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April 2017

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A Humbling Barre Class Return + Run As One 4 Miles Race Recap

by Nellie

Happy Friday friends!!

Run As One 4M

In a quest to keep a steady training schedule for the AirBNB Brooklyn Half Marathon, I have been doing a really good job of keeping up with my long runs. I mention this because it’s been a REALLY long time since I’ve properly rained for a race. In general things have been so crazy that I really need to take the time and celebrate long runs because there are literally a million things that could be happening but I chose me instead.

Sunday I raced the Run As One 4M which benefits efforts towards fighting lung cancer. It was my very first time running this race PLUS it gave me an excuse to run in the stunning Central Park in Spring. I swear she just shows off every single April.

I was in a weird headspace when I started to run (totally my fault though, I was listening to a certain podcast–stay tuned for more of that on Monday). I also arrived late which was terrible because I didn’t have any time to go to the potty! Thankfully we started near the boathouse so I could use a regular bathroom along the route and not have to face the inside of a port o potty.

The race was good, really good. It’s probably the best race I’ve had in awhile–everything just felt … right.

I extended the run and took full advantage of a stunning day in Central Park and I ran an additional 5 miles for training. I felt good throughout and kept a consistent pace. Just over 3 weeks left till race day!

Barre wake up call

Remember when I took my first barre class and had so much fun? Remember when I realized that I loved it despite how hard it was? I think “smitten” was the word I used.

What was I thinking?!

Apparently the class I took was some sort of intro to barre. The class I told on Monday (literally the day after the 9 miler) was next level crazy. I realized right away that I wasn’t in Kansas anymore and I was now taking a REAL barre class.

It was hard. Everything ached. My amazing instructor (bless her heart) came to adjust me MANY times. I may or may not have cussed her out silently. But who knows. It was hard. But I made it through and felt SO accomplished afterwards. Yes. Will I go back? Probably.

I had a few more fun workouts this week but they deserve individual posts. Stay tuned!!

A Barre Class Return--Was it as good as the first time? Plus a #RunAsOne4M Recap! Click to Tweet

Have you ever run in Central Park in the Spring? Are you a fan of barre? What are your fitness plans for the weekend?!

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eating cleanRecipes

7 Easy Recipes That Will Add More Protein To Your Diet

by Nellie

This post is sponsored by Premier Protein.

It really wasn’t until I became a Premier Protein Ambassador did I realize how many ways you can incorporate protein into your diet. There are a lot of foods that we eat on a regular basis that are fun to eat but are actually far from filling and we end up hungry really quickly.

To stay on top of those hunger pangs, it is a really good idea to incorporate more protein into your diet, from breakfast, snack to even dinner dishes. This is actually way easier than you think. I used to be one of those people that thought the only place you add protein was smoothies–Then my mind was opened and I began to rethink the way I use protein and where I could add it!

Here are 7 Recipes from the Premier Protein website that are relatively simple and delish!

  1. Blueberry Muffins: Who knew that you could add protein to muffins?! This super light recipe uses applesauce and greek yogurt to to healthify the typical muffin recipe.
  2. Apple Pie A La Mode: Okay so this isn’t exactly what you think about when it comes to this classic dessert but the taste comes pretty close! The recipe calls for 4 simple ingredients and you can get the yummy taste of apple pie a la mode without all the calories! Pretty clever if you ask me!
  3. Vivacious Vanilla Bar: This recipe is perfect for when you get the midday munchies. It is full of dates, almonds and peanut butter which is the perfect sweet treat for that sweet tooth!
  4. Bikini Body Banana Bread: Who doesn’t love a delish banana bread? This recipe is full of all the good stuff including 2 scoops of the Premier Protein Chocolate Protein Powder to kick it up a notch and make it way more filling than regular banana bread.
  5. Flavorful Flan: My husband’s absolute favorite dessert is FLAN! I have never attempted to try this latin dish even with all my baking skill–but this recipe seems easy enough with only 4 ingredients, plus protein  that is added from the Premier Protein Vanilla Shake.
  6. Overnight Chocolate Peanut Butter Oats: This one is perfect for the mom on the go that is sick of buying fast food in the morning and just wants to start off the day right!
  7. Protein Pancakes: I am a huge fan of pancakes but I know all too well how unfulfilled I can feel afterwards. This pancake recipe incorporates the Premier Protein Vanilla Shake for a quick protein boost!
Here are 7 easy recipes that gets more protein in your diet! Click to Tweet

Do you consciously try to add more protein to your diet? Which recipe are you most likely to try?

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fitness gearrunning

Workouts for Common Runner Injuries

by Nellie

When I was in the 4th grade, I used to walk about a block away from home to catch the bus. (This was back in the day–and it was totally okay to walk a block away from home without any worry from your parents) Our bus was unpredictable — sometimes it was super early, some days it was super late, and some days it didn’t show up.

To pass the time while we waited for the bus, one of the girls would pack a jump rope and we’d jump double dutch every single day without fail. We’d teach each other new tricks and pretty much just have a great time.

One day it was raining, we didn’t care, we jumped anyway (I was a smart fourth grader, really I was). I slipped on a wet spot and sprained my ankle pretty severely. To this day, 25 years late, my ankle has never been right. If I run too long, or even if the weather is off (I swear my ankle has a memory and it remembers whenever it gets even a little bit wet outside!) I feel twinges of pain.

Here are a few exercises that are great for a sprained ankle (I am NOT a doctor but these are really helpful for ME):

  1. These upper body workouts! This is a really good excuse to get buff arms! 🙂
  2. Calf Raises: These should be done as long as you are able to put weight on the ankle

Range of motion exercises from WebMD:

  • Trace the alphabet with your toe, which encourages ankle movement in all directions. Trace the alphabet 1 to 3 times.
  • Sit in a chair with your foot flat on the floor. Slowly move your knee side to side while keeping your foot pressed flat. Continue for 2 to 3 minutes.

Runner Bloggers share exercise solutions for some of the most common #runner injuries! Click to Tweet

Workouts For Injuries

I am teaming up with my amazing runner blogger friends to talk about a HOST of other exercises to do for some of the most common runner injuries.

Laura @ This Runner’s Recipes

Angela @ Happy Fit Mama

Sarah @ Run Far Girl

Allie @ VITA Train 4 Life

Carly @ Fine Fit Day

We've got workouts for your most common runner injuries! @CarlyPizzani @RunfarGirl @HappyFitMama @VITATrain4Life Click to Tweet

Have you ever had a run injury? Do you remember any silly decisions from your childhood?

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brothersNYC Fitness Classes

Trap Aerobics Class + A Birthday Party Disaster

by Nellie

Happy Monday Friends!

The weekend was quite the interesting one. It’s that weird time in NYC where you can find a huge range of outerwear on the trains. There are literally people who wear nothing but short sleeves to people who are still wearing bubble jackets (at the end of April–these people make me sweat just looking at them). The weather is like mid 50s-60s but as cool as it is in the morning, it can be unreasonably hot in the middle of the day, then in the evening you wonder why on earth you thought a light jacket was enough. Saturday was one of those days.

Trap Aerobics

Saturday morning my hubby let me sleep in till 8am (#winning) and I was able to take the train into the city and take a fun class in Greenwich Village. The ladies of Grillz and Granola hold a fun class weekly called “Trap Aerobics“. In case you are wondering what trap is….let’s just say the class is based on hardcore rap music.

 

It was the fitness blogger edition of the class, so we came ready to WERK. A lot of the music has a low BPM (beats per minute) so I was crazy impressed with all of the really fun choreography that we were taught. We did everything from dabbing to squatting to even milly rocking (which is literally my favorite thing to do in general–I milly rock on any block)

It was so much fun! We were all pouring sweat at the end and it was a really satisfying workout. We got our swag bag including these really fun water bottles from sponsor Healthy Human!

I even took a fun boomerang with the awesome owners who had t-shirts that said “Mental Health. Mountain Climbers. Migos.” Totally Approps.

Brunch

My brother from another mother Dre, was in town for a few days so I was so excited to grab a quick brunch with him at my favorite diner in NYC, Moonstruck. We chatted, ate good food and of course there happened to be a major parade happening right outside the diner. NYC is just always so crazy!

Birthday Disaster

My mom asked me to take the kids to a birthday party for one of her day care kids. She asked me to go and I reluctantly said okay–I mean–I like hanging out at home on Saturday nights and it had been a while since I had done so.

However, when I got there I quickly realized that this party was NOT for a 2 year old…it was more for the adults. Lots of alcohol, really insanely loud inappropriate music and  barely any kids. I ended up leaving within the hour because my kids were hungry, the birthday girl still hadn’t arrived and it was a task trying to keep the kids from going crazy.

Epic fail.

How was your weekend? Do you listen to trap music? What is the worst kids birthday party you have ever been to?

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blog talkfriendsfungetting socialUncategorized

Swedish Massages, Award Nominations + Unicorn Shenanigans

by Nellie

It should be required law in the United States of America that mothers HAVE to take time for themselves. At least once a month, moms are required to do something special to benefit their peace of mind. Let’s be honest. We deserve it!!

Body By Brooklyn

Clinton Hill is one of those areas of Brooklyn that is insanely hard for me to get to. I have to take THREE trains to get there. (this is what I get for living on the southern tip of the borough!) however, it is completely worth every second of the travel. Body By Brooklyn is the most calming oasis that gives the most awesome and amazing massages a girl can ask for.

In addition to the massage, you can jump in one of the many saunas and jacuzzi. Or just sit by the fireplace and read a book. As you can tell, this place makes me happy.

I got a Swedish massage and the first thing he asked was where my problem areas were. I automatically thought of the 5 miles I ran that morning and said my quads. Upon further investigation however I was tense pretty much everywhere. All the kinks were literally pressed out of me and just like that I felt like a new person! I need to do this every six weeks. I just need to make a standing appt.

Award Nominated Blog

Next month I’ll be speaking on a panel at the Mom 2.0 Summit in Orlando. I’m crazy excited to chat about how I transitioned my knowledge of blogging into a business. If that isn’t enough, I am nominated for an award for Most Engaging Content. I am over the moon with excitement just to be nominated especially because the ladies in my category are incredible!!

Now to find a dress…

Unicorn Shenanigans

So you might have heard of a not so known unicorn drink that Starbucks unveiled a few days ago. My initial reaction was in the following order.

  1. Wow that is so pretty. Imagine how that would look on the ‘gram!
  2. Wait–how many colors?
  3. Where does the coffee go?
  4. None of this is natural. I’m scared.

I opened up a harmless conversation on the topic on my personal Facebook page. We dissected the drink, nutritional contents etc. done.

The next day however, people were mad.

“THE INTERNET WON’T JUDGE ME AND MY FOOD CHOICES.”

“WHY CAN’T PEOPLE EAT WHAT THEY WANT?!”

“STOP JUDGING MEEEEEEE, LOOK AT ME, I’M DRINKING 18 UNICORN FRAPS AT THE SAME TIMMME JUDGE MEEE!!” (this one really happened)

“WHY DON’T YOU TALK ABOUT {INSERT HOT BUTTON TOPIC HERE} THE WAY YOU TALK ABOUT THIS DRINK?! (because remember, we NOT allowed to be outraged over the minor things and the major things all at the same time)

I find this particularly interesting on so many levels. It’s so insane how far we will go to defend food. It’s food. Just like the legendary Sean Carter said: What you eat don’t make me….poop. I promise if I see you on the street with a unicorn frap I won’t run up on you and scream hysterically “END THE UNICORN” and slap the drink out of your hand. Blue, Pink, White stuff all over both of our shoes. I promise I won’t.

The part that made me happy was that most are looking at the facts before ingesting the latest social media sensation. For the first time in a long time nutrition labels are being circulated openly and freely–for a long time we operated under such a don’t ask don’t tell policy when it came to food–this was a step in the right direction.

I’m pretty sure my reaction was deeply steeped in my recent research of artificial dyes and what they do to your body–to our kids bodies. It goes way beyond the sugar content (which rivals three snicker bars?!) but it’s really about the stuff that makes me question if it really is okay.

Here it is: if you want one get one! I’m not going to tell you what to drink. Spend your $5 and go to town. However, one thing you will NOT do is tell me how to feel about it. Just because someone brings up facts about a drink does not mean it’s a personal attack on what you do with your body. Are we allowed to disagree or nah? I am hardly the food police but again, I think I was predisposed to question the coloring because of my extensive research on dyes and artificial flavors.

Drink up, friends.

Swedish Massages, Award Nominations + Unicorn Shenanigans Click to Tweet

When is the last time you got a good massage? Are you attending Mom 2.0? What do you think of the unicorn shenanigans?

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