Dancing With The Stars Final Four Playlist

I haven’t been a big fan of Dancing With The Stars in the past, but for some reason I was hooked this season. I really enjoyed their list of stars this year. I think my initial draw to the show was learning that Alexandra Raisman would be competing. One of the main reasons I’m glued to the TV during the Summer Olympics is for the gymnastics competition, and seeing her as the underdog win the Women’s All-Around gold medal was so inspiring.

I think the judges and America FINALLY got it right on a talent competition with their top finalists. I’d been thinking all along that Zendaya would take the mirror ball trophy, but after Kellie Pickler’s performance Tuesday night I changed my mind. Anyone else extremely moved by her freestyle performance with Derek Hough to “Beneath Your Beautiful?” Absolutely breathtaking.

I think I’m drawn to these talent competitions to live vicariously through the contestants. I can’t sing a note or dance a step to save my life. So I find myself replaying some of their best performances on YouTube over and over. There’s something about movement and music that is so mesmerizing.

With that said, I looked back at all the songs danced to this season by the final four, and made this playlist of upbeat tunes that you can run/work out to:

Zendaya & Val

Feel Again by OneRepublic (danced Contemporary)

Fine China by Chris Brown (danced Hip-Hop)

Kellie & Derek

Unstoppable by E.S. Posthumus (danced Paso Doble)

The Pirate That Should Not Be by Rodrigo y Gabriela (danced Flamenco)

Alexandra & Mark

Azumba by Gregor Salto (danced Afro-Jazz)

Icarus  by Madeon (danced Freestyle)

Jacoby & Karina

Danza Kuduro by Don Omar feat. Lucenzo (danced Salsa)

Good Feeling by Flo Rida (danced Cha-Cha)

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The Chance to Run With a Biggest Loser

Remember when working out with a biggest loser contestant made my fitness bucket list? Well it looks like I’ll get to check it off the wish list this summer! I just registered to run the Biggest Loser Run/Walk 5k in DC this July. I’ll be running alongside Gail Lee from Season 13, Michael Dorsey from Season 14, and Dan and Jackie Evans from Season 5!

Biggest Losers Run DC

(source)

I’ve always been a fan of the show, and was super excited when I discovered that they will be bringing one of their races to the nation’s capital. They are hosting both a 5k and a 10k. While completing a 10k is also on my fitness bucket list, I also plan on returning to the Rockville Twilight 8k this summer, which just so happens to fall on the following weekend. Way to cram it all in to one week, right?

I registered for the 5k to be sure that I don’t overdo it and will be able to effectively run the 8k. I figure if I have a good experience, then I will register for the 10k next year (keeping my fingers that they will bring it back!).

While I’m in the hunt for a half marathon finisher’s medal, I will be earning a Biggest Loser medal for finishing this 5k race. It will be my first ever official running medal! Can’t wait to start my collection!

Biggest Loser Run DC Rewards

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Awesome Food Finds 1

I thought it might be fun to start showing my latest and greatest food finds, so here you go!

Food Find Collage

Starting at the top left corner, going clockwise:

1. Trader Joe’s Asian Vegetable Stir Fry

This has made my life so much easier! I love making stir fry, but it can be such a time consuming pain to buy and chop all the vegetables. All the work is done with this mix and all I have to do is throw it in the pan and start cooking.

2. Trader Joe’s Organic Red Quinoa

I’m a huge white rice and pasta lover, but I’ve been trying to gradually switch it out with healthier, whole grain options. I tried quinoa a while ago and liked it, so I decided to substitute it for white rice in my stir fry. I really like the fact that it is a really good protein source. I found this red quinoa recently at Trader Joes. It cooks up really pretty and adds great color to my bowl of mixed veggies.

3. Trader Joe’s Chewable Multivitamins

Since I’m a vegetarian, it’s really important to take a multivitamin to compensate for any vitamins/minerals that my diet may be lacking. I’ve had the hardest time finding a good one though. My stomach gets very queasy when I swallow the huge horse pill vitamins. There’s also the gummy options, but they’re made with gelatin, which is a big no-no for vegetarians. I’ve been on the hunt for a chewable one made for adults, but haven’t had much luck. A couple weeks ago, I decided to check out Trader Joe’s vitamin selection and low and behold, there they were! A big sigh of relief considering I was seriously contemplating reliving my childhood and picking up some Flintstones chewables! :)

4. Trader Joe’s Chocolate Almond Milk

I use this every day to make my breakfast smoothies. It’s dairy-free and rich in calcium and vitamins D&E. Best of all, it satisfies my chocolate cravings!

5. Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is one of my favorite foods in the world, and I’m usually not picky about what kind I buy. Recently I decided to eat all natural peanut butter, and Smucker’s has been one of my favorites. It comes in both creamy and crunchy. I usually gravitate toward the crunchy PBs, but Smucker’s creamy did the trick for me. I like texture, and this creamy peanut butter still has a coarseness to it from the ground peanuts, which is delicious. Absolutely love it.

6. Edy’s Slow Churned Yogurt Blends

I have to give Mark credit for this one. This is frozen yogurt, but it tastes like ice cream. No joke. Ice cream is one of my favorite desserts, and I could easily eat a pint of it with no problem. This frozen yogurt has a richness to it that I haven’t tasted in frozen yogurt before. If you want a lighter option to ice cream, try this! I’ve tried cookies and cream, chocolate fudge brownie, and vanilla so far, and each is fantastic. Perfect for milkshakes!

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Shopping for Shoes the Kindrunner Way

When you shop for new running shoes, what do you do with your old ones? Do you toss them in the garbage? Let them pile up in your closet? Seems like kind of a waste, right?

old running shoes

In just a couple of weeks, YOU can change the way you buy running shoes AND change the world. You think I’m kidding? Well, get ready for what I’m about to tell you…

Kindrunner is a new company that has big plans for how shoes are bought and reused across the world. Starting June 1st, you will be able to shop their online store and interact with expert shoe fitters, getting the experience of a local running store with the click of your mouse. Not only can you find the perfect pair, but you can trade in your old pair and get PAID for it. Yes, I said paid! So exciting!

Kindrunner Logo

Once you make a purchase, you send them your old pair and they reward you with Kindness Cash, which you can use toward your next purchase. Plus, shipping is free!!!! That’s a win-win!

The best part is that you’ll be making a huge difference for someone around the world who is in dire need of shoes. Kindrunner is partnering with Soles 4 Souls and the MORE Foundation, who will donate the shoes to people who need them. Instead of piling up in a landfill and contributing to environmental waste, your shoes will instead be reused to touch someone with a simple, yet powerful gift. I think this is so cool.

Kindrunner

I’m very lucky to be working with Kindrunner as an ambassador. I think it’s so important to give back. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to change someone’s life. This is a great way to really make difference. I can’t wait to fill you in on all the cool things they’re doing to help runners, improve environment health, and help so many deserving people in the process.

I encourage you to go check them out! For every 500 likes on Facebook, they will give away a pair of selected running shoes to one winner and a running partner of their choosing. So make sure you go to their Facebook page and LIKE them! You can also find them on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

You can also win running shoes for you and a running partner for a year by going to kindrunner.com and entering your email address.

I hope you decide to become a Kind Runner!

*I’m working with Kindrunner as part of their ambassador program, and will be participating in product reviews and giveaways. All opinions expressed here are my own.

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Sidelined

I’ve been sidelined the past few weeks. Ever since the Kidney Walk, I’ve noticed a slight pain in my right big toe that started out small and progressively got worse. I wore the wrong shoes for the walk and ended up paying the price. I had that little voice in my head saying, “comfort over fashion, Megan!!!” Did I listen? Nope.

A few days later, I was bending down to reach for something in the photography studio (more to come on this soon!) and felt the tendon(?) pull. The next morning, my foot was throbbing and I couldn’t put any weight on it without wincing in pain. After searching WebMD I self-diagnosed myself with a minor sprain and cared for my foot the best I could. I wanted to avoid the doctor if I could, but obviously would have gone if it had gotten worse. Luckily, it’s starting to feel much better.

I’ve been thinking about doing another race because I need to get in shape. I’ve been slacking big time but just haven’t had the energy to start training again. It’s so much harder when you feel like you’re starting from square one after putting so much time into it previously. I’m an all or nothing girl, but I’m trying to break that habit and realize that persistence is key. So I need to get back on the saddle and start training again. I think my foot injury has been motivation. It’s that old saying that you never fully appreciate something until it’s gone. Well, my foot has been out of commission for a while, and now that it’s feeling better I realize that I need to be grateful that I have a healthy foot to use. So it’s time to seek out a new local race that will force me to push myself. I still want that half marathon medal! Time to take the baby steps to get there.

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Three Hour Garlic Marinade

I love french fries, but I realize how unhealthy they can be. So I came up with my own concoction for the best oven roasted potatoes. Just as much flavor, and I don’t have to feel so guilty eating them.

The secret ingredient for making these potatoes so tasty is the marinade. It’s packed full of flavor, and it’s great on any vegetable that can be roasted or grilled.

I buy a bag of red potatoes and cut ten potatoes into small pieces. There’s no science to this. Just a rough chop is fine. I like the rustic look anyway. I put all of the potatoes into a large bowl and drizzle them with extra virgin olive oil. When the potatoes are nicely coated, I add the herbs and spices. There’s salt, dill, garlic pepper, garlic powder, and minced garlic. Do you sense the garlic theme yet? Pour in as much or as little as you like. I love the strong garlic flavor, so I use quite a bit.

I don’t like to get my hands messy, so I place a large plastic food bag over my hand and toss all of the potatoes until they are coated nicely with the garlic marinade.

You could roast the potatoes now, but I’ve found that the longer they sit and marinate, the better. Cover the bowl with foil wrap and let it sit for about three hours. Then it’s time to roast! Roast the potatoes at 375 degrees for 35-45 minutes, depending on how crisp you like the potatoes.

Now, what should I do with all the leftover marinade? I can’t let it go to waste, right?

The solution? Add a little balsalmic vinegar and more minced garlic, and you have the perfect marinated portobello mushrooms! Grilled to perfection, yum!

Three Hour Garlic Marinade Collage

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Easy Guilt-Free Springtime Soup

By the time I was finished with work today, I was beat. I didn’t feel like grocery shopping or cooking an elaborate meal. I wanted something easy. I wanted something fast.

So when I got home, I looked in the pantry, fridge, and freezer. Bingo. I spotted tonight’s lucky ingredients. It was going to be a soup night. I call it my “Easy Guilt-Free Springtime Soup.”

What I really liked about this meal was that it took no time at all to prep the ingredients and throw everything in pot. I pretty much let the stove top and microwave do everything for me.

Here’s what went in the mix:

  • 1 container of Trader Joe’s Creamy Tomato Soup
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 package of whole wheat pasta (I used fusilli)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 bag steam-in-the-bag broccoli
  • 1 bag steam-in-the-bag sweet corn
  • 1 cup of fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • garlic pepper (to taste)
  • garlic powder (to taste)
  • 1 dollop of light sour cream
  • garlic chives for garnish
  • handful of Trader Joe’s Veggie and Flax Seed Chips

Directions:

  1. Pour container of tomato soup and 2 cups of water in a large pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Add the onion and whole wheat pasta to the pot and cook according to directions on pasta package.
  3. While the pasta and onion is cooking, microwave the steam-in-the-bag broccoli and corn.
  4. Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat on the stove top and add the broccoli and corn.
  5. Add the juice of two limes, garlic pepper, and garlic powder to taste (you could also use fresh minced garlic and pepper).
  6. Stir all of the ingredients and let simmer for 4-5 minutes.
  7. To serve, ladle the soup in a pretty bowl and add the fresh spinach. The spinach will wilt slightly from the heat. That’s what you want!
  8. Add the halved tomatoes to the soup, as well as a dollop of light sour cream and garlic chives. I have a garlic chive plant, but you should also be able to buy pre-cut chives in the store. Scallions would also be delicious.
  9. I finished off the soup by crumbling a few veggie and flax seed chips on top. You could also use tortilla chips.

I’m usually not a huge fan of soup in the spring or summer, especially when the temps are on the rise, but this soup was perfect. The whole wheat pasta and veggies add a lot of bulk to the soup, so a small bowl was satisfying. Plus, it’s really healthy! All of my veggies for the day in one serving. Can’t beat that! A perfect way to celebrate spring!

springtime soup

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