Create An Advent Calendar On Instagram

Posted on November 30, 2014 by Coco

One way I try to combat the commercialism that has overtaken the Christmas season is by observing Advent. In the Christian church calendar, Advent is the “season” when we get ready for Christmas. In most Christian traditions, Advent has a dual meaning: we remember the first Christmas when Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the three kings awaited and rejoiced at the birth of Christ, while we also await and prepare for Jesus’ promised return. 

Advent Wreath

One traditional way to observe Advent is to keep an Advent wreath at home. In our church, we make Advent wreaths with a large white candle in the center, and three purple candles and one pink candle surrounding it. Each week, we light the corresponding candle(s), and say a prayer and read a Bible passage related to the weekly Advent theme: hope, love, joy, and peace. 

Another way to observe Advent is to use an Advent calendar. I grew up having a traditional Advent calendar every year (just pictures, no candy!), but gave in and got my kids the chocolate kind when they hit their teen years. This year I am going to participate in the Global Advent Calendar the Society of Saint John the Evangelist (SSJE) is creating on Instagram.

adventword global advent calendar

(click image to sign up for reminder emails!)

Here are the themes and hashtags for the first week:

#Look (30 Nov)
#Remember (1 Dec)
#Imagine (2 Dec)
#Thrive (3 Dec)
#Abide (4 Dec)
#Notice (5 Dec)
#Watch (6 Dec)

[Tweet “Help Make A Global Advent Calendar #AdventWord”]

Do you observe Advent?

Do you countdown to Christmas with an Advent calendar?

Posted in My Faith | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Thanksgiving Prayers

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Coco

This year, like every Thanksgiving, we will read from the copy of A Prayer of Thanksgiving by Robert Lewis Stevenson that my son made in elementary school. 

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

(click here to read the words-it’s a nice non-denominational  prayer!)

If you attend Thanksgiving services at an Episcopalian church, you may say this prayer of “general thanksgiving”: Continue reading →

Posted in My Faith | Comments Off on Thanksgiving Prayers

Runner’s Gratitude List

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Coco

As I am getting ready for Thanksgiving–reviewing my recipes, getting the house ready for company, hitting several grocery stores for special holiday ingredients–I am taking time to appreciate and be thankful for all the blessings in my life. First on my gratitude list is the health and well-being of my family and friends. Second is the time we have spent together, creating new memories and cherishing old ones. As I keep taking stock, I find that a number of things that I am thankful for could be on any runner’s gratitude list.  

Runner's Gratitude List
Being healthy and injury-free. I am grateful for a year of healthy, injury-free running. I did my part by balancing my running with cross-training and strength training (including physical therapy exercises), but I know that even the “smartest” runners who follow all the “rules” can be sidelined by injury or illness. Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

Get Ready For The Ultimate Coffee Date!

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Coco

I know a lot of us have gotten used to getting together for coffee once a month, and were disappointed when Nikki, Jill, and Lynda stopped hosting our little gathering. Well, I’ve got good news! Deborah, Lynda and I have decided to keep the Ultimate Coffee Date going, and we hope you all will join us every first Saturday of the month, starting December 6!

The Ultimate Coffee Date

Grab the badge, write a blog post telling us what is going on in your life, and join the Ultimate Coffee Date link up!

In other news, I am excited and honored that I have been invited to be a blogger for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run blog again! My first post will be about Giving Tuesday–I hope you will support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals or your own favorite charity on December 2. The race lottery opens December 1, so don’t forget to sign up! 

[Tweet “Mark Your Calendars For The Ultimate Coffee Date Link Up!”]

Are you going out of town for Thanksgiving?

Are you doing a Turkey Trot this weekend?

Posted in Coffee Date | 10 Comments

Black Friday Shopping List For Runners

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Coco

We’ve been subject to holiday shopping advertising since before Halloween, but now that Thanksgiving is only a week away, family and friends may be making out their Black Friday shopping lists. In case you need some fun ideas, I put together a wish list for the runners in your life.

Runners' Wish List
The Amazon links in the images in this post are affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

 ♦ Garmin Forerunner 15  (Price range: $169-/$199) I love my Garmin Forerunner 10, but the Garmin Forerunner 15 has more features for not that much more money, with a longer battery life (8 hours vs. 4 hours), an optional heart rate monitor (with a chest strap), and continuous activity tracking (step counting).

 

ROLL-Recovery-R8-

♦ R8 Massage Roller (Price: $119) Sue was the first woman in my MRTT group to discover the R8 massage roller, and she is getting all of us hooked on it. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the reason why it currently is on back order is because so many of us just placed an order. 😉 It’s more compact than a foam roller, and its 8 wheel design lets you get at those tight muscles from all angles. 

 

♦ Nathan Hydration Vest (Price: $69.65) I really love the Nathan hydration vest I got for Ragnar. While it’s hard to imagine wanting icy water next to my back at this time of year, it was really great during my long, hot summer runs. There are lots of hydration vests out there, but I love how easy it is to remove, fill and clean the bladders of the Nathan vests. They have a wide opening, so you can turn them inside-out for thorough washing and drying.  

 

Verve Vest

♦ Verve Vest (Price: $60) The Verve Vest is a fun gift idea for people who run when it’s dark outside (and who doesn’t this time of year?) or participate in evening races or overnight relays. The Verve Vest has 60 color-changing LEDs on the front and back, and you can choose between 20 colors and 18 flashing and color-cycling modes. I demonstrated some of the options in my Verve Vest review.

 

♦ Jabra Wireless Headphones  (Price: $56.99) I still love my Yurbuds, but wireless (bluetooth) headphones are all the rage these days. Jabra promises crisp and clear sound, powerfull bass, and a lock in design that won’t fall out. If you don’t trust Santa to tuck these into your stocking, you can enter the Fitfluential giveaway here (entries close at 11:59 pm November 21st). 

Check out the Gift Guide Link Up for more great gift ideas!

[Tweet “Runners Wishlist #runchat”]

What’s on your wish list?

Will you be doing any Black Friday shopping?

Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , | 15 Comments