REVIEW: Quest Protein Chips

When a HUGE box from Quest arrives at your doorstep you know you're in for a delicious treat! I hadn't ordered anything so wasn't sure what it was. I was STOKED when I opened the package and found their new tortilla style protein chips!

You see, they have had protein chips in their repertoire for a while now, but just recently added the new tortilla style chips to their bag of tricks. [They now have five flavors of chips to choose from - Ranch Tortilla Style, Nacho Cheese Tortilla Style, Cheddar & Sour Cream, Sour Cream & Onion, and BBQ.] I had seen a few posts on their Instagram feed about the new option, but they hadn't made it to our local grocery store yet so I hadn't been able to try them for myself.

Source: @questnutrition's Instagram feed

The magical delivery solved the problem before I had a chance to search out a solution for myself! Not only would I get the opportunity to try the new chip without having to go to the store, but Quest also sent a fun hat to rock while snacking!

Time for a taste test! The delivery actually came at the PERFECT time because the hubby and I were heading to go camping with some friends along the Kern River for the weekend and these would work great for our packed lunches.

The hubby and I both gave them two thumbs up! We liked the airy texture of the chips (they feel a little lighter than your average potato chip), the taste was yummy (I think Nacho Cheese was my favorite flavor but the hubby said he dug Ranch more) and you weren't left with any strange aftertaste (which can sometimes happen with some "health foods").

Now I know I don't necessarily need a billion and a half grams of protein in my diet, but if you have the hankering for chips it's nice to know they're filled with more than just your standard empty carbs. The Nacho Cheese flavor has 18 grams of protein and 4 net grams of carbs per bag, and the Ranch flavor has 19 grams of protein and 4 grams of net carbs per bag.

Which flavor would you want to try first?

Walt Wednesday

Some people do a "Wordless Wednesday" post, where they simply share a photo or image, but I thought I'd make a little series out of my Wednesdays. And since I love alliteration so much, why not go with Walt Wednesdays (obviously everyone can use a little break from the seriousness, scariness and sassiness of life - and what better way to help put a smile on your face than with a cute wiener dog picture, am I right?!)... So, without further ado...

WALT WEDNESDAY!

When life gets overwhelming, how do you de-stress?

Top Three Trail Tips

I recently discovered I LOVE trail running... but, let's be real, it hasn't always been that way. In fact, I would say I was pretty intimidated when it came to running on anything other than pavement for a long while. With that said, I thought I'd share some of my top tips in case you have been avoiding the dirt but want to find the courage to start tackling the trails.

[FYI: I am in no way a professional and this list is no way exhaustive, I'm just sharing some of my top tips with folks who may be interested in a change of scenery or switching up their running. I have not included safety tips such as telling someone where you are going and when they should expect you back, bringing extra hydration and nutrition with you, being aware of your surroundings {especially during snake season, when entering bear/ mountain lion/ unfamiliar territory}, etc - but please do also take these very important precautions as well! Safety {along with enjoyment} is KEY!]

1. Forget Pace

I'll be honest, I think this is what scared me the most. I have always been a numbers kind-of-gal, so hitting the dirt and seeing the slower paces on my watch sort of threw me for a loop. But you have to remember, when running trails you will most likely be running slower than you would on pavement. There are a few reasons for this - the terrain is normally uneven so you have to watch your footing more, the rocks/ roots/ trees can change your stride and speed (you'll most likely shorten your stride so you can react quicker to obstacles), there's normally more elevation change than a standard road run, etc. Despite the potentially slower pace, I promise the trails are worth it. And if you're stressing out your speed, change the face of your watch to show something other than pace - like the time of day. (I've heard when transitioning from road to trails you should run based on time. For example, if it normally takes you 60 minutes to run 6 miles, head out for a 60 minute run and be okay with whatever distance you cover - you'll get a similar workout despite the shorter distance. It'll also give you a better sense of your "trail speed" so you don't go out for a longer run than you're ready for.)

2. Enjoy the Views

Seeing as you will slow your pace, you'll have more time to soak in the beauty all around you. Don't get me wrong, city running is awesome (and beach running is one of my FAVES) but getting out into nature is AMAZEBALLS! And if you're going to get up close and personal with the environment, you should take the time to soak it all in. Don't be afraid to take a quiet moment for yourself, walk the hills or pull out your phone to try and capture the beauty (but, be forewarned, I promise the pictures will never do the place justice). I find trail running an awesome time to reflect, pray and take in the moment. Honestly, I've been known to have a giddy smile on my face the entire time of a trail run (even with crazy rains, winds, difficult terrain, etc) because I'm focused on God's creation and the blessing I've been given to be able to enjoy it.

3. Get Trail Shoes

Whenever I'm asked by a new runner (or someone hoping to start) what the most important piece of advice I can offer is I ALWAYS say to get fitted for shoes! Having the right (or wrong) shoes for your body can make a HUGE difference. I will always recommend going to your local running store and having them analyze your form, gait, cadence, etc and allow them to make suggestions on what shoes you should be running in (rather than just buying whatever is the cutest or cheapest, which can be a recipe for disaster). And trail running is no different. Trail shoes are typically made from tougher materials than road shoes and are built to withstand the extra wear and tear. You can totally wear your road shoes on the trails, but traction can often be an issue and trail shoes tend to have better grip. [I personally rock the Brooks Cascadia 12 and the hubby is loving the Altra Olympus 2 - but like with any running shoe, you have to find what works best for you!]

There is always other trail gear you could get - like a rain shell or hydration pack - but first and foremost look into SHOES!

Now you just have to find a trail! There are plenty of great websites you can use to find running (or hiking) trails in your neck of the woods. Most of them will even give you a degree of difficulty in the description. If you are just trying your hand (or foot) at trail running, keep it flat and mellow until you get comfortable on the dirt. Then get wild; the sky's trail's the limit!

PS If you'll be in SoCal on November 10th and want to rock a trail race, you should join a crew of us at the Griffith Park Trail Race. There's a 30K, Half Marathon and 10K - and if you use code "CARGP" you'll save $10 on your registration!

Do you enjoy road running or trail running more?

Workout Recap - Week 23

Sunday, June 3rd – Rock 'N' Roll San Diego Half Marathon, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Monday, June 4th – 3 mile run with the hubby, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Tuesday, June 5th – 10 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Wednesday, June 6th – 8 mile run with the hubby for Global Running Day, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Thursday, June 7th – 6 mile progression run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Friday, June 8th– 10 mile run

Saturday, June 9th – Rest Day

Over 50 miles for the week?! AWWWW YEAH! On Friday I was even able to work in some errands while on my run (the hubby and I are currently sharing a car while we are trying to sell the van and prevent adding more miles to it)! Even though we are still dealing with some June Gloom, I can tell summer is on its way and I will need to start moving my runs earlier in the morning if I want to avoid the extra warm temps. Thankfully I love the peaceful hours before sunrise!

How were your workouts this past week?

Friday Favorites

The hubby and I are heading to go camping at the river in a couple hours (which means I better get my booty in gear and get everything packed!), but I had to make sure to share my list of the things I am digging lately (because I know you all have been waiting with bated breath ;)). #Priorities So let's jump right on into it, alrighty dighty?!

Alex Insulated Traveler

The hubby and I helped back Alex's first bottle they released and just got a heads up about a new 16 ounce tumbler they are hoping to get funded. Did you know that over 60 billion coffee cups get tossed every year (in the USA alone)?! That's 164 Million EVERY SINGLE DAY! Alex created a 16oz insulated tumbler that's loaded with features and worthy enough to start and end your day with (from a hot coffee to an ice cold summer beer). The project is currently in the funding process on Kickstarter, so if you want to get in on the action, make sure to check it out!

Ragnar's Chase The Moon Challenge

Now I'm normally not one who participates in a ton of virtual races (probably because I'm what some may consider VERY self motivated and don't need an extra nudge to get in my miles, not to mention I donate the majority of my race medals so don't "do it for the bling"), but when I saw Ragnar's recent announcement I knew I had to sign up. First - it's FREE! Second - they're donating to an AWESOME charity. The "event" is easy. They're asking people to pledge (and then run) 6.7ish miles on July 27th. Their goal is to virtually run around the moon 5 times. To do that, they need 5,000 runners to each run 6.7 miles (which totals 33,500 miles!). July 27th will be a full moon, so what better time to "chase the moon"?! 
PS If you are into bling, they have an AMAZING medal (with a movable rocket ship) you can add to your registration.

Cozy Cone Crafts

A sweet friend of mine, Ivie, is opening her AMAZING Etsy store next week {officially on Tuesday, June 12th at 6:00am PST (Disneyland time)} and I am STOKED for her! I've been following along on all of her crafting (and secretly pining for the majority of her creations) and she is now finally ready to have her store go live! WHOOOO HOOOO! And, I mean, who doesn't need a Disney inspired cozy for their drinks?! Make sure to give the IG account a follow (@cozyconecrafts) so you can see all the awesomeness and then favorite her Etsy shop cause you know you'll be shopping there soon!

Pins

I've seen some AWESOME pins lately that I'm pretty sure I'll be ordering soon! REI just released an Outside with Pride line and I'm LOVING the enamel Outside with Pride pin! I'm thinking I need one IMMEDIATELY! Then I came across this Be Gentle With Yourself pin while on Pinterest for work and fell in love. It's so dainty feeling but the message is a strong one! And this Party Unicorn pin is pretty sweet... although I can't tell if it's a horse who is at a birthday party and his horn party hat made him a unicorn or if he was a magical unicorn to begin with ;) Now to figure out where to PIN them :)

What are you loving lately?

REVIEW: rabbit (& GIVEAWAY)

I know coveting is a sin, but man I've been dreaming about the day I'd be adding some rabbit running gear to my closet...

Source

So when I reached out to them to ask about collaborating on a review/giveaway and they were down I did a little HUGE happy dance. As most of you know, I'm very frugal, so had never been able to justify the price tag that accompanies their products, especially since I'd be buying the gear online and wouldn't be able to test it first, but this was my chance to give it a go! {#RealTalk - I get the majority of my running gear from TJ Maxx, Marshalls or the clearance racks at Target.}

When my contact suggested she send a gift card so I could stock up on a few items I was STOKED! All their stuff is sooo purrrty! Not only do they love bright colors as much as I do, but the fit seems AMAZING! Cute and comfortable - SCORE! Once I narrowed down what my order should contain I had to wait patiently. Thankfully their shipping was SUPER fast!

Wanna know why their shipping was so fast?! Because they're a SoCal company! You know I love supporting local brands and when I found out all their products are manufactured in LA (which means everything is done ethically and in a socially responsible way) I was THRILLED! (I grew up in a family where buying "Made in the USA" products was not only important, at times it was a requirement.) They believe in domestic manufacturing and keeping jobs in the good ‘ol USA. 

It's just the rabbit way! And that's worth the extra few dollars compared to the cheaply (and sketchily) manufactured China gear!
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So, I bet you're wondering what I picked... I swear, it took me forever and a day because I wanted it all! Anywho, I finally decided on four (of my billion and a half) pieces - a pair of the Lady Duke Shorts (in Black/ Iron Gate), a pair of the Catch Me If You Can Shorts (in Golden Kiwi), a Racy Tank (in Parasailing), and a Bunny Hop Tank (in Virtual Pink). 

Please excuse the poor lighting... "May Gray/June Gloom" has got all of my natural light down the crapper right now.

As you know, I always have to #KeepItReal... so I've gotta shoot straight and say the tanks didn't work for me. They were a little shorter than I would've liked (but I did really like the cut of the higher neckline on the Racy Tank). With that said, I was able to connect with their Customer Service and can confirm they're super helpful and easy to work with. Since rabbit doesn't allow for direct exchanges I had to mail back the tanks and wait for the gift card reimbursement before placing my new order. The slight delay gave me time to decide what replacement pieces to get. #DecisionsDecisions

Legit, I could stock my closet with one (or seven) of EVERYTHING!
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Seeing as I knew I loved the shorts, I decided to grab another pair of the Catch Me If You Can shorts (in Black) and a new hats (the Tweener Hat in Sodalite Blue/ Evening Primrose). Once the new items came I knew I made the perfect choice! 

I've been rocking the gear for a while now and I can see why everyone raves about rabbit. The gear is made by runners, for runners. It's functional, stylish and simple. As you know, I'm normally very cost conscious, so shorts for around $50 is a bit for me to swallow, but the quality and the fact they're made in California makes me willing to spend the extra money. 

Left: Lady Dukes (Black/ Iron Gate) // Center: Catch Me If You Can (Golden Kiwi) // Right: Catch Me If You Can (Black)

And what you've all been waiting for... THE DEETS ON THE GIVEAWAY! Head to my Instagram account, find the picture below and ENTER! Entering is EASY-PEASY! All you need to do is follow me, follow rabbit, like the image and tag a friend (or 73)! The giveaway will run through Sunday, June 10th. The random winner will be contacted Monday morning. 

Who can win the giveaway?! YOU CAN WIN!

PS If you use THIS LINK when shopping you'll save 10% on your first order! And since you'll want at least one of everything, do yourself a favor and save a few bucks (and then use that "saved" money to buy more! #RunnersLogic). {FYI - Discount expires on June 22, 2018. Offer is applicable to orders over $10 for full price products.}

If you had to pick an animal to describe your running, what animal would it be and why?

Global Running Day

In case you didn't know, today's a MAJOR holiday in the running world (okay, maybe not, but it is #GlobalRunningDay so it at least deserves a mention, right?!). Tons of brands are celebrating in their own ways (everything from a sale on gear and discounts on race registrations to activations around specific campaigns) and I thought I'd highlight a few of my faves.

#RunItForward by Brooks

Join Brooks and #RunItForward. The running community has inspired them to show that the joy of the run is bigger than ourselves. They’re asking you to pledge miles, dedicate them to something you believe in, and share the power of the run with all your friends (and challenge them to join in while you're at it!). Use your miles to bring joy to your Community, show appreciation for the Environment, and connect with the people you Love. Sign up here: http://brks.co/RunItForward.

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Rock 'N' Roll Race Sale 

Annually, Global Running Day tends to be the BIGGEST day to save on Rock 'N' Roll races and this year is no different! They're offering a HUGE sale on many of their races for 24 hours. I'd recommend looking into the ones you're interested in sooner rather than later because there are a limited number of registrations at the lowest price (and since it started at 12am this morning you may be behind the eight ball already!). If you missed out on the sale because you don't frantically refresh my blog, you can always use "RNRRNB2018" to save $15 on the majority of half and full marathons in the series.

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Lexus LaceUp Series Discount

Speaking about discounts, I am STOKED to announce that I have teamed up with the Lexus LaceUp Race Series for 2018. As part of my relationship with them, I was able to hook my friends, family and followers up with an AWESOME discount code for all of their events! If you use "CARLEE10" you can save 10% on your registration to all their races! (The hubby and I registered for all four events last week and we hope to see your smiling faces at some of the races!)

PRO Compression Sock Giveaway

Enter an easy peasy giveaway to win a pair of PRO Compression socks! First, go for a run on Global Running Day (makes sense). Next, take a photo before/during/after in a pair of PRO socks. Then post it to IG with the hashtag #GlobalRunningDayWithPRO - and you'll automatically be entered to win a FREE pair of socks. The random winners will be selected and announced tomorrow. The winners must use the hashtag and follow @procompression on IG to qualify.

Source: PRO Compression's Instagram Feed

There are tons of other deals, events, etc going on today, these just happen to be the ones I'm most excited about. But sharing is caring, so post what you've found in the comments so fellow runners can partake in the holiday excitement too!

How are you celebrating Global Running Day?