Blog Archives
Weekend Re-cap and Blog Round-Up
We are 5 days in to No Gain November! It’s not too late to start now, either. Let these healthy habits to help during the holidays :)
So I originally had a blog post planned for yesterday. It was going to be about how a friend and I volunteered at the local Food Bank on Saturday. Except you will never believe what happened….THEY TURNED US AWAY. Can you imagine a volunteer-run organization actually rejecting willing and able college students trying to do some community service? I couldn’t.
On one hand we were disappointed that our Saturday plans had been changed. On the other, how amazing is it that there was such an abundance of people volunteering their time that the organizations’ needs were fulfilled! Obviously Thanksgiving is a common time for community service in food banks and soup kitchens, a time when we are reminded that the less fortunate need these services the other eleven months of the year too.
We will try again next weekend. Any how, this put a damper on my blog plans. I had no fancy dessert or fun exercise circuit planned. So I bring you a Blog Round-up:
I created Strong Like My Coffee over three months ago. It’s amazing the places that this blog has reached (seriously, countries I had never heard of. How amazing!) and I’m excited to keep growing and posting. Now with over 80 posts, it’s kind of fun to look at some of my favorite and forgotten posts.
Summer Seafood: Shrimp Burgers with Peachy Salsa
Please make these! They were one of the top 10 dinners I have EVER made.
AMAZING Strawberry Banana Oat “Cookies”
These healthy cookies were one of my most popular recipes, and understandably so. I can’t wait to make these again!
This was mainly just a fun experiment! I had no idea what to expect when I poured these ingredients in a saucepan, but hoped for the best and it worked out pretty tastefully :) Anything with pumpkin spice already earns bonus points in my book.
Always good to find your fitness motivation. Cross Country and Track races are mine, but soon it will be marathons!
I actually refer to this list myself when I’m in the snacking mood. (Is that conceited?)
Thanks for reading! I am excited for all the new recipes I can’t wait to try and workouts I can’t wait to share. Make it a great Monday :)
Hardcore Cardio – Intervals!
Up until this point, my workout posts have been pretty mild. But guess what?! I have been cleared by my surgeon, athletic trainers, and the NCAA to return to normal training so get ready for some more intense workouts and fitness variety :D
Any fitness trainer, coach, athlete will tell you that INTERVALS are by far one of the best ways to increase your speed/strength. An hour on the treadmill, steady-state, will no doubt burn calories. BUT if you want to see improvement and work up to faster speeds, you’ve got to add in some intervals one or two times a week.
Intervals combine shorter, faster bursts of energy with a moderate rest period in between. It kind of seems like “cheating” because you get to rest so much, but that’s because the sprints should be faster than comfortable pace! Also, to make sure this workout is effective, try your best to maintain the same pace during the sprints from the first one to the last one. There is no point if you slow down as you get tired, because your body’s break through happens as you push past fatigue!
Here is a moderate interval workout on a track, using the straights and curves as your guides:
I loved this workout in high school. I remember we did this on the first day of junior year, when the temperatures had to have been in the high 90s. I had my pink water bottle on the track with me, and pounded out the laps. Workouts like these will get you in shape quicker than just adding mileage!
Pin in here! :) 
PINK WEEK
Something amazing happens in October. The whole nation bans together to acknowledge Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is inspiring to see how PINK has taken over the country, and my school is no exception. At our Homecoming game on Saturday, the football team wore pink gear, the athletic trainers wore pink polos, and one of the sororities passed out pink ribbons to fans:
I think efforts to broadcast Breast Cancer Awareness have come so far, and there is an incredible amount of organizations and individuals doing what they can to contribute. Our school gym is promoting Breast Cancer Awareness with “Pink Week.” It promotes health and fitness while raising money to donate to The Susan G. Komen Foundation For the Cure. This week they are hosting a Dodge ball Tournament, Indoor Climbing Competition, Splash and Dash Race, and Fitness Classes where 100% of proceeds are donated to Susan G. Komen.
Many people, myself included, are sporting pink athletic wear all week long to show our support.
I think of health as primarily related to exercise and nutrition, but there are much bigger aspects to health. Reminders like Pink Week are a reality check. A reality check to be thankful for our bodies and our health, and to support those who are battling cancer and sickness.
Your body is so much more than just muscle, fat, and organs. When your body blesses you with good health, show your appreciation by fueling it with good nutrition and exercise. And don’t forget to wear your pink with pride this week.
<3
