Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Mental Health Awareness and Training - FREE

This is a Sponsored Post.  
 
FREE Youth Mental Health First Aid & QPR Suicide Prevention Courses sponsored by SD County & Optum 

Kick off Mental Health Awareness Month by learning how you can help prevent suicide and support a young person in crisis 
 
Seems like every day you hear about another suicide.  Maybe they can be prevented and maybe you can do something about it and help someone you love. 
 

FREE Youth Mental Health First Aid & QPR Suicide Prevention Courses 

San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council and Optum San Diego are offering free QPR Suicide Prevention training and Youth Mental Health First Aid courses. The training is available at no cost, but space is limited and registration is required.

QPR Suicide Prevention Training (1 Hour) 

Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR): three simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans attend QPR to learn how they can help save the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor. 

Date/Time: Thursday, April 30th at 10 a.m. / 12 p.m. / 5 p.m Cost: No Charge 

Location: Malcolm X Library | 5148 Market Street | San Diego, CA 92114

Details and Registration: Contact Lora Cayanan at lcayanan@sdchip.org or (858) 609-7971



Youth Mental Health First Aid (8 Hours) 

This course is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12 to 18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. 

Date/Time: Friday, May 1st from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Cost: No Charge 

Location: NAMI San Diego | 5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 320 | San Diego, CA 92123

Details and Registration: Contact Optum San Diego at shine.wang@optum.com or (619) 641-6355

Visit www.OptumHealthSanDiego.com for more information. 



Please take advantage of these free trainings if you can. 

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Wednesday #GIVEAWAY Roundup - #WinAllThePrizes

YAY!  It is Wednesday!  That means LOTS of GIVEAWAYS for me to enter!  I mean, for you to link up!

Hope you saw that over the weekend, Team Serena's Crusaders alone raised over $10,000 for the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County.  Read all about it here!  Thank you for all your support!  The Epilepsy Foundation is a little better able to do all the awesome things they do!


I have two giveaways for you to enter this week!  The first is for a package of Skratch Labs Cookie Mix!  Enter that one here.


The other is for a tank top from überfit apparel.  Enter that one here.


With that said, you know the rules!  Link up with me and Erica for the Roundup and enter all the giveaways your heart desires!  


Good Luck!  And as always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom


Tried it Tuesday: @UberFitApparel Review & #GIVEAWAY

Disclaimer: I received a tank from UberFit Apparel for review and giveaway purposes.  All opinions are my own.  I was not compensated in any other way.

Today I am bringing you a review and giveaway on Tried it Tuesday and I am linking up with Sara from Lake Shore Runner!


You know and I know that you know that I love gear!  Especially tanks and especially tanks in a fun color like ORANGE!  So when I connected with UberFit on Instagram and they wanted to send me a tank, I was excited!  This is the tank I chose.


Why this one?  Well, it is orange and I LOVE the I'M POSSIBLE message on the front.  And this being a burnout tank, it was super comfortable to run and wear under all my clothes while volunteering for Team Sparkle at Ragnar SoCal!


Remember when I volunteered last year at Ragnar?  Well, oops I did it again!  And again with my partner in crime - M!  And an extra fun time because we got to cheer for our dear LXS!


Same shift (1-7:00 a.m.), same location (Torrey Pines Glider Port) and same street corner!  Well, I planned for a run right after so I put on my running clothes under the orange get up you see there.  (Yes with a Sparkle skirt for Team Sparkle Athletic!)


And I met my dear Jamye and headed for the Torrey Pines Hill.


And a front view.


Loved the tank.  Super comfortable.  Highly recommend!


Okay, now of course you want to win your own!  Überfit will send one lucky winner a tank of THEIR  (uberfit's) choice in YOUR size!  Enter on the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest runs 4/28/2015 to 5/07/15 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 and Canada18 years of age or older.  Must have a non P.O. Box mailing address.  Winner must have a valid email address.
Winner will notified via email (if available) and/or blog post, and will have 48 business hours to claim prize.  If original winner does not claim prize within 48 business 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 ÜberFit Apparel.  Substitutions unlikely but may apply.  SD Mom not responsible for failure of sponsor to deliver product.

Good Luck!  Make sure you enter to win the Skratch cookie mix GIVEAWAY too!  You can enter here.  

AND GREAT NEWS!  You don't have to wait to see if you win!  Get yourself anything on their website for 20% OFF using the code SDMOM until 5/9!  How cool is THAT?!

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

Monday, April 27, 2015

Weekend Update: #SDKidsExpo and #SRRW15 Epilepsy 5K!

What a jam packed weekend!  First off, I am linking up with Running n Reading's Weekend Update!


It was one of the most fun, busiest and exhausting weekends I can remember!  And the best way to do it justice is to SHOW YOU all the PICTURES!

We started out at the San Diego Kids Expo & Fair on Saturday!  What a fun place for kids!  See more details here.


We got unlimited bounce house trips, 3 premium activities and entrance to the Fair!


They were not into taking pictures yet...


Until you put them in a bubble!


See?  Being in a bubble is fun!


So is climbing a coconut tree!


And building a flower pot stand and a ride on tractor from Home Depot!


Or taking a picture with a cardboard Harry Potter and Anna / Elsa!


Or sticking your face IN a cardboard cutout!


Or being the first to scream down a super fast inflatable slide!


Or being the second to go screaming down a super fast inflatable slide!


Or better yet, watching your mom screaming on a zip line across a parking lot!

EXHAUSTING!

Now, moving on to Sunday!  Started out the morning with a 9 mile run with my friend S.H.  So much fun because it was her first time running Mission Bay.  It is flat as a pancake and scenic.  


I am loving my Make A Wish skirt from Spandits.  Then a quick change for the Epilepsy 5K as the team captain of team Serena's Crusaders!  Thank you to everyone who has helped us on the journey to $10,000.00 raised for the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County!  


Alexis, me and our girls in Spandits!  Same sweaty Headsweats visor though...


The VIP, Serena herself!


A serious discussion about Harry Potter!


3 generations in Spandits!


Serena and her friend K running the 5K!


About to be interviewed...


Because everyone wants a picture with a turtle and an ice queen!


All the team captains who raised over $5000 for the Epilepsy Foundation!  


And really, when it all comes down to it, our friends and family and their support is ALL we need!

Catch me up on your weekend.  What did you do?  Did you run a race?  Raise some money? DO something fun?

Thanks for reading and I wish you the Happiest of Feet,
SD Mom

Friday, April 24, 2015

Friday Fascinations: Five Brands to Love!

Hi everyone!  Today I am linking up with Courtney at Eat Pray Run DCCynthia at You Signed Up for What and Mar at Mar on the Run for their weekly linkup.  Their topic this week is 5 Blogs to Read but instead, I am doing last week's topic - Five Brands to Love!  It is high time I share my favorite brands with you all!
Here we go:
1.  Spandits
Yes, I am an addict.  Yes, I am an Ambassador.  But I can honestly tell you I have never run in anything as comfortable as a Spandits skirt.  No chub rub.  Cool and dry fabric.  Tons of fun colors and patterns.  I can't even pick a favorite but I am loving my newest peacock skirt.  
You can use code SPANDITSLOVE to get 10% off your first order!

I am not an Ambassador.  I do not receive any incentive whatsoever to tell you about them or to use their products.  I just LOVE their hydration systems.  

I am wearing the single barrel Hydra Quiver here but my absolute favorite is the VP2 double bottle carrier.  They are no bounce, super light and no chafing...ever!

I did a boot camp workout on Wednesday without a visor because I forgot and it sucked.  Sweat burning in my eyes.  So more than anything, because I have really painful sweat, I need the Headsweats visor.  It has a terry cloth band on the inside to capture all the sweat during a hard workout!


You can use code SDMOM25 for 25% off your next Headsweats purchase.  (Yes I am an ambassador but I make no commission.  This is just a code for you to use!)

4.  Compression Socks
I know, I am cheating by giving you a generic "Compression Socks."  But I have been known to wear many different brands.  If I had to pick a favorite, I would say Pro Compression. I love all the colors and all the fun prints.  My favorites are probably the January sock of the month - Jail Break!


I have seen a few coupon codes out there for 40% off.  Try SM15.  And again, not an Ambassador just a fan!

This was a tough one.  I wanted to put in all my favorite nutrition in this spot including Vega and Skratch.  But I settled on Honey Stinger because SD Dad and I both use them ALL the time in our sports!  Me for running and him for biking.  Yes I am a part of the HS Hive but I truly love this stuff. The chews are awesome.  They never get stuck in your teeth and they are delicious.  And if you have ever had their waffles, you know!  Delish!


You can get your Stinger chews and waffles at a local running store like Movin Shoes!

So tell me, what are some of your favorite brands?  Favorite apparel?  Favorite nutrition?  I want to hear it all!

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Wednesday #GIVEAWAY Roundup - #WinAllThePrizes & a @SkratchLabs Cookies GIVEAWAY!

Happy Earth Day my friends!  Today is also Wednesday which means that it is time for the Giveaway Roundup Linkup with me and Erica!  Make sure you check out all the awesome giveaways this week!  If you want to link up, you can read the rules here.  Remember that your link can be deleted if you don't follow the rules!



Did you check out my recipe for lightened up Tuna Noodle Casserole?  Safe Catch Tuna rocks and is super yum!  Join us at the #MomsandBrands Twitter Party today at 7pm ET featuring Safe Catch and moms that have taste tested their products.



I know you are all really here for the Skratch Cookies giveaway!  Remember when I made these before?  They are so good and salty and you can customize them to your taste preference!  Well, I am giving away a box of Skratch cookie mix for YOU to try!  


I added pecans, coconut and chocolate chips to make them all mine!


You know the drill.  Enter on the Giveaway Widget!

#CookiesFromSkratch GIVEAWAY

Contest runs 4/21/2015 to 4/30/15 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 notified via email (if available) and/or blog post, and will have 48 business hours to claim prize.  If original winner does not claim prize within 48 business 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 SD Mom.  Substitutions unlikely but may apply.  SD Mom not responsible for failure of sponsor to deliver product.

So link up your own GIVEAWAY, enter one of the linked up GIVEAWAYS AND/OR enter my Skratch Lab Cookies GIVEAWAY!  Good Luck!

And as always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom


#SafeCatch Tuna and a lightened up Tuna Casserole #Recipe

Disclaimer: I was sent SafeCatch Tuna for review and recipe creation purposes.  But all opinions are my own.  I never eat anything I think is yucky and I certainly don't recommend it to you guys!  So rest assured, this and any other recipe I say is YUMMY - really is!

Tomorrow, my friends, is Earth Day!  To celebrate, I am linking up with Sara at Lake Shore Runner for Tried it Tuesdays because I want to tell you about Tuna!


Yes Tuna.  Before you say "yuck," let me tell you, I was you.  I thought canned tuna was for cats.  Not for humans.  SDDad LOVES tuna.  Salad, sandwiches, "hot dish."  You name it.  I would not could not eat it unless it was raw and it was named sushi or sashimi!  Or seared ahi on a salad.  You get the idea.  But then...things happen.  I got approached to try out Safe Catch tuna in preparation for Earth Day and the launch of sales at Sprouts.


Starting on May 1, Safe Catch Tuna will be available at Sprouts!  But what is so great about THIS tuna?


They are the only brand that tests every single tuna for mercury.  That means whether you are a baby or a performance athlete, Safe Catch Tuna is safe for you.  The tuna is BPA free, additive free and filler free.  It is sustainable, dolphin safe and fully traceable.  The tuna is pole and troll caught and their mission is to protect the purity of our oceans, lakes and rivers!


So how does it taste?  I was NOT going to eat it plain so I thought I would turn to my favorite recipe source.  She has never let me down before.  Mel has a recipe for One Pot Creamy Tuna and Shells on her site and I figured, heck!  Why not?   Maybe it will make SD Dad happy at least.  So here is the recipe for Baked Creamy Tuna Mac, heavily adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

  • Baked Creamy Tuna Mac
  • (Heavily adapted from MKC)
  • 1 teaspoon canola oil
  • 1/4 of a yellow or white onion, finely chopped 
  • 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 1/4 cups chicken broth
  • 14.5 ounces elbow pasta (I used Barilla Protein)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 5-ounce cans Safe Catch albacore tuna (no need to drain)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped


  1. In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat.  


2.  Saute the onion and garlic together for a couple minutes.  


3.  Stir in the milk.  


4.  Stir in the water.


5.  Add in the chicken broth.


6.  Add in the pasta.


7.  Add in salt.


8.  Add in pepper.


9.  Bring to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, stirring often (at a simmer, not a rigorous boil) until the pasta is al dente, according to package directions (the pasta will continue to cook a bit over the next few minutes so don't overcook it in this step). 


Notes from Mel: "Each brand of pasta will will differ slightly; depending on the brand, you may need to add a bit more liquid toward the end of cooking time but do so gradually so it isn't too soupy. There should be a bit of liquid left even after the shells are just tender. They'll continue to soften up and the liquid will be absorbed as other ingredients are stirred in and as it rests."

10.  Stir in the heavy cream.


11.  Stir in the dijon mustard.


12.  Stir in the fresh lemon juice.


13.  Add the tuna and mix until combined. 


14.  Taste and then add additional salt and pepper if needed. 

15.  At this point, I stuck it under the Broiler at HIGH for about 7 minutes so it gets that casserole look.  This is not necessary but I thought I would give it the "Hot Dish" touch.


16.  Sprinkle with parsley and squeeze extra lemon juice over the top!


I served it with a simple butter lettuce, orange bell pepper and sunflower seed salad with lots of red pepper flakes!  Those were for me of course!


So there it is!  I celebrated Earth Day by eating Tuna and I didn't curl up and die.  In fact, I really liked it and I am looking forward to making a lot more recipes with Tuna!  SD Dad LOVED it and so did S & D!  Family friendly and SD Kidz approved!  Now that I know Safe Catch will be across the street at Sprouts, we will be eating tuna a lot more!

You can follow Safe Catch on Twitter and on Facebook.  They also have a really neat Instagram account with lots of yummy pictures!

I am also planning on carpooling for Earth Day and abstaining from meat.  Carbon footprint and all.  What are your Earth Day plans?  Do you like Tuna?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom