The BEST Audiobooks for Runners

Hello! How are you? I’m over here just running and eating and listening to audiobooks while doing both. Okay, not while eating because I like to hear myself chew.

Kidding.

Anyway… today I’m sharing my favorite Audiobooks for Runners. I started using Audible over a year ago – it’s an audio library that works on your phone or laptop. I’m completely obsessed with it. This is the PERFECT option for runners or walkers who want to get lost in a book, be entertained, learn something or just switch it up while exercising.

These are my favorite running books. Some of them I read before I discovered Audible, some of them are the reason I fell in love with audiobooks!

The BEST Audiobooks on Running

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (this was made into a movie!)

Run to Overcome by Meb Keflezighi and Dick Patrick

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

How Bad Do You Want It by Matt Fitzgerald (I just started listening to this one!)

Chi Running  by Danny Dreyer

My Life on the Run by Bart Yasso is my next book to listen to – I am a huge fan of Yasso and think he has super helpful and ‘real’ advice

Fast Girl by Suzy Favor Hamilton –  not a running book but a book about a runner that was a Las Vegas escort after her professional running career. I think I mentioned this one when I was listening to it last year.

If you aren’t into running books I have to give an honorable mention to the following books that have been super fun to listen to while running…

Non-Running Book Suggestions:

Wild by Cheryl Strayed (made into a great movie with Reese Witherspoon!)

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson

Amy Schumer’s first book that I just finished and both of Andy Cohen’s books. I am a huge fan of Amy Schumer and really liked her audiobook since she read it.

Right now I’m listening to Adnan’s Story. Anyone else??!

 

FREE 30 Day Trial of Audible for RER Readers

When Audible contacted me to share this free trial with my readers I jumped on it. They offered me a free trial too but I said “I don’t need it! I’ve been a subscriber for over a year!”

I’m really excited  because I am already a fan and now you can check it out and see if it’s your jam too.

Use this link and get a 30 Day Trial of Audible for FREE.

Tell me if you sign up and what book you choose. I’m always looking for audiobook suggestions – running or non-running. I also like true crime stuff, so suggestions along those lines work too!

Right now Audible is offering Run Eat Repeat readers a FREE 30 Day Trial! Check it out here.

Question: What was the last book you read or listened to?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Audible. The opinions and text are all mine.

The post The BEST Audiobooks for Runners appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

source http://runeatrepeat.com/2016/09/30/best-audiobooks-runners/

Swing Arms to Disperse the Clouds: Qi Gong Exercise 4

You can build your immune system, increase your personal energy and release your stress by practicing Swing Arms to Disperse the Clouds, Qi Gong Exercise 4. Watch the FREE video on my website at this link or on my Youtube channel at this link. Here’s how you practice this fabulous exercise: Stand with your feet a […]
from Unlimited Energy Now http://unlimitedenergynow.com/swing-arms-to-disperse-the-clouds-qi-gong-exercise-4/

source http://unlimitedenergynow.tumblr.com/post/151141801615

Healthy Toenails – Tips for Runners

Hi! How’s it going? Today is a rest day for me so I’m a little antsy. Isn’t that the worst? I just want to run! (and eat)

At least I can write about running to keep me busy today. And we’re talking about a great question I get from readers all the time – “How do you keep all your toenails while training for a race?!”

Well, the short answer is – sometimes I don’t. But after 50+ half marathons and 20+ full marathons I have come to learn a thing or two about keeping my feet healthy.

I live in Southern California, which means it is always chancla sandal weather here. So keeping my feet and toes looking decent is a little important. Plus, if my feet look tragic my friends talk crap and tell me to get my life together. That’s just added incentive, right?!

Anyway. Here are some tips to keep your toenails and feet looking like non-runner feet even when you’re racking up major miles…

How To Keep Your Toenails and Feet Healthy When You Run

1. Keep your toenails short.

This is a very easy, but important tip. If your toenails are too long they will hit against the front or top of your running shoes – over and over and over. That repetitive tapping might not hurt – you probably won’t even notice it. But after a while your toenails may bruise, turn black and/or fall off.

Keep your toenails short and neat. This is also helpful to prevent ingrown toenails.

2. Get sized for your running shoes.

Wearing running shoes in the wrong size can lead to blisters, slipping, rubbing and other issues. Shoes that are too small add to the probably of pounding on your nails mentioned above.

Go to a running shoe store to get professionally fitted for your size. If you have wide or narrow feet ask for suggestions on shoes that will work for your foot type. And if you ever decide to change running shoe brands research how different brands fit. Some shoes just fit tighter or run smaller/larger than others.

I size up in a few running shoes like Brooks and Under Armour.

 

3. Give them some love.

Get a pedicure or give yourself a pedicure at home every now and then. If your feet tend to be dry put lotion on them before you go to sleep.

But – don’t be too aggressive with your feet. I know exfoliators and other gadgets are super popular right now. I think they’re cool too and recently bought the PedEgg Power to try out myself. But I realize that scrubbing to hard or exfoliating the skin on your feet down too much might lead to blisters.

Pay attention to your feet and tend to any trouble spots, but keep in mind that poking and scrubbing and trimming can irritate the skin too. It’s all about balance.

 

4. Prevent blisters.

If you have the right size and type shoes but are still getting blisters consider changing up your socks. Invest in a pair of fancy socks made for running.

If that doesn’t work add Body Glide or vaseline to your trouble spots.

My favorite socks are:

Asics Low Socks

ProCompression low socks

 

5. Love your feet!

Even if you do everything ‘right’ you may still get black toenails, lose toenails or get blisters. It happens. This is part of the price you pay for being awesome and running so much.

Love your feet for all the miles they carry you. Love your feet for being strong and being able to run.

Here’s a pic of Vegas’ patas because they are so cute…

Question: What days are your rest days? Do you keep them the same each week or switch it up?

The post Healthy Toenails – Tips for Runners appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

source http://runeatrepeat.com/2016/09/29/healthy-toenails-tips-runners/

Why Eating While Watching TV Is a Problem For Me

Happy National Coffee Day! Are you celebrating with hot or iced??

Ben was out of town for a little bit and since he’s back I decided to try and buy his love by making him steak. I’m not really a red meat person and I never cook it unless it’s for someone else. But it’s his favorite  so I bought a fancy cut of meat and looked up how to cook it properly. It is surprisingly easy and pretty fast to cook steak. Why didn’t anyone tell me before?!

I cooked up onions, asparagus and mushrooms and a baked potato to go along with it. He was super impressed and said that it was amazing, which I’m pretty excited about.

I made myself a big sweet potatoes veggies and eggs.

But because I eat so enthusiastically I somehow managed to BREAK MY FORK  in the middle of the meal!! You might love food, but I love food so much I break utensils trying to get at it.

Usually the biggest disaster that results from me eating is food on my shirt but this is a new low. Wow.

He brought me Manatee Poop from Florida for dessert so the meal ended on a high note.

 

This morning I did a longer mid-week run. I ran 12 miles on my normal path, which is slightly uphill the entire way out. But that also means it’s downhill on the way back.

I was super slow for the first six miles but felt super fast for the last six! I’ve decided to move to the top of the hill and just run down it all the time and take an Uber back to the top so I always feel fast. That’s a little running tip for ya – live at the top of a hill and run down.

It’s super hot here today so I rehydrated like it was my job with Spark, lemon water, seltzer and more.

On Eating While Watching TV

I used to be a big advocate for eating at the kitchen table without distractions. I tried to make an effort not to read or look at my phone or watch TV while eating. I know it’s important – especially for intuitive eating – to pay attention to your food and enjoy it.

But I’ve fallen into some bad habits lately. I started watching TV during lunch.

In my defense, it’s hard to work from home all day and not have any outside stimulation or interaction with people. I think I first did it to break up the day and have a little entertainment during my break. I don’t listen to music or anything while I work (I can’t concentrate) so this is the only time there is any noise going on all day.

I don’t think it’s that big of a deal because I’m not super addicted to it and I still pay attention to what I’m eating. I almost see it as an act of self-care because I was lonely and this helps break up the day. I started doing this when there was trouble in my relationship and my one friend was busy or out of town and couldn’t hang out. It’s okay.

So my dilemma isn’t really about the fact that I’m watching TV, but more about what I’m watching.

Grey’s Anatomy re-runs are on around lunchtime and I now find myself super into the show.

The problem is – this is the most depressing show of all time. Seriously. Someone awesome is always dying or getting their heartbroken or dying because their heart is broken.

I cannot handle watching or listening to sad stuff. (Have I ever shared this here before?) But now I’m super into the show and want to watch it every time I see it on the guide. I even record episodes now.

What the hell is my problem?! I know it’s sad. I actually cried during one of the episodes with Denny. Why am I choosing to continue to watch?! I ams ridiculous.

So I guess the biggest health lesson I can learn is: You’re not supposed to watch TV while you eat because you might end up watching some tragic soap opera or old episode of Grey’s Anatomy where Denny dies and then cry onto your food and make your sandwich soggy. The end.

I’d consider quitting Grey’s but I’m not a quitter. I can’t move on yet…

 

Other notes:

1. Advocare’s Fall favorites are available now! They have gingerbread protein bars and pumpkin spice protein powder. Their seasonal stuff and limited-time flavors always go really fast so if you want them get them now. (I missed out on the Pina Colada Spark flavor but luckily SR had extra and give me a few.)

2.  Prices increase for the Revel City Marathon tonight so if you’re interested in registering use this link for $5 off and you’ll be signed up under team Run Eat Repeat. If you like their Facebook page it’s an additional $5 off too!

Question: Where do you eat your meals at home?

The post Why Eating While Watching TV Is a Problem For Me appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

source http://runeatrepeat.com/2016/09/28/why-eating-while-watching-tv-is-a-problem-for-me/

Can You Just Eat Chocolate To Get the Health Benefits?

Hi! How are you? I’m great because we’re talking about cocoa again today!  And I’m feeling great because I’m sipping iced coffee right now… my favorite.

I’ve been working with CocoaVia® cocoa extract supplement for a while now. I made a fancy iced coffee with the Unsweetened Dark Chocolate powdered stick pack to start my day. It’s just iced coffee, the packet and some almond milk – I  shake it up in a cup so it’s a little foamy and completely mixed. So good.

I got super excited the other day when I was listening to podcasts and came across this short story on how cocoa flavanols – the unique bioactives (or phytonutrients)  in cocoa –  can support health. But the takeaway that some people are making from the studies is that just eating dark chocolate offers similar health benefits.

Unfortunately, most chocolates don’t label their amount of flavonols. And really the majority do not contain a reliable or guaranteed amount of cocoa flavanols.  So while chocolate is a great/yummy/special treat, it really isn’t your “go to” source of cocoa flavanols. This is where CocoaVia® comes in.  

CocoaVia® daily cocoa extract supplement delivers 375 mg of cocoa flavanols in every serving – the highest amount in any cocoa extract supplement in the market today.  When consumed daily, numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that the cocoa flavanols in CocoaVia® supplement promote healthy blood flow from head to toe†, which is critical to your overall health.

Visit www.CocoaVia.com for more information.

Winner of the CocoaVia Giveaway: Jodie S who said “I usually have chocolate bits in my mid morning trail mix snack around 11am, sometimes in my energy ball right before a run!!” – Jodie please email me your info!!

In other running and eating news…

I sported a pair of colorful ProCompression socks for my run this morning! They really have the most fun socks out there. No contest.

The cool mornings have been perfect for running too!

Is it slowly becoming Fall where you live??

Have you seen Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers popping up around you? They seem to be all over the place in Orange County now!

Their menu is super limited – just chicken fingers and sides. Ben is obsessed with this place so I grabbed some for him tonight as a treat since he was out of town and just got back.

Question: Do you switch between iced coffee and hot coffee depending on the season?

Disclosure: I was asked to participate in the CocoaVia® “Live Your Life with Heart” campaign. I was compensated for my time.

†This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The post Can You Just Eat Chocolate To Get the Health Benefits? appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

source http://runeatrepeat.com/2016/09/28/can-you-just-eat-chocolate-to-get-the-health-benefits/

2 Ways to do Egg Toast

Hello! How’s your running and eating going this week? Today’s run was just okay, but the eats were pretty awesome.

I did 6 miles at a slow pace and some strength work after. I need a good long stretch now. I just feel so tight!

Then, it was breakfast time! I’m all about the fancy toast this week…

I made two versions of fancy egg toast using Sabra’s Sandwich Spreads. I’m working with them to let you know about their new line of spreads. It’s a fresh, lower-fat, gluten free option to use instead of mayo. Boom.

When I got them I tried all of the flavors straight up, on a cracker and with some deli turkey to choose my favorite. They’re all really good. I love how garlic-y the garlic herb one is and the honey mustard is great with the chicken fingers I had the other day.

When I tasted the sea salt & black pepper I knew immediately it would be great in deviled eggs. You wouldn’t even need to add anything else!

But I ended up putting that idea on hold and making two versions of egg toast for breakfast.

Last week I made a bunch of hard boiled eggs to have on hand for a quick meal to to add to salads. I used two for breakfast this morning. Meal-prepping small things like this make it so much easier to throw together food fast.

I toasted a piece of whole wheat bread and sliced the egg right on top. Then, I spread a thick layer of the Sea Salt & Black Pepper sandwich spread and gave it a good squeeze of Sriracha. The spread is so flavorful you don’t need any extra seasoning. Boom.

Next time I’d put the spread right on the toast

Last week I made a sunny side up egg version of the toast. It’s just a thick layer of spread, a perfectly runny egg and Sriracha. Boom.

What is it about runny eggs?! They are so delicious and so pretty. I love ‘em!!

I’ve seen the new spreads at my local Ralph’s super market near the guacamole and hummus. Keep an eye out for them. Check out more on Sabra here.

I’m also still obsessed with mangoes. They are perfection right now. Try one (or two) today!

And to continue the tasty day I went out to lunch! I needed to treat myself after a doctor’s appointment. You should treat yourself too so I’m not the only one and feel guilty about it…thanks.

Question: What is your favorite thing to put on toast –

PB / Avocado / Runny Egg / Nutella / Caramel Sauce…

This post is in partnership with Sabra. All opinions are my own.

The post 2 Ways to do Egg Toast appeared first on Run Eat Repeat.

source http://runeatrepeat.com/2016/09/27/2-ways-to-do-egg-toast/