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Friday, April 13, 2012

More Magazine Half Expo and Flaxseed Smoothies

Today's Workout: yoga, stretching, 25 minute elliptical/bike

Today I volunteered to work at the expo for the More/Fitness Magazine Half Marathon, a women's half marathon being held this coming Sunday in Central Park.

 Welcome to the Expo!

I gave out race bibs as my volunteer credit for the NYRR 9+1 program. The program works like this: if you run 9 NYRR qualifying races and volunteer once in a calendar year, you qualify automatically for the following year's NYC Marathon. So I am doing my 9+1 to qualify for the 2013 NYC Marathon. I think its a pretty good deal... 4+1 down, 5 races to go!

So the More Half Expo was pretty big and vendors were located on two floors, which was more than for the NYC Half. After I was done working, two of the other volunteers and I walked around to take a look at what was being offered. We got some protein bar samples, Fitness and More magazine copies, and a few other goodies. We also got to keep the race shirt we wore during volunteering. In case you wanted to know what it looks like, I provided a wonderful self-portrait below. Actually, I look like a dork as usual but there's the shirt. And the free Fitness Magazine with the flawless Elle Macpherson on the cover.

Dork.

The Expo also had "fashion shows" throughout the day and guest speakers. One of them was Nicole Sullivan. For those of you who don't know, she is an actress who had roles on King of Queens, Sh*t My Dad Says, and she was in Scrubs for a bit too. You'd recognize her if you saw her. She was there talking about her recent weight loss. Overall it was a nice expo and I liked that it was geared towards women (as it should have been). I also briefly met Jess@ Fit Chick in the City while giving out bibs. Have a great race, Jess! And good luck to all the runners this Sunday!

Nicole Sullivan speaking on stage.

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Yesterday I did a little grocery shopping at Trader Joe's. Even though they have some awesome food and cheap prices, it gets seriously crowded in that store! And at the one in Brooklyn people get pretty aggressive about getting all their organic, vegan, super-antioxidant groceries. I think people will seriously run you over with their carts and leave you laying out on the floor just to get the last bag of organic nuts or something. Craziness.

 This is the TJs in Brooklyn. It's in an old bank so its actually really pretty.
The aisles are super super narrow though, which makes everyone crazy and ignites the evil in certain people.

I went there mainly because I had to get myself out of the house somehow and buying food seemed like a good option. I'm one of those weird people who actually loves food shopping. Not sure why that is but I'm guessing its a combination of loving to eat and try new foods and also loving to spend money. What great interests I have. My boyfriend is one lucky guy!

I also really need to eat the right things since my body is in the healing phase, so I decided to get some high-protein foods like tofu and thinkThin bars (20grams of protein! Holy cow). I also need to rid my body of the 20 pounds of Easter candy I probably ate in the last few days and replace it with something healthy. I've been meaning to try to use flaxseed in my foods and eat more Quinoa too. My friend Kristine who I went hiking with recently eats these all the time and suggested I try them out.

thinkThin bars. So tasty, especially for high-protein bars.

Can't wait to eat these!
She even gave me this cool recipe for a flaxseed, banana, and peanut butter smoothie that I tried out this morning before the expo. I used almond butter instead of peanut butter but that's just because I have it in my house. It is yummy!! Once in a while I had to get some of the flaxseed grains out of my mouth in between sips but overall I really like this. Plus, its super healthy for you. Also its filling enough to have for breakfast or during that afternoon time when I'm usually starving while waiting for my boyfriend Karl to come home for dinner. So no matter when you plan on drinking this during the day, you might want to try this one out!



Anyone running the More Magazine Half this weekend? Or any other races?
What new foods have you been eating lately?
Do you have any good recipes for Quinoa or flaxseed?

13 comments:

  1. I need to get some quinoa and flaxseed - I have been seeing tons of smoothie recipes with those ingredients. Yum!

    My first half is Brooklyn - yikes! Looks like a fun volunteer day!

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    1. I think that's how I finally got talked into buying it.. there's SO many recipes with them in it! The flaxseed is really filling, too. That smoothie was my breakfast and kept me full about 4-5 hours until I ate again. Not bad!

      I should be at BK too if my leg cooperates! You'll do great :) Apparently its alot of fun so it will be a great one to have as your first!

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  2. I so wish I could run the More Half this weekend! I'll be doing it next year for sure if I don't get into to the NYC Half again.

    I've read about using quinoa as a breakfast cereal instead of oatmeal and I'm intrigued...just not enough to actually try it apparently ;) Maybe this weekend!

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    1. That was my plan too! When I got into the NYC Half I decided to wait on the More until a year I don't get into the NYC. It looks like its going to be a great day and I met some really nice women today who are running it!

      I've never heard about quinoa as cereal. Interesting! I'm going to look up more about it and test it out. I would try flax and quinoa but maybe just get a small bag in case its not your thing. Who knows, though? It may be your new favorite food! Well, who am I kidding nothing beats chocolate.. but maybe quinoa will be in second?! :)

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  3. Just ran my first race ever! You should be proud! It was a 5K for the Bel Air Orphanage. I see how easy it is to get addicted. You got yourself a partner ;)

    As for your new food selections, I'm glad you have joined the quinoa wagon. My favorite is quinoa stuffed peppers. Pretty easy to make and you can put anything you want in with it. I also use it in stir fry alot as some extra fiber and protein, but warning its super filling so you need less than you would if it was rice. Enjoy!

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    1. CONGRATS on your first 5K! My sister is a running now too, I'm so proud!! Next step, half marathon :) hehe. I'm so proud of you.

      Yumm quinoa stuffed peppers sounds awesome! You'll have to tell me how to make stuffed peppers in general because I have no idea how. You know how cooking and I don't get along haha. I'll probably make a little bit of it this weekend and see how it fills me up. Good advice! Can't wait to try it.

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  4. Replies
    1. Great meeting you too! Congrats on running the More today, it was a great day for a race!

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  5. Congrats on being halfway through the 9+1! It looks like a fun volunteer event.

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    1. Thanks. 5 more races and then I can't back out of the 2013 Marathon :)

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  6. Hi! Just found your blog, so I'm not sure if you've already mentioned this, but- what is the texture of the Think Thin bars like? Can you compare it to something, is it more like a Clif Bar or a Larabar? I've seen them around, but haven't tried one because I'm weird about energy/protein bar texture!!! Actually, I'm just weird. But that's another story. Thanks!

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    1. Hey Suzanne! I would compare the texture to a Larabar. Its less airy than a Clif bar and more solid/dense if that makes any sense! The peanut butter thinkThin bar looks like a hard chunk of peanut butter surrounded in a thin layer of chocolate. I think they are pretty good and don't have that typical "protein" chalky flavor. It might be worth trying just one bar before you buy a box though!

      Don't worry, I'm always leery about trying new foods like that too. Its usually either hit or miss with me!

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  7. Thanks for the info. I will pick one up the next time I see one.

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