Archive for March, 2012

March 30th, 2012

Gimme A Break

by Tiff

Well, here’s that mini announcement I mentioned yesterdayI’m taking a blog hiatus.  It’s not goodbye forever.  I’m not even sure how long it will last, but I still thought y’all might want a heads up. 

I might miss blogging so much that I ‘m back by Monday, or I might take a whole month off from posting.  I think I’ll most likely just post sporadic recipes, workouts, travels, and WIAWs until I get my blog groove back.

Here’s why:

1. I feel like a poser.  Though I try to be very up-front about my activities, I’ve been feeling a little guilty lately writing a “healthy living blog” when my eats and drinks looked something like this over the weekend.

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trip to the local brewery followed by very cheesy Mexican food for dinner

Sure, I still workout and eat well through the week, and I plan for a healthier upcoming weekend.  I just don’t want to paint the wrong picture.  Unlike the major mass media, I have a conscience.

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last night’s dinner

2. I need to heal.  My hip still hurts a bit, and my body is a bit sore.  Y’all know I push myself, and in order to keep pushing myself, I need the time to ice myself when needed and to perform at-home physical therapy so I can get back to running ASAP. Morning workouts and evening healing don’t leave much time for writing.

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gotta work it to keep workin it

3. Lastly, my arms don’t always belong stretched out to my laptop.  I know some buddies who deserve them more.

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kitties and a kevin

So be sure to follow me via twitter and email so that you know when I post something new.  Remember, I’m not leaving; I’m just taking a break.  (I love my blogging buddies waaaaay too much to just fall off the map!)

March 29th, 2012

Giveaway Winner: Someone’s Going to TRI Something New

by Tiff

Today’s post is short n’ sweet.  First, I’ll go ahead and announce my Danskin Triathlon Series winner.

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Congrats to Rachel @ Running Rachel!  I’ll email you, but in case you read this first, hit me up at lovesweatandbeers at yahoo.  You’re on your way to TRI something new!

In other news, dinner yesterday was yummy.  Check it out.

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And you thought you didn’t like Brussels sprouts!  Winking smile

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While we’re on the topic of dinner, this was part of Sunday supper.  I think Leia’s using the force to summon the food.

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I hope everyone has a lovely Friday Eve.  I have a mini announcement planned for tomorrow, so hopefully you check back for that too.  Oh, and I know I haven’t mentioned it this week, but LiveFit is going well.  All this bulking sure makes me hungry though!

 

  • What’s one food you didn’t like but now you do?  *Surprisingly enough, mine is not sprouts; it’s broccoli.
March 28th, 2012

WIAW: Gimme Greens

by Tiff

Happy WIAW!  Thanks again to Jenn for hosting the blog party.  Be sure to check out other eats at Peas & Crayons!

 

Pre-Gym: brown rice cake

Post-Gym: protein oats (same as last week)

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Morning Snack: hardboiled egg (not pictured) and a small orange

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Lunch: small sweet potato, 2 TBS goddess dressing, 2 hardboiled eggs, broccoli, romaine

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**All other M-F days this week will be a 100-calorie can of tuna in water instead of the eggs.

Afternoon Snack: ugly but filling fat-free, plain Greek yogurt

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Dinner: lean turkey, spinach, onion, red bell pepper, chickpeas, and a wee bit of olive oil (plus rice cake while cooking)

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Dessert: part of Trader Joe’s chocolate lover’s dark chocolate bar (85% cacao)

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  • Are you a dark, milk, or white chocolate fan?

***By the way, please check out my giveaway from Monday. Today’s the last day to enter!

March 27th, 2012

Gearing Up For National Walking Day

by Tiff

You know how every day seems to have a food attached to it these days? I think I remember hearing about national peanut butter day (a favorite of mine), ice cream day, margarita day, doughnut day, and a few others. Well, I finally found a day we can celebrate without any guilt whatsoever.

The American Heart Association’s National Start Walking Day on April 4th

I’ve been doing more walking lately since I can’t run right now.  **On a side note, I completed 20 easy minutes on the stair climber yesterday morning. I only had mild pain at the gym and some discomfort after, so I guess that’s progress!

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I find walking to be just enough cardio for me, especially if I’m booking it up some hills, and it really saves my joints. Don’t get me wrong. I want to start running again soon, but walking just feels good.

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When I walk with the hubby, we both get endorphin-producing, mood-boosting exercise. We walk quickly, but we can still carry on a conversation the entire time. This means we get some computer/tv/iphone-free time to actually connect. Amazing, right?

Here are a few walking links that mention other benefits of favorite exercise:

 

I know Nation is not until next week, but this gives you time to plan a route, call a buddy, or check the weather forecast. All you need are three ten-minute sessions, and you’ve already gotten more fit.

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**If you want to make walking more difficult, add hills, push the pace, or walk with a weighted vest. Don’t carry dumbbells; that can strain your back and wrists.

 

  • What’s your favorite form of exercise?
March 26th, 2012

Danskin Triathlon Series

by Tiff

How do weekends pass by so quickly???  With a date night on Friday, out of town friends visiting on Saturday, and chores on Sunday, I feel like I never get a breather.  Then again, who needs sleep – totally overrated.

 

In order to brighten your Monday, I have a giveaway.  Allie with Danksin Triathlon Series contacted me recently about their sprint triathlons.  Although I’d love to participate in one myself, I’m going to let y’all in on a little secret, I never really learned to ride a bike.  My parents tried, but I wasn’t all that interested. 

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Since I will not be participating, I’m giving away a free entry to one of the events.

Sprint distance triathlons (½ mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3 mile run) that empower women by
challenging them in a motivational, supportive, and safe setting with “cheerleaders” every step of the way. Select Races offer a Super Sprint distance option. Participation can be on an individual or Relay Team basis – making them even more first-timer friendly.

Cool, right?  Check out their site to see which cities the series will visit.

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How to enter: There are four ways to enter, so you can enter up to four times.  Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  The giveaway winner will be announced Thursday morning.

  1. Leave a comment telling me if you’ve ever done a triathlon.
  2. Follow me on Twitter @LoveSweatBeers (Please leave your twitter handle in your comment.)
  3. Tweet about the giveaway, and link back to this post when you do.
  4. Follow Love, Sweat, & Beers via email.

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I hope this helped brighten your Monday!