Dogs and Dinosaurs: Thinking Out Loud #48

Happy Thursday and happy August! How is it August already?! I am not ready for summer to be over because I know what's around the corner, aka winter, and I am certainly not ready to be freezing 24/7 again. We have been having some gorgeous weather in the mitten this week. There has been loads of sunshine and warm temps all equaling up to the perfect lake day weather. Anyway, let's jump into this weeks thinking out loud!

1. I'm still chugging away in physical therapy. I'd like to say I'm patient, resting tons to let it heal and all that junk but that's so not true. I'm beyond impatient and so ready to run again. The therapist gave me workouts that I can do, plus I can still lift (minus leg day), and I was given a cardio workout to do that involves the treadmill and the bike. The treadmill and I are not currently friends because I absolutely hate walking on the dang thing🙄 It's too early in the morning to go for a walk outside and for now the therapist wants me walking on a steady surface. I'm being good though and doing all my at home exercises and icing so fingers crossed I'll be running sooner rather than later. 

2. With the sun rising later and later in the morning I get to see the sunrise on my way home from the gym. I love watching the sunrise and with views like this who wouldn't?! I can't wait to be able to head out for sunrise runs again🏃‍♀️

3. I don't share a lot of food pics on instagram anymore, but I have gotten questions and comments asking if I still put sprinkles on my oatmeal. Of course I still put sprinkles on my oats! I used dinosaur sprinkles the other day, they're my favorite, but sadly that was the last of my dinosaur sprinkles😩 I've yet to find more dino sprinkles at the grocery store so I might have to hunt some down on Amazon. 

4. My boyfriend sent me this meme the other day and just said this is you. He's totally right, it's 100% me😂 anyone who knows me knows I'm totally obsessed with dogs. I have dog radar and I know when there's a dog around. I go up to people all the time asking people if I can pet their dogs. If I had the means I would probably have a house full of dogs, however, currently I don't have the means or the space for a house full of dogs, but one day.

5. I shared a pictures from the lake on instagram a few days ago and my direct messages were flooded with questions asking where I got my bathing suit top. I got it at Target and while the same one isn't available anymore I found two that are basically the same one that I have, except one is a bralette and the other is a regular bikini top. If you've never shopped at Target for a bathing suit you're missing out! They have a huge selection and they hold up really well. 

6. The weather really has been picture perfect, so I've been getting outside as much as possible. The lake has been really warm so I've been spending time floating on Henry soaking up the sun- with sunscreen on of course😉

7. I'm super excited to share a review with you next week for LoveBug probiotics. The company reached out to me and asked if I'd be interesting in trying them out, funny enough I had been eyeing them at Target for some time because I was looking for a new probiotic. I'm very excited to share that with you so be on the lookout for that next week!

8. Per usual I am ending with a quote. I love this quote because I firmly believe that stuff will never make you happy. Surrounding yourself with good people and living life to the fullest by enjoying the moment and traveling will make you happy. Possessions weigh you don't but memories don't.

Have a great Thursday and a fabulous weekend everyone🎉🎉🎉

Is there a trait that people associate with you, like being dog obsessed?
What is your favorite way to enjoy the beautiful summer weather?

S'more Physical Therapy: Thinking Out Loud #47

Happy Thursday! This week hasn't flown by, but it's definitely been a busy week. The weather has me in a bit of a funk though because it's only been in the mid 70's most of the week and I'm missing the 90's. Call me crazy, but I like the heat in the summer. Besides, it's good beach weather🌴 I cannot be the only one who enjoys the summertime heat. Anyway, let's jump into this weeks thinking out loud (and yes I totally cracked myself up with the pun in the title of today's post😂). 

1. I have gotten a ton of questions about s'more brownies since my sweet friend Erica posted a picture of them on instagram. These brownies are super easy to make and if you're in a time crunch you can do it the easy way by using a box mix of brownies. You can nab the recipe here. I have taken these brownies to countless campfires, grad parties, picnics, and other events and they've been a hit every single time, plus they're perfect for summer👌

2. One of my best friends moves to Northern California Sunday and I am not prepared to say goodbye😥 He got a job with the forestry to fight wildfires and he'll do an amazing job, but that doesn't make the goodbye any easier. We met on the first day of sixth grade and the rest is history. Our last names were always right next to each other so we always got sat next to each other in all our classes. We've been through so much together and he really is one of the greatest guys I know. We share the same love of the outdoors so I'm going to miss having someone to go hiking with on a whim and we both loved finding hole in the wall restaurants to try out. I know it's not goodbye forever because I will be visiting but it's never easy to say goodbye when someone has been a constant in your life for over a decade. 

3. I spent some time with my mom over the weekend and we decided to take a trip to Whole Foods. We both love browsing in that store and could easily spend WAY too much money on food. I picked up some fruit since I was low, but I also picked up butternut squash zig zags to try. HOLY MOLY THEY'RE AMAZING😍 I roasted them at 425F degrees for 22 minutes and they came out in a state of crispy perfection. I could easily eat my weight in these bad boys and am debating dragging my boyfriend out to Whole Foods this weekend to get more😋  

4. Last week was a stressful and chaotic week and to cap off the week the water heater died. I'm pretty good when it comes to home repairs (thanks dad👋), but I know squat about replacing a water heater. Luckily my uncle came over and helped, but six hours later and two more trips to Home Depot for missing parts and I had hot water again. After finishing that I jumped in the lake to cool down and floated on Henry for awhile because I was a sweaty mess.

5. One of my friends sent me a Buzzfeed article this week of relatable tweets. I laughed so hard at some of the tweets, especially this one😂 I am so guilty of hearing something fall when I close the cupboard and not fixing it, but then it always bites me in the butt because when I open the cupboard next it falls on me. I think we've all done this a time or two (or two million😂)

6. My regular physical therapist is on vacation this week so I met with a different one and I was concerned because I had never met the guy before. Right off the bat he made a really good impression and switched up the entire routine of what I had been doing. I had felt like I wasn't being pushed in PT and I knew I wasn't making progress and I was incredibly frustrated because I want to heal, get better, and get back to running again. This guy approached me with an athletic mindset which I need because I need to push myself and compete again myself. Some of the stuff we did was really hard, but I NEEDED that. After he we went through the workout he really worked my knee and calf and honestly it's the best it has felt since before I got hurt. I don't know what kind of magic he worked, but I'm super excited to work with him again today.

7. Hands down my favorite quote I came across this week and one of my new favorite quotes. I know I am so guilty of comparing myself to others and with things like instagram the comparison trap is quite real. In reality social media is everyones highlight reels because who wants to post a bad/unflattering picture? Instead of comparing yourself to someone else, next time focus on the fact that yeah that person is beautiful but so are you. Everyone is beautiful and unique. There is not two of you and no one is a better you than you so embrace your differences and what makes you unique because when you do that is when you will be the most beautiful💜

I'm going to end things there this week. Have an amazing Thursday and a fantastic weekend🎉🎉🎉

How do you avoid falling into the comparison trap?
What is your favorite summertime sweet treat?

My Workout Must Haves

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend and are ready for a new week. I've gotten a lot of questions recently about where I get my workout gear and what my favorite brands are. To be honest, I've never been a person who cares about brand names. When I workout I want gear that will move with me, wick away sweat, and not get in the way. 

This year I have invested in a few more quality pieces and it has been so worth it. None of the pieces have broken the bank and some of the stuff I have been so happy with that I've bought it in another color or style. Here are eight of my workout essentials, and no I'm not paid by any of these brands to promote their products. These are products I use every single day and I genuinely love. 

1. Baleaf racerback tank top

I've tried countless workout tops over the years, but this is by far my favorite. Baleaf tanks and tops actually pull sweat away from my body and keep me cool in a way no other brand has before. These are my favorite tanks to run in because even when I'm running in 90F degree heat with 100% humidity the tank will be drenched by the end of my run, but I won't feel super sweaty because it's been wicking. You really can't beat the price for $9.99 (free shipping for Amazon Prime members), plus it comes in a variety of really pretty colors. 

2. Calia Move Seamless Tank Top

This tank is another favorite of mine because it also does a fantastic job wicking away sweat, but it's great for workouts on really hot days when you sweat a ton because it has antimicrobial technology so you won't smell all sweaty. I have both the blue and white (I'm hoping to get purple soon), but my only beef with this tank is the sizing runs pretty large. I normally wear an XS, but the XS is still a bit baggy on me, but I love the shirt and wear it all the time so the sizing doesn't deter me. As an added bonus this tank is currently on sale for $25.99 at Dick's.

3. Calia Journey Running Shorts

Hands down the BEST running shorts I've ever owned. Period. I am beyond picky when it comes to running shorts, especially because I chafe so easily, so I'm very fussy about what I buy. I spent years looking for a decent line of running shorts and I will never again buy anything but Calia running shorts. They wick away sweat, keep me cool, move with my body, have a nifty pocket to put a key, ID, etc., and honestly they're so comfortable I forget I'm wearing them. I've had Calia shorts since January and not once have I chafed with them, that's including running in extreme heat, humidity, rain, and a slew of other chafe inducing conditions. Do yourself a favor and buy these shorts, you won't regret it, plus they're currently on sale for $29.99 at Dicks. 

4. Calia Journey Printed Running Shorts

These are the exact same shorts as above, but just a printed version. I bought these as soon as they came out and I get compliments on them all the time. The colors are gorgeous, they're incredibly comfortable, and honestly you can do any sport in them- run, bike, lift, yoga, etc. The shorts are a little pricier at $45, but it's most definitely a worthwhile investment not to chafe and the quality is really fantastic.

5. Champion Women's Curvy Strap Sports Bra

Good sports bras are hard to find, especially if you're lacking in the boob department. Finding a bra that's comfortable, doesn't squeeze, but still offers support has long been a struggle. Sometimes I think sports bras are all designed by men because simply offering small, medium, and large really does not work for most people. Anyway I digress. While this sports bra does come in the standard sizes, I've found the sizing to be spot on. It supports me in all the right places, doesn't squeeze me to death, and the adjustable straps make it much easier to customize the right fit. Currently it's on sale for $21.99, which is an AWESOME price for a sports bra. I'm sure others can relate to the struggle to find a good sports bra.

6. Calia Low Cut Socks

Before you say I'm crazy for paying $12 for three pairs of socks hear me out. I've tried numerous other brands of sports socks but most of them left me feet so hot. I've even had socks that were so uncomfortable that they've caused blisters. What I love about these socks is they are incredibly light and super breathable. For the first time in I have no idea how long I didn't feel like I was overheating while running in these socks. I promptly made a return trip to Dick's and bought a second (and maybe a third) pack of these socks. Definitely worth the investment, plus they're great overall socks for everyday use too.

7. Heliacal Sports Fitness Headband

I don't like sweat dripping down my face or in my eyes when I workout so I use a headband to catch it. I tried cotton, which made me way too hot, and the ever popular Bondi Bands, which was so thin it didn't catch anything so it was promptly returned. I came across Heliacal headbands on Amazon and I haven't looked back. I have them in four color and absolutely love them. I've even gotten a few ladies at the gym to start using them too because they were unhappy with the cotton ones they were using. The headbands come in a variety of colors, but most importantly they actually wick away sweat and stay in place! The bands cost $6.49 for one, but it's the best headband I've ever owned so I have no complaints.

8. Garmin Forerunner 235

So this isn't clothing, but this is another essential for me when I workout. It tracks heart rate, steps, and if you're a runner/cycler/swimmer this watch is a MUST. I love using it for running because after I log a run I go into the Garmin app and it will break down the run. Of course it tracks all the usual stuff like pace, elevation, etc, but it also tracks cadence and so much more. All of the information is really fascinating to me and it's helped me reach my target heart rate zone during runs and stay in that zone for the duration of my run. You can also plan runs so you can hit a target pace or mileage. Everything about the watch is customizable to you and your body and the battery life is fantastic. I only have to charge mine about once a week. The watch will set you back over $300, but if you're serious about training then it's a worthwhile investment. I wear mine all the time and if you go with the black or white color it will match everything.

What are some of your workout essentials? 
Is there one brand of workout gear that you really love?