How to Rock The Color Run!

Last July I ran my first 5K, which just so happened to be The Color Run. Doing a "fun run" helped calm my nerves about how I would perform during my first 5K. I realized with these races, it's not about who will have the fastest time, it's about having as much fun as you can.

People of all ages participated in the run- I even spotted some moms pushing their kids in strollers! People walked, ran, or did interval running (which was what I did, since I wasn't quite used to running at the time).

And although I had fun and had done interval training for my race, I was still unprepared for that whirlwind of color. Colored corn starch remained on my car seats until September.

This Saturday, I am running my second Color Run (but fourth 5K!) and I am more than prepared. Here are my tips for rocking The Color Run. These tips are useful for any fun run that you may get dirty on, like Muderrella or Spartan!

1. Make a team. The best part of these races is sharing the fun with others. Gather a few friends and cross the finish line together! You'll have each other to cheer on and party with each other during the wild after party! Yes, there's a crazy after party! You also save money for registration when you sign up as a team :)

2. Wear white. As much white as you can. Or any light color. Leave that black workout gear at home! You want to be COVERED in color! :) Keep in mind they will give you a Color Run shirt, if you don't mind getting covered in color. I wore The Color Run shirt last year, and most of the color came out of it when I washed it. Don't go out of your way to buy white though. Everything is getting dirty!

3. Wear sunglasses or goggles. You will want to protect your pretty eyes while running :) I wore a pair of plastic sunglasses last year. I call them my "Boardy Barn" sunglasses because I don't care about what happens to them (all the Long Island folk get what I mean).

4. Bring Ziploc baggies. And a fanny pack. I brought several baggies to put my phone, money, keys, etc. in. I also borrowed my friend's fannypack to use while running and it was the best idea ever. This year The Color Run banned backpacks, but fanny packs are allowed, so I purchased my own on Amazon to use while running. (This fanny pack is also for Boardy Barn. I really like Boardy Barn and running?)

5. Hold onto the packet of color in your registration pack! A couple of people opened their packets before the race began, but I held onto mine and burst it open during the after party. It was much better that way and it was at the after party where people got really covered in color. Save the packet!

6. Bring a towel. Maybe even two. If you're driving and have people riding in your car, make sure everyone brings a towel to sit on! You may want to pack an extra in your trunk just to wipe yourself off.

7. Clean properly. Bring a tub of baby wipes to help yourself get cleaned off a little before your ride home. There will be people with leaf blowers though to help get all that colored cornstarch off you though. Be prepared to take about 2-3 showers before all the color comes out. Last year I had to wash my body about 3 times, but I learned my usual, moisturizing body wash wouldn't cut it for getting out all the color. I had to use Dawn antibacterial dish soap. Hey- if they can use it to clean the grease off cute penguins, you can use it on your body. I still felt like I had some color deep into my pores, so I also used a face mask after my shower!


If you've never ran a race, I recommend The Color Run as a place to start. Or even if you're a pro at running marathons, The Color Run is a great time for good and not-so-clean fun!

Until next time :) xoxo

Guilt-Free Peanut Butter Fudge Pops!

Tonight was one of those nights where I created a dessert so amazing, I wanted to look in the mirror and say to myself, "Good God, I love you."

Don't worry, I didn't. But wowie kazowie was this dessert amazing.

I often take kickboxing classes at night, so afterwards I usually want something cool and refreshing after I've worked up a sweat. A Ralph's Italian Ice sounds pretty good right now, but I've been working so hard and I just want to keep at it!

A few weeks ago I ordered some ice pop molds from Amazon so I can start making some "Babe Pops" as Karena & Katrina, from Tone It Up, call them. While they have many amazing recipes, I didn't have many of the ingredients that they call for handy. I decided to whip up my own simple concoction for Peanut Butter Fudge Pops.

You will definitely need some ice pop molds for this! However you can definitely make this as "ice cream" if you freeze the bananas first and leave out the almond milk.

Guilt-Free Peanut Butter Fudge Pops

Makes about 4 fudge pops

Ingredients:
- 2 bananas
- 4 tbsp of chocolate PB2
- 1/2 unsweetened vanilla almond milk (but I bet this comes out ultra chocolatey if you use unsweetened chocolate almond milk!)

1. Prepare the PB2 as the directions state.
2. In your blender or food processor (or Nutribullet because that's what I used), blend the bananas, PB2, and almond milk until smooth.
3. Pour into the molds and freeze for about 6 hours or overnight!
4. Run the pop under warm water until it slides out, and enjoy!

*To make this as "ice cream," slice & freeze your bananas for a few hours, then blend with the prepared PB2 and enjoy immediately!

You've been working really hard for that beach body! You deserve a treat :) I promise you that you will be completely satisfied with one of these fudge pops.

Until next time! Xoxo

Calling All Trendy Gym Betches!

Hey you,

You must be a trendy gym betch, welcome.

If you're a super trendy gym betch, you probably already know about my favorite website. If you haven't heard about it yet, no worries, allow me to introduce Fabletics.

As someone who has a shopping problem, Fabletics is dangerous to my health. However it is designed for the fit, fashionable, and frugal.

Fabletics is a brand of fitness clothing co-founded by Kate Hudson (and, like, other people but Kate's name is all over the website). The clothing is great quality and affordable! I feel like I'm cheating on Lululemon (ilsym baby I'm sorry). They should call the leggings "Miracle Leggings" because my tushie looks heaven sent in them.

The best way to get the most of Fabletics is to take the "Get Started" quiz, which helps pick what outfits will be best for you depending on your fitness style, such as running, yoga, and cycling. There's even options for those who like to mix things up, like me! This creates your "Lifestyle Profile." Once you finish the quiz, your top outfit choices are selected. You don't even have to buy those outfits. You can mix and match other pieces! Each month you will receive a list of outfits that are selected for your Lifestyle. You can check out as a regular member and come back as you please, or sign up for the VIP Membership, which is what I recommend. VIP outfits start at $49.50 and are 40% off the price for regular members. Not to mention, your first outfit is 50% off. Chicka chicka yeeaaaaaaah. VIP Members have the opportunity to pick out a new outfit each month. Can't commit to spending $49.50 a month? Neither can I. Netflix is my only monthly commitment (except those bastards just went up $1. CURSE YOU). Even when you're a Fabletics VIP Member, you can choose to "skip" a month. Make sure you select "skip" when you receive your monthly outfits! If you forget, it's okie doke. Your account will be credited $49.50, which you can save for another month. Just make sure you hit skip on that month! Also, some tops are even cute to wear out to the bar. No kiddin'.

So do I recommend Fabletics? Yes! I haven't been disappointed in an outfit yet. Make sure you read their size guides, although I find their outfits to run true to size! Some may think the leggings feel tight, but personally I like my workout leggings snug. The one drawback I've had is with sports bras. I like my sports bras a little padded since I gots no boobs and I like to create the illusion that I do. They're not bad sports bras though, they really do their job and compress. Except in my case I was compressed to the level of "ironing board." Other than that, everything is excellent quality and cute, plus the price is just right. I get about 2-3 pieces in an outfit for at least $50, and I'd definitely spend more than that for a complete outfit at Target. This is great for all gym betches and those looking to get started on creating a new gym wardrobe.

So go ahead, girl, getcha shop on. XO!

Make It Stop.

I'm actually sitting in class right now and writing this post, so shame on me. But this is a quick post. I came across this on Pinterest and wanted to throw my computer across the room.

This is a post in the health & fitness section on Pinterest. This is not Pinterest's fault. Some poor soul who thinks thigh gaps are a sign of beauty pinned this. Actually... some asshole created this. They actually created a workout called "Perfect thigh gap." WHO ARE YOU? Can I hit you in the head with a kettlebell? 

I've written about thigh gaps before, so I don't really have more to add, but with bikini season on its way, lots of people are trying to get into shape. A reminder: thigh gaps are not a sign of beauty, power, health, etc. All that comes from within.

If you missed my post on thigh gaps, you can read it here.

Bikini Series and New Recipe!

Hi all! After my long hiatus, I have returned. My past month has been filled with cracking down on school work and preparing for a very important test. I've barely had a second to breathe. I've been itching to get back into my blog, but I just haven't had time :(

I'm very, very, very excited that tomorrow is the beginning of a brand new Tone It Up challenge: The 2014 Bikini Series!!! The Bikini Series is an 8 week challenge to help you get bikini ready by summer :)

It was during last year's Bikini Series that I learned about TIU and started following along with their workouts. This is my first year doing the Series as an official member, I couldn't be more excited to check in with the rest of my team. You don't have to be an official member to participate in the series... signing up is FREE! Check their website every Sunday for the weekly workout schedule, as well as every day for new updates from Karena and Katrina. Also, make sure you sign up for the email updates from K&K which you can do right here on their website. This link will take you to the first week's schedule and the email sign ups. Today is the last day to sign up! Do it now and get ready to rock a bikini with me!! :) http://toneitup.com/2014/04/the-1st-bikini-series-weekly-schedule-☀/

This is one of my favorite parts of the Series.. #100bySummer or #150bySummer

Your challenge is to complete 100 or 150 miles by June 21st, the first day of summer. You can run, bike, swim, elliptical, or Zumba your way to these miles! If you run or use the elliptical, count those miles. Bike riding or taking a spin class? Take your miles and divide it by 3. Any other form of cardio? 10 minutes of intense cardio = 1 mile. All the details are on the website :)

The challenge is filled with fun workouts and recipes! Join me and challenge yourself! I just received a new bikini for the summer and I can't believe the difference between 2013 and 2014. I can't wait to add a third transformation photo to this group. I'm ready to build some muscle during this challenge!!

And I couldn't return to my blog without a new recipe to share.
Last week my sister was home for Easter and we decided to make cauliflower crust pizza...and it was delicious! I've been wanting to make cauliflower crust pizza for a year and it was so much better than I expected. It's definitely something I will make again.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Ingredients

- one head of cauliflower, cleaned and chopped
- 1 cup organic, part-skim, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh, chopped parsley
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
- 4 tbsp oat flour (you can also use whole wheat)
- salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place chopped cauliflower in a food processor and pulse until the cauliflower is shredded and like a "rice" texture.

2. Place cauliflower in a microwave safe container and cover. Place in the microwave and cook for about 8-10 minutes. When done, let it cool completely. I then squeezed out excess moisture with a dish towel.

3. Stir together all the ingredients until it is all evenly incorporated. Pour onto a prepared baking sheet and form into a crust. Bake on the sheet until lightly browned, about 20-30 minutes.

We topped our pizza with Trader Joe's pizza sauce, more mozzarella, and fresh basil :)
Mangia!

Set Your Spring Goals!

Ahhhh, springtime. After what has felt like the coldest, snowiest, and ugliest winter, it feels so good to say, "Spring has sprung." For many, spring signifies a time of change. I mean, I don't think we need spring to make changes, anytime is a good time to start! But you want to make changes this spring, then now is the perfect time to start and set your goals.

Change is great. It's a time to grow and set goals.

I took a Soul Cycle class this afternoon, and the instructor talked about how we are already making the effort to change our bodies by coming to class. He then asked, "what do you want to change about your life? Go make that change."

I like to make goals at the beginning of a new season, the beginning of the month... and not big, huge goals. Usually something that is doable, but something I've struggled with in the past. For example, in January I pledged to drink more water (because I'm always dehydrated), in February I set a goal to focus more on toning, and in March I promised myself I wouldn't get so obsessive compulsive over getting in a workout 6 days a week. School's really tough right now, and that needs to be my priority. If I skip a morning workout because I was up late studying, c'est la vie! I can deal.

Your goals don't have to be fitness related. It could be anything for your well being. Maybe you want to give up something that no longer serves you? Maybe you always wanted to start a blog and haven't yet? Want to learn how to play an instrument? You should go an do all those things you want to do, and start by making small goals.

When I set goals for myself, I first reflect on what I'm happy with and most thankful for in my life. It's important to remember the things you are thankful for! Write them down. You'll smile at your list.

Then I think about the things I want or need to change.  Something I know I can change. What do you need to change about your life?

My goals for spring aren't fitness related. My goal is basically to survive grad school.

For the first time in forever (Frozen reference, whaddup) I'm having difficulty with school. Most of my life, a lot of subjects in school came naturally to me, especially when I dove into speech pathology. Working with kids and all that school-based language stuff just clicks in my head. Except this semester, I'm interning in a hospital. I don't hate it, I don't dislike it... I actually am surprised that I like it.  But it doesn't come naturally to me like working with kids does. I struggle with the fast paced environment, the lack of a regimen and lesson plans, and the fact that the setting is a lot sadder than an elementary school.

This part of speech pathology isn't my calling. But I want to learn! I still find all of it fascinating. So how can I get better at this? Here are my goals:

1) I will be more organized with my data and note taking. I'm fixing this by getting a bigger notebook (I was using a pocket sized one because it fit in my scrubs but now it's just annoying and my notes are EVERYWHERE) and bring my laptop in to type up my evaluations. I'm just more efficient at typing things- my thoughts are clearer and it's easier to make edits than handwriting.

2) I am STUDYING THE CRAP out of my informal evaluations. Any eval that I did in an elementary school, I know like the back of my hand. I figured those tests out right away. But this hospital stuff? Not clicking in my noggin. Why? I don't know. I guess it's just harder for me to get because I don't feel like this is my calling. I know what I need to do, and I need to be more efficient at giving evaluations in the hospital setting.

3) I'll keep being happy Gabby. I've come to realize my personality is a lot different than the doctors, nurses, and staff at the hospital. My "happy teacher voice" comes out all the time and I have to fight the urge to high five patients for swallowing their puree. I JUST WANT TO GIVE OUT STICKERS AGAIN. But I won't change who I am in the hospital. A lot of my patients love me, and I know that because they've told me. I'm gonna toot my own horn for a second and say I'm a breath of fresh air in the hospital.  Sometimes when I do something wrong though, I beat myself up over it. Like how I was saying with the evals. I get so mad at myself when I screw those up. I'm gonna stop getting MAD and start learning from my mistakes! I will not sit and cry. I will just get better.

I'm currently visualizing myself as Elle Woods in that scene in Legally Blonde when she's studying on the treadmill and like being all smart, and raising her hand in class and making Vivian look like a stupid betch. I like it.

Well, Elle... change is gonna be a little hard. But if things weren't hard, they wouldn't matter, right?

And I'm so sorry for getting all "year 2000 Live Journal" on you, but I kinda needed an outlet for how I was feeling about change in myself. It's also helpful to hear someone else is going through something, so if anyone needed someone to relate to, here I am. I'm fighting my own personal battle as well.

Set a small goal... one small goal today... and challenge yourself this spring. You got this :)

The Thigh Gap Debacle

Incase you missed it, a Target photoshop fail went VIRAL this past week, showing a botched photoshop job on a beautiful model's arms and thighs.

The Internet learned of the fail when blogger, Cassey Ho, certified fitness instructor & creator of Blogilates and POP Pilates, posted about the photoshopped model while she was checking out Target's swimsuits. Soon enough, the story was on several other blogs and websites, including the Huffington Post.

Look! What a cute swimsuit! I'm loving the style of this top... but wait, let's zoom in.

I spy three wrong things here. #1... why is one arm drastically skinnier than the other arm?

#2 I don't know what happened to this girl's hoo-ha... but ouch. I didn't know box shaped vaginas were in!

#3 There is a dagger coming out of her armpit. That is... painful.

Why, why, WHY is this beautiful girl's body being decimated?!

Because for a while now, the world has become obsessed with thigh gaps and bikini bridges.

As we white girls in America say... "Staaaahp, I caaaaaaaaaaaaaaan't."

When I saw the blog post on Cassey Ho's website, this was the reaction I posted on my Facebook:

"Having a thigh gap doesn't make you pretty. Having a good heart and self confidence does."

Like, WHAT, TELL ME WHAT, is so desirable about a thigh gap?! Do ya need a breeze between your legs? No. No you don't.

And really, back to Target for a second, WHO THE HECK was hired to do that photoshop job? Lately the Internet has been taking a stand to battle Eating Disorders. It's great to see some companies taking a stand and wanting to make a change. This is what happens when you search "thinspo" on Pinterest.

Heck yeah, Pinterest. Good job!

Everyone in America knows, and loves, Target. I can't go in there without spending an entire paycheck. It's sad to see such a big, influential company using their power to CHANGE a woman's body in such a negative way. This bathing suit was from the Junior's department, meaning young girls were looking at this model thinking, "wow, look at her body. I want to look like that." Notice I'm using past tense? Target removed the model and swimsuit from their website.

Here's the moral of the story:

Box shaped vaginas are painful, so are daggers coming out of your armpits, and thigh gaps are not a sign of beauty. If you do or don't have a gap between your thighs, it doesn't matter. What makes a person beautiful is being caring, loving, and kind. I find girls with self confidence and a kind heart to be the prettiest. It's those girls, in my opinion, that shine.