Shaking It Up

I am so glad it is Friday…and not for the reasons you would think.

Confession: I am so glad it is Friday because that means it is almost Monday – which is the first day of school.

I apologize for breezing past your weekend but if you have children who have yet to start school you understand, sympathize, relate and share in my excitement.

I also apologize for having no food photos to share with you from Rosh Hashanah. I was a bit preoccupied with the holiday and didn’t get a chance to take pictures.

Although I did manage a shot from last night at my aunt’s house. She is known not only for her delicious food but her gorgeous table arrangements always featuring fabulous flowers. Please note the pot of honey to the right.

So. Now that it is Friday, my mind is already up to tomorrow’s long run. And while I am still looking forward to this weekly run, I truly intend to shake up the work out routine, far beyond just bringing in more speed work.

I really do need more cross training days; or what I refer to as mish mosh days.

My idea of mish mosh is something like I did yesterday morning:

• 1 mile warm up run
• 10 minute elliptical – random setting varied resistance
• strength training (legs)
• 15 minutes elliptical – random setting varied resistance
• abs
• walk to cool down

For many of you, this is what your workouts look like often. For me, as a running lover, this is a few and far between occurrence. Since freezing my Lifetime Fitness membership, I don’t vary my routine enough and it is time to bring on some change.

Not only to avoid injury, but to avoid burnout and boredom.

Yesterday I felt a bit rejuvenated which made me see that I was really approaching the burnout mark.

I love routine but I think I have taken the run routine too far in that lately it really is all I seem to do.

Wake up, eat, run…wake up, eat run….wake up, eat, run…

Listen, I am a strong advocate for routine. We learn it from an early age and pass it on to our kids. We thrive from routine because it helps the mind organize and rest easy knowing what comes next.

But, there is wiggle room for us bring in some variety without losing the true meaning of routine.

I mean, we eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day but vary the foods we eat, yes?

And, we keep up our personal hygiene regimen yet change up the products often, yes?

Speaking of personal hygiene, I added a new shampoo/conditioner to my routine:

Yes To Cucumbers is a hypo-allergic, dermatologist tested, natural shampoo and conditioner line perfect for highlighted/color-treated hair. Cruelty free and free of parabens and those harsh chemicals we are supposed to avoid, I have been very happy with the results after using these products.

I am not easy to please when it comes to shampoos and haircare products so Yes To Cucumbers must be of quality. With a minimal ingredients list, Yes to Cucumbers contains cucumbers, aloe vera, green tea and spirulina.

Bonus: Not pricey at all and is sold at Target.

I have yet to try out other Yes To… products but I do know they have full product lines for hair care and skin care products.

Since I am shaking things up, I may pick up one of their facial moisturizers this weekend when I am in Target.

And while I am on this shake up kick, I have thought about possibly eating more soup.

I don’t like soup. I know I know, all of you people love soup and can’t get enough soup blah blah blah.

It’s not that I hate it, I just have no real love for it.

Did you hear about this? Campbell’s in a Kcup? Interesting.

It seems you will be able to brew your soup to pour directly over dry pasta and veggies.

Brewing soup just like we brew our coffee?

Click here to read the full article.

I mean, really, you can’t make soup fit into a routine any better than this.

But will it taste good?