Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

Habit Formed

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Hiking is habit-forming.

Ever since the awesome hike in Boulder at the Blend Retreat, I cannot get enough!

This weekend I took off for North GA to a place called Tallulah Gorge with Heather, Kirk, Lindsay, and Nancy.

The gorge is a 2 mile long, 1000 ft deep canyon about 90 miles north of Atlanta.   They even have a suspension bridge and  a sliding rock!

Photo Credit: Heather/Kirk

After the crazy hike to the bottom (think lots of sliding down rocks on my butt), we were wishing we’d thought to bring swimsuits so we could use the rock waterslide!

Next time it’s on.

See the bottom right pic in the collage above?  That’s a snake skin.  Snakes are the only downside to hiking…

One 4 mile round trip and about a million stairs later, we were STARVING.  Like good bloggers, we already had a lunch spot picked out.  By we I mean Heather.  Anytime she picks a place you know it’s going to be good.  Grapes & Beans (not to be confused with frank and beans) in Clayton, GA was no exception.

Small town cafes can be surprisingly good!  They had a gorgeous patio where we ate while listening to jazz music.  As an appetizer we shared a delicious curry hummus (hummus + curry = win).  For my entree I had a portobello pita sandwich with mixed greens, tomatoes, carrots, and herb-garlic tofu dressing.

Yes, the dressing was as good as it sounds.

Wednesday I leave for Argentina.  Exercise there will consist of mostly sight-seeing/walking/jogging.  I love my weight though, so these next few days I’m going to squeeze in some good strength training workouts.

This past week I had a decent week of workouts on top of the hike, so I treated myself to a rest day Saturday.  I’m beginning to appreciate their value, and so is my body.

Workout Recap (5/28- 6/3):

  • Monday – 4 mile run/walk, Back, 100 push-ups
  • Tuesday – Personal trainer (full body), 5 mile run/walk with Carol
  • Wednesday – Bis/Back with plyo, 3 mile walk, 100 push-ups
  • Thursday – Shoulders with plyo, 3 mile run/walk 100 push-ups
  • Friday – 3 mile run, Ab Ripper X, 100 push-ups
  • Saturday – REST
  • Sunday –  4 mile hike, 100 push-ups

***

Having worked 60+ hours in the past week, I’m so ready for vaca that it almost hurts.

Are you afraid of snakes?

Do you take rest days regularly?  Have you found them beneficial?  I need encouragement.

Memorable Memorial Day Weekend

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Does blogging count as working over a holiday weekend?

I couldn’t wait to share a few highlights!  In case it does count as working, I’ll play it safe and keep this one short.  Literally.

1. Just when you thought it couldn’t get shorter…

I got my hair cut again.

I HAD to do it to prepare for Argentina. 🙂

Karen  @ Lava Hair Studio rocks my world.  She’s my longest relationship – we’ve been together nearly 5 years.

2. My sister isn’t the only artist in the family.

Sort of.

Heather invited me to one of those drink-and-paint places.  I was skeptical (I’m NOT artistic), but it was SO much fun!  If you have one in your area, I’d recommend trying it out for a fun girls night.

Thank you so much for a great evening Just for Giggles!

3. There was a first:

I ordered a seafood entrée for the first time in a restaurant.

One of my best friends and I met for dinner at a local spot called Haven.  It was a great meal!  We split some apps and a seafood entrée: a white grouper with zucchini, pole beans, cranberry beans, and a carrot-fennel salad.

4. Quality pool time.

Complete with a Todd-jito: strawberries, mint, vodka, limoncello, and a bit of powdered sugar and ice.  Tasty.

Check out the bottom pic.  Doesn’t the water fountain thing make it look like the guy is peeing?!  Yes, I’m that mature.

5. Best.  Yogurt.  Ever.

The Yogurt Tap in Decatur, GA is the BEST fro-yo.

I’d tap that.

It’s local, made fresh in the store from in-season fruits, and they are now offering a dairy-free almond butter flavor.  If you’re in ATL and haven’t tried it… you don’t know what you’re missing.

A holiday weekend and an ACL tear doesn’t mean I’m taking a holiday from working out!

Yesterday began with a soon-to-be disclosed workout designed especially for this blog by Lindsay.  It’s going up as a guest post during my travels next week.

Post-Linsday butt kicking

Workout Recap (5/14 – 5/27):

  • Monday – Quick Cardio Circuit, Back/Biceps w/ plyo, 100 push-ups
  • Tuesday – P90X Plyo
  • Wednesday – 5-4-3-2-1 workout (2x), Wednesday workout, 100 push-ups
  • Thursday – 100 push-ups, REST
  • Friday – Shoulders w/ plyo, 100 push-ups
  • Saturday – Tris/Chest w/ plyo, 2 mi jog
  • Sunday –  Lindsay’s workout, Ab Ripper X, 2.75 mi run/walk, 100 push-ups

***

I’m going to state the obvious: I vote every weekend be 3 days long.

How has your long weekend been?  Did you workout?

Do you still laugh at juvenile things?  I don’t think I’m growing out of it.

BENGAY Zero Degrees + Lots ‘o Legs

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Injuries and soreness aren’t fun.

Lately it seems like I can’t stay well (thank you, knees), so I was particularly excited when BENGAY contacted me to review their new Zero Degrees product.

What makes it so cool?  It literally IS cool.  According to their literature it is “the first and only topical pain reliever tha can be stored in the freezer, combining the instant sensation of ice with the long-lasting, trusted pain relief of BENGAY GEL.”

This weekend was fun, but pretty strenuous on my body.  If you’ve been reading for a while, you may know that I’ve had some trouble with my knee for the past few months.  I was in serious need of BENGAY Zero Degrees after a 7 mile hike Saturday followed up by a 3 mile run and 2 softball games on Sunday… and one lovely strawberry on my toosh:

No, I didn’t put BENGAY on my open wound (NOT a good idea).  I DID slather it all over my aching knees after spending some QT with bags of frozen peas.

I loved that BENGAY Zero Degrees comes in a deoderant-like stick, making it easy to apply – no sticky hands or pain when you forget and stick you finger in your eye.  Another plus is that it doesn’t stink like most other products out there.  My knees may make me feel like a granny, but I don’t need to smell like a granny too!

BENGAY has offered to send one of these cool Zero Degrees sticks along with some other fun goodies (I received a tote bag, hair ties, a workout towel, and Karina Smirnoff’s dance-inspired workout DVD) to TWO readers!

Receive up to 4 entries by:

  1. Subscribe to the Sprint 2 the Table RSS feed or email
  2. Tweet: You could say something like: I entered to win 1 of 2 BENGAY Zero Degrees prize bags in the @sprint2thetable giveaway: http://wp.me/p16jDn-1hS  #giveaway #fitness
  3. Be Social: Twitter Follow me, Pinterest Follow Me and/or Pin Something of Mine, Instagram Follow Me
  4. Comment: What do you do to help your body recover?

 

Please leave a *separate comment* for each entry!

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Thursday, May 24th.  The winner will be announced on Friday, May 25th.

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This week’s recap should explain why I need that BENGAY!  🙂

I’ve been incorporating more plyo/active rest into my weight workouts.  It’s made a big difference in my appetite!  I feel like I’m getting more out of my workouts and I’m craving protein like a caveman.  Still not going too big on the meat, but I’m killin’ some protein shake creations.  After Sundays games in 85 degree temps and direct sunlight I couldn’t get to the blender fast enough!

Put me in coach!

Workout Recap (5/7 – 5/13):

***

I just realized this post is filled with pics of my legs from various angles.  I love an unexpected “leg day.”

What is the last injury you had?

What is the best workout you’ve had lately?

Wining and Dining at Food & Wine

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Sometimes you throw it all out the window.

The Food & Wine Festival coming to your town is one of those times.  I ate red meat for the first time since October, inhaled sweets, and sampled more bourbon than I knew existed.  Needless to say it was quite the weekend!

Yup – I brought a snack to a food festival.

When I picked up my schwag, I was excited to see that I made the brochure!  This pic is from a volunteer opportunity at a local farm during last year’s festival.

Can you tell which one is me?

I remembered why I quit eating red meat (omg – the tummy ache!), and why I quit eating so much sugar (my sleep quality was soooo bad).  Not that I’m complaining.  I loved every moment of it… but I look forward to returning to clean eating this week!!

I took full advantage of the education opportunities and the ridiculously expensive 3 day pass.

The first class was the “History of the Southern Cocktail.”  The panel was impressive and I learned a lot.  For instance, ice was actually a sign of aristocracy in the South in the 1800s.   Due to the heat and the fact that freezers weren’t yet invented, ice was more expensive than meat or dairy.  It had to be transported from the North!

The traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby, the Mint Julep, was packed to the brim with ice to ensure Derby attendees knew who was part of the upper crust.

We sampled two drinks:

  • Chatham Artillery Punch – lemon, sugar, bourbon, Cognac, Jamaican rum, and sparkling wine
  • Crusta – bourbon, Cointreau, Angoustura bitters, Marischino liqueur, and lemon (SO good!)

My second class of the day was “How to Taste Blind.”  The two sommeliers in the session picked out the wines perfectly!  I proved  – once again – that I have a terrible palate.

I picked the Sauvignon Blanc, but didn’t get the region or year (FYI – a greener color to a white wine indicated a younger age).  This was a 2009 from France. The reds were a 2007 Syrah from France and a 2008 Camenere from Chile.  I was way off on both!

This was just the first part of day 1!  I have lots more to share throughout the week!

Despite the indulgence, I did have a good workout week.  Post-Blend I took Monday off before diving into it.  It must have done my body good because I was able to run 3 miles straight through for the first time since January!  I have an appointment with an ortho to have my knee looked at next week… part of me thinks I could cancel, but better safe than sorry.

Saturday morning I knocked out a P90X Plyo workout… it left me a sweaty mess, but was the perfect thing to do before heading back to F&W Festival for day 2!

Workout Recap (5/7 – 5/13):

  • Monday – REST
  • Tuesday – This Pinned workout, Bis/Back, 100 push-ups
  • Wednesday – Shoulders w/ plyo, 3 mi run, P90X Ab Ripper X, 100 push-ups
  • Thursday – This Under 10 Legs workout, 2 mi walk, Legs/Core
  • Friday – Tris/Chest w/ plyo, 100 push-ups
  • Saturday – P90X Plyo, 100 push-ups
  • Sunday –  3 mile run

***

Rainy mornings should mandate a work from home day.

Have you ever done a blind wine tasting?

Have you ever thrown any food “rules” out the window for a big event?

Purposeful Running

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Today I have a guest spot!

 

 

I was flattered to have been asked by Laura @ Mommy, Run Fast! to write a post for her series, Purposeful Running.  Click here to check it out Laura’s site and my post on why I run.*

*Disregard the fact that I haven’t been able to run much due to my knee… in the words of Ah-nold: I’ll be back!

 

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Blend was amazing!  More to come this week!  For now, a workout recap:

 

Workout Recap (4/30 – 5/6):

    • Monday – This Pinned workout, Bis/Back w/ plyo, 2.3 mile run/walk
    • Tuesday – This Pinned workout, P90X Cardio, 100 push-ups
    • Wednesday – Shoulders w/ plyo, 2 mi run/walk, 100 push-ups
    • Thursday – This Quad + Core tabata workout, 2.5 mi run, Legs/Core
    • Friday – This Pinned workout, 3 mi walk/run, upper body weights
    • Saturday – Blend Boot Camp and Hike
    • Sunday –  Blend Boot Camp

***

 I need a weekend after my weekend!

What was the best part of your weekend?

If you are a runner, why do you run?

 

Nature Box Giveaway + Foodie Penpals

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It’s Nature.  In a box.

 

Sort of.

Nature Box is a monthly mail order snack company.  For $19.95 they will send you a box with 5 new healthy, all-natural snacks each month.

 

They were kind enough to send my April’s box to sample, and the snacks inside did not disappoint!

In my box:

  • Cranberry Granola
  • Dried Currants
  • Dried Pears
  • Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
  • Salt & Pepper Pistachios

 

 

My favorite was the Spicy Pumpkin Seeds (obv – I love me some heat).  Each bag contained 3-4 generous servings… not a bad deal for $20!  That’s only $5 a bag.  It’s less than your latte. 😉

 

***Disclaimer: I was provided with this box at no charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own.***

 

So what’s in it for you?

Nature Box would like to offer one reader their May box for free!  Receive up to 4 entries by:

 

  1. Follow me on Twitter or Subscribe to the Sprint 2 the Table RSS feed or email
  2. Tweet: You could say something like: I’ve entered to win May’s healthy snack box in the @NatureBox giveaway at @sprint2thetable http://wp.me/p16jDn-1hN  #giveaway
  3. Be Social: Facebook Like NatureBox, Twitter Follow NatureBox, Pinterest Follow Me and/or Pin Something of Mine, Instagram Follow Me
  4. Comment: What is your favorite healthy snack?

 

Please leave a *separate comment* for each entry!

 

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Thursday, May 3rd.  The winner will be announced on Friday, May 4th.

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Speaking of boxes…

I also received a fun box in the mail from my Foodie Penal – Elizabeth @ I am Guiltless.  Why fun?  Check out the packaging:

 

Alas, there wasn’t any beer inside.  The goodies she sent were tasty though!

 

In my Foodie Box:

  • Quinn popcorn – lemon & sea salt flavor
  • Rice noodle soup
  • Loose-leaf green tea AND a tea ball
  • Vega Sport powders
  • Cherry-Almond Rise bar (OMG – this was amazingly good!)

 

To sign up for a Foodie PenPals in May, send an email to the brilliant Lindsay at theleangreenbean@gmail.com with the following info:

-Your full name
-Your email address
-Your blog name/address (if you’ve got one)
-Your twitter handle (if applicable)
-Whether you are a US resident or Canadian

Join in by May 4th as pairings will be emailed on May 5th!

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And the wrap up…

The running is still “eh” thanks to my bum knee.  I’m taking it sloooow (which kills me), but it is nice to be able to do a little bit.  Even if that little bit isn’t pretty.

 

 

Thank god for weights.  I love them.  And Pinned workouts.  The end.

 

Workout Recap (4/23 – 4/29):

  • Monday – This Pinned workout, Tris/Chest, 2 mile walk, 100 push-ups
  • Tuesday – P90X Plyometrics, 2 mile walk, 100 push-ups
  • Wednesday – Bis/Back, Ab Ripper X, 2.5 mi walk
  • Thursday – This Quad + Core tabata workout, 4.3 mi walk/run, 100 push-ups
  • Friday – This Pinned workout, 3 mi walk/run, Shoulders
  • Saturday – Tris/Chest, Ab Ripper X
  • Sunday –  This Pinned workout (OMG – 1 legged burpees suck… love/hate them), Softball, 100 push-ups

 ***

The tattoo is awesome.  Pics and the back-story tomorrow!  Oh… and there will be cupcakes. 😉

What are your thoughts on ordering food (via subscription, co-op, online grocery, etc.) vs. going to the store yourself?

Have you ever done one-legged burpees?

 

Raw Bulgur Breakfast Bowl + A Giveaway

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Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.

 

My breakfast is usually some sort of protein shake to follow a workout; however, I’ve been working out at night more and decided to shake up my breakfast routine.

Lat year I experimented with a raw bulgur – it’s not so different from overnight oats!  You simply soak the bulgur in water for 15-20 minutes and add whatever mix-ins you like.

 

 

When NuNaturals reached out to me to check out a few of their new orange and lemon liquid Stevia products I was particularly inspired by the orange-flavored liquid Stevia.  I could smell it before I even opened the bottle!  The best part was that is actually smelled like oranges (i.e. not like some your granny’s potpourri) – both of the new products use real lemon and orange.

 

 

I decided it would be perfect for breakfast in my raw bulgur bowl.  The bright orange sweetness went perfectly with cinnamon and a bit of cardamom.

Topped with fresh coconut, I felt like I was having breakfast on a tropical island rather than in the early morning dimness of my condo. Recipe at the end of this post.

 

 

NuNaturals would like YOU to try out their new products too – the lemon liquid Stevia (I used here in this vegan Alfredo sauce) and this orange liquid Stevia.

4 winners will be chosen!  Receive up to 3 entries by:

 

  1. Follow me on Twitter or Subscribe to the Sprint 2 the Table RSS feed or email
  2. Tweet: You could say something like: I’ve entered to win 1 of 4 chances to win the @NuNaturals giveaway at @sprint2thetable http://wp.me/p16jDn-1gY #giveaway
  3. Be Social: Facebook Like NuNaturals, Twitter Follow NuNaturals, Pinterest Follow Me and/or Pin Something of Mine, Instagram Follow Me
  4. Comment: What is your favorite Stevia flavor?

 

Please leave a *separate comment* for each entry!

 

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Thursday, April 26th.  The 4 winners will be announced on Friday, April 27th.

 ***You may also order Stevia directly from NuNaturals, and receive a 15% discount using the code BLG0612. (effective until JUNE 30, 2012).***

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Let me start be saying I am NOT complaining but…

I finally got a referral to an orthopedic doc for my knee.  I took the first available appointment (May 22!).  THEN on my walk Saturday I realized I was feeling pretty good and decided to try running.  5.5 miles later, my knee was still fine!  Now, I didn’t run all of that 5.5.  I didn’t even try to run more than 1/2 a mile at a time, but all told I think I ran 2.5 miles… wayyyy more than I’ve been able to do since January.

Did simply making the doctor appointment cure me?!  

 

Workout Recap (4/16 – 4/22):

  • Monday – Tris/Chest, Bike intervals
  • Tuesday – This Pinned workout (2x), Bike intervals, 6 min plank rotation, 100 push-ups
  • Wednesday – This Pinned workout, Bis/Back, Ab Ripper X, 2 mi walk
  • Thursday – This Pinned workout, Shoulders, 2 mi walk, 100 push-ups
  • Friday – This Pinned workout, 2.25 mi walk, Lindsay’s leg workout
  • Saturday – 5.5 mile run/walk, 100 push-ups
  • Sunday –  5.6 mile run/walk, 30 mins bike intervals, 100 push-ups

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Orange and Coconut Raw Bulgur Breakfast Bowl

  • 1/4 C bulgur, uncooked
  • 1 T chia
  • 1/4 C + 2 T water
  • 5-6 drops NuNaturals Orange Liquid Stevia
  • 3/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp cardamom
  • 2 T unsweetened coconut
  • 2 T chopped nuts

 

Mix together everything except the coconut and chopped nuts.  Allow to soak for 15-20 mins.

Stir and top with coconut, nuts, or other toppings as desired.

Note: You could sub a bit of orange extract and your preferred sweetener here if you don’t have the NuNaturals orange liquid Stevia.

***

My Sesame Baked Tofu made the FoodBuzz Top 9 this weekend.  Thank you for the Buzz!!!  Check out the Top 9 here.

Have you ever eaten bulgur (or other grain) raw/soaked?

Did you enjoy the sunshine this weekend?  Any races?

 

Sneaky Monday

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Can you believe it’s already Monday?

 

I’m so tired I almost can’t stand it.  Why?  Because I woke up at 2:30am.

Apparently I fell asleep with my phone in my room.  My sheets were still in the dryer, so I crashed on the couch… and when my mom called I didn’t hear the phone.  This worried her and when I hadn’t gotten back to her by 2am she decided to drive 30 minutes to make sure I was ok pay me a visit.  No joke.

 

Here’s the Top 5 from the weekend:

 

1. Zucchini Bread Oats

 

 

I stayed at my mom’s one night and made these again after a brief hiatus.  She hadn’t had them and was skeptical… turns out she loved Zucchini Bread Oats!

 

2. Sticky Toffee Pudding

 

 

I went to a dinner party at my friends Katherine and Giles’ house.  Joined by Heather and her husband Kirk, we had a fantastic vegan fest.  My contribution was this Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Recipe to come soon… I need to take some better pics. 🙂

 

3. Foodie Penpal

 

 

The revel isn’t until the end of the month… but my foodie penpal package arrived!  The box she shipped it in got me excited. 

 

4. PB&J Yogurt

 

 

This was is my new love.  How can you go wrong with anything PB&J-esque?  In my yogurt was:

  • 1 C Greek yogurt
  • 1 T peanut flour
  • 5-6 drops vanilla Stevia
  • 1/2 C strawberries

 

5. Softball Sunday

It was another softball Sunday!   We won one game and lost one.  No split this week though. 🙂

 

 

One of my teammates rides a unicycle.  I love this time of year. 

 

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I thought my knee was cured this weekend when I ran a mile pain-free.  Then I tried for 1.5 the next day and was back in pain… *sigh*

It’s more P90X for me.

 

Workout Recap (4/2 – 4/8):

  • Monday – This Pinned workout, P90X Chest/Back, Ab Ripper X
  • Tuesday – This Pinned workout, P90X Yoga
  • Wednesday – P90X Shoulders/Arms, Ab Ripper X, 100 push-ups
  • Thursday – This Pinned workout, P90X Kenpo, 100 push-ups
  • Friday – P90X Legs/Back, 100 push-ups
  • Saturday – This Pinned workout, 4 mile walk, 1 mile run, Ab Ripper X
  • Sunday –  1.5 mile run, 2 softball games

 

***

I’m looking forward to a low-key week.  Knock on wood.

Has your mom ever driven to your house to check on you?

What was the best part about your weekend?

 

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