Spring Fitness Products 2013

Main Post Photo

It’s spring, but you wouldn’t know it in Central Ohio from the most recent snow storm that moved through over the weekend (really, it was Much Ado About Nothing), but there is a little snow on the grass and trees. Needless to say, I am ready for spring! I’m kicking off the start of the new season with these spring fitness products 2013.

My Blood Clot Awareness Band
Awareness Band

Blood Clot Awareness Band

March, as I hope you know, is Blood Clot Awareness Month! You can read about it HERE. I wear the “Get A Clue, Clots Kill” awareness band from The Clot Must Be Fought. It is important to me to spread the awareness of the the signs, symptoms and causes of blood clots, because they can injure anyone at anytime. It doesn’t matter if you are fit, healthy, young, old, slim, overweight, male or female. We are all at risk! You can help spread the word by ordering your own wristband for $2.00/each.

Shubeez 13.1 Shoe Tag
Shubeez Shoe tag

Shubeez 13.1 Shoe Tag

Want to get motivated this Spring? Shubeez are for you! This inspirational shoe tag goes on any pair of laces and really stands out. Enter my current giveaway to win your own. Shubeez retail at $4.99 for one.

Blistex Moisture Melt Lip Balm
Blistex Moisture Melt Lip Balm

Blistex Moisture Melt Lip Balm

Love, love, love this lip balm! It is silky and subtly shiny, but not so much that it is sticky and overly glossy. It has a slight shimmer to it and smells almost minty. I wear it alone when I don’t have lip gloss or I don’t feel like wearing something with a lot of color. This balm feels so good on your lips and has sunscreen protection. It also lasts with very few reapplications (unless you love it as much as me and just have to put on more). Find it at your local grocer/pharmacy. I think it was around $3.

Ello Percy Glass Water Bottle Pink
Ello Bottle

Ello Bottle

The Ello Bottle is perfect. I just found it the other day. It is a glass water bottle with a stopper top and I like it much better than the plastic ones. The stopper is secure and the grip is pink, so I loved it from the start. I like the way it feels in my hand and I like that it is environmentally friendly. I have been considering switching to glass storage in my kitchen for some time so I thought I would give this a try. It is dishwasher safe and BPA free. It retails at about $9.99, which is pricy, but you can use it for an endless amount of time. I got mine on sale. Check out the website to see all of their products.

Cuties Juice
Cuties Juice

Cuties Juice

Cuties Juice is so good – the best juice I have had in a long time! (Who doesn’t love Cuties, right?!) While I have greatly cut down on juice in my diet, I have been enjoying a glass of this one or two times a week. Cuties juices are all natural, 100% fruit, with no sugar added. Only fruit goes into our bottles- orange, tangerine and mango. None of the flavors are manufactured in a lab. It is all natural, non-organic and non-GMO. You can find it at Walmart or Target.

Victoria’s Secret Pink Spring Break Backpack
Victoria's Secret Pink Backpack

Victoria’s Secret Pink Backpack

I wish I was going somewhere to take this fun (neon!) backpack with me because it is perfect for spring. Check out Victoria’s Secret for all the different colors and patterns options – they also have a mini version! This bag is roomy, but not so large that I couldn’t carry it on a daily basis. The straps are adjustable, slightly padded and comfortable. They didn’t dig into my shoulders when I was carrying a backpack and notebooks this past weekend. Perfect for a blogger or writer on the go or even to take to the gym! It has a buckle flap closure with interior drawstring and front zip pocket and side flap pocket. It costs about $50 with no sales, coupons or promotions.

Relic Wallet
Relic Wallet

Relic Wallet

This Relic wallet is one of my favorite things because it holds all of my stuff, but isn’t too bulky or cumbersome. The color is a textured brown/gray so it goes with just about anything. I like that is has a quick access pocket on the inside (so you don’t have to unzip the whole thing) to store essentials like a debit card, driver’s license and cash. I got it at Kohl’s and it was on clearance for about $12 or so.

What about you? Tell me what some of your favorite things are right now. Is there anything you can’t live without that I must know about? Have you teried any of these products?

Until the next mile marker,

 

 

My Favortie Things: The Hunger Games Edition

Remember when this used to be a blog about running? Yeah, me too. But, part of what makes runners so special is that we are multifaceted, interesting, over-involved, over-committed, dedicated, inspirational, multi-talented individuals, right? Right!
Which explains why the last week and a half of my entire life has been consumed with reading The Hunger Games trilogy, right? Right. 
Let me back up. My sister suckered me into reading the series on Easter weekend. Yes, my family and I went to see The Hunger Games on the day we also celebrated the Lord’s Resurrection. Is that bad? There were other people in the theater! Actually, it is the first time I have ever gone to a movie on Easter, but then again, no holidays are the same anymore, anyway so maybe it will be the start of a new and interesting tradition. I’m not opposed to change (Okay, I really am, but you get the idea…). As you may recall, I am not a movie person and can be highly critical of them. There are only a few I like, and I rarely go to see them. I am one of those people who would “rather read the book.” 
MOVING ON… we watched the movie, and I do have to admit I liked it all except for the ending, which in my opinion, cuts off abruptly. I had to remind myself that it is a trilogy and therefore, there really was more to the story.
Let me back up even more. The last time I got sucked into a book craze obsession I’ll-read-it-because-everyone-else-is was when my sister convinced me to read Twilight. As you may also recall, I am a bit of a literary snob nerd, who generally does not like or appreciate modern fictional novels. Not that there aren’t great writers and authors out there today, I just prefer the classics. Okay, nothing compares to Wuthering Heights, and the fact that I am mildly overly obsessed with that book is beside the point. ANYWAY, I liked the story of Twilight well enough that I made my husband drive me to Wal-Mart (of all places) at 2:00 a.m. to get Breaking Dawn because I hadto know what happened. Much beyond that, I was disappointed with the actual writing and over-simplicity and juvenility of some things. [Please note: If you are a Twilight/Stephenie Meyer fan, I am not trying to be overly critical or spark an endless debate, this is just my opinion]. 
I bought The Hunger Games on the Monday after Easter.  I was prepared to be disappointed as usual.  

 I devoured it. I did not complain to my husband about one single thing in the book, the way it was written or that there were “too many mistakes” – grammatical or otherwise. He promptly thought something awful normal had happened to my brain. His exact words were, “I thought maybe you got tired of being a genius or something.”
I bought Catching Firethree days later.
This was the text I sent my sister (And no, Michael was not fast enough to pick it up):
I devoured it.
I bought Mockingjaya few days after that (Yes, I really went out three separate times to get all three books. I never did claim to be normal to begin with). 

I devoured it last night. I was awake until 2:00 a.m. reading. That never happens. I could not sleep because it was so wonderful and exciting and heart-breaking and beautiful and genius and everything that I was literally up until a little after 4:00 a.m. thinking about it all. Is that weird? At least my sister doesn’t think so:

Yes, I am sleepy, but I am giddy thinking about the book. That never happens. Something apparently is very wrong with me!

All I can say is if you like to read READ THE HUNGER GAMES. Even if you think you will be disappointed, you won’t. Even if you think it is too juvenile, it is not. Even if you don’t have time, it doesn’t matter, you will stay up all night reading too.

It is absolutely terrifying to read. I also believe says a lot about our society and the direction it is headed today. It says a lot about people (the inherent goodness and evil in them) and what has happened to humanity over the years. It says a lot about relationships, hopes, dreams, fears, etc. etc. etc. I could go on and on and on and on. I could tell you the whole story right here, right now, but you wouldn’t believe me if I did.  

READ THE HUNGER GAMES.

Then, after you do, come back so we can talk about it again and again and again.

 Until the next mile marker,

In Case You Missed It:

Do you ever feel like you are constantly searching for the perfect foot support? Whether it is shoes, inserts, or compression-wear – do you feel like you have tried it all and still can’t find the right combination of products for yourfoot? Are you tired of generic insoles that are made for millions, but still don’t do anything for your arches? Enter my current giveaway to win The 2 oz. Miracle Custom Molding Insole by ProFoot. The giveaway will run through midnight on Tuesday, May 01. I will randomly select a winner and announce it here on Wednesday, May 02.

My Favorite Things: The Mini & Pink Edition

It’s been awhile since I have done a favorite things post. And since I am not running right now, I figured it would be a good time to tell you all about the little things that make me smile. 🙂

I’m pretty much addicted to office supplies and I can spend hours in an office supply store. I like to be organized in my work, blogging, projects, reporting, etc. If I ever do have a home-based business, setting up my office and organizing all of my supplies would be the highlight of getting things off the ground. I like pens, notebooks, paper and file folders. I like every piece of paper to have it’s own unique spot. I like labeling things. I like making lists, keeping journals and recording everything. I keep several different journals detailing running, workouts, food, ideas and goals. I almost always carry at least one notebook with me at all times, plus a notepad and a variety of colored pens or markers.

And without further ado, here are some of my current favorite things!

# 1 Staples 1-inch 5 1/2 “ x 8 1/2 “ Three Ring Binder


I use it to organize all of my Pace Per Mile information including upcoming race reports, contact information and future race details. I like this notebook because it is small – smaller than a sheet of standard computer paper. It can fit in my purse (I carry a big one), laptop bag or tote. It’s also durable and stylish. I have dropped it many times without it becoming damaged. There are a variety of colors available too – I like the purple! I also like this product because it is customizable and everything you need for a standard-sized binder, you can also find for this one. I found a hole punch (for only $4.99!), folders, sheet protectors and write-on tabs:



#2 Staples Arc Customizable Binder System


ARC

Oh. My. Gosh. Confession time, I buy four three two more than one planner a year because I can never decide on which one I like. They either don’t have something I wish they did or too much stuff that I don’t need. This year, I made an effort to switch to “digital” and use my calendar on my iPhone and computer, but that isn’t working out. I need to write things down, make lists and notes of things I have to remember and jot down things in a hurry. Not to mention, how exactly do you schedule an appointment on your phone, while you are on your phone? Enter the arc system by Staples. I first hear about it from another blog and then decided to check it out myself – I think my planner search is finally over!

What I love about this system is that it is completely customizable. Right down to the ring size. I am using the 1 1/2” rings, which hold about 500 pages. The rings are not like a three-ring binder. The pages just slide on and off. At first I was hesitant, but really like it, plus, it looks cool with the awesome pink cover. The arc comes in a standard notebook size and a smaller size, which I have. The leather cover (which comes in several fun colors) was only $14.99! You can add your own accessories to make it as big or as small as you need to. I added a dividers with a (pre-dated) 2012 Calendar (both monthly and weekly views), business card holder, project planning pages, To-Do lists and a notes section:



#3 HP Mini


This was a Christmas present from my Dad. It’s perfect for blogging, Facebooking and Word Processing. It’s really lightweight and can go just about anywhere. I have a mini laptop-bag for it to keep it protected on the go too. Even my [wireless] mouse and flash drive are mini and pink:



# 4 Vera Bradley Business Card Case

This was a gift from my Mom. She gave it to me after one of my half marathons. To me, it is perfectly pretty. It is not too big and bulky and I love the pattern. I think it is called “Love You.”




# 5 Mini Notebooks

Another Staples find and perfect for on the go or to put in your pocket. The pages are lined:

So, my entire blogging, writing, reporting “office” can be condensed down to this little, pink pile:

# 6: Mini Basket and Mini Towel


These were in my Easter Basket from my mother-in-law. The basket has entirely endless possibilities. I will probably use it to hold binder or paper clips, post-its or jewelry. The towel is just cute!

# 7 Sephora Bronze Beauty Lip Gloss, Hair Brush and Mini Clip


Pink and pretty…what can I say?! ; ) I really love the Sephora lip gloss. It is just a hint of color and shine. I’ve been wearing it everyday because it goes with everything, but doesn’t overdo it.



# 8 and # 9: And of course, who wouldn’t have these two pups as favorites?

Tell me, what are some of your favorite things right now? Are any the same as mine?

Until the next mile marker,