Category: Things I Am Loving

Tuesday Topics: Things I am Loving IV

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. 

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Share your favorite running item(s) you’ve tried this year.  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

I am back at work and I was tired before starting with the students.  I spent days setting up my room and I still was not ready on Monday morning.  On Friday I was so tired that I almost cried.  We had two days full of meetings and not one minute given to set up the classroom.  

I thought about this a lot but I made the decision not to continue training for my race.  Last week I missed most of runs and I had no desire to do it after I worked in my room.  Back to school is a hectic time for me and I am always staying late at work and doing work at home too.  Plus, constantly being tired did not help.  I have plantar fasciitis and some days the pain is tolerable and other days it isn’t.  I feel like a failure.  I wanted to do this race because I turn 50 in November and was getting excited about it.  Crazy way to celebrate, right?  😄 😄

Right now I am going to get back to my work routine and take it easy.  I have a doctor appt in early September and hopefully can get some answers.  Maybe now I can do more bike classes and catch up on all of Camila’s classes.

So let me tell of a few things I am loving.  Some are not running related but still I am loving them.

Athena Club – Last year I wrote about Billie Razors.  While I did like them, I’ve been hearing about Athena razors and wanted to try them out.  I love the color.  The kit is $9 and includes 2 Five-Blade Cartridges, 1 Ergonomic Razor Handle, and 1 Magnetic Hook for easy storage.  You can also pick to get each month 4, 9, or 12 blades every couple of months.  Click HERE to get $5 off your first order.

Dove Anti-Perspirant – I’ve been using this for years as an anti-perspirant.  Recently, I’ve been using it to prevent chafing.  I apply it between my thighs and around the bra area.  So far so good!

Tofu Press – I’ve been trying to eat more tofu but removing the water is a hassle.  It is very easy to use.  This kit has 4 parts and in just 3 steps, your tofu is in a strainer box.  You can leave it there for 15 minutes or more and then it will be ready for you to cook it.  

Dr. Scholl’s Pain Relief For Plantar Fasciitis Insoles for Women – I bought these one day at Target.  I had no idea if they would help.  I wore them while running and also during the day.  While I am not 100% pain free, it doesn’t hurt as much to walk or run.

OOFOS Recovery Sandals These are seriously the best sandals!  They’re very comfortable and I wear them every single day.  They’re not cheap but you can find a good deal when they’re on sale.  I bought a new pair but need to exchange for a bigger size.  

Do you use any of these products?

Topic for next week – FREE Topic!  Feel free to write about any running related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Tuesday Topics

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Fit Five Friday: 5 things I am loving

Hello there!  I am very happy it is Friday.  I was off on Monday but it still feels like a long week.  I have two more weeks till Spring Break and I am even more excited about that.  My plan is to relax and take it easy.  I have a race (8K) on the 20th and am not ready for it.  What was I thinking signing up for a race when I haven’t been consistent with running?  I am debating on whether or not to run it.

For today’s post I’m sharing 5 things I am loving.   

💖  Noxgear Tracer 2.  I have written about this before.  I know I haven’t been running as much as before but I still love it.  This is seriously the best running gear I purchased last year.  It provides maximum visibility, lots of different color modes, and it is rechargeable.  If you run in the dark, then you need to get it for you!

💖  Liquid I.V.  I was a huge fan of Nuun but wanted to try something different.  “A single serving offers 2-3 times the hydration that a single glass of water may provide. What’s more, the hydration multipliers contain electrolytes that are absorbed into your cells faster than drinking water.”  There many yummy flavors but my favorite is grape.  One thing I do not like about it is the sugar – each serving has 11 grams of sugar.  I use one packet for 32 ounces of water and it is sweet enough for me.  

💖  Salud –  I found out about these from my coach.  I sent him a few samples of Liquid IV and he sent me some of Salud.  The flavors are horchata, mango, jamaica (hibiscus), pepino limón (cucumber lime), and tamarindo.  I’ve tried them all and my favorite is pepino limón.  Even my mother likes that flavor.  The packet is small and it is enough for 24 ounces of water.  “Each serving of Salud is packed full of powerful benefits to support hydration and improve immune health.”  The best thing about it is that each packet is 1 gram of sugar.

💖  Cable management box.  I think I saw this in one of those work from home or home organization articles on Facebook.  I have a surge protector on top of my desk where I plug my laptop along with several USB adapters to charge my Garmin, computer mouse, etc.  This box keeps all of the cables organized.  I did have some trouble closing the lid because one of the adapters was too high but I replaced it with another one.

💖  Jot Ultra CoffeeYou all know I love coffee.  Jot Ultra Coffee is concentrated.  You add one tablespoon of it to whatever liquid you want to make an espresso, americano, cappuccino, hot coffee, or iced coffee.  The flavor is smooth and delicious.  I was actually very impressed with the taste.  Each 200ml bottle is $28 and makes 14 cups.  I bought this from an ad on Facebook or Instagram and there was a promotion going on.  I got two bottles of the coffee, a tablespoon, and a 12oz mug for around $40.  You can sign up for a subscription to get 25% off each order.  If you are interested in this coffee, use THIS LINK.  You get a free gift with your first order and I get a free bottle of coffee.

Have you tried any of these products?  Thoughts?  

Thanks for linking up with us again this week!  We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts, and we are ready to link up every Friday to share YOUR weekly fitness favorites!  Join hosts My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns with Pugsand Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday!  Please add your link below.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Tuesday Topics: A few things I am loving

Hard to believe we are at the last week of February.  For being a short month, it sure went by fast!  I am leaving on Friday morning for Atlanta.  The Trials are on Saturday and I am running a half marathon on Sunday.  Should be a fun weekend!  I will have a recap in next week’s linkup.

Tuesday Topics-32.jpg

This week’s Tuesday Topic is a FREE topic.  Feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links.

Ritual – It is a multivitamin.  Yes, I can get one pretty much anywhere.  I got these based on another friend’s recommendation.  These vitamins are vegan certified, gluten and allergen free, non-GMO, and no colorants or synthetic fillers.  (Source: https://ritual.com/).  There are 3 options to pick from: Multivitamin 18+, Prenatal Vitamin, and Multivitamin 50+.  Each month you get a bottle with 60 capsules (you take 2 per day).  You also get an email a few days before you get charged and before they’re shipped.  You can then rush or delay an order.  You can also cancel your subscription at any time.  Each pill has 9 key ingredients such as folate, omega-3, vitamins B12, vitamin D3, iron, vitamin K2, boron, vitamin E, and magnesium.  I like that everything is in one pill (versus taking multiple ones) and that they’re delivered to me.  Have I noticed anything different?  Well, lately I have noticed that I am more calm.  Could be from the multivitamin or something else.  If you want to try it out, let me know and I can send you a link to get $15 off your first order.

Billie Razors – I have tried many different kinds of razors and I finally found one that I like a lot.  These razors are inexpensive and leave your legs very smooth.  At sign up you pay $9 and you get a shaver, a magnetic holder, and two 5-blade razor cartridges.  Then for $9, every month or every 2 or 3 months (you select the subscription frequency), you get four replacement blade cartridges sent to your house.  You can also delay an order or cancel your subscription.  I shave once a week and replace my razor every month.  Other products you can purchase are shave cream, body lotion, a travel case, an extra handle and holder, and body wash.  Click HERE to order your razors.

Prose Personalized Hair Care –  Yes, I get my shampoo and conditioner through the mail.  There are questions you answer (consultation) and based on your answers, Prose recommends the items for you to buy.  There are questions such as age, hair texture and length, condition of hair, whether you have dandruff or dry scalp.  They also take into consideration the city you are living in for humidity, pollution, UV rays, and water hardness.  You can also pick if you want vegan, gluten-free, and silicone-free products.  Yes, lots of questions!  Finally, they recommend a fragrance but you can also change it (there is also an option for fragrance-free). 

I received my first order in December.  The bottles are really small.  I was very impressed with the scent.  I don’t wash my hair every day anymore and can say that I really like the shampoo and conditioner.  My scalp doesn’t itch as much and my hair does feel very soft and smells nice.  I also ordered the hair oil but I thought it was too greasy (turns out I was using too much).  I let them know about it and they gave me a refund.  They said I could keep the bottle and now I use it mostly as a deep conditioner.  Other items you can get are leave-in conditioner, dry shampoo, pre-shampoo mask, curl cream, and a boar bristle. 

If you subscribe, you save 20% off your order.  You can change or cancel your subscription at any time.  Even if you don’t subscribe, you can change the formula of your shampoo and conditioner by doing another consultation.  Each bottle of shampoo and conditioner is $25.  I know it isn’t cheap but I really like them and will continue to use them. If you want to try it out, let me know and I can send you a link to get $10 off your first order.

Just curious but how often do you shave your legs?  Are you using any of the products I mentioned?

Tuesday Topics

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


Friday Five 2.0-5 Things I Am Loving

Happy Friday!  Any interesting plans this weekend?  My birthday is on Monday so I have plans on Saturday to get together with my sisters and my brother to celebrate.  Nothing fancy but we will be going to a Thai restaurant for some delicious pad thai and pad see ew.  Yummy!

happybirthdaycake

Next week I work Monday and Tuesday and then will be off the rest of the week.  You bet I am excited.  I will be running a turkey trot on Thursday and planning to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family.  I made a mistake and thought that the shirts were going to be blue.  They’re not.  They will be an ivory/oatmeal color.  It is still a pretty color.  Remember, there is still time to sign up and use code “17BIBRAVE10” to save 10% off all distances.

Art Van Turkey Trot-7

When I started writing this post I did not realize the topic this week was “Giving Thanks”.  I had initially decided to write something related to it for the day after Thanksgiving.  Instead in this post you’ll be reading about some of the few things I am loving.

  • Waves Micro Towel – I’ve been using these for a few years.  They’re fast drying and ultra absorbent.  I use mine to wrap my wet hair after a shower.  They are also perfect to take to the beach or on a trip.  I love that they’re not bulky and come in some cool colors.

Waves Micro Towel 1

  • Oiselle Lightning Layer – Thanks to the time change it is dark in the morning and after work.  I prefer to run after work because I know more people and cars are out there during that time.  My vest makes sure that I am seen.  Well, it is a top and a vest.  I’ve worn it alone with a sports bra during the summer and over a long sleeve top during the fall/winter.

  • iHome Color Changing Bluetooth Speaker – I love listening to music while working in my classroom.  I mainly listen to Amazon Prime and have a few playlists that I like.  I also enjoy Pandora but for some weird reason my school has blocked that site.  With my bluetooth speaker I can listen to whatever I want.  It is easy to set up and has great sound quality.  I love how it changes colors throughout each song.

  • Achievement – Do you want to get paid to be healthy!  Join Achievement, connect your apps, and start earning money.  Use THIS LINK to join and we both get 250 points.  For every 10,000 points you accumulate, you get $10.  I’ve connected it to FitBit, Strava, and Garmin accounts and already made $20.  Seriously, you have NOTHING to lose.

  • Eagle Creek Pack-It Sac Large– I originally bought this after I saw how my friend, Meghann, had neatly packed for our trip to Alaska.  I did not.  I’ve heard great things about their products but until recently had never own any of them.  You can use this to store magazines, computer cords, toiletries, etc.  I use it to take home my papers to grade.  Throughout the day I store the papers inside and make sure to grab it before heading out the door.

Eagle Creek 1.jpg

Any exciting plans this weekend?  What are you loving lately?

I’m linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for Friday 2.0.

fridayfive

Friday Friday 2.0 – Items I’ll Buy Again

I am linking up with with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy

for today’s Friday Five 2.0.

fridayfive

Happy Holidays!  I cannot believe 2016 is almost over.  I am currently on Winter Break and while I was sick for a few days, I’ve still been enjoying my vacation.  I’ve been running here and there, watching TV, and basically relaxing with my cat and watching lots of TV (finished Fuller House and Narcos).  Next week I am meeting a few girls from my book club so I better start reading the book.  

Today’s topic is “Free” and I will write about some things that I am loving.  While I do have more than that, I will limit it to just five. 🙂

  • Go Contigo Water Bottle – This is seriously the best water bottle!  I have one that holds 32 ounces of water (Cortland) and it is the perfect size for me.  I love that I can add two Nuun tablets and I am set.  I am a teacher so I cannot drink as much water as I want during the day but once I am out of school then I drink like my life depends on it.  I also love that it does not leak.  That was something that I hated with the other water bottles.  You can get online at www.gocontigo.com, Target, Costco, and Kohls.

fridayfive1

  • Balega Enduro No Show Socks – I usually run in Pro Compression or Smartwool socks.  I bought these from Running Warehouse because they were cute and on sale.  Wow! They’re simply amazing!!  I love the no show style and they’re very soft.  My feet were dry and no blisters which is always a winner in my book.  

fridayfive2

rnrdctrainingrecap1

  • Saucony Kinvara 7 – They’re lightweight, comfortable, and I swear they’re the reason my paces have been faster.  Heck, I ran my fastest mile at 8:24.  Plus, I love the colors.  I keep checking Running Warehouse to see if they’re on sale (I paid $120 from the Saucony website).  I don’t have to buy them in the same color but as long as they’re less than $80 then I will buy them.  I am sure eventually they’ll be on sale as in the past I’ve bought Brooks PureFlow 4 for $50.

fridayfive3

  • Coffeemate Creamer – I love coffee.  Lately I have been drinking it with cream only to cut down on sugar.  However, there are some days in which I want my coffee a little sweet and some flavor.  These creamers are delicious.  

fridayfive4

  • Cuddl Duds Top – I like wearing them under my short sleeve school shirt on casual Friday.  These tops keep me warm without adding any bulkiness.  They’re listed as active wear but I have not worn them for a run.

fridayfive5

What are some of the things you love (running and non-running related)? Anything exciting for New Year’s Eve?