A Few Positive Changes

I can’t believe it’s already Tuesday! This week is flying! Maybe it’s because my calendar has been jam packed from 5:30am until 8pm the past two days. Luckily, I’ve made two little tweaks this week that have left me smiling from ear to ear!

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1. Take my lunch to work challenge: If you recall, I’ve challenged myself to pack my lunch once or twice before but failed both times. My office’s culture includes a strong lunch group camaraderie which includes walking across the street to Pax or Toasties and picking up lunch before returning to the office. It also happens to be the only dose of fresh air most of us get during a 10-12 hour work day. Therefore, I decided that it was socially beneficial for me to go out to lunch daily with co-workers. But, last week I realized that a few people come out with us daily and only tag along for the fresh air, opting to enjoy a lunch they brought from home. After a refrigerator filling Trader Joe’s trip on Sunday I was inspired to try packing my lunch again.

IMG_2687 (478x640) IMG_2688 (478x640) IMG_2690 (640x478) IMG_2691 (640x478) My lunch bag has included the following the past two days:

Healthy Greek Salad (romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, fat free feta, and TJ’s fake chicken strips

Greek Style plain yogurt+Kashi Go Lean (only ate 1/2 of this each day)

Carrot & Celery sticks with 2Tbsp peanut butter

Apple as a safety snack (I haven’t needed this)

Banana+oatmeal for breakfast

2. Run Outside Last week, my indoor runs were mentally challenging and it took every ounce of my willpower to finish the runs. While Bo and I were running on Saturday I realized how much I love running outside in New York City during the warmer months. Therefore, I challenged myself to enjoy all of my runs this week outside versus on the treadmill and see if I feel a difference physically and emotionally. IMG_2703 (478x640)This morning’s early run through the bustling city streets left me energized and sweaty! I mean, how many people have this view when they run?

I had to get to the office early this morning so I busted out a quick 5k, focused on negative splits. The path even included a slight climb up Murray Hill which made this run feel like a perfect mix of hill training and speed. I was able to keep a 9:23 pace which I was really proud of especially since that included some street swerving when the lights didn’t work in my favor.

IMG_2706 (640x480) IMG_2704 (640x480) IMG_2705 (480x640) I spent a few minutes after the run stretching and cooling down with some hip work in front of my building. Between the sweat puddle and awkward movements, I think I got more than one stare.

I also have to take a second to give some love to my new Lululemon Circuit tank! I bought this on sale from Lululemon Union Square on Sunday and am officially in love! (Yes, Lululemon has sales both online in their Oops we made too much section and in the stores.) The tank is long enough to stay in place during yoga poses and long runs, the Luon Light material seems to wick sweat better than their original material, and the cut is very flattering!

Check out the nifty back design as well which allows for plenty of ventilation!

IMG_2702 (640x480) IMG_2701 (478x640) So, even though tonight’s late work schedule didn’t allow for yoga, I’m still proud of myself and feeling better after these two small, positive changes.

Question: What are some small changes you’re making?

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Friday Favorites

It’s another rainy Friday in New York City. Bo clearly got caught in the rain on his way home tonight!

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I was actually able to take advantage of summer Friday and leave the office by 4pm which isn’t as early as my co-workers, who all left at 1pm, but it’s earlier than normal.

I started this morning off with a crazy sweat session with Lauren, my personal trainer. Lauren and I have truly become more than just trainer and client over the past few weeks. We spent the hour chatting, catching up on the week’s craziness, and breaking a sweat of course. This morning’s workout was all about weight. I had my first date with the bench press (65 lbs), did crazy rope pulls, and more during our session. Luckily she included some extra stretching today because my glutes and hamstrings were still screaming after Wednesday’s VIPr session.

By the time I ate breakfast at 8:30 my stomach was growling.

IMG_2634 (640x478)This morning’s bowl was more delicious than normal because I accidentally added more cinnamon. When I was sprinkling it the lid came off and I ended up with about a tablespoon of cinnamon in the bowl. I balanced the potency with a little extra water and some Splenda. The end result was a cinnamon sweet bowl of goodness.

IMG_2633 (640x478)Lunch was an exact repeat of yesterday’s salad since I enjoyed it so much. The apples are a fresh new addition to my salads lately and I’m loving the extra crunch without the calories of nuts or croutons.

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After leaving the office, I headed down to Union Square to make some much needed returns at JCrew and Sephora. I have to give a shoutout to JCrew today because their customer service was beyond amazing. I purchased two dresses last week for the engagement party but neither fit very well. Today when I returned the dress they were willing to credit my credit card instead of giving me gift cards; which is how I purchased the dresses. WIN!

Before I head into the kitchen for my cooking date with Bo, I want to leave you with a few of my latest favorite things.

IMG_2630 (478x640)Maybelline FIT foundation and powder: While I’m normally a Dolce&Gabbana or Cover Girl devotee, this line has become my new favorite foundation and powder. When I returned from Bermuda my foundation was suddenly way too light. When I went to Duane Reade this brand was on sale and I figured I’d give it a try since it was also supposed to match skin tones well. In addition, it’s oil free, wax free, and it’s patented pigments allow it to blend better than most. I’ve received more compliments on my makeup in the past few weeks and firmly believe it’s because this line looks so natural on my face. I highly recommend it!  At $7.99 you can’t beat it!

IMG_2631 (478x640) Yurbuds: Since running the marathon, one of the most common questions I receive is in regards to my favorite headphones. Leslie actually convinced me to upgrade to these headphones the day before the marathon! When she saw the Yurbud booth she convinced me to try them out and within a few minutes I was sold. I wore them for the marathon and they never fell out one time. Since the race, I haven’t run with anything other than these amazing headphones; until Tuesday. I ran 3 miles with Bo’s headphones since I couldn’t find mine and realized just how much I love the Yurbuds. The sound is clearer, my sweat never makes them slip out, and they stay perfectly snug, without being uncomfortable, the whole time.

IMG_2626 (478x640) Birchbox I first read about Birchbox on Grace’s blog over a year ago when she received her first Birchbox. After seeing her enjoy the monthly gift for over a year, I finally joined the cult so I could see what it was all about. Birchbox is a company which provides subscribers to a monthly package of the newest beauty samples in a deluxe size that’s large enough to let you try it multiple times. Gone are the foil packets or single use trial packets! I love the concept since I’m a beauty junkie and love sampling the newest products without having to pay for a full size. In addition, it introduces me to many products I wouldn’t necessarily find on my own. Even better, it’s only $10 per month! This month, my best Birchbox yet, included the following:

Dr. Dennis Gross EZ4U Facial Towelettes
Amika Obliphica Hair Treatment
kate spade new york Twirl – 3.4 fl oz
Pangea Organics Toner for Normal to Oily Skin
Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten

Question: What is your favorite thing right now?

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Beer Bottle Vases and Wine Dates

I’d love to start this post off with a Happy Thursday, as you all would expect, but I can’t really do that. What I can focus on is that the week is finally looking up.

This week has been a tough week and some people have noticed it. I’ve had a few not so happy tweets lately and I haven’t been blogging more than once a day.

imageLast night, Bo and I cancelled our weekly movie date night because of my rough day. Somehow I don’t think red teary eyes and an exhausted girl make for a sexy date. But, since we chose to come home, I was greeted by an amazing flower delivery, compliments of Melissa. She saw that I was having a rough day and spread some joy.

IMG_2605 (640x478) IMG_2604 (478x640) I know, we’re classy with our beer bottle vases. Clearly I need to buy this as soon as possible since our Simon Pearce registry was never completed.

The rest of my evening can be described by this picture.

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Which in turn, is one of the reasons why I slept until 8:15 this morning and clearly missed my Central Park run. Oh, that and the fact that I can barely sit down after yesterday’s intense ViPR workout with my personal trainer.

But, a wine induced sleep was exactly what I needed, because my outlook today was far better than yesterdays.

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I brightened everyone’s day by wearing a smile and bright colors all day in our very stressed out office.

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IMG_2616 (478x640) Somehow these are the two pictures Bo took this morning before work. Neither are perfect but the outfit has quickly become one of my favorite summer go to work outfits! It’s comfortable, bright, and fun! (The sweater and skirt are both from Anthropologie this year.)

I stuck with my normal breakfast and lunch since I know that stress can easily lead to unhealthy habits.

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I made time for the yoga mat tonight with another installment of Yoga for Runners from Yoga Download.

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It felt wonderful but I couldn’t help wishing that I was doing yoga in Bermuda again. Was that trip really only two weeks ago?

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I may have also had a second date with my wine glass. I mean after all, this is a health and wellness blog and wine has been found to have great health benefits, right?

The health benefits of red wine are plentiful: it has powerful antioxidant properties that are derived from the red pigments in grape skins (members of a family of compounds called proanthocyanidins); it contains tannins that can help reduce the risk of heart attack by hindering the formation of blood clots; and studies have shown that red wine can raise levels of HDL, the protective form of cholesterol.

Question: How is your week going thus far? What are you looking forward to this weekend?

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