Stay Pretty & TriSwim Sale

Hey Y'all
So....we're baaaack with another video installment today. Lola had SO much fun doing the video yesterday, she told me today that she wanted to be on TV again. We were going to talk about the awesome power of the Rev 3 visor and my love of HeadSweats (that'll have to wait until tomorrow though).

Here you have it--

TODAY ONLY!!!
Head on over to SBR Sports, Inc and take advantage of today's Team Rev 3 Deal!!
Buy the TriSwim body wash and get the body lotion for only $4!!
Use this code to get the discount: R3T12512


While you're at it, why don't you go show them some Twitter love and give 'em a like on Facebook.
This could payoff for you in the future with a giveaway I may or may not be doing very, very soon.
just sayin'


Stay pretty!
Lots of love from Jen and Lola


Disclosure: these videos are done "off the cuff" with no rehearsing or editing. It is as it is...life with a 3 year old!

A Laugh, A Vlog & A Winner!!

My Biscuits were kicked for 5 long, long days.
Whatever hit me, hit me hard and knocked me out for the count.
WoWzErS!! I don't get sick very often...

While I am certainly not back to normal (well, my level of normal) I am not the walking dead anymore--this has definitely been downgrade to a "regular" old head cold now. Staying on top of my nutrition and easing back into training. Just so happy to be moving today.

Need a giggle?

"I've got a little niggle"

Now for a winner!!

There were 86 entries and I asked Lola to pick a number between 1 and 86 to see who the lucky winner would be. I know, not very scientific but....but it's caught on film!!


It's our first VLOG entry (sorry I sound like a man!)

#47 was TEAMARCIA at The Studly Runner.

Email me at jsmall14 (at) maine.rr.com and I'll get ya all hooked up!!

Jen & Lola

11 Random Things

Jason at Cook Eat Train Race tagged me in this post to do a post about this!
Here are the rules:


1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!


11 Random Things About Me:


1. I used to collect ridiculously expensive designer handbags (LV, Gucci, Prada, Fendi, etc) and still have many of them. I think when the economy improves I will sell them all and get tri stuff.


2. It appears that #1 has been replaced with shoes. 
To answer a few questions about my shoes from this post.
They all serve a different purpose. Some are for fast, short runs or long runs, then there are trail runs, and "barefoot" runs (VFF's). Others are for weight training and cross training. Each shoe has a different use. 


3. I used to smoke and  I quit in September of 2007. It was hard for about a week or so but then it was whatever. I did not want to smoke anymore. I have not craved having a single one since then. I don't understand how people could quit and go back to smoking again. I just find it so repulsive now. 


5. I still have every single piece of Lola's baby stuff. Not sure I am ready to part with any of it.


6. I am done having babies (unless God has another plan for this!) so not sure why #5 is an issue.


7. I've dropped 4lbs being sick, my abs look great. As soon as I am feeling better again, I am sure those 4lbs will be back :(


8. I have more male friends then female friends, I just relate to them better. Maybe I am part dude?? or I just think that way???


9. My Dad was a private pilot and we had planes when I was growing up-he made sure I knew how to fly and land it on my own by the time I was 8 years old just in case anything happened while we were in air. He wanted to be sure I knew how to get us safely on the ground. 


10. I wanted to be an astronaut when I was young, then I wanted to be an attorney. 


11. I don't text. (go ahead, laugh) I have this tricked out phone that does all kinds of stuff but all I do with it is TALK on it.

My Questions To Those That Are Tagged

1. Which do you prefer: Vanilla or Chocolate Cake? Vanilla
2. Which would you do:  Jump out of a plane or Bungee jump off a bridge? Both! But if I had to only pick ONE then I would jump out of a plane.
3. One week, all expense paid vacation:  Where do you go? Only one week huh? Considering the place I most want to go is Bora Bora and it would take 2 days travel each way, that would kill 4 days of my week.  So my second choice would be Aruba.
4. Favorite Celebrity? Ehhh...not big on celebrity but I'll go with Johhny Depp. I think he's hot...as a Pirate. Arrrgh!
5. What did you eat for breakfast today? a peanut butter crunch PureFit bar and 20 oz of water
6. Do you pass gas in front of your significant other? of course.
7. Nickname? I don't really have one-
8. Favorite Vegetable? spinach
9. Favorite Commercial Of All Time? I don't know...but when I was pregnant, the Pampers commercial showing all the babies sleeping while they played Silent Night used to make me cry!!! 
10. Do you still write checks?  Why? Yes, to annoy people in line behind me in the supermarket. (kidding) I write checks to pay the bills I cannot pay online. 
11. Are you working in the field in which you obtained your college degree in? No. Not anymore :) 

My 11 Questions:

You are stranded on a deserted island.  Tell me

1. What are the 5 foods you would pick to have with you?

2. What 2 things would you pick to drink?

3. What book would you want to have?

4. You are visited by ONE person for 24 hours only, who is it?

5. You can have ONE skill that you do not currently posses? What is it?

You just won 5 million dollars! Tell me

1. What is the first thing you do?

2. What is the first thing you buy?

3. Who is the first person you share your winnings with?

4. Would you relocate? Where?

5. Would you donate to charity? 

6. You must buy me a gift, what do you get me??

I am tagging THESE fine folks that I want to know more random stuff about!

1.  Laura at Wife, Mother, Athlete
2.  Heidi at  Banana BuzzBomb!!
3.  Jen at From Fat to Finish Line
4.  Jenn at Jenn's Adventures
5.  Molly at I'm A Sleeper Baker
6.  EMZ at I Run Crazy Miles on the Treadmill (or maybe it's called something else....) 
7. Big Daddy Diesel at you guessed it, Big Daddy Diesel!
8. IronBOB at OneHour Ironman
9. Jon at SwimCycloRun
10. Colleen at IronDiva 
11. Holly at Holly's Blah, Blah, Blog!

{RFF} Random Friday Facts

Inspired by fellow pony, Katie at Run this Amazing Day
here is my first edition of RFF-Random Friday Facts


1) I am in desperate need of a hair appointment. I have one scheduled for mid February.
I have not had my hair done since summer, just before Timberman.

2) I am addicted to ice tea. I don't think I have gone a day without one in at least 2 years.


3) I used to ski at least once a week. Even living in Boston, we'd get up to NH or VT whenever we could for weekend getaways. Ahh. it's been years since I have gone and I have been really getting the itch to go! I might have to try cross country skiing.

4) At the moment I have 17 pairs of sneakers in active rotation and 2 more pairs just joined the family.
I think I have a problem.

 My current stable of shoes 

and the two new editions to the family

5) I got sucked into Pinterest and being sick the last couple of days has given me WAAAAY too much time looking thru all the stuff there. What a mind suck. Beautiful bodies, food porn, motivational quotes...

6) I love to read. Up until a few weeks ago, I had not read a non-training/nutrition related book since Lola was born. The first book I chose to read? Twilight...yup. Sucked right in and almost done the last book of the series. Maybe #7 will explain it.

7) I love vampires.

8) I have very strange, vivid dreams. There have been times I woke up CRYING because the dream felt so real...

9) My 20th High School reunion will be this year. Not sure if I'm going to go...

10) My throat is so sore at this moment if could, I would shove a giant Popsicle down my throat RIGHT NOW.

11) Today is the first time ever that I did a double blog post. Here's the first one. Share away.

12) I'm picking a winner of the Tough Chik visor tomorrow. How do you think I should pick the winner?

HELP! Miles Needed

Hey Friends,

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know about my friend, James Lawrence
aka Iron Cowboy.


If you are a new reader, you can read about James here and here.

I need your help.


You see, James is going to do 30 races this year--all "iron distance"--to raise money for Quiet Way.


What is Quiet Way?

Quiet Way is working with the Kenyan government and Kenyan engineers to build approximately 1,000 water retention systems throughout Northern Kenya to relieve drought.  Each dam approximately between $10,00 and $15,000 to complete ($1,000,000-$1,500,000 total). The first two dams have been built, and began filling with water in November, 2009.  Studies are being done to insure that the design is self-sustaining, and effective.

Famine relief – Quiet Way provides food staples to communities in Northern Kenya, currently suffering from drought and famine, until the “Give a Dam” water retention systems are in place to provide long-term relief.  Costs of feeding these communities is about $5 per person for a week.  (There are currently 3 million Kenyans starving due to drought.)

James is going to race 30 IM distance races to raise money and awareness for Quiet Way.
30 x 140.6 miles. That is A LOT of miles.


While James is leaving it all out there on the race course this year, I am trying to help him with some other miles.

Miles to get to these races.

As you can imagine, there is a lot involved in undertaking 30 races around the world. 
There is a simple way we can help.
By donating miles to get him to these races.
How can you "donate" miles??


By donating Frequent flier miles!!

Do you, your friends or business associates have extra frequent flier miles that they would like to donate so we can help James with travel to the race venue?

If you personally do not have the miles to help James, then you can help simply by spreading the word! Tweet about it, talk about it on Facebook or on your blog! Let's use this amazing ability we have to share information with the world to help James and his cause.

Thanks!

If you can help or have any questions, please contact me!
You can contact me
on Twitter
on Facebook
or
email me at

jsmall14 (at) maine.rr.com
or
jennlams (at) yahoo.com

THR33 Things Thursday

ONE: Feelin' Craptastic  

Since the weekend, I have been feeling a head cold creeping on...I would feel "kind of crappy" but it never really got worse. Yesterday, I was feeling quite fabulous, got out for a great run in some crazy winds. No biggie...then about 1:30pm yesterday I felt it attack. Literally attack me...and my entire head and neck.

My ears felt full. My throat was sore. My nose got all stuffed up. This incredible sinus headache took hold.

BAM!

Just like that...sick. I don't have time for sick.

I HAD to work last night and by the time my last appointment was there, I was feeling chills and my body was hurting. Went home and got right into bed. I was freezing!! 3 giant, thick, fuzzy blankets on me and I think I finally warmed up. I did not sleep well since my back and neck were just SORE. I could only breathe through my mouth so I kept waking up, drinking water. 

I have a TT swim on the plan today-just tried to get ready for it and when I felt dizzy just putting stuff into my swim bag, I decided maybe I should not be trying to swim--or drive with Lola in the car---for that matter. Looks like today is a rest day.
Sadly, I do not feel relief knowing today has been declared a rest day.
I feel like a failure. I have NO CONTROL of this and that is utterly frustrating to me.

Ok....totally done whining now.

TWO: VEGGIES

So, Coach Awesome totally sent a "warning" email regarding this recovery week-

You are extremely susceptible to illness this week. I just want to warn you, you will be on a tightrope so do all that you can to remain healthy and use hand sanitizer.  Extra rest, extra lemons, and extra kale are all extremely good ideas. 

(she's so freaking smart)

Now, I have been been doing lots of thinking the last couple weeks about food and nutrition. I am always a supporter of eating clean and have been considering adding more vegetable based meals to my current repitoire. I don't have any intention of going meatless but I don't see any harm in cutting back a bit on the meats and trying something "different". I am getting kind of bored eating the same things over and over-I love veggies, so why not, right? I even had a Meatless Monday this week. 

Seeing that I am making more veggie based meals and incorporating more spinach and kale into my everyday eats, Hubby expressed concern about me going VEGAN (not sure why he thinks this or why he'd care but....) I assured him that I do not have any intention of going vegan at this time however, expect to see even more veggies. He would be content if we only ever ate pork tenderloin and grilled potatoes. 

THR33: WIAW 

What I ate Wednesday (literally) in pictures:

Breakfast:

Old Fashioned Oats with blueberries, 2 egg whites and almond milk.
I topped the oats with a small drizzle of honey for a dash of sweetness. I used Wyman's of Maine frozen wild blueberries to make the oatmeal and added fresh blueberries.

We LOVE blueberries.

Post Run Snack:

Blueberry & Spinach smoothie

My GIANT sized bag of Wyman's Maine blueberries

fresh, organic baby spinach

Blueberries, Spinach, Almond milk, Greek yogurt and a small scoop of protein powder

Added a tablespoon of chia 

Afternoon Snack:

A cup of Earl Grey tea and fresh pineapple

More tea:

Coach's secret brew with the addition of green tea x 10

On the GO!
Off to work so I needed something easy and quick!

 A slice of whole wheat bread with Justin's almond butter, a giant jug of water and Coconut water

Eating while driving and yes, taking pictures.

DANGER!!!

By the time I was at work, I was feeling pretty awful. I had a big iced tea at work and refilled my water jug.

As soon as I got home, I filled a bowl with some leftover Navajo Stew, some steamed broccoli and topped it with some avocado.

Did you enter my Tough Chik giveaway ??

(kind of) wOrDLeSs WeDnESdAy

drink up-
go away germs

Lola was very curious as to what Mommy was drinking

My altered version of Coach's "ChuckieTea"
Hope it works

Veggie-licious

I like to eat. I like to cook.

I mean, really, this should be no surprise since not too long ago, I rocked the scales at 250+ lbs but the big difference is NOW I make wholesome, quality food choices. 

I gave up processed foods, take-out and junk food in exchange for fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean proteins. One of my favorite things to do is take a not-too-good for you recipe and tweak it into a cleaner version. I love bouncing around online searching for new, healthy recipes-twitter, blogs, etc.

Last week I hit the jackpot with a couple vegetarian recipes that I wanted to share with you-

While I was on Twitter,  Erin (fellow triathlete/Mom/foodie) was Tweeting about a soup she was making which lead to her posting a link to the recipe on her blog: Chipotle And Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup 

I love spice and chipotle is one of my favorite flavors, so add in the sweetness of Butternut squash and roasted garlic and I could smell a winner. 

From THAT Tweet, to another Tweet linking me to a recipe for Navajo Stew from Moosewood Restaurants in Ithaca, NY

Here is the recipe as it appears on the Moosewood website:

NAVAJO STEW

Inspired by a Southwestern Native American dish, this is a sunny, colorful stew of roasted vegetables in a hot and smoky mole-type sauce.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes
• 2 red or green bell peppers
• 1 large onion
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 15-ounce can of tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon canned chipotles in adobo sauce
• 2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 15-ounce can of butter beans or black beans, drained
• flatbread (tortillas, lavash, or pita)
• plain yogurt or sour cream

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 450°. Lightly oil a baking sheet. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes. Stem and seed the peppers and cut into 1-inch pieces. Peel the onion and cut it stem end to root end into thin wedges. In a bowl, toss the vegetables with the garlic, oil, cumin, salt, and pepper. Spread on the prepared baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 10 minutes.Stir and continue to roast for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender but not mushy. While the vegetables roast, puree the tomatoes, chipotles, and cilantro in a blender until smooth. Set aside.

When the vegetables are tender, put them into a 2- to 3-quart baking dish, stir in the tomato-cilantro sauce and the beans, and return to the oven until hot, about 10 minutes. A few minutes before serving, warm the bread in the oven. Serve the stew in bowls topped with yogurt or sour cream and warmed flatbread on the side.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I made a few tweaks to this recipe-not many, just a few. I was craving something more STOUP (stew and soup-a thick soup). So I chopped and seasoned the sweet potato, red pepper, onion, garlic as directed

and I roasted them until they were yummy goodness

I used my favorite old soup pot from my Grandmother (aka Mem) and added two cups of my homemade chicken stock. Then I added in a large can (28 oz) of no-salt-added whole tomatoes and the juice, a large bunch of cilantro, two large chipotle peppers and some of the adobo sauce.

 I brought this to a simmer and then used my immersion blender to whiz it all up. 

I then added a large (26 oz) can of drained black beans

I let this gently simmer on the stop top for just a bit, then shut it off and went to work. 

When I returned home a couple hours later, the stoup took on a rich, smoky flavor. The sweet from the roasted veggies brought such balance to the taste of this dish. This is such hearty stoup, even confirmed carnivores (like myself) will not be missing the meat!

This made quite a bit so not only did we have plenty for dinner, there were lots of leftovers for the next day which I happily had for lunch.

 I skipped the sour cream/yogurt garnish and instead opted for some avacado slices-yummm.

A definite winner and I will be adding this to the regular rotation of winter dishes I make. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I ended up having a Meatless Monday unintentionally-
on the way to teach bootcamp I had a PureFit bar and a bottle of water
then when I got home I had a breakfast of Kashi Heart to Heart with blueberries and almond milk
Lunch was a veggie wrap with garlic hummus, Siracha, lettuce, carrots, cukes, sprouts and avacado

My afternoon snack was some Greek yogurt with blackberries and blueberries

Then of course, last night dinner was that fabulous Navajo Stew!!


What is your favorite meatless dish??
Where do you go to find new recipes??


Did you enter my Tough Chik giveaway?? Go...do it :)

Week #1 Winner & Week #2 Giveaway {Tough Chik love}

Thanks for all who entered my 400 Follower Celebration

and a big, happy welcome to the new followers!!

There were 66 entries for the first giveaway! Who won? Read on to find out!!

I am excited to announce the awesome WEEK 2 giveaway!!

If you have been reading my blog for a while, the you know that I am a Tough Chik through and through.

Tough Chik and Team Tough Chik have exploded in 2011! I am so happy to have been able to be a part of the excitement watching the brand grow and then see the team come to fruition.

Tough Chik was with me (literally) for every single race of 2011.

From the first race of the season

The Nor'Easter Reverse Triathlon-

 to the final run of the season

The Nor'Easter Reverse Triathlon-

with honorary Tough Chik Dude, Marc

and everything inbetween!!

Tough Chik was with me through every mile of my first 70.3-Timberman!

 

I think Shannon summed it up very well in her blog post about how EPIC 2011 was for Tough Chik~

I know that Rev3 has her muscles for the 2012 season, but Tough Chik has her heart!

While I do love my Rev 3 Team so, so much and I am ecstatically happy to be rocking the R this year, Tough Chik will always be very, very special to me and have a place in my heart.

So what would a celebration be without giving away some Tough Chik awesomeness??

First, let's announce the winner of the week one giveway.
Who's gonna get a big ole bag of SWEETNESS from me??

Random.org picked entry #61

Congrats to Suz and Alan from Cows and Lasers and Everything in Between
(coolest blog name EVER!!!)

The winning comment?
I honestly enjoy everything about your blog do more of the same is perfect! Sorry I'm so behind on reading. Have a great weekend

Please email me (jsmall14(at)maine(dot)rr(dot)com) and I'll get you hooked up with your goodie bag of yummy stuff like Gimme Vitamin packed chocolate, GU, CarbBOOM! and much more!!

Thanks for being a follower!!

So you wanna win some Tough Chik love too??
One lucky reader will win a Tough Chik visor like the one I rocked all year long~

How do you enter?
Easy-you must be a follower of this blog. If you are not already, just click that little FOLLOW button on the right side of the page>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Mandatory Entry:

• Leave me a comment telling me how you are going to be TOUGH in 2012??

BONUS ENTRIES:
please leave one comment for each entry

• Like Tough Chik on Facebook and leave her a note telling her how awesome Tough Chiks are!!
• Follow the Tough Chik blog
• Follow Tough Chik on Twitter
• Share the Tough Chik love-spread the word about this giveaway on your blog, on Facebook, Twitter, email, write it on the bathroom wall...one entry per method of sharing per day.

This contest is open to followers of Miles, Muscles & Mommyhood. Contest starts on Monday, 1/16/2012 and entries will be closed at midnight on Saturday, 1/21/2012. A random winner will be selected from all eligible entries and the winner will be announced shortly after. 

Disclosure: I am not compensated in any way for lovin' Tough Chik and the prize for this contest is donated by Shannon, the head of the Tough Chik empire.