The First T-Shirt and Shorts Run of the Season (and a Larabar Giveaway!)

Posted on March 12, 2013 Written by 15 Comments

Yesterday.was.awesome. I was super psyched for a lot of different reasons, the first of which being the milder weather and the sunshine that appeared just in time for my late afternoon run!

logo_capecodI had a very nice 5-miler in shorts and a t-shirt and loved every minute of it. The other great part of my day was finding out (the night before) that I was selected once again as a ZOOMA Cape Cod Ambassador.

I had a FABULOUS time at ZOOMA Cape Cod last year, and I can’t wait to do it again this year! I love the race series and all that it stands for, and I am proud to be an ambassador.

Lastly, I have a Larabar über Bar giveaway. For those of you that are Biggest Loser fans, you know that the über bars were featured on the show a few weeks ago. I love the traditional Larabars and the über bars are just as yummy! The combination of sweet and salty can satisfy just about every craving, with natural, whole food ingredients.

One lucky reader will win a 4-pack of über Bars, just leave me a comment below with the flavor you would most like to try (just click on the link above). I will draw a winner using www.random.org. The giveaway will end on March 19 at 7:30 a.m. Good luck!

Filed Under: Giveaways, Nutrition, Training Tagged: ,

Let the Holiday Shopping Craziness Begin (and a Giveaway!)

Posted on December 12, 2012 Written by 53 Comments

For once in my life, I will probably be done Christmas shopping before Christmas Eve—this is definitely a first! Since having kids, I have finally adjusted to the benefits of getting things done ahead of time. Winking smile

This year the holiday season has been so much fun with the boys. At four, James is finally “getting” the whole Santa thing and the magical nature of the holiday season has him giddy all the time. It’s really cute to watch. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Giveaways, Sponsored

Stocking Stuffer Ideas for the Kids

Posted on December 3, 2012 Written by 15 Comments

I used to love ripping into my stocking on Christmas morning. We used to do the stockings first, before tearing into all of our Christmas gifts. The stockings were complete with an orange or an apple to fill out the toe! Since I am in the process of assembling stocking stuffers for the boys, I thought I would share some of my ideas:

  • A fun toothbrush (since getting kids to brush can be a struggle!)– The boys are always into Cars toothbrushes, but I think the Arm & Hammer Spinbrush Kids – My Way Electric Toothbrush is pretty neat too. The boys each have a toothbrush and toothpaste that they have decorated with their own stickers.
  • iPieces– Pressman Toys makes some great little games that kids can use on your iPad—iPieces. We have the fishing game and air hockey. Even my two-year old can play the games with us! The pieces are small and can be tucked easily into your bag for taking along on a road trip! One lucky winner will win the iPieces game of his/her choice (see entry form below the post!).
  • Cute socks- There are so many different options! Since socks seem to magically disappear in our house, they are always welcome. My two-year old is having a hard time keeping his socks on lately, so fun socks definitely help entice him to keep them on!
  • Stickers—Almost all children love stickers and you can find stickers with just about any theme or character.
  • Art supplies—Smaller boxes of crayons, paint brushes, finger paints, etc. make great little stocking stuffers!
  • Subscriptions to kids’ magazines—My four-year old loves his High Five magazine, and the holiday season is a great time to give a new magazine subscription or renew an existing one. National Geographic Kids is another great choice.
  • Christmas Ornaments—Find a fun Christmas ornament for your child to add to the tree.

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30 Something Mother Runner received two iPieces games from Pressman Toys for review and use. All opinions and writing are 100% my own. 

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Friday Fashion Fun!

Posted on November 16, 2012 Written by 32 Comments

It’s Friday, let’s have some fun! Smile I got this super cute cardigan from DownEast Basics a couple of weeks ago. I love the color and the ruffles! I like to layer in the winter, so cardigans are a staple in my mom wardrobe.

DownEast Basics refreshes their lines frequently to keep up with new trends. One lucky reader will win their choice of one item from women’s apparel and one item from the girls apparel section on their website. You can also check them out on their Facebook page.

To enter, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below:
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DownEast Basics provided me with an item of my choice for this review in addition to allowing me to host a giveaway for my readers. All opinions are 100% my own.

Filed Under: Fashion, Giveaways

Knock on Wood…

Posted on October 26, 2012 Written by 59 Comments

I have to say that for the past few months, I have been feeling good while running—like really good. I have been steadily increasing my mileage, my iron levels/stores are back up to normal, and in general I have felt really good. My daily runs are about 5-6 miles a day now.

Granted this may all change next week if we do indeed get the “Frankenstorm” they are predicted for early next week. Is it sad that the first thing I thought about bad weather for 5-6 days and potential loss of power was that I might not get to run? Smile I will totally go bonkers if I need to take that many days off!

Since I have been feeling good and running really regularly, I have also been feeling so good mentally. There are a lot of stressful things going on around here, but I feel in control and grounded. I LOVE how running helps me feel that way.

So inside I have been feeling good, and I have on the outside too! I got a new haircut (just above the shoulder—no good pics yet!). I have been making a concerted effort to keep my hair somewhat styled for the first time in a LONG time. Since I end up showering later in the day, I make sure that I blow it out, so it looks nice when I wake up in the morning.

One thing that has definitely fallen by the wayside since becoming a parent is my hair styling capabilities! I came across the super fun line called Not Your Mother’s Hair Care at BlogHer in August, and I love their stuff!

My favorite is the Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray (which actually contains sea salt!). I love to use it on my own hair and on the boys’ as well. I also like the Clean Freak Dry Shampoo. Since mothers don’t always have the time to shower and blow out their hair perfectly (imagine that!)—here is something to come to your rescue. I like that it’s a spray and not a powder, less messy in my opinion and easier to apply. To check out all of the Not Your Mother’s Hair Care products visit their website and their Facebook page. Another thing to love– they are about $5.99 (depending on where you buy them), and they are available in CVS, Target, and many other places!

Since it’s Friday, one lucky reader will win a 3-pack of the same products I love and tried out: Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo, Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray, and Girl Powder Volumizing Hair Powder (root lifter). Just follow the instructions in Rafflecopter below. Happy Friday!
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NYM Brands provided 30 Something Mother Runner with three products to review, in addition to three to give away. All opinions and writing are my own. 

Filed Under: Giveaways, Reviews, Training Tagged: ,

Breast Cancer Awareness and a Giveaway

Posted on October 19, 2012 Written by 42 Comments

I think that one of the things that is hard about October being breast cancer awareness month is that sometimes we forget about those who have late stage breast cancer—those who will not be cured and are facing death from breast cancer.

Don’t get me wrong, I think raising awareness is great. It’s very important for women to get recommended screenings and to do self exams. I had to go for a mammogram last year after my PCP wanted to have something checked out. It was fine, but it definitely had my mind racing in a million different directions!

My desire to highlight women with late stage breast cancer comes from the fact that I have a friend who is currently battling Stage IV breast cancer that has metastasized to her bones and liver (she is 33 and a mother of young twin boys). She once shared a link to a post from another women with Stage IV breast cancer.

The link was to a blog post about sometimes feeling that those battling late stage breast cancer are lost in the shuffle. We see a lot of stories in the media about celebrities and high-profile public figures being diagnosed with breast cancer and being successfully treated. What we don’t often hear are the stories of those whose cancer can’t be kept at bay.

Women with late stage breast cancer face unique challenges such as tolerating experimental cancer drugs, planning for their families’ future when they are gone, trying to enjoy life knowing that it may end in the near future, and many more. Please try to remember women like my friend Jen this month…

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, Carpet One generated a series of welcome mats of differing design (but all with a pink ribbon). They are available year-round and 25% of the proceeds from sales of the mats is donated to breast cancer research and awareness.

I love these mats (I have 2) because they are water and stain resistant, so they can be used inside or outside AND they are machine washable! Take a look at the prints and follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below.

I would like to use this post to remind you to think about women who aren’t going to survive breast cancer.
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Carpet One provided 30 Something Mother Runner with a welcome mat for review. 

Filed Under: Giveaways, Health

It’s Free Coffee Week!

Posted on September 24, 2012 Written by 266 Comments

After my exciting weekend at the ZOOMA Cape Cod Half marathon (race recap coming later this week!), I am in desperate need of some java to kick start my Monday! I generally require two cups of coffee to function in the morning, sometimes an additional one in the afternoon depending on what type of day I have had! Winking smile

If you need some more caffeine to get your Monday off to a good start, stop my McDonald’s because every day this week you can get a FREE small cup of hot coffee in the New England region. I love McDonald’s coffee because they serve Newman’s Own Organics coffee.

In conjunction with an exciting week off coffee, you can tune in to a virtual coffee tasting this morning at 10 a.m. The tasting will highlight the Newman’s Own Organics blend exclusive to McDonald’s in New England, and will be hosted by Nell Newman, founder of Newman’s Own Organics!

I am saving the best for last: McDonald’s has graciously offered to give one of my lucky readers a Keurig Platinum Brewing System! Yes, you read that right! Smile

Check out the entry instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below!
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Wholly Guacamole!

Posted on August 29, 2012 Written by 7 Comments

My friends already know that I am kind of obsessed with guacamole, and now you do too! I met Wholly Guacamole earlier this month at BlogHer.

We go through copious amounts of guacamole in this household, especially because I don’t usually eat meat or dairy, so I need some fat in my diet! Avocados are a great source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, in addition to fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and vitamin B6.

People tend to think of guacamole as just a dip to serve with chips.  However, there are many other ways you can use guacamole. One of my favorites is to use it as a spread for sandwiches or veggie burgers. Guacamole makes a great substitute for mayo!

My boys also love their guac! One of the ways they like to eat it is as a side to our open faced burritos and also with the red bean and quinoa chips we like to get from Trader Joe’s (a great healthy snack!).

When I opened up my cooler of guacamole and salsa, I was surprised to find out how many different types of guacamole and and salsa are made by Wholly Guacamole. We were generous and shared with friends: the Red Pepper Mango salsa was a HUGE hit.

Another one of my favorites was the 100 calorie snack packs of guacamole. These packs make a great addition to a child’s (or grownup’s!) lunch box. You could pack a 100 calorie guacamole pack and some pretzels for a great snack combo.

Wholly Guacaole has generously agreed to let me give away 4 prizes! One lucky reader will win the same cooler full of guacamole and salsa that arrived on my doorstep (see picture). Three other readers will receive coupon prize packs. The coupon prize packs will include three FREE product coupons and some fun promotional  goodies! Just enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. :-)

Make sure to check out Wholly Guacamole on Facebook (you can find coupons there) and Twitter!

Wholly Guacamole provided 30 Something Mother Runner with an assortment of their guacamole and salsa products for the purpose of this review.

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Filed Under: Giveaways, Nutrition, Reviews Tagged: ,

The Handful Bra!

Posted on August 10, 2012 Written by 101 Comments

I heard about the Handful bra a few months ago, and I admit the name really piqued my curiosity. Since we already discussed the fact that “the girls” have gone from B to D and back to B, a handful is probably a pretty accurate description right about now! Winking smile

The Handful bras are super comfy and come in a nice little lingerie bag for washing (such a nice touch!). They have straps that cross in the back and come in five colors: pink, black, cocoa, white and nude. The bras come with removable pads—great for me since I don’t like to run with the headlights on! Smile

Later this month, they will be launching some new products: an adjustable Handful bra and the Handful tank. The Handful bra was created by Jennifer Ferguson (of Portland, OR) who has worked as a group fitness instructor, teaching cycling, strength, dance, step, aqua, kick-boxing, rock climbing, yoga, and running! In other words, she knows how to craft a comfy sports bra!

Since I am kicking off a nice weekend on the Cape for the Falmouth Road Race, I want to start the weekend off with a giveaway! The Handful will provide one lucky winner with a handful bra in her choice of size (XS, S, M, and L) and color! Check out their website and their Facebook page! You can enter using the Rafflecopter Widget below this post.

Handful provided 30 Something Mother Runner with a Handful bra for the purpose of this review and one to giveaway to a reader. All opinions are 100% my own.

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Kalso Earth Shoes Review and Giveaway!

Posted on June 22, 2012 Written by 50 Comments

Yesterday was a giveaway for running shoes and today I am giving away a pair of super comfy and fashionable Kalso Earth Shoes!

My new pair of Kalso Earth Shoes are one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I have ever worn! Kalso Earth Shoes utilize “Negative Heel” technology—best described in this graphic:

Kalso

The shoes were created by Anne Kalso (a yoga instructor) in Denmark in 1970, and they have evolved into a very comfortable and stylish way to correct many chronic problems that occur as a result of improper posture. The “negative heel” drops the heel slightly lower than the toes, bringing the body into alignment.

I chose the Empire style (see picture) to test out because they looked both comfortable AND very stylish, and they are! Just because I don’t wear heels any more doesn’t mean I should have to sacrifice style for comfort!

I like that the foot bed offers a decent amount of cushioning and all of the straps on the front of the sandals are full adjustable with velcro tabs (you would never know by just looking at them!). I found that the shoes fit true to size.

Would you like to win a pair of Kalso Earth Shoes? Follow the instructions below to enter to win your own pair!

Kalso Earth Shoes  provided 30 Something Mother Runner with a complimentary pair of shoes for this product review. I did not receive any payment for writing this review, and all writing and opinions reflected in this review are my own.
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