Hello from New York!

I know I’ve been traveling a ton lately, but I never take it for granted. I am very very excited to be here! I am very thankful and realize it’s a big deal to get these opportunities…

Here is my day in a nutshell / blog post:

After a 3am wake up call I somehow made it to LAX in time to catch a 6am flight. I wore my comfies = new Target hoodie. Have you entered the giveaway?

I packed oatmeal and protein powder to make at the airport. Plus a ton of cinnamon, I should take the cinnamon challenge soon.

The flight was uneventful. No internet so I started reading a book. That’s a big deal.

Snacks on the ride to the hotel:

This hotel is ridiculous. It’s super super nice! I know I travel a lot, but this is sick.

I’m pretty sure I’m not fancy enough to be here. Don’t tell anyone or they’re gonna kick me out.

I had just enough time to check a few emails and then do a quick makeover to go to dinner…

We went to Benihanas! I had never been there so I was super excited. I think of it as a place you go for a celebration.

Tonight I was celebrating life, liberty and the pursuit!

Apparently, I eat red meat now.

I mean, I’ve been down with red meat for a while now, but this is kinda my first time ordering it versus stealing a bite from a dining partner. This is a big deal.

After dinner we headed to the big event of the night – a broadway show! That’s a big deal!

Along the way…

We went to see The Lion King!! My mom has been wanting to see this for years. I wish I coulda snuck her in…

Okay. I will see you later!

The post Live From New Yorks It’s Run Eat Repeat! appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

Hello! I am catching an early flight out of LAX this morning so the car is picking me up at 3:45am. Ouch.

I am traveling to NYC as part of my friendship with Sabra – the #1 hummus company in the world! <- That is a fact I verified after years of hummus eating.

Remember last year I went to their plant and saw how they made the hummus? That was awesome.

This year we’re doing something different and I’ll fill you in on all the fun as we go along! Follow me on Instagram and Twitter to see all my antics and eats.

Exercise Gear Gift Card Giveaway

But while I’m busy – I have a great giveaway for you…

Apparently someone at Target heard my running capris broke and contacted me to get some running clothes from their line. As you may know from my Summer Running Gear post – I’m already a fan of the C9 for Champion gear so I was all about it.

Target has gotten the hint that women want cute exercise gear so they have a lot of options that are inspired by some of the fancier brands out there.

See, running skirt with ruching up the sides?

They didn’t have the longish tight shorts I loved in the past, but they did have these mesh shorts with a longer pair under. Fight the chub rub!

I’m pulling them up a bit here, the shorts on the bottom don’t show this much.

Awkward dressing room photo. Check.

Vegas doesn’t think I need anymore sports bras though… Luckily, he is not the boss of me and I do what I want!

In the end my favorite new piece of gear wasn’t from the “Active Wear” section. This sweatshirt with a “26” caught my eye and I had to have it. It’s just weird that they forgot the “.2”on the end…

They even make special underwear to workout in now! Hmmm. I don’t wear chonies under my workout gear, do you? All my running shorts have something built in and/or would be weird to wear with chonies.

Would these be considered a marathong?

You can win a $50.00 Gift Card from Target and buy a marathong of your own! I’m testing out using Rafflecopter for this giveaway, so please be patient as I figure out if I love it or not.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Hello! How’s your week going?

This morning I attempted to do some 800 repeats. I haven’t done speed work in forever, but I know I should get back at it. I don’t do speed work often for 2 very important reasons: A.) I am bad at it and B.) don’t like it. So there’s that.

It was not a really fast session (I was faster a few weeks ago!) but I’m proud of myself for doing it. I am the worst at doing things I don’t want to do, I have 0 discipline so this is a big dealio yo.

After my run I ate some breakfast and then met up with these lovely runner girls – HungryRunnerGirl and SkinnyRunner

We walked about 3 miles. Or really, they walked and I sprinted to keep up – they are the FASTEST runners I know!

I tricked them into letting me take a break by offering to take this picture.

Our walk was actually a going away party for SkinnyRunner who is leaving me soon to spend some time with her family in Alaska. I think her family runs a polar bear wrestling ring or something up there and she helps out in the summer.

Then, I hit up Target for some travel supplies and finally broke down and bought the Vanilla Chex. I instragramed about them yesterday and the consensus was “GET THEM! THEY WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!”

Yep. The are delicious. Remember the Rice Krispies Treats cereal? They remind me of that vanilla-y-ness but with a much better texture.

I also spotted the Watermelon Oreos in real life but did not get them. I just know they’d be disappointing.

In other weird stuff news – my best friend suggested I get these anti-pervert full-leg-of-hair stockings because I’m not enough of a weirdo already. People in China are seriously wearing these? Allegedly.

I’m headed to New York tomorrow! I’m going as part of a special trip with Sabra Hummus. I’m pretty excited and am considering traveling with empty luggage so I can fill ‘er up with tubs of hummus! Did you know they also make salsa? I used it in the Confetti Salad Recipe. It’s perfect for a summer BBQ side…

Question: SR is going to Alaska this summer. What are your plans? Any summer trips?

The post Walk with Runners – SkinnyRunner and HungryRunnerGirl to be exact appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

Remember how I won 2nd in the fun Silk Bloggers Smoothie contest? Well, here’s the recipe…

Healthy eating doesn’t come easy to me. Nope. If I had it my way I’d incorporate chocolate into every meal – breakfast, lunch and dinner. (I have put chocolate chips on my eggs, so you know I’m sick.)

During my visit to the Silk team offices we had a smoothie making contest and my Chocolate Lover’s Delight Smoothie won 2nd place! It really was an unfair fight – I mean, dark chocolate is hard to beat!

This delicious treat is packed with anti-oxidants from the cocoa and cherries. It tastes like a rich, creamy chocolate shake but it’s only 200 calories!!

Related info to justify calling this smoothie healthy:

20 Foods with the most anti-oxidants – Cherries are on the list!

 Dark Chocolate is Healthy Chocolate

I used Silk Chocolate Almond Milk at home and the Chocolate Soy at the contest – so both work great. (You can see all the products on Silk.com)

Dark Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

• 1 cup chocolate almond or soy milk
• 3/4 cup frozen sweet cherries
• handful spinach
• 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder (can be found in the baking section)
• handful ice to your desired thickness

Blend. Drink. Delicious.

Enjoy!

Check out the Silk page for more delicious recipes! And click on the top of the page to get a coupon.

Question: Chocolate or Vanilla?

Disclaimer: This post is compensated as part of my Silk Blogger partnership. All opinions are my own.

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Hello and Happy Monday!

This morning I set off on an easy 6 miler. I was actually feeling really great, but at the 3 mile turn around point I thought I should stop and stretch. My IT Band is still pretty tight so I figured it was a good time to do a few stretches. I stepped off the trail and before I went into a deep stretch, grabbed my capris to pull them up for better range of motion and heard a “Rrrrrip!”.

I completely ripped open the left leg of my capris!!! Yes.

So, I dug a hole, crawled in it and let myself just die there.

Then, I realized that I was getting hungry so I pulled myself out of the hole and folded up the bottom of my capris in a tragic attempt to hide my tragic wardrobe malfunction. I ran back home self-consciously staring at the gaping hole at my thigh while trying not to fall.

Add this to the list of things that would only happen to this Monican.

In other news…

Yesterday was Father’s Day and we made brunch for my dad and Nino. My pops requested sausage and biscuits and I delivered. I made real sausage gravy and everyone was super impressed! Unfortunately, this is the only picture I took all day.

Happy Pops Day to my dad and my brother who has one on the way!

This morning before I set off for the ill-fated run I ate an apple banana from my neighbor’s tree. They are still super delicious and not squishy when they’re black like that, promise.

In other news…

Bobbi from InHerShoes is doing another online Summer Shred program. If you want a fun list of workouts, healthy weight loss meal suggestions and more check it out.

The new Red White and Blue Procompression Socks are on sale today and you can get 40% off with code JL4. I am sporting them right now!

Feet up and compression socks – recovery double whammy!

Question: Ever had a wardrobe malfunction?

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Since most of you know I am obsessed with watermelon I have received a ton of emails about the Paleo Watermelon Cake circling the web. I was hoping someone would just make me one and bring it over but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

So, I had to take it upon myself to make a watermelon cake. Buuuut, I didn’t want to make a whole cake and then have to wait for a special occasion to cut into it.

Plus, I figured I’d eat half the watermelon before I frosted it so I needed a work around.

And Watermelon Cupcakes were born!

Watermelon Cupcakes

1. Cut the watermelon in half. Cut around the rind to get the fruit outta the shell.

2. Flip the watermelon flat side down and cut each half into 3 pieces. Cut it down so you have 6 cylindrical chunks (3 from each half).

3. Eat the parts you cut away. Smile.

4. Pat down watermelon pieces with a paper towel. Use thick greek yogurt to ‘frost’. <- The paleo watermelon cake used coconut frosting. That’s probably better, but I’m not cuckoo for coconut.

5. Carefully hold each piece by the top and bottom and roll in nuts.

6. Frost top and add fruit of your choice.

Enjoy!

Other Watermelon Updates:

1. A reader sent me this pic of a Watermelon Visor she spotted. I need this.

2. Watermelon Oreos. Yes, they exist. No, I haven’t tried them.

3. There is a WATERMELON RUN in Long Beach this week!! But, I’ll be in New York that day, so I’m going to miss it. My tiny little black heart is sad about this.

Question: Watermelon Oreos? Yay or Nay?

Disclaimer: This post is part of my deep passionate love for watermelon / sponsored partnership with the Watermelon Board. All opinions are my own.

The post Watermelon Cupcakes Recipe appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

What a difference a week makes!

I’m super not fancy, but I do think it’s fun that last week I was running in Florida along the Gulf…

And today I was in SoCal along the Pacific…

I have said it 99 times, but I’ll say it again – I LOVE Long Beach. What what.

I used to drive out to the LBC every weekend when I lived in Pico and run the bike path here.

Ran by the Queen Mary.

I asked some guy to take this picture of me and ended up getting into a long conversation with him.

Unfortunately, that meant I lost my running partner and headed back solo. That is probably for the best, because I was not doing well today. My IT Band is pulling on my knee and it hurts. I was going to do another run tomorrow for a b2b, but I’m going to rest instead.

A bunch of people have been asking me what my next race is, so I really want to pin that down. I need to check and see if my IT band is good to go for a LR next weekend and then I’ll sign up for something!

When I was done and stumbling to the restroom these two new friends came up to me and asked if I was that RER girl. Yep, guilty as charged.

Ian and Donna are training for the Long Beach Full Marathon – it’ll be their first 26.2! Fun fun!!

Steve totally ditched me today on the run. He was flying with sub 8s!! I could not hang.

So, Mr. Steve ditched me

But Leann shared watermelon

Obviously, I’ve decided to leave Leann my cat if I die and Steve the litter box. 

Then, I finally enjoyed a donut in honor of National Donut Day! (Remember I was at the airport and couldn’t find one on Friday. How tragic.) And all was right with the world.

See ya later!

Question: What are you doing this weekend?

The post Running in Long Beach appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

Hello from Orange County! I made it home

My flight was delayed a few hours last night so I didn’t get in till close to midnight. But, when I finally did get home I had a package waiting for me from Brooks. The company sent me some hot weather running gear!

This is the D’lite Mesh Tank top and D’lite Racer Shorts.

The shorts are a bit too short for my booty style, so I’ll probably use them for strength days and walking. But, I did love the lil pocket on the back.

Brooks also makes D’lite shorts with a 4” inseam that would have probably been a better fit for me, but I picked the racer version because I thought I was cool. Guess not.

The mesh tank is very light weight and ‘see-through’. I’m not one to run topless. I mean, in just a sports bra but this is a good middle ground for someone who wants to wear less without wearing nothing. I def dig the stripes

 ProCompression is coming out with a Red White and Blue design! It will be available to order on Monday. But if you want those fun green and pink MJ socks – order today and use code DAD for 40% off!

I want to wear those Red White and Blues for a Fourth of July race, but I don’t have one planned right now. I actually have NO races planned in July as of right now. Better get on that!

Watermelon Winning!!!

My peep sent me this Watermelon Tequila Popsicle Recipe and I’m just counting down the minutes until I can made them. This takes Watermelon Wasted to a whole new level with me.

(source)

Question: When was the last time you had a popsicle?

The post Fitness Fashions–Brooks D’Lite Tank and Shorts appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

Hello!

This morning Tina and I hit the pavement for a 4 mile run. But since we’re in Denver we only ran 3 miles and got credit for a free one since we’re a mile high. That’s how it works, right?

The elevation was rough! I live at sea level hello.

We stayed at the Omni hotel and they had this random thing outside. So, an obligatory “Running out of TP!!” joke was in order. You’re welcome.

Then, I had an exciting new life experience…

I ordered room service for the first time!!! This was a big deal to me. I was so excited I think the delivery person was super weirded out. Ha. Joke’s on them, I always get that excited to EAT.

Mom, add this to my baby book…

From there we headed back to the Silk offices for a day full of milk alternative talk.

It was interesting to learn about the company and products.

Some of the things I learned today…

1. It takes 77% less water to make a half gallon of soymilk versus a half gallon of cow’s milk.

2. Only 25% of Americans drink plant based beverages right now.

3. All Silk products are non-GMO.

We had a photo session and had a little fun with it  

The Silk Blogger Team:

• Tina from Carrots N Cake
• Monican from Run Eat Repeat
• Lauren from Oatmeal After Spinning
• Jen from Fit Bottomed Girls <-  who is another one of my peeps
• Rebecca Scritchfield
• RJ from Cook Like a Dad
• Sharon Palmer
• Brooke from Skinny Mom

^ Everyone is super awesome and brings something different to the table. Check ‘em out.

We had lunch at the  White Wave cafeteria. I love cafeterias – is that weird?

Lunch!

Then, we had a smoothie competition!

The company reps put out all the smoothie ingredients you could ever dream of  and challenged us to each make a smoothie with the Silk beverage of our choice.

I really had no idea what to make at first, but then inspiration struck.

If you know me, you might be aware that I once tried to sell my brother for a Snickers bar. Hey, I’m not myself when I’m hungry.

So, as soon as I spotted this key ingredient I knew what I had to do.

I created a Dark Chocolate Cherry Smoothie. I even snuck in some spinach!

Everyone got to work and even though we all take our smoothie work very seriously, we had fun.

We did a blind taste test and voting…

It totally worked out that all the smoothies were different flavors and colors.

and my smoothie won 2nd place!!! Recipe coming soon.

From there we took care of few more things before heading to the airport.

Tina and I had dinner at Udi’s

I ordered a salad and stole her fries. She didn’t mind because I guilt tripped her since I lost to her in the smoothie competition.

Dessert was an Udi’s Gluten Free Muffin. Because who needs gluten when you have sugar, right? Right.

My flight has been delayed, so I’m sitting here on the airport floor, contracting a disease and talking to you nice people.

Question: Let’s vote – Do I get an extra mile’s credit for being in super high elevation?

We should make that a thing.

Silk brought me out for this trip as part of their ambassador program. All opinions and mile high add-on theories are my own.

The post Silk Bloggers Meeting Day 2 appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

Good Morning from my lovely hotel room in Boulder, CO.

I love having a fresh room all to myself so I can dirty it up. I’m messy.

I arrived in Denver yesterday and the reps from Silk whisked the group off to the White Wave headquarters in Bloomfield.  

We started with an info session about the company and core products. Did you know Silk started out as a tofu company?

We’ll save the rest of the trivia for later

I scored the best loot bag ever too!

Amazing snacks (that I want to eat right now, but I don’t think they make for the most balanced breakfast?)

and a hardcore new foam roller! My IT band has been super tight and I almost dragged my roller on this trip!! Ha! This is one of those killer ones with ridges I haven’t tried yet. Wish me luck it’s going to be rough.

We went on an afternoon hike at the Marshall Mesa Trail

It is gorgeous here!!!

My little friend Tina from Carrots N Cake is here too!

After the hike we enjoyed the new Silk Iced Latte drink.

I already tried the mocha because my mom buys Silk like it’s the only beverage on Earth. It’s dee-lish! Added bonus: It has the same amount of caffeine  as a cup o’coffee if you’re into that sorta thing

Then it was time to head back to the hotel for a wardrobe change for dinner.

We went to Salt in Boulder.

The meal started with a Silk ‘adult beverage’ – Strawberry Crush. Silk has some good cocktail recipes on their website under the Silkology label. (I think the Strawberry recipe is coming soon – I’ll let you know.)

Tina and I actually tried a bunch of their Silk Cocktails at Blogher Food last year! <- that was a fun night

Dinner at Salt was delicious.

Appetizers.

Wine.

I ordered the field greens

and salmon.

For dessert I thought the Dark Chocolate Carmel Salted Tart was appropriate since I love chocolate and was at a restaurant called SALT.

I also stole a few bite’s of RJ’s blueberry shortcake.

I’ve been on vacation and in lalaland and am behind on the news. But, the Black Forest Fire is all over the news here. It’s not contained at all and dozens of  families have lost their homes.  Please keep those affected in your prayers.

Gotta run -  I’ll be back in a bit!

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