August Foodie Pen Pal Reveal

Today is the last day of August, which means Foodie Pen Pal reveal day!

What’s a Foodie Pen Pal? Well, it’s a program set up by Jen over at the Lean Green Bean and here’s how it works…

-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.

-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!

-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!

-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)

-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.

-Foodie Penplas is open to US & Canadian residents. Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa.

If you’re interested in participating for September, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions.

You must submit your information by September 4th as pairings will be emailed on September 5th!

This month I received an awesome box from Veronique.

Wondering what’s inside?

Well, there’s

– organic chocolate cookies
– roasted edamame
– apple peach chips
– Luna bar
– a citrus peeler

But, my most favourite goodie of all was the Homemade Cheddar, Cashew and Sea Salt Kale Chips…OMG, they were so friggen delicious!

Unfortunately Veronique did not send the recipe, but I’m definitely going to try my hand at them this weekend. I have a ton of kale in the fridge waiting to be cooked up!

If you want to know what I sent my Foodie Pen Pal Jen? CLICK HERE to check out her blog!

What are Your Goals for September? -August Writing Challenge #31

Today is the final day of Fitness Cheerleader’s August Health/Fitness Blogger Challenge. Thanks Janice for hosting the challenge, I’ve absolutely loved it!

Today’s question: What are your goals for September?

I love the start of a new month, it’s a fresh start, a clean slate, another chance to get it right!

This month my goals are:

1. To eat clean.

2. To workout 6 days a week.

3. To follow my Half Marathon Training Schedule and run at least 3 times a week.

4. Go to bed earlier. Be in bed by 10, book away by 10:30.

I think that’s it….What are your goals for September?

Who is your Fitness Inspiration? – August Writing Challenge #30

Well, for starters, I can’t believe we are only 1 day away from the end of August….where did summer go?

Today’s Blogger Challenge question is Who is your fitness inspiration?

One of my fitness inspirations is my friend Kathy. She probably doesn’t know this, but she is my running inspiration. I see how committed to running she is and how much of a great runner she is and just thinking about her and her accomplishments makes me want to run more and push myself more when I am running. I hope to one day be a good enough runner to actually run a race with her…and finish with her too!

Seriously, doesn’t she just make it look SO EASY?

I am also really inspired by all of the awesome BodyAttack instructors at my gym. They are all in such great shape and are some of the fittest people I know. They inspire me to work hard and train hard and I hope to one day be as good of an instructor as they are! Thanks ladies, for all of your help and support 🙂

Who is your fitness inspiration?

Three Things Thursday! On the Right Track!

Happy Thursday everyone! I am super pumped that the weekend is almost here, and the fact that its a long weekend…well, that rocks!

This week my three things have to do with me being on the right track. Here’s the scoop:

1. I’m pretty excited about my upcoming half marathon. Yes, its still 52 days away, but I already feel like my running is getting better. Over the past two weeks, I have committed more to my training program, and I can honestly say, it’s paying off.

I was super nervous about last nights hill training…I hadn’t run hills in probably 5 years, and the hill we chose to run is almost half a kilometre long! 5 repeats, a 1k warm-up and a cool down back to the car – we ended up running a total of 5.75 km. Not bad, and the craziest part…I enjoyed it!! Yep, I liked running hills… my times got faster each repeat and at the end I felt like I could have done one or two more…Bring on next week – 6 repeats 🙂

2. I made a couple of super clean eating treats. Yesterday I spent about an hour in the kitchen and made Banana Cocoa Chip Muffins from Ingredients of a Fit Chick ; as well as some Cocoa Bites – both are delicious, low calorie, and easy to make!

3. This weekend I will be doing my second full BodyAttack class in preparation for submitting my certification video. Last Monday’s class went really well and I’m hoping for much of the same – with some improvements – for Saturday. I haven’t decided if I’m going to video tape yet…I guess I will have to see how I’m feeling about it all Saturday morning. I would totally kick myself if I do awesome and don’t record it!!

Well, that’s all for now, gotta go practice my BodyAttack script…then cut the lawn…do some laundry…and figure out what we’re having for dinner…

Have a great day!

Do You Workout at Home or at the Gym? – August Writing Challenge #29

Today’s Blogger Challenge question is: Do you workout at home or at the gym?

Aside from running, and the occasional TRX workout, I do most of my workouts at the gym.

On average, I go to four group ex classes a week – mainly BodyAttack – but I’ve also stared going to CXWorx and am now trying to add a couple of BodyPump classes into the mix to work on building some strength 🙂

When I return to work in January, I will most likely get most of my workouts done while there. I will teaching two 75 minute fitness classes and one additional phys.ed class each day, so chances are I will be able to get my workout done during that time…man, I love my job 🙂

Where do you workout – at home or at the gym?

Are You a Cardio Junkie or a Strength Junkie? – August Writing Challenge #28

Today’s Blogger Challenge question is: Are you a cardio junkie or a strength junkie?

I am a total cardio junkie! My favourite workouts are BodyAttack and running! I’d say on average, I probably do 5 cardio workouts a week…which doesn’t leave a lot of time for strength training 😦

I am however, trying to work more strength training into my workout routine. Actually, I did a BodyPump class today and it was awesome! I kinda feel like a bit of a loser though, I took a look around the room today, and I was lifting the least out of everyone in the room 😦 I’m going to stick with it though – my plan is to do Pump twice a week – and hopefully, by the time I return to work in January I won’t be the weakest one in the room anymore! Wish me luck!

Are you a cardio junkie or a strength junkie?

Motivational Monday! Take the First Step.

How Will You Stay Busy When You Retire – August Writing Challenge #27

Wow, today’s Blogger Challenge questions has me looking about 17 years into the future…how will I keep busy when I retire?

Well, since my kids will be in university, I will probably have to continue to work part time for at least a few years– I’m thinking a little supply teaching here and there wont be too bad!?!?

Also in the plans….

Buy and house and spend the winters in Mexico. Warmth, sun, sand….OMG, I wish I would win the lottery so we can do this right now!

Run…I’m thinking if my knees hold out, I might actually be a pretty good runner in 17 years! I’d love to travel around the world and do some races.

Scrapbook – I’m sure I will be years and years behind by that point, so I hope to enjoy some time relaxing and preserving our family’s memories 🙂

That’s about all I can come up with right now…I’m sure as retirements gets closer, my list of things to do will get longer.

How do you plan on keeping busy when you retire?

What do you Eat Before A Workout? – August Writing Challenge #26

So, I totally missed yesterday’s post, but don’t worry – here it is! Yesterday’s Blogger Challenge Question was what do you eat before a workout?

Well, for me, it depends on the workout.

Before a Sunday morning long run I have a Vanilla Cliff Shot and a glass of water…usually about 15 minutes before heading out the door!

Before a weekday morning BodyAttack class, I usually have an oatmeal pancake. They are super yummy, easy to make, easy on the tummy and provide enough energy to make it through the one hour, high impact, cardio conditioning class.

Evening workouts are a little different – I’m still trying to figure out what works for me. I am definitely someone who needs to eat before a workout, but I have yet to find the balance between eating too early and eating too late, feeling like I’m going to barf, and feeling like I’m going to pass out!

So, what you eat before your morning/afternoon/evening workout?

The Meaning Behind Your Blog Name – August Writing Challenge #25

Today’s Blogger Challenge questions is: What’s the meaning behind your blog name?.

This is an easy one….

I named my blog Happier, Healthier, More Fit Me because I wanted to blog about my journey towards a happier, healthier, more fit version of myself.

I’m glad I chose this name for a few reasons….

The name will never not be applicable…I will always strive for a life full of happiness, better health and improved fitness.

The name does not limit me in any way about what I can write about – I can write about what I eat, what I do, fun with my family and friends, ups, downs, successes, failures…whatever…:)

Things I don’t love about my blog name…

Really, there is only one….it’s pretty friggen long, but at least I’ve made it a .com (instead of .wordpress.com) to save you typing a few letters 🙂 Don’t like to type? Why not subscribe…I’ll send you posts via email! Yep it’s that easy!

So, that’s it! That’s the story behind Happier, Healthier, More Fit Me!

What’s the story behind the name of your blog?
Don’t have a blog? Well, let’s pretend you do…what’s it’s name and why?