Friday Video

Caught this video this morning during my a.m. Facebook catch up.  If you have a minute, watch it - it will make you shed a tear, or at least a smile.

Enjoy!  TGIF!

Watch the Video!

Happy Christmas Season to You!

Today marks the beginning of my favorite time of year...CHRISTMAS SEASON!

Things to do today to celebrate this day:

1. Hit up Starbucks and get yourself a drink in a holiday cup

2. Light yourself a holiday candle

3. And play a Christmas Youtube video to get you in the spirit!

Easy-Peasy Perfect Nails

I love having my nails painted, but I have to say I never do a good job.  You will find me a nail salon most times if I need my hands to look pretty.

After hearing rave reviews for Sally Hansen Salon Effects - Real Nail Strips I decided to give it a try. If they come out with a french manicure option I would buy it in a heart beat.

Overall, I would buy them again but there are definitely some pros and cons.

Pros:
 - No need to wait for your nails to dry (biggest reason why I will buy them again)
 - Easy to apply
 - According to reviews they last for 10 days (I'll be the judge if they can hold up to a few hours in chlorine)

Cons:
 - Some strange colors, and not enough of every day colors
 - Comes with 16 strips, not enough for 2 full applications
 - Some of the nail strips weren't sticky enough

New Obsession: The Doughnut Vault

The best way to start your morning is with a doughnut (well, not the healthiest, but for sure the best)

Don't get sidetracked with just any ole' doughnut - I'm talking about one from The Doughnut Vault

The rumors are true, this is a king of all doughnuts, maybe the emperor of all sweets

I walked up to the counter to receive my chocolate glazed and coffee

It was a pure utopia moment

Listening to Beach House, sun in my face and sweets in my mouth

This can't become a habit, but it definitely can be consumed after a hard a.m. workout

So go ahead and treat yourself

Steve Jobs went to the big white city in the sky...

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.” - Steve Jobs


One of the greatest inventors of my lifetime.  Rest in peace. 

A night with Dean Karnazes

Last night I had the opportunity to see one of my idols Dean Karnazes speak in Chicago.  It just so happened I lucked out that Dean was coming to Chicago not only to run the marathon this weekend but also as part of a speaker series put on by The North Face.

Although Dean has been inspiring people all around the world for the years, I only learned about him about a few weeks ago.  I came across a documentary called - Ultramarathon Man: 50 Marathons, 50 States, 50 Days, on Netflix one night and thought it was worth a couple hours of my time.  By the end of the movie I was obsessed - I have read his books, searched the internet for any new tidbit I could find and even shot a couple Tweets his way.  The sheer passion and drive Dean has is amazing, he is always in search for his next greatest adventure but still leaves time to make sure he is a wonderful father and husband.  Some of Dean's accomplishments include: 

• Overall Winner, 4 Deserts Race Series, 2008
• Competitor magazine Endurance Athlete of the Year Award winner, 2008, 2006, 2005
• ESPN ESPY Award winner, “Best Outdoor Athlete”, 2007
• Winner, Vermont Trail 100 Mile Endurance Run, 2006
• Two-time Emmy Award winner, 2005, 2007
• American Ultrarunning Team, World Championships, 2005, 2008
• Men’s Journal, Adventure Hall of Fame, 2005
• Winner, Badwater Ultramarathon, 2004
• 350 miles (560 km) in 80 hours and 44 minutes without stopping (2005)
• 148 miles (238 km) in 24 hours on a treadmill, 2004
• Single-handedly completed the 199-mile (320 km) Providian Saturn Relay six times
• Eleven-time 100-Mile/1 Day Silver Buckleholder at the Western States Endurance Run (i.e., better than ten twenty-four-hour finishes), 1995–2006
• Outside magazine, Ultimate Top 10 Outdoor Athletes, 2004
• Swimming across the San Francisco Bay
• Ran 3,000 miles (4,800 km) across the United States from Disneyland to New York City in 75 days, running 40 to 50 miles per day, 2011

I certainly was in awe last night as he described his next challenge: to run a marathon in every country in the world in one calendar year, ending with the New York Marathon in 2013.  

If you ever have a chance to meet or see Dean in person, don't pass it up.

Long Time No See!

Yes, I know, I have been slacking...

I've put little effort into my blog recently (eek!), but I recently made some homemade protein bars that needed to be shared.

I don't know about you, but I typically go through at least one protein or energy bar per day - possibly even 2 on a long day.  It's my afternoon snack before my evening workout - but those protein bars sure can rack up in cost - at about $2 (or more) a pop it was definitely worth it for me give this Banana-Carob Protein Bar recipe from Fit Sugar that I found a few weeks back.

While I'm not much of a baker, this recipe can not be easier.  I did sub chocolate chips for carob chips and good ole all purpose flour for oat flour.  Those ingredients were in my pantry already - so I figured why not.

Each batch makes 8 bars and took only 10 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to bake.  I recommend giving it a try if you love a good protein bar as much as I do.

Enjoy!

Banana Carob Protein Bars
Originally posted on my healthy living blog, Eating Bird Food

Ingredients:

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup oat flour
1/3 cup protein powder (I used vanilla brown rice protein powder)
1 T chia seeds (optional)
1 t cinnamon
pinch of sea salt

2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
3 egg whites
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 T smooth natural peanut butter (or almond butter)
1/2 T honey
5 drops of liquid stevia (or 1 T more of honey)
1 t vanilla

1/4 cup carob chips (or chocolate chips)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. In a bowl combine all dry ingredients: oats, oat flour, protein powder, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a large bowl combine all wet ingredients: bananas, egg whites, almond milk, peanut butter, honey, liquid stevia, and vanilla.
4. Slowly pour and stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until everything is well mixed, then gently stir in the carob chips.
5. Pour the batter into a greased 8 x 5 in. or 8 x 8 in. baking dish.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes; remove from oven and cool for 15-20 minutes.
7. Cut into 8 squares and enjoy.

A Lady Always Has Class

Now I'm not a huge reader of Gwyneth Paltrow's blog Goop - but we can all use a quick brush up on our etiquette - and good ole Gwen just spelled it out perfectly for us, so read up for today!

Q:I never know whether it's proper to serve a bottle of wine that a guest brings to a dinner party or to regard it as a gift and put it away. What's the polite thing to do?

A:“If I'm the host and the wine is better than what I was planning to serve, I'm going to pop the cork! But a host is certainly not obliged to serve what a guest has brought; after all, the host has no doubt planned their menu and given consideration to which wines go best with the meal. A polite guest should know this and not be offended if their wine isn't served. I have a friend who brings room temperature champagne as a host gift so the host knows there's no obligation to serve it.”

Q:I always assumed it was the host's responsibility to ask houseguests and dinner guests about their dietary restrictions in advance, but someone recently told me this wasn't the case. Is it the host's or the guests' responsibility to make a note of dietary restrictions?

A:“An extremely organized host will ask about restrictions before he or she has planned their menu, but it's ultimately up to the guest to alert the host—and only in cases of strict medical conditions or moral or religious convictions. Compelling a host to change the menu or whip up a special dish at the last minute because someone has recently started a gluten cleanse isn't justification.

Someone with dietary restrictions should let the host know with ample time to offer alternatives, as opposed to merely mentioning that they're a hardcore vegan as everyone has just sat down to a bone marrow casserole. Most people I know who are picky eaters have a little pre-supper before a dinner so they're not ravenously hungry. No matter what, it's nice to tell your host that you love the food, even if you don't plan on touching it.”

Q:Conversely, you've neglected to tell your host about a dietary restriction and your host has neglected to ask, and you've been served something you'd rather not eat. Do you say something about it, send it back, or hold on until the end of the course? What to do?

A:“The polite thing to do is move the dish around a bit, so it looks like you've eaten some of it, and then swing by a deli on your way home to pick up some chips. To say something when the food is served is rude to the fellow diners and will make a precarious, awkward situation for the host—and at the end of the day, these sorts of dinners are for conversation, friends and a jolly evening, not just culinary consumption.

If this is a larger affair, there may be a vegetarian option, which can be politely and discreetly requested as the meal is served. If it's a smaller fete and you're starving, feel free to discreetly ask for more salad or more bread, or whatever it is that you can eat. An astute hostess will notice if you haven't eaten any of the meat dishes, and would be happy to get you some more veggies from the kitchen. Remember to keep the focus on the dinner vibe and not what you're not eating; there's nothing more jarring than a girl who interrupts a good group conversation to announce she thinks cooked tongue is disgusting. (Even if I agree with her.)”

Q:Should mobile devices be allowed at the dinner table at home or at the restaurant?

A:“I'm of the mind that it's rude not to give your dining companion your full attention. But of course there are exceptions; phones can be excused during lunches (after all, it is a work day), and, if you have a pregnant best friend or a sick relative, by all means keep that phone (on vibrate, mind you) hidden in your lap at dinner. It's also important to remember the company with whom you are dining; if you're with a society grand dame who has never text messaged in her life, keep the phone out of sight. But if you're with a titan of industry or someone who considers a cell phone part of a table setting, it's fine to glance occasionally at emails. And if you're an obsessive new mother, mention that you are rudely clutching your cell phone just in case the babysitter calls—by acknowledging its rudeness, it somehow makes it less rude.

If you do get an important message, excuse yourself from the table and take it to the restroom (as opposed to the dinner table) especially if you need to compose a novel of an email in response. Finally, if you're dining in someone's private home, there is no excuse to leave your phone on the table. Ever.”

Q:When is it OK, if ever, to Tweet about a private, invite-only event?

A:“ To Tweet or not to Tweet, that is the question in these modern times. My rule of thumb is to take a cue from the host: If they're the sort of person who is into social media and has already Tweeted about the fete, go for it. But if the host is the sort of person who abstains from Twitter and Facebook, keep your cameraphone pictures to yourself.

There are definitely people who would rather die than have the world know who was at their house for dinner and what they were dining. (In that case, the host should feel free to lightheartedly mention to a particularly active Tweeter to refrain from mentioning the details.) On the other side of the spectrum, there are the sorts of hosts who love the attention—in fact, a prolific Tweeter may be been invited to a party solely to Tweet about said party!

My suggestion: if you have any doubt, don't Tweet. Once it's on the internet it's impossible to take back. Besides, if the invitation was so fabulous you wanted to Tweet about it in the first place, you want to make sure you don't offend the host so that you get invited back.”

Q:Is an email thank you note ever appropriate, or is it better to just stick with the traditional handwritten thank you note?

A:“I've always said that handwritten notes on personalized stationary are the hallmark of a lady, but these are modern times and timely emails can be just as gracious. In our instant gratification culture, some hosts prefer a drunken text from the car ride home saying they had thrown a fabulous party more than a handwritten note a week later. (I send an email the night of—before the bloom is off the rose, or rosé, so to speak—but will follow up with a written letter if something was particularly fabulous or personal.) But for gifts, like those given at a wedding or birthday party, when a person has time to respond, only a handwritten note will do.”

Q:How do you make it clear to the guests you've invited for a get-together that you'd like them dressed in a certain way if there's not a written invitation?

A:“Generally speaking, if there's no written invitation, you've either called or emailed the details, and it's appropriate to follow up in the same manner. My suggestion: Ask a few of the more sartorially obsessed attendants what they're wearing, and readily offer your own look. They'll clearly understand the party's tone if you tell them that you're wearing, for example, jeans and a blazer, or your to-die-for, over-the-top YSL Moroccan tunic and metallic espadrilles. Then they'll pass this info on to the others as they scramble to find their own vintage kaftans.”

Q:You've been invited to a friend's house and you absolutely cannot find a sitter. What's the polite way to ask if you can bring the kids along? Should you cancel, explaining why, and wait for them to ask you to bring the kids as well?

A:“The reaction of a host will depend largely on if they have kids or not. If they do have kids, they will understand completely—and if their kids will be at home, probably readily ask you to bring your kids too. But if they're not parents, they may very well tell you that they've organized a dinner party, not a daycare.

The polite thing to do is tell the truth and say you're extremely sorry to have to cancel at the last minute, but you cannot find a sitter—and you'd love to make it up to them at a later date when you know you'll have a sitter. Like when a relative comes into town—they're the only reliable sitters nowadays.”

Q:If you have a friend staying with you who hasn't been invited to an event you were planning to attend, and they're wanting to come along, what's the best way to tack them onto the guest list? If it's not possible to bring your friend, do you leave the friend at home while you go out?

A:“Unless it's a wedding or a funeral, there is no excuse for a polite host to exclude their guest from a function they're going to. However, if you know about the fete when you invite your houseguest to stay with you, tell them in advance you have a prior commitment on that particular night, which will encourage them to make other plans as well. If you are invited to an event after you have invited your houseguest, then you must decline the invitation unless it's extended to your entire party. (Declining the invitation will probably force the organizer to inquire why you've declined, which is precisely when you'll find out if the party is open to additional people—and how badly the organizer really wants you there in the first place.)”

Q:What's the best way to cancel a date you've made in advance?

A:“The polite thing to do is call and apologize profusely. The easy thing to do is send an email to reschedule.”

Q:When do you kiss hello and when do you shake hands?

A:“It depends on the person, and the person's country of origin. Broadly speaking, Americans shake hands and hug, and Europeans kiss and embrace. If the person is older or more distinguished looking than me, I defer to their greeting. But if they're younger than me, I make the first move, and I usually offer a girl a kiss and a man a firm handshake. (But I'm very friendly!)

I will say this: once you commit to the kiss, you have to go for it. No pausing or hesitating mid-pucker, or else it can get super awkward. If you go for the handshake while the other person is going for something more familiar, keep the hand going, pull them in for an embrace and an around-the-back pat—and maybe even a peck on the cheek if you're feeling frisky. (Please note: The Swiss prefer a triple kiss, so expect long, intimate farewells if you're ever in Zurich.)”

Q:At what point in a conversation with a person you've just met is it polite to ask what that person does for a living (if it all)?

A:“For us Americans, it's almost always one of the first questions someone asks, which can be a touch brutish. (I've met people who care more about a person's occupation than their actual name, which is extremely gauche.) I say it needs to enter the conversation naturally, even if that means you steer the conversation in that direction; for example, if the person is talking about a recent work trip, then it's fine to ask what they do. It should never be the first question, or anywhere near the first one, and it shouldn't be a forced inquiry. But, overall, work is fine to talk about. Particularly if conversation is getting boring, talking about what we do can open up a whole new series of topics.”

Q:Is it OK to take a work phone call/email when you're out after work with friends? What's the best way to manage if you absolutely have to take it?

A:“You should say something to your friends before you take the call, so they don't think you're rude when you wander off when your phone rings. And add a bit of color: ‘That's my boss, I guess she misses me so much.’ Everyone will understand—we've all dealt with insane coworkers at one time or another—but it's best to acknowledge that yes, you know this is personal time with your friends and you're doing work, and that yes, it sucks. Also, take the call away from the group; just because you're talking about work doesn't mean your friends want to be reminded of their own professional responsibilities!”

Q:I asked one of my very well mannered friends the following: Is it essential to bring a gift if you are staying the night/longer at a friend's house? What would a good gift be? And here's her answer:

A:“It could be a small bunch of hand picked wild flowers, some fresh strawberries from the local farm stand, an L.L. Bean beach bag emblazoned with your host's initials or last name, or a cashmere throw but yes, a little token of appreciation is a must if you are staying over.”

New Additions to My Workout Playlist

1. Lady Gaga - Edge of Glory
We all know know and love Gaga, and this new song is doing it for me when I run.

2. Atlas Genius - Trojans
This is the debut song from Atlas Genius.  They have a familiar sound to Phoenix. They have only hit the blog world about a few weeks ago and this is their only song out yet but I have a good feeling about them.

3. Penguin Prison - Multi Millionaire
The newest song from PP. The heavy beat in the background is guaranteed to push you through those mental road blocks.

4. Britney Spears - I Wanna Go
I will always love Britney.  Enough said.

5. Hey Champ - Anything At All
This is a new - relatively unknown Chicago electro-pop band.  The lyrics might drag you down but the beat will definitely pick you right back up.

TRX is All the Rage

After reading up on my daily does of FitSugar I noticed that there was a post about how celebrities are now using TRX to tone up and lean down.  I became familiar with TRX suspension training from a couple of family friends, Dustin and Kirby who live in Hawaii and are certified TRX instructors.  Often times they simply pack up their equipment and head to a local park to perform their own workouts.  It's really equipment that you can buy on your own and use in your own home, although I know gyms are starting to pick up on this new trend that I'm sure is here to stay.

As far as I know the only gym in Chicago that has TRX certified classes is Pure Vibe Fitness in Ukrainian Village.  I've taken one class there about a year ago and it really does give you a full body workout.  The secret to the challenge of TRX is using your own body weight to increase strength.

It was created by a Navy SEAL to give him and his fellow SEALS the opportunity to keep in tip top shape no matter where in the world they were stationed.  It's designed for the maximum workout in the smallest amount of space and in the shortest amount of time.  The nature of the equipment allows for extremely fluid workouts that encourages the transition from one exercise to the next to keep an increased heart rate.  It is also used by tons of pro and Olympic athletes.

Here is a video of how TRX training has helped Olympic swimmer Christine Magnuson:

Check out the TRX YouTube page for most information, including sample exercises to get you started!

Happy Fashion Finds Friday!

Since today feels like summer instead of the rainy mess that Mr. Chicago has been dumping on us all month - here are some of my favorite summer pieces to keep us in the mood!

1. J. Crew 3" Chino Short in Shocking Pink $42.50

2. Goorin Bros. Leonardo Hat $100

3. Jack Rogers Bahamas Navajo Jelly Sandals $68

4. Michael Kors Ruffle Bandeau Maillot $168

5. Cynthia Rowley Cabochon Skirt $385

6. Essie Absolutely Shore Nail Polish $8

7. Lucca Couture Studded Silky V-Neck Top $59

Feeling The Burn

My usual sport of choice is swimming.  I'm a chlorine addict.

Lately, I've been itching for something to stir up my normal routine.  With the option to try two classes for free, I jumped right on the opportunity to check out LA Boxing - Wrigleyville in Chicago.  4 Advils later I'm starting to feel less stiff after yesterday's class...but, DANG after 60 minutes of cardio and swinging my arms at my partner, I'm not surprised.  If you want to tone up and live in Chicago (although I know they have other locations around the country) check it out!

Also before your first class they will show you how to wrap up your hands and give you a pair of gloves to wear.  Knowing that I intend to incorporate boxing into my weekly routine, I went to my local Sports Authority to purchase a pair of bright pink gloves and hand wraps.  (The stench of my hands after that class was so bad it triggered my gag reflex...so if you plan on making boxing a habit, treat yourself to a pair of gloves, they will only run you about $40.)

I usually never feel unsafe in my neighborhood, but just in case I'm ever in a sticky situation I now have a strong hook, jab, and cross punch...watch out hoodlums of Chicago, I'm well on my way to being a trained fighter!

Back in the pool tonight to swim off some of this soreness!

<3 Meredith

It's nice to meet you!

Welcome to Gym Shoes and Dresses!  Like all lady athletes are at heart, I was once a tomboy who only wore sweats and Birkenstock clogs until I knew better.  Eventually I traded those frayed cotton digs for some make-up, nail polish and a better sense of fashion.  This site is intended to be a hub for fitness tips, fashion trends, healthy eats, and anything else that catches my eye.


So, take a load off, grab a cup of Joe and enjoy!


<3 Meredith