These Boots Were Made For Walkin'

Last year on Black Friday, I got killer black stiletto boots on uber-sale from JCP for $30. 

Yup. 

They are the perfect date night boots...but not excessively comfy.

This year, I wanted something a tad less sexy and a heap more practial.  (Clearly all my shopping moolah goes to workout clothes and not shoes.)  I am picky and I don't like to pay much.  I wasn't willing to brave the Black Friday Boot Sale Insanity this year, so I waited a couple weeks and ended up with a great pair of comfy boots that go with almost EVERYTHING.  And JCP gave me the last ones in my size for $44.50.  Not half bad.

I got my dad to snap some photos for me before one of our racquetball dates.  I have so many handy men in my life!

Sweater - F21, tee - AE, necklace - gift,
belt - GAP, skirt - F21, boots - JCP

You tell me:  Any great deals lately that you are proud of?

Toys for Tots Weekend: Part I - Stoneway Crossfit

After a week of insanity (and by that I mean me being stressed out and turning psycho), I was SO looking forward to a weekend of nothing but working out and relaxing.  Sunday was, of course, the long awaited 12k run, but first, Saturday was a field trip team WOD out to Stoneway Crossfit to benefit Toys for Tots!

Saturday:

Jared and I stopped at Urban Coffee Lounge in Juanita before picking up the race packets for Sunday at Everyday Athlete nearby.  Such a treat!

Jared's gorgeous Irish Coffee

My Ginger Molasses Latte...and my latest book from KCLS!

Tangent Alert: Currently I am working on being more timely - you wouldn't expect it since I freak out about plans and schedules and put anything I can into Excel...but I'm the gal who is always running behind when we are trying to get out the door. 

One thing that has helped me is to always have something to read on hand.  I hate wasting time, but I love to read.  So I bribe myself to try to be early so that I can chill and read for a bit.  Often it just means I'm actually on time, but sometimes I really do get a few minutes to devote to my latest book. 

Urban Coffee Lounge is gorgeous

Currently I'm enjoying Mile Markers, by Kristin Armstrong.  It's a lot more touchy-feely than the other non-fiction I've been reading lately.  Much less "how to" run and much more "why we" run.  However, it's engaging and well-written, and a nice change of pace for me.  Heehee.

After coffee, I toodled over to pick up toys to bring as our buy-in for the Stoneway Crossfit Team WOD, and then met Jared at Everyday Athlete.  We were there pretty early, so it wasn't too crazy, and Jared had already gotten our bib numbers to make things easier...since we were getting packets for 8 people.

I had forgotten that the 12k's of Christmas was also fundraising for Toys for Tots - good thing I bought a few extra toys!  We were able to leave our toy donation with the packet hander-outers, and then we headed on to Crossfit!

Shirts and packets and pins for 8

Remainder of our Santa goodie-bag

There's not a whole lot I miss about living in Seattle, frankly, but on certain days, the views are just unbeatable!

Heading across the soon-to-be-tolled 520 bridge

Space Needle

I'd never been to Stoneway Crossfit, but a bunch of their folks came out last month to Mercer Island for a food bank fundraiser, and they seemed a pretty cool group.  I had no clue what the WOD would be...and sometimes that makes it more fun!

Jared with his awesome MICF hoodie

Thankfully we did not roll any tires

We were some of the first to show up, which gave us time to drop off our toys, put down our excess gear, and get all signed in.  And of course, take very necessary blog photos.

All set up for farmer walks!

They broke us up into teams of five.  You had to have at least 2 of each gender on your team, and at least 2 strangers.  The WOD had 4 people moving and 1 person resting at all times.  We did as many rounds as possible in 12 minutes of the following rotation:

Run 200 meters

Burpees

Farmer Walks

Squat Hops

Rest (or if your team was in a different heat, cheer on the other teams)

We counted the total reps of each movement...and at the end they told us which movement designated the winning team (to prevent people from purposely saving energy on the "unimportant" parts of the WOD).  Our team ended up placing 2nd.  Woohoo!

At the end of the WOD, they did a raffle and of course, group photos:

Raffle time

All participants...with toys!!!

Mercer Island Crew

And my favorite team...

After the killer workout, we headed home and ate and read and chilled for a bit.  Then we headed to the mall to work on some Christmas shopping...of which we got done exactly nothing.  But we ran into Jared's sister and her husband, so we spent a lovely hour or two catching up with them at Starbucks. 

When we parted ways with Lauren and Stephen, Jared and I went to the movie theater to catch the next showing of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.  Fantastic film!  This fall I've been listening to all the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories, and I loved recognizing the different characters or catching lines from the books.  Highly impressed...and going to see it again.

Post movie we still had to go grocery shopping for the post-run brunch we were hosting on Sunday.  For two kids who usually go to bed around 9, we were sleepy, but at least we were making food!

Jared worked on brunch preparations and the sausage for dinner while I focused on the pasta, broccolini, and tidying up.

If you end up doing the Men's Health: Shop Once, Eat for a Week plan, be sure and cook the spaghetti sauce long enough.  I didn't and it was a bit like spaghetti soup.  Oh well.

12k's recap forthcoming...

You tell me:  How was your weekend?  See any movies?  Do any great workouts?  Eat broccoli because it's good for you even though you don't like it? 

Workout On-the-Go: Melt Fat Fast!

We interrupt this regularly scheduled program to bring you a previously scheduled post.

That's right.

This morning I am off running the 12ks of Christmas with family, friends, puppies, and random strangers.  Obviously you are jealous that you can't be running the race with me.

Can't help you there, but I can provide you a super sweaty, challenging cardio and strength workout that you can do without having to run any ks at all!

This message is brought to you courtesy of Shape Magazine.  They published this workout in December of last year.  Which clearly makes it a Christmas workout.

It kicked my butt and it will kick yours, too.

You'll need handheld weights, a mat, a watch or timer, and something you can jump over.  I picked the foam roller.  And you'll want a towel.  For all the sweat.

Circuit 1 - Melt Fat Fast

Circuit 2 - Firm & Burn

Circuit 3 - Total Body Scuplt

Technically you could just do one of the circuits a few times and call it good.  But I think it's more fun to give each one a go!

You tell me:  How did the workout go?  Did you like it?

BEST. SMOOTHIE. EVER.

I am really not a smoothie person.   Or a shake person.  Unless I'm dancing to Elvis with my favorite dance partner. 

Total tangent: Jared and I have been swing dancing since before we started dating.  For a few years, we danced semi-professionally with the amazing Chris and Alison of Eastside Swing Cats. 

If you are looking for a great way to be active with your significant other...TAKE UP DANCING!  Swing is especially great for fitness because a lot of the tunes are really fast, and if you can get good lessons, all of the lifts and "air" moves really work your muscles!

It's also a great idea from a relationship standpoint.  There's a lot of communication and teamwork, plus you get a great exercise in leading and following.  There's my little date night plug.


With Chris and Alison at a recent dance

If you are dancing up a storm or just want a fun, easy breakfast, try the Apple Mojito Light smoothie from Women's Health magazine.  It's amazing! 

Usually I think smoothies are too thick and hard to swallow.  This one is totally not, and the flavor is incredibly refreshing - perfect after a great workout!

Speaking of great workouts...my favorite race of the year is finally upon us!  That's right, the 12ks of Christmas is tomorrow! 

I have to admit, I am kinda nervous.  I had a crappy slow run Friday morning and it had me all in a dither.  Thanks to a pep talk from a great friend, I have calmed down somewhat.  I asked her for ideas for a fun non-time-based goal for my run.  She suggested counting cute butts and ugly butts or trying to finish with a smile on my face.

I'm really hoping I can just relax and enjoy the run.  It's a tradition for Jared and me, and this year we have roped a lot of family members into joining us.  Both my younger brothers are home from college and I'm stoked to see them! 

Me and John

Max and Me

Plus I have a cute outfit all planned...I'm big on cute workout clothes in general, and ESPECIALLY on dressing up for themed runs.  I can't give it all away...but there will be faux fur on my socks.


At the VDay Dash

 You tell me:  What are your fun race goals?  Do you get nervous before runs?  Does dressing up make you feel better? 

Giveaway Winner! AKA Dinners We Ate

Drumroll, please...

 The winner is Paj!

Paj said...

I'm in the middle of the memoir How to Love an American Man by Kristine Gasbarre, which is pretty good.

December 13, 2011 9:43 AM

Email me at themeghamix@gmail.com and I will get your book sent off to you!

Thanks everyone for participating, and a special thanks to Tina for helping me get the word out about her wonderful book!


In other news, I'm sure you are all DESPERATE to know exactly what Jared and I have been eating for dinner this week.  Well, have no fear.  You have come to the right place.

We are continuing our way through Men's Health: Shop Once, Eat for a Week.

Monday we roasted a chicken...and the leftovers played into meals later on in the week.

Tuesday - Holding Out for a Hero...or two. 

We used the leftover veggies from Monday, cooked up some delicious spicy mango jalepeno chicken sausage, and tossed some arugula on top.

Whole wheat heroes, of course!

Jared, being a growing boy and all, ate two.  I ate one.  For those of you who can do math, this left enough food for me to take one to work for lunch on Wednesday.  Yeehaw!

Wednesday we got home late and had snacks and went to bed...no official dinner.

Thursday - Taco Time!!!

We used the leftover chicken from Monday...and I actually used a brief window of freetime on Wednesday to blend up the adobo sauce for Thursday.  We were STARVING by the time we got home from Crossfit, so it was nice to have everything be quick and easy!

I love cilantro!!!

Once again, there were leftovers...we had a team lunch at work today, but I intend to enjoy more taco goodness tomorrow!

You tell me: are you pro-leftovers?  I'm a big fan and the hubby isn't.  Works out since I get to take them all to work...

Blog Stalk: Carrot Cake Pancakes & Cookie Dough Bites

As you know, my husband is one heck of a chef.

This has worked out for me in a variety of ways over the years, and one variety is how it benefits my blog-reading.

I read great blogs by people who cook well and take pretty photos of their creations.  I read, drool, and then email the link to my hubby and ask him to make said dish for me.  I then reap the results.

Carrot Cake Pancakes: Eats Well With Others

Joanne is a clever and talented med student living in NY.  I think of her blog like the grocery store - never go there if you are hungry, or you will be sorry.  Basically everything this woman puts together looks crazy good.  And she's funny to boot.

Purple carrots from our CSA

I did this part, so technically I helped

Greek yogurt means the icing is healthy, right?

Yes, they were just as good as they looked!

Clean Cookie Dough Protein Bites: think pretty thoughts

Katy is a self proclaimed fitness-obsessed fashionista from the great state of Texas.  She posts cute outfits and butt-kicking workout ideas to help you look good in your own cute outfits. 

A fan of clean eating, she recently changed lives at our little apartment by posting this recipe.  We put the dough in little tupperware containers, freeze them, and take to the gym so they are still cold for a post-workout hit of protein goodness.  Beats the pants off Muscle Milk.

Fancy-pants clean ingredients...or mostly clean

You don't even have to cook it!!! 

Workout-ready

You tell me: what's your favorite killer breakfast or post-workout snack?