Thankful Thursday: The One Where I Went to the Doctor!

Good evening! I've had quite a day.  I went to work early so that I could leave early for my doctor's appointment.  I had a crazy busy day today at work and earned myself a sweet little headache.  Which certainly hasn't improved after sitting in traffic on my way back home from my appointment.  But it's Thursday and we're feeling very thankful, right? Good.  

So this week I'm thankful...

...that I went to the doctor.  And not just any doctor.  Today I had an appointment with Dr. Jordan Metzl, sports medicine genius and multiple marathoner/ironman triathlete.  As I've mentioned here on PB&P, I've had some quad-hip-leg pain for about a month now which resting, icing, heating and rolling has not improved.  Insert trip to Dr. Ironman.  His assessment?  My ass is weak.  Literally.  Dr. Metzl says that my weak glutes, hips, core is contributing to this muscular pain.  Also I run a little funny on my left foot (likely secondary to my previous hip fracture).  So my prescription?  Get fit, girl!  Which I'm so on board for.  I've got lots of strengthening workouts to do and I'm really excited.  I've been wanting to build strength for awhile now, and this is a perfect motivator.

...that my business cards have arrived! Let me know if you'd like one (or twenty) to pass on to your friends, family, co-workers, worst enemies, whoever! :)

...that I won Holly's giveaway and just received my very own case of 16 different LaraBars!  

I am a huge fan of LaraBar.  Most bars are around 200 calories and contain no more than 9 ingredients in each bar.  The base is usually dates and other ingredients include unsweetened fruits & nuts.  They're packed with fiber, protein, healthy fats and make a great snack! Not to mention they're delicious...with flavors like Banana Bread, Apple Pie, Chocolate Chip Brownie, Ginger Snap and Peanut Butter and Jelly. 

...for this awesome Amazon Local deal!  I've been wanting to try CrossFit for awhile now but wasn't ready to commit to paying for a gym or classes.  Now that strength building is doctor-prescribed (see above), it's like I HAVE to start this.  I can't wait to see what this fitness craze is all about!  Want to join me? Buy yours now! :)

...that I'm going home again this weekend!  Upstate fall foliage, free laundry, hugs from Mom and my favorite 5k race of the year?! What could be better?


Okay. I'm all thankful-ed out.  What are you thankful for this week? I'd love to hear all about it!

Give Me Something Good to Eat

With Halloween just around the corner, it seems like bags of candy and chocolate are everywhere you look.  A celebration originally intended to honor the souls of the dead has become completely centered on candy corn and "fun size" candy bars.  Talk about scary!

Now I'm a big chocolate fan myself (especially dark chocolate!) and I definitely believe that sweet treats do have a place in a healthy lifestyle.  Still every year I find myself frustrated by the overindulgence that occurs around Halloween and other holidays.  Being surrounded by empty calories is just not a good way to set ourselves up to make healthy choices.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not campaigning to end trick-or-treating or anything crazy like that.  I love dressing up in costumes and trick-or-treating, but I think we need to make adjustments to the messages (and the treats) we're giving to kids today.  When I was little, we always wanted to just skip the houses we knew to give out apples, popcorn or toothbrushes, but maybe those people were onto something!  Of course those are dietitian approved choices, but it doesn't even need to be that "extreme"! There are plenty of snack options that can satisfy a sweet tooth without breaking the nutritional bank.

  Green Halloween is one of many awesome programs working on changing our approach to Halloween.  It's gaining serious momentum and inspiring people to think "outside the candy-box®".  I absolutely love the idea of making Halloween healthier, safer and easier on the environment!  

Some of the well-known companies involved with the Green Halloween movement include Honest Tea, Stretch Island Fruit Co., Plum Kids, Cascadian Farms and (my favorite) Lara Bars!  In fact, Lara Bars is hosting a sweepstakes to giveaway 100 LARABAR minis, which are a great healthy option for trick-or-treaters! (Hurry, though...it ends at 11:59pm tonight!)

So before you stock up on giant bags of (expensive) Halloween candy, consider giving out something GOOD to eat this year!

Have a Happy and Healthy Halloween!