I have made huge improvements in my workouts over the the past 10 days, i.e. I went from zero to 6.6 miles of run/walk and 35 minute workout last week to this week where I have already put in 11 miles of running and walking and I still have three more days! It feels great to be back.  It is crazy how Neil’s accident directly affected my workouts.  The first week after his accident was as stressful time that resulted in little sleep and little time to do much of anything besides try to keep the house in a manageable state, check in on Neil frequently  and stay up on any commitments that I had.  Now things are better and Neil is back to work and slowly getting back to his normal routine.  He sees the neurologist in 11 days and we are hoping for good news and that he will be able to get back to running (and driving- I’m over being a taxi driver).

The next step is for me to get back to the gym.  It’s been a challenge because I’ve been back to running and it has been beautiful out so no desire to run inside and because Neil is only allowed to go for walks and I’m his driver I haven’t been going right after work.  This weekend and until he gets the okay Neil and I are going to go to the gym together after work so I can do some alternative cardio and weights and he can walk on the dreadmill or hangout and read magazines and watch TV. 

Races

Okay so we are almost fully back. Neil has 11 more days before he sees the neurologist and (hopefully) gets the okay to go back to running. Since we can no longer do the Disney Half Marathon we have been on the lookout for a new half to run.  Today I came across the perfect one; there’s beer, running and the beach….in New Hampshire…in February.

I know it’ll be a little cold for sun bathing but that’s okay we’re there to run and have an amazing time! Is anyone else running this or have you or do you want to?

Training for this half is going to start for me next week! I am sticking with the Galloway plan because I have been using it thus far and am loving it!

On another note I have a 10k on Saturday which I am debating about.  It was supposed to be in line with my original half marathon training but since Neil went and got himself injured (silly man) I got thrown off my training plan and I’m not sure if I am physically up to doing it.  I had a great 4 mile run this week and a quick and easy 2 mile run yesterday but I am not sure if I am ready to do 6.2 miles on Saturday.  I guess I’ll decide between now and 7am tomorrow.

Sports Bras

Now on to the good stuff sports bras! I have been working on finding various sports bras for giving me the right support for various activities.  When it comes to being active I lucked out that I’m not in need of something that is super supportive since ahem…there isn’t a ton to support.  I have tried a number of bras and I have a few favorites but my new addition is easily becoming a favorite of mine for a number of reasons.

For the past few weeks I have been trying out the Moving Comfort Rebound Racer Sports Bra and I am loving it and no you don’t get a photo of me in it so this one from their site will have to do.  My thoughts:

The Challenge:

• My monthly grocery budget for October is $360 plus CSA (two remaining share baskets)
• How you are going to keep yourself on track and what measures you plan to take to make this a successful challenge.
• I am going to blog about my journey, menu plan and focus on buying vegetables, whole foods and bulk items.

Are you participating? Add this badge to your blog:

Another new feature: Host An Event At Home!

Girls Night IN: Healthy Happy Hour

Host a Healthy Happy Hour! Invite your girlfriends over for a night of nutritious appetizers, delicious smoothies and mocktails, and your favorite sweet treats with a healthy twist! In addition to these tasty treats you will participate in a variety of activities to help you de-stress from the long week!

• Cost: $25 per person (4 person minimum)
• Location: Your home! (In the Burlington, Vermont Area; I will travel to different areas of VT for an additional fee)
• Available: Friday and Saturday Nights.
• Duration: 3 hours

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For the first time this week I am up early because I want to be. I didn’t have to wake Neil up every 2 hours last night and I finally slept through most of the night. I’m still run down and Neil is still having headaches and is weak but things are slowly improving. Yesterday I went back to work which was difficult because I was scared to leave Neil and because I was just so exhausted it was hard to get back into the routine. I am happy to say Neil is getting back to eating and keeping food down (win!) and we went on a half mile walk yesterday.

I am hoping to get back to my normal(ish) routine over the next few days.

Again thank you for all the support!

Thoughts:

• Not enough time spent working out. Over a 7 day period I only averaged 23 minutes a day. That is way less than I should be doing.
• No yoga this week. One of my goals is to do yoga at least once a week. I find that it improves my running, my mind and keeps me balanced.
• Poor fueling before runs=not so great runs. This is one thing that is going to be fixed starting now, yes right this minute. In the last week I fell off my normal workout routine because our gym was closed, hurricane Irene came for a visit and because I chose not to put as much dedication into my workouts as I should have.

Moving on…

Since I started running I have been on the lookout for running gear that fits well, is comfortable to run in and of course it needs to look cute. I have been slowly accumulating new items, some that work really well and some that are not so great and have resulted in chaffing or just don’t fit correctly.  One of the newest tops I have tired out is from Be Seen the creators of active gear for those who enjoy outdoor activities such as running, biking and walking.

Be Seen is the vision of Eric and Lisa Fenstermacher. As dedicated age-group triathletes living in Dallas. TX, they appreciate the need to be safe and aware on the roads. Unfortunately it seems everyone involved in an outdoor lifestyle knows someone that knows someone with a tragic story. Eric and Lisa want to help these stories change to tales of accomplishment. The most effective mechanism to achieve this is through education and awareness. They firmly believe that awareness is the precursor to change. Be Seen out there and stay safe.[1]

Eric and Lisa have created a fashionable and effective way to improve the safety for outdoor activity lovers with their Been Seen athletic tops. The large designs on all sides of the garment brightly reflect vehicle headlights and other ambient light. They are made from sweat wicking fabric, moisture moves quickly to the surface where it evaporates.

Reminder: Don't take photos at 5am.

My thoughts: 
As soon as I received this top I tried it right on and headed out on a early evening run on the bike path.  The things I love about this top:

- The Length. I have found that my biggest issue with woman’s running tops is that they are many times too short or way too long.  I was happy to find that this shirt was just the right length, hitting at the hips and it was perfect because it didn’t ride up while I ran (my other huge issue).

- Safety First. I really love that the large design that is both on the front and back is not an eyesore.  I am all about safety first but I cringe at the though of florescent orange and neon green tops. This top is great because it’s cute and promotes safety.

- Overall fit.  I know I mentioned above that I like the length but the overall fit is also worth noting.  I was told in advanced that the shirts tend to run a little big so when ordering one you probably want to go a size smaller, I had to. I also loved that it was fitted but not tight or hugging and the sleeve length was perfect.

-The fabric.  I thought the fabric was perfect. I went on a hot run in the top and I felt great.  The fabric breathes and doesn’t chaff. I did find that fabric to be a bit heavy though especially for 75F+ and 50%+ humidity (welcome to VT summer), however I do think that it will be perfect now that it is cooler in the mornings and evenings but not cold enough for long sleeves (although Be Seen has those too).

Overall. Overall I love the top.  I would recommend it to anyone especially those who are avid bikers, outdoor runners and walkers.  It is comfortable, cute and of course promotes safety first.

{Giveaway Time} Closed

Winner:

Guidelines:  Giveaway for your own Be Seen top is open to US residents only. Giveaway will close at 8pm on 9/6/2011.  You must do the mandatory question, for additional entries you MUST leave a separate comment for each entry.

Mandatory:

1. Visit the Be Seen site here  and complete this sentence: Been Seen is ______

Additional Entries: 

• “Like” Be Seen on Facebook.
• Follow Be Seen on Twitter
• Tweet: “I want to win @cookveganlover @beseenforlife giveaway http://wp.me/pFVWo-2xo”
• Follow my new running blog on twitter @LindzNeilRun
• Subscribe to my new running blog in a reader.

[1]: Been Seen|About

So while I’m away make sure that you check out my latest posts:

• {Recipes} Tempeh of the Sea & Beer Fries
• Fitness Friday: July in Review
• {Recipe} Eggplant Lasagna 
• {Giveaway} Beauty Without Cruelty 
• Cookbook Club Returns

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While I am gone Catch Up On my latest Posts:

• My 7 Links
• Sweaty Bands
• Old Port 5k
• Italian Almond Tart

1. Run a 5K DID IT! read about it here
2. Try Bikram Yoga
3. Do an overnight hike on the Long Trail. Did it! read about it here 
4. Visit Montreal (again)
5. Visit Ottawa (again; first time ever with Hubz)
6. Visit Toronto (again; missing my bff)
7. Visit Key West because the Hubz
8. Visit Chicago- a place the Hubz and I have both never been
9. Attend the Healthy Living Summit (Didn’t happen this year)
10. Start my Health Counseling Business This is right on track and going well! I have completed my program and I am certified! Check out mywebsite!
11. Create an e-book of my recipesI have created TWO e-books already this year!
12. Laugh more. I have been doing a lot of this
13. Do more yoga.

    

14. Work on my writing skills. I am working on this!
15. Get all the stamps in my VT Brewers Passport Stamped
16. Go to a driving range and hit some balls
17. Read 10 new books. I have read 8 books and a bunch of new cookbooks
18. Update my blog with a new fun look. Done but still a work in progress.
19. Eat more oatmeal. Done!
20. Drink more green monsters
21. Call my girlfriends more. Doing!
22. Get a massage* DONE
23. Get a pedicure
24. Get a facial (see the trend- love the self care)
25. Final outfit our house so that it is “grownup” and organized. almost done with this! Done!

So besides all of the excessive travel desires I am staying pretty much on track! So excited to see how much I can accomplish before August!

Okay so recap of what I still need to do to complete my goals (travel excluded):

• Try Bikram Yoga
• Go to the driving range and hit some balls
• Read two books (I am finishing one right now so only one more to go)
• Drink more green smoothies
• Get a pedicure
• Get a facial
• Get all the stamps in my VT Brewers Passport Stamped (probably won’t happen)

After we packed up camp this morning Neil and I made our way up to Stratton for Wanderlust , unfortunately the rain from camping last night decided it wanted a second round and we ended up with a very wet day. This meant wet yoga classes for me and no hiking for Neil, oh well!

I took two classes today the first with Kia Miller and the second with Desiree Rumbaugh. The first classes was a Kundalini yoga class, the first I had ever taken. I really enjoyed it but boy was it tough at times! The second class I took was an Anusara workshop to help knees, hips and legs. This was a very interactive class and I loved it! I learned some great tips to help me get into postures better and how to relieve any pain in my lower body. Tomorrow I have an neck and shoulders worksop- getting the whole body done!

In addition to yoga classes Neil and I had food from the Krishna Cafe that was delicious, however no photo because I was starving!

I am at the opening ceremony now and then going to bed- I have an early class in the a.m.

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Thursday night I had a crazy afternoon between a conference call, running, gardening and packing for our backpacking trip. So I decided to keep dinner quick and easy. I made veggie skewers with mini peppers, sweet onion and mushrooms; just toss with salt, pepper and olive oil and roast at 375F for 20-25 minutes. To go with the veggies I made a black bean and corn salad with mustard greens from my balcony garden.

Black Bean-Corn-Mustard Green Salad

• 1T olive oil
• 5 spring garlic, minced
• 1/2 red onion, minced
• 1 serrano chili, minced
• 1-12oz bag of frozen sweet corn
• 1-15oz can of black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 bunch of mustard greens, shredded
• salt and pepper

In a large skillet heat the oil over medium-high heat; toss in the garlic, red onion and chili and cook for 3-4 minutes. Toss in the corn and saute until lightly browned about 5-8 minutes.  Stir in the black beans and mustard greens and cook until mustard greens are wilted.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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Hot Towel Scrub

Body scrubbing can be done before or after your bath or shower, or anytime during the day. All you need is a sink with hot water and a medium-sized cotton washcloth.

For the maximum effect, scrub your body twice a day: once in the morning and once again in the evening. Scrub for two minutes to 20 minutes, depending on how much time you have. The process of the hot towel scrub has a deeper physical, mental and emotional effect when done at the sink as opposed to in the shower.

Directions:

• Turn on the hot water and fill the sink.
• Hold the towel at both ends and place in the hot water.
• Wring out the towel.
• While the towel is still hot and steamy, begin to scrub the skin gently.
• Do one section of the body at a time: for example, begin with the hands and fingers and work your way up the arms to the shoulders, neck and face, then down to the chest, upper back, abdomen, lower back, buttocks, legs, feet and toes.
• Scrub until the skin becomes slightly pink or until each part becomes warm.
• Reheat the towel often by dipping it in the sink of hot water after scrubbing each section, or as soon as the towel starts to cool.

Benefits:

• Reduces muscle tension.
• Reenergizes in the morning and deeply relaxes at night.
• Opens the pores to release stored toxins.
• Softens deposits of hard fat below the skin and prepares them for discharge.
• Allows excess fat, mucus, cellulite and toxins to actively discharge to the surface rather than to accumulate around deeper vital organs.
• Relieves stress through meditative action of rubbing the skin.
• Calms the mind.
• Promotes circulation.
• Activates the lymphatic system, especially when scrubbing underarms and groin.
• Easy massage and deep self-care.
• Can be a sacred moment in your day, especially if done with candlelight and a drop or two of essential oil, such as lavender.
• Creates a profound and loving relationship with the body, especially parts not often shown care, and especially for a person with body image problems.
• Spreads energy through the chakras.

© 2010 Integrative Nutrition 5/10

To learn more about my health coaching visit my site http://gethealthywithlindsay.com/