Run.Chew.Sparkle

I think I'm going to start a new post, like my Fab Finds, Daily Eats, and Weekly Weigh Ins, this one will be about my current reading I'm indulging in on my Nook. I love to read. I love getting lost in the pages, characters and story lines. As much I love to read, finding time is always hard. I need to make more time, maybe instead of watching my DVR or shopping, or even being on the computer, DEFIANTLY not stopping the blogging hahaha, I should pick up my Nook. Well, that is what I plan on doing. My life is about to be so busy with the fast approaching holiday season, I need to get lost in a book to clear my mind and reduce stress. I love all kind of books, but I tend to read the bestsellers or the top books. I love anything and everything by Nicholas Sparks and I have a soft spot of romance novels and anything that relates to addiction, alcoholism and jail, probably because I have experienced it my life. Yesterday on Facebook on my news feed came a sale that was going on ...

I love Saturday's off! There is something about having a Saturday off, I mean I do the same thing on this day off that I do with any other one during the week, but saying I have Saturday off is so different. I think it is a retail thing. I get one Saturday off a month and really try hard to make it the very best and this Saturday off definitely lived up to that. Here's a bit of a recap: Got up at 5:00 am, I know crazy, the one day I can possibly sleep in, I'm getting up even before the sun. Prepared myself for my 10 mile run. Made myself a multi grain waffle with 1 tsp of Planter's NutEnergy Mix PB, a banana and a Powerbar Blend Energy Pouch. Took a water with me and then headed downtown. Had to stop at Walgreen's to grab my Zico water for post run. They sell them in single bottles, cold, and this makes me extremely happy! The Dark Chocolate one of course is my go to flavor. Made it downtown around 6:10 and started my run at 6:16. The first 4 miles were really t...

It has been a long week to say the least. Busy at work all week, early hours and worked every day including Sunday and haven't had a day off since last Wednesday. Yes, its exhausting, tiring but in the end I know all my hard work and dedication is worth it. The beginning of the week it was really laying heavy on me, the rain didn't make it any better, and I was just a pure crank monster. Crank Monster= Cranky, crazy, monster like state of mind and attitude. I came home from work and just didn't want to do, see or engage in anything. My body felt so run down. On Wednesday finally the rain cleared up and so did I with an amazing 4.28 mile run, seriously it was exactly what I needed and ever since then I have been feeling great. Got another run in last night, 3.50 miles and then tonight I got a 2.00 mile walk in because I am planning on doing my long run of 10 miles in the morning. Due to my crank monster attitude all week, I was happy to have a half day today at work and I ...

I really enjoy running outside. A lot of people ask me all the time, how the heck I run outside in Florida, its 90 plus degrees, humid, the sun is stronger then fire, bugs everywhere, little lizard like animals, oh and it is hotter then hell!!! Well the best I can say is I make it feel like I have no choice in the world, I just gotta get out there and do it. I DO NOT LIKE RUNNING ON THE TREADMILL. I loathe it, tried it a couple of times of times and it felt like I was going to die. Running outside there is so much to see, hear, paths and routes to take, people to see, the motivation of running around other people is so rewarding and fulfilling. I get it when you're in the gym it is the same thing also, but seriously running outdoors is life changing. You get a whole perspective of where you live. But the main reason I love to run outside is because the motivation I am hoping I am giving to others. I love when people honk as I'm running, or those sitting on their front porches...

Last Sunday I weighed in, which is two days earlier then what I normally do and was down .6. Hey, a half of a pound is better than nothing. This week, I knew I was going to be able to weigh in at my normal meeting schedule. I was sure I was going to have a gain or just a weird weigh in because I was weighing in at night and two days longer. When I got on the scale I had gained .6, what I had lost last week, but here is the kicker, I am okay with that because the week prior I had maintained, so I was right back where I started the month. I would rather maintain then gain anytime. Am I bummed out I am still stuck at this 1-2 roller coaster, yeah I really am, but I understand this is a journey and sometimes the best things in life take a little bit longer. My goal is to be around 145 by the Women's Half Marathon in November. I have exactly two months to get that accomplished. I am going to do it!!!! Each week is different, but one thing is the same, my drive, will and dedication to ma...

So I am sure I should have some profound post for it being my 100 post, but its late, I am tired and well tomorrow is a new day, but for my 100th post, I want to share this awesome Running Image quote I found. I love this quote and it sums up my whole life right there, and my whole dedication to running. Perfect for my 100th post, short, sweet and to the point....and tomorrow just starts 101 :0)

Disclaimer: Images with calorie content and description were copied from the press release I found on Google, pertraining to the Hidden, Secret Menu. I have heard from a bunch of different websites and even in a Hungry Girl post about Panera Bread's Hidden Menu. The menu was a marketing idea that was alerted through Facebook and main avenues of social media. The concept was they had a menu that featured items that had lean protein, veggie heavy and low carb options, which are all right up my alley. Under my assumption I believed it was only certain markets doing the Hidden menu, but I saw more and more people posting it on Instagram. So I goggled it and found out they have it under their nutrition menu on their website but it will not be advertised to the stores, you go there knowing what you want to get. They have 2 Power breakfast bowls, all of these bowls, lunch and breakfast have the word Power into them, referring to the idea they are packed with powerful ingredients. LOVE I...

I love eating soup. It doesn't matter if it is 100 degrees outside or below 10, I could eat soup at every meal. I was excited to see Smart Ones getting in on the action. I know Weight Watchers endorses Progresso Light, which is my favorite brand of soups to eat, so to see they came out with there own in the frozen section, I grabbed two of the flavors. According to some emails I have received Target is the only store that will be carrying the Smart Ones soups. They are in the frozen section and a single serving. They take less than 3 minutes to cook and come in there own bowl. I think a marketing genius idea would have been including a spoon to go along with it. There are I believe 5 different flavors, I picked up 2, Loaded Baked Potato and Fire Roasted Vegetable. The Loaded Baked Potato is 4pp and it is merely just okay. It is not all that creamy and they claim on the box to have a cheesy taste to it. The potatoes were tough and kind of crunchy, like not fully cooked a...

Sure it is starting to begin to look a lot like fall, but I live in Florida and fall doesn't really come until November, so I still revert back to summertime favorites. And I love KEY LIME PIE!! Florida has some amazing Key Lime Pie and it is on my bucket list to go to Key West to indulge in a huge slice of Key Lime Pie lol. So I incorporated my love for Key Lime Pie into my Overnight Oats. Chobani has an amazing Key Lime Pie Flip yogurt, which is my absolute favorite flavor of the flip kinds they have. I mirrored my overnight oats off of the yogurt. Enjoy! Key Lime Pie Overnight Oats Ingredients 1/4 cup of old fashioned oats-2pp 1/4 cup of plain, nonfat, Greek Yogurt-1pp 1 scoop of GNC Lean Shake Mix (Key Lime Pie flavor)-2pp 1 tsp of mini white chocolate chips-1pp 2 small squares of Reduced Fat Cinnamon Graham Crackers-0pp 1 tbsp of Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Almondmilk-0pp Directions Layer all the ingredients, minus the Graham Crackers into a sealed ja...

On Wednesday I put my first double digit mileage in over 5 months, it felt great, it went really well but later in the day I was completely beat. I was really dragging but then would get a burst of energy here and there. I tried to fuel and hydrate through out the day and knew I had to eat a little bit over my points to make sure I was fueling what I had burned, but I just wasn't hungry and had no energy. Yesterday I woke up for work and planned on doing some sort of exercise before I had to go and close, but I could barely keep my eyes open. I was so sluggish and was moving like a snail. I made a pretty good breakfast but my eyelids were heavy and I felt like I had to slap my face a bunch of times to wake up. I hydrated with iced green tea and attempted to make it through my 10 hour day. I have no clue what came over me, I was just really dragging. Some days are just those types of days when you are increasing your mileage and training... Today I worked an opening shift, which...

Well, I knew this day was fast approaching, the day I had to increase my mileage to the double digits. Running 10 miles is a long time, the count down on my Runtastic app, counts down for me each mile and when I hit 5, I love knowing I am only half way there. Its crazy to think, I am running 10 miles and then it is even more crazier, knowing I have only done half of my workout at that point. When I know I am running a long run, I prep my mind and body for it. I make sure everyday I say on Wednesday or whatever day it may be, I am running so and so miles, it pumps me up. Even better, it holds me accountable for those miles. I feel when I say it out loud, it puts it out there in the world and I don't want to disappoint anyone if I don't follow through with what I said I was going to do. I wanted to go this morning at 5:00 AM, well get up at 5:00 at least, I got up and decided I just needed at least an hour more of sleep.  Increasing my mileage has definitely put a to...

I am a little bit late with my Monday morning motivation. I had to rush to work and was home late and was just beat after work, but nothing gets me more excited or happy then reading some quotes on Google and Pinterest. The one I am posting is so true. Each day we get a little bit better than the day before. Maybe you didn't run today or work out but you made good choices with food. You had win for choosing an apple rather than a candy bar. Each day is a journey and small steps. And you can always be better than the day before and set yourself up for the day ahead. I love this quote because it ties into every aspect of your life. I know this late but it is something to think about as you go to bed or start your Tuesday terrific!!!

Usually on my days off I tend to wake up between 5-6, so I can get a run in. I was suppose to run downtown with my bff, Jacke, but she had a huge project for Nursing School due today, so she couldn't make it. So proud of her, she is working so hard, trying to get  her runs and exercise in and working a part time job, while running a household, girl is getting it done!! So since we weren't going to go together, I had a wild idea of just sleeping in a bit and running a couple hours later. My bf and I were up late last night, watching the Mayweather fight, believe me 1:30 am is late for us these days, I can barely make it past 10:00 at times. I remember the days of changing bars at 1:30 am hehe. I had set my alarm for 6:00am, and then when it went off I said the heck with it, I am going to just sleep in. It was so tough getting out of bed, I was in the perfect cozy set up and my bf was cuddle right against me, what Sundays are made of. I slept in until 9:00. That is late for me ...

This one is probably one of my new favorite flavors and combinations I have come up with. I am sure someone has done this kind before but wow this tasted just like pb&j without the crust. It was very delicious and filling. I used sugar free grape jam, use grape or strawberry, which ever you prefer. I also used the vanilla fat free yogurt, you can use plain or any flavor you choose. Try using Greek yogurt if you like to add more protein. And I included chia seeds, you can obit out or add more. I used PB2 because it is my PB of choice, use your own choice, it will just alter the Points Plus values. Peanut Butter Jelly Time Overnight Oats 1/4 cups of Old Fashioned Oats-2pp 1 container of Fat Free Vanilla Yogurt-2pp 2 Tbsp of PB2-1pp 1 Tbsp of Chia Seeds-1pp 1 Tbsp of Sugar Free Grape Jam-0pp 1 banana cut up-0pp Add all ingredients into a mason jar, bowl or tightly sealed device of choice. I put my ingredients just as they are displayed in the ingredients list. T...

It is pumpkin overload season and I LOVE IT!!!! I seriously have something every day that has pumpkin in it. I have gotten ground pumpkin coffee and pumpkin k-cups for my coffee addiction at home, but sometimes at work I would like something a little different, so I head to Starbucks. Well, I am not one who likes to drink their points on Weight Watchers, so I a PSL (Pumpkin Spiced Latte) is out of the question for me. Way to many points, maybe towards the end of the season I will give in, but for now I stick to an Iced Grande Coffee with skim milk, splenda and two pumps pumpkin, turns out to be 1pp. I will take that and run with it. I was at Target the other day and found the Tazo Pumpkin Spiced Latte concentrate. I am a big fan of the concentrates, I have posted the Green Tea and Spiced Chai Latte early, you can find them under the Daily Eats or Fab Finds tab on the home page. They are low in calories and mixed with 1 or 1/2 cup of Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Al...

The last couple of days have been kind of rough. I ran my long run on Wednesday which was 9.12 miles, it was great. I started early at 6:00 and was done by 7:40. It was kind of scary but enlightening running that early in the morning, I did feel like I was running looking down the whole time because I did not want to trip and fall, that is the last thing I would need. It was fantastic coming around the corner and seeing the sun rise. I swear moments like this and that really are a spiritual experience for me and make all the pain worth it. I wasn't sore after the run and my legs felt great. But throughout the day my hungry was crazy! I was just hungry all day long, I tried to pick fiber and protein items to make myself feel better. I earned 18 points on Weight Watchers, and ended up eating 10 of those over my own  points, which I am hoping will aid in a weight loss because I am fueling what I was taking out. I ate my activity points last week and I maintained, fingers crossed. ...

After posting and trying HG's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Softies, I was hooked and knew I was going to make every single one in the 200 under 200 Dessert book. And I am on my second choice. These ones are super delicious. They taste like an over sized Toasted Coconut Macaroon. I feel in love with them. Crazy For Coconut Softies 3pp or 129 calories Makes 6 servings Ingredients 1/4 cup brown sugar (not packed) 2 tbsp light whipped butter or light buttery spread, room temp 2 tbsp no-sugar added applesauce 2 tbsp fat free liquid egg substitute 1/4 tsp coconut extract 1/3 cup whole-wheat flour 1/4 tsp baking powder 1/8 tsp salt 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats 1/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut Directions Preheat oven to 350. Spray a baking sheet with no calorie non-stick spray. In a med bowl, combine sugar, butter, applesauce, egg, and extract. Whisk thoroughly. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Stir smooth. Stir in oats and coconut. Spoon b...

With my last couple of long and short runs, my water/fuel belt has seen some better days. I have tripped and fell and bottles have been broken, it is just time to move on and get a new one. I got mine last year from my boyfriend and I have put it to some serious use and because I have lost the weight, it doesn't hold up as well anymore. It slides and hits my legs, makes it uncomfortable at times to get into a good pace, when I'm stopping to fix it. And I need water, I have tried and cant do it. My boyfriend got mine from Dicks and it was sort of pricey, so I knew I didn't want to go back. I was looking for one that had more of belt idea, rather than the Velcro. My running bff suggested to try TJMaxx or Marshalls, sometimes you can find really great ones there. So I was in the area and figured I would pop into a TJMaxx. Sure enough I found what I was looking for! They had mine I had gotten at Dicks, originally for 47.00, there price 24.99! Ouch! They had it in pink and or...

Well I am totally one of those people who go into Target for one thing and a cart load later, I'm walking out with tons of things! SERIOUSLY! I envy those who can do that. I went to Target today.y because it was my day off and I had a 5.00 gift card I earned from them from some purchase I had made, so being it was my day off and I really had nothing else to do, already did my 9 miles early this morning AND I was in the area, why the heck not?! Well I am a bargain shopper to begin with, I am not one to buy full price. So I search for clearance and I went there looking for clearance, usually food type of clearance and clothes. Here are some of my fantastic finds that are oh so random lol: So excited about this find! A chevron pencil skirt in hot pink and gray! A size small, something I can squeeze into  AND only 5.98, originally 19.99! I think I did a happy  jig when I spotted this one. At work we have a dress code of black, white or grey, so once I see somethin...

Hungry Girl has these amazing little, well not so little, they are quite huge, amazingly awesome gems called Softies. How cute is that name by the way?!! Love it. Saying I'm eating a softie, just sounds like your eating a cloud, but I suppose not everyone lives in a fluffy world like myself. So these Softies are a cross between a "big doughy, soft cookie and a muffin top" (exactly the term out of her 200 under 200 dessert book). And she couldn't be more right about that description, they are delicious and even easier to make also. She has a whole chapter dedicated in her new book, do yourself a favor, go out and get this book, right now!  Just Desserts   If you have a sweet tooth, or enjoy baking, or just love trying new things, you will truly love this book. Just like I love the mug cake chapter in this book, I'm loving the Softie chapter. I seriously want to make each and every one of them. Be prepared for more softie posts. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Softie...

You know that saying, "No news, is good news", well that definitely can apply to my weigh in today. I weighed in today after work and got on the scale and it remained the same from last week. And I am totally okay with that, 100% okay with that because that means I am doing something right. Do I wish it was a lost, of course I do, every Tuesday I hope to see that number go down. But I am okay with seeing that number just sit there for a week because it means I didn't gain and that is all I am out to do, not gain. So after I got off the scale our meeting began. It was a great meeting tonight, it was our success meeting and I was chosen to be a guest speaker. I was asked to stand in front of my meeting and just discuss about my success on Weight Watchers. I was truly honored to be apart of this meeting. I seriously love going to my meetings, I look forward to them every Tuesday. My leader is fantastic and has become apart of my family to me. Since joining Weight Watchers ...

I love apples and especially caramel apples!! The ooey gooey goodness, total favorite fall cheat!! So why not turn that into an overnight oat creation!! Here ya go!! Ingredients 1/4 cup old fashioned oats-2pp 1 container of Apple Pie non fat yogurt ( mine is from Aldi, but I know Yoplait has one also)-2pp 1 tsp of fat free caramel syrup-1pp 1 small apple, cut up-0pp Sprinkle of cinnamon-0pp You can add 1 tbls of Almondmilk and 1 tsp of Chia Seeds to bulk it up, they are both 0pp  Directions Mix all together in a jar or tightly sealed bowl! Leave in the fridge overnight and indulge in the AM. I'm definitely pairing this with my Apple Pie Dunkin Donuts coffee! Yum!!