing diet pills and get thin quick schemes. Sure some bloggers make a living from their blogs and I support that because they have integrity with the ads that they display and I don't have to turn to page 265 to get the rest of the half-told story.

Reason 6: Community

There is a sense of belonging in the healthy living community that can't really be understood or appreciated until you are a part of it (which is easy...come on in!) Through blogs you are cheered on when you succeed and picked back up when you fall. People here just get you and you feel like you know a little bit about what its like to be them. Magazine people on the other hand....yeah, not so much.

Reason 7: Real Looking People

The blogs that I read are full of beautiful people (yes I'm talking to you SR) and the best part is they are natural and diverse. Some are tall blonds (*cough* you again..) and others are petite brunettes. They have freckles and pimples and some probably even have cellulite (that's more me then you SR but we can pretend can't we?) And even better then the best part is that they aren't afraid to be real. They are wacky, and honest and even down right gross. And if there's a plastic pair of you know whats in the bunch you've certainly got me fooled! Definitely can't say that for some of the magazines out there (did you see that Montag debacle up there?)

Reason 8: Me

I'm a blogger and not in magazines and its my prerogative to prefer places where I am welcome. Its Sam logic, don't worry if you don' quite get it.


With all that said, I can't say I won't ever buy a gossip mag ever again. But know this, it won't be opened until I have caught up on my G-Reader that is for damn sure!

Blogging for the win!


So tel me, do you read a lot of magazines? Whats one magazine you simply have to to buy?



Off Limits

The "feels like" temperature in Toronto today? 42C. That's 107F, in case you weren't able to do the math that quickly. Either way that you look at, its just plain gross.

Blech!

I am all for warm summer days but this is just ridiculous. And unbearable. And I am down right cranky about it. Enter a temper tantrum of epic proportions.

And a few rules.

No food shalt be cooked in the oven on hot, humid days. I don't have central air and that blasted inferno will only add to the sickening heat. Hell to the no!

So what do you do on a too hot for a home cooked meal kinda day when the heat hasn't done any kind of a number on your appetite (just my luck!)? You "build a healthier burger"....naturally.

Oh Chatelaine, I <3 you!

On another mission to sneak infuse health into our lives I whipped up a batch of yummy quinoa veggie burgers. Given that dinner was made and placed in front of him, the meat-atarian otherwise known as The Boyfriend, gobbled not one, not two, but three of them right up!

Healthy eating 2, Bad Eating habits 0

The vegetables combined with the grains was a nice light take on a meat-free burger. Adding the spinach, tomato, avocado, mushrooms and Tahini was the icing on the freshness cake if you ask me!

Quinoa Veggie Burger

adopted from Chatelaine magazine recipes

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa

3/4 cup grated zucchini

1/2 cup chopped carrot and broccoli slaw

1/2 cup finely chopped mushrooms

1/4 cup finely chopped onions

1/2 cup flour (or 3tbsp cornstarch)

1 egg

2 tbsp medium salsa

1/2 tsp salt

1. In a pot add quinoa to 1 cup water. Bring to boil. Cover and let simmer until water is fully absorbed (approx. 15 minutes)
2. In a large frying pan cook vegetables until soft.
3. In large bowl mix cooked vegetables, quinoa, flour, salsa, salt and egg.
4. Mix thoroughly
5. Form mixture into balls, place in pan and flatten into patty
6. Cook on each side until golden brown (5 minutes)
7. Place on bun and add toppings according to taste.

Served with a side of spinach and goat cheese salad this was the perfect meal on a sweaty-hot night.

Well for me anyway. Look what a certain "someone" snuck in:

Bacon! Alright, I'll let it slide. No one likes a total rules obsessed tyrant.....

Now will someone  get me a fan, a glass of ice water and a ticket to the coldest place in the Northern Hemisphere?? !

So tell me, whats your go-to meal when its too hot to cook?

"Sorry I'm Not Sorry" Pizza

The list of things that I will not apologize for in life is short. I'm no stranger to "I'm sorry" when "I'm sorry" is warranted. I can be as self aware as the next guy when the time is right.

That being said, the time is not when it comes to pizza.

I may never apologize for loving and enjoying pizza. You're just going to have to get used to it.

Pizza has also become one of my favorite oh-so-secret way of sneaking vegetables into my meat and potatoes eating Boyfriend's life. I like to think of dating as practice for having children...

I'm sorry that I am not sorry for making that statement. He agrees, if that makes you feel any better.

So a yummy, half the cheese, triple the vegetables pizza seemed like a perfect solution to the dinner question tonight. I would have gone all Martha on you and made the dough from scratch but on weeknights, when time is of the essence,  premade dough seemed good enough to me.

Guess who's not sorry about that either? Thats right.....this girl!

Now making some fresh sauce was an effort worth the extra time. There is nothing like the taste of blended tomatoes, onions, basil and spinach. It was so good I ate the rest as a side dish and called it gazpacho.

Not sorry!

Dinner was amazing! The pizza was hot and cheesy and pumped full of vegetables which is just the way I like it. I mean sure The Boyfriend ate a side dish of cheeseburger with his..the point is my sneaky plan worked just enough to get him to ingest spinach without a single complaint. And the best part is I didn't have to take away his video games to get him to eat every last bite!

Now its time to relax, unwind, take a walk to grab an iced coffee and then watch even more of season three of Grey's Anatomy.

And no, I'm not sorry about that one either!!


So tell me, what are your favorite toppings on a pizza?