Thursday, June 10, 2010

I've moved!

Hi friends! I've pretty much fully transitioned to the wordpress site- I'll be blogging from there from here on out because it's so much easier! I still need to add all of my favorite blogs and finish some of my tabbed pages, but come over and check it out! Don't forget to update your readers :)

New Site: Legally Fit- http://legallyfitkatie.wordpress.com

See ya on the flip!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Exciting Stuff!

Hi friends! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. I purchased a new smartphone yesterday- the motorola droid! I love it. I went with verizon for the free skype aspect- skype will be my main source of communication with Bri when he is overseas. Speaking of Bri, I get to see him tonight!! Yay! I miss him so much.

The new blog transition is going well. My next post will be the one announcing the new site! And thanks for your comments on my last post- switching to wordpress simply requires the push of a button! Wow :) I am in the process of transitioning my reader over from my old google account to my new google account but I'm almost there!

I saw SATC 2 on Memorial Day and I was NOT a fan. Samantha really bothered me. It also irritated me that they were essentially promoting Suz*anne So*mmers and all of her hormone added craziness. Miranda was amazing though. One good thing that came out of the movie is that they showed the preview for Eat, Pray, Love, which inspired me to go purchase the book. Wow. I am a third of the way through it and I love it. So far I highly highly recommend!

Have a great weekend lovelies! I'm excited to see Bri but at the same time very sad... he is headed to war! Hopefully this year will fly by quickly...

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Destined Not to Race

Hi everyone! Long time no talk, er type. Things have been super hectic round these here parts but will slowly start to settle down in the ensuing weeks. Then it'll be back to a normal blogging schedule (3-5x per week). I truly admire those who can post multiple times a day, or even daily. I'm not that creative!

I was perusing through my honeymoon photos last night before heading to sleep and came across this one: Duuude I want to go back! Please? I miss my husband! The good news is that I will get to see him for a day or two before he ships out. Yippee! The time frame in which this will occur happens to be the same date that falls upon the Freihofer's 5k. Since Bri can't come to me, this means I can't run the 5k with Christina. Hence the faux drama of my post title. Ragnar didn't work out due to my work conflict. However, this reason is MUCH more acceptable. I can't wait to see him!! :) :) I will have to find another 5k to run so I can try to hit my goal of sub-30.

In other fun news, I'm in the process of transitioning the blog over to wordpress! Okay, that's kind of misleading. I'm in the process of starting a new blog to reflect this new stage of my life. The current blog name doesn't really fit any more, seeing as how I've been married for two months (today!). Additionally, I get very jealous at the wordpress bloggers' ability to use strikethrough font and reply to comments directly, among other things, so I'm excited! I don't think I'm going to shift my blogger posts over to the new wordpress site because I don't know how and, quite frankly, it seems like so much time and effort! For those of you that have transitioned over to wordpress, how was it?

So, be on the lookout in the next week or two for the new bloggie! I'll post a link here once it's finalized. I should have a cute new custom designed header, seeing as I won one at Ange's shop 4 a cause 2 auction. Woohoo!

Things have otherwise been going well. I have to go grocery shopping tonight (meh) for supplies for this weekend. I'm heading to Christina's inlaws' cabin "upstate" (it's south of here... don't ask) and it should be a great time! Do you have any fun weekend plans?

On that note, I'm out! Have a fantastic holiday weekend friends!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Thumbs Up Thursday- Coconut Style

Hi friends! Happy Thursday! How is everyone doing? I am feeling unnecessarily stressed for whatever reason. I have a feeling hot yoga will remedy that this evening. I skipped attending this past Tuesday and instead left my conference and came home and SLEPT. It was glorious. Presenting always seems to take a lot out of me, and I hadn't been drinking as much water as usual due to being at the hotel. So, today is hot yoga day :)

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!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Yoga Pose May- Staff Pose & Giveaway Winner!

Hi everyone! I'm super excited to be participating in Tina and Kate's Yoga Pose May challenge, as yoga has become one of my favorite physical activities (aside from running, of course!). The pose of the day today is "staff" pose, which is a strength pose. There are a few variations of the pose, but after perusing Yoga Journal online my interest was piqued by the four-limbed staff pose, or chatarunga dandasana. According to the site, staff actually refers to the spine, or strength of the body, which makes sense, as this pose definitely requires a lot of strength! I still have a little lower to go on my chatarunga but I'm getting there!**



To start, come into downward facing dog by placing your feet about six to eight inches apart, your booty in the air and your hands on the ground (pants on the ground?) out in front of you. Your weight should be evenly distributed in your hands and feet. Make sure that all five fingers are pressing into the ground, and really try to extend your shoulders so that your back is long. Your tailbone should be pressing back towards the wall behind you. I'm working on being able to get my feet flat on the ground. Almost.


Then, shift your weight forward so that your shoulders are in line with your hands. This brings you into plank position. Your core should be tight (and feelin' the burn!) and your booty should be flat. If it is in the air it makes the pose easier and you're not really getting the full benefits of the pose.



Now comes the really fun part. Slowly lower yourself towards the ground, with your elbows IN next to your rib cage. Your back should be as flat as possible. It's essentially a sloooow burning close grip pushup.


Then, continue towards the ground and sort of push through and up into upward facing dog or cobra pose. I always go with upward facing dog.

Hands directly below shoulders, slight arch in back, legs slightly lifted, tops of feet flat on the ground.

Optional- take a picture with your yoga assistant afterwards. Bailey does a mean downward dog but I can never catch him in action!

So there you have my interpretation of the staff pose. Thanks for coordinating this, Tina and Kate!

And now for the winner of my Yoga Journal Subscription/Luna Bar Giveaway: Comment number 5, Danielle of Coffee Run! Danielle, email me your mailing info (fittowed@gmail.com) and I'll get the package sent your way! Also, are Luna Bars vegan? If not, I will grab some other type of fun bar for you. Thank you to everyone for participating in the giveaway and thanks for reading!


**Disclaimer- I'm not a yoga instructor nor am I a certified personal instructor. This post is merely a demonstration of how I interpret the staff pose. :)

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Photo Friday- For My Pup

Hi everyone! Happy Friday. First and foremost, thank you to everyone for all of your comments regarding the relay. It worked out for the best for the team, so I am very happy about it. Team BAD is currently out running their hearts out; wish them luck!



I've had a quiet couple of days, which I wasn't anticipating as I thought I'd be getting ready for Ragnar. Given the huge conference I have from Sunday to Tuesday, it's likely a good thing. On the exercise front, I completed a hill workout on Monday (on a college campus, where it was finals time. Oh the good ol' days), hot yoga on Tuesday and a 3.5 mile run/pushups yesterday. Yoga on Tuesday was interesting. It is Bikram style but not exactly since I think we only do the positions once and incorporate some other moves. Man, it was effing HOT. It was my fifth class and by far the hottest. During the last 10-15 minutes I kind of laid there in child's pose because I couldn't move- my limbs were literally numb, particularly my hands. I think it's because I ate too close to class; the blood was going to my digestive system as opposed to where it should have been.



I intended on completing four miles yesterday but I started experiencing the familiar IT band twinge around 3 miles (wtf!). So I stopped to stretch and continued on for a half mile, then came home and foam rolled the bejesus out of my legs.



This weekend should be great. I'll be running through my presentations (eh), meeting up with a bestie that's in town tonight for drinks and discussion (yay!) and hot yoga and a run tomorrow. I have to work on Sunday but it's all good :)



So today's photo Friday is dedicated to my pup, Bailey. Bailey is a 4 pound yorkshire terrier and the sweetest boy ever. He turned four this past Christmas and we celebrated our four year "anniversary" on May 1 (I got him on May 1, 2006). At certain times in my life I can be quite spontaneous and getting Bailey was one of them. He's camera shy.



I had wanted a yorkie for a LONG time (my mom used to breed them) but my dad always advised me to wait until I was done with law school. At the end of my second year of school, I was at my friends house when she mentioned that she thought her neighbor had yorkie pups. Sure enough, they did. I came home with Bailey that night :) It was literally right before all of my finals; I remember waking up to go to my Commercial Paper final to find out that Bailey had peed all over himself inside of his crate. I still got an A on the final :)


I am so glad to have my little guy. He is so sweet and brings so much joy to my life. I love to sing him songs, substituting his name for the actual lyrics ("if you like it then you should have put a Bails on it"). He is the pup of many names- Bailey, Bails, BB, Bailey Blu, Beedle, Buckets, Bucks, Mr. Bs, Bailface...




How about you? Do you have a pet? If so, are they like a member of your family?


Have a great weekend and don't forget to enter my yoga/luna bar giveaway!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Change of Plans...

So, due to some things with work, I'm unable to take this Friday afternoon off, which happens to coincide with the Ragnar Relay. At first I figured I could commute back and forth, which would have been quite challenging to coordinate for the team. Thankfully, another fellow awesome blogger volunteered to step in and take my spot. I'm super bummed but relieved for the team- Suzy is awesome. I guess there is always next year! :-/