Couch to 5K, Week One

Reading about my sister's time at The Broad Street Run, I've been motivated to lace up my Nike's and hit the road. Stepping back on the treadmill I remembered how much I enjoyed the time I spend running, my tunes and my breathing keeping me on task. 

Running and yoga are two exercises that have proven to help me lose weight.  It also helps keep my anxiety at bay and gives me some ME time.

Last week I completed week one of Couch to 5K. 

I use the Run 5k – Interval Training Coach from Felt Tip, Inc app along with my Nike+ app. 

The program is designed to gradually get couch potatoes off of the couch.  If the program is followed as planned, in eight weeks I’ll be able to run 3.1 miles without stopping.  Why am I so confident that this time I’ll be successful? For one, I’m no longer competing with the image of what I’m supposed to be doing. Rather than focus on speed, I focus on my breathing, correcting my posture, and keeping a stride that doesn't injure me.  I focus on being IN THE MOMENT and not running to "get it over with". It also helps that during my run I can watch My Name is Earl and the massage chairs or hydro bed waits for me when I'm  done.  

For those who want to follow the program, below is the workout for Week One:

Warm-up 5 minutes, then do the following 5 times: jog 45 seconds, walk 90 seconds, jog 45 seconds, walk 60 seconds.

This workout lasts about 29 minutes.

Wardrobe for Week One was Cowboys Blue.  

Week One Tunes:

Apache

Zero to Hero

Tonight Tonight

Boogie Shoes

THIS IS FREE - Get it today!
Cabaret

Blame it on the Boogie

F**k You

Wanna Be Startin’ Something

Crazy

Ground Zero

Even though my mind and body felt I could do more, I stuck to the planned workout.  One of the things that derailed me in the past was trying to do more than I should because I felt I SHOULD.

My week per Nike.

I've listed three reasons to keep up the great work:

1. Summer is five weeks away.
2. The Zombie Apocalypse
3. Building the Magic...

For Smiles that Dazzle, @Invisalign has the Answer #ad

If eyes are the window to the soul, then a smile is the window to your heart.

A smile can be coy, mischievous, or inviting.  I have always been told my smile was an invitation.  It makes strangers feel at ease, it calms a crying child, and melts The Mister’s heart. My smile has been called “dazzling!”

Invisalign has a product to help everyone get a dazzling smile.

Braces used to evoke images of Marcia Brady:

(source)

Or the kid in gym class who refused to play volleyball for fear of getting hit in the mouth.

Today's braces aren't your Mamma's braces.  

Say Ahh!

Invisalign has patients smiling with confidence.  Using modern technology, Invisalign uses a set of aligners created for each individual patient that allows the teeth to gradually shift into place. Every two weeks a new set is given to the patent until treatment is complete. There aren't any visits to the orthodontist, no tightening, and no missed meals.  These clear braces aren't noticeable to most so wearers can straighten their teeth and not broadcast to the world.

Invisalign has a variety of options for people.  Invisalign Teen is available to pre-teens and teenagers during the crucial phase of puberty.  One of the benefits I liked is the flexibility with removal. The aligners can be removed for brushing, flossing, and meals. Children now have freedom with their meal choices and parents aren't at odds with fights about oral hygiene.  Plus, no brace mouth: the little line on teeth from the braces covering a portion of the enamel.

What impressed me the most about the product was how the technology has evolved to match today's patient. Digital imaging is used to take dental impressions and then a computer rendering is made to estimate what level of treatment as well as the length of time may be necessary.  It's no longer a guessing game for the time of treatment. 

For many kids, braces are a part of being a kid.  With Invisalign, it just may be possible to have this part a little less shiny.

For your own dazzling smile, visit the Invisalign site.  Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

***DISCLAIMER***

While I was compensated to write this post, the views are solely my own.

McCafe Mom

My first "real" job was working at the McDonald's in the Gallery.

I remember my first paycheck, a whopping $17.85.  I couldn't have been more proud of my own money.

I am just as pleased to be a McCafe Mom. As a McCafe Mom, not only will I have an opportunity to give my opinion on McDonald products, but I also get to talk about the Ronald McDonald House.

From their site:

The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House supports families of seriously ill children by creating a community of comfort and hope.

Through Scouts, both children have had an opportunity to volunteer at The Ronald McDonald house. The Teen and Bubbles! volunteered with their troop this past Christmas, and had the warm fuzzies one gets when they give back.

You, too can give back.

On Thursday, May 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, you can attend the Bloomingdale's Fashion Event at Bloomingdale's King of Prussia.

Enjoy light fare, cocktails, and a presentation of the best Spring & Summer trends!  Raffle prizes will be given throughout the evening.

100% of ticket sales and 10% of sales made throughout the evening's event will be donated to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House.  Plus, receive a 15.00 bMoney card for every $150.00 you spend.

Click HERE to purchase tickets!

Your Kiss is on My List

We always knew it was holiday time when my mother would pull out the nice crystal bowl filled with Hershey's Kisses. Little bits of silver foil would dot the floor as my sister and I ate our fill before my grandmother came over to visit. Kisses were and still are my grandmother's favorite. To this day she can still produce a hand full of half melted kisses (the original, ONLY!) from the bottom of her massive purse.

I don't feel quite as guilty eating kisses now.  The good folks at Hershey's gave bloggers a little bag and asked for us to create a kiss holder.

I immediately thought they meant this kind of kiss:

Like my grandmother, I'm a purist.  I prefer the original:

An aside: a lipstick holder is one of those things that you don't realize you need until it's given to you. I prefer the plain silver. This is way easy to find in my purse and I feel so lady-like applying lipstick.

The Teen decorated her case, since she doesn't wear lipstick. She prefers a lip gloss that is in an over-sized plastic egg shaped thing.  She used her case to her kisses in easy snack form:

The clever thing about this case, is that this *IS* the perfect size for a snack:

***The Teen and I did receive cases for free, but the views expressed here are all my own.***

Monday Listicle: Freebie

It's been a while since I participated in a Monday Listicle.

Since I have more month than money this challenge SPOKE to me:

Ten Things That Cost Nothing.

1. Laughing.  My sister and I have a way of looking at each other in such a way and then breaking into uncontrollable giggles.  Inside jokes rule!

2. Watching kids walk to school.  I live across the street from an elementary school and in warmer days, I sit on the steps with my coffee and Kindle watching the kids make their way to school.  This is a bonus: my kids are at school as well!

3. Visiting the library.  As much as I love my Kindle, I still love to visit the library and roam the stacks.  I have lost many and hour reading book blurbs and tracing my fingers over book spines.  The smell of a book is still intoxicating and the low murmur from other patrons adds to the mystique of the library.

4. Lunch in Center City during the summer.  At least this used to be free. When I worked in Center City, there were always some company giving away samples of their product. If timed correctly, my coworkers and I would hit these stands than enjoy our goods in sunny Rittenhouse Square.

5. Leaving work.  The satisfying feeling of leaving work for the day.  Nuff said!

6. Upper Darby High School Track.  Out of all the places I workout, this is the best.  There's nature (I once called to a cat only to put my glasses on to realize it was a fox); there's the sunny field (great for stretching); and it's quiet in the morning.

7. Singing.  In the shower. Loudly.

8. Pinterest.  Technically this isn't free since I have to use the internet.  I lose hours looking at the humor boards, learning new fashion styles, and pinning my heart out!

9. Trading barbs with the kids. My sense of humor seems to have rubbed off on them.

10. Literally stopping to smell the roses.

What are some of your favorite free things?