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.

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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:

• Watching the NHL All Stars skills competition
• Reading through all of your Sparkly Soul giveaway entries – goodness gracious!
• Learning more about the Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies at the Dana-Farber Canter Institute 

What is your best tip for managing stress?  

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.

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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.

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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?

I thought about buying a new themometer, and administering it in the ladies’ room.  If I have a fever, it would be helpful to know.  So I can make sure I buy the fever-reducing stuff.  Is there a way to tell the difference between having “chills” and being just plain old cold?

I went home with a variety of potions, and seem to be on the mend.  I am trying to stay hydrated, but after several nights of mouth-breathing, everything tastes like an old sock.  Even water.  Regardless of how many times I brush my teeth.  After blowing my nose raw, it’s a merry shade of pink.  I’ve covered it in Vaseline.  I am not sure that’s accomplishing anything, other than making in insides of my nostrils very shiny.

While I stimulate the antibacterial segment of the economy, I hope you all are having a much more lovely, germ-free weekend.  Oh, and go Patriots.

Also On Tap for Today:

• Check out Amanda’s bake sale to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (you can bid on some of our paleo crunch!)
• Sunday night yoga
• Happy New Year!

Are you a big baby (like me, clearly) or a good patient?

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.

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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:

• Watching Downton Abbey
• These videos are killing me
• Brilliant: mason jar becomes travel mug

What was the highlight of your weekend?  

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)

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:

• Tackling the utensil drawer
• Fighter conditioning
• Must get a good night’s sleep… busy day tomorrow!

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.)

The only thing worse than carrying around a festive gift bag full of crap (quite literally), was disappointing the vet tech who presumed he was receiving a post-holiday gift from a devoted client.  Yikes.

Also On Tap for Today:

• There’s (a tiny bit of) snow on the ground!
• Shopping for my foodie pen pal
• Keeping an eye on New Hampshire

What did you do with flair today?

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:

• Congratulations to everyone who ran the Disney half, full or Goofy Challenge this weekend!
• Ooh! A Downton Abbey-inspired cake
• Is it too soon to begin thinking about Valentine’s Day?

What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?

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?

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

• Bradford Valentine’s Day Road Race

March

• Ras na hEireann U.S.A. 5k
• South Boston Boys and Girls Club 5k

April

• Feed the Need 5k

May

• Reach the Beach relay
•  Marine Corps Honor Run
• Boston’s Run to Remember half marathon

July

• Harvard Pilgrim Independence Day 10k

October

• Tufts 10k for Women

December

• Somerville Jingle Bell 5k

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:

• Watching the Crossfit Games with my Crossfit-obsessed fiance
• Love this: 26.2 ways to get fit and healthy in 2012
• Catching up on some reading

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

This has been quite the year.  From running my first and second marathons, to great adventures with friends and family, and celebrating happy news, I am bidding a very fond adieu to 2011.  When the clock strikes midnight, I’ll be looking forward to an incredible year ahead– a year when I will become an aunt, a wife (yeeeeeee!), a rocket scientist, a better friend, a more efficient worker, a stronger boxer, a swifter runner, a more adventurous cook… and who knows what else.  I hope 2012 has nothing but good things in store for you.

Also On Tap for Today:

• Popping some pink Champagne
• Checking out the ice sculptures
• Hunting for a 2012 tiara

What are you most looking forward to in 2012?