Sunday, June 30, 2013

Sunday Social - Movies

Yikes!  Can you believe tomorrow is July?!  Where did June go?  I always have so many plans in my head for summer break with the boys but instead we end up running around or lazing around and then it's August.  Time to embrace July and get some activities in!


Sunday Social

Today for the Sunday Social the questions are all about movies:

1.  What is your favorite movie of all time?
If I say The Lion King does that make me a nerd?  Well, it is.  I love it and could watch it over and over.  I also really love Good Will Hunting. And As Good As It Gets. There.  That sounds better.



2.  What is your favorite movie quote?
"What if this is as good as it gets?" -As Good As It Gets
"Do I need to document the reasons this isn't a Gatsby?"  -Greenberg
"I long for the rain on my face."  -The English Patient
The entire in Revenge of the Sith where Obi Wan is battling Anakin---
"You were the chosen one!" etc, etc, etc.




3.  What is the best movie to watch for a girls night in?
Beaches.  Or Steel Magnolias.  Boys just don't understand how fun it is to watch a movie and cry the whole time.

4.  What is the best breakup movie?
Conversations With Other Women.  Hands down.

5.  Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?
Me!

6.  Which movie star's closet would you want to raid?
Natalie Portman looks great in gowns and jeans and a t-shirt.  I would love to have her closet!



Your turn!  Link up with Ashley or Neely or just leave your answers below!

I really want to know your favorite quotes...


***update*** upon writing this and then re-reading it I realized a good portion of my favorite movies are about crazy people.  As Good As It Gets.  Good Will Hunting.  Greenberg.  All of them in therapy. And Lion King?  I mean, hello, he left his family because his crazy uncle made him think he killed his dad!  Sigh.  The apple doesn't fall far from her favorite movies, I suppose.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

My week in clicks

I want to make test tube vases!

A great post on decisions we make as parents that may differ from what we would decide for ourselves.

Awareness is key when it comes to food allergies.  Glad to see more and more people joining in.

I couldn't read because I was laughing so hard at this open letter to the Hollywood Wax Museum.

Dehydration myths busted.

Tanning beds.  What do you think about them?

How cute is this bag?

You are a miracle

Are you running this summer?  Here is one runners list of must-haves for warm weather running.

What were your favorites this week?

Friday, June 28, 2013

Fresh Friday!


Thank GOODness it's Friday!  I love the weekend, and this weekend is going to be filled with baseball! L is playing his final t-ball game of the season and E will be playing the championship game for his league tonight followed by a fun tournament this weekend.  Somehow I am also going to squeeze in a massage and a girls night as well.  Fun times!

So it is Friday, which means it is time for Katherine's weekly link-up!  Time to reflect on the last 7 days and think of a few things that made the week fresh and fantastic.

This Decision!  


This smooch:





This amazing sunset:

 What 3 things made your week fresh?  Share with me, please!  Link up here or tell me in the comment section below.

Happy Friday!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Suddenly Grateful

I was going to blog about how annoyed I was today by people taking up my time.
I'm busy.  We all are.
Today, in particular, I felt the crunch.
I wanted to do cardio at the gym but didn't because I had several post-Pilates class questions.  And I had to go let Ivy out before a rain storm arrived.
I wanted to do Reformer before teaching this evening and had several interruptions in the form of questions from instructors on my staff.
I wanted to leave, to get to E's playoff baseball game, and a fellow Pilates trainer wanted to chat about continuing ed, classical Pilates, master trainers.  Subjects I love but, not at that moment, you know? Several times today I stood and thought "don't you people know what it's like to want to workout?  Or go to your child's baseball game?

But then it hit me just how very lucky I am.  I have people that are waiting to talk to me.  They have questions for me about a subject that I love.  Pilates.  A subject that I have chosen to devote my life to.  They ask me also about injury prevention, beginning or continuing in the field of health and wellness, or some other tidbit that I know the answer to.  And I always learn from them, as well.
So, as I was driving to E's game, just a few minutes behind than I could have been, I turned my annoyance into being grateful.  And happy.  I have people that value me and what I know.


I once saw and interview with David Sedaris.  He is known for staying hours after his readings to sign autographs and greet fans.  He was asked why he did that, when so many other celebrities may sign a few autographs and be on their way.  I do not remember his answer verbatim but it was something along the lines of that he thinks it is so amazing that so many people genuinely like him and want to meet him that he will sit there for hours because what could be better than that?  Than people that are willing to wait hours just to say hi.

I am definitely not at that level.  Please don't think that I think I am.  But, in my world, 3 or 4 people that genuinely care what I have to say is equal to the thousands that care what David Sedaris has to say.  And I think that is pretty amazing.

A Very Healthy Cookie

It is no secret that I love cookies.  But I really need to get my sweet tooth under control.  On the other side of that, I tend to get grumpy if I don't get a sweet treat.
Here is a clean eating, nut-free cookie that definitely satisfied my sweet tooth!
It is SO healthy that you can eat it for breakfast or as a snack after your workout.



Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 ripe bananas
1/3 cup sunflower seed butter
2/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
1 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (to go vegan use carob chips OR dried fruit!)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl mash the bananas.  Add the remaining ingredients through nutmeg and stir until blended.  Add the oats and chocolate chips, stir til blended.

Spoon a rounded tablespoon of the cookie dough onto the lined cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.

Store in an airtight container, refrigerated for optimum freshness.

Enjoy!

Monday, June 24, 2013

My (new) Favorite Running Socks


I'm kind of picky when it comes to socks.  Just ask my mom.  I remember stalling many mornings growing up because of having a "bumpy" in my sock.  You know, when your sock bunches and you have to fix it.
When I ran my first 5K, about 50 years ago, I wore regular cotton sports socks.  Towards the last mile I felt like I had wood chips in my shoes.  Not a great feeling.  I ended up with several blisters on my feet, around the arches.  I was then on a mission to find running socks.  I found and fell in love with a Nike running sock that was thin, breathable and didn't cause any bunching or blistering.  This was around 2005.  I had three pairs that I bought separately because they were around $9 a pair.  I still have all three pairs and I still run in them.  Talk about a quality item!  But, as you can imagine, they don't look great and, after about 8 years I am starting to worry that they will soon give out.  Although, no holes yet, the bottoms of the socks are starting to become see-through or thread bare.
Still good, but have seen better days for sure.

I have been on a several year mission to find a good replacement, as Nike no longer makes these socks.
I have tried other styles and brands but nothing satisfied me.
Until...
I tried Lululemon Run For Sun Sock.  Described as "the perfect 'nothing' for when you want to wear 'something'."
I have been for several runs in them, including a 5K and 10K event, and they have been perfect!  I love them so much that I bought a pair for my bestie and running buddy and she wore them for the first time to run her first 10K.  As promised, she said it felt like she had nothing on her feet.  In a good way.






Head to Lululemon to check them out!

I purchased my socks with my very own money and all opinions expressed are my own.  Lululemon has no idea I wrote this, although I would LOVE it if they did and wanted to partner up in the future ;)

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Sunday (Shopping) Social

Sunday Social

This is going to be fun!  Today's questions are all about shopping:



1.  What your favorite store to shop at?
Target.  After that I do 99% of my shopping online.

2.  If you could afford anything and everything, which designer brand would you covet?
Chanel.  Tory Burch.  And I would definitely "need" a Hermes bag!

3.  What is your must-have closet staple?
V-neck boyfriend t-shirts.  I have at least 8-10 and I wear them throughout every season.

4.  What is your favorite kind of shoe?
I spend most of my time in fitness shoes, so that would be Saucony.
For non-work I love a great pair of flats.  Comfy moccasins or ballet-ish slippers.

5.  What is the best clothing deal you've ever gotten?
I am sure I have better stories that I will think of in an hour, but the best deal that pops into my head is from Gap.
This was from years ago when I worked in a mall and shopped on my lunch breaks.  During a clearance event I bough a wool coat (original price $98), leather and wood clogs (can't remember original price) and an army-green blazer (original price around $50) and each one was priced at $.97.  Yep.  Ninety seven cents!  I still have all three items and I wear the blazer a lot and get compliments on it like crazy!

6.  What is a style you would love to try?
I would love to wear a maxi dress or maxi skirt but I just can't get the courage to.  I have tried them in the past and look like I am in a night gown.

Your turn!  Answer the questions, grab the button, and link up with Neely or Ashley!

If you aren't a blogger, let me know your answers in the comment section!

Ps:
Follow on Bloglovin

Saturday, June 22, 2013

My Week In Clicks

First I want to thank anyone and everyone that is following me on bloglovin'!  My phone gives me an alert each time and I always wish I could send a personal thank you to new followers.  I hope you stick around and like what you see :)

So good to see a post from Tori :)

I can't wait to make these with my boys!

Ivey is HOME!

Have you ever made home made pickles?

Thoughts on blogging and the time it takes.

Encouraging words that you can keep with you at all times.

I've made my way to a new sidebar.  Exciting collaborations coming soon!

Just for fun.  I am going to need a giant goblet, a tutu and stuffed sheep :)

What were your favorite clicks this week?  Share with me, please!  I can't put down my iPhone and I look a lot smarter reading articles than I do Instagramming or "window" shopping.

Happy weekend!

Friday, June 21, 2013

My Favorite Day of the Year!

Today is my most favorite day of the year.  More than my birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving...any of those days?  Why?  Because this is the day we get THE most daylight.  Something about the summer solstice has always made me incredibly happy.  I love sun, summer, and long days so this day makes me very, very happy.  Although, if you think about it, winter starts tomorrow as the days slowly get shorter and shorter until December 21.  Wah, wah.  Debby Downer.
But, for today, I am living it up, enjoy the sun, hot weather, and the fact that there will still be a glow in the sky this evening until close to 10:00 pm!

So, how was your week?

It is Friday so that means that it is F R E S H Friday.  A great time to sit back, think about the week, and think of 3 things that made this week fabulously fresh for you.  Try it.  It is so very fun.  And then join the link-up with my dear Katherine here or, if you aren't the blogging type, let me know your 3 things in the comment section below.  Please!  Pretty please.  With an organic cherry and a drizzle of agave on top!

My 3 (clockwise from left):

1.  Getting to spread knowledge about EnergyBits while at a local event for the first time!  I love telling people about EnergyBits.  I think everyone is so used to a sales pitch about a chemical-filled supplement that takes a dictionary to figure out what is in it, that at first people have a hard time understanding the bits are 1 ingredient.  Organic algae, spriulina for EnergyBits, chlorella for RecoveryBits.  No fillers, no additives, just food.  I absolutely love that I get to share what bits are and not have to sell them. I share how EnergyBits and RecoveryBits have made me feel better, regulated my blood sugar, given me so much protein based energy for running and teaching and *bonus* made my hair and skin look amazing.  I always tell people about them, give them the info and then encourage them to do all of the research they want.  Then, head to bitsofhealth.com when ready to purchase a superfood that will superchange their life!  Oh, and don't forget to use the code HEART to save 15%  ;)

2.  Feeling skinny, if only for a day.  Last weekend I had a day where I felt like I looked great!  All that has changed today and I feel like a ginormo and am so over complaining about my extra weight and ready to make changes so that I can look and feel my best again.

3.  Finding a 4 leaf clover!  In my own backyard!  I had never found one before and this one just popped right out at me!  I am so saving it forever, even though I hung it upside down to dry rather than pressing it, so it looks pretty shriveled.  But I will know what it is.  Forever.

I hope you are finishing up a fantastic week and getting ready for a super weekend!  Enjoy your longest day of the year and the most daylight in one weekend we get!

xoxo
Sally

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Iced Blueberry Water

When it is hot outside and I am craving a fruity drink, rather than reach for something sugary, I like to make my own fruit-infused water.




Iced Blueberry Water
8-12 ounces cold water
1/2 cup frozen blueberries

Blend in a blender or use an immersion blender.
Enjoy!

A tasty way to cool off AND get a serving of a superfood!

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

2 exercises to strengthen even the weakest core

"I would go to Pilates, but my core is to0 weak."

"I want to try yoga, but I am not flexible enough."

"I want to get a haircut but I have too many split ends."

Okay, so the last sentence we would never say, right?  Having split ends IS a reason to get a haircut.  You wouldn't take scissors to your own head, chop it up, and THEN go to the salon.  But the first two sentences I hear all the time.  I get it.  No one wants to be the weakling in a class, but we all have to start somewhere.

Today I am sharing two exercises to get you started.
I did these two exercises to get ready to go back to teaching after having L.  I also give these exercises to my students that have an extremely weak core.  You can do these in the comfort of your own home before heading to class.  Core work can be done everyday, but to begin try every other day.

Plank with knee kiss
Start in plank with shoulders over wrists, shoulders-hips-heels align.  Lower your knees to "kiss" or "stamp" the floor and then lift.  Start with 5.  Build to doing 10, then 2-3 sets of 10.




^ ^ ^ 


One Arm Plank
From plank, lower your right knee.  Bring your right hand in to align with your knee.  Turn the toes of your left foot out, raising your right arm, turing your gaze up to your left hand.  Hold for 10 seconds.


When you are ready (can take days, weeks, even months...be patient!) Slide the right leg out with the left, toes also turned to the side, legs staggered for balance.


 Repeat on the other side.

As always, before beginning, make sure a doctor has given you the okay to exercise.  If something hurts, don't do it!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Follow me to Bloglovin'!

As of July 1 Google Reader will be no more.  If you are following this blog or any blogs on your Google RSS feed make sure to find an alternative soon!
I would, of course, love it if you would follow this blog via email.  That way you will never miss a post!

I would also like to recommend Bloglovin'.

I have been using Bloglovin' for several months now and I love how easy it is to stay connected to the blogs I love.  It is also easy (just a click of a button) to follow new blogs. 
I have the app on my phone plus I get a daily email to let me know the latest posts from the blogs that I love.

To get started on Bloglovin' and to follow Forward From The Heart just click here.


Monday, June 17, 2013

Black, White, Gray

I love when workout clothes look great and feel great.  I also love when they are sleek enough that I can throw a pullover on and head out into the real world and not look like I just came from a workout.










Tank: The Balance Collection; Pants: Gap Fit; Pullover: OmGirl; Sandals:  Planet Flops

Sunday, June 16, 2013

The Sunday Social 6/15/13

Happy Father's Day to JF, the greatest dad there is!




Now for Sunday Social!

1.  What is your biggest driving pet peeve?
Ugh!  When I am behind a slow car on the interstate and the car behind me, several of the cars behind me, start passing both me and the slow car.  I want to get around the slow guy, too, so don't cut me off!

2.  What is your biggest blogging pet peeve?
Not getting comments.  I love hearing from my readers and I love feedback, in real life and on my blog.  I know that I have readers that enjoy my posts, but actually seeing a comment makes my day and I get easily frustrated when I feel like no one is reading.

3.  What is your biggest general pet peeve?
People that think they are superior to others AND feel the need to talk about how superior they are all the time.  I feel like I know and have known many individuals that are smart, good looking, successful, well educated, overall great people and those people never talk about their greatness.  I get so annoyed when someone feels the need to try and appear a certain way.  And have you noticed that usually the people that talk and act this way aren't as great as they are proclaiming to be?  Just shut up and stop trying to convince everyone you are something great and work on actually being great.



4.  What is your most irrational fear?
Oh geez!  This question should be "please write a novel-length answer."  I have SO many irrational fears.  Correction.  I used to have so many irrational fears.  Thanks to a great therapist and lots of hard work I have gotten most of that under control.  But, just for fun, here is a list of my top fears:
  • my house getting broken into.
  • people thinking I am fat and not telling me.  
  • getting shot while walking around.  Since I was 7 or 8.
  • tornadoes.
  • getting spinal meningitis.
  • being hunted down and killed by serial killer Bob Berdella.  When I was 7.  And in St. Louis. Even though he was in the KC area.  And targeted young adult males.
  • being stuck in traffic or miles from a restroom and having to vomit or poop.
Man.  This is fun.  But I need to wrap it up.  I could go on all day.

5.  Name 3 celebrities you would want to have dinner with.
  1. Bono
  2. Tom Hanks
  3. Kevin Griffin



Okay...wait.  Can't I just have dinner with Kevin Griffin 3 times?

Okay!  So, what about you?  I want to know.  Don't become a pet peeve and not leave a comment :)
Join the link up here! And, as always, thanks to Ashley and Neely for hosting!

Have a great summer Sunday!