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NYCM Training Week 1 and A Giveaway

This year, believe it or not, I’m more excited than ever to kick off New York City Marathon training. Last year was my first time and I was a complete rookie. It showed in my results and my training plan. I ran a lot, including some weeks of 40+ miles, but never included any cross training, hill training, or speed training.

nycm2 (325x484) nycm3 (324x484) nycm4 (325x484)This time around however, I have a new resource, Mark Pelerin. Theodora highly recommended him after she discovered his blog on Tumblr and then enrolled him to help with her training. Bo and I are both relying on Mark’s talent and experience to help us train injury free while also improving each of our speeds.

This week’s plan is below:

Monday: Basic Run 4 miles with 4 striders

Tuesday: Personal Training

Wednesday: 3 miles + spin class

Thursday: Personal Training

Friday: Rest Day

Saturday: 4 mile NYRR race+ 3 miles= 7 miles

Sunday: 3 mile recovery run

I’m so excited! This morning the four miles wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped due to a case of tired legs but since I have a training plan in place I knew that throwing in the towel wasn’t an option. Instead, I kept it slow and comfortable until getting to the strides. 

Two thumbs up for marathon training season. Even though it means that Friday night’s out are a thing of the past, I’ll catch up with friends more on foot than in person, and that foam rolling and Epsom salt baths become a weekly staple, I’m still excited to get started!

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In honor of kicking of marathon training, I have a special prize for one lucky reader.  Stonyfield has partnered with some wonderful all natural brands to bring you a summer cool down box. One lucky reader will get to indulge in some great items that epitomize summertime!

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  • Two coupons for Stonyfield Frozen Yogurt Bars in two delicious flavors: Gotta Have Vanilla, and After Dark Chocolate.  These bars, made with organic milk, are dipped in rich dark chocolate, and contain four live and active cultures, keeping you healthy while enjoying a sweet treat. 
  • Badger After-Sun Balm: A certified organic treat for sun-parched skin. Made with moisturizing plant butters and infused with soothing Blue Tansy and Lavender to make your skin feel smooth and leave you feeling calm.
  • Dr. Hauschka Melissa Day Cream: This new 100% natural moisturizer is perfect for combination skin.  Formulated with extracts of melissa (lemon balm), it smells like fresh squeezed lemonade.  Additionally, extracts of anthyllis, carrot, witch hazel and English daisy soothe, soften and even the complexion so shine is controlled and skin is moisturized.
  • Tom’s of Maine: Simply White, the first and only clinically proven natural whitening toothpaste to earn an ADA seal, helps bring back the natural beauty of your smile. 
  • The Daily Moisture Body Bar has an ultra-rich bar soap formula that contains premium moisturizing olive oil, natural vitamin E and leaves your skin clean and fresh.
  • Beautiful Earth Deodorant works to inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria and its natural, refreshing fragrance helps mask odor.
  • Uncle Matt’s Organic Lemonade and Juices: By buying Uncle Matt’s fresh fruit and juice you’re helping more than 20 small growers that make up their family of farms. That’s one of the reasons they’re proud to be family owned and organically grown. Use this free coupon to pick up your choice of organic juice or lemonade and quench your thirst for summer!

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You can enter in two ways:

1) Leave a comment letting me know how you’re trying to go more organic this summer.

2) Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter and make sure to include @healthyhappier in the tweet and leave me a comment letting me know you tweeted.

I’ll choose a winner at midnight on Wednesday!

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Stonyfield Organic Event

Last night, I was not in the mood to go to a special blogger event, even though it was being hosted by Stonyfield, one of my favorite companies.

I was exhausted after a long week, starving,  had a splitting headache, and all I wanted were comfies and my bed. Luckily, I had a partner in crime for the event which made it that much more appealing at 6pm. I met Theodora after a long work meeting and we headed downtown to Counter together.  I’ve actually been to Counter once before for a blogger brunch Melissa hosted right after I moved to the city. IMG_1824 (640x478)

As soon as we walked in, thirty minutes late due to traffic and work, I realized this was a formal event. I felt horribly, walking passed the very well dressed and poised speaker who had already begun. Luckily, we were only five minutes late and the group was very understanding of New York’s traffic and transit issues.

For the evening event, which attracted mommy and health bloggers, Stonyfield teamed up with Robyn O’Brien, the author of The Unhealthy Truth. The subtitle, One Mother’s Shocking Investigation into the Dangers of America’s Food Supply– and What Every Family Can Do to Protect Itself, describes last night’s speech perfectly.IMG_1826 (640x478)

Robyn made some great points during her conversation which each of us, students, wives, and or mothers alike were able to relate. She came across as very real and sincere. She admitted that even after she discovered the differences in America’s food supply, the changes didn’t come easy or cheap. She discovered, a few years ago, that Europeans don’t have the same health problems Americans do–because they don’t eat the same chemical-filled food many Americans do. Thirty-one percent of American girls, she said, are starting puberty at the age of 8 because of what they’re eating.

She pointed out that there are multiple ways to save money in your budget so you can afford organic foods. Here are a few tips she shared:

  1. Meatless Mondays is an easy way to save money since items like beans and rice are so much cheaper.
  2. You can find a great deal of deals on food staples in mass and club retailers such as Amazon.com, Target, and WalMart.
  3. Buy in bulk whenever possible.
  4. Frozen fruits are sometimes cheaper than fresh, especially when they are out of season.

She also stressed that change won’t happen overnight, even if you are single. Instead of stressing out over the process, focus on what you or your family eats most often. If you have drink two glass of milk a day, switching to RBGH or organic milk is a great start.

Also, focus on going organic with the dirty dozen, or those foods most likely to be contaminated.

  • Peaches
  • Apples
  • Sweet Bell Peppers
  • Celery
  • Nectarines
  • Strawberries
  • Cherries
  • Pears
  • Grapes (Imported)
  • Spinach
  • Lettuce
  • Potatoes

On the other hand, these foods are the 12 least likely to be contaminated.

  • Onions
  • Avocado
  • Sweet Corn (Frozen)
  • Pineapples
  • Mango
  • Asparagus
  • Sweet Peas (Frozen)
  • Kiwi Fruit
  • Bananas
  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli
  • Papaya

I should also note that while we were listening to her conversation, we had the opportunity to enjoy some delicious food. The tamari almonds and roasted portabella and onion sandwich put my hunger at bay during her discussion so I was able to focus on her content and enjoy myself.

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Thank you Stonyfield for including me in this very informative event. It was great to hear a new perspective into organic food from a very informed mother. In addition, it was great to catch up with Katie and Theodora, as well as finally meet Lindsay!

I look forward to reading Robyn’s book!

Question: Do you eat organic? Which foods do you tend to buy organic?

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Happiest When I’m Busiest

 

It’s a good thing I’m happiest when I’m busiest because the last few days have been a bit of a whirlwind! We’re heading into our “busy season” at work which means lots of customer presentations, long nights, and travel. But, I love what I’m doing so no complaints! In order to balance out the work, I’ve been packing my days with lots of fun activities!

Lauren and I have done yoga two times this week at Equinox! We’ve decided that it makes sense to focus on evening workout classes near our office which we can do together. It really helps to have a friend motivate you to leave the office.

Tuesday night we enjoyed Vinyasa Yoga with Samantha Debicki. The class melted the stress away while stretching out our tight tired muscles. My favorite part was when she asked for suggestions and requests. One participant asked for hip openers which was a welcome stretch for my tired legs.

Tonight we returned to Tracy’s Power Vinyasa Yoga class which we’ve missed over the last three months. We went to this weekly during the winter but let our schedules get the best of us during the summer. I love this class because you leave feeling 10 pounds lighter due to the stress release but your muscles are crying and she pushes you to the next level.

Like usual, runners lunge or ardha mandalasana was the best stretch for my tight hips and legs.

What is your favorite yoga pose for tired legs or tight hips?

Bo and I enjoyed our first US Open experience last night!  We followed the crowds out to the Billy Jean King Tennis center last night after work.

 IMG_4990  It was an absolutely gorgeous night! The air was a cool and crisp 70 degrees! IMG_4992IMG_4991

But the wind had no mercy and was chilling the crowd’s bones all night long. People were buying sweatshirts and long sleeve t-shirts right and left just to stay warm!

Bo and I warmed our souls with a Heineken Light from the Heineken Lounge as soon as we arrived! The entire place was green!

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Sometimes a cold, crisp beer just hits the spot!

Next on the agenda was dinner. I tweeted quickly trying to figure the best option. Fried foods and hot dogs were everywhere but none of it sounded very good. Meanwhile, Bo had his eyes set on a foot long.Eck!

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Eventually I settled on fried shrimp as everyone was raving about their flavor!

But, within two minutes, I saw exactly what I wanted.

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Oh well, too bad I wasted $7 on my first dinner which was immediately abandoned before I even tried a bite.

The Stonyfield Cafe had salads, sandwiches, soups, and even organic beers! It was hard to make a decision but I finally went with their salad combo. It was absolutely delicious and filled with the perfect amount of bleu cheese and chicken. Bo was even surprised by its flavor and freshness.

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Once we’d finished our dinners we quickly headed into the stadium just in time to see the end of the women’s match before Federer took the court!

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Our seats were in the promenade level which meant we enjoyed a bird’s eye view. We still enjoyed it and don’t regret buying the cheap tickets through my alumni club versus paying more than $200 for quarterfinal tickets.

Do you enjoy tennis? Who are you rooting for in this year’s US Open?

I’m off to bed so I can get some much needed rest before tomorrow morning’s 17 mile run! YIKES! I’m so nervous I could vomit. But, I’m just telling myself that slow and steady wins the race. My goal is to keep around a 10:45 pace and follow a flat course. I’ll head out before 5am since I need to be at work by 9am. Hopefully this mean’s I’ll enjoy some wonderful sunrise views along the Hudson River.

In order to get pumped up, I downloaded a few new songs tonight thanks to Jes and Nicole’s great suggestions!

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