tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87803953624524185202024-03-12T22:10:08.681-05:00Whoa WrenMusings and ramblings by your favorite vegan lady friendAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.comBlogger242125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-19595057365798904382015-05-01T00:31:00.000-05:002015-05-01T00:31:07.404-05:00Greatest Hits... So FarGoing into meal planning, I envisioned myself making a wide variety of exciting meals. In reality, however, this week's menu planning conversation went a little like this:<br />
<br />
Me: "What do you want for meals this week?"<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuEKiPpd9zCtNlUfNEVpjDT8Ol-oc9mEJaKw78N-Ap-0sVCpMycigBpkNro8wGLXtpmPQUBbc5Ov7P346gT5gA4Gqm_5ZPiE9yhfauOlTdjY70kRrhbNfoxjteKAXNxvRvtlhVJbPnTLj/s1600/Noodle+Cups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuEKiPpd9zCtNlUfNEVpjDT8Ol-oc9mEJaKw78N-Ap-0sVCpMycigBpkNro8wGLXtpmPQUBbc5Ov7P346gT5gA4Gqm_5ZPiE9yhfauOlTdjY70kRrhbNfoxjteKAXNxvRvtlhVJbPnTLj/s1600/Noodle+Cups.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noodle Cups Prepped for the Week</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Josh: "Noodle cups. And spicy taco quinoa bowls."<br />
Me: "So you just want me to repeat last week's menu?"<br />
Josh: "Yes."<br />
<br />
On the plus side, this makes things easy. Menu, grocery lists and notes are as follows:<br />
<br />
<b>Monday:</b><br />
<u>Lunch</u>: <a href="http://glutenfreeonashoestring.com/gluten-free-instant-noodle-cups/" target="_blank">Noodle Cups</a><br />
Note: I bought fresh rice noodles this week because the grocery store didn't have ramen, and doing so made prepping these extra fast- I'll do that again!<br />
<u>Dinner</u>: Tempeh Stir Fry<br />
Note: I buy fresh, pre-cut veggies for stir fries. I have acknowledged that I don't like chopping veggies after work and that's okay.<br />
<br />
<b>Tuesday:</b><br />
<u>Lunch</u>: Noodle Cups<br />
<u>Dinner</u>: <a href="http://www.oneingredientchef.com/quinoa-taco-bowl/" target="_blank">Spicy Taco Quinoa Bowls</a><br />
<br />
<b>Wednesday:</b><br />
<u>Lunch</u>: Leftover Spicy Taco Quinoa Bowls<br />
<u>Dinner</u>: Thai Stir Fry with Tofu<br />
Note: This is cabbage, brown rice and baked tofu with peanut sauce, a knock off of a dish that one of my favorite restaurants stopped serving.<br />
<br />
<b>Thursday:</b><br />
<u>Lunch</u>: Leftover Stir Fry<br />
<u>Dinner</u>: Sushi Bowl<br />
Note: This is brown rice, nori, whatever appropriate sushi fillings I have on hand and a sauce of soy sauce, sesame oil, mirin and a bit of hot mustard.<br />
<br />
<b>Friday:</b><br />
<u>Lunch</u>: Leftover Sushi Bowl<br />
<u>Dinner</u>: Pizza<br />
Note: This is a lazy, homemade pizza comprised of pre-made Trader Joe's pizza dough, pizza sauce and homemade cashew ricotta, plus veggies on hand.<br />
<br />
<b>Grocery List</b><br />
Greens<br />
Fresh Rice Noodles<br />
Tofu (3)<br />
Bread<br />
Tempeh<br />
Bread<br />
Stir Fry Veggies<br />
Cherry Tomatoes<br />
Avocados (2)<br />
Bell Peppers<br />
Cereal<br />
Almond Milk<br />
Peanut Butter<br />
Pizza Dough<br />
Marinara<br />
Onions<br />
Garlic<br />
Fruits & Vegetables for snacking<br />
(I had quinoa, black beans, cilantro and frozen corn on hand, plus necessary spices)<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-75148328158989289892015-04-25T11:54:00.000-05:002015-04-25T11:54:37.653-05:00Back in the Game: Menu for 4/19 - 4/25With sunny weather happening and seasonal allergies subsiding, we were reading to get back into menu planning. The menu for the past week was as follows, with linkies to the recipes if available:<br />
<br />
<b>Monday</b><br />
L- <a href="http://glutenfreeonashoestring.com/gluten-free-instant-noodle-cups/" target="_blank">Noodle Cups</a> (These were super easy and made two days of lunches- winner!)<br />
D- Cauliflower steaks & greens (Josh makes these with no recipe)<br />
<br />
<b>Tuesday</b><br />
L- <a href="http://glutenfreeonashoestring.com/gluten-free-instant-noodle-cups/" target="_blank">Noodle Cup</a><br />
D- <a href="http://www.oneingredientchef.com/quinoa-taco-bowl/" target="_blank">Spicy Taco Quinoa Bowl</a><br />
<br />
<b>Wednesday</b><br />
L- <a href="http://www.oneingredientchef.com/quinoa-taco-bowl/" target="_blank">Spicy Taco Quinoa Bowl Leftovers</a><br />
D- Soba Noodles with Peanut Sauce and Greens (My peanut sauce is just peanut butter, chili pepper flakes, soy sauce water and a smidge of agave, whizzed together in the blender)<br />
<br />
<b>Thursday</b><br />
L- Soba Noodle Leftovers<br />
D- <a href="http://www.apronstringsblog.com/one-pot-wonder-thai-peanut-pasta-recipe/" target="_blank">One Pot Thai Pasta</a> (we wound up not eating this because it called for tamarind paste, which I couldn't find at the store- we did some roasted veggies and a boxed vegan mac and cheese we had in the pantry instead)<br />
<br />
<b>Friday<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40EEVQ6dkzwcvQcv3tGRfHQk0aJo6y3CQDHQu2jPtqSHXhyYuSmO_WF_YxKCCTtc2h-75CtLjBBXJPqmNZJveLrnVc1cLltKXodu17SiETfZxWXUKxcvlthB2mNX8FUq8T9uR6jlE54Bl/s1600/onepotpasta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40EEVQ6dkzwcvQcv3tGRfHQk0aJo6y3CQDHQu2jPtqSHXhyYuSmO_WF_YxKCCTtc2h-75CtLjBBXJPqmNZJveLrnVc1cLltKXodu17SiETfZxWXUKxcvlthB2mNX8FUq8T9uR6jlE54Bl/s1600/onepotpasta.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You down with OPP (one pot pasta)?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b><br />
L- Leftovers<br />
D- <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/978784/one-pan-pasta" target="_blank">One Pot Pasta</a><br />
<br />
<b>Grocery List</b><br />
Cereal<br />
Almond Milk<br />
Baguette<br />
Cauliflower<br />
Greens<br />
Wasabi Powder<br />
Ground Ginger<br />
Ramen Noodles<br />
Spinach<br />
Carrots<br />
Tofu<br />
Soy Sauce<br />
Scallions<br />
Linguine<br />
Brown Sugar<br />
Garlic<br />
Tamarind Paste<br />
Ginger<br />
Cilantro<br />
Cashews<br />
Black Beans<br />
Cherry Tomatoes<br />
Avocado<br />
Two Red Peppers<br />
Eggplant<br />
Bread<br />
Onion<br />
Basil<br />
Fruits & Veggies for SnackingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-32872507141781799802015-04-18T10:25:00.000-05:002015-04-18T10:25:57.447-05:00Ain't nobody dope as me, I get that pantry clean (pantry so clean, clean)This week has been an experiment in getting the fridge and pantry cleaned out, born out of seasonal allergies and fatigue. However, it's been a good lesson for those days when I think 'I have nothing to eat' because thankfully that's never actually been true for me- more along the lines of 'I have nothing immediately available to eat'. To facilitate this, I made a list of the ingredients available to me in our fridge and pantry (not including spices and such) to give me a tangible way to see what all ingredients I had available. From there, it has been vastly easier to look at the list and put together a meal, rather than just staring blankly at the pantry and the fridge until I give up and get delivery. Oh, I have soba noodles, cucumbers, radishes, carrots and stuff for peanut sauce? Bam, dinner is made.<br />
<br />
In the future, I'd like to do this with a bit more organization, looking at what I have in advance and putting the menu plan together from there but I'm enjoying this technique that lets me skip the grocery store for a week, though things got a little hairy towards the end of the week (plain bread for breakfast, y'all) but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.<br />
<br />
Our regularly scheduled meal planning will return next week.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-8353269358178870912015-04-05T10:35:00.001-05:002015-04-05T10:36:02.749-05:00Menu for April 5th - 11th: Exploring One Pot PastaLast week's menu included one pot pasta, something I'd never made before, which is appalling because it was delicious, easy and fast, which are my favorite qualities of a recipe. Here's the plan for the upcoming week:<br />
<br />
<b>April 5th - 11th</b><br />
<br />
<u>Sunday</u><br />
Dinner: <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/978784/one-pan-pasta" target="_blank">One Pot Pasta</a><br />
Note: I will also make a big pot of quinoa tonight to throw into tomorrow's salad and Tuesday's lunch, as well as making the lemon tahini dressing from Salad Samurai.<br />
<br />
<u>Monday</u><br />
Lunch: Salad (using remaining veggies in fridge) with quinoa, Lemon Tahini Dressing & Baked Tofu<br />
Dinner: Same, but with a sweet potato (Josh won't be home for dinner, and I will be home late, necessitating a quick and easy dinner)<br />
<br />
<u>Tuesday</u><br />
Lunch: <a href="http://www.domesticate-me.com/quinoa-green-goddess-bowl-with-crispy-chickpeas-and-lemon-tahini-dressing/" target="_blank">Quinoa Green Goddess Bowl</a>, using the remaining quinoa, but with the leftover Salad Samurai Lemon Tahini Dressing<br />
Dinner: <a href="http://cookieandkate.com/2014/sugar-snap-pea-and-carrot-soba-noodles/" target="_blank">Sugar Snap Pea & Carrot Soba Noodles</a><br />
<br />
<u>Wednesday</u><br />
Lunch: Leftovers from the Soba Noodle Dish<br />
Dinner: <a href="http://www.loveandlemons.com/2013/10/06/easy-peanut-noodles/" target="_blank">Easy Peanut Noodles</a><br />
<br />
<u>Thursday</u><br />
Lunch: Leftovers<br />
Dinner: <a href="http://www.budgetbytes.com/2013/10/spinach-artichoke-wonderpot/" target="_blank">Spinach Artichoke Wonderpot</a><br />
<br />
<u>Friday</u><br />
Lunch: Leftover Wonderpot<br />
Dinner: <a href="http://luminousvegans.com/2013/10/10/cheesy-vegan-alfredo-peas-kale/" target="_blank">Cheesy Vegan Alfredo with Peas & Kale</a><br />
<br />
<u>Saturday</u><br />
Breakfast: Pancakes (I use a mix that has been discontinued and that I haven't found a replacement for yet.)<br />
<br />
<u>Snacks</u><br />
Fruits and Veggies<br />
Almonds<br />
<a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/05/23/want-to-eat-an-entire-bowl-of-cookie-dough/" target="_blank">Cookie Dough Dip</a> with Apples<br />
<br />
<u>Grocery List</u><br />
(This list assumes that you have items such as salt, pepper and olive oil on hand. It's much more comprehensive than last week's list, I'm getting better!)<br />
Bread<br />
Non-Dairy Milk<br />
Cereal<br />
Soba Noodles (Three packages)<br />
Frozen edamame<br />
Carrots<br />
Cilantro<br />
Sesame Seeds<br />
Tamari/Soy Sauce<br />
Limes<br />
Sesame Oil<br />
Miso<br />
Ginger<br />
Sriracha<br />
Agave Nectar<br />
Baked Tofu (I buy it pre-made for convenience)<br />
Chickpeas (Two cans)<br />
Quinoa<br />
Paprika<br />
Cayenne<br />
Oregano<br />
Cucumber<br />
Sugar Snap Peas<br />
Tomatoes (Two pints)<br />
Kale<br />
Avocado (Two)<br />
Baking Soda<br />
Garlic<br />
Mushrooms<br />
Artichoke Hearts<br />
Yellow Onion<br />
Linguine<br />
Lemons<br />
Frozen spinach<br />
Frozen peas<br />
Nutritional Yeast<br />
Apples<br />
Chocolate Chips<br />
Oatmeal<br />
Nut butter<br />
Sweet Potato<br />
Any fruits or veggies on sale for snacks<br />
<br />
Happy eating!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNaIVHtwNydckiXgnqTBQkzsJCUlwT4HRLu9MkOj-Ab3Kyz5VorveKRZqnfPoJQCIQmcDw2wiiMB5O2nz2LqLUpisbxZhpBmvaYOLKIXTv1hlMY9LUXkwjtiQIfOKmpPU_h5N0C3Vt-xU/s1600/IMG_3687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNaIVHtwNydckiXgnqTBQkzsJCUlwT4HRLu9MkOj-Ab3Kyz5VorveKRZqnfPoJQCIQmcDw2wiiMB5O2nz2LqLUpisbxZhpBmvaYOLKIXTv1hlMY9LUXkwjtiQIfOKmpPU_h5N0C3Vt-xU/s1600/IMG_3687.JPG" height="120" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture unrelated: The view from our room at the <a href="http://www.stanfordinn.com/" target="_blank">Stanford Inn Eco Resort</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-85338550007151359212015-04-01T00:24:00.000-05:002015-04-01T00:24:17.883-05:00I'm back, baby! AKA I need to track my Menu PlanningSo, it's been two years-ish since I've written anything on here. The quick version of this is that I got a fabulous job, married a wonderful man and adopted another cat and, as a result, kind of lost my desire to spend time writing aimlessly. However, I've been doing a lot of menu planning in an effort to reduce how much we go out to eat and I want to track what I've been doing instead of planning from scratch every week, so I figured I might as well do it here so that it can be helpful for anyone else who may be interested. Use it or don't, I'm not your mom.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some basic meal planning info: I am planning for two and base my menu around plans for the week, as well as the weather (because nobody wants a comforting stew on a hot day). Also, I will link recipes as available. I don't really plan for breakfast because I can't handle anything more complicated than cereal or toast first thing in the morning. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Week of March 29th - April 4th</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Sunday:</u></div>
<div>
Dinner: <a href="http://www.theppk.com/2014-ppk-100/17-cauliflower-steaks/" target="_blank">Cauliflower Steak</a> with <a href="http://fatfreevegan.com/blog/2010/03/12/creamy-mashed-cauliflower/" target="_blank">Mashed Cauliflower</a> and Sauteed Kale</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Monday</u></div>
<div>
Lunch: Sushi Bowl (Rice with edamame, avocado, tomato, nori and a sauce of tamari, mirin and sesame oil)</div>
<div>
Dinner: <a href="http://www.foodrepublic.com/2013/10/22/spicy-vegan-dragon-noodle-salad-recipe" target="_blank">Dragon Noodle Salad from Isa Does It</a> with a bit of fried tofu on the side</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Tuesday</u> </div>
<div>
Lunch: Leftover Dragon Noodle Bowl (Note: wound up being a sushi bowl, we ate most of the Dragon Noodle Salad)</div>
<div>
Dinner: <a href="http://www.oneingredientchef.com/quinoa-taco-bowl/" target="_blank">Spicy Quinoa Taco Bowl from One Ingredient Chef</a> - Great for leftovers </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Wednesday</u></div>
<div>
Lunch: Out (planned for)</div>
<div>
Dinner: Leftover Spicy Quinoa Taco Bowl</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Thursday</u></div>
<div>
Lunch: Grains, Green and Beans (random mix of whatever grains, beans and veggies I have laying around) with Lemon Tahini Sauce from Salad Samurai</div>
<div>
Dinner: <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/978784/one-pan-pasta" target="_blank">One Pot Pasta</a> (I've never made this before. We'll see how it goes.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Friday</u></div>
<div>
Lunch: <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/arielknutson/overnight-oat-recipes-oatmeal-cold#.yrL5JDlpW" target="_blank">Overnight Oats</a> & Fruit</div>
<div>
Dinner: <a href="http://www.theppk.com/2012/02/sunflower-mac/" target="_blank">Sunflower Mac from Isa Does It</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Saturday</u></div>
<div>
Lunch: Picnic! Leftover Sunflower Mac and Massaged Kale Salad</div>
<div>
Dinner: Out (planned for)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Grocery List</b> </div>
<div>
(This is not a complete list, just what I didn't have, as I already have a bunch of staples- I'm planning on doing full lists in the future.)</div>
<div>
Cereal</div>
<div>
Tomatoes</div>
<div>
Avocados, 2</div>
<div>
Asparagus (I only bought this because it was on super sale)</div>
<div>
Bell Peppers (I could have gotten away with one but they were three for a dollar so I bought six)</div>
<div>
Bread</div>
<div>
Linguine</div>
<div>
White Onion</div>
<div>
Basil</div>
<div>
Rice Noodles</div>
<div>
Radishes</div>
<div>
Cucumber</div>
<div>
Cilantro</div>
<div>
Salad Greens</div>
<div>
Limes</div>
<div>
Black Beans</div>
<div>
Frozen Corn</div>
<div>
Macaroni</div>
<div>
Cornstarch</div>
<div>
Kale </div>
<div>
Lemons</div>
<div>
Rice Vinegar</div>
<div>
Snack fruits & veggies</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8laCgiwcFIEfzi-8n2fKgXO58wgUqbLPXKSVK4sQMJocF8oBt8rPSbXROBTRtu_dOvyBKRWdE3lxrwzoQ3bxlbTvv-IbRDOd5dCH4WIoM7btZmqCm8UVrV8zB8waECsY_3ttzPIIG4i55/s1600/IMG_3886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8laCgiwcFIEfzi-8n2fKgXO58wgUqbLPXKSVK4sQMJocF8oBt8rPSbXROBTRtu_dOvyBKRWdE3lxrwzoQ3bxlbTvv-IbRDOd5dCH4WIoM7btZmqCm8UVrV8zB8waECsY_3ttzPIIG4i55/s1600/IMG_3886.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is me and Wishbone V. Debs. I hate posting without a picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Theoretically, check back next week for another menu!<br /><div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-5652618654650204652013-10-27T01:16:00.001-05:002013-10-27T01:37:46.824-05:00Chang Thai: Thai food worth the trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkfuJTRV7MPKs5bUCp_TzRPf3NQNhaxSxAM_nEUi-v2h6Yvj9VpkQY7FH2tDTR_BLMd6u1dzXkydRwzkQL4nblNNcnDrVEr3_HNWagzkkuMMm2k8Nh-xOYkS5yvkeEXaDUSt4fN_KZhDY/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkfuJTRV7MPKs5bUCp_TzRPf3NQNhaxSxAM_nEUi-v2h6Yvj9VpkQY7FH2tDTR_BLMd6u1dzXkydRwzkQL4nblNNcnDrVEr3_HNWagzkkuMMm2k8Nh-xOYkS5yvkeEXaDUSt4fN_KZhDY/s400/photo+(7).JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
Most vegans know that Thai restaurants can be a risky venture- fretting about fish sauce is a rough way to spend a meal. Located in Broomfield, Colorado, <a href="http://changthairestaurants.com/" target="_blank">Chang Thai</a> is the perfect solution to your worries. Vegan owned, you can order anything off the menu with the simple addition of "vegan please". This also makes Chang Thai incredibly omni friendly, creating the perfect pit stop between Denver and Boulder. I have yet to try anything off the menu that isn't stunningly delicious, but I recommend starting out with the Pad Thai. Chang Thai is located at 155 Nickel Street in Broomfield, CO.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-54770670414555992792013-07-23T01:11:00.000-05:002013-07-23T01:11:56.713-05:00Portobello: This is how it's done.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8x99ZF6V8VQObiCBE648FCUL2yThtB3vXwYAr3PbXmumHsKcF7Kt2SLVuyyaTpE-pOtO4nOF8oxUKWKotuQg0LJXkNKFZOMzSVYhqrAXgd4q_GVXQizFbfV6uj1BByN1hPtjuk3pw_I3h/s1600/photo+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8x99ZF6V8VQObiCBE648FCUL2yThtB3vXwYAr3PbXmumHsKcF7Kt2SLVuyyaTpE-pOtO4nOF8oxUKWKotuQg0LJXkNKFZOMzSVYhqrAXgd4q_GVXQizFbfV6uj1BByN1hPtjuk3pw_I3h/s320/photo+(6).JPG" width="240" /></a>Most vegans will cringe at the option of a portobello. Generally either unseasoned or soaked in balasamic vingear and cooked beyond recognition, it can be an affront to all the senses. Doing everything they can to change this stereotype is <a href="http://portobellopdx.com/">Portobello Vegan Trattoria</a>, located in Portland, Oregon. This is fine dining at its best- delicious food, cozy yet elegant atmosphere and down to earth service. With a rapidly changing menu, that varies with the season, Portobello offers some of the best vegan food I've ever had- not only delicious, but also creative and stunningly original. My dinner consisted of English pea ravioli with morel mushrooms, along with mint, while my dining companion's dinner was gnocchi with spring vegetables. A meal at Portobello is the kind of meal that you eat as slowly as possible, using a knife and fork to make everything last as long as possible.<br />
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An added bonus to dining at Portobello is the fact that they have fancy drink options for those of us that don't imbibe. I got the Sea Shepherd, the purchase of which also facilitated a dollar donation to <a href="http://www.seashepherd.org/">Sea Shepherd</a>. These mocktails are definitely not afterthoughts to the drink menu, all lovingly created to enhance the meal, without alcohol. In short? Don't skip this Portobello meal option, it's definitely one of the good ones.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-16158590070275139962013-05-25T13:29:00.001-05:002013-05-25T13:30:54.606-05:00Vertical Diner: Salt Lake City has vegan game<br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/25/1142.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/25/s_1142.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />This week is all about vegan indulgence- my boyfriend and I are <br />in Portland for <a target="_blank" href="http://vidavegancon.com/">Vida Vegan Con</a>- extra vegan, all the time. We opted to drive and were psyched to try out one of Salt Lake City's multitude of vegan options. We wound up at <a target="_blank" href="http://verticaldiner.com/">Vertical Diner</a>, a vegan greasy spoon, a welcome change from the typical sad bowl of oatmeal as the vegan option at diners. This is full on comfort food- think biscuits and gravy, pancakes, tofu scramble and potatoes. They do offer lunch and dinner options, but I was focused on breakfast, and my focus rewarded me. Savory tofu scramble and fluffy biscuits with creamy gravy on top were the perfect fuel to carry me through to Portland. An added bonus is that Vertical Diner is cheap- my tofu scramble and biscuits and gravy were $6. Unbelievable. If you're passing through the area, Vertical Diner is a quick trip off the interstate and absolutely worth the stop for the weary road warrior. <br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-54627586582888683312013-05-16T22:03:00.000-05:002013-05-16T22:03:25.605-05:00Finding Your Cool Impossible<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfgXyi34gbZUt2NII9qNxzH4G2Sh8h9qTr8MBv18Or4GX7tlJz9F3IZ_mq1wiOpxsDKvXBvdr3jbYnefYADkyX5dBehTmkcf4E-tX_QpzQkP65-9S7Jal6xcso0_7mbResuvPsWjO2Tt0/s1600/The+Cool+Impossible_Cover+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfgXyi34gbZUt2NII9qNxzH4G2Sh8h9qTr8MBv18Or4GX7tlJz9F3IZ_mq1wiOpxsDKvXBvdr3jbYnefYADkyX5dBehTmkcf4E-tX_QpzQkP65-9S7Jal6xcso0_7mbResuvPsWjO2Tt0/s320/The+Cool+Impossible_Cover+Image.jpg" width="212" /></a>Did you hear the one about the runner at the airport, en route to a marathon, reading a book about running, while wearing spandex? Just kidding, that's not a joke, that's my life and the book I was reading was <i>The Cool Impossible</i> by Eric Orton, the coach from <i>Born to Run</i>. This book outlines Eric's coaching style and method, along with providing strength exercises and training plans, written as if Eric was narrating your visit to Jackson Hole to be coached by him. What I really loved about this book was that it was flexible. It breaks running down to the nittiest, grittiest detail, such as strengthening your foot, but at the same time allows you to customize the training plan based on your current level of ability. While this is no substitute for face to face coaching, it is nice to have a training plan at your disposal that is customized for you.<br />
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The book is split into sections about running, diet and the mental side of running. Running is very detail oriented, as you would expect, while the diet section doesn't encourage any particular way of eating, other than to keep it healthy (not eating processed foods, for example). Finally, the mental section, which was my favorite, deals with not letting worries such as 'can I complete a marathon?' deter you from your larger goals, instead focusing on just the next fifty feet, and reaching your goal that way. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in running, novice to marathoner. There's great strength moves, a training plan and some incredibly inspiring words to get you out the door and running towards your own cool impossible.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-66575837327379012812013-05-09T23:54:00.000-05:002013-05-09T23:54:05.675-05:00She's Going the Distance: 2013 Boulder Distance Classic RecapThe week before my first marathon, I was supposed to do an easy eight mile run, so I decided that it would be a great idea to do a 15K race instead. And you know what? It was a great idea. The <a href="http://www.distanceclassic.com/">Boulder Distance Classic</a> is a small race, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in awesome.<br />
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<b>Course:</b> This course loops around the Boulder Reservoir, meaning that there are rolling pastures to one side <br />
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and stunning mountains to the other, making this course unbelievably easy on the eyes. An added benefit of this course is that it is almost entirely run on hard packed dirt roads, making it nice and easy on the joints. There's some loose rock here and there, but nothing you'll wreck yourself on if you're paying attention. Towards the end of the course, there's a really steep hill towards the end, but then it's easy sailing to the finish line.<br />
<b>Crowd:</b> Another sparse race, but the support throughout the race was amazing and it felt like there was an aid station every fifty feet, all of which were loaded with water and gatorade. Great, great support. Also, the song they played at the start line was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYJzcUvS_NU">Chariots of Fire</a>. Just try to not be inspired by that.<br />
<b>Chow:</b> Yay for fruit! It's always a good thing when there are multipe types of fruit cut and ready to go post race, along with a giant tub of water bottles on ice. There was also a huge spread of barbecue, but the idea of eating barbecue, vegan or not, post run grosses me out.<br />
<b>Bling:</b> Brooks tech shirt that appears to be a traditional cotton shirt, but does, in fact, wick your sweat away. Since this race was inexpensive at $30, I feel like I got a super sweet deal with an awesome race, good food and a nice shirt.<br />
<b>Expo:</b> This was the expo that I finally indulged in one of those free massages and it was awesome. Why have I never waited around for a free post-race massage? There were also a decent amount of free goodies, and a beer garden featuring Avery beer.<br />
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For those not wanting to race the full 15K, there's also a 5K option, but I always figure that if I'm going to sign up for a race, I want to get the most bang for my buck. Frugal runner here.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-61608982904124832192013-05-09T00:24:00.000-05:002013-05-09T00:24:40.075-05:00Call of the Wild: Aftershokz Headphones<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsLU7RSxG4U97QmD9a66peY06YvBPWQLt_jonGxA0LyVJT5PVSsDc52_xoHT6tOEUXktq0BiVxgDO3N7d3-zOYtHTKgT6BzBWwf8-2Zqx-KH7C0pUXzoeSNw77c2Rl-a6VAa4KaxEVqVm/s1600/AfterShokz-Sportz-M2-open-ear-headphones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsLU7RSxG4U97QmD9a66peY06YvBPWQLt_jonGxA0LyVJT5PVSsDc52_xoHT6tOEUXktq0BiVxgDO3N7d3-zOYtHTKgT6BzBWwf8-2Zqx-KH7C0pUXzoeSNw77c2Rl-a6VAa4KaxEVqVm/s200/AfterShokz-Sportz-M2-open-ear-headphones.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.aftershokz.com/">Aftershokz </a>headphones recently contacted me asking if I'd like to give their open ear headphones a try and after a quick gander at their website, I quickly said yes- they looked amazing! Aftershokz use <a href="http://www.aftershokz.com/Sport-Headphones-AfterShokz-Bone-Conduction-s/1477.htm">bone-conducting technology</a> so that instead of the music being in your ears, preventing you from hearing anything, it is next to your ears, so you can hear what's going on around you. This has obvious advantages for safety, such as hearing cars and strangers coming, but you can also hear people cheer you on (clearly a major concern of mine). But would they work?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPkWr41tts4x-syV-pWAScw1tfaHPhcp46BlT8Ao5ci5trF4sUW8Y4cBCW152L1yh-YRHHXDjVkzCZ4qBEZoyyY-FQSut5njbhaL1pQEdl8b7v_g7wQF9llAXsFyhLdaHVPDHOsSD2XIx/s1600/AfterShokz-Sportz-M2-profile3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPkWr41tts4x-syV-pWAScw1tfaHPhcp46BlT8Ao5ci5trF4sUW8Y4cBCW152L1yh-YRHHXDjVkzCZ4qBEZoyyY-FQSut5njbhaL1pQEdl8b7v_g7wQF9llAXsFyhLdaHVPDHOsSD2XIx/s200/AfterShokz-Sportz-M2-profile3.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More photogenic than I am post-run</td></tr>
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In a word: yes. I love these things and they will be my go to for outdoor runs from now on- I'm extremely pleased with these buddies. I was definitely concerned about sound quality prior to trying them, but those concerns turned out to be unfounded as the sound quality on these is surprisingly good. You can turn them up loud enough to drown out sounds surrounding you if you want to, but I was also able to carry on a conversation with a co-worker with them on a low volume, all from a clip-on device for easy access. Aftershokz headphones also stay put during my runs, which is definitely a bonus. For transportation, they come with a snazzy carrying case, so you can avoid that whole unpleasant scenario where the cord becomes hopelessly tangled in your bag. As far as being able to hear people cheering you on? I wore them during a recent race and am pleased to report that I was able to hear people cheering quite clearly. Overall, Aftershokz headphones are a winner in my book, and I'm so happy to have a way to stay safe and listen to music while running in the wild.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AfterShokz?fref=ts">Aftershokz Facebook Page</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-12429229551881826482013-04-17T18:18:00.001-05:002013-04-17T21:35:08.677-05:00Jonesy's Eat Bar: Cozy, Creative Vegan Eats<br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/17/2138.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/17/s_2138.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' align='right' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />"I could bring my dad here" is praise I can lavish on a very select few restaurants. These restaurants must feature a variety of exceptionally delicious food, a cozy, unpretentious atmosphere and attentive service. The newest restaurant that meets this is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.jeatbar.com/Welcome.html">Jonesy's Eat Bar</a>, located near downtown Denver. The standard menu that you receive upon sitting down doesn't look super vegan friendly- it's full of classic American dishes, most with a twist, but the magic happens when you ask for the veg-friendly menu. You receive a page of delicious dishes, all clearly marked with their level of being vegan-friendly. We're talking quinoa loaf (tastes way less boring than it sounds), curry fries, Thai fries and a variety of things that will make it surprisingly difficult to order, thanks to an abundance of options. The dish pictured here is the Vietnamese salad with crispy tofu and seaweed salad and it was the perfect mix of refreshing, filling and delightful to the mouth. Complete with a daily happy hour, Jonesy's is also pretty easy on the wallet. Dad, I hope you're looking forward to eating there now. <br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-78662065100127783582013-04-09T02:06:00.001-05:002013-04-09T02:06:30.634-05:00Photogenic Soup: Curried Carrot in the Wild<br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/09/6.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/09/s_6.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' align='right' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Soup is often hard to photograph and I generally don't even bother. It kind of <br />tends to look like weird, but boring, puke in a bowl. This is why photogenic soup is a marvel, and why I was extra excited to see this specimen, Curried Carrot, in the wild. Served at Denver's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cityocitydenver.com/">City O' City</a>, this creamy little friend is topped with vegan yogurt and tamari cashews, which mix perfectly with its sweetly spicy self. The biggest bonus is that a cup of this liquid gold is only $3, and goes down to $2 for happy hour. They might as well just give it away! Paired with a vegan caeser salad, it creates a meal that balances out perfectly between hot and cold, spicy and soothing, liquid and solid. Plus, you'll have enough room left for one of City O's amazing desserts- HoHo Cupcake anyone? <br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-54357686498193192012013-04-07T16:50:00.000-05:002013-04-07T16:50:34.157-05:00Vegan Pizza Night with Phoney Baloney's Coconut Bacon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEVKfl6HDhL1C7p5Uu39dVTyyq6rfVpjqTcDrsueceMOK277To-IMs71Sz6FNO_tBgh70Id6CMT0qnhbo0Zg83e249UvfTNcqygmawN_57V27kGq8eCMe_vks8dscH_upjRQvUXATrTaJ/s1600/IMGP3415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEVKfl6HDhL1C7p5Uu39dVTyyq6rfVpjqTcDrsueceMOK277To-IMs71Sz6FNO_tBgh70Id6CMT0qnhbo0Zg83e249UvfTNcqygmawN_57V27kGq8eCMe_vks8dscH_upjRQvUXATrTaJ/s200/IMGP3415.JPG" width="150" /></a>Oh, pizza, when will my love affair with you end? Probably never if my friends and I keep having build your own pizza nights. We each get a personal pan size crust and load it up with the toppings of our choice. Our most recent pizza night featured <a href="http://www.phoneybaloneys.com/bacon/">Phoney Baloney's Coconut Bacon</a>. If you haven't had it yet, you must. Smoky, salty, savory and a little bit sweet, these are the perfect addition to a salad, sandwich or, in this case, pizza. We rounded out our topping selection with Victoria Vegan Alfredo Sauce, homemade marinara, sauerkraut, spinach, black olives, a variety of veggies and Teese cheese. By the way, Teese has reformulated and is extra amazing now- super melty and super tasty. Your move, Daiya.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQnM0oRayHcGVwYdO0HlwLxadaKMwuMzuG1Y08vW0ueKD7QXhtYFkjTi0uBHu5x27I_lmyn_XJa-kOvuJDBK9x-TciqiWI_k0VVi2_X3_tNqoDsQR7k_iZfmq_wn-y5WNpv0mxhKn82rQ/s1600/IMGP3406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQnM0oRayHcGVwYdO0HlwLxadaKMwuMzuG1Y08vW0ueKD7QXhtYFkjTi0uBHu5x27I_lmyn_XJa-kOvuJDBK9x-TciqiWI_k0VVi2_X3_tNqoDsQR7k_iZfmq_wn-y5WNpv0mxhKn82rQ/s200/IMGP3406.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
What did my pizza feature, you ask? A gluten-free crust, with red sauce on one half, white on the other. The red side featured tomatoes, black olives, sauerkraut, Phoney Baloney's Coconut Bacon, red onion and mushrooms, while the white side kept it simple with more bacon, tomatoes and spinach, with both sides slathered in Teese. I love pizza nights because, with the use of pre-made crust, they are super simple for everyone involved- everyone just brings a few ingredients and is guaranteed to have a meal that they'll love. Long live pizza night!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-63025370675981615672013-04-04T01:02:00.000-05:002013-04-04T01:02:52.573-05:00Give 'Em a Squeeze: Chia Squeezes from Mamma Chia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMD8sOE7NOoM_FSMl7qdrKDQCBEOzQXxkFl7tKVmeeQOYryg1bii61jnDd4SK7alO0rsgrGPDe0dNbImQPNDNywoAWUgU53K9lvo_h5aLWEY08VB2o7r7wFo-qQvgMa1lkhf62zP9J_rh/s1600/IMGP3423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMD8sOE7NOoM_FSMl7qdrKDQCBEOzQXxkFl7tKVmeeQOYryg1bii61jnDd4SK7alO0rsgrGPDe0dNbImQPNDNywoAWUgU53K9lvo_h5aLWEY08VB2o7r7wFo-qQvgMa1lkhf62zP9J_rh/s320/IMGP3423.JPG" width="320" /></a>My love affair with chia seeds started with chia seed pudding at last year's Vida Vegan Con. Reminiscent of tapioca and full of nutrients, I throw these little guys into everything, so I jumped at the chance to try <a href="http://www.mammachia.com/">Mamma Chia's Chia Squeezes</a>. Mamma Chia was gracious enough to send me four flavors: Green Magic, Apple Cinnamon, Strawberry Banana and Blackberry Bliss. Verdict? They are awesome! My favorite was the Blackberry Bliss, followed by the Green Magic, but all four flavors made my mouth happy with their perfect representation of the flavor noted on the packaging. These squeeze packets would be the perfect introduction to chia seeds for someone who was a bit nervous about the texture, as the 'squeeze it into your mouth' factor helps to gloss over the chia seed texture. These are perfect for a quick breakfast, a road trip snack, to throw in your bag for a long day of hiking and or just to keep around for when you need a quick bite. The only thing I wasn't super jazzed about was that it definitely took me both hands to open these, so they'd be hard to open when I'm out for a run, which was my original intent with them. However, I can definitely see these little packets easily working their way into my daily life. Fruity, chia seeds and easy to transport? Yes please to the chia squeeze!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-50124731420305368342013-03-25T00:36:00.000-05:002013-03-25T00:36:34.356-05:00Update: Watercourse Foods still delicious<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwk-5ktI2JOqr1qQp23ZhAGGQ7fdvHqlKePZqaALfFrl-eFTJgx459AiQeh6088V7EfMWpVf4LvGgV_vm5hUC3Bd4hcUiTR6m5M6ZgP0bGUKmlfmBw0CmPbzyD1k2LXlGJxHkT2B-h0IU/s1600/IMGP3398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwk-5ktI2JOqr1qQp23ZhAGGQ7fdvHqlKePZqaALfFrl-eFTJgx459AiQeh6088V7EfMWpVf4LvGgV_vm5hUC3Bd4hcUiTR6m5M6ZgP0bGUKmlfmBw0CmPbzyD1k2LXlGJxHkT2B-h0IU/s320/IMGP3398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I've loved <a href="http://www.watercoursefoods.com/">Watercourse Foods</a> for years, as evidenced <a href="http://whoawren.blogspot.com/2010/11/watercourse-foods.html">here</a>, and I'm pleased to report that it is still awesome. Living here means that I can try lots of things on the menu, and every trip here is a joy. My new obsession are their nachos, made super vegan with both daiya and vegan chipotle aioli, with a side of green chili. The key with these nachos is that the toppings are layered throughout, resulting in a well rounded nacho experience. You don't have to worry about that heart-wrenching moment when you realize that you just have sad tortilla chips on a plate. I don't feel like I need to acknowledge that these nachos are amazing, based on the fact that I've already mentioned they have daiya, chipotle aioli and green chili, among other toppings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3zFoCos2DvcG5EoI7pcnGDlSPLNWEIkJVevx7QKahaorjUoQhXmqpYhH4i9NNVvxpx3-AEEdyGY8zAJdNnEwnM7B7Vb_b6D4O3AyFFAD3oEJSJhClD81RjMp47kNMSByB5HqP91olfy5/s1600/IMGP3400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3zFoCos2DvcG5EoI7pcnGDlSPLNWEIkJVevx7QKahaorjUoQhXmqpYhH4i9NNVvxpx3-AEEdyGY8zAJdNnEwnM7B7Vb_b6D4O3AyFFAD3oEJSJhClD81RjMp47kNMSByB5HqP91olfy5/s320/IMGP3400.JPG" width="230" /></a></div>
Another delicious discovery I've made is the Po Boy. It usually comes on a kaiser roll, but I get it on their magical gluten-free bread. Laden with polenta-encrusted artichoke hearts, lemon-caper aioli and coleslaw, this sandwich manages to both refreshing on a hot day, and comforting on a cold one. Also, you get two sides, so there's no way you're leaving hungry. The sides pictured here are the steamed kale and tomato coconut curry soup. While I highly encourage anyone travelling through Denver to eat the buffalo seitan wings, I also encourage you to save a bit of room for the other culinary wonders that Watercourse offers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12645077051728888269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-38065804913312263072013-03-16T14:00:00.000-05:002013-03-16T14:00:02.297-05:00Luscious Nectar: Tasty Food, Boozy Slushies, Fresh juice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XWnXynyNF2EBAMTRjPENH_RPJVNinwYRG0HknBeZ1FblqzppHkbGv6JJ5cQRv4C3QS8u2YfkqdUISIB653w3RvGEcUxKnqgolwiBoje5cWzchGM4ronlKbhjVzVGWbjPYkZ8zfY9ISOO/s1600/Fort+Collins+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XWnXynyNF2EBAMTRjPENH_RPJVNinwYRG0HknBeZ1FblqzppHkbGv6JJ5cQRv4C3QS8u2YfkqdUISIB653w3RvGEcUxKnqgolwiBoje5cWzchGM4ronlKbhjVzVGWbjPYkZ8zfY9ISOO/s320/Fort+Collins+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Trips to Fort Collins are always punctuated with a trip to <a href="http://www.tastyharmony.com/">Tasty Harmony</a>, but it's nice to branch out. My VegOut app recently pointed me toward <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Luscious-Nectar-Juice-Lounge/149343121760791">Luscious Nectar</a>, a bar with a surprising array of options. Upon walking in, you can tell this place parties hard at night. It's clean but there is the lingering scent of alcohol and poor choices. However, the food here more than makes up for it, and they have a patio for outdoor dining. We skipped the smoothies and juice (although they looked fantastic) and went straight for the food, ordering a 'Tuna' Mocky Roll, Queso Tango Nachos and Cantina Tacos. For me, the stand out was the Queso Tango Nachos, made with housemade vegan cheese, which was slightly chunky, making it easy to apply to every chip.Combine this with pico de gallo and jalapenos, and it's a definite winner- would eat again. The tacos were made with jackfruit, but also offered the options of buffalo seitan or BBQ tempeh for a protein. The 'Tuna' Mocky Roll, a raw creation, was refreshing and a nice palate cleanser between bites of vegan cheese and jalapenos.<br />
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The best part? Our total came to $19. We ordered two entrees and an appetizer, making this meal a fantastic deal. There's even a happy hour with $1 off tapas from 3:00-7:00pm every day! You can also get a slushie made with alcohol, which would have made this my favorite bar in college. Cheap food and fun drinks? Luscious Nectar, you have a new fan.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-76543546879175095252013-03-15T18:30:00.000-05:002013-03-15T18:30:00.974-05:00Harbinger Coffee: A Sign of Coffee to Come<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-4LYEvKDZIKRg38PnCiU69qsMgEcPb50AUtY6s8AyYG06qRgzUkLRHhibnys6IrwBEU9mXCX0We48o1XFN81kQmk45qLJhrhTRLPg51RFhaGcXYWmzBMqW4MSaCWJQVyiTCmr3lwu5vP/s1600/Fort+Collins+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-4LYEvKDZIKRg38PnCiU69qsMgEcPb50AUtY6s8AyYG06qRgzUkLRHhibnys6IrwBEU9mXCX0We48o1XFN81kQmk45qLJhrhTRLPg51RFhaGcXYWmzBMqW4MSaCWJQVyiTCmr3lwu5vP/s320/Fort+Collins+001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
My boyfriend loves coffee. A lot. We have three brewing methods at home, any shopping trips will immediately be derailed upon the sight of a grinder and he never leaves a coffee shop without befriending the barista. Due to this, I have been introduced to the world of fancy coffee. Coffee described as having notes of flavors and finishing with a certain taste. I still have a long way to go, but am happy that I can now smell strawberries or milk chocolate in the scent of coffee beans. This also means that we go out of way for coffee, and one such place that's worth going out of the way for is <a href="http://harbingercoffee.com/index.htm">Harbinger Coffee</a>, located in Fort Collins, CO.<br />
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Harbinger is a humble stand located in the basement of what appears to be an office building. Harbinger does one thing: black coffee, and they do it well. The owner features different roasters and is able to describe the coffee with fantastic detail. The coffee pictured was a Sumatra, that tasted slightly fermented in the best way, with notes of blueberry. With coffee this good, there's no need to add anything to it. Harbinger Coffee is located at 151 S. College, right in downtown Fort Collins, making it a perfect stop while meandering downtown.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-2766100018565342942013-03-15T00:47:00.000-05:002013-03-15T00:48:08.332-05:00Race Recap: That Dam Run Half Marathon<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOk362BYko_nWC90Hd1O0Iu9faOqbKp2G9_NLAi4plzGifVlFUL1LIntaToOQESa70fQHxGZDytATPLz6grDIzZH7OCMnG5CFLKDkbM-I3QGJok3tCJZMVwh352-ql8NG8-zmNrtGI_95P/s1600/that+dam+run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOk362BYko_nWC90Hd1O0Iu9faOqbKp2G9_NLAi4plzGifVlFUL1LIntaToOQESa70fQHxGZDytATPLz6grDIzZH7OCMnG5CFLKDkbM-I3QGJok3tCJZMVwh352-ql8NG8-zmNrtGI_95P/s320/that+dam+run.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The course is really pretty too!</td></tr>
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When did I become the type of person who celebrates their birthday by running a half marathon? Apparently in 2013, as I ran <a href="http://www.bkbltd.com/RUNDENVER.htm">That Dam Run</a> for the second time, specifically as a birthday present to myself. It was my second time running the course, and knocked about 20 minutes off my overall time, so it wound up being a pretty great gift to myself. Here's the details:<br />
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<b>Course: </b>Out and back, my friends. I love out and back courses because you park in one spot and don't have to worry about a shuttle either way and you can cheer yourself on when you recognize things on your way back. This course is special in that it is mostly downhill on the way out, so coming back is pretty challenging. One part of the course is described as "Boston's Heartbreak Hill on steroids". Ouchie.<br />
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<b>Crowd: </b>This is a race for runners. There's a crowd at the start/finish line and that's about it, save for some folks who wander out from their homes to watch the runners. They have a few volunteers to cheer you on, but, mostly, you're on your own.<br />
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<b>Chow: </b>Aid stations featured water, Gaterade and Sport Beans, which are unfortunately not vegan. Also, they are jelly beans and seem awkward to eat while running. I brought my own Clif Shot though, which powered me through. Post race, there were bagels (which I skipped because of gluten) and Food Should Taste Good chips, which were delicious. The race is pretty close to a Chipotle, which is where I got my post-race nosh.<br />
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<b>Bling:</b> Medal upgrade from last year! This one's shiny and nice and heavy. Also, I loved the shirt, which was a lovely shade of green.<br />
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<b>Expo: </b>Pretty sparse. Five Hour Energy was there giving out bottles, but that stuff kind of scares me, so I skipped it. I did win a month of <a href="http://campgladiator.com/">Camp Gladiator training</a>, which I'm excited to do after I run the Lincoln Marathon.<br />
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Overall, I enjoy doing this race once on the way out and post finish line, but the part in the middle gets a bit rough. Translation: looking forward to doing it next year!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-81103552584584114702013-02-18T08:44:00.000-06:002013-02-18T08:44:18.119-06:00Eat & Run by Scott Jurek: Guaranteed to make you think that you too can run 100 milers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpt1nVccAlbnQsS7hqSGj7tWyljM3Fzg4ZOc3sn_nwsTL09rUO1IY9cZizUnvEu5IzHRT8kUkm4iVU6gMT_EXN8Vne7_tJBA69SK4nSwvIAMed7sjg8pkVUATAXPDVHR29nMstB3EjMGT/s1600/Eat+&+Run+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpt1nVccAlbnQsS7hqSGj7tWyljM3Fzg4ZOc3sn_nwsTL09rUO1IY9cZizUnvEu5IzHRT8kUkm4iVU6gMT_EXN8Vne7_tJBA69SK4nSwvIAMed7sjg8pkVUATAXPDVHR29nMstB3EjMGT/s320/Eat+&+Run+cover.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Did you hear the story about the guy who won a 100 mile race through the mountains? On a sprained and swollen ankle? It's not a joke, it's a crazy, amazing story and it's just a small part of <a href="http://scottjurek.com/">Scott Jurek</a>'s life as a superhuman runner, and he does all of these incredible things as a vegan. His book, <i><a href="http://scottjurek.com/eatandrun/">Eat and Run</a></i>, is a testament to Jurek's athletic prowess, and his his strength in overcoming the obstacles life set before him, as well as proof that eating a vegan diet doesn't doom a person to a life as a weakling. Though I know I'll most likely never run, let alone win, a 100 mile race, <i>Eat and Run</i> left me feeling inspired to push my boundaries, both in running and in life, every time I read it. An added bonus are the recipes sprinkled throughout the book, which definitely lean toward the healthy side, but all look delicious. If you're looking for a book that will provide you with a healthy dose of motivation every time you pick it up, or trying to show someone that eating a vegan diet will not detract from your athletic ability, this is a great, quick read to pick up. Not sure if you'll be into it? Check out an excerpt, thanks to Runner's World, <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-runners/eat-vegan-run?page=single">here</a>.<br />
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Full disclosure: I received a review copy of the book, but am receiving no other compensation and am under no obligation to review it one way or another. I really liked it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-34244641799149644252013-01-28T01:45:00.000-06:002013-02-18T08:18:34.269-06:00Zen and the Art of being a Treadmill Master<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eZ1ChPaKexTXKoyxXCXKX9nXOQ1TrcRWjtWgaRTtm359A0nZ1SPiSPJ-Ue3qN8zI73xGHu4ju8wtrfT6Y9hzfGvH5o82Oh5dc-uYn6w9hgbdoXiQgC8sZnYpTcl3aGczkA3UtSlApD8V/s1600/treadmill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eZ1ChPaKexTXKoyxXCXKX9nXOQ1TrcRWjtWgaRTtm359A0nZ1SPiSPJ-Ue3qN8zI73xGHu4ju8wtrfT6Y9hzfGvH5o82Oh5dc-uYn6w9hgbdoXiQgC8sZnYpTcl3aGczkA3UtSlApD8V/s1600/treadmill.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eccampbellphotography/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Photo by E.C. Campbell Photography</i></span></a></td></tr>
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Treadmills are a necessary evil. They come in handy for when inclement weather prevents running outside, as well as for scaredy safety cats like me who don't like to run in the dark. Unfortunately, they are boring. Between a lack of scenery and hills, it's easy to feel like a hamster running on a wheel. However, treadmills can be great for maintaining a consistent pace, so I do appreciate them for pace and speed drills. Since you just need to move your feet fast enough not to shoot off the back of the treadmill, I have learned to love the miles I put in by listening to podcasts and audio books, as I never know what I'm going to hear next, creating something for me to focus on, other than that rotating track. Here are a few of my favorite resources for aural entertainment:<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.overdrive.com/Software/">Overdrive</a></b>: Overdrive is an application that connects you to your local library's digital collection and downloads your selections directly to your device. I've found this is the easiest way to get my audio book fix.<br />
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<a href="http://librivox.org/"><b>Librivox</b></a>: This is a collection of works in the public domain read aloud by volunteers. Some of the volunteer's voices are a bit hard to understand but there's lots of great stuff on here to download for free. This is where I get all my H.P. Lovecraft, which is great for taking your mind off the treadmill.<br />
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<a href="http://marathontrainingacademy.com/"><b>Marathon Training Academy</b></a>: I listen to a podcast about running while I run. Angie and Trevor give out valuable advice on training, running nutrition, along with race recaps that make me want to run (almost) every race they review.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/">Ben Greenfield Fitness</a></b>: Don't be fooled by the strangely specific titles, each episode answers a wide variety of listener questions, making each episode a wealth of information.<br />
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For running outside, I'll stick to music but my heart belongs to audio books and podcasts for turning me from a treadmill hamster to a treadmill master.<br />
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PS- Don't forget to adjust the incline to 1.0% when you're on the treadmill to compensate for the lack of wind and hills!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-25278304383641253692013-01-17T23:40:00.001-06:002013-02-18T08:18:52.538-06:00Supplies I want for my 26.2, or What have I done?!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtgnGQZfVlcamKrT6E2jUKUCCHhyVGGNmiviPJog3wTHjdAsqwYenzyVnxKFcMppDwgYcfM7zMTmg8FxwPnEaerMOtyOSLgXS0FT9FHHOkiXnMfQBLf5bMCEYWavU__WXVwiPKErs2UVy/s1600/runners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtgnGQZfVlcamKrT6E2jUKUCCHhyVGGNmiviPJog3wTHjdAsqwYenzyVnxKFcMppDwgYcfM7zMTmg8FxwPnEaerMOtyOSLgXS0FT9FHHOkiXnMfQBLf5bMCEYWavU__WXVwiPKErs2UVy/s320/runners.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36665622@N00">Martineric</a></i></span></td></tr>
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Let's cut to the chase: I registered for a marathon. <a href="http://www.lincolnmarathon.org/">This marathon</a>, to be exact. I'm hoping that training above sea level with all the altitude will make things a bit easier, but, no matter what, I'm still going to be slapping my feet against pavement for 26.2 miles. While I'm actually feeling fairly confident about this endeavor (and the half marathon I'm running two weeks later...), there are some supplies I'd like to have to along the way:<br />
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<b>New running shoes</b>: Y'all, I overpronate a lot. When I get my gait tested, they put me in borderline orthopedic shoes. I don't get those shoes, but I get a very similar, but slighty more stylish version. I would like a new pair of them.<br />
<a href="http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/CEP104/"><b>Compression socks</b></a>: I've heard these help speed up recovery if you wear them pre, post and sometimes during running. Also, I can pretend I'm Cher from Clueless with my knee highs.<br />
<a href="http://www.pearlizumi.com/publish/content/pi_2010/us/en/index/products/women/run/accessories/3.-productCode-14371203.html"><b>Arm warmers</b></a>: I thought these were so stupid at first but now I get it! You can start out running in a long sleeved shirt and end in a tank top. Brilliant. Also, the ones linked have SPF, which is awesome! <a href="http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/TGU1229/">These </a>are nice too.<br />
<a href="http://www.runningguru.com/EventInformation.asp?eID=3996"><b>Registration for That Dam Run Half Marathon</b></a>: I'm running this as part of my marathon training. It'll be nice to end a long run with a medal and someone handing me a banana.<br />
<a href="http://www.armpocket.com/products/AERO-10-FP.html"><b>A new armband for my phone</b></a>: I've never had to get rid of an armband due to it breaking or wearing out, it's always been that I can't handle how bad it smells because I am a stinky runner. The Armpocket looks jazzy and it can hold my my gels! <a href="http://www.buy.com/prod/griffin-carrying-case-armband-for-iphone-ipod-nylon/241331837.html?listingId=-1">This one</a> is nice too.<br />
<a href="http://www.flipbelt.com/the-flipbelt/"><b>FlipBelt</b></a>: It looks like it won't move! I have a belt and it's terrible to run with because it either bounces all over or is uncomfortably tight. Luckily, it's great at amusement parks and anywhere else I want to avoid carrying a purse. The FlipBelt looks like it'll be docile.<br />
<b>Lush bath goodies</b>: Epsom salt soaks become vastly more glamorous when you throw a <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Bath-Bombs/bath-bombs,en_US,sc.html">bath bomb</a> or a <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Bubble-Bars/bubble-bars,en_US,sc.html">bubble bar</a> in the mix.<br />
<b>New running clothes</b>: Eh, why not? I'll certainly be using them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-7809763841253541362013-01-15T20:17:00.000-06:002013-01-15T20:17:57.063-06:00Thrive Forward!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa2T-wrwKs7yU9g9X2xg1GlZwH4gfTcUddTnkL2M-AyRy096V8buxyG0ZU573fAHylV1rct_U74yVNL1QfeHC71sJ93LkG-cD2momp-Ny7cRhvVfrjq5v7C8oUVcoT-qiWdUC3FGxknkK/s1600/article-img1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa2T-wrwKs7yU9g9X2xg1GlZwH4gfTcUddTnkL2M-AyRy096V8buxyG0ZU573fAHylV1rct_U74yVNL1QfeHC71sJ93LkG-cD2momp-Ny7cRhvVfrjq5v7C8oUVcoT-qiWdUC3FGxknkK/s1600/article-img1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brendan Brazier</td></tr>
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It's that time of year again: gyms are packed and extra moist, there are piles of health gimmicks at the front of every store and every other ad on television is someone talking about how they never thought they'd wear a bikini again. On the plus side, you have the support of approximately 98% of the population if you happen to want to go on a health kick on January 1st. 2013 brought an amazing new tool for those looking to increase their health and general well-being: <a href="http://thriveforward.com/">Brendan Brazier's Thrive Forward</a>. Brazier, super-athlete and founder of <a href="http://myvega.com/">Vega</a>, has put together a crash course in eating well. The focus is on progress versus perfection and on thinking about everything you're adding in, versus taking out. Also, it's personalized based on your goals! Want better sleep? More energy? A more resilient immune system? Thrive Forward has you covered. Each day, you watch a short video, read some supplemental materials and then receive a follow-up email. Oh, and it's free. Completely. You can watch every single video, read every article and not pay a cent. It's awesome.<br />
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While going through Thrive Forward, I've been off gluten, caffeine, sugar and booze, for a grand total of 15 days now. I haven't tried to break anyone's arm for coffee and my running is easier than ever, which is super fantastic. I love having the daily reminders of how eating well effects your body and then see that knowledge in action at the gym. Those who have read Brazier's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thrive-Nutrition-Optimal-Performance-Sports/dp/0738212547?tag=859351160-20">Thrive</a> won't find themselves covering much new ground, but since when is it a bad thing to be reminded to eat your fruits, veggies and whole grains? Never. Never is the answer. Check out Thrive Forward and be inspired to cram into the gym with everyone else!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-61055341433580597652013-01-01T06:30:00.000-06:002013-01-01T06:30:02.356-06:00Ben Davis Does Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vE8Qu1B1DHxHahyphenhyphenwvXv4udLsNpIE2fqDX7yXWOWif4OeQM33KqjAS9y_cufqu-XXFdVmJAfdAEWtzhvuiL8D_fIJtUxmn4a3CGgHV0Q6DCjeUCyL3YHoI5s7HjiSYMpZFM23b6ETi9mE/s1600/Do+Life+Ben+Davis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vE8Qu1B1DHxHahyphenhyphenwvXv4udLsNpIE2fqDX7yXWOWif4OeQM33KqjAS9y_cufqu-XXFdVmJAfdAEWtzhvuiL8D_fIJtUxmn4a3CGgHV0Q6DCjeUCyL3YHoI5s7HjiSYMpZFM23b6ETi9mE/s320/Do+Life+Ben+Davis.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Who is Ben Davis? If you don't know the answer to this question, you are missing out. I've posted his video <a href="http://whoawren.blogspot.com/2012/06/im-not-crying-my-eyes-are-just-really.html">before</a>, wherein he loses 120 pounds by running and, more importantly, finds himself and happiness while doing so. Ever since he announced on his <a href="http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/">tumblr </a>that he was writing a book, I've been dying to get my hands on a copy. Lucky me, his publishers sent me a copy to review.<br />
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The book is every bit as inspiring as the video that launched Ben Davis into the hearts of a million runners and onto the cover of Runner's World. We see how dark things were for Ben before he took that first step running, how deep his depression was and how isolated he allowed himself to become. This means that we are even more elated when he decides to do life. His journey is stunningly fast, from his first 5K to completing an Iron Man. Ben doesn't pull any punches about the tough side of running- blisters, chaffing, pain, bonking, but he also shares in the glory of allowing yourself to embrace all that life has to offer.<br />
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Ben readily admits that sometimes your mind isn't up to doing the right thing, so you force your body to do it instead- run instead of reddit, eat kale instead of cookies. The book is also punctuated with training plans, each one placed strategically after Ben accomplishes that particular feat, from the 5K to the Ironman.<br />
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In short, this book isn't so much about Ben's journey, it is about finding what is holding you back, and forcing it out of your life, in turn allowing yourself to live the life each of us deserves. Ben's journey is admirable, but the beauty of it is that it could be anyone's story, provided they embrace all that life has to offer. <br />
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Finally, for those not in the know, here's Ben's video:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/8SbXgQqbOoU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780395362452418520.post-16841314442187046072012-12-19T18:08:00.001-06:002012-12-19T18:08:33.857-06:002012, A Reflection Before the Apocalypse<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z43Yed9hDWwI-UxmatTOQYn-_aTFinUVPU0EUyBTcmEQrig5XKc0f35owfwymkN7lJCGkhnTyxSibQTpt8DG2JKVTSgGeMeVatFF2KgcJVcbNP26xF1PG5nCAeK-Ojai6T2GHJ8e-WZi/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z43Yed9hDWwI-UxmatTOQYn-_aTFinUVPU0EUyBTcmEQrig5XKc0f35owfwymkN7lJCGkhnTyxSibQTpt8DG2JKVTSgGeMeVatFF2KgcJVcbNP26xF1PG5nCAeK-Ojai6T2GHJ8e-WZi/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And coffee. That stuff's good too.</td></tr>
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Just kidding, I know the world isn't ending on Friday. However, 2012 is ending in a mere twelve days, so what an excellent time to reflect on the things that I am thankful for this year. The past year has brought a tidal wave of change: a new job, new apartment, friendships solidified. This is what I'm thankful for this year:<br />
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<ul>
<li><b>My job:</b> I started a new job in February and what a difference it has made in my quality of life. Each day now brings the feeling that I am getting up to work towards a common goal that I truly believe in with people that bring a smile to my face and warm my heart. Suffice to say, it no longer feels like work when I am at work, but rather each day is a small step towards making the world a better place. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Finding a home:</b> Both in the literal sense (I moved out of a 200 square foot studio into a much larger place), but also in the emotional sense. I found a place that I belong and that feels I belong there too. Sometimes I forget that I lived places other than Denver because each day feels so right, but at the same time, I marvel at the beauty and kindness that surrounds me in this city. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Puddleglum:</b> Ah, my trusty feline companion Pudds. I am always thankful that I was the crazy lady who crawled around, looking under each piece of furniture for the monstrously fluffy cat I saw on the website. Pudds is my constant cuddle buddy, my most consistent alarm clock and my go-to when I need to rub a belly. Puddleglum also brings me to the next thing I'm thankful for...</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>My <a href="http://www.bissell.com/spotbot-pet-deep-cleaner/">SpotBot</a>:</b> The most epic carpet cleaner of all. If you have a pet and carpet, you need this. It will clean any pet mess out of the carpet. It's amazing, and you can use <a href="http://www.ilovenaturesmiracle.com/home/index.php">Nature's Miracle</a> in it. Win!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Health:</b> I've had minor health issues this year. I mean minor in the most literal sense- the biggest concern was a sneeze here and there and a wonky hip after running a downhill half marathon. I am so thankful that this is the most of my troubles- things easily recovered from with a bit of rest. I am also thankful that I have health insurance to cover all my medical expenses- many are not so lucky and that is so stupid that I won't even get into it here. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Friends and Family:</b> Sometimes these lines blur, viewing some friends as family, some family easing into an additional role as friend. Whether these people are ones I see every day or only have the occasional contact with, I am grateful to be able to look around me and see people that I aspire to be like, and that inspire me to make the world a better place. </li>
</ul>
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Overall? Good year, self. Nice work. Let's do well with 2013 too.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0