Holiday Gift Guide: My Wishlist for 2015

So, I recently brought you a list of the Top 10 purchases I made in 2015.  Now I am giving you a list of the Top 10 things I wish SOMEONE (ahem...Santa?) will get me for the Holidays.  Some of them are running related, some of them are expensive and some of them are random but I am coveting all of them.  May give you some hints for the runner / mother / full time working woman in your life!

1.  Garmin Fenix

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Sigh!  Isn't she pretty?  It calculates your VO2 max, your cadence and it has amazing battery life.  And 20 hours of battery life???  Yes please!

2.  The First Grab Coffee t-shirt

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I really really want this shirt but wouldn't you know it?  It wasn't part of their Black Friday sale!  I want this!  "First grab Coffee and then the World."  Awesome!

3.  Hoka One One Speedgoat

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Hoka calls this a "tough trail shoe" for tough trail conditions.  They have received a TON of awards including a recent one from Competitor magazine.  They have a ton of traction and are very light.  What's not to like?

4.  The London Marathon

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On April 24th, runners from all over the world will converge on London and run the London Marathon.  If I had a bucket list marathon, I think this would be it!  The course looks fantastic and the people are wonderful.  And they have good cider.  But I truly need someone to fund my journey - lodging, transportation, all of it.  

5.  Ruched Jersey Dress from Lauren by Ralph Lauren

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I love the style and fit of Lauren dresses.  And I think they are super flattering.  But this color?  Takes it to a whole new level.  It's called Italian Emerald.  Perfect no?  I should just get it on their Black Friday sale and wear it for the Holidays.

6.  Sandwich Maker

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This is the random thing I was talking about earlier.  But I am a little obsessed with getting one of these right now.  Imagine...stuffing with a little cheese on top with more stuffing on top?  Doesn't that sound amazing?!  

7.  Feed Zone Portable Cookbook from Skratch Labs

I run with Jenn and Vanessa and they have been trying different recipes form this book.  So much better to eat REAL food than anything else during the run.  So I want to get this book and make these items for myself!

8.  prAna Halle Pants in Cargo Green

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I am completely obsessed with these pants!  I already have them in Teal and in black and now I need them in cargo green.  You can hike, stretch, yoga in them.  And they are work appropriate.  So unless you object to being comfortable all day at work, get them and we can be #twinning!

9.  Headsweats Loudmouth Houndstooth Trucker hat

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This is another item I just need to break down and get.  Because...Houndstooth meets Headsweats is a perfect combination!

10.  Orange Mud's Urban Hippy Tripster Pack

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Do I NEED this?  No.  Do I HAVE to have it in my life?  Yes.  It is perfect!  It would make the best overnight race getaway bag.  Here is a look inside the pack!  

And there you have it!  My super random wish list for Christmas!  What is the one thing you MUST have for Christmas?  Running related or not?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

P.S. I am running an awesome GIVEAWAY over on Instagram for a Chin Up apparel tank or tee to TWO winners.  Enter it here.  Better yurt, for Cyber Monday, they are offering FREE SHIPPING too with code Cyber2015 on top of their 30% Black Friday sale!

Holiday Gift Guide: My Top 10 Purchases in 2015

I decided to do things a little differently this year with my gift guide(s).  I wanted them to be completely unsponsored and totally honest.  So I am going to tell YOU my favorite purchases this year which may get you thinking about gifts for the runner in your life.  Over the next couple of days, I will bring you my Wishlist for the Holidays and also, my list of stocking stuffers for the Runner in your life.

Let's get to it!

1.  Hoka One One Challenger ATR

These are the best trail shoes ever!  Well, they are only the second pair I have ever owned but they are my favorite shoe of the year.  They barely beat out the Stinsons but these are super grippy with a forward rocking motion.  Super comfy!  And pink!  Yay for pink shoes!

2.  Orange Mud VP2

This beautiful piece of equipment has been my savior one too many times.  It carries two bottles of hydration plus has plenty of pockets for more.  More water, more fuel.  Place for your keys, for your phone and then some.  Best hydration carrier ever!

3.  Race Entry to the Phoenix Marathon

Yes, this was my first marathon so it will be really special always.  But the real beauty of the Phoenix marathon and the reason every second of those 26.2 miles was worth it is because the We Run Social movement was born there!  I made lifelong BRFs from that weekend and I am forever grateful!

4.  Coaching with Sole Health and Wellness

Yes, we all know that Jenn is one of my dearest friends.  Almost family.  But did you also know she is my coach?  She helped me get a 10 minute marathon PR and kept me healthy and strong throughout training.  You better believe I am using her to get me thru the LA Marathon as well!

5.  Jailbreak Pro Compression socks

If you follow any of my social channels, you know I am a Pro Compression addict!  And I don't even mean that lightly.  So when I tell you that THESE are my very favorite socks ever, you know it is a big deal.  They are almost more comfortable than other Pro socks.  Could be my imagination but I absolutely love these and wear them every chance I get.  The #Gibblers and the pure buttercup yellow are a close second!

6.  The Shrimp & Grits / Bacon Bloody at the Union Kitchen & Tap in Encinitas, CA

The Bloody Marys here have bacon in them and they use the Ballast Point Bloody Mary mix which I love and adore and it is spicy and perfect!

But the real star of the show here is the Shrimp & Grits with spicy pieces of andouille sausage throughout.  I don't know if the food stated so good because we were done with 20 miles on a 95 degree day but this stuff was YUM!

7.  VK's Cups

Have you seen these awesome cups taking the internet by storm?  Check them out on Instagram and order one for yourself.  It is pretty darn awesome to have a personalized cup that looks like it is from THERE!

8.  A Fit Athletic Gym Membership

What a blessing this has been!  We joined the gym after a 30 day trial thru Yelp.  And my husband now goes to Master Swim there 3 times a week and a spin class whenever he can squeeze it in.  I sneak in late night runs on the treadmill, wince thru some extreme stretching and zen out at yoga.  And don't forget the pool!  It is a gorgeous pool and my whole family loves it!

9.  Spandits for kids!

You know my girl loves to dress like me so when she realized that Spandits made youth sizes, she was in.  She is so excited to rock the Spandits like her mama!  And of course, that makes me very happy!

10.  Pluggz Footwear

I am so excited to have discovered Pluggz footwear at Rock n Roll San Diego this year.  They are super comfortable and super stylish.  In fact, I wear these wedges to work almost every single day!  

This was a very difficult post to write because I got and bought so many awesome things this year!  But these are the things that i keep coming back to time and time again!

What are YOUR favorite purchases of 2015?  Stay tuned for MY wish list for the Holidays and my ideas for stocking stuffers for runners!

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,

SD Mom

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted a quick chance to tell you all - Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so very grateful for all of you and your encouragement and support.  There were so many times that YOU pulled me thru and made it better so THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!

I wish you Happy Feet, Happy Times, Happy Smiles and Happy Bellies,
SD Mom

P.S. Quick note of thanks to all of the awesome Brands I work with including Spandits, Medi-Dyne, Headsweats, Orange Mud, Rock n Roll Marathon Series, Movin Shoes, Revel Race Series, Skratch Labs, Hoka One One, Swoob, Super Feet, prAna, Fitfluential, Fit Approach, Nuttzo, Vega and of course, We Run Social!

Why I LOVE Newport Beach - #EnrichYourSenses

When I was approached to do a post about Newport Beach and how awesome it is, I couldn't say no.  I truly love it in my heart for all the memories I have created there.  First as a college student and then as a wife and mother!

I don't know if very many of you know this but I went to University of California Irvine for college.  In fact, so much of UCI is in Newport Beach, many of us just thought of it as being in Newport.  All the cool kids lived in Newport Beach just steps from the water.  Back then, it was more important to be steps from the bars!

Visit Newport Beach

My senior year of college, I lived on Balboa Island.  Balboa Island was originally little more than a mudflat surrounded by swampland.  Now, it is a beautiful, picture perfect little island off the coast of Newport Beach.  The best thing about Balboa Island?

Dad's Balboa Bars!  Not my Dad's.  The original place is called Dad's.  You can also catch an auto ferry from Balboa Island and head over to Balboa Peninsula.

Last Christmas, we took a little road trip from San Diego up to Newport Beach.  Kids apparently don't feel cold at all.  SD Dad and I are bundled up out of view of the camera.  Haha!  One thing you will notice about Newport Beach right away is that there is an endless supply of GOOD food!

Visit Newport Beach

But beyond the food, there are so many fun things for families to do!  You can explore the boardwalk, grab a shake at Ruby’s on the Balboa Pier, watch the fisherman on the Newport Pier reel in the catch of the day, witness the gray whales migrate on a whale watching excursion, catch the top body surfers in action at the world-famous Wedge, go for a run along the historic Back Bay, run through Crystal Cove State Park after an infamous brunch at The Beachcomber, check out fancy pants Fashion Island (which is dog friendly) and grab a drink at Sharkeez or Mutt Lynch's.  

Visit Newport Beach

I have so many happy memories of Newport Beach and it is so awesome to be able to take my family there on a quick road trip!  Check it out over the Holidays.  See why it is a favorite day tripping destination for all of Southern California!

To find out about all the things you and your family can do in Newport, click here.

For deals and special offers in Newport Beach, click here.

And for restaurant and dining options, click here.

So, when are you going to visit Newport Beach?  Will you take me with you?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,

SD Mom

Wednesday #GIVEAWAY Roundup - #WinAllThePrizes!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!  I am so looking forward to gathering family and friends that are like family around my table tomorrow night.  It will be my first Thanksgiving as wheat free!  That is fun, no?  I am trying my hand at a gluten free pecan pie.  Wish me luck!

Speaking of Thanksgiving and eating ALL the good things, check out my GIVEAWAY for MealEnders here!  Ends 12/1

On to the GIVEAWAY Roundup part of this post!  As always, Erica and I together bring you all the great giveaways from around the inter webs!

For a refresher on the rules to link up, read them here.  The main thing to remember is to PLEASE add your GIVEAWAY end date!  Otherwise, please link up your giveaways with us and enter them all!  They are so much fun!

Tell me about new things that you are loving this week!

Can't wait to see what giveaways you guys link up this week!  Good luck!

As always, I wish you Happy Feet & Happy Thanksgiving,

SD Mom

An InLinkz Link-up

#FitHolidays: @MealEnders Review & Giveaway!

Disclaimer: As part of my ambassadorship with Fit Approach, I was sent Meal Enders for review and giveaway purposes.  I was not compensated in any other way.  I am not a nutritionist or a health expert, I can only speak to how they work for me.

Holidays are hard!  Super tough especially when you consider most Americans gain between 1-5 pounds during the Holidays.  So, I thought that MealEnders would be my perfect portion control solution.

Ever since I saw my friend Suz post about MealEnders a while back, I have been wanting to try them.  So when Fit Approach offered a chance to review them, I jumped!  Meal Enders are low calorie, stimulant free "Signaling Lozenges."   

MealEnders consist of two components: a sweet, outer reward layer and a cooling/tingling inner core. The outer layer provides a measured dose of “dessert” associated with the end of a meal, while the inner core engages the trigeminal nerve (the nerve that senses “taste”) with long-lasting cooling/tingling sensations that cleanse the palate.s cue

They come in 4 different flavors: Mocha, Chocolate Mint, Cinnamon and Lemon.

MealEnders are an easy, safe and sustainable way to curb your appetite.  Each Signaling Lozenge contains 2 grams of sugar and 15 calories…and they taste great!  

So you want to know how they work...really.  Well, I will tell you that my biggest issue thus far with eating has been snacking.  I LOVE snacks!  When I am at work, I need a snack all the time.  So now, instead of reaching for snacks, I pop one of these in my mouth.  The "reward" layer is delicious.  The inner core leaves your tongue feeling like it has pins and needles.  So kind of like a super tingle.  It is so shocking that you forget all about wanting a snack!

There are so many ways to use these.  You can use them at the end of dinner to signal the end of a meal.  Or you can use them like I do as a way to curb the snack attacks.  Or when you feel like you have to finish that plate of food.  Or even when a second helping isn't a good idea.  I started using them after the marathon and i have lost 4 pounds.  I don't know if it is because of the lozenges or what...

I borrowed this graphic from Susie to show you how they work!  When you need to make a decision as to that piece of food, pop a MealEnder in and see how quickly your second helping goes to "maybe not."  

Well, now I am giving you a chance to try them!  MealEnders will send one of you (4) 25-piece packs so you can try all flavors, including Cinnamon, Mocha, Chocolate Mint and Citrus ($50 value)!  Enter on the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest runs 11/24/2015 to 12/01/15 at 11:59 P.M. PST

No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited. 1 winner will be selected via the Giveaway widget.  Open to Residents of the US 18 years of age or older.  Must have a non P.O. Box mailing address.  Winner must have a valid email address.  

Winner will be notified via email (if available) and/or blog post, and will have 24 hours to claim prize.  If original winner does not claim prize within 24 hours, an alternate winner(s) will be selected.  Contestants must enter on the Giveaway widget in order to win.  All winning entries will be verified. If a winning entry cannot be verified as completed, a new winner will be drawn.  Winner will be provided the prize directly from MealEnders.  Substitutions unlikely but may apply.  SD Mom not responsible for failure of sponsor to deliver product. One prize per person. If you win this giveaway, and have already won another prize from MealEnders through another blog, please disclose that you have already won so we can choose another winner.  

If you don't want to wait to find out if you won, you can use code FitHolidays20 for 20% MealEnders.com!  

So tell me your tricks to avoid overeating during the Holidays!

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,

SD Mom

All winning entries will be verified. If a winning entry cannot be verified as completed, a new winner will be drawn.  Winner will be provided the prize directly from Kushyfoot.  Substitutions unlikely but may apply.  SD Mom not responsible for failure of sponsor to deliver product. ’

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attention and the body

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s reaction to active-taste sensations.

Fall Comfort Food: White Turkey Chili Recipe #glutenfree

Disclaimer: I was provided a voucher for organic ground turkey from Foster Farms for recipe creation purposes.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any other way.

When Foster Farms reached out to me to create a recipe for them using ground turkey, I had to ask them if they were sure they meant me.  I am NOT a food blogger.  I am a runner who loves food so I do blog about food.

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But when I read all about Foster Farms Ground Organic Turkey, I knew I had to try it and I wanted to come up with a fun recipe!  Here are some interesting facts about using ground turkey:

·         Replacing ground beef with ground turkey can save you over 100 calories in just one serving.

·       Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey contains fewer calories, less saturated fat and less cholesterol than ground beef. Ground beef can contain as much as 2.6 times the total fat content as ground turkey.

·       By using Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey in place of beef two times a week, you could save 336 calories per week – that’s equivalent to running almost three and a half miles!

Did you know that Americans typically gain between 1-5 pounds in the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas? Using ground turkey in your favorite fall recipes is an easy way to reduce calories without sacrificing taste.  When the weather turns cold(ish), I want comfort warm my belly food so I saw this recipe for White Turkey Chili and knew I had to make it.  And it is SUPER easy!

White Turkey Chili (gluten free)

1 Tbs olive oil
1 pound Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup frozen organic corn
1 cup medium salsa
2 (15oz) cans of Great Northern Beans - drained and rinsed
1 cup water 
8 oz cubed pepper jack cheese

Heat the oil over med-high heat in a large saucepan.  Add Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey, salt and pepper and brown, breaking the larger pieces in to small pieces.  

To the same pan, combine all ingredients including the cheese.

And the beans.

Give it a good stir and reduce heat to low.

Watch the cheese melt and ooze into the other ingredients.  Try not to taste because you WILL burn your tongue.  Umm..a friend tried it.

Soon, it will look like this and get all creamy and good.  About 20-25 minutes.

All done and ready to serve!  See?  Super easy!  And super tasty!  My kids RAVED about how good it was.  If you are worried about spice levels, use regular jack cheese.  It makes a really good dip too!

Linking up with Jessica and Jill and The Fit Dish!

Do you like to cook with ground turkey?  It saves a lot of calories and saturated fat and me and my family LOVE it!  I want to hear your favorite ground turkey recipe!

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

#SilverStrandHalf Recap and @WeRunSocial Meetup!

Better late than never right?  I am sorry it took me so long to get my act together and post my recap of one of the most fun mornings I have had in a long time!  Let me back up!  When Pavey suggested that San Diego be a part of the famed #SD2LV line up, I jumped at the chance to help out on the San Diego portion of the challenge.  He selected Silver Strand and we all ran with it!  (see what I did there?)  Brian, Carlee and David were actually running the Silver Strand Half in the morning and the Rock n Roll Las Vegas Half in the evening!  Amazing right?  Tara, Kristin and I were just along for the fun ride!

First things first.  The outfit!  Well, since this was going to be a We Run Social meet up, I had to rep the gear!  And even more awesome?  Pro Compression and WRS collaborated for the awesome BOOM socks pictured below!  (available at ProCompression.com  – use code WRS for 40% off the WRS BOOM sock until the end of the month, and free shipping within the U.S.).  Thankfully, Spandits now has plain black (Abyss) and I was able to be super comfy as always!  I also decided not to run with any water so I wore a "fanny pack."  OOH and my Sparkle Athletic visor so I could match Carlee's Sparkle Athletic skirt!

The always awesome Tara and her husband Byron picked us up at the finish and took us to the start.  I recommend this option.  If you can find friends nice enough to do this, park at the finish and get a ride to the start.  When we got to the start line in Coronado, we headed to the Port A pottys.  Silly me thought it would be a good idea to hand my phone to Brian.  And awesome selfies ensued!  Like this one!

Or this one with floating heads!

Or Brian and Kristin!

After the potty break, I met up with my Moms Run this Town San Diego mamas for a group picture!  Love these women!

Setting up for a girls picture waiting on @stuftmama!

So we decided to go for it!  

Ah, there is Kristin!

And the entire We Run Social crew!  Brian, Kristin, Me, Carlee and David!  In those awesome socks!

My sweet Tara and me in our matching visors!  Quick tip: Take an old throwaway sweatshirt and cut it right down the middle so it is a breeze to take off and won't interfere with the race timing chips.

Ready to hit the Start line.  No major corrals but they did have pacers so you could line up that way. I was doing the 10 miler and Tara was doing the Half.  They stick together until a weird loop at the end.

Sorry for the dark picture but this is a Taiko Drummer!

The views were awesome!

This is where you would park if you opted for the shuttle.

Belly dancers at the top of the "hill" on the course.  (Elevation gain of 29 feet)

Here is the split between the Half and 10 miler and where I said bye to Tara.  It comes at about mile 8.5.

I felt pretty good running this race keeping in mind I ran a tough marathon course the week before.  Still I managed a sub-2 hour 10 miler.  My legs felt decent thanks to the awesome training from Coach Jenn.  Here are the awesome medals!

And the We Run Social crew showing off our medals!

Carlee, Brian and David would definitely need these Showerpills for the flight!  You can get them for yourself and use code WIPEDOWN for 15% off!

Then Kristin and I headed to my car (we carpooled!) and enjoyed a post run cocktail of Vega Recovery Accelerator.  She had apple berry and I had tropical.  Vega is having an awesome sale right now with 25% off and free shipping.  

And I had to rush home because my beautiful S was having a swim party to celebrate her 6th birthday!

This was a super fun morning!  Make sure to look for more We Run Social meet ups near you.  If you are local to San Diego, rumor has it that there will be one before the Carlsbad Half / Marathon.  So stay tuned!

Have you become part of We Run Social yet?  All you have to do is start using #werunsocial and follow all of their social channels: Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,

SD Mom