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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

The SoxBox review/giveway



When The SoxBox sent me my first pair of socks, I will admit I was excited.  I thought they were GREAT! 
Seriously, who doesn't love Burpees?

I put them on immediately!  They were soft and true to the claim on the site, they fit my calves without making me feel constricted.

The next day I went for a run in them with my new minimalist shoes.  This was my second run in these shoes.  The first run wasn't so great.  I had thin, below the ankle socks and after the run the bottom of my feet hurt and I got a blister.  

Now this, second, run with the SoxBox socks was totally different.  The cushioning on the bottom of the sock goes all they way to the back of the ankle and it's the perfect thickness.  Some people are worried about it being to thick (I was one), but they are just right.  I was able to finish this run in comfort with no new blister.  
YAY, No New Blisters!
I was so impressed by the comfort and quality of my new fun socks that when I got home from my run I went directly to their website www.thesoxbox.com and ordered my "Beauty/Beast" socks.  

Next, I went to a local gym and tried them out on an obstacle style course.  They were perfect for the rope climb!  I did not get rope burn on my legs through the socks and they also protected my calves from scrapes (just a little bonus).  I will be wearing these socks during my Spartan Sprint on October 19th!  


The main reason I wanted to review this product was because of their affiliation with Independence Fund

"The Independence Fund is an entirely 100%, all-volunteer non-profit whose Board of Directors is comprised entirely of combat veterans. Our organization's administrative costs are less than 1% each year! That means that more than 99% of every dollar that we receive goes directly to a Veteran - Thanks to amazing people and communities like YOU!"

I consider myself a patriotic person and even if I don't always agree with reasons for war I am so awed and thankful that there are men and women putting their lives on the line for this country. 

When a small business, such as this, can dedicate a portion of their sales to a charity it renews my faith in our ability to stand by each other.  Maybe our country is in a slump right now, but that doesn't mean we can't come together to show support for each other and to those who put their lives on the line for our country and suffered great losses in the process. 

For your chance to win a pair of The SoxBox sock head on over to my Facebook page Shape-Up Shenanigan's and follow the instructions attached to the pinned photo at the top of the page.  Good Luck everyone! 





Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Interview & Giveaway with Nourishe


Interview and Giveaway

Richard, Cameron, Nicole, & Della
I had the great pleasure to speak with Nicole from Nourishe this past week about eating paleo and the company her and her partners started earlier this year.  We had an exciting talk filled with new information and news.  I hope that you will enjoy this, my first ever, video interview! 



For a limited time the folks at Nourishe are offering Shape-Up Shenanigan's readers a 15% off coupon for your entire purchase.
Just click here to make your order and enter the coupon code 
ShapeUp
at check out !

Here is your chance to win one of the great products Nourishe has to offer!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


The Products
 





Sunday, September 15, 2013

Cauliflower Pilaf for Nori Rolls

Cauliflower Pilaf
for Nori Rolls



This is a recipe created by my sister-in-law several years ago.  We love to make this to use in our Veggie Nori rolls.  My 11yr old son, Gabriel was my handy cameraman for this video, I hope you guys enjoy and find it helpful. 





Recipe:  Cauliflower Pilaf
1 head cauliflower
3/4 c pine nuts
Onion & Garlic powder
     This time I used 2 diced garlic cloves and about 2 Tbsp chopped onion.
3 glugs EVOO
Dash Apple cider vinegar or Ume Plum Vinegar
Salt to taste



It was even a hit with the Bears Fans
Da Bears!

The Bears won, btw.  It must have been the Nori!



Sunday, August 11, 2013

Honey Stinger Review



     In the beginning of the summer I received a package in the mail containing a sampling of Honey Stinger products for me to review.  I was so excited; however, I received it the day before leaving for vacation so it had to wait.  Well now a month and a half later, I am finally posting my review of this sampling.

I'm not a professional and when I think of a review I think, "What would I want to know about these things?"

I want to know
     How sturdy are they?
     How transportable are they?
     Will they make me feel weighed down?
     Can I continue to run, cycle, or workout after eating them?
     Are they made with good ingredients?
These are a few of the questions I want to know and these are a few of the questions I look for.

Honey Stinger Honey Waffle


 I was introduced to the Honey Stinger Honey Waffle a few years ago and I absolutely love them!  They are great on a bike ride as they fit perfectly into your jersey or bike fanny pack.  These waffles are light and give you just what you need in the middle of a workout without giving you that weighed down heavy feeling that some products do.   



I consistently have these during my long rides.  
They are light on your stomach and you will have no problem fueling up on one of these and going right back to your workout.  They are fairly fragile though.   They will basically melt in your mouth so expect them to crumble in your pocket.  If you want these for a run I suggest that you store the in a fanny pack.  It may be possible that they could survive in some of the new fitness belts that are out there.   I always have one in my bike fanny pack! 
                                                                                                                                                                       


Blueberry Buzz Energy Bar


 Now I am not a fruit person, but I loved this bar!! 
I did a video review of this one, sit back watch and enjoy the paddle board float as you are introduced to this great bar!


Now I loved this bar.  I know that everyone has their own opinion when it comes to ingredients so I wanted to post them here.  This is a bar that I would personally eat on occasion.  It was light and flavorful and I could see me taking it in my bag on a day that I may need to do a lot of running and a little eating.  I would give this to my boys for between school and extra curricular activities as well. 
                                                                                                                                                                            
Dark Chocolate Mocha Cherry Pro

Here is another video review for the Dark Chocolate Mocha Cherry.  This one with a friend while walking during our normal Tuesday run.

                    


This bar I would definitely invest in for those workout days for the week of and the prior to Shark Week (and I'm not talking the discovery channel ladies.)  There are just times when you need a little dark chocolate covered love in the form of a protein bar, and this is my new love!


http://shop.honeystinger.com/caffeinated-dark-chocolate-mocha-cherry-protein-bar/
                                                                                                                                                                     




Cherry Cola Energy Chews

So by now you guys know that I am not a fruit person, or at least I didn't think I was a fruit person.  Well Honey Stinger has gone and made me a believer yet again.  I don't like chewy candy, gummy animals, jelly beans, or anything that sticks to my teeth, it's just not my thing.  Well these energy chews are something else.  


First off, they do not stick to your teeth like those other chewy candies.  In fact they are rather soft.  They hold their consistency in heat and fresh from the fridge they are not to hard.
Second, they are delicious.  I was, yet again, pleasantly surprised by Honey Stinger with these chews.  I seriously thought about not including them in my review because I was sure I wouldn't like them; however, they are light and fruity.  Not to mention that these are certified Gluten free!

"Caffeinated with 32mg of white tea extract per package, comprised of 95% organic ingredients and sweetened with organic honey, these chews provide a natural and sustainable source of energy with that extra boost of caffeine."  http://shop.honeystinger.com/caffeinated-cherry-cola/

Now as far as the energy part goes, I am not sure how to gauge that.  I brought these to the gym on my bike one evening.  It had been a long day and I was tired and hungry when I got there.  It was also "pizza night" (yeah, I go to that gym).  Had I known it was that night I would have opted for a different workout setting but, luckily I had brought a snack.  I popped a few of these in, here and there through my workout and loved them.  The fact that they didn't stick to my teeth was amazing!! I didn't spend extra time picking gloppy gummy funk from my teeth, that is a MAJOR PLUS for me.  They are small little bite sized balls of flavor and they satisfied me through the smells of pizza as I finished my leg day routine.  
If you asked me to recommend  a good chew, I honestly would not be able to give you a fair answer.  I have only ever tried one other that a friend gave me and they stuck to my teeth, so I didn't like them and haven't tried any others besides these.  However, if you asked me "Are Honey Stinger Chews good?"  I can tell you "Yes! They are rest and fruity and I love them fresh from the fridge!"  I may even buy them on occasion.  (My heart is sold on the waffles.)


                                                                                                                                                                      

I am absolutely sold on these products.  I was pleasantly surprised by what I received in my sample box and I will definitely open my choices beyond the Honey Stinger Waffles in the future.  The ingredients of these products are, in my opinion, top notch.  I know some people don't do caffeine of any kind and that everyone has an opinion of ingredients so I provided the list from the honey stinger site directly, except the chews and I unfortunately did not think to take a picture of it before I tossed the bag.  I hope that you guys enjoyed my first review and I hope to bring you more reviews in the future.  Until then…

Peddle on my friends and may the Shenanigan's be full of laughs!

JM 




Saturday, August 10, 2013

Get in Gear Giveaway, the sequel!


Get in Gear

Take 2


I've decided to give away 3 more Get in Gear bracelets. 

With this giveaway though you get to choose whether you want to share a photo or a story.

Share a photo showing how you Get in Gear or 
the Shenanigan's that ensued in an attempt to Get in Gear

Some examples: 

Paddle Boarding in the wind may result in inner thigh bruises
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Needed fire wood so I found a huge log. 









Having a little fun on a short 56 mile ride.
See not so hard.

Now I am not a great story teller.
NOT AT ALL
To prove it I will post my attempt to explain what was actually a very funny moment that led to the naming of my bike
Honey Biscuit



Please don't judge my inability to recreate a funny moment.  We are all talented in our own way, mine is not retelling events. 


Your story does not have to be a video, you can just type it in the comments section here or on FB.

Now that the humiliation is over… 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

All stories and photos may be posted to the public on ShapeUp Shenanigan's twitter, facebook, & blogspot pages.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Time to get in gear!

It's my birthday weekend!


It has been a great year and to celebrate I am having a 
giveaway! 

But first . . .

My 35th year in short recap! 

Last year for my birthday I cycled the St. Tammany Trail two weekends in a row!  These pics started at the Abita Brew Pub out and back for a total of 52 miles! Ended with a nice cool beer!







Family photos at the local fairgrounds! 
Merry Christmas!  
What happened between July and Christmas? Let's see; shingles, graduate school, graduate school, Thanks Giving, and graduate school.



Easter Beer Hunt!
Winning!




January - March were my last 8 weeks of class!
 I got to rejoin society during my externship at the Veterans Hospital on the coast! 
 I loved being able to serve those who served for me!  
It was also nice to have working hours like most of my friends and family, 
because it let me be able to go . . .

Camping!!
Hauling wood for our fire!
We ended up packing it up at 2a.m. that morning in the rain because our tent decided water was supposed to fall right on in on us.



~~Getting my Mojo Back~~ 
Gulf Coast Loves Boston
First Dualthon
5k run + 11 mile bike
     
  
April Burpee Challenge
450 burpees

***Graduation***

Megan, Myself, & Ashely
Stipulation of photo use: "Look at my sexy friend Megan, she is the coolest!"
I love these two girls along with my other classmates!  
Ashely and I attended undergrad together, she was with me when I cried in the store after receiving my acceptance letter (email) for graduate school. 
Megan and I just clicked, something to do with our ability to turn any study session into a comedic dirty joke fest!


FIRSTS
Rock Wall Climbinhg
Paddle Board Owner
Knee Boarding


17th


Wedding Anniversary


Commitment to myself to

GET IN GEAR!

And that leads to the Giveaway!!
 I have made 4 "Get in Gear" Bracelets
for 4 lucky readers!


As this is my first giveaway, I am sure that some sort of Shenanigan's will occur.  
In the instance that I am not rafflecopter savvy and only one entrant is picked, that person will get first pick of bracelets and the other 3 winners will be chosen by votes of best photo submitted for the photo portion of the giveaway!  
The 3 photos with the most amount of "likes" on my FB page will be the winners.  
I will announce the (new) ending date of the foreseen Shenanigan giveaway mishap at that time.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Success vs. Failure




What determines failure?





Sometimes what may feel like a failure can truly be success hiding in the shadows.
Today I experienced a failure/success.

I had decided to go cycling for at least 20 miles this morning.  However, it was not meant to be.  This distance is no crazy feat for me.  Recently I have been doing 20+ miles regularly with plenty of energy to spare.  

               Today was destined to be different.
  -Back story, I injured my knee a few years 
ago during p90x,then continued exercising 
and ended up in a brace with crutches for 
3 months.  This was absolutely NO fun. -

About three miles out my knee began to bother me.  By mile five I needed a break!  All I could think was, 

"You pussy! You are so out of shape! Suck it up!"

This was not a fair thought though,  clearly from the past few weeks I have proven to myself that I could do much more on routes with more hills.  I ate my Honey Stinger waffle straddling my bike trying to figure out why my knee was giving me such a problem.

                   Didn't take long to conclude that all the walking around 
                   towns, up hills, up & down stairs over the past week on 
                   vacation did not help my knees condition.


It took a minute to calm my ego and decide to turn around.  Even though I wanted to push through and keep going, treating my knee like a spoiled child that won't eat his broccoli.  So I listened my body, turned around, eased off the gears, and headed home at 5.2 miles.  As soon as I clicked my shoe back into my peddle a pain hit me and I knew I made the right decision!

It may have felt like a failure; however, in failing to achieve the goal I had set for today, I succeeded in doing what I am worst at.
I listened to my body!

I listened and most likely avoided a serious re-injury of an old enemy, my bum knee! 
Even though I was upset for not being able to finish my planned ride, I am proud of my ability to extinguish the negative thoughts and realize that making there right decisions for my body is the real success.

Success can hide in our failures


So tell me, where is your success hiding?