New Shoes!!

I have been having some serious issues this year with shin splints. I used to get a little sore, but this year it’s been a sharp pain. I have researched them online and spoke to several people about them. I am not getting a consistent answer. The main issue that keeps coming up is that I probably need new shoes.

This past weekend we went to a shoe store geared towards runners that was referred to me by a friend. The name of the store is Road Runner Sports. It’s located north of I-270 near Worthington, Ohio. Inside this store you will find everything related to running from underwear and socks to shorts to sunglasses to heart rate monitors. The reason we wanted to give this one a try over going to a store like Footlocker, is because they do an analysis of your feet and your running gait.

The associate that helped us was Laura. She was very knowledgeable and helpful. We started off by standing on a mat that was hooked up to a computer. This showed where most of our pressure is being placed on our feet and where our center of gravity is. We then got on the treadmill and ran for 45 seconds while being recorded by a video recorder. I didn’t really want to see what I looked like while I run because I’m sure I look like an idiot, but it was from the back of the knee down. Laura ran our runs back to us in slow motion and paused it on each foot to show how our feet landed and how our ankles up to our calf were reacting during our run. Based on that analysis along with asking us some other questions (eg. How long do you run? What kind of surface are you running? etc), she narrowed down the type of shoe that we should be wearing. They also molded custom insoles to put in our shoes to use.

 

Both Julie and I tried on what seemed like 100 pair of running shoes in the ‘category’ that we were recommended and were allowed to run around the store. A lot of the shoes I could not tell a huge difference in, but going from a medium cushion shoe to a high cushion shoe seemed like a big difference to me.

We both purchased new running shoes and the custom insoles to go with them. I cannot tell you if my shin splints are better yet or not because we haven’t had a chance to run in them yet, but I do want to recommend that if you are interested in getting some good running shoes, to check out Road Runner Sports.  If you don't have the time to get to a store, there is also a neat online version of the "prefect fit shoe finder" to try!

 

Spinach and Feta Pasta

Ingredients


1 (8 ounce) package penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
3 cups chopped tomatoes
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
2 cups spinach leaves, packed
salt and pepper to taste
1 pinch red pepper flakes
8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Directions

1.Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente; drain.

2.Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add onion and garlic, and cook until golden brown. Mix in tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook 2 minutes more, until tomatoes are heated through and spinach is wilted. Reduce heat to medium, stir in pasta and feta cheese, and cook until heated through.

Julie: This turned out AWESOME!  We added some extra shrimp for protein/extra yummy-ness.  I am already looking forward to making this again!
 
Chad:  I was skeptical about this recipe because of the feta cheese and the apparent lack of sauce.  However, I must say that this recipe really impressed me.  Not only did it taste great, but it was super easy to make.  The only change that I might recommend and try when we make it again, is to add chicken.

Getting Back on Track

Since we have so many loyal followers, I'm sure you're all about to start a riot since we haven't posted lately. You're probably asking yourself "Where have they gone? I need my daily dose of Chad and Julie's amazing insight."

Well, I'll tell you where we've gone - we fell off the wagon. In the last week, we've eaten a ton of junk food. We haven't gone running once. Heck, I think the most exercise we got in the past week was taking Teddy for a walk around the block.
Now we could sit here and list a bunch or reasons for why we haven't put forth much (if any) effort in the past week, but we'll spare you all that. Instead, we'll let you know that what happens is life. All you can do is brush it off and pick up where you left off.

Our plan is to get new running shoes to help curb some shin splints (hopefully), cut down on eating out and high-calorie beverages and get our butts in gear and keep running. In the next week or two, I hope to get registered for our race so that we have a goal, motivation, and something to work towards.
So, bear with us while we work on getting back on track. Just know that we have many new recipes to share, and a couple of product reviews/giveaways in the works.

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

Ingredients
2 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 2 inch strips
garlic powder to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cube beef bouillon
1/4 cup hot water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 large green bell peppers, roughly chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, with liquid
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Directions

Sprinkle strips of sirloin with garlic powder to taste. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the vegetable oil and brown the seasoned beef strips (you could also get the precooked steak strips at the grocery store to skip this step). Transfer to a slow cooker.

Mix bouillon cube with hot water until dissolved, then mix in cornstarch until dissolved. Pour into the slow cooker with meat. Stir in onion, green peppers, stewed tomatoes, soy sauce, sugar, and salt.

Cover, and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low for 6 to 8 hours.

Julie: We omitted the tomatoes - not by choice but because someone (me) forgot to pick them up at the store.  We served the meal over white rice.

Chad:  We would recommend leaving the peppers out until an hour or so before you are ready to eat if you like a little crunch to them.  We left the peppers in all day, as the recipe told us, and they were very mushy.  We also added ground ginger, red pepper flakes, and garlic(to taste).  We also thickened the sauce by adding some extra cornstarch about 30 minutes before eating.  Next time I think we might add some snow pees or broccoli or some other vegetable.

All in all, it was a very easy meal to prepare and pretty tasty.  I always judge our meals on whether or not I would make it again and I would probably make this one again.  It's not in my top 10, but it does the job, especially if you have a little extra beef in the freezer that you don't know what to do with.

Bondi Band Winner Announced

 We used random.org to choose one of our enterants to be the winner.  Congratulations to Jeremy.  He is the winner of the free Bondi Band (our first giveaway)!

Stay tuned for more reviews and giveaways.

How Far Was That?

When we first started running I though it would be very simple - get out the old Nikes and go for a run.  But of course, the further you get into running, the more you realize it's just not that simple.  Technology, gadgets, specialty clothing, specific shoes, etc all help to make running easier and more enjoyable (although some are not necessary).

One website that we have found very helpful is http://www.mapmyrun.com/.

Another plus to using this website is that you can also figure distance on more than just roads (like bike trials, for example).

You can choose to measure distance in miles or kilometers.  You can choose a "map" view or a satellite view.  We prefer the satellite view  so that you can identify makers for a "turnaround" point if you're running an "out and back" route.

Stop guessing how long you run or driving your car around to messure the route you run/walk/bike, and give this website a try.

From Couch to 5K

I always hated running. My old adage used to be "I don't run unless someone is chasing me... or there's free food". But last year, we decided to pick up running, anyway.


How did this happen? I can't even recall. But what I do know is that we just decided to go out for a run one day. After about 2 minutes I thought my lungs would catch on fire and my heart would explode. It was terrible. Why did people do this to themselves? And for fun, no less? So, I did what I also do when I have a question - I google it. By doing so, I came across a program called Couch to 5K. It's a 10 week program that uses interval training three days per week to take you from coach potato to running hero in 10 weeks. (Okay, maybe not a running hero, but at least someone that can run an entire 5K.)

Armed with this new training program loaded on my iPod, we signed up for our first 5K that was 11 weeks off. The first week is intervals of 60 seconds jogging, 90 seconds walking for 30 minutes total. I recall thinking "this is my kind of running" (aka - the kind that has more walking than running).

Over the course of those 10 weeks we slowly got in better shape and able to run not only farther, but faster, as well. When our first 5K race came around in June, I was very anxious. I'd always been so confused by those people that paid money to run. Didn't they know they could run for free anywhere? I didn't feel so bad about paying the entry fee, as the money was going to support our local "rails-to-trails" program (the same trail we run on many times each week!). I didn't anticipate the adrenaline from a race that I had no possibility of winning (or even placing in). But something about the early morning crowd, the people, the energy - it just gets the adrenaline pumping. Well, long story short, we ended up meeting our goal of running the entire 5K without walking. Did we break land speed records? Of course not; but we were both proud of ourselves for having stuck with the program and completed our goal.

Races have since become a guilty (or not so guilty) pleasure and give us something to "train" for to keep us hitting the pavement as often as we can. Our goal is always to improve over our last race time and I look forward to our first race of 2011 to see if we can accomplish that goal.

Our Little Buddy

Captain Theodore McPuppy (AKA Teddy)

For those of you who don't know, we have a dog named Teddy that we love (some probably think too much, but we don't care).  He is our best buddy.  He is a 4 lb Yorkie.  I will admit that I was a little hesitant to get a dog when Julie first approached me about getting a puppy 3 years ago.  I did not want the responsibility and I generally just didn't think it was a good idea. However, it didn't take long for him and I to become best friends.  We bonded right away because I was the one that would get up in the middle of the night to take him to go potty and I spoiled him with treats. 



What a stud.

I never thought that I could become a softy for anything, let alone a dog.  But now, we are inseparable.  He comes with us to Michigan.  He goes on walks and bike rides with us.  He even protects us from the evil pig and toads outside our house (it's a plastic pig... but he must know something we don't).  At night he sleeps between us and sometimes under the covers. 

Teddy has made me realize that I love dogs more than I love people (most people).  You put a homeless dog on the side of the road and a homeless person on the side of the road, I will feel more sorry for the dog than the person.  Why?  I'm not sure.  I suppose because I feel like the dog doesn't really have a choice.

Seriously.  AW!!!!!!

 

It's wonderful to have something in my life that no matter what, loves me.  For instance, if I put Julie and Teddy in the trunk of my car for a couple of hours... who is going to be happy to see me when I open it up?  I know my little buddy will be there wagging his tail the entire time ('little buddy' is not my pet name for my wife).  My wife would first deck me, then shoot me, then send me divorce papers. So, how can you not love something that no matter what happens, they love you back with all of their heart?

Teddy and I sleeping.

Julie is going to tell me that I need to post something on here that is fitness/health/food related.  Ok, so here ya go.... Teddy weighs 4 lbs.  He does not need to go on a diet nor does he need to exercise.  We cannot eat him.  Firstly, he doesn't have much meat on him.  He is mainly fur.  Secondly, he probably tastes like Pupperoni since that is his favorite treat.  Thirdly, I haven't been able to find any recipes that contain puppy.  Lastly, that's just wrong.  What Teddy does is really makes our house feel like a home.  I do not have a degree in psychology...oh wait... yes I do.  But I am not a psychologist.  However, I do know that a happy home is a great way to promote a good mental health.  In my unprofessional opinion, a healthy lifestyle includes good mental health.  You may not need a dog to make you happy, but finding something to love and to love you back is a great way to brighten up your life.

This post is in memory of Baby, Teddy's mom.  She passed away last Friday.

Bondi Bands - Review and Giveaway!

With help from Rebecca at Bondi Bands, we are excited to bring you our first giveaway!



Bondi Bands look cool.



Bondi Bands are a fantastic product that can be used as a sweatband or a headband.  They are made from a wicking material so they not only keep your hair out of your face, but sweat too!

Julie: Ladies - I'm sure you've all worn that headband that looks cute, but after a few hours of wear, it gives you a headache that just doesn't justify the cuteness.   One thing I can promise you is that Bondi Bands are headache free and look way better than sweatbands!  Another plus, is they don't slip off your head! 

Chad: When we first started running, I was just letting the sweat drip off my forehead.  After a while I got sick of sweat in my eyes, so I purchased some sweat bands (the kind that you see NBA players wearing).  It can look silly at times, but I needed something to catch the sweeat.  As summer went on and it was hotter and hotter out, I found that I was still getting sweat in my eyes because those bands could only soak up so much.  Julie found this neat little product called Bondi Bands and thought we should give it a try.  I was skeptical at first because the band itself is very light weight and thin.  I didn't know how this could actually stop my sweat from running down my forehead.  Let me tell you, it definitely works.  I wear these not only for running, but also to basketball. 

Bondi Bands can also double as ear warmers when running in the cold.

There are a lot of different styles and colors to choose from.  Some have writing and some are plain.  And for you philanthropists, consider your purchase of Bondi Bands good for you and good for others!  Each year, Bondi Band contributes 10% of their pretax profit to charity!

Now, at this point, I'm sure you're thinking, "How can I get a Bondi Band for myself"?  There are two ways you can get some for yourself.  You can go to their website ( http://www.bondiband.com/ ) and check out the different styles and colors. Or you can win one by submitting an entry into our drawing! 

Here are many ways you can get an entry into our drawing (the winner will be picked by random.org):

- Go check out bondiband.com and leave us a comment letting us know why you want a bondi band!

- Become a follower of our blog and let us know with a comment (or leave a comment to let us know you already are a follower).

- Post this blog entry on your facebook (and let us know by leaving a comment)
- Post this blog entry on your twitter account (and let us know by leaving a comment)
- Link this blog entry on your own blog

Yes, that means you can get up to 5 chances to win!  We will be doing the drawing Tuesday, March 15th - so get your entries in before then!

Julie's Stuffed Chicken

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
2 oz. cream cheese
1 cup frozen broccoli - thawed
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
Mrs. Dash Tomato Basil Seasoning

Recipe:
Preheat oven to 375.  Butterfly chicken breasts and pound thin.  Season each side with Mrs. Dash Tomato Basil Seasoning.  Mix broccoli, parmesan cheese and cream cheese.  Put cheese/broccoli mixture in the middle of each chicken breast and roll up.  Use toothpicks to hold chicken together.  Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over chicken. 

Cover dish with tin foil.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Remove foil and cook another 5 minutes or until cheese is golden brown.

Julie: This is another good recipe that we always have all of the ingrediants for so it's a good back-up meal for when you didn't plan anything for dinner!
Chad: This is one of my favorites.  It's a little fussy so we don't make it as often as I wish we did.

Tutti Fruity

Do you ever get hungry in the middle of the morning before lunch? Do you ever go to the snack machine or find some sort of junk food to snack on during that time? Where we work, junk food is always VERY available. How do you make healthy decisions with temptations like that?

We have started taking a bowl of fruit with us to work for those very instances. I wasn’t a super fan of this at first because fruit does not contain any salt, creamy fillings, cheese, meat (the junk that we always seem to crave).  However, we have learned to appreciate fruit more. It really is a great snack in the middle of the day and we have zero guilt afterwards. We would recommend cutting up some of your favorite fruits and snacking on them as the day goes by.

Our daily fruit snacks we take to work with us.

Some interesting fruit facts...

-Blueberries won’t ripen until they are picked and have more antioxidants than most any other fruit and vegetable.

-There is more fiber in an orange than in most other fruits and vegetables

-British sailors used to be call ‘Limeys’ because they ate citrus to prevent scurvy on long sea voyages

-A single orange seed will likely yield more than one plant

-Peaches were once known as Persian apples

-“You’re a real peach” originated from the tradition of giving a peach to a friend you liked.

-Some Chinese peaches are flat like a puck.

-Strawberries are not really a fruit nor a berry but an enlarged receptacle of the flower.

-Strawberries and apples are a members of the rose family.

-Strawberries are very high in vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants.

-Fruit juice takes about 15 minutes for your body to digest whereas it takes 30 minutes for raw fruit.

-The ‘healthiest’ fruit that is readily available to most of us is guava.

-Dangerous ‘oxidants’ are in our bodies. Fruits that contain antioxidants help reduce the harmfulness of these oxidants (i.e. fruits have been known to reduce the risk of cancers).

-Before the invention of canteens, explorers would use watermelons to carry their water

-Banana plants can grow an inch or more during the night.

-There are more than 7,000 different types of apples in the world.

-Kiwi fruit is named for the national bird of New Zealand, the Kiwi bird, because of its brown fuzzy skin.

-Strawberries are the only fruit that has it’s seeds on the outside.

-Pineapples are berries

-Bananas are loaded with potassium. Potassium is important in keeping blood pressure at a healthy level.

-There are more than 100 varieties of bananas. Some have red skin.

-Avocados are commonly used as vegetables. Botanically, they are fruits.

-Avocados contain about 22% fat and a medium sized avocado contains about 300 calories and 30 grams of fat.



Sources: factmonster.com, thefruitpages.com, fruitnutritionfacts.com, gourmetgiftbaskets.com, easyfunschool.com, foodreference

Running in the Cold

Spring is just around the corner and it's a good thing because we are getting some serious cabin feaver.  This week has been a great week for us because we have been able to run every night thus far.  It was very difficult to run in the cold yesterday, but it wasn't that bad. 

As it stands right now, our plan is to start out slowly.  We are only running about 50% of a 5K at a snails pace.  This is the best way for us just because when we push ourselves too hard, we get burnt out.  We are going to increase our pace and distance as time goes on.  Eventually, when it gets a little warmer, we will start a true 'conditioning' program to kick our butts into a higher gear. 

On a seperate semi-unrelated note, we will be reviewing a running product in a week or so and will be giving away a free sample of the product.  Keep an eye out for this.