the vegan way

So last week I was reading an article about Food Inc. I had already watched the movie and it had really made me start thinking about what we eat and what we put into our bodies. I thought to myself, "hhhmmmm, could I really be a vegetarian, could I really be vegan?". Working in the catering business I am faced with dietary requests daily. I have an event for 1,000 guests and I will receive a request for one gluten free, one no seeds, one vegan no sugar. There are so may requests recently it is a daily task for me. Now a days there is about every thing you can think of! I have always considered myself a fairly healthy person. I try to eat locally and organic when I can. I have tried over the past year to really cut out a lot of processed foods and health "junk" (Pirates Booty is not good for me, just because it is Organic!). So as Easter is creeping up on me I thought, well why don't I try out a vegan diet for a week to see how it feels. So here I am...Day #4.

Ok, I am not writing and saying that I am going to practice a vegan d

iet moving forward, no. I enjoy a nice cheese with a glass of wine, I love a nice filet and some great grilled fish, however I do understand the principle behind it. I can understand why people do not want to eat all of the food that is produced in industrialized food manufacturers now a days. Did you know that there are now 10 billion animals raised and killed in America and nearly all of them are inhumanely treated. Hearing this does not quite make me want to go out and have a chicken barbecue.

I believe that supporting Local Farmer Joe and his practice to humanely and fairly kept produce and animals while keeping up his organic farm is the right way to go. It makes me feel better knowing where the food on my plate comes from. I am pretty sure that I can not eat this way every day, but I believe if we make a conscious decision as much as we can, maybe it would change the ordering in the fast food industry, the Walmarts, the delis, everywhere. The past few days I have had to stop, read the nutrition labels and say, "nope", this contains or MAY contain animal products. I have actually become to like my vegan diet and can see how it can give you a kick of energy. Here is sampling of what I have been eating....

- Hummus and Carrots

- English Muffins and Peanut Butter

- Irish Oatmeal and Blueberries

- Mixed Nuts

- Brown Rice

- Whole Fruit

- Kashi Crackers

- Whole Fruit Sorbet

- Wine (always!)

-Sweet Potatoes (roasted and baked)

- Roasted Beets with Roasted Garlic and Pine nuts

- Salads with Roasted Veggies

- Alternative Baking Cookies - Pumpkin Spice, yum

See, the list sounds yummy doesn't it! Alicia Silverstone (yep, fabulous CLUELESS star) just wrote a NY Times bestseller about her Kind Life book. The book is full of tips regarding the Kind Life, be it health, fitness, fashion, decor. The book is really informative on the Vegan way of life.

I think I will crave a burger and a bowl of real ice cream, but I am looking forward to seeing how I feel after this week. I see my requests at work through a different eye now. I can agree after reading up on the Vegan way why people may not want to eat animal products. hhhmmm what are your thoughts? I could write for days.

Off to enjoy a cup of tea. xoxo~ Becca

Working Out for Spring

I went to my first boot camp class yesterday in almost two weeks. Oh my! After hip hop yoga class last night and that workout, my arms are on FIRE today! I am so ready for the 4 ft of snow to melt away so I can get back outside

for early morning runs. For now I am dreaming of some cute new work

out gear and new workouts for Spring.

Cute workout gear always makes you feel better!

lululemon athletica - Scoop Neck Tank, $52

Gap Crossover neck hoodie, $40

Will run for wine Women's Light T-Shirt- CafePress

Women: Women's Yoga Capris - Carbon, $17

Women: Women's Workout Duffle Bags - Blink Pink, $17

With all of the snow days last week, bundling up to go to the gym was not in my plan. I have been doing at home work out DVD's a lot. I feel a little like my mom doing the Jane Fonda work out tapes when I was little, but hey, they work! Right now the Biggest Loser DVD sets are keeping me moving but I'm looking for something new. I think I am going to get Tracey Anderson Method set, starting with level 1. She looks ridiculous! Amazing! Gwyneth and Madonna have always loved her and now Jennifer Aniston is hooked.....I'm in!

How cute and stylish is this patent leather gym bag from Lululemon. I love it!

adidas stella by rldamato featuring Adidas by Stella McCartney

I have always wanted to get some of Stella McCartney's items from Adidas. They are always sold out so quickly!

How cute are the exercise shorts with a bow!!!!

Adorable! Maybe this year.

Ok sun...come out. Spring I am SO ready for you! Time to get ready for sunny days and lots of runs!

xoxo~Rebecca

being sick....stinks

I spent last week full of sniffles, achey feelings and pockets full of tissues. Unfortunately after having a wonderful holiday, I got caught with the sick bug. The cold, the flu, everything has been going around! I chose to stay home for two days and tried to fight it off. After days of laying on the couch, I was wondering WHY, I thought I was so healthy! Sometimes, it just happens and you catch the sick bug.

These last two weeks at the office have been long and stressful. Finally this week I am feeling a little bit better, but still exhausted. I know that often there is nothing you can do about getting sick, however, I have made a promise to myself to NOT let it happen anytime again sooooon!

Stock your shelves with healthy! I have been stocking up on major Vitamin C. I have been drinking glasses of water, Emergen C (I like raspberry flavor!), I have been peeling clementines and oranges through out my day. I am trying to hold back on my vino consumption (so sad) for a little more tea. I have been making simple smoothies with blueberries, bananas and yogurt for a little extra antioxidants.

I have been attempting to get more rest and bundle up when I brave the cold.

So lesson learned, do not run yourself to the ground like me, Miss Busy Bee. I can still feel my stuffy head and tired body and will do anything to fight it off! Stay healthy! It is cold season! Mexico, here I come in 30 days, keep me healthy!

xoxo

NYC weekend - cute finds, sore feet

My trip to New York City this weekend was wonderful! It was a short trip but packed with fun. Marathon Weekend in the Big Apple is always tiring but thrilling. There are so many stores I want to explore, places I want to dine, friends I want to see. Unfortunately the ultimate reason I am there is to run 26.2 miles and that does not call for a jammed packed visit, that calls for relaxing my feet. Oh well, I managed to do both! I had a blast and finished the race in 4 hrs 57 min 13 sec.

The weekend started with dinner at db bistro. YUM! Daniel Boulud is so wonderful! (I'm looking into a catering job in Palm Beach at one of his places, wish me luck!). The service was great, my butternut squash gnocchi were melt in your mouth and I loved that everybody around us was speaking French! So great! As we walked back to our hotel I found delight in a new Magnolia Bakery location and had to stop in for my favorite Vanilla Vanilla cupcake!!!!

Saturday I headed to the expo where I was as usual, overwhelmed and excited. Thousands of runners the day before marathon day in one place is exciting and nervous. I discovered the booth for the Disney Princess 1/2 marathon and left with a complimentary tiara as well as my race bag! I am marking my calendar for March 6, 2010. An all women's 1/2 marathon in Disney World, fun!

The rest of Saturday Elizabeth and I spent in Soho browsing all of the fabulous stores. I felt like a little girl in a candy shop at Kate Spade. Everything in her new line is fun, pretty and playful. I was obsessssssed with the jewelry and the shoes! A few truffles at Vosges in flavors like balsamico, red chili and bacon tied me over till lunch! (only on marathon weekend would I buy truffles for myself). Lunch at Mercer Kitchen was great people watching during Halloween day. All the stores in Soho opened themselves up to Trick or Treaters. So cute to see dressed up children in fancy boutiques. I treated myself to a fun Barbie Malibu Beach scented candle at Jonathon Adler, even though I was dying for the pillows!

Saturday's shopping trip ended with a trip to Topshop. OK, I hadn't been since I lived abroad in London and was completely excited! After searching through the amazing collection of sequins shirts, platform shoes and lots of flirty short dresses, I checked out with my fun new Owl Earrings and a gold quilted purse (oh so Chanel, but not yet! Still dreaming). After shopping I had a great pasta dinner with Emily (almost a tradition!) and ended the night with a fabulous bubble bath and some sleep.

Sunday I was up bright and early to catch the ferry to Staten Island. This year was interesting. I was nervous but reallllllly so excited. I had been really stressed out about running and once I decided to I was ready, I was. All by myself I found my spot on the grass and did some stretching and reading and lots of texting (love updating during the run!). I crossed the start line at about 10:30am to the sounds of Frank Sinatra singing "NY NY". I had tears in my eyes and felt ready to go! Crossing the Verrazano Bridge was amazing!!!! About mile 8 I was in Brooklyn and heard Black Eyed Peas "Tonight's the Night" streaming from a brownstones windows. All the runners and spectators were dancing, jumping and singing, really cool. I was all smiles from then until I ran across the bridge to one of the greatest cities in the world...Manhattan! Mile 17! It is an experience like no other . You can hear the supporters even before you cross the bridge, the music, the cheers! I saw Emily and did a little stretching (And posing!) and then I saw Elizabeth at mile 18. SO NICE to see familiar faces. At about mile 20 I started to ache, my knee started to hurt but I wouldn't stop. I stopped and stretched at mile 24 and didn't think I could even walk but I slowly got going and ran my way to the finish line with a big smile and tears on my face. I was done!

THANK YOU ALL for your support! It was my 4th marathon, I say it's my last for awhile...but who am I kidding. I'm proud I did it. It was a great weekend in NYC and a great race across the line in Central Park!

xoxo

R&R for the week

I have had a pretty busy week this past week! Sorry I've been slow on postings. Last week I worked around the clock and had plans after work. On Friday I jumped on the train to Boston for 8 hours for Jenn's baby shower. It was a wonderful pink party! I'll post pics tomorrow. Now I'm back in D.C. and realizing that this week must be filled with R&R, rest and relaxing. Yes, I have to work, do laundry and a few small runs, but all in all I need to take care of myself and relax before the big run!

6 days from now me and about 300,000 other people will crawl out of bed at 5am to get to Staten Island and get in line for the New York City marathon. My knee is a little sore, I'm exhausted, but all in all, I know I can do it! Here are a few things I'm doing to prepare:

1. H20 - I am forcing myself to consume lots and lots of water all week. NO soda! Water.

2. Sleep - my goal is 8 to 9 hours a night this week. Wish me luck.

3. Ice - My knee aches in the middle of the day. I need to find time to lay on the couch and ice it daily.

4. Stretch - I woke up this morning and did some sun salutations. First thing in the a.m. and last thing in the p.m.

5. Flats - NO HEELS. I made a vow, only flat shoes until Sunday!

6. bye bye Halloween treats - I overindulged in sweets this weekend. Candy buffet, cupcakes, sugar sugar. No more Halloween treats for me. All natural.

Wish me luck!!!! Today you can sign up on the New York Marathon website to follow me. My bib number is 56163. Go to http://www.nycmarathon.org/ at noon and sign up for Athlete Alert.

xoxo

TWO MONTHS AWAY

This weekend I have a 20 mile training run. Oh my! My longest run this season. My left foot is starting to ache. I don't know if it was just too many miles increased at once, old shoes or what, but it must get better soon! Here I go again! Two months away, marathon #4! November 1, New York City! If you are around, come cheer me on! I LOVE THE SUPPORTERS!!!! The first pic is from my first marathon in Washington with my fabulous family as my cheerleaders and the one at the bottom is from #3 in NYC!!!!! Thank you for being supportive. I hope I will see you along the course:)

(pics: Mom Charity & Katie with the amazing posters at marathon #1, Mom running with me for support at #1, Beau & I after marathon #3, me with #3 race # so proud, Christa Brandi and Emily with their amazing Dutch/English signs!)

xoxo

I love DC - #4

Running.

Ok, I know you can do it anywhere, but recently I have become to SO appreciate the awesome running paths and streets we have in DC. Washington is such a great place to be a runner. I am currently training for marathon #4 and have been exploring new running options.

Today while I was doing a 10 mile training run around the city I felt like I was in a movie. It was a beautiful summer morning, slight breeze, sunny. It is so awesome to run through the Nations Capital when everybody is asleep. You run by national landmarks and forget that you live here! I ran down Connecticut Avenue through Dupont Circle. From there I ran past the White House. (Yes, I still get excited running by the Obamas house.) I slow down, gaze in. I mean really, who knows, maybe some day I'll see Michelle getting the girls off to school! hee hee. I ran to down Pennsylvania Avenue with the Capital ahead, around the Capital, past the the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial. It was a great run needless to say. The whole run was 10 miles. For any of your DC runners. Here are a few of my faves:

1. Rock Creek Park - will always hold a special place in my heart. I ran here the majority of my training for my first marathon right out of college. It is nice to run through a shaded park right in the middle of the city.

2. Bethesda/Capital Crescent Trail - One of of my favorite things to do on the weekend is to drive to Bethesda, run on the trail and get a bagel after at Bethesda Bagels. Meg and I have shared many stories over a long run on the trail. I love it. I great way too catch up and get exercise! Bethesda is such a great suburb of DC. If you want a 5 mile run or are training and need to go longer, you can connect down to Rock Creek, I have done about 20 on the trail before.

3. Reno - So this is one of new favorites. Reno is a long road that runs parallel between Conn Ave and Wisconsin Ave. The thing is you do not feel like you are running through a city, you run through neighborhoods. It connects right behind my apartment and I can make a nice 3 to 6 mile run on it.

4. Connecticut Avenue - last is my "Sedgewick Garden Running Club" run. Meg, Cerys and I have run this a lot, we meet in the apartment lobby at 6am. Right down CT Ave, run to the White House, to Constitution Ave and up to Metro Ctr. It is a 5 mile run if you hop on the metro (you can forget the CT Ave. HILL!) and go home.

Yes, running is a huge part of my life and I worry about the training and weather in sunny humid Florida, but I know I will get use to it. I have really become much more of a "runner" by living in Washington. Friends who run in NYC only have Central Park. We have SO many options here. As you can see by my pics, I have taken advantages of races. My parents love the Turkey Trot, my "running club" (ok not really a club, but I like to call us that) and I run little races here and there. My first marathon was the Marine Corps. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

If you live here or if you are just visiting, put your running shoes on early in the morning and go out for 1 mile or 10 miles. It is a great way to see the city and a beautiful one!

xoxo

I love DC- #3

Tranquil Space! Ok so I have become a little obsessed with Tranquil Space. I discovered Tranquil Space three years ago when I signed up for a newbie yoga class and have been HOOKED since. They opened up a new amazing studio on 17th street last year. The studio is the perfect place to come after work, during the weekend, on a busy day when you need to get your mind away. Not only is it a fabulous yoga studio, it is also a store, a spa and a tea bar. I LOVE IT! Yoga and retail therapy!

Kimberly Wilson is the lady who started it all! I listen to her podcast, read her blog and have read her books. I was reading an article about her recently and the girl said it perfect....they had a girl crush on Kimberly Wilson! haha. I totally agree. Kimberly was a paralegal and started teaching yoga in her living room. Years later I find her story of how she followed her dream and opened up Tranquil Space, designed clothes, wrote a few books, the story goes on. She is super cool with her pink stripes in her hair, her obsession with cupcakes, her cute pug Louis and her fabulous "pink palace". What other yoga studio have you heard of that offers a hip hop yoga class on a Friday night with a dj! Kimberly's idea.

I have been researching places in Florida that compare somewhat to Tranquil Space and I haven't found it yet. It truly is one place I wish I could pack up and move with me! If you live in DC and haven't taken a class there, go! If you are visiting, go. I hope you find the Tranquil Space lifestyle the Kimberly has created as fabulous as I have!

Now I'm off to bed....trying to keep my mind as relaxed as it was when I left class yesterday....Namaste!

xoxo

A Mini Staycation

Happy 4th of July! I hope everybody had a great weekend in the sun, eating watermelon, having cocktails outside, hanging out with friends. I stayed in DC and I really feel like I had a mini vacation...a staycation. Last year I spent in Florida with beau. This year I figured I would be in sunny Florida soon enough and needed a little DC time.

Thursday night I started out on Besse's new boat. It was so wonderful being outside, having cocktails and catching up with girlfriends. The waterfront in Georgetown can be quite a scene and it was nice to watch it from the water and not in one of the crowded bars. It poured when we first got on the boat, but it left behind an amazing view of the Kennedy Center! I had to capture the rainbow going over the building that brings so many memories to my mind. The cocktail of the night was the Firefly. If you haven't tried it yet, its fabulous! Sweet Tea flavored vodka either mixed with Ginger Ale, Club Soda or Lemonade. Amazing. Great summer cocktail.

Friday I did a little summer sale shopping (can't resist!), layed out at Erin's pool (a treat when you live in an apartment building with no rooftop!). Friday night we went to the 80's outdoor movie night in Rosslyn. SO fun! I love that DC has so many summer movie nights. The mall has Screen on the Green, downtown Bethesda has Stars on the Avenue and up in Rockville they show movies at Strathmore. (August 19, mark your calendars for Twilight!) Top Gun was the Friday night flick. I forgot how great that movie was. Tom Cruise in the 80's, sigh, super cute! I love getting a picnic, wine and girlfriends to these movie nights!

Saturday, the 4th of July we had a little party at Meg's place. Lots of yummy treats, Rose Wine Spritzers and then walked down to the White House. Being that this will be my last 4th of July in DC it was pretty cool to stand right in front of the White House watching the amazing fireworks. My first 4th was as an intern at the Kennedy Center watching from the terrace, so I think I had a great start and a great finish!

Sunday after laying in bed (almost finishing Breaking Dawn) I went to the Farmers Market. Love that place! I bought amazing purple basil, more gazpacho and loads of arugula. A little yoga at Tranquil Space. The best yoga studio ever! The rest of the day has been relaxing, cleaning and getting ready for the week. No days, off, no vacation. Staycation is over. Back to work. But it's still summer! So in my mind...there are still a lot of fabulous sunny days ahead like I had this weekend.

I had a fabulous 4th! How about you?

xoxo

Summer Running Playlist

I found out a few weeks ago that I got into the NYC marathon again. I am excited for marathon #4. The goal is, 5 by 30! I just started training officially this week and I realized that I'm bored of my music. I created a new play list to keep me going for the summer. I think it's a fun mix of old, new, dance, get you moving songs! I'm sure I'll have to add to it once the 20 mile training run comes (I don't event want to think of the Florida heat) ! Come cheer me on November 1st in the Big Apple! I took this picture two years ago at mile one, running across from Staten Island. Can't wait to do it again! 

Becca's 2009 Summer Training Mix 

Ella Elle L'a - Kate Ryan 

Up Against the Wall - N'Sync

More More More - Kylie Minogue

Back to the Start - Lily Allen

Love Sex Magic - Ciara & Justin Timberlake

My Life would SUCK without You - Kelly Clarkson

Burnin' Up - Jonas Brothers

24 Hours (The Aston Shuffle A-Bomb Mill) - Terry Poison

Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas

Toxic - Britney Spears

My Love - Justin Timberlake 

Radio - Beyonce

Love is Gone - David Guetta

Jai Ho - Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack 

Ray of Light - Madonna

Take Me Home - Sophie Ellis Bextor

Party All The Time - Black Eyed Peas