The Serendipity Of Science

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Coco

As I’ve shared here before, I make my living as a patent attorney. I’ve even co-authored a book on patent law and have an award-winning patent legal blog. 

Patent Reform Book

I spent so many late nights writing and editing this book! Continue reading →

Posted in About Me | Tagged , | 17 Comments

Garmin VivosmartHR Review

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Coco

It’s been a month since I made that almost-impulse purchase at REI (the last stop of my post-blizzard shopping spree), and now I am ready to share my Garmin VivosmartHR review with you. Keep reading to find out what I love about this new activity tracker, what I don’t, and which features I use most frequently.

Garmin VivosmartHR
The reason I call this an almost-impulse purchase is because I hadn’t even heard of the Vivosmart HR until the night before I bought it. I did research it pretty thoroughly on the Garmin website and other on-line reviews, and it sounded like the perfect upgrade to my Garmin Vivosmart, which I reviewed here and here. Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness, Product Reviews | Tagged , | 34 Comments

Five Things About The New Starbucks Rewards Program

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Coco

I was on my way to Starbucks when I got the email, and stopped in my tracks to do the math. I knew that Starbucks was considering revising its rewards program to take into account how much you spend in a given transaction, but the structure of the new Starbucks Rewards program was not adding up.

New StarbucksRewards Program
Since this week’s Friday Five link up with Eat Pray Run DC, Mar on the Run and You Signed Up for What?! has a “free” theme, here are five things you need to know about the new Starbucks Rewards program. Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness | Tagged | 26 Comments

Aquafaba Meringues – An Amazing Recipe

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Coco

Do you know what “aquafaba” is? I hadn’t even heard the word until a few weeks ago, but after making aquafaba meringues, I am intrigued by this nearly-free, vegan-friendly ingredient. The word “aquafaba” literally means “bean liquid” and refers to the liquid brine in a can of chickpeas (or the liquid resulting from cooking chickpeas). It turns out that this liquid has emulsifying and foaming properties similar to egg whites that makes it useful as an egg substitute!

Aquafaba Meringues
Aquafaba is a great discovery for vegans, and a cheaper alternative to eggs if you already are using canned chickpeas. Continue reading →

Posted in Food | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Give A Good Luck Box To Your Favorite Runner

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Coco

I can’t believe my first race of 2016 is less than two weeks away! It would be a lie to say I haven’t been training for it–I’ve been doing hill repeats on the treadmill and choosing hilly routes for my weekend long runs–but I don’t feel like I am in shape to set a PR. Honestly, I’m not in the mood to push myself that hard for that long, but maybe I’ll find some race day mojo between now and then.

Good Luck Box
Speaking of race day mojo, have you heard of the Good Luck Box? It’s a gift box full of running-related goodies that you can send to a friend or family member (or even yourself!) for support and encouragement before a race. The people behind the Good Luck Box sent me and the other members of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run social media team a preview of the custom Good Luck Box for the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, and it is amazing!  Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness, Product Reviews | 34 Comments