Thursday, July 28, 2011

Favorite Things–July 2011

If you are keeping tabs on me you noticed there was not a “Favorite Things” for June. In June I had no favorite things. I hated everything. Well, not really, but nothing stuck out worth writing about.

July, however, was a different story. I was orgasmic with a few new faves:

Honey Stinger Waffles:  At 160 calories and 21 grams of carbs, these things are so good they are like crack in the shape of a waffle. They are slim and compact and can easily be taken on the bike or the run. You can get them on sale for $1 a piece. I ordered them from Running Warehouse (a case of 16) and the total cost was $15. Best thing is, they are not full of crap like some fueling products. Ingredients include organic wheat flour, organic rice syrup, organic honey, etc. P1100593

Cupcake Chardonnay: I like wine. A lot. I used to be a big beer drinker when we first moved to Colorado and loved the allure of all the microbrews. We even brewed our own beer for awhile and gave out bottles at our wedding with personalized labels. Now I’m over the beer thing and have moved onto wine.  The Cupcake brand is a good one because it is inexpensive ($10-$13, but I get it on sale for $8.99). I could get all fancy and tell you that it has a touch of apple, a hint of tropical fruits and is complimented by a balance of vanilla and spice, but really it just tastes damn good!

H20 Audio Waterproof iPod Case: I was given this item to review a few months ago during my injury when swimming and I became inseparable. With my HIM training, this thing has been incredible. I only use it about half of the time. On my longest swims or when I want to time myself on the 1.2 mile and just do lap after lap, it has been a godsend. Goes for $99 (carpet not included).

P1090693

Thomas’ Whole Wheat Bagels: When I went for my performance testing, one of the things I learned is that I was not carbing up enough in the mornings before my bike rides. I was also not eating enough calories or grams of carbs while on the bike. These bagels are soft and nutty and contain a whopping 49 grams of carbs and 250 calories. This is an easy, quick and tasty breakfast pre-workout (especially when you add some butter and cinnamon sugar, my favorite toppings ever). I SWEAR my cycling has improved with the increased carbs and I owe it to this round nugget of goodness.

Thomas'® 100% Whole Wheat Bagels

This recipe for Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken BBQ Sandwiches. I don’t tend to use my crockpot a ton in the summer, preferring to save it for savory stews and soups in the cold months, but when you are cooking for a large group, this recipe cannot be beat.  It is only five ingredients and you just dump it all in the crockpot and go about your business of running, blogging and changing diapers or whatever you do . I usually double it for groups of 10-15. All you need are the rolls and some fruit salad and voila! A meal. I’ve made this about a bazillion times.

Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbecue Recipe

The Hana Run Short from Athleta. Not all running shorts are created equal. These are lightweight, functional and fit just right. I wear them the most of any running shorts I have and have them in both purple and bright pink. And best of all, right now select colors are on sale for $29.99. They might run a bit big, I ordered an XS.

P1090269

Taken in Costa Rica this spring

The book Unbroken. Haven’t read it? What is your problem? A great work of non-fiction that is mesmerizing and gripping. Plus, the main character is an epic runner and you know how we love runners.

Got any favorite things this month? If not, you can just steal mine.

SUAR

Fine print: I reviewed all of these items on my own without request or compensation from the companies, authors, etc. represented.

51 comments:

  1. My favorite thing is carpet swimming. Now there is a reason for those rug burns on my legs!

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  2. HoneyStinger waffles are great but I got you beat in the pricing category. Got 40 of them for less than $1 a pop including shipping from Natures Grocers.

    Cupcake Wine is a favorite of The Lady Baha as well, but this family tends to drink reds and not whites....we are wineist like that.

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  3. Jason mine were less than $1 too with free shipping. .93!

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  4. Carpet swimming? Hah! Don't laugh at me, but I totally thought you were swimming close to the bottom of a beautiful ocean or something like that. And that color of the carpet was actually soft, wheaty colored looking sand. I better go get my eyes checked!

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  5. I'm dying to try the Honey Stinger Waffles so they can be my new favorite thing. Crossing fingers. My other new favorite things are my Vitalsox compression recovery socks. I don't want to take them off. Ever. They are getting sort of nasty...I should probably peel them off and wash them at some point.

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  6. I loved Unbroken. Right now loving: Nuun (it helps that they sent me 10 free tubes and are footing the bill for HTC); my Sugoi Stamina running skirt - first skirt and really need to get another one; my mum coming over to watch Spud so I can run hill repeats without the stroller.

    Not loving: Spud playing "volcano" in my clean laundry pile while I write this...

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  7. When I learn how to read again, I will read that book. And when I learn how to cook, that chicken sloppy joe thingy looks like something I could actually make. I'm stealing those. And my other favorite things this month... ummmm... well, yesterday was Summer Hump Day so that means we're halfway back to school... LOVING that :P

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  8. Oh, there will be zesty chicken sandwiches at my house next week. Oh, yes.

    How do you transport the waffles on a run without turning them into a pouch of crumbs?

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  9. I LOVE honeystinger waffles! great with a cup of coffee. Doesnt everyone eat them for breakfast?

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  10. Wish I could eat the HS waffles, everyone seems to love them, but I'm gluten-free and they're not. Waiting to hear verdict from my hubs on the ones I got for him.

    So can anyone compare the Hana Run shorts to the Nike Tempo short (my absolute fave)? Or the nice Oiselle distance short? (still think Beth, you should wear something from RunningDivas, you're in shape for it)

    And Beth, since you're an Athleta athlete, can you please get them to get the Sprint seamless bra top back in stock in S (black, purple, or blue) ASAP?! :)

    BTW, Athleta's having a sale online right now but they'r sold out of a lot - like the Hana in small.

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  11. Got the Stinger waffle after reading about them here, and I LOVE them! The new Vanilla flavor is delicious!!

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  12. I love those Thomas' Bagels! I buy the Honey Wheat ones often too, they're delish. Not sure on the stats because sadly, I dont have any right now :(

    I have a honey stinger waffle in my kitchen closet and I have no idea why I haven't eaten it yet. I think I'll eat it before long run this weekend!

    Unbroken - My boss gave me that book today to ship to his condo in Florida. He also told me what a great book it is. Im gonna have to read it!

    My favorite things right now are my Kinvara 2s (in blue/pink - fave shoe ever), my puppy because she's just so lovable, and the fact that I cook for 6 when I'm only one person so I always have leftovers!

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  13. Unbroken was excellent. You may also want to read "The Long Walk" about a Polish POW. Makes those hilly runs seem like a breeze compared to what he went through - best part is that it's about 200 pages so a quick read.

    I also love 110% Play Hard compression sleeves.

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  14. I also love those Athleta shorts, and they do run big, I usually am a medium and I ordered a small. I have two pairs - love them!

    I also loved Unbroken, but parts were very disturbing. I learned a lot of history that somehow I missed while I was in high school.

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  15. love the stingers as well and loved unbroken - great story....

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  16. my hubs is obsessed with the stinger waffles. I'm trying to make the homemade version. Not the same. haha.

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  17. I'm going to get my hands on some of those waffles. I have a half in Wildwood in August and have NO idea what to eat to fuel through the run. (Possibly nothing and then race to the finish for food motivation?)

    Oh, and my favorite things...

    Your blog.

    And yes, I was a suck-up in high school.

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  18. Cupcake and wine... one bottle. Looks like I will be trying to locate that in my area!

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  19. I love your carpet swimming shots! I'll also have to try those Thomas' bagels; I can use all the carb-induced bike speediness I can get.

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  20. i picked up my first package of HoneyStinger waffles yesterday and will be using them tomorrow on my long bike ride. I will see if they become a favorite.

    I have a bottle of Cupcake downstairs - tried it a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it ;-) My favorite is a nice Pinot Noir.

    Coffee from a local roaster - Just Coffee!

    A great Spinach Salad!

    My dog and cat and new kitty!

    A beer after a long bike ride - tonight I had a Totally Naked from New Glarus Brewery.

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  21. I too love the honeystinger waffles, they really are like crack.

    Right now, I'm hooked on haribo gummy bears... ok, I might actually have a gummy bear problem. Is there a 12 step program for that?

    Also, digging Jam Jar wine. Don't normally like red wine, but this one is incredible.

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  22. Oh gosh, I like Cupcake Wine too. At first it was just the name and now it's the WINE itself. Delicious!

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  23. Yum! Cupcake Red Velvet is my favorite. I discovered Cupcake Wine by accident. How can you not buy a bottle of wine with words like scrumptious, dark chocolate notes, smooth, and silky in the description and a tagline of Live Deliciously. I mean really? I just go lucky that it also happened to be so yummy.

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  24. Oooh. I really want to try those waffle things!

    Love that swimming pic.

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  25. Thanks for the Unbroken review--love to read and must before bed.

    I hope you put some Body Glide on before carpet swimming. Nasty chaffage!

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  26. I need to try those stinger waffles---I keep hearing about them!!!!!

    My fav...my fav....
    My sweet aqua jogger belt.
    [cry face]
    my new GF cookie recipe. I made up all by myself which means....I'm the only one who thinks they don't taste like a$s but I'm totally ok with that.

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  27. I also like the bagels. They are my pre-race staple. Yum.

    Thanks for listing that book, I need something new to read.

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  28. Might be strange, but I've never worn shorts on my runs. What is the appeal? What if you are a little curvy and get "chub rub"? Do you know what that is? :)

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  29. Had to comment because, even though I haven't read Unbroken yet, I had my English class read the excerpt from Runner's World last year as an example of really good, unboring fiction. (Ninth graders sometimes do not believe such a thing exists). Great writing, and what an amazing guy!

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  30. Favorite things?...I haven't tried those waffles yet! I want too!!! I can't think of anything yet because I've got race goggles on and it's clouding my thought process

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  31. OK- I've had everything on your list but the sweat phones and shorts. All Lululemon here :) Try the Whites from New Zealand- cheap and good. Oyster Bay tastes a lot like Cloudy Bay, but runs around $10 instead of $40- yummy yummy.

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  32. Someone else recommended Unbroken to me so I shall steal your favorite thing and read it. I think I read faster on my Kindle...always looking for good books.

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  33. Alanna I am hooked on Nuun too. How do I get my hands on 10 free tubes? Is it possible to OD on them cos I might be walking that fine line.

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  34. I will do just about anything for Chardonnay, and, I love Cupcake vineyards!!

    I've also done some carpet swimming in the past, too. Good stuff.

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  35. I love Thomas's bagels-cinnamon raisin!I have one every morning before I run-one side with reduced fat peanut butter and the other side with fat free strawberry cream cheese. I will try the Honey Stingers soon though. :)
    My other favorite thing today is my mother-in-law because she just called while I was reading this and said she was taking my children to the movies so I could have some time to do what I wanted to do today!!!

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  36. I discovered Cupcake Chardonnay this month and am loving it! I am now keeping a bottle chilled in the fridge at all times. Yum! Perfect with any summertime meal.

    Unbroken was AMAZING! Could not put that book down.

    My favorite thing right now...hitting the trails for long runs, Picky Bars (tasty, "real food" ingredients, good nutrition profile) and Cupcake Chard. They sort of all work together.

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  37. That is the second time I have sdeen this book recommended in the last couple days - must be good!

    And THANK YOU for getting me hooked on the honey stinger waffles. SO GOOD! I want to go on a bike ride just to eat them. Unfortunately they are way more than a buck here! Boo!

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  38. Just this morning I was checkin out those short you like at Athleta, I my have to get them now. They look great on you! My new favorite thing is my new running shorts.Theres nothing like finding the perfect pair! They are made by New Balance. Super thin and light, fit perfect.I bought 8 pairs! (thats all they had on the rack) My favorite store to buy my running gear(other than Target) is TJMaxx. they had my shorts marked down to $7.99.Reg. $26.99. I tell everyone I can to get their running stuff there because it is soooo cheap. Its just marked down because it is last years colors or styles.I wonder if you have a TJs were you live?

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  39. I have stolen the bagels - they're so going to Cascade Lakes Relay with me - and I have placed a request with the library for Unbroken. Now, to see how long it takes 173 people to read 76 copies so this 174th person can read it. ;-)

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  40. I was wearing my hanna running shorts just this morning...Love em!

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  41. Thanks for the tip on the Honey Stinger Waffles - will try them. Gu is getting old...

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  42. Mini wine bottles. Each bottle is 1 glass and you can buy them in a 4-pack. Our grocery store sells them for $1 a bottle and you can mix and match. At 1 glass each, buying 4 is cheaper than buying a whole bottle of the same wine, and it forces me not to drink half the bottle in one sitting.

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  43. Love Cupcake wines! We live very close to the distributor for Cupcake and every few months we are able to score some killer deals on Cupcake...

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  44. Burger Lounge. That's my favorite for the moment. Probably because I just ate there today. The most ridiculously good burger ever. Not sure if they exist outside of San Diego....

    Must try the Cupcake Chard this weekend...though I'm more of a Pinot Noir kinda girl.

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  45. I am *so* going to try the BBQ Chicken Crock pot recipe. I *love* coming home from work and having the house smell like yummy goodness!

    I read "Unbroken" a couple months ago. It's on my blog book list. Great book. Very hard to read at times. So much human cruelty :-(.

    Right now I'm reading "A Few Degrees from Hell" by Scott Ludwig. It's a collection of the accounts of about 40 Badwater Ultra Marathon finishers. I *so* want to be fit enough to to do a 135 foot race across Death Valley! Wow! These folks are no joke! 'Way outta *my* league!

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  46. Did some research on the waffles. Had to order a box (or two - $13 for 16 on Amazon).

    Thanks for the tip. Can't wait to get 'em!!!

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  47. Okay, I just made the BBQ chicken and it is fantastic. New staple at our house. Thanks for sharing it!

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  48. I was surprised to find that I loved the Cupcake Red Velvet. So, for you red wine drinkers, there is a Cupcake wine for you, too.

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  49. If you like non-fiction survival stories, I highly suggest you read, "The Long Walk" by Slavomir Rawicz. I cried while reading it!

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  50. I am buying Unbroken to read today, and I'm going to have to try those waffles! I highly recommend Lone Survivor if you have not read it. When I think my training is tough, I remind myself that those Navy Seals (and all our other soldiers) risking life and limb for us have done more and gone farther than I ever will, and it pushes me to go farther. Love your blog. It always gives me a laugh, brightens my day and inspires me to do more. Now, I think it's time for a good read and some Cupcake Wine by the pool!

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