It's back. The Candy Cane Concrete.

Did I drive from the gym to the custard shop tonight?  Yes.

Do I feel like that was a good decision?  Yes.  

Will it happen again?  Yes. 

What is possibly my favorite part of December?  Andy's Candy Cane Concretes. 

 

November Favorites

Feel like I have some strong November stand outs! 

 

First the beauty items.  I love the Beauty Blender. I didn't think it would be that much better than the Real Techniques sponge which is a lot less expensive...but it is.  Blends much better.  Maybe I am being fooled with the Smashbox Primer water because I wonder if it's really mostly just that, water, but I really like it! It smells really nice and since I started using it I have gotten several compliments from the kid that she likes my make up looks better. She is pretty picky about make up looks so I think that's a win.

One of my current favorite fall blushes is Rapture from Urban Decay. Love this color!

 This is the crushed shadow I mentioned I received and decided not to return. I am glad I didn't because it works just fine and I am obsessed with it. It's Rose Gold from Ardency Inn. Glad I gave it a shot before returning. Just because something is broken doesn't mean it isn't beautiful. (Deep thought stemmed from make up)  I've been pairing it with I Heart This from Color Pop.

This lip crayon also from Ardency Inn in Delancy.  Loving it and putting a dent in it already. 

 A great nude.

Onto food. I discovered Wholly Guacamole products and they are delicious!  This photo is blurry because I wanted to take the photo and get to eating. 

Peppermint Mocha creamer...mixed in with some Tazo Chai and milk over ice and it is almost like I am drinking a Sleigh Ride chiller from Gloria Jeans.

This Olive Garden light dosing is just as good as it is in the restaurant...and a lot less costly in price and calories than a full sit down meal at OG.

For clothing I am obsessed with my new Live Fit hoodie. So amazingly soft and comfy!

Netflix has been Jessica Jones.  I read a review saying it was better than Daredevil.  I disagree with that but it is still a very good show and a strong female lead!  A lot of good finds this month.

Indicators my stress level is code red

I guess I have a few "tells" when I'm really stressed.  So I hear from others telling me so.  I asked the kid to contribute her thoughts on my tells as well.  
1. I say the f word. Multiple times.
2. I bring home alcohol
3. I sit on the floor. For extended periods of time
4. I make a Facebook post. (Lol...had to laugh cause the kid yelled out this one). 
5. I eat a whole box of chocolate covered cherries.

6. I download Adele's new album. (I kinda love it) I just heard from the other room "Are you listening to Adele?"  I said yes....the kid replied "add that to your list."  I had already typed it, haha. 

Could be worse tells I suppose! 

The bright side?

Well in the year and a half I have owned my new car I have chipped my windshield with a rock and now driven over some sort of nail like thing.  Both which I never did in my Pontiac. However, in my Pontiac I had a huge door ding and had been hit head on (luckily at low speed) so I will take the chip and nail. When my system warning came on last night saying my tire pressure was low I assumed it was the change in temps and said to myself they will check it at my oil change which I need. Then I pulled into my garage to hear my tire hissing like a snake. Well that's not good. I figured I was doomed by morning but on the bright side my insurance covers roadside assist and the fee for a tire change. When I woke up to see my tire was indeed flat I thought "bright side is I am in my garage and not by the side of the road." I have been procrastinating on an oil change so another plus was this got me into the shop to get my oil change along with a tire patch today. And you know what the bright side is of all this happening Thanksgiving weekend? Everyone is shopping and I am the only person at Ford where I typically have to wait 2 hours for an oil change. I would say considering a flat tire is a bummer overall, the timing was perfect. If I have to have an annoying flat tire, I can at least find several silver linings in it. Ironic I guess since there is literally a piece of silver metal in it.

Turkey Trax 5k

I love it when a plan comes together...

This morning was the Turkey Trax 5k and it was one of the best races I have done in a long time.  Ideal running weather and I even got too hot in a long sleeve top...in November.  There were 1,200 people running this one.  It is one of the biggest turnouts for a race in town I have seen. The course was hilly but I felt great and could tell I was keeping my pace the entire run. I went without my watch because I tend to stress out more and focus on my time wearing it versus just running based on feel without the watch.  My training runs have been going great lately and I have been running faster during training than ever.  I know I always run faster on race day than I do during training so I was hoping for a new PR.  Today I was 10 seconds away from a PR but am still excited with how I finished.  I felt great the entire race even when sprinting an uphill finish.  When Glenda told me the course was the hardest we have ever done (we do a lot of the same races) I wanted to jump for joy since it felt easy to me.  By easy I mostly mean at no point did I see my life flash before my eyes while thinking I was on the brink of death by hills. 

So after the run I started thinking "what have I been doing differently that would've made such a difference in how this run went, and even how much better training runs are going?"  

1. I have been drinking a LOT more water lately and made a real effort to drink more the day before the run. Hydration for the win. 

2. Ate steel cut oats an hour pre-run versus Cream of Wheat and I think the fuel stayed with me a lot longer.  

3. Telling myself the saying "I don't stop when I am tired, I stop when I am done" during training.

4.  Incline hill walking on the treadmill a few times a week.  

5.  More consistent running in general. 

6.  Picturing a new PR in my head. 

7.  Hard leg days at the gym equals stronger muscles to get uphill without my legs feeling like they are on fire.

Overall I think consistent training and proper fuel and hydration plays a huge part in helping me get better.  My old gym closing made me switch up my routine but it seems like it was overdue.  I needed to switch it up to get better. Tomorrow it is supposed to be much colder than today so I really am thankful for the great temps today.  Tomorrow is also Black Friday and the most exciting thing for me is discounted race entries for next year!  

Today I realized just how much I go into my own world when I run. Glenda and I were talking about the course after the run and I could describe a horrible hill or two but couldn't really say where they were.  I  ran to the finish line and heard some encouraging words but no idea where they were coming from. All I saw was the mat followed by the clock. I go completely into my own head.  Today my breathing, legs, and focus all came together perfectly for one of those runs that remind you why you do it.  All the pain of the tough runs, the hills, the leg presses....it is worth it when it all comes together and you get to discover the runner's high is real.

FitMiss and NLA For Her product reviews

I tried a few of my sample products out today and made note on how they compared to my regulars.

First up...for breakfast I tried the FitMiss Vanilla Chai protein.  I opened it up and if I were judging based on smells I would have thrown it away.  It smelled like tires.  This could be from the small sample packaging and maybe it doesn't smell like this in the tub? I mixed it with some ice and water and hoped it transformed from tires to something tasty.  It did...but it distinctly lacked any chai flavor at all.  Actually, it is straight up vanilla but I will say for vanilla protein mixed with just water it is actually really good! Most vanilla proteins I have tried require some fruit mixed in for me to get it down.  This one is a good, rich and creamy vanilla flavor.  No after taste and no chalky flavor. So overall, despite the lack of chai to the vanilla chai, I liked this and would gladly drink it again.  This is a winner.  16 grams of protein for only 90 calories, 3 carbs, and 1.5 fat.   Pricing online looks pretty reasonable too...in the thirty dollar range for 2 pounds.  A brief glance on Amazon shows a lot of positive reviews and people love the flavor.  A few reviews also mention the lack of the chai flavor as well. They have a banana cream flavor I would be interested in trying. (Btw, I held off on reading reviews until after trying so I didn't form any opinions up front)  I would buy this one in the future and enjoy mixing it with fruit or enjoy on its own.  I did notice the packaging says it is a vegetable based protein blend which appeals to me...but the ingredients say whey....so....I guess they are saying the vegetable based protein is based on the potato protein they list along with the whey isolate, whey protein concentrate, and whey hydrolysate.  To me that screams whey protein...not vegetable.  So not sure I like that part of their selling strategy, seems a bit misleading.  Update: as I finished the entire shake the more I realized it was really tasty and was probably the best vanilla I have had! Once I finish up some of the protein stash I have I will definitely look at buying this one. 

Later in the day I tried the FitMiss Ignite preworkout in strawberry margarita.  First the taste...no.  Dislike.  I can't put my finger on what it tastes like. Maybe a watered down strawberry margarita if you really stretch the imagination.  I don't taste strawberry at all. Old sweet and sour mix...I think that is it.  The flavor is not for me. 

I always use Spark from Advocare and it gives just the right boost with no jitters or tingles that a lot of preworkouts are known for. Some people are fine with those side effects.  I can't stand them.  So I consumed half of the Ignite and changed into my workout clothes.  16 minutes later (I watched the clock anticipating the effects) I start scratching my neck. My neck and feet felt like someone was sticking me with needles.  Yeah no.  Glad I only tried half of this. Can't handle that feeling.  Kinda felt like my neck was burning.  Not enjoyable.  The effect did wear off fairly fast.  I didn't notice any special extra oomph compared to my normal Spark.  I noticed my throat was incredibly dry during my run. That could be due to other things but it was noticeably uncomfortable.  Not something I would try again.  

NLA For Her Aminos in Watermelon- I have been getting pretty bored with my normal BCAA's so this was a nice change. I like actual watermelons but not so much watermelon flavored things. So I could only drink about three quarters of this before the taste was too much.  If you like watermelon flavor though, this was good. 

After some weights I went for the pumpkin pie quest bar.  It was just as tasty as I remember. I have a 5k on Thursday so tomorrow and Thursday I am sticking to my regular products.  My knee was telling me to take a rest after two miles today.  So tomorrow will likely be a rest day which is sounding good right now! 

New subscription box!

I have considered subscription boxes in the past.  Mostly beauty boxes like Boxycharm or Ipsy.  One finally caught my attention that I thought would be fun to check out.  It's called Super Gains Pack.  I always kind of cringe at the "making gains" phrase but the box looked great for the cost so I figured I can get past the name.  There are three levels to choose from ranging from $12 gains pack to the $28 super gains.  I decided to go big....

The box shipped Friday and I had it on my door Monday morning!  I was quite impressed at the shipping.  Shipping is included in the monthly price.  I had a coupon code for half off the first box so this one cost me $14.  I believe the shaker cup comes with your first box.  I am a shaker cup collector so I was excited to see that right off the bat. 

I thought it was a good sign there wasn't enough room in the box for the shaker cup as reviews I had watched all had the cup in the box.  I could tell the box was full by picking it up. 

I opened it to see the stash....

And discovered all these samples and products tucked in the box.  By the way the box is customizable and I had emailed the owner asking him to throw in some NLA for Her products for me to try.  He responded within an hour of my email saying he would make sure to do so and he came through.  So not only impressed at the shipping speed, impressive customer service for sure!  Here is what all is pictured.

- Crazy Richard's PB Burst performance peanut butter.  Serving size one packet. 

-FitMiss Delight Protein shake in Vanilla Chai...another brand I wanted to try and um...I love chai so this makes me happy. Serving size one packet. 

-FitMiss Ignite preworkout in strawberry margarita flavor.  Yay, another exact sample and flavor I wanted! Serving size one packet. 

-High Protein Coffee.  Not a huge coffee fan but I will give it a go. 20 grams of protein in one serving size packet. 

-Quest Pumpkin Pie Protein bar.  #winning I know I like this flavor and the stores have been sold out, at least where I have looked.  

-NLA For Her Aminos watermelon flavor one serving size packet....brand I requested so looking forward to trying this.

-NLA For Her Uplift Preworkout in gauva passion...sounds yum. One serving size packet.

-Satori Bio-Gro Protein Synthesis Amplifier...need to read more on what this does.  10 servings of chocolate ice cream flavor. 

-1Up Her Preworkout in fruit punch...heard of this brand but haven't tried it.  One serving size bottle but I would probably only try half at a time. 

-1Up BCAA's watermelon...one serving size bottle.  

-Nutrabio Super Carb performance and recovery in orange mango.  Looks to be an electrolyte mix. One serving size packet. 

-Prosupps PSWhey in Glazed Doughnut.  Excuse me...glazed donut?  Uh yes I am excited to try this.  One serving size packet with 24 grams of protein. 

-ABC Superior Recovery and Endurance in white pineapple strawberry. This looks to be BCAA's and the flavors sounds awesome. 

These next six items have "manly" packaging and seem geared toward men.  The wording on them are things I usually don't go for.  If I try these at all I will try at max a half of the serving size.  I need to really look at the ingredients.  I don't like preworkouts that make me jittery.  I am judging a book by its cover with these....

-Super Thermogenic Thermobombs...fat burner.  One tablet.  

-Nitrolyze-S caffeine infused preworkout in Mango. 500 mg creatine which I typically don't take. 

-N.O. matrix preworkout in pineapple.  Serving size is a half packet.  Again creatine. 

-Enrage preworkout in gladiator green apple. Not just green apple...gladiator green apple.  Sounds like you better get ready to get mad at those weights.  Creatine included.

-Pump Extrem preworkout in lemon lime...anything that warns about assessing tolerance leaves me leary. 

-Hyper Shock Rage in blue raspberry.  Have a feeling this one would leave me jittery.

-Super Gains pack sticker

Overall I am excited about the box and trying the majority of the samples out!  Aside from the last six I will likely read up on the rest and give them a go.  The protein samples are great since protein is so expensive and you just never know if "glazed donut" will really taste like "paper plate."  19 samples plus a shaker cup...worth the $14 this month.