runnin' {in my best forest gump}

Today's post is inspired by Amanda's "Runner's Tell All" monthly link-up.  Today's topic is My Running Story in 250 Words.  For more information go here for the monthly topics and possible sponsorship opportunities. 

Me with my first race number. 

My running story begins like most love stories, girl meets boy. 

 Boy is a runner, Girl is not.  Girl wants to lose those extra few pounds she gained in college, Boy suggests running.  

I was once told that if I wanted to get in good running shape, I would have to run fast.  This idea lead to my strong dislike for the sport so I never considered it as an option.  Boy convinced me the opposite was true so I started from the very beginning; running for a minute or 2 then walking a minute or 2. So on and so on.  As I noticed the lbs coming off and how good it made me feel, I decided to tackle my first race, a 5k.  I was just happy to not finish in last place.  

Thanks to the runner's high from the 5k, I decided to train for a half marathon - Chicago in 2008.  I spent that Summer training and surprising myself I actually enjoyed running.  Boy and I completed the half marathon together.  I was ecstatic even though I could barely walk for the next few days. 

I completed another half marathon and a handful of 5ks over the last 6 years.  While Boy and my relationship has remained strong, unfortunately the same cannot be said for Running and me.  However, I am beginning to rebuild that relationship again.  Slowly but surely.

Are you a runner?

How did get you started?

What is the longest distance you have ever ran?

and because this song never gets old... 

Linking up with Amanda and Whitney today!

until next time

April recap, goals + Capturing My Moments {a possible link-up?}

If you are sick of this, sorry? If not, you're welcome. 

But I have to admit, I didn't get it until I sang this song in my head. 

Anyway, Happy May! 

I know I am not alone in thinking "wow where did April go?" 

But I am ready for Cinco de Mayo May and more consistent warm weather. 

To recap this month: 

*This country experienced a lot of sadness.  But it does all of us good to remember, in the face of tragedy, that good and love always prevails. 

*Shared some pretty good tunes, if I don't say so myself, here and here. 

*I also shared some goals I had for this month. I accepted this girl's challenge to complete 50 miles in 30 days.  And since that didn't seem like enough, I decided to try the Squat Challenge the House of Glass shared.

As for those goals, I completed a total of 50.54 miles.  I did not run them all as I had originally intended but do plan on continuing this.  However, this time I hope to run 30 of the 50 and/or walk 20.  We shall see.

As for the squats, I did pretty good but did not complete the entire challenge.  The most I did was 220 squats.  While I am a little disappointed with myself for not doing it every day, I am proud to say that I didn't just quit but continued it anyway.  And I definitely hope to continue this one as well.

Way back in January, I started out the new year with 5 goals and even though I haven't shared them consistently like I was hoping, I am pretty happy to report that I am doing pretty good.  The husband and I are saving, I have taken one photo everyday since I started in Dec (I have just put off sharing because we need to get a new hard drive because our current one is out of space.  Who runs out of a terabyte of space?  This girl. #photographerproblems), and I have been relatively healthy

So this month, my goals are:
 *to be healthy and continue to only allow myself to have 15-20 grams of a sugar a day.  If I want to actually see the results from all these squats and all the sit-ups I plan on doing, sugar has to be cut back.  Ain't gonna happen otherwise.  So far it hasn't been as hard as one would think.  I also want to give this a go plus some ab work, in addition to the squat challenge and 50 miles in 30 days.. My upper body is weak as hell and have absolutely no definition in my arms.  Besides, how bad ass would be it to be able to say I can 100+  push-ups?
*Blog more often.  At least 3 days a week but hopefully more.  I would also like to start to figure out where I fit in in this blogging world.  Currently, I guess I'd say this is a lifestyle blog but I am not sure how I feel about that category.  Hopefully I'll find my voice.  I am still really enjoying it though:)
*Continue to save save save saaaaave.  If we have been able to save as much as we have in as short of time as we have without having to cut back as much as I thought we would, this whole savings business isn't so bad.
*Be better about spreading the word of my Instagram hashtag #capturingmymoments project.  I love what I have seen so far and so grateful to those who have shared from the beginning but I would really like to see this grow.  Any advice would be great!  I am not much of a sales minded person so I am really at a loss. I would really love this to be a possible link-up.

So with that, here are a few of my favorite April moments:  

@acornphotography

How I look after realizing I locked myself out of my car in the cold after a 3 mile run. 

@diesel_girl_18

"Clearwater Beach"

{How many of you are dreaming of your toes in the sand, sun shining, and the sound of the water crashing the shore?}

@ctomana

"Strike a pose"

{Stella showing off her best side:)}

@jennycorn11

"The gangs all here..."

{Looks like a fun night with great friends}

@bzlaforte

{This looks delicious!}

@mbbrantley
{Converse American Flag}

@bustinjustin1986

"Getting his belly rubbed"

{How happy does this pup looks?}

@kkh825

{Beautiful family on a gorgeous Spring afternoon.}

Thanks to everyone who continues to participate in my little project:)  It is appreciated more than you know!
And to those of you are new, welcome and thanks!

I am liking what I am seeing so far from May!
I hope this is a good predictor of what is to come:)

 

Kale Salad w Avocado & Hazelnuts

For those of you who know us, Chris (my husband) and I have always (well since we have both known each other) been interested in nutrition and healthy eating.  And for those of you who know Chris, the word "moderation" does not exist in his vocabulary.  When he does anything he has to give it 110%.  For him, there is no taking baby steps to accomplish anything.  He goes through what I have come to call "phases."  It is one of the qualities I do admire and love about him though.  To give you one example:  We both started taking Vitamins recently.  One of the vitamins we were taking consistently were Vitamin D.  As with the other vitamins we were taking them every day.  All of a sudden Chris started to feel dizzy after his work lunch-break walks.  Turning to Google, he discovered too much Vitamin D can make you dizzy.  See?  No moderation.  Silly boy!

Anyway, Chris' new "phase" is eating a gluten-free diet.  Ever since I have known him he has complained of feeling "foggy brained" (at least that is his excuse for not listening to me when I ask him to do anything).  He is not one to turn to medications for a quick fix to any of his problems but will change his diet instead.  Insert gluten-free diet.  Consequently, he purchased Primal Blueprint: Quick & Easy Meals by Mark Sisson & Jennifer Meier for gluten-free recipes.

One of the first recipes we tried was Kale Salad with Avocado and Hazelnuts.  YUMMMMMMM!  I am not sure about y'all but I get sick of eating the same thing over and over (and over) again.  This was a nice change up to my usual spinach salads.  The best part, it takes all of 15 minutes to prepare!

Ingredients include:

• Juice from half an orange (about 1/4 cup)
• Juice from half a lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1/4 cup of hazelnut oil
• 1 bunch of kale
• 2 avocados, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1/2 cup of hazelnuts, roughly chopped

(please excuse our messy table)

We went to the relatively new Giant Eagle Market District in Robinson Twp to get everything.  They did not have hazelnuts (at least not that we could find or a worker could tell us) so I used almonds instead.  Worked great though.  

Preparation:

• Whisk together the lemon and orange choice with the hazelnut oil (olive oil works just fine if you don't have hazelnut oil around).  This is your salad dressing. 
• Remove the chewy stems from the kale leaves then thinly slice the kale leaves.  
• Toss the the kale, avocados and dressing together into a bowl adding salt and pepper for taste. 
• Sprinkle hazelnuts (or almonds in my case) on top. 

...and Voila

picture really does not do it justice. 

The first time I made this I made it all at once.  Needless to say, the avocados turned brown around the 2nd day.  However, this past week I made enough for just my lunch the next day.  Instead of 2 avocados I used 1/2 of one and either saved the other half for the next day or Chris ate it.  Liked it much better that way.  The citrusy and nutty combination of the dressing was delightful.  And to be honest, I had no idea how much I loved avocados until now!  I highly recommend this for all you vegetarians out there as the nuts and avocado add a log of healthy fat and protein.  

I hope you give it a try.  If you like kale and avocados I promise you will not be disappointed.  

Happy Friday everyone!!!  

xoxo,

Alyson