Category Archives: Health and Wellness

Today: Totally jamming. {a chia giveaway}

21 February 2012

57 Comments

If I know anything about chia, it’s these two things:

  • Without it, there would be many a bald chia pet.
  • Those little seeds pack some major punch.

After doing some research Googling, I can’t help but wonder why we don’t sprinkle chia onto everything we eat.  The benefits seem to be endless.  Sure, they may get stuck in between our two front teeth right before meetings (why didn’t anyone tell me?), but those mighty little seeds serve as an excellent plant-based source of fiber, protein, Omega 3 and antioxidants.  Chia is a gluten-free whole grain that can be eaten raw, and incorporated into virtually every meal.  The Chia Company’s website boasts a variety of chia recipes, including drinks, soups, baked goods and desserts.  Like flax seed, chia seed can be used as an egg substitute.  It can be sprinkled onto Greek yogurt, salads, and soups or baked into your favorite granola recipe (I’ll share mine later this week).

While breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, it’s also my least favorite.  I find I am always rushing out the door on weekdays, and then rushing back in the door because I’ve forgotten my lunch, my keys, and 13 other things.  The last thing on my mind  is a nutrient-rich, tasty breakfast.  The weekends, however, provide the perfect time to up the ante a bit, and put a little thought into my morning meal.  On Sunday, I surveyed the contents of our cabinets and fridge, while ripping open a bag of white chia seeds (I advise caution, unless you like decorating with super foods).  With a quart of raspberries and a few blood oranges left at the end of the week, Bob Marley played in the background, inspiration struck and I knew it was time to jam.

Raspberry, blood orange and chia seed jam

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of raspberries, rinsed and patted dry
  • 2 medium blood orange, peeled
  • 1/2 cup of chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup of water
  • 1 packet of Truvia

Directions:

  • Puree the raspberries and blood orange in a food processor, or crush with a fork.
  • Mix in chia and water, and stir until all ingredients are incorporated.
  • Add 1 packet of Truvia, or a natural sweetener of your choice (honey, agave nectar).
  • Allow the jam to thicken, by storing covered in the refrigerator for several hours.
  • Enjoy as a topping for oatmeal, or a spread for toast, bagels or waffles.

This recipe yielded two small jars worth of jam, perfect for a week’s worth of breakfasts.

I feel a bit like Oprah today, not because I am gagillionaire, but because I am giving away not one, not two, but six packages of Australian grown chia from The Chia Company, courtesy of the nice people at GNC.  You get some black and white chia sheets, and you get some black and white chia seeds, and you get some black and white chia seeds!

That’s right.  Six of you will receive tw0 10-serving bags of chia (one bag of black chia seeds, one bag of white chia seeds).  This giveaway will close at 6 PM on Friday, February 24th. I will announce six randomly-selected winners shortly thereafter.  To enter, please leave a comment below.  For an additional entry, please feel free to tweet the following, and leave a second comment… so that I don’t space out and miss your tweet:

Want to win @TheChiaCompany chia from @GNCLiveWell and @ElizabethEv? #livewellnow #fitfluential http://wp.me/pySBS-1qO

Full disclosure: GNC is the exclusive retailer of The Chia Co. products in the United States.  As a FitFluential Ambassador, I received complimentary product from GNC, but I was not compensated for this post, nor for hosting this giveaway.  I enjoy this product and I think you will too. :)

Also On Tap for Today:

What’s your favorite way to give your meals a nutritional boost?  Are you a chia fan?

Today: 11 things (including something especially… weird).

14 February 2012

10 Comments

You may have seen the “Eleven Things” posts circulating around the internet lately.  Whitney, a fellow Bostonian and FitFluential Ambassador recently tagged me.  She and I had a lovely dinner last week at Franklin Cafe, and chatted about everything from work, yoga, and relays to house-hunting. I usually shy away from these types of things, but I could not say no to Whitney.  Plus, I like things that come with rules.  So there’s that.

RULES

1. Post these rules. 
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions the person who tagged you set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

Without further ado, eleven random things about me:

1.  I am the second of four children.
2. In fourth grade, one of my classmates stabbed me (unintentionally, I assume) with a pencil.  The pencil tip is still in my hand.  For real.  Weird, I know.
3. I met Al Sharpton and Hillary Clinton in the same week.  I was 18.  And socially awkward. (Not much has changed.)
4.  I would be lost without my day planner.
5.  I don’t trust fax machines and firmly believe that we should stop using them.
6. I will probably cry when Picnik goes away.
7. My confirmation name is Blaise.  Like the saint, not the American Gladiator.
8.  I majored in French and minored in Fine Arts in college.
9.  I am prejudiced against cats.
10. I love crime shows (actual crime, not so much).
11.  “Walking in Memphis” is probably my favorite song of all time.
And here are my answers to Whitney‘s eleven questions:

1.  If you had to choose, would you pick running over yoga or vice versa?

Yoga.  Mostly because I can’t sneak in a nap while running.

2.  Kindle, iPad or Actual Book?

Actual book.  For sure.

3.  Favorite fitness magazine and why?

I am a magazine junkie, but Self has always been a favorite.  I love their focus on balance and happiness, and have been reading since I was high school.

4.  Favorite vegetable and favorite way to cook it?

I really dislike cooked vegetables.  Raw or bust.

5.  What is your favorite kind of sweet? Cake, ice cream, cookies, tortes, you name it!

Junior Mints. :)

Very out of focus. I blame the sugar coma.

6.  The Olympics are this summer, what sport are you excited to watch?

I am obsessed with the Olympics.  I seriously cannot wait for all of the swimming events (especially relays), diving, tennis… let’s see… track and field, gymnastics… you get the point.  I have never paid much attention to Olympic boxing, but now that I have a teensy bit of experience, I will definitely be watching this year and hoping to learn a thing or two.

7.  What kind of running shoes do you wear? Why?

I’ve worn Mizuno Wave Alchemys for four or five years now.  They fit my feet, plain and simple.

9.  What kind of yoga mat do you have? Do you even have a yoga mat?

I use an Aurorae classic mat.  I love their colors, and the feel of the mat, but it gets a bit slippery, especially during hot yoga when I am sweating like a man.  In my quest for a solution, I discovered that Aurorae sells small rosin bags for this express purpose.   I haven’t used it yet, but am looking forward to giving it a try. I keep a G2 Lifestyles Trainermat at my desk, for use in the rare event that I have 20 minutes to take a lunch break and can fit in a little stretch.

10.  What is your favorite topic to blog/write about?

I love writing about entertaining, running trials and triumphs, and Clark.  Clark brings all the boys to the yard readers to the blog.

11.  What do you do for a day job?

I work in the non-profit sector.  Aren’t I mysterious?

And now, I shall tag the following people: Bridget of Yogurt and Berries, Jessica of Dairy Free Betty, Jaime of Embracing Balance, Halley of Blunder Construction, Colleen of the daily craic, Michelle of Hit the Bricks, Mattie of Comfy and Confident, Michelle of Fun and Fearless in Beantown, Meghan of Travel Wine & Dine, Cynthia of It All Changes, and Erin of Big Girl Feats.

Here are my 11 questions for you lovely ladies:

  1. If you could pick your theme song, what would it be?
  2. What is your favorite local restaurant?
  3. What day of the week were you born?
  4. Tea or coffee?
  5. Pants or skirts?
  6. Where would you go on your ideal vacation?
  7. What’s your favorite day of the week?
  8. Are you an early bird or a night owl?
  9. What is your favorite sport to watch?
  10. Do you have a secret talent?
  11. What is your go-to workout song?

Can’t wait to read your answers.  And, um, if you happen to know anything about the longterm effects of pencil tips living below your skin…. please.  Get in touch.

Also On Tap for Today:

Did you ever send a chain letter and have it work out?  I am still waiting for those 21 pairs of socks to arrive.

Today: Be healthy, Boston. {Day 2}

29 January 2012

2 Comments

While I’m usually an early riser, this morning’s 5:40 alarm came all too quickly.  I fought my eyelids to get my contacts in, bashed my elbow on the shower door, and managed to get toothpaste on not one, but two shirts.  Craving a do-over for the day, I contemplated getting back into bed, but Clark was patiently waiting at the door, so out we went.  After watching a beautiful sunrise of Broadway with my dog, I couldn’t help but smile.  I was decidedly not going back to bed.

I grabbed my yoga mat and I made it to the Westin on time for the second day of Be Healthy Boston, which kicked off with a morning stretch and flow led by lululemon ambassador Leslie Salmon Jones.  One of the women I sat next to in one of yesterday’s workshops raved about Leslie and her infectious attitude, and it’s no mystery why.  I left the session feeling energized, warmed up and quite like someone who had not woken up on the wrong side of the bed.

I met up with my new pal Elizabeth for the morning keynote, Organize Your Mind to Organize Your Life, delivered by Margaret Moore, founder of Wellcoaches Corporation and a 17 year veteran of the biotech industry.  Ms. Moore offered several rules of order for the brain, and techniques for improving brain health and function.  She talked about the disadvantages of multitasking, remarks that resonated loudly with me, a person who seems to be perpetually multitasking and often running on empty at the end of a busy workweek.  Ms. Moore shared important connections between negative emotions (including feeling stressed or frenzied) and impaired working memory and overall brain function.

Now I know why I often forget where my car is parked.  Yikes.  Fortunately, Ms. Moore offered several proven steps we can take to improve cognitive health and flexibility… and they’re sort of… no brainers.  Bahahaha.

  • Exercise
  • Meditate
  • Engage in mindfulness practices
  • Breathe and take breaks from tasks that require sustained focus
To improve working memory, in particular, Ms. Moore encouraged the group to
  • Get enough sleep and rest
  • Exercise (a two minute walk is enough to recharge the brain)
  • Repeat important info to ourselves
  • Handwrite important tasks, and focus on the words

Ms. Moore shared that, generally, people who do not suffer from ADD or ADHD can focus deeply on a task for an hour before needing a break.  Multitasking may seem like a necessary evil in our day-to-day lives (I certainly feel pressure to get six things done at once), we divide our attention when we multitask.  I’ve had a printout on the Pomodoro Technique at my desk for ages.  Perhaps I should give that thing a look on Monday morning.  Though I was never much of a scholar when it came to science, I am a nerd through and through and was fascinated with the research and practical application Ms. Moore offered.  Verrrrrry interesting.

Next up was Live Practically Green: Make healthy green choices for your family, home and workplace with Susan Hunt Stevens, Founder and CEO of Practically Green.  Attendance was a bit down from the day before, and there were only four other people in this session.  Susan had such great information to share, so I wish the room had been full, but it was really nice to be able to ask a lot of questions of such an expert.  I am looking forward to digging into Susan’s site, which features 400 actions you can take to live more greenly.

Susan shared some great advice for making better choices about what we put in, on, and around our bodies. A few of the many, many tips I noted in my little (recycled paper) notebook:

  • In addition to food, drink, water and personal care items, we need to be mindful of packaging and food storage.  Food should not be stored in plastic, and plastic should never go in the microwave.  I shall henceforth be digging into our extensive Pyrex stash.
  • When purchasing cosmetics, lotions, and beauty products, avoid anything containing parabens or fragrance.
  • Most new mattresses are made from petroleum-based foam, which is highly flammable.  As such, mattresses are treated with flame retardant, which is highly toxic.  Like the Britney Spears song, except awful.  Because infants spend 80% of their time in their cribs, it is especially important that they have safe mattresses made from natural materials.  Our Tempurpedic mattress literally changed my life, so this one broke my heart… hard.
  • Wash all new clothing before wearing to limit the risk of dyes and other chemicals.  Susan recommended organic cotton lines from Eileen Fisher and Nike, as well as buying clothing at vintage and secondhand stores.
  • Indoor air is between 5 and 5o times more polluted than outdoor air (this shocked me, to be honest).  Wiping your shoes on a mat and leaving them at the door can reduce up to 80% of toxins you might otherwise track through your house.
  • We can save on energy costs by reducing the amount of meat we ate (I am so ahead of the curve, unintentionally), investing in high efficiency and Energy Star appliances, and getting an energy audit to identify sources of waste in our homes.
  • Only 50% of Americans have access to curb-side recycling.  I am feeling especially fortunate to live directly across the hall from our condo building’s recycling room.  Even though one of our new neighbors apparently missed the “no cardboard boxes in the trash/recycling room” memo and unloaded a full condo’s worth of boxes this morning.

Susan concluded with a great quote, reminding us that everything adds up.

“It’s not that you can make a difference…it’s that everything you do makes a difference.”

–Phillipe Cousteau, CEO of EarthEcho International, and grandson of Jacques Cousteau

I started taking the quiz and building a sustainability plan at Practically Green and continue to soak up even more information from Susan Hunt Stevens.  I highly recommend visiting her site.

Before heading home to tackle a few Sunday errands and chores (hello, Mount Saint Laundry) and get myself on track for the week, I met up with Elizabeth for a Yoga Beats mini-class hosted by Healthworks.  Hitting the mat twice in one morning with a new friend felt like the ultimate luxury, one that I thoroughly enjoyed.  This was a day well worth getting up for, toothpaste on the shirt and all.

Also On Tap for Today:

Have you been to any interesting events or conferences lately?

Today: Be healthy, Boston. {Day 1}

28 January 2012

3 Comments

I bought a ticket to this weekend’s Be Healthy Boston conference on a whim, after seeing several tweets from founder Brett Blumenthal.  I didn’t know quite what to expect, but I thought the workshops seemed interesting and the marketplace looked like a lot of fun.  Despite living between 1 and 4 minutes (depending on a given taxi driver’s respect, or lack thereof, for traffic signals) from the Westin Waterfront, I still managed to arrive late, missing morning yoga, opening remarks, and the morning keynote.  Whoops.  That extra thirty minutes of sleep, though?  Glorious.

I arrived just in time to grab a seat for the first workshop, Live Boldly! Becoming Who You Were Born to Be with Lauren Mackler, a coach, psychotherapist and best-selling author.  I worried it would all be too touchy-feely-mumbo-jumbo-ish, but I found myself taking pages and pages of notes.  Ms. Mackler talked about getting back to our whole person, which gets buried by our conditioned self as we grow older.  Apparently our first seven years are the most formative, as this is when the framework for our strongest core beliefs is established.  This is when we are most affected by factors such as our family environment, gender, race, culture, religion, and social experiences.  This is when we begin to believe that people are good and trustworthy, or that life is unpredictable and unsafe, for example.

As someone who works with children, I couldn’t help but think about the importance of good role modeling.  While we should obviously be making good choices for ourselves, our choices and behaviors also make an impact on those we care for.  What do I teach people by being afraid of failure, or doubtful of my own abilities?  Quite a bit of food for thought.

After the first workshop, I browsed the Be Healthy Boston Marketplace and chatted with Doreen Hing, founder and designer of Plank yoga mats and accessories.  Besides being adorable, the mats were designed to help yogis correct and perfect their form.  I was psyched to hear that Plank products are available at South Boston Yoga (and online, for those of you who are not my immediate neighbors).

I got lured over to Boston Behavioral Medicine‘s booth and before I knew it, I was wearing headphones and my finger was being attached to a heart rate monitor.  Many of the organizations exhibiting in the marketplace were offering various services, from quick fitness classes to massages.  Boston Behavior Medicine was offering biofeedback and stress management therapy.  After completing short exercise involving diaphragmatic breathing, it would seem I am extremely gifted when it comes to relaxing, having regulated my heart rate in record speed.  Hey, we all have our talents.  I walked away ready for a nap, with a free meditation cd in hand.

There was quite a bit of down time allotted for perusing the marketplace, but after such a wild week, I was sort of anxious for the rest of the programming to start up.  Let’s get the show on the road, I found myself thinking.  I tend to like things to go back-to-back-to-back, and considered ducking out early.  As I type that last sentence, I wonder if perhaps the relaxation machine was broken.  After sitting down to lunch with a really lovely group of ladies, I am quite glad I decided to stick around.  Fellow BC grad Candy O’Terry, the award-winning radio host of Magic 106.7 and founder of their Exceptional Women programming, delivered an incredibly moving talk, sharing lessons she’s learned while overcoming adversity with grace and courage.

After lunch I grabbed some tea and chatted with Elizabeth, whom I met at lunch.  As someone who tends to keep to myself when flying solo at conferences and events, I truly appreciate when I am lucky enough to encounter friendly, outgoing people who also happen to be non-terrifying.  Elizabeth (it seems like everyone I know shares my name) and I met up for the last session of the day, but first I attended Reading Between the Lines: Separating Health from Hype. The panel was moderated by Terri Trespico and featured Dr. Julie A. Burke of Newton Chiropractic Centre; Franceen Friefeld, RD., LD., P.H.Ec.; prolific writer Kate Hanley and Cathy Wong, ND, CNS.

The panel emphasized the importance of understanding and identifying the sources and research behind health fads, claims, and packaging. It was quite interesting to hear four women from such diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise share their perspectives and dispel various myths and misinformation.  A few bits of advice that all four experts seemed to agree on:

  • Filtered tap water is your best bet when it comes to hydration.  Not only is it more rigorously tested than bottled water, tap water doesn’t contribute to landfill waste.  And if you fill up your bottle at someone else’s house, it’s free. ;-)
  • People should not fear good fats.  Same goes for carbs.
  • The “all or nothing” mentality is not a sound approach to wellness.
  • As Kate Hanley noted, “Wellbeing is like inertia.”  Making even small steps in a positive direction will lead to overall improvements.  ”Focus on progress, not the destination,” she said.
  • Vitamins and supplements should work as a team, and most people will benefit from a daily multivitamin and fish oil supplement.  Before loading up on vitamin D and iron supplements, people should know their current levels and needs.
  • Detoxing, when approached as an opportunity to be mindful of what you’re eating and how it makes you feel, can be beneficial.  Fad dieting, yo-yo dieting, and habits that we can’t imagine sustaining for 5 or 10 years, however… not beneficial.  Obvi.

I wrapped up the day on a really uplifting note (get it, like… a music note…) in Living in Harmony: Managing Stress through Music with Dr. Suzanne Hanser, founding chair of the Music Therapy Department at Berklee College of Music, and Brian Jantz, Assistant Professor at Berklee College and a music therapy facilitator and researcher at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children’s Hospital in Boston.  When the session began with Mr. Jantz and Dr. Hanser singing a song about friends, peace, and love being all around us, I knew I was in the right room.  This coming from the same person who feared her first session was too touchy-feely.  I am truly fickle multifaceted.  We received Biodots to track our skin temperature and correlating stress levels (perhaps I should consider this afternoon’s panel’s advice and look for some research on this one).   I am still wearing mine.  And I am amazed it’s not giving my sensitive skin some sort of contact rash.

I didn’t need much convincing that music has transformative power, but when Dr. Hanser broke out the Navajo flute, I looked down at my Biodot to see I had gone rather instantly from “very tense” to “relaxing.”  She was totally playing my jam.  We talked about different ways we can use music to center and relax ourselves in daily life: singing in the shower and listening to music that is meaningful to us (or has a positive association) while sitting in traffic, for example.

[Image source]

We learned about how Mr. Jantz uses music with patients facing much more challenging stressors, in his work in hospitals and clinics.  Clearly, he and Dr. Hanser have an incredible gift.  They shared this video with us, which left me in complete awe.  Before wrapping up the session, we had the chance to make our own music, using hand chimes.  My Biodot, once again, shot right back to “relaxing.”  I think that was the theme of the day.  And that, in itself, was well worth the price of admission.

Also On Tap for Today:

What is your best tip for managing stress?  

Today: The good, the bad, and the sparkly.

27 January 2012

75 Comments

Let’s start with the bad.  And end with the sparkly.

After days spent looped out on cold medicine (due to illness, not recreational use… obvi), I am finally feeling back to (mostly) normal.  The fact that my monster cold came to town during two of the busiest weeks of my professional life was unhelpful, to say the least.  I find that getting all dolled up, giving speeches, kicking ass and taking names, and fundraising are most effectively done without a man voice (unless you’re a man), without a fever, and without an endlessly running rose.  With all that behind me, I free to spend an entire Friday evening doing nothing except talking to my dog in made up accents, listening to Duffy and reading magazines.  Oh, and eating.

Despite being under the weather and working 12 hour days, I’ve managed to fit in a few good things this week.  My Monday night soccer team is blazing a path to glory (or whatever), heading into next week’s championship round.  During this week’s game, I didn’t score a single goal (which is better than scoring one goal on your own net… which has happened before… twice), but I was a veritable fortress on defense.  At the risk of being a sexist piglet, I can’t help but squeal with delight when I shut down burly, athletic men as they dribble towards the net with the ball.  Especially when they look surprised.  Even more so when they look angry.

After getting a bit too caught up in the competitive spirit last season, my goal for this season (besides getting goals) was to not swear on the field.  Or succumb to some sort of rage blackout like I did that time someone slide-tackled Nick and nearly ripped off his leg.  So far, so good.  With two games to go, I have been all manners and grace this season.  (While I apologize for sounding like a complete egomaniac at the moment, rest assured that my ego was placed firmly in check earlier this week, as I bounded out of the yoga studio all high on my back bending abilities and promptly fell down a flight of stairs.  Truly, it has been that kind of a week.)

My Thursday night soccer team has also been a source of goodness.  I arrived late to last night’s game, having come directly from my work event, changed from a cocktail dress into my sweet uniform in the car and flew onto the field with a full face of makeup.  Nothing says, “I’m here to play” quite like a winged eye, Nars’ pinkest shade of blush, and some subtly simmering lids.  While I probably should have gone to bed instead, burning off a bit of stress and laughing with my teammates was the perfect way to wind down a crazy day.  I am really thankful for the opportunity to play with such a fun, supportive, goofy group.

When I finally made it home, my brain would not turn off.  I have it on good authority that turning the TV on does not help you wind down.  I can’t help but ignore the research when my DVR has one of my favorite shows of all time ready and waiting, though.

[Image source]

I can barely make it through the first minute of an episode of An Idiot Abroad without dissolving into a fit of laughter.  I used to listen to The Ricky Gervais Show podcast in the car but got to the point these same laughing fits became an impairment to my driving.  While watching television in the wee hours of the morning is decidedly bad for you, laughter is most certainly good.

Now all that’s left to do is sparkle.

The lovely people at Sparkly Soul recently sent me two of their truly sparkly headbands, and they’ve got a pair tucked away for you, too.  I recently got a shorter and sweeter hairdo (so short and sweet that it barely fits into a ponystub, let alone a ponytail), complete with un-requested side swept bangs.  The haircut is a story for another day, but needless to say, these headbands could not have arrived at a better time.

[Image source]

Not only do Sparkly Soul headbands look adorable, they don’t budge.  Not during yoga inversions, not during flying leaps across the soccer field, not during runs, not turn the most rough and tumble boxing workout and (as I learned last weekend) not during naps or entire days spent in bed.  The soft velvet lining means no headaches, no snarls, and no hair dents.  If you’ve never experienced a hair dent, don’t ask questions.  Just consider yourself one of the few and fortunate.  Given my choice of colors, I opted for silver (to match my engagement ring… just kidding… kind of) and red for an upcoming Valentine’s Day race.  I am tempted to order the rest of the rainbow.  They’re that good.  Let the record reflect that I have no cold medicine to blame for my enthusiasm, just a really great product.

Would you like a Sparkly Soul headband or two for yourself?  The generous people at Sparkly Soul is offering one of their wide headbands and one of their thin headbands (in colors of your choosing) to one lucky reader. Headband Head on over to sparklysoul.com to check out their offerings and leave a comment below with your favorite color(s).  I will announce a winner at the end of the day on Wednesday, February 1st.  Yes, it’s February next week. 

  • For an extra entry, feel free to tweet:  “I want to win a @SPARKLYSOULINC non-slip headband from @ElizabethEv! Enter to win here: http://wp.me/pySBS-1oE”

If you’d like to learn more about Sparkly Soul, I recommend connecting with them on Twitter or Facebook.  They also have some pretty great Pinterest boards.  Disclaimer: I received two Sparkly Soul headbands free of charge, but was not compensated for my glowing review, nor for hosting this giveaway.  My opinions are all my own.  Preach it.

Also On Tap for Today:

  • Getting excited for Be Healthy Boston :)
  • Drinking lots of tea
  • Visting with my parents!  Woooo!

Pick a color.  Any color.  Where do you plan to sparkle this weekend?

Today: Let it flow.

16 January 2012

17 Comments

I had every intention of waking up early this morning and seizing the day, but ten o’clock rolled around and I was still snug in bed.  The shock of single digit temperatures certainly woke me (and my furry sidekick) up in a hurry.

After a very brisk walk with Clark, I headed to Dedham to for my first platelet appointment in over a year.  I used to give every month, but sort of fell out of the habit.  I always get a bit nervous before donating, but once I am all bundled up in my cozy, heated chair all I can think is let it flow.  And by it, I mean my blood.  I’ve got O- blood, which makes me a universal donor, and have never minded needles, so giving blood or platelets seems like an obvious way to help out.  Plus, I am easily persuaded by charts.

[Image source]

The process is a bit different from donating whole blood.  I usually give platelets using both arms, and today the process took over three hours.  Essentially, blood is drawn from one arm and the cells are separated.  Platelets are removed and collected (in my case, from my left arm), and the remaining blood cells are returned, along with some saline (through an IV my right arm).  The sensation of having the blood returned is a bit strange (I sometimes get a metallic taste in my mouth, and a feeling of fluttering at the vein), but it’s not at all painful.

Check out my sweet bandages... and man-ish thumbs.

Donors are given their choice of movies, plenty of warm blankets, and Tums (I am not sure why… but um, I take all of them.  No questions asked.).   I’ve learned my lesson the hard way (trying not to cry while watching The Blind Side, while attached to a blood sucking machine, while in a room full of strangers… not a good look), and usually watch an old standby.  Today it was The Devil Wears Prada, followed by the end of the Ravens and Texans game.  Feet up, limitless supply of juice.  Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

If you’re considering donating and have questions, let me know.  I’m not a phlebotomist (such a fun word), nor do I play one on TV, but I sort of know what I am talking about.

I got home just in time to let it flow at South Boston Yoga.  I loved my first class there last Sunday and decided to advantage of their new student special ($25 for two weeks of unlimited classes).  I’ve taken classes here and there, and always leave feeling more limber, more balanced and more smiley… but I have never really committed to a regular practice.  Perhaps 2012 will be the year I become a yogi.  Who knows.  I’m already seeing improvements, though.  Last week I stayed in bridge pose, afraid to take on the wheel.  This week: proverbial balls to the wall.  It was, um, wheelie exhilarating.  Bahaha.

It’s past my bedtime.

Also On Tap for Today:

What was the highlight of your weekend?  

Today: Patriots and paleo.

15 January 2012

10 Comments

There are two (possibly more… maybe, like, six or seven) things in the Universe that I know almost nothing about. Football and the much buzzed about “paleo diet” are two such things. What do you do when you’re totally out of the loop? Throw a (very exclusive small) party. And pretend you know what you’re talking about. With the New England Patriots playing the Denver Bronco in some sort of playoff game, and Nick participating in a paleo challenge at his Crossfit box (in normal human language, that’s a gym), the need for a get together seemed obvious. Helloooo, paleo and Patriots… they both start with p. (I am pathetic. That’s another p word.)

Though I aspire to eat as thoughtfully as my fiance does, sometimes I’d rather just eat nachos and call it a night. And I am fairly certain I would be the first member of the tribe to go extinct were I living in caveman times. I’d much prefer a blade of grass over a wooly mammoth leg, or whatever. While the paleo diet may not be for me, I’m usually up for something new. Especially if it involves feeding people.

According to The Paleo Diet Lifestyle,

A Paleo diet, also known as paleolithic diet or caveman diet, is all about natural foods to help achieve great health and a perfect physique. The human body evolved for more than 2 million years with the food found in nature: game meat, fish, vegetables, wild fruits, eggs and nuts. The human race was thriving on this diet high in animal fat and proteins and low in carbohydrates, but things changed when we introduced unnatural foods to our bodies.

Clark thinks he invented paleo. He’s like, “Dude. I’ve been eating fresh vegetables and nasty ass raw bones since you got me. If you’d let me forage for berries and magic mushrooms, I would. Old news. Give me a grain-free treat.” So sassy, that one (in my imagination, at least). Needless to say, I have a lot to learn.

Meanwhile, anything I know about football I learned from watching my younger brother play. And from listening to sports radio during my measly commute. Driving home earlier this week, a caller mentioned a poll running on the Denver Post’s website asking readers, “Whose life would you rather live: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s or Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow’s?” Is it wrong that I would rather be Tim Tebow? Man Uggs, Super Bowl rings, ponytails and supermodel wives are all well and good… but, um… no thanks. I am easily overwhelmed.

Being easily overwhelmed seemed like a perfectly good reason to hand off (hey, that’s sort of a football phrase) the paleo chicken wing responsibilities to Nick. Being a vegetarian who has undercooked meat on more than one occassion is an equally valid reason. I stuck to less terrifying recipes, ones that bore a lower risk of me giving away botulism:

  • Gazpacho
  • Shrimp ceviche
  • Paleo “sushi” (hollowed cucumbers stuffed with sliced turkey and avocado)
In addition to the wings, Nick also whipped up paleo-friendly margaritas and cantaloupe with prosciutto. He has also perfected a delicious granola recipe that includes pepitas, almonds, sunflower seeds, and coconut. It makes the perfect football snack. Our friends Tina and Mal joined us for the game, and brought the most delicious spinach dip, along with fresh vegetables and veggie chips. The four six of us (Frenchie and pug included) always have such a great time together.

When it was all said and done, the Patriots won quite definitively and the paleo-inspired food seemed to be touchdown dance-worthy. I am beginning to wonder if Clark those cavemen and women were on to something. On second though, those suckers didn’t have stoves. Or sports radio. Or mascara.

Also On Tap for Today:

Who would you rather be, Tom Brady or Tim Tebow? Who would you rather eat like, me or my dog? (Just kidding… unless you’re going to answer.)

Today: What a difference a year makes.

8 January 2012

11 Comments

My collection of crowned jewels jewelry has grown to include three very important items since January 9, 2011: two marathon medals and one very sparkly engagement ring.

Truth be told, I expected (and hoped!) that Nick and I would get married.  I guess that’s what happens when you find your better half in the world: you hope that, somehow, that person will be by your side for always.  Regardless of my hopes and expectations, I was completely surprised when Nick proposed to me on the roof of our building that Friday night in early September.  I cried like a total goober.  I was so overcome by the excitement of our future together, that I could not even begin to think about a ring, too.  Goodness gracious.  It’s been on my finger ever since.  Except when I’m at boxing.  Totally unsafe.

While my marathon medals pale in comparison (and significance, obvi), I am still quite proud to have them in my jewelry box.  If you had told me  that I’d have both of these suckers in my possession this time last year, I am not sure I would believe you.  Mostly because I still didn’t believe someone like me could be a marathoner.  Let alone a two-time marathoner.  And a resounding hell naw to being a two-time marathoner contemplating a third.

What a difference a year makes.  Training for and completing both races took a tremendous amount of effort and time, but above all, it took believing in myself.  And a lot of Gu.

Also On Tap for Today:

What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?

Today: New year, new OJ.

8 January 2012

2 Comments

Has anyone else grown weary of the “new year, new you” messaging swirling around the Universe lately?  I don’t know about you, but I feel like the same old me… regardless of how many new resolutions and goals I am working toward in 2012.  I did get a new post-workout beverage of choice, though.  So there’s that.

I recently received the opportunity to try out Tropicana’s new line of juice beverages, Trop50.  Trop50 boasts 50% less sugar and fewer calories than similar beverages, without adding artificial sweeteners.  While I may prefer firing up my juicer and squeezing my own cup of OJ (as in orange juice, not um… OJ Simpson), a tall glass of Trop50 with Calcium and Vitamin D hit the spot after a particularly tough boxing class this week.  No firing up of machinery required.  I liked the orange variety so much, that I headed back to the store (with my own cold, hard cash in hand) and picked up a bottle of Pomegranate Blueberry.  I am a sucker for antioxidants…  and I think it will mix well with vodka and soda water.  Let’s be real.

Speaking of being real, Trop50 recently launched a new Facebook app, giving humans like you and me the change to get real about resolutions and the motivation behind them.  Their resolution creator is rather fun to play with, and generates resolutions (and the true motivation behind them) that are far more exciting than my “brush your teeth for a full 2 minutes, morning and night.”  Share your “true resolution” and earn Trop50 coupons and the chance to win a $1,000 gift card.  That’ll buy you a whooole lotta juice, or OJ Simpson memorabilia.  No judgement here.

For more information, and to declare your true resolution, head on over to Facebook.

Disclosure:  I received a complimentary coupon, redeemable for one bottle of Trop50.  I was not compensated for sharing my opinions on the product, nor for posting this… post.  Cool, thanks.  

Also On Tap for Today:

  • Yoga class (because I am too lazy to stretch)
  • Downton Abbey is back :)
  • Food shopping, laundry, and other Sunday things

Have you done anything new and noteworthy this year?

Today: You gotta let your soul shine.

1 January 2012

9 Comments

I haven’t missed a single day of running this year.  Mostly because there’s only been a single day this year.  I cranked up the music this morning (including my favorite warm-up jam, The Return to Innocence, straight from 1994), and headed for the waterfront.

Despite having slept in, the streets were still deserted, and I had the Harborwalk all to myself.  Which meant a lot of singing along to the Allman Brothers, at the top of my lungs.  I was thinking how 2011 will be hard to top, running-wise, but I am looking forward to taking on new challenges, including a relay with some of my favorite people.  My race plan, so far:

February

March

April

May

July

September

October

December

No marathon this year, no traveling for races.  I am planning to keep things simple in 2012.  Please remind me of this intention when I inevitably go off the reservation and end up registering for who knows what.  :)

Also On Tap for Today:

Do you have any fun races or events planned for 2012?