Tag: Run

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on April 27, 2017

  1. I had a coffee date with a woman I met through pet sitting last week, and she is such a gem. She gifts me with things each time I watch her cat and on our date she gave me a card with ten euros inside for my upcoming trip.

  

  2. I get overly excited when I enter a bathroom other than mine and find the toilet seat up. To me this means the bathroom was freshly cleaned (usually at 6am when I arrive at work) and mine will be the first fanny of the day to grace the seat.

  3. I have been trying to get back into a running groove lately, and had a few runs last week that really made my soul sing. I managed a 5 miler that I didn’t think I had in me. Proof that whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right.

  

  4. I’m writing this to kill time before my bimonthly massage. I’m anticipating the jello like state my body will be in post rub down. The woman I see is a magician. Update: this massage was so good I couldn’t think straight.

  5. I have some kind of OCD when it comes to containers of food. Specifically nut butter jars. I need the sides clean of product as the jar is used. I do not like when there is butter all up the sides when the jar is half gone.

  

  Possibly hard to tell, but the top of the PB must have an even line. Minor residual remnants at the top are OK, but clumps are no no no.

  6. I’ve had this song on repeat. Tell me, would you dive with me?

  7. One of my runs last week was along the water. In the pouring rain. After a 15 hour work day. It was awesome. 

  8. I watched La La Land for the second time, and it was just as depressing as it was the first time I watched it. The end makes me feel sooooeemmpptyyy.

  9. I’ve been riding the veggie train haarrrddd lately because they make me feel good. I love when I share photos with my friends and their reply is, “looks good, but where’s the protein?” Then I proceed to school them.

  

  Legit this plate of plants has over 35g of protein. Thanks for the concern though. 😉

  10. Asparagus pee. That is all.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 61 Comments Tagged Early Morning Confessions, Ireland, Peanut Butter, Plant Based, Run, Running, Vegan

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on October 10, 2016

  1. I write this post from a place of pure joy and content. I have no school related tasks for five whole days, and I assure you those five days will be like finding the golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

  (RIP Gene Wilder.)

  2. I’ve had a handful of runs lately that have left me feeling like a gazelle gallivanting through green grass. I was house sitting in one of my favorite towns, and a fun town means fun runs.

  
  

  3. Foggy tree lines, rainy evenings, mugs of cinnamon tea, colors of orange and brown, leaves of red and yellow. Fall is here, fall is here, FALL IS HERE!

  4. My mouth has fully boarded the squash train, and I’ve been having daily sweet potatoes slathered with some kind of fat (coconut oil, or nut butter), but I’m still showing mad love to the not so common fall themed foods.

  

  5. I’ve recently become a pleasure reader. I struggle to stay focused at times, and am currently reading two books at once (something I swore I could never do), but there is beauty in finding free time to read because you want to and not because you have to.

  6. I haven’t created anything new for my “What I’d Sell In My Food Truck” page in a while, but I busted out an old favorite and got my face dirty with my chocolate avocado pudding.

  

  7. My work building is located about 1.75 miles from the ferry I take that drops me into Seattle. On Thursday’s I walk from work to the ferry, and have recently decided to run. Last Thursday I was reminded what it’s like to be winded. Seattle is not a flat city. My ferry was late forcing me to run another 1.25 miles rounding my distance to 3 miles. #OCD miles.

  8. This. You need this in your life. Go to the store yesterday and buy this. My goodness I cannot stop.

  

  9. I recently saw a pair of underwear with a Star Wars theme. The backside of the garment had the iconic phrase, “may the force be with you.” On the rear. The buttock. The fanny. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

  10. While out for a casual stroll I stumbled upon a hat. A green hat. A free hat. My new hat. The hat looks good on the cat.

  

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 60 Comments Tagged Cat, Early Morning Confessions, Plant Based, Run, Vegan

• As We Go on

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on May 31, 2016

  I’ve been out of high school for nearly ten years. Looking back I would say I was neutral about my high school experience, but back then leaving those walls gave me similar feelings to having my chest stomped on by a 2 ton black bear.

  Hearing the song “graduation” by Vitamin C made me cry like a big ol’ baby when I was 18. Ohh to be young. I’m not even sure why I was sad, perhaps because the idea of “being a grown up” was frightening, but as I’ve learned in my 27 years on this earth we never really grow up. We just evolve and hopefully become better people.

  

  My beautiful younger sister Renae just graduated from high school, and I was fortunate enough to fly down to Arizona and attend the party. As with any trip to Arizona there are a handful of highlights I’d like to share.
  

  I left the lush green trees of Washington and attempted to trail run at 12pm during Arizona spring time. Not nearly as bad as Arizona summer time, but I made it a whopping 3.5 miles in the 90 degree weather before calling for back up.

  

  

  DAAADD save me, I’m covered in tiny spiky balls.

  The remainder of my runs were done before 8 am. I didn’t dare repeat this rookie mistake and melt to the side of a cactus. In fact every type of physical activity was done before 8 am. This included a handful of 7 am runs, a 5:45 am kayak adventure, and a 6:30 am hike.

  

  I made a friend in the mountains, I called him Frank.

  

  No. not him. He looked more like a Bill. 

  

  FRANK THE TANK!

  

  For our kayak adventure we used inflatable kayaks and practiced in the pool first. Heaven forbid we sink like the Titanic if one had a hole in it.

  

  

  

  I searched high and lo (aka Googled) for places that served nitrogen infused cold brew iced coffee, and I found one place close to where we hiked. Got some goodness at Songbird Coffee and Tea house in Phoenix.

  

  

  I fulfilled my dream of wearing a hair net once again by volunteering at Feed My Starving Children, an Arizona tradition.
  

  

  

  Visited a vegan restaurant per my dads suggestion. Those words he uttered were like glitter covered unicorns, I think I’ll keep him. We ate at Green Vegetarian Restaurant in Phoenix and gave a universal verdict of: OHMYGAHYESYESYES.

  

  

  Chili fries, fried brussels sprouts, and “buffalo wings”

  Best part of this meal: the owners also own a dessert shop called Nami just a hop, skip, OR, a jump away. Literally 10 ft from each other.

  

  I ordered a vanilla soft serve “tsoynami” with pretzels, chocolate, marshmallow fluff, and coco cereal. I then proceeded to understand the meaning of life. So.Good.

  

  Just in case anyone was curious where I get my dashing good looks from… 

  

  

  Time with family is always a great recharge for me. I came home full of love, and with eighteen mosquito bites – a good prep for summers in the mountains.

  Q: What were your final days of high school like?

  

  | 67 Comments Tagged Arizona, Coffee, Hike, Ice Cream, Run, Vacation, Vegan

• When Life Has Another Plan

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on May 18, 2016

  SOO…my manifestation didn’t come true, but it’s OK! To summarize, I’ve been somewhat unhappy with my current job role at Starbucks, and I started seeking something new. I applied for a job at the Starbucks corporate office not thinking I’d hear anything, but I DID! To be honest it all happened very fast.

  After meeting with the department manager, I sadly discovered that because this specific role was a time limited assignment my pay would stay the same. I’d also be loosing tips, and I’d be paying $$$ to commute to Seattle costing me a couple thousand bucks for the 6month period. Long story short, it wasn’t meant to be. That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying though, and I know this means something better is coming.

  Let the manifesting continue.

  Since I’ll be staying where I am for a bit, I want to highlight the things I can still do in my current role.

  I can still…take mid week adventures to the beach for a run.

  

  I can still…walk this dude three times a week.

  

  I can still…”easily” ride my bike to work.

  

  I can still…avoid the crowds of the mountains by hiking on a Tuesday.

  

  I can still…wear this black apron to work. (Or the obnoxious Hawaiian shirt during frappuccino happy hour.)

  

  I can still…take off on a jet plane to visit my family knowing there are plenty of other people that can cover while I’m away. Tomorrow I’m off to Arizona for a week.

  

  Sometimes life has another plan than what we might hope for, and in time everything makes sense. I’m actively manifesting a change, which I wasn’t doing before. That alone is a fantastic place to start!

  Q: Do you give up when things don’t go as planned? Nahhh, I fight even harder.

  

  | 90 Comments Tagged Dog, Gizmo, Hike, Run, Starbucks

• Muscle Massage

  Posted at 7:05 AM by Brittany, on January 18, 2016

  Although I find myself running much less in the winter months, my desire for a good massage never dies. Maybe it’s the grey skies, or maybe it’s the cold weather, but I find myself hibernating more in the winter. I think my spirit animal is a bear because I’m all about facilitating tissue insulation through cookie consumption.

  

  

  I digress…

  When I’m running a lot my muscles become accustomed to the wear and tear I put them through, & when I run less I feel each mile much quicker. No surprises there.

  

  Is it just me, or does the map route of this run look similar to the shape of the state?

  While I was in Arizona I ran more in those two weeks than I had in the entire month of December. This meant my muscles felt the fatigue of my neglect. I use a foam roller, but these days I only use it for my back. Plus bringing a giant foam tube on an airplane just isn’t feasible when you need every ounce of space for snacks.

  

  Along with many sunny Arizona runs I also watched a lot of movies, spent new years eve volunteering the same way I did last year, went on a few bike rides, hiked a couple mountains, and had many lovely conversations with family.

  

  

  With all this adventuring my step mom was kind enough to buy me a massage that satisfied every fiber of my being, but massages aren’t cheap and my shoulders and neck resemble a field of clustered grape vines. Insert tiger tail, a small and easy way to bring my massage with me everywhere I go! 

  This hand held massage tool is SO convenient for spots like quads and necks. Or at least that’s what I’ve been using mine for. The euphoria I feel when I use this on my neck is like that of a monkey finding bugs in their fur. I have the classic, but there is an even smaller one for easier portability.

  While I base my muscle rolling on feel (hurtssss so goooood), it’s nice to have a reference of trigger spots to search for. The happy muscles book intrigued my inner science lover and was like a mini anatomy class.

  Nothing beats an actual massage, but at $80 a pop I find paying $35 one time for a muscle roller to be a much better option. Plus, I’m all about shopping local. Since being back home in Washington I’ve only run four miles (whoa there, slow down Brittany), but the knots in my neck are still large and in charge.

  

  Muscle fuel.

  Stretch more, eat green, drink water, roll muscles – the way to a happy body and happy mind. Oh and in my case, EAT. LESS. SUGAR. One day I’ll master that. 😉

  Q: Do you take care of your muscles like you should? I’m a work in progress.

  

  | 69 Comments Tagged Arizona, Muscles, Review, Run, Vegan

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 6:00 AM by Brittany, on January 5, 2016

  1. I’ve caught myself a dose of writers block. I want to share photos of my recent adventures, but I don’t have a segue that I’m happy with so that means I just have to jump into it, Early Morning Confession style.

  2. While I enjoy rest and relaxation, I struggle sitting still. This has resulted in a handful of hikes during my current trip to Arizona.

  

  

  3. I’ve enjoyed each adventure into the mountains with members of my family, and nothing beats discussing life, the future, and the color brown.

  4. With these discussions comes a lot of reflecting on life.

  

  

  5. Each winter when I visit Arizona my family and I watch a series of movies. Last year was a Marvel movie marathon, the year before was Harry Potter, and this year…Star Wars. Just when I thought I wasn’t a fan, I’ve succumb to the force.

  6. While on a run I tried to grab a dime that was stuck in the road and I cracked the cement. I then saw a three armed gingerbread man.

  

  7. Despite my failed attempt to grab the dime, I have found $0.32 on my trip thus far. I wonder how much of my plane ticket that covers.

  8. I miss my bike, but have been taking advantage of some temporary wheels.

  

  9. I start school next Monday. I have been in a cycle of start, stop, start, stop for years and I’m finally ready to finish. For real this time. 😉 More on this when I’m done.

  10. My friend makes the most EPIC Katniss inspired cowl scarves, and I am so in love with them. I’ll be buying one, and I think you should too.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 95 Comments Tagged Arizona, Confessions, Hike, Run, Squaw Peak

• Streets of LA

  Posted at 8:15 AM by Brittany, on November 5, 2015

  I can’t help but think back to this time last year when I was engulfed in Chemistry. Fall is my favorite season, yet 3/4 of my free time was dedicated to that class. Last fall flew by without so much as a hello, so this year I made it a point to enjoy each and every changing leaf.

  

  Not LA.

  This fall is flying by just as fast, but in a much more enjoyable way. I had a great trip to Ohio in September, just came back from California on Sunday (visiting this girl,) and am off to Arizona in just a month and a half.

  This is how I prefer spending my fall months.

  

  November means Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I must admit I do enjoy the extra joy that comes from this month of celebration. I’m thankful for my adventures with Gigi last week, starting with exploring the streets of LA.

  

  

  I was able to explore the land by foot each day, which as most of you know is my favorite way to explore. This allows me to see things I’d typically miss.

  Like a gaggle of black cats painted on a wall.

  

  I had a handful of great runs, two of which ended at my “new favorite” California coffee shop – Alfred {Coffee + Kitchen}. When their slogan is “But first, coffee” you’re in good hands.

  

  

  

  As a drip coffee lover I was happy to discover Alfred Coffee uses their own blend, with the help of Stumptown. I also appreciated the price on this cup of coffee, although I did find over $2 in monies during my few days of running.

  

  Their brew is called Alfred, sometimes simple is better.

  

  This is real life, from ONE run.

  The $$ I found payed for at least one cup of coffee. That’s a win in my book.

  

  LA is a fast paced city, which I could never see myself living in, but it allowed me to slow down and appreciate my time away from “real life.”

  

  Sorry mom and dad, this was too good not to share.

  They also have a solid grasp on living in the moment, at least according to the streets.

  Q: Have you been to LA?

  

  | 62 Comments Tagged California, Coffee, Explore, LA, Run

• 100 Mile September

  Posted at 8:25 AM by Brittany, on September 8, 2015

  Remember back in May when I decided to run 100 miles for the month? Well, I loved that so much I am doing it again for September.

  

  It gives me a great focus, and just enough of a “training plan” where I don’t get burned out. Sure I’m running nearly every day, but the miles are short which makes them manageable. I kicked off the month with a 4 miler that was SO CLOSE to being under a 9 minute average I could taste it.

  

  I’m not a fast runner, at all. I bounce between a 9:30-10 min pace depending on my mood, energy, and my food intake. Lately I’ve been bouncing around 9:45min/miles which I love. Anything faster and I’m usually chasing the ice cream truck or trying to get into a line at Disneyland.

  Where am I going with this, OH YES, my pace was a 9:03 average which has given me a new goal of breaking into the 8 min mile range. I don’t know when, but I know it must happen. I did run the last two miles of that 4 miler at an 8:40 pace, however my goal is for the overall average to be sub 9. Boom.

  

  My favorite part about running everyday is the carb destruction that follows. Run for carbs and carbs for run, thanks to this routine my runs have all been great so far, the kind that leave you on a natural high.

  I also attribute my success to good music, and good coffee. This song is fantastic for running. Obsessed.

  

  My current regimen.

  My run on Saturday was supposed to be 3 miles, but I wanted to keep going for one more because it was one of those “ponder life” runs where I was so lost in my thoughts I could have run all day. Then I got hungry. I also found a treasure.

  

  Perhaps somewhat ironic that the item found on this run (I find a lot of random things) was a symbol of death. Or maybe just a symbol of the upcoming holiday, Halloween is my favorite after all. I intend to leave this skull prize at my bosses house, where I am currently dog/house sitting. I wonder how long it will take for her to find it. 😉

  As large and cuddly as this lovely dog may be, I miss my cats.

  

  So, I went to visit them.

  

  My Halloween baby, I just love that yogic beauty.

  Q: What’s one of your goals for the month, week, or even just today?

  

  | 65 Comments Tagged 100 Miles, Carbs, Cats, Goals, Housesitting, Run

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 7:04 AM by Brittany, on August 24, 2015

  1. This post is being written because I feel like writing, yet don’t have anything of substance or structure to share. Story of my life.

  2. I got sick last week out of no where, and took three days off from running. I then lost all my morals and ate whatever the hell I wanted, because that’s obviously how you get better. The upside of it all was when I got back on track with running my pace had unexpectedly improved.

  

  Before the unplanned rest I was averaging 10min/miles. Proof that rest is key, and won’t destroy what you’ve built.

  3. Remember that time I talked about going to ASU through Starbucks? Yea, that ship sailed, was re-boarded, and then sailed again. I changed majors and have everything set up whenever I decided to bite that bullet. What I know for sure is I WILL have my degree finished before my 80th birthday.

  4. I still have the recipe for a delicious pie hanging out in my draft bin. Perhaps I need to share that. I ate the entire thing in like 3 days.

  

  5. I haven’t run a race in…ALMOST A YEAR!? I’m kind of in shock about that, but I haven’t had a desire to train for a half marathon, and haven’t found a 10K that aligns with my schedule. Anything less than a 10K I don’t like to pay for. Running has been very zen for me lately with no strict schedule, and I like it that way.

  6. Ever had cassava flour? It’s different, good, but different. It’s a great option for anyone that can’t have most traditional flours. It’s made from a root vegetable, so basically it’s friendly for all. I made pumpkin bread, and brownies from it and then proceeded to eat all of both.

  

  

  I used Otto’s cassava flour, which is different from others because it is said to be the closest taste and smell to regular flours. It’s a bit chewy, but flavor was fantastic.

  7. These next few months, are travel months. I’m going to Ohio in September to see Meghan, LA in October to see my twin, and Arizona in December to see my family. To ensure I am living life on my terms, this is a must.

  8. Once upon a a time I had a dream to run my first half marathon at Disneyland. I made this a reality, and it was absolutely magical. My next dream was to go to Disneyland for Halloween, because Halloween is my favorite. My trip in October is MAKING THIS DREAM COME TRUE.

  

  I did go last year JUST as they were setting up, but didn’t get to see it fully done.

  9. Starting today…I am going to try my damnedest to stay away from added sugars. That toxin is EVERYWHERE and I am straight addicted. Fruit is the only exception. Wish me luck, detox is an ugly beast.

  10. I’m currently drinking a cup French press of my favorite coffee, which is calming my soul about ditching sugar. On the flip side, I’m thinking about how well a piece of dark chocolate would pair with this. Thank God for raw cacao.

  

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 67 Comments Tagged Baking, Coffee, Confessions, Disneyland, Run, sugar, Vacation

• Exceptionally Great Day

  Posted at 11:41 AM by Brittany, on July 30, 2015

  Last Thursday I had an exceptionally great day, and the moments just kept coming.
  

  Exceptional moment #1: I woke up with the sun. It’s ALWAYS a good morning when there are no alarms. I rose from the dead around 6am – my happy wake up time.

  

  

  Goodmorning sun.

  Exceptional moment #2: I made a French press, opened my computer, and sliced myself a piece of raw blueberry pie. I was sipping on some Organic Yukon, which has a smoothness that paired beautifully with this creamy pie.

  Recipe for the pie here. Exceptional moment #3: I took a drive a few towns over for a run along the water and across the bridge. Everything about this run was on point.

  

  Exceptional moment #4: Post run grocery haul, aka the two stores that are the Disneyland away from Disneyland. Plus Whole Foods had my favorite Theo bar.

  

  My bags indicate my two favorite states.

  Exceptional moment #5: Satisfying my week long burger craving, and remembering the beauty that is iceberg lettuce. I always opt for dark leafy greens because they have a higher nutritional punch, but all I wanted was a lettuce ball.

  

  Lettuce “bun” topped with roma tomatoes, oven roasted red onions and green bell peppers, artichoke hearts, mustard, turmeric, ginger, and an adzuki bean patty. With a side of salt and vinegar baked chips.

  It was like the 4th of July firework finale in my mouth.

  Exceptional Moment #6: Discovering a box of all things wonderful with my name on it. I had no idea this was coming, one of the many perks of blogging.

  

  More on that later…I think that’s enough feel good for now.

  Q: What kind of adventures constitute an exceptional day for you? Leisure mornings, hikes, good coffee and food pairings, running, food, more food, all the food.

  

  | 43 Comments Tagged Enjoy Life, Garmin, Run, Trader Joes, Whole Foods

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• BRITTANY- Self proclaimed minimalistic nomad striving to maintain a balanced, healthy life with good food, long hikes, deep connections, exploration, lots of broccoli, and laughing like it's my J.O.B. Currently living and working in Germany, join me on my adventures abroad!
• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

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