In other news, I've been acting as a running coach of sorts! On Monday we got a little break in the conference so my co-worker and I went for a run around congress park. It was really fun! My co-worker says that she will only run "if she is being chased" so I was surprised when she suggested we run together. She did incredibly well! We ran for a mile, walked for a tenth, ran another mile, walked for a tenth and then ran another half mile. She did WAY better than I did when I was first starting out. Maybe she will stick with it! :)
My bestie Christina and I met for a run yesterday at the local park in the cold rain. It's super hot today; upstate NY is schizo. In any event, Christina trained for and ran her first 5k back in December but then kind of fell off the wagon. I drafted a running schedule for her to follow to get back into 5k shape for the Freihofer's Run for Women on June 5. She did great! We ran two miles together (which her training plan called for) and caught up on things.
Me and Christina after the two miles in the rain. We ran into some geese and their babies. Geese are probably my least favorite bird (I love birds but Bailey tries to eat their poop, it's nast) but the babies are soooo stinkin' cute.
Actually, I wouldn't call these guys babies. More like teenagers! The mother goose was hissing at us as I tried to take a picture. I have never seen one hiss! Too funny. After Christina left I ran another mile. I'm kind of all over the place with running lately and I'm excited to start following a training plan this Sunday (for my upcoming 15k and half marathon... woot!)So today's thumbs up Thursday relates to a product I have been using for well over a few months now:
Coconut Oil. Coconut oil can serve many functions... coconut butter, smoothies, sauces...
Nutritional Stats:
However, my use of coconut oil is not for nutrition. Nope, not I. Well, not that I'm opposed to it. I just haven't gotten around to cooking with it yet. What do I use it for, you ask? MOISTURIZER! I first saw these lovely ladies using coconut oil as a body moisturizer and I have to say, it piqued my interest. I purchased this container for ten dollars at the local health food store and it does not disappoint!
As you can see, the texture is hard but not too hard, meaning that I can break it up with my fingers to use as a moisturizer. When I first opened the jar I was surprised to find the solid consistency- I was expecting oil! It does tend to soften up if I don't use it for a few days (I don't bring it along while traveling, as it's fairly large).
So how does this fare as a moisturizer? It's awesome! A little bit goes a long way and it makes my skin uber soft. Surprisingly, there really isn't an overwhelming scent to it. And I have to say, I love the ingredient list: organic cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil. That's it! It doesn't get more natural than that.
I give the coconut oil as a moisturizer two thumbs up! I have read on some blogs that people do not use moisturizers, which I find hard to fathom. My skin is dry but not super dry, and I would feel crackly if I didn't put something on my skin! I have seen lots of other uses for coconut oil on other blogs- as a conditioner, face moisturizer (I'm not that brave) and cuticle softener. Like I said earlier, I've had the oil for well over four or five months and the jar isn't even half gone. Pretty good ten dollar investment if you ask me. What are your thoughts on coconut oil? Would you ever use it as a moisturizer?
Enjoy your Thursday and I'll see y'all tomorrow with a photo Friday post!
I have heard of people using for moisturizer. Does it leave your face oily? That would be my only hesitation. I actually almost bought a jar of this at wal-mart the other day but the $10.00 price scared me away. I am trying to keep my crazy sporadic spending in control. But to know that it has dual uses is interesting. Please let me know how you like when you cook with it. I am curious if the coconut flavor is there. Fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd way to go on the coaching! It's funny how our love for running can rub off on people. I have a friend who absolutely HATES running (the girl jess on my blog today), and she felt like she was being left out of the fun social group of my Will run For Wine group, so she made the attempt to come a few times. Though she still doesn't like running, she is doing it to be social and realizes that benefits. It's pretty awesome to think I inspired that!
Okay...I need to try this coconut oil as moisturizer thing. I have seen it everywhere! I'm like you-- I don't understand people who don't use moisturizers! Lol.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried it as moisturizer. Sounds cool though. I don't like the way it tastes though.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting with the coconut oil! I kind of want to try it. My skin is either really dry or super oily, but my body tends to be more dry. I might give this a shot. I have to always use moisturizer on my face. Sometimes I forget my body.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for inspiring and helping other runners maintain and increase their fitness level. Awesome!!
Hi Katie
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of coconut oil! I actually use it in the bath as an emolient for shaving, and my main use for it is as a deep conditioning hair mask. Did you know its the only oil that actually penetrates the hair shaft. I tend to pile it on dry hair (it looks horrible and mega greasy) and leave it overnight. The next morning my hair (after a double wash) seems thicker and revitalised. Beware though it can strip colour!
Julia
www.britbride.com
hmmm, not sure about the oil, my skin is a sensitive/combo type that I have to be careful what I put on it. Although I do want to try coconut water, I hear it's da bomb!
ReplyDelete