When You Meet Online Friends In Real Life

It finally happened! As you may have read in my "About Me", I mentioned that I had hoped this year would be the year to meet some of my blogging friends in person. In all honesty, when I wrote that I had thought maybe this would occur at a regional blogger meet up of some sort. However, it turned out that my first meeting of online friends IRL (in real life) occurred at an event that was completely natural to me: an organized run!

A few weeks ago I had received an invitation on Facebook to an event put on my Road Runner Sports, a super awesome running store. "Run Like a Girl" sounded right up my alley: shopping, discounts, giveaways, wine, cheese, fruit and OH YEAH, running! This event, just for women, had a few different groups, with pacers for each of them. It began at their retail store, where there was a chiropractor offering adjustments, shoe fittings, and sports bra fittings. I had expressed interest in it right as soon as I received the invitation but forgot about it.

Then, a couple of my Twitter friends @theaumsmama and @themommytsunami were discussing it the day prior. I wrangled a sitter and it was ON. I wasn't disappointed. @theaumsmama was just as I expected, totally sweet and laid-back. We both went to the same college in a slow Northern California beach town, where she still lives. I knew I would like her! @themommytsunami is focused and intense. She kicked our butts on the 5 mile run we did! With 4 kids each, these women are truly an inspiration to me and my quest for fitness! They were such cool girls, and I know that this meet up will not be our last. I am looking forward to seeing them again soon!

Have you ever met any of your online friends in real life before? Were they what you expected?
Have a fit and fabulous Friday!!

Summer is in FULL Swing!

It is officially summer, and after what seemed like an eternal winter, I am finally in the summer groove! I feel like I have been severely neglecting this blog over the last few months. Sometimes, I feel bad about it and then other times I wonder if anyone has noticed?! I do blog for myself, but of course hope I am entertaining someone in the process. Anyone?

A great baseball season, all done!

So what have I been up to? Honestly, 3 months ago I started a new job as you may have read about HERE. And I have to say I absolutely L-O-V-E it. Probably more than any job I've ever had, besides the time I was lifeguarding at a waterside park in high school and basically flirted with cute boys all day. Since I spend my entire day social media networking, and believe it or not - still do a bit of m own personal social media networking, I have been a little burned out on blogging when I get home. Understandably!

Kat Deluna is such a sweetheart!

At this new company, I have had the pleasure of meeting some talented people. I had never heard of Kat Deluna before, but now that I have met her and heard her beautiful voice, I am grateful I have been in the company of such talent. And...how can I forget Ralph Johnson from Earth, Wind and Fire? I need not say anything more about how amazing he is.

Ralph Johnson - Truly a nice guy!

Ashanti Floyd of Symphony Crack Orchestra going off on the violin!

Most recently, I have been in the company of DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kat Deluna again, and a cool band called Symphony Crack Orchestra.  

The kids have been BUSY this summer. Let's see, outpatient surgery, Lego Camp, swimming lessons, play dates. They have been tired out and sleeping in. And so have I - I think I have slacked a bit on my morning workouts because I have struggled with getting out of bed super early, but I have recently regained my mojo.

Wig fun! Or torture?

In the last few weeks, I hosted my sister's bachelorette party, went on a whirlwind trip to New York to work (and play), my sister got married (I was the matron of honor), both boys had a weird tummy bug, and we went to Santa Cruz for the weekend. I am just starting to feel like I am back to normal. Just in time for Monkey's 6th birthday and a week long camping trip with friends.What is normal anyway? Normal = crazy for me. Happy summer my friends!

18 passenger Hummer! FTW!

Me and DJ Jazzy Jeff!

One of the last of the zillion pix I posed for that day! Whew!

$15 for $34 Toward a 6-Month Meal Planning Membership

Healthy, well-balanced meal

Meal planning sound fun sometimes, we all love looking at pictures of food and taking note of all the great recipes we'd like to cook for our family. But let's face it, when it comes down to a busy week with the kids and/or work, who really has time to do all that it takes? Searching for recipes, making lists, shopping for ingredients...all this before you even get home and have to cook it all!

No More To Go can take all the work out of this for you. As a member, you will receive an email each Friday with a weekly menu, grocery list, and clickable links to daily recipes.    

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Fabulous, healthy recipes that appeal to the whole family, all at your fingertips with all the guesswork removed. Take advantage of this deal from Plum District and pay only $15 toward $34 toward a 6-month meal planning membership.  

Purchase offer available until June 21. Expires December 16, 2012.

Wordless Wednesday: Happy National Running Day

Review: Mini-Flexball Workout by Stott Pilates and Foam Roller/DVD Challenge Giveaway!!

I don't know what it is about stability ball workouts, but for some reason I always go into them thinking they are going to be easy. Once I do them I'm surprised at how challenged I was; this time was no exception. The folks at Stott Pilates, a premier brand of Merrithew Health & Fitness, sent me this Mini-Flexball Workout DVD, a mini stability ball and mat for review.  I was pleased with the items sent over. The cloth mat is soft, in a neutral green tone and a non-skid surface bottom. The mini ball was easy to blow up with the plastic tube provided.

 While getting the workout queued up to go, I was impressed with how much information is included on the DVD in addition to just the 41 minute workout. Many DVD's just include an introduction, the work out and maybe a bonus workout option but this DVD provided much more. 5 Principles of Pilates - breathing, pelvic placement, rib cage placement scapular movement & stabilization, and head & cervical placement were each covered separately and in a decent amount of detail. This is information typically covered only in a live class or within the body of a DVD and I found it very useful that these principles were demonstrated individually and separate from the workout. There was also a bonus workout - the next level - a "meet the Master Instructor" section, information on Pilates education, equipment and other DVD's available.

 Led by Moira Merrithew and demonstrated by a pupil, the instruction was given very thoroughly with a lot of explanation. Throughout each exercise (26 in all) she offered modifiers, and explained what body area each exercise was working and how I should be feeling. I really liked this because I can think of many classes I have been in where I am wondering if I'm even doing it right or what the purpose of the exercise is. I also liked that the workout did not get monotonous. With 26 exercises in 41 minutes, I was constantly moving on to the next thing before I had a chance to get bored. 

Being a runner, this type of workout is a great compliment to my weekly mileage. I always welcome ways to improve my core strength. Utilizing the mini ball adds just a bit more challenge to maintaining balance during the exercises. My lats, back, glutes and hamstrings all felt the work during this DVD. The instructor recommends at the end of the workout to do this DVD about 3 times a week. With the stretching in the beginning and the moves to combat the hunching-over I do all week at my desk, I feel that this workout is a great benefit for me personally. According to the package the Mini-Flexball workout is a "2 out of 5" in intensity. While nearly all of the workout was doable for me, there was one exercise I simply could not do without modification. The move required going from a position laying on your back with bent knees and rolling the ball from your thighs to your knees and over to your shins essentially bringing you to a full upright seated position. This DVD was pretty much a wake up call that my ab strength needs some improvement. I look forward to working toward successfully completing this exercise!

Giveaway! Stott Pilates has provided me with a Foam Roller Challenge DVD and an accompanying Foam Roller to give away to one lucky person! Complete the entry information below. Winner will be announced next Saturday June 9, 2012. Must be in the U.S. to win.

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