Fitness Friday: The 4 Minute Mile

About a month ago, I found out about a great running movie called, 4 Minute Mile.

Ever hear of it?

It's an inspirational movie about a high school track star who struggles to stay focused when he has to deal with family problems. His resolve to achieve his dreams are within reach with the help of the right coach until a tragedy threatens to impede his goals.

I won't tell you how it ends. You'll have to watch it for yourself to find out if he can run a four minute mile.

This movie has a great message about barriers. Personal barriers. The things that hold us back from what we want to achieve. It got me thinking about the barriers in my own life. The fears. My fear of failure, judgement, the unknown, change. While I would like to think (and tell others) that I can get past my barriers, my fears, all on my own…it wouldn't be true. I have been able to chase my dreams and reach my goals because of the coaches in my life. 

On this Valentine's Day eve, I would like to say thanks to my favorite "coach", mrC. Without you, I would have never run a half marathon (let alone 12!), tried SUP, or started this blog. Thank you for all of your encouragement and for believing in me. 

Who is your COACH? 

This post is part of the Fitness Friday link up hosted by Jill

and Friday Favorites at Housewife Glamour.

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts Review + Giveaway!!

If you're like me, you might not know exactly what hemp is.

Well, it's basically a super food! It's considered super because every part of the plant can be used for something. For athletes and vegetarians/vegans, it's a super food because of the grand amount of plant-based protein packed into each serving.

Manitoba Harvest focuses on hemp foods. Since I know very little about them and I'm always on the lookout for ways to add more protein to my diet, I was eager to try a sample of Hemp Hearts as part of the Sweat Pink campaign.

Hemp Hearts are often compared to flax and chia, but I learned that they are actually quite different. Hemp Hearts have more protein than the other two (10g per 30g serving), but no fiber since the shell has been removed. All three seeds are high in Omegas, but flax and chia have more Omega-3 (sometimes viewed as more valuable) whereas hemp has more Omega-6. Right now, chia and hemp are more expensive than flax.

Recommended to be easy to use, I decided to put mine to the test.

I sprinkled some into my smoothie.

I tossed some in my salad.

I scattered some in my cheesy quinoa and tuna.

Hemp Hearts have a slightly nutty flavor (like sunflower seeds), but it's not overpowering. To be honest, I couldn't really taste it at all. That's ok with me. I'd rather enjoy the benefits of a super food than have to force myself to eat it!

Hemp Hearts can be added to cereal, soup, or eaten right out of the bag. There are a ton of yummy looking recipes on the Manitoba website. This one of the Hemp Seed Encrusted Salmon is on my recipe-to-try list. And you can print $1.00 off coupons.

You're also invited to this sweet, protein-packed, live Hangout on Air! 

I hope you are interested in trying Hemp Hearts for yourself because Manitoba Harvest is letting me GIVEAWAY a bag of Hemp Hearts to one lucky reader (US or Canada)!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you use a super food like Hemp Hearts?

This review is part of a Sweat Pink campaign.  I received product from Manitoba Harvest, but all opinions are my own.

New Tweak on Greek: Yoplait Greek 100 Whips!

This post is sponsored by Yoplait Greek 100 Whips! I earn a small compensation when you click on a link. All opinions are my own.

I like to keep things simple.

Running is simple.

After a good sweaty run, I like a simple treat.

Yoplait Greek 100 Whips! makes it easy to pick healthy snack choices after a good workout. It's perfect for dipping your favorite fresh fruits into the mousse-like texture and you can't beat 100 calories and 0% fat!

I also like to toss a Yoplait Greek 100 Whips! in my lunch bag and enjoy a nice treat before retreating back into the classroom after a 30 minute lunch break.

This new yogurt is light and fluffy, but packed with all the protein you'd expect from your Greek yogurt. There's is enough protein to help muscle recovery after a workout or satisfy your appetite until your next meal.

When I'm feeling more ambitious, I like to make gluten-free protein pancakes after a workout. Here's a fun twist on my recipe for a Valentine's Day treat you might make for your favorite person or your kiddos.

recipe makes 1 serving

Yoplait Greek 100 Whips! come in a variety of flavors to satisfy your favorite cravings. Take a look at the different flavors here. What's your favorite?

Planning to pick some up for yourself? Use this coupon for $1.00 off your purchase!

You can also use Yoplait Greek 100 Whips! to whip up some amazing treats. Find amazing recipes here.


Are you a Greek yogurt eater?
What's your favorite post-workout protein treat?

Knee Rehab Week 8: No More Intervals!

HELLO! from another very snowy day in New Hampshire.

While I love snow days, I'm actually having a love-hate relationship with the weather.

Three weeks in a row of winter storms. That makes it easy to do at home workouts, but harder to get in an easy, safe run outside. Despite the bad weather, I had a great week of running without intervals!

Tuesday - 2 miles
The plan: run 20 minutes

I was doubtful about running outside since the roads and sidewalks were still a mess, but then my PT called to see if I could come in earlier. Problem solved and I ran at home on the treadmill.

Thursday - 2 miles
The plan: run 25 minutes

The day started with an additional 5+ inches of snow falling mostly during the morning commute. My afternoon was wide open since I went to PT during my free period, but somehow I forgot that I wanted to run 25 minutes instead of 20.

Sunday - 4.4 miles
The plan: run a 5K

Too snowy for the MRTT Frozen Booty 5K run, so I hopped on the treadmill instead. I felt so good that I decided to run my new age! This was my longest post-op run.

Weekly Workouts:

Monday: PT exercises + #tightercore + FAB day 2 + hip hugger set + walk on treadmill

Tuesday: #tightercore + FAB AB day 3 + PT + run

Wednesday: #tightercore + FAB AB day 4

Thursday: PT + run + #tightercore + FAB AB day 5

Friday: #tightercore + FAB AB day 6 + PT exercises

Saturday: #tightercore + FAB AB day 7 + PT exercises + walk on treadmill

Sunday: #tightercore + FAB AB day 8 + treadmill run


My goal when I joined the #NoExcuses #TakeTheLeap challenge was to use yoga to help with my stretching routine. I'm trying to find poses that will help loosen my tight TFL. I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Here's a look at some of my poses from the week.

I post all of my daily yoga pictures on Instagram and get great feedback from experienced yogis (Thank you!), so I know moving forward that I need to make adjustments to my form.


Tell me something great about your week!
What are you working on?

What #NoExcuses Looks Like

This is what #NoExcuses looks like to me.

It's tackling that hill. It's pushing through moments that are uncomfortable. It's embracing the challenges (like knee surgery) and using them as motivation. It's making it to the finish, the top. It's never quitting.

#NoExcuses means making good food choices, too. Being snowed in by winter storms can seriously mess with my routine causing me to overeat and just eat plain junk. I'm jumping on the WIAW bandwagon today and sharing some of my recent selections.

gluten-free salmon patties

parm-crusted haddock, green beans, and rice

sausage and spinach egg muffins with PB&J rice cakes

strawberries

tootsie-pop!

What does #NoExcuses look like to you?

This post is part of the Workout Wednesday link up hosted by 

Diatta, Sheila, Amanda and Heather