Celebrate the Earth!

Posted in Cool Events, Places, & Spaces, For The Cause by

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With Earth Day being held annually on April 22, many individuals and organizations like to dedicate a week on educating and bringing awareness to environmental protection. I try to be as green as I can. I recycle plastic bottles, cans, and I’ve even purchased a few recyclable, grocery totes to use when I go shopping. I’m that crazy lady that will call you out if i see you littering too! I wouldn’t mind planting a tree or even starting my very own garden, but there are other simple ways to get involved.

Here are 8 Unique Ways to Go Green This Earth Day (and Beyond) ~ via The Buzz Bin

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

1. Dryer lint? That’s for the birds. No, seriously. Rather than throwing away your dryer lint, put it in the backyard for the birds – they use it to feather their nests. (Source: SheKnows)

2. It’s not re-gifting if you’re turning it into something even more awesome! Upcycling is a fabulous new trend which put simply means to “create new things with the stuff you already have”

Transportation

3. Nonstop flights = a good time for everyone. Unless you’re a huge fan of the widely dreaded take-off and landing, or you get a rush from spending hours upon hours at airports, you’re probably pretty into nonstop flights. Good news – not only are they more convenient, they’re more sustainable. Take-off, landing and ground operations add a significant amount of emissions to a trip.

4. OK, so carpooling isn’t exactly a new concept… But, it’s ever-important. Did you know that carpooling just two days a week reduces CO2 emissions by 1,590 pounds a year? Just TWO days per week = 1,590 lbs. saved. Talk to your colleagues who live near you to set up a carpooling system. (Source: One Block Off the Grid)

Energy Efficiency

5. The best things cookies come to those who wait. You know that feeling when your delicious chocolate chip cookies are taking what feels like an eternity to bake? Resist the urge to open the oven door to sneak a peek – every time you do, the temperature drops 25° F and requires additional energy to get back to baking. As it turns out, there’s an oven light for a reason. (Source: We Energies)

Food & Beverage

6. Kill two Earth-polluting birds with one stone. No, don’t actually kill birds. Step 1: start your own backyard compost. Step 2: grow your own produce in your new compost garden. Do this and you’re not only eliminating waste by finding a new use for easily decomposable trash, but you’re significantly decreasing the distance between your food and your table. This makes Mother Earth (and maybe birds) smile. (Source: SheKnows)

7. It’s 5:00 (am) somewhere. In order to better conserve, water your plants first thing in the morning. Mornings tend to be cooler and without strong winds, decreasing the amount of water lost to evaporation. It’s not technically a human beverage tip, but your plants will appreciate having more to drink. (Source: The Daily Green)

Green Competition

8. Who says it’s not easy being green? (Sorry, Kermit.) Get your company excited about Earth Day by inspiring some healthy green competition.

Find the full post here.

Earthday.org has ways to join the movement!

  • Become a Climate Report
  • Protect Our Clean Air
  • Recycle Your E-waste

Visit here to find out how to take action and make a pledge. If you want to know more about the history of Earth Day, visit here.

As much as this phrase has run its course…I couldn’t resist!

Keep Calm and Go GREEN!

Photo: Source

Run For Boston

Posted in For The Cause, Running by

runnersunite

Yesterday, I was so excited to post about the Boston Marathon and how exciting it was seeing thousands and thousands of runners from around the world be a part of one of the most historic races in the world! I mean, this is a HUGE event in the running community, one I can only hope to be a part of one day. My husband and I were running errands and we were so excited about watching the race, we even brought the iPad along and cheered the runners on. This is an event that so many dedicate and train part of the year for. Yes, even rest days are training days.

All of that changed when this joyous event turned into tragedy. Explosions near the finish line claimed the lives of three people and seriously, and even critically, harmed many others. This day will forever be etched in our minds and hearts.

I, along with runners around the world will be supporting and running in honor of those who participated in the Boston marathon, those who were affected, and even lost lives.

Run Chat has a way for us all to unite:

On Tuesday and throughout the week, let’s show the world how strong the running community is. Now is the time to unite and stand as one.

When you head out for a run, wear a race shirt. If you can dress casually to work or have the day off, wear a race shirt.

If you don’t have a race shirt or if you have to dress up for work, show your unity with the Boston Marathon colors of blue and yellow.

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I will also be joining my Black Girls RUN! running group by participating in a Boston Marathon virtual race:

Starting Tuesday, April 16, 2013 through Friday, April 19, 2013, Black Girls RUN! Nation is hosting the Black Girls RUN! for Boston Virtual 26.2. We encourage everyone to go run/walk  26.2 minutes OR 2.62 miles OR 26.2 miles over the next three days for #BGR4Boston, in support of those who lost their lives, trained and sacrificed for one of the most esteemed races in the world.

Three days, Three Distances to honor our friends, our family, our running community.

You can also visit Run Junkees on Facebook and join their event and print off a “Runners United To Remember” bib (seen above) to wear on your virtual run.

There are ways to help and encourage, but be aware of scams. Visit the American Red Cross for information or to donate and here for ways to support.  My heart and prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

Guiltless Strawberry Coco-Mango Ice Cream | NutriBullet

Posted in Eat Clean, Healthy Eats, Juicing & Smoothies, Recipes, Weight Watchers by

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It gets no better than this!!! GUILTLESS ice cream with real fruit pieces! I’m so excited that I discovered this using my NutriBullet! It’s so easy to make and deliciously, guilt-free! This a great, cool treat for Spring and Summer.

Strawberry Coco-Mango Ice Cream

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup of frozen strawberries
  • 1/2 cup of frozen mango
  • 1/2 cup of pure coconut milk
  • 1 tsp of organic agave nectar

Directions:

Pulse NutriBullet until desired consistency. If it’s too thick, you may have to add a little more coconut milk OR stop NutriBullet and tap the serving cup and resume blending. Serve.

Yields approximately 2 servings, unless you want to keep it all for yourself. If so, go right ahead…no one is judging! Double the recipe if you are sharing. Sharing is caring. Also, if it’s not to your desired sweetness, add a little more agave nectar. Just know, a little goes a long way! :)

Some of you may say, “That’s not ice cream!” Well it is to me!  I love store-bought ice cream, but let’s face it, I’m pretty sure this is a lot healthier than many of the store brands. Not knockin’ em’, but what a great way to get a few servings of fruit and still enjoy a healthy snack! Not sure if this will work in other blenders, but it’s worth a try.

Enjoy!

Hello April…Birthday Countdown!

Posted in Celebrations, Cool Events, Places, & Spaces, Holidays, Team Fitness by

itsmybirthdaymonth

I’m so excited because April is here and it’s my Birthday month! Whoot Whoot! The weather is starting to warm up and that’s something to be excited about! I have something exciting planned (well at least to me), but I’ll tell you more about that later. I really didn’t want anything for my birthday, but of course I made a birthday wish list! *wink* I was laughing as I was putting my list together. Everything and I mean everything was health/fitness related. These are things I’m for real-for real excited about! Wait, I did get one non-fitness/health related gift, but it was a must! Let me start off by saying, I kind of already got one of the gifts. Okay, okay…I didn’t “kind of”…I actually did!

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Polar Sports Watch and Chest Strap — Love this watch! It syncs to my heart rate monitor (chest strap - seen below) to tell me skinny on my workout progress.

My Birthday Wish List!

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Yes, that’s a fanny pack! I’m an 80′s Baby and a Vintage Lover…what can I say!

I added a NutriBullet which I bought a few weeks ago that I absolutely LOVE! I also bought new running shoes (and a few pair of pants) prior to my Half-Marathon back in February, but you can never have enough running shoes or pants right?! And I mean…who doesn’t want kettle bells? I’m thinking they will all come by way of a big, PINK bow!

No seriously, I’m just happy to see another birthday and when you get to the tender age of…(yeah) the simplest things make you happy! Just living, breathing, and being in good health is more than enough for me!  So gifts or not, I’m going to have the Happiest Birthday Ever!!!

 

Guiltless Dark Chocolate Black Bean Brownies

Posted in Foodie Fun, Healthy Eats, Recipes by

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My guiltless, Black Bean Brownies made a comeback! I decided to try them with Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownie mix this time. They were SO GOOD! I even made me a sundae with natural vanilla ice cream, two shots of whipped cream, a little chocolate sauce, and pecans! Yes, even I indulge every now and then. That makes the journey worthwhile!

All You Need:

  • 1 Box of Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge brownie mix (Family Size – 13×9)
  • 1 Can of Black Beans (15 oz) –I used reduced sodium

Directions:

Open can of beans, drain, and rinse well. Place beans back in the can and fill the can with water. Pour beans and water in blender and mix until smooth. Mix puréed beans with brownie package mix. DO NOT add eggs or oil. Spray [13x9] baking dish with cooking spray. Cook brownies according to directions. Cool and serve.

This recipe is so simple. No egg. No oil. It’s a great sweet treat, especially when you have a craving for brownies like these! I admit, a lot of people were skeptical about black beans mixed with brownie mix — however, after one bite, everyone  loved them!

If you try them, let me know what you think! :)

NutriBullet – A Great Healthy Investment!

Posted in Eat Clean, Juicing & Smoothies by

nutriwhI’m super excited about my new purchase, the NutriBullet! Okay…I’ve had my eye on the NutriBullet for some time now. I’ve been contemplating whether or not I should get it, being that I have a Juicer and a Blender (my blender is knockin’ on 7 years old btw). Well, I read tons of reviews and even watched quite a few YT videos on the differences between NutriBullet vs. Vitamix, Ninja, various juicers and blenders etc. I’ve heard nothing but great things about it. I decided to purchase it, because this is an investment into my health!

I gave it a spin (pun intended) yesterday afternoon and let me just say, it is SUPER awesome! I didn’t think it could get any easier than this. I also made a tasty green smoothie this morning for breakfast! Here are the things I really love about it:

  • Blends so smooth! Smoothies are just that — Smooth. When making smoothies, although my Cuisinart blender has great blending capabilities, it didn’t blend quite as smooth as I would have liked. I’ll still be using my old one for other things.
  • Juicing — even when using it to juice, it was super smooth. Hardly any pulp at all. Yes, it gets down to the nitty-gritty, while still keeping all of the key nutrients.
  • The Milling Blade — this helps you grind grains, herbs, fresh nuts, and make powders. This should be fun!
  • The NutriBullet allows you to keep all the good stuff. With juicing, you are removing the good fiber by removing the skin. Plus, a juicer doesn’t allow me to add nuts, grains, and herbs that aid in other great superfood health benefits.
  • Clean up is so easy. You literally just take the screw cap off, clean/rinse, and you’re done.
  • The different size cups are awesome. You can take them on the go and they have handles — or you can save your nutritious smoothie/juice for later with stay-fresh, resealable lids.
  • It doesn’t take up a lot of counter space like bulky blenders.

These are just a few things I like about it so far. I look forward to trying some of the NutriBlast recipes too! I will definitely come back on a later date and tell you how my experience is going. I’m just going to say this is a “Happy Early Birthday To Meeee” present, an investment into a happier, healthier me! You can find the NutriBullet in many retail stores like Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Target, and Macy’s just to name a few or online. To learn more about the NutriBullet, visit here.

Happy Monday!!!