Fabulous Fall Cocktail: Orient Apple Martini

    In search of the perfect, delicious yet light fall cocktail?  Give this fun, flirty drink a try -- the Orient apple martini, featuring Absolut Orient Apple flavored vodka.  After one of my beloved late-afternoon autumn walks, I got thirsty for a refreshing cocktail, and had been wanting to give Absolut's new flavor a try.  Per Absolut's suggestion, I paired this apple and ginger-infused vodka with a little cranberry juice, and was not disappointed!  See below for a quick and easy guilt-free drink!  :)

-1 oz. Absolut Orient Apple flavored vodka
-2 oz. organic, unsweetened cranberry juice (no added preservatives, colors, or sodium)
-1/2 fresh-squeezed lime juice
-1 tsp. all-natural agave nectar

Shake ingredients together in a martini shaker on ice, serve, and enjoy!

 



"It seemed like a good idea three months ago..." Training for a Half-Marathon!

     Hola, blogettes!  I'm back on the blog.  Apologies for the sporadic nature of my posts, but I've been so busy with life the past couple months that I have neglected to write about... life.  Between work, trying to graduate, relationships, social commitments, and (of course) working out, it's sometimes difficult to find time to sit down for the things we love.  Something else was keeping me busy the past couple months, as well -- training for a half-marathon!  Granted, perhaps I should have been blogging along the way :/ Anyway, I have discovered a new passion and felt the need to write about it.  As I have mentioned in previous posts, I have run two full marathons in the past (both of which were indescribable experiences), but I have discovered a different kind of love for HALF-marathons!  That is, a fun and incredible journey, but without quite so much pain and/or discomfort!  ;)  A group of girlfriends and I got together about three months ago and decided we were going to run the annual Long Beach Half-Marathon, held every October.  100% flat and about 90% coastal, it seemed like a good route to start off with.  The best part of this experience, surprisingly enough, was training with my girlfriends.  Training sessions/runs gave us something to look forward to on summer and early fall evenings -- I would actually look forward to our group runs.  Time flew by during these workouts, they were enjoyable, and they hardly seemed like work!  Between the five of us on our little 'team,' there was always someone to run with and keep you motivated.  There was healthy, friendly competition and constant excitement and anticipation for our upcoming event.  Running with the season change was a beautiful experience, as well, going from runs on warm summer nights, to brisk fall afternoons.  As October 7th approached, we were excited, nervous, but ready to run 13.1 miles.
     The run itself was a great experience for me.  It was a beautiful, clear, sunny day; not too warm and not too cold.  It was exhilarating running along the ocean for the majority of the route -- I found it energizing, yet peaceful at the same time.  I felt great and had good energy all the way through about mile 11; I then began to hit my usual 'it's almost over but not quite yet' wall.  It was difficult, but nowhere near impossible.  As always, that final sprint toward and across the finish line made everything worth it.  I would definitely consider it a more relaxing and enjoyable experience than a full marathon (as amazing an experience as that is), and I am looking forward to my next one!  I have decided to attempt the 'Beach Cities Challenge' -- that is, three consecutive half-marathons (or marathons) in Orange County.  They are the Long Beach Half-Marathon, Run Surf City Half-Marathon, and the OC Half-Marathon, completion of which means you achieved the Beach Cities Challenge!  Initially disappointed when our half-marathon was over, my girlfriends and I now have something to look forward to again -- more training, fun runs, and race day!

http://www.runsurfcity.com/

 

http://www.ocmarathon.com/

 

http://runlongbeach.com/

Weekend Workout Suggestion: Head For the Hills

  

     In the interest of adding variety and a change of scenery to your workout, take advantage of any extra free time you may have (whether it be weekends or other days off throughout the week), and head for the hills for a nice, long hike.  Grab a friend or significant other and look at it as a small adventure, complete with fresh air, sunshine, and (usually) great views.  Pack a lunch, some water/sports drinks, and protein bars in preparation for what could be an hour to several-hour workout.  Hiking can be a strenuous activity, but you'll be distracted by the scenery, change of pace, and variety in exertion.  For example, head to the coast and hike the El Moro Canyon trails at Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach.  This hike is a favorite amongst Orange County residents, boasting panoramic ocean views throughout the entirety of the hike.  A refreshing ocean breeze makes this a pretty unbeatable and enjoyable workout.  4.8 miles and an hour-and-a-half flies by – you will barely even notice you’re exercising!  Additionally, there is a wide variety of different routes and trails, with different distances and levels of difficulty, so you can always mix it up and add variety.  Research local hikes/trails in your area and head for the great outdoors!

www.localhikes.com

www.crystalcovestatepark.com

Here is just one of the many sweeping views you can enoy during a hike like this one:



Refreshing Summer Cocktail: Jay's Skinny Margarita

     There's nothing better on a warm summer evening than a cool, refreshing cocktail.  Even better than that is a skinny, guilt-free cocktail which you can thoroughly enjoy -- especially post-workout!  Here's my take on a summer classic: The [Skinny] Margarita.  It's low-cal, low in sugar, and full of fresh fruit juice -- Muy delicioso!

1 oz. tequila
1 oz. sweet & sour/margarita mix
2 oz. club soda
1/2 fresh-squeezed lime
1/4 fresh-squeezed orange
1/4 fresh-squeezed lemon

     Fill glass generously with ice and enjoy!

Tried and True: Grab a Workout Buddy or Two!

     Feeling lazy?  Sluggish?  Tired?  Unmotivated?  Rather do something other than exercise?  We've all been there -- however, the difference is that some of us don't let this feeling get the best of us.  I've found that sometimes something as simple as a workout buddy can make all the difference in the world.  So, the next time you are feeling particularly unmotivated, call up a friend and ask her/him to join you.  Not only will this give you time to chat and catch up, but you are likely to motivate each other and push each other a little harder -- there may even be some friendly competitive spirit!  You'll find that an hour-long workout flies by, whether it be an early evening stroll or pounding it out on the treadmill.  You can combine your social life with your fitness life, strengthen friendships, as well as bond over your common passion for a healthy and active lifestyle.  Schedule regular workout 'dates' a couple times a week -- you might even look forward to these workout sessions.  If you are feeling particularly lazy one day, chances are your buddy will give you that little extra push you need to get going, and vice versa -- there have been many instances in which I probably would have bailed on my daily workout had it not been for my workout buddy!
     There can be other pros to the 'buddy' system, as well -- as you probably know, it can be hard work to maintain strong connections and relationships in the midst of our endlessly busy and hectic lives, especially with a significant other.  Between work, school, working out, kids, extracurricular activities, and everything else, it can be difficult to find quality time to spend with our partner.  Why not workout together, rather than separately, and use this time to bond and encourage each other?  Sometimes, it can be nice to end a busy day with a long, evening walk or jog.  It gives you a chance to talk, catch up, and simply be together in a relaxing and refreshing environment -- this can do wonders for a relationship.  As our lives become busier and we take on more and more, it becomes increasingly crucial to set aside quality time to work on our relationships and strengthen the bonds.  So, develop a workout/fitness plan that you and your partner can enjoy together -- after all, a relationship requires just as much work and maintenance as your fitness does!



Earth, Water, Wind, & Fire

     Utilize the elements to add variety and excitement to your active lifestyle -- take your workout from the land to the sea!  The warmer weather allows you to mix things up and engage in more outdoor activities, especially water sports.  If you are fortunate enough to live near the ocean, take advantage of this aesthetic playground and head for the shores to get your fresh air and fitness.  Last Memorial Day weekend, I headed to the coast with some friends and paddled out to sea for an afternoon of ocean kayaking.  At only $15/hour for rentals, this was a relatively inexpensive, fun, and different way to get a great workout.  Spending the afternoon on the open ocean with endless blue skies, fresh air, and sunshine was exhilarating and refreshing -- an hour's worth of exercise flew by.  You'll find that paddling against the waves and currents is an excellent upper-body workout, engaging arms, shoulders, chest, and even core.  Competing with the wind and tides is also an effective source of cardio, making ocean kayaking an overall great and adventurous workout, and just one of many beach-related activities you can try!

Who wouldn't want to take their exercise outdoors and take advantage of a picturesque location such as this?

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Weekend Workout Suggestion: Run a 5k!

     Take advantage of the warmer weather, get outside, and run a timed race!  Engage your competitive spirit, challenge yourself, and contribute toward a cause you are passionate about.  Many competitive races are charities for various causes, diseases, and other foundations; all proceeds from entrance fees and other miscellaneous costs go toward the specific cause of the particular event.  Last weekend, for example, I participated in a timed 5k event for Pulmonary Hypertension (PH).  I am particularly passionate about this cause because I knew a child who lost her battle against PH at the age of four.  In participating in a race such as this one, not only am I doing something I love (running/working out), but I feel as though I am making a difference (however small), as well.  Competitive races like these are a new and refreshing way to get a great workout in -- I find that the rush of competition and the exciting atmosphere energizes me and motivates me to push myself a little harder (I tend to always improve in time and performance in timed events).  So, research local events in your area, find a cause you feel passionate about, and register for your first (or second or third) race!

http://www.taylorswish.org/