Weeks Two & Three - Happiness Project

Working on Gretchen Rubin’s 2010 The Happiness Project. Each month, she proposes an area of life to tackle for your project.

January: Energy
Week Two: Exercise

I have a problem with over doing my exercise and ending up exhausted for the rest of the day. Exercise makes me happy - so, more must be better. Result – a Cellular Tiredness.
For me, I am going to strive for a balance by listening to my body.

“Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.” – St Francis De Sales

Week Three: Toss and Organize

I’m a tidy, place for everything, kind of person so I totally agree with Gretchen’s words, “Outer order = Inner calm...”
But there is always room for improvement.
I’m going to give something to the thrift everyday this week. I have a lot of shirts that have never been worn.

Some great ideas here - > Unclutterer

Entire HP
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Review Vega Sport Drink

I was lucky enough to receive some free samples of Vega Sport from Sequel Naturals. A totally vegan product formulated by Brendan Brazier, professional Ironman triathlete and bestselling author.

Product:
Vega Sport: Natural Plant-Based Performance Optimizer Pre-Workout Sports Beverage
Flavors: lemon-lime and acai-berry
Sizes: 30-serving tub or 24-serving box of snack packs
SRP: $49.99

I actually did two tests on this product. I was a little hesitant to drink it down and then head out for a long run as it has a bevy of unfamiliar (to me) ingredients such as: Kombucha leaf, Yerba Mate, and Devils claws root.

Eval:
It has an agreeable smell – fresh would be my best description. A smooth and delicate taste - not overly sweet. Plus it was easy to mix - just add water and shake it up in a bottle.
I have to say the first run was too short to determine any increase in energy – but I did not feel tired. If anything I would have to say it was a mood enhancer. I ran in high spirits.
The second test was for a 5 miler with some tempo pick-ups. And, yes, it definitely gave me sustained energy. I usually feel pretty bagged after a tempo run. But I felt Alive and yes - Happy.

“Enhances mental focus"

Summing up:
I was concerned the Ginseng may cause heart beat irregularities – since I’m sensitive to caffeine. But heart rate was pretty steady.
I can’t wait to take this drink along with me when I start training for my next Half Marathon.
Thanks again Kelly for the free samples and bottle.

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Oreo Cookie Vs Zucchini Bread

Oreo Peanut Butter Cream
Ingredients:
Sugar, Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate {Vitamin B1}Riboflavin {Vitamin B2}Folic Acid) Peanut Butter (Peanuts, Hydrogenated Rapeseed and/or Cottonseed and/or Soybean Oils, Salt) High Oleic Canola Oil and/or Palm oil and/or Canola Oil, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali) Maltodextrin, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Cornstarch, Salt, Baking Soda, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier) Chocolate, Vanillin - an Artificial Flavor. (Not too evil...)


Homemade Zucchini Bread
Ingredients:
Whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, raisins, Ener-G , canola oil, sugar, grated zucchini, applesauce, and vanilla extract.

Winner - Zucchini Bread!

BTW - Regular Oreos are considered Vegetarian.
Here’s the original recipe Low Fat Zucchini Bread.
(I always modify the sugar level!)

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Eat This

This week’s theme at Runner's Lounge TIaRT is.... Runners version of Eat This Not That.
Eating and running go hand in hand. Food is the fuel for action and the matrix for recovery.

"As most of you know I have been vegetarian for about 15 years. I won’t attempt to deliver a sermon on how healthy a vegetarian diet is for your body, but just know it is a healthy and rewarding lifestyle."

Breakfast
Oatmeal vs. Corn Flakes
Bowl of Cornflakes Protein 2g
Bowl of Oatmeal protein 5g

I always feel satisfied after a bowl of oatmeal. (You can’t say that about cornflakes.) I avoid the instant variety as it is too sweet. Old fashioned oats cook in about 4 minutes in the MW. Make sure to use a large bowl to avoid boiling over bowl mess incidents. To increase the benefits, you can add your own amount of sweetener and other good things like raisins, cinnamon, nuts, soya milk…

Snacks
Almonds vs. M&Ms
22 Almonds dry roasted 169 cals, fat 15g, sugar 1g, protein 6g
M&Ms 1.6 ounce (1 small bag) 240 cals fat 10g, sugar 31g, protein 2g

I can’t say enough about almonds. They are one of my staples. They satisfy, are portable and easy to digest. And contain tryptophan an essential amino acid.

Fruit
Banana vs. Cranberry Juice
1 Banana 100 cals, sodium 0, carbs 27g, protein 1g
Cranberry cocktail - 1 cup 137 cals, carbs 34g, protein 0g

I have never met a runner who didn’t like bananas! They are best right after a run – easy to digest, giving you a much needed boost from the carbs. Juice is a quick fix – but to reap the full benefits of the fruit (fiber & nutrients) – eat the fruit!

Above Nutritional Data
Another benefit of eating fruits and vegetables – Longevity!

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Keep Your Metabolism Stoked

As we age our metabolism slows down. But can this process be changed?
"Metabolic rate is the number of calories our body requires to keep going."
When measuring our Basal metabolic rate (BMR) - the energy your body requires at rest, scientists found that it decreases with age and with loss of muscle.
As you can see by this Wiki entry the metabolism system in the body is a very complex process. (Remember the Krebs’s cycle?)

Two facts about slowing metabolism are clear.

1. Many older people are less active. When people retire – they begin a more a sedentary lifestyle.
2. It appears older people eat less - hard to believe but true. "When younger men and older men were doing the same amount of exercise and eating the same amount of calories, the basal metabolic rate remained unaltered.”

So:

1. Keep active - forever!
2. Build muscle as it requires more energy to maintain. Try adding some kettlebell swings which workout those big core muscles.
3. Don’t skip breakfast - Ever! "Your metabolism slows while you sleep, and it doesn't rev back up until you eat again."
4. Get enough sleep.
5. And keep on running!

What’s your BMR? ( I need around 2000 calories a day!)

REF. Metabolism-metabolic-rate

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Running Scents

In the latest issue of Women’s Health there is an article on the power of scents. Apparently you can boost your energy with an invigorating scent.
In a study, basketball players smelled scents of mint, menthol and eucalyptus before the game. The outcome - they were quicker on the court.

Of course the magazine recommends designer perfumes like Banana Republic Classic! (It is unisex, crisp, clean, timeless.)

So now I know why I like getting whiffs of Tiger balm, Ben-Gay, Icy Hot, and Badger Balm at the starting line!

I remember the race I did this summer. We ran by a most wonderful field of mint. Everyone, including me, commented on how great we felt after the race.

A woman’s sense of smell is keener than a man’s.

What scents do you like?

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