Loving #mythirdlove!

For years I've avoided the constraints of "real" clothes on a regular basis. Why stuff yourself into tight jeans, cram your feet into arch-killing heels, and prop your boobies up in a bra who's underwire pokes your side all day? Hence my love affair with tight black pants and all things spandex. Good thing I'm a yoga instructor, a fitness junkie, and that leggings and boots are still in style, otherwise I'd be in trouble or just perpetually and tragically out of fashion.

CAUTION: the next statement is shocking!

I've recently been actually wearing jeans and real bras! Due in large part to my latest love: ThirdLove. Not only are the bras and undies super cute and comfortable (don't worry, I'll talk more about that in a minute), but this is a sign of a new wave of technology when it comes to the horrors of bra shopping. No more getting felt up by saleswomen with measuring tapes under florescent lighting. shudder... ThirdLove makes it easy to get your bra measurements and get straight to the fun part: shopping! After downloading the app on your iPhone, you take a picture of your ta-tas in a regular, non-push-up bra, in or out of a tank top. Your phone then magically spits out your sizing. Well, it's magic to a technological luddite like myself. Read more about how it actually works here.

Now we get to the fun part: the goodies and the girlies! I was a skeptic. I've always reluctantly put on a real bra since discovering certain sports bras that aren't super constricting and give me descent cleavage. I had a few real bras that were way too old, but I kept them in the event of emergencies, aka special occasions, hot dates, etc. But they were never my go-to. After unpacking my beautifully wrapped goodies from ThirdLove, I immediately tried my bras on. I was shocked! 

The 24/7 T-shirt Bra (I received it in nude) has become my go-to bra! It is ridiculously comfortable, fits me like a glove, supports my ladies without forming a uniboob or flattening them into a pancake, and is super cute! The nude makes it super versatile (attention ladies, don't wear a white bra under a white shirt, seriously!) and the material along the straps is puckered. Such a cute detail! 

I also received the Lace Push-Up Bra in classic black. What girl doesn't need a black lace push-up bra?! What I love about this one, other than it too being comfortable as well, is that it gives me a little oomph without being like haaaayyyy, if you know what I mean. I'm pretty curvy, so it can get a little cray with too much push-up. This bra is the perfect amount for me! 

Since moving to Portland, I've found myself wanting to make more of an effort with my style. In a ski town, people look at you funnily if you're in jeans, boots, and a decent shirt. Hello fleece, flannel, and leggings at all times! But since moving to the city (leave off, I know it's small but Portland is a city to me!), I've actually been wearing "real" clothes a lot more. I love how you can spruce up leggings and sports bras with the right tunic, boots, jewelry, jackets, and scarves. But with my ThirdLove, I've been kicking it up even more. I've found myself reaching for one of these two bras in my underwear drawer to even go to a coffee shop to work for a few hours. It's amazing what it can do for your mentality! I feel more put together, sexier, girlier. 

It's the last week of October. Um, when did that happen?! But October, other than being the month of amazing fall foliage, is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. Sweat Pink has joined ThirdLove's #WeWearPink initiative. They've created a HOT pink version of the 24/7 T-shirt Bra, and are donating 20% of the sales of this bra to Breast Cancer Research from now until November 15th! Get your's today here! You can also get $10 off an order of $50 with this code: TLVIPLW10. 

You can also join in on the #WeWearPink challenge! Follow these simple steps:

1. Follow @thirdlove on Instagram (which you should do regardless because their page is so pretty!)

2. Regram this image:

3. Instagram a selfie with something pink!

4. Tag @thirdlove #sweatpink and #WeWearPink.

To find out more about the challenge, click here. See you on Instagram!

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by ThirdLove, but all opinions are my own. As a Sweat Pink ambassador and a ThirdLove ambassador, I was sent product to try and review. I truly appreciate all of the brands that support the Sweat Pink community!

Flashback to playing tourist

I'm #flashbackfriday-ing to two weeks ago, when my parents were in town. For those of you that haven't gathered, I'm extremely close to my parents. We're a small family, which helps getting together actually. We only have each other's schedules and geographies with which to contend. So when it comes time for them to visit the children... I'm it!

My parents came for an entire week. It sounds like a long time, but it's really not. For one, there's so freaking much to do up here, that I had to be pretty selective and we still were running around like crazy. Second, I love my parents and wish we lived closer to one another. So a week is never enough.

SATURDAY

I started the day out with a hike with Caitlin before my parents arrived midday. An early morning hike amidst the foliage and fog in the gorge was perfect!

Once they'd arrived, we went immediately to the Pearl District downtown to caffeinate. They'd been up since before 4am EST. And it's Portland. 

The afternoon was spent tooling around the Pearl, checking into their awesome Airbnb that was only 4 blocks from my house, and having an early dinner with Caitlin at PaaDee (probably the best Thai in town).

SUNDAY

After a delicious brunch at Petite Provence, we tried to walk our food babies off while checking out my awesome neighborhood. 

We then drove out to Hillsboro to hang out at Ardiri Winery for the afternoon. The sun was shining brightly, we brought cheese and crackers and grapes, we snagged the rocking chairs overlooking the vines and Mt Hood, and we bought a bottle of wine. We chatted, read, played cornhole, and relaxed in the sun. Perfect introduction to Oregon! 

We stopped in Forest Park for a mini hike on the way back into town. We finished the day off with dinner at Noble Rot overlooking the cityscape at sunset.

MONDAY

It was top on my dad's list to see the Columbia River Gorge. Obviously I could handle that for them! We stopped to check out Multnomah Falls on the way out to hike at Rowena Crest. I love the juxtaposition of these two scenes. One lush and green, centering around an awe-inspiring waterfall, and the other drier, more golden, with an incredible vista of the gorge. 

We spent a few hours in the afternoon in Hood River having lunch and coffee, walking around town, and stopping in boutiques. Next time they come out, they're going to aim for closer to summer so they can stand-up paddle-board on the river. 

I had a photo shoot in the evening down by the river in Portland, which my parents loved exploring along the pedestrian path and bridges and watching all of the happenings on a warm autumn evening on the river. 

We went for wine at Irving Street Kitchen, where we got to have a leave our mark, and then met my dad's friend of 40 years and his wife for dinner at Mediterranean Exploration Company. Such a fun evening! 

TUESDAY

Yup, we were only three days in at this point. We relaxed a little bit today, sort of. My dad went out with his friend to do whatever those boys do. After a relaxing morning (except I went for a run), I took my mom up to the Alberta neighborhood for coffee and explorations. 

I taught class in the evening, per usual, and then met my mom and Caitlin for some wine at Oven and Shaker. After some girl time, my mom and I met my dad for dinner at Andina, where we proceeded to nearly shut the restaurant down. 

WEDNESDAY

Another down-ish day. My dad rested while I took my mom to the Mississippi district to explore with Caitlin. After I taught in the evening, where I got a surprise from my love Jamie, I met my parents and Caitlin at The Woodsman Tavern. The beauty of this restaurant: it's within walking distance, so no one had to worry about driving, a lot of the bartenders and servers know Caitlin and me, and the food and wine are yummy! Win win win!

THURSDAY

This was the day for the Oregon coast! I took my parents on one of my favorite hikes: Cape Falcon in Oswald State Park just outside of Cannon Beach. It has it all: ferns and moss, pine-needle-covered pathways, insane coastal views, and begins/ends at a beautiful and less-crowded beach. We then headed back into town to grab coffee and treats to eat out on the beach with Haystack Rock and some gorgeous cloud porn for company. 

I taught class when we got back, and then met my parents at SE Wine Collective for a European-inspired dinner.

FRIDAY

For our last day together, we met my dad's friend at Lovejoy Bakers for breakfast and then explored the NW 23rd district, the area that made me fall in love with Portland! 

For our final dinner together, I saved the best for last: OX! So yummy! We had my favorite wine, my favorite dishes (along with some new ones), and a wonderful night together!

All in all, it was the perfectly Portland week for my parents. I always love showing them the places I love, introducing then to the people I love, and showing them what they've helped me accomplish with their support and ... love. So there's a my opinion on what to do with the parents in town for a week. I'm pretty damn happy with it all, though it might seem like I'm a slavedriver with a tour schedule. ;) 

SATURDAY

The touring didn't end there though! After dropping my parents off at the airport at 5am, and saying a teary goodbye with long hugs, Caitlin and I headed for central Oregon! Thinking this could have been one of my last full weekends off for a while, we finally made our Bend trip happen. We immediately headed to Sisters, OR, an adorable mountain town that reminds me a lot of Crested Butte, CO, and hiked up Black Butte. 

After pretty much the perfect hike with the perfect view and lots of awesome photo ops, we drove over to Bend. We were both pretty exhausted, so it was a low-key afternoon and evening. We showered at our Airbnb, headed to town to walk around and find a coffee shop. It was great to nurse a homemade chia while playing with pictures is a funky cafe. We walked down by the river to catch some beautiful sunset views and foliage, and had an early but delicious dinner at Zydeco Kitchen. We were in bed and lights out by 8pm, and it was amazing! 

SUNDAY

We made it to The Sparrow Bakery soon after they opened, in time to get a table and a famous Ocean Roll. Then it was off to Smith Rock! I can't believe it's taken me nearly a year (my first trip to Bend was in January for less than 24 hours) to make it to this gorgeous place! It definitely reminded me of Moab, from the moment of turning into the parking lot. Seriously, the view from the parking lot alone... We chose to do the hike labeled Misery Ridge. It did start out with a pretty steep incline for quite a while, but the view was so incredible it was worth it! 

All in all, I keep falling more and more in love with my new city and state! I can't wait to show my next guests around town. Who's it gonna be?!

Gettin' Nutty for Peanut Butter! REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

I've regressed in my snack obsessions: apple slices and peanut butter! So delicious! I haven't gotten to the point where I'm spooning it out of the jar, yet. Well, ok, that's a big white lie. Needless to say I've rediscovered my love of nut butters in the last few months.

Enter the opportunity to continue my love of peanut butter with getting to try out Mighty Nut.

Ok, here's the deal, y'all. I'm busier than ever. Teaching at two studios, managing social media at Sweat Pink, a little side work with small businesses' Instagram accounts, ambassadoring for a regional yoga-lifestyle magazine, some part time work that's starting soon but I can't announce yet, some full time work that's hopefully starting soon but I can't announce yet... Oh, and my personal life! Whew! Who has time to cook gourmet meals on top of all that?! Ok, some do, along with babies and relationships and whatnot. I know when that time comes for me, Tim Gunn's "make it work" mantra will get me through! But for now, for the most part, I can't be bothered to take the time to cook. It's not relaxing for me, unfortunately. I totally wish it were! So anytime I see bloggers posting easy, quick, and simple recipes, I add them to the virtual recipe box! Anytime I see a product that makes fueling up easy and yummy, I add it to my pantry!

Mighty Nut is a powdered peanut butter from Peanut Butter & Co. It was created to better suit the active lifestyle of on-the-go fitness junkies. It can "supercharge" peanut butter dishes, or make it so much easier to bake and make the smoothies you love with that favored peanut butter flavor. You can even add water to make it spreadable! The versatility and ease of using Mighty Nut is what makes this product so amazing, along with the awesome nutritional value!

-85% less fat calories that traditional peanut butter

-5-6g of protein

-only 1-1.5g of fat

-4 awesome flavors: original, chocolate, vanilla, and flax & chia

My favorite way to use my Mighty Nut is in breakfast quinoa! The beauty of quinoa is that it is a bland base, so it takes on the taste of whatever you add to it. I love having a batch of it made up in a tupperware in the fridge so I can fix it quickly. I find it's commonly used with veggies; I do love tossing some sautéed veggies over a bowl of quinoa with some freshly cracked pepper and sea salt. Lately I've mostly been fixing it with fruit, nuts, and honey. OR peanut butter, chocolate chips, and fruit. So delicious! I love mixing in my flax & chia or chocolate Mighty Nut to warm quinoa and topping it with a sliced banana. (I always add ingredients to taste, so start with small amounts, mix in, taste, and maybe add more!)

I've been greatly inspired by some of our Sweat Pink ambassadors' recipes they've discovered with Mighty Nut. Due to fighting a cold and not having an appetite this week, I haven't felt up to trying them. But these are the first recipes on my to-try list for next week!

Thai Peanut Sauce from Tambra "Gingermantra" Means

Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate from Lean, Clean, & Brie

Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites from Runnin' Rocker

Want to try Mighty Nut for yourself? You can!



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What are you favorite recipes that include peanut butter?

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Mighty Nut, but all opinions are my own. I truly appreciate all of the brands that support the Sweat Pink community!

breathe, sweat, and love

breathe, sweat, love

Three pretty standard words, concepts, actions when you first think about it. And yet they are all absolute musts in my life! Lucky for me, they mostly come as a set, too! I'm rarely out sweating without paying attention to my breath (thank you, yoga) and loving what I'm doing anymore. Even if it's an intense workout, like at bootcamp with Jamie, we're laughing (as we're crying, but luckily the tears are usually masked by sweat ;) ) and having fun together.

I had my years of half-assing my workout at the gym for the sake of getting a workout in. It's not worth it anymore. Ain't nobody got time for that! Literally, I'm so ridiculously busy that when I make time for a workout, I have to make sure I make it worth it! My spin instructor Jessi makes a point of telling us at the peak of the class when we're all drenched in sweat, questioning why we not only came to class but paid a good amount of money for it, mentally spewing creative combinations of four-letter words at her, that we made the decision to be there. We scheduled 45 minutes out of our day, which is really not all that much, for spin class. Why take the time and spend the money to half-ass it? Why walk out of the studio knowing you didn't give it your all? (Note: I'm in no way condoning pushing through injuries and limitations. Listen to your body. No throwing up or passing out or injuring yourself.) Hence, Jessi's classes have an insane wait list, she owns two spin studios and I've heard rumors of a third coming soon, and she's touted as one of the most inspirational fitness instructors out there by her fans. (Obviously I have a hardcore girl crush on her! She's been my #wcw many times.) 

I like to remind my students of the same thing in my power vinyasa classes. We take the time for yoga, gym time, running, tennis matches, and any other conceivable activity. Why spend the time out of your busy schedule and the money from a hard-earned paycheck to not love what you're doing and give 110%?! Not loving your workout regimen? Find a buddy, try different teachers and studios, get outside, pair your treadmill time with your favorite show… Work it out so that you can love the time you're breathing and sweating! 

Puppy snuggles always help make bootcamp awesome!

Get excited about exploring a new trail in a new area!

Plan a workout date with friends!

This was all inspired by three little words: breathe, sweat, and love. Get your own #breathesweatlove Sweat Pink tank here, and get 15% off by using the code breathesweatlove15! 

Disclaimer: I was given a tank by Sweat Pink. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Parental visit for #BOSUStrong #moveitmonday!

Week 4 BLOG & CHALLENGE PROMPTS (10/5-10/9):

This week is the very last week of the #bosustrong challenge that has inspired me to challenge my balance like whoa. Before starting the challenge, my goal was to balance on my hands on the BOSU and now that we’re in the final week I plan to try kicking up into handstand. I couldn’t always make it to the gym (and the pool!) (to the gym/for a trail run/in the pool), but I still squatted and lunged and pushed-up on the BOSU (workout) at home!

This week we’re focusing on the things that make us BOSU Strong. Here are the 10 things that make me #BOSUStrong:

• I am a fitness junkie.
• I will always crave high energy activities. And handstands (obvi).
• I never get tired of trying new things.
• I do wear spandex, alllll the time! (Never know when you'll be able to sneak in a run, or bust a handstand!)
• I love to get REALLY sweaty!
• I am inspired to still get a kickass workout in at home even if I don't have time for the gym, bootcamp, or a class.
• I love to encourage others to give something new a try without expectations- they might surprise themselves!
• I have 6 yoga mats.
• I am proud of learning to back off sometimes, which I'm not good at. Gotta listen to your body.
• I hope to keep increasing my running distances, and run more with Jamie.

Bonus: Tell us the ten best BOSU workouts you did, learned or saw during the challenge:

So I want to know - are you #BOSUStrong? Copy and paste the above, fill it in and make it your own and then tag me in it and share with your friends! Let’s all be #BOSUSTRONG.

The daily prompts are below. You can also follow along HERE.

Week 4, SHOW US YOUR #BOSUSTRONG! (10/5-10/9):

(Make sure you tag @Bosu_Fitness on Instagram & @BosuFitness on Twitter):

• Monday, 10/05: It’s #moveitmonday. Show us how you’re moving it this Monday. #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad

• Bonus: Y’all know we love to #jumpjoymonday! Show us your BEST jump shot and tag @BOSU_Fitness @FitApproach #BOSUStrong #FitFamily #SweatPink #ad
  
  
  For #moveitmonday, I'm taking my parents (who are visiting from North Carolina) out to the Columbia River Gorge on a hike! I can't wait to show them the beauty of my new home! We're stopping to see Multnomah Falls, hiking at Rowena Crest, and then stopping for lunch in Hood River. I can't wait!
  
  
  
  
  

  

  My parents are going to love this place!

• Tuesday, 10/06: It’s #tempotuesday! Show us what makes you #BosuStrong! @BOSU_Fitness @FitApproach #BOSUStrong #FitFamily #SweatPink #ad

• Bonus: It’s #triceptuesday and we want to see what makes you #BosuStrong. #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad

• Wednesday, 10/07: Planks, planks and more planks! Plank it out and show us how you’re #BosuStrong @BOSU_Fitness @FitApproach #BOSUStrong #FitFamily #SweatPink #ad

• Bonus: #workitwednesday, show us how you’re workin’ it this Wednesday and tag #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad
• Thursday, 10/08: It’s #totalbodythursday. Show us your favorite total body move - the one that truly makes you feel #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad
• Bonus: Give us a #tbt of your favorite moment of this challenge #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad
• Friday, 10/09: #FreeFriday. Show us your #BOSUstrong! #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad
• Bonus: Happy #forearmfriday. Let’s all celebrate the final day of the challenge with dolphin pose! #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad

Notes: You do not need to own or have access to a BOSU to participate. By participating you will have a chance to win a BOSU and other fun prizes. And please, if you are using a BOSU throughout this challenge, never stand on your BOSU with the dome facing down (images or moves down on the BOSU incorrectly will not count during this challenge).

Disclaimer: this post was sponsored by BOSU but all opinions expressed are my own. I truly appreciate all of the brands that support the Fit Approach (Sweat Pink) community.

Enjoy that spoonful of Ben & Jerry's!

I finally convinced my roommate/best friend last weekend to come to yoga. We attended a community class at the local lululemon store. We arrived to find out that class was being led by an instructor from the meditation studio: it was a guided meditation session.

Photo by Elizabeth Reed

You might have figured out by now that I love being active. I love running, hiking, handstanding, hot & hard vinyasa flow… I struggggggle with meditation. Well, with any type of yin activity. I know it'd be good for me, and I always say I'm going to take the 5 minutes before I turn the lights out at bedtime to sit in silence and breathe. Does it happen? Nope.

I knew staying for this would be good for me since I'm working on self-care right now in my life. As much as my roommate wants to try asana, she was also game to stay and get our meditation on too! Our instructor was amazing! He started out by talking to us about meditation. That it's hard, and isn't going to be perfect. Our minds are meant to wander and they will, so there's no point in getting mad or judgy, but to just bring the mind back. Bodies can start to feel stiff and hurt (hence, why thousands of years ago they created asana… Yes that's right, asana, the physical practice of yoga, was created in order to be able to sit in meditation comfortably!), but just shift when you need to. If you're too relaxed you can fall asleep, but sometimes that's what our bodies need!

Our instructor, Ryan, talked about his beginning with meditation. As a marathon runner, he started meditating during his runs. In other words, focusing on evening his breath out and making an effort at maintaining presence in the present moment. Many of us check out during runs, using the opportunity to make lists, draft emails (or the next great American novel), and think through situations. Sometimes that's super useful; I do it all the time. However, by maintaining presence, and making this a practice, you're present! Stating the obvious, I know. But think about the power of that statement. You're here, in this moment, no where else. You feel your breath and blood coursing through your running body, your attention is fully on your friend while hanging out, you taste every layer of flavor in that spoonful of Ben & Jerry's. It can help focus and memory, and calm anxiety. (Ryan has since studied meditation in a neuroscience program!) We can't control what goes on around us, but we can control the way we react to it (an important lesson my control-freak self has had to learn!). If you are aware of the increase of your breathing and the tensing of your shoulders when you start to get stressed, you can make a conscious effort to calm the breath and relax your neck to stave off the anxiety attack.

I remember one of my favorite teachers talking about building her meditation practice. She was very upfront about it being a struggle to sit in quiet for 5 minutes every evening. She pushed through, and made a point of doing it even though it was hard and she didn't want to every night. Gradually 5 minutes became not enough, and the time of her personal meditation session expanded. She began to crave it. I've gotten so that I can (sometimes) remain present during high sensation postures in classes (i.e. pigeon) and enjoy seated meditations during classes. But I haven't built that daily practice. Yet.

Photo by Elizabeth Reed

During our 45-minute meditation session, my mind wandered; I brought it back. Repeatedly. My knees and hips stiffened up; I stretched my legs out long. My breath became shallow periodically; I consciously paced it out. I became impatient towards the end when I sensed him bringing us out; I tried to be patient and enjoy the moment. The point of this is that with a practice such as meditation (and asana), you're not going to be able to jump right into…whatever you'd like to call that state: heightened awareness, blank slate mind, connection with a higher power, etc. It's a bit of a battle with yourself. You don't fight it, you accept it and come back to the attempt at calmness.

We left the store feeling calm and relaxed. You don't have to have a meditation guide, a yoga room, and little bench, though those things totally help. All it takes is practice and dedication. It takes bringing your awareness into this moment, and enjoying every second as much as you can!

Disclaimer: This post is my opinion, thoughts, and feelings, and was not sponsored.