The Weekly Blush

Shenanigans from May 9 - 15 , 2011.

FOOD: Mo meal plan for this week as I got a bit behind but just know that I will probably be having these Spinach and Mushroom Quesadillas for lunch most days - it's going to be a busy week.

FOOD PRODUCT REVIEWS. Last week, everything reviewed had a "Fruity Flavor."

This week in reviews is "Surprise Week" - i.e. no theme, just going with the flow.

Workout Music: Another week, 2 more hot playlists to help power you through those workouts.

 

Messy Business Workout Playlist for your pop listening pleasure and Punk Punishment Workout Playlist with hot dance and el

Working on mah Fitness: After a weekend's break from running races, it was time for another 5K. I finished it in 25:43 which is a personal best time for me, and I placed 2nd in my age group. More importantly, I felt I was finally back into consistent running - I'm following Hal Higdon's Novice 2 Marathon Training Plan (not actually planning on running a marathon through), and completed week 1 last week.

This week I'm running a trail 5K on Thursday and a 4 mile race on Sunday. And my 1st triathlon is in 2 weeks ... it's a sprint distance (800 m swim, 11.6 mile ride & 3 mile run), but I'm pretty intimidated. I'm thinking of putting it off for a few more weeks because I don't feel my bike fitness is where it should be - but maybe I should just do it and be done ... decisions, decisions.

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The Weekly Blush

Shenanigans from April 25 - May 1 , 2011.

FOOD: I've been getting so much inspiration from other bloggers for the Weekly Healthy Meal Plan. The latest one is posted and there's a couple of QUINOA recipes that I'm looking forward to trying - check it out! I especially can't wait to make the Quinoa Tabouleh and Pinto Bean Falafels!

Food product reviews: Last week we looked at products that could be eaten for Breakfast.

This week in food reviews, it's all about HEALTHY SNACKS!

Workout Music: Another week, 2 more hot playlists to help power you through those workouts.

 

Big Boss Workout Playlist, Hip-hop music for a weights workout, and Kicking the Habit Workout Playlist, rock tunes to get you in the cycling groove.

Working on mah Fitness:Over the weekend, I had (2) 5K races on the agenda. Saturday was a road race (for the most part), which I clocked in at 26:03 and had a fantastic time as the hubby and step-son were able to come - and the little man came in 1st in the kids race! Sunday was a 5K trail race in a gorgeous park in Esopus, NY - bet not many people have heard of that town! This was a very technical trail, on which I almost went down at least a dozen times, and nearly twisted my ankle countless times - I'm naturally a clutz! Although my time is what I consider slow for me on trails, 37:05, I was able to come 1st in my age group! And the post-race Quinoa chili provided by Soul Dog (Poughkeepsie, NY), was nothing short of AMAZING!

I'm on a much needed break from running races this upcoming weekend (here's my schedule of May races) - going to spend some MUCH needed time with my road bike.

Fit Links: A few items I bookmarked recently -

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The Weekly Blush

Shenanigans from April 18 - 24 , 2011.

Food: I've been discovering that bloggers are such a creative bunch, and my Weekly Healthy Meal Plan has been a hit in my household because of this! The latest menu plan is up, with a focus on eating more BEAND and PEAS and this week, the recipe I am mostly looking forward to trying is the Ethiopian-Style Chickpeas Stew (by The Daily Dish) - chickpeas never looked so good!

Last week on i{ate}A{pie}.net, all the product reviews were of BEVERAGES! Metroelectro Micronutrient Water was the star of the show, but Almond Dream Unsweetened Almond Drink wasn't too bad either. Izze Sparkling Grapefruit Juice Beverage was just so-so and Steaz Zero Calorie Iced Teaz (Half & Half) Review was pretty meh (see how I'm dropping all these technical terms on you)?! This week in reviews: BREAKFAST FOODS!

Workout Music: Last week, we had a guest post: Fit Things We Love {EatDrinkRun Edition}. Thanks to the amazing Shelby of Eat Drink Run! She shared her top-secret products for taking care of herself before, during & after her workouts.

The playlists were super hot last week too (I know - I say that every week)!

I Only Speak in Funky Beats had some funky dance & electronic tunes to make you dance on the elliptical & the Clear Out Workout Playlist is just insane with hip-hop music to listen to on a run.

Working on mah Fitness: No races for me last weekend, so the good old legs got a break from the intensity. With May fast approaching, I'm thinking of doing 2 half-marathons & my 1st triathlon. Here's what my schedule looks like:
Apr 30 5K (hosted by my running club)
May 01 Spring Sprint 5k Trail Run
May 07 Jog for Jugs Half Marathon
May 15 Superhero Half Marathon
May 21 Jerseyman Sprint Tri (600m swim, 16.4mi bike, 5K run) OR
May 29 Cooperstown Sprint Tri (800m swim, 11.6mi bike, 3mi run)

Fit Links: I shared my favorite fitness related links over at IntheGym.net on the weekend, but here they are again in case you missed 'em:

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The Weekly Blush

Shenanigans from April 11 - 17 , 2011.
Food: In case you haven't noticed, I've been publishing a Weekly Healthy Meal Plan. It's just recipes that I come across from other bloggers and use as inspiration to plan my meals for the upcoming week. The latest plan is up, and the recipe I am mostly looking forward to making is the Pan Fried Curried Jerk Pork Chops with Mango Salsa by Girl Cooks World.

This meal is Jamaican inspired and I'm Jamaican and I was VERY intrigued by the use of curry and jerk seasonings together. Pretty ballsy, Ms Girl Cooks World!

Last week on i{ate}A{pie}.net, all the product reviews focused on foods found in the freezer aisle.

This week in Reviews: Beverages!

Poll: One more day left for you to share your opinion on the poll, Do You Read the Ingredients Label of Food Products? So far it looks like most people "almost always' check.

Workout Music: Last week, the playlists featured pop music - I felt in a light, fun mood, and the song choices reflected that.

Scene Stealer Workout Playlist (pop, running) and Misunderstood Saloon Workout Playlist (pop, cycling). Head over to IntheGym.net to listen.

Working on mah Fitness: Check out the Recap for race #6 of 2011 (at IntheGym). I mentioned it last week, but it was so hilly, and with no hill training, 2 hilly races a week apart (one a half marathon & the other, 7.2 miles), was just not a good idea. Thankfully, my legs finally feel better ... just in time for another race that took place on Sunday - a 10K. Although there were some hills, including a long climb between miles 2.5 and mile 4, it was nothing compared to the last 2 races, and I ended with a personal best time (53:43).

Fit Links: I shared my favorite fitness related links over at IntheGym.net on the weekend, but the 2 MUST check out links are:
* The Non-Runner's Guide to Running | Health on the Run
* Why is My Running Your Problem? | Beautiful Athlete

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The Weekly Blush

Shenanigans from April 4 - 10 , 2011.

Food: Last week on i{ate}A{pie}.net it was all Soup Reviews - and they were either all natural or organic.

I was so happy to discover Muir Glen Organic Chicken Tortilla Soup and Muir Glen Organic Southwest Black Bean Soup. Plus Kettle Cuisine Thai Curry Chicken Soup and Pacific Natural Foods Homestyle Creamy Southwestern Corn Soup were also pretty good. This week, we'll be looking in the freezer aisle!

The results for the poll, What Do You Look For in a Nutrition Bar {Poll}, showed that 51% of you picked low calories, followed by 37% for high protein. Only 16% voted for high fiber - I thought that would be the main choice - while approximately 12% of you picked  low sugar, natural organic, or don't eat nutrition bars often.

Workout Music: We had 2 totally different vibes going on last week with our workout playlists.

Mission Hulktopia Workout Playlist (rock) and Chop Suey Style Workout Playlist (dance and electronic) - but as usual they are fresh and funky - time to update the tunes on your mp3 player!

Working on mah Fitness: Race #5 for the year was my 2nd Half Marathon on April 3rd (race recap at IntheGym.net).

In a word - this race was HILLY! And Race #6 was a 7.2 mile event - also very HILLY!!! We're talking monstrous, beastly rolling hills that just kept coming and coming - at one point I tried to tell myself I was going downhill no matter what I actually saw ... it didn't work. I did improve over my 1st half marathon time, but I have to admit I totally sucked in race #6 - I should say I "race walked" instead of ran. Oh well - On to the next one as Jay-Z says.

Fit Links: I shared my favorite fitness related links over at IntheGym.net on the weekend, but the 2 MUST check out links are:

Both are really powerful and so imspirational.

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The Weekly Blush

Shenanigans from March 21 - 27, 2011.

Food
The reviews last week on i{ate}A{pie}.net included quite a few items that we didn't particularly care for (not usually the case). Glenny's Salt & Pepper Soy Crisps, Dominex Veggie Fries and Imagine Natural Creations Organic Creamy Sweet Potato Soup all fell short; but we were totally crushing on EnviroKidz Organic Crispy Rice Bar (Chocolate) and Dannon Light & Fit Raspberry Yogurt.

There's also a new poll, What Do You Look For in a Nutrition Bar? So far, it looks like high protein and low calorie are the most popular choices. If you haven't shared your opinion - there's still time to vote. Another cool part of the website is the Coupons section. We added an Alexia Foods Coupon but there's way more deals to be found.

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Workout Music: On IntheGym.net, there are 2 new workout playlists.

Veni Vidi Vici Workout Playlist and Out of Breath Workout Playlist are filled with super-hot electronic beats & dance tracks guaranteed to make you move!

Fitness: No races for me over the past weekend, and I wasn't feeling too well all week long, some sort of sinus issue, but I'm taking sexy back and ending the month strong and kicking it into high gear with about 8 weeks left until my first triathlon. Here's this week workout schedule:
Mon - Run (6 miles speed)
Tue - Swimming (1800 yards) + indoor cycling (20 miles)
Wed - Run (6 miles hills)
Thu - Swimming (1800 yards) + indoor cycling (20 miles)
Fri - Run (easy 6 miles)
Sat - Swimming (1800 yards)
Sun - Greater Danbury Half Marathon

Sunday will be my 2nd half marathon, and the first one I had no fueling strategy. I am a HUGE fan of Powerbar Energy Blast (chews). But is that enough? Anyone have any tips about fueling for a half marathon? Is that something I even need to think about?

Here's hoping you guys have a great week.

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The Weekly Blush

Someone says there needs to be more "me" on Iateapie.net, so here's a look back at my weekly internet tracks.

This week on Iateapie.net,  it was all Nutrition Bar Reviews - some all natural, some gluten free & a few sugar free ones too.

(Photo Credit: Diet Desert n Dogs)

The Organic Food Bar One (Chocolate Macaroon Crunch) Review was the lowest rated - the 35% of the daily value from saturated fat might have something to do with that! Next week it's all Beverage Reviews - flavored waters, diet sodas, iced teas - even a few Energy Drink reviews.

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In addition to writing food reviews here on Iateapie.net this week, I also posted 2 workout playlists at IntheGym.net, Smacking Lips and Kicking Bricks and the QuarterPounder Workout Playlist.

One of my resolutions at the start of 2010 was to work out more consistently, and I somehow found my groove from September onwards, thanks to my new found love of running in local race events. I participated in 7 races from September to December and here is the 2010 Race Recaps -  I'm a slowly but surely kinda gal. I also ran my first half marathon on New Years Day 2011, and like a proud mama, shared my Hangover Half Marathon Race Recap (Half Mary #1) - I finished in 2:18:55.

Oh - and I've been using Dailymile.com since September to log my workouts - LOVE the community there!

Over on my personal blog (Girlxoxo.com), the Half Marathon Training: Plan Vs Reality, includes a look back at my 1st half training plan and shows my 2nd Half Marathon Training Plan + Baby Beginner Triathlon Swim & Bike Training Program - did I mention my 1st triathlon is in May!!! Here's a look at the gazillion races I have on my "Not Such A Newbie Anymore 2011 Race Schedule" ... yes I know I'm an over-eager beaver with too many races scheduled for the year - 40 to be exact ... I didn't want to count!!! I'll have to cut back - can't see the husband-to-be agreeing to my spending an arm & a leg in race entry fees ... unless some generous company wants to sponsor me - I need it all - wetsuit, road bike, cold weather running gear, compression socks, gels ... and whatever else the cool kids are into!

And if this week in review is not long enough for yah - here are a few links that caught my eye over the past week or so:

Finally, for you runners out there - anyone else like running on the treadmill?! I feel a little lonely on the internet because all I see is people hating on the "dreadmill" - and I run on it 90% of the time ... okay, maybe more like 99%. Don't get me wrong - I like running outside - weather permitting - but it's winter here and I'm allergic to cold temperatures - hehe. I have no problems running up to 12 miles on the treadmill - the most I've done so far. With good tunes, or a good football game (War Eagle), I could be on that thing for as long as my legs can carry me. So, if you're a treadmill lover like me - shout it out in the comments! If you're not, tell me what's your favorite form of exercise.

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