smmmmmmoothies!

I once had an Odwalla protein drink and it was the most horrible thing I'd tasted in a long time and that turned me off to any kind of protein drink I ever encountered - super thick and chalky.  However, for a while now, I've been very curious about protein powder. Everyone is drinking it and I have been interested in getting on that train.

So last night I headed to Macy's to pick up a Magic Bullet (quick note: Macy's will price match, I got the bullet for $30 less than it rang up for!).  It's a snappy little blender that blends your smoothie, shake, what-have-you in the cup you drink it out of - which makes clean up so easy!!  Anyway, I also stopped by Market Basket to pick up some frozen fruit, chocolate protein powder (yum!), and milk.

When I returned home I threw together some frozen raspberries, a whole avocado, some orange juice, vanilla powder, and water - kablammy, this:

Maybe it looks a little gross, but trust me: so good. And so filling!  Perfect for a quick on-the-go dinner (or, in my case last night, watching-tv-while-doing-laundry dinner). The avocado added some incredible smoothy-ness and the raspberries gave it a sweet flavor, while the OJ added just the right amount of tartness.  I will be making this again (and again and again...)!

This morning, post-Insanity Cardio Recovery workout, I threw together a scoop of chocolate protein powder, a whole banana, a cup of milk and a tablespoon of peanut butter.  Whoa yum! And so filling! I had this at 7am and as I write this at 11am, I'm not super hungry - usually if I eat cereal or a whole wheat english muffin, by now I feel like I could gnaw my arm off.  Protein power smoothies work!

I'm glad I finally got over the fact that I *might* hate protein drinks!  I have been missing out for far too long. This is also a really great option for a quick nutritious snack/meal for after work at REI - It's surprising how hungry I am at 9:30pm.  If you have a favorite smoothie recipe, leave it below in the comments!  I'm looking to expand my repertoire!

oh, hey.

Life keeps moving, even when we feel like standing still.  That's how the past few months have been for me.  I've wanted things to slow down - stop, even! - just for a while.  It's not because I've been so busy that I'd like a pause button, but more so because I'd like to just figure out my life and what comes next before it comes!  But that's not the way of things.  Life goes on and so must we, whether we know what the future holds or not.

To catch you up on a few things:

• I ran a Tough Mudder with a 11 other people.  Short end of it: it was fun in the beginning, torturous in the middle, and exhilarating at the end.  Would I do it again? Yes, but not any time soon.
• I started working a part-time job at REI-Reading.  Swing by, say hello, and pick up some sweet gear for your next hike, paddle, ride, campout, etc.
• I deferred my participation in the New York City Marathon to 2014.  I knew I wouldn't be ready by this November, and this is not a race I'd like to go into unprepared.  
• I recently started an Insanity challenge.  12 people, 6 guy/girl teams of 2.  It's harder than I thought to do these workouts every single day.  But throw the word "challenge" on anything and typically I will not back down.  (Unless it's some kind of strange eating challenge, that's just disgusting and my response is always, "No, thank you.")

While I had a full, fun summer I can say without a doubt that I am looking forward to the fall.  I'm looking forward to cooler weather, the leaves changing color, and a different wardrobe!  I'm also looking forward to a couple fun fall races with some good friends.  The Tufts 10K for Women is on Oct 14th and the Feaster Five is on Nov 28th.  If you like big, festive races, these two are for you!  I don't particularly care for crowded races but I do like running with friends, so I take the bad with the good.

Life is marching on and I'm glad to have some things planned in the coming months.  It may seem cliche, but life really is a marathon - sometimes it's awesome and fun, sometimes is a slow slog and you feel like you're going nowhere, sometimes you wonder if you'll ever really get there, and sometimes you can just enjoy the journey.  I'm hoping to do more of the last in the the coming months.