The Ultimate Virtual Coffee Date (May)

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Coco

Can you believe it’s May already? Since it’s the first weekend of the month, that means it’s time for the Ultimate Virtual Coffee Date hosted by Jill Conyers, Nikki at Grab Your Kicks and Lynda at Fitness Mom Wine Country. So, fix yourself a cup of coffee or other beverage of choice, and let’s catch up.

Virtual Coffee Date

If we were having coffee together, I would tell you that the biggest thing on my mind this week is the approaching end of the school year. I can’t believe my son will be home for the summer in two weeks! I’ve missed him so much recently, but I’m sure I’ll be annoyed by his dirty laundry and late night habits soon enough. Last weekend his lacrosse team had their year-end party, and the team Moms really outdid themselves with the decorations. Continue reading →

Posted in Life | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Five Reasons I Love Strength Training

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Coco

This week I am joining the Friday Five link up sponsored by Eat Pray Run DC, Mar on the Run and You Signed Up for What. The theme for this week is “Five Things I Love About _____”

Five Things I Love About Strength Training
Did you think I was going to choose running? Or cycling? Or spinning? I did too, at first. But I’ve shared a lot about why I love those activities (click on the links to read more) and it’s been a while since I’ve talked about how much I love strength training. So, here goes: Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness | 28 Comments

Are Some Recipes Too Healthy For Your Family?

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Coco

FTC Notice: I was provided Kiss Me Organics Matcha Green Tea Powder to review. All opinions are my own. This post includes Amazon Affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

My husband usually is a good sport about trying new recipes, but he’s very selective about which ones he would want me to make again. A few weekends ago, after I made the avocado and chickpea mash that Steena shared, he asked me if it was guacamole “or some cruel trick“! When I explained what it was, he agreed that it would make a good dip for the black bean tortilla chips he makes me keep in the house.  😉

Somehow, I don’t think he will be as brave with the Matcha Green Tea Powder, no matter how good it is for him.

Matcha Green Tea Powder

(Click here or on the image to see the product on Amazon.com) Continue reading →

Posted in Food | Tagged | 13 Comments

Band Of Brothers

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Coco

I got my Jawbone UP® personal activity tracker in November, and I’ve worn it every day since.

Holiday Gift Guide For Runners

Click the image to see the Jawbone UP® via my Amazon affiliate link.

Sometimes I wear it on its own.

Jawbone UP

 Sometimes I pair it with a bracelet or two.

UP + Bracelet

 I’ve worn it to client meetings, when I’m speaking at conferences, and even to church.

Among my fitness-minded friends in the Facebook/Twitterverse/Blogosphere, personal activity trackers are fairly common, but that’s not the case in my work environment. Last week I had to explain to a client what the Jawbone UP® does, and he was more appalled than intrigued by the idle alarm that I hold so dear!

So, when I am in a client meeting or legal conference and notice someone wearing one of these devices, I really notice. I identify them as a person who cares about their health and well-being, and immediately like them for at least that reason. I haven’t used “How many steps have you taken today?” as an icebreaker, but at my next big conference, where we usually wonder how many miles we’ve logged traversing the vast exhibit hall, I may not be able to resist.

Have you noticed more people wearing personal activity trackers? 

If you have one, do you wear it everywhere?

Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

What’s In That Pomegranate Blueberry Juice?

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Coco

I am not much of a juice drinker. I start my day with coffee, then switch to water, and then end the day with a beer or a glass of wine. If it’s really hot I might crave a fresh-made lemonade, but that’s about it. It wasn’t always this way. I used to start my day with a tall glass of orange juice or pink grapefruit juice cocktail, and drink juice or soda the rest of the day. My kids mostly drink water or Gatorade, but they still like juice once in a while, so sometimes I find myself facing rows of bottles of juice and juice cocktail at the grocery store, trying to select one that has some nutritional value.

Juice

I know that products labeled as juice “cocktails” are likely to have the least juice and most other stuff (water, sweeteners, etc.), but I’ve also learned to be careful with juice “blends,” because even if the name or label features a different fruit more prominently, the first ingredient usually is apple juice, which doesn’t have that much nutritional value. Continue reading →

Posted in Food | Tagged | 9 Comments