Category: energy

gift guide. for the runner.

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1. Garmin Forerunner. This is the best watch out there- in my opinion. It has just enough bells and whistles to tell you what you need to know without overloading your brain with way too much information.

2. Feetures Socks. These are my favorite. I have yet *knock on wood* to get a blister in these socks. They are thick enough in the right spots to protect your feet, but thin enough to not take up valuable space in your shoes!

3. Nike Compression Shorts. You know my love for these shorts. Say goodbye to any weird seem chaffing!

4. Orion Mesh Leggings. I love a fun pair of workout pants. These have mesh and lattice detailing!

5. Lululemon Shorts. I have several pairs of these. There are so many fun colors to choose from. They are just a classic workout short.

6. Nike Running Vest. This vest is so light and yet so warm. I have no idea how they do it! It is the perfect layer or stand alone on those cold days.

7. Yurbuds Headphones. You probably know by now that I don’t run with wireless headphones. It’s just one more thing for me to charge, and I honestly haven’t found any that I like as much as these. I’ve used them for 4 years now.

8. Nike Visor. When sunglasses alone won’t cut it, I throw on this.

9. Nike Sunglasses. I searched for awhile for the perfect running glasses. I love how light weight these are and they don’t have any weird pressure points that could end up giving me a headache. My husband actually started stealing these from me because he liked them more than his.. and then lost him! I think I know what I better be getting in my stocking!

10. Believe Training Journal. I’ve talked about this journal before. I enjoy being able to look back on my progress … especially during those running slumps where you feel like you just aren’t progressing or you can’t run anymore.

11. Flipbelt. I have turned countless people on to these! Forget those annoying bouncing belts or those arm bands that rub. This is a game changer.

12. Sarah Marie Designs tees. I love her stuff. She has great tees, sweatshirts, and a new varsity inspired jacket that is too cute!

13. Nike Running Jacket. Another win for Nike. A thin, but warm running jacket.

14. Lululemon duffel bag. This is the perfect gym bag. Room for everything and super cute!

xox

aj

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love in action + 25% code

When it comes to the holidays we are all thinking about the people on our Christmas list and what to give them; however, are we thinking about all of those people who are not able to check off their list of even basic needs? I have something you can do to help with your list and the lists of others.

Evolve.

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I have raved about this new company many times before [here] and I’m going to do it again! For every evolve- love in action purchase you make, it includes a social giveback to one of their Love In Action Partners. These are non-profit organizations committed to social justice and the quest to end poverty. They are located in Thailand, South Africa and the United States. Each organization demonstrates core values that evolve, as well as Ash and I, stand behind: compassion, empowerment, wholeness, courage and creativity.

So, let’s say you have that running/workout pal who loves herself a good pair of leggings! Grab the Rupa or VaVa leggings or a great capri like the Dawn. If you purchased these you would not only be giving your friend an amazing Christmas gift, but also giving 2 days of school, 3 warm meals, and personal hygiene kits to someone in need! Complete the outfit with the Deb halter or Mryna tank and you’ll be giving a child 1 week to 1 month of school supplies! Let’s not forget a sports bra and give the gift of education to a child!

Then, let’s not forget about the men in our life! Evolve has just launched their new men’s line and I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek before they launched it, when they were here in Dallas. Let’s just say, my super picky husband love the line. Their shirts were so soft I wanted a set of sheets made out of them- and the shorts were finally a length, fit, and style I could get on board with for men’s work out shorts. There will be a couple packages under the tree for my man from this line.

The Mike tee is the incredibly soft, and amazing work out tee. Five minutes after a work out your man won’t even know he was sweating. It’s amazing. Plus, just by purchasing it, it provides 10 years of clean water to someone in need in an under-developed country! Then complete the outfit with the Eric short and you will be giving your man a complete outfit and also providing one hour of job skills training for a homeless youth in the US!

I love the founders behind this company and their passion for their vision. It shows every time I get to talk to and see them.  “Evolve – love in action seeks to empower and inspire those who wear its clothes… to be their best selves and to be a part of something much bigger. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to make you feel beautiful from the inside out.”

So…. you’re sold, right!? Me too. I have been for awhile. Just when you think it can’t get better- they are giving all of our lovely friends 25% off the ENTIRE STORE through December to get your Christmas list checked off and to help better our world!

Use code: JUNIPERLEMONS 

and please tag us, @juniperlemons,  and evolve, @evolve_loveinaction, in your new gear so we can see the amazing faces behind helping our community!

happy shopping!

xox

aj

Read more about why I love evolve and my passion in helping build our future on their blog, here.

 

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black bean & roasted veggie tacos

How does Taco Tuesday sound today!? Mix it up and do an all veggie version that I promise won’t make you miss the meat.

Black Bean & Roasted Veggie Tacos

  • 1.5 cups cored, seeded and diced, tomatoes
  • 1.5 cups corn kernels (can, frozen or fresh!)
  • 1.5 heaping cups of diced zucchini (about 1 zucchini)
  • 1.5 heaping cups of diced yellow squash (about 1 squash)
  • 3/4 small yellow onion, chopped (a little less than 1 cup)
  • 1 cup diced red bell pepper (about 1 bell pepper)
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder, divided
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup canned black beans, drained, rinsed and warmed
  • 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
  • Corn tortillas
  • Queso fresco, shredded cheese, or feta for serving

Directions

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
  • Place the tomatoes, corn, zucchini, squash, onion and bell pepper on a large baking sheet. **make sure all the pieces are cut about the same size- except for the tomatoes. You can cut them a little larger- they will shrink in size** 
  • In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, cumin, 1/2 tsp chili powder & salt and pepper. Drizzle this mixture over the veggies on your baking sheet- toss evenly to coat and spread them out.
  • Bake in the oven for 10 minutes- toss and spread out- then roast for 10 more minutes.
  • When the veggies are almost finished, warm up your black beans and toss them with salt and the rest of your chili powder, 1/2 tsp.
  • Once the veggies are finished roasting, add the black beans to them as well as the chopped cilantro and then drizzle lime juice over everything! Toss.
  • Heat up your corn tortillas in a skillet with a little bit of oil so they get some nice golden brown spots.
  • Then, serve ’em up and enjoy! Top with the cheese of your choice, sour cream, salsa- whatever you like!

These are amazing the next day as well. I take a non-stick skillet and pour the veggie mixture on one side with a little olive oil and a couple corn tortillas on the other side- warm everything up and then enjoy them all over again!

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running shoes

Let’s talk shoes. I find a shoe- and I stick with it. That is until they decide to ‘redesign’ said shoe and then we break up and I find a new love. This is a frustrating process that usually leads to lots of trips to Luke’s Locker.IMG_4438.jpgShoes are everything. They take the beating as you’re hitting the pavement. If your knee starts to hurt, or your toes are going numb the first place you should turn is to your shoes. Go to your local running store and have them help you out. Tell them what you love in a  shoe- I love a wide toe box. I want lots of space for my toes to breathe and lets be honest, swell. I also prefer a light weight more minimalist shoe. Try different brands- and for goodness sake WHO CARES WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE! They are there to serve a purpose while you work hard. You can wear the cute ones while you run your errands but get the ones that feel the best on your feet, no matter what they look like, while you are putting the miles on them.

Remember to keep up with the mileage on your shoes. You need to keep them fresh. The more mileage on the shoe, the more broken down they will be which leads to a greater chance of injury. The general rule is 500 miles for a ‘normal’ shoe and 300 for a ‘minimalist’. You will get to the point when you just know it’s time to retire them to the running errands pile instead of the running miles pile.

The more you run, the more you will learn what you love and don’t love about a shoe. I started running years ago in Nike Frees. Now, as much as I love this shoe, I found myself getting a few stress fractures in my foot as my mileage increased. Some people swear by them, I am not one of them for anything over the half marathon distance.  I switched over the the Brooks Pure Flow. Now, Brook’s Pure line is amazing and I swore by them for several years. Had the trail shoe from the Pure Line as well. I had more of the same shoe, same color, than anyone. I LOVED that shoe. I ran my first marathon in it with no issues. They then did a major overhaul on the shoe last year and we had to break up. It became too tight in the forefoot and too supportive in the arch. I spent months trying to find the perfect shoe. Lots of trips to Luke’s during this time.

I found the Nike LunarTempo and ran in it for several months- had a couple pairs of them. No issues, (still love it for shorter distances and sprints) but when it was time to get a new shoe the Nike LunarEpic had just come out- I was hesitant because of the high top sock look that they had- but then remembered WHO CARES- and you know what, I LOVE THIS SHOE. They have since come out with a low cut version, but they are not the same. The high top of the shoe allows it to be looser around the main part of your foot- which is what I love. I just slip them on- no tying and worrying about them being too tight halfway through my run. I haven’t had a blister, lost a toe nail, nothing. I’m sold.img_4436If you prefer a non-minimalist shoe – or one with a little more oomph- Ashley loves the Nike Pegasus. She swears by them as the only shoe that she has never been injured in. So does our Mom, who is a 60-ish year old marathon runner! They, personally, are just a little too heavy for my damaged ankles.

So, don’t give up on finding a shoe! It may take some trial and error but there is a running shoe out there for everyone! Let me know if you have any questions- I’ve tried many other shoes and would be happy to chat with you about them.Screen Shot 2016-11-02 at 4.24.15 PM.png

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**had no intention of the purple blue color scheme- these are not the exact ones I have. As always, leave a comment with any questions!

 

happy running,

xox

aj

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Granola

I introduce to you my recipe for yummy granola- which is adapted from the granola recipe of the lovely Kristin Andrus  {check her out for amazing recipes!} You can really add anything you want to this! Make it your own. Remove the things your family doesn’t love and add the things they do. We love coconut around here so sometimes I add extra! IMG_3776Granola

  • 5.5 cups Old Fashioned Oats
  • 1.5 cups sliced almonds
  • 1/2 cup pecans- chopped
  • 1/2 cup walnuts- chopped
  • 1 cup flaxseed
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes or shredded coconut
  • cinnamon to taste 
  • 1/2 cup oil
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup or brown sugar (if you like it sweeter- add more!) we use maple syrup in our house 
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Mix together the oats, nuts, flaxseed, coconut, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Mix the oil, honey, brown sugar and vanilla together in a pot on the stove- heat until slightly bubbly and completely combined. Then, pour over the dry mixture and mix together. Once everything is coated, divided the mixture between two large baking/jelly roll pans. Bake at 300 for 15- 20 minutes. You do not want this to burn! It will not look golden- it will continue to cook/harden when you bring it out of the oven. Once cooled, keep in an airtight container. Enjoy 🙂 Use as a cereal, on top of yogurt, mixed with peanut butter & an apple!

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training essentials.

As I sit here cuddled in my blanket, hair several days un-washed, sucking on a throat lozenge, popping antibiotics and massaging my hip where they stuck me with a shot yesterday – I’m looking at my next 6 weeks of training-plan for California International Marathon and getting discouraged when I see all the ‘0 miles’ filling up the days. I’m trying to stay positive and keep repeating to myself that missing this many runs is OK and as soon as this sickness passes I can hop right back on the plan and conquer CIM! So, what do I do when I’m down and can’t run- I think about all the fun things about running and get pumped for when I can again! On that note, here are my training essentials- whether it be training for a 1 mile, 5k, 10k, half, or marathon:

  • A training plan- with a goal in mind. Whether that goal is to just finish strong or race fast- write it down! Then, make a spreadsheet or just write on a calendar your training plan. There are so many plans out there- pick one that feels right for you! If you read my post here, you know which one I now love and have now adapted for the next 6 weeks until CIM.
  • Have a good pair of shoes. {more on this to come!} Go to your local running store and get fitted. Have someone help you find the perfect shoe for you. My current favorite’s are these. You do not want a worn out pair of shoes or one that is wrong for your foot.
  • Go out and buy yourself a new outfit! This will FOR SURE get you motivated to put one foot in front of the other and head out for a run. Who doesn’t love a good new outfit. I’m loving this brand right now. You can see my review of them here. Also, check out my running favorites for a few more of my go-to’s outfit wise!
  • Gels. Gu’s. Energy beans. Waffles. Whatever works for your stomach- find it, and train with it. That way nothing is new on race day. I use these. Also, if you are signed up for a race, and have a super sensitive stomach like me, see what sports drink they will have during the race and train with it as well. They usually will post this on their website or in an email a few months prior.
  • Don’t get discouraged. {eh-hem, I need to go back and read that sentence I typed!} You are going to have bad days. You will get sick. Your kids will get sick. Things will come up. Whatever it is, you can’t do anything about it and you just have to find your mental toughness {which you will need race day} to get over it, and pick up wherever you left off. If you keep a running journal, go back and look at your entries and see all the hard work you’ve put in thus far, to help keep you in a positive space.
  • Find a mantra. Strong legs and big lungs will only get you so far and then you will need mental strength. Your negative brain will start to seep in and try to derail your plans. A strong, powerful mantra can keep you focused. It will help remove the negative vibe and restore you to a positive space – or at least distract you from the pain 😉  Pick something short, powerful and easy to remember, that you can repeat to yourself when you need a little extra ‘umph’.
  • A good playlist or some audio books. I used to think people were crazy when they said they would listen to books as they ran- but then I tried it. GAME CHANGER. I use music for races now that way it’s new and fun- and books for training. I will get so excited about going out for a run because I want to see what happens in my book. A few I have finished recently are- The Maze Runner Series & The Girl on the Train.
  • A watch or an app. Something to help you figure out your distance. There are several good apps you can download to your phone- my favorite, and has been for forever is the Nike Running Club. I have a Garmin Forerunner 220

So, on that note- I’m going to get off my poor-pitiful me train and go book my hotel for CIM to get me excited! I’ll be back at it in no time.

Happy training!

 

xox

aj

*Comment below if there’s anything specific you’d like me to cover in our energy section! As always- ask questions if you have any!

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