Shoes are the Devil??

Never thought I would write that since I love shoes!  But this video is pretty interesting, a CNN report about barefoot running.  Not saying I'm going to try this but I'm definitely interested in all points of view and I think Chris has an interesting one.

A Two Sided Triangle Cannot Exist

Picky and high-maintenance are words that have been used to describe my eating habits. I prefer to think of myself as ‘particular’, ‘special’ and having ‘an acute sense of detail’ when it comes to the food I put in my body. I know what I like and more importantly exactly what I don’t like.

Not to be mistaken as a vegetarian but rather ‘Selectively Omnivorous’. Since I was three years old I have not really eaten meat. It’s not an animal cruelty thing it’s just I don’t like the taste. Pollo-pescitarian is probably the best label for my eating habits; chicken, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairy and some grains are what I eat. I don't eat much wheat and living with Nicole (who has an allergy to gluten), we are always looking for new recipes that are wheat/gluten free, healthy, quick to prepare and scrumptious.

A new food I’ve been experimenting with is quinoa (pronounced keen-wa). Quinoa is sometimes called the "Supergrain of the Future." It contains more protein than any other grain and the protein is an unusually high quality; with an essential amino acid balance similar to milk. Easy on the stomach quinoa is light, tasty and easy to digest. Unlike most other grains it is not sticky or heavy, it’s simple and quick to prepare – about 15 minutes – and it’s versatile you could substituted it for almost any grain in almost any recipe. It tastes great on its own or in any dish from soup to salad.

Quinoa with Black Beans and Cilantro is my latest meal love - I recommend you give it a try.

The Flood Gates are Open

Sometimes I am really good at keeping my “shopping floodgates” closed but I have a few stores that I should never enter with my wallet, in particular; Lululemon and Aritzia.

In an effort to justifiy myself - please note:  my addiction is in support of two Vancouver based companies.  I'm just doing my part to help our local economy.  I love just about everything in both stores.

Back to the floodgates; I had been so good for months saving tons of money and feeling great about it. In early July I went on a trip to New York to visit family, it was on the way home when I accidentally opened my flood gates and purchased 8 new pairs of shoes. This in turn cause a major over flow which spiralled me into Lululemon.

For a long time I’ve been searching for a zippy with thumbholes, but I'd yet to find one I loved and refused to settle. Enter the “Stride Jacket” it’s fantastic. It’s prefect for everyday wear (I love mine with jeans), post workout and I even plan to wear it under my snowboarding jacket. Equipped with thumbholes to keep my always cold hands warm, a great big hood, a zippered high neck for your lower face/neck and it has longer fit so it keeps your lower back/bum warm, I’m officially in love! I bought it in the raspberry pink color and I don't think there has been a time I've worn it when I don't get a compliment on it.

Fast forward two weeks I return to Lulu to purchase my second “Stride Jacket” of the season this time in charcoal grey and something catches my eye… the “RUN: Velocity Jacket II”.

The thing I love most about Lulu is the innovation of their products. Take a typical running shirt from say Nike they never include even a small pocket, where are you supposed to put your keys while you run? Lululemon always includes functional things like this into their garments.

My friend Kelley bought the best running jacket from Lulu three seasons ago and when I went to buy it they were sold out.  I have been waiting for it to come back but it hasn't and I haven't like the new styles they have had since that one.  

So back to the new velocity jacket, it is beautiful. It’s waterproof (including the zippers) and of course designed for especially for us girlies. It’s got a super cute/flatering cut and it's made from a light weight breathable fabric. I love that it has a hood and that the hood can be zipped away if you don’t need it. But my favourite thing about the jacket is the “cuffins” for your fingers; my fingers are the thing that get the coldest on long runs and they never seem to warm up so these cuffins are going to become my best friend through the winter training season.

I had already purchased a new running jacket for the upcoming season and I still purchased this one (in addition to my second stride jacket) because I couldn't miss out on another great lulu jacket…opps!